Snow, and ramblings from a bargain spotter.

I love these mystery books, have picked up a few and Georgette Heyer, loved her books as a  teenager

Terrible photo by terrible photographer, cute tin though

Snow we have snow, lots of snow, it started early yesterday and snowed all day and night. It's freezing and it's so early in the Winter (officially week 1), and we have snow. Went in to work yesterday, only 4 of us staff there, and one frozen client, so we were home by 10.30am. Today my car was frozen and they said not to travel unless urgent, so I rang in to hear that only  2 staff had made it in and no clients, so they will be going home soon. I have done the ironing, so I'm warm, with 4 layers on, a cuppa on the brew and a slice of apple cake, I will retire to the lounge to watch some Miss Marple and crochet. 

pillow cases, loving the florals and the retro florals

The market I mentioned in the  last post is still a mystery, as I went to the RSA market which has been a disappointment and lo and behold 2 of the stalls from Cranford St market were there, they don't hold any hope for it reopening, so have moved to the RSA on a Saturday morning,it was like seeing old friends. Bought a few trifles as you do, but didn't buy the UJ purse which I thought poor quality, but did get a tin with a view of St Pauls and the Thames which is a nod to the Jubilee. What a great time everyone had, I think I'm to old for such large crowds and the weather looked terrible, at least it didn't seem to upset the millions of spectators and spoil the day. Noticed no photos of snow in this post but recycle back to last year and it's just the same, ha,ha I bet you never thought I would be that lazy. Love Aunt Bee.

Sunday walk in the city.

This is where we stopped for coffee, at least it was still standing

The Town Hall which can be saved, the empty block was where the Convention Centre  used to be

Mother Nature  takes back the river bank

We were going to walk down here but the sandstorm drove us  back

Can't even remember what was here

We have cornered the world market in portaloos

Sad old city

Basil asleep on the couch with my Attic24 blanket , Dave is on his lap. Sunday walks aren't what they were.

Life got in the way.

I haven't posted for so long, but life got in the way, a combination of jury duty and no computer, and Tom leaving home. My eldest son has gone flatting and it's fine, but I miss him terribly because he is so much fun and interesting, you can have  a good old natter with him. He's taught me about the Greeks and Romans, legal matters (when still a law student), Batman (more than any woman needs to know) and Death Metal, (serves me right for been always interested in what they were interested in). He gone to share a house with old school friends, 1 minute walk from the supermarket where he has a new job, night supervisor 3 nights a week.This is enough for him to live on, Aj misses him and so does the cat, and I have commandeered his room as my sewing room, yes I am going to have a room where my machine will always be set up ready to go. I am hoping this helps with productivity, as I have been sadly lacking in sewing mojo lately, tried to machine quilt on the weekend, I am so bad at it, I would be grateful for any one's advice or knowledge of any good tutorials on the Internet. It needs to be idiot proof, really, idiot proof. 

Angus has one more week at Uni and then he is at a local school for his first section, he's been on two visits to see what happens in the class from a teachers perspective, which he still finds hard,  he has to remind himself he is the adult and the kids look to him for the answers. (God help them).

Jury duty was interesting and no I wasn't on any jury, closest I got was the 30 from which the 12 were picked.We had to turn everyday in case we were chosen. I'm glad I did it, and would certainly do it again if chosen, it was the third time I had been called in 15 years.

This weekend is Queen's Birthday weekend, with the holiday on Monday, it is always looked forward too, as it is our last long weekend till October, it's a long cold winter to come without a break. Today is the first day of Winter and it's been bitter, heavy frosts and freezing nights, no real rain though, but snow on the mountains already.No photos as you can see, it's the problem that needed fixing on the computer, so you have only my words, here's hoping you haven't been bored. No market,for the last 4 weeks, it has just disappeared, I'm going to a new market tomorrow, which sounds very new agey, and ever so green, and slightly odd so it will be a new experience anyway. Hugs to all and Happy Anniversary to Her Majesty, my apologies for non-attendance, but of course I was there in London for Her 25th, and thought others should have a chance for her 60th. Of course I have seen her put her lipstick on in public at Ascot, not sure this counts as any real relationship with QE  and you know I'm not one to name drop anyway. Love Aunt Bee.

Some photos of Wanganui, known as the River city, or town, not sure it is a city.

Art installations all along the river bank.

It's a river with Mana, and I don't say that lightly.

The riverboat sails up the river, looks like an interesting trip.

It's meant to be the river, but as I come from ChCh  I thought it looked like a earthquake crack

Large shiny sphere on the river bank

The bridge over the river Wanganui

After the funeral (yes I stole that from Agatha Christie)

Aj dreams of actually  driving the Yorkshire Terrier's Audi

Aj and I are back from the North Island. Mum's funeral was lovely and although Basil and Tom didn't go, they had the flu, some  of the South Island family (which is most of us) managed to get up to Wanganui, so we had a mini family reunion.

adorable great niece who kept us entertained  for the 3 days

Aj and my Dad

The 3 cousins, CB, JM and Aj,  yes they were on their laptops for hours

Aj and I stayed in a very faded 1970's motel, which had ants, the surprise was that we had to pay for them to stay as well. We ate at the Contessa's or I should say we ate too much at the Contessa's. I don't think it's terrible to say we had a great time, Mum would have loved having us all there 
I lost my voice of course, but after the Mass and the eulogy, and Aj who went to work this morning was sent home because he now has the headache and terrible throat.
 This morning it is raining and cold and indeed it's the opening day of duck shooting season, so at least the ducks have a fighting chance. I have decided to spend the day at home sewing, as I am feeling a little flat, thank you for your kind thoughts and virtual hugs, so very kind.Love to all   Barbara.

Just a catch up

a amazing autumn sky

dave attempts to steal food

This post and I hope you bear with me, is a bit of everything. I did go up North to see my mum, which was wonderful, sad and the best thing I could have done. I spent 5 days with my sister, and her daughter my niece Clare (who I wanted to adopt, not having any daughters I discovered the pleasure of the company of a 21year old girl.) My mum and I did speak, albeit mostly me, as she struggled to talk, but we understood each other. I spent time with my sister who has taken on the organizer for all the things one must do in the circumstances. Dad at 87 was exhausted and at times lost as he slowly realized his wife of 63 years was actually going to die. She's always been a bit of a Houdini, escaping cancer (twice) and heart disease, but alas not this time.
We thought about taking a photo, while we were in the Hospice, but in fits of laughter we thought it highly inappropriate, we did have lots of laughs, knowing mum could hear us although not able to respond. The last thing she said to me, as the Contessa and I were looking at her was "my two gorgeous girls" so we knew she hadn't lost her sense of humour.
I will be going up sometime this week for the funeral, the cost of inter island flights is so prohibitive, so many people who would wish to be there wont be able to be.

things for the grand-niece

the day after some night before

So here are the photos of things done, thrifted, seen etc. I hope they don't shoot of to the top of the post that would look trivial. There is a Aussie called Rove who always at the end of his show used to say "hug your mother for me". so I shall leave you with that. Love Aunt Bee.

Sorry about the absence.

I apologise for the absence as I haven't had the brain for blogging. I will be going up North tomorrow to see my mum, it's been a stressful 3 weeks. The Contessa has been carrying a load of responsibility for organising care for mum and dad. Tough old bird that she is she has kept on going but is now fading fast. The old bird is mum not the Contessa who is a tough younger bird. I have got things to show you, but not today as I'm sadly not organised. My mum was a very into op shops and thrifting, she loved old things, things that had use and a history. This legacy she handed to me, as it isn't the Contessa at all, so in my mum's spirit I went to the Bookarama on Saturday. For the measly amount of $23.00 I got heaps of books and mags,  some copies of Dish (NZ food mag), some "jolly hockey sticks" boarding school for girls, 50's and 60's books  and a AC which I probably have but I bought anyway, and some old crochet and knitting books and patterns. I have started another crochet blanket to use up my yarn, it started out as random piece but I have colour coded it, and I can't help but not look for more yarn to add to it. Whenever I try to be free and bold and let things go there own way I fail. So much for thinking I'm a free spirited, relaxed kinda of  person, I can't let go of my inner control freak. Oh it's my birthday, I have only one wish, and that is for mum not to die on my birthday, I think I would cry for a 100 years. I hope you get what I mean by that. Thanks for the support, hugs to you all, I'm still reading blogs, enjoying your creativity and thrifting finds and happy that thousands of miles away are like minded people just as odd as me, I mean that in the nicest possible way. Love Aunt Bee.