Port-a-robe…

Just over 21 days ago I commenced living out of a suitcase, and while I don’t need much in the way of clothes, it has gotten increasingly more difficult to rotate my clothes between wearing, washing, drying, back to wearing.

But today, lo and behold, some of our belongings have arrived.

As part of our relocation, we brought what we needed and could fit into a suitcase with us, while some items travelled by air freight, and the remaining items via the ’slow boat’ aka freight container on a ship somewhere.

I can’t quite remember exactly what items I included in my air freight selections, but I guess once we break the seal on the 6 boxes sitting in our dining room that I’ll find out.

6 boxes down, one 40 foot shipping container containing 320 items to go.  Guess we’d better find a house to put it all in pretty soon.  Otherwise that “Genuine Aussie Yard Sale” that I joked about will have to become a reality.

On a different note though, we have picked out a car, and will be ordering it shortly.

While Mark was off having a driving lesson this morning, I mosied off back to the car dealer to gather some information on accessories, and have another test drive.  The second test drive was the clincher.

We’re both in love with the new wheels.  Our salesman could almost be considered a gentleman, which makes a very nice change from the usual sleazy salesmen we’ve dealt with back in Australia.
Anyway, he showed us several cars to enable us choose between interiors and accessories.  He also showed us an alternative exterior colour choice from the Carbon Bronze Pearl (ooooooh) that we’d selected, to the White Diamond Pearl (ahhhhhhh) that we’d previously discounted from viewing it on the dealers website.
Our new colour selection also saw us changing our interior colour choice also.  The new car is going to be Tres Sexy!

As for what it’s going to be.  Well I’d love to tell you, but my family read my blog also, and I’ve already told them I’m not telling them what sort of car we’re purchasing until we’ve taken delivery.

Why you might ask?  Well, simply because my parents recently bought a new car themselves, and kept the purchase a secret from there beloved children…  Now it’s a “surprise” payback!

Oh, and Mark’s driving lesson.  Apparently it was relatively uneventful, and they haven’t blackbanned him, so it can’t have been too traumatic.  He was given a couple of driving tips from his instructor though, which gratifyingly were also tips that I’d given him many years ago, only to be told I had no idea what I was talking about.

Hahaha!  In your face sunshine!

Cardiac infarction

For the first time in my life tonight I made myself a sundae.  A proper sundae, American style.

It was awesome, but I do believe that I can feel my arteries clogging as I type.  *laugh*

Imagine this…

A bowl of freshly sliced banana…  A sundae ingredient that could be considered decadent by current Australian standards.
Haagen-Daz Real Vanilla Icecream
Hershey’s Chocolate Fudge Syrup
Peanut M&M’s
Whipped cream from a can, and a big spoon

It was like I’d died and gone to heaven, although given the fat content I could die at any moment.

But what a way to go, and damn!  I didn’t take a photo.  Guess I’ll have to make another one soon.

Automated, schmautomated!

 Theory is generally always better than the reality.  We’ve recently proven this assumption to be true.

Since we’ve moved from Australia to Redmond, Washington we’ve had all of our animals living inside the house fulltime.
Prior to the move only Oliver, the youngest of the brood was a permanently indoor cat.  So up until our relocation, toilet visits were all taken outside in the garden.

Anyway, the story is this, we need a cat litter tray in the house now for not one, but two adult cats.

Noone ever enjoys cleaning cat litter.  So when we discovered an automated option for cleaning cat litter you could rightly assume that we were very interested.
Also, anyone who knows Mark, will know that he just loves gadgets, and this would be the latest addition to the collection.

The item in question was a Littermaid Self Cleaning Litterbox, to be precise the Littermaid TM Elite Mega – Advanced Automatic Self-Cleaning Litter Box, model: LME9250, according to the Manufacturer this little beauty is feature packed, and it is.

These features include, the items below, complete with my experience of what actually happens.  My comments are in ITALICS.
Please also take into account that when we used the unit, we followed the instructions to the letter, and used the recommended litter.  We even contacted the manufacturer directly to double check.

Features:

Constantly Clean Litter Box:  Unit automatically rakes waste into sealable container minutes after use.
This is true, or at least the unit attempts to.  Generally the rake does not have enough power to remove the waste left behind by a normal adult cat.  It tries though, over and over.  You can tell too, the unit is quite loud when it runs.
Additionally, there’s a gap between the waste receptacle and the tray itself, so during use quite a lot of litter is left on the floor underneath the tray.

Sensor-Activated Ionic Air Cleaner: Detects when cat exits the unit, activating the ionic air cleaner until the rake cycle has ended.
Air cleaner?  I must have missed something.  Industrial air scrubbers would have struggled.  The air may have been clean of ions, but the smell of cat still lingered.

Sleep Timer for Nighttime Use: Rake is at rest for 9 hours, then ionic air cleaner cycles on for 10 minutes every hour to freshen the air.
As per my above response.  No ions, but plenty of smell.  Additionally sleep time is great so that you’re not annoyed by the loud rake during the evening, but no rake means exposed waste and increased smell until morning.

Removable Steel Rake: Durable rake detaches easily for cleaning.
This is true, it does detach for cleaning, and so it should.  It cakes up with waste faster than you can say ‘Oh my god! That’s disgusting!”

Extra Large Capacity: Ideal for large and/or multiple cat households.
Again, also true, unfortunately the motor on the rake isn’t strong enough to deal with the increased waste of multiple cat households, also the waste receptacle for rakings is too small, so requires disposing and replacing quite frequently, which can get expensive as you have to purchase specific containers made for the unit.

Safety Bar: Automatically stops and reverses the cleaning rake at the slightest touch.
I can neither confirm or deny this claim. For my own safety I stayed as far away from the litterbox as possible due to the inadequate ionic air cleaner.

Detachable Litter Tray: Makes cleaning of litter tray easier.
This is also true, we proved it when we cleaned the unit to return it to the store we bought it from for a refund.

Low Voltage: Operates with household current or standard “D” cell batteries.
Again this is also true, and possibly why the rake was ineffective at clearing the litterbox.  Although that being said, I can only imagine that if the power was ramped up that what the cat left behind would end up flicked up the wall.

Kitty Kabana TM: A tent to help keep litter contained and provides privacy for your cat.  Easy to clean.
A joke from the start, great concept, and it looks pretty, but unless you’re cat enjoys using a litterbox lying down there’s simply not enough room for an adult cat to stand or sit comfortably to use the unit.

Paw Cleaning Ramp: Traps litter when your cat exits the box.  The sturdy removable ramp supports even the largest and heaviest of cats.
Read carefully, the text doesn’t state that ALL litter is trapped, and in fact it’s not, you’ll find litter everywhere, including your cats paws.  You see, cats just don’t wipe their feet like we humans do.  So great idea, just not necessarily an effective one.

4 Waste Receptacles Disposable, sealable Waste Receptacles provide a healthier, virtually odor-free environment.
Disposable yes, sealable… well possibly if you’re observant and empty it after every half dozen or so uses.  If not, goodluck making room to get the lid to close.  Also quite a lot of litter makes it past the receptacle to land on the floor.  Again, great idea, not so great in practice.  There’s also the fact that you have to purchase these for the life of the unit or it pretty much becomes useless.

Conclusion:
Overall, our experience with the Littermaid Self-Cleaning Litterbox was a disappointing one, and according to the assistant at Petco who we returned it to for a refund, it’s not the first time he’d seen one of these units returned for a refund.  Additionally almost everyone who returned them stated that a normal litterbox was or would be more effective than the automated one.
I agree.  Unit returned, refund obtained, and we’re now the owners of a more traditional unit.

Albeit a more modern and effective design.  This one allows the cats to dig as much as they like, and flick litter everywhere without it going all over the house.

Traditional and modern all in one.  Better still, it’s effective and a whole lot more affordable.

Menagerie Madness

The hippo’s upstairs are at it again.  They have an apartment that other than being one floor above us is exactly the same floorplan, and yet it sounds like it’s more track and field orientated and that people are running laps.

I just keep reminding myself that we’re only here temporarily.  If it was permanent, things could go pear shaped.

The squirrel is back too, and once again the cats were perched at the screen door mesmerised by its antics.

Or so I thought.  Suddenly Oliver decided enough was enough and launched himself full speed at the screen door.
In the past he’s simply bounced off.  This time he knocked the entire door out of its tracks and sent it crashing onto the back lawn, before charging off partly in terror from the sound of the door hitting the ground and partly in determination to catch the squirrel.

The squirrel isn’t stupid, it ran straight up a tree.  Leaving me to look in horror as I ran to the door to see Oliver heading towards a road.

Chaos reigns again!

Oliver was absolutely terrified by being back outside in “nature” again, but still determined to get the squirrel.
I, however, was absolutely terrified he’d either run on to the road and be run over, or dash into the forest and get lost, as while he’s cute, he has no experience outside and isn’t the brightest candle on the cake.

While all this was going on, Vita (one of our dogs) sprinted out also determined to get the squirrel.
So determined in fact that she refused to come when she was called, and when I tried to grab her collar snarled and tried to bite me.

It was at this point I called for Mark to help.

Lets just say that by the time he did finally arrive, that I’d managed to get the dog inside without being bitten, although she did get a smack for her efforts and was scolded.  Had also managed to get  the glass sliding door closed to stop further escapes from the house, before having to sidle barefoot through wet gardens, and cobwebs to find a very wide eyed and horrified Oliver, who also got a smack on the way back to the house for trying to scratch me to get free when he again spyed the squirrel nearby.

It was at this stage that Mark appeared.  ARGH!

Mark, Vita, Oliver (and Dolce by default as she followed them all) have all been sent to their room.

It’s no secret that I want children, and judging by recent events I’m more than prepared for the bedlam that is sure to ensue…

I have 5 children, 4 have fur, and one is 31.

Is it too early for a vodka and a valium?  *laugh*

The Coke Curse

I’m cursed, I can’t get a Coke to save myself.  That is of course unless I’m at the type of venue that gives you an empty cup and lets you fill it yourself.

On our first day in America I bought a Coke from a vending machine at Quantas Freight in Los Angeles, and was quite surprised when I found out that it tasted quite a bit different to what I was used to back in Australia.

The next time I purchased attempted to buy a drink was from a Coke vending machine.  I inserted my money, pressed the button, and no drink.  I then pressed the refund button, and…  you guessed it, no money!  Argh!

I called Coca Cola there and then and reported the machine faulty, and now I’m waiting for a refund.  I’m not overly stressed about the money, it’s the principle.

Anyway, next Coke I tried to order was from a bar, again, no luck, 3 times I asked for either a Coke, Coca-Cola or a Diet Coke, only to have the server screw up his face, admittedly the service in this venue was crap anyway, but that’s beside the point.  In the end I opted for something else.

Next attempt was at a Japanese Sushi Train, admittedly the lady I was asking spoke more Japanese than English, but she too struggled with my order, admittedly I struggled with her replies.  Mmmm Japanese tea…  My saviour!

I tested my theory with an American friend, he thought I was saying cake.  I’ve joked that I’d be drinking Pepsi from this point onwards but apparently I’m a sucker for punishment.

Tonight we went out for dinner again, to a lovely Greek Restaurant called Orexi, which is in Bellevue, Washington.  It’s a great little venue, the food is quite good, the Spanakopita and Dolmades however are outstanding.

Getting back to the curse, when asked for my order, I requested a coke.  Our waitress for the evening looked blank, and asked me to repeat my order.  I’m of the belief she didn’t hear me the first time, as the second time she understood exactly what I was after and vanished off to the kitchen to get me a Diet Coke.

WHAM! Enter the curse!

Our food arrived, our water glasses were filled.  Our waitress returned with two beers.
We advised that we had not ordered beer, but I had in fact ordered a Diet Coke.  She apologised profusely and said she’d be back shortly.

We finished our meals, and were brought the bill (check) only to find that we’d been charged for a Diet Coke that had not been received.  Argh!

So, not only do I have problems ordering Coke of any variety.  When my request is finally understood the drink never arrives.

I really am going to stick to water from this point onwards. 

Aussie Aussie Aussie!

We’ve just returned from another shopping excursion, this time it was more for something to do, than because we needed anything.  It was a very interesting trip too.

There appears to be quite a large amount of “Aussie” affiliated items around that use either a Koala or a Kangaroo as part of their advertising.  It’s actually quite amusing, although on some occasions it’s borderline embarrassing / insulting.

For example…

There’s a woman sitting in a cinema with long, flat lifeless hair.  There’s a kangaroo sitting behind her, it’s very obviously a person in a kangaroo suit too.  They’ve spared no expense on this commercial.
Anyway..
The kangaroo drops a can of hairspray which rolls under the chair that is occupied by the woman.  She bends over out of shot to pick it up, when she sits up her hair is full of volume and beautiful.
The commercial then concludes with “Get some Roo in your Do!”

*groan*

I’m so embarrassed.  I doubt that it’s an Australian company, but it appears if you call anything Australian here there’s appears to be a market for it.

This afternoon was a good example.  We were touring through Costco (a large retail chain, similar to Campbell’s Cash and Carry in Australia) touring the aisles and the food samples as one is wont to do.  When we were offered a sample of “Authentic Aussie Chicken Pie”.
We chuckled and commented quickly that this should be interesting.

The lady serving the tasting’s asked us if we’d ever had authentic chicken pie, we replied that we had, and that we’d let her know if this was anything like the real thing.  She looked a little taken aback when she realised we were in fact Australian, I wonder if it was the accent that gave us away… *laugh*
While we were waiting a couple of young guys also came over, I overheard them say they were going to try some “really Ossy pie”, I laughed and said I doubted it was that real.  They also laughed when they heard my accent.

Needless to say, the pie actually was quite good, if a little over salted, but as for being authentically Australian.  Well we do have pies, and we do have chickens, but that’s about where the authenticity of the product ceased.

Just when we figured we’d seen the last of the Aussie offerings we stumbled across the authentic “Aussie Breakfast Biscuits”.
Breakfast biscuits?  I don’t recall ever in my entire life of living in Australia, which lets face it, has been in excess of 33 years, as I only left the country a little over 2 weeks ago, ever seeing Breakfast Biscuits.

This called for a brief investigation, not so much investigation really as looking through the clear plastic wrapper and identifying that the Aussie Breakfast Biscuits were infact Muffins.  It was slightly further amusing to see that the packet next to these contained an identical product, but this one was labeled “English Muffins”.

There’s a lot lost in translation but a lot of fun to be had.

But I do believe that for now, if I want authentic Aussie products, like, say, Anzac biscuits… I’m going to make them myself.

Hmmm, I could probably sell them at a premium too.

Animal house…

I’ve identified (I think) why I’m waking up so early.

We have a hippo living upstairs, and apparently he/she wears high heels.

I think I may have to wait until it goes to work today, break in and cover ever surface in bubble wrap.

Can you imagine the call to the police?  Oh my god!  I’ve been bubble wrapped!  I feel…. so unstressed!

Hehe, so anyway, I’m awake, again, yay!

I’ve cleaned the kitchen, emptied the dishwasher, had breakfast and put some peanuts outside for the squirrel, of who there’d been no sign until a moment ago, and I only realised it was back when I heard a crunching sound.
Our squirrel friend has found the peanuts and is out on the lawn happily shelling them all and having a nutty breakfast.

Very cute, the bunnies are back too.  Much to Oliver’s delight.  He’s glued to the backdoor watching them all.

See for yourself…   .

Update:  While I was loading the photos for this post the Squirrel returned.  This time to collect the remaining peanuts to take home.  Unfortunately I didn’t have the camera ready this time, but it is amusing to watch as it picks up a nut and checks it, if it passes muster, he holds it in his mouth until he finds the next nut.  Places the original on the ground, tests the new nut, then puts them both in his mouth and runs off with them.  This has happened 3 times so far, and he’s back.  This time for what appears to be a snack, before resuming his collection.

For now though, Hooroo!

I still call Australia home

We’ve been here a little over a fortnight so far, and while I acknowledge that I’m quite some distance from home and from my family, the distance hasn’t been a problem… until now.

I wouldn’t say I’m homesick, I’m loving it here, but right now I wish I was closer.  It’s hard when you want to be there for someone and distance prevents it.  At least I’m no further away than a phonecall.

On a different note…

Dolce is much better now, she’s still on boiled rice and chicken for the time being, but she’s energetic and sprightly again.

Our squirrel is back again too.
This doesn’t really come as a surprise, I left some unshelled peanuts out in the garden for him.

Anyway, it’s nearly 11am, time to get this show on the road.

Have a great day.

Reputation precedes us

It’s Sunday morning, and it’s fantastic so far.  Just for a change I woke early again, but at least I slept better this time.  Always a good thing.

It’s a fortnight today that we arrived in Washington, and I’m still loving it.  The weather has been fantastic, each and every single day so far, although judging from the weather reports this morning, that’s soon to change as most of the week has been forecast as overcast with rain.  A sure sign that ‘Fall’ otherwise known by we Aussie’s as Autumn is fast approaching.

A lot of the population here refer to Seattle and areas as ‘The Rainy City’, well I say bring it on.  So far the only water we’ve seen anywhere has been from garden watering systems, and incidentally, if it does rain…  Bring it on!  We’ve just come from a country that’s still experiencing a prolonged drought.  So whether it be warm and sunny or cold and wet I’m happy.

Speaking of happy, Dolce is feeling better too.  Today is the day that she was allowed to have food and water again, for the first time since late Friday evening.
She’s been given her antibiotic, water, and some of the boiled chicken and rice I made up for her yesterday.  That in conjunction with a toilet break, means she’s a much happier and bright looking dog.  Apparently it was all a bit much though, as after a big stretch, she’s now sound asleep on her mat.  Ah well, she’s still convalescing.  Once she’s better we can reinstate the plans we canceled over the weekend.

Now getting back to the topic.  From the moment Mark mentioned he was applying for the job that has brought us from Australia to Washington I’ve been on the Internet networking.  I’ve met a few of the fantastic people that I’d formed an online relationship, and there’s still quite a few more that I have to meet.

I still spend quite a lot of time online when I can fostering these relationships and making more.

Last night however, when my email started flashing to indicate that I had a new message, I assumed it was a reply from a friend to a message that I had just sent.

Imagine how much I laughed when I read it, to discover that the message stated that the writer had seen us recently in a store that he worked in, he’d suspected we were a couple, and thought our accents were cute.

*HUGE LAUGH*

Now I know I have an accent (here anyway), but we always joke that it’s not us that talk differently, but that it’s everyone else.

Too cool!  I’m an Aussie in Washington state, and I have a great accent. *laugh*

Admittedly though, and I’m not ashamed to admit it.  I have been taking HUGE advantage of the effect that my accent seems to have on people from the moment we landed.

A big smile, turn on the charm, and speak normally and all doors suddenly open, if they’re a bit slow, well then I just mention that I’m new to the country and a little confused…  *chuckle*

As great as it is though, it’s also occasionally problematic.
For instance, I just can’t order a Coke to save myself, not even when I ask for a Coca-Cola, to me it sounds so simple, but to those I’m speaking too, well it’s just all too confusing, they all tilt their heads on an angle and wonder what the hell I’m asking for.  Jeff says it sounds like I’m ordering cake…  Riiiiiiight!

So now…  I drink Pepsi!  *laugh*

Serene Saturday

Morning, the sun is up and the day is looking absolutely fantastic.  Dolce is looking a little healthier, although the fun starts now in restricting her from having water and food for the next 24 hours.

I can’t wait.  Mulder is still being exceptionally cuddly, which is most annoying, he’s always been a cuddly cat, now he’s like a parasite.
I get it, he’s sorry for running away.

So all in all, aside from having to cancel our social plans, it’s looking like a great day.  Even though I still have a sore toe.  Ouch!