18 May 2011 Fourth Time Lucky

Okay, thinking back to Friday. The children and I finally left just before lunch, and stopped in Hungry Jacks in Traralgon for luch, where every one got their preferance, and were temporarily sated.
We then stopped in Sale for the toilet, and then about thirty k's out from Sale because I wanted to buy potatoes from a cart. While I was making my selection the farmer came out on his buggy to add more bags of potatoes to the cart, and we got talking. He asked me if I wanted any more potatoes, and I said yes, sure. He ended up giving me what must have been about twenty kilo's of 'not good enough to sell' potatoes (ones that had been skewered by the fork, greens, abnormal shapes, etc) and told me he didn't give these away to just any one, only those who would appreciate and use them, and use them we did! We went through about half the bag before Sunday lunch! I think that farmer was a very nice man!
So we stopped again just on the other side of Bairnsdale because I wanted to buy some pumpkins from a cart (I got two butternuts and a Queensland blue for a couple of dollars) before we finally got to Mum and Dad's place, just as the children were starting to grizzle and Eli yell for his tucker.
Mum did meet us at the car, along with some Aunties and Uncles, but she only got a quick cuddle because I was making a bee line inside to feed the bubby, who was getting quite irate by this stage! Afterwards Mum changed him for me while I unpacked the car and set the caravan up. Hadassah and Phebe slept together, Michael and Malachi each had their own beds, and Eliu slept with me.

Naturally Eli was passed around to every one, and thoroughly spoilt, and every one was delighted with him. He is such an easy going little chap!
Michael got in at 6.30pm, and all was well with me after that! We were very tired, too, but didn't sleep too well, because a cold wind picked up, and it was cold in the caravan, even though the little heater was on. We survived though, and tempers were even the next morning!
Saturday was spent moving my 17 yo sister Tamar from the room she was sharing with my 23 yo sister Miriam to a little room at the other end of the house that Mum had been using as a sewing room. Tamar wanted her own space and was tired of sharing and this was the only room that was spare enough for her to use. This took all day, and Michael and the Aunties entertained the younger children while this was going on.


This night we slept much better, not because it was warmer, it was actually colder, but the caravan was warmer because there was no wind!
The next morning, Sunday, Tamar announced she didn't like the room. Too cold, too small, too far away from every one else. SO - we moved her back again as soon as we had our little Church service, and before lunch. Hohum.
Michael helped me pack the car, and I'm happy to say it didn't take very long. There is a big difference between a week or so trip and just a couple of nights as far as luggage is concerned!

The children and I drove off again after lunch, and it was quite a quick trip home, compared to the one in, because, as Malachi put it, Mummy didn't  keep stopping, lol!!
When we got home all the children  (bar Eli) helped me unpack the car, and I managed to have it all put away, baths done, and dinner ready by the time Michael got home with Granny (who had picked him up from the bus station) at 7.00pm.
Now, the reason Michael was so late is because the trains wern't working properly, and he'd had to catch a BUS home!! So he was pretty stiff and sore. Granny picked him up and stayed the night so she could help out, and I was so thankful for the extra hands! Granny was SO happy to see her grandbubby again!

Phheeeeuuuuhhh! Now I need a holiday from my holiday!!

I must admit, I didn't like Michael travelling separate from us (couldn't you tell?)and I was very relieved when he got there! Don't want to have to do that too often!!
Did you see my comment in testing positing blog?

It was an interesting trip. There was not so nice stuff happening that I haven't mentioned that I unfortunatly got caught in the middle of, but I sorted it out, so its over if not forgotten. Won't go into details, will just say it falls under the title, 'Family Politics' and I was in the wrong place at the right time .
The rest of the trip was okay, though, and I'm glad I was able to help out.