Consistently, predictably, dependably, unwaveringly ERRATIC

Almost forgot, I bought some Christmas cards yesterday! If anyone would like a Christmas/holiday card, leave a comment with your address here (comments screened) or send me a PM.

To those of you with your own card posts, are you still taking names? I didn't want to ask for cards until I knew if I could send some myself. But I do love getting Christmas cards!

I think I've recovered from my weekend away! Exhausting but it was fun.

Drove up the coast with Pip and two friends of hers from work on Friday. We were staying at the holiday house recently bought by Pip's parents. Now, when I hear 'holiday beach house' I think slightly shabby, rundown old place near the beach. Not an almost new duplex with shining wood floors, fancy new appliances, big wooden deck and huge plate glass windows with a spectacular view down the hill to the beach and out to the horizon. Y, H and I just walked around with dropped jaws at first. It was gorgeous. Pip said that the last time she'd stayed there, the only furniture was two reclining chairs in front of the windows. Well, the place was mostly furnished when we got there - with very comfortable beds, chairs and sofas!

It was raining when we arrived but the weekend forecast was good. When the rain stopped for a while, we walked down to the beach ... which was my mistake. I thought we were just going for a short walk before dark. I wasn't counting on scrambling down the access 'path' or the, er, rather long walk (I would have sat down but the sand was still wet from the rain so it didn't seem a good option) then the scramble back up the access 'path' (I fell over several times and Y and I were almost on hands and knees for part of it.) We got back to the house and I went straight to my room, fell on the bed and didn't move for twenty minutes. The other were bouncing around, talking about making dinner and I'm thinking, how can you even be standing?! Eventually, I made it back to the living room and we had asparagus and egg for dinner (mmm) then headed downstairs to watch a movie - but the media centre Pip had brought wasn't working so we checked out what was on television! How novel! We watched Karate Kid II to the delight of the two who'd seen it before and the intense bafflement of the two who hadn't (that would include me) and came to the frightening realisation that 80s fashion is returning.

The others went on to watch Young Guns but I headed upstairs and read a bit before going to bed. Next morning, the weather was fabulous. Not a cloud in the sky but a cool breeze to keep it from getting too much. We headed over to Terrigal around noon to meet up with Rena and Kitt and check out the beach (we quickly decided that we would not attempt to visit Terrigal on a summer weekend!) It did seem odd to go to a place I'd been to so many times with my dad. Not for a few years though but it hadn't changed much. A bit neater and shinier perhaps, but that was about it. We wandered around, enjoyed the sunshine and the gorgeous views, had some ice cream and eventually headed home for lunch (pad thai with tofu.) Then the active sorts went off to the beach, while Kitt remained to read her book. I was going to do the same but I lay down just for a bit ... and didn't wake up until 8p.m. when Pip came in, asking if I wanted to eat dinner with them or should they put some aside for me? I got up and we had stuffed artichokes (they were so good, I hadn't had artichokes in years), stuffed capsicums and roasted carrot salad.

We rounded off the evening with mojitos (mock for me) and a viewing of Labyrinth. I had not seen it before. My main impressions?

1) Sir Didymus (clearly the precursor of Shrek's Puss in Boots) and his noble steed, Ambrosius, are utterly delightful!
2) I suspect that everyone involved in creating that movie was quite familiar with hallucinogenic substances.

We also started to watch The Dark Crystal but mojitos caught up with the others and exhaustion caught up with me.

Sunday ... I woke up feeling pretty shaky. Watched the others dancing with the Wii. It looked like fun but I could just imagine the tantrum my body would throw if I tried it so I just watched. Again, the active sorts hied off to the beach for awhile, we eventually had lunch (broad beans, leek and bacon salad) then packed up and set off home before peak hour.

It was a fun weekend (although I wish I hadn't gone for that walk the first night.) It wasn't so much the location (although that was great!) but getting to spend time with a group of smart, lively women who like to talk and laugh and just have fun. We talked about so many things ... science, history, religion, 80s movies, dreams, pets, holidays ... quite the mix! There was never any shortage of conversation and it was lovely, never feeling the need to make conversation.

I still felt like crap on Monday but I think I've recovered now. I'll try not to take too long to catch up!
 

Last year, my brother's best mate was diagnosed with severe aplastic anaemia. He's been in hospital, in isolation, ever since. None of his relatives were an appropriate match for a bone marrow transplant.

A few weeks ago, he had a transplant from a registered donor (from Germany) and things were looking hopeful.

He's now developed an infection of some kind. He's in a coma. I don't have details, brother was too upset to say much to Mum.

This guy is in his thirties and has two small children he adores. Think good thoughts for him?