No posts, not good...

Gee I just realised I have not posted for a few days and as I've mentioned before I know how many of you come by to read my quick witted and spot on views of the world. I know you go into withdrawal when I don't post regularly and that without my posts you will eventually give up all hope and decide that life is just not worth the effort. For all of this and to all of you, I apologise. The guilt that I would feel over my insensitivity to your feelings and needs would be overwhelming for me and to be honest I just don't have to time or energy to expend on all of that.

Now with that all said and done you do know that I'm kidding, right? If not oh well I'll find some humour in it somehow, and you will too. I'm so mean. Anyway, the real reason I have been so lax in posting is that I'm in a bit of a funk. I am having a hard time getting motivated for Christmas. I don't even want to put up our tree, and for those of you that know me really well you will know that me not wanting to put up the tree is a sure sign of the apocalypse. I am and have always been, up to recently, the most ardent fan of all things Christmas. I loved the coloured lights and all the ornaments I've collected over the years and I could make a complete evening out of listening to some Christmas music, usually instrumental, and watching the tree lights twinkle, but not this year.

I think after some long conversations with my hubby we have come to the conclusion that all of this has something to do with my father's passing away last year. Even though my dad passed away in September. I think that next few months went by in a blur and this year things are clearer and to be just plain honest, I miss my dad. At the same time I am also concerned about my mother because I know that she is also being affected by all of this, and to a much higher degree. Last year ended in a big blur for my mum also and now this year she is sitting in her house and she has way to much time to focus on the emptiness she feels.

The best suggesting I can come up with for both my mum (I know she reads this) and me is for us to move forward and to go ahead with our christmas plans because dad would want us to. He also loved christmas, especially when it came to putting the lights up outside. So I think the best way to pay tribute to my dad is to put my tree up and when it's all up and decorated I think what I will see is not just a colourful shiny tree but I will also see a little part of my dad, and that has to be a good thing.

I'm going to at least try...

Birthday photos from Melbourne...

I had to wait until the new computer was set up and ready to work with the new camera before I loaded the new pictures up for everyone to see, but now all is ready and they can be seen here. I have a lot to learn about using my new camera but that was half the point of getting the camera as it would allow me to broaden my horizons on the photography horizon. Either that or I'm just going to be one of those people that takes a picture of just about anything. Anyway, Enjoy...

Flowers of the week... or roses, roses, roses

Roses, roses, roses, you'd think that's all we grow but it's not. We have all sorts of flowers but right now the first blush is upon all of the rose bushes and I have so many I can't even cut enough because I've run out of vases. Anyway, we have some lilies coming up and maybe next week I'll have something different for you but until then, Enjoy...

A great weekend...

I know that the weekend was a few days ago but it is what it is and besides I'm lousy at posting on time. Anyway, we had a great weekend. As you may or may not know we went to Sydney for the weekend. We went up specifically to see Billy Elliot the Musical. The play was brilliant. They did justice to the movie. the music was outstanding, but then why wouldn't it have been seeing that it was written by Elton John. If the play comes to anywhere close to you I suggest you find a way to see this show. My understanding is that it will begin it's tenure on Broadway in 2008.

One thing that was not so great about the weekend was that James' AF (artial fibrillation) acted up and we spent all of Saturday morning at the emergency room. He is fine but it's never a good thing and I hate it when it happens even though James tells me it's not a big deal. I think anytime you end up in the emergency room it might be a big deal. I could be wrong.

The rest of the weekend was full of good food and visiting James family which was nice. I got to see James aunt who is visiting from England. I have not seen her in six years and she was as nice as she was the first day I met her. She is one of those exceptions in so that she has a very strong religious side but she also is extremely accepting and has never judged James or myself or our relationship. she's one of the good ones.

Oh and to start the weekend off just right we bought this, and not only is it pretty but it works better than any windows based PC I've ever had and I would highly recommend it to anyone interested in switching to a Mac.

Apologies...

It seems that the place that holds the pictures for my banners and my personal picture is having difficulties. Hopefully they will get there site fixed soon. I know you come here to read the witty repartee that I so eloquently scribble every so often and not to see what snazzy banner I can occasionally come up with. Right???

Flowers of the week...

I'm a bit late with flowers of the week and unfortunately it's roses again. We have other flowers but they are not blooming yet but as soon as they do I'll definitely be sharing them with you but until the bloom here are some of the newest roses to bloom in our garden. Enjoy...









(One of two peony's. The other is red)



(This poor little one was on such a short stem and it was caught under two other stems I just had to save it. The rest of the buds on this bush are fine just not blooming)

It's over...

Well, the big day has come and gone. I am now officially 50 and as usual I don't feel any different much less any older. I have always gone with the thought process that age is only a state of mind and you are only as old as you feel and I feel like I'm still in my twenties mentally. Anyway, we had a fantastic time in Melbourne and here's a quick run down. I have a little over a hundred pictures that I took with my new camera and I will have them posted shortly. I'll let you know as soon as they are up on flickr.

We met our friend Moys on Wednesday afternoon at the airport as she flew in from New Zealand. We head straight to the hotel and then straight out for the first of many walks (the only down side with the walks is that the longer I walk the more my neuropathy acts up but that's another topic). After having a bite to eat, which turned out to be the worst meal and part of the whole trip, (If you are ever in Melbourne never eat here) we headed over to the casino to loose a few dollars. I actually walked out with $150.00, so all was not lost.

Thursday was officially b-day for both myself and Moys so it was started with a nice breakfast and then shopping. Moys bought a few blouses and odds and ends. James and I bought some new cologne we also almost bought one of the private blends from this same group but it was a bit pricey and I told James that it could wait. However, Christmas is coming so just maybe??? Oh and I got another pair of underwear because you can never have enough good underwear and because we can't get that brand here in Hobart. Then it was back to the hotel for a rest pre-dinner and show. We ate dinner at Box on Collins and it was excellent and SO much better than the night previous. As for the show all I can say was FANTABULOUS!!! I mean seriously if this show goes to the West End or better yet makes it to Broadway like Mamma Mia did. You will have to go see it. The costumes alone were worth the price. I would be willing to see the show again in a heart beat.

Friday was spent on a little more shopping and more good food. That afternoon we headed to the botanical gardens so I could take some pictures with my new camera. (you'll see my first efforts soon). Friday night found us back at the casino for dinner and again a bit of a gamble on the pokies. I again came out ahead unfortunately for James and Moys Lady luck was not on their side. Saturday we headed out to St. Kilda for a look around. We had breakfast by the beach and of course a bit of more shopping, what else. After we were all shopped out we headed back into town and made reservations at the restaurant we ate the night of the show. Once again the dinner was exceptional and even a bit better because we didn't feel rushed like we did the night we ate there before the show even if the theatre is right next door.

We had and early start on Sunday. Our flight was at 8:25 in the morning and Moys flew out at 11:30 so we packed Saturday night after dinner and then headed to the airport bright and early we said our goodbyes and a wonderful, loving, happy time was had by all! We arrived back home around 10:00 and life goes on. As I said I'll have the pictures up shortly, as soon as they are up I'll let you know. Enjoy...

50 I hardly knew ya....

Well it's almost here. Tomorrow November 8th I officially turn 50. My God that sounds old. I know it's not that old but it sounds like it. The last fifty years have been quite the ride. There have been many good times and some really bad times but all in all I wouldn't trade it. I think I've grown over the years and I've always tried to learn from my mistakes. I live life to the best of my ability and I try to make sure that I have no regrets. As I've talked about before, I never thought I would make it to see 50 and here I am. Most people are not happy about turning 50 because they think that makes them old and ancient. I'm here to tell you that turning 50 doesn't turn you old, only you can turn yourself old. Age is merely a place in time but how you approach that age and how you deal with it is entirely up to you. I've decide the way I'm going to deal with is is the same as I have before. I'm going to live like there's no tomorrow and not take anything for granted. I'm going to continue to be thankful and grateful for the time I have here and know how lucky I am.

We're going to Melbourne for a few days to shop and have a good time. We are meeting a good friend there who also shares the same b-day as me. Life is good and I intend to keep it that way. See you when we get back.

Oh BTW, I got this a few days early for my B-day so I could take it with me to Melbourne... look here

Quote & Word of the day...

I haven't done one of these in a while so here goes. Enjoy...

Quote of the day

"The longer I live the more beautiful life becomes."
Frank Lloyd Wright (1869 - 1959)

Word of the day

woolgathering \WOOL-gath-(uh)-ring\, noun:Indulgence in idle daydreaming

Thinking of you...

Happy Halloween to every one in the states. I hope you have a frighteningly great evening!