watching the DVD Muppet Treasure Island (I love that movie).
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Boys are back at school......
and things are nearly back into a routine. I timed the run to get the boys to their 3 different schools and me to work by 9am - we will need to leave home at 8:05am each morning. Conrad needs to wait for about 15 to 20 minutes for his ride home in the afternoon after the final bell goes. Can't be helped - he is old enough to wait though and just talks to his friends whilst he is waiting.
All three boys had a great first day back at school (Gryffen started yesterday and likes his new teacher) - Conrad likes his new school and his very small class which is awesome! He is even looking forward to doing English! (They are doing World War I poetry.) Wolfstanus was happy with most of his teachers - there is one in particular he dislikes immensely but only has him for one lesson a fortnight so he said he can deal with that ;-)
Although the boys were back at school I had a very hectic day taking care of jobs I had to do in town - tomorrow will not be much better! I need to get a pink slip for my car tomorrow too - should pass for rego! I think I will go to the gym after I drop the kids off to kill time before I get the rego check - once it is done I can do my other bits and pieces of shopping and then head home. Should just have enough time to have lunch and clean the bathrooms before having to pick the kids up from school! LOL
The chicks have moved out of my bathroom tonight and into our new hen house - for more details and pictures head over to Chickadee Chirpings ;-)
All three boys had a great first day back at school (Gryffen started yesterday and likes his new teacher) - Conrad likes his new school and his very small class which is awesome! He is even looking forward to doing English! (They are doing World War I poetry.) Wolfstanus was happy with most of his teachers - there is one in particular he dislikes immensely but only has him for one lesson a fortnight so he said he can deal with that ;-)
Although the boys were back at school I had a very hectic day taking care of jobs I had to do in town - tomorrow will not be much better! I need to get a pink slip for my car tomorrow too - should pass for rego! I think I will go to the gym after I drop the kids off to kill time before I get the rego check - once it is done I can do my other bits and pieces of shopping and then head home. Should just have enough time to have lunch and clean the bathrooms before having to pick the kids up from school! LOL
The chicks have moved out of my bathroom tonight and into our new hen house - for more details and pictures head over to Chickadee Chirpings ;-)
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Gryffen got his birthday present 7 sleeps early
And this is him - Gryffen called him 'Shadow' because he follows him around everywhere! Shadow is a purebred tri-colour border collie. We did a 200km round trip tonight to get him and got home about 11pm!
Busy, busy week!
Why is it holidays always seem to be busier? I guess it's because there are so many things to do! Much of my time has been taken up with the usual domestic things such as cleaning, washing cooking etc and sewing! I've only managed to play WoW twice so far ;-) I've got through a whole lot of things on my to do list but there are still a number of things to go.
Gryffen went back to school today - he was fine about going until he got there and then the nerves kicked in. It's hard to believe he is in Year 5! Conrad and Wolfstanus go back tomorrow - three different schools this year! Timing will be interesting with drop off in the mornings!
I've still been going to the gym - it's slowly working and I feel so much better! We've also been swimming in our dam every afternoon. We bought inflatable boats and they are so much fun - brings back memories from when I was a kid ;-)
Anyhow, off to do some more!
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Well and truly hooked.........
which is so funny and great at the same time! Pete and T have been out in armour nearly every night having a play - and when they are not playing they are armouring! It's really nice to see them get so much enjoyment out of it!
Update on the week so far:
* Got some shopping done
* Got Pete's gambesson pieces almost quilted (need to finish today as he is getting armour pinch at the moment)
* Took the boys to see 'Bolt' yesterday - was really good! Conrad opted to stay home though.
* Chicks are doing really well - need to build them an outdoor cage though so they can start going outside for little bits, when it isn't too hot
* The teachers strike for next week is off - yay! This means I will actually be able to take the boys their first day of school now like planned!
* Going uniform shopping tomorrow for the boys and will take them out for lunch
* Working on boffer boats for Border War
Lots to do so off to have morning tea and get sewing this gambeson! I need to have it done by tonight so Pete can use it - then just have Conrad's to sew (it's already cut out)!
Update on the week so far:
* Got some shopping done
* Got Pete's gambesson pieces almost quilted (need to finish today as he is getting armour pinch at the moment)
* Took the boys to see 'Bolt' yesterday - was really good! Conrad opted to stay home though.
* Chicks are doing really well - need to build them an outdoor cage though so they can start going outside for little bits, when it isn't too hot
* The teachers strike for next week is off - yay! This means I will actually be able to take the boys their first day of school now like planned!
* Going uniform shopping tomorrow for the boys and will take them out for lunch
* Working on boffer boats for Border War
Lots to do so off to have morning tea and get sewing this gambeson! I need to have it done by tonight so Pete can use it - then just have Conrad's to sew (it's already cut out)!
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Happy 50th wedding anniversary!
To my parents in law - not many people can say they reach that milestone. Went out for a lovely dinner with the family to celebrate at a local Chinese Restaurant - then had black forest cake for dessert ;-) It was a lovely evening and one worth celebrating! Congratulations and best wishes to you both!
Friday, January 16, 2009
Three hours and fifty one minutes to go
but I am not counting! Don't get me wrong, I really like my job! It's just that I am really looking forward to spending a couple of weeks at home with the boys catching up on stuff 'cause boy have I got some stuff to catch up on! (Stuff is the buzz word this week - I will have to find the link that relates to stuff that set this whole stuff business off ;-) Thanks Dad!)
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Air Con is one of the best inventions ever!
Have I mentioned I hate summer? Summer is the worst time of the year - I hate the heat. However, the funny thing is in my office I need to keep a spare jacket because it can get freezing in here! The problem is, when you go outside, the heat feels much worse because the temperature difference is so great! (Like 15 degrees inside and 42 degrees outside.) And I have to go out in it in about an hour *sigh*.
Didn't feel like doing much last night - heat making me feel bleh. Did the handsewing on Wolfstanus' gambeson which took about ten minutes, watched TV, traced gauntlet pattern pieces onto steel for T to cut out, cooked dinner, rescued a bearded lizard (actually Wolfstanus rescued it from Cleopatra the Cat - it was bleeding so we put it in an empty fish tank with some water for it to drink) and had to rescue it a second time from Rex the Cat who sat on top of the fish tank to see what was in it. I thought the poor lizard was going to die of heart failure the way he was trying to get away! The lizard survived the night, the bleeding had stopped fairly quickly, and it has been released down the paddock and has run off into the distance.
Had to put the lid on the chicks box this morning - two had 'jumped' out through the night so I was greeted by them at 7am when I went to the bathroom. It was kinda cute to say 'Okay, where are you?' and have them come running over chirping ;-) I cannot believe they will be two weeks old tomorrow! (And yes, they had left little presents on the floor I had to clean up.)
Work has quietened down a bit today which is nice - I can catch up on a few things. I need to do hand over tomorrow with the lady that will be acting in this position until the substantive is back on 27 January. I am so looking forward to my two weeks away from work even though I know it will be very busy!
Anyhow, back to it............
Didn't feel like doing much last night - heat making me feel bleh. Did the handsewing on Wolfstanus' gambeson which took about ten minutes, watched TV, traced gauntlet pattern pieces onto steel for T to cut out, cooked dinner, rescued a bearded lizard (actually Wolfstanus rescued it from Cleopatra the Cat - it was bleeding so we put it in an empty fish tank with some water for it to drink) and had to rescue it a second time from Rex the Cat who sat on top of the fish tank to see what was in it. I thought the poor lizard was going to die of heart failure the way he was trying to get away! The lizard survived the night, the bleeding had stopped fairly quickly, and it has been released down the paddock and has run off into the distance.
Had to put the lid on the chicks box this morning - two had 'jumped' out through the night so I was greeted by them at 7am when I went to the bathroom. It was kinda cute to say 'Okay, where are you?' and have them come running over chirping ;-) I cannot believe they will be two weeks old tomorrow! (And yes, they had left little presents on the floor I had to clean up.)
Work has quietened down a bit today which is nice - I can catch up on a few things. I need to do hand over tomorrow with the lady that will be acting in this position until the substantive is back on 27 January. I am so looking forward to my two weeks away from work even though I know it will be very busy!
Anyhow, back to it............
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Life is good although busy!
Work is hectic at the moment although that is a good thing! I am acting in a higher position this week to cover leave and get to have 2 weeks leave myself from next Monday. Looking forward to being able to do stuff at home and hang out with the boys. I'd say there will be trips to the movies, the pool and playing computer games ;-) I also have a huge list of sewing to do!
There is much tinkering in the shed and I will have to get some more photos of the armour in progress. Gauntlets (the 'mitten' style) are going well and they are starting on chest plates next. It is a busy little hive of activity at the moment!
We also have a special day on Saturday - it will be my in-laws 50th wedding anniversary. Quite an achievement in this day and age! (My mum and dad were married 40 years last year.) It's hard to believe we will be celebrating our 17th wedding anniversary this year too - I love being the exception rather than the rule ;-)
Anyhow, better get back to work! I have had my ten minute break ;-)
There is much tinkering in the shed and I will have to get some more photos of the armour in progress. Gauntlets (the 'mitten' style) are going well and they are starting on chest plates next. It is a busy little hive of activity at the moment!
We also have a special day on Saturday - it will be my in-laws 50th wedding anniversary. Quite an achievement in this day and age! (My mum and dad were married 40 years last year.) It's hard to believe we will be celebrating our 17th wedding anniversary this year too - I love being the exception rather than the rule ;-)
Anyhow, better get back to work! I have had my ten minute break ;-)
Monday, January 12, 2009
Mixed bag this weekend.......
some of it was good, some of it was sad.
The sad news was my mum and dad's dog Sally died of a heart attack yesterday - it was quick and painless and not entirley unexpected. She was almost fifteen and had an irregular heart beat for some time now. Still devasting though - the other four dogs were very subdued yesterday too.
The good stuff:
* Got the two new chook houses almost built (the yard is going to be a huge job). We still need to concrete the floors and partially close the front of one in. T has done an awesome job as usual. Wolfstanus was a huge help as was Pete.
* Got Pete's gambeson cut out and Kristy pinned it all. Just need to quilt the pieces before I sew it together - I was too tired last night. Will try and do a bit each night so it is done for the weekend.
* Got to laugh at T and Pete 'practicing' their fighting skills - got some footage using my camera. There was one bit where P connected with T and there was a lightning strike in the distance - looks awesome. The other hilarious bit was they connected with each others helms and then held their heads - looks so funny! Not to mention T getting duck taped into Conrad's armour (it is a tad small and T's is being re-done).
* The 'boys' are so excited about fighting now and are keen to finish their armour. They made some card board mock ups last night to help with the fitting before they start cutting the metal!
* We are all looking forward to Border War despite the mammoth task of getting organised ;-)
* Need to organise Guy to come over this Sunday for some fighter practice!
Off to get some lunch shortly.........
The sad news was my mum and dad's dog Sally died of a heart attack yesterday - it was quick and painless and not entirley unexpected. She was almost fifteen and had an irregular heart beat for some time now. Still devasting though - the other four dogs were very subdued yesterday too.
The good stuff:
* Got the two new chook houses almost built (the yard is going to be a huge job). We still need to concrete the floors and partially close the front of one in. T has done an awesome job as usual. Wolfstanus was a huge help as was Pete.
* Got Pete's gambeson cut out and Kristy pinned it all. Just need to quilt the pieces before I sew it together - I was too tired last night. Will try and do a bit each night so it is done for the weekend.
* Got to laugh at T and Pete 'practicing' their fighting skills - got some footage using my camera. There was one bit where P connected with T and there was a lightning strike in the distance - looks awesome. The other hilarious bit was they connected with each others helms and then held their heads - looks so funny! Not to mention T getting duck taped into Conrad's armour (it is a tad small and T's is being re-done).
* The 'boys' are so excited about fighting now and are keen to finish their armour. They made some card board mock ups last night to help with the fitting before they start cutting the metal!
* We are all looking forward to Border War despite the mammoth task of getting organised ;-)
* Need to organise Guy to come over this Sunday for some fighter practice!
Off to get some lunch shortly.........
Friday, January 09, 2009
A work in progress......
What can one say really? We got a giggle out of this last night and I just had to take some photos! T has been working on a new helm and this is the not quite finished gambeson - I need to do lacing holes as well as put ties on the four arming caps I made last night. I hope to get that done tonight so they will be right for the weekend. I then need to get Conrad's and Wolfstanus' gambesons made and help Kristy make Pete's.
Life is back to normal with tinkering in the shed - the sound of the new (more powerful) angle grinder, the welder and the 'tink' of hammers. T is purchasing more steel today to make Wolfstanus' helm.
Only 48 days to Border War and so much to do!
Thursday, January 08, 2009
Fleas
are a real problem! In the last 17 years we have not had an issue with fleas in any of the places we have lived or with any of our animals (including the place we have lived in for the last 4 years). We now have a flea problem with the dogs and cats. Me = not happy Jan!!! We have bathed the animals in flea shampoo (not the cats though - I like my skin on my body thank you!), used the spot on stuff, used flea powder and they still scratch *sigh*. We have sprayed the lounges and the carpet in the kids rooms.....will need either flea bombs (which require the turning off of all electrical equipment and the evacuation of the premises) or will need to try spraying outside the house, under the house and anywhere the dogs and cats sleep. Good luck with that! Why does such a tiny thing have to be such a humungous pain!!!! Anyone know of a non-chemical solution we can try?
Wednesday, January 07, 2009
I hate summer
because I hate temperatures above 26 degrees! Yeah, I know, I live in the wrong spot if I hate the heat but not much I can do about it ;-) What I do like about here is that we can afford to have 25 acres of space to do with pretty much as we please! LOL
Time has been taken up with the chickalings (go here if you wish to read more about my chickens) so I haven't been doing much else. Besides, it has been too hot! It was still over 30 degrees at 9am last night. *sigh* I haven't been playing WoW as I have been reading up on chickens ;-) Hmm, makes me sound a bit clucky doesn't it? LOL
I really need to get sewing again with Border War fast approaching - I have been looking up some Viking pattern info as I think this will be the coolest and most comfortable for us all to wear. Also need to get some tunics made for the boys to go under their armour (can't buy the pre-quilted cotton anymore here - bugger!!). At least T has his which was the most important one. I also need to get some fighter training organised. Might see if they want to do it after tea on Saturday if it isn't too hot. We may also be going to Western Plains Zoo on Sunday morning - it is half price for locals this month and they have Cheetah cubs!
It is weird to think Aminah is now in Vietnam and it will be quite some time before we see her again, she has been such a big part of our lives over the last 5 years or so. Miss you girl and hope you are having fun and settling in!!
Got a lot more done on the SCAA Stock Clerk website (go here if you want to see what I am talking about)but it isn't quite ready to go live yet. I have run into a couple of snags and I am waiting on some peoples to get back to me.
If you want to know what this SCA thing is I keep talking about, go here. Lots of fun!
Anyow, time to get back to work!
BTW, I finally got my certificate to say I completed 'Shorthand Theory' through TAFE Plus NSW. Huzzah!!!
Time has been taken up with the chickalings (go here if you wish to read more about my chickens) so I haven't been doing much else. Besides, it has been too hot! It was still over 30 degrees at 9am last night. *sigh* I haven't been playing WoW as I have been reading up on chickens ;-) Hmm, makes me sound a bit clucky doesn't it? LOL
I really need to get sewing again with Border War fast approaching - I have been looking up some Viking pattern info as I think this will be the coolest and most comfortable for us all to wear. Also need to get some tunics made for the boys to go under their armour (can't buy the pre-quilted cotton anymore here - bugger!!). At least T has his which was the most important one. I also need to get some fighter training organised. Might see if they want to do it after tea on Saturday if it isn't too hot. We may also be going to Western Plains Zoo on Sunday morning - it is half price for locals this month and they have Cheetah cubs!
It is weird to think Aminah is now in Vietnam and it will be quite some time before we see her again, she has been such a big part of our lives over the last 5 years or so. Miss you girl and hope you are having fun and settling in!!
Got a lot more done on the SCAA Stock Clerk website (go here if you want to see what I am talking about)but it isn't quite ready to go live yet. I have run into a couple of snags and I am waiting on some peoples to get back to me.
If you want to know what this SCA thing is I keep talking about, go here. Lots of fun!
Anyow, time to get back to work!
BTW, I finally got my certificate to say I completed 'Shorthand Theory' through TAFE Plus NSW. Huzzah!!!
Tuesday, January 06, 2009
Chickadee Chirpings
A quick update - so far so good with the remaining three chicks. They are living comfortably in my bathroom and making happy chirping noises - they get visited often, have fresh food and water and somewhere soft to sleep. They also have a green 'night light' and monitored room temperature ;-) Fingers crossed!! They will be 1 week old on Friday. Although we have not been keeping them at the recommended 35 degrees, they do not seem to be cold so we will see. I may play with the light I have in their tonight and put a 100 watt bulb in suspended above them and monitor that.
I have decided to start another blog called Chickadee Chirpings which will be, you guessed it, relating to my chickens. We have plans afoot for a poultry palace. That way, I will have the three blogs - one for my costuming, one for general ramblings and one for my chickens!
Blogger works better for me as I can access it from work whereas LJ I cannot.
Will try and post some more chickie photos tonight (if I remember and don't get side-tracked again!).
I have decided to start another blog called Chickadee Chirpings which will be, you guessed it, relating to my chickens. We have plans afoot for a poultry palace. That way, I will have the three blogs - one for my costuming, one for general ramblings and one for my chickens!
Blogger works better for me as I can access it from work whereas LJ I cannot.
Will try and post some more chickie photos tonight (if I remember and don't get side-tracked again!).
Sunday, January 04, 2009
Sad news on the chicken front.........
Ms Henny Penny died through the night of unknown causes, one chick was also dead and half eaten by ants, two chicks are missing in action and we have three left which we will attempt to hand raise. We cannot see any sign of predators or snakes so really do not know what happened - it was very upsetting for Gryffen this morning who found them. We have a cage for the chicks and will be setting up a light for warmth for tonight (it is quite hot enough today for them even in the house!). They are living in our bathroom at the moment ;-) We are also looking at moving where we have the chickens to a shadier spot closer to the house - it is also flatter, has softer ground for scratching and less rocks! We had two other hens who have injured themselves, one also died this morning while we were up catching the chicks - not very pleasant. So far the other one is okay although limping (she has broken a toe).
We plan to have two chicken runs with houses and a third smaller pen for 'broody' hens to hopefully raise more chicks. T feels because the ones we have left are about 3 days old they have a reasonable chance of surviving. The nice thing will be I will be able to watch them from the dining room and kitchen ;-) Being the 'city slicker' that I am, I have lots of reading and learning to do (I haven't raised chickens before), luckily my husband was raised on the land so at least he has a clue! LOL
Will keep you posted on chick progress!
We plan to have two chicken runs with houses and a third smaller pen for 'broody' hens to hopefully raise more chicks. T feels because the ones we have left are about 3 days old they have a reasonable chance of surviving. The nice thing will be I will be able to watch them from the dining room and kitchen ;-) Being the 'city slicker' that I am, I have lots of reading and learning to do (I haven't raised chickens before), luckily my husband was raised on the land so at least he has a clue! LOL
Will keep you posted on chick progress!
Saturday, January 03, 2009
Happy New Year!
We had an exciting start to 2009 - six little baby chickens! (We had eight eggs that one of our hens was sitting on but two did not hatch.) We have two black, two yellow and two yellow and black. They are so cute!!! Our next step is to create another chook pen for the silkies we want to breed.
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