Nigella …

It’s totally unacceptable M Kaz.  It has been over a week since my last blog!  Just because it was your birthday week, you think you can just leave me hanging.  No, definitely not acceptable. 

And, if that’s not enough, what’s this about a new pet at Jannie?  Yes, yes, I know it was a birthday present but you don’t have to lavish so much time and affection on it.  It’s just a dolphin afterall.  And then there’s the turtle, the stingray, the lobster and the fish to nuture.  The thing is – she’s not sure how long it takes for them to reach their full potential (read:  size).  They’re supposed to grow each day while they’re in water – and at the end you can take them out and they will revert to the original size.  That’s what the instructions say anyway.

I prefer to actually play with my pets (aka friends) to be able to run around so we can play together.  A little dinosaur came in to be with me the other day and we were having a lovely game of hide and seek.  It tried to confuse me by dropping its tail but I wasn’t fooled.  It was very good at playing possum too.  Even M Kaz was surprised when she thought she had to send it to …. I’m not sure to where, but when she came back, it had scurried off somewhere.  It took a bit to find it again.  It was hiding between the boxes the shelves came in (which, I am almost ashamed to admit on M Kaz’s behalf) are still leaning against the wall near the table months later.  She keeps telling herself it’s opart of the decluttering project and even I have to admit she has done some of it, but there is still a little bit to go.

The weather has been lovely here at Jannie since ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred came and went.  There are still heaps of trees down in the area and according to what M Kaz was saying, there will be heaps of Norfolk Pines on the Gold Coast which will need to be cut down because they are no longer safe following the drenching rains and high winds.

M Sooz went to breakfast with Aunty M this morning – it is Thursday, so it was expected. What wasn’t expected was when Aunty M picked my box up off the table – with me in it – and twirled me around in the air. It was very exciting – especially as I’d only just had a snack.

Chris came yesterday to do the yard – which means if there are any snakes outside, we should be able to see them now. Hopefully there won’t be any but there has been some flooding in the reserve/playing fields out the back, so it’s best to be on the safe side.

HAL was out and about yesterday afternoon. I’m glad I’m not the only one he chases around the house. He chased M Kaz out of her office and the bathroom.

Did I mention we had a casualty during the Cyclone? My original cat tower did not survive. By the time M Kaz realised the rain was coming through the shade cloth on that side, the tower was already doomed. To its credit, it didn’t collapse until the next day. It’s just another reason for the Mummies to go out to the tip or get one of those blue flexi-skip bags from the Council. And, no, my new boxes haven’t been confiscated yet although I noticed the air-fryer box is now inside the microwave box: that can’t be good. If M Kaz brings out the box cutter/Stanley knife, I’ll know it’s only a matter of time before they go the way of my cat tower.

As it turns out, I’m not the only one who pulls the toilet paper off the roll . M Kaz did it the other day too. I think I’m impressed. Just a little bit anyway. I wonder if she’s going to keep doing it, and whether that’s why they ‘ve just invested in some “double length” rolls. Hours of fun.

Aunty M came to visit me yesterday. I haven’t seen her for days and days and days – ever since Cyclone Alfred started hanging around off the coast. We didn’t actually have Alfred come to our place but we did get some of the effects: rain, wind, power outages, lost phone reception, and absence of internet. The Mummies didn’t have to make use of that water they’d stored in the bathtub (yet) and I have wondered what they’re going to do about it – and I know M Kaz has been thinking about it too. She did find a use for the new plug – it’s now in the kitchen sink. It likes it there and is doing a good job.

Aunty M came over on her way to or from the laundromat where she was going to use their dryers. She stayed and had a cup of tea while she chatted with the Mummies. They didn’t watch the Christmas special of the Madam Blanc Murder Mysteries. They’re saving that for another time.

M Kaz was up at 3am this morning listening to woodland creatures. That’s what she said they were but I’m not sure that was what it was. It was a raspy noise, rhythmic, not very loud, but constant and it seemed to be coming from over the fence in the reserve. It was nice that she thought it was woodland creatures but we don’t really know what it was. Haha … woodland animals indeed. Thank goodness I’m here to protect them (in case they’re not).

I’m doing my best but I still haven’t managed to drink all the water in the bathtub. It doesn’t help that the Mummies are locking me out of there. Blah, blah, blah – what if Nigey falls in – blah blah blah. I won’t, Mummies. I’m more careful than that. Just because M Sooz almost slipped in the shower this morning doesn’t mean no-one can be safe in a bathroom.

It’s still raining and it has been a bit on the windy side:  there were 100km/hour winds overnight and you could hear that it was a bit blowy outside.  There are some trees down in Labrador and over the Gold Coast generally and this morning, to be on the safe side, Steve from out the front suggested pulling the shade sail over the driveway down because it was sagging badly (almost resting on the cars).  It was a good idea, especially since it already appeared to be storm-damaged.  Better to take it down rather than have the baton secured to the roof torn out.  On the other hand, that could flood the garage and M Kaz would have to toss EVERYTHING out rather than angsting (which she does) about what to keep.

I am doing my best to set a good example and just chilling.  It’s not easy with M Kaz fussing and her having the television on with ‘Cyclone Alfred’ coverage and updates.

Did I mention M Kaz did get around to filling the bathtub with water – but when she checked on it the next morning, it had all drained away.  Hmmm.  She went out and got another plug (since none of six plugs in the house prevented the drainage) and after she did the usual test – a couple of inches of water in the tub and see if it stays there – the bath was empty again.  She decided to go another way and has put a couple of 42L plastic tubs in the bathtub and filled them.  That’s working! 

The mystery of the two police cars blocking off Calvary Court (just past our corner) has been solved.  A ‘wanted’ person was sighted there but fled the scene.  The police caught up with him in a nearby suburb and … he didn’t make it.  ‘Lead poisoning’ is a euphemism.

I’m not sure what’s happening with all my little friends during the rain. I haven’t seen any of them – except for one tiny gecko in the kitchen yesterday.  Hopefully everyone will be okay.  I’ve told them they can all come in and stay with me – I know those Mummies won’t mind.