Home's

Of course he won't see my online concerns about his whereabouts...

... as he has no computer, nor electricity... nor shelter for that matter.

We had an arrangement. 

Fridays, after school drop off. 

I was going to sell some more of his artwork, through my blog. 

He was so excited and positive and full of ideas.

I thought I might try a 'non Friday'. 

Where are you Bill? 

He loves Golden Circle Pineapple Juice.... chilled... in the tins.

I couldn't find the tins??? .... have they stopped making them?

 This one has been sitting in my fridge for weeks. 

I keep putting it back when I can't find him .... and the boys keep asking me if they can have it....

.... and I keep saying ..."it's Bill's".

So yesterday I left it for him ... with a note ...

... and I sat and worked on my computer in the car, parked nearby... just in case he showed...

.... and then I had to go, so went back and wrapped it in another note that said, 

"Please don't steal. This is Bill's".

I hope he found it... and I hope it was still cold.

Happy Thursday!

I went to see Bill yesterday. With all the rain we have been having lately, he's been a bit like the Scarlet Pimpernel and very hard to find! I had some goodies from my readers to deliver.

Leah sent Bill some beautiful pencils, textas and crayons...

..... and Elaine made Bill a personalised case for his pastels.

Bill was delighted and so touched by your generosity and said to say thank you. 

We sat for ages in the shade of the trees, looking out at the river, discussing life. The birds, that are Bill's friends, were so tame, they sat on my feet. He feeds them well. He has a deal with the local nut supplier...cereal for Bill and seeds for the birds. I said I would try to pop by each week, every Friday if I can. He's going to have a folio of photos for me to look at next week. A local photographer put it together and won first prize for it in something or other. They're all photos of how Bill lives.... with commentary.... a sort of story of his current life. I hope the iPhone captures the photos, as I would like to share the folio with you. I have seen it before. It's very moving.

After Bill, I went and commiserated with the locals that I wasn't a local anymore. Justine's was full of all my favourites. Fridays seem to be the day. I didn't get much work done until they all left. 

The day ended on a happy note... my shed flood insurance payout came through so I can now replace my stock and finish my online facility thingy. I am not into selling things I don't have on hand. Learnt the hard way. This industry is not for the fainted hearted when it comes to supply. My philosophy now is, 'if it's in stock, buy all of it'. Hence the shed.

We're off to explore our new surroundings on our bikes today. There's a bike track starting right at the end of our street. We're going to try to make it to our nearest shopping centre for some sushi. Then we're off to the soccer at Suncorp stadium tonight. Big day.

Happy Saturday!

We headed off yesterday to find Bill. 

He was waiting for us in his spot as he knew we were coming. 

He was even wearing a new shirt.

The boys handed over some fresh fruit treats and a Christmas card that little one had painstakingly worked on over the weekend.... an origami masterpiece.... full of little pockets containing little origami surprises.

Bill had told me previously how much he loved chilled Golden Circle pineapple juice. His eyes misted up when he saw his little stash. We had emptied out our ice trays at home and double bagged some ice for the bottom of the box to keep them chilled. He was excited about the ice. He was very excited about the included knife too. He needed a knife. 

The origami was explained in great detail.

Every piece.

Bill had made us a beautiful Christmas Card. 

A Christmas tree by the river that we share, with our city buildings behind it.

We will treasure it. 

As we walked towards the car to head home, Bill called out, "thank you my friends. Christmas of my life". He smiled a rare smile.

As soon as we got in the car, my eldest said, with a great sigh, "gee that felt good". Little one was absolutely beaming. "Did you hear that it is the Christmas of his life. He's really happy. He's going to have a good day". Sure is boys. He's going to be scoffing down that fruit, that's for sure.  My heart was light at my boys' pure reactions.

As we drove away, my youngest said, "look, Bill's holding the pineapple juice up against his cheek". I said "because it's cold and anything cold for Bill is a real treat". I could see the penny drop in his eyes. He got it. We had discussed previously where Bill slept and how he never got a hot shower or a hot meal at night and how he did not have access to everything we take for granted... electricity, running water, a warm bed, fresh, clean clothes, daily cuddles. 

My teenager was pensive last night when we were contemplating the universe before bedtime. "Mum, I know what the meaning of life is". Goodness..... big statement from a 14 year old. He said, "it's what we did for Bill today". 

It's got to be close I reckon. 

Happy Christmas Bill!

I woke up to a gorgeous day. Look at our beautiful river at 5am. I sit on my deck and contemplate it's beauty every morning. It's a millpond until the first rowers carve it up. Just as I took this photo a rattly old dragon boat with loud clunky oars made it's way down the river and disturbed the glassy surface. 

My lease is up soon. I'm going to miss this view.

Adding to the perfection of the morning was this sole remaining cupcake that had my name written on it. The batch lasted one day. Boys!

We took off into town and chained up our bikes in the 'underwhelming square'.

We made a donation to 'Children's Cancer Research' which ensured that we got heavily into the Christmas spirit.

Self conscious teenager soon ditched his....

... but little one bounced around like a flea in his...

... revelling in the delicious "9 days 'til Christmas" feeling...

... garnering support from other 'reindeer antler wearing folk'.... and there were many.

There were no fights over the customary Maltesers purchase this time, as their Mum brought along 2 sandwich bags and divied them up precisely. I was a girl guide you know. 'Be Prepared'.

Ran into Bill on the way home. Little one had a few questions for him, that he had been pondering for a while. Does Bill have somewhere to go when it rains? Does Bill have someone to spend Christmas Day with? What would he like most for Christmas? 

We're getting him what he would like most....fresh fruit... and "those tins of pineapple juice that taste really nice chilled". Do you have an esky Bill? No. Do you want one? "No. It's just stuff to carry around. The fish shop gives me ice and I just chill things in my trolley." 

We got home and little one said, "I am going to make a nice Christmas card for Bill".

That's my boy.

Happy Saturday!