As I have said before, I am still lucky enough to be working two days a week at Screenrights, the company that I was working in before I had the debilitating stroke. Believe it or not, they kept a job opening for me! I have been so happy to dress up, make my way by bus and go to work, that I probably would do the job for nothing - but don't let on to them!
We have always had an end of year luncheon and this year was no different, except that one of the women at work had suggested to Marci that they should book 'Tastevin' in Darlinghurst which was one of her favourite restaurants. What a gorgeous restaurant it was, overlooking the main street, with windows all across so that you could see the people outside. The food was French with an Australian twist and we all had a great time mingling and chatting away with people that we didn't get to spend a lot of time with during the year.
Many years ago, Kylie had organised that everyone who worked at Screenrights, gave $5 to be sent to a Charity that we had chosen, and also brought a fun gift to go into the 'Stocking' and be used as a Secret Santa or Kris Kringle gift. These gifts range from the ridiculous to the sublime and everyone joins in the hilarity of the occasion. Being a Friday afternoon, the company allowed us to have Monday off as well, so, we were all able to be organised for Christmas!
Although it rained for most of the day, the girls and I went over to their Dad's house for Christmas lunch and we all had a wonderful time together and then my younger daughter and I drove to Newcastle to spend some time with my Mum and sister's.
On Boxing Day, we all went to Terina's beautiful Federation home in Charlestown, to welcome her son Joe, home from looking after the elephant's in Thailand and have another Christmas lunch with another Secret Santa! It was fantastic to hear of Joe's experiences with the elephant's and for him to speak so well, was marvellous! The food was superb, the wine wonderful and the conversations hilarious! It was such a gentle and fun loving day that you couldn't ask for more.
On Thursday, my sister Maria or Ria, had her yearly 'do' where everyone and anyone drops into her home bringing food, fun and Bocce! (I used to be on a Bocce team before I had the stroke, but the bocce balls are so heavy that I can't throw them anymore). As the day gets longer, and we start getting tipsy, then we start to sing Christmas karaoke......finally finishing off with.... limoncello - what a day!!!
To bad for me though, because I had gotten a text from my dentists, telling me that I had to come in tomorrow and have some casts of my mouth done as the specialist who was going to be 'growing me some new bone' had become free and it would all take place early January (*That is another story for next time)! That meant that I had to catch the train back to Sydney the next day and go to the dentist to have the plaster casts done and of course, they were doing track work on the Newcastle/Central Coast line Grrrrrrr!!
Anyway, Maria and Milt came down to Sydney on NYE as Milt plays on the South Steyne, an old ferry that is moored at Darling Harbour. He went to work and Ria and I walked over to the Lindt shop and had some yummy chocolate drinks and some food from Adori the restaurant next door. Ria managed to get another table in a fabulous place for the 9 pm fireworks, so we stayed there and had more food and another sister, Stephanie, came along as well! We chatted until our cousin Cindy and her husband Livio came to meet us and then we all were lucky enough that Macca (the man who owns the Sth Steyne) invite us to come on to the boat and watch the midnight fireworks!
NYE was fantastic and I could just tell the 2013 was going to be my year.
6.1.2013
2 comments:
I think your two day a week job is a wonderful outlet for you. Sounds like your Christmas was full with laughter Wendy. Bocce balls are called Boules here and mainly played by the French, but on a nice day outside the front of the Karlsruhe Palace, you will see a group of men playing them on the flat with their silver balls.
BTW I use blogger as an alias to link to my blog (easier for blogger users)
Thanks so much to a Palate and a Passport
! I remember when we were in France seeing older men playing with these heavy balls and it wasn't for a long while after, that I got familiar with them myself. Yes, there was a lot of love and laughter over Christmas and that is what it is all about - that and lots of food!
Post a Comment