Looking good

I went out to lunch on Sunday with Mom, Dad and Elizabeth.  Our local sports club has a special - a $3 steak and $1 for sides such as chips and salad - you only need to buy a drink as well.

So for around $10 we can get a delicious meal and have someone else cook it and clean up afterward.
I decided to dress up for the occasion.  Don't think  I did too bad a job.

All scrubbed up and ready to go out. With my beautiful flowers

My hair won't lie down - so I figured I would just style it up and crazy
 

Matthew was taking my photos for me, and decided we needed a selfie
 

Memory retention

I have been spending the last couple of days trying to find out how to transfer all my old Sony analog video tapes to a digital format on my computer and finally onto DVD.  The reason is that I have over 50 little tapes of beautiful memories - that we can no longer see.

All these little tapes contain gems of memories captured during the children's early childhood.  And I want to watch these again.

I have been so diligent capturing photographs, but the beauty of the video needs to be treasured as well.

With the help of Matthew I think we might have found the solution - a converter. But, we need the old camera to work and it is a bit stuck.  So with some research and some prayers - I hope that I can fix this problem. 

Family Love

A little skip back in time.  On one of my moments out of hospital in the last six weeks - I was blessed to have all my children around me.  My beautiful 'other son' Patrick - came over to see me.  It was so nice to have them all around. I love my children.

A hug from my Patrick - I am still wearing a hospital wrist band

Patrick, Elizabeth and Sarah.



Patrick, Elizabeth and Matthew.
 

Learning to carve

After almost 6 weeks in hospital on and off  - I am finally home.  During my time in hospital - I have had lots of time to think and contemplate life. I realised that I have filled my life with a lot of "I should" instead of "I want".  By that I mean that I have lost sight of the fact that life is to be filled with things that make you joyful and fulfilled.  The stuff we have to do, will get done, but I am going to enjoy each day. Who knows how many any of us have.

So this morning I went down to spend some time with my wonderful Dad.  He is one of the most knowledgeable and talented people I have ever met.  My Dad can do anything.  He has built a sailing yacht with his father when he was a young man. He has built a three-story brick garage, with my Mum as his apprentice. He has given us magnificent bookcases and can fix anything.  He is just filled with knowledge and I don't want to lose any of it.

Also, in recent years he has begun to carve.  His carvings are magnificent.  During my illness, he gave me a 'comfort bird' - it is a little bird that sits in your hand and comforts you in times of stress. From the moment he gave me mine - I wanted to carve one of my own. So today I dressed up warmly and headed down to his workshop for my first lesson.

The Workshop

A finished bird, the blank and the knife

It was a daunting prospect to be given the blank that Dad had cut out on the bandsaw.  First thing I learnt was to find the middle of the blank and to draw a line through the mid-point on every facet. How smart?  This way you will keep your carving balanced.  So your best friend is your pencil and then your knife - or as Dad put it - second is the Band-Aid box - for your bleeding fingers.  Luckily today I had no cuts. 

I am so happy and peaceful

My hands carving my very first wooden bird

Dad and I smiling - showing off my/our work.

The wood chips show how much has been taken off to reveal the bird inside.

My Dad's amazing hands

A wonderful morning.

Measuring and marking with pencil.





 

Working Girl

Elizabeth has been studying for the past 5 years - she has loved every minute of her Bachelor of Arts and graduated with Academic Honours.  Since November last year she tried to get a supervisor for her Masters - but with no success.

The frustration of not earning money really began to affect her, so she decided to do a medical receptionist course on top of her degree. This was a hands on and practical course.  As she finished the course, she began handing out resumes.  She dropped one in at our local doctor and then our dentist. The dentist was looking for new staff, so offered her an interview, then a training day and finally acceptance and now she is on three months probation. 

The best part of the job is that it is just 6-10 mins up the road and the pay is not too bad to start.  Her hours are quite long at the moment, with late evenings, but we have a working girl.

Well done Elizabeth - we are so proud of you.

Hair today - Curls tomorrow

Ever since my hair has grown back - I have battled to do anything with it.
It has decided to have a life and curl of its own.

So here are some photos of me with curls and untidy hair.

I have washed and brushed this mop

Back of head - curls, curls, curls

Top of head

Still smiling!

Still Living and loving life.

Along with all my medical issues life has continued.

While in hospital - I managed to get a "Day Pass" - I said it was Parole.  It meant that I could come home and spend the day with the family and also attend Sarah's play on Friday 7th.  Sarah had been given the lead role in her drama class's production of "STREUTH".  The play was a spoof - a play within a play and Sarah had the role of The Inspector.  After weeks of practicing she was fantastic.  I was quite tired by the time the evening came, but nothing was going to stop me attending my Sarah's big night.

Ivan - holding a very tired Me as we head off to Sarah's concert

Waiting with Elizabeth during the interval - surrounded by Angel Orbs of protection

The Inspector - The Star

I popped up on stage with Sarah to have a photo

A couple of days later - Sarah had a fancy-dress party at Drama to celebrate the end of the play and she chose to dress up as a 'Weeping Angel' from the TV - Dr Who.  I got to see the photos - she was terrifying.  Thanks Matthew, Elizabeth and Granny for helping Sarah create such a great costume.

Scary Sarah

Matt helping Sarah with the body paint

The myth is that they can't move as long as you are looking at them

If you look away they will move and touch you and send you back in time - feeding on your energy.