February 2012
1 post
JUST A COMMENT
Spare a thought for all dentists.
Last week I had an appointment for some dental repair, such an unpleasant event. I didn’t come out of it all that well, but I’m old so give me time I will recover.
My concern on this occasion was for the dentist. He was absolutely exhausted by the time he had completed, to his satisfaction, what had to be done.
So a week later and it is raining...
January 2012
1 post
HAPPY AUSTRALIA DAY
Finally had the new computer EMACHINE installed yesterday.
Thank you Ron and also thanks to Peter fro retrieving so much from the hard drive of the now deceased machine. It did not have a long life but I enjoyed it.
Some how this day seems like a whole new beginning for me. There are many reasons for that, need not be mentioned here.
I want to tell you about Deirdre, she is the duty nurse...
December 2011
5 posts
WHAT NANNA THINKS
Well HO HO HO and all that jazz, can I be myself (an old lady) or must I conform.
Today was Christmas Party day for the residents of this Hostel. I have NO complaints about this Hostel, it suits my needs very well and my family make up any shortfall. I am not a party person.
From my room I could hear quite loudly some men singing some old favourites and I guess that should get me in the mood....
MORE
This is the third day in a row that I have been out to a Christmas DO
Three very different occasions. The one today was with a club I have been a member of for 8 years, but I have not been for a long time, so I was given very nice welcome today
The highlight of this affair was the stage show brought to the club ‘at great cost’ Very brave ladies on stage doing what they should be...
HO HO HO
To-day I have attended a Christmas gathering of the seniors computer group. We have about 40 members and some visitors also came to-day. What a great bunch of like minded friends. There are no professionals among us, one person is a little cluier than the rest but we manage to help each other with whatever is annoying at the time.
Each week we start with a different chair and work our way around...
I'M ASKING
I have a friend, she is an English lady although lived in AUS for a long time. She is a very nice person, certainly has her own story to tall, as we all have. She has recently moved here into the village.
This lady is more than surprised and of course very pleased with how well she has been received by the friendly residents. When ever she comes up this part of the village she comes and has a...
CAROLS BY CANDLELIGHT
At this time of year it is the custom of the village programme to have this tradition up held and arrangements are carried out for the big event.
I need to question “Has this tradition changed over a number of years, or is it just me”
As I recall when it was introduced into Sydney many years ago the event was held in Hyde Park and each person held a candle and sang along with the...
November 2011
6 posts
During summer in this country we have temperatures as high as 40c.
Today being 1st September it is the first day of summer and it is 11c. Can only hope it improves.
This morning in the dining room the duty nurse is not only wearing odd socks but Bright Thursday out fit as well. She is such a breath of summer and the brightest thing about. She has a red dress with a selection of rainbow colours...
MUST BE LOSING SOMETHING
In this day and age I thought I was ready for anything. but today to my absolute amazement I have been given a paper that informs of the availability of a Beautician.
I can have among many things an eyebrow tint for $7.00.
Eyebrow wax and tint for $11.00.
Half leg waxing for $20.00
Full leg waxing for $30.00
The list goes on forever.
I don’t know whether I have lost my sense of...
SUMMER IS A'COMIN'
Only 3 days left of what was supposed to be spring.
In the spring months we have had the weather of all seasons.
As a very ordinary person I listen to those who believe we have a problem with “Global Warming” and those who think it will all just go away because of something about 100 years.
I have listened to scientists who are very sure there is trouble coming if we don’t...
BRIGHT THURSDAY
I have to give the staff credit for effort, they are so good.
This morning one girl is all dressed up as a BEE.
Bright yellow skirt and yellow and black striped top with frail wings at back.
Cute little antlers on her head. How good is that. 10 out of 10 I say.
REVENGE IS SWEET
Not that I want this fellow to suffer more than necessary but I am pleased to see him looking so miserable at breakfast this morning.
Obviously he has been given a stern talking to. It makes me smile to think what may be going through his mind. He is looking at me as though waiting for me to do the wrong thing and he will pounce on it.
Forget it fella I’m ahead of you.
THE MOVE
The management in their wisdom suggested I move to another room to save me being disturbed every night by the noise of my thoughtless, selfish, self centered, eccentric neighbour.
I liked the room I had, it got the early morning sun and I was close to interesting activity with staff coming and going throughout the day. I was not the one doing the disturbing so why should it be me to move. (I have...
October 2011
3 posts
ODD SOCKS DAY
It would be against all my principles to wear odd socks, but that is what we are having today.
I don’t see any of the residents wearing them but many of the staff have got their trouser legs tucked in to reveal their odd socks.
Thursdays is bright clothes day. At least it is a good talking point.
What I do notice today is the residents all wearing summer clothes. I was beginning to think...
THE NATIONAL CAPITAL
I have had a lovely week away in Canberra, the weather was perfect. I’m not sure if that was put on for me or the Queen.
My son and his wife are so nice to me and I am very grateful for that.
The 2 dogs also tolerated me pretty well. They are just a whisker away from human. Just don’t talk very much.
So now I am back in my room, but not for long. I was given the choice of 2 rooms...
ANTI TV OBSESSION
I really don’t understand myself why I am so obsessed with the noise of TV.
I think I may have inherited a gene from my mother that said ‘you will only watch ABC TV’ Over about the last year or so I found all the advertising for funeral plans on commercial channels extremely annoying. So much so that Ross would record any show that I was interested in and we could FF through...
September 2011
2 posts
AM I TOO OLD AND CRANKY
Over a lot of years I have enjoyed TV as much as anyone.
Over a lot of years TV has become so bad I do not want to watch it any more.
In our dining room there is a big screen TV for the benefit of all residents. When I go for a meal and the TV is on, I turn it off. Mostly some one will say thanks.
Recently when I went to dinner and there were about 10 people there the TV was blaring out like...
SPRING
Among the most delightful things in our lives are flowers.
In this part of the world it is spring time and the evidence is starting to show. The Magnolias are blooming and here in the courtyard close to me room is a very pretty Ornamental Peach Blossom bush and close by a delightful bush covered with white flowers. I’m not sure but it resembles the Geraldton Wax, although maybe they only...
August 2011
6 posts
THAT'S NICE
This is for Naomi who always writes something from her heart.
Happy birthday and happy year ahead for your 8 year old son, he has a whole lifetime coming up.. I have forgotten anything about when I was 8 except that was my age when my father died.
What cruel blows life hands us sometimes. I notice Naomi has her faith and no doubt she gains a lot of comfort from it.
I looked for the spot to...
Have a good trip
LEARNING TO MIND MY OWN BUSINESS
There is something in my genes that will not allow certain things to go unnoticed.
Throughout the number of associated villages there is a news sheet issued about monthly. Nothing is reported from this place just as though we do not exist. Twice since I have lived here only 2 items each of which I reported.
There is a couple living here who will celebrate their 70th wedding anniversary in...
AND AFTER THAT
Well I thought we had done all the celebrating for my birthday on Saturday.
On the right day I then found a nice card signed by all the ladies who sit at my table in the dining room and I thought that was very nice, so thanks all round to them.
However imagine my surprise when the staff arrived with a lovely SPONGE and CREAM cake with staff members singing HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU.
I looked around...
WHAT NOW
Today is my 88th birthday. I am hoping to have a good year coming up.
Many reasons why last year had problems, but I must forever feel hopeful for a good outlook now.
I am so pleased I have a wonderful family who are so good to me all the time. I love you all and I am so proud of you too.
THE MEETING
Certain number of time through out the year a meeting is held with hostel resident and management to discuss the overall situation of the place and if there are any complaints or suggestions for improvements.
The main topics probably are food and help from staff when it is needed and general day to day living as well as the activities program.
There are about 30 people living in Hostel/Low Care...
July 2011
2 posts
OPINIONS
When I was a deal younger, I suppose my idea of old people living in AGED CARE facilities were to be pitied. Maybe they had no family who cared about them any more. Perhapes many reasons why this dear old lady had to give up her home.
I had very personal reasons for moving into this hostel accommadation which need not be volenteered here, but I did feel ready for such a move. I would like to tell...
PERSONAL
Because of recent events in my life I am finding it hard to figure why most people have a concern with what others think of them.
We are all individuals, we all have similar backgrounds in one way, but at the same time we are all so very different. What our parents were, what cash was available within the family, whether the father liked to spend some time at the pub, maybe one of the parents was...
May 2011
1 post
Had such a nice, although short visit from Kristy and Craig and their 5 children.
All such nice kids and polite too.
Michael was jealous of my IPAD and did things on it that I should have been doing but I am still doing on my computer.
They bought me a nice potted African Violet, so beautiful it almost looks artificial.
Little Carolyn is such a sweet child. She talks but not quite English, yet...
April 2011
6 posts
HOW MUCH DOES ANYONE KNOW
Each person certainly knows something and no one person knows everything.
Even a highly educated person who can solve technical problems could not make a beautiful brides dress as I have done in my life time. I am not an educated person and I like to admit my degree of limitations. There are many people who would not have any idea how ignorant they are and yet shoot their mouth off as though they...
HAPPY EASTER DAY
Always nice to see a friendly face at my door.
Just before lunch a nurse arrived holding her bucket of Easter Eggs.
Just a small bucket which contained small Easter Eggs.
She explained to me that they were left by a pair of small rabbits.
Solid milk chocolate and very tasty to the palate.
Then at about 2 PM a full man size rabbit appeared with a bigger basket filled with bigger eggs. He was...
THE DECISION
My gallant gentleman friend and I have made the decision to allow this particular senior staff person to wallow in her very own hollow victory, for now at least.
At present I am not suffering the bad back problem.
If at some future date the problem returns and it will, then the battle will rage again. Not that I want the bad back to return, but there could be an interesting confrontation some...
ON GOING SAGA
When I was a child there was a party game called Musical Chairs.
This tale may show I have entered my second child hood.
At the time I started going to this dining room for my meals I was trying to cope with a BAD BACK.
A gentleman sitting at my table was kind enough to get me a more suitable chair. From my point of view the chairs provided at the table are not really suited for aged...
OXYMORON
Not that I am the greatest with words, but I do like that one.
Depending on your out look and possibly age, but can you really believe this reasonably new word in our vocabulary FUNRUN. Maybe it is 2 words FUN RUN.
If you have ever watched as some thoughtless journalist seeks to interview a person who has just taken part in a FUNRUN, it would have to be one of the most unfunny things I have...
CHANGES
During the time since I last wrote here some very great changes have occurred in my life. In time I may make some comment about that but not just now.
What I will tell you is that I am now living in a different section of the village, I have moved from the 2 bedroom unit in what is called Self Care, to a 1 bedroom, more like a bed sitter or perhaps like a motel room.
I have only bought the...
March 2011
1 post
WILD LIFE
2/3/11
At odd times early in the morning I have heard a bird call that I did not recognise.
Today I was lucky enough to catch sight of a beautiful grey Crane, as I startled it, it flew up into a nearby tree. Because of the echoing sounds of the bush I can’t be sure, but I believe this is the bird I have heard calling.
As I was just watching it I noticed it’s mate at the edge of the...
February 2011
1 post
24/2/11
How the weeks manage to slip by,
Ross had his birthday and we celebrated our wedding anniversary,
Since then Ross has been far from well and has needed a lot of attention.
I am writing this so I can tell all the friends and family who have sent messages and come to visit and wish Ross back to better health, how much I love you all and want to say thank you so much. I am so proud of you all.
...
January 2011
5 posts
A BIRD STORY
While observing the birds in this area I do wonder which species is the most powerful.
This evening I have watched such a interesting contest.
I had put a scrap of food out on the grass thinking a wallaby would eat it.
First visitor was a Kookaburra, just eyed it off from a short distance and decided he was not interested.
Next, quickly on the scene was a really nice specimen of crow. It sat...
WILD LIFE
One of the added attractions of living in this retirement village is the early morning visitors.
Mostly the variety of birds. Some times the kangaroos and wallabies.
December 2010
3 posts
Sort out the Freds
The Rosella is RED FRED
Then we have FRED FROG. It’s so easy.
WHO WANTS TO KNOW
Recently here at the village we had the “pest control” team and our friend Fred Frog went missing. I feared the worst.
I have checked behind the black garden rake every day but still no little body sleeping “IT” off there.
Each night though a number of the frog community emit their soulful call for many hours, so they are still about.
This morning I checked behind the...
November 2010
4 posts
BIRD BRAIN
Whoever coined the phrase about being a bit silly if you were a bird brain, sure did not know what they were talking about.
There is a beautiful Crimson Rosella who comes and taps on our window to let us know he/she wants some seed. Maybe has a crying family.
As soon as it sees us move toward the door it flies off to be in the right position to have any morsel given to it. Will even take seed...
THE GRANDFATHER CLOCK
“THE CLOCK” has held pride of place in our living room for maybe 30 years.
It is a very serene item, stands tall and has a personality that calls your attention.
It booms out it’s chimes every 15 minutes, but saves it’s most impressive tones for noon and midnight.
Often when people are having a conversation in the room, it manages to join in and have a say, just to let...
faithfulnaomi asked: Hello,
Please forgive the intrusion. I just wish to tell you that you are beautiful and you write beautifully. I read your posts about the Elections and aborigines and I decided to follow your blog, because you reminded me of the landlady I boarded with in Victoria when I pursued my education there many years ago. She was an extremely kind and intelligent person. I believe that if she is...
Please forgive the intrusion. I just wish to tell you that you are beautiful and you write beautifully. I read your posts about the Elections and aborigines and I decided to follow your blog, because you reminded me of the landlady I boarded with in Victoria when I pursued my education there many years ago. She was an extremely kind and intelligent person. I believe that if she is...
REMEMBERANCE
At the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, most Australians will stop to pay respect to those who have served and those who have died to protect our country in war. How can we ever repay the debt of gratitude we owe them.
In fact the debt will never be repaid.
My father, Martin Francis, was a victim of Mustard Gas while serving in France in WW1. He survived to come home, but died a slow...
October 2010
5 posts
WORTH REPORTING
As an aged person I suppose it is easy for me to disagree with a lot of what young people regard as OK these days.
Last week while Ross and I were in the ‘super market’ I felt myself “trip”
I looked down to see why, The voice of a young person said, “It’s just your shoe lace” sure enough the lace was undone.
She said “Would you like me to tie it...
