Another Catchup

Mum flew over to the UK last week. She is staying over there visiting all the family for three weeks with her friend Deb. Mum was really surprised when Uncle Mick, Auntie Debs and Auntie Sharon met her at the airport.

Mum and Deb are staying in Brighton in a hotel until tomorrow. Mum said the place is very dirty. Her travel agent booked it for them. It doesn't even have laundry facilities or a phone in their room. Tomorrow they head off to Auntie Linda's to stay for a few days.

Right about now Mum will be enjoying herself at a huge family party Auntie Sharon has organised. I can't wait to see some photos. Really wish we were there too. Some of the relies haven't seen each other for years and years.

So far Mum has caught up with her brothers and sisters, some Uncles, her cousin Julie-Anne and her boyfriend and her Dad and Carole. Sadly her Dad didn't even recognise her and asked her if she was lost when she knocked on his door. Mum has been to the cemetery with her sisters to put flowers on her Mum's grave. She has been gone for 37 years now. I was only little when she died. I would have loved to have known her. She was only my age when she died. So young.

My Auntie Beryl is recovering from her surgery for Breast Cancer. She has to go back tomorrow for another operation as her margins weren't clear when they took her lump out. Thinking of you Auntie Beryl. Will ring you in a few days when you get home from hospital. Keep an eye out for the postie.

My MIL Mary is jetting off to China at the end of her month with her brother and his family. She will have a great time and is really looking forward to it. Mary, Eddie, Wendy, Daryl, Megs, Zac, Cassi and Ash have just returned home from two weeks in sunny Queensland. I think they had as much rain as sun but it sounds like they had a good time.

Last week we had an air conditioner installed. With all the recent hot weather it's really getting a work out. Since going through chemo I always feel so hot. I think it's something to do with all the hormones. Speaking of hormones. I had a bit of a scare last week. A few problems with my good boob. LOL Luckily the doctor thinks everything is ok and it's all hormonal. I have decided to see a breast specialist privately from now on as well as going to the public hospital for my three monthly check ups. Over the last six months I haven't been overly happy at the public hospital. I feel I have become a number now that all my treatment is over and I think I need to be seeing someone other than resident doctors every three months. The last resident I saw wasn't even going to do a breast examination.

Donna had a biopsy on a lump on her shoulder during the week. She is waiting for her results. Chris burnt himself and had skin grafts done on his arms on the same day. Hope you guys are feeling better.

Kady has become very interested over the last six months in studying Forensic Science. Kady's two lower subjects at school are maths and science and she will need to achieve high results in these subjects to achieve her goals. The other week she went and spoke to her class coordinator and organised to have extra tutoring after school for maths. So proud of her. We have told her if she wants to she can achieve anything. Even is she changes her mind career wise later it doesn't matter. As long as she is happy.

I worked all day yesterday. It was so hot and stormy and although there was lots of thunder and a few tiny sun showers we really didn't get any rain. It is really humid at the moment.

I am heading off to work again shortly. Only working four hours today. It is meant to reach 30 degrees again today. Feels like summer is finally here. Mary and Eddie are coming over for a BBQ this afternoon. I am going to make this salad as well as a few others. mmm will have to get some fresh lettuce out of the hot house.

Chickpea, Tomato and Feta Salad
2 x 300g Cans Chickpeas
2 x 250 g punnets cherry or grape tomato
1 small red onion halved and thinly sliced
1.1/2 cups fresh flat leaf parsley
100g reduced fat feta cheese crumbled

Vinaigrette

2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon Castor sugar

make vinaigrette by combining all ingredients together. Season with salt and pepper. Shake to combine.

Combine chickpeas, tomatoes, onion and parsley in bowl. Dress with vinaigrette. Top with feta. Adjust quantities of chickpeas and tomatoes to suit yourself.

Next week I am doing a Thai cooking class down at the local communtiy centre. I can't wait.