Our families are mostly interstate, so we did a lot of our journey on our own. I was shocked, awed and amazed at how many wonderful friends I had here and back home. There were a few disappointments, which were mostly my family, but to be totally honest they are not the sort of people I would choose to surround myself with if it wasnt for that blood tie. In saying that the few disappointments are long forgotten so what does that say about the calibre of those relationships?!?! I did have an experience a couple of years ago that upset me for a while. I participated in the Worlds Greatest Shave, organised it to be done at the local tavern and got rid of the hair. My then 14 yr old daughter shaved the back of her hair in support of what I was doing and for that wonderful cause. I was so proud of her, such a brave thing to do at that age. But anyway, when school went back she got called names and when she complained to a teacher was told, 'well if you insist on doing these things.......' I was gobsmacked. That very afternoon I went to the Westfield. It was a bit chilly so I wrapped a beautiful scarf one of my supportive friends had bought for me around my head to keep my naked noggin warm. A well to do looking lady bumped into me by accident. When she looked up and saw my scarf wrapped head she recoiled as if I was poisonous. So being the cheeky little bugger that I am I blew on her and said 'did u catch it?' Childish? Mean? Wasnt my intention but geez did my daughter, my friends and I giggle about that for ages. Her irrational fear is not my problem and hopefully she now has something to think about. Alana ... View more

Hey Jo, Hope things get easier for you. Alana ... View more

Hi Jill, Wow! Do you know what a tremendous person you are? I am a real sook at the moment so I teared up over your post. Wish I could do something to help, you know I am always here in our little cyber world to offer a hug and an ear whenever you feel you need it. It is excellent that you have put in place that support for your sons, it also takes some of the load off you, when you have so many of your own emotions to deal with. Sangeeta is right, bugger what anyone else thinks about Gregs inability to self-censor. if they dont understand it is not your problem. I am sure all your good friend/family will understand, but you dont need more things to worry about so let it be there problem. Please, please remember to fit you in somewhere in all of this. You are not a robot! Find things others can do to make things easier. You dont need to carry this whole load on your own. cyber hugs xxxx Alana ... View more

Hi Jill, It will be a good balance of happy/sad with Maxs cuddles thrown in, and although I miss Paul like mad, there are also sooooooo many good memories to keep us all giggling for a while :-) T's left leg often fills with fluid when he sits for long periods, and being a loader operator that is what he is doing all day so I feel that is all the groin swelling is. He has a scan in Feb which we will just move forward to give him that peace of mind he most definately needs. Things started with a haernia so it is too similar for him to feel relaxed about it until he has proof its nothhing sinister. I have my cuppa ready and am about to read your new blog. Talk (cyber talk lol) soon Alana xxx ... View more

Thanks Jill, I am aiming to go down to SA early March. It will be a happy and sad trip as it will also be my best friends birthday who passed away a year ago tomorrow (I mentioned in previous post T was diagnosed on the same date). We are all going to have a beer down the creek where we used to play as kids and maybe build a tree swing if the old reliable tree we used is still going strong. His son still lives around the old neighbourhood so we want the swing for him. And of course i will be having LOADS of cuddles from Max. i cant wait for those!!!! How are you Jill? Hope there are lots of beautiful moments for you and your family. i always think about how you are. Take care Alana ... View more

Mum and Bubs home tomorrow. Wish I could be there for a big cuddle, but will have to wait for the funds to allow that luxury. Take care everyone Alana ... View more

Willow the surprise was a little sarcastic humor as there always seems to be drama surrounding this family lol. Max was actually a week overdue with no intentions at all in leaving his lovely secure home for past 40 weeks!!! Gail, my sister is also in Adelaide. Thanks everyone for the congratulations 🙂 I cry over every new photo I am sent lol And this from the girl nicknamed The Rock hehe. Take care xx ... View more

Hi everyone, Just wanted to share my jubilance with you all :-) I am the very proud Aunty of a nephew Max Thomas who made a dramatic (surprise, surprise) entrance into this world at 3:09 this morning. My sister lost a lot of blood and it resulted in an emergency ceasarian, but we are all so buoyed that he is here that we can almost forgot the ordeal it took!!!!! I keep crying (yay finally those tears of joy we have all yearned for!) everytime I look at his photo. My sister is exhausted but well considering and such a happy proud Mum. She is the mother hen of the family and will be the best mum ever :-) Thomas is a special name in our family. A special adopted Grandfather we had was Grandad Tommy, plus my biological grandfather and ofcourse T my hubby is a Thomas. All three have been affected by cancer and my sister wanted to honour all of them and their strength courage and determination by naming porky after them. (porky was 9lb3oz, my sis is 5ft1!) Oh here go the tears again. haha. These ones are so very welcome. Thank you little Max for reminding Aunty Larn of the joy of life again. You special little man.. :-) 🙂 🙂 ... View more

I mean unbelievable as in people will think it a work of fiction!!! Too many things happening in one lifetime lol. Take care everyone xxxx ... View more