🦞Lockdown friends still together🦞

Grammaretto you’ve probably said you were there but I’d forgotten. Brain like a sieve at the moment.
Sounds like you’re having a lovely time with your DGDs
Notspaghetti your cards are really lovely. I like the designs of the trees and the way you’ve done them.
What a lovely trip to Paris. Even nicer not to have to unpack. Love the idea of Teddy sitting in bed waiting for you.
Naughtyneine you lost your dad very young. It’s nice you can remember him though.
I’m hoping now you’re feeling a bit better.
Hope the mince pies turn out well. My darling man loved them along with Christmas pudding and brandy cream
Kaimoana what a hassle you’re having just trying to get these taxis sorted out.
It seems it is a very complicated system and the information wrong anyway. Sounds a bit like the NHS to me.
Glad to hear Gubbins is making her way to London soon I expect she will find the museum’s fascinating. She’s a very sharp mind.
Cherry my dear I hope you can join us soon.
Ixion hoping your and MrI are getting on ok
Busy day again today. Visit to hygienist. Painful in gums and pocket

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One of Gubbins' favourite places to go Doodle is Auckland Museum. She's been a regular visitor since she was tiny.

So she will LOVE the English museums.

Can I share my happy day with you all?
I woke at dawn feeling really happy, haven't done that for weeks, so a good start.
One of my friends called to bring some wool (for the Marae Slippers), saw I was eating courgettes, cannellini beans, coleslaw and promised me fresh veg from the community garden and was sure she'd seen beans in their foodstore.
They will be delivered tomorrow.

She also gave me her number to carry with me and said anytime I need transport, to ring her (or ask someone else to) and she'll arrange it.

She can too, she's Deputy Chair at Waipareira, as trong, powerful woman and an absolute honey. She asked if I had any spare slipper and was able to choose some from my store

Karen brought me three Ice Plants, all different colours, so I planted them in a trough and will let them settle.

My tomato plants, bought from another community mara (garden) along with the sunflowers are absolutely full of tiny green fruits.
Not sure what type they are but I don't care, they were grown with love and karakia at the mara and will be nicer than any I could buy (as long as I get to them before the birds) .

Ralph our handyman, a retired, very dignified man, came to put up mozzie nets so I can now leave 2 windows and the front door open 24 hours. Bliss.
We had the usual, ‘what are you doing for Christmas?’ conversation and he said the family were coming then he was leaving for Carterton.
Carterton is a beautiful farming area but 620km away so hardly somewhere you go on a whim. Did he have family down there? I asked and he looked at me for a full 4 seconds before saying, ‘I’m going to take part in a Western Quick Draw Competition.’
I was delighted because when DH and I were young and members of a gun club, we too did the very same thing, though just as fun at the club, not competitively.
So Ralph and I swapped info on what kinds of guns we’d used and how we re-loaded all our own ammunition and some of the success we’d had.
His quiet little wife also shoots and I told him I’d stopped when I was 5 months pregnant with DS2 as each time I fired, the baby jumped.

At the moment, the lawn management team are cutting the grass, so that gorgeous smell I try to forget it's a distress signal is wafting throughout the house.
Thank you for ploughing through such a long post, I know they tend to be skipped if they are wordy (don’t blame you one bit) but I moan such a lot so wanted to share this joy.

Have a good day y’all.
♥♥

I remember the photo Kaimoana of Gubbins and the elephant. It's iconic!

Despite their light packing DS and family will surely have to endure dark days and heavy traffic as they explore Kaimoana?

You sound so happy and upbeat. Isn't it wonderful when things begin to go right. You are surrounded by good people who outnumber the idiots

The builders are back to finish the job (new ceiling) today. The young plasterer, who is also a new dad and a part time firefighter, says he would love another job (plaster is so dusty) but says it's too late!!!
No, I told him it really isn't.
He said he'd like to be a fireman but the pay is bad.

I will go out soon to be out of their way.

What a difference a day makes!
I was just admiring my new ceiling when 2 men arrived at my front door to tell me a tall sycamore tree in my garden, had fallen on the house of one of them and onto the fence of his neighbour.
Apparently it happened on Sunday in the very high winds we had.
No-one was hurt, luckily but other trees nearby will need to be felled.

I had no sooner said goodbye to them when I heard an almighty crash and saw the new ceiling had fallen in!!
I am traumatised. The plasterer thinks the house is cursed.
I think it's telling me to leave ASAP.

The tree surgeon is being fairly kind when I wept down the phone and says he'll do the minimum of work to make it safe and will charge in installments.
I know it's not life and limb but I am in shock.

I don't know why I'm burdening you with house problems but I am.

Oh you poor thing, Grammaretto. I can't imagine your pain and frustration.
So very sorry

I am writing scribbling this in Trafalgar Square, admiring the Norway Tree, the lights around and listening to a choir of carol singers. To hear of your distress is hard to take.
Back later.

I'm so sorry ixion! I have poured myself a stiff gin and had a lovely chat with my lodger so feel a lot better. The neighbours sound happy that I am attending to the trees.
My lodger heard a crash on Sunday night, she also heard a chainsaw yesterday so wasn't surprised. It was a proper storm.

But how lovely to be admiring the Christmas tree in Trafalgar Square while listening to carols. Beautiful 😍

Kaimoana what a truly lovely happy post!
The joy shines through.
Thank you for sharing that all with us. 🌻

And Grammaretto - the tree thing us terrible and so distressing...
but to have the ceiling fall in too.. 😨

I have no words.

Grammaretto You are NOT burdening us, you are sharing a part of your life, as we all do here, knowing we are on your side and thinking of you.
When the ceiling falls in, literally or metaphorically, what better place to come?

Gubbins has been trying on costumes somewhere

Oh Grammaretto I’m so sorry. What a lot of upset you’re having. Fancy the ceiling coming down like that too. I hope all these things aren’t too costly.
You’re not burdening us your sharing your problems and that’s what we’re here for. Goodness knows you’ve all had enough of mine
Im glad your lodger is there to lend support
Kaimoana I’m another who remembers that photo of Gubbins. I’m sure she’ll have a great time at the museums
So lovely to hear of your happy day. Fancy your neighbour being into guns as well. Nice you have something in common to talk about.
Having the Deputy Chair inside might help a lot when it comes to getting around for things. Hope she can help if needed
Ah the regal Gubbins. Really suits her 😊
Ixion you darn south again? Hope you’re having a good time. I’ve never seen the tree in person. Is it a big one?
Been a busy day today sorting yet more paperwork. Writing the final few Christmas cards and posting them and desperately trying to think what to get close family for Christmas. I really thought I had longer. How come it’s next week 😱
Take care all

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As requested, report on the new cafe at the hardware/furniture/garden store Bunnings.

It was every bit as good as we hoped. Well spaced tables, not noisy.
Carols were playing in the store but not near us, and quietly, a nice change.

The food was delicious and though my quiche looked a bit dark, it tasted good. The pastry was short, the contents soft and creamy.

Perhaps I would have liked my tea brewed with boiling water (as many cafes still do, with teapot and milk jug ) rather than the bag perched on the lid of a paper mug of hot water but a small thing and there was a generous amount of milk. So all good.

I chose a very lemony Citrus Tart for dessert, as did Aatoa, who started with a Ham & Cheese slice, which was really just rectanglular shaped quiche . She said it was yummy.

I ate 1/2 my quiche and brought the rest and most of the tart home.
It was a lovely break and Aatoa gave me some rose-scented talcum powder as a gift too.
I won't see her again until New Year as my care coincides with the 2 public holidays.

I spent the rest of the morning blanching Silver Beet which I'll freeze. And trying to catch up with emails and other digital annoyances.

Family now in Northumberland. Then (I think) to the west coast, Ayr and possibly Culzean (Cull-ayn) Castle and the beach which 40 years ago was strewn with hundreds of agates and where I spent some of the happiest days of my life.

They will spend Christmas and Hogmanay in Edinurgh before touring other parts of Scotland. I hope the weather allows them to do that.

DS relishes what we would call bad weather: rain, wind, snow so no problems for him. Gubbins doesn't care what it does, she just loves life in all its forms.♥ ♥

How lovely to imagine your precious little family walking in your footsteps on your memory filled beach.
I do hope they take lots of photos (for you to enjoy a happy tear over)!!

Next summer we are visiting my precious beach with our children and grandchildren and of course I want them to love it as I did.

Apparently there will be some snow soon over here. I expect little Gubbins will love that!

Good morning All from a blustery bit of Norfolk. My weekend turned out rather hectic with me staying over at DS's with my sleeping bag to fit everything in where it should be without travel time. But a beautiful candlelit Carol service followed by a lovely family meal, an uncomfortable night with dogs pacing, Monday, collect another friend to take to a wonderful u3a Christmas lunch with a meeting beforehand, watch DGS's skiing lesson on the dry ski slope and late home. Kira didn't want to get out of her bed either yesterday but we're firing on all cylinders again today - albeit a bit sluggish.

I've just whisked over the last few posts enough to see that Grammaretto's terrible luck. I hope the tree didn't cause too much damage. They are a constant worry. And the ceiling too! That is just too much. Definitely time to move!

But it was lovely to see Kaimoana's happy posts. And such a selection of deliciousness. Hopefully a good place for return visits.

Now off to pressure hose the patio and side path. Its getting a bit lethal!

Now looking at ordering a new pressure hose. Old one is busted!

Thanks all for your empathy. Much appreciated.
The ceiling has been redone and I am trying to move back into my room.
The plasterers suggested I leave the
curtains out and not put everything back because they are coming back in January to paint and patch up some other places in other parts of the house so it won't be so scary for
buyers.

They must have forgotten that Christmas and New year fall between now and then. 🤣😅

I have had a quote from a tree surgeon which nearly made me faint.
He wanted me to accept it right away but I'm my DM's daughter and she was shouting in my head "get another quote!!"

I am glad you've been enjoying some wonderful times Nfk and Doodle also.

I also love that your DC will be revisiting your happy haunts Kaimoana
I don't think I have ever been to Culzean Castle.
I have taken my DC to Kaikoura where I spent so much time as a child.

Grammaretto glad your ceiling is up again and I hope this time it stays put.
I hope you can get a better quote from another company. I know these things can be quite costly
Nfk sounds like you are having a hectic but enjoyable time.
Im going to a Carole service on Sunday at church
Notspaghetti, when I was a child I loved snow now I’m older I’m more scared of slipping or falling. Is it very cold where you are ? It’s been reasonably mild but drizzly here
Kaimoana the new cafe sounds as though it will become a good place to drop in to when you’re out and about. The food sounds good too. Certainly being not too noisy is a big plus. I can’t hear if there’s too much noise going on.
*Gubbins must be overwhelmed with all these new experiences. Castles beaches, rain maybe snow, how lovely to think of her walking in the same beaches as you did years
ive had a nice day. Church this morning then lunch , shopping and home again in time for tea. Still got so much to do though
Hope everyone is ok. We miss you. Cherry , hope you get connected again soon

Hello Gangsters!
I wasn't going to post tonight but received an email from Cherry.
She asked me to let you know that she is thinking of you all, but is currently laid up in hospital with a broken hip and awaiting surgery 😥.
She didn't go into anymore detail, sadly. Guess we just have to wish her well, hope for a speedy operation slot and excellent pain control and lament with her over a ruined Christmas ...
💐

Oh no Cherry! What a time to be stuck waiting for an operation!
I hope it's a straightforward op and that it's soon over.
Thanks for passing on the message ixion!

Oh no! Poor Cherry. Ixion thank you so much for letting us know. I do hope she will be ok. Are you able to email back and send our love and tell her we are thinking of her. Hope she gets her op soon.

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Oh poor Cherry, she has so much to cope with. I wonder if she fell in hospital? I know she was going in for another procedure this week. Thanks ixion for passing on on that news, sad as it is.

Your wise Mum Grammaretto. I'm wondering, with all your many social contacts, if you know a competent person with a chain saw - or can ask if anyone else does?
It might be cheaper than a profession tree surgeon.
You are about due for an upturn in fortunes I'm sure.

You're right NotS Gubbins loves playing in the snow. Daddy has taken her down to the Ruapehu ski fields a few times; she's a dab hand at snowboarding - on her tummy
In addition, we have Snowplanet nottoo far away:
snowplanet.co.nz
How lovely that you have a favourite beach too. ♥

I had a nice surprise this morning, our lovely girl who runs the elders group came to my door with a huge, double-layered box of goodies.

Shssh I think I've finished the book - it has to be edited but I tend to do much of that as I go, so not too big a task - though I really am fighting to see screen and keyboard alternately now. It won't beat me

Many moons ago, when DS2 was very young and like his daughter, was more intrepid than his Mum liked, I told him he wasn't invincible.
He was too young to know what it meant so I explained.

Ever after, if I'm anxious for him, his cry is "I'm Invincible!"
I wish he were.

He's also a very hard worker and I once told him he couldn't burn the candle at both ends. "Yes I can, just give me more wax."

Oh dear poor Cherry. She has had such a hard time. I too wonder if the fall was at the hospital.
Sending cwtches galore xxxxx

I am trying to move furniture back into the sitting room. A guy came to pick up the scaffolding just now, asked to use my loo so I asked if he'd mind lifting the bookcase. Deal!

I'm trying to free up space, make room for the piano, presently in the flat, so my DGC can perform at Christmas for me and also take some things away for ever to recycle/charity or even to sell?

I wish I had half the energy of your DS Kaimoana

I must be stressed. I started to argue with this woman at the community meal yesterday. She's impossible so I got nowhere and now feel bad. Other people are so kind and patient with her but she just winds me up!
😔🙄

Oh no poor Cheery. As if she hasnt got enough to cope with. Life can be so cruel at times. Really will be pleased to see the back of 2024. Hope Cherry gets her op very soon and has a speedy recovery x

So Gubbins is still into her hats then, Kaimoana! What a wealth of experiences that girl is being treated too. I also expect she endears herself to everyone she meets along the way!
The cafe did look lovely. Bunnings seems to be DS's go-to store as well (think our B and Q). But combining essential shopping with a leisurely coffee and cake would never happen with the menfolk in our family😡.
Such excitement about your new book. Do keep us posted.

Jan, I was so sorry to hear of your friend's sudden death, very upsetting for everyone, especially you. I hope 2025 is a better one for all of you on the health front. Do you still have workouts with your personal trainer physio? I am having monthly (now) ultrasound on my shoulders, which is proving beneficial. I keep asking my physio to 'upturn it up a notch' but I am now on the penultimate setting. Still have acupuncture up my sleeve, as 'twere.

Grammaretto, lots to be stressed about💐. Have you received a better quote now for your trees? We have eponymous trees at the front which are, irritatingly, subject to TPOs and which, therefore, need grown up tree fellas, not just any old chain saw merchants. First time round was the realisation that the bill would have paid for 2 return air tickets to see much missed DD in Canada😢.
I guess there's all the pressure for you to make this final family Christmas one to remember with happy memories ^afore ye go^.

Lovely cards, NotS.

Pleased the gloom is lifting a little for you, NN. It's always great when you check in here.

Doodle, how're you doing?

You were right, I was darn sarf on Tuesday - paying the price now with aching feet and back. No genealogy on this trip, but unashamed immersion in all things 🎄.
Liberty's (ooh, the fabrics and haberdashery❤️), Hamleys (overrun with kiddies😱😂), Fortnum and Mason's food hall, carol singing in Trafalgar Square, beautiful lights along Regent Street. A half-decent choir from University College Hospital singing at my departure station collecting for charity.
In all, a magical day.

Picnic lunch was taken in the gardens of Postman's Park.
You might these links interesting.

www.rcseng.ac.uk/library-and-publications/library/blog/memorial-to-the-common-people/

secretldn.com/postmans-park-memorial-heroic-self-sacrifice/

Kaimoana how lovely to get a surprise goody box. What a lovely gesture.
Glad Gubbins is having fun. I understand your concern for your lovely son and how you must miss him being closer
Is he looking for a job at the moment or just sightseeing?
Well done you for finishing your book. I remember a while ago when you said you were going to give up on it but you’ve persevered and now it’s done. Wonderful
Grammaretto don’t be so hard on yourself. You’ve had a lot of troubles to deal with and even the most even tempered of us can snap when pushed too far.
What a nice idea to have your grandchildren playing for you at Christmas. Sounds like the old days of singing round the piano
Ixion isn’t acupuncture up your sleeve called vaccination.🤣
Glad you had a good trip to London. You went to all the best places.
Funny really I live so close myself but have never been to Fortnum and Mason or Liberty’s. I have once or twice been to see the Christmas lights in Oxford Street but that’s it
Please send Cherry our love if you’re in touch. I do hope she’s ok. Tell her we’re all thinking of her and wishing her well
I’ve been to the hospice today and had a few tears thinking bout DH’s last few days. Then went to bereavement group at church and shed a few more tears when they played Silent Night but on the whole not a bad day.
Take care all

Carol of the Bells, originally a Ukrainian folk song.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=GqeJ38DThVc