It's 5 days since I updated the journal. I was informed that one of my Christmas presents was to have my computer tuned up. It went in on Monday and picked it up today, with another ram installed, which has  improved the memory power no end. Saturday night I decided to clean up all the crap on documents. Took ages and very late to bed.
Sunday, I was still getting newsletters out for work, and had to print off invoices for unpaid membership fees, which were to go in with the newsletter. Firstly the computer didn't work properly on Friday, I am sure my co-worker fiddles with it. Saturday the printer wouldn't work, spent most of the afternoon trying to get it sorted and finally found something that said something about default, set it and it worked. Started printing, then continued on Sunday. Other things took up my time, talkative visitors (but I like that) the freezer packed up and caused 20 dozen cheese rolls to defrost, including and a paid order for 5 doz waiting to be picked up. I had to bung them in a rubbish bag and dump them in my wheelie bin. Sunday cleaned out the freezer, and took photos of the exhibition, but didn't have time to download them.

It was 6.30 before I left and had to bring the newsletters & invoices, stamps and envelopes home to do, to get them in the post. I had Christmas greetings on the newsletters so they needed to get there by Wednesday. Started on them about 8.30pm and finally got to bed at 1.30am, with about 7 over but run out of stamps. Although I had printed address labels, there were a lot without and the time was taken up handwriting the envelopes. I had this huge pile as they were completed on the lounge floor. Stuffed them in a plastic bag to post on Monday,  as we were going into town. My husband took one look at me the next morning, and said, "you look like you could do with more sleep." He had the job of poking them in the mailbox while I blisfully went back to sleep and woke at 11.30am. Although I didn't rise until midday I did do a lot of pottering jobs around home as the day progressed.

Monday night with no computer to fill in my evenings, We sat and watched a Gilbert & Sullivan  Australian production of 'Patience.' Both of us are avid Gilbert & Sullivan operettas, but had never seen this one. It was on sale for $2 at the library book sale. It was really fun, hard to believe people still watch, as others still perform these Victorian presentations. 

I started scraping away at the mossy stuff yesterday,  near the  back door concreted area, where we will put the BBQ table which is still in the van. Today we bought some 'Clean & Green' stuff to clean it, did that before, so a good job done. We had a pleasant day in town, did the last minute grocery shopping, had lunch in Mitre10 in the garden nursery, picked up the computer, and out to Makarewa to the train shop. Donna the co owner had done her usual Christmas lights around the entry, porch and garden, so she turned them all on for us, it was lovely even though it was sunny.

I'm staying home tomorrow, Christmas eve, I don't go near town. Have a clean up, and make a trifle, piss about.
My work days start on Thursday so I get the stats off and back at work on the weekend. Lisa is opening all next week, she offered so she can do it.

Ooh I bought a painting on Friday, a well known artist in Riverton called in with three paintings for the retail gallery. One I just loved. A lady standing dressed in blue with a large hat immersed in swirling tones of other blues. She had $450 priced on it. I rang and asked what her price was, told her I wasn't going to pay gallery price. (He he, not ethical and is what helps to pay for my wages) She said $300, so as I don't get paid until after Christmas, I asked if she had visa, yes, so scuttled around to her house to buy it. Had an interesting time in her studio while she told me she was working at the Art gallery but left because she fell out with the Queen bee president lady. She said they have had trouble getting staff while she is still involved. I told her I don't feel like I fit in, with her.
Actually I could work well with this lady, really down to earth, I liked her.

So I have this lovely Dawn Barry painting. She teaches painting at SIT and one of her students loved this piece too, rather different to her usual cabbage trees, boats and wharves of Riverton and seabirds.
Talking of SIT, I tuned into Blackboard to see if the tutor had turned up, any grades recorded, but nah! nothing. I wonder if something has happened to her, she hasn't been near the site for weeks, or so it seems.

I'm off to my novel. Haven't had much of a read lately.

The weather was a bit mean going into work today, cold and wet. The sun is coming out, now that it is time to go down. Excuse me, I am going to sit and watch 'Sione's Wedding.' Back later. .....Seen it, but was still worth another look.

It was strange at work today, I spoke to the lady next door at the Pet/Vet shop, before I started work. I told her I was finishing work, that I was retiring. Funny I get a different reaction when I say that. The coordinator rang and did say she was 'sorry to hear I was leaving.' "Oh I am retiring" I replied. "I thought you were doing a course!" she asked. "Yeah well that too," I said quickly.

From this I went along to the vet shop to buy one of the toy puppies that breathe with the help of batteries for a present, and the lady there offered me a job. To help out during the time she has holidays, in March and June. The way she was talking she may want to have someone to learn the job so she can take more time off. The vets come twice a week, you take appointments for them, and take care of the retail business. I already know some of the vets from Waikiwi. Sounds interesting. One door closes and another opens, I believe.

A local artist and art teacher came in with some paintings. She used to be the boss in the art centre. I asked her if she wanted a job as I was leaving. "No thanks not while -----is chair lady. We never got on." I understood what she meant she won't let go the reins. "They have trouble getting staff for here," she commented. I said they don't look after their staff, and told her about the wages business. She was apalled. "Why don't they use auto payment?" I told her I gave them my details when I first started last March.

I finished 'Voyager' last night, ending with the sea voyage, during the storw and found themselves landed in America. I couldn't sleep for a while, the description the author applies to the various adventures. I felt I was on that sea voyage, suffering the situation with Claire. What wonderful writing. To be able to make the reader feel like they have experienced the situation. Start the next one tonight.

What a performance on the blackboard. Others are putting their last assignment all over the place. To make triple sure I have mine somewhere where Audra will find it. I emailed it to her, placed a link in the Writing Assignment discussion board with some others, and also on the workshop forum where Terry put hers. What a mickey - mouse outfit.

Feeling relaxed after a couple of rums, think I will head over to facebook for a while.

A week from now, and Christmas will be over. Though I opened a pressie today from the post, cause I believe it's the build up to Christmas is better than everything on one day. Finally got my card and letter away to the UK, I am always late with it.

We picked up the BBQ table today, my husband followed me into Riverton, I shouted him a cod fillet in a crusty roll for lunch. He had a look at the exhibition. He said it is a shame you feel you want to leave, as it is a good little job for you." Then we went into the kitchen and faced a bench full of wine glasses left for me to wash. We have a zip that doesn't work , and a cold tap over the sink. So have to boil up the jug to get hot water. He then got the picture, "Do you have to clean this up?" "Huh huh, and who takes home the rubbish," I added.
Once he had gone I was interested to see the coordinator's reaction on our notes file. I had asked if she knew anyone that could do my job, from the 1st March,  and requested her to give my resignation notice to the chairlady for last Tuesday's meeting. I said I was continuing study, on campus. She answered "Oh awesome." WTF Did she mean awesome I was leaving? Or studying. The resignation letter was put in with the accounts and I thought she hadn't handed it in yet.

As the day went on, I was doing little bits and pieces and quite enjoyed myself , after I had done the dishes, and started thinking, 'well....maybe it's not so bad.' I stuffed the letter back in my bag and thought I can always tell Lisa I have changed my mind, or can fit it in around study.
However I delivered a painting across the road at the cafe, and Jo (previous coordinator) came in. "I hear you have handed in your notice."  Oh I forgot about the grapevine of Riverton. Then later the chairlady came in and bought up the subject. She had been given the letter after all. Didn't exactly say, 'we don't want you to leave, or anything. More of a piss off having to find someone else. So that's that I am leaving. They were never good employers, and I don't like the way they all talk about each other. 'Village mentality,' my husband calls it. Now I know why I left Riverton.

I finally fixed my pet shop story and sent it e mail to the tutor. As well as put some caustic remarks on the main discussion board. I read her profile and interesting how she will be there for any questions, help in any way etc, what a load of bollocks. I was looking through the 2009 course book at SIT today, didn't see any creative writing courses available.

Finished the newsletters for work, and had them printed ready to send tomorrow . I asked Lisa to check the original and make any changes. Her note said, "It looks alright to me, I haven't had time to read it." So fuck it, they are printed. The last coordinator used to change everything on it.  You can't win!

Still have the very last to read of Voyager, and now have a nice little smelly pillow enclosed inside my normal one. So I shall dream sweetly tonight.

Town today and it was busy, the traffic anyway. I did get around to picking up the forms for receiving my Superannuation in February. Yay I will be an old age pensioner!  Well I've been working for 55yrs, so deserve some tax back.
On to the Whare-Whare to look at large plastic containers, because although I was going to use my vouchers to get some at Hayes @ 18.95, I had a feeling the Warehouse had a better deal. They did, two for $25 so will gather a few as time and money permits. Over to Hayes, now what do we need? Nothing really. We are at an age where we have most things. Power tools, no, garden stuff, nope. Then I spotted clothes, and more specifically jeans. Nice ones good brand at $50 ea. So a couple of them and a belt cause he keeps buying cheap ones and they fall to bits. $131 spent.

The trouble with vouchers although they are in $50 lots you have to buy using up the amount to the vouchers. This is the hardest part. I was told not to get stuff for him but something for myself. There are some lovely things in there, but nothing I needed. Lots of kitchen things, crystal glasses, knick knacks, I have them all. Finally a little tray for my coffee and cake to take outside to the BBQ table which we pick up tomorrow. A set of lunch plates that fitted into a round box, was on special half price @ $11. A covered roasting dish, I did need, and finished it off with a sensor security light to put out the front. Our front outside light is way up on the  highest point and rusted in the fittings. So this will be useful for when visitors come and as a security as well. Will have to get an electrician to wire it up, next time we need him. Still have $100 of vouchers left, but they don't have to be spent now, so will leave it.

Got the parcels away at Waikiwi as there was a park, so that's done usually the postage is more than the cost of the contents, but they had $4 bags fast post, and the pressies fitted so that was splendid.
Sore feet as I had socks and boots on and it turned out hot.
Just finished a letter to my friends in the UK so can get their card away tomorrow, all is well. I don't go for Christmas stress. It's hard to believe it will be Christmas day in a weeks time. I don't have to work next week as I start my days on Thursday and Friday, but working the weekend, the same for next week. There was mention of opening Mon and Tues in the new year, I asked the coordinator and she didn't know. So they needn't spring it on me tomorrow when I go in. I'll tell them I'm going away. A bit of notice wouldn't hurt, we had thought of doing some day trips, Te Anau and such, depending on the weather.

Been absolutely nothing on the blackboard the last three days. Tonight Rebecca came on asking for the tutor's input. She doesn't know where we send in our final draft. The tutor doesn't even check her emails. I sent one about three days ago. I think everyone's fed up with it.

I had to laugh at Claire wearing her undies inside out. It reminded me when one morning I came to performing arts class and realised before we started class, "ooh I forgot to put a bra on!" In Helen's class we did a bit of running around and funny walks for improvisation and it feels better to be supported. One tends to come out with statements as such in front of the guys as they take all that stuff in their stride, they see us strip in between acts. One of the guys in his mid-twenties went, "Eeeewwwww." I rounded on him, and told him, "I do not wear my breasts around my knees without a bra, yet. If that is what you are imagining." That made matters worse.

Well I had better mosey off to bed, finish my book, and get some shuteye.

God I've got a sore bum! My back actually, been pissing about on here far too long today. Log on to blackboard every so often, but no sign of anyone. Wrote down pieces to 'improve' my story and intended to do the final draft today. I am not sure where to put the final draft. I sent Audra an email asking her do we email it to her with a cover sheet for the assignment or up on the discussion board or what!? Still no reply.

Grownups site sent a newsletter suggesting the voting for the "spring Photo Competition" finishes today at 5pm. A good half the afternoon on that with well over 200 entries in three categories it took a while for them to come up (computer slow today) and decide which to chose. You could chose ten on each category. I have one of Luke in the friends, pets and family. The others were open, and scenery, that was a hard one to select, some lovely shots. I tried to vote on their photogenic capacity. Not that I know anything about photography, but if something really grabbed me then that was the one. The pets one was hard too they were all lovely. I wonder if Luke got any votes other than mine.  :)

Then my husband came home early, about 4pm wanting to show me something on Trademe. "You can buy me this for Christmas." A whole bloody train set. "Would you go halves with me for this,  the buy now price is $300?'  So we bought it. I gave him $200 toward it, and left myself $50 to tide me over until next pay after Christmas. On conditions if he want's Christmas tucker he will have to buy it. Including a bottle of plonk cause when we sit down to give out our presents on Christmas eve, I enjoy a few vinos in the process. We buy lots of little things to string the night out. I am fortunate my husband loves giving as much as receiving. Unlike some partners just buy the 'old lady' a box of chocs. He goes to a lot of trouble finding the 'right' things. Hides in the bedroom while I prepare dinner, lots of rustling and wrapping with cries of, "don't come in here!" They are put under the tree, and about five minutes after wrapping he is ready to hand one over.

I have some vouchers to use at Hayes, but I've bought enough presents I think. I may buy some big plastic containers ($17ea) to put away the stuff in the shop area and throw out what I don't want. Some of the cardboard boxes are falling apart. There is jewelry and shoes, fur coats and shawls, and God knows what. May sell some retro on Trademe, if I can bear to part with some. Especially the original 30's, 40's, 60's, 70's and 80's stuff.

Will venture into town tomorrow, and post some parcels. Tonight I have been trying to write to my sister a letter to put with her card and present. It is so hard, she is almost comatose in continual care. She has trouble communicating, but I think she can still relate to her carer reading to her. It's hard to know what to write. Another I was going to write to, my friends in the UK with their usual late card, but may have to do so in the morning, just plumb tuckered for writing anymore. Then I found a writing course site from xengab on kiwiwriters, been over there but not simple to get on board. The next course starts 4th Feb. xengab said it was fun to do and covers lots of different aspects of writing. I will pass the address onto Becs to see if anyone else is interested.

Here it is, nearly 11pm and still sitting here. Now my mate  Colin is sending emails, I will have to check out before bed time.

The Art Centre had a committee meeting tonight, of which I did not attend, but my resignation notice should have. I wonder what was their reaction. I know what it is with that job, it is too sedentry for me, I am used to doing, and as they won't let me do this, I'm a goner. I am not cut out to be an assistant. I enjoy a job that I can put my heart into, gain some satisfaction in what I do, but they won't let me! So I get bored!

Right I am getting off my ass, and going to bed to lie on it.  :)

Not much happening today. Housework, after trimming the tree. Turfed out all the rubbish from the Christmas decorations box. Wrapped up presents, showed the dogs their rope toys and they wanted them NOW!

Was on trademe tonight and the 'special' railway book I wanted for my husband, went ridiculously off the limit. I started at the asking price of $85, and at the last minute this bugger came in and took it up to $ 162, bum!  I made him pay, was prepared to go to $165 even though it was way over priced but missed out. In fact  lost two items through the same bidder, I think he is a collector. Never mind, still pissed though, I will have to think of something else.

Been over to blackboard and want to start doing my rewrite, but Terry is flat out at work, and her computer at home has crashed. She thinks she may have to 'bomb' out of the course. I know it's not easy for her, but we are working as a group, and we have to have our stories critiqued. The critiquing is part of the 45% for this part of the assessment. May as well finish it, after all the frustration through the process.

I see Invergas mentioned on Matilda's journal reply that the two of them were at the old 'Repertory House.' They must have known a good friend of ours, Lindsay McDowell. They had moved to the present site before I came on the scene, but I worked in the wardrode within the theatre, then helped set up the new one next door. I was allowed to pick the colour scheme, blending the grey/blue with the peach of the Rep building.

I'm off for a read, nearly finished 'Voyager.'

We had a lovely day today!  On my suggestion we went to Kingston to look at the steam trains, my husband's birthday treat. Had a lovely brunch, of bacon & egg with BBQ sauce in a fresh crispy roll, and superb coffee, with a chocolate square yummy sweet. It was so nice to get out of Invers and as we travelled talking about all sorts of things. Without TV, pesty neighbours and dogs interrupting, like it is at home.
The steam engines were heating up for the 1.30 run, as we sat outside the station/pub and watched the world go by. The RodgersK was brought over from Mandeville to visit Kingston, a very old design like you would see in the old western movies.
We spoke to the engine driver who recognised my husband and commented about the work he did on the train when it was being restored in Te Anau. He climbed aboard into the cab, the driver said he could come for a ride to the water filler. As there was not a lot of room I wandered over to the side of the track, and spoke to an onlooker. Next thing my husband came racing towards me. "Here, can you take the car to Fairlight, I'm going on the train, they need a fireman." He has a steam ticket, mainly working on a steam ship in Auckland, so good job eh!

As the train went past, all I could see was his big grin from ear to ear. I commented to the guy I was talking to, "there you are, I've been left ...for a train!" I drove around Kingston around the lake, it was a nice warm day, and headed for Fairlight, bought some bits and bobs for a train nut brother, and waited. I thought I recognised someone and went over nearby to verify who it was, and I was right it was 'Archie' from Southern Scribes. By the time my husband got off the train he found me talking to once again a 'bloke.' (I get on better with blokes) Archie, I Introduced them and they got on well. So a good relaxing day, "a nice birthday with all great things including good company," my husband said.

I announced to him that I was considering leaving the Art Centre at the end of February. In one way it is an ideal job for me, but I need more creative input. Plonking around on a computer every afternoon is boring! I had already written my resignation out yesterday, and asked the coordinator doing my day today to give it to the president for Tuesday's committee meeting, as I won't be going to it.
I just told them I was going back to study next year. I don't know if I will do the Creative Writing diploma, but they are not to know if it isn't on campus. I need to sort out all my retro, and fancy dress clothes. Might do the markets, I don't know but it is no good taking up room in the shop area where we can use it for something else. All I know is it needs a damned good clean out, and need to paint the house, and finsh painting the fences I started last year. During the winter get into my writing more seriously, and craft work to sell.

Next year will be a motivational year. To stop procrastinating, and get things done. Which will include losing some weight. Stop eating rubbish and get walking. Most of the extra is around the middle, it limits what you can wear. Then I can chuck out all the big clothes.
In the meantime there is still a bit of this year left, to get Christmas gifts into the post next week etc.

Whew, been over to facebook thanks to Maltilda, and mucking about over there, another wasteful evening.  :) Still it is a great network, I have a selection of friends from Kiwiwriters, Musical & Repertory Theatres, classmates from SIT, some people I have never heard of, and now Southern Scribes. Plus I had messages from Grownups friends, so been over there too.

I had a harrassing time trying to get dinner tonight. I was late home to start with, bought some plants from the local dairy/nursery. (spent $60 on me for plants and threw in a cake of chocolate for him.) I thought he would be late with the graduation ceremony on today, so planted them once I had fed the animals. Consequently dinner was late, and was in the middle of it when my neighbour appeared at the door. She is such a pain. One of those people that ask your advice and don't take it anyway. She is going to the races tomorrow, a work do, and apparently they are dressing in 1930's outfits. I told her something in a form of a suit, a mannish hat and a fox fur. She obviously thought I had something in my collection, but didn't sort of believe me, that was what they wore.  I asked if she had  a slim mid calf skirt, and jacket, just add pearls and I'd give her a fur, but will pop it over later as busy with dinner. "It will be too hot! Oh I can't be bothered!" Shit. She buggered off for a while, then while I was sorting something, I had some dresses hanging, but hats and thing all in bags & boxes. She arrived over again, in an awful kacky green knit two piece, longish full skirt and top. Bluuurgh.

"No Janice, tried to put her off, "it's going to be 18o you will be too hot in a marquee." I found two lovely genuine 1930's pink crepe dresses and shoved a couple of grey fur capes at her. I think the dresses may be too small, "I'll bring them back if they are."  "No, leave it Janice My dinner will be burning!" God, bloody woman, why didn't she ask me when I was talking to her two days ago. My husband was getting pissed off with her, he doesn't like people interrupting his news and sports, and just being a pain, as she is.

I went to work today after all week off.  :)  no pay though ):  The new exhibition Outdoor Odyssey looks really great! As you step into the porch Wayne has covered in it fine beach stones and shells, wooden tree cuts set in as stepping stones, and surrounded with large flaxes and native trees. His arty looking bleached driftwood seats and stools, tree stump carved faces, and hanging bottles with driftwood and feathers catching the breeze above. The inner display looks really great, with Oamaru stone sculptures, metal work chairs and tables, copper pictures, Karen's tufa bowls with succulents, carvings, and other things with native trees and flax. It certainly is well done, very effective. I noticed the coordinator's hours were long on her time sheet finishing at 6.00pm, well she wanted to do it herself.

She sent me a list of the catalogue with prices and asked me to get some copies done. Fortunately I remembered at 4pm, as tomorrow being Saturday the SDC where we have copying done wouldn't be open. On my way back from there the woman in the next shop was outside, I asked her if she wanted to look at our foyer before I closed up. She said, "oh I will see it tonight at the opening." Huh! I looked blank........... "Opening, is there an opening?" She assured me Wayne (a local artist) had told her so."Oh," I said, "they never told me," I thought "Bastards, they never invited me, or let me know." Wayne was in earlier, he never mentioned it. Stuff em!! Bloody snobs!! I did get asked, by note,  if I could scrub the floor where the Oamaru stone pieces had a made a mark, and a broom was left in an obvious position by the computer chair. I take a hint I am just good enough as a 'scrubber!" Good job I did the catalogues, they would expect them at an opening.

My mate  Wini came over, to say hi, she was painting the bathroom at home but become tired and looked in on her husband at their shop, must have missed me last week, so we had a chin wag for a while, as we tried out all the seats on display. I did manage to crop some pics onto the newsletter, some more pics to go, show it to her majesty who will probably reject it like the last  coordinator did. Ah well I've got Sunday off, and suggested to his nibs we go out to Kingston to see the Rogers K steam engine visiting. He did a lot of work on it when it was being fitted out in Te Anau. Have lunch there for his birthday. Need to get out of Invers, haven't been anywhere for months and months. Hope it's a nice day.

Ooh it's after midnight, I ended up hacking some pine branches off next doors trees and poked them in a bucket and stood it on a small table in the corner. It hides the clock. My man is happy, he likes a tree, no matter what it is. It is undressed at present, but I had to have something to put the pressies under, and up high to keep Maggie out of. Our last Shepherd used to open her own present. I have to bid for a Railway book for his main Christmas present. Bidding started at $85, so will be nice to get something he really wants.
Better hit the sack.

I have spent most of the day spraying weeds with noxious chemicals. The driveway, thanks to nextdoor's weed seedlings, and the front in particular, where there was once the main road. The corner nearby has been realigned and there is now a large bitumen area to access our driveway. The only way to tidy it up is the spray it. Waiting for the right weather, with no wind, and sun to take effect, and no rain for at least 6 hours. Today seemed the right day, though could have had more sun, but please no rain yet. Cut back some shrubs and weed sprayed the back along the bricked edging around the garden and paths to stop it growing long at the edges. Chooks were banned to the back paddock, cats and dogs enclosed and finished at about three, then mowed the lawns, so it can rain tomorrow if it really has to, but it's looking rather black out there this evening.

Had a wee buy up yesterday. Cheapie things. We buy lots of little silly things for each other, as a build up to the BIG ONE!  My brothers' and wives' have grandchildren and don't wish to exchange expensive ones, $2 shop extravaganzas. I bought my sister-in-law who is always cooking, a Christmas apron with reindeer on it, she can wear serving up the dinner. My brother has strange presents, one year I bought him some dark glasses with aliens in the lens, as he is into UFO stuff. Or a funny hat the kids like it, and so does he. Other than that some small tools for modelling husband, long nose pliers, clamp thingees, and a headlamp that straps on, from Hayes.
He wants some jeans, but I couldn't find his size of the style and colour he likes. So got him some summer pants in beige, a casual shirt in cream and beige, and a  hat with a brim, he usually wears caps. I liked this. He can frolic around in Auckland when he goes up in February, it is also in beige.

I have been tuning into Blackboard during the day in between filling up the spray container, but it was down. It's ok tonight and still no input. I think we should use the feedback from the other discussion forum to rewrite our stories as they are due in the end of next week.

I haven't heard from the Art Centre coordinator after sending her an email telling her I haven't approached the media as I don't know what the exhibition contains or what speil they want on it. Suggested she contact the local paper about next month's 'Southern Landscapes,' which has notable artists from what I can gather. Otherwise I don't know nothin.' I wonder how the striking went today, and if they expected me to be there, well I wasn't.
I really think I'll flick the job, when I start collecting my super last week in February. It will be more than I earn  without the cost of petrol, and I tend to buy lunch. I'm not able to use any creative ability, just twittering on a computer all afternoon. Or wrapping up pictures for the courier to collect. I used to do the posters, and creating a scrap book of newspaper clippings, but she's taken over that. Maybe I am just too old to fit in with the corporate image. Funnily enough only two people applied for my job at the time. I saw the other lady leave from her interview while I waited for my turn in the car. She was older than me! Then the committee couldn't decide who! I had to wait a month before they made a decision, between meetings no doubt. Some were for the other lady, some were for me.

My friend who is retiring  in June is giving up her craft shop, and going to do the markets. I may get A into G and complete so many half finished things, and join her. Sometimes she just stays local, while other times off to Dunedin or Te Anau. We get on really well, and it would be fun, even if we do end up buying other people's stuff and make no money, so long as we cover our costs, and get out of Invers for a while. Be free spirits, yes that's us! Then write, what and when I please.

I signed up for another challenge on Kiwiwriters, called, "Oh No It's Not Fiction!" Meaning the story has to be fact, about an event, or something that has actually happened. Only 3k words, from the 21st - 23rd Dec, I think. Then the 40k Novella from 1st - 31st January. I am not writing anything at the moment, and these challenges at least get me motivated.

A bit more Whittaker's chocolate rough, piddle around on here, and off to bed to read. Jamie and Claire have got back together again, and have now been attacked by Pirates. Pirates from the Carribean, no Johnny Depp though, pity.
Enough crap.

Well it did rain yesterday as I predicted, so pottered around tidying up messy corners. Put a few desultry Christmas decorations up, decided the box full of them were all junk and need firing out. There's no tree, the Shepherd will demolish it. I only bother for my husband he likes all the traditional shit, right down to heavy Christmas puddings, and crappy Christmas cake. God I am getting cynical as I get older. Christmas has just become an excuse to eat and drink too much. Although I did enjoy getting a card this morning from the UK . From friends I stayed with while over there. It is the only time I hear from them, and I must now write a note to them to put in their card. We actually met them living in Auckland, to start with and they went home some years ago.

I had to laugh at Claire's outburst with the SIT programe of creative writing, bloody pain! I think we should all read absolutely gross pieces for their marketing on the local TV, that will reach nationwide via Cue -Sky and freeview. Oops, no maybe not, the CEO is my husband's boss!
I spent two long evenings writing up 'substantive Participation' to each story (8) thinking that was our critique assignment. Well I'm just copying what I've pretty much written without the personal comments.
I just can't be fagged anymore.

I got up early to get the most out of the day, now here it is 11.30am and have done nothing, put some washing in, and dishes. It's a bit cool to go in the garden so may buzz into town and get a few things on my small Christmas list. A lunch box from the dogs for their master will be a start. He has had 3 in the past, and down to one and I have to wash it out every night, before putting his new lunch in. He has one shaped like a train, and has left it somewhere chatting to someone on his way back from the staffroom. He had lost it before and months later it turned up. Everyone  knows who it belongs to.

Our small amount of Christmas socialising has been cancelled. My husband's lunch with the head of facaulty at SIT on Wednesday is put off and the BBQ on Sunday for the Model rail group is put off for the new year. I had organised the day off, damned it! We will go and have lunch instead for his nibs birthday, I might even shout him.

The Blackboard is working this morning, I want to get the stories all done before it breaks down, I have done Becs, but Terry is next and hasn't put her story up on file yet. I would do Maree's but she is last, and I think we have to do them in turns or something. I don't know. Bugger it I'm going to town to spend some dosh!