Where, oh where....... has my little dog gone?

I had the unfortunate task of making this poster up today.

LOST!

Clover is a 4 yr old Boxer that most likely followed some kids home from the main street on Sunday. She is very friendly, but is unsure around men. She is small for a boxer, de-sexed, registered & micro-chipped.

Please contact us if you have seen her: we are missing her :0(

Thank you, from the Kavanagh family from Macauley Street.

I had a lot of trouble finding photos of our girl, even though I know that there are oodles. But you know where I found some? In "Blogmuggling...."

I knew that there is a reason that I blog.......

Have a good day ;0)

This is the dawning of the rest of our lives...on holiday

Hi Y'all.

Well, today was the final day of my traineeship.

I wish that it wasn't. I feel that I have so much more to learn. Don't get me wrong: I have learned an enormous amount over the last year, on both a personal & professional level. This has been such a steep learning curve for me. I know that I am not alone in this. But I feel that I fall quite a ways short of the mark, too.
Working as a nurse has deep & profound responsibilties attatched to it. The trust that clients/patients ( the terminology changes depending upon the place of work) have in me & my abilities scares me at times. Work colleagues need to be able to have faith in me as well. As I said to a workmate today, I feel "undercooked". She laughed, but re-assured me that all was ok.

But it's not unusual for me to have doubts in my own abilities. I don't think that this is necessarily a bad thing. I think that it makes me work harder to ensure that I do my best at all times.

It has taken me 14 years & 4 attempts to get to this point. I seriously started to think of nursing as a career when I was pregnant with GG (she's now 20!), but it wasn't until VBoy was 5 months old that I decided to give uni a go after working as a lab tech from the age of 19, with a 4 year stint as a family day carer thrown in as well. After 1 year part time studying for my Bachelor of Nursing, Beloved secured his job in Muswellbrook, so our move to the country with 3 children under 9 (with no family support around) put paid to any idea of continuing my studies.

Fast forward to 1999, I started working as caretaker at the local dog pound, then my career changed in 2002 to working in Dementia Daycare & I was offerred a traineeship as an Assistant in Nursing in Aged Care. At the same time, I was nightfilling in the new Big W in Muswellbrook. The move to Denman concluded my relationship with Big W, & I became the Activities Co-Ordinator at Denman Aged Care Facility.

This was a lovely, comfortable, non-threatening job, but nursing continued to beckon. The more time I spent within the hospital system, the greater the urge to nurse became. Then the idea of an Enrolled Nursing traineeship was suggested. But securing a traineeship was easier said than done. I applied once, twice. I was interviewed once, twice. After the second attempt, I was contacted to say that I was shortlisted, but 1 off the list. If someone dropped out, I would be in. "Who do I have to shoot?" was my reply.

Nobody dropped out, but again I was contacted, this time asking could they put my name forward to a private company. Of course I said yes. Another interview, but for a Newcastle facility. I don't think that they believed that I would have been happy to work out of my geographical area. I was actually applying to work anywhere from Wyong to Gloucester/Taree & all over the Hunter.

Discontent had set in at Denman, & I applied & was succesful in securing work in the Aged Day Centre at Muswellbook Hospital. At the same time, Beloved & the kids convinced me to apply once more for a traineeship. I was reluctant as Sboy's HSC year was coming up, & I felt that it was important that I was available if he needed me. Vboy was had only recently turned 13. Was it fair to take so much time out from my family?

Their resounding response was "YES!". The application went in the same time as the application for the Day Centre, about September/October. The boss knew this, but wanted me to work with her anyway. Again, I was asked to attend an interview. God, how I hate interviews.......... All the required questions were asked, & appropriate answers given. My one & only question to the panel towards the end of the interview went something like this:

"Well, it's no secret that I've been here in this seat before. Actually, 3 of the 4 of you on the panel have interviewed me previously. So, my question to you is.... 'What do I have to do to convince you that I am the right person that you need for one of these traineeships? How can I convince this panel that you should employ me? That you need to employ me....'..?". There was a bit of shuffling in their seats, & a few wry smiles before the question was answered. After this we ended up having a lovely informal chat about the direction of healthcare etc...... On January 5, 2008, I received a call on my mobile after my Aunty Viv's funeral offerring me a traineeship, based out of Scone Hospital.

And the rest is history. You've walked the journey with me.

I can't believe it's over.

I feel that's it's a bit of an anticlimax.

My lovely workmates bought me a beautiful chocolate cake for afternoon tea, and some handcream & shower gel. I love these women. This morning, they argued over who was taking me with them...... It was so nice... And I only had 15 days with them. But they are my original employing department in healthcare. In my appraisal, I said that I felt as if I had come home.

I'm now unemployed. But instead, I'm referring to it as "holidays"............

Who knows?

I might have LOTS more time to blog.............

*sigh*

Amazing grace.. notes...NOT

I love the bagpipes: always have.

It's a good thing, since I have spent over 20years as a highland dancer & travelled all over the place with pipe bands.

So why is it do you think that I don't enjoy it when the guy who lives next door decides that his favourite party trick at 1.30 in the morning is to;

1. play his bagpipes (not all that well)

2. Let his very inebriated friends have a go at them as well.........

Grrrrrrr...........

At least they're inside the house. On other occassions, it's happened in the screened enclosure not too far from our bedroom window......

Yep... grrrrrrr............ note that this post has been written at 1.30am........

If he's got to play "Mairie's Wedding" couldn't he at least get it right?????? And in it's entirety???? Any song from beginning to end would be an improvement fro the snippets that he manages........

Hrpmh.

Whinge over.

G'night.

Happy zzzz'ding.

xoxoxoxoxoxooxox

NB: for those confused by the title, grace notes are played on the bagpipes. I think that they are unique to this style of instrument. Ok: I have bored you with enough trivia for now.....

Get a haircut, & get a real job........

Slack me has been going to post for days, but I haven't been able to... this is especially bad since it was Beloved's birthday yesterday;

"BELATED HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BELOVED"

And because I love him so much, here is a picture of his favorite thing. He has spent hours pulling this bike down to nuts, bolts & pieces, then buffing, polishing & painting bits until it has been bling-ed (very tastefully) within an inch of it's life........ this photo doesn't do it justice, really. It is Sboy's newest bike that we bought him, which he then systematically managed to demolish over the past few months with his show riding...... He has hinted that he might need it for the Caravan & Camping Show at Maitland in May, as his show bike will still be in transit from Darwin... really, his chances are between none & buckleys.........
Beloved's biking cohorts are green with envy at the sight of this little beauty, & they have sighed whilst requesting a "Do" for their bikes in Denman....

As you can see from this pic, our house & yard are less of a passion..... unmown lawn, building rubble, dirt pile, unpainted house, unused/unfitted water tank... & a 1974 model car........ It must drive our neighbours mad, as they have a pristine house & a yard that looks like it is vacuumed regularly....... with 2 for sale signs out the front. Do you think that we may be de-valuing their home, or even worse, scaring off potential buyers????? EEEEEK!

Damn "Bejewelled Blitz"!! You know that you have played a game too often when you see red squares, blue diamonds, orange hexagons etc on the insides of your eyelids when you shut your eyes....... and I still suck at it. I very occassionally post a good score, without really knowing how I achieved it....

It has been a good week workwise. I really like Community Nursing. There are lots of options & variety in it. I spent Thursday in the Chemotherapy Lounge, where people with cancer receive their intravenous cancer drugs. It was an incredible positive experience, & I met lovely people who were more than willing to share their journey with me. Because that's what cancer does: it sends you on a journey of self-discovery. And a journey through the halls of medicine. And I think that I like being part of that experience. I'm a talker, and you need to be in this job. And more importantly, you need to be a listener, and as someone wise once said (even though it was in a movie, & said tongue-in-cheek), you need to listen with your eyes as well.

Monday is my last day... *sigh*.......
The girls took me out for lunch yesterday... none of the other places that I have worked has been as warm & social as this one. But then again, I have a history with these people. Working with them has been a bit like going 'home'.

And as of Tuesday morning, I am unemployed. Does anybody see anything out there for me? I have only ever been unemployed by choice. I have to admit, the thought of being unemployed is doing my head in a bit, considering our level over fiscal over-involvement.. Oh, and I need a haircut, too...... (see the blog heading..)

I hope that a few of my Goodest Ones in Newie (and Backpassage) are up for cuppas & food...... a bit of a holiday will be good.

So now I've shared, I'd better get on with the day. After all, it's 11.23 am, & I'm still sitting in my dressing gown & slippers!

Enjoy your day!


<3>

Should Auld Aquaintance be forgot.... part 2.

G'day.

Easter has passed already........ so much chocolate: so little time....... so much lard added to my ass.....

A few days have passed, but here is the second & final instalment of my Mum's eulogy:

Surprisingly, Sadie had another life-changing event awaiting her. In an attempt to channel the energies of her busy 6yr old daughter, Mum & I attended a fete in the grounds of John Darling Colliery, where Scottish Highland dancers were entertaining the crowd. Enchanted, we attended our 1^st highland dancing class the next week. And so began many years of a love of all things Scottish. An enthusiastic group of parents formed the Lake Macquarie Scottish Association which fostered & promoted many aspects of Scottish culture. Scottish country dancing, tutoring in bagpipes, highland dancing competitions, talents, ceilidhs, & fundraising to support these ventures filled what little time was left available. Sadie turned her very able sewing hands to the creation of many, many dance costumes: her ability & creativity at this meant that she would often sew late into the night as the demand for her services grew. As anybody who was a part of these activities will attest, it was a very special & fun time in our lives. But this wasn’t quite enough for Sadie: she became an active member of the Newcastle Highland Dancing Association, & later, the Hunter Valley Scots Club.

Anything that she would do to help, she would. It may have meant using her home as a base for the packing of lamingtons for a lamington drive (& if you haven’t seen the amount of coconut left over after you’ve hand-packed what seems like 300 dozen lamingtons, you’ve never lived), or providing transport for families or cooking up a storm whenever needed. As with the motorcycling, Sadie opened up her home to all & sundry, with a warm& welcoming smile to whomever needed a bed, with the instructions of:

“You can stay as long as you like. There’s the fridge & there’s the pantry. Whatever you want, you can get it yourself, & don’t expect me to wait on you...”

But of course, she did.

Pets were a constant source of joy for Sadie. A multitude of pets were a part of her life: cats, dogs (she was known as the rat-dog-lady within the motorcycling fraternity as she always seemed to have a Chihuahua tucked away somewhere), birds, & fish. All seemed to know that Sadie’s was a great place to be, including the 4 guinea pigs that I brought home one day, that soon turned into 63........... Pets: she never felt complete without them.

As time moved on & the children grew, of course, their interests changed, so Sadie had to find new ways of spending her time..... Pottery, porcelain doll making, jewellery making, lapidary pursuits & cake making & decorating all became her interests, along with the purchase of the sandwich shop with her wonderful friend, Diane, by her side. Never one to do things by halves, Sadie was never just keen about a hobby, she was PASSIONATE... ...which led to the building of a few more sheds around the yard to absorb her hobbies after they could no longer fit into the house... to the point where she could drive Ken to distraction with all her “Stuff”.... But then again, he’s always had his own “Stuff”.......

Travel became a new passion as well, with 2 trips to Britain & Europe to visit family& friends as well as a Samoan adventure a little later on.

And there was always time to listen to Macca on a Sunday morning.

But far & away, Sadie’s greatest passion was for her family. But you don’t need to be a blood relative to be a treasured member of Sadie & Ken’s family: they gladly accepted & included just about all & sundry of the various peoples who have walked through their lives over the years. In some cases, this includes a new generation of “grandchildren”.

Nothing was more important to Sadie (Referred to from here on in as ‘Mum”). The loss of her own mother was a defining event in mum’s life, & set in place behaviours that she would carry throughout the rest of her life. Ill health had plagued, but not stopped Mum throughout the years, but it had certainly slowed her down in the last few. But it didn’t stop her family involvement; instead perhaps it enhanced it by providing her with more time to be with them.

A little while ago, I asked Mum what she thought was her greatest achievement or thing in her life that has made her the most proud. Without pausing to think, she answered “You & Glen”. I think that has now been surpassed with the arrival of grandchildren into her life. For a woman who used to complain that she was “too young to be a grandmother” (until she became one, that is), Mum became the most wonderful nanny that a child could want, unfailingly indulgent & generous with her love & whatever else she could provide. At one stage, whist we were living in the shed at Mum & Dad’s, my youngest child, aged about 17months, stomped out the door at about 6.30am because I wouldn’t give in to his demand for a biscuit for his breakfast. He was adamant that his nanny would give him one, so I let him go, & sure enough, there he was, sitting up at her kitchen table, enjoying a bikie & a chat with his nanny at 6.30 in the morning........

But you all know Sadie. That’s why you’re here today. Your presence is a reflection of the woman that IS Sadie. And as I look out at you, I can see that Sadie will never leave us: she has left a piece of herself with each of you. She was different things to different people: Sarah, Sadie, Mac, Sarah J, Sade, Sister, Mrs T or Mrs Ken, Mum, Aunty Sadie, Nanny. However she was known to you, please don’t be a stranger so that we can get together & share our Sadie again.

So take a breath & be relieved: there is no more........

Goodnight all

xoxoxoxoxox

Lisa, Lisa

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO LISA!

It's a great day for a birthday......

Many Happy Returns, Cousin of Mine!


xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoox

Oh! How Happy......

Today, Beloved & I celebrate 22 years of marriage.

It really doesn't seem to be that long, & catches us constantly unawares...... When we married, it was for '"forever", although sometimes that may have seemed a bit longer than we may have wanted at the time. There is still a lot of joy in our marriage, & like most couples who have been together for a while, there has been compromise along the way. We started out finishing each other's sentences, & we still do.

I am thankful for the love & support that we have provided for each other: it is a blessing to know that there is someone who will always be around to provide love & support, even at the most trying times. And there have certainly been a few of those, particularly over the last year or so.

We've never actually chosen a song that is "ours", but if either of us were to choose this one, it would be this song by Art Garfunkel, from his "Fate for Breakfast" album, released in 1979.


Oh! How Happy

Oh How Happy you have made me,

Oh How Happy you have made me.
I have kissed your lips a thousand times,
And more times than I can count,
I have called you mine.
You have stood by me in my darkest hour.
Oh How Happy you have made me,
Oh How Happy you have made me.
Oh How Happy you have made me,
Oh How Happy you have made me.
Through our years together
We have had stormy weather,
But our love has been so strong,
That's, love, how we carry on.
Oh How Happy you have made me,
Oh How Happy you have made me.
You brought joy in my empty life,
All that was wrong, you made it right.
My love, my love, my love…
Oh How Happy you have made me,
Oh How Happy you have made me.
Oh How Happy, Oh How Happy,
Oh How Happy…
Oh How Happy you have made me,

Oh How Happy you have made me.

It is a simple song, but the melody & lyrics are happy & heartfelt.

Lucky, aren't we!

Have a good Easter, everyone!

Should Auld Aquaintance be forgot.... part 1.

Hi Bloggers.

Today has been a good day. It certainly could have been awful & tragic, but it wasn't, due in part to the fabulously kind & considerate people that I work with, but I feel that it is mostly is due to the wonderful memories that I have of my lovely mum, who as I have previously mentioned, passed away 1 year ago today. Mum instilled me a very strong instinct to survive, rise above the unhappy things in life, & deal with things in a positive way. She was very much an "accept the things that can't be changed & change the things that can be changed" person: I am eternally grateful that she passed this on. She has left such big shoes to fill..........

To celebrate her life, I have decided to share with you the eulogy that I gave at her funeral last year. Upon re-reading, it appears to be rather long, although it didn't appear so on the day. To spare your time & tushes, I have decided to publish it in a couple of installments.

I hope that you enjoy getting to know a little bit of Sadie. It is my greatest wish that you had been able to know her in the flesh. I realise that I am a little biased, but to know her was to love her.

Sadie’s Eulogy
14th April, 2008.

My mother, Sadie June McMillan, arrived into the world on Jan 23, 1936 at Toronto West, NSW. The first child of Sarah (known as Sadie) & Moe, her delivery by Nurse Bules was greeted with much celebration, particularly by her father, who continued to celebrate for a prolonged period of time. This resulted in the Sadie’s registration by the nurse, who was sure the baby was to be named after her mother. So, Sarah Jane, as she supposed to be named, became the unique woman that we came to know as Sadie June.

Sadie was quickly followed by her siblings, Alan, Helen & Harry. The family lived in Carrington, where Sadie was educated in the local school. She attended Hunter Girl’s High School until around the age of 12, when she had to leave to commence work to support the family. Her school reports state Sadie was a quiet & studious young lady with a higher than average IQ, who always did her best. Mum was justifiably proud of the fact that she achieved her Intermediate Certificate before leaving school, which placed her 2 years ahead of schedule. Life wasn’t easy, but Mum never really shared much of these darker times, but was instead more inclined to share the colourful details of the many & varied things that happen when you are part of a big, extended family, with lots & lots & lots of children. Such as the fact that there was a bed at The Royal Newcastle Hospital with ‘McMillan’ written on the nameboard above it as there was always 1 child or another in it as a result of their escapades or accidents... such as the time Sadie burned her feet & suffered quite a long while in hospital & numerous surgeries, only to have sister Helen accidentally stick a pitchfork through her foot not too long afterwards.

Even during the tough times in the aftermath of the depression, young Sadie secured work in a number of places, settling into a job at the Co-Op Store in Newcastle. Sadie never complained about her short childhood, just accepting her lot as she continued to do throughout her life, rolling with whatever came her way.

Her childhood & teen years are full of stories, mostly about kids who were a bunch of larrikins who had very little, but had a great time with each other. Mum’s good times seem to relate mostly back to the time spent with her family in Toronto, some of which have been shared, but a lot of which I’ve been told are a bit naughty, so I’m not allowed to share them. Mum did tell me though, that she used to enjoy swimming in the creek wearing only the boy’s hankies tied together as swimmers. Were hankies bigger back in those days? It’s a good thing that tissues weren’t invented way back then........

Let’s skip forward to the early 1950’s. While living in Denison St, Hamilton, the lovely teenaged Sadie regularly attended the local dances. It was often said that she & her mother looked more like sisters than mother & daughter, which was a good thing for one of her brother's mates, who didn’t attend the dances. Instead, he spent these evenings at home polishing the silver with Sadie Snr while Sadie Jnr went out & had fun. But this time & polishing paid off for young Ken Thornton, who worked his way into young Sadie’s heart, until they were married in August 1955. Baby Glen arrived, followed by Cynthia (moi).

Ken & Sadie lived in Orange then Tamworth as Ken pursued his career as an aircraft engineer & motor mechanic before settling into their present home at Belmont North, collecting friends along the way. Sadie was the perfect partner for Ken in their membership of the Newcastle Aeroclub, even though she really didn’t like to fly. Transportation, before Cynthia arrived, was a motorcycle & sidecar, Sadie in pillion position behind Ken, with baby Glen tucked snugly into the sidecar.
Their life together moved in a new direction when Ken re-established his connection in the motorcycling world with their involvement in the Mayfield, then Belmont District Motorcycle clubs Scrambles & motocross became part of the daily life in the Thornton family. Meetings, working-bees & lap-scoring beside dusty motocross tracks became an integral part of Sadie’s life. She was unfailingly supportive of Ken’s endeavours & achievements in this sport; quietly supporting him & opening the family home to motorcycling enthusiasts from Australia & the world as motocross was entered onto the Australian motorsport map from within a loungeroom in suburban Belmont North.

Later on, the pair became keen members of the Newcastle Vintage motorcycling club, & were part of just a handful of members to actually ride their vintage AJS motorcycle to the Gold Coast in 1987. Most other folk towed their bikes in a trailer, enjoying all the creature comforts of their car.........

Siblings; Sadie, Helen & Alan

Tune in for a wee bit more tomorrow.... have a good Good Friday.

Cheers, Cyndy xoxoxox

Sunshine on a rainy day makes my soul trip away....

G'day.

Lots of nothing have been going on in my life. But it's been the nothing of the busy kind. I'm sure you know what I mean.

I'm still really enjoying Community Nursing; I think that this is about the closest to my "Thing" that I'm going to get. Whatever my "Thing" is.........

After all the rain last week, I thought that Vboy's Rugby League would be cancelled on Saturday, but no, 3 changes of starting time & 1 venue change later, Vboy's team eventually kicked off another really good, fair game of footie between 2 well-matched teams in some delightfully muddy conditions. Our boys were the victors, just scraping home against Cessnock 32-28. I even won the mother-who-takes-home-the-muddy-jerseys-to-wash award for the week. Poppy Ken, Gidget the blunder dog, Uncle Glen (my brother...hello Bro, leave me a comment xoxoxo) & Sam the Man all travelled up from their respective homes in Lake Macquarie to watch. And chat. Yep, lots of chat.

But getting to that point wasn't without it's dramas. GG & Sboy were supposed to meet us at the football grounds at Beresfield, as after the game the whole family were driving up to Forster to spend the weekend with Beloved's family, as a very special family event was planned for Sunday morning.

Sboy didn't arrive back in Newcastle to pick up his sister as planned, but instead, caught the train to Sydney to see a band on Friday night, then stayed then night at Morriset with friends, where he'd left his car. He was supposed ( note I say 'supposed')to pick up some motorbike parts on Saturday morning before picking up his sister.

Shortly before arriving at the grounds (which took us a while & a few extra turns to find), Vboy informed us that he couldn't find his boots... they were resting comfortably in the plastic bag on the lounge on the back verandah.... no mud for THOSE nice white boots.....
As we were sorting through this hiccup, Sboy rang to say that he had broken down on the exit road from the freeway on the way back from Tuggerah.......... Tuggerah? What the...... ? He should have been in Newie...... and enroute to the grounds.... & hadn't picked up the parts....... "CALL THE NRMA" was our instruction..... he couldn't understand why we were a bit annoyed..... he'd only thrown ALL our plans out because 2 girls wanted to go shopping..... gotta look after the ladies...... this was at about 1.45pm. A quick call to GG: the good girl picked up the bike parts..... and then she waited for something to happen....

A very helpful member of the Beresfield club went home & picked up his own size 12 boots for Vboy to wear........ evidently, there aren't all that many junior league players with boots in that size...... and he graciously accepted the very sweaty & muddy boots back with a smile ;0)

The NRMA still hadn't arrived by 4.30, so we decided to head down the Central Coast to see what was happening. Vboy went home with Poppy to Belmont to have a shower & get warm. After a wonderfully scenic drive around the wilds of the South-western Lake Macquarie, we arrived shortly after the NRMA at 6.15pm...... and Sboy's car needed to be towed away anyway..... so it's now holidaying at Lake Munmorah until we decide what we will do with it. Apparently, 1984 Toyota hi-lux utes really aren't worth repairing the cracked head on...... Watch out with the cost of a tow, folks.... the 1st 8ks are free, then it was $5 per kilometre after that. Sboys 14km tow set us back $30! And the car is still over 2hours away from home.......

But back to the story... I know you're rivetted.........

We arranged to meet GG at Raymond Terrace Maccas & leave her car there overnight. Seriously folks, do not go to this Maccas for a feed... it was probably the worst I've ever had.... And on Sunday, it looked like somebody had showered a river of mud off in the toilets......
In the pouring rain, we headed off up the grimy, dark, roadwork-disabled highway to meet the family, finally arriving at Forster at about 10.30pm. Dreadful driving conditions, to be sure. And we really had no idea where we were staying. But it all worked out ok in the end. Some of the family were still awake & up for a chat, & we had a comfy cabin to sleep in. My trouble is, I couldn't sleep. Not at all. At 2am, I got out of bed & went & sat in the car & actually found an ABC radio station with a real person on it. At 4.30am, the need to pee heard me creeping quietly back into the cabin, & into bed. A moment's shut eye later, & it was time to get up.......

You see, the whole family had gathered together on this particular weekend to scatter Poppy Don's ashes into the sea off the beach at Tuncurry. It was such an emotional experience. Nanny Val, who said that she wasn't able to say anything, but invited us to say whatever we felt, went on to say it all for us & more. Incredible indeed, as she is not a woman given to emotional displays & is usually economical with her turn of phrase. Poppy Don wasn't going out easily though. There was an out-going tide, rough, biggish surf with a stiff onshore breeze, so out we waded........ fully dressed as we were. We must have looked quite the sight at Gloria Jeans a short while later.....

The sky had been a bit dull & overcast, threatening rain, but once the job was done, we turned around as a sudden parting of the clouds turned the early morning ocean into a shimmering, silvery quilt......Breathtaking, to be sure. Maybe that was a parting gift to us all. I think we were all reluctant to wash off the residual traces of Poppy later on..... Beloved's family are a good mob, even more so since Poppy's passing. Another gift from Poppy Don, maybe.

About 10.30am, we all parted company & headed off for home, hopefully all of us a little lighter in spirit. After picking up GG's car at Raymond Terrace, we had heard on the radio that 2KO had a tent outside Retravision at Heatherbrae, & were giving out free sausage sanwiches & drinks at the "BIG" Retravision sale, so off we went to try them out. I have to say, they were good. And great value for the price. The boys went into retravision for a quick squiz while Beloved & I stood outside talking to radiostation people whilst enjoying the fine fare. The bloke from the station was quite taken with GG, & asked for a photo with her .... she just blended into the crowd... actually, there weren't too many others outside... with her bright pink hair, beautiful, khohl-laden eyes, purple tie-dye petticoat dress & pale mauve leopard skin-print leggings, with her tattoo emblazoned across her chest, which had 3 sections of picture hanging chain from Mitre 10 dangling down to her waist.... she jangled as she walked in her barefeet....*snort*...
Then it was back on the road for a late lunch/early dinner at Singleton, then GG parted ways as she had to be at work in Muswellbrook by 4pm.

Both the big kids stayed overnight, with Sboy home until Tuesday, then he went back to Newie for some fun. I think they'll both be home on Good Friday. GG is working in Mussie over the weekend anyway. As are Beloved & I.

I think that's enough. This post should have come with a "epic-warning"......... I"ll try to post again tomorrow. It's another monumental day...... tomorrow will be the 1st anniversary of my Mum's passing..........

*sigh*

Goodnight all xoxoxoxoxoxo

My Elois-er....... I long to see her....

Someone likes red drinks.....



This is GG & Miss Messy, her BF: it's her birthday today too!

Upside down Miss Pat..... (for the non-Aussies & those too young, this was a line that was popular with Mr Squiggle...)

Today, My lovely girl celebrates her 20th birthday. I found this video by Swedish group, "Arvingarna".

This song was their entry in the 1993 Eurovision song contest; it came in 7th! Unfortunately, I can't get a translation, so Swedish it is.

Happy Birthday, Chickie!

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dHtlNKcFypo&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.lyricsmode.com%2Flyrics%2Fa%2Farvingarna%2Feloise.html&feature=player_embedded

Money, money money,.... always sunny... in a rich man's world........

Good Evening!

It's been a lovely rainy day up here in Wattle Grove. So much so, that VBoys footy training was called off. He played his 1st game of the season last Saturday, & played really well. The team was successful on the day, defeating Southern Lakes 48 - 10!

Friday was interesting. I pottered around home for a while, then headed off to Newie after lunch to pick up GG on the way to Morrisett to pick up a 2nd hand washing machine that I had arranged to buy her. I wanted to buy a new Marriage Certificate (evidently, even though my old one has been ok so far, it is no longer "legal", & I need it for my nursing registration) & post a letter to the Nurses & Midwives Board of NSW, but silly me forgot that Friday was Newcastle Showday Holiday! To quote a very eloquent nurse that I know....plurgh! Anyway, GG & I waited in the wilds of Morrisett for over an hour for the seller to arrive home from work, then had a lovely drive back to Wickham to install the "new" beast. The tap leaked like a small creek, & I think that it needs a hose re-attatched on the bottom of the machine. At least, I hope that's all that the problem is...... Then GG & I parked near the Northern Star hotel to get some Indian for tea, & just as I was reversing into the carparking space, the engine rumbled, coughed, spluttered, then died. 1 NRMA call, yummy food & 40 minuts later, the NRMA saved the day with $15 worth of fuel that I had requested. The Nasty fuel gauge had intimated that there was still 74k's of fuel left in the tank........

I had such a slow & nothing weekend. It was brilliant! Even the 2 DVDs that we hired on Saturday evening didn't work.

Sunday evening, GG walked in through the back door in tears after her shift at the Mussie Service station around 11pm...... She hasn't worked much lately, I really had no idea which of her dilemmas had upset her so....... until she blurted out; "I don't want to go to uni anymore...."
I was relieved that this was her only issue... at least it's not too serious, & in all honesty, I could see it coming. She was worried that we would be disappointed.... There are more pressing areas in her life. Dominos haven't paid her, even though she has worked for them for over 3 weeks. A sum of money appeared in her bank account, & GG assumed that it was her belated wages. Until yesterday, that is, when she received a "please-pay-us-back-or-else" letter from GoLo requesting back the money that had had mistakenly paid her. She hasn't worked at GoLo for over 6 months. The letter was sent to someone named "ELOSIE" to an address that we haven't even lived at for almost 4 years. It is (un)lucky that she even received it. She doesn't have the money to pay it back. They suggested that she pay it back at $50 per week: she answered in the negative. She has only been paid around $120 each week over the last few weeks from her service station job, especially since Dominoes have been so lax in their paying her. Even $50 is not manageable. My only suggestion is that she works shifts to pay it off. She is insistent in her mistaken, naive belief that the mistake wasn't hers, so why should she? She will end up in court, & will lose: that's why she has to pay it back......
She has to find some work that pays, & soon........ This being self-sufficient thing is a myth. I have explained to my kids that I am unemployed in 3 weeks, & all my financial help dries up with my pending unemployment. I don't think that they believe me.........

And GG has her 20th birthday on Thursday. She is planning to go camping with friends.... but the weather looks abysmal! I'm not quite sure what they think they are going to sleep in/under... none of them has any camping gear......
And from her family, all she has received is a leaky washing machine.......

Sboy arrived home for a few days yesterday. Well that was the plan until he drove to Newie, then Sydney this morning........ He's enjoying himself, anyway ;0) He has no more shows scheduled until May, so he needs to watch his pennies vigilantly, too........ Hahahahah... he locked my keys in the boot of my car yesterday.... thank goodness for the NRMA... AGAIN! But at least this time, he used his membership, not mine.

God... I HATE money & all the trouble that goes with it......

I've done 2 days of community nursing, & I love it ;0) The pace is slower & care is more focussed on the individual, people are more receptive to treatment & care, & a nurse is much more able to build up a rapport & relationship with her clients. This rotation will be over way to soon..... I have really had my eyes opened up over the last 9 months: there are so many people out there who are sick, fighting illness, & have amazing spirits. But it's not just the patients that are important: it's the families & support networks too. Good Healthcare is a team effort folks!

ok... that's an update...of sorts......

Enjoy this delightful autumnal (yes...it's a word) weather folks ;0)

The main thing we do is rock your socks off.....

Hi.

17 working days of my traineeship left.

Hmmm.

Life is exciting. Not.

This afternoon is my one & only evening shift in the aged care facility, then a quick turn around into a final morning shift tomorrow. The highlight of my day is the $6 all-you-can-eat salad lunch provided by the Hospital Auxilliary ladies. Hey... this includes dessert, can of drink & a bread roll!

I am gainfully spending my morning watching tv whilst making pairs & folding socks. My laundry bench had a basket of socks on it that had overflowed into a bag, then oozed down over the bench, then slid all over the floor.... a few too many socks, I fear.......

But it was not a waste of time..... I manufactured 33 pairs of matching socks! Then there was the left-over shopping bag full that I thew out..... I did manage to rescue a couple of lonelies who I feel may have a mate out there somewhere........

Yep.... it's meaningful existence...........

Have a good day ;0)

Still here in this quiet room, deep in delusion sending me over.........

I've been up a few hours after deciding to get out of bed with Beloved at 0530 this morning.

I desperately needed a hot cup of tea to soothe the burning in my throat. I've had a bit of a bug this week, with 2 days spent upon my lounge, basically dying. It seems to be a re-occurring thing that I've had 3 times since last June. It's a stupid headache-sore-throat-can't-stay-awake-thing that I've decided is a low grade infection in the sinuses and nasopharyngeal area. Apart from the 3 near-death-occassions (yes, I am being over dramatic here...), I have had sore-throats & sinus issues on & off that I've been treating with nasal washes, hot lemon/honey drinks & paracetamol as needed. But I'm getting rid of the little sucker this time with a double course of antibiotics..... DIE BUGS, DIE! Wonders of wonders, I was able to secure a doctors appointment on the same day as I rang....

Anyway, since I was up so early, I've treated myself to an uninterrupted viewing of 'rr.r.r.r.r.rage' on the ABC.... I love music......

There has been quite a bit of forgettable stuff, including Britney's Circus... WHEN WILL SHE LEARN THAT SHE CAN SING WITH CLOTHES ON & WITHOUT MULTIPLE CHANGES INTO VARIOUS FORMS OF UNDRESS WHILST PERFORMING A LAPDANCE WITHOUT A LAP TO DANCE UPON???????

But there was still quite a few highlights for me;

• Beyonce, Halo: Lovely song, but the surprise was the girl herself, totally devoid of make-up, looking so young & fresh. No overt sexuality to be seen.

• Lily Allen, The Fear: You got to love the clever lyrics in this song. A very ascerbic observation of society..

"Life’s about film stars and less about mothers
It’s all about fast cars concussing each other
But it doesn’t matter cause I’m packing plastic
and that’s what makes my life so fucking fantastic"

It's worth reading the rest of the lyrics........ And she wears the same dress throughout the clip.

• The Ting Tings, We Walk: Another clever film clip. Take responsibility for your own happiness:
  

"You see the changes in things that come

It's how you deal with it when switching off
Make a decision, a precondition
We've got the choice if it all goes wrong, We walk, We walk (if it all goes wrong)
Where nothing makes you feel good... We've got the choice if it all goes wrong
We walk"

• Ladyhawke, My Delerium: Love the whole beat of this one.

• Kate Miller-Heidke, Caught in the Crowd: She's special, this one. Unique to be sure. A lovely song of apology to a boy she went to school with. A good, simple clip.
  

• The Howling Bells, Into the Chaos...

• Kings Of Leon, Sex on Fire: Voices to melt your knickers, reminiscent of Jon Stevens & Noiseworks in the late 80's. Of course, nothing can cause knickers to spontaneously combust the way that Micheal Hutchence could... and one, night, at the Bel Air Hotel in Kotara, Michael Hutchence's sweat dripped on me..... I was 10cm right in front of him, just the cool, slim metal of the mike stand between us.... the man was RAW, even as a teenager..... Oh, sorry.. Where was I? ... Oh yes: Sex on Fire;
  

"Hot as a fever, rattlin' bones, I could just taste it, just taste taste it.... if it's not forever, if it's just tonight, Oh, it's still the greatest, the greatest, the greatest. You, your sex is on fire... consumed with what's to transpire....."

Beloved's song to me... hehehehehehe

• Fallout Boy, America's Sweethearts: A clip that's pure theatre.

• Short Stack, Princess: The song's ok, but it's the hairstylist need a round of applause....

• Empire of the Sun, We are the People: I just love the harmonies & melodies..there seems to be a heart-felt need to reach the audience. And anyone that can dress up & wear make-up like that & still look good deserves kudos. Or maybe they're just hiding......

• Josh Pyke, The Summer: Who else could fit some many words into one line of lyrics while painting such a beautiful story?

• British India, God is Dead (Meet the Kids): A really bald, effective clip that I couldn't take my eyes off. It matches the lyrics: I love the song.

• Fever Ray, When I Grow Up: Raw, tribal, yet not...

• The Presets, If I Know You: This is different for the Presets, but I just love that solid back-beat, & the Voice....... it probably reminds me of the Romantic 80's...... Their live performances viewed on the tv seem ...live.....

• Lupe Fiasco, featuring Matthew Santos, Superstar: I surprised myself with this one. I don't like rap, but when he actually sings, he sings.....

And last, but not least..........

• Sherbet, You've got the Gun: C'mon... it may not be their best, but it's SHERBET!!!!!

Ok. I've bored you enough.

Have a good weekend! ;0)