The mystery of the disappearing shopping list.

Today we drove to Naracoorte to do some shopping and so Neville could do some jobs at the farm. My cleaning lass came this morning, and we left soon after she had finished. I had some errands to do in the town, so did not go directly to the super market. We were originaly going to do this tomorrow, but, as it will be New Years' Day, there would not be any shops open, other than the super market.
I picked up one of my laybys, and am listening to the CDs now Who is on them, who else but Andre, of course. They are some of his very early recordings. I think they have doubled up with some of the tunes, but I do not care.
The son of the lady in the music shop came in while I was paying for my CDs, and he brought his mum a chicken and leek pie from the cafe nearby. It smelled so good, I went and bought one plus a cappuccino. Very nice.
I dropped a film in to be put on a disc, and I have just realized I forgot to pick it up. Darn it. .I then looked around for clothes for my grand daughter, but found none. I then checked out prices of digital cameras.The one I like is a tad expensive at over $300.00! I will need to save up for it.
I then went to do the grocery shopping, and this is where the mystery took place. When one enters the super market, one walks into the baked goods section. I wanted some cheap bread for Neville for when he goes to the farm. They had some in the catalogue. 2 for $4.00. It was nowhere to be found. I KNOW I had my shopping list in my hand at this juncture. As I could not find the bread, I walked to the info desk and asked for a specials leaflet. I walked straight back to the bread etc. I found some Home Brand bread that was cheaper, and then I went to take out my list, and the darn thing had vanished!! I retraced my steps and looked through ALL my shopping bags about three times. Nada!!I looked in my handbag, Nada. I even asked people if they had seen it. Still nothing. One woman shopper said she had not seen it, and I would probably find it when I got home! I told her again, I had had it in the shop. She reitierated, that I would find it when I got home. I am abslutely stunned that people do not listen. The young check out girls are just as bad. I have not the foggiest notion where the thing could have gone.
When Neville came for me, I was reading a magazine. We went to ask for our goods, and the woman there did not listen either.While he was waiting for them, I went to the cafe and bought a drink and some Sushi. They have only just started to make it, and it is very good.
We went to the service station and filled the car and then I asked him to call in to the furniture shop as I wanted to check out single beds and mattresses. I had promised my daughter some time ago, that I would buy her one for her daughter.
I have put one on layby. It is a tubular steel one painted white. It is a bit fancier than the ones the boys have, but it is for a girl after all. That done, we came home.

Christmas 2008

Greetings to all who celebrate this Holy Day. May God bless you mightily out of the abundance of His bounteous love and mercy and peace. May He prosper you always.
I am never sure what this day will bring each year. As our son and his family live in Perth, W.A., we have only spent one Christmas with them, and that was ten years ago before their son was born, in Perth.
As there have been certain misunderstandings in the clan, we were not able to spend any time with our daughter and her family today. We circumvented that problem yesterday. Our daughter brought the children down so we could have Christmas with them and give them their gifts. It was lovely to see the joy and pleasure on the children's faces as they opened their gifts. The boys were thrilled with their gifts. We gave Lachlan Junior Scrabble, and he was delighted. We gave Riley a large Cars McQueen car. We gave Willow, somewhat predictably, a doll. This one laughs, cries and other things, when her tummy is pressed. Willow immediately started to take it's clothes off! Willow is only 21 months old. There was a jigsaw colouring book for Riley, and some chocolates. For Lachlan, a sticker book and chocolates. We gave Willow a little book about fish, with thick cardboard pages and on the spine was a clear plastic 'aquarium' with moving fish in sparkly gel and water. She also received chocolates which no doubt her mother has confiscated to dole out at her discretion!
After they had opend their presents, we adjourned to the town, and Deb did some shopping and I took the boys to the cafe and we had milkshakes. They had very blue, Blueberry ones, and I had chocolate. We met my friend Sue and an elderly lady who has coffee there regularly. I introduced the boys to Mrs. King,(Ailsa) and they were very polite and respectfull. After we had finished our milkshakes, we went to the play ground for a while. I took some photos, and pushed Riley on the swing. He then discovered he had broken his sun glasses. We walked to the elcheapo shop, so I could buy him some new ones. To make all things equal, I bought Lachlan a truck and a bag of lollies each.I think they have done very well this year, judging by what they said they got today.
On Tuesday evening, we visited my brother and I took his gift and a huge box of chocs up. I invited him, yet again, to have lunch with us today. He was, as usual, a no show. He did not bother to let me know he would not be coming. That is par for the course with him. I hope he enjoys the book I gave him.
My darling daughter gave me a wonderful four place setting, dinner set. It has strawberries and chocolates around the edge of it. It is very novel and I love it. We used it today.I was a bit cross with her, (not really) as I had told her that the only gift I wanted today, she had already given me. A few weeks ago, she came and cleaned and tidied my pantry. That was all I wanted.
I cooked roast chicken, something that is supposed to pass for turkey breast, roast potatoes, carrotts, parsnips, brussels sprouts and green beans with slivered almonds, and gravy. We had chocolate self suacing pudding and icecream. We toasted each other with orange juice, and I prayed for peace, harmony and family unity for next year
This is the first Christmas Neville and I have had on our own for 36 years. It has been quite peaceful, if a little lonely and sad. It is the first Christmas without my beloved mother, and my little puddytat. All in all, we have much to be thankful for, as we are better off than a lot of others.

Christmas down the toilet? I hope not!

After many, many years of moaning, complaining and whinging, by yours truly, we finally have a new toilet cistern and seat. The seat was not important, but came as part of the package.
The old one had been driving me demented, as it would not flush properly, and I had to tip a bucket of water down it each time. Grrrr!
It is an ecologically designed system, and has two buttons. The old one had been here for 32 years.
We bought it at Bunnings on Monday, and you should have heard the shenanegans the sales man and The Man About The House carried on with!! They were trying to outdo each other on whether this one would fit or not. The sales man was a bit arrogant, as he had no idea what our old cistern looked like, and therefore could not know if it would fit. He assured us there would be no dramas, even after I told him how old it was. He said he had fitted one in his house and it is over 100years old. Big deal!
I just hope that The Man About The House is not thinking of fobbing me off with this as my Christmas present. The proverbial will hit the fan if he tries!!
Watch this space.

Useless inventions.

I have stated in a recent posting that I attended Andre Rieu's concert in Adelaide last week. I took my non digital camera with me, but left it in my new friend's car. We were unable to retrieve it when we went over for the concert, as we traveled on hired buses, and there was no time.
I was kicking myself, as I thought I would not be able to take any pictures. However, after intermission, I remembered my mobile phone has a camera in it. Saved by the bell, or so I thought.
I was only able to take a few pics and then it said my memory was full.
I thought it would be a 'snap' to download them onto my computer hard drive. Therein lies the dilemma. Firstly, I do not have a USB cable for the phone. Secondly, there is no memory chip either. When I went to the electrical shop this morning to see about purchasing a USB cable, I was informed that I could not retrieve my pics at all. The only way to empty the memory, is to delete the pics.
As you can imagine, dear reader, I was not impressed! As I said to the young man in the shop, "What a useless invention. Fancy making a phone with a camera in it that you can't download pictures from to keep them." He heartily agreed, and said there are camera phones now that have rectified the problem.This of course is cold comfort to me.
My friend is going to see if she can retrieve them somehow, as she has the same carrier, and is going to swap the SIM cards over and see if that works.

'Hot' Porridge.

Last Thursday morning, my daughter came and tidied my pantry for me. I had recently received my Christmas food hampers, and needed the pantry seen to and old stock disposed of. While she was doing this, I cleaned the top of the wall oven cupboard, which meant the herbs and spices were rearranged.
One of the hampers I bought contained an electric pancake maker. I used it for the first time last night. I put caster sugar and cinnamon on my pancakes. I left the cinnamon on the bench, instead of putting it back on the oven cupboard.
This morning when I arose and went into the kitchen, The Man About The House was in the process of making his porridge, and said to me, "The first lot was no good as I put that chilli powder on instead of the cinnamon, which is here." Oooops! My husband is a Diabetic and we read somewhere that cinnamon is good for keeping his blood glucose levels down. I think he would need to consume a great deal of it to have much effect, but if he is happy, why disabuse him?
I have no idea why I had a jar of chilli powder, as neither of us like spicy food. I must have mistakenly thought it was cinnamon, as they were probably close together and my eyesight is not good. The chilli was thrown in the bin.

Letter to Andre Rieu VIII

Dear Andre,

Well, you would have to be blind, deaf or worse, to not be aware of your presence in Australia. There have been more than enough knockers who call themselves journalists, passing judgment on you, and your particular kind of music and your presentation of it. If I hear or read the phrase, King of Schmaltz one more time I will SCREAM! If these opinionated deadbeats, who have probably never been to any classical music concert, don't like this kind of music, then no-one is holding a gun to their heads and making them listen to it. If they criticize you for your appearance, your hair, your type of music, or anything else, it just proves they are extremely narrow minded and would only be happy if they were pulling someone to pieces. They also probably have no finesse or refinement about them. They more than likely listen to what I term, head banging noise. Heavy Metal, hard rock etc.
I was fortunate to be able to attend your concert in Adelaide on Tuesday the 18th. I was not expecting to be able to attend any of your concerts, but, I have a very generous son, who loves his Ma very much, and I am very fortunate indeed to have such a son, and will be eternally grateful for that fact. He very kindly offered to make this particular dream come true.
When I bought the ticket over the phone, I was told I would be approximately 13 rows back from the front. It turned out I was right down the front and to the left of the stage facing it, and was able to see the big screens and did not miss very much at all.( I only mention this fact as I am nearly blind and did not think I would see much.)
The ice skaters were superb! They are very graceful and not a stumble or hesitation anywhere. Likewise the Debutauntes and the ballet. Wonderful.
It was a great shame that the ticket sales were so poor, but, you all gave your all as I expected you would, even though you would have been very disappointed about that, I think you would do that even if there were only a dozen or so people you were playing to. I hope the enthusiasm of the crowd(?) made up for that in a small way. Thank you for your professionalism and verve. Your humour and wry sense of fun.( No beer or wine in Adelaide!! Who had you been talking to, I wonder?)
The highlight of the evening for me, was when I walked to the stage near the end of the concert, and was looking up at you, and grinning like a Cheshire cat, and you bent down slightly and smiled at me, and I blew you a kiss. Thank you sooo much you lovely man.
I am sorry that Marjorie was unable to acompany you out here. I am sure she would have enjoyed the experience had she been able to come.
Best wishes to you all,
With affection,
Susan.

Letter to Andre Rieu VII

Dear Andre,

I read yesterday that you are copping some flack from a German baritone, Thomas Quasthoff by name, for playing your very valuable Stradivarius violin at your concerts. He is of the opinion that Senor Stradivari 'would be spinning in his grave', and you should play on a cheaper violin.
Now, several things come to mind in relation to this, it is nobody's business but yours what violin you play, so long as it produces the sound you require and like. if you got the required sound from a plastic one, it is still only your business. Because I think you play the Stradivarius so brilliantly, you could probably obtain a reasonable sound from a plastic one!
You have worked so hard to be where you are today, you deserve to play on the best one you can afford. Stradivari or any other brand, no-one has the right to dictate to you on anything pertaining to your instrument?
I think Herr Quasthoff should stick to what he knows and does best, and let you do likewise.
I would just like to say I have recently finished reading, Andre Rieu, My Music, My Life. How it all began. I thoroughly enjoyed it. It is beautifully written and a very easy read. It is informative and entertaining. I felt as though you and Marjorie were sitting next to me and telling me all about your trials, etc, as friends do over coffee or such. Thank you both very much.
I would like to wish you all the best for your upcoming tour of Australia, and if there are DVDs you can bet your bottom dollar I will buy them!

Letter to Andre Rieu VI

Dear Andre,

Well, I guess you are in full swing getting ready for your concerts in OZ.
I hope you had a very happy birthday recently, and were able to spend it with your family.
I was horrified to be informed today, that you no longer shake hands with your fans as one got too enthusiastic and caused tendon strain in your hand. You have got to wonder about the intelligence and thoughtfulness of some people. I know it is one of the hazards of fame, but, really!
You would think that as you make your living with your hands, if they are damaged it throws all your schedules out of kilter. Not to mention the frustration, pain and inconvenience. I do not shake hands anymore either, but that is because I have Arthritis and I have also found people don't stop and think.
I hope all goes well Down Under. Best wishes to you all, and Marjorie.
With affection,
Susan

'nother one!

Senior moment that is. Yesterday, I was waiting for the delivery of a door, and, as I had no idea when it would come, I postponed having my breakfast. I HATE soggy cereal.
I was obviously distracted by something, because, when I was making myself a coffee later in the morning, I could not find the milk. I knew the carton was nearly full, and there was no evidence of it being put out to be recycled. I hunted high and low. Nothing.
Then it struck me, I might have put it in the pantry instead of the cereal. Voila! There it was.
Oldtimers has struck again.

Some People!!

This week we traveled to Adelaide to buy a new security screen door. We had seen an advert in the TV guide, and I checked it out on the Net. They are very cunning, as there are no prices on their web page. We finally found the store, and went in to ascertain prices. We saw one door which looked very nice. Just plain steel mesh and no filagree steel at all. We were thunderstruck when the sales assistant told us it would cost, wait for it, over $800.00!! She also offered to send one of the reps to do a measure and quote. I told her that would not be possible as we are from the country. I galls me that city people never consider that we rustics do go to the city on occasion to buy things. Not everybody they serve lives in the city.
We asked about other doors and were equally horrified by the prices. These doors are made on the premises too. The sales assistant told us the same doors would cost as much at Bunnings, ( major hardware chain) so, we decided to test that theory.
We drove halfway across the city to Bunnings and were pleasantly surprised to find a screen door that is also a security door, for just under $130.00
So much for her scare tactics.
There was a dearth of staff at Bunnings and it took a while to get served. I stood at the Trade desk for at least five minutes, with people serving and doing work on computers in front of me, before one of them decided to ask me if I was being served. That galls me too, when it is patently obvious I am not.I wished to find out how much it would cost to have the door delivered before we bought it.This took many phone calls before we were quoted a price.
Finally, a nice chap came and saw to our needs, re the door. Then we had to buy it and get the paper work done for the delivery. We were told that it could be delivered that day. I said no, we would not be home till late that night, so it was arranged for Tuesday.
Tuesday morning, just before lunch, there was no sign of it, so I rang the courier company.
The woman I spoke to sounded as though she would prefer to be anywhere but at work, as she gave the distinct impression life was too hard and everybody but her, is a moron.
She told me in a very pained voice, "I told that stupid girl, the door would be picked up Tuesday, and delivered Wednesday." She said I had better ring the chap who handles the deliveries this end. I asked for his phone number, and that was a huge effort for her too.
The thing that gets me is, we are supposed to be mind readers, and because we are not, some of these people think we are Hay Seeds, and not worthy of their time and expertise.If everything is such an effort for her, why doesn't she get an easier job? For instance, a millionaire's wife and she would have servants to do everything for her.
The door was duly delivered Wednesday and $20.00 less than we were quoted. Nice!

Wedding Anniversaries.

Wedding anniversaries are funny things, you either celebrate them with gusto and much sentiment, or, you hope they will fade into the mists of time and no-one will acknowledge them. It all depends of course on what sort of relationship you have with your spouse, and whether or not you had a row etc, the night before.
We have mostly not enjoyed ours, as for some strange reason, my spouse is always grumpy that day. There have only been two or three anniversaries which I have enjoyed because he was in a good mood. Today was one of them.There never have been flowers or any kind of gift. On rare occasions he has treated me to a meal at the pub, but they were usually eaten in stony silence and therefore not a happy occurrence. I have asked him many times if he regrets marrying me. He has always said no.
Though he remembered without prompting this morning , and has been in a good mood, nothing special took place. No meal out, no flowers, no card, etc.
I wonder, and will probably wonder many times in the next year, if next year will be different. It will, after all, be our Ruby wedding. (40th) I am NOT holding my breath.
It is also our son and daughter-in-law's eleventh anniversary today. He has his mother's personality and is much better at this kind of thing. His wife does not know how lucky she is.

Just as well he isn't a Barber!!

The Man About the House has got the renovation 'bug'. We have a verandah that has green shade cloth on it, and it has been looking very sad for quite some time now. It has come away from the facia boards and needed seeing to. Yesterday, he started painting the facia boards. There is just one small problem. I have Ivy growing up on one end of the verandah and it was covering the facia board. The boards need to be painted so as to prevent further deterioration, and they all need to be done at the same time. I have been loath to let his loose with the clippers, as he HATES my plants with a passion, and decimates them, without so much as a tiny regret.
I was therefore in a no win situation, and had to agree to let him trim the Ivy.
I was not at all surprised when I saw the results of his handy work! There is not much of the Ivy left, but that is just what I expected.
It did need trimming but, NOT hacking!There was of course, no point in kicking up a fuss. As this is what he does to plants, it is just as well he is not a barber.

Finances, what finances?

i do not pretend to know anything about fiscal matters, apart from the fact mine are in short supply. Still, I have enough to pay my way.
I have for many years had a credit card for use with my Myer/Ezybuy account. I have not bought anything for ages because,a: I do not need anything, b: their prices are out of my budget reach.
The company that redeems their debts is well known and I have been told to be careful where they are concerned.
This morning, I received a phone call from said finance company, asking if I remembered receiving the letter that was sent to me recently. I said I did. The young woman then asked if there was anything she could help me with. I asked for more particulars, and she mentioned their Personal Loans. I told her that as I am on a pension, there is no likelihood I could afford one even if I wanted one. She thanked me for my time and hung up.
I know that things in the money market are a bit iffy of late, but is it necessary to tout for business like this?

That's an idea, why not ask THEM!

This morning, while watching Sunrise, my husband noticed on the ticker tape going across the bottom of the screen, that there is a Japanese man who claims he can talk to whales.
The Man About the House made a brilliant observation when he said, "If he can talk to whales, why doesn't he ask them if they like being hunted and killed?"
I am sure if he did, the answer would be a resounding NO!

Confusion reigns, or, just another 'senior' moment?

It is not to be wondered at if people get confused with anything to do with me and my mate Sue and our spouses. The trouble lies in the fact both husbands are called Neville, and Sue is Suzanne, and I am Susan. There is a third couple in the district with the same names.
Sue and her son had to journey to Naracoorte today for medical reasons. My Neville took the opportunity to drive the tractor back to the farm, and get a lift back with them today, as it was a lovely fine day.
Now, as I have recently reported in this space, my spouse is not at all technologically minded, and it has taken years to get him to have a mobile phone, which he STILL leaves home when he goes out or to the farm.
He nearly did it again this morning but I made sure he had it with him, as Sue needed to ring him to know where and when to pick him up. Actually, her son was driving as Sue has a broken wrist.
This is where the confusion comes in to play. She told me with much hilarity when they arrived here, that she had tried to ring him and he would not answer. She knew about my anxiety on Monday, and naturally wondered if he HAD forgotten it.
She was most surprised when her Neville rang and asked why she had been calling him. Sue hotly denied it but he said he had two missed calls from her. Then the 'penny dropped', and she realized she had been ringing the wrong Neville!!! And she does not have defective eyesight like me, either! Tch, tch, tch. I dunno.