dinekes diary

2010-10-20T00:51:00.000-07:00

Our trip to Kangaroo Island

For our 50th birthday our family and friends all chipped in to give us a trip to K I

Here we are waiting to go on the ferry

We both loved being on the ferry watching the water and feeling the freedom of leaving the every day world behind heading into a brand new adventure.

we had to stop at the Honey Farm to learn about the bees and try out their honey ice cream ,its so yummy I'm sure Karen would absolutely love it.

Here is Big Gavo the Queen Bee

And here not to be outdone is me

Seal bay was absolutely amazing we loved seeing the seals as we walked along the beatch and our tour guide told us lots about the seals and their way of life

I just had to take a photo of these beautiful creating an arch over the road

we enjoyed seeing all the animals at the wildlife reserve although we did struggle with the fact many were in small cages. Luckily there were quiet a few with a bit more freedom

Gavin enjoying a last sleep in at our holiday retreat

T Our temporary home

we found a lovely little craft\coffee shop were we had a coffee and found this great quilt

50th Birthdayparty

2010-08-17T01:50:00.000-07:00

On Saturday we celebrated our 50th birthday party together.

We had many friends and family who came to celebrate with us and helped us make it a special night. This was a great time to catch up with people we don't get to see very often as well as those we see regularly. We got this group photo (although I don't think this was everyone).

Despite the weather forecast, which didn't sound too good, we managed to have a fire and the weather stayed fairly good all night. Karen and Kylie were kind enough to take lots of photos

Anneke and I

Party guests having a good time

The Girls organised a suprise trip to Kangaroo Island with the help of both friends and family.

Thanks to all those who put in for the present and for making the night so special

The kids made short work of the marshmallows

A good night was hopefully had by all

My 50th Birthday Tea

2010-08-04T06:11:00.000-07:00

My birthday was really great!

I woke up and my mum made yummy scones with jam and cream for breakfast. After a lovely relaxed breakfast with Mum, Dad, Helena and Gavin and a quick tidy up Mum and I went to Ikea for a browse and a cup of coffee.

Afterwards we met Helena, Jo and Levin for lunch in Prospect we all had a very lovely lunch and enjoyed getting together although at times like this we sometimes wish Els could be there as well .

By the time we got back to Mum+ Dads , Mum was ready for a rest and I decided to get some fuel for heading home later, then read for a while till dad got up Rang Els in Holland and had a good chat ,than a quick bit off shopping before heading to Karen+Bennys for tea.

where we cooked lasagna together and Karen made apple berry crumble for desert

We had a lovely meal and great fun hanging out together wish you were there AJ

Next time we need you there for our dressing-gown party

My new chickens

2010-06-28T02:41:00.000-07:00

Here are my new chikens karen and i brought them back with us after our trip to Adelaide,they love exploring their new home and I love siting outside and watching them get rid of the weeds which will take a while as there are somany of them but Im sure the chikens apreciate their abundance

Happy 24th Anneke!!!

2010-06-27T03:45:00.000-07:00

what a great weekend we picked up Karen+Benny on the way to Adelaide on saterday .had a lovely tea at Mum + Dads then Gavin and I went to the flinders hospital to visit Greaham,had a good chat then headed back to catch up with the others .On sunday we got up and helped to organise Annekes Birthday lunch catching up with the vanAdrighem clan plus spouses and kids, it was great to see them all even though the trip was fairly short we all had a great lunch I love catching up with everryone

Remember when Road trip with Karen 7 may 2007

2010-06-27T03:39:00.000-07:00

Road tripping in the country with my little dude,listening to Jack Johnson,and enjoying the view.

A chance to remember that LIFE IS GOOD

The green of the meadows,grey of the sky

The world is such a beautifull place especialy

when were on adventure together

We have no aim,were just plain driving and enjoying.laughing having fun.stopping at the lolly shop,sherbert for my dude

opp shopping.craft shopping,looking for scrapbooking suplies

stoped to look at Spogs shed and other things on the way

we laughed about the seller door sales,getting me drunk before work

all and all a great road trip

Poffertjes

2010-05-31T21:33:00.000-07:00

Karen and Benny came and stayed the night on sunday after their trip to melbourne ,they had to come and collect Mishka and Litle dude who I pet sat over the weekend so on monday morning we made poffertjes for breakfast it was great.

pofertjes for breaky yay

2010-04-15T06:24:00.000-07:00

Have you ever wondered why we can spend so much time worrying, procrastinating about things, then suddenly inspiration can hit and before you know it the job is done, all that fear, worry and anxiety for nothing. Perhaps it's time to find the courage to just do it, feel the fear work through it and begin to live life joyfully. Sounds so simple, I wonder why we can have these thoughts and then feel the determination, and yet so often we fall back into those old habits. Perhaps next time I'll do better.

2010-01-30T18:02:00.000-08:00

Beter late than never. Chrismas Eve in Adelaide we all had a great time.

Today gavin is teaching me ,how to load photos on the computer and put them on my blog so here is my first trial run.

2009-12-14T02:25:00.000-08:00

I've had a lot of busy weekends in Adelaide of late. Last weekend I had a Friday night shift so I headed to Adelaide on Saturday afternoon. I got there at about 5:30 and had tea at Mum and Dad's before going to see "Peace Train" at the Festival Theatre (an early Christmas present from Anneke). It was really great and Gav and I had a great time. Sunday Anneke messaged to see if I could come over so I headed for Maslins and we did some shopping together and got most of my Christmas shopping done.
On the way home I stopped by at Levin's and enjoyed watching them decorate their tree and lounge.

On Tuesday Karen came over to my place and we did some shopping and afterwards we decorated my Christmas tree it looks great and I'm slowly adding other festive touches to the house.
It was nice to be home in Kadina this weekend. On Friday night we were invited for drinks and nibbles at friends who live across the road and we had a lovely evening coming home at about 2:30 am.
Saturday I was rather lazy although I did manage to get my washing done, and as it was such nice weather it dried in no time. Karen and Benny came over for tea that night and they went out for a while, but came back later and stayed the night.
Sunday morning started of pretty slow until Karen offered to help me paint my spare room which has been out of action for ages so we finished the sanding and got the first coat on before they headed home. I managed to do part of the second coat today although it goes a lot quicker with two people painting. At least its getting there. Gav spent most of the weekend finishing his study so he can hand it up tomorrow. Well that's about it for now till next time.

just a thougt

2009-11-09T03:06:00.000-08:00

Life can be rather hectic and sometimes,it can all seem to much, at times life seems rather dull and lifeless and you wonder what its all about ,there are times when Major things can happen in life that force you to rethink life,perhaps we need to remember that we never really know how long we have on the earth plane .So what is it really all about,what do we really want from life and what is really important. For me the most important thing is my husband Gavin My girls Anneke and Karen,and my family who often remind me just how much they love me in lots of little ways .Sometimes we take these things/people for granted,we get so caught up in life,we don't always show our appreciation.after spending the weekend in Adelaide I feel more ready to cope with the day to day things in life and ready to go into a new week aiming to look at life in a more positive way .Hope you all have a great week Dineke

Karens 21st birthday

2009-06-09T03:47:00.001-07:00

Its been ages since I last wrote. I was rather busy getting organised for Karens 21st birthday party which we decided would be an afternoon tea party. Luckily everyone helped with the baking and my sister Jo and her husband David let us have it at their house so pepoel didn't have to travel as far. Anneke and I organised a pin up board with photos of Karen over the last 21 years and we also bought her an outdoor table from the family. As usual a great time was had by us all. I spent the Saturday at Jo's with Anneke and Karen and the Forsters geting everything ready and with lots of hands on deck it was quick work and also very enjoyable. So we were quite relaxed when the guests arrived at 3 pm. Although there was the inevitable trips to the kitchen to do a few dishes and make tea or coffee but it was such a festive mood that even those jobs were quite fun. The Tuesday after was Karen's actual birthday so I headed to Port Wakefield after work and enjoyed the rest of the day with Anneke, Karen, Kylie, and Sara. Benny's parents joined us for a BBQ tea although it was geting pretty cold by then so Benny cooked outside but we ate inside. All in all I think Karen thoroughly enjoyed her Birthday.

2009-04-25T18:27:00.001-07:00

well I thought It was high time I wrote again ,last weekend was my weekend off and I caught up with lots off people .On friday night Gavin rang from Port Wakefield to say he was on his way home and that Roy was coming over,this was a lovely surprise as he moved to Karratha 9 months ago to join his wife Helen who had gone 3 months earlier to give it a try,Hellen and I worked together at the nursing home and then Roy started to work with Gavin and as we all got on well with each other we had a tendency to have impromptu spare of the moment get together for tea ,bar b q ,afternoon coffee etc we always had a good time.Anyway it was great to catch up and hang out although by 11pm I decided that id had enough for the day and went to bed.

On saturday Karen and Benny came over and stayed the night so we watched DVDs had a hamburger at our favorite place in Moonta Bay then went home fore another DVD before bed I love hanging out with my girls Karen And I get together and do some Quilting and look at each others books /magazines and just fantisise about all the things we want to try one day weall decided to go to bed after the movie,

I woke up on sunday morning early and thought I could hear someone walking around so I got up and found Karen in the garden It was so much like old times That I decided to make pankakes for breakfast one of our familly favorits after which we went for a long walk trough Kadina.something we havent done much since Karen moved,that is karen still goes for regular walks Im just not verry inclined to do so on my own so have become quite lassy sinse seh moved. BY the time we got home Benny wanted to head of as hed promised to help his dad all and all a lovelly day,

On monday morning I got ready to go to karens to catch up with my Mum ,my sisters Jo and Levin and there kids Elly Julian and Louis we had a lovelly time we went to the Bakery to buy lunch then fount that nice spot again where I went last time whenMiff was here,I think its my favorite spot in Portwakefield what more can you ask for there are trees, water a comfertable spot to sit and enjoy them and to top it all off I had great company

well thats it for today Din

catching up with old friends

2009-04-11T04:17:00.000-07:00

After reading karen's Blog I'm reminded of how lucky I am. Thanks to Karen I had a lovely weekend recently because she got back in contact with Miff.

She was a part of our life for quite some time, almost like an other daughter. Then she moved away and we lost track of her, although the girls sometimes caught up with some news. I was pleasantly surprised when Karen said she was coming to see her and would I like to join them for lunch, which I did, after only 4 hrs sleep after my nightshift.

I did some shoping for lunch and headed over, a little tired but rather excited. Karen and I stood at the backdoor and waited to see her arrive although we had no idea what sort of car she was driving and we had to ring her to fix up some wrong directions but at last she arrived and we had a lovely walk around Karen's home town with Gavin, Karen, Miff and myself.

Afterwards Gav and I headed home so I could cook spaghetti as Miff, Karen, Kylie and Sarah were coming over for tea and a a sleepover. It was just like old times unfortunately Anneke wasn't with us, we all missed having her there but she had to work that day.

Last weekend I headed for Adelaide as Kaori and her boys were over from Japan and they were having a farewell BBQ. Gav and I caught up with anneke on Saturday in Glenelg. We had coffee/gelati at a coffee shop, did some shopping and then Gav and I had a ride on the ferris wheel which was rather fun. Things sure look different from that height!

I caught up with most of my family at the bBQ on Saturday night, then headed home on Sunday. I was meant to do lots of things when I got home but felt so tired that I went to bed and read a book and had an early night.

Adelaide weekend

2009-03-23T23:53:00.000-07:00

well I thought it was about time for another post I spent the weekend in Adelaide and had a great time catching up with Mum ,Dad, Helena and Madi on Friday night, Levin & Jo on Saturday during the day. It's always so relaxing to spend time with my sisters - I'm so lucky to have 4 of them. It was great to catch up with what is happening in their lives, and Levin and I always like to catch up on each others latest projects. On Saturday night Anneke joined us and we made plans to go shopping, I've come to realise that shopping for someone else's clothes can be very frustrating when their not there. Still in the end Anneke and I found a nice outfit for Kane and then got the chance to go to Spotlight - one of my favorite shops. I love the patchwork fabric section and Anneke just likes to browse. We also caught up with Gavin for lunch and had some Chinese. Mum and Dad made leftovers for tea and then we went to Dales 21st Birthday celebration which was really lovely.I left Adelaide at about 9 pm to head home. Had a bit of a scare on the way home when the car in the other lane started to push in so I hit the skids and came to a stand still. Unbeknown to me, some idiot was going up the freeway the wrong way which left the other driver no choice but to try to get in the left lane and hopefully not hit the truck that was there ,although we all got a big shock no one was hurt as for the car going the wrong way it didn't even stop I wonder how long it took to realise it was going the wrong way. well that's it for now. Din

2009-03-11T14:53:00.000-07:00

I've been a bit slack of late. I had the weekend off but really didn't get very much although I did empty out two bookshelves and I am endeavoring to get my old bedroom ready to paint the walls. I've nearly got all the furniture out and have started to fill the cracks so the house is rather chaotic but it will all be worth it in the long run.

Meanwhile the usual jobs around the house are getting put off all the time. I've decided to get rid of my Sunday day shift in the hope of finding myself a bit more energy, and a bit more keen to get stuck into my chores and home decorating. Well its time to sign off and get some sleep as I'm always extra tiered after my first night shift.

Reflections

2009-02-22T16:32:00.000-08:00

Life seems so busy sometimes, that at times we wonder where it is all going. Since making my bag at Karen's place life has been on fast forward - or at least it feels that way.Ive had two nights at bowls - 1 win 3 losses.
Had another day at Karen's when my mum and two sisters came over. I left straight after work and we all had a great day. I'm trying to start emptying my bedroom ready for painting. Unlike most people this is not a quick job - being the hoarder I am. So far Ive moved out my sewing table and accessories and then there I had to clearthe dresser with glass doors which had to leave the main living area due to family day care. This morning I thought I'd move the bed out and the bedside cupboards and then realised, whoops, no allen key, oh well I'll manage ......Or not...... bed is now stuck in the hallway, so I thought Id have a rest from all that pulling and shoving and check out some blogs and write my own . Bye the way Karen Ive finally finished the binding on my Blue loveheart quilt. it will look great on the bed once I get it in the room .
On reflection I could have saved myself a lot of effort if I had waited till I found (think I'll buy)
the allen key but as a leo I am rather stubborn at times,and don't always like to give in. So I'm signing off to go to the hardware store. Dineke

sewing my new bag

2009-02-08T23:00:00.000-08:00

I had a lazy start to the day then headed to Port Wakefield to see Karen and the kids. The plan was to make my new bag as Karen had made herself one and I really liked it.
so I got busy cutting and sewing in between cuppas and lunch

and the end result was this great bag almost finished, final touches to be added when I got home as the day has disappeared on me and it was time to head home.

2009-02-06T14:57:00.000-08:00

hi well this is my first go at bloging my sister levin and daughter Karen have been bloging for quite some time.Life is changing all the time,Karen moved out just before chrismas and Im still geting used to the changes,allthough she regularly comes for visits on my weekend of so yesterday she came 0ver for a swim at the beach and a sleepover her friend kylie is coming over later then a picnic at the beach for tea

Dineke