Yesterday, I got the urge to fix up my previously pierced ear that was botched a year ago. When the lady looked at the situation, she said that the new earring was looking too shiny and sparkly beside the other 5 earrings. So, for the grand sum of $35, I got one piercing and 6 new earrings. A good deal, I think. Also, I was able to choose one purple set!!!!
The new earrings are standing out very well because I had my hair cut and the hairdresser cut it much shorter than usual. Marion will have a fit when she arrives on Monday ---- she likes my hair much longer. Oh well, it will grow.
Seeing as my hair is so short and the earrings so sparkly, I thought the hair needed to be made more obvious, so I coloured it. It's champagne blonde.
Let's see, what else can I do? Fingernails? Make-up? New clothes? Tattoos?? :-)
Speaking very softly because Steve is asleep!
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Thursday, July 30, 2009
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
EPC Program via Medicare
When I saw the dental technician, he told me about a Medicare program that I had never heard of before. The rest of you Aussies might be interested in this information.
It's called the Enhanced Primary Care Program. Click on the Title of this blog to get more information.
From the web page:- Medicare dental items (Medicare items 85011-87777) are available for people with chronic conditions and complex care needs, on referral from a GP. Eligible patients can access up to $4,250 in Medicare benefits for dental services over two consecutive calendar years.
Wow! That amount would cover a lot of dental work!
After the dentist filled me in on this program, I went to the surgery and handed them the piece of paper with the name of the program on it. Yes, they knew all about it. They booked me in for a one hour appointment with the doctor and the nurse.
Last night, I was thinking that I had done the wrong thing and should have waited until I got home again, where all of my records could have been accessed. WRONG. When I went for the visit today, I found that having diabetes was sufficient to establish eligibility for the program.
The nurse weighed, measured, took BP and filled in a few gaps on the computer. The doctor then checked me over, asked a few questions and wrote me a referral to the dentist. And that's it. How simple could it be?! Medicare has kept this secret very well.
If you plan on taking up this opportunity for dental work of any sort, don't wait too long. This information comes from the Government page :-
"In line with its election commitment, the Government planned to close the Medicare chronic disease dental scheme to all patients by 1 July 2008, and to re-direct the savings to its new dental programs (Commonwealth Dental Health Program and Medicare Teen Dental Plan). However, on 19 June 2008, the Senate blocked the scheme’s closure. On 16 September 2008, the Senate blocked the Government’s second attempt to close the scheme ...........
It remains the Government's intention to close the scheme in order to make funding available for its new dental programs, and the Government will continue to negotiate with the Senate in an effort to achieve this."
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It's called the Enhanced Primary Care Program. Click on the Title of this blog to get more information.
From the web page:- Medicare dental items (Medicare items 85011-87777) are available for people with chronic conditions and complex care needs, on referral from a GP. Eligible patients can access up to $4,250 in Medicare benefits for dental services over two consecutive calendar years.
Wow! That amount would cover a lot of dental work!
After the dentist filled me in on this program, I went to the surgery and handed them the piece of paper with the name of the program on it. Yes, they knew all about it. They booked me in for a one hour appointment with the doctor and the nurse.
Last night, I was thinking that I had done the wrong thing and should have waited until I got home again, where all of my records could have been accessed. WRONG. When I went for the visit today, I found that having diabetes was sufficient to establish eligibility for the program.
The nurse weighed, measured, took BP and filled in a few gaps on the computer. The doctor then checked me over, asked a few questions and wrote me a referral to the dentist. And that's it. How simple could it be?! Medicare has kept this secret very well.
If you plan on taking up this opportunity for dental work of any sort, don't wait too long. This information comes from the Government page :-
"In line with its election commitment, the Government planned to close the Medicare chronic disease dental scheme to all patients by 1 July 2008, and to re-direct the savings to its new dental programs (Commonwealth Dental Health Program and Medicare Teen Dental Plan). However, on 19 June 2008, the Senate blocked the scheme’s closure. On 16 September 2008, the Senate blocked the Government’s second attempt to close the scheme ...........
It remains the Government's intention to close the scheme in order to make funding available for its new dental programs, and the Government will continue to negotiate with the Senate in an effort to achieve this."
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Monday, July 27, 2009
Fairly Boring
Not much happening lately but it's good to call lazing in the sun and the warm pools, "boring".
One front top tooth fell out and I tried to learn to whistle through the gap! Eventually, I saw a dental technician who visits from Inverell one day a week. After he had finished the job, he said that I would soon need new dentures and asked me if I knew about a Medicare scheme for free dental treatment. I had never heard of it and looked it up on the internet. Sure enough, it exists, by the skin of its teeth, if you'll pardon the pun. Rudd tried to stop it twice in 2008 but it was blocked by senate. I'll look into that scheme before it no longer exists.
The scabs on Steve's knees are beginning to come off. Goodness, they seem to have been there for a long long time!
I've been seeing the Diabetic Educator at the Community Health service up here. I was having a hypo every day after swimming but since she altered my medication slightly , they have stopped. Thank heavens! I was beginning to get paranoid about going to the pool. She also suggested some carbs before I went. With some experimentation, we found that it was the vigorous exercise that I do in the pool that was bringing the blood sugar drastically down.
The pools have been full of kids for the last few weeks, because of school holidays. They are staggered throughout the states but finish this week. Emily and Carissa have another week because they go to a private school. As I was getting into the pool one day, I heard a Mother with 3 children say, "Now calm down your play and no more splashing." I hastened to assure her that kids, water, play and splashing all belonged together and there was no need to change anything on my behalf. She was grateful and the kids were happy to continue their games. I really dislike the grumpy bums with the beehive hair do and make up, who complain about the kids. If they don't like their hair getting wet, they should keep away from water.
For those who know Jim Baxter --- He is in hospital in Bendigo, recovering from a massive infection. Dom, Rachel and Talitha all went up to see him and said that he was most unwell. His wife Jenny is keeping me up to date with his condition.
The weather forecast for this week is a little cooler than usual. Monday is meant to be only 18C but the end of the week should be back to 21C.
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One front top tooth fell out and I tried to learn to whistle through the gap! Eventually, I saw a dental technician who visits from Inverell one day a week. After he had finished the job, he said that I would soon need new dentures and asked me if I knew about a Medicare scheme for free dental treatment. I had never heard of it and looked it up on the internet. Sure enough, it exists, by the skin of its teeth, if you'll pardon the pun. Rudd tried to stop it twice in 2008 but it was blocked by senate. I'll look into that scheme before it no longer exists.
The scabs on Steve's knees are beginning to come off. Goodness, they seem to have been there for a long long time!
I've been seeing the Diabetic Educator at the Community Health service up here. I was having a hypo every day after swimming but since she altered my medication slightly , they have stopped. Thank heavens! I was beginning to get paranoid about going to the pool. She also suggested some carbs before I went. With some experimentation, we found that it was the vigorous exercise that I do in the pool that was bringing the blood sugar drastically down.
The pools have been full of kids for the last few weeks, because of school holidays. They are staggered throughout the states but finish this week. Emily and Carissa have another week because they go to a private school. As I was getting into the pool one day, I heard a Mother with 3 children say, "Now calm down your play and no more splashing." I hastened to assure her that kids, water, play and splashing all belonged together and there was no need to change anything on my behalf. She was grateful and the kids were happy to continue their games. I really dislike the grumpy bums with the beehive hair do and make up, who complain about the kids. If they don't like their hair getting wet, they should keep away from water.
For those who know Jim Baxter --- He is in hospital in Bendigo, recovering from a massive infection. Dom, Rachel and Talitha all went up to see him and said that he was most unwell. His wife Jenny is keeping me up to date with his condition.
The weather forecast for this week is a little cooler than usual. Monday is meant to be only 18C but the end of the week should be back to 21C.
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Sunday, July 19, 2009
View
This is the view from the kitchen window, the beginning of the hibiscus. The banksia rose has a couple of flowers but nothing else has emerged yet. Summer and autumn were very dry and I think that this has delayed the bulbs.I took the photo through the glass ---- look closely and you will see where I haven't cleaned!!!
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Thursday, July 16, 2009
Gumshoe
Madeleine (12) is performing in Gumshoe, a spy musical comedy with Eltham Little Theatre, Melbourne. It was on last Friday,Saturday and Sunday and there will be another 3 performances this coming weekend. The kids all take a few parts. Maddy, as a bag lady, opens the show. Tarl says that she was great. (That's a Mother's unbiased view!!) If you want to read about the show, click on the Gumshoe link in the title and scroll down until you reach Gumshoe. I found a review on the internet. It reads --------
Reviewer Date Review
Bec 16-July-2009 10:25 Its a fantastic show - great sets, wonderful costumes and the young cast are very good - a fun, quality show for all the family!
I'm so glad and grateful that at least 2 of my grandkids are into acting and singing. They were my greatest loves. Sam, (11) was Mowgli in Jungle Book last year and this August, his group, Mel-O-Drama will be performing again. My famous memory has forgotten the production but I remember thinking that the quick witted, fast talking part was perfect for Sam.
It's a great pity that we are in Moree and not able to see the kids in their plays. Maybe I'll make the big effort to see them both on Broadway in 10 years time!!!!!
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Waiting for Marion
Waiting For Godot. I attempted to read it many years ago. I couldn't make head nor tail of it. I saw it on stage and still couldn't appreciate it. I don't think I'll try again.
Anyway, Waiting for Marion is a different kettle of fish. She and Yvonne will be here on Aug 3rd, for 7-10 days. This will be lovely!!
Anyway, Waiting for Marion is a different kettle of fish. She and Yvonne will be here on Aug 3rd, for 7-10 days. This will be lovely!!
Friday, July 10, 2009
Taswegians Leave
Friday ------ we waved goodbye to Sue and Richard this morning. It doesn't seem like 3 weeks since they arrived. We have had a lovely time and will miss them very much.
They are going to spend tonight at Boomi before meeting up with Sue's brother who is en route from Darwin to his home in Adelaide. I was sorely tempted to go with them, especially as they will visit their old home of Charleville, which we never visited. I threw out lots of hints to Steve during the last week. A few hours after they left, I said, "I wish we could have gone with them". His reply was, "Well, we could leave now." Considering how long it would take for us to dismantle the annexe and pack up, they would be two days ahead of us!
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They are going to spend tonight at Boomi before meeting up with Sue's brother who is en route from Darwin to his home in Adelaide. I was sorely tempted to go with them, especially as they will visit their old home of Charleville, which we never visited. I threw out lots of hints to Steve during the last week. A few hours after they left, I said, "I wish we could have gone with them". His reply was, "Well, we could leave now." Considering how long it would take for us to dismantle the annexe and pack up, they would be two days ahead of us!
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Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Cranky Rock
On Monday, Steve, Sue, Richard and I took a trip to Cranky Rock, in their nice car. If we had arrived there and turned around and come back immediately, it would still have been a good trip --- their car is ultra smooth, especially by comparison with our clunking truck!!
We stopped in Warialda first, where we made "expensive" purchases at the St. Vinnies shop. I'm so pleased with my goodies. I think I'll make a separate post about them when I have some photos.
Sue and Richard appreciated the quaint aspects of the town that we like so much.
I went into the IGA supermarket, in the faint hope that I might find a can of Cream of Celery soup that I couldn't find in Moree. Heaps of them! Now I'm very suspicious that the 2 big stores, Coles and Woolworths no longer sell Campbell's soups, for some reason. I guess I had better try to find out why. It is so infuriating that these supermarkets can substitute their own labels for the familiar old brands.
Cranky Rock is 8 kms out of Warialda, on the road to Inverell and Armidale. The rough road in is surrounded by increasing amounts of rock until you arrive at a natural amphitheatre, completely surrounded by boulders perched on, tumbling over, crowded in, with more boulders.
After a delicious picnic lunch of sandwiches and sausage rolls kept warm in the Dreampot, we crossed the suspension bridge (a favourite of mine) and headed up the hill to the Cranky Rock (which was still in place and hadn't tumbled off since last year!)
The view from the lookout at the top of the hill always thrills me. Markings on the boulders show that the water was once many, many metres higher than it is at present.
This time we saw feral goats eating on the bank of the river.
Richard was able to satisfy his passion for birds and we all admired a beautiful yellow robin. Some other tiny birds, also with a touch of yellow, flittered around way too fast for the camera to catch them.
A little rest on the way down. If I had known that Steve was taking a photo, I would have sat more elegantly, like Sue did!!
Before we reached the bridge again, we turned off and went down to the river (where Josh first learnt to "skip" stones.) In this area, I could easily pretend to be a child again!
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Rocks and Trips
Steve tripped over the rope in the Barrow's annexe. He teetered, tottered and finally toppled onto the rocky road. What a mess he made of his knee! Richard gave first aid and did a great job of getting rid of small pieces of gravel. Steve says that it wasn't very sore until the scabs formed. They cover most of his knee.
This raises the question ------ at what age do we stop "falling over" and start "having a fall"? Steve fell over!!
I tripped over a rock. I didn't fall anywhere but the rock looked interesting. On closer inspection, it appears to contain amethyst. Lovely, lovely color.
This raises the question ------ at what age do we stop "falling over" and start "having a fall"? Steve fell over!!
I tripped over a rock. I didn't fall anywhere but the rock looked interesting. On closer inspection, it appears to contain amethyst. Lovely, lovely color.
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Saturday, July 4, 2009
Brushmen of the Bush
If you click on the title of this post, you will be taken to a page which gives some background on the artists who comprise the Brushmen of the Bush.
In this photo, the 5 founders of the Brushmen are seen around the campfire. Only 2 of them remain but exhibitions of their work continue to be very popular.
The men came from diverse backgrounds. Pro Hart had been a miner; Hugh Schulz, a miner prospector; Eric Minchin, an accountant; Jack Absalom, a kangaroo shooter; and John Pickup ran an ABC radio station.
We went to the Moree Art Gallery today, with Sue and Richard and saw this exhibition.
I'm an ignoramus when it comes to art but I know what I like!
They were all beautiful paintings but it was Jack Absalom's work that really appealed to me and I hope to win one of his paintings in a raffle!! It's a little similar to the one below.
I heard of naive painting for the first time and was intrigued with the paintings by Hugh Schultz. His paintings looked 3 dimensional because of the little clumps of stones or flowers.
The Art Gallery is situated in an old bank building, which I have always admired. Although a certain amount of structural alteration has been made, much of the building was as it was. We wandered around, trying to imagine where the various rooms and chimneys would have been.
In this photo, the 5 founders of the Brushmen are seen around the campfire. Only 2 of them remain but exhibitions of their work continue to be very popular.
The men came from diverse backgrounds. Pro Hart had been a miner; Hugh Schulz, a miner prospector; Eric Minchin, an accountant; Jack Absalom, a kangaroo shooter; and John Pickup ran an ABC radio station.
We went to the Moree Art Gallery today, with Sue and Richard and saw this exhibition.
I'm an ignoramus when it comes to art but I know what I like!
They were all beautiful paintings but it was Jack Absalom's work that really appealed to me and I hope to win one of his paintings in a raffle!! It's a little similar to the one below.
I heard of naive painting for the first time and was intrigued with the paintings by Hugh Schultz. His paintings looked 3 dimensional because of the little clumps of stones or flowers.
The Art Gallery is situated in an old bank building, which I have always admired. Although a certain amount of structural alteration has been made, much of the building was as it was. We wandered around, trying to imagine where the various rooms and chimneys would have been.
A grand day! But we returned home to a horrible cold wind!
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Thursday, July 2, 2009
A Musical Afternoon
Yesterday was Carissa's 12th birthday and we had spag bol and chocolate birthday cake with her and the family. All of her gifts were money -- in notes. She changed the notes into coins and put them in her money box. That money box was carted around and we all had to feel the weight. She used a small ruler in the slot to measure how full it was. Excitement plus!
Both girls were stalling off bedtime, as kids do. One innovative excuse was to perform a song that they had learnt at school. In amongst the excited chatter, I heard something but I had to replay to retrieve anything. It was the name, The Chambermaids, that had set bells ringing. That and the mention of some musical instruments. All I could get from the girls was a time to be at their school today for a performance.
Sue, Richard and I went; Steve didn't like the vague idea of it all ----- but he was quite disappointed when we came home and reported! It turned out that it was a quintet from Musica Viva, who do school tours. The 5 young women were very experienced and professional, as well as a lot of fun. The school had done a lot of pre-performance work and the kids joined in with great enthusiasm.
Quite a lot of work was done on examining how each of the 5 instruments worked --- the flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon and English Horn. The kids (little ones and we big ones) were delighted when a "hosaphone" was played ----- it was just a piece of hose, with a funnel on the end, but a tune came from it!
Many, many musical concepts were covered in the same fun way, which we all appreciated. It was a wonderful way of teaching. As the school is both Primary and Secondary, the quintet catered for all ages. One of the teachers did a brilliant job of "composing", using only her hands and the people playing the instruments. A young boy did a similar thing using drawings on a whiteboard. Great afternoon!!!
Our plans are laid for Friday and more for Monday. Having Sue and Richard here is motivating!!
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Both girls were stalling off bedtime, as kids do. One innovative excuse was to perform a song that they had learnt at school. In amongst the excited chatter, I heard something but I had to replay to retrieve anything. It was the name, The Chambermaids, that had set bells ringing. That and the mention of some musical instruments. All I could get from the girls was a time to be at their school today for a performance.
Sue, Richard and I went; Steve didn't like the vague idea of it all ----- but he was quite disappointed when we came home and reported! It turned out that it was a quintet from Musica Viva, who do school tours. The 5 young women were very experienced and professional, as well as a lot of fun. The school had done a lot of pre-performance work and the kids joined in with great enthusiasm.
Quite a lot of work was done on examining how each of the 5 instruments worked --- the flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon and English Horn. The kids (little ones and we big ones) were delighted when a "hosaphone" was played ----- it was just a piece of hose, with a funnel on the end, but a tune came from it!
Many, many musical concepts were covered in the same fun way, which we all appreciated. It was a wonderful way of teaching. As the school is both Primary and Secondary, the quintet catered for all ages. One of the teachers did a brilliant job of "composing", using only her hands and the people playing the instruments. A young boy did a similar thing using drawings on a whiteboard. Great afternoon!!!
Our plans are laid for Friday and more for Monday. Having Sue and Richard here is motivating!!
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