Sarah & Kevin's Engagement party

On Sunday 24th October, we celebrated Sarah and Kevin's Engagement at a lovely brunch with a house full of people. Despite the very rainy day, everyone had a great time. Paul had organised an amazing system of tarps to shelter most of the backyard and keep the many guests dry!






It was also great to catch up with old friends

Avril's Party

In September we celebrated Avril's 21st with family and her friends.







Deirdre and Sarah busy in the kitchen.

School Camp

I was invited as an extra teacher on an overnight camp. I was happy to have been asked and I enjoyed the time. I managed the camp well despite feeling a bit achey from the medication and having the expected broken night's sleep.

Tom and Angela's visit

One day a huge house on wheels arrived at our place! It was Tom and Angela, dropping in on their way north. They'd been to many places in NT, SA and Vic. It was good to see them.


Angela cooked us a lovely dinner in their luxurious mobile home. It's the first time I'd had dinner on the road outside our house.
They stayed overnight on the street!

Nowra visit in October

It's been a month since I wrote. I've been feeling fairly ordinary ( to use a cricket commentator's term) for months now. I am hoping that the side effects of the treatment will settle down in the months ahead. It seems that they are due mainly to the drug I am on. The joint aches are lessening and the very bad back pain has finally gone. Currently I've been having bouts of vertigo, which is very uncomfortable but not serious.
It's a year ago, this week, since I had my breast cancer operation. I am impatient to feel well again.

In between health problems, we've managed to enjoy some times away. In early October we spent a lovely couple of day with our dear friends , Richard and Jenny, in Nowra. They really spoilt us!



Richard and Richard went whale watching off Huskisson and actually saw a baby whale close up, and plenty of dolphins. The movies are better than the still shots!







Dodge relaxing....

More fun at Floriade

Bev and I entered the flower basket competition at Floriade yesterday. We had fun but I didn't do such a good job of arranging my flower basket. Don't think I'll win! We brought our finished baskets home to hang and admire!

Floriade 2010

Rick and I visited Floriade on Wednesday 29 Sept. The wind of the previous days had disappeared so it was a pleasant, cool but sunny day. It was not crowded and we enjoyed the walk.










We walked back to the car along the lake.

Choir gigs

Richard has been very busy performing at choir gigs in the last two weeks.
Here are two:


Canberra Men's Cjoir



Strange Weather Gospel Choir.

A week with Carole Anne and Clair

Last week we had Clair and Carole Anne stay with us. They were getting ready for their big trip overseas. Their week was a busy one.... with the hasty packing up from their accommodation, unpacking here and packing up again , travelling down the coast to see friends, working late and doing last minute errands for their trip.

A highlight was when several of us joined them in celebrating Clair's birthday a few days early, on Sunday, September 4. We spent many hours together over lunch and talked until late afternoon!








We enjoyed another lovely meal together, later that week at Roz and Sherab's home.
Wednesday, September 8.

Enjoying the Spring Day

Today has been a pleasant sunny day and Richard and I happened to be home on the same day! We had an outing to the shops and had lunch, as well as doing a few things around the house. Richard is currently working one day a week and I have been working on call, as usual.
This week the work for me has slowed a little. I've only worked one day so far.
I've been working lots ( 3 or 4 days each week) all through the Winter terms. It may be easing off a little, now the weather is warming and most people are over their illnesses.
We have some friends staying with us this week. They are between accommodation only for a week.They leave on Friday for a trip to Europe & USA.

Last Saturday Richard sang in a big choir concert and it was well received.
Stuart and Cherie are well and enjoying life in Seoul. They are in the process of applying for a visa for Cherie and hope to return to Australia to live in February. This is very exciting!
Cameron is on a months' holiday overseas and is currently in Florence. he seems to be enjoying himself and seeing lots of interesting things and places.

I am gearing up for the next check-up with the oncologist next week. This marks six months since I've been on the current medication and almost twelve months since I was diagnosed. That day was October 6, 2009.

It's almost time for Floriade and for the Dragon Boat Regatta. My school has entered two whole boats. I am planning to participate this year, despite a few annoying aches and pains.I shouldn't have these.... being so young and vibrant!