The arrival of Romy Alice Beamish

On Saturday 7th December, grandchild number 3, nine days overdue, was given her marching orders.

Hil, three hours before the birth

The girl is still in there

Big brother waits it out at a BBQ at Harleston Park

"I'll be looking out for my little sister"

"I wonder what she will be like"


The news  of Romy's birth came through. Time to celebrate

Ordering 60 chocolate ice-creams at Trampoline



...but settling happily for one

 



Next morning it's time to meet Romy

And isn't she beautiful?

Romy has a bandage on her sore leg

And is ready for breakfast

Ah, that's better

 

Proud Arma

And Arpa

Ma B and Romy

Caspie assesses the situation ...

... and decides Romy is good enough to eat.

The relaxing experience of decorating a tree with a 3 year old.

 

No colour scheme this year, just plonking them on

We're claiming it as a badger but who knows?

 

Considering star placement ...

... and nailing it

Let's sit down and assess

Definitely food for thought

Hmm ... Not sure about that tatty old gold train that Mummy so loves

That'll have to do

Lovely Lilydale Library Ladies

It was fantastic to catch up with the gals after all my weeks of house arrest. Colleen's beautiful home and her marvellous hospitality made the day just perfect.

Yeady to go (as Caspie would say)

Big Jimmy's attitude to his last day of work was completely different from mine when I was dragged out kicking and screaming a year ago. He was beaming.

He's already started throwing out his business clothes and I'm worried he won't have anything decent to wear to my funeral.

Preparing the last work day breakfast

 

Last early morning weather check

Puckered up for the last wifey smooch

Can't hide the smirk

 

Evening celebration in Chapel Street

Christmas time with Caspie

Early on a wet Sunday was a perfect time to view the Myer Christmas window display.

One of many gingerbread men, sadly inedible

Cakes galore

Fox on the run

You can press your nose to the glass

"My nose seems to be wet"

Maybe pressing it to the window wasn't such a good idea

A stroll on the Arts Centre wall is always fun

 

 

The Mighty Fighting Hawks

The Grand Final

Walking from the Hilton to the G, I could feel the excitement. People without tickets were partying in the park.

I had a good seat and plenty of fellow Hawks around me. This can't be guaranteed in the Members' Reserve where there are always lots of theatre-goers.

 Freo's defensive style is not pretty and not very effective when you are 4 goals down. When they started to attack in the third quarter they got within 3 points. That was when I started watching between my fingers. I enjoyed the last quarter and the afterwards though. A very good day. The result was a relief rather than the exhilaration of 2008 but a much better feeling than last year and the year before - both horrible.

Sunday

Although feeling squiffy I went to Glenferrie Road to join the celebrations.

 

There were long queues for food and souvenirs

 

 

 

We stood in the sun for a long time waiting for the players to be presented to the crowd. I provided the support act by fainting, firstly into the arms of my beloved ... 

 

 

and then in a crumpled heap in the forward pocket, crushing my souvenir premiership poster.

 I spent the rest of the day lolling on the sofa reading about the mighty fighting Hawks. Eleven premierships, all since I was 13  - how lucky is that?