In this update I thought I might fill you in on, amongst other things, a few everyday adventures. One of these being the adjustment to public transport. As mentioned in previous blogs, I had use of my youngest sister, Kathy’s, car while she was working and often when she wasn’t as she frequently travelled interstate to visit friends. It was very convenient, I really do thank Kathy for allowing me to use it when she wasn’t. The time came for her to drive it across Australia to Eumundi in QLD where she and Jenny (my other younger sister) are building their shared home. You might remember, I stayed with Jen for some time in Broome when I returned from my travels in Africa. Jen has left Broome and is now visiting her daughter, Kate, in the UK. I don’t envy her the cold Christmas! She will be returning to Australia, via Perth to visit Mum, in January on route to Melbourne. This also provided me with time to catch up with her and to take a well-earned break, making it possible for me to visit Sydney.
Anyway, after that slight diversion from Kath’s car….. I had become so accustomed to having it parked in my carport that on occasions I forgot it was no longer there! I frequently found myself arranging and planning events, then come the day suddenly realise I had to work out public transport instead of just jumping in the car. Praise the Lord on most occasion I had enough time to work things out to avoid coming late to appointments. Other times, thanks for friends I was offered a lift to and from. Other occasions, as in the last update, I had to ring and apologise that I couldn’t make it.
Mum and Nezka have also very graciously allowed me to borrow their cars. On most occasions, especially in getting to Mum’s to cook dinner, I have either walked the 15 minutes between her place and mine or she has dropped by to pick me up either before taking the dog for her afternoon walk or after. I then take the bus, which stops right by her front door on the opposite side of the street, four stops and walk a short distance to my place or stay on one more stop and get out at the shops to do some last minute shopping before walking home. I’m getting to know some of the regular bus drivers now, some are quite chatty as I’m often the only one on the bus.
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was also able to find a TransPerth app which gives me the times of the next bus. It has been very helpful especially when I need go on an unfamiliar route. This app includes all public transport. I found taking public transport can be quite relaxing and has the potential of meeting others although I’ve not found very many chatty except for the bus drivers.
You might ask if I’m looking for a vehicle of my own. Not at the moment. No. I suspect that Mum will not be getting her licence renewed this May so I will be able to use her car not only to take her to places but also for my own personal use too. So with a bit of patience and a little more planning of the public transport system and with understanding family, this will suffice.
Now that I, God willing, will not be needing to run to Bunnings and Masters Stores have now closed down, and with all the planned renovations and odd jobs completed, I’m hoping I will no longer be needing to borrow cars. Church is seven minutes’ walk from my front door, which is another reason I knew, when I bought this unit, it was meant for me. I’m hoping, next year, to be able to get more involved there.
I’m also looking for some part time work. I’m not sure in what area, I’m not wanting to get back into Mothercraft work and I’m no longer registered with the nursing board which prevents me for working in this area professionally. This of course doesn’t stop me from offering help to those I see may appreciate some parenting tips. I was thinking to going to the opposite end of the scale and doing some age care volunteering just to see how I like that. I have also applied for a job which offers 30 hrs a month. We’ll see where the Lord leads. If you have any suggestions or thoughts please let me know.
I’ve quite enjoyed my walks too as I get to see what other people have in their gardens and what plants are flowering, surviving the summer heat. Actually we have had a very mild start to summer after some very hot days with temperatures in the high thirties and low forties. The rest of the time I’ve been able to jog in the cool mornings. Most mornings I have been waking between 3:30 and 4:30am that’s a good night. On a bad night I toss and turn all night or wake between midnight and 3am and then don’t sleep for 2-3 hours. On these nights I’ve started take a quarter of an antihistamine which knocks me out till around 6am or 7am if I’m lucky. As most mornings have been cold, after my usual morning routine of watering the garden, breaky I have been known to jump back into bed to read this of course relaxes me to the point of feeling drowsy so I sleep for another hour or so. I’ve found this has been quite a good routine as I’m less likely to yawn and feel sleepy during the day. An early snooze also doesn’t affect my falling asleep at night. By the time I wake up, although I’m feeling really heavy with sleep, it’s time for my morning coffee so I’m alert and ready for the rest of the day.
I’m booked in for another sleep study in 2017, God willing there will be some helpful information to help me navigate my sleep. The last time nothing was picked up. For a year self-hypnosis worked amazingly. After this and till recently I was taking prescription medication (the non-addictive type), that worked well till March this year. Now it only works if I don’t take it consecutively so I only take it every so often when I’m desperate for a full night’s sleep. I’m told poor sleep is due to my age! I refuse to believe this. I know people who at my age and older sleep beautifully. (and, no, I was not going to say ‘sleep like a baby’ as I’ve worked with too many babies who are terrible sleepers!!!
So what have I been reading lately? Something I just can’t put down. It’s called ‘The Footsteps of the Messiah’ by Dr Arnold G. Furchtenbaum who is a Messianic Jew. It is based on the book of Revelations which I must admit in the past I skimmed through because of my lack of understanding. Don’t get me wrong I was and still am fascinated by this book of the Bible but I just couldn’t piece it together. Well no more do I stumble over the prophecies given to John the disciple, I’m intrigued and fascinated by the insight Dr Arnold has from a Messianic Jewish perspective based on the Old Testament writings. This is a book I recommend to anyone who wants to know more about the unfolding events of the end times and the eternal Kingdom to come taken from a Biblical perspective. If you are interested here is the website for a Kindle copy: (The Footsteps of the Messiah by Dr Arnold G. Furchtenbaum)
In my last update I left off just before the Christmas activities. This was done of purpose so I could send out my Christmas greetings. I don’t know how many of you prefer to make your Christmas gifts, I certainly do. This year I made lots of jars of Lemonade Fruit Marmalade some with ginger to give it a bit of an oriental flavour. I usually make a couple of types of sweet snacks too for visitors and Christmas gatherings. My favourites are White Christmas with rice bubbles and Chinese Chews. I’m not sure where these recipes came from but I have a feeling they were passed down from Mum and her friend’s from Christmas Island. My friend Elaine asked why the name Chinese Chews? I suggested it was because they have ginger in them and anything with ginger was obviously Chinese, wasn’t it?
While walking back from church once I passed a box outside a home with a sign ‘FREE’. I rummaged through the box looking for books Mum might like and found a heap of gardening magazines which we both like and a Christmas recipes book. One recipes stood out was a Christmas Rocky Road made from dry cranberries, pistachios, macadamia, desiccated coconut, pink and white marshmallows coated in white chocolate. Yum!
Sunday 18th of December, North Beach Baptist Church put on a Carols by Candle Light at the Charles Riley Memorial Park. It was an amazing evening starting at 4:30pm with activities for the kids and free popcorn and snacks. The City of Stirling council sponsored the event which helped out with the expenses and our church members volunteered and provided the music. I helped out with monitoring the carparks which meant I wondered from one carpark to the next keeping an eye on the vehicles. We were partnered up with buddy for safety reasons.
I couldn’t believe it, that evening when I got home I checked my iPhone Health Activity, I had walked over 11.5 km since waking that morning. Mind you that doesn’t include the times I don’t carry my phone in my pocket. One morning when I had borrowed Mum’s car to get home. I took the phone to monitor how far it took me to jog home via the bush from her place. I had walked 5,555 steps equalling 4.9km at 5:37am. My usual jog is a bit less at 4km. When I borrow Mum’s car at night I need to return it before 6am when she takes herself down for a swim at Mettam’s Pool.
The week before Christmas I visited my friend Corinne who lives south of Perth. She had completed a big clean up. Before throwing stuff out I was offered their old shed shelves. After taking them apart I later put them together to fit my tiny shed, screwing them to the wall to secure them. It reminded me of my childhood when I had a Meccano set. I made it four shelves high with a large space beneath so that I could fit in a small set of draws.
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t didn’t take me long to fill them with gardening paraphernalia.
Then it was Christmas. Christmas Eve dinner has been a tradition in our family since living in the tropics. Due to the hot weather a traditional Christmas dinner was prepared and eaten on Christmas Eve. This then left Christmas day free from indoor cooking and the cold left over ham and turkey could then accompany fresh seafood salads or a BBQ. I thought I might carry on the tradition this year but in a very much smaller scale. Mum, me and my neighbour. I cooked pork with crackling as I knew there would be the traditional ham on Christmas Day. I think it went quite well.
Since the family has grown up, the traditional Christmas Eve dinner has changed, the Christmas meal is now prepared one year by my elder sister, Trish and the alternative year by her son Michael and his wife, Nezka. This year it was their turn.
It was a lovely festive occasion with of course far too much to eat. We arrived at midday but because the fish had not quite completed cooked we waited for another couple of hours. It was worth the wait! In the meantime there was the pool to entertain those who enjoy a dip. The weather was quite windy and cold which is very unusual for Perth which is usually scorching hot on Christmas day. 
Both Nezka and I were the only ones put off swimming by the cooler weather.
Boxing Day we took our leftovers down to the Swan River for a picnic lunch on the grass under the trees. Noel, Tricia’s eldest son joined us with his family. It was a lovely family gathering for all of us.
I hope you have had a lovely Christmas and are enjoying the festive season with family and friends.
I’d like to take this opportunity to say Happy New year to you all. I pray the 2017 will be full of joy and adventure with all that you have prayed and believed for being achieved.
Photos: 1. Charles Riley Memorial Park Carols by Candlelight 2. The carols crowd 3. My tomato plants with lime tree 4. On traffic patrol with Mum 5. Days total steps 7th Dec 6. Me Christmas Day 7. Family feast Christmas Day
Prayer & Praise Points:
Praise the Lord for His birth, His gift to us that very first Christmas Day. For His life with us and sacrificial death to redeem us for Himself. I am forever grateful.
Praise Him for family and friends.
Praise Him for mum’s continual good health and His wisdom as I learn how best to support her. Thank you for your continual prayers for both Mum and I as we journey along this path together.
Please pray with me that this year will be one of knowing His leading, strength and wisdom as we encounter the challenges ahead of us.
Please also continue to pray Mum stays safe on the road.
Thank you to all my supportive friends and prayer partners. I really do appreciate you.
Where did you get that fantastic lime tree????
It is doing much better in your place than ours.
Location, Location, Location 😉