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Just concerned for you all.

Thanks Delta. Nerves are getting a bit frazzled now, never knowing when the next one will come. And come they do, aftershocks are a way of life n ow. I hardly even pause for anything less than a magnitude 4 now but there are still plenty over that figure. Now our drains are blocked with silt and the landlord says the drainlayers are forbidden to do any clearing until sometime next week so I am washing up in a plastic box and tipping the water onto the lawn, catching handwashing and tooth cleaning water to dispose of in the same way, and clothes washing I may well leave until after the drains are cleared. I forgot completely and the shower water went all over the paths, but at least it's helping to wash the residue of our liquefaction away. Students, bless their hearts, came by again and shovelled our mountain of it away. Landlord came by yesterday and eased all the doors that were sticking and/or unable to be used including our back door which was completely stuffed. Lots more wall cracks now but water, power and sewers are working fine, thank goodness for small mercies.

My main problem now is what to eat off as the cupboard fell over and 99% of my dishes were smashed. I've still got (most) of my good dinnerset but I hate using that for everyday use. I'll be claiming from the EQC for breakages so I think I'll go and buy a new everyday set, but heaven only knows when they will pay out.

My heart goes out to you too Faye and all our RWs in CHCH. Is there anything at all we can send from the other cities? If it wasnt enough having the quaking now the planes wont go!!! Snail mail has to take a back step too! But we may be able to send down something of use for you all?

I think you should all just come and stay with me for a while - of course the logistics are a little challenging, but my heart wants to help.

or just pop up to Wellington - more than happy for anyone who needs a break.

Faye with regard to your dishes - one of my friends with 3 kids under 6 has brought a plastic picnic hamper. Normally she would never buy anything plastic but she said she found it hard enough washing the dishes but now sweeping up off the floor was getting too much for her. Now the kids are having picnics on the floor as one of the earthquakes was felt very strongly at the dinning room table and now the kids won't sit at the table. I've just been through all my stuff in storage and sent down a big box of baby bottles etc and kids eating plates to add to it. She is like me and absolutely hates buying plastic stuff so had glass baby bottles but most got smashed on Tuesday.

My thoughts exactly from all you other gals..... I wish I was able to send or do more than I am doing.... I pray those things will give you a break for awhile at least or until you all have gotten rearranged....LOL.

Ya just gotta have a sense of levity, with all these quakes & cluster aftershocks.

Today, was the first day I just sat one out & didn't rush for the door frame!

Turns out it was a 4.4

Monday's 6 plus,..turned our loo into a bidet.

Water sloshing over rim Boys, soaking a new unstarted roll of paper, sitting in a metal roll holder!

No more storing them in there now, but left in the cupboard that they sit in.

We went to our local restaurant for lunch earlier on Monday, ..when the building did a violent sliding movement, 5.6, & the noise was huge.

A group of very old, hand knitting ladies, stopped mid row, with mouths hanging open.

This I noticed in a life threatening Earthquake!

I'll probably do gardening during the next big one, I am becoming so blase.

Earlier, I was so angry, I was cursing EQ's

Lucky is so right. A sense of humour is what gets us by. I can just picture those dear old knitters. I wonder if they dropped any stitches when they got their shake up.

Thanks for all the offers of help, girls but I solved the problem of dishes by buying a nice new set of plates and things. Red and Black. Canterbury colours. And for once I didn't laugh at Briscoes for having their 1000th 'sale' of the year. 50% off. Also went to the new Eco Store and bought a coffee percolator to replace the broken one. $3. A lasagne dish for $4 and a clock for $4. Good buying I thought especially as DH was talking to a man outside who wanted to leave some goods at the store. They don't take goods in at the shop so he gave DH a set of real sheepskin car seat covers in good order and just shampooed. Just the ticket for warming our nether regions these winter days. Life definately has its upside.