New Year Resolutions

I haven't been making New Year Resolutions over recent years but this time I've decided to make a proper effort not to waste so much food - mainly green vegetables, as I don't seem to have a problem with fruit, which I always eat.

Since I already have everything I need, I don't spend much money, but will make an effort not to be wasteful here, either.  We've all been too generous with the kids and there was a noticeable reining back this Christmas from all concerned.  In the five years of Emma's life I've bought her so many books, she rolls her eyes when she looks in the new book cupboard and slams the door shut as though she simply can't stand to see another book! She can read already and doesn't start school till the end of January.

Frank and Michael, it's good to know I'm not alone in being addicted to some things, though I do carry it to extremes.  Yesterday I think I did about 20 jigsaws!  I'm quite blown away by the cleverness of the programmers in making them up - you can choose from thousands of pictures, number of pieces, and type of cut.  I haven't left the house - except to go in the swimming pool - for days!!!!  I must make an effort to do some shopping today and maybe see a movie.

It had to happen!

It occurred to me yesterday there must be something more fulfilling to do than waste time on Sudoku, so I googled online jigsaws and lo and behold, there they are - thousands of them!!!!! Must say it beats the mess of real puzzles and is much easier, as the pieces make a nice clicking noise when they fit, so you can be sure you have the right ones.

I was absolutely thrilled to get an email from Georges, my 'son' in Burkina Faso.  We'd lost touch but he's reappeared with a cat and a two-year-old son!!!!  I love it when people from the past pop up again.

And for anybody who's interested, the second reading app is in the Apple Store.  It's called Oz Phonics.  I'm so impressed with the art work and presentation, not to mention that it's the best reading scheme on the planet (say I modestly).  Australian children are the worst readers in the English-speaking world, as our teachers don't know how to teach reading.  Pity they won't listen to the experts.

Modern life

The other day I taught myself how to do Sudoku and wish I hadn't, as I quickly became addicted! I was very pleased with myself at first, until I looked to see how my time of completing a puzzle compared with others, and was told I was slower than 100% of other people!!!!!!  How humiliating.

On consideration, I've never known such a useless way of spending one's time and can't see any point in it at all.  I'm weaning myself off my addiction and trying to do something a bit more productive, like practising the piano.  In fact, anything at all would be more productive.

Christmas is over.  Ours was very low-key and we really cut back on presents for the kids - mostly clothes and just one toy - a big train set, complete with table.  Emma was most excited when she made a ship and a whale out of some of the wrapping paper!  In fact, her favourite toys are things made out of cardboard and boxes by her father.  Hugo is really into trains, and, apart from the actual train set, got pyjamas, a hat, a cushion and pillow slip all in Thomas the Tank Engine design.

One of my dreams

When I was still at high school I wrote an article for the school magazine about my dream of living in France and Scotland.  I managed to live in France and visit Scotland, so count myself very lucky.  This photo (among many others) of Scotland you recently sent, Frank, reminds me of that dream!  What a beautiful country it is.

Michael, I feel ashamed I know so very little about Germany, which is a very beautiful country, too.  Here in Australia we are still Great Britain-centred.  We get all their TV programs and absolutely nothing from Germany.  Fortunately I can look at lots of interesting stuff on the internet and educate myself that way.  (I did do a year of German at university in 1967, and since then have made some feeble attempts at learning again, but have completely forgotten every word.)

Thanks for your Christmas Greetings, Michael and Frank.  I send mine to everybody, too.

This year I've barely given Christmas a thought (except to buy presents for Emma and Hugo and send a few cards).  I'm simply going upstairs to watch the kids open their presents and have lunch on 25th - very laid back.

Oh dear, Infogenium, I just read all your comments about your unfortunate encounters and I do sympathise. I'm so fed up with other people I'm becoming more and more of a hermit - I think that's why the above pic appeals so much.  Honestly, people make me sick, especially on the trains - graffiti and rubbish everywhere, feet on seats, mobile phones constantly ringing.  And noisy restaurants (as we both experienced recently)!  Consideration and respect for others seem to have disappeared from modern life.

Another black day for US

Faith in human nature restored?  I don't know about that, after this morning's news from US...  

My faith in human nature restored!

Thanks for this, Frank:
http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=GBaHPND2QJg&feature=youtu.be

Please have a look, everybody.

I know it's nobody's fault but my own, but I'm in the dreadful habit of reading the Daily Mail (dailymail.co.uk/home/index.html) and fall about in disbelief at what I see every day.    It's nice to know there are some decent people out there!!!

While I'm cranky...

let me continue with my gripes!  It's the time of year when I have to register and insure my car. I just paid the Compulsory Third Party Personal Injury Insurance online (because I couldn't get my phone to work).  I know, I know, I know - it's a relatively minor operation, but still all the steps drive me mad.  Find the piece of paper, the Transport Roads and Maritime Services paper, the registration check paper, dig out your driver's licence and credit card, then fill in 368 answers.

And then came two emails:  #1  Thank you for taking the time to purchase a QBE Compulsory Third Party Green Slip, etc.  #2  Thank you for purchasing a QBE Compulsory Third Party Green Slip, etc.

When I'm feeling stronger - in a couple of days, maybe - I'll go online and actually register the thing!!!

Another problem with the modern world is the size/colour of the font used on almost everything.  I find it next to impossible to read anything - and what about all the people who can't read!!!  How do they manage????

Yes, sadly the world is full of rude and inconsiderate people, Frank.  (I managed to delete the repeat of your comment.)  Lina, I don't know about being brave to stand up to those pushy parents on Sunday, as I fully expected a punch on the nose!!!!  I think the only
thing stopping that was my wrinkles!!!!!

Pushy parents

I nearly lost it yesterday at Emma's Montessori Christmas concert when rude, rude, rude parents pushed forward in front of the stage - as they did last year - to photograph their own child, completely  obscuring the view of all the rest of us politely sitting on the seats.  After some minutes of seeing nothing I called out, 'Sit down in front!', then leaped up and tapped a few of the culprits on the shoulder, smouldering like a volcano and pointed out that we could not see. Some of them looked a bit sheepish and moved back, then the head of the kindergarten asked them to wait till the end of the item, when they would be given the opportunity of taking photos.  But after about two minutes they were all at it again.

While my blood pressure is still up I'm going to be blatantly racist - all the offenders were Indian or Sri Lankan and I couldn't help commenting that Japanese and Australian parents wouldn't be so rude, though Philip assured me they would, that it's changing times...

So sad...

What can I say about the death of the UK nurse except that human behaviour is becoming more and more stupid.  People should think before they speak or tweet.  The two responsible for the 'prank' have been taken off the air and advertisers have withdrawn from the program. 

Muffy beside the pool this morning

I didn't have my swim the other day and this morning there's a crisp breeze blowing up from the gorge and the temperature is 14 degrees!  It's definitely goodbye to the seasons as we knew them - no more putting away winter doonas and clothes as we never know when we're going to need them in the middle of summer.

Lina gave me this hydrangea as a cutting only last year - isn't it a beauty!

Summer arrived yesterday

After a spring of coolish weather, summer has arrived with a vengeance and Emma and Daddy tested the pool out this morning.  I think it's about 35 degrees outside at the minute and 27 in my living room.  I'll have my first swim of the season this evening - my favourite time is just on dark.

I haven't blogged for a while as I've had a friend staying with me for a week.  She headed this way last Sunday, supposedly for a couple of nights, but the radiator boiled just a few kilometres up the road, and the car had to be towed and a new head gasket (I think) put in, which took till this morning.