A DAY IN THE LIFE OF THE MACHINISTS WIFE

Wake at around 8am

Tea with the Machinist at the kitchen table

Check emails to see if there is any news from Council.

Coffee with the Machinist in my office.  Hayley makes a wrap for her 'Daddy Andre' to munch on while we discuss Council issues on Flooding and Flood Levels in our local Creek, Building Class, Surveyors and The Building Code of Australia,

The Machinist then phones the Council while I check out another Engineering company's website, whereby the Machinist's eyeballs nearly pop out of his head, as he checks out photos of their machinery, -  not missing a beat in his current conversation with a Council staff member.

Sarah comes in for her 'to do' list, which I have been compiling between phone calls and emails. She is still cleaning out the Workshop A, organising shelves, putting like with like (as much as a girl can put like with like when they're not sure what certain metal items are). Our barn is getting fuller, but at least various items are becoming contained in one place - like a 'one stop shop'.

Discussions with Council continue through lunch.  The Machinist and I become flabbergasted at one of Council's requirements and we embark on a somewhat loud yet funny tirade of abuse against Policy Makers in general.  Emma wafts in and puts her finger to her lips, then starts flapping her wings.   "Just so you know, we can hear you in the kitchen".

That pesky baby monitor in the shape of an angel.  It must have ears in the back of its head.

Emma is determined to finish the job she is on in the Workshop.  She is transferring poems from local Poets using CAD and then sending them to the plasma cutter.  These poems will appear as Tourist attractions throughout our Shire.

I've nicked a couple of the photos she took today, - pictures of when the sparks hit the fan:

Hayley sets off after lunch to paint what was once a food store in the pie shop (now called The Block), to apply water and mould proof paint, as said food store has been transformed into a bathroom.  We are confident that she and our Sam will move in very soon.  While Hayley is gone, I get to look after our darling Baba, Keiralea.  "If she stands in her cot, I pick her up, lie her down on her back with dummy, then put Blankie Ted and Rabbie under her arms..." Hayley instructs me.

My intentions are always good and I'm all for following a mommy's wishes for her Baba.  However, after ten or more sessions, I succumb to infant loveliness, swoop the darling up into my arms, give her 'fairy kisses' and rock her gently.  Within minutes she is asleep and I transfer her to her cot, quickly scooting Blankie Ted out of the way with the back of my hand.

While Baba sleeps, I hand draw a Plan View of Workshop B - a silly requirement of Council, showing the positions of Plant & Equipment.  Later, Emma will draw this up on CAD as well.

After work, we have cold drinks and some of us swim.  Baba falls asleep in her pushchair and I wheel her into the lounge, set myself up on the brown leather lazy boy (girl) chair and promptly nod off....zzzzzzzz......

The Machinist takes the Baba and puts her in our laundry sink, which he has filled with bubbles and her yellow Duckie (a gift from her Pop).  She loves splashing in this tub and it saves our backs.   I dress her and feed her.

Right now, Sam and Hayley are frolicking with their offspring on the rug.   Sarah has gone out with her fiance, Cam, and Emma is cooking.  The Machinist is grilling kebabs on the BBQ.

I'd better be off... The Machinist just popped his head in my office door -

"Do you know how lonely it can get - barbequing kebabs?"

And later - "Did I tell you how hot you look today, Babe?"