Not on our farm you don't...

Before I write this post, I'd like to warn readers that it could be distressing to some, and offensive to others....but that's the way it is......

I love animals, but I'm not a cat person. I don't hate them, they just don't give me pleasure. Saying that, I could never hurt an animal or be cruel to one, but tonight one feline came very close to having it's butt kicked to the next county..or worse.

Recently we have had a visiting cat. We found the owner and have returned the cat 4 times. Our 25 guinea fowl are going nuts and acting all stressed and frazzled because of this cat.

Two nights ago ANOTHER cat turned up, to which I said "we are not a cat resort, go home". The cat didn't go home, and as it has a collar, is probably being missed by its owners.

Or is it?? More about that later...

So tonight when I came home from work, The Hubbster and the kids were most upset because this "domestic"cat had caught and was in the process of eating alive a small, helpless, defenceless, native Marsupial to Australia, (did I say helpless) Bandicoot.

After it had killed it and ripped the head off and gutted it, the cat went away to wash itself...




The Hubbster brought in the little bandicoot, holding it in his hands, still warm and furry and little. And it was a male.

I really thought he was going to cry..he was so upset.

We are taking the cat to the pound tommorrow, so really, it gets off lightly.

Our farm is home to lots of native animals. We have pretty faced wallabies, potaroos, echidnas, possums and these little endangered bandicoots, and we want it to be a safe haven for them.

We don't want feral and unrestrained domestic cats killing our animals on our property, which begs the question:- does the responsibility lie with the owners of these cats to keep them restrained indoors so they don't have the opportunity to cause destruction such as this?

I think it does.

Cats are killers and hunters. It's what they do. It's instinct.

This cat has a collar and is not malnourished. It killed this little animal because it could. It attacked it and killed it and just walked off and left it under the house.

My husband picked it up and it was still warm. What a waste of a beautiful little life.

So we go to the pound tommorrow.

The next cat may not be so lucky.

It's beginning to look alot like.....

There is something about Christmas that gives me butterflies in my belly and excitement that I just can't contain.

It usually starts around September, when the weather gets warm, and when I start seeing Christmas decorations in Kmart. In September. I kid you not.....

I love Santa shopping, and I love choosing gifts for the kids that I know they will absolutely adore!

It's such a magical time for me, the end of usually a long, busy 12 months, with thoughts of the new year, new beginnings and exciting ventures.

And the great thing about blogging is that I can look back to this time 12 months ago where I was saying and feeling the exact same things....where on earth has this year gone?

Is time moving quicker each and every year? I'm sure it is, because it feels like only yesterday I was writing this.

So I find myself here again, nearing the end of the year, still not in our house (but alot closer) and wondering what on earth Santa will be bringing this year....

Another reason I feel mellow and dreamy is because two of my children have birthdays during Christmas week (and before you ask, yes - our wedding anniversary is 9 months prior......)

So the festive season, to me, is also a celebration of motherhood, and the arrival of my Christmas babes.....

I remember my first Christmas Eve as a first time mum, in the still of the night, with my baby sleeping next to me in hospital and how I silently sobbed for no reason I could imagine.....

I had my brand new baby, I was finally a mother, but I had never felt so alone.

I'll never forget that moment.

We have lots of Christmas traditions, including several movies I enjoy watching, that make me feel warm and floaty.

My favourite of course is Christmas Vacation...it's a standard we watch every Christmas Eve, before the kids go to bed.



It never dates, and it never fails to have us in stitches...

I also enjoy Christmas with the Kranks. Jamie Lee Curtis is a hoot.



And of course, my guilty pleasure...Bad Santa. Strictly adults only.....



So do you "do Christmas"?

Sunday

Today's Status:-

I didn't think it was physically possible to have this much snot in my head.

I had avoided the various germy colds and viruses going around, but they have found me.

I thought I was going to pass out backstage at the Eisteddfod yesterday. I was hot/cold, hot/cold, red face, shivering, coughing up several lungs, then I had to take one child to a birthday party at bowling.

I layed myself flat out on two chairs and accepted sympathy for the next two hours.

I couldn't wait to get into bed.

Here's a sketch Miss T did yesterday. She writes I love Mummy every single day.


Note the fan blowing cool air and my face contorted into a painful grimace.

The kids could have trashed the room and I wouldn't have even noticed.

I feel like crap today, but I've managed to get out of bed so I'm winning already.

The Eisteddfod is over and I can breath out, we did it! It was a good week, but very tiring.

Miss D was amazing. I am so in awe of her attitude and her grace, she really inspires me.

Oh by the way, we have more doors. And cupboard doors. AND bifold doors.







I'm in love with my doors. I'm looking forward to meeting my skirting boards and my architraves possibly next week.

House Update

Our excellent carpenter has been working weekends, and it's wonderful seeing the progress every Sunday afternoon.

We have doors!!!! Aren't they beautiful!



And we won't be painting the hinges thank you very much!


We have on order lots of house goodies including the skirting boards and architraves, the fretwork for above some doorways, a few ceiling roses and some door handles for the cupboards and the bifold theatre room doors.

This should arrive next week and will give the Carpenter something more to do as he is nearly finished hanging the doors.

We are phoning the Waterproofer to come and do his thing next week so the tiler can start.

The kitchen is being made and we have ordered our tiles.

It's all happening at The Money Pit!

Monday

We survived dance groups day yesterday. The girls did an amazing job and Miss D felt really good! No high temps and plenty of energy.

Day one of solos today with a break tommorrow and solos every day until Saturday.

It's always such a relief when groups day is over. It's alot of preparation leading up to the event, but it's all worth it when the girls dance on stage.

They placed really well including a first, two seconds and a fourth.

They are a lovely group of girls and they all get along so well.

And I love the fact that the mums help each other when dressing and pinning the girls into the costumes, lending a hand when needed.

With quick costume changes, things can get very chaotic...but this is all a part of the day.

We had an afternoon at home today, catching up on a few things.

The smoky hazy is really annoying me (everyone).

Just look at our driveway at 5pm........

Saturday

It's really smoky here today. We have had so many fires in our area, some have been deliberately lit and one got away from a controlled burn.

Lots of properties have been burning off and it leaves a real haze in the sky for days...

And we don't dare leave clothes on the line as they smell of smoke and have to be rewashed.

Thank God I have a dryer that works, not like the washing machine which is seriously peeing me off...............

Here are our mountains which are usually clear but we can hardly see them today.



I'm all ready for tomorrows dance groups day at the Eisteddfod. Everything is organised, all sewing is done, the costumes are ready and the make up box is packed!

I bought a fishing tackle box from Bunnings to hold all of the dance gear we need. I'm really happy with it!




Miss D has been sick all day, and has had high temps and a sore tummy. She's spent the day reading and napping in bed, with Nurofen 4 hourly and is sleeping now..hope she is okay for tomorrow.

How was YOUR day?

Science 101

I've been thinking about yesterdays' coin experience, and thought it a good opportunity to learn and grow so I'm very proud to present:-

Farmers Wifey - a guide to science and anatomy or Money, you can't take it with you.

Kids, don't try this at home.

The facts are as follows:-

Problem - Miss T (aged 6) swallows a 10 cent coin at approximately 3.30pm Thursday.

Location - Monkey Bars at Auskick.

Reason - she was swinging with both hands and didn't have anywhere to put the money. So she put it in her mouth (wtf?)

After a good head throwback, down it went.

Mood - her - upset, crying, remorseful, afraid
- me - upset, worried, tired, bewildered

Reappearance of the coin - 1.30pm Friday...

Scientific facts are as follows :-

1) 22 hour digestive turnaround

2) Coin colour (when washed) now a metallic blue as per photo in bag (for obvious reasons)


Side affects - Nil except for a good dose of sheepishness, and a scolding and lots of hugs from Mum and Dad.

Questions

When a mother loses her marbles, where do they actually go?

Can ones hair go grey overnight?

Kids - do they leave home at 18?

Stress - fact or fallacy

So a good result all round. No Xrays needed. And a day off school for Miss T who said she watched 12 Barbie movies.

I didnt think we owned that many.

Until next time........

Gloves anyone?

I recently whinged about how busy I am and how I wished for October to come where I would be stress free and ready for anything.

Remember?

Well we started Miss D's dance rehearsal this evening, and during this time, I managed to fit in 2 hours up at Accident and Emergency with a 10 cent coin in Miss T's belly.

Now I'm checking poo. So far, no coin.

I'll keep you posted.

She swallowed it on the monkey bars at Auskick this afternoon and she told The Hubbster and I:-

- It's not my fault (some tears and her bottom lip trembling) and

- I'm so afraid (while on the toilet, with more tears and a very sad face).

THAT made my heart break.

Miss T (aged 6) is having a day at home with The Hubbster tommorrow where he is on poo patrol.

Luckily enough, I'm going to work.

My Country

I love living in the country.

I love the space, the clean air and the peace.

The early morning wake up call of the magpie, and the laugh of the kookaburra.

It's wonderful being only 8 minutes from town, and passing green paddocks with neatly lined bales of hay.

We stop the car in our long, steep driveway to say good morning to the kangaroos, who sit and watch us with interest.

I love the cows we see, who don't seem to have a care in the world.

My office is two minutes from the school, which comforts me. And I love knowing other people in our complex - in the newsagent, the cafe, the supermarket.

I love that our school is small with no more than 500 or so students.

The kids ride the quad bike and the motor bike around our 75 acre property while we sit on the deck of The Money Pit and watch.




The horses graze in the paddocks which always sets the country scene.

The little animals who pass through, pretty faced wallabies, echidnas and potaroos and the little possum who always stops by.

I love the normality of seeing a child on horseback going to school.

The kids wear their boots to play, and can get as dirty as they want.

And the fact that people don't stare if I wear my Akubra "to town".

We are waiting for our guinea fowl to nest and then we will have some babies to spoil.

I never thought living on a farm would be so sublime and that it would fit me so well.

Someday I want to sit and watch my grandchildren play. To let them know they can come "home" anytime.

I really feel this is where I belong. Our house will be a country house, with large wraparound verandahs that will just cry out for a wicker chair.

To me, the love of the country is in my genes even though this is the first time I've ever lived out of town. My mother and her family were born and raised in the country, and I really feel it has been passed on to me in some way.

And I've only just discovered this.

The most important thing of all is that even though we live in a shed, it still feels like home.

House Update

Another busy week here with the Plasterer doing his thing!




I had no idea they used stilts to do the ceiling. How clever!

We have ordered the cornice (it's very stylish and called New York) and when that arrives the Plasterer will come back and put it up....

We are ordering the bathroom tiles on Wednesday and we have the tiler and the painter on standby.

The Carpenter has been busy too. He has finished all the vj wall panelling and the built in cupboards are all done! He has now started on the door jams in readiness for the doors which sit patiently in our garage.




I have to call the Waterproofer tommorrow for the bathrooms and the laundry and once he is done and the tiles are here, our tiler will start. The tile underlay is already done.


Now that the walls and ceilings are in and finished off, The Money Pit is really resembling a house.

Which is a good thing because I'm sick of the shed.

I need to unpack "my stuff". I need my craft room. I need to find my slow cooker.

And I need to decorate.

Hopefully we will be on track for Christmas.

9/11

Are there really any words to describe that day and how our world was changed in a heartbeat?

An event that is universally recognised just by its date alone.

Kookaburra

I took this photograph today.

The sweet little fella posed long enough for me to snap then away he went.

I love living in the country.....



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Proud Mumma

Well the news just in. Mr C made a miraculous recovery from his groin strain.

The next day.

Funny that.

And in other news Miss D, after being dosed up on herbs and honey, did exceptionally well in her very first singing solos.....

She came 2nd in the Song from a Stage Show or Musical, 3rd in the Sacred Section and a Highly Commended in Australian Composer.

My little Star ♥

October how I love you so...

Oh September, I love you because you're Spring and all, but I can't wait til you're over....

If I can get to October without losing my marbles I'll hip hip hooray and bask in the glory of my organisational skills.

So what's happening:-

House

The Plasterers started today and boy do they work fast. The have the walls and ceilings done and are back tommorrow to finish and sand.

The Hubbster went shopping today and finalised the kitchen specs. On Wednesday we have a big delivery coming of more VJ wall panelling to finish off a couple of cupboards, the tile underlay for the bathroom floors, our doors, some timber for the door jams and the door hinges.

This is what the Carpenter will be working on from next weekend. We have also ordered the timber for the skirting boards and the architraves and more bits and pieces.

We have decided on our cornice and that will be ordered this week.

Everything is running really quickly now, and it's very exciting. We have ordered tile samples and as soon as they are in, we will order the tiles for our bathrooms.

Kids

The Eisteddfod has officially begun and Miss D (aged 10) is singing tommorrow. She has been having singing lessons for most of the year and has a beautiful voice. Unfortunately she is sick with a sore throat and all that comes out of her mouth is a squeaky...squeak.

I've dosed her up on Manuka Honey and Ferr Phos Tissue Salts and kept her home today from school. Mr C (aged 8) has gone out in sympathy with a groin strain.

She can't talk and he can't walk.

Miss T (aged 6) went to school today exclaiming "see you later Losers, I'm going to school".

I hope she has this attitude when she's 16.

Dancing

The dance section of the Eisteddfod starts in two weeks. We have three new costumes for 5 groups and 6 solos. The groups day is always amazing, it's frenetic and crazy but when the kids are dancing, it's so exciting.

Work

I'm so ridiculously busy at work I may have to start working 4 days a week instead of 3, which will upset my busy social life (NOT - see yesterday post.)

I'm taking on extra work and I do enjoy it, but I'm feeling very tired at the moment.

Diet

If one eats ones body weight in Pringles, can the tubes be used as rifle practice?

Exercise

Please explain.

Saturday Night

As I sit and contemplate which Saturday night movie to watch on tv, I wonder where my social life has gone, and did I ever even have one?

Oh yes I did...I really did.

Call me a party animal but I had my time..just look at these!




The Hubbster and I have been together for 24 years. Since I was 20 years old.

We have had such good times, and crazy times.

Our twenties was our time to party. Lots of friends, nights out, drinking and partying.

We did it all.

Our thirties slowed down a bit. We moved states, we got married, birthed 3 babies (me not him) and slipped easily into middle age.

Oh the humanity!

When I was 20, the thought of someone being in their 40's was so foreign to me, it was laughable.

They're so old.....I"ll never be THAT old.

And yet, here I am, mid 40's, married with kids, a farm, nearly a house and a non existant social life.

I do have one if you include the kids and their "stuff". Their dancing, their football, their singing, their gym and their skatepark.

And I wouldn't have it any other way.

I've become quite reclusive since moving out of town. I'm like one of those rare birds, which stirs up a frenzy of interest when I am sighted.

I think it's because I'm just so tired from work, from the kids, from responsibilty and just life in general.

I'd much prefer to stay home than fight for taxis at midnight.

It doesn't mean I don't miss my friends, because I do. We all lead different lives and trying to catch up on a night where we can all be there is almost impossible.

Our last Mothers Group get together was planned so long in advance it was ridiculous but it was the only way to ensure we could all make it.

We are trying to go out for dinner soon and I'm so looking forward to seeing my friends and getting dressed up and eating dessert.

I've had my share of crazy times, of nights out drinking and dancing, and causing trouble which I'll admit I was guilty of as a wild child, but my focus now is on my family and being a Mother.

I think it has alot to do with the fact that I haven't drank any alcohol for over 3 months. And I hate to admit that for me, drinking was always a given when out having a good time.

So why go out, and stay sober? Where's the fun in that?

Now I'd much prefer to stay home, and entertain friends when The Money Pit is finished, and maybe even enjoy a nice glass of wine, without the stress of having to fight through the crowds to get a taxi at the end of the evening...

Now which movie will I watch tonight........?