I had lunch with my work colleagues at the beautiful Chromy's Vineyard at Relbia on Thursday. Delicious meal, graceful setting and good mates. It was the last chance that I will get to see most of the guys from work until I come home in April for Emily's wedding. It our was really nice to see them all; one of the nursing managers had been away for some time and had no idea of our big move North West. She was really pleased for us, so that was nice.
Friday I had lunch with my good mate, Patsy, also from work. We have been good mates ever since I worked in the CEO's office. It was Patsy who used to drag my tired backside out of the office to break for lunch. Some days if Patsy had not come in to get me out of the office, I could easily spend 10 hours in there, glued to the computer. No wonder my eyesight is now terrible :(
After lunch Patsy had a few jobs to do in town, so I played her chauffeur. You can get things done in a minute if you have a driver :) It was fun too.
Friday evening was our young friend's Leavers Dinner. I went over to their house to take photos and see him off. He looked so handsome and is such a lovely young man. His Dad had brought up his big Chevrolet utility to take the boys to the Casino, where the Dinner was to be held. The smile on his face was something to behold.
We followed the boys to the Casino and watched as all the young people pulled up in various old, new, beaut, not so beaut, fancy, vintage and down right fabulous vehicles. There was even an old fibro caravan and out hopped three young ladies with arm fulls of balloons. Very novel!
I was so impressed by the organisation of the night. The Casino obviously obliges each year with their co-operation as I am sure that the cost of the dinner alone does not actually cover the inconvenience to their paying house guests and the punters. I think it is a kind of community service though, as the kids, their parents, grand parents and friends mill around for hours waiting for the briefest glimpse of their loved one alighting from their vehicle and being ushered inside. Lots of oohs and aahs at all the pretty young girls in thir finery, such a lot of effort but it was very much worth it.
There were two suitably hi-vis clad young men on each side of the portico to open the doors and inside a couple of young ladies armed with cameras and video recorders to capture the nervous grins on all the attendees faced as they entered the main hall. It was so cute to see the lads in their suits and the young ladies trying to keep their strapless dresses up and walk in high heels. They all did their Mum and Dads proud, as well as Riverside High School.
So after we had watched the foray for an hour or so, we went home and shared dinner together to critique and gush over the parade of tomorrow's leaders of the community. It was such a lovely night. I felt so proud and it wasn't even my children.
Tonight we had friends over for dinner again. A simple yet delicious meal - aren't they the best kind. Just a meal that you all contribute to and enjoy in a relaxed and loving atmosphere.
The woman who wrote to me about 6 weeks ago to tell me how hard moving to Karratha was going to be, was right in one thing. I will miss my friends, I will miss them dearly. But true friends are not thwarted by distance but by lack of communication, care and love. Good friends are always there, no matter how far apart you are, how long it is since you last spoke or how often you hear from them. Good friends are true friends, loving friends, understanding friends, encouraging and helpful.
I just feel so blessed to have friends like that.
On a side note - the house will start filling up next week. On Monday Daughter E and her fiance will arrive and then on Wednesday - Chris!! Yay
You have been a busy little bee, my dear!
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