Oh how I would liked to have had new curtains, just to let the neighbours know I'm concerned about myself.

My 30-year-old curtains have faded almost to shreds, and have to be careful when opening or shutting them.

Oh how I would like to have had new curtains!

Bright new colours fluttering in the summer breeze, and I, so proud to invite friends to see - and show them how affluent I am to afford new curtains.

But alas, with just a certain amount of income to pay my living costs - rates, health charges, insurances and food etc - I've to forget about my new curtains and keep my old ones that did me a great service through the years.

These are the same curtains I had as my children grew, and they are now fading and battered, but still bring back memories.

Oh how I would have loved new curtains. They may not have cost $28 million, but still we have to get our priorities right.

The wellbeing of my household comes first before any unnecessary must-haves and luxuries.

Pity the Government didn't have the same logic when going for a new bit of bunting to
show off.

R Jones, Otumoetai