Monday 29th December

Pulled back the curtains this morning and saw it had rained reasonably heavily overnight.
It was still very wet, that helped me decide to stay in town another day.
I was not feeling at all up to facing the drive in so it was an easy call.
Sunni called up for a chat.
They were driving to a gypsy festival at Waihi Beach so we talked as they travelled.
It was after 8am by the time I was able to call up the garage to see if they could do a couple of jobs for me.
I raced through the shower and was out the door just on 9am.
Left the late night workers sleeping soundly.
On the way to Tahunanui I stopped in at the Tank Juice bar – I had seen that it was close on opening it’s new store here in Nelson so thought I really should go check it out.
So super cool – just love their smoothies and juices.
A wonderful addition to Nelson’s main street eateries 🙂
It was raining quite steadily so I was using my brolly a lot as I dashed in an out of the car.
I got to Muritai Motors – or as it is now called, Nelson Brake Services – it’s going to take a long while to get used to the new name and owners.
The new folk are lovely, very helpful and friendly.
I was laughing so hard when I took the guy out to see the tyre Anson wanted me to get fixed replaced.
I reckon it is a bit past mending 🙂
Must be the best blow out I have ever seen, and he agreed!

I waited for half an hour for them to fix my lights and then I was all good to go.
Figured while I had time  over that side of town I would cruise into Lighting Direct and check out lights for the house.
I found a few options and got some print outs to take back and check out the possibilities.
Then came back into the city and stopped in at Lighting Plus to see what they had in stock.
Didn’t find anything really appropriate but did see some more interesting uplights than at the previous shop.
Decided I needed help choosing lights for the lounge so sent these photos to Sunni & Shanni for their input 😉

Shanni thought the red one would suit but Sunni questioned whether they might be more fitting in an opera house 🙂 🙂 🙂
I think even if I did have a spare $5000 to spend I sure would be buying anything as pretentious as these!!
I spose in the right place they would look okay, but really……….

I met up with Marah & Eden at The Warehouse and pushed Eden around while Marah shopped.
Then we zipped back here to the house as Eden was way over shopping.
My jacaranda tree is beginning to flower, zapped this photo of the pretty purple north side as I came around the corner.

Left Eden here with Shoshannah while Marah went to get her groceries.
Eden was way happier to be spending time helping Aunty Shanni clean her room and make food.

Of course nail painting was a must do option – after all it is a week since she had them done so they needed a top up 😉
She is so girly – loves the pretty things.

I was about to leave when Marah returned.
Eden was just enjoying some of Shanni’s smoothie when I left.
The princess and the pumpkin – complete with a smoothie moustache 🙂
I hopped back into town to have lunch with Phillipa at Colombo Cafe.
Jesika was up early and had time free before beginning her shift so we chatted while I was waiting for Phillipa to finish work.
Haven’t caught up with Phillipa for past week or more, so it was good to chat a while.
But after an hour I had to race back to move the car.
Called in to see Bedelia then I went back to Lighting Plus to get the uplight I had liked.
I spotted this light which I thought might appeal to Azzan but the price tag was over $600 and even with the 33% reduction was quite a lot more than I was prepared to invest in his bedroom redecoration!!

I then drove back to Lighting Direct but this time the traffic around Rocks Road was piled up bumper to bumper with holiday makers heading to the beach, so I crawled in the queue, mentally making a note that in future I would take a different route!
Picked up the lights for the lounge that I had decided on and got some more ideas for Azzan’s room and the sunroom.
Then back home, a quicker drive back as the traffic was coming to the beach not away from it thankfully.
I began putting the uplight together and thankfully Martin & Sylvia arrived at the right time.
Martin helped me figure out the intricacies of it all as we did battle with teeny tiny screws etc.
Finally we had it all together and in place in the lounge.
love it!

The lounge lights are stashed in the corner until I can get a electrician to come after the silly season is over.
Whew! That job accomplished we were then able to relax and recline on my wonderful orange sofas and enjoy a cuppa and chat for a while.
The day was so hot and muggy it was lovely to be able to rest in the cool.
Nathan was on his day off and had mowed my lawn and then gone into town to get a haircut.
He returned and joined the party for a while.
Shoshannah headed off to work her shift.
Its a bit like Grand Central Station here at times 🙂
They headed off after gathering up all Martin’s tools he had lent me.
They have been incredibly helpful but their job here is now pretty much done.
Nathan & I decided to go try East Street Cafe for dinner.
We had heard very good reports about it.
It is a funky wee restaurant underneath Accents on the Park backpackers.
We were not disappointed.
Nathan was greeted by Christina who he knew from his NMIT training days 3 years ago.
She is now working here.
We seated at a small quiet table at the back.

Our menus came enclosed in old record covers.
The choice proved to be somewhat difficult to make as they all looked delicious.
We decided to begin with the Homemade chunky chips served with sweet chilli lime sour cream dip.
It was SO good.
Nathan ordered the MVP Burger and I got the Kiss A Deer 🙂
Absolutely delicious meals.

I checked out the lunch menu before leaving as they now open at 12 for lunch until 4 and then start serving dinners.
We will most definitely be returning, the menu has so many delicious choices.
We walked back to the car and as we were about to climb in a passing car pulled over, it was Tommy & Kate.
We chatted for a while and then invited them back.
So they came for a late night visit.
Kate is learning all about Nelson impromptu hospitality 🙂
I showed them around and we talked a while before they headed off home.
A very pleasant end to the day.

 

Sunday 28th December

I was woken around 5am by footsteps – Nathan just coming home from work!
Thankfully Shanni had gotten in around midnightish.
We both went back to bed.
Him to sleep and me to catch up on some blogging.
I had a quiet morning, pottered around after my shower.
Did some cleaning up.
Shanni was up mid morning, not feeling too flash.
Too tired I think.
Nathan staggered out around midday.
Both of them organised their food for the day.
Anson called in on his way home to drop off a tyre for me to get replaced for him tomorrow.
Alan & Jo arrived with Asher.
He was immediately given to me so they could get stuff from their car but Shanni wanted him so she got to have a lovely long cuddle.
Isn’t he just the cutest wee man.
He is 8 weeks old and is still smaller than Sapphie was when she was born!

It was lovely to catch up with them.
We had a lovely visit – so nice that my proposed shopping trip went out the window.
Nothing urgent so alls good 🙂
When they left Shoshannah woke up – she’d had a good hour and a halts sleep which was great.
She had dinner and then I dropped her off at work.
Caught up with Croisella momentarily as she was walking by which was a bonus 🙂
Picked up some takeout nachos from Chilandos and then went to visit Estelle.
Chilled out with her for the evening.
It was good, I needed to be with a friend tonight.
Had a really emotional time, lots of talk and tears.
Ended up stopping outside Hangar 58 on the way home to see if Shanni was ready for a ride home and bawling my eyes out on Nathan’s shoulder.
I really miss Tim’s broad shoulders, and his long arms that enveloped me entirely and protected me from all the hurt.
Came home and went straight to bed.
Had a good chat with Hamish & Angela & Jesika for a while via several forms of internet messaging.
Now it is time to snuggle down and hopefully sleep.

Saturday 27th December

Shoshannah & I were all ready to leave around 9am.
Anson & Marah were still packing when we went past.
We took Azzan up to the top of the hill.
There wasn’t a lot of spare space for him so he flattened Shanni’s knees 😉

Shoshannah wanted to take photos at the top so we stopped for that and then Azzan zipped off around the road to Waterfall Bay.
He was on a mission to help Phoebe and Seb.
He commented to me the other day that he is really enjoying doing stuff with Seb, Anson, Graham & Uncle Martin and that it is a shame now he is leaving that he is wanting to do things with them all.
I assured him that he can still do those things, and it’s probably because he is growing up and needing some man time, and without his Dad here he needs his bros and uncles to fill the gap 🙂

Anson came through the gate just after us.
We had a fairly uneventful trip out.
Met up with Michael in his huge grader at Waitata turnoff – thankfully in a place were we could pass easily.
He pulled over and waited for Anson to come by.
We passed more traffic as we got further out.
The sea fog was still embracing the hills around Okuri, but didn’t obscure our views at all.

We decided to detour to Rai Valley and have a once in a blue moon pie.
Pulled in behind Anson who had passed us at Okiwi Bay and was fuelling up his belly too.
Eating that meat pie was enough to know why I don’t eat pies anymore.
It made me feel so disgusting.
I could almost feel the fat gelling in my arteries – yuck  😦
We headed straight over the hills to Nelson.
Dropped off the bumpers & windscreen at Carl’s and then back home to unload the car.
Nathan was up and cooking a feed so he stopped to help me.
I needed his muscle to carry the boxes!
The three of us soon had the car empty and the boxes distributed in the right rooms.
He went to work soon afterwards.
Shanni had lunch and then went off to bed for a sleep.
Marah & Eden arrived so they occupied my time for an hour or two.

It didn’t take long for her to get me to turn on the sprinkler and she was soon starkers running about playing chasing with the water 🙂

Shanni’s pumpkins are growing like crazy!

Anson arrived and started demolishing the fence for me.
We have nearly gotten all the old fencing decking gone now.
So good.
Then he loaded up all the decking and posts.
It was a bit of an act as some of it was rather unyieldingly heavy.
Shanni was up and getting ready for work so she helped lift too.
There were a few nerve racking moments when the decking got a bit too close to the windows, but the only damage was a dent on the top of one of the air conditioning units and my gate was temporarily removed from its railings when the trailer caught on it as Anson was navigating to come into the yard.
It makes the place look so open and I am tossing more new landscaping ideas around in my head.

This is what it looks like now – wonderfully open,
Lending itself to so many plans and schemes 🙂

The jacaranda is beginning to flower, so far only on the northern end of the tree.

Marah took Eden and went to get groceries and Shanni left for work.
I helped Anson load up the last of the posts and then he followed after Marah.
They were going to be spending the first night in their new home – most exciting 🙂
I locked up the house and went off to visit Estelle.
She had rellies visiting but soon after I arrived the wee fella was stung by a wasp so they headed off to the pharmacy to get some stuff for him.
Someone had dropped off a quiche so I heated up some for our dinner and made a salad while Estelle went for a wander outside to check on her chooks.
Then we enjoyed a delicious dinner together.
Afterwards I managed to convince her to hop back into her bed and I made a cuppa which we had with some Christmas cake.
I lay back in the lazy boy and we talked and I nearly went to sleep at one point.
Gary popped in, phone rang a few times, but it was nice to just sit and catch up with my friend.
Finally left around 9 and called into get groceries on the way home.
I was starving again so made myself a fresh fruit salad with muesli & coconut yoghurt and took it off to bed with me.

Friday 26th December – part 2

I had planned to have a birthday dinner for Cat & Leeann because they had been away during their birthdays last week, plus Sapphie’s birthday was approaching fast and we probably wouldn’t be here for it.
Shoshannah thought it would be nice to have everyone around while we were all there so we asked the boys & families too.
Shanni started making dinner for an unknown number at that point.
Figured leftovers always get used 😉
I carried on packing up the car.
Had got most of the heavy boxes in already so was filling in the gaps with clothing and other random shaped things.
Leeann came down for a visit and chatted with Shanni for a while.
They had visitors coming so wouldn’t be coming to dinner so I gave her our b’day present.
She helped me finish packing the car and we chatted for a while.
Then Seb arrived and managed to squeeze in some car bumpers and windscreen in on top of everything.
I have a huge pile of blankets and linen so used some of the stuff Marah is taking to pack picture frames & the windscreen in.
We really were full to the top then!
Sapphie was swooped up by Aunty Shanni – gotta make the most of cuddles when you don’t see her very often 🙂
The many and varied faces of Sapphire 🙂


Anson had been busy packing up another load of gear on the trailer.
Graham was welding up ours but it is in serious need of repair and replacement so he lent Anson his one for this trip.
Eden hadn’t slept all day so Anson went home earlier to try and get her down and let Marah have a rest too.
Thankfully it worked and they were all able to come join us.
We had a delicious dinner.
Shanni had made a large aubergine casserole/stack dish – it was SO good.
We had it with Azzan’s roast slater potatoes and a salad.
Fried up some sausages for the carnivores 😉
I had some parcels wrapped up for Sapphie.
Funny thing was that I wrapped them up so long ago I had forgotten what was in them!
So she and I both got surprises when I helped her open them 😉
A doll – and from what Azzan told me it is her very first doll, and a set of Peter Rabbit story books and a cute picture frame where what was inside them all.

Eden was so good and didn’t pester to have any parcels.
But later she decided she needed to eat her way into one of the boxes 🙂

Selfies with Uncle Zani and photo bombing by Phoebe

The parents took the wee darlings home after a lovely evening together.
The kids were all tired so retired to their beds.
I washed up the dishes and got the kitchen looking somewhat more respectable and then headed off to my bed.
Azzan came and found me.
He was armed with lavender body cream and gave me a wonderful relaxing back, leg & feet massage.
I slept so wonderfully after that.
Thanks Zani xxxxx

Friday 26th December – part 1

I was up early and ready to head up the hill but the girls slept on.
It looked like it was going to be a beautiful day.

I finally woke them around 8am.
Shanni staggered out fairly promptly but Mahalia took a lot longer, takes a while to look gorgeous you know 😉
By the time we left it was looking all misty again but we decided to go for it.
Parked up at the top and donned our jackets and started walking.
The mist had enveloped the tops and was wisping around the bays.
It was cool, perfect for walking, and rather ethereal.

Looking down towards the grave sites.
Couldn’t see a thing, Mahalia was down there somewhere!

We spent some time with Timmy.

For a while we were just quietly lost in our own private thoughts, tears and rememberings.


  

I love how in the quiet places, even when we are the most sorrowful, our eyes are drawn to the small beauties of God’s creation.
Just reminding us that he is in this valley with us.

Mahalia discovered macro on her camera 🙂
No stopping her now!

The girls were busy taking photos and decided to walk home so I left them to it.
I started walking back to the car.
Couldn’t help think I was going on a bear hunt!
Long wet wavy grass. Can’t go over it. Can’t go under it. Oh no! Have to go through it – swishy swashy, swishy swashy – and all the grass seeds stuck to my legs and were spread far and wide!

Most of the mist had gone by this time, just a bit being blown over the ridges at a rate of knots by the wind.
I was very glad of my jacket as the chilly wind was buffeting me about.

Looking towards the Rangitoto Islands at the top eastern side of D’Urville Island.
Thinking especially of our old friend Ross up in Auckland who spent so much of his life on Puangiangi Island in the centre of this group.

The clouds over The Chetwode Islands made them look almost volcanic.

I got home before the girls.
Had a bit of a sit down and then began packing up more stuff.

Thursday 25th December

Woke at 5am, pulled open the curtains to enjoy the view later and then went back to sleep for a couple more hours.
While I slept Azzan got up and showered and was all ready for Seb to collect him at 7am.
He wanted to go over the hill with Seb, Phoebe & Sapphie to see all the wee cousins opening their presents.
He brought me in a huge grapefruit he had found on the tree yesterday.
Then Shoshannah followed with a delicious version of eggs benedict.

It was all a bit too early and a bit much for my digestive system though.
I managed to eat half of the eggs and Shanni cleaned up the rest.

Seb arrived to pick up Azzan and stopped in for a quick chat.
I showered and got ready to head up the hill.
The girls and I had planned to go see Tim.
That is all I really wanted to do today.
But before we left the mist came in, we decided to risk it and headed up the road.
Met Anson running his dogs and while we talked the misty fog whisped its way further and further down the hill, twirling through the trees until the top of the hill and ridges were completely whitened out.

So sadly we had to can that idea 😦
Instead we stopped off to visit Eden & Marah.
Eden was running around in her new fairy outfit and was most happy to see her two aunties.
So was her mother – gave her some reprieve!



We stayed and chatted for a while then I brought Shoshannah home to prepare some food and Mahalia stayed to babysit Eden while Marah got herself ready.
Everyone was invited over the hill to Wenbornville, but I opted out.
I was struggling all morning with tears that were welling up all the time.
I just don’t want to be around anyone else while my emotions are running haywire and I cant stop crying.
Anson came by to do his washing and pick up Shanni and her fruit salad.
I was out on the deck and heard a commotion in the bushes.
A large keruru (native wood pigeon) had landed in the trees.

Then it flew out onto a karaka and was soon joined by another and then another.


They were having a right old scoff session of the karaka berries.
Its a wonder they can fly at this time of year when they are gorging themselves and piling on so much weight!
It was really cool to watch them.

I got the fire going and started sorting some things.
There is so much stuff here to go through, the kids have started getting stuff down from shelves and piling it into the living room, so the place just feels like a tip.
I hate it.
I cant stand mess and this is doing my head in.
I pulled an antique set of drawers to pieces and got it ready for transporting to town.
Began packing up my art books, of which there are way more than I realise – oh dear!
I am finding it hard to get any order into my packing, as I drift from one room to the next, trying to work out what I want to take etc.
And then sorting where the stuff I don’t want is going to go – and all of that just makes me want to crawl into bed and forget it all
I baked myself a potato and had it with salad for a late lunch.
Hopped into my bed and watched a few episodes of ‘As Time Goes By’.
Its a great series with Judi Dench and Geoffrey Rush.
Dozed a bit too.
Got up later and did some more packing, started loading boxes into the car.
I used my old baby buggy to transport them so I didn’t have to put too much strain on my back.
At one point I came out and found the blasted pig had gotten into the rubbish bin and spread the contents all around the washhouse.
I scared it away and cleaned it up, all the while muttering derogatory comments at it – grrrr!
Put some more potatoes in the wood stove to bake for dinner.
Got the washing through the machine and dryer.
Packed up a lot of the dvds and packed them into the car too.
The girls arrived home but were not hungry.
Mahalia was feeling ill from eating to much food, especially food she is not used to eating now.
After a while I made a salad and she decided to have some too.
I was feeling a lot better for having a rest and being alone.
Anson appeared at the door with blood covered arms.
The pig is now no more!
It got involved in an altercation with his dogs while he was running them.
He was about to try and save the pig but Marah came down with a knife so he assisted in its demise.
I cannot say that I am sorry 😉

I watched ‘Dead Poets Society’, Shanni came and joined me for the last part of it.
Yet another brilliant movie starring Robin Williams.
Azzan went home with Seb & Phoebe so will see him tomorrow.

Wednesday 24th December

I slept through till 7:30am again.
Pulled the curtains back to another glorious day so went through the house opening windows and doors to allow the sunshine and fresh air to drift in and through.
Shanni got up and we both showered and had breakfast.
I was tired and in no hurry to face the road so was taking my time.

Nathan appeared just as we were about to leave.
Also had several phone calls come in and to make which held us up even more.
Finally left the house and went into town to fuel up, zipped over to Countdown to pick up a couple of things and around the corner to find something else.
Then just before 11:30am we were away!
Chatted with Sunni on loudspeaker for a few minutes before we lost reception.
Then over the hills we went.
Shanni has been asking and asking me to let her drive as she is getting frustrated at not getting any driving practise.
I have never been able to cope with the stress of learner drivers so have always left that job to Tim.
I have paid for her to have driving lessons over the past few months to help her along a bit but she does need extra practise.
She was hassling me about it today so I pulled over half way up the Ronga Valley and let her take the wheel on the proviso that if I couldn’t cope then she would let me back in the drivers seat with no hard feelings.
She drove cautiously and reasonably well and after a while commented that I would make a good driving instructor.
I think not

I let her carry on up the Ronga Hill to the top, she did give me and another driver a bit of a scare on one corner – whew!

By the time we got up to the top we were driving along the outside of the road and I was losing my confidence fast so she graciously let me drive from the gravel pit.

We detoured down to Te Towaka to visit Liz & Harry.
They had most of their family home so it was lovely to catch up with them all and meet the 4 wee grandkids.
There was much clucking going on, as they were enjoying the babies 🙂
We spent a lovely hour there but needed to get on the road so said our farewells and carried on towards home.

We finally reached Tim’s cairn and stopped to pause and reflect for a wee while.
This is where his spirit left this earth.

It always brings tears.
Tears of many sorts as we remember our special man.

We arrived back to find everyone was down at the beach so Shanni quickly helped me unload the car and she took off down for a swim.

I unpacked all the fruits and vegetables and got them into the fridge.
I was overwhelmed by everything and fell onto my bed in tears.
I couldn’t explain what was going on, just needed to cry.
Eden came in fresh from her swim.
She was so funny, as soon as she saw me she was spreading out her fingers and checking the nail polish and pointing her feet towards me.
Then she came right up in her wet swimsuit and snuggled in beside me.
Marah came and took her home to dry off and get some dinner.
The girls disappeared off to the beach for a photo shoot.
Azzan was busy collecting cat’s eyes from the shell fish on the beach.
He was most delighted with his collection of 52 thus far.
He wants to take them to town as a wee memento of here.
Graham had been out fishing with his family and called in for a catch up before heading back up the hill.
The girls made dinner and then huddled over Shanni’s laptop checking out the photos they had just taken.
Azzan was being ‘difficult’ – as in, not wanting to eat or join in with us.
I had a cuddle and chat with him on my bed and managed to suss out that when it was just he and Halia here he is fine, but when Shoshannah joins in the mix he feels ousted as the girls switch into girlie mode.
Plus it’s the old ‘twos company, three’s a crowd’ thing going on.
But he hasn’t/doesn’t know how to voice his feelings so has been just packing a wobbly.
Now I have got to the bottom of this one and talked with the girls we might be able to manage things better in future.
We have so much food in the freezer so Mahalia has been eating their way through it which is good.
So tonight we had a mince lasagne sauce that I had made ages ago, with salad and Doritos.
It was very tasty.
Shoshannah made custard and fruit for dessert.
We watched a movie called ‘Your Love Never Fails’.
It was good, except Mahalia didn’t like the background country music!
I tidied up the kitchen and then fell into bed.

Tuesday 23rd December

I actually slept in till 7:30am!
But in so doing I didn’t get long to wallow in my bed……
Had a guy coming to give me a quote to remove all the tree stumps at 9am.
After my ablutions I went outside and had a clean up.
The car was full of large boxes which I was hoping Nathan would’ve been able to lift out for me as my back is still pretty fragile.
But I ended up doing it myself.
I had the car backed right up to the shed so manoeuvred stuff around in there and made room before lugging the boxes and bags in there.
Swept all the gravel off the concrete with my new yard broom – love you Eden, you always make sure Nonna has something to do after you have gone 😉
It was promising to be a gorgeous day so I stripped my bed and put the washing on.
Our garden is growing well after all the rain.

Shanni’s courgettes are growing rapidly and my verbena is looking so pretty.
It was my one concession to flowing plants being added to the garden at this early stage.
I’m amused that the sparrows ate all the red lettuce and left the green.
They are obviously males – don’t like eating their greens 😉
The feijoas are covered in flowers already – looks like we will get some fruit this season 🙂

Then Greg arrived and assessed the job.
Worked out how he could do it and then stayed and chatted a while.
I had to run once he had left as I was due to go pick up the oak bed ends at 10:30am.
I was absolutely thrilled to see how beautifully they have come up.
Bryce at Vincent Restoration does a wonderful job of repairing and restoring.
So much so that I am going to get him to do some other things for me.
It was really hot already, and only mid morning!
I stopped off in town to get some product from Bedelia and then popped into The Bakers to pick up some morning tea.
Got home to find Noeline from Impact Church had come to visit.
She had made herself at home and was chatting with Shoshannah who was busy cooking.
Nathan appeared and joined the party.
It was lovely to have her come see us but it was all too soon after midday and I had to head off up the street.
Haven’t done a lot of walking lately so was determined to walk to see Scott today.
He did some pretty intense work on my back, it really helped.
He also showed me some very simple exercises to try.
I then headed up the street to Hangar 58 and met Sally & Maria.
They were already eating their lunch because Maria was on her lunch break and had limited time.
I ordered some brunch.
Sally & I had chatted and then Jackson & Kashana arrived with two other friends.
They wandered off and played pool, we carried on talking for a while longer.
Then it was time to leave so hugs goodbye for this time as they are heading back to Christchurch tomorrow.
I so miss my friend but am really happy she is happy 🙂
I walked back to the house, it was rather hot out, so when I returned I just chilled for a while.
Shoshannah headed off to Nelson Beauty Therapy to her appointment and then on to work.
I did some business stuff on computer and then sat on the couch with my ProShiatsu massager kneading my back for a while.
After my new freezer was delivered I dragged myself out the door sometime after 5pm and went to get groceries and pick a lawn trimmer.
That all took a while as I was in no hurry.
Then popped up to visit Kate & Tommy and take them a wedding present.
Lovely to see them both and admire their alterations and chat about prospective plans.
I loaded up some of Nathan’s gear that he had left there and then came home.
It was around 9:30pm by the time I got back.
It was dark so I had to activate my iPhone torch to get stuff sorts in the garage.
Unloaded Nathan’s gear into the back corner.
Found all the empty boxes and piled them into the car and filled them with the groceries.
By the time I got to have dinner it was after 10pm.
I was starving so just heated up some of Shanni’s Pad Thai and had it with Nathan’s leftover salad.
Estelle called up, she is safely back home again so it was good to catch up and know she is alright xxxx
I was still awake when the kids arrived in around 12:30am.
Shanni was asking why I was still awake?
Don’t think she gets that mothers don’t really settle until their chicks are safely in the nest 😉
Had a chat with them both and then headed back to bed.

Monday 22nd December

Monday was a crazy busy day right from the get go!

Eden was up early.
Marah was packing up the car so I helped to entertain her.
She was pretty determined to be going home so she spent several hours climbing in and out of their car.
At one stage I found her sitting in the drivers seat playing with Marah’s wallet.
It is most fascinating taking cards out and trying to put them back in again – kept her busy for ages!
She also loves playing with cds so Marah has a container of duds she can play with.
At one point I bent down to unlock the kitchen french door as it was such a gorgeous morning and I wanted to let more fresh air and sunshine into the house.
As soon as I bent down I felt my back go 😦
Damn!
It was such a pain.
I could barely stand straight for the rest of the day.
I applied cayenne cream and just hobbled about taking it as carefully as I could.

Pat arrived to have a look at altering the wash house for me.
We talked through that job plus had a look at a couple of other small fix-its that need doing.

Gay walked down to visit for a while.
Marah was walking out the door as she arrived so we did the intros and then hugged goodbye and she and Eden headed home.
Gay was rapt to see I had got my ProShiatsu massager and promptly unpacked it and got it going on my back.
It felt so good.
Nathan went off to a meeting and we were still chatting when he arrived back.
He has moved in with us for a while which is lovely.
He is looking so much better already.
Think he needed some Mum tlc 🙂

I have got most of my art gear out here now, but not unpacked as yet as I have not had time to decide where and how to put everything.
Am wanting to suss out a better storage system for my wooden stamps though.
One that will fit the space under the window, so I am scouting around looking, when I find the right thing I will know 🙂
At the moment I have just stashed them while I figure out what to do.
All my unmounteds fit snuggly on the top two shelves.
I can see why a lot of folk un-mount their wooden stamps, it takes up so much less room.

It was about midday bey the time I actually got a moment to breath!
I had phone calls to make but in the busyness of the morning I just hadn’t had a moment to do them.
Was getting somewhat frustrated so just took off.
I had a list of things to do and knew the traffic in town was crazy so wanted to head off and give myself time to do battle with it.
At least I didn’t have to venture right into the heart of the cbd.
I skirted around to the back of Warehouse Stationary and picked up my office chair.
Then on to Cleaning Technology to get a vacuum cleaner.
Decided to go directly to Richmond, picked up coconut oil from CRT and then Eden’s Santa photo from PhotoOne.
Very cute it is too 🙂
I was dreading trying to find a park as it was in the middle of the main street and Richmond was even crazier than Nelson, but thankfully there was one park right outside the shop so I nipped in and was soon on my way back to Nelson.
I had time to pop in and pick up some wholesale stores before they shut at 4pm.
Then across the road to see David who was trying to get his work finished for the day.
Counting down the hours till he and Sasha can disappear off into the mountains 🙂
I was in the vicinity so drove round the corner and visited with Sally & John.
Jonty & Clare were over for a few days so I had the added bonus of catching up with them too.
The day was disappearing and I was getting hungry so I drove into Nelson and picked up some takeaways from Tongtara Thai and then went up to the hospital to visit with Estelle.
I had planned to go late as she has so many visitors during the day.
I munched on my dinner while she talked on the phone to another friend.
What it is to be popular 😉
Gary & Jayden arrived with her clothes as she may be discharged tomorrow.
We had some time to talk after they left.
Then Sheryl arrived.
It was so lovely to finally meet her.
It was after 9 when we both left Estelle to settle for the night.
Came back to a quiet empty house and got myself ready for bed.
So tired & sore.
Applied a hottie to my back and was soon out for the count.
Never even heard the kids come home.

Sunday 21st December

A little person was up before 6am so Marah kept her as quiet as possible for as long as possible.
She let her out the kitchen doors to run around the back yard which Eden thought was pretty cool.
I got up soon afterwards.
I had my shower and then Marah and Eden had theirs.
Eden was so funny.
I was watching her while Marah got their shower stuff ready, she found my drawer of nail polishes and intimated that she wanted me to paint her nails.
So I put on a coat of sparkly gold then she disappeared off to the shower.

We were still trying to keep as quiet as possible to allow Shanni & Nathan to sleep but the wee lady wasn’t having a bar of that.
She was fed up already of being caged and quiet so was running up and down the hall.
I hadn’t bothered with my nails for weeks, with being busy moving and gardening etc I just hadn’t had the time nor the inclination.
But this morning decided to pretty up.
Eden found me and hopped up to help!
She wanted to have everything Nonna was doing.

Then we had the big decision as to what colour we should put on today 🙂

I took her to the lounge window seat so we could sit somewhere safe to do the actual painting.
It took me 10 times longer than usual because she had to have hers redone with the same colour I was putting on my nails.

She loved it, and kept her fingers spread out drying and showed her mummy her pretty toes and fingers.
Shoshannah staggered out sometime after 9:30am and decided to come to church with me so she zipped through her shower and got ready quickly.
Marah loaded Eden into the car and headed off to Richmond to meet up with Anson & Luke.
They were busy moving gear.
It was Luke’s birthday – great way to spend the day!
They met up with Marah again at the mall and took Eden to see Santa and had photos taken.
Apparently Eden showed everyone her pretty nails 🙂
Anson thought his younger sisters must’ve painted them and when he found out it was Nonna, he was like ‘What the!!!’

In the meantime Shanni & I went to join the folk from Impact Church at Anzac Park where they were celebrating in an open air service.
When we arrived it was really hot so we found a couple of chairs and pulled them into the shade of the large trees.
But soon after a low threatening cloud covered the city and threatened rain.
But nothing came of it, just a cooler air temperature.
It was a lovely service.
Just after we arrived three Myanmarese men were playing keyboard and guitar.
The began really slowly and played several carols, building crescendo and skilfully blending them together.
It was really cool.

Consensus from Shanni was that they should have open air services more often!
Afterwards they had a bbq and everyone gathered around chatting.
It was a very pleasant morning.

We headed back home, calling into Noel Leeming on the way to pick up a new charger for my phone/ipad as for some reason they are getting eaten at my house!
Also discovered a new type of glass screen protector so decided to get some of those to replace the plastic ones as they are much stronger.
Having them applied to our phones took a bit longer than we planned so when we arrived home Nathan was just pulling out of the drive and Colin & Jillian were waiting for us.
Had a quick chat with Nathan to ascertain his plans for the day and then Colin & Jillian came in for a cuppa.
While they explored the house I hung out the washing and Shoshannah put on another load.
It was effect for drying today so have to make the most of the sun & breeze before the next lot of rain drives in.
Shoshannah made up some guacamole and served us carrot sticks and corn chips.
Very tasty as we were rather hungry by this point.
We enjoyed a lovely visit, always good to catch up with them.
They headed off homewards and Nathan returned with some of his gear.
He had gone for a drive to get some thinking and unwinding time to himself.
We had some lunch and chilled for a while.
I was so weary, was thinking of having a lie down but never quite made it to my room.
Shoshannah had an arvo sleep as she was working tonight.
Marah & Eden came home,.
I wanted to go to the hospital to visit Estelle, so I went off around 5pm so I could be back in time to babysit Eden for Marah so she could get groceries later.
All Estelle’s visitors had left when I arrived so we got to just sit and talk and relax and eat cherries for a couple of hours.
It was really lovely.
Finally around 7pm I headed home.
Stopped in at Milton St Takeaways and ordered pizza & chips for dinner.
Nathan made up a salad and then walked up to pick them up when they were ready.
Liz had arrived to visit with Marah so they sat out on the deck and chatted for a while.
Eden was in bed sound asleep.
I got the washing in and tidied up a bit.
I was so tired and hungry, just wanted to crash out.
So I fossicked through the dvd pile Azzan had left here and found a ‘Betty White‘ one.
Put that on and watched a few episodes with Marah.
Just needed something light and easy.
Marah went off shopping and I found myself dozing so got up to clean up kitchen and head to bed.
Nathan was skyping with Mira and finally has some definite dates to work around.
So I booked some flights for him.
Then Marah arrived back and we all headed off towards our beds.
I was still awake when I realised Shanni had been texting me about a ride home as she had finished early.
I didn’t see the text until later and discovered she was home already.
Glad she was back earlier.
She was delighted to get her roster tonight and find she has 3 days off over Christmas, now all we have to do is find a return ride for her on 27th and she can come back home with me 🙂
So instead of getting an early night, once again it was after midnight before my light went off.