It's fun being a girl

Rachel did a great job applying false fingernails last time she was here.

I had a lovely long chat with her yesterday. She has gone on a camp with a group from school to Philip Island where they are camping in tents for two nights and in a bunk house for three nights. The weather is still warm in Melbourne so she will have a great time. She is such a gorgeous girl......her teachers gave her raves this term.

Stu has recovered from his bike accident and is back at work altho he does a lot of it from home which makes it great for their family. Pam will be working four days a week from the beginning of next term and with James being 14 years old now, he can come home from school and do his own thing without too many hassles....Rach will probably still need supervision the odd times that Pam or Stu can't be home at the time she gets home. Time is marching on tho. You blink and five years have gone.

I am on the count down to visiting with Glen, Christopher and Catherine. Less than ten weeks to go. I am so excited even tho the long plane trip means I will be jet lagged....who cares.....I will cope with it.

Perry is doing well enough with his left knee. The RLS is a bother. He takes Requip or Repreve as it is known some places doesn't seem to be as wonderful as it was when he first started taking it. Next month he sees the orthopaedic doctor...it will be interesting to hear what he has to say as he will have a report on a C.T. scan of Perry's back which was taken about six weeks ago. So many problems can be related to ones back.....

Another blockbuster sunrise.

We seem to have been very busy lately....sort of doing nothing out of the ordinary.
Perry's checkup with his Nephrologist was EXCELLENT....discontinue the injections and iron supplement, one a day instead of what started out at four a day (which he couldn't tolerate) to two a day and now only one. His B.P. seems to be be reasonable also. This particular doctor will tell you himself ....he is one of the few who could achieve the results he has been getting so far! The guy has a huge ego and it doesn't bother me !! Usually when I encounter someone like that I can't wait to get out of their presence.
This week is round three at the dentist for Perry and same for me. Mine is to remove part of a filling and replace it. I have been 'assured' that I WILL NOT need an injection. WE SHALL SEE..... I am a total wimp.
Stuart is feeling O.K. again....still a bit banged up tho. Insurance paid out what was owing on his bike....he had only had it a short while.
I personally hope he doesn't buy another.....so does Pam, but if he really does want to buy another she won't object....who wants to be the enemy...right ???
Now that Rachel is her 'house captain'...she played a large part in a track and field meet at her school. All went very well AND...she won the race she was entered in. Go Rach.
James has almost finished a three week class that involved travelling to Melbourne each day and spending time at various art galleries, financial institutions etc. Pam said that a teacher she spoke with, told her all the guys seem to take a big step forward in their confidence and maturity levels. James is very confident, speaks clearly with a maturity level that seems a little advanced already.
Gorgeous kids.
Haven't heard from Phil for ages....I take that as a sign that all is well.
Only about ten weeks till I see Glen again. The last call I had from him was great...we are now pretty much up to date with how things are with him, Christopher and Catherine. It's not the same as face : face tho. I think I will be taken to visit the vacation house that he has a third interest in on the Colorado river.....catch a couple of Christopher's practice football games and if the timing is right maybe a game also. Glen said he is fearless....can't imagine who he takes after!

James

I found this beautiful picture of our eldest grandson James and decided to put it on my blog. This was taken two years ago when he was twelve years old. The difference in him now is amazing.....he is still a very handsome boy (I think !)....but this one shows his lovely warm personality...whereas now....definitely not cool to look so sweet and angelic. I can hardly wait to see Glen's son Christopher on June 3. He will be this age on July 4.

Stuart

I can't find a more recent picture of Stuart. This was taken Christmas before last and the little one is his sisters' daughter.
Pam called a few days ago to tell us Stu had had an accident on his motorcycle, but was O.K. He and several friends had planned a rode trip all over Tasmania and three hours into the trip Stuart had pulled off the road at a pre determined stop.....thought he had carefully checked to see if it was safe to get back on the road....it wasn't safe. A car pulling a caravan clipped him resulting in Stuart being tossed off his bike and ending up in hospital. He has a broken hand and a lot of bruising....one leg swelled up and now that he is back on the mainland and has been home for a few days, the swelling has settled down some. He will have xrays taken to make sure his leg isn't broken.
He was completely at fault and thankfully he is 'o.k.'. The bike is trashed, but was fully insured....Pam really doesn't want him to buy another. He is a very responsible rider...wears all the padded gear, as well as all leather outer clothing and of course a helmet.
I called him last night to see how he is feeling and he sounded fine....just very thankful that nothing worse happened.
How suddenly things can go from ..... a wonderful trip with friends to....'thank god I'm alive and fine'. Pam and Stu have been married almost 18 ? years now...he will be 44 in June.

Our shipmates

L. to R. above....Perry, Brian and Frank. Front same....me, Barbara and Barbara ! A waiter took this picture for us on our final night at sea, February 13. I have heard from Barbara (of Barbara and Brian) twice since we arrived home. We will hook up with them again in April when we are headed to Tweed Heads with the RSL bowling club and Barbara and Brian will drive up from their home which is a short drive further south of T.H. Can't wait to play on the greens at this particular club as it is indoor on a synthetic surface. Many championships are played there each year and are televised. It always looks so beautiful to watch as it is a fast green and you have to be deadly accurate. Wednesday we played a variation of the game called 2 4 2 which is played in pairs. We got thrashed .... the same as we were the week before, BUT.....it is excellent practise for beginners as everyone gets to play the three positions that are played in most games. You get to set the 'the head' as lead, then improve the setting as a second and as a skipper...or captain....you get to show your talent, or lack of it by rolling the last two bowls and attempting to gather as many points as possible due to your former preparation. Sounds complicated, but it isn't. The weather has been quite hot and humid which wiped both of us out physically after playing for three hours with a fifteen minute break midway. I have drunk so much water these past few weeks that I feel as though my kidneys are getting a mega workout.
Perry is still hanging on to the cold which turned into bronchitis.....much better tho. Thankfully.
We left our house a little earlier than usual on Wednesday to allow time for me to mail tee shirt souvenirs to the grandchildren.....backed out of the parking space outside the post office.....uh oh....a flat front tire. Perry nursed it across the parking area into a space at the gas station . As he turned the wheel to back in...the tire came off the rim ! Called the RACQ for help...they got there in ten minutes after saying we would have to wait anything up to an hour....during our wait a 'young'.....(40's) guy came up and asked if he could help. Very nice feeling....people here are very helpful and friendly. Anyway....next day. Perry had to visit the dentist then get two new tires fitted and then later that afternoon......new front brakes. Two big days ! While waiting on the brake job we cruised the Morayfield Mall where...naturally I snagged a couple of bargains. Nice white 3/4 cuffed pants and a really nice white on white see thru short sleeved blouse. Not going to buy anymore pants tho as I have lost more weight than I gained on the cruise and I am going to try and get another chunk off. It creeps up so easily and is so hard to go down. No one tells you this is how it is going to be for most of us as we get into middle and old age. I was able to eat anything and everything up until about the age of 45....then....what in the hell happens ?????? These days so many young people are terribly overweight...it's frightening.
Long post....I do ramble on sometimes.

At long last......

This was taken almost six years ago. My then 36 year old 'baby'....now 42...still my beautiful baby boy Glen.
I will be visiting him, my gorgeous grandson Christopher and Glen's partner Catherine whom I will be meeting for the first time.
Air fares are so cheap right now, but insurance and the short hop from L.A. to San Diego isn't so friendly.....still....
hurry up June 3! I will be going alone as Perry just can't visit for that long without being independent. I think the long flight will be quite a test for me....a bit too much for Perry at this time. Maybe next year.