Too old for hangovers

 This was a week full of activity. It started with my last art class for the year where I manged a passable still life and finally got to know one of the other would be artists. We finally got to talking a bit more personally and discovered we were both librarians! We had always felt some empathy towards each other but there was never time to really develop a friendship. I hope Louisa comes back next year as I have booked in for two classes now. Can't wait and will practice over the holiday break.

Next was Ziggy and I having a swim before playing with Abbey at the park. I wasn't sure how he felt about getting his face wet but he loves jumping in and so I will attempt to teach him to swim this summer. There are three Grannies' who attend Mini Maestros who are called the groovy grannies by the teacher! We have started to have coffee together afterwards and then go to the park. It is just as frantic as when we had our own children but we didn't do baby chinos then! In fact we rarely did the cafe scene at all. No money for that and we just all went to the park with a picnic.  We are all subject to cultural change. 

 Ziggy, Abby and Stella mauling Christmas tree.

The rest of the time I spent organising the travel for the wedding in Thailand next year and seeming to spend a lot of money. I still feel a bit anxious at times about my finances. I haven't quite got used to not having a steady income being paid by an employer rather than living off my super.

On Friday I had my first Christmas party. The apartment complex I live in has a'village community group' and we have a party every year as well as other functions during the year. It is a good way to meet new people because despite the number of residents you really don't see many around casually.  

It was a fun party and I met several new people, some are keen walkers  as well. One new friend invited a group of us back to her apartment after the dancing finished when the band packed up. That was great and I even had a dance WITH A MAN for a change! That was novel. We retired to Shelley's place and carried on with the party. She had a vynal collection and we listened to an eclectic mix of music and talked on. By the time it was midnight I knew I had to go home. We had been partying since 6:30. I was feeling a little unsteady on my feet. I haven't mixed my drinks like that for some time or felt that drunk and I was supposed to be babysitting the next day. Not a good mixture!

I crashed but my friend LeeLin was stuck in the lift with the wrong house keys and had to return to Shelley's to retrieve her own in order to get to her floor. The hazards of apartment life. 

At about 6:30 am the fire alarm went off and we were told to evacuate! I sat bolt upright in bed trying to grasp the meaning of this instruction. Still bleary eyed I grabbed my purse, a dressing gown and house keys then bounced off the walls all the way down from the 6 th floor. It was a false alarm due to fumes from the bakery in Coles downstairs and the storm that had passed over early that morning. Needless to say I heard no storm.  While I was contemplating going to the supermarket or the cafés for breakfast in my pjs Jonathan rang to say the early babysitting was not required after all but to come later. Off the hook I retreated to bed again once we were allowed to return. I had wondered whether I was actually safe to drive.   Hangovers are no fun. I couldn't even tolerate vegemite on toast. I ended up having a nutrablast veggie drink.  I have to admit I was not sparking with my usual enthusiasm and it was a pretty quiet day with Ziggy, followed by night babysitting as well while the parents enjoyed a free night at the movies. I am too old for those capers.

Sunday was very quiet until Grace and LeeLin wanted a catchup at the cafe downstairs. Sundays they have live music and we had suggested meeting there Friday night before the party evolved. It was a pleasant afternoon and a chance to get to know Grace better. We got talking about meeting men. LeeLin has been a little depressed and lonely the last few months and we have broached the subject of finding a new companion. She is widowed too but not for as long as me while Grace is divorced and much younger. We are all very nervous about exploring new relationships. 

When we left I invited LeeLin to share dinner with me and we decided to look at some of the dating websites. Another couple who live here had met this way and the wife had suggested Leelin do the same but LeeLin is too nervous and we both talked about whether we were ready to take the plunge or not.  As it turned out I half registered while we explored the sites and now I am getting 'nudges' to  give more info! I feel really awkward and unsure about further involvement so I will let it sit until I feel more ready.