Hello Dhaaarlings...
Excuse me for not being around much of late but since Oklahoma! finished I've been a little exhausted.
This years show really took it's toll on me and I still haven't recovered.
An extended bout of tonsillitis in August didn't help despite 2 courses of antibiotics and now I'm left feeling tired and drained of all energy.
The weather hasn't helped. We seem to have had the longest, coldest and wettest winter in the 13 years that I have lived here. It feel like it has been winter since May and the cold and wet weather continues. (I haven't turned the heating off since early may)
With the show being all consuming this year the garden has been very neglected and since we have had lots of rain... weeds that have been dormant for years have taken over, creating a lot of work that i don't seem to be able to find the energy to address.
On top of this, the Vacant block of land that we have lived next to since moving here has become a building site with the erection of new 2 storied apartments that now look directly into our back yard.
Needless to say the days are filled with lots of noise from the loud and boisterous tradies and the constant sound of cement mixers, trucks, cranes diggers, nail guns, hammers and angle grinders.
From early in the morning to late in the afternoon...
Which doesn't help with my exhaustion and needing to sleep during the day some times.
Apart from the constant lethargy I'm feeling good mentally so it is not all bad.
The Empress remains well and is even better since having another cortisone shot to her troublesome hip last week.
Back in July she got a very good report from the neurosurgeon who doesn't want another review for two years as the very small deep tumour in her brain has not changed and she remains asymptomatic...
She seems to have more energy than I do at the moment and has been beavering away in the garden (weather permitting) and has made quite the impact on troublesome weeds and overgrown vines.
Back in July she got a very good report from the neurosurgeon who doesn't want another review for two years as the very small deep tumour in her brain has not changed and she remains asymptomatic...
She seems to have more energy than I do at the moment and has been beavering away in the garden (weather permitting) and has made quite the impact on troublesome weeds and overgrown vines.
She has always been a deft hand with a pair of secateurs... and the roses are all pruned and fed ready for spring which i believe has recently arrived... or so I'm told as it still feels like winter...
Our local council has implemented a "green waste" service without consulting the rate payers before spending 7 million dollars on contracts for the service and just expecting the community to fork out more money on their annual rate charge... An extra $90 a year on top of a 7% increase in rates!
There was an immediate backlash in the community refusing to accept the service or the new charges... over 2000 rate payers including myself revolted by expressing the fact that we already have systems in place to reduce our green waste... resulting in the implementation of an inspection/exemption program.
We had the inspector come to the house last week and ticked all the boxes for exemption by having the following...
a Worm Farm...Tick
a Compost Bin...Tick
a Compost heap...Tick
a Leaf blower/mulcher...Tick
a pet Dog for meat scraps...Tick (good boy Spot)
a Private Gardener to manage lawns...Tick
the Access to a trailer for removal of tree prunings and cuttings...Tick
The inspector was very impressed...
So yes... we are now exempt from extra rate charges for a service that we don't need nor would we use.
I made the suggestion that oin future perhaps they could do some community consultation on need assessment before introducing mandatory legislation that impacts on every member of the community and particularly low income households.
He just looked at me vacantly then added "I don't make the decisions"
"Well obviously the council is happy doing deals with big companies on the quiet then presenting initiatives as fait accomplie"
With that he gathered his things and made a hasty departure...
I guess the issue wasn't up for further discussion!
Anyway drlings thats me at the moment...
Still struggling on daily... doing what I can manage around the place and being kind to myself in the process...
I know that this too shall pass...
Bottoms Up Darlings
Our local council has implemented a "green waste" service without consulting the rate payers before spending 7 million dollars on contracts for the service and just expecting the community to fork out more money on their annual rate charge... An extra $90 a year on top of a 7% increase in rates!
There was an immediate backlash in the community refusing to accept the service or the new charges... over 2000 rate payers including myself revolted by expressing the fact that we already have systems in place to reduce our green waste... resulting in the implementation of an inspection/exemption program.
We had the inspector come to the house last week and ticked all the boxes for exemption by having the following...
a Worm Farm...Tick
a Compost Bin...Tick
a Compost heap...Tick
a Leaf blower/mulcher...Tick
a pet Dog for meat scraps...Tick (good boy Spot)
a Private Gardener to manage lawns...Tick
the Access to a trailer for removal of tree prunings and cuttings...Tick
The inspector was very impressed...
So yes... we are now exempt from extra rate charges for a service that we don't need nor would we use.
I made the suggestion that oin future perhaps they could do some community consultation on need assessment before introducing mandatory legislation that impacts on every member of the community and particularly low income households.
He just looked at me vacantly then added "I don't make the decisions"
"Well obviously the council is happy doing deals with big companies on the quiet then presenting initiatives as fait accomplie"
With that he gathered his things and made a hasty departure...
I guess the issue wasn't up for further discussion!
Anyway drlings thats me at the moment...
Still struggling on daily... doing what I can manage around the place and being kind to myself in the process...
I know that this too shall pass...
Bottoms Up Darlings
Well, that was an awfully under-handed move by the council! They deserve to be voted out of office! Bastards. Glad you got the exemption, obv.
ReplyDeleteTake care mate. And best wishes to The Empress.
there are council re-elections here next month... Sadly we dont get to vote as the candidate in our ward never seems to have any opposition standing against him! I've yet to vote in a council election!
DeleteYour garden looks very tidy, and not overgrown at all! Was there something else in the Empress's cortisone injection that "assisted" her? I wish my garden looked like that after winter neglect.
ReplyDeleteOh, and I'd never noticed your adorable little shed before!
I don't feel so bad about our council now - They provide a green waste disposal service, but one gets the choice whether to have it or not (and, therefore, pay for it).
Perhaps now Spring is on it's way, you will feel rejuvenated? Especially if the warmer weather encourages some of the fitter tradies to discard items of clothing while they work? It may almost cancel out the noise!
Best of health to you and the Empress!
Thank you Mr deVice for noticing the Tardis which up until last week was well and truly cloaked in an overgrown banana passionfruit vine. I couldn't even find the door let alone open it! The ammount of stuff stored in there would make ones mind boggle...
DeleteI am quite looking forward to things "heating up" over the fence... roll on the days of work boots,shorts and high viz vests i say
All my flowers died from the 3-month long heat wave so yours looks quite presentable, in comparison.
ReplyDeleteI encourage you to continue being good to yourself. Your body needs time to recup from all the hard work you've done.
p.s. You look exhausted. May I suggest flinging off your bra when you come through the door after a hard day's work? It works wonders for me.
Dear Mistress, your suggestion of flinging off ones bra is marvelous... I'll try wearing one tomorrow and give it a go... Un lacing the corset takes forever...
DeleteA three month heat wave in Canada? How long is it that have had that hunky new PM? He's enough to make anyone wilt ... eventually...
The mistress wears a bra??? Who knew?
DeleteWe in the UK are suffering the inevitable "September foreboding", as the evenings close in and gardens start to fade, but you have Spring to look forward to - as IDV commented, that should give you some hope of rejuvenation (yourself and your garden)... Jx
ReplyDeleteJon Darling... Spring weather just can't get here quick enough for me tho we do have a forecast for warmer weather at the end of the week we may get into the high teens or even hit twenty degrees... Yippee!
DeleteFirst off, get well soon! I hope your recovery from illness & exhaustion is going well. I share your annoyance with ongoing construction. For the past two years, they've been building next door. It's a retirement/elderly home, with a section devoted to Alzheimer's & Dementia patients. It explains why the courtyard is fenced in by high black iron bars--to keep residents from wandering away, I suppose. But it does make the dreary gray dust colored buildings look a little like detention centers. Why are people so afraid of color?
ReplyDeleteI suppose with the buildings next door, no more nude gardening nor sunbathing in the yard. Then again, it your yard to do with as you please. If they don't like it, they can stop peeping! Some nice rows of bamboo along the fence might provide some privacy, but it's got to be kept/bordered in, as bamboo is a fast growing grass & some varieties are aggressive & spread quickly.
Your garden looks magnificent--green, lush, & looks very poised to make a beautiful, blossoming performance. So glad to hear that the Empress is doing well. Long may you both live to enjoy the wonders you create in your homes & community. Best wishes & Good Health to y'all!
Thanks Mr Swings,
DeleteColour seems fine for childcare centres these days using all the colours of the rainbow at once. Aged care on the otherhand seems to go for drab dreary colours "We dont want the old dears getting overexcited"
Quite right ... my nuding up in the back yard will become a thing of the past...
Good to hear from You and the Empress, dearest Princess !
ReplyDeleteTake time, recover well. And your garden looks well & in good shape.
Dear Mr Maggs,
DeleteThe garden is slowly gettting there. I plan to work on the vegetable patch today turning over the soil in the raised beds... I use old baths propped up on bricks... they have been laying fallow all winter and are in need of some TLC...
Your Royal Highness - take care of yourself Dear. Illness in the winter has a naughty way of hiding other things so take time and rest to get all the way better. Garden looks fine. Come do mine!
ReplyDeleteWhen my energy returns, I'd be happy to come and do yours!
DeletePS Curtsies respectfully as one should to Royalty.
ReplyDeleteTo echo Jon, our endless Autumn is about to begin... wind and rain for the next eight months. I don't envy the building work and all the disturbance this brings - even worse when you're knackered. Very pleased to hear that the Empress is in fighting form.
ReplyDeleteHave a lovely Spring and take care, my lovely.
Sx
Ah... but just think of all those lovely autumnal tones on the trees... well at least until the wind picks up!
DeleteThe building works continue Miss Scarlet tho the builders seem to be working to the beat of their own drum. Today they started their baning and noise at 7.30 am then disappeared at 10 am! At least there is a bit of respite for at least the remainder of today...
*Health Update*
ReplyDeleteIt seems that I have had some sort of viral infection possibly glandular fever... It is just a case of taking things slowly and riding it out as best I can. This gives me some comfort in that I now know why I have been feeling so tired and lethargic
I guess i'll just keep carrying on being kind to myself rather than feeling indulgent...
Take very good care of yourself & get better! Eat some chicken soup or whatever comfort foods you enjoy. Is vegemite a health food? Eat lots of fruits & veggies for the vitamins & minerals. Drink some ginger ale or water & keep hydrated. Best wishes & speedy recovery & good health to you, Princess!
DeleteGlandular fever? The kissing disease?!? Too many dalliances with the tradies, methinks...
DeleteStill, take it easy, and get well soon Princess x
It was grand to see your comment over at my place, sweetpea! *hugs* Take care of yourself now, you hear? xoxoxo
ReplyDeletep.s. much love to The Empresss and YOU from all of us. ;)
I have missed you darling! Seems we have both been busy, but for different reasons. I can only imagine the cat calls you must get while sunning in the backyard from the tradies!
ReplyDelete