We are ok.

But sick of cleaning stuff up. House still standing. Come on Mother Nature, you Lemon-sucking Presbyterian you, leave us alone!!

A few drops of rain...

Iris is in a purple funk

dew to rain drops on her junk

We miss you, Mummy

I consider that I have been a tough nut these past 15 months or so, until I drove past this sign the other day. Erected by the children of  Natasha who was killed in her workplace during the February earthquake. I sat in my car and bawled like a baby. And then I went to work. And I was actually thankful that I could.

Go purposefully into this festive season. Make everything count.

This day that is Thursday

I have a theory that the Christchurch rebuild is going to take longer than it should. We had a phone call last week from a very chirpy young woman requesting that either myself or The Stud make ourselves available for an inspection of the unit that had been installed.


Me - (eyeing up the heat pump on the wall at the house we are renting)what     unit do you mean?


Chirpy - the one we installed. It needs to be signed off.


Me - riiight, the 'unit' would be what exactly?


Chirpy (clearly irritated) - the LOG BURNER.


Me - Oh. You mean the one in our own house.


Chirpy - yes of course.


Me - well, not much point really is there? I mean, the thing was installed in the wrong place back in April, but since then we have had to move out of the place and it is all going to be demolished.


Chirpy - no, that's not on my bit of paper here. So when would be a good time for us to some round then?


(Here you insert the sound of a stifled screech from me)


Me - (Speaking slowly and with determination if you will) The burner was installed in the wrong place, you lot were going to come round to put it in the right place ON THE DAY of the June earthquakes. Are you with me so far?


Chirpy - Yes but I just need you to tell me when we can come round to sign it off?


Me - So, when the 5.7 and then the 6.3 earthquakes hit, your lot DID NOT come round that day nor since to do the corrective work. Actually, we rang and told you not to bother and you said thank you for letting us know. Now, the next bit is really important - THE HOUSE IS ABOUT TO BE DEMOLISHED. IT WAS TOO BADLY DAMAGED and we are not even living in it. You still with me?


Chirpy - yes but....


Me - no, there isn't a time that would suit me or The Stud. Sorry about that. Thanks for calling tho'....


Chirpy - so would a Friday morning be best? 

Silent Sunday

Thank goodness it's Friday

Happy Birthday to me...I have chosen the order of events carefully this year after the fiasco last year...

First, the rule is to remember to eat so there will be cake!

There will be dancing.....

There will be a modest drink or three to keep hydrated....

and cards, of course.....

and then unwrapping a present or two...

Ah yes, the joys of having a birthday this close to Christmas!

Cheers everyone, thanks for coming - last dance anyone?