Taking it easy

Since I last wrote, I've been busy working, visiting Mum and Dad in Sydney, billeting four people for four nights for VFJ conference! This year,we had a couple from Sydney and a mother and son from Tathra.

Two weeks ago, Mum was admitted to hospital with chest pains. She had to stay in two separate hospitals for two days each. This was to have an angiogram to check her heart. The results showed that there was nothing wrong with her heart or arteries. She was told that she had a heart of a 20 year old! She had a very heavy cold, which may have complicated the symptoms. It also made it very unpleasant for her in hospital. It is not known what caused the three hours of pain she endured. I stayed in Sydney during the week after Paul and Deirdre had managed things over the long weekend. Dad and I visited her in hospital and then brought her home to recover from the angiogram. It was great news for everyone,that Mum's heart is healthy!

I am glad that the school term has finished and I can now have three weeks completely off. I was filling in on year 5 for the past week. I am finding, these days, that I need to take time out to rest and recover. Can't quite do all I could do a year ago.

Rick has three more working days left on his contract. We are planning to drive to Victoria in July. We have several friends to visit. For part of this time, we are going to stay at a retreat property, especially and generously made available for those who have been dealing with breast cancer. There are some very kind and thoughtful people in the world!

Also, this week we have seen the appointment of the first female prime minister in Australia! Quite an amazing week in politics.

Nice that it's Friday

Nothing much of interest to report this week. I have taught a couple of half days ( darting here and there to fill-in) and a more pleasant full day, on the one class, today.
Also this week, I found out what fatigue really feels like. I am so thankful that I am not working full time and was able to have some days at home to rest. I had to miss a night meeting! If you know me well enough, you'll realise how tired I must have been feeling!
Now, at the end of the week, I am feeling OK. It's a funny journey I am on! Not really sure what each week will bring, health-wise.
I am looking forward to spending a relaxed long weekend at home. Maybe we'll even fit in a visit to a tourist attraction and pretend we are overseas again!
We also have thousands of leaves ( front and back) that need raking and lots of jobs to catch up with around the house... but we won't work too hard!
It was minus 3 overnight... and more of those chilly nights to come. Hopefully the days will be bright and sunny.

Winter has arrived

The frosts are beginning! We've also had sunny days, so far, in June!
Over the last week or so, we've had some much needed rainfall. Great for the countryside, but not so much fun for me, when I was teaching kids inside all day! Last week I did a bit much, with teaching on four of the days and being at two important night meetings. This week I am feeling much better. I have taught both Monday and Tuesday and have today at home. Nice to have a day off.
I had a flu shot yesterday, but I forgot that I should have injections in my left arm only to reduce the risk of lymphodoema! Whoops! I had it in my right arm. Hope it's going to be OK!
This afternoon I have a specialist's appointment. It's my second check-up with the breast surgeon since my operation seven months ago. Another one to tick off.

Visiting Orange

I visited Orange, NSW, for a couple of days this week. I went with Bev, to keep her company while driving there and back on the country roads. She was at a conference and I walked around the town, did some reading and crocheting and had a look at the shops.






Me in my "automatic timer" shot in the park.




I had never seen real holly growing before!

Work and Pleasure

I have worked at school a fair bit in the last two weeks. It is now three months since my last operation and I am noticing that I have more energy and that I seem to be managing more actitvies each day.

Last week end I spent a lovely, relaxing time at the coast, with 10 special women. We hired a huge house and enjoyed chatting, eating,walking, reading and more chatting and eating! Being May, the weather wasn't quite as warm as we'd had in previous years, but it was warm and sunny enough in the middle of the day for us all to go on a few walks and even some of us to swim!

Life goes on

Nothing much of interest to report in the last two weeks.
We bought a new microwave, after having our last and only one for 32 years! We have been told they don't last that long any more! It's a fancy convection one. This was mainly Rick's idea, as he does like well-designed gadgets.

I tried it out by cooking a quiche. It worked very well.

I've had some work at school this week ( one and a half days). In between, I've caught up with friends, attended meetings and had some time at home. I find I still need to rest , but I think my energy levels are improving.
Richard is enjoying his contract and is working hard. He has had good feedback about his work, but has been told that the money will run out on June 30, so he won't get another extension.

Monday 26th April - Anzac long weekend

Rick and I went for a little walk around the Lindsay Pryor Arboretum near Scrivener Dam. We were experimenting with Rick's fancy camera he bought a year ago, when we were in Seoul for Stuart and Cherie's wedding. We tried landscapes and close-up shots.The day was a superb Autumn day with a clear blue sky.


Lake Burley Griffin


Lindsay Pryor Arboretum


This bark was cork! I had never seen that before.





















In the afternoon we had a lovely visit from Anthea who was on our tour of Spain in January. We swapped photos and stories about our trip.

This is Anthea and me at Monserrat monastry, high up above Barcelona; and then one of us travelling on the coach.

Sydney trip

Sylvia and I visited Mum and Dad in Lugarno.
The garden was looking very nice. The weather was very warm and pleasant for late April. We enjoyed our little holiday. We had some shopping time and it was great to see Paul and Deirdre one night for dinner and then Paul and Jeni, the next night!


We saw the brand new retaining wall in the back yard.


The retaining wall was very impressive.

Dad framed Mum's new embroidery.


The three of us visited the same shopping centre twice in the one day! We dropped back home in between to have lunch with Dad. We had morning tea and afternoon tea at the "Cookie Man'. This was a record... even for us.

My Birthday ( part three)

Last night I had a birthday visit from Roz, who gave me a lovely shawl. Cameron came over with a huge bunch of flowers. I talked to Deirdre on the phone, and then we went out for dinner. I wore the shawl.



Cameron, Rick and I had a nice time at dinner.



When we came home, Stuart and Cherie were on skype , ready to talk to wish me Happy Birthday. They had some news for us! Stuart has been given his holiday dates. it's the last week in July.They are hoping to come and visit us for 8 days! This is the longest break he can have. It's early days in the planning, but we hope to have a great family time both in Sydney and Canberra. It was a great Birthday present to hear this news.

My Birthday ( part two)

This afternoon I took myself on a familiar walk, down to the lake. There's a seat that Rick and I often walk to when we want to do a short walk ( about 45mins return). I took the camera along, to give you an idea how picturesque and peaceful it is on a day like today.


























A small boat made these ripples in the water.

We can also walk right around the lake. I am getting my fitness back and can soon resume the longer walks with Bev, when we seem to solve many of the world's pressing problems!