A busy week...

 

we have had a busy week this week with two colleagues of JJ's staying here in the compound. It was the first time the Dawson's guest room was utilised as well. Kristy and I decided on communal cooking and meals to feed everyone so it was a busy week just for cooking and preperation!!! Luckily our guests were absolutely delightful people and both have a very strong back ground in food!!! I used this to my advantage, getting a lesson from Peter on knife sharpening and handling skills!! I know feel better equiped to keep my knives sharp and improve my chopping and dicing skills!!! It was a fun hour or so in the kitchen chopping everything I could lay my hands on!! Finally I know how to chop an onion correctly!! On our last night we employed our house kepers to mind the children so we could all go out to dinner and it was fantastic, good company and good food made up for the bad wine!!! However msg kept me awake nearly all night with a racing heart and a dry mouth!!! Our guest departed at an ungodly hour on Thursday and we definately hope to see them back again!! Cheers Peter and Andrea for being such fun :0)

 

Birdie is growing up and can get up onto our bed where he likes to rack out away from Sam!!! Once he can get down on his own I will left him spend the night......

 

 

 

We got home from our dinner out to be told by Meei that there was a rat in the house!! How horrifying, so we set the rat trap and left it overnight. Nothing got trapped so we thought it must have gone. Last night on opening our bedroom door as I we were going to bed I saw the rat dash across our bedroom to what it thought was the safety of under the bed!!! I yelled for JJ whom was cleaning his teeth and he dashed in, grabbed his 'intruder wacking stick' and proceeded to chase the rat out from under the bed and around and around the bedroom. The rat, a young male jumpd, climbed up the curtains, door jamb and generally gave JJ a run for his money (while I ran for the camera!), it was the funniest thing I have seen in ages, JJ leaping about the room, toothbrush hanging out of his mouth, grunting because he couldn't talk and gestulating wildly!!! JJ triumphed only to find another this morning running down the stairs!! About a minute ago it came to a grisly end in the rat trap.....

 

apart from all that we have lost ore seedlings in the garden due to rain, not happy :0(

Tia bo moa (see you soon)

Jodes :0)

Easter

 

 

...things continue to keep us busy here in the compound. there are just not enough hours in the day to get everything achieved!! Another 4 hours would be enough!!

Sam as usual being 'Mr Independence' insists on helping out where ever he can and decided to help with the dishes too, do you reckon I said 'no?' Well no way, he pottered along, it took him ages but it was so cute to see. He is also right into helping me cook so again everything takes four times as long to do but isn't that half the fun!! He is still not talking properly, pure laziness and the tantrum that result do to us not understanding him are getting a bit old but I gather will disappear sooner rather than later!!

 

 

I think this rooster is about number 7!!! Well he appeared before Christmas and challenged 'Big Red' so Meei took him home. Well after losing yet another rooster to the rooster, cock fighting nappers we got "Dirty Harry" back from Meei as she has a few roosters at home and I clipped a wing and put a tag on his leg!! Also Dirty Harry goes into the chook coop of a night time, lets hope this one doesn't get nabbed!!

Meei and Sam love to feed the girls the left over Moi-moto meat and the girls love it, they actually jump into your lap in their frenzy to get the food, it is so funny to watch!!

Easter Bunny found the kids this year (thank goodness!!) and Sam wasted no time in devouring his egg, with a little help from Birdie and Wally (no, no animals actually ate any chocolate!!) Wally has moved outside due to his inability to toilet train and my being over cleaning up wees and poos everywhere it shouldn't be!! But he is happy and good friends with Buster now.

Birdie continues to be loved by all in the house, Sam may just love him to death, he is so obsessed with this kitten he just can not stay away. Both animals are near on 6 weeks now and very cute. Birdie is true to his name and a good climber so I often find him asleep on my pillows during the day!!

 

We had a lovely Easter with loads of home made Hot Cross Buns and Easter eggs too. Easter Sunday we had a lovely luncheon with loads of families and kids. The  12 or so kids all enjoyed an Easter Egg Hunt in the garden and I think all the kids are still coming down of a chocolate high!!!

We have had so much rain that the garden is drowning, the second crop of tomatoes are growing well despite the wet and the fruit are now starting to ripen. The cabbage, rocket, zucchini, herbs and corn aren't so impressed with the wet conditions and we have lost quite a few plants. It is a bit disheartening to see but on the up side our water tanks are full!!!

Jack and I have had a well earned week off for school holidays, this week. The work we are set keeps us in the school room until lunch and beyond!! It was nice to have a lazy week and I think I enjoyed the holidays as much as Jack, mind you I was still doing all the prep work for next week and scanning and emailing off all the last bits of work from Term 1!!! But it is exciting to be so involved in Jack's work and to see the progress he is making. In the photo he was doing 'maths dominoes' and he had loads of fun doing it!! Thank goodness I won't have to juggle two curriculum's though as we get home before Sam starts kindergarten!!

well that is it for now

Tia a bo moa

Jodes :0)

March doings & new animals....

Right, this year is seriously flying bye!! March is nearly gone and I really can't account for it all....

 

A week after Chummy passed away our kids saw a group of i-kiribati kids strangling, kicking and throwing about a puppy, Jack was quite distressed and so JJ yelled at the kids to hand the puppy over!! Thank goodness it is a male (making de-sexing a whole lot easier!!) So the puppies name is "Buster", he was whipped upstairs for a flea bath, a worm and a meal!! He was so small he nearly fell in his bowl!!

 

 

So Buster has settled in quite well and is happy to leave his life on the other side of the fence for this safe haven with unlimited food, love and cuddles!!

With Chummy gone and no longer patrolling the fences with him big bark and ability to be in many places at once some local kids thought they'd break in and steal all the acohol in the Maneaba fridge! The cheeky buggers got a slab of beer and a load of spirits, then they came back the next night to get what they had dropped in their haste to get away as Kaitlyn caught them and her yells alerted Scott and JJ who gave chase (funnily they couldn't get over the fence so were at a huge disadvantage and lost the boys by the time they got a key and out the gate!!)

So hurry up and grow Buster, you've work to do!!!!!!!!

Maai's son Leviah comes over to play during school holidays and days off, as Jack didn't have a day off, he, Laviah and Sam set about doing some art!! I am impressed that the instructions are so simple that I can help with it (being so non crafty!!)
The boys had a great time cutting, pasting and tearing, then painting. They then did some reading and writing practice!! Jack enjoyed sharing his school room too....

Last week we had a surprise visitor, Uncle Trev turned up with minimal notice!!! How fab it was to see one of JJ's brothers. JJ took the days of work and they pottered about Betio looking at all the WWII relics and taking photos! I only really saw them at meal times!!! It was a short and sweet visit but really enjoyable!! Thanks Uncle Trev for playing Easter Bunny and bringing what really mattered (too the kids) - chocolate!!!! (not to mention saving me from akward explainations as to why EB didn't make it to Kiribati!!!)

Santa bought Sam some googles for Christmas and he thinks they are pretty cool, considering Daddy has the pool so chlorinated that eyes sting if they go underwater unprotected!! We are enjoying the pool most days, it is a great way to wear Sam out!!

Last Sunday I went out to water the veggie garden and I had heard a kitten's cry all day near the fenceline. While filling the watering cans I had a little pock about and this is what I found, up a tree!! Hence the name birdie (again being a male - phew)! Birdie is only just 4 weeks, he too was whipped upstairs for a flea bath, worm and meal of milk!! Good thing I was prepared :P
Now Birdies eyes are clean and free from muck and focusing he is more inquisative and playful. The kids are loving having him about. JJ wouldn't talk to him until he was sure he'd live but as I write this JJ, with Birdie asleep on his chest are reclined in a chair watching tv together!!!

This is the latest harvest from my garden!! The Eggplant are going mad and I admit I am not a huge fan of them (testure, not flavour!) The capsicum are scrummy to eat and since a bit of pruning they are flowering like mad again and most are developing into fruit!! The tomato vines have been fruiting now for just on 4 months and again after a bit of pruning are flowering again. We also have a new crop of tomatoes in that are starting to flower and fruit, as well as sweet corn, zuchinni and pumpkin. Once the soil arrives we can fill the last two beds and plant loads of sweet corn and more beans and capsicum. The first crop of tomatoes and capsicum will be pulled out and replanted with mini watermelons and golden melons!!!  Our first batch of compost is ready and waiting for the beds to be turned and prepared for the new crops. Happy Days!!!!!

Well it is nearly 9pm here and nearly my bed time. Hope you all enjoy this blog post, feel free to leave a comment (it is as exciting as getting mail!!!!)
I am off to settle the kitten and go to bed

Ti a bo Moa

Jodes xoxox

February doings....





 

Well yet again it has been weeks between blogs, for that I apologise. Things in the compound have kept us very busy.

 

The kids continue to be very busy outdoors after school has finished. All of Jack's school work has finally arrived and we are 4 weeks behind so we are busy catching up on the 1st 4 weeks of maths. I am enjoying having a program to follow, Jack is enjoying the variety I think but keeping him in the schoolroom for 3-4 hours is a challenge, but I am sure he will get used to it!

 

 

 

 

Jack and Sam  having goodnight kisses and cuddles!

 

 



 

The weigh in of the last fishing comp saw the Kiwi's weigh in the heaviest fish, how ever the Aussies got the best variety so took 1st place in the days compitition, keeping them in 1st place. Scott went out on the Aussie boat and came home with some very nice sized Wahoo, filling the freezer nicely. Lucky we have a fisherman as food is very scarce on the island, we are out of flour, rice, chicken, there is not one piece of fresh fruit or veg or eggs on the island, no potatos, onions or carrots. Meals are consisting of frozen veggies, tinned potatos & meat. Our red meat order is running low so it is very slim pickings here. We are hoping to see a boat arrive from Australia later this week, which should not only have food but the Dawson's container and our play equipment!! Here's hoping!!

 

Lucky we have the veggie garden which is supplying us with tomatoes, capsicums, bok choy and egg plant. A new crop of tomatoes is growing along with another attempt at corn and zuchinni. Of course the chook are giving us a constant supply of lovely fresh eggies!! Since Chummy is not eating the chook are polishing off his food so as they are getting so much protein  we are getting 10 eggs a day!! Lucky because many meals revolve around our constant supply of eggs at the moment!!

 



Meei massaging Sam before his arvo nap, he puts his nappy on, gathers his cot friends, collects the massage oil and lays on the floor ready for Meei. She massages him to sleep and we put him to bed. What a lovely way to fall asleep every afternoon!!

A visiting DFAT chap went out on thr boat and came home like this!! They rand me to see what I could do. A nasty one as the barb was still under the skin, it was a matter of pulling it through after cutting the lure of with bolt cutters. This poor bloke managed this all without a local anaethetic, I had to try 3 times before I got it out, I think he was such a brave man, The best pain relief I could give him was Panadeine Extra!!! (I think the beer he downed would have helped too!!) I have heard since leaving here and going onto Vanuatu the would has healed nicely with no infection but he has been stuck down with some virus causing water on the lungs and vomiting blood and being admitted to a Vanuatu hospital, methinks it is time he went home!!!

Well Jack turned six and what a lovely day he had!! This is him with all his pressies piled up under a load of balloons I blew up the night before. He was very spoilt and loves every single thing he recieved!!

 

A very low key dinner followed a party lunch. Jack decided he wanted fish and chips and cake so that is exactly what he got!!

 

Chummy is keeping me on my toes too. He hasn't been well since we got home in early January but we managed to fatten him up a bit and get him eating again. Unfortunately he had a relapse and collapsed yesterday. He was very dehydrated and so incredibly thin, so after 7 years of doing a cannulation I managed to get one in and got fluids into him. He perked up after the 1st bag but would not eat. I have spoken to a vet in Cairns who is sending me some antibiotics for him after deciding his signs and symptoms sound like a chronic gastro. So our poor Chummy lives to fight another day and with some antibiotics, fluids and TLC I have managed to get Chummy eating and drinking again. Once the drugs arrive from Australia I am sure we will knock this gastro on the head and get our happy bouncy puppy back :0)


well that about brings you up to date. I am off to put the boys to bed and relax with a cup of Tulsi tea and a movie before bed, bliss :0)

Tia bo moa
(see you soon!)

a few pictures from the 1st post of 2013!!

 

Meei and Kaitlyn learning to weave floor mats

 

 

with the demise of Big Red over the christmas break, a new one had to turn up sooner rather than later!!!

 

the new maneaba, is a great place to meet drink and be merry.....

 

the husks from the moi-mot (green oconut) being buried below high tide mark, there it will sit for 3 months then we'll seperate the fibres and either spin twine or use it on the veggie beds as mulch! Either way James (gardener) & Johnny (maintainence man) did a good job, but the tide did beat them in the end!!!



Australia Day doings

 

 

Again it has been too long since my last post. You can blame the Australian High Commissioner for that as I was thrown into helping his wife, Denise cater for the formal Australia Day dinner. 375 people were invited and we catered for close to 250 people!! Our menu was quite ambitious for none of the i-kiribati women had any experience with catering for such a large number (indeed I don’t either!) or cooking western style food!!

My biggest contribution was 54 Pavlovas, which I had never successfully made one but with a little help from Donna Hay, an oven thermometer and a wooden spoon (to crack open the door of the oven!) I achieved it. I also churned out 12 dampers and spent the rest of my week heavily supervising the i-kiribati women on how to make mini meat pies, sausage rolls, snags with caramelised onions, beef and fish sliders, beer can chicken, beer battered fish and our scrummy dessert Mango and Passionfruit Aussie Mess!!

 

 

Pavs in the 'cool room' awaiting being turned into a Mango and Passionfruit Aussie Mess.

 

Denise, Kristy and some of the i-kiribati staff helping to prepare the feast!! Including 12 dampers

The night went well and I think enjoyed by most. It is not every day one gets to say they cooked for the president, but indeed I did and he sent me his compliments!!!

 So the whole of last week was a blur, poor Kristy talk about being thrown in at the deep end, she helped every step of the way and must be wondering what she has come too!!!

So the veggie garden and everything else got terribly neglected and yesterday I picked all the ripe tomatoes and capsicums, what an amount and that is only half of what is on the bushes!!

 The island has again run out of rice and flour and we see the i-kiribati lined up each day at any shop that still has some to buy a 2 pound limit. Thank goodness we are not big rice eaters. The rest of the food stores on the island are very low and our little garden and freezers are keeping us going. A ship was due in yesterday but it hasn’t been sighted yet....

 The kids are all having a ball together. We finished the school holidays with fish and chips in the maneaba with Pavlova for dessert. The kids, indeed the adults too all gobbled up their beer battered tuna in record time! School has started back in the compound, Jack is still waiting for his material from Katherine, School of Air so we are concentrating on some reading and writing and games. Kaitlyn and Gemma having most of their material have started in earnest. The kids meet after lunch to resume their playing and we don’t see much of them!!

With the excesses of Australia Day and being home again over I have taken up a six week exercise and clean eating challenge. Up at 6am for the 1^st of the day’s 2 exercise routines I am already exhausted so had a short power nap. I am sure my energy will increase as my body gets back into the swing of clean eating and adjusts to the smart cardio I am doing......if not it’ll be a long six weeks!!!

Ti a bo

Jodie

Gracious, the 1st post of 2013!!!!

Gracious I can't believe it is mid-January already, we have been home two weeks and so much has happened in that time.

We got home to the normal neglect so I spent a busy few days making repairs and replanting the veggie garden. The tomatoes and capsicum have survived, nothing was going to kill those suckers!! They are huge!!! Still plenty of tomatoes and capsicums on the plants so as there was not a scarrick of fresh fruit (due to the ship being delayed by cyclone Evan) or veg to be found on the island it was nice to have them.

Darren was on the wind down and the new family due t arrive four days after we got home. So much to do before they arrived.

Arrive they did in due course and we all braved the 0545 am start to go and greet them at the airport. Scott, Kristy, Kaitlyn and Gemma arrived safely and we are happy to report are so far enjoying the island and the compound.

I have hardly seen my boys since they arrived, the four kids spend their days running amok outside, either swimming, collecting hermit crabs, playing hide-and-seek or tag on the bikes and scooters. My boys are certainly exhausted by night time!!! It is lovely to see.

We hosted a farewell/ welcome botaake in the new maneabe for about 50 people last Saturday. Kristy pitched in and we outdid ourselves with a menu that disappeared like 'soapsuds down a gully trap!' Meei and her daughter cooked what was needed, served and cleaned up (a happy arrangement for me!) About 10 kids ran about and swam and had a generally good time, once the play equipment is in they will be begging their parents to come for a play date methinks!!

Darren's farewell was a sad one, the Williams' family are sad to see our lovely neighbour leave but like all Navy postings people move on......luckily we have a lovely family moving in.
   
       Thank you Darren for the good times ad being such a great neighbour and friend to us all!


Today Meei and Palrina showed the girls how to weave their own mats!! Poor Johnny and James were asked to supply palm fronds, moi-moto and then to add insult bury all the husks from the moi-moto in the beach below the high tide mark. (this is so we can separate the fibres to make lovely mulch for around the veggies plants. Unfortunately the ground is coral so they required a pick and mattock to dig the hole and the tide beat them in the end!!)

The girls had a lovely time weaving mats, I don't think they quite enjoyed the moi-moto like we do, maybe an acquired taste? Anyway more for us and the fridge is full. So the fridge is full of tomatoes, capsicum and eggs, the cooks seemed to be on steroids or something but are laying between 8-10 eggs a day!! Big Red mysteriously died while we were away so a new rooster has  moved in from next door! This one isn't being taken back, I am tagging him and won't give in. JJ tried to buy another at the hatchery but they no longer keep or sell roosters so our new, yet to be named, ring in will have to do!

I think everyone is happy to be home and back to familiar toys and beds. We had a wonderful time in Oz, plenty of good food, too much good wine and loads of quality time with family and friends, it of course went bye all to quickly but that is the nature of a good holiday methinks.

Sam is back to wearing nothing, Jack shorts and no shirt and I am spending an hour each night tottering about in high heels in preparation for the formal Australia Day dinner, that as a co-host I have been informed to frock up so I have taken the hint and am re-acquainting my feet with heels!!! I am also back in the gym (much to my body's disgust!) and on a healthy eating plan after over-indulging for too long (I think I have consumed alcohol every day since leaving Kiribati back in December, till now, I'm NOT an alcoholic?????!!)

I promise it won't be so long between posts, till then........

:0)

ps I can't download any photos, not sure why but will do do as soon as I can, cause I have some beauties!!!