Belmore 27/2/11

How do everyone? All chugging along here. It's another humid and sticky day. I have much to do but as per usual I don't seem to be able to get my head in order to mark a start on any of it.



Went to church this morning and enjoyed the message, when I wasn't sleeping :o/ Stayed up way too late watching one of my fav' movies on Foxtel; The Godfather. Rurned the light off at 0200. Up at 7 sorting Angelina before going back to bed 'til 0830. I got up and made it to church in fair time but like I said, I got a bit doughy and snoozed through most of the sermon, waking at the closeing hymn then went downstairs for a cuppa and cake.



Kids are well. Angelina's settling into school but still sooky in the mornings. Hopefully she will calm down soon. Once in class she's fine and when I went to school last Friday for P&C meeting I saw her running about in the playground with the year one kids. She gets on well with them all and is in a mixed Kindy and Year One class. Apparently this is because of her ability and comfort with the work, so the teacher says anyway, I don't know. Hokey is in Yr3/4.



I spoke with Mum yesterday. I hadn't heard from her for a week and phoned to check in on her. She hadn't called because she's had Aunty Cec and Uncle Ray there for the past week and they've been helping her pck up the other house. Poor old Darl'n has so much to do but having the Folks there was a real blessing and she thoroughly enjoyed the company. It's quite a hike for her to walk down to the shops/hair dressers etc from Gregs. At the other place it was all just across the road and two blocks up the street. She feels so isolated now but Meg comes to visit as often as she can and brings meals around for her or sends the boys around with meals for her. She really appreciates this and it's a comfort knowing she is getting good food into her. I'm not sure if she still eats noodles... Anyway it was a real joy for her to have Aunty Cec and Uncle Ray and she is very much looking forward to seeing Aunty Kell.



Tony's just made up a big pot of sauce for dinner tonight and to freeze for through the week. Smells delicious. That bloke's a good cook...



I have been blessed with four more big bags of clothing and toys for Angelina. The young Mum who's passed it on to me has also put some of her own 'throw outs' in there but I'm going to have to drop a good 10kg to fit into them. Dunno if that'll ever happen but I will try to give it a go, it's not like I can't afford to shed the excess.



Tony is making progress, albeit slow but progress all the same on the shed he's building out the side. We have been blessed with hard wood salvaged from the side of the road up near the kids school as well as however many 'pallettes' he could want for from the tile shop around the corner through the pubs carpark.
I had already asked the old fellow if we could have some and he said we could take a few then one day, when Tony went round to get some the old bloke was trying to fix something with his truck. Tony offered to help and fixed whatever it was straight away and since then we've been able to take whatever we want.
I drove through (cut through to avoid morning peak-hour traffic) to take the kids to school and waved hello to the fellow on my way through. He pulled me over and asked why Tony hadn't been round for ages so I explained about him being ill. God bless the old darl'n, he loaded up at least a dozen pallettes and brought them round for us,.
Tony has been able to use them all to build the shed and now all he needs to do is put some more corrugated iron on it's roof (already got a stack of 'throw-aways' from the tile place) to seal it completely and put the gyprock up on the walls. Make the bi-fold doors and he'll be ready to roll. He already has some doors off the house that he will hinge up and mount on the shed.
The whole thing will be his 'workshop' so he can at least do some work at home when he's able. It has plenty of windows (salvaged from the houses next door that were demolished year before last to make way for new housing comission units) and a sliding glass door (salvaged).
There will be a door going from inside the shed through to the house also so Tony needn't even go outside. We have a spare gas heater to put in there for winter and an old a/c for summer. We have been very fortunate to come by all these extra's and it has saved us thousands of dollars which we simply don't have so all in all, everything's good.

Man that was a huge speel and it'd be understandable if none of you even read it as I haven't broken it up into paragraphs at all. Might try to attempt that now ...

We have emptied the pool as it was manky and green. Just have to sweep the remaining leaves and crap up and toss it out then refill it so we might get some more use out of it this year. I'd really like to get in it a few more times.

Well folks, I do believe I have rambled enough so I will sign off for now and hope you are all well and happy.

Ciao now,
Sara XxXxX

Mona's back!

Hi to all. Just a quicky while supper is heating! Thanks Lisa and Wendy! Loved the photos, Wendy. I don't know who the baby Steve is holding is, but the kids in the pool I know....will have to go back and look at it to remember the order, but Jane ,Meg, Lyn Jenny an Stew going around in left to right order I think. I am jealous of Kell tonight...she is with my big bro!! I'll hear about it when she gets back.
Really cold here today. We had to go to two different 90th birthday celebrations, one here and one in Swan Lake ....1/2 hr. drive away. Got to both, but it felt good to be home.
Best go, Bill says supper is ready. Lots of love. Mona

For Aunt Mo

Hi Aunty Mona,
Aunty Kell arrived at Mum and Dad's today, Saturday 25th Feb. She went from Stewarts, to Aunty Cook's, Jane's and now Mum and dad's. She will stay 2 nights, Wendy will pick her up from Mum's on Monday and go to Maclean. I will pick her up from Wendy's on Wednesday afternoon. She will stay two nights then train to Aunty Ces's. From there, she will go to Aunty Tom's.
Hope this helps.
looking forward to catching up with Aunty Kell,
better run,
love Lisa

More oldies.

Stewart first day of school

I loved this car and hope I find the slide of it bogged in red sand

Oh the good old times

I think it is Jane I know it is Meg ? ? Stewart

Can anyone help please

Jenny and Ces

Bet Nan Payton knitted the dress

Jenny

Steve and Marge

Who is the baby please .

Pilot Mound signing in ! (AGAIN!)

Morning all. Wendy, what a treat for this old lady, to open the blog and find the photos and your note! My morning routine ...every day!....is, turn computer on, bathroom, clean teeth, coffee on, then check the Aussie news and on to the Blog! Thanks to Bernice, Sarie and occasionally Lisa and you, there is SOMETIMES a note from home! It does bring home just a bit closer when someone writes. So thanks to those of you who do. You used to be so good at it, Bernice, but I bet you are on that facebook thingy???? My neighbour is going to come over one day before winter ends, and show me how you can have a private facebook. I did not like the open to all one ! No news. I haven't been back to the photo scanning for days, but have to get at it, I want them all done this winter. I did all my slides, Wendy, last year I think. Discarded a lot, ones that were of no interest to anyone but me. So much baggage. My computer guru comes and does all the touch ups re colour, etc. and cleans some of them up....some of the older ones are dirty with bits of dust and stuff. (I thought I cleaned them as I went!) But do keep putting yours on as you do them. I put the Blog on to a Flash Drive to save it for my old age reading! and usually save photos to Picasa. Have all of the ones in Picasa on Flash, too.
Kell's time is drawing short. I have missed her, we talk fairly often, but I wish she could stay longer. The days seem to go so fast. Does anyone know where she is just now?
The Australian news had a few good snaps of the flood of the Murray. Love that country.
Best go. I am just rambling........I'm good at it, mind you, but rambling just the same.
Hope all are well, and do write occasionally....and more photos Wendy and Sarie!
Love to all. Mona

Time for a laugh

I have started to scan mums old slides and have had a bit of a laugh so decided to share some with you all.
I can remember going to the open air pictures on a hot summer night. Is it still there??

Now what beautiful young ladies. Maybe not so young anymore.

Have to admit I cant remember this but do remember going to the pool regularly on a hot afternoon

I bet this old Weir has been replaced by now.

I will put some more up when I get around to scanning them, if anyone does not want a young photo of them self put on then please tell me. Also if I put a couple of older ones on please add names to any that you recognise.

Hope you will enjoy them and have a laugh too.

bernice again

Hi Mona
Sorry was busy this morn...Sara picked Kell up from airport and Kell spent a nite with them..then we picked her up from Sara's and she spent two nites with us having Dinner with The Laverty' girls one nite also...she then took a bus to Canberra where Belinda picked her up there she stayed two nites and Belinda drove her to Cowra where she spent two nites her Friend Anne drove her over to Dubbo where John picked her up she has spent two or three nites.

Today 14/2/11 they went to Bourke where they will spend one nite I think...then back to Dubbo. then she will catch a bus or Plane to Brisbane..I'm hoping Bus thurs morn if she will wait in Dubbo and depending how long in Bourke...She is good. looks well but is a little thin...it was lovely to see her.. I will Keep u touch with her Travels as she goes..

it will be great to see you and Bill in September please keep us updated as to your plans.

Its cool here today..nice change as we have had a lot of hot days...Nathalie is still here with us..working and quite liking the area.

Ken is well...working long hours as usual we had a nice long holiday over Xmas ..he had 5 weeks off ..we had a lovely Xmas with Jane Patrick & family,Stewart,Lisa Ronny and Marge & Steve..it was great! then we went onto the Gold Coast for 6 days with Friends of ours..then to Brisbane with Stewart for 4 days...then to Lisa for one nite then down to Anna Bay to see Meg, greg ,Tom...etc..then home we were away for 3 weeks was great.

Greg was down here again the other day for a nite...he is really good.

well that will do for today I will keep you updated on Kell's travels...so will write soon...Love Bernice xxx

Hi from Bernice 14/2/11

Hi Mona just a short note as I am flatchat...But just to let you know Kell has been in Dubbo the last couple of days with John and vickie..they are off to bourke today back to Dubbo tomorrow tuesday...as far as we know...I hope to arrange to get kell on a straight thru bus from Dubbo to Brisbane early thursday morn ..instead of going to sydney then another plane to brisbane as she will get to see the country side anyway don't have time to write a big letter but will try and fill u in on more news maybe later in the day...hope you and Bill are well..say hi..talk soon love Bernice..xxx OH 'HAPPY VALENTINE'S EVERYBODY"..XX

Pilot Mound wants to know, Where is Kelly!!!

Morning all. I don't have a lot of time...it is 6 degrees ABOVE just now. Bill went for a walk, I got to stay home and do dishes, then when he gets back we are going out to look at the country. I am scared this is the end of winter, but Bill says "No such luck!"
Anyway...Tess and Sarie, great pics of the littlies. Thank you! And I LOVE your river, Tess. Not the Darling, but looks great! Where and how is Kell? A week of her time has gone....it doesn't seem fair, time goes so fast.
Has anyone noticed the Blog is changing again? .......No, of course not ! Because you aren't using it , that's why!!!
I have been spending a lot of time scanning our photos and loading them onto the computer. Bill is scared it will 'break' and we will lose them, so a lot are going on Flash as well. I am sending some home as I scan them, so if you get a package of family ones, they are already on my PC. I tell Bill, with no kids, who is going to clean up after us? And to DELETE is so easy!!
I can't think of any news. We hope to BBQ this eve, but the wind is at 40 now and expected to go to 60 or 70, so that will fix that.
We are planning to be home in about Sept. this year....I want to get there before it gets too hot and I want to see my wattle out in bloom. Will likely go the same route as last time, get a car in Canberra, drive to Dubbo, pick up John and Vicki and out to Bourke. Do the rounds there then across to the coast from John's, back to the city and out. Heck, it almost feels like we are on the way back already !! It was great to see Stew, even though for such a short time. I don't know if we will make it west while Jane and Patrick are here, but if not will catch up in Australia.
Bill is back so I will go. someone, please write and let us know the news.
Love to everyone, and God Bless. Mona.

Another Schoolie

Started last Friday but I haven't had a chance to put the pics on. Tried getting a nice one like Terese's in front of the school sign but she'd already ran into the school.

After the First Day, pretty tuckered out :o/ She's been put in a mixed class of Kindy and Yr1's.

The two wild ones.

Terese you're most welcome and I envy you being able to hop into such a gorgeous looking river after school. Our pool is empty with just some green scum at the bottom. If it's cool enough tomorrow then I'll try cleaning some of the muck up so we can get back in it.

Ciao now,

Love Sara xxxxx

School, Swimming and Second Hand Clothes!

The Chook started school this week and she's enjoyed it, but the long week is starting to show. She's been a little overwhelmed at times. The playground can take some getting used too and there are so, so many kids. 65 in Kindy alone! I noticed that there were a lot more tears from the kids this morning. The weekend has been hard earned by some.

Thankfully, we're lucky enough to have the school situated in one of the most picturesque villages in the country. Perhaps even the world! So after a long hard day of learning, we walk a hundred metres or so to the car, change into our cozzies and go for a swim.

The river is at its best for swimming this time of the year!

An unexpected bonus came our way via Aunty Nathalie and Aunty Kel after school on Monday.

Big bags of second hand clothes thanks to Sara.

It was like Christmas. Each item was carefully inspected and sorted according to size and likely recipient. We do love our hand-me-down clothes, so we're sending a hearty thanks to you Sara!

We enjoyed our Aussie dinner with Aunty Kel too. Meat Pies and Anzac biscuits and we took her for a view of our wonderful river too!

Life is lovely here in Kiama.

But we of the Laverty clan are sure glad it's Friday!

Aunty Kell contacts

Hi family,

Just a quickie to pass on Aunty Kells mobile number while she is here; Mobile number; 0458876537 .

Be back on soon, Ciao,
Sara xxxxx

More pictures

Marcus doing his thing. He is incredible agile and fluid on the tramp'

At the beach. Mum sunburned some socks onto her legs :o(

At the end of Gregs street again. I think he is 3 houses,

a road and another house distance from it.

Same spot



Nelson Bay; Aunty Meg took us over for ice-cream and a cuppa

At Gregs place with Ruff (the mangy curr in the back of the truck)

and the Giraffes, her favourite animal

Marcus, best looking boy in town

Angelina simply adores Jacob

Meg and her 'Babies'...

Hokey in the water at Birubi Beach, Gregs

Greg surfing at Samurai Beach

Hokey pretty excited about it all

Nelson Bay, she can be very photogenic when she wants to

At the rocks again

Belmoral 02022011

Tried doing this a few weeks back whilest up at Anna Bay;

Hello Family, as usual it's been a long time, sorry :o(. No excuses, just slack.
The kids and I are back up at Anna Bay for a week before school starts again. Arrived last Thursday and going home Saturday. Just ..........



Ok, start afresh, the weather's been a real corker all over Australia it seems. Sydney is stinking hot but praise the Lord we have the a/c on at 18c. The $'s we're saving elsewhere (pulling plugs out when not in use etc) we can now use on the a/c.

My keys are missing beats again so there may well be many typo's in this post, sorry.

Giancarlo started back at school on Monday, Angelina starts on Friday. Thankfully Hokey has one of the newly built brick classrooms which are fully insulated so the days are reasonable for him. Although when I took Ange' for her assessment yesterday all the kids were roasting, all their little faces red as beets and sweat dripping off them. A few came to the office to rest as it's a/c'd but they were sent on their way which I think is utterly disgusting. I took Hokey home early when Ange finished her assessment. That was 2pm and I saw no sense going home for 50 minutes then coming back to collect him. It was so freak'n hot I just brought him home to the cool.

Tony has emptied the pool to clean it out but it's been too hot and he too crook to get anything done with it. I think I will go out there myself when the sun goes down and clean the bottom then throw the hose in to fill it up again. I will keep an eye out on ebay for a salt water chlorinator so we can convert over to that. A lot cleaner, no bugs etc. For now though a dip in a cold tub will have to do :o/

No news to speak of so I will try posting some pics and sign off.
Ciao now,
Love Sara xxxxx



At Nelson Bay

At Birubi Beach, Gregs

At the end of Gregs street, they had a grand time climbing the rocks.

On Gregs balcony

The kids loved watching them fight in the mornings