Rain, rain and more rain

Yes, lots of rain. You would never find any other country where they enjoy having rain as much as here. Everyone loves it and our little trickle of a river, the Canning River, is now actually looking like a river, certainly not one you can jump over any more.We just hope that it fills our dams to a reasonable level.

At the village all is well.

My dispute with the Management has come to a head because I wrote to them and to the owner as I was sick of the whole situation. We met and shook hands and the wife actually apologised which was great. I know he would not but again, we shook hands and he gave a hug and all is over and done with.

Life with the Branches is just the usual business but Trev is home most days now . He is doing a large job for Jacquie and she has paid him by giving us a huge discount on a trip. We go to Vietnam and Malaysia at the end of October. A great way to get paid eh!

Have heard from the US that Nanny is really well after all that drama,which is terrific. They leave on Monday.

The kids are all well and , touch wood, there has not been much 'flu in the family, just a few colds and it appears that Riley has a dose of bronchitus again.

The worst we have had was Travis , who had a tummy wog, fainted , then fell in the shower, cutting his forehead open ,needing 8 stitches, and also injuring his nose. He too is on the mend but will be left with a jagged "Harry Potter" scar.

Our Footy team had its worst loss yesterday and it was soooooo disappointing.

I am including some photos, one a rather nice one from the river along a new path I found .

One of Mac, as I see him when we're walking. Then one of him cuddling his dad. Then Kiah, whom we minded, asleep in the catbasket in the bedroom.(Not bad for ad dog that sleeps in the garage normally at home.) Lastly some from the village.

Well, I really came here to do some library work because Gary has finished our new shelving ( and everyone is most impressed)but I'm not getting very far. I'll have to come back tomorrow if I can find some time , Mah-Jong takes till 1 pm and if not that, I will probably have Riley to look after.

.Happy Birthday to Travis and Andrea for Tomorrow!!!Best Wishes and good health.

Just A Jotting

Sometimes you feel you just have to write something but cannot find inspiration. This is one of those days. Not much to report. I am presently at Vicki's , babysitting Caitlyn and she is asleep. Had Bella & Sarah for a while yesterday and Tuesday. The weather is not nice, cold and not pouring with rain, just wet. High winds expected later. Just a bit more like the weather is supposed to be in the world's second windiest city. We still need lots of rain. Nanny, while I think of this, your hearing aid company rang to say you can have another full assessment, so you'll have to ring when you get home, I have the number, hope you are still on the improve.When are you due back? It is hard to keep up with everyone travelling, going out ( Like Cirque de Soleil"s Verekai) . I'll have to get a voice mail to remind me of when and where I am babysitting or dogsitting!!! I think some may overlap! Mick's birthday on the weekend, have a great day Mick.It was also Mark's Birthday. Madeleine had hers earlier, hope that was a great day! Cousins in Holland, Ab Kelder and Wil de Vries were also this month. Son in Law Travis has his on the 30th. Happy Birthday All

NOTHING SPECIAL

Waiting to hear from my sister Nanny to see how she is now! Denise said she seemed to be OK after her op. Otherwise nothing exciting. had my 6 month bloodtests and all seems to be well except my BP , no wonder after the turmoil here so back onto original BP dose, what a shame!!Everything else OK except lacking Vit D. With all my walking, one would think I had enough sun exposure but then again , one worries so much about skin cancer here in WA that one always covers up.

Scott , Jo & kids gone to Exmouth, about a 2 day trip up North and we have their dog Kiah. That dog cannot walk on a lead and runs away if you let her off. Poor old Mac did not know what he had there since I shouted heel all the time. At home she seems fine , though hope she has not been barking while I have been out as I had to do an extra stint in the cafe.

To my dear sister and daughter-in -law Karen who have both had a health scare,so glad all has turned out well. Nanny had an infected gall bladder and gall stones and Karen has a virus in her head. Nanny has had her operation and Karen is on medication but both seem to have been through the worst and are on the mend.

Here 's a guardian Angel for you.

Wind and Rain and Monday

Caitlyn with her Aunties Karen & Jo.

Just look at that beautiful teapot cake!!!

Clever Mummy

Scott & Jo

Anna at lunch

Kelly, Zoe & the

Birthday girl Aunty Jo , Sarah (yes she now ties her hair!)& Caitlyn

Coffee Maker Vicki

Net & Gary Making tea for Pop

Our Mac

The daffodil

Caitlyn practising for the teaparty at Aunty Karin's

Well we had a lovely day at Caitlyn's teaparty and I actually forgot to take some pics of her table. Vicki had it set up beautifully with tiers of cakes ,teapots and all the handled cake and biscuit dishes, it really was lovely.Lots of people there but we all had to stay inside because it was very wet. She got some lovely pressies and we bought her a teaset with a musical teapot. She made Pop a lovely cup of tea before the other visitors came. Jo had bought exactly the same because Vicki had told her she wanted a set for inside and outside so Jo got her a Brats one instead.

Today after Mah-Jong we had soup lunch at the club , it was very nice and at least 70 people attended.A nice fund raiser.

There are still rumbles in the village and I find it very sad because most of us just love living here but Management are nasty people. Now we have a petition going around questioning some of the causes for the grumbles, (like the new contract for 2 years for the manager and some of the maintenance e.g. rising damp on the pool, not being done).We have signed it and so have a great many others, about 60-70 when we put our name down and there were more to come. They still look through or past me when they see me, so childish.

My sister Nanny was diagnosed with gallstones in Holland and did not have them operated on, silly girl. She is now in the US and says she is feeling a little better,hope so for her sake.

Still getting lots of rain , which is what we want. No-one is complaining.I had my first daffodil come out last week .They were bought from Bella's scholl who have a bulb sale yearly for Fundraising.

It was a blue moon this week and it looked great.Did not bring any surprises but then , doesn't matter.We did have a lovely Football match on Saturday and we won, maybe it was the blue moon after all.

Caitlyn, Kristy and Rain

Happy Birthday to you,

Happy Birthday to You

Happy Birthday Caitlyn & Kristy

Happy Birthday to you.

Butterfly Kisses

Vicki thought of calling her E-Bay busines that and I thought it was great. Instead she went for Frangipanni Flair. She has just sold our lounge and our gas heater for us. The lounge, originally expensive , went for cheap but at least we did not have to get rid of it ourselves. The gas heater sold for $310.00 and the guy asked to pick it up right away, that was last night at 8. 30 pm. Fine with us!!!! I'll have to look around for more things to sell. It does not cost a great deal to list on e-Bay and Vicki does such a great job we are willing to pay more if we had to but she won't let us ofcourse.

Anyway, Nick just sent me a little note and it was accompanied by this lovely butterfly, hope it flutters on the website.

Busy week going out to dinners and lunches this week.

Happy Birthday Karen for yesterday and we'll see you tonight.

Ok, I guess I can wish myself a Happy Birthday too. Every Birthday is Happy because I'm still here!!!!!!

Thanks for the cards and Good Wishes,all of you.

Grandparents day at footy

Went to Riley's Football as it was Grandparents Day. He 's still a great little Footballer and the Dockers should come and watch him, because they lost again , in Darwin, yesterday.Riley was one of the two recipients of a certificate today , which was very nice. Then went to see Net & Gary's 2 new babies, so cute, Bonny and Clyde. Two little cats.Tried to upload their picture but it needs to be in JPEG and was not, so could not do so. Maybe you can send an ordinary photo Net???

Karen has a beautiful new banner again of her girls and here it is. Sarah has started dancing so she and Zoe will be able to practise and give shows when they get together. Would still prefer to see them do ballroom, has much more use and more prospects . At least , that's what I think.

Beautiful days here for at least a week with sunshine every day , temps around 18-20 oC.

If any of you other family or friends have a photo you would like on my blog, please email them to me, I would love to put them on. Travellers especially welcome.

WELL THINGS DO HAPPEN AROUND HERE!!!!!!!!!!

It's a while since I've blogged. Not for lack of news, Just too many things going on and some not so pleasant . The more pleasant ones were the many brithdays we have in this family around this time. The May birthdays over and here are some of my grandies at Anna's 1st birthday with the variety of animals they had there from the kid's farm.

We now enter the June bunch, Karen, myself and Caitlyn.We will celebrate Karen's and mine at a restaurant in the neighbourhood here.Caitlyn is having an afternoon tea party on July 1st for her 2nd birthday because I think footy is on the 30th.

Nanny & Geoff have shifted to WA for 6 months but are off gallavanting to Europe and the USA already, lucky ducks.Net & Gary have just returned from a holiday up north, very relaxing I believe.Wonder if Gary can now build me the shelves for my Libray????.Scott, Jo & the kids going there in the school holidays. We thought of a few days away but like I said to Trev, better to save up for a more distant holiday later, even if it is much later because even here it costs quite a bit for 3 or 4 days away. Rick & Karen have booked for Bali I think, in September.

We have had a drama here. The Manager has never liked my being on the Residents Committee because I am not afraid to stand up for our rights and question everything. They have often had periods when they did not talk to me because of something I've said.The last time they attacked me over a letter I had sent to the Administration, as Secretary and by the wish of the Residents Committee. They had not sent us a quarterly financial statement. The Administration Manager rang me up and said she had sent it in April. It was never put on the noticeboard. Management said it was and someone removed it (There were -10- copies!!!!!!!)Ofcourse they had to blame me so went beserk. Then attacked me over a comment I made quite freely about the caretaker being here very often and who was paying him??? More being hauled over the coals. He had called our Committee a "Secret Little Squirrel Society" and refused to apologise for that so I was a bit upset with them.

He had not come to the last meeting because he had read a statement at the previous one about not feeling welcome. He actually has NO right to be there and is there only by invitation but constantly interrupts the meeting.

Well, next meeting, he comes, we meet and he wants things taken out of the minutes. Others agree reluctantly but I dissent. He then spends all the meeting making innuendos and straight out attacks on me. Meeting closes, he starts making statements as to what he wants us to do and not to do, I walk out. 10 mins later, the VP, Chairman walks out while the others continue to listen to his rantings. We both resign and I was very sorry doing that to the Residents because they had chosen us.

I get phonecalls and people ringing and meeting me saying how sorry they are and how he has often abused them.The Administration sets up a meeting off site, but tells him just before the meeting. There were 12 residents, All bar one talked against his people skills though all admit (and I was even the first to have it minuted last year ),that he has done a lot for the Village but has a terrible personality problem.

Rod, the VP and I could not be persuaded to go back so the left overs on the Committee are carrying on. He and his wife now put down their heads or stare me out when I get into the club and he continues to sound people out about who knows what about what!!!! We've decided the man is probably sick and is a control freak.A pity, has made the place quite awkward but I just continue with my library, cooking cakes playing Mah-jong and going to the things I want to do. I'm quite happy with that, have a little bit more time. They want me to work in the Cafe, don't want to but will I suppose.

Here's our back patio and some roses we have in the front,I picked a lovely bunch. Quality of pic. not so good, took it with my mobile,sent it to Vicki and she emailed it back to me.How's that for using new technology eh?

And now the Nankivilles

Just got some photos from Kristy from the wedding they all attended. The Groom was Michael 's friend, also Michael and so our Michael was the Best Man. Colin is not in the photo but sister Net, B/in/L Gary, Kristy, Michael and granddaughter Anna are. They scrubbed up well , didn't they?

A Couple of beauties

Here's another, a good one.

Have never had a photo of Julie on here so thought I'd put this one on. She is with Sarah or Sarah is with Julie.

The After Mothers Day

Firstly today is cousin Jan's BIRTHDAY so Happy Birthday Jan Caitlyn and I explored Settler's Hill, a town in the Rockingham area . It is so much bigger than I thought. I've not been in there for years although I knew quite a few colleagues lived there. We were looking for somewhere nice to walk and found a gorgeous park. Wish I'd had a camera because it had the strangest piece of art in there, strange but I loved it. It was a huge metal , eucalypt type tree and on it's top branches were old sailing ships and it's bottom branches had modern cars and houses as leaves. I guess the idea was a blending of the areas significant trees with history and today. We walked (she Prammed) and she had a play. New shops have opened at the end of the freeway and we had a look in there. Mothers Day was great. Net & Gary called in in the morning and then we had the footy and our team won and won well , which was a great relief because we had been diappointed up to now. We all met at the Golden gate restaurant which was about the only Chinese in our area when we lived in Melville the first time and it is still going. The kids had a great time, the food was lovely but they obviously could not cope with the big influx so service was a bit slow.I was quite spoiled which I thank my family for. Net & gary are going on holidays up North and Nanny & Geoff to Europe and the US so we had dinner with them and their family at a new Indian Restaurant last night. Again ,food was lovely but they forgot some of the food and we had to ask for our rice. Not good but I guess they might get better in time. Was good to see the busy Uni students who all seem to be doing well. Birthdays next week are Jo and Ellie on the 24th and Net on the 25th. A bit early but Happy Birthday to Jo, Ellie and Net.

What a Day! What a week, What a Month

Just look at Anna's Cake!!!

Sarah & Caitlyn brushing the lamb

Riley,Caitlyn & Zoe with ducks & chooks

I told you I did not want the stupid bird on my head!

Looking for treasure in the fairy garden

Three pirates.

Grandad trying out the pirate ship with Anna

That's funny.

It is a gorgeous day today and although we have had some rains and appreciated it, we do like the days of beauty and tranquility in between.

This is the huge birthday month. We started with Vicki , on the 1st and celebrated the Monday before, then Gary & Bella on the 5th. Net's grand daughter Anna celebrated her 1st B'day on the 6th but it is on the 10th. Still to come, Jo on the 24th, Net the 25th and Ellie on the 24th too. To all a great day is wished and an even greater year.

Well Bella had a Pirate party and they had a huge blowup ship. Gues who came dressed up.?The grandparents ofcourse. Next day at the Sadliers ,it was the animal farm. Most of all , it is lovely to get together with all the family. Not so good for the waist line!!!

Our hospital just asked me to do a stint at the shoppingcentre as well but I'm going to have to say no. With the Library here and the Residents Committee, there is not a moment to spare.

Here's the pics, the ones from Bella's party are Karen's, forgot my camera.

Poor Bella and now Zoe had a viral infection so hope you both get better soon girls.

We will remember them

Today is Anzac Day when everyone is on Holidays and most people attend some type of memorial service in the morning.

We had ours organised by the Social Committee, specifically the Vice President, Pam taylor. At 9 am we had a really impressive service, then some watched the Parade in the streets of Perth on the large screen in the lounge. Then it was sherries and nibbles in the cafe area and the choir snag some lovely songs , with solos and audience participation. We finished with a sausage sizzle.
Well done , it really was.We have a few veterans in the village so it is nice for them if they can't get to the services further away. In this troubled world and even if it was not so, we will remember them.

Today is a beautiful day

Yes today is another beautiful day in paradise. We have had some rains, not enough ofcourse but are keeping our fingers crossed. The weather today is just beautiful and it was a delight going walking with the dog and talked to quite a few of the other walkers today.

Better than Wednesday when I had a horrible day looking for my lost keys. The problem with that is that I have the one and only safe key and mailbox key. Had poor Karen and Rick looking everywhere too because we had been to their place for Rick's birthday. I really got quite upset about it all but then, went to vicki's to babysit Caitlyn Thursday morning, guess what was on the babyseat, my keys. Hard to find because the bunnyrug on there has little black penguins on it. Must have put them there while I was putting Mac in his car harness. It is hard to have the safe key copied, have to go to a locksmith but will certainly do that now. A lot of things going on in the village.

Next week, high tea for St George's day , Monday. Anzac Day on Wednesday. In June they are having a "Dancing with the stars" and I'm a judge. We are also trying to get more people elceted on our Residents Committee, more work for Carla but so far have had no takers.

Karen let me have some photos she took as I've not been bringing my camara. One of Pop, Sarah and Mac and another of Anna & Caitlyn having a cuddle at Ricks's birthday.

Our sympathy to Net & Gary for the loss of their cat , Lilly.

On a brighter note, Happy Birthday to Edwin Elfrink , we wish you a great day.

The Easter Long weekend

Have just come back from having the car serviced and saw Scott's photos of their holiday. The house they stayed in was in the forest and magnificent.

On Saturday Rick & Karen took us to Pinjarra (some 60 kms I think) for breakfast. We had pies for breakfast at the bakery there. Different but nice. We were pleased to see our old retired doctor (had him over 30 years) there. Aged but still very active. Neil Fitch was always a favourite with the kids too so was nice that Rick was there.

Had morning tea at a new chocolate/coffee shop on the Mandurah foreshore. Again ,different but so nice. Then to the King Carnival where the kids had some great rides and for lunch at the Stagedoor.

Next day a lovely day at Rick & Karen's with egg hunt and early lunch.Net & Gary, Kristy & Colin, were there too plus friends of the hosts and Karen's brother & kids.

On Monday we went for a drive to a market,bought the fruit & veges and then for lunch in the Swan Valley. Most restaurants were busy so had lunch at the Guidford pub.

had a little rain over the weekend but now extra lovely weather again.

Did not bring camera so if you want pics ,you'll have to go to Karen's site.

Will put on some of Scott's , hope that's ok with him??

EASTER

We almost have a Northern Hemisphere type Easter here at the moment.It used to be that the first rains,or real rains arrived at Easter but this Easter it is warm , almost hot. It was some 34 degrees yesterday and at least the same today or feels like it.We had a cuppa at our coffee shop this morning and will go there for tea tonight. Rck & Karen are having brunch on Sunday for us all. Scott, Jo & the kids are on a long weekend in Pemberton, on a farmstay. They'll enjoy that, it is our big timber country.

So to all a VERY HAPPY EASTER. relax and enjoy the break.