No Christmas day on the beach for my sister, rain threatened and it was too far away to take the chance so we had Christmas at home with the mini Hewers and the extended family. Lots of fun, too much to eat and French champagne no less. Mathew treated us to his version of 'Jingle Bells,' head banging style, and attempted a moon walk a la Michael Jackson, hilarious!
Boxing Day is very quiet, spending most of the day trying to download video of Mathew performing...Firefox's fault I fear. It's a shame because it is so funny. I guess you'll have to wait for the DVD.
Thank goodness it's cool after the last few steamy days. On Christmas Eve, got very cranky with the heat after a trip to the Fish Market for prawns and crab legs. Canterbury pool cooled down the body and the temperament so we could go on to the next leg of shopping, trawling Campsie's Cheap shops for bargains. Did I mention my sister loves markets?
Tomorrow off to Paddy's Market (yes, another one) then Starbuck's for one of Maxine's favourite coffees and the Rocks for yet another market!!! Better get to bed early to get my strength up.
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Friday, December 18, 2009
caught on camera
Had an amazing unusual experience today. Annika wanted to go to the cafe. Who was I to refuse? loving my cappuccinos and all. I put in my order, including a packet of coffee, pastries etc, paid with a $50.00 bill and fifteen cents. Enjoyed my coffee although somewhat concerned at the mess appearing on Annika's shirt from the cupcake she was eating. It had coloured balls on top which seem to be made of some dye that seriously stains clothes. Her shirt is soaking in Napisan as I write tonight. I considered asking the staff to put warning labels on them but in light of what happened later, didn't get round to it.
Went to Big W, got stung for some shorts and DVDs, opened my wallet and felt short of dough. I was looking for the $25.00 change I should have had from the coffee purchase at Gloria Jeans - couldn't find it anywhere.
I went back to the cafe and asked if they remembered giving me my change."We have video," they said, "so we can check." The screen is high on the wall in the coffee shop for all to see. The camera is positioned right over the cash register. We stood watching as slowly they backtracked to the time I was served.
Tension mounted as I came into view. Was I mistaken? Was I going to look like a stupid old woman? I was anticipating feeling like a fool. There I was handing over the $50.00 bill, scrabbling around for the change, getting my coffee card clipped and ....that was it. No change given. Full of apologies they were, full of relief I was.
I've always been in two minds about cameras everywhere although generally I've favoured them, albeit with faint disquiet about Big Brother (a la 1984) etc. but I've never seen them used this way before. I'm very glad it worked in my favour so of course I have no qualms about them now! Wasn't that weird? Has anyone else experienced this I wonder.
Went to Big W, got stung for some shorts and DVDs, opened my wallet and felt short of dough. I was looking for the $25.00 change I should have had from the coffee purchase at Gloria Jeans - couldn't find it anywhere.
I went back to the cafe and asked if they remembered giving me my change."We have video," they said, "so we can check." The screen is high on the wall in the coffee shop for all to see. The camera is positioned right over the cash register. We stood watching as slowly they backtracked to the time I was served.
Tension mounted as I came into view. Was I mistaken? Was I going to look like a stupid old woman? I was anticipating feeling like a fool. There I was handing over the $50.00 bill, scrabbling around for the change, getting my coffee card clipped and ....that was it. No change given. Full of apologies they were, full of relief I was.
I've always been in two minds about cameras everywhere although generally I've favoured them, albeit with faint disquiet about Big Brother (a la 1984) etc. but I've never seen them used this way before. I'm very glad it worked in my favour so of course I have no qualms about them now! Wasn't that weird? Has anyone else experienced this I wonder.
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Turkey, dogs and alot to be thankful for
We did it at last...last Saturday, thanksgiving dinner at Maxine's. Tender succulent turkey, monumental mounds of stuffing, the ever present broccoli souffle, (with egg whites whipped to Everest proportions in Maxine's industrial strength mixer) braised greens, and a leek and onion dish to die for, creamy, cheesy and soo tasty. My mouth is watering with the memory. Well done Max, it was delicious.
Thought there were going to be three dogs boarding but there were four, generally well behaved although one of them threw up. Emo Annika cried every time one of the dogs barked which, mercifully, wasn't often. Turbo boy Mathew kept his distance but gradually managed to pat one of them before they left.
Talking about turbos, Maxine made sorbet with her Thermomix. This amazing machine makes everything from bread to pumpkin soup.
I made a pumpkin pie and so did Maxine, mixing her pastry dough in the Thermomix. I have to say it was better than mine as was the flavour of the pumpkin mixture. I'll have to re think my recipe for next year!
The weather was kind. Big meals like that don't go down too well if it is too hot but it was just right.
We have a lot to be thankful for, everyone healthy and well employed except yours truly whose research position finally petered out this year. I hardly noticed, there has been nothing doing on that front since July. Writing is my main occupation which I love even though it has not earned me one red cent. Still a short listing, a 'commended' and an article accepted for Writing News are steps in the right direction. Who knows what 2010 will bring.
My sister Maxine arrives on Sunday for an Aussie Christmas. The room is ready and so am I, yeah!!!!
Thought there were going to be three dogs boarding but there were four, generally well behaved although one of them threw up. Emo Annika cried every time one of the dogs barked which, mercifully, wasn't often. Turbo boy Mathew kept his distance but gradually managed to pat one of them before they left.
Talking about turbos, Maxine made sorbet with her Thermomix. This amazing machine makes everything from bread to pumpkin soup.
I made a pumpkin pie and so did Maxine, mixing her pastry dough in the Thermomix. I have to say it was better than mine as was the flavour of the pumpkin mixture. I'll have to re think my recipe for next year!
The weather was kind. Big meals like that don't go down too well if it is too hot but it was just right.
We have a lot to be thankful for, everyone healthy and well employed except yours truly whose research position finally petered out this year. I hardly noticed, there has been nothing doing on that front since July. Writing is my main occupation which I love even though it has not earned me one red cent. Still a short listing, a 'commended' and an article accepted for Writing News are steps in the right direction. Who knows what 2010 will bring.
My sister Maxine arrives on Sunday for an Aussie Christmas. The room is ready and so am I, yeah!!!!
Monday, December 7, 2009
award winning performance
I put in an award winning performance as Grandma this weekend. It started Friday afternoon picking up Mathew from day care early so the centre could prepare for the Christmas party later. (Okay, I fell down a little when I couldn't find Mathew's present 'from Santa' in his bag) That evening, as Santa got further down his bag of goodies with no present for Mathew it dawned on us the day care staff hadn't found it either! Fortunately the centre is a hop, skip and a jump away so Eddie hoofed it home, I warned the day care staff, and by the whiskers of Santa's beard Mathew got his present. Of course Annika put on the usual performance because she didn't get a present but a chocolate Santa from Grandma helped a little.
The next day while the parents raved at Homebake (concert) all day and into the night I was left with the terrorist and the 'Emo' as Melissa calls Annika. We went to the pool. Put the swim vest on Mathew and off he went, jumping in the pool, climbing out on his own 'I do it!!!' and jumping in again. I lost count after the first hundred. On the way out I bought us a hot dog. The terrorist dropped the bread from his so I put it in the bin. With a mouth full of bread, he screamed ALL the way home, 'I want my bread.' Years of training at Tick Tock Nursery stood me in good stead there.
Had a quiet two hours at home watching TV (what a life saver that box is sometimes) then went to Annika's school for carols in the evening. Thankfully I took my fold up director's chair. A bit boring for Mathew and I almost quit after Annika did her performance in the junior choir but she wanted to watch the fireworks. They were worth the wait. Mathew's first question when he saw them was 'Where do they come from?' His second question was 'How are they made?' I fell back on the age old, 'Ask daddy tomorrow.' Jeez where do they come up with these questions at age three?
The following day it was off to IKEA with the whole family. Now IKEA tries hard but Mathew needs a play station every 10 yards not every 100. Get on it IKEA! He resorted to playing with the fire hydrant. Did I mention he loves wheels? We duly noted the aisle number etc of our shelves and, after lunch (meatballs of course) headed for the warehouse to pick them up. I swear NONE of the pieces were in the appointed place. It took us half an hour to find what we'd ordered. Naturally the kids were not taking kindly to this exercise.
Ed had purchased so much there was no room for the kids in the car so they came home with me. The first half hour passed quietly with 'Rory' playing on TV. Then the terrorist got going. Pulled off one of the eyepieces of a pair of old binoculars I'd set aside for the kids, with his teeth!
Discovered where I kept the hammer but I got to him before real damage done. Tried his best with the cricket bat but I rescued that too. I found him in my office with a digital videotape in his mouth. Fortunately I'd transferred it to the computer last week.
Ed showed up, put up my shelves bless him. I took an Immigran for the migraine I knew I was going to have and sank exhausted in my recliner after they left. Tried to watch TV but the eyes kept closing. Went to bed very early. Do I hear the cheers? Worth at least a silver I think!!!
The next day while the parents raved at Homebake (concert) all day and into the night I was left with the terrorist and the 'Emo' as Melissa calls Annika. We went to the pool. Put the swim vest on Mathew and off he went, jumping in the pool, climbing out on his own 'I do it!!!' and jumping in again. I lost count after the first hundred. On the way out I bought us a hot dog. The terrorist dropped the bread from his so I put it in the bin. With a mouth full of bread, he screamed ALL the way home, 'I want my bread.' Years of training at Tick Tock Nursery stood me in good stead there.
Had a quiet two hours at home watching TV (what a life saver that box is sometimes) then went to Annika's school for carols in the evening. Thankfully I took my fold up director's chair. A bit boring for Mathew and I almost quit after Annika did her performance in the junior choir but she wanted to watch the fireworks. They were worth the wait. Mathew's first question when he saw them was 'Where do they come from?' His second question was 'How are they made?' I fell back on the age old, 'Ask daddy tomorrow.' Jeez where do they come up with these questions at age three?
The following day it was off to IKEA with the whole family. Now IKEA tries hard but Mathew needs a play station every 10 yards not every 100. Get on it IKEA! He resorted to playing with the fire hydrant. Did I mention he loves wheels? We duly noted the aisle number etc of our shelves and, after lunch (meatballs of course) headed for the warehouse to pick them up. I swear NONE of the pieces were in the appointed place. It took us half an hour to find what we'd ordered. Naturally the kids were not taking kindly to this exercise.
Ed had purchased so much there was no room for the kids in the car so they came home with me. The first half hour passed quietly with 'Rory' playing on TV. Then the terrorist got going. Pulled off one of the eyepieces of a pair of old binoculars I'd set aside for the kids, with his teeth!
Discovered where I kept the hammer but I got to him before real damage done. Tried his best with the cricket bat but I rescued that too. I found him in my office with a digital videotape in his mouth. Fortunately I'd transferred it to the computer last week.
Ed showed up, put up my shelves bless him. I took an Immigran for the migraine I knew I was going to have and sank exhausted in my recliner after they left. Tried to watch TV but the eyes kept closing. Went to bed very early. Do I hear the cheers? Worth at least a silver I think!!!
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