Long Weekend

What to say... hmm... it has been a quiet and productive weekend. Anyone who knows me knows that I find quiet a bit lonely, but it is something I'm getting used to since my younger 2 kids moved to Adelaide.
I have the dog, Mutley, who comes along to school with me some days. He really loves it there and they really love him. He is quite the 'student' joining in with assemblies, choosing which student to sit with, then sitting calmly the whole time.
Of course he is willing to give this because his first love is well known and pandied to by the kids- retrieving tennis balls when thrown by anyone willing to spend the time. He became more obsessed at first, but now has settled into a routine. He knows classes come out for sport, so he waits nearby on the oval for students to visit him and throw his ball. He doesn't interfere with their games, especially if there are larger balls involved.
Of course, resisting tennis balls proved to be a challenge. It seems a couple of teachers have told him not to chase the ball onto the asphalt area because he interrupts their lessons. He's taken that absolutely literally to be observed at all times. Whether or not all kids are at school or if it is after hours he will not chase the ball onto the asphalt area. He stops 'dead' at the edge of the oval. He is a fast learner and very obedient. He loves to please.
He's good company. I have 3 cats here too. They usually hang around our yard or in yards nearby. The oldest generally stays inside there days- she has bad arthritis in her hips now. Otherwise she is very healthy. Our 'hand-raised' one, the youngest, is 'missing in action' at the moment- she was here earlier today. She's taken over from the previous matriach and keeps intruders out of the yard. I think that's what she's doing at the moment because I just heard fighting- unusual around here really, but she must be experiencing some difficulty at the moment. It's 7:20 pm. She'll be in later I guess. I do like them to be in by nightfall- responsible cat ownership for wildlife safety and also for their own safety. I hope she's ok. My daughter tells me I worry too much. Of course, she was always the keeper of the animals before she moved in January.
There are 3 Muscovies. They are really cute, and wag their tails and hiss in greeting when I go out into the back yard.
I'm enjoying the animals. They provide company, but it would be great to be able to have a human conversation with them! :)
I planted lots of new plants in the garden, weeded and tidied and began spreading 7 tonnes of river pebbles. I'm not as fit as I used to be but hopefully the garden work will help that during the coming weeks!
Anyhoo, enough of my rambling... the long weekend is over and I'd better get things organised for the working week.
Bye for now
Julie