Monday already

Christmas morning had Jay and Rohan here to open the presents that Santa left :)  Jay tells me he still believes in Santa, so who am I  to disillusion him.

 The battle ship above was from Santa, and the rest from us. l This is a skateboard type thing.  He is not very athletic but we hope he can learn to use it.













Then after he opened his presents I went to by other son's place and gave Sam and Max their presents.  Sam got Mighty Beans, sure you have them too.

Max was given a puzzle and a board to  help him learn to write.  He is only 4 and wont go to school for another year.





















This is Max tried it out.  Can't remember, but think it was called scribble and write or something like that.

Then went home and Ro, Jay and I moved some more things into Ro's new apartment.  The lift was working so were able to move the big stuff upstairs, with out too much trouble.   Good thing I am fit :)

Came home and found the waterlily had flowered in the pond.  The filter is not working so the water is filthy.  The flower didn't mind :D

 Didn't do justice to the Christmas meal because of all the moving etc.  Didn't get time to finish the food shopping, so just some roast pork and vegetables.  Didn't even have decorations for the table.

 The christmas tree also looks a bit forlorn.  Didn't remember to take the photos will all the presents there.  Silly me.

Because Ro was supposed to have the boys on Christmas night, and he wasn't settled in the apartment,  (no fridge or washing machine or table and chairs yet) they all stayed here, so was a full house for the first time in a long time.  This was Liam when he woke up in the morning in my bedroom.  Ethan slept with me, and Ro slept in Jay's bed and Jay on the trundle bed  (A bed that slids under the normal bed and you can pull out when needed.)

The two boys went home at lunch time and we then took Jayden to the airport to leave for Queensland.
He was very nervous and at one stage didn't want to go, but I just joke around and by the time we left he was feeling a bit better.

Rang him later and he had a good flight.  Haven't spoken to him today, but will ring him tomorrow night.

Have to go to Ro's old place and finish cleaning up.  Vacuum thecarpets and wash other floors.
Then hopefully come home and catch up on my chores.

 This is one chore.  :)  Finishing of my jigsaw puzzle. 

 Then perhaps the next one will be to drink my Baileys Irish Cream and eat my turkish delight.

I was also given by Sam and Max a calendar mouse pad.  You can use each month as diary and tear off each month it goes.

Have a good one.  Will try again now to post on your blog.  Was able to read it but not post.

Thank you

Your present arrived today, just arrived in time.  It is beautiful, thank you so so much.  The yarn is gorgeous and I know you had trouble making it.  Sorry I couldn't wait till the mornin

Sorry I don;t have any photos, but when to my friend for tea to exchange gifts. She gave me a jigsaw puzzle which is a round globe of the world.  Should be hard to do.  Also a compost bin for my garden rubbish.





Rohan was given the opportunity to go into his new unit today, so have spent most of the day shifting him.  Just the two of us and it has been quite hard work.  When we got to the new place it wasn't quite ready, and the lift didn't work.  So left some of the heavy  stuff downstairs as his unit is on the 1st floor.  Still have more to do tomorrow even though it is Christmas day.
 Will go see one lot of grandchildren in the morning.  Rohan and Jay are staying here tonight, and Ethan and Liam are coming to stay tomorrow night.  Then we take Jayden to the airport on Sunday to go spend 2 weeks with his mother.

Summertime???????????????????

Did do a load of washing and put it on the line, and just got it inside in time.

 Sorry the flash caughtl the wall near the door.

 My new garden. Only planted the seedlings yesterday, hope they survive

And more of the hailstones.  Lots of thunder and lightning too.

Quite cold, not compared to you but about 10 deg at this time.  Which in the middle of our summer is very cold.  Normally high 20's this time of year.  And as I write this it is pouring rain again.  Has rained almost continually from lunch time.

But when I hear what is happening up your end of the world I guess I shouldn't complain.

Margaret has finished her teaching, and hopes to move into her new unit early in January.  I will miss the entertainment. 
Rohan is supposed to move into a new unit too, but not sure when.  He wants Jay to go back and live with him, but Jay wants to stay here.  Guess we will work things out when Jay gets back from Queensland.

Hope you are nice and cosy.  Stay safe.

Saturday again

Don't know where the week has gone either.  Out for lunch Tuesday, worked Wednesday and Thursday, and shopping in-between.

 Took the camera, had it on the table and only managed to take one shot. As I think I told you it was a smorgasbord venue, and absolutely filled with seniors (Over 65's).  All filling their plates as high as they could. The food was ok.  I had fried rice, and honey chicken, and some salad.  Could have gone back and had roast meat and veg but I was full.  I did have some sweets, but the plate above was actually Sally's.

Was working away and Cinders decided to become a laptop cat. It was a bit cool and I think she liked the warmth as the computer was on. Jayden had been playing his new game.  Hence the joystick.



As I said I have taken it easy today, but the rain has stopped so am going to transplant those seedlings.  Hope they survive.

Hugs and kisses and best wishes for the Festive Season if I don't get a chance to post before next weekend.

Tuesday - all day

Monday night we had a meeting for our EastWest Club, and we had to draw the raffle.

I think I have told you that we were putting together some hampers for the raffle.

 This was first prize and was valued at over $500.  Can't really get an idea of how much is in there.  There is food and other goodies for Christmas, and in the two bags there are bottles of alcohol.

 This is the three prizes, altogether.  Not well set up,but will give you an idea.  Second prize is over $200 and third was over $100.

Hope the winner enjoy.

 Cinders couldn't be outdone, so had to take a photo of her wrapped up in Jayden's doona.  Then went into my room and Demi had sitting up in bed.  Not sure what she intended to do, but looks quite at home:D
't

 
 Had a regular client ring to change her appointment to today, which I had set aside to finish off the Christmas shopping.  So, in order to beat the crowds, I went straight to the shops from dropping Jay off at school.  Most shops open at 9am, but found the bigger stores were already opened when I arrived at 8.45am.

Managed to get a few of the things I wanted.  But one of the important ones, (Jayden's) they had sold out.  Fortunately with computers and mobile phones, one of the staff was able to assertain that another store nearby had some in stock.  So went there and found some more things.

Did some wrapping, and still some to go.  Also had to wrap Sam's birthday present.  His birthday is 23rd December.  Jayden's presents are here as I had to hide them, and he is still awake.  Decided to use up all the paper I had left over from last year.  Usually I try and do all the presents in the same paper.  But must economize.
I think I told you I am getting a new refrigerator.  I received a letter today to tell me it will be here within 3 weeks.  Can't wait, which is a silly thing we say, because I have to wait :)

Going out for lunch tomorrow, will go and put the camera in my bag now.  It is, I think, cause I haven't been there before, a smorgasbord type place.  Hopefully the food will be nice.  It is a free lunch paid for by the people who ran the Grandparents group I have been going to on Thursdays.

Had a massage today for the first time in absolute ages,  I was so sore, but I feel much better now.

Have a great week.  Hugs and kisses.

More of nothing.

It is Thursday, and have done lots, but have done nothing.

Tuesday I went out for lunch with friends, the four girls I usually meet, plus two others.  Anne and Janet were in the same badminton team and we used to share a room when we went away to weekend matches.

Janet has just retired so was able to meet for lunch for the first time.  Great to catch up.
I had intended to take photos but my friends husband called in as I was leaving to get help putting credit on his prepaid mobile phone.  (do you call them cell phones?)  I didn't know either so I wasn't much help, but it made me late and I forgot the camera.

Didn't miss much as the food was terrible.

Jay went out to his boys club breakup party that night.  They went ten pin bowling and he had a great time.

Wednesday I did some work in the morning, and not much in the afternoon.

When I got out of bed this morning I just threw back the covers, but Demi wasn't going to move.  She was very comfortable, thank you very much, and it was a little cooler this morning so didn't mind the extra warmth.

I went to the grandparents support group this morning, some food shopping after lunch.  Took Jay to Ro's for tea after school.  Was going to go shopping for Christmas presents, but got to the shopping centre and realized I had left my wallet at home.   Couldn't be bothered going back, so will have to go another time.  Was going tomorrow night after dropping Jay off at Ro's but Ro is working on Saturday morning, so Jay will stay with me until the afternoon.  Guess I will now go on Saturday.

Have a great weekend, and I probably wont post before then.

Family things

It is Monday morning and still cleaning up.  Normally the family stop to help but they all disappeared this time.

 This is the shortbread that Jayden and I baked.  Not a big biscuit eater but love homemade shortbread.

 This is a shot of the boys receiving some of their presents.  Unfortunately, I was so busy I didn't get much time to take photos.  Max on the left, Sam in the middle and Ethan on the right.  And Liam and Kirsty below.

  My eldest son went and picked up his Dad, (my ex-husband) and I had quite a shock when I saw him (my ex that is)  I am not sure if I told you he has been in hospital and a relapse of his leukemia.  Apparently it is now terminal.  Unless things improve greatly I don't think he will be with us next Christmas.

Things didn't start well as had to pick Ro and the boys up in the morning and we discovered that with the two carseats in the back for Liam and Ethan, there was no room for Jay.  So Ro decided he would catch the bus.  Took him about 45 minutes as the bus broke down and Sundays is a very poor service anyway.

Did manage to get most things ready but no time for photos.  As usual one branch of the family were nearly an hour late, so kids had to wait for the presents.  They were good though.

It was very hot and sticky and although I had fans everywhere is became very uncomfortable by mid- afternoon.

I had worried about Ro behaving, especially after having to come by bus, but had some bourbon waiting for him so he settled down and there were no incidents.

I think my mother-in-law has finally realized that my ex (her eldest son) is very sick.   She tends to not want to thing about bad things, so blocks them out.  But having seen Ed yesterday, she said to me that she didn't think he was going to get better.  Must be hard to have to see your children suffer things like cancer, no matter what age they are.

Anyway the party is over and I can get on with the normal daily routine.  Wont have to do it again for a couple of years.  :)  Sorry I didn't take more photos.

New garden

Been lots of rain and lots of thunder and lightning.  But in between I have managed to do a little gardening.  Also lashed out and bought some new plants.  Not very dear ones,  but I do like begonias. 

Had to take this from inside as it was a bit wet underfoot.  The tree fern my friend gave me is already putting out three new fronds.  The plants are still in their pots and will probably stay that way until some time next week.  I should have put the tree fern a little further to the left to hide the stump of the bougainvillea. 

Had to shift a lot of things out of the billiard room ready for the party on Sunday.  Looks a lot different, but can't get into my massage room though.

As you can see, quite a mess.  The fun will come when we have to put it all back again.  The joys of entertaining.  I am not really looking forward to it.  Any of it actually.   Anyway, you have a great weekend, as I probably wont have time to add anything before Sunday night.

Boy oh Boy..........

A Box Just for me  :)

 They are funny creatures our cats, aren't they.  Bought some plants for the new garden bed and brought them home in this box, which I left on the back step.  Came back soon after and guess what.  She looks so comfortable doesn't she.

As I said on your blog, I have been busy cleaning. That is why there is no curtain in the window and had to put new flywire on the flyscreen door, and when I put it back up had to take it down again as one of the wheels was cracked and it wouldn't slide well.  Always something. Why to simple jobs have to turn out hard?

 Tried to take the sunset last night, but so many ugly things in the way.  Power poles, traffic lights and trees, but this is the best of the shots.

Hope to be able to take some photos of the new garden tomorrow.  I have a tree fern in the centre which a friend gave me, and will put lots of other plants around.

Hope you have a great week, even though it is half over. :)

Happy thoughts coming northward bound, or should I go over the Arctic and then send them south ??????????

Anyway they are coming in your direction.  Keep well, safe and warm.  (I will try and keep dry.)

Nice day out

Tuesday I met with Janet in town.  Left the car in the school carpark,  which took the pressure off trying to find a car park at the train station.  It is only a ten minute walk from the school to the station.

 Looking one way in an arcade near the station in the city.  (Melbourne)

  Love the roof.  Looking one way, then the other,

Then looking back from the street.  Should have taken a shot looking up.

We did some shopping and had morning tea and then lunch, but nothing interesting.  Also too busy talking :)
to remember to take photos.  Caught the train back in time to pick Jay up from school.  The day was good, both the company and the weather.  Did get a blister on my toe from wearing shoes I hadn't worn for a while.

Took Jay to his boys club, then came home and had a quick tea, and then went to the Annual General Meeting for the EastWest Club.  Margaret, the singing teacher, looked after Jay for me.  Home by 9.45pm

Did a couple of massages on Wednesday morning, then over to the badminton stadium to see some friends and then we went for coffee (or hot chocolate for me) and sandwiches.  Jay went to his dad's for tea.  Usually goes Thursday, but change of plans this week.

Thursday quickly went to re-enrol for U3A for next year, then to the library to pick up some books I had ordered in.  Jayden was home because he had head lice.  So had to treat him and myself, and strip the beds.

Friday, he still had lice to another treatment, but this time took him to school after the treatment.  Strip beds again, and waited for a friend who was supposed to take me out for lunch Wednesday and had mixed up her days, so arranged to Friday, and again mixed up the days.  Really worried about her.  She is stressed about her ex-husband, he is causing problems.

Took Jay to his dad's for the weekend, and came home to meet Ethan who stayed the night. He is such a darling boy.  Had such a lovely smile and is so easy to entertain.  Great imagination.

They all came over today as it was election day for our state Parliament. That was after lunch.  As I have the family coming for Christmas next week, I did a bit of cleaning up.  Been raining very hard for the last two days, which has it made hard with all the bed linen to do.

Have just been out to tea with Maureen to a Thai restaurant (always spell that wrong, restaurant that is) very tasty.  Now home and struggling with this very very slow computer.  Can't wait for Tuesday when I go back to full speed.

Hope you have a great weekend.  Going to do some Christmas shopping tomorrow.

Nothing much

Found this little plant in flower, did find the label it is a 

Diascia Apricot

.

Bottle Brush or Callistemon.

 This one is very tiny and sorry the flower is not in focus, and dont know its name.  The label has gone.

 Umm, really don't think I would like barbecued cat.  :D  But is  a nice place for a rest.  Our BBQ's are very different to yours.

Of course, you must find the sunniest spot to relax, be it inside or out  :)

Have been going to the football oval for Jayden to fly his glider or play with his football and I have been walking around the ground.  Trying to get a bit of exercise.  There was some sort of junior athletic meeting tonight so had to come home again.

Had Liam's birthday on Sunday and all sorts of dramas before hand, but finally worked out.  Too much to go into here, and the photos are on my phone because I forgot the camera.  Can't get them off as don't have a bluetooth connection.  Maybe sometime later.  Food was terrible.  I had steak and it was tough, and others had chicken schnitzel and was overcooked.

Jay had a good time at his club yesterday, as they had pizza and then a visit from three members of the God Squad.  This is a group of motorbike riders who belong to the church.  They were told when they did a burn out it was "Holy Smoke".  The boys loved it. 

Anyway more later sometime.  Hope you have a great week.


Lots of hugs and kisses via cyberspace   :)

What's this?

 Mmmmmmm. I can see a strange creature, I wonder what it could be, and what is it doing here?

 I really don't know what sort of cat this is?

 I had best keep an eye on it.  Maybe it will let me know who he is!

 Doesn't look like any cat I know.  I'll  just get a little closer.

Mitch makes a nice ornament for the fire hearth and thinks Demi's basket was a nice place to sit. 

Brought Mitch inside for the first time since Demi arrived.  He thought it was great, hopped around quite content.  Poor Demi was quite confused. Didn't like Mitch approaching though.  She wandered off if he got too near.  And as usual, Mitch was the aggressor.

I will try and bring him in a bit more often.  Not to sleep, but at least to have some friendly time.  Poor thing he has been a bit neglected lately.

So far so good with Rohan, and he is getting a lot more help, so with a bit of luck he still might turn his life around.  It will take time though.

Am having trouble with Facebook games, so am having a break.  Maybe I can get things done around the house :)

Have a good day. Hugs and kisses.

Lovely day

 Spent some time trying to clear up some of the garden and removed quite a few irises which had gone feral.  They were all over the place.  Placed them on top of what I hope to make into a compost heap.

I came for a rest and read your blog.  Made a comment about removing the bougainvillea, and enlisting the help of my neighbour.  While I was doing some other sorting out, I hear the chainsaw, and went out and Rob had started to demolish it.

 This is the pile I now have to find a way of disposing.  There are very large thorns so it is not easy to handle even with gloves.

 This of from the other side.

 And this is what is left.

 I also mentioned cleaning out Jay's room, but went into the lounge and someone had decided that one of his shoes, which he had left in the middle of the room, made a nice pillow  :)

 Demi had slept with me the last few nights.  She snuggles into my back which feels good.  I had forgotten how nice it can be.  Cinders only sleeps at your feet, and always seems to be where you want to put them and you finish up either cramped up, or kicking her off.

Some of the shots are not very good as I really have to think about getting a new camera.  The lens never opens problem at all now and have to thump it to get it to open.  Wont open if you try and prise it open either.

Always something going wrong isn't there.  It was the refrigerator has week leaking black liquid from the back.  Also has lots of rust in the cabinet.   The door is warped as well so ices up quickly inside. ( Stop whinging Rhonda.)

As I said,  a beautiful day, and supposedly warmer tomorrow.

Hope your weekend is going well.  I am about to start copying some tablecloths for you, so check your email.

Hugs and kisses