Ha ha .. thanks heaps @Dino14 ... you are a very kind gentleman.
Sharpei .. are they the wrinkly looking dogs? They are quite large in size I think. I'm glad to hear that Percy knows he's a good looking fellow. You asked if we can post pictures. Yes we can. When you are in the posting window, you will notice at the top of the box a series of different functions listed. One of those is a small black and white pic of a camera, with the word 'Photos' along side it. Select that option and it will take you to an area where you can choose a photo file. Then select 'done' when you are loaded up. It will then come back to the usual posting box, and your photo will be there. Any photos have to be moderated (approved), so will not appear immediately.
Please be careful not to post any pictures of yourself, or anything or anyone which might enable another reader to identify you. Bear in mind that this is an anoymous forum. For example, you have used your lady friends name of Kylie, and thats fine because its not an uncommon name. However if it were a very unusual name, it would be better to use a pseudonym. Given you live in a rural community, it may be easier for other people to recognise you. So just keep that in mind in any interactions here on the forums.
I recall I had a favourite uncle when I was in my teens and early 20's. He was my hero, my Dads younger brother. Lived in remote farm, was unmarried .. and was a really good sportsman. He was a top cricketer, even travelled to the City where he played Grade cricket. I think his main claim to fame there was in getting a hat trick. He gave me one of his cricket bats when I was a kid, and I played with that bat with great pride. He was also a very good district tennis player. Tennis was the big sport in the country areas, along with cricket of course. Sadly my uncle George died in his late 50's.
Your big fry up lunch yesterday sounds pretty good to me. We also had pavlova, plus a Christmas Icecream Cake I made for something different. It was nice too ... a layer of chrissy fruit cake, followed by vanila icecream laced with rum, spices, fruit, glace peel and cherries, berrys, nuts, etc. Plus a layer of frozen berries in between another layer of cake and icecream. Then lots of fresh berries on top along with some crushed meringue. Looked good, and tasted good. Yes I will need to work hard to burn off some of that indulgence. No Dean, you did not offend me at all. I am used to a fair bit of similar language, spending a lot of time in a shearing shed. Grew up on a sheep farm, and my husband and I had a fine wool sheep farm until we sold some 10 years ago. I think the increased exercise to burn off the Christmas excesses can wait until tomorrow though, I am intently watching the Boxing Day cricket at present. I expect you will be too, so I wont need to tell you that we are batting and we have lost a very early wicket already.
Yes sport has always been big in my life. When I experienced my trauma, I initially tried to manage the symptoms by spending more time at work, and doing more sport. When I suffered my back injury 3 years later, I lost my ability to play sport or do any exercise at all for over a year. Then it was a very slow road back, even to walk properly. But it meant I no longer had my usual coping mechanism, so it just made everything so much harder.
I am happy that you have remained heavily involved in your sport after retiring from the playing side. Your history is very impressive I have to say. I think its great that we have our sporting hero's, and you are clearly that, for many others coming through your footy club. My sister was a very good highjumper too, and represented at state level. I could jump a bit, but lack of height does not help much. And I never learned the fosbury flop method, just stuck with the old sizzer jump. I represented at state level, but only for 100 meters and long jump. My sporting achievements were in a different place to where we live now, so I suspect my victories are long forgotten. Although I know my name is still front and centre on a number of A grade squash Championship boards in a few places, and I think my name is still alongside a couple of junior 100 meter sprint records. Maybe I will live on, even when I'm gone? I am sorry that your lack of a healthy self esteem does not permit you to accept that you are indeed worthy of Kylie's love. I hope that changes in time. You really do come across as a very genuine and good person.
Oh no .. thats so hard for someone of only 15 ... to lose your best mate, and then for your mother to say such a thing to you. That is terribly harsh and uncaring. And it was doubly tragic that his brother was driving the other car. People dont get over things like that. My brother was driving when his 11yo daughter died in the accident. Not his fault, it was a terrible windy day and a tree branch fell onto his ute knocking him out and causing the car to run off the road. It was a low speed thing, but as fate would have it, the passenger side took out a small sappling tree which shore off a piece of metal from the passenger door frame and killed her instantly. Naturally my brother blames himself. As he says, I was driving, there is nobody else to blame but me. It has devastated the family though. So I really feel for you, plus your best friends brother. I can also understand their father turning to alcohol, which is terribly sad.
By the way, I had Percy stay with me while you were out yesterday. He has been the perfect gentleman, and even got along very well with my little Holly. Did I mention it was Hollys birthday yesterday? She and Percy had a little party while you were gone.
I hope your yesterday was good. I realise you are at your nieces today for Boxing Day. I too hope she has the tele going and has the cricket on. And yeah ... you're right ... we are both good people, and we both deserve happiness. Said with an understanding smile.
Sherry
