Why is it so...?

I thought branches were supposed to drop off in the dryer months, when trees are thirsty and in need of rehydration.

I know its been pretty windy of late and perhaps thats why they're shedding their bark and limbs.
 

Ooops, how did the Gum Nut Eater Kid get in there?

As the clock ticks over...

Once upon a time, there was a little girl who lived in a house with three brothers, a sister and her mum and dad.

Now this little girl was an ordinary run-of-the-mill little girl. She went to school with her friends, she tried her best at school work and usually ended up in the middle of the class when it came to achievements, and like so many others, got into trouble from time to time.

Deep down though, she tried awfully hard to be a good little girl, like the ones you read about in books. Like the ones that solve mysteries and went to boarding school, and like the ones who went to ballerina school and were top of the class with their point shoes.

Being number four out of five though meant there was a bit of competing to do to be seen and heard and so, occasionally this little girl forgot about the goodness and as was mentioned earlier was a little bit naughty.
She tried to take the family cat to school one day for some show and tell and forgot to tell her mum. The cat got sick of being carried halfway to school and escaped only to find himself disorientated and didn't come home for four days.
Another time she jumped on someones lunchbox at school and broke it as a dare. As a consequence she was given the strap to both hands and was locked up in the store cupboard in her classroom for an hour or so.
She would write notes to her friends and often got told to "stop talking Jennifer" when her teachers had had enough.
Once, with a group of friends,and bear in mind she was only 10 at the time, she tried to buy a bottle of beer from the local hotel, only to have HER mother walk past at the very same time. Needless to say, she got into trouble for that too, but was never able to work out why:
a) her friends didn't get into trouble and
b) that select group of friends never came back to her home again.


Most of the time she did try her hardest to behave, even if she did throw her cauliflower on the floor during meal times and act all innocent when her mother asked the children around the table who had not eaten their vegetables.


The little girl did have some redeeming points though. It was her job to polish the brass step at the front door once a week and she did this using every ounce of elbow grease she could muster. Once finished she would see her face in the step and know the job was done to her mother's satisfaction.


She would polish the silverware once a month too and was very careful not to leave any brasso on the knife blades for it would make the food taste funny if she did.


She got to set the table for meal times and got to sort the socks for everyone when the washing had been done. She also was the briquette fetcher when the basket was empty, often going outside to the bag of briquettes on a cold winter's night and realised at an early age that the most effective way to carry the most briquettes was to place them neatly and in order in the basket before returning them to the fireside in the lounge room.


The little girl would read a lot also. She loved to read almost anything she could lay her hands on. She would read about little girls of a similar age, described as bronzed berries in Cornwall Britain. She would read about Enid Blyton's Secret Seven, and the Famous Five. She loved to read about The Magic Faraway Tree as well and often fantasised about travelling to other worlds with exploding toffee in her mouth.
She was often told to get her head out the books, especially when visitors came to visit but so much reading served a big purpose for it made her aware of the world and that things happened to other people, not just herself. The little girl often told herself how lucky she was to be in the country she was, and not a starving child in Africa, with great intent and seriousness.


The little girl won the Spelling Bee Championship in Grade 6, and although to others it was not a great achievement, she was proud all the same for it demonstrated to her that reading was worthwhile after all.
Once, during that year in Grade 6, the little girl wrote a story about a boy and a girl, a man and a gun, suitably titled "Bang".
Her story won a competition and for that she was proud also.


The little girl was not very often sick, but one time had a high temperature. For a long time afterwards, she carried the nightmare she experienced with her hallucinations that time and developed a fear of different shapes merging and melting as a result.


The strangest things happened though at the oddest of times. There was a story told to the child from her mother about an old man who had died at the turn of the century inside that very same house, and sometimes the kitchen door would open of its own accord. "There goes Old Man Johnson" her mother would exclaim as she closed the door.
Once the little girl woke to hear her name being called out. When she got out of bed and walked up the her parents in the next room, she found her parents fast asleep. It was the very next day the little girl found out her grandmother had died around the same time that she had awoken.
The little girl slept in the same room as her big sister. There was seven years difference between the two and so they both lived very separate lives and experienced very different experiences. The little girl sometimes went to bed and fell fast asleep very quickly. She would occasionally wake up to a pressure on her legs like there was someone sitting on them and was unable to move her legs even though there was no-one there. She would think to herself..."There goes Old Man Johnson again" and after a while drift off to sleep once more. It was not until many years later when both she and her older sister shared their childhood stories that they both realised they had experienced that very same pressure on their legs at different times. Perhaps their room was haunted. Perhaps Old Man Johnson had died in their room.


As a child, the little girl would become very excited like most children do, when it was her birthday. It was her special day and even if it was a school day it was still a day of presents and birthday cake and sweets in the lunchbox for a change.
On her seventh and eighth birthdays, the little girl was so caught up in the moment she vomited when she arose on both those mornings. She was so unwell she was allowed to stay home from school because even in those days it was not much fun going to school if you were going to vomit again, so it was her day to stay in bed, to drink lemonade and eat dry biscuits and vegemite.
Come dinner time though she was well again and able to partake in the special cake her mother had created just for her day.


The little girl had numerous pets during her life as a child. She had Puss the cat who was a ginger tom. He was quite wary of her for a time once he returned to the home following the school adventure but still managed to corner her in the walkway down the side of the house from time to time with a hiss or two. The little girl would cry until her mother came to see what the fuss was about and rescue her. There was also Buster the dog who disappeared one day from the home. The little girl was told by her parents that Buster had run away and it was not until many years later, she determined that like all good faithful dogs, there comes a time when they go to the Great Tree in the sky and this had been her beloved Buster's time. She also had a pet galah who would bob up and down when she sang her secret song to him and for that she loved him dearly. When she came home from school he was often heard to be screeching "Jennifer" which mortified her mother who worried about what the neighbours must have thought.

There was a duck named Dora and two geese who remained nameless and all three disappeared around Christmas time one year. Christmas dinner soon after proved a very bountiful fare indeed even if her mother did tell her for a long time afterwards that Dora Duck could still be seen swimming in the local pond at a nearby park.

This story is written as I am about to advance to the ripe 'old' age of 57 tomorrow.

Life is full of adventures and surprises and good books and great stories. Life is full of the people we encounter as we grow up and as we learn.

May we always continue to learn and reminisce. May we always continue to smile about our youth and realise the fragility of our childhood.

May we all share in the birthday cake and take pride in what we do in our lives.

Cheers to each and everyone of you!

WHERE I'M FROM

I am from a single fronted house, from tomato soup, bread and jam and cream and from a three bedroom home, five kids, a dog and a Mum and a Dad.

I am from the home where I fell on a glass milk bottle, where I tore my knee on the chicken coop wire, where my cocky danced to my songs and my puss cat bailed me up in the sideway passage.

I am from the river close to home, from broad beans in the backyard, the almond tree on the fence line and the nectarine tree which I used to climb to get onto the house roof.

I am from a family that used to fox-trot at Christmas parties and camp in a campervan and tent. I am from the love of my parents. I am from Ireland and Wales and outback Australia. I am from Polish heritage also and am second last in that family of five.

I am from the family that had ghosts in the house that sat on our legs while we were sleeping and from the family that pinched chocolates from my sister's stockpile whilst she wasn't there.
I am from childhood ballet with aspirations of being a prima ballerina one day. I am from a family love of books and was an avid reader as a result. I am from the place where ducks fly to when they pass away.

I am from Christian stock, but alas, religion left no imprint on me. I am a product of Sunday School and confirmation and best dresses and clean shoes and socks on Sundays, not to mention gloves, my trusty Bible and 20 pence to put in the plate.

I'm from Melbourne, Australia and from Cardiff, Wales. I am from New South Wales also. I am from carrots in the backyard, grown by my Dad and pulled clean from the ground and eaten with the dirt still attached. I am also from Golden Syrup and Dumplings created by my Mum for Sunday desserts.

From the story of Uncle Herd who sailed the Seven Seas and always promised me a China Doll when he returned, not to mention being a descendant from Morgan The Pirate...perhaps that's where I obtained my streak of Independence. I am from a grandfather who was a merchant seaman and a grandmother who was a Lady's Maid in England. I was from a  grandfather who was cruel to his children and made them leave school in Grade Three and work on the farm. I was from a Dad fought in World War 2 in New Guinea, who worked all his life but was so gentle and kind to his children, even if they were naughty. I was from a Mum who wanted to be a nurse (like myself) but could not afford the uniform, so worked in a cake shop instead. I was from a family made up of hundreds upon hundreds, each with their own story and each with their own history.

I am from Ada and George and I am from the sun on my back. I am from the smell of warmth in summer and the feel of snow in winter.
I am from the excitement of seeing the sea for the first time on holidays and the sunburn I acquired on my nose and back as a result.
I am from the Barbie Doll I always longed for and from the Walking Mama Doll I received from the lady across the road. I am from swap cards and paper dolls, school days, school friends, walks to the river and so much more.

There is so much more to a person than we will ever know. These are just some of the things in my life that have made me.

http://www.swva.net/fred1st/wif.htm

The night the fog rolled in.

I see on Facebook this evening everyone has marvellous photos of the fog as it launched itself on Melbourne.
My photos are a little more unusual.
For some reason, the moisture in the atmosphere created orb-like shapes and consequently it all looks a little Stephen King-ish.

We all agree the atmosphere is chilling...even Stuart who went for a walk as the fog descended was chilled on return to home with his human dad.

You cannot help but admire what nature dishes out sometimes, even in the coldest months. I love these times when sounds are muted thanks to the heavy laden air. The freeway sounds so far away and the birds still active so close.

As we did our lap of the block, Stuart was very observant of all that was happening (not a lot). He is beginning to be a lot more comfortable with cars and buses but still stops if there are people walking towards us. He will sometimes put on his 'Aren't I cute' pose so they will stop and chat to him. Other times he chooses to want to turn around from whence we came and tries to go back home, but, his mama is resolute and makes him walk the distance.

We have fewer sit-downs on the job now too as we walk and even though I am trying to instill a sense of 'heel dog' in him, he likes to think he is the leader in the game of who can get to wherever the fastest.

We are to be blessed with another dog of the same breed (Border Collie) in a few weeks time. She will be coming from as far away as Yarrawonga and she (as yet un-named) is a lilac and white coloured Border Collie as Stuart is a black and white.
We decided to welcome her into our home as a companion for Stuart and, if she is as well behaved as our little (read big, big, bigger every day) puppy is, we will be very fortunate indeed.
This little lady is one of 8 from the family we have wanted a puppy from for a long time now. As you may know, we lost a little puppy last year, and one of my colleagues connected me with the breeders of her family and promised us a pup from the first litter after we met them.
Her parents, Jazz and Joker are two gorgeous lilac and white BC's...and when I say lilac, I mean a purplish-brown colour.
We cannot wait for her arrival....she is already almost 2 weeks old and she'll be here in time for my 'better-half's' 60th. birthday!

And now for something completely different!

And there was much rejoicing........ (Monty Python)

 How to curl up in an outside kennel.

 Hark! I hear the door opening!

 Aren't I pretty!

And last but not least...this is my best side!

Not the best

Its one of those days today where I am not feeling my usual self.
I feel very tired...and I have a ginormous cold sore on my bottom lip that hurts not to mention the aches and pains associated with such viral inconveniences.
I suspect its all related to work and being so busy over what was supposed to have been a 'wind-down' Queen's Birthday weekend.
My other half went up to our country mansion for the long-weekend, whilst I travelled to and from work and not much else.
Stuart and Mez kept me company, so we fitted in some daily walks which were good for the mind and body.
As I sat down to type just now, Stuart was in the lounge, talking through one of his squeaky toys. He loves to make them squeak and he will sit there for ages with this high pitched voice appearing to emanate from him.
I digress though...as I was saying, there were sound effects from the lounge compliments of the Lord of the Manor and now its all just gone very quiet. That kind of quiet where you just know someone is up to mischief and doesn't want you to know about it.
I must go and investigate!

This is what I found. Our long walk post bath (in preparation for Puppy School this evening), must have tuckered him out.
Ahhh how good it must be to stop and sleep whenever you felt like it!

An unwell day

It's very quiet here for some reason. Stuart has had a sleep after a long walk and I invited him inside which he was more than happy to comply with. I have sat down here at the computer and its now gone very quiet out side the room. I wonder what mischieef he's up to!

The grumpy dog and other tales

It seems to be that my problems are resolved. Some one told me to make sure I sign out after each access to my blog and ensure the "Stay Signed In" button was not ticked.
I have done so and now have no issues with posting comments on others blogs.....'Its a miracle'!
Perhaps it was my not checking the box....or it was Google's erroneous ways that have been repaired. I neither know or care...all I know is that I can now post in other sites and I am one happy chappy again.

I am thinking of starting my very own 365 days of photos site....posting a pic every day of the year...a pic about anything...just for that day....
What do you think Oh Avid Readers and Blog Watchers of my site?
Who knows...It might end up being a labour of love or a labour of forgetting. I could take photos at work (with consent of course), or of the outdoors, the weather, people in the street, the chewing gum my dog picked up as we went for a walk today dammit! Not fun wrestling THAT out of his mouth I can tell you! It can be a photo of anything random...Just as long as I take a photo on that day.
I think I will start on the 1st. July and take it from there. Mind, the days/ evenings/nights I am not home means I will have to multiple post occasionally so watch out folks.

The lad is getting bigger each week. I reckon he might be somewhere in the vicinity of 10 kilos now. He was 7.5 kgms when we went to the vets a couple of weeks ago and he would eat all day if I let him. Its a bit hard to know just how much to feed him as he's still having three meals a day, but he's pretty active and loves his walkies....we have a friendly dog in the square who sits and says hello telepathically as we walk past. There is a nasty grumpy dog who carries on as we walk past...I tell Stuart he is just jealous as we, (Stuart and I) suspect Grumpy Dog never goes for walkies! Every so often Stuart sits down as we walk as he gets a little tired and needs a rest. If someone else walks past he is scared...if a car goes past he is scared. If the birds fly past he is scared...I think I would rather he be scared right now though than him think he is big and brave and ready to take them all on. I have found though, walking him around the neighbourhood, people are very friendly and smile and acknowledge us as a couple. Today we walked past a man who resides behind us who was out clearing his front garden. Stuart being Stuart got frightened when he realised there was a strange man in his vision so he sat down on the job again. The gentleman was most apologetic and walked to his fence, laughing as he watched me drag this sitting dog past the front of his place. Perhaps I need to get a skateboard for such occasions and just wheel him along...
So, if you should see an oldish gal, wheeling a growing Border Collie on a skateboard past your house, take a moment to say hello as its more than likely Stuart and me!!!

Our puppy school started last week. Stuart is the youngest in the class of 6, and also the biggest. He is the noisiest of all and the most exuberant. I was most apprehensive when the Vet Nurse gave everyone a turn off the leash, especially when Mr. Exuberant had his go and thought he could go berserk.. She taught me though how to restrain him by sitting him on her lap and holding his 'shoulders'. She also implied that some people are mistaken when choosing their dogs, especially Border Collies if they expect their dogs to be well behaved and obedient. I know he tries to be a good boy, but he is still only a 13 week old pup and forgets very quickly. He is very well behaved though when going for walkies and we are trying very hard with our sit, stay and come commands. I know though, come Tuesday night again, the craziness will occur again with all those dogamones floating around and all we have taught him this week might just float out the window!
I will keep you posted as to the antics of my lovable crazy dog and his dotty owner as they eventuate. Have a great weekend and don't forget the birthday cake and tiara on Monday!

Oh My Goodness Me!

Ok folks. I am so confused right here....and right now.
Why is it please then when I go to make comments on sites that I have previously made comments on, I have to now sign in, then put in the secret password invisible to bots....then sign in again, then the password again...and on it goes...
And when it does come up in 'edit format', I am anonymous.

I am getting very frustrated...Bron, its happening with you and Lizzie, its happening with you also in your photographic blog.

Any clues on how to rectify this please???

A little girl with a bow in her hair

I recently came across an old school photo and it set me wondering about what has happened over the years to my former colleagues and playmates. Given the year was 1962, I cannot help but wonder how life has been for all these people and where they might be now.Many of the faces I still recognise and some names I do remember, but there are a few there who I haven't a clue as to who they might be.

Thats me, second row, second on the right, with a bow in my hair next to sexy legs!
Where are you David and Phillip (top row).

Where are you Pearl, Beverly, Christina, Anne, Barbara, Margaret, Yvonne, and Margaret?

Where are you Maria, Suzanne, Lorna, Kay and Gail?

Where are you Andrew, Neil, Robert, Graham and Andrew?

You do have to wonder don't you?

We all have stories to tell about our school days...the good times and the not so good times. The smell of school bags with warm sandwiches and brown apples. Bottles of milk left out on the front step of the school. Toffees we purchased from the milkbar across the road that had a ha'penny in the bottom. Shelter Sheds and play equipment....ahhh. Funny how I remember them well, yet if you asked me what I did yesterday, I'd have to stop and think!

What is it about mothers and babies and damn hard work?

Well our gorgeous recent addition to the family that is Jones went and did it last night....Two days shy of her due date and after 23 hours of 'laborious' labour Matt's Rai birthed a magnificent creation....named Madeleine Lolita Jones, just shy of midnight last night.

It has been a very hard road for Rai as she lost her Mom not too long ago but she has ventured on with Matt's, the immediate families and her Mom right behind her I am sure.

I look forward to meeting this little lady who, if she has any of her mum's characteristics, will be a delight to behold.

Maddy's dad, Matt (my nephew) has already proclaimed she has dimples...these I cannot wait to see.

Well done you three I say!

Stuart Week 3 at home

The look on his face says it all....Mama...you are a Luddite!
Its been a finicky few hours on here as I try out different bits and pieces on my blog site. Not sure if I like this style yet and I value any ones opinion. I am also trying to learn how to paste from Picasa successfully. My dear friend "E" showed me recently how to change my settings, but alas this computer has a mind of its own "Computer said NO" and I reverted back to the olden ways somehow so I have been trying to revert it back to the new way. Bit like trying to train Stuart to wait for his dinner!.....
I also had some difficulty with a lot of photos I had uploaded to Picasa but hopefully I have sorted that out now.
Time will tell in the not so distant future.
We are all abuzz here tonight...My nephews partner is in labour as we speak and has been since 1 am. I am waiting for that all important phone call to inform me I am a Great Aunt yet again! I just hope that this time, it all goes her way for a change as she has had a lot of sadness to cope with in recent times.
Shall keep you posted!

The new kid on the blog...

Well, I joined a new group yesterday and you can find my link to it on my left sidebar. The group is known as http://bestpostsoftheweek.blogspot.com/ This group promises to publish each week a collection of the best blogs for the week so it should make for good reading. I am already fascinated by some of the stories from all round the world and only hope that I can participate too from time to time on their site.
I've been online for a number of years but still find some methods of connection via computer a little confusing, so, if I have this incorrect please forgive me.

Otherwise, all is good in the world of baby border collies and the families they rule over.
Stuart has survived yet another week with this haphazard family and boy has he grown.
He received his second vaccination on Monday and was more interested in the treat the delightful vet nurse had in her hand than the actual injection, so I can safely presume that 'brave little man' is another title he can safely adopt.
Yesterday out the back I watched as he played with an empty soft drink bottle he was trying to round up. He had such a look of observance it astonished me. Like all puppies, he has moments of sheer silliness and it's then when he thinks he can nip at anything that comes within coo-ee of him (playfully of course). Its a bit of a battle to try and stop him from using his teeth as they are razor sharp. He has not hurt me yet, but he's nipped the father of the house a couple of times with resultant manly growls from the man and the clever little boy knows when to run and hide already!
I just love the yelps of delight though when I've been away from home and return to him. He loves me to rub his ears and under his chin like all good puppies do. He's not so sure about baths though...he will tolerate the shampoo bit and all that, but come the hairdryer and he becomes panic stricken. Even birds flying over can cause him to want to hide, not to mention helicopters and planes. It must be that acute hearing that dogs seem to have. Thank goodness there are no fireworks around right now!
We start Puppy School next Tuesday...that should be a riot. These 'classes' run for three weeks and are all about socialising with other pups of similar ages, learning basic commands...some of which he already does, and (hopefully) an insight into toilet training.
I shall keep you posted re the further adventures of Stuart as they evolve.
I hope you enjoy!

Fiddly Friday

Yes, indeed it is the last day of the PlaySchool Week for those Australians who grew up with the sounds of "Open wide...come inside, it's Playschool"!

I was up at 7 today...woken by Stuarts early morning refrain of "come get me out of this smelly laundry and feed me Mum!!!"
Actually I am sure he does not refer to me as Mum...more as 'thing with a soft sound bark who gives me treats and food and drink as well as growls from time to time'. She takes me outside and plays with me by throwing a round thing with colours and expects me to run after it and bring it back but ha! I am not stupid...I am a pedigree dog (in my own mind) and I will fetch the round furry thing with colours when I want to!!!

You do have to wonder what our pets think of us don't you...I am sure the two budgies we have think of me as the thing that wears colours that tries to emulate them and make noise is a stupid way...always the same thing over and over again. She also gives us delicious seed from time to time and water, but we much prefer the thing with dark hair who feeds us our staple diet and freshens our water all the time as opposed to the boring one.

We used to have a cat once upon a time called Sox who was our bequeathment when Muz's mother died and the kids were littlies. The cat was very disdaining and must have thought we were right nobs, for when she lived at Muz's Mum's she slept on the bed and did whatever she wanted. Sox however here had to put up with 'other critters that made loud abrasive purring sounds' and would chase her whenever they could. I am sure Sox pined for her 'other' life before the big move but she adapted in her own way and learnt to tease the dogs from on high so they would waste their voices and fall down exhausted eventually.
Sox eventually died one night by herself out the front and is probably now still sleeping on that big bed in the sky with all the other cats that have gone on before us.
Can you imagine what Kitty Heaven must be like.....I wonder if they segregate the domesticated cats from the feral ones...perhaps the different breeds live amongst themselves as they all probably speak their own cat language as do dogs I am sure.
The same can be said for birds and kangaroos and elephants...different voices and different languages for different species...just like us!
Well, that's a pretty vast assumption all about existentialism today.....its also my philosophy on life (for the moment) or perhaps its the two cups of vanilla coffee I have consumed so far already today that have triggered my words.

I am currently trying to train Stuart in the art of going for a walk with a leash. I strongly suspect he is of the belief that a leash is for pulling we humans in the direction of HIS fancy thank you very much and he appears to have a strong belief in sitting down on the job when he fancies also.
This preparation is for next Monday when I take him for his second vaccination prior to big walkies...
That shall be a joyous day...walks in the park...(probably more like runs in the park if he has his way). I have learned though that to carry treats in a pocket...Liver Bites seem to be the favourite right now, is a bona fide guarantee that he will be a bit more compliant than if I don't!!!
We are enrolled in puppy school also which will give him some basic education in how to be a really really really really good dog (with a bit of luck).
I am a bit over the chewed chair legs and the going outside for a wee and not doing a wee only to come back inside and finding that favourite spot to have a wee trick he thinks is so very clever! I am also a bit over having to defend the toilet brush's honour as he likes to take it from its resting spot (by the toilet) and place it in other areas of the house...as in HIS bed in the kitchen, or on the lounge room couch!
Mind, the carpet has not been cleaner with all the powders and spays used to clean it.....it smells like a proverbial vanilla bean pod in here right now!
So...thus is my life..revolving around a little (soon to be big) black and white pup who really IS the Lord of the Manor....
Tonight I work a night shift...should be fun trying to sleep tomorrow whilst he stakes his claim throughout the house again.
So,....its not Thank God Its Friday here.......Its Thank God For Dogs from me!

Stuart Week Three

Well, for those of you who are not yet bored, here are a few more pics of the Lord of the Manor. As you will see, he is steadily creating a niche within our hearts and making himself firmly ensconced into our lives.....
What more could you ask for, when you come home and he literally cries with excitement to see you!
Mind, he was not so excited with his first bath in the laundry trough this morning...but boy did he scrub up well! Those photos will come later. Meanwhile, these are of the week just past. Enjoy!

Favourite place in the house.

Hole digging in the backyard.

Heres mud on ya nose!

Sour lemons don't taste the best!

Checking out the shoes...

The things you can do with post-it notes!

A lick......

A scratch......

A chew......

Waiting for the man of the house to come home...

Another day...another week.

Its a big week this week...An early morning wake up call by the new boss of the house got me doing stuff (housework) at a very early time for a change. Now its all done and I am contemplating whats on for the remainder of these next seven days.
Today takes me with my Mum to her eye clinic in Footscray where we will sit and wait for ages and ages with the hordes for a consultation, an eye exam, a CT scan, then another consultation before home. I am predicting this will take the best part of three hours and the appointment is not until 2:30 this afternoon,so you can well imagine my high anxiety at the thought.

Tomorrow I must arise at 6am. in order to be ready at the station (train) by 7:25 to catch the 7:28 into the city.
I am most unimpressed with Met Rail or whatever it is they call themselves these days because of my experience last week in the sleeting rain at North Melbourne Station, but, I plan this time to travel to Flinders Street and utilise the tram system as well. Perhaps I might "plank" on the tram lines whilst waiting for a tram just to pass the time. Is that legal still in Victoria?
The main reason for my hightailing it into the city tomorrow though is to ensure I am on time for the first of three days at the A.N.F. (Australian Nursing Federation) for an Introduction to becoming a Job Rep.

I've been one now (a job rep that is) for just under 12 months and had a couple of issues to deal with but all in all it will be interesting to know my limitations and boundaries in this capacity from now on.

So, that takes up Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Friday I have off and plan to spend with my puppy who will suspect he has been abandoned, then its back to work again for the weekend.

How quickly time will fly this week. We'll all be another week older, Stuart will be that little bit bigger...he is already growing at leaps and bounds. There will be more babies born by the end of the week...many more I suspect, and, who will be the next person in high office to get the flick?
All will be revealed reader....all will be revealed.

Adios until next time.

Obsession

 What a poser eh...you'd think he was made for the camera eye!

 I liken this to a pensive pose

 When it becomes a bit too much...

 Just checking to make sure I was still there with the camera

And last but not least...a bit of a cheeky boy fluff ball!

 Well folks, here are the first shots of our simply gorgeous new edition. His name is Stuart, and he is 8 weeks plus 2 days old.

We brought him home on Sunday from northern Victoria, Tallangatta to be precise and he has been an excellent little boy so far.

He loves company, but on the two occasions I have had to leave him home, he has been quite content to snooze until my return.

He currently is sleeping by the matrimonial bed and has given us no cause for complaint. Right now, he is sprawled out half on his bed, half on the floor as its exhausting being a little puppy, especially when there is so much to explore and play with.

Some of you may know our past history with dogs in recent times. We acquired a little puppy some 12 months ago who died not 3 weeks after we brought him home. Its taken me 12 months to summon up the courage to do this all over again and so far I am delighted.

In the fight against cancer...

I've just spent the best part of the last 24 hours walking with many others in our local relay for life program that happens once a year.

I am part of a team known as Joan's Team in loving memory of a dear colleague who died some four years ago from a cancer related disease.

I am a mere participator, whereas another dear friend Lizzie is a coordinator and leader of our group with support by another, Gayle. Each year the focus is to raise funds for cancer research and education.

This year there have been more participants, groups and money raised than in years past, so it's obvious the word is getting out there that help is needed in order to eradicate this scourge from our lives.

Many people come along dressed in the traditional relay shirts and various bottoms. Some use the opportunity to dress up a bit and demonstrate their inner child.

At sundown on the Saturday there is a custom each year of lighting candles for those that have died, those fighting against cancer and those that have won the battle.

The time does give us opportunity to remember those we have loved and lost and those that are still battling against cancer. We too also rejoice with those that have fought against cancer and have won.

The whole concept is a very exhilirating experience despite being footsore and weary on the Sunday and one is left with the feeling that one has supported the community at large by being involved however minor in something so very great.