best intentions and some of the activities

despite my best intentions almost a month has passed, work continues to pick up - this week I continue to leave home at 5:45am, but I'm now having breakfast at work while I check my day and my e-mails - it stops the gnawing hunger by lunch time, Monday I saw three clients as booked and one who just arrived as life was tough right now, I then headed off to Goodna (just this side of Ipswich) where I did the last session of a six week program at the Goodna Special School. I've loved working round self-protective behaviours with these young women. It's meant I've had to be very adaptive and very basic in concept development so I devised a game - rather like musical chairs - to explain their "Magic Bubble" of personal space and taught the "from my head to my toes I say what goes" routine. These girls are taught compliance all their lives so this is hard for them to get. We also did lots of activities around different types of relationships - when they struggle to differentiate between an acquaintance ( someone I just know) and family, you can imagine how hard it was to make progress with the difference between a boy who's a friend and a boyfriend and what it's ok to say or do with each. I was so proud of them for gaining some understanding between a hug and a cuddle and a kiss on the cheek and one on the mouth.
My work varies so much: the week before I did a school visit to Cleveland District State School to do a workshop with the about to turn 18 and have to leave the safety of the school system, Special Edu students. We again covered the boy as a friend and boyfriend concepts but also looked at the difference between sex and sexuality! These concepts are difficult for your average kid. But they got it - we made a collage and it clearly showed they understood the differences even though they couldn't be verbalised.
Tuesday was client work, again some unplanned crisis intervention. These women have such strengths to deal with all the difficulties in their lives and sometimes they fall down and make the best choices they can to deal with the pain - at least they reach out to us. So my work day was 7:30am to 5:45pm. Then I drove home. The Tuesday before my home journey took over 5 hours
with road works on the East-West arterial, a car ran into the back of a truck and the tray went into the windscreen on the Gateway and everything just gridlocked and then another accident at Logan had only two lanes (feeding from 4) and then again at Helensvale! I wondered if I was ever going to get home or running out of fuel was an option.
Thursday I was at the Family Law Court with a client then went back to Wooloowin for a 5pm meeting with management - another long day. Yesterday was also long but more fun, we had a Christmas card making workshop that had been requested by the women, one in particular, who really struggles with schizophrenia as well as a mental disability and all the health problems that seem to go with that- did most of the shopping for bits and pieces and helped encourage the others to partisipate. You can't imagine what a huge step that is for her. Then at 4pm I was at QUT at Kelvin Grove to support the Nutrition students who came and did a six week cooking program at the house. Another long day- then throw in calling in to see Mum to just see how she is going, medication is taken and that she knows what she needs to do the next day and what that might involve and then I sleep!

I uploaded these photos ages ago - they are from our Murray trip - we visited a museum that is privately run by a woman who lives well out of Mannum , is 86 years old and now lives alone and opens her collection for the tour- there was the most amazing and facinating examples of just about everything you can imagine. Including a cast iron cot the same as the one I had for Dan - cost me $10 at a second hand shop probably close to 40 years ago. I loved the wooden high chairs.




We also spent a morning at the Ngaut Ngaut Aboriginal conservation site. This is run by the women, the men don't want to be involved, except for one and he comes with his mother, his wife, his sister and his aunt, I doubt the man has much choice but he was very knowledgeable and happy to share his information. There is lots of graffiti in the soft sandstone cliffs along with the traditional carvings - I liked that they accecpt this and incorporate it into their lives. For example the dots represent days to travel and they say that the white fella got it right- it is about 6 days walk to the nearest MacDonalds. Sadly there are chunks of cliff face missing where they have been stolen. I bought a pair of ear-rings made of Ecidna quills - and a necklace of juniper berries - they were asking $10 each but as this is their only income from the tours I paid a whole lot more.

Mum loved these wonderful bright bottle brushes which we first noticed in Glenelg. Here they were planted as a hedge on the Yabbie and almond farm.

This is the Mypolonga State School, the most amazing little school. We were there during school holidays but there were kids and teachers to greet us as we arrived - volunteers. When we first arrived on the boat there was a gift in our cabin from the students at this school of chocolate dipped dried apricots. This is a big apricot growing area and the kids mostly live on the orchards so know about and help with the air drying of the fruit. Then their school has a registered business to sell the dried fruit and other local produce and crafts. Mostly these are done by the children, and their whole curriculum is based round running this business. The kids are confident and knowledgable, they were happy and proud to show us around and encourage us to spend.

We did so much but the most amazing for me was the wombat hunt. On the Tuesday night we went on a wombat hunt in a full size bus with a spot light on the top - I was sceptical - no self respecting wombat was going to get surprised by that. The driver told us that they usually see one or two and that his recond was 22 in one night. We were to be out for about an hour and a half.

We saw 51! Yay - wombats wandering down the road, ducking under fences, and just waddleing along. it seems so long ago now.

the journey continues

On our first night on the boat we moored at Sunnyside. Early the next morning I got up and went for a walk.

This photo was taken from the bank looking back down the river. In these reeds were many tiny bright blue headed wrens and their mates - it never seems fair that the males get all the good looks. I struggled to get a photo but there are wrens in those reeds.

Birds were a feature right along the Murray River, the captain told us there are over 90 species- we saw many during the trip.

And of course there were Pelicans!

Amazingly there were Sulphur Crested Cockatoos nesting in holes in the cliffs. Not just a few but many many cockatoos.

The river passes along huge sandstone cliffs that somehow manage to change from one side of the river to the other. The other bank is often lined with Weeping Willows that were planted in the 1920's ( not sure of my facts here) to define the levy banks as the river was often wide mud flats.

The ecology of the river has altered drastically with the introduction of European Carp. These fish have no natural preditors. The carp are sucking fish so suck up the river reeds pulling them out of the mud, this decreases the oxygen in the water and removes feed and shelter for other fish. Our native fish apparently are biters and chew off the reeds but leave the roots intact in the soil.

This carp was about 2ft6 inches long - no idea what that might be in metres but a bit under one I think. When carp are caught they can't be returned to the river even if they are killed and this one survived over night in the crate with no water. The cook put it on the bbq in case we wanted to taste it - but it smelt awful and looked pulpy and I'll usually try anything different. When it was cut open they discovered about1,4000 eggs so the crew was very happy to dispose of it. Several passengers tried their hand at fishing but these fish are hard to catch, again because they suck, and it's hard to get them to take a hook.

Floating Down the Murray River.

My Mum decided that what I would like most for my birthday is a trip down the Murray River. I'm not completely sure that would have been my first choice, though it was hers, as all the people going were 85 years plus and many were her friends. But it was a holiday and it certainly was very pleasant. The River was lovely, it was quiet at this time of the year, there was always something to see, and the trip had many side excursions that added interest and variety. The crew were wonderful - there were six of them to 24 passengers. They worked from early morning when we would start cruising and be served a full breakfast to very late at night.


The chefs did a great job, the highlights were probably the bbq which was a luxourious spread, and the five course Captains Dinner. I loved the black rice sushi served with cocktails before dinner.

Mum had the most delicious Lychee and Lime cocktail and Tash gave me the receipe. and I know I have it in a safe place!

This is at the bbq - the Captain, Dave, Mum and Gwen and Jo from behind. That's the bbq pit behind them where billy tea, which was Yuk! Damper - delicious with apricots and lemon peal, and the crew also cooked a European Carp one of the passengers caught so we could taste it - but it smelt disgusting, and I'll usually try anything.

I'll do the food stuff first! Before we went to Beight Bridge.... we were taken to the Revolving Restaurant in Glenelg and treated to a lovely high tea as we slowly moved round the views of the Adelaide Hills and the ocean. http://www.topoftheworld.net.au/ OK Julie maybe you can tell me how to do the linking thing?

This is Gwen - Mum's friend and neighbour about to enjoy the High Tea - behind the smoked salmon sandwiches were spinach and cheese triangles and samoosas.

Our night in Adelaide before we flew home was spent at the Adelaide Hilton and we had dinner in Simon Gallagher's ( of The Cook and the Chef) restaurant. I had a great chicken dish served with a red rice rissotto. So now I'm seeking red and black rice. I've discovered Black rice is often called the Forbidden Rice as it was only allowed to be eaten by Emperors in China.

There was also an Australian night with smoked Emu and a Kangaroo entre, buffet lunches with prawns and oysters, turkey and ham, one day even fish and chips served in newspaper. The food was sourced locally whenever possible, the wines came from the Mannum Ridge winery. I discovered an excellent Rose.

Current Home Sweet Home

This is where I'm currently residing, it's a duplex with a mirror image unit attached to the garage. My neighbour for the last six months has just moved out. I hope I get more good neighbours. Mitch was in his 50's, very tall, long grey hair, a beard, and rode a Harley Davidson. He is a generous man who willing helped when I needed a globe replaced and we had many pleasant passing conversations. Until recently Mitch worked in Mackay and would be away for 14 days then back for five. So mostly he just wasn't here! Then the company he works for moved to Ballina and changed to daily hours and he found the long bike rides each day were getting difficult so he's moved to Ballina.

The unit is tiny and one wall of my garage is still stacked with boxes - mainly books, but as I spend 12 hours a day at work with travel and then most of the weekends with Mum, it's ok for now.
front yard is basic but at least green, the unit is on a corner so I get Jim's Mowing to come once a month. The main disadvantage is the unit is on a main road with four lanes of traffic and a bus stop and the end of the drive - this means I pick up rubbish off the drive or lawn each day and find people sitting under the trees or leaning against the building while waiting for a bus, the most irritating bus passangers were a young couple who sat on the driveway and just wouldn't move when I tried to pull in. or Mum's who let their kids just run around. It was worse in summer when the only shade is up under my eaves.

So Home Sweet Home!

Sunday and celebrating small creativity

I'm again entered in an internet swap with SCQIS, so maybe that will get me motivated to create something again. This was my first block to add to Glenda's clowns.


this is my October contribution for Sabrina, she will add the Baltimore blocks to the heritage ones from a previous swap - I was in that one too. So far I'm keeping up and even ahead! And really enjoying the sewing.


These I thought I'd share - at WWILD we have had cooking classes each Thursday for the last 5 weeks with two lovely young nutrition students from QUT. Last week we made iced bisc - the women have so enjoyed the classes and their social skills have blossomed as they cook co-operatively and then we all sit down to a two course lunch. Getting them to help with the dishes is a whole other matter but there's time to develop some understanding that the fun bits are shared but so is the work. We will continue the classes on a fortnightly basis.

I continue to scan and create with my photos - both kids will have a scrap book - or two- covering their growing up and recording the stories that go with the photos. I'm currently doing August '84 so we are about to leave the Gold Coast and move up to Springbrook, Jess has just turned two, and Dan is 4 months old. I also bounce around just randomly scanning and creating depending on what I find - today I did photos of Chris - Pete's first wife and her new husband, Paul and their girls. These go back over 30 years!
Today I made banana muffins, yesterday when I was at Mum's her neighbour Gwen came over with some bananas, so today I made muffins for lunch and took some over for Gwen and her friend Jo..... and there goes another weekend.

Table 9 on the 09.09.09

Despite my best intentions another four months have past. I had a very special day today spent with Julie Whitby (Disteldorf) we hadn't seen each other for about 20 years. We met in PNG when our daughters - Jessie and Jessie - went to pre-school together. There was so much to catch up on and I'm sure it won't be so long before we spend time together again. There were tears and much sadness for her Jess and lots of bragging about our boys. Jessie O, Jessie D and Dan, this is how I remember Jess the most.
It seems this is a time for reunions.
Last weekend was Uncle Bruce's 80th Birthday and his four children were there, Gary, Sandy, Cheryl and Joanne and we worked out it would be closer to 40 years since we had been together! Again lots of talking and laughter and easy sharing.
The week before saw me catching up with Judy Dawson, that was a 45 year gap. Her parents and mine have been life long friends with Mum and Dad being best man and bridesmaid at her parents wedding, our parents have stayed in touch though Judy and I had no connection for so long - I would never have recognised Judy but I think she is someone I would choose for a friend these days. Again lots to catch up on in our lives.
I realise just how valuable these "lost" people are in my life and I'll make greater effort to maintain these links.

Job hunting again, not the easiest task when I'm told the reason I didn't get the position is not about my work, I've done a great job, but... seems their criteria is to employ young local workers where ever possible and darn, I'm old and travel for an hour to get to work each day. So I have to accept that there's something else out there for me.
Quilt wise I'm progressing with my girl gollies for Lin's quilt and over the weekend I made some flying geese for the borders.

My friend Cathy and her husband Geoff came up to Coolangatta to their time share at the Beach House, I was fortunate enough to spend two days with them, it ws so good and so easy to chat and catch up. These photos are taken from their unit, looking north to Surfers Paradise, down to Kirra Beach and south to Coolangatta. It was so easy to just sit and enjoy the view.

Easter is looming and I'm looking forward to a few quiet days at home. I finally got my machine set up - in a corner of my bedroom, but it's all ready to go, so I'm hopeing for some quilt progress to occur. I've been playing with ideas round flying geese and the use of colour, and I went to the Craft Fair at the Gold Coast Convention Centre last weekend and soooo enjoyed the quilts on display. There were the Quilts of the Gold Coast Quilters, an exhibition from Art Quilters - where do they get all those ideas? and a small group of quilts commemorating RFDS. I loved the use of outback colours. My companion was Jean who is a 91yo quilter who does the most amazing work. I hadn't been to a quilt show since Canbera 2005- so I came away with my head spinning.
I was very restrained with my spending, or was it overwhelmed with choice? I bought one design of a frilled neck lizard, and he may just start to appear on a top I made about a year ago - or quite possibly more. I bought the book at Calico Patch in Canberra while brousing with Cathy.

I've been told my locum position at Beaucare is to be advertised as a full-time position, so I'm working on my application. I'm now enjoying the drive through the mountains, though last week we had some big storms and lots of rain that made visability difficult and the water on the roads had planeing a common occurance. Twice I saw cars come to grief - one took a bend too tightly and rolled landing on it's roof against the mountain and the other, a ute, just missed a bend and went off the mountain nose first down the side. It made for stressful driving and I'd decided if the weather continued I'd just stay home and curl up on the couch with a good book. Of course the next morning the skies were grey and only drizzling - till I hit the mountains!

I'm employed for now, as a locum with Beaucare in Beaudesert about an hours drive from home. I've rented a unit in Arundel, 4 km from Mum's, and although it's rather small it's starting to be home.

I'm the Family Support Officer in a team that contains, the Community Development Officer, (the team leader) me and a Youth Worker. The Youth Worker is a great guy, a Maori, huge, and much fun, he's a single Dad of four late teens and a new grandson. The work is more crisis work, especially housing, which just isn't available in Beaudesert. We cover the old shire of Beaudesert, and I spend Tuesday at Jimboola, wednesdays on Mt Tamborine and thursdays will be Rathdownie. It's great to be part of a team and have like minds to bounce ideas and possibilities off. It's also exciting to again be establishing a program.

I still spend time with Mum about 4 days a week, yesterday we had an interesting day, I got to Mum's just on 11am and her neighbour Cassie, came out on her walking frame calling out "help - fire" I thought I should investigate, got Mum to ring the carer, and went to see what was happening. There appeared to be no flame just lots of dark smoke so I went in and the stove was on and the pot had burned and the heat had started to melt the plastic fittings to the stove exhaust- no smoke alarms - so I turned off the stove and opened the windows and doors. Cassie was very distressed, the carer arrived having called 000 and I went down to the gate to direct the fire brigade. Two big trucks with sirens blaring turned up, gues there wasn't much happening at Sunday lunchtime.

Mum and I then revised our plans and went to the Pines for lunch at the cafe. It ws quiet and very nice, we then went to the Sothport Sharkes club, where they have real sharks, in huge tanks, and I got very excited as I won the jackpot of $50 three times, then Mum won over $700 - so we both did well and came home happy.

Life seems to be moving forward, towards what? I have no idea. But I decided it was time to be more proactive. My kids found it a great amusement that I was unemployed and living on my Mum's couch. Annie and Lin said Mum was doing well and from the brief phone calls she sounds well and happy. So find a place to live - not easy when your unemployed. But I did find a unit that would consider me if I paid 3 months in advance. So tuesday will see the removalists at my new home at 7am - they do things early here!

I had decided that Murwillumbah may have to go on hold - the unit I wanted was withdrawn from sale and it is 40 minutes from here, so 12 months renting quite close would give me the time and space to make some more permanent decisions.

Two interviews this week that seemed to go well, but then I'm not sure what well is any more, still maybe there's a whole trend of progress.

On a positive spin I wanted to record Dan's efforts at fund raising for Breast Cancer. With his friends from Natura Records and fellow street artists, they put on a concert and painted some canvases for sale.

three months have past!

it's now 2009 - on reflection I decided 2008 was a year of endings for me, ending a job I loved, ending a marriage I didn't so much any more, ending friendships, just by distance and lack of availability. But I'm looking to 2009 as a beginning on so many levels.

the last three months haven't been the easiest, Mum has had two hospitalizations, job applications are slow, I seem to get lots of interviews, but miss out. On enquiry I find my age is against me and the wide experiance I have is an advantage to go for more jobs but in the big smoke the jobs are more specific - relationship, children, anger, depression, grief and loss, family, drug and alcohol, and though I have worked with all these, there are others that have worked in just that area. I'm still confident the right job will turn up at the right time.

I've been making a list each day when I sleep and when I wake of all the things i'm grateful for - they tend to get lost in the daily struggle to try to get ahead. So today I'm grateful to have the time to read novels, I'm grateful i have airconditioning when so many don't, I'm grateful my children are alive and well.

This is Murwillumbar- Mountain Village retirement but the unit I liked has been withdrawn from sale so I guess it's not or me at this time. I've decided I need to live much closer to Mum at this time so I'll probably rent in Ashmore for 12 months.

and I'll try to write more even though my life isn't at all interesting - each day brings something however small an trivial. No photos but i can still write it down. Ok web photos will have to do.

I had a lovely very quiet Christmas with Dan, he arrived the day before, and seemed happy to just be in a quiet and clean place. Living off my saving means no expensive outings and I live a very quiet life. Dan spent New Year with Matt Ogilvie ( who has been a mate since they were in second grade) Dan and I had a day together on Friday as Matt was at work - I splurged on lunch at the North Burleigh Surf Club - fish and chips and the beach of course! Then we took a trip down to Murwillumbar. Lots of talking and just sharing the day.