Step Mother came down by train from the north of Victoria for the event. Unbeknownst to us, when we were in Canberra, she was nearby in Goulburn after visiting Sydney for her partner's grandson's wedding. A reception in Rose Bay and then a cruise around Sydney Harbour no less. Not bad for a lass who grew up in a humpy on the banks of the Darling River and only! had aboriginal children to play with. She also slipped in that she had been to Cairns.
What a contrast Step Mother is to Mother. I can't catch trains. I am too scared. Mother was always a train/tram/bus user when she was younger. Step Mother in her seventies still drives but chooses to use the train.
But Mother is in big trouble because the whole point of the party being mostly in the afternoon was to suit Mother who is not keen on being out at night. ABI Brother had to cricket umpire today and normally he would go to the party this evening and have a bit of fun and a drink and stay the night at Tradie Brother's.
But no, Mother manipulated everything to suit her. Tradie Brother who lives near Mother sleeps over at her place on Friday and Saturday nights. Mother feels scared and alone and very fearful of noises that young people make on weekends. She is not unjustified. She has suffered vandalism of her front fence, garden and mail box in the past at weekends.
Sister Bone Doctor and Little Jo attended the party and the plan was for us to pick up or drop off Mother and Sister would do the opposite. But then Mother realised ABI Brother would not stay with her on this Saturday night but stay at Tradie Brother's, and so she declined the party, the timing of which had been arranged to suit her and visit Hippy Niece the next day.
Hippy niece is rather annoyed at her sole surviving grandparent, and that is not a good thing. But in a way it is a bit unfair. Mother did not ask for an afternoon party. She would have attended an evening party, but then ABI Brother could not have a drink and would have to take home. That Mother would stay over is unthinkable. She won't even stay here.
Anyway, it was a great party and would have been even better if I wasn't the nominated driver.
Should I wake R from his slumber as a result of excessive consumption of slushies? I want some dinner! Later, dinner was banana, crushed nuts and honey on toast. Perfect.