Baby bird progress

Here are the five love birds together in one corner of the cage. The father has the black head and mother is sitting on the beads. In the other photo are the cockatiels, mother with two babies. The father is sitting on eggs in the nest.

Christmas Day 2008

Christmas day was spent at home relaxing. Here is John

wishing all good cheer and best of health for the new year. We had a video cam connection with Fiona, Andrew and Lucy and it was lovely seeing you all. Then a connection with Katrina (just after midnight her time) catching up with news. A phone call with Sandra who was having mum to lunch and then another call to Ed. Everyone is well, so we couldn't ask for more. Of course, except for Fiona, who is feeling a bit seedy but that will go with time.

new birds

Today 2 (identical) of the 3 baby birds came out of their nesting box for their first fly around. Thats dad in the background. The 3rd birdie has poked its head out to have a look but isn't ready yet.

Christmas at Louise's

This is our group posing without the men, as partners were invited this year. Lovely lunch with lots of talk and cheer. We spent a lazy Sunday with reading the papers and then I took my book down the back and spent a few hours engrossed in it. Pat came over and shared a glass of red and caught up on news.

18 days till Christmas

Another Christmas function, this one at Star City with people from work. It was a smorgasbord fare with hot and cold choices with prawns being one of the highlights.

Margaret came over on Sunday and adopted a number of worms for her new farm. I have yet to collect mine from the council.

The shop was closed on Friday morning due to electrical failure and lost a lot of business.

The end of November

I met the 'Greenacre' ladies on Saturday at La Bocca resturant in Beverly Hills for a very long lunch. Caught up on news and there will be three weddings in the next 6 months. Kim, Margaret, Wendy, Veronica, Betty and Vicky were there. Meanwhile John went to Michael's 40th Birthday party.

Today we celebrated at Hurstville RSL the retirement of Irene from the Hurstville shop.

Weekend

This is the first time the African violet has flowered in this ceramic vase. The violet is called petticoat. On Saturday John had a few friends for lunch so I escaped to the movies. A French movie Roman de Gare and Man on Wire, both very good movies at the Dendy at Circular Quay. Today was a relaxing day before a very busy week ahead.

My birthday

On Friday I celebrated my birthday with Helen, Shirley and Joan by having lunch not far from work. On Saturday here I am opening my present from John and then dressed in the plastic poncho to go to the Enviromental morning on worm farming and composting in Hurstville. The last photo is taken at Signatures restaurant in Brighton Le Sands, right on the beach but not beach weather today. We had a lovely seafood lunch and I even had a decadent chocolate sweet, yum.

Louise and Wayne's Engagement

We spent a pleasant afternoon at Louise's home on Saturday to celebrate, with many others, their engagement. Plans to get married are for 2 years time. The rain held, off so the BBQ lunch was a success.

Birthday Boy

Happy 64th Birthday John

Fixing fence and new shoes

John bought new sneakers and socks while I was away. Apparently the shoes are designed that you walk erect which is good for posture plus the body uses extra muscles when walking.

The wire is put up for the raspberry plants to climb and which are already bearing fruit with enough for 2.

Las Vegas

The main reason for stopping at Las Vegas was to visit the Grand Canyon. As the helicopter flew off the forest area and into the canyon area, it was one of most breathtaking views I have seen. It was my first flight in a helicopter, sitting in the front seat I had an uninterupted view of all around as we flew from south to north rim and back. It was worth getting up at 3.30am for the beginning of the day.




The evening before the trip, I went to see the show 'Ka' - a Cirque du Soleil production which was very exciting to watch. I stayed for two nights at the Excalibur which is down in the south end with MGM Grand diagonally opposite.


I walked up and down the strip, visiting Casinos on either side, and it appears they all want to outdo each other in displays. the ceilings are made to appear like daytime with clouds and birds, so that at say 2am you could be thinking you could go on for hours more. How much did I spend on the pokies, would you believe $5. Seeing the people feeding the machines with little in return, I couldnt be bothered wasting my money.



My return to Australia was the inaugural flight of the A380 from USA to Aust. Its lovely and new but room wise around the seat, its the same as the previous plane. On landing, was able to walk through first class and that is something to talk about - its almost a small room per person.

USA

For 10 days I was able to spend time with Lucy, Fiona and Andrew. We visited the beach, aquarium, horse-drawn carriage ride in downtown Willmington and had plenty of time to play and read. Lots of fun and enjoyed my visit.

Hawks win

Hawthorn upset Geelong to win their first AFL Premiership in 17 years at the MCG. The Hawks won18.7(115) to 11.23 (89) despite having nine fewer scoring shots, in front of a crowd of 100,012, the biggest attendance since 1986

semi-final

The sound of mowers and whipper snippers echoed around the neighbourhood this morning and John joined in. It was the second warm day in a row and I spent it in the garden. Had to cover the strawberries otherwise the birds would be having a feast soon. John wore his Hawthorn t-shirt to visit Rodney this afternoon. It was a very good score last night and now its the wait to see if he can get a ticket to go to the final next week.

Afternoon Tea

We got together for afternoon tea as Louise had a surprise - she is getting engaged and will marry in a couple of years. All the ladies were surprised but had suspected something like that. Everyone is well and a couple of the ladies are travelling in the next week, Joan to west coast of USA with all her family, and Margaret and Bill are off to Melbourne for a few days. Its work

for the rest of us. During the week I had a rostered day off and spent it at the Dendy in Newtown with Margaret. We saw - In Bruge, The Visitors and The Savages. All good movies and was able to fit in lunch between the first two.

Father's Day 08

Yesterday it rained all day so it was a pleasure to have a fine beautiful day. John had a good day with two phone calls from his lovely daughters and a chat with Lucy. Hawthorn won, John went over to the wine shop and he opened a nice bootle of wine. What more could a man want.

Wet Sunday

Big win to Hawthorn over Carlton. Buddy kicked his 100th goal. Huge mayhem at the game - stopped for 8 minutes. Finals start next week - Hawthorn plays Footscray. John worked in the shed and made much needed shelf space. I got into the garden when the rain eased in the afternoon and planted the seedlings Graham gave me - lettuce, cabbage and tomato.

another quiet weekend

Today was a great day to be in the garden. The snow peas have gone and the broccoli is nearing its prime. The cauliflour is just starting to form heads and will be able to pick in a couple of weeks. Still there was tidying up to do while enjoying the sun. John is getting over a cold. Thursday I met Diane for a nice lunch in the plaza. I had two days off during the week, Tuesday and Wednesday. Three of us went to the Dendy in Newtown and saw - When did you last see your father and the Australian movie - the Square, this was a violent film. We all enjoyed the first one the best.

Man at work

Sunday morning the weather was lovely and the man went to work out the front to get rid of the weeds which are never ending. I don't like using chemicals, so someone has to do it. My turn next time. Meanwhile I was in the veggie patch being watched by the chook on the look out for worms being given out.

Trip down the coast

Here we are at our favourite spot, Bombo, for a cup of coffee before we continued on to the markets at Berry. The markets had their usual fare and then returned, via the fish and chip shop in Kiama, for lunch. A lovely day.

Quiet weekend

Wednesday I had an RDO and went with the ladies to Dendy at Newtown and saw 2 movies. They were good movies but depressing and will not recomend either. Saturday, Margaret came over and we had a lesson on how to solve the suduko puzzle. I really enjoy doing these. Today I made a huge batch of pumpkin soup and have frozen in individual containers to take for lunch. I added coconut milk for a change but will not do that again as its a very strong flavour in itself. Unfortunately, Hawthorn lost again, so thats twice in a row and even Rodney's team, the Swans, lost.

Flowers and fudge

This is the cardigan I have just finished and posting tomorrow. Hope it fits.

Mothers Day 2007 I received a gift voucher through Red Balloon and have only used it now. Here is the box as received and then, with all the delicious fudges out on display. Yes, I have tried one small square and it was wonderful. It will take a long time to eat it that way but I do have another volunteer to taste test it.

These are the lovely flowers I received on Saturday. Thank you both.