Australia Day (mid-week) Holiday- nice chance to catch my breath

Here is some very exciting news:

We had a little bit of rain here last week.  Well, a LOT for us, considering it is January.  Almost 35mm over two days.  But hardly anything compared to poor old Queensland, 75% of which is drowning at the moment.  I feel bad talking up how pleased I am with our extra water, when those poor buggers are swimming in their living rooms, but it has to be said that while our brook held (a small amount of) water for two days we were able to pump from it and fill our garden tank (110,000 litres) and this may well get us through the summer.  And so we are very grateful.

Other events to be grateful for include pinning down every appointment necessary to get us up to RTC application stage.  Turns out that the 3 month ‘cooling off’ period for the application begins the day of our final surrogacy counselling session (required by the clinic but not the RTC oddly enough).  We have booked that for Feb 14th, so happy Valentine’s Day to us four.  Romantic way to spend the day.  Our last session together happened to be M&S’s wedding anniversary.  We seem to know how to elbow in on their ‘couple’ time, LOL.

Turns out that our new egg donor, B is even more organised and efficient than me.  I know you can hardly believe such a person exists, but I have found her.  Wonder woman. Within about two days of us agreeing to go ahead with the egg donation she had booked all her appointments: Lawyer 19th Jan; psych testing 29th Jan; clinic counselling with us 31st Jan; obstetrician (lucky cancellation spot) 1st of Feb.  Lightning fast.  I think my position as project manager might be in danger of being usurped!

I feel so relieved that things are moving smoothly and rapidly without too much wrangling on my part.  Such a load off my mind, having that confidence in B’s ability to manage her own end of things, and with such aplomb.

Last week flew by in a flurry of cleaning, bed-making and food preparation for the BIG WEEKEND.  M&S, their four children (3, 5, 7, 10) and B all came to stay and it was a lot of fun.  I used to dream of having four kids myself, but can see now that it takes a lot of co-ordinating to keep them all amused at their age-appropriate levels.  We had walks up the hill and around the property, and around the neighbour’s property.  We had trampolining, bocce, lawn bowls, quoits and a trip to the pool.  We had a sojourn into town to window shop at the toy store, music shop, gift shops.  Broke for intermission at the cool cafe with gluten-free treats and great smoothies/milkshakes, and ended the trip with a half hour decision-making extravaganza at the lolly shop.  We had an afternoon of drawing and painting, with the trestle table inside and everyone in cute pinafores to protect their clothes.  [M was on art duty for about three or four hours and I think it nearly finished her off!  She also spent a lot of time consoling the wounded – fingers in doors, gravel rash, knock and bumps etc. I got a good look at how little down time you et as a mother with four kids, and hats off to her!!!]

We had games of chess and backgammon, and carom.  The music room had a little workout with drums and keyboards and guitars called into action.  DH and S went for two bike rides (but piked out of a third on the Sunday).  There was a lot of book reading (individual and group storytelling) and I gave the kids a basket of books to take to bed (over in the guest cottage) with them each night.  There was a bubble bath, and feeding the tropical fish. There was movie time set up on the laptop in the (somewhat cooler) book room on the really hot afternoon.  There was a bit of gardening – seed sowing and a tour of how the compost system worked.  Then there was a lot of preparing breakfast, lunch and dinners [see menu below], with the odd snack thrown in (thank goodness for bananas!), and of course, dishes.  Turns out B is exceptional in the dishwashing department, and seemed to have the gloves on and the sink filled even before I had even thought of doing a load. AND she cooked the most amazing Persian rice I have ever had. And trumped me at backgammon.

Our friend Jeff came over in the midst of the melee and joined in for a round of coffees and a gas-bag.  And then on Sunday afternoon around 4pm, they all disappeared.  I gave the children a book each to read on the long car ride home, they hopped into their seats and waved goodbye.  The house seemed so quiet and empty.  I busied myself with putting things away, cleaning, washing linen etc and then at 6pm DH and I went over to some friends’ place and had a few beers and light snacks.  It was kind of like a transition from loads of people to just us.  I took the leftovers from the rhubarb dessert, which was well received.

Monday I had a friend over for coffee after our exercise class and then DH and I spent 5.5 hours in the garden making and distributing compost and re-hanging a passionfruit vine. Washed up at 5.30 and headed out at 6 to a friend’s house for fabulous baked whole fish dinner.

Tuesday I went to body balance class, did two month’s worth of paperwork filing, a load of ironing and various other domestic chores until 3pm and then I indulged in the rest of the afternoon off.

And today is Wednesday.  Australia day.  Had meat pies with tomato sauce for lunch and bludged around in true (white bogan) Aussie style.  Haven’t had a beer yet, but I suspect that is coming.  Jeff dropped in with his 3 kids and we had another music session in the ‘studio’.  DH’s laptop died last month (I’m sure I mentioned that) and this week he got a whizz bang new computer with a  massive (secondhand) screen.  He has almost set up logic and pro tools and he’d better get his skates on because we have Jess coming down to record some songs for her school project Friday night through to Sunday.  I will hang out with her Mum, who is a good friend of mine, and I am really looking forward to having them here.  I have no idea as yet what this weekend’s menu will involve but I suspect I will be spending most of Thursday in the kitchen (apart from going to the tip, gym, shopping, and having lunch with my friend V at 1pm).

Monday morning we scoot up to Perth for counselling with B at the clinic, coffee afterwards and then possibly a lawyer’s appointment at 5pm, and stay the night at DH’s Mum’s place on the way home.  Tuesday we’ll head down to Bunbury where DH has a list starting at 12 noon, and I will pick up the firefighting stuff I ordered and hang out a bit with my friend, whose birthday is today. [M’s birthday is Friday!]

So that’s next week covered.  DH is about to fire up the barbie and cook some scotch fillet steaks, so best go rustle up a salad.  See you in Feb….

——————————————————————————————————-

BIG WEEKEND Menu:

Friday night: spaghetti bolognese (mince) with quinoa & rice pasta (gluten free).

Friday dessert: (reconstituted) dried figs in orange blossom and quince syrup, served with mascarpone (soft sweet cheese).  Choice of vanilla, chocolate & orange or pistachio ice cream. I totally forgot about the quince sorbet and fresh dates.

Breakfasts: gluten free bircher muesli and fresh nectarines +/or grated apple.

Snacks:corn thins etc with various toppings- avocado, tomato, tuna, smoked salmon, ham, vegemite- whatever you like!

Saturday lunch: lamb chops marinaded in ras-al-hanout, olive oil, garlic and sumac. Chick pea, steamed green bean and preserved lemon salad.  Zucchini, fetta cheese and mint patties.

Saturday dinner: BBQ chicken: plain for kids unless they’d like our grilled saffron chicken with lemon, chili and mint marinade. Sides: corn on cob (plain for those who wish, or otherwise with sumac and lime-zest butter); candied beetroot and yoghurt salad. Rice, Persian style!

Saturday Dessert: rhubarb, lime zest and rosewater cream with rhubarb twirls. [This was the most divine thing I have ever made or tasted in my life.]

Sunday lunch: leftovers!