A Little About Me

I lived my younger years in the big smoke "Melbourne". Married Alan (alias "Big Al") in July 1959.

Together we raised 4 wonderful children

From Left: Joanne, Donna, Gary & Carol (Xmas 2004)

• Carol (alias "Big Lou" & "its_me_cazz") born January 1960
• Gary (alias "Great Gatsby") born May, 1961
• Donna (alias "Skippy") born August, 1966
• Joanne (alias "Scruffy" & "checkez") born June, 1969

And combined, have given me 12 grandchildren & 4 step grandchildren. Pictures will pop up here and there - maybe in my "Nannas' Brag Book".

After spending many Christmas vacations at the Yarrawonga Caravan Park, fell in love with the town and decided to semi-retire, we bought a very old and run down house, and with a lot of help from family & friends, and many a fun "working bee" weekend, renovated and bought the old girl up to scratch. We fully retired in 1990, left the business for Gary to run and moved permanently to Yarrawonga.

The summers here at Yarra (as it is affectionately known) are VERY hot - nothing for it to be 40°C + for weeks at a time, but the winters are bloody cold dropping to below zero. So during the colder months, May through to September, Alan and I would load up the 4WD, hitch on the caravan and head up North, and visit friends in Darwin, then travel on and stay at LeePoint Caravan Park. During our trips we made many new friends, and it become like our second home. (Ahhh.. now that's another "blog")

In the April of 2004 I was diagnosed with bowel cancer. After 2 major surgeries and a large portion of the bowel removed, I am pleased to say that I am in full recovery and at this point in time am cancer free.

In October 2004, my beloved Alan suffered a major brain haemorrhage, and passed away a week later.

From then till now, I have lived a quieter life, staying at home and trying to come to terms with all that has transpired.

I am a member of our local services club Lady Bowlers (lawn bowls) and enjoy playing in social games and pennant comps. I also play indoor carpet bowls, of which my sister is also a member, and be both play social and pennant comps.

When not bowling, I like to spend time at the computer, playing a few online games at Yahoo, chatting with friends & family, and reading all at "Holtieshouse" and all his family associated blogs.

Well that's about it for tonight, brain is fried, the eyes are seeing double, need to go and stretch the legs, make a cuppa and head off to bed.

Niters for now,

Jen