Wednesday, June 30, 2004
Comments
I don't like this new 'comments' and have been having trouble getting back to the whole blog after posting a comment. (It only takes you back to that particular entry) Uncle Stan has sorted it. When you finish posting a comment click on the 'blog home page' or whatever it is in the top of the Links column to the right of the page. Thank you Stan - you are soooooo clever!!
Mornings - Yukkkk!
You know those days when you wake up, well half wake, and would give anything for it to be a Sunday, or whatever your 'not having to get up day' is. And you know it isn't. They don't happen very often (I don't know if Eric would agree as I often give the impression that I'm having one of those days) but today I was - big time. My only consolation was that, apart from having to do the girls sandwiches before 7.45am when they leave for the bus, I didn't have to leave the house until 9am. I finally struggled out of bed and was late for everything I did all day. Went to a Maori provider to do a clinical assessment on a nurse who was nowhere near prepared, and on top of that she booked 6 children in for immunisations (we only needed 2) and none of them turned up!!!! From there I popped into Juliet and Kev for a coffee then into Hamilton for a meeting with a health manager and finally to the Mothercraft Unit at the hospital to talk to midwives.
Before leaving the house this morning I had a phone call from the Naughty Milkmaid or Bridget as we call her. Crisis point had been reached, 'Can I rent your cottage for a week or 2?'. Of course we said Yes and she arrived this evening. Actually it was the first time I'd met her. She was not here long (just long enough to eat - of course) as she had to attend a Young Farmers meeting in Cambridge. Phoning you Stan this evening when she gets back. She has a few days off so hopefully will have time to gather her thoughts and organise her life. This place is beginning to feel like a refuge for New Zealands waifs and strays, Carol, now Bridget.
By God it's been blowy today, trees down near J and K and bits of trees all over the place round here. Still blowing now so don't know what it will be like in the morning. After nights like these you have to be careful not to leave late for work as the chances are high that you'd have to clear small or big branches of the drive on the way out.
I'm shattered and at 20.40 it must be bedtime! (I think Bridget will horrified at the hours we keep. Sounds to me that she likes her late nights and social life, not forgetting the Jack Daniels hey Bloo?!!!!) If I could just get these 2 horrors to theirs. Off to Taumarunui tomorrow and have an evening meeting Te Kuiti at 7pm (TK is about 1 hr 30 min drive from home and Taumarunui is an hour or 2 further down country). So don't expect a blog entry tomorrow unless Eric chooses to do one.
Night night.
Before leaving the house this morning I had a phone call from the Naughty Milkmaid or Bridget as we call her. Crisis point had been reached, 'Can I rent your cottage for a week or 2?'. Of course we said Yes and she arrived this evening. Actually it was the first time I'd met her. She was not here long (just long enough to eat - of course) as she had to attend a Young Farmers meeting in Cambridge. Phoning you Stan this evening when she gets back. She has a few days off so hopefully will have time to gather her thoughts and organise her life. This place is beginning to feel like a refuge for New Zealands waifs and strays, Carol, now Bridget.
By God it's been blowy today, trees down near J and K and bits of trees all over the place round here. Still blowing now so don't know what it will be like in the morning. After nights like these you have to be careful not to leave late for work as the chances are high that you'd have to clear small or big branches of the drive on the way out.
I'm shattered and at 20.40 it must be bedtime! (I think Bridget will horrified at the hours we keep. Sounds to me that she likes her late nights and social life, not forgetting the Jack Daniels hey Bloo?!!!!) If I could just get these 2 horrors to theirs. Off to Taumarunui tomorrow and have an evening meeting Te Kuiti at 7pm (TK is about 1 hr 30 min drive from home and Taumarunui is an hour or 2 further down country). So don't expect a blog entry tomorrow unless Eric chooses to do one.
Night night.
Tuesday, June 29, 2004
The grass is always greener.......
If you can see grass it wasn't me!!! I did green but not grass. Have asked Stan to reverse his template alterations asap!! (But thank you for getting rid of the gaps in links and adding the extras). If you can't see grass then ignore this first paragraph.
Today I was working in the office shortly after 5pm when Harri came in and said 'Mom, Alice is asleep'!! I went to her room and she was curled up, in bed, hugging Dog - and FAB (fast-a-boze). When she was later woken (by Eric at 5.20pm, he was all ahead of himself, had supper cooked, and thinking it was 6.20pm wanted to serve. When I asked him why he had lost an hour he told me it was 'cos it was dark!), she said she snuggled up in bed because she was cold. It has been very cold today. 8 degrees C tops.
I did 2 clinical assessments in Hamilton today and popped into a few other practices to distribute new IMAC products after our re-branding. Also, finally, bought the girls new chairs for their desks. The IKEA ones they had cost about £3 amd were really way past their sell by date, very wobbly and dangerous. They have been wanting new ones for ages and were thrilled. Not thrilled enough to clear up after supper though!
We discovered lamb number 3 yesterday. haven't got close enough to sex or dock it yet though. In fact we haven't docked the tails of the first born's either which is very remiss of us (Eric!).
It is very sad when you get an email from a dear friend which reveals huge stresses in their lives and you are not able to give them a hug. Electronic hugs are not the same and I wish I could do something better.
I phoned Kev and Juliet today to see if Kev had heard about the latest job he had gone for (last week he had very positive feedback from interview and presentation). He did not get it. Poor Kevin. He has been job hunting for a year now (the job he got on arrival has not lived up to the promises made to him) and is getting nowhere fast. I have to say that I know of a lot of immigrants who are struggling on the job hunting front, and unemployment rates are very low here. I read an article which said that 80% of jobs are not advertised and are filled by word of mouth. Makes it very hard when you don't have those networks in place. This is what worrys me about when Eric qualifies and he is job hunting and why it would be so good to get a job in the legal sector.
Eric got licked to death by big hairy dogs today (that's his contribution when I asked if he had anything to report to Blog!). He told me earlier of this dog he communed with that had 'very human eyes'. I think he needs to get out more personally (to the paddock to dock tails would be a good start!).
There is a quarry run on for the next 3 days so there is the dull rumble of trucks in the back ground from early to late.
Off to chivvy along children who have gone quiet but whom I'm sure have not gone to bed.
Night, night.
Today I was working in the office shortly after 5pm when Harri came in and said 'Mom, Alice is asleep'!! I went to her room and she was curled up, in bed, hugging Dog - and FAB (fast-a-boze). When she was later woken (by Eric at 5.20pm, he was all ahead of himself, had supper cooked, and thinking it was 6.20pm wanted to serve. When I asked him why he had lost an hour he told me it was 'cos it was dark!), she said she snuggled up in bed because she was cold. It has been very cold today. 8 degrees C tops.
I did 2 clinical assessments in Hamilton today and popped into a few other practices to distribute new IMAC products after our re-branding. Also, finally, bought the girls new chairs for their desks. The IKEA ones they had cost about £3 amd were really way past their sell by date, very wobbly and dangerous. They have been wanting new ones for ages and were thrilled. Not thrilled enough to clear up after supper though!
We discovered lamb number 3 yesterday. haven't got close enough to sex or dock it yet though. In fact we haven't docked the tails of the first born's either which is very remiss of us (Eric!).
It is very sad when you get an email from a dear friend which reveals huge stresses in their lives and you are not able to give them a hug. Electronic hugs are not the same and I wish I could do something better.
I phoned Kev and Juliet today to see if Kev had heard about the latest job he had gone for (last week he had very positive feedback from interview and presentation). He did not get it. Poor Kevin. He has been job hunting for a year now (the job he got on arrival has not lived up to the promises made to him) and is getting nowhere fast. I have to say that I know of a lot of immigrants who are struggling on the job hunting front, and unemployment rates are very low here. I read an article which said that 80% of jobs are not advertised and are filled by word of mouth. Makes it very hard when you don't have those networks in place. This is what worrys me about when Eric qualifies and he is job hunting and why it would be so good to get a job in the legal sector.
Eric got licked to death by big hairy dogs today (that's his contribution when I asked if he had anything to report to Blog!). He told me earlier of this dog he communed with that had 'very human eyes'. I think he needs to get out more personally (to the paddock to dock tails would be a good start!).
There is a quarry run on for the next 3 days so there is the dull rumble of trucks in the back ground from early to late.
Off to chivvy along children who have gone quiet but whom I'm sure have not gone to bed.
Night, night.
Monday, June 28, 2004
All change
Yes I have been playing. Trouble is I've lost all my comments (boo-hoo) and I cannot get rid of the gap between the 'Links'. And, why oh why do my Links and Archives sit at the bottom of the page instead of next to my blog(Stan?????).
I will have to see what happens when the 'Comments' button is pressed as I have just done that on Harri's re-vamped blog and it's all different there.
Anyway, I have to stop fiddling now as I am tired and my bed is calling for me. Stayed up until some God-aweful hour last night to speak to Carol (it must have been at least 11.30pm!). It was so good to talk to her and catch up on all the in between bits that are missed on blog etc. The girls were livid this morning when we said we had finally got hold of her. 5 addresses since April AND shift work. No wonder it has taken so long to catch up with her.
Today had bad news on the Mistral front. It went in for its WoF (MOT to you up there) and needs 3 new tyres ($480) AND a new headlight unit ($450+). That boils down to a big chunk of my fortnightly salary!! Very depressing.
Popped up to R+R's to see about the spare milk. Eric will call in on his way home tomorrow to see if the barrel will fit in the ute. If not he will have to take the trailer round there. They have about 150 litres going spare at the moment! Robyn was about to go to the school for parent interviews so we did not stay. I am hoping to catch up with her for lunch on Friday. There is a new pizza restaurant in Matamata (where the interior designers used to be, opposite New World and the liquor store for those of you who know Matamata).
Picked Alice up from school and took her into town to buy H's Birthday pressie (can't say what for obvious reasons) and met Harri at the library.
For supper we had boiled bacon and parsley sauce. Yes I hear you say, so.... Well this was Eric's first attempt at making 'wet' bacon instead of dry curing, and it was gorgeous. Even fussy Alice ate it and Harriette loved it (mind you there is not a lot in the way of food she doesn't like!!). We'll save you some Carol.
Stan. When are you coming back. And what about this 3 months!?!?!
Happy Birthday Ryan. Hope the card comes in time.
I will have to see what happens when the 'Comments' button is pressed as I have just done that on Harri's re-vamped blog and it's all different there.
Anyway, I have to stop fiddling now as I am tired and my bed is calling for me. Stayed up until some God-aweful hour last night to speak to Carol (it must have been at least 11.30pm!). It was so good to talk to her and catch up on all the in between bits that are missed on blog etc. The girls were livid this morning when we said we had finally got hold of her. 5 addresses since April AND shift work. No wonder it has taken so long to catch up with her.
Today had bad news on the Mistral front. It went in for its WoF (MOT to you up there) and needs 3 new tyres ($480) AND a new headlight unit ($450+). That boils down to a big chunk of my fortnightly salary!! Very depressing.
Popped up to R+R's to see about the spare milk. Eric will call in on his way home tomorrow to see if the barrel will fit in the ute. If not he will have to take the trailer round there. They have about 150 litres going spare at the moment! Robyn was about to go to the school for parent interviews so we did not stay. I am hoping to catch up with her for lunch on Friday. There is a new pizza restaurant in Matamata (where the interior designers used to be, opposite New World and the liquor store for those of you who know Matamata).
Picked Alice up from school and took her into town to buy H's Birthday pressie (can't say what for obvious reasons) and met Harri at the library.
For supper we had boiled bacon and parsley sauce. Yes I hear you say, so.... Well this was Eric's first attempt at making 'wet' bacon instead of dry curing, and it was gorgeous. Even fussy Alice ate it and Harriette loved it (mind you there is not a lot in the way of food she doesn't like!!). We'll save you some Carol.
Stan. When are you coming back. And what about this 3 months!?!?!
Happy Birthday Ryan. Hope the card comes in time.
Sunday, June 27, 2004
A whole week. Are you sitting comfortably......
I know, I know. It's been ages since I wrote, and comments have been noted. It's been a combination of nothing to report and being too busy to find the time. Eric's sister Ava-Lee who has a baby and a tot commented that it was nice that I had the time to write. I know what she means having done 2 babies in 12 months and then got sick for what seemed like about 3 years after, from which point Eric and I both went to Uni. Time just was something that just rushed by and one never had any of. I guess it's relative really. Pre-babies I remember thinking I needed at least 36 hours in a day. After babies I wonder what I did with the 24 hours I did have. Anyway then children are now emotionally very hard work but at least they can physically look after themselves - ish. And of course apart from those important rugby matches and the odd wintertime video we don't have TV. So my blog time is the time everyone else uses to watch TV I guess. Anyway if I ramble on like this you will be plagued with another long blog and give up reading half way through!
News here. Well with that dreaded report out the way I had a day to catch up with myself on Monday then Tuesday was out doing Clinical Assessments again. Wednesday/Thursday I was in Auckland for a days meeting then a days training. I drove up and had to find a hotel near the airport. Well I guess that had a actually looked at the road names/numbers on the map it may have given me a clue as to where I was. I've never used a map to get to the airport, just followed the signs. Now, when I did look at the map I assumed that I had come in on the big red road from the bottom of the page. No I had actually come in on the yellow road from the side of the page. Anyway hitting the airport and almost driving into the carpark I looked on the map, found the road again and decided I had gone the wrong way. Drove in the other direction and looked again to decide that the first route was right, but avoid the car park. I eventually arrived at the hotel feeling very sheepish. I usually pride myself on being able to use a map to find my way around. I can never rely on intuition for such things as I have NO sense of direction, as Eric will emphatically confirm. Anyway as there where so many of us (7) and we wanted a meeting room, they gave us the house at the back of the hotel. It was awful. I'm sure it had been locked up for the season and was very damp smelling. Lots of other things weren't right and we will never go there again. In fact I think that Loretta should be quibbling over the bill. The one thing about going away with IMAC is that you can usually be sure of a good standard of accommodation. This was very disappointing. After a day meeting we went over to Tamaki to put together decorations for IMAC's launch of it's re-branding the following day. It was 7pm before we got back. We had dinner in the hotel and although the meal was beautifully presented it was Yuk! The next day we had to get up at some ungodly hour to negotiate the morning rush hour and get across to Tamaki Campus again for training. Actually, although it was planning and management stuff I had done in the past it was very good. Most notably because the tutor had chocolate bars on hand! I stayed in the evening for the launch then went off to friends for supper. Don't know if I have mentioned Beth and Graham before. We met them through Lynne and Vaughn our last trip to S.Africa. We actually went to their leaving do as they were about to emigrate, spent the evening getting on like a house on fire and left with those 'If ever you're in NZ...' sort of comments and us thinking we'd never see them again. It was most odd to phone them 6 months later and say 'Guess where we live!!' We have kept in contact since, which is more than can be said for Lynne whom I love dearly but is the worlds worst at keeping in touch. Do you know when we were last out there something came up about us being Steffie (her daughter)'s Godparents and we didn't even know!!! Anyway I saw Graham briefly as he was off to a brand practice and had a great 'girlie' chat with Beth. Luke, their 8 year old, had a big treat of extended TV viewing that night for good school work and was oblivious to us girls.
Eric is at serious risk of completing the airing cupboard in under a month. I think all that is left is the final coat of paint and one rail to be put inside. Hurray!! He has also been putting the edging round the laminate flooring he laid about a year ago. I really do try not to rush the dear boy. He actually phoned home this week as his dad had a total knee replacement and he wanted to check all had gone well - it had.
Alice was very excited at being in the prose reading finals and Eric and I duely went along on Friday to watch. Having not been here the 2 evenings before I had not heard any renditions of her 'Big Bear, Little Bear' story. She started of brilliantly but seemed to change the end of the story and it fell flat. She was speaking from memory and it seemed like she'd forgotten her words and ad-libbed the last 5 sentences. So much so that when she finished people were not sure if she had, or whether she had totally forgotten her words, and there was that pregnant 'do we clap now' pause. I did , everyone followed and she shuffled off stage. She was very upset to not get placed. When I spoke to her afterwards and asked her why she changed the words and had she forgotten them, she said no she had changed them long before and this was what she had presented to get in the finals. We had tried to put her on the straight and narrow when she did this weeks ago, but obviously we failed and I'm afraid she paid the price of that 'I know best' stubbornness. I can't think where she gets it from!!!! Bless her. It took her a day to get over her disappointment and she got teased at school for being so grumpy in the afternoon. Her friend Samantha won and I think everyone expected Alice to be pleased for Sam. She did say Well Done but I think her disappointment swamped her enthusiasm.
Sat was netball. Harriette's team lost 17 - 10 and Alice's team lost 6-5. Alice's team played the other Hinuera School team and both teams kept forgetting who was who and throwing the ball to the opposition!
I had an amusing conversation with Sarah there. Sarah said that her dad (Richard) had told her to ask Eric did he want some milk (for the pigs). I said why. She said because we've had a slipped calf. Now I have to first explain (and feel free to correct me Bridget/Richard/Robyn) that a slip calf is an early arrival. Dairy farms milk for about 9 months of the year then dry the pregnant cows off a few months before calving. The calves arrive with great precision (usually) having been mated at specific times. Richard knows which of their cows will calve on which day and I'm sure he'd know to the hour if we asked. Anyway a slipped calf is one that arrives early. This one had died (I think they often do) but of course you are left with a lactating cow which needs milking. And of course as you are not officially 'milking' and as there is no milk truck coming to the farm, the farmer is left with excess milk or colostrum. To the colostrum is added a 'colostrum keeper' which stops it going off. (Bear with me this is relevant I promise). I'll also add here that many dairy farmers get in a few piglets at this time of year so they have something to feed this excess milk to. Anyway, Sarah is offering us milk for our pigs. She then says in all innocence 'It won't go off as it's Sally's milk'!!! I have yet to find what magical properties Sally possesses that stops her milk going sour. I suspect that what Sarh means is that it is colostrum to which they have added the afore mentioned keeper. But I may be wrong! (You may not be as amused by this as I was but at least you've learnt something about dairy farming!)
I took a few hours off on Friday and as the weather was gorgeous I worked in the garden, the flower garden for a change. God it is neglected. Mind you I feel that everything around here is! In the few hours that I was working I had a call from a colleague asking if I felt she'd been 'off' with me. Remember I said one of the girls had been awful to me in Auckland in April when I was sharing with her? Well it was her, and she'd been very odd again this trip up. So I said Yes she had, and told her all the things I had intended to say to her but had not found the opportunity to do (no I had not procrastinated, her father died very suddenly recently and she had to dash back to the UK so that had delayed things).Well it turns out she is VERY depressed, has been for ages and is having an awful time. I felt terrible once she'd poured her heart, and an apology, out to me. Trouble was I never knew her 'un-stressed' so didn't know if there was something wrong, or she was just horrible, or she just had taken a huge dislike to me. I'm sort-of glad there is some explanation for her behaviour but very sad that she is so ill.
On to more cheerful things. Dusty has disappeared out in the wet - Yes it's raining again. In fact we have had a huge storm this evening. We have had some good weather this week, and some heavy downfalls. In fact apparently when I was in Auckland there was a huge hail storm here and Martin Johnson, who was driving down to Te Kuiti for a bevvie with the boys from his old rugby club, was in a car accident during this same storm. He is fine apparently. And that is all I am going to say about rugby!!! The A.B's did thrash the Argies though which is good. At our local stadium as well, shame we could not get tickets.
You remember on my birthday we went to that vineyard to eat but didn't? Well we went back there today. It was nice, but not as nice as I hoped. The queue for the buffet was long and it put you off more than one trip, consequently you put a bit of everything on your plate and it did not necessarily go. I would have liked shorter queues and more trips up for small portions. There were a lot of 'oldies' there as well, not that I'm age-ist but I wondered where all the 30 somethings (oh alright 40 somethings) were. One little quirk to the trip though was that Eric recognised the name and said that Nooyans used to live in this house, and they were into wine and planted some vines around the house. I asked, and they were the same. The General Manger, a guy in his late 30's, lived here until he was three but remembered some of the trees and the concerts they used to hold here. We ended with a trip round the cellars. It is a relatively small family enterprise. A bonus of the day was I discovered a New Zealand white wine I actually liked. And that's a first. I think the white wines here are very dry, and I don't do dry.
So, there you are. If you are still with me you deserve a medal. But at least you are up to date. Next week I am planning to take Friday off as Harriette is having 6 friends here for a tea and sleepover on her birthday on Saturday and I guess I need to sort some cooking out.
Night night.
News here. Well with that dreaded report out the way I had a day to catch up with myself on Monday then Tuesday was out doing Clinical Assessments again. Wednesday/Thursday I was in Auckland for a days meeting then a days training. I drove up and had to find a hotel near the airport. Well I guess that had a actually looked at the road names/numbers on the map it may have given me a clue as to where I was. I've never used a map to get to the airport, just followed the signs. Now, when I did look at the map I assumed that I had come in on the big red road from the bottom of the page. No I had actually come in on the yellow road from the side of the page. Anyway hitting the airport and almost driving into the carpark I looked on the map, found the road again and decided I had gone the wrong way. Drove in the other direction and looked again to decide that the first route was right, but avoid the car park. I eventually arrived at the hotel feeling very sheepish. I usually pride myself on being able to use a map to find my way around. I can never rely on intuition for such things as I have NO sense of direction, as Eric will emphatically confirm. Anyway as there where so many of us (7) and we wanted a meeting room, they gave us the house at the back of the hotel. It was awful. I'm sure it had been locked up for the season and was very damp smelling. Lots of other things weren't right and we will never go there again. In fact I think that Loretta should be quibbling over the bill. The one thing about going away with IMAC is that you can usually be sure of a good standard of accommodation. This was very disappointing. After a day meeting we went over to Tamaki to put together decorations for IMAC's launch of it's re-branding the following day. It was 7pm before we got back. We had dinner in the hotel and although the meal was beautifully presented it was Yuk! The next day we had to get up at some ungodly hour to negotiate the morning rush hour and get across to Tamaki Campus again for training. Actually, although it was planning and management stuff I had done in the past it was very good. Most notably because the tutor had chocolate bars on hand! I stayed in the evening for the launch then went off to friends for supper. Don't know if I have mentioned Beth and Graham before. We met them through Lynne and Vaughn our last trip to S.Africa. We actually went to their leaving do as they were about to emigrate, spent the evening getting on like a house on fire and left with those 'If ever you're in NZ...' sort of comments and us thinking we'd never see them again. It was most odd to phone them 6 months later and say 'Guess where we live!!' We have kept in contact since, which is more than can be said for Lynne whom I love dearly but is the worlds worst at keeping in touch. Do you know when we were last out there something came up about us being Steffie (her daughter)'s Godparents and we didn't even know!!! Anyway I saw Graham briefly as he was off to a brand practice and had a great 'girlie' chat with Beth. Luke, their 8 year old, had a big treat of extended TV viewing that night for good school work and was oblivious to us girls.
Eric is at serious risk of completing the airing cupboard in under a month. I think all that is left is the final coat of paint and one rail to be put inside. Hurray!! He has also been putting the edging round the laminate flooring he laid about a year ago. I really do try not to rush the dear boy. He actually phoned home this week as his dad had a total knee replacement and he wanted to check all had gone well - it had.
Alice was very excited at being in the prose reading finals and Eric and I duely went along on Friday to watch. Having not been here the 2 evenings before I had not heard any renditions of her 'Big Bear, Little Bear' story. She started of brilliantly but seemed to change the end of the story and it fell flat. She was speaking from memory and it seemed like she'd forgotten her words and ad-libbed the last 5 sentences. So much so that when she finished people were not sure if she had, or whether she had totally forgotten her words, and there was that pregnant 'do we clap now' pause. I did , everyone followed and she shuffled off stage. She was very upset to not get placed. When I spoke to her afterwards and asked her why she changed the words and had she forgotten them, she said no she had changed them long before and this was what she had presented to get in the finals. We had tried to put her on the straight and narrow when she did this weeks ago, but obviously we failed and I'm afraid she paid the price of that 'I know best' stubbornness. I can't think where she gets it from!!!! Bless her. It took her a day to get over her disappointment and she got teased at school for being so grumpy in the afternoon. Her friend Samantha won and I think everyone expected Alice to be pleased for Sam. She did say Well Done but I think her disappointment swamped her enthusiasm.
Sat was netball. Harriette's team lost 17 - 10 and Alice's team lost 6-5. Alice's team played the other Hinuera School team and both teams kept forgetting who was who and throwing the ball to the opposition!
I had an amusing conversation with Sarah there. Sarah said that her dad (Richard) had told her to ask Eric did he want some milk (for the pigs). I said why. She said because we've had a slipped calf. Now I have to first explain (and feel free to correct me Bridget/Richard/Robyn) that a slip calf is an early arrival. Dairy farms milk for about 9 months of the year then dry the pregnant cows off a few months before calving. The calves arrive with great precision (usually) having been mated at specific times. Richard knows which of their cows will calve on which day and I'm sure he'd know to the hour if we asked. Anyway a slipped calf is one that arrives early. This one had died (I think they often do) but of course you are left with a lactating cow which needs milking. And of course as you are not officially 'milking' and as there is no milk truck coming to the farm, the farmer is left with excess milk or colostrum. To the colostrum is added a 'colostrum keeper' which stops it going off. (Bear with me this is relevant I promise). I'll also add here that many dairy farmers get in a few piglets at this time of year so they have something to feed this excess milk to. Anyway, Sarah is offering us milk for our pigs. She then says in all innocence 'It won't go off as it's Sally's milk'!!! I have yet to find what magical properties Sally possesses that stops her milk going sour. I suspect that what Sarh means is that it is colostrum to which they have added the afore mentioned keeper. But I may be wrong! (You may not be as amused by this as I was but at least you've learnt something about dairy farming!)
I took a few hours off on Friday and as the weather was gorgeous I worked in the garden, the flower garden for a change. God it is neglected. Mind you I feel that everything around here is! In the few hours that I was working I had a call from a colleague asking if I felt she'd been 'off' with me. Remember I said one of the girls had been awful to me in Auckland in April when I was sharing with her? Well it was her, and she'd been very odd again this trip up. So I said Yes she had, and told her all the things I had intended to say to her but had not found the opportunity to do (no I had not procrastinated, her father died very suddenly recently and she had to dash back to the UK so that had delayed things).Well it turns out she is VERY depressed, has been for ages and is having an awful time. I felt terrible once she'd poured her heart, and an apology, out to me. Trouble was I never knew her 'un-stressed' so didn't know if there was something wrong, or she was just horrible, or she just had taken a huge dislike to me. I'm sort-of glad there is some explanation for her behaviour but very sad that she is so ill.
On to more cheerful things. Dusty has disappeared out in the wet - Yes it's raining again. In fact we have had a huge storm this evening. We have had some good weather this week, and some heavy downfalls. In fact apparently when I was in Auckland there was a huge hail storm here and Martin Johnson, who was driving down to Te Kuiti for a bevvie with the boys from his old rugby club, was in a car accident during this same storm. He is fine apparently. And that is all I am going to say about rugby!!! The A.B's did thrash the Argies though which is good. At our local stadium as well, shame we could not get tickets.
You remember on my birthday we went to that vineyard to eat but didn't? Well we went back there today. It was nice, but not as nice as I hoped. The queue for the buffet was long and it put you off more than one trip, consequently you put a bit of everything on your plate and it did not necessarily go. I would have liked shorter queues and more trips up for small portions. There were a lot of 'oldies' there as well, not that I'm age-ist but I wondered where all the 30 somethings (oh alright 40 somethings) were. One little quirk to the trip though was that Eric recognised the name and said that Nooyans used to live in this house, and they were into wine and planted some vines around the house. I asked, and they were the same. The General Manger, a guy in his late 30's, lived here until he was three but remembered some of the trees and the concerts they used to hold here. We ended with a trip round the cellars. It is a relatively small family enterprise. A bonus of the day was I discovered a New Zealand white wine I actually liked. And that's a first. I think the white wines here are very dry, and I don't do dry.
So, there you are. If you are still with me you deserve a medal. But at least you are up to date. Next week I am planning to take Friday off as Harriette is having 6 friends here for a tea and sleepover on her birthday on Saturday and I guess I need to sort some cooking out.
Night night.
Sunday, June 20, 2004
Rain
Woke up Sat - rain.
Went to netball (twice) - stopped raining. Eric got all excited and summoned me to the front paddock. He pointed, beamed and said 'there', looking like he'd done all the work himself! Two newborn lambs. It always special when the first one or 2 arrive. These ones were obviously Tua's, they both had black socks on!
Raked leaves and tried to burn wet rubbish (yes I know- why?)-rained.
Watch a video, Sea Biscuit, (why did it have a 16 rating? I was quite happy with my 10 and 11 year olds watching it! A bit slow to get going but in the end a lovely story, which being horse orientated, Alice adored). Watched rugby - the less said the better. Good match though despite the result. Did you manage to stay awke all through the second half Bridget?
Woke up in the night - raining. Woke up Sun morning - raining.
Stopped raining for a few hours. Fed cows/pigs/chooks/dogs. Rowed (as in a verbal altercation, not a trip in a boat - are they both spekt the same?) with Eric (we always end up rowing when we feed out together!). Threatened to rain but didn't. Made up over egg and bacon sarnies. Cleared the old, small veg plot of strawberry plants and replanted all 45 of them to the proper veg plot (where last summers mealie was). Rained.
Spent the rest of the day indoors - raining hard. It has been very warm for the time of year though. 18 degrees C a few days ago.
Now (8pm). Raining very hard. And some lightening. Eric and Alice very worried about Dusty who is outside somewhere. Alice, who is running a high temperature and has been sent to bed early, keeps getting up and, hugging Dog, comes in looking very concerned saying 'I'm worried about Dusty'. Bless her! And Eric? He keeps going out into the carport, shaking the catfood box, and calling her. But of course he doesn't like cats!!! He won't venture past the carport, he might get wet!
Now off to bed with a good book, an audiotape (a Morse)... oh and Eric of course!
Went to netball (twice) - stopped raining. Eric got all excited and summoned me to the front paddock. He pointed, beamed and said 'there', looking like he'd done all the work himself! Two newborn lambs. It always special when the first one or 2 arrive. These ones were obviously Tua's, they both had black socks on!
Raked leaves and tried to burn wet rubbish (yes I know- why?)-rained.
Watch a video, Sea Biscuit, (why did it have a 16 rating? I was quite happy with my 10 and 11 year olds watching it! A bit slow to get going but in the end a lovely story, which being horse orientated, Alice adored). Watched rugby - the less said the better. Good match though despite the result. Did you manage to stay awke all through the second half Bridget?
Woke up in the night - raining. Woke up Sun morning - raining.
Stopped raining for a few hours. Fed cows/pigs/chooks/dogs. Rowed (as in a verbal altercation, not a trip in a boat - are they both spekt the same?) with Eric (we always end up rowing when we feed out together!). Threatened to rain but didn't. Made up over egg and bacon sarnies. Cleared the old, small veg plot of strawberry plants and replanted all 45 of them to the proper veg plot (where last summers mealie was). Rained.
Spent the rest of the day indoors - raining hard. It has been very warm for the time of year though. 18 degrees C a few days ago.
Now (8pm). Raining very hard. And some lightening. Eric and Alice very worried about Dusty who is outside somewhere. Alice, who is running a high temperature and has been sent to bed early, keeps getting up and, hugging Dog, comes in looking very concerned saying 'I'm worried about Dusty'. Bless her! And Eric? He keeps going out into the carport, shaking the catfood box, and calling her. But of course he doesn't like cats!!! He won't venture past the carport, he might get wet!
Now off to bed with a good book, an audiotape (a Morse)... oh and Eric of course!
Thursday, June 17, 2004
WHAT a week. God I sympathise with people that have to negotiate rush hour on a daily basis. We had a genuine traffic jam in Cambridge yesterday. I was north of Hamilton in Ngarawahia (just drop the g) and, seeing that I was going to hit Hamilton around 5pm, came down the 1B (the route with the little old man and lady growing veges) to avoid the city. Trouble is it joins the 1 in Cambridge. Why was it so busy? Fielddays. The southern hemispheres largest agricultural show which is held somewhere between Hamilton and Cambridge. There are lots of routes in and out but you have to know which ones to take to avoid the traffic. I tried all my short cuts round/through Cambridge (and we are talking here of a town about the size of your very smallest town in the UK) and got caught in traffic every which way. I beat it today though! Came out of Hamilton down SH3 and cut across country. Shared the route with other cars but at least they all kept moving.
Anyway that's not why I have had a busy week. I have had evening meetings the last 2 evenings and have done various clinical assessments around the region. I also am trying to get the afore mentioned report finished. Not helped by losing 5 hours of work yesterday!!!! The computer just shut down on me and would recover the files. The Help menu tells me to go to 'Tools' to set the save options but I don't have a 'Tools' command. Ask Help why and it tells you to look in 'Tools' doerrrr!! Have emailed the techno-boffins at the university. I was so sure I'd get the report posted off yesterday. I saw Judes report (which put my efforts to shame) and asked her why she could get all the demographic stuff that I couldn't. I was in the right website and was just 2 clicks of buttons away from what I wanted. I can't tell you how many hours I've wasted in this!!!Still I DEFINITELY will get it done tomorrow.
Did you know that volcanos can be dominant? No I didn't either but Alice was adamant! It started off when she told us at supper that her right arm was her dormant one. Now resisting the temptation to inform her that it went with the state that the rest of her body was in, we explained that she probably meant 'dominant'. "But we have dominant volcanos here don't we". Bless her.
Dusty is full of 10 times more beans than she was before she got sick (or do I mean got better?) and flys around at a rate of knots for 90% of the day. Beware when walking around, she can attack ankles from 40 paces in one flying leap. Inca is still puzzled by her (slow learner that he is) and watches her warily when he has nothing better to do (like eat or sleep). He still pins her to the ground with one paw when he thinks we are not looking and has a definite 'bugger' expression when a loud 'INCA' from us tells him we are watching. He has also sussed out that there are sharp things on the end of the paws which eyes must be kept away from. On other occasions they are curled up together in front of the fire looking soooo sweet! I would take a photo but the state of the carpet from ember burns in that area would make for a very skatey background!
Harriette has just gone to bed in a state of total despair. She has lost all of tonight's work on her stats project. I have told her that this may be the first but I can guarantee it won't be the last time it happens and, has it taught her a lesson in the importance of saving etc. I know I also lost stuff this week but that wasn't MY fault...(reeks of an external locus of control me thinks). Anyway I did feel so sorry for her. So sorry that I re-typed all her text but couldn't do her titles etc. I have no idea about all that graphicky wordarty stuff.
Eric is building a cupboard in the kitchen. I'm sorry. I should have warned anyone who has visited in the last 24 months since the kitchen was started, to sit down before they read that. Are you sitting now? I ask because the next bit will shock you further. I think there is a serious risk that he may complete it in less than a fortnight, oh alright maybe that is silly. Possibly a month. Watch this space!
So that's all for tonight folks.
Anyway that's not why I have had a busy week. I have had evening meetings the last 2 evenings and have done various clinical assessments around the region. I also am trying to get the afore mentioned report finished. Not helped by losing 5 hours of work yesterday!!!! The computer just shut down on me and would recover the files. The Help menu tells me to go to 'Tools' to set the save options but I don't have a 'Tools' command. Ask Help why and it tells you to look in 'Tools' doerrrr!! Have emailed the techno-boffins at the university. I was so sure I'd get the report posted off yesterday. I saw Judes report (which put my efforts to shame) and asked her why she could get all the demographic stuff that I couldn't. I was in the right website and was just 2 clicks of buttons away from what I wanted. I can't tell you how many hours I've wasted in this!!!Still I DEFINITELY will get it done tomorrow.
Did you know that volcanos can be dominant? No I didn't either but Alice was adamant! It started off when she told us at supper that her right arm was her dormant one. Now resisting the temptation to inform her that it went with the state that the rest of her body was in, we explained that she probably meant 'dominant'. "But we have dominant volcanos here don't we". Bless her.
Dusty is full of 10 times more beans than she was before she got sick (or do I mean got better?) and flys around at a rate of knots for 90% of the day. Beware when walking around, she can attack ankles from 40 paces in one flying leap. Inca is still puzzled by her (slow learner that he is) and watches her warily when he has nothing better to do (like eat or sleep). He still pins her to the ground with one paw when he thinks we are not looking and has a definite 'bugger' expression when a loud 'INCA' from us tells him we are watching. He has also sussed out that there are sharp things on the end of the paws which eyes must be kept away from. On other occasions they are curled up together in front of the fire looking soooo sweet! I would take a photo but the state of the carpet from ember burns in that area would make for a very skatey background!
Harriette has just gone to bed in a state of total despair. She has lost all of tonight's work on her stats project. I have told her that this may be the first but I can guarantee it won't be the last time it happens and, has it taught her a lesson in the importance of saving etc. I know I also lost stuff this week but that wasn't MY fault...(reeks of an external locus of control me thinks). Anyway I did feel so sorry for her. So sorry that I re-typed all her text but couldn't do her titles etc. I have no idea about all that graphicky wordarty stuff.
Eric is building a cupboard in the kitchen. I'm sorry. I should have warned anyone who has visited in the last 24 months since the kitchen was started, to sit down before they read that. Are you sitting now? I ask because the next bit will shock you further. I think there is a serious risk that he may complete it in less than a fortnight, oh alright maybe that is silly. Possibly a month. Watch this space!
So that's all for tonight folks.
Tuesday, June 15, 2004
pWhilst the cat is away.....
'Ello Peeps! God how I hate that. M is working late tonight in Hamilton so I thought I'd jump on quickly and get my tupence hapenny worth in. Sorry to the locals who won't understand that saying unless they are over a certain age ie going back to when the Colonies also ran on Paands shillins an pence! Sorry Brian, I think you are possibly the exception here knowing it from both sides of the equator! Ohh slap my wrists.
Still getting some light rib tickling at work about the rugger, I will soon be able to have the plaster taken off! There is, I feel, a definate trace of worry about the Eden Park match. A bit of quavering from some of the staunch supporters here. At least I stand up and get counted! I shall not waiver in my belief in Sir Clive and all the fine boys in white. Even if he who is also known as 'vodka jelly man' was not in evidence in the last match. I think SCW is lacking in wingers or else he would have been axed. It was OK to carry some hot totty for the girlies during the world cup matches but when serious games are played, England really should put their best team forward!
Mrs Slocombe is fast asleep on the sofa and I have no doubt that she will wake up when Michelle gets in and find her second, third or fourth wind. The dogs will be binned up soon and I will try to catch up on my emails.
Still getting some light rib tickling at work about the rugger, I will soon be able to have the plaster taken off! There is, I feel, a definate trace of worry about the Eden Park match. A bit of quavering from some of the staunch supporters here. At least I stand up and get counted! I shall not waiver in my belief in Sir Clive and all the fine boys in white. Even if he who is also known as 'vodka jelly man' was not in evidence in the last match. I think SCW is lacking in wingers or else he would have been axed. It was OK to carry some hot totty for the girlies during the world cup matches but when serious games are played, England really should put their best team forward!
Mrs Slocombe is fast asleep on the sofa and I have no doubt that she will wake up when Michelle gets in and find her second, third or fourth wind. The dogs will be binned up soon and I will try to catch up on my emails.
Monday, June 14, 2004
Photos for today.
Sunrise on a jolly cold day.
That white stuff in the background is frost. Bye God it was cold today! Sunny, but cold.
Quick update on the last few days as I won't be in for the next few nights. Actually I shouldn't be in tonight as there is PTA meeting on but I just couldn't get the enthusiasm up and as I will be out Tuesday and Wednesday thought I could get away with it!
Birthday was spent teaching. Got home earlier than I had expected though and had pressiecard unwrapping and a lazy evening. Got a nice collection of smellies and CD's and a gardening book I've been hinting at for about 2 years now. Robyn and the girls came round with a pressie as well.
Friday more teaching and some good feedback on the course I had just organised, which was nice. Saturday was taken up with, guess what, yes netball. I was a bit dubious about Harri playing as she had Thursday and Friday off with a nasty chest but she was adamant and I know their team is short on numbers. She managed OK as it was, had a good game... and were thrashed!!!! Alice's team did well winning 11 - 1. Which is more than can be said for the England rugby team in the evening. We watched it at R and R's. I thought it was a very scrappy game and although the local boys did the country proud I can't say I particularly enjoyed it. I know, losing didn't help but I think we have been spoilt with both the drama of the World Cup and some excellent Super 12 matches. Never mind, good company and a 'fush n' chup' supper helped. One of the advantages of home working is that you don't have to suffer the taunting on the Monday morning that Eric and Harriette had to.
Sunday we went to see the HP movie. From the preview I thought it was going to be the best movie yet, but I was rather disappointed. Yes I think the actors have matured and are now displaying some talent (which was lacking in the past), and the story was fairly true to the book but, didn't like all the change in scenery with the new director and Dumbledore was not so good. Why did they change his beard? Timothy whatsisname as Petigrew was perfect casting, as was Lupin. What happened to Snape? He seemed to have gained weight and lost some of that sex appeal. The voice was still to die for though!! Afterwards we had planned to go to Vilagrads vineyard for lunch but on arriving it was obvious that the carvery was all but finished. Didn't realise that they operated on such a tight time frame. Although the setting was lovely we opted to give it a miss this time and go back into Hamilton and find somewhere to eat. Ended up in Iguana's, which is great for weekday lunches but just not the right place for Sunday lunch. Oh, well. We will definitely do Vilagrad on another weekend.
Today I have been stuck indoors report writing. I am sooooo bored with it. Never mind I get to escape tomorrow as I have to go to the Post Shop and courier off some training equipment - whopeeee!
Well that's it. Eric is busy reading up on how to re-cycle our 'grey' water and Dusty, much recovered, is skidding around after something on the laminate kitchen floor.
Night night to all.
Birthday was spent teaching. Got home earlier than I had expected though and had pressiecard unwrapping and a lazy evening. Got a nice collection of smellies and CD's and a gardening book I've been hinting at for about 2 years now. Robyn and the girls came round with a pressie as well.
Friday more teaching and some good feedback on the course I had just organised, which was nice. Saturday was taken up with, guess what, yes netball. I was a bit dubious about Harri playing as she had Thursday and Friday off with a nasty chest but she was adamant and I know their team is short on numbers. She managed OK as it was, had a good game... and were thrashed!!!! Alice's team did well winning 11 - 1. Which is more than can be said for the England rugby team in the evening. We watched it at R and R's. I thought it was a very scrappy game and although the local boys did the country proud I can't say I particularly enjoyed it. I know, losing didn't help but I think we have been spoilt with both the drama of the World Cup and some excellent Super 12 matches. Never mind, good company and a 'fush n' chup' supper helped. One of the advantages of home working is that you don't have to suffer the taunting on the Monday morning that Eric and Harriette had to.
Sunday we went to see the HP movie. From the preview I thought it was going to be the best movie yet, but I was rather disappointed. Yes I think the actors have matured and are now displaying some talent (which was lacking in the past), and the story was fairly true to the book but, didn't like all the change in scenery with the new director and Dumbledore was not so good. Why did they change his beard? Timothy whatsisname as Petigrew was perfect casting, as was Lupin. What happened to Snape? He seemed to have gained weight and lost some of that sex appeal. The voice was still to die for though!! Afterwards we had planned to go to Vilagrads vineyard for lunch but on arriving it was obvious that the carvery was all but finished. Didn't realise that they operated on such a tight time frame. Although the setting was lovely we opted to give it a miss this time and go back into Hamilton and find somewhere to eat. Ended up in Iguana's, which is great for weekday lunches but just not the right place for Sunday lunch. Oh, well. We will definitely do Vilagrad on another weekend.
Today I have been stuck indoors report writing. I am sooooo bored with it. Never mind I get to escape tomorrow as I have to go to the Post Shop and courier off some training equipment - whopeeee!
Well that's it. Eric is busy reading up on how to re-cycle our 'grey' water and Dusty, much recovered, is skidding around after something on the laminate kitchen floor.
Night night to all.
Thursday, June 10, 2004
Floral surprise
Beautiful flowers Carol, Thank you SOOO much. (Have taken picture so you can see what you paid for!). Bonus was I was offered Rural Delivery or to collect. Opted for the latter (was going into town anyway) and got extra flowers as saved on delivery. They are gorgeous.
Did I get them 'cos you know there was no way Eric would but me any? As you know (I tell everyone), the only way I get flowers out of Eric is by having babies. Twice in our 18 years together he has bought them for me.
Very weary, teaching all day. Will blog properly at the weekend.
Did I get them 'cos you know there was no way Eric would but me any? As you know (I tell everyone), the only way I get flowers out of Eric is by having babies. Twice in our 18 years together he has bought them for me.
Very weary, teaching all day. Will blog properly at the weekend.
Tuesday, June 08, 2004
Prediction England losing by 25 to 19
Email received from the Scotts at the weekend saying this. What more can I say? We just laughed and replied 'in your dreams'.
We will be watching at theirs. An interesting night coming up I feel.
We will be watching at theirs. An interesting night coming up I feel.
A none too interesting day -doesn't that make you REALLY want to read on!
Boring day. Pig sick. Just spoke to Mom and Daddy who tell me it's 25 degrees C in Kent at 8.30am and predicted 32 in the Midlands later today(which we had just heard on the radio). It's bloody cold here. Well it probably isn't outdoors but inside in the winter it's always 5 degrees colder than out. BIG WARNING for anyone considering emigrating. Don't buy an old house. Buy something new, or better still build your own and double up on all insulation requirements.
Anybody watching Venus (or Saturn as Eric thought!). Can't see it here 'cos it's night time. We have to wait until 2012.
Popped over to the Scott-Mackies for brunch yesterday (a BH). We were meant to go to the Stokes but Kev phoned to say they were all sick. Juliet will just have to wait for her birthday pressie.
Eric and the girls took Dusty in for her jabs today but came home with antibiotics. She has a chest infection. We thought she was a bit cruddy (sticky eyes and the sneezles) but didn't think she was poorly. But apparently she is. I said tongue in cheek when he got back 'oh does this mean she'll have more energy now?'. She flies around like the devil possessed for 50% of the time now! Hope she picks up soon.
The other she-devil in the house has been slightly more tolerable today. Both girls came home having been told their projects were not up to scratch. Alice's was thrown in the bin it was so shoddy!!! Mind you I agree with her teacher. 2 weeks work and she produced about 3 lines! Trouble was it was the 'interview a grandparent' one so she had to phone Mom and Daddy again! We did actually try Eric's parents first but I think there is something wrong with their phone as they answered and then the line went dead.
Enough for now. I make it 20.38. Wonder what the 'posted by Michelle' time will give?
Anybody watching Venus (or Saturn as Eric thought!). Can't see it here 'cos it's night time. We have to wait until 2012.
Popped over to the Scott-Mackies for brunch yesterday (a BH). We were meant to go to the Stokes but Kev phoned to say they were all sick. Juliet will just have to wait for her birthday pressie.
Eric and the girls took Dusty in for her jabs today but came home with antibiotics. She has a chest infection. We thought she was a bit cruddy (sticky eyes and the sneezles) but didn't think she was poorly. But apparently she is. I said tongue in cheek when he got back 'oh does this mean she'll have more energy now?'. She flies around like the devil possessed for 50% of the time now! Hope she picks up soon.
The other she-devil in the house has been slightly more tolerable today. Both girls came home having been told their projects were not up to scratch. Alice's was thrown in the bin it was so shoddy!!! Mind you I agree with her teacher. 2 weeks work and she produced about 3 lines! Trouble was it was the 'interview a grandparent' one so she had to phone Mom and Daddy again! We did actually try Eric's parents first but I think there is something wrong with their phone as they answered and then the line went dead.
Enough for now. I make it 20.38. Wonder what the 'posted by Michelle' time will give?
News Report
Have just heard this on National Radio's Morning Report (in case you were not aware NZ are being thrashed by England, in England, in the cricket) "New Zealand today starts it's search for 11 fit players". I fell about laughing having visions of the selectors trawling the London pubs frequented by Kiwi's saying "any of you guys fit and able to play cricket"!!!
Back to work today after a BH. I find it odd that we celebrate the Queen's birthday with a BH but England does not. Stressful w/e, I have a hormonal daughter for sale, no I'll give her away. Any offers?
Must dash, I have a report to try and finish (I told my boss it would be finished today, forgetting that yesterday was a BH!)
Back to work today after a BH. I find it odd that we celebrate the Queen's birthday with a BH but England does not. Stressful w/e, I have a hormonal daughter for sale, no I'll give her away. Any offers?
Must dash, I have a report to try and finish (I told my boss it would be finished today, forgetting that yesterday was a BH!)
Sunday, June 06, 2004
PS
Forgot to say that Harriette got 'player of the match' in netball yesterday. She'd never forgive me for missing that out!
Gollum's demise, cows, farms, netball etc
Sunday morning and I'm tucked up in bed. The weather is so bizarre, tipping it down one minute and glorious sunshine the next. After a cup of tea, and whilst it was pouring down I went and got the pooter with the intention of sitting here and blogging. I checked emails and caught up on 3 weeks of Archers (bliss). For those of you who don't know Eric and I have been avid Archers fans forever and since being deprived of our daily radio fix by emigrating we have had the updates emailed to us. Yes I know we can listen online but we do suffer from a rural internet connection here and it keeps breaking up, reloading etc and so is not the pleasurable experience it should be. One day broadband will find us out here in the sticks. Not that I have any idea what broadband is but am reassured that when it does get here things will be better!
Anyway, I then checked comments and found Stans www.birthdayalarm.com link. What a simple, but brilliant idea! Thanks Stan. I had read your comment but not twigged it was a link (sorry, I have just acknowledged my techno-ignorance!). So spent awhile loading birthdays for June and July in. Yes I know you can send emails to everybody asking for their birthdays but isn't that so naff. Anyway, with the help of this computer wizzardary maybe I can get cards out on time now. I don't forget birthdays that often, I just don't remember them early enough!!
Now it's stopped raining but Chilli has not stopped moo-ing. She has been at it, averaging a moo every 15-20 seconds, for 3 days now. I've counted. She does occasionally stop for 2 minutes and I think she must have a quick catnap (cownap?) as she has had no sleep as such. I woke up 4 times last night and she was at it every time. We both feel so bad about it. Why? We sold her Mummy. It is a reality of this lifestyle but economics has to rule over sentimentality. I prefer to leave calves on mom until mom kicks them off of her own volition, but sometimes you have to enforce the separation, either because you need to sell, or because Mom is about to calve and you want the yearling off before the baby comes along. The latter is difficult to manage, the main requirement being good fencing. Mom and yearling will exert great force and determination to be re-united if they can locate each other. This way, ie removing Mom from the farm, does not need good fencing but is heartbreaking to listen to! The other 2 calves (Carol and No 3) have also moo-ed for periods but not as incessantly as Chilli. Chilli also has the pathetic moo of her mother, Pepper, not the deep proper moo of Twink or Ermie. Last year we tried to separate Twink from her calf Fly (so-named because she was born the day I flew to the UK) but Twink had other ideas. Eric put electric fencing up in the back paddock to confine the moms to one corner. He came back and said he didn't remember Twink being there. Oh she was I assured him, I saw her in there 10 minutes ago. Anyway about half an hour later Harri came in to say that Twink was on the drive down by the calves. She was moo-ing over the fence trying to work out how to get in to Fly. We shooed her up the drive but when she got by the house she jumped through the flower bed and over the fence down into the main front paddock to get back down to Fly. At that point Juliet and Kev arrived for the weekend so the 8 of us blocked weak points and shooed Twink back up the drive. We got by the pool and almost had her through the gate into the paddock when she shot sideways and run up the bank at the back of the pool. I had visions of her slipping down into the (then unfenced) pool. EVENTUALLY we got her in the paddock but as she had demonstrated more determination than we could match we gave up and reunited all the cows and calves!!
Back to the cow sale. We sent off 5 in the end (Freckles stayed). Chilli, a bag of bones, got a pittance but the other 4, including Mad Cow (who only missed finding her way into our freezer because 47 stoood closest to the barn on that fateful day), and Ermie got huge prices. In fact they all did really well but beef prices are very high at the moment. I don't think we could have picked a better week to sell. We plan to use this money to buy a Hereford or 2 in the spring so can move over to purebred cows rather than the hotch potch we currently have. We are down to 6 now, the calves Chilli, Carol abd Number 3, Freckles and Saddle the girls calves and Lance, the school steer.
(Long break at this point to go and stop the 3rd WW which was about to break out in the kitchen between Alice and Eric) I gave up on all attempts at a Sunday morning lie-in and got up)
It's now about 1pm and we have had hand made bread that Harri made (hand made as opposed to breadmaker made), and pikelets and home made butter both made by Alice. Where we are going to put the roast pork that I have just put in the oven I don't know!! Eric killed a pig yesterday and spent the morning scalding it etc. This morning he has butchered it. Just as well really as I had forgotten to get a joint out the freezer today to roast. This pig is going for bacon (except the joint I've just pinched). The cuts will have to be frozen and baconed in bits as bacon has to go in the fridge to cure and, although I have the biggest domestic fridge on the market, it would not accommodate a whole pig!
Yesterday it did the usual, tip down then sunshine. Being Saturday we had the usual 10 trips (or so it feels like) into Matamata running the girls to and from netball. Yesterday I was also popping up to Richard and Robyn's farm to help Eric get pig out the trailer onto the vat, then later the reverse. First time there was no-one else around but when I went to help get pig back in the trailer Richard and his dad Bryce were there so I was surplus to requirements really.
Harriette and Sarah are in different teams at Intermediate and were playing each other yesterday. Sarah's team won by about 6 goals but the possession was far more even than the score implies. Harriette and her goal shooting partner, Katie, missed a few goals they should have got in, and the other teams goal shooters were on top form. Having said that both Harriette and Katie got some difficult shots in. It was a good match to watch, and Richard and Robyn, a normally quiet and reserved couple, spent the whole 50 minutes shouting at the players. Robyn encouraging the 'blacks' (Sarahs team whom she intermittently coaches) and Richard heckling (tongue in cheek I must say) 'the greens', Harriette's team and doing a male version of encouragement to the 'blacks', 'Not that way', 'the goals that way' and 'that was a terrible pass' etc.
After netball and getting Harriette home and showered we went back to R and R's for tea and a look round the, newly acquired, farm. I also took up a birthday cake, card and pressie for Robyn. We met Bryce and Richards Mom, Sonia, there then all went over the road to the other farm. It is lovely, set in beautiful countryside (yes I know it's all beautiful around here) with wonderful views of the Kaimai mountain range. We explored the piggery which is overgrown but has about 50 pens and left Bryce and Eric dawdling there while we did the dairy and other buildings. Eric caught up a we found the chiller (which all 10 of us fitted in comfortably - it was off!) and looked into what needed doing to get it up and running again. We then went for a walk round the 125 (I think they said) acres. Harriette, who had complained that she'd tweeked her back at netball, and who had been told not to walk with us but who knew better (can't think who she reminds me of!), ended in tears as she was in so much pain. So after the tour it was straight home to get some pain killers (yes I did have some on me but we had nothing to drink) and get her settled down comfortably. She is much better this morning.
Yesterday evening we watched a film with pizzas on our lap. Well it was Saturday! On the subject of films, Katie what did you think of The Prisoner of Azkaban'? Has anybody else seen it? We have to wait until 10th June for it's release here. That would have been a great birthday present but I am running my first Vaccinator Training Course that day and will be working flat out in Hamilton all long day - and the next day as it's a 2 day course. In fact I have to go in so early in the morning that I am thinking a canceling pressie unwrapping until the Saturday when I can enjoy it. We are going to see it on Sunday, can't wait!!
Well I am going to peel potatoes and do some domestic stuff. The kitchen table is still covered with a pigs ribcage etc so I'll have to go and work elsewhere.
Anyway, I then checked comments and found Stans www.birthdayalarm.com link. What a simple, but brilliant idea! Thanks Stan. I had read your comment but not twigged it was a link (sorry, I have just acknowledged my techno-ignorance!). So spent awhile loading birthdays for June and July in. Yes I know you can send emails to everybody asking for their birthdays but isn't that so naff. Anyway, with the help of this computer wizzardary maybe I can get cards out on time now. I don't forget birthdays that often, I just don't remember them early enough!!
Now it's stopped raining but Chilli has not stopped moo-ing. She has been at it, averaging a moo every 15-20 seconds, for 3 days now. I've counted. She does occasionally stop for 2 minutes and I think she must have a quick catnap (cownap?) as she has had no sleep as such. I woke up 4 times last night and she was at it every time. We both feel so bad about it. Why? We sold her Mummy. It is a reality of this lifestyle but economics has to rule over sentimentality. I prefer to leave calves on mom until mom kicks them off of her own volition, but sometimes you have to enforce the separation, either because you need to sell, or because Mom is about to calve and you want the yearling off before the baby comes along. The latter is difficult to manage, the main requirement being good fencing. Mom and yearling will exert great force and determination to be re-united if they can locate each other. This way, ie removing Mom from the farm, does not need good fencing but is heartbreaking to listen to! The other 2 calves (Carol and No 3) have also moo-ed for periods but not as incessantly as Chilli. Chilli also has the pathetic moo of her mother, Pepper, not the deep proper moo of Twink or Ermie. Last year we tried to separate Twink from her calf Fly (so-named because she was born the day I flew to the UK) but Twink had other ideas. Eric put electric fencing up in the back paddock to confine the moms to one corner. He came back and said he didn't remember Twink being there. Oh she was I assured him, I saw her in there 10 minutes ago. Anyway about half an hour later Harri came in to say that Twink was on the drive down by the calves. She was moo-ing over the fence trying to work out how to get in to Fly. We shooed her up the drive but when she got by the house she jumped through the flower bed and over the fence down into the main front paddock to get back down to Fly. At that point Juliet and Kev arrived for the weekend so the 8 of us blocked weak points and shooed Twink back up the drive. We got by the pool and almost had her through the gate into the paddock when she shot sideways and run up the bank at the back of the pool. I had visions of her slipping down into the (then unfenced) pool. EVENTUALLY we got her in the paddock but as she had demonstrated more determination than we could match we gave up and reunited all the cows and calves!!
Back to the cow sale. We sent off 5 in the end (Freckles stayed). Chilli, a bag of bones, got a pittance but the other 4, including Mad Cow (who only missed finding her way into our freezer because 47 stoood closest to the barn on that fateful day), and Ermie got huge prices. In fact they all did really well but beef prices are very high at the moment. I don't think we could have picked a better week to sell. We plan to use this money to buy a Hereford or 2 in the spring so can move over to purebred cows rather than the hotch potch we currently have. We are down to 6 now, the calves Chilli, Carol abd Number 3, Freckles and Saddle the girls calves and Lance, the school steer.
(Long break at this point to go and stop the 3rd WW which was about to break out in the kitchen between Alice and Eric) I gave up on all attempts at a Sunday morning lie-in and got up)
It's now about 1pm and we have had hand made bread that Harri made (hand made as opposed to breadmaker made), and pikelets and home made butter both made by Alice. Where we are going to put the roast pork that I have just put in the oven I don't know!! Eric killed a pig yesterday and spent the morning scalding it etc. This morning he has butchered it. Just as well really as I had forgotten to get a joint out the freezer today to roast. This pig is going for bacon (except the joint I've just pinched). The cuts will have to be frozen and baconed in bits as bacon has to go in the fridge to cure and, although I have the biggest domestic fridge on the market, it would not accommodate a whole pig!
Yesterday it did the usual, tip down then sunshine. Being Saturday we had the usual 10 trips (or so it feels like) into Matamata running the girls to and from netball. Yesterday I was also popping up to Richard and Robyn's farm to help Eric get pig out the trailer onto the vat, then later the reverse. First time there was no-one else around but when I went to help get pig back in the trailer Richard and his dad Bryce were there so I was surplus to requirements really.
Harriette and Sarah are in different teams at Intermediate and were playing each other yesterday. Sarah's team won by about 6 goals but the possession was far more even than the score implies. Harriette and her goal shooting partner, Katie, missed a few goals they should have got in, and the other teams goal shooters were on top form. Having said that both Harriette and Katie got some difficult shots in. It was a good match to watch, and Richard and Robyn, a normally quiet and reserved couple, spent the whole 50 minutes shouting at the players. Robyn encouraging the 'blacks' (Sarahs team whom she intermittently coaches) and Richard heckling (tongue in cheek I must say) 'the greens', Harriette's team and doing a male version of encouragement to the 'blacks', 'Not that way', 'the goals that way' and 'that was a terrible pass' etc.
After netball and getting Harriette home and showered we went back to R and R's for tea and a look round the, newly acquired, farm. I also took up a birthday cake, card and pressie for Robyn. We met Bryce and Richards Mom, Sonia, there then all went over the road to the other farm. It is lovely, set in beautiful countryside (yes I know it's all beautiful around here) with wonderful views of the Kaimai mountain range. We explored the piggery which is overgrown but has about 50 pens and left Bryce and Eric dawdling there while we did the dairy and other buildings. Eric caught up a we found the chiller (which all 10 of us fitted in comfortably - it was off!) and looked into what needed doing to get it up and running again. We then went for a walk round the 125 (I think they said) acres. Harriette, who had complained that she'd tweeked her back at netball, and who had been told not to walk with us but who knew better (can't think who she reminds me of!), ended in tears as she was in so much pain. So after the tour it was straight home to get some pain killers (yes I did have some on me but we had nothing to drink) and get her settled down comfortably. She is much better this morning.
Yesterday evening we watched a film with pizzas on our lap. Well it was Saturday! On the subject of films, Katie what did you think of The Prisoner of Azkaban'? Has anybody else seen it? We have to wait until 10th June for it's release here. That would have been a great birthday present but I am running my first Vaccinator Training Course that day and will be working flat out in Hamilton all long day - and the next day as it's a 2 day course. In fact I have to go in so early in the morning that I am thinking a canceling pressie unwrapping until the Saturday when I can enjoy it. We are going to see it on Sunday, can't wait!!
Well I am going to peel potatoes and do some domestic stuff. The kitchen table is still covered with a pigs ribcage etc so I'll have to go and work elsewhere.
Thursday, June 03, 2004
Why I can't learn Maori.
Good evening and HAPPY BIRTHDAY KATIE. Don't know where you are today but your birthday card was posted to Bicton. Hope you have a super day.
Got all behind yesterday as I phoned Helen in the morning to say Happy Birthday and ended up talking so long I had to take the kids to school. They wanted to talk to their friends (Helen's children) Adam and Katie. Adam went to grammar in Sept so he and Harri compared notes on their new schools. I had set my alarm to phone early but woke up briefly then nodded off again. Hence the late run around. Anyway it was great to speak to them all.
Apart from office work (that report still) I went into Hamilton to talk to some school nurses on their study day yesterday.It was at Frazer High which is a low decile school (ie poor) and the biggest in Hamilton with 1,750 pupils. I expected some grotty run down place (you know like most English schools that have had zero maintenance for the last 15 years) and was amazed at how clean and fresh it all looked. I was told that the school nurses would be in the gymnasium and had in mind something like we had at school. The 'gymnasium' was a full sized sports complex like you would see in a major city - huge. I eventually found the school nurses in Campbell House a building exclusively for career development/advice. The whole place was an eye opener.
Today I went to Te Kuiti again and spent and hour or 2 getting my head around how services are organised there. I had (very nice) coffee and scones with a Maori provider of child health services. Primary Health care ie community services are very disjointed here with heaps of different providers of services in the UK you would just get through the GP. Add to that Maori names like Te Rohe Potae O Rereahu Maniapoto and Te Ngaru O Maniapoto, 2 totally separate organisations and you can see why I get confused! Any way I took the cross country route on the way down and the less pretty route on the way back (less pretty but still very pretty!) to compare mileage. I still cannot fail but be impressed by how beautiful this country is, but then I guess you are sick of hearing that - sorry!
Eric is just spitting blood about a black WPC being paid out 500,000 lbs plus (sorry there is no pounds sign on this computer) for racist treatment. A hole in the leg and life long physical pain is apparently only one tenth as bad as that! And poor boy he has been suffering with his leg lately. He seems to be popping painkillers daily these days.
He is blogging on the other computer I think so I guess you will read there about cows going off tomorrow so I won't repeat. Instead I'll go off to bed to continue with Rebus.
Night night.
Got all behind yesterday as I phoned Helen in the morning to say Happy Birthday and ended up talking so long I had to take the kids to school. They wanted to talk to their friends (Helen's children) Adam and Katie. Adam went to grammar in Sept so he and Harri compared notes on their new schools. I had set my alarm to phone early but woke up briefly then nodded off again. Hence the late run around. Anyway it was great to speak to them all.
Apart from office work (that report still) I went into Hamilton to talk to some school nurses on their study day yesterday.It was at Frazer High which is a low decile school (ie poor) and the biggest in Hamilton with 1,750 pupils. I expected some grotty run down place (you know like most English schools that have had zero maintenance for the last 15 years) and was amazed at how clean and fresh it all looked. I was told that the school nurses would be in the gymnasium and had in mind something like we had at school. The 'gymnasium' was a full sized sports complex like you would see in a major city - huge. I eventually found the school nurses in Campbell House a building exclusively for career development/advice. The whole place was an eye opener.
Today I went to Te Kuiti again and spent and hour or 2 getting my head around how services are organised there. I had (very nice) coffee and scones with a Maori provider of child health services. Primary Health care ie community services are very disjointed here with heaps of different providers of services in the UK you would just get through the GP. Add to that Maori names like Te Rohe Potae O Rereahu Maniapoto and Te Ngaru O Maniapoto, 2 totally separate organisations and you can see why I get confused! Any way I took the cross country route on the way down and the less pretty route on the way back (less pretty but still very pretty!) to compare mileage. I still cannot fail but be impressed by how beautiful this country is, but then I guess you are sick of hearing that - sorry!
Eric is just spitting blood about a black WPC being paid out 500,000 lbs plus (sorry there is no pounds sign on this computer) for racist treatment. A hole in the leg and life long physical pain is apparently only one tenth as bad as that! And poor boy he has been suffering with his leg lately. He seems to be popping painkillers daily these days.
He is blogging on the other computer I think so I guess you will read there about cows going off tomorrow so I won't repeat. Instead I'll go off to bed to continue with Rebus.
Night night.
Eh up, it's me 'ere.
Well, another day at the office and something has just struck me. I have had a huge quantity of property checks to do chasing up people who have not registered their dogs. This is in the main due to them having left the area as itinerant farm workers. Having had some success in this area and clocking up a significant amount of mileage, I can happily report to my boss that I have completed about two thirds of the enquiries if not a few more. The idea was to clear the dead wood prior to this years registrations are due. A good idea I thought, the problem is,gypsy day. 1st June, when a lot of farm workers shift, lock, stock and smoking exhausts. Another huge amount of deadwood has just been created. Hence, after registration date has come and gone, I'm going to have to do this all over again! Sounds silly doesn't it? The ISO auditor was in today and apparently wanted to see the Animal Control Officer, I told our ISO co-ordinater that he could spend as long as he wanted with me, if he didn't mind holding the pup that I had to dispose of. In fact I suggested he come and help put the dog down too, I didn't get to see the auditor so I guess it worked. Aren't I cruel. So that you rest easier, the puppy was in need of destruction anyway as it had deformed feet and was in generally poor health. Not so the one tomorrow. Still it is a fact of life and it is never going to be possible to rehome many of the critters.
When I finished work, I spent a couple of hours getting the cows sorted for their departure tomorrow. I was a bit worried as I hadn't heard back from the stock agent who will do the business with them in the morning. I didn't know when M was going to be home from her trip South and wanted to make the most of the light. Eventually, I had them penned up and sorted into those staying and those leaving. I was then feeling bad about separating the Mums from their bubbas. Not entirely because I'm so soft hearted , but every time we use the yards for some time, we end up causing vast amounts of damage. If we kept them separated, there was a chance that the damage would have been severe, so I allowed them to mingle.
That completed my day apart from cooking an abismal Macaroni. I think I spelt that wrong but I'm going to be chased off in a mo' by 'erself. Love you and leave you, night night.
When I finished work, I spent a couple of hours getting the cows sorted for their departure tomorrow. I was a bit worried as I hadn't heard back from the stock agent who will do the business with them in the morning. I didn't know when M was going to be home from her trip South and wanted to make the most of the light. Eventually, I had them penned up and sorted into those staying and those leaving. I was then feeling bad about separating the Mums from their bubbas. Not entirely because I'm so soft hearted , but every time we use the yards for some time, we end up causing vast amounts of damage. If we kept them separated, there was a chance that the damage would have been severe, so I allowed them to mingle.
That completed my day apart from cooking an abismal Macaroni. I think I spelt that wrong but I'm going to be chased off in a mo' by 'erself. Love you and leave you, night night.
Tuesday, June 01, 2004
Old MacDonald had a farm....
HAPPY BIRTHDAY HELEN. VERY BELATED CARD IN THE POST!
Poor Eric, do you think he has taken 'comments' to heart?!
As it is there is very little to report today. I had another mega-boring day tied to the computer. I made little progress on the report but got my database up to date etc. I tried to phone Richard and Robyn several times and left a CONGRATULATIONS message on their phone once. I have mentioned before that they have purchased a farm, well they took possession of it today. They have been sharemilkers on Richards fathers farm for years now and have been looking for a farm to buy for awhile. Their ideal scenario was to buy the one across the road from them and lo and behold it came on the market. We have yet to see it but have booked a guided tour on Saturday. Eric got very excited when Richard said there was a chiller there (in need of repair) and they have a piggery - all very interesting. R and R, like lots of dairy farmers, keep pigs during calving to turn the excess milk/colostrum into pork but they only keep pink pigs. Anyway they will continue to sharemilk and have bought in a farm manager to run 'their' farm. It is all very exciting and we have great admiration for them for pulling this off. Buying a first time farm is no easy task these days.
Anyway, having decided that they were not at home, we popped up anyway to deliver a card and bottle of bubbly anyway when we found Robyn in and looking very stressed. Her brother was moving today and the truck had not turned up to shift them. He had gone with the stock to the new farm and left his wife, toddler, Richard, Robyn and their son Matt, waiting for the truck to do the house move. Anyway, by 2pm it had not arrived and Robyn had to leave to meet Sarah and Kathryn from school. At 5.30pm, when we arrived she got a call from Richard to say the truck had just pitched up, but was stuck on the drive! Now Robyns brother is also a sharemilker and from what I can gather all the sharemilking and farmwork contracts run from and to the 1st June each year. So on the 1st June there is huge movement around rural NZ as everyone moves their families and their herds, farm machinery etc from one farm to the next. Last year we had 450 cows walking past our place on their way from one farm to another. It was a lovely sight.
On top of all this we when we arrived at Robyns I saw birthday cards up and on asking find out it's her birthday!! We had no idea!!! I shouldn't forget in the future though with 2 of my best friends having birthdays on the same day. Anyway all I had to offer was a hug and a promise that we will celebrate on Saturday.
Tonight was spent on that dreaded task going through the bank statements. God I hate it. And it doesn't matter whether we keep up to date with them or not we still seem to be broke all the time. Roll on to Eric being a 5 year qualified solicitor on $140,000!!!!!!!! Well a girl can dream can't she?
Poor Eric, do you think he has taken 'comments' to heart?!
As it is there is very little to report today. I had another mega-boring day tied to the computer. I made little progress on the report but got my database up to date etc. I tried to phone Richard and Robyn several times and left a CONGRATULATIONS message on their phone once. I have mentioned before that they have purchased a farm, well they took possession of it today. They have been sharemilkers on Richards fathers farm for years now and have been looking for a farm to buy for awhile. Their ideal scenario was to buy the one across the road from them and lo and behold it came on the market. We have yet to see it but have booked a guided tour on Saturday. Eric got very excited when Richard said there was a chiller there (in need of repair) and they have a piggery - all very interesting. R and R, like lots of dairy farmers, keep pigs during calving to turn the excess milk/colostrum into pork but they only keep pink pigs. Anyway they will continue to sharemilk and have bought in a farm manager to run 'their' farm. It is all very exciting and we have great admiration for them for pulling this off. Buying a first time farm is no easy task these days.
Anyway, having decided that they were not at home, we popped up anyway to deliver a card and bottle of bubbly anyway when we found Robyn in and looking very stressed. Her brother was moving today and the truck had not turned up to shift them. He had gone with the stock to the new farm and left his wife, toddler, Richard, Robyn and their son Matt, waiting for the truck to do the house move. Anyway, by 2pm it had not arrived and Robyn had to leave to meet Sarah and Kathryn from school. At 5.30pm, when we arrived she got a call from Richard to say the truck had just pitched up, but was stuck on the drive! Now Robyns brother is also a sharemilker and from what I can gather all the sharemilking and farmwork contracts run from and to the 1st June each year. So on the 1st June there is huge movement around rural NZ as everyone moves their families and their herds, farm machinery etc from one farm to the next. Last year we had 450 cows walking past our place on their way from one farm to another. It was a lovely sight.
On top of all this we when we arrived at Robyns I saw birthday cards up and on asking find out it's her birthday!! We had no idea!!! I shouldn't forget in the future though with 2 of my best friends having birthdays on the same day. Anyway all I had to offer was a hug and a promise that we will celebrate on Saturday.
Tonight was spent on that dreaded task going through the bank statements. God I hate it. And it doesn't matter whether we keep up to date with them or not we still seem to be broke all the time. Roll on to Eric being a 5 year qualified solicitor on $140,000!!!!!!!! Well a girl can dream can't she?
Another day in the life of a nobody.
Hi, me again. Having had my attempts at writing something moderately amusing smashed to bits by some people, no names, no pack drill, I have been bought down to this. The sun came up. I got out of bed. I fed the cows and the pigs, and the chickens and the dogs. Then I fed myself. I went to work. I came home and had to go back into town. I forgot the milk! I came home. We(the family T) went over to Robyn and Richards to wish them well with their new farm. Today is Robyn's birthday and we didn't know. Still we do now. That is all.
Tell me, do you really want me to maintain a blog which is so thoroughly boring and depressing? Please tell me dear readers. It is no trouble if that is your desire.
Tell me, do you really want me to maintain a blog which is so thoroughly boring and depressing? Please tell me dear readers. It is no trouble if that is your desire.
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