Wednesday

We had a nice phone call from Heather this morning until the battery ran out on the phone!!

Jon felt much better this morning thank goodness and went off to work.

I baked some peanut butter cookies to take to the book rooms this afternoon and then I went over to the Mount to meet the ladies after swimming for a coffee. We went to one of the cafes on the front and it was a beautiful morning, sunny and warm and we were all saying what lovely weather. Apparently, it has been the driest July for many years.

I left to go home and got back and did a few things around the house before having my lunch.

I left to go to the book rooms for my first time this year. Lions have had new trestles and table tops made and so they all needed to be put in place. Jane and I, as the youngest ones there today, (Jane is only in her thirties or so) were chosen to do the lifting and we got stuck in. I did mention to Jane not to get too excited as we got to the end of the job as I told her no doubt they would want them moving and they did!!

Some of the ladies were pricing and but as we couldn't get books onto the tables yet they were getting cross as they were running out of trolleys to put the books in. The sensible thing would have been to stop pricing and help put books out. But we are talking Lions here and that didn't happen. We have one Lion who is very nice but my goodness her tongue is sharp and she was very rude to some of the ladies today and if she had spoken to me like that I would have had to say something. I really don't know why they put up with it.

Shirley is supposed to be in charge of the sale and I told her I was going to bring her an Indian chief's headdress in with lots of feathers and some other headdresses with only one feather in as 'too many chiefs and not enough Indians" always springs to mind when I am there. We do always have a nice afternoon tea though and the ladies are very good at baking.

We had a heavy shower of rain just before I left at 4.00 but it soon passed and then we had drizzle, so different to this morning. One good thing with the cloud it will keep it warm tonight and it is forecast to go down to only 12 degrees so I might not need my electric blanket!

Jon came home soon after I got in and we had a cup of tea before I started the dinner. He looked much better when he came home tonight so last nights early bed helped and he will do the same tonight.

I cooked chicken with fennel, garlic and lemon tonight. I have never cooked with fennel before but I have eaten it out. It was OK but nothing special but the sauce was nice.

We watched some TV and then I went looking for fleas on Totty as she is scratching again. I found two and as it is the first of the month tomorrow and four weeks since her last Frontline treatment I treated her again.

WEATHER
Sunny then cloudy and drizzle 16 degrees

Tuesday

It is nice to be back in a routine of getting up early again especially when the sun is shinning.

We both had breakfast and Jon was in the shower when the nurse rang to check how he was. She still seems concerned over the swelling and is glad we will be seeing the surgeon on Thursday.

Jon went to work and I went to keep fit an she really worked us hard again and gave us very few water breaks this week but it was very good. I stayed for a coffee and we had a chat. It was a really big class today.

I left to get to the Red Cross shop for a meeting about all the changes. They are doing away with the processing centre to save money $65,000 a year apparently. They are going to make our shop smaller by blocking off the rear and using that as the processing centre. So all the donations will will be brought through the shop including furniture. Not sure how it will work but I can understand why they are doing it. lets wait and see how it goes.

Les, Sharon and I then went across the road for a coffee and I left to go to the supermarket. I got some really good deals on meat as the butcher was just marking them down as they were coming up to the sell by dates so my freezer is quite full again.

I got home and just had time to have lunch and change before going to the doctor. He has referred me to one of the skin clinic doctors they have to have this solar keratosis removed as it is getting big. It is nothing sinister so I will go and see them on Thursday.

Back to the house and off I go with Totty for her walk in the lovely sunshine.

Back to the house, feed the dog, change again and go off to my aqua aerobics class!!.

It was really warm today and I didn't need to do the usual dash from the changing rooms to the pool. Our teacher, Carla, is now looking very pregnant and I sometimes cringe when she is doing some of the jumps at the side of the pool, not sure how much longer she will be able to be so active with us. She is off to Brazil next week to visit her family so we will have a different teacher.

Driving home I just had to stop and admire the view along the beach. The water was a lovely blue colour and as the sun was setting the sky was all pink. I took a photo on my phone but it doesn't look like it really was.

Jon was in when I got back and looked very tired and I hope he is not doing too much too soon.

I cooked liver, bacon and onion gravy for dinner tonight. Jon loves it and we haven't had it for ages. It was very nice but I don't think Bertie liked it but not sure which bit he didn't like but he is not happy tonight.

I think we will have to make a chart of what Jon eats and what upsets him so that we can pinpoint things as we always say he won't eat it again but then forget.

I made Jon sit down after dinner and I did the dishes. He has now gone to bed for an early night so hopefully he will be OK in the morning as long as Bertie doesn't have him up.

WEATHER
Sunny 16 degrees

Monday

Jon was up very early this morning as he wanted to watch the Grand Prix, well part of it, before going to work!! How nice does that sound?

He left to get in by 9.30 and I was on my own again to do my housework for the first time since March - it has been a long four months and so much has happened.

I had a good day and did lots of chores and had the radio on loud and sang along. I even cleaned all the window frames which get really messy due to condensation.

It was a lovely day today sunny and no wind and 20 degrees on the deck in the shade which is pretty impressive for winter.

I finally stopped for some lunch about 1.30 and caught up with Neighbours but I was only one episode behind. I also finished my boring book which had a lovely ending!

Jon came home just after five and had had a good day but he did look tired.

We were sitting having a cup of tea and an email came through to me from Karen, the lady who is the property manager at the estate agents. She had a letter from Genera saying they would only be paying rent till 1 September and asking for the bond back. and asking us if we want to stay in the house.

We were both really annoyed as the bond was paid by us and nothing to do with Genera and we knew the rent would stop on 1 September.

I emailed Karen and told her that we are staying, for now, and need to put the direct debit in our name and asked her for the papers to do so. I told her not to return the bond to Genera and Jon would speak to them. I just hope it doesn't cause any problems.

Not sure why they have done this now as we only need to give three weeks notice anyway and we need somewhere to live.

They really are a nasty bunch of a family and I don't know what we have ever done to them to deserve their dislike of us.

I told Jon not to say in the email that we are staying as it is none of their business what we are doing at the moment. He just emailed and told them we have proof that WE paid the bond and any further communication about the house is to be done through us as it is our name on the lease. Watch this space.

We had dinner and watched some TV a good English murder investigation. It wasn't advertised and we only saw it by chance in the TV guide but it was very good.

Back into the routine of lunch making again :-)

WEATHER
Sunny 16 degrees

Sunday

The dog had me up early this morning as she needed a wee so I stayed up as it was warmer downstairs by the heater than in the bedroom.

I gave Jon a treat this morning and cooked him a full, well fullish, English. I can't remember the last time I 'cooked' a breakfast for him.

The nurse called to find out what had happened at the hospital and said she would come this afternoon with a view to removing the drain.

A nurse, a different one, came at 1.00 and took it out. the stich it was held in with was the most painful part. Once out he looked and felt much better. Strange how a bottle hanging from your side can make such an invalid of you and once out he was walking around like a spring chicken!! Lol

After she left we had lunch and then took the dog for a walk. It was a bit slow going due to Jon more than the dog but we managed to get all the way round and it was lovely and sunny.

Les came round to collect the TV that we had bought when Heather was living here, she has bought it for the new flat she is moving into.

Patricia from Lions called to see how Jon was and to tell me that last nights party was good and they enjoyed the games.

I am still reading the boring book that I started in Oz so I decided to get stuck into it this afternoon and sat by the window with the sun shinning in and read a lot and maybe it is not so boring now. The sun did make me sleepy though and I enjoyed a little nap.

I didn't need to cook as I still had a casserole in the fridge I made so it was an easy dinner. Nice to have some help back and Jon got back to his job of setting the table again and he enjoyed his first beer in two weeks.

We watched some TV and now it is an early night as Jon will be getting up for work tomorrow, the first time in nearly five months. I wonder if he remembers how to set the alarm. It is probably only a few weeks but he is very happy about it and looking forward to it.


WEATHER
Sunny 16 degrees

Saturday

What a beautiful day it was today, sunny and much warmer than the 'official' 15 degrees.

We had breakfast and Jon went for a shower and noticed he had what looked like a blister under the dressing of the repair and when he pushed it, it oozed pus!

Gill, DN, rang when he was in the shower and I told her and she said she was coming for a visit anyway and would be there soon.

When she came she decided to change the bottle and part of the tube as it looked like it was blocked and Jon's tummy looked swollen. Jon always comes over queasy when she changes  the dressing and he had to lie down while she was doing it.

She decided to leave it for now but said she would come back later if we needed.

I spent the morning preparing two dips for the 'mid winter Christmas party' tonight with Lions. I made a roasted pumpkin and and dukah hummus and a smoked fish pate. Both turned out well and very tasty.

DN Gill called round again this afternoon and thought it would be better if we went to A&E to check things out and called them to say we were on out way.

I had to make a few phne calls to sort out all the games I had planned for the party tonight and asked one of the ladies to collect a bag of stuff from our car port. Very sad I can't make it!

We went to the hospital and arrived at 3.30. Filled in our forms and the waited. The TV was not working as someone had thrown a chair at it! How can people behave like this? I hope they are going to pay for it. There is also a huge sign saying 'Please don't hurt our staff they want to help you'. How sad is that?

We waited a long time and the people waiting with us didn't look ill and could have gone to the GP room but they would have had to pay there!!!!

I heard a nurse say there had been a major RTA up on the Kaimai Road and I Googled it and saw one person was dead and three critical. Hence the three ambulances that arrived. Very sad. And we waited.

Eventually, we were called in and after some confusion we were taken to a bay and saw a registrar from Devon, would you believe? She was very nice and examined Jon and called the surgeon to have a chat. After a lot of discussion they decided that the drain had just stopped and the best thing would be for the DN to take it out next time she visits. We waited 3.5 hours for that!!!

Once it is out if Jon has any swelling or a temperature we must go back. We eventually left the hospital at 6.50!!

We got home and I had a big glass of wine and made dinner.

I was really sad I missed my mid winter party but these things happen and I could not have gone and left Jon on his own as I knew he was worried.

We watched TV and now it is time for bed.

Hopefully, DN can take the drain out tomorrow and then we will see how it goes. We need to check that it does not swell too much and no temperature or sickness!!!

I hope the Lions ladies enjoyed my games!!!

WEATHER
Sunny 15 degrees

Friday

An early start this morning as I woke at 6.00 not sure what woke me but it could have been the wind blowing on the roof of this house which always makes a lot of noise depending on the direction it is blowing from - the architect got that wrong!

We had a call from the stoma nurse this morning saying she had spoken to the nurse at the hospital and she was going to speak to the surgeon about how much fluid Jon is still losing. I am not sure he will do anything about it till we see him next Thursday. Jon has also been Googling protective shields as he is very nervous that he will get a knock or sometimes, the seatbelt hurts him. It seems these shields are not available here in NZ but the stoma nurse is going to ask the rep about them and she is also going to a conference next week and will enquire there as she said they look very good. If Jon can get one we are happy to pay for it is it is not available on prescription.

I left Jon finishing his breakfast and I went to the Red Cross. It was only Les and I this morning and we had a lot to tidy especially in the children's clothes as boxes of things had been put out and they looked a mess in the bins so I spent best part of the morning sorting them. No doubt after tomorrow they will look the same!! Apparently, there are going to be changes in the shop as they are not making money and so the processing centre, which is downstairs, is going to be moved up and take over part of the shop. I am not sure how that will work as I would think unloading everything outside, which is a bus stop, and bringing it in through the shop would not work but who am I. Lets wait and see what happens.

I left the shop and went to the Cancer Rooms where my Lion colleagues are doing the Daffodil Day phoning as I needed to collect one of the prizes for tomorrow night's mid winter Christmas Party. I am organising the games and pass the parcel is one. All the forfeits will be geared to Lions.

I then went to the post office to re post a parcel and hope it arrives this time.

Then to the $2 shop to find a present for the party - very difficult and I ended up spending $3 as I just couldn't find anything for two. I bought the ribbon and wrapping paper for pass the parcel.

Then off to the supermarket where I didn't hang around as I was feeling very hungry.

I got home and Jon was doing some work on the computer but the drain is still not slowing down.

I had lunch and then watched some Neighbours and Jon had a nap.

I had to go out for the fish and chips tonight but I didn't stop at the pub for a beer like Jon does.

After dinner I spent the evening in the dinning room sorting out pass the parcel and other games. I might be a little upset if they don't play them after all the work I have put into them.

Really making an effort to get to bed at a sensible time!!

WEATHER
Sunny 15 degrees

Thursday

It was so much warmer today and the sun was out so makes all the difference.

I decided to get on with making a cake early this morning as the recipe says it takes 75 minutes to cook plus an extra 17 for the topping! The cake is made with apples and dates and then once cooked you add a topping of brown sugar, butter and coconut.

I made the mix and put it in my tin to bake but my tin was a bit smaller than the recommended so the cake rose to the top and when I came to put the topping on it was dribbling down the sides, just as well I stood the tin on foil or I would have had a very messy oven. The cake looks and smells delicious but if/when I make it again I will use half the mix or a much bigger tin!!

I did some washing and hung it out and had a potter in the garden.

The stoma nurse, Gill, arrived to see Jon. We haven't seen her since we moved and she said how nice the house was compared to the other house which was very dark. She checked Jon over and changed his bottle. The drain has now produced 1.7ltr which is a lot. It has slowed a little today but still not nearly enough to have it out. Gill said she would speak to Helen, the stoma nurse at the hospital, to see what she thinks. She came with a student nurse and she was more interested in Totty than Jon!!

I spent the rest of the morning doing my ironing. I have really missed having the radio on since Jon has been 'retired' as I know he doesn't enjoy it so today I set up out radio and iPod docking thing and had the radio on in the kitchen area. I don't need it loud so it didn't disturb him down in the sitting area and I did my ironing quite happily.

We had lunch and then I continued to do a few jobs around the house.

The gardener came and she told me the owner has cut her hours down and she now only comes once a month for two hours. Not sure how they expect all these plants to be trimmed and maintained if she only has two hours. We don't mind doing some but we don't have the tools to do too much. I did ask her to cut a tree down today as it was dead. It was just like a palm tree but mini and with spiky leaves. She also took away all the cuttings from what I cut down and I had not been able to fit it all in the bin so that was helpful.

I took Totty out for a walk and didn't need a coat as it was so warm. I met my neighbour on the way back and had a chat, he is such a nice man.

I made a cup of tea and we tried the cake and it was yummy! I will make it again but use a bigger tin!

I got ready for my Lions dinner meeting and left everything ready for Jon's dinner. I put some of the casserole I made yesterday ready for him to heat in the microwave so hopefully he will manage.

I went to Lions and we had a good evening. We had roast lamb with some lovely vegetables. I am not a lover of a roast every meeting but the vegetables are always very good and interesting. One we had tonight was roasted kumara and it was cooked with a curry flavour and onions and cashew nuts and was really good.

Unfortunately, pudding was not so good - apple crumble. I can make apple crumble anytime at home and when I go out I like to have a nice pudding and it was served with cream and not custard!

The speaker was a man from the Lions District and he will be District Governor in two years but my goodness was he boring we nearly all fell asleep. I thought it was just me but everyone breathed a sigh when he left.

I got home and Jon was fine and had enjoyed his dinner and managed to put things in the dishwasher and put the place mats away so that is an improvement. I know he is still not well though as he has not had a beer for nearly two weeks!!

Early night for me as I have Red Cross tomorrow and Sharon is on holiday so just Les and I.

WEATHER
Sunny 16 degrees

Wednesday

Just another not doing much day today.

There appears to be a little less coming out of Jon's drain but not a significant change and he is still fed up.

I did some housework this morning and then went out and bought us both a coffee to cheer him up.

I rang to make an appointment for Totty at the vets as she is twirling round in circles on her bottom so I think her anal glands need sorting. I decided to giver her a bath to make her smell nice and she was a bit pongy due to her burying herself under covers at night.

We had lunch and I spent a long time sorting and editing photos. I am trying to make albums and have got a little behind. Apart from one for Kirsty's wedding I haven't put any photos of China in an album and only six months of the time Heather was here so I have lots to catch up on. It didn't help to see that the photos from Thailand had copied three times so I need to delete the extras.

I took Tot to the vet and he sorted her out so hopefully she will sleep well tonight.

I checked the post box when I came back and found a parcel inside that I had sent to Jon's nephew and wife for their new baby on April 29. It had been delivered on 5 May and marked 'gone away' but why it took so long to come back I don't know. I should let people know when I send a parcel as it is always a bit embarrassing to ask, once sent, if it has arrived. It looks like you are asking for a thank you. And likewise family/friends are not going to ask if I have sent something? Hmm! I need to think this one through more! Lol!

I made a casserole for tomorrow as I am out for dinner with Lions and I need something easy for Jon.

We had dinner and watched some TV. Not much happening really.

I had an email from my sister in law and her son has moved so I will now send the parcel again and hopefully what I bought will still fit the baby!

WEATHER
Overcast with some sunny spells and drizzle late afternoon 14 degrees

Tuesday

I was lying awake thinking about getting up and I heard a notice come through on my ipad, only the BBC do that so I knew what it was! So pleased for Catherine and William. Amazing to think I knew at the same time as people in the UK - technology!!

I had my shower and was just getting dressed and I heard the phone as we moved it the other day to the office I had to run to answer it but was too late. A few minutes later it rang again and it was Heather.

I had a chat to her while having my breakfast and then Jon got up so he spoke to her and I left for my keep fit class.

We had a really good class and everyone was so happy to hear about the new Prince. The official present from NZ is a beautiful handmade shawl in the pattern of the silver fern. Not sure the baby will ever get to use it but it is lovely.

I cam straight home, well after my coffee, and the district nurse was here. She changed Jon's bottle and said if the swelling does not go down in a couple of days maybe we should go back to the hospital so we will keep out eye on it. Jon is really fed up with it all now.

I had to go out to the supermarket and the post office so got changed and left. I did my shopping and was back home pretty quickly.

I got back and made a shepherds pie mix and a spaghetti mix. Jon said he fancied shepherds pie.

I made lunch for Jon and then he had a sleep and I went into the garden to do a bit of cutting down. We have a plant, which I am sure is a weed, and it grows like crazy. I told the gardener I didn't want it growing as it gets hundreds of lace flies on it and then they come indoors. I thought it would be better to cut it down as it grows but she just leaves it so I thought I had better get onto it before it starts to take over.

It took a long time and I also thinned out the agapanthus which also grow like weeds and are taking over. Of course I then had to decide what to do with all the waste. We don't have a garden bin so I carried it all up to the top and cut it up and bagged it into plastic bags - 7 in total. I will have to put them out a few each week with the rubbish till they are gone. If the gardener comes on Friday maybe she can take them as she goes to the tip. From now I am going to keep on top of them and snip them off as soon as they sprout.

Well all that took a long time and my back was killing me. I also found two mandarin trees at the bottom of the garden - shows how often I go down the garden!! They had lots of fruit on well, 25 to be exact but they are so sweet. Glad I didn't miss them or they would have rotted away.

Jon woke up and we had a cup of tea and watched the news.

We had dinner and Jon really enjoyed it for a change.

We watched some TV and now I am going to rest my very sore back and it's not even 11.00 yet!!!

WEATHER
Sunny spells but mostly cloudy 14 degrees

Monday

We had an early morning call from the nurse today to see if Jon needed a visit. I said no as we saw the nurse on Sunday so they said they will come tomorrow.

Busy day today doing all my housework and changing the bed.

I did some photo sorting in between and got another album up to date.

I was due to get a phone call from the company that do canvas prints today as I haven't been able to add my discount code when I try to order. I realised that the office is in Wellington and most of the city has been shut down today due to quake damage. They say it is mostly falling glass and not structural but it is a bit of a worry in view of what happened in Christchurch. Part of the harbour wall has caved in and there are cracks in roads. The train lines are all checked now and they say the city will open again tomorrow. So it is no surprise I didn't get a call.

We had lunch and I carried on with housework.

I took Totty out for a walk and met a lady coming down the street with her dog. She crossed over to the same side as me and so of course both dogs went crazy!!! Not sure why she crossed over to my side certainly not something I would do.

I cooked dinner but Jon is not eating much. He is fed up as he is still losing lots in the drain. He also has a cough which hurts when he coughs. Bertie is also playing up but that could be due to the new orange juice I have bought so no juice for breakfast tomorrow to see if it makes any difference.

I think he should have had a sleep this afternoon as he has been doing that since he came home so tonight he did not feel that well.

He has put off starting work until next week as he can't go in dragging a drain behind him.

We watched the end of the X Factor tonight and I am glad to say the one I wanted won. But only in NZ would you get the name of the winner come up on the screen BEFORE the presenter had announced it!!! Lol! But it didn't matter but it made me giggle.

Well bedtime now and off to my nice warm bed!

WEATHER
Some cloud but sunny spells 14 degrees

Sunday and the fright of my life

Jon was up first this morning and I had a little lie in but not much. I showered and washed my hair and then went downstairs. Jon wanted to showered before he had his breakfast so it made everything very late so no coffee this morning.

He is feeling OK but fed up as the drain is still producing a lot. the nurse rang and said she did not have a spare bottle in her car and could we go to the clinic in Tauranga this afternoon to get it changed as at the rate it was filling it would be full tomorrow and it is also very heavy to carry around with him. Going to the clinic is not an issue but I would have thought if you had a man on your books over the weekend with a drain in situ the obvious thing would be to have a spare bottle in your car? Maybe that is too easy or she was just being lazy and didn't want to visit?

I managed to fill the day with one thing and another and Jon read for most of the morning.

We had lunch and I did some baking and Jon slept. I sorted out a lot of photos that I had printed ages ago and got them into albums, still lots to do though.

Jon woke as it was time to go to the clinic and we set off. Driving to the clinic was horrible as the direction we had to go was up some roads which are all west facing and as the sun was so low I really could not see ahead of me and it was awful. I managed to find my way to the clinic by going across one street and up one then across again - grid system planning is very convenient sometimes.

We arrived at the clinic and I thought we would have to wait in a room with lots of other people like a drop in clinic but we were pleasantly surprised that we were taken in as soon as we arrived. The nurse changed the bottle and gave me a spare and instructions on how to change it if the vacuum pops! Hopefully, Jon won't stand on it or trip on it so I won't have to do it!!! Jon also has a swelling to the side of the stoma now which the nurse says we must watch. This is all so stressful for us both and I will be glad when it is healed and he is well again.

We got home and I made a cup of tea and we were sat watching the news about all the quakes in and around Wellington when suddenly Jon screamed with pain and I shot up to see what was wrong. He was in agony and I asked him what was wrong and he said he sneezed and couldn't hold onto his side in time and it really hurt!!! I was a jabbering mess - 'he sneezed'!!! I thought he was dying! When I had stopped shaking a got him a drink of water and eventually the pain subsided and he was OK. I really am NOT cut out to be a nurse!!!

I cooked dinner and we ate and then he watched TV while I cleared away.

I feel for the people in Wellington and around with all the quakes they are having at the moment their nerves must be like mine. Everyone says they expect a big one fingers crossed they are wrong.

We watched X Factor and then went to bed.

WEATHER
Sunny with cloudy spells 16 degrees.

Saturday

Well I didn't get my early night, not sure where the time goes once I get on the computer!

Jon slept well and in fact didn't get up till 9.00. I was up and ready and having a cup of tea when Kirsty rang so we had a chat - twice this week and then she spoke to Jon.

Jon looks better this morning but he really isn't a good patient. The nurse rang to ask how much the drain was making and it is still too much to be able to come out so he is stuck with it.

I made his breakfast and then I went into Tauranga to the library as he had run out of books. I got quite a selection so hopefully that will keep him happy for a while.

I got home and set to to make the lunch. I had tickets booked to go with Margaret to a concert tonight and so we decided to have our main meal at lunchtime and I could just leave a sandwich for Jon this evening.

We had some nice belly pork cooked with a lovely spicy orange sauce.

I cleared up the kitchen and Jon was watching TV but he has to have it so loud as he can't hear and it drives me mad if I am trying to read so I ended up reading upstairs and I could still hear every word of the TV with the bedroom door closed.

It was a horrible day today as it was horrible drizzle, not cold just grey.

I got ready to go out and made sandwiches for us both and left Jon with a tray of things should he need anything.

The concert was really good and had a NZ guy called Tim Beveridge who has played in musicals in UK and USA and he was very good and very funny. He also had a Canadian singer on with him and they sang songs from Phantom and a few other musicals.

The young girl, Jessie Halal, who came second in NZ Got Talent was also on. She has the most beautiful voice and is only 12 years old. It was a really good night.

The concert was held in a church which is a really lovely auditorium and they have lots of concerts there. The seating is really good and is in a semi circle on two levels and must hold over 1000. Not sure how many they get for church on a Sunday, I am sure it is not 1000.

We drove home and it was foggy!! I think that is the first time I have driven in fog in NZ.

I got in about 10.20 and Jon was just on his way to bed and feeling OK.


WEATHER
Overcast, some rain and FOG!!! 14 degrees

Friday

It didn't feel too cold this morning when I got up and there was a very beautiful sunrise with a lovely pink sky but when I looked out of the window some of the sheltered houses below us had frost on the roof which is the first I have seen this year.

I got ready for Red Cross and had a text from Jon before I left saying that he could come home but no idea what time.

I stopped on my way to the shop for petrol and due to school holidays the roads and petrol station were all quiet and so I got to the shop very early which makes a change for me!!

We weren't particularly busy but we had enough stock to put out. Lots of duvets and covers which seem to be the only thing that is selling right now and one lady came in with her two children and bought three. I often wonder what sort of families buy this type of thing I know I wouldn't, which makes me feel very lucky that I have never had to.

I had a text from Jon to say he would be ready once I had finished work at 1.00.

I left to go to the hospital and he was sitting ready and waiting. The nurse said she would have been happier letting him go if Bertie had 'performed'. I told her that Jon had had so little to eat since Monday that it was not going to happen so she said OK and gave me instructions that if he felt unwell or was sick I had to phone someone ASAP.

Jon still has the drain in and the nurse will visit to see to that and take it out once it stops.

So, off we set to walk to the entrance, down three floors in the lift and a long corridor collecting a prescription from the pharmacy on the way. I set off at my normal pace and realised Jon could not keep up so we slowed down.

I left him on a chair in the entrance while I brought the car round and he saw Mark, surgeon, who was on his way out of the hospital and said he wants to see him in two weeks.

Jon looked very pale by the time we got home and realised that he was not as well as he thought he was. You feel very safe in hospital and once out in the big world things are not so easy and the effort of getting into the house really took it out of him.

I got him settled and made him some lunch and he got some colour back.

I had to go to the supermarket so left him with everything that I thought he would need and made sure Totty would not need to go out.

I went off and did my shopping and got home and put it all away and then made a cup of tea. I was glad to hear that Bertie had made himself at home so that is one worry less!

I took Totty out for a walk and we saw daffodils in a garden. This always makes me feel go as spring can't be too far away.

I cooked a nice fish pie for dinner - no fish and chips tonight!! The recipe said smoked fish and so far I have not found good smoked fish here, it is usually very dry and chewy. I was looking in the fish section and the assistant there got chatting to me and I told her what I wanted as I was looking at a packet of smoked fish. She told me that the tinned smoked fish was much nicer as it was moist and not chewy. I went to the tinned section and found what she recommended and she was right. I can see I will use this again. The topping for the pie was kumara (sweet potato) with fresh grated ginger and it was very nice.

Jon said he didn't feel like eating much but what he had, and it was a lot more than he ate at the hospital, and more importantly, he enjoyed it.

I tidied up and then we watched TV.

He said he would go and lie in bed and read and I have to say he doesn't look very well at the moment and said the stiches are hurting but that is probably because they are healing and will pull but I will keep a close eye on him. I will be so glad when this is all over.

I think I might just have an early night myself tonight. No doubt Totty will get me up to go out as she doesn't understand 'early nights' well, her bladder doesn't!

WEATHER
Sunny 16 degrees

Thursday

So much warmer this morning it was almost a pleasure to get out of bed.

I was up, showered, washing hung out, house tidy and out on my way to the garage by 8.30. I heard a text come through on my way.

I read the text when I got to the garage and it was Jon saying he wasn't allowed home.

I asked the man in the garage if he could check my car ASAP as I had nothing to do in Tauranga and as my husband was in hospital I had no way of getting home and back later. He said if the brake pads needed changing it would take longer but he would do what he could.

I decided to go for a coffee and then to the Red Cross and help out till I heard from the garage as the shop is not far away.

I got to the café and was just about to order my coffee when the garage rang to say the car was ready as it was just the break fluid that needed topping up - phew!

I texted Jon and told him I would bring him a coffee once I had collected the car.

They only charged me $6 - three pounds!!

I went to see Jon and he was really down as he had really wanted to come home but, and I noticed last night, there was a lot of fluid coming out of the drain and they don't want him to leave till it stops or reduces. He is very grumpy!

I left after a little while as I had the agent coming to do a house inspection but as it happens she didn't arrive till nearly 2.00 but found everything in order.

I spent the afternoon sorting out photos on FB. I also took Totty out in the lovely sunshine for her walk.

I went in to see Jon this evening and he is still very grumpy and nothing is right - the food, the other patients and pretty much the world. I understand he is upset and bored but he is in the best place and just has to be patient. I offered to take him food in but he doesn't want that either. I really hope he can come home tomorrow.

I got home and cooked my dinner and watched some TV.



WEATHER
Sunny 15 degrees.

Wednesday

Thinking I had put the blanket on high last night and in actual fact I had just put it on standby so the bed was not warm! Silly me.  However, I slept very well and thankfully Totty didn't wake me to go out in the middle of the night!

I had showered and was having a cup of tea before drying my hair and Kirsty called so of course my hair was dry by the time we finished and I had to wet it again!

I was due at Alison's for coffee anytime after 10.00 and got there about 10.15. It was good to catch up and she gave me her good news that she is to be a grandmother again in December, her son and daughter in law that eloped to Tahiti are expecting and she is very pleased about it.

Alison's husband is now retired and he loves to do jobs and showed me a lovely dolls house he made for his granddaughter now seven and he is revamping for their granddaughter who has just moved back from UK and will be one in August. the dolls house is lovely and the furniture is lovely too and all made by him.

I went in to see Jon with a coffee after I left Alison and he is really, really well and chomping at the bit to come home. Mark says he wants the drain in for two days so hopefully he can come home tomorrow.

I left to come home for lunch and on the way noticed that my brake light is coming on a lot. I thought I had not been releasing the handbrake but today, finally, I read the manual and it says it might be low brake fluid and need to be checked - oops! It has been doing it for over a week now.

When I got home I rang the garage and I need to take it in at 9.00 tomorrow. Hopefully, that is all it will be and won't take long as I need a car to get Jon home!!

After lunch I did my housework as we have a house maintenance inspection at some point tomorrow. They said between 9.00 and 2.00 but I can't wait in for them as last time they turned up after 3.00. I can't lock the dog up either so we will just have to hope she behaves or they come at a time I am home.

I went in to see Jon this evening and took him a few bits and pieces in and his coming home clothes.

He was very chirpy but the man in the bay opposite keeps singing 'Stairway to Heaven' which Jon doesn't think is appropriate in a hospital ward! Lol. He is bored and has read his book for most of the day but he does have a lovely view from his window. The men in the next bed was discharged this morning so he asked to be moved to the window which is much nicer.

I came home and had dinner and did some crochet and watched TV and at last I am up to date with Neighbours!!

Very late now so I am off to bed and I did put the blanket on tonight!

WEATHER
Sunny 15 degrees

Tuesday

Another cold morning and was so glad we didn't need to get out by 7.00 for Jon's appt.

I felt very mean having my breakfast when all Jon could have was water!

Heather phoned this morning just as I was about to go to my keep fit class after a few words I left and she spoke to Jon who she was really ringing to speak to anyway, bless her.

The class was really good and a very young girl with Down's Syndrome was there with her mum, it is school holidays here. She is about 12 and did very well bless her she was really sweet. I didn't stay for coffee and came straight home.

We left for the hospital at 11.40 and arrived on time at 12.00. Jon was sent for an ECG first of all and then Mark, surgeon, came out to speak to us and then took Jon off to mark his tummy where he would be cut. We then went into an office and saw the nurse who put DVT socks on Jon and gave him his gowns and hat etc. to wear. We then saw the assistant anaesthetist who went through all the procedure and said it would take about an hour to an hour and a half and he was due to go down at 1.00. Then the registrar came in who said he knew Jon from the colonoscopy he did for him in March last year - good memory, Jon didn't remember him.

We were then put in the waiting area and saw two theatre nurses who checked all the details and then the anaesthetist so he knew who would be in the theatre with him. They finally took him through and told me they would call me later and that he was going onto ward 3a.

I left and was at a bit of a loss what to do so I went to the supermarket to get the things I needed and then to buy some ribbon for a beanie I am making before going home.

I had lunch and was doing OK till it got to 2.45 and I started to get a little edgy. Mark rang at 3.15 and told me the surgery went very well and he was pleased with it. He explained everything to me about what they did and said Jon would need to have six weeks to recover and no heavy lifting. He said he would be moved to the ward in about an hour. So all good and I have to say I really like the system here where the surgeon speaks to you it makes you feel like a person and not just another patient.

I rang the ward at 5.00 to ask if he was back and they said no but should be back soon so I waited. I had a call from recovery at 5.45 to say he would be back on the ward just after six.

I made him a buttered roll and filled a drink bottle with a spout just in case he wanted a little something to eat and the drink is easier in a bottle (past experience!).

I got to the ward at 6.20 and he was still not back so I waited in the lounge and they eventually came to tell me he was just on the way and I met them in the corridor. They got him into the bay and did the obs and then said they would be back. He told me he had problems with his breathing due to the anaesthetic and so they would not let him up to the ward till it had regulated.

He looked pretty good considering, very groggy as they had given him a lot of morphine and his voice was very hoarse due to the tubes. He said it hurts when he moves or coughs and the nurse said he must cough or his chest will not clear.

He was very grateful for the bottle of water but didn't want food. I didn't stay too late as, apart from being very hungry, he was not in the mood to talk and just needed to sleep it off. I asked the nurse for some ear plugs for him as the elderly man in the bay opposite was making rather a lot of noise!

I got home and the house was nice and warm for a change or maybe I just noticed it as it was soooo cold outside! I had some dinner and treated myself to a glass of wine and then watched TV and did some crochet.

I nearly forgot to put the electric blanket on as Jon always does it but I remembered a little while ago so put it on high!!! Oops I will get told off he if finds out!!

I have had some nice emails from friends and family and some calls from a few people here which is nice.


WEATHER
Sunny, clear skies 14 degrees.

Monday

It was really cold this morning and I didn't want to get out of bed!

I spent the morning doing housework and Jon went to the library and the post office and a coffee of course.

It was a lovely sunny day but the wind was cold. It made me get a move on with my cleaning, there is nothing like vacuuming the house to get warm!

We had some lunch and then I started a new pattern for a baby beanie. Lions are asking for new born knitted or crochet clothes for the prem baby unit at Tauranga hospital. This hat had some stiches in that I have never heard of before so I had to Google them to find out how to do them. What would we do without Google. The hat turned out very well, I just need some ribbon to thread through it to finish it off.

We took Totty out for a walk and the wind was very cold and we were glad to get back into our cold warm house!!

We had dinner which was simple, plain food tonight as we don't want to upset Bertie who has a big day tomorrow and we hope he behaves. Jon is nil by mouth after 7.00 tomorrow morning so he will be up early to have some breakfast. It will be a long day for him as he is not due in till 12.00 and then we don't know where he will be on the list, I hope he is not last as he is not very patient.

We watched some TV and then it was bedtime. How the days fly over.

WEATHER
Sunny 12 degrees

Sunday

It was lovely and sunny this morning when we got up but it was very windy.

I had some bread and crackers that needed to be thrown away so we decided to go up to McLaren Falls and have a coffee at the new café there and then feed the ducks.

We arrived at the falls and there was a notice saying 'café closed due to private function' dam!

We went down to the lakeside and fed the ducks very quickly as it was so windy up there and we left.

We went to the garden centre we went to last week and sat in the courtyard in the sun and had a coffee and it was so warm we had to take out coats off.

We got back home and took Totty out for a walk and had a look at the progress of the new house that is being built on the hill below out house. It looked a small plot but the house looks huge although there is not much garden. I am sure it is going to be lovely when it is done.

I spent the rest of the day on the computer putting photos on Facebook.

I cooked a butterfly chicken for dinner tonight that had been marinated in lemon and herbs and it was really good.

We then watched XFactor before I rang my sisters for a chat.

Going to bed now and I hope Jon has left my side of the electric blanket on tonight as it was not as toasty last night as I was later than him going to bed. He is scared I will forget it and not turn it off and we will die in our bed!!!

WEATHER
Sunny, windy 15 degrees.

Saturday

I had a nice lie in this morning as it was the weekend!! I know it doesn't make much difference to me but there is something special about having a lie in on a Saturday or a Sunday.

We went down to the Mount and had a coffee and a date scone at Eighty Eight café, we haven't been there for ages. It is always full and they do the most amazing selection of cakes and muffins.

On our way to the Mount we had a phone call from the lady who bought our steam mop on Trademe and she said she would collect it this afternoon so we need to get back by 1.00.

We went to the supermarket for a few things and then onto Nosh the 'posh' food shop. They have some really good deals and although you couldn't do a full shop there the meat, fish and deli section are very good. We bought some rack of lamb and some butterfly chicken and it is the cheapest place around for tamarillos!!

We got home just before 1.00 and the lady arrived soon after - we now have another $40 to add to out pot!!

After lunch Jon went up to the office to do some work and I did some crochet pattern hunting on the net.

Yes, Jon has some work!!! He is doing some consultancy work which will keep him busy for a little while.

I cooked dinner which was a recipe I found in a magazine for glazed lamb rack with tamarillos. It turned out to be a very dangerous dish to cook. First of all the pan set alight when browning the lamb which I hate as it really scares me. Then, when I added the wine (slowly) the whole thing blew up and I had wine, fat, balsamic vinegar, tamarillo juice and lamb all over me, the hob and back plate and the floor!!! I am just glad I added it slowly!!

Lamb cooked and kitchen cleaned and the lamb was very good and I would make it again but I might prepare myself and the kitchen for the explosion next time.

I had a couple of egg whites leftover from the other day so made merengue with them and we had that with mixed berries for pudding.

Just as we finished dinner Jane called and we had a long chat to her which was lovely.

Bertie is playing up at the moment and Jon thought it was the chocolate ice cream he ate on Thursday but6 I think it is more likely to be the fruit cake I made on Thursday as it had a lot of prunes in it. He is off fruit cake tomorrow to see how things go. We can't afford for Bertie to be like this when he goes into the hospital on Tuesday.

Off to my cosy bed now before it cools down too much. Jon turns it off when he goes to bed 'just in case you forget'! I think he thinks I have dementia!!!



WEATHER
Sunny spells with some cloud 14 degrees

Friday

Well, after all the rain and thunder overnight we woke to a lovely morning and not so cold - crazy weather.

I loved getting into bed last night and the electric blanket is now my 'new best friend forever'! So warm and cosy and made such a difference, why have we waited so long??

I went to the Red Cross this morning and Sharon is still off ill so it was just Les and I till 11.00 when Midori comes in.

We kept ourselves busy by changing the window displays and I decided to tidy the bric a brac shelves and I must say once done the looked very nice.

Still not very busy in the shop but we did get a box of jewellery in to price up and put out. Some of it was very nice and I tried on a nice blue bead necklace but the beads were so cold on my neck I soon took it off - a summer accessory I think.

We also got a box of lace and nylon knickers in which sent the three of us into fits of giggles as they were all very big size 26+ and all black with lace trimmings. They were all new and made by a local company and the prices on them $40. I would never pay twenty pounds for a pair of knickers and they weren't even that nice. We hadn't sold any by the time I left at 1.00. I think it is not the weather for lacy knickers more like thermals!!

I left and went to the supermarket for a few bits and then went to see Bronwyn to take her duty free whisky we brought back from Oz. I stayed for a chat but was hungry so left to get my lunch but not before I had picked a bag of grapefruit from her tree.

I dropped off a jacket at the post office to be cleaned, he is a dry cleaning agent, and had a chat with the postmaster who is very nice.

When I got home Jon was still out so I made my lunch as it was by now 3.00 and I was starving.

Jon came home and he had been to buy some photo frames to replace some of ours that were broken.

I started crocheting some bootees for the hospital prem baby unit - it's a Lions thing.

Jon left to meet with Lisa who he used to work with for an after work drink so I had a bit of time to myself.

Jon came back and brought the fish and chips with him so we had dinner and watched TV.

Bedtime now and time to get into our cosy bed again!!

WEATHER
Sunny 14 degrees.

Thursday

Mother Nature hit us hard today and reminded us that it 'really is' winter. We woke to heavy skies and very cold, for here!

Jon went across to the Mount for his walk but it was raining before he got there so he just had a coffee and came home.

I baked a fruit cake with the fruit I had left soaking over night in Early Grey tea. I also baked some scones this afternoon. I had a jar of clotted cream that needed to be used so had to make the scones.

We had soup for lunch as it was so cold in the house - only 14 degrees! We had to put the gas heater on.

I have been complaining about how cold it is at night and having to 'get dressed' to go to bed. Jon went out and bought an electric blanket for me. It has two controls, one for either side so he won't roast but I will be very cosy.

We tried the scones with the cream but it really wasn't very nice, not at all like Cornish clotted cream. I guess I will just have to wait till I get home.

We had an early dinner as I had a Lions business meeting to go to. I really didn't feel like going out at all as it was pouring with rain and thundering. They have had lots of snow on the Desert Road and it is now closed so we should be thankful we only have rain.

The last Lions business meeting I went to must have been back in April but it was much the same and we finished early and I was home by 8.15.

Apart from some ironing and crochet that is all I have done today so I am now off to get into our lovely warm bed!


WEATHER
Heavy rain, cloudy, thunder 10 degrees.

Wednesday

Not quite so cold this morning but that could have been because the windows weren't left open!

I did two loads of washing this morning but not sure it I would get it dry as not much wind and very little sun.

Jon went out to have a walk and a coffee and I did some housework.

I left to meet Michelle for lunch, she works in the office where Jon worked, and show her the wedding photos.

I had a lovely 'light' lunch of roasted pumpkin, penne pasta and parmesan cheese and it was really good and enough for lunch.

It was nice to chat to Michelle and she enjoyed seeing the wedding photos - we didn't talk about 'the office'!

I then went to see my friend Carol and take her Avon things as she is going away on Saturday.

I then went across to a swimwear shop as my swimsuit is a state and all the elastic has rotted with the chlorine so I need a new one. Swimsuits are so expensive here but I managed to buy one in the sale reduced from nearly fifty pounds (I would never pay that much for a swimsuit) to twenty five which is OK and it is very nice. Let's see how long this one lasts.

I did a bit of supermarket shopping on my way home and it looked as if it had been raining near out house but when I got in Jon said he had been in the garden all afternoon and we had no rain. My washing wasn't dry though and as it was starting to rain I had to bring it in and use the dryer.

We had a cup of tea and watched some TV and then I made the dinner. I found a Dutch blog about food and it had a nice chicken recipe on which is a bit like an Indonesian dish and it was very nice.

We watched some TV and then I rang my elderly neighbour in Newmarket as she has not been well. I didn't chat to her for long as she was making her lunch and she needed time to have her lunchtime drink before it was ready - a drop of brandy with some hot water!!! She said she has it every day. Bless her, she can't get out to walk now as it tires her out. It must be horrible stuck in the house every day, seven days a week.

The weather forecast is not so good this week there is snow forecast for the Desert Road which means we will get the cold southerly winds that blow up from there. We haven't had any frosts this year yet unlike June/July last year it was terrible so we mustn't complain.

WEATHER
Sunny spells with some cloud and showers 12 degrees.

Tuesday

I decided to update my blog and change the template and I was silly to start it so late at night as the upload took forever and I went to bed and left it. It is, as you can see, now different but not sure if I like it or not. I might need to change it again to get more photos in. I am a long way behind with photos.

It felt very cold in the bedroom this morning and I could hear the traffic up on the main road quite clearly which I don't usually. When I opened the curtains I saw the window was open!! Jon had opened it on Monday morning for the condensation and then forgotten to close it!!!! Note to self - 'check the window every night'

Gill, district nurse, called early this morning to see how Jon is. I told her about his surgery and that we were going back to UK and she was very sorry to hear it. I did ask her if Jon should have a pre op assessment before next week as we have not had an appointment. She said he should so I decided to call the hospital as it had been playing on my mind that he had been forgotten again and I would hate him to get there next week and say they can't do it.

I went off to my keep fit class and worked very hard and I am pleased to say the holiday pounds are coming off quite nicely now, thank goodness. I noticed my left contact lens was not in my eye or had slipped so I tried looking for it but couldn't find it in my eye. As I don't use my left eye much I thought I would wait till I got home. I stayed for a coffee and a chat and then came home.

I tried looking in my eye for my lens and although it feels like it is at the top I can't see it so I will wait in the hope that it works its way back down.

Jon was out again round the Mount and for a coffee. When he came back he was very hot and said it felt more than 14 degrees outside. He went into the garden to do some tidying and wash some pots that we had had plants in.

I rang the secretary and she told me that as Jon had surgery recently they would just do the assessment by phone so I said OK that will be fine.

A little later the secretary called back to say they were now going to change his surgery to the afternoon (he was due to get there for 7.00 a.m.) and so would not need to be in till 12.00. All of this made more sense to me as it is not a simple hernia repair due to it being in the stoma and if they need to do anything else it would hold the list up in the morning. I imagine he will be last on the list for the afternoon. Unfortunately, for him it means nil by mouth from 7.00 a.m.so it will be a long day.

We had lunch and I played some more with my new app before getting ready to go my aqua aerobics class.

As we had a cold night last night the temperature of the pool water had dropped a little and instead of the 33.8 we had last week it was only 31. Not a lot of difference but it felt very cold due to the air being cold. The class was good and we soon warmed up as long as we kept our shoulders under the water!! Getting out after the class was very cold and the changing rooms seemed a long way away.

I cooked some Israeli couscous for dinner tonight. I have never tried it before and I did it like a risotto with bacon and peas. It was very nice but the portions were very small and the recipe was supposed to be for four people!! I don't think so!  We don't eat big portions and it was only just enough. Still I didn't feel guilty eating my homemade Greek yogurt with tamarillos for dessert!

We were finished dinner early so we decided to watch a film. We have had War Horse recorded since last year and have never had the time to watch it all in one go. I really enjoyed it and it was very sad. I remember reading about how cruel it was in the making so I thought it was going to be horrible but I think it was very well made and would recommend it.

Still haven't found my contact lens and my eye is feeling a bit sore now - all the poking I have been doing. I have checked the bathroom to see if I dropped it but it isn't there so not sure where it is. I have never, in all the 42 years I have been wearing lens, lost one. I might have to take a trip to Specsavers tomorrow and ask them to check it is not right at the back!!

WEATHER
A cold night and cold start, sunny 14 degrees.

Monday

We were both up early this morning Jon to watch the F1 and me to see the tennis if it was still on - it wasn't so I missed it!! It didn't go to the five sets that I thought it would. But well done to him and it seems to have cheered everyone up but I don't think he deserves a knighthood, he is too young.

I did my bedding today and hung it out to dry and then went over to buy coffees for Carol and I and I then took them round to her house and we had a chat. She looks well after her spell in hospital but needs to have more tests later on. She can still go to Oz to see her grandson which is lovely for her.

I didn't stay long as I had to go for my mammogram at 11.00. Ouch! A necessary evil.

I then went to the post office and then home. Jon was out he had gone for a coffee and a walk around the Mount and was very hot by the time he got back.

I love cookery magazines and subscribe to two bi monthly ones and I buy a monthly one from the supermarket. My problem is that I see recipes and then can never remember which magazine they are in and looking in four years worth takes a long time! Jon suggested I look for an App so I did and found a really good one.

It has index cards and you can add ingredients, whether it is meat or poultry or fish etc, starter, main or pudding or cakes and so on. When you do a search if you can't remember what it is called you can just type in one of the ingredients and it will search. The best bit is that I can use the dictation feature and dictate the whole recipe and it gets typed out or I can just say which magazine it is in.

I am so pleased with it and played with it for hours. I just hope I never lose my iPad!!

Avon Carol called round this afternoon. I haven't seen her since Easter!!! I haven't wanted to buy anything as it is just more stuff to get back home. She came to see Jane's wedding photos and we had a good catch up.

I did a bit of ironing and watched Neighbours - I am only a week behind now!!

I cooked a chicken with balsamic vinegar dish tonight with a warm bean salad. Jon liked it but I think it needs tweaking so I will add that note to my app!

We have decided to stop drinking through the week so we had a dry night last night. I do enjoy a glass of wine when cooking the dinner but I know I should have a few nights off a weeks so that is what we are doing. It is easier to do in the winter but summer evenings are nice on the deck with a beer or a glass of wine.


WEATHER
Sunny and warm 17 degrees

Sunday

Another beautiful day here today, we are going to be in for a shock when this warm spell ends.

Jon watched the qualifying of the F1 this morning so I didn't rush to get up.

We went out to a nice garden centre and café that we go to occasionally. They have a lovely sunny area and it is a real suntrap so I am a bit pink. We sat there enjoying the sun for quite a long time. We also saw they sell the terracotta warriors like the one we bought but they are $150 more expensive.

I rang Sharon when I got back and she is still not well and is feeling dizzy. Her mum said 'she still looks funny round the eyes' lol! Poor Sharon she is really fed up with it now.

Jon put some new blades on my wipers as they were really awful, I should be able to see now!

I made a frittata for lunch with the leftovers from last night and some feta I had.

I also cooked the tamarillos I bought yesterday and had some with Greek yogurt for pudding. Since I discovered I liked them in Thailand I can't get enough of them and they have such a short season and can be very pricy but worth it.

I watched some Neighbours this afternoon and just had a lazy day.

I spoke to Carol who is now out of hospital and I will pop in to see her tomorrow.

We had dinner, leftover roast beef and then watched TV.

I have not been able to email photos since Hotmail changed to Outlook and I needed to send some to one of the Lions ladies but it seems it must be my account as Jon can send them from his but mine just crashes and I don't know what to do about it!!


WEATHER
Sunny 20 degrees

Saturday

I had a horrible night last night and could not sleep at all which makes me cross and then I can sleep even less! Of course when it was time to get up I was fast asleep.

I showered and only just made the end of the tennis - I really hope he does it tomorrow.

We went down to Bayfair and sat outside and had a coffee and it was so hot.

We went to the Food Show and the queue was so long I could not believe it. It did move pretty fast and we were soon in and sampling all the goodies. However, it was so crowded and very hot we didn't stay too long and it was good to get outside but the queue was still very long to get in. I think they should have used both of the big halls as it was too small for the amount of people.

We went along to Nosh a very plush deli and tried more food and wine there than at the food show. I bought some beef for dinner tonight and a few other things including a Lemonchello tiramisu!!!

We then went to Bayfair and had some lunch before having a look for a new garlic press as I am finding mine hard to use due to a bit of arthritis in my fingers but I didn't find one.

We got home and I hung out the washing and I did some photo editing on Facebook. Jon took Tot for a walk and so the afternoon passed.

I cooked the beef for this evening and it was very good and we then watched some TV.

WEATHER
Sunny 19 degrees

Friday

I was up early this morning as I had to get ready for Red Cross.

I checked the local newspaper online and it had a story about the power outage. Apparently, a man had driven into a power post not far from here and knocked it down. I have since read in the paper that he lost part of his arm in the accident. Seems like it was a domestic involving alcohol from a house that has a bad reputation for having parties and arguments. Voices were heard and he drove off at speed and crashed into the post - very sad.

I went to the shop and Les told me that Sharon had an ear infection and had been off since Wednesday so it was just the two of us till Midori came in at 11.00. There still isn't much to put out so we spent the morning sorting out the linen which always gets in a mess as people open out the sheets and never fold them up again. While tidying I found a lovely new tea towel from Australia with koalas on it so I bought it. People do give some nice things away. I wonder why they never used it, I will!!

I left the shop and as I had a while to wait for my hair appointment I went into the Sallies shop and found a lovely little wall plaque made in NZ by a local art shop and a new photo album which will come in handy once I print off some photos of our Australian trip.

I got into town and went to the hairdressers. Last time I had my hair cut was in the UK before Jane's wedding so it is a long time. It was a new hairdresser today as Dana, my usual, has now moved to the UK with her husband and looks like she is enjoying it as I see her on FB.

It is always strange with a new hairdresser but Rose, was very good and I am pleased with it. I did have to pay more though. Dana was charging me $50 as I was an old customer that followed her to the new salon. The receptionist/owner said it is normally $70 for a cut and blow dry but would I be happy to pay $60. What could I say, I suppose it must be the going rate.

I then went to meet my friend Ros to exchange birthday presents and to look at her son's wedding photos. He got married at Auckland Zoo and the photos are really good. One is of the bride feeding carrots to the giraffes and another is standing by the hippo enclosure with one hippos head out of the water and the other giving a huge yawn. They are certainly different wedding photos!

It as nearly 4.30 when I got back and Jon had done his usual Friday cleaning which was lovely - I could get used to this. He had met Mike for coffee who he used to work with. Things don't sound good at the office at the moment. Wait and watch!!!

Les called me to tell me that Carol had been taken into hospital with a suspected ulcer and is being kept in for observation. I do hope she will be OK as she is due to go across to Oz on 13 July to see her grandson and she is really looking forward to it. I have texted her to see if she needs anything and she will let me know if she does. I just wonder if the sickness she had after lunch last week was anything to do with this?

We had fish and chips tonight from our old fish and chip shop but we went for crumbed fish instead of battered and it was very good.

It is the food show this weekend here in Tauranga so we are off to that tomorrow or Sunday.

WEATHER
Sunny and 19 degrees

Thursday

It was the most beautiful day today with clear blue skies and really warm for the time of year.

I did a bit of housework in the morning and Jon went out for a chat with someone he used to work with and have a coffee.

I went and did a supermarket shop. It is very difficult coking meals at the moment as I have been running the larder down and so when I want to cook something I have to check that I have all the ingredients and if I don't I then have to wonder if it is worth buying full packets or jars of this that or the other!

I need to take the gel polish off my nails which I had done before we went to Oz and as they have grown so much they are looking a bit scruffy. I decided to try and do it myself so bought some wooden cuticle sticks to do it.

When I got back Jon was home and I made lunch.

As it was so sunny we decided to go to the beach and take Totty for a walk. It was so nice down there and not many people. After chasing shells, which we throw, Totty soon got tired and was just happy to walk. By the time we had walked along to the main beach and back she was very tired and slept on the way back - very unusual for her.

I made a tuna and pasta bake for dinner with enough to freeze two more meals. It was OK but nothing special.

I thought I ought to get on and put some photos on FB as I have a lot to sort but as I was doing it we had a power out. I could hear lots of police cars around so knew it must be serious.

Jon and I went to bed with torches to read our books!!

The power came back on at 11.30 and I had to get up to turn all the lights off!!

WEATHR
Sunny 19 degrees

Wednesday

We had no sunshine today and although it felt warm outside it was colder in the house.

I went to meet the ladies I used to go to aqua class with on a Wednesday as they had said they would like to see Jane's wedding photos. I met them after their class and we had a long coffee morning and it was really good to chat with them again.

I left them and went to the Mount shops to buy a birthday present for a friend which they wrapped so it saved me a job. I also found some lovely little handmade cards in the shop so bought some of those. They are made by a local mum and use pau (abalone) shell.

After a quick trip to the supermarket I finally got back at 1.30 - just in time to make Jon's lunch!!

This afternoon I did some cleaning and once again I had to clean some of the kitchen drawers as the mouse has been around again. I have put a trap down with some chocolate in and if that doesn't work I am afraid I will have to let Jon put one of the horrible traps in. Fingers crossed the mouse knows what is best for him!!

We bought some pictures in Oz and have framed them so Jon hung them today and hopefully when they come to pack up the house they will think they were always there.

I made some peanut butter cookies today and it was the easiest recipe ever and they are very yummy. Let me know if anyone wants the recipe, an easy one for children to make.

I made a green Thai fish curry for dinner tonight and I loved it but Jon said it was too hot - I think he has just forgotten how to eat spicy food.

I think I will have to phone the dentist tomorrow. It is a week since my clean and polish and my left lower gum is really sore and not getting any better so not sure what he has stirred up.

I am meeting one of the girls Jon used to work with for lunch next week as she wants to see the wedding photos. That will be interesting!

Totty is still scratching but not so much so hopefully we are on top of the flea problem.

It is now raining really hard and they have had bad gales in the north and the south but we have missed them and the forecast is for a warm sunny day tomorrow.


WEATHER
Grey day 16 degrees

Tuesday

It was another nice day today and I was up early as I had to wash my hair. I could see it was a lovely sunrise, too.

I went to my keep fit class and met up with Ros who is just back from the UK and we have arranged to meet on Friday as it is her birthday on Saturday and we can celebrate both our birthdays together.

The class was really good fun this morning and we worked hard but we also had a laugh and that is what it is about.

I left as soon as I had finished my coffee as the plumber was coming to service the gas appliances.

He was already there when I arrived but Jon was still home so he had started.

Jon left to go into Tauranga to do some jobs - bank, dog registration and of course coffee!

The plumber is from Stafford and has been here for nine years and won't go back but then he has his children here.

Once he had gone I did a few jobs of sorting out things - we seem to have accumulated lots of junk over our four and a half years.

Jon came back and we had lunch and then I watched more Neighbours and felt very guilty as I had no ironing to do!

Jon was busy in the garage still and putting things on Trademe to sell.

I went to my aqua aerobics class this afternoon, such a difference in temperature from last week.

There was a man, late 20s, who asked if he could join in so Carla said yes. It was really funny as I don't think he was the full ticket but very happy and sang along with all the songs and made us all laugh. Two good classes in one day.

I got home and made dinner and then we watched some TV. Another day over. Still finding fleas on Totty though, it is driving me and her mad!

WEATHER
Sunny with some cloud 16 degrees

Monday

I got back into my routine this morning and changed the sheets and did all my washing and a lovely day to get it dry.

Totty has been scratching like mad and I have checked her for fleas and not found any but I did today so had to treat her again with Frontline even though it is not four weeks since the last lot. I think being in kennels and with other dogs that she gets them. I need to keep her clear of them as I don't want her to have them when she gets on the plane or she will have a very uncomfortable journey.

Jon managed to find some jobs to do around the house well, mainly sorting things in the garage but it kept him busy.

I needed to send a parcel to my cousin's daughter for her baby so we went to the shopping centre and had a coffee first.

I went to buy a card for the new baby and then we went across to the post office where I bought one of the plastic envelopes to send it in. As I was writing the card I realised there was no envelope in the cellophane packet. I couldn't leave the post office as I had started to write on the plastic envelope that I had not yet paid for (they do let you do that here) so I had to send the card without an envelope. When I looked the pen I was using, gel type, was rubbing off on the plastic so I had to find a biro and go over the letters what a disaster!!

We got home and I started to do a few things around the house and then we had lunch.

I set to and did ALL the ironing I had and watched Neighbours - I am down to 13 episodes now. I had all the horrible things to iron that you leave at the bottom of the pile. There were also all of Jon's work trousers that have been hanging up waiting to be ironed and the last time he wore them was March. I should be ashamed of myself!! All good now though and nothing left to do even the shirts I washed today are all done.

I cooked a curry tonight for dinner and it was yummy, not very hot but very tasty. Bertie seems to have liked it, too which is a big plus.

WEATHER
Sunny and 16 degrees