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August 1998

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BOYS
Wednesday, 19 August 1998

Yesterday we went to have an ultrasound for Leonie. It was arranged that we could take a video along and they'd put it on that for us, but when I got home last night, it was blank - the thing hadn't recorded! So, all I have is the half-dozen prints they gave us. Here is what I think was the best one.

The one burning question was perhaps answered at this session - from what we saw it looks like the baby is a boy (well, they looked like "dangly bits" to me!). Now Leonie is not too happy about this - she wanted another daughter. I'm not fussed, the baby looked healthy and thats what's most important. And I guess Leonie will come 'round eventually. I hope.

THAT'S MY GIRL and HAPPY BIRTHDAYS
Sunday, 16 August 1998

Sometimes I marvel at how like both Leonie and I my daughter Kathryn is. (It's not really that surprising since we have such an influence over how she grows). Take the other day for instance. Kathryn was requested to help clean up the house (as we usually do on a Friday - nice and clean ready for the weekend!). Kathryn has taken to eating Minties and being amused by the witty cartoon drawings on the wrappers. - To the point of wanting to keep them as a "collection". When cleaning up she grabbed a handfull of wrappers and stuffed them in her cupboard draw - to which Leonie commented "She gets that from YOU, you know!"

OK, I admit it - I am a bit of a hoarder when it comes to collecting things. I have my stamp collection. But I also have a small coin collection, a rocks and minerals collection and a sizeable music collection. And thats not even mentioning the books in my "library". And then there are all the odd bits and pieces I can't seem to be without. Leonie calles it "compulsive". I just enjoy having "things".

But the story with Kathryn doesn't end there. Later, she decided to clean out her cupboard of bits and pieces she no longer used. You know the sort of thing - the little toys they insist on giving with kids meals at take away places, the mugs, and silly wacky drinking straws and the like. These were destined for the rubbish bin until I intervened and suggested that they be put in a big bag and sorted out so that we could give them away to a charity such as Red Cross or St. Vincent de Paul's. I was trying to impress on Kathryn the "giving" spirit. However, she piped up "Or we could have a garage sale!" And she kept on with this theme. Has a real eye for money making schemes - just like her mother! Oh well, at least we know we have contributed to her make up equally!

Today is also Leonie's birthday. We enjoyed a lazy morning relaxing and then headed off the Hammond Park for a picnic lunch. It was such a lovely day weather-wise. Not too hot but sunny. It is almost Spring, my favourite season - hopefully I can get some pictures of the wild flowers which grow abundantly around here.

The weekend hasn't been without its trauma's though. I bought a second hand sound card and CD-ROM for my recently aquired 486 machine. When I installed them, the floppy drive stopped working and I can't work out whats wrong!

MARATHON TEACHING
Friday, 7 August 1998

Whoa! What a week its been! I'm getting to dislike having that class at 8:30am on Monday. It means I have to prepare classes over the weekend. And this week I missed Kathryn's performance in her school assembly on Monday morning.

This week also saw a very hectic Wednesday. I did my first Industry Training class. I don't normally teach Wednesday during the day time, so this was time I was available. The class was a Microsoft Excel Intermediate class - four students in an intensive days teaching. Then, on top of that, I had my two classes on Wednesday evening - all up a total of 11 hours teaching! So I am quite tired - and looking forward to the weekend.

Also, while on the subject of work - there have been a few changes. The Comupting Department has now been merged with the Business Department to form the new Commerce Department - with a new Head of Department. It may mean some changes in teaching patterns as there will be some savings in cross classes. It will certainly mean a relocation of offices, but that probably won't happen until early next year. I'm not particularly worried about these changes - but change is just that - sometimes uncomfortable.

SHE'S LEAVING HOME
Sunday, 2 August 1998

For the last six or seven weeks we have had a house guest staying with us. Catherine has been on a working holiday on her way east to Queensland, and was staying with us doing work for Leonie. She was a lot of fun to have around. I got into the habit of getting her a mug of Milo each morning - "Milk and one sugar".

I even managed to introduce both Leonie and Catherine to IRC - we spent one Friday night a week or so ago chatting on the channel I regualrly sit on - #jennicam on EFNET. It was the first time both had been chatting and it turned out to be quite an experience for them - and the regulars on the channel as well 8^)

Its usually a strain having someone else living so closely for that length of time - I have bad memories of the last "long stayer" we had. But I'm gonna miss Catherine. She she fitted in well - but wasn't intrusive. Catherine left for Adelaide on the bus yesterday. Hopefully we will see her again later this year if she comes back to help Laonie when the election is called.