DECEMBER

Harry is getting better and helped to prepare dinner - not very enthusiastically, but after a long day at work I wanted some company!!  After three weeks convalescing he is back at work part time and enjoying the company of work colleagues and the christmas barbeques.  It is reroofing time at our place.  We got three quotes and am very pleased with the company we chose.  One sent us a quote 4 weeks after coming to talk to us (we decided he wasn't interested), another wrote a large $$ amount on a scrap of paper and said that was the quote - that's it take it or leave it. If they do want the business perhaps they shouldn't pretend they do.  Roof Wellington was chosen - and they have managed the asbestos removal (asbestos in the tar that glues the covering to the metal), the removal of the chimney and the new roof.  We are pleased with the result.  They even put in to long screws when the side gate came off its hinges!!

Last week the chimney came down a piece of plywood put on the top as a temporary cover.  The temporary cover wasn't much shelter against the 1000 strikes of lightening, thunder and torrential rain that hit the capital that weekend.  Wake up call on Sunday morning with sodden carpet and water pouring down the chimney.  I (the one on crutches pleaded he couldn't go out in the rain), found ice cream containers and then buckets to manage the deluge. Buckets were emptied regularly, carpet is dry and now all we have is a half demolished fire place (its hard work getting bricks off the wall using a kango hammer).

We also visited Harry's cousin in hospital.  Poor Toni is down from Hastings with a back injury.  Her mum is with her while the rest of the family is up north.  Toni has an amazing positive attitude which we can all learn from.  We met up with Sonny for coffee and then have visited Toni a few times.

Then it was Christmas. The family arrived from Cromwell and others arrived for Christmas day. Barbeques and presents for kids.  A relaxing and pleasant day. Walks around Mt Kaukau and along Mount Vic.