First Published Book by Amelia Siggee aged 11.

Amelia’s book titled ‘Amelia’s Holiday with Ma & Pa’ has arrived. As you can see, Pa is very proud of of Amelia. So too is her Ma.

Amelia created this 35 page book and presented it as a travel guide filled with information about where she visited including galleries, museums, wetlands, historical buildings and more. The title page was her creation too. Photos by Amelia, Ma & Pa were mostly placed by her. She also wrote a poem about whales. – Well done Amelia. We are so pleased you enjoyed your pre-highschool holiday with us.

Archived in: 🦋 Children’s Corner & 🦋 Updates

Granddaughter’s Creativity Shows

We traveled to Sydney on the weekend and returned with Amelia, our middle granddaughter for a week’s holiday. To pass the time on the long road trip, she used her creativity on her phone and tablet. These were just to good to delete.

They now feature on her phone contacts. She made one for each of her contacts which are highly restricted by her mum and dad.

Archived in: 🦋 Children’s Corner & 🦋 Updates

Something Official

I am very blessed to be the Pastoral Care Coordinator at our local church. My key responsibilities are to oversee and support the pastoral care volunteers and encouraging the pastoral care of the church.

I also support volunteers who are interested in furthering their call to ministry. I always love to encourage others to follow their call and to use their gifts and talents for God.

Archived in:🦋 Updates

Goodbye to a Dear Friend.

The Call of the Pen

Good friends never say goodbye. They simply say, ‘see you soon’.

My dearest friend, who has always been as close as a sister, I will miss you dearly and I will think of you often.

We’ll keep those little painted rocks, your special gifts and loving cards with the dearest messages. I’ll always remember those writer trips away together, your visits and the meals we shared.

I’m so thankful that you sent me one of your first copies of your book not so long ago. I’m glad it was published before you left us as you always hoped. I just wish it wasn’t so soon.

I’m so sorry I wasn’t there to say, ‘I will see you soon’.

We’ll meet again.

Love always, Chrissy.

Archived in: 🦋 Updates

Lost Book Review

Recently I discovered a book review by Sana Edoja. – see below. Just as my email and blog addresses listed at the end of the review are out of date, so are Sana’s. If you’re reading this, Sana, or if anyone knows of her, I’d love to touch base again. Thank you, Sana, for the review.

Finding the review came at a much needed time. I often wonder where the 5,000 copies of ‘Out Of the Shadows – Jenna’s Secret’ books ended up. I had the book updated with 2020’s teenage language and reprinted by Skoobebooks during Covid 19. Unfortunately, the company dissolved when the editors past away. I had received a only hand full of copies of the updated editions before the website shut down leaving me no way of having more copies printed or contact anyone. Fortunately, I still have the manuscript but unable to afford a new publisher, nor do I have the the time and energy to self-publish.

1/17/2011 / Book ReviewsSana Edoja

I just wanted to thank Chrissy Siggee for giving me the opportunity to read her fiction book called “OUT OF THE SHADOWS – JENNA’S SECRET”. I was a bit reluctant at reading it at first because I’ve never really believed in the impact of Christian fiction books could change lives, but, I must admit that Chrissy’s book proved me wrong.

I very much enjoyed reading Chrissy book as it is well written and easy to read and it took me only 2 days to get through it.

Chrissy book relates the story of a young girl called Jenna, who is passionate with playing hockey, her dream to make to the finals is shattered following a serious injury during a soccer game. As a result, Jenna found herself struggling with anorexia but she manages to fight her illness with the help and love of doctors, family, and friends. Her faith in God plays a major part in her healing and also, leads her to help another young girl who had been struggling with bulimia for years.

The story moved me to tears as I noticed that power of the love of God brought dramatic healing to those young girls struggling with self-esteem and eating disorders.

To conclude, I would recommend this book to any parents who have kids with eating disorders.

God bless you all.

You can order Chrissy Siggee by clicking on the link below .

You can contact Chrissy Siggee on her email: chrissy@chrissysiggee.com
http: //chrissysiggee.com/
http: //chrissysiggee.com/shadows/

Sana Edoja

Archived in: 🦋 Updates

Stitches Removed!

Day 18 Post Surgery: Stitches, or rather the one long stitch used for the 15cm wound, was removed late today. The surgeon is very happy with my recovery to date. No formal physiotherapy required but I do need to continue my current exercise routine which is mostly walking, step-work and pool exercise. One elbow crutch should still be used in some environments until January 24th after an X-ray and reviewed again by the surgeon. Until then, I’ll be taking precautions to not over do anything and just taking my time to fully recover. A more settled sleep pattern is a priority. No more sleeping flat on my back should help.

Everyone has been supportive and encouraging. Thank you.

I’m really hoping I can sit for longer at the computer too so I can write new poems and articles. It’s often uncomfortable as well as finding the time between my rehab routines.

Thanks for your patience. – Chrissy

Archived in: 🦋 Updates

Walking Wounded

Do you see the blue house at the top left corner of the image below? That’s our house. That’s our car leaving our little Avenue. Norm’s off to have a haircut. I’m on walk two of my three times a day walk of the Avenue before returning to the comfort of my soft bed to do my knee exercises. I walk about 150 metres. I was using using two elbow crutches until this morning. Now it’s just one.

Day 12 after surgery and day 8 at home. I’ve also started pool exercises this week which is so much easier and painless. The days a warm. I love summer. It’s the best season to be in the pool.

Not a good look but impressive.

Scarred for life. 😉

Archived in: 🦋 Updates

Home and Recovering

Thanks to everyone who sent well wishes and love since my knee replacement surgery last Thursday, November 23rd.

The surgeon was so impressed with my progress that he sent me home after breakfast yesterday, Sunday November 26th. Pain and sleep management, although still not perfect, is easier now that I’m home.

I’m not up to writing much yet but I look forward to reading posts of those I follow.

Archived in: 🦋 Updates

Surgery in Three Days

In just three days I hope to have my knee replacement surgery so I won’t be online for at least four days. I’ll try to talk Norm through submitting a quick update post sometime over the weekend when I’m feeling up to it but I hope to be out of bed and looking for something to do besides physiotherapy.

I have rescheduled a few archived posts from Riverside Peace for the following week which I hope you will enjoy again until I’m up to writing again.

If all goes well with surgery and recovery, I hope to be home as soon as I can manage both post-surgery pain and Canadian/forearm crutches. My ongoing recovery and physiotherapy plan can be then done at home.

Because I’m severely allergic to the usual, and unusual pain medications, my anesthetist and surgeon have been working on alternative pain relief especially the first 24 hours after the surgery. Please pray for the wisdom of the medical team and for me to work through those early days so I can return home. Thanks in advance.

See you soon.

🦋 Updates and Announcements

I Did It!

100 Christmas Cards made. 35 are now ready to post. I’ve put aside 11 cards for our neighbours. Yes, there are 12 houses on our Avenue and we all see each other often and attend our monthly birthday street BBQ when we can. There’s plenty for friends at church and the Koala Hospital too. This year I decided on poinsettias as the theme. Every card is different. I’ll write in the local cards when I return home from the hospital in early December. I won’t be going anywhere much until I recover from my surgery.

Archived in: 🦋 Updates

Knee Surgery Update

I knew before I left the recovery ward that the surgery wasn’t as easy as expected. But then, there were no guarantees before I went in. Today the surgeon showed me the film he took inside my knee. The meniscus was torn and brittle beyond recognition. Only a tiny section at the rear was left behind. The knee joint resembled a nanny goat’s beard in full growth. It looked like it needed a shave. The video was fast-forwarded for a few minutes showing the “shaving”. There is a LOT of arthritis. My knee is still yellow purple and green… inside too apparently. Too bruised and stressed for more surgery too soon.

I have another appointment in 4 weeks when he suspects he will then send me for another x-ray to see how things are recovering. As for a knee replacement in the near future. Who knows. I’m surprised It’s not already booked but after his explanation and watching my video, I’ll just have to wait.

In the meantime, I’ll be on pain medication and will be using a walking stick to prevent any further stress on the joint.

🦋 Updates & Announcements

Surgery Update

I’m home after my laparoscopic knee surgery yesterday. Unfortunately, the damage and arthritis are worse than anticipated from MRI, X-ray, and surgeon’s initial consultation. The laparoscope was not in vain and the surgeon was able to see what the knee re-placement will entail. The removal of the torn meniscus and bone fragments and the bone scrapping of the jagged bone should relieve the pain I have been experiencing. I’ll have more information after my next appointment in 10 days to have stitches removed.

Archived in: 🦋 Updates & Announcements

Goodbyes are always hard…

Reverend David Curtis passed away on Friday 14th April shortly before 9am. David will be sadly missed by everyone at St Thomas Anglican Church Port Macquarie. He has been part of the pastoral care team I coordinate. David’s wisdom and experience he brought to the team has always been appreciated as too his willingness to do end-of-life and palliative care visits for me. David was also much involved with prayer and healing ministries.

Please check out his blog – David Curtis

Recovery Time

With the next 5 weeks of non-weight-bearing, I thought I might start painting some of the garden ornaments in time for Spring. I’ll begin with the larger items and work down to smaller items like the fairies and smaller gnomes around the pond.

Mother duck held up well this winter but her bill and feet are in need of a touch-up, as too the mushroom stool and larger gnomes in the front garden.

At present this is the only part of the back garden I can see from the wheelchair. I’m hoping with some slight rearrangement of items at the side of the house, I’ll be able to sit in the outdoor kitchen diner but for now I’m content to enjoy the verandah and the recovery of myself and of weather beaten garden favourites.

Archived in: 🦋 I’m in the Garden

Surgery Today!

If you have read my post Inconceivable Times this post is a follow-up.

By the time you read this, I will have already been wheeled in and out of surgery. My appointment with the surgeon on Tuesday left me with a number of forms, pre-operation fees and, a very clear understanding of what is going on and what is going to happen. It’s all been rushed because there was a cancellation which was offered to me so it could be done ASAP.

I will need hip replacements in perhaps a year or five but that will be to far off to leave the gluteus medius muscle unattached. This surgery is called the “right hip abductor repair”. I will be in hospital for 2-3 weeks with a further 6 weeks of non-weight bearing at home with extensive rehabilitation.

Once I’m through the worst of the post surgery drowsiness and pain medication, I hope to be back using my laptop in my hospital bed if not for much else than reading some of my favourite WordPress bloggers posts. You may even get a post-op photo of the 20cm -30cm incision for the more bolder followers. 😉

I have pre-scheduled daily posts so you don’t miss me too much. 🙂

Chrissy

Archived in: Announcements

Lockdown Update

My dad passed away just after 2am yesterday, Saturday July 10th. The on duty RN was able to alert me in time for me to sit with him until he was gone. I didn’t have any sleep before or after, so I was exhausted by the time the undertakers left a 9.30am. With this horrid lockdown there will be just three plus the celebrant at the graveside funeral. Norm, myself and our son Ken, who lives within the lockdown boundaries, and where we’ll stay until we head home – outside the lockdown area. If the lockdown is just for another two weeks we’ll remain in the Sydney lockdown. If it’s for a longer period as they have predicted we’ll head home under the Covid rules at that time, including a self isolation in our own home and Covid tests. It’s difficult to plan anything beyond a day or two at a time with restrictions changing at short notice.

The last photo we took before Dad was bedridden a few weeks ago.

With most of my photos on my desktop at home, I won’t be able to add more until we return home..

Archived in: Announcements

We’re packing up and leaving town!

Yes, we have sold up and heading to a better climate. The next few weeks will be hectic so I will only be online as time allows. I have scheduled some new posts and some archived posts for you to enjoy during that time. I will of cause try to respond to comments when I can. Your websites and blogs will be my only reading when I have the pleasure of down time but I may not have time to leave you more than a “like”.  I will leave a new post when we’re settled enough to return to a more normal routine. Thanks to everyone ahead of time for supporting me on Riverside Peace.