Thanking friends for the prod to keep going !!

I have been reminded that I am not blogging!!!  I'm actually finding it difficult to sit at the computer and blog happily.  Most of my lovely friends would know how much I have enjoyed blogging in the past, particularly when Roger & I were living in Germany.  That all seems very much in the dim distance now.  I am going to try my hardest to continue with my blogging, but I need your encouragement, so please leave comments which will inspire me!!

How quickly this year seems to be going.  Sometimes I can't keep up with myself.  July already & we are in the heart of winter.  Brrrrr!!  But my little home is warm and snug so I have no complaints.  If I feel really cold, I just need to go for a brisk walk!

Olivia is nearly 5 months old.  She is absolutely adorable, and I promise I am not biased!  She has a personality as large as life!  She is a happy, smiling little baby and talks a lot, and we get the gist of what she's saying!!  It's all very funny.

I've felt very lonely this year.  I always seem to be longing for the next guests to arrive to stay with me, but they're few and far between.  I have asked Jocelyn (my beautiful daughter) to come and live with me.  She has been here for 3 weeks now and I'm much happier not being on my own anymore.  I look forward to her getting home in the evening and not having the long evening stretching ahead of me on my own.  I definitely know I am not meant to live on my own.  My personality doesn't allow it!!

Another thing that is bothering me is finding a Church Family in which to belong.  It's just not happening for me so I am not going regularly to Church.  I just don't know how to move forward in this area of my life.  Any suggestions out there for me to take on board?

I joined University of the Third Age in May after a visit from dear Swiss friends from Basel.  Christine reminded me how hard I had worked at trying to learn German and she encouraged me to go back and keep up with it.  I have been going to classes at U3A on a Friday morning for 1 1/2 hrs.  It's very good for my brain and the other people in the class are great (usually about 7 of us).  I'm not sure if I am going to move forward with German, but hopefully it will always be in my brain!!

The other thing I have done is joined the Badminton group, also on a Friday.  My son in law Tom bought me a new racket, so I am learning to smash that shuttle cock!!  It's lots of fun and I enjoy being with like minded people wanting good exercise.  I am very thankful for my good health and fitness.

So, this is a start to my come back.  If I write much more, you might lose interest, so I will save other news for the next time and will post some nice photos as well.

Welcome Olivia Annabelle

It gives me the greatest pleasure to announce the safe arrival of Olivia Annabelle born 11.15pm on Tuesday 4 March weighing 3.2k's (around 7lb).  Glenda had an amazing delivery and even caught Olivia for the first cuddle!  She sure is the cutest little thing.

I was on Nanna duty looking after Edward & Nathan for 4 nights whilst Daddy & Mummy were busy! I stayed at their place and of course, we had lots of fun together, though Nanna was rather tired by the end.  Here is Edward 'up close and personal' with his baby sister!!

After our visit to Olivia I gave Edward & Nathan their first tram ride in the city.  (And yes, I was so excited about all that was going on and even had the nerve to ask a stranger to take a photo of us!!).

Nanna always needs sustenance and I've found the perfect place to take the boys in the city (downstairs, Australia on Collins).  Here they are having their baby chino and there's my big mug of Earl Grey tea.  A few trapped sparrows fly around looking for food and the boys love chasing them.  There is also a glass lift the boys like watching going up and down.  They're not hard to entertain!

On our way to the train we stopped to listen to an amazing 7 piece South American Band playing in a small lane way (Centre Place).  Nathan started dancing and the band thought it was fantastic and very cute.  I would have loved to have taken a video but I didn't want to spoil 'the moment'.  Sometimes you just have to soak up the moment and not try and capture it! 

12 Days in the North Island, New Zealand

I flew to Wellington, New Zealand on 9 January to see my lovely friend Christine (who was in New Zealand from Basel for her daughter's wedding).

Whilst there Christine & I did a 3 day 'Tora Coastal Walk'.  It was so good for us both and wonderful to have heaps of time to talk, laugh and help each other to keep walking!!  We had some amazing views of beautiful New Zealand.

Christine & I on the top of one of the many hills we had to walk up!! Great view

The 'Jolly Roger' fish & chip shop in Waiterere Beach where Christine has a 'Bach' (holiday home)

A 'friendly' seal on the coastal walk

View of Lake Taupo from Christine's parents holiday home - beautiful

My first night celebrating at the 'Bach' with Christine & Berndt

My grandchildren

I've been having so much fun with my grandchildren.  I've joined "Friends of the Melbourne Zoo".  This means I can take the children to the Zoo whenever I like.  I can also go to the Healesville Wildlife Park & Werribee Zoo.  If I am adventurous, I can also go to any Zoo in Australia & I don't have to pay (like that's going to happen!!!).  

So, I have taken the boys to the Zoo quite a few times and I have taken Chloe once.  I hope I might be able to take her again soon.  

Here are just a few pictures of the grandchildren.  Edward & Nathan are now nearly 2 1/2 years old & Chloe is 18 months old.

Nathan enjoying the Meerkats

Chloe at the Zoo

This photo was taken at the little animal farm at the Swedish Bazaar

Chloe & Nathan taken at Carols by Candlelight last Sunday 15 December

Botanical Gardens, Cairns, Australia

What a treat it was to visit the Botanical Gardens in Cairns & find all these amazing plants there.  Being the tropics, they are very special & everything grows furiously!!  I really enjoyed wandering around taking photos of flowers I've never seen before.  

My apologies that I have no idea what they are called (bit slack I know!!).  I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.

There's something special in this photo - see if you can spot it ! ! !  Lol

Someone foreign in this photo as well!!!

I like this box Nanna !

Glenda & I took the boys to David Jones for a spot of shopping on Saturday morning.  We ended up at the toy department, but to get there we had to go through all the Christmas decorations & delights!!  Edward took a real shine to a box of Christmas mints (probably because it was definitely on his level.

Oh!   There's a box missing  !!

Look what I've found Nanna !

Edward, you need to put that box back !

TULIPS IN SPRING IN MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA

Glenda & I with Edward & Nathan went up to the Tulip Festival in the Dandenong Ranges for a morning of fun!  As you can see, it was rather cold & windy, but didn't deter us from having a wonderful time together.  The boys particularly liked the tractor ride!  We all enjoyed walking amongst the tulips, which were absolutely beautiful.  It is such a short season here, we have to make the most of the wonderful display.

Edward & Nathan enjoying the mirror sculpture

?? Future farmers ??

The boys love anything that moves!