MEMORIES

How's that for a slim version of me ?Some of you have probably never seen me that slim and most of you, including me , have forgotten. Mind you ,it was 1960!!!Vicki found it on an Old Fairbridgeans site. She went there for a drive yesterday but did not go in as there was a Country Music Festival on. I actually have that photo as well.We must try & arrange a Family Picnic there one day. I taught there in 1959 and 1960.It was very hard but we had a young staff and lived on the farm during the week. I taught years 1-4 plus all girls for sewing and sport.Staff included the Home Science & Tech staff from Pinjarra High school and we all gave each other a great deal of support.We were all in relationships outside so we were able to be great friends .We had a wonderful couple of years and it was certainly a learning situation.I am still in touch with Maureen (Marilla) but often do wonder where the others are now. The kids really touched our hearts and Maureen and I often took some home for holidays, to have them in a family situation.

Congratulations Karen

Karen has just landed herself her dreamjob , a sales position in a Scrapbooking Shop. Hope it leads to bigger & better things ,Karen and congratulations. Yes, Oma is babysitting but we hope the days are the same as Caitlyn's days.

EASTER GREETINGS

Wishing All Our Friends and Family a really Great Easter. If you are on holidays, you are having a great time and wish it was me. Limburg sounds pretty good but it will probably be a bit cold yet, it is 30 degrees here and I suppose paradise could not be much better.

Just Nothing

There has not been a great deal of excitement going on lately,hence no entries. I must actually say I was very remiss not to mention the lovely wedding we went to.Friend Sheila's son, Rod, married Sarah Pugh on March the 25th . The wedding was at Christ Church in Clareont.Rick and Karen married there also,maybe about 10 years ago. It was very pretty. Then we all repaired to Gloria & Clemm's house for afternoon tea and went on to Fraser's , in King's Park for a very sumptious wedding breakfast.The food was delish, which was certainly an improvement on the last time we ate there (deep in the dark ages). There was dancing to recorded music afterwards(at least for those whose husbands do get up & dance !) We left a little early and so did the others with us. We ,mostly because poor old Mac had never been at home alone for such a very long time. However, if Sheila sees this, thanks Sheila, it was lovely. Here is an update of Zoe and Riley. they have been doing "edu dance" at school. We went to their presentation and it was really good. Well done kids.

Dear Bella

I have just read your Mum's Blog and see that you have had tosilitis since Thursday. I am so sorry. I would have come to see you. I can't even come tomorrow because Pop has a job to do and needs the little car and Aunty Vicki has our other car because her brakes are no good and they can't get fixed till Tuesday. We are trying to fiddle cars between us depending on who needs them most. I do hope you are feeling much better. Riley is not well either, Pop had to pick him up from school while I was at the doctor's, yesterdAY. wE THINK THAT WAS TONSILITIS TOO. So , remember we are thinking of you and send kisses and hugs and her are some pretty pictures too.

Just could not help it! Bragging Oma

Caitlyn is crawling, another milestone.

Quiz Night

Today we had aQuiz Night at the Village. I had made up the questions and Trevor Called them.It seemed to go alright but I may have been a little rusty as I had several questions queried, but further research proved that they were right and so was I. The worst was that I made a mistake in my adding and it meant a change in what were thought to be winners. But I guess we can't be perfect . We also welcomed residents of 7 new houses to the village, 3of which, I was involved in ,the other 4 done by other pairs of the Welcome Committee. We find it enjoyable but it is time consuming,each house takes an hour plus the time in the club and having a cuppa. Did not have to babysit Caitlyn today nor tomorrow as the other Nanna, Maureen has taken her for the 2 days. Wonder how Mummy and Daddy went without their baby at home?

A Funeral Recalled

This week we attended the funeral of neighbour Allan ,a great gentleman who has led a most interesting life. Apart from the sadness for his family (2 daughters, son-in-law and 3 grandsons) and our dear friend Lydia , (here in the village also who was his partner for the past 2 years) Allan's funeral seemed mostly to give his friends (and family ) a chance to pay tribute to this fine man.Included in the service booklet were many quotes, verses and poems, including two written by Allan himself. With respect and admiration of Allan and to his daughters, I won't publish that all here but would very much like to quote two verses from his poem " AT MY FUNERAL". Do not dim the lights

Nor draw the curtains

I have had my time

More hours than I had dared to wish

Wear no black for me

I should not be mourned

Except if you recall

Some merit in my life.

My thanks and rest in Peace Allan.

The Cyclone

Cyclone Larry,which hit the Queensland coast this week also hit Morylian,which is where cousins Rick and Lotty live. They are fine, thank goodness but because they were in the eye of the storm, they have sustained a great deal of damage. I spoke to their daughter Ingrid tonight and the house is pretty good except a Norfolk Pine fell on the varandah roof but seems not to have damaged the main house. Their palms and all the gardens are completely ruined and I believe the glasshouse is down and a lot of orchids ruined. They have food & water, rainwater, . They have a generator for the fridge . No power but gas so can cook and boil the water. I'll try them tomorrow night and hope the phone works as apparently it is off and on.

The Cyclone

Here they are at last

The little swimmers now. They are still getting used to the water. They are what POP calls "IMMER THE SWIMMER". don't ask me why ,it is just a way Australians express themselves. They splash and jump and generally enjoy the feel of the water. This curly top swimmer,Sarah, has the feel of the water and is getting quite game playing with and in the water. She is starting to stroke. Caitlyn still needs Daddy Travis's help but she is starting to remember what she has to do.

More of the swimmers

It really does not want to upload the other photos.What a pity. I'll have to try again tomorrow. I'll be back.

Learning to Swim

The grandkids all go to swimming lessons now First Bella, getting some instructions from Dad Zoe is doing VERY well . She swims laps and when she has finished in this level will be able to join the swim Club. A pity she shows up so little on the photo. Riley has also gone up a stage . Since my half hour is up(we are on a PABX system here),I'll have to stop and start again in a minute.

Second Cousins but still close

This is our Mosaic being laid at our village under the watchful eye of Trevor and Carmel(art committee member).I co-ordinated the project and the then residents had their input by laying a few ,or a lot , of pieces. It looks great and we are extremely proud of the project. My Favourite cartoon Character .... Eeaw Denise ( visiting from Atlanta) and Caitlyn. Juliana (Perth) and Christopher (Atlanta) head the table of my little ones at our Sunday breakfast party. Kelly & Zoe at the Dockers & Eagles Derby The kids are all close,which is good, but it is even more delightful that the grandchildren of our sisters also get on well and the big ones really look after the little kids.Even the US branch are always well received. I do not have photos of all of them but here are some.

Those favourite places

Shanghai and Xi'an. Those awesome,unbelievable Terracotta Warriors, shopping in Shanghai, The Pearl of the Orient Tower from 'the Bund". Then Caitlyn, homegrown and oh so cute. New Pic today.

Travel

Apart from me and my family migrating to Australia, from Holland,Trevor and I did not start to really travel until 1972 when we went to Singapore and Malaysia on an Apex Convention. The Bug really bit us hard and 1974 saw us taking our boys to Holland and Europe and it went on from there. We returned there several times and get very absorbed in the History and beauty of the distinctively different countryside.It is always wonderful to return to the family also. We have travelled to a variety of Asian countries and a few places in Australia have been on the itinerary also. Tasmania is a favourite but Melbourne is for shopping.It is not possible to display photos from all ou travels so will put in a couple of favourite places.Egypt,Singapore and Holland to start.

We Love to Travel

That Wall

Have had several questions about our wall. It was not a tornado, it was a young lady ,driving at 4 am and missing the slightest of bends in the road.She must have been high on something! Went to the Footy today. Our team,the Dockers , beat the other W.A. team. the Eagles.Not only beat them,slaughtered them!!!!!!! Rick and family treated us and Scott & family were there too with Kelly.Sorry Gary, sorry Geoff, sorry Kelly and Bruce. Ha Ha ,not really!I am sure that Karen will have some photos on her Blogger soon.

Our Four Footed Baby

This is Mac. He is now 10 months old, a really good boy and a delight to have in the home.He adores his Dad and does not mind Mum either. He is good with the kids and has taken a real shiner to Riley. We had the Lion dance at the club for Chinese New Year And then, a young lady had a meeting with part of our wall last week. /I am trying to make this interesting but it doe not always do what I want it to do.I'll have to get daughter-in- law , Karen to show me her expertise at this blogging, she is so good ,her site is tops.

The Last Few Weeks.

Quite a lot of things happening ,with Niece,Denise,Husband Bruce and Son Chris ,here from the U.S. They bought an apartment and a car . The car for their daughter Kelly's use, as she'll be studying Gynaecology at W.A. UNi. So with Riley and Sarah's B'day and a breakfast at our place and a tea at Net & Gary's we've had some lovely get-togethers . We're all into family so it has been great.