It had to be done....

It was a bit of a sad day today. I woke up this morning and our front yard looked like this.

One lovely big lemon scented gum smack bang in the middle of the front yard. I love that tree. We planted it 30 years ago when we moved into our house, but it had to come down. It is just way to dangerous, and with all the rain and cyclones that have been around this year, we finally made the sad decision to have it removed. We actually had the gum tree and two large palms that were sandwiched between our place and our neighbours. This post will be an overload of photos. Our record of this event.
The very last photo taken on our tree.The muncher arrives

Ropes everywhere and the tree is ascended.
First big log comes down.
Doesn't take long before the yard is covered in branches.
Munching up the branches.
High up in the tree.
It's coming down.

Thinning out.
Not much left up top, and a good view of the palm trees which are the next to come down.

TIMBER............. The first palm coming down.
Cutting it all up....
a big job.........
Palm Tree No. 2 came down into the back yard.
Getting ready to take down the last of the big gum....

Final cuts at the base of the tree.

Ready set go. Pullllllllllllllll and Pushhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.

Down with the biggest thump. This was one heavy trunk....

This timber should last us all winter.....
It's a good thing it came down. See the big split in the centre of the tree.

This is the sight that greeted me when I arrived home from work this afternoon. I noticed it the moment I turned into the street. I cannot beleive how much lighter it is around our place, and how much more of the night sky we can see. Still I will miss the tree. In fact tonight both Chloe and I were feeling the loss. It is not quite the same. The boys will be back tomorrow to finish cutting up these logs in the front yard and to grind the stump...... All I can say is it is a VERY EXPENSIVE business to get rid of trees.

A week ago, I scored a new one of these.
I have been looking for a new phone for the last couple of months. My kids talked me into one of these. Well actually they wanted me to get the iPhone, but this one felt better in the hand, and it does far more than I will ever need a phone to do.

I cannot beleive the number of apps that you can download for phones these days. Amazing games, educational games, dolch words.... unreal, and it downloads all my emails as well. I have never been one for playing games, but hey it hasn't taken me long to become addicted.

There has been lots going on in our neighbourhood in the last few weeks. Our next door neighbours have been building this.


Steve goes out each afternoon to check its progress. He is green with envy.

The fish have had babies..... It is about time... we seemed to loose quite a few whilst we were away. Nice to see the tank teaming with life again.

Have been creating again.....
I did this one whilst Steve was away in Brissie with his Mum. I have another one to share too, just need to photograph it first.

I received this email from a good friend this morning and thought it was worth sharing.

WAYS TO REDUCE STRESS...
An Angel says, "Never borrow from the future. If you worry about what may happen tomorrow and it doesn't happen, you have worried in vain. Even if it does happen, you have to worry twice."
1. Pray


2. Go to bed on time.


3. Get up on time so you can start the day unrushed.


4. Say No to projects that won't fit into your time schedule, or that will compromise your mental health.


5. Delegate tasks to capable others.


6. Simplify and unclutter your life.


7. Less is more. (Although one is often not enough, two are often too many.)


8. Allow extra time to do things and to get to places.


9. Pace yourself. Spread out big changes and difficult projects over time; don't lump the hard things all together.


10. Take one day at a time.


11. Separate worries from concerns If a situation is a concern, find out what God would have you do and let go of the anxiety . If you can't do anything about a situation, forget it.


12. Live within your budget; don't use credit cards for ordinary purchases.


13. Have backups; an extra car key in your wallet, an extra house key buried in the garden, extra stamps, etc.


14. K.M.S. (Keep Mouth Shut). This single piece of advice can prevent an enormous amount of trouble.


15. Do something for the Kid in You everyday.


16. Smile and be nice to others while waiting in line.


17. Get enough rest.


18. Eat right.


19 Get organized so everything has its place.


20. Listen to a tape while driving that is uplifting


21. Write down thoughts and inspirations.


22. Every day, find time to be alone.


23. Having problems? Talk to God on the spot. Try to nip small problems in the bud. Don't wait until it's time to go to bed to try and pray.


24. Make friends with Godly people.


25. Keep a folder of favorite scriptures on hand.


26. Remember that the shortest bridge between despair and hope is often a good "Thank you Jesus."


27. Laugh.


28. Laugh some more!


29. Take your work seriously, but not yourself at all.


30. Develop a forgiving attitude (most people are doing the best they can).


31. Be kind to unkind people (they probably need it the most).


32. Sit on your ego.
33 Talk less; listen more.


34. Slow down.


35. Remind yourself that you are not the general manager of the universe.




36 . Every night before bed, think of one thing you're grateful for that you've never been grateful for before. GOD HAS A WAY OF TURNING THINGS AROUND FOR YOU.
"If God is for us, who can be against us?"
(Romans 8:31)

Only two sleeps to go until we are on holidays. I so cannot wait. It has been and extremely long term. Normally we have a 1o week term, but this year, we have just completed a 12 week one and we are exhausted. So looking forward to the break. We are hitching the van to the car and taking off for a week. Will be back soon with more updates.