Woo hoo
Here's a cake for you till I see you on Sunday for the big celebration of your milestone!
My electronic timecapsule...my journal space full of thoughts, photos & crafty things
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Happy Birthday..
Happy happy birthday to my big sister today!!!
Woo hoo
Woo hoo
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Attitude...
Today on the way home from work while listening to the radio I heard the presenter talking to a man who was going to cycle from Adelaide to Darwin with some mates. It is over 3,000 kms & is going to take them several weeks, they aren't out to break any records just to fundraise for the Anti Cancer Council.
Good on them, its a big undertaking & I think their rear ends will be mighty sore by the time they reach their destination. They'll need big hearts & strong legs but they have the right attitude to get there. 'Attitude of gratitude' was what he said that struck me, doing it because they can.
It's good to take stock every now & then & be grateful for what we have & what we are able to do.
Good on them, its a big undertaking & I think their rear ends will be mighty sore by the time they reach their destination. They'll need big hearts & strong legs but they have the right attitude to get there. 'Attitude of gratitude' was what he said that struck me, doing it because they can.
It's good to take stock every now & then & be grateful for what we have & what we are able to do.
Monday, April 27, 2009
Cold day...
Yesterday an artic blast swept over Melbourne with freezing winds, rain on & off & a plummeting reading on the thermometer.
Chris wanted to service his car, so donned his work clothes & parked the car in the garage. With the rain pelting in sideways he was cold, dirty & wet!
I tucked up inside, cranked up the heater & did a bit of scrapping.
With Dad on my mind I put together this layout as a tribute to him.
And finished this one for my album
And finished this one - thinking of pleasant days riding
Chris wanted to service his car, so donned his work clothes & parked the car in the garage. With the rain pelting in sideways he was cold, dirty & wet!
I tucked up inside, cranked up the heater & did a bit of scrapping.
With Dad on my mind I put together this layout as a tribute to him.
The Ulysses group had a trip riding around & staying in the Grampians this weekend, it would have been miserable riding in the cold & rain. I hope they found a nice place in front of a roaring fire with a hot toddy to keep them warm.
We've ridden in conditions like that when we were younger & tougher, with knees frozen in wet jeans & gloves that you can wring out. We don't have to do that anymore, just pleasant conditions & fair skies thanks.
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Today...
On this day 24 years ago my father passed away.
24 years ago we had all gathered at my parents home because it was the Anzac day public holiday. I remember him that last day, unwell in his bed recovering from the last round of chemo, struggling to sit up & raise a glass in a toast.
Later that night my sister rang to say Dad had been rushed to the Emergency room & had died.
Each Anzac Day is a poignant reminder that
"They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning,
We will remember them"
He had succumbed to cancer at just 52 years of age, he would not grow old nor the years condemn. He was such a good father & a really nice man, a gentleman. He loved golf, traveling, cooking, fishing & enjoyed a beer. He had a propensity for putting himself in situations that would make our mother hold her breath.
It was such a shame he never got to be a grandfather, he would have been a fantastic poppy.
It would have been fun to see him with grandsons, as well as the granddaughters, teaching them things as he taught his 3 daughters, all manner of practical things.
There are a myriad of quirky things that come to mind; the way he always cut off your head in a photo, the way he loved to read & rarely watched TV. That he loved to have a piece of chocolate with his beer but didn't eat dessert.
My mother said to me in the last days before her death that she had missed him every single day of the 19 years since he had gone. I missed having an adult relationship with him, being able to ask his opinion or advice, enjoying his company.
I was the only daughter to have him walk me down the aisle, just 3 months later he was gone. The look in this photo was classic Dad.
Still miss you.
24 years ago we had all gathered at my parents home because it was the Anzac day public holiday. I remember him that last day, unwell in his bed recovering from the last round of chemo, struggling to sit up & raise a glass in a toast.
Later that night my sister rang to say Dad had been rushed to the Emergency room & had died.
Each Anzac Day is a poignant reminder that
"They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning,
We will remember them"
He had succumbed to cancer at just 52 years of age, he would not grow old nor the years condemn. He was such a good father & a really nice man, a gentleman. He loved golf, traveling, cooking, fishing & enjoyed a beer. He had a propensity for putting himself in situations that would make our mother hold her breath.
It was such a shame he never got to be a grandfather, he would have been a fantastic poppy.
It would have been fun to see him with grandsons, as well as the granddaughters, teaching them things as he taught his 3 daughters, all manner of practical things.
There are a myriad of quirky things that come to mind; the way he always cut off your head in a photo, the way he loved to read & rarely watched TV. That he loved to have a piece of chocolate with his beer but didn't eat dessert.
My mother said to me in the last days before her death that she had missed him every single day of the 19 years since he had gone. I missed having an adult relationship with him, being able to ask his opinion or advice, enjoying his company.
I was the only daughter to have him walk me down the aisle, just 3 months later he was gone. The look in this photo was classic Dad.
Still miss you.
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Friday, April 24, 2009
Stimulation...
I've been stimulated!!!!
Thanks Kev.
But wouldn't you know it, when a $900 bonus comes in one hand it wants to go straight out with the other.
I went to open the fridge door & it came off! One of the hinges at the top just sheared straight off & it was hanging on a pivot point. Its only about 17 years old & has had many many openings & closings. The motor works really well despite a thick coating of dust behind it, & the top houses wallets, phones, pens & gum. Perhaps it was the weight of all the notices, bills, lists, artworks & reminders that adorn it that took its toll. Maybe it was the responsibility of keeping us all updated on where we should be each day but I just thought it would keep on keeping on for ever. The whole unit has been so reliable I was a bit shocked when it let me down. It has been more than a place to keep things cold or frozen, it has been a central, reliable part of the family.
I don't want to spend the stimulus package money on a new fridge so we'll see how long Chris' Mr Fixit job will last.
Hopefully another 17 years.
Thanks Kev.
But wouldn't you know it, when a $900 bonus comes in one hand it wants to go straight out with the other.
I went to open the fridge door & it came off! One of the hinges at the top just sheared straight off & it was hanging on a pivot point. Its only about 17 years old & has had many many openings & closings. The motor works really well despite a thick coating of dust behind it, & the top houses wallets, phones, pens & gum. Perhaps it was the weight of all the notices, bills, lists, artworks & reminders that adorn it that took its toll. Maybe it was the responsibility of keeping us all updated on where we should be each day but I just thought it would keep on keeping on for ever. The whole unit has been so reliable I was a bit shocked when it let me down. It has been more than a place to keep things cold or frozen, it has been a central, reliable part of the family.
I don't want to spend the stimulus package money on a new fridge so we'll see how long Chris' Mr Fixit job will last.
Hopefully another 17 years.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Locker room...
A little snap of the interior of my locker...
Being the scrapbooker & collage maker that I am, I wanted to jazz up the interior of my locker. 'My boys' greet me each morning when I put my bag & cardigan inside. Some cheeky bugger popped in an extra pic for me - a sumo!!!!
Goodbye for now fellas, I'll see you next week!
Being the scrapbooker & collage maker that I am, I wanted to jazz up the interior of my locker. 'My boys' greet me each morning when I put my bag & cardigan inside. Some cheeky bugger popped in an extra pic for me - a sumo!!!!
Goodbye for now fellas, I'll see you next week!
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
After a hard day...
I came home today at 530pm to find this
Erin could hardly wait to get in the door to shed her uniform & this is how I found it. I know how she feels but at least I shed mine in my bedroom.
Erin could hardly wait to get in the door to shed her uniform & this is how I found it. I know how she feels but at least I shed mine in my bedroom.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Routine...
Wow work has been full on since I started back on Monday. My short break zoomed by & before I knew it school & work routines have begun again.
Uniforms are an issue this term. Erin has to wear winter uniform which means finding extra items like stockings & ties & finding extra time in the morning to actually put the whole ensemble together.
It doesn't help that she had grown several centimetres since last year & the winter pants are way too short, she does have a kilt so that means the dreaded stockings. Erin doesn't like the way stockings feel & finds them hard to put on. When they have sport or PE they have to get changed at school & of course that means putting the stockings back on AGAIN!
I will be able to go to the uniform shop on Friday & rectify the lack of trousers, so she will be happier next week.
My personal issue with uniform is that I only have 2 shirts & work 3 or 4 days each week. So I have to fit in a load of washing when I least feel like it - straight after work. Often I will remember to put the washing on but sometimes I'll remember the clothes are still in the machine when I lay down at 11pm. We are issued with 5 pieces of uniform when we first commence with the Health Service but I wonder if they expect you to move on to another job before you need more clothing. No-one will tell me if I'm allowed to have another shirt or if I have to fork out $80 for it myself.
I asked at the uniform shop if I could buy a particular shirt & he looked at me in all seriousness said 'you have to be a nurse to get one of those'. I'll have to go in all official & flash my badge at him before I am allowed to buy a shirt!
Uniforms are an issue this term. Erin has to wear winter uniform which means finding extra items like stockings & ties & finding extra time in the morning to actually put the whole ensemble together.
It doesn't help that she had grown several centimetres since last year & the winter pants are way too short, she does have a kilt so that means the dreaded stockings. Erin doesn't like the way stockings feel & finds them hard to put on. When they have sport or PE they have to get changed at school & of course that means putting the stockings back on AGAIN!
I will be able to go to the uniform shop on Friday & rectify the lack of trousers, so she will be happier next week.
My personal issue with uniform is that I only have 2 shirts & work 3 or 4 days each week. So I have to fit in a load of washing when I least feel like it - straight after work. Often I will remember to put the washing on but sometimes I'll remember the clothes are still in the machine when I lay down at 11pm. We are issued with 5 pieces of uniform when we first commence with the Health Service but I wonder if they expect you to move on to another job before you need more clothing. No-one will tell me if I'm allowed to have another shirt or if I have to fork out $80 for it myself.
I asked at the uniform shop if I could buy a particular shirt & he looked at me in all seriousness said 'you have to be a nurse to get one of those'. I'll have to go in all official & flash my badge at him before I am allowed to buy a shirt!
Sunday, April 19, 2009
The facebook mystery...
Checking in on my blog today I have received a comment from an old friend.
Hi Cassie (madly waving....)
'Catch up with me' she says...on facebook.
I thought I was pretty savvy having mastered the blogging thing but do you think I can get facebook working for me? I have tried several times & I have set up a profile but it just doesn't fit me very well. I much prefer to post on my blog what's going on in our life, let you read & share it & you can comment if you want - or not as the case may be.
I just did a search for Cassie & 9 Cassies came up! Which one are you Cass??? Hopefully I've sent a message to the right one & we can begin catching up. We've got a lot to catch up on.
Cassie was one of the first people I met when I moved in to Fawkner Mansions to begin my nursing training back in 1983. Janie, Marlene, Cassie & I were close friends - studying, working, living together & partying our way through our first years. After that we moved out of the 'Mansion' & moved in with boyfriends/husbands but we remained really close, a great support for each other.
We have loads of stories from those years that can bring on tears of laughter, stories that only we understand & find funny (remember the dusty tissues???) Now we all live far apart & we've lost track of Janie all together - where are you honey? We have children & careers in quite different areas of nursing but the distance & time fall away when we finally see each other.
Maybe Facebook will be the thing that brings us back to regular contact...if I can get it to work.
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