A mixed bag

It was time to vote in the local body elections this past weekend. So we filled out our forms and got them in the orange bin by Friday afternoon. I've just checked the provisional results and not one of my preferred candidates got through. Disappointing but we have a new look council and I've done my civic duty. 

(And I'm pleased to say that the 200 hundred year old vampire from Florida never made it either. Yes, someone did promote themself this way and probably received votes. Florida, would you care to take him back? We have enough idiots of our own.)

Last week I had a visit to the optometrist in their rooms in the city. If I'd waited to get an appointment out here it would have meant another month or so. I'm pleased to say not much has changed and all I have to do is wait for word from the hospital for a cataract op. I won't be holding my breath with the current state of our health system though. Oh the joys of getting older :)

It was a really lovely day, a teaser for summer, with temps in the mid 20's. It almost felt like we were back in Aussie. We decided to go to the Village Green for lunch but when we got there everyone seemed to have had the same idea and it was full. We were almost home by then, the Village Green is only one suburb over, so we just went home anyway and made tomato and cheese sandwiches. We enjoyed them. Then I sat outside with a book for a while - in the sun with just a slight warm breeze.

Jacqui and Steve were on their way through to Central Otago on Thursday and stopped off at Lake Waihola for a break. Jacqui took this photo of a black swan with her three cygnets. You can see it wasn't the brightest of days and the water was choppy. A lot of black swans make their home there and are considered a pest. They're quite lovely to look at though, well I think so anyway.

The shops are starting to put their Christmas decorations out and I saw these outside a gift shop one day, guarding the doorway. They're not little Santa's but the Nordic gnome or goblin which I think is cute. Depending on which country you're in they have a different name - in Norway I believe it is Nisse. But don't quote me :)

And just because I can, here's a sign I saw one day whilst I was out and about. It made me grin, cos that's me down to a 't' :)

And that's all from me today.

Until next time, 

blessings,

 Diana 

Round up of the past week

It's been a busy week. Monday was just the normal round of housework and making sure I had everything ready for the Aglow meeting on Tuesday night.

Tuesday I spent a bit of time finding last minute substitutes for people who couldn't get to the meeting after all, for various reasons, so couldn't help as had been planned. But it all worked out well and we had a great meeting. People are pretty good at filling in on the night anyway but it's nice to have things organised.

Wednesday is my half day in the local Christian bookshop where I volunteer. We have people come in for all sorts of reasons, some want prayer, some want to drop off a prayer request and others just want a chat. Some even buy books or gifts!  :) It's a nice wee shop, selling a great range of goods from books and clothing to cards and gifts.

Thursday saw me up with the larks - before 6am - so I could be over at my friends house for a 7:45am start on our trip south. I don't like to rush in the mornings. We were headed to Gore, which is a couple of hours drive away, for a combined Aglows board meeting. People come from all over the south of the south and it's good to have a catch up with those we haven't seen for a while and to meet the new board members.

 Below is a picture of the back garden of the house we met at, a great space for relaxing and chatting over a hot or cold drink. The lady of the house said the garden didn't look too good this year - I wish my garden didn't look this too good :) We arrived home about tea time and I was pleased to see my bed on Thursday night.

Friday was walk the dog day again. Sassy was really excited to see me as the last few times I've been over we've been out walking. Today we went over to John Wilson Drive. which has the beach on one side and the golf course on the other.

 All dogs have to be on a leash as it is baby sea lion season and some of the mothers have taken their pups over to the bushes by the golf course to keep them safe from any bull sea lions. They stay well hidden usually but sometimes come out and sunbathe on the road or on the course. 

And no, Sass is not pooping, just wondering why Granma has to take a photo of her - again :) she's got better things to do.

This pic is just for fun. I love the mural above the centre shops.

There is an optometrist on one side and a cookie shop on the other.

November scavenger hunt...

Hello folks :) It's that time of the month when we join Hawthorn and friends over at I live, I love, I craft, I am me... for the monthly scavenger hunt. I hope you enjoy my offerings.

***********

Blue

The evening before the full moon this month my GKB 

snapped this. A lovely royal blue sky don't you think?

Me

Aged about three. This is me sitting on a little wooden rocking chair. Every December one of the department stores in town ordered in dozens of these little chairs and just before Christmas my grandfather would go down and get enough for the small grandchildren and paint them a lovely shiny red. We loved them. 

 

Starts with a ...W 

A warning -  sign seen at Orana Wildlife Park in Christchurch when we visited last month. I found it rather amusing as the animals mentioned include big cats.

Rainbow

A large group of people with flags in Aotea square, Auckland.

The flags were very bright and colourful, a rainbow of colours.

Arch

On the outskirts of Alexandra in Central Otago, the arches

 from the original bridge crossing the Clutha River. 

Part of the modern arch of the new bridge is to the right. 

Toy

Do you see the fishing rod in here. To my GKB it is the ultimate toy. In fact he loves this one so much that he has more in the garage cluttering the place up waiting in case he fancies a change. Why he would need more than one is beyond me as he can only use one at a time or take the risk of having everything confiscated (including the very expensive license) if he is caught with more than one in use. This was after a day at the river.

Swirl

Brought out to celebrate their 80th birthday. 

Tip Top Ice Cream's new flavour - Birthday Cake Swirl.

Very nice too, but not my favourite :)

Brush

I hope you can see this brush. It is very pale pink and sitting on the white background it has tended to fade away. I was going through the stuff in my old glory box (hope chest) when I found this little china pram with the brush sitting in it. The brush was a baby gift on the birth of my eldest daughter, who is about to turn 50 in a few days, and the pram was part of a flower arrangement sent into the nursing home while we were in there.

Nail

 The same daughter's wedding nails 
nearly forty years later. Very elegant.

My choice

I like this neon sign. It used to be on the top of a butchery in the city, which has been demolished. The pig is now housed in Toitu Settlers Museum. He's rather colourful and I tossed up between him and the flags for the rainbow prompt.

If you want to see how others handled the prompts 

head over to I live, I love, I craft, I am me... and take a look :)

Diana