Shearing finished on Friday – Hooray!! It is impossible to explain exactly how it impacts on life while it is going on. Country Boy spent every spare moment in the shed. The kids spent most of their waking hours in the shed, which they were starting to get sick of. Everything non essential gets put on hold (that includes cleaning the house). The animals were fed in the dark, and dinner is late. Hannah’s homework was a last minute rush. Some how all the essentials get done, but that was it. I am slowly getting back on top of the house work. Today I scrubbed out the bathroom which was, frankly, embarrassing.

Life is still busy despite the pressure of shearing being over for the year. FIL turns 60 this week, and so we are planning a birthday party on the weekend. After work today I am doing a mammoth grocery shop in preparation. I have also planned our meals for the next four weeks as well, so I am expecting about 3 shopping trolleys to get it all.

In two weeks time, FIL and MIL head off on a 3 month adventure around north west Australia in their camper van, leaving us in charge of the farm (scary).Winter is the slower time of year, making it a good time to leave (also escaping the cold sounds good!). Lambing will happen while they are away, so we may have a few poddy lamb to deal with (lambs that have been abandoned by their mother).

The casual teaching position which I have been doing, has been extended to the end of the year. I really enjoy the job. My colleagues are easy to get along with, and the students are generally well behaved. Discipline is a lot easier than at my previous school. The only down side to the job is that it is so far away. The days are short now. I often leave as the sun is coming up (after scraping the ice off the windscreen), and don’t get back until it is setting. I am now carpooling with another teacher who lives a little closer, and it certainly makes things a lot easier .

My father took this photo at my brother in law’s wedding – love it!)

Country Boy has been busy with our vegetable garden, getting wood, and doing the myriad of other things that keep our life on track.

I have this funny shelf in the kitchen – finally found something which looks good to put on it!

When we first moved here, I looked forward to the quiet time of year. I have already come to the conclusion, that there is no such thing as a quiet time. There is a rhythm, and what needs to be done changes constantly, but there is no time when it is really quiet.