Carols with the Wollongong Harmony Chorus

 

Being a member of Wollongong Harmony Chorus is great fun - especially at Christmas.
At Christmas, the chorus sings carols at various venues such as shopping centres around the Illawarra.
Here we are today, singing at Dapto Mall.
It's great to watch the audience, especially the children who sing and dance as they enjoy the music we make. WE all enjoy it too and it's a great way to recruit for new members. As you can see, Helen never misses an opportunity!
Five more sleeps until Christmas!
Where did the year go?

That man in the red suit ....

 

Oh my goodness who IS that? says Zara.
I don't think I like him too much even if he does come bearing gifts.
BUT, I did eventually end up waving to him (from the distance) and blowing him a kiss!
I liked his sleigh and all the tinsel and he gave me this cool backpack with some gardening tools and a car.
Maybe he's not so bad after all.
Mardie had fun!

Just what IS supposed to happen?

 

Look what Mardie bought me yesterday!

 


Reckon it was worth $5?
I do!
I wonder how I can share it with cousin Harry?

Mardie's Helper ...

 

Zara loves to help - especially when there is water involved!

Christmas Tree's

Here are a couple of Christmas trees.
The first one I took at Circular Quay last weekend.
I was realy taking the blow up 'Boy with Swin Ring' which was kinda different.
Not sure of his significance really.
Must take a ride in one of these 'green' taxis! Saw some in Melbourne when we were down there last month.

 

This tree was in Melbourne .....

 

Pincushions...

We had our ScqIllawarra Christmas GTG last weekend and had a pincushion swap.
This is the collection ready to be 'drawn'.
They were all numbered and we drew out a number to get our swap.

 

This is the one I made. I had fun making it. I got the idea from a 'make do' site on the Net.
I picked up the little glass candle holder at an Op shop for $2 and raided my old button collection to fill the glass.
I made a second one in Christmas theme in a 'shot' glass. Not sure where it was when I took the photo.
I have one 1/2 done for myself in a crystal port glass and I have filled the glass with tiny shells - photo later.
I picked up a selection of vessels from the wine glass to an egg cup and a pate dish. It is a fun concept and makes a cute different sort of gift for a 'sewing' friend

 

Call that a ship?....

We went up to Sydney today to see Manon, our last ballet of the season at the Opera House. It was lovely. I don't know why the slur of 'pansy' was ever put on guys who do ballet - they are so fit and strong and are a delight to watch.
The girls were OK too . LOL
It was a busy day in town - the train on the way up was full of young people going to 'Home Day' which I had to ask about - it's like 'Big Day Out' we were told by one of the Transit Police on the train.
And goodness knows how many passengers came off this huge ship - it almost dwarfs the 'Bridge'- I'm sure most of them were wandering around the Quay!

 

This cruise boat the 'Millenium' was in dock at the International Terminal.
You have it in B&W as I was trying out my new camera and I hadn't set the White Balance correctly so I got a nice 'blue' shot. Looks fine in B&W tho.

 

Here is a shot of it taken from Circular Quay station, you can just see Lunar Park.

 

And this one of Lunar Park taken from the same spot using the zoom.
Now why would I bother with a heavy SLR that I have to change lens' etc?
A couple of weeks ago I bought one and tried it for the weekend - I've since resold it - for more than I paid for it -and no regrets.
I then bought a Panasonic Lumix FZ28 - their latest with quite a few more features which I have to learn to use. This will be my 4th Lumix.
I am working my way through the instruction manual. Sigh.

Family Celebrations ....

 

Last weekend was a gathering of children and grandchildren here at 'the Rail'
Only one missing was Scott and we hope he will join us in Taree for New Year.
It was great to have them all here but also VERY quiet when they all went home this morning.

How I see myself ................

 

I have seen myself as many things over the years and I have worn MANY hats - literally - LOL
But today I see myself as a special 'Mardie' to my two little grandchildren.
Here I am with Harry and his lovely father Brad at our Chorus Family and Friends Concert last Saturday night.

Zara and I get to spend lots of time together as she lives closer. Times like going on the train to the nearby seaside town of Kiama or to the markets or like in this photo, just taking the time to feed the seagulls and watch the pelicans. It's really special.