I read a cute quote some time ago (I cannot remember where or by whom it was written) but it's recently come to mind and it said: "Happiness can be right back where you started from". Is this me? 'Back home' - where I was born and raised in a regional city in tropical North Queensland? Is this where my happiness lies in wait? Have I gone 'Back to the future'? Lots of questions ~ lots to ponder.
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Fragrant 'pani's' in Spice-girl's tropical street. Anyone know this bird??? they are everywhere.
Daughter's street is nestled at the base of a large hilly mass in the outer suburbs and the bushfire came right down to the end of the street. The awful 'fire smell' was still thick in the air when I arrived.
A kid's Christmas in the tropical North Queensland. Grandson Jack, a real water baby.
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Christmas was WONDERFUL. Being "home" for Christmas with my family was...... very special. Seeing the excitement of Christmas through a child's eyes is magic.
I was a very busy girl catching up with people, and my dear friends' wedding on 12/12/12/12 was beautiful.
It was a wonderful day. A real tropical affair.
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Something else quite exciting happened too, but you'll have to stay tuned in if you want to know what ...... next post I'll tell all and there'll be a few pics too!!
~
So after 21 days up in the tropics I am now back in the Hunter Valley to carry on with some medical procedures that were in the works for some time. It is nothing serious, but it will keep me here for a few weeks, after which time I'll be heading back to the tropics - back home - back to the future, to get on with the exciting thing that happened.Needless to say the Team are so excited to see me, but they are still coming to terms with Mother Jana's passing. But the Team, and humans will be OK - eventually, time is a wonderful soother.
I doubt I will make midnight tonight - I will try though!!
HAPPY NEW YEAR TO EVERYONE IN OZ
and an early NEW YEAR'S GREETING TO EVERYONE ACROSS THE BIG OCEAN.
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I love a good secret ;) I wish I could tell you what the bird is but my knowledge only extends to the frightening ones. The red fran... talk about timing. Brother was just talking about getting a cutting from a neighbour down the street. I have never seen a live red fran! I wish I had more time to walk around and take piccies of the plants. Argh. How did I let 10 days slip away from me?
ReplyDeleteMidnight. I'm going to try to be up so I can watch the fireworks on telly. Will make a nice change from Sydney's. Happy new year, Rose! Thank you for being my friend, for your advice and for having such a wonderful positive approach to life. You are inspiring. Hugs to you and The Team X
P.S! I love your header picture! That's what we need more of, not those silly red nosed reindeers ;)
ReplyDelete(hehe, your opening words up there.....;)
DeleteAww "T", you've got me all sniffy. You're a good mate too, and I have a gut feeling that 'one day' we just might meet outside of blogosphere.
I know I know, dont you just love the header!! We were driving around and around the streets and there it was ahead and I jumped from the car and like a good blogger I ran up the street (well, walked quickly) with CAM in hand and got that shot!!
Bit weird over the frans huh? gosh their perfume is intoxicating. Who needs alcohol?! when you've got a frannie.
OK, I'll try and stay up to watch the fireworks on tele too. (mebee)
Hugs back
x
I'm falling asleep. It's 8pm. Think I have a chance?
DeleteI'm replying at 9pm your time, so you won't get this because you are a-sleep girl!! It's 10pm here, and I've found some sticks to prop my eyelids up. Come on - don't let the menopause team down - we can doooo this!
DeleteHappy New Year Rose, A new year a new beginning. The red frangipani is gorgeous. I only have a boring yellow one, but I do love them. I doubt I will be up to see the new year in, never seem to make it. I reckon the day will still be there when I wake up. I look forward to seeing what else has happened. Don't keep us in suspense for too long though, you have to spill the beans girl. Cheers
ReplyDeleteOK Linley I promise not to drag the suspense out - it is awfully exciting though. I love your words: A new year, a new beginning.
DeleteHappy New Year dear Linley.
PS: Is frangipani (white sap) an irritant or toxic??
DeleteHappy New Year!!! Sounds like you had a lovely Christmas :D
ReplyDeleteAlbeit a tropical one, alas no snow! However when we went driving around looking at Christmas lights, one house had a fake snow maker and was pumping it all over the street. Sweet!
DeleteHowdy Rose, glad to hear you sounding positive and happy. An exciting surprise? Oooh what a way to start the New Year. Good luck with your Drs visit. Time (past and present) does have a way of surprising us. Sometimes it goes too fast other times too slow but whatever is happening is just keeps on going. My Dad has been gone five months now, sometimes seems like five days and others five years. Let's hope 2013 is a peaceful, healthy and happy year for us all. See you next year Rose! No worries, and love, Carol (and Stella and Rory)
ReplyDeleteHowdy back Carol, thank you..... all will be well at docs. Yes, time is a funny thing at times. Indeed may 2013 be 'sweet' for us all!
DeleteI'll see you next year then ;)
x
Dear Rose, (not in as to you, but in as you are Dear)
ReplyDeleteFirst of all im thinking you have had your New YEar, so happy belated new year to you and loved ones.
I know of many people who have gone back to their original home, their starting place, in this higgeldy, piggeldy world it seems to make sense to them and they are very happy and content, like a place is hugging them.
I wish you well with your treatment, and going back after such a short time can be a bit tricky, but maybe your secret will keep you strong, til you go back to the tropics. (take a good long smell of your dogs)
much love, CC xxx
Oh CC it is a (bit) tricky but its all good really. That's touching how you described a person's home town. I'll chew on that.
DeleteMy treatment will be fine, nothing to worry about there.
Ooooh, a secret! I hadn't thought of it that way - but now I will. I can't remember the last time I had a secret all to myself!
And indeed I am smelling my dogs, great big whiffs. Getting my fill to last a while.
You take good care too. I'll nip across to your place and see if you've posted.
R
xx
Wonderful to hear your story of the Scottish woman on the plane Rose, we have a few accents that I even struggle with.
ReplyDelete'C'mongeraffrabus' was one of the first broad Glasgow words I learned while visiting my father in that city. I was only fourteen and I'd apparently reached my stop.
You have us all on tenterhooks with your secret,I'm looking forward to your next post.
Wishing you all the best for your ongoing medical procedures and a happy new year to you.
Thanks Jim for your good wishes! Oh do tell, what does that word mean?!
DeleteHappy New Year to you too!
ReplyDeleteLove the new header with the kangaroos! It reminds me of when I spent Christmas in the Florida Keys. They had Santa's sled being pulled by manatees. Which makes me wonder, which is worse: the hop of a kangaroo or the slow movement of a manatee ;o)
I too am looking forward to the new year. Funny how having a granddaughter gives you a new outlook on life!
haha Bonnie, poor ol' Santa - maybe he should just stick with graceful and fast reindeer!! :)
DeleteHi Rose, sounds like you are moving back 'home' permanently... I am so happy for you --and will pray for your future. I hope that 2013 will be a blessed year for you.
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to read more about your plans. Hope the medical procedures all work out fine...
Hugs,
Betsy
Hi Betsy, praying you and George had a wonderful Christmas and its new years day here. I'll be fine with the med stuff - truly nothing serious.
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to show you the exciting thing that happened too!
Hugs
R.
Have you got snow??
Glad to read you had a wonderful Christmas! I wish you the happiest of New Years!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks Paz! see you next year in blogosphere!
DeleteHappy 2013, Rose. Be well.
ReplyDeleteThank you Barb, look forward to your beautiful photos and wise words (this) year!!
DeleteI believe the bird could be a pheasant coucal (link below if you care) - nowhere to be seen down south ... Isn't change positive and exciting?!?! I look forward to seeing where you end up - and the 'teaser' you've left us with!!
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year, my friend! Look forward to life downunder in 2013!!!
http://www.birdsinbackyards.net/species/Centropus-phasianinus
Hi Red, thank you! 2013, wow whoever would have thought! A pheasant coucal - I'm on it, going to look it up. It was one noisy bird! I cannot believe I've never ever seen one and I spend the first 40 years of my life up there!!
DeleteGreat pictures! Hope you had a fabulous Christmas and a very happy New Year! Here's to 2013 being great!
ReplyDeleteErin
Hi Erin! Good to see you passing by - I like to pretend I'm a great photographer! and oh yes here's to a brand new new year being terrific for all.
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I was so sad for you when I read your previous post. Such a pretty and precious little doggy. Sending a big hug here. But it sounds like you have some good news to share and I shall look forward to hearing all about it on my next visit. Wishing you A Very Happy New Year, the happiest one yet.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Denise, we are all still coming to terms with it but we will get there. It's a new year, full of promise! A time of renewal...
Deletex
ROSE!!! So happy to hear that you have a pleasant surprize for us because that means it must have been a pleasant surprize (?) for you...Your words carry the ring of truth to me..Been alot of places on my bike and during my time in the military--BUT only really found contentment(and more than my share of good fortune) right here back home...Can't wait to hear from you again and learn about Part Two!!!P.S. got another 5 star today!!
ReplyDeleteDid you?!! another 5-er! Woohoo, good stuff!! You will be famous - can feel it in my bones. Then when you're filthy rich you can shout me over there.
DeleteSo Jim, you found contentment right back where you started from too.... Oh my! I just know you're hanging out to hear my news 'cause you have noooo idea do you?!
Talk soon....
Oh you are such a tease Rose!! Exactly when are you going to tell us 'the exciting thing' that happened?? Tomorrow I hope! Sounds like you had a really good Christmas, it would be so nice for you to be close to family and friends..Come on, don't just sit there..get typing haha!
ReplyDeleteHaha Grace, I so wished I could tell the 'exciting thing that happened' sooner rather than later, but..... :)))))
DeleteWent down to 13 here last night - crazy place.
x
Well, SURE the surprise is exciting, but WHAT'S THE BIRD?????? :-P
ReplyDeleteJune, Red was right its a pheasant coucal, and it's noisy, boisterous, and extremely clumsy. I had never seen one before this trip back home. Apparently it causes no problems or damage. Honestly it's the strangest bird! and quite handsome if it wasn't so comical.
ReplyDeleteoh, happy new year, Rose!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad to know you had a wonderful holiday!!
your grandson looks so happy in the water. Lucky him and you!!
Thank you Kitty!!
DeleteI was so glad to see you had posted! It sounds like you had a good Christmas, I had thought of you often during the holidays. I had a nice round of stomach flu but things are back to normal (whatever normal is). Can not wait till your next post, all sorts of things are drifting around in my head. Cheri
ReplyDeleteOh noooo not stomach flu, so pleased you're on the mend. I had the upper part of the body flu up in the tropics. :(
DeleteHahaha, I would loooove to know what's running around in your head Cheri. :)
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Hey Rose, Glad to see you are doing so well and had a good Christmas with family. I got your email (thanks for checking in) and I was so glad to hear from you as I have wondered how things were going. I do have a warning for you concerning Cheri and telling her that you would love to know "what's running around in her head".....WARNING that can be dangerous "ENTER AT YOUR OWN RISK" LOL Anyway so glad to hear from you and I have missed our "chats". Jana
ReplyDeleteHahaha wonder if Cheri will see your comment - "enter at your own risk" :))))))))))
DeleteHappy New Year, Rose.
ReplyDeleteHope all is well with you. We hear such dreadful stories about the heat in Oz. Keep calm and keep cool
During the summer months here, keeping coooool is my only goal!! :) Thank you for your good wishes Friko.
DeleteI am glad to hear that you had a happy new years and are not affected by the wildfires.
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to hear the rest of the enigmatic good news. Did someone get married? :)
So far this whole area is free of bushfire, but it would set off in a second from one act of carelessness, people are very nervous around here. Yes, my friend got married, but that's not my 'exciting thing that happened' haha! Take good care Halcyon
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You really are dragging this mystery out! :)
DeleteNice to have you back again Rose!! I'll be following you! ;-)
ReplyDeleteI know Gert - you are my quiet observer ;)
DeleteWell, I hope to comment now and then as well ;-)
DeleteHappy New Year, Rose! Now what in the world are you up to? :) I'll be standing by to see! I love your header with the kangaroos pulling Santa's sleigh!
ReplyDeleteThanks for popping in to see me.
be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)
Patience Shelia....... the 'roos are cute hey?!
Deletexxx
HEY!!!!!We're waiting!!!!
ReplyDeleteSo glad you had a wonderful and warm Christmas!
ReplyDeleteSo what is your exciting news?
Buster and I NEED to know!
ox
Dear Rose,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your greetings and nice comment on my current post.
Wishing you and yours a Happy New Year filled with much happiness, joy, good health and peace!
I am glad to know that you had a wonderful Christmas with family and a Happy New Year too.
Beautiful the red frangipani. I have a tree in my garden with yellow frangipani.
Looks your grandson had a great fun in the water. My grandson also loves the pool and the beach.
I am looking forward to know your exciting news!
Love your header picture! Very original!
Many hugs.
PS: I Google and I read Here that "A cut made on any part of the tree will exude a milky, sticky sap that is poisonous to both humans and animals."
I also read Here
that "Plumeria is related to the Oleander (Nerium oleander) and both possess poisonous, milky sap, rather similar to that of Euphorbia."
Rose Rose Rose! I think I know what that bird is... a pheasant coucal - see this post of mine for a link.
ReplyDeletehttp://fabulousflo.wordpress.com/2012/03/04/changing-diets-annoying-owners-an-award-and-i-finally-found-out-what-that-bird-is/
It takes you to a page where you can hear its call too. I had heard it for years. I went downstairs a few weeks ago to find one running across the lawn. Apparently they hunt little birds. :(
H