Two weeks later....

If any of my readers here read my stitching blog, you will know why I haven't had time to scratch myself, let alone post anything on this blog. Apart from my craft work, there isn't much to write about really. I've entered some of my patchwork in the two homecraft shows this side of Melbourne, and I'm doing some preparatory work on an exhibition of my linen collection next year.

Ken's Mum is keeping as well as can be expected at her great age. We took her out on Sunday afternoon for a drive past the houses where she lived as a child. One is still there, but the other has long gone, demolished to make way for a group of units. Still, she recognised the area and many of the surrounding homes that were there when she lived in the area. She and Ken happily reminisced in the front seat as they drove through the streets so familiar to them, while I dozed in the back seat. It was a lovely day for them, although MIL didn't remember any of it an hour later, when Ken's sister talked to her on the phone. MIL knew she'd been out somewhere with us, but couldn't remember where. Doesn't matter. She enjoyed the moment, that is the main thing.

A collective sigh of relief went around our neighbourhood last week when the Neighbours From Hell moved out. The young couple over the road told me they had a quiet drink to celebrate! The new neighbours moved in a day later, and are so much nicer. I know it's early days yet, but I peeped over the fence to say hello, and was greeted with smiles and immediate introductions to husband and wife, three small boys (POLITE would you believe!), and two gorgeous doggies. No cats, but by the look of the cages they might also have rabbits or guinea pigs. Not that we mind - we're animal lovers of all kinds! They were pleased to learn that we have chooks, and said they want to get some too eventually. Plans for a vegie garden are in progress, and within two days they had ripped out all the ivy in the front yard, with the help of an earth moving machine of some kind! The previous neighbour had made a half hearted attempt to poison the ivy, but it grew back in no time, and we were fighting a losing battle to keep it from encroaching into our yard. Ken hasn't met them yet, but when I told him the man of the house has a Mustang that is his pride and joy, Ken's eyes lit up in anticipation of having a bloke next door to talk cars and bikes with! There haven't been any men in the surrounding houses for years - all divorced women with kids.