1. On Tuesday it snowed at our place as a result of the "polar blast" that hit the whole country.
(I have noticed a new trend in local weather reporting to sensationalise every weather event, so we have had the "weather bomb" and now the "polar blast" and what next - "atmospheric armageddon" or "the climatic crunch"?).
Of course, the pole is question is the South Pole aka Antarctica, which is a lot closer to New Zealand than most people realise.
However, NZ is a very long, thin country and here in Auckland we are a long way from the colder South and snow is practically a once in a lifetime thing.
In fact, for years I have been telling Daughter-Two (who LOVES everything to do with weather and especially snow) that, sorry, it NEVER snows in Auckland. I will have to amend that to "it snows in Auckland and people come out into the streets and dance about and tell their grandchildren about it in years to come".
Sadly, she didn't even see the snow, either because it was so shortlived the teachers didn't notice or because it didn't reach the few blocks to her school. They certainly did notice at the girl's school a couple of streets away, because the screams of excitement were deafening.
I do have photos to prove it to her, but don't get excited. We are talking snow flurries here, no winter wonderland postcard effect:
2. Ironically, because this is the first winter we have had decent insulation and heating, I am not as desperate for the start of spring as usual. But I do want winter to end soon simply so I can hang my wet washing outside. Now we have discovered the extent of Daughter-Two's pollen and dust mite allergies I am doing two loads of washing a day and constantly hanging it in front of the heat pump and from doors and even using the dryer (which I resent).
3. Today was beautifully sunny and even quite warm. I woke up with a migraine and decided to take a couple of hours off and go into Newmarket. I went to the massage place under the escalator in the mall, affectionately known as the "Chinese pummellers". I wanted to loosen up my stiff neck. Most massage professionals have a signature move that indicates the massage is over. Perhaps a gentle stroking of the head followed by a whispered "there you go". Too late I forgot that the signature move at the Chinese pummellers is to vigorously thump several times on your shoulders with closed fists.
Slightly unsteadily I carried on to have some lunch, managing to squirt ketchup all over myself. I then went to the supermarket, where I narrowly avoided knocking over a whole display of baked beans in a classic comedy move. On the street I was then nearly knocked over myself by a jogger (male) wearing spray on cycle shorts and a sweatshirt saying "Pubes". I went home, it seemed the safest thing to do.
4. I had to take Daughter-two to get a blood test the other day. I promised her $5 if she was brave, and even took it out of my wallet so she could see it and be motivated. Unfortunately I ended up having to hold her tightly while she sat on my knee, with the $5 in my hand in front of her face and enduring the jokes of the nurses that they didn't require payment.
And now, after a truly disastrous lesson, I have promised her $10 if she will overcome her fear of the big pool at swimming class. Understandably she has a deep seated fear of this pool because of a traumatic experience 18 months ago with an inflatable worm (don't ask). But she really needs to move out of the shallow learner's pool. Will I have to crouch at the end of the pool next week, holding out my soggy $10 note?
5. A few new designs coming to the store at Designer Digitals this weekend. Here's a sneak peek of one of them:
