A cause for celebration.

But first let me say how sorry I am about all the devastation that has occurred in Florida and nearby states. I can't do much from here except let you all know I think of you and you're in my prayers.

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And now for the celebration.

It is just on a year since the family gathered to celebrate our son's ordination. As we were still meeting in the rugby clubrooms we 'borrowed' one of the local Baptist churches for the ordinations. We offered to swap buildings with them but that offer wasn't taken up. I can't imagine why not :)

Newly ordained, the bishop standing behind Aaron.

As well as Aaron there was another young man being ordained, and a young minister from the US being licensed to work in New Zealand while he is here studying. There was a little humour in the service but it didn't detract from the purpose and so at the same time it was still reverent. 

being congratulated by his proud big sister.

Afterwards we were able to have a catch up with friends and family over a delicious afternoon tea and have photos taken. It was a blustery day so the outside photos weren't terrific, my GKB and I opted for indoor ones.

family photo.

Aaron had waited a long time for this moment and we were very happy for him and proud parents :)

with his sisters, out in the wind.

It will be another couple of years before full ordination, at present he is a deacon in the church, but if the time goes as quickly as the past year has gone it'll be here before we know it.

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Some of you wondered how I found Prince Harry's book 'Spare'. If I'm to be honest I didn't want to like it. I'm pleased I read it though as it gave me an insight into why he acts the way he does. There were parts I just skimmed over, especially part 2 when he was in the army - I'm not interested in the why or how of helicopters and planes. I just like to know they're going to get me where I'm going in one piece. And I wasn't interested in his frost nipped body part, which he went on about. The other thing that really struck me was his obsession  with his mother. I know he lost her when he was a young boy but he's in his 40's now and she was a constant thread throughout the book. He never spoke about her death or had counselling of any kind until just before his marriage. I found part 3 very interesting, his meeting Meghan and his marriage.

Anyway, would I recommend it? Yes and no. If you want some insight into the why and wherefore of his life, go for it. I don't think it is as bad as the media made it out to be. 

******

 And that's it from me today.

Diana

Record rainfall

As I sit here typing the sun is shining after a very wet few days. We've had a bit of a weather bomb dumped on us. I'm fortunate in that it hasn't affected me or my family but not everyone has been so fortunate and at the moment nine homes have been red stickered with possibly more to come.

Early in the week we were forecast for one months rain in a period of two days. As it turned out we had two months rain in a couple of days. The rain started on Wednesday morning and we woke on Thursday to be told 80 families had been evacuated from their homes overnight.

 The worst of the flooding, but not all, was out in South Dunedin which is mainly built on reclaimed land. Thankfully the Silverstream at the bottom of our street didn't breach the flood bank, but it came close. But not all the damage was done by flood waters, some was through land slips. 

Eventually the rain stopped late on Friday night, the city having recorded it's highest rainfall for over one hundred years. Roads were closed or cut off to the north, south and west with the sea on the east.

I am very grateful to have escaped this weather bomb unscathed. We didn't even get much water lying around in the yard which is unusual in heavy rain.

The rain has stopped but now the cleanup begins.

That's it for today. 

Keep well, keep safe and I'll be back in a few days.

Diana

Thelma

On Sunday the movie Thelma was recommended to us. 

It stars June Squibb as Thelma and has a great supporting cast.

Thelma is a 93 year old who is scammed out of $10,000 and sets out to get it back. I'm sure some parts are embellished slightly but it was based on a true story and we saw the real Thelma at the end.

On Monday we decided to go and watch it.

So on Tuesday we caught the bus into town, free for Gold Card holders, and arrived at the theatre about 20 minutes before the movie started. Tuesday is also reduced prices at the movies for seniors (sometimes being older has its benefits).

So armed with our popcorn and a coke each we went in and spent the next hour or two thoroughly enjoying the movie. If you haven't already done so and get the opportunity it is well worth a watch and had it's laugh out loud moments.

When it was over we wandered down to the bus stop and arrived about five minutes before the bus left for home. In all it was a very enjoyable time out.

Have a good week,

Diana

Mission accomplished

I am not arty or crafty so when youngest granddaughter gave me a Diamond Art picture a couple of years ago it really challenged me.

Why? You may ask.

Because it was a kit and I had to make it myself.

I would sit of a winters afternoon and take it out, look at it and put it away again. It is only 4x6 inches but it scared me. What if I did it wrong and spoilt it?

But this winter I bit the bullet and started on it. And guess what? I actually enjoyed doing it. It is now framed and sitting where my granddaughter can see it next time she comes over :)

So, mission accomplished :)

Enjoy the rest of the week.

See you next time :)

Diana

 

A mundane week

It's been a pretty mundane sort of a week. I've done my chores, and worked at the shop. So this post is a mish mash of nothing very exciting.

The most exciting thing to happen was when the recycling bin wasn't picked up and emptied. 

I arrived home from the shop to a very irate husband, he watched the truck go right past so he rang the council. They said leave it out and they'll come back for it. That didn't happen which meant waiting another fortnight and more recycling building up as we only have a small bin (which is usually big enough for just the two of us). I think his reasoning was that we've done our bit, the council could have done theirs! Never mind, if that's the worst we have to worry about we're lucky :)

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It's Maori language week or Te Wiki o te Reo Maori. I look after the  fb page for our local Christian bookshop and I nearly forgot to list our Maori language bibles and other books. But it is done, phew, and the week is not over yet :) Next week is Chinese language week, I hope I remember to list the Chinese bibles.

And thinking about the shop, one of our volunteers has just finished so we are left with only three of us to cover the shifts. But so far we are coping and have another girl arriving back in town in a week or so. As soon as we decided to go back to our summer trading hours the weather packed up so less foot traffic at the moment.

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Vanessa, youngest daughter, had her birthday on Tuesday but has been unwell so her card and wee present are still sitting on my kitchen table. We'll pop over when she's feeling more up to it. It's also a friends birthday in a few days and she will be celebrating at the glaciers on the West Coast with her family so I'll get hers to her on Sunday when we head into church together. 

****

I'm trying to read Prince Harry's book Spare. I'm not happy with him but thought I should read the book in case I am misjudging him totally! It has been known to happen :) I'm not sure how far I'll get with it. I found the first chapter a bit cringe worthy but it seems to be getting better apart from his obsession with his  mother. I'm only up to chapter 8, very short chapters.

****

And here's what my GKB dished up for tea last night. Curry rice rolls and chips. I'm not complaining :)

And that's it from me for another few days. 

Have a good weekend everyone.

Diana

A trip to Owaka

A couple of Sundays ago son, Aaron, was invited to preach at the little church down in Owaka. I decided to go down with him and his wife as I have a friend who lives down there and attends this church. It's just over an hour to drive down. We stopped for coffee on the way as the power was off all over town all day and we didn't want to arrive early and discover we had nowhere to go for a drink while we waited.

It's a protestant church which serves a mixed congregation, mainly Anglican and Presbyterian. They don't have a full time minister so once a month they invite a guest preacher. Son goes down two or three times a year. The service is very relaxed and the people are friendly. There's also a Baptist church in town and probably a Catholic one nearby as well I'd say.

Daughter in law, Sofi, had been asked to dance, she does 

Hawaiian dance in worship. The dance was beautiful and

 everyone appreciated it. She is so graceful :) 

(And thank goodness the power was back on as it was a cold 

winter's afternoon). 

After the service we were treated to a wonderful meal and great company before being sent off into the cool winter evening to head home again. Normally the service is in the morning but because of the power cut it was shifted to late afternoon. (Why does routine maintenance have to be done in the middle of winter I wonder? Especially down here?)

Teapotland, across the road from the church. 

It used to be a delightful wee place to spend a few minutes but sadly, due to the owners failing health, it's now getting a bit rundown.

And that's me for another few days,

Keep well until next time.

Diana

The last day of winter

It's been a quiet day and I'm pleased about that. I didn't sleep well so was thinking I might need a granny nap this afternoon but I've managed to get through without it :)

It was a lovely day and by lunch time was a pleasant 20 C. The washing was on the line so after lunch I put the cushions on the  swing chair and took my book and sat and indulged myself for half an hour. 

 Then it was time for a drink, inside by now, and I thought I should get out for a walk.  I'm supposed to walk for at least 20 minutes per day to help keep my blood pressure down. I told the doc I don't do cold if it can be avoided and definitely don't do wet and cold. So I've been a bit remiss over the winter, only been out occasionally.

It was lovely to be out and about and much to my surprise 

I really enjoyed it. Spring was in the air and there were quite 

a few others out and about as well. 

When I got back home I took a wander around the yard and came across this little clump of snowdrops and a solitary daffodil down by the back fence. The jonquils at the front of the house are in full bloom as well and look lovely.

And over the fence this is one of two beehives on the neighboring  property. The house is empty now but  the grand daughter of the owners is the beekeeper. There were a few bees about but not many, the wrong time of day I think and maybe not quite warm enough yet. 

And finally I decided to tidy these shelves in the kitchen/dining area. I've still got the very top to do and the toys at the bottom. And I now have a table covered in 'things' I don't recognise (probably my GKB's), books to give away and small games to find a box for. 

Now our evening meal is over and we're sitting relaxing, my book is at my elbow and the paralympics are on the TV.  Well they were, I see my GKB has changed over and is now watching Midsomer Murders :)  I don't mind.

And that was the last day of winter 2024.

Have a great week,

Diana