Tuesday morning

Have had some nice rain the last couple of days - about 17mm all up. Long may it continue.
I have been disappointed with one of my Bunnings plants - a Eucalyptus erythrocorys - planted it out soon after purchase, and it is already dying. My friend Betty bought one at the same time, and it seems hers is dying back also, and hers is still in the pot. Think it must have been pushed along too quickly in its growth and hadn't been hardened off enough before sale - there was a lot of new tender leaf growth on it when we bought them.
Well, I have succumbed to joining Facebook. I decided I needed to know more about it as a librarian - people do come to us expecting us to know all about everything on the internet! I must say I am not impressed with it so far - not intuitive to find your way around it. Though Annie was quick off the mark inviting me to a game of Scrabulous (Scrabble) before I'd even signed up fully! So that will be fun to play, though I expect they will be very long interrupted games.
Yesterday saw a really cold snap arrive, though it only got down to 10deg last night. Oops, look at the time - am off to tennis.

Saturday 26/4/08

Not much news this week. Only 1 day at work, Wednesday and a 1/2 day Thursday night. Quite busy on Wednesday, and quiet but steady Thursday night. Managed to get a bit of the holds list done that night for a change.
Tuesday was a good tennis day, brilliant weather, and a very good win - in fact we were so far ahead that the opposition forfeited the last 2 sets, as they were nursing several injuries (it was 1 lady's first time back after a hip replacement!) Thursday's tennis was a different story - again, lovely weather, but after 4 sets each it was a draw, so we may as well have not played, except the exercise was good for us.
Managed to get a few more plants in this week, so now have to run around with our recycled/collected water and keep a bit of water up to them. We have been promised rain this weekend, but apart from being cloudy and a few spots last night, nothing has eventuated yet.
Neil and I watched Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress on dvd last Sunday night, and thoroughly enjoyed it, even though it was subtitled rather than dubbed. Wonder what the book is like......has anyone read it? There was another one someone told me about at the library the other night, which they recommended the book over the film, but I can't remember it now. Mmm, wonder if it will come back to me?
Anzac Day yesterday. Am always surprised that new stories keep emerging each year from families and historians. Quite interesting to hear the story around the French town Villers-Bretonneux. And interesting that they kept the memorial service for families of the crew of HMAS Sydney to Thursday, separate from Anzac Day.

Saturday 19/4/08

Crowea saligna (large flowered form)



Vale Milo. It is always so sad when a pet dies.

Here are some photos of the Crowea I was telling you about Michelle. It is a prolific flowerer, but I think it likes a slightly sandy mix and a raised bed for good drainage. Mine has not been watered through summer really at all. I must get some more of them myself.

Last week was a lean week for work, not that I minded really, as I had tennis Tuesday and Thursday, and choir Monday night and Maroondah meeting (of our plant society) last night. So I was quite pleased to have a few hours on Monday to load software on Neil's laptop, after picking it up from the repair shop (he decided to take Vista off and go back to XP). Also managed to put a few new plants in the garden this week, only now they have to be kept watered until the rain comes - perhaps not quite as much as if they were in pots though. It is just remembering where I put the new ones in...
Also took Ann out to the airport on my way to work on Wednesday lunchtime. Pity she had such a long wait for her flight. Oh yes, and we had a meal out together with Neil Tuesday night at Eos Greek restaurant in Greensborough. Was a little disappointed with the food - a bit overcooked, and lacking dips or sauces with the meat platter. They were doing a roaring trade (yes, a bit noisy) for a Tuesday night, so they must be doing something right.
Have a slightly swollen knee since Thurs tennis. Think I am just coming out in sympathy with Katie though - she really hurt herself at netball, and is now having to get a referral to x-rays and a physio to help it recover. However, might start increasing my dose of fish oil tablets now that I am back to playing twice a week, and see if that helps my knees. Two tablets a day has certainly taken most of the creaks and groans away.
Keryn has been quite sick this week with a cold. Must be something going round now, as Ann had it too, along with Natalie and Hannah. Bring on the lemon and honey drinks. The lemon tree outside has quite a few on it, but not quite ripe yet.

Sunday 13/4/08

Am recovering at last from a very busy week. Nice to sleep in and know I can do my own thing today. With an overcast sky today, I might rush to put a few more plants in soon, in the hope they will be watered in with some rain. Not holding my breath though, since the rain forecast for the last 2 days never eventuated.
Was surprised that I was quite upset by an irate borrower this week, who shouted at me and threw his cards across the desk. Makes me think how hard it must be for call centre people, teachers and nurses etc who must have to take this on a daily basis. I certainly wouldn't last long if it happened often.
Margaret and Peter seem to be enjoying themselves up Rubyvale, Longreach and Clermont area. Finding gemstones, metal detecting for gold, and general sightseeing. Another 2 weeks before they have to go back to work, I think.
Ann is going back up to Brisbane on Wednesday, and I am hoping to pick her up Tuesday sometime so we can have a meal out together. Will take her to the airport on Wednesday on my way to work at Mill Park.
Am supposed to be having Tuesday off tennis this week, unless someone else can't play. Back to Thursday tennis this week, with me as captain this season. Ugh, we still have 3 weeks in May when we are 1 person short for our team, since 3 of the regular team are off on overseas trips!
p.s. Just heard that I am needed at tennis on Tuesday. Also have emergencies for 2 of the 3 weeks needed for Thursdays in May, so I feel a little better now.

Wednesday 9/4/08

Well, it's good to be connected to the rest of the world again. Telephone and internet came back on Sunday night. The first we knew of it was the phone ringing, and it was such an alien sound, we ignored it for a bit thinking it was on the tv. It was Annie, who had seen me update my blog and thought I was back online.........however I had been using Keryn's borrowed mobile wireless modem to get online for that.
Monday morning I ended up taking Katie to the airport early to catch a flight to Sydney for the Miss World Australia contest. Then back to pick up Betty to take her to Bunnings to look at their range of native plants. That was fatal........so now I have a whole lot more to plant. Discussed the idea with her of our plant society having an afternoon down there to promote our group, and to talk to people about the way to grow the plants, conditions etc. She agreed it was a good idea if we could get Bunnings to support us as a local group.
Yesterday was tennis day. We played the Uniting Church team at Diamond Creek on mod grass. We got off to a bad start unfortunately, and never really caught up. I ended up winning 2 sets and losing 2 (badly).........not much new there. Was a beautiful day though, really glorious conditions. Came home and actually planted a few things in the garden. Then had to get ready for our committee meeting last night, which went well..........meaning we finished early for a change! They liked my idea of collaborating with Bunnings, so now it is up to me to approach them to see if they will allow us to do it.
Am off to work again today, till 8-45, when I go out to the airport to collect Ann, who is fast-tracking her plans here in case she has to go to NY early - her daughter Jo has been admitted to hospital with early contractions. She will only be with us overnight. Then we have a quick game of tennis in the morning, before I drive her over to stay with Ian and Natalie and the grandchildren. I have work again tomorrow afternoon.
Neil is working hard to get everything ship-shape here before he goes north again on his camping trip - lots of repairs, and pruning happening. I think he is waiting till all is settled with Probate too with his mother's estate. He is only waiting now on the English account to come over - shouldn't be more than a few weeks, by the time letters get there and come back again hopefully.
Had an enjoyable Indian meal on Monday night at Bhoj Restaurant with John and Wendy - making use of our Entertainment Book again. Was nice to see them again - pity they haven't had time to stay a little longer. Managed to help John sort out a few issues with his computer.........very nice little Mac. Have to get to work - will put photos on later.

Sunday 5/4/08

Only able to post this due to Keryn's friend lending her a mobile plug-in wireless modem.....slow connection, limited download. So will make this quick. After the big storm last Wednesday, we lost power from 2pm Wed till about 5-30pm Thursday..........so the freezer is having a big cleanout. Had gone down to the local service station to get ice late Wed (they still had power), so some of the fridge stuff was okay. However we still haven't got our phone or internet back, and having withdrawal symptoms here......... Have managed to register our loss to the phone and internet providers, so along with the tens of thousands of others, we will just have to be patient and wait.

Making scones at the moment to take to a garden visit/ propagating session this afternoon........we always have afternoon tea there. It is a largish property on the way to Diamond Creek, so will be interesting to see. They have problems with kangaroos rather than rabbits........

Attended the course yesterday on Home Wireless Networking, and came home and managed to set up the laptops so they could print remotely.........yay! Though Neil's has had a severe crash now.........another problem to be sorted out tomorrow.

Dinner out last night was good.......very nice Thai food........the Erawan Restaurant in Kew.

Tuesday 1/4/08

My Clematis aristata which died in the drought, but another has been planted.

Turned out to be a beautiful day today..........up to 24deg. Just right for planting, which is what I did while waiting for my photos to upload to a Picasa WebAlbum ..........the latter seeming to take forever. So uploading the photos took half the day, and turning it into a slideshow for my blog was easy. Planting the plants up in the top garden was more enjoyable.........I now know that only Acacias, Eremophilas, Eucalypts, some Banksias, and really desert type plants are the only ones that will survive up there. Rain is forecast for tomorrow..........let's hope.

Have work tomorrow till late. Was even asked to fill in for another tennis team tomorrow night........but of course couldn't. I took the plunge this morning too, and booked myself into a half day course on Saturday to learn about wireless networking. We already have a wireless network between the laptops and the desk computer, but linking the printers and other equipment defeats me........unless we buy a new printer with a wireless card in. So we will see if I can manage to learn if it is possible with the equipment we have.

Neil has been doing more pruning of the wisteria.........help, there's not much left.........and cleaning all the leaves off the roof, and out of gutters.

Simba is still being terrorized by a big black cat who seems to think our place is its territory. Have been taking the dogs out for walks round about, in the hope their scent might keep it at bay. The dogs did rather enjoy the planting exercise this afternoon, though Lady is a little naughty when she's not on the lead, and likes to go for a wander. Jasper of course, ever the escapee, has to be chained up to a tree.

Enjoyed choir last night with Ginnie and Kerry, though I won't be able to go next week, as John and Wendy said they would be coming through to see us. We usually eat out at an Indian restaurant in Greensborough or similar.............something to look forward to.