The question is .......... ?

I had to pop into our local town on Saturday morning to go to just one shop. I had already promised to take my mother to do her shopping so I asked Bob to drop me off, to pick up mother and take her to the supermarket and then drive back home. I would walk back home from the town, it would take me 20 minutes. Then I would drive to collect mother and help her to put her groceries away.

Bob - "are you sure you don't want me to pick you up"

Me - "no - it'll only take me 20 minutes"

Bob - "you might have a problem, I don't mind"

Me - "NO - thank you - it'll take me 20 minutes - it will take you 20 minutes
to collect mum and drop her at the supermarket"

So I was dropped off at the chosen spot, did what I needed to and immediately made my way home - in 20 minutes.

But my question is this - Why did he think I may have a problem with a short walk from town when I had just completed a 10,000 mile journey across to the other side of the world with my elderly, disabled and sometimes difficult mother, and back again, on my own.

And if he really thought I wasn't capable of a 20 minutes stroll back from the shops, what was he thinking letting me travel 10,000 miles on my own in the first place????

He hadn't thought it through was his reply!!

Men!!

Holiday (i) - Where do I begin

I said in my previous post that I would give edited highlights of the holiday - but where to start? I suppose that it should be with my beautiful grandchildren. So first of all a photo.



Matthew James, born on 2 September weighing 3.34 kilos, managed to lose half a kilo of his birth weight which, naturally, gave some cause for concern. He looked so frail when we first met him, his skin too big and his dear little arms and legs so skinny. But during our time there he began to regain his weight and started filling out. He now weighs 3.56 kilos, so is doing well and no longer needs to be monitored. Giving lots of smiles now too, though I wasn't able to catch one on camera.













The older children are very taken with him, have remarked that they don't get the attention they are used to, but they understand and in their way try to help and are affectionate towards him.



I took them out a few times, to the cinema, the park, shops etc and it was lovely to be able to spend quality time with them. They are very loving children and, of course, lovable. We had some fun.

Before the family left for Australia in 2004 I had been used to looking after Jacob, then aged three and a half, for at least one day each week, since he was about 4 months old. He was my first 'blood' grandchild and until recently the only grandson. He will always have a special place in my heart. Willow was only ten months old, and was very much a 'Mummy's girl', inasmuch that she would rarely have anything to do with anyone else. I am pleased to say that during each of my visits since their departure she and I have got to know one another and each time have become closer.

And here we are together.



Can you imagine how hard it it to say goodbye!


Anne

Home Again

Well here I am, back again after my holiday.

Obviously the three week trip, with my 86 year old, partially disabled mother to visit family in Australia and meet my new grandson gives me plenty to write/blog about but I will just give edited highlights as and when they come to mind over the next few days. I may even throw in a photo or two.

We arrived back into Heathrow on Wednesday afternoon and dear old Bob was there to meet us. Because of mum's disability, (she can walk with a stick but only for very short distances) we have wheelchair assistance at the airports and this is such a boon. Once checked in we are helped every step of the way (so to speak)! Being first onto the plane and waiting until last to get off again makes life so much easier - no mad scrambles. We landed at 3.10 pm and were actually driving out of the car park at 3.50 pm and that included a comfort break for mum. Pretty good going I'd say. Bob was amazed to see us come through so quickly.

The weather was beautiful and by the time we arrived back home there was a stunning sunset. A wonderful welcome home.

So, Australian holiday over I now have to concentrate over the next 10 days on my twin aunts' surprise birthday cake (for the party on 5 November) and repacking my suitcase and Bob's for our trip to India on 20 October.

And I have missed being in touch with fellow bloggers so will catch up with your most recent missives as soon as I can.

Anne

Holidays and Birthdays

Blogworld seems a little quiet lately. I know I was away for several days but on my return it appears that quite a few have packed their bags and are taking, probably well-earned, vacations.

I am about to do the same. I shall finish this post and then go and pack. I always fall into the same trap when my holiday comes around and have been known (on more than one occasion) to shriek "I'm never going on holiday again". To say I dislike packing to go away is an understatement. And somehow it's worse when I'm bound for Australia to visit the family. I always have to take a little something for each of the grandchildren and this time, of course, there is a new baby to buy for. And small though he may be and totally unaware of my impending visit, he probably has more parcels than the other two put together, various members of the family having asked if I would mind taking gifts. So those things will go in first and whatever room there is left and bearing in mind the weight limit, I shall cram whatever I can into my suitcase and hope for the best. Later today I will go to see my mother and pack for her also. We set off on Wednesday.

My long list of 'things to do' is getting shorter, thank goodness, although I carry a pad around with me at all times to jot down yet another task that must be done, as soon as it comes to mind.

On Sunday I finished the birthday cake I promised friends and will be delivering that later today. Hope they like it. I was pleased with it anyway.



In the meantime my cousin has telephoned to mention that she and another cousin are planning a surprise 80th birthday tea party for their respective mothers, who are twins. Would we be able to make the party and would I please make a cake. So I set to and baked the necessary and will think about the decoration when I return from my holiday.

Speaking of birthdays - it will be Bob's 67th on Wednesday, the day I'm jetting off. We did talk it through before the flights were booked and because we are on a bit of a tight time schedule vis-a-vis holidays, decided it was OK to go ahead. We will have a celebratory evening with friends when we visit them in October.

The day after we arrive in Australia it will be eldest grandson's 8th birthday - need I say more. Bob always says, with a wry smile that he knows exactly where he comes in the pecking order. And I know too! Where would I be without him!

So this is it for a short while - I may try to post something while I am away but if not I will see you in just over three weeks. Y'all take care now.

A x

I have been given an award

When I looked at my blog this morning I had a lovely surprise as I had been given an award by Denise at http://anenglishgirlrambles.blogspot.com/

I really appreciate this award, it was a lovely surprise which I glady accept.

If you haven't already done so, do visit Denise's blog - it is so well worth the trip - always interesting with beautiful photographs. Denise is an English girl who moved to the United States many years ago. Through her blog she keeps us entertained with accounts of not only her everyday life there but we also get to go on trips around the country with her and her husband. A great blog.

Thank you again Denise.