Parenting - Round 2

Finally the lure of SPCA was too much and, one sunny afternoon, I called in to see what was on offer. Hadn't decided whether I wanted a cat or dog. One's more responsibility than the other but also one is more companionship than the other too! Having been bitten by one of the cats in the shelter my mind was made up that it would be a dog. Bad luck cats - blame the agro one.

There wasn't anything suitable there but....the seed of obsession had been sown. I knew I wanted a dog, not a puppy, because I finished changing nappies years ago, if you get what I mean. So, along with my sister, we took ourselves to Napier SPCA. I wanted character, smaller, loving and mature. According to the Inspector at Napier there was nothing there for me - except a Jack Russell cross puppy around 6 months. Not really what I wanted but, well, a look wouldn't hurt would it?

I was gone on the first glimpse. Especially after my sister ran ahead and simply said that he was "The One". Hope she is as accurate when Mr Right comes along! And so, Jack entered my life. I decided I would overlook the toilet training issue - can't be that bad, after all I successfully got two kids out of nappies. Jack is one character of a dog. He is quite laid back and just loves to be where you are. He loves tummy rubs, lots of walks and cuddles.

My property is a challenge for both of us because he can easily get through the fencing - so for now he is on an exercise cable whenever he is outside. Although I would like to say he is intelligent I have never known a dog to get so tangled in a cable. He looks at the sheep next door in wide-eyed awe. Doesn't really want to be with them because they are all bigger than him and they don't make the right noises. Just can't figure out what planet they came from. He would like to take on the neighbouring dogs - that would be until he came up close to them. Inherently he is a coward but with a lot of bravado. He loves his "cousin" - Mustard - and she tolerates him. His best friend is his toy rope knot. He chews the hell out of it.

THE BEST..........the laughs I get when he does dumb things with such authority. Runs after a ball full pelt without looking at the wall rearing up ahead of him. Crash. And I especially love the dewy eyed looks he gives you.

THE WORST.....toilet training. God it never gets any easier. I bet I am the only person standing in the freezing cold, in my pyjmas, morning and evening waiting for the elusive pee or poop to happen. Gone are my sleep-ins for the next few years.

I AM LEARNING....not a lot really. Everyday I think I have his routine down pat and everyday I am proved otherwise. Not really a bonding experience.

Rethinking the Joys of Household Chores

When I was a city gal getting the household chores done meant ringing the cleaning lady and turning the appliances on. How things have changed!!! No cleaning lady for this rural outpost. Could probably have one but really can't justify one at present. As for turning on the appliances. Yes, you can do that but..... here's a couple of things to remember. Every time I use water the pump has to go on to get it from the storage tank. Electricity isn't cheap in the country. Have to make sure I am using a "low suds" washing powder so as not to overwhelm the septic tank. Can't use both dishwasher and washing machine at the same time - too much for the septic tank. Don't throw anything down the sink like cooking fats, or coffee grounds, or bleach, or..and the list goes on. Septic tank has little 'bacteria friends' that do good work and if it packs up then I pack up! As for watering - trying to collect as much as possible because, once again, the pump is used every time I want to use the hose. And the hose doesn't reach everywhere anyway. It's all a learning curve and I ave adapted pretty well. In an attempt to save electricity and use the beautiful weather we do have in HB I try to hand the washing outside to dry. I've learned to pick my days. When I was a kid my mother always sung the praises of wind dried washing. Bet she didn't try hanging it our or keeping it on the line in 80+kph winds. This photo taken on a normal windy day. Didn't lose any washing but that is a common occurence here.
Always a good idea to pack up any loose furniture when you know the "winds" are coming. Otherwise you'll find you are scouring the neighbourhood for yours, and others, belongings. Guess it's one way to meet your neighbours.

THE BEST.....Listening to the wind whistling around the house and knowing that you are safe an sound in your little haven
THE WORST....Rewashing stuff that gets marked by flying dust and dirt. Sounds like Little House on The Prairie.
I'M LEARNING....to love my pink gumboots. A girl has to have style - especially when I seem to live in these things at present. You want to see the matching pink gardening gloves!!!!!!

HIstory, Beauty and an Electric Fence

This was the weekend of the Central Hawkes Bay Festival and the weather gods did their good work - two glorious days of spring freshness and clarity that made everything look like the best polaroid picture you could imagine. I had the best intentions of mucking in with the locals at Waipukurau on Saturday but that wasn't to be - so I missed the main street festivities but I did get to Pukeora Estate - a one time sanitorium now working towards a more regal existence as a conference and accommodation venue. There is a LOT of work to do. The location is amazing and the photos here show the view from the hilltop on which Pukeora is located. The vineyards are those of the local brew Sanhill. There were about 90 stalls taking up all sorts of nooks and crannies throughout the maze of buildings sporting everything from homemade babies clothes to wine and gourmet delights. Something of a Farmers Market meets the local fair. It was interesting but not arresting.


What was truly great was the drive to and from the Festival. Ongaonga is a small township that has embraced its history and preserved some of yesteryear's architecture - including the renowned "thunderbox" - the outside loo. The local museum opens between 2-4pm on Sundays and is obviously operated by locals. I came past a little before opening time and found them sprucing the place up - not sure whether they were expecting hordes or not.

A little further down the round is Tikokino. Historical again and the source of some great 'red shed' examples for my upcoming collection. And the countryside was dotted with lots of lambs dutifully looking for a free feed from mum. The countryside at its best. Delightful.

THE BEST.......once again the grandeur of the landscape and the green, green grass of home.

THE WORST....old ladies at country fairs who think they can stand in the middle of corridors nattering about everything and anything and then get annoyed when you gently move them aside. God help me when I get there.

I'M LEARNING......when you are leaning on a fence and wonder why your arm is jerking uncontrollably, it's not the early signs of Parkinson's Disease, it's the fact you're leaning on an electric fence. No permanent damage done, I hope, but it did get down to my toes before I realised what was happening. Slow learner!