Therma and Louise (aka Sue and Trudi) are off on their big adventure today – A Big welcome to Trudi’s friends who wish to join our stories!
Our homeland threw a couple of sunshiny days in before we leave – single digit temperatures but dry…. Which provided a pleasant interlude!
A quick visit to the Tauranga Historic village, in search of a JP to witness some documents…and….
Two weeks of family time for both grandmas, toning arms lifting babies, toddler tantrums, and cuddles!
For Thelma (Sue) the first 6 week smiles! and for Louise (Trudi) a sore back (frontpacking a 6 month old) and a cold! ….. a minor hiccup after spending two weeks of love with her Aussie family.
Now it’s time for three months of summer in the northern hemisphere, and adult time and a well earned holiday…as our feet take us wherever our whims decide!
A win by our Blues (rugby) team in the super rugby…
21 years in the making – on a very wet night, Barry and I celebrated in his warm house in front of the big screen, bayleys in hand!
And an interlude at George’s football as I revisited my years of a soccer mum….
That was until I got rained on and was assured the team was well on the way to winning!
Last load of washing on! Coffee in hand as the winter sun struggles to rise through the cloudy skies…
….skies we will be spending the next 30 hours in as we wing our way to Malta!!
The last month has been a whirlwind of wonderful new beginnings….two new grandsons within 30 hours of each other, adorable 9lb babies, dog sitting, babysitting, cooking and working towards my change of life (not the female one, didn’t have time for that) as the countdown to retirement begins!
Yes, it is time to remove myself from the Monday to Friday business work life and focus on fun and family! Feeling blessed to be able to do this, thanks to my hardworking life with Russ, just a bit sad he is not here to share with me!
So here we go….on the 14th of May Daniel and Lexi welcomed Luka Joseph Bonnici into their family
And…while Gran’ma was babysitting a very confused dog
Who snuggled up on my couch for five days….then on 16th May Jaxon and Steph and Tyler(Mr 3 year old) welcomed Henry James Bonnici into their family
All boys, as the Bonnici’s in my family produce, I am the only female in four generations of the “Allan” Bonnici bloodline!
Moving on from babies, we are watching our Auckland “Blues” rugby team storm to the Super Rugby playoffs!!!
Work wise I have two and a half weeks to go before I escape the Kiwi winter and jet off to Europe for three months!!! This time for a holiday, no 5am starts to connect with Kiwi work colleagues and customers! And no more Auckland motorway carparks travelling to the office!
After a short summer, we have had a month of one digit temperatures, wind and rain – the garden has gone to sleep and the lemons have come to fruition early this year
I have also said goodbye to my boat and non profit producing rental properties, in an attempt to unclutter my admin and physical jobs! It has been a huge amount of admin and physical getting to this point! Now with my ducks in a row I can spend more time with family and friends and pursue more creative projects and adventures…..
Baking with Mr 3 year old grandson…..a cake for his father’s birthday….it didn’t take much for him to work out licking the mixing bowl and spoon is the best part!
Gymnastics classes, yes I can still walk the floor beam with extreme concentration and clenching of muscles that barely exist!
And as the winter sun rises in Waiwera we launch into another day…so far looking like we are in for a taste of sunshine …or Thunderstorms and rain as I write
When you wake up at 6am, ankles crossed and arms folded, you know that retirement hasn’t really kicked in….
In less than two weeks I will be on the other side of the world, and catching my breath
So far, Retirement life (5 days in) has been filled with babies, toddler, lawn mowing, spring(autumn) house cleaning, car wash, the odd beer and dreams of Mediterranean sunshine! And house maintenance…
Spending time with the next generation, who have taken over our lives (for now)
My last week of work was hectic, saying goodbye to clients who have become friends, and workmates who have become family!
The post work list of jobs is long….slowly getting ticked off, a book is anxiously waiting for the first page to be turned. The washing machine has been working overtime and the dryer keeping the garage warm…as our days are littered with clouds and rain.
I have a new shed…waiting to be filled. Great babysitting option as Mr 3 year old took control!
We are looking forward to our “Blues” (rugby) clash with our Waikato neighbours on Saturday, to bring the Super Rugby final home….(everything crossed)
Now a week ahead, of crossing off the list, finally catching up with friends and more family time as I settle into the next phase in life, making plans for new adventures and lots more travel!
Officially summer is over in our kiwi world as the clocks go back, but not the body clock, as we swing into the next trimester in more ways than one!
The Gran’ma of one is about to become a Gran’ma of three (boys) in the coming weeks… as we continue our circle of life.
The summer flowers are finished and going into hibernation for the winter, which seems to have come early…the 1st of March saw the shorts packed away waiting for their annual trip to Malta and the Jeans and thermals are taking the front seat!
It’s been a busy couple of months…road trip to New Plymouth staying at belt road holiday park with my cousins and paying our respects to a dear family friend, Okie, at his Marae then Wanganui with my Carter family.
Followed by a couple of days at Easter, camping it in Bowentown with Jaxon’s family! Beaching, pedal cars, playgrounds and bunking down with the mr three year old in the caravan…whilst navigating the never ending roadworks on my travels resulting in a new windscreen on my car!
Meanwhile battling with work life and the media led Kiwi recession, resulting in a very nervous client base!
However, my world is about to change….this year I am actually taking a break, and no computer on my European travels. Since Russ left me, I have not had a week off without work (4.5 years) and the 60 something body is telling me it’s time to slow down! Rather than just growing the roses….its time to smell them!
A couple of months ago I decided it was time to make some changes and drink Champagne instead of beer (occasionally) I am taking the leap of faith and leaving my 9-5! (Actually 5-9) job before I head off in July to once again explore the northern hemisphere and return in October with a fresh start and new projects!
When you get up in the morning and only need to dress in four pieces of clothing, when the only thing you can think of is jumping in the sea after cutting the grass, when the beer is never cold enough and the rain showers are a blessing ….you know you are enjoying a summer as it should be…
January has been a month of warmth, humidity, the odd summer thunderstorm and great growing conditions for the garden!
The Tournesols (sunflowers) have popped – grown from seeds and over 5 foot!
The roses and Dalia’s (a first for my garden) are colouring my world!
And my lemon tree is laden with fruit….all adding another dimension to my world – a watering job daily as they are all very thirsty in the hot weather! (Some days hitting 30 degrees Celsius)
A month of work has flown by as kiwis slowly wake up from their summer holidays…and the motorways are once again becoming a car park!
This weekend (the first long one in 2024) I have my granbaby visiting and a trip to the zoo for his 3rd birthday treat meant an early start …. In the summer drizzle…not enough to postpone the adventure and just enough to keep us cool!
On arrival the family photo under the tin elephant ……. Then a race around the zoo jungle in search of the lions and tigers – mr nearly to be three just wanted to see the lions and tigers! Needless to say the female lions (without the mane) do not look like a lion to a toddler, and there is no longer the maned one there, the tigers were hiding at the back of their enclosure in their wonderful jungle habitat making it very difficult for little eyes to spy! While the giraffes were magnificent and on full display
The Zebras were noticeably absent! Hippos underwater (out of sight)
Rhinos sharing their patch of dirt with a small antelope species!
The Urangatangs were a little closer (to the glass) and…
The Meerkats has certainly changed!
We tried to wake the cheetah…and got up and close with the elephant
It was a three hour excursion, and a lot dearer than the many times I spent there with my young brood! the picnic area has gone – the old cafe and playground (spider web rope climb) has been replaced by huge glass and steel eating places! And all that remains is the dragon (no eggs)
The crooked house is now a family relax area! Was a little disappointed to see most of the (kid) fun things no longer there and I’m sure the animal happiness is way up there as they are hidden away in so much “natural habitat” that they don’t notice the humans and the humans (especially little ones) can’t see them!
As Jaxon and Steph had a date night planned I brought Mr nearly three year old home to the cottage for a Gran’ma and Grandson night! We were straight to the beach…to cool off!
Followed by copious amounts of food that were probably not ideal for pre bedtime snacks! Had a little (well big) battle winning the going to sleep thing but a peaceful night was had thereafter!
The next morning was off on the bus…
To the hot rod show in Orewa – go check out the old cars!
This one was our favourite – and Ty was adamant that we should buy it (and every other one we liked)
Distraction from car purchasing came in the form of a very soft ice cream covered in sprinkles….
While full focus was on devouring, melting seemed to win the race, and over half the ice cream certainly made it inside mr little human, the other half was spread over face, footpath, clothes and Gran’ma! Nothing a few serviettes and quick trip to the bathroom didn’t fix!
Final stop; coffee for Gran’ma and hash browns for Ty from McDonald’s as we headed to the bus stop to make the journey back to the bach!
Final activity before the parents returned was a dip in the spa….which is where I handed over my charge.
2024 has started with warmth and sunshine, for the first time in 12 months watering the garden has become a daily activity!
Christmas Day was wet, like torrential wet, and the last week of 2023 was a mixed bag of four seasons in one day….this being my 3 days annual leave in a row (even when I was travelling in 2023 I only had 3 full days off)!
Twas a busy Gran’baby time – Jack and Tyler bacheloring at my cottage for this week…and Gran’ma being the main distraction (I like to think attraction)
There was lots of swimming – in the sea, trampoline jumping and Walks to Gran’mas house….
Beach time and a couple of firsts – Tyler’s first ride in (drive of) Gran’mas boat…we picked our day…
The sea was calm, the sun was out with some welcome cloud cover and the fish were biting…
Tyler reeled in his first fish, a little overwhelming as it flapped on the end of the line…then he curled up in the cabin and had a two hour nap! Aah…what the sea air does to us humans!
And Mr Two, (nearly three) year old was the captain! For his first time.
It was a lovely week of precious time spent with this determined young man and my middle son….who is a great (tired) dad!
Dan and I took the tinny out for the annual fishing contest and I caught a couple of Kawhai(which if I hadn’t already smoked for dinner would have won the best other women’s fish) this was won with a 41 cm Kawhai and mine were 45cm!
New Year’s Eve, in true Kiwi style, threw us torrential rain and possibly dampened some spirits! However bach 10, once again came to life (awning at full extension) with a gathering on young people, and ME! I cooked a roast lamb for the crew, and we migrated to the pub for some dancing, heralding in 2024 at the hall….after which Gran’ma called it quits! The younger generation partying on until 3am!
1sr January 2024, broke with sunshine and summer! And (fingers crossed) we haven’t looked back!
One last Gran’ma excursion before they headed off back down the line….a bus trip from the beach to the supermarket!
Another first – a bus ride, after explaining the lack of seatbelts, the hold on tight and don’t press the yellow button until we are ready to get off rules, we then migrated to the back seat….middle! What is it with boys and back seats of buses! On the way back, with our shopping and treats, there was no hesitation – straight to the back seat!
First week of January, back to work…for the short week of catch up! By this time I could no longer ignore the toothache that had been creeping up on me! So a week of dentists, doctors and various antibiotics followed with a very miserable yours truly sporting a swollen fat face! Trying to work and get well for yesterday where George and I had tickets to the men’s ASB tennis semifinals!
Alls well that ends well and a great afternoon was had by both – mother and son date, watching these athletes, and dinner in Newmarket on a glorious sunny afternoon, as George clicks over another year around the sun!
Its almost time to put up the feet or get busy with FUN…the last month has been crazy busy with activities, worklife and jobs…in readiness for a small break. It seems silly that to prepare for a holiday we decide we have a million tasks to complete before the big day.
The lazy Christmas tree is up!
Since we said goodbye to Dad in October, we have had two months of rolling into Summer, finally this last week the thermals are in hibernation, and shorts and T’Shirts have come out of mothballs! We are hoping the weather gods do not shower us with “El Nino” (whatever that is) rain and floods as they did last Summer.
Russell Rose is blooming
Russells family was up at the end of November and we took the opportunity to take Russ (ashes) on his final journey to his favourite fishing spot, having to pick the day and change it at the last minute, as the day of choice promised to be a rocky boat ride. The save a day was perfect and dropping Russ’s fishing rod in the spot – he caught 6 fish in 10 minutes! Possibly a record for Russ!
His usual spot (me driving)
Time (in between busy work weeks) has been spent….mowing lawns (far too often), gardening, cleaning, and more spring cleaning, Christmas shopping, the odd party, grabbing meals on the run and planning for a few days of leisure over the holiday period
A deck of Dahlias
This year has come and gone faster than one would like, with my three months sojourn in the northern hemisphere, catching up with family and friends, the exciting news that I have two more grandbabies on the way, saying goodbye to our people, deciding to retire one of the old cars (and finding a solution to dispose of it), and forever hunting that elusive sunshine and warmth….
As 2024 fast approaches we set our goals and dreams for the next little while – never looking too far ahead, and enjoying the moments……a problem is always the opportunity to find a solution, and while life (and jobs) can seem an uphill climb, the view from the top is always worth the ride.
Right now, as summer peeps through the clouds, we look forward to a few days of family fun, fishing and feasting. Merry Christmas to all my people here and around the world….
Coming up five weeks of being on home soil in New Zealand, it’s been a whirlwind of events….
I got the call in Texas that my dad was failing, and leapt on the next plane, to be home and spend time with him for his last week on Earth. Then followed a whirlwind week of my head in the clouds, trying to stay on top of work, sorting my house out and catching up with family and friends!
Labour weekend treated us to a glimpse of sunshine….
Shorts and beach weather for a minute or two…
Planting some veges with my little helper…
And preparing food for Dads last party!
We said goodbye to dad on Tuesday the 25th October – public speaking at funerals becoming my forte! A skill which I hope I can now retire!
A chance to see old friends – and share our dad stories!
This event was then followed by a familiar Auckland weather event – yes a raging storm! Trudi and I have joined a local group of “Dotteral Minders” These are little coastal birds (diminishing in numbers) who are currently trying to breed…
They obviously haven’t adapted to climate change (or coastal storm surges) as they make their nests in Sand!
Well with 100km winds the tidal surges washed away the three nests! We became quite invested in a rescue mission, moving the last remaining nest 2 times…
Finally up onto the last dune standing which became smaller and smaller with each high tide!
Until the sand didn’t hold and the tyre nest was washed off the remaining lump of sand along with the last eggs out to sea! A few days of braving the elements to get to the point in 100km wind and rain with spades and gumboots! Shovelling sand to no avail!
Two weeks later and there are three new nests on the flat sand! The dotterals have bounced back for round two! (no smarter for their last experience)
Last weekend I travelled to Katikati for a grandparents visit on the Friday afternoon! It was atrocious weather again and My grand baby just wanted me to take him home! We did manage a jigsaw with the help of another boy before getting out the door for a wet drive! Saturday and Sunday saw clearer days and we visited Auntie Barb, Mums dear friend in Tauranga. I was on babysitting duties Saturday night and all went well(ish) – bedtime is a bit of a challenge!
The end of this week bought us sunshine, still cool in the mornings and evenings, but at least some vitamin D during the day!
Russell Rose has bloomed in all his glory! The gardens actually needed water! Lawns had a haircut, washing got dry on the line and we have a busy weekend ahead with the working bee at Riverhaven (bach) today and more birthday celebrations tomorrow (not mine)
It is just so hectic back here, with a house to maintain, time in cars! Hours to and from work, (at least three a day), everyone is a bit sad after a long winter, and everyone is busy and stressed! I miss the miles and miles of smiles, the laughter and the time to sit and chat!
Last week found me relaxing at the homestead in the warmth of Texas fall (autumn) and venturing out (by Uber) to the township of Lake Jackson to explore the shops and meet Russell’s friend (Trudy) for lunch! Only in Texas do you get to ride in a Ford F150 when you call an Uber! My first ride was with Jack, the next one was with Daniel! Guessing the 3rd one will be George! Two degrees of connection wherever one goes!
Friday saw (and I listened to live commentary) the All Blacks finally pull up their socks and provide a much needed win in the Rugby World Cup giving us Kiwis some excitement for the rest of the tournament!
This guy (banana spider) decided to pop in for the party weekend – thankfully outside my closed window.
Friday afternoon shopping for the family party (for my birthday!) A great evening with my hosts (Tona and Chuck) a few beers by the pool and listening to our favourite music!!!
Saturday, Tona and I began our day early with a drive north to watch Emma (one of the gran babies) play her five year old soccer game! Followed by a breakfast of champions (cooked by her Dad) crepes!
We then headed back to prepare our Grazing table for the party!
Expecting 20 Adults and seven grand babies, Chuck prepared the pool toys and Tona and I built our table of food! With the Fall theme….around five the party began! And the girls added to the spread…
Kelly(Tonas and Chucks daughter) had provided the Key Lime Pie birthday cake to herald in my 63rd celebrations and Ashley (daughter in law) had made her famous apple pie to ensure we were all totally sated! I of course had both!
Then it was time for the water balloon fight!
When it’s in the (90s farenheit) mid-high 30s Celsius – what’s a little water between friends! Drying time 20 minutes! The party wound up around 10pm with a (Travis) margarita, food pack up, tired kids and big kids and we collapsed into bed!
I had lots of messages and calls from my family and friends in NZ, as being 18hours behind here, my NZ birthday was on Saturday USA time.
My Texas birthday began on Sunday, and more cleanup before Church, then off to visit the kids and grand babies!
The afternoon visiting number 2 son and family and the evening watching baseball grandson play, before post match hotdogs (just what the stomach ordered after a busy day)
Arriving home in the red sky Texas sunset and a graze on the leftovers from the party – we will be grazing all week!
I have certainly been very spoiled with my three day birthday celebrations!
The weekend loomed, Friday afternoon, we took off on a Road Trip to Greune (pronounced Green) near New Braunfels north west of Lake Jackson – inland…. a three and a half our drive. Tona and Chuck had arranged the weekend roady to attend one of their grandbabies (9th) birthday party at an amusement park, and catch up with more family….
We arrived at our hotel in Gruene late afternoon, checked in and took a wander….
Right on the Guadalupe river….wedding venue of Choice (three in a row this weekend)
However we did not have a wedding in our plans and headed into the township of Greune – planning a little shopping hunt before meeting Tonas Niece and her three boys for dinner…
Temperatures rising late afternoon and a cool beer was in order, flagged the shopping and chilled out in a garden bar listening to live music…a unanimous decision. Lucky we had to meet family, or we may still be there.
A great dinner on the edge of the river, in the air conditioning (outside temperature 38 degrees C) and by the time we left, shops were closed and the travellers were weary!
Next morning, I took a walk around the grounds and spied these little guys playing in the trees….
Far too noisy for birds!
It was then in the car to meet the family for the birthday adventure park at 10am….again temperatures rising, good we were there early, as car rides, train rides, playgrounds, ferris wheel, merry-go round, sensory house and waterpark were not too crowded…
Morgans Wonderland, is a Theme Park for kids of all ages, abilities, and accessibility for anyone….25 acres of playland….very special place. the kids and big kids had a great time.
We packed up around 2pm and headed to Fredricksburg, another 2 hours north west, for the next part of our adventure…checking in at next hotel, ready for a cool shower and freshen up, the heat rising, nearing 40 degrees Celsius. Tona and Chucks Daughter and family joined us and their cousins also for the evening….
Halloween decorations, we checked in at an infamous (no bookings taken) restaurant around 5pm to get a table for Nine – folllowed by a great meal and trip into town, settling in a bar to watch the college football….and listen to live music!
All washed up by around 9pm it was then back to the hotel for a good nights sleep.
Next morning A Breakfast of champions…
Followed by Girls shopping, and Boys Navy Museum visit, meeting for lunch at a German Restaurant…..
A final grandparent (including Gran’ma Sue) and grandkid photo, before embarking on the 4-5 hour trip home to Lake Jackson (by 7pm) ready for the working week.
All who wander are not Lost girls 