Adelaide break - episode 5

Sunday 29 August 2010

I slept like a log and even slept in till about 7am. Exercise routine and coffee then more exercises and email.

Dianne and I lazed in PJs for a long time - breakfast, chatting, cake tasting, searching the web for more patchwork shops... It was nearly noon before we both eventually got dressed.

Rather than have a long outing to the Botanic Gardens for Fraser's birthday we all decided that the local shopping centre cafe and play whale was a better option. Everyone is tired and Louise's family are all sick as well except for Celeste.

Home for a quiet afternoon. Dianne did a bit of sweeping and now has sore arm muscles as a result. Pain killers tonight!

It has been a lovely sunny day after a long rainy spell so everyone is feeling a little more uplifted. We were even able to dry washing in the sunshine.

Dianne's computer decided to show me all its faults tonight, the reasons why I am giving her my very large laptop and I'll replace it with a smaller one that is easier to travel with.

Monday 30 august 2010

We eventually finished breakfast by 10am today. Garry called on Skype while I was on emails. It was great to hear from him.

What a beautiful morning it is. Real Spring weather. So our outing today was to Brighton. On the way we stopped at the Adelaide Sewing Centre at Ascot Park, a Janome and patchwork shop. There was a young mum called Luscombe collecting her sewing machine. But she could only tell me she was married to Simon whose parents were Jill and Brian and that Brian had now died and was an only child. Not names I know.

Then at Brighton to Patchwork by the Sea. A fabulous bamboo design fabric in one quilt and the quilt itself was simple and stunning - "Memories of Japan".

We had lunch at a cafe dedicated to Marilyn Munro - yummy crepe!

On the way home we stopped off at Officeworks for a USB stick for my files from my laptop and some DVDs for Dianne then home to relax before Dianne's meeting.

During the meeting I caught up with diary and emails and setting up the laptop for Dianne. The USB stick is too small for the family history.

Adelaide break - episode 4

Friday 27 August 2010

Dianne has a cat very like Oscar. His name is Othello. He is a bit  softening and avoids me at all times. But he is softening a little.

Off to the hairdresser today. I had a cut and wash and Dianne had a wash. She cannot shower at the moment so was much relieved to have her hair done.

We also revisited Haighs to collect Louise's chocolates and of course I bought a bit more following physios orders.

Then there was another patchwork shop to visit. Again, some beautiful Japanese fabrics and sample items. I particularly liked a patchwork cat and a pinwheel on point hanging. Even Dianne bought some fat quarters to hang on her wall.

Home for the afternoon with a short visit to Mitcham shops for supplies. The evening was spent with exercises, chats and TV again.

Dianne's house has the main south railway line across the road. The boys would love it! Long goods trains and quieter local trains. I now don't wake in the night as they pass.

My exercise routine is certainly having an affect. The mild spinal massage I had continues to feel great. The trip has been worth it just for that. Though, of course, I am having a great time catching up with Dianne and family.

Saturday 28 August 2010

The exercise routine begins my day each day followed by coffee and email. I'm not downloading big emails for fear of using up all Dianne's internet allowance but will keep them till I get back.

The big activity today was Fraser's dedication service.

It was a great time with lots of kids in a tiny stone church in the Adelaide hills (Cnr Old Mt Barker Rd and St Margaret Dr, Stirling). It is owned by the Catholic church but not used for services any more. It is hired out for religious events (any denomination) like weddings, baptisms, funerals etc. You have to find you own minister. Apparently Steve and Louise were married there too. The service was followed by yummy cakes and coffee.

Home for lunch and nanna naps and a relaxed afternoon. Louise et al came at dinner time so I drove out for chicken and chips for all. I gave Celeste and Fraser their presents and they were both thrilled.

Exercise routine ended the exhausting evening but Dianne and I then stayed up chatting even later.

Adelaide break - episode 3

Thursday 26 August 2010

This morning I spent time setting up the phones so they are useable now that they are charged. I think Dianne will be presented with the phone in bed when she wakes. I hope it works!

The morning was wet and quite cold again. But we did washing anyway and hung it under the carport while the car was out all day.

My first outing (on my own this time - I am doing all the driving) was to Dianne's physio about my hip. It was a great visit with a very knowledgable man David who actually knows the sports medicine doctor I went to in Kogarah. He watched my movements, listened to my story and concerns, prodded, pocked and manipulated my back and muscles. I feel a whole lot better, especially as he said the best thing for it was a lot of Haigh's chocolate and no washing up. He has also given me some strengthening exercise for my RH glutes and upper leg muscles and thinks my back is actually the source of the problem rather than my hip. The best bit was, he listened and asked probing questions and esplained the reasons for all the doctors' suggestions and the decisions I should now think about.

Louise, Celeste and Fraser came over at lunch time so Louise could finish her 'order of service', eventually leaving by about 3pm.

Then it was back out driving to visit another fabric shop which was unfortuately closed down then on to a fabulous toy shop to get some Thomas track for Fraser's collection. They had a generic version and the owner assured me it fits with Thomas track. The shop is called Windmill and I was so impressed by the selection I also collected a catalogue.

Home then for dinner, TV (till quite late), exercise in front of TV (I have over an hour's worth of exercises to do twice a day so I am going to be busy), then bed at last.

Adelaide break - episode 2

Tuesday 24 August 2010

The flight down was smooth with patchy cloud until we were landing. An absolute white-out with low cloud. I had sinus problems during the decent so I'll have to fix that.

Just hung out at Dianne's for the afternoon. While she had a snooze I set up my computer and got onto email.

Late afternoon Louise, Steve, Celeste and Fraser arrived for Louise and Steve to design the order of service for Fraser's dedication ceremony on Saturday. Chaos reigned with lots of colouring, cutting and toys.

Dinner was very late because it seems all the local takeaway food outlets are shut on Tuesday nights. Eventually Steve found somewhere and bought gourmet pizza. It was great but I think Dianne should have been in bed.

Wednesday 25 August 2010

A bit of a lie in for me after a normally reslesss first night.

I filled my morning with emails, diary and reading before I got Dianne breakfast in bed when she woke at about 8:30 am.

Lots of time was spent chatting before a trip out to...

• a patchwork and quilting shop on Goodwood Rd - excellent. Lots of Japanese fabrics and others and a beautiful bag but there was no-one servicing so I did not buy it (rang later but it is not for sale).
• Officeworks to buy a phone for Dianne with a remote handpiece. I had been wanting to get her one since her first surgery because she has to get out of bed or up from the lounge to answer the phone in the study. We also bought a box and craft supplies for Celeste from me.
• Off to collect Louise and Fraser then lunch at a cafe before driving to the Haigh's chocolate factory to order things for Fraser's birthday party on Sunday. Of course I bought some chocolate for me to take home.
• Dropped off Louise and Fraser then home for Dianne's nap while I set up the phones to charge.
• Then to Dianne's physio appointment late afternoon. While waiting I had time to browse the Mitcham shoppin centre. Bought birthday things and a bit of food from my 'Food for One' ideas.

The weather is rainy and stormy and even some small hail, good weather for resting. Everything we have done has been really close and you can even see the edge of Adelaide as you drive around. A much more human scale city than Sydney.

The evening was spent chatting, reading and watching some favourite TV shows. Dianne is coping well as long as food and nap time are regular.

Adelaide break

I am now in Adelaide on a short break while Leigha looks after house, cat, fish and chooks.

I am staying with my cousin Dianne who had surgery last Saturday and I hope that I am able to give her a bit of help over the next week or so. We have organised lots of small trips to local shops etc and there is Fraser's dedication service on Saturday then his birthday gathering on Sunday. Dianne has an automatic car so I will be able to do all the driving as she cannot at the moment.

I forgot to take photos of her grandchildren last night but have got some pics of the 'work' Celeste (4) and I did. Alex and Luke will recognise this activity. Again it was lots of fun.

Will add more tomorrow when I get used to all the different functions on this laptop I am using (courtesy of Noosa).

Underhill after heavy winds

Today Geoff and I drove to Underhill to deliver a load of bits we had sorted from the garage. We arrived to find a branch down over the kitchen area.

This branch has been threatening to fall for some years and my biggest fear was that it would land on our concrete shed and render it useless.

 Terry, you won't need to worry now about how we are going to get it down!

Where it has actually fallen means that we will still be able to use things (although the chimney of the stove might need fixing) until it is removed and nothing much has been really rendered useless.

We have some acroprops and will be able to hold up the kitchen lean-to quite adequately.

I will certainly be needing some help with a chainsaw in the next month or so.

A busy day

Yesterday I visited Mum. She was looking very well.

We spent quite a lot of time on both my computer and hers looking at family history programs. The biggest lesson for us both was learning all the tricks to using a Mac Mouse.

In the evening Jen, Geoff and I went to a local french restaurant, Chez Pascal, for Geoff's birthday dinner. The food was excellent and the company great. We shared all our choices so were able to sample lots of different things. Our main choices were pork, duck and kangaroo dishes.

Betty's sore hip

I have just returned after Dr appointment about my MRI on my sore hip and I have severe osteoarthritis in my right hip. Need a replacement soon. It will only get worse but is not life threatening so looks as though I will need to do a bit of homework to find a surgeon then work it around all my other commitments. Perhaps I will even start cancelling some commitments.

Tuesday's Tasks

Yesterday was my Big Sort Tuesday again. Kim, Leigha and I worked like Trojans. Leigha cleaned off one carport roof so that now light comes through. We won't have to remove tonnes of Casuarina needles any more after the removal of the two big trees.

I found a picture of the two trees that were removed. Taken by Barbara in August 2009.

Kim and I moved lots of large pots with the result that the sitting area along the back wall is now quite usable. We changed the garden seat to a table and benches (it folds out) and have lots more space for more chairs. As summer progresses the pecan tree will put out its new growth and shade the whole area.

The bulb pots are now in place in the new area where the small spikey palm tree was and I have started erecting the bamboo trellis for my climbing fern (and other plants) to climb up.

Between the three of us we were even able to move the huge pot to the back of the concrete slab.

Kim and Leigha cleared the space between the two carports for a new shade garden. Lots of loads of dirt went to the cat cage and lots of Casuarina needles when to the chooks and two new compost bins (aka unused incinerator and boiler area).

The good news is that the very heavy walker that Dad used then Surrey used (until he was supplied with a much lighter one by the hospital) is being done up and sent to Papua New Guinea where there is apparently much need. The copper urn is having its leak fixed and being polished up and much loved. None of the rubbish removed last week cost anything to dump! Lots was useful to someone and the few bits left were just added to another truck load for dumping.

Granny's Paintings

Two of Granny's paintings are now hanging with another one of hers in the front hall.

As I walk out of the lounge room I see this one.

As I walk out of the bedroom I see this one.

No, pussy is not blind in one eye, just a bit of flash issue.

I think both paintings were meant to be hung horizontally but I am not disappointed with them hanging vertically and they fitted the two spots so well. 

Leigha and I had a great afternoon yesterday hanging these, and 8 other paintings of Granny's in the bedroom. When I have finalised the layout in the bedroom I'll put up another photo for you.

What I am looking forward to

All this Big Sort is for a purpose. For years I have looked forward to retirement and becoming a VISE. The first VISE tutor recently died but had written a description of her experiences here. What interesting experiences there are to be had.

My NE Bourke job in Term 2 next year has fallen through so I'll be looking for others.

If anyone is interested in joining me as a tutor or angel on one of these ventures then by all means register as a member of VISE and complete the police checks etc and let me know when you are ready to join me.

How lucky I am!

 I have so many friends and contacts who are able to help with this huge sort and clean up. Last week Bob & Ben the Tree Men came and dealt with 9 trees/stumps for me. The biggest job was the two huge Casuarinas between the low carports and the spiky Palm on the LHS. What a difference this has made to light into the house and hopefully to the amount of green waste I will generate in the form of Casuarina needles and spiky palm leaves. Here are some before and after pictures.

Today Craig (Kim's husband) came with his trailer to take a load of rubbish and metal waste to be disposed of. The carport now looks very much better.

After the rubbish had gone Kim and I just started making piles of like things for me to keep or dispose of to good homes and ended up in the area where the palm had been removed. One thing just led to another. It was a beautiful drizzly day so the work was not too dusty but very muddy.

We pruned the Hibiscus and raked out all the rubbish ready to plant a few replacement trees and shrubs. Perhaps a Callistemon or two to attract some birds.

I will remove all the grass from this little (actually quite large) patch and put my bulb pots around the front of the Hibiscus. I think they will go quite well in there.

Rod took some fantastic photos of the far corner of the garage. I haven't got into there yet.

Thank you Ben, Dave, Craig, Kim, and to all the family who have done bits and pieces for me and kept me going.

Boys sleep over

Last weekend Alex and Luke slept over with Ma. We had a great time feeding chooks, playing card games and lots of games in the backyard.

I had two other days looking after them at their house during the week and thought that my company might have worn a bit thin. They both slept well but I did wake up with two boys in my bed. Nice and warm and cosy.

They both love their new bedroom at Ma's house with all their toys and books in there and even a bed to sleep in. It is Geoff's old bedroom.