Christmas memories

 

B decided to put up our Christmas tree last week then he discovered that some of the lights don't work so he ordered some more online. The decorations are probably over 10 years old so maybe time to buy some new ones at some point. I was surprised 1 of our 4 cats didn't take more interest in it.

And a couple of weeks ago B and I were invited to my oldest son's wedding in Auckland. On the left is my sister, my ex mother in law then me with my one grandchild. She is soooooo cute and I got to babysit for the night while my son and daughter in law went out and relaxed.  Edited to add: there were other family members here, they just weren't in this particular photo.

Linking up with Through my lens, Tuesday Treasures, My corner of the world and Wordless Wednesday.

Womens Suffrage Day

 

On 19th September 1893 women in New Zealand won the right to vote in elections. As a result the country became the first self-governing country in the world to extend this right to ALL women. Suffrage day celebrates the aims of the movement for gender equality and is a reminder of the ongoing issue of equality for women. With our general elections coming up in October I hope everyone will use their right to vote.

This photo is so special for me. The lady is my great great grandmother Catherine McKenna who emigrated to New Zealand from Ireland in the 1870s and signed the suffrage list as it was gathering movement in the 1880s and 1890s - the baby she is holding is my grandmother on my mother's side Catherine Janet Dunlop.  

I've always been a strong minded person with an opinion, I come from a line of strong women of which I have raised my daughter to be the same. If we don't vote like our ancestors wanted us to then we are wasting all their hard work.

Linking up with Through my lens, Tuesday Treasures, My corner of the world and Wordless Wednesday.

Pride Month

With June being "Pride Month" here in New Zealand I thought it appropriate that I shared someone who was and still is very special to me.  This is my mum's youngest brother Uncle Kerry who unfortunately passed away in 1978 from suicide when I was 7 years old - he was gay. We have depression, anxiety and autism through the generations of this side of my family. These days we can talk about our feelings with other people but back then you didn't talk about how you felt, you didn't talk about what was bothering you and your sexuality was kept behind closed doors.

I remember this man as being very kind, very gentle and very caring - all of us were devastated by his death. Personally I think if you know of someone who is struggling, either reach out and see if they want to talk or just make sure you are there for them. 

Linking up with Our World Tuesday, Tuesday Treasures, My Corner of the World and Wordless Wednesday.

New glasses for a great girl!

My daughter has been suffering from headaches for a while now so we made her appointment at the optometrists in Auckland a couple of weeks ago. After a comprehensive test and photographs being taken of the inside of her eyeballs we found out that she does indeed need glasses. It turns out that she has her father's eyes, one of which is lazy and probably is why she has been squinting. We picked up the new glasses yesterday and managed to get a great deal- two pairs for one so here's hoping she doesn't have anymore headaches.

Playing the fool at Te Arai Beach

My 2 teens at Te Arai beach - Mangawhai. Think they were throwing pieces of seaweed at each other.