Christmas, New Year, a baptism and a tumble

It's been a bit busy and I apologise I haven't got around and read or commented on as many posts as I would like. I've tried. I'll keep trying and hope to do better as we get further into 2026.

Christmas Day dawned a grey cool day but it didn't dampen the Christmas spirit. After breakfast I made the salad, whipped cream and finished off doing the things I needed to do before we packed up the car and headed over to Vanessa's place for dinner with the family. We had been to the Carol Service on Christmas Eve because I knew we wouldn't get to the Christmas Day one - we seldom do.

At one point I think we had 14 family members there. Some ate with other branches of the family and then came over and some ate with us. We had a buffet set up and helped ourselves to what we wanted. I was sitting with my back to the door and suddenly this little boy rushed up to me all excited - the family from Palmerston North had arrived! We weren't expecting them and my GKB and I had been planning when we would go up and meet the new baby. Vanessa and Tony knew they were coming but hadn't told anyone :) Well done on their part.

They had been up since 5am travelling and arrived at Momona airport at 10:30am. It meant that Arlo had cousins to play with which was nice as he had been the only kid there until they arrived. That's the bigger kids above in their Christmas tee shirts, I don't know who gave those to them but they looked good, even baby Lucia had one :)

 

And this is Aaron and Sofi enjoying their Christmas dinner with a couple of their parishioners in Auckland. They were in the middle of shifting house and so appreciated having somewhere to go for dinner. All in all a good Christmas Day.

Bob getting popcorn and coke to snack on at the movies.

I don't know about most of you but we didn't see the new year in. We were in bed about 10;30pm and had the answer phone on as my brother has been notorious for ringing and waking us to wish us a happy New Year in the past. We didn't want to risk him waking us at midnight this year. Yes, we still have a landline as well as our cell phones. On New Years Day we decided to go to the movies as we had been gifted a voucher and had no other plans. It was an enjoyable day out but when we came out we had six minutes to get to the bus stop and we made it just as the bus pulled up. Phew. We have free buses as long as we travel during off peak hours.

And this is wee Lucia Carolitta. She was baptised today. She looks so happy in this photo but she wasn't happy in the church. She started crying as soon as the service started, cried all the way through. Mum couldn't calm her, Dad couldn't calm her and having water poured on her head didn't help. Eventually she went to sleep - when it was all over. I haven't heard a word of the service. I stood when others did and sat when they sat. I've since been told that most of us never heard a word of what was said, the poor priest, though he didn't seem fazed at all and as you can see was laughing with the family - as Lucia kept bawling her eyes out for the photo.

We didn't stay for a cup of tea and as we were leaving Alice was running down a slight slope and fell over. Landed on her knees and face. She took a real hard tumble and it looks like she'll have a good bruise on her face when it comes out. And let me tell you, she has a good set of lungs as well :)

And just because I can - some Christmas crocs.

That's all for now,

Keep well until next time,

Diana

Hooray for Hollywood - Tuesday 4

 

Hooray for Hollywood Part 2

 Back so soon?  Well, weeks fly by it seems.  The Inuit people say that time has speeded up and as they are experts on reading the sky due to their hunting, they offer great proof.   

 Welcome to Tuesday 4 in memory of Toni Taddeo it's first host and founder.

How about the subject of Hollywood, it's 'stars', its products and it's affect on the world?

1.  Which of the big movie stars of the past were your favorites? 

Doris Day, she was funny and quirky, rather lovely to look at and could sing. I loved her in Calamity Jane. (And I love musicals).

2. What movie is the funniest you've seen? How about the most romantic?

I can't think of a really funny movie that has stuck with me but I do remember going to one with a friend who moved seats because she said I embarrassed her by laughing too loudly. Oh dear. 😂 

Sleepless in Seattle. Youve got mail. Both Meg Ryan I think. I loved Ghost, that was really romantic. And sad. I enjoyed Dirty Dancing as well. Or maybe it was Patrick Swayze I liked?

3.  Do you watch the Oscars or the Emmy Awards shows? 

Not any more. I don't know who most of the actors are these days. Once upon a time we made an evening of it and had nibbles and drinks on hand and settled in to watch.

4.  Some movies, plays had a big impact on people.  Orson Welles radio performance of War of the Worlds was broadcast on Halloween 1938 and people, causing panic and widespread hysteria especially in the Grover's Mill area of New Jersey where the "invasion" took place.

  Is there a movie that you were greatly influenced or affected by hopefully in a good way?

One movie, which I always thought was called Circus, really affected me in a bad way. All I remember of it is a woman being mauled by a polar bear.  I was about 10 or 11 when I saw it so it was during the 50s. I've looked for it online but can't find it so maybe the title is wrong. Regardless, as I say, it badly affected me and I never went back to the movies for years. I can still see the scene today.

Thanks for dropping by and thank you so much for participating and making this a lot of fun for everyone.

*****

If you'd like to join in the fun or see what others have to say on this subject just click on the link below

 https://tuesdaysplace.blogspot.com/

Blessings until next time,

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