10.23.06
Posted in Anabel's at 5:50 pm by anabel
We stayed at home during the school holidays as Jack was not feeling well. He changed the roof in the barn and was planning to turn one part that used to be for the horses into a pethouse. Since we don’t keep horses, we are going to use that shelter for pigeons, guinea pigs and rabbits for the kids. He must have strained his back while doing it. He was “not regular” in the last 2 weeks, had tummy aches and his back was getting worst. Everything is on hold now until Jack is feeling better.
We went out on Friday the 13th. Vera, Richard and I went shopping as I was going to send a package to the Philippines while Jack and Jakov went to the library. The kids and I went ten pin bowling the week before and they did not want to do it again that day. They did not want to go to the cinema either. So, we just had lunch at Forster Memorial Services Club, went grocery shopping and headed home.
We arrived home at around 5:30 pm. I was alarmed to see that the big padlock at our gate was cut- off and saw a tin of coca- cola tossed just in front of the gate. I then noticed a big dark smoke coming from the bushes, on the next hill passed our house. We all agreed that there must be a bushfire and that the fire brigade accessed our property to get to it. As we approached the house, we saw blinking lights from the fire brigade truck, in the next hill , still part of our property.
Jack changed quickly and went to see what’s going on while I rang our neighbour, the Garnett’s in “Bella Vista“. Jan told me that they too were out to Forster and arrived home at around 3:00. They noticed the big smoke and from their house (about 1 km away) it appears like the smoke is coming from our house. They rang us but we were not answering. I usually set the telephone to forward calls to my mobile phone but I had forgotten to set it that day. Michael rang the Pacific Palms Fire Brigade. They were very impressed as the brigade arrived within 20 minutes. They cut the padlock to gain access and got into the business of firefighting right away.
When Jack arrived, he said that the bush fire is at Bill’s property and at our property. Since that part of our bush is damp plus the wind blew towards Bill’s, our property has very minimal damage. We didn’t worry as much as the bush fire is so far away from the house and our immediate surrounding is clear of trees. Jack further said that they took water from our dam in that paddock and the fire is under control. Jack was impressed with their professionalism and commended their firefighting gears. What impressed him more was that their chief was a young woman. He said that firefighters from Coomba Park were there too.
Before dark, I told Jack that he should go up there with sandwiches and cold drinks but he kept on telling me not to worry about it. Vera said that fire fighters are always prepared and have plenty of food supplies. She said that a fire engine went to school one day for a demonstration and they were allowed to see what’s in there. She insisted that it has a special compartment for food supplies. Remembering the tin of coca- cola at the gate helped me stopped worrying about it.
At around 8:00 pm, they passed by. I can’t believe there were 2 huge trucks in there and 4 cars. It was weird to see a lot of strangers passed through our backyard like that, we are not used to it. One of the guys stopped and told Jack that some of them will come back in the morning to check on the fire. They did come and that day the fire was completely gone.
Jack went to inspect the area the next day. Few fences were burnt and need to be replaced. He will have a big job ahead of him plus he will have to fix our private road. Our road is not really meant for huge trucks so he will have to do some maintenance work on it.Jakov is a constant companion of Jack now around the farm, they will get busy once Daddy is feeling better. First thing comes first though, the pethouse will have to wait.
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Posted in Anabel's at 3:33 pm by anabel
It is now October 23, 2006! Where are all the days gone? It is scary how quickly time passes and now more than ever do I become increasingly aware of the line “time flies”.
My best reminder of days gone by is through the children. The children are just there and they seem to be just the same but there are days when I get the shock of my life.
Imagine my dismay when I first realised that Jakov has become way taller than I am. He is only 12 years old and he keeps on growing practically each week. I completely agree when Jack said that Vera who is now 11 will soon be taller than me too! Vera and I have the same shoe size now. She sometimes borrow my sandals which is really, really cute. I let her enjoy it while she can as next year I’m sure she will have a bigger size.
Richard is only 3 years old, it is a relief that it will take few more years before he overtakes me. It is inevitable though that one day I will end up to be the midget in the family.
Other reminder of the days gone by is through the language that children use. They have a richer vocabulary now and I am sometimes in awe as I watch them grow. Once, Jakov, Vera and I were outside rinsing sheets by hand (washing the Filipino way), when we heard something fell in the kitchen. I rushed inside and found out that Jack accidentally dropped Vera’s mug on the floor breaking it to bits. When I told Vera about it, she asked which one, and I answered the one with a goose design. “Ahhh, that’s my favourite one!”, she exclaimed, and with a wicked smile on her face she said, “Can I sue? ”
Once, she volunteered to toast bread for breakfast. When asked to put the toast on the table, she said, “wait up, it’s still loading” (A computer term which means to wait while the request is on process).
Jakov is a voracious reader, he reads anything: books, magazines, pamphlets; any paper that he can put his hands into, he reads it. Which is good. Jakov can now assert himself and expresses his opinion in many issues. It is a bit tricky sometimes coz during these years in their life, I feel like I need to take the time to explain things with great care or they can challenge your point of view or question your authority as a parent. “Do this because I said so” doesn’t work anymore.
I recognise the fact that since he is young and his mind has the capacity to absorb and retain information longer, there are times when he knows things that I know nothing about. As a mother, I always believe that I am the ones who have to nurture them but now he is no longer just the receiver of information . There are many instances when I have to listen and learn from him. I know that that time will eventually come but I didn’t think it would come too soon. Talking to Jakov these days feel like talking to a young adult, he amazes me at times.
In December, Jakov will turn 13, I will have a teenager … hooray!!! Vera will follow soon after that. I am bowled over how times went by and my imagination can’t resist going overdrive, flabbergasted at the prospect of witnessing fast- paced changes especially with the children in the next five to ten years.
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10.03.06
Posted in Vera's at 11:46 am by Vera
By: Vera Olano Pekich
On the 28th of September, Years 3 to 6 went for an excursion to Raymond Terrace. We left at 9 o’clock. We took two buses, stage 2 in one and stage 3 in the other. The trip to Raymond Terrace took 50 minutes. We arrived at Raymond Terrace at 9:55. We started at the bowling alley. We had to be in groups of eight to play. My group had Troy, Eve, me, Letisha, Mick, Torey, Beccy and Natalie. Eve won the game and I came second. Lots of kids bought lollies from the candy store there but me. I didn‘t feel like it coz I had a big breakfast. We finished at 11:33.
Next we went to McDonalds for lunch. I sat next to Eve, Nat, and Beccy. Mr Backhouse gave us all five dollars to buy our lunch. I got a happy meal. For dessert most people got coke, fanta or strawberry flavoured slushies or snow cone. We then left to go to the Aquatic Centre.
At the Aquatic Centre, Mr Backhouse hired a jumpy castle in the big outdoor pool. We stayed there for fifteen minutes longer than we were supposed to because we liked it so much. I liked the deep end the best because we could do bombs in the water.
We left Raymond Terrace pretty late and some people nearly missed the early bus! It was a very tiring but exciting and fun day and I wish I could do it all over again!
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