WIP and Halloween

Have been battling some king of flu bug for the past week and feeling rather under the weather. Sore throat, aches and pains etc etc. Went to the doctor Friday just to get it checked out - came home with a script for an antibiotic in case it turned into some kind of bacterial infection. Feeling still poorly, and it being such a beautiful day in Sydney town yesterday I sat outdoors and took my current cross stitch piece.  I had taken it with me to NZ hoping while mum was in hospital I'd have 'plenty' of time to get some done - little did I know I'd be well occupied with other activities!

Anyway, had taken another photo of the piece prior to continuing with it yesterday so I've included it here to show where I'm up to.

Today has dawned warmer than normal but we are heading for rain by midday and this will continue for the rest of the week.  Whoever the long range forecaster was who told us a couple of months ago that we'd have rain right until Christmas is proving to be correct.  Normally at this time of the year we have quite dry weather but not at present.

October 31 today - doubt if we'll be having any little trick or treating visitors tonight.  There has been a certain reluctance on the part of Ozzie's to get too involved in this kind of activity however there is certainly a huge amount of stuff in the shops egging people on to buy, decorate, and go all out for Halloween this year. 

The two littlest grandies had a school Halloween disco and bbq last Friday night.  Apparently it was a good night for the kids but all eldest E7 got from it was a good head cold!  Boo-ey!

For all of you who do celebrate Halloween - have an exciting one!

Blessings!



Watching: Kim's Picks- Drawing Heaven

Saw this on facebook this morning - its incredible - have a  look (and thanks Kat for sharing it)

Blessings!


TVKim- Watching: Kim's Picks- Drawing Heaven

EXCITING NEWS FOR A11

Just saw a post on Facebook from Grand-daughter A11 - she's just home from 5 days at Kids Outdoor Zone PINK (for girls) and has announced that while away she not only caught a catfish but has accepted Christ into her heart.  Just jumping for joy - thankyou Jesus!

DH PAYS BUT I'M THE WINNER!

Last night we went to a function at our church - a pot luck supper to which everyone contributed then a fun auction to raise money for a street school in Lae, Papua New Guinea. Everyone had the opportunity to bid on an item - which was not so much products, but time. Many people had donated some of their own personal time and others bid on them. What a variety to choose from. Car washing, gardening, pet minding, child minding, swimming lessons, massages, facials, flower arranging, calligraphy lessons, handyman hours, cake baking and decorating, music and maths lessons, even how to put a computer together (which DH bid for and won), house cleaning. and so many other offers which very generous people had made. It took quite a long time to get through all the items but right at the end was up for bid, a weekend for two people at 'resort-style' accommodation close to one of Sydney's great beaches - Friday night to Sunday midday, meals included. DH had told me he was planning to bid on this item and we thought it would be popular. It was - but finally DH claimed the winning bid. We are planning to take this weekend away later in the year probably when the weather starts to get warmer again. A nice little getaway to look forward to. The auction made just over $4,000.00 which everyone was absolutely thrilled about. An estimate at the beginning of the evening was $500!

This money raised will provide much needed educational aids for the street school run by two national young men who attend our church in Lae. They have had little formal education but certainly knew much more than the 200 or more kids that cram into a small room eager to learn what they can. About 12 months ago they began with nothing except the kids in the room. Then someone donated a white board and pen. A friend of ours is working in PNG at present and she was able to get donations enough to provide each child with a notebook and pencil. That is all the equipment they have - until now. Can you imagine what $4000 will purchase in this developing country? Education in PNG is not compulsory and the majority of parents do not have the finances to send their kids to schools which are expensive. We were so thrilled to be part of encouraging these young men in their endeavour to give of themselves to help these youngsters learn so much more than they would ever have had the opportunity otherwise.

A very satisfying evening!

Have a good week - Bless you!

WEEKEND UPDATE

Today is grand-daughter E's 18th birthday. I've just come in from having lunch with her - a very quick 25 minute 'grab' as she is working today at her part time job - but it was nice to spend even that time helping her celebrate a very momentus day in her life. She will be having a real celebration next weekend at her 'theme' party when all her family and friends will gather to mark the occasion.

I didn't take her gift with me because although the actual quilt is finished, I've still to stitch the 'pioneer story' to the back of it. (thanks to Susan and Shelagh for their info re this - it worked out a treat!).

Update on BIL in Perth - he has had a good few days with a home respite visit on Saturday. His new wife needed to get him back to the hospital by 10am Sunday otherwise he would have 'lost' his bed. The health system here is in disarray but despite that he has confidence in his doctors and the treatment regime he's under at present. The full body scan last Friday revealed no other abnormalities and we thank God for that. Now he just has to concentrate on surgery for the removal of the tumour behind his eye and then to get well. We believe he is in God's hands and are praying that His will shall be done.

Attended a baby shower for little 'Anzac' - code name for a little 'nearly due' bub whose mum is an Aussie and dad is a Kiwi. I think its rather cute actually and the name has actually grown on us all that know this couple. In fact we have heard of at least one baby who is now about 7 months old who has been named Anzac. Anyway the shower was a huge success. Played silly games like collecting a baby safety pin from someone each time the word 'b a b y' was used - the person with the most pins at the end of the afternoon won a little prize - and one I thought was rather cute, a tiny plastic baby had been frozen in ice cubes prior to the afternoon and at a given time, everyone was given a cube to place in their drink and the first 'baby' to be born (or thawed) was the winner. A quiz using the names given to baby animals also kept us amused for quite some time. Many of them I didn't know so learned something new. Taste testing purchased baby foods was also something that was an interesting game and most of us declared that home cooked food was far superior in taste.

DH and I are looking forward to visiting our US family at the end of the month. It is 5 years since DH saw the grandies and DIL and 3 years for me so it will be a good 'catch up' time for everyone.

Meantime our weather still remains so hot and humid. Feel like a grease spot most of the time. Even though nights are cooler than they have been, it is still not easy to sleep with the humidity being so high. As I sit here typing the perspiration is just rolling off me - even after taking a shower, once I get out and dried, I feel like hopping in again! A catch 22! Roll on Autumn.

Purple runner beans I planted about 5 weeks ago are just flowering and I'm hoping we will get a few to freeze before we leave. I feel sure we will if this heat keeps up another couple of weeks. The lettuce are almost ready to pick but those I planted in a tub I've been using for over a week now. They are so tender and I'm just picking the outside leaves off as they get large enough.

I visited a new doctor this morning as I plan to transfer from the one we've been attending for the last 11 years - long story which I won't bore you with - but I mentioned to her that I've been trying to lose some weight over the past 3 or 4 months and have succeeded so far in only shedding 6 and a bit kilo (14 pounds) so when she weighed me and measured my height was surprised when she told me definitely not to lose any more - my BMI is now right for my height. I didn 't think I'd lost that much really, however I'll take her word for it. Am still planning to continue on with the same kind of regime but will now begin to add a little more carbs however I don't think I run any sort of risk of losing anything more - I've remained fairly static for the past few weeks despite not deviating in food intake.

That's about all for now - blessings all and have a good week!

Our family members at 'Anzac's' baby shower - from left - 18yr old grand-daughter, expectant mum, her MIL, my DIL, me and my niece - all with surname McInnes!

BIRTHDAY BOY

Family birthdays can be such fun. Last week our littlest grandbaby turned 4. Such a big boy now!

We helped celebrate with a BBQ lunch yestereday. A beautifully sunny day with a temperature of 20 degrees. Perfect for winter bbq-ing!

What did he want to decorate his cake? Spiderman or Lightning McQueen! Well Grandma chose the easiest one.

Pure concentration to blow out candles. Wonder what his special wish was?





Wonder why little boys love the creepy crawlies? This remote snake was not given by his grandparents. LOL

This morning I was forced into some sense of ‘normalcy’ when at 7.50am the doorbell rang and two little grandsons E5 and L3 burst in the door. “Ganma” – the chatter began – verbal bedlam reigned with them trying to get a word in edgeways above their mum and me trying to hold some semblance of an understandable conversation.

They were so excited to be ‘back’ at Granma’s house. Today and tomorrow I will only need to drop them off to school and preschool and later on, pick them up and have them here for a couple of hours until Mum arrives to take them home. I think I should be able to cope with that reasonably well. Next week will see me back into the ‘normal’ Wednesday and Friday regime and will have L3 with me for one whole day and off to preschool on the other.

It hardly seems like 5 weeks I’ve been on my ‘surgical break’. I think I’m ready to step back into normal life again. Just need to take things a little slower than I usual and am willing to let DH continue doing the vacuuming and pegging the washing on the line.

Which reminds me – it’s my DH’s birthday today. He barely remembered when I gave him his card – but then I know how he feels. As the years creep by, my birthday’s seem less relevant than once they were and we tend to want to forget our ages as the numbers increase.

He told me tonight though that the guys at work helped him celebrate with a great chocolate cake for morning tea - nice to be remembered that way isn't it?

I've been playing "Farm Town" on Facebook for the last few days and yes, it is addictive, but I think I shall probably get tired of it before long. It's very much like all those FB games in many ways. I've enjoyed Scavenger Hunt too but probably Scrabble is my favourite although I know it's not available in the USA or Canada. Shame!

Well I'm off to bed to try to get a good nights rest before another day with the grandies here.

Have a blessed day!

AUTUMN - SUCH A LOVELY TIME OF YEAR

Autumn in Sydney is such a lovely time of the year. The heat of summer has now past and more gentle temperatures are here for a while before the cold of winter sets in. In this part of the world Easter is often the time we consider summer is over but our warmer days have persisted this year but evening and morning temperatures have certainly taken a dive down. Well, not that cold yet but it won't be long before the firewood will be brought in to warm the house.

Easter weekend was a blessing in many ways this year. Having spent the weekend before away in New Zealand for a reunion, I missed the beautiful wedding of our nephew but many of his rellies were still here in Sydney so it was great to catch up with some of them. Dinner out at a Greek restaurant on Thursday, and brother-in-law and his wife here for dinner Friday were lovely treats and a good time to catch up with each others news. On Saturday there was an unexpected phone call from another brother-in-law who had driven to Sydney for a couple of days so had the opportunity for him and his lady friend to come for a BBQ tea.

Easter Sunday was a celebration of the Risen Christ in our morning church service. How wonderful to know we serve the Risen Lord!

Last week E5 and L3 were here for two full days as it's school holidays here. This week will be the same before they return to school and preschool next week. Busy active days they were and I was pretty well pooped at the end of them but it was good to share with them - helping with jigsaw puzzles, going to the park, playdough, lego, draughts, drawing, Reader Rabbit - only a few of the things we got up to! And I guess we'll do it all again this week. But before that I'm off out today to see if I can get fabric to cover my rocker. It's only 6 years old but in constant use - if not by me, then by the grandies. Since today is a little cooler with showers predicted it seems a good day to make a start on it.

Better go before I lose the enthusiasm!

PICTURES THAT TELL A STORY

I think these shots of youngest grandson L3 tell the whole story – this was the first time he discovered the absolute delight in ‘licking the bowl clean’ after we had made finished helping me make cup cakes.

CHIT CHAT

It's 1.47am - oh yes, I've been to bed but wasn't able to sleep so got up to make a cuppa. As I sit here the rain is simply 'hosing' down outside. Our weather has been in the range of extremes recently to say the least. From 40C a couple of weeks ago, the last 10 days or so have been blessedly cool - even down to 18 - 19C a few days with rain, rain, rain. The pool is almost full to overflowing and the ground is absolutely soggy - but hey! whose complaining? Not me - this is great compared to those who are flooded out to our north - and have been burned out to our south. I'm grateful that I don't have to water the garden and that everything is beginning to look so beautifully green again.

Have been home from the wedding over 2 weeks now but I don't seem to be able to settle somehow. Had morning tea last week with son, d-i-l and daughter which was really great and the first time we've been able to catch up like that. Now that daughter's eldest is at school and youngest at preschool, maybe we can do that on a more regular basis. I have finished off making a baby cardigan for a friend (thought I'd better move myself since the baby is now 5 months old!)

I've finished all the stitching on Heirloom Homecoming Sampler but haven't been able to buy the tiny pearl rice beads to finish it completely. I think I'm just going to have to leave them off. I really want to get it framed. There's only been a couple of times that I've ever had my stitching framed from scratch as I like to stretch it myself but this time I haven't been able to find any foam board either so I may just have to resort to taking it and getting it done.

Well I think I'll try my bed again and see if I can get some shut-eye. I've got the boys coming tomorrow so need to have my wits about me!

A MOOCHING KIND OF DAY

After the searing heat of the past few days, today has been blessedly much cooler. The temperature did get to about 32C early in the afternoon but later a really strong wind has sprung up which has cooled everything down quickly. What bliss! I just don't handle these hot days very well and far prefer the cooler weather. A friend emailed me that it was -4C in upper New York State - now I'm not saying I want it to be that cold - but the fresh breeze coming in the back door now as I sit typing this, is just wonderful. I'm hoping for a better night's sleep tonight!

I have been busy though, despite the heat. Yesterday I completed an 8" x 8" scrapbook album I've made for my niece to record photos of her new baby and a visit to the shopping centre was successful in finding some little gifts to send to A9, our grand-daughter who lives in Texas and celebrates her birthday in a few weeks time.

Tomorrow I'm helping a friend assemble her wedding invites so there always seems to be something to keep me busy. Even when the heat outside is simply awful, I am grateful that I have somewhere to shelter me from the elements and I am reminded that my God cares for me and supplies my needs - I am so blessed.

THE BOYS ARE BACK

Friday morning saw grandsons L3 and E5 at the door at 7.45am. Mum was off to work for a half day and the next 5 or so hours stretched out before me. The temperature was a cool 20C – so vastly different from the few days before so until it warmed up a bit, activities would be inside the house.

Breakfast over, the games began. After game cube’s Mario for E5 and pairing card games for L3, finished jigsaws, Reader Rabbit and other puzzles and a game of ‘soccer’ outside, I was rather glad to see mum arrive back to take them home. Here’s a couple of pics of one of the morning’s activities.

ONE WEEK LATER

Another trip to my doctor this morning has resulted in my toe nail being removed. I’m thankful it’s been done, as a precaution against infection I’m taking an antibiotic and now the real healing can begin. With a wedding to attend in 3 weeks time, hopefully an inconspicuous covering can be used instead of the big thick bandage I have now, as open sandals will be the footwear I’ll need to use. Thankfully it is our summer season so the worry about cold feet won’t enter into the equasion. Pretty pink polish won’t be used either – maybe a prettily flower covered adhesive bandage could be found or even one with a bit of bling! I’ve seen them for kids with all kinds of designs on them – but never with ‘adult’ wearers in mind. But now I’m really getting carried away. Maybe by then just a plain old flesh coloured bandage will suffice.

FEATHERDALE

School holidays – two tiddlers to look after – sunshine – all good ingredients to take a trip to Featherdale Wildlife Park. Not too far from where we live, I’d been meaning to take them for a while – just waiting for the right time. I’d done my homework and knew that I could get one child in on a free pass if I completed a kind of ‘animal trail’ on their internet site so had that all printed out and ready.

Set out about 10.30 – still cool but brilliant sunshine. Car park almost full but grabbed one of the last spots – 11am began to line up for tickets – 30 minutes later we reached the box. The boys were excellent while waiting and not one growl out of them for having to wait for so long. We picked a day (of course – Murphy’s Law) when there were hundreds of others with the same idea – coach loads of Asian visitors, kids and grandparents, tourist “Pilgrims” here for the Pope’s visit to Sydney – and us!

In at last. A passport type of brochure was issued to each and the hunt was on to find the 8 animals pictured inside, and receive a stamp for each. The kids had fun doing this and it kept their interest up. A great place to take in a wide variety of Australian birds and animals including wombats, emus, koalas, kangaroos, dingo, fruit bats and heaps of others.

An hour and a half after arriving there we were on our way back home, stopping at “Macca’s” to pick up a couple of happy meals. They enjoyed their visit and I got pleasure from taking them. A worthwhile day all round!

Pics show white peacock displaying its beautiful tail feathers and wombat.

As our weather cools off I get the bug to knit. The local church where I’ve been attending a Bible Study group, recently held a ‘Soup and Knit’ night to make knitted squares which would be sewn together to make knee rugs for the elderly. I couldn’t attend that night but promised to try to make a few squares to put along with all the others knitted that night. After not having done any knitting for several months, my fingers certainly told me in a short amount of time that they were suffering from arthritic joints and it was a bit of a shock to find how painful they were after the first couple of attempts. Anyway despite this I managed to get a few squares finished and now hopefully they will be sewn by energetic people to make the rugs.

On reflecting my knitting career of recent times, I remembered that last year I had interspersed knitting jumpers for grandchildren with some tiny baby caps and booties. I really enjoyed making these tiny garments and have done them now for a couple of years in between other projects. They are quick to make and look so cute when they are finished and I love making them in different colours.

The last 12 lots I finished I sent off to a country hospital in New South Wales where they don’t get quite as much support as the large city ones do. I find it’s a really worthwhile thing to do and I know the mums of tiny premature babies appreciate having a cap and booties the right size too, when sometimes they weren’t prepared for an early birth. The real pleasure for me is knowing that my ‘love’ gift will be used without any knowledge of who I am or where the gift came from. Tiny babies - know that coming with this token gift, was my prayer that you will grow healthy and strong, and soon be able to go home with the family who love you.

It started off in a ‘usual’ kind of a way but in my mind but I actually wondered about that afterwards.

Cereal for brekky? “No”! emphatically from both of them. “Well, Cheerios then?” “Yes” from E3 (and 7/8). OK – at least one is settled. “Yes,” then from the other. Good I thought. The Cheerios sat in the bowl - with spoon protruding! Oh well…

“Toast L2?”
“Yes.” Out comes the toaster and within a minute or two, golden brown crispy hot toast pops up. Mmm… smells great even though my breakfast had not been long before. Margarine and vegemite spread, cut into baby triangles to tempt the appetite and laid out on the special yellow plastic plate. No way. A nibble was about all it got. The rest I found, thrown amongst the plastic implements used for playing with coloured dough. Guess it will soon be morning tea time.

“Outside Gan-ma.”
“ Well, OK but the grass is still wet so shoes on please.”

Off he runs, before I’ve had time to blink, oblivious to the dampness of the ground. Back soon with socks grainy from the path. No matter.

Clean your teeth? Well OK but it’s more fun playing with the water. Give up with moans that he wants his too-bush. In the bag it goes to await mummy’s return from work tonight.

10am time for E3(and 7/8)s eye drops. No way Jose! Rolling on the floor, he and I looking for all the world like two crocs rolling in the river, twisting and turning, arms flailing, protecting… exhausted I aim for the appropriate area of the face. Plop, a bit too low but hopefully the rubbing arm will push a smidgen into the said eye. Might be easier to wait for the afternoon nap I think.

Howls from L2 – up, up! Down, down, I think. It seems an imaginary something is coming after him. Placated, I put him down to run off while I contemplate a cuppa – if I’m quick enough.

I hear something dropping on the polished floorboards. Oh boy, I was quick enough for the cuppa but not for the box of macaroni and shoelaces. E2 had managed to leave a trail all through the house of these large tube shaped pieces of pasta. Rescued and placed high up so they can’t get scattered again – at least not today. Oh, oh, I missed the ones which had made it into an empty plastic jar and were now spread amongst the coloured dough. I move off to see what E3 (and 7/8) is up to. Ah - quietly playing his game with train tracks so at least he’s settled.

11.00am – all is quiet while both boys sit quietly eating small round crispy crackers in front of the TV. I think I might quit while I’m ahead. At least for a little while!

Didn’t last too long. Outside enjoying the warm spring sun, Grandma takes a little spell to sit and contemplate. Well I did contemplate – on what noises were being heard in the distance by L2 who seems to have extremely acute hearing.

“Wots dat?” he says.

“I think it’s a fire engine” say I, straining my failing hearing for the high pitched ‘nee-nah’ whine miles away.

“Wots dat?” again.
Maybe it’s the neighbour at work in his shed.

“Wots dat?” – again.
Oh just the birdies in the trees.

On and on it went, me trying to be more and more inventive each time until at last he spied a trail of ants on the bricks alongside where I was sitting.

“Stamp, stamp – I get them Gan-ma”
Well yes, he got them OK but think it a much better idea to brush them away with the little broom. Actually kept him occupied for quite a while until he spied a worm lying on the path, covered in dirt and certainly passed its use by date. A little frightened by this ‘phenomena’ L2 backed off a bit. I’ll get it with the dustpan, I told him. With a swing of the arm, poor worm was flung out onto the grass, racing toddler’s feet after it trying to find where it had landed. Well of course it was well and truly ‘gone’ but it used up a few more minutes of activity until something else took his eye.

“Wots dat?” I was at the bench preparing some sandwiches for lunch.

“Oh, Grandma’s making lunch” I replied.

“I have some?”

“Of course – we’ll put it on the table and all sit down and have it.”

Not good enough Grandma! Hand outstretched he clearly indicated he was ‘ready for it now – right now! Oh well – Grandma handed the sandwich and off L2 trotted to the little ride on car nearby. One tiny sandwich consumed, the hand was out for another. Just as he took a bite, the little car stuck on the mat on the floor and whoops, over it went, toddler, sandwich and all. Tears ensued and probably hurt feelings which only cuddles could help.

I think naptime is very near. Into bed with special blankie – a few blinks and he’d reached the land of Nod.

Once he wakes, we’ve only got the rest of the afternoon to go. Should be fun! But I wouldn’t miss it for quids!