The Itchy Squirrel

ONE FROM THE VAULT

2006-09-24T15:36:00.000+10:00

Here is a delightful snap of Fritz when he was a baby.

TOON TIME

2006-09-12T16:05:00.000+10:00

Have a look at this little gem, a simple yet delightful toy I've had since birth. All you do is squeeze the wooden handles and Mickey will perform gymnastics at an Olympic level for your personal entertainment. Many times I have rescued him from the rubbish or donation bags Mum makes up over the years. I refuse to part with his retro charm.

MIXED TAPE

2006-09-09T21:30:00.000+10:00

Make your own cassette title here!

BOONIE

2006-09-08T20:43:00.000+10:00

David Boon – Aka the Keg on legs, is the proud holder of a 52 beer can sinking record on a flight from Sydney to London. A true Australian icon.
The "Boonie" is a doll or figurine that interacts with cricketing broadcasts and says one of 37 pre-programmed phrases triggered by a special audio cue within cricket broadcasts on the telly.
After seeing all the fuss created over the Boonie doll in news papers and ebay last year, I decided it was a must have for my bazaar collection. After all, he is another Tasmanian Legend. But they were only available when you purchased a slab of VB and I missed out.
Imagine my delight when I went into my local bottle shop a few weeks ago and saw a row of them behind the counter. When the assistant asked "will that be all"? I boldly replied "no, you can chuck in one of those Boonie dolls with it love"! The dude smiled and handed me my very own to take home and love. And I did love him, for all of 1 week. As it was programmed for last year I though he would never speak again but alas, he talks and it's driving me nuts.
He seems to go off in the wee hours of the morning, screaming the likes of " Got any nachos? - I love nachos" or "Get me a VB, the crickets about to start". I did find it pretty funny the first few days but he seriously has nearly given me a heart attack on many occasions. It seems when ever I'm about to fall asleep he yells out something crazy like "I feel like playing table tennis", sending my heart to my throat. I thought it was some guy in the house. Why doesn't the little fella have an off button or batteries I could take out!
After doing a search on various other blogs I see I'm not alone, he's doing it to many around the country. He does seem to have quite a following with whole blogs dedicated to him. I hear they are releasing two more talking players this summer, I think I'll give em a miss.

LEADER OF THE PACK

2006-08-16T18:58:00.000+10:00

Like Daddy like daughter, I love me wheels.

SODA POP

2006-08-12T16:26:00.000+10:00

There is nothing better than to suck down a soda pop on a hot summer's day. When I was a spring chicken you could get these refreshing delights in a glass bottle. It has never tasted or felt as good going down since the cans and plastic bottles were introduced. I envy the countries that still provide the glass bottle. My dream is to one day own an old soda dispensing machine just so I can walk over, select a delicious cold soda, hear the bubbles fizz as I pop the lid and wear that refreshing Coca Cola smile.
For a trip down memory lane I collect the odd old bottle or two that I can find at local markets.

LAZY DAZE

2006-08-08T18:30:00.000+10:00

Spring is knocking on the door and the dogs had a good shave down. Poor Syd wasn't quite ready to loose his big coat and as a result I have had to put him in thermal singlet. Fritz is coping ok though, seen here soaking up the sun where ever he can find it.

TILT SHIFT COOLNESS

2006-08-06T22:25:00.000+10:00

Today I learnt about Tilt Shift. It's the photography art of real scenes that makes the photo look like miniature models. I found a couple of exellent examples of how cool it looks here and here!

WHO IS JET JOHNSON?

2006-07-30T22:38:00.000+10:00

This one is for you Kywee. Remember when I went mad years back drawing for 8 hours a day till me eyes fried?

A POST FOR SLAMMER

2006-07-30T22:29:00.000+10:00

Yo Slam, I don't know what this means but as you appreciate my madness I posted it for ya. I had a quick play on a drawing program I downloaded for free that is very basic and came up with this gem. Looking at the final result it frightened me. However, on closer inspection I see a Justin Timberlake road kill. Like as if he was steamrolled by a giant log and he is surrounded by a police chalk line. And why did I name him Steven? What do you see? Do I need help?

SNAP HAPPY

2006-07-26T23:38:00.000+10:00

When I first got a mobile phone with a camera attached back in 2002, I went nuts for a few months and took pictures of anything and everything. I found them on a disc today and made a little collage of just some of them. Please enjoy.

AUSSIE RULES

2006-07-25T00:57:00.000+10:00

Ok, so now my Socceroos fever is over for another 4 years it's back to the best kind of football in the world, Australian rules. To show my dedication for this unique sport I purchased 3 action figures of some well known fellas of the game. They only released 3000 of each and I snapped up these guys pretty quick as not to miss out! I will admit they are as ugly as sin but they were a must have to satisfy my collecting need. My favourite is of course Jason Akermanis of the Brisbane Lions.

SOOTY

2006-07-17T22:27:00.000+10:00

I got a Nintendo DS Lite last week and haven't been able to put it down after forming a new addiction to the game Nintendogs. It's quite life like and I enjoy very much picking up his number 2's when taking him for a walk on the street. So meet Sooty, my little mate.

WEAPON OF CHOICE

2006-07-17T22:05:00.000+10:00

Check out this old school backyard weapon! I got this Slingshot from my Nan's brothers house when I was knee high to a grasshopper but my Mum hid it from me for years because my brother and I would fight over it. Another reason was they are actually illegal but we didn't care, it was just so cool to us.
Nan's bro was a pretty cool guy, he collected most excellent things from around the world while in the Navy. He had a massive old house full of amazing things he had collected all his life. I think I got my collecting bug from him. He was always making little things too and I am glad I could hold on to one of them like this.

THE MICHELIN MAN

2006-07-11T22:24:00.000+10:00

Just like his Mum, Fritz is always on the look out for cool little things in his travels and today on his daily walk he found this Michelin Man in the wet tall grass. I've always wanted one of those tiny fat men of me own. Good boy Fritzie!

TREAT 2

2006-07-11T22:15:00.000+10:00

I'm trying to pace myself with a one a day limit to eating the kinder, but allowing my brother to eat one just to get the toy out works fine too. So today I got a pencil top and one of those little things you rattle, think you call it a clacker!

MILKABALL

2006-07-11T22:05:00.000+10:00

Yet another bonus from Astrid the legend treat giver, a football stadium full of chocolates.

TREAT ONE

2006-07-10T21:54:00.000+10:00

Ok, I ripped into one already and got this cool little Deutschland soccer jersey key chain. Being such a big fan of mini items, this little token has flared up my addiction again. I need help, I may go bust into the rest of them like I did for the Kinder advent calendar. Man, I ate 24 of those things in 2 days to get the treats out!

KINDER BOY

2006-07-10T21:29:00.000+10:00

Today I received a treat pack from Astrid. Included in this giant box of quality goods was an excellent bonus, this patriotic World Cup Kinder Surprise egg full of babies! I formed an addiction to the kinder eggs while over in Germany and collected 43,000 (slight exaggeration) in the year I spent there. Having not enough room in my case to bring them back to Oz, Astrid sold them all on ebay for 1 euro!
I was wild to the touch but I'm glad she did, she cured my addiction. I will show you each day what I get if they are any good!

MY BUDDY MONTY

2006-06-22T21:46:00.002+10:00

My favourite book of all time till this very day is Monty the runaway mouse. It's an amazing story from the Australian born Esta de Fossard first published back in 1976. The tale of Monty searching to be loved really warmed my heart and together with the awesome photography of Haworth Bartram it's a book I will never forget. I lost my original copy from my childhood and was lucky enough to receive it back as a birthday gift a few years ago from Kylie. Since then I've been chasing up some more from the series. I have 3 now but want the whole set.

The titles include :
DINAH the dog with a difference
CATKIN the curious kitten
MONTY the runaway mouse
FRISK the unfriendly foal
HUFF the grumbling pigeon
DANIEL the reluctant duck
MONTY MOUSE looks for adventure
SAMSON the sheepdog
DARBY the donkey

MY FIRST NINTENDO

2006-06-21T21:15:00.000+10:00

In 1981 when I was 6, the Nitendo Game/Watch entered my life. On my family trips to Queensland Mum & Dad would buy my Bro and I one each however my Dad got addicted to the "Parachute" one and so they had to buy us more to keep us happy. The first two we got where "Parachute" & "Mickey Mouse", we loved them and played non stop. They were the single screen ones. I was totally blown away when the double screen was released, we got "Oil Panic", "Donkey Kong", "Donkey Kong 2" and my personal favourite "Mickey & Donald".

IN YOUR NEIGHBOURHOOD......

2006-06-21T14:13:00.000+10:00

Thanks to my mate Kylie who chucked a tag my way, I am left feeling a little under pressure for this challenge. What can a girl from the Tasmanian suburbs offer that could compete with the wonders of the world?

I offer you some scenic shots of the background of where I live and walk my dogs. The sunset shot is a view of what I see when I step out of the front door. With Mt. Wellington as my backdrop I often take the dogs for a swim in the summer around the Derwent river and sometimes pick up little trinkets I find along the waters edge.

I grew up down here and although I find this little island a bit eerie it is nice to come home to after a few years away. It's a good base to have, go explore the world and come back to fresh air, clean water and fantastic serenity! As much as I would like to tag to another, sadly I don't know any other person with a blog! I will link you back to "put your flair on" the original creator of this challenge.

ASTRO TREATS

2006-06-20T23:59:00.000+10:00

I purchased these Astro boy items at a collectors fair in the early ninties. They are completely useless and unnecessary to own but I think they are cute.

The first one above is a divice to store your tie. You roll it around a rod and pop it in the case to provent dust gathering, I guess. The other gem seen here on the right is a can of facial wipes. Granted these do come in handy but I won't open this special one.

THE MINI WORD OF GOD

2006-06-20T23:50:00.000+10:00

My tiny little bible has seen better days, I left it in my pocket and it went into the washing machine.

I picked it up at a $2 shop in Sydney, one never knows when you need the comfort of a verse, however there is no possible way I can read the tiny print. I can refect on the pictures though!

PUSSY LA LA

2006-06-19T23:15:00.000+10:00

A lone gunman serves to protect the soup and biscuits of Pussy La La.

9021 OOH MY LORDY

2006-06-19T22:19:00.000+10:00

Today while exploring the bottom of my wardrobe I stumbled across Dylan suffocating in an old sock. I did have a Brandon too but he was nowhere to be seen.

On closer inspection I noticed just how metro sexual my Dylan doll was. Love his pale pink lipstick.

SOCCEROOS - GO YOU GOOD THINGS!

2006-06-16T17:22:00.000+10:00

The Socceroos made history with their first ever goal and win in the world cup last Monday with a stunning comeback in the last 6 minutes of the game.
I loved the qualifying game that won them a place in the cup against Uruguay with the dramatic penalty shootout, but their first game in Germany was unbelievable! It actually brought a tear to my eye, but don't tell anyone.

See the highlights here

MY DEAR OLD MATE

2006-06-14T17:15:00.000+10:00

Sydney my most loyal fury friend seen here having a nap, is the greatest pal to me in the house. He follows me everywhere and sleeps on the end of my bed. He's 12 now and slowing down in his old age. He has never been half the trouble Fritz is, I love him to death, even though he has the breath of a thousand camels.

THE EAGLE HAS LANDED

2006-05-25T20:46:00.000+10:00

Harrison has been reunited with his $1 coin, 11 days after he ate it! It's not gold anymore though!

THE HUMAN PIGGY BANK

2006-05-21T21:56:00.000+10:00

My nephew Harrison swallowed a $1 coin last week. He is still waiting to see it again, hoping it will gain interest.

ME COWBOYS

2006-05-14T15:04:00.000+10:00

Stick em' up ya filthy animal!

"Do you feel lucky punk"?

On the set of "WHEN BUDGIES ATTACK"!

BEAUTY & THE BEAST

2006-05-05T13:32:00.000+10:00

Fat Fee tries her hardest to look pretty against her ever so beautiful sister Mog.

GIANT COTTON REELS

2006-05-05T13:23:00.000+10:00

The odd but interesting view from Astrid's work window.

THE HOFF

2006-05-05T13:11:00.000+10:00

Honestly, what can I say?

RIDE IN STYLE

2006-05-05T13:06:00.000+10:00

An excellent example of that retro feel at a Berlin train station.

LOLLY BEER

2006-05-05T12:30:00.000+10:00

While in Berlin I tried the local wheat beer Berliner Kindl. To sweeten it up they add a fruity syrup, that helped it go down extra fast. How cool is that?

PRETTY

2006-05-05T12:23:00.000+10:00

Balloons at a German street festival. I secretly wanted a Spongebob one, but never got it. :(

ATTACK OF THE BABY CAPSICUM

2006-05-05T12:10:00.000+10:00

On the ever rare occasion that I cook, I once came across mutant baby capsicums growing inside the belly of it's original big mama. Freaky!

SNIFF THIS

2006-05-05T12:06:00.000+10:00

The boy's take time out to smell the flowers, or is it a dead rat?

RUN LIKE THE WIND

2006-05-05T11:51:00.000+10:00

This is my favourite horse on my grandfather's farm. His name is Grease Monkey because of the wrench shaped blaze he's got. I'm hoping he'll grow into a champion race horse like some of his brothers & sisters but my Pop thinks horses with blazes don't do so well. I beg to differ and we'll wait and see!

TAKE A SEAT

2006-05-03T19:04:00.000+10:00

I love a good cactus or two.

CAT IN A BOX

2006-05-03T18:56:00.000+10:00

Fat Fee loves to test your patience and while I was attempting to do a jigsaw last year she attempted to assist me by keeping the pieces warm in the box.

ERIC'S DIRTY HABBIT

2006-05-03T18:53:00.000+10:00

Eric caught one lazy Sunday afternoon enjoying one of his many vices.

MINI PETS

2006-05-03T18:50:00.000+10:00

A tiny collection on mini pets given to me from Astrid on verious trips to
german flea markets.

PUMPKIN GUTS

2006-05-03T18:27:00.000+10:00

A lovely view of the inside of a pumkin I stabbed in order to make a halloween head!

CUCUMBER DUDE

2006-04-19T23:08:00.000+10:00

This green skinned fruit with watery flesh is usually eaten raw in salads or pickled, I however turned him into a cowboy one rainy day.

SAY CHEESE

2006-04-19T23:03:00.000+10:00

One of my best friends Fee with her mate Flat Eric.

SPACE ADVENTURE

2006-04-19T22:20:00.000+10:00

Space Gumby and his pal Pokey explore the home of Astrid.

THE SHOES SAY IT ALL

2006-04-19T22:08:00.000+10:00

On a recent trip to Germany I came across this man in my travels. Pehaps on his way to a buisness meeting, I remember thinking to myself how cool he looked in his vintage adidas roma. It's one of my favourite photos of all time.

STYLISH FLAME

2006-04-11T19:00:00.000+10:00

Daddy's old entertaining lighter.

MONKEY BOI

2006-04-11T18:55:00.000+10:00

A birthday gift from Kylie of NSW.

RETRO GAMING

2006-04-11T18:22:00.000+10:00

My brother and I got one of these each for christmas in 1981. I still play them when I can afford to buy lots of batteries. Go to the link below for a cool guide on old school gaming: www.handhelden.com

MONKEYBAT LOVE

2006-04-08T20:14:00.000+10:00

This little guy was a gift from the heart. He's a hand made monkey with bat wings and has a great set of undies to match. Love him!

IT'S A ZIZZLE iZ

2006-04-08T20:08:00.000+10:00

I shouldn't go late night shopping to K mart, I end up buying odd things such as this weird dude that plays your ipod music. I find him cute in a way but his annoyance scale is quite high with the crap he comes out with.

MINI MUNCHEN

2006-04-08T20:00:00.000+10:00

I love a little view finder tourist tv! I just can't seem to find them so often these days! I found this one at the Oktoberfest.

BONUS TRINKET

2006-04-08T19:55:00.000+10:00

It's a good thing for me when my nephews visit and leave things lying around, it instantly becomes mine.

GUMBY & CO.

2006-04-05T20:21:00.000+10:00

A beautiful set of tacky playing cards was my special treat from a recent trip home to Washington DC by Carla.

NIGHTY NITE

2006-04-03T21:01:00.000+10:00

Fritzy baby has a well earned sleep in.

ROLE PLAY

2006-04-03T20:55:00.000+10:00

Fritz loves a good dress up, this is his best impression of an old Ukrainian woman.

NAP TIME

2006-04-03T20:38:00.000+10:00

Fritz takes time out as he waits for something to chase.

UNCLE SCRUFFY

2006-04-03T20:33:00.000+10:00

Fritz loves a good bounce with his uncle Scruffy the giant Airedale.

TERRIER TRIO

2006-04-03T20:23:00.000+10:00

Fritz also has a brother, that's him on the right, Sydney the Kerry Blue Terrier and his cousin Charlie the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier.

BUNNY LOVE

2006-04-03T20:19:00.000+10:00

This matchbox bunny scene was a special gift and brings me great joy & memories.

MEET THE LITTLE FELLA

2006-04-03T19:44:00.000+10:00

So here he is.

BOX FRESH

2006-04-03T19:34:00.000+10:00

This fine set of footwear was kindly donated by Pump Schmitz of Deutschland.