Inadequate

Apparently. Me that is.

At least I went shopping for a new bra today. I didn't buy any. It seems that as a C cup I can now only buy boosting enhancing type bra with padded cups or a sports bra. I just wanted a standard underwired model, maybe with a bit of lace.

Now peering down my front and standing sideways in the mirror I don't feel under-endowed. A reasonable boost northwards is always welcome but there is a bust that I ... umm.... thought.... was adequate for the purpose.... more or less....

Not so according to the bra manufacturers.

Sob sell goes wrong.

Just had a phone call from a charitable organisation seeking my money - you know $25, $50 or $100 whichever I would like to donate. (One of the things that always perplexes me when they do that is what happens if I look in my wallet and find I have $47 can I give that or can I only give one of the stipulated amounts?)

Anyway this woman was telling me earnestly about how tough it is to be a child with a particular disease. She tells me these children need so many things and my money is needed to help them in the Bay of Plenty area.

So I'm listening to this earnest sell and it occurs to me to ask "so how many children in the Bay of Plenty does this affect?" She's not sure. She starts to pull numbers out of thin air and thinks better of it, "Maybe fff... no I'm not sure" Hmm okay.

So while I'm assimulating this I carry on through the thought processes "So what do these kids actually need?" I ask. I'm having a minor potential grand gesture moment, I have contacts in all sorts of places, if these kids need something specific that the current health system isn't providing I might even apply myself to getting some of that. The answer isn't that helpful "money to buy things" is the reply. "So what does the money buy?" I ask. "All the things they need" she says. "But what are these things?" After an umm and an ahh she admits she doesn't know.

Really if you want my money you'll have to do better than that sorry.

Grumble of the day

How long have ATM machines been round? I can't remember but longer than 20 years right? Seems like as long as I can remember anyway.

So why is it that some people still don't understand how they work? I am not referring to the elderly or anyone impaired in any way, but apparently able bodied, middle aged and younger people seem to have such trouble getting the card in the right way, putting the correct PIN in and getting the money they want out.

And why - when I park somewhere I shouldn't be parked as I figure grabbing some cash will take about 30 seconds - do I end up waiting behind one of these people who can't make the ATM work?

Getting too close to your pets

This is Zena, seal Burmese and a bit of a lounge lizard though she does attempt to be a real Burmese sometimes such as when there is a car to ride in.

She also does have the basic belief that she is a human occupying a feline body (as many burmese do). That means a feed of chilli washed down with a beer is her sort of meal, and onion dip on a potato crisp is good too.

The sharing has gone a little far though

I nearly always take a glass of water to bed with me so when I wake up at 2 am thirsty the water is within reach. Which worked for me... until Zena was discovered drinking from it. I do wonder how long that habit has been going on - did she always have a quick lap while I was in the bathroom I wonder...

I'm now taking a sipper bottle to bed.

Just pondering

We went to a funeral this week.

Ngaire and Jim Prendergrast are local institutions. Jim has been in the area all his life and Ngaire all the almost sixty years of her married life as well as some of her childhood. Jim and Ngaire are who you ring when your dog goes missing, or you find some stock out on the road and aren't sure who they might belong to or you need someone with a front end loader to dig a hole in a hurry.

Sadly just before New Year Ngaire slipped away, peacefully in her own home. She was 83 and had been fit and well until the last few years of her life (was climbing mountains well into her 70s!). If you have to die (and it is inevitable) this would be one of the better ways to go I think.

As you can imagine it was a well attended service. Ngaire had touched many lives over the years and was loved and respected throughout the district. Someone said during the service that she loved her family. I knew that already, it was evident when you talked to Ngaire that she loved her children, her grandchildren and great grandchildren, and their partners, completely and unconditionally. The way she and Jim spoke of each other and to each other was indicative of a long and loving partnership which was heartwarming.

As the coffin was carried out at the end of the service I thought for a moment how hard it is for her family to be without her. That the gap she leaves will be huge.

Then I thought how incredibly lucky they had been to have her. How fortunate to have a mother, grandmother, sister or aunt like Ngaire.

Few are so blessed.