Christmas 2009

Christmas this year was just the best. We really enjoyed the day as a family. We began at Regina's place for breakfast. Her complete family were there for a change, and it was good. We were joined by Cherie, Greg and the kids along with Judy. We enjoyed each others company and generally had a good time eating, drinking and being merry. Thanks to one and all for a great breakfast.

Later on in the afternoon we all converged on Mark's home. Deb and the kids were there as well as Mark and his two girls. Once again we sat down to a lovely dinner, sweets and drinks. The gift opening was something to behold.

Thanks to all for a great day all around. Ian, Dad and I really had a good time.
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2009

I must say I have enjoyed 2009 with great gusto. Many things have been achieved during this year. My involvement with my ladies parish group has been an inspiration. During the year we have worked hard and had great success with our parish stalls, - all items made and donated by the ladies with a few donations thrown in. I hope they all enjoyed it as much and I did and hope they have a lovely Christmas with family and friends.

I have really enjoyed my srapbooking and card making pals and hope to continue along the same path with the same great people that I did this year. I have done so many things and achieved quite a lot and am proud of my efforts.

I also have had many pleasures with my family and friends at bingo. They are a mad lot but I love them to bits.

I, on the other hand miss the people that are no longer with us but know that this is an inevitable part of life.

Card making

Have been totally taken in with card making. So another fiddle to my bow. It will never overtake my love for scrapbooking but seeing it is around Christmas time I have been very into making some lovely cards. Who said a person would retire when they reached a certain age. What a joke. I now have more to do with my time than I ever had. I am really enjoying this time of my life and the friends I have around me.

Last week for my birthday I had people phoning and singing happy birthday all day and my bingo mates gave me some lovely prezzies. I am truly blest.

Now I'm off to be with the girls today to do some more card making and some scrapping. Oh the joys of retirement.

Mary Mc Killop Museum

Today was a most enjoyable day at Mount Street, North Sydney with the company of the ladies of the Quakers Hill Parish. We visited the museum of Blessed Mary Mc Killop, went to Mass and visited her tomb. It was a very special day and all enjoyed the day. We went by train and there was non stop talking there and back. Each time we go out we learn a little more about each other. Friendship is very important in this day and age and this group has it in leaps and bounds. We enjoyed morning tea and lunch at the venue and sauntered through the Greenpoint Shops to and from Mount Street. All in all a very enjoyable day.

Tidying up

I have to make time to do things that are necessary for everyday life. I seem to get 75% of all chores done then fail on the 25% left. lol. Why is it? Why do people never seem to do what they fully intend to do. Is it laziness or just lack of enthusiasm for the chore ahead. lol. Ironing. I don't mind ironing for others but very seldom have my own up to date. Why? Where is the push I need to allow me to do this very small chore each day.

Sick and Tired but now on the turn.

Well over the last five days I have been so sick with aches and pains, sore throat, runny nose and headaches. I finally got to the doctor on Monday when he diagnosed a viral infection. No antibiotics for that so antihistamine (Telfast - wow) and Panadol with plenty of vitamin c and fluids. Feel a lot better because the coughing has now decreased so much. Thank goodness I did not have swine 'flu. If I felt that bad with just an infection I'd hate to think how awful the swine 'flu must be. I kept myself busy with sleep, and the computer, especially Facebook - Farm Town. Got all my scrapbooking challenges up to date and cleaned up a little without getting too tired. Hopefully will be all right by the weekend. We have a Fathers Day Raffle to be drawn at church next Sunday so here's hoping I will make it.

Orchestra Magic

On Saturday evening last, my sisters and I were at the Joan Sutherland Centre in Penrith to witness the Penrith Symphony Orchestra in full flight. I had never been to an event of such quality as an adult and was totally "blown" away by the magic of the night. The atmosphere was electric as we waited to be ushered to our seats and as the lights dimmed I sensed that I was in for a first class performance.

The program was of the highest order and included a world premiere of a work by the Composer Paul Connelly. It was titled 1813:The Crossing of the Blue Mountains and depicted the scene beautifully. One could imagine horses, and bush and explorers as the music wrote the script. It was received with great gusto and was totally deserving of such praise. The second was a Concerto No 3 in D Minor for Piano and Orchestra, Opus 30, of Sergei Rachmaninov and was performed by Roman Rudnytsky. Words could not give credit to this great pianist. He played a full thirty minutes without a break with highs and lows and much gusto. When he received his applause he was very humble and after three sets of applause entered the stage once again and played a small piece for Piano only which only made his performance more magical. It was was inspiring.

The third piece was the symphone No 9 in E Minor, Opus 95 "From the New World" by Antonin Dvorak and was truly a lovely way to end an evening.

I would love to attend again. The next concert that I would like to go to there is Handels " Messiah " and it will be performed in December.

I capped the weekend off by staying with my two sisters overnight. A truly lovely time.

Scrapbooking retreat

I have just had the most wonderful experience with a group of nutty ladies at a retreat centre at Meroo, New South Wales. There was much frivolity, friendship and love going on all around, including an amazing amount of challenges put up by the design team, and lots of other personal challenges, like staying up until the latest possible time, and scrapping madly to the non stop background music. What a hoot. Made new friends and excited to renew friendships from other retreats over the last few years. Thanks to all those who participated we had a wonderful Ball and I have never laughed as much as we did that night. Laughter is a great medicine. Looking forward to my next retreat already - just have to check the pocket strings a little first. ha.

Excitment

Having all kinds of fun getting ready for a scrapbooking retreat at Meroo. Have been there before and its such a lovely place. It should be a hoot as there will be events over the three days to keep us going. Scrapbooking challenges and lots of other little incidentals that go along with these great events. Can't wait to get going. Hope the weather stays clear for us all and hope everyone has a good time.

Can't wait

Can't wait for the scrapbook retreat that I will be attending in early August. There is so much fun to be had at these events. The lead up to this weekend is very exciting also with buying some strange stuff for events that will take place. Hope it is all worth it once again. I can't see it being any different from the others that I have been to. Such a warm lovely bunch of nuts attend these weekends. Can't wait to meet them all especially the ones that are coming from quite a distance.

Hand craft

Have being doing a whole lot of coathanger knitting lately with lace. We had a stall at church last weekend and I needed to contribute a few things so I knitted some lovely lacy coathangers. I have also been doing the usual scrapbook stuff and generally just been keeping up with the housework etc. Not much excitement around here, although last weekend was our 41st Wedding Anniversary and we did go out for dinner - just the two of us. It was a nice break.

Having a Pyjama day

Had a big pyjama day today. Just stayed in them all day long. Had plenty of craft to do for a church stall for next Sunday. Made six crocheted face washers today. During the week made seven knitted lace coathanger covers. Still have a few more to do but the more the merrier. Also did some scrapbooking (which I love) and uploaded them this evening. Going to an opening of a building tomorrow with my sister - hope it doesn't rain. Also had a lovely talk on messenger to two nieces and a call in from my grandson. So all in all a busy week and day. This is one of my layouts that I did today.

Cooking

Lately I have been doing some cooking that is aimed at diabetics since John has been diagnosed with the disease. It has been very interesting and so far everything has been great. The education about what a person can eat is very interesting and has more to do with the non fat diet than the too much sugar diet. We would have been lost without the nurse educators and dietician though. Tonight we had chicken meatballs with spaghetti followed by poached pears and yoghurt. Yum.

Sometimes a winner

I did a scrapbooking page with this photo on the layout and was awarded a prize for the layout. It was a monochromatic layout and I did it in tones of yellow. I called the Layout the Chinese Gardens, Sydney.

Friday

Up early today. Just finished most of the housework. Dull day so doing a little surfing. Trying to put my mind to some scrapbooking but can't seem to find exactly what I want.

Out all day

Been out all day today with appointments for educators in diabetes for John and a Hearing Test for John followed by a lovely little run up to the Bonsai place near Vineyard. Bought a few little curios on the way home at Riverstone and am now in the process of cleaning up this house. Just stopped into the office for a few minutes to see what was happening here. Not much going on today.

Another photo from our trip to New Zealand. This is of Wellington Harbour looking towards the marina and a college of some sort. It was a very overcast and rainy day but we enjoyed ourselves tremendously.

Friends

Friends are the best. I had a lovely day in with the girls today - just chatting and lounging around. Its amazing how peaceful times like these can be. Going to bingo tonight and hope to win a big one. You never know!!

This photo was taken when I went on a day out with the local parish ladies to the Chinese Gardens in Sydney. It is a very beautiful place and full of lots of ideas for gardens. It has a very special bonsai area, rock gardens and lovely shaded walks and pavilions.

Now I need to learn how to put photos and pictures on y page

I am pretty hopeless at this but I now have to learn how to put pictures and photos here. Well what do you know I did it all on my own. Hope I can do it tomorrow too. lol.

This photo was taken on the cable car in Wellington, New Zealand, when we were there on our holidays.

We had a great time.

Keeping busy

Been keeping busy with scrapping, church and bingo.