Come in and have a cup of coffee or would you prefer tea? I’ve just got back from a visit to Melbourne so I’m afraid I’ve done no baking but with Christmas coming up, that’s probably a good thing.
If we “Were having Coffee” I’d apologise for missing last week’s coffee. I spent the day travelling. I had found on the internet a venue I could go dancing on the Saturday night which was close to the hotel I was staying in. It was a great night with a live band, something we rarely see up here except balls. I also had my fair share of dances considering there were many more women than their were men.
© irene waters 2015
Waking up early the next morning I was delighted by the sunrise and the presence of the balloons floating in the sky. It was a wonderful start to the day.
© irene waters 2015
If we “Were having Coffee” I’d tell you about the difference a year has made. I attended this conference last year in New Zealand and had a total personal crisis as I realised just how introverted I am, how difficult it is for me to talk to strangers, how much of a fraud I felt amongst these learned people and many other emotions that I won’t go into. This year was a different thing altogether. I don’t feel any more knowledgeable than I did last year but I have realised that in my tiny field of expertise I do probably know a lot more about the subject than others whose fields of expertise are different, despite all of us having writing as our area in common. I thoroughly enjoyed the papers that were presented this year. My own paper went well despite finding it was on the first day and I had thought it was on the second. I wasn’t wearing my presentation clothes (that give me a bit more confidence) and I probably wouldn’t have gone dancing but rather chosen to sit in my room and practice my speech. So it was lucky I didn’t know and having done it early I could then sit back and enjoy the rest of the conference. I even had a bit of time for sightseeing and was impressed that Federation Square is a carbon neutral block of impressive, innovative architecture in the middle of the city. It needs a post on its own so I won’t go into details now.
If we “were having coffee” I know you’d be asking me how Muffin is going or rather how Roger coped whilst I was away. The answer to that is I am not sure. He is telling me he thinks she should go to another home and that he can’t cope with her but I think that is all bluff. Either that or we are now having a huge communication breakdown. I catch him playing with her when he thinks I am not looking so we’ll see. Muffin herself is improving. She is not biting me so much and toilet training although intensive seems to be working. We are having approximately 1 accident a day so I don’t think that is too bad. She graduated from puppy kindergarten on Thursday doing a brilliant ‘come’ and puppy push-up. Mind you I walked her for miles in order to have her a little less manic. Glad to say it worked.
If we “Were having Coffee” I’d be asking you how your week was? I’d probably be putting on my sun hat ready to have a wander over to have a coffee with you.
Look forward to seeing you again next week.
Thanks to Diana for hosting our coffee and there are others who’d like to meet you so pop on over to visit them also.
Reflections and Nightmares- Irene A Waters (writer and memoirist) 
Oh that graduation shot is the best – and congrats – also muffin’s hair looks so smooth and soft – could almost feel it! The dancing photo is another fav – and wow about not realizing you had to go first- glad it worked out. I once had to give a talk and was told that someone else would be going over the PowerPoint slides – but got there to realize it was mine to do – and like you – I would have done things different beforehand – and practiced! But thankfully it worked out really well.
Ok – thx for the coffee share – have a great weekend ☺️
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’ve picked it. her fur is as soft as soft. I just wish her teeth were the same way but it will come. I’m glad the time you were surprised re powerpoint worked out well for you also. I can’t help but think if we didn’t have fear how much more we would be able to do which this time I did — and still I survived.
Hope you have a great weekend also. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
😊
LikeLike
Muffin is adorable, and congratulations to you both on a graduation of sorts. For you, the recognition that you do have your area of knowledge after a panic last year is great inner growth. Many would stay locked in fear, but you took the steps to gain better inner perspective and acknowledge your strengths. Muffin is learning, too!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes we are both learning Charli. Fear is nothing but a big obstacle that stops us from doing things. Once you get rid of it you can get so much more done.
LikeLike
AWWW Muffin is so cute and adorable! Those puppy teeth are so dang sharp! It’s a bruise when I get nipped or bitten. Glad your anxiety wasn’t as bad as it was before. Being an introvert myself, I know the feeling! Plus I tend to trip over my words and tongue when speaking to strangers and come off looking like an idiot! 😑
LikeLiked by 1 person
Our arms must be made of similar skin as I am covered in bruises and puncture marks. It is getting less. It is time for her first groom as her toenails are starting to cut as well.
I know exactly what you mean re difficulty talking. I am exactly the same and it worries me as a writer when people hear that I can’t string two words together that they will think that my writing is like that as well. One of the reasons I joined toastmasters and it has helped. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Writing has backspace! A feature I use often!
I also wanted to tell you that I put bells on the door I use to let Penny out and I’ll be darned!! She uses them!! It sure helps..she still had accidents but she’ll ring the bells afterwards! LOL
LikeLiked by 1 person
LOL. Yes I probably use the back space a bit also. Tell me more about the bells. Are they so that you know that she wants to go out?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ok..about the bells. I have a strip of sleigh bells, they drive me crazy, but the sleigh bells on the back door was a Christmas decoration. This year, I hung them on the door knob at a level she can reach. When I took her out if show her the bells and ring them. Ask her if she wanted out, and ring them again. It only took her a couple times and she was ringing the bells for me when we went out. However…now when she wants out just because, she rings them! I have to let her out because I don’t know if she has to really go or wants to just check on that blade of grass she missed the last time she was out! So far I think they have helped her get the idea. How much longer my nerves will hold up is something up for debate.
LikeLiked by 1 person
LOL. I am hearing your bells Deb so loud and clear I have decided that it is a strategy I definitely won’t use. I can just see that the bells would be rung for no other reason than to ring the bells. I think I’d prefer the odd accident (which is finally getting less.) Our big problem is that the grass is not close to the door as our immediate outside area is tiled as is the floor of the house. Difficult for her to tell the difference and she doesn’t seem to want to go to the grass unless I go to so any I miss are now outside but still on the tiles. I’m getting better at knowing when she is likely to go.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The accidents are less frequent but she sure has me on a tight schedule! I just started trying the shock collar training, which I HATE but with my yard being so large and on a fairly busy road, I would rather her get a zap from the collar than hit by a car. She’s getting the idea with that too. On a long leash she just can’t run off her energy. I’m thinking maybe she needs a treadmill!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Funny you should say that. We have just sold Roger’s treadmill and the woman who bought it did so for her dog to exercise on. Those containment fences are supposed to work wonderfully well. I’d prefer the zap to being squashed as well. I think the whole process is training the humans rather than the dog. At least it sounds like we are both getting there if slowly.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am seriously considering purchasing a treadmill. I’m wanting to wear this puppy out!
I watch a lot of the show with the dog whisperer showing his strategy on rehabilitating dogs and training people to be pack leaders. Right now I think we are in the power struggle part of our ltraining. She fails to understand , I hold the food bowl. Haha.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes it is a crucial time I feel as well. I have to make her want to obey my every command before I have even uttered it. LOL Talking of food bowls, Muffin is doing a sweet thing. When she is nearly full she picks up her food bowl and carries it very carefully, not dropping a morsel, to her bed where she can lie down with it to finish it off.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s sweet! I don’t think Penny knows what full is. She is always hungry, but gets the amount the vet said to feed. He said it’s the hound in her.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sensible to keep her from getting fat. Bundy is like Penny. Always has his nose to the ground searching for food. Scrounges off everyone. You’d think we never fed him. He was complimented today on how trim he was looking at the moment. I had to laugh. his food hasn’t changed it’s all the exercise he is getting avoiding Muffin.
LikeLiked by 1 person
😊
LikeLike
Glad to hear you were feeling more relaxed and accepting of your skills and contribution at the conference, Irene. Congratulations on your participation. I didn’t know Federation Square was carbon neutral, so that was something interesting to learn.
If we were having coffee, I’d tell you that I visited South Bank this week and spent time with the kids and the lids in the art gallery. Thank you for letting me know about it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Did the kids enjoy it?
I was really impressed with Federation Square and the methods it used to be carbon neutral. Post planned.
Yes it was so different this one and although in Melbourne rather than Wellington I feel the change has to be within me because otherwise it was the same. Great to come away feeling positive instead of sunk into the depths.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The kids did enjoy it. Thanks for the tip, Irene.
I look forward to your post about Federation Square.
And what a lovely feeling to know that the difference, and the power, is within you. Bring it on! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Glad they had fun. Yes a good feeling. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
i can see the dancing and the sunshine made your trip,and I think readers of your blog can see your growing confidence! Muffin is making progress, but it sounds like she is a handful! We have a terrier, who at 14 is still going boing, boing, boing – the energy doesn’t get less with age!
LikeLiked by 1 person
That is not what I need to hear right now. I have convinced myself that at 6 months she’ll be calm and controllable. Yes the confidence is growing whether founded or not.
LikeLike
Cutest picture ever! I love the graduation certificate! 😀 Yes, with the introvert powers (have them) and feeling like a fraud. It’s really difficult. I’m so glad this year was different. ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
So am I glad that it was different. I don’t think I would have survived feeling like I did last year.
LikeLiked by 1 person
How marvelous that you had a good experience at the conference this year! I find that it’s difficult to force myself out of my comfort zone to attend these things, and keeping myself “on” while at conferences and amongst people wears me out like nothing else does, but I’m always glad I went once I return home. It sounds like Muffin’s training is coming along. How old is she now? 4 months or so? I think her housebreaking is age appropriate. Most people are lucky to have their puppy down to 1 accident per day at 6 months, so good for you. I know it’s exhausting while you’re going through puppyhood, but you’re most of the way there with her now! And she’s still simply adorable.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nooce it was such a relief not to feel this year as I did the year before. Muffin is 3 months – very young really. It is just that I feel very old. I don’t remember puppyhood being this exhausting or full time in the past..And yes she is adorable.
LikeLike
Hi Irene,
Pleased to hear Melbourne went well and I think the schedule change did you a huge favour and probably helped you get more overall from your trip. I havea few dog friends with pups and their energy levels can get a bit exhausting. My two have calmed down a lot but are used to me walking them after I drop the kids at school and can be very persuasive, especially as there’s two of them…the “Doggie Delegation”.
I was surprised to read that you’re an introvert, although many bloggers seem to be. I am actually an extreme extrovert, in case you hadn’t gathered. I love my bright clothes, being the social butterfly and chatting and all of that. I am also a somewhat natural performer, although I don’t really have an act unless you consider my violin. Actually, I’ve done a bit of acting on that front because I have had photos taken of me playing at Byron Bay lighthouse and I’ve performed at Lizottes for our end of year concert one year and I look quite the professional when it was just me posing for the camera and I really was all but a rank beginner at the time.
It is hard to believe that our lives are about to change so much when the kids leave our local primary school in a week or so. We’ve been there for 7 years and our son is off to the local high school and our daughter is off to opportunity class at a school in Wyong. It’ll be a 45 minute drive or 1.5 hours by full public transport but so far she’s keen. Wouldn’t surprise me if it became too much.
Anyway, I’d better get to bed. The night owl is starting to hoot!
xx Rowena
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks. I agree the schedule change worked in my favour. I love our morning walk as it puts her to sleep for the rest of the morning. The afternoon walk doesn’t have the same effect although it is the same length and usually many more dogs for her to play with. She then seems to be hyper until about 8pm when she crashes. Sounds dreadful that I want her sleeping all the time. She is getting better. I don’t think I have any new wounds this week.
I think I am actually an introverted extrovert for I love the colourful clothes and can talk the hind leg off a donkey once I am comfortable with someone. The trouble is it is difficult for me to get comfortable with people. Put me on a dance floor the extrovert comes out well and truly.
Enjoy the holidays before the big change. The anticipation of the unknown. Hope it is wonderful for both the children and for you. The travel is long – she’ll let you know soon enough if it is worth it.
Cheers Irene xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Irene,
I find the whole introvert-extrovert thing very interesting. I am really good at talking to complete strangers and have now decided it’s a gift. My son is much the same, where our daughter is quite introverted but she does come out of herself. I think that’s just to keep the rest of us on our toes and confuse us.
We drove up to Wyong today to get her uniform and enrollment sorted out. Despite the travel, the whole thing just sits really well with me and feels right. It seems to be the same with her. We have lunch up there. I knew there was a cheese factory up there but we also found a chocolate factory in the same complex and with all of that in one location, I was in heaven. Definitely not paleo I’m afraid but incredibly good.
Stocked up for the return journey and had the cheese and chocolate in the air-conditioned car. It’s 36 degrees today.
My daughter is also quite extroverted when she dances. She says she’s been doing it since she was 4 and feels comfortable but I also suspect dancing is her thing.
By the way, knowing you’re a memoirist, I thought you’;d be interested to know that I met up with an older lady whose mothe r was one of the first students at our school and grew up on the waterfront at Booker Bay, near Ettalong. We are having the best chats and I’m taking notes and putting it together. Talking about their pet emu which their father brought back as a chick from Lightening Ridge and used to walk them to school. The teachers used to shoo it out of the classroom. That was a story I HAD to follow up on.
Anyway, taxi duties are beckoning me again. Take care and I’m looking forward to coffee on the weekend.
Best wishes,
Ro
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes the extrovert/introvert thing is interesting. Glad your daughter is at ease when she dances. That is a great way to be. The move to the new school is sounding positive.
What a fabulous story with the emu. It is sad to think of the number of stories that must have been lost to time as no-one bothered to write them down. Glad you are doing hers.
LikeLiked by 1 person
My grandfather grew up in Hahndorf in South Australia and has the most amazing stories, which we’ve recorded. Must get them sorted and do something with them. I’d probably have no trouble getting them published either. Humph…another project but at least I’ve done much of the work…am him as well.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great to have those stories. You have a lot of projects to be going on with. I am planning on looking at my great grandfather’s diaries which are in the NSW State library when I have some free time. I think I could make a great story from them. Part fiction part non-fiction.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow Irene. You’re so lucky his diaries are in the Mitchell Library. How did they end up there? That sounds quite exciting.
Just trying to rest for a few minutes at the moment before making a sponge to take to the school Christmas carols tonight. Had the balet photos today and it was fun seeing everyone bouncing around in their costumes all dolled up and catching up with friends down there but I’m quite tired. Hope your weekend is going well and Muffin is doing well.
xx Rowena
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes we are. The family held them for many years and then donated them to the library. He came from Scotland to be a missionary in the Rocks and his diaries are a good social history record of the area at the time with its working families, opium dens etc. http://www.sl.nsw.gov.au/discover_collections/history_nation/religion/city_missions/mathers.html
Hope your week is going well and you’ll soon be able to relax. Cheers irene xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for that reference Irene.I hope to come back to it. I had family living in Surry Hills who went through some awful times and I hope someone like him was helping them. I should write up some of their stories on the blog some time xx Rowena
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes that would be interesting. I hate to think of these stories going untold and lost as the generations that remembered them die out.
LikeLiked by 1 person
So glad you felt differently about everything this time Irene, and I love the way everything worked out for you the way it did, having to do your presentation on the first day turned out to be a good thing. That fear thing stands in the way of so much. I’m sure you shone and you should be so proud of the expertise you possess, you’ve worked hard and deserve to feel confident in all you’ve achieved. I’m so proud of you my friend 🙂 I love the photo of Muffin…but sorry to hear that Roger is having trouble coping with her. I hope that things soon calm down enough so that he feels better about her…a little more time and I’m sure it will be better… 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
So am I. I think Muffin is here to stay. She is improving and we are getting on top of lots of things and she is getting older. The biggest thing is that Bundy is starting to enjoy having her here. He will now lie near her of a night (although not before a lot of play barking from both of them, which drives me demented. Roger must be deaf.)
LikeLiked by 1 person
So glad to hear that…and that’s so cute about Bundy. I get cross with my cats when they play fight…fur really flies then, but then they settle down and are so sweet together. Butter wouldn’t melt, right? Haha 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
I wish. LOL 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person