Recent Happenings

Well I have been very slack with my blogging so as per usual have done a mass catch up over three posts on what's been happening

Last month Nanny came to visit. It was great to see her and I really admire her getting out and about, enjoying life at he age. She had been talking about coming to Queensland for ages but I really didn't think it would happen as I didn't think she would be up to it.
We had a lovely time with her and between us all got to spend some time with her and she got to visit each of our homes to see ehere we all live. We would take her out on a small outing each day before returning home for her to have a rest in the afternoon.
I had to laugh as every time I see Nanny she tells me I look pale so this time I thought I would put some blush on to give me some colour and hey presto she didn't tell me I looked pale. Instead two minutes after I went into the airport to collect her and Dad she commented I had put on some weight since she last saw me. At least she says it how it it.

We had a spa evening while she was here and treated her to a hot rock neck and shoulder massage and a microderm abrasion and hand treatment. We also enjoyed a girls days out and took her to Sanctuary Cove for a shop and lunch. We had a lovely lunch at Georges Seafood Restaurant. Nanny pulled out her trusty sunglasses to block out the indoor glare.

The school holidays were upon us again last month. The timing of the holidays also coincided with Carissa having time off between jobs. She just finished work at the Commonwealth Bank and has just started work with Queensland Health based at the Royal Brisbane Hospital Offices.
We loaded up the car with the kids and headed up the sunshine coast to Mooloolaba for a week.

Colin planned to join us midway through the week but came down with the flu so his holiday leave turned into sick leave and instead of spending the week at the beach he spent it in bed..

We went swimming every day and spent alot of time at the parks and beach. The week certainly went quickly and was lots of fun. When we returned home each of us one by one came down with the dreaded flu so the second week of the holidays wasn't so great.

Picture taken on our day trip from Moololaba to Noosa

It has been wonderful having Mum & Dad here in Queensland for the past twelve months but I have really felt for Mum who has been living with a leg ulcer for the past year. I have seen the pain it has caused and the frustration at not always being able to do what she has wanted and the unbelievable thing was that it all started when she got a tiny nick when shaving her legs. I know at times she has thought it would never heal and we have often felt helpless not knowing what else we could do to help. Four to five months ago she finally started treatment that begun to work. It required alot of committment on her part going to the hospital in Brisbane every week to have a 4 layers of dressing, bandages and compression stockings on. I would imagine it would be like having a python wrapped around your leg trying to strangle it. She has had to have it covered with glad wrap and a gabrage bag every day to shower and has needed to keep off it and keep it elevated as much as possible. FINALLY the ulcer is healed. She has certainly had to practice alot of patience It is nice to see Mum getting about more now and the relief knowing she can shower normally and start swimming again soon. Unfortunately she still has to wear compression stockings every day but at least it's not 4 layers worth.

This is what her leg has looked liked for the past four months


Underneath the layers - the ulcer. Her leg is very skinny now where she has been in compression for so long.

We are very excited at the moment as we have a new primary school and high school being built in our suburb. The primary school is going in just near our house and will be ready for school next year. It will be even closer than walking the kids to the bus stop to go to the school they currently attend. We have been attending lots of meetings where the parents have had input on the name of the school, the uniform, the school behaviour plan, naming of the building blocks and many other aspects of setting up a new school. The school will be called Norfolk Village State School.

This photo is taken from our front door and I have marked the roof of the new school with a blue arrow. It is just behind the houses on our street and about a two minute walk. Can't wait for it to be completed!!

FINALLY A DATE

I finally got a date last week for my operation. I go into hospital in just under 4 weeks on the 10th November. I am very nervous and will be glad when it is all over and done with. The timing works out well though as Colin & I are off to Tassie the week before for a wedding so I am so glad the dates don't clash