So I'm going up to Shepparton on Friday to some ADA thingamee to amass some CPD points. Then on Saturday morning there's another ADA thingamee down in Melbourne to amass more CPD points.
What's Milton to do?
a) Bring him up to Shepparton with me and then leave him with a friend in Melbourne when I go up.
b) Drive up and back from Shepparton on Friday, then do a day trip to Melbourne. Milton stays home all the while.
c) Don't go up to Melbourne at all and waste those CPD points.
Both have drawbacks. Option (a) means that he might potentially pick up some insanely bad habit that will take months to train out of him. For example, the last time I left him his toilet training was set back 2 months. That experience has left me... unwilling to take risks.
Option (b) means I have less time to spend in Melbourne and he'll be alone at home for most of Saturday.
Optin (c) means I'll have to find CPD points elsewhere - which may not be easy.
What to do what to do....
And no - I can't kennel him. All the kennels are fully booked now (school holidays).
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Favourite Spots
Milton has several hangout spots in the house.
Under my housemate's bed.
On his favourite chair in my room.
Under my housemate's bed.
On his favourite chair in my room.
Monday, March 30, 2009
Gratefulness
I shall attempt to list down a few things that I'm grateful for every day so that I have some perspective on my life.
Today. Hm..
1. Ate heaps of hot cross buns. Yum! Totally in love with them and wishing they were a year round event - especially the chocolate ones from Baker's Delight!! Could eat them all day. And night.
2. Patient said I was really good when it came to numbing them up. Always nice to know.
3. Milton had the decency to pee in the laundry. Sure, not on his pee tray, but still - it's a start.
I want more hot cross buns!!
Today. Hm..
1. Ate heaps of hot cross buns. Yum! Totally in love with them and wishing they were a year round event - especially the chocolate ones from Baker's Delight!! Could eat them all day. And night.
2. Patient said I was really good when it came to numbing them up. Always nice to know.
3. Milton had the decency to pee in the laundry. Sure, not on his pee tray, but still - it's a start.
I want more hot cross buns!!
Benalla Market
Went to the Benalla market and honestly did not have anything better to do with myself and decided to go for a cheap thrill. In fact, managed to rope my housemate into indulging in a cheap thrill as well.
What is it? The surprise bucket in one of the shops.
Basically, they have mysterious packages wrapped up and for the low low price of 2 dollars, you can buy one and well, be surprised.
The shopkeeper was quite shocked that 2 twenty-something girls were still childish enough to do such silly things.
Surprise all wrapped up
Surprise for boys - 2 ninja turtles and some lollies. One kicks and one kinda does some arm movements. Pretty cool.
Surprise for girls - A weird alien-like creature that plays music when you press its tummy, lollies and some hair ties.
It kept me amused for about 10 minutes.
What is it? The surprise bucket in one of the shops.
Basically, they have mysterious packages wrapped up and for the low low price of 2 dollars, you can buy one and well, be surprised.
The shopkeeper was quite shocked that 2 twenty-something girls were still childish enough to do such silly things.
Surprise all wrapped up
Surprise for boys - 2 ninja turtles and some lollies. One kicks and one kinda does some arm movements. Pretty cool.
Surprise for girls - A weird alien-like creature that plays music when you press its tummy, lollies and some hair ties.
It kept me amused for about 10 minutes.
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Perfectionism
This is totally 100% me. Nice to finally understand why I never get round to doing things.
Saturday, March 28, 2009
The Bakery
There's a lovely bakery in the small town that I live in that makes absolutely lovely pies. Went there last weekend.
Ordered a latte and a chicken and leek pie served in a vol au vent. Love lazy weekends.
Time Flies
Milton has been with me for more than 3 months. I flipped through some of the photos I took when I first got him and one can really see how much he has grown in these months.
Milton - The first week I got him when he fell in love with Froggy the mobile phone holder.
Milton - Just a few days ago in myroom. Notice how he's got the exact same pose and facial expression.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
My Desk
My desk is finally moving to completion - if only I could clear off the mess that's currently on it and take a picture for all the world to see.
All I need now is a nice stationery organizer and a matching glass for my water jug and I'm all set!
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Monday, March 23, 2009
To Calm Down
Have been running on stress for the past 3 hours and have decided to waste time doing this.
1. I've come to realize that my ex was... not exactly what I thought he would be.
2. I am listening to ... Milton chewing on his rawhide bone.
3. I talk ... with a Malaysian accent.
4. I love ... planning my dream home.
5. My best friends ... understand that making decisions is a very hard thing for me to do.
7. I lost ... my ability to eat quickly about 3 years ago.
8. I hate it when people ... squeeze my tube of toothpaste the wrong way.
9. Love is ... giving Milton another chance. And another. And another. And another.
10. Marriage is ... far away.
11. Somewhere, someone is thinking ... happy thoughts.
12. I'll always be .... procrastinating.
13. I have a crush on ... Fitzwilliam Darcy.
14. The last time I cried was because ... the stress of dentistry was too much.
15. My cell phone is ... black.
16. When I wake up in the morning ... I take Milton to his designated pee area and get him to do what he has to do.
17. Before I go to sleep at night ... I think about what's going to happen tomorrow.
18. Right now I am thinking about ... nothing. Nothing at all.
19. Babies are ... expensive.
20. Last night I ... decided that I wanted to get a red floss holder.
21. Today I ... have a headache.
22. Tonight I will ... cook dinner.
23. Soon I will ... see my hyacinth bulb sprout. I hope.
24. I really want ... to learn to be content.
2. I am listening to ... Milton chewing on his rawhide bone.
3. I talk ... with a Malaysian accent.
4. I love ... planning my dream home.
5. My best friends ... understand that making decisions is a very hard thing for me to do.
7. I lost ... my ability to eat quickly about 3 years ago.
8. I hate it when people ... squeeze my tube of toothpaste the wrong way.
9. Love is ... giving Milton another chance. And another. And another. And another.
10. Marriage is ... far away.
11. Somewhere, someone is thinking ... happy thoughts.
12. I'll always be .... procrastinating.
13. I have a crush on ... Fitzwilliam Darcy.
14. The last time I cried was because ... the stress of dentistry was too much.
15. My cell phone is ... black.
16. When I wake up in the morning ... I take Milton to his designated pee area and get him to do what he has to do.
17. Before I go to sleep at night ... I think about what's going to happen tomorrow.
18. Right now I am thinking about ... nothing. Nothing at all.
19. Babies are ... expensive.
20. Last night I ... decided that I wanted to get a red floss holder.
21. Today I ... have a headache.
22. Tonight I will ... cook dinner.
23. Soon I will ... see my hyacinth bulb sprout. I hope.
24. I really want ... to learn to be content.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Around The Neighbourhood
Milton loves his walks around the neighbourhood. Nay, he demands it.
Milton Stands - Why are we standing? We have to make up for lost time! I want to sniff out the whole neighbourhood, chase birds, collect my p-mail... haven't got all day!
Milton Sniffs - What's this mysterious smell?
Milton - Hurry up!! No time to lose! As he drags my friend up the street.
Milton Stands - Why are we standing? We have to make up for lost time! I want to sniff out the whole neighbourhood, chase birds, collect my p-mail... haven't got all day!
Milton Sniffs - What's this mysterious smell?
Milton - Hurry up!! No time to lose! As he drags my friend up the street.
Decision Making
I've been having problems making decisions of late. I think it's a skill that is actually getting worse and worse by the day with me.
I struggle to make even the smallest of decisions. Like which colored floss holder I should buy:
Saturday, March 21, 2009
The Hedge
At the front of my house there is a hedge. We left it to become an overgrown mess for the first 3 months. Finally, we decided to attack it.
Before
After - Sure, there's still some scraggly bits sticking out but surely that's pretty good for a first attempt?
Milton - I want to cut the hedge too! Milton, stay away before your nose gets cut off!
Before
After - Sure, there's still some scraggly bits sticking out but surely that's pretty good for a first attempt?
Milton - I want to cut the hedge too! Milton, stay away before your nose gets cut off!
Friday, March 20, 2009
No. 64- Grow a Flower
Went to the local nursery and saw this and absolutely couldn't resist - I had to have it. After all, the set up only cost less than 10 bucks!
Thinking it would flower in about 3 weeks, I was very excited. Only after I paid for it did the shopkeeper say those fateful words - "Yes, it will grow and grow, and in spring all the flowers will burst forth and your room will be filled with fragrance! They last a long time too."
Spring????
Forgive my ignorance when it comes to when flowers bloom but I had honestly thought it would be a tad quicker than that. Anyway, here I am with a bulb and a hyacinth jar and all I can do is wait. Shall blog its progress. This is what it looks like now:
This better be the most beautiful and wonderful hyacinth ever.
Thinking it would flower in about 3 weeks, I was very excited. Only after I paid for it did the shopkeeper say those fateful words - "Yes, it will grow and grow, and in spring all the flowers will burst forth and your room will be filled with fragrance! They last a long time too."
Spring????
Forgive my ignorance when it comes to when flowers bloom but I had honestly thought it would be a tad quicker than that. Anyway, here I am with a bulb and a hyacinth jar and all I can do is wait. Shall blog its progress. This is what it looks like now:
This better be the most beautiful and wonderful hyacinth ever.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Booklist
The BBC came up with this list of 100 books. Apparently the average number of books from this list that people have read is 6.
Instructions:
1) Look at the list and put an 'X' after those you have read.
2) Add a '+' to the ones you LOVE.
3) Tally your total at the bottom.
1 Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen X +++
2 The Lord of the Rings - JRR Tolkien X ++
3 Jane Eyre - Charlotte Bronte X
4 Harry Potter series - JK Rowling X ++
5 To Kill a Mockingbird - Harper Lee
6 The Bible X (not completed)
7 Wuthering Heights - Emily Bronte X
8 Nineteen Eighty Four - George Orwell
9 His Dark Materials - Philip Pullman X
10 Great Expectations - Charles Dickens X
11 Little Women - Louisa M Alcott X ++
12 Tess of the D’Urbervilles - Thomas Hardy X ---- (detested it)
13 Catch 22 - Joseph Heller
14 Complete Works of Shakespeare
15 Rebecca - Daphne Du Maurier
16 The Hobbit - JRR Tolkien X
17 Birdsong - Sebastian Faulk
18 Catcher in the Rye - JD Salinger X
19 The Time Traveller’s Wife - Audrey Niffenegger X
20 Middlemarch - George Eliot
21 Gone With The Wind - Margaret Mitchell
22 The Great Gatsby - F Scott Fitzgerald
23 Bleak House - Charles Dickens
24 War and Peace - Leo Tolstoy
25 The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy - Douglas Adams
26 Brideshead Revisited - Evelyn Waugh
27 Crime and Punishment - Fyodor Dostoyevsky
28 Grapes of Wrath - John Steinbeck
29 Alice in Wonderland - Lewis Carroll X
30 The Wind in the Willows - Kenneth Grahame X +++
31 Anna Karenina - Leo Tolstoy
32 David Copperfield - Charles Dickens
33 Chronicles of Narnia - CS Lewis X +
34 Emma - Jane Austen X +
35 Persuasion - Jane Austen
36 The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe - CS Lewis X +
37 The Kite Runner - Khaled Hussein X++
38 Captain Corelli’s Mandolin - Louis De Bernieres
39 Memoirs of a Geisha - Arthur Golden X
40 Winnie the Pooh - AA Milne
41 Animal Farm - George Orwell
42 The Da Vinci Code - Dan Brown X
43 One Hundred Years of Solitude - Gabriel Garcia Marquez
44 A Prayer for Owen Meany - John Irving
45 The Woman in White - Wilkie Collins
46 Anne of Green Gables - LM Montgomery X ++++
47 Far From The Madding Crowd - Thomas Hardy X
48 The Handmaid’s Tale - Margaret Atwood
49 Lord of the Flies - William Golding
50 Atonement - Ian McEwan
51 Life of Pi - Yann Martel
52 Dune - Frank Herbert
53 Cold Comfort Farm - Stella Gibbons
54 Sense and Sensibility - Jane Austen X
55 A Suitable Boy - Vikram Seth
56 The Shadow of the Wind - Carlos Ruiz Zafon
57 A Tale Of Two Cities - Charles Dickens X +
58 Brave New World - Aldous Huxley
59 The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time - Mark Haddon
60 Love In The Time Of Cholera - Gabriel Garcia Marquez
61 Of Mice and Men - John Steinbeck
62 Lolita - Vladimir Nabokov X
63 The Secret History - Donna Tartt
64 The Lovely Bones - Alice Sebold
65 Count of Monte Cristo - Alexandre Dumas
66 On The Road - Jack Kerouac
67 Jude the Obscure - Thomas Hardy
68 Bridget Jones’s Diary - Helen Fielding X ++
69 Midnight’s Children - Salman Rushdie
70 Moby Dick - Herman Melville X
71 Oliver Twist - Charles Dickens X
72 Dracula - Bram Stoker X
73 The Secret Garden - Frances Hodgson Burnett X+
74 Notes From A Small Island - Bill Bryson
75 Ulysses - James Joyce
76 The Bell Jar - Sylvia Plath
77 Swallows and Amazons - Arthur Ransome
78 Germinal - Emile Zola
79 Vanity Fair - William Makepeace Thackeray X
80 Possession - AS Byatt
81 A Christmas Carol - Charles Dickens X ++
82 Cloud Atlas - David Mitchell
83 The Color Purple - Alice Walker X +
84 The Remains of the Day - Kazuo Ishiguro
85 Madame Bovary - Gustave Flaubert
86 A Fine Balance - Rohinton Mistry
87 Charlotte’s Web - E.B. White X
88 The Five People You Meet In Heaven - Mitch Albom X
89 Adventures of Sherlock Holmes - Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
90 The Faraway Tree Collection - Enid Blyton X ++
91 Heart of Darkness - Joseph Conrad
92 The Little Prince - Antoine De Saint-Exupery X
94 Watership Down - Richard Adams X
95 A Confederacy of Dunces - John Kennedy Toole
96 A Town Like Alice - Nevil Shute
97 The Three Musketeers - Alexandre Dumas
98 Hamlet - William Shakespeare
99 Charlie and the Chocolate Factory - Roald Dahl X +
100 Les Miserables - Victor Hugo
39 out of 100. Not too bad, huh?
Instructions:
1) Look at the list and put an 'X' after those you have read.
2) Add a '+' to the ones you LOVE.
3) Tally your total at the bottom.
1 Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen X +++
2 The Lord of the Rings - JRR Tolkien X ++
3 Jane Eyre - Charlotte Bronte X
4 Harry Potter series - JK Rowling X ++
5 To Kill a Mockingbird - Harper Lee
6 The Bible X (not completed)
7 Wuthering Heights - Emily Bronte X
8 Nineteen Eighty Four - George Orwell
9 His Dark Materials - Philip Pullman X
10 Great Expectations - Charles Dickens X
11 Little Women - Louisa M Alcott X ++
12 Tess of the D’Urbervilles - Thomas Hardy X ---- (detested it)
13 Catch 22 - Joseph Heller
14 Complete Works of Shakespeare
15 Rebecca - Daphne Du Maurier
16 The Hobbit - JRR Tolkien X
17 Birdsong - Sebastian Faulk
18 Catcher in the Rye - JD Salinger X
19 The Time Traveller’s Wife - Audrey Niffenegger X
20 Middlemarch - George Eliot
21 Gone With The Wind - Margaret Mitchell
22 The Great Gatsby - F Scott Fitzgerald
23 Bleak House - Charles Dickens
24 War and Peace - Leo Tolstoy
25 The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy - Douglas Adams
26 Brideshead Revisited - Evelyn Waugh
27 Crime and Punishment - Fyodor Dostoyevsky
28 Grapes of Wrath - John Steinbeck
29 Alice in Wonderland - Lewis Carroll X
30 The Wind in the Willows - Kenneth Grahame X +++
31 Anna Karenina - Leo Tolstoy
32 David Copperfield - Charles Dickens
33 Chronicles of Narnia - CS Lewis X +
34 Emma - Jane Austen X +
35 Persuasion - Jane Austen
36 The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe - CS Lewis X +
37 The Kite Runner - Khaled Hussein X++
38 Captain Corelli’s Mandolin - Louis De Bernieres
39 Memoirs of a Geisha - Arthur Golden X
40 Winnie the Pooh - AA Milne
41 Animal Farm - George Orwell
42 The Da Vinci Code - Dan Brown X
43 One Hundred Years of Solitude - Gabriel Garcia Marquez
44 A Prayer for Owen Meany - John Irving
45 The Woman in White - Wilkie Collins
46 Anne of Green Gables - LM Montgomery X ++++
47 Far From The Madding Crowd - Thomas Hardy X
48 The Handmaid’s Tale - Margaret Atwood
49 Lord of the Flies - William Golding
50 Atonement - Ian McEwan
51 Life of Pi - Yann Martel
52 Dune - Frank Herbert
53 Cold Comfort Farm - Stella Gibbons
54 Sense and Sensibility - Jane Austen X
55 A Suitable Boy - Vikram Seth
56 The Shadow of the Wind - Carlos Ruiz Zafon
57 A Tale Of Two Cities - Charles Dickens X +
58 Brave New World - Aldous Huxley
59 The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time - Mark Haddon
60 Love In The Time Of Cholera - Gabriel Garcia Marquez
61 Of Mice and Men - John Steinbeck
62 Lolita - Vladimir Nabokov X
63 The Secret History - Donna Tartt
64 The Lovely Bones - Alice Sebold
65 Count of Monte Cristo - Alexandre Dumas
66 On The Road - Jack Kerouac
67 Jude the Obscure - Thomas Hardy
68 Bridget Jones’s Diary - Helen Fielding X ++
69 Midnight’s Children - Salman Rushdie
70 Moby Dick - Herman Melville X
71 Oliver Twist - Charles Dickens X
72 Dracula - Bram Stoker X
73 The Secret Garden - Frances Hodgson Burnett X+
74 Notes From A Small Island - Bill Bryson
75 Ulysses - James Joyce
76 The Bell Jar - Sylvia Plath
77 Swallows and Amazons - Arthur Ransome
78 Germinal - Emile Zola
79 Vanity Fair - William Makepeace Thackeray X
80 Possession - AS Byatt
81 A Christmas Carol - Charles Dickens X ++
82 Cloud Atlas - David Mitchell
83 The Color Purple - Alice Walker X +
84 The Remains of the Day - Kazuo Ishiguro
85 Madame Bovary - Gustave Flaubert
86 A Fine Balance - Rohinton Mistry
87 Charlotte’s Web - E.B. White X
88 The Five People You Meet In Heaven - Mitch Albom X
89 Adventures of Sherlock Holmes - Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
90 The Faraway Tree Collection - Enid Blyton X ++
91 Heart of Darkness - Joseph Conrad
92 The Little Prince - Antoine De Saint-Exupery X
94 Watership Down - Richard Adams X
95 A Confederacy of Dunces - John Kennedy Toole
96 A Town Like Alice - Nevil Shute
97 The Three Musketeers - Alexandre Dumas
98 Hamlet - William Shakespeare
99 Charlie and the Chocolate Factory - Roald Dahl X +
100 Les Miserables - Victor Hugo
39 out of 100. Not too bad, huh?
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Pea Harvest
It takes a friend who studied in a school that focused on agriculture to come over to my house and inform us that there are peas growing right under my very nose - in this case, at the planter box right in front of my bedroom window.
Once we were alerted to that fact, we proceded to give it a guardian - a black frog.
Peas all harvested:
Very sweet and crunchy. May actually fall in love with gardening.
Once we were alerted to that fact, we proceded to give it a guardian - a black frog.
Peas all harvested:
Very sweet and crunchy. May actually fall in love with gardening.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
The Cosy Kangaroo
Went to Bright last weekend.
I love it. Kind of reminds me of Fraser's Hill back home, except much cleaner and colder and quainter.
Was pouring when we arrived (the rare moments where it does rain in this area) so we dashed across the road and huddled, wet and shivering in the Cosy Kangaroo.
Proceeded to order a very late lunch:
Chestnut Flour Pancakes - Apparently Bright is famous for chestnuts. Also, it's gluten-free. Served with maple syrup and ice cream.
Devonshire Tea
Triple stacked sandwich - Yummy, but difficult to eat due to its thickness.
Lattes - Served with a chocolate freckle thingie. A tad unorthodox.
Had a great time in Bright. Will definitely go back in autumn when the leaves are ready to fall. I've been told it's extraordinary.
I love it. Kind of reminds me of Fraser's Hill back home, except much cleaner and colder and quainter.
Was pouring when we arrived (the rare moments where it does rain in this area) so we dashed across the road and huddled, wet and shivering in the Cosy Kangaroo.
Proceeded to order a very late lunch:
Chestnut Flour Pancakes - Apparently Bright is famous for chestnuts. Also, it's gluten-free. Served with maple syrup and ice cream.
Devonshire Tea
Triple stacked sandwich - Yummy, but difficult to eat due to its thickness.
Lattes - Served with a chocolate freckle thingie. A tad unorthodox.
Had a great time in Bright. Will definitely go back in autumn when the leaves are ready to fall. I've been told it's extraordinary.
My Glasses
Milton took it upon himself to wake me up at 3am in the middle of the night, trying to get into bed.
After I pushed him off a couple of times he decided to settle himself down and chew what I thought was his chew toy.
After about 15 minutes of chewing, I decided surely he couldn't be that interested in his rawhide bone. Decided to wake up and investigate.
Turns out he has been chewing my glasses for that period of time.
Had a fit.
It is still usable but it is absolutely scratched with chew marks. Obviously, I'm very upset.
Why is it that every 3 weeks he has to be so difficult?!?!?!
He has killed sleep for me - and it's 4am.
After I pushed him off a couple of times he decided to settle himself down and chew what I thought was his chew toy.
After about 15 minutes of chewing, I decided surely he couldn't be that interested in his rawhide bone. Decided to wake up and investigate.
Turns out he has been chewing my glasses for that period of time.
Had a fit.
It is still usable but it is absolutely scratched with chew marks. Obviously, I'm very upset.
Why is it that every 3 weeks he has to be so difficult?!?!?!
He has killed sleep for me - and it's 4am.
Monday, March 16, 2009
No. 61 - Grow A Herb Garden
My backyard is a desolate wasteland of dead grass from the hard burning summer. The soil was like rocks.
My housemate however was determined to make the best of it and cultivate a herb garden. It was her enthusiasm and my other best friend's that spurred me to at least take photos while they set up the herb garden in my backyard.
I also watered them in. Huge effort on my part.
Isn't it cute? The bush at the left is rosemary - the only plant that survived the drought. Tough little thing.
My housemate however was determined to make the best of it and cultivate a herb garden. It was her enthusiasm and my other best friend's that spurred me to at least take photos while they set up the herb garden in my backyard.
I also watered them in. Huge effort on my part.
Isn't it cute? The bush at the left is rosemary - the only plant that survived the drought. Tough little thing.
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Jumbone
Milton loves his Jumbone. That's Pedigree talk for a Jumbo sized bone that isn't really a bone but rather compressed wheat with chicken flavouring.
Mommy, where is it? I want more Jumbones!! *sad puppy eyes*
Mommy, where is it? I want more Jumbones!! *sad puppy eyes*
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Butterfly Peanuts
Am currently munching on one of my favourite snacks in the world - Butterfly peanuts.
For those who are unfamiliar, it's peanuts fried in a crunchy semi-sweet batter. Yum.
Still remember the days when you could buy a tiny packet for about 10 cents. My family has long since decided that was a frivolous waste of time and we just go to the factory and buy them in 500g bags.
My stash here is running low, but it was fun while it lasted.
For those who are unfamiliar, it's peanuts fried in a crunchy semi-sweet batter. Yum.
Still remember the days when you could buy a tiny packet for about 10 cents. My family has long since decided that was a frivolous waste of time and we just go to the factory and buy them in 500g bags.
My stash here is running low, but it was fun while it lasted.
Friday, March 13, 2009
Lazy Days
Some days all I want to do is sit back and pretty much just do... nothing. Like what Milton does all day.
Milton - Mommy, where do chicken wings come from?
Milton - Mommy, where do chicken wings come from?
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Country Women
"If you're going to live on a property, you've got to be sensible and practical" - Mother of Farmer Wants A Wife contestant
Am currently watching the 3rd season of Farmer Wants A Wife. Yes, I love watching it. Have gotten rather involved in it now. Anyway, I have to agree with that statement because when I was out on someone's property last weekend, I was shown what a country woman should be like.
A wasp had flown into the house. Now - being the city girl that I am, I naturally edged away from that area. Not these women.
Woman 1: There's a wasp in the house! Better get rid of it before it stings someone.
Woman 2: Where's the insect spray?
Woman 3: No don't worry, I've got it.
Woman 3 then proceeds to take a magazine, smacks the wasp to death with it and disposes of it with her bare hands. Unruffled, the entire episode was over in about 20 seconds.
No hysterics, no screaming, no pretending there isn't a problem, no calling husbands to the rescue.
Compare that to this.
I'm just not cut out for country living.
It's funny how when I start reminiscing about my life I realize that I hardly ever reminisce about the good stuff. Instead my mind flashes back to all the bad things that have happened in the past and I just pretty much sink down into this self-pitying and self-indulgent mood. Very destructive.
There are 2 things that trigger off such episodes - stalking people on Facebook and realizing they've gone so much farther compared to where I've gone - and reading blogs of people who chronicle how fabulous their life is.
Should really stop doing that.
There are 2 things that trigger off such episodes - stalking people on Facebook and realizing they've gone so much farther compared to where I've gone - and reading blogs of people who chronicle how fabulous their life is.
Should really stop doing that.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
The Lake
Decided to bring Milton out for a 2.5km walk around the lake. For him, that's like a marathon because most of the walks I bring him on are about 300m max.
Milton in the car - He's really good when it comes to car rides. He'll settle down on the floor of the front passenger seat and relax.
Milton and me - He got so excited he tangled himself up in his leash.
Milton at home - Passed out on his favourite chair the moment he got home. Still exhausted as we speak. Poor little thing.
Milton in the car - He's really good when it comes to car rides. He'll settle down on the floor of the front passenger seat and relax.
Milton and me - He got so excited he tangled himself up in his leash.
Milton at home - Passed out on his favourite chair the moment he got home. Still exhausted as we speak. Poor little thing.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Packages
Nothing gives me more pleasure than to receive a package in the mail. There's something about snail mail that makes me happy.
Anyway, a friend sent this to me about a month ago. Very nice stationery!
A planner and a card holder.
A very belated thanks!
Anyway, a friend sent this to me about a month ago. Very nice stationery!
A planner and a card holder.
A very belated thanks!
Monday, March 9, 2009
Homewares
Am currently obsessed with bread bins and tea chests.
Being the commitment-phobe that I am, I'm having trouble deciding which ones are the nicest and worthy of purchase.
Been eating Lindt chocolates like there is no tomorrow lately. This is what's left of what was a full canister:
Also have an unhealthy obsession over fruit baskets.
Being the commitment-phobe that I am, I'm having trouble deciding which ones are the nicest and worthy of purchase.
Been eating Lindt chocolates like there is no tomorrow lately. This is what's left of what was a full canister:
Also have an unhealthy obsession over fruit baskets.
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Tatong
Went to the Tatong Village Market on Saturday. Very small compared to the Violet Town market but was amusing enough to keep me occupied for the morning.
Walked in and saw this stall:
Decided on savoury crepes which were extremely disappointing - possibly worst crepes ever. Was tempted to try the ice cream but one glance at the ice cream freezer told me it was not going to be worth my calories.
Am planning to go to Beechworth and Bright in the coming weeks.
Walked in and saw this stall:
Decided on savoury crepes which were extremely disappointing - possibly worst crepes ever. Was tempted to try the ice cream but one glance at the ice cream freezer told me it was not going to be worth my calories.
Am planning to go to Beechworth and Bright in the coming weeks.
The Country Life
Went to a 50th birthday party this weekend in the country and believe me - it was everything that one thinks of a typical Australian long weekend.
A traditional Australian barbecue with lots of booze at a farmhouse with a view of rolling dry pastures (seeing Australia is currently in drought) accompanied by European wasps. Yes, there was a nest right next to the house.
"Nothing a little petrol won't solve later," the host reassured me.
Had a good time.
A traditional Australian barbecue with lots of booze at a farmhouse with a view of rolling dry pastures (seeing Australia is currently in drought) accompanied by European wasps. Yes, there was a nest right next to the house.
"Nothing a little petrol won't solve later," the host reassured me.
Had a good time.
Procrastination
The truth of the matter is that although I've been in rural Victoria for 2 months I am still not fully unpacked. I've been procrastinating for the past several weeks. I guess the short of it is that I just couldn't be bothered. Anyway, now that my other housemates have also moved in and everything seems to be in pretty apple pie order except boxes that are my own, I decided it might be a wise idea to get my move on and complete my unpacking.
Anyway, I know that I haven't been uploading many pictures of Milton. It's because I haven't been able to find my camera cable. Here are a few:
Milton On His Favourite Chair - Just unearthed it from the dark recesses of our second living room and placed it in my room. Milton jumped around excitedly as we moved it into my room and promptly settled down on it for a snooze.
Milton The Cat - Milton's favourite past time besides sleeping is to sit at the window sill of my room window and watch the world go by outside. Not that there's anything to watch - perhaps an occasional left falling down and if he's really lucky - a car passing by.
Sleepy - Seconds before falling asleep.
Anyway, I know that I haven't been uploading many pictures of Milton. It's because I haven't been able to find my camera cable. Here are a few:
Milton On His Favourite Chair - Just unearthed it from the dark recesses of our second living room and placed it in my room. Milton jumped around excitedly as we moved it into my room and promptly settled down on it for a snooze.
Milton The Cat - Milton's favourite past time besides sleeping is to sit at the window sill of my room window and watch the world go by outside. Not that there's anything to watch - perhaps an occasional left falling down and if he's really lucky - a car passing by.
Sleepy - Seconds before falling asleep.
Saturday, March 7, 2009
A Little Something
Saw these canisters online a few weeks ago and couldn't really justify their price. After all, are they not just glass and some stainless steel vacuum covers?
Anyway, saw some in my little town a few days ago at a pretty good price because it was still the 'old' price - clearly they were so expensive that even at the pre-marked up price nobody bought them. Anyway, decided to ponder over it for a while and left it on the shelf.
Went back today and imagine my horror when I saw new stock with their new prices on the shelf!! Was kicking myself but thankfully, the salesperson told me there were still 2 sets left from the old stock.
Coughed up and was told by my friend who was with me to stop pondering and start buying every time I'm not sure to save myself emotional trauma.
Am a proud owner of shiny pretty canisters! :D
Anyway, saw some in my little town a few days ago at a pretty good price because it was still the 'old' price - clearly they were so expensive that even at the pre-marked up price nobody bought them. Anyway, decided to ponder over it for a while and left it on the shelf.
Went back today and imagine my horror when I saw new stock with their new prices on the shelf!! Was kicking myself but thankfully, the salesperson told me there were still 2 sets left from the old stock.
Coughed up and was told by my friend who was with me to stop pondering and start buying every time I'm not sure to save myself emotional trauma.
Am a proud owner of shiny pretty canisters! :D
Monday, March 2, 2009
Why Milton Is An Intelligent Dog
1. He learned what 'mam mam' means in about 2 meals. For those who are staring at the screen thinking 'wtf?', mam mam is food - in Asian baby talk.
2. When I say 'Walkies, Milton?' he'll dash to the front of the house, revving to go for his walk.
3. He can sit, turn around, down and shake hands with non verbal cues. Without any treats!
4. The moment I semi-wake up in the morning, even if I pretend to be fast asleep he knows I'm faking it and will stand up on his two front paws on my bed frame and paw at me until I get up. Because who else is going to serve breakfast?
5. He's getting there in terms of toilet training. Sure, although I have said the word 'toilet' to him 10 000 times and he still doesn't seem to fully get it but got 'mam mam' in 2 goes, that doesn't make him a failure does it?
2. When I say 'Walkies, Milton?' he'll dash to the front of the house, revving to go for his walk.
3. He can sit, turn around, down and shake hands with non verbal cues. Without any treats!
4. The moment I semi-wake up in the morning, even if I pretend to be fast asleep he knows I'm faking it and will stand up on his two front paws on my bed frame and paw at me until I get up. Because who else is going to serve breakfast?
5. He's getting there in terms of toilet training. Sure, although I have said the word 'toilet' to him 10 000 times and he still doesn't seem to fully get it but got 'mam mam' in 2 goes, that doesn't make him a failure does it?
March
I did my accounts for the month of February and realized that living in the country is extremely affordable.
What I spent the entire month including bills, food, Milton's things, rent and all other expenditures did not even add up to what I used to have to pay just for rent when I lived in Melbourne.
To be sure, I haven't actually done any serious shopping yet. Not like I actually know what 'serious shopping' means anymore - I seem to have forgotten.
I think I know what the problem is. I've gotten so good at not getting instant gratification that now I can wait pretty much indefinitely for anything that I particularly want. Everything is in the 'later' category - not 'must have it now'.
Have I grown up?
What I spent the entire month including bills, food, Milton's things, rent and all other expenditures did not even add up to what I used to have to pay just for rent when I lived in Melbourne.
To be sure, I haven't actually done any serious shopping yet. Not like I actually know what 'serious shopping' means anymore - I seem to have forgotten.
I think I know what the problem is. I've gotten so good at not getting instant gratification that now I can wait pretty much indefinitely for anything that I particularly want. Everything is in the 'later' category - not 'must have it now'.
Have I grown up?
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