Home Sweet Home

I had a lovely time in Christchurch with Mum & Dad, it was very relaxing (although did seem to involve a lot of food & alcohol).

Had a couple of meals out and I even managed to take Mum to lunch at Sweethearts at Berry fields where I got married, it was a lovely sunny day and we sat outside and had a glass of wine (of course) and a yummy lunch.

Heaps of shopping (I didn't spend TOO much).

I only felt 2 earthquake aftershocks that I know of and was surprised there were probably 20 or so while I was there. I thought I would feel every little movement so I was quite pleased it was not as unnerving as I expected. Mum said a lot of people are still really jumpy which is no surprise.

On Sunday after lunch (before ice cream, afternoon drinks & then dinner) Dad took me on a tiki tour of some of the worst earthquake damaged areas.  It was quite sad to see especially the empty houses. We drove past our old place in New Brighton Rd, Mum said she had seen some cracking on the games room/garage wall but when I looked from the other side, it had been red stickered I think (may have been orange) but either way I think it will end up being pulled down. Part of the house was over 120 years old.

The family coped perfectly fine without me, I did miss Samysons band in the Battle of the Band heats which was a bummer, Gary said he was really good. They took Taryn with them since she had been helping in our garden on Saturday. I can buy the DVD of the heat so I guess I will have to do that. Unfortunately  they did not win although one of their guitarist got most compelling performance. Samyson reckons they actually gave it to the wrong one as both the boys look similar and the one who got it wasn't actually really doing much :-)

Samysons friend from NYTC Sam Verlinden got best vocal - no surprises there he is a fantastic wee singer, plus most of the bands had been together rehearsing for months rather than the 2 or 3 weeks ours had.

Back home & I have been flat out, Friday night we all went to Rocky Horror on stage, it was awesome & the kids loved it (thankfully some of the more salubrious moments went totally over Siobhans head). Saturday they kids had costume fittings for Seussical and then we took them to Waikaraka Park Speedway for the fireworks - awesome awesome display. Ended coming home earlier than anticipated as they had a problem with the lights and had to cancel the rest of the racing.

Sunday Siobhan was in the Glenfield Santa parade so I dropped her off then went & helped out on the school cake stall for a few hours, took Samyson to rehearsal as he had to be there at 1 & then got back to the park for Siobhans aerobics group post parade performance.

Back to work today so it will take a few days (or weeks) to catch up.