waiting for the southerly

We're on 40 degrees. The meteorologists have promised a southerly buster this evening. I can't wait. I've blown (literally) one month's electricity bill on my little power-guzzling fan to keep me sane today. Have watched TV, done NY Times crosswords, napped and read my book, Vikram Seth's memoir Two Lives which I'm enjoying very much.

Yesterday the kiddywinks came over while the parents frolicked. We had an hour in the park between 5 and 6pm. Thought the activity would de-energise Mathew. WRONG. He is a constantly moving turbo. I had to have a cold shower after they left. Annika's pretty smile now has a gap in it and, by the way she kept trying to excavate the next tooth out with one of my Stimudents the gap will be very big very soon.

My car is being repaired after backing into a concrete pillar on Aug 26. I remember the date because it was Krista's birthday. I am without it for a week. Thank heavens for the subsidised transport ticket. I can go anywhere in Sydney on that. It just takes so much time and planning. But the metroline website is very helpful in that regard.

Time is not a problem. After hanging out for some more work with the Suicide Study I learned this week that it is no more. I am not going to rush around looking for something else however. I seem to be managing, and writing keeps me occupied. I'm just getting to the final year in S. Africa, hope to get that done tomorrow. I would have done some today but it's too hot!!!!

We are following the progress of conjoined twins who were separated in a marathon operation in Melbourne last week. Apparently the little girls are both awake now, and the MRIs of the brains look okay. It will be a surgical miracle if they've succeeded. I hope so.

Our prime minister apologised to the 'forgotten children,' those sent to childrens' homes, hundreds of them from England, to endure hardship and abuse. I understand Gordon Brown is going to do the same next year. Why does that man seem to be always behind the eight ball?

Thanks to the Women's Weekly cook book, I finally succeeded in making fish cakes, something I've lost the knack of over the years. Also found a new sausage outlet thanks to my friend Kit. I agree with her they are better than DJ's. They take longer to cook because they are so tightly packed with meat.

It's going to be salad tonight. Too hot for anything else. Come on Southerly buster start blowing!!!