MERRY CHRISTMAS

As Christmas Day falls on a Tuesday I am combining season's greetings with Tuneful Tuesday.  I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas with friends and loved ones.  We will miss our #1 granddaughter CB, her hubby and their two little girls on Christmas Day but will be thinking of them enjoying a snowy Christmas in New Jersey with C's sister (our #3 granddaughter) and family.

Phil and I will be spending Christmas with our daughter and son-in-law at #2 granddaughter's home with her daughter and our #1 grandson.  It is going to be a hot 35C (95F) so a cold meal with all the trimmings and hopefully an airconditioner that will keep us all cool while we enjoy being together.

Thinking of a good old Christmas favourite and came up with Bing Crosby's version sung in 1942.  I doubt any Christmas goes by when people are not playing this one.  I was 10 when this record was made.

My daughter and I always say we would love to have a white Christmas, which is of course impossible in Perth, but at least Karen spent an early Christmas in the snow when they were with their daughter in New Jersey in November.

TUNEFUL TUESDAY

This is a song I've always really enjoyed and after celebrating Phil's birthday earlier this month we seem to have been thinking back over the years.....so many wonderful memories for us.  

I hope you will enjoy listening to Barbra Streisand singing this lovely song.

TUNEFUL TUESDAY

I have always enjoyed this song and I really like this rendition of it.  Hope you do too.

TRYING TO KEEP UP

Well Phil's cataract op went exceedingly well, so well in fact that he now wishes he had had the same surgeon and was in the same hospital with his first cataract op which was somewhat of a disaster.

We began all those drops I mentioned 3 days before the op and have to continue with one of them for another week and the other 2 until Phil sees his surgeon on 17th January.

Phil had been told to have the right lens of his multi-focal glasses removed and he did that today and is seeing remarkably well with just the lens on the left.  Makes us wonder if the first cataract op was perhaps not as good as it could have been although his left eye has always been worse than the right one.  He may even be fortunate not to have to wear glasses all the time although I think his driver's licence shows him having to wear glasses when driving.

What with these drops 4 times a day plus a drop in each eye once a day for his glaucoma and 3 meals a day and trying to just be up and about I haven't really had time to give to blogging and must apologise for not visiting the blogs I really enjoy.  Just not feeling mentally strong enough to take everything in as I should and give them justice.

Leaves are finally growing well on my frangipanis and there are buds aplenty too but they are so slow compared to Karen's who are already flowering.  Maybe it's cos we are only a couple of miles from the coast whereas Karen lives about 20 miles or more inland.  My lovely chameleon roses are still flowering and the one I thought had died does have leaves but not sure if they would off the root stock.   Time alone will tell and with all the business going on of late I've not had the heart to ask Phil to pop out and buy me a couple more roses.  

It is only 14 days till Christmas and for some reason I can't feel at all Christmassy.  Of course C and M and the two little girls will be in America for Christmas and I think it is the children that make Christmas more exciting.   We have decided to still do Secret Santa and Phil and I both are putting on our thinking caps as Karen needs our lists by tonight.  Phil I know wants a book voucher so that will take care of half his list and I may ask for a Bunnings voucher and a few little things to complete the list.  When one gets to our age one doesn't really need anything new and yet it's great having a couple of little parcels to open on the day itself.

Our summer has arrived and although today is only forecast to be about 25C (77F) Friday is heading up to 38C (100.4F) with several days in the low 30s to follow.   None of this is yours truly looking forward to one little bit but when you reach my age one should not be wishing one's life away longing for winter.

Hopefully when Christmas and New Year are long gone and the drops are back to one in each eye at night for Phil I will come back down to earth and be able to think more clearly.  Cheers for now and will try and think up more pretty tunes for Tuesdays just to keep in the loop.

TUNEFUL TUESDAY

Now for another golden oldies dating back to 1957.   Pat Boone was not always one of my favourites but I do like his rendition of "Love Letters in the Sand".   I hope you do too.   Enjoy.

Today we begin putting a series of eye drops in Phil's eyes 4 times a day that plus those he has every night for his glaucoma.   Then after his cataract op on 7th December we continue with multiple drops for another 3 weeks.   Phew!!  Thank goodness I didn't have to do this when I had my cataracts done a few years back.

BIRTHDAY GREETINGS

To day my wonderful hubby turns 89.  Yes, 89.   No...neither he nor I can believe it but 89 it is for sure.  We even checked his birthday certificate.  Well no, not really.

I think I've told you, apart from immediate small family, we only have each other and yet are content. I know he would do many more things if it wasn't for me holding him back.  I am finding it difficult to walk any distance and am nor able to stand for more than a few minutes and I feel bad but he never complains and is always there for me.  He just now brought in a basket of clean washing off the line and he was the one who hung it out as well.

All I can say is I hope he has a very happy birthday. We are going to our eldest granddaughter's for afternoon tea and it will be lovely to see her, her hubby and the two little girls again.  It seems so long since we last saw them as they have been busy and we were ill and then they also had illnesses as well.   Once families all seemed to live in the same suburb, within walking distance almost. but now all of us seem to live at least 25 miles apart which makes it difficult to just pop in for a cuppa.

We are also glad that the four family members who went to the US of A are safely home.  Can't wait to hear all about their adventures.s

Happy birthday Philip.......have a great day and a good year to follow leading up to your 90th.

There were times years ago when we were able to do what the couple in the picture are doing.  Now we just love to sit and watch others enjoying themselves and remember.

YOU HAVE TO LAUGH DON'T YOU?

Sometimes something happens and you find, when thinking of it again, you find yourself laughing. This is something that happened last Friday.

First I need to explain.   For many years we have had a front driveway gate consisting of a large gate and a smaller one.  Phil had installed the larger one many, many years ago swinging it on a steel post. Previous even to that we had a ranch style fence built at the front of the property so the smaller of the two gates was swung on the large fence post.

All this worked wonderfully well until white ants (termites) decided to devour the 4 x 4 main post. We had the termites sprayed and any that were left deep inside the post were probably devoured by black ants over time.  Haven't seen a black ant there for a couple of years so obviously no white ants either.    As you can imagine the post began to lean somewhat and over the years got worse and worse and the little gate wouldn't meet up with the larger gate and as everything by now was on a lean it even became difficult to move the small gate.

Why am I telling you this?   I needed to explain as it is all connected with what happened on Friday.   Our lovely English lass, Jenny, that comes into clean each fortnight (our local council provides these workers and they are subsidised by our state government so cost very little to we elderly folk) has an 18 year old son who is a real handy man.  She asked should she bring him round to check out what needed doing and I thought that a good idea.  I wanted the big post and the entire section of fence removed, a steel pole to be installed and the small gate swung on that post.

He said he could do that and came on Friday morning to remove the wooden fence and said he would return on Saturday morning to install the new post,  give the instant concrete time to dry and return at 3pm swing the gate.   That was beautifully done and a tradesmen couldn't have done a better job and probably would have charged a small fortune.  He didn't want to take any money but I decided that 4 hours of his time plus travelling was worth a lot and when he receives the payment in his bank account I think he will be pleasantly surprised.

Over the years I have planted trees and shrubs on both sides of the ranch fence so we don't really need to replace the large section that was removed as even a small dog would have difficulty in getting through.  Yay!!!  Money saved!!!!

So why am I still laughing you ask......after Corey had left on Friday afternoon I suggested to Phil that he should bring the letterbox in which had been left outside with the demolished old fence.  Phil realised that the small gate was probably out there too and should bring it in for safety's sake.  This is probably only about 30 minutes after Corey had left.   Phil came in and said the small gate had disappeared.  I can still see his face as he told me this and I can imagine what mine was like when I heard what he said.  I know these days people go around checking out items at times of council verge collections but for a gate to disappear so quickly....surely not, and definitely no verge collections taking place right now.   Phil even went and checked again but no gate either inside or outside.

I suggested he ring Jenny and ask her where Corey had put the gate in case Phil had missed it.  She was out so he left a message and she rang back soon after.   I asked her about the gate and her answer was "right now your gate is in my garage.  Corey brought it home with him to make sure the hinges etc fitted OK."    He had forgotten to mention he'd taken the gate and here were Phil and I thinking dreadful thoughts about rotten thieves etc.  It may not seem funny to others but to me it really hit the spot and, after all, it's always good to have something to make one laugh, no matter what.

TUNEFUL TUESDAY

I can remember my eldest granddaughter being part of the cast of Fiddler on the Roof many, many years ago.   They all did a really great job on presenting this classic.   Here we have Topol with his wonderful rendition of "If I were A Rich Man".

THE CHAMELEON ROSE

Several years ago I asked Phil to go to Dawsons Garden Centre and buy me 3 chameleon miniature rose bushes.   I got a lot of pleasure from them but I have to admit I did neglect them rather badly over the last couple of years.

Last month I set about them with secateurs.  Two of the plants looked healthy but the third not so muc and finally it went to rose heaven.   The other two immediately began to show a lot of life and the larger of the two flowered a week or so back and it is beautiful.

The buds are yellow and the flowers change colour as they age (hence the name);  here it is about a week ago:

and then today:

I think I may be asking Phil to pop up to Dawsons and buy me a couple more.  What do you think?

CANDY

Many of you will recall we adopted Candy who was a rescue cat.   Not only had I chosen her from a photograph but when we went to the animal rescue place she chose us so it was obviously meant to be.

She has now been with us for over 3 years and has become so much part of the family that there are very few days that she's not with us for about 22 hours.   She either sleeps on my lap, or on Phil's lap if mine is not available, and she sleeps on one of our beds all night.  She comes when she is called 9 times out of 10 and understands lots of words and obeys them too.

A few months ago she was very ill with a urinary tract infection  It was strange to begin with as we discovered her doing 'squirties' in the house and for an extremely clean cat we knew something was wrong.   Several trips to the vet and various tests and medicines finally restored her to her usual happy self but it took several weeks for that to happen.  Veterinary treatment is not cheap, especially when it involves various tests but we love that cat so....you pay to have her well again.

One strange thing that eventuated after her illness was she began to sleep on Phil's lap.  She had never done that in 3 years even though he had often picked her up and sat down with her on his lap.  She would immediately jump off.  Did she realise he had been helping her get better by taking her to the vet?  We will never know how a cat's mind works but all I know is she and he are better friends now.

In my work/store room where I have my computer there are two chairs with cushions on them.  One is for Candy and the other for Phil if he decides he wants to come out and have a chat.   This is Candy in her chair

and the other for Phil but you can be sure if Phil has been sitting out here, as soon as he leaves she has to have his chair.

She will also steal Phil's armchair in the living room but never mine for some reason.   You could say she has become boss of the house but do we mind...no, not really.

TUNEFUL TUESDAY

This is a song from way back and I wonder does anyone remember it?  Connie Francis did a wonderful job singing "Tennessee Waltz".  I can feel myself swaying to the music already.
Enjoy.

HOW ABOUT SOME MORE MUSIC? TUNEFUL TUESDAY??

In the past I posted selections of music that I had found on YouTube and when I am using my computer I often listen to music at the same time.  I have a very wide taste in music from rock and roll to classical so you are likely to find some surprises among my selections in the future.

Do any of you ever watch the English edition of Pointless?  I really enjoy it but have to admit the cheaper edition they have now playing on Oz TV is really dreadful.  Anyway, getting back to the English programme, the presenter is Alexander Armstrong and the brainy fellow is Richard Osman.  I had put Pointless in YouTube to watch an episode and discovered that Alexander Armstrong has a great singing voice.   "Without a Song" is a favourite of mine and I think Alexander sings it very beautifully.  I wonder what you think.   Perry Como also does a pretty fair rendition of this song as do so many other artists.

Here now is Alexander Armstrong and his rendition of one of my favourite songs:  Enjoy.

11/11/2018

Today it is exactly 100 years since my mum and dad were dancing and cavorting in the streets of London.  Hundreds had poured from nearby buildings to celebrate the news that World War 1 was finally over.

I remember mum telling me about it and the cheering, dancing. hugging and even kissing that went on between the people of London on that historic day.  I think she said celebrations went on long into the night and I can well believe it.

At that time mum and dad were both working at the Sugar Commission which had been established as sugar was essential to the war effort.  Mum was secretary to the Chief and dad was chief clerk but he must have had other assignments as he was awarded the MBE by King George V for work he had done during the war.  I asked mum about the medal and it seems dad kept very quiet about it and the only thing she could tell me is that she remembered he used to meet trains at various times but for what reason she had no idea.  All very strange and I guess it is nice to have a mystery in the family.

My thoughts today are for the soldiers who lost their lives fighting in what was known at the time as the war to end all wars.  What a great pity that wasn't the case.

LEST WE FORGET

HELP TO ANSWER A SERIOUS QUESTION

Hi and I wonder who is out there today?  I have absented myself from my blog for 10 months or more and I feel no guilt about it one little bit.  I had blogged myself to a complete and utter standstill, so much so that I have not been following blogs that my blogging friends write, some so prolifically.

How is everyone?  Phil and I are still making an effort to hold our heads above water having recovered a couple of months back from an extremely bad chest/head cold.  Yes a cold, not flu as no aches and pains or temperature but just blocked heads and so much coughing.  Took us about 4 weeks to get over the cold itself and several weeks before we began to feel ourselves again.  I had two trips to the doctor and had steroids and antibiotics the first time and different antibiotics the second time with an additive of some type of acid.  Fortunately that seemed to do the trick.  Phil is on a low dose antibiotic every winter and that seemed to help him without having to see the doctor.

We are currently feeling a little isolated as FOUR members of our family are paying a visit to the U S of A, New Jersey to be precise or Pitman in NJ to be even more precise.  K and B and A and C flew out together last Friday to pay a visit to B and her partner K.  From what I've seen on Facebook A is particularly intrigued with the squirrels that inhabit the neighbourhood they are in and has taken videos of them.  K, like me, loves the autumn coloured leaves on the trees which we have so few of here in Perth.  She posted on Facebook a photo of the trees in the street where B and  live and the colours are glorious.

I mentioned a serious question I have to answer.  I have made 2 very serious decisions in my life and they both involved marriage and as most of you know I have been married twice.  I know I have had to make other quite difficult decisions but the one I have to make now is this:  my driver's licence is due in January and as most people know after you turn 80 you need to visit your GP where he tests your eyesight, your blood pressure and blood glucose (if you happen, like Phil and me) to be diabetics.

My paperwork has just arrived and although I've not driven for several years now I have always liked to have a current driver's licence in case of a real disaster when I would perhaps have to drive but it's also good to have identification with one's photo on it.  My GP has always signed me up as being capable of driving even though I tell him I've not driven much for some time.

Phil suggested I let my licence lapse as he has been our driver for some time and hopefully will continue to be so for some time to come.  I first drove a car when I was about 17 or 18 and then drove several times in the following 2 or 3 years.  When I married in 1953 I drove quite a lot and in 1954 I thought it time to get my driving licence.   Got it without a problem and have had it ever since without one demerit point which I am very proud of considering the amount of driving I used to do in heavy traffic to and from work for many years.

I had a few parking fines but they were only when I loaned my car to Phil or Karen.  Just hated the fines being in my name but that is in the long distant past and all forgotten by the three of us.  They by the way, paid the fines.

Your advice please.  Now approaching 87 is it time to be honest and say because my arthritis has gotten so bad I'd probably have trouble driving very far, except perhaps in a real emergency, and not renew said licence.  Please tell me what you would do in similar circumstances.  Yes or No.

It has been quite a wet winter in Perth and it has not been until this week that our weather has begun to warm up.  We have only just today begun to pop the sprinkler on in the garden and will probably have to do again next Tuesday and Friday as no rain in sight.  They are our 2 watering days although we can use hand held hoses to water pots and various spots in the garden.

The cooler weather has kept my frangipani very quiet and they are only just now beginning to get leaves.  I am hoping this warmer weather will spur them on and in a few months we will be enjoying some beautiful flowers again, similar to this one from last year:

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME

Yep...that's me...86 today and not really feeling it (until I get up when it's a different story).  It's going to be 33C (91F) which is one reason I've always wished I was born in winter.  Well, I wasn't so have to make the best of it heat or no heat.

HAPPY NEW YEAR

As we say farewell to 2017 we look towards the new year of 2018 and hope it will be good to all of us.  I particularly want to wish my faithful viewers all the best for the coming year.

I am saddened that I've not been able to keep up with blogging this past year and not been doing a lot of visiting other blogs.   I truly have no excuse apart from the fact it has been a very medical year for both of us and it sort of messes with your mind.  We both have made it through the year and hope to do the same next year.    Phil turned 88 on 2nd December and in a very short time I will be 86 so we have an excuse for being tardy.