A fill in post

Hi folks, this is Peter, I'm doing a short
post for Margaret as she has no ISP at the
moment.
This coming on top of her recent illness
has had her feeling pretty depressed, to
the degree that she talked of giving up
blogging, not wanting to see that happen
I suggested that I would do this post
explaining that she will return when she
gets her broadband back again.

It is amazing how things seem to conspire against
somebody at times, Margaret has certainly had a run like that lately,
losing her Husband and then her youngest son in rapid succession.
With her illness putting a cap on things and now computer related
problems just for the frosting on the cake.

It is Justin's birthday on Saturday 3rd Feb, it would be a nice surprise
if she were to come back to a lot of cheery messages when she returns.

Happy New Year

I would like to thank all the kind caring blogger friends who have
given me so many wise words of comfort through my difficult Christmas.
I know that a lot of you have great sadness of your own at this time
my thoughts and prayers are with you.
The love and support that I have received from all my old and new friends have really helped in so many ways.

Thank you all once again.
I wish you one and all a very Happy New Year with many
Blessings along the way.


I spent Christmas day at Bribie Island with my eldest son and his family,as well as a very dear friend of theirs.
It was a very nice way to spend the day, nice to catch up with everyone
and sit back and be spoiled.
On the Wednesday I drove to Brisbane to see my other son
and his family, once again it was very good to catch up and have some
more family TLC. The children are always a delight.

THIS IS TOO SWEET FOR WORDS!!!

A six-year-old boy told his father he wanted to marry the little girl across the street. The father, being modern and well-schooled in handling children, hid his smile behind his hand.

"That's a serious step," he said. "Have you thought it out completely?"

"Yes," his young son answered. "We can spend one week in my room and the next in hers. It's right across the street, so I can run home if I get scared of the dark."

"How about transportation?" the father asked.

"I have my wagon, and we both have our tricycles," the little boy answered. The boy had an answer to every question the father raised.

Finally, in exasperation, his dad asked, "What about babies? When you're married, you're liable to have babies, you know."

"We've thought about that, too," the little boy replied. "We're not going to have babies. Every time she lays an egg, I'm going to step on it!"

One winter morning a couple was listening to the radio over breakfast. They hear the announcer say, "We are going to have 8 to 10 inches of snow today.

You must park your car on the even-numbered side of the street, so the snow ploughs can get through." Norman's wife goes out and moves her car.

A week later while they are eating breakfast again, the radio announcer says, "We are expecting 10 to 12 inches of snow today. You must park your car on the odd-numbered side of the street, so the snow ploughs can get through." Norman's wife goes out and moves her car again.

The next week they are again having breakfast, when the radio announcer says "We are expecting 12 To 14 inches of snow today. You must park............"

Then the electric power goes out. Norman's wife is very upset, and with a worried look on her face she says, "Honey, I don't know what to do. Which side of the street do I need to park on so the snow ploughs can get through?"


With the love and understanding in his voice that all men who are married to blondes exhibit, Norman says...........

How about leaving it in the garage this time!!!

Tribute to my Son Justin.

Justin.

This is an excerpt from a Dolores Keanne / Emmylou Harris duet
called “Sonny”

Night’s are so long,
Silence goes on,
I'm feeling so tired,
And not feeling strong.

Sonny please don't go.

Justin Davidson born 3/2/1972 Died tragically 23/12/2005.

May Eternal rest be granted him Oh Lord
And may perpetual light shine upon him.
Peace be with him.

One of the hymns I chose for Justin’s Funeral Service

Now the laborour’s task is oe’r
Now the battle day is past;
Now upon a farther shore
Lands the voyager at last.
Father in Thy gracious keeping,
Leave we now Thy servant sleeping

There the tears on earth are dried,
There the hidden things are clear;
There the work of life is tried,
By a juster Judge than here.
Father, in Thy gracious keeping,
Leave we now Thy servant sleeping.

There the Shepherd bringing home;
Many a lamb forlorn and strayed,
Shelters each no more to roam,
Where the wolf can neer invade.
Father, in Thy gracious keeping,
Leave we now Thy servant sleeping.

My Son, My Son!

The Day My Life Changed Forever

This is a photo of my youngest son Justin at the age of 32.

Those of you who read Peter's blog at holtieshouse January 2006.
will know some of this story already.

Justin's marriage of eleven years broke up the week before my birthday
7th August 2005. Justin was a dedicated and loving father and husband.

I kept this bad news from my husband Lyle who was in residential care
and too frail to cope with it.

As I have already posted Lyle passed away on 1st September 2005,
Justin seemed to deal with the passing of Lyle well enough, he was
having great difficulty with the lack of his family life as he knew it.

Sadly these things just happen these days out of the blue with no
warning.

Justin at the age of 32.


Things were naturally very strained between his wife and himself at
times , the phone calls he had with his little ones used to really tear
him apart as he had always been such a hands on dad, the three
children used to follow him everywhere like little puppies enjoying
every moment with him.

I sat on the fence at this time trying to be supportive to everyone
as I loved them all, Araina and I had always had a special relationship
throughout this marriage.


This was a publicity shot taken when Justin used to work at the
historical Fort Lytton in the Moreton Bay area. There was an annual
re-enactment of the forces that used to man the Fort, a big tourist day
with BBQ and many stall and displays. Justin in the one who has the
work Fort below him.


Two of Justin's children, Melissa aged five, with plain blue singlet top,
her brother Matthew directly behind her aged eight at this time.
This was his last Christmas celebrated with the family, Justin had
died by the next Christmas, the children in the photo are all first
cousins.


Justin and his youngest baby a little girl Breeanna who was just about
to turn two on the 27th December. She was all "Christmased" out at
the time of this photo, needed her beauty sleep.

Justin continued to live in New South Wales, was on anti depressants,
was working and looking forward to his estranged wife visiting him for
the Christmas break so they could still maintain Christmas for the
children as normally as possible.
However his wife changed her mind and decided her and the children
would spend time with her mother instead. Justin was in constant
contact with her trying to get her to change her mind.

On the 23rd of December he borrowed his friends mobile to once
again beg her to come down, she did not change her mind.

Justin said he did not feel like staying at work and that he would see
his friend later when he finished work and went home.
The plan was that they would then call on a friend and spend the
evening there. Justin's friend duly went home from work at 7.30 to pick
him up for their nights visiting to find that Justin had taken his own life.

It came to light later that he had died at 4.30 pm on the 23rd
december, we had Christmas Day and Breeanna's third birthday on
the 27th December to live through. It broke my heart when I visited
the children and Araina with their presents as, Breeanna asked me
very loudly to "take me to Daddy in your car Nanni."

I had been in contact with Justin who was very happy that I was going
to Gympie to be with my friends that Justin knew, he was relieved that
I would spend my first Christmas after Lyle's passing with people he
knew would look after me. These friends had asked me at Lyle's funeral,I
accepted the offer happily. I knew my family that I usually spent Christmas
Day with would be happy for me to do this, as they understood Gympie had
had been a special place to Lyle and myself.

On the Christmas Eve my friends and I, Peter, Jackie and Ken and
another friend from Hervey bay Edna were having a very enjoyable time
when my middle son rang me and told me the news of Justin's death.
The bottom just dropped out of my world as I knew it. Friends from
Brisbane rang poor Jackie and Ken's phone all day Jackie was letting
them, know if I was able to talk to them otherwise they would ring
back later.

I remained with these friends who helped me to survive the very worst
news I had ever had in my life. I felt very sorry for my friends
throughout all of this as what a terrible burden they had been given
to deal with, they are the best friends anyone could ever wish for and
they were just truly magnificent each and every one of them,

Time came for me to go back to Caloundra and prepare for a stay in
Brisbane where one group of wonderful friends from Gympie passed
me onto another friend of the same ilk who cared for me until Justin's
body was released and my two elder son's and family took me down
to New South Wales for the Service.
We were not able to bring Justin back home as his wife did not wish
it, and although estranged Araina was still his legal next of kin so we
needed to abide by her decision.

Neither Araina or the children attended Justin's funeral although my
family did every possible thing they could to assist them to do so.

I know there will be other people out there with the same sort of
tragedy, I was always very considerate and sympathetic when I read or
heard of these things happening to other people , never really knew
though the terrible depth of pain that one suffers in times like this or
for how long it goes on for.

One walks eats sleeps lives functions as always, I even laugh,
however I am aware a part of me is just missing and it will never
return again. I am blessed with many good loving friends , and family
who have helped me crawl back out of the "hole "to some sort of "normal" life.

This is my story and how I hope in vain, I know, that people could be
spared from suffering this way.

The Wedding

The Wedding that I attended on Saturday was a very special event. The blushing Bride was on of the RN’s who works at the facility where I work. Naturally the bride was beautiful they always are, so were the bridesmaids, as they usually are. There are no photos available at this point.

The venue for the wedding was a park at Golden Beach which is right on the foreshore. The bridesmaid’s frocks were of a very unusual green which looked stunning in the setting of sea and palm trees.

There had been seating placed with a pathway between which had been strewn with roses for the bridal party to walk over to where the Groom and his aides were waiting.

The Ring bearer and his little flower girl looked like a miniature bride and groom very cute.

There were a number of volunteers who assisted quite a lot of the residents to attend the wedding ceremony itself. The Bride had prepared a few nibbles and some champagne and beer for these resident to partake of after the ceremony and before they returned to the Aged care Complex.

The residents who were unable to attend the wedding itself were not left out, the entire bridal party including parents of groom and bride visited them “at home” to a facility, decked out in festive splendour by the staff on duty.

The reception was a great happening, belly dancers performing, as well, they danced with guests this caused riots of laughter. Someone who shall remain nameless was only to glad to be roped into the frivolities of the evening.

The Bride and Groom stayed for the whole party which was great joining in with all the guests, on the dance floor. I arrived home at 1200. No Prince charming and no glass slipper, ( I was not really looking). So happy to have been part of such a great event. By the way each guest was presented with a crystal bride and groom teddy bear in a lovely whie satin chest probably about 6 inches by 6 inches.

Today the residents are still full of conversations about the beautiful wedding they were blessed to be a part of, everywhere I went in the facility they were holding forth about it with such pleasure. What a wonderful and unselfish gesture on the part of this bride to share so gracefully her very special day.

Not The Bride and groom!

A couple had planned their holiday at a terrific resort, at the last moment they discovered they could not arrive together due to a problem with her flight back from a business trip. They decided that he should arrive on the correct day and she would follow him the day after.

He duly arrived and emailed her of his arrival, unfortunately in sending the email he made an error in the email address, this caused the email to be received by a very recently bereaved Vicar’s Wife

The email read as follows:-

I have arrived safely,

You will like it here,

One is free to do whatever they wish,

You are able to send emails, hence this one,

It is really very hot here though.

I am looking forward to your arrival here tomorrow.

The widow's sister found her leaning across a table in a dead faint!

Two mates are camping in the outback. It’s the middle of the night and they’re both sound asleep in their tent when one of them lets out a yelp of absolute agony. As his friend awakes, he sees a snake slithering away out of their tent.

“That bloody snake just bit me on the bum!” cries the victim.

“ Quick find the nearest phone and find out from a doctor what we should do!”

With that his friend runs a couple of kilometers down the road until he fins a phone box. Gasping out what had happened, he asked the doctor on the other end for instructions.

“Well”, said the doctor, “you must go back to you friend as quickly as possible, cut a little ”X” with a penknife where he was bitten and suck out the venom---but do it quickly or else he’ll die!”

“Thanks doc,” he says and runs back to the camp site.

Relieved at seeing his friend return, the other camper says in a panic-stricken voice,”Well, what did the doctor say?”

“Sorry mate, he says you’re gunna die!”

On that note I will leave you all to it. Have a great week all and take care Margaret

My Lyle

This is a photo of myself and Lyle taken on a night out at the Tin Can bay country Club.We would often have a night out at this venue to celebrate someone's birthday, or simply to have a social gathering.
I first met Lyle at a neighbour's house across the road from where I lived in Brisbane.
The friend's and my children attended school together. Lyle was always invited to any parties and BBQ's at this house. My husband Tom passed away and the family over the road took myself and my children under their wing. I began to be invited to group outing with these neighbours, eventually Lyle and I started to keep company and married. At the friend's house, we also had our own private church blessing for our marriage.
Lyle and I were married for 26 years, about 14 years of the "for better" and the remainder was sadly the "or worse" . This came about because of Lyle's failing health, Lyle retired about three years ahead of me, he used to potter around at home and help as much as he could. I retired myself at this time, I could see there was a need for me to spend as much quality time as possible with Lyle.
We moved up to Tin Can Bay to be closer to Lyle's brother who lived there at the time.
We met a wonderful group of real friends who Lyle and I both valued,of course I still do value them.
Lyle started out using a walking stick, this very quickly changed to a mobile scooter which I had to load in and out of the car.
This car was a small Sigma, I had to dismantle the scooter and place it all into the car
Then I would have to re-assemble it when we reached our destination. It was quite chore lifting it in and out of the car,the sections were very heavy and it had two heavy batteries.
We were by this stage sharing the property with Peter, Peter was upgrading his car so Lyle and I bought his current car which was a diesel Mercedes station wagon.
Peter made me a wooden board that I could place onto the bumper bar, fold the top of the scooter down then drive it up this ramp into the back of the wagon. Much Better all round.
Lyle very soon upgraded to a"wheelie walker" as his health worsened, then to a rollator which for those who don't know that is the body height walking frame.
Next came the wheel chair. I had it very good back at Gympie with daily respite centre, as well as in house respite carer when necessary.
Lyle had many trips in and out of hospital at this stage some I drove him in, other times it was the ambulance.
We decided to move to Brisbane, thinking it was our best choice, very bad mistake we did not have nearly as much assistance as we had in Gympie.
Lyle and I managed to muddle through at home for a little over five years with me being his carer. We bought a hoist and many other things to make things easier for me to keep caring for him.
Tragically it came to pass that I had to acknowledge that I was not able to deliver the level of care that was necessary anymore.The decision had to be made for Lyle to go into residential care.
This broke both Lyle's and my hearts, I had hoped to be able to care for him to the end. Lyle had to go into a Fall Out Chair I could not mangae this at home. This is a very large chair that folds down flat if needed. He still used to sleep in a bed of a night. His bed had an air mattress with an electric motor, to inflate and deflate the mattress continually, this prevented bed sores. Lyle remained in full care four almost
four years, he passed away last year on the 1st of September which is the first day of spring in Australia and is called Wattle Day. Two days after his 78th birthday.
We were both very fortunate that I was able to stay right by his side until the end. The last words he ever spoke to me were "I love you".
What a lovely thought he left me with. I still wish he was by my side, however he had some very tough years and I would not wish him to live on one extra day as he was.



Things To Keep In mind.

Computers make very fast accurate mistakes.
Computers are not intelligent. They only think they are.
My software never has bugs, it just develops random features.
Definition of an upgrade: Take the old bugs out and put new bugs in.
A computers attention span is as long as it's power cord.
Windows: Just another pane in the glass.
Who's General Failure and why is he reading my disc?
RAM is "NOT" an installation procedure.
DEFINITION: Computer- a device to speed automatic errors.
Smash forehead on keyboard to continue.
As a computer, I find you faith in technology amusing.



NOTICE;

This department requires no physical fitness program.

Everyone her gets enough exercise:-

Jumping to conclusions.
Flying off the handle.
Running down the boss.
Knifing friends in the back.
Dodging responsibility.
Pushing their luck.


I thought I would just do a post about my husband Lyle, just a very quick one.
Here I am two hours later!
I had a pretty quiet weekend, house worked on Saturday did some blogging.
My Pc wanted to use programs other what I wanted it to. Peter helped me yet again
via the phone to whip it into shape.
I then went out to have a lovely lunch at The power Boat Club. Delicious! Grilled fish
with salad followed by a small slice of wicked baked blueberry cheesecake.
We then went back to my friend's place for tea or coffee. June was moving yesterday,
down to Coomera, she will now be closer to her daughter Norma who has been my
friend for longer than June her mother. Norma lives at Tamborine I have mentioned
being at her place in an earlier post. Not great news for me as I will not see either
of them as often as I used to.
Yesterday and today I have been to work, after work I went for a long walk along the beachfront.
Now I must finish off here and go cook myself dinner. Until next time God Bless and take care
Margaret

Thanks to Peter

A friend in need is a friend indeed!
Thanks to a great deal of head banging from me and hard work from Peter, I am once more able to post on my site. There appeared to have been some gremlins at work in the links between myself and my isp. It seems to be allright on the night now. Many apologies to those who visited my site and received no acknowledgement of same, it was beyond my control.

I have been for an overnight visit to Bribie Island, to visit with my eldest son and family. For the benefit of those not familiar with the name Bribie, it is situated 45 minutes south of Caloundra by car. The reason for my visit was a birthday celebration dinner out. The venue was a lovely restaraunt in the Pumicestone passage at Bongaree which is the name of an area on Bribie.

The weather was ideal and the food was great, we went back home to my families home and watched musical dvds. One was a compilation called Australian legends and the other was called The Best Of Cheyrl Crowe. After that it was time for bed. We had a reasonably early breakfast, hung out for a while then it was time for my family to be off to a BBQ (you have to feel sorry for them) and myself to drive back to Caloundra. I potted up some interesting succulents that my daughter in law had given me and proceeded to have a lazy day. This was after having a couple of heavy discussions with my PC which of course it won, I then went away and sulked.
I relented and came back to work on the PC after Peter had notified me that I was up and running once more. I am looking forward to my future blogging experiences.