“Gratitude is the pause that notices the view…”

I took this from our front gate at 7am as I headed off to work recently.

“Gratitude is the pause that notices the view” a very apt quote for this scene I thought 🙂

How lucky we are to live in such a beautiful part of the world. For however long it is, I am so grateful. When I get to this gate in the evenings after work, I feel myself physically relax as I drive down into our little haven among the trees, going home is the best feeling❤️

The first cruise ship of the season has arrived. It took me by surprise as I took my coffee to the deck the other morning and looked out at it. Very fortunate timing, as much of NZ had a massive windstorm that had caused all sorts of damage and issues prior to this docking.

I was in my Oamaru clinic that day and had a very hairy drive home. In hindsight maybe not the smartest decision to drive home. In my defence I was anxious to get my family all in one place. Luca had messaged me from Dunedin saying trees were falling down around him, (needless to say I urged him to get home asap), and Rich had one tree fall close to him on our boundary. I came home to no power, water, internet or cell phone coverage. Rich cooked dinner on the BBQ and the 3 of us sat around in the evening with torches at the ready, looking at old photos, laughing, reminiscing and talking about Lucas plans for the future. It was lovely, a silver lining to an otherwise not so nice time.

However, I am mindful others fared much worse, a gentleman was killed by a falling tree in Wellington, others out of power for days, (still some in the lower south not restored), farmers could not milk their cows, animals displaced as fences down, massive damage was caused to buildings and roads, and at a state of emergency was put in place (still is in some areas). It does seem storms are becoming more regular and severe these days; we have had several since living here.

These elm trees in Dunedin were planted in the 1920’s to commemorate those who died in World War 1, we drive past here every time we go into Dunedin. So sad to see this happen….

Things settled and our property fared well thankfully. However, the days have been bouncing between rain, sunshine, and even snow, so when the sun hits these are common scenes…

Luca heads into the NCEA exams next week, he will be pleased to get them done. He finishes his last exam on the 20th of November, then is off for the summer – wahoo!!!! 🥳.

Next year he is not in uniform, his subjects are what he wants to study, and it is a little more relaxed academically, as this year’s marks are what the universities look at. Next year is about deciding what path to take post high school. Year 13 is really good transition year here in NZ, I like they have it.

Luca and Ted have taken up resistance climbing over this last year and really enjoy it. Climbing is very popular here, indoor and outdoor. I love that they do this, so good for them to have a regular physical activity in between a very active social life and school 😊 See the link below of where they do it.

About us — Resistance Climbing

Life is busy! Sometimes in the mornings I have to look at the pile of shoes at the front door, to know who has stayed the night. Rich has become expert at cooking up meals to feed everyone who is around, and I notice the laundry hamper is fill with clothes I don’t recognise. I was talking to a friend the other day over coffee and we both said how much we love these days despite how hectic they are. 💖

There is a saying in this house “if it is not on the calendar, it does not happen”. It is the only way I can keep track of everything and everyone. I know it is old fashioned, that most use their phones, but somehow, I have not made the transition, and this way means everyone knows what is going on. We are also a “grocery list”: family, again, if not on the list it is not brought, a good way to keep to budget as well. I think it is a good way for Luca to understand what everything costs, (all the bills are on the calendar). financial literacy is a difficult one, but such an essential life skill! I have made this a priority to teach Luca about since he was 5, hope really it has sunk in! 🤞

He and his friends are making “flatting plans”, and we totally support whatever they want to do, but also realise the shock that comes with suddenly being responsible for all you own life costs!

The door to the chook house has been looking a bit sad for a while now. To be fair it was an old one we found at the dump, (meant for inside), so actually it had done remarkably well. Rich made a new one, it is so fancy!!!! No excuse now for them to not to produce, they are not letting us down 🙂

Halloween was last night; the kids are all at ours and having a “scary movie night” tonight with no doubt too much junk food, too little sleep and lots of fun. We will retire and leave them to it, these days we can barely make it past 9pm, old fogeys that we are 😂

Luca in preparation mode, he has always LOVED Halloween. They are watching Sinner tonight hence the bloody theme…

Here’s to a happy November everyone x