NEW NORMAL STARTS

 It is time to start our 'New Normal'. 

Life without Mum.

Yes, she died 5 days ago, but until we had said our final goodbye, it didn't feel like we could move on.

Now I feel at peace.  And able to start life without Mum.  It is going to very different.

No more just ringing her up to see how she is, or tell her a funny story, or just to have a yak.

We used to yak every week without fail, and in the last 9 weeks we had talked every single day, sometime more than once.

I am going to miss hearing her voice, asking her for advice, and just ... I don't know... just knowing she was only a phone call away.

I wonder how long it will take to get used to not having her here?  Something tells me I might never get used to it.

God I'm going to miss her so much.

After the funeral yesterday, I was determined to go down to the beach and put my feet in the water.

So, Richard took me.

ABOVE: This is Richard, my brother in law. He came down from Western Australia, and he returns on Monday.  He is being allowed to Self-Isolate at his home (inland from Perth), on his return.

Maxine flies back to New Zealand tomorrow, and will have to do two weeks quarantine, as will I when I get home.

Just to clarify :  Maxine is my niece, she is the younger of my sister's two daughters.  Richard is her Dad.  My sister Lorraine could not attend Mum's funeral as it would have meant she had to go into Quarantine (again) on her return to Brisbane. 

Lorraine and her elder daughter, Rowena; were lucky enough to visit Mum a couple of weeks before I arrived.

So ... back to the beach:

ABOVE: There ya go... on the beach.  If felt so RIGHT to be there yesterday.

I am bound to visit the beach again.  

BTW: I bought that black jumpsuit for Mum's funeral, and I just love it!

Richard and Maxine are calling in early this morning to say goodbye, then they are driving back to Sydney to catch their respective flights home.

I have NO PLANS for today.  And that is fine by me.

Ron and I are both very tired... a quiet day is probably exactly what we need.

ABOVE:  Let the countdown begin.  27 days until I am in my own HOME again. 

ONWARD...

8.29 am:  And Richard and Maxine have just been in, had a hug and kisses... photos... and off they go.  Back to Sydney, a 6 and a half hour drive away.

ABOVE:  I just love that photo of Ron and Maxine.  

NOW... I'm freakin' well gunna put some damn make up on!

I've not worn any in WEEKS!  None.  

Time to get back to at least the basics.

ABOVE: The back of me bedroom door. 9 more sleeps here, then on DAY 18 I fly to Sydney.

OH and talking of sleeps, both Ron and I slept well last night!

I woke at three, but went back to sleep very quickly, and didn't wake again until 6 am! Same with Ron.  

That felt so good.

12.44 pm:  I was getting low on Diet Coke, so I went down the the supermarket.

So did 50,000 other people.

OMG what a nightmare.

But... I got what I needed, and enough food to last us till I leave, and came home.

It's pretty hot out there, I couldn't wait to get inside I tell ya.  AND it's not even summer here yet!

My god I'm so thankful I won't be here over summer, as I expected to be.  I think I would have melted for sure.

4.53 pm: This afternoon Ron took me on a Tiki Tour.  Up some rather STEEP hills... to look at the views.

AMAZING!  But scary.  Then we went to a couple of other places where markets are held... so I know where to go when they are on.

One is tomorrow I think.

The other is next weekend in Sawtell, and I've been 'commandeered' to help out at the Country Women's Association's stall!  Seems Mum used to do it, so I have to as well.  lol

Well, it's only 7.49 pm and I'm so tired!  So I shall be winding up this day and heading off to bed soon.

I'm sure my internal clock is still on NZ time!