Talking to Tom

News from the Mothers Day phone call:

• Tom still speaks with an Australian accent. (Peet thinks he sounds American - Peet is wrong.)
• Last week a fellow they approached in the park called the police over and accused Tom of trying to steal about $500 - the police let them go since it was clear that he wasn't - but told them to stop approaching people unless they want this to continue.
• The fellow firing the gun outside the school seems to be shooting every day now - but it's all pretty ho-hum stuff. (In one of Tom's recent letters he said they heard a sound like firecrackers and went to investigate - turned out it was a fellow shooting a pistol into the air outside a primary school - Tom said the weird thing was that it wasn't weird and they just continued on their way.)
• It's 'lovely and warm' in Latvia - between 13 and 20 degrees celcius. Tom said everyone is so much happier when it's warm.
• Many of the younger Russians say they wish they were still part of the Soviet Union - the older ones who can remember Stalin don't.
• The bed in one of his old apartments was actually the insides of an old couch laid on the floor - and it had a dent where many missionaries woke up, rolled on to their knees to pray, and stayed on the mattress - so any bed we put him in will be fine.
• Tom still doesn't know when he'll get home - but we do - 12.40 am on Sunday 31 May. He is coming home through London and Dubai - we just have to check that he is ok in Dubai since he has an Israel stamp in his passport.

Swine Flu

Alec has a cough - Louisa says he has Swine Flue - and she can tell because his room is a pig sty.

And that's the pretty clean version - we are trying to find a place for Tom to lay his head.

Max and Jesse

Max and Jesse have a thing - almost every night Max drags his mattress into the girls' room to sleep on their floor and listen to Jesse read Farmers Boy. (Peet is beginning to feel left out.)They made matching wands from twigs they whittled and sandpapered. And when Jesse was staying home for a day to catch up on some sleep and some uni reading Max was thrilled. When I asked if he was going to school he answered 'No I'm more into writing so I'll stay home with Jesse and write a story.'

Saving Roger's Bacon

Jesse sarcastically (or was it cynically) told the Bunya Forest Ward Elders Quorum President that we don't go in for fancy Mothers Day dinners in our ward because 'it's their divine role and they should just get on with it' - he was a bit shocked.

But when Saturday morning rolled around and Roger realised that he'd done nothing for Mothers Day we decided it wasn't quite that much of a divine role and we'd better get some flowers quick smart. So Roger and Jesse bought supplies. And Louisa, Jesse and I made little corsages for women young and old - and told Roger that he better share his birthday chocolate since we were 'saving your bacon mister' according to Jesse.

A weekend full of food.

Friday - Roger's Birthday:

• Sticky Thai Chicken with Jasmine Rice and Bok Choy
• Flourless Chocolate Cake with a warm salad of fresh figs, pears and bananas.

Saturday - Mother's Day Dinner with Joan, Lee and Petie:

• Crackers with Camembert and beetroot marmalade
• Maggie Beers really good Mac and Cheese with three cheeses and roast pumpkin
• Rocket Salad
• Warm Fig and Walnut Torte with Lime juice

Sunday - Mother's Day with the Fulchers:

• Anchovy, garlic and rosemary marinated lamb roast
• Roasted veges including potatoes, pumpkin, sweet potato, zucchini, and beetroot
• Beth's Lemon Meringue Pie - made by David - cause it's mother's day

Monday - back to the same old spaghetti - it was good while it lasted.

Life is Beautiful

Peet had a complete meltdown when some awful person put a dollop of whipped cream on his flourless chocolate cake - so I decided it was time for some perspective. He spent Saturday afternoon watching Life is Beautiful. And Saturday night offering to help in the kitchen.

Jesse says I am manipulative - I told her it worked when she was being obnoxious.

Anzac Day

I am not pleased with the Premiers decision to do away with an extra holiday this year - Anzac Day is not a day off for us and I rely on those days off to keep the house from falling apart before my eyes.

This year we started, as always, at the dawn service in the city - and as always I day dream about just booking rooms in the Sheraton and saving the drive at that hour of the morning. But I suppose if 20,000 other locals can manage so can I. When we first started going to the Dawn Service in Brisbane we were interviewed or on TV every year - there were maybe 2-300 people there - and we had kids.

Brekky was at New Farm park with the other Fulchers - lots of fun - when breakfast was cooked I was calling out for Peet to come and an obviously homeless fellow walked past - spotted Peet around the corner and yelled 'Peet - your Mum and Dad want you your breakfast is ready' and went on his way. Peet came.

A bit later the same guy showed up selling environmentally friendly pens - he had such a good patter that we all bought one. He led in with 'I'm homeless and harmless' - can't argue with that.

Then it was on to UQ to see the QSE's Instant Romeo and Juliet - so much fun - a quick stop at the art gallery - then on to a birthday party for a friend of Louisa and Max - home for a quick sleep.

The Pine AGM followed - I'm chair again which was expected - then a pot luck dinner - then home to bed - hooray - and in time for The Vicar of Dibley too!