The end of the year is doing the "going so fast" thing, but I always find there are also strange long spaces in December. Once weekly things finish for the term and the Christmas dos are done, it's a little quiet. But still got to get there! I don't think I've been busier than normal, I thought November was a good month, but I got super run down and coldsores and tired. I've decided to work the minimum hours until the end of the year and start winding down.
So anyway! At the start of the month was the college foundation day, and I finally saw the medal I designed ages ago. Very exciting!
A special lady at church had a baby shower. It was the baby shower to end all baby showers, better than most weddings. The special touches as per Pinterest, and there were some mums there to share their wisdom which was very special. I stayed to see my present opened, the black play mat.
Some of us at church learned that some people had been living in Maitland for years and never been to Billabongs, so 5 of us went out for lunch. V enjoy.
I potted some orchids that a lady at church gave me. I have used spagnum moss, in a plastic cup with a hole in the bottom, then put that in a nice tea cup or candle holder.
My colleague came in with her baby. My other colleague has been cleared of cancer so he has been popping in too, so some good outcomes for both the people who left me in the office this year.
I got sick of checking facebook on my phone but I needed a habit to replace it, like gum for smokers. So I got a game called June's Journey. That's been really successful, I've really cut back on fb, and I don't find the game addictive. It's self limiting because I run out of points in 5 minutes.
Friday park walk has been a bit irregular because of some really hot fridays, but one day I saw Dad practicing croquet and had a little play with him, which was fun.
JK and I saw Murder on the Orient Express, and had an ent book lunch of dumpings and shan dong chicken, and I bought a lip stick at mecca maxima. I bought 2 lippys this month, but then I got a coldsore so lips are in hostpital.
Home group had a picnic at a playground I've never been to before, in a newish suburb which is actually really fancy. I dont get out of East Maitland much! We had fish and chips by a lagoon.
My team at Tocal had our annual workshop get together. Everyone comes from around NSW so we had a central location this year in Sydney at the Quarantine Centre Manly. It was a great place because so much natural beauty, we weren't cooped up because everything was spread out.
Fairy penguin footprints!
Possum at dinner!
JK and I saw the local Upstage Theatre production of Much Ado About Nothing, which was delightful. We made a nice picnic and the play was fabulous. They have minimal props but what they have is authentic. It was set in WW2 England and they hired proper uniforms and period frocks.
We had a family BBQ for my brothers birthday, and J brought her new beau and her 2 foster kids. We played finska, had birthday cake. It was nice to meet the kids.
Maddie moved out on the last Thursday of the month. On the Saturday before she took a trailer load down to Sydney with her mum and 2 friends. I took this photo in B+W because I was doing the B+W challenge on facebook, but its supposed to have no people so I didn't post it. I've never seen people move house in long flowing dresses before. So girly.
Some home group girls and I went to the Olive Tree twilight markets in Maitland, celebrating R's birthday. I always love the food and music, and I looked out for Christmas presents.
Maddie's last night at church :(
And an update on my garden. Irises are having rot problems again. I am planning some irrigation to keep water onto my wall garden. I've got 4 bags of chook poo, and since my veggie garden has been less productive, it probably needs a rest and some renewal so I'm building a compost pile in the garden, covered with plastic.
Coralie my new housemate moved in on Saturday, which is going well so far. I've known her for a few years at church, she's quirky and funny, and also very clean, so the first few days have been delightful. I've done some cleaning and decluttering and finding Maddie's forgotten things, so the house feels a bit cleaner.
I've taken a morning off today, as I'm having a lady over to help me hang a heavy mirror I'm afraid to deal with. And there was a delivery and a pickup so it was good to be home instead of going to work and dashing home to meet her. Did my TiffXO workout, wrote this blog post, and watched Strictly Ballroom, because today is day 3 of a self care challenge, watch your favourite movie. So making the most of it! Self care for the end of the year.
