CONGRATULATIONS to Tatey, who passed her driver's licence yesterday. Keep driving safely, Tatum.
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Friday, August 28, 2009
Grandkids on the move
CONGRATULATIONS to Maddy, who received a Judges' Award at the Talent Quest. Keep singing and composing, Madeleine.
CONGRATULATIONS to Tatey, who passed her driver's licence yesterday. Keep driving safely, Tatum.
CONGRATULATIONS to Tatey, who passed her driver's licence yesterday. Keep driving safely, Tatum.
I WANT TO SPIT
EXCUSE ME...... I am Laurie Jenkinson, who gets a cold about once every 3 years. This is my second cold in 4 months. THAT'S NOT ON. If I didn't feel so sick, I would feel totally offended. For all these years, I have prided myself on not catching colds. As a kid, I had a lot of colds, so many that Dad used to ask, "Is this next week's cold or this week's cold?"
My throat has been viciously sore for 10 days. At the diabetic nurse's suggestion, I went to the doctor. I've never taken a cold to a doctor before and told him so. He applauded me for this ....... and the applause was all I got. He didn't even look in my throat! So here I sit, coughing up my toenails and waiting, waiting,waiting for nature to take its course.
Maddy has suggested that I go to the beach. That would be about a 10 hour drive, otherwise I would. Dad used to take us on a little red bus to South Melbourne Beach. He stood on the sand and called to us, "Keep swimming. Kick those legs. Don't stand up." When we got out, he rubbed us dry with Mum's roughest towels. Then he bought us hot chips, which we ate on the way home, before getting into bed. I want to be a kid again!!
My throat has been viciously sore for 10 days. At the diabetic nurse's suggestion, I went to the doctor. I've never taken a cold to a doctor before and told him so. He applauded me for this ....... and the applause was all I got. He didn't even look in my throat! So here I sit, coughing up my toenails and waiting, waiting,waiting for nature to take its course.
Maddy has suggested that I go to the beach. That would be about a 10 hour drive, otherwise I would. Dad used to take us on a little red bus to South Melbourne Beach. He stood on the sand and called to us, "Keep swimming. Kick those legs. Don't stand up." When we got out, he rubbed us dry with Mum's roughest towels. Then he bought us hot chips, which we ate on the way home, before getting into bed. I want to be a kid again!!
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Painting
A very beautiful surprise arrived in the mail this week. It was a gorgeous painting done by my dear friend Carla, in The Netherlands. She painted it expressly for me, in my favourite colours. Steve was very quick to hang it up. I took a photo from the chair where I sit at my computer, so that I could show her how it was always within my view. You can see my computer monitor at the bottom.
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Saturday, August 22, 2009
Opening of the New Pool
On the day we arrived here, the concrete was poured for the new, 25 metre cool pool. It had to all be done at once, so a veritable army of men worked all day until 11pm.
We watched its progression for the next 3 months. The tilers worked for weeks and it was fascinating to watch "Gywdir Carapark " being spelled out down the centre of the pool.
It was hoped that it would be finished by Aug 1st but there was a hold up with the filters. A shed was built to hold these filters, which look like miniature diving bells. Last night, Neville told us that, all being well, the pool would be opened at 10am today.
I texted him to ask if it was open and he answered that he was having trouble getting the right chlorine level. After a bit of back and forth, he wrote that he would text when it was all ready. Half an hour later, in came another text. "Great", I thought, "It's ready". I opened the text which read, "No, it's not ready yet."
We changed into bathers and went down to sit with them at the kiosk. Lindy suggested that she, Marion (her Mother) and I should be the first ones into the pool. Finally, Neville gave the word and as luck would have it, Lindy was unfortunately busily occupied with a bunch of caravans booking in.
So, Marion and I were the first to break the water! It was around 28C and as the day was warm, 25C, it felt beautiful. Within minutes, we were followed by about 15 people, some doing laps, which hadn't previously been possible. I was happy to alternate between the 39C pool and the new cool pool.
Click on the arrow to start the sequence of photos.
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We watched its progression for the next 3 months. The tilers worked for weeks and it was fascinating to watch "Gywdir Carapark " being spelled out down the centre of the pool.
It was hoped that it would be finished by Aug 1st but there was a hold up with the filters. A shed was built to hold these filters, which look like miniature diving bells. Last night, Neville told us that, all being well, the pool would be opened at 10am today.
I texted him to ask if it was open and he answered that he was having trouble getting the right chlorine level. After a bit of back and forth, he wrote that he would text when it was all ready. Half an hour later, in came another text. "Great", I thought, "It's ready". I opened the text which read, "No, it's not ready yet."
We changed into bathers and went down to sit with them at the kiosk. Lindy suggested that she, Marion (her Mother) and I should be the first ones into the pool. Finally, Neville gave the word and as luck would have it, Lindy was unfortunately busily occupied with a bunch of caravans booking in.
So, Marion and I were the first to break the water! It was around 28C and as the day was warm, 25C, it felt beautiful. Within minutes, we were followed by about 15 people, some doing laps, which hadn't previously been possible. I was happy to alternate between the 39C pool and the new cool pool.
Click on the arrow to start the sequence of photos.
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Tatey's Birthday
Our eldest grandchild, Tatum turned 19 on Friday. How the years fly!!!!
She had a family celebration on Friday and there's a friends' gathering tonight, Saturday.
She had a family celebration on Friday and there's a friends' gathering tonight, Saturday.
Josh was at the family dinner but Talitha and Maddy attended the school's Talent Quest, where Maddy won an Encouragement Award for her singing.
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Friday, August 21, 2009
The Mad Hatter
Sam, 11, is the Mad Hatter in Alice in Wonderland on Friday and Saturday, Aug 28 and 29 and Friday Sept 4. This is at Echuca's Paramount Theatre starting at 7.30pm. With his talent, I know he'll be a star! It's just a shame that we can't be there to see him.
What is the answer to the dilemma of us not being around for the birthdays and productions and events at school etc????? We enjoy going away and I don't think that we can continue doing it for a lot longer. Yet we would love to be part of what the grandkids are doing. Listening to the talk in the pools, we hear that we aren't the only people with this problem.
What is the answer to the dilemma of us not being around for the birthdays and productions and events at school etc????? We enjoy going away and I don't think that we can continue doing it for a lot longer. Yet we would love to be part of what the grandkids are doing. Listening to the talk in the pools, we hear that we aren't the only people with this problem.
Friday, August 14, 2009
Friends
We waved goodbye to Marion and Yvonne on Thursday morning. Sadly. We all agreed that their time here had flown. We've been here for 3 months and it feels like one month!
They gave us their "leftovers", which we loaded into fridge and pantry. There was so much that I am sure that Marion deliberately went out and bought stuff just to give us!
Marc and Rosa have arrived. We met them first, four years ago, when they were making their first trip in their brand new van. They were having difficulty backing in beside us so Steve did it for them. When we saw them again a year later, Marc was having no problems at all. They have their bocce set with them as usual, so we plan to play with them one day soon.
The weather has been glorious lately --- spring is around the corner. The temps have been between 21 and 25C and the forecasts are for even warmer days coming.
Podiatrist visit yesterday. It was a relief to have part of the dead nail removed. I dropped a lounge chair on it at Easter. She gave me some good advice regarding tendonitis in my feet ie. buy some really good sandals for summer. I asked her to put that in a note to Steve!
Today I had the first fitting for my teeth. We decided to have lunch in town and to try out a cafe that we hadn't visited before. We went in, looked and walked out. Way too expensive. $7 for a sandwich is stupid!
We ended up in the Balo Mall where we enjoyed much cheaper sandwiches and the company of friends as they passed by. We haven't seen much of Tracy and Scott since their wedding in May, so it was lovely to have them stroll by and give us the news that they expect a baby in late February. Tracy isn't thrilled at the prospect of being heavily pregnant in the heat of summer because hot weather worsens her MS symptoms. Offsetting this is the fact that the symptoms often disappear or relent somewhat, during pregnancy.
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They gave us their "leftovers", which we loaded into fridge and pantry. There was so much that I am sure that Marion deliberately went out and bought stuff just to give us!
Marc and Rosa have arrived. We met them first, four years ago, when they were making their first trip in their brand new van. They were having difficulty backing in beside us so Steve did it for them. When we saw them again a year later, Marc was having no problems at all. They have their bocce set with them as usual, so we plan to play with them one day soon.
The weather has been glorious lately --- spring is around the corner. The temps have been between 21 and 25C and the forecasts are for even warmer days coming.
Podiatrist visit yesterday. It was a relief to have part of the dead nail removed. I dropped a lounge chair on it at Easter. She gave me some good advice regarding tendonitis in my feet ie. buy some really good sandals for summer. I asked her to put that in a note to Steve!
Today I had the first fitting for my teeth. We decided to have lunch in town and to try out a cafe that we hadn't visited before. We went in, looked and walked out. Way too expensive. $7 for a sandwich is stupid!
We ended up in the Balo Mall where we enjoyed much cheaper sandwiches and the company of friends as they passed by. We haven't seen much of Tracy and Scott since their wedding in May, so it was lovely to have them stroll by and give us the news that they expect a baby in late February. Tracy isn't thrilled at the prospect of being heavily pregnant in the heat of summer because hot weather worsens her MS symptoms. Offsetting this is the fact that the symptoms often disappear or relent somewhat, during pregnancy.
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Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Birthday Boy
Indy, our youngest grandchild (so far????), turned 5 on Monday.
He had a riotous party in a park on Sunday, with family and friends.
It's kind of sad to think of him going to school next year. With a bit of luck, he will retain his imagination, thirst for knowledge, care for others and innocence for some time to come.
When I was a Prep teacher, I tried to foster these qualities. That was a long time ago. I am afraid that children these days might be blinded (or blind-sided) by modern science and technology.
Jemma goes to school next year too. I keep my fingers crossed that these two will get good, kind teachers, who believe in developing the whole child. I wish for old fashioned teachers who will give them a good solid grounding in the basics; teachers who accept that the child has a huge amount to teach them!!
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He had a riotous party in a park on Sunday, with family and friends.
It's kind of sad to think of him going to school next year. With a bit of luck, he will retain his imagination, thirst for knowledge, care for others and innocence for some time to come.
When I was a Prep teacher, I tried to foster these qualities. That was a long time ago. I am afraid that children these days might be blinded (or blind-sided) by modern science and technology.
Jemma goes to school next year too. I keep my fingers crossed that these two will get good, kind teachers, who believe in developing the whole child. I wish for old fashioned teachers who will give them a good solid grounding in the basics; teachers who accept that the child has a huge amount to teach them!!
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Monday, August 10, 2009
Cranky Rock With Marion and Yvonne
Last Friday the four of us went out to our favourite place, Cranky Rock.
As always, our first stop was at the toilets, on the way into town. Next, as usual, was Vinnies. Steve pointed out a silly, plastic beaker type object, with a penguin shaped head.
We had a wander around Warialda, ending up with a lovely lunch at the local Bakery. It intrigued us that salad rolls and sandwiches included boiled egg. This didn't thrill Steve!
We had first gone into the pub for lunch. The lady owner saw us and remarked, "Some lovely people coming in for lunch." After looking at the uninteresting and expensive menu, we walked out again. I would love to know what the owner said then!!!
As we drove around the small town, admiring its many interesting features, we came across a very large second hand shop, on the edge of town. This was the shop that we thought had closed down, when we saw that the previous buildings had been vacated. The new site is 10 times the size with a much larger range. Great!! It also had a penguin-head beaker! We have never seen one of these before, so two in one day was fascinating!!!!
The weather was perfect ---- 25C (77F), with a little breeze. We were very pleased that Marion and Yvonne enjoyed the bush, boulders and birds out there as much as we do.
We spent quite a while on the observation platform, listening, smelling, admiring and imagining. We spotted some striped clouds, which none of us had ever seen before. Yvonne thought that she had heard something about them on the radio. I've searched the internet but so far haven't found a name for them or seen any pictures.
A shout interrupted the stillness and it took quite a few seconds for us to locate a body for the voice. It was a farmer, standing on a little sandy beach at the bottom of the gorge. With some echoing yelling back and forth, we understood that he had a farm on the other side of the river and was looking for his cattle. All that we could see of cattle was their footprints on the sand.
Yvonne and I walked in amongst the undergrowth to have a closer look at a plant growing in a few places on a dead tree branch. The leaves were distinctive and a vivid green. They resembled the leaves of orchids, we thought. We took a few steps back onto open ground and found ourselves covered in lots of little brown seeds. These clung to our clothes and because they have a little hook on the end, they couldn't be brushed off. Everyone pitched in and the picking and the plucking commenced, taking quite some time to rid us of these pesky little buggers. Yvonne was able to identify them as her daughter has a patch in her back yard. She called them Cobblers Pegs. What a fabulous name!!!! I checked the Internet and found they were also known as Farmers Friend, Pitchforks and Sticky Beak. (Farmers Friend because they clung so closely.) They were referred to as a herb and there were claims for many medicinal uses.
After we came down from amongst the rocks, everyone had enough energy to go down the track to the river. There were big heaps of evidence of cattle! I love it down there. It reminds me of being a kid and playing by the Buffalo River. Wattles are coming out everywhere. The red calistemons that were blooming brightly when we were there last, have faded. It's so clever of Mother Nature to follow one bloom with another, especially in different colours.
We were on our way to the kiosk where I planned to ask about the many parrots that used to be there, when the lady locked it up and went to do some work around the area. The peacocks came out of her backyard and wandered around but unfortunately didn't display their tails.
I have put up a bunch of photos which can be viewed as a slideshow. Click on the link beneath the photo. (Cranky Rock with Marion and
Yvonne.) You can see the striped clouds, the farmer and sandy beach, plants growing on rocks and dead tree limbs, and more ........
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- ---- -- -- -- --
As always, our first stop was at the toilets, on the way into town. Next, as usual, was Vinnies. Steve pointed out a silly, plastic beaker type object, with a penguin shaped head.
We had a wander around Warialda, ending up with a lovely lunch at the local Bakery. It intrigued us that salad rolls and sandwiches included boiled egg. This didn't thrill Steve!
We had first gone into the pub for lunch. The lady owner saw us and remarked, "Some lovely people coming in for lunch." After looking at the uninteresting and expensive menu, we walked out again. I would love to know what the owner said then!!!
As we drove around the small town, admiring its many interesting features, we came across a very large second hand shop, on the edge of town. This was the shop that we thought had closed down, when we saw that the previous buildings had been vacated. The new site is 10 times the size with a much larger range. Great!! It also had a penguin-head beaker! We have never seen one of these before, so two in one day was fascinating!!!!
The weather was perfect ---- 25C (77F), with a little breeze. We were very pleased that Marion and Yvonne enjoyed the bush, boulders and birds out there as much as we do.
We spent quite a while on the observation platform, listening, smelling, admiring and imagining. We spotted some striped clouds, which none of us had ever seen before. Yvonne thought that she had heard something about them on the radio. I've searched the internet but so far haven't found a name for them or seen any pictures.
A shout interrupted the stillness and it took quite a few seconds for us to locate a body for the voice. It was a farmer, standing on a little sandy beach at the bottom of the gorge. With some echoing yelling back and forth, we understood that he had a farm on the other side of the river and was looking for his cattle. All that we could see of cattle was their footprints on the sand.
Yvonne and I walked in amongst the undergrowth to have a closer look at a plant growing in a few places on a dead tree branch. The leaves were distinctive and a vivid green. They resembled the leaves of orchids, we thought. We took a few steps back onto open ground and found ourselves covered in lots of little brown seeds. These clung to our clothes and because they have a little hook on the end, they couldn't be brushed off. Everyone pitched in and the picking and the plucking commenced, taking quite some time to rid us of these pesky little buggers. Yvonne was able to identify them as her daughter has a patch in her back yard. She called them Cobblers Pegs. What a fabulous name!!!! I checked the Internet and found they were also known as Farmers Friend, Pitchforks and Sticky Beak. (Farmers Friend because they clung so closely.) They were referred to as a herb and there were claims for many medicinal uses.
After we came down from amongst the rocks, everyone had enough energy to go down the track to the river. There were big heaps of evidence of cattle! I love it down there. It reminds me of being a kid and playing by the Buffalo River. Wattles are coming out everywhere. The red calistemons that were blooming brightly when we were there last, have faded. It's so clever of Mother Nature to follow one bloom with another, especially in different colours.
We were on our way to the kiosk where I planned to ask about the many parrots that used to be there, when the lady locked it up and went to do some work around the area. The peacocks came out of her backyard and wandered around but unfortunately didn't display their tails.
I have put up a bunch of photos which can be viewed as a slideshow. Click on the link beneath the photo. (Cranky Rock with Marion and
Yvonne.) You can see the striped clouds, the farmer and sandy beach, plants growing on rocks and dead tree limbs, and more ........
 |
| Cranky Rock with Marion and Yvonne |
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
This and That
Marion (Cohuna) and Yvonne (Leitchville) are happily ensconced in a cute cabin, with a queen and a single bed and all conveniences. They are half way between us and the pool. They arrived one day early and their cabin wasn't available but this new one is even nicer.
The new 25 metre pool is full of water but they are waiting on the filters to come. This pool is going to be about 28C and the weather is not quite warm enough for a cool pool yet. I will use it as soon as it's ready and go back and forth from it to the hottest pool. I love the buzz I get when I plunge into the cold water!!
We're still having cold, cold nights and mornings, but lovely sunny days, ranging from 20 to 24C. It's beginning to feel like spring is in the air!
We went to the monthly market in the park last Sunday. There were two stalls selling rocks, fossils and old coins, so I bought a few for Christmas presents for the grandkids. Last year we gave six of them echinoids (sea urchins), about 10 million years old. Tatum received a beautiful fossilised leaf, about 40 million years, I think.
We now have a regular Monday appointment with the Diabetic Educator. She is knowledgeable and helpful but I think that she is getting impatient with me!! I don't eat and swim at the times she thinks I should. She was horrified when she discovered that I take an hour to eat most meals. That threw out her plans for post-meal blood testing. She made the statement that seeing that I take so long to eat my food, I must be eating all day long. Grrrr. I've always been a very slow eater; I'm famous for it. My family will serve up my food first and tell me to start; even then, I'm last to finish. She keeps increasing the insulin, which isn't going to go down well with my own doc, I fear. Who do I believe??!!
I've discovered one important thing ----- I can bring down a high blood sugar level with only a little exercise. If I eat all of my meals on my feet and do the housework at the same time, maybe then the woman will be satisfied!!!!
The new 25 metre pool is full of water but they are waiting on the filters to come. This pool is going to be about 28C and the weather is not quite warm enough for a cool pool yet. I will use it as soon as it's ready and go back and forth from it to the hottest pool. I love the buzz I get when I plunge into the cold water!!
We're still having cold, cold nights and mornings, but lovely sunny days, ranging from 20 to 24C. It's beginning to feel like spring is in the air!
We went to the monthly market in the park last Sunday. There were two stalls selling rocks, fossils and old coins, so I bought a few for Christmas presents for the grandkids. Last year we gave six of them echinoids (sea urchins), about 10 million years old. Tatum received a beautiful fossilised leaf, about 40 million years, I think.
We now have a regular Monday appointment with the Diabetic Educator. She is knowledgeable and helpful but I think that she is getting impatient with me!! I don't eat and swim at the times she thinks I should. She was horrified when she discovered that I take an hour to eat most meals. That threw out her plans for post-meal blood testing. She made the statement that seeing that I take so long to eat my food, I must be eating all day long. Grrrr. I've always been a very slow eater; I'm famous for it. My family will serve up my food first and tell me to start; even then, I'm last to finish. She keeps increasing the insulin, which isn't going to go down well with my own doc, I fear. Who do I believe??!!
I've discovered one important thing ----- I can bring down a high blood sugar level with only a little exercise. If I eat all of my meals on my feet and do the housework at the same time, maybe then the woman will be satisfied!!!!
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