Sunday before last was the first opportunity after lockdown to see family for twelve weeks. Although we were going to meet up with Ex Sis n Law and her husband on the Mornington Peninsula for lunch, instead it turned into a family gathering at ABI Brother's place, mainly for all to see Mother. We bought Red Rooster roasted chicken etc for all, five children and nine adults. It was loud, chaotic and great fun. It was so good to see people. Aside from people in our building who we are friendly with, and picking up our Hair Dresser Friend to take her home after eye surgery, we had not seen anyone. R suffered from the lack of contact more than I did. Clearly I am not enough to amuse him.
Sunday past it was a barbeque at Ex Sis Law's and her husband's place, shared with their daughter Hippie Niece, her partner and the four year old late coloured twins. It was another great gathering. Mother managed to present herself well enough, in spit of hair 'that turned grey in a week'. Firefighting Nephew and his wife, along with the newest addition, Little J at 15 months old attended and it was great to see Little J. She is such a happy baby, close to walking and has a sense of rhythm to music which I found amazing. Don' t tell anyone, but it another great niece or nephew is on its way made by them. I think we need a boy to even up the stats, with five great nieces and one great nephew. It was another great gathering, although the twins weren't there, being with their father for a fortnightly parental access weekend. With mixed race parentage, they are stunning looking tall girls who have turned from being fat blobs to just gorgeous. But their mother has mental health problems and their upbringing has been a bit chaotic. They recognise us well enough, but are not keen on greetings or hugs. Either of them can have terrible melt downs, as they did as they were leaving and refused to get into their car seats, instead wanting to lie in the very rear of the SUV. There must be history about that.
Yesterday was a public holiday for Melbourne Cup Day, only for Greater Melbourne and not the state. Spit roasted pork was on the menu at Ex Sis in Laws, more for friends this time but still plenty of family and even more children. We sat outside in the shade but at 30 degrees, the heat knocked me sideways and I was exhausted. Instead of taking 45 minutes to drive there, it took 75, and if you know the roads, stop start from Eastlink's fake hotel to Cranbourne Frankston Road. The food was great when it was eventually ready but not long after we ate, we left. We were both exhausted. Aside from the congestion on the on ramp to East Link, the traffic wasn't too bad. By the time we were home, my head and neck were aching, and just general exhaustion. Scrambled eggs and fried tomatoes on toast was an appropriate dinner.
Ex Sis in Law's husband while a little rough around the edges is fun. While serving myself lunch, I said to him, I am Jewish and a vegetarian but you serve all this pork meat. Am I to just eat lettuce leaves? Your catering needs to be inclusive of all cultures. He was quick. I've heard about your meat eating skills. Don't BS me.
Before we left home to travel to the Peninsula, I had been to Prahran by tram to put on our annual horse racing bets. I had to show my vaxx tick and then spent twenty minutes marking cards with a pen. I had downloaded the gambling company TAB app to my phone, but once I found you had to maintain a $50 credit, no fanks. We both invested $38 and R will probably get his money back. I won something like $400. This horse racing gambling is so profitable. I am obviously skilled at it. Too easy. If I was poor, what an excellent way to make money. Poor people, get out and gamble on horses and you will quickly become rich.
And then in the organised sweep at the gathering, I won on two counts, $30 and $20. In total, $47 invested and a return of $420. Ex Sis in Law's husband had checked my tickets and assessed their value, which was kind of him. Not so kind was he told R I won $620.
The above probably needs a good check, but I am tired.