Unsettled

I am feeling really weird lately -- very unsettled and up and down.  It's the world around me of course and all the uncertainly to the times we are living in.  Covid is in our community now and I have no idea how restricted we will be going forward or for how long.  I've not had my hair done now for three months and while it's still looking OK (due to me chopping it from time to time and dying it), I feel the need for some major care.

There is so much opposition in society out there regarding vaccination and covid.  Comments on news items are extreme and there are some very vocal voices out there.  I know I shouldn't read them but I feel the need to see what 'both sides' are saying.  It's incredibly disturbing how divided people can be.  Thankfully they are the minority because nearly 80% of New Zealanders have had at least one dose of the vaccine and an even higher percentage in Auckland where the outbreak is.

I am also fearful of actually getting covid but know it's inevitable.  Being in the older age bracket now it does concern me but given the numbers here with covid, there has only been one death in this current outbreak which makes you wonder what the hell all the fuss is about! I'm confused.

We still have the two boys and will take them home tomorrow so that we can have three nights on our own before having them again on Monday.  They really have been lovely and I've enjoyed having them here.  For those who don't know, I am known for being able to fix stuff... if it needs gluing or screwing or mending, I'm your lady.  Last night Charlie got in a tangle with a spiral thingy and came and asked me to fix it.  He said "You are the best Nana in the world and you will always be here to fix tangles for me".  So cute, I wish I could always be there for him.  

Apparently I'm also the best baker in the world... well in their world at least :)

We have tried to get out for walks most days and yesterday Cole and I walked to get my car from the windscreen repairer (a re repair of a job from earlier this year).  On the walk there we counted 18 discarded masks on the footpath!  So gross and I just don't understand people.  Clearly the council is not picking up rubbish in lockdown as there was a lot of litter everywhere.  This was an industrial area we were walking, not residential, but you still see the odd mask around those areas too.

On a happier note my daughter and I have booked a three day cruise out of Auckland for next September.  I'd always said I wanted to take the boys on a cruise (Cole's been on one but Charlie missed out).  We've booked a mini-suite and now we just have to hope that in a year's time we will be able to do this!  We have such wonderful memories of the previous short cruises, it's such a special thing to do and we need to do it while the boys are still boys.  

OK, on with the day.  

~ Lynda

Charlie on his school zoom session doing some dancing.

The magnificent sunset the other night, it was spectacular!!

Out for a walk with the boys around the Onehunga Harbour

Poppa and his boys on the Harbour walkway.

A 'fort' the boys make at the front door.  We've not been able to access the front door all week.  They disappear inside here with their devices to play games or watch Youtube.

Charlie inside the fort.

Expanded our bubble

We decided to expand our bubble and include my daughter and her kids.  We are now in Level 3 and she is back at work so we will be looking after the boys during the week.  I have to admit that they have been really good so far.  We will take them home tomorrow for the weekend and she will drop them off again on Monday on her way to work.  

Today we went for a nice walk -- it was just nice to get out of the house after a few rainy days.  

Our covid numbers have dropped but there are idiots out there who don't care so it's anyone's guess what will happen.  The latest is gang members mixing and spreading it.  I'm also so sick of the anti-vax messages and scaremongering going on.  I was chatting to my ex-husband (Cole was Facetiming him) and he said that he's having trouble getting his other kids (adults) to get vaccinated.  One in particular is a member of a church group and they've been told not to get it.  Madness.

That's my week, not much at all to report.  

~ Lynda

On our walk today.

Boredom and overthinking

As I get older I tend to overthink so much.  I see only the few good years ahead where I will be active and well and it scares me quite often.  I'm sure Stu thinks I'm nuts but it's a thing.  I have so much living left to do but seeing people around me who are 20 years older I realise my fully active time is limited.  I'm being real, it is what it is and I have to make sure I make the most of the coming years.

Boredom -- yes we are still in a very strict lockdown which is supposed to end tomorrow but I seriously doubt it because this Delta variant is popping up all over the place.  Clearly we are just trying to get as many people as possible vaccinated while we can.  

I do realise that many people around the world are dying from the vaccination or having injuries from it but my goodness, the scaremongering from the 'antivax' brigade is crazy.  Sadly it's putting of so many people.  We are at 75% full or partly vaccinated here so that's looking promising.  The Government is aiming for 90%, good luck with that!

I made a batch of pikelets yesterday and took them around to the boys -- we did a swap for two Nerf guns from Cole's "shop".  Haha... we pretended to buy them and did a click and collect.  When we go there we don't get close and stay on the driveway but it's still lovely to see them and chat.  Cole texted me as soon as we got home to say they'd already all eaten the pikelets and they were the best.  Nice one.  Today I'm going to make them a batch of ginger crunch.  They've never had it before and I've not make it for years so I hope it turns out.   

Apparently the replacement mobile phone is on its way by courier.  One entire month I've waited for what should have been an overnight delivery!  I love the way I've been dealing with their "customer service" -- that's a bit on an oxymoron because there was very little service from them.  No follow ups, no call backs, no emails.  I had to do all the chasing to get the replacement.

I did get my new duvet cover delivered but I'm not 100% sure I love it but it will do.  It is lovely quality.

That's all I've got today.  Boring.

Here is the ginger crunch recipe -- I think I'll make it tomorrow now.  Today I've been sewing and made the duvet cover a little smaller to fit the bed better.  I bought a king size and the queen size is too small generally.  The king was then too big so now it's perfect.  

~ Lynda

My new duvet cover which is much bigger so fits better on the bed.  

Lockdown boredom

Here we are still locked down (as are many of you I realise).  We tend to slop around the house in functional clothes, not necessarily smart clothes... I'm sure we are not alone in that.

I had to take a photo of Stu tonight when he came into the kitchen -- he's wearing father's day socks from the boys (space/astronauts), black slippers and shorts.  Oh my goodness how the mighty have fallen (him and I both).  I did have to laugh though which is why I took the photo.

Cole Facetimes us often and we love hearing from him.  Today he called to show us the Nerf gun shop he had made and Charlie and him were playing pretend shops which was so cute.  On the counter of the shop he had a donation jar and when Stu asked him what it was for he said it was for "The Foundation for the Creation of More Nerf Guns".  Stu and I literally cracked up laughing.  

F had his vaccination last Thursday and has since had not only headaches but hot and cold temperatures, lack of appetite and then today a bad rash on his torso, front and back.  My daughter consulted the doctor who didn't think it was related to the vaccination (???).  He's feeling OK now and hopefully the rash will be gone by tomorrow but I still can't understand the doctor not linking it to the vaccination.  I did a bit of Dr Googling and found scientific papers stating that it can be a side effect but with no lasting complications.  

UPDATE:  After sending a photo of Fs rash to the doctor she has confirmed it is a reaction to the vaccine.  Not serious but it seems he is one of the unlucky ones who got lots of side effects.  He will be fine though. 

Fingers crossed he's fine tomorrow but of all the people to have a reaction I didn't want him due to my daughter already having serious reservations about vaccinations.  If he doesn't get the follow up jab then at least he has one.

I've finally heard back about the replacement phone and delivery will be about a week away.  At least we will finally get it, all be it nearly one month after ordering it! OK, I'll leave you with my man's lockdown look.

~ Lynda

 

Nine weeks...

Yes, that's how long since I've been to the hairdresser.  Now I know that's not long for many of you but when you have short hair, it's a long time! I get a cut and colour every 6 weeks so after 9 weeks I was looking decidedly overgrown.  My hair is very thick and it gets kind of fluffy and course when it gets longer.  I couldn't tuck it behind my ears and it was getting very annoying so I took to it myself with scissors.  

I am not likely to get a proper cut for at least another month or so (all going well) so I had to do something.  It's not the best but then I'm sure I won't be the only person cutting their own hair :) I always touch up the roots between colours anyway so that's not such an issue for me.

My new headboard arrived this morning and I am very pleased with it -- it's very basic, not over the top but compliments the new bed well.  It's a dark enough grey that it doesn't look strange with the black bed base. I've also ordered a new duvet cover in a bigger size because this one has to be pulled down on one side to cover the mattress (so the mattress is exposed on the other side).  I hope I like the one I've ordered!!

We are continuing to have good meals and haven't given in to eating much rubbish (ie carb loaded food).  We usually only have two meals a day and not a big main meal -- I certainly find as I've gotten older that there is no way I can eat a fraction of what I used to eat years ago. BUT, I have gained weight and I absolutely hate it.  I've been getting out for walks when it's been fine and riding my bike inside as well (more to strengthen my knees).  It's just so frustrating to be in lockdown and not have the one pleasure I could be having.. ie, treats!!

We are in level 4 until next week and then hopefully level 3 which will open up click and collect shopping, pickups of all kinds of food and a little more freedom.  I'm hoping then we can expand our bubble to include the kids.  I'll have to check that out but I think if you are needed to look after them then it's OK.  My daughter and her husband will go back to the office so I'll help with childcare.

Vaccinations are fully ramped up in Auckland now and everywhere has 'walk ins', no need to book.  Knowing that the virus is out there (if not now then it's inevitable) they want as many people vaccinated as possible.  Of course, the anti-vaxers and 'freedom fighters' are vocal on social media... the loudest being my ex-brother-in-law who is American but lives here and Stu's niece who is trying her hardest to scare anyone she's in contact with to not get the 'jab'. 

I'm still waiting for the delivery of F's new mobile phone.  I FINALLY got an email yesterday from Noel Leeming saying they would send another one.  No mention of when that will happen of course.  

Speaking of F, the girlfriend continues to be an utter bitch -- she manipulates him the entire time and he is crying all the time.  It's really awful that he can't see that life shouldn't be like that.  My daughter thinks that the only way for them to end is if she breaks up with him as he's too addicted to her.  It's a really horrible situation because he's such a lovely boy.

OK that's me for now.

~ Lynda

You may remember me mentioning my neighbour's tree and how awful it looked?  Well it finally grew new leaves and branches only to have this done to it last week.  Stunning... not. 

My new headboard, basic but perfect for what I wanted.

My haircut.  It's a bit choppy and needs another dye but it's passable for now.

On hold

Life seems to be 'on hold' at the moment.  We can't see the grandkids or go to the beach house or see Stu's father.  I can't go shopping.  I can go for a walk and go to the supermarket... oh the joy, not.

I ordered a brand new iPhone over two weeks ago from Noel Leeming for F's birthday and it has been lost by the courier.  There is no trace of it since pickup and I've been phoning and emailing both NZ Post and Noel Leeming for the last week to get a replacement.   Today I will resume the process and hopefully get a new one this week.  If anyone has ever tried phoning a company like Noel Leeming then forget it.  You get the 'press 1' or 'press 2' message and then it says basically thanks for calling and hangs up! I finally found a way to navigate the numbers last week to actually speak to someone but won't even attempt that today, online chat will have to do.

I have made a start of the boys' photo albums for Christmas.  It's a massive job.  I first have to get all the photos together, sort them and then decide on the order and how to place them in the album.  I use the website "Kroma" for this... no reason, it's just the one I use and they have really good specials.  You can have the albums made up and then take advantage of specials when you want to get them printed. 

My daughter is going crazy with lockdown.  Schooling the boys is just not happening and I think she stays in her room most of the time (where her office is).  The boys seem to just do their own thing but I worry for the puppy as I really don't think he's getting the training and proper attention he needs.  It all comes down to my daughter for that, everyone else is too busy or can't be bothered. Her husband is in a world of pain with his company -- they can't get staff due to restrictions coming into the country and they just lost a major client.  Her is very stressed and I wonder if it's all worth it.  BUT I just need to ignore it all otherwise it upsets me.

Then there is F's girlfriend.  Yep, her.  We are in total lockdown in Auckland and yes, I feel for her as she is on her own which must be incredibly hard.  Her mother works (she is a nurse) so the girlfriend must be very lonely.  She gave F an ultimatum the other day to see her or break up.  Um, no... he can't see her without breaking the law.  He was in tears over it poor boy.  If and it's a BIG IF... she was friendly and nice my daughter would let her come and stay with them and join their bubble (she is double vaccinated and clear of covid).  Again, not my circus, not my monkeys -- I need to distance myself from the family issues.

On a positive note, Cole Facetimes us often and we get to chat to both him and Charlie.  

Stu's uncle over in Whitianga is dying.  He's had cancer for quite awhile but is not long for this world... days probably.  His kids have had special permission to leave Auckland to be with him but we won't be able to go to his funeral or anything.  We have offered the use of our beach house for any family who need accommodation over there but I think they are sorted.  Stu's Dad lives practically next door so he's been going over there with scones and food etc.  

Speaking of Stu's Dad, his eyesight is slightly improved with the treatment he is getting.  He'll never drive again but the latest scan showed improvement and he feels it's a bit better too so that's wonderful news.  He is always positive and cheerful, just glad to be alive.

I think I've rambled enough for one day.

~ Lynda 

More new stuff :)

The bed arrived and I'm very happy to report that we love it!  When it was described as 'plush' I was worried that it would be too soft but it's actually firm with a soft overlay which makes it just right.  I'm so relieved because I would never usually buy a bed without trying it!  I'm glad we dealt with a specialist bed shop though because the owner was very helpful in advising me.

One excellent thing about the bed being delivered yesterday... I got to measure the delivery truck and found it was the same size as our motorhome and they had no trouble getting it down our driveway!  So now we know we can store it on our property which will be fantastic. We need to take a fence down and extend the driveway but it's all worth it to have the motorhome on site.  Clearly we won't be selling here anytime soon now either.

The new (replacement) coffee table arrived along with the new side table and mat.  I got to change my lounge completely in one day!  I had tried to change the order last week before it was sent (when I realised I wanted different tones) but it was too late.  It's not entirely ideal but we are really liking the lighter feel to the lounge.  The furniture is cheap so no matter if we decide to change it at a later date.

The rug is made of jute and is actually better than I thought it would be.  Our old rug was horrible so are glad to be rid of it.  I'm not usually one to mix dark and light woods but I will be putting more white around the room after lockdown to merge it all a bit more.  For now we are pretty happy as we didn't want to get rid of all our older furniture.

I've also ordered a new quilt cover for our bed and also a new headboard to make it all look more modern.  The wooden headboard we had has gone into the spare room as that bed never had one!

Lockdown for us is going OK but it's really hard for the all the kids.  My daughter is going crazy locked up with the 'zoo' that is the three kids, a husband who works full time in one of the bedrooms, two cats and a dog.  She can't wait to be able to drop the boys off to us and go back to work (which she will do in level 3 when we get there).

Obviously not much more to report when locked up at home!

~ Lynda

The headboard I have ordered

The lounge now, I need more plants and decor stuff but that will all have to wait.

And the other angle - I'm sure not to everyone's taste but that's OK.

Our new bed... it's wonderful -- I'm happy to get rid of that headboard too!

New Bed

I am so excited!  I have ordered a new bed and it arrives tomorrow -- contactless delivery and they are taking away the old bed.  I had a long chat with a man with 40 years experience selling beds from a very reputable bed shop and had to choose one from available stock.  I'm pretty excited with my choice and know it will be amazing.  It's pocket spring, NZ made, side support and plush top.  They didn't have the medium top but after chatting I'm happy with the plush.  He said the actual spring system etc is very supportive.  

Worst case scenario if it's not exactly what we want down the track we can replace the spare bed with this.  I'm so excited to have a comfortable bed, I know it will improve both my sleep quality and ability to fall asleep.

I would never in a million years think I'd order a bed online but needs must.  Even if we go to level 3 lockdown next week I still won't be able to try a bed out.

We are eating pretty darn well this lockdown! Every night I seem to conjure up a yummy dinner.  Last night was curried sausages with mash and vegetables.  The night before was red Thai chicken and vegetable curry with cauliflower rice.  Other meals have been chicken salad, meatloaf and even an old favourite... Oakhill Potatoes.  That's a recipe I hadn't made for over 20 years at least!  It was a matter of what's in the fridge that I can use and we had bacon, eggs, potato, milk and cheese.  Oakhill Potatoes is basically chopped hard boiled egg, cooked potato and fried bacon and onion covered in a cheese sauce topped with breadcrumbs mixed with butter and baked in the oven.   Stu was in heaven, all his favourite foods in one dish.  

Tonight I'm making roast lamb with all the trimmings. Lockdown food is going well :)

I still haven't received the missing courier package and have both the retailer and the courier company looking for it.  It's been ten days now for what was supposed to be an overnight delivery -- hopefully another will be sent or something will be sorted soon.  

I am now making a start on the kids photo albums for Christmas.  There will be a few more photos to add but getting the bulk of them done will be fantastic, I really don't enjoy it but the boys LOVE their photo albums each year.

~ Lynda

One thing after another

An item I ordered over a week ago has gone missing with the courier and it should have arrived last week at the latest, even with courier delays due to lockdown.  It was a new mobile phone for F's birthday.  It is showing as collected from Noel Leeming (company I bought it from) but nothing more.  No 'scanned at depot' or 'out with driver for delivery'... nothing.  It took me absolutely ages to get an actual human on the phone to query this -- it was round and round with 'press 4' or 'press 3' etc etc only to get cut off or sent back to the original message.  Anyway that is now being investigated so hopefully there will be a good outcome.

Then, of course, we are still in level 4 lockdown while the rest of the country basically gets its freedom today.  The Prime Minister will announce the new restrictions later today but it's looking very likely the level will drop -- just not for us as we still have covid cases in the community.

Then... and this is a BIG then... our bloody bed broke today. Stu's side had the springs collapsed.  Yes, we needed a new bed anyway but had been putting it off.  Luckily we have a spare bed in the guest bedroom so we've swapped that mattress over for now and put our memory foam topper pad on so it will feel much like the old mattress.  There is no way I'm buying a new bed without trying it first so ordering one while in lockdown simply won't happen, I'm way too fussy about what I sleep on.  It could be ages before shops open for this in Auckland so I hope we'll manage in the meantime.

I had a brilliant walk today and was absolutely buggered when I got home (for my overseas friends 'buggered' is slang here for exhausted, tired etc but also useless, broken, etc.). I walked 8 kms but it was uphill half the way and I went right to the top of One Tree Hill, around the park and back home.  I haven't done that walk for a very long time, probably nearly two years due to my knee problem.  I'm enjoying getting fitter and being able to walk further.

Yesterday I took some more baking around to the boys and they gave Stu a father's day present (for being their Poppa).  We just chatted at a distance on the driveway so hopefully no covid laws were broken.

Grocery pickups and deliveries have started again (thank goodness) so I won't have to go into a supermarket until this is all over.  I have a delivery arriving tomorrow :)

That's my lot for today.  I'll leave you with photos of today's walk.

~ Lynda

Baby lambs were everywhere at the park

A black sheep and her baby lamb

On my way up to the very top

The view of Rangitoto Island and Auckland from the top

And the view the other way.  My home is down there somewhere!

Mask off for the photo.  I wore it whenever there were people around but took it off when I didn't need it.

Cows and their baby calves

The daffodils are out so it must be Spring!

Walking through the Kauri tree grove

Tiny newborn lambs (hard to see, they are the tiny white things. One on the left and one on the extreme right.  The large sheep are the Mums)  There is also a newborn calf right at the back lying on some hay.

Another Terror Attack

Well as if being in a level 4 lockdown wasn't enough, yesterday a Lone Wolf Isis idiot decided to attack innocent people in a local supermarket.  Many of you will have seen this on the news.  This was at the shopping mall where F hangs out with his friends but not in my area.  

The terrorist attacker was an Isis supporter and had been charged with every law available to the NZ courts and had recently been released from jail (he had not carried out an attack yet, just suspected of planning one so couldn't be held any longer).  He was followed 24/7 by undercover police.  He went into the supermarket, took a big knife off the shelf and stabbed 6 people.  Three of these are in a critical condition and the other three are stable.  Hopefully no one will die but the good news is the police were there within 60 seconds and shot him dead.  Clearly if they'd not been close by, the toll would have been much higher.

One plus to all of this that's not been mentioned, he did not have a gun. If he'd had access to a firearm you can bet the carnage would have been horrific.  Also because he was under close police surveillance he would not have been able to assemble a bomb.  

Not a sight you see everyday, armed police in the aftermath of the stabbing.

I can't imagine how scary that situation would have been and how frustrating for the Government and Police who knew of his intentions but had their hands tied by our lack of laws surrounding this.  I'd be surprised if our laws are not changed so that anyone seen to be planning attacks like this are jailed before it happens!  Oh, he was not a New Zealander but a Sri Lankan national, why was he not deported before? Lots of questions to be answered.

Yesterday our community covid case numbers dropped substantially to only 28 which is certainly going in the right direction.  We are not out of the woods yet but it would be amazing to squash this outbreak to give the country more time to vaccinate as many as possible.

OK, off for a walk soon.  It's a glorious day out there!

~ Lynda

Frustration

I/we are feeling so frustrated by all of this.  We can't get courier deliveries because the service is so totally overrun and urgent orders (medical etc) are being prioritised.  We can't get any groceries either delivered or from click and collect.  We can't buy anything except at the supermarket or the few little outlets also open like dairies.  This is an extremely hard lockdown and while I know it's necessary for now, there it talk that it will go on for weeks.  Yes, the frustration is real.  

I can order goods from outside of Auckland because their lockdown level has gone down but I've been notified that the goods will take more than 10 working days to be delivered.  It really is a shit show.

There are still cases showing up who were infectious while in the community, heck I just saw the little shop right around the corner listed -- thankfully not one we have been to and also the supermarkets I shopped at have not been listed. 

So, on a positive note here are some things I am grateful for:  

My partner, Stu.  I am so glad to have someone here with me for this time and I really feel for those on their own. 

My grandkids and especially Cole who Facetimes us often to show us what he's up to.  

My son in Sydney who has finally been vaccinated (well one dose but better than nothing).

The fact that we have both been vaccinated.

The fact that most people here are acting responsibly and staying home.

I have loads of food in the house and have no worries about money.

We are all healthy.

Finally I am so grateful for fast internet, a great computer and all of my outside contacts (like you lovely readers).

I'm sure there is much more I am extremely grateful for but that's what springs to mind today. I feel for you all wherever you are in lockdown.  The world has been turned upside down and at the moment I don't see a way out.  

~ Lynda

Thursday update

Our case numbers have come down two days in a row now.  Today we had 49 new cases so it's looking promising but who knows what will happen.

Stu and I just went for a a lovely long walk... well over 6 kms according to my iPhone and we went all over the place.  It really is wonderful a) being able to walk again (since new knee) and b) walking when there's hardly anyone around (lockdown).  The bonus was fine warm weather and kind of being a tourist in our own town.  We took the time to look at the historic houses and buildings and generally seeing things you miss in the hustle and bustle of normal life.

On the way home we bought some perishables from the local dairy so no need to go near a supermarket for ages yet.  

Yesterday I cooked a delicious chocolate/coconut/weetbix slice for the boys and also a batch of cream filled chocolate eclairs.  I took them around to there place and swapped them for a load of clothing alterations my daughter wants done.  It's lovely to see the boys (at a distance).  Cole said to me "Nana, when did you realise that you loved to bake".  Um... I told him I don't love to bake and my daughter said "Nana bakes because she loves you".  Pretty cute and spot on :)

Cole is loving my old Macbook computer which we 'gave' him... it was really a loan but to be honest he loves it so much he can have it.  It's a perfectly good working Macbook but I just didn't like how the fan would go loud in it at times.  He is learning so much about computers on it, he's a little whizz.  Today he Facetimed Stu to help with a problem he was having and his understanding of how a computer works and how to operate it is amazing.  

Life in lockdown is really weird but other than shopping, life for me isn't too different.  I rather enjoy the peace and quiet of lockdown life but really sympathise with the businesses badly effected but it all.  

~ Lynda

Here is the slice I made, it is so good!  I don't keep any here, I take the entire batch to the boys.  The recipe is from two eBooks I bought called "The World's Easiest Recipes" by Linda Duncan.