Ed remarked on all the Jacaranda trees he and Cris saw from the air when they landed in Sydney last Thursday. 'Funny,' say I, 'I've been complaining that I haven't seen any yet.' I've put it down to the cold October.
Of course all the way home in the car Ed pointed out the numerous Jacaranda trees en route, but had the grace to acknowledge they're not very bright and easy to miss. Since then they've appeared all over the place, bright and purple. I love them. When I was working at Uni the appearance of the Jacaranda marked exam time and the end of face to face teaching for three months. A great relief! They only last a couple of weeks but cheer me up every time I see them.
Something else that cheers me is the arrival of mangoes. They've been around for about a month but too expensive to buy unless I win Lotto which I haven't, maybe because I haven't bought tickets??? Now theyr'e reasonably priced and beautifully ripe so I'm tucking in.
Tomorrow is Melbourne Cup Day, a huge day not only on the racing calendar but all over Australia. With a bit of luck those punters who're planning to fly to Melbourne via QANTAS might be able to make it. The dispute is over...for 3 weeks at least. I've been off QANTAS lately mainly because of cramped airline seating internationally. For my next trip I'm definitely going to look elsewhere after all this.
After aqua exercise I'm going over the road to the Bowling Club with my aqua pals for a Melbourne Cup lunch. There's a hat competitition. Judging by the monstrosities at Prince William and Kate's wedding, I figure I can't go wrong with a paper plate stuck to the side of my head!
Monday, October 31, 2011
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
day of days
Am doing a stint of child minding while Ed & Cristina sail the crystal blue waters of the Whitsunday Islands for 4 days.
Day 1: see them off, take the kids to the pool, lunch at Roselands. Mathew falls asleep in the car on the way home. Big mistake, talk about a power nap - too powerful for him to wind down before 10pm! Meanwhile Grandma has been ready for bed since nine.
I thought I'd give him a day off at home for a change afterwards (the poor kid's been in long day care since he was one year old.) All going well then surprise! Cousin Skye showed up. Hadn't dared to tell Mathew beforehand that she was coming since the excitement levels would have ramped up to uncontrollable.
Skye is a blonde, blue eyed angel who is determined and adventurous. Anything Mathew had she wanted and went to get it. Eventually the novelty wore off for Mathew and he started protesting. The room filled with the sound of 'NOs' as they tussled for possession. Bear in mind Skye usually uses the German 'Nein' but she knew right away which one to use with Mathew.
Then the nightmare begins, We go to pick Annika up from school. It's pouring. Skye hates the plastic cover for the pram and starts pulling it away every time I try to put it on. I give up that idea and tuck in one of the raincoats hanging up in the vestibule over her legs. She rips it off three times, face red with screaming. I manage to secure it enough for us to start out although her feet stick out in the rain. I'm balancing a large umbrella, trying to keep an eye on Mathew with his sister's pink umbrella (which he loves) and pushing the pram on a pavement that slopes steeply to the road, to the accompaniement of Skye's objections. Not a good look.
Of course Annika is thrilled to see her baby cousin. Skye is not so thrilled, still complaining about the whole set up. At least Annika can help out with Mathew, and we cross the street to walk on the flatter pavement. Skye gives up crying and I give up the umbrella, better to be wet than put my back out with the balancing act.
By the time Dirk picks up Skye in the early evening the place looks like a bomb site. It still does the next morning as I write this with one of Ed's warm jackets on and a blanket over my knees. Whatever happened to spring?????
I've forgotten how energy sapping it is to look after three little kids. Things I did without turning a hair at age 30 are so much bigger when I'm 70. Much as I love my grandchildren, it sure is nice having some respite of peace and quiet... but those damn toys are still littering the place. I've got to get off my butt and pick them up before the cleaner comes tomorrow.
Day 1: see them off, take the kids to the pool, lunch at Roselands. Mathew falls asleep in the car on the way home. Big mistake, talk about a power nap - too powerful for him to wind down before 10pm! Meanwhile Grandma has been ready for bed since nine.
Day 2: we all sleep in till 7.30am. Then the rush is on, nutella sandwich, fruit twist bar, chips, popper drink and water in Annika's bag. Did I tell you the temperature is going to be 35 degrees today? Change of clothes for Mathew, water and toy aeroplanes for show and tell. He's going to talk about seeing mum and dad off at the airport. I rush to aqau aerobics only to find it's outdoors. Good job I carry a rashie (swimming shirt) and hat in my bag. Had to pinch some of the instructor's sun screen. Being in the water was the best place to be. Sweltered in the heat for the rest of the day.
Day 3: Tuesday, Big Day for Mathew, his first orientation at BIG SCHOOL - he starts early next year. (By now the temperature has plummeted to the early teens, and it's raining.) The kid didn't miss a beat when I left him there, surrounded by girls from his day care he was off with them without a backward glance.
I thought I'd give him a day off at home for a change afterwards (the poor kid's been in long day care since he was one year old.) All going well then surprise! Cousin Skye showed up. Hadn't dared to tell Mathew beforehand that she was coming since the excitement levels would have ramped up to uncontrollable. Skye is a blonde, blue eyed angel who is determined and adventurous. Anything Mathew had she wanted and went to get it. Eventually the novelty wore off for Mathew and he started protesting. The room filled with the sound of 'NOs' as they tussled for possession. Bear in mind Skye usually uses the German 'Nein' but she knew right away which one to use with Mathew.
Then the nightmare begins, We go to pick Annika up from school. It's pouring. Skye hates the plastic cover for the pram and starts pulling it away every time I try to put it on. I give up that idea and tuck in one of the raincoats hanging up in the vestibule over her legs. She rips it off three times, face red with screaming. I manage to secure it enough for us to start out although her feet stick out in the rain. I'm balancing a large umbrella, trying to keep an eye on Mathew with his sister's pink umbrella (which he loves) and pushing the pram on a pavement that slopes steeply to the road, to the accompaniement of Skye's objections. Not a good look.
Of course Annika is thrilled to see her baby cousin. Skye is not so thrilled, still complaining about the whole set up. At least Annika can help out with Mathew, and we cross the street to walk on the flatter pavement. Skye gives up crying and I give up the umbrella, better to be wet than put my back out with the balancing act.
By the time Dirk picks up Skye in the early evening the place looks like a bomb site. It still does the next morning as I write this with one of Ed's warm jackets on and a blanket over my knees. Whatever happened to spring?????
I've forgotten how energy sapping it is to look after three little kids. Things I did without turning a hair at age 30 are so much bigger when I'm 70. Much as I love my grandchildren, it sure is nice having some respite of peace and quiet... but those damn toys are still littering the place. I've got to get off my butt and pick them up before the cleaner comes tomorrow.
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