Re: Telegram from Tassie -

[Guest guest]

Oh how I a have missed you ! Your life always sounds so wonderful

to live just like a fairytale I dont know why but thats what I think

of when I read your posts. A whole month your going to be there??

And your daughter was gone to Morroco and Spain, what was that all

about? Does she travel for work or something?

Sandie

>

>

> Hi Air Family,

>

> Haven't read any Posts yet ... arrived in sweet

Cygnet

> yesterday...just got plugged back into Cyberspace ....busy, busy,

busy

> helping my daughter & grand-daughter move back into their little

cottage

> which she'd rented out while she was in the UK with me & then her

own

> solo adventure in Morocco & Spain.

>

> We had lovely drive down stopping for 2 nights in the

> n High Country which had family connections a hundred years

ago.

> Once the 3rd biggest Gold producing Town in Australia it is now

> virtually a Ghost Town. It has a permanent population of 7! On

weekends

> & school holidays it is peopled for tourist action & then goes back

to

> the usual 7.....WEIRD!

>

> We luckily had a smooth crossing over Bass Strait

arriving in

> Devonport at 6am ...EARLY..we got woken over the Loudspeaker at

> 5.15am.....it was only JUST dawn & very misty on arrival....another

> lovely drive down through the Mountain Lakes area of the Central

> Highlands of Tassie.

>

> We were fishing out our woolies when we stopped for a

picnic

> brekkie! My fingers are doing their usual Reynauds number in the

cold

> snap so I'll have to start taking my Nifedipine pills again. I've

also

> been taking strong antibiotics for a mysterious gland that went

woopy in

> the right side of my neck...it seems to have worked since the pain

has

> subsided!

>

> Tasmania is the world's best kept secret we reckon!

>

> I've been thinking of you all & hoping everyone is

doing okay

> .....I'll be down here for the next month.

>

> Talk to y'all again soon, after I've checked the Posts!

>

> lots of love & spirit,

>

> in Oz

>

> IPF: Fibrotic NSIP/UIP

>

> Raynauds'

>

> May 2007

>

[Guest guest]

Can I come be a stow away in your luggage? Your travels sound so

exciting and full of interesting history. My daughter is an

international history major in college and her degree is in Europeon

history. I've spoke to her about your journeys and she wants to

know so much more. I think I need to put her in touch with you

directly. Take care and I hope you have some pictures to share of

your trip.

God Bless,

Tina

IPF 04/07 PH 11/07 Ohio

> >

> >

> > Hi Air Family,

> >

> > Haven't read any Posts yet ... arrived in sweet

> Cygnet

> > yesterday...just got plugged back into Cyberspace ....busy,

busy,

> busy

> > helping my daughter & grand-daughter move back into their little

> cottage

> > which she'd rented out while she was in the UK with me & then

her

> own

> > solo adventure in Morocco & Spain.

> >

> > We had lovely drive down stopping for 2 nights in the

> > n High Country which had family connections a hundred

years

> ago.

> > Once the 3rd biggest Gold producing Town in Australia it is now

> > virtually a Ghost Town. It has a permanent population of 7! On

> weekends

> > & school holidays it is peopled for tourist action & then goes

back

> to

> > the usual 7.....WEIRD!

> >

> > We luckily had a smooth crossing over Bass Strait

> arriving in

> > Devonport at 6am ...EARLY..we got woken over the Loudspeaker at

> > 5.15am.....it was only JUST dawn & very misty on

arrival....another

> > lovely drive down through the Mountain Lakes area of the Central

> > Highlands of Tassie.

> >

> > We were fishing out our woolies when we stopped for

a

> picnic

> > brekkie! My fingers are doing their usual Reynauds number in the

> cold

> > snap so I'll have to start taking my Nifedipine pills again.

I've

> also

> > been taking strong antibiotics for a mysterious gland that went

> woopy in

> > the right side of my neck...it seems to have worked since the

pain

> has

> > subsided!

> >

> > Tasmania is the world's best kept secret we reckon!

> >

> > I've been thinking of you all & hoping everyone is

> doing okay

> > .....I'll be down here for the next month.

> >

> > Talk to y'all again soon, after I've checked the

Posts!

> >

> > lots of love & spirit,

> >

> > in Oz

> >

> > IPF: Fibrotic NSIP/UIP

> >

> > Raynauds'

> >

> > May 2007

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Tina look up Tasmania Australia what a lovely place to live and the

air is SO CLEAN THERE I think gina's daughter should put us all up in

her cottage Do you think she would mind ?

Sandie

> > >

> > >

> > > Hi Air Family,

> > >

> > > Haven't read any Posts yet ... arrived in

sweet

> > Cygnet

> > > yesterday...just got plugged back into Cyberspace ....busy,

> busy,

> > busy

> > > helping my daughter & grand-daughter move back into their

little

> > cottage

> > > which she'd rented out while she was in the UK with me & then

> her

> > own

> > > solo adventure in Morocco & Spain.

> > >

> > > We had lovely drive down stopping for 2 nights in the

> > > n High Country which had family connections a hundred

> years

> > ago.

> > > Once the 3rd biggest Gold producing Town in Australia it is now

> > > virtually a Ghost Town. It has a permanent population of 7! On

> > weekends

> > > & school holidays it is peopled for tourist action & then goes

> back

> > to

> > > the usual 7.....WEIRD!

> > >

> > > We luckily had a smooth crossing over Bass Strait

> > arriving in

> > > Devonport at 6am ...EARLY..we got woken over the Loudspeaker at

> > > 5.15am.....it was only JUST dawn & very misty on

> arrival....another

> > > lovely drive down through the Mountain Lakes area of the Central

> > > Highlands of Tassie.

> > >

> > > We were fishing out our woolies when we stopped

for

> a

> > picnic

> > > brekkie! My fingers are doing their usual Reynauds number in

the

> > cold

> > > snap so I'll have to start taking my Nifedipine pills again.

> I've

> > also

> > > been taking strong antibiotics for a mysterious gland that went

> > woopy in

> > > the right side of my neck...it seems to have worked since the

> pain

> > has

> > > subsided!

> > >

> > > Tasmania is the world's best kept secret we reckon!

> > >

> > > I've been thinking of you all & hoping everyone is

> > doing okay

> > > .....I'll be down here for the next month.

> > >

> > > Talk to y'all again soon, after I've checked the

> Posts!

> > >

> > > lots of love & spirit,

> > >

> > > in Oz

> > >

> > > IPF: Fibrotic NSIP/UIP

> > >

> > > Raynauds'

> > >

> > > May 2007

> > >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Oh Sandie it's sooo nice to be missed...I find it funny to hear how you

think my life sounds like a fairytale...I guess it's true I haven't

taken the usual life path. I've always said I was born with 'Ambition

By-pass" ...

For years I worked really hard as a Child Care Worker, Child Care

Teacher, 13 years as a Head Teacher & then after my 1st hubby died

young, I raised my daughters alone through their teenage years. The day

my youngest daughter finished High School was the day I decided that I

was going to stop working so darn hard. I knew I was giving up a big

salary that could've set me up with lots of opportunity for travel

& material possessions BUT I value life free of work stress &

with enough time to 'smell the roses'.....I didn't want to

risk 'Tasting' that big money that would be now

available just for my needs.....I figured I was better off giving it up

when I didn't know what it was like to have it! If I'd stayed on the

logical step was to be a Deputy Principal & then Principal etc

etc...AFTER jumping through many hoops & 'playing the game' so to

speak!

In changing my job the most beneficial thing for me personally

was that there were no more 'political' battles to wage over funding,

timetables, classroom space, curriculum changes, in-house fighting

& competition between all my team teachers, no more student

dramas etc etc etc! No more forcing myself to front up to whatever

unpalatable situtation I had responsibility for dealing with on a daily

basis. The bookshop had no POLITICS (other than what was in the content

of a book!) It could be stressy at certain times like the Chrsitmas

Rush & stock-take etc & certainly we had our fair share of

'difficult' or downwright nutty customers BUT I could leave it all

behind at the end of the day. It NEVER EVER kept me awake at

night!

Until last year I thoroughly enjoyed working

part-time in a wonderful Bookshop that covered the usual, plus the

'less usual' ! I learnt so much from the books & the clientele. And

my 2 fabulous bosses (a husband & wife team who were formerly in

the Mental Health profession, he as a Therapist & she as a

Community Mental health Care Nurse). We enjoyed working together &

became great friends. They retired last year & sold their business

so I 'retired' too!

Part -time work gave me the chance to start pursuing Family History

which has become my passion. Without school kids to support I surprised

myself that I could still save enough to visit the UK to put the 'meat

on the bones' of my research work. I don't drink, smoke or eat at

restaurants...my needs are extremely simple..good food on the table,

good books to read, good music, a good lap-top computer &

Internet Access & TIME to PLAY with my family & visit them

wherever they are living! Mental Space to think, dream & create

stories for you lot!!!!! Now I want to start writing up my family

history tales..they'll be 'Yarns' more than straight 'Family Tree

Histories". My first set will be about the Isles of Scilly people.

Then came my unexpected dx of IPF....ah well, I just have to roll with

the Dice....don't know why I got it...don't know how it will

progress what I DO know is that right NOW I have a life to be

lived & that's what I blinkin' well gunna do!

Lots of people my age are still working full-time at very important

sounding jobs so I'm the exception not the rule in Oz!

Heaps of them have more money than they know what to do with

& worry about where to stash it safely in this scarey age of

sub-prime mortages, self-funded retiree schemes & sharks by the

zillion waiting out there to fleece them of their extra cash! No one is

interested in the likes of me! Very freeing! No work schedules for me

anymore!

My daughters must've learnt from their mother because they too value

flexibility in their lives. Both are well educated, one is an Academic

PdD Doctor in Environmental Research Science while the younger

one has a 1st Class Honours Degree & University Medal in

Environmental Philosophy. They both have organised their working

careers to allow them time to be mothers. wrote up her

PhD while she was pregnant with her first child. She should've taken up

overseas postings to further her career but her committment is to the

environment where she grew up. It is here she wants to work hard to

'make a difference". now has her own Consulting business &

also does work teaching at Southern Cross Uni in Lismore. She's 'Boss'

of her own schedule & has control over how much work she takes on

or doesn't!

Nikki

responded to Tasmania & its wilderness areas when she left school.

She took her degree from TAS uni & now works for a State

Government Environmental Policy Department She took 'leave

without pay' to enable her to come to the UK with me. She

decided to trust us to bring her 9 yr old daughter back to Australia

with us (to the care of her father) & she stayed on to have a taste

of Spain & Morocco inspired by her love of Moorish culture. She

travelled with a Dutch 1st cousin of her late father who was

multi-lingual & also greatly interested in a Moorish adventure.

They had a fabulous time, trekking on camels in the desert, being taken

back to the private homes & families of their Berber Guides. They

were shown an unbelievable degree of hospitality. It's all part of how

we like to put the wider world 'in perspective'....Australia is at the

'arse-end' of the globe but we love to get out there & figure out

what's going on in the rest of it!

She arrived back in Australia before Christmas, flew into Tassie

to pick up her daughter & rejoin us in Lismore for a big family

Christmas. Even Nikki's ex-partner & the father of her daughter

came up for Christmas with us. Even though they've been separated for 6

years now he's still a member of our family. So we've been together as

a family since Dec 22nd & NOW I'm back down here with them for the

next month.

I've been visiting Tasmania regularly since 1994 & we're very aware

that this will become very hard sooner or later. I've developed great

friendships down here among the Cygnet community. This is the first

time I've been back since my Dx & everyone is very anxious to 'see'

that I'm in fact doing okay for the moment. I want to actively

'support' Nikki staying here, where she is loved & respected by her

colleagues & friends. I need to spend time with her community to

help them understand what is going on for me & her & what to

expect from this IPF deal! Initially she was panicked into feeling like

she needed to race home to be with me while I was still active. Now her

perspective is changing to see that I love coming down here & we

can still be with each other from a distance!

There you go Sandie,

you'll know better than to ask me a question in the

future....I'll respond in FULL measure!!!! If we can't ring each

other up we can at least let the fingers do a 'Tap Dance'

I know you're

still having a hard tme of it Sandie & working really hard to boot!

You're unstoppable & I admire your grit in full measure.

lots of love,

from Oz

n Breathe-Support , "stokh24761" wrote:>> Oh how I a have missed you ! Your life always sounds so wonderful > to live just like a fairytale I dont know why but thats what I think > of when I read your posts. A whole month your going to be there?? > And your daughter was gone to Morroco and Spain, what was that all > about? Does she travel for work or something?> > Sandie > > > >> > > > Hi Air Family,> > > > Haven't read any Posts yet ... arrived in sweet > Cygnet> > yesterday...just got plugged back into Cyberspace ....busy, busy, > busy> > helping my daughter & grand-daughter move back into their little > cottage> > which she'd rented out while she was in the UK with me & then her > own> > solo adventure in Morocco & Spain.> > > > We had lovely drive down stopping for 2 nights in the> > n High Country which had family connections a hundred years > ago.> > Once the 3rd biggest Gold producing Town in Australia it is now> > virtually a Ghost Town. It has a permanent population of 7! On > weekends> > & school holidays it is peopled for tourist action & then goes back > to> > the usual 7.....WEIRD!> > > > We luckily had a smooth crossing over Bass Strait > arriving in> > Devonport at 6am ...EARLY..we got woken over the Loudspeaker at> > 5.15am.....it was only JUST dawn & very misty on arrival....another> > lovely drive down through the Mountain Lakes area of the Central> > Highlands of Tassie.> > > > We were fishing out our woolies when we stopped for a > picnic> > brekkie! My fingers are doing their usual Reynauds number in the > cold> > snap so I'll have to start taking my Nifedipine pills again. I've > also> > been taking strong antibiotics for a mysterious gland that went > woopy in> > the right side of my neck...it seems to have worked since the pain > has> > subsided!> > > > Tasmania is the world's best kept secret we reckon!> > > > I've been thinking of you all & hoping everyone is > doing okay> > .....I'll be down here for the next month.> > > > Talk to y'all again soon, after I've checked the Posts!> > > > lots of love & spirit,> > > > in Oz> > > > IPF: Fibrotic NSIP/UIP> > > > Raynauds'> > > > May 2007> >>

[Guest guest]

Wow Tina, that would be most interesting , by all means give your daughter my e-mail address

I'll load up some pics 'drekkly' (that's Cornish for: as soon as I can!)

I've been reading your posts & I'm so impressed with your

determination & clarity about the situation you find yourself in.

You've got so much to contend with I do hope that you can discuss

matters freely with your older girls. You don't say what happened

to your brother..was his death unexpected? Your parents obviously have

never come to terms with his passing . Now they're watching their

daughter struggling with devasting health issues. The bedroom

situtation is going to get harder as Kaleb gets older. Would a Family

Counselling session help..would your parents be amenable to such an

idea?

Lots of love,

in Oz

> > >> > > > > > Hi Air Family,> > > > > > Haven't read any Posts yet ... arrived in sweet > > Cygnet> > > yesterday...just got plugged back into Cyberspace ....busy, > busy, > > busy> > > helping my daughter & grand-daughter move back into their little > > cottage> > > which she'd rented out while she was in the UK with me & then > her > > own> > > solo adventure in Morocco & Spain.> > > > > > We had lovely drive down stopping for 2 nights in the> > > n High Country which had family connections a hundred > years > > ago.> > > Once the 3rd biggest Gold producing Town in Australia it is now> > > virtually a Ghost Town. It has a permanent population of 7! On > > weekends> > > & school holidays it is peopled for tourist action & then goes > back > > to> > > the usual 7.....WEIRD!> > > > > > We luckily had a smooth crossing over Bass Strait > > arriving in> > > Devonport at 6am ...EARLY..we got woken over the Loudspeaker at> > > 5.15am.....it was only JUST dawn & very misty on > arrival....another> > > lovely drive down through the Mountain Lakes area of the Central> > > Highlands of Tassie.> > > > > > We were fishing out our woolies when we stopped for > a > > picnic> > > brekkie! My fingers are doing their usual Reynauds number in the > > cold> > > snap so I'll have to start taking my Nifedipine pills again. > I've > > also> > > been taking strong antibiotics for a mysterious gland that went > > woopy in> > > the right side of my neck...it seems to have worked since the > pain > > has> > > subsided!> > > > > > Tasmania is the world's best kept secret we reckon!> > > > > > I've been thinking of you all & hoping everyone is > > doing okay> > > .....I'll be down here for the next month.> > > > > > Talk to y'all again soon, after I've checked the > Posts!> > > > > > lots of love & spirit,> > > > > > in Oz> > > > > > IPF: Fibrotic NSIP/UIP> > > > > > Raynauds'> > > > > > May 2007> > >> >>

[Guest guest]

Nikki wants to know "how many is ALL!"

Cheers,

in Oz

> > > >> > > > > > > > Hi Air Family,> > > > > > > > Haven't read any Posts yet ... arrived in > sweet > > > Cygnet> > > > yesterday...just got plugged back into Cyberspace ....busy, > > busy, > > > busy> > > > helping my daughter & grand-daughter move back into their > little > > > cottage> > > > which she'd rented out while she was in the UK with me & then > > her > > > own> > > > solo adventure in Morocco & Spain.> > > > > > > > We had lovely drive down stopping for 2 nights in the> > > > n High Country which had family connections a hundred > > years > > > ago.> > > > Once the 3rd biggest Gold producing Town in Australia it is now> > > > virtually a Ghost Town. It has a permanent population of 7! On > > > weekends> > > > & school holidays it is peopled for tourist action & then goes > > back > > > to> > > > the usual 7.....WEIRD!> > > > > > > > We luckily had a smooth crossing over Bass Strait > > > arriving in> > > > Devonport at 6am ...EARLY..we got woken over the Loudspeaker at> > > > 5.15am.....it was only JUST dawn & very misty on > > arrival....another> > > > lovely drive down through the Mountain Lakes area of the Central> > > > Highlands of Tassie.> > > > > > > > We were fishing out our woolies when we stopped > for > > a > > > picnic> > > > brekkie! My fingers are doing their usual Reynauds number in > the > > > cold> > > > snap so I'll have to start taking my Nifedipine pills again. > > I've > > > also> > > > been taking strong antibiotics for a mysterious gland that went > > > woopy in> > > > the right side of my neck...it seems to have worked since the > > pain > > > has> > > > subsided!> > > > > > > > Tasmania is the world's best kept secret we reckon!> > > > > > > > I've been thinking of you all & hoping everyone is > > > doing okay> > > > .....I'll be down here for the next month.> > > > > > > > Talk to y'all again soon, after I've checked the > > Posts!> > > > > > > > lots of love & spirit,> > > > > > > > in Oz> > > > > > > > IPF: Fibrotic NSIP/UIP> > > > > > > > Raynauds'> > > > > > > > May 2007> > > >> > >> >>

[Guest guest]

Oh but it is a fairytale ! I looked up where your daughter lives,

it is the most beautiful place ever! To be able to live there and see

what you all get to see every day is amazing. Something i wish I

could do, some of the people here live at such amazing places, Jim in

Alaska, you, your daughter, Zena, just places I wish I could go

visist and who knows maybe some day I will. Your family history

sounds way more interesting then mine. My aunt several years ago did

our family history all the way back to early part I read through some

of it, it didnt seem near as interesting as yours

Oh I know what the money part is. I am in that dilema right now.

But I havent found the answer yet. I will explain it

I left the bureau 2 years ago because of money, I was very underpaid

and I was a female which at the Bureau there were women in high

places but not one of them got there without a fight which is fine

but I couldnt get around the boss that was there, no matter what he

wouldnt see that I knew more then the other door knob men there

(sorry you men) these are guys that come in at Noon, leave for 2

hours to get a ice cream cone, and then come back put there feet on

the desk for an hour and then leave! I was putting in long hours,

and hard work and going to school and they made 4 times what I did

for almost the same thing, I stayed for awhile and tried to work my

way up but I couldnt get to where they were so I figured the only way

I would get what I needed to get paid was to leave. I did that and I

love the money I make (although its never enough) in doing that I

sacrificed somethings.

I worked for the Bureau because not for the polictics or the the crap

of the bosses, it was the self satisfaction I got, the pride I got

out of saying I worked for the Bureau, which meant I worked for the

state, the people of the state. Every project I worked on had

meaning, and goodness in it, Racial profiling by law enforcmenet, the

predatory offender system to keep track of pedophiles, and so many

more. It was that self pride, that worthwhile that I got out of it.

Its why I went into law enforcement and I got in the bureau first out

of college, its rare to get there but I did and it was a life long

dream come true, but then not all dreams are not what they are

cracked up to be.

So I left and I make good money as I said, but I am miserable! I sit

in my office every day and no one knows I am here or not, my own boss

sits right next to me and I rarely talk to him maybe once every few

weeks. I can sit in my office and not speak to anyone for an entire

week or longer, very sad isnt it. I also have no self pride, I work

so this company can make money, and when they couldnt come to terms

to get me a new chair because I have RA arthritis I was mad! I

thought I dont want to work for a company like this. They are ok but

they are all over worked and no one person here that is in a position

to change anything does change anything to make it a better place to

work.

So I started looking, I thought of going back to the bureau and I

have talked to my old boss several times, I know things havent

changed there. But I have! I know what it is I want I just cant have

everything. I cant afford to quit and not work or even work part

time. I still have a son in high school and to get through college

and even then what would i live off of? So working is what I have to

do but in that I am aiming for a smaller, quiter life and what I want

not what my kids want or anything. I love my kids but everyone of

them takes advantage of me and take me granted and not anymore they

have had learn to figure it out and realize that mom isnt going to do

things for them they will have to fend for themselves and figure it

out just like I had to at their age. They are all so smart and have

so much to offer unfortunatly the only one that will go to college is

my youngest one and he will do something in forestery if his diabetes

doenst limit him, it already knocked him out of the military and he

took that hard!

So my husband and I put our cabin/lake property on the market last

year and will wait until that sells, we are fixing some things at our

home and then thats going on the market.Then we are getting something

for us. Not sure what but something and of course my dogs

for my job I interviewed at this place last week and I was pretty

excited then I would have to take a cut in pay which would be ok but

then I had to look at some of the benefits not sure if they have

everything I need and we all know I need to have benefits otherwise

who will pay my medical costs?

So I am putting lots of thought into it. And I really want to work

in Forensics its what I love and what I can give back so I will have

to take the steps to get there one slow step at a time!

But while I work on it I love to hear about your life all the great

things you get to do and the places you get to go, so if I cant have

that now in my life, I love to share with you as I know othres here

do as well.

So if you dont mind I will ask questions just to get the full story

and have a little place to escape too

Take care of you sunshine!

Sandie

> > >

> > >

> > > Hi Air Family,

> > >

> > > Haven't read any Posts yet ... arrived in sweet

> > Cygnet

> > > yesterday...just got plugged back into Cyberspace ....busy,

busy,

> > busy

> > > helping my daughter & grand-daughter move back into their little

> > cottage

> > > which she'd rented out while she was in the UK with me & then

her

> > own

> > > solo adventure in Morocco & Spain.

> > >

> > > We had lovely drive down stopping for 2 nights in the

> > > n High Country which had family connections a hundred

years

> > ago.

> > > Once the 3rd biggest Gold producing Town in Australia it is now

> > > virtually a Ghost Town. It has a permanent population of 7! On

> > weekends

> > > & school holidays it is peopled for tourist action & then goes

back

> > to

> > > the usual 7.....WEIRD!

> > >

> > > We luckily had a smooth crossing over Bass Strait

> > arriving in

> > > Devonport at 6am ...EARLY..we got woken over the Loudspeaker at

> > > 5.15am.....it was only JUST dawn & very misty on

arrival....another

> > > lovely drive down through the Mountain Lakes area of the Central

> > > Highlands of Tassie.

> > >

> > > We were fishing out our woolies when we stopped

for a

> > picnic

> > > brekkie! My fingers are doing their usual Reynauds number in the

> > cold

> > > snap so I'll have to start taking my Nifedipine pills again.

I've

> > also

> > > been taking strong antibiotics for a mysterious gland that went

> > woopy in

> > > the right side of my neck...it seems to have worked since the

pain

> > has

> > > subsided!

> > >

> > > Tasmania is the world's best kept secret we reckon!

> > >

> > > I've been thinking of you all & hoping everyone is

> > doing okay

> > > .....I'll be down here for the next month.

> > >

> > > Talk to y'all again soon, after I've checked the

Posts!

> > >

> > > lots of love & spirit,

> > >

> > > in Oz

> > >

> > > IPF: Fibrotic NSIP/UIP

> > >

> > > Raynauds'

> > >

> > > May 2007

> > >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Well that would be everyone on the board that can manage to get

htere, but be warned we may never leave

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > > Hi Air Family,

> > > > >

> > > > > Haven't read any Posts yet ... arrived in

> > sweet

> > > > Cygnet

> > > > > yesterday...just got plugged back into Cyberspace ....busy,

> > > busy,

> > > > busy

> > > > > helping my daughter & grand-daughter move back into their

> > little

> > > > cottage

> > > > > which she'd rented out while she was in the UK with me &

then

> > > her

> > > > own

> > > > > solo adventure in Morocco & Spain.

> > > > >

> > > > > We had lovely drive down stopping for 2 nights

in the

> > > > > n High Country which had family connections a

hundred

> > > years

> > > > ago.

> > > > > Once the 3rd biggest Gold producing Town in Australia it is

now

> > > > > virtually a Ghost Town. It has a permanent population of 7!

On

> > > > weekends

> > > > > & school holidays it is peopled for tourist action & then

goes

> > > back

> > > > to

> > > > > the usual 7.....WEIRD!

> > > > >

> > > > > We luckily had a smooth crossing over Bass

Strait

> > > > arriving in

> > > > > Devonport at 6am ...EARLY..we got woken over the

Loudspeaker at

> > > > > 5.15am.....it was only JUST dawn & very misty on

> > > arrival....another

> > > > > lovely drive down through the Mountain Lakes area of the

Central

> > > > > Highlands of Tassie.

> > > > >

> > > > > We were fishing out our woolies when we stopped

> > for

> > > a

> > > > picnic

> > > > > brekkie! My fingers are doing their usual Reynauds number in

> > the

> > > > cold

> > > > > snap so I'll have to start taking my Nifedipine pills again.

> > > I've

> > > > also

> > > > > been taking strong antibiotics for a mysterious gland that

went

> > > > woopy in

> > > > > the right side of my neck...it seems to have worked since

the

> > > pain

> > > > has

> > > > > subsided!

> > > > >

> > > > > Tasmania is the world's best kept secret we

reckon!

> > > > >

> > > > > I've been thinking of you all & hoping everyone

is

> > > > doing okay

> > > > > .....I'll be down here for the next month.

> > > > >

> > > > > Talk to y'all again soon, after I've checked

the

> > > Posts!

> > > > >

> > > > > lots of love & spirit,

> > > > >

> > > > > in Oz

> > > > >

> > > > > IPF: Fibrotic NSIP/UIP

> > > > >

> > > > > Raynauds'

> > > > >

> > > > > May 2007

> > > > >

> > > >

> > >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

, It is so good to read about your fun times. Makes me want to GOOOOOOOOO.. I would say Enjoy but I can tell you do. Wonderful. Love and Prayers, Peggyipf 6/04Worry looks around.Sorry looks back,Faith looks up.

[Guest guest]

... I enjoyed reading your post to Sandie too. What an interesting life you lead.

Take care!

Mama-Sher, 69; IPF, 3-06, OR.Don't fret about tomorrow, God is already there!

Re: Telegram from Tassie -

Oh Sandie it's sooo nice to be missed...I find it funny to hear how you think my life sounds like a fairytale...I guess it's true I haven't taken the usual life path. I've always said I was born with 'Ambition By-pass" ... For years I worked really hard as a Child Care Worker, Child Care Teacher, 13 years as a Head Teacher & then after my 1st hubby died young, I raised my daughters alone through their teenage years. The day my youngest daughter finished High School was the day I decided that I was going to stop working so darn hard. I knew I was giving up a big salary that could've set me up with lots of opportunity for travel & material possessions BUT I value life free of work stress & with enough time to 'smell the roses'.....I didn't want to risk 'Tasting' that big money that would be now available just for my needs.....I figured I was better off giving it up when I didn't know what it was like to have it! If I'd stayed on the logical step was to be a Deputy Principal & then Principal etc etc...AFTER jumping through many hoops & 'playing the game' so to speak! In changing my job the most beneficial thing for me personally was that there were no more 'political' battles to wage over funding, timetables, classroom space, curriculum changes, in-house fighting & competition between all my team teachers, no more student dramas etc etc etc! No more forcing myself to front up to whatever unpalatable situtation I had responsibility for dealing with on a daily basis. The bookshop had no POLITICS (other than what was in the content of a book!) It could be stressy at certain times like the Chrsitmas Rush & stock-take etc & certainly we had our fair share of 'difficult' or downwright nutty customers BUT I could leave it all behind at the end of the day. It NEVER EVER kept me awake at night! Until last year I thoroughly enjoyed working part-time in a wonderful Bookshop that covered the usual, plus the 'less usual' ! I learnt so much from the books & the clientele. And my 2 fabulous bosses (a husband & wife team who were formerly in the Mental Health profession, he as a Therapist & she as a Community Mental health Care Nurse). We enjoyed working together & became great friends. They retired last year & sold their business so I 'retired' too!

Part -time work gave me the chance to start pursuing Family History which has become my passion. Without school kids to support I surprised myself that I could still save enough to visit the UK to put the 'meat on the bones' of my research work. I don't drink, smoke or eat at restaurants...my needs are extremely simple..good food on the table, good books to read, good music, a good lap-top computer & Internet Access & TIME to PLAY with my family & visit them wherever they are living! Mental Space to think, dream & create stories for you lot!!!!! Now I want to start writing up my family history tales..they'll be 'Yarns' more than straight 'Family Tree Histories". My first set will be about the Isles of Scilly people. Then came my unexpected dx of IPF....ah well, I just have to roll with the Dice....don't know why I got it...don't know how it will progress what I DO know is that right NOW I have a life to be lived & that's what I blinkin' well gunna do! Lots of people my age are still working full-time at very important sounding jobs so I'm the exception not the rule in Oz! Heaps of them have more money than they know what to do with & worry about where to stash it safely in this scarey age of sub-prime mortages, self-funded retiree schemes & sharks by the zillion waiting out there to fleece them of their extra cash! No one is interested in the likes of me! Very freeing! No work schedules for me anymore! My daughters must've learnt from their mother because they too value flexibility in their lives. Both are well educated, one is an Academic PdD Doctor in Environmental Research Science while the younger one has a 1st Class Honours Degree & University Medal in Environmental Philosophy. They both have organised their working careers to allow them time to be mothers. wrote up her PhD while she was pregnant with her first child. She should've taken up overseas postings to further her career but her committment is to the environment where she grew up. It is here she wants to work hard to 'make a difference". now has her own Consulting business & also does work teaching at Southern Cross Uni in Lismore. She's 'Boss' of her own schedule & has control over how much work she takes on or doesn't! Nikki responded to Tasmania & its wilderness areas when she left school. She took her degree from TAS uni & now works for a State Government Environmental Policy Department She took 'leave without pay' to enable her to come to the UK with me. She decided to trust us to bring her 9 yr old daughter back to Australia with us (to the care of her father) & she stayed on to have a taste of Spain & Morocco inspired by her love of Moorish culture. She travelled with a Dutch 1st cousin of her late father who was multi-lingual & also greatly interested in a Moorish adventure. They had a fabulous time, trekking on camels in the desert, being taken back to the private homes & families of their Berber Guides. They were shown an unbelievable degree of hospitality. It's all part of how we like to put the wider world 'in perspective'....Australia is at the 'arse-end' of the globe but we love to get out there & figure out what's going on in the rest of it! She arrived back in Australia before Christmas, flew into Tassie to pick up her daughter & rejoin us in Lismore for a big family Christmas. Even Nikki's ex-partner & the father of her daughter came up for Christmas with us. Even though they've been separated for 6 years now he's still a member of our family. So we've been together as a family since Dec 22nd & NOW I'm back down here with them for the next month. I've been visiting Tasmania regularly since 1994 & we're very aware that this will become very hard sooner or later. I've developed great friendships down here among the Cygnet community. This is the first time I've been back since my Dx & everyone is very anxious to 'see' that I'm in fact doing okay for the moment. I want to actively 'support' Nikki staying here, where she is loved & respected by her colleagues & friends. I need to spend time with her community to help them understand what is going on for me & her & what to expect from this IPF deal! Initially she was panicked into feeling like she needed to race home to be with me while I was still active. Now her perspective is changing to see that I love coming down here & we can still be with each other from a distance! There you go Sandie, you'll know better than to ask me a question in the future....I'll respond in FULL measure!!!! If we can't ring each other up we can at least let the fingers do a 'Tap Dance' I know you're still having a hard tme of it Sandie & working really hard to boot! You're unstoppable & I admire your grit in full measure. lots of love, from Oz n Breathe-Support , "stokh24761" wrote:>> Oh how I a have missed you ! Your life always sounds so wonderful > to live just like a fairytale I dont know why but thats what I think > of when I read your posts. A whole month your going to be there?? > And your daughter was gone to Morroco and Spain, what was that all > about? Does she travel for work or something?> > Sandie > > > >> > > > Hi Air Family,> > > > Haven't read any Posts yet ... arrived in sweet > Cygnet> > yesterday...just got plugged back into Cyberspace ....busy, busy, > busy> > helping my daughter & grand-daughter move back into their little > cottage> > which she'd rented out while she was in the UK with me & then her > own> > solo adventure in Morocco & Spain.> > > > We had lovely drive down stopping for 2 nights in the> > n High Country which had family connections a hundred years > ago.> > Once the 3rd biggest Gold producing Town in Australia it is now> > virtually a Ghost Town. It has a permanent population of 7! On > weekends> > & school holidays it is peopled for tourist action & then goes back > to> > the usual 7.....WEIRD!> > > > We luckily had a smooth crossing over Bass Strait > arriving in> > Devonport at 6am ...EARLY..we got woken over the Loudspeaker at> > 5.15am.....it was only JUST dawn & very misty on arrival....another> > lovely drive down through the Mountain Lakes area of the Central> > Highlands of Tassie.> > > > We were fishing out our woolies when we stopped for a > picnic> > brekkie! My fingers are doing their usual Reynauds number in the > cold> > snap so I'll have to start taking my Nifedipine pills again. I've > also> > been taking strong antibiotics for a mysterious gland that went > woopy in> > the right side of my neck...it seems to have worked since the pain > has> > subsided!> > > > Tasmania is the world's best kept secret we reckon!> > > > I've been thinking of you all & hoping everyone is > doing okay> > .....I'll be down here for the next month.> > > > Talk to y'all again soon, after I've checked the Posts!> > > > lots of love & spirit,> > > > in Oz> > > > IPF: Fibrotic NSIP/UIP> > > > Raynauds'> > > > May 2007> >>

[Guest guest]

: Thank you! I will be giving your email and forward her

some of your " journey " posts so that she has an idea of what you are

doing with your travels. She is so excited!

As for my brother (actually " step " brother, but I hate that term),

let me explain.... " Junior " , his affectionate nick-name given because

he was his father's jr., was 45 years old when he passed away January

1, 2007. He was born with severely handicapped. His early diagnosis

included MS and brain damage, but we learned much later that the

brain damage was primarily caused by a tumor. He was such a gentle

person with so much personality! He was very shy and his biological

mother raised him in hiding. She may have been ashamed of him, but I

am so glad I never knew that because she robbed the world of getting

to know him and love him. She did not send him to school and was

once arrested for her behavior. Moving on, his mother passed away

about ten years ago and my mother has been his caretaker ever since.

She was so good with him and he adored her. They kidded around and

played child-like games with each other constantly. While on a

routine medical exam, Junior's primary doctor ordered some tests, and

after many months of specialist appointments his fate was learned.

The tumor was cancer and removal would likely kill him. Treatment

was also out of the question due to his deteriorating health. So,

for six months we all knew he would not be with us for long and

treasured many fond memories. Junior never knew he was sick. He

never complained and he, ultimately, died peacefully following a

series of seizures. He never had to be hospitalized. One time,

though, while having routine blood drawn for examination, he yelled

the all-feared " f--- " word out loud in the hospital examining room!

he told the nurse, " That really hurt! " We all had to laugh at that,

considering we didn't even know he knew the word! Junior's father,

my " step " -father made sure Junior's life was full! He taught him how

to drive a golf-cart so that he could get around outside, since his

legs could barely get him across the room, let alone outside to enjoy

the days he was able to enjoy. His golf-cart was decorated with

Christmas lights all around the covered roof, because Junior loved

lights, and he had a radio in his golf cart, a cup holder in his golf

cart and many other amenities fashioned after the things that he

liked. He loved taking the grandkids of the family for rides in his

golf cart, and it gave him such a feeling of being " grown-up " when he

did this. Since there are more than 30 grandkids in this family, he

was always glad to entertain someone on any given day. He also loved

slot machines and we had several in the house. Our family room was

devoted to him, with all of the things that pleased him, including a

full size pool table. He had his own refridgerator in his room, so

he could keep his goodies away from the kids that frequent the

house! He couldn't do very many things for himself and he required

full-time care, and that his what my mom did for him. He often could

no control his bladder or bowel functions, so she cleaned him up,

because he didn't want to wear " baby " diapers. He only ate a few

different meals, so she cooked whatever he wanted every day. He

didn't know how to work the TV, so she put his Andy Griffith re-run

tapes in the VCR every hour or so. He loved motorcycles, especially

Harley-son, so she started a collection for him that numbers

over thousands! He loved going places, but no one ever took him

anywhere, until my mom packed him up and took him to Wal-Mart, where

he bought his first Matchbox car, and that collection grew to

thousands! He loved Mc's french fries, so she would load him

up and take him to Mc's whenever she could. She loved him like

no other mother could. I was so proud of her for being Junior's

second mom. All the while, Junior's father, was so saddened by his

son's health issues that he starting grieving when he learned of his

fate. He grieves even still today. Junior was special, there is no

doubt about that. He is missed sadly by all who knew him. So, when

you ask, " Was it sudden? " , or " Would family counseling help? " , I

would have to answer no to both. We knew what was coming and

counseling, although needed, probably would not prove beneficial in

this situation. It does get easier as time goes on, and my step-

father doesn't cry every day anymore, and can talk about Junior now,

but it's still hard because we all miss that special little man in

our life. I know the bedroom situation would be easier it Kaleb and

I didn't have to share a room. But, I guess, my only way for that to

happen is if I can someday take care of myself again. Hopefully,

that will happen!

My mother is handling things with me rather well, considering all

things. However, my step-father chooses to " ignore " me. I think

that is his way of avoiding my fate. I know he loves me and it was

his idea for me to come and live with them, but it must be hard to

watch me face this illness and its known outcome.

I am sorry for writing such a lengthly reply, but I thought it would

be better understood this way.

God Bless,

Tina

IPF 04/07 PH 11/07 Ohio

> > > >

> > > >

> > > > Hi Air Family,

> > > >

> > > > Haven't read any Posts yet ... arrived in

sweet

> > > Cygnet

> > > > yesterday...just got plugged back into Cyberspace ....busy,

> > busy,

> > > busy

> > > > helping my daughter & grand-daughter move back into their

little

> > > cottage

> > > > which she'd rented out while she was in the UK with me & then

> > her

> > > own

> > > > solo adventure in Morocco & Spain.

> > > >

> > > > We had lovely drive down stopping for 2 nights in

the

> > > > n High Country which had family connections a hundred

> > years

> > > ago.

> > > > Once the 3rd biggest Gold producing Town in Australia it is

now

> > > > virtually a Ghost Town. It has a permanent population of 7! On

> > > weekends

> > > > & school holidays it is peopled for tourist action & then goes

> > back

> > > to

> > > > the usual 7.....WEIRD!

> > > >

> > > > We luckily had a smooth crossing over Bass Strait

> > > arriving in

> > > > Devonport at 6am ...EARLY..we got woken over the Loudspeaker

at

> > > > 5.15am.....it was only JUST dawn & very misty on

> > arrival....another

> > > > lovely drive down through the Mountain Lakes area of the

Central

> > > > Highlands of Tassie.

> > > >

> > > > We were fishing out our woolies when we stopped

for

> > a

> > > picnic

> > > > brekkie! My fingers are doing their usual Reynauds number in

the

> > > cold

> > > > snap so I'll have to start taking my Nifedipine pills again.

> > I've

> > > also

> > > > been taking strong antibiotics for a mysterious gland that

went

> > > woopy in

> > > > the right side of my neck...it seems to have worked since the

> > pain

> > > has

> > > > subsided!

> > > >

> > > > Tasmania is the world's best kept secret we

reckon!

> > > >

> > > > I've been thinking of you all & hoping everyone is

> > > doing okay

> > > > .....I'll be down here for the next month.

> > > >

> > > > Talk to y'all again soon, after I've checked the

> > Posts!

> > > >

> > > > lots of love & spirit,

> > > >

> > > > in Oz

> > > >

> > > > IPF: Fibrotic NSIP/UIP

> > > >

> > > > Raynauds'

> > > >

> > > > May 2007

> > > >

> > >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Dear Tina,

I really appreciated your full reply, I want to understand what is

beneath many of the posts on this Board. Now can more fully appreciate

the difficulties that your step-father has in his greiving. Gosh life

is so unfair sometimes! Your step brother's life was full of joy &

he clearly had a real place in his extended family's heart. Very hard

to say goodbye in those circumstances.

Your mum sounds very empathetic & capable. She is indeed a precious

mother to have close at hand.

Tell I'm looking forward to hearing from her.

Cheers,

in Oz

> > > > >> > > > >> > > > > Hi Air Family,> > > > >> > > > > Haven't read any Posts yet ... arrived in > sweet> > > > Cygnet> > > > > yesterday...just got plugged back into Cyberspace ....busy,> > > busy,> > > > busy> > > > > helping my daughter & grand-daughter move back into their > little> > > > cottage> > > > > which she'd rented out while she was in the UK with me & then> > > her> > > > own> > > > > solo adventure in Morocco & Spain.> > > > >> > > > > We had lovely drive down stopping for 2 nights in > the> > > > > n High Country which had family connections a hundred> > > years> > > > ago.> > > > > Once the 3rd biggest Gold producing Town in Australia it is > now> > > > > virtually a Ghost Town. It has a permanent population of 7! On> > > > weekends> > > > > & school holidays it is peopled for tourist action & then goes> > > back> > > > to> > > > > the usual 7.....WEIRD!> > > > >> > > > > We luckily had a smooth crossing over Bass Strait> > > > arriving in> > > > > Devonport at 6am ...EARLY..we got woken over the Loudspeaker > at> > > > > 5.15am.....it was only JUST dawn & very misty on> > > arrival....another> > > > > lovely drive down through the Mountain Lakes area of the > Central> > > > > Highlands of Tassie.> > > > >> > > > > We were fishing out our woolies when we stopped > for> > > a> > > > picnic> > > > > brekkie! My fingers are doing their usual Reynauds number in > the> > > > cold> > > > > snap so I'll have to start taking my Nifedipine pills again.> > > I've> > > > also> > > > > been taking strong antibiotics for a mysterious gland that > went> > > > woopy in> > > > > the right side of my neck...it seems to have worked since the> > > pain> > > > has> > > > > subsided!> > > > >> > > > > Tasmania is the world's best kept secret we > reckon!> > > > >> > > > > I've been thinking of you all & hoping everyone is> > > > doing okay> > > > > .....I'll be down here for the next month.> > > > >> > > > > Talk to y'all again soon, after I've checked the> > > Posts!> > > > >> > > > > lots of love & spirit,> > > > >> > > > > in Oz> > > > >> > > > > IPF: Fibrotic NSIP/UIP> > > > >> > > > > Raynauds'> > > > >> > > > > May 2007> > > > >> > > >> > >> >>