We've had a lot of things going on in the house. New shower screens, shed extension, cement slab in front of the shed in readiness for a carport, new kitchen installed. So many tradies coming and going at once - some even when they said they would be here. (Now that was this years miracle!!) Fruitless searches for matching tiles for the kitchen took us on many a road trip far and wide. In the end we went with something completely different but in the general colour scheme and wow!! it worked beautifully! LOVE that kitchen!!
Dear little Cackles passed away, She was one of three (Cackles, LaLa and the rooster Adolph) that were left here when we moved in. She was rather lost when LaLa died and never really bonded with any new chicken we brought into the yard. She kept herself a little aloof and was always last in when I called them to be locked in for the night. She'd mosey about, quietly cackling away, and I'd call her and say "Come on old girl - these young ones will eat all the dinner if you don't hurry up." She'd suddenly realise she was the only one out and then she'd run like the wind, head down wings out, to get in the gate. Lol it was such a sight - she reminded me of an old Victorian lady suddenly lifting her long skirts and taking off across the yard. She remained my favourite and I admit I cried when Mark told me he had found her dead in the hen-house. I have only Hyacinth and Wheazy (aka Violet) left now and am still in two minds as to whether I will keep chickens in the future. It can be a problem sorting out feeding when we go away on hols as we tend to go for weeks at a time. One of our sons lives about 25 mins away and is more than happy to pop in but I really do hate to ask.
The winter veggies were prolific and the gardens remain a source of work and enjoyment. We're looking at moving 2 of the raised beds and then enclosing the entire 4 beds. There will be an area for fruit trees and also shelving at one end for potting. It's in the final planning stages although we have bought the steel to build the structure.
The family is jogging along well. Eldest son had his 30th birthday here in April - a themed party where you had to wear something that started with a letter in his first name. Mark went as a sheik and I went as a sorceress. Actually it was just a lovely medieval dress but I said I was a sorceress so I could get away with wearing it. lol. There were about 50 people and it was a wonderful night.
Fast forward to August and our other son moved to Canada for a year. His girlfriend came to Australia and we had a lovely time with her before they left. It was very difficult for everyone on the last day. The kids all stayed overnight to see him off and Mark and I drove them to the airport. It was horrendous saying goodbye - I cried all the way home. I spoke recently to another mother whose son had moved to England. We talked about the conflicting emotions. Thrilled for them that they have an opportunity to live and work in another country, gutted that it would be so long before we see their face for real. We were both in agreement that some people are just unthinking rather than idiots (hmmm it 's a close call sometimes!) when they say 'oh you should be happy for him." Um duh we are! or "Oh well just think ,you'll have a place to stay if you ever go there." Again duh we know!
We are simply mothers! We are happy for them, sad we won't see them. Pretty normal I'd say.
We had our Christmas party at the end of November with about 40 family and friends. Its a lot of work but so worth it to see everyone together. We really missed Jordan being there but he skyped just before it started so was able to chat with his siblings as well as some of the party-goers who have known him for years. Kim and I go all out as far as decorations go and then leave them up for Christmas. :) The theme this year was silver and white. Gorgeous.
Roll on Christmas and again it was strange not having Jordan here. We talked to him but it was very poignant not seeing him at the Christmas table for the first time in his life. The rest of the family as well as some of our sons in-laws joined us for lunch.
Probably the most wonderful present was that our daughter got engaged! Mark and I already knew as her boyfriend had asked for Marks blessing about 2 weeks before. Kim had no idea. I was awake early because I knew he was taking her to the beach at sunrise to propose. And at around 5.55 am I got a wonderful phone call from our precious girl saying "Mum, I'm engaged!" There were tears all round lol. What a beautiful day!
So that's our year, albeit a brief overview. As usual I'm looking forward to what the new year brings. The words below appeal to me so I've included them here.
Merry Christmas and a brilliant 2016. xo
Life is amazing. And then it's awful.
and then it amazing again.
and in between the amazing and the awful
it's ordinary and routine.
Breathe in the amazing,
hold on through the awful.
and relax and exhale
during the ordinary.
That's just living heart-breaking,
soul-healing, amazing,
awful, ordinary life.
And it's breathtakingly beautiful.
-- L.R.Knost. --
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