29/  30/ 31/5/23

Conspicuous by our absence. We are sorry about this. You see we had a quick trip down to Waimate to see the relies, and friends. Was a fast trip I might add. You see we took off in the dark, stayed somewhere. I had to stay in the car and was not allowed to know why. Gosh, why is this human so strange. Tells me some things but not others, weird if you ask me. 

So now back to the 29th. my goodness, the mistress re-arranged the lounge, because we had these 8 people coming for afternoon tea from Age Concern. My mistress, bless her does this voluntarily, and spent the morning sorting food and baking some orange and date scones and sausage rolls. She was a busy beaver. 

Hey, she has taken a bite out of this.

They arrived and boy they can all talk and talk. They had a good look at me too. All extremely happy to hear the stories of our adventures. Lots of fun and laughter, what a carry-on. Another lady told us of her adventure around Australia with a friend. The food plates were emptied, and everyone had a great time. When the mistress tidied up she found a box of chocolates with a lovely note thanking my mistress. Of course, she was delighted but said "What passes the lips stays on the hips." Have you ever heard such rubbish?

It's a tough life being a gnome around here. Hey, I have more stuff to report about this human. I can tell you she is up to something....!

Monday night the mistress packed her bag ready for 1 night away and leaving Tuesday, when she heard some extremely sad news from a friend. Because she is very caring, she offered to stay with them on our way south. Now this was a fast trip in the dark. I couldn't see anything including those red and blue lights. So, she must have stayed within the speed limit, but I somehow doubt it. She is not known for doing this very often. Now when we got to this place, she left me in the car all night in the dark and no mates around me. I did hear the chickens from time to time and breaking daylight some even came around our car. Where on earth are we. The mountains weren't far away either. I did not have a clue, mind you she often says I am clueless. The cheek of her. 

The next morning, we were off again to the relies. Lovely sunshine too. We did see other people getting tickets from the red and blue fellas. The mistress was very relieved I might add.

We get to the very elderly relies, nice to meet them and they loved hearing our stories. They had lunch together and a good old yack as usual. I sat on the couch keeping an eye on them, gosh they cough and splutter a bit while eating, and Auntie is not at all steady on her feet, either, and the uncle, he has lost some weight. The mistress worries about these two just like their own family. 

Here I am at the Aunties and Uncle's place just keeping an eye on them.

We saw another lady too, and she can yack too. We missed seeing her son as he had just gone back to work from his hour. I was perched on her little table, trying to figure out what makes her tick. I had to pose for a photo too. I really should start charging for my services. That is one way I can earn an income and help the mistress. 

At another friend's house

We were off again, this time to the local cemetery. Goodness gracious me. What do they do here I asked. There was nobody around here, but we drove over the lawn and the mistress got some and put them on some concrete. What the heck is she doing?  I asked as this seemed so weird. She explained that this was where her late mother was laid to rest. What, I can't see her resting. No, she is in the ground. What on earth for? It is called a grave and men dig holes and the dead people are laid to rest in the ground, huh so they get planted, yep, she says, so will she shoot through the ground again sometime. I was told a strong NO. This is so weird. What would this poor lady say to this? Humans already know what happens when they die. Really? Oh heck, I just don't understand this human life at all. The mistress has said I must look this up in my books. 

Now after visiting the cemetery, we visited some other relies but this time I had to stay in the car. I was quite pleased because I was watching these dudes walking and skating along the footpath. More weird humans.

The mistress appeared and we are off again. Now she says we are going to her friends place to stay the night, but she wants to buy some bubbly. OMG, I hear when these 2 plus her son get together it can be hilarious. So I got to meet them both and joined them and a new mate at her place in the sunroom. They even gave us some bubbly. Now this new mate, he had never been given bubbly before, how mean is that, he tells me he keeps watch over her place 24/7 with no form of payment at all, so I had to teach him all about humans, and how complicated they are to understand. I also told him that if he poses for photos, he must charge the woman. If there is no payment, then at least give him some bubbly for his efforts in looking after her lovely home. He watches the odd cat or two passing by and when she is in the garden at the far end, he wanders out to check out the Goldfish.

My new friends. Cheers

I hear that a cat often sits on the side watching and waiting for his dinner until he gets shooed away. The poor cat could do with a feed I hear. 

Getting back to these 3 humans, you should have heard them and their stupid stories. The man visiting, well he looked up Google for something and spun the mistress some stories causing these 2 women to almost wet themselves. I noticed as soon as the mistress's glass was empty it was promptly refilled without her even noticing. They got on well these 3 and obviously, they are all good friends. They all appeared extremely happy with that bloke making them laugh. I believe he has learned a lot from these 2 very wise women who have obviously had lots of difficulties in their lives. They were also in a roundabout way educating him about relationships and what they have learned about disappointments etc. Now he is an ex-teacher, how come he needs to be taught anything. I thought teachers knew everything because he has all sorts of degrees, diplomas, and goodness only knows what else. It appears from the mistress he still has a lot to learn yet. Jeepers I would start running because teachers are good at handing out discipline.  

Now the one thing I don't understand is he told her to stay in her own lane. What the heck does that mean. I was duly told to MYOBB.  Huhh

So, she was up very early today as she had an appointment with a book illustrator at 2pm today. It appears we are on the road to getting some books underway. 

Just hang on a minute, I am still in Waimate, and the mistress has gone and left me here. What the heck is going on? She left without me. How could she forget me? I reckon her head is all over the place at present and I don't know yet, but I WILL find out why eventually.

This woman here has an interesting life, and a huge garden, and took me outside and plonked me in all sorts of places. She amused me all day, with her antics and talked flat-tack at times. I reckon she was quite pleased to have me stay on. She gets lonely too you know, and I am glad I could assist her with some entertainment. 

But I want to know how I am getting home. This lady here reckons she will pack me in a box and the postie will deliver me to my home.  What does postie mean? She said the postie will look after me until I can see the mistress again. What's a postie? I could see she was fed up with all the questions and told me to look it up in my books. She has been listening to the mistress because that is what the mistress says to me. She is a fast learner and a kind lady. I wonder if her son has taught her all this? I hope he stays in his lane too. I am sure I will find out eventually, then I can report back so watch this space.

Nice flowers in this garden

Looking for the Goldfish

Good view of the garden up here

Another new mate in a garden pot

 

 28/5/24

Well, the mistress is slipping up here, and as she's very involved in her community, etc, some days she won't be able to help me with a blog every day. She's not telling me what she is up to either. But as usual, I will eventually find out. She has just said she doubts it.

Today the mistress has been tidying up around, because here because tomorrow she has 8 coming for afternoon tea. She does this voluntarily as many elderly people can be stuck at home all week, so this is their social outing that the mistress gladly provides. They all have a good old yack and a few laughs with their cup of coffee or tea and some goodies to eat. And of course, weather permitting a laugh around the garden to see my mates. I hope they don't mind a few leaves around the place because there are plenty.

She's a bit tired tonight. I reckon her night out has caught up with her, but she was home early. My guess is old age...OOOPS. I better start running.  She has just told me the music was too loud and she is past it. She likes her slow peaceful music. This was the opposite and made her ears ring. 

Now she has even tried dusting me today, but I told her where to go. Every Gnome like's a bit of dust and dirt. When is she going to learn this? 

I think we might be heading south on Tuesday and will know more tomorrow. I shall report back.

Thought for the day

SOULS learn from other souls

not from books or lectures.

 26/5/23

Jeepers the mistress has been like a yoyo today. She goes out, comes back, goes out as soon as she gets in. What sort of life is this for me and my mates. We don't know what she gets up to, and probably best we don't ask because it's usually MYOBB. Eventually, we find out because someone phones and we hear the conversations. It may take a couple of days, but we do find out eventually. 

Now I have just lost a whole paragraph here and have to start again. This just pees me off no end. Now I have forgotten the topic. 

This afternoon we went to visit her friend of many years and showed her the photos of our holiday. She was very engrossed in the stories that she told. But now the thing is I am sitting on the couch suffering in her smoke clouds. Goodness me I really wanted to go home, but I had to wait for my driver...the mistress. She was a nice old duck. 

This computer is not behaving tonight and making us very angry. The mistress went out tonight, so my mates and I jumped into a HUGE box on the chair. It's full of files of family history. Gosh, there are lots of very old photos too. 

Grrr gremlins in the system last night made everything freeze.

Man, o all the way until today. You need to see her brother as a young adult with long hair and today he is a search and rescue to find his hair. OOOhh he might not be happy to read this, as it's a sensitive issue. 😂😂😂😂

Now that we have found this box we will continue to explore it. But don't tell the mistress!!

25/5/23

 Goodness, the mistress was up early yet again. She was off to pick up and take some oldies to another oldie and have a catch-up. Now these friends are the mistresses' late mothers' school friends so they are ancient!!!!. But hey I have to tell you that she even took me with her today. Amazing that she actually remembered. She forgets so many things these days, but boy oh boy all these ladies can talk and talk. They hardly stop for air. 

The mistress says that they haven't seen each other for so long and they wanted to hear all about our holiday. They were delighted to meet me and one of them even took a photo without my permission...how dare she not ask first. 

Now the house we went to she has made a small gnome garden and looks great. I wanted to stop and talk to these buddies. I reckon we could have shared stories about the owner of this place and mine too. I reckon this old biddy will buy more and try and keep up with my mistress. She has realized how good they look. 

There were lots of laughs looking at all the photos and you should have seen their faces when she told them stories that happened on our way around the North Island. They are so chuffed for my mistress and so far out of her comfort zone to do this without another human or partner. But hey she had me to talk to. She reckons it's not the same, but she did admire her own achievements. Life is about facing challenges and she sure did that big time. She has learned a lot these past few years. Maybe that's why she went grey early. This holiday meant she could focus on herself and not others for a change.

Thought for the day

You can ALWAYS give something

even if it is only kindness

24/5/23

Well today that mistress has been working on her book for grown-ups, she reckons aged 10 / 100. She was talking to her daughter for hours on the phone brainstorming ideas and talking for hours trying to sort the book cover, title, and picture. Boy, they sure know how to talk these two. But I want to know what brainstorming is. I've never heard such a word before. She is trying to tell me my brain is too small to understand. Well, I shall just see what I can find in my books. Humans, I do not know. It's a tough life being a Gnome in this house. I noted that as this book is about me then why did she not ask me for ideas? 

So now this afternoon she took me out instead of playing croquet. She still didn't feel ready to play yet. Anyway, she took me to see a sick friend. Now this friend of 30-plus years has been extremely sick and needed to check up on them. Her diary is quite full and next week too. That fella around there is very good at making cups of tea for her and knows exactly how she likes it. He runs after his wife too especially as she's not on her feet properly yet.

OMG, they have a small dog in their house, and what a racket he makes. His name is very strange I say...Batista. Have you ever heard of such a word? Well, he sniffed me pawed me, and made me rock in my chair, I thought there had been an earthquake as he was so vigorous with his paws! How dare he come near

What a commotion

me. He never asked my permission and spent a lot of time barking until the mistress asked him to shh. He did, then dog talk to her saying he would do as he pleased as it was his house and not hers. Well, that is me told.

Hey, what are you doing to me?

Hey, stop that. I don't do this to you

This dog is so nosy, checking me out everywhere. I dislike being pushed around as I am not his toy.  I saw him trying everyone to get a biscuit the same as they were eating. I think that fella was the only one to do this because he heard the packet open and took off into the kitchen. He always has a suspicious face when guilty.

Dogs and humans, I do not know what makes them tick. But I guess I am learning, and need to be careful as I reckon a foster cat could arrive late next week for the mistress to straighten out. They usually just want some loving attention, and she sure knows how to do this. At the shelter, they get stressed with no home to go to. Lots of other cats and kittens are there and they prefer to be the only cat around to get the attention. I shall report later next week on this pending arrival.

Thought for the day

Kindness is free to give and priceless to receive. 

23/5/23

Jeepers she was up early again today. The mistress had a lot to pack into her day. Goody, I thought, we would have some more fun while she was out. As soon as the garage door went down, we all gathered quickly and decided to head outside and see all our mates in the freezing cold. how stupid they were all gathered around the pool. The BBq was on and some others were cooking chicken and sausages, then the fish was going on afterward. 

We went out the gate to see what the neighbors were up to, but nobody was around. Probably just as well because some of them don't like Gnomes. That Mr Policeman out there, jeepers he is a tough old fella. He put us through our paces, of the whys and wherefores. Who does he think he is anyway. I know his job is to look after my mistress and protect this property, but he was way over the top. I will have to get a gang together, but not the ones smoking that pot out there, they were stoned. Anyway, there are hundreds to choose from here. So, who shall we choose I wonder? I shall have a think on this one. 

Eventually, the mistress arrived home, and many hours later I might add, a bit flustered too, and got herself ready to go out just over an hour later. But Holey Moley left me behind again. She went out with her brother who was in town on business, and shouted the mistress, his sister out for dinner. 

So when she came home, I questioned her as to why I was left at home. Many apologies later I now understand. It turns out that her first shift back patrolling today didn't go well right at the start. She got into the 4WD and backed out of a car park and bang. She collided with a bollard and put a big dent in 2 panels at the front of the car. Crickey now this is not good. It's put a huge dent in her pride too. Her boss wasn't worried because she herself did bigger damage a while ago. So, this gave her some relief. The rest of the shift seemed to go much better. 

Now that I understand this, I am no longer upset that she didn't take me with her for dinner. Hey, all is well here in Gnome Village. Heck am I getting soft in my old age? The mistress says I have Learned from her and the psychology books I read on humans and what makes them tick. Hmmm

Thought for the day

From time to time there will be circumstances that are beyond your control. 

It's important to recognize and accept this fact and stay calm.

Sometimes all you can do is just hang in there.

Everything changes in its own time.

Today I will acknowledge that I am doing the best I can right now.

Break the cycle of self-criticism. Curb your desire for perfection and be reasonable about what you expect of yourself.

Become compassionate and understanding of yourself and others.

22/5/23

Jeepers the old mistress was up early this morning. She had someone coming to talk about her family history. But at 7 30am, that phone of hers pinged and the lady was sick. So now rescheduled. Do you know, yesterday she told me she had a feeling she was getting sick, and she did. The mistress has never met her. How on earth does she do this. That is so weird. Crazy woman I reckon. This isn't the first time she has had feelings about something and bingo it's true. I do reckon she is a nut case. 

I better be careful here; she could toss me out or throw something at me when I am not looking.

Do you know that phone of hers pings and pings all day? Sometimes she answers the messages sometimes waits until there are a few then sorts them out or whatever she does. 

She even stayed home today instead of going out and catching up on some chores. She did a lot of sitting I know that because I saw her. I have a gut feeling that her back may have been sore. But she did go out tonight as was conspicuous by her absence.  My mates and I had a hoolie on the floor when we heard the garage shut. We got back into those stories for children and had a lesson from the stupid bloke who is always meditating. He is trying to get us to sit down like he does but nope that will be the day. He says we need to calm down. What on earth for? Nothing is wrong with us. He's a stupid twit of course, because it's the only time we can. We must not wake her through the night, because there could be big trouble around here. I don't like the frost either. 

I saw some rain filling the pool outside a few days ago. That would make more ice I should think. Brrrr 

It sounds like tomorrow is going to be a busy around here, night too and she's dining with her brother. Sometimes she calls him baldy. That is very cheeky of her. It's not his fault he can't grow hair on his head. I would have something to say if I was him. Oh well this will give us more time here to get up to no good I reckon. As long as we listen out for that door opening. 

Thought for the day

Visualize doing something you're fearful of and ask yourself what the worst outcome could be?

Now imagine the worst that could happen if you don't face this fear.

Have faith....overcoming obstacles will make you stronger.

Today I will courageously look fear in the face.

Fear can save us from life threatening situations, but sometimes fear denies is life affirming new adventures.

Don't be afraid to move forward. Acts of courage are rewarded.

21/5/23

The mistress was out the door after 10am and not back until 5pm. What the heck is going on? I was duly told that it wasn't my business.

Well, that is me told. She came back very happy, and I did wonder why. I've just had a mate tell me that she was sending pictures to a friend. The mistress reckons he is very nosey and should mind his own business. We have seen this friend here several times and reckon they went shopping for the friend. I hope so because all the wardrobes here are very full. Any day now I am sure the rail will snap, then what will she do. An impossible task for a Gnome and doesn't appear to be any other fellas around here. Anyway, that is her problem. I shan't get involved in issues that don't concern me.

You see I am learning a lot from these books and talking to my mates helps. We shall solve the worries of the world. Huh, the mistress just said good luck on that one. 

My mate checked out her dairy for this week. Crickey it is jammed full, and I heard her say she had double booked Thursday so had to cancel a meeting. At least she is feeling a lot better these days.

This afternoon we had some time to check out the stories she is writing. We had a good old giggle too. We are looking forward to seeing them in a book when she finds an illustrator. 

Thought for the day

Notice how many times you put yourself down during the day. 

Include what you think and say, and words spoken in jest.  

Pay particular attention to how you react to your mistakes and poor choices. Think of yourself as a child who is learning to walk; you need encouragement....not criticism.

Today I will affirm positive messages about myself.

You will become the person you believe you are. Affirm positive messages about yourself. Treat yourself gently and with respect.

You deserve it.

Anothe

20/5/23

 Another rainy day for the mistress, so it's inside jobs today. I know what my inside job is. 

The mistress went out this afternoon to a meeting, so I jumped down and called everyone here in the Gnome world to get cracking and find these stories for children. Now Mr. Rainbow Man is a very quiet fella and in prime position to the mistress chair and all the books around her. This cheeky quiet fella took us straight to them. Why couldn't he tell us before this? He announced that he enjoyed us making a twit of ourselves. Crickey sure did. We will have to look out for this fella. I reckon he could be trouble.

So we sat around reading and having a good old laugh. Really, she has done a great job. We relived our holiday all over again and my mates are jealous and wished they had come too. We really did have a lot of fun and laughter and I am now missing the pets, cats, dogs, and fish. We miss the family in Tauranga and Hamilton and the friends we made. 

The mistress was way out of her comfort zone but she survived and achieved all she set out to do. 

There is another fella here and all he does is sleep. All day and all night. How come I wonder? The barrel man reckons he is dead. 

What alcohol poisoning.😂😂😂

We will have to wait until the mistress goes to sleep and do some investigating. Gosh, he better not be dead. What do we do if he is? Dig a huge hole in the garden they say.

Gosh, there is a Policeman outside at the gate standing guard over this place. He could put us in jail. The rainbow man says Gnomes don't go to jail. We just run like hell and nobody will catch us. Cor Blimey, this is a risk.

Thought for the day

Allow five to ten minutes for this creative visualization.

Imagine your body is a cloud.....insubstantial, misty, ethereal.

Sense the lightness of your being. Let your cloud self-rise and float through the roof, beyond the treetops and up to the limitless sky. Look down on your building, your street, your town. 

As you float higher, look down at the earth. You see our planet, with its billions of inhabitants, each a precious member of your world family. Stay there for a few moments, enjoying the feeling of your weightlessness. 

You are one small part of a huge, interconnected community.

Slowly and gently float to earth and return to your body.

Today I will keep a calm perspective

 19/5/23

The mistress announces that it's a great day to write stories for children today. Right then I have to keep an eye on where she stores the books that she is writing in. She is so quick at times, and I am engrossed in reading my own books. 

I can see there is some rain outside and no wonder she is staying dry and warm. 

Gosh, she says it's lunchtime already. Oh, how time flies when you're having fun.  

Last night I wandered into the bathroom to see that new fella that lights up. His light was out when I got there. I thought it was meant to stay on all night. This is no good at all for us.  

The fella in the barrel rolled in so we had a yack amongst ourselves and the guy still nude on the toilet. He must have a stomach problem because he never gets off the toilet. No wonder the other fella is still wearing a mask. 😂😂😂    

After a lot more writing from the mistress and another illustrator contacted it was time for the mistress to go out. She looked pretty swish from what I could see as she flew past me to get her coat. She said there would be heaps of traffic and would leave early.    

Great she was out the door and had time to go looking for these stories. We hunt and hunt. There are so many books beside her chair and on her table that it takes ages. The 2 chaps on the see-saw cause havoc and they get in our road all the time. We reckon they know where these stories are, and they will not tell us. Hey, the garage door is going up. Everyone scrambles back to their places.   

Ok, tonight we will get more troops to assist us when the mistress goes to sleep.  

I see she is glued to this dancing on the ice tonight.                                                                                                                                              Thought for the day.

Find out the other person's needs rather than assuming you know them. The easiest way is to ask. Then identify your own needs. If you always give up on your own needs for the sake of others, you undervalue yourself.

Today I will put another person's needs before my own

Conflict arises when your needs are different to another's. Peace is possible when you accept that everyone's needs are important.

Give and take are both valuable. Be flexible and generous today.

                                                                                                              

 18/5/23

The mistress is on a mission today. This family tree stuff seems to have her captivated. It's taking a lot of her time which wasn't on the agenda until recently, e.g. like a week ago. She had other plans she says, but hey that is what life is all about isn't it? You roll with it and looking forward to next week to meet this family contact. The mistress has a brother, and he has a huge box of family history. I am sure he will be very relieved to depart with that stuff. I hear he is coming up next week and taking the mistress out for dinner. I wonder if I can go too. I haven't met him before, so this could be an interesting time for all of us. 

Where the heck is she going to store this box, I say. I reckon she needs to build an extra room here. This is not happening she says. We just have to keep things tidy each day. Careful organizing, I say. Now I could do that task surely. I would probably get in the way too. It's a tough life being a Gnome.

Now the other major task she has got on her plate is finding an illustrator. She had googled it when a message from a friend sent a contact, so now onto this lovely lady. She read up on her details and likes what she sees. So now we wait until contact is made. The mistress reckons it's better to get someone who is recommended rather than not knowing who you get on Google. She could be right I reckon. 

Tonight, as she pulled the curtains, she found a Gnome glowing in the dark. Jeepers this could be fun. 

She put him in the bathroom so she could see in the dark through the night. I reckon he will be so much more useful to the rest of us. You may recall he arrived in a large box from Tauranga recently. 

I've had a chat with that bloke on the table about the meditation business he does. It appears he can help me and all our mates so we will have a session sometime when the fella in the barrel stops rolling around here. He is known for getting it filled fairly often. If he doesn't watch it, I will kick him outside and maybe the contents will freeze, and that would teach him I reckon. 

 Thought for the day

Today I will meditate on a virtue

Which virtue can help you best today, humility, clarity, courage, perseverance, honesty, or flexibility? 

While you meditate, imagine the virtue is a tiny ball within you growing bigger and brighter. Visualize yourself as the embodiment of this virtue in your life. 

Increase your virtues to live a beautiful life. Be the best you can be.

Tap into your unlimited potential.

 17/5/23

Another chilly morning for us and especially my mates out there trying to ice skate. Do you think they need lessons? It's too chilly for me to be exposed to such elements. The mistress has the heat pump nicely tuned in my direction, so they will just have to work this out for themselves. If I could work the heat pump, then I could let them inside overnight and run out in the morning back to their places and the old mistress would never know.  But this could be a problem too as occasionally she makes a cup of tea through the night, and we could get caught out. Hmm, I guess as the mistress says, if they are stupid enough to not have clothes on then that is their problem. 

I must think of myself only. Put me first. Hmm a lesson for me.

Looks like I am learning from my mistress. She is a wise woman I say. So, humans seem to have a lot to teach me, and I can pass this on to my mates. 

I guess this information will be in some of the books that she tosses my way. 

I can't find the instructions on where to find these children's stories the mistress has written. She has told me a lot about using my intuition.  Hmm, I shall look this up too. I see a fella on a little table in a meditative state with crystals around him. Maybe he could teach me a thing or two. Watch this space. 

Thought for the day

A meaningful life is not being rich, popular, or perfect.

It's about being real, being humble, being able to share ourselves and touch the lives of others. 

 16/5/23

Brrrr golly gosh it was so cold this morning. The mistress was up extremely early to take the car for a service check. It is 1 year since she bought it brand new. Jeepers that time has flown by. 

She went outside this morning to take the rubbish out and came back inside laughing because one of my mates in the pool had been ice skating and fell over. Stupid twit. When is he going to put some clothes on? The mistress announces that if they are stupid enough to still be in the pool then they won't get any sympathy.  They know where they put their clothes, so it is their problem. Gosh, she is a tough and mean old Biddie. 

Now I have a huge complaint. I was meant to be going out with her this afternoon to see her young friends with a baby. She left me at home. How dare she. I am really upset and very hurt and annoyed. I have a good thought; I might sneak out to the garage tonight and let her tyres down. That will sort her out, I hope!! Huh she is so mean.

Jeepers I wish I could show you the spare room. It's worse than ever now. It appears she is trying to find family tree stuff and pulled the doors off the wardrobe, and stuff flies everywhere. She is muttering around here and I can't understand her. By the tone, I doubt that she has found them yet. Blimey I wonder when all the stuff will be put away. 

I hope she will be on this tomorrow because she doesn't like a mess. Her theory is you have to get into a mess before you get out of the mess. This seems a bit crazy to me, but what would a mere gnome know?

Thought for the day

We never know what tomorrow brings, the only thing we can be certain about is this moment, so never stay angry for too long. Learn, forgive, and LOVE with all your heart.

Do things that bring you joy. Have fun. Stop worrying about people who dislike you, instead enjoy the ones who do.

15/5/23

Gosh, I have already written a huge paragraph then it vanished.......pooooffed gone. So now I have to start again. 

The mistress had another sleep-in today. She is on a go slow at walking and having a day at home. She has caught up on some phone calls in and out. One of them was from a lady on her family tree on her mother's side. It's her grandmother's family where back in the 1800's some Chinese settlers had mixed marriages and her grandmother's father was Chinese but her mother European. Jeepers that's complicated for a mere Gnome. Anyway, they are going to catch up next week.

Now one of my mates sits in a swing above the mistress's chair. Usually, he swings himself to sleep and misses all the things going on around here, and today I saw the mistress working on those children's stories. I was trying to see where she put the book when she had finished, but there are a lot of c/d's stacked around me making my view almost impossible. I wanted the twit on the swing to keep a lookout for me, but as usual, when she leaves the room, he is asleep and didn't see. Jeepers he is useless. There are some others behind her on the shelf window. I shall have to get them to watch. 

Oh, heck she has just pulled the curtains, so it is impossible now. Bother, what the heck am I going to do now? I shall have to think about this. Who changed the size of the above paragraph? Gremlins in the system.

The mistress went out for a short time tonight and so a mad scramble hearing the garage door open. We hardly had time to get off our perch and check the coast is was clear. I couldn't even move the stack of c/d's to clear my view. Looks like we will wait until she is asleep tonight.

It's a busy life being a Gnome. We spend our days and nights watching our backs.

14/5/23

Today is a special day for mothers and my mistress is a mother of two.  Not living in the same cities means she can't see them like other families, but they did phone her today. The mistress was delighted to hear from them, as always. 

She has a young couple who she is very close to, and this is their first Mother's Day. They have a dear little girl who is 6 months old I hear. Now they are supposed to be catching up this week. I wonder if the mistress will take me over to meet them. I have heard a lot about this lovely family and would like to check them out too. I shall have to remind her before she goes out the door, or maybe chuck something at her like she does to me. Now that could be so much fun. My mate is down on the floor in the barrel I might get him to roll out in front of her if she forgets and it would trip her up. Gosh please don't tell her this. We would like to surprise her!!😂😂

The mistress went out this morning to meet a dear friend for a cupper. They really enjoy each other's company and by the sound of things they are never short of conversation. 

We did try exploring these books again, but jeepers where the heck are they? There are some twits here on a seesaw, and the high jinks they get up to was very distracting.  We told them to shut up while we went about our business but refused to listen. Who do they think they are? They are pretty fit these two and took off when I read the riot act. Now when the garage door went up these two were missing. But I have learned from the mistress that it is their problem. She never noticed and went about her day. Going to the bathroom meant that they quickly got back onto the shelf without making a noise. Incredible that she didn't notice I say, because she watched TV to rest for a while, and they sit just below it. 

She is really feeling the cold again today. I hear her family having her on about being spoiled in the north island temperatures.  

 Crickey, she went out again tonight. When I enquired, she told me she didn't need permission as she can do anything she wishes. Well, I've been told. She doesn't realize this was great news as another opportunity to explore these missing stories. 

A bird tells me that she is looking for an illustrator for these books and someone to set up a website. I want to know what a website is. I shall wait for my opportunity to find out. The word illustrator must mean these books must be nearly ready. She is a pretty organized person and always a few steps ahead of things. I shall keep you informed of the proceedings.

No such luck again at finding these stories. Are they top secret? Hmm I wonder. 

Thought for the day

Relax and let go of your resistances. Recall the praise you have received. Ask yourself questions to unlock your hidden treasures.

What am I good at? What are my strengths and special attributes? What can people rely on for me? How do I make others happy? 

What do I like about my nature, my spirit? How have I overcome 

challenges? What is at the heart and soul of me?

Today I will let my light shine by listing my best qualities and 

virtues.

Focus on the good in you and watch it grow. Life is easier with self-respect as your foundation. Remember to see the positive qualities in others too.

 13/5/23

The mistress was on a go slow today. She didn't want to push herself as wanted to go to croquet, not to play but to catch up with everyone. But first, she filled the clothesline with washing as it was a nice day. 

When the mistress went out today my mates and I hatched a plan. We are determined to find these children's stories the mistress has started. We went through all the books stacked beside her chair and took our time because we didn't want to miss a vital part, page, or book.  

We did find a heap of postcards and brochures of our holiday, so I was back living the dream. Ah, the memories, wonderful memories. I reckon there won't be many Gnomes who get to go on a holiday and do all the things that we did. My mate says he is jealous and asked me why the mistress didn't take some mates for me. We had a long discussion about how full the car was before we left, and all the fellas she bought. All 60 of them. A friend of hers suggested getting a trailer or truck to bring everything back. I pointed out that if she packed the car well then, we would not require either of them. She even put some stuff under the seats too. My mistress is pretty clever you know.

I found a brochure of the hot air balloon we went on. My mate just didn't understand, so I had to explain this all to him. He was gobsmacked. One day I will show him the photos on the computer if I can ever work it. All this took so much time, and as the mistress says, "time flies" and she was right. We heard the garage door open so there was a mad scramble to get back to our places. Both of us fell over too and only just made it as she came through the door. We saw her looking around as she walked through, gosh I hope she didn't hear us. 

That mistress is pretty switched on and her intuition is pretty accurate these days, so I wonder what she was thinking. I doubt we will ever know, so we need to be more careful when she is out and allow more time to get back to our places on the shelf.

Finding those children's stories will have to wait until another day💭💭💭💭 or night!!  

Thought for the day

I no longer need hardcore proof to validate

what my intuition tells me.

If something feels off about a person/place/thing

it's because something is off. I'm not sticking around

to discover what it is. My time and my energy are way 

too valuable.

12/5/23

 Well, I can't get the remote going for the heat pump and dropped it while trying. Which button do I push? Gosh, this is really difficult for a mere Gnome. I am very worried about my mate in the bathroom getting cold. The mistress says if he is stupid enough to throw his clothes away then he doesn't need them. It's his problem not yours, so why are you worrying. I am to put my energy into other more important things. Now that does make sense, doesn't it? That mistress has a few clues but don't tell her this.!

So today she was very motivated, and obviously feeling better, which meant my dream has come true. Crickey!! She has had a massive tidy-up of the living room floor. There is still her scrapbook to do of our holiday, but I reckon this may take some time by the look of the bag of stuff to go in it. A great winter project.

The mistress went out tonight, so I had a nosy in her bedroom and jingoes she has even had a good tidy up in there and put away some holiday clothes and her duchess has even been dusted and sorted. So now after seeing this I had a nosy in the spare room. OMG now this is another room that badly needs sorting, but I won't say anything at this stage because I reckon that is next. I must remember that she has been sick and understandable that it has taken so long to get all this sorted.  

All good things happen to those who wait!

I wonder what she has planned this weekend? I am sure she is not about to tell me.

Thought for the day

The choices and decisions you make shape your future.

What is right for another person may not be right for you.

Practice the art of tuning in and trusting yourself.

Today I will listen to the whisperings of my intuition.

Sometimes we make decisions based on what we expect of ourselves, or what others expect of us. Your intuition is your sixth sense about people and situations and sometimes it can seem illogical or without reason. Trust your inner voice and enjoy the fruits of your choices.

11/5/23

It's a bit chilly says the mistress. Now if we were still in the north island, we wouldn't even have the heater on she reckons. Despite the rain they are having, the temperatures are warmer than here. I heard her telling a friend that she wants a singlet/vest. She hadn't worn one since her early school days. Crickey that was years and years ago. 

Now talking about the cold, I see that friend of mine sitting on her toilet still has no clothes on. I know she turned the heater on for him, but what about overnight when she turns it off. I hear the government is paying her more for the power bill so surely, she could leave it on. I shall have to find the remote.

Now she has been out twice today and won't tell me where she has been. MYOBB she announces. Hmm. I shall have to think about this. By all accounts both outings, she came back extremely chirpy. I wonder if she has been into that bubbly stuff again. I doubt that she will tell me if I ask, so I shall watch my ps and qs and see what evolves. Sometimes later I hear her tell someone about it and then I have my answer. 

It's good to see that she's looking better and feels like going out. I wish she would clear this mess on the floor before she goes out. Maybe tomorrow. I shall dream about a clear floor tonight.

 10/5/23

The mistress went out this afternoon and so a golden opportunity to explore. I don't go into the bathroom very often and so today I was in for a surprise. 

A masked gnome. What next?

What's going on here? How Rude

I wondered where she put these 2 fellas. The mistress says this place is full of fellas. No wonder, she bought them all. She now feels outnumbered, but that is her problem I say. I would be worried if he leaked while she is sitting😂😂😂😂😂

Jeepers what are her visitors going to say when they use the bathroom? Especially the oldies. I am sure they are not accustomed to these sorts of Gnomes. Tough she says, and she can have anything she wants in her house. Better not be a real nude male though!!!!!!!

I just might have something to say about this if it ever happens around here.

Now the mistress must be feeling better as she has been chirpier today and a large bag has disappeared from the lounge floor. I have noted she is not so pale around the gills. 

OMG, things are moving along here in the book department. The daughter has got things almost ready to send off but says I need to do a Synopsis. Jeepers I had to look up what this means. It is such a complicated word that a mere Gnome wouldn't use. The mistress has to come up with a price for the book. How the heck would we know.

I do know that books are not cheap these days. That Prince who recently wrote a book charges a fortune. 

The old mistress says it's not the money it's to get people reading it is more important. 

Synopsis........... Gosh, where do I start? I think I need to really think about this before putting it on here. Do you know my head really hurts just thinking about that word? That is not a word a Gnome would use. 

Oh, can someone please help me? 

Thought for the day

Even if you feel as though you are having one of the worst days of your life, you have reasons to be grateful. Look for benefit in all that has happened to you. Put things into perspective. You are alive! Focus on what you have.

Today I will be grateful

for all my life's blessings.

We are frequently undermined by a state of hungry discontent.

Appreciate the gift of life and all its wonders.

9/5/23

The mistress disappeared this morning with a list in her hand from the fridge. My guess was payday and off to the supermarket. Sure, enough she arrives back absolutely exhausted. She is looking paler today and now needs to rest. She is a bit of a worry these days and is in contact with her Dr. 

So, I didn't achieve much in her absence. I still can't find those children's stories. I am doing a lot of thinking about all her hiding places. I was in her room when I heard the garage door open, jeepers I took off and fell over the fella in the barrel. Then I jumped really high onto my shelf and then missed. Oh, it is a tough life being a Gnome.

Now she has had a phone call from SPCA to foster a cat/kitten. But all is on hold until we can go south after she gets better. I know she is missing a furry friend and did enjoy looking after them while on holiday. Hey, I miss them too. I wonder if she has thought of this? I wonder what would happen if I grew some fur......😂😂😂

It appears the son canceled making concrete today. Too much water from the sky. Maybe it will have spread down the road with the rest of the water up in the Waikato.

Another phone call was from a friend of many years ago who is also unwell and making sure she was ok, especially because she's on her own. Hey, she is not on her own, she has me to keep her company!! She wasn't amused. But why? It appears I am not a human. Oh heck. Anyway, it was very kind of her we thought. The mistress is very grateful.

Thought for the day

The attitude of Gratitude

Our language reflects our thoughts and our

thoughts partially create our reality.

Grateful people freely use words such as gifts,

givers, blessings, blessed, fortune, fortunate, and abundance.

Less grateful people are preoccupied with burdens, curses, deprivation, and complaints. 

The language of gratitude draws our attention to the positive contributions that others have made to our lives.

It is possible to shift self-defeating talk to an internal dialogue cloaked in thankfulness.

Grateful people are masters at turning their minds to the ways in which they're supported and sustained.

Once you start to notice kindness, more good actually begins to come your way.

8/5/23

Oh, this mistress interfered with my writing here and managed to delete a whole page of my writing. I do wish she would keep her hands away when I am busy here. Who can I report this to? Maybe the old Auntie and Uncle, they will listen to me. We won't tell the Granddaughter as she could get really upset about this.

Now where was I? 

A beautiful sunny and warm day the mistress announced. Good for getting the washing dry. Those people in the north island are getting more rain day after day. Her son says he is pouring concrete tomorrow and maybe they will pour cement and let mother nature do the rest. That could be interesting to watch. 

The mistress went out to play housie this afternoon and said I was to behave in her absence. I always behave, don't I? On enquiring as to how long she would be, was met with a piece of string and how long was it. Gee she is cheeky. This will keep.

Now one of these friends at her table has trouble sitting still. When she's not playing the game, she is off somewhere. Now I know this friend as we stayed in a motel in Picton last year. She a yapa too, as I watched and listened from my perch on the corner of the lounge. Another friend at her table and us went on a Tricycle, this was cool fun. We all loved it. The 4th friend has been away up Nelson way and got a wet hide the past couple of weeks. Lots of rain and floods up that way. 

OMG tonight more Royalty. The mistress has fallen in love with a pale pint trouser suit a young lady is wearing. Now her wardrobe is full to the brim and the rail is sagging as there is so much hanging in there. 

Now I need to report that there is still a pile of stuff on the living room floor. The mistress says..."well if you don't like it being there, then put it away."

Oh its a tough life being a mere Gnome.

 7/5/23

So, by the end of yesterday....midnight we have a crowned King and Queen the mistress reports. She was eager all day and night to sit and wait for it to happen. Oh, such a long process to get to the crown. Steeped in history she says. The mistress wasn't around for the previous coronation. Missed by 1 year she says. 

I must tell you that I saw a few tears while she was watching. Happy tears she says. She reckons Charlie was emotional too, she saw it in his body language. Camilla looked worried she thought. Body language Hmm now she has talked about this before. Says that it is something I have to learn about humans. Why I ask? Do you want to understand me or not is the challenge? I can see I need to do some more reading of this psychology book she has given me.

Today when she finally surfaced, still unwell, and turned on the TV YouTube for her favorite music. It seems to relax her I say. Of course, she announces, and so you must be observing my body language. Oh, I see. Hmm

Now she checked the numbers reading the blog and now passed 7000. Crickey now that is a lot of people. 2 lovely ladies we met at Cape Kidnappers seeing the Gannets were from Germany, well 1 of them held onto me while the mistress took a photo.

Cape Kidnappers

She was a lovely and kind lady. Now it's not every day that the mistress trusts me in other people's hands. So, she hopefully is proud to do this task. I wonder if it is because we are famous!! Now I reckon I look relaxed here. She has just agreed. So, I am learning this stuff aye? Correct she says. 

We are grateful that they are reading the blog. x 

Now the mistress has a son up in Hamilton, now he's unhappy about all the rain they are having and asks if we want some. Looks like he has sent it down anyway. Now there are some things you share and some things you don't, and this is one of them. 

Thoughts for the day

Convert Adversity into Prosperity

Even when bad things happen, they ultimately have positive consequences, which we can then be grateful for.

Try to focus on those outcomes.

1. What kinds of things do you now feel grateful for?

2. What personal strengths have grown out of your experience?

3. How has the event made you better able to meet the challenges 

    of the future?

4. How has the bad experience benefited you?

5. How has it put your life into perspective?

6/5/23

 The mistress seems to think I will gain a lot of knowledge from these Quotes at the bottom of each blog. She makes me read these books everyday because they are just my size, and full of interesting things to learn about humans. Yes, but my brain is small you know. These books are so full of wisdom, and there is a lot to teach me and my mates here. She announces that I am to be the teacher for my village friends at number 24. Cor blimey do I get paid. She makes me choose one to add to the blog each day. It is such hard work you know. I think she is mean. 

The mistress tells me that every day she is learning about life, and this won't stop until she dies. Crickey, I hope that this won't happen any time soon. She is still unwell; gosh should I be worried? 

A book just went flying past me. She missed phew!!. She says I should be worrying about her, especially if I want any more travel holidays. I am a mere Gnome you know but I sure do now. So how is a gnome meant to assist her to get better? Just think of some positive words she says. I better get reading then. Oh, it's a tough life being a Gnome.

Thought for the day

Three Good things

Think about 3 things that went well for you yesterday

1. Why did they go well?

2. How grateful did they make you feel?

3. Did you tell anyone about them?

Sharing victories, whether large or small, helps us to celebrate the goodness in our lives.

Do this every day for the week.