Wet Day Working

This morning, I woke at around 7am to rain.  It was a nice pitter-patter on the roof and I needed to get in and feed the chickens, Jay and then myself without getting too wet... nothing worse than wet clothes on a day of rain, where nothing dries.

Well, I pulled on my Wellies and trudged down the back in a waterproof jacket of my brother's, and fed the 'girls'.  They were running into each other, all over each other and jumping on my shoes to get to the food; but it got done... funny little critters!  I checked the coop and there was only one egg there, so I thought to leave it and wait until this afternoon when I let them out to check for more.

By the time I returned to feed Jay, the rain had begun to fall harder; so I waited until later in the day to take her for her walk... if it was going to back off.  Fortunately, a few hours later, it did.  Jay and I took a walk out in the back field and returned about twenty minutes before it poured rain again and the temperature dropped about ten degrees!  

Well, I made myself lunch and something to drink and went to work with my new line of pegs and things in the cottage where I'm staying.  This was at around midday... now it's almost 4pm and I've been working hard out there on a few things.  The cold and wet weather has made drying times longer.  So, I went out to the car and grabbed the suitcase I bought yesterday and decided to give it a good clean-out... and it looks ten times better now!

Anyway, the chickens are out in the yard now, they laid two more eggs and Jay's been fed today too... it's been a quiet day because of the rain and cold.  Tonight, I'm going to make some pasta... yummo!  Until my next post, take care, stay safe and remember, I'm always here.

All Day Outing

I was out from around 10am until 3:30pm today... but it was worth every moment.  I took my time doing everything I needed to do... which was good.

The first thing I did was give Little Miss Stevie's blankets and cuttlefish to the RSPCA World at Springwood.  It was the second time I've been there, and I made myself go this time and not leave until I took the bag in.  Well, I ended up walking around the place with the bag in my hands for about half an hour... I must have looked like a bag lady, but I still ended up at the counter with it, crying my eyes out trying to let them know I wanted to give the covers away.  But the longer I hold onto them, the harder it will be to give them away - I know this.  And I know they will be going to the shelters for a puppy or a kitten to curl up on this Winter.  And the cuttlefish will be scratched on by a parrot who really wants something to chew on.  I felt so sad and when I got back to the car, I felt so lost because I thought I had let go of the last of my bird... I haven't.  

After I had a cry in the car, I got going to Mum and Dad's house after the post office and paid some bills, watered some plants and emptied some things out of the fridge... I also wrote down some messages and stuck around the place in case the birds came to visit for a feed.  But they didn't... so I left and went about my day.

The next place was over at Woodridge.  I had some things to get done at K-Mart.  I put in some photos to get developed and then looked around Woodys and bought some sheet music there for $2.00ea.  Then, seeing I was sticking around for a bit, I thought to have some lunch at Venus' Cafe and look at some stuff at the 'Dollars & Sense' place before going to the chemist and then picking up the photos and finding some things to use for my clean up around the house.  
After Logan Central Plaza, I went to Endoes and donated three bags of stuff I didn't want anymore from my house.  It felt so good to let go of my stuff that I no longer needed but it was good to use.  Then I was off to the Art Gallery and I had a look around there and chatted to the ladies there.  

I looked at my watch and it was almost 3:15pm!  Wow!  Where did the day go?  Well, I jumped in my car and took off home.  It was time get the things I had bought home and get dinner under way.  

And tomorrow?  Well, I have some cleaning out and phone calls to make after I go to the post office to send something off to Toowoomba to a good friend of mine, who doesn't have the net.  Such a pity, because it'd be easier to keep in touch with her.  Until my next post, take care, stay safe and remember, I'm always here. 

Monday Blues

I've been home a few days and I've had all kinds of things happen to me that I didn't want or expect.  It started on Friday, when I was on the bus coming home...

It was supposed to be a simple 3 hour bus trip from Brunswick Heads.  But the drivers changed at Moobil and we got a 60+ driver who knew where he was going until he skipped past the Coolangatta Airport.  Some people onboard made a fuss and he turned around, went to the airport and then... he got lost on the Gold Coast for an hour, trying to find the old highway!  How he managed to do that, I'm not sure, but he did.
By Beenleigh, I was about to get down the front and tell him that I needed to get off at Springwood Bus Station, so he didn't skip past that (which I had a bad feeling about), when a guy from the back went there instead and told him he was getting off at my stop too.  The driver said, that he was going straight through to Brisbane, no other stops!  The guy said that he needed to - and had paid his way until - the Springwood Bus Station, and he needed to get off there.  When the guy found out I was getting off at Springwood too, he told the driver there was another passenger who needed to disembark too.  The driver said he was never told about us.  But then, when we pulled into Springwood, he looked at his clipboard and saw there were two passengers to get off at the Springwood Bus Station... if only he had checked that thing at Surfers Paradise, and he would've been on time.
Well, the guy who got off at the bus station with me had chatted with me and he had been bussing it since Sydney!  What a long time to be getting on and off buses!  Anyway, he and I talked and he wanted to chat more, but I was really needing to get myself home and buy groceries and settled back at my house.  But he had my business card for Crafty Pegs and I said for him to look me up on Facebook, but he didn't have an account.

Anyway, the trip home was good.  I bought all the food I needed - and wanted - and got home, had a shower and got the smell of the bus off me.  Then, I embraced that my bed was huge and I could spread out again... yay!

Over the weekend, it was stinking hot.  I hated the heat on Saturday to the point that I drank so much Cranberry Juice, water and smoothies it's a wonder I didn't turn into one of those substances.  Then, Sunday was hot, but not as bad, seeing there was a nice breeze.
Then, I turned on the computer, jumped on Facebook and found out my cousin's dog - Max - had vanished.  And I don't mean he was stolen... he disappeared at around 4:30am.  And even now, he hasn't been found.  He's very old, a large dog, and he's hard of hearing, can't see much and isn't good on his feet.  But he's a very friendly dog and is suffering from Dementia... poor little guy.  The last time I saw him was before Christmas and he came around to me in Aunty Helen's living room about five times to say hi to me; and he acted as though he'd never met me before.  And even when I was going home, he said hello to me... so he's not well.  
Kate, Aunty Helen and other relatives searched for him all day yesterday.  And so I thought to go and search further afield - seeing I had a 4X4 and it could get places most of them weren't on foot.  So, I took off and didn't even get to Rochedale Road when the radio turned itself off and on and then the indicators were making the needles jump all over the place.  Off went the radio and the air-conditioner and anything else I didn't really need to use and I high-tailed it to Mum and Dad's.  I pulled into the driveway and put up the window after using hand signals to get into their driveway (because they gave out on me only about 100 metres down the road) and the moment the window was up, I turned off the engine.  Then, I tried it again... nothing.  Not even an engine warning or battery light.... wow!  I was damned lucky this thing didn't stop on a main road!
A call to the RACQ was made, and a new battery needed - and a new alternator as well.  Well, by around 3pm, the battery assistance guy showed up and sold me a new battery and it got me home.  And then, he made an appointment for me for an alternator guy to come out to my place to replace the alternator with a new one.  Mum and Dad weren't pleased that they were spending around $400 on the car in one day, but it had to be done.
So, at around 5pm, the second appointment called me and the guy showed up right at my door, I popped the bonnet and left him to his work.  About 45 minutes later, it was done, paid for and he was outa here.  The car works!

But the radio doesn't, and neither does the clock!

So, today, I was off to Mitsubishi to see what was wrong.  They looked up the car on their computers and they can't find the codes to the radio unless they take the radio out... damn.  I told my folks and they insist there's a code at their place I can put in.  Dad cracked the shits at me - screaming over the phone at me not to get the dealers at the radio - in case they break something.  But then, I just agreed to keep Dad nice... boy, he can get really weird sometimes.

Last night, I called my cousin about dear, sweet Max and she told me that she's sunburnt, exhausted and they didn't find him.  I asked her where she looked and suggested a few places; but she declined looking where I suggested.  I told her I was on my way to her place yesterday when the Pajero broke down; and told her what rigmarol I went through to get it going again.  She sounded happy that I wanted to help.  She really wished her dog would show up, but she thinks he may never be found.  

I really hope Max is somewhere safe.  Until my next post, take care and stay safe and remember, I'm always here. 


UPDATE:  I just got a text message from Mum a few minutes ago regarding Max.  Aunty Helen and Uncle Iain found his body out the backyard in the long grass down the back of their property.  They've now got closure as he's a very old dog.  Rest In Peace you sweet, wonderful dog.

Is It Christmas?

For me, it's not yet.  I haven't got the tree up, I haven't sent out Christmas Cards... I just don't really feel like it's here yet.  I'm not sure why, but I just don't feel as though I'm in the right mood for it yet.

Since my little bird died, I haven't really wanted to be happy about Christmas; and do you really blame me?  I mean, my poor little bird died only 3 weeks before it and I had presents signed from her.  
So this year, I'm not sure where this leaves me.  I'm happy that I've moved on, but I'm also sad she's not here to enjoy the time with me.  I know some people will tell me to move on and that she's only a bird.  But the bond we had was really strong; and that we shared something special.  My little bird had such trust in me that I could open her wings, check her feet and pet her so gently she'd fall asleep in my hands while I watched television at night... now that was trust; total trust.  She got to a point where if I kissed her beak, she never bit me, she just let me and nibbled my nose gently in return.  Such a sweetheart.
I know it's good to remember the good times about her, but it's hard to live without a pet when you live alone. 

Now, over the last year, you've all seen me work on getting on with my life... and on my health too.  I have hoped to try to move on through this Christmas Season without thinking of my departed little bird, but I haven't.  
Mum actually suggested putting her cage away soon... but it's not yet a year.  I know where I'll put it and hope to use it again for my next bird in a few years' time.  However, it's always difficult to lose a pet near this time of year; as you always remember them at this time then... and it takes time to get yourself back into what Christmas is all about.  Until my next post, take care, keep safe and warm and remember, I'm always here. 

Hot August Days

Today, I woke to a warm muggy morning.  Yep, from a nice cool night, I found today turning into something from one of my Summers or Springs.  But incredibly enough, it's still classed as Winter here.  On the weather report, they told us that instead of getting South-Westerly Winds - as we're supposed to be getting - we are getting North-Westerly winds.  These winds come from the Northern Territory and are hot; thus our hot day today.

So, today, I decided to get in and do a full load of laundry and fill up my clothes line.  All the towels got done, so did everything, right to the hand-washing - except the sheets; they'll get done next time we have a nice hot day.  
After that I closed up the house and took off to the chemist down the road to pick up a prescription and found that there was only one guy on to do all the scripts that came in!  That was lousy!  The poor guy was run off his feet all day; I felt sorry for him that he barely had time to do anything else.  But that's public holidays for ya.
While I was up the road, I spotted the new massive pet store where WoW used to be and decided to have a look at the place before I left to head off to Mum and Dad's place.  I saw there was a vets there and walked past that and went inside the pet store; which was humungous!  I'd never seen anything like it!  They even had a grooming service for your cat or dog and the vets were attached to this place.  I looked at the birds they had on display and found they had hand-raised budgies and the larger variety budgies.  And the guy let me handle one of the hand-raised ones - which were more expensive at $50 each.  The little girl bird - once she was in my hands - started biting straight away and scratching at me.  But as soon as I tickled her around her chin and the back of her head, she stopped and just looked at me... and relaxed.  She laid back in my hand and let me tickle her again only nibbling gently.  The guy was amazed at how quickly the bird was at ease around me... and said that I might be close to getting a new bird soon.  I agreed with him, then he asked how I lost my last budgie and I told him about how Little Miss Stevie passed away.  He said that at her age, she lived a good long life and it was nice of me to take her outside during her last moments; but it was horrible she had a stroke.  He knew how I felt though because he lost his cat last year, and he'd had him/her for around 14 years, and we both know what it's like to lost a pet who have complete trust in us.  It's horrible but after about a year, we move on to get a new pet.  I told him that I was giving myself a year to mourn my little bird and he said that it's good I'm doing that; then I'm not rushing myself into buying something I don't want.  Well, I gave him the little female bird back (and she was ready to come home with me, but I didn't want to bring her home when I wasn't ready in my heart).  Then, I asked about the vet next door - if they dealt with birds - and he said they did.  So!  How good is that?  A vet nearby who works with birds!  I'll have to suss them out before I get another bird to see who their bird specialist is.

Well, I took off from there and drove to Mum and Dad's place where I watered all their plants in their back yard.  The place was looking a little dry and so I did that and folded up the clothes line properly and then left their mail on the table, locked up the house and came home.
By then, it was around midday and I wanted to have a nice ice coffee and stuff around on the computer.  It was getting really hot for the end of Winter.  So, I stuffed around online for around an hour and then washed my hair, read a little outside and - before long - it was around 3pm or so... I thought to have cannelloni for dinner tonight.  And so, I started preparing it and writing up the rest of my shopping list.  So, how was your long weekend?  Hot and sunny like mine? Or was it nice and cool?  Until my next post, take care, keep safe and warm (or cool) and remember, I'm always here.

... And Now, Fred Is Gone Too.

I've had a sad kinda weekend.  When I arrived home on Friday, I found one of my gold fish - Ginger - had died and was floating on top of the tank.  However, she had been there for a few days and had poisoned the water.
So, after cleaning the water, scrubbing the tank out, replacing the gravel and making sure it was perfect for Fred (the other gold fish), I put him back in.  At first, he was going well.  But he didn't eat anything and all he did was swim around for bit, then settle at the bottom the tank.

He stayed there for the next 24 hours and this afternoon, at around 2:45pm, I watched him as he struggled to breath on the bottom of the tank.  But I just couldn't watch him do that; so I scooped him out and put him on a piece of tissue and he slipped away quietly.  Poor little guy.

These fishies were around 5 years old and were bought at a market by my niece, Riley.  I'll buy a few more at the pet store down the road this week once I get the pump replaced - as the one I bought a month ago has an electrical fault.  It's so sad now I don't have any pets to keep me company... but not for too long.

R.I.P Little Fishie Called Ginger

I came home from my folks' house early last night to find one of my fishies had died.  It was Ginger, the gold goldfish.  It hadn't been going all that well for a while, and so I had been half-expecting him to not be surviving all that well after I got home; but not up and die on me while I was away.  
But there was something about my place when I opened the door that didn't smell right.  I had taken out the rubbish before I left - so I didn't have a roach problem when I returned - so it wasn't that.  And so I inspected the fish tank and found Ginger floating on top of the water and immediately opened the top to pull her out... it's not good to leave a dead fish in a tank with another one.  But the water didn't smell good, so Ginger had been dead for a couple of days; this wasn't good.

So, today, I added to my list of things to do to get myself to the pet store down the road and see what I could do about the tank and the lone fishie.  But I didn't want Fred - the lone one - to have another fish added to the tank if the water or something in the tank was making them sick.  So, I had to fix up whatever was going wrong first.  
I told the people at the pet store what was happening and they asked me when I had changed the gravel last.  I said my brother said I wouldn't have to; but then, I'm not a fish person, so I don't know much about fish... he's the fish person in our family.  She could see I was concerned but also that I didn't have much of an idea about how to care for the tank that I had; so she was full of great advice about what to do with the gravel and how to fix the tank up so it was working. 

There was a lot of cleaning I had to do today!

When I arrived home, after Geoff took off and left me at it at the pet store (because he was going to spend most of his day at Abby Museum near Stradbroke Island), I went to work on the fish tank.  First though, I pulled out the furniture, put some of the water in the biggest pot I had and put the Fred in it and popped the lid on so he was comfortable.  Then left him on the stove; out of the way.  I had a lot of work to do; and needed the space to do it.  
I emptied the tank completely, pulled out the old gravel and then got an old towel, soaked up the last little bit of water and gravel and wiped up the green stuff off the glass with toilet paper and pulled apart the pump and found it was full of crap... fish crap.  After cleaning out as much of it as possible.  I washed the new gravel completely, and then scooped it into the tank bottom and put it in there - cover it about a centimetre - and then scrubbed all of the furniture, rocks and other stuff I wanted to put back in it.  Then, I place it all in and added the treated water back in - bowl by bowl - until it was full and turned on the cleaned out pump with the net over it to catch anything that might come out.  I waited for about 5 minutes to see if anything would come out - and it did and I caught it - before putting Fred back in.  He didn't seem too happy at first, but he started swimming around a bit.  A little bit of yellow crap came through the pump and I picked it up with my hands and the net... otherwise, I'm sure I have cleaned the tank as well as I possibly can.

I just hope Fred survives.  If he doesn't, well, he's had a good 5 years of life.  The lady at the pet store told me that it was a miracle that the fish survived that long... so I should be happy that they were survivors and good fish.  Well, I've had a busy day with fish, a fish tank and water... lots of water.  Until my next post, take care, keep safe and warm and remember, I'm always here.