Were Are you ?

What is every one doing? the Canadians and Montanaians (spelling and what are they called) wamt to know what everyone is up to. A few picies for you







Well another great day in the land of snow. Still at Kates' Mona, Bill, Kell and Peter are here Steve and family Doug and Kates sort of adopted son Garett and wife Sara and the girls and I so a full house.

Every one is either sking, skating or cross country sking its great. Me being the christmas deco freak I an in hog heave as they say. Maybe a good online business.

I have planted the seed about coming to Aus for christmas 2008.

Getting the Christmas tree and Sleigh ride

Quick , no time to chat we went and cut the tree yesterday, and I cut it down with a little help from Drew. here are a few shots. Every one is well and says Merry Christmas and will post more on boxing day and maybe Christmas Day if I have time. But i think there will be a steadying flow of gifts and wine and hopfully Kell will be busy in the kitchen so maybe boxing day will be better. Love Belinda and Mona

Merry Christmas

Hi just wanted to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas. Mum and Sue (Matts mum) are here. Kids are enjoying all there pressies the olds are preparing lunch. Having a quiet day. Hope to catch up with Sara while she is up here. Carol called in here on her way to Wendys it was good to see her. Raelee should be calling in here on her way back from Davids, heard from Nat & Wendy today they are all well. Mum says Merry Christmas. Anyway kids are a calling so have a great day and a happy and safe New Year.
love Toni Matt & Family

Markus's email?

Merry Christmas all, again. Would someone please email me the Markus family and other Deda families email address's? Greg would like to contact them all. Thanks.

Sara xxx

Grafton Christmas Greetings!

Hello and Merry Christmas to All
Ronny and I are about to leave for Lenox Head for Christmas - Ronny's brother's place. Will be great fun. Will call in and see the Egans, Mum and Dad and Stewart
on our way to the Woodford Folk Festival on Boxing Day. music festival that will go for 6 days.
It really is Christmas! I went to see Aunty Wyn this morning, and Michelle, her daughter Nathalie and her 3 children were there!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Their plans changed, however they are spending it with Aunty Wyn!! She will go out to Michelle's for the day tomorrow. I was so thrilled for her, it has made my day!
Love to all, everywhere,
Merry Christmas.
love Lisa and Ronny

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!!

hELLO EVERYONE and Merry xmas to you all we hope you all have a very happy xmas and all the very best for the coming new year!!!
Kell.. thanks for your call , sorry we were not at home but we were on our way back from lithgow from picking my mum up, to spend xmas with us. Hope Peter is ok and you all enjoy the festive season

Mona.... I can imagine how excited you are!! being around family speciallly with the Jessops there, so you enjoy!!! Hi to bill.

Lisa... sorry if you thought NO.. I'm not sorry for what i said, but didn't want to embarrass you with compliments... oh too bad!!! its true, you two have a great xmas!! and great holidays!! Say hi to Jane and stewart and your mum and dad, Jane and or her kids should get on the blog and let us know her news they are a little slack, seeing there are so many...come on janey girl!!!!

Sara...what would the 'blog ' be without you!!!! none of us have ever the time!!! neither do you but good on you as we always want something to be there...you are amazing!! have a good one and hi to tony kids and your mum and greg and you all have a good one!!! talk soon.

Meg.. we talk often and hope we have you down soon, but hope you have a happy xmas and talk soon too...get on the blog and tell everyone your good news job wise and all...

Belinda i did send you a card and letter ..but think you left beforehand..never mind you and the girls have a great time over there..your mum rang us as she doesnt write now and was talking to ken all is good with them...you snow bunnies have a good one

mark myers if your on the blog...waiting to hear from you have a great xmas!!!

Tully girls...We are still waiting and missing your letters...we love to read about you on the blog...so keep it up...whats happening for xmas..let us know

Mandy,toni-lee, markus family anyone else that blogs or "doesn't' have a great xmas and all the very best for the coming new year to you all..
I have written to june , cec, marge, john, wyn,cook etc etc...

Jacob...hi honey..been meaning to write hows it going with the young bro..hope you are having a good time I am going to get Dylan on here one day! as he wants to write to you and marcus and can't wait til marcus gets back...he reckons marcus and him are going to 'jamberoo' when marcus gets back..have a happy xmas you two!!!

Ken and Mum have gone to bed..i'm tired but have a busy day again tomrrow so thought i had better do this tonight..if i have forgotten anyone sorry but didn't mean too.. there are so ooo many but you all have a great chrissy and peaceful, happy safe new year..i will get back when i can But its Party time!!!!!!!! so see you all love and warmest wishes to you all!! bye now and love bernice and ken xxx

Snow in Montana

Very Quickly ITS SNOWING ! WE are having a great time and just loving it. We are waiting for mo and Bill to get here tomorrow I'm busting.
Tomorrow weare going to get the tree and a sleigh ride so I will post some photo's after.

Its 10.15pm and we are all up here is a picyure out the front door.
XX Belinda

Last Minute Greetings.

G'day Family,
Sorry to take this route, but we leave in the am, so no time for much more. We were supposed to go yeaserday, but just didn't make it.
Peter has had a few bad days, so our trip may be a short one!!
I will still try to ring siblings, but others, this is your " Merry Christmas. A VERY happy New year"!!
Thank you all SO VERY MUCH for the way you all treated me while I was home. You are the best family one could ever ask for & I love you all dearly.
I made Margs' macadamia today, (Thanks Lisa!! You are the best!.) UIt hasn't been cut yet, so wont know how it turned out till we are in Whitefish.
Lots odf snow last night, ( Baah, humbug, a thousand times!!)
Lin & girls will be in Whitefish by now, unless the roads down there are bad. It is about 130 miles to where they landed.
We will be thinking of you all, & will have "an occasional" toast to you all!! Mo & Bill will be here tomorrow night, on to Whitefish the next day. Steve & family going tomorrow.
Raelee, if you read this, thank you SO much for finally writing. I will answer early in the New year. It was so good to hear from you, & to know all is well.
MERRY CHRISTMAS. HAPPY NEW YEAR. Love Kell

Merry Christmas

Good afternoon all. I am really sorry to be so late, but have been so busy and so tired, this is really my first chance!! SO.......MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL.
I did not get any cards written, even to family not on the blog. Sorry. May get to phone early in the new year. I am rushing now, to get away this afternoon. We are being promised a Colorado low....means LOTS of snow...so I would like to get on the road. If we went as far as Brandon it would help, and cut two hours off our drive to morrow. I talked to Kell this am, apart from Peter having a fainting spell this am (not unusual, but scary anyway) all is well. She will leave for Montana to morrow if Peter is OK. We hope to get there on Sunday afternoon, but depends on the roads and snow fall. I did my 38th and I hope final hamper this am, so just have ourselves to worry about now. Will pack, see how Bill is doing ...he is down trying to get the top layer of dirt off the car. We went to the city yesterday to drop off excess toys from my Cheer, and it was slushy so the car is filthy. Must go. Will talk to some of you later , hope you all have a wonderful and restful Christmas. We are so looking forward to being with Lyn and the girls. Love to all. I am going to call John, just see how he made out with his second last treatment.
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!! Love mona

Last hoorahh before xmas

Well so much for the mild weather. We've had two or three really humid and sweaty days. Can't turn the a/c on as it keeps tripping the circuit breaker. Think it has something to do with all that rain. Angelina and I getting about in undies. Hokey doesn't want to strip down. Gizmo has "kennel cough" which he contracted when he was incarcerated at the animal hospital. It's only just starting up and chances of getting vetinary services now are zilch!

Had Hokeys playgroup xmas party this morning. They had a petting zoo there for the kids. It was bedlem and we left early anyway because my cleaning lady was comming at 11.

Still plenty to do before christmas but I don't know exactly 'what'.

Too hot to sit here. Ciao everyone and have a good one :o)

Sara xxx

Re: Lisa. (Bernice)

AMEN. AMEN. AMEN. You said it all Bernice. Thanks. Kell.
(P. S.) I HOPE to get mail or 'phone SOMETIME today. Leaving for Whitefish in the am. Love Kell.

Hi family

Hello this is still not my christmas greetings ...but maybe it will end up being as i am running so late but i just had to get on and say to Lisa...
YOU ARE THE SWEETEST,MOST CAREING, KINDEST GIRL I HAVE EVER MET!!!! AS IN A "NIECE", BUT TO ME YOU ARE much MORE THEN THAT YOU ARE OUR MATE!!
THANKS SO MUCH FOR YOUR LITTLE GIFT OF THE DOG!!! ITS THE THOUGHT THAT GRABS ME!!
Not only how you treat me and your other aunties but what you do for Wyn..you are "Unique (spelling) I am so proud of you and want everyone to know and why not the family but anyone of them reading this ...probaly thinks we already know!!!
you have such a fullfilling life with your wonderful husband , but always somwhow find time for everyone else...anyway i just had to say this as i know you take time to read the blog' and thanks for sending kell your mums recipe. so thats my little "blog for the day!! love you !!! talk soon Love bernice xx

The Recipe for Marj's Macca Slice!

For Aunty Kell,
just got off the phone to Mum. recipe as follows- Mum says she sometimes puts a few more macadamia nuts in the recipe! mum always makes double the recipe, hence the recipe is doubled! (That statement sounded silly, sorry!)
2 cups macadamia nuts
2 cups brown sugar
2 cups self raising flour
2 eggs, beaten.
put sugar and butter in a large saucepan, stir constantly until caramalised. turn off heat. Add macadamia nuts, stand 5 minutes until slightly cooled. Grease slice pan (2 sheets of baking paper is best). Add flour to pan and stir, then add beaten eggs, mix well. Pour into slice pan, pat down flat with hand. Bake in moderate oven about 1/2 hour or until cooked.
remember that you have it in the oven and do not burn the bottom as Marj sometimes likes to do!!!!!!!!!!!!! don;t tell her I said that!
Happy baking! It certainly is'to die for'. Mum always makes it for meetings and gatherings, and then Dad complained that she never makes the slice just for him! She felt guilty last week and made a whole slice just for him! Dad was a happy camper!
better get back to domestics,
love Lisa

hey everybody

hello ,, don't have time to write yet but i will. I have time to "read the blog;' but don 't always have time rto reply

Kell... and every body !!!!! i do not have a clue what you are talking about as far as Marg's recipe goes!!!!! ,... and why would i ???? don't doubt its to die for...but
I did not recieve any email from you and even if i did! i am no help as i don't know anything about the recipe and don't know why i was even mentioned ???...but if i did want to get the recipe ..i would have Tried ringing "marg" herself" that way you will get it !! sorry to be so short!! but i just want to clear things up!!
talk soon love to all and merry xmas but i will write soon when i have more time
love bernice xx

Margs' macadamia slice receipe.

Someone, ANYONE, PLEASE ring Jane, & ask her for Marjs' Macadamia slice receipe A.S.A.P. I NEED it NOW. I want to impress
EVERYONE with my tremendous culinary talents, but can't do it without the "special" receipe of Margs'. It is truely "to die for".
I did ask Bernice a week or so ago, but perhaps you didn't get my mail yet Bernice? Anyway, I am sort of, out of time!! Have the nuts, but no receipe!! No snow, & a "reasonable" forecast for the coming week, which means Christmas will be tolerable, weather wise. There IS snow on the mountains for the Jessup girls, so no worries there. I will not be sendind Christmas cards this year. (Surprise, surprise!!) So this will be a "Merry Christmas" wish for everyone. I do hope to ring everyone, but the time
difference does play a major part. Lots of things to do, & no time for them all.
We went to Calgary on Sat., to see Elisa, (Charlottes' youngest) Christmas concert with the Calgary Symphoney Orchestra
Junior choir. It was a wonderful performance, with every age group performing. Elisa was in the 6 to 8 yr. category. Was a 3 hour event, & well worth the drive up. Also, in the am at their church, Michaila was playing violin, & also drums, in various presentations. Elisa was in a little Christmas pagent. All very enjoyable, & any grandparent reading this will know how much I enjoyed it all!!
PLEASE get Jane to send the receipe e-mail, & have a happy, Blessed Christmas everyone. (I do have a FEW decorations up, but am not as talented as Lin, so can't "post" any of it to you!!) I love you all. Have a wonderful time with family & friends. Love Kell

Grafton Season Greetings

Hello and Merry Christmas to all.
Just a quick note before work. Wish that Brisbane lot would get on the blog, it is all happening up there! On Sunday Stewart had the Bob Payton family over for Chrissy bbq. Stewart eats at Paula's about once a fortnight, so he wanted to repay her. Mum and Dad are in Brisbane visiting, so they all cought up. Stewart said it was a great time.
Tonight in Brisbane, Anthea graduates from uni as a Science Teacher (hence, Mum and Dad in Brisbane). Will be a big night there. In Murwillumbah, Grace "graduates' from Primary School! Sebastian and Asha will hold the fort there while the rest are in Brisbane with Anthea. AM sure all will go well.
Ronny and I are taking Aunty Wyn out for lunch today, so will send your love to her. She is having more bad days than good of late, but lets hope today is a good day for her. She said that Michelle is taking her to Ipswich to her grand daughter's place for Christmas day! Just the one day, up and back ( over 3 hours each way). Let's hope it all goes well!
Ronny and I only have 4 days left before holidays, so it is all very exciting.
Still working on sending Chrissy cards out - have not got there yet!
Love to all. If I do not get on again before Christmas, may it be a merry one for all.
love,
Lisa and Ronny

Merry Christmas Payton Family

We ofF!!!!! we go on Tuesday! I guess I should pak soon. I am not my mothers daughter,I am not organised at all. The girls have done all the shopping and we will pack tomorrow. Sara the posts are somehow going on to Alexs' blog. I think she is using the same log in, I will look at it with her when I get there. Here are a few of my Decorations they should make you laugh, I love these blown glass decos and collect them when I find them. Hope everyone has a great Christmas and a happy and safe New Year. See you all in 2008. Love Belinda

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE

Hello Family, I'd just like to wish you all a lovely christmas and hope it is a safe one for everyone. Aunty Kell, please put up some photo's of the countryside over there, and you too Aunt Mona, all seasons (I can only watch so many documentaries)!

It was our minister's last day at our church today. He was only there as an interim pastor but he is so filled with passion and life that we are all sorry to see he and his wife move on. A luncheon was organised and a huge congregation showed up to say "farewell" and it was a lovely day. He has accepted a permanant role over in Chatswood which is a lot closer to where he lives also.

I'd best move on as I'm not in a writing frame of mind. Good night,

Sara xxx

This is for Sara

G'day Sara,
Idon't know what happened, as I just responded to your last entry, but it didn't post!! Lin & girls leave on 18th. We are all excited!! Snow is all gone, yipeeee!! (Don't read this Mo!!) Talk soon, as I'm off to Calgary early am. Love Kell

Just a quickie

Ok, I'm alone again. I guess it is a busy time of the year. I haven't actually "enjoyed" christmas since I was about 14yrs old but now that all the family are relatively nearby I'm hoping we can make more of a go of it this year. We'll go back up to Gregs, probably next week some time I guess. I have bought a new scooter for Giancarlo and a little "scuttle bug" for Angelina, a subscription of "Diabetic Life" for Tony (I'm sure he'll be impressed)! Meg and Hokey put her tree up at Gregs place last weekend and strung lights up all over his house, looks very pretty too. She has a small string of "dragon fly" lights also, courtesy of Aunt Mo' I think. I have to get a power adapter for her to use that one though.

Hokey and Ange were just blue'ing in the loungeroom but whatever they were fighting over seems to be resolved now.

I took a bit of a turn at Gregs last Friday night. Went to my doctor today and have a referal to see the neurologist next week. I've been on another planet all week so hope he can do some scans when I go to see him!

Our dogs went missing on Monday night but the days have all blended into one long day so I only fully realised last night (wednesday) that they were missing. Phoned the council with their chip numbers but no word yet. Tony thinks they're still around here somewhere. I reckon they got onto someones cat on Monday night and were caught and disposed of in Tuesday mornings garbage. I'll put some notices up, even if someone could let me know if they are alive or not so I can stop worrying about them. The little one stayed home though, I bathed her this afternoon and Tony says she can stay inside now. Hmmm, we'll see about that.

Meg and Mum were here on Tuesday. Meg came down in case she had to go into the solicitors to sign anything but didn't have to so they went back up after three hours here. Mum whizzed through and folded all my washing, hung out whatever was in the machine and put the rest away. She's brilliant.

Hokey has his school concert tomorrow. Last day of pre-school. I will miss it because the cleaning lady will be here but I will send Tony to see him with the video camera. Crikey, Big School next year!

I think Marcus flew out to New Zealand today. I hope he has a good time over there with Jacob and his father and Meagan.

It's getting late and the place is a mess so I'd better go start trying to organise things and get the kids fed and bathed so I can bed early too. Hope everyone is well. Have Lyn and the girls left for Canada yet? How lovely it must be for them. At least if this gorgeous cool weather keeps up then we'll have a very fresh christmas.

Oh, and the doctor has changed one of Tony's insulins and he has been a lot better this week. Just as well, can't have both of us being spaced out at the same time.

Ciao, love Sara XXXXX

Hello from Rosielands

Ciao all, it's Monday, oh, afternoon. I'm in a bit of a daze!

We went to spend a couple of days up at Gregs. Went up on Thursday and back Sunday. He has a lovely little house there and only a couple of blocks from the beaches. Just beautiful. Greg took Hokey and I down to the beach for a 'swim' such as it was. I went out to 'thigh' deep while Greg and Hokey took the dogs up the beach. I told him to look round periodically to check if I were still above water. It was a very hot day that day so I thought I'd get my head wet too. I flopped down in the water and it was beautiful and cool. I then tried to get up and do you think I could? Well the wind was pushing me in one direction and the tide was pulling me the other way and I couldn't for the life of me stand up so I lay on my back and kept catching the waves in until Greg was picking me up, asking if I was "taking the turtle approach" to get back on the beach. It was working so why not ay? Back at Gregs place Hokey told Meg "mummy sank"! Greg cooked a bbq that evening, meat kindly supplied by Garys butcher shop. While he was cooking a young galah flew down and settled on Gregs head. He puts seed out the front in a feeder for the birds.

Meg has arranged a storage shed for mum to move her gear into so she can move up there asap. Meg is going to Crookwell soon I think to help mum arrange that. She is so good, with all the rubbish she's going through herself with Luke but she finds the time to go about and help organise others. I think the area up there is perfect for Meg and Greg. It seems so tropical and is very laid back. Mum will fit in. Mum will be fine while Greg's at work he stays in Singleton so those days mum has the house to herself. She'll love it.

I'll put up some pic's.
Love Sara xxxxx

For Kell

A few roses as well this time, I will take some more photos and bring them over with us.
Counting the days. xx Lyn

HYDRANGAS

Lin, Thanks SO much for the photos. I want to forward them to Michaila, but don't know how. I will wait till we are in Calgary next week-end,(16th, 17th.) for Elisas' concert. Then I will get Michaila to post a blog, & check out the photos.
Your time is running out!! Ski passes sounds good for the girls. What about their mother??
Have had a 1,000 meetings (so it seems!!!) since I've been home, so no Christmas preparations yet. I will soon have to start on
cards, but don't know when!!
Steve & Jo are waiting to hear from you, re plans after Christmas??
HOPE to ring everyone before Christmas. Love to all KEll.

"PALSO"

"Palso" is Alex, her dads' "special" name for her!!! Sorry for any confusion!! Kell

Hey there

Hi all and pardon my ignorance but i thought this was a family blog and i don't know "who is palso? please...thanks love bernice

Palso

Palso, if you read the Payton blog, get busy & post another Markus update! We want to know what BIG gift you got us for Christmas?? Love G'ma

Quickie

G'day all.
This is mainly for Sara.
You see, when I was with Tom our "stony silences" were a bit of a joke. Likewise, all other times we "rested our voices"!!!. Can you imagine 2 Paytons,being together, & SITTING IN SILENCE!!!??? In fact, we yakked till after 11.00pm each night, & still were'nt finished when I left at 6.00am on the train!!
This for everyone. I checked out Johns' diagnoses, "Adenocarcinoma", as did Cook, & just as I thought, it is bad news. I rang John. However, he would not listen,telling me he had just recweived VERY GOOD NEWS from his Dr. Namely: that "WE have beaten it!!" The cancer has been beaten!" Try as I might, I could not convince him otherwise. I asked him how they could know, when his treatments were still ongoing?? Mo was going to ring him too. The Dr. I see specialises in Colon cancer, & said yes, the medication is VERY important, as it is a main part of the cure. If anyone can convince Johnno to take it as directed, ( he says he only takes it when he needs it, which isn't very often,) that would be a great advantage for him. I feel sick for him, knowing
what he might be doing to his chances of a full recovery.
Jessups, I DO hope you are nearly packed & ready, as it is fast getting time to leave?? We have a "very snowy", "very cold" winter forecast. I'm sure heavy coats will not be a problem, but pants may not fit the tall, slender bodies!! It is getting very exciting. All I need now is a bit of time to do Christmas cards, but not for a few more days I'm afraid. Still busy here, & I'm sure Mo is up to her neck with "Christmas Cheer."!!!! I have no idea how many hampers she has to do this year, but I know it will be a LOT!! She
gets literally thousands of $$$ worth of stuff. Has to box it all, name it all, & get it all delivered. A MAJOR task, & VERY time consuming. I think she said she is looking for someone else to take over. (HA! HA! HA!!! GOOD LUCK MO!!!)
Anyway, gotta go. Lots to do, & meeting at 7.00pm. Lab. tests in the morn, new tyres for the car after that. Then "books" for
the vestry meeting tomorrow night. Takes me forever to do the Financial statments, as I am no book keeper or accountant.
Love to all. You young'ns get busy!! Kell

Hi from bernice

Hi all been awhile, have been a bit down,.. enough with my dog 'kellie going blind ..altho she has picked up a lot lately which is good, as in getting around. she will never get back her sight. but worse still our big Pup had to go i decided to try and find him another home where he could run run and run.. so rang the r.s.p.c.a they said no worries but they ended up "putting him down' its a long story and very painful so don;t want to get into it , but he is gone now, and we miss him so much even tho we knew he couldn't stay here, it all turned out wrong.

kell ..it was a great informative letter from you. great reading, so glad you had a great time, it was lovely to see you and have you here.

Belinda...lucky you off to canada "Do you or the girls ski...sounds like you will learn with the Markus family....so...ooo not going to Bourke now with Peter on the road?????? ha, have a great time over ther anyway, How was your mum and dan?
i dont understand Why the markus family doing ther own blog? why not on the payton's?? Anyway its all too confusing to me its enough with our blog and flickr' without another site!!! Man ..Just this year ken has bought me a new mobile phone, a G.p.S tom tom, a new camera, a new printer, dvd player . and goodness knows what else but the point is ...I know very little about all of them as the technology of them and i just havent had the time to learn about one thing and then theres something new to learn.....my brain has gone on holidays since i gave up work and became just a domestic goddess.

Sara, Tom seems to be holding out ok up at gregs aye , lets hope she likes it enough and moves. I was talking to meg last sat. your last email i couldn't open movie video or something, your photos of hokey and John in bourke are great I have been meaning to say..mikala was down here at jamberoo fun park on a school excursion the other week i went out for lunch with her she's grown up i took my new camera (which i didn't know how to use) nd ended up getting a couple of shots off. there ok.

Hey Jacob, was great to hear from you again..little bro will be over soon..that will be good for you hope you have a good time.

Was great to hear from the tully girls again too.

Lisa ..about time you showed yourself too... hey you just might beat me to the xmas cards this year as i haven't even started !!! I am so far behind this year!! i don't know why? itsjust crept up on me!1 so i decorated my xmas room and have just put the xmas tree up pretty lights and all and am trying to get into the christmas spirit before i write my letters and cards out. My Mum is still coming down and i am so looking forward to it so i will have to shape up, say hi to ron,
I will finish up now,i really shouldn't have started to write as i am so tired tonight,we have been out shopping and its bedlam and then i washed kellie and then we had to wash and bottle the homebrew among other things and I'm beat!! so sorry if i have forgotten anyone or anything and i will re read tomorrow and write as soon as i can so for now good afternoon , good night , and good morning to you all.. bye for now love bernice xxx

Grafton Greetings

Hello All,
has been a while since I was last on - have not been home much lately! Ronny and I took long service leave last week and rented a place right on the beach at Wooli. It is a little beach town near here, but when you go there, it is like going back to the 1970's. It was awesome. The Wooli river ends there too, so we have both beach and river. we took the boat and had lots of fun. Learnt to catch worms on the beach, and Ronny caught plenty of whiting to eat. Stewart joined us last weekend for a few days too. Easy to face work tomorrow knowing that the summer holidays are not far off!
The week before last week - at school - was my big performance night. Big production, all of my Drama students performed, a huge success, but a hell of a lot of stress before hand! No worries, all over now. Only have one more performance to go. In the last week of school I am getting a group of junior students together and we are going to the nursing homes around Grafton for a bit of Christmas cheer. Am trying to get the words to the Australian Jingle Bells - about the rusty holden ute? I think it was Ian McNamarra? If anyone knows of it - or has the words, please send, am sure my students can butcher it!
Sara, the drumming sounds great. what type of drum? Djembe? That is mine.
Bernice, so sorry to read the pooch. how is she doing?
Aunty Kell, was awfully quiet when you left! we miss you! Loved your visit - reading about it sounded quite exhausting! You needed to go home to have a rest!
All of my family are doing well, mum and dad included. I do get worried when mum says that dad had a nap in the afternoon, something he has never done, but I figured at 81, he deserves a nap in the afternoon! don't we all?
Belinda, have a great time in Canada this Christmas- not that you need encouragement! great news.
Sara, can you tell aunty Tom that the letter she sent to Aunty Kell addressed to Grafton, arrived about 4 days after she left here, and the day before she flew home. I will sent in on to Aunty Kell, try to get to P.O. this week.
Hope all is well at the start of the festive season and the start of summer! Every year I think, I am going to send a Christmas card to Bernice before she gets in first, but she always wins!!
cheers, have a great week.
love Lisa and Ronny

Top o' the Mornin' to yee all

Oh shoot, I'm supposed to speak Itai' now! It's 0703hrs and all has gone suspiciously quiet in the loungeroom. No point investigating because if there's trouble it'll still be there in an hour, IF I get the luxury of an hours peace on the pc!

Aunty Kell, I don't know about "saving your voices". Mum says you had a great talk, but then I guess 5 minutes vocalisation at any time is a conversation to mum. You have to poke her with a stick to get a noise out of her (and I used to tell Mark the same when he'd remark of some event "mum never told me that"!) She thouroughly enjoyed your visit though. Mum is still up at Gregs at the moment. Greg is at a Cornerstone reunion in Dubbo so Aunty Kell, she IS cleaning "thouroughly while he is out of the way". Well, she IS a work horse and the only new trick she's learnt is how to call out and receive calls from a mobile phone. She does alright for an old girl though but I was thinking 'she can't be 79yrs old this year' unless poor old Nan did have them literally one after the other. Wouldn't be the first time Births, Deaths and Marriages have issued incorrect certificates though!

I have my needle nose pliers out to fix my paper shredder. The little sensor button has snapped off inside so I have cut a piece of plastic from one of Hokeys broken tracks and will glue it onto the stub of the sensor. Bugger! The needle nose's are too big. I'll have to go to the cheapie shop and get some needle nose tweezers!

Looks like I've lost my internet connection so I'll have to copy & paste this to notepad then reconnect. 'Bugger' again!

Ok, I'll just type in here and reconnect later.

Tony finally brought MY compressor in from HIS van so I can now quickly blow the mess, bird seed etc from the back patio and pump up any tyres that come through the house without having to go to the shed or use a broom to sweep.

The 'silence' in the lounge has long since ceased so I'd best go an feed the small ones then ready ourselves for church.

Great to hear your trip was so nice Aunty Kell, little Grayson sounds like a treat. I DID feel mine get out this morning but did not feel him get in. I actually slept through for once. Oh dear, I hear christmas dec'ies bouncing off the walls in the lounge, now there's banging, must go,

Ciao and love to all,
Sara XXXXX

Old routine again!

Dear, dear family,
All too soon, it was over! But, boy, was it GREAT while it lasted!! Arrived in Sydney 21st. Spent day with Sara, children & Tom.
Sara braved the traffic at 3.00pm, took me to Strathfield, train to Broadmedows, met by Toni Lee & Lauren. To Mrs. Junes, spent 2 days, sitting in stony silence as usual!! To Tonis' on Friday, fantastic "Aussie B. B. Q.," curtsey Of Matt. All the Fam there, & Markus. Meg took us around the next day, showed us all the sights, her place, beaches, Gregs' place, butchers, etc. Then Meg took Mrs. June & I to Kiama. Saw the laverty girls, the two beautiful babies, (VERY cute, like their G'ma). To Ken & Bernice for 3 nights, shopping, more hours of stony silences, (as is usual for us!!!) Meg took me to Syd., & Sara once again braved the pouring rain, peak hour traffic, & dropped me off at the front door of the Masonic Club. Dinner with friends at the Swiss hotel, (Apparently Kate & Fam had stayed there!) Excellant meal, 10 of us, organised by Sari Goldberg. Sat. morn. we gathered, & sat silently around the tables ALL day. FABULOUS!!! Drinkies, (Water!) & food all the time. That night all met for dinner, & more sitting still for MANY hours. Sunday morn., final breakfast, then friend Marg from Kanahooka took me, & another Marg (from England, husband Peter,) to her daughters' at Picton, for another fabulous Aussie B. B. Q. in our honour!! The hostess, Lin,
husband Phillip, Lins' sister Susan, husband Roger, their 2 children, & Lins' & Phillips 3 children + one boyfriend were all there
to greet us. Was a lovely get-to-gether, & Lin Jessup joined us at 3ish. She joined in the B.B.Q., but refused refreshments. (Or MOST of the refreshments!!) On to Canberra. A wonderful relaxing time, with Matha (Hannah) Steward serving us gourmet meals! Out to dine at a fine Italian rest., friends of Lins. Excellant Italian food. Kate & Doug would be jealous!! Took lots of photos of trees etc. Many trips around the city, some shopping, & the exciting time, watching Hannah & Lauren, with 2 young friends, getting dressed for Hallow'een. They put the Canadians to shame!! They all looked beautiful, & I think, had a fabulous time, as I hardly saw them the next day!! Off to Crookwell to see Topm. We saved our voices for another time, for 3 days. Then overnight in Goldburn, caught the 6.00am train to Sydney,2 hour wait, then onto Lithgow. 3 hour wait for the bus to Dubbo. Was met by Rita (came up with husband Ben, from Cobram, Vic.) at the bus. On to the Voyager Motel, (because of its facilities for handicap folk.) Ben has had serious problems with his legs, ever since he got an infection in Broome last year.
They took me out to dinner at The Hogs Breath. Well, forget the name, the food was FABULOUS. And the wine too!!
Champagne in their room that night. Next night dinner at Dubbo West Bowling Club. Once again, the food was great. This was to be my shout, as so far, Ben had foot the bill for EVERY meal. When we arrived, there was champagne on the table!! I thought they must have seated us at the wrong table, but Ben proceeded to open the bottle. O. K., I must have ordered champagne!! Nope, a toast to me, for my b'day the next day!! When I went to pay, it was done already!
They are SUPPOSED to come over here, so I can re-pay. Time will tell, as Ben can't sit too long at the moment. It was indeed a great b'day celebration. Margaret (Fraser) Jackson, Eve Jackson, & Murial (Fraser) ?? took me around the next day, till Johnno
arrived. They dropped me off at the hostel when John rang. We just yakked till tea time, went to a bowling club for tea, back to the hostel. Yakked till 11.00pm. Shower & bed. Johnno had breakfast all planned. Yakked for a while, then drove around to see the sights. Lunch back at the hostel. John took me to the bus, & left for Maitland. Cec, Ray & Junie met me in Maitland. Had tea at Junes', then home to Taree, raining ALL the way, mostly very heavy rain. Had a good visit with them, then off to Grafton. Cec & Ray off to Sydney for Oskars' Baptism. Wendy May met me at Grafton, took me to Maclean. More sitting quietly!! Off to Grafton next day with Len. Ronnie was home, but I didn't know that till I'd been there about an hour!!
Steve & Marj arrived. Marj had a meeing there. We had a visit with Win. I found her considerably worse since the reunion.
Steve is thin, but looks great, & says he will be here for a reunion in 10 years. Ronnie & Lisa are just awesome hosts. No one
I visited would let me raise a hand, & they were no exception!! Gourmet meals every day, mostly out on the verandah. Very pleasant. Jane arrived on 17, took me to Murwillumbar (???), then Danny & Cook picked me up, & took me to Springbrook. Still resting our voices, incase sometime, we might want to talk to someone.!! What an incredible place they have there.
The "creek", waterfalls, parks, views, walks, birds, flowers, trees. On & on!! Had a lovely time, I took many beautiful photos, all of which I lost as I was leaving!! Was lovely there, warm, green. They have the greenhouses so full, I don't know how they
keep track. Stew came & took me to Janes again. Now, there is a house!! I did get a few pictures, but my connections are in Whitefish, so havn't seen them yet. The three youngest were home, & what delightful children, & young man. Seb is a parents' dream!! Bridie & Grace such delightful young ladies. Certainly a credit to their parents, as were all the children I met over the month I was home. I think we can ALL be proud of our offspring!!. I havn't had a chance to set up a cricket team yet Seb., but will do that in the new year!! Off to Brisbane, after Jane drove many miles to the station.A lovely drive, but she had to get home again!! The train trip was great. Everything so very green. Clean. Lovely trees, many still blooming. Such beautiful country.
Monday we went to Stews' main employer, & saw the awesome job he has done with the HUGH yard, & yet it is a work in progress, as he still has big plans for it. Stew dropped me off at Paulas, where we were able to rest our voices again. (Bob might dispute that!!) Paula & Rowan have two very pretty, VERY well-behaved children. A real credit to them both. We had
lunch, looked over the "school bus!" ( "Cool, Man! Cool!!) Bob & Trish have done a fantastic job with it, 100% self sufficient.
Rowan was home in time to get to know him a bit. Very intellegent, VERY into "hitech". Seems to love his work. Stew joined us for dinner, then back to Brisbane. Tuesday, Stew showed me the way to the city, & I got Licorice, Tim Tams, Milo & some
more important stuff, then headed home to pack, & re-pack till I fitted everything in. ONLY cost $144.00 in extra weight!!!
Would have been a LOT more, if I didn't have a connecting overseas flight!! By now, I'm all packed, & ready to go out to dinner with Stew & Asha. Stew chose a Turkish Restuarant, & I think I can say, we ALL thoroughly enjoyed it. Home to Stews', a night cap, & off to bed.Airport next am. A very sad time for me. Steve picked me up, spent the night with the Dedas. Grayson had his bed ready for me. However, he didn't hear me go to bed, & I didn't hear, (or feel), him get up! Just caught him before he left with Steve for school. A bit of time with Jo, Talyn & Payton, then it was time to "head home". Peter, Alex & Dan were in the house when I arrived. Peter was happy to see me, & has followed me around ever since!! It was great seeing Dan & Alex. They had to go & see Dougs' mum, so couldn't stay long. END OF SAGA!! (??) Will keep it short next time.