JUNCTION BOX

At least I think it is a junction box.  There are various sizes of these boxes around town and they all used to be painted green often with graffiti on them.  I am not sure if these new ones are for Fibre or Power  ( it was about the time Fibre was installed here that the boxes started to be painted).

This is my favourite and one I see on leaving Max' Rest Home as it is straight across the road.

We have finally had some showers today.  Wonderful.  Hopefully, we will have more over the next few days.

Typical Summer Lunch

Yesterday, my lunch consisted of freshly picked lettuce with some grated carrot and grated cheese, slices of tomatoe, watermelon, and cucumber and roasted red capsicum.  Today, it is the same with the addition of some sliced roast veal and often a hardboiled egg with mayonnaise or some salmon.  Ideal for this weather and delicious.

SUMMERTIME

The weather has been, and still is, glorious.  Temperatures in the late 20's celsius with several days over 30.

On one of the hottest days I heard a native pigeon flying around the garden and then spotted him/her near the top of a tree.  I presume and, indeed hope, that he was in that odd position just to cool off.  A short while later I looked and he had gone.

We have just had a short shower - wonderful - no watering tonight.  I can't remember when it last rained.  It is much needed.

When I visited Max today he seemed to know me and was quite animated.  It is amazing how he changes but good to see him looking so well today.

85 YEARS OLD TODAY

Today is my lovely hubby's 85th birthday.  Unfortunately, he doesn't know it.  He has been sleeping more and more in the last few months and even when he is awake there is "no-one home".

Yesterday, when I went in he was in bed asleep  (he is usually sitting in a lazy boy chair) he was not looking at all well.  Today, he was once more in the lounge in his lazy boy.  I am not sure if he was awake when I arrived but he did not open his eyes or show any reaction.  He then fell into a deep sleep.

I had bought him some more summer weight trousers - not always easy to find as he must have an elastic waist to make it easier for the caregivers to dress and undress him.  Anyway,  I managed to find one pair that just needed shortening.

I unwrapped his present for him and put the trousers in his drawer and sat and held his hand.  There is a blind lady in the home and she was very restless so I went and brought her wheelchair over to where I was sitting with Max and chatted to her until it was time for them all to have their lunch.

 

I love this photo of Max taken when we were still on our "lifestyle" property in the Far North - it was taken seven years ago. 

MAGICAL LETTERBOX

My stepdaughter has just sent me photos of the mail box her partner has built.  I thought it was too good not to share so checked with Jamie this morning to see if he minded me putting it on my Blog so here it is:

Sue said  "We had it decorated with Xmas lights and it has been admired by many in the street.  Our neighbours across the street have had their grandchildren staying and they're convinced that it is a fairy castle (the grandchildren that is) and they have been coming across after dark to look at the "fairy/Xmas lights."  Cute."

They live in the Southern Highlands between Sydney and Canberra.  When I spoke to Jamie this morning he said it is not finished yet and he still has gargoyles to add to it.  So an update will follow

My Birthday.

I have had a wonderful birthday today.  I can't believe how many cards and messages I have received.

My stepson is up here for a couple of days with a friend's ten year old daughter (as she is busy at work).

We started by walking Sophie, then back to Doug's for morning tea and some board games then
down to the Town Basin for a delicious lunch.  Back home to pick up some fishing rods and we headed down to the river for some fishing where a fish was caught.  We then stopped fishing so that a boy and his mother could operate a remote controlled boat which travelled at 55 kms per hour.

Been out virtually all day and just returned at 5.30.  I will now make a quick frittata for our tea and I know there will be some more phone calls.

Oh, and I got a special tattoo for my 71st birthday and a lovely watch from Doug.  I am spoilt!!!!

CHRISTMAS

In spite of everything going on with Max I had a very enjoyable Christmas.  We spent it at Doug's with two ladies who would, otherwise, have been on their own.

I had a lazy day as Doug insisted on cooking the meal.  He usually, no, always, comes to my place for his evening meals and said it was my turn to have a meal cooked for me and delicious it was too.

I visited Max on the way there - he has not been very well lately and the Rest Home has just started to mouli his meals.  He has been their best eater but lately has been holding his food in his mouth and not swallowing hence the mouli.

He is sleeping more and more and it is rare for him to wake up while I am visiting these days.  Because he was unwell I have increased my visiting.

One of Doug's daughters and her children 18 and 19 were going to come for a meal late afternoon on Christmas day but, at the last moment, it was decided that they would come on Boxing Day for lunch - a much better idea so we had a second Christmas meal then.

Yesterday, after walking Sophie at the Town Basin, we did some shopping - I wanted some trousers for Max but could only find 3/4 length ones as he has to have elastic waist.

More shopping today in another part of town and I got just what I was looking for at Farmers - only one pair in his size left  and they will need to be shortened by a good few inches.

My stepson arrives tomorrow to stay for a day or two and see his Dad.  Must get ready for him.  Have just been to Hikurangi to pick up some freshly caught fish from one of Doug's nephews.  Enough for about six meals plus mussels plus a crayfish.  Yummy.

Yesterday, the flowers in the house  needed replacing so I picked this bucket full.

Every year my cousin in Canada sends me a pewter ornament from Amos Pewters in Nova Scotia. Here  is this year's one - a nautilus shell.  I always receive them in November but wait until Christmas Day to open them.  It is on the tree with all the others - must be getting close to 30 now.