September-November - busy work and spring

 It’s been a busy time with busy work across school and the Planetarium. I was glad to get away in October to see Andrew in Auckland and go to Waiheke Island. I am loving the social group anctivities and some of the friendships I have made recently. The Planetarium is going to open this month so I hope everything goes well as I officially take over. Christmas isn’t far away and it will be a different year with both Mum and Donna gone this year. It’s been getting warmer so a hot summer is expected but that might not be a bad thing to get outside more. 

June - August - cold and wet

 Well it’s been a cold and wet winter but I have enjoyed being home for most of the time and staying in there warm. Still it has been. Busy with work and the Planetarium. Gary has resigned and I am now officially the director. (Two weeks ago as of writing this post) It feels funny to now be in charge but I am positive of times ahead with a willing team of volunteers and the board to help. We will be closed for the next couple months at least until the school roof repairs are done. School work might change for me too as I contemplate a new role as RLL but I might not go for it with lots if change happening already. I am nearly 50 now with birthday parties happening this month and remembering those who have now gone - Mum 3years and Donna 6 months.More to talk about in the next post I guess - until then.

April to May - autumn to winter - Eclipse fun

 Well I didn’t have a chance to blog last month due to it being so busy with so much going on. April was mainly taken up with being away overseas in Texas with the tour I organised to view the full solar eclipse and all the other exciting parts of touring parts of that fabulous state. (BBQ, cowboys and the great people) I saw Andrew in Auckland in the holidays and we had a great time hanging out and doing the ferry etc. On the work front we have moved offices and now reside closer to my home just across from Pak’n’Save at a place called Eastbourne house, I know walk to work on Monday’s unless it is wet. May has been mainly spending time with family and social events. It was nice to spend time with my family to celebrate Donna’s birthday now she is gone after 3 months. It’s still sad but life without Donna is the new normal just with Mum. It was good to celebrate and also last weekend with Dad as he turned 76 this year, I’m glad he is still with us. Next weekend I am in Nelson for RASNZ - lots on the Astronomy front with the Sun giving us magnificent aurora last weekend and my second year as president of the society. (Time soon to take over the Planetarium) It’s always great to see Anne though as I write this at her home in Wainuiomata More cold weather as we officially enter winter in June,

March madness but cooler weather on the way

Well March has been a busy month with work and family settling down and lots on elsewhere in my life. The Planetarium had a working bee with shifting material from the old site away for the move to EIT. Hopefully this goes through  in April and I gear up for a move to s new office for work. I’m mainly excited as I prepare for my overseas trip away to Texas and the total solar eclipse of the Sun. I look forward to a different change of pace with being a space tourist and meeting new people. Next month in April is a chance to rest and enjoy some slower pace with friends and family after a busy March.

February and family loss

 Well the first month of the year has passed and today I write before heading to my sister, Donna’s funeral in Paraparaumu on the Kapiti Coast. It is a sad day for our family as we say goodbye to another dear one after Mum left us almost 2.5 years ago. I must say this year hasn’t started well. Summer School has almost come to an end but it has been horrendous with so much work and over 3,000 enrolments. I haven’t had much time for anything else but I hope the rest of the year will be brighter with my trip to Texas and the USA planned in April which I’m looking forward to, I will write again next month and write again - being positive and bright is what I’m moire wanting to journal so here’s hoping.

2024 begins….

 Well it’s 5 days now into the new year and I can hardly believe the first week is nearly over. I have been away this week in holidays visiting friends in Auckland, Cambridge and Taupo. The end of 2023 was meant to have been my holiday but after a good Christmas I got Covid-19 from my brother and spent the week at home sick. (Not so good) Let’s hope the rest of January goes as smoothly as I head home today and enjoy the rest of my school break.