Photos added

Tree Climber Riley Cricketer Riley Caitlyn dancing in Mac's bed Zoe with our doggy Mac

Back to school day.

Today all the kids went back to school so I'LL RING THEM UP TO SEE HOW THEIR DAY WENT. I'm almost tempted to ring the Ed. Department to say I'll come back to work, at a price, because they are about 250 teachers short.! But then again, I have too much to do to go back to work and it is too difficult with Centrelink and the pension because Centrelink does not get it right. We had Zoe & Riley for a sleepover last weekend and were going to take them for a trainride but it was just too hot. We had three days over 40 degrees , last time we had that was 1995, and the other days were up in the high 30's. Now it is reasonable, in the 30's and rising again for the weekend.We had the 2nd hottest day ever last week. We took them to Riley's cricket and were told he was being considered for upgrading next week, not bad as it is only his first season.They went home after lunch. Later in the afternoon Bella and Sarah came to be minded as Rick and Karen went to get together with little Steve who was on leave from Bali.They were quite pleased as he finally seems to have a permanent girlfriend. Next weekend the littlest one comes for a sleepover as her Mum & Dad have to go to Rose & Eddie's hen's and Buck's night. ( Vicki's friend) They get married in another 3 weeks. Have some photos of Riley & Zoe with Mac at home , will add them later. Happy Birthday Ger, a card is on it's way. Have a really great day with your family. Gerda and Gwen have a Birthday as well but they would never see this. Riley Happy Birthday for Thursday.

Happy Birthday Australia

Happy Birthday Australia Tomorrow,January the 26th, is Australia Day and we will be celebrating, as many other Aussies will, with a breakfast at the club. In the evening there will be fireworks in the major cities and towns but it is going to be very hot, 39 degrees and we won't be going to watch. We'll see it on TV later.Our street is full of flags , we really have people in our street that get into the spirit of things. We were voted the best street for lights at Christmas. Our heatwave looks like being longer as today was 38.8 and 4 degrees higher than expected.The following days till after the weekend are all predicted to be in these high ranges of temperature. Thank God for air conditioning.

Just the Back Patio

My mossie frog,(I love him) displaying a weed I want identified. The back garden,spot Mac. The patio out the back is looking so lush and green ,depite the hot weather. It is ofcourse, partly covered . The elephant ears have been in flower and give off the strongest and most superb perfume.You would hardly believe they grow in a line of soil, about 40 or 50 cms in width,between the paving and the limestone wall.There is also a lot of Moses in the cradle and small golfstick plants there as well as Vinkas ,some mini Agapanthus and a few herbs.The rest is in pots and we're pretty pleased with it. We even have a small water feature. Some kids' birthdays coming up. First a big kid today, Happy Birthday Colin , then Riley on the 1st and Sarah on the 5th , they'll get a Happy Birthday later. School starts again soon too.1st time for Sarah.

Village Rules

Boy we certainly had an interesting Residents Group meeting on Tuesday. One of the members had displayed a temper previously but I thought it was because he was tired, had not had tea or been home after work and did not have his hearing aid. But this time he could not be excused . He simply refused to see anyone's viewpoint but his own and the rest of the Committee and the Residents in the first & second stage were old and inflexible. He got quite verbal and there was some name calling plus he told the other lady, 'And don't look at me like that" 'in quite an aggressive manner.What a shame, I had high hopes of this new Committee and so did the others. The Presidents says he requires apologies but none have been forthcoming yet. I think he needs to resign and requires anger treatment. OLD PEOPLE!! though he is one of the younger group! This evening the Social Committee had its AGM and it was over very quickly. Eight new members and I hope they do well. New chef starts Friday. He is more expensive but guarantees food quality and no one will miss out ,even if their table is called last.We have not booked this time but hope to next week.

We are having a few pleasant days in the middle to high twenties with very hot weekends in the high thirties.Had some nice cool morning walks.

Us with Ina ,Xmas Dinner in the

Club.

Tittle Tattle

Had a very busy but nice day last Wednesday. Geoff & Frank and Trev. played pool at our clubhouse & had chicken rolls here for lunch. The girls ' lunch at Ramons was pretty special again.After lunch to see the eye specialist again(left Nanny at the shops) and I'm all OK now.Can see distance beautifully. Will need glasses for reading but he says that may improve also when the other eye is done. That is not bad enough to do at this stage though. Picked Nanny up and went home, where we all had tea which I had prepared on the previous day, Frankens too. We had Indian stewed chicken legs and peanut potatoes.Chicken wings,zuccini slice, whole beetroots and rice.Then a marshmellow sweet that Ina made plus a baked cheese cake. Ofcourse we had to eat it again the next day! Babysat Caitlyn on Thursday again ,shopped on Friday and apart from some Library work had a pretty quiet few days.Trev trying on clothes to take on our cruise. he needs some taken in but refuses 'cause he is such a scrooge but he has lost weight so I'll have to work on him. Scott &Jo & kids going to Albany in their caravan, that will be nice.Got a few meetings this week but otherwise expect quiet again. New chef starting at the village restaurant this week. Comes with high recommendations, that's good but anyone will be better than the last one.

Last Weekend

The Branches at the Sadlier Place You tell 'em Jilly Trev & some of neighbours Young Lady Anna Sadlier We had our Spoonbill Close, street party and it was a nice evening. Our street all get on really well. We shared the salads & sweets and all brought our own meat. It was a banquet, as usual because everyone always brings extras. The next day we went to the Sadliers for morning tea with us and our chn & grandies, as most of us had not seen their new house as yet. What a magnificent house. A great choice they made and certainly the type of house they could live in, with children ,for many years. Each area is separated with it's own hallway,living, master suite and children's suite. Well done Kristy & Colin.

SNAKES ALIVE

Saw one of our Residents looking under some of the lavender bushers,at a distance, yesterday ,as I was on my way out to the shops. Wound my window down & she said she saw a snake going in there!!! Now, me and snakes just don't go, I am totally terrified of them to the point of acting totally out of character. Shops only took 10 mins or so and as I had not seen the lady walk back to the office, I decided to stop & do so myself. To my horror, I saw it, (at least 1 1/2 meter long one), slithering towards a house(Kay's) so ran to office , no one there, rang the Managers, no-one answered.Panic, thought I'd have to find snakebusters myself and ring Kay, whose house it was going towards.A couple of the cafe workers were coming out & said they would tell Kay. Finally found Jan, manager, who started to ring snake busters and as she is ringing, what do we see but Elaine, Kay's neighbour, chopping at the snake with a spade.!!! She killed it and had to clean up the mess while others stood by, including a couple of men. She deserves a medal as far as I'm concerned. A couple of people actually said, poor beautiful snake,was a harmless tree snake. I doubt it very much , this is dugite & tigersnake country and it was far too big. Going to make Elaine a merit certificate!!! Got our street party tonight, should be nice.

NO, HERE THEY ARE!!!!!!!

My lovely daughters -in-law,Karen &Jo Sarah danced with Denise The dancing queen with Kelly and my sister Nanny Our boy Riley,had had enough of partying Number 2, Bella ,bashing the pineata My eldest grandie,Zoe,getting a big girl now.

THE YEAR OF 2007

Oma & Caitlyn Father and son, Scott. My darling fairy What happens to men in Aus on Boxing Day? Cricket. !!!!that's what !!!! Matthew & Ella Found one.!Kristy,Anna,Zoe,Vicki & caitlyn on boxing day It is going to be a great year, at least so I have decided. Can't seem to find my boxingday pics, must have lost them somewhere!!!! Had a great evening at Net & Gary's for new Year's Eve.Everyone wore a hat or mask, even the kids. We had pineatas and decorations ,more food and drink and dancing.Caitlyn danced as much as the older girls!! Rick was the only one who had to work this year but came in on his way home at 10 am this morning.

Boxing Day

We had another big get togethere at Scott and Jo's on Boxing Day. It was breakfast/lunch or brunch and we certainly had plenty of food again. There was bacon ,sausages,eggs,fruit,croissants,toast,yoghurt(none was eaten),tomatoes plus one of Suhaima's laksa's with pancakes as well as normal pancakes and other bits and pieces. The Donnes clan joined us. the kids swam in the pool and a great time was had by all once again. We shopped on the next day and got a few replacement Xmas lights and quite a few clothes to take on the cruise . We really did well in that area with the sales. I managed one pair of slacks from $59.99 down to $9.98 because it had been discounted previously ,then everything in the shop was half price.That was just great.No item cost more than $18.98. Not bad eh?? Trev put in some fans for Net & Gary yesterday & I went too, so nice to have a natter with my sister for a change as I don't see her much on her own now.Making a piniata for her for New Year's Eve

. We have to wear hats or masks so organised that too today. Was supposed to work in the cafe, I am a standby but was sent home as there were too many staff,so had a bit more time for these fiddly bits. We won quite a big hamper in the village Christmas raffle, which was nice but more nibbles and more biscuits. Will provide the nibbles for New Year's Eve.Photos will come later, I have not downloaded them yet. HAPPY NEW YEAR to EVERYONE. May 2007 be a Healthy and Happy one for all our Family and Friends. Good luck too and I guess everyone with me,wishes for World peace at last

Just a Few More

At Lomond's(Bruce's Mum) after airport. Eeeeh from Chelsea Aaaaah from Caitlyn

Home for Christmas

OOOOH from Annna What they did to the Alpharetta kid The eldest 3 with the real Father Xmas Michael & Jess reading poetry Yes the REAL father Christmas came a Great Christmas Eve again. We ate too much and drank too much.We wrote and read

poetry and we received some great presents. A wonderful evening and thank you Vicki & Travis. Today about 12 of our neighbours called in as we had invited them for some Christmas cheer. Vicki, Trav & Caitlyn did too, as they usually do on their way to Maureen & Kim. We had seafood and chicken & ham & salad for lunch , just the two of us. Then at 5 we went to Ina & Frank's for more food, more drinks and convivial company. Christine & Rod Avery(neighbours of Ina & fellow Res.Com. member for me)called in as well.Tomorrow we celebrate again with Brunch at Scott & Jo's This time the Donnes family will join us. I have a lot of photos to put in to illustrate this page but will see how many blogger lets me do.

Getting Close to Xmas

Yes, just a week to go. Did our big shop today & will do the last minute fresh things next week.Bruce ,Denise ,Chelsea & boyfriend Rob are here, they arrived last Sunday. This afternoon Nanny & Geoff arrive so they are all here then.Tomorrow we celebrate Denise's birthday at their unit in Scarborough, they are able to spend a week or so there before it is rented out again. Kristy , Anna and Colin have arrived back from Kalgoorlie and are in their new house so it really is a big de Jong re-union for Christmas eve and breakfast on Boxing day ,really Brunch and at Scott & Jo's. Xmas Eve will be at Vicki & Travis'. My eye seems to be really good and the surgeon is very proud of himself as he said it was a big job. It seems to flash a bit like floaties so I must ask about that on my next visit ,10th of January. However, I can SEE and some things without glasses. Poor old Frank Franken had a sudden trip to hospital last Monday morning at 4 am. Luckily not his heart but gallbladder. Unfortunately he has a lot of bleeding so looks like being in hospital for a while. We lost one of our Residents last week to cancer. he was very well respected and a lovely man which was evident by the number of residents and other friends and family. at his funeral service.Colin and his wife Val were very devoted but luckily she has a big family who support her at this time. The Residents Committtee met on Thursday and I was Vice President for about 5 minutes ,until we could not find a Secretary so that is what I ended up with, more work!! Our Social Committee was useless this year, apart from 3 people, so we need to get a lot of good new blood on that now. Their elections are in January. It is what one would call BLOODY hot here today, 36 degrees. Hope the fires do not start. That's it ,until next time . If I don't get time to get back before Christmas , HAPPY CHRISTMAS from our house to yours, to all our Friends and Family. Enjoy!!!!

I CAN spell

Sorry it is forget. Blame the eyesight or the lack of editing. Had the kids for lunch one Sunday recently and Rick & Trev put up my lights that were out of my reach. It looks good. There are some other really lovely ones in the village. I won a prize with this entry in "Crafty Yarns", a magazine from the Fox Collections where I get my crosstitch gear.I'Ve won a voucher to use on their products,nice eh?

The Eye has it

Had my operation on Tuesday and it all went very well. The anaesthetist would not give me a general, because of other problems, especially the sleep apnea. I was a bit worried about that. The Eye specialist said it was an intricate op. because the cataract was so big but he managed to clear it all without having to put in stitches.I was so pleased and so was the Dr on my followup visit on Wednesday.The worst problem is that I foreget I'm not supposed to bend down and I only remember when I AM bending down but... so far so good. I t has not worried me a great deal and I have continued with my normal activities. We had our first meeting with the new Residents' Committee and we have not decided on the positions as yet as some people did not know each other. That is to happen next week.No babysitting so have had a chance to do some library work and a bit of research for the new Residents ' Committee. Have got all the Xmas Pressies bought and wrapped and poems written ,I am a clever girl. Just wanted it finished because of the eye business. Have not written cards except the overseas ones so please be patient, They will happen. I did take a picture of me with my patched eye but as usual, too many double chins so will put on one that looks like the view I had when the Dr was operating.