Late Night Ramble

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-18-2004
Late Night Ramble
6
Sun, 04-18-2010 - 12:53pm

Just after midnight, Sunday. Today was unusually warm, around high 80's I think, clear blue skies, but not a whisper of breeze. As the season moves into Autumn, it is finally getting a bit cooler, thank goodness.


As I am almost completely housebound at the moment (varicose ulcers on the leg where the hip was broken), my days are just a bunch of very small things, so nothing much in the way of news.


I have been so very lucky and a wonderful friendship is blossoming with one of my very close neighbours. I live in a group of tiny, semi-detached houses, mainly for olds, rented from the State Government, so when I say 'close' I do mean close. It takes her about 3 minutes to walk here. She has been so good to me, and always keeps an eye out for me, picks up shopping, takes me to the doctor, and and and. She still works 3 afternoons a week, and has a massive extended family, so is always on the go. She is one of 9 siblings, I think, and they are all very close. As a single offspring of a very non-communicative family, I find it fascinating to hear her talk. She has planted a whole lot of geraniums and daisies and succulents in my (what was) barren back yard. Yard is only tiny, but now so satisfying to look at. All the geraniums are flowering, and that raises my spirits so much. Today she brought around a few more geraniums for my DDIL, who also loves to garden.


DS1 flew in from Thailand today. he is in Oz for 10 days, so DS2 and family brought him here to visit this afternoon. He is due back to start work here again January next, but is applying to have another year in Thailand - he has been working there for 18 months now and is really enjoying it. I saw him in November and again in December, but only a few days each time.


My 2 little 'new grandbabies' are doing so well with their English, they still get a bit shy about speaking, but understand more each time that I see them. DDIL starts English classes this month on Saturday mornings, but she works at it every day already. DS2 is teaching them all nursery rhymes, and sometimes they all sing to me on the 'phone. See what I mean about small things?, but they all help to make me feel better connected. DS2 finally starts a new 'permanent' job tomorrow, so that will be a relief to him. He'd only been able to get contract work for the last 2 years and it is so unpredictable.  Love and hugs, Jenni

Avatar for blueyz_13_2000
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Sun, 04-18-2010 - 2:40pm

Hi Jenni,

How nice that you've made friends with your neighbor. She sounds like a lovely woman and how great that she's brought over so many pretty plants for you to enjoy.

So happy that DS2 has finally found permanent employment! Your new little family sounds happy and settled. Things are definitely moving in the right direction.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 09-10-2008
Sun, 04-18-2010 - 2:46pm

Jenni,
You are indeed lucky to have your little community & such a kind neighbor. I wish our government would see the wisdom in keeping elders in their own space, but protected.

Your comments about geraniums are timely. It's nearing the time when I must decide the annual question of what to put in my flower planters. I please DH by planting marigolds along the edge of the vegetable bed, but I'm not that fond of yellow flowers. Every year I try some new combination that is the current rage, then the heat hits and these droop. Riding around town, I see how well the geraniums hold up and vow that next year I will just plant masses of red ones. I did buy an expensive leggy one last year and it was a disappointment - never made a big show like the cheap ones. Guess I must check the stores this week. I like to mix a few geraniums & herbs in the planters - the herbs give off a nice scent and just enough fresh supply for cooking.

Jacquie

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-30-2004
Sun, 04-18-2010 - 6:49pm

Friends brighten one's day,
as do Flowers.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 09-18-2004
Wed, 04-21-2010 - 3:30am

Hi Blu, thank you! I can finally congratulate you on your job also, I was so happy when I saw the various references to it. I know that DS2 is very relieved with his job - he has worked for the Department before and really likes the guy in charge. DS2's interpretation of being 'broke' and mine are miles apart, but I am so glad that he feels a bit better. I feel that things are going a lot better for all of us.


I am so thankful that the friendship is blossoming as well as well as my friend's garden does. She is so very helpful, and very enjoyable company. We get a lot of laughs when we are together and it helps both of us. Love and hugs, Jenni

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-18-2004
Wed, 04-21-2010 - 3:41am

Hi Jacquie, thank you! We are very lucky in this little group, there are only 7 units, 3 x 2 bedroom, 4 single bedrooms. 2 units have single mums, each has a single kid, the rest of us are all over mid-50s. Most of us moved in at the same time and we all get on well, and keep an eye on each other. The suburb is very low income and can be a bit rough, but I feel secure here.


Your garden ideas always sound so good, it seems that you are very active with it.

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-18-2004
Wed, 04-21-2010 - 3:52am

Hi Deb, thank you. I agree, what would life be without friends and flowers? I also find it strange about our opposite seasons, adds a lot of interest of course. The only benefit here is that the Winter is much milder than most of the States. I love the golden light that we get now, only happens in Autumn and Spring - Summer is much more a glaring, bright light. It's great having a friend who lives so close, my BFF lives on the other side of the country and we have not seen each other face to face for just over 7 years - thank goodness for email!


It certainly adds a whole lot of enjoyment to my life having