Hi from Bernice

Hi all this is so weird the other day both Meg and I tried to log on here and it wouldn't let us! It kept asking for a google a/c number ???? this time I just got on here from just pressing the sign in BUT!!! I never put in the password or anything? anyone know whats happening..i was going to ring Belinda but she would be busy packing '

Belinda ...I will ring you before the wedding...its a Chapel at gold creek..Near cockington greens..at 12.30 then!!! reception at Hellinic club Woden I think..at 6.oo!!! So a few hours to fill in there so if we are close I will look up on where is' to see your suburb plus tjhose ...will talk again soon I was just trying to see what is going on with this log on...hope all are well bye for now love bernice xx

Canberra again

Hey Bernice

Yep off I go again. I head out on the 1st and back on the 21st June. Jane and Patrick arrive on the 18th I think but I will not see them over there. I wish I was staying to celebrate Jane's birthday with her but have to be back at work. I think if I said I wasn't coming back until after the 10th July I might not have a job!

Let me know about Canberra in November. I do have 2 spare rooms So plenty of space to you to stay if you want to. Would love to have you come and stay, you can do your own thing but you are always welcome to stay. who's wedding, family?

Any way back to the grant writing for another hour and then I can go to bed. The girls are taking me to Sydney this weekend for my mothers day present. We are going to Jersey Boys matinée performance and then a nice dinner out with a night at a nice hotel. I am looking forward to it.

Love to all Belinda

Grafton Returns!

Hello All,
Sorry I have not been on the blog in ages - have not been near the computer at home as I spend a lot of time on it at work. I rang Bernice last night and she said 'where was I? ' Promised her that I would get on. No time at home now - more on that later. Am at work and decided to have a break , read the blog and write!
Wow - where to start?I guess I'll go back to Easter break. Ronny and I had two weeks off so we went to Stewart's for a few days, then we went camping in a magical spot. Home for a few days then we went to the Blues Festival at Byron Bay, camping at the festival for 5 days. It was brilliant, the last night was finished off with Bob Dylan and then Elvis Costello. HUGE!
Back to work and hit the ground running. My big Drama night is this term and I have just finished writing the main play for my year 9Drama - they are awesome. Found scripts for all the other classes and am madly rehearsing. 20th June is the big night.
The biggest news is - Anthea, my niece - is coming to teach at my school! She starts in term 3. She is leaving Central Queensland and coming to Grafton. Am so excited to have family here - and at my school! The whole family is very excited. Anthea was so far away, and now she can come to all family functions etc. Yeah!!!!
We had Mother's Day and Dad's birthday a few weeks ago. I went up to Lismore a few days earlier to help Mum. She did a 2 day course with Embroiders Guild, and I stayed with Dad. We managed to shovel 2 1/2 cubic meters of gravel and fixed up the drive way. Dad was very tired after! - but he turned 85, so he is allowed to be tired!
When we went to Brisbane, Ronny bought me a Bass guitar and amp - so that is why I am never on the computer at home. I am either practicing , or jamming with Ronny. I have a lesson every Wednesday night and it is all great fun. Ronny and I have had some great jams, but I still have a lot to learn.
All the family are well. Mum and Dad are trying to tidy up the inside of their house as they are getting the ceiling re plastered - a huge job. Actually, as they are both hoarders, it is a massive job!
I am still playing field hockey and thoroughly enjoying it - although I am very stiff and sore after every Saturday!
Zappa is still as cute as ever. Aunt Mo - did you ever receive the photo I sent in the mail?
Great photos Wendy! Keep them coming. It is great to have them on computer. The Ted's ute one is a gem. As the photo title said - the Myers and Payton kids. If it was 1971, Greg and I were 6 years old and a head count suggests all of us there.
Really looking forward to seeing Aunty Mona and Uncle Bill when they get here.
love and cheers to all,
Lisa

Bernice 22/5/11

Hi all nice to see a few on the blog

MARK....was really great to hear from you...sorry you are not well..hope the leg heals well for you..sounds like you need the Op sooner then later...meg will keep me updated all the best to you. We had Greg down a few weeks back for a few days was good to see him, also Meg and her two Boys...Big boys! lovely young men! was lovely time spent with Meg.

Belinda ..You off to Canada again! how long for this time..you love it don't you...will you be there same time as Jane? not sure when she will be there but it will be in the next few weeks.

Oh we will be in Canberra end of Nov 26th I think for a wedding might try and catch up ..will ring beforehand.

Dexter... Welcome to our world! poor little mite..hoping for a quick recovery and good health sending our best wishes

Mona ...looking forward to seeing you when you come over.

Kell You are still travelling about Huh..good on you...hope you are well.

Haven't heard from our Lisa for awhile i think i may ring her today to check up on her.

Ken and I are great..just had our spare bedroom floor polished it looks great..I do not like carpet at all just one room to go then no carpet but the carpet in that room is still to good to pull up. I have one of my sisters down for a visit which is nice.

Our footy team is about to come on and i want ken to have me put timber blinds up so I have to get him moving now..we went to a 21st party last night and I just drank a bottle of "Red' so have a Little hangover today..so I better get a move on now....hope all are well and great to hear from you all bye for now love Bernice xx

Hi From Canberra

Well no news, but thought I would pop in and say hi to all and welcome baby Dexter to this ever growing family. Congratulations Lenice and Andrew, he is gorgeous and I hope to meet him soon.

Yes I am heading to Whitefish for Alex's grad but i am traveling by myself. Hannah, Lauren and Sam will be coming with me 9fingers crossed) for Christmas. Sam's mum and dad have talked about a white christmas and may be in the states at some point but not with us. Who knows they may end up in whitsfish at the Lodge or up the mountain there are so many great places in and around Whitefish. So see you there Kell and what about you Aunty Mo?

I spent the day in the garden today lots of tiding and cutting the black berries that are growing into my yard from next doors garden. I hate them and think I am going to have to resort to poison, I don't want to use it but I can stop them, if anyone has a great remedy for my problem let me know. I am covered in scratches and even got stung by a wasp. Now that got me moving I tell you. Still have lots to do but it was a start. Think I should hit the shops and get some bulbs to plant for spring so that can be one of tomorrows jobs.

Am home alone Laurens out with friends and I am writing a grant application, YUK with a capital Y!
And to think i was thinking of going back to uni I just hate the writing, the research etc is great but putting it all down in a theseus not so good.

Any way as Mo and Kell say, just rambling so best go. Hope everyone is well.
Love Belinda

How great it was, to see all the old pics. And, yes Wendy, PLEASE keep them coming. I'm not smart enough to be able to put any on the blog, but will get Mo to teach me, on her next visit here. I just came back from visiting Peter. It is always very depressing going there, as he was such a busy, vibrant person, before this terrible disease caught up with him. Most of the staff are very good, & he certainly gives them NO trouble. Very quiet, & takes what ever treatment he gets, with gratitude. Never complains. Peters' complexion is like a 50 year old, & even though he just turned 89, everyone says he looks more like 50!! He always was a bit bald, but NO wrinkles

Horrible weather here. Cold & drizzling. We really don't need the moisture now, as it has not been warm enough to dry out since the snow melted.

I was down in Whitefish for a few days. The childa have had "tele conferences", to discuss my capabilities, & have decided I can't drive myself over the border any more!! Kate came down, to

take me to Whitefish, ( about 4 hours each way!!) Then drove me home again!! I asked Steve if he was part of the "conspiticy", but he chose not to answer!! I had a really good time, as usual, & it was fairly decent weather, but definately still needed cardigans or coat. Alex graduates this

year, so Kate is having a celebration on 4th June. I think Charlotte & her fam., & Steve & his fam., are all planning on going. Grandma will be there too of course. Alex is planning on going to Uni. in Vancouver, so hopefully some of us will be able to go over to see her ocasionally. She

has never been away from home, but is a fairly independant little one, so I feel she will do O. K.

I think she wants something in the medical field, but NOT a Dr. of medicine. Being very determined, she will get her Doctorate in whatever department she ends up in.

Dan is in Uni. in Arizona, & he does love it. He will be home in a week or two, for the summer hols. Everyone is looking forward to the day he gets home. Dan does love studying, & so loves doing what he is doing!! The fam. have missed him terribly, & Drew is almost agog with the thoughts of him being home soon. I think Belinda Jane will be here for Alex's grad. Also all of us, so Kate will have a house full. Lin has mentioned that Hannah & Sam are coming over. I don't know if they will be here at grad. time, but I think they are just holidaying. Lin also mentioned that Sams' parents were coming too. I am assuming that they will go their own way,

& do some travelling of their own. I don't think any "outsider" could take the CONSTANT

movements, & noise, that prevails when all the childa are home, & we "oldies". It can get pretty

busy, & rowdy!! I love being there, as there is SO much love displayed. They are a very loving family. Fortunately, Kate loves to cook!!! (Just like her mother. Ha!! Ha!!!)

Here it is, nearly the end of May, & I havn't even LOOKED at the church garden. My back aches every time I think about it!! I WILL have to go tomorrow, & check things out. Make some decisions, so when it DOES dry up, I'll know what I need, & can "get cracking!!" It has not been a nice Spring. In fact, it has been a horrible one!! The forecast is not very promising either.

All the snow has melted, so our little "Pincher Creek" is running a banker!! I love listening to it. I'm sure everyone who drives by, & sees this old lady standing on the bridge, ear to the river, thinks she must be a bit crazy.

Charlotte is supposed to be getting some very expensive tests done, re: her cancer. She was not going to have the test,because of the price. Mike must have been talking about it at work,

because the company Mike works for said she must have it, & they will foot the bill!!! I had already told Charlotte I would pay for it, as it would be cheaper than buying a new daughter.

However, she declined. I am VERY happy that th Co. is coming good, as Heaven knows what she

would suffer if she chose to ignore it all. I'm sure she is unaware of the serevity of her condition. I've told her that God is NOT in the business of healing cancer. If he was, there would be NO cancer now. I think she has so much faith, that she expected a miracle. Anyway, for a parent, it is VERY good news that she is taking some action.

No news. Dull, rainy still. I'm going to spend the eve. sorting out the piles of papers that I have scattered all over the house. It will take more than one evening, but at least I'll get a good handle on it tonight.

Please someone write, & tell ALL the news. In fact, why not someone from each family????

As the young'ens say, "that would be awesome"!!! Love to all, & keep us informed. Kelly

Pilot Mound AGAIN!!!

Morning all. And a hearty welcome to Dexter!! And congratulations to Lenice and Andrew and Wendy and Len! Lenice, keep the Aunts away from Dexter, they are planning to spoil him!!! And what a little cutie he is...I love small and cute. Never made it myself, so you love opposites, don't you?
Good to hear from you, too, Mark. Sit at your computer and let us hear from you more often .....you can do that, though it may be uncomfortable a bit, while you heal.
On my last note I finished off saying I had to do a death bed prayer time at Crystal City. When Bill and I got there, we found it was a man who used to work for Peter back when I first came to Canada. He was semi comatose, but did remember me, and his wife said it did help him to go in peace. We did a memorial service for him on Friday, and his wife is coming to visit me for a coffee tomorrow....she is a non believer, and wants to 'pick my brain'. I HOPE Bill can be home with me to help.
Kell sent me Jane's Canadian itinerary this am. We are looking forward to the visit. Bill and I will only see them for a day or two, but we get to see them! I don't have any news to tell. Summer is at last on the way here, some seeding being done, but it is so wet a lot of it will be late. But it is good to see the machinery on the move.
Bill and I started on the church yard yesterday, raking, mowing,& getting ready to plant our carrot garden. I am not planting flowers in the little garden bed this year, but Bill is covering it with ply for me and I have 3 large pots to fill with plants and will sit them on the ply. See how it goes for a year.
We went to Brandon last week but travel in town was restricted, due to flooding, so didn't get to our travel agent. I have to go back on 27th, so will try again then.
Best go. I just ramble on. Someone, please write. Love to all. And we will see you in 3 & 1/2 months! Mona

A Great Big Hearty Welcome...

To a Teeny, Tiny, Wee, Little, Minuscule

Newborn

Baby Boy.

Congratulations to Lenice and Andrew

Proud parents after leaking amniotic fluid led to hospital admittance, a transfer to RPA and an emergency caesarean

Dexter James Heffernan came feet first into this world

On Friday the 13th of May

At 12.54pm

Weighing a mere 1.59kg

And only 31 weeks gestation on his birthday

Nine weeks early, now 3 days old.

Nanoo and Pokky

(aka Wendy and Len)
Are delighted grandparents

and will very happily accept any thoughts, prayers and wishes

you may like to send their way.

We can't wait until he is big enough to give him lots of cuddles!

London Calling

Hi Family, I've been keeping a low profile due to a shocking run of health problems but have been looking at all of the updates on the blog. I originally damaged a foot trying to live like a 20 yr old, then weeks of head cold, infected throat, stomach bug, before damaging my foot again. My knowledgeable GP informed me I’d torn muscle fibre in my calf & that the swelling would settle down after about 10 days. It was after 10 days that I’d gone to see him but giving him the benefit of the doubt, I waited another 3 weeks before succumbing to the pain & showing up at A&E. There I was told I’d ruptured my Achilles tendon & they promptly put my foot in a cast & scheduled an ultra-sound, then an appointment with a doctor to discuss possible repair options. I’m now stuck hopping around in a cast for the next 8 weeks, then face a lengthy recovery period waiting for everything to get back to normal. Very demoralising, missing out on two 4 day weekends (the weather was perfect) over Easter & the Royal Wedding, then facing up to the whole of summer passing me by while I’m stuck on the couch. The photo was taken back on the 2nd May after a Guyanese friend came over to cook for me, since I struggle to stay upright on one foot for any length of time. Bookshelves are mostly empty now since Di packed up all her stuff. I’ve been using them to store sheets since it saves me having to hop around the flat trailing aches of bedding material. Hope all is well with everyone. Hop-a-long Cassidy

cool, rainy Pilot Mound checking in !

Morning all. At 10-15am, I have no business sitting here writing, with NOTHING done in the house.....who knows or cares??....but need to answer Wendy before she thinks no cares about the photos. PLEASE keep posting them, Wend. I think I speak for Kell too, we love them and look forward to them. Down memory lane and all that!! So yes, keep them coming.
I went back as far as this page on the Blog goes to make comments, so here goes.
For the birthday photos......and especially those with names....Thank you. Other than family, the only one I recognised was Brian Barton. Didn
't know it was Brian, but surely had to be a Barton!
And Lyn, what can I say? The Dawn Service. OH, my. Beautiful picture, I can look at it and hear the bugle ! Now don't get the idea that I am soft or sentimental, but you have to agree, it is so meaningful.
I just got a call from Crystal City, someone dying and wants to see an Anglican minister, so have to chase Bill or go myself.
We plan to go to Pincher to see Jane and Patrick, then home to Aus. in September. Go to Brandon tomorrow and will see our Travel Agent while there. Mega floods in our cities with lots of homes and land flooded.
Love to all. Mona

Hi... re pic in Ted's ute!

Hello great Pic...I think it is. Jane,Greg, Stewart, Meg, (Rod)not sure on that one)then Lisa, Mark...whats everyone else think...check Jane's neat shorts out! ha ..catch u all later..Cheers Bernice xx

More memories

After few mishaps I have finally finished scanning mums old slides, some have come out very clear and some not so clear but they were all fun and I have had lots of good memories coming back as I went through them.
Please help.
I recognise Jane sitting on the side of Teds Ute in white and yellow, Peter standing, and I think Mark at the edge. If you recognise yourself or anyone please please please put names to faces.


This one of John and Nan was one of the many bad coloured ones, so I went black and white. It is not good close up but small like this it is OK. If you look hard you can see the top of nans stocking, does anyone remember seeing that whenever we were at her place?? I do.
The photo was taken at Wagga but I have on date.

Mum sitting very proudly with her first Grandchild David who was 6 weeks old.

Another slide that was very badly marked and dirty but once again OK as a small photo.

Happy Mothers Day to all our mums who are not with us now and also to all those who are still here.

Does anyone want to see more old photos, let me know on here as it takes too long if no one is interested in seeing them.

Hello all you lucky Aussies, living in the very best place in the whole world!! I am lucky enough to be in , what I am sure is, the "wettest" place in the whole world!! Am in Montana, looking after childa & house, while Kate & Doug are in Arizona, doing some work on Dans' house. Lucky them,

as it is cold & wet here, while it is very BOURKELIKE where they are. Arizonas' climate is very much like at home. Sunday today, so the young'ens have friends over. I don't have anything to do till supper. It is actually QUITE NICE here today, for which I am VERY thankful. Sadie, (German

shepard) & I have been able to have a few nice long walks. She does love to get out, & there are always deer to chase. She is bugging the kids outside now, while they TRY to play baseball.

There is absolutely NO news. Peter is very much the same. He does know me, & I think he knows the children, though he would never tell them otherwise!! If he didn't recognise them, he would wait till they have left, then ask me who they are. So far, he has not done that. He loves to see Steves' little ones, so he comes as often as he can, but he too, has a life, & needs time for himself as well as for his family.

Charlotte came down one day, but it is over 7 hours of driving, & I don't like her being on the road, alone, for that length of time. "Things" happen on the roads here, so one has to be very watchful & alert.

Several of Kates' friends have checked in, to see how we are doing. I have only been here since

Wed., so not much time to get into too much trouble. However, I do apprieciate their concern.

Alex is a big help. She knows what we need for meals etc., & she has Drew "up & at it" on the school days. Drew is good too, heeding what Alex has to say. They are really good kids.

It is too wet to ride the horses, so they will be glad when the weather clears. (If it does clear!!)

Grayson rang last night, to see how "Grandma" was managing!!

Anyway, I'll quiot yabbering, & get started on supper. Love to all, & PLEASE, SOMEONE (!!!)

post, to let us know what is happening. Love to all Kell.