My new car...

Brad is very sparkly at the moment...

While Joshua is attending Summer School, I decided to treat my car to a car wash today. I don't usually believe in them as it can just as well be done at home with the boys and they love doing it but since I got my new car back in December last year it has only had one wash.

Now that we had had two dust storms in the last week, I thought, why not. Treat the car. So I did. I could actually see my full windscreen. It did a fantastic job. I didn't do anything, just drove up to the machine, paid and had an attendant do the hard work. Was nice as he was tall and could reach to the middle of my roof. I can't, too short for that...

So now my car is all sparkly but doubt that it will last long... At least the bugs are gone for a little while. Shows up all the chips in the windscreen though. Must get that replaced before the year is out as my insurance lets me have one free every year without penalty or having to pay the excess fee which I thought was rather handy seeing we are out here and encounter alot of trucks that could throw a stone or five.

The car has lost some of its shine already as we live on a dirt road as well as having a 100m driveway that is mostly rocks and some dust as well... Never mind at least I got a picture while it was still beautiful to remind myself that what the car can look like.

Now for the inside of the car...

Cheers Damaris

Caught Redhanded... NOVA!!!

Showing me her reward for being cheeky...

This little dog is rather a bit cheeky. Don't you think??? I do. Had people over last weekend and had some cut cake out. I love to bake extra so that when I have unexpected company or in my case, had just had an operation on my hand - I don't have to worry about baking something. There was already something in the freezer that I just had to defrost.

Once our visitors left, one of them had left their chair out from the table. Off course as far as Nova is concerned that is the perfect invitation...

So up she jumped and helped herself to a piece of cake. Then she comes and shows it to me, rather proud of herself... She even posed really nicely for me so that I could take the picture of her with the cake stuffed in her mouth.

Cheeky girl but not her fault. Leave a chair out and that is what you get. Now Bailey on the other hand doesn't even bother to jump up... he waits for odd crumbs to make it to the floor and he cleans that. Different dogs, growing up different ways I guess... Plus for him it would be too much hassle...

Anyway today will be another lazy day. The second dust storm in one week came through yesterday and today we have a horrific amount of wind still. Just the leftovers of the dust storm are left behind. Made it hard to breathe yesterday and hope that all people with breathing problems coped alright. I made sure the house was shut up all day so that Joshua would not suffer too much and he seemed to cope alright. Though his breathing last night in his sleep was a little more noisy than normal and a little laboured...

Cheers Damaris

The Cubby House has Arrived...

Wood, wood and more wood...

Well in one million pieces or so anyway... We have a DVD with instructions and a massive amount of slats of wood, nails and screws just to keep things interesting.

Russell is working on a job application this weekend so will not be looked at till this Friday when he is home again from working away from home during the week. We really still need to find a site... One that requires as little digging as possible as the black soil is very hard when dry...

I am thinking that we will have to have a few "Putting the Cubby together" BBQ's. Oh no can't do that as the BBQ is stuck behind around 45 bales of hay in the shed... Next idea???

Again wanted to say Thank you to Annette and Robert for getting the cubby pieces for us in their float (from Brisbane) and getting it to us. This is our Cubby from the Family Collective which makes it all the more special that Annette who is the Link Worker on the Project was there for the 'unveiling'. Also loved it that they enjoyed the Soggy Cake I made...

Now I wonder how long it will take to put up... hmmmmm

Cheers Damaris

Happy Birthday, Bailey...

My beautiful boy, Bailey...

On Wednesday was not just Low Electricity Day, which was a huge success considering I had Russell home and the kids were on Holidays but it was also Bailey's 6th Birthday... We certainly hope that we have many more years with him...

He has grown up so much over the last year. He was a little bit of the underdog when Nova and Poppy first came to stay with us, nearly two years ago but he seems to have settled with Nova really nicely. RIP Poppy. We miss you alot. We think of you all the time.

He had a haircut yesterday. I always give the dogs one when I do the humans in this house as well. Have always done the boys' hair and Russell has only ever been to the hairdresser once in his life, on our Wedding Day. lol

Yes, I certainly overdid it with my hand yesterday. Did Russell's and Timothy's hair first, then Nova and then Bailey. Joshua will be done today as he was at a friend's place for some respite (that is what I call it anyway...)

The photo above was taken on his Birthday and while he has no idea why we are so excited that he has turned another year older, he was very happy to pose for a few photos. This was the best one in the end. Sorry for the red eyes... He is not really evil. lol

Cheers Damaris

Dust Storm Ahoy...

Lesley Park, Warwick at 10am with Dust Storm in the background...

Well yesterday would not have been very pleasant for many of us living in the South East Queensland and Sydney, New South Wales areas...

Got up in the morning and saw this white stuff coming across the sky. Then it was all around us and I said to Russell: "Best just shut all the windows..." There was a terrific lot of wind that came with the dust and soon it was everywhere.

I am rather glad that I have a brick home as a wooden home would have had the small dust particles everywhere inside as well as outside. That was not a hassle at this home as we kept everything shut up all day.

The sky soon turned from white to cream and then to brown. That way it stayed all day. The wind also continued and yesterday, I am afraid it would not have mattered if you were a smoker or not. The choking feeling of the dust was quite horrible.

The boys were over it by lunchtime off course. In Timothy's mind the storm had been around for WAY too long and he kept asking when it would just go away. Joshua was having a few problems with his breathing as he has anyway and this didn't help at all. He survived though.

Yesterday was the first time that I drove my car into town since my operation and I wish I had of picked a better day but couldn't get out of it. The boys have been attending a Beginners Class in Pottery and there was no way that they were missing out on the last day. They have had so much fun and will have their work fired in the kiln and then will have to glaze their artworks and then eventually, after another lot of firing the masterpieces will come home. They can't wait for that... Neither can I.

Must say I was rather happy to see the sun out this morning and hardly a blade of grass moving as there was hardly any wind. Happy days...

Cheers Damaris

Operation update...

My three incisions...

Well Friday came and went and I was supposed to be in there and second on the surgery list (2pm) but equipment had to be cleaned and then cool down so I didn't make it into surgery until 4pm. I ended up having to wake up in a ward as Day Procedures Unit was shutting before I had had a chance to eat anything.

We ended up getting home at 9:30pm. I was happy to hit my head on my pillow that is for sure. As I understand it the surgery took 1 hour and they made three incisions. A scope was also used to locate the ganglion. It was removed which I am most pleased about. Doing the surgery this way means a little longer recovery time but at least there should not be any stiffness in my wrist in the future. I am back to typing with both hands this morning but still can't do alot of things.

I am rather fortunate to have Russell home for the week. He has been my hands and doing a fantastic job at that as well. Oh and the dinners, just Divine...

While my wrist is still very swollen and the cuts are still open the internal stitching will all hopefully heal soon. I am driving into Warwick tomorrow so hopefully will be ok. In the meantime, Panadine Forte is a great friend of mine that is helping me though the ouchy bits.

Cheers Damaris

I found her...

Happy days...

This has had me soooo excited since Wednesday night... For months now I have been trying to get ahold of my very best friend in the whole wide world but was not able to make contact.

I tried the old email. That kept bouncing... I tried the home phone. That was disconnected... I tried the mobile. Left messages but heard nothing. Tried to SMS that did no good either... The reason... Cause life is very busy right now. I feel for her. She has sooo much on her plate.

There is the two kids that are growing with each day. There is full time work as well as full time University. Mature age student. I take my hat off to her. I admire this lady beyond belief.

I was sooo happy to hear her lovely voice on the other end of the mobile that night. No it was not the answering machine but her actual voice. I heard her laugh and I heard her talk... I love her from the bottom of my heart and she knows it. All is well with the world now as far as I am concerned.

Needless to say I got her new phone number, address and email address as well. Just in case... hehe

No she is not getting away from me again... My next option was that I was ringing her Mum... That would have been a good look. lol

So in October we have made a date for one Saturday. I get her all to myself and I can't wait... She knows who she is... Have known this wonderful lady since end of Grade 8 in high school. We have had our ups and downs and been through more than I could have ever thought possible but we are here to stay baby...

Off for my operation on my hand today so will not be posting for a couple of days till I catch on typing with my left hand only. Will be slow... lol

Cheers Damaris

Operation time...

Love a peaceful sunrise...

Must say I didn't think the time would ever come. Over two years ago I was doing alot of repetitious work while working and ended up with a ganglion in my right wrist. I am right handed as well.

My GP tried injecting the area with steroids twice but it kept coming back. The injection is supposed to crystallise the ganglion and it is then supposed to disintegrate. Unfortunately, that didn't happen. I also tried bashing it with an Encyclopedia book and that didn't work either.

I have been on the waiting list for Ipswich Hospital for 1 1/2 years now to get it seen to. It comes and goes and even when small it is very painful. Even driving is a pain for me. More so because everything is so far apart from each other out here. My hand can't be used for picking up heavy items which is no use to me out here either. Milking is also painful. It is under a tendon and is 1 cm in size. That is the reason for having to actually operate and not just getting it out under a local. If only...

I was supposed to have my operation in the beginning of September but at my preop ended up getting sick so I was advised that I was back on the waiting list. I doubted that I would be operated on before the year was out.

Due to some lovely Federal Government funding going into elective surgery, I was called up last week and told that I had won Lottery. The operation kind...

So at the moment I am trying really hard to stay away from sick people. That is always hard when the seasons are changing as they are at the moment. My operation is on Friday at this point in time. Glad I didn't have to go for the preop again as I didn't want to get sick again. Just in case...

I will certainly be out of action for a little while, during recovery time but am hoping that the 10% chance of it reoccurring will not apply to this hand. Will be fun mastering brushing my teeth with my left hand. lol

Cheers Damaris

We are Champions, in my humble opinion anyway...

My beautiful electricty meter...

On Wednesday I watched as the meter man came and took our reading and have been waiting very, very patiently for my electricity bill. I have been itching to find out what we have used. I know as I do daily readings what kWh amount we have been using but I wanted to know what the amount was as I didn't know how much electricity had gone up by. All I knew was that it was up as of 1 July 2009.

Well, yesterday I eagerly checked my mail and there it was. That wonderful, precious envelope that would tell me how we had done for the last three months...

Our last quarter we used 1156kWh and it cost us $233.10. Just after our last bill was when I got an electrician out from Warwick and Marty was able to change my solar hot water to actually be solar hot water. What had happened was that during the building process the electrician at the time just wired the pump and solar booster in as one. Not separately. This means that as we are on tank water we needed the pump on all the time. But that also meant that the solar booster was on all the time. Lovely great hot water but the solar was not being used at all. Such a pity. I argued with the builders for ages and they would not come to the party and get it done for me, even though I had asked for them separately before signing the contract. Unfortunately for me I didn't check to see that it was in the contract. It was not. So I got it done myself in the end and was the best $210 I ever spent. Our water most days is actually hotter than with the booster, and no it doesn't need turning on anymore. Just the way I like it...

OK, so to my brag... We have had our No Technology Monday's and Low Electricity Wednesday's for the whole time as well and our usage was down to..... wait for it.... 896kWh and the total of the bill is $210.75.

I can't believe it... I am sooo proud of my boys and I. Russell is really proud of us as well. He was not here for any of the Monday's or Wednesday's except a couple of them so he knew we had put in a huge effort to reduce our usage. The boys are also allot more aware just what goes into saving now and it is a habit.

Our electricity went up 15.67% as at 1 July 2009, which I think is terrible. I just can't wait for my solar electricity to come now. I am checking on the process of my application with the Government Department during this week and will post as to where we are up to. Can't happen soon enough but I also realise that I will probably have to wait for another six months or so.

I am thinking now of other ways to try and save kWh's now. Not only are we saving money and then some as well as building a better knit family unit but we are also doing our little bit at this end in helping the environment and that is what it is mainly all about. Any of your hints would be greatly appreciated...

Cheers Damaris

New Beginnings...

Our newest lot of Chicks and Ducklings...

Over the last week we have had new additions on our little hobby farm. Monday last week we had Chloe born, that is the heifer calf's name now...

Then from the Tuesday since we have had six chicks and seven ducklings being born. The boys have loved watching them come out of their shells. I must admit to checking the incubator quite frequently as well just to make sure that there wasn't another little body to move to the brooder.

Daisy is due with her eggs on Saturday and we are all looking forward in great anticipation as to how many hatch and that they will be OK.

The miracle of life is quite amazing really. You get a yolk and egg white and in there is all that is needed that turns it into a chick in just three weeks. Amazing. And the miracle doesn't stop there either. The amount of growing that they do in such a short period of time is just amazing for me.

I met a lovely lady yesterday and she is after chooks. Only hens. This lot of girls, depending on how many she would like will be going to her, I think... Roosters can go in the freezer. Most of my bantam roosters will be going up for sale soon. I just need a couple more to grow up so I can pick whether they are male or female. Due to their small size it is rather hard to tell. Their combs are so similar. Have to therefore wait for a crow or spurs...

So here is to new beginnings. I love them. They let me know at this time of year that Spring has sprung...

Cheers Damaris

Let's Sing...

Maryvale SS and Leyburn SS performing their song.
Combined schools performing their three songs...

Last Tuesday the boys had the opportunity, along with their whole school, to perform in front of a few hundred people. There were about 11 schools from the Warwick area that performed their own songs as well as three songs that were performed all together. What a feat. There were soooo many children.

The day started at 9am and had them practicing their songs till 2:30pm. Then they had a break. During that time I took the boys to Lesley Park, Queen's Park for some exercising on the equipment that the council has provided and dinner at McDonald's. It was a real treat.

We went to the night time performance and I was able to get front row seats which was really nice for me. Our school did their performance fourth and joined in with another school. I must say that I was really proud of them.

I even rang up Russell during their song so that he could hear them sing. Was my way of having him there and not two hours drive away...

The whole day ended at 8:45pm and then we made a mad dash home, without speeding off course, to ensure that the chooks, ducks and guinea fowl were shut up for the night. We have had foxes hanging around menacing the area and didn't want to lose more stock to them.

All was fine and good and we went to bed really quickly. Timothy did fall asleep while the first combined schools song was being sung. Don't know why he wasn't woken up but he was so upset about it as it was a Japanese song that he had really wanted to sing and had been practicing so hard for it. I realised during the second song that I couldn't see him anywhere and went over to him and encouraged him to jump in for the last song. That he did and he was rather excited about that.

What a long day. I must admit I am glad that this day out doesn't happen every year... It was a little too much and there were a number of children that were yawning, including Joshua, during the songs... But they all had a great time and a wonderful audience of parents and grandparents...

Cheers Damaris

Congratulations Carrie and Steve...

Congratulations Carrie and Steve...

Yesterday was a first for this family... We all went together to our first wedding. This was the wedding of Russell's niece, Carrie. It was held in the Roma Street Parklands and was a beautiful setting. The wedding was at 3pm and the reception was back at Carrie and Steve's place at 6pm. After the wedding the boys were able to explore a little as well and we even found a family of ducks with little ducklings. Oh how cute they looked... We also saw a heap of lizards. Was a wonderful sight to see so close to the business of a major city.

The reception, much like the wedding was very nontraditional. There were no speeches, no dancing just good old fashioned talking and for me allot of catching up.

Carrie looked like she was worth a million dollars. She was so radiant. Steve was handsome and the rest of the bridal party was also beautiful. Carrie's dress was just to die for and I can see why it was so important. The first one that she got was from Italy I believe and the company, Abbey Bridal went bust and took her money as well...

There have been allot of hiccups along the way coming up to this day. But in the end I think it was all worth it. Everyone had a wonderful time. I hope they have a long and happy marriage together.

Cheers Damaris

Updates from our place to yours...

New heifer calf relaxing while Lavender eats...

We have not had much happen around her in the last couple of days. One chick is still trying to get out of its shell after nearly 24 hours trying to get out. It is still chirping and doing its thing. I am determined to not help it but let me tell you it is hard.

Daisy is still sitting faithfully on her goose eggs. Getting more and more bantam eggs which is great as well. Four chicks are doing great in the bathroom as well... They are very quiet I must say. Not like the usual noisy lots that we have had before.

Guinea pig babies are growing fast and make as much noise now as mum. :)

Our newest calf is going great. She is jumping all over the place and keeping mum on her toes. She is feeding really well and Lavender's udder seems to be used well. Have still not decided on a name but Russell and I have agreed that heifers from now on we will not put in the freezer. We will either sell them or exchange with our breeder once weaned. The boys and I will get a name for her over the weekend and I will write about that next week.

Tomorrow we are off to Brissie as we have a wedding to go to. Russell's niece is getting married. Hope the rain holds off for her and visits us here in the country instead... That would be nice. We need it. There is so little feed for the cows at the moment and I hate having to always hand feed them. Much more natural for them to forage themselves...

Anyway that is me for the week. Will post about the wedding off course over the weekend. It is the first wedding that our whole family is going to which is rather exciting for us as parents. The boys love the clothes that they are wearing which is always a bonus I guess...

Cheers Damaris

More chickens...

First born was the bottom one, then the right and last the left...

Over the last three days we have had some chicks hatch. I am not helping them out of their shells this time as last time I did that and two didn't make it. Was rather sad. I am getting better at just letting nature take its course.

We have three little ones so far, another one is in the incubator drying off at the moment. All is well with the world here... they grow so quickly... Had an egg the other day for brekkie and had three yolks in it. Have never seen that before. Plenty with two but never with three. That was a new experience. Loved it...

Cheers Damaris

Welcome to our beautiful world...

Here I am world... 1.35pm, 31.8.09
My mum's milk is yummy...

Over the weekend have been keeping a very close eye on Lavender as she was due to calve today. Since Sunday she had separated herself from Lorray and Sausage so thought it was probably going to happen pretty soon.

Yesterday, I saw that her tail was rather crooked so went to investigate. She was at the top of the paddock off course. Why make it easy for me??? No, it was not about me I realise this. She felt safe up there so that is where she had her calf.

Our beautiful heifer calf was born at 1.35pm yesterday. She is just beautiful. I was very privileged to be able to see all of the birth and must say was over rather quickly. Lavender did such a fantastic job. I am soooo proud of her.

We have not given the calf a name just yet. It seems harder putting a heifer in the freezer than a steer calf. What is with that? They were both just adorable when born.

One thing that my boys will always remember is when Lavender ate the afterbirth. That will stick in their minds for a LONG time. They thought it was the most disgusting thing. Once I explained to them that she is getting the nutrients back into her body and why she was eating it all, they could understand and where proud of her. Amazing what instincts that God gives these animals.

The calf went for the teats straight away and had a great feed. Must say it was much easier for her then it was with Sausage. I am very happy this morning also as I didn't even have to get up during the night (Yes had frost again) to reunite mum and bub. Lavender will make a fantastic mum and seems that have calmed her down allot already...

Will be keeping a very close eye on both for now as we have wild dogs and foxes here and don't want anything to happen to her.

Sausage kept trying to stomp on the calf yesterday so have put him and Lorray in the cow yard for a couple of days so the calf can get confident on her feet and then will reintroduce them.

Lavender is walking around this morning with her and coming down for food and water which is also great to see. My dog, Bailey new something was different about the sight of the two straight away and started barking... He will settle as he gets used to the new addition.

Off to check on them again, for the umpteenth time... :)

Cheers Damaris