Howdy folks
It was good to see a few of you when I was there on the weekend.
Just came up for The Man's farewell on Friday night, another doo on Saturday night and we had a pool party for The Girl on Sunday so it was back down to The Sea on Monday.
What have I been up to since I spoke to you last ... ???
If I have my filing correct, I haven't told you about the Melbourne trip. Nothing exciting really, 2 days stuck in an office that resembles the studio where Ally McBeal was filmed, and to top it off, it was stinking hot ! The bright young receptionist didn't prepare the room by drawing the curtains and making sure that the room had lost all of that heat by placing a fan. BIMBO !, and she wasn't very polite !
We went out for tea for the 3 nights that we were there, Japanese the first night - food was magnificent - and green tea ice cream with a red bean that was sweet but had the consistency of a baked bean or kidney bean - WEIRD, Egusto's (standard kind of restaurant), and Feddish the following night (another standard restaurant), the Feddish night I thought it would be the right night to try out my new shoes that I had bought for the trip (originally we were going to have dinner in the Motel - the Sheraton (side note - that place is too flash for me - could have had a meeting with myself in the room with an antique table set up, fax machine, modem connection) anyway, the Sheraton dinner was abandoned and replaced with a 2km walk in NEW SHOES, aaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrrggggggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhh ! Needless to say, I walked home, in the rain, with NO shoes on !
Eight blisters later.........
Wasn't a bad trip, I just wanted to get home. Being with a strange bunch of people makes you kinda home sick.
The trip from The Big Smoke to The Sea was Yucky ! I am normally not adverse to flying and the turbulence is all part of the deal but this trip almost had me worrying for my life ! I was so glad to have landed ! So we've gone from the geological lumps and bumps around the OD Airport (which makes me nauseous every time I land there) to the 100km/h headwinds that crop up every now and again from The big smoke to The Sea. Still, it's only a short flight and I can tough it out. I like flying, my tummy doesn't though, and touch wood, I haven't lost my lunch yet !
We have had every season here now, and they tell me that it hit 41 here while I was in OD, today it is overcast and rained 4mm on my farm (25kms North of The Sea) from 5-6am this morning. The wheat might not like that though as it is almost ready to reap and if we have too much more it will shoot in the head and then it is worth NAFF ALL !
The dog is now a permanent resident of the farm as well - he's not my guard dog either as he seems to be loosing his hearing at a rapid pace - poor old bugger. Nice to talk to something that actually moves and looks at you even though he may not understand. He knows where his meat is kept so he has no trouble communicating with me ! I have to feed him of a morning otherwise I will be feeding the foxes of a night time if he doesn't feel like eating. That and the birds (magpies) get into his meat if he leaves it unattended. I saw a kookaburra in the tree closest to the house the other day and was spewing because I didn't have my binoculars to have a real good look at him. I do feed the magpies there with scrap meat and the kookaburra may have heard it on the grapevine, so I should be better prepared when I'm out there and try to hand feed him. I know it will take time but right now, I have all the time in the world.
Still having fun with my ride on mower and discovered the other garden toy - the Whipper Snipper. Boy oh boy, I wish I had one of those easy start Stihl's as this one is NOT EASY TO START ! I spent at least 10 minutes every time I had to start it, fighting with it and ended up with a bleeding blister by the end of day 2. Then the long grass along the fences, decided to wrap itself around the shaft of the snipper and the cutting cord was scared of it and retracted back into itself - another trip back up to the house to sort that out. By then I had given up for the day and I really didn't feel like getting any more dust/grass in my eyes (gotta call into the safety shop and get some goggles I think !).
Saw a roo in our front paddock this morning - I think The Man's response was "get the gun", me ??? I had trouble prying a dead pigeon out of my roo bar that I collected on the way home yesterday. I think warning shots are the only thing I am capable of.
How's this for exciting ? I may be going to a private function to see "James Blundell - Up close and Personal". I'll let you know if it pans out and I do get to attend. Just stay tuned ...... (not much on Country Music but always up for meeting celebrities, especially the musical ones !)
I just found out that I am doing a field trip to Kimba (2 1/2 hours from here) next week also calling into a trucking company and whatever else the boss wants us to do. Should be good to meet people without just having a phone relationship with them, and if any of you spoke with my Friday night, you'll realise why I'm not real keen on going as it's "him" that I've been partnered with for the trip ! AAAARRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGHHHHHHH !!!
Tuesday, November 30, 2004
Monday, November 01, 2004
Natterings of the Nutter down by the Sea
Howdy folks
Been a while between letters ! I've been back and forward to the big smoke for training and will be going to Melbourne next week ! Been at OD for 15+ years and travelled probably 3 times for business and been on zero business dinners. I've been here for what seems like 3 minutes and have already attended 2 trips (with the Melbourne one coming up next week) and will be attending a business dinner for the Agents training in two weeks time. It also looks like I will do a bit of local travelling as well to acquaint myself and the new boss with the Agents around the Eyre Peninsula. I only wish that they could find some way of holding a training session in the provinces of Italy ! One can only dream.
Well, this is what I have been up to lately...
At home, I have been playing lots on my ride on mower and managed to wrap some rusty old barbed wire (hidden beneath the long grass) around the shaft of the mower - I didn't discover this until the next day. As I was in long, dry grass and the mower started to smoke, I thought it a good idea to high-tail it out of there and limp her back to the shed. Along the way I tried again to engage the mower blades but eveytime I did this, she was smoking. I was a bit worried at this time as I had NOOOOOOOOOOOOO idea what to do next, and what do women do when they are struck with this kind of situation you ask ? They drive it into the shed and hope it fixes itself. Well readers, this was not about to happen as I am the only one here and it had to be fixed ! So, being ingenious, I backed one side of the mower onto a couple of planks of wood to raise it and check what was caught, I had discovered the barbed wire as I walked up to the shed as it was obviously poking out from under the mower. So down I went, onto the starling manured floor (with my white shirt on) and proceeded to pry this rusty barbed wire from the shaft. Was pretty easy really, and much to my surprise, rolling over the ground, my white shirt remained spotless - it's a miracle ! So, with that job out of the way, I got back on and a mowing I went again.
Been doing a bit of decorating as well. The tiles in the kitchen were, lets put it simply, REVOLTING ! They were a fully patterned tile (white background with a bronze/green 1970's pattern) mind you they went especially well with the 2 inch X 1 inch yellow tiled bench top (grouted with black grout !) - get the picture. So, I used a tile paint (had to wash them first, prime them and then go over with the solvent based paint - not very environmentally friendly and it did stink A LOT !) and painted them a nice white. They came up pretty good but a stark contrast with the yellow bench top. During the last Adelaide trip, I convinced the boys to go to Bunnings Hardware, (wasn't hard really, bit like asking me if I would like a beer) and found some transfers that could go onto the tiles. Was having a bit of trouble deciding on a pattern because I was looking for a more random effect rather than geometric lines so I got onto my computer and worked it out that way. Prior to that I was just sticky taping them to the tiles and moving them around - TOO HARD.
I would take all the flies in OD from you and you could have the midges in return. They are like black hundreds and thousands and they bite you and to top it all off, they urinate on you after they had administered their bite - lovely little creatures. I am telling you about this as they are similar to mosquito bites BUT MUCH WORSE !!! I have sensitive skin (don't laugh !) and they itch for days, first thing in the morning, last thing at night, and several times during the day when they feel like it. Apart from the itching, they burn, from the inside ! AAAARRRRGGGGHHHH !!! and by the way, the chemists are so helpful here NOT ! I did manage to get a product that is similar to calamine lotion with antiseptic and anaesthetic and that seems to take the edge off it but I am going to try an oral vitamin that apparently repels them by emitting "something" from my skin. I'll probably stink like a pole cat and no one will want to go near me ! If anyone has any remedies, I'm willing to try them - and the one that involves baby oil and dettol, tried it to no avail.
This is enough for today as I know how busy you all are and would be lucky to read the first line before you are rudely interrupted for something trivial as work ! How dare they.
I am well and enjoying Lincoln (when I am here), and meeting people every day. Although I am finding that this place is a little weird - can't explain it at the moment, but when I work it out, I'll be sure to let you know.
Take care all and keep smiling
Miss everyone heaps.
I can't wait for the family to move here as I am getting sick of talking to myself - I don't hold a very good conversation ! My roses probably wish that too !
Oh, I forgot, I saw a Kookaburra in my trees late yesterday - the closest I have seen them ! Woo Hoo !
Been a while between letters ! I've been back and forward to the big smoke for training and will be going to Melbourne next week ! Been at OD for 15+ years and travelled probably 3 times for business and been on zero business dinners. I've been here for what seems like 3 minutes and have already attended 2 trips (with the Melbourne one coming up next week) and will be attending a business dinner for the Agents training in two weeks time. It also looks like I will do a bit of local travelling as well to acquaint myself and the new boss with the Agents around the Eyre Peninsula. I only wish that they could find some way of holding a training session in the provinces of Italy ! One can only dream.
Well, this is what I have been up to lately...
At home, I have been playing lots on my ride on mower and managed to wrap some rusty old barbed wire (hidden beneath the long grass) around the shaft of the mower - I didn't discover this until the next day. As I was in long, dry grass and the mower started to smoke, I thought it a good idea to high-tail it out of there and limp her back to the shed. Along the way I tried again to engage the mower blades but eveytime I did this, she was smoking. I was a bit worried at this time as I had NOOOOOOOOOOOOO idea what to do next, and what do women do when they are struck with this kind of situation you ask ? They drive it into the shed and hope it fixes itself. Well readers, this was not about to happen as I am the only one here and it had to be fixed ! So, being ingenious, I backed one side of the mower onto a couple of planks of wood to raise it and check what was caught, I had discovered the barbed wire as I walked up to the shed as it was obviously poking out from under the mower. So down I went, onto the starling manured floor (with my white shirt on) and proceeded to pry this rusty barbed wire from the shaft. Was pretty easy really, and much to my surprise, rolling over the ground, my white shirt remained spotless - it's a miracle ! So, with that job out of the way, I got back on and a mowing I went again.
Been doing a bit of decorating as well. The tiles in the kitchen were, lets put it simply, REVOLTING ! They were a fully patterned tile (white background with a bronze/green 1970's pattern) mind you they went especially well with the 2 inch X 1 inch yellow tiled bench top (grouted with black grout !) - get the picture. So, I used a tile paint (had to wash them first, prime them and then go over with the solvent based paint - not very environmentally friendly and it did stink A LOT !) and painted them a nice white. They came up pretty good but a stark contrast with the yellow bench top. During the last Adelaide trip, I convinced the boys to go to Bunnings Hardware, (wasn't hard really, bit like asking me if I would like a beer) and found some transfers that could go onto the tiles. Was having a bit of trouble deciding on a pattern because I was looking for a more random effect rather than geometric lines so I got onto my computer and worked it out that way. Prior to that I was just sticky taping them to the tiles and moving them around - TOO HARD.
I would take all the flies in OD from you and you could have the midges in return. They are like black hundreds and thousands and they bite you and to top it all off, they urinate on you after they had administered their bite - lovely little creatures. I am telling you about this as they are similar to mosquito bites BUT MUCH WORSE !!! I have sensitive skin (don't laugh !) and they itch for days, first thing in the morning, last thing at night, and several times during the day when they feel like it. Apart from the itching, they burn, from the inside ! AAAARRRRGGGGHHHH !!! and by the way, the chemists are so helpful here NOT ! I did manage to get a product that is similar to calamine lotion with antiseptic and anaesthetic and that seems to take the edge off it but I am going to try an oral vitamin that apparently repels them by emitting "something" from my skin. I'll probably stink like a pole cat and no one will want to go near me ! If anyone has any remedies, I'm willing to try them - and the one that involves baby oil and dettol, tried it to no avail.
This is enough for today as I know how busy you all are and would be lucky to read the first line before you are rudely interrupted for something trivial as work ! How dare they.
I am well and enjoying Lincoln (when I am here), and meeting people every day. Although I am finding that this place is a little weird - can't explain it at the moment, but when I work it out, I'll be sure to let you know.
Take care all and keep smiling
Miss everyone heaps.
I can't wait for the family to move here as I am getting sick of talking to myself - I don't hold a very good conversation ! My roses probably wish that too !
Oh, I forgot, I saw a Kookaburra in my trees late yesterday - the closest I have seen them ! Woo Hoo !
Wednesday, October 06, 2004
Down by the Sea
Howdy folks
Well another week has passed and although I am settled, I still miss seeing all of your faces.
The weekend was interesting to say the least, The Man promised The Girl that we would go to the Country Town X show so she could see the events and possibly go on some rides etc. WRONG ! Let me summarise the events...
In the first arena, the future equestrian Olympic hopefuls, dressed up in all their freshly cleaned and pressed garb, trotting around in the dust, trying to make their hacks perform un-natural movements.
In the next arena, the "how close is the resemblance of my bottom to that of the horse" event, where the "ladies" led their horse around the paddock, and I'm sure our car was part of the course as the "judge" was continually pointing at us sitting in the car (they could have just been admiring our beautiful family as who could resist such stunners like us !). I reckon that one of the participants was paying the judges as she had no control of her horse (probably a male), and he got the coveted Triple striped ribbon. Country folks !
Whilst all this was going on, over in the background there were horses jumping over poles, and the poles were then lowered for the dogs to complete their course.
And what next, you ask ? Well, it probably seemed like a good idea (while they were drunk), but lets razz our crazy dogs up, put a muzzle on them, and make them jump over planks of wood (on their ends in a specially designed frame - there goes the idea of it being a drunken idea - they are serious about this ?), and make them jump over it landing on bales of hay in the local agents display ute. I think it got to well over 3 metres. In the end, one dog was used as "bait" to encourage the other one over.
To my far right (I didn't get out of the car at this stage) was the sheath tossing competition. I tell you what, I would have looked rather slim compared to some of the female competitors !
And finally, the quick shear competition. That was worth getting out of the car for. Intermediate shearers, shearing a sheep in a minute and a half. With their young bodies, muscular arms... (oh sorry, they were really good shearers). The Open Class shearers were a lot more professional in their "cut" of the sheep but some took just as much time as the novices. A New Zealander was in the lead as we left - he took 43 seconds ! Anyway, I saw them all perform once, that was enough for me.
Work is good, got out and sprayed the aphids off the 24 rose bushes that I have taken a shine to. Will be nice once they all bloom so I can cut some fresh flowers and put on my desk. Sorry The Florist, I'm my own flower lady now ! Will be going to the big smoke next week to complete some more training and get this, on the 27th of this month, I will be going to learn about the "NEW" permit to work system. Luckily it is only a day !
The Man is keeping busy on the farm, doing odd jobs and I'm sure it is going to be hard for him to go back this time. I will probably do a trip up there in November to help him with more packing, so if you see the Landcruiser about, call in and say gidday.
Better go now, I have to send a fax ! I have plenty to keep me relatively busy and am appreciating the slower pace but do miss the constant stream of work, it kept me out of trouble !
Au revoir everyone and catch ya soon !
Well another week has passed and although I am settled, I still miss seeing all of your faces.
The weekend was interesting to say the least, The Man promised The Girl that we would go to the Country Town X show so she could see the events and possibly go on some rides etc. WRONG ! Let me summarise the events...
In the first arena, the future equestrian Olympic hopefuls, dressed up in all their freshly cleaned and pressed garb, trotting around in the dust, trying to make their hacks perform un-natural movements.
In the next arena, the "how close is the resemblance of my bottom to that of the horse" event, where the "ladies" led their horse around the paddock, and I'm sure our car was part of the course as the "judge" was continually pointing at us sitting in the car (they could have just been admiring our beautiful family as who could resist such stunners like us !). I reckon that one of the participants was paying the judges as she had no control of her horse (probably a male), and he got the coveted Triple striped ribbon. Country folks !
Whilst all this was going on, over in the background there were horses jumping over poles, and the poles were then lowered for the dogs to complete their course.
And what next, you ask ? Well, it probably seemed like a good idea (while they were drunk), but lets razz our crazy dogs up, put a muzzle on them, and make them jump over planks of wood (on their ends in a specially designed frame - there goes the idea of it being a drunken idea - they are serious about this ?), and make them jump over it landing on bales of hay in the local agents display ute. I think it got to well over 3 metres. In the end, one dog was used as "bait" to encourage the other one over.
To my far right (I didn't get out of the car at this stage) was the sheath tossing competition. I tell you what, I would have looked rather slim compared to some of the female competitors !
And finally, the quick shear competition. That was worth getting out of the car for. Intermediate shearers, shearing a sheep in a minute and a half. With their young bodies, muscular arms... (oh sorry, they were really good shearers). The Open Class shearers were a lot more professional in their "cut" of the sheep but some took just as much time as the novices. A New Zealander was in the lead as we left - he took 43 seconds ! Anyway, I saw them all perform once, that was enough for me.
Work is good, got out and sprayed the aphids off the 24 rose bushes that I have taken a shine to. Will be nice once they all bloom so I can cut some fresh flowers and put on my desk. Sorry The Florist, I'm my own flower lady now ! Will be going to the big smoke next week to complete some more training and get this, on the 27th of this month, I will be going to learn about the "NEW" permit to work system. Luckily it is only a day !
The Man is keeping busy on the farm, doing odd jobs and I'm sure it is going to be hard for him to go back this time. I will probably do a trip up there in November to help him with more packing, so if you see the Landcruiser about, call in and say gidday.
Better go now, I have to send a fax ! I have plenty to keep me relatively busy and am appreciating the slower pace but do miss the constant stream of work, it kept me out of trouble !
Au revoir everyone and catch ya soon !
Tuesday, September 28, 2004
Greetings, I have arrived !
Greetings all
A short note to let you all know that I arrived and am settling in nicely. The pace here is quite different from OD ! Still, it is the off season and I have yet to experience a "busy" time which, I'm told, is from March to July. Roll on !
My first day on the job found me in the crib room on a toolbox talk which was really a chin wag that lasted the best part of an hour ! So coffee and chatting was on the agenda. Then for the rest of the day, my trainer walked me through a few new SAP screens and yes, I was confused as hell (I hope we can still say that word on the email - what's the world coming to ?)
We went out to dinner that night at the Tasman Hotel (overlooking the beach, sorry about that, had to put that in) and my first celebrity spotting occurred. Curtis Stone (the host of the now defunct television series "My Restaurant Rules") was there. Woo Hoo! Let me tell you, it was more exciting for the woman than myself. The meal was beautiful (real calamari I had never tasted until now !) The Tavern better lift it's socks up if I ever come back for a meal there !
The next couple of days we just meandered around the office (which I might add is quite nice). There are two Manager's offices, (I might try and get one of them seeing as one will be vacant permanently), a meeting room and a crib room. I currently reside in the reception area (of course) and have a view of the sea (if I turn my head ever so slightly to the right and the blinds of the other spare office are open (WHICH THEY ARE !). We also have a washing machine and dryer for the laundering of the fellas work clothes but they don't seem to use it. I may bring mine in and do that when I am not busy (HA HA).
On Thursday and Friday I updated my Senior First Aid Certificate so that rounded the week off nicely ! The Man and The Girl are now down for 2 weeks so I have informed The Man that I expect tea on the table and for me to put my feet up and get my slippers and paper given to me when I get home from a hard day at the office. I shouldn't be so cheeky because I think the first busy period for me is going to be hell as I will be all new !
Today I have been fielding off all the OD emails that I have STILL been receiving because someone, somewhere has not replied to my requests to remove me from them.
Anyway folks, I am missing you all and it is a wee bit lonely down here but the retail therapy is assisting me in the transition.
Write soon !
A short note to let you all know that I arrived and am settling in nicely. The pace here is quite different from OD ! Still, it is the off season and I have yet to experience a "busy" time which, I'm told, is from March to July. Roll on !
My first day on the job found me in the crib room on a toolbox talk which was really a chin wag that lasted the best part of an hour ! So coffee and chatting was on the agenda. Then for the rest of the day, my trainer walked me through a few new SAP screens and yes, I was confused as hell (I hope we can still say that word on the email - what's the world coming to ?)
We went out to dinner that night at the Tasman Hotel (overlooking the beach, sorry about that, had to put that in) and my first celebrity spotting occurred. Curtis Stone (the host of the now defunct television series "My Restaurant Rules") was there. Woo Hoo! Let me tell you, it was more exciting for the woman than myself. The meal was beautiful (real calamari I had never tasted until now !) The Tavern better lift it's socks up if I ever come back for a meal there !
The next couple of days we just meandered around the office (which I might add is quite nice). There are two Manager's offices, (I might try and get one of them seeing as one will be vacant permanently), a meeting room and a crib room. I currently reside in the reception area (of course) and have a view of the sea (if I turn my head ever so slightly to the right and the blinds of the other spare office are open (WHICH THEY ARE !). We also have a washing machine and dryer for the laundering of the fellas work clothes but they don't seem to use it. I may bring mine in and do that when I am not busy (HA HA).
On Thursday and Friday I updated my Senior First Aid Certificate so that rounded the week off nicely ! The Man and The Girl are now down for 2 weeks so I have informed The Man that I expect tea on the table and for me to put my feet up and get my slippers and paper given to me when I get home from a hard day at the office. I shouldn't be so cheeky because I think the first busy period for me is going to be hell as I will be all new !
Today I have been fielding off all the OD emails that I have STILL been receiving because someone, somewhere has not replied to my requests to remove me from them.
Anyway folks, I am missing you all and it is a wee bit lonely down here but the retail therapy is assisting me in the transition.
Write soon !
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