I found this post on Facebook which I will share with you courtesy of OldTimers.

Have a wonderful weekend 💕xx

A couple of years ago I did the DNA test.

Recently updated results indicate estimations of:

65% England, Wales, Northwestern Europe

35% Ireland and Scotland

2% Sweden.

I should mention that both my parents were born in New Zealand and the same for myself and three siblings. My paternal grandfather was from Northern Ireland , my maternal grandfather from Scotland.

I have had several contacts with possible cousins mainly 3rd-5th from both sides of the family.

Today I received a message from a lady asking if I knew certain people because she might be related.

My reply opened up a can of worms so to speak.

It turns out the lady is a 1st cousin to me. My uncle (dad’s brother) had an affair in the 1940s. This lady has 5 half siblings who all grew up nearby her , has never met them. I have met one of her siblings. My new cousin and I have already spoken on the phone tonight. We both live in Australia in different states.

I was able to give her information about our mutual grandparents and other family members.

This is only the start. I now need to find photos etc for her. The good thing is she did have regular contact with her father for the first 16 years of her life. The Lady is now 70, her father passed away in 1988.

I now need to settle my mind and get some sleep.

Who would think a retired 69-year-old woman sits in front of TV all day and does nothing. Think again, I have amazed myself with how busy I have been.

1st: Sightseeing on Brisbane City Buses. Since the first of October all seniors can ride free on the buses in the off-peak time during week and all weekend. They can also take trips on the ferry up and down the river but not in the weekend.

2nd: Day at home doing Art Work which is one of my passions.

3rd: Visited the local Post Office and couldn’t resist doughnuts and coffee.

4th: Day of Rest.

5th: Medical Check Up – 25 minute bus trip each way.

6th: Housework – well someone has to do it – there’s only me here.

7th: At home being creative with art stuff.

8th: Reading a fabulous book that I couldn’t put down – The Happiest Refugee – A memoir by ANH DO. A true story of his journey from starvation at sea to becoming one of Australia’s best-loved comedians, plus an awesome artist.

9th: Back to the Medical Centre for my yearly health planning review.

10th: A visit to the cinema – Senior’s morning Tea and Movie – The Farewell.

Oops I have messed up the calendar

11th: Dentist for some believe it or not painless treatment. Had to get enamel replaced on some top teeth.

12th: Day out home . Baking – Cinnamon Pinwheels with added slices of apple.

13th: Another day at home – Reading, watching TV, blogging and relaxing,

13th: – double up … Another Day of Rest. The 13th wasn’t even a Friday 😂.

14th: Washing Day – the weather was good.

15th: A visit to see a Dietician which was recommended by the doctor because I am 12 kg overweight and have been diagnosed as being obese. OMG what a laugh you should have seen the dietician who looked about 40 kg overweight. I mustn’t criticise because I don’t know her story.

16th: Shopping for healthy food, so much fun.

17th: Review at the Eye Clinic. It was one month since my first Cataract Surgery. …good result….waiting now for the left eye to be done.

18th: Can’t Remember . Maybe I was recovering from the day before 🙂

19th: Memories of my Mum – I made a batch of Shortbread .

20th: Art sketching and WordPress blogging.

21st: Couch Potato – TV

22nd: Pot Plant Gardening, removed a few weeds, rearranged them and gave them some nutrients and water. Happy Plants.

23rd: Back to the Dentist (Murder House), needed a numbing injection this time. All good for another 6 months.

24th: A visit to the Podiatrist for the necessary nail trim, buff and cream, plus general check .

25th: Doodling and probably eating and making coffee.

26th: Another bus trip and shopping

27th: Relaxing at home in the sun, we all need some Vitamin D

28th: Nothing

29th: Google research for art projects. It’s amazing how distracted you can get when using the internet.

30th: Ladies Day Out – Toasted Sandwich / Coffee/ Chit Chat with my best mate Joan. We usually do this every 6-8 weeks.

31st: Breakfast in Brisbane City. Then returned clothes that I wasnt happy with to the retail shop and got a refund.

Well folks that was a record of what I did in a month. I really don’t have the time to get bored with life. Below is the chart I made and messed up the dates. I don’t think I am developing senile dementia yet , maybe I wanted to be different, why not.

Roses are red, violets are blue, I’m having a wonderful day, how about you?

My art supplies have arrived , this makes me so happy 😀

Lots of sketching in the pipeline.

I am anxious to get started, looking forward to Friday which is my next free day. 😀🎨🖼🦋

Those of you who follow my blogs will know that I am learning to draw.

Most afforable local art classes are booked out until 2020.

I found this bargain book at the newsagent.

I cannot find my tin of graphite pencils, still packed somewhere after my move 5 months ago. I had to make do with one HB pencil.

I enjoyed sketching 12 baby animals. Getting the right proportions was a challenge and also not having my good pencils for shading No worries as the saying goes here in Australia, I like them, I hope you do too.

Guess what I have ordered more pencils and also art paper.

My next challenge is to draw a dinosaur for my grandsons 5th birthday. I found some on Google which I have been using as a guideline to practice …..wish me luck.

Have a wonderful day everyone whatever you are doing.

Today I made a batch of Shortbread. My Mum was the queen of making shortbread.

Recipe:

250g of softened Butter, 1 cup of Cornflour, 2 cups of standard plain flour, 1 cup Icing Sugar.

Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Sift Cornflour and flour together. Mix sifted ingredients into creamed mixture. Knead well. On a lightly floured board roll out to 0.5cm thickness (I did mine thicker). Shape into rounds or cut into slices. Place on a tray lined with baking paper. Prick with a fork. Bake at 150 degrees Celsius for 30 minutes or until pale golden.

I put too many on the one tray.

Enjoy with a nice cuppa. I should add this comfort food only to be eaten in moderation. Most of the batch is now in the freezer just in case there are visitors.

October seems to be the month for creative challenges. I am not sure why it is in October. Anyway I thought I would go with the flow but probably won’t be following guidelines or rules exactly. I don’t like rules as that means stress to me 😂.

I actually started this challenge on Monday September 30th, it made sense to start then…..no rules🤣.

This morning with no real effort and definitely no stress I created the first seven days. I enjoyed measuring and cutting out the small square cards. It looks a tad childish but I don’t care.

Tomorrow is a public holiday here in Brisbane I might utilise the day to try and declutter more stuff.

Wishing everyone a safe and happy weekend ❤ xo

PS: The treadmill didn’t get a mention. 10 Minutes a day when I am not having chest or scoliosis pain. I try to use it daily but unfortunately sometimes it might only be 2-3 times a week.

I ruined the original sketch with poppies. I had used watercolour pencils, when I applied a wet brush to it I tried also to add more colour…big mistake. I plan to trim off the poppies and use them on another project.I have completed the Country landscape that I painted during the weekend. I am a novice artist and should not expect perfection. I am happy with my effort. I have forwarded a picture of it to my friend that I am gifting it to. He replied saying “cool I love it thanks “. …that makes me happy.