Happy Australia Day

Australians all let us ring Joyce ~ She got her membership free....

HAPPY AUSTRALIA DAY!

It's been a rather busy day so far. How totally un-Australian! The one day designed for bludging... Oh well, maybe on Monday's public holiday ~ seems more appropriate really.

For some reason DS17 & I both woke at 7.30 this morning ~ early mornings are usually two filthy words in this house!! Rather than driving up to the super for milk, paper & cereal ~ DS walked up and back (took an hour). While he was gone, I enjoyed a morning cuppa (as there was no milk, this was a lemon & ginger tea) and wrote up the 2008 Chores/pocket money list.

Boy ~ when you write it down we do a heck of a lot each week.

As he returned, DS8 woke (now that's a bit more reasonable in my books!!). We all sat and had brekkie together and I let the boys know what we were planning in the way of chores this year, and the after school routine (homework, diary, things away). After the initial looks that were along the lines of “are you serious…?”, both agreed it seems ok and the pay was good too!! Naively, they provided some additional suggestions that will be incorporated, some as ‘bonus’ jobs. Mind you ~ while the no screens until after 5pm on weekdays was accepted without fuss ~ the 5 hour limit for the whole weekend (up until 6.30pm) did not go down too well ~ until I said that’s one way the ‘bonus’ could be ‘paid’.

DH and DS8 are now off to the OpShop to find some leather or like gloves for DS8 to use on his motorbike; some baking tins and hopefully a working pie maker. Then off to the library to drop off books, pick up books that have come in for collection, and 2 DVDs. They have taken sandwiches, fruit and drinks - now a year ago that would have been an excuse for MickyDees. Last job on the run home is to pick up some curtains, a wide brim hat, veggie scraps and day old bread (free).

DS17 is cleaning (and I mean cleaning to gleaming) the laundry/cat area. OK, I have been in there helping and encouraging ~ it is looking quite lovely and almost there. He's just stopped for lunch and a quick dishwasher stack up. After the laundry is done he is going to de-thistle and weed the chook run (not a bit job - 10-15mins for DH or moi; probably 45 mins of doddling for him - but thats ok)

I've finished the pantry; fridge & freezer stock take (4.5kg of white sugar!! And about a handful of rice. Shhesh ~ no idea what happened there...) so shopping list is being made up ~ self promo ~ I LOVE My Shopping List!! You will be able to download it from here at the end of this long weekend AND it will have the 'DIY Christmas Hamper' page.

Had a midway break/distraction in some clothes folding and sorting - but that was only short lived. Its not that I didn't want to but my back and neck said NO!!!

Off to the Fireworks at the Lake tonight. Thought about taking a roast chook to eat; but forgot to take it out of the freezer last night to roast ~ so we'll have something at home and take dips, biscuits, fruit and cheeses to have there. We've got oodles of glowsticks and sparklers ~ LOVE fireworks ~ fingers crossed the thunder storms hold off.

A few years back the heavens opened just before the display started ~ and I am talking torrential, horrendously heavy rain, causing everyone to be absolutely, completely and utterly drenched. Those in white clothing unfortunately became ‘see-thru’ – and that included my good self (Not that hubby was too perturbed!). When we got to the car, we all had to strip down to underwear ~ yup, Hubby was happy with that!!

To make it all the more funny, the windows fogged up instantly, we had to wind all the windows down and our headlights blew – leaving us with only high beam. We did not know how to explain it to the policeman, in fact we didn’t even try – he just took one look in the window and waved us out of the traffic chaos saying – “Just go home, quickly!” Lordy that was sooo funny! I can see that tale being said at the station later…

One of the SSers posted so eliquently a list of what was best about this great continent and, using a 'little' creative license, I was inspired to agree with the sentiments and embellish: I think what I like best about this great nation of 'mine is so much more than just the trees, rainforests, mountains, coasts, bushlands and our unique animal and native life, it’s also:

The people who have collaborated together to make it one

Our blue skies ~ purple rain clouds ~ red heat

Our laid back way of life

So many cultures in the one country, inspiring the food, the smells and the sounds we have

The beautiful landscapes, seascapes and night skies

We have choices: political, health, lifestyle

We have the right to OUR FREEDOM !!!!!
We can buy what we want, when we want,

We can save what we need, use it when we want,

We can dress how we want, 'tho sometimes others cringe

We can vote, fish, ride and shoot if we choose,

We can love who we want, we can marry or not,
We can be individuals! We can be heros!!

Where ever you are ~ have a great Australia day!