Some pics from our outings..

Trudes blowing out her candles...the photographer didn't get any from the front...who was that Tom? Scenes from the crowd waiting to see the Dalai Lama....very patiently...

Sitting with our chai and coffee beforehand...the setting is so pretty...right in the bush..

The Dalai Lama and Australian zoo...

2 gorgeous days....out to see the Dalai Lama at Chenrezig Institute at Eudlo on Thursday and then off to the Australian Zoo on Friday. Trudy and Tom drove up on Wednesday nite after work to stay for a couple of nites for these special events and also to have a birthday dinner on Thursday nite for her 25th birthday.

Chenrezig Institute is about 15 minutes drive from our place but because of all the security precautions and the sheer number of people involved with the Dalai Lama's visit, we drove to the little town of Eudlo and then travelled in buses from there. It was all well organized and we were up there by about 10.30. 12midday was our deadline for being seated so we had plenty of time to browse the stalls and find something to eat....some risotto balls which I think were called aroncini. We had 3 different flavours and they were quite yummy and then cups of coffee and chai tea. After this we made our way up quite a long track to a cleared field in amongst all the trees where the stage was set up. The crowd of 4000 waited quite patiently I thought, for about an hour until the Dalai Lama arrived. I liked our spot as the hill dropped away from us and we were looking out into the treetops behind the stage...gorgeous. When he arrived on the stage he was very down to earth and relaxed....he took a couple of minutes to work out which microphone he wanted to stand at as the sun was beating down on him...when he was in position he made a 'peek-a-boo' gesture out through the awnings which we all loved of course...and just said 'hello'.

I found him to be just as we see him on tv...very humble, laughs a lot...at himself often and very wise in a down to earth manner...very practical. He spoke to us for a couple of hours I think. I felt that it was such a good sign that all those people made the effort to go and see him - it was such a peaceful event.

Our meal on Thursday nite was fun...we played Rummikub while the roast was in the oven and then after our meal we had chocolate cake and this really yummy coconut ice-cream made on the sunny coast here. Zoe came over but Al was away. And there were candles in her cake...

Friday Trudes, Tom and I went to the Aussie zoo and Trudy really wanted to see the wombats and koalas...maybe because they are heading overseas soon for a few years...they are my favorites too...I think Tommy liked the tigers best...not sure. The show was funny and the whole day was lovely...

Sunny, rainy, who knows?

So right now it is gorgeous out there...but yesterday it was bleak...actually even half an hour ago it was bleak so the weather is still doing its own thing. But if the sun hangs around it might be a good time for a walk on the beach.

Yesterday we visited some friends with a new baby. Ethan is 5 days old and was 5 and 1/2 pounds born...he is a perfect little little baby. We both got to hold him for ages while he slept so peacefully. His mum looks relaxed and happy and his dad looks exhausted and thinner. Sammi, the mum had an extremely difficult pregnancy as she had only a 2% chance of falling pregnant and when she did was a high risk pregnancy because of her medical condition. So the outcome of having this perfect baby is pretty wonderful. I had forgotten how amazing a new life is...of course it brought back lots of my memories of having my kids and then thoughts of grandchildren for me one day....

I seem to be strengthening a lot of my female friendships at this stage in my life...I am surrounded by groups of women more and more..in my recovery group and in my volunteer work and with Trudes and her friends. Desley, my friend from Dalby, talks to me about this stage in our lives and the 'crone' years as she puts it. Not being derogatory but that is a term for this phase in womens' older years. A lot changes which is obvious, but there are so many benefits and there is a transition stage when the old me and the new me need to meld and settle into each other. I have had to let go of a lot which goes with being female...My women friends my age talk about the confusion in choosing clothing for example as we seem to not fit in a category at the moment. We don't want to be matrons but we don't want to be mutton dressed as lamb either..So last weekend when I went to Brisbane and Trudy and Sarah helped me put some outfits together that was so appreciated....and it was a real help to me. Now Desley wants to see my outfits...I am lucky to be surrounded by so many great females...young and older...and old...

Life is good...

Fun at the markets again...

I love this market...it is the Suitcase Rummage sale in Brisbane every first Sunday of the month...we were in Reddacliff Place just opposite the casino and heading down towards the mall...so lots of passing traffic. This month's market was huge with lots and lots of fun things for sale...mostly clothing but other goods like cupcakes...yum...and jewelry and handcrafted wares like timber bowls and artworks and knitted goodies..

This pic was taken by a friend of Trudy's on Trudy's camera so I stole the photo. We sat with Laura and were visited by Sarah and some other friends of the girls. It is quite a social day with lots of chats with the people in the crowd and lots of people watching ...the fashions are pretty amazing with all the vintage outfits and indie fashion and just plain incredible. I would like to stop people and just ask them to stand still so I can take their photo but don't think that is a good plan..

Trudes and I just happened to be wearing similar cardies...I went shopping Friday nite with Trudes and then Sarah joined us to help me choose some clothes as I get bamboozled with it all and I bought my (half-price!!!) orange cardigan and Trudes happened to have an op-shop cardie too. So...twins.

I tried to steal some photos of Laura and Sarah from their facebook sites but couldn't so will ask them and post them on here soon...they are lovely girls and fun for me to be around...