http://donnalee.blog.co.uk/I live in the beautiful centre of New South Wales Australia, facing the worst drought in over 100 years but still managing to laugh, drink, and be who I am without having regrets.en-AUMokoFeed10http://donnalee.blog.co.uk/http://data5.blog.de/design/preview/e8/586a2aa617fb1d05a8d455a18a2d3e_160x200.jpghttp://donnalee.blog.co.uk/2006/02/21/putting_a_toe_in_the_water~581629/#c2362133tag:donnalee.blog.co.uk,2006-12-15:/2006/02/21/putting_a_toe_in_the_water~581629/#c2362133Fri, 15 Dec 2006 16:12:37 +0100Glad i read this, it isn't just me!<br> <br> Due to ill health I have been off work since March. Last week I went in for 30 minutes and felt VERY strange!<br> <br> I cried all the way home, I had been there 4 years and am scared I won't fit back inhttp://donnalee.blog.co.uk/2006/02/21/putting_a_toe_in_the_water~581629/#c2362133http://donnalee.blog.co.uk/2006/02/21/when_did_i_get_old~581658/#c736935tag:donnalee.blog.co.uk,2006-02-24:/2006/02/21/when_did_i_get_old~581658/#c736935Fri, 24 Feb 2006 02:03:12 +0100Thanks for your reply> Talking about your daughter returning as a different, more mature young adult, reminds me of the sudden realisation I experienced when all four of ours were home this recent Christmas holidays from uni..It suddenly dawned on me that as young adults, they become your great mates and friends. We spent endless hours just sitting about talking, and listening to each other. Our brood had suddenly grown up and it actually felt quite exciting. It gives us as parents a new kind of interdependence, and as every day is a bonus, we intend to make the most of it. This helps to be able to let the four of them go.... Hope you are managing to smile lots, even though I know you will have a few tearful moments thinking of Ben and Maddi being so far away. Good luck....http://donnalee.blog.co.uk/2006/02/21/when_did_i_get_old~581658/#c736935http://donnalee.blog.co.uk/2006/02/21/when_did_i_get_old~581658/#c736386tag:donnalee.blog.co.uk,2006-02-23:/2006/02/21/when_did_i_get_old~581658/#c736386Thu, 23 Feb 2006 23:15:12 +0100Hi I am the one that is away from home. I am from Adelaide (Capitol of South Australia) I miss my home, give me a drought instead of the rain and rain of Scotland. I came here for a holiday and met my husband here but seven years of wet weather gets one down. Scotland does not know the meaning of sunny weather. <br> Travel for young people is great. <br> You have great looking children.http://donnalee.blog.co.uk/2006/02/21/when_did_i_get_old~581658/#c736386http://donnalee.blog.co.uk/2006/02/21/when_did_i_get_old~581658/#c730834tag:donnalee.blog.co.uk,2006-02-22:/2006/02/21/when_did_i_get_old~581658/#c730834Wed, 22 Feb 2006 22:12:20 +0100"The world's their oyster", so true, it really is an exciting time for them.<br> You have the advantage of being young yourselves so the world's your oyster too. I'm 57 and hubby's even older, we'd planned to spend three months travelling around South America as our treat for being 'redundant parents' then hey presto 18 months ago he needed a serious bowel operation. He's on the mend now but who knows what the future holds. Good luckhttp://donnalee.blog.co.uk/2006/02/21/when_did_i_get_old~581658/#c730834http://donnalee.blog.co.uk/2006/02/21/when_did_i_get_old~581658/#c730543tag:donnalee.blog.co.uk,2006-02-22:/2006/02/21/when_did_i_get_old~581658/#c730543Wed, 22 Feb 2006 21:12:55 +0100I think deep down that is one of the hardest things - knowing that the way they left is not the way they will return. At the airport, little one didn't cry, she said it was not a time for tears but a time to be excited. She wouldn't let me say the words "goodbye" - so instead, we said goodbye to the Maddi we knew, and said we looked forward to seeing someone new in 12 months. I somehow feel when she DOES come home, our town (only 8,000) will be just a little too small! And for the big boy, well, the Army will send him just about anywhere, so the world is certainly his oyster. Time to work out what hubby and I are going to do next.http://donnalee.blog.co.uk/2006/02/21/when_did_i_get_old~581658/#c730543http://donnalee.blog.co.uk/2006/02/21/when_did_i_get_old~581658/#c730499tag:donnalee.blog.co.uk,2006-02-22:/2006/02/21/when_did_i_get_old~581658/#c730499Wed, 22 Feb 2006 21:02:15 +0100You poor thing, 16 and so far away.<br> You're right about empty nesters being a tad older than you. <br> My girls are 35 and 22 so when the eldest left home to do nurse training at age 18 the little was only 5,then when she became 18 she left for uni. She finishes uni in a few months but alas I fear she won't be home for long, as now she has spread her wings and flown she'll probably keep right on going.<br> Like you I miss them too!http://donnalee.blog.co.uk/2006/02/21/when_did_i_get_old~581658/#c730499http://donnalee.blog.co.uk/2006/02/21/when_did_i_get_old~581658/#c730448tag:donnalee.blog.co.uk,2006-02-22:/2006/02/21/when_did_i_get_old~581658/#c730448Wed, 22 Feb 2006 20:47:17 +0100Thank you - I think they are cuties but I am their mum! A very different pair - he's blue eyed and a deep thinker, she's browned eyed and a very tough cookie! I sometimes start to get a little overwhelmed thinking they are not within my "protective" zone! but I just remind myself this is their time to grow and take life by it's coat-tails. I wish I had a mum's manual to follow - but I will just keep "winging it"!http://donnalee.blog.co.uk/2006/02/21/when_did_i_get_old~581658/#c730448http://donnalee.blog.co.uk/2006/02/21/when_did_i_get_old~581658/#c730427tag:donnalee.blog.co.uk,2006-02-22:/2006/02/21/when_did_i_get_old~581658/#c730427Wed, 22 Feb 2006 20:42:15 +0100Thank you for sharing - you know how it feels well and truly! We believe that Maddi, despite her young age, which benefit incredibly by her stay in Zurich and although very mature for her age already, will mould our little one into a more mature young lady. And our big boy (Ben)? He already feels invincible despite his mum still insisting on a cuddle before he leaves the house on army adventures!! http://donnalee.blog.co.uk/2006/02/21/when_did_i_get_old~581658/#c730427http://donnalee.blog.co.uk/2006/02/21/when_did_i_get_old~581658/#c729727tag:donnalee.blog.co.uk,2006-02-22:/2006/02/21/when_did_i_get_old~581658/#c729727Wed, 22 Feb 2006 18:35:34 +0100I cant even IMAGINE! When they go away on hols without me I find that by day 3 I start calling them every few hours :-/ They are gorjusss Donna! http://donnalee.blog.co.uk/2006/02/21/when_did_i_get_old~581658/#c729727http://donnalee.blog.co.uk/2006/02/21/when_did_i_get_old~581658/#c726499tag:donnalee.blog.co.uk,2006-02-22:/2006/02/21/when_did_i_get_old~581658/#c726499Wed, 22 Feb 2006 06:12:03 +0100I know the feeling donnalee when the kids leave home. We now have the four of them away, with three in uni and the eldest working in Wellington. Our middle two both did a GAP year in the UK, something both us and the two teenagers were a little hessitant at first travelling so far away from home and family. However, it was the best decision we all could have made, and the whole experiences have stood the kids in good steed for their uni studies. They both came back very mature young adults.. Good luck with both of your two away from home at the same time.....http://donnalee.blog.co.uk/2006/02/21/when_did_i_get_old~581658/#c726499http://donnalee.blog.co.uk/2006/02/21/25_questions_doing_the_rounds~579292/#c725260tag:donnalee.blog.co.uk,2006-02-21:/2006/02/21/25_questions_doing_the_rounds~579292/#c725260Tue, 21 Feb 2006 21:54:08 +0100Thank you for the advice - I am certainly partial to single malts! I have to say that I have taken the theory that alcohol can be medicinal very seriously that last 6 weeks! And I would gladly give you our weather -one of the hottest on record with an average of 41 every day. Enough is enough....<br> <br> Always smilinghttp://donnalee.blog.co.uk/2006/02/21/25_questions_doing_the_rounds~579292/#c725260http://donnalee.blog.co.uk/2006/02/21/25_questions_doing_the_rounds~579292/#c725234tag:donnalee.blog.co.uk,2006-02-21:/2006/02/21/25_questions_doing_the_rounds~579292/#c725234Tue, 21 Feb 2006 21:50:41 +0100The weather in uk at present is teetering on an ice age, must be great to be in warm temps, we combat the weather with single malts of the Scots variety and plenty of them,<br> you must try this, then if you should happen to slip over again, you won't feel a thing.<br> <br> Keep Smiling http://donnalee.blog.co.uk/2006/02/21/25_questions_doing_the_rounds~579292/#c725234http://donnalee.blog.co.uk/2006/02/21/25_questions_doing_the_rounds~579292/#c725106tag:donnalee.blog.co.uk,2006-02-21:/2006/02/21/25_questions_doing_the_rounds~579292/#c725106Tue, 21 Feb 2006 21:24:35 +0100I don't think I have ever seen sleet!?! It is going to be a very pleasant 37 today which is just lovely - I think maybe the summer is slowly on it's way out! I have managed to get back to work part-time this week (one armed nonetheless) but it is still great to feel almost normal again, even if my pace is a little slower than everyone else!<br> <br> Have a great dayhttp://donnalee.blog.co.uk/2006/02/21/25_questions_doing_the_rounds~579292/#c725106http://donnalee.blog.co.uk/2006/02/21/25_questions_doing_the_rounds~579292/#c722536tag:donnalee.blog.co.uk,2006-02-21:/2006/02/21/25_questions_doing_the_rounds~579292/#c722536Tue, 21 Feb 2006 13:42:31 +0100OUCH OUCH at 17 and tittering at 20...I'm not even going to mention those! Ello Donna its bliddy piddling down with hail and sleet here. :-/http://donnalee.blog.co.uk/2006/02/21/25_questions_doing_the_rounds~579292/#c722536http://donnalee.blog.co.uk/2006/02/19/but_work_is_my_life~573745/#c721106tag:donnalee.blog.co.uk,2006-02-21:/2006/02/19/but_work_is_my_life~573745/#c721106Tue, 21 Feb 2006 02:38:29 +0100Thank you for your thoughts - I always assumed this sort of thing only happened in a comedy sketch! But it is certainly not causing any giggles(except when I try to get dressed sometimes). Unfortunately in NSW, they changed the law so that you cannot sue unless it is a major injury (permanent total disability etc etc). I'd like the politicians to have the same problems! Still smiling though.http://donnalee.blog.co.uk/2006/02/19/but_work_is_my_life~573745/#c721106http://donnalee.blog.co.uk/2006/02/19/but_work_is_my_life~573745/#c720387tag:donnalee.blog.co.uk,2006-02-20:/2006/02/19/but_work_is_my_life~573745/#c720387Mon, 20 Feb 2006 22:33:23 +0100Sorry to hear about your trip on the lettuce leaf. One of the most common cause of slips in supermarkets is caused by stray grapes!<br> Hope you can claim for compensation, one would do in the UK.http://donnalee.blog.co.uk/2006/02/19/but_work_is_my_life~573745/#c720387http://donnalee.blog.co.uk/2006/02/12/when_will_summer_end~555623/#c713433tag:donnalee.blog.co.uk,2006-02-19:/2006/02/12/when_will_summer_end~555623/#c713433Sun, 19 Feb 2006 12:50:29 +0100Thanks spiral, when Irish eyes are smiling....<br> <br> They're usually up to something! At the moment I am burrowing away inventing heat resistant make up ;)<br> http://donnalee.blog.co.uk/2006/02/12/when_will_summer_end~555623/#c713433http://donnalee.blog.co.uk/2006/02/12/when_will_summer_end~555623/#c713356tag:donnalee.blog.co.uk,2006-02-19:/2006/02/12/when_will_summer_end~555623/#c713356Sun, 19 Feb 2006 12:20:08 +0100LOl @ the BS Donna ... well said girl...Its always the way huh. Welcome back and waheeeeeeeeey for the rain!:) Seee a lil bit o patience and voila! Mother nature always provides. Happy days to you and yours Donna:)http://donnalee.blog.co.uk/2006/02/12/when_will_summer_end~555623/#c713356http://donnalee.blog.co.uk/2006/02/12/when_will_summer_end~555623/#c713343tag:donnalee.blog.co.uk,2006-02-19:/2006/02/12/when_will_summer_end~555623/#c713343Sun, 19 Feb 2006 12:16:26 +0100Thts a wonderful poem moondancer!!!http://donnalee.blog.co.uk/2006/02/12/when_will_summer_end~555623/#c713343http://donnalee.blog.co.uk/2006/02/19/but_work_is_my_life~573745/#c712898tag:donnalee.blog.co.uk,2006-02-19:/2006/02/19/but_work_is_my_life~573745/#c712898Sun, 19 Feb 2006 09:11:57 +0100Hi Donnalee<br> Thanks for your comment on my blog. I have 2 daughters 20 and 18. Chloe was an unexpected bundle of joy from my 18 year old. Im spoilt to have Chloe living at home with me. I know I have to make the most of it as Nicole and Chloe will be moving out soon. I am the principal of our local primary school in Stratford. I think I'd go crazy too if I was stuck at home all day. I hope you're improving and will be back in the workforce before too long. I set up the blog so family members in other parts of the country, Australia, England and Samoa could watch Chloe grow. The family love it and log in every week but I have been surprised at the number of other people that also look in regularly. I started it just before Chloe was born and have updated every week but I had to take the earliest posts off because you are only allowed so much room. That was a shame. <br> Take care and go easy on the G n Ts Denisehttp://donnalee.blog.co.uk/2006/02/19/but_work_is_my_life~573745/#c712898http://donnalee.blog.co.uk/2006/02/19/but_work_is_my_life~573745/#c712780tag:donnalee.blog.co.uk,2006-02-19:/2006/02/19/but_work_is_my_life~573745/#c712780Sun, 19 Feb 2006 07:00:28 +0100I've never had a job and my life is so boring, lonely, frustrating and unfulfilling...if I had a job it would define the entirety of my existence; who I am, what I'm trying to achieve, my status in society, how others perceive me and my relationships with other people.<br> <br> I imagine your temporary set-back is everything that you have written, but you'll soon be back at work and a complete person again. Good look. http://donnalee.blog.co.uk/2006/02/19/but_work_is_my_life~573745/#c712780http://donnalee.blog.co.uk/2006/02/12/when_will_summer_end~555623/#c712698tag:donnalee.blog.co.uk,2006-02-19:/2006/02/12/when_will_summer_end~555623/#c712698Sun, 19 Feb 2006 04:16:43 +0100Thank you very much and I hope you had a lovely Valentine's Day too! Would you believe we had 2 days of rain - all I wanted to do was stand outside on the front verandah and smell it. Bloody wonderful.<br> !http://donnalee.blog.co.uk/2006/02/12/when_will_summer_end~555623/#c712698http://donnalee.blog.co.uk/2006/02/12/when_will_summer_end~555623/#c712695tag:donnalee.blog.co.uk,2006-02-19:/2006/02/12/when_will_summer_end~555623/#c712695Sun, 19 Feb 2006 04:15:23 +0100I must say I rather like that! I am a strong believer that just when you think the grass is greening, you have a nibble and find it has been fertilised with a bit of BS! http://donnalee.blog.co.uk/2006/02/12/when_will_summer_end~555623/#c712695http://donnalee.blog.co.uk/2006/02/12/when_will_summer_end~555623/#c706907tag:donnalee.blog.co.uk,2006-02-17:/2006/02/12/when_will_summer_end~555623/#c706907Fri, 17 Feb 2006 16:52:52 +0100I walk along the High Street and see all the designer clothes in the shops<br> I look down and see my faded jeans and worn out trainers <br> <br> THE GRASS IS ALWAYS GREENER<br> <br> I see the gleaming soft top sports cars speed by me<br> I climb into my beat up, rust spotted banger <br> <br> THE GRASS IS ALWAYS GREENER<br> <br> I jog through the open fresh parkland<br> And return through the litter strewn alleys and streets <br> <br> THE GRASS IS ALWAYS GREENER<br> <br> I drive past the fresh painted, well appointed houses with their neat gardens<br> I come to my scheme with its peeling windows, overgrown verges and paths <br> <br> THE GRASS IS ALWAYS GREENER<br> <br> I arrive home and see the smiling grubby faces of my bairns<br> as they play in our overgrown garden and run to meet me <br> <br> THE GRASS IS NEVER GREENER<br> <br> Except in your case Donna it probably isn't ;)http://donnalee.blog.co.uk/2006/02/12/when_will_summer_end~555623/#c706907http://donnalee.blog.co.uk/2006/02/12/when_will_summer_end~555623/#c691571tag:donnalee.blog.co.uk,2006-02-14:/2006/02/12/when_will_summer_end~555623/#c691571Tue, 14 Feb 2006 11:59:47 +0100Happy Valentine's Donna. Send a bit o' sunshine here PLEASE!http://donnalee.blog.co.uk/2006/02/12/when_will_summer_end~555623/#c691571http://donnalee.blog.co.uk/2006/02/12/when_will_summer_end~555623/#c684016tag:donnalee.blog.co.uk,2006-02-12:/2006/02/12/when_will_summer_end~555623/#c684016Sun, 12 Feb 2006 15:15:05 +0100Hello Donna...come to ol' Blighty plenty rain here today! Do a rain dance Donna it worked for the Native Americans. I am dying to feel the sun on my shoulders mmmmmmmmmmhttp://donnalee.blog.co.uk/2006/02/12/when_will_summer_end~555623/#c684016http://donnalee.blog.co.uk/2006/02/12/when_will_summer_end~555623/#c682909tag:donnalee.blog.co.uk,2006-02-12:/2006/02/12/when_will_summer_end~555623/#c682909Sun, 12 Feb 2006 02:01:21 +0100Thank you - I think I will start to enjoy this once I just let go. And still praying for rain!http://donnalee.blog.co.uk/2006/02/12/when_will_summer_end~555623/#c682909http://donnalee.blog.co.uk/2006/02/12/when_will_summer_end~555623/#c682907tag:donnalee.blog.co.uk,2006-02-12:/2006/02/12/when_will_summer_end~555623/#c682907Sun, 12 Feb 2006 01:58:49 +0100enjoy reading your blogs........keep writing and hope you have some rain soon!http://donnalee.blog.co.uk/2006/02/12/when_will_summer_end~555623/#c682907http://donnalee.blog.co.uk/2006/02/10/slowly_working_it_out~551184/#c682617tag:donnalee.blog.co.uk,2006-02-11:/2006/02/10/slowly_working_it_out~551184/#c682617Sat, 11 Feb 2006 23:30:38 +0100Ha ha Donna My sentiments as well! I thought well if no one reads and comments at least I hve a place where I can spew things forth. I know l'j will coz she is like tht! Welcome girl and Im happy to hear that ur not all BBBB's ;) Not there's anything wrong with those (just incase sis-in-law reads this)http://donnalee.blog.co.uk/2006/02/10/slowly_working_it_out~551184/#c682617http://donnalee.blog.co.uk/2006/02/10/slowly_working_it_out~551184/#c678173tag:donnalee.blog.co.uk,2006-02-10:/2006/02/10/slowly_working_it_out~551184/#c678173Fri, 10 Feb 2006 17:54:52 +0100Write and post We are always interested in others views.http://donnalee.blog.co.uk/2006/02/10/slowly_working_it_out~551184/#c678173