Keys are a nightmare really. Little fingers always love keys. Mind you I hang all mine on a high hook now as soon as I get in the door because I have misplaced my keys and there were no other fingers around but my own. Ha ha.

makerealbany - 2011-02-20 23:45:00

I do what you do most of the time makereal. I had a terrible experience years ago when I was visiting a friend one night and had to pick my kids up at a certain time. When the time came to go I could not find them and her toddler had planted them in with the pot plants and they were completely hidden. What a panic. I enjoyed the other morning too but it was too short. I was so pleased miss B was content to sit with us like she did. She can be such a good girl sometimes. ha ha

smartgirl - 2011-02-21 05:19:00

Definitely a man thing!!!! And he owned up to having the keys at some point during Saturday as well..........Mind you he's is usually better than I am at putting them on the hook so we know where they are. Oh well, over now..... but that's the 3rd sh#%*y weekend in a row one way or another. Did manage to get a little bit of cross stitch done last night and a pr of baby sox but this week mostly working on B2's jacket for Easter.

grizzly4 - 2011-02-21 07:37:00

Yes she was a good girl smartgirl and yes it was a short visit. Sigh. My grandson is due to fly back to Christchurch tomorrow. I think he enjoyed his visits to everyone. I had to go to the airport today as well to take my SIL. He has gone back to PNG. Babysat my daughter's kids yesterday. She started work at 7 and did a 12 hour shift. I went up there for the night then had to shoot down to Northcote to pick up my grandson who had been at my son's for the night. After all that managed to cook everyone a nice dinner last night. After tomorrow's trip we can settle down to a routine again. Thank heavens.

makerealbany - 2011-02-21 20:55:00

This weekend will be much better grizzly. Leave the phone off the hook or ignore it OR TELL YOUR RELLIS YOU HAVE A CONTAGIOUS MALADY. Just take some time out for you girl. I will be babysitting for my girl again but that is okay after all her hubby is in Indonesia. I take Fridays off and I really enjoy the fact that everyone knows that is my day for me. Lol.

makerealbany - 2011-02-21 20:58:00

The last day i took just for me was the1 Feb this year!! Haha. Oh dear. Things are trying to sort themselves out here, after 30 years, not every day is expected to be a bed of roses. I am meeting a new supervision client this morning so have to find a park in the the inner city and meet her 5 floors up. Maybe we can go to a ground floor cafe instead, here's hoping. Pouring with rain as well!

grizzly4 - 2011-02-22 07:40:00

Grizzly, I hope you are all safe and sound tonight, of all days I cant believe you wrote your exact whereabouts. I cant wait to hear you are safe and well.

smartgirl - 2011-02-22 20:53:00

Me too grizzly and suzy. Just found out my grandson is safe. His plane landed just before the quake. He was evacuated somewhere. Because the little nitwit(Nanas are allowed to call him that after the day we have had) did not bring his phone charger, his phone was flat so he could not answer our calls. He arrived home 20 mins ago. After his Mum and I plus all our family have been stressing about him. One of my sons even set up a finder google page for him. We are all so glad he is safe. I have given him heaps over facebook and so has everyone else. How devastating for everyone there. All those deaths. My grandson's cousins on his Mum's side have lost their homes but thankfully none of them were injured that we know of so far.

makerealbany - 2011-02-22 21:06:00

I am so pleased he is ok makereal, how sad for everyone who are only just settling down and rebuilding their lives. When will it end. I cant believe that today of all days grizzly told us what and where she was going. I wont relax till I hear that she and her family are all safe. Same goes for you suzy, it must be awful. Take care girls, Jo

smartgirl - 2011-02-22 22:15:00

Smartgirl I just spoke to my grandson by phone. After I and everyone else who loves him told him off he was feeling pretty down. He told me he didn't even know there had been an earthquake until he saw things falling off buildings. He landed during the first shake he thinks. He says it was sureal and he is still not clear about the events. Still a bit shocked I think. Could not buy any decent food so will try tomorrow. Says his area is not badly damaged visually. He is a 20 mins walk from the central city. His power is back on so that is good. He sounded a lot better after we had talked awhile. I topped up his phone because he cannot access eftpos to get money out to buy phonecards. i hope the girls and their families are ok.

makerealbany - 2011-02-22 22:28:00

I have just heard from my friend, her father in law was in kate sheppherd and is now on a mattress on the floor somewhere in merivale. poor old man, he is alread weak and frail, they are worried that he may not survive it. Still thinking about y ou girls and your families. My thoughts and prayers are with everyone in Christchurch.

smartgirl - 2011-02-23 08:36:00

Thank you all for caring so much! I was out of the inner city by the time the quake hit but was in the Eastgate Mall when it did! It literally fell down around us and only the wee tables saved us from injury. My car is in the top car park and the ramp has fallen so it us up there for the forseeable future. Had a friend bring me home but it took nearl 2 hours to do a 25 minute trip. Our house is fine but son and his family are now living here as there house in Avonside is written off. Daughter and her family stayed over night as they have no power yet. Not that we slept much but was great that we are all together.

grizzly4 - 2011-02-23 10:01:00

You dont know how good your email is, I had to pop out and just came in to check not expecting to hear from you. Thank god your son and family were not asleep like last time. You have had such a bad run girl, I am thinking of you all all of t he time. Have y ou heard from suzy yet.

smartgirl - 2011-02-23 11:03:00

Thank heavens you are alright grizzly. We are trying to get my grandson to come back for awhile. At lest then he will be with family instead of strangers. Who knows when you will get proper services back!!!!.I cannot imagine what it must have been like going thru all that again. Hope suzy and her family are okay.

makerealbany - 2011-02-23 20:22:00

Hi smartgirl. That poor old man. We all keep ringing each other to check on my grandson and it is driving me crazy. Better we get him here for awhile. He says he is fine but he isn't. Have not heard from my friend in Darfield as to how her kids are. They are much closer to the city.

makerealbany - 2011-02-23 20:25:00

Good news we got a flight for our boy so I am off to the airport again this moning to pick him up at 10. All the Christchurch shuttles were booked out but managed to book him a cab. Thanks to his Uncles and Aunties or surfed the net for hours trying to get him a booking. It will no doubt cost a packet to send him back when he goes but he really loves living in Christchurch. I can relax now and so can the rest of our family. Even my Mum has been in constant contact. The poor darling told me to "get her great Moko out of there". She told me she had been crying watching TV and seeing how hurt people were. K had not heard a thing from his Mum's family in Christchurch so he felt quite isolated. His Mum in Hamilton is relaxing now too, happy he is coming back here. She has a young baby so it was awful for her too. Right I am off to make a cuppa. I just rang him and he is getting ready to be picked up.

makerealbany - 2011-02-24 07:00:00

Suzy is ok but has no power or water yet. We have lost our wee shop and a close friend was hurt on Tuesday, had emergency surgery here in ChCh but was then taken to Wellington Hospital. My sister in Wgtn checked on her yesterday but was only told she is in a serious condition in ICU. Really worried about her.

grizzly4 - 2011-02-24 08:57:00

Oh that is good that Suzy is okay but sad about your friend grizzly. My mate in Darfield told me that her son's boarder was in the Language School and is missing. T her son and his girlfried B who is Japanese had the day off and were not there thank heavens. One of her other friends who got out told them what it was like. Y was a lovely Japanese girl who was 24. She had Xmas Dinner at my mates with some of the other students who are also still in the building. She was B's best friend. As T is her guardian in NZ he had to contact her family in Japan. My mates house being in the country has all services and no damage although she can feel the aftershocks. She has her son and his girlfriend staying with her now and no doubt knowing her a lot of the other survivors of that school will end up there too.

makerealbany - 2011-02-24 21:47:00

My grandson is here. He is very quiet more so than normal. I will keep a close eye on him. His uncles are going to have a chat with him over the weekend about his future. He told me today that Christchurch is his home now. He just fits in there he says. But this time there is no quick fix is there? So much damage to the infrastructure. I have the news on, watch it and then turn off the Tele. It is too sad.

makerealbany - 2011-02-24 21:54:00

The news from now on will get worse as they find all the bodies. It is too sad makereal, I think we are all still in shock. I am glad your boy is home safe. I am so sorry about your friend grizzly, it is terrible that she is so far away but she will be getting the best help she can. I wonder if the building you had your meeting in is still standing.

smartgirl - 2011-02-25 05:27:00

No idea about the building, don't want to think about it. Our friend has had a second surgery but have heard she may not walk again.

grizzly4 - 2011-02-25 09:35:00

Oh that is so sad grizzly. Your poor friend. I am so sorry for her. I think they should get really heavy with all those mongrels that are breaking into peoples homes. Those people have no empathy for anyone. It really makes me sick to think anyone would do that. As if people in your community dont have enough to worry about. At times like this most people work together and there are a lot of positive things happening in your community. There are some great humanitarians out there. Keep your chin up girl.

makerealbany - 2011-02-25 23:34:00

Grizzly I hope your friend is recovering from her horrific injuries. You must be a wreck by now, I bet you are running around and doing everything for the kids instead of looking after yourself. You now really need to look after no 1 cause you are the one everyone depends on to keep going. When do you start back at work or have you been this week. I am amazed how everything is going like clockwork, all the different countries working as if one. I went to bed for about an hour last night and could not sleep so I have been up since. I am starting to get tired now though. I will try and get a few hours sleep. Take care, Jo

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smartgirl - 2011-02-26 06:26:00

I am trying to keep busy doing ordinary stuff 'cos it stops me thinking. But some of it seems really pointless. I really struggled to pick up my knitting yesterday for the first time since Monday evening and had to remind myself I'm actually knitting for my boys. Not much point doing anything else with no shop now. My son and DIL are wonderful and it's not causing any extra work for me to have their family here just a few more clothes in the laundry, a few more veges in the pot. I talked to Suzy on the phone for the first time yesterday and it was so good to hear her voice. She needs groceries so maybe heading to this side of town today, hopefully she'll pop in for a coffee. Her rest home was in the news last night, the damage is significant again but the remaining residents will be ok there apparently for the time being, unlike a few others this time. We were watching tv last night when 4 ambulances went by on their way to the airport in convoy with lights flashing. It gave me a real fright. But these days everything does.

grizzly4 - 2011-02-26 09:27:00

Grizzly, I can only see on tv how bad things are but that will be nothing to what it is really like. It will be a comfort having your family with you as you know where everyone is. I saw on tv last night the family of one of the young men released back to his family. We all saw his sister many time in the early shots not wanting to leave the place she had been rescued from and now we know why. He brother had been trapped. It really hits home now they are identifying people and giving them names. My heart goes out to you all and to everyone in Christchurch. I wish there was something I could do. Take care and enjoy knitting for your boys. Jo

smartgirl - 2011-02-27 08:30:00

My DIL's grandfather has paid for them to stay with him in Morrinsville for a week! They left yesterday afternoon and I found that extremely hard. I hate not having them here but I know they will enjoy the break. There's not so much to keep me busy now. Going to make the scary trip over to the shop to move some of the wooden stuff.

grizzly4 - 2011-02-27 09:22:00

You take care grizzly, please dont put yourself at any risk. Its just not worth it. It a shame you did not come with them. Morrinsville is only about half a hour from here. The break will be great for them especially the kids. They probably have forgotten what life is without the quakes. I have spent the last 4 days doing charity knitting for bfb. It was one of the ways I can help contribute something. Let me know how you get on at the shop. It will be very hard on you.

smartgirl - 2011-02-27 09:45:00

Grizzly that was nice of your DIL,s grandfather. I think that those of us on the outside worry like hell about you guys expecially our kin. That is why we got my grandson back here for awhile. I also know that having him here (even though he would rather be there) makes us feel better because we have our eyes on him so to speak. I know it is very hard for you but the break will do them good as smartgirl says. You make darn sure that shop is safe to go into and wait until hubby goes with you. How is he coping?. Men handle things differently don't they? Keeping busy is what would work for me too. I tried to log in last night but internet kept dropping out.

makerealbany - 2011-02-27 20:52:00

I. was definitely with me! Didn't enjoy the drive over there at all. Brought back everything on Tuesday so clearly, especially when I saw the Mall that I was in. Our wee shop has been red stickered so unable to do anything there any more. 4 of us got the rest of the stuff out and it's all in 2 separate locations for the co-op members to collect their stock. There's no way of knowing when we will find another shop at this stage. W went to see the security people at the Mall who have already craned the Police car down that was parked next to mine! They said they couldn't do mine without my keys and that my contact details hadn't been passed on!! Didn't I know that was going to happen?Apparently they are going to start craning them done today so I have handed my key over and waiting now for a phone call to say ' come get it'. Then will be the job of finding a ride over that way and I have B2 here this morning 'cos his carer isn't available till tomorrow.

grizzly4 - 2011-02-28 09:09:00

That wee shop had a jinx on it with the break ins and now this. I hope you find another nice little shop at some stage as it will be good for those ladies to have some normality back again. It will be great to have your car back. They are certainly working in all the areas. It is said that NZ is the most organised county that the overseas rescue workers have ever been in. Thank god for that. Helen Clark said that the quake devistation was on the same scale as Haiti. Great to see you sending jokes again. Take care.

smartgirl - 2011-02-28 11:22:00

I laughed at that seniors joke grizzly. Very funny. My kids always say to me "get to the point Mum" How rude lol. Just because I like to start a story at the very beginning and not miss anything out.!!!!!Ha ha. I am so glad you will get your car back. A is getting over her illness and K is improving so things are looking up here. Miss 3 is off to her new Preschool tomorrow. Yah fingers crossed. We had her there last week but we were with her. Tomorrow she is solo.

makerealbany - 2011-02-28 22:54:00

It wasn't the shop that had the break-ins, that was my work. BUt yes I think we will find another shop eventually. No point in even thinking that way yet until we know what buildings are going to be left standing. And they never took the cars down yesterday after all..... waited all day for the phone call and finally rang the security firm on duty to find they didn't even start. Mind you Countdown and the Warehouse have complete walls missing so I guess they need to set priorities. My sister has come down for a week from Wellington to provide a crisis counselling service with the Ministry of Social Development. She's on a 7 day shift so hopefully will catch up with her at some point.

grizzly4 - 2011-03-01 08:15:00

It will be great if you can catch up with your sister grizzly. You are right it is all about priorities. I wish I had a magic wand for you. How is your friend in wellington hospital.. Are the rest of her family ok. Your wee boys will be having a good break, the weather here is lovely, a little cool in the mornings but beautiful days. Take care Jo

smartgirl - 2011-03-01 10:56:00

How cool that your sis will be in town. Mind you she will be exhausted after that shift grizzly. You will get your car back but it is frustrating waiting for a call. We had melt downs here this morning with the kids but ok now. I was going to get a haircut but I will leave it for another day or seven. Shaggy hair is the lest of my worries. Lol. I was right into my mosaic mirror. Had all the glass tiles out ready to paint 2 weeks ago and have not even looked at it since. I read this book called The Friday Knitting Club. Had lots of laughs and shed a few tears. The lives of the Women involved and their families struck so many familiar chords. I enjoyed that book. Pity we did not have a knitting circle here. I would love to start one but I will need to wait for a year. By then my family commitments will be easier and I will have more time. Ha Hopefully.

makerealbany - 2011-03-01 11:52:00

Hi smartgirl. Yes it is cool in the mornings I put another duvet back on my bed. A has started back to work one day a week. From home but she is having meetings here tomorrow. J will let me put him to sleep now so that is a bonus. I have not heard a darn thing from my specialists re the latest checks. Ah well. The whole country is supporting Christchurch so it is understandable. I am pleased at the way everyone(except for a few lowlifes) is pitching in to help.

makerealbany - 2011-03-01 11:56:00

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atilasgirl - 2011-03-01 12:04:00

careful, makerealbany, a knitting group might need a committee to run it and you will be back into stuff you have just got out of. Haha.
Went into work yesterday to organise staff wages and clean up the liquifaction. Wasn't a pleasant ride, the way my co-worker chose to go but very productive once we got there. Suzy picked me up afterward and did some laundry and had a shower while she was here. It was a very pleasant visit. Her wee dog introduced herself to one of my girls, who stood her ground but didn't swipe at her. Bella was very gentle though, just curious. Very cute.
Going back over to work again this morning to be a part of a community fun event in a local park for the families. Then meeting other committee members of the Purple Patch to make some interim plans now that we have lost our shop. Then I'm hoping to be able to pick up my car before finding my way home. My son and his family are coming back to CHristchurch tomorrow and it will be great to see them. My daughter has found them a house at least until they can find something better but the problem will be getting their furniture out of the other house. Oh well, one day at a time.

grizzly4 - 2011-03-02 08:30:00

Yay!!!! Got my car back this morning. I was able to get myself to where I needed to be for the rest of the day which was brilliant. I was even able to pick up a fish tank a friend has been able to lend us for my son's turtle who is currently living in my bath!

grizzly4 - 2011-03-02 17:36:00

Cool you have transport again. I love the idea of the turtle in the bath. I have had turtles over the years in old washing machine tubs, in a tank. in a pond i made espeicially for the little devil but he escaped to the neighbours much bigger pond. Ah those were the days!!! Guess what grizzly? Guess who got a call in fact 3 calls today asking for help from a certain organisation that I had resigned from. HA HA. I am feeling so smug at the moment. Apparently the last two staff members I hired before I resigned from the Committee, have quit. Wonder why as if I didn't know. Anyway my grandson took a bottle from me today with his breastmilk in it of course and he has let me put him to sleep 3 times. My daughter is over the moon about that. Lol. She can sense some kind of freedom looming in the near future.

makerealbany - 2011-03-02 21:35:00

Smartgirl. M went to preschool again this arvo. Told her Mummy "Nana can take me. She can come and pick me up you stay at home and mind J". When we got there she gave me a hug and told me to go home. Whoopee. 3 Afternoons a week. Plus bonus. She is so tired after her tea she is fast asleep in 10 mins. I love it. The preschool is in the country so it is a lovely drive out there. Hardly any traffic.

makerealbany - 2011-03-02 21:40:00

Hi atilasgirl becomes a habit hanging them up after awhile. Lol.

makerealbany - 2011-03-02 21:43:00

Good to hear you are ok suzy sounds like a cute pooch.

makerealbany - 2011-03-02 21:44:00

Glad to hear you are standing strong and not being tempted to go back to that organisation, m! Suzy still has no power or water at her house but her sense of humour is seeing her through. She is working at her old people's home the next 4 days so at least she can have a shower each day. I can't imagine how those people are coping. I wish no-one had mentioned the predictions for the next quake on March 20, (sigh), I think I am balanced person but those things play on your mind when you are anxious and or tired.

grizzly4 - 2011-03-03 08:45:00

Makereal, so glad M loves her preschool, miss B goes all day mon and fri to her one. it is brand new with all the mod cons and also in the country. she loves just being dropped off too. how quickly they grow up. I am glad you put your foot down. keep strong. ha ha

smartgirl - 2011-03-03 08:50:00

Having your car back is one more thing to normality. Heres hoping the 20th will come and go with nothing major happening. I can imagine how you worry about it though, it is human nature. i am glad suzy is so cheerful she will also lift the spirits of the people around her. Have a great day and know we are thinking about you all the time. Jo

smartgirl - 2011-03-03 08:54:00

I found this on the earthquake thread
We may have been shaken,
we may have been hit.
Too many were taken
two too many, that's it.
Upwards and onwards,
upwards we'll rise.
By using our words,
by opening our eyes.

Connecting with our future,
connecting with each other.
Building new infrastucture,
building again another.
Starting afresh, over again,
starting with paper and a pen.
Moving forwards, soldiering on,
moving together, in union.

As a North Islander I can only imagine what you are going through, sheer hell.

smartgirl - 2011-03-03 11:14:00

I am glad suzy is at lest able to shower. Bugger the so called predictions grizzly. It is hard enough for you coping with everyday crap without that. Yep I am staying strong and not being sucked into that stuff again. 2 MORE RINGS TODAY. I just ignored the calls. I am very busy anyway. Ho ho. My friend the other Committee member is away for 6 months she has just had major heart surgery and I don't think her hubby will allow her to go back after that. We keep in touch as they are lovely people in their 70s.

makerealbany - 2011-03-03 21:35:00

Smartgirl. That is a pretty cool poem. M had another great day and was nearly asleep eating her tea. Lol. She loves it but they had to tell her that when she gets wet in the sandpit she has to shower and get dressed. Going naked is for home only. The little minx had 2 teachers chasing her to get her dressed. The head teacher told us they all looked like the Keystone Cops.Lol.

makerealbany - 2011-03-03 21:39:00

Its a shame they have to grow up. A couple of years ago I had the 2 girls at the pools and miss h was a pain to get out so I took her togs off and put her hooded towel on. She was in the process of taking it off when she saw her male cousin, who is 5 years older that her, lined up with his class. She promptly dropped the towel and ran over to give him a kiss and cuddle. Imagine the teasing he got. Imagine the teasing she will get at her 21st.

smartgirl - 2011-03-04 00:21:00

Very visual stories again, makerealbany. Very cute! My family is home again now, which is wonderful. It was great waking up this morning knowing someone else was in the house with me. I. has such early starts he's gone before I wake then I find myself rushing in the shower etc 'just in case'. mY sister will join us for tea tonight then I think she's back to Wellington. They've shortened their shifts to 5 days because of the long hours they have put in.

grizzly4 - 2011-03-04 08:55:00