A dishwasher won't keep you warm at night...

There is an ongoing debate in our household, surrounding the necessity for a dishwasher. I believe that with just the two of us (apart from the occasional entertaining), a dishwasher is a complete waste of $700+ dollars. Andy thinks that it would change our lives (I assume for the better).


I grew up with a dishwasher from about the age of 6. Every morning I had to empty it and then every night after tea, I had to load it. I hated it. Perhaps this is why dishes really don't bother me, perhaps the novelty of playing in water is still there. I suppose I am also wise to the fact that dishwashers still require some work. The way people talk about them sometimes, it's as if they come into the dining room, ask if you enjoyed your meal, clear the dishes away, wash them, dry them, put them away, wipe down the benches and then make you a nice hot cuppa. Dishwashers have created a generation of 'princesses' who screw their noses up at 'all the gross food stuff that floats around in the water' when they're doing dishes. Hello! You just ate that food!

Dishwashers aren't all bad, sure. When you're entertaining a mob, it saves a fair bit of time in the kitchen. Apparently the new ones are supposed to be really water efficient. That's all I have to say on the positives of dishwashers.

Washing up by hand, now that is loaded with positives! So much so, I am going to dot point them!

• On a cold night, there is nothing nicer than immersing your hands in a sink full of steaming hot water
• Washing up is a social occasion. One washes, one dries and you have a chat about your day while your doing it!
• Once the dishes are done, dried and put away, the task is complete. No unpacking the dishwasher in a few hours time!
• When you wash by hand, you know what you need for the next meal will be washed and put away - "Where's the colander? Oh, it's in the dishwasher and it's mid-cycle..."
• I don't know how many times I have unloaded a dishwasher, only to reload it with half the stuff that I just took out....with food still stuck to it. Washing up by hand, you have quality control!
• There's only 2 of us! We really don't make that many dishes!!!

I know I am an island here. Everyone thinks dishwashers are the be all and end all, but I am sticking to my guns! Give me a sponge and scourer any day!!!

Oh, and by the way, no, I won't come round and do your dishes for you!

Poo coloured day

I had one of those days on Monday. You know the ones. The only good thing about days like it is that it eventually ends. I suppose there is another, days like these make you appreciate normal days. In fact, following days may be quite ordinary, but by comparison, they become 'good days'.

So my Monday. The woman with the disagreeable jaw (on closer inspection, I think it may just be a disagreeable mouth) was in full flight. I fired up my computer to see a stack of emails from her "Do this! Have you done this? Can you action that?" and my favourite... "Please facilitate this." If by facilitate, you mean print, then sure....I can facilitate that (and that is exactly what was meant)! The day was filled will stressful demands and I ended up staying back at work later than someone who gets paid my salary should.

I had 2 little rays of sunshine between 9 and 5 though. My proper boss came in for a visit and to tell me she'd be back next week (her mouth and jaw is seldom disagreeable) and the other was the beautiful polka dot umbrella I bought with my Christmas Myer voucher.

It improved once I stepped out the doors. I got a decent seat on the train, despite only just making it on time. Andy's team had a near win at basketball, which is always a joyous occasion. I had a spontaneous call from a good friend, with whom I'd had an email conversation with early in my day, didn't say a word about my bad day, yet she still picked up my tension, good friend! Very good! When we got home, knocked the top off a couple of beers and played Grand Theft Auto, which is a perfect outlet after a poo coloured day!

My week is progressively getting better and I have booked a flexi on Friday, which I am going to use to relax and pamper myself!

Poo coloured days only last 24 hours (generally), tomorrow is a gift!

Oscar - Yet another update!

Well, I am pleased to say that Oscar is now home, minus one necrotic lipoma! He's got some stitches, but to look at you wouldn't know that he's a) 10 years old and b) recovering from surgery! He's happily chirping away like nothing has happened, pashing his mirror and dinging his bells.
I'm slowly introducing him to "kibbles", which are high protein, low fat birdy num-nums, which will hopefully get his weight under control and get his liver functioning as it should be (so no slipping him cap fulls of beer, OK!). I think the biggest change, however, is going to be all the extra love and attention he gets from now on!! He's already been elevated to eye level, rather than the little side table that he's been on for so long! It's nice to have the happy little sounds back in the house, making it sound like our place again (last night was eerily silent without him!).
A final check up next Tuesday should let us know that he's all clear. I have no doubt that he'll make an excellent recovery and potentially live another few years!

My Teeny Weeny Littte Super (Fat) Guy

Oscar is out of surgery! He pulled through like the super trooper that he is! I spoke to the vet on the phone thisafternoon. His first comment to me was "You have a very FAT budgie!"
So Oscar and I are teaming up for this years "Biggest Loser Couples" series. Apparently he needs more protein. Whey powder for budgies? Hmmmm. I am hoping the vet can give me some tips onhow precisely I am going to deliver his dietry needs! I also plan to get him out for a bit of a "burn" around the lounge room every couple of days.
Thanks for all the well wishes!

Oscar - Update

Oscar was a little lamb at the vet this morning. He behaved very well. The vet confirmed my suspicions, it is a tumour and will need to be operated on. And it's going to cost a bit! I worked out, however, that taking food, today's consult and the surgery into account, Oscar has only cost me about $35 per year! He goes in on Tuesday and he should be home by the end of the week. Once again, all rituals of goodwill are requested!

Oscar is going to the vet!

Regular readers and visitors to our house will be familiar with my Senior Citizen Budgie mate Oscar. It is with sadness that I announce that Oscar has a suspected tumour. He's stipulated that I don't mention where it is, because he is a little embarrassed about it.
So we are off to the vet on Saturday. It will only be his second ever trip to the vet. He's been once to get some medicine administered to get rid of a mite that was causing some feather trouble. This trip is more serious. He's likely to be going under the knife, if the vet thinks it is necessary.
Please do what ever ritual you do for such situations. Pray, send happy vibes, cast healing spells or just think of us on Saturday morning when we toddle off to the Birdy Clinic. I'll post an update on the weekend, because I know you are all really interested in my bird!!!! :-)