[matina]

HELLO ALL!
PJ we had a huge gum tree in our front yard and nearly every year a mother and baby Koala would come and visit and back then they would take one of Foxy's stuffed toys with them. they even came in through the doggy door one night It is nice to see them we have a park at the end of our street and you can usually see a couple of them there.

KATHY well honey 1 i don't do high heels and i got whiplash one second your talking about ripping off G strings and then its kittens and puppies what the hell did i miss anyhow must stress the elderly on the thread with a heart condition i saw this today while out shopping and picking up mum's new walking cane after she had her Meningococcal vaccine and i thought of you immediately
LIFE BEGINS AFTER COFFEE

tomorrow home day I am looking forward to starting Christine Feehan's new ghost-walker book phantom game i just finished lightning game i was a little disappointed with that one i think she rushed it and it showed not as in depth with her main characters as the rest of them and she failed to incorporate a lot of the other existing "family members in it". she really dropped the ball on this one i don't mind long book series but i detest just pumping them out just for the sake of it especially when the bigger plot has been left to drop she could have fluffed it out a lot more she brought in team 1 ghost-walkers with no real updates on them no comrade-re with the Louisiana ghost-walkers mob. even glossed over the return of an important person in the fonteunont family, wont drop spoilers. really really disappointed in that one.
anyway time for dinner we picked up a yiros stack pack (deconstructed yiros platter lamb meat chips and salad with the pita bread) so going to go get stuck into that now.
Be safe everyone and god bless and be with you all.
WOLF OUT!!

[pjmpjm]

matina, your point is taken! Here's a photo of the tiny coffee shop located right next to the Leura Post Office. (My own PO box is in view to the left.) Just about to get the fire going here . . . not quite as cold as in past days, but about 7 degrees right now, and steadily getting colder. Looking forward to a quiet night . . . computer work and reading. Hope you're feeling better today and that your mother's vaccination went well . . . and that you picked up her new walking cane OK.

Will close by posting a photo of Rishi when she was a kitten, about six years ago . . .

[kathlyn]

Morning

Matina I don't do high heels either That's why my ankles are stuffed as well as everything else I could run like the devil in those heels yeah my nan said I'd regret those shoes she was right but they were so pretty to a 20 yr old me ah well yep no talking to me till my first coffee enjoy your home day and phantom game is a good read I thought so anyway Hi Pj adorable baby rishi photo it's such a lovely place with the boutique coffee shops you have I'm surprised some are still open after covid lockdowns etc Oh lord have you seen the news about this Monkey pox virus I just turned it off can't deal with all that again all the best cuddle the fuzzies god bless everyone

[matina]

HELLO ALL!
KATHY yes that's been on the news for a week now the monkey pox. lord have mercy i don't think our immune systems can handle much more of this. high heels i never liked them then i was made to wear some at a special party at our house i cant remember for what exactly they were not very high ones but mum told me i had to dress more like a young lady i was 12 or 13 anyhow whilst dancing i go to twirl around and the F****G heel gets caught in the carpet and well my body went all the way around but yeah nope the foot and knee certainly didn't I collapsed and couldn't walk i bruised the cartilage and tore the tendons on the side of the knee, i was taken to hospital and it was wrapped in a bandage and i was given crutches for the next 6 to 9 months waiting for the tendon to heal. NEVER AGAIN!!! SNEAKERS AND BARE FEET FOR ME!!! I told my mother i would even get married in sneakers if i could but no flat court shoes were the closest correct attire!
PJ very nice and quaint stores you all have. I wonder are the prices reflective of that too considering it is a bit of a touristy spot? Rishi awwwww cutie they are so gorgeous when they are babies.
I was mortified to see on the news the tragic killing of 20 people by a young 18 year old in Texas and body count is rising, how horrific to take your child to school never to pick it up again except to bury it (unconscionable) mortifying!!!
may god grant you the strength to endure the loss of your children utterly shattering and devastating. after a pandemic after all the loss and heartache and now all this too. unbelievable!!!
I hope everyone else is well and are safe. god bless and be with you all spare a thought for all those parents left utterly devastated and shattered.
it is raining here today and it is cool so on the couch with a blanket & reading and loving it!!!
WOLF OUT!!

[pjmpjm]

Not one of my photos, but a picture I found the other day, from a professional photographer, showing sunrise over the Blue Mountains near Newnes . . . my bushwalking friend often goes here.

matina, how are you today? Hope your cough isn't coming back. Did your mother get her new walking cane from Aidacare? Am finding it hard to believe what takes place in the world today . . . not just in the US, but everywhere. It's not the world I expected.

Katy, yes, Leura has a superabundance of coffee shops, cafes, and restaurants. And there are even more only five minutes away, in Katoomba and Wentworth Falls. There's never a worry about where to get a good cappuccino so close to home. Most or all seem to have survived the covid. The one I showed in the last photo has only room inside for half a dozen customers but is located adjacent to the Post Office, so is very handy for takeaway. Rain seems to have stopped this morning . . . hope the same for you. Tried to sit outside on my patio with Sunnya, but it was a bit too chilly without the sun



Bottom photo shows ferns and bush near my house . . .

[kathlyn]

Hi everyone

Morning Pj what a spectacular photo whoever took it has a great eye the colours in the pic are amazing you certainly live in Gods country another gorgeous day just nice and cool like matina we love this time of year how are the girls Did you get your car fixed yet Our mechanic is coming tomorrow to do a service he's very reasonable compared to some and he comes to the house Matina drive safe out there, there Waa an 11 car pile up on a freeway here cars end to end I think people have forgotten the basics when driving, we're off to do some shopping ourselves maybe lunch we'll see take care everyone

[pjmpjm]

matina, hoping all is going well for you today. Rain has stopped here and the sun has been peeking out. Sat for a while out in my backyard, but it was a bit chilly.

Katy, yes, it's a beautiful place to live. I feel very lucky to be up in the mountains. If the rain holds off, I may get out for a walk. Car is still at the panel beating shop and Friday afternoon is the earliest I can expect to get it back. They didn't promise, though. Anyhow, my supplies are holding out. Sounds like a good arrangement to have your car serviced at home. Eventually, I'm thinking of having a local guy come and comprehensively clean my car . . . when I know the rain has gone for good!

Hi to all the CC&BC gang . . .

[matina]

HELLO ALL!
PJ GOOD LUCK IN GETTING YOUR CAR BACK AND FIXED UP LIKE IT IS BRAND NEW. (don't take any malarkey from them and keep on their backs about it) If you need help let me know the wolf is always ready to GROWWWL!!!
KATHY enjoy the shopping i hope you find what you want (the shelves are really bare these days and what stock is there OMG THE PRICES ARE ASTRONOMICAL!)
We have had a busy day visiting folks we hadn't seen in a long while it was good catching up, I even got a very belated birthday gift an aromatherapy diffuser Ive wanted one for a while pity i had already bought one and it arrived yesterday so now i have 2 so 1 for my room and one for the lounge as mother doesn't tolerate these things in her room. I just didn't realise just how much this 5 weeks of isolation has cost me in strength a few visits and i came home and crashed for a nana nap this flue /bronchitis has really wiped me out.
Mums vaccinated arm is still hot swollen and it is so hard and hot to the touch been encouraging her to put ice on it as well as steroid based cream and telfast as i am sure this is an allergic reaction to it don't know why, as she hasn't been in the past.
time for a cup of coffee to wake me up open up the mail and start swearing like a wharfie (wharfie (plural wharfies) (Australia, New Zealand, informal, colloquial) A wharf labourer or stevedore.) because they are nothing but bills that we can least afford
Alessa Bear JG Ice Fatima Sol Diva Lush Dreamy pop in say hello and post
I hope everyone else is doing well and are safe and I am wishing you all to be safe and may god bless and be with you all always.
WOLF OUT!

[pjmpjm]

This new photo (above) was taken through a downstairs window. Otherwise, the rosellas (not the cockies) tend to fly off as soon as you get close with a camera.

matina, I just noticed your earlier story about the mother koala! Wow! I've never seen a single koala anywhere in the Blue Mountains, although there have been a few sightings over the years. I suspect that there are heaps of them living down in the remote parts of the Jamison Valley. Apparently, they always live where their favourite gum trees live (according to my scientist son). So sorry to hear that your mother's arm is so bad. That really sounds extreme. Hope the ice and steroid cream help soon. Yes, it sure sounds like a major allergic reaction. The aromatherapy diffuser sounds like a good idea. I've seen them in use at our local health food shop.

Katy, with the 14% increase in electricity and gas prices in NSW due after July 1st, I've just done a review of my own energy plans. I was already with Canstar's cheapest provider (Simply Energy) but switched from one of their old plans to a new and cheaper one. Will save me a few dollars when the price change happens. I think I already mentioned that last year I changed my comprehensive car insurance over to YOUI and saved $400 per year. Since they also provide their own road service (which I've actually used only once in more than 57 years of driving) I was also able to drop my $100 plus annual NRMA coverage.

I had another long nap this afternoon and feel a lot better. So happy that I have a new and improved backup system for my books and computer. Don't know what I'd do if I lost all my books. Anyhow, they're all safe now . . .

[kathlyn]

Morning

Hi Pj I don't know how folks are going to manage with these power prices we limit what we use as it is, but with winter coming you need heating we try to put away something each fortnight towards the power bill especially but it's hard on a fixed income as you and matina know did you get a loan car to get around in while yours is getting fixed I hope you get it back today matina how is mums arm I had a reaction to the moderna Vax similar lasted a week but as you suggested anti histamine helped well talk about rising prices hubby went to get tomatoes we forgot them yesterday $12 a kilo yeah not getting that I had tomatoes in a pot but the rain got to them Hello to everyone else god bless

[pjmpjm]

matina, hope you're enjoying a nice massage today. Sunny up here and about ten degrees, but it feels warmer. Sunnya and I were out in the backyard earlier. Rishi is sleeping in, underneath the covers.

Katy, I stocked up on supplies and decided to do without a rental car, to save money. So far, so good. Am really hoping that my car will be ready late this afternoon. Yes, being on a fixed income means watching every dollar. I try to avoid central heating and use my fireplace. I can pick up extra firewood along the road, next to the reserve. Not driving as much these days means that I'm still not paying the current high petrol prices. But I'll have to fill up soon.

Right now I'm enjoying watching my rosellas and 'pinhead' pigeons. Cockies have mostly gone. Sunnya is lying on the windowsill keeping a close eye on the front deck activity!

Hope all the CC&BC people are well.

[johngriffen]

Our adventure continues
We have now flown to Phoenix to visit my daughter. And that means I now have a little time to finally record our activities/fun in Vegas
We spent our first full day doing the normal tourist stuff... we walked the famous "Las Vegas Strip"
It has been called Disney Land for Adults You can travel the world all on the same street. However, my biggest laugh of the day came from a beggar on the Strip... I wish I had got a picture. He was sitting on the sidewalk holding a non traditional ask for money sign. He deserved an award for truth in advertising.
The sign read "I need money for strippers and blow" and that was more than enough to make me dig into my pocket
Time for the picture tour... and I apologize in advance for the quality of the pictures. I'm just not as good as our resident expert PJ. And all I had was my galaxy phone... but here there are.

As I said, you can travel the world (in a tacky and cheesy fashion) on a single street.
You can see:
France - Paris


Italy - Venice




Italy - Rome




Egypt



Old England


And all the other assorted sights...
Lion


Flamingos


And this is just a taste
Yes... ALL TOTALLY CHEESY... but a ton of fun

And then we saw one of our favorite comedians, Bill Maher.
This kind of provided closure to our Vegas experience since two years ago, we went to Las Vegas to see him... and needless to say, out timing SUCKED. When we flew in, Covid was all over the news. The Bill Maher show was one of the first to be canceled, and then all the other shows starting shutting down. And by the time we left Vegas, it was in the process of totally shutting down. So we were thrilled to finally complete the journey we had stared a few years before. It was worth the wait

To all the regulars and irregulars, HELLO

And on thing that doesn't change in Las Vegas... the bar is OPEN... and is OPEN ALL DAY



Stay tuned... our adventure continues

[matina]

HELLO ALL!
KATHY green beans fresh are now $29 /kilo so we buy what we can frozen and we still visit a fruit and veg shop which is about 30 minutes by car away from us but worth the drive as the price of tomatoes there is still $2.50 its an Indian fruit grocer garlic is $9/kilo as apposed to supermarkets $25/kilo. we hardly use any power in winter especially for heating we never turn anything on all the doors are open if we get cold just a blanket for the legs and it is copacetic at night from the waist down are out of the very lightweight summer quilt i have on the bed i just cover kidney and chest area but head and arms are out and my slide door leading to the courtyard is wide open with only a heavy duty wire screen door to keep the bugs out and have the lovely cool wind flowing through I LOVE WINTER!!! our biggest power consumption is during summer running the air conditioning.
PJ those cockies are looking super model lately sleek lines and sexy ankles you can keep those blasted rosellas they totally trashed my granny smith tree of apples loathsome bastards bring back the slug guns i say although truth be told i would prefer a shot gun leave nothing left of them
JG OMG!!!! what sights what places what fun what utter enthrallment i think i just fell in love with Vegas. but i would never go because of the weather i hate the heat please keep us updated we love your travel logs finally some spice in the cosy cafe.
time to go think on dinner and coffee
be safe everyone and god bless and be with you all
WOLF OUT!!

[kathlyn]

Hey everyone

Oh wow John thank you for your photos absolutely cheesey but right up my alley love Caesars Palace sounds like a real hoot there Morning Pj yes we're just happy that we don't have to drive the distances we did before moving closer to the kids i used to drive from Penrith to Camden every day for the kids petrol now couldn't afford it you know I have to agree with matina those cockies ankles look a lot slimmer matina sitting with the kids today my daughter and her husband are going to see Top Gun Maverick her boss ga r her movie tickets for working so hard during the flood crisis enjoy your visit I hope all is ok xoxo God bless

[pjmpjm]

matina, what are you doing this weekend? I think you said you're going to visit your aunty, who is out of the hospital. Hope it's a good visit and that she's recovered at least a bit. I expect a very quiet time myself, with no car.

Katy, I sure saved a lot on petrol this week! Didn't drive at all! Will still have to pay the YOUI excess for my hail damage repair and wonder what the total cost would have been without insurance. Will ask Wizard Repairs when they finally finish the work. Hope you have a good weekend with your family

John! Wow! You sure gave us a good report on Vegas! You know, in my long life I've spent a good deal of time in big US cities, mainly Boston, New York and Los Angeles . . . but somehow I never struck Las Vegas. Glad you got to make the trip and see Bill Maher's show and visit your daughter. (Was that you sitting at The Atlantis Show?) Thanks again for sharing.

Not much to report here in the mountains . . . just the opposite of Vegas in these parts! My cockatoos have finished off their reduced seeds allotment and have nearly all gone. A few humble rosellas are hanging around on the front deck.

Bye for now, everyone . . .