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COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES and EES
Barbar a
2008 it seems so long since Christmas (there I’ve mentioned it Di and before October too.)
EES Faye and I are still going to Florence Nightingale’s to vacuum the offices and the house, our routine has been disrupted due to renovations and meetings which has meant we have finished early, but all seems to be back to normal. Bruno (the dog) a very nice friendly little Jack Russell always makes a fuss over us, while the cats think we’re there to play hide and seek.
AJ’s community programme is in full swing.
Bowling The bowling groups 1 and 2 have started well and I’ve decided this year to record scores so we can see how we are going. This seemed a good idea at the time as I had won a few games in the beginning but the added pressure has meant my scores are in a downward spiral.
Phillip L. is playing very well, Joe is usually 2nd, Paul Mac hasn’t got into the groove yet, but is always dangerous, David H. the master of using the bumpers is playing consistently well, Kathy L. is improving well and beat the pants off the rest of us on the 18th of March. Wynn is winning more than he should and Laureen who has only played 2 games this year is missed for her good humour and laughter.
Recycling has been busy; Di got infected by “cleanupitis” and got rid of a massive load of cardboard boxes. She was hindered by Jim who kept saying “No Di we might need that later”, but we still managed to fill one of the containers at the dump. Ian P. has joined Kathy and I recycling and he is a enthusiastic loader and unloader, I’ll have to” curb his enthusiasm” as he threw out my handbag with some cardboard, I saved it before I had to climb in the large metal cage. Not a pretty picture for my imagination or yours!
Dance Wednesday is dance day and Vicky L has joined Marty and me at the Multisensory Room at QE 11. Vicky who has always been a dancer has taken to this class like a professional, she volunteers to lead all the dances and that usually means she chooses me as her partner. I work on the principal that if I smile a lot, throw in some 70’s dance moves I’m good and take the first opportunity to tap the next person on the shoulder. Marty is wonderful, I wish you could see his Zulu music dance, he is awesome.
I am getting plenty of time in the “Beast”, our Toyota Previa as I do the deliveries on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays. No, not a new job at AJ’s but delivering clients and staff to various venues around Christchurch. I was a little nervous at first driving the “Beast” as the hand brake is a foot brake, far too confusing for a person who occasionally gets confused with left and right. Relax I don’t get confused when driving, well I haven’t so far. On Mondays I drop off the choir members at St Marks, and they are picked up later by their vans or taxis and on Tuesdays and Wednesdays there are art and swimming drop offs.
Gentle Exercise We have had new instructors including Gary who took the  class for 10 minutes last week, but while Michelle was away we had a young 24 year old, who was amazed we could keep up with her “younger persons programme’ and has obviously told Michelle to up the intensity as we could work harder. Gary and Craig have responded well to the harder workout but I feel that it might be time to fade my participation in the class to observer as I think the guys can cope well without me.
Pub We have cut down to 3 pub groups this year; this means people get a more frequent visit. The destruction of the old stand at Lancaster Park (yes I know its called something else but it has had 2 name changes since money became God so I’ve gone back to it’s proper name).
We have been over the road to watch the cranes, graders, trucks and the dust and Jimmy C. told the workman he wanted his old seat back (no chance) and he expected the new stand to be finished in 2 weeks, they laughed at that, funny! They said 2 years and we said Yeah Right!
Margaret
Well we certainly can’t complain about our summer this year. What beautiful weather we have had which was great for the annual Buskers Festival in January. We tried to make the most of this great weather by visiting as many of the acts as possible. A few of our old favourites were back like the Blackstreet Boys and The Space Cowboy and we managed to fit in a few new ones like Ojarus and The Birdman; all of which were thoroughly entertaining.
As our walking group didn’t start until February, Marilyn, Matt, Michelle and I made the most of the lovely weather by walking around our truly beautiful Botanical Gardens each Wednesday and afterwards exploring the museum ending up at the café for morning tea. As we were able to use one of the wheelchairs provided by the City Council, Paul Ewing was able to come along as well. We all had a lovely time and it kept us fit and ready for walking group.
Leisure Group has started back again on Tuesday afternoons and it was great to see most of the regulars after the Christmas holiday. Unfortunately, Laureen Thompson has taken an extended break from AJ’s due to ill health and has not been able to attend this group. Everyone wishes her well and a speedy recovery. The place is just not the same without you Laureen!!! Marilyn has been joined at the Leisure Group by Lynette Millar and this group too has made the most of the wonderful weather. So far this year we have had fish and chips on the beach at Taylor’s Mistake and a picnic afternoon tea out at the Red Phone Box at Yaldhurst. This is a lovely private garden open to the public by appointment. Some of our indoor activities have included sit and be fit gentle (?) exercises, a guess the baby photo competition and indoor games in which some people get far too competitive!!!
Unfortunately I’ve had to relinquish my Hula for Health group to Amy on Wednesday afternoons in favour of a swimming group. Joe Moore has done a great job swimming laps at Centennial Pool and seems to go faster each week. He started on 12 and is now up to 20 lengths! What a superb effort!!! Craig Smith and I are a bit more sedate and walk around the Lazy Stream against the flow which is still quite a strenuous activity!! We reward our tired muscles at the end of all this activity by a relaxing soak in the spa.
Our visits to the Southern Centre’s Multisensory Room at QE II continue on Thursday mornings and our beloved Nylla who has taken these sessions with us for a few years has moved to Dunedin to start her studies towards a degree in teaching. She is sadly missed but we wish her well in this new endeavour. She has been replaced by Nicole who is also lots of fun. Paul Ewing and Stewart Green are our regulars. Paul cruises around the room participating in most of the activities whereas Stewart prefers to spend the entire time on the vibrating floor listening and playing the air guitar to his favourite CD of 80’s music. Ian Pollard and Johnny Campbell take turns each alternate week and both seem to love the bungy chair.
Friday afternoons still see us unwinding at our relaxing yoga session at which anyone is welcome. It is always a good way to end the week and prepare us for a relaxing weekend.
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