Goodbye 2007

Well, Christmas has been and gone and another year starts tomorrow. I am looking forward to putting 07 behind me. It has been a roller coaster of a year for me from massive highs to all-time lows, emotionally and physically. After cancer and the infections from surgery, being busy preparing for christmas and travelling I am now so damn tired I am emotionally stuffed and have caught the grandchildren's tummy bug. I can't So no celebrating for me tonight. I'll be in bed early again. But I will wake up tomorrow having subconsiously kicked 07 in the butt, good riddance! On the positive side I am rid of the big C, I turned 50 and had a wonderful celebration with family and friends and I had a wonderful year at work. I achieved my targets, reaped the rewards and had a lot of fun. Sadly Stew the boss has left now and we will have to 'train' a new boss (when we get one) and so another learning curve to come! Stew is a legend and has been so kind and supportive during my "07 challenges" I really appreciate him and will miss his whit and sense of humour.

The Christmas presents were finished on time (last minute of course) but I was proud of my efforts and really enjoyed making them. Here is Cameron's doll in Motorx pyjama's and leather slippers (as Cam has been racing for the last 4 years).

Cam was sick on Christmas Eve and most of Christmas Day but he still had a smile on his face watching everyone open their presents.

Alex loves Thomas the Tank Engine and his one has teddy bear slippers. Olivia, well she loves pink, anything pink and her's has bunny slippers.

These were from a Patchwork & Stitching mag. I love this photo of Alex when he unwrapped his. He is a gorgeous boy ah. But only 2 1/2 years old.

Here is Olivia (4 in March) and Alex with big brother George (12).

'Tabitha' has been to the Dolls Hospital and received new eyes for Christmas. She has been lovingly bathed during her 33 years to the extent that she looked like 'chuckys sister'.

I 'borrowed' her from my daughter Annette, and after surgery I made her some new clothes. Annette was really excited to unwrap her on Christmas Day. Hubby thought she was nuts but she takes after her mum being sentimental (lucky she didn't get my dum brains).

Thank you to everyone who has given me support this year especially over the last 5 months ( wow, it seems a lifetime but it's all happened so fast ah). My love to you all and here's to a wonderful, successful and positive year ahead. 08 is a nice round number, no edges, no endings, so it's bound to be really smooth.

Happy New Year everyone.

The Rooster has landed

Project R is now complete and gone to a good home. We held a Christmas party/Farewell for the boss yesterday and Roderick the Rooster was presented to him in a couple of KFC buckets - REJECT - who wants to eat Rooster!

The joke was that Stew has been the head of the hen house, is a little cocky (quick witted) and never goes off half-cocked (we've never even seen him grumpy)... I'm sure he's not an android though.

Stew has some amazing shoes, really radical and out there but he was brave enough to wear them to work one day and staff gave him heaps so this is Roderick in Stews' shoes and this is Roderick in our staff room. I made a calender of all the places in Palmy I could think of including one with a couple of students at the capping on Friday and with his cousins down at the Duck Pond!

It was fun but the sad thing is my computer isn't happy.. I can't access the internet and yet the modem is working fine. Have checked it with xtra so sounds like it will be off to the shop. So I'll have to make this short and sweet cause I shouldn't be doing it! Wink nudge Chris you lovely lady.. shhh!

I like this email so thought I would share it

A woman, renewing her driver's license at the Motor Registration office,was asked by the counter clerk to state her occupation.

She hesitated, uncertain how to classify herself.

"What I mean is," explained the counter clerk,

"do you have a job or are you just a ..?"

"Of course I have a job," snapped the woman."I'm a Mum."

"We don't list 'Mum' as an occupation,

'housewife' covers it," said the clerk emphatically.

I forgot all about her story until one day I found myself in the same situation, this time at our own Medicare office.

The Clerk was obviously a career woman, poised, efficient, and possessed of a high sounding title like,"Official Interrogator" or "Town Registrar."

"What is your occupation?" she probed.

What made me say it? I do not know.

The words simply popped out.

"I'm a Research Associate in the field ofChild Development

and Human Relations."

The clerk paused, ball-point pen frozen in midair andlooked up as though she had not heard right.

I repeated the title slowly emphasizing the most significant words.

Then I stared with wonder as my pronouncement was written,

in bold, black ink on the official questionnaire.

"Might I ask," said the clerk with new interest,

"just what you do in your field?"

Coolly, without any trace of fluster in my voice,

I heard myself reply,

"I have a continuing program of research, (what mother doesn't)

In the laboratory and in the field,

(normally I would have said indoors and out).

I'm working for my Masters,

(first the Lord and then the whole family)

and already have four credits - (all daughters).

Of course, the job is one of the most demanding in the humanities,

(any mother care to disagree?)

and I often work 14 hours a day, (24 is more like it).

But the job is more challenging than most run-of-the-mill careers

and the rewards aremore of a satisfaction rather than just money."

There was an increasing note of respect in the clerk's voice as she completed the form, stood up, and personally ushered me to the door.

As I drove into our driveway, buoyed up by my glamorous new career, I was greeted by my lab assistants -- ages 13, 7, and 3.

Upstairs I could hear our new experimental model,(a 6 month old baby) in the child development program,testing out a new vocal pattern.

I felt I had scored a beat on bureaucracy!

And I had gone on the official records as someone more distinguished

and indispensable to mankind than "just another Mum."

Motherhood!What a glorious career!

Especially when there's a title on the door.

Does this make grandmothers

"Senior Research associates in the field of

Child Development and Human Relations"

And great grandmothers

"Executive Senior Research Associates?"

I think so!!!

I also think it makes Aunts

"Associate Research Assistants."

Birthdays

Well, this week is one for birthdays. My mother's was on Wednesday, my grandson George was 12 yesterday and my brother-in-law today. I managed to get cards and presents off to two of them which wasn't bad considering I'm usually late. I rang the bro in law this morning and wished him a happy day.
I sent my grandson a chess set. It's a beautiful piece.. wooden box with mirror and opague tiles on the top for the board. The pieces were quite heavy inside the box with a velvet lining. He rang last night to thank me and he was so appreciative. He learn't how to play at school and his dad plays too so hopefully they will enjoy some quiet time away from Olivia who is 3 and Alex who's 2.
Today has been a mixed day. Tests show the bug is still with me but it hasn't travelled or caused any infection anywhere else. Which is wonderful. I think I am feeling better each time I have antibiotics but it hasn't killed it. So my dr has referred me to a Gastroentrologist but I may have to wait a few weeks so will start on probiotics in the meantime. Gotta give it a go ah.
Been busy at work this week which is really good for me. I love being busy and getting my targets up. I live on targets, and goals. Pissed off that one of the blokes is way ahead of me because I've had the time off sick!
Well Project R isn't cut out yet but my friend Carol has been around tonight and agreed the fabrics are cool. It won't take me long so I will cut it out tomorrow. One more week till the boss's farewell and then he'll be starting in Auckland with all the Jaffa's on 10th December. So only two weeks to make him sorry he ever employed me haha. Or that he'll never forget us in Palmy North**
Well off to bed. Was going there an hour ago when my friends caught me in my nightie.... Not a pretty sight.
Still the scales might move further in the morning. There has to be a bonus in all this because I haven't found a 'nice' toilet paper lately. Someone said to put it in the freezer????? Might try it haha.
Goodnight all.

Must be nearly Christmas

Geez, where are the weeks going? I have so much to do.. I have no time for being tired at night right now. Despite Vancomcin for a week the dreaded Cdiff is still with me so I'm going to give alternative medicine a go. I've read that probiotics can be effective.

Well only 4 weeks till Christmas and I haven't bought A present yet! and only 1 week till Project R has to be finished and I haven't even started!! Typical KJ always running late but it will happen!!

But the weekend was wonderful. I had one of my gorgeous grandsons to stay. He was sooooo good and I was so proud to be his nan. I took him to our sewing day on Saturday complete with material he could sew up, my older sewing machine etc. He had a ball and I am amazed how clever a 7 yr old is at sewing a straight line! He loved it and everyone loved him. He passed around the morning tea, had a conversation with everyone and admired their work! I took him for a swim at lunchtime to break the monotony and give the ladies some peace but he was more than happy to go back. I'm now quilting his rug together so he can have it. He also made fabric cornucopia's to put on the

tree with little presents or sweets in them. Two squares of fabric and a piece of cord. so easy but in Christmas fabric I reckon they'll look gorgeous on a tree.

Well no time for adding more tonight. Time to get Project R started!

Support Group

Wow, I've found a support group for Cdiff on the internet. It is amazing that so many other people have this although I'm only the second patient my doctor has ever had with it. And the first with recurring cdiff. But it is not unknown to have it for several months even years. Huh not me! Times up. I start vancomycin tomorrow (if I can find the hospital pharmacy) haha. Gave me directions for the back door this avo but I didnt have long before another appointment so will go there before work tomorrow and go through the hospital.
I've found some brilliant quilting blogs .. click onto lazygal if you're interested. If I didnt have so much other stuff to do like scrapbooking pages for a friends birthday, George's quilt... before Xmas, a special object to sew... 'geez I need energizer batteries!!!
I am so excited. I'm helping to organise a farewell and it is going to be so much fun. (for me anyway haha). And by then I'D BETTER BE ABLE TO EAT MORE THAN MASHED POTATO! Even though its going to be weird not having Stew around (the boss) I am really looking forward to our Christmas party/Stew's farewell. Now, dont tell him Chris or he won't want to come!!! Haha.
Well, off to bed. Coro Street has finished. Need my beauty sleep ..hmm maybe not! but can't feel pain when I'm asleep! and with the sleeping pills EVERYTHING else settles too. Here's a hint - if you have diarrhea eat white bread and marmite. It doesnt go anywhere! So you're safe at work!

Garage Sale Treasures

I forgot to say in my blog that I found some treasures at a friends garage sale yesterday. She was selling stuff for an elderly couple who had stored their own parents 'stuff' in their garage for many years. Some of the newspapers were 1974! I bought a set of crystal wine glasses (so now I can have 9 wino's around instead of 3!, a beautiful chess set for my grandsons birthday and some gorgeous little plates and bowls. But my best find was this gorgeous venetian glass decanter and shot glasses. I think its beautiful. Now I just need something nice and 'safe' to display it on!

Did I need them? No, but they look good!