Hello

Hi all , hope everyone is well. Sorry to hear about your Gout Mona, its a very painful crippling thing Ken has it ..he has had about 3 bad bouts of it but is now on tablets which prevent it..seems to be working..he is on them for the rest of his life...hope you have it under control, ' first bout is the worst they ssay!

Your email of the Paper works from that Indian was unbelievable ..beautiful!!
Its been awhile since i last logged on ...lots of things been happening..anyway for now I'll just answer questions. write later.....I'm starting to think no one is on here anymore tho?

Sara.. that photo of Hokey is gorgoeus he is Sooo like you in it..and yes I will be having "Halloween" whether I feel like it or not ..can't let the local kids down they expect it from me now ..I get about 50 or 60..don't know who the bigger kid is tho..and Yes by all means you are quiet welcome we will talk later about it.Is Tom still with you if so say Hi. It was enjoyable having Greg down the other day.

Meg your last letter was so enjoyable , very interesting, entertaining, By the way Stewart said he so enjoyed it too and tried to comment ..but couldn't "log' on I don't know what his problem is as I showed him how too.!!!!!! anyway hope your trip is going good.. Terrible things are happening in Bourke aye...so many dying, sad.

Ken is back at work '3 months earlier then expected..they got busy and he got a call back he was so happy! me too! I get my routine back..he was off for 5 months!!!..we went away for two weeks Grafton with Lisa ,Ronny had a great time Stewart, Jane came down...then Gold Coast to a friends great then Brisbane to Stewart's seen Paula was lovely also my sweeties..Asha and Seb..then on to inland Sunshine Coast to Maleny to my sister's which was great also.

Well I've waited to see any response to who and where we will have our reunion..and no one has.. or they haven't blogged if so...

I Don't know Why 'Jane' didn't put her hand up! Ha only joking! she does have a great house and is a Magic Cook tho !!

No seriously tho I will be happy too organize a 2010 family reunion if everyone is happy with it down here, it is like Terese said a beautiful fun place..

.WE will Meet & Greet hug & Kiss!
Talk , laugh & Cry and remember those we Miss!

I will get onto accommodation ,venues & such later and will soon work out "A date" within that dec period that suits all and send invitations.....but for now folks..Ken and I are off to "Fiji" in 4 weeks and I am contcetrating on that then Halloween after that should be able to concentrate So Bye for now Love to all Bernice xx

Belmore

Aneet, Faith, Fatima and Heba, Hokeys class-mates

Just before the parade, half the day already over. I had to get his belt and sword to him (too bad it's a pirate sword but was all I had. Vest is a cowboy one but again, it's all I had)

Just before assembly.

Very quickly, Hokey said on the way home from school today; "I love you Mamma, I love you so much my eyes pop". Well, what more could I possibly ask for than a son who is 'blinded' by his love for me? God bless his sweet little soul...

I have heard no word of the reunion Aunt Mo' but I reckon we should at least try to have a get together when you come over. I didn't know you were planning on coming home so it will be lovely to see you and Uncle Bill again. Let me know when and I'll meet you at the airport again.

Watching a doco' on National Geographic about the 'codex gigas', very interesting but I try not to get too interested by the devils work.

Horrible things been happening out home. I think Meg or might've been Lissa put on here about the little 3yr old that was run over out home? Well Katrina (nee Ebsworth) told me today that a young girl, 21 or 25yrs old died of a heart problem, she is being buried tomorrow. Then in the wee hours of this morning a young O'Shanessy boy drove his car off the warf and as Katrina was speaking to me this afternoon the vehicle was still underwter and they were still waiting for divers (police, I assume) to arrive to retrieve the body. Wasn't known if there was anyone else in with him. Don't know how he managed to get his car down to the warf unless he'd mounted the levee and gone over the 'veiwing' platform I'm not sure. What ever the case it's a very sad situation. Meg and Gary are still out there so I'm sure she will have full details on the towns goings on when she gets the chance to logon again.

Book week parade went well, I sent Hokey as Puss in Boots. I'd forgotten all about it until one of the kids asked me the day before at 'home reading' what Giancarlo was coming dressed as. I raced home after the reading and got out the 'Little Golden Book' to find a character (I'm getting a feeling of deja-vu so forgive me if I've said this in a previous post) then rifled through bits and pieces I'd kept for 'just in case' and managed to pull together a pretty good outfit I thought. Haven't loaded the pics onto the pc yet, will do that now.

Made Nachos for dinner tonight, I should have known better as Tony won't eat spicey food so kids are conditioned not to eat what they're given although I bribed Hokey with ice-cream and it actually worked. He ate all the meat sauce (was originally 'chilli con-carne') which he never does. Angelina wanted ice-cream too but she wouldn't eat her dinner or even pasta from last night so she missed out. They'll learn one day that Mummy knows best ...

Bernice, are you having your Halloween Birthday again this year? If so and if you don't mind I thought I might invite ourselves down? Hokey remembers the last one and he's keen for another.

Tony sees the surgeon on Tuesday but they won't touch him until he gets his bsl's down. Hopefully by the end of September but who knows? These doctors seem to shove off responsibility to each other, it's like the bloody 'Micky Mouse Club House'. We went to RPA last week for some tests and he was second in the door when the ward opened but last to have the procedure so we were there from 0700 'til 1800. Bloody long day...

Oh, Wendy, I have heaps of little girl clothes, too many I've already taken to Salvo's. Some very nice clothes (hand me downs from other mums, I couldn't afford it all) if Therese would like them. Therese if you get the chance to read this then please let me know. I will take them up to Gregs with me next time I go and bring them over to Toni's place for you. Anyway, they're yours if you'd like them.

It's 2300hrs now so I'd best be off. Love to all,

Sara xxxxx

Morning all. You should all be up and on the go by now. Me, I'm getting supper ready then relaxing! Kell will tell you that is all I have done for the past 3 or 4 weeks ! Had the gout....a terrible complaint....then what I thought was the gout invading the rest of my body. Aches and pains, couldn't move, getting in and out of bed agony, and once in bed, can't change positions, just able to get from chair to chair...told Kell that was for exercise !! Have literally lived on pain killers and even that hasn't helped a lot. My neighbour (Kelly Burns, Meg) came over a few nights ago and diagnosed me.............siezing up from my 'Crestor', cholesterol pills !!! I should have remembered June and the trouble she had, but didn't think. See my Dr. on the 2nd, and I'm off the pills and I hope from here on it is diet, flax seed and me.
Enough of that........it is by way of explaining why I haven't been "ON" these last long time.
Cant sit for long, so have to say it all fast now. Happy birthday Lozz !! and where does the 'Lozz' come from? Has anything been done about the reunion or is it off? As far as we (Blackburns) are concerned, don't worry about it, you have had a couple of busy years. Bill and I hope to go home, likely later in the year, but will try to see as many as we can. Will likely get a car and drive around as we did last time. Bill has a few 'want to's', I just want my country and family. Have to go to Bourke, other than that just visit and enjoy !
Have to go. It gets painful sitting. Hope all are well and love to all. Kell and fam are all OK. Our Dan is at Uni already ! Katie and Co. will almost be in mourning! He's such a good lad.
Love to all. Take care. God Bless. Mona

Bourke or Bust ( found in the drafts and have posted for Meg) !

Happy Birthday Loren

Hope you had a great day kiddo. Was thinking of you and have a card in the ute but didnt go down town to post it. Yes I know another excuse Meg.

Sarie you crack me up, the jack bone comes from the front leg. The butcher should have that part of the sheep tell him. I have not seen any skeletons in the paddocks and have asked Jacko to pick any up for me. We have not had a baked shoulder for a long time. Usually have a baked leg. But I will see what I can do.

I think everyone is on that facebook thing I hear the young ones talking about and dont bother with the blog. Cant blame them if no one else gets on the blog these days.

Kelly turns 16 tomorrow and we are all heading out to the Lowes property to camp, throw a line in, do a bit of spot lighting and the young ones will be off on their motorbikes. We are all looking forward to the weekend and Kelly is beside herself. Lissa has tormented her by leaving her gifts wrapped on the lounge room coffee table. Not long now kell.

Well for those that may be interested we have had a great time out here at Bourke. So good in fact that I have not even caught up with Dad's rel's YET. I need a lot of available time to visit with Pheobe but I think I said that. Will do all that before we head off.

I think we are going to have to sneak away, Melissa has ordered Garry not to leave on a Monday its to close to the end of the weekend, a Tuesday is no good because its still to close to the weekend being over, a Wednesday is the only viable day because Thursday is the end of the week so we may as well stay for the weekend and think about the following week!!!!!!!

Louth Races were great, we really enjoyed ourselves.

Our Lozz is all grown up.

Yesterday saw the coming of age of Toni and Matthew's, Lauren.

They must be proud knowing that after she finishes school this year, they will be sending out into the world; a beautiful, kind, thoughtful and sensible young lady.

Not a little girl any more, but just as lovely...

Many happy returns for your 18th birthday Lozz.

Belmore 190809

Helllo Aunties (seems like you're the only ones logging in). I know we're all busy but even just a one liner would be nice, just to touch base with each other, especially with the Canadians aas they are so far from home.

The othher night Mum was hhelping me to peel the potato's when she cooeeid (?? spelling) "Aahh, the bloody cat's on my back. Ring ets neck"! She cracks me up.

Greg passed through on the weekend on his way to and from Kennny and Bernice's. Monday morning when getting ready for school Hokey said "Uncle Greg told me to pull his finger so I did and he farted. He said to do it again and he farted again! How'd he do that? He must be magic". Ohh I laughed hard. I told Mum and she laughed hard too and said "Uncle Greg's naughty". I never say the 'fart' word, it's something he's picked up at school, amongst otrher words and phrases...

Tony's gone to thhe dentist to get a nneww bbridgge made for his teeth, the old onee's 30 something years old and has broken several times and seeing the government is providing 4k for dental work for people with life threatening mmedical conditions we got him on tthe prgram straight away.

Getting thee house insulated in a few weeks time, courtesy again of the goveernments $1600 rebate so we don't have to put out a cent. The installers do all the paperwork and the authorities pay them.
Both cars are runningg on LPG so thaat's another rebate of 2k each. All in all we've done ok off the governmeent...

Please excuse the double up of letters. Tony spilt cordial over this laptop a week after he got it last year and the kkeys stick. I was furious.

We havee thee bookweek parade today. I dressed Hokey as Puss in Boots. He looked fantastic but naturally he cracked thee shits bbeecause "all the kids will laugh at me". I don't know whhy they'd laugh, I told him Puss in Boots was cool and he was even on Shrek but he still fussed so I just had to walk away. I will upload pics later. I forgot all about the parade until yesterday when I did 'home reading' at school and heard the kids talking so caame home and flipped through a 'Little Golden Book' to find a character and came across Puss so rumaged thrrough the place to find pants, tops, boots etc that I knew I'd kept for such occasions and threw togwether an outfit. I didn't have a feather for his hat so cut a strip off a featther boa I had in the basket of dressups and thread that through the airhole in the side of hhis hat. I thread wire through the front of tthee hhat to make it 'peaked'. I think he looks great but we'll see at lunchtime when the parade is on as to whether he stayed in character or not. There weren't manny 'book' characters there, lots of movie characters and eveen a Michael Jaclson but book characters were scarce. One other little yr1 girl was dressed as Dorothy from Wizard of Oz and Scarecrow was there too. That was my next option, the 'Tin Man' but pulling together an outfit in one afternoon was going to be tricky so Puss will doi for this year.

Went to the butchers to get some 'jacks' but they didn't know what I was talkinng about. I told them what joint of thee shheep but they still didn't know until one, a bloke oldr than me cottoned onto what I was talking about aand thhey don't have them. They don't gget that part of the sheep! I'll have to ask Johnnno if he can grab annyy he sees out in tthe padddocks.

Well folks, I'd best go do some housework and get ready for the parade. Hope everyone is well aand love and kisses to all.

Love, as always,
Sara xxxxx

No News from Belmore

Hello Family. I apologise for my absence, flat out having time to logon to read let alone write! Also been offline a few days, after several calls to Telstra it seems the problem was at my end of the line so I pulled out and reconnected all cables to no avail. I went outside to check the cable there and wouldn't you know it, Tony had disconnected it to hook the Foxtel up in the kitchen. Obviously I'm back online now.

Aunt Mona, your foot sounds sooo painful. Greg has had the gout in his foot too and it looked horrid. Beats the dickens out of me how you 'older' folk manage to still do so much work when I think you should be relaxing. Mum says "but I'm healthy, I don't want to sit around all day knitting or reading". She makes me laugh, she was telling me of her recent flu' and how she was sleeping alot. She said she was laying awake one night though and feeling her pulse and it was so erratic, she said "I was scared I was going to die in my sleep but I don't want to die in my sleep. I want to be awake and know that I'm dieing". I laughed out loud, she is so dry.

The weather has been gorgeous, 21c days consistently. Mind you, it's supposed to be 28c on Sunday, work that one out...

Mum is here and the company has been great even though Madam doesn't allow us much peace to sit and have a quiet chat. Maybe tonight as there's no school tomorrow so they can go to bed late. I have a red Lambrusco and Mum has a Chardonnay to wind down.

I think I told how my cat had kittens? Well, they're going on 5 weeks old now I think and they're starting to venture out of their bed and run about the rooms. Everyone thinks they're cute. "Cute little fella's" Angelina says.

The breeder wants to but one back because of Suki's aggressiveness. He gave me a male kitten that was to be put down as he wasn't 'quality' stock. I bought him home (he was only about 14weeks old himself and one of Suki's siblings from a younger litter) but Suke was having none of it and she attacked me, mauled me to be exact. I took the lad back to the breeder and will collect him when Suke's babies have all gone. Of course I'll be having both desexed.

Still no news here. Meg said Louth races were good, as did Greg but not as good as past years. Too many young'ns there just to booze up and not enough of the 'older' generation of race enthusiasts. Shame.

Tony has started digging post holes to put the front fence up so hopefully that will be done in the next few weeks. He has appointments all this coming week finishing up with an angiogram on Friday so he'll not be doing too much until the following weeks.

Greg is on his way down to Kenny and Bernice's today and back home on Sunday so he might stop in on his way home, he'll see on the day. Mum brought his Banana Bread recipe down for me so I made it up the other night, beautiful. Also have some other concoction of his to make up, sort of a vege stirfry with tuna.

Like I said, no news so I'll sign off and go do some 'Mothers' work :o/

Love to all, Sara xxxxx

Pilot Mound is BACK!!

Morning all. This may be very short, but I needed to let you all know we still live ! My computer was laid up for the longest time, then I got gout and can't sit with my foot down..........DON'T get gout! It is an all new experience in pain !! I am almost healed, but the foot still doesn't want to be down ! I sit mostly with my right foot up on a chair, or on the dash if we are driving ! Walking still is a problem, but is getting better.
We had two friends of Cook and Dan with us over the week end. It was like having two old friends! Great people and lots of fun. We were sorry to have them go, the time went so fast.
I haven't read back on the blog, so dont know what is, if anything, happening in your world. Someone please bring us up to date.......easier than me trying to look back.
I will have to go. Foot manages my life and it says 'get me up !!' I have a funeral to conduct in Treherne tomorrow morning, then take my car to Portage for servicing, Bill has to go to a funeral on Thursday afternoon, then we are heading up to the lakes for a few days. Summer....the 'quite' time, has been and gone and we haven't had time to enjoy it ! I did manage to can my peaches, will have the apples to do in Sept. and then tomatoes, then RELAX!!
We'll see ! Hope to visit Kell late Sept. or early Oct. Must go. Love to all, and wont someone please write ? Love Mona

not much to say

just letting you all know that we are thrilled to have meggie and garry here and that sulking certainly works wonders!
the family is all well and kell is planning a trip to visit aunty lyn if your still keen lyn :)
will write when we actually have some news.
hope everyone is well
lissa x

Anna Bay Antics

G'day all, lovely to hear from you Wendy. Nice plating of the avacado, I'm jealous. Bought one here at IGA and it was as hard as the stone at Mt Oxley. Guess it will be awhile before Lissa and I have our avo on toast.
Yes Garry and I have begun our adventure. We do not have an organised itinery but just go where our hearts lead us. First stop was Lightening Ridge. I was surprised at what little wildlife was about.We only saw 2 feral cats and about 7 foxes. 25km's out of the Ridge there were a few roos. The Caravans and winebago's and campers out numbered sure out numbered the animal life. Unbeknown's to us the Opal festival was on and there were 1000's of people there. Fortunately we walked in to a motel just as a room had been canceled so scored a bed and hot shower for the night. Feeling refresed in the morning and waking at the crack of dawn we ventured outside for a look around. There were lots of stalls being set up with opals galore. My eyes boggled. I spotted the opal of all opals, only $5200. It was a red on black the size of my little fingernail. I was just drawn to it and kept going back to look at it. After my third visit the fellow said he had been speaking to a few people and had upped the price to $7800!!!!!!. I told him he had broken my heart. So off I went again in search of a similar colour mix and in my price range. But to no avail. I ended up buying a little solid for $3 to replace a lost stone in a ring that Sarie had given me. Dam I just wasnt meant to have that opal because I lost it somewhere. Mind you it was the size of a pin head. The tours were all booked out which was unfortunate, but I took Garry around to a few places to give him an idea of life at the ridge. Of course we stoppped at the bore baths and I had a delightful soak in the 40 degree water. Lovely in winter, but I couldnt imagine doing it in summer. Garry was not partial to it, as it was too hot for him, but he felt it did his bad shoulder the world of good. Of course we visited the local butcher and Garry got a shock that they were selling frozen rabbits for $14 each. He was selling them fresh for $5. All the meat prices there were a couple of dollars cheaper than what he use to sell each cut for.
I had a phone call from Melissa our first night on the road. She was most put out that we had stopped off at the Ridge as she had organised the Lowe family to come for dinner so we could surprise Kathy. I did not indicate when we would arrive in Bourke just that we would be there sometime. She didnt let up and Garry was tormenting her telling her we could only stay 2 days then would be moving on. She was one sulky young lady. Any way we pulled up camp and headed to Bourke seeing 42 emu's in all on the way. One mob with 18 in it. No roos though.
It was a pretty drive over with the patches of green dotting the landscape and the wild flowers adding a splash of colour. I had to get Garry to pull up so that I could get a bunch of Desert Pea's. I just love the colour and the smell. They wilted a bit but perked up when put in water and still look lovely on the kitchen window ledge.
Jess had tea all organised and cooked a great meal, with 2 desserts to top it off. It was lovely to see everyone again. Most of the family had the Barcoo rot!!! well coughing and spluttering etc as dose most of the town. Pheobe Gaffney has the swine flu so I have not caught up with her, cJohn Holmes who has a broken foot but is otherwise well. Have not ventured over to Johno and Vickies yet but will do so tomorrow.
I have not seen much of Garry, he has been off with Peter mustering goats yabbing and fishing and they took a run to Engonnia today to do some job with Peters work. Tomorrow they are off to Moomba so Garry will get to see the great outback first hand with a great guide. Jacko (Clifford Jackson) has been great in keeping us entertained filling us in on all the Bourke antics.
Tonight we feasted on yabbies yellow belly and of course cod. Yum a treat with the vinegar I must say.
The days have been lovely and warm, and I have peeled off my jumper by mid morning. The nights are cold still but a nice cold with a fire of Gidgee burning warming whole house. No need for the lecky blanket.
Jess and Kelly went motorbike riding today, Lissa and I just hung around chatting and drinking cups of tea, did a bit of weeding in the garden and pruned the roses. Took a drive out to Northy and called in on Yip Yap Holland and his partner Joyce. Peter Holland was there too so it was nice to run in to him, Morgs and Julie were there too.
I asked Bertie Hopley if he had any quandong jam but he had none left. Bugger. I will just keep asking around.
I am going to go out to the cemetary and weed around Dad's grave and spray a bit of round up about just to keep the burrs at bay in readiness for summer.So that is about it for now, I am ready to tuck into bed in readiness to embrace a new day tomorrow. So good night one and all I will keep you updated.
love meg

Unexpected day off

I was all ready for work and sitting out in the sun when the phone rang.

I ran inside to answer it and heard my bosses voice,

The people who were leaving today (Sunday) have decided to stay another night so they wouldn't need any cleaners today.

I said good as I was enjoying the sunshine and could now enjoy it for a while longer,

He laughed.

Len arrived home from church and we decided to have morning tea,

Not because we wanted it but because we could.

We had a lovely time soaking up the sun until it became too hot,

We are now cooling off but I will venture out again when there is more shade on the deck.

Hi to all.

Wendy