Christmas Day

Food and games, guess which we had too much of.

Thunderstorm

As I drove through the parched Mallee landscape, a heavy black storm cloud followed me to the West. Jabbing at the earth every few minutes with white spikes of lightning. When at last I gave in to the spectacular and pulled over to capture the moment, the storm played with me, only releasing its fireworks when my shutter was closed. For over 200 kilometres I drove alongside the storm as both of us headed North.

Morwenna Me!

Well Angela has tagged me so here goes...

M - Mum/Mom: Being a Mum has been one of the most important aspects of my life. I have loved every stage of my children's life, and count them each as my greatest achievement. And as they find life partners I find new children to cherish.

O - Oracle: I have always said that it is my pen that is better connected to my soul than my mouth! When I write I do not fumble for the right words. I love to write and one day.... Will there be a novel or just more abandoned stories?

R - Rider: Horses were my life when I was younger, and although God and family squeezed them out to the edges a bit, riding is still one of my great loves.

W - Worshiper: At 16 years of age I heard about a God who loved me. I knew there were people who loved me, but I suspected that was because the didn't know how big a phony I was. That God could know me better than I knew myself and still love me was a revelation that changed my life. To know that love has to result in worship!

E - Entertainer: I love to make people welcome in my home. Love to feed them. Love to spoil them.

N - Nutty: Love to be silly, have fun and make others laugh. I was the class clown at school, partly because at some point I decided to be in control of the laughter directed at me, and partly because I enjoyed the attention!

N - Neat & tidy: Nahhhh! That's a laugh! Told you I was Nutty! Hopefully one day I will be able to say Nana! Hint, hint, wink, wink!

A - Aussie! I love my country, love my heritage, love our short history her, and love the rich history, pre existing before my people came.


I will have to think a bit on who to tag.... I have to come up with 8 names!

Smithsonian Institute

Soooo ... This is where our fortune went! Any way we can get it back?

I am a bit patchy as to the family line but I think Elizabeth Hungerford was the daughter of the Lord Hungerford who stayed in England, while his brother went to Ireland, from where my Great, Great Grandfather emigrated to Australia.
James Smithson was the illegitimate son of Hugh, and therefore his fortune came from the Hungerfords - which was why it was at first bequeathed to poor old cousin Henry.


THE WILL OF JAMES SMITHSON

I James Smithson Son to Hugh, first Duke of Northumberland, &, Elizabeth, Heiress of the Hungerfords of Studley, &, Niece to Charles the proud Duke of Somerset, now residing in Bentinck Street, Cavendish Square, do this twenty-third day of October, one thousand eight hundred and twenty-six, make this my
last Will and Testament:

Should the said Henry James Hungerford have a child or children, legitimate or illegitimate, I leave to such child or children, his or their heirs, executors &, assigns, after the death of his, or her, or their Father, the whole of my property of every kind absolutely &, forever, to be divided between them, if there is more than one, in the manner their father shall judge proper, or, in case of his omitting to decide this, as the Lord Chancellor shall judge proper. Should my said Nephew, Henry James Hungerford, marry, I empower him to make a jointure. In the case of the death of my said Nephew without leaving a child or children, or the death of the child or children he may have had under the age of twenty-one years or intestate, I then bequeath the whole of my property subject to the Annuity of One Hundred pounds to John Fitall, &, for the security &, payment of which I mean Stock to remain in this Country, to the United States of America, to found at Washington, under the name of the Smithsonian Institution, an Establishment for the increase &, diffusion of knowledge among men…

Fishy Tales

Today I bought a fish!
He has a new home in a large square vase on the windowsill.
Now we just need to name him.... Any suggestions?




Oh, and do you see a ghost like figure in the background?


Mmmmm... I think Ash has already named him..... Supper!

Homecoming & Mmmmmm........

Today I drove to Swan Hill for my Uncle Geoff's 80th Birthday. In the sleepy little town of Nyah West (just a bit smaller than Kerrobert for all you Canadians), I caught up with old neighbours and cousins I haven't seen for years. Its so hard to keep in touch down through the years after grandparents pass away and we all scatter to all points of the compass. In this first photo are the Hills and Pat Dowell. They lived just up the lane from us when I was growing up. I would feed Pat's animals when she was away - my first paid job, and we would always have fresh honey courtesy of Jim Hill's beehives.




In the second photo are my Aunty Marg and cousin Wendy. Marg is the last remaining member of my Dad's family. She has moved back to the area after many years of moving between Queensland and Melbourne. Wendy and I couldn't remember when we saw each other last. We are sure we must have caught up at least once in the past 30 years but apart from a few phone calls we are not sure we have ever been in the same place at the same time. You can probably see the resemblance!

And here is the birthday boy with his family! The Hobsons were always close to us growing up, even though it is actually Aunty Menna and my Dad who are cousins. She was also my Godmother and the origin of my middle name. For a family of all boys they have done well to give Menna and Geoff 10 granddaughters and 2 grandsons!






And now......


The moment you have all been waiting for......



Now be honest, have you read all of this Post before gettig to this part? Mmmmmm.....





Oooooo... What is that I see in the mirror?
















SURPRISE!!!!



I though it would take much longer to guess!
Didn't realise smarty pants Justin would be able to work it out from the type of numberplate!

Bought it secondhand through the salary sacrifice scheme at work which means all the payments go out before tax. A good way to go but a bit of a headache to get organized. We found it in Sydney advertised on the Internet. It had to be exactly right - yep if we were finally going to take the plunge it had to be the exact one we wanted. . So Ross flew to Sydney on Thursday after we had been told everything would be ready to go, only to end up with delays from the finance company. He stayed in a Motel that night and finally took delivery just after Lunch Friday.
I think he "blew out a few cobwebs" on the way home covering over 900 kilometres in 10 hours! With the supercharger and 6 gears he is happy that its much more than a "girls car".

Abd yes, the number plates say it all - a real cutie!

Feeling Better

Everyday that we wake up feeling reasonably healthy we should thank God for our health.
This year I missed out on the annual flu shots at work because I was overseas, and last weekend I succumbed to the dreaded virus for the first time in a couple of years. I have had a few bad colds in that time but had forgotten how miserable you can feel when every muscle aches and your head feels like it will explode!
On the bright side, the few days I spent in bed did wonders for my injured wrist which is now all better. Also my symptoms are now just a bit of an annoying cough which I can live with.
I am heading to Swan Hill this weekend for my Uncle Geoff Hobsons 80th. It will be good to catch up with the cousins from that side of the family.
I am also doing something really exciting - the first clue for all you curious cats out there is...
"It sure is!"