G'day all,

Thought whilst you are all asleep I will start a new thread.

I can understand why you don't want to ring Karen, you never quite know under these sort of circumstances but I really feel all is well with Ann

We were supposed to have an old aunt of dh coming to visit this afternoon however at the last minute that has been changed, this is the third time . Her son (dh's cousin) is a nice enough person but is as vague as they come, so now he and his wife are calling in.
At least it was an excuse to get my act into gear and do a bit of a tidy.
I am feeling better though not 'rearing to go'

It has been very unseasonable weather, almost a return to winter.
I am not sure what to make of the presidential elections in the USA, I thought it was very interesting to note where Bush and Kerry were polling best.
I personally would have liked to have seen a change, the results of our recent election have had a similar outcome as the USA, I guess it is better the devil you know.........
I also continue to be surprised that you do not have compulsary voting, do you have compulsary voting in Canada Slavika and Trudy??

Hope you will all have a great weekend.
Cheers
Maria

Yes we do have compulsary voting.
Everyone's name is on the electoral role and if you do not vote you get fined. (and it is a substantial fine)
If you are overseas, you MUST apply for a postal vote in order to fullfill your obligation.

Maria

Trudy we have similar problems here...that is anyone living here but who is not a naturalised Australian cannot vote but as I said ALL Australians over the age of 18 MUST vote.
There are many migrants here who seem to be proud of the fact that they have never become Australians but benefit from our system.
Of course everything in their 'home' country is so much better....makes you wonder if they came to Australia to become worse off

It is a cool sunday here, I am feeling heaps better, ready to get stuck into it tomorrow!

Cheers,
Maria

I thought the US had a monopoly on non citizens sponging off our goverment run programs. I too get angry at those who boast about getting it all free and not having to work. When there are people out there working 7 day's a week trying to make ends meet. Don't get me started

As for voting. it is something I would never not do. My Mom has always said if you don't vote you can't B***h ! I for one sometimes like to B***h.

I agree that I don't want to be a pest to Ann's family. I'll wait now until I hear from them. I think she should be coming home Monday or Tuesday anyway.

Slavika- the smoking dog was a hoot. I'm sure my little puppy boy would never do anything like that. Besides he can't afford to have his growth stunted!!

Karen

Surely we will hear today or tomorrow about Ann! I thought that was fascinating, Maria, about compulsory voting. That would be a good idea here. Might get some people up off their duffs. And about non-citizens working the system? Like Karen, don't get me started! I live in Oklahoma which also has so many government programs for Indians and you can have such a tiny little bit of Indian and qualify. Leon and I have had some rough times, but never qualified for a free breath of air. Oh well. I too would have liked to see a change, but obviously I was in the small minority. I am so very, very glad it is over, though.

Trudy, I am so sorry to hear about your angel's allergy to peanuts. I know one person who has that allergy and she just has to be very careful. I think your daughter will just get to read lots of labels and ask lots of questions.

I hope everyone had a great weekend. We had our couples' weekend--sister, brother and spouses. We saw the cutest movie--Shall We Dance--with Richard Gere and believe it or not, I got so motion sick with all the dancing in circles I still don't feel very well. I need a motion sickness patch to go to the movies. Good Grief!
Glenda

G'day all,

Very warm day here today
Busy day, my dear sister is coming to visit and tonight my dh's sister and her dh are coming for a bbq.
It is almost a year since my sister's dh died so suddenly, I think she has coped unbelievably well. She very seldom comes to this side of town, she drives around her area but does not venture too far away, her dh used to do all the driving and she does not feel comfortable driving in unfamiliar areas.

Glenda I have heard that 'Shall we dance' is a great movie.
I am amazed how many similarities there are in our countries.
It is the same here, you don't need to have too much Australian aboriginal blood in you to qualify for a hand-out. I think sometimes all you need is to stand next to them for a while and you qualify
Of course it always makes it bad for the many genuine aboriginees who desperately need help.
It seems here that those with 1/12 (or thereabouts!) blood in them are the biggest trouble makers.
For a while any land that was to be developed was deemed to be a 'sacred site' and many protests against the development.
Amazing that the 'sacred sites' were always situated on the most profitable pieces of land for which aborigal tribes would then be compensated
I won't go on..........

Have a great day all and let's hope we hear something from Ann very soon.

Cheers
Maria

Hi ! I am Ann's daughter Holly, and I just wanted to let you know that she is much better today. She was finally allowed to have clear liquids and the first popsicle was like ambrosia!!!!!!!!!!! It looks like she will be in the hospital at least until the end of the week. The best news is that she is getting stronger every day.
She has told me all about your group, and gave me the "secret recipe" as to leaving you all a message. Please keep her in your prayers. She will not have to go through chemo or radiation, and the Dr feels that he got all that there was. She will fill you in on all the details when se gets home, but for now that is the update.

Holly thanks so much for the news of you Mom. We have all been haunting this site waiting for news. Am so glad she is better. And it is good news that she won't have to do the chemo or radiation thing. She is in our thoughts and prayers daily.

Karen

Hi Holly

Thank you so much for the update on your Mom. I am so happy that she is now on the road to recovery. LOL LOL....see even clear broth and popsicles can taste good......who would of thought it???
Tell your Mom I will continue to keep her in my prayers.

Holly again ! Talked with mom this AM she got herself out of bed and back and forth to the bathroom last night. That is a major milestone !!!! She asked about you all and I know she will be anxious to sit here and fill you in on all the details. I will be back with her later this morning, so if there is any more news I will try to catch you all up tonight. Keep Praying!
Holly

Holly, What a relief to hear from you! Best news ever is she doesn't have to do chemo or radiation. Hallelujah! Now she just needs to get some strength back. I am so thankful she has you and your sister there. Thank goodness for colonoscopies, for finding this disease early. Thank you, God! Anyone contemplating one, please get thee to a doctor!

All, I cannot believe I am hurting so much from that stupid car accident. Last night I had an hour deep tissue massage which was absolutely wonderful. I slept like a baby all night long. (Note to Trudy: this might help with your insomnia.) Anyway, she warned me that I might ache this morning, and she was right. My lower back is stiff as a board. Remember when we used to bounce back from everything life could throw at us? Now I feel like I am the stuff being thrown. Enough complaining! Life is sweet and Ann is getting better. Will keep praying for her.
Glenda

I can't believe how time flys by. It has been a while since I was here. Glad to hear from Ann's dd Holly about her progress. Been keeping her in my prayers. Just been busy with stuff. Had to keep up with the leaf raking while the weather was nice. Been lucky that way. Tonight it is supposed to go down to freezing. I so hate the cold weather and wish I was in Florida too.

I am so over the election. Ohio was a swing state and you can't believe the all the tv ads for the candidates and the phone calls asking for their vote. Sure was glad that I had caller id. Interesting about mandatory voting in Australia. I don't understand why people don't use their vote here. They sure can complain when they don't like something. We had a write in and some were writing it everywhere but where they should. One guy came running out of the voting booth - went to his precinct worker and was yelling he didn't understand the wording of the gay marriage thing. It was funny and made waiting go faster.

On Halloween I had a total of 9 kids. That meant I had leftovers-oh no what to do with them. Sorry to say some of them found their way to my mouth so now I am trying to be good again.

I had cafeteria duty again yesterday. It is unreal what the kids don't eat and throw away. You wonder why they take it if they aren't going to even try it. I love their salad bar-it is the best.

My dh's aunt died last week and we had the funeral Friday. His side of the family is very interesting. I could write a book. Of course my side is normal-lol. Well I have got to go read the whole thread I missed. Have a good evening, morning or whatever time it is.

Holly thanks again for the update on your Mom. So she is getting up by herself. You just can't keep a good woman down can you! Just tell her to not do to much at once. But I remember my Dad when he had the same surgery he was planning his escape after about a week. So watch her!!!!

Peggy sorry to hear about DH aunt. And i hear you about the interesting side of the family. My DH family what is left of it is really something! I could write a book and have toyed with the idea.

We had a rainy day today but it's the first rain since the last hurricane so it was good. did make it cool. I said cool not cold!

Karen