I began this story a while back and for some reason I've just not had the ability to write over the past couple of weeks. Hot weather, concern over my daughter and others bits and pieces have had my mind wandering and concentration at a minimum.
My #3 granddaughter was born in October, 1978. She was a good baby and a real character as a toddler and small child. Had a real sense of humour and often had us in fits of laughter at the cute things she would come out with.
She did well at school, had several jobs and after a time attended university where she obtained a degree and then decided to find some serious work. She always liked a challenge and some of the positions she held were indeed very challenging but she handled them all extremely well.
A couple of years back she met a friend in Alaska (in my day we would have been penfriends but in this modern age they use Skype) and last year, after visiting and spending a couple of weeks, there she decided she wanted to live and work there if it was at all possible. She was fortunate in being able to pretty well fly through the red tape involved in obtaining a work visa and all other documents necessary and at the end of 2012 we bade her farewell.
We have heard from her and her friend constantly since then and life for them seems to be just wonderful. We are so pleased as life hadn't always gone the way she anticipated. She has set up a small business and now is actually driving a car which is indeed wonderful. Some years ago I asked her why she didn't get her driver's licence (she actually had a car in her garage) and she told me she thought there were enough idiots on the road already.
Not only is she now driving but has discovered SNOW. She was delighted as the first snow fell but then discovered the hard work it involved with sweeping and shovelling etc., and what it is like to be COLD. Never mind though...she is still enjoying herself and that is most important.
Our love and best wishes are always with her and we hope she has a happy and successful life ahead of her in her new home. Earlier this month I spoke to her and her friend using Skype which my daughter set up on my computer. It was on my birthday and it was a terrific birthday surprise being able to speak to and see her over such a great distance.
My #4 granddaughter was born in May 1986. I remember her mother telephoning me and asking me to drive her to the hospital as the baby had decided to arrive. I stayed with her until her husband (my son) arrived and was so pleased to be so much part of this happy event. This 4th granddaughter was a very well behaved child but very shy of strangers and even members of the family.
I saw quite a lot of her as our two families lived quite close at that time and got to know her quite well. She did very well at school and attended university and now I believe has a very good position with a bank here in Perth.
Unfortunately I have not seen her since 2001 when she was 15 owing to my son's stupidity in deciding to break all connection with his parents and sister. I am grateful that her mum does from time to time keep me up to date with how they all are so I do know that this granddaughter has a long time partner, they have built a new home together and I believe they are planning to marry next year. I know I will not see her being married but I wish she and her partner all the very best for their future years together.
I have always been saddened by my son's decision and have missed him, his wife and my two grandchildren over the past 11 years but such are life's little miseries which we deal with and move on as best we can.
Sunday, January 27, 2013
Thursday, January 17, 2013
T'WAS THE MONTH AFTER CHRISTMAS
My blogging mojo is still absent but I like to keep in touch so another poetic contribution that I hope you will enjoy and find amusing. Author unknown.
T'was the month after Christmas and all through the house
Nothing would fit me, not even a blouse.
The cookies I'd nibbled, the chocolate I'd taste
At the holiday parties had gone to my waist.
When I got on the scales there arose such a number!
When I walked to the store (less a walk than a lumber).
I'd remember the marvellous meals I'd prepared;
The gravies and sauces, and beef nicely rared,
The wine and the rum balls, the bread and the cheese
And the way I'd never said "No thank you, please."
As I dressed myself in my husband's old shirt
And prepared once again to do battle with dirt...
I said to myself, as only I can.....
"You can't spend the whole year, disguised as a man!"
So, away with the last of the sour cream dip;
Get rid of the fruit cake, every cracker and chip.
Every last bit of food that I like must be banished
Till all the additonal ounces have vanished.
I won't have a cookie, not even a lick,
I'll want only to chew on a long celery stick.
I won't have hot biscuits, or corn bread or pie.
I'll munch on a carrot and quietly cry.
I'm hungy, I'm lonesome, and life is a bore...
But isn't that what January's for?
Unable to giggle, no longer a riot,
Happy New Year to all and to all a good diet!!
I must admit I was fortunate in not putting on one ounce/gram over Christmas but in my case it's just as well I didn't. : )
T'was the month after Christmas and all through the house
Nothing would fit me, not even a blouse.
The cookies I'd nibbled, the chocolate I'd taste
At the holiday parties had gone to my waist.
When I got on the scales there arose such a number!
When I walked to the store (less a walk than a lumber).
I'd remember the marvellous meals I'd prepared;
The gravies and sauces, and beef nicely rared,
The wine and the rum balls, the bread and the cheese
And the way I'd never said "No thank you, please."
As I dressed myself in my husband's old shirt
And prepared once again to do battle with dirt...
I said to myself, as only I can.....
"You can't spend the whole year, disguised as a man!"
So, away with the last of the sour cream dip;
Get rid of the fruit cake, every cracker and chip.
Every last bit of food that I like must be banished
Till all the additonal ounces have vanished.
I won't have a cookie, not even a lick,
I'll want only to chew on a long celery stick.
I won't have hot biscuits, or corn bread or pie.
I'll munch on a carrot and quietly cry.
I'm hungy, I'm lonesome, and life is a bore...
But isn't that what January's for?
Unable to giggle, no longer a riot,
Happy New Year to all and to all a good diet!!
I must admit I was fortunate in not putting on one ounce/gram over Christmas but in my case it's just as well I didn't. : )
Monday, January 14, 2013
JUST FOR THE FUN OF IT
What with hot weather, another vertigo attack etc. etc. I had lost my blogging mojo for a time and until it returns completely I thought I'd share a silly little poem with you. Hopefully some of you will get a laugh out of it or even shed a tear if it hits you where it hurts....your wallet. We are now too old and too poor to pay the tax man these days but we certainly paid our share over the years. : )
TAXATION by Anonymous
Tax his land, tax his wage, tax the bed in which he lays;
Tax his tractor, tax his mule, teach him taxes are the rule.
Tax his cow, tax his goat, tax his pants and tax his coat;
Tax his ties, tax his shirts, tax his work, tax his dirt.
Tax his chew, tax his smokes, teach him taxes are no joke
Tax his car, tax his grass, tax the roads that he must pass.
Tax his food, tax his drink, tax him if he tries to think,
Tax his sodas, tax his beers and if he cries then tax his tears.
Tax his bills, tax his gas, tax his notes, tax his cash,
Tax him good and let him know that after taxes he has no dough.
If he hollers, tax him more; tax him till he's good and sore.
Tax his coffin, tax his grave, tax the sod in which he lays.
Put these words upon his tomb, "Taxes drove me to my doom!"
And when he's gone, we won't relax..we'll still be after inheritance tax.
TAXATION by Anonymous
Tax his land, tax his wage, tax the bed in which he lays;
Tax his tractor, tax his mule, teach him taxes are the rule.
Tax his cow, tax his goat, tax his pants and tax his coat;
Tax his ties, tax his shirts, tax his work, tax his dirt.
Tax his chew, tax his smokes, teach him taxes are no joke
Tax his car, tax his grass, tax the roads that he must pass.
Tax his food, tax his drink, tax him if he tries to think,
Tax his sodas, tax his beers and if he cries then tax his tears.
Tax his bills, tax his gas, tax his notes, tax his cash,
Tax him good and let him know that after taxes he has no dough.
If he hollers, tax him more; tax him till he's good and sore.
Tax his coffin, tax his grave, tax the sod in which he lays.
Put these words upon his tomb, "Taxes drove me to my doom!"
And when he's gone, we won't relax..we'll still be after inheritance tax.
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
FAMILY MEMBERS..MY 4 GRANDDAUGHTERS (Part 1)
I have already mentioned I have two grandsons who recently had birthdays. I also have 4 grandaughters of whom I am very proud. They are all different to each other and that makes each one unique.
Our eldest granddaughter was born in 1972 when I was only 41 and I was delighted to welcome my daughter's baby into our family. She will celebrate her birthday at the end of this month. She was a wonderfully easy to get on with as a baby and child and although we missed seeing a lot of her while her parents lived in Bunbury we still saw her a lot when she was older.
She studied at university and with her two degrees she became an early childhood teacher, teaching pre-primary and early grades. When she moved to Sydney with her husband she became the director of a child minding agency so has had a lot of experience with babies and children which has stood her in good stead as a mother of two beautiful little girls.
It also enabled her to establish her own blog dealing with early childhood for which she has received two awards for best blog dealing with children in the Asia-Pacific region. (I apologise if I don't have this absolutely correct but she travelled to Singapore to receive her first award and I think to Kaula Lumpur to receive the second award). As you can imagine we were all very proud when she was recognised for the excellent work she had done on her blog.
We are pleased that she now resides back in Perth with her husband and the two little ones and she is still busy being a mum and a blogger. We wish her well for the future and for her birthday on 31st. It is at her and her husband's home that we have spent Christmas Day over the past 3 years and they can only be described as some of the Christmases we have known. Thank you C & M.
Our second granddaughter was born in 1977. She was a lovely baby but her mum knew she wasn't terribly well and although she was taken to several doctors it wasn't until they saw a doctor at Princess Margaret Hospital that they found out she had a kidney problem. If only one of the doctors had realised earlier what was wrong far less damage would possibly have been done to that kidney.
She has lead quite an exciting life having lived in Port Hedland with her daughter for several years driving to and from Perth a few times without mishap despite encountering cows, emus, kangaroos and other beasties en route. When you consider this is a distance of 1,636 kilometres that entails approximately 19 hours on the road, this is no mean feat for a lass alone with her little girl.
She has cared very well for her daughter who was brain injured when the passenger in a car driven by a friend when the friend drove out onto a major road in foggy conditions in front of a front-end loader. It was just before the little girl's 5th birthday and it was touch and go for a few days. Consequently the youngster spent her birthday in hospital and the family all went to see her with gifts and hugs and kisses. (I am sure the young woman who was driving the car has never forgotten the experience).
We were delighted on Christmas Day when this #2 granddaughter announced that she and her partner had become engaged. We wish her much happiness in the future as we feel she richly deserves it.
I could tell much more about my granddaughters but suffice to say I love them all very much but I will continue this post in a few days as I don't want to make my stories too long.
Our eldest granddaughter was born in 1972 when I was only 41 and I was delighted to welcome my daughter's baby into our family. She will celebrate her birthday at the end of this month. She was a wonderfully easy to get on with as a baby and child and although we missed seeing a lot of her while her parents lived in Bunbury we still saw her a lot when she was older.
She studied at university and with her two degrees she became an early childhood teacher, teaching pre-primary and early grades. When she moved to Sydney with her husband she became the director of a child minding agency so has had a lot of experience with babies and children which has stood her in good stead as a mother of two beautiful little girls.
It also enabled her to establish her own blog dealing with early childhood for which she has received two awards for best blog dealing with children in the Asia-Pacific region. (I apologise if I don't have this absolutely correct but she travelled to Singapore to receive her first award and I think to Kaula Lumpur to receive the second award). As you can imagine we were all very proud when she was recognised for the excellent work she had done on her blog.
We are pleased that she now resides back in Perth with her husband and the two little ones and she is still busy being a mum and a blogger. We wish her well for the future and for her birthday on 31st. It is at her and her husband's home that we have spent Christmas Day over the past 3 years and they can only be described as some of the Christmases we have known. Thank you C & M.
Our second granddaughter was born in 1977. She was a lovely baby but her mum knew she wasn't terribly well and although she was taken to several doctors it wasn't until they saw a doctor at Princess Margaret Hospital that they found out she had a kidney problem. If only one of the doctors had realised earlier what was wrong far less damage would possibly have been done to that kidney.
She has lead quite an exciting life having lived in Port Hedland with her daughter for several years driving to and from Perth a few times without mishap despite encountering cows, emus, kangaroos and other beasties en route. When you consider this is a distance of 1,636 kilometres that entails approximately 19 hours on the road, this is no mean feat for a lass alone with her little girl.
She has cared very well for her daughter who was brain injured when the passenger in a car driven by a friend when the friend drove out onto a major road in foggy conditions in front of a front-end loader. It was just before the little girl's 5th birthday and it was touch and go for a few days. Consequently the youngster spent her birthday in hospital and the family all went to see her with gifts and hugs and kisses. (I am sure the young woman who was driving the car has never forgotten the experience).
We were delighted on Christmas Day when this #2 granddaughter announced that she and her partner had become engaged. We wish her much happiness in the future as we feel she richly deserves it.
I could tell much more about my granddaughters but suffice to say I love them all very much but I will continue this post in a few days as I don't want to make my stories too long.
Saturday, January 5, 2013
REMINISCING
Twelfth night has arrived so the festive season has drawn to a close. I sincerely hope everyone enjoyed themselves as much as reasonably possible with no mishaps of any kind.
As we were at our granddaughters's home for Christmas Day and nobody was expected here over the festive season we had not bothered with decorations. Just a few on the mantlepiece for a bit of fun and I had blue tacked all the Christmas Cards to the door frame and the bi-fold door where they looked so pretty. We received some lovely cards from near and far as well as some via Jacquie Lawson e-cards which are always so beautiful.
In the 5 days since New Year's Day I've been doing a little reminiscing about 2012 trying to think of the important things that happened during those 366 days. (During those 5 days of course I had my 81st birthday with a visit from my daughter, granddaughter and Immy and AJ which was much appreciated).
Of course I celebrated the big 80 on 2 January last year which amazed me. I remember towards the end of the 20th century never imagining I would see the year 2000 and there I was celebrating my birthday in 2012.
Our eldest granddaughter also celebrated her birthday on 31st January.
February saw the family all getting together to say happy birthday to Immy, our #2 great-granddaughter, who celebrated her 4th birthday on 12 February. She had just begun attending kindergarten so she had two reasons to celebrate.
March and April continued to be quite hot and then on 26th April the family welcomed AJ, our third great-granddaughter. It was so lovely to be able to visit her in the hospital as when her sister was born their parents were living in Sydney.
In June and July we celebrated #2 granddaughter's birthday and my daughter's birthday and then in August it was our son-in-law's turn.
It was at about this time that MOH was diagnosed with severe sleep apnoea and he bought his sleep machine which has turned out to be a godsend and we both enjoy more peaceful nights now.
In September our #1 great-granddaughter turned sweet sixteen. She had a party with friends and I understand really enjoyed herself.
In October the family were once again all at our eldest granddaughter's home to celebrate her husband's birthday and also her sister's birthday (our #3 granddaughter) and to wish her bon voyage as she (#3 g/daughter) was about to depart shortly afterwards to spend 2 years in Alaska.
Immy watches as her dad and auntie blow out their birthday candles.
I began having attacks of vertigo in October which were most unpleasant. I saw an ENT specialist early December who said it may be Meniere's and I was to see him again in March for a final diagnosis. The strange thing is that since seeing him I have not had a single vertigo attack (last one was on 20th November). Does this mean they have stopped or am I just being lulled into a false sense of well-being? I guess one can only hope for the best although perhaps I should make that ENT appointment, just in case.
December saw the beginning of a cluster of family birthdays. MOH on 2nd December and our two grandsons on 20th and 30th December respectively. We celebrated our 30 year old's at his folks place but of course could only send a card to the 24 year old as, like his sister who has a birthday in May, we no longer see of hear from them. We still silently wish them well though.
Son and daughter-in-law celebrate their birthdays in September and July but in their case as well we can do nothing except send greeting cards and silently wish them all life's best.
Looking back on 2012, you could say ours is not what one would call an exciting life. We do go out for the occasional hotel lunch with friends but no holidays or movies or the like. We live quietly at home with our little cat and see our family as often as possible.
I have my computer and enjoy checking in with blogging friends, and reading, and MOH enjoys his classical music and his more serious reading and sojourns in the garden trying to keep it in some sort of order. Thanks to a friend in New Zealand I discovered author Lee Child last year and really enjoy his books. Unfortunately I have now read nearly all of them but I am sure before too long I will be reading them for as second time. He was born in Coventry, UK where MOH hails from. I also began re-reading books by Dick Francis whose books I have here. They are a good stand-by when I can't find suitable reading at our local library.
Although not an exciting life we must be thankful we are still here to enjoy it and hope that 2013 will continue to see us remain reasonably healthy (with the help of our medical friends and lots of tablets each day) and safe. We wish the same for all our family and our friends in various parts of the world.
As we were at our granddaughters's home for Christmas Day and nobody was expected here over the festive season we had not bothered with decorations. Just a few on the mantlepiece for a bit of fun and I had blue tacked all the Christmas Cards to the door frame and the bi-fold door where they looked so pretty. We received some lovely cards from near and far as well as some via Jacquie Lawson e-cards which are always so beautiful.
In the 5 days since New Year's Day I've been doing a little reminiscing about 2012 trying to think of the important things that happened during those 366 days. (During those 5 days of course I had my 81st birthday with a visit from my daughter, granddaughter and Immy and AJ which was much appreciated).
Of course I celebrated the big 80 on 2 January last year which amazed me. I remember towards the end of the 20th century never imagining I would see the year 2000 and there I was celebrating my birthday in 2012.
Our eldest granddaughter also celebrated her birthday on 31st January.
February saw the family all getting together to say happy birthday to Immy, our #2 great-granddaughter, who celebrated her 4th birthday on 12 February. She had just begun attending kindergarten so she had two reasons to celebrate.
March and April continued to be quite hot and then on 26th April the family welcomed AJ, our third great-granddaughter. It was so lovely to be able to visit her in the hospital as when her sister was born their parents were living in Sydney.
In June and July we celebrated #2 granddaughter's birthday and my daughter's birthday and then in August it was our son-in-law's turn.
It was at about this time that MOH was diagnosed with severe sleep apnoea and he bought his sleep machine which has turned out to be a godsend and we both enjoy more peaceful nights now.
In September our #1 great-granddaughter turned sweet sixteen. She had a party with friends and I understand really enjoyed herself.
In October the family were once again all at our eldest granddaughter's home to celebrate her husband's birthday and also her sister's birthday (our #3 granddaughter) and to wish her bon voyage as she (#3 g/daughter) was about to depart shortly afterwards to spend 2 years in Alaska.
Immy watches as her dad and auntie blow out their birthday candles.
I began having attacks of vertigo in October which were most unpleasant. I saw an ENT specialist early December who said it may be Meniere's and I was to see him again in March for a final diagnosis. The strange thing is that since seeing him I have not had a single vertigo attack (last one was on 20th November). Does this mean they have stopped or am I just being lulled into a false sense of well-being? I guess one can only hope for the best although perhaps I should make that ENT appointment, just in case.
December saw the beginning of a cluster of family birthdays. MOH on 2nd December and our two grandsons on 20th and 30th December respectively. We celebrated our 30 year old's at his folks place but of course could only send a card to the 24 year old as, like his sister who has a birthday in May, we no longer see of hear from them. We still silently wish them well though.
Son and daughter-in-law celebrate their birthdays in September and July but in their case as well we can do nothing except send greeting cards and silently wish them all life's best.
Looking back on 2012, you could say ours is not what one would call an exciting life. We do go out for the occasional hotel lunch with friends but no holidays or movies or the like. We live quietly at home with our little cat and see our family as often as possible.
I have my computer and enjoy checking in with blogging friends, and reading, and MOH enjoys his classical music and his more serious reading and sojourns in the garden trying to keep it in some sort of order. Thanks to a friend in New Zealand I discovered author Lee Child last year and really enjoy his books. Unfortunately I have now read nearly all of them but I am sure before too long I will be reading them for as second time. He was born in Coventry, UK where MOH hails from. I also began re-reading books by Dick Francis whose books I have here. They are a good stand-by when I can't find suitable reading at our local library.
Although not an exciting life we must be thankful we are still here to enjoy it and hope that 2013 will continue to see us remain reasonably healthy (with the help of our medical friends and lots of tablets each day) and safe. We wish the same for all our family and our friends in various parts of the world.
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
A WONDERFUL BIRTHDAY AND IT'S NOT OVER YET...
No, I didn't have a cake with candles but when my lovely daughter came this morning, with our oldest granddaughter and her beautiful girls, she brought some delicious carrot cake which we really enjoyed. After all we would have needed a huge cake to accommodate 81 candles and it would never have got eaten.
We both enjoyed having Immy (she is so lovely) and AJ (she is such a good baby and a real character) here with their mum and my daughter has never missed seeing me on my birthday for which I am so grateful to her for. This year she didn't bring lunch for us as she is on a strict diet (as many of you will know) and although she said she was being selfish in not bringing lunch I feel her health is more important right now than anything else. I didn't feel she was being selfish and completely understood where she was coming from.
It has been a wonderful day so far. I've received quite a few very pretty cards and several friends have rung me wishing me a happy birthday. I just had birthday phone call from my #2 granddaughter and earlier today we all talked to #3 granddaughter and her friend (in Alaska) using Skype. What a wonderful invention that is as a means of keeping in touch with family in distant places. Even MOH sat and had a chat and he is not one for computers and the like but I feel he was quite impressed with Skype.
As we were both full after eating the carrot cake we decided against a normal lunch so had smoked oysters, cheese (50% less fat of course) and cracker biscuits. Nice to do something like that for a change.
Tonight, to finish off what has been a most rewarding and delightful day, we will have Chinese take-away which is something we both enjoy. It is a meal we denied ourselves for many years because of us both being diabetic but we have now decided that as we are both in our 80s we both deserve treats from time to time as a reward for being good for so long; well most of the time anyway.
The weatherman has also smiled kindly on me for my birthday. After many hot days ranging from 37C through to 42C it has only been 28C today and tomorrow will also be quite cool before more hot weather on the weekend and early next week. I have been so grateful today that the weatherman took pity on me. : )
Tuesday, January 1, 2013
A SPECIAL NEW YEAR'S EVE
Last night became a wonderful way to end the old year and welcome in the new. We thought to try and make it a little special as in previous years (prior to the air machine) MOH had nearly always dozed off at about 10pm and I'd had to wake him at midnight to wish him happy new year. He seldom dozes off during the evening these days which shows just how well it is working for him.
We had an enjoyable chicken meal with a glass of very nice white wine and we watched "Inspector Rex" and then switched over to the latter part of the Edinburgh Military Tattoo and following that we revelled in watching "Last Night of the Proms 2012". The conductor Jiri Belohlavek was magnificent as was the talented female violinist Nicola Benditti and the Maltese tenor Joseph Calleja. We'd thought there was nothing to watch when we first glanced at the TV programme but then it all fell into place.
While viewing the above we treated ourselves to camembert cheese and Jatz crackers and shared a small bottle of Toohey's Old. I do not like beer but this is one drink I do enjoy in moderation.
This took us up to 11.50pm when we switched to the last few minutes of the broadcast from Sydney (they are 3 hours ahead of us so of course it was a delayed telecast) and I must say this was the most disappointing part of the night leading up to midnight. Sure we saw the fireworks on Sydney Harbour which are always pretty to watch but the rest left a lot to be desired so we contented ourselves just watching the fireworks until we reached the midnight hour.
A quick kiss and wishes of Happy New Year and 2013 had begun. We talked about how we hoped 2013 would be kind to us and our loved ones and that we would try and keep as healthy as possible and enjoy life a little more than in 2012 during which we had a few trials and tribulations.
We spoke about it this morning, after a horrible night when it was hot and very humid, and declared it was one of the most enjoyable New Year Eves we had shared for many a long year.
I hope you also enjoyed whatever it was you were doing last night. We certainly did.
(Picture by courtesy of Fotosearch)