Departure and goodbye Saturday 25th Sept

Today was the final farewell.

It was midnight before we retired last night after she met with friends at Southbank.

W and J drove her to the airport.

As we were saying a family prayer, M was crying. It was so touching.

J hugged her. I really wanted a pic but I'm sure the girls wouldn't have appreciated it.

It will take me some time to not feel like I have to wonder where she is and what she is doing.

I gave her a long hug goodbye and lots of kisses. She said thank you I had a wonderful time.

I have washed the bedding, vacuumed the room, placed the draws in N and my room.

It will take me time to think what to do with the garage space.

This will be the end of the blog for a few weeks-waiting J's departure.

M spent the entire amount of money $1,000.

Youth conference

We are still waiting for Youth conference pics. Tallebudgera Beach School Burleigh

But here's what I can offer.

M's greatest achievement was to try surfing.

She said she can go home happy.

M and M shared a room with their own ensuite.

J didn't attend.

They loved the pool activity, the food, the circus tricks the high ropes and catapults and

walks on the beach and swimming in the river.

sizzler and despicable me- Tuesday 21st September

This is one day that didn't go to plan.

The girls had a farewell get-together at V's house picnic and games style.

They had eaten so much they didn't feel like eating at the suppossed farewell dinner at Sizzler.

That night we saw "Despicable Me". Very enjoyable.

Outback spectacular Friday 17th September

The girls enjoyed the show. Their team won the games. M was very impressed with her glowing glass.

Long time, no see!

We haven't seen much of M over the past week.
She stayed O/N with friends alot. J had exams so M just spent time with them leaving home

to catch the train when she felt like it.

The girls went to Dreamworld on Friday with school.

They have twigged onto the fact that I don't need to be around for them to get the local train

to the main train station and then they can catch the express from there.

Yesterday was spent at Wet n wild and Movieworld.

We went to the grandparents for a very late afternoon tea for a birthday celebration that ended

up being our dinner.

M didn't come to the sacrament presentation today.

I have seen her for all of a minute.

All she wants is to be with her friends.

Tonic for malady

J and M were home sick today. M2 and N recovering.

Tonic-a trip to the beach on such a warm day.

After work and a substantial afternoon tea they bundled into the car

and we had what is becoming a tradition of hitting the surf pre-sunset.

The current was strong.

Several Japanese men had set up their fishing rods. They had

no language skills so couldn't tell me what they were expecting to catch.

The water was warm.

Seeing the current was strong, paddling was our only pleasure.

Attempts were made at flying the kite, even after the sun had set.

Fun and fresh air was had by all.

Home to a late pumpkin soup garnished with copious amounts of garlic and homemade

bread rolls.

Spring, warm weather and flu

M was saying to me yesterday that she thought it strange that we get sick when it is so warm.

I told her that the virus has taken a while to get to us.

Lo and behold, evening arrangements tonight came to a grinding halt. I picked up J from South bank railway station only to find she had been miserable all day to the point of tears, she was so

unwell. I texted M to tell her we would be leaving early, and she said she was already at Central and could I pick her up. She caught the train to South bank and came down the ramp the same time that I drove into the car-park.

De-ja-vu. Girls asleep in the car on the long drive home.

M went to bed with a cup of tea, a drink of water, a bowel of fruit salad and 2 paracetamol that I had prepared for her.

J ditched the study and said she was going to rest her brain by reading the last book of "Hitch Hikers Guide to the Galaxy".

Somehow, I soldier on.