Today Is:

 

 

 

 

As of Saturday March 1st, my blog has now moved to.....

http://juliesjottings2.blogspot.com/ please update your reads. See you there, Love, Julie. xx

 

THURSDAY FEBRUARY 28TH. 

Happy Birthday to my son Matt who is 22 today!

We were all up way before what is reasonable (but for a very good cause) for Matt's birthday this morning. Ever since the kids were little, we've always gotten up early for every birthday. The usual thing is for everyone to crowd onto our bed for the opening of the gifts, so that is exactly what we did this morning. We'll have our family birthday dinner and party on Sunday, but of course today Matt still gets to choose what he would like to eat. I made him pancakes for lunch, and he had me make two Lemon Meringue Pies for dessert for dinner tonight. It's a recipe my mum used to use to make my sister and I Lemon Meringue Pies on our birthdays when we were growing up, and is a firm family favourite. I admit, I did cheat, I didn't make the pastry shells this time, but I did make the yummy lemon filling and the meringue top. Dave doesn't like Lemon Meringue Pie, so I'll have to make him something else. Not sure what that will be just yet.

 

 

It's absolutely pouring today, with not even a hint of the sun trying to get out. Two nights in a row we've had storms and flash flooding in and around Sydney. Tomorrow is the official last day of summer.

 

I watched Idol last night, but taped it and watched it after I went to bed. It was 70's music, and since I was a child of the 70's and loved that era of music, I was really looking forward to it. I think Michael Johns chose a song that didn't do him any justice, so I was quite disappointed, but hopefully he'll survive another week and will choose better next time. I think David Archuleta has such an amazing voice which is mature beyond his years. Another of my favourites is David Hernandez. He has a gave a really strong, confident performance. I really like Jason Castro's voice, although I don't think his song choice showed off his ability so well last night. I'm keen to see what the girls do tonight. We don't get to see who gets voted off until Sunday night. 

 

I'd better get back to work....have a great evening. Tootles.

 

 

hugs 'n blessings,

Julie.

 

 

Monday 25th February, 2008.

We had a really busy weekend. The dinner our family hosted to thank Mum & Dad's nursing staff went off really well. There were around 40 of us which included family members plus the nursing staff and the doctor who made house visits often to check on Mum and Dad since they were too sick to attend any appointments. They all seemed to really enjoy themselves and it was a really good evening with the last people leaving around 12.30am. Even the doctor was one of the last to leave. We were not sure if he'd attend, since many doctors like to keep a professional distance, but he stayed for the entire time and enjoyed himself,  which was great. The food was simply awesome. My niece Voni is in charge of the catering team at Hillsong church. It's a huge church, so she and her team are very used to catering for large events, and they did an excellent job. It was a buffet, but everything was laid out on lovely platters and looked very professional.

 

These are my beautiful nieces Voni & Megan with my grandson Dan.

Voni & her team did all the catering...it was simply awesome! Thanks girls

I love you!

 

I taped American Idol last night, but I've not yet found the time to watch it, so I have no idea whose journey has come to an end. I'm keen to see who is left. The only part I saw was the beginning where all the guys were decked out in suits. I'm keen to see the rest of the show & the result of course. I've been busy over the weekend with yard and housework, plus shopping for my son Matt's 22nd birthday on 28th. Next weekend is our final weekend of summer. Here in Sydney don't really have 4 distinct seasons. For example, our beautiful summery days began back in late September and they are very likely to continue until mid April. We may get the odd cooler day but we will still be wearing summer clothes for a while yet. Our winter that never includes snow, usually we start feeling in May, and then as I said, we're back into Summer clothes around late September. We have had a very wet summer though with a total of 42 wet days.

 

We had a really yummy dinner tonight, and it just dawned on me that I should have taken a photo to show you. I got 4 chicken breasts, and pounded them with a mallet. I then spread over a yummy seasoning (stuffing) made in my food processor from bread, onion, Italian herbs, crushed almonds and walnuts salt and pepper to taste. I rolled up the chicken in a long roll and secured it with long skewers so it wouldn't come undone during the baking. I then spread a really yummy cranberry sauce all over the outside of the seasoned chicken roll and baked it so that the outside was all caramelized and delicious. No, I don't have a recipe, it was one I made up as I went along, and it was a big hit with my family. the chicken was so tender, and the seasoning and cranberry sauce really made it so delicious. I served it with steamed green beans, carrots & crusty bread rolls. No, it's not exactly diet food, but I didn't have a very big plate and no dessert.  

 

I had one of those days today where I just went from one job to the next. You know how it is when you start one job and then notice another and end up going from one thing to the next. We also had card orders that I was working on, so all in all it's been a very busy day. 

I'm going to head upstairs, have a nice bath, then go to bed and watch Idol with Dave. Have a great day girls.

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hugs 'n blessings,

Julie.

 

 

 

 

 

Tuesday 19th February, 2008.

We dropped by after work to pick up Brooke and Matt. Dan was so happy to see us. He's ever so cute. He's just learnt to say "Sorry" but the funny part is he dobs himself in. When he does something naughty he goes and finds his mum and says "orry" (so cute...he can't say the "S"). He kept coming and taking me by the hand so he could show me things. He just loves building things with Duplo so he and I did that together. He does pretty well with his fine motor skills since he's only 2 and  3 months. Parking in their street is near impossible, so we had to park a few streets away. When it came time to go, Dave went to get the car and Dan wasn't happy at all, he kept going to the door saying "P-par" (his name for Grandpa), wanting to know where he was. He then wanted to sit by the window and watch out for him to come back. He doesn't miss a trick. They had taken Dan out for a walk a bit earlier and the to McDonalds for a Softserve, which he loved. After that they walked to the hospital where Dan's daddy works. Brooke and Matt were particularly interested to see it, as a television series is filmed there. In the series they follow the real stories of various patients, and because of the genuine human side of things, it's one of the highest rating shows in Australia. 

 

It's been pouring again today. I have no idea where all this rain is coming from as we've had more wet days than sunny in the last month. The good news is the Sydney water supply is looking so much better, so we're very thankful. Water has been severely restricted as in you are not allowed to wash cars with a hose, or hose the garden except on certain days during limited times. People are expected to only have 2 minute showers and use half flush. Lots of people have ended up putting in their own water tanks so that they can freely water their lawns and gardens and have longer showers. Hopefully it won't be too long before some, if not all, those restrictions are removed.  

 

I'm going to try and get to bed early tonight. These late nights are catching up with me. Tonight I'm making chicken stir-fry for dinner, so that should be pretty quick. Last night we didn't get home form Melissa's until late, although it worked out well because there wasn't much traffic by then. 

 

I'm off to make myself some coffee to try and wake myself up! It's only 3.45pm but it feels like midnight ha ha! 

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hugs 'n blessings,

Julie.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Monday 18th February, 2008.

It's Monday again. My, how the weekends go so fast. Our lawns and edges had grown so much from all the rain so they took longer than expected on the weekend, but it's always nice when they are done and everything is neat and tidy. We were out with the kids on Saturday, when Melissa called wanting Brooke and Matt to go and stay overnight there and go to church with them Sunday morning, which they did. We'll go over after Dave gets home form work today (Monday) and pick them up. They ended up staying an extra night, and went to playgroup with Dan this morning. He loves play group and all the other kids. 

 

As some of you might remember, about 2 months ago now, one of our cars was written off due to a severe hail storm, which peppered every panel of the car with large hail stones. The insurance company paid us out, and we spent ages trying to choose a new car. With Dave's mum so ill during that time, we couldn't devote the time needed to getting to looking around much at cars, nor were our minds on it, but then with Dave returning to work, and needing to buy another car before then, we went ahead and ordered our new car. There was a delay with the dealer as our car was only just off the production line (manufactured January 08) and it had to be shipped up from the state below ours. Once it arrived at the warehouse, the windows had to be tinted. Anyway, we finally have our new car after two months of looking, negotiating etc.  Dave took this photo (below) of it in our driveway after we brought it home. He very kindly let me drive it home...that was fun to say the least, and he drove home our other car. It's an Australia car manufactured by General Motors, and it's a 2008 Holden Belina. We're really pleased with it. Dave drives our other car to work (it's also a Holden Belina). He wasn't keen to take this one to work, as the parking lot at the police station is usually a mish mash of people parking everywhere and cars are often getting bumped, so he definitely doesn't want to risk that happening. 

 

 

 

 

This Friday night we are having a dinner to thank all the nurses and doctor who looked after Mum. They nursed her in shifts around the clock, so we got to know them pretty well during that time. Two of them are now working at childcare centers, probably needing a break after the very intensive job of caring for two terminally ill patients for months on end. They were very kind and caring, but still it was a very emotionally draining job for them and they were kept on their toes. Anyway, we've invited them all and their spouses this Friday night, and it will be nice to have the change to let them know how much their services to our family were appreciated. 

 

I'd better get back to work, as I'm running behind.

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hugs 'n blessings,

Julie.

 

 

 

 

Wednesday 15th February, 2008.

Well I hope everyone had a wonderful Valentine's Day. I'm blessed with a hubby who lives Valentine's Day every day...who still opens doors for me after 34 years and who does all those little things and takes every opportunity to let me know how much I mean to him. Still, it was nice to celebrate Valentine's Day together, and I am so thankful to God for such a wonderful hubby. I couldn't wish for better.

 

Sometimes in life we come across people who just seem to face one battle after another. One of my longtime net friends has been through tough time after tough time, and now when she least expected it to happen, she has met that special someone. You know who you are...and I'm so thrilled for you sweetie. You go girl! No-one deserves this more than you do!

 

Just been bust with work this week and trying to catch up, so haven't had a lot of on-line time. 

 

Hey....there's an Aussie on American idol this time, and he's pretty good. I think he's in with a good chance. Go Australia! I'm totally biased of course.

 

I'm so pleased it's Friday.....the weekend is almost here. Hope you have a good one!

 

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hugs 'n blessings,

Julie.

 

 

 

 

Tuesday 12th February, 2008.

We had a really nice weekend. We ended up taking a drive down to the Southern Highlands in the area where we used to live. We had been back in nearly 2 years, so it was interesting to observe the changes. It was lovely to breath in that fresh country air. Don't get me wrong, we love living in Sydney and we were all born in Sydney, but it's also nice to go back and see how things have changed. I must say it did feel kinda weird going down our street when it was no longer our home. 

 

Tonight is such a beautiful evening, so we took a drive to a seaside suburb where I grew up and walked along the water front. From the wharf it's just a hop, skip and a jump into the centre of Sydney, and it looked beautiful all lit up at night. The tide was coming in and was lapping the shoreline. It was so peaceful and still....beautiful. Sorry about the blurry pic, Brooke took it on her phone. It gives you an idea of how pretty the city looked across the harbour from where we were. I feel so blessed to live in such a beautiful city.

 

 

 

Dave's leave has ended so he returned to work yesterday for the first time since the loss of his mum. Of course he misses both his parents...we all do, and in many ways it's hard to get out of the mindset of checking on Mum or making things for her. To be so involved in her care, then to it suddenly come to an end, takes some adjusting to. We're doing pretty well all things considered, and I'm, sure that is because of the many people praying for our family. We have very much felt those prayers lifting us up and supporting us, so thank you so much. We also have a wonderful group of friends here who have gone out of their way to show their love and care. We thank God for the blessing of such wonderful friends who are there for us always.

 

Today I ordered another pair of distance glasses. I think they will go well with fall and winter clothing, and I think they are really cute. Since I wear glasses all the time (and don't like contacts), it's nice to have a few pairs to swap around with what I'm wearing. What do you think? 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It was terrific to see Nancze back again. She is such a sweetie and she has been very much missed by lots of her net friends. Good to have you back Nancze, and wonderful to see you healing well.

 

Kat, my prayers continue for Shane and your family. I know that this is a very difficult time for you all, but so wonderful already good results are being shown. Once again, so many have been praying, and I'm sure that is why. 

 

We only have 3 weeks left of summer. It sure seems to have gone so fast. Already in the Highlands we could see evidence of trees preparing to change as fall approaches. Isn't it just amazing that trees know when to change? All of creation is simply amazing. If God cares about changing leaves on trees, how much more he cares for us!

 

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hugs 'n blessings,

Julie.

 

 

 

 

Monday 4th February, 2008.

Mum's funeral was an amazing uplifting celebration of her life. It was just the way she wanted it, and now she has been laid to rest in the same plot as Dad. The weather all week has been rain, rain and then some, and even though rain had been predicted through until Friday, we awoke yesterday on the day of Mum's funeral to a sunny beautiful day. The weather remained that way until around 5pm when the clouds came over and it stormed heavily. The main thing was her entire funeral, burial and wake we had beautiful weather for. One of the most moving parts of the funeral was before Mum became so ill that she couldn't speak, she had asked our nephew Brent to write down messages from her to each family member. Let me say that it was very much a "Kleenex" family moment when Brent read those messages to each of us during the funeral. Then another surprise came when everyone had gone home from the wake and just the immediate family remained....our niece Mandy had actual messages to each of us that Mum had recorded to us back in November, which Mum wanted played to us after the funeral. She finished off the day of her funeral, with one last word to each of us. How special that was. 

 

Right before the funeral, our nephew James who had recently married Jenica and moved to Jackson Tennessee, called his Dad to ask everyone at the funeral to pray. They had just received a tornado warning and had to evacuate. Jenica was at Union University TN and they had asked friends and family to collect the students ASAP as the Tornado was heading their way. Before the funeral the church stopped and prayed for the protection of James and Jenica. James and a mate then drove to Union University to pick up Janica. James ran into the university to try and locate Jenica, whilst his mate tried to park his car near an embankment for protection. He got out of the car right before the tornado hurled the car into the air and tore it in two! Thankfully he didn't have any serious injuries other than cuts and bruises. Jamie did manage to locate Jenica and she and about 8 other students huddled in what they believed was a safe room. The tornado howled around them flattening many buildings but by the grace of God, James, Jenica and the students with them survived in that room and were unharmed. We managed to call them later in the evening, and whilst they were very shaken up since they really thought they were going to die, they were so thankful that God's protection was upon them. We don't have tornados in Australia so James had never come close to experiencing something as terrifying as this, and I am sure it is an experience they will never forget. So many others (including students form Union University) were killed in the tornado, and yet their lives were protected and spared. How amazing is that! 

 

 

This is the entry Jenica added to her Facebook page last night after their ordeal was over and they were safely at her parents home-:

 

 

Thank you God for the life of Mum/Grandma and for the protection of James and Jenica.

 

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hugs 'n blessings,

Julie.

 

 

 

 

 

Monday 4th February, 2008.

A very warm happy birthday to my very dear friend Ingrid for today. Many happy returns of the day sweetie. I hope you have a wonderful day xx

 

I'm please to see that my friend Deb, her hubby Jim is doing much better after being seriously ill in ICU. I'm just so pleased to hear that prayers are being answered. 

 

Has anyone heard from Nancze? She had a bad fall and broke a bone in her foot several weeks ago, which has really limited her getting around and to her computer. If anyone has heard from her I would love to know how she is doing. 

 

Kat's son has been quite sick from his initial chemo treatment, so please keep your prayers going for each of these ladies and their special needs within their families at the moment. 

 

I hope all my American friends enjoyed the Superbowl on Sunday night. It seems it's an event that stops your nation. We don't have anything like it in Australia, but we certainly hear about yours. 

 

Tomorrow we have the viewing of Dave's mum and the following day is her funeral. She would very much want it to be a celebration of her life, so that is very much what it will be. She wouldn't want anyone wearing black or being sad. She felt blessed to have lived for 79 very full years and she is more than happy to be forever with the Lord and Dad. 

 

Hope you have a great day....

 

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hugs 'n blessings,

Julie.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sunday 3rd February, 2008.

Our darling little Dan kept us all laughing today which was a welcome tonic. Brooke and Matt slept over at Dan's house last night, and Dan was beside himself with excitement when he realized they were going home with him. Dan was just as excited to see us again when we dropped by there this afternoon. As you can see from his cheek, a mosquito sneaked in last night and had a feast on him. I used to be terribly allergic to mosquitoes and so did my son Matt, and it looks like that is something Dan has inherited from me. They didn't seem to be bothering him too much. Dan is so cute, my cell phone has a photo of Dave as my wallpaper and Dave has a photo of me as his wallpaper. Today Dan pulled my cell phone out of my bag and was very excited to see the pic of "P'par on there (his name for grandpa).

Dave called my cell phone and Dan couldn't understand why he could see P'par's picture on the phone, see him in the same room and hear his voice on the phone. He gabbled away in his own language with a few English words thrown in for good measure. Dan calls me "Nannar"....his own way of pronouncing "Nanna". I love the way kids invent their own names for grandparents, it's so special and cute. We'll get to see him at his great-grandma's funeral on Wednesday, and I'm sure he'll bring his own form of comic relief by just being himself. 

 

 

It's been raining most of the day, and last night too. His so lovely going to sleep at night with that gentle rain on the roof. I love summer rain.