Computer Literate

Hmm, where's my Facebook page?

I had been playing around with my computer and left the room. No.1 son took a photo of Baxter. Could not resist showing you all.

Pre-Winter Blues.

Only 3 weeks left till its officially winter. I always start to feel low when it starts to get dark early in the evenings. I don't perk up till I see the blossoms on the trees. I tried living in Queensland for a little while, but got bored as I missed the changing seasons-go figure! Anyway, no.1 son has told me that he is cooking dinner for Mothers Day. Wooohoooo. He is also going to get me a BIG bag of black jelly beans--my absolute favourite, though I can be bribed with the promise of aniseed rings. God, I am so cheap.

Peek-a-Boo

A long process

I shook off my laziness and started to work on the window in the study. This project is going to take sooo long as I can only work for about 5 mins at a time paint stripping. The window is about 50 years old and gets wet due to the condensation. As a result we have mould problems, even though we have used paint with mould inhibiter in it. Most people would hire a painter, but being a homemaker, I don't have that luxury, plus with the rates they charge I could probably go on an overseas holiday instead.

Lazy Saturday.

You surely don't expect ME to move as well?

Ok, its a rainy, cold, miserable day. So I decided to take a nap in the afternoon. Once the pillow on the couch appeared and I settled down, Baxter just had to have a nap too, right next to me. I could not sleep --Baxter snores! So I gave up and decided to move. Baxter had other ideas.

Soap and Chocolate

Today I decided to make another batch of soap. Again it seems that it is going to take ages to ''cure''. Oh well, its good that I have infinite patience- ok, most of the time. I was passing the back glass doors and spotted a beautiful black cat. Whats so interesting about that I hear you ask. Well, he was sitting on top of the vegie patch enclosure, which about 51/2 ft  above the ground, surveying  the chooks and the rest of the backyard as if he owned it. Being jet black, his green eyes stood out, he was georgeous. I get all sorts of visitors through my backyard, cats, lizards, falcons and once, two of the most beautiful large green parrots. The parrots hung around for a few weeks. Perhaps it was because of the seed bells I hung from the cubby house.

More Soap

Peppermint home made toothpaste.

After that bit of excitement,(you can tell I live a fast life), I decided to make some chocolates. Not so good for the hips but darn good for the soul. I decided that now would be a good time to try and make my own toothpaste. Having fragile skin,( a side effect of the drugs I take), I am finding that I need to be very careful with what I put on or near my skin. So when I came across a recipe for homemade toothpaste, I thought why not. There is a great recipe in the magazine Grass Roots No.210, April/May 2012. Peter uses straight bi-carb, but thats a bit to plain for me.

Productivity Plus

Today turned out a very productive day. Peter finished putting the ground level wood barrier around the vegie patch, so no more birds or mice, and I finally finished all the laundry that No.1 son very kindly brought home with him. No.2 son has spent all weekend washing trucks, and I finally restocked my Bicarb.

Soba working hard as always



Lots of lemons

We buy Bicarb in 25kg bags and store it in a 100litre barrel.We use it for everything from washing teeth,clothes, surfaces and cooking. Once full, the barrel lasts us for years-literally. Oh, and when you combine it with vinegar, it unblocks drains. I have only had to resort to store bought drain cleaners about three times in nearly 30 yrs.

Lazy Afternoon

It seems that the days are passing by so fast that I'm getting blurry vision. It has been pretty miserable weather wise here the past four days or so, and everyone, including the four legged members of the family have been feeling a bit low. I managed to whizz Baxter and Soba around the block a few times this week. Poor Soba, about half way through the walk he's already knackered. He just concentrates on putting one paw infront of the other knowing that his comfy shed and bed are awaiting him at the other end.

Baxter, on the other hand, suffers from small man syndrome. He has to announce his presence by marking every damn tree he passes and walks with tall man authority. The cats, on the other hand, have spent all week lounging on No.2 sons bed. The only reaction to a pat has been a yawn and" go away"look from Brandi, and a" what do you want" look from Ladybug.

Need I say more?

Homemade dishcloth

I also finished knitting my self a cotton dishcloth. Yes, you can buy them cheaply, but these are hand made from cotton and will last for a good while, plus it gave me a sense of satisfaction though it took ages to do, as I could only knit for 5 or so mins at a time. The Rheumatoid arthritis is such a pain!!!

No Rest For The Wicked.

Well, you could not ask for a better day. The weather was just splendid and all I wanted to do was sit in  a chair with a good book, and read while listening to the parrots calling from the trees. However, it was not to be. As usual most of the day was taken up with dropping No.2 son to work and getting odds and sods, such as some wood to repair the vegie patch. The birds have dug under the wire and they have also figured a way of getting through the door. Smart little beggars!
My bokashi is full and due to be put into the vegie patch in the next couple of weeks. Bokashi is a home compost system that basically gets the vegie offcuts to a certain point and then you bury the contents in the garden for the composting process to complete. I use this method in conjunction with my compost bin and tumbler system outside.

Bokashi

Nahnanaaaaana.

I also had some paperwork to do and of course I just had to be helped by Ladybug. Have you ever tried to use the computer with a cat that is determined to walk under your chin, and then swat you with a huge tail. Oh for the patience of an angel. There was of course an ulterior motive.. to tease Baxter.