Thursday 24th April 2008

I have been getting into trouble for not updating my blog, but what has there been to report with all this non-stop rain. The golf Course has been under water and closed all week and my gardening efforts came to a griding halt with the lack of blue skies.

Peter has been golfing in Melbourne where the weather has been fine so it is all good news from there.

Plan A was that I was spending this week playing golf, getting ALL of my garden work done & generally spending the week doing whatever I wanted to do while I had no distractions.

Plan B ended up getting a few inside jobs done out of my too hard basket, a bit of Estate work and even got to read a book. Tuesday I shouted myself a facial & massage at Bali Beauty - so it is not all bad.

I did get a bit of gardening done (between showers) at the golf club on Wednesday morning & a small amount done at home in the afternoon before the rain came tumbling down again. At least I have been able to have sole control of the TV selector - what a bonus!

Images attached: photos taken today - parts of my garden that have been fertilized and mulched; rain soaked garden front & back - far too wet to work in.

Monday 14th April 2008 - Golf Club Gardens

Today was a working day at the Golf Club gardens. We had a good turn up of volunteers and got some good work done.

Images attached of the practice putting green gardens that we have been working on.

The afternoon was trying to watch the US Masters final round without going to sleep.

Saturday 12th April 2008

Strangely enough Saturday was a very quiet day with everyone in recovery mode. Some of the family had to make their way home but we were left with Kay & Greg, Phil & Lorraine, Jason, Tom & Janice Cross, Graham & Anne, Rod & Anne as the stayers for Saturday night. As most were at the RSL motel it seemed appropriate to have dinner & an evening there to wind down the previous few days.

Rod had a cricket presentation at the RSL club that night & came out with his team 'premiers' award which was cause for further celebration. Shane won his bowls pennants match that day as well so this morning's hangover did him no harm.

Photos attached are of all the beautiful flowers and cards that we have received this week. They are really magnificent & we (the family) are very appreciative of everyones thoughtfulness & support.

Later that night - 11th April 2008

More family bonding.. these sessions usually finish up with a "Marty Robbins" rendition from Phil not always ably supported by the rest of the family. Tonight was no exception.

A fitting farewell for Mavis.

More of Mavis' wake - 11th April 2008

Australian wildflowers - stunning display by Nola Parry of the Wildflower Place, Erina;

Family & friends images taken throughout the afternoon at the Gosford Golf Club.

Mavis' Wake - 11th April 2008

The wake was held at our local Golf Club, an ideal venue for our purpose. The weather was beautiful all day and the view out over the golf course & gardens was sensational. We had the Magnolia Room which included the use of the balcony where we could spread out comfortably.

We continued the celebration of Mavis' life until late afternoon.

11th April 2008 - Celebration of Mavis' life

Today we celebrated the joy of Mum's life, the wonderful moments she shared with us, her family and friends. It was a lovely service for her & included a reflection moment when we all placed a piece of flowering Australian gum - representing her years being brought up in the bush and being an essentially a country girl.

Our chosen prayer : by author unknown

You can shed tears that she has gone or you can smile because she has lived.

You can close your eyes and pray that she will come back

Or you can open your eyes, and see all that she has left.

Your heart can be empty because you cannot see her, or you can be happy for tomorrow, and let it live on.

You can cry and close your mind, be empty, and turn you back,

Or you can do what Mavis would want;

SMILE, OPEN YOUR EYES, LOVE, AND GO ON.

Family bonding - 10th April 2008

Lyn & Richard arrived on Wednesday quickly followed by the rest of the family on Thursday.

Thursday evening we had a BBQ dinner at our home for a family bonding session.

We had Lyn, Richard, Graham, Anne, Phil, Lorraine, Dale, Barry, Tony, Marie, Shane, Sam, Tammy & Bailey. As you can see by the photos it was a good family night to lead up to tomorrow's funeral service.

We received a beautiful bunch of Australian Native flowers from Stuart Michell (living in America) which he sent on behalf of the Michell family. (photo attached)

Stuart was unable to fly to Australia on Doctors orders but was certainly with us in spirit.