One last party post

So many people did so much to make Waymans night one he will remember.

He has spent a great deal of time this week, thinking back over the night, hoping he managed to speak to as many as possible, and contacting those he may have missed.

I have spent time trying to collate some memories for us all.

I have a file with copies of the speeches, and various aspects of the night.

[ I didn't keep the labels for the ladies and gents portaloos, even though they were in theme!]

Cassie did a wonderful job of the printing and Steph delighted in co-ordinating the decorations.

After the event these are very disposable things, so I thought it might be good to post a sample of their work, to help us remember what they did.

Steph chose a black and white theme, because she thought it was masculine, the fact that Collingwood are these colours was totally a coincidence!

Our caterer excelled in producing a sit down dinner for 90 people from our garage.

If you live in the Adelaide Hills I would highly recommend Nicole from

The Olive Branch

cafe and catering

Balhannah Junction

olivebranchcafe.com.au

We are taking a very short driving holiday to visit the town where Wayman grew up this week, a little town called Robertstown between Eudunda and Burra.

Birthday pictures

Waymans birthday party took place in perfect weather, so we started with drinks at the pavillion.

Then we asked our guests to walk the old railway line to the rec room.

Wayman enjoyed the walk with his friend Col

I was quite flattered that many took a detour past my vegetable garden....

then I remembered that I had nothing to do with cultivating it, and that since I have been in control, it has become rather over-run!

Stephanie was in charge of the decorations and paper lanterns were the featured item

We had a few anxious moments working out the numbers, but we all fitted in the room

The three young people on the left grew up with our girls, and it is wonderful that they now share this memory with them

we ended the night with dessert and coffee under the fairy lights on the front lawn

The evening was a magical one for Wayman and I. Our friends and family celebrated with us as we acknowledged Gods grace and mercy in allowing Wayman 60 wonderful years.

A time to celebrate

We had the privilege of celebrating Waymans birthday on Saturday night with a number of our family and friends.

Cameron worked in the heat on Friday to have the garden looking amazing, and the girls did a wonderful job decorating the grounds and rec room. Angus had put lights in the trees, that produced a wonderland for us to end the evening under.

Many of our friends came from Adelaide, and the hills and we were thrilled that representatives of our friendship groups in Sydney came, along with work colleagues of Waymans.

The weather was very kind, just right for being outdoors. Our caterer produced beautiful food, and the family was a delight to us both.

Thank you to all of you who honoured us with your company.

Today is the actual birthday, and we have spent it quietly after attending church this morning to witness Jonty's baptism. Wayman is really enjoying reading birthday messages, while his daughters sit on the couch next to him chattering over the tennis commentary!

The simple things of life bring such joy.

I will endeavour to post photos soon.

Wayman is turning 60

In July 2010 I never imagined that we would make it this far. Wayman is turning 60 next Sunday. We are celebrating with family and friends on Saturday night. While we still have 6 days to go, I am grateful that Wayman is feeling much better now he is on anti-coagulants. Representatives from his life in business and our social circles in Adelaide and Sydney are all making the effort to join us. We wish we had room for more.

The family have been wonderful, each taking a role that is suited to their talents and availability.

Belinda and I have been cleaning and preparing the venue.

Stephanie is responsible for the decorations.

Cassie has done all the printing and emailing.

Angus has strung up thousands of lights and I think he has more to come!

Shane is Mr fix-it moving furniture and hanging pictures.

Nathan is in charge of sound and music.

The garden has been getting extra attention with petunias flowering and asters about to start. The roses have a second flush, and with dam water we can keep the lawns green.

We are thankful that the weather looks as if it will be conducive to an outdoor event.

With Wayman finishing his chemo tomorrow for this month I am hopeful that he will be in good spirits by Saturday.

Thank God for his grace and mercy in allowing us this time.

Wayman is home

We are thrilled that Wayman has been allowed home. We are very comfortable with administering his insulin, and the anti-coagulant is given with the same method. Consequently the staff are happy for us to manage it here.

The drug cupboard is getting to be very extensive.

He is feeling much better, the symptoms have subsided, and while he isn't looking to spend a day in the garden, he is much improved.

I will have to hone my codewording skills at home.

Thank you for praying. God is faithful.

Crosswords and Codewords

Wayman has been a "crossworder" for years! Even in this age of electronic media, he loves to get the daily paper to do the puzzles. He is always disappointed when the crossword has been done in the Qantas in-flight magazine when he flies.

It has given him a good vocabulary and means that his spelling is usually pretty good.

I am not a crossworder.

Consequently I have a poor vocabulary and my spelling is atrocious!!!!

Thank goodness for spell check.

Today I spent time with Wayman in hospital, it was the one place I wanted to be.

With Wayman enjoying his crossword, I visited the newsagent and discovered codewords.

Now some people might think that this puzzle is even harder than a crossword, but there is a secret dear friends.

You only buy the puzzle books that have the answers in the back!

There is something very special about two 60ish people who just want to spend time together discussing if there is a word in the English language that finishes with uu, or whether murex is a word.

Today I had a wonderful day.

Wayman is tolerating the treatment well, and is counting the days until he can come home. [ he would also love a private room but I'm sure he be will OK, I keep telling him it is character building to share a bathroom with other men]

A set-back for Wayman

I was hoping to share more images from our time at the river with our family with you, but Wayman has had a set-back in his condition and I would appreciate your prayerful support. He loved the time there just watching the families and the water sports, but was unable to be very involved. He was pleased to be home, but his malaise was obvious.

One of the major complications with a glioma is its ability to send blood clots through the body. The medicos don't quite know why, but it seems to happen with many sufferers.

Wayman has been hospitalised today with multiple small blood clots in his lungs, and we think they are also in his legs.

Apart from the obvious symptoms related to this, and excluding one incident on Monday, he has remained pain free.

Over the next week he will stay in hospital to receive a course of anticoagulants. We are hoping this will relieve the situation and help us avoid a major issue.

Please pray that the drugs will quickly dissolve any clots, and that no new ones will form.

Thank God for Waymans lack of pain, and the relative ease with which he is coping with a difficult situation. Praise Him for allowing Wayman good times with his girls and their husbands.

Pray that he will be fit enough to enjoy turning 60 at the end of the month!

Thank you for your partnership.