This week has certainly flown by – I seem to have just written last week’s Blog and here I am back again. Last Sunday we prepared the final eats to take with us and Jill & I went to Kmart to gather the last of the stocking fillers for our grown up kids – they have always had a stocking for Christmas – I mentioned to Jill maybe we should look at buying some new stockings. We parked at the front entrance with our new disabled sticker and with the aid of a shopping trolley we were able to get around the store.
Jean and Joan arrived just as we got back from our shopping venture to wish us a merry Christmas.
We left Wangaratta about 1.30pm on Monday, dropped Jake at the kennels and headed south following the directions of our GPS. We arrived at Doreen about two hours later, unloaded the Jeep, Christmas presents and the Engles fridge with our turkey etc.
Christmas Eve – Chris & Nicole took us for a drive to see the Christmas lights in the Laurimar Estate. Santa deposited the stockings under the Christmas tree.
Christmas day arrived and Jill wanted me to give Chris & Nicole their present, but we had to wait the arrival on Allison, Chris and Michael. Allison & Chris arrived with the now famous pavlova. Michael arrived with Gus just in time for dinner. We had a great meal, turkey, hickory smoked ham, pork and crackling, followed by pavlova, pudding, fruit salad and Christmas cake. Plus the odd wine and beer. Note from the picture we had our meal outdoor in the Alfresco dining area. The weather was quite cool so every body watched movies in the theatre room on the big screen.
Boxing day – after Allison and Chris left Chris and I dug a trench to bury the water line from the tank out to the front tap. We also erected a clothes line. My back has reminded me that I have not done any manual labour for some time.
I had an email from another MSA sufferer in Finland on Christmas Eve – from Conny and her husband Jari
“I’m from Germany but since 8 years I live with my husband in Finland. In December we normally have very cold weather. But since 2 years there is a big change. We have no snow and 2- 5 Celsius plus, normal is minus 10 to minus 20 degrees.”
Which I think would probably, be the effects of Climate Change.
Her comments about doctors I have heard several times from you know who.
“2 years ago they (doctors, I hate them all, and I’m never going to see one again) diagnosed me with probable MSA. But I’m sick since at least 15 years (very slow changes, still going on like I was healthy). That’s enough about sickness, I really hate it, and I ignore it, as long as possible.”For Christmas dinner we had duck, potato pie, salad, vegetable pie and freshly baked apple pie, coffee, beer (for Jari) and red wine (for me).
I think I could go to Finland for Christmas dinner. Conny if you ever make that next trip down under – put us on your list of must see.
We have been back on the crazy machine, watching the India V Australia cricket test on TV and keeping out of the heat (37C Saturday – supposed to be 38 -39 today) .
We received an email from Jeannette and Gavin yesterday and enviously Jill read their exciting news. Luke and Clarrissa are expecting – some time in August 2008 – GREAT NEWS. And they also bought a flat in Carnegie which they intend moving into in February 2008 after some painting – any helpers.
Coming up on Tuesday is another milestone for us. Jill and I were married Jan 01 1966 – so it will be 42 years. Seems like yesterday – lots of things have passed under the bridge since that great day.
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY MY LOVE.
See you next week on the net and have a HAPPY NEW YEAR 2008
Congratulations for Jan 1st.from your Matron of Honour.Much water has flowed under the bridge since that day.I have difficulty remembering special dates but yours I never forget or cousin Edwins birthday on Boxing day.