Silent Sunday

Thirsty Thursday

This is my second to last day in my current job. I have been here almost 17 years so am looking forward to new challenges with excitement but also a spot of awe as  to what they actually be. The daily reality of the written job description, as most of us know, can differ greatly.

I have next week off to just 'horse around' so I will have to pour myself one of these while I contemplate the future....feel free to grab a glass and join me!

Four Horseman

½ Shot of gold tequila
½ Shot of Jagermeister
½ Shot of peppermint liqueur
½ Shot Overproof rum

Pour contents in shaker over ice and shake well. Pour into glasses and slam it.

)

 

Music Monday

A spot of bouncy Kiwi music for you! Enjoy.

Marching on

No - this is not our new home (still waiting for that one!!) I was struck by the stark contrast between old and new in this bustling city.

After Linda's funeral we headed to Brisbane for my in-laws 65th wedding anniversary. It was great to be somewhere else, where the roads were smooth and the houses intact and the weather warm, very warm.

We went shopping and dining but the girls were really keen to get to the Museums and Art Gallery's that Brisbane has to offer. It was fabulous!

Sadly, only weeks after we returned home tragedy visited us again with the sudden loss of my sister-in-law from a relentless and subsequently deadly auto-immune illness.

I have a new job that I am starting in a few weeks so am looking forward to that very much, leaving my current employer after almost 17 years was a tough decision to make but am confident I have made the right choice. Nothing like 3 deaths, close together and close to my heart to sharpen the focus!!

The Whovian has developed a taste for this programme and I think this song is pretty quirky...enjoy!

A New Year

Still nothing happening on the house front...however, our start to 2014 has been less than spectacular.

One of my dearest friends suffered a stroke from which she failed to recover and "Lady Linda" passed away on 9 January. Linda was a super talented lawyer, completing her doctorate in 2010. The difference between Linda and others gaining their doctorates - Linda had been partially sighted since birth, and a subsequent car accident about 20 years ago robbed her of further sight and also gave her head injuries which she struggled with.....a few years ago she survived breast cancer and last year broker her thigh. Never one to complain, this Brave Scot battled on. She was awarded the New Zealand Order of Merit.

Linda was a massive Rolling Stones fan, had been to several of their concerts and even had a ticket for the concert later this year in Auckland.


Rest peacefully Linda, we are all missing you terribly. Drinking a glass of red and having a wee dram won't be the same without you. We will never be able to hear this song without thinking of you (and the many times we all belted it out after a few too many reds!)



Is that a light at the end of the tunnel or a train?

So - we were meant to have had a date in Court yesterday, to see if the Judge of the special earthquakes claims court can budge our insurance company.

For a few weeks now 100s of grumpy claimants such as ourselves have been camping outside their offices and generally making loud protesting noises in the general direction of Southern (lack of) Response.  We don't know if it was the Court action or the protesting or a happy combination of them both BUT we had talks with SR on Monday and so far they appear to have decided that they will honour the agreement we had with them 2 YEARS AGO after all. I shouldn't be so cynical because I am far too young for that, however I will wait for the court memo before I start to believe we might get our house rebuilt next year!!

P.S.

 

This lovely sunflower was 'snapped' by me earlier this year on a visit to my Mum in Kakanui.

Mum was also a florist and was often called upon to throw a bunch together for some reason or other. I was an endless source of despair and hilarity to her for my efforts of 'throwing a bunch together' was literally just that!

 

This wee fella is made by Mum (Beth) - she made the felt and spun the wool and then put him together. She has also left a legacy of patchwork blankets, all different colours and stitches to envelop and comfort her grandchildren.

 

Such a dear wee girl, and already a gardener! Miss you, Mum.