Family
- I have a wonderful wife who loves me and looks after me 💕💚
- Old friends and family visited yesterday for afternoon tea and a fish and chip dinner 💕
- Children stayed for a wide ranging discussion that included ‘How long could you survive by yourself on a desert island?’, to son talking about IT qualifications he’s doing for his post-construction job
- More old friends coming to a 1970s themed dinner tonight — salmon mousse and cheese fondue
- New line of cancer treatment might be showing signs of positive response (early days but fingers crossed 🤞😷
- Dedicated Dharma teachers who guide me on a spiritual path that is meaningful to me🙏🕉️
- Inspiring people on social media and in real life communities who are trying to make the world a better place — it doesn’t always feel like it, but there are a lot of us
- Knowing that most people are essentially good and want the best for everyone
How many bags?
After teasing me for years about how many bags and satchels I own, my wife has decided my old black messenger bag is her new favourite. I agree it’s a great bag and used to be my favourite. Now, I don’t think I’m ever going to get it back.
Kids on OE in the UK doing well
Our son and daughter-in-law are now back in England after their month-long bus tour through the Continent and are settling into their new flat. The DIL has even got a job on CNN’s 5 Things podcast.
She’s been very lucky to land on her feet so quickly. We always thought she would as she’s very talented and hard-working, and has been strategic in her work here in NZ, to work in a variety of roles and programmes to get a range of experience in public radio and news.
If anyone knows of a job for a talented videographer and news camera operator in the London region, our son would love to hear from them! Angus Dreaver’s show reel
My poor wife has lost her voice. She’s had a cough for a couple of days — probably hay fever — as I haven’t caught anything from her. Last night she went to a book launch in town and all she has now is a hoarse rasp to communicate in. Fortunately, she doesn’t have any online meetings today.
The family is all excited today. The father-in-law is getting his gong from the Governor General this afternoon.
He (Anthony Dreaver) was made a Member of the New Zealand order of Merit in the New Years honours list for his work in local history, especially around Kāpiti. This involves endless committee meetings, but he has written several books and lots of journal articles.
Everyone is very proud of him and happy he has this recognition.
Great news from our children travelling in Europe. Our daughter-in-law (the journalist) has just picked up a 3-month contract at CNN, based in London. We don’t know many of the details apart from it being in their digital team, and she might get to do some presenting, which she is good at.
Hopefully, by December they will have realised how good she is and offered her a permanent role.
Happy birthday to our youngest child. He and his wife are currently on a bus tour through part of Europe with a bunch of Aussies. They seem to be having a great fime, and I think he got more than one birthday party.
Currently in Venice.
My father’s bible given to him by the Kelso Presbyterian Church after he enlisted in the Army in World War 2, and went into basic training.
The referenced verse, 11 Timothy 2:3, says “Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Christ.”
We have another, more battered brown copy, which I think Dad carried with him and got more use.
Visit to Wellington Botanical Gardens
It was such a beautiful day, that my wife, mother-in-law and I decided to go to the Wellington Botanical Gardens. It was the first time I had been there in at least a couple of years. Hardly any wind, full sun, and no crowds. A great day!
No scavengers in the house
We do love our dog, but sometimes it is nice to not have her hanging around scavenging when you are eating lunch.
She’s currently next door keeping our sick daughter company. She’s very good at that.
Gratitude
Lying in bed thinking of some of the things I can be grateful for:
Kate’s off on her second run in as many days, after a very long time not doing much exercise. Very proud of her getting back into it. She enjoys it and feels much better being fit.
Good for her!
Winnie in the garden
🐕Our dog on her early morning toilet visit to the garden. She loves to explore the space around the house. She is called ‘Winnie’ after my wife’s grandmother and is a Jack Russel Terrier, with all the energy and naughtiness that brings! She is currently trying to get the last of the porridge from my wife’s breakfast bowl.
Kids off to Singapore
Travel update: son and daughter-in-law have left Noosa and are on the plane to Singapore, en route to UK. We are expecting to see lots of photos of their market excursions there. Haven’t been there myself, but if it is like Hong Kong (minus the whole police state business) I’m sure it will be a great visit.
Unfortunately our daughter is still in hospital and can’t easily pass on food and market advice from her flatmate who lived there for several years while her father was on a defence posting.
Keeping the health system busy
Our family is persisting in making sure the health system is keeping busy. I had to get one of my regular blood tests today, and when we got home, we discovered our daughter, who lives next door, had been referred to the main hospital ED today by her GP for them to check out a bleeding stomach ulcer. Probably caused by taking anti-inflammatories for her endometriosis. So my wife had to drive her into town, muttering, “I’m truly sick of that place.” Good result, though. The daughter has been admitted overnight and will be seen by the gastrointestinal team tomorrow.
Also, one of our nieces fell off her bike this morning and needed the paramedics to clean up a nasty graze and bruise on her knee. She also has two chipped teeth – harder (and more expensive) to fix than a scrape and bruise! Very grateful she was wearing her helmet.
Choosing who you want in your family
The big OE
It’s the second-to-last day of our son and daughter-in-law’s stay at our place before they head off to the UK on Tuesday for their big OE. Last-minute selling of their car, cameras, and sound recording gear. And confusion about how to pack the bags. Will everything fit?
Everyone is feeling a mixture of excitement and sadness.