Hello, it’s been nice to have had some cooler weather; particularly overnight with lower temperatures, to help us all sleep more soundly. For me, I am still juggling (and trying to ignore) my ongoing menopause symptoms. At present (I have to write), the worst symptoms are the ‘hot flushes’ (not so intense thanks to a natural medicine); these are mainly early evening and morning (around two am is the usual time!), lack of deep sleep (in turn more tired and can hear husband’s endless snoring tunes) and constipation (I know right?). Thank goodness for kiwi fruit, peaches and muesli (on top of creamy yoghurt), to help get things moving along… I don’t usually like the taste of plain water (don’t ask me why); I have always found it hard to consume a lot of water (even though I know it is very good for us!). So, I have been pushing ‘my fluids’ (as I constantly ask most of the aged residents I help care for); this I can report, has helped greatly (I know dark chocolate helps too- but I’m on a low sugar diet- thanks heaps New Year’s resolution!) …
So, as most of you know, we had to return the four new chooks that turned out to be roosters… As soon as we lost our new friends, another not so friendly animal, decided to take up residence in our chook shed… I was a bit worried, when our remaining five sweet chook girls, had been reluctant to come up into the shed area (where they are fed) during the day, over the last several days; they had kept to themselves down in their backyard (for shade too?). I went to put our budgie ‘Pearly’ (in his cage) in the other big shed-with the door open (where the garden stuff is kept). I had arranged a pest control company to come on Thursday morning (thanks so very much), to spray the inside and outside of our house; to rid all the nasty black spiders (and creepy crawlies) that had started to take over the place (sorry dear ‘huntsmen’ spiders- you will need to move out for a while).
I turned to look into the chook shed (making sure the girls had fresh water) and saw a very long dark snake slither into the small chook door opening! My heart skipped a beat, I stopped and turned around, grabbing a spade from the shed; then ran back up to the house and threw on my thick (glittery) gum boots. I saw two workmen at our neighbour’s house and called out, “Hi there, do either of you guys know how to catch a snake?” They both shook their heads and said, “No, sorry-no good with snakes.” I ran back to the house and told the kids to stay inside with ‘Duggie’ (our wonder dog); who already had his harness and lead on (to go in the car), so we could all leave the pest control guy to do his thing. Just as I ran back outside, the red pest control Ute arrived (phew I thought- that was amazing timing). I called out, “Hi, I have a bit of a problem. We have a large snake in out chook shed; are you able to help me get it out?”… The nice chap said, “Yes, I can help; let’s go and see this snake- no problem.” (my hero!) …
Twenty minutes later, some swearing (from me mainly) and huffing-puffing later; we found a big hole under the concrete slab, that the nesting boxes sit on. The darn snake (not sure what type) had found a happy home, in the cool earth and under ‘Ana’, our grumpy silky chook (who had been broody over the past two weeks) who was also sitting there; looking quite bemused for the entire time… As the snake posed a dangerous safety risk to both ourselves, the children and our pets; it had to be (sadly) removed (in pieces). I never wish (or intentionally) want to harm any animals, but this time our situation was very different. I couldn’t bear the thought of having to take the pest control guy, or one of the kids up to the hospital; with a life-threatening snake bite injury (could have been me too!). Natural adrenaline levels still elevated; I sincerely thanked our pest control friend, for his extra work (I would pay extra on top of the usual bill) and left with the kids and ‘Duggie’ for over two hours (while the house settled from the spraying). We can laugh about it now; I really thought I had (just) enough courage to catch the snake- but now I know I didn’t (best to leave it to the professionals). I now have a list of a few ‘snake-catchers’ in our area on our fridge (thanks dear friend A.C- you’re the best).
Okay, let’s go back to 2018… I recall, now in February; a usually happy month for us, with Summer-time, my birthday events and catching up with family and friends. I was really excited to have my dear sister (hiya C.M- love you!) plan to stay for a weekend mid-February (before my birthday). We had plans to go out for dinner, while spend some quality time together (difficult to do often- with my sister living two hours away). I was so grateful for the time spent; Husband agreed to take Mister C out for the morning (thanks Husband), so I could spend time with my sister, and take Flossy to her friend’s birthday in Tallong. I won’t mention the long drive there; I had made a wrong turn driving out to an unfamiliar area (we had some giggles in the car- it was fun anyway)…
Husband and I hadn’t had a night away by ourselves for many years. I had spoken to a dear friend (hiya T.M- love you!) about her looking after the kids for us over this time, and we were able to arrange it (we were excited). It was the weekend after Valentine’s day -one of my favourite days (don’t ask me why- a romantic at heart?). I was a bit nervous about leaving the kids (Mother worry?); but knew they were in good hands with our dear friend (thanks heaps!). The kids were all well (this time-thank goodness), Widy had been on her three-day year seven camp to Berry, NSW, of which she reported having a fantastic time. Flossy had attended and enjoyed her school swimming carnival; she completed her race and was placed in the final- well done sweetheart! Mister C had been very good at school; Husband commented, “Wow, very proud of Mister C having a great day at school yesterday. He even got one of those blue merit awards, for his good behaviour from his teacher.” (well done Mister C!)…
I recall, Husband and I enjoyed our time away together (Husband had booked a surprise hotel on the other side of town). We exchanged Valentine’s Day gifts and Husband had bought me some lovely flowers and ‘crossword’ scratchies to share (fun to do with a coffee and a relax). Husband commented, “Wife and I had a lovely time, on our first overnight away from the kids, in we think over six years! We went to the movies, had a drink (or two) at the hotel; enjoyed a ‘romantic’ dinner at a beautiful restaurant in town and walked to the local club for a late night drink together (something we rarely did together!). I can happily mention, there were no (baby) surprises after that getaway (unlike back in 2012!) …
Husband comments (Feb 2018), “This morning Mister C came into my bed (Wife morning shift-had already left) about seven am, it was so nice to snuggle. He looked tired and said, “Daddy, I want to watch TV.” So, we watched ‘Pokémon’ and cuddled for about fifteen minutes together. Mister C watched the screen and I just mostly watched him, adoringly. I thought about the two lines on the pregnancy test, back in April 2012; nearly six years later this wonderful and cute little boy is here with us!”…
A Word from Mister C…
Sitting at the dining table for lunch with Mister C and Flossy (Widy was at work); I served Mister C’s favourite ‘chicken dinosaurs’, as a school holiday treat. Mister C grinned and said, “Yay, no vegetables this time… I don’t like vegetables; they taste Gross! Lettuce is okay, because it’s like eating water and it’s a fruit- like oranges.” … “Oh, no it’s not, my son;” I replied, laughing… “Lettuce is a vegie too,” grinned Flossy” … “Oh, really?” Mister C sighed, looking puzzled. “It’s like apples and pears- they are juicy and nice; I only like fruit! I love mash potato too; it’s like a fluffy cloud- the tears from cloud Heaven. It’s soft and yummy; it couldn’t be a vegetable too, could it?” …
Stay Tuned…
For lots more silly stories in 2018. Husband and I put our wedding anniversary plans on hold to care for Flossy, who encounters an incident at school. Mister C makes some new friends in his kindy class… Just an update re our third book; I have completed the storyboard for the book and I am now underway with the illustrations- is very exciting, I look forward to sharing some images soon ❣
I heard brown snakes are very poisonous!
Thanks for your comment Ms Rachevic. Yes, brown snakes are very dangerous, I think we had one of those in our chook shed! Keep on reading… Me and Mister C…