Max (admiring this car in a magazine): I'm going to get one of these.
Alec: D'you know they're 310 kw.
Max (sighing): Dad wouldn't let me get one.
Sunday, June 29, 2008
310 kw
Max (admiring this car in a magazine): I'm going to get one of these.
Alec: D'you know they're 310 kw.
Max (sighing): Dad wouldn't let me get one.
Dwarfheroes
I came home from a temple recommend interview to find Jesse, Louisa and Max dressed as dwarfheroes (dwarfs with special powers) - quilts around their shoulder and boots.
Max loves exclamation marks. He was so proud because he was sure he had the spelling correct.
They are lucky little kids to have a sister like Jess who loves them and plays with them - and she is lucky to have little brothers and sisters who appreciate it so much.
Max loves exclamation marks. He was so proud because he was sure he had the spelling correct.
They are lucky little kids to have a sister like Jess who loves them and plays with them - and she is lucky to have little brothers and sisters who appreciate it so much.
Theatre Restaurant
Pine's annual theatre restaurant was it's usual success.
Max was a boy called sandwich who loved eating sandwiches. (which apparently is hilarious if you are a kid.)
Max was a boy called sandwich who loved eating sandwiches. (which apparently is hilarious if you are a kid.)
Louisa was Jim-Bob Franklin - the mayor of the town.
Birds
The little boys - Max, Ammon, Robert & Samuel - are a Norman Rockwell painting as they wander around between the houses playing.
Max and Ammon - dressed in gumboots and jedi robes - were lying on the fort staring into the sky. A moment or two later Max came in and told us they had seen a beautiful bird and if you lie on the fort you can watch it. He had just come in for some pillows.
Ammon arrives
Ammon did bring his parents with him - but most of the excitement was centered on Ammon. Louisa and Max were keen to go out to the airport to meet them and since the plane was delayed spent a long time watching people arriving.
Thomas News
This weeks letter:
Well, last week things took a turn for the worst with Aleksandra. After weeks of not talking to her daughter herself, God forced it on her and the results were not pretty. Aleksandra came with us to a baptismal service. Not hers, as she had not yet spoken to her daughter. While we were walking there, her daughter drove past and saw her on the street with us. She was totally enraged!
She later phoned up Aleksandra three times that day with the intent of yelling at her. Later, Aleksandra went to her daughters house (how she could, I don't know). The whole family was gathered there and they started yelling at her. Swearing, telling her how foolish she was, the works. Aleksandra was trying to keep the saviour in her mind. She said that when she closed her eyes she could see him, but when she opened them again to see her family yelling at her, the feeling of love left.
That should have been the end of the story. Hardly. Aleksandra's daughter also called all of Aleksandra's neighbours and they all came around and told her what a bad person she was for joining what they called "the sectists". She told us that she felt as though everyone was against her. She says that we can no longer go to her, and that we'll just have to figure out some other way. Needless to say, we've been praying and fasting for her. Also needless to say that it makes my blood boil thinking about the way that Aleksandra's own relatives (who, by the way, don't care much about religion themselves) could be so heartless to such a sweet old woman. We are not giving up on her yet. She has a solid testimony of the gospel, but needs a little time to recover. The whole story disgusts me.
It hasn't all been bad this week, though. This Monday we had an activity with the branch (for which I foolishly forgot my camera). Monday is the Latvian holiday known as Ligo (pronounced "Lee-go"). It's the longest day of the year and as such, there are a lot of fairly pagan traditions surrounding it. Including wearing a leaf wreath on your head, and jumping over a fire. A lot of fun, and great for the members.
This week has been the start of a new transfer. I'm still with Elder Berryhill. We have a VERY serious goal to find a family. And not just any family. In our prayers we have been very specific with who we want to find- our leaders have been recommending this quite a lot over the last two zone conferences. We've also been willing to let the Lord know what we are willing to do, and what we feel we need to do to accomplish this. For example, how many contacts are we willing to get, how many lessons are we willing to teach this week, etc. I'll let you know how this progresses.
Well, that's all from me this week. I love and miss all of you.
Last weeks letter (this is my fault - I asked if there was anything that would have made him better prepared):
I'll first address what families can do to better prepare sons and daughters for missions.
First are generally things that have helped me that I would advise young men and women to do. I would advise teaching these things.
- Keep the standards in "For The Strength of Youth". As a missionary, you are going to have to get used to cutting the cord from the world. Specifically, you are going to have to accept the fact that missionaries are something of an oddity. Such a vast separation from a increasingly wicked world can best be aided by beginning such a separation now by keeping these standards. That way, it will not seem torturous when you are called to keep the generally higher standards of missionary work, or do a work that is occasionally mocked by the world, yet praised of God.
-Work hard in school, seminary, and all other aspects of life, even if it is occasionally tedious. There are going to be aspects of missionary work that require a lot of diligence. Simply saying "I can't do that" or "That's not my thing" is not going to make your mission happy or successful. Develop a habit of working hard so that working hard as a missionary will not have to be forced.
-Increase your circle of friends. Learn to talk to all sorts of people. That includes those of other races, cultures, ages, or locations. Learn to try to relate to them. The people you encounter are more than a mere baptismal statistic, and if treated that as one, will not make those important steps towards salvation. You must look at them the way Christ would.
-Learn to profess your belief. Don't keep it a secret that you are a church member. When asked, don't wash over the fact that you actually know that the principles you believe in are true. As a missionary, it is not worth it to fear that people will mock you if you start proselyting- occasionally, that happens anyway. Young men should get used to proclaiming their faith so that they are not ashamed of the gospel, and don't need to apologise for anything relating to it.
As for things that were revelation instead of review in the MTC, I'd say that the only thing I didn't understand fully was the relation between Repentance and Baptism. It is important to grasp that Repentance is not complete without the covenant to take the name of Christ upon yourself.
The important part, I think is to get young men reading "Preach my Gospel" and going on meeting with missionaries. It's then that you realise the Church is not a social network, but God's truth restored.
Now for the questions:Are you studying effectively and being prepared to teach?
When I study the primary purpose is to feel the spirit insomuch that I can feel I have power when I teach. Of course, I also study the principles I intend to teach and what scriptures I can use to speak to the investigator's heart.
Are you developing Christlike qualities?
Developing Christlike qualities doesn't happen immediately. However, the more I study about Christlike qualities, the more I realize how closely their development is connected to doing the work.Do you recognise and understand the Spirit better than you did before your mission?Yes. I have realized that the spirit directs you when you are in the process of doing something good. For example, the spirit does not direct you in how to fulfill your calling until you are trying to do that yourself.
Do you have a greater testimony of the Book of Mormon?
Yes. The more I read form it, the more I come off feeling enlightened, motivated and comforted.
How are you doing with learning your Russian?
Russian is coming along nicely. I am now able to speak confidently with people. Of course, I am not fluent and cannot speak perfectly. But usually you can sense their feelings- a gift of the spirit.
Are you using your time (what's left of it) wisely?
I am trying. It's hard to tell if I am, occasionally, but generally we are contacting at the right time to contact, harvesting at the right time to harvest and teaching at the right time to teach.
Are you working to improve your teaching skills?
Always. I am constantly on the prowl for new scriptures, added insight and a better understanding of the language in order to meet the needs of my investigators. As for my purpose as a missionary. Yes, it is well understood. And the more I see people change thanks to the gospel, the more I realize the power of that purpose.
Well, that said, it turns out Aleksandra is going to speak to her daughter today. She even said "This time, I'm going to her house so she can't leave before I get a chance to tell her." Apparently that's what happened last time.
Well, lots more to do today, I'll write more about the work next week.
Well, last week things took a turn for the worst with Aleksandra. After weeks of not talking to her daughter herself, God forced it on her and the results were not pretty. Aleksandra came with us to a baptismal service. Not hers, as she had not yet spoken to her daughter. While we were walking there, her daughter drove past and saw her on the street with us. She was totally enraged!
She later phoned up Aleksandra three times that day with the intent of yelling at her. Later, Aleksandra went to her daughters house (how she could, I don't know). The whole family was gathered there and they started yelling at her. Swearing, telling her how foolish she was, the works. Aleksandra was trying to keep the saviour in her mind. She said that when she closed her eyes she could see him, but when she opened them again to see her family yelling at her, the feeling of love left.
That should have been the end of the story. Hardly. Aleksandra's daughter also called all of Aleksandra's neighbours and they all came around and told her what a bad person she was for joining what they called "the sectists". She told us that she felt as though everyone was against her. She says that we can no longer go to her, and that we'll just have to figure out some other way. Needless to say, we've been praying and fasting for her. Also needless to say that it makes my blood boil thinking about the way that Aleksandra's own relatives (who, by the way, don't care much about religion themselves) could be so heartless to such a sweet old woman. We are not giving up on her yet. She has a solid testimony of the gospel, but needs a little time to recover. The whole story disgusts me.
It hasn't all been bad this week, though. This Monday we had an activity with the branch (for which I foolishly forgot my camera). Monday is the Latvian holiday known as Ligo (pronounced "Lee-go"). It's the longest day of the year and as such, there are a lot of fairly pagan traditions surrounding it. Including wearing a leaf wreath on your head, and jumping over a fire. A lot of fun, and great for the members.
This week has been the start of a new transfer. I'm still with Elder Berryhill. We have a VERY serious goal to find a family. And not just any family. In our prayers we have been very specific with who we want to find- our leaders have been recommending this quite a lot over the last two zone conferences. We've also been willing to let the Lord know what we are willing to do, and what we feel we need to do to accomplish this. For example, how many contacts are we willing to get, how many lessons are we willing to teach this week, etc. I'll let you know how this progresses.
Well, that's all from me this week. I love and miss all of you.
Last weeks letter (this is my fault - I asked if there was anything that would have made him better prepared):
I'll first address what families can do to better prepare sons and daughters for missions.
First are generally things that have helped me that I would advise young men and women to do. I would advise teaching these things.
- Keep the standards in "For The Strength of Youth". As a missionary, you are going to have to get used to cutting the cord from the world. Specifically, you are going to have to accept the fact that missionaries are something of an oddity. Such a vast separation from a increasingly wicked world can best be aided by beginning such a separation now by keeping these standards. That way, it will not seem torturous when you are called to keep the generally higher standards of missionary work, or do a work that is occasionally mocked by the world, yet praised of God.
-Work hard in school, seminary, and all other aspects of life, even if it is occasionally tedious. There are going to be aspects of missionary work that require a lot of diligence. Simply saying "I can't do that" or "That's not my thing" is not going to make your mission happy or successful. Develop a habit of working hard so that working hard as a missionary will not have to be forced.
-Increase your circle of friends. Learn to talk to all sorts of people. That includes those of other races, cultures, ages, or locations. Learn to try to relate to them. The people you encounter are more than a mere baptismal statistic, and if treated that as one, will not make those important steps towards salvation. You must look at them the way Christ would.
-Learn to profess your belief. Don't keep it a secret that you are a church member. When asked, don't wash over the fact that you actually know that the principles you believe in are true. As a missionary, it is not worth it to fear that people will mock you if you start proselyting- occasionally, that happens anyway. Young men should get used to proclaiming their faith so that they are not ashamed of the gospel, and don't need to apologise for anything relating to it.
As for things that were revelation instead of review in the MTC, I'd say that the only thing I didn't understand fully was the relation between Repentance and Baptism. It is important to grasp that Repentance is not complete without the covenant to take the name of Christ upon yourself.
The important part, I think is to get young men reading "Preach my Gospel" and going on meeting with missionaries. It's then that you realise the Church is not a social network, but God's truth restored.
Now for the questions:Are you studying effectively and being prepared to teach?
When I study the primary purpose is to feel the spirit insomuch that I can feel I have power when I teach. Of course, I also study the principles I intend to teach and what scriptures I can use to speak to the investigator's heart.
Are you developing Christlike qualities?
Developing Christlike qualities doesn't happen immediately. However, the more I study about Christlike qualities, the more I realize how closely their development is connected to doing the work.Do you recognise and understand the Spirit better than you did before your mission?Yes. I have realized that the spirit directs you when you are in the process of doing something good. For example, the spirit does not direct you in how to fulfill your calling until you are trying to do that yourself.
Do you have a greater testimony of the Book of Mormon?
Yes. The more I read form it, the more I come off feeling enlightened, motivated and comforted.
How are you doing with learning your Russian?
Russian is coming along nicely. I am now able to speak confidently with people. Of course, I am not fluent and cannot speak perfectly. But usually you can sense their feelings- a gift of the spirit.
Are you using your time (what's left of it) wisely?
I am trying. It's hard to tell if I am, occasionally, but generally we are contacting at the right time to contact, harvesting at the right time to harvest and teaching at the right time to teach.
Are you working to improve your teaching skills?
Always. I am constantly on the prowl for new scriptures, added insight and a better understanding of the language in order to meet the needs of my investigators. As for my purpose as a missionary. Yes, it is well understood. And the more I see people change thanks to the gospel, the more I realize the power of that purpose.
Well, that said, it turns out Aleksandra is going to speak to her daughter today. She even said "This time, I'm going to her house so she can't leave before I get a chance to tell her." Apparently that's what happened last time.
Well, lots more to do today, I'll write more about the work next week.
Thomas News
Well, last week things took a turn for the worst with Aleksandra.
After weeks of not talking to her daughter herself, God forced it on her and the results were not pretty. Aleksandra came with us to a baptismal service. Not hers, as she had not yet spoken to her daughter. While we were walking there, He daughter drove past and saw her on the street with us. She was totally enraged!
She later phoned up Aleksandra three times that day with the intent on yelling at her. Later, Aleksandra went to her daughters house (How she could, I don't know). The whole family was gathered there and they started yelling at her. Swearing, telling her how foolish she was, the works. Aleksandra was trying to keep the saviour in her mind. She said that when she closed her eyes she could see him, but when she opened them again to see her family yelling at her, the feeling of love left.
That should have been the end of the story. Hardly. Aleksandra's daughter also called all of Aleksandra's neighbours and they all came around and told her what a bad person she was for joining what they called "the sectists". She told us that she felt as though everyone was against her.
She says that we can no longer go to her, and that we'll just have to figure out some other way. Needless to say, we've been praying and fasting for her. Also needless to say that it makes my blood boil thinking about the way that Aleksandra's own relatives (who, by the way, don't care much about religion themselves) could be so heartless to such a sweet old woman. We are not giving up on her yet. She has a solid testimony of the gospel, but needs a little time to recover. The whole story disgusts me.
It hasn't all been bad this week, though. This Monday we had an activity with the branch (for which I foolishly forgot my camera). Monday is the Latvian holiday known as Ligo (pronounced "Lee-go"). It's the longest day of the year and as such, there are a lot of fairly pagan traditions surrounding it. Including wearing a leaf wreath on your head, and jumping over a fire. A lot of fun, and great for the members.
This week has been the start of a new transfer. I'm still with Elder Berryhill. We have a VERY serious goal to find a family. And not just any family. In our prayers we have been very specific with who we want to find- our leaders have been recommending this quite a lot over the last two zone conferences. We've also been willing to let the Lord know what we are willing to do, and what we feel we need to do to accomplish this. For example, how many contacts are we willing to get, how many lessons are we willing to teach this week, etc. I'll let you know how this progresses.
Well, that's all from me this week. I love and miss all of you.
After weeks of not talking to her daughter herself, God forced it on her and the results were not pretty. Aleksandra came with us to a baptismal service. Not hers, as she had not yet spoken to her daughter. While we were walking there, He daughter drove past and saw her on the street with us. She was totally enraged!
She later phoned up Aleksandra three times that day with the intent on yelling at her. Later, Aleksandra went to her daughters house (How she could, I don't know). The whole family was gathered there and they started yelling at her. Swearing, telling her how foolish she was, the works. Aleksandra was trying to keep the saviour in her mind. She said that when she closed her eyes she could see him, but when she opened them again to see her family yelling at her, the feeling of love left.
That should have been the end of the story. Hardly. Aleksandra's daughter also called all of Aleksandra's neighbours and they all came around and told her what a bad person she was for joining what they called "the sectists". She told us that she felt as though everyone was against her.
She says that we can no longer go to her, and that we'll just have to figure out some other way. Needless to say, we've been praying and fasting for her. Also needless to say that it makes my blood boil thinking about the way that Aleksandra's own relatives (who, by the way, don't care much about religion themselves) could be so heartless to such a sweet old woman. We are not giving up on her yet. She has a solid testimony of the gospel, but needs a little time to recover. The whole story disgusts me.
It hasn't all been bad this week, though. This Monday we had an activity with the branch (for which I foolishly forgot my camera). Monday is the Latvian holiday known as Ligo (pronounced "Lee-go"). It's the longest day of the year and as such, there are a lot of fairly pagan traditions surrounding it. Including wearing a leaf wreath on your head, and jumping over a fire. A lot of fun, and great for the members.
This week has been the start of a new transfer. I'm still with Elder Berryhill. We have a VERY serious goal to find a family. And not just any family. In our prayers we have been very specific with who we want to find- our leaders have been recommending this quite a lot over the last two zone conferences. We've also been willing to let the Lord know what we are willing to do, and what we feel we need to do to accomplish this. For example, how many contacts are we willing to get, how many lessons are we willing to teach this week, etc. I'll let you know how this progresses.
Well, that's all from me this week. I love and miss all of you.
Friday, June 20, 2008
Max
At dinner last night Roger mentioned something from 'the '70s'. Max was impressed - "you mean you were alive in the 70's! That was in the 1900's!" I suppose it's true but it sounds a long time ago.
We have a hopeless student teacher at Pine - he argues with the kids, insists on getting a turn at everything right down to a turn on the computer or a turn of climbing a tree! The kids are well and truly fed up and Max told him yesterday that 'You're a teacher and teachers are supposed to fix problems - not cause problems.' Sadly it doesn't seem to have had any real impact.
We have a hopeless student teacher at Pine - he argues with the kids, insists on getting a turn at everything right down to a turn on the computer or a turn of climbing a tree! The kids are well and truly fed up and Max told him yesterday that 'You're a teacher and teachers are supposed to fix problems - not cause problems.' Sadly it doesn't seem to have had any real impact.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Cold in Narnia
It was a bit cold on Saturday morning:
Louisa and Max are mad for Narnia since seeing Prince Caspian at the movies - it was so good that Alec has even started reading The Magicians Nephew! Max and Louisa have nominated that Alec is Prince Caspian (he's very flattered), Peet is Peter (for obvious reasons), Jesse is Susan (because she is the oldest girl), Louisa is Lucy (because their names both begin with L) and Max is Edmund (because 'I have Edmunds attitude'). They have made all sorts of treasures and routinely head outside to 'go visit the Narnians' - who apparently reside somewhere near the swings.
Pine
Crazy hair and clothes day - blurry Louisa who woke up at 5 am for Jesse to do her hair.
Monday, June 16, 2008
Max in Sacrament
Max had a busy sacrament meeting - first he started crying for no apparent reason. Apparently he doesn't want to turn 8 - it's too much responsibility and he can't possibly live up to the standard for a baptised boy! After a lengthy discussion about help from the Holy Ghost, repentance and unconditional love he settled and we went back into the meeting - I suppose it's a good thing that he's taking it so seriously??
Then - Max looked at my hand - which apparently is getting a bit wrinkly - and asked if I have had leprosy!!
Then - Max looked at my hand - which apparently is getting a bit wrinkly - and asked if I have had leprosy!!
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
2 days
2 days work and $250 later we have managed to put up a small and free shed. Lee handed down his shed from Kedron and Roger and the kids put it up at our place over the long weekend.
Saturday was all about cleaning up and getting the base ready.
Alec was motorbike riding,
Found in the wood pile that was moved to make room for the shed:
Saturday was all about cleaning up and getting the base ready.
Monday was concreting and assembly.
Alec was motorbike riding,
and Jesse was studying so it was mainly Roger and the three little kids - I was helping Lee with Louisa's goat pen. It rained, was windy and cold, but we all soldiered on.
We thought that surely after a whole day of mixing and carting concrete that Peet would be at least a little tired - too tired perhaps to juggle and sing all through dinner - but no.
Alec got home in time to help with the final assembly - which was pretty tricky due to a new cement floor being under the shed - so we couldn't go inside to bolt it down.
It was about at this point - with Roger balancing on the ladder which was balancing on bits of wood and bricks while Alec and I held it to stop it slipping down the muddy bank that Max said 'OK, Mum and Alec let go!' - he was holding the camera and had it pointing at Roger - ready to capture the big fall. When we said no -he assured us that it was ok because he 'had the video on!'
Found in the wood pile that was moved to make room for the shed:
A blind snake
A legless lizard
A cute brown tree frog.
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Stories
Had dinner at Lee & Joan's last night - so that we could keep working around here and not have to stop for dinner prep - and heard a few cute stories.
Lee remembered being 12 or 13 and going to work at 2.30 in the morning - no breakfast till 9.30 or 10 - he got so hungry that he would buy Mars Bars from the shop down the hill and put them under his hat so no one knew they were there and sneak them when no one was looking.
Joan told the kids the 'snake and the works story' - Grandma and Grandad Thomas would go to Mama Luigis in Brisbane for dinner and Grandad (Cyril) always ordered Steak and the Works - a huge steak with spag bog all around it. Then one day at Werribee (outside Dingo) Warren killed a huge snake and took it in to Grandma (Viv) who thought it would be funny to serve it up for lunch. So she carefully coiled it up on a platter, put a white tea towel over it and when Grandad sat down and asked what was for lunch, she casually answered 'snake and the works', and put the covered platter on the table in front of him. (For some reason he saw nothing amiss in having his lunch brought to him covered with a white tea towel.) When he pulled the cover off he jumped sky high and across the verandah - to everyone elses great amusement and loud laughter. He eventually sat back down for his real lunch muttering 'not my idea of fun.' Which caused Warren to write a ditty - "That snake on the platter put the wind up me, I jumped as high as the eye can see, I don't like the buggers and they don't like me, not my idea of fun.' - which the family still sing.
When I was a tiny baby Lee & Joan were going from Mt Isa to Alice Springs and were sleeping out in swags - I would sleep with Joan, tiny, blonde haired and blue eyed peeking out from the swag. One time they were lying in the swags and Joan was not dressed - Lee was being smart and looked over her shoulder and said 'g'day mate' as though someone was there - Joan said the funny thing was that all she cared about was that she wasn't dressed - no worry at all about a stranger coming to their camp in the middle of nowhere.
Lee said he saw a hand cement mixer for sale and almost bought it for Wayne - apparently when they were first working in Australia they built ten 8000 gallon cement tanks - by hand. Wayne was shorter so he hand to turn the cement mixer and Lee lifted the wheel barrows of cement into the tank. Joan said that was why Lee could lift a 44 gallon drum full of something on to the back of the truck - he used to show the men who were working for them and tell them to load the rest - he didn't keep his men for long - they all found greener pastures.
Lindsay Jane recently had a baby boy - Oliver - and when Joan and Sue were visiting Paul mentioned that he really remembered two babies - me and Becky - both because they were so awful. Joan reckoned he should remember me since she walked out on the verandah at Dandenong to find me lying on the floor with Paul (who was only 12 or so at the time) dropping a knife - first on one side of my head then on the other!
Last story - Lee & Joan had a wooden caravan - the one we were living in at the back of Pipers house in Mt Isa when I was born. They were going from Mt Isa to Alice Springs or Charters Towers (can't remember which) and Lee said he took his eye off the caravan for two seconds and Joan filled the space under the bed at the back of the van with books. So they headed off and the back of the van was swaying allover the place - they'd pulled the van before so it was all very puzzling. Lee stopped the car and checked the car over, then checked the van over, then finally stood back to think and noticed that the back of the van was lower than the front - and figured out the problem.
Lee remembered being 12 or 13 and going to work at 2.30 in the morning - no breakfast till 9.30 or 10 - he got so hungry that he would buy Mars Bars from the shop down the hill and put them under his hat so no one knew they were there and sneak them when no one was looking.
Joan told the kids the 'snake and the works story' - Grandma and Grandad Thomas would go to Mama Luigis in Brisbane for dinner and Grandad (Cyril) always ordered Steak and the Works - a huge steak with spag bog all around it. Then one day at Werribee (outside Dingo) Warren killed a huge snake and took it in to Grandma (Viv) who thought it would be funny to serve it up for lunch. So she carefully coiled it up on a platter, put a white tea towel over it and when Grandad sat down and asked what was for lunch, she casually answered 'snake and the works', and put the covered platter on the table in front of him. (For some reason he saw nothing amiss in having his lunch brought to him covered with a white tea towel.) When he pulled the cover off he jumped sky high and across the verandah - to everyone elses great amusement and loud laughter. He eventually sat back down for his real lunch muttering 'not my idea of fun.' Which caused Warren to write a ditty - "That snake on the platter put the wind up me, I jumped as high as the eye can see, I don't like the buggers and they don't like me, not my idea of fun.' - which the family still sing.
When I was a tiny baby Lee & Joan were going from Mt Isa to Alice Springs and were sleeping out in swags - I would sleep with Joan, tiny, blonde haired and blue eyed peeking out from the swag. One time they were lying in the swags and Joan was not dressed - Lee was being smart and looked over her shoulder and said 'g'day mate' as though someone was there - Joan said the funny thing was that all she cared about was that she wasn't dressed - no worry at all about a stranger coming to their camp in the middle of nowhere.
Lee said he saw a hand cement mixer for sale and almost bought it for Wayne - apparently when they were first working in Australia they built ten 8000 gallon cement tanks - by hand. Wayne was shorter so he hand to turn the cement mixer and Lee lifted the wheel barrows of cement into the tank. Joan said that was why Lee could lift a 44 gallon drum full of something on to the back of the truck - he used to show the men who were working for them and tell them to load the rest - he didn't keep his men for long - they all found greener pastures.
Lindsay Jane recently had a baby boy - Oliver - and when Joan and Sue were visiting Paul mentioned that he really remembered two babies - me and Becky - both because they were so awful. Joan reckoned he should remember me since she walked out on the verandah at Dandenong to find me lying on the floor with Paul (who was only 12 or so at the time) dropping a knife - first on one side of my head then on the other!
Last story - Lee & Joan had a wooden caravan - the one we were living in at the back of Pipers house in Mt Isa when I was born. They were going from Mt Isa to Alice Springs or Charters Towers (can't remember which) and Lee said he took his eye off the caravan for two seconds and Joan filled the space under the bed at the back of the van with books. So they headed off and the back of the van was swaying allover the place - they'd pulled the van before so it was all very puzzling. Lee stopped the car and checked the car over, then checked the van over, then finally stood back to think and noticed that the back of the van was lower than the front - and figured out the problem.
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Flood
Brisbane had a heap of gorgeous unseasonal rain - inches and inches. So because we can't resist a flood - and because the mongrel council 'fixed' all the roads around our place years ago so we can't get flooded in - we went to check out the floods along Cedar Creek Road. Roaring creek with closed roads - Alec reckoned it was a wonder Matthew wasn't killed when the truck he was in was swept down Cedar Creek in a similar flood a few years ago - tractors ferrying people across the water. Now the kids want to sell and move to the end of Cedar Creek Road so we can be flooded in.
Gowrie
The Pine pot luck dinner that was due to be held at our house last weekend was cancelled due to rain! That's the third time we've cancelled a Pine pot luck at our house due to rain - and we're in the middle of a drought - maybe we should keep trying and break the drought! But it did leave us with a free Saturday - since we didn't have to spend the entire day trying to clean up enough for guests - so we went up to Toowoomba to check out how the Gowrie subdivision - now known as Birdwood Sanctuary Estate - was looking. It was wet up there - though not as much as at home - and Alec brought the motorbike for a bit of blacksoil fun.
Lee drove us past the new Ballymoss subdivision and we headed for home stopping of course to buy some cheap fruit and veg on the way.
Sunday, June 1, 2008
Louisa takes a trip
Joan took Louisa to Sydney. Louisa slept over at Lee & Joan's on Wednesday night and thy flew to Sydney on Thursday morning. I flew down on Friday morning and we all came back on Saturday afternoon. This translates to Louisa having two nights away from me- which is a major event for Louisa - and she didn't cry once.
Joan phoned when they got into the city for help with finding the hotel - and they walked for miles to get there. The next thing I heard was a text message saying 'we're about to go on the sky walk'. Louisa had said no to a Harbour Bridge climb because she was worried about the height and the sky walk turned out to be twice the height - they loved it and Louisa could identify things they had seen from the air as we walked and rode around Sydney.
We seem to have collected 'wall' photos of Louisa.
In Darlinghurst - not far from the Jewish Museum:
We went to Glebe that afternoon - a trip to Glebe Books being an essential part of a visit to Sydney. Louisa managed to spend some of the money Lee gave her at the the kids shop (a CD of Little Town on the Prairie - she was so excited to be able to surprise Jesse with a new Cd to listen to a night). Walking on the wall outside the old church at Glebe:
We had dinner at Double Bay and on Saturday morning Louisa and I went to Kirribilli markets while Joan had a massage. We had some extra time so we walked around The Rocks too - and wished we had another few days.
Joan phoned when they got into the city for help with finding the hotel - and they walked for miles to get there. The next thing I heard was a text message saying 'we're about to go on the sky walk'. Louisa had said no to a Harbour Bridge climb because she was worried about the height and the sky walk turned out to be twice the height - they loved it and Louisa could identify things they had seen from the air as we walked and rode around Sydney.
We seem to have collected 'wall' photos of Louisa.
In Darlinghurst - not far from the Jewish Museum:
We went to Glebe that afternoon - a trip to Glebe Books being an essential part of a visit to Sydney. Louisa managed to spend some of the money Lee gave her at the the kids shop (a CD of Little Town on the Prairie - she was so excited to be able to surprise Jesse with a new Cd to listen to a night). Walking on the wall outside the old church at Glebe:
We had dinner at Double Bay and on Saturday morning Louisa and I went to Kirribilli markets while Joan had a massage. We had some extra time so we walked around The Rocks too - and wished we had another few days.
We did have a great time - and Louisa developed an addiction to the chocolate coated bananas in the David Jones food hall - she ate maybe 15 of them over 3 days! Aside from loving Sydney anytime it was good to be out with just Louisa and Joan for a few days.
We got home in time to pick up Jesse from a party - and Roger, Peet and Max were waiting as we got off the plane holding a sign saying 'Louisa'. She was very pleased.
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