I just listened to a voicemail from my Aunty Em, and that was her wish for us.
We had a low-key New Years Eve; Mum and Dad have visitors from out of town, and we were all going to have a barbecue together up there, but Dad came down with some kind of gastro bug that knocked him for six. He is actually in hospital at the moment, in an isolation room with a view of the Sky Tower. The isolation room door is open now, but we are staying away until we know what’s what. We also decided not to go to the planned BBQ (the visitors stayed on, despite the absence of their host) and instead invited my brother Joe and his wife Kay around for an even smaller BBQ at our place.
We ate an imperfect but kind of glorious banana cake, drank cranberry juice, played Cranium (Pakehas know how to party!) and turned off the TV when the One News review of the decade featured heavily an over-long 9/11 montage. We have not forgotten, TV One. A still shot would have been sufficient. I still feel like I’ve been kicked in the guts when I see that plane fly in.
*Sigh* What a year. What a decade.
This year: I want to get outside more. Grow some stuff. Write some stuff. Make some stuff. Cook glorious things and eat them. And I want to do all this with the three Littles, because they won’t be Little for long.
This is twenty-ten – this is now – and the Internet is not my shield…. I’m going to get out there and live it.
wow, that gastro bug is hurtling around the country. Everyone here has had it and I’ve still got it – though not in hospital – all the best to your dad and a speedier recovery.
Best of luck for 2010 Rosie – love to you and yours.
Thanks Michelle. Dad’s out of hospital now. They say now it was probably my old friend campylobactor (and I should say that Mum and Dad are never buying another rotisserie chicken) If it was the tummy bug, I should think that the entire household up there would have it by now, given how quickly it goes around. We have taken some criticism for not being up there to see the cuzzies but we’re following the kindy standard of putting a 24-hour gap between any tummy bug action and visiting! Will be visiting them all tomorrow night. Have a wondrous year, too, Michelle.
nice! i like your resolutions…we found each other thru the card swap and i am just now “finding” you to be sure i am “following” you if that makes sense? here’s to a good balance between living life, reporting it, and sharing our experiences with others…looking forward to learning more about your life in new zealand…we love to travel and hope to make it your way someday…i have an almost 5-year-old, sea, and story will be in 2 next month so our children are close in age (no third for us, though!)…
How’s things going in the Thinking Chair?? Hope you all ok xxx
Hate to seem like a stalker, but I just wanted you to know I was thinking about you and wondering how you are surviving the winter.
deb xx