BLESSED SPEEDY

Well here we are on the last day of 2012 and what have I achieved? My goals were as follows - in 2012 I will try to...... •Become more self-confident and organised, use my diary and journal  - getting better at putting dates/appointments in my phone STRAIGHT AWAY, journal was a fail. •Lose weight and get fitter - fail due to sickness I put on weight big priority for 2013 •Become more cost-effective - use what I have FIRST success!!!!! Have been finishing off/using up craft stuff I have had for ages and have given lots away.  Same with clothes •Eat much more healthily (but Im NOT giving up chocolate!) Oddly enough I dont eat much chocolate now, and have tried to eat a LOT more healthier •Save money Done!!! Even bought some shares •Stop worrying - trust God to supply ALL our needs trying, trying, trying...... •Take a trip - took lots of day and a few day trips with the leadership program •Learn something new - crocheting???? Done! I can now crochet •Be Less Grumpy Hmm...

  Dear All, Well here we are already at the end of 2012, and hasn’t this year just flown? Unfortunately this year we have had lots of down moments and sadness, my stepfather died in August which was a real shock although he hadn’t been well for some time. We also had to send our beloved cat, Speedy, to heaven which was also sad as she had been with us for 15 years. We have had trouble with cattle being sick, dying of blout and various other “incidents” as well as Dianne being extremely sick and being hospitalised for several days and Gary being injured by a cow!   BUT..... There were some highs as well – we welcomed to our family two new granddaughters – Holly and Daryl’s first child, Addison and Aimee and Jason’s daughter, Maddison. They are both gorgeous! Sarah has finished university (studying photography) and Megan has completed year 12 (as well as taking an alternative “schoolies” trip to Cambodia). Number 1 granddaughter, Mia gra...

Today I finished this wall hanging for Mum - she started it years and years ago and has had it pinned onto the curtains in her kitchen for I dont know how long.  However its now done = embroidery finished, quilted, bound and a hanging sleeve.  At the moment Mum is on holidays with her cousin in Newcastle - I think this might make a nice welcome home present for her. Yesterday there was also a start here - the builder arrived to start our renovations - we are having all the old windows replaced (hooray no more louvers in the kitchen!!!!), guttering replaced, door that we dont use covered in and vinyl cladding on the outside front wall.  Gary got to have fun ripping down the facia and guttering yesterday - I got to watch and make cuppas.

Friday night saw Gary and I take a rare night away from the farm and head to the All Seasons Motel in Bendigo.  It was my graduation from the Loddon Murray Community Leadership Program - something that I have been participating in all year. A group of 24 of us have visited towns and communities throughout the region, met inspiring speakers, learnt leadership skills and learnt a lot more about ourselves. Its been a great journey, Ive made some life long friends and have changed in myself. Our graduation was a great event and we were blessed to have Adam Elliott  winner of an academy award for his short film Harvey Krumpet as our speaker and presenter of our certificates. P.S. It was also lovely to get dressed up and have a night away from the farm with Gary!

Megan achieved another milestone today - she passed her driving licence.  So no more taxi driving for me (hoepfully).  She is so happy and I am so proud of her - she is a great driver and I wont worry too much about her out there in the world (well Ill try not to!) I have been pondering how much changes in a young persons life when they turn 18 - voting, able to drink, drivers licence, end of high school and exams and choosing what to do next year etc etc . Its a lot all in one go! Megan will be driving Gary's old car - the good old mazda 626 station wagon, yes its not the most fanciest car but it will get her around for now, and Ive put a flash stereo in it that plays her iphone etc so she is happy I think.

 Oh how nice it would be to tell you that we had been up all last night partying and generally having fun.  Well the first part is true, but not the second. Yes we were up all night - raking, baling and carting hay but no partying. Finished up around 5 am and this photo was taken not that much later. The sunrise was gorgeous - all lovely pinks etc. Helped Gary milked (and yes I managed to get through a WHOLE MILKING!!!) Even managed to hose out the yard and help the vet with two sick cows, so fairly proud of myself. And what was it all for....this (or this below - 119 bales of vetch silage, which I might add the cows had a sampling of tonight and virtually liked the ground clean. As for me - Im off to bed!