Are we expecting??

Well, this is a bit of a surprise and definitely unexpected ~ although it was funny in some way that Fred10 and I were only talking about the possibility of babies on Thursday and again on Friday.

We are expecting ~ chickies!! The little bantom we hatched this time last year ~ that's her on the left beside 'mummy' ~ appears to have gone broody Thursday/Friday and is sitting on 4+ eggs.
We are setting up the brooding pen (well, MyMan is ~~ still as weak as after my 'monumental' drive to school & back) and will candle next week to see if Skip has done 'good'.

And, faint-hearted, skip this paragraph ~ : ~ any boys hatched we will have for dinner when they are the right size. If we are going to be self sufficient, living up north QLD in a few years, then we need to be able to do it here. Fred10 said we'll have to name them Dinner & Roast to get used to the idea. I am glad he can see that - had we considered that option for Skippy (well, more seriously than an idle threat at 2am or when trying to collect eggs) it would have ended in tears...

Hmmm ~ how many eggs . . .

Checking this afternoon, I can only see two eggs (I've lifted her up, tried to get her have some water because we were in the 30s today) so we are going lock them all in for the next 24hrs and see if they other gerls feel the urge to put any more under her. Fingers crossed - as 4-6 would be good! We might pop up to George if we need to.

Timing is a bit out ~ MyMan is in the middle of a national roadshow, I'm a little wrecked from the first drive and I know that will improve with time, exercise & practise *and rest* so not as strong as I have/had been. As much help as Fred10 gives, often with a little more pleading that usual but I am putting that down to holidays/bored/lack of routine, I really wish MudGuts19 could pitch in with the same effort and reliability as he did for his 'work experience' job ~ we are prepared to pay (cash & phone cred) but no. Honestly, gives me the shits at times ('scuse the 'french')

Any way ~ we'll leave the chooks locked in tomorrow until early arvo and see what we get added to the box and hope there are a few extra in. Fingers crossed...

And a minor flop backwards...

May this be the last time I say it but ~~ oh crikey jimney crickets, I hurt and ache like the blazes. Please come back adrenalin and euphoria ~~ you kept the messages out of my brain until about 4am this morning when I awoke with screaming muscles, jumping nerves and not a hope in hadies of getting back to sleep!

So I've been planning! Routines, timetables, fun stuff, budgets and anything else that is going to ensure we have $30k by Dec 2011.

ONIONS

In 1919 when the flu killed 40 million people there was a Doctor who visited the many farmers to see if he could help combat the flu. Many of the farmers and their family had contracted it - many died.

The doctor came upon one farming family and to his surprise, everyone was very healthy. When the doctor asked what the farmer was doing different the wife replied that she placed an unpeeled onion in a dish in the rooms of the home - probably only two rooms back then. The doctor couldn't believe it. He asked to take one of the onions and place it under the microscope. When he did this, he found the flu virus in the onion. It had absorbed the bacteria, keeping the family healthy.

A hairdresser in NZ said several years ago many of her employees were coming down with the flu as were many of her customers. The next year she placed several bowls with onions around in her shop. To her surprise, none of her staff got sick.

A woman in Oregon contacted pneumonia and was very ill. Someone came across an article that said to cut both ends off an onion put one end on a fork, place the forked end into an empty jar and put the jar next to the sick patient at night. It said the onion would be black in the morning from the germs. Sure enough, it happened, just like that ~ the onion was a mess and she began to recover.

Remember too, onions and garlic placed around the room saved many from the black plague. Both have powerful antibacterial, antiseptic properties.

So buy some onions and place them in bowls around your home. If you work at a office, place one or two on or under your desk or even on top somewhere. Try it and see what happens. What have you to lose? Just a few bucks on onions!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

LEFT OVER ONIONS ARE POISONOUS

Who has used an onion which has been left in the fridge or bench, especially when you don't use a whole one at one time, and save the other half for later.

During a tour at Mullins Food Products, a huge US maker of mayonnaises owned by 11 brothers and sisters, questions about food poisoning came up. One of the brothers, Ed is a chemistry expert and is involved in developing most of the sauce formulas. He's even developed sauce formula for McDonald's. People are always worried that mayonnaise will spoil. Ed's answer will surprise you as he said all commercially made Mayo is completely safe.

It doesn't even have to be refrigerated. No harm in refrigerating it, but it's not really necessary. He explained that the pH in mayonnaise is set at a point that bacteria could not survive in that environment. He then talked about the quaint essential picnic, with the bowl of potato salad sitting on the table and how everyone blames the mayonnaise when someone gets sick.

Ed says that when food poisoning is reported, the first thing the officials look for is when the 'victim' last ate ONIONS and where those onions came from (in the potato salad?). Ed says it's not the commercial mayonnaise that spoils in the outdoors. It's probably the onions, and if not the onions, it's the POTATOES.

He explained onions, especially raw, are a huge magnet for bacteria,. You should never plan to keep a portion of a sliced onion, not even if you put it in a zip-lock bag and put it in your refrigerator. Both the onions and the moist potato in a potato salad, will attract and grow bacteria faster than any commercial mayonnaise will even begin to break down.

So, how's that for news? Take it for what you will. I (the author) am going to be very careful about my onions from now on. For some reason, I see a lot of credibility coming from a chemist and a company that produces millions of pounds of mayonnaise every year.'

AND FINALLY...

Dogs should never eat onions. Their stomachs cannot metabolize onions.

Must say thanks to Ann for this pearl of information ~ so, is it fact or an old wives tale? Any one with their own personal experience?? I would love to know if this works because I'll happily use a few onions around the house to suck up the crap that makes us ill! Let me know if you do...

~ One giant leap forward ~

Today is a day I have been waiting to come for quite some time...

Today I drove the car!!

It's been a long journey to get back in the drivers' seat, and not for a fear of the road as I don't have that (unless it is dark, stormy & raining heavily) but more because I could not turn my torso or look over my right shoulder with ease. I was also unsure how the right leg would hold up on the accelerator.

All in all, I think I've come out quite well! But I do ache like the blazes! Oi vie my right side is letting me know I am alive today!! I'm hoping a soak in a hot bath will ease that a little, better still - a lot!

When two dreams collide . . .

They will either clash or meld.

Thank goodness ours have melded. There was a revelation of sorts when MyMan heard past the gooble-de-gook that seemed to say no more cola, more more mags, no more lollies, no more music, no more fun . . . and has seen its $2 to a dream, its $5 to a dream, its $20 to a reality and so much fun, future and freedom!

* In 1954, Bob Hawke was immortalised by the Guinness Book of Records
for sculling 2.5 pints of beer in 11 seconds.
Bob later became the Prime Minister of Australia.

*Sir John Robertson, five times premier of New South Wales, drank
a pint of rum every morning for 35 years.
Later said: 'none of the men who have left footprints in this country
have been cold water men.'

What an interesting couple of facts as we end our Australia Day celebrations! For other rippas, I recommend you have a look at Convict Creations for some very interesting other ocker info mate. (thanks Lea!!)

Bloody meds

Well one can only say it is actually for the best, but I've been quite off colour for the last few days/weeks. Turns out I've been overdosing on fentaynl (an opiate) and was really managing very well, all things considered!

Middle of the night Saturday/Sunday, I woke up and just ripped one of the two patches off - I just knew that they had something to do with feeling like sleep was the only task I could manage.

Woke up this morning feeling back on track and a little more alive than I've felt in a long time! Noice!!

So did a lot around the house today, while doing a little online work - so glad for that at the moment because we are really focussing on the whole moving to QLD or get an IP (or dare we even consider both?!?!?)

But me brain hurts now - and I have 3 boys here tonight with no back up from MyMan. Finally they are all asleep, I've decided now is the right time to have my first real ~ as in not cyber ~ Baileys on ice in a long long time!!!

Night peoples - I will be back full swing on the morrow!
Might even get into the gardening side of things - woo hoo!!

For love or for money...

Part of our 5year plan is to move to Queensland and have self-sufficiency. We were on track for 2010 in 2007, with $20k saved and away ~~ but that got eaten away when I could not work, did not qualify for subsidised meds & care. At $180pw, plus the specialist appointments, half disappeared while trying to prove a fractured spine is a disability despite my happy disposition! WTF!! Add a mortgage, taxi & assisted transport...

But that was then, this is now. We aim to have a $500pw budget - excluding the mortgage ($250pw) until June and then try to having it included. Again - need one of those widgets to keep a record...

At the moment, with income, family payment & disability support (under $100pf - but it is the Pension card for discounted medicines & appointments we value) we have around $800pw. Getting MyMan to work costs $200-$250 a week, be it by car or by bus/train/tram. This is one area, with a huge compromise that I dont have to make, we can more than halve. It will mean a real shift in so many areas for this year.

Keeping us honest...

Every Sunday, we take out $500 for the week. This also saves any bank fee as it is reimbursed if we take out more than $200 per transaction. It is despicable the banks operate like this as those with a little get penalised ~ Mudguts never has $200 in his account so can only withdraw at his bank. At least NAB dont charge to come to the counter... anyway

From that $500, we all receive our pocket/sanity money which is $100 all up. MyMan has $50; I have $40 and Fred gets $10-$15 depending on help provided and room cleanliness. My $40 also covers the VeggieBox delivery on Fridays ($25) and hoping to split this with VBGF. It also covers canteen once a week during school term, and the odd magazine splurge.

The grocery budget comes out of the remaining $400 - and we have quite successfully been sitting around the $100pw mark for that. This week was $105, including cats, laundry & loo paper. That is the first shop for January so I think we are more than on track!

Coming together is a beginning,
Staying together is progress,
Working together is success.

There's the fuel budget and that is a biggie when work is a 2hr trip. At the moment I am not driving so this also includes the odd taxi or community transport car. I'll usually give friends eggs or something to cover the help to hydro. We'll say its $200 a week - sometimes it can be more, others less ~ and MyMan has a few tours Feb so the fuel budget should be lower (and the surplus added to savings).

With the final $100, most of that is for bills/accounts ~ and this might sound odd, but it goes onto the credit card. All the bills automatically are paid as due on the card. Each month we know we have electricity, gas & water ($150pm); insurances ($150pm); phone & internet ($200pm - for now...)

Two weeks into the new year and we have not yet broken budget
Here's knowing it should continue...

The Art of Decluttering...

I admit it ~ I have no talent when it comes to decluttering. I am a hoarder. But this too must change - - now!

When we first moved into our house, we promised that we'd be doing this, that and everything including a you-beaut garage sale. Well, the back dramas put a wee bit of a hold on most things, including the garage sale. Many times we've started to prepare ~~ and just as many times stopped.

SO - inspired by a Simple Savings challenge to de-clutter and get rid of 100 items - I'm going to start clearing out some stuff. Ultimately I'd like to see the GN250 gone, same as the station wagon - neither work but the bike is probably easier & cheaper to get back on the road.

Anyway ~ I'm going to run a list of things as I sell them and see how much can be raised over 100 items. First job tomorrow is going to be get a box of 'stuff' that don't have an assigned home. Heard a great line to help get the ol' clean up under way.

If IT is not where IT belongs - put IT where it goes.
If IT does not have a home - find IT a place to belong.
If IT has no where to go - then IT must go...

Melting ~ we're melting...

Damn nations it's been hot!! Fred's down the beach for the week with a mate's family ~ we chatted tonight and congratulated him on his self-proclaimed prowess on the boogie board. *grins* So long as he is happy, we're happy.

So been up in the 40c temperatures for a few days until it plummeted down to a lovely 26 around lunchtime ~ currently a bitterly cold 14c but again we say thanks for our decision to buy brick over timber as the house has definitely remained nice and in the high 20s throughout!

On the financial front...

It's not been a terrible expensive start to the year ~ we've set ourselves a budget for food; fuel & fares; savings. Rather than shop willy-nilly as had become the habit, we've joined the Simple Savings $100 per week shopping challenge as well as getting the $21 Challenge book.



So we are still sitting at:
January Grocery Budget: $400

Wk 1: Jan 1 - 6: Little Shop - Budget: $50 - Spent: $0 (only needed milk, GF picked up)
Wk 2: Jan 7 - 13: Big Shop - Budget: $150 - Spent:
Wk 3: Jan 14 - 20: Little Shop - Budget: $50 - Spent:
Wk 4 Jan 21 - 27: Big Shop - Budget: $150 - Spent:

Spent to date: $Nil
Still available: $400


Only sheer and utter laziness has aided in the lack of outgoings. The heat exacerbates the pain patches, so sleep is what I have been managing best. Stalling & procrastinating every thought or notion that required actually leaving the house played a huge part but upshot is $50 free & clear into the savings account already. I must re-set the counter...

We will, by hook or by crook, be shopping tomorrow as MyMan is back to work Thursday, Fred is home Friday and normality & responsibility return. That IS the plan. *grins*

Yahoo ~ We've got the F&V delivery starting up again - sharing produce with another family but it will mean $25pw each fortnight until the end of spring. Let me tell you about this one - for us its local produce, low travel, organic and yummo!!


Meats are needed, and must get to the cannery for tomatoes.

2010 ~ It all starts again...

Yes ~ it did all slide last year. Recuperation is a long, lonely, strenuous and tiresome journey ~ but we on the up-hill battle of recovery getting stronger and more able each week.

HA!! No wheelchair for me! I still remember my osteo Michael saying 'if something didn't happen, you'll be in a wheelchair in the next 8-10 years'. That was in 1999 ~ ten years later that's where the choices were ~ thankfully the only wheelchair use has been at the QLD theme parks in Aug 09, post op, taking the holiday I won online.

Over the coming days, I'll be recording hopes, dreams, plans and goals. I need also to note a few of the things that happened during the past 6-7 months ~ our holiday for one; the veggie bed; on the recovery front; friends, family & revelations ~ plus whatever other crap filters in. :D

A life less ordinary

Reflecting a little, life changed for us in June 07 when, simultaneously, my role became redundant after a business restructure, Nan passed away, MudGuts went off the deep end and the answer for the five plus years of back pain was found to be 6 little fractures on vertebrae in my spine...

T'was a pretty big year! It was also a time when Fred enjoyed having a mum at home, the garden was giving us bountiful crops of veg and I didn't work for the first time in about 20yrs (give or take for baby absences). Learning to stop was difficult!! Slow down & relax were words that I hoped to understand as, until now, the idea was a little foreign for this spring-loaded, highly strung workaholic! And while I disliked the 'clique' nature of the work environments, I loved my team and my role in it while at Ambulance. But the place destroyed me. Wrecked me physically & emotionally ~ a last lesson before the relax.

More waffle to disperse ~ more waffle to drivvel ~ leavin you with images of the most decious Ice-cream Christmas pudding cakes, pavalova, fruit salad and fruit-tingel cocktails. MMmmmmm


Ice Cream Christmas Pudding cake