TIME FOR A NAME CHANGE

Hello and Welcome... As you can see I have had a name change. As life is changing I have thought for a while to change my blog name...The url is still the same as I don't want to lose my blog and start a new one as this blog is a record of my life.AS the children started to grow and move away it was my way of keeping them updated on what was happening at home...Someday I hope my grandchildren look through the memories on these pages and learn about the grandfather they never had a chance to know. Life changes so often, more so I find with a large family as there is always something happening and changing.One thing that stays the same is home. Here in our home it is a safe place to dream and for my children and grandchildren to come home too.

I started this blog in July 2008.... 18 months later the childrens Dad was gone...There is so many memories of Greg in these pages for that I am thankfull. It was called The Old Dairy because that was my place that I sewed, dreamed and crafted and had a place to retreat to...Many years later it has been home to some of the children when they first left home and for the last 7 years my brothers home.....So The Old Dairy dosen't really reflect me any more...... My pink house does.....

Spring is in the air......

 

 

 

Good morning and what a beautiful morning it is here in sunny Queensland....I can feel the warmth of the sun on my back as I sit at my dinning room table blogging.

 

 

 

The weather has been perfect this last week and I think Spring has arrived a week earlier.

All we need now is some spring rain as my tanks are getting empty, we are on the emergency supply..I have become the water police walking around in the evening mumbling 3 min showers that's it, hair washing in the laundry....My new backpackers that arrived yesterday think I'm nuts...hahaha

 

 

I would like you to meet my new cooking companion, Web. Boy is teaching me a whole new way of cooking..Throw a roast on the barby or a chicken or 2, a potato bake some fish whatever, walk away do some gardening come in wash your hands, set the table, make a salad and presto Web has cooked dinner for me....Last night we had Roast pork, potato bake and salad...Yummmmmoooo

I admit he doesn't look real pretty sitting here on my veranda, but I have decided to let him stay as he is so handy...I'm yet to try pizza on Web I'll keep you updated...Does any one else cook there meals on the barby????

 

Only 3 more sleeps to Chloe's wedding.........and 3 more sleeps until I see my big boy David and Karen. Yep I am getting excited....touched with sadness....

The sadness comes from knowing I will be walking Chloe down that aisle when really my Greg should be here to walk his first daughter down...We talked about this for so many years...There has been a lot of tears from me this week as the hole in my heart seems to have split open again with the wanting of Greg here. I know he will be here in our hearts and minds, but some times that's not enough.

 Sorry for that bit of rambling but those of you that have followed my blog will under stand......I know that Saturday will be touched with a little of that sorrow but Greg would want us to be happy and celebrate his daughters wedding the way he would, and Greg knew how to celebrate.....

 

 

Blessings to you All

Mandy

Happy Birthday Greg..............

This is the second birthday we haven't had Greg here....Fool that I am I thought it would get easier.Greg would have been 53 today....

Dam he looks good in this photo, still takes my breathe away when I look at photos, hey he was one spunky guy......
Happy birthday my darling I'm sure the angels can sing it better than me...

Getting ready for "THE ROAD TRIP"

We have all been busy packing for our trip away. The trailer is packed and just the Christmas presents to go into the car. We are all getting excited to get on the road...I have finished work for two weeks and have enjoyed not rushing up to the workshop. Speaking of work nearly every photo of Greg I find he is in his work clothes....Always working that's why...The photo above Greg and his little helper William..This was taken only last year.....

Back to the trip.....We are leaving for Charters Towers on Sunday morning, first stop Roma....We are having Christmas with Jessica and Lachlan first...Monday we head to Clermont and stay there the night and will get to the Towers on Tuesday...It is a big trip but it will be so much fun...I imagine National Lampoon's movie road trip with the Griswold's.....I do love this movie only I don't think it will be so funny when I'm stuck in the car with them all!

I will blog while I'm away as Alanah will take her laptop and I can use that...

This photo was taken just a week after Greg was diagnosed with cancer. We all look so happy and care free here I love this photo O.K I love them ALL if Greg is in them...I do miss him so very much, to be honest I miss him more each day...I wonder if that's normal???Well I have never been run of the mill normal so it doesn't matter...Gosh now I'm sitting here blubbering like an idiot, just gotta wipe my eyes.........that's better...

I will see you all on the road.....

Blessings Mandy

Holidays.......

Today I awoke to a thunder storm..summer is finely here when you wake up to the sound of heavy rain on the roof...School holidays have started in the Storey household....Tuesday morning by 8 am there was a full blown pool party happening here...Yep the youngest 3 had the music blaring and were out swimming and yahooing.....thank goodness we don't have real close neighbours. Last night they got out the bunks from the caravan and set up in the cubby house and slept in there. They even have put a clothes line up for there togs and towels....

I was dreading these holidays and not looking forward to Christmas at all without Greg, but seeing the little ones playing and enjoying life makes me realize that amidst all the crap and sadness life does go on...Yes things are going to be different, and there will be some sadness but there will also be joy and the sound of children's laughter, not to mention the screaming and yelling from the pool..We will get through this time together, the children have made me realize this...

Today we will get out the Christmas decorations and start to get into the swing of Christmas. We won't be having Christmas here at home this year....This is the one thing none of us want to do, so we are packing up and driving up to Charters Towers to have Christmas with No 1 son and daughter in-law..We are all looking forward to this even though we won't be together as Chloe and Jessica can't come . Chloe works on Christmas eve and Jess is going to Morvan to Lachlans Grandmas for Christmas. The children are looking forward to the Road trip as they put it....I had better learn to change a tire before we go!!!!!! I am looking forward to getting away and seeing my big boy, one thing I realize is you never stop worrying about them do you?

Blessings to all

Mandy

Happy Birthday Darling..
Today Greg would have been 52....We miss you so much..

Things are looking up......

These tomatoes are well and truly finished....I need to get in and rip them out and get my cucumbers planted. With all the changes going on around here the vege garden is really suffering. I am missing my time out there and really missing being able to go out and pick my produce.... Work has begun on the new and improved vege garden, I'll fill you all in on it at a latter post.

I have had an amazing day today...My first day at work, and I have to say I loved it!!!! I bet you didn't expect that.....Greg was all around me every where I looked but it wasn't sad, it was comforting to be there, I guess last week was just to early for me to face the shop. What a difference a week makes. Some more news......I had a meeting with some-one that is really interested in buying the business....so girls things are looking up...
Sorry about the gloom and doom posts of late and thanks for being there for me and listening...I had to post this photo of Greg as I love it, that cheeky smile at me while he sneaks in a smoke at a wedding we went to in Dec last year...Look how chubby he is, so cute in that suit....I will be back later in the week, I am working every-day this week to try and learn as much as I can...Just wanted to do a quick post to let you know that things are looking up in the Storey household....

Blessing to you all
Mandy

Good-bye Greg...

This is the hardest post I will ever write....

Early Thursday morning Greg went to be with Jesus..

My darling went to sleep Tuesday night and never woke up. All the children were home and they all had their chance to say good-bye...Hugs and kisses were given and the room was filled with love.

Tomorrow being Fathers Day here in Australia we are all going fishing...Greg loved his fishing , so this will be our way of being with him..

We are all doing O.k. I suppose cause we had our good-byes..I know it hasn't quite sunk in with the little boys as Robbie said that it is like Dad is still in hospital....It will hit home at the funeral I think, all I can do is be there when it hits.

His funeral will be on Tuesday in Toowoomba.

I don't know when I will blog again, as the house is full of children and friends and family. When they go then we will see what happens.....

I want to thank you all for your prayers and love to me this year it has meant so much to me....

Blessings to you all

Mandy

A time for sitting....

This is the back garden all nice and green, I don't know why it always stays green as I never water it. I Don't believe in wasting precious water on grass. What I wanted to show you is the paddock behind..........it is dry here, very dry...Our local rural fire brigade have already stared to burn off in the area in readiness for the warmer weather. Our house tank has been empty for a couple of weeks and I've been pumping water from the shed tanks...That is a job I have to do again today. I don't mind doing it because it means we have water..Others around have to buy there water in... Yesterday the arch was made...This is for the Kiwi fruit, so it is nice and solid. I have always wanted an arch here, and am pleased with how it finishes the area of..It is made from some old star pickets 6 of them, then the poly pipe fitted over the pickets. The poly pipe is from the shed and then the mesh is from out in the paddock that we found....Price $oo.oo now that's why I love it. All recycled materials.....

The report from the Doctors wasn't good, he said that there is nothing more they can do to help, I knew this in my heart but hearing the Dr say it, well, that makes it all the more real doesn't it? This is where you find Greg most days in the sun on the veranda, he is taking the news better than I thought which is a blessing. One thing we are learning is that life is a gift, and we must live life to the fullest each day.....even just sitting and talking drinking coffee and tea is living it to the fullest for Greg so there is plenty of sitting for me and not much doing....but I would rather sit for this time than do...

There is lots of changes to happen in our lives and things are going to be tough and different, but that to is life....We have finely put our business up for sale, it has been hard for Greg to let it go, now we pray that it will sell fast....

Wishing you all a blessed day...

Mandy

What happened to Spring??????

What beautiful weather we are having...Yesterday it seemed like we missed Spring and jumped straight into summer... All the flowers are starting to poke there faces up. Jonquils are out and there sweet scent fills the evening air.
The colours are so deep, pinks yellows white and blue.
Even my sweet peas are making a comeback after not 1 but 2 times being munched on by the cows....
The best surprise was seeing a irise out in flower. These were here when we first moved in 20 years ago and they haven't flowered for a couple of years..I dug them up last year and divided them and this seems to have helped....
Just a quick post today as we are of to the doctors....Greg has been home from hospital 6 weeks now and we still haven't heard from a doctor....now this dosn't seem right to me shouldn't there be follow up appointments? Well I rang last week and again yesterday and DEMANDED to see his oncologist.....Now Greg says I have to be nice when we get there..........we'll see......

Blessings to all, and have a great day.....

Mandy

A quick Hello.....

Sorry I haven't been posting much this week. I have been so busy with sorting a lot of things out on the home front.....Today blogger won't even let me get any photos, and I had some things to show you, next time may-be....I have my Mother in-law here for a while, having her here is some company for Greg while I get things done..Jess is coming home today for a the week-end to see her Dad, so we will have a full house, that's good as I like it full. I will get back to regular posting next week, meanwhile continue to pray for Greg.......he is not doing to well, as he is unable to eat any-thing and when he does it doesn't want to stay down...Thank you all for your continual prayer and support to us....

Blessings to all......

Mandy

Buying Organic.....

Do you?????

There is alot of debate around about buying organic produce..
Today I had to take Alanah to T.A.F.E and the Organic Food Market is just near there so I thought I would drop in. Growing my own produce it doesn't bother me that the fruit is not picture perfect like the supermarkets are. It is the price that I do a double take on..For the items above I paid $18.05 for... $4.25 for the milk, now this I thought was O.k it is in a glass bottle that I can reuse unlike the plastic ones, also the milk is local. $6.32 for the Hommus, I thought that was a bit dear as it isn't even organic and I can get it half the price at Aldi. The tiny little cucumber was$3.07 hmmmm makes me long for the ones I grow. $2.06 for the capsicum, I thought that a fair price. I buy all my fruit and veg from the markets, they may not be organic but they are local and alot cheaper. With such a large family I think I will continue to buy my f&v from the markets. I will be going back to the shop for my milk, and also a good look around to compare grocery item prices.
Do you buy organic? or buy local? which do you think is the most important....To me I think local, I want to support my community to keep it going, so I will put local before organic and if I can get both , even better....Better still will be to go out and be able to get every-thing from my back yard !!Let me know what are your thoughts on this... Now for something far from organic......Last nights desert yummmmm. Custard, jelly and fruit , this is about all Greg's tummy can handle. The children don't mind as thy are getting desert something we have never worried about before. Greg is doing O.K he is constantly in pain though which is horrible for him. Also he can't really eat any-thing but fruit. We are just taking one day at a time.


Till next time
Mandy.........

A walk through the garden.....

Today on this sunny winters day I thought that I would take you for a walk through the garden....I have been busy making new gardens and rearranging old ones. Follow me along the new path into the rain forest. Below is how it was, I removed the seat, laid some pavers between the plants. Pruned wayward branches, moved some birdnest ferns and then gave the new path a good rake. I moved the seat to along the path.

Once we walk in a little way it is lovely and shady. There is elk horns growing on the trees in along here, you could never see them, now they can be admired as we walk along.(top picture above seat) If you are quiet enough you might even see a fairy running through the garden

I am happy with the way this path turned out, I have been wanting to put a path through this garden for years and it only took half a day to do it.

Now lets go out to the back yard.

This daffodil doesn't realize that it is still winter. She is in the new round garden that I made out the back a couple of months ago. I filled it up with bulbs and foxgloves. Along the side of the house here I pulled out all the lemon grass, well I have planted 4 standard roses instead. Rose Satchmo is the name of them, they are scented and the colour is described as scarlet, they will look so pretty in along this wall. I have under planted them with dianthus in pinks and reds.

Lets sit here a while and have a rest shall we. This table and chairs came from the veranda, I had to move them of though!!! Come around to the front and I'll show you why.

This daisy bush has gone crazy it is so big now, the little finches hide in here and come out every now and again for a play in the bird bath.

Before we get to the veranda, this is a new garden I made on Sunday. These trees have been here for a few years now. I always need to get in and keep the grass down so I mulched it and planted some different varieties of native grasses and some yuccas. Once they grow up they will look good. You can just see the house at the top of the picture, this garden is out on the foot path a way from the house.

This is why I had to move the table and chairs, yep Greg has set up camp out here....He has his rocking chair that I got him from the garage sale. I small table for his books and glasses, and a box for his other bits and pieces. The bin isn't for him that has the dog food in it, yes I should have moved it before I took the photo.

Well I hope you enjoyed your walk with me around the garden...Greg wants to say a big thanks for every ones well wishes and prayers..He is getting stronger every day, as yet he hasn't been able to go for a walk outside but he is walking well now with a walking stick.. Sitting out in the sun is one of his favorite things, and watching cooking shows.........

Have a blessed day

Mandy

PAPER BAG SWAP.......

Look what the mail lady delivered to me today!!!!!

Not one but THREE pressies were in the parcel (which I ripped open before I took a photo)

Look at this sweet, dainty,gorgeous hand bag.

Look at the work that Priscilla has put into this bag.
The flower and all those French knots....

Make sure you click on the photos to have a look.

A needle case, with 2 yummy fat 1/4s tucked inside...

The stitching is so tiny and neat...

And isn't she the sweetest little angel you have ever seen....

Now I know what your thinking....what was in the third parcel???

A great big block of chocolate that's what...

Thank you Priscilla for my wonderful gifts, tomorrow I am of to craft and I will be showing of with my new bag and then whip out my needle case, because

at some stage I will need a new needle .....LOL.

My Mum and Dad came to visit today to see Greg, it was wonderful to spend the afternoon with them...After lunch we all shared that yummy block of chocolate.........it was so good.....

Greg is doing well, he is walking with the aid of a cane and is even eating again...We had a lovely quiet weekend together just sitting and being in each others company.....I ....We are all so glad to have him home.......

The End Of My No Spending Week.....

HOME PRODUCTION....

This is self explanatory isn't it, production in the home.

In the last week we have talked about ways of being in control of our lives, whether that be spending less and more wisely, cleaning green, using less disposables and so much more. In all these areas we are producing something at home. As I look back I see that I have learnt alot of new skills, knitting, soap making, recycling, budgeting and lots more.

Each day is a learning curve for me, I love to learn new things and reading other blogs is great inspiration for this.

Here is some things I would like to do in the next 12months.

1. I want my garden to be more of an edible garden...
2. Learn to weld, there is so much I could do with a welder....
3. Pottery, make my own pots and cups, just the feel of clay in my hands is something I know that I would love.
4. Shop less, try to only grocery shop every fortnight.
5. Mend clothes, I have always said my sewing machine doesn't do mending. lol.
6. Knit socks....store bought ones just don't last do they?

That's some of the things that I can think of , I know there is alot more practical things I need to learn as well.

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

My no spending week finished today. With Greg coming home tomorrow I went to town a day earlier but that's fine..I did have to spend through the week as well.

1. Pocket money.

2. Postage...I had to send David some things he left here and also my Paper bag swap was posted..

Not to bad really I am really pleased with how I went and next time I will be more organized. If I start to shop every 2 weeks well then I will have every 2nd week as a no spend week...

Remember this???? It is what my Paper bag swapper sent me. Well it is all made and should be in the plane on its way to New Zealand by now..When my partner receives it I shall show you what I made her. Personally I will be checking the mail box as soon as the mail lady has been because I know that my parcel is on it's way to me as well...If you have never participated in a swap I recommend to give it a go....it is so much fun. If you click on the paper bag in my side bar it will take you to the links.

Well I am of to bed I have to get my beauty sleep as tomorrow I pick up Greg....I have to tell you I feel like a giggly teenager I'm so excited that he is coming home...Let me tell you that my bed has been a cold lonely place lately....O.K. enough of that kind of talk... Righto gotta go as each year I need more and more beauty sleep soon won't be enough hours in the night.........

Blessings to all.....

Mandy

Green Cleaning....

Today the biggest kitchen discussion is all about cleaning the healthy way. If you don't already clean green then I highly recommend going over to Rhonda's and have a look at her cleaning recipe's. I touched on this subject yesterday already, when I spoke about my enjo cleaning clothes. What do you use for cleaning, do you clean green, what recipe's do you use?

*************************************************************************

Guess who came

home for a visit

today?

What a lovely day we all had together just being here together, lying down holding hands and just enjoying looking at each other. You don't realize how these simple gestures can be missed.

Drum roll here please..............

Greg is home to stay on Friday......yaaaaaaaahhhhh 2 more sleeps. Yes we are all so excited, when I took Greg back today the doctor came around to see him. Was very pleased with his progress so yes Friday he will be home. 6 weeks and 3days he has been gone. What does the future hold? only God knows that but for now the fact that he can come home is enough for me, after all we can only live one day at a time, so why waste today worrying about tomorrow......

Blessing to all....

Mandy

Update.......

We have been busy enjoying the school holidays.......

The children have been busy playing on the farm and I have finished

all the pruning, edging and mulching. Every-thing

is looking bare yet still beautiful.This is the only area that I haven't touched as it is the rain forest

section of the garden......

Where we live is only 3 hours from the coast,i have been asked by

some of my readers if it is always warm here. We can

get cold winters but nothing like Suzun gets in the Rocky Mtns

when I read her blog in winter I know that I don't know what cold is.....

I do get frosts here, but not around the house, and this year I covered alot of

frost tender plants up.......The coldest it's been this year is 1 degree

and the days get to about 14 here. But most nights it doesn't get below 2 or 3 degrees.

I have done my pruning about a month earlier

than I normally do it....With the school holidays on I thought

that I should get it done, as who knows what next month will bring.

So hopefully I won't lose any-thing. I have moved 4 roses as they where

getting to much shade. I have planted

Pansy's,foxgloves and lots more, so hopefully

this spring my garden will be full of colour, so you won't miss all the

things I have pulled out...

Not much is happening in the vege garden, I have pulled the last of every-thing up

dug the beds all over and mulched them. I will leave them to rest

for a month before I plant any thing else...The wind is blowing right

through and everything is getting wind burnt. Next year

I will have to have the real vege garden up and going before winter,

as I am losing to much this year.

Greg is doing so much better he is up and walking with the

help of a walking stick, and he is looking so much

better. The doctor said that he is areal fighter with all he

has been through and yet he still continues to amaze them.

There is talk that he will be coming home late next week so I really

hope so......it is bad enough sitting up there, I couldn't

imagine being there full time for 5 1/2 weeks.
Now he can move a bit more he can get outside for awhile

and not stuck inside all the time.

I hope all the Mums with school age children are

enjoying the holidays as well...

Mandy

School Holidays..........

Hi every-one, I can't believe it has been so long

since I blogged, I have to admit that

I missed you guys....

It is finally school holidays again, it has been along term and

I am pleased they are here. Today we should be leaving for our fishing holiday,

but life has other plans for us. The children are O.K about not going away,

they just want to spend time with there big brother, and he will be

down on Saturday to visit before he goes to the coast.

Robbie and William have decided to make some bike jumps,

that 's what there doing in the above photo, digging all the dirt out to move.Yes we have had

one accident already, Will put the handle bars into his tummy..... and they think I'm mean for

telling them they can't take there motor bikes over them...boys......

Below every-one is cuddled up and watching

the movie Journey To The Centre of The Earth......3d version,

should have heard the screams coming from down there, this was such a good

fun family movie that we all enjoyed, even me...

Greg is doing so much better at the moment. Let me

tell you that the end of last week was the

scariest week of my life......I won't go into details but

to say Wednesday night late the hospital called me to tell me I had better

get up there.......I thank God that he gave me a strong husband

that is putting up one hell of a fight....and he's winning. Yesterday for the first time

in 3 weeks he was able to walk around, he reckons he'll be back

to chasing me around in no time!!!!!

I want to thank you all for your messages of love, support and

prayer that you have left me. They have meant so much to me knowing that

Greg is in your thoughts and prayers....

Today the sun is shinning for the first time in days

so I think I am going to go out into the

garden and pull some weeds and get some fresh air and sunshine...

Enjoy your day...

Mandy

I thought after Thursdays rant and

messy rooms I would show you a clean room....This is my lounge room....and at the moment my sanctuary.

I have cleaned this room, and winterized it.

Down came the summer curtains and the summer paintings.

Up went the winter curtains and wall hangings.

I am the type of person that needs a change regularly, I love to

change the soft furnishing when the season changes.

I can cope with one room clean a place to go and sit

and relax..this is that room.

Thank you to all my wonderful blogging friends that

left me words of encouragement and wisdom....I know

alot of you are also going through hard times as well, yet you take

the time to love and encourage others....what a blessed community

we all have in blog land...

Yesterday I got to talk with the doctor and even though things aren't what we wanted to

hear I feel so much better......They have finely told us that they

really don't know how to treat this growth in Greg's liver as they can not find

a antibiotic to fight it.....At least they have been honest

and told us what is happening......So it looks like Greg could be

in there alot longer...They can't operate as he won't survive a operation

with his kidneys and liver not working well....

Yet through all this we have a real peace now......yesterday at church

one of the things our pastor said was: we can't rely on

man as man at some point will let you down as that is only human.....Doctors

are only human too and I suppose we thought they would have

all the answers.........they don't....
But I know that God does and we just have to trust in him....and

now knowing that....... we have a freedom....Our future is Gods worry now, not

ours..that's the freedom we have found, and it feels good.....

The wall hangings are ones I have made over the years,

just thought that I would share them with you, as they are what

I have out up on the lounge room walls to winterize them.

I hope every-one had a good week-end, and got all you

wanted to get done.....done.

Blessings to all

Mandy