Room 6

One of the things that has made my life a good deal easier this year is having a classroom of my own. I can sit in there and prepare work - I've even got a computer, but of course it is not connected to the total internet - Just the "White" list, but this is starting to be wider and wider. This is in the vestibule of the old church that Westmount has as its hall. Its quite near the road so it is a bit noisy by they have lined it with fluffy wall board. This is unfortunately off-cuts from other office jobs that have been done by a Brethren firm, so it is a variety of colours - mainly grey but quite a bit of orange.

The maximum class I have is 6. This is my year 12 maths class working hard. We are setting in place a new format for year 12 called the assignment. It doesn't really align itself with my teaching practice. Too often I prepare a whole unit of work and never use all of it because the needs of the students dictates we go another way. Normally classes at Westmount are not this small, but George - that's him on the right -  has an independent learning program because his neural circuity is not like everybody elses. However he has passed his first internal. I thought we could get him through as he is not unintelligent - just jumbled.

 This is my little nook - the windows are frosted but it is nice to get a bit of natural light. I'm even sorting through my filing cabinet  - after 9 years its getting quite full.

There is a huge amount of storage at the back of the class, but already it is starting to get filled up with various plans for Market Day. I think it might be quite cold in winter, but it does have air con. So when you think of me at work - you know what it looks like!

Moving on.

The wool that I am growing at the top of my hair is very springy and curly. Even it I wanted to I couldn't wear my wig as wiry grey curls would spring from underneath it. The top of my hair would lift my wig off my head. I find it quite a masculine look - but at least its hair!!
Time to pack my wig, wig stand, wig net, wigshine away.

It was a great wig and it saw me through the hard times and most days I felt better from wearing it. It made me look quite young so I felt quite attractive in it.

Goodbye wig. I hope I never have to use you again.

Mozzarella + Oncology appointment success

Last Friday I got a clean bill of health so far from Dr Goodman - only another two years and nine months to go until we know if the lymphoma has decided to go away and stay away.
So onto new adventures now and this included using the Mad Millie cheese making kit that Jill gave me for Christmas.
The first step was to milk the cow. I left this to Anna and David. The first night they seperated the calf from the cow, but the calf wasn't having any of this and smashed through the barrier that David had erected between them. When David went out in the morning he went to pick up the bits of the barricade and a metal standard flew up and hit him quite badly - just missing the eye. However the next attempt was much more successful and the rich creamy wonderful tasting milk was delivered.

Rich and Creamy

Frothy when poured

Sterilise all equipment

W

Heat to the required temperature and check for a clean cut



Now I'm sorry I cant show you the stretching stage but it required two hands. Here they are 5 balls of mozzarella! It tasted pretty good too. I did have some problems getting the clean cut so I had to add double rennet. Looking forward to trying it again - if only the cow would co-operate!

Hey there you!

We drove around the estuary with the radio blaring and a song that resonated with me was Sing to the Moon by Laura Mvala.

Hey there you! Looking for a brighter season?

Need to lay your burden down.

My burden , of course, is the lump in my neck. Its still there - but is it doing anything?

Here are some things that really help to take my mind off my worries.   

A grandson who really likes his Hunting and fishing gear!

Grandad and the grandsons playing ball.

Watching little people tackle new tasks.

Is that how the bell works??

Both of our kids together again!

It was a great holiday at Ohiwa. The water was warm some days the surf was good. The best thing ? - walks with Jill - talking 90 to the dozen!

Next oncology appointment on Friday 31st January.

The Last Visit

 Once again we are being flooded by produce from the garden - our first heavy crop of raspberries, so we have had heaps nice desserts and I have made raspberry and Rhubarb jam which I think comes out better as it doesn't have so many pips. I've even bottled asparagus this year!

So tomorrow I will make my last visit to the chemo clinic to take some jam up to the nurses there. Some people bring cakes or chocolates for the nurses, but I hope the jam will be something a bit different.

My Blogspot has been on the blink for a few days, but has miraculously come right all by itself!

Update on hair

My hair has been quite slow growing. The widow's peak is quite pronounced and on either side there are two bald patches with fluffy white down on them. Just like Mickey.

Premonitions Part 2

Many of you may remember reading of my premonition of the lump being cancer back in May when I dreamt a large black bird attacked my neck.
When we arrived back after the PET scan in Hamilton - which showed no active cancer - look what we found on the front deck.