Hi Kathy, the Cake was a success, how lucky was that, and guess what it was a sponge cake with .......wait for it.........starwberry jam and cream, Goerge really liked it, i loved it and Mark (youngest son) was so impressed to a picture of it, good job he did, there is only one piece left, wish you lived closer I would have dropped you a piece off, sorry but i shall be finishing it off tonight, OK enough of praising myself.

Been looking at a new-ish car today to pull a caravan, thinking of a caravan now instead of a trailer tent, its a Ford C-Max quite roomy inside, and a big enough engine, only have a 1250cc Fiesta at the moment, so the first step taken.

and OK understand the the garden wippersnipper now, thank you, your garden looks really tidy and neat, so the machine does a good job. Undrstand about the electrical bit, would be a worry wouldnt it, very thoughtful, just keep yourself safe, please, but you dont need me to tell you that, sorry.

You are such a thoughtful lady, hubby would be mega impressed, so kind, please dont run youself down, the last thing  your MIL would think is that, Daft women never caring, thoughtful, its now understandable why they thing the world of you, good on you Kathy.

Little george had a right giggle at the rainbow lorrikeets, but i did something naughty, told him to ask his dad if he could have one, ooopps.

Been a long day at the office, going to seetle down now with a beer and a few cheese nibbles, Sheba loves then too, didnt mention she loves stawberry cream sponge too, i know its not the thing to do but she runs aeound the field at a high rate of knots, so she will burn off all the naughty food i give her, just cant resist those sorryful eyes as she watchs me eat, i dont mind sharing. 

The time is close now to seeing your family out in Aus, is this their first trip !!, sorry cant remember if you mentioned that before, bet they are as excited as you, how are you coping in these last few days, are you sleeping !!!, who needs it when you are that excited. Sincerely hope it is a magical time for you all, but if it is down to you it wont be nothing but magical.

Sheba's first training day tomorrow she will be a star i'm sure, i may get a telling off but hay ho. We had a good run on the fields this morning, you know when you have had a good run whem you are walking home panting like mad, your tonguehanging down the side of your mouth, and thats only me, you should see Sheba.

Take Great care of yourself Kathy.

Kind regards  Paul x

[[]]

Hi Paul,
Thanks for gorgeous pic you posted.  Was that Shadow or Zak?
Did a long email last night and lost it when I tried to copy and paste.
Just waiting to here if travellers made their connecting flight as 45 min delay in leaving Glasgow.  Trying to remain calm.  No point in stressing out about something I have no control over.
2 other sisters one in Scotland and one in Dublin keeping me updated via email.
Hens do yesterday was fun, Dodgems, putt putt (18 holes thought it would never finish) but was most important I joined in.  I declined the water activities and the girls looked absolutely freezing as was only 21 at the time.
We grabbed some fish and chips for lunch and sat on grassy area on beachfront.  Your DIL will know where we went, Glenelg. (Highly overrated and a real rip off for tourists).  DILs friends very pleasant and got to see my wicked sense of humour, when I a m sober so they won't be too shocked it's still as zany with a few tinnies in me.
How did Sheba go with her training?
Caravan sounds like a good idea.  Funny I have a little fiesta too.
You are naughty suggesting young George asks for a lorikeet. C  Really good to see your sense of humour and makes me smile too.
This is mums 5th visit and I think 4th for the girls as one or other travelled with her previously but in recent times has preferred 2 to travel with her, one for wheelchair and other to push luggage.
Must go girlfriend coming round to colour my hair (cover grey roots)
Take care, 10 hours to go"....
Kathy x
 

Hi Kathy, sorry i forgot to put a name to the photo that was our last dog Zak, will post Shadows photo and will also put a name to it, sorry.

Sincerley hope you have now greeted your family and i know you have given each one a huge welcome and a big hug, hope they are now settled after their, long journy.

It was really nice of you to go along to the Hens night, and so brave as well, good on you Kathy. So it was only 21degree's Ok now you are rubbing it in, it did squeeze into doulbe figures here, i nearly took my coat off, but will feel a little better when it warm up just a little more, seems to have been a long winter.

Must let the Daughter-in-law know, and see if she has been there, if I ver get over to see her and the grandchildren, think i shall have to stay clear, honestly dont like being ripped off. Sheba's training was good, the lady who is looking after us knows her stuff, did a degree in dog sociology, but she taught me a few things, and got home work as well.

Sheba and i are going to visit a few caravan sights just to check them out and see if there are numerous walks in that area, ho and a pub, and a chippie.

Sorry, only asked if your family had been before as to experiencing the long flight, but it is great they have been to visit on many occasions

Had a drink with my younger brother last night, he is just moving into a new house (next week) everything signed and ready to go and he is being made redundent, dosn't life deal some rotten cards, think his girfriend has a real good job, and will help untill he is settled in new employment, hope he is sorted soon. Had a relaxing sort of day today, well when my hangover had finally gone, I cant drink with the big boys anymore, but Shba and I have had two long walks, so its a soak in a nice hot bath, cuddle up to Sheba and just a couple of beers to finish off the day.

You have your family to tend to now so if i dont hear from you in a while i know you are so involved with them and of course the big day, is your speech all sorted , you will be great, sincerley hope you have a magical time with your family and the big day.

Take great care of yourself, and your family, and i know you will take care of anyone in the need, Thank you for helping me, i do appreciate it.

Kind regards Paul x 

Hi Paul,
Have done it again, lost another message to you, my error grrr.
Having a ball with family, lots of cuppas around kitchen table, and many laughs.

Have you done Shebas homework?
So nice to hear you spent time with your brother.  Sorry to hear he lost his job, but one door closes another one opens. I am confident the next job he finds will be better for him, may provide a better work/life balance.
Packing tomorrow for trip away for wedding.  Hope I remember to take the wedding rings !!!
We are all partaking of the liver cleansing diet as one sis has liver issues, but really it's just about healthy eating.  The main thing is we are all showing our support for her and avoiding putting temptation in her way.  I am just so rapt she was able to travel.
Must head to bed, after midnight
Let's see if I can save this communication.
Best wishes
Kathy x
 

Hi there Kathy, thank you for taking time out to reply, it is very kind of you. So glad your family arrived safely and you are all together and now seem to be having the time of your life, you have a wonderful family.

It is so wonderful of you all to take in consideration your sister's liver issues, is it a cureable/controlled issue, hope she is OK and its great it has not stopped her getting out to you. What a brave family you all are.

Your wedding day is going to be excellent, i'm sure of that, you and your family will make  it a very special day. There is one thing the Scottish know, and that is how to celebrate, had a few nights in Glasgow and wow wasnt i ill the few days following, had to bail out before everyone else, just could'nt keep going like they did.

Sheba and i are training daily, she is coming on fine in the house and garden, but once we are out in the field, then thats another story, still keep calm and carry on.

I do feel really sorry for Clive (younger brother) and feel bad because there is nothing i can do to help, I actually got him that job in the late 90's, but now feel terrible because i have no influence to enable me to help now.  

Have a fantastic Wedding day, 

Take great care of yourself and your family, 

Kind regards Paul x x

Hi Paul,
Where do I begin???  What a wonderful wedding day.  Everything went like clockwork, weather good, little and big kids behaved.
The day was made so supersonic by mum and sisters being there.  I was too busy doing the mother of groom duties and checking the family were ok to feel maudlin.
I had a wobble when long time friend encouraged me to speak of hubby in my speech and knew I just couldn't do it and hold it together.  This time on my wobble had family with me to support me, rub my arm, allow me to compose myself and get on with it.
Speech was short, humorous - well when you sound like Mrs Doubtfire how can you fail.....??? And heartfelt.  The kids know how much I love them but it's nice to acknowledge it in public.
We travelled back home this avo, dog and cat pleased to see us, neighbour looked after them well.  So many things I have to be thankful for, I am so lucky.
Sister doing well eating healthily.  Hopefully liver issue is treatable.  She will email her doc for latest results tomorrow so that maybe a tense period as we all know, waiting on them coming through.  Let's think positive in the meantime.  She missed the 6 nation rugby matches as we were away so has booked TV and no interruptions for next Sunday avo!!!
I am sure just by being there for Clive to talk, to you are being of great support.  One door closes, another one opens...
Rest of family headed off to bed to I will need to follow suite as the old eyes getting heavy.
Glad Sheba doing so well with training.  She is a good girl.
Take care Paul, look after yourself.
Kathy x



 

Hi Kathy, I am so happy for you, and deep down inside i knew it would go exactly how you wanted it to go, and well done to you, for what sounded to be a very emotional speech, but i'm sure everyone was so proud of you, as am I. What wonderful family and friends you have around you, giving you the courage to help you through. It was only right to include Hubby, he must have had such a wonderful smile on his face, bet he had a tear himself.

Sincerley hope your sister gets the positive results she so truley deserves, you are part af an amazing family, bet your mother is so proud of you all.

You are right about Clive he is a very capable chap, and i'm sure will find work very soon, lets just hope he's in employment soon, don't want him getting too worried.

Sheba is an amazing little girl, catching on quick, and was really good in our second training session, but the lady who in charge of the dog training is very good at getting the necessary point over to everyone.

Had a bit of a wobble myself, but more of a drunken wobble, let my emotions get the better of me after a few beer, so iv'e been off the booze for the last couple of days, I do think i am getting more positive, but do feel sometimes it is a bit disrespectful to Dawn when I'm getting on with my life, just does'nt seem or feel right, but I will progress.

Thank you for returning to our chat so soon after your amazing days with your family on such a special occasion

Going to have a go at profriteroles when I have little George on thursday, he just can't understand where all the sugar, flour, butter disappears to while mixing, is exspressions are amazing, lets hope he likes the resulting taste.

Take great care of yourself and I know its without saying you will take care of everyone around you.

Kind regards Paul x

Hi Paul,
How did the profiteroles turn out?  How did George enjoy the baking experience?
I continue to enjoy time with the family, they reduce me to tears of laughter and make me belly laugh.  
The other morning one sis left to walk Dice and upon her return stated " how could you let me go out with one trouser leg up and one down?" .  " oh yes " I replied, "noticed that earlier...." ( but neglected to let her know).
Today we visited Adelaide museum and that was both pleasant and educational.  Tomorrow son and family are visiting plus sis in law and hubby.  I am serving home made pizzas for lunch so will do all my prep before anyone arrives.
Today the girls and I planted spring bulbs and turned over the veggie plot in preparation for planting winter veggies.
It is autumn here and the girls laughed to see me in winter clothes tonight with a scarf around my neck.  They of course , are still in tee shirts.  Temp down to 10 overnight brrr.
Sorry to read you had a bit of a wobble, but it's all normal Paul, but I am happy to see you are sounding more positive and that is a good thing.  Not long till May now and your sky dive.  The time will pass quickly.
Did you see the eclipse today?  We watched it on line on a show with Brian Cox and Dara o Briain.
How is Sheba?  She sounds a bright girl.
I am enjoying spoiling my family and giving the girls heaps of cheek.  The house will be quiet when they leave, but I am thankful they are here and this visit will give me great memories to sustain me till I visit them for mums 90th in 2017.  My youngest sister plans on coming for a visit in Sept 2016 so once again I have much to look forward to.
Well Paul its after midnight so must make tracks to the land of Nod. The next few days will be busy with visitors coming and rugby will be televised on Sunday avo here.  Will you watch all 3 matches?
Off to bed.
Take care,  big hugs
Kathy x