Redhanded

Sometimes when they take photos they foolishly leave evidence not only of who was messing with my phone but what other wickedness was afoot. That would be my pristine bedding in the background!

Lala was caught red (and green) handed this time, identifying bangles sealing her guilt!

Shorty gazed into the cup of destiny (previously known as the vase of geraniums) but failed to see the next 24 hours of excitement ahead.

A freckle cake arrived on Sunday from a wonderful mother of seven who has only her last two still at home. They are the same age as my oldest two. I may be the moistest chocolate cake I have ever eaten and the icing is divine. She has promised me a recipe. I promise to share. The little beasties demolished it before I could get a pristine photo of it.

A couple of weeks ago I went to a birthday party and met Bron who was wearing a necklace similar to mine. I received my big blue heart from a dear friend on my birthday the week before and the same friend had also given me the ceramic dove I wore throughout my hospital stay in March.

ornaments and fridge magnets

When I described them Bron told me that she was the artist who had made them and invited me to come to her mum's for afternoon tea and see more of her work the following week. 

Happy pendant

                            Of course, I took my friend who may be Bron's keenest collector.

wall plaque

Bron's mother is a bit of a collector too, it seems. She rescues dolls from op shops and gives them a new home in her doll community. There was even an original Shirley Temple doll there! Shorty and "the doll nanna" got on like a house on fire. 

"The doll nanna" had a few other treasures in her home too! 

We all had a delightful time running our fingers through the ceramic lovelies, drinking tea, walking the dog and feeding dolls. It is lovely to find such creative and generous people in your own neighbourhood and interesting what a small world it is that links us all together.

The Gifts that Keep on Giving

Lovely Dr J. who took Lefty to 'live on a farm', told me some more tit bits on Friday which put me in a bad mood for Saturday. She says pathology is the "gift that keeps on giving".

I can think of some much nicer gifts. 

They give you lots of reading material when you have the big 'C'. It is like Cancer 101 in one of those condensed courses.

They even have booklets on gift advice for your friends and family. Mine must have read all the literature before me because they ticked all the boxes.

Their suggestions included-

Flowers from your garden:
There were copious, luscious flowers both at the hospital and still arriving here including all my favourites. The tulips only lasted a day or two but were worth every minute!

Some came from as far afield as New Zealand without so much as a wilted zinnia!

Hugs: 

I have received wonderful gentle hugs from all and sundry, even my dentist and the childcare ladies, the wonderful women who keep bringing food and my sweet friends, family and over zealous children.

Hand, foot or whole body massage:

Thoughtful friends have bestowed me with a couple of great foot and shoulder massages and reapplication of rainbow toes. The gifted eye pillow provides a lovely eyeball massage for the new bags that are developing. That must be a side effect!

A treasure box for cards and letters:

 I can't decide what to title it...'C' is also for cookie .....2012......the 'C' files...? Any suggestions welcome!

A journal:

The Cancer Council gives you lots of journals to write in but I have you lot and my old 2012 diary. Friends have been more inclined to give me canvases and sketchbooks. I like that a lot.

A painting from a child:

There has been art work from several children, a lovely Ellen Giggenbach print, 

carvings from Samoa, op shop goodies from my brother and a wood block painting from the lovely Lairy godmother's collection.  Look! It's a hospital vinaigrette!! The jewellery has been most inspiring too. As well as the ceramic dove.....

there was rainbow jewellery for all the sisters distributed by one and a lovely resin bangle from another.

A sweet treat;

These came in the form of liquorice, lollies, cookies, cakes, special tea, 

sorbet, cheeses, wines and loaves. All pretty sweet to me!

                                                      

Novels or magazines:

Reading material included of lots of lovely house mags, art mags, small tomes on philosophy and journeys and this Dawn French book which I have yet to finish but am enjoying in small instalments.

Anything that will make her laugh:

This gorgeous bit of frippery came direct from the Samoan bra factory to my hospital room. There should be one in every care pack at the cancer unit. It hung in glorious cheek on the wall of my room to amuse me constantly.

If you have one, offer your holiday house for a break: 

If you ignore it, it will come..

Meanwhile here's a gift back at you. Anyone that knows MMMC, knows her friend, actor, raconteur and day time talk show host, Horsey. Is it possible he was a male model in the early years before he had his ears done? Horsey, tell me the name of your surgeon!