OA walk - FS TWD

Well, that's another roller coaster year done and dusted. It began with breast cancer diagnosis and treatment, then Covid, acute bronchitis and 2 bouts of diverticulitis. I also endured my worst winter ever with SADS and finished with a broken wrist and family bereavement. I've tried to keep smiling, bringing my regular #saturdaysmiles, #mydailywalk and #coffeeoclock to cheer my CSIRO friends (and to keep me going too). I rediscovered painting and drawing which has lifted my mood and brought me much pleasure AND sung a cappela in Adelaide and Auckland with my chorus. With TWD as my permanent lifestyle, I finished the year almost 4kg lighter than I started, in a positive frame of mind and determined to do better in 2024.  Here's to a Happy and healthy and successful New Year

Giving my wrist some exercise with a series of flower paintings. Started with a poppy before moving on to daisy, hydrangea, delphiniums and aquilegia. Next in line...  convolvulus, pinks and maybe waterlily, fuchsia or agapanthus

Had a lovely day with Karen and the family with simple presents and a delightful running buffet lunch. Kept the alcohol to a minimum but had an excess of seafood (and berry pavlova) Paul's dad had a bad fall in NZ and was taken to hospital so a little subdued and worrying for him. It was also the coldest Christmas day for 20 years and the wettest for 17 but it didn't dampen our spirits too much.

Spent an exciting evening at the Oval for the first game of the new season  (match 1 was rained off) A tense game and a big run chase but we made it on the last ball ... hit for 6. Not so lucky last night when we came so close but lost by one run

Discovered 3 new venues recently. Karma and Crow last month (see earlier post) and The Other Ostrich and The Pantry on Egmont. The Other Ostrich has only been open a month. Excellent food, small but exiting menu, delicious coffee and delightful staff. A cut above the usual brunch, beautifully served on handmade Japanese crockery. Must try that lavender panna cotta with lemon curd, fruit and Granola sometime. It becomes a gin bar on Friday and Saturday nights serving 'boutique' local gins too The Pantry is also good, friendly and well frequented by Mitcham area locals. We even found time to visit Green Valley Strawberries too My current favs #coffeeoclock (coffee, cakes and/or brunch), in no particular order  1.  McLaren Vale Visitor Centre 2.  Coffeed, Aberfoyle Park  3.  La Crema, St Marys 4.  Becks Bakery, Port Noarlunga  5.  Deep Blue, Moana 6.  Miss 50 48, Hove 7.  Corner Bakery, Strathalbyn 8.  Grounds for Coffee, Mount Barker 9.  Day Job, Halifax Street, CBD 10. Manna, Mc

 It's been a week of singing carols.... shopping centre x 2, Bunnings and finally Old Noarlunga. We also had the end of season BBQ for Allsorts A huge crowd turned up at Old Noarlunga and Santa's arrival nearly caused a riot

Not my day. Spent 5 hours tidying the craft room then fell off the swivel chair when bending down to a low desk drawer.  Wheels on the tiled floor went one way and me the other. Landed on some boxes and bit bruised so off to A & E for an X-ray! Went home with a splint after lots of prodding and finger wiggling. They'll let me know if I need a cast after a full review of the Xrays tomorrow. Feeling hopeful as I have some mobility and not too much pain. Ice and painkillers helped Update: it's broken but may not need plaster. Seeing someone later in the week. No driving, no cooking or food prep, no painting .... basically my life's on hold for a while. The chauffeur is busy, out most days and can't cook either so that's a bit of a problem. Looks like it will be a simple Christmas this year Even showering and getting dressed is a challenge. Lying on my bed, wrapped in a towel drip drying. Typing with my left hand takes a while too.