I have modified my original suggestion after Kate suggested I do a Blog. In the past I have paid someone to set up website etc but this time I am doing it all myself. I am hosting with a US host and keeping it all separate from my company website host, designer etc. I will be learning as I go. I decided to paste in the first emails I sent so it goes from the beginning of this project. You can add your news by adding a comment. I am also looking into how to smoothly make it a private site. I have added the plug-in but I don’t quite understand how it works yet.
Hi
After a great time in Sydney we are back at work.
I have been doing quite a bit of reading over the last couple of weeks to try and keep that ‘holiday vibe’. I read an interesting piece from a woman who has family and friends spread all over. She made the observation that when you are in very regular contact and then meet up there is no issue in getting up to speed. However, if you have let contact slip for quite a while even though you really have more to catch up on it is more difficult – maybe because just so much has happened since prior contact. Long story short the suggestion is to send Update emails on a fairly regular basis.
The only rule is that they can be boring – yes can be boring. No obligation to respond – though an update from each family would be good to receive as most of the time I have no idea where in the world some of you are.
My herb garden was looking very dead when we returned to Melbourne. Two weeks with little to no water and 40 plus days wiped out a lot. Every day I have been watering and encouraging them and things are looking a lot better now.
Erich and I indulged ourselves and saw 2 films over the weekend, Joy and Youth. Very different but we enjoyed both. It was interesting to see bits of the Golden Globe awards this week as many of those films are playing at the moment. I have been going to Palace Cinermas since the 1980s on a membership card and it has hardly changed in price. Now we are Golden Oldies and pay only $10.50 (the 50c was just added). We can walk down to Como and it only costs $21.
Tonight thanks to Liz and Bruce’s generous Christmas gift Erich and I are taking Leila and Stephen Hodge to dinner at Rockpool at the Casino. It will be great catching up. Tom and Kim have also been in Australia with them but they were due to fly back today. The last time we saw Leila and Stephen was for lunch in Paris, they came across on the train to meet with us.
Peter and Rebecca look like they have been having a great time in Asia. They are with the Gowdey family now so I am sure they are enjoying Sarah’s piano practice and seeing how quickly and efficiently the kids get their Kumon done.
I am still managing to average around 11,500 steps a day. Not so good on the sleep though. I have set an alarm in the evenings to alert me to bedtime but I am still struggling to get 7 hours a night.
My ginormous copper stock pot was waiting for me at the office when we got back. So far I have made 2 great soups (3 meals each) and about 5 litres of beef stock using bones from the butcher as the base. I love it!!
My French Stock Pot
Love to all
Toni/Mum/Grandma
Hi mum & all,
Not sure I’ll be much good at these but have a spare few minutes while lying on couch wth Sarah and Baxter. Sarah staying for a couple of nights unexpectedly for work at the local cafe. Baxter thrilled to have at least one sister around. It has worked out well to have her work near us, it’s nice to have her here more.
Has been a quiet couple of weeks with no one around for us. Baxter has been hard work/very busy and needy as he has been so used to many playmates.
Aimee is being induced on Sunday night – baby likely to come Monday. Baby hasn’t grown for awhile so they are worried about her placenta not working properly so they want the bub out. She is understandably anxious but ok. Bruce flying home early from his trip, landing Monday morning to be here for her. Denis coming up on Tuesday for 2 nights. Aimee staying at The San in Wahronga.
Sophie’s next op has just been scheduled, for 14 March. I changed her ENT surgeon/specialist, and this will be first op with new one. I felt Sophie’s case was a bit beyond the last doctor which is why we have had some issues over past 18 months. Fingers crossed it was right decision. It was a tough decision made slowly over many months, her last Doctor had cared for her since birth. Had a nightmare about it last night, just about how much I may have upset her last Doctor. But sometimes this stuff can’t be helped.
Miles has agreed to proposed dates from us up until 1 Sept. That means we will have the girls for most of April in NYC. And I’ll likely take Soph to NYC while C in Paris mid-year. We are still finalizing Sarah & Hannah dates. 1 sept onwards is when we want them all in NYC for school for a term, so still in dark as to whether that will happen due to Miles. Sarah & Hannah have said yes and their mum supportive. We would end up a bit stuck if Miles says no. Fingers crossed again.
I have Charlotte & Sophie from Wednesday to sat this coming week which will be lovely.
Bruce having a ball in Canada heliskiing as you would have seen from videos, a pig in mud.
Hope you have enjoyed your holiday PJ & Rebecca. Glad you’re loving your new pot mum. Leila told me about the Rockpool dinner and was appreciative. I am seeing her and Stephen for dinner tomorrow night.
Off to put young man B to bed.
Love to all xxx