hi everyone

geez...i know i keep saying it, but its absolutely amazing how quickly time flies...incredible really to think we are fast approaching melon's 5th birthday...28 September...gee...it feels like yesterday when we lost him...where does the time go...

So, we managed to get through Father's Day...and again pete's birthday on 16th September...we did what we could, and spent a bit of time in the garden, both on the day and leading up to them...i know pete takes much solace with his time in melon's garden. Its actually a great time of year for the garden because everything is in in bloom...really pretty.

As always...i think we will just need to see how the day unfolds on melon's birthday...a friday actually...and kind of poetically, we actually have a family in up at the cottage so that will be nice. Keeping to the Simpson family tradition, we will make some pancakes for eli's birthday...and then just 'be'...see where the day takes us. I know many people who have lost a child will celebrate with a birthday, friends and family around. For us however, its an intensely private day where we do our own thing, only really stopping to share with others when we can open our hearts, which usually happens in the afternoon. Such is the stark contrast of how we grieve...we are all so individual and express grief so differently...and thats completely ok. As wamma would say - whatever blows your hair back!

Its also ninny's birthday this month...amazing to think she died so very young at 75 with pancreatic cancer...but so much comfort to know she was there just before melon was...to welcome him with open arms...

anways....the Charity Chooks have been busy busy once again, with an event to raise money for angel flight...we managed $500 which was awesome...so thanks to everyone who came to make it happen...you rock!

The cottage is looking forward to another 2 families visiting over the next couple of weeks. We have again been really lucky to receive some terrific donations...we just cannot thank everyone enough...the response has truly been amazing.

For those interested, im heading to melbs to attend Light the Night for the leukaemia foundation...its hard to believe we were their 'inaugural' gold balloon ambassadors...in 2009 at their first event...it was a truly amazing evening, and one we have tried to attend ever since...so..if you are interested in coming along for a walk - or learning more about the event, please email me at eli-simpson@hotmail.com and i will see if we can catch up on the night...its always such a beautifully reflective event...one we are looking forward to participate in once again...its on the 26th September...at the Alexandra Gardens...but again, let me know if you are interested to ensure we can walk together...

I think thats about it for us at the moment...i will try and get back to you by the end of the month for melon's birthday...

the simpsons are doing well...all very busy...pete with work...and archie with just being archie lol...growing like a weed and just near 17months already! A really typical boy with lots of spunk and very very busy!

anyways...will close for now...

take care everyone
luv and sunshine
the simpsons
xoxoxo

our melon and ninny...2 peas in a pod

melon and dad on their only fathers day together...spent at the anakie gorge

Light the Night in 2010...fabulous event

our visit to visit the angel flight crew in fortitude valley recently...gidday guys!

Hi everyone

I have just realised its been nearly 3 months since we have posted...where has that time gone? amazing how quickly life just flies by...

Alot has happened in that time...as it always does...so, i will try and remember to cover EVERYTHING...

first and foremost, we have had some terrific families come through the cottage...it has been an amazing success and we look forward to hosting more families into the future...so if you know of ANYONE who is bereaved or is looking after a child who has cancer/leukaemia, please put them in touch with us...they are more than welcome to stay!

we have also been amazingly blessed with some terrific support from our local community groups, businesses, and as always family and friends. Pete and i are busy with presenting the cottage to those groups who are interested in knowing our story. We have been seriously overwhelmed and extremely humbled by the generosity of these groups and their ongoing support to our cause. Because of them, we have been able to watch our bank account grow, which is a massive relief for us..as it will ensure the cottage will remain free of charge to our families that visit. Without the support, we just cannot do what we do...so from us to you...thankyou so very very much. It truly means the world to us! 

Family life has been busy busy...after a different job for 3 months which took pete to the city once night a week, he has well and truly settled back into life at home (and we are happy to have him home consistently!)...Archie has been so-so...and has suffered terribly with recurrent ear infections. Poor little thing has been constantly on antibiotics and really miserable, so it was off the ear specialist and within 2 and a half weeks (and the threat of leaving him with the specialist!)...archie had grommets put in and seems to be much much better. Hard to believe archie is almost 16 months now...he is at a fabulous age...nice and interactive and most importantly, he loves to dance! Its a cracker...

We had our final fundraiser for the year in early July, with a couple of local politicians - Darren Chester (Federal MP) and Tim Bull (local MP) brave enough to colour their hair and walk onto a footy oval and umpire a game of seconds....then half time through the seniors, they shaved! It was great to watch, and the crowd got right behind them...so on behalf of Eli's Foundation, we would love to say thanks to everyone involved with the day, and particularly Darren, Tim and Ray Burgess (and of course the chooks)...who helped make the day a great success. We raised about $3500 which was a tremendous effort, but most importantly, we raised awareness within the community about the cottage.

We are also truly amazed at the generous offer from the Lakes Lions Club who are kindly donating half the proceeds of their "SPRING RAFFLE" to Melon's Cottage, the other half is going to a terrific cause in the Peter McCallum institute...So if you are floating around Lakes Entrance, please get behind this great raffle - the proceeds are going to some awesome causes! Marnie and I will be selling some raffle tickets out the front of Foodworks on 15th September (in the morning)..so if you are around, please call by and say hello...we would love to have a chat!

We have been really lucky and able to tell our story of Melon's Cottage to roughly 2-3 community groups a month...so while we have been extremely busy with that, we are just so proud to be able to spread the word far and wide...and while its hard work trying to fit it in with everything else, i think its been a great success...with heaps and heaps of support coming from the most amazing places...so THANKYOU...i know how much this means to the families using the cottage.

Speaking of which, we would also like to say a massive thanks to Challenge, who allowed us to use their retreat on the gold coast for a week...unfortunately we had a pretty rough time, and pete had to fly home early, we still loved our time away-even though it was a short stay...archie LOVED the open areas and the beach...and he was tuckered out at the end of every day...

its with great sadness that we found ourselves saying goodbye to three people over the past 3 weeks. Yeiyah (our 'nana' next door when we lived in altona all those years ago) passed away, a much loved member of the Department of Sustainability and Environment - Dave Needham and very very recently, Sue Morrison...a woman who had the most amazing and loving spirit and a true angel passed away suddenly. All three made a deep impact on our lives and im sure on many many others...you will all be sadly missed. We met sue (a dedicated member of the Bairnsdale Amaroo Country Womens Association) when they catered for Eli's wake and then again 6 weeks later when pete and i attended Silver Linings Funeral's christmas memorial. Pete being pete chatted sue up and volunteered me to join the CWA to 'make a decent sponge'...sue and her fellow CWA ladies were happy to have me in their fold when i was ready. From then on, the simpsons and the CWA ladies formed a firm friendship and bumped into each other from time to time, but always at christmas, at the memorial where the CWA catered. We kept in touch and they were all thrilled when they found out Archie was born. Their card congratulated us on archies birth, and it was lovingly signed "CWA Aunties"...and thats what this group of fabulous women are to us...a whole bunch of new 'aunties'...

I approached Sue to see if the 'aunties' might like to cater for our Cottage opening, on the proviso they bought some jelly slice! And so they did...and put on a great CWA spread for all our guests...We were then asked to present to the group, just last wednesday (15 August). I remember talking for much longer than i was given, but was much more open to the group..such was the relationship we have. It was a massive shock to learn sue passed away suddenly, and i can only begin to imagine the lasting legacy she has left for us all. I said to Jill (president of the CWA in bairnsdale)...giving sue a cuddle was exactly like giving my nan a cuddle. She will be deeply missed by everyone who knew her...

Its ironic that in someone's deepest grief, there is the gift of life...we would love to say a massive congratulations to rae-lee (our fave nurse) and shane on their impending arrival...and also megs and adrian on number 2...what an amazing gift.

The month of september brings time of reflection...it would have been Melon's 5th birthday. All we have are photos...and his smell on his special clothes has all but faded. We still wonder what he would have been like...how he would have embraced his little brother archie, whether they would have looked the same and whether he would have retained that beautiful sensitive soul he had. 5 years old...i can only wonder 'what would have been'...off to school next year...but it will never be.

anyways...thats about it...3 months packed into a post! i promise not to leave it as long next time!

hope all of you are going well...

take care

loads of hugs and sunshine

the simpsons

xoxoxox

The lovely spread organised by the CWA ladies for the opening of the cottage...

Our lovely CWA 'aunties'...sue (in aqua) will be deeply missed by all those knew her...

 Big melon - kicking back in north melbourne

 Big melon just after he had his spleen out - yes, morphine officially kicked in!

Good on you Darren Chester and Tim Bull - bloody awesome effort!

Hi everyone

Cant believe how quickly the month has flown by...
I would like to thank EVERYONE who supported the Melon's Cottage Mothers Day Raffle this year...we raised a whisker over $4,100 which is bloody AWESOME!...It has far exceeded our expectations...and it will go a massive way to supporting the cottage into next year...its WONDERFUL...so thanks!
We could not have done it without all those who helped sell the tickets, friends, family and local businesses, as well as all of you who brought a ticket or two! A massive thanks also goes to those who sponsored the prizes...nath, tash and their six gorgeous girls who donated the dinner party for 10 (worth around $850)...dave and tanya for helping with the mothers day hamper from terry white chemist in bairnsdale (worth $300) and to deb and gez who donated a really nice Rip Curl watch (worth $250)...we had so many wonderful comments about the great prizes...so i think thats what helped make it all happen which is TERRIFIC...

our first prize went to Mary Hamer from Lakes Entrance, 2nd prize, Peter MacDonald from Rowville and 3rd prize, tina o'donnell from Lakes...well done guys!

our next fundraiser (and the final one for the year) is coming up on 7th July...so keep the space free. We cant say too much, but hopefully it will be advertised in the paper over the next week or so...so keep an eye out. Lets say its your chance to watch a local game of footy and have a laugh at the same time...it should be a cracker. Will be more to come soon.

We are hoping that this will be the last fundraiser for us this year...but if you would like to donate to us...please get in contact with me at eli-simpson@hotmail.com OR if you would like to hold a fundraising event on behalf of Eli's Foundation, please let me know...more than happy to help!

Mothers Day was a really busy one..we were supposed to go for a walk/run, but the weather turned out to be really bad, and we had to go to hospital with Archie as he had a pretty tidy temperature that we couldnt get down...so we were sitting in hospital at around 6.30am...and home by 8.30am...and we were all EXTREMELY tired. Archie was ok...poor little thing is having heaps of issues with his ears and throat...hopefully he will get above it all soon and his immune system really starts kicking in...its bloody hard on everyone really...no sleep and grumpy child...hmmm....reminds me of melon at times.

So mothers day was very so so in our house...i was pretty sad that i didnt get a real opportunity to miss melon, but as always, we lit his candle...and i heard lots of his songs throughout the days leading up to mothers day and after it as well.

Miss you every day melon...every single day.

Anyways...best fly...got a fair bit to do as always...the cottage has gone a little quiet...but we are hoping it will pick up a bit through the holiday period.

Take care everyone
lots of love and sunshine

the simpsons
xoxo

Hi everyone...
we are so sorry (yet again!) for the long delay in posting...its been an amazing month or so with archie's first birthday, me back at work part time and pete being away a couple of days a week with a new job for the next 3 months...i guess the words adjusting and adapting come to mind!
After a wonderful cottage opening, we had our first family through...they were truly amazing...and we were so very lucky to have them as our first family...we couldnt have asked for anything more! Big kisses your way Zara...lol...hope you get better really soon!
I have done a few presentations over the last month to some local rotary groups and the lakes lions group which have had a terrific response. Its really nice to know that there is so many people out there that underpin our community spirit...its actually really humbling to be a part of now...lots of people out there to help and to make a difference...

Archies first birthday went really well...we decided to have a naming day at the same time (to save people travelling again)...it was a great turnout and we were stoked to be able to celebrate with family and friends. Of course Eli was never far from our minds but we know he looks after his little brother - in more ways than we probably realise...we all lit our candles for melon...(and had a bit of extra cake too!)

Our raffle for the cottage (which is drawn mothers day) has been a great success and fundraiser...its been sensational really and we cant wait until we touch base with the winners...not many sleeps now! So for all of you who have helped, thanks SOOOO much...there are still tickets available if you are keen...just get in contact with us at eli-simpson@hotmail.com

So thats really it for the simpsons at the moment...we are still waiting for more bookings to come through..but we are so happy in the knowledge that everything we have put into action has worked...and we look forward to welcoming more families into the future.

take care eveyone Once again, thanks for ALL your love and support...it really is appreciated!

luv and sunshine
the simpsons

xoxo

WELL WE DID IT!

Hi everyone

thanks to all of those who have touched base with us over the past few weeks. It has been a crazy busy and emotional time for us to finally have the cottage OPEN! YAY! It truly has been an amazing ride - three and a half years in the making...but we have done it!

Thank goodness the weather held off for us - one of the very few days without rain! A massive thanks to the chookies, the CWA ladies for catering, Pete Murray for MCing, Darren Chester and David Rogers who said some lovely things...and for all our family, mates and local business representatives who came along on the day (and also for those who didnt make it - thanks for your thoughts).

The great 'unveiling' of the cottage sign was fab...and everyone seemed to have a very lovely time. There was no real fanfare...just a crowd of awesome people who certainly felt the love that we have for melon. Its just so amazing that one little person can have so much of an impact on us all - its truly special.

So we are well and truly all set to go...the cupboards are filled with toys and board games...the beds are made...the draws are set with the latest sandwich makers and pots and pans...and the garden is ready for a visit! We truly cannot wait to host our first family...

Thanks also to all of those who have donated either their time, monies or goods to support the cottage. Your generosity is humbling...

I will try and get some pics posted a bit later...so keep an eye out.

As said in an earlier post...we are selling raffle tix for our Mother's Day raffle...if you can help in any way at all with selling a book, pls let me know at eli-simpson@hotmail.com. Your help would be greatly appreciated!

anyways...best fly. Like everyone, there is always something to do, with very little time. Archie is going really well. We think that Eli definitely keeps a close eye on his brother and perhaps entertained sometimes! We would love to hear your thoughts/stories on melon...pls share with us (just drop us a line at our hotmail address)...its always nice to hear when someone is thinking about eli!

Congratulations are in order too for cousin casey and her partner chris. There goregous girl keahli paige was born 11 March. Awesome work guys.

Our hearts also go out to Jarrod and Briony Lyle. We hope the birth of Lusi Joy will help ease your pain just a little as you face a tough road ahead.

thats about it in the world of the simpsons. Stay in touch and thanks so much for reading our blog. We never knew that we will still continue to have so many people follow us! Im glad we made the decision to keep the blog going!

luv and sunshine

the simpsons

xoxoxoxox

hi everyone

hello everyone

Our cottage opening is getting closer and closer...amazing really...less than 3 weeks to go! Our first family will hopefully be in by 13 March...

We have been so busy...now the cottage is basically taking care of itself (apart from some gardening)...its been down to fundraising...which has been AMAZING...check these out for our MELON'S COTTAGE MOTHERS DAY RAFFLE:

1st prize - Dinner Party for 10 (massive thanks to Nath and Tash from Duart Homestead)...there are a few conditions with this one...but its a RIPPER! (value $850)

2nd prize - Mothers Day Hamper from Terry White Chemist Bairnsdale (value $300)

3rd prize - gorgeous Rip Curl Watch from Sandbar Surf (value $250)....

We are just in the middle of getting tickets organised, but if you can help us sell some PLEASE LET ME KNOW...this is going to be one of our bigger fundraising efforts for the year and we need all hands on deck! Please let me know if you can sell a book by emailing me on eli-simpson@hotmail.com and we can get you one or two organised!

We also have a brochure which sets out the basics but most importantly, ways you can donate to Eli's Foundation. We have set up a direct deposit, or you can send through a cheque or cash donation...the best news is we can NOW OFFER A TAX RECEIPT for donations over $2. That is what we have been working towards for such a long time and we can finally say its come through! YAY. A massive thanks to MinterEllison for helping us through the tax world maze...its been a long time coming but gee we are just so proud...its such an onerous process, but one we are glad to have sorted...we are just so keen to be as transparent as we can and this is the one way we can do it...and help you guys willing to donate as well...

If you would like to donate, please let me know on the eli-simpson email and i will give you details...we are still getting our receipt book sorted, but hopefully it will be right to go next week! we are just so excited.

i better go, i only have had a few minutes to update...more exciting stuff to come!

We are just so proud to be doing this for melon...we are nearly there mate...nearly there.

luv and sunshine

the simpsons

xoxox

Some stuff for sale to help the cottage

Hi gang

ive facebooked the goods we have which has melon's cottage on it...and then i clicked and thought we should probably do the same on the blog as well! So...here it all is...well, not a huge amount, just stuff that i thought you might like....some stuff may seem a bit pricey, but because we have not ordered huge amounts, it keeps the cost fairly high (like the pens)...but the otherstuff i reckon is pretty good value...

If you would like something, please contact me at eli-simpson@hotmail.com...please note, that where we can we will deliver it for you, but if we cant and have to post, there will be an extra cost!

Other news from the simpsons - bugs and i are off to brisbane to visit cousin casey for a few days next week which should be great fun...pete is staying home to hold the fort! I figured if we can look after a child in hospital, I can survive a plane trip for 2 hours YIKES! We also have a busy month ahead with a couple of exciting things happening - but i will blog those when it happens...

Lots of 1st birthday parties coming up for us which should be loads of fun for archie. He had his first day in childcare yesterday and survived much better than i did! I figured we should probably start the 'weaning' process now (him off me and me off him)...before i head back to work which is in around 6 weeks time...i cant believe how quickly that time has gone...archie is 9 months already...astounding. It will also give me a chance to be at home with archie if he picks up some cooties from care (massive probability). We very proudly managed to breastfeed until a couple of days ago when he said he had had enough...i must admit it was really hard for me given i had such a wonderful experience with melon...but archie was a different ball game and i had to convince him that he should stay breastfed lol...but he finally removed himself much to my sadness...but happy for him because he has his independance.

Anyways...again, if you would like some goods to help the cottage, pls email me and we will get it sorted for you.

much love and sunshine

the simpsons

xoxox

Melon's Cottage pens - $7

Melon's cottage key rings $6

Melons Cottage magnets (size of a postcard) - $4

Melon's cottage totebags - $12

melon's cottage mugs - $12