Why do I have a headache on New Years Day?

Well 2010 is here. I am still at no particular decision about exactly what I am going to do with the building once it is ready. At present the goal is to just get it ready. So far I taken out all of the crap that is not needed and have nearly finished washing down the walls. I have manged to convince Joff to let me use his spray gun for the painting. A couple of people have told me you just need to put plastic over the windows and floor and go for it. It actually sounds like a bit of fun! Of course I shall keep you posted.

Douglas Christmas Newletter

Merry Christmas 2009


Well that’s another year done and dusted for the Douglas family. Lots done and a fair bit of dust is still about. We are waiting for it to settle with some grass growing, dam filling and river running rain.

09 was all about adapting to changes for all of us. Many thought Kylie had quit her teaching job, headed for the hills, grew her arm pit hair and other mysterious plants in the scrub, painted a rainbow on the hi-lux and home schooled the kids. Some of the previously mentioned are true- I’ll let you work it out for yourselves. I did teach Darcy year 1 though Charleville distance education (school of the air) which is through education Queensland. Both children attended the “Verniew Paddock Academy” with Joff as the director. Kylie also got a refresher course. Curriculum included: animal husbandry, water management, mustering techniques, fencing skills, dry lick nutrition distribution, truck driving for dummies and bore pulling 101.
After a very long adjustment period we are now all loving being at home more and being involved with all aspects of the ‘cattle company’ that we are still in partnership with mum with.



Now to the perfect husband of the year and wonder children updates!

Joff: Still very busy and has great difficulty keeping still unless there is beer or rum in his hand. He has a new secret weapon of Black Angus bulls we are trying this year. He has been buying and selling shares a lot more and actually reading books by Alan Kohler. As a token of his great love for me he built me a dam at ‘Dougdale’ called Fiji as that was where our holiday money went instead! However, we did go on a camping treck to South Australia which was a bit chillier but still most enjoyable.

Darcy: (6) Musters cattle like a mad thing and canters past Kylie to block the lead. He played football this year and both parents were ecstatic that he ran the same way as all other team members. (We don’t even watch the state of origin.) Darcy also won in a local art show judged by Wolfgang John from Birdsville. You should have heard the conversation he and Joff had about the difference between art and crap!

Princess Samantha: (5) Sam did ballet this year and loved it. Kylie has become the founding member of Mitchell Mothers Against Bloody Ballet Concerts but is yet find any members. Joff fell asleep in the second half of the concert. Sam’s new day care became the chook pen as she is the only one who is allowed feed, water, collect eggs 110 times a day. She even requested a rooster for her birthday. All things pink and girly are still of the upmost importance in her life.

Bring on 2010! We will look forward to better seasons, 2 kids to teach in the schoolroom and maybe a camping trip to the Northern Territory?? Kylie has become very accustomed to sitting on the veranda with tea and scones watching the grass grow and the cattle get fat and plans to do a lot more of it in between the supply teaching and distance ed camps that pop up in her retired life.

Thanks for your friendship and support this year and may you and your family have a brilliant and refreshing Christmas and memorable 2010.

Merry Chistmas! Love From Kylie

Paint purchased

I have bought a very large tin of white paint and some sugar soap.....

total cost so far $160.00.

Now the fun/work begins.

Might even try to tackle it over the Christmas break.....