For Lindsey and Eric

Yeah ???? This better be GOOD !!!!!

Kaye and Bob

What a great get together with Kaye, Bob, Val and Reg !
Kaye and Bob spent all day Friday and Friday night with friends who a few years ago lost all their possessions in a house fire. I don't know them personally, however I feel as tho I know them up to a point from Kaye's conversations over the years.
They (Kaye and Bob) arrived at our home around three Saturday afternoon in their gorgeous vintage fully restored V8 Austin Healy white sports car. The interior is red leather and the leather soft top is black. It was Bob's 60th birthday present a couple of years ago. They have known all about the car since a friend bought it in Port Moresby (New Guinea) after it had been recovered from a field and had a tree growing thru it !!! Long story short....many thousands of dollars later it is now in their garage and makes a trip every now and again....usually up this way. Noisy as heck...but sooo cute. When Val and Reg arrived a few hours later and saw it under our carport....Reg said.....what's this???? I want to be a car when I grow up ????? Much ooing and ahhing over it by us, the neighbors etc.
We had a really great night. Val and Kaye hadn't seen each other since 1957! Recognised each other immediatley. It's weird that we are all so verrryyy much older, but their is still the young person there and....recognisable.
Perry did steaks on the Weber....I did the rest....baked potatoes, shrimp salad and a wonderful round soft bread loaf that I heated. We all just pulled pieces off it and buttered it.....love hot bread! Danish Strudel with ice cream for dessert. Much fasting will take place around here next week. I love entertaining ....so much of it is outdoors on decks and under trees etc. I know I rave on about the climate....but it really is sublime.

Anzac Day

I don't think this movie will play...however this is a picture of me taken two weeks ago when I was practising bowling. My game is really improving. It feels the same as when you have been playing golf for some time and you start to reel in your high handicap.....you feel as tho you "get it". Wednesday bowling consisted of two games. The second game I played was with my team which consisted of Perry, Richard (Canadian) and myself....the opposing team was made up of three men who are the most talented three bowl male team our club has. I play lead and outplayed my opposite on the opposing team ....I was thrilled and also SHOCKED!!!!!! Perry had a bad day that day, but today he had a WONDERFUL day playing pairs with Ric. I stayed home and did a bit of catch up around here. Caught the last of the second game when I drove over to wait for the guys to finish their game. It was another beautiful day....weather wise.
Now....catch up with the ongoing medical problems around here.
All I have to do at this time is "drink lots and lots of water".....Mom Davis attributed her longevity to "drinking lots of water"!!!
Went with Perry to find out the latest results of blood tests. (Knee stuff comes later next month) He is under the care of a Renal Specialist who is highly regarded....we find his manner rather testing. Not very good at explaining things...sort of talks to you, but seems to be thinking out loud. Anyway...Perry is still severely anemic, and for the time being has escaped an iron infusion. Other tests show his kidney function is good for his age....sugar levels great....cholesterol fantastic.....blood pressure too high ...STILL. The injections that he has to give himself three times a week have been backed off to twice a week and BP meds adjusted once more. He also had a consultation with a dietitian who only made minor adjustments to his diet. Next is a Podiatrist to evaluate the condition of his feet. These consultations are to keep a record of his diabetes. To do with being a "senior" and getting meds almost free of charge.
Perry had a filling replaced last week and another next week....then a consultation with a plastic surgeon to set up an appointment to redo the removal of a cyst on his arm that had two surgeries performed and after each procedure skin cancer was showing as still present around the perimeter of the wound. All this sounds as tho he is teeter tottering all over the ship....the man looks "GREAT"....suntanned...still weighs the same as he has for many many years. Looks can be very deceiving !
What else is news.....Kaye and Bob are visiting tomorrow afternoon and staying the night. Val and Reg will come over for dinner. BBQ baby lamb chops, baked potato and salad, dessert of some kind. Neither Perry or Reg drink alcohol....Bob, Kaye, Val and I will probably have a couple of bottles of wine. Hardly anyone smokes anymore. I stopped smoking about 28 years ago even tho I really didn't smoke very much. Perry quit about 14 years ago and wishes he had never ever smoked.
I must send birthday greetings to Jeannie Osborne...one of our nieces. I'm not sure of her age now....must be getting close to 50 years old. I think she was 14 when I first met her and I was around 34....I think! I always remember her birthday as today is ANZAC day here. A day in which we remember all our war dead but especially those that were in a memorable battle at Gallipoli during the 1st World War. Today is a public holiday and there are commemorative marches and laying of wreathes at thousands of places all over Australia.

Darling Grandson Christopher

A lovely surprise today. My son Glen's ex sent this lovely picture of my American grandson Christopher. Can't wait to see him again. July sometime. I'm told to expect a letter from Chris soon. Last one was at Christmas. The last time I saw him, he was 6 years old and "got" it....that I was his father's mother and therefore his grandmother, but it doesn't sink in really at that age. Recently he has been asking all about his family "down under".....I hope he gets to visit us sometime in the near future as he will fall in love with his cousins...their ages are pretty close and they are all NICE people. So many families are scattered now.

My sister Barbara and husband Ray

My daughter Pam 2007

This picture of my daughter is not recent, but I can't find another !
I spoke to her yesterday and was very happy to hear that the work she is doing at Kew High School is very satisfying. Her hours are just what she wants at this stage of her life. She gets home almost the same time as the children and at the ages that they are...it is very important.
Today was another great bowling day for us....we won....AGAIN! Our names will be in the paper for the third week running.....brag brag brag !!!!!!
REALLY GOOD NEWS.......Phil and Sherrene are back on track....better than ever (in Phil's words).
Doctor and dentist visits tomorrow. Results of my exam...and Perry's Xray. His left knee gives him hell. There has to be help for him.
A couple of fillings for Perry...my turn July sometime. Our dental work is FREE. Another reason for living in this wonderful country of ours. Shhhh.....word has gotten out....immigration is at an all time high.

Judith was my bridesmaid 1960

Judy....
What a fun person. Her husband Mervyn also has a terrific sense of humour.......Judy describing their recent move (downsizing) was soooo funny.
My mother was one of four girls and one boy. The girls ages were very close and they had 16 children....only 4 were boys. So my female cousins are all close in age.....and we all love each other very much. Frais who passed away just over a year ago was Jude's half sister.
Had a lovely long chat to son Glen yesterday. He is well, but lonely. Where is the right woman for him? He tells me dating these days involves the internet... A LOT!!!!
I gave him info regarding my nearest international airport....I will be visiting my boys in July for Christophers 11th birthday...July 4 and my 69th birthday July 11. Probably visit for about two weeks. I'm REALLY REALLY REALLY looking forward to seeing them. It will have been 5 years. Way too long....I sometimes get a real ache in my heart missing Glen. I don't really know Christopher.....Glen tells me he is the same height and one pound lighter than he was at the same age. Just signed up for Pop Warner football. Glen played a lot of football....right through High School....now it's motor cycles....particularly his Harley which he rides as much as possible. I would like one of those cute small motor cycles that seem to be everywhere these days....however I shall resist !