Away again

We are off away again in our motorhome for nearly two weeks all going well.  We decided to head to the far north again but have no fixed plans.  We are currently at a stunning place called Matauri Bay... a place we have never been before.

My daughter called today and by the end of the call I was so wound up that I'm glad we are at a place where I can just relax.  She said her car needed some major work done which will cost $6,000.  Then she proceeded to tell me that Charlie is struggling with maths but won't let people help him.  I told her to take his damn devices off him until he does the appropriate homework and lets people help him.

Then there is F who has gone rather 'strange' lately.  He has been heavily influenced by several online podcasts and influencers.  It is very worrying and he now believes he is 'ascending' and talks about very airy fairy stuff and believes you can control everything with your brain.  Great, we like positive thought but he is now apparently looking down on his family and saying some unkind things.  It really is a dreadful worry for my daughter.  Bloody online shit. We really don't know what the outcome will.

I'm now in de-stressing mode.  I'm having a knee replacement in about three weeks but am worried that it's not bad enough yet.  The last couple of weeks it hasn't seemed as bad but I know my knee is fu*ked, it's been giving me terrible trouble now for nearly a year.  I think I'm just in denial because I'm scared of the operation!

Anyway, happy days (other than family stuff) :)

~ Lynda

Matauri Bay.

New Knee

I went to see the specialist yesterday and yes, he said a knee replacement is needed.  He didn't say right now, rather it was up to me when I felt it was the time. He showed us the x-ray and there is no cartilage on one side of my knee, basically just like it was when I had my other knee done back in 2020.

I think I always knew I'd need my other knee done but lately it has definitely been more of an issue.  There are so many things I can't do that I should be able to do.  I'm 70 soon so don't want to put off such a big operation any longer. I'm now booked in for 17 June to get it done.  I could have booked sooner but Stu's Dad is having his big 90th birthday party on the 14 June and we'll have to be there for that.

I hope my outcome is as good as my first knee replacement, I was back to nearly normal very quickly but I'm 6 years older now.  Thank goodness for still having private health insurance, it's expensive but still so worth it.  After this, the surgeon said I should have a pelvis scan because I also have pain there.  Old age arthritis is a bitch. I'll be like the six million dollar man, completely rebuilt! 

We have Charlie staying here for two nights and he is just such a delight.  I'm sure well see the other boys over the weekend as well and I had a nice long chat to my daughter when I picked up Charlie.  All is reasonably well with everyone which is good.

~ Lynda

 

My blogs

It occurred to me that I only update about once a week on here.  Just so you know, I mainly blog to keep a 'diary' of my life and also to vent at times.  I love that I have loyal readers out there who comment and care.  If you guys weren't there it would be a lonely blog for sure!

When we travel I mostly update the motorhome blog or our overseas travel blog. Those blogs are for two reasons—I love to keep an accurate diary of our travels and record where and when we have been somewhere.  The other reason is for Stu's father who loves reading the motorhome blog... and for those of you who follow along.

As you can see my personal life just ticks along with no massive dramas and we like it that way. Our main focus going forward will be health issues and housing.  We are both really wanting to look at a 'lock and leave' type situation in the future and it seems the only option for that is a retirement village. Stu is just too young for that but I'm certainly in the right age group!

We did go and look through a fabulous one the other day and had the entire tour.  It was very, very impressive.  We are not looking at this now, maybe in the future though.  I like the idea of more community around me, company... activities and friendship. Most places we have looked at have motorhome parking so you can carry on that activity.  We are very aware of the downsides of these places and that is the main reason for massive caution. 

If only there was an alternative?  Ideally a lovely new home where exterior maintenance is taken care of in a secure development with friendly neighbours who are older but not a retirement complex! We'll keep looking and trying to figure out our future.  At the moment the grandsons don't want us going anywhere, they love us being close... bless their hearts :)

I have a specialist appointment tomorrow with my knee surgeon who will tell me whether I need a knee replacement on my other knee.  I can walk OK (mainly when I've taken ibuprofen) but it's the putting weight on my knee when I stand up from sitting.  The pain seems to come and go as well and sometimes it gets quite bad. The x-ray I had done recently showed deterioration so I'll see how I go tomorrow and check back in here.

Anyway, that's me for now.  We've had 6 lovely nights away and off home today.

~ Lynda

For those of you who don't follow our motorhome blog, here's a few photos of our week away.

On the lovely 6 km walk around Lake Ngaroto near Te Awamutu.

Lake Ngaroto, late afternoon.  Still gorgeous and warm for this time of year.

It's a hard life :)

Ray's Rest, one of our favourite freedom camping spots.

The sunsets here are gorgeous.

My week so far

We made a spur of the moment decision last week to book the Split Enz show which was on Saturday night.  There were a few 're-sale' tickets on the official website for an otherwise booked out show.  I only found out about the show after a friend in Wellington went last week and loved it.  

We had an absolute blast at the show... I sang along to nearly every song but I was not alone.  I don't think I've ever been to a show where the entire audience sang along! It didn't spoil hearing the band because the sound system was so good.  It was an excellent night and we are so glad we went.

I went to the doctor on Friday about my knee which is now giving me more trouble and is getting worse.  I had an x-ray so am now just waiting for the results of that and probably a referral on to my knee doctor for possibly a second knee replacement. 

We now have Stu's Dad here staying for a couple of nights while he is visiting friends in the area.  Thankfully I don't have to go out and about with him and Stu during the day because I think I'd go crazy. Yes, I know he's an old man and yes, I realise that he likes to talk but holy mother of God, no human has ever talked as much as this man.  Seriously, he can literally talk non-stop the entire time.  He even talked while eating his dinner in between every mouthful, no one else ever gets a word in.  

Stu tried putting a TV program on that he would enjoy but no, he kept talking right up until he went to bed.  I, on the other hand, ducked off to bed early.  I have very limited patience for someone talking about themselves and what they have done all day and night.  I'm sorry if I sound unkind, I know he is Stu's father but it's very hard to take. On a positive side he hasn't been making fun of me or calling me names.  For that I am grateful but I am still keeping my distance from him as much as is possible without being too rude.

I had a lovely mother's day at my daughter's place.  Her husband cooked a lovely meal and my grandson (F) drove us to that we could enjoy a drink or two :) My son contacted me as well to wish me happy Mother's Day—we also organised that he'd come up for my 70th birthday in August for a family lunch out.  

As soon as the FIL goes (Stu has to drive him back to Whitianga on Wednesday) we will hit the road again for another couple of weeks away... we can't wait!

The oldies at Split Enz.

During one song there was a spontaneous lighting of phone torches around the entire arena... it was just lovely. 

Split Enz, that's Neil Finn singing... he is a legend.

Mother's day.  Look at my 'baby' grandson F, he sure has outgrown his Poppa.  Look at Stu, he just loves him so much and is so proud of him.

This and that

It's been a week of ticking off jobs.  The motorhome has a new warrant of fitness, it's in with the dealership getting all the other bits and bobs checked out and hopefully we can pick it up today or tomorrow. 

I have a doctor's appointment tomorrow for my knee.  I've had pain for ages now and at my last visit the doctor thought it was my hamstring or something as the pain was below the back of my knee.  Now the pain is all around and I am having great difficulty when I try to stand.  I have to gradually put the weight on my leg before I can walk so I suspect another knee replacement might be needed. I'm quietly terrified of that but need to be able to walk. 

I've probably not mentioned before but I love to do the daily New York Times quizzes.  I always do the PIPs, the Connections, the Letter Boxed and the Mini and Midi crosswords.  My favourite would be Connections though and I've been determined lately to complete the 100 in a row.  I finally did this today which is no mean feat given that some of them are very difficult and really make me think! Now that I've achieved that goal, I won't be so obsessive about doing it every day!

Last night Stu and I went to our local community theatre to see 'Murder on the Nile".  What fabulous actors and staging they do for a amateur group.  They audition for actors from all across the city and last night's group were amazing. The lead actor was as good as any I've seen.  These shows run for two weeks at a time and always have a full house. There is free tea, coffee and biscuits in the interval and wine and icecream to purchase.  It seems to becoming a regular outing for us!

It's mother's day on Sunday and we are off to my daughter's place.  Then on Monday Stu will go over to get his father who will stay with us for two nights (oh the joy) and then, after Stu takes him back home on Wednesday, we will be off for a couple of weeks in the motorhome.  We are really looking forward to that!

~ Lynda

Last night's show, it was very good!

My '100-Day Streak' badge.  To get this I had to get the puzzle correct for 100 days in a row!

Dog duty is done

This morning my daughter's family arrived back home and we took Duke back to them.  He was very excited to see them and while he's been a really good dog for us we were happy to take him back.  

We found it to be quite a bind having him because we couldn't go out together.  When he was left he'd scratch on the doors and he has very sharp claws.  I didn't fancy having my doors damaged!  This meant that only one of us could go out at a time unless we were taking him too (for a walk). 

My daughter had a great holiday but the boys were little shits a lot of the time.  They went feral and were very rude and downright embarrassing at times.  I won't go into details but needless to say they won't be doing a full family holiday again.  I'm pretty sure my daughter and her husband will go back to Bali though (on their own).

This week Stu is taking the motorhome to the dealer for a few annual checks etc.  We are also going to the local theatre on Wednesday to see "Murder on the Nile".  We really enjoy the local theatre company's productions and it's always fun to have a night out.

The following week Stu will be getting his father who will be staying with us for two nights. That will be interesting to say the least.  To be fair he has been kinder to me lately but I know I won't be able to sit through hours and hours of his endless stories.  Stu seems to cope a little better with that.

After that we will be off again in the motorhome... we can't wait!! We are not sure where we will go... north or south?  We really can't decide. 

~ Lynda

Look at this spoilt dog.  He is very affectionate.

And... jumping on me in bed, very helpful Duke.

At night time he'd come into the bedroom but wouldn't hop onto the bed until I said he could (good dog).  Instead he'd jump up and down like a meerkat looking at me until he got permission.