Barber Out Back

I've been reluctant to share this story , by doing so, it makes reality more real.
So I'll begin by saying I couldn't have wanted a better best mate 🥹
I didn't go looking for him , he found me on the range. I was out at the local.pistol club for a come & try archery day. People close to him will know that he was also a keen archer in his day , making some recurve bows. He was a founding member of the Port Lincoln Pistol & Shooting club & until recently, he was the last living foundation member. Now there is none of the old guard left. Literally. He & Betty were the last 2 of I think a group of 6 couples that used to travel around together in their vans. The stories he has told me over our Friday night whiskys!
I am so grateful for the wonderful friendship the 2 of them shared for over 70 years , the last 5 yrs spent sharing space in Gordon's home. They were mates until the end. Betty was a true blessing to him after his lovely wife Barbie died & they were both a tremendous gift to me. To lose them both within 3 mths of each other has been tough.
Grief is a weird beast. It side swipes you when u aren't looking & the tears come. I've learned to roll with the emotions. I'm yet to get used the fact he's not here. Nor she. Gordon particularly was my go to. My mate , my mentor , my all seeing , all knowing.
I'd walk in on a Thursday or Friday after work & he'd say "how ya going sweetie". I'd lean over & he'd always kiss my cheek. He had his seat & i always sat so he could see me easily. Sometimes we'd sit at the kitchen table , chew the fat of the day. Sometimes those chats took a serious tone & he'd take my hand . He often worried about me. Always asking "have you heard from Red & what about the boy?" He loved my kids & has fond memories of Tal coming out to the club when she was about 9. He shared my heart break over my loss , right up to the end he shook his head in disbelief that this is still my story. He loved it when India made the effort to visit.
He had a tremendously empathetic heart , if I was in tears - he was too. Over our 14 years together he's had a few near misses. I knew from the moment we met that we were on borrowed time, so I'm bloody lucky.
Lucky I had him in my life as long as I did. Every time I'd go to Coober , I'd see him the night before & tell him "now don't you go anywhere until I get back , right! " he knew what that meant. Sometimes we'd talk about the day that he would eventually leave , sometimes we'd cry. Sometimes we'd joke about it. But it's not funny. He's bloody gone💔 I am so very grateful to have had him in my life for as long as I did. I'm also grateful to have had the opportunity to see him 2days before he went. Last hugs , last hand holds, last pic♥️ he's left a gaping hole but I'm thankful for the cracking times we had. So much love & laughter. Much to be grateful for 🙏✨️♥️

Strangers are just friends you haven't met yet 💫
That was us, almost 5 yrs ago..
I took myself off for a roadie to celebrate turning 50🙌
10 days all to myself, seeing things I hadn't seen & meeting people I'd never met ! She was a stranger I spent my birthday with ♥️
This lovely lady is the cousin of one of my dear friends in Adelaide. Well she's actually the cousin of her husband! But that's splitting hairs 😅
Heather has friends here & surprised me with a message a couple of weeks ago , would I have time to catch-up? Ofcourse! Who wouldn't want to catch up with this poppet ♥️
Morning tea, then a quick shop down town where she happily told anyone who would listen that I was her daughter 😅 I'd claim her for sure. We pass time easily together. Then a shoot off out of town to see if we could catch sight of some whales, wasn't to be. But a lovely morning together nonetheless
Moments in time, yield treasure ♥️

I look at this picture now & wonder what was i thinking.....
My trip to Spain altered my life in many ways♥️

We are pulled where we are meant to be. That's for absolute sure.

There is a lot of change around me atm, some things I haven't wanted. Some I have definitely not been prepared for & some still, it seems, are inevitable.

Like death.

Australians have a hard time talking about death, it seems. But it needs to be more widely discussed, so you can have a "good death."
You need to make sure you have your ACD in place.

Advanced Care Directive.

And you are never too young to begin to consider what your end might look like.
Questions like :
Would i like to be resuscitated?
If I can't eat , would I like to be Peg fed?
If I can't make decisions, who can I trust to make these decisions in my place?
There are lots of serious things to consider. And if you are terminally ill, in some states, you have the option of

VAD

Voluntary Assisted Dying.

The chance to die with dignity at a time you choose. To spend what is left pain-free & in an environment of your choice.

We are in these discussions now, for both of us. It's heavy, but also weirdly liberating. And it's not only making these documents. It's about telling your nearest & dearest your intentions. Often, family are the obstacle to what individuals really want. They want to please others , when they really should be pleasing themselves. I will do for my end , what I do in my life . And that's by walking to the beat of my own drum.

Love & light Angels. Get talking. You really have no idea when your time will come. Be a good scout & be prepared ♥️

It's hard to believe we've been home now as long as we were away! Time flies, it's true.
If my memory is correct, this is the amphitheatre at Mèrida, one of our favourite medieval towns. The statue that is on the top level (again if my memory is reliable 🤔) is the Goddess of Agriculture.
So much history, something I've never really been into honestly. But travelling with someone who loves stone as much as my stonemason husband does really makes a difference. And he knows the history. It's like having your own private guide! Perhaps we will return sometime , it's unknown atm. For now we are just catching up , regrouping & returning to some sense of normal amidst chaos, if I'm honest!
And we still have chaos locally with our road works !
I will still be found at Goodyear tho
♥️Fri
♥️Sat.
0429 331 663 for appointments.

Over the years, I've had a few reasons to have anaesthetic, & to date, the reactions have been pretty ordinary. I vomit & feel dizzy for extended periods. , takes a few days to feel "normal" again.

Until today ! There's always anxiety attached to surgery for me , but being reasonably fit & healthy, there is minimal risk of problems. But, there is still a risk. Today, as I walked to the hospital, I made a little video & sent it to my Angel, in case I didn't wake up. But I did. Of course, I did! Something for her to keep♥️

I'm actually gobsmacked with how well I am. The anaesthetist really took on board what I shared about previous experiences (which I do share every time ) & he nailed it🙌
I woke up & threw up, once. Then was up & dressed within 15 mins.I'm sitting in the recliner, having my cuppa & cheese sandwich in no time. And what is it about a white bread , processed cheese sandwich?......something I NEVER EAT ! But today, oh my goodness , the BEST THING!
My husband came to pick me up. I did need a hand to walk along as I was a bit doughy still. He made a super yummy lunch , we napped then I got up lit the fire , did the dishes & the washing! Business as usual & I'm so grateful. Past times I have come home straight to bed & not moved except to wee. This is the best one yet ! Thanks to Dr Watt , Bruno & the lovely girls Erin , Jess, Jacqui, Carmel, Sienna & I'm sorry her name escapes me, but the equally kind admission nurse. There was also a little 2nd yr student who took my BP after , who did say she was also in on my procedure, but I don't know her name ♥️ I did miss Rach (she's been my staple recovery nurse over the years !) But all really fab , caring staff. I'm taking it easy tomorrow to prepare for the Local loves Market on Sat with my Angel at Jump ship Brewing. Come say hi 👋

Love & light Angels....business as usual here , hot flushes & all ! ♥️

Who doesn't love seeing the busy bees in action 🤔
Hoping the flowers withstand the weather that's expected tomorrow.
Just a heads up , I am not trading next week. Have a little hospital visit on Thurs, am writing off Friday to get over the anaesthetic & Sat I am supporting my Angel at the market stalls held in Jump Ship Brewing, the day before mothers day ♥️
So tomorrow, even though it's quite probably going to be a ropey day weather wise , I'm working. I think I'll be at Goodyear. I'll play that by ear when I wake up !!!

Best chance is direct text
0429331663 🙏

On Anzac day , Rosemary acts as a profound symbol of remembrance & loyalty. It is worn to honour the memory of the many ANZACS who served & died in war, conflict & sadly also in peace operations. It grows wild in many parts of Europe , particularly on the Gallipoli peninsula. We lost so many of our service men & women in the Gallipoli campaign, such a waste of life.
Looking at the world we have now, what have we learned about the senseless act of war?
As we walked down to our local service this morning, Daniel asked me if i would be happy for Piper to go to war? I am eternally grateful that none of my children have wanted to serve in the forces. Call me selfish if you like. But it is someone's child🥺
And that is why for the last 20 years, i haven't missed a dawn service. The photo today is actually the one i took from the covid time. When we couldn't gather together but we were encouraged to light a candle & be visible as we listened to the radio.....

I have rosemary growing in my garden for comfort...
I love the smell & the taste with roasted veges. I can enjoy cooking the food we like because of the many people who have fought over the years to keep us all safe to continue to call this wide brown land, home.

Blessed be our sunburnt country.

Reflect on this solemn day what it means to be an Australian ♥️

Love & light.

Before any of you get concerned about me ; I am absolutely ticketyboo ♥️

But this has been me, on many occasions, not too many of you would know that!

In these times when su***de seems so prevalent, I feel it's important to raise the saying

"It's OK, to not be ok".

My daughter Talia has now been absent from my life for 11 yrs. I had to grieve a living child. During those times, Piper was my raison d'etre. When he also left & cut me off, there were many dark, dark times when I questioned the value of my life. True🥺
I'm so very grateful that I had people I could talk very openly to, who didn't judge me, just listened. Often babbling incoherently through tears.
I'd like to think that I'm through the worst of it. But until my arms are around my kids again , the pain bubbles not too far under the surface.
But I'm ok♥️
In fact, more often than not, I am more than ok. Life goes on & I embrace all that comes my way.

I just wanted to remind you all, there may be people in your orbit that aren't ok. Sometimes we just have to step outside ourselves & extend the hand of kindness. It really could save a life ♥️

With Anzac day this Sat , my week is shorter.
♥️Thurs
♥️Fri
Goodyear. A few sporadically placed appointments still available over the 2 days.

Direct text 0429331663

Love & light Angels.
Love. Be kind. Celebrate your mate ♥️

From a distance , the absolutely magnificent Cathedral in Santiago de Compostela. For those of you who are familiar, this is the end of the Camino de Santiago. A pilgrimage made by thousands every year. A life altering experience for many. I am hoping to add this to the fabric of my life quilt in the next few years❤️