Hodge Podge Summers here?

Warm weather is here again and its always a pleasure to be able to barbecue and sit by the fire pit and crack a cold one. But we have to be vigilant when it comes to fire.

I’ve seen recently that the police are going to crack down on people tossing cigarette butts out of their vehicle windows, good idea, but will it work in practice, only time will tell.

The fires that are burning right now are a danger to all, people, wildlife and property.

With many people being evacuated and having to cope with nothing, such a crying shame. Thank goodness there are nice people out there that are welcoming strangers into their home, offering them sanctity and shelter. The emergency services are doing their best and are stretched to their limit, but never the less are heroes, great job guys and thank you.

All of us must be more careful when out having fun, whether it be through quadding, scrambling or campfires, make sure the fire is out, stamp it out, soak it, stamp it out again and re-soak, rake over the ash and soak again. With a cigarette make sure it’s properly out and that you dispose of it wisely. All too many bush fires are attributed to a cigarette, all it takes is a small spark and hundreds of hectares of land are ruined beyond measure, not to mention people’s lives.

That’s the rant over. Time to mention the house again. It’s finished, everywhere, carpets are down, all the decorating’s done, the furniture placed, the thinning down and the staging bit has begun (my personal favourite bit this). I get to use my props and make the house look good, it’s an excuse to vacuum more often and titivate.

I’ve already made the curtains and think I might make some more cushion covers to brighten up the lounge. It’s a real pleasure to walk through the front door now and not see ladders and tools or wood and plasterboard or plumbers or electricians, nice guys as they are. Our house looks and feels normal and I am so glad to be able to say that. Not so long ago I felt like this day would never arrive and we were deluding ourselves, that we couldn’t do this and it would all fail. Not so, we’ve climbed that mountain and its done. Happy now, glad it’s over and I’m No longer embarrassed to live here.

Now I can enjoy the good weather of this summer and maybe we could have the time to barbecue in the garden. That I would enjoy, a nice steak or burger, sausage, I don’t mind, some home-made coleslaw and potato salad a few beers for hubby, fizzy for the kids, fabulous. It will be nice to spend some time together.

Next week I start working on the shed, thinning down and throwing out stuff.

Hopefully soon I can tell you that we’re packing. Good job I have lots of refuse bags. I’ll keep you in the loop, promise.