HOSPICE VOLUNTEERING

SUNDAY CATCH UP

On Sunday I caught up with my old school friend Tracey who is now the Cook at the Hospice (My Sister Brenda was for 10 or so years).  The other Vollie I worked with was a girl I already knew, I used to work with her years ago and her Mum at the Police Station.

Us girls were far too noisy, laughing and giving each other cheek, just the way the patients would want it. It was really hot in the kitchen there preparing the patients lunch, I went outside and picked some flowers (camelias) to put on their trays, I know Mum loved those wee flowers when she was there.   I love giving the morning teas out in the vintage cups and saucers, the ladies in particular love these, all mismatched, but very charming.

When we finished I staggered to the car with a heavy pig bucket full of scraps for our Kuni – Kuni pet pig, ‘ Teddy’, named after my father who died a few years ago… he wouldn’t be impressed lol.  Teddy is ugly but cute at the same time.  He was very happy with Breakfast, lunch and desert all rolled into one slop. He gobbled it down in no time.

I remembered my camera this time to add some photos of the Knitgraffiti   (is that what it is called?)  on the cabbage trees at the bottom of the famous Baldwin Street opposite the Hospice.  Baldwin Street of course is the Steepest Street in the World.   I am going to wrap one of our cabbage trees (a New Zealand Icon) up our driveway with the same, I have been wanting to make a start on doing this for ages, probably a year. 😦  I better get these knitted socks finished first … god they are soooooooo hard … the needles are too small and the wool too fine.  I am having problems with the pattern, IT IS me though, not understanding it.  I will ask someone for help, I have knitted too much to throw it away in a corner unfinished.

I have put the last picture on twice as I like it so much.

Time to go to work.

 

 

SATURDAY’s DAY AND NIGHT

WALKING MY NEW SHOES IN

It looks like it may be another sunny day here in Dunners today.  Sun makes everyone feel happier.

I’m feeling a little jaded after attending two meetings in a row last night. I left home at 430pm after madly preparing tea for the other two (I have to go without and skip meals when too full ) arriving home at 1030pm.  One of the meetings was my Coeliac Society Group, we had two of the Hospital Dietitians speaking there.  It was very interesting and confusing too about the new procedures that are to be brought out soon when manufacturers label the food items for the shelf.  There is huge debates going on in NZ at the moment as they will have the choice of using the Wheat cross grain logo on it’s own – this will now only mean Low Gluten, or use the logo and have the words written Gluten Free underneath.  It does not make sense.  Why would you buy the Low Gluten products, especially if you have Coeliac Disease?   Gluten is poison to our systems, it is a medical condition.  The people that are on fabs, trends going Gluten or Wheat Free do not make it easier for us Coeliacs, even the Dietitians said that last night.  It will be very confusing when examining and buying Gluten Free products soon.   What we are told is ‘If in doubt, leave it out’.   There is no way I would have low gluten products in my stomach.  The Dietitians was hammered with questions, they were very good and are a little confused too. A worthwhile meeting.

Anyway, Saturday was good, I went to Guitar lessons, we were told we have another concert coming up soon for the end of year, the song we have to learn is ‘Yellow Submarine’ and we have to dress up in Yellow!

I went for a 2 1/2 hour walk with a friend in the afternoon, deciding to wear my new shoes I brought in Auckland.  We got caught in the down pour on the way back, my wet feet added to the rubbing of one of my heels.  I came home limping and with a huge blister.  I should not have tried to wear them in on such a huge walk.

Saturday night – After speedily showering and getting dressed into a costume (wearing 99% of my Normal clothes) to wear to my Harriers Group end of year meal/breakup Colin and I hopped on the bus.  It was a good night.  We had no idea where we were going, ended up being at a restaurant in Port Chalmers.  There was a huge crowd, mostly walkers.  I was impressed with the amount of people that made the effort and dressed up. … me being one of them.

I had lots of comments on my red coat I modified after not wanting to pay $800 for a similar Trelise Cooper designer one.  I was a mix of Pirates of the Caribbean and Adam Ant (so I was told).  I take that as a compliment as I love Adam Ant, we have some of his music CDs.  To my surprise I won one of two prizes for the best dressed.  Favourite chocolates.  I took out the plain chocolate ones I could eat, I stashed them in my bag for later when I munched them in bed.  🙂 I shared the rest with my table of fellow walking friends.  They were happy.  The meal was a bit average, but the company superb.

LOTS OF POSTS TO COME THIS WEEK

PRETTY YELLOW ROSE

I think I will have to add many posts this week.  I had such a busy and eventful weekend.

This rose I pinched from our Friday visit to the Rest Home to see my old work mate, Murray.  I love yellow roses.  After visiting the ever so gentle and lovely natured Murray, I spotted this standard yellow rose bush outside the main doors at the Rest Home.  My Boss was horrified that I was going to steal one.  He kept walking 🙂

I had to have it in a vase at home to remind me of Murray all weekend.  I must say I did gain a bit of a prick while taking it. That will teach me!

I have it on my Grandma’s rimu table that Colin did up years ago, you can also see my collections – the green depression glass, my Grandma’s radio (I listened to this radio when I stayed at her house when we were kid).  Also collecting dust on her table is some of her old cutlery that I inherited when my Mum died.  A lot of it has bone handles. I can’t see the point in having nice things shut away in a box, I like them on display for all to see.

Murray was surprised and delighted to see us both.  He choked and got quite emotional when we left.  I helped him turn some pages over in a wildlife magazine.  We chatted about our children, work etc… Murray couldn’t speak back, but certainly gave us the eyebrows up or down. I gave him a bit of cheek.   It was the highlight of my day, and I know he would have loved it too.    I will go back sooner rather than later.

I will post again soon  🙂

 

ALMOST FRIDAY

SHORT WEEK, BUSY WEEKEND TO COME

Only four days at work this week, but it seems like the working week is never going to end.

I’m looking forward to the weekend. Saturday- I have guitar lessons, then a walk with a friend, as my Harriers Club has finished for the season.  Harriers friends will meet & do a walk every other Saturday over the summer months. These walks are normally for longer and more interesting, often seeing new Dunedin sights or thru paddocks etc.

Colin and I have my Harriers break up end of season Party on Saturday night. It is a mystery bus tour, dress ups if you wish.  It is a Nautical theme, I have decided to make an effort, I will find something to wear.  Colin won’t dress up, he can’t be bothered.

I hope we won’t be out too late though, as I am volunteering at The Hospice on Sunday and have to be up early, it will be about six hours work there, mainly in the kitchen with the meal preparation and dishes.  I especially love seeing and chatting to the patients and giving them a cuppa for morning tea.  That is the best bit I love.   I have been looking forward to it all week.  It is such a lovely place to be, very family like rather than a hospital setting.  Everyone is so friendly and loving.  My Mum loved staying there before she died.  She was there for three weeks and thought she was ‘the bees knees’.  My Sister Bren was the Cook there at the time, so made her special meals, and run around after her.  She so deserved it 2.  Brenda was such a great asset to The Hospice, she was well liked there. Brenda worked there for around ten years until she recently moved to Aussie.   mumble mumble.  If you are reading this Buggalugs, I miss you… 🙂 xoxo

Also on Sunday is my Wedding Anniversary, Colin and I have been married 23 years.  Bloody hell, that must mean we are getting old.  I have a special gift for him, I got it yesterday, I will take a photo later, to show you, just incase he reads this before I give it.   I hope we go out for tea on Sunday night to celebrate and he at least buys me chocolate.

Tomorrow my Boss at work and I are going to visit a chap, Murray who use to work with us.  I visited him not so long ago by myself, Bob has not seen him yet since his accident.  He is in a retirement home here in Andersons Bay.  He is in his late 60’s but was still working part time at work as an Electronics Technician.  Very clever and fit chap.  He loved walking like me.

He had an accident while putting up or altering a TV aerial on the roof of his Daughter’s house.  He slipped on the ladder and fell,hitting his head on the way down.  It caused brain damage, he is no longer mobile but gaining a bit of coordination back.  He can’t talk due to a tube down his throat.   It is so sad.  Murray is such a lovely chap.  His wife used to work with my Mum, they are both in heaven together now.  They both died at 60.   I think Bob needs company to see Murray, I will happily oblige, and can’t wait to see him tomorrow during the day.  Just as well we don’t know our future.  I hear Murray is a happy Grandad of a baby boy, he is able to hold the wee fella in a sling and kiss him on the head.

Last time I visited Murray, I placed my hand on top of his, and gave him a bit of cheek when I was saying goodbye.  He moved his hand and placed it on top of mine.  I know that he knew I was there.  Now, months later, his daughter tells us by email that he has come ahead in leaps and bounds.

I will give him more cheek tomorrow, I know he will like that.

Shit it is windy today, time to finish the housework and put more clothes on.  Ta ta.  I will add one photo from my recent trip to Auckland.

OTUREHUA OUTING WITH OUR VOLKSWAGON CLUB

GREAT DAY OUT

Today Colin and I went for a car run with our VW car club we have been members of for many years.  We left early, had a bit of a glitch not far from the meeting place of Outram with the car pinking and back firing.  We nearly pulled the plug on the event and turned around to come home, as we needed to be back in town for a late pick up of three Dunedinites that had been up in Auckland for a few days (one of which was our 18yr old daughter).  We would not be popular with her if we didn’t get to the airport for the arrival home of their flight.  Colin is on his way out there now, even after about 5 hours driving up to Oturehua.  I wonder if the girl loved Auckland as much as I did.  I hope she brought me a pressie?  I won’t hold my breath.  As long as she and her friend (and Mum) had fun, I don’t really care about a present.

Anyway, Colin and the kind members of our club fiddled with the carbs and away she went.. we had our days outing.

The mountains were covered in snow, and in between a few trickles of rain drops and fleeting pieces of snow while we had lunch at the Oturehua Pub, the weather was pretty kind.  You could feel the coldness in the air when the  car window was slightly down.

Between the owners of the Golfs and us Beetle drivers, we played ‘cat and mouse’, weaving in and out passing each other with lots of gibbing and smiling.  Some of the newer, younger members of the club flew past us in their Golfs, but we showed them.  The mighty Beetles win the race.   Pretty high speeds were obtained, all legal speed limits of course! … Yeah sure.   Us older crew have never grown up I guess.  We stopped for Coffee on the way up at the Kissing Gate Cafe in Middlemarch.  Great service there by smiley staff.  The hottest coffee I’ve had too 🙂

Colin and I had some old fashioned Black Ball lollies to eat on the way while listening to our new CD – AnikaBohHollie.

We enjoyed a delightful ‘chit chat’ with like minded VW nuts at the Oturehua Pub while munching on our late lunch.  They even catered for me – I had a nice Gluten Free Ham & Cheese toasted sandwich.  … I wouldn’t mind another one right now.

We skipped across the road to the Oturehua Store for a look, some brought more food.  Margaret and I were quite amused with a plague for sale , I had to write it down for both of us.  I may have brought it, but the plaque was not really my taste – too girly and country like.

“Never let a man’s mind wander, It’s far too small to be let out by itself”  

It made us giggle and the men muttered under their breaths.

We cruised back to Dunedin admiring the Ida Valley and scenery.

We hear they had rain and hail here  in Dunedin off and on all day.

So we had a good day out for Labour Day, back to work tomorrow 😦      At least it will only be a four day week 🙂

Next weekend is a bus trip with my Harriers Club, a mystery one and fancy dress if you wish.  I will have to think on that note, I somehow doubt that Colin will dress up.  It is the end of the season for my Harriers Club, it should be a good night out.  We don’t normally go out that much, preferring day trips, we aren’t big Nightclub/Pub goers, but this bus trip will be fun wherever they take us.

I’ll finish with a few photos of the Beetle Colin made for us, we’ve had it around 10 years now, he did a roof chop, modified back, and suicide doors.

Good night and HANG LOOSE 🙂