My grandson, Max turned one the other day

 and we also celebrated his Christening.

He loves water and kept trying to turn around
 and play in the font.

He is a bit of a handful and the total opposite 
of his sister in temperment.

Had a lovely Yum Cha lunch with my daughter and her family today.

Cheeky Mila

19.10.13. Updated: Abbott's Liberals won.
What an embarrassment this man is.
Heard tonight - 3 day of Bush Fires across Sydney
 and the fuckwit has reduced victims' compensation

Also ,today,his party has had a 26 per cent swing
 against his party in the Sutherland shire local govt.

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Waiting on the results of our federal election. 

So far 30% counted in my local area and it is neck and neck. 

Crossing fingers.

Haven't been on for a while, just sorting through how I want my life to develop. 

More here

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Meanwhile, after losing my cat, Darcy last year and my two old dogs passing away. I decided not to get another dog and it would be home alone too much during the day. I have bought a boy cat and girl kitten from pet rescue. Both have been de-sexed, microchipped and vacinated. 

Meet Fred, a 18 month old boy. 

Which I bought at the end of June, a smoochy boy, doesn't leave my side when he is inside and will potter around the garden while I put the washing on the line.

And more independant girl, Ginger.

Ginger a 8 month cat/kitten  has only been with me for a week now and this was her first meeting with her new companion, Fred. 

She is very vocal and won't stand any nonsense from Fred.

Update- Ginger was hit by a car while I was at work a couple of months later. :(

Family History.

My daughter, Natalie wanted to know why my grandfather, a Ryan changed his surname to Ryall and then 40 years later it was changed back to Ryan.

Name was originally Ryan. There was a tragedy when Ted's brother Hugh and 2 others were swept away in a flooded river when they tried to cross it. The people on the bank held Ted back from following to save his brother. The year was 1908. (Ted's father, Thomas died a year later). Ted's mother, Charlotte had trouble with understanding that Ted was there but hadn't gone into the river to save his brother. I would say Charlotte (Tot) was suffering from post traumatic stress (had 7 of her children die up to this time) rejected Ted's excuses and he left for Queensland after his father's death. Next heard of in Gordonvale, Queensland about 1910 with a name change (never legally). 

Trying now to map his journey from Orange, NSW to Gordonvale, Qld. It is funny that without this tragedy I would not have been born and related to the wonderful Thumm family. 

Easter Saturday was spent up the coast at Catherine Hill Bay beach

 with my daughter and her family.

It was a perfect Autumn day.

I have Max 4 months and Mila nearly 3. her mum. Natalie.

(Photo: Natalie E.)

I bought myself a new camera a few week ago and am having fun trying it out. A Canon Rebel SLR. I spent a little more than I am used to paying for a camera but as a field worker I get to go to some lovely towns here on the Central Coast and the beaches aren't too bad either.

(Photo: Natalie E.)

My laptop's DVD player has died. so to install the software for my camera I had to install on my netbook. Ha! That was a fun exercise trying to see on a 7" screen but I was able to upload photos to photob*ck*t and then download to my laptop. What a pain.

Fabulous old Fig tree

in the grounds of Government House, Sydney.