A bit more news

Hi guys

just a few bits and pieces that i missed last week...

We received a lovely email from Kelli again, saying that the 'melon' t-shirt had arrived safely and that she was stoked... I have attached the photo of Kelli wearing the shirt along with a few of her 'training' partners...its a great pic, we hope you enjoy it!

Kelli, Eli's t-shirt and Kelli's training friends all the way from the USA! Cool Huh! Little bugger made it there before we did!

I forgot to mention that "Boatshed Quilting" pulled together a fantastic 'apron' show..it was the first time i really hooked in with a 'creative licence' and pulled together a 'farmyard' apron. The day was held in early may and it was an absolute hoot! A wonderful total of $245.00 was raised and donated to Ronald McDonald House in Clayton...a place we stayed alot when Eli was receiving his initial treatment...they were simply sensational and looked after us well. I have attached a pic of the apron i made...and wrote the following to describe it - like all good fashionista's should LOL

This "farmyard" apron was inspired by my nephews Kyle, Blake and Connor and was made in memory of Eli Charlie.

My nephews helped create the animals and even went as far as pinning and choosing buttons for each animal's eyes.

My creation will be lovingly used to cook porridge and perhaps a roast or two and is hoped to be the envy of all my mates!

One of my most favourite memories while making the apron was watching Connor try and cut a pin in half with my best scissors!

This is my first creation without any pattern and is proud to have used it to raise money for such a good cause - Ronald McDonald House, a place my family used extensively in the past...

My gorgeous (and busy!) apron...yes, ive officially come out of the closet...i love to quilt!

Perhaps i got some further inspiration from my gumboots which i love!

Just a final plug for our Angel Ball...if anyone would like to buy some raffle tickets, please let me know...just send me an email through: eli-simpson@hotmail.com. Tickets are $2 each and you can win an accomodation package and theatre production in Melb (over $600 and donated by Travelscene in Bairnsdale), a 4 burner bbq ($500 and donated by Dahlsens Bairnsdale), a variety hamper ($200 donated by Terry White Chemists in Bairnsdale), a Total Care Roadside Assistance Package ($185 donated by RACV Bairnsdale) and a Citizens Workmans Watch ($165 donated by Bairnsdale Fine Jewellers)...all fantastic prizes...we have had around $3,000 worth of prizes donated by local Businesses in bairnsdale...a bloody magnificent effort for a small country town...i think its indicative of the cause - ANGELFLIGHT...thanks to all involved. Tickets for the ball are sold through the Bairnsdale RSL...come along and enjoy the night!

The last thing to mention is that pete finally got his 'melon' tattoo yesterday. I think it has turned out perfectly! We are not necessarily a tattoo family, but this is yet another small way to ensure melon is with us forever...i will eventually get one, but i feel that being able to donate blood while i can is much more important at this point in time (for those that dont know, you cant donate blood for 12 months once you have had a tattoo)...it will give me a bit more time to make sure that what i get will be absolutely perfect! LOL...

I think that just about wraps it all up for us here at the moment...its starting to feel like its going to rain, which i hope it does...we need the rain!

Love and hugs to all

the simpsons

xoxox

A major Delay!

Hi everyone

I realise that it has been nearly 2 months since i have written...after looking at the counter, there appears to be heaps of interest in how the simpsons are travelling! Thanks for your perserverance and continued support for the blog..it never ceases to amaze me.

There has been so much that has happened in the past 2 months, its hard to know where to start!

So i will start at the beginning!

First and foremost, ive had to finish up training for the half marathon..a couple of reasons really, but i wont bore you...injury for now...so maybe next year! Pete did it though and geez i was proud...he did it in 1hr 47mins...a bloody terrific effort to run so long...tough gig, but he did really really well.

Ive had a couple of poems pop up, and i would like to share one with you:

Your story of Eli touched my heart

how inspirational i think you both are

Your warmth and love touches us all

Your special angel, a true shining star

Life is sometimes so short but so sweet

and angels sent to inspire from above

Your story of Eli truly touches us all

And envelopes us all in warm love

John Graham - Hamilton

An awesome man...thanks so much John for writing the poem for us...Your words will mean more than you will ever know and came at exactly the right time....

So...Our friend Kelli from Milwaulkie (USA) who ran a marathon for her dad Frank (and Eli), has just recently run another marathan in Eugene (i hope i got that right)...I have attached some photos below. We also recently sent Kelli a "melon" t-shirt, and we hope she finds it useful in finding further inspiration.

Mothers day was a very hard gig this year...i actually found it harder than last years to be honest. Pete made it a very special day for us, but it doesnt take the pain away thats for sure...i guess one never gets over 'what could or should' have been...there are so many small steps to continually take...its quite amazing really. Pete opened up the curtains and encouraged me to look outside into melon's garden by looking at the 'rosella's' which had apparently been eating some seed. Well, there were no rosella's, but there was a 'moowhistle' looking back at me. I was so excited and im sure you will all agree, a perfect fit for Melon's garden. Pete got it at a local nursery in Bairnsdale and they have all sorts of animals...i love them so much that yesterday, we bought a pig that can fly, and 'daisy' - a gorgeous duck. I hope you enjoy the pic's i posted below...

A few people have asked me how the garden is going, and im sure you will agree that its coming along really well...Lots of flowers, however there still are a few holes here and there. Hopefully they will cover over soon enough...(or perhaps it will be a grand excuse to plant some more!)

The house is painfully slow...we are still finalising the plans, with the main focus for now being a single story house until we can save enough money for the top part. Melon's cottage is our first priority, and we need to make sure we will be able to cope finacially with the both of them. We are hoping that the builder will quote the house within a couple of weeks, and council will get the plans approved soon. They have been in there for quite a while now...its hard waiting so long to start the thing, i guess another couple of months is not going to hurt us. We are also waiting on a fence to be built between us and our neighbours on the east, and we were toying with a chook pen too, but thought we should wait now until all the water pipes go in the ground (which is where our pen will be)...so as much as i would love to say its all systems go, we still have to show a fair bit of patience! Im sure it will all be worth it though...

Thats about it from us for the moment. The next big event on the Charity Chooks agenda is our Angel Ball which is full steam ahead...the Ball will be held on Sat 24 July, from 7pm. Tickets are $15 and can be bought directly from the Bairnsdale RSL which is where the event will be held. We have high hopes that you can all make it...AngelFlight is really such a brilliant cause! We would love to see you there!

Will try not to let the next blog take so long next time around! Keep warm and look after yourselves...Remember, if you want to ever get in contact with us, please email at:

eli-simpson@hotmail.com

Hope you enjoy the photos!

hugs and sunshine

jodes and pete

xox

Puggles the pig that can fly!

Daisy the duck...isnt she bewdiful!

Moowhistle - she is just gorgeous

Moowhistle from the front!

beautiful course scenery in Eugene - USA

Kelli's inspiration!

Go Kelli! What an amazing effort! well done to you and all your team