Hanging in there

Today was the second straight day of 45 degree heat (113 Farenheit) and it's simply disgusting. It's also about the 4th day of over 40 degree heat. I don't foresee it getting cooler for at least another week. I'm so glad I don't have to be out in it, and my only yard duty at school this year is actually in the air-conditioned library - YES!
I'm wishing I was in Tassie at the moment where it's just that little bit cooler! :-)

Grandpa Douglas AKA Grumpy Guts

Last week my beloved Grandpa passed away. He had been sick for a lot of years firstly with Prostate cancer, then a few years ago it was discovered that the cancer had spread through his bones. It has been an emotional time for the family, but we are happy that he is no longer in pain. He spent the last few months of his mortal life in a nursing home, but spent his last weeks constantly surrounded by family and friends. I am so grateful that my family here in Adelaide are loving and supportive of each other, especially for Grandma. Mum arrived from Tassie on Wed 14th Jan. Grandpa couldn't talk but he just looked into her eyes and communicated to her that he could hear her. She told him that he could go now, and that he would be reunited with his ancestors, and his 3 grandchildren in Heaven. It seems that Grandpa was waiting for mum, as he passed away in the early hours of Thursday morning.
Grandpa had been a lifelong atheist, but in the past few weeks he seemed to accept the existence of God and even said "Why won't God take me yet?" I'm glad Heavenly Father has taken him unto his care now.
I am so grateful for the knowledge I have that I will see my grandpa again, and that he will not have to suffer pain ever again.

Taken in November

Grandpa was affectionately known as grumpy guts by his 10 Grandchildren. The only time in his life he ever got mad was when he was left to babysit the grandkids while Grandma went shopping, and the grandkids would throw rocks in their swimming pool etc. the main offenders were Matthew and my little brother Reuben. As you can see despite being the oldest grandchild, I have long been the shortest!
My cousin Michael wrote and read Grandpa's eulogy and it was just beautiful. Grandpa served in the RAAF and Michael has recently joined the Airforce. We thought it would be a nice tribute for grandpa for Michael to wear his uniform at the funeral. He looked terrific!

Grandpa & Grandma Douglas

Life is an emotional rollercoaster, and I am so blessed to have a loving family to share it with.

BEING A PIRATE

My beautiful nephew Jamie's latest love is being a pirate. He does a pretty darn good pirate too!
This photo doesn't do it justice. I gotta get it on film and then post it...stay tuned

Silent Treatment

I was in my nephew's bad books today. I took this picture of him when he was giving me the silent treatment. Sue (my mother-in-law) and I took Meagan and Jamie to the museum to see the dinosaur display today, but lunchtime was when little Jamie turned on me. We asked what he wanted for lunch and he said "chips." We got him some hot chips and brought them to him and he pushed them away and put his hands over his eyes and refused to speak to us - especially me. No amount of coaxing and eating them in front of him would help. He then fell asleep in that position which was so funny. Silly little man!
We did find out what the real problem was a little later. It turns out he wanted chips as in potato chips (not HOT chips).
:)

Stinkin Hot

Yesterday was 41 degrees here in Adelaide. Sensibly I stayed inside and had the air con cranking. I watched a 3 hour movie (Dances with Wolves - classic) and just chilled out - literally.
The only prob was I had a b'ball game at 6.30 that evening. Our team had rung to see if the Women's B grade would be cancelling games and they said no, only the A grade cancel due to weather! What's with that? Surely the fitter, more skilled players can cope in such conditions. Anyway I went along. I stepped into the gym and nearly fainted. It was like a sauna. It was 41 degrees outside at 6.30 so I imagine it was even hotter in the gym. We began playing and my throat and chest were so dry and I couldn't breathe. I seriously thought I was going to pass out, and I am not one to complain about the heat. I usually love hot weather. Anyway I survived somehow and by the second half I didn't feel like I had permanent asthma. We lost to the top team by 4 points, which wasn't too bad an effort. It was funny though coz ours was the only game. Seems like the rest of the teams in our grade were pikers and forfeited!

Afterwards me and some of the girls went and got dinner and nice cold drinks from the Goodwood hotel (I have a feeling we broke the dress-code in our bball gear, but ah well). It was nice catching up.

Tassie Photos

Pete and I got back to Adelaide on the 1st Jan, and were greeted by Collette, Dale, Jess and a mystery guest;) We had the 4 of them stay til Saturday. It was great catching up with them and hearing about the goss from YSA convention.
I'll blog about them more later.
For now here are the photos I have been wanting to post from our trip.

The train being turned around

Simeon handing out gifts (family tradition)

Kristy (Sim's girlfriend) and Nana checking out their gifts

Me and my dear friend Lis catching up

Mixed Berry Pancake from Morty's food court in Launie