Coincidences

It's funny that you can be thinking of someone that you haven't seen for ages and then run into them. This happened last Sunday. While we were at Mass we noticed Colleen and Michael Croft (remember they were in Tasmania in Launceston and we visited them in Madison while we were in Princeton). There was a famous trip to Liffey Falls where a certain young spoiled little girl fell into the water and whinged all the time.

We only had a few moments outside the church but from that they went to visit Mum so that made her day. Remember Aunty Eileen with the farm at Cargo? Some of that farm has been sold recently, including the house and associated sheds. I think the family is feeling sad as a large part of their life has changed forever.

Produce

This is the first time I have grown eggplants. Fascinating things. There are ones that start off black and then there are some that start off green. It will be interesting to see if the green ones actually go black or maybe they are a different variety.

Afternoon Tea

Today some friends of Mother's were coming for afternoon tea. Fenetic activity was made to tidy the house, make vol-au-vents, pikelets, polish the silver and set up. Unfortunately they were unable to come. Mother and I will have a very nice afternoon - minus the silver service.

The daughter of Mum's friend has phoned a couple of times and has not left her phone number so I was not able to respond to her phone call - they have a silent number. Why do people not think to leave a number??

I have to have a couple of preoperative x-rays before heading off to Sydney. One chest and one ECG. It would be my luck that something is wrong with them and the surgery is put off. I wasn't informed that I had to have them done until today so a mad scramble to have it done.

Easter over for another year

Easter has come and gone. Time goes all too quickly.

We had a lovely time over the Easter break. Blake is absolutely gorgeous. Of course he is into the "terrible twos" now and we had our moments, but on the whole he is wonderful.

On Saturday we all had lunch at the annex of the Southern Cross Club at Yarralumla. Everyone came including Mother and Ben. The outing was to celebrate Dad's birthday as well as Easter. For a "club" the food was good and the view from the venue great. Looking out across the lake and there was a sailing event taking place. We came back home to have coffee and cake. All in all a very enjoyable time. It is a shame the Seattle people were not here as well. You were missed.

Sunday after we went to Mass John has cooked pancakes - delicious. Mother was picked up around 11am and Melissa came and cooked lunch - a very delicious pasta dish with prawns. Of course the chocolate cheese cake was made. After all John was home!!

The Easter Bunny must have arrived while we were eating lunch. Blake had a wonderful time finding "sweet eggs". Mind you I think he may be a chocoholic.

Monday John and Sharon and Blake went to visit Mother on the way to the Art Gallery. The experience was somewhat spoiled by a very tired boy who had a hicky fit.

Today Tuesday was left behind a very sad Grandmother having to say goodbye. Why oh why do people have to live out of Canberra!!!!

A few photos attached to bring you up to date with Blake mainly. Photos of Blake do not do him justice really.

Easter Visit

The Melbournanians arrived around 6PM today. I am so glad we made a visit a couple of weeks ago as Blake remembered us and was very content. Poor little chap was very tired. He actually asked to go to bed. He is sooooo cute. It will be great getting to know him more. Of course it is quite nice to have John and Sharon here as well.

Mother came for lunch today. I don't have to ask twice for her to come. I am happy about that as she catches up with what's going on.

John is a bit worried about their cat (Mia). She is in a catery but Vet told them she has liver damage. Hopefully she'll be okay until they return home. I suggested to John that she should give up the drink.

Doctors

Today started with an attempt to take Mum to a Mass of anointing. Every 3rd Tuesday of the month there is a Mass at Mirinjani. After arriving at 9.30AM to escort her to the "Chapel" we waited and waited. Eventually we gave up and went back to her room. I phoned the Presbytery again and was informed that they had made a mistake and had told me 9.30 instead of 10.30. Anyway I phoned Mum and she made it to Mass on her own.

Mum had an appointment with the Doctor this afternoon. She is having trouble swallowing and has been told on MANY occasions that she has delayed swallowing -i.e the message from the brain is delayed and of course she feels like she is choking. She remains unconvinced about the Doctors' diagnosis.

As John and Sharon are coming on Thursday and we (Tony and myself) are driving to Sydney tomorrow (Wednesday) to see my eye doctor we decided to do our shopping today. Mum sat in the car while this happened.

This is how exciting our lives are!!!

More photos

Okay Adrienne you asked for some more photos of Blake. I will add one or two as it takes a fair while for the photos to upload.

Mother is here for the day. We have her here on Thursday and Sunday. At the moment she is resting getting over her lunch (fried tomato, egg and bacon). This menu was requested by her.

Canberra is experiencing some really hot weather at the moment. We have had about 6 days in the mid 30's. Not as bad as Adelaide though. Winter will be very welcome.

"We of the Never Never"

When I was at school we read "We of the Never Never" by Aeneas Gunn as part of our literature study. It was written about early settlement in the Northern Territory.

For my 60th birthday my friend Carolyn gave me a copy. I am now reading this book to Mum and revisiting the adventure. We are both enjoying the experience. I have discovered that I can read out loud quite well really.

If you have not read "We of the Never Never" it is worth doing. It certainly shows how difficult it was to exist in those "inside" places in the early days.

Melbourne

We have had four whole days in Melbourne bonding with the beautiful Blake. What a doll! He is a great little chap and babbles along all day talking. Tony and I can understand most of what he says but his parents of course know all. At this stage we were very impressed that he knows all his colours and shapes and lots more. I can't wait till Easter when they will be here for a few days.

It is a pity that it takes so long to drive to Melbourne (7 hours) because I REALLY would love to spend more time there. Anyway we have to be content with what we can do.

John and Sharon's new home is very nice. Of course there are a million things they would like to do to it but that will come in time. But at the moment it is all you could want.

The picture is of their front door area.