Well the plan was over these holidays to put up a few posts, but in true procastinator style I have waited until the second last day of the holidays to do something!
So what has been going on for the past two weeks?
Let me say that I have really been enjoying the firebox that was due to have been a surprise birthday present for my brother who sadly passed away suddenly a few weeks ago.
A glass is always raised in his memory when we crank it up, and we have had many happy gatherings around it with various family and friends over the past few weeks.
It might be good for my liver however if we give it a break for a week or two, as it just seems totally normal to down a few beers and just watch the flames as the fire grows.
I remember visiting the home of a good friend (Hoges) way back in the mid 80's. Hoges lived in St Arnaud and I gave him a lift home one night so that he could play in a basketball competition. His dad was sitting in their lounge room in front of an open fire, as it was a cold night. He said something to me that has always stayed with me, and maybe it was because of the moment, but it has stayed with me ever since, and in particular whenever we have a fire.
"A fire is the best friend you can ever have, you can sit and watch it all night"
I couldn't agree with Hoges' dad more. One only has to sit and watch a fire, and pretty soon they become mesmerising. Is it because the same thing doesn't happen twice, and the fire is always changing? Who knows.
Even with the fire we have burning in our lounge at the moment has the same effect, but not as strong as sitting around an open fire in our yard.
I can see that this box will get a lot of use before fire restrictions come in force later in the year.
Last week my wife, Jen and I spent a few days in Melbourne as I had to receive treatment on the shoulder I had operated on 12 weeks ago.
After the events of the past few weeks, it was a welcome break as we had hardly spent time together at all.
On our first night we hit one of our favourite restaurants in Collins St, Mamasita's, a really nice Mexican restaurant.
At Mamasita's, you cannot book a seat. You just rock up, eat and then leave. People form large queues at the entrance, but as we went early, and there was just the two of us, we got a seat straight away overlooking Collins St on a wet and dismal night. Perfect!
It was just as well that it was relatively dark inside, for even though I just love spicy food, I break out in a pretty fierce sweat when I eat food that is only mildly spicy. It wasn't long before I was dabbing more than my lips with the serviettes as I started to react to the amazing food we were eating.
After finishing our meal we ducked into the 7-11 next door to grab some chocolate to take back to our hotel, and just as well it was raining because my head looked like I had just been caught in a downpour, but it was only my reaction to the magnificent meal we had just had!!!
So, the real purpose for our trip to Melbourne was a shoulder check-up, as I have been having nothing but trouble since my operation.
It appears that I have a 'frozen shoulder', something that occurs after about 10% of operations according to my surgeon. No big deal, but it does take time and further treatment to remedy.
So, the first bit of treatment involved visiting Olympic Park the next morning to have a procedure done where they insert a needle into the joint under pressure and try to expand it a bit, then inject a variety of juices and cortisone to hopefully fix it. To say this was painful is an understatement, but when one considers that I have friends receiving treatment to save their lives, I have diddly squat to worry about.
I have a sore arm and shoulder, it will get better.
This photo shows the needle in the joint and the tube trailing out that the juices were injected through.
If this doesn't work, I need another one in a few weeks.
On the right you can see where a lasoo is present from my recent operation that shows where the bicep tendon was reattached.
And if anyone has settled on a dodgy name for a restaurant, then this has to be it!!
Poor old Tontei!!!!
And as we are both teachers, we are suckers for great displays and ideas for classrooms and the schools that we work in.
What a great display for books in a classroom!!
This shows the seats outside a small restaurant in the city. We both loved it and would love to set up something like this in a classroom.
As neither of us have a class to teach in our current roles, we still keep an eye on possibilities if we should end up with a class again.
Another great way to display books in a school or classroom.
And last week we had another night around the firebox (yes, it is becoming addictive!) with our great friends Nev and Nat Zimmer.
It might appear odd that we are so rugged up in our kitchen, but this was just while we were carving the meat that had been cooking on the spit for the past few hours, and we snuck inside to carve it before heading out back to the fire.
A perfect night with perfect people.
And to finish the week off, we ducked out to visit the other Deputy Principal from our school who I share the role with.
Jess Widdicombe recently had her first baby, so Jen and I headed out to pay her and baby Mac a visit to see how they are travelling, and they are going fantastically.
Jen is testing out her maternal skills before Mac readies himself for a feed. She hasn't lost it!!
So, as I sit here in front of the fire enjoying one of my own home brew beers, I consider myself extremely lucky to have the life I have and to be surrounded by the people in my life.
Life is good.
And it will only be better if the Tigers beat the Bulldogs tonight - Go Tigers!!!!!
Until my next post...
Cheers!!
No comments:
Post a Comment