Sunny Sunday

My friend and her hubby came with me to the Chocolate Shop and this spectacular tree was outside.  It used to be a nursery.  Forgot the food photos.  Do you think I will even remember  :)

 Did remember to take some of the flowers in the old wheelbarrow.  The seeds were planted months and months ago, and have just started to flower.

Two different colours as you can see.  It had also just been raining.  October is our wettest month, and is living up to its reputation  :D

 The water iris is out splendidly this year too, because of the rain.

As you can see, Demi has taken a liking to Joan.  She doesn't do laps normally  :)

This was another occasion, not a very flattering view of Demi though ;D

Saturday (Yesterday) went to see my niece.  It was her  50th birthday earlier this month.  [Makes me feel old  :)]  and I gave her my old engagement ring.  The diamonds came out of my mothers engagement ring, so has lots of sentimental value.  I felt I should give it too her now, as I don't have any girls to pass it on to.

Went over to a friend's and installed her venetian blinds for her.  Her son is too lazy to do them.  Or rather thinks they wont be of any benefit.  But they do look nice.  The tatty (do you know that word, it means old and damaged) blinds that were there, were a disgrace.  Again, a lost photo op, but she might not have appreciated it, as her house is a bit dirty, to put it politely.

Then last night she came over and we watched a film called the Kite Runner.  It is about an Afghanistan boy, who went to America, but is mostly about Afghanistan.  Quite a good movie.  I enjoyed the book too.

Jayden has been with his Dad this weekend, so have had the house to myself.  Quite enjoyable.  Did some gardening, but was getting a bit hot, so came in for a rest.  Will go out and do some more now that I have finished this blog.

Have the wedding next weekend, and may not have time to post again before then. Hope you can get your blog up and running again soon.  Will just keep looking. 

Hope the weekend has been good for you, and the newly-weds are still in a land of bliss. 

Hugs and kisses.

Weekend is over

Didn't do too much, a very little gardening on Saturday, and the washing and ironing.  Then Sunday, more ironing, and took Jayden to see "The Zookeeper".  Quite funny in places, and a bit silly, but a good escape movie.  Jayden thoroughly enjoyed it. 

Went to the little cinema near us, only 5 mins away.  There are four theatrettes, showing different movies.  Very quite.  I think there were only 10 of us in the audience.

Thought I had a broader shot, but still gives you some idea of the size I think.  They are cheaper than the bigger complexes where they have 12 or more theatres.

Then came home and had tea and checked out my facebook, only to find a message from Jay's mum in Queensland, to say that she lost her baby at 12 weeks gestation.  She asked if I would tell him the news.  He was a bit upset, naturally.  Sad for all.

Know you have a busy week ahead, and hope all goes well for you.  Be thinking of you.

Crickey, mate, another week gone.

Don't know where the time goes.  Since Jayden has been here, the days just fly. 

He is back at school this week, so up early (for me) to drive him to school and then pick him up again.  Our school hours are 9am to 3.30pm.  So doesn't give you much time to get things done.

 Had all three boys last weekend.  Jay trying to get Liam to have a sleep on the Sunday morning, without success.

 Ethan not wanting to have his picture taken.  Because he hasn't been over for quite a few weeks, he was very difficult some of the time.  His mum agreed that he should come over more often, so he doesn't play up when it is time to go home.  We will wait and see.

Demi was wanting to use the computer, maybe???

Then tonight, there was not way she wanted me sitting on the chair at the computer.  Most uncomfortable to me.  So have had to move to the other computer.  Who said cats don't rule the house  :D








Went to my sister's yesterday, and met with a friend and neighbour of hers, who is Indian.  She showed me how to put on a sari.  Also told me it would be perfectly acceptable to wear it to the wedding, which is now only two weeks away.  She has pinned it for me, so that it will be easier for me on the day.  Just hope this all goes well.   A bigger production that Ben Hur.  [But that movie could have been before your time  :)]

Just have to organize how I am going to get to the airport and I am ready to go.    I also contacted a cousin, who I haven't met very often, and we are going to met. not sure if it will be on the Thursday or the Saturday.  Anyway looking forward to it all.

Not sure how much longer Jayden will be here, but have a busy few weeks ahead.

Will try and remember to take lots of photos.

HAVE FUN.

Weekend at last

Been a long week. Wasn't well on Wednesday.  I have diverticulitis, which flares up occasionally and this week it has a long one.  Normally, it only lasts a few hours but this time it has been a few days.  Seems better today, as have been on antibiotics.

Went to our Big Dinner for the best and fairest award.  Was a good night, even though we had flooding rains just before we left.

The centre piece of the table.


Lots of speeches, followed by entree  :)

Pumpkin ravioli and goats cheese.with red pepper essence.  (Which I think was what upset me last night)  Peppers and I just don't agree.  :)

Lamb rump with flageolet beans and thyme jus.

Roast chicken breast on herb crushed potatoes with jus gras.  (which was what I had)

Vegetables to share, also a platter of salad but didn't get a picture of that.

Then more speeches, presentations, time to mingle, then sweets/dessert.

 Tiny, tiny lemon meringue pies, and classic Chocolate tart.

There was also turkish delight served with the coffee or tea.  My favourite  :D

There is also beer, wine and soft drinks served all night.

Fortunately, as most of these venues don't have enough parking and we were a tram ride away, say 10 minutes, it didn't rain any more.  Also quite mild, so need for a coat.  Just as well as I didn't have one.

Didn't get home till 1am.  Rohan was trying to sleep in the lounge room on a mattress, but as I had this bowel upset, I couldn't get to sleep till about 4am.

Tonight |I have all the boys here.  Unfortunately, Jayden doesn't really know how to play with his younger brothers, so quite a bit of bickering going on.  They are quiet at the moment, so taking time to do this blog.  Liam has had his bath and has gone straight to bed, and think he is already asleep.

Hope you are having a great weekend.

Trip to the Dam.

As I mentioned we went to Maroondah Dam today.  We took Darien for company for Jayden, plus Eileen and her husband Ken.  I think I mentioned that Ken, who will be 80 in December, had dementia.


He was so excited, he did not stop talking all day.  We left here about 10am, and then picked up Darien, who is Eileen and Ken's grandson, then Eileen, then Ken.  Then up the road to the Dam.  Got there about 11am.

 This is the first thing we saw, which is the off run from the spill way.  You can see the waterfall in the background.

This is part of the dam wall, and as you can see it is a lovely sunny day.  About 22 deg it got to.

 This is a closer shot of the waterfall.  Because of all the rain, and the fact that this particular dam is at full capacity.  There is quite an overflow.

Not sure shat this building/structure is, but thought it look lovely with the vines over growing it.  Looks a bit like a candy or biscuit jar.  :0

 This is a closer up of the dam wall.

This is the group, Jayden (who didn't want to be in the photo) Eileen, Ken and Darien.

 One of the large gum trees.

And this is the trunk of , I would say, a very old Rhododendron.  Just loved the gnarled effect.

A very pretty azalea.

 From the top of the dam wall to the right,

and then to the left.  (looking into the sun, so sorry about the exposure)

This is a sundial, clock cum compass.  Seen from the top of the wall.  The MMBW at the right, stands for Melbourne Metropolitan Board of Works.  Which was the original name of the Water Board.

 Again, too busy eating to take photos :D

 But this is after we had nearly finished.

Lots of ibis around trying to get some scraps.

 Then this beautiful king parrot.

 A cockatoo

Then another type of parrot, a crimson rosella.  I did have to google them to correctly identify them.  Well not the cockatoo or the ibis  :D











 A bit out of sequence, but this is the spill way.  (One side)

 Another photo of Eileen and Ken.

 This is the other part of the spillway just before it goes over the waterfall you saw earlier.

Everyone had a lovely time.  Did make another stop on the way home at the aerodrome where I learnt to fly, but as I am going back soon, will take some photos and add them soon.

Hope you are having a great week and not working too hard.

Monday

Big computer is working today.  They are so temperamental.  Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.

When Joan and Nils were away last, a few weeks ago now, she took some photos just for you.  They were at a place called Tunagulla, which is 183 km northwest of Melbourne, and in the centre of the old gold fields.  This is Nils and George.

Some wildflowers.

A more distant a shot.

A different angle again.

Perhaps will give you some idea of the different landscapes we have.

I am sorry she didn't take a picture of the campsite.  They build a big campfire to sit around at night, as currently the nights are quite cold.  There is no power or facilities, so have their own toilets (Portapotties) and generators if they need power.  Mostly use gas bottles for cooking.


Didn't do much today, except get Jayden enrolled in a new group called PATS.  Which is "Paying Attention To Self" and if for 12-16 year olds who have parents with a mental illness.  Hope it helps him.  They meet once a week and have talks and games, then a dinner night at the end of the 8 weeks.  Then other activities during the years after they finish the course, like surfing and hot air ballooning.  Bowling etc,.  Apparently here in Australia one in four people suffer from some sort of mental illness during their lives. Rohan's psychologist was supposed to have organized it, but nothing had happened so I decided to make enquiries, and just as well, otherwise he may have missed out again this term.


Going on a picnic to Maroondah Dam,  one of our water storages, and only about 45 mins from here.  Taking my ex-next door neighbour and her husband that is in the nursing home.  Plus Jayden too :D

So hopefully, more pictures for you soon.

Hope all is well, be safe and happy.   Lots of love

At long last

Been away for a while, sorry about that.  But I am back

 Jayden took this of Demi one cold morning. 

 Then I noticed a strange rabbit in the cage another day  :D

 Deni determined to get to her food no matter where I put it.  She only had one foot on the ground at one stage but I missed the shot.

On our way to the football the other week there was a steam train making a run.  We don't normally have them on this line.  Just went back and forth between three or four stations.  Must check how often it happens and have a ride one day. 

Rohan still doesn't have power on at his place so Jayden has been staying here for just over two weeks.  Eating me out of house and home.  Not that he is any trouble, and I am enjoying his company,  but it cost so much more to feed a young almost teenager.

Jay went to spend last Monday with a friend and that same friend came over on Friday and stayed over till late yesterday afternoon.  Good that they got on so well, as they haven't seen each other for a few years.  They both went to school together here at Kilsyth, and then both moved away.  I think they were in grade 3 and now both in grade 6.

Did a little weeding but haven't taken the photos yet as it has been too wet.  Will try and take some photos and post another blog tomorrow.  Hope all is well.

Hugs and kisses.