Went to Melbourne for the easter long weekend. First time himself has been down to Hastings.
The two youngest were all over him like a rash. It was lovely.
J and K are silk screening T shirts and selling at local markets.
Hayley has been invited into an advanced Math class at school.
Photos of kids in 2009 at photo link.

On Saturday night, all had gone to bed and were asleep when I was wakened by something unspecified. I couldn't decide what it had been, so I walked down through the house just to be sure, to be sure.
There she was, lying in the hallway, tangled up in her dressing gown, (not wearing it) and carrying on like a pork chop.
When eventually back on her feet, she asked what I wanted her to watch - I had apparently called her to watch something on TV. When I said that I had been sound asleep, she got very upset and called me a liar etc.
Then last night at about midnight, she stood in the doorway to the hall and yelled loudly for himself until she woke us. It turned out that she had managed to turn her alarm on but couldn't turn it off. However she denied absolutely touching the radio in any manner or form.
Life gets tedious.

Finally got the ACAT assessment today. Without this we cannot put name down for nursing home. Now paperwork can proceed. I am really getting very tired of the heavy sighs and very dirty looks. And the smell in that area of the house. It is starting to smell like a nursing home and I guess that is because of the incontinence and the slightly rinsed knickers left in the dirty clothes basket in her room.
I strongly suspect that my tolerance is less in the last two months because of the pain levels, so I will start the pain patches again and see if that helps. Himself finds the patches are excellent.

John, Kim and the kids arrived about midday yesterday. I called himself and he came home. He had done the present shopping and got a microscope for 1, a lean leopard ornament for 2, a fairy for 3 and a blue and silver soccer ball for 4. All very well received. They loved the bracelets left for them and had to wear them all afternoon on either ankles ot wrists. The kiwi was a big hit.
They are truly the most gorgeous kids. 1 and 2 decided to learn how to play checkers - weren't doing too badly before dad and grampa bought in, 3 wanted to play chess. I convinced her I couldn't. 4 was intermittently all smiles and grumpy as hell - didn't sleep well last night so was exhausted. They went back to the motel about 4 pm.
At dinner, himself asked her what she thought of the kids - she said "What kids?"!!!
Today, I have the chook on cooking, may be for lunch or the kids dinner. The ham will be baked this afternoon.
They were also very pleased to hear about Yanni.

Have put in the core for the watering system, the house is now surrounded.
Restarted coaching, Jess has improved her flexibility over the break so the change leg split looks a lot better. Tumbling not bad but needs to do punch front-punch front before she does her layout fronts, otherwise she does low takeoff. Did some work on tour jete and they are starting to look as though thay may work. Front handspring - flic on beam getting better.
She is driving himself nuts, really has not got a clue.
Next week her name goes onto the lists for entry!

Rude remarks from she who must be obeyed that postings are not frequent enough!!
Definitely the pot calling the kettle black!!!
Spent the night in Sydney after putting her on the plane. Then after shearing two bonsai, travelled back home along the coast via the new seacliff bridge which looks freaky as you come down the hill towards it, but when you are on it, you are concentrating on the traffic and really don't see much.
Quiet day yesterday. Himself more relaxed with better pain relief.
Tried to clean the pond this morning. Got the deep area done, and the new waterlilies in. When we tried to clean out the blue sedge, it was too tough. After falling into the water twice and cutting my finger on the knife we were using to saw the root mat apart, it was decided to desist for the time being and try again later.

After three weeks in Ballina, she flew back on 21 Jul to Sydney, was collected from the plane and driven back to Canberra. Very quiet drive because she said there was nothing interesting to talk about from the Ballina stay.
Next morning asked me very quietly if she had been away as himself had said that she had been to northern NSW and she had no recollection of it. Very put out when I confirmed it was so.
We have Home Help coming in x3 weekly to shower her in the morning so at least her undies are changed three times a week. Himself leaves sandwiches for her but she does not seem able to make herself a cup of tea.
The slab is down behind the back bedrooms for the next two water tanks which won't arrive until end September. Hope it rains after that.
Jean has been in Auckland for the last fortnight - her mother fell and broke her hip but was not found until the next day. In hospital with hypothermia and not expected to survive. Two days later sat up and chatted to all and sundry. I am given to understand that Lazarus' name came into the conversation. Pin and plate of hip has been done but there has been marked mental deterioration.
Dog, cats and goldfish are all well.
Fraggle invited me to a swing dancing competition in which she was competing. (Swing as in 1920s-1930s music) Held in Canberra. Involves a certain amount of back and front saulting.
She and her dance partner of one year WON. $1000 and a couple of rather nice trophies.