Sunday 4th December 2011 - Timothy

Timothy is changing. I guess I really should blog more of the changes. Memories they are. And all to soon the moment passes and with it the memory of what the little children do.
Today he grunted this and that. I asked him what he wanted. More grunting and high pitched whining. I am now glad I ignored the whining. Some would say I was teaching him to get what he wanted by whining and that we should not reward the whining. So, I ignored the whining and instead decided to find out what he wanted. I asked if he wanted milk. He headed straight for the fridge and tried to open the fridge door. I opened the door for him and he lifted out the carton, all two litres of it. That's a heavy lift for a 15 month old. Then I needed his cup. I asked him where his cup was. Off he went full steam to find the cup and return with it. Later I needed to go for a walk to get milk. I decided to take him with me. I asked him where his pram was. Again off he goes running to the pram.
It's like this little light switch has gone on. All of a sudden he is understanding what we are asking. He is also very clear in making it understood what he wants. That makes our life, and his, a whole heap easier. OK, so we should not ignore the whining and maybe we shouldn't reward him. But I don't think we are. If he is able to make himself understood and we respond in a timely manner, then the whining should cease. In fact I have noticed a big change in the last week or so. He is much more compliant than he was. I like this.
It's that time of year again. Christmas. We decided this year the Christmas tree would go up on the first of December. It didn't. It went up today. Cathy and Michele put up and decorated it. Well, they started. Timothy and myself were out washing the car. I was washing the car, Timothy was sort of helping. No, I didn't and wont stop him when he tries even if I do finish up with a bigger mess. Anyway, Michele and Cathy decided they would erect the tree. And so I got the box with the tree in over from the garage and let them loose. A couple of hours later and the tree is up. They have done an excellent job. Not bad for four and eight year old.
Meanwhile, the car also is clean. Inside and out. I rather think Timothy enjoyed himself even if he did get very wet and very cold. How did the car get to need to be washed? Well, yesterday we went bush. Lake Thompson Dam was our destination, via Walhalla. We crossed the Thompson River twice. Our church, St Luke's Frankston, has a 4WD club within it. There are a few people within the church who have 4WDs. Every now and then we get together and head bush. Yesterday was the day to go bush. Five vehicles in the part. The oldest is a Nissan Patrol of 1987+- vintage. Next is a Holden Jackeroo of unknown vintage. Next was a Toyota Prado. Then there is a Hyundai Tucson and the newest is mine, a 2011 Mitsubishi Challenger. The Nissan and Prado are considered to be the most capable of the vehicles and the Hyundai Tucson is considered to be the weakest. The Tucson has the lowest ground clearance. A duck has more ground clearance than a Tucson. In fact some don't even consider it to be off road capable. Wrong. That little vehicle did its owner proud. We covered everything from river crossings to hill climbs and descents that would have given a mountain goat a head ache. All credit goes to the driver. Until yesterday Grant had never driven off road. And he did well. Very well.
Five vehicles and 15 people. We don't limit it to men only. It is a family affair and women and children are encouraged to come along. It is a big ask for some. Grant took his wife and two children. I had Stephanie and our three, Then Bruce had his son. Phil,s vehicle is in the repair shop after and argument with another car, so he tag teamed with Paul. Jeremy had his grandson with him.
For me it was experiment time. I had no idea how the kids would go. They had never been bush before. Something I badly want to rectify. And Stephanie is blind. Well, the kids did well. They hung in there and thorough enjoyed themselves. Even Timothy did well. But I learnt some things. Stephanie cant see. The trip must have some meaning for her. She was my radio operator. I learnt that I need to remember her when I get out of the car. I let the kids out and stepped away from the car not intending to forget Stephanie. But then I would get distracted and she would be left in the vehicle on her own. Not happy. So next time I need to get her out of the car and with me. Mental note to self: Remember the wife.
That raises another point. When we are out bush we use UHF CB. I didn't have one. Went and purchased two handy talkies. Well, you get what you pay for. We paid peanuts for the radios and monkeys were supposed to operate them. The audio on those things is terrible. So now I am going to get a mobile unit for the vehicle.
My car, the Challenger proved to be challenging. I wasn't told how steep one of the hills would be. Then I was told I would need second gear, low range. I stalled on the hill not good. Not only that, my hand brake didn't old the vehicle on the incline. It should have. The vehicle has only just come out of the dealer for the same problem. I went up the hill, and down the other side, in first gear and what I thought was low range. I now have my doubts that the Challenger had engaged low range. I am going to get a mate of mine to help me establish whether it is switching down.
We did enjoy the weekend. And we are going back. We want to explore the area more.
Enough for now. Till next time.........

Thursday 10th June 2010 I know one shouldn't...

I know one shouldn't brag, but. Each week one student from each class is awarded Student Of The Week. Last week was Michele's turn. She has worked hard all year for this. In fact, it has been a hard year for her and a very steep learning curve. There is a big difference from Prep to year one. This year she is in 1/2B. That is her grade. That's different from last year when she was Prep/1B. Last year was really just an advanced form of preschool, which is really a bit like an advanced playgroup.
Her teacher knows Michele's capability and wont except anything less from her. She calls Michele when she doesn't do her best and insists on nothing less than 100% effort. Michele is responding well, even if with loud protestations.
At home we have also changed a few things. We are having a "be nice to each other" challenge. There was a bit of tension in the home that resulted in certain folks deciding they really didn't like each other. Not good as you can imagine. Certainly didn't make for much harmony. I decided this needed to change. We need to like each other. So Mum and I put our heads together and came up with the challenge. Is it working? The jury is still out on that one.
Talking of Stephanie, she also is having a hard time of it. She is now 29 weeks pregnant and it shows, pardon the pun. She is uncomfortable almost all of the time now and getting more tired each day. She did say one day that I should carry a baby so I got some idea of what it is like. No thank you very much. When I think about how something that big could come out of something that small, I cross my legs. And keep them cross. Any one who thinks women are the weaker sex has obviously never seen child birth.
Things are a changing. No I am not retiring. Yet. But at some point in the future I probably will. However, I do need to face up to the fact that one day soon I will be retiring. And so we need to plan for that and make some changes. We have been in this house for 7 years now. However, it certainly wont suit our future needs and we are still carrying a bit of debt. So we have set ourselves some goals. First is to get debt free as soon as possible. The second is to sell this house and purchase something more suitable for our, and in particular, Stephanie's future needs, given that if the Lord delays, she will out live me by a long way. More to follow, watch this space.