Rath's Ramblings

Umm, another 6 months has gone by...

2011-12-01T12:57:00.003+11:00

I tried to log in and post but couldn't remember my password :P Just goes to show you shouldn't leave it 6 months to post! LOL

Hmm, what has happened in the last 6 months:
* Number 3 son and I have continued riding lessons and now go twice a week - absolutely love it and we plan on getting our own horses (hopefully next year)
* I turned 40
* I completed a Statement of Attainment in Farm Planning (TAFE) which was really enjoyable
* The brand new chook house is completed and brilliant
* We got more chickens - Aracaunas, Dorkings and a couple of bantam Wyandottes
* I learned how to treat scaly leg mite (reminder to self - need to 'dip' the chickens again this weekend)
* Dogs and cats are doing well - just love them to pieces
* Number 2 son is now in Year 12 (OMG)
* Number 1 son is settling in to being an adult but still has to learn some things the hard way ;-)
* Parents are awesome and don't know what I would do without them!
* Had ups and downs, just like everyone else - is balanced though
* Love my job and appreciate the support of my boss and workmates
* Had to miss a couple of family birthdays due to illness and stuff - disappointing
* Stewarded Radburne War V - was great
* Stewarded November Crown - OMG - stressful, frustrating and very rewarding! LOL I think it will be a while before I consider doing anything like that again ;-)
* Was not planning on going to Festival next year but now having second thoughts :P Will decide by end of February.
* Not much left of SCA local group - still a few of us die hards around and a certain Noble Gnome who keeps the merriment and joy of the SCA alive :-)
* Number 3 son can authorise as banner bearer in February 2012 and husband wants me to get in armour too :P
* Going to have a very quiet Christmas again this year - just us and my parents I think. Will still be nice. Having a New Year's Eve party but don't think we will get any takers - still going to send out invites tho :P
* Despite the odd frustration that still crops up, have decided I am very content with my life :-)

Break over - back to work :-)

Reflective Mood

2011-06-23T16:23:00.001+10:00

I read an article yesterday in the UK Horse and Rider magazine that I could really relate too regarding riding and nervousness around horses. As I was driving home, I was in a reflective mood so I switched the radio off and just let my thoughts flow (concentrating on my driving of course!) on the way home and further into the evening. Part of this has also come about because I have taken up riding again after many years with my youngest son who is thirteen. I thought it might be beneficial for me to reflect on where I have been and where I want to go with this. Sometimes by reflecting on the past and laying it bare, we can put it behind us and move on. For me, writing helps me do this.

So, starting from the beginning I guess.

My first experience with a real, live horse came at Wiseman’s Ferry near Sydney when I was aged 12. We were there with the family for my dad’s annual work picnic with National Panasonic. They had horses for hire there and mum and dad caved in to my pleading and hired a lead pony for me to have a ride. The reins were long and held by my dad and I was on a jockey pad type saddle with no stirrups (and in a tracksuit). Dad led me back to the picnic area and all was going well. Mum came to take a photo and I convinced dad to let the reins drop so that the photo would look good. The next thing I know the horse has spun around and bolted back to the coral (a good distance away). I managed to stay on until it went down a table drain to cross the dirt road – I vaguely remember hearing the thud as I hit the ground and then waking up feeling a bit numb and spitting several teeth out. The horse was almost back to the coral by this stage so I guess I was knocked out for at least ten to thirty seconds (I have no idea). I had a concussion, went into shock, cracked my elbow, broke all my bottom teeth and my balance has been pretty shot since. I spent a week in bed before I could even walk on my own again due to the balance issue/concussion. And that was my introduction to riding.

It took about 18 months before I got on a horse again (and I daresay it would have been very difficult for my parents to let me too) – we went for a trail ride at a different riding centre. Non eventful, just plodded and it was scary but okay.

I then went for a ride with my brother at a different riding centre – he is three years younger than me and turned out to be an absolute natural with no fear! We worked there weekends for a little pocket money and the ability to ride all day. They were nice people and meant well but looking back, not confidence building for me. The style of riding suited my brother – his horse knew two speeds; flat out and stop. Probably why he ended up riding track work, training race horses and playing Polocrosse! I was always a little nervy and walk/trot was and is my comfort zone. This one day they put me on a horse called ‘Honey’ and she was anything but ;-) She would get stubborn and not want to ride past the coral so I would have to get on and ride her out and back in – she would go so far and then spin really fast and of course I fell off (several times). Their motto was if you fall off enough, you will learn not to do it. Hmmmm. Towards the end I just did not feel like riding anymore and I started going less and less. I remember being so frustrated that I could not get this horse to do what I wanted that I was on the verge of tears many a time.

The first time I tried to canter, I was on a horse called Tiny and we were out in the back blocks rounding up cattle as all the livestock was being moved. (The place they were leasing had been sold.) They brought the wrong bridle so when I cantered up the hill; the bit fell completely out of the horse’s mouth! Thankfully Tiny was a quiet horse and just stopped! Very nerve wracking though for me! I did not attempt to canter again ;-)

I also remember clearly one day I had been reading some riding books and they explained the dismount as removing both feet from the stirrups and sliding down the horse’s left side. I did this one day at the riding centre and got yelled at for my efforts being told I would have my butt kicked if I did that again. I was told I should always use the stirrup to dismount. This did not make sense to me because you ran the risk of being caught and dragged if the horse got spooked or took off. I did as I was told however.

Once the riding centre moved to a new place (I was about 15 by now) I was riding Smokey this day and they decided I needed to canter – so they got me to ‘kick the horse up’ and canter. Problem was the horse had quite a choppy canter, I had no idea what I was doing and with me bouncing obviously upset the horse – he bucked me off and I hurt my back and hip. Not a pleasant experience. Not long after this I started part time work and the riding centre closed so my horse riding finished for a little bit. I then saved up and bought my first horse………

Princess was a flea bitten grey and because I was so nervous I brought my brother to ride her for me – ‘Do you think I can ride her?’ I said to him. ‘I can’t see why not’ was his reply. It was an interesting experience taking Princess home in the hired float – every time we pulled up at a set of lights or a turn off, she would start walking in the float which would make the car bounce! We got her to our leased paddock about a ten minute drive from where we lived. I let her settle before attempting to ride her. Princess had lovely manners on the ground and I was never concerned however when I got on her, all she seemed to want to do was take off. She was very toey and I had no idea what I was doing wrong (a lot of it probably had to do with nerves in hindsight). I decided to get ‘proper’ lessons to help me ride better. I went to a school in Mulgoa near Penrith for a group lesson and explained to the instructor my situation and nervousness etc. The first lesson was okay but the second one they gave me a crop and put me on a horse that pigrooted for the whole lesson! I decided I would not go back as they obviously were not the right ones to teach me. I persisted with Princess for some time longer as she was a lovely horse. I left school and got a full time job and then cars and boys came into the picture. I decided I was not doing Princess any justice so I sold her to a friend of my brother’s. I heard later on that Princess was doing well at shows so I know I did the right thing.

About 18 months after this I had a yearning to get another horse and was thinking about it. The people that we met through the riding school where we helped out knew someone that was selling an Anglo Arab that had been to the Sydney Royal Show and they thought she would be perfect for me! I went and took a look and had a ride but to be honest, I did not feel a connection with her. I did however let people talk me in to buying her. Again she was a lovely horse however it became very clear very quickly that because she was well trained and I had no idea what I was doing, the signals I was giving her were confusing her. I had no desire to wreck such a lovely horse so I sold her to a show home.

We left Penrith and moved west of the Blue Mountains to the Orange/Wellington area. There was so much other stuff going on that dreams of horses faded. When we moved further west to Nyngan and Dubbo for me, I met my husband who is not a horse lover :-) Marriage happened and then three kids so no horses.

When my youngest was about 6 months old, I had lessons once a fortnight with a wonderful local dressage instructor on a schoolmaster horse of hers – I really enjoyed it for a couple of months however having three young boys under 5 and with finances the way they were, I needed to put my dreams of riding on the back burner again.

Now my sons are 18, 16 and 13. I have had some health issues recently and other stuff going on so decided it was time for me to do something for me. My youngest has also been keen to ride for a long time (after having a couple of brief rides a number of years ago) so we decided we would get lessons together at the local riding centre.

So six weeks ago I rang the local centre and was told the only opening they had was at 3pm on Saturday. I had heard nothing but praise for Gary and his horses so I was looking forward to the adventure.

Saturday came about and we excitedly drove out (although my mum had to drive as I was very dizzy – only time I wasn’t was when I was riding). I completed the paperwork and had noted on there that I was nervous. Gary talked to me about my experiences and put me on a wonderful horse called Calibre. He is the cuddliest teddy bear of a horse and absolutely perfect for someone like me! The first two lessons we had were ½ hour private lessons so Gary could assess us and since then we have had 3 x 1 hour group lessons (myself, my son and another young girl aged 10 who started riding the same weekend we did). I rode Calibre the first two lessons, Mister the next one, Buffy after that and then back to Mister last week. I even managed a small canter when we were out in the field. The difference this time was that it was explained to me what to do and I was put on a horse with an easy canter.

I panicked and held my breath at first, Mister’s ears went back to me and Gary in a calm voice said, ‘just relax’. I did, and remembered to breath, I rode the canter and Mister put his ears forward and relaxed too. We then went back to a trot and continued the rest of our ride in a walk/trot and talked. By the time I got back, the enormity of what I had accomplished in such a short time with Gary’s help hit me and I felt on cloud nine. We will work more and more on the canter over the coming weeks. The thing I love about our lessons is that we do half in the arena (stretches, exercises and technique) and the remainder is a trail ride out in the paddocks.

My son is doing really well too and picking things up very quickly – it is a great time we have together doing something we both love. The goal is one day to have horses of our own – possibly in twelve months time as we need to fix the paddock up first with fencing and a shelter etc. Our lessons will continue regardless as they are so worthwhile!

I can’t wait for this Saturday!

Rowany Festival was awesome!

2011-04-28T11:10:00.003+10:00

Just on a five minute coffee break - Festival was awesome, lots of memories, lots of laughs and photos to upload! I have been too tired of an evening to post anything and too engrossed in the mini series 'Pillars of the Earth'.

Just quickly though, Wolfstanus and Conrad both received their AoA's!!! Huzzah!

Only 2 more sleeps to go........

2011-04-19T13:22:00.003+10:00

But who's counting? LOL

I have been more motivated today, especially now my wonderful manager has given me approval to have tomorrow as a rec day! Maybe I won't have anymore nightmares now about what goes wrong with pre-packing for Festival! LOL Me stressed, never! :P

Tidying up things at work this afternoon and then I have a whole week off - I am so looking forward to the break. I love camping and this Festival looks like it will be an exciting one. I have started lists of things to pack and a list for tomorrow. At least now we should get packed at a reasonable time as I will get the shopping done through the day and not after work ;-)

Young Gryffen has been a gem the last few days - he cleaned the house yesterday and has called this afternoon to see what he can do for me. It is so nice to have some help! Wolfstanus of course has spent this week socialising in town - can't say I blame him :P

Bought candles, citronella candles, cleaning gear, garbage bags and a big purple umbrella when I went for my walk today. A few more things to cross off the list!

Anyhow, back to work - lunch break is over. Better get a move on if I want to get away on time!

Is it possible to be unmotivated and excited at the same time?

2011-04-18T14:54:00.002+10:00

When it is with regard to two different things I guess it is! I am just having a coffee break at work and realising how unmotivated I am to be here today - I keep thinking about Festival! I really wish I had of taken all of this week off now - oh well, too late! I will just have to wait the three more sleeps! LOL I only have 2 hours left today, then Tuesday and Wednesday before the mad dash begins. Wednesday evening have to do the final grocery shop and then pack the trailer, ready to head off by 8am on Thursday! At least all the meat is bought and in the freezer!

I can't remember when I have been so excited about an event - I hope I am not building myself up for disappointment :P We have an awesome camping spot, lots of activities on, good group of us going (including Wolfstanus' girlfriend who is just lovely), I am not on crutches (bonus) and I am going to have a good time if it kills me (or the other half) LOL

The only down side is that I will miss my animals for the 5 days we are away - no purring kitty cat on the bed putting me to sleep :-( The dogs, cats and chickens are so much apart of our lives that I really do miss them when we go away (not that we go away that much).

Most of my sewing is done - I just need to finish the camica (gathering at the neckline and sleeves). I cannot thank my mum enough for all her help with the mountains of hemming etc she has done for me - I certainly could not have done this much sewing without her help.

Anyhow, back to payment vouchers :P

Found it!

2011-04-12T16:49:00.002+10:00

It had something to do with the format and the back ground picture - sigh of relief! Oh look, nearly time to go home :P

Where have all my posts gone?

2011-04-12T16:40:00.002+10:00

Hmmm - playing around with templates can be a bad idea! I ended up with a trojan on my computer and now all my posts are gone. *sigh* Will need to figure it out and some stage - too much other stuff to do now though!

Good but busy weekend

2011-04-10T21:50:00.000+10:00

Well, another weekend has come and gone and we are only 11 sleeps away from heading to Festival! Had a lot of laughs this weekend and good company, plus getting a lot of sewing done means feeling accomplished. I was going to write a good, lengthy post tonight but I am feeling really tired - think I will have an early night instead :-)

Festival is only 2 weeks away!

2011-04-03T18:29:00.000+10:00

Actually, it's about 2.5 weeks away but still scarily close! I am excited but nervous at the same time - it has been 3 years since our last visit, lots has changed but some things are still the same! LOL It will be the 5 of us plus Ranif and Johanna making up the Radburne contingency.

Both Conrad and Wolfstanus need to re-authorise and Wolfstanus can now authorise as an Archer, hope they are both successful! T is also thinking about fighting alongside Ranif - is taking his armour anyway. Will depend on mood/how things go if he fights or not. We decided to get the local saddler to make leather gorgets - still waiting on them but we have been promised they will be ready in time!

The new armour Terry has made looks awesome - can't wait to see them all kitted up! Gryffen still has ten months to go before he can authorise as a banner bearer so I plan to try and do lots of stuff with him so he doesn't get too bored ;-) Need to make sure I take the camera etc too! I still have some sewing to do but mum is helping so it is more manageable ;-) I haven't been well for about the last month so haven't been doing much - I spent all afternoon tracing patterns and cutting them out, need to get off my feet though for a bit as they are painful again. I don't want to jinx myself but at least this Festival won't be spent on crutches!

I think we will be better prepared for Festival this time around but I am still nervous about the whole thing - T is more involved with the SCA now so hopefully should be better. He enjoyed Spring War even though he didn't get to fight so I am more hopeful this time but don't want to get my hopes up too high - less chance of being disappointed then ;-)

T has also made a take down double bed (timber) which means no air mattress and no sleeping on the ground! Huzzah! The boys all have bigger tents too now they are older which will fit their stretchers and gear. We also have a common tent for the group so should be better.

So what is on the list for the next two weeks:
* Make cotehardie for T
* Make cloak for T
* Make cloak for me
* Make chemise for me (extra one)
* New shirt for Conrad and Wolfstanus (mum is doing those for me)
* Finish T's banner (if I get a chance)
* Pre-cooking for Festival (things that can be frozen such as soups/stews etc)

Not too bad, will keep me out of mischief anyway! Really looking forward to catching up with people! Looking forward to seeing who wins Autumn Crown too as they will be Royalty for November Crown which Radburne is hosting!

Yay for Friday!

2011-01-21T15:05:00.003+11:00

Well, this week went quick!

Went and saw Tangled at the movies on Wednesday evening - awesome, funny movie - we all loved it! Gotta love Maximus and Pascall ;-)

Caught up at work ready for hand over on Monday, hand over for the RLDO job Tuesday. Enrolment at TAFE Thursday, then training Friday :-)

I have taken all my photos down and packed my little box ready to move desks next week :-)

What's on this weekend:
* Beading project - thinking about entering a piece of Tudor jewellery for A & S comp at Festival. Plus I want to make some more spiffy stuff for me :-)
* Need to sew some more of my new Renaissance gown
* Want to start my new scribal assignment
* Need to do research for illumination for Book of Ceremonies title page
* Terry has the bob cat so will spend most of the weekend playing in the dirt :-)
* Preparation for the building of the new fort and new tavern
* And of course the usual house work and getting things ready for the boys for school/TAFE
* Movies Sunday afternoon to see Yogi Bear
* Clean out the chook pen
* Bath the dogs
* Spend some time training Shakespeare :-)

I love my life :-) (No, this is not sarcasm - I *really* do love my life!)

Productive day

2011-01-18T21:33:00.001+11:00

Well today was productive - went to work a bit earlier and got a whole lot of filing and stuff done. On target for handover next Monday and to start my new job on Tuesday - oh boy! Exciting and scary at the same time :-)

Good start to the year

2011-01-17T19:59:00.003+11:00

It looks like this year is going to be the year of lots of things happening - apart from all the special birthdays and SCA events, work wise things are moving along too! I have been offered to act in the Regional Learning and Development Officer position for 3 months whilst it is recruited too. I have never applied for it before as I don't have a tertiary qualification, you need to have a minimum of Certificate IV in Training and Assessment. I have decided to enroll in said course at TAFE at the end of the month - they are running it part time here on a Wednesday evening. If things work out, I may even apply for this job permanently as it is an area I have always been interested in. Exciting times ahead - the boys are on a warning that they will be expected to do what they need to do without me yelling at them all the time. Could be a long road :-) LOL

Went to Penrith on the weekend - had a lovely time on the Nepean Belle Saturday evening for a dinner cruise for my friend's 40th birthday. It was great catching up with everyone, and despite the awful humidity and heat, we all had a great time. I also got to go to '2 bead or not 2 bead' and bought some lovely things there. Many projects to do!

I also got good news with my latest Scribes assignment - it has made the grade and the AoA will be given to the person intended. I still have a long way to go but it is good to know I am getting there. I also need to start designing the illumination for the title page of the Lochac Book of Ceremonies we are making for November Crown.

We are heading off to Festival this year - really excited about it. Lots of sewing and preparation to do. Can't wait to catch up with lots of lovely people and attend some classes etc.

The animals are all going well including my border collie Shakespeare (who I got last year.)

Poor neglected blog......

2011-01-13T14:30:00.002+11:00

Yes, it has been months since I have written anything. Christmas and New Year has been and gone, had a couple of relaxing weeks home with the kids playing computer games, Guitar Hero, did some SCA stuff, veged out etc :-)

Back at work this week - work is very busy but good :-) I like that it is not a chore to go to work :-)

Dubbo had floods prior to Christmas which meant lots of road closures and lots longer to get to and from work. It was inconvenient for us for a few weeks but no other major concern.

Lots of stuff happening this year - lots of milestone birthdays including eldest boy of doom's 18th and my 40th. I have nick named 2011 as the party year! LOL Also have extended Radburne War for an extra day and I am running November Crown this year. We are going to Festival (huzzah) for the first time since 2008 and we will be camping ;-) Will also be going to Spring War again this year. Really looking forward to increased activities and lots of catching up with people.

Oh well, 5 minute break over and time to get back to payment vouchers. I really should try and write here more often. Maybe I should set myself a task of an entry a day, even if it is only one line! Hmmmmmm.........

Where are we heading?

2010-10-28T12:48:00.003+11:00

I have a quick question however it does not have a quick or simple answer...........

If you were in a situation as a 17 year old where your best friend was being pummelled by another 17 year old, would you try and pull that person off your best friend or would you wait for the authorities to intervene (who are at least ten minutes away)?

But there is more.........you are at school

And yet more - as you are trying to protect your friend, the attacker turns on you and punches you in the ribs and across the bridge of the nose. Would you retaliate or would you wait for the authorities to intervene?

The interesting result of this is under NSW Schools policy, any act of violence (including what I would class as self defence) warrants instant (long) suspension from school.

The 'protector' has been bullied for their 12 years at school. Both the attacker and the 'protector' are injured.

This is a really basic scenario - there are other contributing items but I think these are the important ones.

On the whole as a society, we tend to take the attitude of 'it's not my problem' or 'its not my business' when we see someone in trouble and so many people walk by and do nothing on so many levels. Given the above example, seriously, what are we teaching our kids?

My opinion (and I don't expect everyone will agree) is that yes, on a school policy level the 'wrong' thing was done, as a human being assisting another human being, I see no fault in protecting your mate or yourself. Start the fight though, that's a whole different matter and one I will never condone.

How time flies when you are having fun...

2010-09-14T11:50:00.000+10:00

It’s been ages since I’ve written here – too many other things to do and besides that, my rambling’s probably aren’t of any interest to anyone but me anyway :-) That’s okay though, I really only write to get things sorted out in my head anyway and I am certainly not going to put anything on here that I don’t want the whole world to know! LOL

I have returned to my substantive position at work after acting in other jobs for 18 months – it feels like I haven’t been away or that it was a lifetime ago. I’m settling back into routines and just finding my way around everything again. I have a rather large ‘to do’ list of files that need archiving or just sorting out. There are a lot of changes happening within the department so I think it will be interesting times ahead. It’s not so bad being back in an administrative role – I always seem to end up there for some reason, at work or in the SCA :-)

Speaking of the SCA, lots has been happening there too. We held Radburne War IV which was a huge success despite the panic the week before – the weather was atrocious prior but we had gorgeous weather on the weekend! (Thank goodness!) It will be forever known as the ‘bog wars’ though – the mud claimed 5 cars and a couple of fighters ;-) It was exhausting but well worth the effort – I only took one day off work this year (as I had just returned to my job) which I think made things a little more tiring. Will do things differently next year. We made a decent profit which has helped the group buy some things we really needed – such as two 6m x 3m white gazebos with enclosed sides – very handy all our events are outdoors!

We are off to Spring War on the long weekend – this will be our first visit so really looking forward to it. More than half the household is going so should be fun – plus it helps we know more people now which makes things less scary! LOL Just have sewing to do, but what else is new? LOL I got one shirt almost done (bar the hand sewing) last night, another one to do tonight, need to finish the hemming on Terry’s Cotehardie and Hose, need to make a banner for Terry and a tabard to go over his armour, I need a new chemise and I would like to make another dress plus I still haven’t finished my Italian one! I need to finish the sleeves on Wolfstanus’ doublet and possibly make him another one although that may be a little ambitious with less than 3 weeks to go! No, nothing has changed ;-)

Our next event is our annual Tourney of the Yellow Rose on the 6th November – this tends to be a low key event attended just by the group however wayfarers are welcome! We will be doing archery in the morning, sausage ina bun for lunch, tourney late afternoon and potluck feast in the evening.

Next year will be a party year – lots of milestone family birthdays to celebrate including Conrad’s 18th and my 40th! Any excuse for a party :-)

Anyhow, best get some work done – break is over……

Reflections

2010-06-04T13:23:00.003+10:00

One thing about being home sick and not feeling like doing much or being able to do much for that matter means lots of time to think and reflect.......I had an interesting conversation with my dad over coffee this morning and it has got the old rusty clogs turning and started me thinking. One of the main themes in our conversation was the need to start doing things differently. Life is a constant change and evolution and sometimes the new way is not necessarily the better way.

We watched the first episode of 'Victorian Farm' on BBC Challenge on Austar the other night and it was really interesting. What was also very interesting was Gryffen's reaction to it - 'Oh mum, I would love to go and do that.' I do think he would really enjoy the hands on experience :-)

Whilst I am sitting here drinking my honeyed milk and eating peanut butter and honey sandwiches, my mind is running in all sorts of directions and I have been reflecting on where I have been in the last 20 years or so and where I am heading. I will be 40 next year which could be considered the half way point of my life all going well. I am not depressed by this nor do I feel like I am getting over the hill - I am looking forward to the celebration that I have made it this far :-) It is just a new stage in my life - Conrad is 17 now and we are teaching him how to drive, Wolfstanus will be 16 at the end of the year and is doing his School Certificate, Gryffen will be 13 in February and heads to high school next year. It is a new phase and time to shift a gear.

I really feel blessed to be living my life in a place where I am truly happy, with family surrounding me and a good job that I enjoy. Although most of my friends do not live in the same location as me, we still stay in touch and catch up in person whenever we can - it is wonderful to have this option. To date, my life has been an interesting one with its ups and downs just like everyone else - I am thankful for all my experiences, even the bad ones, as without them, I would not be where I am now. My Oma always said there was a path we were meant to travel and no matter whether we took a right turn or a left turn and veered off that path, we would always end up where we were supposed to be. I am a firm believer in this philosophy also and there have been enough 'coincidences' in my life to reinforce this belief. This doesn't mean I will blindly blunder on through life waiting for something to happen! Far from it - the choices we make will determine where we end up, I just think there is something more guiding the choices we make at times.

One thing I have learned about myself is that I am a hoarder - not just of things but of information. I spend countless hours researching, buying books, making plans etc but then there never seems to be the time or the motivation to actually use any of this information! I need to get better at this. I run the scenarios through my head, work out what I am going to and then.............nothing. Sometimes it is a lack of confidence in myself to carry through, other times I feel like I am too exhausted to even try. I spend most of my time cooped up in doors on the computer. I am indoors on the computer or the phone for my job, 5 days a week. I then come home to cook/clean etc and then I am back on the computer until I go to bed - checking emails, Facebook, Warcraft, paperwork for the business or SCA......this is not healthy. Is it any wonder given my health issues that I am susceptible to viruses and things? Is it any wonder with the number of antibiotics I have taken in my lifetime, my lack of physical exercise and being outdoors and my genetic make up that I am now paying the price? Have my chickens come home to roost?

Step 1 was recognising there is a problem - complete
Step 2 - make plans to rectify this issues
Step 3 - Carry out said plans
Step 4 - review and start the process again

So, where to from here? I need to make some changes - I am not super woman (sorry to disappoint you) and I cannot do everything on my own. There needs to be 'me time' and not just giving out my time and energy to every one else. If I don't look after me, who will?

The plan:
1. Do more cooking! We have fresh produce in the shape of eggs and vegies grown at home, use this resource! Much healthier - ask Gryffen to help. He likes to help cook. Make time on the weekend to do this - book it in!
2. Get outside more - yes during the week this is easier said than done. Get up 15 minutes earlier and go check the chickens! Talk to them, check them over, give them food and check water. This is the boys job but it is not happening properly - supervision is the key :-) And it will get me outside!
3. Don't eat lunch at my desk unless I have fit in at least 30 minutes away from the computer - go for a walk if it is a nice day! Take a book and go to the lunch room if the weather is foul!
4. Limit time on computer at home - no more than 2 hours at a time! (This will be the hard one!) Read a book, do some sewing, get creative!
5. On the weekend - get outside when the weather is good! Take the dogs for a walk, get on the ride on lawn mower, clean out the chook pens, do something!
6. Treat myself once a week - do something I *want* to do, not something I need/have to do.
7. Saturday night - if the kids are home, have a movie night or a games night together. Take it in turns for picking what we do.

That's a start in the right direction. There is so much more but if I try and do too much change at once, I will fail. Bite sized chunks and with some determination, I can make the changes. I needto make the changes, and only I can do it!

Our whole adult lives we seem to be working harder to make that extra dollar to buy the things we really don't need because we think they will make us happy and then we don't have the time or energy to use them. What a waste! I am just as guilty of this as the next person. I *need* to work so we can live where we do and I can drive the car I drive - but that does come at a cost. Is that cost worth it? At the moment yes, but there is a but. I am walking a fine line at the moment and I do need to stop, take a step back, look at what is happening and make some adjustments. I will be taking a quite substantial pay cut in August when my temporary appointment comes to an end - almost the equivalent of my car payment. Yes, I knew this was going to happen. Things have changed in the financial world - interest rates have gone up, I bought a new car, cost of living has increased. Something has to give and the money has to come from some where. It means re-evaluating what I do. Those cappuccino's every morning - they will need to stop. Buying things on credit - needs to stop. Get more patience and save for it - OMG what a thought ;-) LOL You get the picture though - we have become so consumed in instant gratification and keeping up with the Jones's that as a society we have forgotten what is important. We keep digging ourselves a deeper hole that is getting harder and harder to get out of and yet we ignore the white elephant in the room and blindly continue on our headlong charge into Oblivion. No, I am not a doomsayer nor am I a pessimist. All I am saying is I think we need to do some serious re-evaluation on where we are and where we are heading. I know I am - I want off this crazy merry go round and gain some control back over my life. I want to enjoy the good things like spending time with my family, enjoying the incredible place I live, create instead of consume all the time, enjoy the company of our amazing animals, just live! None of us know when it will be our time to go and I don't think we can take the risk of leaving everything to 'later' because 'later' may never come. Let the people you care about know how much they mean to you, not just in words, spend good quality time with them. Take care of you - be healthy, be happy, be true to yourself and to hell with the rest of the world :-)

It's a sick world we live in at times

2010-06-01T15:57:00.002+10:00

This is just a very brief post while I am on a coffee break, I may post more later, I may not. I have a severe chest infection at the moment which is annoying the crap out of me but it is nothing in comparison with the news I just got.

People we know, let's just call them acquaintances, are in the middle of an awful situation. We always knew there was something untrustworthy about this particular person, but had no idea he was as bad as he is. He has just been arrested for sexually assaulting his step daughters. And to top it off, I also found out at the same time he had tried inappropriate behaviour with my cousin's daughter. I don't know what to feel at the moment - great sadness, extreme anger, disappointment, outrage and an overwhelming urge to cry. And no, it is no one in the SCA, it is mundanely. From what I know, the girls are okay thank the gods, I think it has affected us adults more and in ways I will not be discussing here.

Having the lurgy sux

2010-05-14T18:32:00.002+10:00

Well, it has finally caught up with me and the lurgy got its hooks in. I started coming down with it Tuesday and now I am miserable. More time off work that I cannot afford as I am so busy!! Oh well, such is life :-(

Got my Warcraft account sorted and I have been super careful since ;-) Lesson learned the hard way! LOL

I could write about the Dubbo Show and the lovely Mother's Day I had last Sunday with all the family but I am too brain fried to think straight at the moment.

We have Radburne's Annual Feast and Tourney next weekend with our smallest bookings to date - not sure we will even bother next year. Or if we do, might make it a pot luck instead - I think that would work better.

Although we have a few die hards coming for Radburne War IV but with the way things are going, I am not expecting a big turn out for that either - will just have to wait and see! I hope we can make Spring War but this year is turning out very unpredictable in a lot of ways so I just can't say!!

I am trying to become a Scribe and have a wonderful lady offer to mentor me - I am so excited! Unfortunately I am just too ill at the moment to even do any of that - I can't even be bothered playing Warcraft so I must be sick ;-) LOL

Dylan and I were going to walk in the Million Paws walk on Sunday for the RSPCA but may not be able to now I am sick - will see how I am Sunday *sigh*.

I'm sure you don't want to read anymore about how miserable I am feeling so will sign off now ;-)

Disappointed

2010-04-23T06:39:00.003+10:00

My World of Warcraft account has been hacked and is being used to spam other players. I have had my account suspended twice in 48 hours for spamming when I haven't even been on! Account services have been next to useless apart from the quick suspension of my account which has hopefully stopped too much crap. At this stage apart from being extremely frustrating (and has resulted in me not wanting to play) there does not seem to have been too much damage done apart from the spamming. From what I can tell so far, my characters gold and items are intact. I haven't been able to check the guild bank yet so I will reserve judgment until I do.

I have all my system up to date, my anti virus is up to date and even after changing the email associated with the account and the password it was still compromised a second time. My anti virus showed up nothing. I installed Windows Defender which picked up nothing and then Spybot Search and Destroy which did pick up a tracker - my guess is this is how they were getting access to my changed email and password. This has now been removed. Initially I think it was installed at a website that looked like the Warcraft account login due to a message I received in game that appeared to come from Blizzard. As I accessed this when I was tired, I wasn't as vigilant as I could have been. I will not make that mistake again. Hackers piss me off no end and so does the fact that you almost need an IT degree to play a favourite game safely on line. It also pisses me off that hackers get paid to do what they do - until it becomes financially un-viable for them to do what they do this kind of behaviour will continue and I believe escalate. I don't think we should have to know exactly how everything has to work inside and out to play something casually however it appears that may be a naive point of view and one that may have no place in our spiraling out of control society (that is another rant for another time).

I have tried to contact Blizzard accounts for Warcraft but they are experiencing a high volume of calls at the moment and cannot take my call. I wonder why ?

On a positive note relating to my last post, Cleopatra did come home that night and we have had no more escapes to date :-)

Surviving

2010-04-14T20:09:00.002+10:00

I have survived my two days in Sydney for work and my trip to Forbes today. I am tired now but it was worthwhile. I tested my Powerpoint presentation at my first of many meetings today and all in all I got a lot of positive feedback so feeling good. I also have some ideas now on how to tweak it :-) The group were great and very supportive - thanks!!!

I am feeling bad though now - I didn't check to make sure the front door was locked properly. Cleopatra the clever cat can open the door - she let herself, Rex and Candy out. Candy got so frightened she flew back in the front door not long after when we opened it and Rex hid under the caravan (Shadow was trying to round them up - typical Border Collie). Unfortunately Cleopatra is now missing - down the paddock somewhere no doubt chasing bugs or something, Dylan is feeling miserable - we have neighbours that shoot anything that comes on their property so I can understand why he is worried :-( I feel so bad!!!! Hopefully she will come home soon for her dinner and bed - I really hope so! We have locked Shadow up in the pen so when Cleo comes home he cannot chase her. What a mess!!!

Easter and other sundry stuff

2010-04-10T21:12:00.001+10:00

Had a lovely weekend camping with the family at Easter - the weather was perfect, the fish were biting, I finished 3 books in 2 days, lots of good food - what more can you ask for? LOL

I have had this week off work - vegged out, played Warcraft (when my internet connection was working), made some jewelery (some as gifts), got some not so good news about a good friend who is in hospital (wishing you a speedy recovery!), did Target Archery this afternoon and talked lots of SCA stuff, got the house mostly cleaned, did washing - you know, the usual boring stuff ;-)

This week I am off to Sydney Monday and Tuesday for work, then Forbes on Wednesday. The following Monday I am in Bathurst, then back to Sydney on the Wednesday and Orange on the Friday. The 29th and 30th I am in Canberra - next month I have trips to Orange, Sydney, Young and maybe even Broken Hill. Nothing quite like traveling across the state ;-) I may as well enjoy it whilst I can - my position finishes at the end of July when B returns from maternity leave. I will then go back to my substantive position as PA which I will have been away from for 18 months! I will probably have to relearn everything! LOL

I need to follow up with a couple of people and see if they are coming to the feast next month - it will be a smallish affair again this year but that's okay - we will still have fun ;-) Really looking forward to RWIV - complete with Viking wedding :-) I need to start planning and timetabling - I want to be more organised this year. I know laugh away - me organised? Yeah right ;-)

Anyhoo, off to do some browsing methinks :-)

Tuesday evening

2010-03-30T21:19:00.002+11:00

Played WoW for a bit but the lag got too bad. Work is crazy busy and I now have a date - I will be acting in the IMRC role until the 26 July 2010 when the substantive returns from maternity leave. I will then do a week hand over with her and back to my normal job.

I worked out today it will be 18 months that I have been out of my substantive position when I go back! I'm in two minds about going back - my boss is awesome and I love working with her so that will be great, on the other hand, in a way I feel like I have 'moved on' so mixed emotions about that. You never know what opportunity may be around the corner (such as for project work) so I will keep my eyes and ears open ;-) Of course then there is the money too which will drop when I go back ;-) (But I knew that when I took this on so it is not a surprise.)

Had a bit of a 'meh' afternoon yesterday but it is all sorted again.

Festival is on this weekend but we won't be going - just too far and too costly. I think that first camping experience a few years ago at Glenworth Valley has scarred us a bit too ;-) Instead, we will be camping with family on a property on the river just the other side of Warren - we haven't been for ages so really looking forward to it! I will miss catching up with people at Festival, market day, watching the fighting etc but at the same time I won't miss the rain, the humidity, the mozzies and leeches, the loos and the lack of campfire and shower. At least where we are going we will have a 'loo with a view' and 'a shower with a view'. All temporary stuff but T has it made really well :-) Looking forward to his cooking on the campfire too and sitting around the fire gazing at the stars. So much family time to look forward too! I hope to catch up on some reading and calligraphy ;-)

Only two more sleeps to go! Candy will miss us and probably won't talk to us for days when we get back ;-) I must admit I will miss that brat ball of fluff! When the alarm goes off of a morning she uses both T and I as a trampoline until we get up!

Disco duck is home

2010-03-25T21:42:00.000+11:00

and got a prize for best 'air guitar' for his impersonation of Angus Young doing AC/DCs Highway to Hell (complete with long hair and baseball cap). LOL

Thursday

2010-03-25T20:23:00.001+11:00

A fairly uneventful day today - got 2 new claims' paperwork sorted today and attended a PAB training session. Caught up on emails etc. Went grocery shopping, bought all the Star Trek movies, T's birthday present had come in (phew!), need to go pick Gryffen up from the school disco shortly and Manfred advised all the stock clerk books arrived safely (huzzah)!

It looks like we will be camping from the 1st April to the 5th April out on the river at Warren - thank goodness mum and dad will be here to house sit and look after all the animals! Poor Candy will be lost and probably won't talk to us when we get back, at least for a day anyway! She will have to sleep with the other cats instead of us - shock horror! LOL

Wolfstanus is going to a Metal Concert tomorrow night so will have to straighten his hair before he goes! LOL He has got me listening to Drowning Pool, Ramstein, Bullet for my Valentine and Disturbed - some if it is pretty good! Cradle of Filth isn't one of my favourites though ;-) I actually really like 'Upside Down' by Drowning Pool, had it blaring on the way home tonight! LOL

Anyhow, better go get my disco duck!

Life is interesting

2010-03-24T19:37:00.003+11:00

So much for writing more often here - I think I just need to get back into the habit instead of just going to Facebook and then playing WoW ;-)

On the SCA side of things, I have finally sent the books off to the new Stock Clerk - after 4 years it was time to hand it over to someone else. I have finally completed the paperwork to make a small change to my device - removing the Ermoinois. This will make drawing it a lot easier! I need to help Danieru and Johanna with getting their devices conflict checked. I have lots of sewing to do but just can't seem to get motivated at the moment. Part of the problem is I have so much I want to do I don't know where to start!

It's T's birthday on Saturday so having the family over for a BBQ. Then Easter we are off camping at Warren for the weekend - I have the first week of the holidays off and then off to Sydney for two days and then Forbes for a day. Can't say I'm bored! LOL

We have the Radburne Feast coming up in May - at this stage it looks like just the usual local crowd - that's okay though. In August we have Radburne War IV complete with Viking wedding - really looking forward to that!

I have Conrad's 18th to organise next year along with my 40th - the year after that is Wolfstanus' 18th and our 20th Wedding Anniversary. For our anniversary I want to organise a hand fasting to renew our vows - I have an idea of what I want to do but have lots of research and planning to do before hand. I also want to make T a cotton voile shirt to wear with black work embroidery.

Hmm...it's been awhile again

2010-03-03T16:18:00.002+11:00

I was going okay but sort of fell in a heap again with updates ;-)

Went to Border War last weekend which was awesome, Conrad fought his authorising bout against Duke Siridean and passed - he conducted himself really well :-) So he is now an authorised Combat Archer and Heavy! Wolfstanus has been asked to be Banner Bearer for Whyte Companie (by Duke Cornelius) and has officially been released from obligations to Baron Sir Osric (distance played a big part in this). So happy and sad at the same time :-)

All of us, including the rest of House Radburne seem to be invigorated and we have two new members which helps liven things up ;-)

I have managed to bugger my ankle up again, I can't get in for an ultrasound for 2 weeks to see if there is any ligament damage so resting it at the moment under doctor's orders.

The new car is going awesomely well but I am not allowed to drive at the moment *sigh*. Will try and post more regularly but not making any promises ;-)

Internet connection that keeps dropping out = no posting

2010-02-05T20:15:00.000+11:00

My internet connection is all over the place at the moment so I am fairly limited to what I can do right now.

Have been doing some family history research which is really interesting - I love that stuff ;-)

We have had over 90mm of rain so far today and it is still raining steadily - the storm water drains are not coping and the highway had water over it in three spots between town and home tonight. A lot of the paddocks look like lakes - haven't seen this much rain this quick in a very long time!

Forgot to get my WoW Game Card today so that means no WoW tonight - damn!!!

Happy Birthday Gryffen!!!! I can't believe you are 12 today!!!

Gambesson dilemma solved :-)

2010-01-28T19:20:00.002+11:00

With a few slight modifications, I will be using the gambesson I made for T as he doesn't use it. Problem one down ;-) I need to make an arming cap now!

Got the second lion's head sewn on Gryffen's banner - need to mark the eyes etc and sew them.

Got a bargain today at one of the local bookstores - Tudor Treasures to Embroider by Pamela Warner for the princely sum of $9.95! It has some really cute projects in it I hope to do, *sigh* the list just gets longer!

We are hoping to go to Rowany's Newcomers Feast in March but it will depend on if T's work picks up - it's a bit quiet at the moment. February is our crap month where a whole heap of bills hit at once and we have Border War at the end of February so we'll just have to wait and see.

A few projects started......

2010-01-26T19:34:00.002+11:00

I have had internet on and off over the last few days - has to do with hitting our cap and having speed throttled - the reception isn't that great then and with 4 computers trying to hook up you get the drift ;-)

Bought Family Tree Maker 2010 on Saturday and have been entering data and searching online stuff - it is going to take years! I have a heap of research from years ago that I need to enter, documents to scan, my grandparents old photos to go through etc. It's been really interesting and exciting!

Today I started painting some sample scrolls - they aren't too bad but my hand isn't as steady as I would like it to be yet! I also did some more on Gryffen's banner, got one lion's head sewn on. I need to get some bottle green wool or crochet cotton to do the other one. Watched Mama Mia and Ever After this afternoon whilst I was sewing ;-)

Thoughts whilst driving........

2010-01-22T20:58:00.003+11:00

I seem to do most of my thinking when I'm driving - something about the open road, the freedom, I don't know.......I have been thinking about buying a dictaphone because when I get back and by the time I get to post here, it never seems to come out the same. At least if I could record it as I'm thinking it, I could in theory transcribe it later on. I digress.......

I did have an interesting drive to Bathurst today, in a good way! LOL Just under three hours each way including a stop both ways ;-)

Between Lucknow and Vittoria is a hilly part of road where there is not a lot of opportunity for overtaking. About half a dozen of us got stuck behind a slow moving vehicle for some time. Finally we get to an overtaking lane and we all move out and around - the lane ends fairly quickly so everyone speeds up a little to get past in time. As we are doing this, over the crest of the hill comes a highway patrol car! Talk about brake lights coming on left, right and centre! Very funny! No-one got booked, the max we would have been over was 5km/hr.

As I was driving through the valley coming into Bathurst I had the most amazing feeling of euphoria. You know what, there are a lot of things to be grateful for - especially with all the turmoil in the world and things like the Haiti earthquakes. I don't think we appreciate all the good things often enough, no matter how small they may be.

Today the sun was shining, I got to drive through some beautiful countryside in a comfortable car (work car) with air conditioning, having the freedom to listen to my favourite songs, singing as loudly and as off key as I liked! LOL I was listening to the song 'Twisted' by Brian McFadden and the words really struck me. I know it probably sounds silly but I was almost moved to tears - because it really hit me how blessed I am. I have an incredible husband, incredible sons, incredible extended family (including both sets of parents) and friends, and although there are times we may get frustrated with each other, I love them none the less and I am grateful they are in our lives.

I love my life - I feel content and I would not want to trade with anyone!

Anyhow, the particular words that struck me were:

And I smile my twisted smile when I say,
Let the world keep turning
Cause I'll be standing still
And the earth feels closer to heaven
Just because you're here
I've been chased by angels
I've been drunk out of my mind
And the earth feels better than heaven
Just because you're here
Twisted

So true :-)

While I was in Bathurst I bought 2 new cds - Black Eyed Peas 'The End' and Toby Keith's Greatest Hits 2.

And it's Thursday again already!

2010-01-21T19:57:00.003+11:00

Got lots of filing and archiving done today so was at least a productive day! I'm off to Bathurst for work tomorrow - 3hr drive, 3 meetings and a 3hr drive home. Then I'm off for a week! Hanging out at home, appointments and getting the boys ready to go back to school. I can't believe January is nearly over!

And the words of today are.......

2010-01-20T21:23:00.002+11:00

chronic autoimmune urticaria. Say that 4 times really fast!

That is the name of the condition I have - at least now I can Google it! LOL

Shooting combat arrows is fun!

2010-01-19T21:43:00.002+11:00

T, the boys and I, shot combat arrows at a dummy tonight until it got too dark to find the arrows in the scrub ;-) Was much fun! I am a shocking shot and only hit the target by dumb luck. T and the boys on the other hand are naturals *sigh*.

Now I need to get my gambesson made so T can finish my armour and I can start practicing! I need to get authorised at RWIV so I can keep my promise to Will and shoot his arrows back at him ;-)

It was really nice to spend some time outdoors as a family too - pity the weather won't stay this cool! Now I just need to find the armour I want. Was thinking about learning to make chain mail but I don't think I have the patience or the fine motor skills to do it! LOL

Sad and disappointed

2010-01-18T20:40:00.003+11:00

I guess that is one way to describe how we all felt when we went to the RSPCA yesterday to help by walking the dogs. I probably should have posted as soon as I got back while my thoughts were running but needed to get ready to go out for lunch with T's parents - it was their 51st Wedding Anniversary (congratulations!!!!).

Poor Gryffen was most upset when he realised just how many dogs and cats are out there at the moment - they have had over 150 through since 1st January. It's really heart breaking - there are all sorts out there and all ages. Some are outgoing and friendly and others are timid, scared and obviously haven't been looked after. We walked about 16 dogs I think in total in the hour or so we were there - plan on going back out on Saturday. I am really proud of Gryffen, he dried his tears, picked a Chihuahua cross to take for a walk and gave it lots of love :-) They have even had to double up with pens as there are just too many and the Ranger keeps bringing them in. I hope that it starts to slow down now - the workers do an awesome job but there is only so much they can do too :-( The problem would be pretty much non existent if people were responsible pet owners - unfortunately there appears to be a large number that just don't care or think that animals are worthless. To me, they are the worthless cretins! The hard part of going out there is knowing that a lot will need to be euthanased, and of course knowing we cannot adopt anymore! There is always at least one we would love to take home! We come home, give our animals a hug and a pat and know that at least they are getting what they deserve - a good life! I love that when I go for my walk that the dogs come with me. I just have to say to Scrappy - going for a walk? And he talks right back and gets so excited. He always stays with me and if I drop behind a bit he comes running back and grabs my hand to make sure I am okay. You can't get better than that ;-) I love that when the cats come in from their pen that you get a happy meow and cuddles - and that Candy curls up next to me to go to sleep at night. Although it is absolutely heart breaking when we lose one, there is no way I would be without them. I am lucky that T and the boys all feel the same way.

Although it isn't much, we will keep doing what we can to help. If everyone just looked to themselves and their own backyard it would already go a long way to changing things.

Drooling!

2010-01-16T20:32:00.002+11:00

After a random conversation with T this morning, we are looking at maybe traveling to Europe in about 5 years time (the boys have been warned they will need to start saving LOL). Where do you start? What do we want to do? I naturally want to spend some time in the Netherlands but it would be good to do some other stuff too. I know we won't get to see a fraction of the things we would like to see but we could always go back ;-)

Looking at spending 4 weeks there all up - so I thought I would look a few things up out of curiosity, and then went OMG I will have to start planning now to be ready to go in 5 years! None of us have ever been overseas.......

Anyhoo, when thinking about interesting places to stay, I came across this one, The Chateau De Clavy-Warby in France. I figured 2 weeks in the Netherlands, a week in France and maybe a week in Germany. *sigh* I might have to start buying Lotto tickets!!!

Excited!!!

2010-01-15T22:01:00.001+11:00

Went out for nummy dinner with T at Hog's Breath tonight, boys are at my cousin's for a night of Warhammer and PS3. Yes, it is very quiet!!!

I decided to try and do some more research on Delden and couldn't find a whole lot - some lovely people on The Shambles had some great suggestions which I will pursue (will need Dad's help though for translation).

I also came across this site by 'accident' when broadening my search to Medieval Low Countries. It is a Review by Elisabeth van Houts of 'The Narrative Sources from The Low Countries' website. I am off to do some reading!!!

Just had to share :-)

Iz tiredz, needz bedz now........

2010-01-14T22:29:00.003+11:00

Busy, busy week back at work but at least I feel like I have achieved something! Still a long way to go tho..........

Watched some more episodes of 'The Tudors: Season 3' last night - may be 1 more episode to go or we may have watched them all - then will have to wait for the final season *sigh*. Funny thing is T bought the original for me but he got really engrossed himself!! Yes, I know it is loosely based on History, it is after all a soap opera written to keep viewers entranced rather than being historically accurate. I am okay with that - I watch it for entertainment value ;-) Hmmm...Henry Cavill as Duke Charles ;-)

Anyhoo........after doing some reading on the net about the Tudors (the real ones), I decided to start doing some research for my SCA persona, who is from Delden, in the Low Countries in the 14th Century (haven't pin pointed exact date yet LOL). I must admit I am a little frustrated - Googleing 'Delden History' hasn't exactly given me great hits first up. I know, patience! LOL Anyone got any tips?

Oh well, time for bed. I have been good and getting up early for my walk everyday - tomorrow will be day 5 in a row and week 1 completed! Yay me :-)

This reminds me of a few people in the morning.......

2010-01-13T20:04:00.001+11:00

see more Lolcats and funny pictures

Dark, stormy skies

2010-01-13T19:53:00.003+11:00

rumbling thunder, and a huge downpour! It still looks very dark outside but the rain has stopped for now. And I still have an internet connection - yippee!!! Turns out it was the branch on the big tree out the front interfering with our already weak signal ;-) At least the temperature has dropped a bit! They are predicting a ten degree drop in temperature - hmmmm 45 to 35, better but still too hot in my book!!!

I am starting to catch up at work, the pile of notes to be recorded is getting less but there is still so much to do! I am off to Bathurst for the day next Friday for some meetings. Will need to be at work by 8am and should be home by 6pm - then I am on leave for a week! (To get the boys organised and back to school.) The following week mum and dad will be away so need to make other arrangements for the boys after school.

So much I want to do but by the time I get through everything at work, come home, cook, clean up etc and with the heat, I just don't feel motivated!

What to do, what to do - banner making, calligraphy or play Warcraft? I might read for a bit..........

Hello, anyone out there?

2010-01-12T21:58:00.004+11:00

Probably not, but that's okay - will continue to post when I feel like it ;-)

Have been back at work for two days now catching up on the backlog after having two weeks off. I'm having another week off at the end of January to get the boys organised and back to school.

Weather sux as usual, supposed to be a cool change coming through in the next couple of days - can't wait!

Cancelled my gym membership - it's not helping and it's killing my feet. I've decided to just eat sensibly (most of the time) and walk 5 days a week. Shock, horror, I have arisen at 6:30am the last two mornings and done two laps of the block each day (2.8km per day in total), then I've done a 20 minute walk at lunch time. On the days that it is not stinking hot I plan to walk of an evening too. According to my scales I have lost 1kg this week - could be the scales playing up though ;-) I have blisters on my blisters and my ankles have been locking up but nothing some good stretching doesn't fix. I've also got the Zumbafit DVDs but they are a little too energetic and need too much coordination to do everyday! I plan on doing that once a week to start with and then work my way up. I need to lose 20kg to help relieve the pain in my ankles. I see the ankle specialist next month - I have heel spurs in both feet - can you believe it?

Spoke with the allergy specialist yesterday - looks like this is going to be a long term thing of special diet and medication. I have to say though, as long as I follow it I feel great. I gave in at Christmas and splurged on favourite but 'not to eat' foods and paid the price. Man was I sick Christmas night and Boxing Day. Went back onto the diet and I was fine. Had Tacos tonight so now I have a rash - but I knew that would happen ;-) It should settle again in a few hours - makes it hard to sleep though! Tried Paw Paw today - not sure that I like the taste. It's one of the few fruits I can eat so I am going to look at maybe trying them different ways - time to search for recipes!

I'm hoping my Calligraphy ink and paints will turn up tomorrow - if not then should be here Friday in time for the weekend (we only get mail 3 times a week)! I'm really keen to get going on this ;-)

I have mixed feelings about the SCA at the moment - part of me is really excited about some of the things happening and part of me just isn't sure it is worth the effort anymore. I'll just blame the weather - hard to think of wearing frocks and fighting in armour when it's 43 degrees!!

I started cutting out the new banner for Gryffen on Sunday but with the heat, lost enthusiasm very quickly! I must admit Warcraft has been the go when I just want to veg out and do nothing! LOL

Anyhow, off to feed Candy and then to bed.

Waiting for it to be 11pm........

2010-01-08T22:55:00.003+11:00

so I can start a download for C. We have reached 48% of our peak download allocation and it is only the 8th of the month! I guess that is what happens when you have 4 computers hooked up to the net and it is school holidays ;-)

Christmas has been and gone - it was a wet one this year with over 100mm rain. It rained all day but we still spent it outside at the BBQ area with the aid of tarps!

Lots of time with family, same as New Year's Eve. I got to have two weeks off work, back on Monday. Not looking forward to all the stuff I will have to deal with. *sigh*

I am handing over the SCAA Stock Clerk office after 4 years - everything is packed up. I just need to work out when I can get to Sydney to hand over all the stuff - there is too much to send via courier or the like - it would cost an absolute fortune!

I've decided to take up calligraphy - as have the boys. I'm thinking about joining the College of Scribes (if they will have me). This is my first attempt at 'Uncial Hand'. I've had to order paints and ink online as I can't get it here. One of the downfalls of living west of the Blue Mountains ;-)

I keep looking for SCA events we can try and get too but there always seems to be something conspiring to stop us *sigh*. We are booked and paid for Border War in Wagga Wagga at the end of February, looking forward to that. We were planning on attending Crown Tourney in May in Rowany but it turns out it is the Mother's Day weekend. We were planning on staying with T's sister in Sydney but she will be in Dubbo that weekend more than likely. Will try and sort something out....... Rowany Festival is out at Easter. The drive is just too far and the cost too much. Our first experience at the new site wasn't the best either so not too keen to repeat the experience at this stage. Planning on attending Spring War in October but we will have to see what happens. Keeping an eye out for Rowany and Polit events - we would have liked to go the Polit event in February but it is only 2 weeks before Border War and it is too much to do both *sigh*.

The animals are doing well, both Princess and Candy have grown so much!

We still volunteer at the RSPCA - hope to go in the morning. It is so sad though - they have received over 100 animals this year already, that's in only 8 days!!! What is wrong with people and being responsible? Sadly, a lot of people don't see animals as important.

Speaking of important animals, Candy is climbing over the keyboard telling me it is bed time ;-)

I gots me an XR6 - Yay!!!

2009-12-07T21:05:00.003+11:00

Yes, I am doing the happy, happy dance! The original plan was to get one in a couple of years but my poor car gave up the ghost last week - head gasket, back engine seal and possibly the head as well. Have managed to find someone that wants it for a couple of dollars who can fix it up for themselves to get them through the next 18 months or so. After much debating (me mainly trying to talk myself out of it) I came to the agreement that yes it was better to spend money on a newer car than pouring more money into the old one. Once I came to that conclusion - I was happy.

Sequence of events - car dies Wednesday, lots of discussions and decisions, apply for loan online Thursday and search car yards on the internet, Friday afternoon test drive a couple of cars and find 'the one', sign the contract at 5pm Friday, visit the bank Monday to sign paperwork and pick up car at 4:30pm Monday. Take for drive and show the relies!!

'Tis a very nice car - needs to get sports exhaust system though - doesn't quite have the rumble yet the old one had LOL. It is a 2004 Ford Falcon BA XR6 in Winter White. Will take photos and post soonish - this one is from the car dealer's ad.

Early Christmas pressie for me! LOL

What can I say........

2009-11-02T20:42:00.003+11:00

it's been a while and blogging has not been my priority. Life is hectic but good although I am swamped at work which leaves me feeling drained of an evening, hence not feeling like posting. I've also been traveling a fair bit with work too. Hmmm, dot points is probably the easiest for a quick update so here goes:

* Conrad (Clinton) has his School Certificate exams next week
* I finally got to see the specialist which was a very interesting thing. Turns out I have been treated for hayfever for the last ten years and I technically don't have it! Explains why half the medication never worked ;-) I do have sensitivity to strong smells such as perfumes, pollution, strong smelling flowers etc which make me sneeze and give me hayfever like symptoms, but I am not allergic. All the food allergies we thought I had, I don't have any allergies to them as such. Turns out I am allergic to myself! LOL My body (auto immune system is running amok) is producing an overload of histamines and therefore attacking itself producing allergy symptoms such as increasing my asthma and producing an abundance of hives. Treatment is Zyrtec and two Tagamet daily along with a Hyperallergenic Diet. It is amazing what foods contain large amounts of histamine. For example, I can have coffee but not tea, malt milo but not ordinary (green label) milo etc. I had to start on two Zyrtec a day to get the hives under control but now that I have been on the diet and medication for 3 weeks I am actually starting to get relief. I have 3 months treatment and then a review with the specialist. I may be able to go off the diet eventually but it will be a slow process and dependent on how quickly the toxins build up again, I may need to go back on it in the future. At least it has answered a lot of questions and I am finally getting relief!
* My ankle is still giving me grief - I am thinking about going back to my GP to discuss what could be going on. It's actually the other side of the ankle that is causing the most grief now, not the original injury site. It is quite weak and I do 'roll' on it quite often *sigh*. The other foot is giving me trouble now too - just shoot me now!!! LOL
* Due to injury and lack of time, the gym has not been visited for ages. I am thinking about canceling my membership because I just can't seem to get there *sigh*
* The boys and I volunteer at the local RSPCA shelter - we walk the dogs, play with the dogs and the cats and help out where we can. We try and go most Saturday mornings - I almost adopted a dog but restrained myself! LOL
* The three dogs and four cats are doing well. Candy has everyone wrapped around her little paw. Terry says that's because she is a dog in a cat suit ;-) She sleeps on our bed.
* We have booked for Border War next February - only going for the day Saturday and staying off site but looking forward to it!
* Next weekend is our IKAC, potluck feast and Tourney of the Yellow Rose. Haven't really done anything since RWIII so looking forward to it
* Our last event for the year will be the first Saturday of December - IKAC an picnic get together, possible twilight tourney too
* Have joined the local Photography club - really good to get some tips for taking better photos. Johanna (Jeannette) and I go - it's on the second and fourth Mondays of the month
* Have been playing Warcraft a bit as a stress relief - good fun!
* Won a heap of beads and stuff on Ebay last night - they have been paid for so hopefully by the end of the week I should have some to play with! I have a Celtic Knotwork book with some really lovely projects in it I want to try - just need to get the cord! I don't think the local Spotlight sells the cord, will need to double check otherwise will have to buy online.
* Still need to get my armour done - hopefully over the next few months things will come together
* Terry hasn't had a cigarette for over 3 months now - so proud of him! The boys are pleased as too!
* Off to Canberra at the end of the month for Terry's mum's birthday - we and Terry's sister are taking her away for the weekend as a gift. Looking forward to it!

I think that's the bulk of the news. My list of things I want to do seems to be getting longer and the available time to do it in seems to be getting shorter. Such is life!

No, I'm not dead.......

2009-09-08T20:04:00.004+10:00

just fallen off the web planet for a bit ;-)

What can I say? RWIII was awesome - had a good turnout and a great weekend.

Conrad has had a concussion a few weeks ago (is okay now) playing soccer and got a ride in the ambulance - yesterday put his teeth through his lips and got a bleeding nose, playing soccer. I don't know what these boys are doing but it isn't the soccer I know! LOL He authorised as a Combat Archer at RWIII too!

Wolfstanus is his usual comedic self ;-)

Gryffen is also plodding along well :-)

Work is unbelievably busy but I am enjoying it!

We now have the four computers networked onto the internet so we can play WoW together! Yay!

Daniel and Kristie (Guy de la Rivierre and Arabella) finally got married last weekend - it was a beautiful day and a lovely wedding! Congratulations to the happy couple :-)

There is probably a whole heap I could write but honestly, I'm too brain dead to think of it at the moment! LOL

Oh, we finally got Candy Bear home too - she is an amazing, cheeky kitty!

Life is insane

2009-07-31T13:37:00.003+10:00

and it helps if you are insane as well - at least that is my excuse and I am sticking to it!

Very, very busy as usual. Warcrack has been my refuge and unwind at the end of the day - even though I really know I should be sewing instead, I need the unwind time!

Work is amazingly busy but I am enjoying all the learning I am doing and the interactions, even though some can be stressful at times. It's all about finding the balance.

Preparations for RWIII are going well - bookings are still an issue. Why is it people cannot say 'Hey, I'm coming' instead of me getting it third hand or 'Hey, I'd like to come but I won't know until the day before'. I know, I know, it's the SCA! It is so hard to organise an event when people just cannot be bothered to let you know what is happening. And yes, I know I am not the only one this happens too, it seems to be a bit of a cultural thing. As it stands, I have about 45 bookings including kids - about 13 have paid in total. A few have made arrangements to pay on the day (which is fine, if I know before hand), a few have said they will be depositin monies today, which is fine, but always find this part the most stressful. Dammit I need to know! (Control freak - yes I know :-))

I keep saying this is the last one, and then when things have calmed down and everyone goes away happy, I relent and do another one :-) I must admit it would be nice to actually go to an event and just hang out and not do much instead of running around like the proverbial headless chook, but is that really me? LOL All I need to do is travel to an event.............for that I need time and money *sigh*. I am hoping next year will be better time wise and we can get to a few more events. On the plans are a Rowany event (we couldn't go to Bunch o'classes 'cause Gryffen had his tonsils out the day before), Border War (did make that one this year), Spring War (cannot go this year due to medical appointment in Sydney) and a Polit event (went to their Baronial Championship last October which was nice). Will see what comes up for the rest of the year............................and I need to get my armour finished, and I need to make a gambeson, and I have a sh*&load of sewing to do.........need to finish Conrad's doublet (I know, I know), the shirts aren't going to get made, still need to finish my Italian, have new patterns to try, need to get Elizabethan flat caps (3) made before next weekend too!

Okay, I admit it, I am crazy ;-)

Welcome Princess!

2009-07-23T18:29:00.001+10:00

Goodbye Sylvester

2009-07-23T18:24:00.001+10:00

you are an awesome cat and will be missed!

Mixed bag this week

2009-07-23T18:03:00.003+10:00

Terry and I both had a week off work this week - has been a very mixed week!

Started off okay last Saturday and then the boys went to their cousin's Sunday night. We had a quiet dinner at home and settled in to watching Season 2 of The Tudors on DVD. All was good until about 9pm when Sylvester suddenly couldn't walk and became very distressed - then started panting. We were frightened he may have got a bait - we rang the vet and organised to meet him. On the way in we were talking and I began to worry about the heart murmur he had. Turns out I was right - to cut a long ugly story short, Sylvester had a blood clot that went to his lungs and a main artery. He needed to be put down to end his suffering as nothing could be done. The vet was quite upset he could not do anything either - lots of tissues and tears later we said our goodbyes. It was heart breaking having to tell the boys on Monday, especially poor Conrad. Sylvester was only three years old.

We have now adpoted two new kittens from the RSPCA - Princess who is now home with us (she is lovely). She almost pulled two of her stitches out (after being desexed), has managed to get out of the e-collar and managed to get the bandage off her belly! Talk about a little monster! She is a real talker and very affectionate - she is asleep on the lounge with Terry now. She also likes Vegemite!

Little Candy that we also adopted has had to remain at the RSPCA. When the vet shaved her belly for her op, they discovered she had a skin infection. As she is so tiny, she has not been able to fight it off herself. She had an injection on Tuesday and if that does not clear it they will give her antibiotics. I am going to see her tomorrow and see if they have any idea when she might be able to come home. She adopted Terry - it was so cute!

Wolfstanus, Gryffen and I have volunteered to help out at the RSPCA - had my tetanus shot on Tuesday (I was overdue for my booster) so need to drop the vaccination certificate in as well as copies of the boys' vaccinations. Wolfstanus is due for a booster next month which he isn't too impressed about - he needs to get a blood test done tomorrow too to check his iron levels are back up to normal.

Haven't had much luck with chickens lately either - we have had another 3 die and one more which seems a bit 'off'. On the upside, we actually got 3 eggs today!

With some help from family, they began painting the new structures for RWIII - it's really starting to look good. Plans are coming together although bookings are really slow - unless we get a last minute rush it will be the smallest one we have had. We will still have fun though! It doesn't look like my armour will be ready in time - that's okay though, I will authorise next time.

We won't be going to Spring War this year which is a little disappointing - I need to see an allergy specialist in Sydney the week after so cannot do both. The allergy specialist is much more important - there is always next year!

Due to it being 'one of those weeks' I haven't done hardly anything I planned too! At least I got some of the war planning done and we had a nice day out today - we went to McFeeter's Car Museum in Forbes and 'The Dish' at Parkes. Good family day out with the five of us plus my mum and dad. If you are ever out that way, definitely worth visiting!

Transformers 2

2009-07-10T21:42:00.005+10:00

Went to the movies tonight to see Transformers 2 with the boys. Had a great family night out and one of Conrad's friends came too. Really, really enjoyed the movie! Will definitely get it when it comes out on DVD. If we had to pick a transformer, Terry would say Ironhide is his favourite - I'd have to toss up between Bumblebee and Optimus Prime. I think I'd pick Bumblee though! LOL

We all hope they make a third one!

Ironhide

Bumblebee

Optimus Prime

And the second half of the year is upon us.......

2009-07-07T22:10:00.003+10:00

OMG, where has the time gone? I just never seem to get here to write anymore! So, I think dot points are the way to go. So here goes.......
* Gryffen is back bouncing off the walls again which is great
* Wolfstanus sprained his ankle last week and is still hobbling around but the CT scan showed no major damage thank goodness!
* Conrad has his hand/arm in plaster - the little episode of punching the brick wall a few weeks ago resulted in a fractured hand (3rd knuckle). He has two weeks in a half cast, then back to the fracture clinic for an x-ray. If all is good the cast stays off, if it hasn't healed then it will be a full cast
* Work is crazy busy - road tripped to Orange and Bathurst last week, need to go back there again next week
* Terry is 150km the other side of Bourke for a few days
* Target Archery this weekend
* Last weekend got the bridge built, the timber list field built and started re-enforcing the structure for the tavern
* Wolfstanus cracked me up when he had his CT scan last Saturday - when he got out he said 'My foot when through the Stargate, the aliens took pictures on the other side and sent them back via email'. Nothing wrong with his imagination!!!
* Been too tired or too busy to sew - I have a week off work soon so hope to get a heap done then
* Stupid ankles/feet are playing up something shocking - haven't been back to acupuncture as it was very painful last time and I just haven't got the time. Need to get back though 'cause it does help
* Didn't get to the gym last week - too much on. Did go the two Tuesdays before that. I was going to go today but didn't get away from work in time *sigh*. Hope to go tomorrow but not entirely hopeful ;-) Having lunch with a friend so can't go then, having dinner with mum and dad so need to try and get away from work a little early. Good luck with that! LOL
* We are nursing a hurt chicken at the moment - one of the Silkies has hurt her leg so she is living in a box in the shed. She is a lot more alert now she is getting food and water (she cannot move much and she keeps putting her leg straight out in front of her). At least she has a chance now - she would have died if we had of left her in the pen 'cause she couldn't get to food and water. We don't know what she has done - Terry said it doesn't feel like the leg is broken or dislocated, only time will tell.
* Had Shadow to the vet last week - he needed to be castrated, have his heart worm annual injection, get micro chipped and have his leg stitched. He cut his leg open on something - didn't really bleed but was deep. Back to the vet on Thursday to get the stitches out.
* Having my brain dead TV night - Australia's Next Top Model, Bridezillas and Housewives of Atlanta mixed with playing Warcrack! LOL
* Looking forward to RWIII - there are still a lot of loose ends and lack of bookings but it is slowly coming together. Really looking forward to catching up with friends including one who is traveling half way around the world!
* Need to book Terry in for his tattoo soon - when he has an appointment he will have to finalise the design! LOL Of course I have an ulterior motive, when he gets his I can get my next one (which I would like for Christmas) :-)

And now I think I will catch up on friends journals and blogs which I haven't had a chance to do for ages!!!

Yeah, I know it's been a long time again

2009-06-27T10:17:00.002+10:00

between posts - what can I say? Warcrack has been more appealing of an evening than posting as I am too brain dead when I get home from work, cook tea, tidy up, organise kids etc to post.

So, I'm afraid all you are going to get is dot points on stuff. The worst part is I'll usually think of meaningful things to write as I am dozing off to sleep at night or when I am driving but by the time I get to post it's all gone ;-)
* Gryffen is recovering okay - he did have tummy issues from all the meds he has been on but that seems to be getting better. He is actually up and about today.
* Wolfstanus is over his tonsillitis too and back at school - I saw his Maths teacher yesterday who said he is doing really well in Maths and she has high expectations for his exam next week (no pressure or anything ;-))
* Conrad is tired of school again but has been doing quite well. He got an A- for work education and has impressed his employer for work experience. He also got a really good mark for Science and a 73 for PDHPE. These are the best marks he has ever received so the set up at the Senior Campus has been beneficial. We have had some 'social' issues with moron kids but you get that anywhere *sigh*
* Conrad dropped his phone at school last Friday (he had it so I could text him when Gryffen got out of surgery). He reported it to the deputy and his teachers but of course no one had seen it or handed it in. Luckily it was a pre-paid but we still had $30 worth of credit stolen from it. We have a lead and the DP has a name but that student has not been at school so to date she has not been able to interview him. The charmer also signed up to 'Pink Babes' which has meant large charges for that. Telstra as usual were most unhelpful and managed to stuff up the blocking of SIM cards etc - they managed to cut of Wolfstanus' instead of Conrad's, and then told us when we deactivated the old SIM and got the new SIM for the number the 'thief' could not use the number - that does not seem to be the case when I look at the number history *sigh*. I've managed to transfer most of the credit off now but we still lost an extra $6 last night. I am going to keep the number for now to track the calls whilst the school is investigating - we have told them that if the phone is not returned we will go to the police with the information and names we have. I don't hold high hopes. We are going to get a new phone and new number for Conrad today. I just find it a sad reflection on society that the 'norm' is finders keepers, losers weepers rather than people doing the right thing and handing in things they find that do not belong to them. I know there are some out there that do the right thing, it just seems that they are the minority now.
* Need to get Wolfstanus a new MP4 today (his got broken accidentally)
* Work is ridiculously busy but good
* I am road tripping next week to Orange and Bathurst for a couple of days
* Had to get new tyres for the ute today
* Have lots of sewing to do
* Have lots of organising for RWIII to do
* It has rained every weekend for about the last 4 weeks - not good for getting the site ready! LOL
* My chickens still bring a smile to my face and I love watching them when things are a little stressful

On the whole, life is good and I am content!!

Flying update

2009-06-17T12:44:00.003+10:00

Which is about all I have time for these days! On a short lunch break so thought I would post quickly.....
* Work is soooo busy, but really good
* Johanna made Radburne badges for everyone which is really cool
* Have lots of sewing to do as usual before the war weekend
* Raburne War III is on in 7 weeks - OMG!
* Wolfstanus still has Tonsillitis - on a stronger lot of meds now and on his second week home from school
* Gryffen is finally bouncing again and will be getting surgery to remove nasty tonsils in two more sleeps which means I have an overnight stay in hospital with him. Not looking forward to it but will be glad to have it done and get him on the mend - it is very necessary. He hasn't gone back to school though as we cannot risk him getting sick again - there is a confirmed case of Swine Flu at his school
* Conrad is well again although seems to be quite tired and 'down'. He says there is nothing wrong but I think I will need to keep an eye on him.......
* Having yummy beef stew in the slow cooker for dinner with smashed potatoes - drool!
* Terry has been unwell too - I think he has a touch of the flu
* I have a prickly throat and feeling run down too - yuck!
* Gauntlets have proved to be interesting - turns out I have odd shaped knuckles on my hand - the one for the middle finger sticks out further than the rest - once padding is in the gauntlets they don't fit properly. The half gauntlet is fine but the fingered one needs modifying.........
* Have fit the lining for Conrad's doublet - hope to get the velveteen cut out this weekend and sew it
* Need to go shopping with my mum this weekend to Spotlight - she is after material for a doublet for my dad (Mum has decided to go Tudorish with a McCalls (?) pattern I have but has enough material in her stash we think) - I also need to make dad a hat with a feather in it ;-)
* Had to have an ultrasound on my leg - I have a Lipoma (fatty tissue tumor - it is benign so all is good but it is rather large and can be annoying - may need to have it removed if it causes any issues with the surrounding blood vessels etc)
* Chickies are happy in their new home - I love going up there of a morning and letting the Silkies out of the hen house. They follow me everywhere! LOL Even the big chickens do! We have a broody hen but not sure she is sitting enough to get the eggs to hatch. She has four so we will see how she goes.........

And now I need to go for a quick walk to get some fresh air and get back to work!

Shiny gauntlets for me............

2009-06-12T22:03:00.005+10:00

on my way to becoming a combat archer...........

I blinked..........

2009-06-11T21:24:00.002+10:00

and the last three weeks has disappeared! So what has been happening? A lot and then not a lot........
* One of our new chickens died but the rest are okay
* Gryffen still has tonsillitis and we have narrowly averted him being hospitalised. He will be having his nasty tonsils removed next Friday (16 June) providing we can get them to behave by then.
* Wolfstanus also has tonsillits
* Conrad has a virus but is much better and will be back at school tomorrow
* Terry and I celebrated our 17th wedding anniversary last Saturday
* I have moved positions at work - I am now the acting Injury Management and Rehabilitation Coordinator for twelve months, I didn't get to finish my project. It is a big change, it has been years since I have done return to work coordination and not on this scale. It is both frightening and exciting at the same time! I am so busy trying to get my head around everything I am brain fried when I get home and can manage Warcrack some evenings but that is about it ;-) (And yes, this is my news I couldn't tell until it was official!)
* Got the lining for Conrad's doublet cut out but with him being ill I haven't had a chance to do a fitting yet
* Terry has started making my armour - he has my half gauntlet made, is working on my full gauntlet and has started on my chest plate. It is so cool!!!! Will try and get a photo on the weekend

Can't think of much else at the moment, back to watching Scooby Doo the movie :-)

Super quick update

2009-05-27T13:17:00.002+10:00

* Was sick last week - awful lurgy
* Went to Mudgee Saturday, back Sunday morning - had a lovely time with T
* Got my chickens!
* Gryffen got sick, again!
* Gryffen will get tonsils out either in June or July - hope to get date from Doctor tomorrow
* T has been sick this week :-(
* Report for event done - we made a profit of $27 something (yay - best profit made for this event in the last three years)
* Taking Conrad out for his belated birthday dinner this Friday night providing no one else gets sick!
* Developments at work that I can hopefully mention at the end of this week
* Work is flat out - can't say I'm bored!
* A bit annoyed with some things at the moment which is being worked through - don't think this is the place to spill though ;-) Why do people have to be so clueless and hurtful someimes? Feeling like you are constantly being used sux!

Break over - back to work!

ooh news!

2009-05-18T14:13:00.003+10:00

And I cannot share it yet! Don't you hate that? [evil grin] It looks like I am getting a good opportunity with something and it is exciting, I just can't say anything yet until it is finalised. I promise I will post it here as soon as I can. Mum's the word until then! (Hi Mum!!!)

On the work front, the project is going well and I am entering into the final stages. Some more data colletction to do, collation and reporting.

Back to work before I 'splode!

Exhausted!

2009-05-18T11:33:00.003+10:00

The weekend went well - we had some last minute attendees but all was good. Thankfully the weather behaved itself and we got to eat in the outdoor tavern and sit around the campfire. I haven't had any complaints and I have had some positive feedback so assuming everyone enjoyed themselves! We even had three local families join us that had not been to an SCA event before so all is good. I think we ended up with 37 all up over the course of the weekend, and made a small profit to go with it! I will upload the photos onto the photobucket account for Radburne this evening if I don't crash before then! Driving to work this morning I realised I should have taken today off - I am so tired and not functioning at 100% ;-) We had three visitors from Rowany (including the Baron and Baroness) who we are very grateful too for travelling so far - it was lovely to catch up with them again!

So, results from the weekend very briefly:
* IKAC was won by Szebastian Greenbow
* Combat Archer Tourney was won by Peter of Radburne
* Heavy Tourney (and Defender of Radburne) was won by Lord Vardor des Furion
* Bardic Challenge was won by Gryffen Bladesmyth for his renditon of the Shoe Bransle on recorder
* Terence of Radburne received an AoA and is now Lord Terence of Radburne! Huzzah! (He was a little embarrassed and wasn't quite sure how to deal with it but he did like it and was very appreciative of the scroll - I need to get a frame for it today ;-))

Thanks to all who came and helped out - despite being exhausted now, it was a good weekend! Now I need to organise Radburne War for August!

Oh well, back to work and more spreadsheets!

Nice surprise!

2009-05-14T09:46:00.002+10:00

We only have a one week wait, yes you read right, a one week wait to see the ENT specialist in Dubbo. Got Gryffen in for next Thursday! Yay! Poor little bugger is so miserable at the moment - he has been going to school in the mornings though to do his NAPLAN tests. Has his maths one today - I expect to get a phone call when it's over..............

Two more sleeps until the Anniversary Feast and Tourney - I feel so unorganised this time although I *know* it will be okay. *sigh*

Happy 16th Birthday!

2009-05-13T09:30:00.002+10:00

to Clinton (otherwise known as Conrad). Hard to believe it is here - hope you have a great one! Despite our ups and downs over the years, we wouldn't trade you for anything! Having you around has taught us a whole heap of things, often in unexpected ways, and we are grateful for every day we have you in our lives.

We love you son and Happy Birthday!

(Will insert photos here this evening - gotta dig a baby photo out of course :-))

Poor Gryffen

2009-05-13T09:23:00.003+10:00

has tonsilitis - again!!! He has gone to school because they are doing the NAPLAN testing but he is feeling a bit miserable (I expect to get a phone call later in the day to get him). We are now seeing a different doctor (our family doctor went back to Sydney at the beginning of the year and we have been going to one of the medical centres but I haven't been over fussed with some of the doctors there). The 'new' doctor seems a lot more switched on, asks lots of questions and discusses things - nice change! Gryffen now has a referral to an ENT specialist - next hurdle is trying to get in!

I have a referral to an allergy specialist in Sydney but cannot get in until the 12 October - kinda getting used to the long waits. It seems you have to plan to get sick nowadays ;-) Oh well, such is life - no use complaining too much, no-one listens anyway! LOL

Preparation is coming along

2009-05-12T09:55:00.002+10:00

and we now have 32 booked - 19 adults, 6 children (between 6 and 16) and 7 under 6. We also have an extra two adults just for the archery - friends we haven't seen for a while so really looking forward to catching up with everyone and having fun!

Although I am a little 'OMG I have so much to do!' I must admit I am starting to get a little excited about the whole thing as well. The numbers are higher than last year even though we don't have the wayfarers this time. This means locally we can support a decent event now which is fantastic! (Even if half are family LOL)

Coffee break over...........

Radburne Anniversary Feast and Tourney

2009-05-11T16:32:00.003+10:00

is on this weekend. Am I organised? Sort of ;-)

* The tavern is up and covered with the not so lovely black plastic (we hope to make a more permanent shelter with treated MDF but that will have to get done in bits due to cost)
* Need to put up material and banners inside to hide plastic and atmosphere - will happen Saturday morning
* Signs are still half done - need to finish painting them tonight
* Have 30 people coming - 19 adults and the rest children between 2 and 16
* Need to go shopping on Friday
* Need to make three doublets
* Need to make T's new banner
* Need to learn dance to teach (probably Jenny Plucks Pears or something)
* Need to practice recorder piece with Gryffen
* Need to make soup for Sunday lunch
* Need to print waiver forms
* Need to do sign in sheet
* Need to print timetables
* Need to check I have enough targets (I am sure I do but want to double check)
* Need to set up list rope for heavy tourney (Saturday morning)
* Need to set up Combat Archer Tourney area
* Need to do IKAC score sheets and tourney score sheets
* I'm sure there are a few other things to do too!

And in between all of that I need to work, clean house, wash, iron, organise kids and do mundane household stuff. *sigh* It will be okay though, just busy! I've had to cancel my plans to take the boys to the Dubbo Show on Friday afternoon though - their cousin will take them. At least I can get last minute stuff done then!

Then when this weekend is over, I need to start planning RWIII in earnest so it can be bigger and better than last year! Then plans to attend Spring War in October!

Five minute update

2009-05-11T11:36:00.002+10:00

Weather was awesome on the weekend - hope it will be the same next weekend! (Murphy's Law says it won't be - it is Show weekend and it always rains on the show weekend)

Saturday got Rex to the vet for check up, picked up stuff from party shop and birthday cake, got washing done, got tokens made for the feast, had BBQ and birthday party for Clinton - lovely evening.

Got spoilt for Mother's Day - foot massager, digital photo frame and gorgeous red roses. Had BBQ lunch, spent the afternoon putting covers on tavern and went out for tea to local Chinese restaurant. Won't be going back there - service was awful (we left after two and half hours and the last of the meals was being brought out) and the food wasn't worth the wait. *sigh*

Work is going really well - need to catch up with my boss now!

Ramblings on a Thursday afternoon coffee break

2009-05-07T14:20:00.002+10:00

Conrad was a doofus on Tuesday and rolled his ankle on a rock at school - result is a stint on crutches with a badly sprained ankle (the x-rays showed clear but we all know that doesn't always show everything ;-)) He went to school this morning but needed to be picked up about 11am as his foot was throbbing. I'd say it was probably the double period of Shakespeare that did it though ;-) Hard to believe but he turns 16 on the 13th of this month. Scarily he can go for his Ls now! OMG! Where do the years go? We are having a party/BBQ for him on Saturday night with the family and a couple of his friends. I ordered his cake today (a caramel mudcake from one of the local bakers - nom, nom, nom). Should be a busy but interesting weekend! Rex the Cat needs to go the vet on Saturday morning for his annual vaccination and check up.

I'll have to dig up a baby photo and one of him now to put up here next Wednesday ;-) That's what mums are for isn't it? LOL

Just sigh

2009-05-06T16:23:00.002+10:00

Have been headachey and a bit muscle sore since last night - getting there though! At least my movement is a little freer ;-) Didn't get much done last night on account of feeling blah. Have to confess I veged out watching Australia's Next Top Model and then Real Housewives of Orange County. Oh the brain deadness! LOL

Work is hectic as usual and the project is motoring along. Holy cow - only 8 weeks to go! I have a meeting tomorrow to make sure I am heading down the right road and to see if there are any detours to take. It certainly has been an experience :-) Luckily it is a great team of people I get to work with!

Back to it!

Sigh

2009-05-05T21:14:00.002+10:00

Went to the chiro this afternoon - felt good afterwards and much freer however I am a little sore and headachy now - think I will head to bed. Had my lower neck, mid back and both hips cracked ;-) Back to the acupuncturist on Friday to get my feet done again. I hate to think what I am going to be like at 60!!

And then there was procrastination

2009-05-05T10:11:00.002+10:00

Which is technically what I am doing now ;-) Entering data in a spreadsheet is not the most stimulating experience although alas, a necessary one. I will get back to it in a minute.......

Didn't get anything much done last night because I got home later than usual, cooked tea, helped the youngest munchkin with a quest on warcrack, caught up on emails, found some chickens to purchase! (Yay for fluff balls of chickeny goodness - that is, Silkies!) We will pick them up when we go to Mudgee on the 23/24 May. Then I played Warcrack for about half an hour 'cause it was too late to start anything else, went to bed and watched a DVD on Irish castles until I couldn't keep my eyes open ;-)

Off to the chiro again after work today for an adjustment - then home to cook and hopefully start cutting out doublets!

Ooh - and my patterns I ordered turned up - huzzah! They will need to wait for a bit though *sigh*.

Off to get a hot chocolate and them back to spreadsheets!

Exhausting but good weekend.....

2009-05-04T09:37:00.002+10:00

I was too tired to post last night so a quick update whilst I am on a coffee break...

Saturday
* Saturday morning - farmers market for fruit, Spotlight (material purchased for boys doublets), Big W for ugg boots for everyone, Bargain Shop (goblets for the three boys and a knight for the big boy), library, and a few other bits and pieces
* Lunch
* Worked on the chook pen all afternoon
* Target archery cancelled due to lack of numbers
* Unexpected visitors as message didn't get through to Tiberius that fighter training was cancelled
* Had impromptu fighter training, BBQ and lots of laughs - was a lovely evening!
* Ordered trim and frog closures for boys doublets

Sunday
* Bacon and egg (fresh eggs from our chookies) rolls for breakfast (nom, nom, nom)
* Back out to finish the chook pen - completed fencing, put in roosts, nesting boxes, feed dishes, water dishes with linked hoses so just one tap to be turned on, sprinklers to be set up for summer, gates put in
* Chooks caught, examined, nails clipped, wings clipped and transferred to new home (with lots of giggles)
* Three roosters that need new homes left in old pen (wondering what the heck happened to everyone)
* Gardens watered
* Herbs potted
* Corned silverside with white onion sauce and vegies made and eaten for dinner (Lunch was skipped)
* Two batches of muffins made
* Emails checked
* Early night!

Monday (to do)
* Back to work
* Spaghetti for dinner
* Feed and check on chookies
* Water some more of mum's garden
* Upload photos to blog and facebook
* Cut out doublets (I think I will do the lining first - it will be some navy linen I have in my stash. Want to make sure the sizing is right before I touch the velveteen)

Anyone want a rooster or three?

2009-05-01T13:17:00.003+10:00

We have two Silkie crosses and another (breed unknown) that need a new home. We have gone from 15 roosters down to five, but three of those are still surplus to our needs. Ask around - let me know if you find someone that wants them and can pick them up from Dubbo *grin*. BTW - they are free :-) I'll take a photo of them on the weekend and put here too.

Interesting reading

2009-04-30T14:07:00.003+10:00

Whilst on my lunch break, thought I would read up on one of my pet interests at the moments - my chookies. I'm looking for chook friendly plants I can grow in their new pen that will be good for them to eat, will help with natural pest control and improve the environment they are living in. There is some really interesting things that are definately doable! It will mean putting a lot of things in pots with wire over the top so they can eat the growth that comes through the wire but not destroy the actual plants! I'm going shopping tonight! Some of the things I am looking for are:
* Aloe vera
* Italian Parsley
* Comfrey
* Wormwood
* Rosemary

I can get an awful lot of geranium cuttings from home and I also read they love pumpkin vines (to play/hide in) so I think that will be another good thing - we have those in the vegie garden already ;-)

I really want to start doing more of this instead of being shut up in the house on computers all day, every day! Ah, the plans.........

Plans for the weekend

2009-04-30T09:57:00.004+10:00

that of course will not be long enough!
Saturday
* Trip to the farmer's market for fresh fruit (and the number of the guy in Narromine that sells Isa Brown chickens)
* Shopping with the boys for new clothes, shoes, slippers etc
* Pay the remainder off the lay-by for Conrad's new mattress (so Terry can finish making the bed)
* Pick up the ordered wheat for the chooks
* Pay some more off the lay-by of our new lounge (did I tell you we have bought a new lounge? 10 to 12 weeks for delivery - it is so comfy! It will be the first time in 18 years we have had a new lounge! The funny thing is it will arrive about the time of our 17th wedding anniversary - pressies for this many years is furniture! LOL And no, we didn't plan that!)
* Target archery
* Get the roof on the tavern for the feast in a fortnight
* Any time left, work on the chook pen

Sunday
* Sleep in!
* Work on the chook pen and hopefully finish it
* Move our chickies into their new home

Somewhere in between all of this I am supposed to be working on garb - umm, not sure that is going to happen ;-) LOL I must admit, after being locked up in an office all week, I enjoy working on things outside on the weekend!

Terry and I are going to Mudgee on the 23 May for a quiet time to ourselves (early wedding anniversary present - our anniversary is the 6 June). We are going to stay at the Parklands resort overnight. Love my family to death but looking forward to some us time - we both get so busy we need to stop and breathe together occassionally!

Back to work - coffee break over!

PS Our little hen passed away through the night.

Kids can amaze you sometimes.......

2009-04-29T09:57:00.000+10:00

I was going to post this at LJ but cannot at the moment - I might put this over there too this evening when I get home.

Back to the topic.........I am so proud of my 11 year old! In this day and age when we are constantly asking why our kids don't think things through, Gryffen showed yesterday how much thinking they can do.

As he was leaving school yesterday afternoon, he noticed some Kindergarten kids playing on the 'fort' waiting to be picked up. He saw them pick up a small package from the ground and begin to examine it. (He is in Year 5 and takes being a 'buddy' very seriously.) He went over to see what they were doing and saw they had a small sealed plastic bag (about 2cm x2cm) containing two blue pills. He said to them 'You shouldn't have that because you do not know what it is. Can I have it please so I can give it to the teacher?' Although he did not go to the teacher (it was after hours) he brought it home and put it on the bench and rang me to tell me about it. We went into school this morning to report it but the Principal was not available. We left the bag with the office lady and told her the story. She would tell the Principal and Gryffen could tell his story then. They were going to check the playground to make sure there were no more there. Gryffen also commented that he couldn't just ignore it because he would hate to see something happen to someone because he didn't say something.

OMG! What do you say? I am so very proud of him and told him so. I also told him he absolutely did the right thing! We also talked about it being important that if it happens again he should go straight to the office - Nan would not mind waiting a bit and neither would his brothers ;-)

Just, WOW!

And breathe...........

2009-04-29T09:55:00.000+10:00

I am safely at work despite the efforts of some idiot drivers! A few episodes of mild road rage and I am calmly sitting at my desk............

Tuesday stuff

2009-04-28T11:53:00.003+10:00

* Went to chiro yesterday - got my neck, mid back and lower back crunched. Best night sleep I have had for ages! Little bit muscle sore today but going to acupuncture at 12:30pm which should fix that! LOL I have an anomoly on my lower spine that I was born with so although the chiro cannot fix it, he can help with pain management so all is good!
* Terry went to chiro yesterday too - can now touch his toes as his back isn't locked up anymore!
* Need to do submission for House Radburne badge
* Need to make House Radburne badges for household
* Need to finish painting road sign that I started on the weekend
* Need to do a whole lot of things probably - I guess I will get to them eventually!

Reading blogs is an interesting thing - I am always interested in different points of view. I may not always agree with what you say, or I may be curious as to what lies beneath some posts but I will never pry nor will I bag you for your point of view! Sometimes it even makes me think of something differently just because I had not thought of something in 'that' way. I try not to read things into stuff because let's face it - reading words is totally different to having a conversation with someone in person where body language and the ability to ask for clarification instantly play a big part in how something is interpreted. I've been caught out with this via email before and it was not a pleasant experience. Unfortunately the person involved couldn't even tell me why they were so angry with me, just that they were, nor could they tell me what I had done wrong or how to fix it (which was asked via a phone call not via email BTW). I lost someone I thought was a friend but I guess in the end they weren't really a friend anyway - it still makes me feel sad. Needless to say we have parted ways. I am a lot more wary now about what I say to whom. Sad really but necessary - I guess more so for people I do not know very well. For those I have known for ages it is a different thing because I also know they will pull me up or ask what I mean by something rather than jump to conclusions and go off. For some reason I seem to come off aloof and I do not know why - maybe it is because I am not always sure what to say. Maybe it's because I have had a number of people over the years I opened up too and thought were friends but they turned out not to be - maybe because of this I am a lot more guarded now - I really don't know. I also seem to gather a number of 'Clayton's friends' - you know, the ones that are happy to hang out or have a conversation when you chase them but never contact you or ask you out to lunch or something? That makes me depressed - what is wrong with me? Why can't I seem to make 'good' friends like everyone else? Mind you, I do have some good friends too - they just seem to be far away and I don't get to see them as much as I would like too. Okay, self pity session over and out! LOL

Brief update..........

2009-04-27T10:10:00.002+10:00

On a five minute break so a very brief update......
* Acupuncture on Friday was awesome - worked on circulation and metabolism - felt really good afterwards
* Go to the chiropractor this afternoon
* Terry went to the chiropractor this morning and feels much better - has a lot more movement!
* Got some work done on the chook pen this weekend - see Chickadee Chirpings for update
* No work on the dress done
* Finished reading 'Dark Fire' - can't remember the author so will have to look it up tonight. It is a murder mystery/intrigue set in the time of King Henry VIII and revolves around the fall of Thomas Cromwell. Not a bad read - will give it to Wolfstanus to read.
* Had a sleep in both Saturday and Sunday - nice!

Run out of time so more updates later.........

I need to get allergy testing done......

2009-04-23T14:46:00.002+10:00

I am so sick of hives, itching, dry throat, itchy eyes, ears, mouth and generally feeling crap. The worst part is, I have no idea what is affecting me! I know pollens do - Spring is spent with hayfever but now it seems to be a daily occurrence! I will need to go to Sydney for the tests but have no idea where to go. Guess I will have to see a GP - that is a whole other rant! Our GP went back to Sydney so we have had to start over again. All the decent ones are not taking new patients and the ones at the medical centre - well it's pot luck whether or not you get a decent one! *sigh* I guess I will just have to brave it again one of these days! (Then of course you need to find one that will give you a referral anyway - some seem to think giving you a referral is a sign that they don't know everything! Well mate, I hate to tell you, you don't know everything! Sure, you may have more medical knowledge than me but it does not make you the keeper of all knowledge!)

Okay, off the soap box - need to do more work!

And I have had two wins!

2009-04-23T09:21:00.002+10:00

The first being I finally got Terry's device resubmission done and it will get posted today. Huzzah!!! (It has only taken 6 months! LOL) I hate doing re-draws!

The second win is at work - I have learnt to do drop down menus in Excel for a form I am developing! [Kermit flail]

I know, I am such a nerd! (Which is what my boss says all the time - in a nice way though!)

Back to it!!

Oh, and just to show how eccentric I am - at work for our 'pod' we had to bring in something that represents us to hang from the ceiling to brighten up our boxes. I have my SCA device! LOL (And the funny thing is, my collegues aren't surprised! LOL)

On a five minute coffee break.......

2009-04-22T14:07:00.003+10:00

so doing a few musings. I need a break from what I am doing so I can re-focus!

Looking forward to acupuncture this afternoon - my neck and shoulders are tense and sore. We will be trying 'cupping' today - I have been warned it can cause circular bruises so it will be interesting to see what happens! (I do not bruise very easily.)

Manic plans for May Crown 2010 have been put aside and sanity has returned. Rowany are putting forward a bid so fingers crossed they get it! It will mean we can actually get to a Crown event and I offered assistance in whatever small capacity I can to get some experience. We will look at bidding for May Crown 2011 (the party year) or possibly 2012. Right now, I am going to focus on the feast and tourney for next month and the war weekend in August.

I want to make the feast speccy and fun (there will only be around 20 of us with 4 for the tourney). So, the 'to do' list:
* Better directions for the website (partially done)
* Road signage
* Flags (done thanks to Johanna)
* Menu (done)
* Tavern to be improved (extended and a sloped roof)
* More tables and benches (re-paint the existing ones)
* Banner for Terry
* Waiver forms
* Games (organised)
* Learn a dance to teach!
* Voice heraldry to be sorted with Vardor
* Thrones for the B & B (I have a cunning plan ;-))
* Prizes for IKAC, heavy and combat tourneys
* Portaloo (booked)
* Ropes and signs for on the property to parking etc
* Email to lists (done)
* Booking form (done and online)
* Heraldic surcoat for Terry
* Finish my new (experimental)garb!
* Finish the new chook pen so we can make the old pen into a dog yard to keep them locked up with everyone there
* New doublet for Conrad
* New doublet for Gryffen
* New shirt for Conrad, Gryffen and Terry (if I get time)

Oh boy - only 3 weeks to go! Time to get my skates on and leave warcrack alone!!!

see more Lolcats and funny pictures

Weekend in Sydney was good.........

2009-04-21T19:41:00.006+10:00

Drove down Friday mid morning and got to my sister in law's around 4ish. Spent a pleasant evening with her and her partner. BBQ dinner, games of UNO and watching TV.

Saturday saw us go to Meadowbank where we had a look at M's work, parked the cars in secure parking and got the Rivercat to Darling Harbour. Very pleasant 50 minute cruise!

Spent most of the day at the Powerhouse Museum, saw the Star Wars exhibition and lots of other cool stuff!

"Do you know who I am?" [giggle]

Took the Rivercat back, had a spa, lovely dinner, watched 'Flushed Away' and 'Kung Fu Panda'. Fun but tiring day ;-)

Sunday saw us go to Westfield at Hornsby where the boys got to go to Games Workshop - bought themselves lots of models from Lord of the Rings and Warhammer. Lots of painting happening now! I didn't get anything though. Hope to go the Dutch shop at Smithfield next time.

Drove home Sunday afternoon after a very enjoyable weekend!

Went back to work yesterday - it is full on but good. Had acupuncture today so my neck and shoulders are feeling better.

Trying to get through my huge list of things to do before the feast next month. Got reminder emails sent out tonight and directions done for the webpage. Hope to work on signage on the weekend.

Finally got the computer and internet connection working properly - Warcrack has been calling again! LOL Finally up to a Level 71 but need heaps more gold to get my flying mount :-( Oh well, still fun though!

My pressie.......

2009-04-15T20:55:00.004+10:00

that my husband made me. It is a music stand (medieval) for when I play the flute and recorder. Have used it lots over the weekend and it is fantastic! I am soooo lucky!

Hmmm, it's been a while......

2009-04-14T14:26:00.003+10:00

Despite plans to post regularly, it hasn't happened ;-) Having to share a computer and having spasmodic internet connection means spasmodic posting ;-)

We decided to stay home for Easter this year to do stuff at home - it rained, all weekend! Started about 4pm Friday and has only stopped today (it is still overcast). At least we got the brick fireplace at the BBQ area built before the rain set in. For the rest of the weekend was sewing, eating chocolate, having BBQ in between showers, dinner with mum and dad, lots of WoW and sleeping in. I've got a rather large post to get together for my dress diary - I have been writing notes as I have been going and taking some photos. I just need to get motivated and post it! Maybe tomorrow - WoW is calling! LOL

I have a few days off work this week - spent 5 hours today cleaning the house with the help of the boys - looks reasonable again ;-) Going to see Monsters vs Aliens tonight at the movies. Will spend tomorrow washing. Need to do some planning for the anniversary feast (especially a plan B if it rains). Plan B will probably involve the use of lots of tarps and the BBQ area! LOL Thursday will be ironing and sorting things out for Sydney. Heading to Sydney Friday lunch time to stay with my sister in law. River cat to CBD Saturday and then to Powerhouse Museum, mono rail and whatever else we decide to do. Head home again on Sunday, then back to work on Monday.

Acupuncture has been going well - stopped headaches and for the first time in 14 months, I am pretty much pain free in my right foot and ankle! Now if my left foot would just settle down I'd be right! Plantar fasciitis and achilles tendonitis in both feet is so NOT fun!

On other news, my flute playing is coming along. I still can't get the clear sound I used too but that will come with time and practice. Gryffen is learning to play the Shoe Bransle (Clog Bransle) with me on the recorder. We hope to perform it at the feast. I don't think we will be doing a play this year - not enough time to learn something, nor the motivation. I think with Stewarding the event it will be too much to organise and be in the play as well. Maybe next year.......

Clever husband

2009-03-31T21:08:00.003+11:00

who has made his first gauntlet from the armouring book he got for his birthday ;-) How cool is this?

Feeling better..........

2009-03-31T10:37:00.002+11:00

Had my first acupuncture appointment this morning - it was awesome! I was pleasantly surprised I must admit! I need to go back for the rest of this week and all of next week - then we will see what happens after that. Lots of work to do! LOL It has already relieved some of the swelling in my face (from the migraines) and I must admit I feel very relaxed! Off to physio this afternoon too.....

Had a good weekend - meeting went well regarding the feast and tourney next month - everyone came up with good ideas and is getting involved. Even if it only ends up with 'just us' it is still going to be lots of fun! I also had a Sydney Uni student contact me (she is doing a Masters in Documentary Photography) who wants to come and take photos that will be used in a book and display at the end of the year. Need to let the group know and see what they say...........

Apart from that, not much news. Just the same things........computer problems at home again (software issues I think) which are driving me nuts! *le sigh*

Anyhow, had my coffee break - back to work!

It's Friday

2009-03-27T13:00:00.004+11:00

and all of that. Cursed migraine since Monday has meant several days off work in a darkened room taking medication that zombifies. I think the migraine has been caused by several things - awful fluro lighting at work combined with many, many hours on the computer doing 'fine' detail accounting combined with needing a new supportive pillow combined with nasty sinuses etc. Got myself a new pair of sunnies at lunch time that cut out lots more glare and cover my eyes better (also picked up two new tops [grin]). Got a new pillow last night that is very comfy (a lot less neck pain this morning) and I am going to get acupuncture next Tuesday. (Haven't been before but have had lots of good feed back from many people) Migraine also meant cancelling physio yesterday (I couldn't drive) so need to get that done next Tuesday also. Of course the other scenario is that I am turning into a vampire and light is therefore my enemy! Bwahahahahaha!

Happy Birthday to my other half - hope it's a good one and we get to celebrate many more together! Despite the fact that you drive me (more) insane at times, I still think you are awesome and would not trade you for anything in the world or the world itself ;-) I could not imagine my life without you.

Conrad has been doing really well at school and has brought home another three certificates this week - two for Maths and one for History :-) Gryffen is happy as he is home today as it is a 'pupil free day' for 'staff development' and Wolfstanus is still sick. He has gone back to school today and I haven't had a phone call yet (Pop had to pick him up at lunch time yesterday and he had been off all week.) Hopefully the antibiotics will start to do their work soon (he has an infection in his tonsils, throat and ear).

Anyhow, lunch break over so back to work!

Blah blah blah blah

2009-03-24T11:29:00.002+11:00

If you don't want to read a whinge then stop reading now.

I have had a headache since last Friday, last night it turned into a migraine, I am at work today but not functioning 100% due to having to take Panadeine Forte to take the 'edge' off.

My other foot has decided to go out in sympathy with my 'bad one' - I think it's a tendon issue due to walking around the block last night in thongs ;-) Oh well, back to the physio on Thursday. Today I cannot decide which foot I need to limp with! LOL

Wolfstanus is still off school - sick again. Kristy is taking him to the doctors for me today. Do you know how hard it is to get into a doctor at Dubbo? Even the medical centre is now becoming impossible! We found a doctor that would see him at 4pm today only because there was a cancellation. The problem is most doctors won't take new patients and the medical centre is so over run it isn't funny!

Bought a snazzy pair of shoes when I went to get my lunch ;-) Time to eat now!

Another week begins

2009-03-23T11:05:00.003+11:00

and we are heading to the end of March. Bl**dy hell! Who hit the fast forward button? I'm taking a five minute break from spread sheets so thought I would do a flying post (which seems to be all I am capable of at the moment). I'm beginning my sixth week into my project at work - wow! It's been very interesting. I have completed my first preliminary report and the powers to be are happy with what I have been doing so I am happy too :-)

Still have a bit of this virus - woke up coughing badly at 3:20am this morning and I still have a nagging head ache that I have had for about 4 days now. There is a bit of it going around - cannot wait to get rid of it so I can go and get my flu vaccination!! Wolfstanus is home sick today too - he is staying with my in laws as my parents are away.

The weekend was a bit of a blur - got a bit done but not all that I wanted too. (Photos haven't been uploaded *sigh*). Saturday we spent most of the day in town doing shopping and odd jobs, the afternoon was spent with the in-laws, BBQ dinner then laughing at the boys in armour ;-) The funniest is my husband - he hates being 'poked' so when Pete procedes to do that, Terry literally growls (which is hillarious coming out of a skull faced helm) and then beats Pete up. I believe the comments were 'why couldn't we fight like that at authorisation in Albury?' I believe guys there were several reasons: heat, the end of a busy weekend, the end of a week of fire fighting (for Pete), locked up shoulders for Terry etc. Don't be so hard on yourselves, k? Looking at getting them authorised in May at the anniversary tourney - reminder to self - contact Gui. Then played WoW for a few hours, then bed.....

Sunday saw washing (all day), baking cakes, muffins, roast beef, baked vegies (nom nom nom), getting ATO software loaded so I could complete the BAS, completing book work, spending more time with the in-laws, more WoW and watching Hogan's Heroes on DVD until midnight ;-)

We are heading off to Sydney the weekend after Easter to stay with my sister in law for the weekend. We are going to take the River Cat to the city (from Dundas)to see the Star Wars exhibition at the Powerhouse Museum. We haven't stayed there for 2.5 years so really looking forward to it. I also want to go to the Dutch shop at Smithfield.......

Okay, times up - back to work!!!

Ponderings on my little universe

2009-03-19T11:08:00.003+11:00

Well, it's been a while again. A brief summary of happenings:
* Been sick again (sinus/throat/chest infection *thing*) - starting to get on the mend
* I now have plantar fasciitis and achilles tendonitis so back to physio *sigh*
* The boys had mates out for a camp over last weekend (Friday night to Sunday lunch) - 5 extra boys but they were great!
* Work is very busy but very rewarding
* Starting to get organised for the Anniversary Feast and Tourney in May
* Insanely contemplating running a May Crown event - was thinking 2011 but I think that may be out. That year we have a 30th, two 40ths, a 50th, a 60th, a 70th, two 18ths and a 21st that I can think of quickly. Three of those fall in May including Conrad's 18th! So may need to look at 2012 ;-) (Do those years sound wrong to anyone else? Although saying 2009 still seems weird! LOL) I am going to do some research though and see if a) it is plausible or b) I have completely and utterly gone insane! LOL
* My hand raised chickens have all gone into the big pen now - will upload photos to Chickadee Chirpings in the next few days
* Got a heap of work done to the paddock, fort and camping space a few weekends ago. Got big plans for the tavern ;-)
* Terry and Pete are still training as heavies and have plans for armour
* I am thinking about becoming a combat archer - Terry is going to make armour for me.
* Shadow is growing in leaps and bounds and is turning out to be a very good dog
* Been playing WoW the last few nights instead of doing other stuff ;-)
* Been re-learning to play the flute. I've been doing about half an hour a night when I can (except when I was too sick). It's a little frustrating 'cause my wrist aches now and I need to get the breathing happening correctly again but I really have missed playing. After 22 years I can expect to be a bit rusty I guess!!! At least I can still read music LOL.

Anyhow, back to work!

Things that make you go AARRRGGHH part 2

2009-03-11T11:53:00.002+11:00

* Insurance claims
* IP companies that have no customer service
* Being sick
* Having sick kids
* Watching people make their lives more difficult than they need to be - hey crap happens but you don't need to add to it by not thinking things through!
* Inconsiderate people
* Not being appreciated

Good things this last week:
* Considerate people
* Using the ride on lawn mower down the paddock
* Getting new computer
* Being told by the ankle specialist physiotherapy and a night splint should help my tendon issues
* Being told low HEELED shoes are a good thing for my ankle (yay for shopping)
* Being appreciated for the work I am doing on my project
* Making progress on my project at work
* Cute puppies and kitties that love to cuddle up to you and make you feel better even when you are feeling crap
* When kids realise on their own they have done something wrong and offer an apology without being prompted
* Kids cuddles and trying to make you feel better when you feel crappy :-)

And now back to some more work..........

Things that make you go AAARRRGGGHHH!!

2009-03-04T10:16:00.003+11:00

A quick update - things are sorted - things could have been sorted Monday if someone just talked about things instead of bottling them up and having a knee jerk reaction. Doesn't help when said person is tired and cranky ;-)

After lengthy *good* discussions and some venting, things are back on track and plans are being made. All is right with the world again.

I still want to go AAARRRGGGGHHH! LOL

Feeling calmer

2009-03-03T11:17:00.003+11:00

about the whole situation - probably because I have a plan of action ;-) I have decided to talk to the person whether they like it or not and have some suggestions for them such as taking things slowly and see how it goes. Also trying to get them to let me know exactly what level of involvement they are thinking about - lack of clarity on this can tend to make one jump to conclusions! *sigh* Why does something so simple have to be so complicated??? I think the reason is because people do not wish to discuss things anymore and communication isn't that great! I get so frustrated when people won't talk about things and feelings get hurt, conclusions get jumped too and all for the lack of talking! *sigh*

Although hitting them over the head with a big stick may not help, it may make me feel better! LOL

Disappointed..........

2009-03-03T09:38:00.004+11:00

Why is it when you think that things are finally on track, people have come together and are enjoying themselves, that someone has to pull the rug from under your feet at great speed so you come crashing down? WTF is it with that!?! How can someone go from being enthusiastic, making plans with you and being excited about the future one day and the next go 'Oh by the way, I don't want to be involved with that at all anymore....' I guess the frustrating thing is when the person does not want to discuss the reasons why and just says 'I've been thinking about it.' End of discussion - won't talk, won't discuss.....Ahhhhhhh!!!! Talk about wanting to pull your hair out!! After being quite upset by the whole thing I have decided I will carry on anyway with those that wish to partake - if this person no longer wishes to do so then that is their problem, I am not going to miss out because they have changed their mind - they will just have to deal with it! Of course, there is always the possibility that they will change their mind again - has been known to happen ;-)

Yes, I am okay, yes I am being cryptic - no, I do not wish to discuss it - I just needed to go 'blah' to get it off my chest so I don't stew on it.

Speaking of stews, I have beef and mushroom ragout stewing in the slow cooker at home for dinner tonight - think I will have mashed potatoes with it....nom, nom, nom!

Got all the stuff from the weekend packed away last night so at least you can walk in the front door without tripping over suitcases! Just need to do the mountain of washing - I think if I do one load a night I'll get through it all ;-)

Looking forward to doing target archery on Saturday (weather permitting) as I haven't had a shot for ages!!!!

I like the quote that is on my desktop calendar today - 'Success is not forever and failure is not fatal - Don Shula'. Talk about being right for the moment!!!

Anyhow, back to work.........

Border War was fun........

2009-03-02T12:16:00.003+11:00

We had a great weekend away, got to play, caught up with friends and made some new ones. We also got to learn a heap of new stuff with regard to armour and fighting/training techniques which is very helpful!

Pete didn't get to Albury until Saturday lunch time but returned to us in one piece despite being overwhelmed by the experience and very tired! We are so happy to have him home safely!

Wars were fun to watch Saturday morning however the afternoon activities were cancelled due to the heat. There was a slight mix up with the set up of the IKAC so it didn't go ahead - we played archery golf (thanks to Keagan's suggestion) for a while but it just got too hot. I ended up with a bit of heat stroke but was okay after I cooled down and had lots to drink (non-alcoholic!). We went for a dip in the pool which was absolutely freezing! I thought our dam was bad but it was colder in the pool - we didn't stay in very long.

Duke Cornelius was very patient with our questions all weekend and very helpful on the armouring/fighting/training information side. Thanks to a suggestion of his I have now ordered Terry's birthday present ;-)

Wolfstanus authorised as a banner bearer and he had a heap of fun too!

The fighter auction on Saturday evening was so much fun and very entertaining! I think it was a highlight for Kristy who said she really enjoyed it. I got to learn some English Country dances with Gryffen (who did really well I might add) until my ankle said enough is enough!

We saw some of the heavy tourney but missed the Combat Archery tourney and boffer tourney yesterday because we had to leave to get home at a reasonable time. We still didn't get home until 7pm and we are all happily buggered!!!

Pete and Terry did not authorise as heavies - they need to do some more training and on the day they were plagued by injuries that did not allow them to fight too long. We now have so much more information which will allow us to train better and know what we need to work on! Terry is going to make me some armour and Kristy and I will train with the boys as well. Don't think I will authorise as a heavy (in Terry's words - no way) but it is possible I may end up as a combat archer ;-) We have come back revitalised and with so much more useful information.

You know you are in the SCA when.......you have been at an event all weekend, spent most of the day driving, come home and get all the stuff out of the car, are absolutely stuffed but pick up the boffers to play some more!!! LOL

Terry isn't sure if he is going to pursue becoming a heavy - his shoulders are that bad this morning he could hardly lift his arms. Will take it a bit at a time and see what happens......he does intend to stay a combat archer though!

Anyhow, gotta get something to eat and head back to work! I hope to put some photos up this evening if the internet decides to work at home!

Mixed news

2009-02-23T12:03:00.002+11:00

It's been one of those weeks where it is a mixed bag of sorts. Here is a brief update:
* New job going well
* Waiting on insurance company for replacement of items (including computer)
* ATO software not working on borrowed computer and BAS is due today!
* Most of my sewing is done - just need to finish Wolfstanus' shirt (which I buggered twice yesterday so gave up and will continue tonight)
* Got the house clean with assistance of other half and kids (yay!!!)
* Started packing for Border War - OMG the stuff we have to take even though we are not camping and staying in a cabin!
* Armouring is pretty much complete
* Had many giggles Saturday night with Pete and T having a training session - then got to beat T up with a boffer after he had been tormenting me ;-)
* Slightly worrying and stressful week this week with Pete going with the RFS to fight the Victorian fires - he is on his way from Albury this morning to Yea and then Healsville. We meet up with him in Albury on Friday for Border War. Our thoughts are with all the firefighters as they continue to battle the blazes.
* Four more sleeps to Border War - yay!

Finishing my lunch now and then off to the gym!

Ten more sleeps until Border War

2009-02-17T22:13:00.000+11:00

The rain has continued and it is fantastic - we really needed it! At least the rain water tank is getting some fresh water in it!

I got offered a Project Officer position at work which I accepted and started on Monday. It's very exciting and quite an honour. It is until the 30 June 2009 when I go back to my substantive position.

The boys are going okay - Gryffen has had two falls but is okay, Wolfstanus had a tummy bug last week (and has tested positive to low iron and needs to go on tablets), Conrad and Pete now have the tummy bug! Terry's hand is much better (he burnt it last week) and Kristy and I have managed to stay out of trouble! LOL

We are all looking forward to Border War and are getting through our long list of things to do. I need to make a list of what I need to take so I don't forget anything!

Yay for rain and cool weather

2009-02-13T13:53:00.002+11:00

it is a welcome change.

That is all - update hopefully on the weekend!

And huzzah for Border War in 2 weeks!

Saved by the septic!

2009-02-11T21:18:00.004+11:00

There are not many people that can say that! Why did I say that? Well it's because we found where the lightning struck - fairly close to the house. We were so lucky it struck the iron bark tree that was growing where the septic empties - this means it was green and moist. The strike has killed off foliage and split one of the largest trees we have! You can also see where it travelled along the ground killing patches of green scrub. There were exploded bits of tree everywhere! Even bits almost in our front yard - no wonder it sounded like a bomb going off! It looks like the lighting has gone straight down the full length of the trunk - narrowly missing one of the bird nesting boxes. It is truly a miracle it did not start a fire - we have 20 acres or thereabouts of pine trees and it struck an iron bark. The chicken house is right next to it too - I am surprised none of them were killed either! The photos are a little dark due to the lighting - will try and get some better ones in the next few days. Through winter we plan on doing lots and lots of clearing of scrub and fire breaks - it is too dry to do now (the risk of starting a fire is too great). Between the lightning strike and what is happening in Victoria has really brought home the necessity to keep on top of these things! So next time the wind is blowing the wrong way and we get a hint of pong from the septic, we will be grateful it is there! LOL

Horrific tragedy

2009-02-09T12:25:00.004+11:00

is about the only way I can think to describe what is happening to our neighbours in Victoria. Bushfires I think would have to be one of the scariest things around (I know it is something I am always paranoid about where we live). My heart goes out to all those affected, directly and indirectly - it is such a huge range of people! Obviously the worst affected are those directly involved, the firefighters, police, ambulance etc, those who have lost their homes or loved ones, even their pets. Then of course there are those who have paid the ultimate price with their lives. Not to mention friends, family, workmates, businesses and a whole range of other people where it has a knock on effect. In general though, I really don't think there is anyone it doesn't affect in some way or other - it can just be the feeling of overwhelming sadness one feels for their fellow human being, perhaps it brings back memories for others who have been through a similar harrowing experience. I know it makes me feel an overwhelming sense of sadness and I find it hard to talk about without welling up - I cannot even pretend to imagine what these people are going through.

I hope this tragedy is over soon and pray for the rain that is so desperately needed in those areas. Francesca and Patrick - I know you guys have family in Victoria although I have to admit I do not know what towns - I hope they are safe from the bottom of my heart. To all our fellow SCAers - I too hope you are safe and away from the worst of it although I think it will be a long time before anyone can put this behind them. I do not think any of us will ever forget this in our lifetime.

I have some updates to post but I think I will save that for another time - it really doesn't seem that important at the moment.

Lightning Strike

2009-02-04T11:09:00.002+11:00

Well, we got one last night! Totally scary - we were in the shed and it hit very close! You know, the noise and light at the same time! We could smell burning on the air too (apparently it is the ionisation of the air that we could smell which means a strike within 20 metres). It took out one of our TVs and videos as well as our wireless broadband. The technician is coming out this afternoon to look at our broadband so only quick posts from work in breaks at the moment. The video is officially fried and we are awaiting news on the TV. We were all in the shed when it happened - I have never had one that loud before - it was like a bomb going off! We have had the 'window rattlers' before but nothing like this. It took me an hour and a half to calm Gryffen down. We had Terry and Pete do several laps of our block too to make sure there was no fire - thank goodness there wasn't! (We have 20 acres of pine trees.) Poor Pete went as white as anything (he has been hit by lightning before - in the top of the leg and out his foot) so it was not a pleasant sensation for him at all! Not an experience I would like to repeat!

On other news, Conrad is doing really well at school so far. I had a meeting with his teacher and I am feeling so much more positive about his new school and environment - I think it will work really well for him. It is up to him now what he makes of it, so far so good! Wolfstanus is doing well too - he is home today as it is the swimming carnival. With the temperatures the way they are, he can't swim in the races and the migraine he has had for the last few days, it was appropriate to let him stay home! He is disappointed though as he cannot play WoW as the internet connection is broken due to the lightning strike! Gryffen is okay today and happily off to school.

We are about to get temperatures of 40 plus for at least the next week so not looking forward to that! I won't be going to the gym in my lunch break - far too hot! I'll see how I go after work.....

Shadow was good this morning and slept until the alarm went off at 7am - much more civilised!

Anyhow, break over and back to work!

5:30 is such an uncivilised time to get up

2009-02-03T06:58:00.003+11:00

when you are not a morning person! But when this is the reason, it's kinda hard to get too cranky.

Had my first day back at work yesterday after 2 weeks off - it went so fast! The girl that filled in for me did a good job so there wasn't a whole heap of stuff for me to get through which was great! The kids are going okay at school, the animals are doing good too. Touch wood, we haven't lost any more chickens to the heat and the young ones are growing well. The cats are catching mice outside (and wanting to bring them in to play with!) and the dogs are all good. Shadow is growing well - I just need to stop him chewing my furniture! Whenever we catch him we tell him 'no' and give him 'Piggy' - so far so good.

Just need to get the boys up to get ready for school - they do not like to get up in the morning but we need to leave by 8:05 so they are just going to have too! LOL I am getting through my sewing list too which feels good!

Gryffen and Shadow

2009-01-29T22:20:00.001+11:00

watching the DVD Muppet Treasure Island (I love that movie).