BLESSED SPEEDY

ANd just like that its almost the end of January! Still trying to work out what my new "normal" is and Im yet to find my rythmn but I will get there. I know it cant be rushed thats for sure. I have made a little progress on my leg back and siactica pain by doing a lot of stretch and some walking - still hurts a lot but most of the time is bearable. We've had a new member come and join our crazy farm family - Buster - hes an 11 month old Kelpie and comes from a very loving family in Quambatook. They rescued him and loved him but knew he was not the right dog for them - he needed wide open spaces and work and hopefully we can provide that for him. Hes bonded quite quickly with Gary and just wants to be with him which is good. And he and Molly have become fast friends which is lovely although hes a lot of boistorous for sedate Molly. On the crafting front I finished two projects - one a quick one and one a more complex one - firstly I embroidered this wooden heart

Hello! And another week to report on! On the farm its been business as usual with no dramas that I can recall. Molly our border collie is quite lonely without Beau so we are looking for another dog to keep her company. On the crafting front I have finshed a pair of socks but as they are a test knit for a magazine Im not able to show you a pic sadly. But please know the pattern is lovely and Ill show them off when I get the ok from the designer. Im also up to sewing down the binding on the quit for the soon to be born baby in queensland so Ill show that one off next week I would say! Apart from that Ive been spending a large amount of time sorting out my craft area - going through everything and taking a lot to the op shop and being sensible (I think) about whether I will ever make the items. Its been really good to do and Ive now got things together that go together and also a rough sort of plan to make what I have. Im going to try really hard to not buy any yarn, fabric, etc!

Well as if we went sad enough - this week brought another sadness to us. Our lovely dog = Beau (also named Sabian) went over the rainbow bridge. He was such a lovely friendly and people friendly dog. Yes he often got in the way and in the wrong place at the wrong time and sent cattle the wrong way and drove Gary mad at times, but he was so great with kids and everyone. Megan brought him here more than 8 years ago for just a few days and he stayed ever since. I know we gave him a really good life but he will be sadly missed. We are thinking of getting another dog (when the right one comes along) as our one remaining dog - Molly - is pining. In other farm news - due to the large amount of rain we have had in the last couple of weeks, we once again have flood waters coming towards us - hopefully not as bad as in 2022 and to be honest I dont think I could cope with that at this time. We have excellent flood banks now at Jackos so it should be ok and fingers crossed it is. Feel for

Well just like that we are in 2024! I didnt think I would be starting the year off in the way I am - but it is what it is and I am very grateful for what I do have even though I have loss. I enjoyed doing the weekly blog posts last year and felt that it kept me on track so Ill do the same again this year - and challenging myself to read 62 books and 62 craft projects as well! I also want to downsize my stash of yarn and fabrics as to be honest its that large its overwhelming - and well whats the saying "I cant see the wood for the trees". Some things I have I no longer have any desire to make so they need to go where they will be loved - and Im sure there are lots of loving homes out there! I also have a few things of mums that I want to finish - one is a jacket that I have no clue how to complete so I might have to ask for help with that one! On the farm its rained and its rained and its rained! We had 47.2mm on the 2nd of January (the day of mums funeral - thank goodnes

My Mum Mum was a quiet achiever, going through life with all its ups and downs with little complaining and always enjoyed the escape of a good book. My Mum was lovely – she cared so much about her family and so loved to hear about all our goings on Although in later life she had health issues – she faced them all bravely and worked to find out the best way to live her best life and bore them with dignity. Her life was one of change and she changed and adapted with the changes. Pamela Blanche Geoghegan was born in Bendigo on the 30th December 1938 (yes she just missed her birthday this year) to loving parents Stanley Norman Geoghegan and Emily Ada Blanche Pattinson. The year previously her brother Brian Stanley was born but he died shortly after birth. When she was only 6 years old her father Stan passed away at the age of 30 and for the next 13 years it was just Pam and her mother Blanche living together and they got on famously as Mum would say. The first change in her life. N

In 2024 Im aiming to explore! - new experiences - new destinations - stretch myself further, so explore what I can do - new relationships - deeper relationships - and finally be kind to myself My life going forward is now different, and I will need to adjust. Im already knowing at times I will be sad, but there will be joy to and lots to look forward to As I reflect on how my mum lived, she had many challenges but she adjusted to them and EXPLORED how she could operate within those changes. I can do that and also more! So join me on the journey that is to be 2024 and lets see where it takes us!