SATURDAY BEFORE GOING HOME

 GOOD MORNING. 

What's going on today? Not a lot really. 

Maxine and her kids are going on a road trip for a few days, and so is Aleisha and her kids. So they will be preparing for that.

I will be getting my shit sorted before flying home tomorrow. 

ABOVE: Maxine and I spent some time yesterday making keepsakes, using resin and flowers etc. I doubt my deep one will be set in time for me to take it home tomorrow.  Maxine might have to bring it back for me,  when she comes home.

ABOVE: I saw this crabby in a shop yesterday,  and was very tempted to get it. Then I remembered I have  just divested myself of SO MUCH CLUTTER.  So it stayed in the shop. 😥

I gave myself a pat on the back for that self control. 

Before going to bed last night... the girls decided to sort through some of their Mum's clothes.

To say we were in hysterics would be an understatement. 

Not SAD hysterics... more like splitting our sides laughing hysterics. 

We were like kids delving into a dress up box of delight.

I will share a few photos... some are a bit blurry cos we were laughing so much, and most are 'modeled' by Maxine...

ABOVE: This one is going to be lovingly referred to as Maxines 'Vow Renewal Dress'... in her nightmares!!!

What I find even MORE HYSTERICAL is that the curtains behind her look like they are on her head! Like some weird as friggin hat. 😂🤣😅

ABOVE: Looking at Rowena on the left! I swear she was about to piss her pants laughing. 

ABOVE: It really was just what we needed, some good  healthy fun.

And NO disrespect to Lorraine,  she would have laughed her head off too. Had she been there.

Ok... I will bugger off now, and see who's doing what.

ONWARD...

Shit a brick its cold this morning! But... heading towards 24 degrees later on. Awesome. 

After lunch there's talk of going to HYPERDOME, which is a big shopping centre. Oh hell,  more shopping!

RIP LORRAINE

 

19 August: Unfortunately I arrived in Australia ONE HOUR TOO LATE on Tuesday night.

Rest in peace

Lorraine

1957 - 2025

My sister lost her battle and peacefully passed away, just as I landed in Brisbane on Tuesday night.

My flight was delayed by an hour, meaning I didn't get to her in time.

Fate. I wasn't meant to be with her when she passed away.

I have been staying with her daughters and grandchildren for the past few days.

It has been incredibly comforting being here with her family and closest friend, Aliesha. We have all been hanging out, sharing meals, shopping, playing with the little kids and dogs etc.  

Until then... I will try not to do much more shopping! I don't want to pay for excess baggage! 🤣😅😊

ONWARD...

Since writing that, I have now booked my flight ✈️  home.

I'm going home on Sunday afternoon.  

Today has been spent doing bugger all. Some grocery shopping. A walk  down the road. Everyone's been doing their own thing... hair cuts and colours. Rowena did ELEVEN LOADS OF WASHING at the laundromat just to get it all done! 

We have been treated to homemade burgers by Aleisha for dinner.

Photo pending....

ABOVE:  That's was an amazing burger!!!   Thank you so much Aleisha,  you did bloody well  feeding everyone such a feast. 

I am signing off for the day now.

Catch ya tomorrow.

NITE NITE.

NOT YET...

 Sorry.

Today's intended post is still on hold.

So let's just launch into today a bit late.

One moment  please...

ABOVE... we had a cane toad.. and now a lizard!

ABOVE:  I walked down the driveway and collected the mail. After a foggy start to the day, it's turned out lovely.

ABOVE: Random photos from around the family's home.

Everything loaded back to front.

TODAYS INTENDED POST WILL LOAD IN A COUPLE OF HOURS.

Sorry, it is out of my hands.

Lastly on this post..

ABOVE: Nikale and DeTray  found a Dragon up a gum tree! How cool. Aleisha has lived here for YEARS and never seen one before.

I'm going to sign off this post now, and come back in a little while with another one.  All going well that is. I'm having a bit of trouble with getting it to load when I want it to.

Bye for now.

A QUIET DAY

GOOD MORNING. 

Blogging on me phone as I can't get the internet here on my laptop.

So yeah.

It's been rather up n down here.

I'm still unable to discuss personal matters right now.

So let's talk about... shopping.  😅🤣😂

I did some yesterday.  I bought a suitcase to use for my return trip home.

I found some Body Shop,  Shea Body Butter, that Stew and I love ❤️. You can't get any in Hamilton now.

I also got some new earrings,  cos I forgot to pack some.

ABOVE: You get bigger pots in Australia,  FOR LESS than in New Zealand!

ABOVE: I couldn't resist these ones. So funky.

ABOVE:  would you  believe these three pairs only cost $10! I'll no doubt gift two pair to others. But NOT the blue ones. 🤣😊

Oh and something funny.... I'm lying in bed at 6.12 am and next thing I know I have FOUR people jump on top of me in bed! 

It was a NINJA ATTACK according to them!

Very NICE way to say Good Morning. Thanks Maxine, Brandy, Detray and Nikale. 

Right, that's me for now.

Catch ya later.

ONWARD....

Oh my...I can't believe I'm going to say this.... but today is a GOOD day. Hanging out with the kids. We are now shopping again!  I found FABRIC, MIGHT HAVE BOUGHT SOME. 😅🤣😂

ABOVE:  What is THAT?  OMG .. it's a frog. Or a TOAD. One would think they had never seen one before.  😂🤣😂.

ABOVE: Back at the mall, and I bought some clothes. Such fun.

Now having a bite to eat. 

THIS IS CALLED RETAIL THERAPY.

It is certainly helping keep my mind off other stuff.

ABOVE: WHOOPS, I found more.

ABOVE: SEE THAT? I didn't pay $60... that shop was having a one day FLASH SALE! I got 5 jumpers for $30 each. I bought various sizes so I can gift some to my girls.

OMG I'm so damn hot. Trying on clothes is a bloody nightmare.  Me hair is like a goddam birds nest and my face is beetroot red and dripping. SERIOUSLY dripping.

ABOVE: I just bought this little fan 

/wafter to save myself from overheating. 

Fair warning.   Tomorrow's post won't be online until 12 noon. 

And that's all I have for today.

Catch ya tomorrow... 12 noon.

NITE NITE 💜🩵💙

IN AUSSY

Not got a lot to say today.

That is all.

Respecting wishes, will talk more when I am able to.

Today was spent hanging out with family.

We even did some shopping!

Dinner was a huge pile of pizzas, which went down well with everyone. 

NITE NITE.

DANTE TO SCHOOL, MOSAICS AND GIRLS NIGHT OUT

 

Early start for me today, no sleeping in.

I'm taking Dante to school for Bex, as she has an early appointment.

After that, I'm heading over to Cambridge for mosaics.  I'm not sure what I will do over there today, might just sit and yak!

I know I now need to get more of the glue I was using at the beginning.  So, that has to happen before I start on my next project.

When I get home, I'll grab some lunch, then probably have a nana nap.

Later on this afternoon I shall be going back to Cambridge for a girls night out.  Just a small gathering of friends, yakking and having a few laughs.  I really look forward to those nights out.

ABOVE:  These two cows came home with me from Australia.  My sister gave them to me, as she knows I love cows.  They are rather cute.

Right, time to get up and start the day.

Just had a change of mind on going to mosaics today.  My head cold is much, much better, but I think I need to be mindful of one of our members.  She is battling cancer and I really don't want to give her this cold.

So, I will go to the Village Coffee and Chat morning instead!  *** edit:  didn't go to that either, thought better of it.  Old people... colds... yeah nah.  Better not.

Dante just got dropped off, he's a happy boy this morning.  

ABOVE:  I took out the braid this morning.  Then was like, should I brush me hair?  Yeah NAH.  It would frizz something shocking.  So I've just left it as is.  It looks ok.

I got a text message from a lady who'd seen my Scrappy Dolls at the Tamahere Market a couple of months ago.  She is coming over today to buy a couple.

ABOVE:  LOL, they are all lined up, waiting for her. 

I'm GOING BACK TO MY SISTER. TODAY, AT 4.30.  

Last second decision... mad dash to get tickets, pack a backpack,  passport,  cancel appointments,  bla bla bla.

On the way to the airport now.

Lacy will be at ours this afternoon to meet with the lady for the Scrappy Dolls.

I hope I've remembered everything.

ABOVE: At the Gate. Got 2 and a half hours to kill. So glad I got these headphones, they will help kill time in the plane.  I didn't think I'd need them quite so soon.

ABOVE: Our plane. 

COCO GETS A BATH

 

Coco is due for a groom, but I've decided not to get her shaved... she feels the cold too much.

So instead of a full groom today, she's just going to have a nice warm bath, blow dry and brush out this afternoon.

ABOVE: Steve putting the dog door in the laundry door yesterday.

ABOVE:  Lily enjoyed watching the dogs go through the door, and even tried herself.  But didn't quite nut it out.  I suspect she might one day.

ABOVE: The boys said our new lounge suite was awesome.  They had a good time checking out all the added features.  

I was thinking of going to the Art and Craft meeting after lunch today.  But I've had a really bad night. My cold is horrible,  and I think I should just stay home.

Remember that mosaic rock I made?  I used an alternative adhesive, as I didn't like the big, clunky applicators the other adhesive needed.

I put the rock in my garden.  And the glue has failed the 'frost' test.  Some of the pieces have come off.  I'm rather disappointed.  I will have to either re-glue everything, or bring it inside, out of the frost.  Grrrrr.

I'll have to think on that.

ABove: It is nearly 10 am, and I'm still in bed. I feel like utter 💩  crap. My nose is still streaming, my head is POUNDING and I just want to stay here. 

Lol, a man just knocked on the door. He's here to disconnect the gas. So I told him where the meter was, then retreated back to bed. 

MEH, I shall probably get up soon and get some washing on. 

ABOVE:  I'm up.  Oodie Lounge Suit on... just sitting here keeping warm. Me hairs all fluffy.  Might just leave it.

ABOVE:  I looked at Miss Coco and changed my mind... she's getting a full groom after all.  She was having a bad hair day.

I just talked to my niece in Australia, my sister is bravely hanging in there.  Every day is a bonus now.

The groomer arrived bang on 4 pm.  Coco could see her grooming van out the window, next thing... Coco is GONE.

Out the back, trying to climb over the gate to escape!

Luckily, she's too old to do it now.

I hauled her back inside and handed her over.

ABOVE:  All done, smelling beautiful... and giving me the evil eye. 😂😉

7.40 pm:  And that's a wrap on today.  I am going to bed very early tonight, and hoping to actually get some sleep.

Catch ya tomorrow.