Saturday 31 January 2009

Gawd Blyme - Cor blimey & Frogs

Hey - what does they mean ?

Truth ?

Blyme was the word verification I just saw on a blogger blog. The jumble of letters they use to drive you crazy but they say it helps prevent spammers - Gawd blind them !
It sounds a bit like Aussie slang but it is supposed to be Cockney.More on this later.

I have to digress briefly !

The wee lad is holding up well (not so his mother) and Dad with a very sore back (unrelated but no doubt aggravated). We kept busy yesterday, I got an hours free childminding at the gym. (I haven't told you yet but the reason we went to pool Tuesday was for me to join their 30 days for$ 30 promotion).

I really only wanted to use their treadmill to walk in air conditioned comfort for the last month of summer. Though we are not at the melting point of our southern cousins in VIC & SA - 40 degree plus days.It is still damn hot and sticky here at 35 degrees. So I figured $30 was cheap.

Then Nanny (my mummy) gave me a 'break' while she minded both the lads and I went to give my first blood plasma donation... The respite and quiet was bliss. It didn't hurt a bit either ... well the finger prick is the worst! I can do it again in 2 weeks (hooray).

Now for 'break' (no pun intended) from the broken leg chronicles.

It was on Jeanie in Paradise's blog - a post titled amphibian-ambivalence.

I am still catching up on my google reads -1000 plus (... yes it was 3-4am but I can't sleep).Jeanie extols the wonders of enchanting, bathroom loving, green frogs. She reminded me of a funny thing that happened on the way to the loo.

A few years back we worked from my Father in law's property .The toilets were attached to a big shed (that once sold alpaca or woolly craft stuff of some sort) so it had toilets for customers. They were part of another building but the two doors opened only to outside.They were small cubicles and if you left the door open the view was great.

The doors, as toilet doors do, had a huge gap under them for any creature to take up residence for fresh air ? . The spiders didn't phase me - we also had a resident Huntsman or two, occasionally- a red back spider but always a green tree frog (Litoria caerulea or ? ) . No - there were often several green tree frogs in the two toilets. They loved the moist environments. Did I mention how hot it is, hot ! It always is.

So we always had green toilet 'tree' frog issues in the toilet bowls. I would try to re 'home' them in other moist parts of the garden with the aid of my brave then 5yr old - to no avail. I had to remove the cistern lid and he would delight in my screams and squeals assisting me using whatever contraption or container to hand to capture them.


They seemed to prefer the ladies to the gents ; ). Once there were ten of them (in two toilets)- not kidding ! but usually 3 -4. Extracting them from the pipes that go from cistern to the bowl was not so funny ...eeewww in fact.I never harmed them. I just evicted them. They were huge some of them as big as the palm of my hand.

They would be gone for a few days .Long enough for me to think they were gone for good and relax. Otherwise, it was often a quick squat and run.

So I would make my morning trek across the grassy areas to the loo, do what you do, and then as I would flush I'd see these 'six' big eyes looking back at me, imploring me, as though to say, "why did you just pee (or worse) on me?" But by then I've flushed - and away they go only to come back trying to hang on for dear life ...., Can you imagine it ? hanging on to the slippery sides of the toilet bowl as best they 'can' one step up, slip two steps back. (ps I did borrow a bit of this text)

Sometimes, they were hiding under the seat, perched in the open bowl or under the rim or even
looking at the view or to catch bugs or mossies.

Yes, I shrieked got freaked out, every time, but at least I knew they were there...

Whoa, the unsuspecting customers who would had driven a 'wee' long way out to the 'sticks' to find us and who would hurriedly check the 'facilities' before going to the office. I honestly would warn them if they asked where to go before hand.

Eeeks the screams and other 'unmentionable' words that we heard 50m away. LOL -we also saw a few half dressed people exiting the tiny 'cubicles' furiously pulling up their pants or smoothing down dresses or skirts.

I couldn't help it ... I 'depend'ed on it - I barely could hold on myself (PMSL). I was ROFL because it truly was hilarious...then I had to stop and compose myself before they got to the office.Muffling my snorts, wiping my spittle & wet with laughing eyes , I would erase the smirk from my face as they, red faced, they told me of our 'wee' problem.

A few times we heard the less common 'Cor Blimey' (or Gor' blimey) ...which means an
utterance of shock, .. YES !

core blimey is a abridged version of "God blind me" also an utterance of shock or dismay or Like

OMG
or Gosh!
Absolutely Yes!

Very much an expression of surprise. Indeed it was.

Yes, it's not that common but not very surprising, considering we are British descendants and we did have a fair few UK customers.

Pps : Yes, I did say yes a lot as you do when you have two small boys who say NO, a lot, or ask a lot of questions .

Ppps: You can donate plasma every two weeks and did you know it also looks like a pale amber fluid ('urine') - cor blimey if I am not telling the truth. I first told the nurse it looked like beer she replied in a whisper no 'wee'. LOL so it did. I have no idea why beer was my first thought I don't drink it much I much prefer wine...only 12 hrs to wine o clock.

Ppps I think it is going to be a long day. I've been awake since 3am .I planned to grab a cuppa (tea) and go back to bed . *sigh* the wee lads will be waking soon.I'd best go recharge.

Edit to add ... I forgot to tell you it is Smiley Saturday and Lightening has riper for you LOL.

Thursday 29 January 2009

Broken leg Chronicles

It is all my fault ! I feel so guilty. Though it is green stick (simple) fracture at the foot (distal) end of his tibia and the best fracture to have apparently the Dr said ! It wasn't displaced . I feel bad for him...it will be six long weeks.

Tuesday I took my boys to the local swimming pool with a friend , her 2 yr old son and her little sister.

We splashed and played. We chased our wild little ones as they jumped and ran about...
My friend and her two year old had already been down the water slide many times before we got there. Then open it every hour .I took J down the slide. S followed behind me, alone , a few kids later.

As I waited at the bottom of the slide to catch him (from going down into the water -though he truly loves the water). I underestimated the speed and the force , he was on his belly and feet first .His right leg hit the top of my thigh - hard and he screamed , then cried for a bit. It hurt me too.

He wouldn't let me put him down and as I went to shower and change into dry clothes to go home I knew he wouldn't weight bear on that leg. He just cried. I planned to take him to the DR to get checked.

We ate a quick lunch with our friends and I came home briefly to see how he would be after a nap and besides I needed my get my older son for help (with my other 2 yr old).S went to sleep straight away but woke soon after crying. I packed everyone in the car and we to the local hospital it was about 4.30pm when we arrived.

They looked busy. A tea lady offered me a cup of tea & biscuits. Gladly I accepted it , then I had to take S for an xray. She even made em another when we got back.

The triage nurse gave S Paracetamol for the pain. By 5.30 S had been xrayed.My husband picked up my oldest son and J after work.

No one told us if it was or wasn't broken till after 7.30pm when S was hungry and wanting, crying food /drink from the vending machines that other were enjoying around us.
A helpful nurse said yes it was fractured and needed a back slab(temporary splint) and it would happen soon...WRONG -we were barely half way into the wait.

I was sitting on hard plastic chair holding him because he didn't want to be put down.
They gave us nothing at all. I had to call my husband to bring food and change for the vending machines.The waiting room was full of broken and limping people it seemed. Another fellow (who had a broken ankle and multiple grazes had already been waiting since 1pm till 10pm.

S was either entertaining (laughing as I played games or just talking to himself) or annoying the other people (by crying) .When my husband arrived someone remarked loudly ..." hooray Daddy saves the day" . Though S cried bitterly when he left as he wanted to go home too.

I was 'patient' to a point but there appeared to be no movements.Nothing was happening.No ambulances arriving no emergencies. At 9pm they said 3 in front of us. At 11pm there were still 2 to go.

I was going to leave at 11.30pm and return the next morning. Then they said he was the next one ... yes so he was at 1am.

S finally went to sleep at about midnight.The kindly Dr was tired and it been a long day /night for her -only 2 Drs on. I didn't blame her . The Health system in NSW sucks. Though I'm grateful we have free access to this health care.

She applied the temporary short back slab up to his knee . S was asleep the whole time. He was so tired .The DR wrote a discharge letter for our GP.We walked out the door it was over 9 hrs later.

Yesterday was hard ...try keeping a normally very busy and active 2 year still against his wishes.He wanted to be carried everywhere I went. I could barely leave the room.

He was so frustrated. Though he knows it hurts if he tries to weight bear on it.I like the worst mummy in the world because I can't make it better and it is my fault.

Today, we went to the Children's hospital for another review .Though I knew we had to wait again a much shorter wait.It still took about 4 hrs. The previous Dr only had said it was left leg in the letter ... wrong one. I only noticed when I gave them the letter at triage.

I told them it was RIGHT but they still wrote for his left leg to be re xrayed (the other hospital didn't give us the xrays because they to be reported on).

So S had another x-ray. In xray I insisted it was the right leg and they kept asking me was I sure ! (SURE I'm SURE). Another short wait but in the Emergency room and a new back slab was put on.

This one is all the way up to his thigh to stop him moving his knee too. A play therapist gave both boys books to read and blew bubbles for them . Then she came into the plaster room and stayed while they put the cast on , reading him a story and keeping him entertained. He had to be on his tummy.

It was really quite lovely as lovely as it can be when unpleasant things have to be done.

Yesterday, S was already trying to scoot around on his butt and using left leg or even the right a bit.

He even 'ventured' to get down where ever I plonked him - I stopped him. It will be a miracle if he gets through 6 weeks without breaking something else. He is such a monkey.

He is going to be most upset he can't play outside with his brother, jump on the trampoline, ride his bike let alone go no where near the water or sand pit or go to the park ...though I hope he can still use the swing.

I don't feel so bad that I am going to enslaved for 6 weeks carrying him and carrying out his every command , hour upon hour of playing cars, building towers and chasing errant or thrown toys or even refereeing fights between his twin ... who has quickly worked out that he now has the comeuppance on speed and a quick getaway with the most coveted toys.

I just feel bad I won't be able to do much house cleaning ;) ... the dust can wait hey !

I hope the TV /DVD gives us a little respite.

I think the little red wagon will get well used again too...

Right now my old camera is keeping him happy - 500 shots of his fingers and leg /ceiling - who cares.


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Wednesday 28 January 2009

Wordless Wednesday - Australia Day Pyramid...

At Regatta Centre Aussie day celebrations - ski show





ThursdayI did it !





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Sunday 25 January 2009

Weekly Winners 4 2009

What are you all here for ?

Is it Pelican feeding time ?
No it's Sunday and ...
January 18th -24th - edition 4

My water baby boy ...

Wee tree boy
Free water play area

My boys
Sunset @ Birdie beach
I found you


Spaghetti

Race you !
!

catch of the day
More Fun Flying ...
Beach Boys




This footbridge is from holidays of my youth.Children used to jump off the footbridge by climbing over the railing onto pillons.We crossed over on Thursday evening. My brother was there too showing his children the bridge. Sadly, I heard tonight (my husband told me) a 13yr old girl drowned at this very spot on Friday less than 24hrs later.I cannot imagine her family's grief.
Please go see more Weekly winners at ... Lotus's


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Friday 23 January 2009

Face space at six degrees

*waves* Where have I been ?

Well , we are back from a few days away on the NSW Central Coast. The beach was sensational and I even dared to get wet in the surf.

Today, I risked my 'old' bones and went water skiing for the first time *shrugs* since I can't remember ???

Sorry I have been neglecting my google reader (for too long) and your blogs. Seriously, I miss you all. I've had limited online time most of this month. I haven't forgotten you or your fabulous blogs ...nor have I traded you in on my latest addiction Facebook. Spring and Summer are when I seem to busy from dawn until the witching hours of the night.

Oh Facebook ... I signed up a long time ago to keep vaguely in touch with a few friends. To be honest for months I rarely even checked it.Then one day something clicked .I began to browse the status of my friends , leave comments and get cheeky. It was fun and interesting.

I *grins* finally worked out how to use the damn thing too.I couldn't get the hang of twitter at all.

I started to discover more people I knew on Facebook. One night when my cousin was visiting I introduced him to Facebook and he told me, laughing, his mother called it 'FACE SPACE' - she has no idea of either . I laughed hard too. Then we searched for his sisters to add as his friends. We found one easily ... too easily.

I searched for a few others and I am so amazed at how small the world is ...do you remember that song it's a small world after all...well it is. Freakily so.

A few weeks ago I found a very special friend on Facebook. We have reconnected in the cyber world so far.

A few days I was thinking about family and my cousins we hadn't seen in a long time (since my grandmother's funeral over 6 years ago).One was my flower girl (almost 19 yrs ago) I found her in amongst about first 50 - 'relatively' easily - her smile unmistakable , beautiful eyes hidden behind sunnies. Then her brother D, and my Aunty M (who had remarried). I rejoiced when they added me as their friends.

Then I thought about niece on my husband's side. I search her name ... R M over '150' , one of the them had a profile picture of a cute little girl . I knew it wasn't my niece's child but I clicked anyway in case it was her 'niece'... then I saw a 'friend in common' ... my male cousin, D - I had just added as a friend ... too freaky. He had a friend with same name as my husband niece ( totally unrelated and besides he has never met my husband's niece) and This is what they reckon about six degrees of separation. The theory states that everybody on this planet is separated by only six other people...

I saw my cousin's status had a comment from a name I 'recognised' - he was a pastor from our old Church, who came to our wedding , and so many more coincidences.

I have clicked on other random people too to see a friend in common , two people I know from playgroups who went to my primary and/or highschool ... a fair distance from where I live now. Not something you talk about in general conversation I guess where you went to school.

Another of my friend, G has a sister who found me not through her sister but through another lady who has twins.

A fair few blogging friends are my Facebook friends, they know my real name and other info.I have resisted the temptation to just add anyone as a friend.

I found a whole bunch of "kids" I went to school with but I didn't be "friend" them - they were never really my friends . Though I can seriously see from a tiny profile picture some have not changed much (in 24 yrs) others well ...enough said

So where is this all going you are wondering ...I guess what it comes down to is that I have to question my intentions with this blog and Facebook.

Do I want them intertwined ?

Do you ever have this question, like, where am I going or what do I plan on doing with this?

What is this I’m trying to create? I like my blog to be anonymous but Facebook is very much a public diary. I love the connections and knowing what my friends are up to and their status ...moods and all. I share this and that but not my blog on there.

My blog is a place where I journal random stuff, showcase my thoughts *cough* and share a little in the days of my life ? I have fun but a mix of serious stuff too.

I don’t even know if I am I ready to share more of my 'blog' with my FB 'friends' and FB family.

Though , I have nothing to hide, as my FB = Bloggy pals know I am real deal. I am nothing special and my family, friends aren't unique or famous (though infinitely special in case they are reading) but you then you can’t blog about stuff in case they think it is about them (like the song says ...you probbaly think this song is about you - It may be ) or stuff you don't wish to share with them.

Which ...is why at the moment I can't write about emotional or sensitive things that could be very bloggable fodder.

I still toy with the idea I need an anonymous blog but then I would have 'two' blogs and two identities and twice the responsibility ( LOL I have enough of THAT already) .Honestly it just doesn’t sound very appealing to me. Messy in fact. I know a few bloggers who can do it ;)

Besides who could I tell - I wouldn’t tell you about my other blog because then it would not be anonymous.

So for now I guess I won’t write about those really personal things and things I want to vent about in case someone reads it and gets upset...even if it is my blog.

I am normally a private person in real life. I don't seek advice much if at all. I feel a little lost about a lot of things right now . I have a clue as to what direction my GPS is still in the box to go in.

It is when I lose my direction that I spend days doing other things than blogging...well that and when the sun is shining.

My life is a little crazy right now but I love it.

"Friendship is precious, not only in the shade, but in the sunshine of life, and thanks to a benevolent arrangement the greater part of life is sunshine." (Thomas Jefferson)

PS: I don't understand MYspace at all but I know it rules the lives of teenagers and especially my own 15 yr old son and his friends.

PPS: Welcome to WTBAY and ICLW visitors. I promise to return visit you asap.

PPPS: Pictures ? well you have to wait till I unpack my camera cord.


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Tuesday 20 January 2009

The Light of Hope


A few years ago I found this ...and I found HOPE ...all be it very gradually !

THE LIGHT OF HOPE

By Moonlight


When you are down the bottom of the dark pit, look for the light of hope. It
is stronger and brighter than a million candles burning in your heart. It is
precious and unique and you will never lose it.

Sometimes strong winds blow and the flames flicker and grow dim but, when
the wind dies and all is calm, the glow is once again ignited to shine the
lights beauty and radiance upon us all. Never doubt that you have this flame
within you. Sometimes we forget to look for it and we flounder around in the
darkness wondering where we are.

All around you there is life and happiness - reach out and touch it for it
will be attracted to your light and be yours if you have the faith to accept
it. There is hope in that light of yours and you never lose it entirely
because hope is eternal and, like a circle, keeps the windows of our minds
alight so that the darkness will not engulf us entirely.

So you keep enduring through the rain and the cold climbing a huge mountain
in the dark - sometimes backwards and blindfolded. And then one day a small
beam of light filters through - you squint and wonder what it is.

It is the light of hope for it does exist. But first you must endure the
worst elements, the worst pain, terror, confusion and misery but, when you
reach the top of the mountain, look back down and realise, while standing in
the light, the journey you have made. Then you will know why the light of
hope exists.

And if you ever feel lost as though in a maze again - you're not. For during
the day all the wonders of mother nature will keep you company to buffer you
from pain and loneliness. And at night, the beauty of the constellation
continues to shine with the moon and the stars always there, even behind
dark clouds and rain, the planets always shine for you.

Yes life can be cruel and cold, but remember that there is love and
understanding in the light of hope to wrap around you and shelter and protect
you. Rejoice in the progress you have made each day for you have travelled a
long winding track in your journey to find some happiness.
May it always be yours in the light of hope.


“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord. “Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 NIV

This verse has been a favourite of mine for a long time I knew I was in His grip but sometimes I felt I was slipping away ...
I came to realise we must be the one to be the change . I know we must also believe in ourselves and our unlimited potential even when things do not go as planned.

I am so thankful for HOPE ...it gives me strength to go on, makes my heart flutter with joy and gives me peace that I am not alone.

PS - All is well and I hope to be enjoying some calm blue sea for a few days with my family.
PPS -I found a new site for images ...called Morguefiles

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Sunday 18 January 2009

Weekly Winners 3 2009

Yes - I'm still here. We have had a busy week and 'boy oh boy' , how I have missed all of you!

January 11th -17th - edition 3

In between an appointment, 40 + degree day at a friend's house with a toddler sized pool and my niece visiting from Queensland, more hot days , play day at the air conditioned Wiggly Play Centre , a night out with friends, shopping for new school clothes with the fussy teen man and then my little bro's 40th (incredible I still can't believe it) and setting the microwave on fire with bread wrapped in foil cooking a pecan pie (sorry none left to photograph) today because we had another friend (her birthday too) & her little 3 princesses over for lunch.

Some days there was so little time left for blogging or even skimming through my reader to have a peek though the 'windows' at what all my friends were up to.

Here are a few snaps from our week.

Hitting a Beat while
beating the heat



Sail away with me
(playground at Kid's hospital)


Giant Chess gameSplash
Floating



Balls of Fun
at the Wiggly Wiggly play centre
Already keen to drive me up the wall

Here I comeBounce and catch me Mum !
Balls of Fun
Team work - yes we can fix it

Yes I can knock it downPlease go see more Weekly winners at ... Lotus's


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