Hello, anyone out there?

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........

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 ;-)

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

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!

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

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

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!!

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

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 :-)

Five minute update

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!

Tuesday stuff

* 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

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

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.......

Mixed news

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

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!

Boys are back at school......

and things are nearly back into a routine. I timed the run to get the boys to their 3 different schools and me to work by 9am - we will need to leave home at 8:05am each morning. Conrad needs to wait for about 15 to 20 minutes for his ride home in the afternoon after the final bell goes. Can't be helped - he is old enough to wait though and just talks to his friends whilst he is waiting.

All three boys had a great first day back at school (Gryffen started yesterday and likes his new teacher) - Conrad likes his new school and his very small class which is awesome! He is even looking forward to doing English! (They are doing World War I poetry.) Wolfstanus was happy with most of his teachers - there is one in particular he dislikes immensely but only has him for one lesson a fortnight so he said he can deal with that ;-)

Although the boys were back at school I had a very hectic day taking care of jobs I had to do in town - tomorrow will not be much better! I need to get a pink slip for my car tomorrow too - should pass for rego! I think I will go to the gym after I drop the kids off to kill time before I get the rego check - once it is done I can do my other bits and pieces of shopping and then head home. Should just have enough time to have lunch and clean the bathrooms before having to pick the kids up from school! LOL

The chicks have moved out of my bathroom tonight and into our new hen house - for more details and pictures head over to Chickadee Chirpings ;-)

And another week goes by.........

It's been a while again - things just get busy and I get lazy about updating here. So, a few dot points:
* Moved back into our refurbished office today - it is lovely and fresh and new and I have a window view. Some things still need finishing off and I am going to have to re-file everything due to new storage but that will be a long term thing.
* Went to Hog's Breath tonight for dinner - was yummy! (So was the mudslide!)
* Hayfever with itchy eyes has set in - time to change eye drops as the ones I have aren't doing particularly well.
* Had the injection into my ankle - it has reduced the swelling heaps and some of the pain.
* Joined the gym - I have been doing a weight and rebound circuit three times a week - this is my second week. I'm really enjoying it and feeling good for it!
* Mum and Dad got back from New Zealand last night - they had a great few weeks away but are glad to be home.
* Started my dress to wear to the wedding in 3 weeks - it's coming along.
* Need to learn some more photography skills!
* Two more assignments to go and I finish my short hand course. Can I write short hand fluently - NO! Do I need to practice lots more - YES!
* Had my hard drive die - that sux! - got a new one and reloading everything again. I lost some stuff (including my address book) but thankfully had backed up a lot of the important things like photos and book work!
Looking forward too:
* Kristy and Pete's wedding
* Picking up target archery again
* Seeing mum and dad's photos and video from New Zealand
* Finishing my short hand course
* Autumn