Christmas

It is now Boxing Day.  Christmas night was full of storms.  We missed out on the huge hailstones but lots of thunder and lightning, so no computer time.  I tried to video the storm, not very successful as it was still fairly light. Tried to download one,  but wont load  :(

Went to Joan's for Christmas Eve, and she gave me a GPS Navigator for the car.  This is to use here too, but mostly to take with me when I come overseas and am driving in England.  It is good fun, and is also a hands-free unit for the mobile phone, so that will be good.

Joan's family was there too with her two grandchildren.  8 and 5, and Jayden was very active that night.  He is either very withdrawn in public or overactive :)

My "Go Cruise"  and am having fun already with it.

Then Christmas morning opened my lovely gift from Finland.  Thank you so much, it is all so useful.  Love the bags and the camera case is great.  The sarong and the Christmas drink charms, (not sure what they call them)   I had to laugh as I had sent you some too.

 Then my elder son and family came and gave me these towels, well actually, a hand towel, bath mat and a towel and ........

earrings that Mandy made herself.  They are angels if you can't quite see.

This as I say in the clip is my little Christmas tree.   I love it.  So enough for one blog.   Have some other stuff to add but will do so another time.

Hope all your Christmas celebrations went well, and that all are happy, safe and healthy.

Hugs and kisses to both two legged and four legged members of the household.  <3<3<3

Forgotten moments

Tomorrow I have a foot treatment.  Foot spa, massage, pedicure and polish.  Sounds good.  Really looking forward to it.

 But haven't had a chance to add the photos from the 21st birthday on Saturday. Too much else happening.  Had to drive to Traralgon which is 150 km away and took 2 hours.  this is the spa area.

 the marquee set up in the yard

 Another picture of the spa.  Underneath the sound system and presents  :D

then had to take a photo of Missy, who couldn't make up her mind where she wanted to be :)  Posed well for the photo though.

 The speeches.  Dad, Mum Birthday boy (my nephew), Girlfriend and brother.

Below is part of the food.

They

 More food. There was also some cooked meats but couldn't get near it to take a photo, people were queued up to eat ;D

 The cake.  A sponge with cream and jam inside.

My mother-in-law enjoying the food :D  with her daughter looking on in amusement  :)

The key on this plaque was given to my mother-in-law for her 21st birthday.  When my son Shaun has his 21 birthday, (he is her eldest grandson) she gave the key to him.  It has then been passed on to all her grandchildren and my husband and I had it mounted on this plaque with the names of the children added as they get to 21.  One more to go then we are not sure what will happen. 





Anyway wanted to down load some more photos but there seems to be a problem, so another day.


Hugs and kisses.  Merry Christmas.  Happy Winter solstice for you and Summer solstice for me.

More drama

It is 5.30am and this is really early for me  :)  But had a very drama filled day yesterday.  Took Rohan into have his stitches out, and his anxiety is really bad. We waited for nearly an hour and he was becoming quite agitated.  I asked if they could give him some valium, and they took us into the waiting room but didn't give him anything.  Then I got a phone call to say Jayden had broken his arm at school.

We waited another 15 minutes and I tried to get more prompt attention, but by the time they took action Rohan had lost the plot (got angry) and stormed out.  I had had to ask the school to ring my friend Joan to take Jayden to the hospital, and we met her there.  They were still waiting in emergency when we arrived (nearly an hour later, this was nearly 12.30pm), but she had some valium on her and gave Rohan some and that calmed him down.

Anyway, long story, but poor Jayden has broken both the ulna and radius, just about the wrist, and it was a displaced fracture, so had to realign the bones, and didn't get it right the first time, so had to be redone by an orthopaedic doctor. Poor kid was quite distressed, and by the time we left at 8pm Rohan was in a bad way again.

Shouldn't laugh but when they sedated Jayden they gave him nitrous oxide (laughing gas) and he became agitated as they put the cannula in, and swore at the doctors.  His father uses very bad language and that is what he used.  Anyway he is now sound asleep, but took his photo when we got him home and settled.

He decided to sleep in the reclining chair, and just loves the blanket you sent me.  I am afraid he thinks it is his now :D

We have to got back this morning for another check up, just to make sure there is not too much swelling, and then hopefully I can finish what I started, which is sending out our newsletter.

 Just down to the last hundred :)

This is what has been done.  Just on 500 altogether.  I was lazy and didn't bother stapling the three pages together.  Should get them finished today and posted in time for Christmas.

Barring more accidents, I am looking forward to a busy week, finishing off the shopping, and using up some vouchers that my friend Elizabeth has given me for some massages and other beauty treatments.  More on that as and if they happen.

Hope all is well with you.

Flat out........all week.

Been quite a busy week.  Rohan was attacked on Sunday night and had to take him into the Eye and Ear Hospital in the city, to have his eye checked out.  He need stitches around the eye, on the eyebrow and the bottom eyelid.

Totally unprovoked , and is still sore.  He also has cuts in his mouth and is having problems with his hearing.  The parking cost $45 which is ridiculously high.  Don't know how they can sleep at night.  Grrrr.   Have to go back and have the stitches out on Monday, but will try and find a cheaper car park.

Was supposed to go to a meeting, but Ro wasn't up to minding Jay, and I couldn't find another sitter, so had to take what I needed to, as they were drawing the raffle (see last post) and then come home.


Needed to be home early as Jayden had orientation day at High School and was quite excited.  Also was able to pick up some secondhand uniforms for him.  Then he had a night out with one of his group.

Wednesday night, Ro came over and I went out to the Football club for our last night of the year. Was good.

 Forgot the main course but this was the plum pudding and custard.

and this was the pavlova.  All  looked nice.

The main course was roast turkey, ham and pork.  Very minimal serving. and the alternate meal was chicken breast..............again.  Always with the chicken.  Wish they would use some imagination, get sick of chicken.  Ha ha.







Thursday was housework.

Today.  Started out with morning tea with a grandparents group.  Sorry no photos,  followed by lunch with some friends.

 Judy had the prawns, think they were garlic!!!!!!

Marg and I had soup, which was pea and ham.

Then Marg had the bruschetta, and I had some garlic bread.

 When I got home there was a lovely parcel left for me.  Can't wait to see what is in it.  But must be strong.  Thank you so much Minz,   You didn't have to send me anything as I know you are not very financial at the moment.

But thank you so much.  Lovely wrapping and beautiful card and envelope.

Took a photo of the tree without any lights on, apart from the tree lights.  Didn't come up too bad.  The tiny lights at the top of the tree are supposed to change colour but don't after a while.  Still I think it looks nice.  Will add another post probably on Sunday as have a 21st to go to tomorrow.  Will also add some photos from Jay's graduation.

Have a great weekend.  Hugs, kisses, love and lots of thanks.   (Ticket is booked...19 weeks to go)

Sunday, but cold & wet

Good day to catch up with the ironing.  But that done, have been watching some cricket, and reading some emails etc.  Also reading the paper and thought this item timely, considering you recent post.

http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/rspca-outraged-over-lenient-sentence-for-cruel-puppy-farmer-20111210-1oos5.html

I am new at adding links so hope this works.

Yesterday was warmer and did some weeding in the afternoon.   It never ends does it.    In the morning went over to Shirley and Tony's to do the Hampers.

 This is the first prize. Valued at over $500

This is second prize valued at over $300

This is third prize valued at over $100.       Tickets were $2 each this year, whereas they were only $1 last year.   The hampers contained a mixture of homemade and shop bought things. 






The only thing missing is the hams for 1st and 2nd.  They will be added when they are delivered.

Quite a few things on next week to keep me busy though.  Rohan will have to come over Monday and Wednesday as Jayden doesn't want to come with me.  Hope the weekend has been good for you.  I am about to drag out another box from the roof space and go though it.  Might some gem you never know :)

Keep well and safe.  Hugs and kisses. (20 weeks and counting  "D)

Christmas shopping.,

Hate to think how I will pay off my credit card, but guess I just have to buy things :D

I have just finished wrapping what I bought today, and forgot to take a photo of Joan's presents.  Damn.

 So this is it after I wrapped it.  It is an ice cream maker.  I have to admit I spent more than I normally do, but she is a special friend.  Things are a bit stressful still, since her son-in-law passed away.  One month ago today.  Doesn't seem that long.

Found a photo though of the ice cream maker  :)

  Bought these little cars for Jay to give to his brother in Queensland when he goes up there.  Not sure if I told you we have booked his flights and he goes up early in the New Year for just over two weeks.

This is for Liam,  It is called a dinosaur train.  Because they interact with each other.  He has two more that he got for his birthday, he obviously likes dinosaurs.  :0

Bought two Tshirts for Ethan.  Will get him something else as well.  Whilst they need clothes I think at nearly six, he would expect some toy or book.

So nearly everything bought.  Shaun and Mandy want the money to buy things for their camper trailer that they have just purchased.  So that is easy.

Tomorrow will go over and help put the hampers together again for the Christmas raffle.  Otherwise, not much happening this weekend.

Rohan called in again today, as well as Wednesday.  He seems quite happy.  Think he likes not having the responsibility of looking after Jay.  Isn't that sad for Jay.

Have a great weekend.  Hugs and kisses as always.  :D

Schooling

Went to an orientation day with Jayden today.  It was for children who didn't have friends going to the school.  Apparently there are 58 schools in the area whose students go on to Ringwood Secondary College.  Anyway he went one way and I went another.  Just more information on what to expect next year.

Also had to pay the fees, and as I am now his primary carer and a pensioner, I get lots of allowances, which is just as well and otherwise I am not sure how I would manage..........except may be give up my holiday and I don't want that.  We were able to get some second hand uniforms.  Stuff that was in the lost property, and which the welfare officers sells off at the end of the year.  Saved heaps of money, and will be good to start off with.  I got two polo shirts, two normal shirts, which they have to wear in winter with a tie, a woollen jumper, and a waterproof jacket.   The polo shirts, jumper and jacket have the school emblem embroidered on them. New they would have been over $300 and I got them for $30.  The jumper is a bit worn, but will do to start.

 Demi wasn't on my bed when I woke up the other day.  It was after the little boys had been here.  Found her alseep in her igloo.   She didn't seem to mind that it was upside down  :D

Then this morning, she was on my bed.  Not the best as the flash didn't work properly.  And she opened her eyes as I took the picture.  She doesn't curl up like a lot of cats, not often anyway.






Some photos from the Caulfield Christmas, haven't included the children as the light was directly behind them and most of the shots didn't work, but here are the sweets.

Brooke made a Chocolate ripple cake.  Some of the M&M slide off the side, but still looked good and Christmassy.  ;)

 

  I think Mandy(my daughter-in-law) made these.  The bottom tier are little jellies. The upper one are type of Rocky road.

The fruit platter was my creation, with some help from Ethan.  Well, I cut everything up and he placed the majority of it on the platter.

Then Jayden and I went to a football end of year function and this was the sunset as we were leaving.

It was held at one of the function rooms at the Stadium where we play.  Which is right next to the docks on the Yarra River.  You probably can't work it out but the structure in the very background is our Westgate Bridge.


Have a good weekend.  Hope you are feeling better.

&lt;3&lt;3&lt;3

Going, going...gone

Another week bites the dust.  Seems to be lots of things going on  personal and festive.  Will try and sit down and write you a letter tonight to explain everything.

Sorry about the earthquakes and glad you weren't involved.  Seems to be lots of them happening around the world this year.

 Bought in my living tree this year.  It is a bit sparse but the trees are very dear this year.  And it has a special place in  my heart  as it came from my grandmothers property.  Cause of the rain, the top is better than the bottom. 

 Tried to find Mitch and take a close up, but he was hiding under the tree.  :)

 Some of the presents are wrapped, some are already in the bag for tomorrow. 

The empty cartons to be stored to put everything back after the festive season is over.








We have the Caulfield family lunch tomorrow, so will hopefully post more tomorrow night.  Liam and Ethan are coming over to stay the night and come with us tomorrow, and Jay is going into the city to see the decorations  with his godfather and his family.  Hopefully it doesn't rain like it did last week when they were supposed to go.

 Put up the artificial tree down in the treatment room as usual.  This poor tree has been around for more years than I can remember.  Have a feeling even before Ed and I separated, which was 20 years ago, so doesn't owe me anything.  Still looks good too, at least I think so.

And this little angel I think is so cute.

Hope the weekend is going well for you and no more migraines, that is an order  :)   <3 <3 <3 <3

Busy...........doing what?

Well, Sunday Jay and I drove down to Dromana.  Which is about 60 km away.  Took about an hour.  Not very warm, so not good beach weather :)

 Jay and I had flathead (fish) tails for lunch,  and they were lovely.  In a light beer batter with salad and chips.

 As you can see an overcast day.

 Looking back from the pier to the foreshore. The person you can vaguely see in a blue top is Jayden.
















There were people parasailing, but as I was using my phone camera, couldn't zoom in a lot.

 Jay took this as we were getting close to Dromana.














Very pleasant day with good company.  This was our Christmas cum end-of-year get together.

 Some of the beach boxes along the shore.  Taken on the way home.



  Tuesday met Margaret and Janet in town for
lunch.  Had a drink (coffee for them and Juice for me).  Looked at Janet's photos, she had been overseas again.  This time England, France and Turkey.

 Marg and Janet under a sculpture which I don't find appealing.  The Sculpture of course, not the girls.  :D

 This is a view from a distance.

 Then Janet and I near the Bells. Which weren't working.  Grrrr.  They are supposed to ring tunes, but are under repair.

 A playground near the river and the parkland.

 A view of our Concert Hall.  The tower is lit up at night with laser lights and looks quite good.

Another decoration.

 Jay took a photo of Demi relaxing in the kitchen

Then I caught her resting on the back step.  Doesn't look at all comfortable  :)

Wednesday spent waiting for Rohan to finalize the family payments for Jayden, now Thursday and still waiting  :)  Last night to the school for information on Jayden going to High School next year.  So much to buy including and iPad.  The uniforms are very dear too.  Is it the same there?

Anyway hope the week is good for you.  Hugs and kisses.