At last

This is the first time I have used my new computer to write to my blog.
Yet another trip to Sydney doctor for a couple of procedures with my eyes. We are leaving here on Sunday and staying with Joe and Sandra. They will be a little distressed at the moment as they had to have their dog put down this morning. Having to have two dogs "put down" I can really feel for them.
Lily heads off on her big adventure to France on Saturday. I have the usual misgivings regarding her trip but on the other hand am absoltely delighted that she has the opportunity to do it.
Audrey and Jae welcomed a little girl into the world yesterday. Sofia.
Mother has her 92nd birthday next Friday. She is VERY frail.

Jessica in Japan

I have just read Jessica's blog. I thoroughly enjoyed hearing of their family life in Japan.

Makes our life seem terribly mundane. For instance today I cleared out some of my old clothes that I no longer want - went to visit Mum - cooked dinner and packed my bag for yet another trip to Sydney to see my doctor. I will be going to Sydney on the bus and staying overnight with Joe and Sandra. What would I do without them?

Matthew's visit

We have just had a lovely day/night with Joe,Sandra, Danielle and Matthew. Matthew came across from Perth for a conference in Sydney and they took the opportunity to come here to visit with Mother. They came Saturday and left Sunday.

Melissa, Paul and Eve came over for a Chinese takeaway last night. Lily was having a birthday sleep over party. Nice night with lots of catching up.

Tonight we are going to the famous Hellenic Club to celebrate Eve's birthday. (Can't believe she is 12).

New Australian

On Wednesday 16th July 2008 a new Aussie was welcomed in. Sharon officially became an Australian at a ceremony at the Box Hill Town Hall.

I went to Melbourne by train from Sydney to be with her for the event. It was a very nice ceremony and Blake behaved like a true little gentleman throughout the entire time. There were about 150 people becoming Aussies.

Welcome Sharon.

Presidential Race

I must admit I am disappointed the Hillary did not do as well as hoped, but, I am sure Barak will do just fine. "All over but the shouting" - I hope this is true.

No more Bushes - remember there is still one lurking in the underbrush somewhere!!!

Singapore noodles

I have never been very good at making stir fries so I purchased a simple Women's Weekly recipe book and have decided that instead of my usual tried and true recipes that are used for Sunday night dinners we are going to have stir fries for a while.

This one is super easy and tastes delicious.

You need to purchase a large BBQ chicken (approx 900g).

450g singapore noodles (fresh)

1 teaspoon peanut oil

1 small brown onion (80g), chopped finely

2 rindless bacon rashers (130g), chopped finely

3cm piece fresh ginger (15g), grated

1 tablespoon mild curry powder

3 cups (480g) shredded BBQ chicken

6 green onions, sliced thinly

1 1/2 tablespoons light soy sauce

1/3 cup (80ml) sweet sherry

1, Place noodles in large heatproof bowl, cover with boiling water, separate with fork, drain.

2. Heat oil in wok, add brown onion, bacon and ginger, stir fry about 2 mins or until onion softens and bacon is crisp. Add curry powder: stir-fry until fragrant.

3. Add noodles and remaining ingredients: stir-fry until hot.

Everyone enjoyed this and I even took some to Mum and she ate it as well.

Thyroid Eye Disease

After 18 months of struggling with double vision and bulbous eyes I can now report that after two quite scary operations I now have single vision. I can only say that the relief is unbelievable. The appreciation of near normal sight is fantastic. I will never have the complete vision I had before but what I have now is just great. I am indebted to my Doctors - Dr. Raf Ghabrial of Macquarie Street, Sydney and his team.

I am now able to drive the car, and in fact drove half the way home from Sydney which gave Tony a rest. I am now planning on giving Mum a few outings, which I am looking forward to. I only hope she is not past wanting to do things. I feel she is nervous about my driving as she just can't realise that I can see as well as I can.

How people cope in their everyday lives with impaired vision is hard to comprehend. It certainly gave me an insight into how Mother is seeing the world and how you can just give up on certain things. For instance - does it really matter if the clothes you are wearing are not quite the right colour? I haven't worn makeup for some time - I will be from now on - but did that really matter? Even the everyday activity of walking - everything is now flat and not wavey.

On thing that is not so good - I can now see the dust and grime that I have to clean in my house - what a blow - ignorance can be bliss!!