Tuesday 3 April 2018

And life goes on.....

Well the last month has been busy!!  With TOF in hospital for two and a half weeks my life carried on but it was way busier than normal.  With daily treks up to the hospital and sorting all sorts of things out for his return.  I was grateful to have work and so many lovely friends, and my two beautiful sons to keep my mind occupied and support me emotionally.  Then there was Oscar, Sheba, Big, Toebee and the girls.  They were the best companions when I was alone.  I was also blessed with a couple of my friends coming and staying with me, that was FUN!!!!

These two gave up waiting and looking out the window
for Dad after a few days.

My companions all lined up together every evening.

My gorgeous friend Lulu-belle (Louise) came to visit in the first week and stopped a night with me armed with delicious snacks for our dinner and French Champagne!!  I put flowers in her room from my garden and burned Vanilla Incense as my welcome.  We had a fabulous night filled with laughter, just what I needed.

The second week my darling friend Denise came and stayed.  We had booked to go to an evening with the very beautiful Rachel Hunter a while back so this was very well timed.  We had a quick walk in the Hamilton Gardens, followed by a nibble style dinner and then off to two hours with Rachel. It was an amazing evening which ended with us visiting our friend Vicki afterwards and getting home eventually at 1:30am the following morning.

The next day we spent the morning out at Raglan.  TOF was having his surgery so it was the perfect distraction from clock and phone watching.  We had Fish n Chips on the wharf and I took Denise to my favourite shops.  I want the two tea towels we found and laughed at in Zinnias.

The following week was busy with my youngest sons girlfriends Graduation lunch and with TOF being able to come home.  The balloon was accompanied with a bowl of fruit from my life long buddy Leonie who was back in the country and came to visit TOF in Hospital.  She also came and spent the evening with me bringing dinner with her.

I am so very grateful for the lovely friends that kept in touch during this time, that popped in to see how I was and you lovelies that sent your thought to me.  In times like this you really find out how much you mean to others.  My mother and both of my sisters not once contacted me which has saddened me but also made me realised that I obviously do not rank very highly in their thoughts or hearts.  I accept this and will just carry on, life is all about choices at the end of the day.

My new garden flourished and I added the wrought iron bed head I got ages ago, so I really do have a 'Flower Bed' now and I love it.  This is the garden Bumble was in.

I was given three new girls to add to the flock.  Mrs Black (was Blackie) and Kara and Kariki (previously nameless).  They came from Karakariki via a friend of a friend that I just happened to go to High School with all those years ago.  Pleased to say they have settled in well and laying eggs daily. 

Sheba took up modelling necklaces for me.

Toebee made a new friend
that stopped playing with him!

And these two blamed each other for
the mysterious exploding toy found on my bed!!


I had the odd window of opportunity to call into local op shops. The Fantail picture came from a Hospice and the small case came from Remains to be Scene.  The Frida Mermaid and colourful Bark cloth came from Trade Me. We all know a little bit of second hand retail therapy is good for the soul!!

These two continue to be BFF's and with the cooler weather on it's way the snuggling at night is now a happening thing!!

A visit to Dawn's place resulted in me purchasing
the best Angel candle/incense holder
with the cutest little boobs!!

A lone Monarch Caterpillar is
chomping it's way through the last of my Swan plant.

How beautiful are flowers?
Mother Nature rules.

Even the bugs in the garden are colourful.

New fabulous dress/tops.
The one on the left is my FAVOURITE!!

I have Amethyst on a bag of Nag Champa in my car,
protection and scent! 
 
And I have Toebee!
Nothing can be better than that.



 


15 comments:

Nancy J said...

When life has those tough moments and days, true friends reach out, and are there even when far away. The girls, felines, and more all look chirpy and happy, and your words are like a breath of summer breeziness, and having friends to stay, huge support from them would be such good company. Hoping TOF is doing well, NEVER to push a car, was what Hugh was told after his 2 heart attacks, one at home, one at hospital later that same day.The unseen can be so scary. Hang in there, each day will see progress, even if we are getting less sunlight. Let those hens do their little work each day too.XXX

Polyester Princess said...

It's good to know you've got lovely friends you can count on, even if your family doesn't. I know, as I've got a family like that too. I'm always calling my best friend "sister" as she is more of a sister to me than my real one. It's nice to have the support of your furry friends and the girls too. It really touched my heart seeing those two waiting for TOF to get home. xxx

Beth Waltz said...

Bless those friends who have been there for you, Sue! Be sure that you and TOF are also receiving sincere well-wishes and prayers from others around the world who have gladly shared your beautiful garden and now wish to "be there' when tough times have come. What wonderful finds and gifts. I'm sure TOF is "smiling inside" when he sees them.

kiwikid said...

So good to see you have wonderful friends who support you in tough times Sue...there is nothing worse than waiting at the hospital by yourself during an operation, so it was good to see you had a lovely distraction. I can understand what you are saying about your family as I have the same...as Polyester Princess says..I also have a friend who is a sister to me. Your garden looks beautiful, so good to have the animals for company. You find beautiful things at the op shops!! Best wishes to TOF on his recovery.

chris. said...

Hi Sue, great that you have such wonderful friends, your boys and those gorgeous animals to be there with you while tof was in hospital, hope he is doing well. Have to say it saddens me to know your mother and sisters are not the caring type, I miss my mum and sisters very much, but families can be a strange lot hey. Love the t towels, made me laugh.
omg I want that bed head, it looks fabulous in your bumble garden.
Take care Sue. Chris xoxo.

Julie said...

Hiya Sue, So pleased TOF is doing okay - gosh he was in for a long time then! I have serious "meeting Racheal Hunter envy" ... I think she is such a wonderful person & has never lost her Kiwi down to earthness. Lucky you. Cant believe your sisters & your Mum never even contacted you! Glad you had your friends to pick up the slack. Love that new barkcloth fabric Sue. Hello to ToeBee & all the other 4 legged friends that live at your house :-)

Bibi Maizoon said...

How lovely & blessed you are to have so many wonderful friends to help you through this difficult time! So glad to hear TOF is on the mend. Brilliant chazza finds and lurvvv that wrought iron head board in the garden!

sallyhicks said...

Beautiful friends, pets and flowers. Your life is almost perfect Sue and when Toff is fully recovered it will be. I wish him all the best.

Leeanne said...

Look at you and Rachel Hunter! Is she really nice, she seems like she on on the old telly. Love colourful displays on your blog, both photographic and the wordy kind my friend..........glad you have been enveloped in love as life puts a few pot holes in your path. Love and hugs from the Winterless north.........BTW.....where the heck is WINTER :-(

Poppy Q said...

Love your post today, filled with so many beautiful pictures. Love the furry family snuggling up. I am glad the nights are a bit cooler, but not really looking forward to winter arriving. Not quite ready for the heaters on quite yet.

Families are strange things, and it makes me sad to hear that they have ignored you but I guess there is no changing them. Nice though that you have so many good friends who love you and were with you when you needed them.

Hugs
julie

Mim said...

It's good to know you have your friends around you to look after you, while you support TOF in his recovery.

Vix said...

So glad that you had good friends around you to offer support and love and of course, it's good to hear that the four-legged pals upped their game, too.
Fab photos. Love your new dress. How gorgeous is Rachel Hunter? Very! xxx

Kiwionholidays said...

Fabulous post today sue and so happy you have TOF home with you and lots of friends and your sons and their families all supporting you.
Fab pics such variety and garden pics and retro together in the POST .. What more could we ask for??

Love the fantails pic and that bark cloth is lovely too as are your dress/tops etc

Retro shopping sure is fun and we all get some gr8 deals etc

That case is that one like people in our parents era ,used to put the half Gs in???

Take care , love all your animals there
look like they give loads of pleasure to your family

The eyes on Sheba just wanna cuddle her she looks a honey..

Goody said...

So good to have friends you can count on. I'm glad to hear TOF is home and recouperating. Sending you good vibes and much love.

cocoya said...

How lovely & blessed you are to have so many wonderful friends to help you through this difficult time! So glad to hear TOF is on the mend. Brilliant chazza finds and lurvvv that wrought iron head board in the garden!

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