Wog Town

Hello peoples. Yes Big Girl, it has been a while and I've been extremely slack but the 'minute' here and there that I get just isn't enough time to sit and write. I should be putting the kids to bed now as it's just past seven pm but they can have a few more minutes while I 'Blog-on'...

Wendy, Aunty Junes place looks lovely and peaceful. I'm sure she will be happy there.

There was a really cold breeze coming in the door, I just got up to check and the danged laundry window was open. Marc had opened it when he washed the dog. I have no idea why. Oh, the BIG news from my place is:- Marc is out in the Granny flat now. He procrastinated and made excuses over and over until he said something last week that set Tony off. So Tuesday he was moved to his new abode and although he ranted about it he is definately happy in there, it's 4&1/2 x 7 metres where-as his room inside was a cell at 3 x 3! Tony had it done up real nice too. Now Tony's busting his belly to build a toilet and shower out the back too. He didn't incorporate it into the flat as that would've been a monster job so he's building it out by the laundry. The house is so much more relaxed now.

The builders started the roof repairs on Friday, almost 2 months after the fire! At least it's being done at last. The roof is off at the moment and just covered by a tarp so naturally the lounge door is shut as it's an ice-box in there. They reckon they'll be finished by Wednesday, i'll be pleased if they do as I got my clock off lay-bye last week and I want it up in the lounge. It's nothing fancy but it has a chime like the one Bob and Trish had on their mantle (???) in Bondi. I have always wanted a clock with that chime and when I heard one go off in the jewellers I went straight in and lay-bye'd it. Wasn't 'till I got it off lay-bye did I realise it was battery operated and the charm was battery operated and not an original dinger, or whatever Bob & Trish's was. Never-the-less, I love it .

I'm ticked off with winter, where is it??? We've had a couple of cool days and the nights are fresh most nights but not at all icey. I'd like to at least get a decent wearing out of my winter clothes. I guess the gas heating in the house and the fact I'm at home most of the time and moving about using my energy resources keeps me pretty heated up. Maybe I should slow down and smell those roses I keep hearing about... Speaking of roses, I did an Aunty June on a bush out the side just before winter but thinking it would die and not flourish like Aunty Junes but it didn't die and it hjas flourished like Aunty Junes, even in winter! My 'Lucky Bamboo' wasn't so lucky though, it started to die the day I bought it home from the shop, well, two of them. One has held up ok.

That's about it for me I guess as I must get these wee'ns to bed. Madam has come out here to me and is sitting on the floor with a screw-driver and a power-point (loose one out of a box) "twist, twist, twist and turn. Here you go Mummy, it worked"! Hmmm

Just stretched my neck and looked up at the ceiling and there is more mould in here than there was at the other place. Man, now I'll have to do the bleaching here too. Oh well, it's gotta be done.

Ciao lovelies,
Sara XXXXX

June

June

Happy Birthday Mum.

It was very strange this morning not being able to phone mum to wish her a happy birthday.
Len and I decided we would visit mum to wish her a good day, so last Tuesday saw us in Raymond Terrace again.
We picked Cess and Ray up on the way. The weather was very bad and we were not sure if we would make it through but miraculously the skies cleared and the sun came out as we drove along.
We met up with Toni and all went to visit mum. It is very peaceful where she is, has a lovely feel to it and as Toni said "she must be happy there", there is also a lot of activity going on around her so she wont be lonely. All in all I was happy to leave her there and Cess agreed with us that it is very nice, she is surrounded in native gardens with birds in the trees all around her.
We headed back to Tonis and went and visited Tom. Cess had told her we would be there but didn't thing we would visit but there was no way I would be that close and not say hi to her, Needless to say Tom got a lovely surprise when Cess knocked on the door.
We stayed at Tonis that night then headed back home the next day.
The very next day the rain was back.
Mum really wanted us to visit as she obviously made it possible and gave us sunshine for the visit.

Anna Bay Antics

G'day all, its been awhile since I have made my presence felt. Have just finished reading through a heap of posts and it seems as tho there are a lot of family like myself lost out there in cyber land. Well get grounded and get back on folks.
Love all the photos Lyn, you must have had a wonderful time in Canada, way to go girl. And thanks for sharing it with us all.

Sorry I missed you the other day Aunty Ces, Uncle Ray, Wendy and Len. I was at Toronto as usual. Look forward to a mock chicken leg with you one day.

My big news is the butcher shop has SOLD. Yahoo! Garry had his last day of trading yesterday and I have not seen him yet but I think he has had a pretty full day helping a mate of his who is the Lemon Tree 4WD mechanic and assisting the upholsterer who is recovering the seats in the landcruiser for him. It will be all systems go in 4 weeks when we are packed up and on the road. First stop Bourke then who knows from there. No time limit we will just travel where our hearts take us at the time and if we like somewhere then we will stop for a bit. I am really looking forward to fulfilling a dream and I know Garry will thoroughly enjoy himself.

Jacob will be home in 2 weeks and I cant wait to see him. Marcus still has not gone for his L's again after failing on his birthday. He thinks its ok driving around here doing the jobs Greg wants done. Well thats not good enough and he has to pull his finger out. Will he listen to his mother NO. Kenny I need you to assert your authority and pull him into gear for me..

Greg and Marcus have been busy at the new house getting it ready for painting. They are sanding back all the architraves to get rid of the mission brown looking trim and the varnish. He has a lot of work to do on the house before it is livable thats for sure. He is enjoying himself (Greg that is ) doing the work and that is the main thing. Mum was up there today to when I called in. I was there for 30min swinging off the vaccume cleaner before she even knew I was there. The dogs were there too of course wandering around the house.

We have had a few days rain free which has been lovely for everyone. Makes no difference to me as I am at work or on the road. But the change in the weather does put a smile on peoples faces.

Well all I am going to go and boil the kettle and enjoy a cuppa while I wait for number 2 son to come home and visit his mother who is here to visit him. He was going up to his mate Ash's place for 5 min. That was an hour ago.
Take care one and all and have a go and get on the blog. I think of you all all the time and Stewart where the hell are you. I thought you were going to be a regular now that you are on the net.
Mandy I never did get you email so if someone out there has mandys contact can you send it to me on butcherbird2@bigpond.com I only have Lyn Bernice Lisa's emails that is it. I just thought that we all kept in touch via this mode. Oh Nat Happy birthday old girl, cant forget you even thought I am late .
Love meg

Nanna Pate

Just going through some photos as Hannah needed a baby photo for a fun day at work. I found this one while searching.
Belinda

A few photos from Montana

Miss Char

The above three images are all Katie and Doug's back deck, you can see the difference in the seasons!. You can just see the BBQ in the above photo to the right of the dog, and it is in the same position where Steve is cooking below. Also check out the snow on top of the out door heater. Every thing looked so different all green and warm.
Steve busy getting dinner organized, he is so wonderful always thinking of and looking after others, I love him to death. Thanks for everything Steve you made the surprise worth while. And poor Doug lying to Katie to come to the airport to pick us up. Doug is always very gracious in having me and the girls stay he is then over taken but all the Deda/Jessup families and he makes us so welcome thanks Doug! Lauren and I had a great time as always this that family nothing is a trouble. Daniels Grad was great almost as must pomp and ceremony as we have for UNI graduation.
We talked a bit about a family reunion in 2010and all the O/S people want a summer reunion so Christmas on the coast was a good thought and had the most votes.

Lauren and Grayson

Kell and Michailia Char's daughter!

Katie, Daniel and Kell, in front room

Peter Deda in Katies front room.

I will add some more photos later.

Belmore :o/

Hello everyone. Bernice, Hokey had a nice day. Just a 'happy birthday' from mum and dad in the morning when I sent him off to school. The birthday cake he wanted, a 'Bulldogs' cake was going to cost 40 bucks at Micheles Patisserie and they only made big ones. School asks that parents don't take in large cakes so I just made up a large batch of Betty Crocker 'Devils Food' patty cakes and iced them with sprinkles on top. I took them up to school before lunch (weren't ready in time for recess) and the class sang Happy Birthday to him. He was busting his belly for a Bulldogs wallet so I did a dash to Bankstown on Sunday arv' and found one in the team store out there. He got that when he arrived hom after school and was delighted so I left it at that. I could have got heaps of 'stuff' for him but hae decided to keep it to one gift for birthdays and maybe two at christmas. They're far too spoilt as it is. Oh and the wallet ended up on the roof of the walkway at school. He insisted on taking it to school, for a couple of days I refused but then decided to let him go and see what would happen. Thursday he hung on to it tight, Friday he and his mates were playing with it in the playground when one decided to throw it over the walkway, thinking it would go straight to the other side. Well the lads arm wasn't as strong as he thought and it ended up on the roof. The groundsman won't be in until Tuesday so he's very remorseful at being without the thing. He'll just have to learn the hard way...

No news, all's the same here. I've misplaced or lost a USB plug in wi-fi adaptor which I was going to use to log Hokeys laptop (my old one) onto the internet. I'm not letting him on the internet but I wanted to download a Mahjong game directly onto it for him. He spent the afternoon playing the game with me on Tonys computer and he loves it. Blowed if I know where I've put the plug-in.

Kids are still up, it's 7:15pm. I will let them stay up 'til 8 or half past in the hope they might sleep sound. High hopes I have. Hokey's said he doesn't want to come to church in the morning but I'll get their clothes ready tonight and take them with me anyway. It's wet out and no chance of going anywhere so they may as well come to church for the morning.

Like I said, no news so I'd best be off. Love heaps to all,

Sara xxxxx

Grafton Greetings, 20/6/09

Hello All,
A quick one. Just had to share the 'stupid award' for the week - goes to Jane! She stayed with us on Thursday night as she had meetings in Grafton. Friday morning she left after us. Brydie was making her debut last night, so Jane wanted to get home and get it all organised. Just before she was about to leave, she had a few big swigs of water - or so she thought! Stewart keeps cold water in his fridge in 'Absolute' Vodka bottles - and Jane assumed we did too as she saw the Absolute Vodka bottle in ours! To cut the story short - Jane had a few big swigs of vodka at 8.15 in the morning. As it was burning her throat, she realised her mistake!! She then had to stay at our place for a few hours to let the alcohol settle, before she could drive! We are still laughing!
Have not heard how the debut went last night, but no doubt that Brydie looked stunning as always.
Ronny is busy installing a new slow combustion wood heater in the lounge room. Will be neat to sit and watch the fire on a winter's night. We will not be able to use it for many months of the year, but when we do use it, it will be fun.
A few minor ailments here, but otherwise all ok. Family is good.
Love to all ,
Lisa

Hello

Hi...Just wanna ask hokey....What did u get 4 your birthday?????? was it good ? did u have a fun day??? Uncle ken and I say..... hope you got lots of pressy's!!!!

Belinda wen are u due back?

Lisa great 2 see u back on blog waiting on your email reply...wats with stewart??iAM RINGING HIM TOMORROW...GOTTA GO LOVE TO ALL...LOVE BERNICE XX

Back on the Blog... Lisa here

Dear family,

Sorry I have not been on the blog. I have not been one of those blog readers that never writes, just had no internet! Well, Ronny spilt red wine in the modem. Do not ask how! The red wine also went down the wall and behind the heavy cabinet! To his credit though, he did clean it all up and got the internet connected again, but that was a few weeks later. Had to buy a new modem and deal with all the rigmarole that goes along with it. Had it connected for one day, then something went wrong again. Never mind, back on now.

Happy Birthday Hokey! Today is the big day!

All well here, few hassles at work, but you get that. We keep reminding ourselves that we work to live, not live to work, so it will not consume us. Now in saying that - I have my big Drama night soon, 7th July, so all focus at school is on that at the moment. Have to rewrite a play and add a new scene to another one, but otherwise, it should be a big one. I have involved lots of year 7’s and 8’s this year, (whereas my usual focus is seniors). I have some gems in the young ones. I meet them at lunchtimes to rehearse and it is always a pleasure. One kid is hilarious and I know he will be a hit! Will keep you posted.


Ronny’s birthday was Friday and we had a great party on Friday night. Had a fire out the back under the gazebo, so everyone stayed cosy and warm. Very late night, lots of laughs, food and alcohol consumed, very slow on Saturday!

Had a brilliant long weekend. Ronny and I went camping at one of our favourite spots not far from here. Had a big fire at night so we stayed warm, and the weather was perfect. Flood had left its mark, so we had to camp in a different spot, but better views than where we normally camp. Zappa caught a fish – a two week dead, eel tail cat fish – and it STUNK. He rubbed himself in it, so we had to wash him at night – he was not impressed – and nor were we!

Dad has been in the wars of late, but all better now. Mum was exhausted, but she is back to her normal self again too. Much relief. Aunt Mona, hope Uncle Bill is back to his usual self too.

Aunty Kell, many thanks for the e-card for Ronny. Got it late due to internet problems, but thanks for the thought.

Bernice, Ronny got your birthday text, many many thanks. I text Stewart that afternoon and said “hey, what about a birthday wish”, and he came through too. It was a good birthday, but next year is the big one! I was sick last week, two days in bed, so I did not get to buy Ronny any surprises. Luckily, I had bought him a jacket, and I told him to go and buy the angle grinder that he wanted, so at least I had something. Sunday we went grocery shopping and looked in the shops. To cut a long shopping trip short – I did very well out of Ronny’s birthday!!!!

Oh well, have rambled on. Floods seem too long ago to report on them. All the old timers around here say that we will flood again in two weeks. No weather reports to confirm, but that is the local Grafton gossip! Hope it is not true!

Love to all, cheers,
Lisa

Hello

Hi all just me again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Just saying HAPPY BIRTHDAY to RONNY....and STEVE who I forgot??sorry I have to get my birthday book in order...
Anyway lovely to hear from you Meg and MOna, and Belinda what great photo shots how handsome and pretty are kate and doug's kids...Alex is a beauty!!! ..you can see the surprise on Kate's face what a treasure!...hope you enjoy your stay Belinda

Lisa I text 'd Ronny but on your Phone...what are you doing for his day? are you back on the net yet????? I could ring but if I rang all Ken's family and all my family when i needed too...Telstra would make a Killing!!!

And............A VERY SPECIAL ..HAPPPY BIRTHDAY TO A SPECIAL LITTLE BOY ON THE 15TH OUR LITTLE "HOKEY" Hope you have a fun day and get lots of pressy's xxxxxxxxx

Ok thats it for me just letting you all know I care...Bye for now love Bernice xx

Ted's Truck

Memories are made of this !!Love ya. Mona

Cool Pilot Mound Calling

Morning all. A very quick note, I am late for an appointment and I HATE being late.
Just to let you know Bill is OK so far. He still has several tests to go through, and we are waiting for an appointment for colonoscopy etc. The BIG thing for me was the cancer tests were all neg.
(Lots of cancer in his family) We have a very busy 2 weeks coming up, then things settle down for the month of July, so I will be on to write a decent note then. Am going to take a minute while I think of it to post one photo for Sara and Meg. I have the slides of this one, girls......they are copies of an original, but I could have photos taken off them, or print it out if you want. Let me know. Love to all. Head up, stick on the ice ! Mona

Hi from Montana

This is when we walked in the door "Suprise"
The Markus family

Daniel

Very quick hi to all. Dans Graduations was wonderful and great to be here.

Katie almost needed to be taken to hospital she was so shocked when Lauren and I walked in the door!

The girls !

Hello

Hi all just wanted to say...HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MARCUS FOR TOMORROW... hope you have a nice NO Mad day........... yeah Meg my Pants were "Cool' at the time!!!! Ha wide but cool..


Mona how is Bill???


Belinda ...where are all our photos you said you would send huh????



Stewart...Where are you big boy??? you are on the Net now...don't be a reader be a writer please!!!! or otherwise this blog is gonna die


My poor Ken had a tooth out today!!! ohhhhh hope he feels better tomorrow

Lisa are you back on the net yet???

"The Vegie Garden" is going great wil send photos later

Willl sign off now love to all love bernice xx

Lemon Tree

Morning all
Just a quick note to say G'day.
Kenny loved the photo of Dads car. Will print it off if I can at some stage.
Would have loved to see the bottom of your jeans Bernice, how wide would they be......
I enjoyed looking at the old photos, good work. Jane have you got any of your old cubby house?
All is well here, had a busy time at work over the long weekend with staff calling in sick or just not turning up and having to deal with agency staff. Let alone the everyday hiccups that occur in the general run of things. I am on a 6 day stint here. Will get up early in the moring and drive to Anna Bay to pick Marcus up and Take him for his L's then drive back here for a late shift. My baby is 16 tomorrow. How time flies. Jacob will be 18 in July. He is coming home for a couple of weeks holiday, and we cant wait to see him. He said he wanted to go to the pub and have a drink with his mum!!! I will take him up on that but of course it will be a coke for me. I will have to be the nominated driver.
Mum is well as far as I can gather, her memory is failing, and I have told Marcus he has to write down where he is going and when he will be home. Because Mum forgets then rings me in a panic wondering where he is. She wont be happy with the move to Gregs new house but nothing can be done about it I am afraid.
Hope all is well with everyone, Lin how is it over there, we are all looking forward to hearing how the surprise went.
Meg

Hi

Hello all, hope all you readers are good... I'm just logging on to let you know ...( I was supposed to do this days ago) ..sorry ,
Lisa has not been on the blog !!! As she had problems with her computer and has been 'off the internet thats why you haven't heard from her.. she will explain when she get' s back on air!!!
Hope you are all well...Mona hope Bill is better.
Love Bernice xx

AAADD

I know this isn't allowed but it describes me to a t these days and might explain why I don't get on here much...

A.A.A.D.D.

Recently, I was diagnosed with A.A.A.D.D. -Age Activated Attention Deficit Disorder .
This is how it manifests:

I decide to water my garden.
As I turn on the hose in the driveway,I look over at my car and decide it needs washing.

As I start toward the garage,I notice mail on the porch table thatI brought up from the mail box earlier.

I decide to go through the mail before I wash the car.

I lay my car keys on the table,put the junk mail in the garbage can under the table,and notice that the can is full.

So, I decide to put the bills backon the table and take out th e garbage first.

But then I think,since I'm going to be near the mailboxwhen I take out the garbage anyway,I may as well pay the bills first.

I take my check book off the table,and see that there is only one check left.

My extra checks are in my desk in the study,so I go inside the house to my desk whereI find the can of Pepsi I'd been drinking.

I'm going to look for my checks,but first I need to push the Pepsi asideso that I don't accidentally knock it over.

The Pepsi is getting warm,and I decide to put it in the refrigerator to keep it cold.

As I head toward the kitchen with the Pepsi,a vase of flowers on the countercatches my eye-- they need water.

I put the Pepsi on the counter anddiscover my reading glasses thatI've been searching for all morning.

I decide I better put them back ! on my desk,but first I'm going to water the flowers.

I set the glasses back down on the counter,fill a container with water and suddenly spot the TV remote.Someone left it on the kitchen table.

I realize that tonight when we go to watch TV,I'll be looking for the remote,but I won't remember that it's on the kitchen table,so I decide to put it back in the den where it belongs,but first I'll water the flowers.

I pour some water in the flowers,but quite a bit of it spills on the floor.

So, I set the remote back on the table,get some towels and wipe up the spill.

Then, I head down the hall trying toremember what I was plannning to do.

At the end of the day:the car isn't washed
the bills aren't paid
there is a warm can of Pepsi sitting on the counter
the flowers don't have enough water,
there is still only 1 check in my check book,
I can't find the remote,
I can't find my glasses
and I don't remember what I did with the car keys.

Then, when I try to figure out why nothing got done today,I'm really baffled because I know I was busy all day,and I'm really tired.

I realize this is a serious problem,and I'll try to get some help for it,but first I'll check my e-mail.....

Don't laugh -- if this isn't you yet, your day is coming!!

Stranger returns...

Hello everyone on this gorgeous Sunday. I have been absent for a while, flat out doing the usual stuff. Jane, you are an awesome lady to raise 5 children and such a lovely bunch they are too. I am flat chat trying to raise my two and they are wild as anything. Last week Giancarlo met me in the car park after school. He has been told repeatedly not to leave the teacher until she see's me but alas he doesn't listen. Next day when I arrived at school to do Home Reading with the kids the teacher pulled me up before I went into the art room where I read. It has a linolium floor and she wanted to make sure it was dry first. She said the fans were on all night to dry the room out. Seems the previous day my sone along with two other students, girls mind you, emptied 10 bottles of hand soap into the sink and turned the taps on full boar. Apparantly there were bubbles up to the windows and all across the room. Everything was soaked. I thought the room looked nice and clean... Well, they had fun, lol.

Home is same as always. Roof still isn't fixed in the lounge, wish they'd hurry up.

Bernice I loved that old picture of Dads car, it's a beauty.

Aunt Mona it must be awful being so far away sometimes. I think of you all over there always.

I haven't spoken to Mum in a few days but last I did speak with her she seemed ok. Apparantly Greg is moving her and Marcus into the new house and will rent 132 out. Mum won't like that as the new one is a long way from the shops and right next to the beach. I will call later and see how she's doing.

Angelina has a nasty cold and is miserable at the moment. Poor little possum. Hokey and I have recently had it but we're over it. She has also developed what seems to be a stutter and it's making her very frustrated. Maybe she's just trying to say too much at the one time or thinking too fast while she is talking. I will ask the girls at playgroup on Tuesday.

I didn't know Lin was going to Canada. Must be a gorgeous time of year to be there. I hope to see lots of beautif pics soon :o)

Hokey turns 6 next week, Ange 3 in July. They grow so quickly.

Marc isn't moving into the granny flat now, 'yet' anyway. He was making excuse after excuse so Tony put all our gym gear back in there. I think I said all that in a previous post did I? Oh well, there it is again... Hopefully at the end of the year.

No news peoples so I will sign off. Aunty Kell, I have been meaning to email but haven't had a chance. Hope to get to you and Aunt Mo' soon.

Love always,
Sara xxxxx

Greg's wedding Postponed until end of year!!!

Hi all just quickly , Meg said Greg wants a message on the Blog as his wedding has been postponed again ! as they realised they have to many other commitment's and can't get time off and such..So would rather wait until suits them both at a later date ..fair enough their choice.

Mona ..that is a old photo...very funny one too..How is Bill? are tests results back? hope he is OK, he is usually fit as a fiddle isn't he. Let us know.
Glad Belinda & Lauren made it over ok.
I have to go this is only short to give Greg's message I am cleaning pavers under Pergola then varnish protection afterwards big job and needs sunny weather so have to go while sun is shining!! love bernice xx

Ok, Bernice, I too have some oldies!!
Lyn and Lauren arrived last night......much excitement!
We are unable to go over..waiting on appointments for Bill's tests and can't be away. Had a beautiful letter from Toni Lee today along with nice photos. Bless her. I say to all of you, don't ever underestimate the awesome power of grief. It takes on a whole new and terrible dimension when you are 10,000 miles from home. I hope you don't ever have to experience it. But don't condemn those who do. Trust me, it is not a choice.
Must go. I am going to soak in a hot tub.......because I deserve it ! I talked to Kell this am. They are heading for Montana on Friday. Steve and the littlies go too, but Jo has to work and can't go. I might phone her and we can feel sorry for each other ! Love to all. Mona

Hi from bernice

hello...where are you all....I'm not on here to entertain you!!! Or am I...Ha come On you lot!!!
Lets have some news!!! I don't mean you Kell..I know you are busy I mean the thousand others!!!! anyway Belinda asked me to get on ..not until wed night as she has gone to Canada to surprise them all and for Daniel' s graduation good on you Belinda, Hope you have a nice time Lauren her daughter went with her which is nice, Belinda also said she wil be going to Greg's wedding which is nice to...Me life goes on at the moment we are both well and spending a lot of time at home...oh I must say i had problems last post I lost half my letter it said something about html error ????? then I noticed Belinda's post which she done after mine...came on under mine?????? anyone know about that!!! Ok I have gotta go QLD are Versing NSW go NSW talk to you soon love to you all...Bernice xx