The best laid plans of mice and men.....

Well, my best laid plans for the weekend, didn't exactly work out as I had hoped. Do they ever? Had to go up to our only neighbours on Friday afternoon and of course I stayed longer than I intended to. When her husband came home from work, he said "That hubby of your's is keen, he's belting around on the ride on mower" Shock horror, that was my Saturday morning job. Oh well, too late now, he was just about finished by the time I got back. The grand plan  about him not doing anything the whole weekend was a major flop as well. After having breakfast Saturday morning I don't think he came back into the house at all until it was time for tea and the same pretty much applied to Sunday also. I took him a cup of coffee and a sandwich for lunch on Sunday and remarked about "What happened to spending the weekend inside"and quick as a flash he said"I'll be in in a minute". Ha, ha, didn't see him for a good two hours or more. He watched a fishing show on telly then after that was finished he said"I just have to finish something in the machinery shed, won't take long" No sign of him for another couple of hours. Oh well, it could be worse I suppose. Maybe next weekend will be the one, but who am I kidding!!! The picture has no relevance whatsoever to quiet weekends or anything else for that matter, but it is a picture I took last year and I happen to like it. We don't often get a heavy fog here, but this one really rolled in, when I was in one of the paddocks checking a water trough I looked at these trees and you couldn't even see them the fog was so thick, by the time I got back to the house and managed to locate the camera, it had cleared slightly. This pic is one of my favourites. Take care...

In my garden

G'day. In my garden there is always something to do, be it small or big I can without fail find something to keep me occupied for as long or as little as I like. Today is my day off work. I am fortunate that I always have  a long weekend. Today  is usually my sewing day, but this morning I have been in my garden, weeding, pruning, tidying things up in general. I am determined that we will not leave this garden in a state of disrepair for the new owners (providing they get finance of course) Even though settlement day is some time off yet, the garden needs to be kept in check until that time. Hubby said last night that it will be nice to have this coming weekend free from doing anything around here to keep it presentable for future buyers and that he would spend the weekend inside being lazy and free from all outside duties, but, I bet that won't happen, as it has never happened yet, except the one time when he was not well with a bad case of flu and "HELLO", we are on a farm here, does he expect me to see to things while he is having this carefree weekend? I forgot to ask him that. Maybe he means once farm duties are done. I will discuss this matter with him later. Hubby can not sit still for long periods of time, he likes to be out doing things and as he is a classic car buff and we have two classic beauties, one in the stages of being restored and that he usually fiddles with to some extent each chance he gets, it will be interesting if he keeps his word and really does stay in.  Anyway I  have decided that I will be mowing tomorrow, not riding around on a quad bike checking fences, water troughs , cattle etc.With all the rain we have had this summer the grass grows before your eyes, so bright and early in the morning I will have the ride on at full throttle and be off hurtling around while hubby sits with he feet up!!! I don't know what he intends to do inside all weekend, though he does like to read and or watch fishing shows or perhaps he will volunteer to do all the housework. Yeah, right.  I don't like my chances of that happening. Oh well, time will tell. The pictured rose is called Zephryine Drouin and when in full bloom is just spectactular and the good thing about this rose is that it is thornless. When we move I will find somewhere to place an arch and will buy two more of these climbing roses, they really are beautiful. Of all the roses we have here and believe me there are many, this one would get the most comments from visitors. Take care...

A sad day for New Zealand.

This pic is looking down towards the gorgeous town of Akaroa on the South Island of New Zealand. My husband and I went to NZ  two years ago to celebrate a anniversary. It was my first time there, though the third time for hubby who had been over there for a couple of car club conventions. It is truly a spectacular country. We travelled both South and North Islands and saw scenery that was breathtaking. My memories of Christchurch ( where the earthquake hit )  are of a lovely city with a beautiful river running through it, old heritage buildings, amazing gardens and very friendly people. Christchurch was hit by a earthquake only last September and now to have this one happen with so many lost lives and such horrific damage must surely be so heartbreaking for them. No doubt we will hear a lot more of this over the next number of days and will hear stories of courage and also stories of  despair and saddness. My thoughts are with anyone connected in anyway to this blow by Mother Nature. Us Aussies are known for our fighting spirit and I am pretty sure New Zealanders could equal us in that regard. Take care...

The art of listening.

G'day. I was just reading a blog by one of my favourite bloggers and it was about how when you have worries or problems, people sometimes respond by talking about themselves. How often have you done that? I know that in the past I have and there have been times while my mouth is running away about "ME" that I realise I need to shut up. I try very hard to listen and I think that I am a good listener as I really like what people have to say. I make a concious effort to keep my trap shut now when someone wants to talk and have found that by doing that there are many benefits. Not a great many people have aquired the art of being a good listener and sometimes it is not easy, the desire to speak can be powerfull. Another pet hate of mine is people that butt in during conversations and once again I am guilty. I was talking on the phone a few days ago to a friend and he was saying about his holiday in New Zealand and he mentioned a place he had visited and while he was talking I butted in and said "Yes, we loved it there" I was aware that as soon as I spoke I had done the wrong thing and I apologized. We have a daytime entertainment show here in Oz and the host continually butts in while her guests are talking and it really grates on my nerves and yet here I was doing the same thing.I can't promise that I won't do either of those things ever again, but I will try a lot harder. The picture has nothing what so ever to do with what I have been carrying on about, but, this is my blog and I like the pic so I included it. It is a Banskia Rose and when in full bloom as it is in the pic it is a beautiful  sight. It has grown considerably since this photo was taken. Take care.

Break open the champagne.

Well, it seems like we have finally done it. Yes, the property has been sold, though I should say that a offer was put in and we have accepted it. Of course there is a three day cooling off period and it is subject to a building inspection etc, etc and finance for the purchasers, but, it is all looking good. The agent rang yesterday morning at 9.30am and asked could she bring a couple through at 11.00am, so it was rush, rush to make sure it all looked ok and as we were driving down our road they were coming up and they have such a little car and the road had washed away in parts from the extremely heavy rain through the night and my husband said "We won't hear from them again when they see the road over the creek" Well, guess what? The agent rang at 6.00pm and said she was on her way up to us with a offer that was too good to refuse. The agent was smart and guessed their interest and told them about the other woman that was coming today and was expected to put a offer in and they decided they didn't want to lose it and the rest is history so to speak. All going well, we have a two month settlement and we will have to get out act into gear as we have so much here to be moved, especially in the machinery shed which will be hubby's problem. Funny thing is, the agent said she was showing them another property in another area half an hour away and they didn't like that one and she suggested to them about looking at our's and they said they hadn't considered going that far out, but she perservered and said they really should see our's and so they said "why not" and they loved it, so thank goodness for a smart agent. I shall miss the garden as we have built it up from nothing over the years we have lived here, but as anything this size it does require a lot of work, so it will be nice to just have a small garden to potter in. We had already looked at a lovely house in town, with a great secure backyard which is a must for our little dog as he is used to having hundreds of acrea's to run in, huge shed, which is a must for hubby. Gorgeous low maintenance gardens, close to my work and to hubby's, close to the shops etc. All in all, it should work out just fine. Take care.

Lucky's on the poop deck.

G'day. This is another picture of our lovely dog. He really likes to come out in the boat with us and my husband bought him a PFD, which translated means a Dog Floatation Device. When the boat is moving he loves to stand up on the front, with the wind in his hair and his jowls flapping madly, he is always tethered by a lead in case in his joy he gets a bit close to the edge. When the boat is stopped, which means we are fishing, he will lay under the front and sleep, as he considers that the boring part of the trip. Of course he is "First Mate", hubby is "Captain" and I am just "Crew" Sadly we don't get to take the boat out very often as we live a few hours away from the water, but it always an adventure when we do. I might add that I am a dab hand at catching fish and can sometimes catch more than the captain. I should also point out that we always put the fish back and take care when we do. We have had a lot of comments from fellow fisher people about Lucky in his life jacket. He really does look so cute. Take care.

Everything I need to know, I learned from Noah's Ark.

G'day. This was sent to me via email, so I thought I would share it.
ONE: Don't miss the boat
TWO: Remember that we are all in the same boat.
THREE; Plan ahead. It wasn't raining when Noah built the Ark
FOUR; Stay fit. When you're 60 years old, someone may ask you to do something really big.
FIVE: Don't listen to critics; just get on with the job that needs to be done.
SIX:  Build your future on high ground.
SEVEN: For safety's sake, travel in pairs.
EIGHT: Speed isn't always an advantage. The snails were on board with the cheetahs.
NINE: When you're pressed, float awhile.
TEN: Remember, the Ark was built by amateurs; the Titanic by professionals.

The picture of is of our "baby" The gorgeous little dog who brings us such happiness. I had washed his bed and had it on the line drying and just put this old blanket on the floor and he plopped straight down on it. If we are going out to visit friends and know we can take Lucky with us, along comes this blanket also. As soon as I put it down on the ground or wherever, he knows to go straight to it and he will stay there until told different. He has been known to curl up and sleep for hours on that blanket, we never have to worry about him while visiting people. All in all, a great little dog, of course he is spoiled rotten and we wouldn't have it any other way, but he has such manners and friends will often say when inviting us "Bring Lucky". I think my husband and I are the lucky ones, don't you? Take care.

The value of friendship

G'day. The old wheelbarrow was a gift from a very close friend. She gave me this old treasure a few years ago now, as you can see the tyre is off the rim and everytime I try to put it back on it just falls off again. I have a couple of these old wheelbarrows, all filled with lovely colourfull flowers and they are dotted here and there in the garden. This one is especially important as my friend who gave it to me has now been gone exactly twelve months today. She passed away after a long battle with lung cancer, she was only 56 years old. I seem to take more care with this barrow, making sure it always has pretty flowers in it and even though the other ones are just as nice, this is the one that always brings a smile to my face. Most people walk in and out of your life, but FRIENDS leave footprints in your heart. Take care.

Happy Valentines Day

G'day. Happy Valentine's Day. I hope it's a good one for everyone. We usually just have a quiet one, no different from any other day, though we always remember to wish each other "Happy Valentines Day" and sometimes my husband will bring me home a bunch of flowers or sometimes not, if he forgets. It never worries me if that's the case. We will have a nice evening meal though and a glass or two of wine. We have even gone out for dinner a few times in the past, but usually it's a quiet night at home as we both have to get up early in the morning for work. Nothing happening on the property selling front yet, though we are hopeful that the lady who spent so much time here the other week and who wants to come back one night this week to "measure up" for furniture etc, may put an offer in.We have our fingers crossed and for that matter everything else crossed. The novely has worn off keeping the house spotless all the time, hard also to make sure nothing is out of place before I go to work of a morning, in case the agent turns up through the day while we are out and of course the garden and the grounds have to look their most glorious also.Oh well, we live in hope.The Rueben statue that nestles in the French Lavender was a goodbye gift from my former workmates some years ago. I remember them all fondly each time I look at it. This area of the garden is what I call my "Cottage Garden", though a little unkempt at the moment, it is just beautiful. I hope to recreate something similar in our new home one day. Take care.

Nice to feel wanted

G'day. I had a phone call yesterday from a former boss of mine. We have kept in touch since I left his employ some years ago now and have remained firm friends. He rang to ask me, would I consider a position working for him again as he needed someone with good communication skills. It would mean leaving my job that I have had now for the last seven years and which is only twenty minutes from our property here and either driving into the city every day which is a good two hours away or getting the train backwards and forwards. The money would be very good etc, etc and it would be different than what I have normaly done. After much soul searching last night and talking it over with my husband, I reluctantly decided that I couldn't do it. My decision was based on a number of things to consider, but, was sad to let a good opportunity go. I rang him this morning to say "Thank you for thinking of me, but that I have to pass this time". I was touched that he thought enough of me and my skills to offer me this position out of the blue and he said that if ever I was looking for a new job, to contact him and he would find me one. The value of good friendships like this mean a lot to me and I am lucky that I have many such friendships, they may not all offer me a new job, but, they are all of great importance in the scheme of things. The picture is of our beautiful little dog "Lucky" He was an abandoned dog and we have had him now for nearly four years, this was taken on our property one very cold morning and as you can see he has his oilskin coat on. He loves riding around on the quad bike with my husband, but, whenever I am on the bike he doesn't jump up to go with me. Is he telling me something I don't know, am I not a good driver of it? He is used to being on it everyday with my other half, but I don't think he trusts my driving!!! No news on the house front, though the lady who was here for two and a half hours the other day, is coming back on Sunday and tomorrow I am going to annoy another house seller and traipse around her place. Take care.

A beautiful day.

Well, after such a dreadful day yesterday weather wise, today the sun is shining, the sky is a lovely shade of blue with just the odd white fluffy clouds, the wind is blowing slightly and it's just a bit on the fresh side and guess what! Nobody wants to come and look at our property, what's wrong with these people? Yesterday there were two seperate couples wanted to have a look around on the worst day possible, thankfully both cancelled, but, today when it's just perfect they are nowhere to be seen. Yes, it's Sunday here, but estate agents will work on Sunday if they have too and our one has assured us that she will do just that if it means bringing a prospective buyer along for the ride. More bad weather is expected early in the week and you can bet your boots that those will be the days when they will want to come traipesing through. I have a good mind to book a inspection myself on one of those bad days, there are a few places in town here that have recently come on the market and just maybe I will go and traipse around someone else's home for the heck of it. Take care.

There is a road under all that water and It's raining,thanks to Cyclone Yasi.

G'day. Well they said we would get rain down here in North Central Victoria from Cyclone Yasi and boy are they right, it is just bucketing down and the wind with it is terrible, we have had trees down on our property and on our road, our creek below the property is filling with water which in itself is not good at this time because it will flood out over the road and we will be stuck here. We had this happen a few weeks ago (as in the picture) the water was roaring across the road and we couldn't get across it, we only have one way in /out here and something like this happening can maroon us, though as always it could be worse, we are safe and well at any rate. Were suppose to have two seperate couple come and inspect the property this morning, well needless to say they have both cancelled  and just as well, I wouldn't like to be going out in this weather. We will bunker down today and try to keep dry. Take care...

It's Raining on the Rock

G'day. Well the biggest cyclone to hit our coast up Queensland way has lost some of it's strength after it crossed land, but, it still packs a punch nontheless. They are saying now that it's headed towards Alice Springs, famous for Uluru (Ayres Rock) so yes, at some stage it will be raining on the Rock. We have felt some of the after affects of this cyclone down here in Victoria as well and are expected to get more rain over the next three days, we don't normally get any residue from cyclones that hit up north, but, this wasn't and isn't just any old cyclone, it's the biggest they come. Well, the rain for us here on our property is welcome, though we had really bad winds last night, we get the wind here on a continual basis, nothing to do with cyclones, we are just in a windy area and that's always a worry as sometimes if there are trees down across the road it can be a real nuisance as we only have one way in and or out. Even with the rain it's still very humid, temperature is expected to be in the mid thirties today, guess that's better than the mid 40's it got to a few days ago. No news on the selling of the property, have contacted the agent via email to see if any of the prospective people she has brought through have made any decisions yet!!! So we keep patiently waiting, waiting etc. It's still looks good here as the grass is still a bit on the green side because of all the rain and the garden still has a lot of flowers in bloom, especially the roses, they have done very well and continue to prosper. The natives trees and bushes always look good with their greenery and some still have flowers as well. Oh well, unlike Cyclone Yasi, I have run out of puff. Bye for now...