The Big Cleanout.

Well we have spent the prelude to New Year doing something really exciting....Cleaning out the garage! I just don't know how I cope with this exciting, fast paced life we lead.  Until about a 18mths ago, I used to go riding on my motorcycle, following Hubby around the countryside. I could not figure out why the bike was do darn heavy. I guess the muscle wastage from RA had something to do with it. I have not given up. My bike needs the back brake repaired and light,( a result of being run off the road and ending up in a gutter).

However , No.2 son is greedily eyeing my bike, so Hubby and I have decided that I will sell him my bike, when he is ready, and we will get a CanAm Spyder in our retirement. I must say my helmet hair is something to behold.

My Baby

We also had some loud visitors.

Galahs

 Have a Safe and Happy New Year.

Post Christmas Lunch Hangover.

Hubby sneakily took a very fetching photo of my recovering from a humungous Christmas repast. Just watch this space as I return the favour.... and I have infinite patience.

Golden Balls.

Well it's nearly Christmas, the town is humming with the sound of cash registers and not a spare car park in sight. Meanwhile, here at home, we are all getting into the Christmas spirit......... some more than others.

Baxter in his Christmas 'finery'

Bonsaimum: Hey everyone, look at Baxter with his golden balls.
No.2 son: Great, they will replace the ones he's lost!

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYBODY.

Wandering.

Thought I'd go for a little wander today in the town just west of us. It used to be a delightful little country town but the developers have moved in and the real estate agents are living mighty finely. It is still a good town, but with increased population growth comes all the associated problems including increased crime. Our local paper just reported the arrests of 5 youths, all aged 14 and 15. All were arrested for burglaries, theft etc. Little darlings. Pity the days are gone when the police could give them a kick up the backside.

Anyway, back to the walk. The weather was rather humid and luckily not many people were around. Once, as you drove down to the local park, all you could see was greenery, but now  the housing developments are ruining the view. Oh well, such is life.

Small lake area.

Kangaroo Paw

Water lilies

Up Up and Away.

Well Sunday saw No.1 son fly out for three weeks of fun. He is off with some of his friends to Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand. He came home, without his washing, on Saturday to drop off his car and say goodbye. I am not worried. The fact that he virtually had to pry me off him as I hugged him goodbye at the train station..... get off me mum, for god sake get off me, god you are so embarrassing!!

Meanwhile, someone has been eating and killing my cactus.

The evidence.

Was it you Baxter?

Nope. I have an alibi, ask Brandi.

Was it you Brandi?

Nope. I have an alibi, ask Baxter.

That leaves only one suspect.

I should have known-  AL Ladybug CAPONE.

Hairy Nemo

 I have a very strange household, human and critters. How? Well let me tell you about Hairy Nemo. I have a very battered rain gauge, hung on the end of my vegetable patch. I used to empty it regularly until Hairy Nemo decided that he loved living in it, just above the water line. I don't know how he does it as in summer it would be like a sauna in there. Hmmmm, maybe he likes the health benefits. The other day I was wandering about in a fog, when I accidentally turfed him out. He waited patiently for me to realize the enormity of what I had done. I put the rain gauge on the ground and he crawled right back into it. I even refilled the water for him. I felt like I had been chastised. I think I need therapy!!!

One old rain gauge.

Hairy Nemo

Sitting just above the water line.

High Noon.

I can't believe it. I have been mugged by my own chooks! Here I am, a grown woman of a certain age, being held at bay and pecked if I dare move by 3 femme fatale's. It's No.2 son's fault. He did not do his chores last night and 'forgot' to feed the darlings. They like their special grains and like them PRONTO.

With a deep breath I charged at the posse and made it to the feed container in one piece. 10mins later, with grain in abundance, all is forgiven. In fact it was group hug time.

Gertrude giving attitude.

Audrey looking like she knows nothing.

The femme fatales-Audrey, Gladys and Gertrude.

Meanwhile back at the ranch......

I told you I heard intel on the planned rebellion.

Pssst- heard the latest?

Sealed Pot Challenge.

I have joined the Sealed Pot Challenge over at sftandthe101challenge.blogspot.com.au. I think this is a fantastic idea and look forward to the challenge. Below is my sealed tin which I hope to fill with $2 and $1 coins. I think I'll go and pop my first coin in now.

Well I Never...

I just happened to look out my back window expecting to see the local blackbirds in conference on how to breach my vegie patch defenses, when I spotted a visitor . Excuse the first few photo's as I was taking them through the glass. The last one I managed as I came out the back door. Unfortunately he didn't hang around. Just click on the photo for a closer view.

Hmm, what have we here?

I think some glass cleaning is in order.

Kookaburra sitting in an old gum tree....

Motherly Love

So it's Sunday morning. No1son, (yes he's back with his washing), No.2 son and myself are watching some music show on T.V. On, is a video clip of some female singer gyrating around.

Bonsaimum:" These people can't sing to save themselves. It's all voice production and skimpy costumes that get the music sales. I know, I can't sing either, so all I need to do is put on a skimpy, booby revealing, very tight costume and my singing won't be a problem. I'll sell millions."

No.1 son:"In that case you should stick to the singing."

Bastards!!

Internal Combustion.

Well, yesterday was VERY hot, today less so, but it was the humidity that did us all in. If the change doesn't come through soon I am going to either end up a puddle on the floor or internally combust. I would usually sit in front of the fan but No.2 son had a friend over and, like most teenagers, they felt the need to shut themselves off from the rest of humanity WITH MY FAN!!!!

Ladybug and Brandi disappeared, and have only re-appear this evening, though still exhausted. Baxter, well nothing short of a nuclear bomb fusses him. I'm getting too old for this heat business, like old cheese I tend to go mouldy in heat!!.

Brandi.

Where's my air conditioned cat house? Humans!

Quiet Wednesday

Nothing much happening today. Made some more soap today and decided to colour them. Since I am not into chemicals in my soap, I decided to try tumeric. I was aiming for a light golden colour but ended up with a light pumpkin tone. Oh well, can't have everything.

I'll put them away for 6 or so weeks and then they will be ready to use. Then it will be time to make the next batch. Such is the rhythm of life.
Bought the two divas new collars today, (Ladybug and Brandi ), I shall duly post them modelling them. Brandi is hiding behind the curtains at the moment and Baxter is sitting as still as a post just staring at her.  He has now moved beside the curtain and it waiting to ambush her. My foot will be aimed at his butt should he execute such a move.

Brandi is the lump behind the curtain on the right.

Its going to be 36C here tomorrow, God forbid.

Feeling Appreciated.

Another lovely Sunday here down under. Late morning, lazy breakfast, morning papers and an even later morning tea. No.1 son is home for the weekend -( translates as he's brought home his washing) - and reading his favourite  magazine 'Top Gear'. He informs us that he can download an app on his phone from the magazine that allows him to get additional material on the articles. We all nod at him like we care.

So there he sits, listening to all the 'extras' on his phone, when Arabic music starts playing. I look at Hubby, he looks at me, then we both start to belly dance in front of No.1 son. "Stop being idiots" he says.
So later, I'm on the computer:
Bonsaimum: - "Guess what? We can get Christmas cards with our family photo on them".
No.1 son:-"Christmas is supposed to be a time of joy, not fear".

I wonder when he's heading back!

A Talking Book Enthusiast.

Big Brother.

You can't even shop without being watched. Plucky little fellow, didn't even mind a mad woman whipping out a camera and pointing it at him.

Magpie 007.

Wondrous Friday on my Mind.

The sun is shining.

The weeds are flowering.

Baxter is Sun Worshipping.

The Kiwi fruit is growing.

The Ladies are consulting.

Baxter is making suggestions.

Make a wish.

Beauty is in the little things.

Bees are buzzing.

Yes I finally caught the little buggers on film-which translates as," I finally figured out a button on my camera!!"

Hope you all have a good Friday.

Spot the Bee.

It's been a lazy Monday morning here. Morning tea with some friends and then home to see how Hubby a la tummy bug is progressing. It seems he will survive to fight another day. I was passing my flowering bottle brush bush when the loud sound of buzzing bees caught my attention. Hmmm, how about trying to photograph a bee a work, produce a photographic wonder like I have seen on- line. Yeah - right.

Several things counted against me.
1. I am not a photographer
2. The bloody bees wouldn't stay still!

Still I am nothing if not pig- headed, and I was determined to catch at least one bee on film. Mind you, it was just impossible to film the native bees as they are so small compared to the European bees. So see if you can spot the bees--I dare you.

The Music of the busy bee
Is drowsy, and it comforts me;
But ah! 'tis quite another thing,
When that same bee concludes to sting!
                                         Andrew Downing.

Vet Affairs.

As you know I have a Dachshund named Baxter. Basically he's my little lap warmer and I think he's it and a bit. Hubby thinks he's a little shit pain in the butt and says very uncomplimentary things about him in his presence. I have to cover his little ears or he will need therapy!!!
So imagine Hubby's delight when I informed him that I was taking Baxter to the vet for his annual vaccination. Hubby thinks a shovel will do him a world of good!!!! So here's how it went.

Come on Baxter, time to wake up.

5 mins later

Don't you get more comfortable - get out of bed.

 Finally, we breakfasted and got him into his harness.Off we went. Half an hour later-:

I'm crushed, how could you????

Anyway after his check up, (which involved swollen anal glands to be cleared), one very stinky Baxter and Bonsaimum returned home.
Hubby: "Get that stinking dog outside"
Bonsaimum; "Don't be horrible, he's been through what no dog should and still retain some dignity".
Hubby:" I know what I would like to do to him........".
So I gave Baxter some treats to help him over his embarrassing ordeal. I think all has been forgiven.

A dog and his bone.

Sultry.

Stage set: Act 1
Hubby sitting in lounge chair, no.2 son in chair to hubby's left. The lounge door is half open. Bonsaimum arranges herself so only half a leg and arm is visible on the door, coughing to announce herself. She then slinks in winking at hubby.

Act 2.
No.2 son: "Mum, what the hell are you doing? "
Bonsaimum: "Trying to look sultry for your father"
No.2 son: "Well don't"  rolls eyes.
Hubby: "Is that what it is, I thought you were having a fit! "

Some day.................

Even Brandi was 'not amused'