Flown by

Well hasn't this year flown by. My littlest man has no sooner started Year 1 and is soon 7 years old and a big Year 2 boy. Today he lost yet another baby tooth...we have warned him that the Tooth Fairy may do some partying tonight so if she doesn't come tonight, don't worry.....we're sure she'll remember tomorrow night (fingers crossed!)

We'r enot going to break our rainfall record this yeah...more than fine by me; I have more that enough mould to clean off walls etc. My heart goes out to all those in flooded areas. I can't beging to imagine how they are feeling. My family was living in Brisbane at the time of the 1974 floods. I remember helping families who had suffered flood damage...things are never the same.

On behalf of my family and myself, I would like to wish you all a happy and prosperous 2011...may the year be all you wish for. I know of a very special lady celebrating her birthday tomorrow. Happy birthday Wendy!

Cards

The sun is shining brightly and there's a lovely breeze blowing....doesn't it feel great! We are over the musty smell in the house and everything feeling so damp, even the carpet. Yesterday I had several fans on for the day in an effort to dry things out.

This afternoon I made a few cards in preparation for those with birthdays coming up in the next few weeks. I cannot take credit for these; they were inspired by Kim Jeffress from a recent issue of Scrapbooking Memories.

Catching fish

Nathan has spent some time this morning catching small fish in puddles on the road by the house as well as puddling in the mud...fully clothed of course.

One of the fish jumped out of the bucket and into his pool! Apparently they are both starving so Nathan has headed out with some breadcrumbs for them. I wonder how long they will survive?

We're closing in...

on that 1950 rainfall record! On Christmas night we had 85pts and today another 197pts. The ground cannot take any more, so it's just running off. We spent some time this afternoon pumping out the water from under the house. December is now our wettest month for the year.

We had a lovely relaxing Christmas Day. Nathan was thrilled with each and every one of his presents. His gift from Santa has even been going to bed with him!

Merry Christmas to All

I would like to wish all my friends and followers a very Merry Christmas and may 2011 be all you wish for.

Trip to town

Yesterday we ducked in to town as we knew the creek was down and that the river was going down and crossable. We had to take two 44 gallon drums with us to get fuel, as well as an empty gas cylinder to exchange.

The journey in was uneventful, but we did come across some showers at the end of the bitumen. By the time we arrived in town, it was pouring!! We whizzed around and did our jobs getting supplies, mail and fuel amongst the most important. Nathan was invited to stay and play with some mates (thanks Frankie and Joy!) which was better that him racing around in the rain too.

Two hours later we headed home, only to discover it had rained on the black soil. All was okay until we got to the creek and from there the rain had been heavier. We so much weight over the back wheels, we soon became "stuck" and thought it wiser to stay where we were rather than end up in the table drain well and truly bogged.

We called on a neighbour and he headed our way in a 4WD tractor....thank goodness, as we were still about 15km from home. Other friends came along in their vehicle arriving just before Greg. Dougal pulled us back on to the road and stayed ahead cutting a track for us.

Greg kept a lookout until we were out of sight and then he headed home. The paddocks were full of water and it was incredible to see it pouring out of them and down into the table-drain, creating miniature waterfalls! Greg had measured 18mm at home but it was far wetter where we were.

Martin commented that he hoped there'd not been any rain at home. "Not one your nelly," I replied, "after going through all of this we'd better have got some!" Finally we got to the boundary fence and next minute we were kicking up dust!

It took us 4 hours to get home...normally a 45 minute drive. The eagerly awaited Christmas gifts are now wrapped and ready to pop under the Christmas tree tonight.

Update

For the road party we were able to turn on a beautiful sunset, a lunar eclipse, no mozzies, no storms and a cool evening! It was so relaxing and we enjoyed wonderful company. As one guest said "This may not be the biggest road party we've been to, but it's by far the most relaxing."

I've been receiving Day of Christmas Giveaways emails daily from Bluedog Photography for the last 10 days. Each day there is a little challenge, all photography related of course. Well guess what!!?? I won the 9th Day of Christmas Challenge!! Woohoo...I am absolutely stoked!! My prize is a night for 2 at Cedar Creek Lodges at Mt Tamborine. Now when will I take it and who shall I take with me, hmmm?

The river in town is still over the bridge (1.38m over the bridge and steady at 8am) and the creek on the way is still way too deep to cross. More rain is forecast for today and tomorrow. We've told Nathan that if we don't get any mail this week (I know he has at least 2 Christmas presents in the mail) he will have a longer Christmas. We really need that mail though as his Santa present is in there too! Fingers crossed....

Road Party

The river in town is up (it was 1.7m over the bridge at 3am) and one creek on our road was at 0.9m at about 8am this morning but going down and more rain is forecast from tomorrow......so we are having the road party tonight. YAY!!! I have been busy cooking and Martin has dragged an old grid up and smoothed down the area. He's currently up there sorting out lights, generators, tables etc.

Yesterday I made this:

I was going to give it away but one thing has stopped me...the ribbon! Yeah, yeah...so you think it's only ribbon!! BUT that is the last of the ribbon I have from my bridal bouquet, so it's very special to me.

Glorious Sunshine

Today we have glorious sunshine and a very pleasant temperature. The river in town is on the rise again after very heavy rains towards the head of the river...it was already over the bridge this morning.

I spotted a gorgeous Christmas tree ornament on the net recently and was really keen to make one.

Isn't it just so beautiful? If it wasn't for my Cuttlebug and the Shapeabilities, I wouldn't have made this.

Martin has finally installed a dog door for me...I've only had it since mid-July! Now Khloee and Charli have to learn how to use it....they're intelligent so it will happen in no time!

It's Raining Again

After a few days of lovely sunshine, the clouds have built up and then opened up on us again. Last night we had almost 2 inches of rain, but there was more rain closer to town. Nathan has had a wonderful time playing in the mud and consequently going through several changes of clothes...thank goodness for clothes dryers!

In 1950, 52 inches of rain was measured on our property....we are getting oh so close to that this year.

I've had a big blitz on the spiders that seemed to think they could take up residence in our home....it's very satisfying to be able to suck them up! Martin was inside, so he was delegated to cleaning out the office.

I received an email recently and it featured the most amazing photos of Uluru during rain, taken by photographer Peter Carroll.





If you'd like to see more of Peter's photos, click on here. They are amazing.

Stamping Fun

I received some lovely stamps in the mail recently and couldn't resist having a little fun with them. I coloured the images with twinkling h2os and am slowly learning how to blend colours. I'm very pleased with the way this jolly old fellow turned out.

Road Decoration

Yesterday a lad and I got in and prepared our road decoration for our turn-off. We should have done it a couple of weeks ago but hey...it's been raining!! Santa looks a cool dude lounging in the pool don't you think?? Totally relaxed and enjoying the sun....he just needs a bottle of wine or a beer!


Yesterday afternoon we went drive about again to check a couple of dams....BAD idea!!! We didn't have a hope at getting to either of them, so we came crawling home with our tail between our legs...

Nathan was perishing for a drink and said he couldn't last till we got home so we called in here



A beautiful spot.

TWBZ Blog Hop

On the weekend I took part in the Twiddleybitz blog hop! It was absolutely brilliant and the design team members were just so inspiring. There were also good laughs along the way. The blog hop began with Ann-Marie Cox, so if you care to check it out and leave some love, I'm sure they'd all love to hear from you.

Straight after the hop I went in search for and bought some gorgeous TWBZ yumminess.

Drive about

This afternoon we went drive about, figuring it was possibly dry enough. We headed off to check out one dam that we were worried about as last time we'd had big rain part of one bank washed away. Sure enough there was more damage, with a big hole in one bank and we could also see where the backwater had washed over the bank and into the dam, causing more damage. This dam really needs all four banks building up with a scrapper.

The birdlife at this dam is always magnificent and this time wasn't any different. As we approached the backwater this big fella took to the sky:


I'm sharing this photo, simply because I love it.

We could have easily been bogged driving to this dam, so we gave up any thoughts of going to others. Instead we went to check the Hope Creek crossing further down our road as we'd heard it was badly damaged. Three big concrete slabs were washed off this crossing and one was even turned upside down! Just goes to show you should never underestimate the power of water!


It's still crossable but only in a 4WD and at a very slow pace.

Flooded River Update

The river yesterday was 1 metre over the bridge when we were in town. This morning it is 1.59m!

The creek between us and town is now down and crossable. I can imagine that the road is very badly washed out after all this rain.

Flooded River

Today we decided to duck in to town and grab some more supplies, before the next wet change...forecast for Thursday. We knew that although one creek on our road was very high still, we could cross it on another road as it was only 0.4m deep.

Nathan was really excited about this trip as he knew the only way to cross the river on the edge of our town was by boat.....

The ripple in this photo is the railings on the side of the bridge and note that you can see the signpost with the name of the river.

The white in the distance is actually the roofs over picnic tables on the banks of the river. Just as well the tables and seats and concrete!

Looking upstream

Cool and calm on the boat ride!

Just as well we had the crate on the Nissan as we brought out supplies for 4 neighbouring properties as well as papers, mail and important medication and also a young neighbour who'd been caught in town for almost a week.

All in all, it was a pretty exciting day.

Road Party

Imagine....a party on the side of the road in the middle of nowhere. That's what we do every year when a family from a property on our road hosts the road party and we have put our hands up this year.

I often wonder what passersby think as they see us partying away!

I wrote a little verse for our invitation:

Driving through the bush
In a muddy 4WD
Down the road we go
Dodging kangaroos
The night is bright and clear
Not a storm cloud is in sight
It's party time and we have got
Repellant, beer and chairs!

Come to ______, Party time
Celebrate with friends
Christmas party on the _______Road
On a bright and starry night.

The date of our party will be determined by the weather and so on the invitation we have written:

When: One bright and starry night when the creeks are down(so please be ready at short notice!)

Just when...

the sun shines, in comes more rain! Last night we measured 87pts (21.75mm) and we have learnt of heavier rain (up to 6 inches - 150mm) towards the head of our local river...no wonder the water is already over the bridge in town!!

We had hoped to go to town this morning to replenish supplies and be ready for the next onslaught, but the rain beat us to it. Two creeks between us and town have been flooding, making everyone stay put. The sky is heavily clouded and we've had some light showers this morning.

Yesterday afternoon I started this layout

I don't have a head for heights and must admit I wasn't too sure on going on the Wheel of Brisbane...but it was just magic and the view was amazing! We'd all do it again anyday!

I helped Nathan make this for his Dad for Christmas. He chose papers, embellishments and did some sanding.

He was worried about Martin walking in and seeing it, and as kids do, he said too much... "Go away from here Dad, Mum and I are doing something secret."

Share time...

I've had the time for a little play...

On the Mud Monster layout, you are unable to see the areas of blanket stitch I did of the edge of the base paper.
Nathan is happy with his layouts, so what more could I want!?

More Rain!!!

We had just over 3 inches of rain on Tuesday night. The ground is soggy like you wouldn't believe! In town there was 5 inches in 4 hours and the new Landmark building was flooded.

This morning Nathan went outside. Later I found....



Who'd claim this mud monster...and where is my son??

Twilight Markets

Our Twilight Markets went very well last night. First thing yesterday morning we made a decision to change the venue as there had been 2 inches of rain in town on Thursday night and more storms were forecast. While some weren't happy about it, it proved worthwhile as there was a gale force wind during the evening as well as some rain.

All stall holders were very happy with their sales for the evening.

Santa was a huge hit although some children were too nervous to have their photo taken with him. Nathan was first to go, but would only do it if one of us was there with him. Joy and I also had our photo taken sitting on Santa's knees...don't think they'll ever be the same again (his knees that is!) He wasn't game to ask what we wanted for Christmas as the previous lady had asked for a toy boy!!

The choir entertained us with some lovely Christmas carols.

My favour boxes filled with rum balls sold very quickly (I'll have to make more next year) and so did several lengths of bunting.

All in all, it was a great night.

Favour boxes

I have made these favour boxes for the markets tonight and have filled them with rum balls. Hopefully they will sell.

Layout share

Jodi gave me the chippie and it made the perfect title. Thanks Jodi!

Land of contrast

Today we were drafting sheep in readiness for a few days of shearing. I couldn't help but marvel at the contrast from 12 months ago. Then, we were drafting at night because of the heat, the yards needed to be hosed to keep the dust down and we were feeding sheep in the holding paddocks because they were so bare. Today, we were slopping around in the mud (bet you didn't know sheep hate walking in the mud!), there was green feed not only through the holding paddocks but in the yards as well and the days are lovely and not hot at all!

Some of our shearing team are here. In the morning, Martin needs to take a run down to one of the creeks to find out if its crossable; otherwise the shearers need to come via a longer route.

A little something

I bought a PSX stamp on ebay recently and received in the mail on Friday. I was telling Joy about it....and was given a challenge...to whip up a little something with it by 7.13pm tonight.

Here goes:

Just when you think the sun is shining brightly, the rain clouds are back! This morning we measured a neat inch of rain with almost 3 inches in town! This month is now our wettest for the year, with just over 9 inches.

Boree Creek

In October Craig and Kathryn crossed Boree Creek in a boat in order to get to town. This time, however, it's considerably higher and wider! The Barcoo River, which went over the bridge this morning, will be holding this creek up.

In the distance there is a homestead and shearing shed.

I'm pleased not to be staring out on flood waters like that.

Honestly...

get a man a buggy and he thinks he can go ploughing everywhere in the mud!


He's going to have fun cleaning it all off!

Wet, wet, wet

We had 2 inches of rain on Sunday night and another 130pts last night. One neighbour had almost 4 inches last night!

There are three creek crossings on the main road down near our shearing shed. They don't know often run to any great extent. Have a look at them today:





This is the middle and deepest crossing ( at about 0.5m) coming from one of our paddocks


and into another on the opposite side of the road.

Also another set of creek channels blocks our road to town but at this stage the river in town has not gone over the bridge.