The irony of needing a pair of scissors to open the packaging of my new scissors

Had a missing-Mum moment today so I grabbed her cookbook and made a batch of my favourite childhood biscuits. And put them away in her old favourite biscuit tin.

Paid a bloke to mow my out of control lawns today. Just got home and oh my god it was worth every last cent

I spent a chunk of my weekend finishing this jigsaw. A few days ago I was ready to give up, but I persevered. Will I become hooked on jigsaws or will I never do another one?

Just idly wondering what happens to the AI "revolution" when the AI bots run out of things to steal because the artists, writers, composers and other creatives have given up creating because they're sick of their stuff being stolen.

Another beautiful day in the neighbourhood. Today's focus was tidying up and repotting where needed my mum's collection of outdoor pot plants. They look so much better now with room to move and grow.

I did this already. Opened an indie bookshop and I'll keep going until the money runs out.

What is sparkler of a day. Frosty start followed by a shining sunny day. Got a good start on the autumn cleaning, and now relaxing by the fire with a glass of red and a doco about UK National Trust properties.

It's a cold and miserable day and all my customers have stayed home and this little glimmer of hope is all that's keeping me going today. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE

Five weeks ago my mum died. Last week I was told my cat has an aggressive cancer and probably only has a couple of months. Tonight I found out my aunt (mum's sister) isn't expected to make it through the night. It's all a bit much really.

Vets deal with all kinds of cats. So when they comment that your cat is "quite spicy" you know that he's been a right little bastard.

WW3 starting? Dammit tomorrow is my day off. I really don't need this. I have lawns to mow.

Sitting in a hospital room holding my mum's hand as she goes on her final journey. It's hard, but also a great privilege.

No new pictures. Where are you at mentally?

Excuse me but why is Seven Sharp promoting the Crimson Education charter school thing?

“I am not a law-breaker,” Brian Tamaki says, as he announces plans to break the law. He's just a spoiled little boy who throws a tantrum when anyone says "No". www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/3609...

Something about this sub-par weather and the general horribleness of the world has triggered my domestic switch. Banana loaf cooling on the bench, sweetcorn cooked for tonight's dinner and choc cherry fudge awaiting its generous coat of icing.

Rain, wind, 13 degrees and the heat pump is on. Just another dreary winter morning . . . except it's summer.

Tell me your pet's name with a gift

I had a lovely day then came home to awful news ... Luxflakes is back.

Oh goody, another thunderstorm rolling in. It's not bad enough that I was awake half the night with thunder and lightning disturbing my sleep, now there's another one.

Feeling incredibly grateful that I had enough $$ to get three loads of firewood this year instead of the usual two, which is never quite enough.

I have decided it is too warm and my back is too sore to continue with lawnmowing or stacking firewood. I will instead go to the supermarket and buy cold things.

I want to do something positive to end what’s been a shit year. Change up the vibe etc. *lucky dip artwork* For $25 incl p&p I’ll send you a piece of art, many matted, no bigger than A4. Mixed media, mainly semi abstract landscape, signed. NZ only. DM me to order. Reposts appreciated.

Three sleeps until my favourite day of the year ... Boxing Day.

It's busy in the bookshop. I love that so many grandmothers are buying stacks of books for their grandchildren for Christmas. Fostering new generations of readers is awesome.

The Christmas tree is looking very festive this year.

It's Opening Day!! And Eric wants to help

Walking into 2026

So I haven't had a chance to decorate my house or myself yet, but the shop is looking pretty cute #SecretSantaAoNZCostume

Really hoping my #SecretSantaAoNZ gift reaches its recipient on time. It was received at local PostShop on 4 December, processed in Auckland 6 Dec, processed in Chch 10 Dec, and still has a fairly long trip to go.

Sigh. All my technology being replaced at once. Trying to set up new printer and new tv at the same time. My brain is not up for this

A little something from #SecretSantaAoNZ arrived today. And by arrived I mean hidden behind the hedge under the roses 🤣 thank you to the courier for trying to keep it safe and thank you to my Secret Santa

Ooh a parcel is on the way to me from #SecretSantaAoNZ. Thank you to my Santa for your efforts. I love it already.

Quite the wake-up call this morning with thunder and lightning almost directly overhead.

I've decorated the shop already but home will have to wait for a bit. Main issue is I've used both trees, and the best decorations, in the shop and there's not much left.

So they'd prefer a slow march to oblivion on the opposition benches rather than give up their current power. Good luck to them */sarcasm www.stuff.co.nz/politics/360...

Mind-blowing lack of empathy and remorse from Police

Yes I have Christmas music playing in the shop this week. No Mariah Carey is NOT on the playlist.

Music - David Bowie is always at the top of the list. Although I'm currently rocking Mozart piano music in the shop. Book genre - whodunnit. I love trying to figure out whodidit. Also I like the strong narrative line that comes with crime novels. /1

Yep, that was a nice day. Good business at the shop (thanks Christmas shopping), then a spot of lawnmowing when I got home. Just been over to the neighbour for a wine or two and a catchup, and now contemplating a serious session of reading in bed, having woken up at stupid o'clock this morning.

Oh for crying out loud, if you're going to drive randomly around the shopping area on a Saturday morning, at least get your muffler fixed and learn to drive like a grown-up

Just got my #SecretSantaAoNZ match and I feel like they're my long-lost separated-at-birth twin.

Got a little nudge to say something about myself for #SecretSantaAoNZ. I live in a small rural town and am the proud owner of a very tiny bookshop called Chapters. I share my home with a grumpy old rescue cat called Eric. I do a bit of pottery in my spare time. Love NZ art, handmade, vintage.

Not really a jewellery person that. Ears pierced but they usually just contain the plain gold studs they were pierced with. Years ago my grandmother gave me a small bone carving that I wore until the string broke and it vanished. But generally I'm pretty much unadorned

According to my wardrobe my favourite colours are green, soft orange and a bit of beige. Helps me to blend into my surroundings

A quick look around my house suggests I'm collecting dust, cat hair and all my mum's stuff that doesn't fit in her room in the dementia unit 😞 but I'm also a fan of mid-century ceramics from the op shop.

Dementia is a bastard.

Why do cough mixtures always taste so disgusting? It's bad enough being sick without having to choose between breathing and drinking something that makes you want to puke.