Sometimes I think we live in different worlds…

First of all, some background. My husband and I met via internet dating and I have often been heard to say that he was my best internet shopping bargain ever! We have a mix of things that we share a liking for, like red wine and candlelight, walking in the countryside or along a river,Continue reading “Sometimes I think we live in different worlds…”

The risks of retiring and future planning…

There comes a time in most couples’ lives where there is a major change in how those lives are lived. In fact, there are several but here are some thoughts. If you have brought up children together and the last child leaves home, this major change can – for some – mean that the coupleContinue reading “The risks of retiring and future planning…”

Beware of disablers…

Working as a Social Worker for many years, there is of course terminology present and this can change over the years as thinking and research change. The world in which my parents brought us up was certainly a very different place. Words describing those of other cultures while a product of the times, would –Continue reading “Beware of disablers…”

Things move in cycles….

Today I started to think about how my life has changed over the years. How the way I live my life now is so very different to my previous lives. When I say that things move in cycles, this is what I was thinking today. When I first moved to Christchurch, I was a soleContinue reading “Things move in cycles….”

We are vulnerable, the cared for and the carer

For those of you who are new to my blog, I am a 64 year old woman and am married to my third husband. My first marriage gave me three beautiful children and ultimately six beautiful grandchildren. My second – though it started off well – descended into a relationship of abuse and control. AContinue reading “We are vulnerable, the cared for and the carer”

‘Across the generations’…

 Today I’ve called this post ‘Across the generations’ and I’ve called it that because of an experience I had taking my uncle who’s 89 out op shopping and for coffee and lunch. We’ve often done this together ever since his wife became ill and then ultimately passed away last year. So we’ve just, I don’tContinue reading “‘Across the generations’…”

We all need somebody to lean on…

I think that I was destined to be a Social Worker. I have always wanted to nurture and support people, especially my children and my family. The need to be needed is a strong motivator for me. It is difficult for me to be on the receiving end, especially when I feel unable to reciprocateContinue reading “We all need somebody to lean on…”

Memories…

One of the things that can occur for many of us Parkies is that we start to have issues with remembering things. Some would say, that is just old age, but even if you do not have that many years under your belt, you may still have trouble remembering things. I know when I workedContinue reading “Memories…”

What is love?

For the past two days I have been in the kitchen making hearty homemade soups and casseroles. This is quite a novelty for me as for so long now – probably 2-3 years – I have had so much pain from my knee and then my back, that I couldn’t stand for long enough toContinue reading “What is love?”

Siblings

We have been fortunate this past week to have my oldest brother and my sister-in-law visiting from Melbourne, Australia. I am the youngest of four siblings and the only girl. It was lovely to reminisce about growing up and the things he remembered or knew about our parents and grandparents were good to hear. LotsContinue reading “Siblings”