G'day, folk.
Linda, the painting sounds lovely. I've got some painting to get back to - it's been sitting on the table waiting for me, I need to do a bit more research so I have some scenes or photos to copy, Tuscan scenes for a desk set I'm painting for mother in law. I'm thinking of putting an entire miniature Tuscan scene inside the lid, so when you lift it up it's like a miniature landscape.
Susie, I'm sorry you're in such pain. A lot of the time, the skin reaction is either to the adhesive or to preservatives in it. Try gently putting some cooking oil on the welts, keep them moisturised with it. Olive oil, almond oil, macadamia oil - it takes a very tiny amount to ease the discomfort.
Sharon/WO, the summer day sounds like fun. Do you have some sand, and shells? I wish I could send you some form our beach. I love to collect shells, but not the perfect ones. I like the ones shaped by the sea into interesting shapes. Also, shells which are naturally a dark purple will weather to pink or orange in the sun - they contain carotenoids which the sun changes chemically.
Andy, have fun with the egg hunt. It sounds like fun! difficult child's got some good problem-solving skills there, although perhaps needs to re-think the morality of spying on other people's diaries!
We've had a really busy but productive day today. At the last minute I called mother in law to see if she wanted to come along, it's good to get her out of the house sometimes. The main business today was an appointment for difficult child 3 with the vocational therapist. Because we live in a 30 km long cul-de-sac, when we have something like this on, we get everything else done too that we can. So first we stayed at home while difficult child 3 got some work done and watched the schools programs on TV, then we headed out. First stop - the mall, to do some fast grocery shopping. From there, to the Chinatown suburb, mother in law bought some fresh custard tarts (still warm!) while I bought some frozen pork buns. Then a short drive further on, difficult child 3 was able to buy a computer game he ordered ten days ago. Then in to the city for the main agenda - the appointment. Again we got a good parking spot, so despite all we were doing, nobody had to walk far and even mother in law wasn't too tired.
After the appointment (productive) we drove around the corner to husband's work (mother in law gave him two still-fresh custard tarts, husband said he'll always welcome a tart!) then drove back home, via the butcher near home.
So I had some driving to do, but we got a great deal done without wearing ourselves out. We even got back out of the city before peak hour got too far along. I got home in time to put a roast on for dinner - always welcome, a healthy meal with not too much trouble.
Tomorrow is my cleaning day, I'm still up because I've got another load of washing to put on and a cup of coffee (decaf) to finish. I'm hoping to get some gardening done tomorrow as well, a neighbour dropped in some large herb plants he was grubbing out of his garden, I need to find a good place to plant them. It's not easy - our backyard is looking more like rainforest than ever. I'm going to have to cut the plants back hard and dry them, then I can bottle it as herbal tea.
I heard tonight that a good friend of ours fell out of a tree today (four metre fall) and broke both his arms. mother in law & I saw the helicopter, ambulance and fire brigade this morning as we were leaving, we didn't know who it was for. We'd heard the chopper land and figured it was for someone they didn't want to jostle too much on the long rough road out of town.
I'm thinking of asking difficult child 1 (now out of work and needing to be occupied) if he will offer to help out this friend a day here and there, as nursemaid. Our friend won't even be able to feed himself or take himself to the toilet without help, and his wife works. The church will rally round, but every bit of practical help will I think be welcome.
Enjoy your Wednesday, everyone.
Marg
