40 Days and 40 nights

Some of you will have heard of my exciting plan to loose 4kg in 40 days. To this end I have devised these little diet cards which insist on 2 forms of exercise, restrict my protein, carbohydrate and wine intake. As you can see most cards have a star on them, but days 3 doesn't - and another day 3 had to be done. Hopefully this will enable me to be svelte in my wedding dress! Simon informs me yesterday that there is 63days to the wedding, so I hope to get my 40 days done reasonably soon, or I'll be on dieter's rations on Christmas day! I am on day 6 today, but sadly it is a redo.

And finally, I have finished the jigsaw puzzle that Warren (vineyard manager) lent me from his Mum (who is addicted). I did it while I was in recovery mode, but the sky was last to be done, and took ages. She has lent me one to do at Xmas - only 750 not 1000 pieces this time.

Jo's husband (see last blog) has been flown to Waikato as Gisborne only has one ventilator and they dont want him to be kept on it over the weekend incase there is a car accident. Dawn's motherinlaw has had a heart attack. so many medical updates this week!! What a bugger it is getting old. (Oh, have I already said that?)

See this in cyberspace

I'm afraid that you will have to imagine these scenes as they unfold as I have sent the pictures off into cyberspace never to return. Picture the scene at Ohiwa - the girls are in their short shorts and spaghetti strap tops, the sky is blue, the sun is shining, small boys are busy saying "whats your name? - you want to play cricket?" , a mother tries to join in the game of touch rugby, but is soon sent back to do the unpacking. The nights were colder, but we didn't have to have our Electric blanket on. Duncan, Roger and Paul were playing in a golf competition in Ohope, so Sue, Dawn and I enjoyed the craft market at Ohope, shopping and lunch in Whakatane, and a swim at Awakeri Hot pools on Saturday, and a visit to Opotiki and the Hukutaia Domain on Sunday. I had some splendid photos from this walk, so will have to go back again at Christmas. Each wife had prepared one evening meal, so we ate really well. We played Trivial Pursuit on two nights - not without a few arguements - but what are friends for!!
Jo Kendall, who was one of the ladies I went tramping with until she had a stroke, has her husband in hospital in ICU with lung problems, so we had afternoon tea today and tried to sort out how we can support her. Its a bit frightening for her as it looks like Colin will not make a full recovery, so who will look after who?? It's a bugger getting old.

Social Whirl

The need to sleep has been that some things have gone by the board - like writing a blog. We have a few social events on, and these, plus being back at school have been quite tiring - however I am getting back to full health in steps.

Had a memorial service for Bob Carter - one of Duncan's running mates- last Saturday followed by a Bollywood 50th birthday. Didn't find a sari, but we both put on head wear that we thought was appropriate.

This week of to Duncan's Opto class reunion in Chch. As there is a conference he left yesterday with most of my clothes in his bag. The top of the bag ended up absolutely drenched, and my clothes were on top. Not sure how some of the more silky fabrics will react to this so ended up taking a bag anyway.

Room redo and ducks

Jill has been showing off her painting skills - well they must be inherited as I have been repainting the furniture in the spare room and everyone says it looks very good. New duvet cover, chair and curtains have really jazzed up the spare room. Its still a bit of a mishmash because we didn't start from scratch but fine for a spare room. If you look closely at the first picture there are my wedding shoes and hand bag (not the odd sandal on the top). Today I bought my wedding underwear too!! I'm ready. Just over 3 months to go.

You might remember that we are having trouble with the wildlife now that Bella has left us. It has been fascinating to watch as these ducklings have grown into flappers (I knew I'd get to use that term sometime, Dawn), but the crap on the concrete is huge and very disgusting.

Feeling much better now but only for an hour or two at a stretch, and then it is time for rest.