GLIMPSES OF 2013

Happy people plan actions, they don't plan results 

Dennis Wholey

2013 went so quickly. It was an unsettled year for me. I was living on money from long service leave and my redundancy payment.  I spent the year not knowing what type of welfare payment I would be entitled to in October. New Start would have given me $250 a week. I would have to sell my house. My doctors suggested I try for a disability pension. I have a number of health problems which makes looking for a job very difficult, but I was surprised at the ease with which I was awarded a pension.

While a pension doesn't pay a great amount, and I am having to pull my belt very tight, it makes keeping the house a possibility. And if I can manage some sort of craft business, and maybe sell some Nu Skin products I will be very happy.

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Below are a few glimpses of my 2013.

January

February

March

April

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May

June

July

 

August

 September

October

November

 

December

I feel quite positive about 2014. I have a great belief that God will look after me. At the rate my life changes these days, who knows where I will be by the end of the year.

Best wishes to everyone for 2014.

Interesting sites
 1.

 Tiny House used as office

Photo source

 This is a modern Tiny House used in a backyard as an office. Click here to read more.

2.

Get blown away at Maho Beach

Photo source

Planes come in so low over the heads of these people on Maho Beach in the Caribbean that they can almost touch them. I can't imagine this ever being allowed in Australia. Click here to go to the site and see the 2 videos. They are definitely worth watching.

3.

Photo source

 Click here  to visit Owey Island, in the Atlantic west of Donegal, Ireland. It is really beautiful!! I would love to live there.

BABY R'S NAMING DAY

 Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow; it empties today of its strength.
Corrie Ten Boom

Well I didn't get the job. In the end there was only one teaching position going when the school reopens next year so M, my teaching colleague and I were up for the same job, as well as anyone else who applied. M got the position which was really as it should be. He is ten years younger  than me, and I have to admit, has a lot more enthusiasm. So I am happy for him.

I have the rest of the year to work - 2 more weeks in this term and then 10 weeks in the final term.

So what does the future hold? I am pretty sure I will retire, as to what form that will actually take I am not quite sure. I will probably sell my house. I am very interested in Tiny Houses, even though I have a big house with lots of stuff. I would not build a tiny house but I think I would be quite happy to live in a caravan park in a self contained unit. Click here to see the type of thing I would be looking at. But that is a way off for now. My current house needs a bit of fixing which P:-) is going to help me with.

I have a passion for teaching young people with reading difficulties and I would probably do some private tutoring if I retire.

P:-) says I should just take it all one step at a time, but I do like to have a plan.

Spring in the Camellia Gardens

On Saturday, the first day of spring P:-)'s newest granddaughter had a naming day in lieu of a christening. It was held in the Camellia Gardens in Caringbah. It was a beautiful day. A celebrant officiated.

Naming ceremony

A special candle with the baby's name on it was lit and held by the god mother.

Candle

Baby R had the best booties on. They were crocheted red with large satin bows on them with big faux rubies in the centre.

Cute booties

 The Camellia Gardens were not quite in full bloom as it was still too early in the season but were still  very attractive.

Path through the gardens

Blooms in the gardens

Sunday was Fathers' Day and we had afternoon tea at P:-)'s place for his family.

So it was a very pleasant weekend. The weather is beautiful, just as it should be in early Spring and there are many more sunny days forecast to come.



Interesting sites

1.

Photo source

Click here to read about the ecoPerch.

2.

Photo source

 Click here  to read about the link between Parkinson's disease and severe flu.

3.

Photo source

  Click here to view some very unusual cloud pictures. I came across this site at Jayne's blog Gleeful.

THE CHRISTENING

Christening card

Yesterday P:-)'s second granddaughter L was christened at the St Alysious Catholic Church in Cronulla.

Inside St Aloysious Catholic Church, Cronulla

It was a lovely service. Two others babies were baptized at the same time.

L's Baptsim

 Later we went to Little Italy at Cronulla for lunch.

View from Window at Little Italy

View from window at Little Italy

As well as looking pretty, the cake was delicious - lots of jam and cream.

The cake

There were about 30 family and friends attending the Christening. It was a very pleasant day.

Something to think about

I came across the verse below in my Bible reading. I think it is a very practical way to live and stave off depression.

Paul says “whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things” (Philippians 4:8).

or from The Message:


Summing it all up, friends, I'd say you'll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious - the best, not the worst: the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. (Philippians 4:8, The Message)


As far as possible I try  look on the good side. I try to see the best in people. I try not to dwell on the nasty or horrible. I have found that embracing the positive in life makes life worth living.


Interesting sites 
 
1.

I would love to live in this house on the outskirts of Moscow. Click here to see more photos of the interior and exterior.

2.

This is called The King of the Frogs House. Click here  to read more about it and see more photos.

3.

This house floats on Lake Huron, Ontario, Canada. Read more about it by clicking here.

CASCADING FLOWERS

Blackberry flowers

Let's look for wildflowers in bloom,

blackberry bushes blooming white

Fruit trees festooned 

with cascading flowers 

(Song of Solomon 7:12)

The Message

I think this another beautiful image of the garden. The use of the words 'festooned' and 'cascading' in regard to the fruit trees gives a vivid image of the fruit tress covered in blossoms.

Fruit tree blossoms

 We bought P:-)'s  granddaughter L a brooch yesterday, for her christening tomorrow.

It is very traditional but cute.

I took lots of photos at little I's Christening 18 months ago and then printed them for R and M, P:-)'s daughter-in-law and son. I plan to do the same this time. It was lots of fun. Not that I am a great photographer, but I just thought it would be nice for them to have a lot of candid shots of the day.

I am starting to think I may need a tripod to improve my still shots. I thought I should buy an SLR camera, but my daughter R said it is too much of a nuisance to carry every where. My Ixus 70 lives in my handbag but it would be far more inconvenient with a larger camera.

Interesting sites

1.

 

One Question That Will Change Your Life Forever  by Fred Tracy is an interesting article about making the most of the present. Click here to read it.

2.

This is Halloween pumpkin sculpture.Click here. to see some more.

3.

This site shows the Top 6 Creepiest Buildings for a Frightful Halloween. Click here to see them. Don't miss the animal tissue house.