Mother lives on with her right leg swelling up each evening and returning to normal by the next morning. Now her left leg is doing the same. I ordered a drink she requested, online, Nestle Resource. It is a fruit flavoured tonic and Fire Fighting Nephew bought it for once and she liked it. $80 for two dozen 375 ml cartons is not cheap.
But now she is half a millionaire, she can afford it. Already she has started spending big. Flowers for R for his birthday would have cost about $80 - $100. A huge joint birthday cake, $120. Most old people would say, I am not paying that sort of money for a cake. Not Mother. She is, if nothing, well adjusted to modern prices. Btw, the cake was very very nice and so beautifully decorated.
The cake was bought for last Sunday whereby all the family gathered together at Tradie Brother's house, except for Ex Sis in Law's husband.
It was a great afternoon as we celebrated Mother's 87th birthday, R's blub blub birthday and great niece Little M's 7th birthday. Although warm enough for short sleeves, Tradie Brother lit his half tin drum fire and the kiddies baked potatoes in foil and later toasted marshmallows. Bone Doctor, also a scout leader gave Little M a lesson on fire and the fire's need for oxygen. Over my head. Little M payed dutiful attention, and she is going to come and stay with us for a night or two in the forthcoming school holidays.
Sister had booked a holiday to take Mother to Phillip Island but Mother said no. I am not well enough. So Sister cancelled the next day at no cost. Sister asked Mother to come down and stay over Easter and Mother said she would think about it. While booking a cottage near Sister in Queenscliff for August, I discovered the cottage was available for Easter. I checked with Mother. Are you going to Sister's over Easter? No, I am not well enough. Next breath, I get so lonely with only my ABI son to talk to. No I am not well enough for visitors. But when they visit, she loves it and immediately brightens up.
We have booked a week in the south coast beach town of Lorne in May. We plan to visit Queensland in July. After further research, I've gone off the rail bed train. Debby was quite right. You are so exposed and once your bed is made up, at around 9.30pm, your seat has gone. The bar closes at 10pm and lights out. I am cautious when reading Trip Advisor reviews. Some people are really over the top picky, but there was enough there to tip the balance and not book the train. If I am to sleep on a train, I will do so in a first class private compartment. I'm trying to learn how to spend money after a lifetime of getting by and managing.
I've been riding lots of trams, trains and buses in the last couple of weeks. Mostly for reasons but at times just because I can.
A doctor's appointment last week, physio for my neck yesterday, skin cancer appointment on Tuesday. My neck does seem to be improving. I hate taking pain killers but I am, and doing the exercises my physio person tells me to do.
Well that's your bloomin' lot for today, but I'll leave you with a couple of photos of blooming flowers R received for his birthday.
From Mother.