Have made efforts earlier years to have all done for the old year and clear as possible for the new, though generally I just think of it as starting afresh with good intentions, whether previous ones were kept up or not ;-)
Lovely Christmas with extended family during the day on Sunday hosted by great nephew in his new home with he and his wife catering very generously. Unfortunately his maternal grandparents, my older sister and brother-in-law, were unable to attend as b-i-l tested positive Christmas Eve … my sister too by Wednesday. Both a bit unwell but coping OK, live in a retirement village in own apartment and some family not too far away for errands etc, sister especially disappointed not to catch up with their 3 children and the grandchildren and family over this past week.
We made arrangements with oldest niece and her family for another get-together at our younger daughter's home midweek, an opportunity while they were holidaying from another city and to share some of the food we didn't need on Christmas Day when we eventually got back to our daughter's place for the evening meal. Really don't need or feel like much food in hot weather, great nephew being a big tech fan had a snow machine set up but that was more visual effect than cooling in the heat of the day outside, though inside the house cool with the air conditioning and some shaded areas outdoors where the tables and chairs were, their new inground pool is heated but still refreshing for those who made the most of it.
Saw his mum, #2 niece and husband again midweek too at the get-together and my younger sister was able to join us that day with two of her granddaughters as well. It meant that my attendants at our wedding were all together and a rare chance for a group photo and in advance of our 50th anniversary a few weeks away and we're not planning a big 'do'. Younger sister was my bridesmaid and the 2 nieces were flowergirls, one of husband's brothers was best man and also living in another city meaning a bit of travel involved in getting all of us together at once.
Our older daughter up north we were staying with for a few days for an early Christmas with grandchildren last diary week, spent Christmas Eve to Tuesday with her husband's parents before they, nana and poppa, leave for extended holiday, then heard that husband's sister who had travelled up to be with family tested positive on Boxing day on returning home, so they're all on alert again. She has had covid previously and was quite sick earlier in the year, also the parents had it 6 months ago with heavy cold type symptoms but laid low with isolation.
Otherwise fairly regular week of activity and catching up with the diary for the week, like others this time of year working out what days are what in regard to refuse collections, what places are open or closed etc. … we have the Doc Martin Christmas special on mainstream free to air TV channel tonight, Friday, in NZ.
Lovely to read that Diana has what she wished for to get away to being with family and to meet up with wee new grandson, with that dreadful storm USA and Canada clearing enough eventually, seems Viktoria is also still soaking up some family time as well or getting over a memorable trip.
Time now for a Happy New Year and my good wishes added to all for 2023
