It's about time.....

It's about time I wrote here again - expecially since I have excellent news from my latest CT scan. The report says that there are no changes since the last scan (which was 12 months ago). And the last scan said - all good. So along with 12 months of excellent blood results I'm absolutely delighted to report that I'm very healthy and enjoying everything life has to offer...

..... which includes

a visit to Canberra to see the Degas Exhbition, the National Portrait Gallery and to go hot air ballooning! Photos below.

This is how we dressed for the pre dawn take off

And this is the view of the dawn over Lake Burley Griffin from the top of Black Mountain, because

this is as close as we got to any balloons!!! The wind was too strong and it was not safe to fly in the hot air balloons. What a disappointment - again! So we found these balloons when we were having chocolate and retail therapy later that morning to help us deal with the disappointment.

I have also spent a pleasant weekend farm and dog sitting on 100acres just south of Wollongong.

There were 'real' cows on the farm, but this one was closest to the house for photo purposes! So a pleasant weekend was spent with 3 gorgeous old boxer dogs and friends who came for lunches in the sun. Life is good.

And right now I'm on the Gold Coast visiting my son and grandson for 10 days. Don't see them very often, so it's great spending quality time with them both. Oscar is 17 months old now and has developed his own little boisterous personality. It's exhausting keeping up with him - but loads of fun. In the quiet time he loves me to read him his 'My Grandma' book. Of course, I love it too.

Oscar and hat 'in the Broadwater'.

Terrie Baxter Civil Marriage Celebrant

New Year, Birthday and New Career

A new year also means another birthday for me, and although a birthday is only one day - mostly the celebrations seem to go on for days. It's a continuation of the festive activities from Christmas and New Year. And then there's nothing much for the rest of the year. Here I am celebrating being 62 - gratefully - with some of my friends.

All tests and visits to doctors have been positive, which is great. In March I have my annual CT scan - so fingers crossed for a good result.

And still more birthday celebrations.

The other thing I've done since I wrote here is to establish my business as a Civil Celebrant.

Terrie Baxter

Justice of the Peace

Civil Marriage Celebrant

Planning with you. Presenting a professional event that is meaningful and memorable

Email: foraweddingandafuneral@gmail.com

And the first couple to ask me to marry them are Mat (environmental scientist) and Nici (medical student). They plan to marry in February or March 2010. It will be exciting planning with them for their special event. And here they are.

and now it's a new year!

As the page of time turns to 2009 I send you all my best wishes for a happy, healthy and peaceful year ahead.

It has been wonderful to hear from so many friends from around the world during the recent Christmas and new year period. What a great age we live in where communication can be so easy and so instant.

Life at home since my return from Pottsville has been hectic - same for you, I imagine. Once December starts we all seem to go into a mode of more heightened activity in our preparations for the holiday period. Well, I do anyway. The family Christmas party on Christmas Eve was a happy event - a gathering of all members who were in the country at this time. That included my daughter and her family who are here from Hong Kong. It was a privilege to have them stay with me for a few days - including the night that Father Christmas delivered! - and to participate in the children's excitement. Zeke is 5 years old and Willow is 2. They are just at the right age to understand the anticipation and then the excitement of opening their gifts from Santa as well as from their parents and their Mumma (that's me!).

Before Christmas I also had a visit to Dr Chen, the herbal doctor, who says that he is pleased 'with what's going on inside'. So..... all in all...... things are good.

I hope the start to your 2009 has been a happy one and the it continues to be all that you wish it to be.

how time flies

My goodness, how time flies. I've been having so much fun that I didn't realise that it's over a month since I wrote anything here.

Well, in a nutshell - life in Pottsville is almost over. I leave on Friday, stay the weekend in Coffs Harbour for a Teachers' College reunion and then drive back to the Gong.

I've been continuing to enjoy this northern New South Wales environment, meeting new people, soaking up the sun, playing tennis, riding my bike, catching up with friends and family members and - during the past 2 weeks - hosting some friends visiting from Wollongong. It's been great.

I've also had good news from blood tests - liver function and tumour markers are steady - so nothing's getting worse!Oscar with his Mum and his cake

My grandson, Oscar, has turned one; I've finally become an officially registered Civil Marriage Celebrant in Australia; I had a fun day at the Murwillumbah Races on Melbourne Cup Day (won nothing though) and I've managed to get many family members to commit to a family Christmas gathering on Christmas Eve at my father's home in Wollongong. Lots of you will know how hard that is to achieve with family spread all over the place and the families of partners/spouses also having to be considered.

And Yes, Linda and Michelle, I am the Mrs Eddy who taught PE at SCEGGS Gleniffer Brae in the 1970s. It's amazing that you found my blog!

Some pics of people here over the past few weeks.

10 days away from Pottsville

Yes, since I last wrote I've been back home in Sydney and the Gong for a variety of events. As I write this, however, I'm back in the calm beautiful Pottsville after a hectic 10 days.

While I was away I

1. Visited Dr Chen who was delighted with the state of my health and the fact that my wounds from the fall from my bike had healed very well

2. Did a bush walk with friends around Berry Island and Balls Point on Sydney Harbour

3. Had my annual precautionary colonoscopy - which was all clear!

4. Went to the wedding of dear friends of mine and caught up with lots of old friends from my 'raising children days'

5. Went to a friend's 70th birthday party

6. Helped to host a party at home for my father's 88th birthday - a very successful day

This pic is of the 88 year old birthday boy, my Dad Ron, and my brother, Scott. You can see they have some characteristics in common!

And now to some more R&R in Pottsville.

photos

The gorgeous Oscar, 11 months








650 new rain forest trees at Palm Vale





Sculptures at the SWELL Festival at Currumbin