THOSE WERE THE DAYS

I just love this picture and the memories that flood back to me each time I look at it.

A few years ago on a lovely sunny Sunday we took a drive to the place where I spent my childhood. It felt amazing to be here again after 44 years. It felt especially strange as so much has changed for me.

For a moment I travelled back in time, I could see the young girl that was once me, walking to the shop which was just a few doors down from number 82, I remember playing in the park across the street with its huge trees that shaded the twisting path that ran the length of the park. I had mixed memories, sadness and joy as I miss that little girl, she had dreams that will now never be fulfilled. I wished I could retrace her foot steps and walk where she once walked, retrace the steps she took to school each day, the short cut she took through the hospital grounds, where her imagination ran wild and she would conjure up ghosts that came out in the corridor's, as she would run through screaming, hearing her voice echo in the tunnell that ran beneath the hospital, yet she did this each day to test her bravery.

I still remember the Hill immediately across from our front door, Mum always said we were never to go over the otherside as it was dangerous and something bad would happen if we did. I still do not know what is over that hill. (In those days children actually did what they were told. or was that just me.)

We took a drive down the main street, now that had changed; it now has gift shops and trendy cafes and restaurants where trend setters sat so as to be seen by other trend setters having lunch or they would just sit and sip caffe' lattes at small tables out on the sidewalk.

There was no longer a place for young families in this neighbourhood, sports cars lined the streets where once station wagons were parked. Well groomed poodles and small lap dogs had replaced the family pets.

The old buildings remained standing creating new memories for all the people who choose to dwell within them.

I will be interested to return to see the changes in another 20 years, I wonder what it will be like then. Will the families be back I hope so. that would be nice.

SIZE DOESN't MATTER

LOST IN TRANSLATION

Did I read that sign right:

TOILET OUT OF ORDER. PLEASE USE FLOOR BELOW

In a Laundromat:
AUTOMATIC WASHING MACHINES: PLEASE REMOVE ALL YOUR CLOTHES WHEN THE LIGHT GOES OUT

In a London department store:
BARGAIN BASEMENT UPSTAIRS

In an office:
WOULD THE PERSON WHO TOOK THE STEP LADDER YESTERDAY PLEASE BRING IT BACK OR FURTHER STEPS WILL BE TAKEN

In an office:
AFTER TEA BREAK STAFF SHOULD EMPTY THE TEAPOT AND STAND UPSIDE DOWN ON THE DRAINING BOARD

Outside a secondhand shop:
WE EXCHANGE ANYTHING - BICYCLES, WASHING MACHINES, ETC. WHY NOT BRING YOUR WIFE ALONG AND GET A WONDERFUL BARGAIN?

Notice in health food shop window:
CLOSED DUE TO ILLNESS

Spotted in a safari park:
ELEPHANTS PLEASE STAY IN YOUR CAR

Seen during a conference:
FOR ANYONE WHO HAS CHILDREN AND DOESN'T KNOW IT, THERE IS A DAY CARE ON THE 1ST FLOOR

Notice in a farmer's field:
THE FARMER ALLOWS WALKERS TO CROSS THE FIELD FOR FREE, BUT THE BULL CHARGES.

Message on a leaflet:
IF YOU CANNOT READ, THIS LEAFLET WILL TELL YOU HOW TO GET LESSONS

saved the best till last

On a repair shop door:
WE CAN REPAIR ANYTHING.
(PLEASE KNOCK HARD ON THE DOOR - THE BELL DOESN'T WORK)

A HOME AMONG THE GUM TREES

Last night my daughter performed at a Country Singing Competition. She is influenced by Norah Jones , Dixie Chicks, Missy Higgens and Brooke Fraser

Well as you know AUSTRALIAN country is usually about dreary everyday events sung in what should be an entertaining and interesting way. What I heard last night could never be called entertaining but dreary fits well.. It was dreary everyday events sung in a dreary way. Every song blended into the next. It was miserable. Tight throats, nasal voices, sharp notes every where and lack lustre performances. The judges had a terrible job to determine a winner. NO stand out today.

Some sounded like Mickey Mouse on helium.

My daughter did not fill THE bill for dreary country. THANK GOD and would never want to.

Had my daughter been well her choice of numbers would have been "Sin Wagon" a dynamic Dixie Chicks number. (believe me if she did she would been booed of the stage, this audience was not ready for that)... She was still getting over a major cold so settled for something less taxing "Life Line" a Brooke Fraser number. YES she should have blitz the competition.

She has a jaw dropping performance. That's the gene she gets from me.

I HAVE BEEN TRAUMATISED. I HAD FORGOTTEN WHAT AUSTRALIAN COUNTRY MUSIC WAS TRULY LIKE.

WEDDING DAY----Someone like you.

please click the above link to hear Van Morrison sing Someone like you

We married at the Victoria and Albert Guesthouse, a grand old building built in 1914 with high ceilings and antique furniture, steep stairways and narrow hall ways. We booked the front room for the ceremony and the reception. The only guests we invited were 4 of our closest friends, to act as witnesses for us and share in what was a magical and memorable day.


The front room boasted high ceilings and heavy drapes that covered stained glass windows, combine this with an open fireplace and the scene is set, and it is perfect.

We exchanged our vows in front of the large fireplace. My husband surprised me with a song he had chosen "Van Morrisson - Someone like you" and arranged to have it played during our marriage vows. This has become our song....I was overwhelmed as I knew it was from his heart and that is what makes this special. It still brings tears to my eyes each time I hear it. This song is meaningfull to both of us, because we both had been married before and had failed, and now to actually find each other and know it was right this time, well the lyrics in this song just said it all.


After signing the marriage certificate, we relaxed at a beautifully layed out table with sumptious feast that was prepaired just for us, we enjoyed each others company, drank the finest wine and had a smoke or 2.

This day was one of the most relaxed and memorable days in my life. And will remain one of my fondest merories...


We will be seeing Van Morrison Live at the Opera House next month. WOW

PASS THE PROZAC

I am having a few bad days of late. And thanks to the invention of Prozac I am able to cope.

I just keep reminding myself of a saying 'this to will pass" not sure if it is a saying but whatever. It keeps me going from one day till the next. Knowing that whenever I am having a very bad day tomorrow WILL be better.

Not to long ago I was younger, leaner and healthier, (those were the days) I would wake up early in the morning and get everything and everyone organized, breakfast on the table for the family, housework would be done before anyone was out of bed some days, AH Yes I was eager to face a full and productive day. There were times I worked three jobs. No one could keep up with me.

NOW,

God how things have changed. I am not complaining, but it is so BLOODY unfair. My faith has been tested, not sure I pass the test either. Still have trouble excepting my fate. I mean there is so much sickness in the world, I mean if I was GOD, could I, would I, just watch all the misery and do nothing. I know I would have to fix everything make it right. No more suffering, plenty to eat for everyone. you know just give everyone an equal starting point.

I hate the fact that I struggle out of bed everyday, I had plans damn it. I guess what I want to get across through this post today is, get the most out of each day and every day, stop getting upset about little things, because believe me when I tell you if you have your health you have everything that matters. You can not know what tomorrow will bring.

I had no idea my life could be turned upside down in this way, I traveled through life without any major health worries, no one in my family did either. Then at a ripe old age of 45 this happened, out of the blue. almost 9 years later and I still can't adjust to the new me. But I am working on it as I have no choice.......

Sorry this is a shit post to day...

ANY MORE SUGGESTIONS DEAR?