DREAM HOLIDAY?

Maybe not...............

After the long flight and making my way to the most comfortable looking hotel I could find, I checked in, dropped my luggage on the bed and boiled the jug. Nibbled on a couple of crackers and after finishing my hot drink, decided to have a short wander around the streets nearby. Just needed to stretch my legs, so wouldn't be long. Grabbing the key and locking the door on the way out I headed off into the early evening. The lights were just starting to come on and people milled about. Couples heading for restaurants and sweethearts walking hand in hand.

It must have been a good thirty minutes or so since I left the hotel and I had simply lost track of time. I'd also lost track of where I was. All the streets looked the same and I realised with horror I hadn't taken stock of my bearings at all. Too interested in all the activity going on around me!

As I tried to retrace my steps it also occurred to me I hadn't taken note of the hotel either. Just hastily headed off out taking the key only. My purse and belongings left behind - somewhere! Panic welled up and that awful smell of fear as realisation hit. I was lost in this sprawling city! My heart pounded as I desperately searched for familiar sights.

A loud wailing noise in my ears added to the stress. It would stop every now and again, but then... on it went. On and on!

By now darkness had settled in and the streets and buildings were well lit up. The persistent wailing continued, my ears drummed and all I could think of was how could I have been so stupid!

Suddenly, I woke up with a start! My eyes shot open as I sat bolt right up in bed and there was Harrison prowling back and forth on the deck and wailing to come in for a snack!

I'm not sure just how many of his nine lives he has left, but one thing I do know for sure - it's one less!

PAYPAL OR PLAY FOUL?

Let's face it, what does Paypal conjure up?

A friendly reliable mate expediting online payments, or some difficult to reach global organisation in the virtual world of cyber space?

Seems to me the cart could be before the horse when dealing with this outfit as I discovered when making my first purchase nearly two weeks ago. The replacement Victoriana Rose sugar bowl from the UK.

After confirming registration and the hype to buy! I did! Well no, actually I did not... You see it wasn't possible to complete the payment without a confirmation code.

What code and where was it? After several emails to the seller, Paypal and eBay, I finally got it from my bank.
At last, time to make the payment! Well no! Paypal has disabled my debit card, citing a problem with the expiry date. Another phone call to the bank, the card is indeed active.
But, how to pay when Paypal records a disabled card! Another email to enlighten them... May take a few days for reply... Still waiting!
Now, I mentioned something about the cart being before the horse. Well, apart from the hype to buy before verification, there's a $3.00 bank debit set up fee. So what! Barely enough for 500 grams of butter, hardly worth getting your knickers in a twist about.

Consider thousands of others and it's no trifling amount. It may be argued the fee is refunded with the first purchase but, does this put a different light on it? Probably not. Dropping interest rates aside, the sheer volume would amount to a tidy sum.

How to pay for my sugar bowl? Well, your guess is as good as mine.....

A LEISURELY STROLL AROUND THE WEB

This lovely sugar bowl has caused me a few moments lately I can tell you. The problem began several months ago when I found it broken in the china cabinet and wondered where I would find a replacement. My first reaction to dash out and buy a strong glue was not the answer and so the glue remains unopened in a drawer somewhere. Anyway, the bowl is part of my Paragon Victoriana Rose tea set which Karl bought for me years ago when he first started work.

Out of the blue, a few days ago I came across the same sugar bowl on eBay. After registering, then fumbling my way through the process of buy now, I struck a hitch! Paying for it! Something about a verification code which wasn't to be found anywhere, or could it move faster than the humbug? That's my computer by the way and it was doing its usual. In fact, if it went any slower it would be in reverse. Now, I'm not the most patient person, but pussy footing really brasses me off.

Anyway, to cut a long story short, someone from customer support directed me through to the final step. After pushing the key to pay, I heaved a sigh of relief and tore downstairs for a coffee before heading off to bed. By this time I think it was about 1.30am.

What is all the fuss about you may wonder? Well, has it actually gone through? There's no indication of it, so another email to the patient UK seller to bring him up to speed. Hopefully, by tomorrow this will be resolved and I can return to just swanning about. It is the second thing I have bought online, the first from Trademe sailed through .. perhaps I have lost my touch.

I digress... Jill rushed upstairs yesterday to say she had sold Teo's bike and to let me know in case I discovered it missing and assume it has been pinched. I guess the lesson here is... it's a heck of a lot easier to sell something face to face and know the deal is done.

Oh! perhaps I will feel differently when the humbug takes me on yet another leisurely stroll around the different sites. But when the last of my memory shuts everything down I wonder just how I'll figure my way out of that one!

MISS AND LUKE SORT IT OUT

Miss Measles is quite put out now the new kittens have taken over her basket."I'll never curl up in there again I can tell you that much! Anyway, I prefer being up in this tree where I can see everything. Yeah! even caught that sneaky old cat from next door after my dinner again, but I soon sent him packing!"

 

"Who said this wasn't ours? Just because that other cat's name's on it doesn't mean we have to move. Anyway, we're not bothered either way!"

Time for back up...

"Let me tell you Luke! I'm as mad as hops about those kittens! Just like a couple of cuckoos. If I could, I'd give the pair of them a good whack around the chops!"

"Chops? Did you say chops? As in juicy tender meat and crunchy bones? Come on then! There's no time like the present and we'll pack those two off smartly!"

NO SUCH THING AS A FREE LUNCH

Or is there...

"Just flew over to say hello old boy. Hope I'm not interrupting anything, like lunch maybe."Guinea's not having a bar of it. "Yeah I know, it's the same old story with you! Any time you get a sniff of carrots or anything else for that matter and you're over like a scavenging bird."

"Carrots eh! Hey look, that one there doesn't look too great. Shall I just try it and see? Hmm... thought as much. Here, let me get rid of it for you. No! it's no trouble I'll drop it off on the way back to my place. In fact, I was going to bring you over some of my budgie seed, but it slipped my mind . Next time eh!"

Saturday, April 25, 2009

LIVING THE HIGH LIFE

Wednesday, March 18


This little fellow loves the comforts of home and he particularly likes being the centre of attention.








Here's Karl feeding him his favourite treat. Mmm! Yummy!

Boy! did he enjoy the time he chased the cat around the lounge when he first took up residence in his new home.

It was only natural he would want to have a sniff of him and the ensuing dash, ending up with the startled cat leaping for safety before staring down, eyes the size of saucers, was great fun!

Poor Benjamin, this pampered pet had never suffered such indignity. And to think that hopping galloping thing ended up eyeballing him twitching his nose, suggesting some sort of personal offence. Even his ears were strange, one up and one down and did little to impress the fed-up cat!

Louie was odd indeed, to say the least...

Now, carrots are good to throw in most dishes, savoury or sweet. If they improve eye sight they haven't done much for mine.

Maybe you can give this one a go...

CARROT LOAF

Ingredients:

1 large egg.1 ½ cups of flour.1 cup of shredded carrots.½ cup of white sugar, granulated.½ cup of brown sugar, packed.½ cup of vegetable oil.½ cup of chopped nuts.½ cup of raisins.1 teaspoon of cinnamon.½ teaspoon of baking soda.¼ teaspoon of salt.¼ teaspoon of baking powder.

Method:

Stir together the flour, cinnamon, baking soda, salt and baking powder.In a separate bowl, mix together the white and brown sugar, shredded carrots, vegetable oil and egg. Combine the two mixtures, then add the chopped nuts and raisins.Spoon the mixture into a greased and floured loaf pan (about 8*4*2 inches).Bake at 350°F for about 60 minures, until a toothpick comes out clean.Allow to cool for 15 minutes.Store in an airtight container overnight. Serve as desired.

Handy to put aside for visitors who may drop in out of the blue and sure to impress them. If an hour's cooking is too long and annoying, why not cook in microwave instead. 4 or 5 minutes should do it.Remember, it won't brown so whatever comes to mind to dress it up. Marmite could be pushing it a bit so not recommended...Enjoy!

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

DOG'S LIFE BEING A REP

The start of another week and I'm all fired up!  I've got this plan of attack you see. Thought it up in the middle of the night - so here we go....................  Watch this!

   "How are you going? Just dropped by to see how business is.................. Boy! I can tell you, it's all go out there!  Last time I called, you said reps were a pain in the backside - you're right there!  Some I run into really take the cake and most of the time -  I'm paying. Anyway, I won't take up your time, I know you're a busy man."

   "What was that you said?  Coffee? That would be nice, but I don't want to hold you up:  sure, business is a bit slack at the moment, and of course, ordering stock has to go on the back burner - for now.  I understand completely and would do the same.  After all, why stock up if you don't have a sale waiting? Makes no sense."

   "Yes, we could help with a few of those, but only if you're sure. How many did you say? If you change your mind about that extra one, just let me know, and I'll move it to another client."

   "No trouble at all!  And it's been a pleasure being of service to you:  thank you for giving me your time. Next trip?  Probably another four weeks, is that okay with you?"

Phew! And I thought he was just going to pick a bone with me.................

JACKSON

A visit to Sydney and special time spent with my son Nick, daughter in law Kathleen and my grandson Jackson. Hmm... wonder what's happening in Tauranga.







On the train heading for Circular Quay, ferry to the zoo and lunch somewhere, hopefully soon.

My daughter in law Kathleen's nature is every bit as beautiful as she.



Proud dad with their son Jackson. He was less than twelve months of age in this photo.












Here's nana. That's me, with our cute little fellow!