Plaque and photo...

Headstone, Plaque & Photo, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.

Today, I had a call from the cemetery, to say that the plaque & photo were installed. I was so happy when I got to see them there, more than a tear came to my eye... One of sadness, but in so many way, I am proud to see just how she is going to be remembered. I think we have done a good job with it, and I hope that she likes what we have done as well...

This is my first time uploading AND sharing a video, I hope it works... It was taken with my Nokia 6110 Navigator Mobile Phone.

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Happy 90th Birthday Nan!

Happy Birthday NAN!!!

Birthday Girl, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.

Today, we celebrated Nan's 90th Birthday, with family at Centennial Park, at their Restaurant. It was going to be a lovely day, 28C in Winter, and it was!

Jamie & Riley, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.

Rosie, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.

Issac, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.

All of the new babies were there, and of course the older ones too. Both Rod & Barb and myself were in from London through the week, and I was keen to find out about how they were feeling. We were in similar timed flight to Sydney through Singapore (different carriers though), and as I had not been feeling any affects of jet-lag I was waiting to see if it was the timing, or the flights themselves! They had little to no sleep throughout, so I suspect it was the flights themselves!

Nans 90th Cake, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.

By the time the cake came out, I was so full I would have exploded if I had any more! We had the choice of fish Travella, or the Slow cooked pork belly, spinach, caramelised apple, cider jus (which I had and it was FANTASTIC! Following the main, I had the Chocolate mocha tart, double cream, candied citrus, which was EVEN better, agree?

Choc Mocha Tart, Candided Orange Dbl Cream, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.

It was also time for another family photo, with a couple of notable people missing. Here's wishing you a very Happy Birthday, and I hope you had a great day...

90th NAN Bday, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.

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New found friends, and family at a London pub!

After an absolutely horrid night of sleep, or lack there of, today I again caught up with Rod & Barb... This time, at the Tate Modern (sort of)! At least, we were outside of it at the pub!

But, going back a couple of hours thanks to my Hotel... Over the last couple of days, when getting back to my room, there was this odour, gradually getting stronger, of damp... Kind of like, wet smelly socks, but much stronger. This morning though, I was able to get to the bottom of it! After every shower, the floor was wet, not a little wet, but very wet. And every shower I took, I made sure that the curtain was in such a position, where it would not let the water out. Or so I thought. So this morning, I took a bath instead and on the floor, was the water heading out along the grout lines towards the carpet! SO, with a close look, water was coming out of the panel covering the bath wall! I packed ready for the day, and I am now coming up to 9.30am and I was meeting everyone at 10.30am (it is a 40 min tube trip) so time will be tight, I asked if I can change rooms later today when I get back. I was told that I would have to do it now, as she could not guarantee availability! Ummm.... well ok then!

Anyway, to cut a long story short, I went back to my room, repacked shoved EVERYTHING into my bags, dumped into new room to sort later, and headed into London. I got to Embankment, and started walking along the Southbank of the Thames, and I sent an SMS saying I am about 10mins off, all whilst listening to "The War of the Worlds" on my iPod, and not thinking to too much...Walking past a pub, I got a reply saying we are at the Young's Pub... Luckily I checked, I was right there!!!

Here I met with Hannah, an exchange student many years ago to Rod & Barb, and her husband, Miles! Of course, Rod & Barb were there, and we had a beer (or 3) before ordering some lunch. Time had gone by so quickly in general chit chat, I was so surprised! It was such a pleasure to meet both Miles & Hannah, I am now (hopefully when they get home from their afternoon party) connected through FB!

Miles Rod Barb & Hannah, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.

Miles Rod Barb & Bernie, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.

After saying goodbyes, we finished our lunch and then headed across the Millennium Bridge and a cabride up to Covent Garden Markets... I am still unable to get the gifts for the birthday babies, so I might have to resort to plan B (IF I had one), but I will go back through the week before I leave to try and get them anyway!

Rod & Barb London Cab, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.

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How was your Easter???

Well, we hope that you all have had a great Easter. Although we had a busy one, L is still rather sick at the moment... Easter was a great time to meet up with old friends, new friends and family!

We had the Easter lunch over at the MIL's, Roast Pork, Roast Lamb, Potatoes & Veges... And lets not forget about the deserts! There was so much food it was great!

The next sister down, C, is due to have her second baby in a couple of weeks. She went to have an ultrasound, and was in such pain (overfull bladder) that she had to go a 'release' a little! It actually showed then, that this little fella is actually due in a matter of weeks, a couple less than expected!

The last sister down, O, is about 20 weeks pregnant now. She spent Easter with her husbands family, so we missed out on seeing Rosie. But, Riley more than made up for the 'toddlers' in the room!

Our dear friends, B&K, are expecting their little bundle of joy soon as well! They had a 'baby shower' for the little one, and whilst the girls had tea and cakes inside, the boys also were there for drinks and nibbles outside. K was looking well. Good luck you guys, not long now!

We have been doing a lot of nothing over the last couple of weeks. We have even caught up on everything the TiVo had recorded for us! This was no mean feat, as it was deleting some as it had reached capacity! I installed the software on our laptop so as I can bring shows across from the Tivo to watch later. I still need to get the link across to the xBox so as we can store them there and remove it from the laptop! They are taking a lot of space!

The Royal Easter Show is in town again, and we went on Thursday as a 'pick me up', and again on Saturday. Although, on Saturday we were only there for about 2 hours really! We sat in the Members stand, watched the Show Jumping and L was really not feeling well at all so we left. I got her to wait at the entrance whilst I went and got the car, she could barely walk... We got home, and L went to bed and rested up.

We lost our lemon tree this last summer as well. I think it was from an invasion of the Bronze Orange bug. It had a bout of them last year, followed by another season of them this year. I did spray the tree for them, but unfortunately, it was a little late... We now have to look for a replacement one and to go with the Blood Orange, Lemonade, Chocolate Sapote and Lychee trees. Not to mention the vege patch, which has a pumpkin growing and in Bunnings yesterday, I got two Kale for L, she loves it in a stir-fry.

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Throw Out Time: - Let the 'fun' begin...

Today, and yesterday for L, is being set aside to 'clean out' the in-laws... Only trouble is, that yesterday it was in the very high 30's (38 from memory) and today, it is like already 40C!

But, there has already been a lot done, you can now see at least three of the four walls in the first bedroom! More will come, paintings have been taken to the last sister down, we took BOTH cars full of box's home, and there is still a LOT more to go!

So, I can't stay on here to long, I might get into trouble, as I am listing a lot of things on eBay for the FIL in his new account. Set him up on the net through this last week, and within a day or two, he has an eBay account, where he has also made his first purchase and is already searching for books He had better NOT collect to much after we de-clutter the house!!!

Cheers for now, its hot and I will be going for a quick swim to cool down and start listing on eBay.

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On a night like this...

Yesterday, we celebrated our 8th anniversary, and was it a very different day to that day 8 years ago... No where near as hot (from memory, it was nearing 40 degrees c...) where as yesterday was simply MUGGY!

We had decided that this year, we will once again go and see Kylie Minouge (aka as the singing budgie), and boy, was it a great night! I managed to get, what I thought were pretty good tickets. It was not until we got to the seats that we VERY quickly realised that we actually had GREAT seats! Slightly having to look to the left, but we were pretty much level to the stage and about 25m from it! Whilst this show was a little dark and lite on with staging, but the light show more than made up for it... I tried to get a couple of shots on my mobile, but they simply did not work out (and I thought there was no need to take the little 'point and shoot' camera as there is NORMALLY no photography allowed!).

We got to the venue, Acer Arena, a little early and had a bite to eat at the 'Brewery'. We both wanted to have the Salt & Pepper Calamari, but it had sold out, so I just had the Fish 'n' Chips and L had the Seared Chicken breast and salad. I also enjoyed a Bourbon & coke, and at $9.50 boy, did it taste good!!!

After leaving the Arena, with ringing ears and still buzzing after an additional 5 set encore (it was her last Sydney concert...), we got home just around midnight to a couple of pets angry we were not home! So Happy Anniversary L!

Whats next though, I hear you ask? I have also managed to get tickets to this years Carols in the Domain. This is being held on Saturday night, and is a lovely event. We will be catching up with friends for the night, so hopefully the night will be storm free and a typically Wonderful Sydney evening. Here is a shot from a previous Carols:

Carols Domain

Carols Crowd

Carols Man with hat

Carols Dog

Happy Birthday L

Ok, as L had her surgery on friday (instead of Thursday) this meant that her birthday party may have been cancelled... But, being the 'trooper' that she is, it went ahead...

Here are some shots of the day (and I have not really included any of her, as due to the pain she was in (and still is today mind you)), she was not looking her 'best':

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Farewell Pa; Gone but not forgotten

Pa's Memorial Booklet cover

Yesterday, we had Pa's funeral, and above is a photo of him from (I think) not to long ago... This photo just happened to be facing Nan, and some of his favourite things, were all placed on his coffin in the church (his hat, rosary beads, a diary (he had a diary in his pocket at ALL times!) and of course, some scratchies... no winners here either! The following poem was read out:

The Smile:

By Michael Leunig

I shot a smile into the air
It came to earth, I know not where
Perhaps on someone else's face
In some forgotten quiet place.

Perhaps somewhere a sleeping child
Has had a happy dream and smiled
Or some old soul about to die
Who smiled and made a little sigh.

Has sighed a simple final prayer
Which lifts up gently in the air
And flows into the world so wild
Perhaps to wake the sleeping child.

A much younger Pa

Vale Pa, 94 years young...

Over the last year, we have been lucky enough to have Pa for that time. You see, whilst at 93, he was becoming more and more frail as time went on, he insisted demanded that he stay at home! Now this may sound, well normal, but Nan & Pa live in a two storey townhouse. Stairs (both up and down) were becoming harder and harder to do. He spent some time in hospital over the year and we were fortunate enough to have him for Mothers Day, which was our last family photo. We also were luck to have him for Fathers Day in September.
But since then, he was becoming less mobile and came down with a chest infection and went to Hospital again. Finally, both he and Nan were convinced that some time in respite care would be needed and would offer a chance to re-charge batteries. Nan moved into the hospital whilst Pa's condition became better and was transferred to a different hospital, closer to where Nan is.
It was here though, he became very ill, and was transferred to palliative care last Thursday. We got to see him there and a decision was made that he be made comfortable. The doctor told us that he will become comfortable very quickly and pain free.
1.45am, 31 October, Pa left us. It was International Teachers Day (he was a teacher for his entire working life) so it seemed somewhat fitting...
This photo, was from his 90th Birthday party a couple of years ago.

Rest in peace Pa...

Nan-and-Pa

Fathers Day 2008

Sunday, we celebrated Fathers Day here in Australia, and this year, it was like all others... Lots of food, lots of family & friends! The last couple of days, we had a lot of rain, too much actually, and on Saturday, we must have gotten around 50mm! Saturday, was so bitterly cold, we thought we had gone back into winter! All concerns of a nice sunny Sunday were under a cloud, pardon the pun...

However, Sunday morning we woke to a beautiful sunny day, still a little cool, but warming up all the same! L went busy preparing a Sour Dough and Berry pudding (with chocolate as well), vacuum the house, whilst I went about putting things out on the nature strip for the Council clean-up, and then prepared the "Asian Greens", which seems to be a regular request! Now, for the past 4-5 days, L has been quite ill... Really bad headaches, nausea and the like, and by the time we were leaving, she seemed not to bad. The nephews M&W were really pleased to see us, and and little W (3 years old now) was asking me to take him up to the park. A promise was made, but (thankfully forgotten) as I was not feeling the best, he went on his way playing with his toys. By mid afternoon though, she had gotten much worse, and we called it a day, and went home to rest. L was promptly in bed by 6pm, and when the 'medications time' arrived at 7pm, I took these in and she went back to sleep and not to be seen again until the wee hours of the morning...

Here is a few 'shots' of the day to enjoy...

Father's Day 2008

1. W Paul Lucky & M, 2. M & Lucky pictures, 3. M with Lucky, 4. I with Rosie, 5. M on Fathers Day, 6. B with Riley, 7. M with Olympic Panda Baby, 8. Fathers Day Pudding, 9. W Olympic Baby

Non Operational Internet, Moving Mother and a Family RANT...

Yesterday, our ISP had a bit of a 'meltdown'... From the time we got home after L's appointment, we had nothing but 'Unable to connect'! This was sooooo frustrating, as there was so much to tell!

But I will leave that for another post or L will tell you over at her blog.

BUT, now, things have returned to normal (ISP) and we are back on air. But today, I am home sick with the flu, which L is in the final stages of and given it to me (nothing like her caring sharing attitude, hey?). Even though today here in Sydney, it is a lovely morning, ice on the windscreen of the car, a small amount of frost on the grass, it is actually turned out to be quite a nice warm day of 16 degrees. Lovely weather for a rest and relaxation don't you think!

My mum is moving house today, and even though I had wanted to go out and assist, as I do not think I can muster the energy. She does have a removalist after all, and she completely understands how we are placed at the moment (IVF) and can not help anyway! My brother is out there, as with my nephew from my (apparent) sister. I say apparent, as we had a falling out just after we bought our house three years ago. We have not spoken since, well I have to her, but unless mum has been there, there is never a reply, so I no longer bother with it all really. I don't know why she is still carrying on after all this time! Anyways, end of rant... She has to have everything out of the house by 2.30pm BUT she can not move into her new house until AFTER 2.30pm. It is called a simultaneous settlement. I am glad that when we moved, we still had the old house that we could take some time to move things across, much easier!. So, with only 2 hours to go, and the removalists in, good luck mum!

All sorts, but not licorice...

Ok, so this is a bit of a long term catchup on things... A bit of craft (a lot actually), a bit of house work and a birthday wish thrown in for good measure!

First, a couple of weeks ago, L and the MIL went to the Quilting and craft show at Darling Harbour. They had such a great time and here are their goodies:

Crafty Goodies

And this 'little' piece of Japanese Linen, was a hefty $5 for 15cm!

Japanese Linen Trim

Owl close up

Then, it was a piece that had been 'sitting around' for a couple of years. L got it when we were in the UK. Wye, in Nth England near Furness Vale and Stockport.

Wye Fish Tapestery

It sat for a while, before going off to an upholsterer to make into the cushion it is today.
Now, apart from L having eBay as her FAVOURITE store (it is even in her phone for some reason), her next major website is etsy where she purchased this fish after a tip off from meet me at mikes. The crafty goddess that made it must have gotten her inspiration from Sydney Water I think given it has three eyes!!

3 Eyed Fish

3 Eyed fish!

We have been really busy of late, between all of this, and repairing some cracks in the bedroom. That is now complete and painted and is looking really good. It is only the fiddly bits of painting the windows and a door and paint the ceiling (more on that in another post...)

Today, we had a busy day between doing a meat market research (a take home pack to cook and assess; tonight was Pork Belly!), and going over to Pa's birthday afternoon tea. I thought he was 94, L thinks 95 but the MIL (eldest daughter) thinks he is 93! So happy 90 something Pa!

Happy 90 something B'day Pa

After getting home, putting dinner on going to the bedroom to look at the painting to do, and thought I will not do anymore tonight, and that it time for a cuppa:

Cuppa Eye

Here's looking at you...

Mother's Day 2008

Well, it's all over for yet another year... Mother's Day! This year, the festivities were to be held at our place, where all were treated to a feast of butterflied lamb leg (roasted, and then finished on the BBQ); BBQ Plum Chicken Kebab skewers and to many salads to mention!

We were also treated to two Sri Lankan dish's that went down a treat (they were also extremely HOT!).

Both mother's were here for the day, as with L's sisters and sister in law with their children, AND L's grandmother at 93 years young! Here are a couple of photo's of the day, the cake:

Mothers Day 2008 Cake

And the family:

Mothers Day 2008

Hope you had a great day mum...

circles and squares: yet another quilt!

L has been somewhat busy of late, fulfilling some of her "New Year's resolution's" listed here.

So, here is a bit of an update of her progress...

1. Make a Picnic Rug, the store bought one we used for NYE, is ugly and uncomfortable. This is now underway, thus the title of this posting on a lovely very warm Autumnal afternoon.

   
   circles and squares quilt
2. Laundry Conversion to be complete by the end of February. DONE! (well almost, we just have to have the shower screen installed...)
3. Bathroom Makeover to be completed by the end of June. This is about to go, here is the vanity we picked up on a 'Kerbside Pick-up Sale!
   

   
   Bathroom Vanity
4. I pledge Handmade. This has been started, and will continue throughout the year...
5. I plan to 'Pay it Forward'. This is still continuing, so will update more on how this has been going!
6. Phone a friend a month, some of my friends have been so neglected, we didn’t even get out Christmas cards in 2007, this will not happen in 2008. Those of you who have stayed with us, I thank you. Now, who of you has had a call... hmm??? I guess this needs more attention!!
7. Cook more dinners, I hate to admit it, but B carries more than his weight in this area. And it makes me feel real bad. I am still waiting!!!
8. Work smarter, I gotta get this sorted for a more sane 2008. I don't think that she is wining here. The last couple of weeks, she has spent many a night at work until 9.30pm!

So, I guess she is doing sort of OK, albeit busy. Another thing, not on the list but certainly is going to happen, is getting a spa for the backyard. This is of course for therapeutic nature for my rehabilitation of my back injury and surgery. I got a great deal of relief from the spa's in New Zealand, so I can't wait!!!

Oh, have you ever see a cat that likes vegemite?

Vegemite

Where did the weekend go??

We had so much planned for the weekend:

• Gut out the Laundry, to make way for the renovations (2nd Toilet & Shower, re-tile and new cupboards)
• Lawns & Gardening, which have been slightly neglected since going to New Zealand!
• Computer issues, as we needed to install a Wireless Network Card so is it can pick up the new modem/router... (I actually got this done!!)
• Go and visit a Gallery over at Gymea (did this as well, and L will have to blog about her purchase... It is lovely, and in keeping of her 2008 goals)!

Then we had a phone call from the MIL. She was in tears as the FIL was in Hospital. His heart was the issue, again! So, with a friend in tow, we headed from one side of Sydney to the other to get to the hospital. He was on a machine with leads from his chest and apparently, his BP had dropped dramatically and his heart rate went through the roof (190)! Whilst we were there, he seemed to be in good spirits, although I think he looked tired. We left (me in the FIL's car as it was at the hospital and L in our car) to drop the MIL at home. By the time we got home, and made dinner (Spaghetti Bolognaise) it was now 9.30pm!

Sunday was not much better. in saying that we would get over to pick up the MIL at 9am, well were had just woken up, so we were running a little late!!! FIL was insistent that she go to the Antique Markets, a regular event for them, before going into visit him. When we got to the hospital, he was looking much better, his heart had a better rhythm and everything was looking OK. After a couple of hours, we left to go for a Iced Chocolate at Indulgence, when we got the call to come back to the hospital, this time, to collect him as he was being discharged! Home again around 6pm. No gardening done, the laundry was still the same, and after a couple of hours, I finally got the desktop PC to talk to the new modem/router. PHEW!

Vale: Wally

Just before going 'across the pond' to New Zealand, I was asked to (try) and get a family photo, as the 'next sister in law down's' dog Wally was quite ill, gravely ill in fact.

This was the last photo I took of about 50 shots. On our second day (of 14) in New Zealand, the next sister in law down called to say that they had lost little Wally. Arrangements were made before we left for him to be buried with all of the other pets at the family home, but instead, he is buried at thier place, under her bedroom window...

Paddy, holding crazy baby Buttons, Camille, holing little Riley and poor old Wally on the floor.

Wally and HIS family

*The mystery item from this post, was named 'Wally ...' in his honour, and will be posted about soon...

Riley Joe

Remember these lovely photo's of Riley?

Riley Joseph

Riley Joseph

Well, last Sunday, it was his Christening, and L is his Godmother. So, after a busy Saturday getting all around Sydney within the day collecting this and that, going over to 'The next sister Down' place and helping set up for the day (a feeble excuse really for L to hog have a hold of Riley) and then having to drive home to get ready for an impromptu dinner on the Saturday night, Sunday quickly came around for the 'Big Day'.
As L had front row tickets, we thought we had better be early, at least not late. So here we were, fluffing around the house (I was actually cooking my Asian Green Bean Salad) we noticed the time, 10.30 and I had not showered and the drive to the church was at LEAST 40 mins in no traffic!
So, without speeding, I managed to get us there just in the nick of time, I drop L at the door and went off to find a park.
Here are some photos at the church:

Stained Glass Window

St Josephs Enfield Altar

Pad Family and Godparents

Pad Family in St Joe's

Louise & Riley

Riley & Louise

It really was such a hot and muggy day, so as soon as were at the 'after party' I changed out of my suit and into some shorts! There was also so much food anyone would have been forgiven for thinking thousands of people were going to be there. Here are some random shots of the day:

Granny & Riley

4 Generations apart

Great Grandchildren

Sleeping & Beauty; Nan & Rosie

The Cake

The Family