Cavendish

We did a quick run to Cavendish today, for a regional church meeting for members of the LCA. We took a picnic lunch to have at their civic green, and another small esky with afternoon tea, again to have at the civic green. 

The meeting was held at the local Lutheran St Luke's Church; it was a hot day, and their hall was a hot spot. It was a good meeting, though. Each of the congregations represented are going through difficulties at the moment, but we were able to encourage each other in our confessional Lutheran christian faith.

It was a gorgeous little church inside...

Carrick Hill

We enjoyed our Boxing Day sunset session at Carrick Hill with one of the families. It was a bit warm when we arrived, but there was a beautiful cool breeze as the sun went down. 

The house was looking splendid with christmas trees in every room, decorations everywhere, and felted mice hiding, sometimes in plain sight, and sometimes in tricky hiding places. 

Cadbury Fun Run

Four girls and one fella went to Tasmania this weekend for the annual Cadbury Fun Run. The weather looked gorgeous, and meeting the stars of the show was a highlight!

Hot, Hectic and Hassled!

We"ve had an extraodinary hot day, today, which included a large funeral for a church member. There was a lot of toing and froing for both of us, then the funeral, and then the afternoon tea and a lot of talking. We were both exhausted, but recovered enough to go out for a pub meal...

Karkoo

One of our outings while in Adelaide was to Karkoo Cafe and Nursery, sited at the disused Mt lofty Train Station.  What a lovely spot for an early lunch. We even had a freight train speeding past.

A Blessed 2026 to My Readers

I don't generally make new year's resolutions anymore; haven't done for years - it takes too much mental energy that could be better used elsewhere.  However, I was listening to a speaker on the radio in November 2024, about the benefits of making a two year plan, so I created one for myself - mostly lifestyle choices. Printed it up on card, and have it amongst the bedside clutter. I reviewed it November last year - I didn't make too many changes, and ended up with the review "I'm doing okay"!

One of the items was to have an overseas trip in 2026, so the planning is well on the way for that.  Another, is to fit in three exercise sessions most days - 10 minute strength with Jules, 30 minute walk around the block, 20 minute cardio workout with Jules... I need to up my game on that, after travlling and holiday eating!

My immediate plans are to catch up on the cleaning. There are a couple of jobs carried forward from December, so they're first to get done this weekend. Then I'll do a deep clean of the bathroom, toilet and laundry on Monday (usually gets done the first Monday of each set of school holidays) and then I have another deep clean job for the rest of the week. This task can be broken down into 4 or 5 sections, so I'll spread it over the whole week. That's the mornings taken care off. In the afternoons I hope to get some decluttering done - physically - cupboards and drawers - and electronically as well. My new laptop is basically working well, but now I'm looking at the various folders and files, and they're not in the right place or are out of date. 

I have plenty to be going on with in January - especially as church matters are at a pointy end, once again.  

Ready for 2026! Maybe!

I spent a good part of today getting my calendars changed over to 2026.  Also, the diary, which is my back-up document to the working calendar, for all sorts of jottings that won't fit on the date squares. Inside the back cover I carry forward hand written notes - mainly to do with christmas year to year. On the inside cover I paste updated, printed notes re my regular tasks for each day.  Anyway, it's all done for another year. Now, I'm putting my mind to church matters...

We had a most excellent holiday christmas break in Adelaide. The cabin at the Marion Holiday Park was roomy, functional and comfortable. We came back to Warrnambool a day early, due the extreme heat. It was hot, hot, everytime we stopped for food and drink, but the car kept us cool while driving. 

The view from our cabin window and deck.

The driveway leading to our cabin.

Ready!

I'm ready, we're both ready for travel tomorrow.... 

Spent the morning doing regular admin tasks that I normally do during the last week of every month, then straight after lunch I got stuck in - freezer/fridge supplies within easy reach for putting in the eskies tomorrow, other grocery bits and pieces were packed in other bags (as I hate finding and going to a supermarket as soon as we arrive) and last off, my own personal clothes and devices, books etc. 

I think I'm as ready as I'll ever be.  We've had rain most of the day, but will give the pots a top-up tomorrow morning as we leave.  It must be time to go for a walk to clear my head, but it's not looking promising. More rain to come. I'm not planning to post while we're away; I'll be back here on Wednesday 31st, all being well.

O Happy Days

After weeks of having bits and pieces hanging around, I've had a massive wrapping day today, and all done!  We had to make a quick trip to Darriwill for one last thing, and now we're good to go for presents. Bags and boxes for a week's holiday in a cabin still to be sorted. And I picked up a huge, heavy book from the library this morning - not decided yet whether I'll take it...

  

Ending Things

I thought I was getting close to the end of things. I've just finished reviewing the minutes of the last meeting for the year - have dealt with emails and answers setting things up for next year. Then there were a couple of time consuming hiccups during the day. Creating a bit of worry, when the year is closing down. 

Tomorrow I'm off to donate blood; hopefully that'll set me up for the holidays, as I've been feeling quite fatigued. And then it's off to the Rotary Christmas function in the evening. And it's the last day of school crossing duty, so maybe tomorrow evening I can say I'm at the end of things... We'll see. Rest and relaxation is coming soon.