Fly Away

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

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?

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

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?

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

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

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

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

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?

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

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

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

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........

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

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'

Olympic child singing star 'fake'

This is interesting reading.

View From My Corner of the World

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!!!

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

"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!!!!!!!!!

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

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

Annie's Attic - Peach Parfait

Beginnings

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.

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.