PHOTOS and DIARY of Australia Trips

 Australia Trip 1 

 I wish I had written about every trip I have ever taken before I forgot them.   Some of the funniest, frustrating and most inspiring moments of my life happened on a trip.  :)     I hope you enjoy my memories of my travel to the far side of the world.... 

On my way to Australia!

Wed. and Thur. Oct. 15-16, 2008

 The trip over could not have been nicer. I got those window seats I had prayed for and even though I sat next to a very active little 3 year old boy on the way up from Texas to LA....I found that comforted me because he was dark haired with a most disarming smile and it reminded me of my grandson Johnathan. I thanked God for that and much like Johnathan, he entertained himself in the most charming way by singing songs....and talking to his toys. It was a very nice distraction to the sadness I felt leaving Larry, my little Sassy, my children, grandchildren, parents, family and friends. Larry and I were to make this trip together and he was just not up to doing it twice, as we plan to travel in April to Melbourne for the birth of our new McFarland grandbaby.  I take the trip this time....on behalf of him, and all of you who cannot be with Missy & Wes during this joyous time in their life. I bring to them Family, Friends, Texas & the good ole USA!

I slept for 6 1/2 hours straight through after dinner. Woke for a snack and napped again for a few hours. I was really refreshed by that and marveled that I was already 11 hours into the flight and in pretty good shape. For the next 4 hours  the lady in the seat next to me, Anna Cecila (who is Italian) using Spanish as a common language....shared about our families and life and now and then each lapsed into prayertime ....she with her rosary and I with quiet meditation. 

Before long we were over the Australian landscape and we marveled at the mountains and greenery that was much different than we imagined. Before I knew it I was through the hour's worth of customs and walking the long walk to Missy & Wes that is in every international airport filled with hundreds of greeters. Amidst the cheers and welcomes that were shouted out, I heard " Mom!"    Every mother knows the sound of her own child's call and I searched the sea of faces of all those greeters for my Missy. I walked on knowing she was out there somewhere and then from behind me....on this restricted walk.... I heard, "Elaine!"....and I knew Missy ...true to her Dad's own nature....would not let a silly little rope restriction keep her from finding me. We reached and hugged each other warmly and both bursting with huge smiles ...made our way to Australian soil. 

I had a whirlwind mini drive of beautiful downtown Melbourne and the coast and on to Glen Iris where they live. Glen Iris is a charming little neighborhood of gingerbread houses, English type gardens and lots of magpies. pigeons, opossums and such. It reminded me a great deal of our Highland Park and Lakewood area in Dallas. 

We met Wes for dinner at one of their favorite little Italian restaurants.  Afterward at home it was heartwarming to see them go through all the goodies sent to them from Texas. The baby things and maternity clothes had a profound effect on them....Missy marveling over each item and Wes trying to absorb the importance of them.  That was nothing compared to their excitement about the treasured American goods I brought instead of clothes... :) My treasures trove of unobtainable or too expensive items were , aluminum foil, batteries, wax paper, Dial soap, Velveeta cheese, Rotel tomatoes and to help celebrate our Thanksgiving American holiday;  pumpkin pie mix , cranberry sauce and fried onion rings for green bean casserole.  Their joy was sweet compensation for the gymnastics it took to pack them and get them through customs.  :)  

We all watched the presidential debate that they recorded for me on the Fox News channel and then off to bed for an early night. Their goal was to keep me awake until bedtime so I would quickly orient to the new time zone and it worked!

With Missy & Wes at dinner

Welcome to my World

Saturday, October, 17, 2008 

It is about 6 a.m. Saturday morning and I am enjoying the morning with Wally Boy, magpies and pigeons while I wait on Missy & Wes  to wake up and have our scones & cream and tea for breakfast.  What wonderful compensation for the many months of missing them and dreaming of mornings like this.

I seem to be adjusting nicely to the southern hemisphere of the world on the other side of the international dateline.  :)   None of the bouts of falling asleep at odd times or awake in the middle of the night because my inner time clock is off. PTL!   Missy got off early from work yesterday and took me to a nearby mall. Because we have taken many trips to the UK, I am not freaked out about the driving orientation but I am still working on not throwing my feet out to brake every time we are crowded in small lanes with trucks on the wrong side of the road. The Mall experience was much like the US, with the exception of the cost for merchandise, likely due to their need to import to this remote island continent.  They are also very "green" and no competition in the market place. My idea of southern hospitality, seems to be lost on Aussie shoppers and it makes one blink and Missy frustrated when they push ahead of you or nearly run you down as you shop.   Missy always says, " Welcome to my world. " :-)

I met some of the neighbors last night.  They all wanted to meet Missy's Mum. They had many questions about America and according to them , as Aussies, feel like America is the country they most follow after.  I was glad to have the opportunity to chat with a group of ladies because I had maternity questions for them. My mission was to find out more regarding how " maternity" is done here.  The info I gleaned was that hospitals are very small and a maternity stay is typically about 4 days but they may put you up in a nearby hotel after the day of birth because of lack of space.  That's different.  I was told that Cabrini, the hospital Missy will use, is one of the nicer hospitals and her doctor very good and well known and she may actually be able to stay there the full time.  Like Mums everywhere in the world, the ladies of the neighborhood took great delight in sharing details of how it is done here and their own maternity experiences... :-)

Steak on the barbie was great, as was our visit with the neighbors.   It is early spring for the southern tip of Australia and everyone was enjoying a break from the cold wet winter in sandals, crop pants, sleeveless shirts and shorts.  I however, shivered with teeth chattering,  in a sweater and long pants wearing shoes and socks!

" The neighborhood "

Saturday, October 18, 2008

Baby Expo

Hello!

Another day in lovely Melbourne! We started it off with scones & cream and coffee...which was so nice. I sure wish they sold cream like this in America. I like it on everything!! Seems they put it on everything too. :-)

Missy & I headed out fairly early to The Baby Expo. It was pretty much like any other expo at any other convention center..... except this one was for MY grandbaby! :-) That made it fun. We made our way through a sea of pregnant mums, strollers, babies and vendors. Before long we had bags of freebies and though the names were different...for the most part... it was mostly the same diapers ( nappies ), pacifiers, baby slings, clothes & furniture. We did find THE BED & BEDDING! I am not sure we expected that....but when we saw it we knew it was the one. Missy has been leaning toward giraffes for the baby design. Everytime she saw something with giraffes she just loved it. As you can imagine....this bedding has giraffes and in nice soft natural & neutral tones which suits her style.

After the over saturation of baby hype we were ready to chill out a bit and Wes took us to a darling little restaurant area in downtown Melbourne. It was fantastic. We sat outdoors because it is spring here and the weather just perfect and enjoyed a wonderful meal. On the way home we stopped by some friends house to visit and take a look at a wooden cradle they are going to let them use. He is from Germany and she is from Dallas and knew each other before they all moved to Australia with their jobs...so that is really nice. They had a lovely home with lemon and olive trees growing in the yard! It was nice to see how they live on a local level. Interesting to see him take off just before we left with his bag to do the days shopping for their dinner. Missy says that is because the fridge is so little ( about the size of my RV fridge ) and because they like things fresh each day. They don't really live in suburbs like we do....so the grocer and fruit store and such are just blocks over. 

Well I must be off to my day. We are going to the Victorian Market. I am not sure what that is but I am sure I will love it!

Blessings to you all!

Elaine

At the Baby Expo

Where do we start!

Dinner with the McFarlands

Downtown Melbourne

Dinner downtown

Sunday, October 19, 2008

Going to Market

Magpie

The Birds and this beautiful Australian morning wish you a hearty Hello!

We had another wonderful day yesterday. Missy was able to try yet another variation of her maternity outfits that I brought and after breakfast she and I were off to market. I had no clue what to expect & after a successful drive ( we lived ) in the car on the citilink ( toll road I think ) to downtown Melbourne ( pronounced with a lazy L and and no R sound ) we found ourselves in a bustling tented area full of market vendors of all sizes and shapes. It cost us $7 to park our car.....cheap for Melbourne standards, as there is only a small amount of parking available, but we were congratulating ourselves for a good parking space and with our wheeled cart were off to barter great deals.

As my family and friends well know....my juices get really worked up over bargain hunting so I felt like I had walked into paradise and proclaimed we should do all our shopping there from now on. :-) In many ways it was similar to our First Monday at Canton in East Texas....the difference being that there was a full produce area, meat market, cheese, wine and other items area as well as the doo dad area. (clothes and souvenirs or almost anything you could imagine ) It was so cool! We walked the entire area and I found just the things I was looking for. Of course there were many booths with " authentic " Aboriginal and Australian mementos & Kangaroo and Koala items of all shapes and sizes. I enjoyed listening to the Aboriginal pipe or whatever that music maker was....and the other instruments they use for music. The paintings were very interesting too. I have discovered Australia to be much more than that though....just as Texas isn't all cactus, cowboys and oil wells... Australia is a beautiful resourceful country and is nothing like the perception I had of it.

Aboriginal Art

After we filled our rolling bag ( or properly called Trolley ) with mementos, fresh produce, meat , cheese and such we headed off to see a bit more of Melbourne, " on the way home." :-) We accidently found most of what we were looking for as we avoided hook turns ( I don't even know how to explain this traffic procedure.... It is sufficient to say Missy and I avoided it at all cost) difficult streets & too much traffic. We saw the parliment area and definately want to return there... I also took photos of a beautiful church ( or at least I think it is a church ). We hope to return there as well. We drove through beautiful neighborhoods and pretty much laughed all the way home at our Laurel & Hardy attempt at site seeing.

Church

I tried fish & chips today....and THAT was interesting. The vinegar is free...but you have to purchase the ketchup ( or sauce ) and that includes tartar sauce at 30 cents each. There was skin on the fish....I do not do skin..... and an interesting fried item that was pink inside. Missy thought it was crab. It was mushy...and pink....and we did not eat it! The fries ( or chips ) are always good. Large and hot and perfect. :-) All I need is a Braums vanilla shake from Texas and I would be set. :-) After we returned home we took Wally for a walk up to Ashburton, which is the little shopping area that seems to always be near all little townlets around the city. They remind me of lower Greenville in Dallas, beautiful English gardens and gated yards all along the way. Love it! We were in search of a cake and pie store ( we call them simply bakeries. :-) There we purchased Vanilla Slices, blueberry danish & some baked concoction with cream inside and this white puffy topping with very fine grated coconut on top. They have those items everywhere. At home we split them three ways and ate them like little piggies. I think we decided the blueberry danish was the best. Wes prepared lamb on the grill for dinner and it was awesome! I brought dried ranch seasoning from Texas and we made ranch potatoes to go with it. Yes....I may gain a few pounds before I return. :-(

Gated Yards & English style gardens

I watched Australian Idol with them before bed. Oh my...as if American Idol wasn't enough. I protested at first saying I had some things I needed to do...but I could tell it was a family affair....so made my way in for the torture. Of course, I was quickly drawn in as we measured each participant's talent and they became very animated as they talked about the person they championed and how they thought it would play out. I enjoyed that most of all and was glad I joined them as I think they do for me when I become very animated over Fox News and the political drama of the day in America...or shall I say...hour. :-) That is family after all....joining in and sharing and being tolerant of each other. Things that I miss the most while they live here.

I have been keeping up with my family in America as well and it is notable to mention that this is homecoming time and there is much to do about the games and dances for Jimmy, KK & Pierson. Ashton has a choir concert, Justin has the last of his football games & Johnathan, mommy & daddy went to a pumpkin patch to pick out a pumpkin in Seattle, Wa. Pictures of course of every bit of these important events are being furiously taken for Mimi since I can't be there. :-) Larry & Sassy are doing well. They have developed their routine. Larry let Sassy listen to my voice yesterday and he said she got all excited and shook. I sure miss them and Wally gives me extra hugs cause he knows it.

Well I am off to my day. Missy & Wes will work today and I have laundry and some baby organizing chores to do in the future baby area plus prepare Chili Rellenos for dinner. :-)

Just a side note.... you can click on any image on my blog page and it will enlarge the image.

Have a Blessed Day!

Elaine

Monday, October 20, 2008

I LOVE MIMI

Australian Flag

I am starting a bit later this morning. Not good since we have an early morning out. I am having coffee & homemade apple bread with cream...made it myself yesterday...but NOT without some effort.....which is why I am dragging this morning. I have a new affinity with Lucy Ricardo. My friend Barb usually gets the Lucy honors but not this day! Let me tell the story and then I must be off with Missy to the hospital, midwife ( obstetrics nurse ) & her office to meet people.

Monday ( yesterday ) I started my day as I have been doing ( until today ) predawn. I wake to tea and toast ( I am having a stout coffee this morning ) and a quiet peaceful morning. ( I feel haggard today :-) After the children were off to work I set about to perform needed miracles for their busy work life. Missy & I started that morning emptying her small closet of clothes she cannot wear anymore and I finished hanging after she left .....her new maternity clothes. I made the bed....gathered a laundry pile and things were nice and tidy.... that was good. In my own room.... I redid my bed so that I wasn't sleeping on a half side of a day bed...but made it out into a whole king bed....with pillows and pretty comforter...... that was good. I hand washed and cleaned the kitchen, swept the floor and rug and begin organizing the things I would need for the rellenos I was going to prepare for dinner..... that was good..

The Perils of Lucy...a la Mimi..... I then was ready to tackle the laundry....trouble is....it resembled nothing I have ever operated in America that washed clothes. Missy had given me a quick go over of all the appliances...but I may as well have been reading Greek for as much sense as it made. I tried calling..... which was interesting. The tone sounded like a busy signal and an Australian prerecorded female voice informed me I could not dial that way...and to hang up! Oh dear. So I emailed Missy...which works wonders in America....and because she had a busy morning....I got a reply finally. She wrote " 30. " Now I ask you....does that make any sense at all to you? I wrote back...." I will check it out." It is always important as a Mum to sound knowledgeable and in control.

A quick look confirmed there was a 30 on one of the dials...but what about the other. So I wrote that... and she replied "3." I know...makes no sense either but there was a 3....which I would learn later on.....was a very important number.

Now let me describe her washer. It very much reminded me of the little stack able apartment washer and dryer Larry purchased for me during our college years. Teensy probably doesn't adequately describe it. However....it washed....so I loaded it up and since I had a front loader myself knew the ropes. I remembered how to bring out the little drawer for the detergent and before long the little room off the back porch was humming busily with washing machine noises. Yay!

A cold front had moved in over the night and I could not seem to get warm. I dressed in long sleeve leisure wear with socks and warm shoes but I remained chilled despite my activity. Missy had the heaters going...but I was still cold. There was a lovely big gas heater where the fireplace once was.....but I was terrified of not switching the little lever right..or making the clicking pilot start the fire and becoming overcome with gas as only Missy can graphically describe.....so I left it off... and continued to do my household chores all bundled up like I was skiing.

Next I decided to make the shortbread I promised them. I was going to give a quick email to Lara or Larry to send it to me from my cookbook....but I realized....they were asleep....drat. Missy confirmed she also had the Swann Family Cookbook it was in....but it was packed away somewhere so decided to do that another day....and make the Apple Bread she wanted. I finally dug around and found all the utensils and ingredients and was ready to preheat the oven. Missy had given me a quick lesson on running the oven. Seems it has several different ways you can do that.... I selected the dial I remembered her showing me and set the temperature. It is Celsius but my instructions had the conversion in Fahrenheit and Celsius so I was able to translate the right temp. Before long I had a lovely loaf pan ready to pop in the oven and feeling very proud of myself I was off to the next project.

The " Cooking " area

I dashed in to see if there was any email and not even 10 minutes later I began to smell a burnt toast smell....that was odd... so I dashed in to take a peek and found a smoldering black burnt topped apple bread!! I pulled it out....and ran in to write Missy ( since I couldn't call ) and simply put in the title....." We have a problem!!!" she called immediately. Seems I had the dial set to broil rather than blowing heat...go figure. So I cut off the top of the cake.....reset the dial cautiously and popped it back in the oven.... 30 minutes later.....it came out smelling yummy and although had a nice.....crunchy sort of top.....looked none the worse for it's traumatic start.

As I went about my cooking and cleaning chores looking like an Eskimo bundled for the walrus hunt....I kept peeking in on the washing machine. An hour later I went back to email because I couldn't work the blasted phone..... and wrote in the subject line... " Laundry won't stop! Is taking a zillion years!" Her subject line back was " 3 zillion years!" Omgosh! Seems it takes hours for it to get through a cycle of laundry....not to mention drying the silly things!. I had suspiciously eyeballed an outside clothesline earlier ...complete with clothespin.... I didn't have to be a rocket scientist to understand it's significance....and put it to good use. The number 3 by the way was an indicator of how long it should wash....and that was HALF the normal allotted time! Ok...so it may take me all week to accomplish a house full of clean laundry.

Remember this? It is called a ......Clothesline :-)

It was time to cook the chicken I would need for my rellenos. I found a lovely big stew pot and washed and placed the chicken in and covered with water and managed to get the little clicking pilot on the stove top to turn on under the stew pot. I decided to keep the back door open.....just in case I had that one wrong.... and odorless gas fumes would be pouring in ready to explode the place. I just piled on another big sweat shirt.

That action produced another story....of the Big Fly. On the way home from the airport the first day, a big fly flew in the window. As he flew by me I swatted at him. Missy said.... " don't kill it!" She went on to explain if I did it's belly, that was full of maggots would burst open and fall all over me." Ok....so would that be a blow fly? Didn't matter....I freaked anyway! Eww!!! The next time that fly buzzed by me I screamed bloody murder!! We laughed till we cried all the way home.

Enter the Big Fly....... Because I left the back door open....Mr. Fly with a belly full of maggots.....happily flew in my kitchen to make my already complicated day....more complicated. This time...I would not freak....I was feeling a tad bit irritated...and he was just the source I needed to vent. My war strategy was to corner him and work him outside so when I smashed the life out of his stupid body his children would fall helplessly on the ground to die motherless... ( Just a little aggressive venting mind you :-) We waged war off and on for hours....I am not sure who won. :-(

I ran to check the still washing clothes...I mean how long does it take to get something clean! Ran to check email....do a bit of dusting along the way and as I was padding back to the kitchen I began to hear this .....popping sound. I went in to investigate and found in that short time....my water had boiled away....my boiled chicken was browning in the pan as if I had pan seared it!!! groan! I pulled it off the fire....without burning myself..... and forked it out of the pan. It was done....and lightly browned.... I decided to take credit for that and say I did it on purpose. :-)

I let it cool...shredded it....and put it aside in the little fridge to stuff my green chilis later.

The Refrigerator

I washed and cleaned some beautiful produce. Everything here is huge! The celery is the longest I have ever seen! The tomatoes and lettuce and mushrooms and green onions were lovely and soon I had them draining on the sideboard for salad later.

I set the table and went in to open the can of green chilies and discovered I didn't know how to use the magic opener.... Nothing about it's construction was intuitive.....everything on it was in the wrong place. Back to the email......subject line...." How does the opener work!" Her reply in subject line...." I am on my way home!" She works about 10 minutes max from the house so she was indeed home in no time....showed me how to work the silly thing....something I do not think I could accomplish.... and I set about to assembling my rellenos. I complained that the salad items would not seem to dry. They were as wet as when I started.... and as a matter of fact....nothing seems to dry quickly.... You have to hand dry everything.... We popped the rellenos in the oven..... put the salad together.... Missy made the Mexican rice.....we finished setting the table.....and by the time Wes was home we had dinner on the table. He was delighted!

Wes, God Bless him, cleaned the kitchen, Missy and I watched the second half of Australian Idol, and I managed to make it to 10 pm before padding back to my cool dark room and fall into a deep exhausted sleep.... Mission Accomplished! :-)

I must go quickly dress... for a day of adventure. Stay tuned for the next chapter...

God Bless!

Elaine

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Lulabelle's, Cabrini & a New Baby Cot

One of my morning Songbirds

Yesterday was a very important day. I woke up with much anticipation. I came 9032.23 miles from Dallas, Texas ( one way ) to visit Cabrini Hospital, meet the Midwife and hopefully meet the South African Doctor. As usual, the Abbott women push our time to the last minute ( a lesson I learned from my mom :-) so there was a flurry to get out the door...which always sends poor Wally to his perch on the back of the couch to try and stay out of the way and oversee our antics. We made a quick stop to Lulabell's Coffee and Pastry Shop, a gathering spot for the locals, and made the drive to Cabrini Hospital.

Lulabelle's

Lulabelle Delights

Scones

I sit over in what Larry calls " The Prayer Corner", named that because fervent prayers and earnest petitions of " Save us Lord!" and " Jesus help us!" and other pleas for Divine intervention are heard most of the way to our destination... Missy usually is laughing so hard she can hardly drive....which ups the urgency of my petitions, but today she was tense because she said we could not be late. More to pray for!

Finally we reached our destination and found a parking place in the car park and headed in for my first look at this most important haven.....the caretakers of my daughter and new grand baby.

I liked Cabrini right away. It "felt" right. A mom thing I suppose, but I have learned to rely on that inner peace over the years. It is a Catholic non profit (private ) hospital with 600 beds. Not huge by Dallas standards but very respectable. The Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Italy undertook a hard journey to Australia to take over the mission in 1920 that Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini ( Mother Cabrini) , the founder, began in 1880. It looked much like any hospital. The nurses and medical staff wore different uniforms but they were friendly and professional and I liked that.

Cabrini Hospital





Main hospital entrance

We met the first midwife right away. She more or less registered Missy and went over hospital details & procedure. I was welcomed to their meeting and I have found that Mums and dogs can go just about anywhere. :-) She kindly answered my first question about the qualifications of a midwife. I explained that midwives in America were much different and not hospital associated. She said that in Australia a midwife requires a pre graduate degree to be a licensed midwife and was similar to our obstetrics nurses but with a bit more specialization required as they are usually the ones to deliver the babies.

Registering Mid Wife

The Obstetrician oversees the pregnancy and birth and if things go off the " normal path" he would assume the responsibility of delivery. I was told that a pediatrician was not required unless something was wrong with the baby but it seems the hospital takes care of all the post natal screening and care. They don't typically do circumcision but will if the parents request it. (It is still to be determined if that is necessary.) Missy was given a bag of freebies and we headed downstairs for our next Midwife meeting.

Midwife Maggie.... We liked her right off. She said she is the touchy feeling one of the obstetrics team. She will have regular visits with Missy along with " Max " ....or Dr. Maxwell Michaels. She said he was a bit of the old school, though highly qualified, and said he believed it was all about the mum to be...with no frills of course. She was as chatty as your best friend and they covered....EVERYTHING.

Midwife Maggie

If I had any worries at all...it was laid to rest in that meeting. She said she had 22 years of experience and a graduate degree in nursing with a specialization in obstetrics. She will most likely be the one to deliver the baby and we were OK with that. Midwife in Australia it seems...is a very different concept. You could tell she was very knowledgeable and loved her work. They will use the most modern that is available in obstetrics and she went about the task of answering all questions and then some along with her exam.

Exam

Maggie it seems has traveled to America several times...so a bit of travel talk was thrown in the mix. Missy opened right up to her....and I felt like my mission was accomplished.

I was not able to meet " Max", the doctor....but Wes & Missy think he is a good doctor and if they and Midwife Maggie like him....all is well with my world. :-)

After Cabrini Missy needed a snack so we headed off to the Mall which was very nice and had most of the stores we were looking for. We looked at various baby stores for baby things and found the dollar stores.....which translates to $2 - $10....but that is great in comparison to what you normally pay.

Snack at the Mall

Next stop.....Baby Bunting.....to purchase the baby's cot....( bed)! It is Australian made and really wonderful......and....on sale! Wes will pick it up on Friday and we are all excited about it. We do not have the bedding yet but at least we have a start on the baby's nursery.

The Baby's Cot ( bed )

I am walking up to Ashburton.....by myself today. I am going to the butcher shop to get some ham for the bean soup I am preparing for dinner ( serious prayers should be said for this :-) & have a map of how to get there. Ashburton is the local little shopping area and I have a good sense of direction so I am sure I can make it there and back. ( if it stops raining long enough ) Missy wrote down her office & cell numbers....just in case......and gave me a mini lesson on the equivalency of Australian money. If I remember it as well as my household lessons....I should do just fine. :-)

Have a Blessed Day in America!!!

Elaine 

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Montana Street

Psalm 90:14Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.Psalm 90:13-15

MORNING BIRD

Good Morning! I have had my morning Praise & Worship of the Lord along with my fellow sojourners.... the birds, bees, critters, trees and lush beautiful flowers.....and I am as the Psalm says.... glad and full of joy ....as only God's Love can make you. :-)

I had a lovely day yesterday with not nearly so many incidents...." to get my Irish up"... :-) After Missy & Wes left for work I got ready to strike out on my own.... on the streets of Australia. Question is.... Was Ashburton ready for it? ... :-)

It was a bit overcast and the wind nippy so I bundled up and with my trolley set out on foot with the carefully drawn map from Missy. I had their address written down ( in case I got lost ) 28 Montana Street and all their telephone numbers. My my..... how history repeats itself. I had my list of " Hows" ... how to call emergency numbers.... how to use Australian money.... how & where the stores were located....how to get help, how to find my way home...and how to get hold of Missy & Wes. It reminded me of the How List I have so often done for my children when they set off on their new adventures. I felt a bit like a pioneer.... in a foreign country with no phone with a GPS, car, iPod....headphones....just the elements and I ...roughing it. :-)


A compass would have helped....not that I would have known how to read it....but my inner sense of direction was out of kilter. Think it could be because I am on the other side of the equator? Following the map I walked down Montana street headed for the trail that goes thru the park... Go right....ok..... Taking in the beautiful flowers and English style gardens I walk on for several blocks ....but where is that pesky trail? Hmm..... ok...head back to where I knew where I was.... Montana street.... Back at Montana street where I made the right turn it indicated on the map....I see the Park....and trail as it leads off.....right... THAT must be the right turn..... so I set off thru the park.... humming and enjoying the birds.... Lovely noisy birds.....song birds...funny honking birds..... Finally I get down to a little cut through I remember taking with Missy so I head off up that way.... ( without referring to the map ) Yep...I remember these houses.... I walk along admiring the fences and the fresh air.....and unusual trees until I come to a dead end...... funny..I don't remember a dead end when I walked with Missy. OK....head back to where I knew where I was.....toward ....Montana Street.

BIRD AT THE PARK

As I head back in the direction of Montana Street.... I see a street that looks like it may be in the right direction.... Feeling like it might lead to town I decide to give it a try and my little trolley and I head up the friendly street. I love the little neighborhood made up of gingerbread houses and charming landscapes.... with an occasional bird or car. I come to a Round a Bout....something else I do not remember encountering on my walk with Missy. A Round a Bout is a wonderful way of negotiating a busy intersection by car. It has a little circle in the middle and lanes that allow cars to come in from all directions.....and go Round the Bout.... :-) and shoot off the direction they need....without a traffic light. My trolley and I took the pedestrian path and crossed the Round a Bout.... I could see up ahead ....and it looked like yet again....another dead end. Oh dear.... I was beginning to feel a bit like the man in the movie, Ground Hog Day. I turned around and headed back in the direction of.....Montana Street.

ROUND A BOUT

As I was heading back toward ...what I thought was...Montana Street...I saw another street that was a possibility.... It had a familiar fence nothing like we have ever seen in America...constructed of stone and dry twigs.... so I headed up that way. Another possible turn on a cross street...hummmmm well what have I got to lose...other than my way.... and before long I saw busy High Street! I wouldn't worry right now about how to reconstruct my return home....that HOW was not on the list!

EARLIER HIGH STREET TRIP

High Street..... People coming and going with their little shopping trolleys... bakeries ( cake and pie shops ), the bank, florist, fruit & vegetable store, butcher shop, eating places.... A world of shops for me to investigate. I set right out to do it! After about an hour of learning the ropes of shopping and negotiating the pedestrian cross walk.... my little trolley was full of fresh bread and such and I was off to Montana street. Scanning the little streets that entered High Street I found myself doing eeny meeny miney mo in my head for which one to choose in as dignified manner as possible. Summerhill Lane sounded good...so I happily headed down that way admiring the charming little street and houses.

At the first cross street I decided to give a right turn a go. After my successful shopping venture I was feeling lucky. Walking on a bit and noticing the familiar dead end up ahead....I decided to back track a few streets and try another street. By now, having probably negotiated every street in the neighborhood, I could have published a mapsco. Turning up yet another street and acting as if I intended to do it.... I mentally planned in my mind what I had to do to still accomplish dinner. Feeling a tad on the frustrated side....I saw the park up ahead! I cut through a crop of trees I do not remember and made a turn onto a path that I hoped....headed toward Montana Street.

GLEN IRIS NEIGHBORHOOD

The birds were annoyingly loud as I was trying to think and it seemed every bee and bug was flying about for me to avoid. No flys with maggots in the belly today....thank you very much! An enormous dog or shaggy bear ( do they have bears in Australia? ) bounded on my path in front of me. Heart in my throat, I mustered all the courage I could gather up and marched forward like a true Texas Woman. Once past the hairy beast I heard the welcome voices of children....which meant the little day school at the end of Montana Street could possibly be ahead!

Montana Street never looked lovelier and as I made my way the last block I felt like every true pioneer must have felt after having waged their battle with the elements and savage beasts of the new land... In the end...it didn't matter how many detours you had to take...as long as you made it to your destination. :-)

MONTANA STREET

In record time I had my pot of black beans, the pork I purchased from Ashburton , Rotel Tomatoes from America, and homemade Jalapeno Cornbread filling the house with it's wonderful aroma. When asked about my day my children were none the wiser of my escapades of the day....unless they read this blog of course. :-)

Have a Blessed Day!

Elaine
1 Chronicles 16:33Then the trees of the forest will sing, they will sing for joy before the LORD, for he comes to judge the earth.1 Chronicles 16:32-34

Psalm 28:7The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song.Psalm 28:6-8

Sing to him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy.Psalm 33:2-4

Thursday, October 23, 2008

FYI

If you are new to my blog you can read older posts ( If you want to go back to when I first arrived. There are some cool photos. ) Just go down to the very bottom of the blog page and you will see Older Posts Click that and it will take you to them. It archives after so long. Also you can click on most of the photos and it will enlarge them. There is a place for leaving comments if you would like to or you can email me.

Blessings,
Elaine

Pennyroyal Farms

A quick note this morning. We are packing and preparing for our little trip to Pennyroyal Farms...the cottage that Wes & Missy rented for the weekend. This is what I know about it...
( I will annotate in red where the wording might be confusing. I took this off the website. )http://www.greatplacestostay.com.au/ex_frameset.asp?url=www.pennyroyalfarminfo.com&title=Pennyroyal+Farm

• Huge sundecks with outdoor furniture and BBQs

• Pet friendly Full entertainment centre
• Wood burning heater and ample firewood
• Cork floors in main room, bathroom and laundry
• Soaring timber ceilings
• Leather furniture Linen and towels supplied
• Reverse cycle air-conditioner and ceiling fans
• DVD player
• Auto wash machine ( I think this is a big deal over here )

• Sleeping: Sleeps 6 • Two queen bedrooms downstairs
• Ensuite shower and toilet to master bedroom ( ensuite means bathroom in your room. Potty is called toilet...and that includes a public restroom....it is referred to as a toilet )
• All beds have feather doonas and electric blankets. ( I will let you know when I get there but I assume a doonas is a comforter. Electric could be good as cold as I have been. :-)
• Two single beds in galley bedroom (may be unsuitable for the very young or the elderly)
• Carpeted bedrooms.
• Kitchen: Microwave • Stove • Crockery & cutlery • Basic kitchen supplies • Cypress-slab benches.
• Bathrooms: Full-sized bath in separate bathroom • Separate toilet
• Picturesque valley with trout fishing Peace and quiet Pet friendly bushwalks ( I can only assume a bushwalk is a country side walk..... but it is intriguing...and I will let you know what I find out )
• Two local pick-your-own berry gardens (cafe open seasonally) ( how fun!)
• A central base to explore the forests and waterfalls of the Otway Ranges by car About 20 minutes from the coast and several golf courses ( that sounds exciting!)
• Walk to the country general store and dog-friendly cafe and bar ( what did I tell you about dogs....and the same goes for Mums. :-)

The Pennyroyal Valley is a world apart from the bustling resort town of Lorne and the Great Ocean Road, yet within easy reach of all the coast has to offer.
Pennyroyal is next to the main inland road (between Lorne, Birregurra and Colac), 20 minutes from Lorne and 90 minutes from Melbourne's Westgate Bridge.
( here is the map.....not that it will mean that much to you...other than the interesting names. If you look on the Australian Map.....it is down at the southern tip.... southwest following the coast of the bay from Melbourne)


We are taking Wally with us....as it is pet friendly.... I am dashing about trying to get things done before Missy comes home so we can make one last grocery store run. I run repeatedly to the pokey washing macine....willing it to work faster. I will take lots of photos....and will not blog again until Sunday.
Have a Blessed & Glorious weekend!
Elaine

Saturday, October 25, 2008

The Australian Bush and The Great Ocean Road

We are home from our amazing weekend trip to the Australian Bush and Great Ocean Road. I can see why they talked so much about it! Dramatic first comes to my mind....along with charming, friendly, spectacular, amazing!

THE TRIP





Wally hanging out the window



With Wally hanging his head out the window....tongue wagging in the wind....we headed off to the Australian Bush. Sheep farms and small little towns would be a good description of that....with fewer people. It felt a bit like traveling back to the 1950s .... a much less complicated world. We arrived late and driving down that dirt road looking for our cottage in the dark reminded me of so many times Larry & I found ourselves going down roads to nowhere....knowing we were going somewhere together.

The cottage turned out to be lovely.... a farm type atmosphere....with the appropriate pond, goats, sheep, cows and horses. Before long Wes had a great fire going for warmth.....and Missy had our dinner of a nibbly tray ready for us to devour. Wally kept running off into the dark which sent us shouting after him ....afraid he would find some great hairy beast. The night sky was a sight to behold. The whole Continent of Australia has about the population of the state of Texas and they all must go to bed early... it was dark out there!!! The heavens nearly sat on top of us! The stars were huge.....and the dark night so clear. The constellations are upside down from the way we know it in the northern hemisphere and we searched the night for the southern cross that pointed the way to the south pole.




Wes & Wally with the goats






Eventually Missy headed off to the bedroom ...an exhausted mum to be...who had greatly depleted her energy on the road .....and we were not too far behind her. Sometime in the night something large landed on the roof....... like a cow or horse. The roof didn't cave in....and my bed was warm.....so I decided in the Australian Bush one doesn't make a fuss over something like that and let sleep win the tug of war with consciousness.



Australian Bush Cottage















After cinnamon toast & coffee we were off to The Great Ocean Road. We made a few stops in darling little coastal towns, hugging the sides of the Otway Range that is full of waterfalls, rain forests and great peaks and glens. In Apollo Bay I had a vegetable and cheese pastie for lunch with a chocolate eclair that would make you cry... :-)













Back on the road Missy said I should start watching the trees along the road for Koala Bears. Somehow I imagined them in an animal reserve....rather than like squirrels in trees along the side of the road. Before long I was yelling.... " Stop the car...stop the car! I see them!" Hopping and jumping I made it to the tree line to find my Koalas and carefully aiming my camera I found them dotted about here and there in the trees .....hugging the trunks!! We had to make several more stops as I couldn't seem to get enough pictures of these amazing little bears.




Koalas


Soon we saw signs posted on the side of the road.....that had a picture of a Kangaroo....instead of deer....to indicate that they were in the area! Sadly the only Kangaroo I saw had gone on to meet his maker....much like Armadillos do on the side of the road in Texas. We also saw a Dingo in a similar fashion. Wes and Missy told me I would have another opportunity to hopefully see some live ones on our trip next weekend....and I can hardly wait!


The Great Ocean Road





Next Stop Antarctica.

I pose for a sign that says Next Stop Antarctica!!! That was sobering to look out on that huge stretch of ocean knowing that just south is Antarctica and the south pole! Wow!
After walking the whole observation area we began our scenic drive back to Melbourne.

When we arrive home we settled Wally in and headed off to Nachos Cantina for Aussie style Mexican food. We all shared a huge plate of respectable nachos and Missy & I shared an enchilada plate. It wasn't like home but it was mighty good to this Texas girl hungry for some Mexican food. :-) We watched the movie Ironman and then off to bed.






Nachos Cantina




Missy & I are off to get the baby cot ( crib ) and we are working on the baby's room today.
May you have a blessed sabbath!
Elaine

Check out my older posts down at the bottom of the gallery ( archived posts ) or bottom of the blogs.... older posts.

Sunday, October 26, 2008

If I wanted to be rich in Australia

Monday Oct. 27th

Good Afternoon!

We had a nice day yesterday....shopping, working on the baby's room and Wes made us Fajitas on the grill!

Shopping, as always, is a delight to me. We found yet another of my favorite kind of shops........ can you say discount!

The owner appeared to be Asian and his prices were good. It was about the size of a Texas bathroom and shop owners use every square inch of those little shops to display their goods. The challenge is making your way down each aisle without knocking something off....especially if you have an armful of goodies. This day's quest was shelves for the baby's room. Of course we found other items of interest along the way. ;-) I love the little spoons here.... small ... not as long or big as ours, but perfect for coffee or tea so if I find them for a good price...I must have one..or two...or.....

Baby Shelves

We found our shelves, and a few other items and a spoon or two for me and headed to the American Store.

The American Store

The biggest event of our day was the much anticipated trip to the American store. A great deal of planning and lists of requests and last minute urgent cell phone calls of yet another thing to add to the list was going on with as much fervor as a bookie at a horse race. We parked in one of the four allotted parking spaces, an Aussie oversight I will never understand, and took one of the most unusual little wheeled baskets I have ever seen and made our way to this haven of American luxuries. It was about the size of my living room and every aisle was packed with shoppers! The treasures this goldmine yielded came in the way of Lucky Charms, Moon Pies, Captain Crunch, Pop Tarts, Bisquick and the such or the coveted Dr. Pepper & A & W root beer for Wes & Missy. There was a price for these jewels though. A little 2 oz. package of Gold Fish that Wes longed for was $1.60!!

A 12 ounce bag of Chocolate Chips was nearly $20!! A bag of candy corn was nearly $6!! It was nice though to see the beloved familiar items that Americans hold dear and I mentally began making my Christmas list for items to purchase for them when I return to America.

My initial reaction to the price paid for these necessary to the American way of life items was astonishment, followed by outrage and finally my capitalist juices began to mentally calculate the profit. If I wanted to be rich in Australia I would open another American Store! These folks were driving from all over Victoria to come to shop American regardless of the unappealing industrial district, with no parking, in a building smaller than a good Texas garage! Yes, there could definitely be some profit here! Judging by the packed out popularity of Nachos Restaurant, I could throw in a Mexican Restaurant and see Australian dollar signs! With our $20 case of A & W and the small but carefully handled sack of the rest of our booty ( to the tune of $70! ) we headed to the local Safeway.

Safeway is my favorite store. Other than the crazy shopping carts, with wheels that rotate in all directions as you go forward ( an Aussie plot to give more exercise to the individual I am convinced ) I find no fault with this clean and efficient store with nice roomy aisles.

I manhandled my derelict basket as well as any Mum and maneuvered myself inside and Missy and I found the needed items. I gathered up another package of Strong Bitey Cheese which is reminiscent of Vermont White Cheddar and a daily favorite of mine with my pumpkin seed bread. I selected another carton of cream for my coffee, ( our pathetic attempt at cream pales in comparison ) and an hour later we loaded up the Land Rover and headed for Montana Street.

The Land Rover

My stomach may never be the same after being the passenger in any moving vehicle on Aussie streets, much less the McFarland Land Rover. When Missy puts the jeep in gear my stomach does a pretzel knot so tight even a surgeon could not untie it. I have immediate mixed emotions of laughing hysterically at the oncoming light poles and eeking ( instead of screaming with my tonsils hanging out!) as trucks and cars nearly scrape the sides of our vehicle at high speeds which appears to be no big deal to anyone in Australia...including my American daughter! Missy makes repeated calls to Wes for directions .... he is destined for sainthood on this score alone.. ( I suggested a GPS might be beneficial ) and we take alot of accidental streets on the way to wherever we are going. ( just for a little extra sight seeing mind you if one could focus at such a high rate of speed ) I was informed yesterday that Aussies do not take the street lines very seriously. Good gosh a mighty!!!

Missy, chatting about this and that, will turn once in awhile to inquire if I am ok. I hastily tell her she is doing a fabulous job of driving.... and heave a sigh of relief when she faces forward..with a bit of a smile....to the oncoming traffic. As we make our way into the house after a nail biting routine of fitting their Land Rover into the golf cart size driveway sandwiched between the house and fence, I proclaim I feel a bit nauseous

and am going to take something to calm my stomach....like a tranquilizer....and lay down for a bit of a rest. :-)

The Drive Way

My stomach rallied for Wes' amazing fajitas and after dinner we enjoyed the next round of Australian Idol.

May God bless your week!

Elaine

My soul, give thanks to the Lord, all my being, bless His holy name. My soul, give thanks to the Lord and never forget all His blessings. (Psalm 103: 1,2 )

Monday Morning &

off to the office 

Monday, October 27, 2008

Wally Boy

Morning Prayer
Heavenly Father, a new day is just beginning. Fill me with your joy and peace. I do not know what the day will bring but I ask for your guidance and wisdom. I pray for those I love and ask that any stress flow from me now and that you fill me with your grace. In your name, Amen

Wally Boy

Wally is on a diet. A visit last week to the vet for an exam began Wally's journey to health and vitality. He didn't know he was fat....but he was about to. It was overall a very bad day for Wally. Not only did they clean his teeth and extract a bad one, but they bathed and skinned him too. He hated these periodic customs of hygiene. A streetwise rescue dog learns to rely on cunning and instinct rather than the appropriate social customs of his new family. He let us all know when he came home that he was not happy.

His new guide to eating included an organic healthy mix designed for overweight more mature adult dogs. That translates to tasteless pellets disguised as food....and no scraps at the table. He used his best tactics to get our sympathy but tough love was in order in the McFarland house....because we cared about old Wally Boy.

Wally's point of view

Well Mate, it's like this. I wasn't too stressed over this diet routine. I practiced patience and knew it would all end sooner or later. I knew how my family tended to have a hectic busy schedule....that spells success for me. They would fall into the old routine of feeling guilty and give in with some treats or better yet leftovers. I practiced my best whine and lay around feverish with little energy. When that didn't work I crawled into a bed I rarely use and faced the wall.... pouting can be very effective. When that didn't work I decided negative attention would be better than no attention. Being banned to the back yard was not the results I had hoped for. Life was not good...for a pit bull...disguised as a poodle mind you.

As the days wore on..... and withdrawal from the good life set in....I really did get depressed. Starvation was not how I expected to leave this life. I had thoughts of breaking out and foraging some good garbage cans. To make matters worse they brought in the gestapo. Oh she looks like your idea of a picture book Mum...but make no mistake...this granny is a Rambo.

We squared off on day one. I gave her my low rumbling growl when she sat near me. She just reached over and scratched my ear. THAT was when I knew she was lethal. I played the aloof card with her.....and she just ...ignored me....smiling and singing her way through the day.... disgusting! I decided cunning was in store ....so I waddled over and gave her a nuzzle. She got mean then and softly called me.... Wally boy....and scratched my ears again. Trouble in Glen Iris! Then she started moving furniture. She is on some kind of mission and my family is all caught up in it... They seem less patient with ole Wally Boy and focused on the " new thing." My box of doggie toys even got moved out. I am trying to subdue my natural inclination to mark my territory because I know it will be all out war if I do. Whats a pup to do?

We all took a big trip together. I was a happy hound. I was ready to go Roo or Dingo hunting but they held me back.... they know my unleashed strength and did it for my own good. This trip was a good distraction for the ole boy...helped me forget my lingering starvation. Matter of fact I am beginning to feel some youth in my bones.

So what's the big deal with a little cleanliness and order when it brings peace and harmony in the house. I am kinda liking the good smells....I can at least enjoy that if I can't have any. Best of all my family is real happy now when the smells are good. They come in and sit at the big table where the scraps come from and talk and pray and stuff... If they are happy....ole Wally Boy is happy and I guess I can take anything they want to dish out. I even gave the ole woman a nuzzle for real this time....and let her know I was protecting her too. She must have known it because she scratched my ears again and said, " Your a good boy Wally. " Yea....I'm a wimp. But whats a pup to do?

Evening Prayer

Lord I still my restless heart in your presence. I rejoice that I am safe in your keeping. Show me mercy and forgiveness and grant me peace. Give strength to the weak and gentleness to the strong. Bring your company to the lonely and in your presence may all find rest.

May God Bless Your Day & Night,

Elaine 

Thursday, October 30, 2008

CBD

It has been a busy couple of days and looks like it will be that way until Monday when I return home. Yesterday Missy & I did a bit of site seeing at the CBD and today we were able to spend some time in the kitchen together baking and cooking... I have missed that...and one of my favorite things that we have done together.

CBD Central Business District

That's what they call downtown around here. Missy and I got up early yesterday and with our usual "extra site seeing " ( code word for lost ) made our way to the CBD. It was a beautiful day! Not too cold or hot.... Perfect sweater weather. We stopped in at Lulabelle's for lunch and a cappuccino and continued our way to the CBD.

Lulabelle's for lunch

Parking is always a challenge and Missy was congratulating herself when we pulled into a 4 hour parking slot and only had to pay $5. Of course we walked 5 blocks....but it was a nice stretch alongside Queen Victoria Park and we were happy to be together to share the day.



CBD

Our first stop was the tourist information center for maps and instructions and then we caught the free tourist bus to St. Patrick's Catholic Church. That was the church that I had on an earlier post. It is so beautiful. We were able to go inside and even sit quietly and pray a bit.

St. Patrick's Church

Then we caught the free trolley that makes a loop of the CBD. We rode the entire loop of the downtown area with narration of all the sites. We saw the dockland area....and all the old buildings. It is a major port with a large customs area. Melbourne is a really interesting mix of old Victorian and very contemporary new buildings. It is one of those rare downtown areas that is very clean and beautiful. They are doing some massive developing of dockside living and it is one of the hottest places to live. We also saw the Parliament Area. It is really pretty. I took a picture of their version of a fire hydrant.... Pretty funny looking.

Parliament Building &

their version of a

Fire Hydrant





Then we stopped in at the Immigration Museum. I was fascinated by the way Australia was populated.... and the history of the aboriginal and other native born people of that area. Then we headed up to the Yarra River to have Sticky Date Pudding.. It is very similar to Sticky Toffee Pudding in the UK and one of my favorite desserts when I can find it. It was marvelous! It is served warm with a toffee sauce and ice cream....and we quickly devoured it.

Yarra River





We did a bit more shopping for today's baking at my favorite store....Safeway.... and made it home and decided to just call out for pizza. We were pooped!

My Favorite store....Safeway

Today we started early this morning making treats for Missy's office party. It is a Halloween theme and we made spider and monster cupcakes, a cake that looks like a pumpkin, popcorn balls, these spider things made out of Chinese noodles, a pumpkin roll and we are taking guacamole and chips. On top of that I prepared Missy & Wes one of my specialties for dinner... Roladen with potato dumplings and cheese blintzes for dessert. Missy and I stood and cooked all day. We are exhausted tonight but it was such fun doing it together.

Spider & Monster Muffins

We have an early morning tomorrow to set up for her party and then we will go out to dinner. Saturday I think we are planning to go to the Yarra Valley. I am not sure what all we will see but will report all about it when we return.... I think we are out to see Kangaroos though.... :-)

Have a Blessed Day!

Elaine 

Saturday, November 1, 2008

My Last Days in Australia

Sunday, Nov. 2nd

Hello! This will be my last blog in Australia!

It is hard to believe I am at the end of my wonderful visit with Wes & Missy in this beautiful place.

I have SO much to write about and no time to do it! I'll do my best though. :-) The closer I am to my return to the Great State of Texas....the busier I get! Let me jump right into the last few day's events.

Friday...Oct 31st Monster Bash

A mild curious version of that anyway.... Aussies recognize Halloween but not with the hysteria that we do in America. With all our much labored over goodies Missy & I headed up to her office in Camberwell. After meeting everyone it was declared time for cakes. I think that means refreshments. About fifteen people came in and seem to thoroughly enjoy all the festive food. I had an opportunity to visit with many of them and they were all very friendly and seemed glad to meet Melissa's Mum ( as she is known professionally).


Missy's Office

At lunch time Missy took me back to the house for some much needed packing while she finished up meetings and work for the rest of the day. We went to dinner at Fierelli's....and there is no guarantee I am spelling that correctly. It was fabulous! I had a wonderful chicken breast stuffed with feta cheese and sun dried tomatoes....and an amazing Sticky Date Pudding. I LOVE Sticky Date Pudding!!! :-) Y'all expect me to roll off that plane don't you! haha! It was a wonderful day!

Out to Dinner for the evening

Yarra Valley Nov. 1st

I had no idea what to expect and that made it such fun. The Yarra Valley would be like the Nappa Valley or Northern Italy wine region. Beautiful mountains that are covered with wineries and vineyards. They are very different mountains...not coastal or nearly so rugged. It is actually not far from Melbourne..perhaps an hour at most ....through charming little towns. If I lived in Australia this would be where I would want to live. I loved it there!!

Yarra Valley

There were trees of every sort. There were also olive groves and they sold olive products in the wineries too.... We stopped in at many of the wineries to have a look....and a taste. :-) They do not charge you there to do that.... and the Australian specialty seems to be the Shiraz ( pronounced with the familiar Aussie aaahh sound as in wahh wahhh that they put on most everything :-) and sounding out the Z) very Australian sounding. Missy of course could only have a sip a few times.... since she is expecting....but it was fun and interesting learning all about the wines and how they are made.

Next we went to an animal sanctuary. It only took me about 3 seconds to revert to a child. OMGosh!!!

Animal Sanctuary

We seemed to be there at the perfect time. Sanctuary assistants were walking about everywhere which brought out the animals.... They were in typical no hurry no worries Aussie fashion....and told you almost anything you ever wanted to know about these amazing animals. That spelled pure heaven for me...curious person that I am. We saw a Duck Billed Platypus...which is an endangered species now.... Wow!! The platypus, we found out, had developed a trust relationship with the trainer...and came out to show off. He said it was very aware we were there..... and played through a little underground jetty of water....over and over.... and did all kinds of playful things... Loved it! We saw Dingo...which very much looked like a dog,

Dingo

There was also the reptile section. ....shiver.... that was Wes' favorite place. It had a Taipan Snake .... which is one of the most deadliest snakes on the earth. It kept tapping it's head on the glass at Wes....and it was like a " Moment " with his deadliest foe.. A guy thing I think....but was cool to see him enjoy it. Ewwww! :-) We also saw a really dangerous lizard/ reptile/ dragon looking thing.... GROSS! Wes liked that too. :-)

Lizard

We saw Koalas again....this time up close and personal. These animals were not caged like a zoo ( with he exception of the dangerous ones ) but were free to roam about. I didn't hold the Koala...but I was close enough to. :-)

Koala


I finally got to see Kangaroo!!! One just feet from me. They were so amazing! Lazy and somewhat bored with our silly excitement they did an occasional reshifting for comfort that drove us to paparazzi excitement! :-)

Kangaroos

Kangaroo pose

There were also Wallabies. I got to hand feed this one....and pet it. No trainer about.....just the Wallaby.... humoring us. :-) There were other marsupials..... that we did not see.... The Opossum Tasmanian Devil and Wombat. I think they are marsupial anyway..... but they were hiding...and were likely nocturnal as most Australian critters seem to be. All in all....it was sheer bliss to make our way through that lovely sanctuary and be kids for awhile.

I am feeding the Wallaby grass

Missy & the wallaby

Our last stop was another winery, one of their favorites, where we had an amazing assortment of cheeses and a few more tastes of wine. We took the beautiful drive home through the Christmas Mountains....and once in Ashburton had dinner at Sergios. I had lamb kebabs with pita and a Greek type salad.... Another food home run....in a charming little homey Greek run restaurant.

Winery

A cheese plate with our wine



St Kilda's Beach Nov. 2nd

We left early today to go by St. Kilda's Beach. It is right off of downtown Melbourne. They have a beautiful boardwalk with lots of little booths of crafters and things to purchase. We found just the items we were looking for and after a pose or two on the beach headed off to the Gold Class Movie. ...the ultimate in movie experience. :-)



St. Kilda's Beach

Missy & Wes at St. Kilda's Beach

It is a bit like our Studio Movie Grills in Dallas. We ate dips and bread ( like hot sauce and chips in Texas ) and pizza. The thing I liked best was the recliner seats.... and they will even bring you a blanket and pillow if you get cold... Not bad!



Wes lounges for the movie at the Gold Class Movies.

Getting comfy

Well that's it.... I am now finishing up my packing and getting all my travel details together. I would sure appreciate it if you would pray for me during my travel. It makes all the difference!

Travel Info for prayers:
Monday, November 3rd ( It will be Sunday evening for you )

Flight QF93 Departs 12:10 pm ( just after noon Aussie Time ) so about 7 pm ( daylight savings time ) Dallas time.

I arrive in LA after a 15 hour flight at 7:30 am....the same day!!! It will actually be...on the clock... the same morning I left Australia...hours on the clock before I actually left!! I am flying into the sun so I gain a day instead of losing one.... Crazy!

2 hours later at 9:50 am I board flight 2440 from LA to Dallas and arrive in Dallas about 2:55 pm.

Pray for

• Safety on every part of my journey home
• Good weather the whole way home. It is raining here now.
• Good seats. They are assigned this time..but pray they are good
• Good travel companions. I would be OK with a vacant seat next to me for more room. :-)
• Health....I will start my Airborne immune tabs today and would like not to have or acquire any travel related illness. They are common on long flights with recirculated air.
• Rest.....on the flight.....helps with the prevention of jet lag
• No Jet lag. I managed to be only a tad bit travel weary for my flight over and would love to repeat that. :-)
• God's protection for me and every part of my trip

Thank you for sharing my trip. It made it such fun to have you on the other end. :-) I will meet you again on the other side of the world!!!

Blessings,

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Deep in the Heart of Texas

The stars at night are big and bright....










Yes, I made it back home safe and sound to the great state of Texas! I am at my home computer desk and bless Wes, he has his trusty laptop back in his possession now.... :-) Little Sassy is curled up behind me in her old spot in my computer chair and she is a happy Sassy to have me back home.


Away from home computer spot...

thanks to Wes





















Home computer spot







The Trip


After a sad good bye to Wes, Missy & Wally ( who was on his way to the vet's for a suspicious looking bite... more later on this ) I was off to the airport with Missy. I muscled my two wheeled bags, my wheeled carry on & 2nd carry on...disguised as a purse.....like a pro traveler, got through the Australian protocol...found my gate and settled down to coffee and a macadamia nut something or other. That was my first chance to get a good look at the monster that would be flying me back home to Texas. I suppose all the people at the window taking pictures of it was what got my attention. I made my way over to the glass to take a closer look. It sat there all alone prestigious in the grooming and attention it commanded. I felt like a NASA astronaut waiting to board the vehicle of my destiny.










A little about this monster..... It is the largest and most technically advanced aircraft ever built. It is the A380. It is quieter, more efficient...and more powerful than any of the largest jets built today. It is also the most green in emissions and environmental friendly safety measures.


It is LARGEST jet I have ever personally seen... and it was ready to launch me into outer space!! Before I knew it though I was finding my seat in the monster.....and discovering the amenities. It had all the bells and whistles... Personal movie screen ( not a tiny one either ) with games and other entertainment venues, a large comfy seat, roomy personal space and everything was brand new. It even had the new smell. I liked it! It was a very powerful take off. You are immediately impressed at it's command of the runway. It was very smooth though and probably the best flight I have ever taken. The food was good too....and contrary to the trend on most American carriers.... they were offering you food, snacks and something to drink about every hour....or less! Due to a flight cancellation on another LA bound jet, the row I thought I had to myself was also occupied by two men. They turned out to be nice and very courteous. That means they didn't try to talk to me, they were gone alot ( it is a large jet and you are encouraged to roam both levels....and visit the snack bar or lounge ) , they always made sure I didn't miss any of the zillions of hand outs and stayed out of my personal space. :-)


After watching a couple of movies....dinner and many snacks...I took a sleep aid and slept until daylight. I was amazed that there was only 3 hours left of flight when I woke up! It was a whirlwind in LA and before I knew it I was touching down at DFW. Home!



It was a wonderful reunion with Larry and he zipped me off to a Mexican Restaurant where we talked our heads off over Mexican food and happy hour margaritas.












Driving down Wynn Joyce street felt wonderful again....and soon my little Sassy Belle was hopping and leaping around....so happy to see me again. I sent an email to Missy to let her know I had arrived safely and we settled down to seeing all the things I brought home from my far away visit.








a hug from Sassy









Larry taking it all in

After catching up on a little news about the elections and nodding through a bit of Saturday Nite Live with Larry I finally headed off to bed. I was amazed that I slept all night! Daylight and Sassy woke me up feeling surprisingly rested. I guess with all those prayers I shouldn't have been though. :-) I answered a few email and Larry & I headed to the polls to cast our votes.

Sassy in my chair. Does that look say....and where have you been! :-)

Thank you again for your wonderful prayers....and for taking my journey with me....

May the " Son " smile on you today!

Blessings, Elaine

ps: Before I left for home....Wally managed to devour at least 1/2..maybe more...of my HUGE Cadbury Chocolate bar....and get bit by a possum. I am not kidding! He had to have his stomach pumped for the chocolate...they said it was more than a lethal dog dose. He would have gone into renal failure in about 24 hours! Oh btw...Wally managed to not only get into my big bag ( purse ).... but he had to partially unzip the thing to get the chocolate! As for the possum bite.... one thing Wally loved to do was go in those deep shrub like trees and worry those possum by barking at them after dark.

Judging by the big cone to keep Wally from bothering his bite...I guess the Possums let him know they didn't like that.... I guess all things considered.... it was the price poor ole Wally paid for some guy fun...

Saturday, April 4, 2009

Green Chilis, Goldfish & A New Granddaughter

Greetings!

So what do green chilies, goldfish and a new granddaughter have in common? Our upcoming trip to Australia!!! It is hard to believe that nearly nine months has gone by and it is almost time to go meet our new granddaughter!! So whats going on in Australia. :-)

Missy and Wes have done much to prepare and now are patiently waiting on the day. There is such excitement on this side of the Pacific too as Larry & I are busy with all the things we must accomplish before our Melbourne trip in May! I will leave May 3rd and Larry will follow May 13th. We will return together May 23rd.

Our extra piece of luggage each is dedicated to bringing baby things....and American delicacies that they cannot purchase there. Your idea and their idea of delicacies may be very different.

Definition of Delicacies for Texans in Aussie Land

High on the list is Goldfish ( the little shaped crackers you eat...my son in law has a passion for them) French's Mustard, Wax Paper, Aluminum Foil, Ranch Style Beans, Green Chilies, Rotel Tomatoes , Dial Soap, Garnier Shampoo, Mary Kaye Make Up and Velveeta Cheese. If there was a way to get hydrogen peroxide past customs it would be right up there too. :-)

Missy and Wes have been busy on Kate's new little Aussie room... Wes has been moving and working on furniture and Missy has been sewing pillows and bed skirts and the such. She said it helped to keep her busy... I find that amazing with the pace she manages to keep with her very busy job, keeping a lovely house....and having quality time with Wes. She does it all...with little effort. Wally helps of course. :-) Wes is pretty amazing too.... He has been right on board with being informed by books, doctors and most important all those family and friend dads out there. Along with his job he helps with almost everything else you can imagine. Our Kate will be welcomed to this world by two parents that will be devoted to making her life safe and happy.





Missy had her final work day at the office on Friday, April 3rd and will work until after Kate is born from the house.... They have been to the prenatal classes, read all the suggested books and at this point... are prepared for their baby girl. We are too!










I will update when I hear from them... Kate's birth could be anytime from April 18th until the end of the month....
Your prayers for them during this time for a peaceful wait, safe and calm delivery for both Missy & Kate.... and the peace that passes all understanding for Wes...and all the rest of us on this side of the Pacific who wait excitedly would be most appreciated!


Blessings,

Elaine & Larry

Feel free to check out my older posts where I have pictures posted of my Oct. 08 Australia trip and a video update of the family. See side panel for links. 

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Welcome Kathryn Bella McFarland!

Introducing our newest Granddaughter

Kathryn Bella Mc Farland

who joined our family

April 28th in Melbourne, Australia

and weighed 7 lbs 3 ounces and is 19 inches long

Welcome Beautiful Granddaughter!!!

Mum, Dad & baby are doing marvelous!

Stay tuned for more updates after May 5th when

Mimi returns to Australia!!!!!!

 

Australia    Trip 2

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Hello Everyone!
I have arrived safely to beautiful Australia. I got in yesterday morning a little after 8 am. My trip over was long but good. My original flight was cancelled due to the bad weather in Dallas but they were able to get me on another although it was routed through Auckland, New Zealand. We arrived there and with only about an hour or so lay over we made our final distance. On the first leg of the trip all the seats were full but the final three hours of the trip I had two seats to myself and could stretch out. That was pure heaven. As always the service was amazing and the plane remarkable.

Wes & I connected at the Melbourne airport and before I knew it I was meeting Missy & Wally Boy in front of the house for greetings and big hugs. After quickly washing up I had my brand new little granddaughter in my arms. I told her straight off I had come a very long way to see her and only tears of joy, not words, can describe my first moments as I smelled her new baby skin and explored the wonder of this beautiful God given creation. I find myself soaking up memories to last me when I leave her until I see her again.

Later on, as Missy & I unloaded a suitcase full of baby things carefully selected for this moment, Wes made a trip to Lullabelle’s for a caramel latte and scones loaded with berries that melted in my mouth. We tried for hours to catch up on 6 months worth of very action packed living. I loved hearing them each share in their own words all they experienced with the birth and delivery. Wally had his say, as he shared the excitement and anxiety he was experiencing with all the recent events. I enjoyed watching Kate as we talked…doing what babies do best.... sleeping, eating and nappy ( diaper ) changes.

Missy decided we should make a trip up to the store for some items she needed and while Wes watched our little one we set off to the local Safeway…only this trip….I was the driver! I have driven the British way before but that in no way qualified me. The drive there was painful for Missy, but not due to the discomforts of the car ride but rather because she was laughing so hard. Needless to say, remembering which side of the street to stay on, particularly on the turns, and trying to figure out how to stay in my lane…. perched on the wrong side of the car, were some of my challenges. I won’t even discuss the round a bouts. We both laughed till we cried about it. On our return we had Wes' famous fajitas with guacamole & ranch beans.

My first night was good. I had a rendezvous with my granddaughter at 3 am while her folks got some much needed sleep. Wally stayed in my room and we wrestled the blankets from each other all night and by 7 am I welcomed morning. Pumpkin seed toast and raspberry jam with French press coffee never was so good. The house is all awake now…and we are making plans for the day. The local council is sending a midwife over (obstetric nurse) and then we will go to Baby Bunting to purchase a few things.

Thank you again for all the prayers as I made my way over the pacific to my sweet family and for our time here.

Until my next blog,

Elaine

Thursday, May 7, 2009

The Dog Whisperer

Life in the McFarland household has been a flurry of activity lately. New babies seem to do that. I see signs of new baby Kate in every part of the house. The formal dining room has become the home of the new swing that lulls her to sleep with sounds of a rain forest. The car seat is poised in the entry for the next trip out and the living room has a variety of pacifiers, burp towels, receiving blankets and various other gadgets designed to make raising baby easier.

The guest room has become the nursery and the office is now the guest room & also the home of Wally’s bed. The kitchen has bottles, warmers, brushes, bibs and a host of other baby items. The once neatly decorated house has become a home filled with sounds of laughing, crying, adoration and a family working together.

We have all fallen into an easy pattern of being the detectives of each rising situation. We carefully analyze each scenario and work with deliberate teamwork that brings about a solution. Our most challenging detective work by far has been Wally Boy. No ordinary dog our Wally, who was rescued off the streets and given a home dogs only dream of. That alone would make a dog protective of his good life. Add to that the commitment of Missy & Wes to him for better or worse and ole Wally Boy is dedicated to a life of loyalty to them.

Wally's Story
Here's the story mate... Ole Wally Boy knew a young pup was on the way and Granny is back and I don't have to remind you of the visit in October of this Rambo of a Granny that gave the ole boy a good heads up of the changes that might be in store. ( see archived 2008 Wally Boy )

Enter Baby Kate

Then she came and changed my life forever. Ole Wally Boy is smitten.

Trouble is…what does a bachelor pit bull , disguised as a poodle, know about babies! Ole Wally boy wants to welcome her to the pack...our happy home….give her some good licks and teach her some tricks about what Ole Wally Boy knows best…how to get extra morsels of the good food….not that prepackaged stuff they pass off as healthy for Wally Boys. I wanted to help the young un out and teach her how to play and go on walks with Ole Wally Boy. Trouble is…they wouldn’t let the ole boy near her. No matter how hard Ole Wally Boy tried I was chased away in a most undignified way. A chaps gotta mind his social status ya see.

Ole Wally Boy tried to show them his best intentions but that just deepened their resolve to keep the ole boy away! Finally out of desperation Ole Wally Boy brings out the dramatics. Not bragging ya see, but I’ve a bit of practice at this sort of thing. Eyes bulging…tongue purple and hanging out I gave it my best wheeze and pitiful howl. Next day straight off I could see I got their attention alright…. This bloke shows up bright and early and Ole Wally Boy knew right off he was in big trouble. They called him the Dog Whisperer but this bloke didn’t whisper! Makes Ole Wally boy tremble when I sniff the scents of desperation of “other” dogs just hanging all over this fellow.
To my credit I didn’t bolt for the hills! I stood my ground for my family. Ole Wally may be alot of things but he is no coward!

After a chat with the folks this chap begins to set Ole Wally Boy straight. I put up a fierce fight, only giving name, rank & serial number but eventually I had to give in. That’s when the treats started…the liver ones. NOW he was speaking Wally’s language and we negotiated....on my terms of course. I don’t know about this new Kung Fu way of talking to Ole Wally Boy….but if it makes the folks happy Ole Wally Boy can give up the excitement and dramatics for a while. Mind you I will keep an eye on the young pup and make sure no harm comes to her and do my best to help the folks through their hard time but Ole Wally Boy isn’t going anywhere…. NO….this is the good life and Ole Wally Boy knows it.

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4: 6 & 7
Blessings to all!
Elaine
You can click on each picture to enlarge it. Also feel free to view archived (older) posts.

Saturday, May 9, 2009

Saturday Afternoon in Glen Iris

Glen Iris

Today I woke up to a very gentle rain. The sound was so nice on the tile roof of the 1940’s cottage style house. It has been a pleasant place for Missy & Wes to start a family so far away from Texas and for that I am grateful. I found myself listening for the morning birds I so enjoyed on my last trip. I am not sure if Australian birds go south for the winter. South is Antarctica and I am thinking birds down under must go north because the pole is south…not north. I will have to investigate this. :-) I do not see or hear the amazing birds I encountered on my spring visit in October 08 and miss hearing them. Fall is pretty here though. Leaves are falling in an array of colors much like America. The weather seems to vary from pretty cool to comfortable. On our walks I love seeing the gardens and landscaping. They are so beautiful. Bushes are blooming in pinks and blues…and the roses are very large with the most beautiful blend of colors. Aussies are serious about their yards like they are about most everything. Each yard has the comfortable English feel to it….not manicured..just lovely and comfortable. The houses through out Glen Iris (the community they live in) are sturdy and built to last. Most are constructed of thick dark red brick with the occasional stone….and the roofs are all heavy Spanish looking tile. These are neighborhoods that are a pleasure to walk through and Aussies walk everywhere. Today we decided to go for breakfast at a little out of the way restaurant. It was so quaint it looked more like a home. I have never had coffee that was so delicious. I literally spooned out the last fourth because the foam was so smooth and thick. My pumpkin & leek quiche was delicious and we topped it off with a mouth watering Danish. There were other families there for breakfast too… They parked their little dogs on a leash outside and enjoyed the morning unhurried. We made a quick stop at my favorite Safeway for the week’s ingredients for meals I was preparing and then home for a restful afternoon. Tomorrow we are to go to the Docklands for mother’s day and I am very excited.. Baby Kate had a bit of a tummy problem when we got home and spent hours in great distress.

We did all but stand on our heads to try and help her past her discomfort and an onlooker would find us pack train style, following behind whomever was currently walking the crying baby Kate all over the house. We each clucked and fussed over her as she let us know about her misery. Mommy & Daddy proclaimed she was their princess and no trouble at all; Mimi telling anyone who would listen she is the best baby in the world and Wally roh roh roahrring his own poodle talk encouragement to Baby Kate. No little one could have a more enthusiastic….or tired group of nannies. I for one am headed for an early evening and I suspect mommy and daddy are not far behind….I will report on tomorrows Dockland activities.
Mother’s Day Blessings to all you Moms and my hellos to the rest.

Elaine

I wait patiently for the Lord; and He inclined to me, and heard my cry. Psalm 40:1

Sunday, May 10, 2009

My Special Mother’s Day
At 6 am with the dawn filtering through my bedroom window, I remembered something special was about to happen. It was the Lord’s Day, my favorite time of the week, but there was something else that made me anticipate the hours ahead. This was my very first Mother’s Day spent with my daughter Missy as a new mom and my brand new little granddaughter and I could hardly wait for it to begin!

Over coffee, crumpets & marmalade Wes, all smiles, brought forth each gift. The sweetness of sharing this honored time with them tugged at my heart. My gift sacks held a beautiful china mug, a little cream pitcher that Missy knew I wanted & a gift card at the local spa for a pamper & pedicure with my daughter. The best gift of course was to see the pride in Wes’ eyes as he presented his gifts to Missy. Prayers that began at my daughter's birth for just such a man were once again being answered.

The promised Mother’s Day luncheon was next on the agenda. Aussies seem to love to go out to eat as much as Texans but a reservation at the Docklands was out of our reach for this day so we settled instead on lunch at Chi Wa Wa’s in Camberwell. The restaurant name of course brought a smile to us but in no way took away from the fantastic food.

The mums were greeted with a complimentary glass of champagne and after a toast to celebrate our happy time together we set about the business of ordering our meal.


Missy and Wes had Chicken Parmigiana & I had fried fish with a delicate batter, potatoes & a lovely salad.

Wee Kate enjoys the meal her way

The meal was complete with my very favorite dessert, Sticky Date Pudding. The name pudding in Australia and the UK compared with America does not produce the same delicacy. Their pudding is a soft, warm, moist cake, topped with caramel sauce & cream. Divine does not adequately describe this amazing dessert.

Afterward we had a bit of a walk around the streets and market place of Camberwell. I loved it and quickly added it to my growing list of favorite places to visit in Melbourne. I enjoyed the drive home and drank in all the sights of the lovely city.


Our evening with new baby Kate was relaxed. We had a Ploughman’s Platter for dinner. ( nibbly foods of cheeses, meats & breads ) Wes had a movie for us to watch but Missy & I found ourselves nodding off and soon padded off to bed, satisfied with the good exhaustion of having been blessed by the LORD with a beautiful Mother's Day.


Where two or three are gathered together in my name, I am there in the midst of them. Matthew 18:20

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

My Aussie

Yesterday was Spa Day and I woke up excited and ready a good thirty minutes before time to leave, which is very telling to anyone who knows my track record for timeliness. As we headed out leaving Baby Kate with her dad, we discovered we would have to drive the Land Rover. Visions of my October jeep experience with Missy made my stomach do a flipflop. Missy said there was no time to switch and wanted to leave the other car with the car seat for Wes. In fear and trembling I hoisted myself up into the green beast and Missy, at the wheel, gave me a slightly mischievous smile and roared the monster into action and we were off to our Spa appointment.

With only a few eeks and hyperventilation moments we were quickly to our destination and managed to squeeze our big boy into the teeny little parking space on the Ashburton main street area. The Spa was nice and had the appropriate earth sounds through hidden speakers. The receptionist was polite and ushered us upstairs to our appointed room. We each had a nail technician all to ourselves….and side by side settled in on our spa beds.
Missy melted right on down and from long experience knew the routine. I got right on down to business too. I had an Aussie bought and paid for all to myself and proceeded to talk her head off for a solid hour.

The only conversation that Missy had with her manicurist was about the color of polish for her toes.


I on the other hand found out that it was my technician’s wedding week, her colors were pink and cream, she had five bridesmaids, the names of all the songs for her wedding, that she was doing the reception herself, going to Thailand for her honeymoon, was from Queensland, the story of why she moved to Melbourne, that she was a latter day saint, her future husband was half aboriginal, she lived with her mom, and knew nothing about Celtic music. We discussed the weather, Texas, my grandchildren, my daughter’s wedding, and my trip so far.

I think I was supposed to lay quietly dignified for an hour and soak in the atmosphere and enjoy being pampered with a cold glass of mineral water. I would get a big fat zero I think if there was a test for accomplishing that. I was too excited to be dignified. I vaguely remember discussing my nail color and definitely was not chillin’ out. We all know quiet is probably not in my vocabulary but it was great fun and I loved having my very own Aussie for an hour. All in all a blessed Mother’s Day experience and my toes look awesome!

Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart.
Psalm 37:4 

Sunday, May 17, 2009

Big Daddy's in Town

Friday May 15th Big Daddy finally made it to Australia. He came in style on the brand new S380…a state of the art experience in flying. He said it was a fantastic flight and there was definite energy to his step as we greeted him at the Melbourne airport.

It was a wonderful reunion with Missy and Wally and Baby Kate. I enjoyed seeing him hold our new granddaughter in his arms and proclaim she looked just like her mommy did at that age, as most doting grandparents tend to do. He enjoyed the tour of their Glen Iris home and later Wes took him for a little outing in the neighborhood. By 7 pm he displayed the usual jet lag posture….slumped and fighting sleep. It was after all 4 am in Texas and way past what his body said was bedtime. We all took turns trying to help him stay awake until 8 pm at which point he gave in and slept until 7 am Saturday morning. I encouraged him to go ahead and wake up…and have breakfast and check his email because it was 4 pm Friday in Texas, nearly the end of their workday. He at first didn’t believe me but at my look of “ I’m positive”, he was motivated into action.

Later he and Wes were off to the CBD for a bit of touring. They walked the streets, popping in here and there for a look and took the tram circuit of the city. It is a great way to get a bit of history and an overview. They ended up in an Irish Pub and waited on us to join them for dinner in Carlton, the Italian district of downtown Melbourne. I loved the place we finally chose and I marveled at how each restaurant had a spokesperson on the street whose purpose was to offer a free bottle of wine and appetizers to entice people to their establishment. One of the best things about Australia is that children and babies are welcome everywhere. The streets were crowded with a variety of people and among them prams and toddlers, including our little one, along for an evening with the family.

Today Big Daddy & Wes went to a Footy Game. The first big hurdle for Larry was to get past the name. It is Australian Rules football though we would view it as a combination of soccer, maybe volleyball, and the ball looks like a football. Wes assured him the Aussies were a pretty hearty bunch and indeed he did enjoy the experience.

Tomorrow we have plans to drive out to the wine valley and see the countryside and mountains. Only a week left with our sweet family and we hope to make every minute count. May your week be blessed as well.

This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:24 

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Fancy Pants

It has been nice getting to know my granddaughter the weeks I have been here. I love knowing the way she likes to lie on her tummy on my chest or that she is a noisy sleeper. She has the sweetest little sigh and her cry is very soft and feminine.

She has many names. We refer to her as Kate, Bella, girlfriend, little girl, sweetie pie, and lately Fancy Pants. Her mom and dad bought her the cutest little stretchy pants. They look like fancy jeans in pink. They called her fancy pants the first time she wore them and the name sort of stuck. I call her fancy pants too but mostly when she fills those pants and really makes them fancy…if you know what I mean.

She has grown like a weed. Her cheeks have filled out and we are becoming more in tune with her needs. One of the things she has made us most familiar with is her love for being held and partying at night. At first we could not get enough of holding her and when she cuddled up and slept in our arms we thought it was so sweet. Kate decided that was her preferred way to pass the hours of the days.....and nights. After some weeks of that we are drawing straws for shifts.

The other night I took the 2 am to morning shift. Fortunately for me she slept until 5 am. It is not my preferred time of the morning but I can think of less deserving reasons I have been up at that time of the day. I will admit it is very different than my usual take my pills and start coffee morning routine but I was confident in my ability to handle this wee babe. With the first squawk I raced to put the bottle in the warmer and then ran to pick up our sweet princess for a quick diaper change. Fancy Pants had struck and quick was not possible. Two diapers and ten wet wipes later I managed to re swaddle her. Let me clarify swaddle. It is a bit different than my swaddling days and perhaps even a bit more on the Aussie side of doing things than in America. Using all hands, toes and teeth I wrapped and rolled and attached and finally gave up on the whole thing, draping it around her and ran for the still heating bottle. It only required a bit of cooling to insure no damage to our little darling occurred and we could begin “ the feed.”

Party at the McFarland’s

Kate took to the bottle just fine which is a good break for mommy but I was warned she was a barracuda. After a few minutes on the bottle I could see there could be some validity to that name. My little angel devoured in 4 minutes straight two and a half ounces of milk. I gave her several burps and was ready to tuck her in for a few more hours sleep. Only trouble was Miss Kate was ready to PARTY. I tried every trick I had stashed away for 40 years and still our wee darling was wide-awake. I rocked and mom swayed and sang to her and tried just letting her fuss it out but nothing seemed to convince her to my way of thinking. She had her time of convincing too. She looked sweetly at me and bobbed her head innocently but I could see through all her sugar coated attempts to her true intentions. I assured her we would have none of that. When that did not work she was a bit more assertive. She squirmed and fussed and finally threw down her ultimatum with a howl and that is when we both knew she had won. Coffee suddenly sounded good, not that I was not in charge mind you.

Case of the Missing Lid

Visions of frothy steaming coffee was calling me to the kitchen but after another quick diaper change I could not find the cap to the diaper ointment. I looked everywhere. Funny how things like that disappear, like socks in the dryer. Certain it would turn up later I went on about the business at hand....having that cup of coffee. We passed the morning in each other’s company waiting for sunrise and the rest of the world to wake up. Just before mommy and daddy came in to check on her progress I decided to have one more diaper change and as I unwrapped her from her haphazard swaddling I felt something hard in all that material that was most unusual. Further investigation solved the riddle of the missing lid. Wrapped in with Kate's wiggly toes was a nice grey round lid and a case solved. Mum and dad did not need that piece of information and when they came in that morning we were the picture of serenity. Kate was not telling about our morning of partying and neither was I.

Stay tuned for my next blog with accounts of our day trip to Mt. Danedenong and the Yarra Valley.

We know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those that are the called according to His purpose.

Romans 8:28

Friday, May 22, 2009

St. Oswald's Church, St. Kilda's Beach, Dandenong Ranges & The Yarra Valley

I have alot of blogging to catch up on and we leave tomorrow! Hard to believe the time has already gone by. It has been an amazing trip and it is great to see my little Missy getting around and things beginning to settle into a routine. They still have some areas they want to work on, our little Kate seems to have her nights and days mixed up, but babies will do that and it will all sort itself out before they know it.

Let me cover a few of the daytrips we have taken…. After Larry arrived we took some opportunities to let him see a bit of the area. I will give an overview of some of the amazing things we saw and include a few pics.

St. Oswald's Church

Larry & I enjoyed mass at this lovely old church. Afterward we were invited for

coffee and bisquets ( cookies ) in the Parish Kitchen.

We answered all their questions about America and they filled us in a bit about their church traditions in Australia. We enjoyed our time in worship and fellowship with them.

St Kilda’s Beach
St. Kilda’s Beach is Melbourne’s playground. You can stroll, enjoy cafés & pubs, watch the locals, rollerblade & cycle along the Lower Esplanade or enjoy all the shops. The day we went was coolish but St Kilda’s Beach just off the CBD of downtown is a must on a Melbourne visit. (Pronounced Melbun….no R ) There were plenty of people there taking in the sun….and did not seem put off by the brisk day. We enjoyed the shops and stopped in for my favorite…. large chunks of fried potatoes with a bit of crisp to them and always very hot and served on a big piece of butcher block paper. After wandering in and out of shops we headed down to the beach. It is a beautiful beach and though nippy we enjoyed the lovely walk.


Dandenong Ranges

Perched high above Melbourne amid glades of ancient ferns, towering trees, enchanted forests and storybook villages is a spellbinding region. This was my first time in the Dandenongs and I loved it immediately! It was a gorgeous sunny day and Wes, Larry & I (Missy and Kate stayed back this day) was drawn into the beauty of the mountains ahead of us as we climbed the roads to our destination. We traveled through Fern tree Gully that was named because there is an actual fern tree! We stopped and fed large white cockatoos, red cockatiels and pink fluffy parrots who were not afraid to land on our hands, arms and backs. These birds are not in captivity but live in the rain forest of the Dandenong Ranges. One bold white cockatoo took Wes’ whole bag of bird feed and flew to a nearby tree when I pursued it. That drew a laugh from everyone and I gladly gave over the rest of my bag to get away from the hungry birds for fear they would start on me next! We saw beautiful gardens, quaint and cozy breakfast cottages with plenty of old world charm. At the sky top summit we got out for some picture taking and then headed back in Wes’ jeep on an unpaved road! As I gripped the bar in front of me I commented that it felt like a roller coaster ride….and I wasn’t kidding! We all proclaimed it was a perfect day and shared our tales with Missy and Kate when we returned.




Yarra Valley

Missy & Kate joined us on this full day outing. Our destination was the Yarra Valley. From world famous wines to fabulously fresh food and breathtaking scenery, the Yarra Valley is Victoria’s source of indulgent sensations. There is nothing like the magical mountain villages and sun kissed gardens or magnificent forests and cozy bed and breakfasts.
Our first stop was the Healsville Sanctuary. It is Australia’s only Wildlife Centre. It features the Duck Billed Platypus, which is an endangered species. This year there was much excitement about the twin platypuses born. The sanctuary is beautiful in the natural habitat and you can wander in and among the animals with only the most dangerous contained. We also saw Dingo, kangaroo, wallaby, ostrich, Tasmanian Devil, snakes, lizards and much more. Larry loved it and drug me from a warm spot because I missed seeing the large fruit bats up close and personal. Ewwww! We got to feed the kangaroo and that was pretty cool. .

Healsville Sanctuary

Kangaroo

Dingo

Kookaburra

Our next stop was the Wine Boutiques and Wineries. The Yarra Valley is recognized as one of the world’s great wine growing regions. It is home to over 55 wineries and is one of Australia’s finest cool climate regions, which is what produces such excellent wine. We lunched, tested sips of the wine and a variety of cheeses. The scenery is breathtaking with vineyards sweeping the entire valley with colored roses marking the type of grapes grown in each section. The afternoon warmed up when the sun came out and added to the perfection of what we were seeing. Eventually it was time to call it a day and head home.

Vineyards

Today we went to the Queen Victoria Market for a bit of shopping. It is a large marketplace somewhat like a flea market but with fresh vegetables, meats and cheeses along with almost anything else you can think of. We shopped for a while enjoying the busy marketplace taking time to make some purchases and then headed home. I prepared chicken cheese rellenos for dinner and we will spend the rest of the evening packing for our return trip home to Texas. Your prayers for travel mercies would sure be appreciated.

Queen Victoria Market

I will lie down in peace, and sleep; for You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.
Psalm 4:8

 

Thursday, May 28, 2009

Leaving Australia

After about 24 hours of airport lines and flight the Abbotts made it back home to Texas!

Leaving Australia joins the list of hard good byes. Knowing that we were leaving our kids and new granddaughter a Pacific Ocean away made us very sad.

Before we knew it though we were in Dallas and our son in law James was giving us big hugs of welcome at the airport. As soon as we got home we immediatly went to have our usual "Mexican Food after a trip". Can you say wonderful!!

Josh brought Sassy to us that evening or at least we thought it was Sassy. Peeking out of some black and white paper was his dog chuy...pretending to be Sassy. We got a good laugh out of that.

Sassy was anxiously waiting in the car and was as predictably excited as we hoped she would be.

We got a call from Missy and Wes around midnight and filled each in on our time apart.

Melbourne, Australia is about as other side of the world....and down under as you can get. They are on the other side of the international dateline down near Antarctica and even have different constellations because they are in the southern hemisphere! What that meant to us in good ole Texas is not being able to sleep at night because we were still on Aussie time. It was strange rambling around at 3 am with Larry because we were wide awake.

:-) After two days of watching movies all night and having chats about our trip I decided I had sleep deprivation and it was time to take some Ambien. I needed about two more days of catching up on sleep and I was back to central time zone and only a little jet lag fatigue.

We are settling in to a routine finally.... and maybe in a few more days I will get my things back in place so I can find them! We have talked to Missy and Wes most every day and it helps to know they are making it just fine.

Activities have begun to pick things up a bit and we have enjoyed catching back up with everyone. Being home is a nice place to be.

We have much to be grateful for. Our wonderful trip to be with our daughter and family was such a blessing. The travel though long was safe and we were well taken care of by Qantas. We had quality time with our family and enjoyed some wonderful activities. Our family back home welcomed us with love and took care of things for us so we could enjoy our trip. Friends galore have encouraged us...prayed for us and were pleased at our joy. We thank God for the wonderful way He has blessed us and thank you for your love and prayers.

My God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:19