feeling free

For the past 2 months I've been working for the Australian Bureau of Stats, delivering and collecting forms for the 2011 Census. I'm soooo happy that today was the last day.

I've climbed over fences, jetties, fallen trees, rocks, decking and even the odd septic tank. I've been eaten alive by ticks, and walked through spider webs about 35 times a day. I now know the terrain of our island much more intimately. My knees and hips feel those steps and bush walks with a new familiarity. I know which houses have great views (many do!), which ones have slippery slopes, where the scary dogs live and which dogs are really very friendly when you get to know them. I'm most grateful that I didn't see or step on any snakes. I can cope with diamond pythons, and possibly even yellow crown pythons (though I will still let out a yelp), but red-bellied black snakes make me shake in my boots.

I didn't mind the job. Although I'm not a big fan of stumbling up to front doors of strangers to deliver or ask for government forms, I have enjoyed the physical challenge, and the record keeping aspect of the job. What can I say? I'm a form girl. I like things to be in [my version of] order.

Can you see two houses in the above photo, requiring Census forms? Well, that's why I was Island Census girl, and you were not.

Another clearly marked entrance and obvious signs of a dwelling.

This rocky ridge, according to the map, is "Thompson Street". Yes, really. So the houses along said ridge all have "Number blah blah Thompson St, Adventure Island" as their official address (I added the Adventure part). I do love it here.

I nearly stepped on this healthy looking blue-tongue lizard. He didn't flinch, even when I yelped. Thank you Mr Blue Tongue, for not being a snake.

I hope the occupants of this house don't often need to step out for the loo at night.

Now I can just enjoy walks around the island again without the yellow satchel and government I.D. tag. Today I couldn't stop smiling. Even when I had to whip off my jeans and get into the water in my undies to find my boat lock... still smiling.

alive girl

I seem to have lost my hazy, softer edge. I'm trying to rekindle it with a shirt that says "alive girl" on the label and a favourite scarf and pair of boots. But the scarf has shrunk and I can't find my rose-coloured glasses.

Perhaps it's just winter closing in on me. A cold winter during a challenging year. Perhaps it's a sense of disappointment. Perhaps I've just been a little short of time. All that running around has made me dizzy. And that Zimbabwean... well, he spins so quickly that not even he can keep up.

Someone said to me today that perhaps it's Sydney. The rat race. But I think its my natural tendency to say yes to too many things.

I'm learning that when I'm happiest with a place, it's because I'm connected to the people. I was very happy with my teenage hometown when I felt I was in many connected relationships, which I don't feel there now, so there are few reasons to return.

In my new place, I'd like my connectedness to be less focused on the people and much more with the trees, the national park, the sound of the water, the feel of it on a summer's day, the hills, the sky stretching above and beyond it all. I want to feel it all deeply within me, stirring my blood whilst soothing my soul. Yes, that's what I want... a piece and peace of that great Mother, rejuvenating my soul.

Let's catch up

We recently enjoyed a fun night out with the OzMcp's, to watch the Wallabies play the Springboks. You'll note from the worried faces above that the Bokke didn't play so well (apparently. What would I know!?).

She who told me I must have my own blog, Lenka.

Banjo, the wonder stuffy, is settling in beautifully. He still needs to learn his manners around Ginger the Cat. Unfortunately for Ginger, when Banjo hears hissing and sees paws swiping, he thinks Ginger is being a great playmate: Dog chases cat even faster, gets very excited and wrestles like a good staffy should! O dear. If Ginger didn't already have a heart murmur, he soon would have developed one. We're trying to referee at every encounter and ensure that Ginger has safe hiding spots.

Player of the week! Winter sport is just about coming to an end, as I breathe a sigh of relief. I do love how much those boys love it though. Their enjoyment, exercise, team development, etc., is worth a little boredom (at training sessions) and discomfort (at the early morning starts on a Saturday) for me.

And finally... the red door makes it to the chook yard! The Zimbabwean showed great dedication when he hung this door during a hail storm last weekend. Some may have thought it wise to retreat inside during a hail storm. But no, not us! When we have a small window of opportunity, we take it! I still need to work on the latch system for the chook yard door so for now it's held closed with a rock and a log, but it pleases me a great deal. I'm sure it pleases the girls too.

A few days later, a friend pointed out to me that I had a flat tyre on my car. O how inconvenient! How was I to get 4 little boys to rugby training in 5 minutes with a flat tyre! I am slightly embarrassed to admit that it took me a good 10 minutes (whilst making a cup of tea and chasing a puppy) to have a light bulb moment... I have a spare tyre! O, I could change it! At this point I'm very glad that my friend Robin does not read this blog.

So... my clever friend Michelle (who had noticed the tyre in the first place) whipped out her portable air compressor (!), gave my tyre enough air to get us to training, where I proceeded to unload my car in search of spare tyre. Have you seen how much stuff I fit into the back of that subi? Well, unloading it was no small event. Anyway... I found the spare, and the jack and a few other tools which I don't know the names of. Some muscle-power came my way (in the form of rugby coaches) and before I could say "Where does this jack go?" the flat tyre was off, the spare was on and it was time to reload the luggage. I would like to say I took care of the whole event myself but, alas, that would make the men look bad. I did need their strength to get the tyres into and out of the car, and to loosen the nuts (is that what they're called?), and to ensure they were on tightly enough at the end.

In other Handy Woman moments, I've ripped the carpet off the stairs and have been painting them. You'll see the photographic evidence when it's all done. All this handy-(wo)man-ing has brought me to pondering a home renovation job on our ugly downstairs bathroom. How hard can it be? Surely not that hard! I've had a chat with a few friends in the know, and am now convinced that I should start this project myself. As soon as my husband lets me.

In the meantime, I'm pondering how often my children see the back of me (when I'm racing them here, there and everywhere, hurrying them along, stomping to my next engagement, getting to the boat/ferry/car/house) and I'm working on facing them, whilst giving them a smile, when they are walking behind or towards me. I may end up with bruises on my back (from running into things) but at least the boys may have memories of smiling Mama in years to come.

Come on Spring. We're ready for you.

Banjo the wonder Stuffy

This one will be short and sweet due to jelly legs and a fried (too late in the day) brain, but...
look who's come to live with us!!

Noah... in love.

I should have known to buy a bed big enough for 3. Silly me. (they are all sitting on Banjo's "lounge" bed in this shot)

And this is how he makes us feel...

Noah now has someone to bring out his soft, loving shine (O and how he does), Chooch has someone who is just as happy as he is (if that boy had a tail, he'd most often be wagging it) and we all love everything about Banjo.

Actually, Ginger the cat isn't totally in love with him. But surely they'll become friends.

Stay tuned for Adventures of an Island Dog.