THISILDO: May 2010

Fireman Kyler

One "hot cop"
My newphew James
(nephew in-law)???

Emily with Mack
on a walk for life.

My brothers -
John, Paul & Pat
with me

Hi All,

I am obviously back from my trip/s after having had a wonderful time.

My

first trip since last writing was to Atlanta in early March to visit with Kelly, Nate, Kyler, Erin and Chris. As is usual, the trip was way too short, but fun just the same.

Because they are all working, it is difficult to get to spend a lot of time with them and at the time, Erin was working full time as a nurse with Grady and then working every other weekend in Hospice Care. She has since finished her job in Hospice Care and is now 23 weeks pregnant. For those of you out of the loop - she is having a girl - and we can't wait too meet her. How lucky am I - a grandson and a granddaughter on the way???????????

Whilst there, I got to babysit Kyler on two nights and it was wonderful. Of course it is great to have Kelly and Nate there, but it is also great to have him all to myself, as that way, I can spoil him without prying eyes! We had lots of fun and he was just perfect! He is extremely bright and his verbal skills are excellent, so he can now always tell me what he wants, what to do and how to do it!!!! The picture above is Kyler in the 'cubby house" I made for him in the living room. He sat inside and had a little picnic with the key ingredient being chocolate chip cookies as evidenced by his dirty face and big smile. It is always hard to say good-bye, but this time it was a little easier, as once I flew home, I had just 5 days before heading off to Australia!

On March 16th, I headed off to Australia for 6 weeks, firstly flying to LA - staying the night and flying out the next day. I am far too old to do it all in one trip now.......... The 15 hours from LA is quite sufficient for me in one go.

I arrived at Sydney airport on a Thursday and spent the day with an old friend, catching up and checking out his business. He then drove me to the Central Coast to my girlfriend Heather's house, and although I was tired, we managed to chat for hours before finally hitting the sack.

On the Friday we headed to Terrigal Beach for lunch............I had been craving fish and chips from a particular restaurant for years...........My salivary glands and taste buds were not disappointed. We dined on seafood fresh from the coastal waters whilst we sat in the sunshine, watching the waves crash onto the golden sands of the beach. I did this many times when I lived there and this experience proved to me that my memories were not exaggerated in any way. The sea gulls hovered around us, waiting for a tasty morsel - however, they went hungry as not one crumb missed my awaiting lips!!!!

That evening, my friend Marg, picked me up and we went together to visit another friend Sue. I worked with Sue and Marg at the school. It was great to catch up with them and to reminisce about old times together. My only disappointment was that neither of them seemed to have aged in the eight years since I had seen them. I really feel they should both keep pace with the rest of us!

The next day, Heather and I headed to Empire Bay for a barbeque with another group of special friends... It seems that my emails posted prior to my trip had been duly noted as the meal included so many items on my wish list - i.e. Aussie snags (sausages), lamb chops, Barbel's german potato salad and the list goes on.......

Once again we spent the afternoon/evening laughing until our jaws ached agreeing to meet up again the next day. I should mention here that I drove home that night, as Heather left her glasses at home. Barb said "just keep the gutter on your left"! Her advice worked well and we arrived home safely.

My time on the Central Coast (Gosford, my former home), ended all too quickly and with Heather's help and the help of many strangers (I had 3 cases), I caught the train to Sydney where I was met by Maureen (my sister), her husband Michael and friends Mel and Pauline. We then all caught a train to Goulburn where Maureen and Michael live and where I was to stay for a few days. During this time, I caught up with my newest great nephew, Levi (he was made in America, when his parents were here for Erin's wedding). I also caught up obviously with Carmel, James, Jude, Jacinta, Mark, Claire, Jacob, Lara, Gerard, Melissa, Joel, Harry, Luke and Gemma!!!! Yep they are all related and it was sooooooo good to see them all again.

After Goulburn, I once again caught a train to Wagga Wagga where I was met by my other sister Louise and my nephew Matthew. We had a wonderful couple of days before I headed down further south to stay with my brother Pat and his wife Joan for Easter. During my time in Albury I managed to enjoy time with lots of my neices and nephews - Taz, Ebony, Josh, Megan, Jackson, Mollie, Ellie, Nicole, Luke & Kim, Glenn and Melanie, Evie, Gus as well as another brother John.

I spent a day at Browns Plains with a girlfriend that I hadn't seen for years - Rhonda. Rhonda and I both worked together when we first left Secretarial College - we moved to Melbourne together and we have remained close friends ever since. It was so nice to spend the day with her and her husband Vin and to visit with her mother, and to meet her new grand-daughter and daughter-in-law. My day with them was way too short!

Whilst in Albury, I also caught up with my cousin Chris. We had a great lunch at a local club and managed to talk until our jaws were aching. Luckily, we had a little more time together at Easter.

Also when I was in Albury, it was the anniversary of Paul's and Dennis' deaths. As I was not able to attend Dennis' funeral, my brother Paul took me to his graveside. Dennis was buried, a very short distance from my little brother Peter at his request. Both Paul and Dennis seem to have been gone for an eternity.

My brother Paul and his wife were in Thailand over Easter, but I managed to catch up with them for a few days, before hiring a car and driving to Melbourne. Much to my amazement my car trip was "a slam dunk". I did not lose my way and as yet, I have received no speeding tickets in the mail. Quite an achievement for me.

I drove to Melbourne Airport where I was met by Shery and Eddie - wonderful friends that I have had for almost 40 years. Once again, we have remained in close contact (Sheryl has even visited me in the States). Once back at Sheryl's house, Sheryl cooked a wonderful dinner and Wendy (another friend over 40 years) and her husband Bernard joined us.

The next day, we caught a train into Melboune to meet Wendy and had a lovely lunch at the Windsor Hotel. I met both these ladies when I worked in Melbourne many years ago - it was nice to see a bit of the city once again.

Sheryl and I then headed down the coast (with her grandson Harvey - 18 months), to spend a couple of days at Anglesea. Anglesea is a beautiful little town right on the coast. Sheryl had rented a cabin there for a couple of days. The weather was a little on the cool side, but it did not dampen our appetites or our conversation...... We had a wonderful time, catching up and reminscing about the past. The area is so beautiful and one day, I hope to go back to Australia, hire a car and drive the coastal road for many more miles.

One the Thursday, I boarded a plane, along with another friend Ellis, and we headed to Brisbane to attend a wedding. Kelly and Nate were already in Brisbane (Kelly was the matron of honour).

We were supposed to meet up with them all for dinner, but unfortunately, the hire car did not have a GPS and nor did we have a map! I am geographically challenged at the best of times, so we did manage to get a bit lost .

Needless to say, we eventually arrived at the hotel where all the guests were staying and finally got to meet up with Kelly, Ann (the bride to be) and her mother Janet. Nate went to bed as he was very tired as he had only arrived from the States that day. We enjoyed a lovely evening together and then attended the wedding the next day. Ann was a beautiful bride, attended by beautiful bridesmaids. The weather was lovely and the food was great. The wedding was held at a lovely restaurant right by the water.

After a short few days in Brisbane, I flew to Canberra where once again, I was met by Maureen, Michael, Graham & Pat (Michael's brother and sister-in-law). From Canberra, we drove to Goulburn, where once again I spent a few days, catching up with a multitude of nieces and nephews before heading back to the Central Coast once again.

This time, rather than try and manage 3 cases on a train, I hired a car and drove myself. This trip was not on my itinerary, as I did intend to spend my last weekend in Sydney, but thought it would be easier for everyone if I went to the Coast.

My last few days, were once again, lots of fun - a food and laughter festival!

On the Sunday, I bravely set out in my hire car to find Sydney airport! I was a little nervous as I knew I either had to drive over the Harbour Bridge, or take the tunnel. Once again, the trip was uneventful and I found my way, without any problems at all.

The airlines were kind enough not to charge me for the extra weight I had gained as a result of eating my way around Australia! I have to admit, that I left Australia with very mixed feelings - it is so difficult to leave so many people that I love, but yet, I was returning to lots of people that I love.........

Well that is the extent of my travel news - but only for now............I am very excited to be going to Atlanta in June (21st until about July 5) as Lauren will be in the States. I shall pick her up from Chicago and then we will drive to Atlanta together... I can't wait.

Lauren also is very excited to be coming and she has had a recent ordeal as well. Shortly before I left for Australia, she had a biopsy on her face, only to be told it was melaneoma. Of course, we were all very worried, particularly as when she went in for her surgery, the Dermatologist informed her that it was not happening. They had decided she need an Oncologist. Thankfully, things moved very quickly. She did have to have a general anasethic, and a sizable scar (which is healing very well), but they did get all the cancer.

I think it is time to end this blog - it is way too long and boring. I think I shall try and do weekly or bi-monthly updates in future.

As is usual, I have placed a lot more photos at the end of this blog for anyone interested. I did put a few at the beginning, as I couldn't be bothered dragging them down and reformatting.

Love to you all,

Kathy