Life in the Retired Lane

Good Friday

2011-04-22T21:52:00.001+08:00

Do you understand why it would be called a "Good" Friday. To understand the Gist of the Story I want to link up to a blog that I read today. No point in reinventing the wheel.

http://tammynischan.blogspot.com/

Wishing you all a lovely and blessed Easter.

What is Your Passion--your Heart Longing????

2011-04-03T14:02:00.001+08:00

That was a question we were asked at church this morning and I really had to think about it, but I have an answer. My heart longs for the people that I know and love, especially my children, to want to have a relationship with God.

I would love to convince them that God loves them, that only in Him can they reach their full potential. Seems everyone these days is looking for seminars, week-ends, books that will tell them how to be happy, successful, etc, etc. when it is all there, just for the finding, in relationship with the One who created us and knowsus better than we know ourselves.

"But, they tell me, I am a good person surely that counts?" No, not at all. I hate to burst your bubble but being a good person, going to church, giving to the poor does not make you a Christian nor does it make you eligible for heaven. The only way to enter into eternal life, rather than eternal damnation when you die, is to accept that we need someone to make us acceptable to God. That someone is Jesus. He gives us the pass for Heaven. The entry payment to become one of God's kids. After that, we want to get to know this Daddy and find out what pleases him. Just as we like to gain acceptance from our earthly fathers so we desire it from God. And the bestest part of all is that He wants to bless us, strengthen us when things go wrong and then, when we die take us to be with him for eternity.

But we do have to make a decision. God doesn't come into our lives if we don't want him. That is why there is so much trouble and strife in our world now. God doesn't send it but man has been trying to do things there way, without thinking of God, for a long time and so He steps back and says "OK have it your way." and look what that has accomplished.

So what's the next step to satisfy my longing? It is to pray a simple prayer like the one following and then do something about learning how to follow God. Ask you Mom, find a good church. Church is not like it used to be---it can and is great fun.

"God, I recognize that I have not lived my life for You up until now. I have been living for myself and that is wrong. I need You in my life; I want You in my life. I acknowledge the work of Your Son Jesus Christ in giving His life for me on the cross at Calvary, and I long to receive the forgiveness you have made freely available to me through this sacrifice. Come into my life now, Lord. Take up residence in my heart and be my king, my Lord, and my Savior. From this day forward, I will no longer be controlled by sin, or the desire to please myself, but I will follow You all the days of my life. Those days are in Your hands. I ask this in Jesus' precious and holy name. Amen."

And now I have a post to write about a certain cat and a little bitty mouse.

Good Reading

2011-01-19T19:45:00.003+08:00

If you want to read a great inspiring book check this one out. A Dare to Live Life Fully--One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp writer of this blog.

Figuring Life Out - One Thousand Gifts from Jacob Forrest on Vimeo.

I Will Remember

2011-01-15T10:47:00.000+08:00

I just went to read this blog and read there the words of this song that I have copied and pasted here as it so expresses my feelings that I tried to just share with you in the previous post.

We will remember, we will remember

We will remember the works of Your hands

We will stop and give you praise

For great is Thy faithfulness

You’re our creator, our life sustainer

Deliverer, our comfort, our joy

Throughout the ages You’ve been our shelter

Our peace in the midst of the storm

With signs and wonders You’ve shown Your power

With precious blood You showed us Your grace

You’ve been our helper, our liberator

The giver of life with no end

[Chorus]

When we walk through life’s darkest valleys

We will look back at all You have done

And we will shout, our God is good

And He is the faithful One

Bridge

Hallelujah, hallelujah

To the one from whom all blessings flow

Hallelujah, hallelujah

To the one whose glory has been shown

[Chorus]

I still remember the day You saved me

The day I heard You call out my name

You said You loved me and would never leave me

And I’ve never been the same

Wonderful News

2011-01-15T10:38:00.001+08:00

My beautiful daughter--I realised that I have no recent photos of her --so this one will have to do. She is still lovely this one was taken several years ago though. Anyway, I have a special reason for calling attention to her on my blog.

Martha rang me with good news last night. Somewhere between 7 and 10 years ago, she was diagnosed with MS. This was devastating news for a young woman A diagnoses of an incurable disease, something hanging over her life that was totally out of her control, that had the possibility of changing life as she knew it, forever. I am very proud of the way that Martha handled this, she hasn't complained or sulked, she has just gotten on with her life in an amazing way. I and my friends have prayed for and believed that all would go well with Martha, that she wouldn't have any further attacks of MS and I asked God for her complete healing. Over the years I have wished that Martha would have new MRI scans but there were always good reasons why this didn't happen. Recently, as God engineered things, the MRI was done. Yesterday, I got a phone call from my daughter with the results. There are no new lesions in her brain, many of the old ones have disappeared and the ones that are left are all smaller, by many centimeters. I am so happy and I just have to give my great gasp-giving, awe-inspiring, mountain-moving God thanks for what has happened with Martha. From what could have been a terrible disease with devastating effects there is rejoicing in the fact that it has so improved and it has no hold over her life. Yes, a disease with such unpredictability has shaped her life but not defined it.

Good on you, my daughter, you are an amazing woman, I am proud of you and love you. And now, you may yell at me for embarrassing you!!!

How Can it Be?

2010-12-30T12:46:00.003+08:00

I am going to copy and paste something that I have just read on a blog dealing with overseas adoption. These children have been on my heart and in my prayers a lot just lately. I wish I were young again so that I had the necessary time and energy to respond to these dear ones in need. Maybe my posting will encourage someone to step up or at least pray. I realise that the button for Reece's Rainbow is an American site but if you are interested I am sure that there are Aussie sites dealing with adoptions.

We have visited our boys two days now. We got to spend 4 hours with them yesterday and let me tell you all... laying rooms are REAL and AWFUL! Institutionalization is no joke and sad to see the effects of. Both boys are wild eyed when they come to us. The haven't been out of that room EVER! Little George tries to go back. It is all he has known for 3.5 years.

The boys were wrapped in receiving blankets for diapers when we got them. Imagine wrapping yourself in a king size sheet where your legs go straight out to the side and you can't bend at the waist. They tied them up so tight I'm scared to see what their bellies are going to look like. We took diapers and the Nannies used them but they were soaked when they came to us. I don't think their diapers are changed often. Both are severely dehydrated, their fontanels and their eyes are sunken in, their skin is very dry, less diapers to change I guess.

Their nails are awful; jagged, frayed, bent. One of Henry's is split down the middle. They have some kinda hard glue like residue on the ends of their fingers. I've tried to take it off but it is very hard.

George has only stubs for teeth where he has ground them trying to self sooth. I don't think either has ever had a proper bath or their teeth brushed. Both of their teeth are in bad shape. They don't know how to cuddle. Being rocked to sleep is completely foreign.

George is on a major sedative that really messes with him. Poor baby is so out of it and uncomfortable because of it. They are treated harshly and don't know a soft touch.

No child should EVER be treated this way. EVER!!!!

Adoption is hard, it is taxing in so many ways but compared to what these babies are enduring it is NOTHING! Please continue to spread the word about orphans. About those who need families.

Shout from the roof tops their situation, continue to scrape up money, pray pray and pray some more!! Because of another mom doing just this we found our babies and God willing in a couple weeks, hopefully sooner, we will be taking them out of that awful place to be orphans no more. To no longer feel hungry or alone. To learn that Mammas are made to rock babies to sleep and daddies are made to play and love. To be taken care and loved unconditionally!!

Reading about these children will break your hearts when you find that if they are not adopted by about age 3/4 they are placed in asylums and no longer available for adoption. That they spend their days in beds and not allowed to be hugged and touched. I thank God for all the people who are willing to open their hearts and homes to these children and for the sacrifices they make. Also to the people who care for the children in their home countries under such horrible conditions. They must have good hearts. May they soon learn that there are better ways to care for such babies.

Bloom Where You're Planted

2010-09-18T15:23:00.005+08:00

I read a book with that title many years ago. I don't think it would still even be in print. I remember that I enjoyed it because it was set a great deal in Texas, places where I had lived, but the theme was good too.That where we are, is where God wants us at this particular time and we should thrive, grow and bloom where ever that is. Not constantly wish for something different. We do need to have dreams and goals but these should be the goals and dreams that

God has for you. Talk to him, ask him. He wants to give you the desires of your heart because he loves you. Get your dreams and goals in line with his wishes for you and nothing will be too hard.

As far as blooming where you are planted I am hoping that my vegetables will grow where they are planted! As you can see from the photos I am trying a different type of garden. I first came across this idea at I made a few adaptations and am using their watering system. Please go and have a look at the ideas that two young fellows had. I had bad soil in my garden and not much space so thought I would give this a try and see that happens.

Peas growing in the blue one:

Then a tomato

And Lettuce

Last of all Potatoes in here.

I will plant and grow more if it seems to be working. Advantage no weeds, can not overwater as the bags are not waterproof and with handles I can move them about as needed for sun etc.

Now try to enjoy your life where God has planted you.

What To Do?

2010-05-22T15:19:00.010+08:00

It's a glum, dreary, rainy day today, Saturday, and I don't feel much like doing anything very constructive so I think I will do a post all about Gracie. I have quite a few photos and a couple of videos I have been saving up to post. So to all you cat fanciers out there here is your chance to enjoy my little bundle of joy.
I had to do a lot of research and then work to figure out someway to stop her jumping the fence but that is all done now and she is a good cat and never leaves the back yard. Of course she loves to make me open and close the door a million times, especially at night when I am sat watching tv. I usually leave the door open a small amount but it is getting a bit cold for that now. So I guess I will be getting exercise. If I let her out and shut the glass door behind her, she turns and gives me a very dirty look. Like how dare I shut her out?

Here she is having a play. It is easier to see when the video if full screen but I don't know how to make it larger. I will edit the HTML a bit and make a little larger but can't go full size.

Here she is exploring the kitchen. She doesn't usually roam around the kitchen bench tops!

And now a couple of pictures to show off my new back yard. The weeds are growing now so it doesn't look as good as it did here.

Well this took up quite a bit of time and solved my feeling of boredom. Hope you all enjoy having a look into my life with Gracie.

Blessings

Jennifer

In Memoriam

2010-04-20T07:27:00.000+08:00

Three years ago today, Maurice, my dear husband, passed away. He went before me to stay with his Lord. I know that he will be enjoying himself. As he told us all many times, "Jesus was his best friend."

I find it hard to believe that three long years have gone by since I have heard his voice, experienced his hugs, and felt his love for me, had him to talk to, and had him to do practical things for me. But the years have gone on and not many days pass without me thinking of him and being thankful that he helped me become proficient at so many practical things in life. Every time I drive my little red car I thank him for knowing , just a few months before he died, just what I would need.

Melanoma is such a killer. I would hope that Maurice's sons have learned from their loss, to "cover-up" but I doubt it. The young always think that it won't happen to them!. I am sure Maurice thought exactly the same way.

In memory of Maurice I must tell you, from him, that your life will be a better journey if you introduce yourself to his friend Jesus. All you have to do is talk, or whisper to him that you need help with your life, that you are not doing too good a job of it by yourself. But no matter how good your life is, it will come to an end and then what? How many of you will be hoping for heaven. BUT without making an active choice for Jesus that is not where you will be going. No choice, is a choice and it leads to Hell. An eternity (a time without end, think about it) separated from God and and any influence for good. Jesus came that we might have eternal life (John 3.16) but also that we might have an abundant life. Does that sound good to you. It should.

Martha this photo I picked just for you. You know why.

As I start another year without my love, I say thank you to him for wanting to be married to me, for being willing to marry a women with four children, some of whom were still youngish, thank you for years of fun and laughter. But most of all for being a man who loved God and wanted to do things His way. I love you.

Jennifer

Good Friday

2010-04-02T08:25:00.000+08:00

Here in West Australia it is Good Friday. In a few minutes I am off to church. "Why?" I hear you ask. Well, it is an historic fact that Jesus died. To think that he died for me is a sobering thought. Nothing I can do can change that fact of history, but instead of ignoring it and pretending it didn't happen I choose to remember and to say thank you. It is the least I can do. I haven't had anyone else i my life that was willing to die for me. May I wish all of you a blessed Easter time. And because He lives I can face tomorrow as the song says.

Love
Jennifer

Really Must Do An Update

2010-03-12T20:40:00.002+08:00

Yes, I really must do an update. My daughter is complaining loudly because I am ignoring my blog. Seems she checks often to see, although I don't think I can put anything here that she doesn't already know. Last time I was saying my garden was finished. It has managed to keep on despite the terribly hot and dry weather we have had this summer. No rain at all since November. I don't have an up to date photos but might take one tomorrow.

Then I visited Brisbane, Queensland to attend the wedding of my step-son Simon and Chrissy. I had a really nice time. I stayed with my older step-son Brendan and his finance, Carlu. Was able to meet my little grand daughter Tayla and her step-sisiters ,Maddison and Hallie. We had a really good time and went out for a few meals and Brendan cooked a great barbecue one night.

On the night before I was due to fly home, I developed a terrible pain in my stomach caused by what I thought was my hiatus hernia but wasn't sure. I had had these pains a few times prior and they usually disappeared after several hours. However, they persisted all night and for the drive from the Gold Coast to the airport. I told Brendan that there was no way I could get on the plane so we approached the Virgin Customer Service and they were very understanding and even phoned a doctor for me and made an appointment, gave us directions, and off we went. The doctor didn't think he could help and sent me to the ER at the hospital. They admitted me and were able to take an xray that showed exactly what the problem was. The hernia had filled with trapped gas and there was no way for it to escape. I had to have a gastric/nasal tube. For those who don't know it was a tube up the nose, down the throat into the stomach area in order to suck out the gas. Worked a treat but by this time it was evening and the hospital wouldn't let me go until I had been able to eat. They kept me overnight, Brendan finally got to go home. I am very grateful that he spent the day with me. The next day after lunch I got a taxi and went to the airport to face the Virgin Customer Service again. They were so kind and helpful and just put me onto the evening flight to Perth. I had to spend seven hours in the airport but I was able to go to the lounge area where I was able to wait in comfort.

It was good that at least I knew what the problem was if I had another attack of pain. I saw my doctor and eventually saw a specialist who booked me in for an operation to be done on March 9th. But that wasn't to be because a week later I developed a pain and had to call the ambulance in the middle of the night. I was taken to our local hospital and then sent on Bunbury. It was a Friday and by Saturday afternoon I had finally seen the surgeon on call, who just happened to be the doctor that I had seen about the operation in the first place. I firmly believe that God had this all in hand. There is not such thing as coincidence! On Sunday morning I had a four hour operation to put my tummy back where it all belonged. Apparently 2/3rds of my stomach was up in my chest area. I was in hospital for three days and went home only able to consume liquids for two weeks. That was hard as I was feeling hungry. I even had a room to myself in the hospital because I had been in a hospital outside WA in past year. Yes, that one night in Brisbane. Another God incidence. I am all recovered now and I really can tell the difference. I can breath much easier and deeper and have lost the feeling of having something in the way in my diaphragm.

Now what else has been happening? I have been following the adventures of several bloggers who have been to Kenya with Compassion international. The plight of these children, who can be found all over the world, living in extreme poverty and lack of all the things we think are important touched my heart. They truly are happy and know better than we what is important in life. They have a faith that is beyond description. I committed myself to sponsor a young man in Rwanda. A young boy who will be 14 in June. I didn't want a young child as I felt that since I am older I might not be able to sponsor for their entire school life and older children often go without sponsors. People seem to favour little girls, then litttle boys, older girls and finally at the end of the list teenage boys. I am looking forward to receiving information about this boy so I can write to him.

My little kitten, Gracie, is growing and developing her own personality She loves to play hide and seek and grab my feet as I pass by. Like a child, she thinks she is hiding as long as we don't get eye contact. He will hide behind the lowest of things and then when we look at each other eye to eye she dashes out at great speed. Her favourite time of day is between supper and bedtime as she goes outside then and does her own thing. I don;'t think she goes far. I let her out then because I have close neighbours since I am in a retirement village setup. At that time of night everyone is inside and doors shut so I don't have to be so worried about someone getting annoyed because a cat is roaming around. Tomorrow I will take some photos and put them up.

Well, I think I have caught you up to date with my most important happenings. I would say I will try to do better but I don't suppose that will make much difference.

Another Few Days and It's Finished

2009-12-19T13:33:00.006+08:00

Well my garden is finished except for the guys coming to take away their rakes and wheelbarrow and put up a final piece of lattice and a plant to hide the rubbish bins from view. They are so ugly! I am liking it very much. Have had the usual grumpy neighbour concerns that one has when living in such close quarters. i.e. How many times are they going to go back and forth in front of my door. Pardon me but the only way to get into my back yard is past her front door. I can't help that. I didn't build the place. Then I shouldn't allow them to park in the road in past the car ports. Cause it is a nuisance. This is from a lady that no longer has a car. Their trailer and car was parked so as not to be an obstruction to anyone driving through and if anyone wanted to enter the one parking bay obstructed other than mine, the vehicle would have been moved. Anyway, I guess we all live through it and maybe if I am very good I can retrieve my reputation as a good neighbour. Good thing I don't have loud, late parties.

Here are the finished pictures. Now to pay the bill!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 'The pictures are a bit dark, especially the first one of the front garden , because it was getting on to dark.

What a Difference a Day Makes

2009-12-13T08:01:00.014+08:00

Well, together with some hard work! But, I must quickly add, not on my part. I am just paying! When I moved into my new little unit my back garden looked like this.

I decided to get it sorted out professionally. I am no gardener by any stretch of the imagination.After much thought, and trepidation (at the sheer expense of such a luxury) work began. All week things have been arriving at my place and yesterday morning (Sat) this was the view from my back door.

By 4pm there was a real improvement and it now looks like this. A few more finishing touches are needed--mulch, pebbles and a few more plants. Hopefully they will be done this afternoon.

And if anyone is wondering about the new addition, Gracie, well, I can assure you that she is living the good life as you can see.

Newest Member of My Family

2009-11-14T13:00:00.003+08:00

No. no! it's not a baby. It's a kitten. She just about as much work as having a baby around. Loves to play, jump and climb everywhere. I find myself saying, "No, don't, and get down" more than I have in years.

I adopted her from the vet's when she was six weeks old but due to my hectic schedule and pre planned travels they had to keep her for me until she was about 12weeks old. Gracie, as I have named her, settled in well and she has already learned to sleep on the spare pillow on my bed. Now travelling will get more expecnsive as I will have to put her in the cattery when I go away. Even if it is just to Perth for a couple of days. She gets too lonely at this point in time. As she is older I will be able to leave her.

Other than the new kitten life is progressing as usual. Very busy. Life in this retired lane is always busy and lots of time lonely. You wouldn't think those two things would travel well together but they seem to. Hard to explain how you can have time to be lonely if you are busy but take it from me, you can.

I am going to try to upload a couple of video clips from my camera so you can see the new addition.

Isn't she lovely?

Procrastination

2009-09-19T16:46:00.006+08:00

Something that I am good at. Each day I think of updating this blog and each day there is a really good reason why I don't get it done. The main reason is that I went visiting and left my camera behind so I don't have any up-to-date photos to support what I might feel like writing about.

Today I might let everyone know that I have moved into my own little place finally. I have been here about a month now and each day leads to being more settled and at h

ome. Today it was potting up a red chocolate cordyline. Now I have just read the name I know why I like it. I love chocolate! But in order to that I had to buy the plant, buy the pot, and buy the potting mix. AND because I am getting older and weaker I had to buy a trolley in order to get the backs of potting mix and soil improver round to my back garden. At least I will get a lot of use out of that now that there is no strong man around to do the lifting an

d carrying for me. Maurice, I miss you.

This shows my unit it is the middle one of three. This is before the new plant and also some pots and planting in the front as well as the addition of some solar garden lights. Now, if I just had my camera.

Trying to get all my furniture into this much smaller space was a real challenge. But my daughter Martha came to visit and helped me very much. We went shopping and bought a sofa bed instead of two stuffed arm chairs. We went armed with measurements as we knew just the size we needed so that it would open and miss the TV cabinet. We were successful and since I have had a friend visit for a week and a son for a weekend I can vouch for its comfort.

Also I am getting used to a new computer. I just had it playing a tune at me so something must be happening but I have no idea what! My son. Andrew, wanted to purchase a new MacBook so I offered to help by purchasing his old one. My laptop was full up and unable to take anymore memory due to its small processing chip. I am in heaven now with this one. Very fast and easy to use.Although I am sure I am trying Andrew's patience as I have questions each day to ask him.

I have adopted a kitten and should be able to get her on Oct 8th after I return from a trip to Adelaide for my brother's wedding. She is adorable. Grey with little white socks. I will take a photo when she arrives and maybe open my blog up to suggestions for names as I have no idea at this time what to call her. I am hoping her demeanor will help me.

This is my back yard. As you can see it is a blank canvas. Well, mow the canvas has a few more weeds showing through but I have no idea what to do with it. Gardening isn't my cup to tea and I am not sure I know how or have the strength even if I did know what plants to put in. Any suggestions, anyone out there.

I do hope you all come back and have a read and I am sorry to left it so long. I was totally amazed when Martha told me how many hits I had had. Maybe it was scammers! My love to you all.

Where to Begin

2009-08-28T11:10:00.005+08:00

I know, I know. I have been gone for ages. Now I don't know where to start. So much has happened since I did my first installment of my holiday. But for the up to date news you will just have to wait.

I will continue my holiday.

I spent four lovely days in the Lake District where a relative of a friend of mine treated me to wonderful hospitality. Thank you Pat. She drove me all over the place on typical narrow, winding country roads. We visited 7 of the 11 ( I think it is) lakes. Each sight was more beautiful than the last. I do hope to go there again.

Then it was back to Gateshead and the Newcastle area for a few days there.

Then it was off to Northampton. My mother grew up there. She is now 93 but I had instructions to check out the house where she grew up and the infants school she attended. Too my surprise each was still there. The school swimming baths had a sign that said they were built in 1902 and they were in full use the day I was there in 2009! Good going.

I am finding it very difficult to get the photos placed where I would like them to be. So please bear with me. I will have to spend some time reading the help files and find out how to do it properly. So that's all for now. Next time will go to Cambridge, London and Stratford. I won'tpromise to up date sooner but I will try.

Returned

2009-07-01T16:41:00.004+08:00

This is the barge that I stayed on in Ripon.

Back home again after a wonderful, restful holiday. I had such big plans of keeping my blog up-to-date while I was away but alas "the plans of man".... But that's another story. I think I will post a few days stories in order that I traveled around the U.K. So after my time at Lamplugh House I went to Scarborough on the Yorkshire coast for a night in a caravan. I was expecting a caravan as I know them but the park was full of only what they call "static" caravans.

We know them as park homes or cabins. Mike and Margi are friends of my brother and this was our first meeting. We had a fun time together. After a night in the caravan we went to Ripon where their home is a canal barge. Had never been on one before but Maurice and I had often dreamed of traversing the canals of Europe and England. But we never won Lotto! The birds and ducks were such characters. I know why ducks have their name. There were two that would come to the kitchen window for ---food.They would peck at the glass and bob their heads up and down---ducking!

We even went for a trip down the canal and through a lock. I liked that experience as I feel I understand a little better how they actually work.

This is the inside of the lock gate and the water is rising.

While at Mike's they drove me around and we visited, Whitby, York (where we had afternoon tea, actually lunch, at the famous Betty's Tearooms and Cafe), Harrogate (while there, I saw places where I had lived and my grandmother's house, and where I had worked in my 20's) Yes, I did used to be that young. Also went to Knaresborough and to Aysgarth Falls looking for the spot where my granddad and I posed for a photo when I was about four. Also went to the Railway Museum in York. That was very interesting. Saw the old steam engines, royal coaches and carriages and also saw the Mallard which still holds the speed record for steam engines. It apparently only reached the record speed for 21/2 seconds I think it was before the engine blew up and it had to be towed back to the railway yards. It certainly gave all it had to give. I was with Mike and Margi for a week before going on the Lake District. Will tell you about that part in the next installment.

My Holiday

2009-05-18T19:54:00.003+08:00

Picture from www.kingdomfaith.com/yorkshire

Well Folks, I am having a wonderful time here in the UK. I have been here one week and one day. And it has been pretty busy. Arrived in Newcastle after a very long journey but everything went smoothly and right on time. I enjoyed flying with Emirates. |Peter and Margaret were waiting for me at the airport and then we boarded my first English train for a trip to their suburb. The area we travelled in looked depressed but that is usual for the area where trains run no mattter where you are in the world. On Monday I felt a little jet lagged so we just stayed at home and rested. The next day we took the train into the city centre and I shopped. There is more goods to choose from here than I find in Australia. I had to buy a LARGE handbag as the one I had wasn't big enough for all the bits and pieces I couldn't get in my luggage. And to all of those who knew about my struggle with luggage weight in the end Emirates increased their allowance on May 4th to 30kgs. so all the clothes I left at home, I could have taken!! Drat. I am finding it hard to find souvenirs so I may not bring much home with me.

I met Maurice's sister Norma and her husband Albert. They were lovely and kind to me, even giving me a small cash gift to "Help you on your way. lass." I was touched. I will be seeing them again as I have family questions I want to ask and it didn't seem right the first time we set eyes on each other.

I find the houses are very small and compact here. Except at this time I am sitting in an old manse which has three floors an a dormer attic and bedrooms by the dozen. I have been here for a residential healing conference and it has blown my mind seeing God work in so many lives in a miraculous way. My mind has been stretched as to what is possible with God. I am a little in awe as I know that He will expect me to use the new knowledge that he has entrusted me with and I am not sure what avenue that will take. But all things are possible for God and I know I only want to do what He wants me to do.

Today is my last day here. The countryside is beautifully green interspersed with yellow rape seed fields, which I think is our canola. I have been for long walks. Tomorrow I am being picked up by friends of my brother and going to do some driving/ sightseeing. Whitby Abbey, York, Leeds, Harrogate and Ripon. Then I will go on to the Lake District. I came here to Scarborough by the Trans Penine Express Train and after the Lakes I will go back to Newcastle by train from Carlisle. Getting very proficient on these trains but they are a quick and cheap way to travel.

Must go as I have been using this computer for a long time now. I don't know when I will have access again. I am hoping to copy and paste a picture from the web of the house I am staying in.

More Information

2009-05-03T18:51:00.003+08:00

Just want to give a little more information for those of you who are interested in my situation. Where I am living. It is a large camping ground for people on low incomes. That was part of the conditions of the lease that was given many years ago. A gentleman gave a huge parcel of land to all the churches and non profit groups for them to provide places for people to holiday. There are all the main line churches, boy and girl scouts, Scripture Union, Legacy (war widows) provided for. Now after 99years peppercorn rent the council wants to reclaim this property as it is prime ocean front land and will recoup much money. Anyway our church has a campground. It contains about 28/30 trailers. Some are privately owned and others belong to the church. There is a large girls and boys dorm, a campers kitchen and a large dining room. These were used for school camps etc. Not so much anymore as this type of thing has gone out of fashion. Our church sometimes uses the dining room for large dinners and get- togethers.

I am about a two minute walk down the sandy path (that was in my last post) to the beach. I can't see or hear it from where I am situated. It is very quiet here. Only the caretaker and one other resident in a van across the grass from me. It is of course full up with tents and campers at holiday time and week ends often see people coming to their vans for a break from the city life.

All in all it is a blessing to be here. My picture today-- Nothing on the horizon but a little sailing ship. How do you feel when there in nothing on your horizon. A bit deflated. It is always good to have something you are looking forward to. But remember Scripture tells us that God knows the plans he has for us. So someone bigger than me knows what in on my horizon and He knows what's on yours as well. So don't feel discouraged be encouraged.

What to Write?

2009-04-27T13:55:00.004+08:00

I find that it is very difficult to come up with something that I think would be interesting for people to read. I guess because I worry about people's opinion. Wrong thing to do. I know, I know. I should just do whatever I think I will and if people don't want to read it they don't have to.

On a personal note: Life is jogging on and the days are passing. I am still in the caravan and trying to be patient while waiting for somewhere permanent to live. I do get frustrated with the squashyness of the van. Seems as if one is always bumping into things and can't find a home for much. I tell myself not to be upset by this as the unit I get probably won't have anymore room than I have now. Hopefully it will be a bit better planned. I feel a need to just stride about from room to room.

Soon I will be leaving for England. Two weeks from now I will be there! I am getting excited and now comes the hardest part. Trying to know what to pack and for that not to weight too much. I am a women you know. That means wanting shoes and bags and clothes for every eventuality! No can do. I have to pack in under 20kgs and the suitcase seems heavy all by itself. I will need to layer clothes as England doesn't know whether it is cold or warm at the moment.

My picture today is of the sand track down to the beach. In the background is the ocean.

This is the Life

2009-04-03T15:33:00.003+08:00

What a lovely day it is today here in Busselton, West Australia. The sun is shining and the temperature is just" perfec" as they would say in The Darling Buds of May. I just watched an old episode of that show on tv and only realised now the a young Catherine zetta-Jones was the beautiful young daughter!

I went for a stroll on the beach and as you can see from the picture I had the whole place to myself apart from a couple of seagulls. So blessed. How many parts of the world can you have a whole beach to yourself. And I was in complete safety. No worry about muggers, bombs or any of the other horrible things that go on in the world.

Health Report

2009-03-11T15:28:00.002+09:00

So that I don't have to tell the story many times. I thought I would use my blog on the theory that people actually read it!! I hope.

Yesterday I had my appointment with the specialist in Bunbury in oreder to receive the results of all the blood tests to find out the cause of the saga of the inflamed blood vessels in my head. Well, it didn't help. All the test results came back negative. Two tests weren't done by the lab so I had to have more blood drawn to complete them, and one test is still pending. After one month I would have thought my blood sample would have died a death! The doctor could find no neurological fault with me. So next step. She will send all my info and request an appointment with a neurologist in Perth. Seems that they sometimes drill burr holes in the head to do a biopsy. The drugs used to treat this are cancer treatment drugs so she doesn't want to use them if she can get away without as they are hard on the body. Apparently,vasculitis is an auto immune disease. Very rare. Trust me to have something rare. I must say that the symptoms are seeming to decrease so I am praying that it will finally just fade away.

Maybe my blurry eyesight is all due to my forming cataracts and nothing to do with my head problem. But I don't see the eye doctor until I get back from England.

Anyway, I am not getting worse so I am sure the Lord is looking after me and still has stuff that he wants me to accomplish. Like moving!

Today YUMMY

2009-03-07T16:44:00.006+09:00

I forgot to take my camera so picture comes from cafe-grendel.blogspot.com

Well, today, Saturday, was a lovely day here in the Southwest so after lunch Renee and I took a little drive to Simmo's Ice Creamery. Absolutely beautiful, peaceful surrounding in the garden. Off to the right a young girl's birthday party was in progress. A gaggle of 20 kids or so of all ages. They were having fun on the playground equipment and having a wonderful time on the carousel. It is nice to know that such a thing still exists and the horses still go up and down as faithful parents feed the slot with money so they can go round and round. Although these days I am sure the machine in much more hungry than in my youth!

And what did we oldies do there!? Double cones, what would you expect. We have reached a wise old age when we know that one scoop is definitely not enough! I had Ferrero Roche and Irish Cream. Renee had Irish Cream and Vanilla Berry Swirl. These were simply lovely. After that I took us to see the lake at Gunyulgup Galleries where Maurice and his friends used to sail their little sailboats. It is still a lovely lake and when I get unpacked I will return with some of his ashes. I think he would like that.

New Chapter

2009-03-04T15:11:00.005+09:00

This is my new home complete with screened patio and room for my little red car.

This is the kitchen

the lounge room

I did have all sorts of problems getting my pictures where I wanted them. There must be an easy way that I don't know. Clicking and dragging didn't really work. Very hit and miss.

Well I owe my readers an apology. It has been so long since I have posted. My main reason is because I am suffering from inflamed blood vessels in my head and it is causing my eyes to be very blurry and thinking is very difficult. I am hoping to see the doctor finally next week and get some treatment. This is the culmination of a years sickness so I do hope and pray that it is coming to an end.

Anyway to my New Chapter. I have finally taken the plunge and moved. My lease in Augusta was up for renewal and I decided that I wouldn't renew it but come back to Busselton where Maurice and I lived before moving to Augusta 3 years ago. Life was very lonely there without him and I didn't want to have to do all the mowing or chopping wood for the winter anymore. The state housing authority, on whose list I have been for 4 years tells me that I am nearing the top to their list so it shouldn't be too long before I get offered a place to live. All of that prompted me to pack up my belongings. A friend had a friend who had an empty garage so I was able to store my things there. My old church in Busselton has a campsite on the beach front that has several caravan/annexes on it and I have been allowed to live in one of them for the duration. It is a lovely spot. Once again the Lord is looking after me as the caravan I am staying in was just donated for the camp to use 2 weeks before I needed somewhere and it has its own toilet and shower so I don't have to make trips to a toilet block in the middle of the night.

I am as comfortable as can be and the beach is only a very short walk away. I imagine I will be here until I get back from my trip to England in May/June.

I have been here for just over one week now. Went to church on Sunday and it was so nice to be welcomed back so warmly. You feel that the love and concern is genuine.

My only sadness is that I had to leave next door's cat, who thought she was mine, behind. As this strip where I am living is a Class One Nature Reserve and no pets are allowed. I am sure that cats being cats she will be fine. She will simply go back home and get fed!

I am eagerly looking forward to what the Lord has for me in this new season in which I find myself. I really want to do what He has for me to do. In these perilous times it is important that we know the security that we have in a BIG God who is quite able to see us through whatever we face.

And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. Phil 4:19

Fly Away

2008-12-29T20:09:00.008+09:00

We are having some beautiful summer weather and the town is full of holiday makers. I was standing outside yesterday looking at the glimpses of ocean that I can see from my backyard when I heard a rustling sound. Looked up and saw this kite or kites, not sure if they are connected, flying in the wonderfully blue sky. Just wanted to share with you all.

Who's Coming to Dinner

2008-12-23T12:24:00.003+09:00

Guess who's coming to Christmas dinner at my house!

Someone who:

Loves me very much

Is kind and considerate

Always supportive

Cheers me up when I am down

Provides only the best-- all the time

Never gets tired of listening to me, even when I am whingeing

Has promised me that no matter what, everything will turn out to okay

Is a very happy person

Is creative and does unexpected things

Is the best friend I have ever had

It is going to be a lovely Christmas even though my family and I aren't going to be together in person. We will miss each other but we know our love for each other is deep and unconditional so it won't matter. Merry Christmas and blessings to : Patrick & Sue, Alex & Charlotte ; Margaret & John; Martha & Andrew; Andrew & Hannah; Brendan & Carlu; Simon & Christine.

AND WHO'S IS COMING TO DINNER???????

I'll tell you.

JESUS

Can I hear your bell?

2008-12-22T09:25:00.004+09:00

I received the following in an email this morning and thought it was so nice I just wanted to share. I have no idea where this story originated so can't give credit to the owner of the story but it has a timely message for us. Stop in your busy life and think of others. There is always someone we can help in some way. Love to you all and I wish you all "a horse with a bell".

Just up the road from my home is a field, with two horses in it.

From a distance, each looks like every other horse.

But if you stop your car or are walking by, you will notice something quite amazing.

Looking into the eyes of one horse will disclose that he is blind.

His owner has chosen not to have him put down but has made a good home for him.

This alone is amazing. If nearby and listening, you will hear the sound of a bell.

Looking around for the source of the sound, you will see that it comes from the

smaller horse in the field.

Attached to her halter is a small bell.

It lets her blind friend know where she is, so he can follow her.

As you stand and watch these two friends, you'll see how she is always checking on him,

and that he will listen for her bell and then slowly walk to where she is,

trusting that she will not lead him astray.

When she returns to the shelter of the barn each evening, she stops

occasionally and looks back, making sure her friend isn't too far behind to hear the bell.

Like the owners of these two horses, God does not throw us away just because

we are not perfect or because we have problems or challenges.

He watches over us and even brings others into our lives to help us when we are in need.

Sometimes we are the blind horse being guided by the little ringing bell of those

who God places in our lives.

Other times we are the guide horse, helping others see.

Good friends are like this .

You don't always see them,

but you know they are always there.

Please listen for my bell and I'll listen for yours.

"Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle".

Small Space--New Efficency

2008-12-21T12:34:00.002+09:00

I wonder if having a new space will result in more efficiency. I think it may have more to do with what kind of person one is. I guess time will tell.

I am having to downsize, yet again, in preparation for my move to a small housing unit. I gave my BIG desk away to a family who are going to use it as a Christmas present for their children. In it's place I have a smaller one that my son and daughter-in-law gave me quite some time ago. I used it in another room, passed it on to my step-son. He used it while he needed it and then passed it back to me. And here I am, needing it. God really knows the beginning from the end and provision is there when it is needed.

At least it looks tidy as you can see from the picture but I have only just set it up. I still have my monitor but I don't think I will have room to put that on the desk as well and I think I can see the laptop screen quite okay. I do wish printers were smaller! These are the times when I wish my Maurice were here. He would have built a little shelf to sit on the desk to hold the printer up and then I would have room underneath for the file trays or something else. Maybe I can work on that?

Just have to pray that my unit will at least have room for the desk. I know they are very small but maybe I don't need my dining table. I will just use the desk.

Have You Ever?

2008-12-07T09:27:00.002+09:00

I found this on a blog I visited and thought I would use it for a bit of fun.

Just for grins and giggles. Copy this list and put it on your blog. If you've done it, bold it.

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland (and DisneyWorld!)
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty ( I cheated, use elevator, great view, years ago)
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill --ssshhh!
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run -- I'm guessing that one on the Wii doesn't count?
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied--most of the time
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelos David
41. Sung karaoke - if that's what you want to call it!
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check (not that I'm proud of it, but I have)
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job --not proud of this, either!
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Read an entire book in one day -

There are many more on this list that I hope to do one day!

Why not take a moment out of your busy day to post this on your blog! Let me know if you do. :)

Why

2008-12-02T22:29:00.004+09:00

Wonder why it is that when I am leaving home for a few days I always have to leave everything spic and span. Most times nobody is going to see it until I arrive back home. This time is a little different though. I am going to Perth to spend a few days with the family and to celebrate my and my daughter, Margaret's birthday. But while I am away a couple that I know are going to have a sleep-over at my house. Just to test out my bed. I am needing to get rid of it because it will be too large for the bedroom when I move. Here in Australia none of the charities are allowed to take mattresses anymore so I have an excellent bed that one would hardly know had been slept on looking for a home. Since it is hard to know if a bed will suit, this couple are going to come and sleep in it while I am away. So tonight I am on the sofa bed because today I washed all the linen and changed the sheets in anticipation.

Also I had to make a pie to take to Perth, make some Lemon Curd/Lemon Butter because I know my mum would like some, finished off the Christmas gifts that I am taking with me to leave for Christmas, cleaned, ironed etc. I am working tomorrow so the house needed to be all finished today.

Oh Thursday I will have to have an early start because I have to make an unexpected stop in Busselton to see if I can remove a virus from a friends computer. She can't get it to connect to the internet so I have had to download some virus removal programs to my thumb drive so I can transfer them to her computer and hope that it will do the job. Spent several hours on the phone with her yesterday and although we have removed some of the program obviously it is still hiding out somewhere. Trying to instruct someone over the phone is so much harder than trying to do it yourself. Thank you Andrew for all your help in the past. Now I know what you went through and how patient you were.

Changes

2008-11-23T12:29:00.003+09:00

Well much time learning how to change things around, add things and just see what I can accomplish in general. I just love to learn and technology challenges me and I just don't want to be beaten! I am also trying to learn how to do a PowerPoint Presentation for a Ladies group. I won't be presenting it until early next year so I have time--but--thinking about how to do it is keeping my mind racing at night and I am losing sleep. So the sooner I get it done the better. I am trying to bring to live in the presentation a vision the Lord gave me of the ladies.

I really wish I knew how those lovely PowerPoint attachments that are sent by email were made but I can't seem to find anything on that sort of thing. I am guessing it is a variation of the basic but I am going to have to practice, practice. But first of all I need to know what I am going to say after the basic information of the vision. That much is easy for God has given it to me. The rest is harder I have a million and one snippets going round in my head and can't decide what direction He wants me to take.

A Little Forlorn

2008-11-18T22:34:00.002+09:00

BUT a good sign really. A sign of moving on.To those of you who knew Maurice you will notice how different the garage looks now. It was full of tools and bits and pieces of every description. I feel good now that I have managed to finish cleaning it all up. This morning I was talking to the Lord and saying I was so ready to move back to Busselton and when would a place be ready for me. The Lord told me that well it couldn't be yet because I wasn't ready. I knew that meant the "GARAGE". Only a couple of weeks ago I was thinking that it is over 1 1/2 years since Maurice passed away and he would wonder why it had taken me so long. Well, winter was a good excuse but also I was procrastinating. I didn't know what to do with all that stuff! Anyway all clean now. Just ready for me to place the items I want into a large box when moving time comes.

I also managed to dismantle a sort of work bench that stuck out in the way and wasn't really needed. I did well with all the screws that held it in place until--the last screw into a joist but it really wasn't like any screw I had seen before. It had a head shaped in a square like an allan key. The rechargeable drill took out all of the others but I knew I had no end to match this nor had I ever seen one. I have no idea what Maurice used to put it in place. So I thought "Well, I'll try an allan key. There is a container with every size imaginable (of course, my husband had everything except what I needed for this screw!) So allan key to fit but too tight to move by hand. Ah ha, pliers on the end to give some leverage. Well, I finally got it undone. Nothings going to stop this lady when she is on a mission.

I just have to share an interesting bit that I read this morning. I am reading a book entitled When Heaven Invades Earth by Bill Johnson and he said:

Burning within my soul is a piece of the original flame from the day

of Pentecost. It's been handed down from generation after generation.

That fire burns deep inside, and because of it I'll never be the same again.

I thought how wonderful, and how true that is. Just thinking of that flame being handed down made me wonder about the bit that I have. I want to make sure it doesn't end with me. I know that I have handed it on to others but I pray there will be more chances to multiply it than ever before.

Nice Day Today

2008-11-01T16:23:00.004+09:00

It has been weeks since last writing. The days drift by, or sometimes rush, but with nothing of much consequence to inspire a post. Our weather has been very changeable and even though spring should be here I have had to resort to lighting my fire. Today though is lovely--sunshine and a bit warmer. A few days of this and the house will begin to warm up. Then I suppose I will be moaning because I am hot.

Yesterday I was able to get out and mow the grass/weeds out the back. (See the photo on last post.) I have an old, one of kind ride on mower. We bought it old and rusty for not much. Maurice rejuvenated it before he passed away. It makes life so much easier for me. It's name is "Jennifer's Jalopy".

I have been getting rid of excess furniture in anticipation of my move back to Busselton. I had thought to sell the items but I knew that the Lord wanted me to just give it away to someone in need so there is now a family enjoying what I no longer needed. This house seems a little empty now it is gone but I am glad to be making headway for when a place becomes available for me.

I haven't seen my family in quite some time so am beginning to miss them very much. I might manage to make a trip to Perth sometime toward the end of this month. December gets very busy for everyone so this month will probably be easier to catch some of them at home.

My holiday that I had to cancel earlier this year is now booked for May and June next year. The doctors still haven't figured out what is going on with me but the "turns" I had seem to be less frequent and not as bad so I thought I would just get on with the booking. I am waiting for results of a test to see if my adrenal glands are producing too much adrenaline. At the moment I just seem to have frequent headaches and pressure feeling in the veins up my neck. No doctor seems concerned or really wanting to listen to me so I'll just carry on. One step at a time.

Hope all of you who read this are well, happy and enjoying your life. By next I write we will most likely know the outcome of the US elections. Seems as if it has been going on for a very long time.

Where Have I Been?

2008-09-25T16:46:00.002+08:00

You may well ask! Part of this life in the retired lane, is I have discovered, one of not having a body that works as one would wish. I have been unwell for some months and it just got a bit on top of me for a period of time. The doctors have been unable to decide what is wrong so they just decided to continue guessing and try every pill under the sun. Or so it seemed. Each pill seemed to have its own side effects and by the time a few weeks went by I didn't know if I was suffering from the ailment or the cure. Now I have gone off all the medications and things seem to be better although the reason for the illness is still a mystery.

I have had to rely on prayer and the goodness of God. I don't find that a difficult idea to embrace. I have a had friend visiting the last two weeks so that kept me from the computer also. We had a lovely time. We had a wonderful time of being with the Lord. Some of you who read this will probably think that would be a boring thing to do but others who know me will agree with me that it is exciting. One never knows just how the Lord will inspire, comfort, excite and use you. I know that I have never,in the 30 odd years since I committed my life to God, have had a more glorious, and fun (yes fun) and fulfilling time.

Spring popped its head in to Augusta last week but winter is back. The picture I am putting on today is off my back yard. The wild freesias bloom so quickly. The area was only mowed a week ago and they were all cut down. I hope maybe the sun will be back tomorrow because I am chilled to the bone.

Memories

2008-08-24T14:30:00.003+08:00

Memories are made from so many moments in time. Good ones, bad ones, old ones, new ones. One that I wanted to share today is only a couple of years old but it is a good one. One that I will cherish. My daughter, and her husband , came for a short visit. On the spur of the moment we went fishing. Now Martha is a real animal lover and was going to fish without a hook. I was sure the line wouldn't go out without something on the end to weight it. Solution was hook but not bait. Guess what, as you can see by the evidence in the photo, she was the only one that caught anything. Murphy's Law!!

God's Welcome

2008-08-20T11:58:00.002+08:00

I have been thinking today about how marvelous it is that God welcomes us; you, me,anybody who desires to follow him, into his forever family. It is such a comfort to know that nothing good we can do can make Jesus loves us more and conversely nothing bad we can do can make him love us less.

He loves us with an everlasting love. That doesn't mean that He always likes or approves of things we do or the way we act but He doesn't send us packing out the door. Just as we love our children despite the things they may do to disappoint us so He loves us even more. We wouldn't cast out our kids neither does he. If we desire to worship God and call Jesus our Lord we can rest in the knowledge that God always says, "Welcome"! We can be "King's Kids."

Fixed It

2008-08-19T23:20:00.001+08:00

I think that I have adjusted the settings here so that posting a comment can be made by those of you who do not have a gmail account. So now, no excuse. Just click on comments and post away!

Me in My Small Corner........

2008-08-19T12:19:00.002+08:00

Today in my part of this world the weather is not so good as you can see from today's photo. Getting a bit of sunshine here and there. The last few days have been beautiful. Got some gardening done and washing. Just felt good to sit in the sun and have a coffee.

Also had a load of donated stuff taken away from my garage so that feels better. Now I can get in and finish off cleaning it up. I knew Maurice had a lot of stuff but it sure seemed a lot when I had to figure out what to do with it all. If he were here I'd tell him off!!

Still going round in circles with the doctor. Trying another anti-depressant, this one is used for ADHD or something like that. I certainly don't suffer from hyperactivity. Gee in this retired lane I get too lazy. I don't feel at all stressed except when dealing with doctors. Just wish they could fix me up so I could run away from them all and get on with life.

Well What Next

2008-08-14T06:46:00.002+08:00

Amazing the things that people come up with to solve needs we weren't really aware we had!

For the ladies

For the gents--did you know that only guys play golf

For everyone

Olympic child singing star 'fake'

2008-08-13T09:43:00.000+08:00

Olympic child singing star 'fake'

This is interesting reading.

View From My Corner of the World

2008-08-13T09:13:00.005+08:00

I thought I would share a lovely view from my cornerof this world. It was taken from just outside the entrance to the shop where I help out my friend from time to time. You are seeing the Blackwood River as it runs into the Southern Ocean. If you could see far enough you find the South Pole out there somewhere. Whales are visiting Augusta at this time and each day the tourists go out on the boat to have a closer experience. I have seen them (the whales)from shore but not what you would call a good view. I am too much of a pessimist to take the boat tour. It is expensive and I am afraid that I would end up on the one day when no-one saw anything!

It's A Dog's Life!!!

2008-08-10T12:10:00.004+08:00

You all know the old saying "It's a dog's life" well in my house it's a cat's life! This fortunate animal isn't even really mine. She just thinks she is so I go along with her. My next door neighbour loved her but she is a very busy lady and obviously didn't give Puss the attention she craved. So now she chooses to only go home when I am away and she gets really hungry. What a life. And every night you will find her snuggled up next to me with her head on the pillow and as close to my face as she can get.

Senior Moment

2008-08-10T12:03:00.003+08:00

"Senior Moment" isn't that a nice genteel way to say "Darn, I forgot" or "What a stupid old woman I am"!

Well before I write anymore posts and I find my mind is full of things to share, I must tell of all you that I mentioned it to that Maurice would have only been 69 this birthday. Not that he cares but somewhere, sometime one of my kids will realize I made a mistake and tell me about it. So I thought I would get in first. Maurice was born 08-08-1939. So we get to have the 70th party next year. Any excuse will do. I think with all the Olympics hype I got confused. But then just ask my son Andrew, how many years it took for me to be sure of his birth date!!!!!!!!!

2008-08-08T15:38:00.003+08:00

As I mentioned yesterday today would have been Maurice's birthday. I thought it would be nice to have a photo here for all of you who didn't know him to see. And thanks to Ellie for the heart.

It was a very nice surprise to get comments on my Blog and to be told by several friends to keep it up. But, you know what, I find it very hard to be disciplined in the Life in the Retired Lane. Geepers it was hard enough to be disciplined when I was trying set an example for my kids. Now that there is only me to think about I like to just go with flow. I will try to be good. Now Mary, no laughing. I can do it if I try hard and you're not here to lead me astray!!!

Today was not a good example of retirement. I had to work. Not hard though, helping out in my friend's shop and since it is winter in Augusta, a sleepy little town nestled between ocean, river and forest, things are very quiet. It is really a matter of being here in case somebody happens to want something and today it was mostly only bus tickets for that ride "outta town". Hope they come back some time.

Enjoying Time

2008-08-07T22:27:00.003+08:00

Time can be so different depending on one's circumstances. Sometimes it rushes by, sometimes it calm, sometimes it seems to stand still. Time for me the last two days has been nice. Relaxed and pleasant.

I went to spend time with a friend as I had to go for a dentist appointment in the next town and instead of rushing back home for no good reason I decided to spend the night. We had a lovely time. There are pluses in being on one's own. Since I didn't choose to be in this state I guess I better put it to some good use! I had to have a mouth x-ray before going to the dentist but I was fortunate and there was only one filling that needed to be replaced and some pretty painful cleaning. I don't like to have anesthetic (gee wonder if I spelled that right) so the dentist told me I was very brave. Would have been nice to get a lolly but I guess the dentist wouldn't do that would he.

So back to my stay with my friend. Before getting there I decided to have a little spending splurge and bought a small cd/alarm clock for beside the bed so that I can listen to cd's when going to bed. And I bought a new top. Huge expense at $13.95. I am the last of the big spenders.

Well, my friend, Norma and I talked, laughed, watched a bit of TV and I learned a new crochet stitch. Started a lapghan. Norma is a good cook and she fed me well. Went to bed in a comfy bed with the electric blanket making it warm and cosy. Today another friend came for lunch with us so more laughing together like girls. Well, we still feel like girls on the inside. And I watched a video that had a section where we were in Halls Creek, West Australia and my late husband was on it. It was so good to see him there smiling and having a good time. It was taken on the 6th Aug 2004 and today is the 7th August 2008 and tomorrow would be his 70th birthday and there we were just getting ready to celebrate his 65th. So Mary and I reminisced about the surprise party we gave him at the caravan park in Halls Creek.

Ah well, then I came home lit the fire and fed the cat who was very glad to see me after two days. She is now asleep on the bed at my feet. I am so blessed to have a wireless laptop so I can be propped up here in a nice warm bed typing away.

Enough or the ramblings of this retired lady for one day.

Annie's Attic - Peach Parfait

2008-08-07T22:24:00.000+08:00

Annie's Attic - Peach Parfait

Beginnings

2008-07-03T06:58:00.000+08:00

Life in the Retired Lane is not what one expects when it is beginning to creep up on you. I thought I would have a life of genteel relaxation but I am finding after three years that I seem to get more busy as time goes by.

First I had to get used to having my husband under foot all the day long and my schedule seemed non existent. Then he became ill and it was round after round of doctors, chemo and sickness. Although to be honest we did get in some good times even in the midst of all that. Loved camping, took a trip to the north of western Australia and even managed to get to Victoria and Tasmania for several months.

My husband went to be with the Lord just over a year ago and now I wish he were around underfoot. I am learning to live for myself and since it is the first time in my whole life I have been able to do this I am finding it very strange. Even have found out that strange health symptoms that I have been having that made me cancel a trip to England may have been caused by stress and anxiety that I didn't even now my body was experiencing! But finally I am beginning to feel better and am planning a move soon and to take the trip I postponed.

I am putting a link in here to my son's website because I told a friend that I would help her figure out how to put a link in a post. Two Sitting Ducks
He hasn't put too much on it lately as he has sort of lost interest.

2008-07-03T06:50:00.001+08:00

So today I am beginning over. Post I wrote yesterday never showed up. Will have to see if I can find it somewhere because being here in the Retired Lane my brain won't remember what wonderful stuff I wrote yesterday.