Category: Wednesday W’s (Page 1 of 13)

What’s top of my mind: I’m back from my blog break.

No one can say, if they have any truth in them, that I’ve been writing too much over 2026!

Things have been busy with Mum, with two stints in hospital. I’ve also been going to her old place a lot, with Evan29 and Georgia31 moving in this weekend.

As you can see from the photo, Hazel appears to suffer from resting bitch-face syndrome. She wasn’t grumpy in the slightest = she was happy that I threw some old cut flowers into the orchard, where she could recycle them as chew toys.

Where I’m going: To lunch with the girls from work.

Most school holidays there’s a catch-up. It’s lovely to sit and chat with women I’ve known for so many years. But it also shows that time marches on… there are new people appearing who started work after I retired!

Where I’ve been: Ugh. Hospitals.

Mum’s health isn’t great. She’s too frail for operations, so she’ll probably be wearing that brace on her arm for the rest of her life. I can’t see how the bone is going to knit in an 85-year-old woman with osteoporosis, no matter what the doctors say.

I think that it’ll be a life of ferrying her from hospital visits back to Bonbeach… rinse and repeat.

What I’m reading: ‘The Hidden’ by Bryan Brown.

Yes, THAT Bryan Brown. The actor. This is his third book, and it’s very good. But I have to say, whenever I read one of his books, I feel a little grubby. He writes about the seedier side of life, and some of his male characters are bloody awful.

What I’m watching: Stranger Things.

I watched the first 3 seasons and then stopped. I don’t know why. So of course, when it was all coming to a close, I realised that I’d forgotten most of what went on, so I went back to the start. I’m now midway through season 4, so I’ll knock it over soon.

What I’m listening to: Podcasts.

I’m starting to run out of them. I still have a heap of ‘Welcome to Nightvale’ to catch up on.

Any recommendations?

What I’m eating: Zucchini.

I’m drowning in the stuff.

What I’m planning: My new life.

When Georgia31 moves out, this will be the first time IN MY LIFE tht I will be living alone. Up until now, I’ve always had family, housemates or a husband with me.

I had a little taster when both Georgia31 and Evan29 were away for the first week in January.

It was excellent.

Who deserves a ‘thumbs-up’: Anyone who buys my car… and Dad’s model cars.

I’m feeling fatigue from dealing with all of Mum and Dad’s stuff. We’re nearing the end, but there are still a few things left to clear up.

I’ve never sold a car privately before. I’ve always traded them in, so if anyone knows the best way to sell a used car in Australia, I’m all ears. I took over Dad’s slightly newer Golf because it had a sat-nav system, so now my trusty little Golf will be going to a new home. The money I make from the sale will be going to Mum.

What has made me smile: A new quilt gift.

I taught Lesley back in 2009, so when I saw on FB that she is now a mum, I knew she was quilt-worthy. Some students are special.

She met me at the door with “Hello, Ms Jones.”

I said, “How old are you now, Lesley? I think you can call me Frogdancer!”

Dad joke of the day:

What’s top of my mind: Getting this quilt finished.

I’ve promised a few baby quilts, and this is the first one. This is destined for an ex-student, who had a baby boy a few months ago.

Where I’m going: to the VW place, to pick up Dad’s car.

A couple of years after I bought my brand-new Gold, mum and Dad bought one as well. Theirs has inbuilt GPS (which Dad never used), leather seats and a larger boot. My sister Kate suggested that I sell my trusty Golf and take this one, and after much thought I’ve decided to do this. I’ll give the money I get from my Golf to Mum, to pay for the swap.

I took it to get a service and a roadworthy on Monday. Today I finally get to pick it up. It had a problematic oil leak… now I’m wondering if I made the right decision!

Where I’ve been: Taking photos of Dad’s vintage car.

Someone rang up enquiring about it and wanted recent photos of the interior and the motor. He and his wife are keen to see it – fingers crossed they love it and there’s one less car to worry about.

What I’m reading: The Names by Florence Knapp.

This is a debut novel from this author and I thoroughly enjoyed it. A woman from an abusive marriage is sent to the registry office to officially name her new baby boy. Her husband expects him to be named after him. The woman has another name in mind, as does her older child. The novel then splits in three, as we see how life turns out when the baby goes through life with each of the three names.

What I’m watching: Squid Game – The Challenge.

What a silly show. The prize money is huge, so maybe that’s an excuse for why the contestants are playing so ruthlessly.

What I’m listening to: The kids next door leaving for school.

One of them s a school refuser, so it’s good to hear all 4 of them going to scool, and at a time well before the school bell. Often, they are leaving after the school day has already started. As a former teacher, I have feelings about this.

What I’m eating: chocolate covered licorice twists.

This is part of a healthy breakfast, yes?

What I’m planning: My day.

I have to pick up he Golf at around lunchtime today. Georgia is out, so I’ll have to take the train. It’s a good thing the dealership is only a short walk from the station.

Then I’ll drive to Vicroads to hange the rego over to me, then to RACV to take the car off the total care package that it’s currently on under Mum’s name. Then to chane the insurance over to my name. I’m hoping Mum gets a couple of refunds to add to her coffers.

Then it’s a trip to see Mum, to take back the ‘old lady’ phone we trialled, because she said the iPhone I gave her was too hard to use. It turns out the push button phone is harder, so I have to swap the simcard back. Ugh.

Who deserves a ‘thumbs-up’: The members of the Riley Club.

They have been so helpful with advice and placing ads for Dad’s cars. Truly, they’ve given so much help that I didn’t expect. It’s made all of this a bit easier, for sure.

What has made me smile: Hazel.

Two nighta ago I caved and let Hazel sleep up on the bed with me. Two nights of full sleep!

Dad joke of the day:

What’s top of my mind: winter is bloody cold.

I’m sitting with the heater on, but my hands are stll cold. The sky is grey and just looking out of the window brings chills. I know for a fact that right now, there are tourists in Borneo walking around in shorts and t-shirts, laughing at the warm weather.

Where I’m going: The bank.

Mum and I are going on a road trip tomorrow. All of the banks that I visited with Dad to get me attached to his accounts, now have to be visited with Mum.

Where I’ve been: Coles.

I’m a devoted Aldi shopper, but every now and then I get an offer from Flybuys to spend $50 for 4 weeks at Coles, in return for a $50 voucher. I use it to get free meat.

It’s ok. I wander around, phone in hand with the calculator open, totting up how much my shopping costs. The game is to get it as close to $50 as pobble. Today’s total? $50.32c.

Yeah, baby!

Every time they offer the same deal, but for a higher spend each week, I simply ignore it. Eventually it comes down to the $50 for 4 weeks offer again.

What I’m reading: The latest Jackson Brodie book.

Kate Atkinson is a fantastic writer, and her Jackson Brodie series is a cracker. I’ve been reading this series over the last few weeks and I’ve been having a terrific time.

What I’m watching: Sister Wives.

Ok, I don’t know how this happened, but I’ve been sucked into this ridiculous reality show about a mormon family with 4 wives and 18 chilren between them. To see supposedly intelligent women make such STUPID financial decisions because their husband drags them from pillar to post is like watching a train crash happen in slow motion.

What I’m listening to: Scout chewing her ball.

She’s obsessed.

What I’m eating: a roast chook from Costco.

You can’t go past a Costco chook. Connor has to get his own dinner tonight – Georgia and i are having a roast dinner!

What I’m planning: getting furniture for Mum’s room.

Mum’s legs are swelling with fluid, so Kate and I have decided that we need to get her armchairs from the house. They are recliners, so she can watch tv with her legs up. Tom33 and David32 are going to be loading up a trailer with some odds and sods from the house, which will make Mum’s room much more ‘homey’ and comfortable.

Who deserves a thumbs-up: Stephen Colbert.

More people should tell Trump to go fuck himself.

What has made me smile: The photo at the top of this post.

I have two long flowerpots at either side of my front door, and I buy small ‘potted colour’ pots to have flowers there. Last year I bought 4 gerberas, and when they finished flowering I decided to see if they’s flower next year if I planeted them in the garden.

Look!

Dad joke of the day:

What’s top of my mind: wondering how cold it’s going to be in Iceland, etc.

I’m so used to travelling with carry-on luggage, but I’m starting to wonder if I might need more space for more clothes. It’ll be autumn when I’m there, so it won’t be as cold as it can get, but I’m pretty sure it’ll seem pretty darned cold to me. My dependence is on my merino tops. Layering.

Where I’m going: The Motley Bauhaus.

Evan28 and his friends have a one night only show tonight. I’m going to go along and surprise him. It’s a sketch show, so who knows what it’ll be like? It’s part of the fun to find out. Evan28 is a very funny person, so I’m pretty sure I’ll have a laugh.

Where I’ve been: Bonbeach and my parents’ old place.

We’re beginning to clear out Mum’s place and either take things to the op shop, or bring them back to her room. The photo shows an orchid that’s just beginning to bud. Mum wanted it brought back to stand outside her window, where she can see it.

My sister-in-law loves orchids, so she’s taking the other ones Mum had in pots in her backyard. I’ve got a maple Dad bonsai-ed years ago, and a daphne in a pot that used to belong to Auntie Doris, Mum’s cousin. They’re now sittting on either side of my front verandah steps. My Mum and Dad pots, if you will.

I dug up some white irises from the front yard. These came from some that my grandmother gave Mum, decades ago. Now they are under the bottlebrush tree in my front yard. Kate didn’t want any; they’re too messy for her. But I like the history.

What I’m reading:

Some fabulous short stories. I’ve had this tab open for about 3 weeks, and I’ve been making my way down the list whenever I’ve had a spare snippet of time. Most of these stories are very. very good. The only one I didn’t bother with is the J D Salinger one. I can’t stand ‘Catcher in the Rye’ – I wanted to slap Holden Caulfield.

Some of the links don’t work, but just take the title and author’s name and put pdf after them. Only one story (‘God Bless America’) didn’t come up, but the others all did.

‘Daisy Jones and The Six’ by Taylor Jenkins Reid. I’ve come late to the party wth this one – even Kate has read it before me, and she’s not an all-devouring reader like I am. It’s loosely based on Fleetwood Mac in the ‘Rumours’ era, and the way she’s told this story is unusual, but very effective.

What I’m watching: Dept Q on Netflix.

Just like when I saw ‘The Boys’, this one had me n the first 5 minutes.

What I’m listening to: Birds.

One of the things that makes living here in The Best House in Melbourne is the birdsong. When we were kids, we’d spend our school holidays in Inverloch, where Mum’s parents lived after they retired. The birds were different there to anywhere else I’ve lived. Except now.

Every now and then a bird will cry out and I’m instantly back in Inverloch. It’s lovely.

What I’m eating: ham and cheese scrolls.

Well, I haven’t made them yet. But I have a hankering, and I’m sure Georgia won’t object.

What I’m planning: a Little Adventure.

Oof. Remember those?

When I retired, I decided that every month that I wasn’t travelling, I should go and do or see something new to me. A day trip. I’ve been doing so much travel over the last 2 years that the Little Adventures have been few and far between.

But I’m not going anywhere this month. 🙁

So I have to start thinking about where this month’s Little Adventure will be.

Who deserves a thumbs-up: Scout.

It makes Mum so happy when Scout trots into her room, wagging her tail. Mum’s missing Dad so much, so anything that brings her happiness is a very good thing.

What has made me smile: Procrastination.

My poor veggie garden looks AWFUL. After I harvested last summer’s crops, it has been left to rack and ruin while I gallivanted all over Asia and Africa. I’d be happy to leave it be, but I have 3 different sorts of garlic to plant. They go in at the winter solstice, and they are harvested at the summer solstice. If I was going to have free garlic for another year, they had to get into the ground.

I got up on Monday morning, and when my feet hit the ground I said, “That garlic will be planted by Friday!”

By 2 PM that day, every clove was in the ground. Just as well, because when I opened up the paper bags I’d put them in last year, they were already starting to sprout.

In my head, the job was so much larger than it ended up being. That gave me heart. Yesterday I cleared out 3 more garden beds, which will be all fertilised up and will then lay fallow until I get back from the Iceland/Greenland/Scandinavia/Baltics trip in October.

I’m also thinking about how I want my back yard to look on Christmas Day. It’s my turn to host.

Dad joke of the day:

What’s top of my mind: Engagement rings.

We’re clearing out things from my parents’ place, and a few days ago we retrieved some jewellery. This row of rings are 4 generations of engagement rings from Mum’s side of the family.

The kids are all coming to my place on Saturday, so I’ll get Sophie to put her engagement ring next to the others. Then there’ll be 5 generations. How cool is this?

Where I’m going: Bonbeach.

As soon as I hit publish on this post, I’ll take Scout and we’ll go and take Mum for a walk. She’s losing mobility and she needs to build up her strength again. Her 2025 was pretty much sitting and watching Dad.

Where I’ve been: to the library.

I haven’t bought a book for the last 5 years or so. Instead, I use the local library, and for a bit of fun, I keep track of how much money I save by doing this. (At a rate of $30/book.) See the side bar…

A lot of the books I had on hold have come up, so presently I have about 10 books piled up beside my bed, ready to go. So far this year, I’ve read 62 books.

What I’m reading: some great books!

The Book of Guilt – Catherine Chidgey. This was sensational. It’s a slow burn and I don’t want to gve anything away. It’s set in an alternate future, where WW2 ended in 1943 in a draw, after that assassination attempt on Hitler’s life actually succeeded.

Caro Ramsay’s DCI Christine Caplan series. These are terrific. Set in modern-day Scotland, I’m loving them. I just finished the third in the series, then when I was getting the link for you, I discovered that number 4 has just been released. EXCITED! I raced across and put a hold on it at the library.

What I’m watching: The Buccaneers on AppleTV.

I’ve always meant to read the novel by Edith Wharton but I’ve never got around to it. This series is pretty darned good.

Also on AppleTV is Murderbot. I love the novellas and this show is wonderful.

What I’m listening to: the kids next door playing happily.

Aparently it’s school holidays. This is the first holidays that I didn’t realise. I’ve finally got the retired teacher mindset!

What I’m eating: nothing noteworthy.

What I’m planning: lunch for the family on Saturday.

Now that the kids are leading their own lives, getting us all together is like herding cats. I like to touch base with them in between my holidays, so this is the first one since Borneo. Sadly, Izzy won’t be coming, but everyone else will be there.

Evan28 will be moving back home in a couple of weeks, so this will mean a massive switch in the menu to vegetarian meals. Georgia and I will no doubt be having meat/cheat meals whenever Evan28 is busy at dinner times. 🙂

Who deserves a thumbs-up: the locksmith.

Mum and Dad had a safe in the house that, by the end of his life, not even Dad could get into. It had a dial on the top that was impossible for Kate and I to manipulate. We tried for at least half an hour, until I lost patience and said, “Fuck it! We’re calling a locksmith!!”

Naturally, he got it open on the first try.

The “family jewels” were there. Nothing is worth anything – it’s all sentimental value. There was also a huge bag full of every key that had ever passed through my father’s hands. Yes, I don’t know why this was so precious, either.

Mum and I had a lovely time looking at the jewellery and she told me all the stories behind who owned each one. The plan is for Kate, Mum and I to go through and we’ll take what we’d like, then we’ll have a meeting with Mum and all of her granddaughters and they can select what they’d like. Kate has two daughters and my brother has one.

I asked Mum if Georgia would be considered a granddaughter. Mum looked startled for a second, then said, “Yes. I think she is.” How wonderful for my trans daughter to have such acceptance..

What has made me smile: Seeing Megan (from Alaska/Canada) so excited about her new carpet.

At work, there’s a saying around a select few people about working deliberately towards early retirement. It’s called “doing a Frogdancer”, but with my IRL name, of course. Megan is being very strategic about how she deploys her finances. This year, she’s finishing off the last of the major house renovations by installing carpet throughout her unit. She’s done all her renos using cash and she’s been using her head when it comes to her long-term plans. I’m very proud of her.

Dad joke of the day:

What’s top of my mind: I’m so glad I retired!

This is the first day back at work after the summer holidays for Victorian teachers.

I woke up early in solidarity, but I can’t tell you how glad I am that I’m not having to trudge off to McKinnon to spend all day at work, particularly with what’s going on here with Mum and Dad.

The photo is one I quickly snapped when Mum got up a couple of days ago. Scout was very eager to greet her buddy on a fresh new day.

Dad is not progressing from his hip operation as well as we’d like. He’s not eating much at all, and people are shocked when they visit and see how thin and frail he looks. The new plan is for him to spend two weeks at a rehab facility starting from Friday, which I’m very pleased about. I’m sure they’ll get the cattle prod out in a smaller facility and get him moving, while it also gives Mum a chance to settle into Bonbeach, get the lay of the land, and start making some friends before Dad turns up (and starts arguing debating with people.)

Where I’m going: To Mum’s podiatrist.

Old people have a LOT of appointments, I’m discovering. After we leave there, we’ll visit Dad and then head home.

Mum goes into the aged care home after lunch tomorrow (Wednesday.) That’s why I’m posting today – I think I’ll be dealing with some emotions with Mum tomorrow…

Where I’ve been: to Costco.

I’m hosting Tom33’s engagement party on Saturday. After all this kerfuffle, I’m catering via Costco platters and a mud cake. The only thing I’m baking is some scones.

What I’m reading: Mostly dead things.

Meh. The descriptions of taxidermy are really good, but I’m still waiting for anything much to happen and I’m nearly halfway through.

What I’m watching: the news.

Mum is a news junky, so I’ve watched more news programs in the last 3 weeks than I have in the last 3 weeks. I’m looking forward to going back to a far more positive existence.

What I’m listening to: Morning TV.

Oof. See above.

What I’m eating: home-grown rhubarb and apple.

Part of my revised eating plan is stewed fruit and home-made yoghurt for breakfast, avoiding carbs for one meal at least. Yum! I’ve lost over 6KGs since Christmas Day.

What I’m planning: how to spend the 2 full days I have to prepare for the party.

My plans to use the whole month of January to prepare have obviously been thrown out the window. Instead of lovingly preparing the veggie garden beds with layers of fertiliser, mulch, compost etc, I think I’ll be throwing pea straw over everything. Hopefully, it’ll hide a multitude of sins.

Who deserves a ‘thumbs-up’: People who work in aged care.

It’s good to know that Mum will get the care she needs. Dad’s just not up to it and hasn’t really been able to provide it for a while.

What has made me smile: Scout.

She’s a funny little scrap. I’m so glad we have her.

Dad joke of the day:

What’s top of my mind: Not a great deal.

I’m ererging from that foggy week between Christmas and New Years, where everything blurs together and it’s like you’re in suspended animation. Not going to lie – I’ve been enjoying it.

Where I’m going: Absolutely nowhere.

Considering the crazy year of travel I have lined up in front of me, I’m enjoying keeping close to home and doing very little. I have around 10 library books stacked beside me bed, an overgrown veggie garden that needs cleaning up and a sewing room with lots of fabric.

I won’t be bored. 🙂

Where I’ve been: Megan’s place to help eat leftovers.

Remember Megan from the Canada/Alaska trip? She sent out an SOS after hosting her family for Boxing Day and so a group of us gathered for a barbeque and salad. It was nice.

What I’m reading: London Rules by Nick Herron.

At last!! I’ve been making my way through the Slough House series, which inspired the excellent series ‘Slow Horses’ on AppleTV. I had all the books except this one. Some selfish person had borrowed it before me. On Monday I raced down to the library because they’d finally handed it in.

I’ll be finished with this series lickety-split now. I’m loving the way Herron wries. His use of metaphor and his wry British humour is very enjoyable.

What I’m watching: The Sopranos.

Georgia put me onto this one. I know I’m very late to the party – and I also know about the very last scene in the whole series – but for some reason or another I’ve never seen it. When Georgia told me that she was watching it and thought it was good, I knew I had to see. She put me onto ‘Breaking Bad’ and ‘Better Call Saul’, so I take notice of her recommendations.

Thank goodness Binge has it.

What I’m listening to: the blackbird in the front garden moving through the leaves on the ground.

I’d swear that there was a huge animal living under the fruit trees, if I didn’t know better. The avocado trees have huge leaves and they seem to keep dropping them all year round. As I’m sitting here on the couch, I can hear it moving around and making the leaves rustle. It’s pretty loud, but it’s only the blackbird.

What I’m eating: The Christmas Ham.

I love a good Christmas ham. Every year I buy one and then slowly savour the hammy goodness on the days after Christmas. This year is no exception. With only two of us in the house nowadays, the ham lasts a long, long time.

When I get sick of it, I’ll chop and freeze the rest. But so far, we’re loving the cauliflower cheese, pizzas, ham and salad lunches, zucchini slices etc. Long may it last!

What I’m planning: an engagement party.

Tom32 and Sophie are planning a big year. They want to buy a house, buy a dog and get married all in 2025. To save money, they’re planning a very small wedding and they’re having their engagement party at my place.

I have a month to make my place look sparkling. An added impetus to this is that my ex-husband and his wife will more than likely be coming. I haven’t clapped eyes on them for a happy decade, so it will be interesting for us all to see how time has treated us.

Who deserves a ‘thumbs-up’: Mum and Dad.

Remember when I bought them each a ‘Storyworth’ gift for their birthdays last year? Basically, each week they get a question sent to them about their life/memories/attitudes and they write a response. At the end of a year their 52 essays get put into a book.

Because I’ve been travelling so much, this has turned into a series of binge sessions. They refuse to type out their answers, so I’ve been recording their answers on my phone and then typing them up.

They came over for lunch (christmas ham and salad, of course!) and we got through 10 questions. They only have 3 more questions each to finish the project. We’ll knock them over next week and then it’ll all be completed before I start my crazy travelling schedule.

I’ve learned a lot more about their lives as they’ve made their ways through. It’s been interesting.

What has made me smile: Scout.

I’ve been thinking for a while that she was 9 years old, but Facebook memories tells me that she’s only 8.

I have a bonus year with her!!!

Dad joke of the day:

What’s top of my mind: How nice it is to be home.

I’m a lucky person. I love travelling and I love being home. I have the best of both worlds.

Where I’m going: Christmas Shopping.

I only have Mum and Dad yet to buy for.

Georgia is turning 30 a few days after Christmas, and I want to take her shopping for some women’s shoes to fit her. It’s time.

Where I’ve been: to the mechanic.

I’m still salty about the bingle I had, just 4 days after coming back from the Crazy Road Trip. I was happily driving along Nepean Highway, went into the service road to turn left and saw that there were no cars in front of the car before me, so OF COURSE they’d be turning.

I glanced to the right to check if there’d be any cars on the road when I got there, looked back and the silly cow in front of me hadn’t gone… even though there was nothing in front of her. So I ran into her.

It was my fault by the letter of the law, but why wouldn’t you make the turn if there was nothing preventing you from doing so? My poor little car. She drove 8,000 km with no problems, and then this happens.

I will have to leave her at the mechanics for 7 business days at the end of January. They’ll be stripping her right back and replacing lots of panels etc. Thank god for car insurance!

What I’m reading: LOTS of books.

I’m thinking I’ll do a whole post on this, as I read about 12 books on my holiday. There were some cracking good reads among them.

What I’m watching: Alaskan Bush People.

This is a show on Netflix. I didn’t feel like watching anything challenging and this show fits the bill. It’s about a family of 7 kids who are totally under the thumb of their incompetent parents, particularly the father. They live far away from civilisation and exist like settlers in the 1700’s.

Their father is so STUPID. His decisions are questionable most of the time and he thinks he’s the head of “the wolf pack.” Ugh.

I got excited though, when I saw two towns that we went to in Alaska. Ketchikan and Hoonah. They filmed a segment in the very café I went to in Hoonah, where I saw the bald eagle fly to the pier and eat a salmon it had clutched in its claws.

What I’m listening to: Georgia’s music.

It’s drifting down from her room at the end of the house to where Scout and I are in the lounge room.

What I’m eating: Low carb stuff.

*sigh*

What I’m planning: my Vietnamese visa.

I have to get things together. I’ve heard they can be tricky to get right and I know quite a few people who have had to get one at the airport – at a cost of $500 or so. Yikes!

Who deserves a ‘thumbs-up’: Everyone who has commented on the blog this year.

Anyone who has been blogging as long as I have would know that people used to comment a lot more on blogs back in the day. Nowadays it seems that people just consume the posts and move right along.

I appreciate every comment and they make my day. So thanks, commenters!

What has made me smile: Avocadoes!

I planted a couple of avocado trees 3 years ago. I was watering the front yard a couple of days ago when I noticed something.

Yes, one of the trees is finally sprouting avocadoes. I was so thrilled!

Dad Joke of the Day: