Ladies Tea

 I live in a neighbourhood with young families and retirees. The houses with garden are usually occupy by young families and the apartments are usually occupy by couple retirees. I have a few immediate neighbours who are retired. Amongst them, I am the youngest. The rest have earned their retirement and worked until 65/67. I am a pre-mature retiree. I don't know how it got started, somehow we had a ladies tea day. Everyone takes turn to host. It is usually tea with sweet treats and we end with sparkling wine. We gossip of course. Enjoying life, so to say.

I had been to a few and hosted once. My honest opinions and observations on these ladies tea ...

- buying cakes/sweet treats is a no no. Must be home baked. Nobody eats the store bought cake.

- table setting is very important and proper. There has to be the right cups, plates, serving plates, milk and sugar cups etc

- tables are usually nicely decorated with low laying flowers and candles.

This reminds me of my mother-in-law. She is a great hostess. She has everything that is matching and proper. And here I am still learning and stress out when I have to host. 

What an adventure and a new phase of my life..

A Courageous Woman

 Lucas has a very good friend called F since primary school. They were in the same secondary school and high school and still hang around together. I know F's mother by name and face. F's mother was the parents' representative to the school. We met during Parents' meetings and sometimes when we dropped our sons for sleepover. When we met, we greeted each other and made small talk. We were not close friends.

Yesterday Lucas said she passed away 2 weeks ago. That was really a shock! She was probably in her late 40s with F 20 this year and a daughter 16 this year. I last saw her in our sons high school graduation in July 2025. We talked briefly and there was no indication that she was critically ill. According to Lucas, she had breast cancer a few years ago but made a full recovery. In June 2025 she was diagnosed with an incurable cancer. There was no treatment. She chose not to tell anyone except her immediate family. She didn't want to be treated differently. She did not want anyone to feel sorry for her or pity her. She lived as normal as possible and encouraged her family to do the same. F proceeded with his 5 months gap break in South America. F only told his friends after her funeral. 

Oh..what a courageous woman! She did not feel sorry for herself and did not want anyone to do the same.  She lived as normal as possible and wanted her family to do the same until the her last day. She was a role modal. May she rest in peace.

As 2026 cruises on, the brutality continues...