Pics from Victoria

Vic sent me some photos. It appears that when Madeleine is taking a break from walking practice and destroying book shelves she is busy preparing for Christmas.

Owen's Looking Good, Weddings, Mounting Things and Making Space

This Saturday Anna got married and she and new hubby, Wo invited us to the wedding ceremony at Spring St then after to their home in Toorak Road. They made a lovely couple.



After the lunch we dropped in on Steve, Regan and Owen. Upon arrival, no body was there. The nurse quickly informed us that Owen was at the nurses station (cunning little guy) happily accepting any and all attention. Steve and Regan had taken the opportunity to grab lunch. Owen is obviously on top of the infection and was full of smiles for us. We played and read his favorite book until mom and dad returned.




Sunday Gaye and I spent mounting vice, drill and table saw. We thought that the new arrival to the workshop - the table saw table would clutter even further a small space, which it did, until when considering how and where to mount the vice, a whole bunch of opportunities presented themselves.



A bonus was the drill, which has been trying to find a home for over 40 years was finally sucessful. Good on you drill. You finally have a permanent home after all this time.


The "BIG" vice is still hanging out on the floor, and is the next on the list destined for a permanent place to live.

I'm In Love...

...or at least I have now a major infatuation with.... Rock Maple. Who knows how long it will last. - a week a month ? a lifetime? After some minor flirtations with Pine and Victorian Ash,,,, Rock Mapel now has my complete attention.

Entered in Cock of the Bay

ORCV looooove us see: We have entered for the cock of the bay: http://www.orcv.org.au/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2053:2010bddfirstblood&catid=36:boxing-day-dash&Itemid=520 Hey Eila, that's me in the red jacket...

Pics from Murray River Ride

Picnic for Maddie

Maddie's picnic at Redfern with Aunty Sue and Uncle Dim.

Owen at RCH.

Regan is being strong. She and Owen are still at the Royal Children's Hospital. Owen has had the stent removed and another opening made to relieve his kidney. Both he and Regan were ready to leave the hospital last Thursday, but 'il Owen got an infection which required further treatment. That treatment was the insertion of a tube to deliver antibiotics targeted at the infection area. Col was Owen's hero when last Saturday the tube disconnected and he had to help out before the doctors arrived.

A Ride in Country Victoria

Clive and I decided to do a Murray River ride. Took in Shepparton to, Benella, to Beechworth, to Wadonga, to Rutterglen, to Yarrawonga. Stopped here and got Steve to pick us up and returned to Shepparton.

More on the trip soon.

Spring

Spring has arrived in Gayes garden. Additional to the new blooms, the bird population has grown dramatically. The small garden now supports the usual bunch of sparrows, but also honey eater, wattle birds, a new family of crows and a new family of currawongs.

Good Dovetail Bad Dovetail

Good Dovetail

BAD DOVETAIL

Khris Kringle Again

All our remotely located children can expect a letter in the mail shortly with their Kris Kringle pick. Look all formal, no cheating. I hope I get some one good to me.

Little Owen in the Wars Again

On Friday little Owen went back the the Royal Children's for another operation. He was very brave with all the doctors and nurses and things and when he came out of the anesthetic he made sure that Mom was there to look after him then decided sleeping was the best way for a speedy recuperation. Good luck Owen and get better soon.

More on the Birthday Girl

Madeleine is our guest corespondent today. Here is what she has to say;

Hi everyone,

Thanks so much for the birthday wishes.
Here are some pics of my birthday so far...
This morning we dropped Dad off at work and met lots of people in the office.
For lunch Mum and I had a picnic by the beach. I ate chicken sushi...Yum! I played in the playground and watched the other kids.
I'm having my afterrnoon nap now (I'm typing this in my dreams!!), so that later I have enough energy to open some presents.
Mum will give you all a call to thank you properly!

Seeya!

Love Maddie xxx

Toilet Step

We are nothing if not well prepared. Here Gaye is stress testing a little toilet step we made up in preparation for Owen and Maddie's next visit.

So here is the background. It is called a "Moravian Footstool". I have generally followed the design of one that was very popular in the old Moravian town of Salem. NC., in the late 1700's. The single board top is joined to the two legs with through dovetails so the legs splay at 19 degrees from the perpendicular.

Whilst taking a pee the children will surely contemplate this stool and conclude it an excellent example of timber joinery that has been applied correctly to meet a specific function both visually and structurally.

Visually the angled dovetails present themselves nicely on the obtuse corners of the stool. Structurally the splay of the legs keeps the stool from racking side to side and the shape of the tails cut out on the top resists the outward force on the angled legs as weight is applied to the top of the stool.

Hehehe...

Madeleine's 1st Birthday Party

Here is a short message from Vic and john to let us know that Madeleine's 1st Birthday Party was a perfect success.

Happy Birthday Maddie. Nice Bike. Looks like Aunty Sue and Uncle Dim are going to be your best buddies.

Hi guys,
Here are a few pics from Maddie's big day. All went went, Maddie was very well behaved and only had a few tears when we dragged her away from the party for a nap.

We ate lots of sweets and had some champagne! A great day was had by all!

Love us

xx