It's a bit chilly - about time. The house garden is looking very sad due to the season and neglect on my part; I'm afraid I've lost my house garden mojo but the permy garden is still looking good. I've also lost my housework mojo but I'm not really sure I ever truly had that so maybe it's not technically lost, just absent.
Gibbo left at 4.30am to drive to Roma to catch a flight to Charleville then had to drive 3 hours north to look at some wagyu. Keen. He'll be home tomorrow night. Drew and I drove to Toowoomba for him to have a TB Mantou test for his Canada application and I went for my bi annual mammogram, ultrasound and lung x-Ray. We found out at Drew's appointment that he couldn't actually have his because he has had a "live" vaccination in the last four weeks (the chickenpox one) and they wouldn't do the test - so we booked in again for July.
It's the stockies turn to organize a social club function so we're all going to the Leagues Club for dinner. I suggested we go to the Library but nobody liked that idea.
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Monday, June 28, 2010
IPad Central!
The ipads arrived last Friday, on Drew's birthday so that was perfect. We weren't expecting them until next week so having them arrive early was a bonus. I had bought the last sim card in town only on Wednesday so was able to set Drew's up on Friday night. It was an easy process and he was able to sit on the couch and Facebook the night away! Meg and I sat glumly watching him as we didn't have sim cards.
On Saturday we dropped Drew at Bree's and Coco at Mum's and went to Bris where we picked Chris up and went to the Chermside shopping centre to visit the Apple store. Meg and I bought sim cards and an extremely helpful man set both our ipads up so we were surfing the net on the way to our accom.
I have to admit I really like the iPad and the kids love theirs. Gibbo is feeling a bit left out but I told him he could share mine.
This post has been typed on the iPad but photos will still come from the PC until the camera connection kits arrive.
On Saturday we dropped Drew at Bree's and Coco at Mum's and went to Bris where we picked Chris up and went to the Chermside shopping centre to visit the Apple store. Meg and I bought sim cards and an extremely helpful man set both our ipads up so we were surfing the net on the way to our accom.
I have to admit I really like the iPad and the kids love theirs. Gibbo is feeling a bit left out but I told him he could share mine.
This post has been typed on the iPad but photos will still come from the PC until the camera connection kits arrive.
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Gibbo cancelled his western trip and re-scheduled for next week. He and I went to Toowoomba on Monday and had lunch with his family; we had a beautiful roast chicken dinner that night for his birthday at home here.
Drew's last athletics carnival was on Wed and Thurs and then we celebrated his birthday on Friday.
A fox took three of my four Barnevelder (permaculture) chooks and came back two nights later and helped himself to another three, silkies this time. He keeps setting the traps off but evading capture.
Megan got a 5 for Transnational Crime and a 7 (!) for Statistics in her Masters Degree. This is the child who can barely add up in her head; go figure! Only 6 months to go and she'll be done - and one of the subjects is just a week intensive in October with no other study.
I went to two funerals yesterday; the second one was particularly hard, esp for Gibbo. He was feeling a bit anxious and emotional about going but it turned out to be cathartic for him and the family were thankful for his presence at both events.
I need to get moving and get ready for Brisbane (Australia V Ireland at Suncorp tonight, in a box no less) so I'll finish this later (maybe via iPad!!!).
Drew's last athletics carnival was on Wed and Thurs and then we celebrated his birthday on Friday.
A fox took three of my four Barnevelder (permaculture) chooks and came back two nights later and helped himself to another three, silkies this time. He keeps setting the traps off but evading capture.
Megan got a 5 for Transnational Crime and a 7 (!) for Statistics in her Masters Degree. This is the child who can barely add up in her head; go figure! Only 6 months to go and she'll be done - and one of the subjects is just a week intensive in October with no other study.
I went to two funerals yesterday; the second one was particularly hard, esp for Gibbo. He was feeling a bit anxious and emotional about going but it turned out to be cathartic for him and the family were thankful for his presence at both events.
I need to get moving and get ready for Brisbane (Australia V Ireland at Suncorp tonight, in a box no less) so I'll finish this later (maybe via iPad!!!).
My Baby Just Turned 17
Drew turned 17 yesterday; how did that happen??????? One day he was this gorgeous little cherub, the next he's a strapping young man who shaves and drives. I know I lived all those days in between but I still don't know where they went. That's all the birthdays for now; June is a very busy month.
Meg bought him a game for the Wii and they played before school and work; they were exhausted by the time they left home.
Meg bought him a game for the Wii and they played before school and work; they were exhausted by the time they left home.
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Another Birthday
It's Gibbo's birthday tomorrow; Meg made him this fabulous cake. She's been planning it for ages and spent hours on it today - the end result was just perfect, in looks, taste and appropriateness.
We didn't end up going to Brisbane. A tragic event with the worst possible outcome took place on the highway yesterday not far from here and Gibbo was there when it happened. We stuck close to home today and went to town and shared the cake with friends in a subdued dinner.
We didn't end up going to Brisbane. A tragic event with the worst possible outcome took place on the highway yesterday not far from here and Gibbo was there when it happened. We stuck close to home today and went to town and shared the cake with friends in a subdued dinner.
Time Spent
Coco, the master mouser.
One of the many pesky little creatures that erupted from the compost bin when we added water.
Last week's chickens, powering along.
Strawberries planted.
The first broccoli heads are appearing.
Pepper loves company.
One of the many pesky little creatures that erupted from the compost bin when we added water.
Last week's chickens, powering along.
Strawberries planted.
The first broccoli heads are appearing.
Pepper loves company.
Friday, June 18, 2010
Exam Week
Exam week has been relatively stress free. SOR went well; English went well (short story written prior, learnt off by heart, reproduced over two afternoon sessions under exam conditions); Maths, hhmmm not so well, that happens when you don't study much; and Drama is this afternoon. Next week sees two QCS practice tests and 2 days of Sports Carnival then voila - term two dusted and done.
It's been a quiet week. Pepper has settled in well and managed to stay home; when we let her out she just follows whoever has the food. Megan gets up early and spends time with her before work; we came home one afternoon and found that Gibbo had let her out and had her over at his chooks while he worked on a new pen. She is happy just to hang about.
Drew went back to the doctor for more needles; we finalised the three pages of physicians report for his Canada application.
Gibbo went to the G's to watch the State of Origin game; the rest of us stayed home - it fell right in the middle of exam block so a quiet environment was necessary. I was pleased Qld won again but I find it hard to get excited about football so wasn't too disappointed to miss out.
Gibbo's birthday on Monday - we're discussing what to buy him - I said "how about a trip to England to play World Cup cricket"? His new passport has arrived; all I have left to do is decide how best to make our purchases whilst over there - credit or visa debit (recommended).
We're headed for Bris on Sunday for Gibbo to play in a poker tournament that he won entry to and for the rest of us to visit the Apple store at Chermside to choose accessories for our iPads for when they arrive :) Yes, I did it; I ordered one, two, three - one for me, one for Drew - 1/4 for his birthday next week, 1/4 for his (early) graduation present and he will buy the other half and one for Meg, who will buy her own. They are scheduled to arrive July 1 and 2.
It's been a quiet week. Pepper has settled in well and managed to stay home; when we let her out she just follows whoever has the food. Megan gets up early and spends time with her before work; we came home one afternoon and found that Gibbo had let her out and had her over at his chooks while he worked on a new pen. She is happy just to hang about.
Drew went back to the doctor for more needles; we finalised the three pages of physicians report for his Canada application.
Gibbo went to the G's to watch the State of Origin game; the rest of us stayed home - it fell right in the middle of exam block so a quiet environment was necessary. I was pleased Qld won again but I find it hard to get excited about football so wasn't too disappointed to miss out.
Gibbo's birthday on Monday - we're discussing what to buy him - I said "how about a trip to England to play World Cup cricket"? His new passport has arrived; all I have left to do is decide how best to make our purchases whilst over there - credit or visa debit (recommended).
We're headed for Bris on Sunday for Gibbo to play in a poker tournament that he won entry to and for the rest of us to visit the Apple store at Chermside to choose accessories for our iPads for when they arrive :) Yes, I did it; I ordered one, two, three - one for me, one for Drew - 1/4 for his birthday next week, 1/4 for his (early) graduation present and he will buy the other half and one for Meg, who will buy her own. They are scheduled to arrive July 1 and 2.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Mandy Writes
Our niece/cousin Mandy sent Meg a message on fb that had us in stitches. You really have to know our family and the dynamics (and the way that Gibbo is revered by all the Hodges) to appreciate this but I post it so that one day we'll all be reminded of it and laugh all over again. Otherwise, on fb, it will be lost forever.
Megan
Hi Mandy, I popped around to your house today to pick up some stuff for Gibbo, and I sung out, but no one was home!!! When I was driving away I nearly went back because I was worried you were home and would think I was rude for not coming in!! I hope you've all had a good weekend! Xxx
Mandy
You are funny, I wasn't home but Joey prob was - he may have been on roof taking down chrissy lights - yes I know it is June! We went to Sea world for the day and met Kiss, Glen, Belle, Benny, Lillie, Cooper, Mum and Dad their so had a huge day and lots of fun.
I got a call from your dad saying goat lost, I was like what Goat, I thought you said no goat - he said check your email - you are so spoilt and can get your dad to anything you want I will have to keep you away from Georgie. She talks to you all the time on her pretend mobile and tells Lochie that you own all the shops - but she calls you MAGAN, I say who is Magan and she says Gibbie's girl and I say you mean Megan and she says no silly I mean Magan. We may have to do a day trip to dalby to meet the baby goat when it is born you will be the Queen to her then! Magan has a baby goat I can hear it now, anyway, will catch up soon,
The funniest part of that email (for me at least) is that Georgie tells Lochie that Magan owns all the shops - obviously Meg has dazzled her with her bling and headbands etc.
Megan
Hi Mandy, I popped around to your house today to pick up some stuff for Gibbo, and I sung out, but no one was home!!! When I was driving away I nearly went back because I was worried you were home and would think I was rude for not coming in!! I hope you've all had a good weekend! Xxx
Mandy
You are funny, I wasn't home but Joey prob was - he may have been on roof taking down chrissy lights - yes I know it is June! We went to Sea world for the day and met Kiss, Glen, Belle, Benny, Lillie, Cooper, Mum and Dad their so had a huge day and lots of fun.
I got a call from your dad saying goat lost, I was like what Goat, I thought you said no goat - he said check your email - you are so spoilt and can get your dad to anything you want I will have to keep you away from Georgie. She talks to you all the time on her pretend mobile and tells Lochie that you own all the shops - but she calls you MAGAN, I say who is Magan and she says Gibbie's girl and I say you mean Megan and she says no silly I mean Magan. We may have to do a day trip to dalby to meet the baby goat when it is born you will be the Queen to her then! Magan has a baby goat I can hear it now, anyway, will catch up soon,
The funniest part of that email (for me at least) is that Georgie tells Lochie that Magan owns all the shops - obviously Meg has dazzled her with her bling and headbands etc.
Monday, June 14, 2010
Miss Pepper Leaves Home
Well Miss Pepper wasn't even here for 24 hours before she decided she'd break out and go missing. We left her on a collar and rope and came in for lunch and when Meg went back out to check her, she was gone.
We took to cars, bikes and foot to track her down but then Meg and Chris had to leave as Chris had to catch the bus back to Brisbane. Gibbo went to the farm to check if the backgrounders had eaten through the luceauna and Drew, after trudging through the paddocks for ages, came back in to continue studying. I walked and walked and walked but could find no sign of her. After nearly two hours of searching I got a phone call from Gibbo to say he'd found her when he returned from the farm -she was AT THE HOUSE GRID.
So it took me 20 minutes to walk back from where I'd ended up, way way away over the back of the property. I had with me a poodle and a miniature foxie and binoculars and a phone that only worked when I was on a ridge. It was a real adventure for the dogs. I tweaked an already tweaked hamstring when clambering over the rocks and tussocks and I arrived back exhausted (but very pleased to see Pepper back in her cage).
What else is in store for us with this goat - is this the first of many adventures?
We took to cars, bikes and foot to track her down but then Meg and Chris had to leave as Chris had to catch the bus back to Brisbane. Gibbo went to the farm to check if the backgrounders had eaten through the luceauna and Drew, after trudging through the paddocks for ages, came back in to continue studying. I walked and walked and walked but could find no sign of her. After nearly two hours of searching I got a phone call from Gibbo to say he'd found her when he returned from the farm -she was AT THE HOUSE GRID.
So it took me 20 minutes to walk back from where I'd ended up, way way away over the back of the property. I had with me a poodle and a miniature foxie and binoculars and a phone that only worked when I was on a ridge. It was a real adventure for the dogs. I tweaked an already tweaked hamstring when clambering over the rocks and tussocks and I arrived back exhausted (but very pleased to see Pepper back in her cage).
What else is in store for us with this goat - is this the first of many adventures?
New Life in the Chook World
Gibbo brought some wyandotte eggs home from his recent southern trip and set them under clucky silkies. The results - 9 very cute chicks, mostly black but there's one prized red.
Sunday, June 13, 2010
The Week That Was
I think my blog is beginning to turn into more of an on-line diary/journal of sort than just postings of various events in my life. It runs the risk of becoming a little too detailed but that’s just the direction it’s taking at the moment; for some reason I feel a need to record (nearly) everything that happens so I’ll just go with it for now.
I’m actually having plenty of trouble even getting on to Blogger – my new post page will appear but then it won’t actually load so that I can type something. I hope it fixes itself soon. I’m typing up posts in Word so that I can just copy across when it fixes itself. (I've gone back to the old post editor so hope this works, although it may look a little different once it hits the screen).
We went to Toowoomba again for the 2nd last drama workshop on Wednesday night; it was cold and bleak; we were warm in the car but the dry brown leaves were scudding across the streets and along the kerbs – it was a mood-inspiring scene.
I picked Drew up at lunchtime on Thursday and we met Meg at the shopping centre – she bought a Wii. We played games on it that night.
Friday saw Gibbo finally return home and Meg and I drove to Toowoomba to pick Chris up off the bus; it’s been 4 weeks since he was home and it’s lovely to see him. His job is working out well for him and he’s looking for a car to buy.
Assessments this week included Biology (research assignment on effects of lunar planting); English (pick a theme from Macbeth and write a short story – Drew chose conflict, the tussle between what a Grade 12 boy wants to do with his life and what his parents want him to do - not autobiographical!) and Drama draft (using Brecht’s Epic Theatre conventions create a submission on the social condition of people etc). Exam block is next week – SOR, 2 x English, Maths and Drama presentation. One day at a time. Only two terms to go. Wow.
I’m actually having plenty of trouble even getting on to Blogger – my new post page will appear but then it won’t actually load so that I can type something. I hope it fixes itself soon. I’m typing up posts in Word so that I can just copy across when it fixes itself. (I've gone back to the old post editor so hope this works, although it may look a little different once it hits the screen).
We went to Toowoomba again for the 2nd last drama workshop on Wednesday night; it was cold and bleak; we were warm in the car but the dry brown leaves were scudding across the streets and along the kerbs – it was a mood-inspiring scene.
I picked Drew up at lunchtime on Thursday and we met Meg at the shopping centre – she bought a Wii. We played games on it that night.
Friday saw Gibbo finally return home and Meg and I drove to Toowoomba to pick Chris up off the bus; it’s been 4 weeks since he was home and it’s lovely to see him. His job is working out well for him and he’s looking for a car to buy.
Assessments this week included Biology (research assignment on effects of lunar planting); English (pick a theme from Macbeth and write a short story – Drew chose conflict, the tussle between what a Grade 12 boy wants to do with his life and what his parents want him to do - not autobiographical!) and Drama draft (using Brecht’s Epic Theatre conventions create a submission on the social condition of people etc). Exam block is next week – SOR, 2 x English, Maths and Drama presentation. One day at a time. Only two terms to go. Wow.
Pepper Comes to Live
Megan has been asking for quite a while if she can get a goat. We just kept avoiding the subject - until she met Mr P at the poultry show.
Gibbo and I had a conversation in bed this morning (Sunday) about goats and whether it was a good idea that Megan got one. We decided to visit Mr P and then come home and have a round table discussion on the matter...but he folded like a pack of cards. We went down the road...we saw 20 goats...Megan saw a little black one, in kid...she (Megan) looked at her father with those big brown eyes and said "oohh I want that one Daddy, she's perrrrfect"...and that was the end of him...just like a pack of cards he fell apart...melted like an ice-cream on a hot summer day...no resolve, no discussion...just "well I'd better come back later with a ute"...I said "hang on, what about that talk we had in bed this morning" (which sent everyone into fits of laughter)...and he just gave a grin...and that was it.
So we did come home and discuss something but it wasn't whether Meg would get a goat or not - it was more along the lines of where is the goat going to live, what's it going to eat, what if it needs help having its' baby/babies (guess who'll get that job). Oh dear, what have we done. A goat near a garden this size? We'll see. (Actually she is very cute - her name is Pepper - and no doubt I'll come to love her as much as I loved my camels and my goat from my childhood,Guran).
Gibbo and I had a conversation in bed this morning (Sunday) about goats and whether it was a good idea that Megan got one. We decided to visit Mr P and then come home and have a round table discussion on the matter...but he folded like a pack of cards. We went down the road...we saw 20 goats...Megan saw a little black one, in kid...she (Megan) looked at her father with those big brown eyes and said "oohh I want that one Daddy, she's perrrrfect"...and that was the end of him...just like a pack of cards he fell apart...melted like an ice-cream on a hot summer day...no resolve, no discussion...just "well I'd better come back later with a ute"...I said "hang on, what about that talk we had in bed this morning" (which sent everyone into fits of laughter)...and he just gave a grin...and that was it.
So we did come home and discuss something but it wasn't whether Meg would get a goat or not - it was more along the lines of where is the goat going to live, what's it going to eat, what if it needs help having its' baby/babies (guess who'll get that job). Oh dear, what have we done. A goat near a garden this size? We'll see. (Actually she is very cute - her name is Pepper - and no doubt I'll come to love her as much as I loved my camels and my goat from my childhood,Guran).
Permaculture Update
The produce from the Permy garden is slowly increasing. We (as in Megan) were excited to dig some artichokes up - my Dad will be pleased to see they grew. The Barnies are laying at last - beautiful big brown eggs and the cherry toms are fat and juicy - and we got the first peas too - they were very sweet and crunchy.
Today and tomorrow are leafy vegetable planting days in the lunar calendar. After the visit to Mr P, Meg and I went to town and bought some herbs and veges. I spent acouple of hours in the afternoon planting out iceberg lettuce, dwarf broccoli and silverbeet in Station 4 (Andrew's mix); 2 basil, triple curled parsley, thyme, italian parsley in Station 3; and lemongrass and comfrey around the outer edges. I also bricked up Station 4. It's so easy to lose myself in the pottering and my mind wanders and I think of so many things to blog about and say in a posting but then I forget half of them! It's so calming to be in the garden - and I like it so much more than the garden inside the fence that needs so much attention at the moment.
A beautiful end to an enjoyable day.
Today and tomorrow are leafy vegetable planting days in the lunar calendar. After the visit to Mr P, Meg and I went to town and bought some herbs and veges. I spent acouple of hours in the afternoon planting out iceberg lettuce, dwarf broccoli and silverbeet in Station 4 (Andrew's mix); 2 basil, triple curled parsley, thyme, italian parsley in Station 3; and lemongrass and comfrey around the outer edges. I also bricked up Station 4. It's so easy to lose myself in the pottering and my mind wanders and I think of so many things to blog about and say in a posting but then I forget half of them! It's so calming to be in the garden - and I like it so much more than the garden inside the fence that needs so much attention at the moment.
A beautiful end to an enjoyable day.
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