Maas Journal

Where to begin!

2015-05-06T17:20:00.002+10:00

I've been painting again.

The living area took forever to finish. Its now a lovely warm cream colour and that's how it will stay.

I'm getting too old for this caper. The knees and arms have had a good workout though.

The exterior doors have been painted.

This is definately the last time for this little black duck!

I've also had a big declutter.

My son is loving this.... he comes and takes it all home with him after his visit.

My coffe machine is in being repaired. It has already been away two months...waiting on a part from Italy.

He was kind enough to bring me my old one, which I had given to him when I bought the new one.

He could see the agony I was going through....drinking that freeze dried muck!

Oh Lordy.... how did I manage before the esspresso machines came in?

He also took his birthday present with him this time.

He chose the colour and is very happy with it.

Come to think of it.... I'm quite taken with itmyself!

I've decided to make a few in the next twelve months and sell them at a market stall this time next year. With winter just around the corner I should enjoy some crochet near the fire.

Lucy has recovered from her snake bite after lots of love and care from her mum.

She was lucky that it didn't get more venom into her. One lucky little dog!

I don't think she'll bother to have a sniff first, the next time she sees one. Big mistake!

She sleeps a lot now, but I think it has more to do with old age creeping in.

Well, that will do for now. I've been on my computer for a while today. Cleaning it up and downloading a new internet browser. Chrome just wasn't doing it for me anymore.

Tomorrow I'll make some time to go visit some of you and say hello.

So don't forget to put the kettle on and hold the fairy bread...I'm on a diet! Maa xx

Happy.... You betcha!

2015-04-29T12:12:00.000+10:00

Happy to be back.

Lacey

Jess

Sharing some of my grand daughters beautiful smiles.

I really heart them both.

Thank you all for your lovely welcome back.

Lots to tell so will be back soon. Maa xx

I miss you all....Can I come back?

2015-04-27T09:44:00.001+10:00

The gate is open again.

I'm thinking that I have time to blog again.

Anyway, I need the practice don't I?

Bugger....I just miss my friends.

Soon..... see you .....Soon.

Maa xx

Closing my Blog

2015-01-22T17:43:00.000+11:00

I have decided to stop blogging and will be closing this blog down in the near future
.
Of course when time permits, I will continue to read my favourites and will comment to let you know that I have been.

My heart is no longer in it and I have struggled with this for a long time.
I feel the need to do other things with my free time and sitting at a screen isn't the healthiest thing for me at the moment. Also, my eyes take much longer to get back to 'normal' after a session looking at a screen. Regardless the size or the light.

I am so grateful for those who have travelled this journey- in this journal, with me.

Thank you and I wish every one of you the best that life has to offer.

So this will be my final goodbye here.

Love Sue and Lucy xx ( aka Maa )

That time of year again.

2015-01-22T07:00:00.000+11:00

Snakes around the house.

Another project finished.

Comfortable shoes for walking.

The best news of all..... Petal has gone back to work!

This last picture was submitted to the 'Boots' section of Outback Magazine.

I won the first prize of $440 for new RM Williams boots.

Thanks Outback. Maa.

Lucy's Vet

2015-01-21T09:35:00.002+11:00

I received some very sad news yesterday.

Jim Della Vodova - Lucys vet, passed away on Sunday. I heard that he had committed suicide.

Sunday afternoon, I rang and spoke with Jim about Lucy. She had been sick all day and very listless. I worried that she had been bitten by one of the two brown snakes I found in the yard the day before.

He reassured me that she would be dead by now if it had been a snake.

I arranged with him to bring her in if she hadn't improved by morning.

Monday morning she had started to become her old self again.

Did she know something was wrong?

Was I the last person to speak to him?

The town is in shock..... I'm in shock! My heart goes out to his family and the wonderful staff at the hospital in Cootamundra, where I take Lucy.

Thank you for your kindness and caring these last six years...... to the day we moved in here.

How eerie is that?

Rest in Peace Jim. Maa

So much has been going on.

2014-12-10T19:33:00.001+11:00

I've made a blanket while Petal was in hospital.

Then I covered my footstool, using up some odd balls.

Had yet another BIG trip / fall.

No more thongs for this ol' girl. ( flip flops to some of you)

I also suffered the biggest knock to the head I've ever experienced. Hard up against the shed wall.

Thought I was going to pass out !

Took my sister Jo, to hospital in Orange to have a hip replacement.

She's home recovering now and all went well.

On the way home, my GPS tried to show me a short cut! Haha!

Good thing I only use it for the hands free and to keep to an accurate speed.

Luckily I know my way around.

Petal is now off the crutches.

Still hobbling around but has been doing lots in the garden.

Even pruning the trees,

God bless his little socks.

Full moon .... New beginnings.

Lastly - everything here is slowly getting back to our 'normal' again. I won't be posting or visiting for a while. My hands are full with Petal home.

Have a wonderful Christmas with family and friends.

I will see you all after the New Year when Petal goes back to work.

I'll be sure to pop in to all my favourite blogs then.

Love Maa xx

He's Home!

2014-10-23T07:35:00.001+11:00

Now I'm really busy.......

Petal is home on crutches. He is also able to walk without using them now and again.
Physio starts tomorrow. We're on our way upwards again.

I have a broken wrist. It seems I've had it for about three months after a trip up the stairs..... and 'they' say that is 'lucky'!
I knew it was sore but I hadn't had time to take much notice till it became infected, swollen and red.
You see- I have a very strong pain threshhold. Is that a good or bad thing?

Now it's like the' blind leading the blind' in this house. Maa

When are you coming home?

2014-10-07T17:33:00.001+11:00

I miss you Dad.

The last fortnight I....

2014-10-01T18:26:00.001+10:00

Met some kangaroos when I left home to go visiting.

Petal was able to come home for the weekend.

We were finally able to go down south to the bosses farm to pick up his gear out of the truck.

Had to take the trailer as he carries everything but the kitchen sink!

Caught up with the grand daughters.

Jess just turned eight and Lacey had her first birthday.

John ( in the back ground) is still off work.....

And Nic...... she is still coping with having a man under her feet!

Bet she's counting the days...... hehe!

We have a long weekend coming up and on Friday I'll be bringing Petal home for the weekend.

It'll be nice to have some time together. Maa.

I'm Back on Board and an Update.

2014-09-23T11:56:00.000+10:00

Were do I begin?

Briefly..... We have had many downs and not many ups.

This whole thing has been and still is a nightmare.

1-Petal is still in hospital. He was moved to another hospital further away as there is physio there. He is not a happy chappy!

The rehabilitaion is down the hall from the nursing home.

Twice they have come in to see if he would like to join in to the activities. Knitting one day and nails on the other. I won't repeat what was said!

2- He may need further operations on the leg entailing three operations six weeks apart. Four months of no load bearing! Gulp! Then three to four months recovery. Can you imagine what he will be like? He's like a bear with a sore head now.

We will know more when he next visits the fracture clinic in October.

His shoulder is healing.

3- Lucy was sick- she has recovered. Thanks to our wonderful vet.

4- My body went into a meltdown. Including a bacterial and a viral infection.

I thought I was a goner at one stage, but I have recovered.

5- Our dear neighbour passed away. I had to attend his funeral and I miss our little chats.

6-In the meantime, I have had to deal with things breaking down at home. taking on the jobs Petal would have normaly done, trying to keep everything running smoothly and generally maintaining as normal a life as possible.

7-The good news is that the physio, Jenny, who is a saint, managed to talk the insurance co into hiring a wheelchair with a push handle ( right side as Petal can't use his left of course) He can now escape those four walls and go up the street.

When I visit we go to a little bakery and have a coffee together. He often goes on his own and does some banking etc. Everything is close by. It has been a lifesaver.

8-I also won't mention the meals ..... definately not to feed a truck driver!

No veges were ordered with this meal, they were frozen 'mixed muck' I was told.

It gives you the idea of portions. Since I took this picture, he has been lucky enough to have a lovely lady ( New Zealander) make sure he gets a bigger portion of meat and potatoes.

Notice the longlife milk for his cuppa on the left? He now gets 'real milk' in a small bottle too.

Apparently I was told the kitchen takes bets on what won't be right with his meal. Well... it brightens their day too I think.

9-The other good news was that Petal had this last weekend at home. When I arrived to pick him up, he was as excited as a kid. We had a bit of a 'glitch' and although the doctor had aproved the leave and had signed him out for the weekend, the insurance co had changed their minds.

When I was told.... ' I did my nut!' It was the last straw and I told them so.

I was asked was I getting frustrated .... No, I said...... BLOODY ANGRY!

" and if you think he's a cranky old bugger, wait till you see me fly off the handle"

I could see Petal nodding his head and say" I told you so".

Within minutes the head nurse got on the phone and literally 'blasted' Petals (insurance) case manager.

He got the leave within ten minutes and we were on our way home.

I could go on but I think you get the 'gist' of this nightmare. We have had to deal with everything on our own. Problems with the insurance company.... people getting his hopes up and letting him down again. Frustrating to the point of getting angry.

In the meantime..... his boots are waiting.

He'll be back sometime next year. Maa.

An apology and some Rural Letterboxes

2014-08-11T14:05:00.002+10:00

I'm sorry I've been too busy to blog lately, with trips into the hospital almost daily. The odd day at home sees me catching up on all the other chores.

It's going to be some time before I have time to myself again.

I also want to apologise for not popping in to visit you all. Where does the time go?

On the way home from Tamworth, I managed to get a couple of pictures of some rural letterboxes to share with you. Here they are.

Cattle on this property?

Truck driver at home?

I love my pet?

Petal is recovering .... slowly.

I'm going to lose my mind ..... slowly. (wish it was weight) hehe!

I wonder why?? Maa

Oh dear.. first thing in the morning....'a selfie'

2014-08-05T09:49:00.002+10:00

Two old girls in Tamworth.
Still learning how to ... take a selfie.
We could have tidied ourselves up a little!
Then again, that wouldn't be so funny.
Would it?

Sorry Margaret. I just had to share this. Maa.

My little secret fetish....

2014-07-31T17:32:00.000+10:00

Beetroot Relish...........

Wonder what it would be like in ice cream?

I have just remembered that I forgot to tell you, Petal has a broken arm too. He will be unable to come home for six weeks ( at the very least) as both breaks are on the left side so he won't be able to use crutches and a wheel chair won't be any good either.... we have to access the house via stairs.

Both bones are broken just above the ankle on his leg and have been 'pinned'.

The 'boot' Petal has to wear, has been removed to take this picture.

A Quick Update

2014-07-29T08:56:00.003+10:00

Petal was transferred to a hospital near home by air ambulance (after his leg was operated on) on Thursday morning. So then.... I was up north and he was down south!
He is now recovering or should I say ' stirring' the nurses ' and has surprised me with his optimism and acceptance of the situation. He has a very long way to go before he will get back to work.

Ah...Life! Anymore curve balls.... bring them on!!

I'm on the warpath to have something done about these saleyards.
My daughter in law, Nicole's stepfather was also injured and suffered a broken leg at these same saleyards, same race. Petal and he worked for the same boss at the time.
More about that in future posts.

Thank you for you good wishes and support. Maa x

* It was a holidaying kiwi in his caravan who's little dog needed the whistle stop.

My Happy Colours

2014-07-25T17:00:00.000+10:00

I'm not letting the winter gloom into my life this winter.

Lately I've re-assessed and put into action, what I want and need and what I don't want or need in my life and mind.

One thing that has been introduced are my happy colours.

I hope you're all happy too...... It feels good! Maa

Poor Petal - How unlucky and lucky can you be?

2014-07-22T23:28:00.000+10:00

Petal is in a hospital tonight.

He was 'rolled' by a beast while loading tonight at the sale yards. He was there alone.

He had tried to crawl to his truck to retrieve his mobile to call for help but couldn't get to it.

He had a broken leg. ( and whatever else they find in the morning after x-rays.)

After an hour and a half, a little miracle happened .... in his words ..

. " a kiwi pulled over for a leak and I called out to him" He gave Petal his phone so he could call me, Then he kindly rang for an ambulance.

Can you imagine what could have happened if he had to lay there all night in these freezing temps?

In the morning I will call that good samaritan and thank him ( I have his number on my phone)

Then I'd better pack my bags .... I have a long drive ahead. Maa

My day

2014-07-21T17:22:00.001+10:00

I woke this morning to the news of a three-truck-crash on hume-motorway

My heart went to my mouth as I knew Petal would be in that area at the time.

Luckily it didn't involve him .... he rang me shortly after I'd watched the news to let me know that it wasn't him.

Catching my breath and doing some crochet while sitting by the fire drinking my morning cuppa.

Yarn graffiti or yarn bombing.

I found this on the net and its similar to a project I have in mind for an old chair I have.

Thinking of my grandson Liam who is turning into a man before my eyes.

Chatted to a dear friend on the phone. Jose' lived next door to me when I lived in Canberra. We became very good friends and we keep in touch. I have plans to go for a visit in the near future.....I'm missing her.

I ordered a couple of 'boxed comedy TV series' I need a good belly laugh now and again.

Also a bit of good old fashioned romance.

I've finished watching ' As Time Goes By' and 'The Good Life' this week.

A bit of fantasy goes a long way to making the cold days pass.

Oh... and I made a big pot of vegetable soup that's simmering on the wood stove.

Staying healthy and happy.

What do you do to indulge on these miserable winter days and nights?

My mum's being silly again

2014-07-20T17:12:00.002+10:00

She's got that camera out again .......

Now look at my hair...........

Not my best side either .............. oh .... go away...........

This is the living end..... piss off please!

She's sitting there laughing at me .... how rude!

She really needs to get a life in the winter time.

Have any of you got a suggestion? Help.

Love Lucy xx

Winter rose time

2014-07-06T06:30:00.000+10:00

Oops...how did she sneak in here? Well, I guess she is my little Lucy rose.

Have a wonderful weekend. Maa.

Hibernating again.

2014-07-05T10:41:00.000+10:00

All quiet here at home at the moment. I'm doing my usual thing.....hibernating.

Lazing by the fire.

Jim and Margaret.

Entertaining family and playing board games............

Dean

............... and cards.

Sewing and sorting jars of buttons......

Just generally enjoying homelife. Maa

Beware - ASBESTOS

2014-06-19T14:20:00.001+10:00

This is a follow up to yesterdays post. Looks like it's going to be an even bigger clean up than thought.

Added note .... Yesterday I could hear someone in the back yard of this place. Today as I went past, I saw washing on the line ( yes it's still there ) and it appears that the son is living in the shed behind. I did hear some machinery running, like a generator of some kind. I would imagine this would be highly illegal. To remove asbestos, it has to be completely covered over with plastic before it can be disturbed.

Do I mind my own business or do I make some enquiries with the authorities? Maa

How do you know winter is here?

2014-06-18T13:45:00.000+10:00

A house usually burns down somewhere.

As I opened my curtains in the morning, I woke to find this.
.

I thought the silos were on fire, but I knew they were empty, so wondered if it was something else.

So I went for a walk and saw this.

This one was in our little village.
Mother and son are fine. House is gone.

150 year old cypress home.

Now the clean up begins ......

Bits and Pieces---leftover from projects.

2014-06-12T08:48:00.001+10:00

Perfect for the new chair Petal gave me. My favourite spot to catch the sun on these chilly mornings.

Poking Around and a Strange Happening.

2014-06-10T12:59:00.002+10:00

the rear of the main building.

Jo and I went for a little drive and a 'poke around' one day. We came across this old building in a tiny country village. Curiosity got the better of me and I pulled up to have a look. A couple of chaps came driving down the long driveway and out of the gates, they pulled up next to us to see if they could be of any assistance. I asked them what the place was and one told me that it had been a nursing home. The old folks have all been moved to another nursing home in a larger town.

So it looked like a good opportunity to have a look around and take some pictures.

I took a look into one of the corridors. New carpet had been laid and rolls were still laying there waiting to be laid on floors. How strange! Looks like they were in the middle of a renovation and they just 'up sticks and left'.

The bell tower.

The entrance.

Sadly, what was once beautiful gardens are now overgrown and neglected.

The church.

The front of the main building.

A ride on mower is needed here.

Front steps. With some of the roses that scent the atmosphere.

The outlook from the front steps.

Something hidden away in the garden.

I went up close to this statue and I saw the most beautiful blue eyes.

Shame about the mess left in front of it.

What was really strange or even eerie........ if you click on this picture, save it and enlarge it .....

Look at those blue eyes.............

They are no longer there.......... so eerie!

Makes the hair on my neck stand up.

Tell me.....what can you see. Maa