Frankenstein Friends

Well here is Anne post op! Her stitches are like a headband from ear to ear in a thick black thread, and her forehead is pulled slightly upward and so she looks a little surprised. Just a little like Herman Munster! But at least she is is good spirits even though she sometimes get the sequence of some things wrong. For this reason she is also finding cooking a meal a bit of  a trial as well. But she tells me she is improving everyday, and has just recently recieved the paperwork telling her that she will be going to Waikato for an op...several days after she came back.
But the truly amazing thing is that I took this photo on my cell photo, emailed it to myself, coverted from PDD to Jpeg and put it in the new format of the Blog. So if you have trouble seeing it - that will be why. Now I am waiting to see what cost that has incurred before I go too mad.

X marks the spot (Mature audiences only)

I have been struggling with my walking after slipping down a bank a couple of months ago when trying to organise a cross country/treasure hunt for school. I found it very painful to lie on my side and as a consequence had very poor sleeps. With the continuation of the months long cold, lying on my back was resulting in very annoying snoring. It often woke me up as well as Duncan. I went to the Dr and said I thought I had a bursa like I had in my other hip when I slid down a bank in Rarotonga about 10years ago. But the doctor wasn't so keen to go with my self diagnosis and sent me to the physio. She reckoned it was refered pain. "I think its your back" she pronounced. " No its not" I retorted, and then she moved her fingers up my spine saying "I'm not pressing hard" while I screamed my head off. She subsequently manipulated me and taped me. Yes, you are now looking at a picture of my backside.

My walking girls could hardly believe the difference as I strode up Hospital Hill and straddled the chain at the top. And once down the other side I broke into a little jog for good measure. Truly a miracle!! I am having to give up golf for a few weeks just until we get my hips rotating evenly around my spine. Let the practice for our next tramp begin!!

GOLF IN FIJI

Golf course at Denarau

The radio network that we deal with and spend megabucks with - the Radio Network - send one of us to a warmer climate every year. This year it was my turn and we went to Denarau in Fiji where there is a golf course which has quite a reputation as being somewhat of a challenge. There are water hazards on 15 of the 18 holes along with heaps of bunkers. We played it twice -1st day poorly and 2nd day better. On the third day we travelled down to Natadola Bay to play one of the most challenging courses in the world. Unfortunately I forgot to take my camera, but you can find it on the internet. Set amoungst a large jungle are 18 emaculate and picturesque golf holes. Should your ball not be hit in the intended direction your ball will be lost in the jungle.

Outside the clubhouse in Denerau

Saturday night was dress-up night with a 1970s theme.

This was my outfit. Other photos may appear from other sources and some

of them are best ignored!

Note the poised back swing

THIS WAS A PRACTISE SWING!

The weather was warm and sunny, but the wind blew at Natadola so many golf balls headed into the jungle.

Most members of our group did not play golf. They lay around the pool in the magnificent hotel that we stayed in, or went on other excursions. About 90 people from various parts of the country went - 17 from Gisborne.

What's new this week

On Sunday night I heard that Anne had a brain tumour. I went up to see her in Gisborne Hospital on Monday, but she has had to wait for Waikato to find her a bed. On Tuesday I popped her up some sheepskin slippers - always remember Dad and his gangrenous feet!! Still no go on Wednesday so I went up on Thursday - took Anne some shampoo that she left in our shower when she was last housesitting. What a laugh - she' s probably all shaved by now. She flew up on Friday and will be operated on on Monday. Here's hoping.... There's nothing like a friend getting cancer - but lets hope it is non malignant - to make you get out there and spend your money!! I picked up my new car this week and I'm just loving it. Very easy to drive and good high positioning. Now all I need is to find out how to tune the radio!

I also decided to get a new phone. Heaps of apps (is that the right word?) I can put the clock on the front so far.

And a lovely little surprize - our first sugar snap pea from the glass house. Most of the peas were eaten as they germinated by something in the soil, but this one was just enough to juzz up my salad. Duncan is away golfing in Fiji - just as well - it would have been hard to share it!!

Hatching a plan

I sure was impressed with the tread on Simon's new running shoes and decided I needed a bit of a revamp where the rubber meets the road. Then last week I saw that the Toyota people had released the 09 signature class toyoata corolla hatchbacks, so when it was raining on Thursday I emailed Duncan to see whether he wanted to play golf or come car buying. There were two on the lot. The darker one was cheaper but had far more kms on it, so I am getting the metallic baby blue one. There was a rip on the back of one of the seats, so I am hoping to get that fixed and also a tow bar for the Christmas travel.

I dont take possession until these jobs are done so trying not to ding my old car any further - boy that sure lessens the tradein value!!

Legs Eleven

I have been thinking about a BLOG on skirts since the beginning of last week when I went back to them for school. I looked back at all the photos - this took some time - and cannot find a single photo of me in a skirt since Simon and Jackie's wedding. And yet for the last six years I have spent the majority of my life in a skirt.

And although it is a bit of a hassle with stockings especially if they develop a tear in the crotch, I have decided I like wearing skirts. I wonder if I will continue to wear skirts when I dont have to wear them any more

What I learned about Snow

As I approach 60 it amazes me that there was so much for me to learn about snow. The flakes are so big and puffy. When driving along they are sooo light that they never settle on the windscreen and are blown upwards by the aerodynamics of the car. We never put the windscreen wipers on. It is a much different matter when the car is stopped.What I found next was that snow is very smooth. The ground may be treacherous and full of potholes underneath, but on top it is as smooth as a wedding cake. Thank goodness I had taken my tramping boots.

And I also found that snow is very dry, and although it is cold it doesn't chill youto the bone until YOU have melted it and turned it into ice. So short plays in the snow are OK