In Perth we are enduring a very prolonged heatwave with temps up to 42C (107F) and it is going on and on. Summer officially ends tomorrow but the heat continues and, knowing what the month of March can be like in our city, one would expect little respite for some weeks to come.
I mentioned our ducted R/C aircon was waiting to be fixed and meanwhile we only have the old hole in the wall aircon in the living room. Don't get me wrong it works a treat but only cools down that one living area. There is a large fan in the kitchen but it is just too hot to be excited about cooking so it is cold food and salads. We both love those foods but I am waiting for a day when I can turn the griller or oven on and have something different to eat.
The bedroom has an overhead fan which works well but when the night temps are so high sleep is not as good as it should be. I noticed the last couple of nights that even my cat left the bed and slept on the floor although I notice she picks a spot that is nearly right underneath the ceiling fan.
Then it comes to jobs I am in the midst of doing which just get left in abeyance while it is so hot. Still lots of sorting going on as usual and it is those times when I seem to have more bits and pieces than usual spread out everywhere mainly cos I have piles of this and that to go here and there and I just give up and wait for the cooler weather.
I guess I live an almost aimless type of existence in heatwave conditions BUT when that aircon is fixed I promise myself I will once again get on top of everything and keep on sorting and sorting until, hopefully one day, everything will be in its place and there will be a place for everything. Am trying to remember for how many years I have been saying that!! One good thing though, no matter how big the muddle I always know where to find anything I want which is more than lots of people tidy people can say. Guess it proves that there can be order in chaos after all.
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
ARE MODERN GOODS ARE RELIABLE AS THOSE OF OLD?
I am really beginning to wonder about the reliability of goods of all kinds that we buy these days compared with those 'back then'.
We had a solar hot water system made especially for our home back in about 1975 and it is still (touch wood) working really well. We did have a valve go on it about 10 years ago but since then few problems. Now I am told that a solar HWS may only last up to 10 years but why? It seems to be the same with so many things we buy these days, even really reliable brands.
25 years ago I bought a hole in the wall R/C airconditioner for our living room so by now it must be anything from 35+ years old. Turn it on...it works. A little noisier than some modern wall splits but IT WORKS.
In October 2006 we had a ducted (5 outlet) R/C airconditioner installed and even in the first season it did not appear to work as well as one would expect. Found we had to ring Melbourne, Victoria (we are in Perth) and the chap asked if we had cleaned the filter. We had but said we would do it again. Ridiculous as you only need to do that a couple of times a year. He then said it would be 3 weeks before he could have anyone check it out. We checked the filter again and decided we couldn't bother ringing back. Silly of us but I lots of us get that way at times.....sort of put it in the 'too hard' basket.
Last year it really began acting a little strange and wouldn't cool the rooms down at all. In fact, if anything, the temperature would go up!!! Rang the installers who recommended a chap that specialises in this brand of airconditioner.
He arrived and within minutes found that gas had been leaking, mended the leak and pumped 1kg of gas in. Great and many thanks and an account of $160. Worked for about a week and then more problems and more heating isntead of cooling.
The technician came back, ran checks and found more leaks.....new LARGE part required. One was ordered from Victoria and we had to wait until our tech had a window in his tight schedule to instal new part. Last Saturday he arrived, installed new part but SOMETHING WASN'T RIGHT. He had worked for 90 minutes only to find leaks in the new part. Could fix them but that would nullify the guarantee on the part!!! What to do? He rang Melbourne on Monday and ordered another new part and this time would they damned well please test it before shipping it over.
Now this will take at least a week by road to arrive but our great guy has promised he will give it priority as soon as the part arrives. The replacement plus installation etc is going to cost us over $1,000 and when on a pension that sort of money is a real problem but a kindly loan will overcome that problem, one we can pay back as we can.
Thank goodness for the old airconditioner in the wall. We are so thankful we didn't have it removed when the ducted one was installed.
We asked our tech why it worked so well compared with the new one (which by the way he says is a reliable brand) and he said when it was made it would have been tested in the workshop before shipping to make sure it was OK which it still is.
Although our current aircon is covered for 5 years for replacement of faulty parts and labour the firm has been placed in the hands of a receiver. We can still send our accounts to them and in time we could be lucky to receive about 30 cents in the dollar which will probably amount to about $300 if we are lucky.
To top all this off, we are heading for a really bad heatwave this week. Temperatures above 35 and up to 40 for at least the next week. Hot nights as well (thank goodness for the overhead fan in the bedroom but the airconditioner is really needed to cool the room before going to bed).
We are keeping our fingers crossed that next time all will be well and with March still ahead of us which is usually hot and humid we just may get the relief we have been longing for over past weeks.
I know this is longwinded but I just had to get it off my chest and I truly do feel that modern appliances, etc., quite often do not come up to our expectations and their reliability leaves a lot to be desired.
We had a solar hot water system made especially for our home back in about 1975 and it is still (touch wood) working really well. We did have a valve go on it about 10 years ago but since then few problems. Now I am told that a solar HWS may only last up to 10 years but why? It seems to be the same with so many things we buy these days, even really reliable brands.
25 years ago I bought a hole in the wall R/C airconditioner for our living room so by now it must be anything from 35+ years old. Turn it on...it works. A little noisier than some modern wall splits but IT WORKS.
In October 2006 we had a ducted (5 outlet) R/C airconditioner installed and even in the first season it did not appear to work as well as one would expect. Found we had to ring Melbourne, Victoria (we are in Perth) and the chap asked if we had cleaned the filter. We had but said we would do it again. Ridiculous as you only need to do that a couple of times a year. He then said it would be 3 weeks before he could have anyone check it out. We checked the filter again and decided we couldn't bother ringing back. Silly of us but I lots of us get that way at times.....sort of put it in the 'too hard' basket.
Last year it really began acting a little strange and wouldn't cool the rooms down at all. In fact, if anything, the temperature would go up!!! Rang the installers who recommended a chap that specialises in this brand of airconditioner.
He arrived and within minutes found that gas had been leaking, mended the leak and pumped 1kg of gas in. Great and many thanks and an account of $160. Worked for about a week and then more problems and more heating isntead of cooling.
The technician came back, ran checks and found more leaks.....new LARGE part required. One was ordered from Victoria and we had to wait until our tech had a window in his tight schedule to instal new part. Last Saturday he arrived, installed new part but SOMETHING WASN'T RIGHT. He had worked for 90 minutes only to find leaks in the new part. Could fix them but that would nullify the guarantee on the part!!! What to do? He rang Melbourne on Monday and ordered another new part and this time would they damned well please test it before shipping it over.
Now this will take at least a week by road to arrive but our great guy has promised he will give it priority as soon as the part arrives. The replacement plus installation etc is going to cost us over $1,000 and when on a pension that sort of money is a real problem but a kindly loan will overcome that problem, one we can pay back as we can.
Thank goodness for the old airconditioner in the wall. We are so thankful we didn't have it removed when the ducted one was installed.
We asked our tech why it worked so well compared with the new one (which by the way he says is a reliable brand) and he said when it was made it would have been tested in the workshop before shipping to make sure it was OK which it still is.
Although our current aircon is covered for 5 years for replacement of faulty parts and labour the firm has been placed in the hands of a receiver. We can still send our accounts to them and in time we could be lucky to receive about 30 cents in the dollar which will probably amount to about $300 if we are lucky.
To top all this off, we are heading for a really bad heatwave this week. Temperatures above 35 and up to 40 for at least the next week. Hot nights as well (thank goodness for the overhead fan in the bedroom but the airconditioner is really needed to cool the room before going to bed).
We are keeping our fingers crossed that next time all will be well and with March still ahead of us which is usually hot and humid we just may get the relief we have been longing for over past weeks.
I know this is longwinded but I just had to get it off my chest and I truly do feel that modern appliances, etc., quite often do not come up to our expectations and their reliability leaves a lot to be desired.
NO FEAR OF OLD AGE
I think I have mentioned in a previous blog that each Wednesday moning I become part of a group of oldies who go to our physiotherapist to do exercises. There is often up to 10 of us and we are all aged over 78 and up to 85 with various types of medical or physical problems.
We do sitting down exercises, use weights and also do balance and stretching exercises. We usually have someone tell at last one joke each week and we have lots of fun and laugh a lot.
Last week Jenny, our physio, who would be about 50ish, said: "After knowing all of you for a few years I now realise that I have no fear of getting old. You all still seem to enjoy life so much."
Yes, there are many problems that come with advancing years but you can't just sit and complain about it....you have to get on with life and if you can be an inspiration for someone 30+ years younger than you then you feel you have done a good job.
We do sitting down exercises, use weights and also do balance and stretching exercises. We usually have someone tell at last one joke each week and we have lots of fun and laugh a lot.
Last week Jenny, our physio, who would be about 50ish, said: "After knowing all of you for a few years I now realise that I have no fear of getting old. You all still seem to enjoy life so much."
Yes, there are many problems that come with advancing years but you can't just sit and complain about it....you have to get on with life and if you can be an inspiration for someone 30+ years younger than you then you feel you have done a good job.
Friday, February 19, 2010
A NEW FIVE YEAR PLAN
As anyone who has followed my blog would know I am now 78 and my husband is 80. In 2004 we had to make a big decision....whether to stay in this little old house of ours or try and find somewhere else to live. We are not retirement village type people in the true sense and why move to another house when we are happy in this one?
We took a big step and this was all part of a Five Year Plan (this was actually in mid 2004) and decided to stay here. 'Cos of my increasing problems with osteo arthritis we had to have our bathroom completely renovated and also needed a new smaller car.
How were we to do this? Had to take out a bank loan of course and unfortunately one of those where the interest compounds as we could not afford monthly repayments. The interest rates did go in our favour for a while although on the increase now.
Five and a half years later we have never regretted staying here...the bathroom is just wonderful and although the little Getz car is now over five and a half years old it has been well looked after and still runs like a new car and we find it ideal for our purpose.
Yesterday I brought up the fact that we should look another 5 years ahead. One never knows at any age how long one will survive but even at our advanced age you do have to look to the future, and hope you do have a future ahead of you.
This cottage (it is regarded as a cottage in today's housing terms) is about 50 years old but is still in pretty good nick. It is mainly the outside of the house that is a problem as I can do little outdoors any more and hubby, although willing, finds the heat rather a nuisance and just cannot do all that he once did. We have been fortunate in finding a wonderful young man who has been working tidying up our run-down garden and have had assistance in doing this for which we will be eternally grateful. We need to make our outside areas safer for me to walk and have a garden which is going to be almost care free apart from watering and occasional pruning. If we could only control those pesky weeds (if they were worth money they probably wouldn't grow at all).
Another big decision to be made.....do we endeavour to stay another 5 years in our home (we have been here since 1974) and perhaps hope we win Lotto (fat chance) when we could completely renovate or rebuild (dream on) or borrow some more money from the bank to have some essential work done? OR just put up with it the way it is and hope eventually we can do what needs doing bit by bit?
It is something perhaps we should talk to our family about but does it really concern them? They have their own interests and life to deal with. Of course, if we do take out a further loan from the bank, we lose even more equity in the house which would be a problem should we have to eventually move.
We both hope we can stay the distance in our home but...........and it is a big, big BUT.
I only wrote this particular post because I needed to put it all down in the hope that in doing so I would come up with a brilliant idea whilst doing so. Oh dear, no brilliance yet. More talk needed and some cooler weather too which would make it easier for both of us to think more clearly perhaps. When you get older the heat sort of stops you in your tracks both mentally and physically. Our aircon should be repaired tomorrow and that will help considerably with the hot week ahead.
You will have to forgive these meanderings as I know they are of little interest to others but I felt I had to get it off my chest.
We took a big step and this was all part of a Five Year Plan (this was actually in mid 2004) and decided to stay here. 'Cos of my increasing problems with osteo arthritis we had to have our bathroom completely renovated and also needed a new smaller car.
How were we to do this? Had to take out a bank loan of course and unfortunately one of those where the interest compounds as we could not afford monthly repayments. The interest rates did go in our favour for a while although on the increase now.
Five and a half years later we have never regretted staying here...the bathroom is just wonderful and although the little Getz car is now over five and a half years old it has been well looked after and still runs like a new car and we find it ideal for our purpose.
Yesterday I brought up the fact that we should look another 5 years ahead. One never knows at any age how long one will survive but even at our advanced age you do have to look to the future, and hope you do have a future ahead of you.
This cottage (it is regarded as a cottage in today's housing terms) is about 50 years old but is still in pretty good nick. It is mainly the outside of the house that is a problem as I can do little outdoors any more and hubby, although willing, finds the heat rather a nuisance and just cannot do all that he once did. We have been fortunate in finding a wonderful young man who has been working tidying up our run-down garden and have had assistance in doing this for which we will be eternally grateful. We need to make our outside areas safer for me to walk and have a garden which is going to be almost care free apart from watering and occasional pruning. If we could only control those pesky weeds (if they were worth money they probably wouldn't grow at all).
Another big decision to be made.....do we endeavour to stay another 5 years in our home (we have been here since 1974) and perhaps hope we win Lotto (fat chance) when we could completely renovate or rebuild (dream on) or borrow some more money from the bank to have some essential work done? OR just put up with it the way it is and hope eventually we can do what needs doing bit by bit?
It is something perhaps we should talk to our family about but does it really concern them? They have their own interests and life to deal with. Of course, if we do take out a further loan from the bank, we lose even more equity in the house which would be a problem should we have to eventually move.
We both hope we can stay the distance in our home but...........and it is a big, big BUT.
I only wrote this particular post because I needed to put it all down in the hope that in doing so I would come up with a brilliant idea whilst doing so. Oh dear, no brilliance yet. More talk needed and some cooler weather too which would make it easier for both of us to think more clearly perhaps. When you get older the heat sort of stops you in your tracks both mentally and physically. Our aircon should be repaired tomorrow and that will help considerably with the hot week ahead.
You will have to forgive these meanderings as I know they are of little interest to others but I felt I had to get it off my chest.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
MEMORIES....OF A LIFELONG FRIEND
I sat quietly for some time yesterday remembering a friend of mine. Why? Because it was one year yesterday since she died, succumbing to a horrible cancer that took over her body and against which she seemed unable to fight.
This lady was a fighter but this was one battle she couldn't win. Perhaps she went about it the wrong way, as she often did with problems in her life, but, no matter what, she was lost to those that loved her.
My husband and I were so pleased to be part of a family get together at the hospital where she was on New Year's Day in 2009. Her 4 children (and two of their partners) and two other friends and their partners were all there. A lovely light meal was provided and we spent several hours going over Judy's lifetime which at times was very lighthearted and we had many good laughs talking about escapades she had got up to during her life. She certainly was quite a character.
I first met Judy in 1944 when I was 12 and was commencing at a new school. We were in the same class and at that time I certainly didn't like her one little bit. She was a bit of a devil and she and another Judy could cause quite a lot of disruption in the classroom. I, being a rather quiet child, found this wrong and so we definitely did not become friends at that time. Judy left that school at the end of 1944 as it had been suggsted to her parents that she may do better at another school. Enough said.
I am not quite sure how we eventually became friends but it may have been through our parents who I believe belonged to the same political party. All I know is we did become very good pals and when I was 18 I was bridesmaid at her wedding to her first husband.
They had a few problems themselves but when she was in her early 20s they reconciled and she went to live in Katanning, a country town in the wheatbelt about 180 miles south of Perth where I was still living.
I dearly wanted her to be matron of honour at my own wedding but she was heavily pregnant at the time and in those days one would not have been part of a bridal party in that 'condition'. I doubt anyone would find it a problem now.
She and her family would quite frequently come to stay with us and we with them and we always had a great time and our children all got on well together.
Her marriage ended and she moved back to Perth with her youngsters and once again we saw quite a lot of each other. My own marriage ended several years later but my friendship with Judy continued on and on.
Eventually she went to live in the country once again only this time only about 70 km from where we lived and, although we didn't see each other so frequently there were quite often lengthy telephone calls between the two of us and we would meet for lunch at different places.
She did remarry, a man many years older than herself, and I think they were happy for the few years they were together.
Judy could be a quite difficult person and had some strange ways and ideas (don't we all at times?) but I think she was so special to me because we understood each other very well and we had so many laughs together, often at each other's expense but with no hard feelings about it.
We would go to each other's homes and laugh at how we both were the sort of people that were constantly sorting through things in an effort to unclutter our lives, something we never really seemed to be able to do. This was always a source of great amusement to us both. I would sometimes ring her and ask what she was up to and she would reply "Oh, just sorting out some stuff I want to get rid of".
I think she was worse even than me 'cos she would take things to the op shop and often come home with more 'stuff'. I was wiser and would get my husband to take a car boot full of bits and pieces to the op shop in the knowledge that he would not bring anything back with him.
Judy and I may not have always seen eye to eye but I have never been sorry that she was part of my life for so many years (65 of them to be exact) and I do miss her so very much. I do remember all the good times we had. Sleep on Judy...all the pain has gone and you are hopefully at peace.
This lady was a fighter but this was one battle she couldn't win. Perhaps she went about it the wrong way, as she often did with problems in her life, but, no matter what, she was lost to those that loved her.
My husband and I were so pleased to be part of a family get together at the hospital where she was on New Year's Day in 2009. Her 4 children (and two of their partners) and two other friends and their partners were all there. A lovely light meal was provided and we spent several hours going over Judy's lifetime which at times was very lighthearted and we had many good laughs talking about escapades she had got up to during her life. She certainly was quite a character.
I first met Judy in 1944 when I was 12 and was commencing at a new school. We were in the same class and at that time I certainly didn't like her one little bit. She was a bit of a devil and she and another Judy could cause quite a lot of disruption in the classroom. I, being a rather quiet child, found this wrong and so we definitely did not become friends at that time. Judy left that school at the end of 1944 as it had been suggsted to her parents that she may do better at another school. Enough said.
I am not quite sure how we eventually became friends but it may have been through our parents who I believe belonged to the same political party. All I know is we did become very good pals and when I was 18 I was bridesmaid at her wedding to her first husband.
They had a few problems themselves but when she was in her early 20s they reconciled and she went to live in Katanning, a country town in the wheatbelt about 180 miles south of Perth where I was still living.
I dearly wanted her to be matron of honour at my own wedding but she was heavily pregnant at the time and in those days one would not have been part of a bridal party in that 'condition'. I doubt anyone would find it a problem now.
She and her family would quite frequently come to stay with us and we with them and we always had a great time and our children all got on well together.
Her marriage ended and she moved back to Perth with her youngsters and once again we saw quite a lot of each other. My own marriage ended several years later but my friendship with Judy continued on and on.
Eventually she went to live in the country once again only this time only about 70 km from where we lived and, although we didn't see each other so frequently there were quite often lengthy telephone calls between the two of us and we would meet for lunch at different places.
She did remarry, a man many years older than herself, and I think they were happy for the few years they were together.
Judy could be a quite difficult person and had some strange ways and ideas (don't we all at times?) but I think she was so special to me because we understood each other very well and we had so many laughs together, often at each other's expense but with no hard feelings about it.
We would go to each other's homes and laugh at how we both were the sort of people that were constantly sorting through things in an effort to unclutter our lives, something we never really seemed to be able to do. This was always a source of great amusement to us both. I would sometimes ring her and ask what she was up to and she would reply "Oh, just sorting out some stuff I want to get rid of".
I think she was worse even than me 'cos she would take things to the op shop and often come home with more 'stuff'. I was wiser and would get my husband to take a car boot full of bits and pieces to the op shop in the knowledge that he would not bring anything back with him.
Judy and I may not have always seen eye to eye but I have never been sorry that she was part of my life for so many years (65 of them to be exact) and I do miss her so very much. I do remember all the good times we had. Sleep on Judy...all the pain has gone and you are hopefully at peace.
MEMORIES ...... OF A LOVELY GENTLE LADY
112 years ago today, in 1898, Grace Elizabeth Harring was born. I have wonderful memories of her....she was my first mother-in-law. I actually knew her parents before I met her as our family were adjacent neighbours to them although she lived in the same street. We were at 524, her parents at 526 and she at 556.
I first met Grace in 1952 when I began dating her son. I didn't see her all that often as young people in those days didn't have their own cars and, by then, my family had moved further away so my boyfriend would ride his bike over nearly every night or weekend. When we went out we normally went by bus although on special occasions we did borrow his step-dad's car.
This dear lady had been widowed in 1940 when only 42 leaving her with an 18y.o. daughter and an 8y.o.son. Fortunately her daughter was working in an office but the son still had to be educated and the usual provisions were needed for a normal family life.
Grace had been trained as a dressmaker/tailoress so she took up that trade and worked from home to keep the 'wolf from the door'. She eventually met and married a fantastic man in 1946. He adored her and she him and my children (who had not known their true grandfather) loved him very much too, as did we all. He unfortunately died in 1970 leaving Grace once again on her own but this time well provided for. I think when Jim died part of her died as well.
Speaking of her prowess as a seamstress, she made my wedding gown and going away outfit when I married her son in 1953. My wedding outfit consisted of a strapless dress with a long-sleeved lace jacket. She made me laugh when she wanted to make the dress almost skin tight in case it fell down. I had quite a reasonable bust so there was no way that this could happen but, not having made strapless gowns before, I had trouble persuading her that all would be well. These clothes she made were beautiful and she even covered the tiny buttons that went all the way down the front of the lace jacket and also made a hat to be worn with the suit she had made me. While all this was going on she and I got to know each other extremely well.
13 years later her son and I separated and eventually divorced and one of the saddest things about that event was the fact that I didn't see many members of his family after that. Not having had grandparents, aunts, uncles or cousins in Australia it had been great for me to become part of a larger family and I admit I did miss them.
In later years I did get to see Grace again for which I was very thankful and we still got on as well as we had previously. I was very sad when she became too ill to live in her home and had to move into a nursing home. We saw much less of her then.
I often think back and realise how glad I am that she was once part of my life. An ordinary Australian lady but she was gentle and kind in her own way and I don't think I could have asked for a better mother-in-law.
Grace passed away in 1986 at the grand age of 88. Memories of her are still very vivid in my mind.
FOOTNOTE: My second mother-in-law lived in England so we never met but she and I used to correspond regularly and we too I think would have got on well had we been able to get to know each other better.
I first met Grace in 1952 when I began dating her son. I didn't see her all that often as young people in those days didn't have their own cars and, by then, my family had moved further away so my boyfriend would ride his bike over nearly every night or weekend. When we went out we normally went by bus although on special occasions we did borrow his step-dad's car.
This dear lady had been widowed in 1940 when only 42 leaving her with an 18y.o. daughter and an 8y.o.son. Fortunately her daughter was working in an office but the son still had to be educated and the usual provisions were needed for a normal family life.
Grace had been trained as a dressmaker/tailoress so she took up that trade and worked from home to keep the 'wolf from the door'. She eventually met and married a fantastic man in 1946. He adored her and she him and my children (who had not known their true grandfather) loved him very much too, as did we all. He unfortunately died in 1970 leaving Grace once again on her own but this time well provided for. I think when Jim died part of her died as well.
Speaking of her prowess as a seamstress, she made my wedding gown and going away outfit when I married her son in 1953. My wedding outfit consisted of a strapless dress with a long-sleeved lace jacket. She made me laugh when she wanted to make the dress almost skin tight in case it fell down. I had quite a reasonable bust so there was no way that this could happen but, not having made strapless gowns before, I had trouble persuading her that all would be well. These clothes she made were beautiful and she even covered the tiny buttons that went all the way down the front of the lace jacket and also made a hat to be worn with the suit she had made me. While all this was going on she and I got to know each other extremely well.
13 years later her son and I separated and eventually divorced and one of the saddest things about that event was the fact that I didn't see many members of his family after that. Not having had grandparents, aunts, uncles or cousins in Australia it had been great for me to become part of a larger family and I admit I did miss them.
In later years I did get to see Grace again for which I was very thankful and we still got on as well as we had previously. I was very sad when she became too ill to live in her home and had to move into a nursing home. We saw much less of her then.
I often think back and realise how glad I am that she was once part of my life. An ordinary Australian lady but she was gentle and kind in her own way and I don't think I could have asked for a better mother-in-law.
Grace passed away in 1986 at the grand age of 88. Memories of her are still very vivid in my mind.
FOOTNOTE: My second mother-in-law lived in England so we never met but she and I used to correspond regularly and we too I think would have got on well had we been able to get to know each other better.
Saturday, February 13, 2010
A WONDERFUL BIRTHDAY PARTY
Today our youngest great-granddaughter (I think of her as our little rosebud) had a party to celebrate her second birthday (her birthday was actually yesterday). Of course her mum and dad were there (in their really lovely new home) two aunts and a cousin, her grandparents and us (her g.g/parents).
Some time was spent with the birthday girl opening lots of presents ("the clothes I can look at later....lots of more exciting things than clothes" she seemed to say) and then we all sat down at a beautifully decorated long table and had fairy bread, crisps, little red sausages (I remember them from birthday parties years ago), chocolate crackles, some lovely iced cookies and cupcakes which were actually the birthday cake with one tiny cupcake with two candles, and those candles had to be blown out twice so photos could be taken. Then we of course had to sing Happy Birthday twice as well. It was all so well organised and enjoyable.
After all that there were more presents to open and although we were there for over two and half hours the guest of honour behaved extremely well all the time. She is such a credit to her parents and although she is surrounded by love all the time and given lovely gifts none of it seems to have spoilt her at all.
We all had a wonderful afternoon and it was so great to be included in this celebration as we seem to have missed out on quite a few family birthdays over the past year or so. We are so pleased that we were asked to attend this one and it is a day I shall remember for a long time to come.
I sometimes sort of hold my breath while watching this little child....she sort of seems so perfect in every way and is a wonder to behold. She has so much understanding for someone so young...they often say of children "that one has been here before" and I think that seems to be the case here. I hope I shall live long enough to at least see her grow up for a while yet.
Footnote: Whenever my grandchildren would have birthdays over the years their sisters/brothers also were given little gifts by me (to sort of spread the happiness aruond) and today I remembered I used to do that so gave our oldest g/granddaughter $5 to spend on herself. Thought it would be nice to carry the tradition on while I can. Next year I must try and remember to buy each of them a small gift on the other's birthday.
Some time was spent with the birthday girl opening lots of presents ("the clothes I can look at later....lots of more exciting things than clothes" she seemed to say) and then we all sat down at a beautifully decorated long table and had fairy bread, crisps, little red sausages (I remember them from birthday parties years ago), chocolate crackles, some lovely iced cookies and cupcakes which were actually the birthday cake with one tiny cupcake with two candles, and those candles had to be blown out twice so photos could be taken. Then we of course had to sing Happy Birthday twice as well. It was all so well organised and enjoyable.
After all that there were more presents to open and although we were there for over two and half hours the guest of honour behaved extremely well all the time. She is such a credit to her parents and although she is surrounded by love all the time and given lovely gifts none of it seems to have spoilt her at all.
We all had a wonderful afternoon and it was so great to be included in this celebration as we seem to have missed out on quite a few family birthdays over the past year or so. We are so pleased that we were asked to attend this one and it is a day I shall remember for a long time to come.
I sometimes sort of hold my breath while watching this little child....she sort of seems so perfect in every way and is a wonder to behold. She has so much understanding for someone so young...they often say of children "that one has been here before" and I think that seems to be the case here. I hope I shall live long enough to at least see her grow up for a while yet.
Footnote: Whenever my grandchildren would have birthdays over the years their sisters/brothers also were given little gifts by me (to sort of spread the happiness aruond) and today I remembered I used to do that so gave our oldest g/granddaughter $5 to spend on herself. Thought it would be nice to carry the tradition on while I can. Next year I must try and remember to buy each of them a small gift on the other's birthday.
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