True Colours of My life

Sundays and Stampin up!!

2010-12-05T20:40:00.002+13:00

Another good day spent this weekend was our Stampin Up! Christmas get together.
We made three lovely projects and then iced cupcakes and made cake toppers for them. To be truthful I wasn't in the mood when making the topper. Wasn't in the 'thinking things up' creative mood, more like the 'show me what to do and I'll do it' mood. But I had a go,wasn't anywhere near my best.
But was a good day and I got to spend it with my up-line Tash, so that was great to catch up.

Recharging the soul

2010-12-05T20:00:00.003+13:00

On Saturday we went to the Mount (Mount Maunganui)which is on the Pacific coast.

We had a 'cow' of a week, I had a load of crap in work (nothing much new there), one of our chooks (Marjorie) died and someone shafted us (which I can't go into on here) but it knocked the stuffing out of all of us. So I wanted to get to the beach to recharge the soul. I am really realising just how much that I am attached to the water. I still don't think I'd chose to live by the beach at this moment (I don't think you appreciate something when you live on top of it) maybe later when I have the time to appreciate it.

We decided on the Mount as we haven't been there in a while. The thing is with the mount I love it and dislike it too. The reason I dislike it is that it is very built up and gets 'busy', reminds me of Spain type of place (not quite) and I prefer a typical kiwi style beach that is one without the crowds. But the thing about the place (one of the reason why I love it) is every time I see the white sand and the blue blue ocean it takes my breath away as I think "we live here - a hour and half away. WOW!!!!"

So we went in the water. S and L did body boarding I just did wadding and after the initial cold the warm was quite warm and very refreshing. There were lots of jellyfish (as the water temp is warm) but they weren't the stinging kind.

We later went into town to have a look at the shops and get hot chip for dinner and then went for a walk on the island. We wanted to take some piccies (shhhh it's a surprise) and there is a geocache on the island so we did our 100th cache!!

So it did as we wanted, we had a great day and certainly recharge us all.

Aotearoa One

2010-11-21T21:19:00.002+13:00

Just come back from a FAB trip on Aotearoa One. Aotearoa (is the Maori name for New Zealand - land of the long white cloud) and they used the English word for one so it was the coming together of the two worlds.
I went on it as part of my course at Te Wananga O Aotearoa. It was for us to learn in a different environment and pushing past our boundaries. We were really lucky to have on board Manulani Meyer who is an awesome lady, she is a Doctor from Hawaiian. I heard her talk at the two day symposium I went to and had the honour of her sitting in on my talk and saying lovely things at the end.
We left Whangaparaora after 9.00 at night on a drizzle evening with poor visibility. We left under motor at first. Later as we went North we put up the sails and went mostly under sail. We all had to put the sails up as a group. Our group wasn't on watch till 3.00 am (I know!!) so we cat napped on the seats around the deck. I support one of my friends who was feeling really sea sick, she wasn't the only one several were. I was the only pakeha (white person)on board and wasn't in the slightest bit sick YAY!!
At one stage while I was napping I heard a shout and woke. K said it's ok they just saw a dolphin but it's gone now. Now it one of my dreams is to see dolphins in the wild not Seaworld. SO was gutted that I missed it and went back asleep, only to be woken to be told there was dolphins along side us. It was pitch black and hard to see them but it made them more mystical as they shimmered in the water. They are so fast and we mostly had 2 or 3 swimming in between hulls but at one stage there was 6 in total. So although I didn't take any piccies or see them properly as I said it was more magical to see them like that. Awesome was over the moon.
We went to bed around 3 and although we were meant to be woken up at 4 I woke to the sound of fish flapping on the deck at 6.00am. The fish was caught filtered and put on the barbie and eaten for brekkie. It was later followed by some of the fellows diving for Kaimoana (seafood) so I tried fresh scallops - didn't fancy the kina.
I was asked to record the ships log as we sailed home. When it was time to put up the sail Manulani was also doing the task with me, I was put on the sheets and had to use the ropes, she was behind me helping. As I was waiting I looked up and shouted "Granddad/Pop I hope you can see me and feel proud" especially as Granddad had 5 mok puna (grandchildren) and I was the only girl. Both my grandfathers were sailors and I know they sailed to NZ and they were on my mind for most of the journey. SO as I was pulling on the ropes Manulani was saying "Come on Jan you are from a line of sailors, you are from Liverpool your home city is a port - call on them for your strength" and I did it was very moving and great that I did it I over come a barrier.
I was put on watch as we entered the port and filled in the log for the last time as docked.
It was such a great (which is an under statement) honour to have to share with some fantastic people - whanau (family) in the true sense of the word.
I am truly lucky.

Rites of passage!!

2010-09-02T18:55:00.002+12:00

When you turn 15 in New Zealand you are able to learn to drive!!!! In the UK it is 17.
Here you sit your learners which is a test then you can drive for at least 6 months with a driver supervisor, then you can sit your restricted, which is a driving test which means you are able to drive, within a set time of the day, on your own (no passengers except drivers). Till you are able to go for your full licence 18 months later (or 12 months if you do an advanced driving course).
So today Key turned 15, he has been waiting for this birthday before we even got to NZ. After school we met him off the school bus and took him into the office. The lady there knows me because I am always in there with my trainees.
Key sat the test, which is now on the computer. I watched, as I always do, to see the green ticks appear on the screen. Key made a few mistakes (you fail on the 4th) and got down to the last two answers. He had got two wrong up to then. Then a red cross on one of the picture questions, then the last question. This was it - get it right you pass - get it wrong you fail. I could see him going between 2 questions. He clicked on one of the options then changed his mind and clicked on the other and went for it. A red cross appeared. He was so upset.
So I paid for him to resit there and then.
He got two wrong and then the green ticks continued and we saw a pass appear on the screen.

We then had to take him out for a quick driving lesson. We went to a quiet country land and let him take the wheel. We have a automatic so at least he wasn't trying to use gears too (that will come when we can buy a manual). I sat in the front seat and we went down the long road (we did meet 2 cars) and he did well.
So all good but next stop the main roads - GULP!!!

Sitting in the booth doing the test

YAY!! Passed on the screen

Putting his L Plates up.

I am not scared - honest

In the hot seat

Actual driving on the road!!

Look at this lovely birthday cake that his sister made him. I know it's pink but we'll call it an Everton cake as they are playing in pink this season. She is really special making this for him.

We wish you a merry christmas............

2010-07-06T18:29:00.003+12:00

What??? I hear you all saying but on Saturday 26th JUNE (sorry for only posting now! Been busy) we had Mid Winter Christmas. What??? I hear some of you saying. Mid Winter is when some Kiwi/expats do the Christmas thing as it is winter for us in June and "Chestnuts roasting on a open fire......." & "Walking in a winter wonderland" makes more sense at that time of the year compared to walking around in short when we do our Xmas shopping or my fav is when the deccies fall down as the blue tack melts in the heat!!!LOL.
We went (key stayed at a friends birthday sleep over) to my dear friend Ange and as she has just had a new fire fitted it seem appropriate. She is from the UK too and there where Kiwi friends there also.
She even put a tree up and we all got small gifts for each other!!!
We had a big feed (my nut loaf was a disaster!!) and a chocolate Christmas cake complete with silver fern!!
She had asked me to bring over the Royal Family Christmas Special - the cuppa soup with a twist one. But we couldn't find it anywhere and as we were running late, we had to leave it. But later in the evening Ange shouted me into the family room (where the TV was on) and guess what......... it was actually on the TV (Sky UK TV channel) we laughed so much not because of the show but the irony of it all. Our kiwi friends didn't get all the jokes in the show!!
It was totally surreal and I was thinking Christmas can be bad enough once a year never mind doing it twice, but it was good fun and did feel more like Christmas.
A goodnight was had by all and I did say when we were all leaving, that are we doing it again next week as wasn't that New Year????

Ange and me - notice the wine glasses which has loving being called the spa pool (yes I did have one or several of them!!)

J eating jelly with holly in it

Me and Jim Royal, just like Christmas in UK!!

Cambridge Autumn Festival

2010-05-02T21:27:00.004+12:00

Well it is certainly turning into Autumn, the leaves are falling everywhere and with Cambridge being the town of trees, there are quite a lot leaves around.
The evening have turned chilly too (oh how I wished we had a log burner!!)but still when the sun shines it's still warm.
Today was the town's autumn festival and both kids were taking part.
Key playing cello in the Irish Ceilidh band that he's in at school on one corner of the town and Lou sang a solo (unaccompanied as well) on another, plus she sang in church this morning too. Gotto give these kids credit for getting up and having a go.
It was a lovely day and saw lots of friend and had a cuppa and a catch up with some others. Got some nice bits and bobs too (they had a wee market there).

Gosh time flies............

2010-05-02T17:41:00.007+12:00

I can't believe that it was that long since I last blogged. It has been a busy busy time. But what have you missed?????

Well Lou had her birthday, Key had his head shaved for Canteen, we had a lovely Easter camping right on the South Pacific and the season has changed to Autumn (not as cold as the Autumn I am used to in the UK but it doesn't take long to acclimatise!!)
So here are piccies from the last month or so........
Lou's birthday
Lou had a good birthday, I can't believe she is 12!! To make me feel even older, she had an 80's party with mocktails.

Key's head shave for Canteen
Key had decided to get his head shave and raise some money for Canteen. Canteen is a charity for teens with cancer. He did it in the name of his Aunty Ruth - who died at 17 of cancer (two weeks after being my bridesmaid) 18 years ago. Funny enough the morning of the head shave her song came on the radio - it was her way of saying she approved!! After he did it he did look like a kid with cancer (as his eyebrows are really fair) and it gave me a a pain in the pit of my stomach but I also thanked God that he wasn't and it makes you think what's important. But anyway I am proud of him.
Before with a friend who was also involved

Half way there!!

The end result

Easter camping trip.

We had been here before 2 years ago but came back for the long weekend (we had the Tuesday too). We explored further than last time and founds some lovely places. We managed to fit in a cache or ten too!! All this and a live volcano on the horizon!!
Camp fires of an evening. The family next to us got the ukuleles out one night and had a sing song - was just the best!!

Lovely sunsets each evening - better then TV any night!!

Parked right on the beach (our tent is the one with the pink chair)

Paddy having a ball too!!

This is the most further eastern point (first to see the new day!). We climbed over 700 steps to get to the top and it did near kill me!! But was worth it - totally stunning.

Kids all tucked up for the night!!

Chilling. Good job we brought food though as the fish weren't biting for anyone at the camp. I was reading my uncles book he had sent to me.

This beautiful church right on the beach. We got lots of lovely shells from that beach, the kids called it the Paua pools and Lou said it was like finding treasure - natures treasure.

On our way to the waterfall, crossing the stream and oh yes I did fall in. But the kids and Stevie had a shower in the waterfall - yup it was freezin!!

Gaga for Lady Gaga

2010-03-14T19:54:00.003+13:00

Lou's favourite singer is Lady Gaga, she wanted to go and see her when she was touring with the Pussy Cat Dolls, which we never got to. So when we heard that she was playing Auckland we got Lou and me a ticket to see her.
We had seen her raving reviews on the internet. She even phoned in a local radio station to say how excited she was to be playing in New Zealand and had made sure that we got to see the show everyone else did.
We all headed to Auckland (even Paddy) did a bit of geocaching on the way up there. Watching a guy catch a big snapper from the rocks!! Stevie was going mad he didn't put the rods in. Then had tea at some little chippy, the kids got these twist potatoes!!!
The show started with her support band who liked to swear a lot and me and Lou just laughed at them (wouldn't of been as pleased if Lou had been younger - although knowing Lady G....). She came on stage at 9.20 and last 2 hours and several costume changes later. She was very good, the show was brilliant, she reminded me of a young Madonna to be truthful. So we both enjoyed ourselves and had a good dance (love a concert where you can dance).

School's sports day

2010-03-14T19:02:00.002+13:00

Lou has been made House Leader again this year. She loves this role and sports days are a major event for the Leader from organising the house to motivating them to do well (and make lots of noise!!).
The swimming sports day is held at the local (outdoor) swimming pools and it was a lovely day too (although I was unable to go as in work :-( ). Lou did well (she was up against some kids from swimming clubs, she did well as leader too (although St Nick's didn't do so well!).
Let this be the only time I see her holding a banner saying come on red!!!

Well it's 3 years ago ........................................

2010-03-14T17:57:00.002+13:00

Since we left the shore of Blighty and started the new chapter of our lives in Aotearoa. If folks don't know we had never even visit here before we 'jumped in the deep end' by selling up, packing our stuff, hopping on a jumbo and breaking some hearts along the way.
When we landed we stayed with some kind (understatement if ever there was) friends while the house selling in the UK still went through (I would not live that last week for a winning lotto ticket - honest). I got a job here and that's why we set up in this particular part of the country.
It certainly hasn't been 'plain sailing' we have had ups and downs, but the kids have a great life living in the countyside (we came from a overpopulated city), the house we live in is bigger and better then we had in the UK (although paying a mortgage cripples you what ever part of the world you live in LOL), the climate is certainly better, the place is beautiful, we feel safer and we live and do things we could only dream of doing (or only on a 2 week holiday). Some times I have to pinch myself that we live here.
There are still things we miss about the UK (galaxy choc for starters!!) and of course there are lots of people we do still miss terribly, but thank goodness for technology, the web and a web cam.
Will we live here forever? Who knows! And by that I mean if someone had told me 15 years ago I would live here I've of betted a million pound that I wouldn't of - Me never!! so on that who knows what the future will bring. But we call this place home and I am more then happy that we CHOSE to live here.

This week we.....

2010-03-07T11:58:00.003+13:00

Well it was a good friends birthday party. J is one of the nicest people you could meet, we met him as we have a shared love of Everton Football Club. J is from Blackpool but is a manic blue, one of his presents was the flag pole, another the Everton (YAY) flag his wife and kids bought him a personalised number plate "TOFEEZ". Here are some piccies from his birthday party

The birthday boy himself with Key both in their kits of course!!!

I went to a bead class with my good friend Ange. She does a bit of beading and we thought it would be fun to take a class or two. We saw this real pretty necklace and was told it was easier then it looked, you crocheted with the wire. Now I am a crocheter so thought I'd have a go and it look so pretty. Well I managed it but poor Ange - well lets just say she is going to wear the beads in the bag!!! But we did laugh all the way home. It could only happen to me or her. Anyway I am chuffed to say I made this and I just love it.

Then L had been asked to sing at Mass. She did really well as the others did too. It's lovely to hear her sing and I know that the people at church love it and they always come up and tell her at the end. We are so proud of her. Ka Pai Lou, love you lots xxx

Some funny videos from the camping trip

2010-03-07T11:56:00.005+13:00

My kids having fun in the watering hole on rubber rings - life doesn't get any better. Look out for the bum wiggle!!!

Peace, quiet, fun, rest the two kids playing together then.......................................................
Fighting like an old married couple, I wonder were they get that from????

Weekend camping

2010-02-28T21:30:00.004+13:00

A friend recommended this camp site to us and we went there for my birthday and I had one of the best birthdays I have ever had.
So last weekend we went back there. Packed up the car, picked the kids up from school on the way and headed to Ruapuke (said Rua pooky) just outside Raglan (about 1 1/2 hours from home). As we arrived Paddy was squealing with delight. We just chilled, read, played games, went in the watering hole, paddled (can't swim there too rough) and had a beach fire in the evening. It's just great there and we all love it. Here are some of the many piccies we took.

The watering hole on the camp site.

Here are some piccies taken by my uber talented daughter, she isn't even 12 yet and take some professional looking picture.

A night on the town with Gin (& no tonic)

2010-02-28T21:27:00.004+13:00

One of my prezzies for Christmas was local singer Gin Wigmore's CD. It's FAB, so when she played in Auckland we just had to see her live and she was just great. We got to meet her at the end too.

Mum's visit highlights

2010-02-28T20:44:00.003+13:00

Well mum has been and gone (and planning her next trip). We had a FAB time while she was over. Unfortunately we didn't do as much as we had planned seeing as I put my back out for most of her hols (hence why I didn't blog) but at least I was at home with her and she could fluff my pillow and give me a cuddle when the pain was bad - like no one can but your Mum can.
Mum, as ever, threw herself into whatever we did (bushwalking, body boarding, went in dark caves/tunnels etc etc) and we had to keep remembering that she was a 'twirly' (OAP). She caught up with friends and made new ones (including our chickens). She really loves it here and we love having her. But once again the time came for her to leave and again tears flowed.
But here are some piccies of the highlight of her stay. Till the next time Mum - love ya xxx

Mum had to go on swing bridges quite a bit - didn't help that Steve and the kids would rock them!!!

In the caves at Waitomo

Stevie jumping out at her (the cave was pitch black) and yes she did cr*p herself hee hee.

In our spa pool at home with her beautiful granddaughter

Having a barbie (they are public FREE ones) on the beach at the Mount.

Oh yes the South Pacific Ocean can be cold even in summer.

On the bodyboards - chillin

Big as ...ice creams and cookies and yes they were as nice as they looked

Happy New Year!!

2010-01-02T21:58:00.002+13:00

Well I haven't blogged for ages (sorry) and I keep meaning to 'catch up'!! but I don't so instead I'll carry on, rather then say I'll get around to it and I don't. I will try to do a 2009 round (don't hold your breath!). So Happy New Year I hope it's a good one.

As I write I am watching the net and waiting for my mum's flight to take off, she is coming to visit us, her second visit (this time last year she was already here). So I want to record her visit here so people can see what she's up to as well as us.

Bye for now.xoxox

Ten years ago..............................

2009-11-24T20:01:00.001+13:00

we were in Florida with my mum. I have to say that it was one of the best holidays I have ever had, a real dream come true. I wish the kids were older (especially Lou) to remember it. It was something I felt sad about coming to NZ that we would be going to Florida again.
But happy memories and it was all on video (just hope they came over with us).

busy busy busy........

2009-11-17T18:57:00.003+13:00

well work has hit an all time peak with my colleague leaving I have gotten some of his trainees aswell as mine and some new ones - so I have now 18!!! I am suppose to only have 12 but can take 15 so gulp!! but then hopefully that gets me sorted for next year.

Also I did a cyper crop over the weekend and it was FABBY and did some cool stuff I am proud of so piccies to come of those.

And I am late with some of my assessments for one of the course I am doing (naught girl TUT TUT!!) so need to get A into G and get sorted on that as my next workshop is in about 2 weeks, my trainees think it's so funny I am behind (wish I did).

So that's why the posts have dried up a bit but I'll soon be back to normal and catch up with the prompts from Shimelle's course too (behind on that too!!!)

Right Ka kite (see you soon)

another reason why I love this country.

2009-11-10T21:53:00.002+13:00

Tonight Key performed with the string group at his school's awards/leavers service, it was held at the Cathedral in Hamilton. Now Key has also performed at both the Cathedral in Liverpool and here lies the difference, I was never allowed to take any photos of him performing in these magnificent buildings. I have no visual record of this and as a scrapbooker to me that is a crime. The reason being is the 'stupid' law/rule whatever that you are not allowed to take photos of children in a public place. That used to wind me right up!! I know why but I hated the fact that everyone gets 'tarred with the same brush'. Anyway there wasn't even a passing thought this evening that someone would stop me taking a photo of my beloved son in a proud mummy moment, in fact the teacher was laughing that the only hassle was that Key was embarrassed that I was taking his piccy ("that's my mum" I heard him moan at one stage). So anyway I am glad that I live in a country that is sane and let's a mum be proud of her children and want to record that precious moment, OK they don't know that it will be on bazzill cardstock with the latest design from basic grey or cosmo cricket and lots of embellishments surrounding it. At least I have one photo to stand for the rest of the other ones I wasn't able to capture. Sweet as - New Zealand.
** stands off soapbox
Although we couldn't stay for the full mass and service, it was lovely to see the 'men' (these were the year 13 - 18 years olds) looking smart and seeing some of them dressed in traditional dress, some of them had lava-lava (a skirt like piece of clothing) on with their blazers and some had Leis on. They were welcomed into the Cathedral with a Maori welcome and haka too. Another reminder that I live in another part of the world.

What we did over the weekend.

2009-11-08T21:45:00.003+13:00

Another busy weekend over. So here is what we did.
Saturday
Key had a cricket game (another loss), Lou went to a friends, I was suppose to be scrapping but...........spent most of my time checking our the blogs of my class mates. Did managed some scrapping later. Then in the evening we went to S and A for a bonfire party. We all brought fireworks so there was sooooo many we have saved some for New Year's Eve. There was a huge big bommy too and heaps of good fun. I made a new friend his name is Minty and he's just gorgeous. Loved feeding him so cute. Oh yes Key wanted one!!!!!

Sunday
Was Armistice Day.
.

The town puts on a show which lots of visitors come to. They have lots of vechicle and displays. They also do re-enactments. So this year we had the Waikato militia and they did a 'show' of storming a pa.

Later there was a 'Vietnam' display, with 'American' GIs in the field complete with helicopter, followed by the kiwis showing what they did in 'Vietnam' with large loud guns!!! We met some friends and sat with them too

After for dinner we went the Lake (which is less then 5 mins away) and had 'fush and chups' and played kwik cricket. I was even running - whats this country doing to me!!

Happy Birthday Dad!!

2009-11-06T17:50:00.003+13:00

Today is my dad's birthday, so this is some birthday love sent to him from all of us.
We love you Dad/Pop and miss you heaps.
Have a good day.
Lots of love and kisses.

remember remember the 5th of November!!

2009-11-05T21:32:00.003+13:00

I didn't write a post yesterday as I had a rough day in work and needed to lick my wounds (with the help of a good friend).
Anyway it is bonfire night or bommy night as we called it back in Liverpool. They do celebrate 'Guy Fawkes' night over here. A funny story, a friend (pom) of mine once told me that a kiwi friends of hers was telling her about Guy Fawkes and how he tried to blow up 'The Beehive' (which is the nickname for the houses of Parliament over here) and no matter how much my friends tried to tell her the history behind it, she wouldn't have it!!!! With this in mind I did the history bit with my trainees, they loved the bit about the hung, drawn and quartered (rolleyes here).
So we bought our fireworks (they only allow them to be bought 4 days a year - well done on that one New Zealand) from the warehouse (big store over here) and we said the same as last year and the year before, that most of them were a load of rubbish, so note to self DO NOT BUY THEM FROM THE WAREHOUSE NEXT YEAR!!.
It's still not right to me not to be wrapped up with hat and scarf when watching them and having to wait till well after 8.00 to set them off because it's still daylight till then. Still had fun though and Key was pleased as we let him (don't panic mum he was fine)light them this year.

Lesson One - paving our way to pastures new

2009-11-03T21:09:00.002+13:00

Well the course Blogging for scrapbookers, a course I am doing on line, is well and truly running YAY!!!
SO here's my entry.
This course is to try and 'bridge' the gap and use a blog to record our lives - not just using 12 x 12 cardstock etc. I must admit sometimes I do get 'bogged' down by the scrapbooking (which I love don't get me wrong) and the fact I just don't get the time to record it all. I have all these ideas in my head and yet why oh why do they disappear when I sit in front of photos, cardstock and pretty paper??? So I hope that by blogging (as well as showing my family in the UK our lives that we lead here and that's why we are so far away from them) that it frees up my mind so I don't feel like I have to create a layout for every memory but just record the special ones.
I hope that makes sense - it does to me.

Another Layout

2009-11-03T21:05:00.002+13:00

This got missed off yesterday as the piccies weren't clear enough especially to read the story behind the piccies.

Some layouts

2009-11-02T21:22:00.003+13:00

I have just started a course on blogging and having lots of visitors - Haere mai (welcome) to my class mates from Shimelle's blogging for scrapbookers!! So I hope that my blog will be even better (all singing and dancing LOL) and I am looking forward to this class. Thank you for you kind comments too.

Anyway thought I'd post some piccies of some layouts (scrapbooking) I have done recently. Most of them are of the wedding we went back the UK for last year. It was my cousins wedding (kia ora Liz and Chris) and Lou was a bridesmaids and Key a usher and they both looked gorgeous. The other is about our ex batt hens.

Hope you like them.

Two years ago......

2009-11-01T20:36:00.003+13:00

....just over, that we moved into our first 'real' home in New Zealand. The house isn't like some of our friends houses BUT it's more then we had in the UK, in fact our front garden in the UK was the same size as our deck!!! So we are happy, I would like a view though (hey I am woman I am never satisfied) which we did have till they started building.
But for the folks in the UK who have been asking here it is.

The back or the front I never know which, but we go in that way (that's a 14' tramp in the corner to give a scale)

One of my favourite places of the house - my deck (covered so can sit out all weather) our living room (right door) and bedroom (left door) open out onto it.

Also it means that we got this little guy just over two years ago too. Paddy came into our home the day after we moved in which completed it and made it into a home.

Sunday afternoon - girly time

2009-11-01T19:28:00.005+13:00

Well I 'did' ballet when I was little, now I've never been too little (in height) and I've never been too good at ballet neither, BUT I dreamt of being a ballerina when I was younger.
My two kids have both danced too.
The other week we got the chance to see the Imperial Russian Ballet practise for Swan Lake. It was amazing to say the least. But the show was booked up so at least we got a glimpse. Anyway they came back to Hamilton at the end of their tour and we were lucky enough to get two tickets (kia ora Lee).
So Lou and I headed to Hamilton and met some friends who were going too.
In all the time of my love of the ballet I have never been to a ballet performance (professional not dance school style) and Swan Lake well.....
The show was superb and I had to blink away a few tears (I know I know I cry at the drop of a hat!). Afterwards the girls went to the stagedoor and got some autographs and piccies with the dancers.
Sometimes I have to pinch myself at the things I do in this country.

One of the swans - this girl stood out at the rehearsals and the show. The girls liked her.

The two principal dancers
Anastasia Homitskaya - played Odette/Odile

Nariman Bekhanov - played Siegfried

Happy Halloween

2009-10-31T21:42:00.002+13:00

Well it's another Halloween and I must admit sometimes these are the times I miss things about the UK. For Halloween we would dress the house up (we still do to an extent) with purple and pumpkin lights (it's too light to see them so we don't). The kids would go round with Stevie to the neighbouring houses (who most 'did' trick or treat) now the kids go themselves (in fact Key wasn't in stayed at a friends after 2 birthday parties one which was paintballing) so Lou asked some friends around who have never done trick or treating before. I dressed up to open the doors for the trick or treaters (we had ONE set!! so lots of lollies going to be eaten by us).
But anyway the girls had fun 'duck appling' (no chestnuts though not in season so we used strawberries which are).

Labour day!

2009-10-31T18:46:00.004+13:00

Monday was Labour day - what would be a bank holiday in the UK, in other words a day off YAY!!
Stevie was messing around with the radio (ham type) and once again to get the family moving and out of here meant words had to be said!! (MOAN ALERT - It peeves me putting it politely, that the kids I work with go nowhere and yet my own moan because we take them out, moan over and out).
So we went to Rotorua, roto-a-vegas or land of the smelly eggs as we love to call it. It's about an hour away, so down the road really ;-)We went the blue lakes to have a picnic lunch and took Paddy with us. Normally when we go it's quiet but everyone must have had the same idea.
The lake is always cold even on a hot day and today was no exception. But the kids went in for a paddle (I did get my feet wet guys) but poor Paddy was taken in for a swim, he was so funny doing the doggy paddle before he was even in the water. There was a group of people near by laughing and doing the actions of him!!
We had a quick look at Lake Tarawera, which was the site of a huge volcanic explosion in the 1886 which killed over a hundred people, buried lots of the area including the famous pink and white terraces, which were said to be the eighth wonder of the world! The mount still looks menacing, although sleeping.
Talking of explosion, as we were trying to take photos for here, Key would start poking Lou behind my back and Lou poking him back and then it would build. Stevie would be saying "smile you guys, come on why aren't you smiling!!" WHY!!! I wonder.
The end of the evening was a sit on the deck with the fire on (it is spring you know!) and a dip in the spa pool. Ready for work erm?!?!?

Look at the bank holiday traffic!!!

The blue Lake (wonder why it gets it's name!) honest it is busy! normally much quieter then that but it is a holiday.

Lake Tarawera - the peaks in the distance are the volcano (Mount Tarawera)

Going.......

....for a swim

Some piccies that didn't quite turn out. But I love them better

See I told you about the Dr Evil piccies - another one!

Yeah that's more like it.

Waka (war canoe pronounced wok-a) buried as a tribute to the villages that got buried.

Hee hee!! Gotto love that dog.

Evening time

(the opening piccy is a Koru which represents new life or the family, which I thought was appropriate with the extended family I have here and in the UK)

The week in brief, Long weekend and Saturday spent at Raglan Beach.

2009-10-25T09:54:00.005+13:00

Well it's been a roller coaster of a week. Firstly we went to Ngaruawahia centre for a sports day with the 3 centres. I got dragged in to play catch the flag (or ball in this case), I ended up running to free one of our teamies. Now I haven't run for years!! As I was running back to my base, I could hear girls (the other centres don't have girls) screaming "Go Jan"!!
Then we had a game of tug of war - staff verses trainees. The first try we lost, then second well...... the terrors waited till we were really pulling and then let go! So the lot of us ended up on our besides! I believe a piccy was taken I need that piccy to scrap. The last round well I know I was determine to win, we won. Good day, the trainees and us had a good day. The next day my arms were so sore and I was telling the trainees and one one of them piped up "if your arms are sore because of tug of war - what about your butt".
"No that's not sore, there's plenty of padding on that!"
Also this week we were to find out if we kept our jobs. TEC (who fund us) announced cuts because of our 'lovely' new government. We didn't have a good year last year so we knew our centre would be hit. We knew one course at least would be going maybe the two of them (with the workbase training left). So when the area manager arrange appointments to see me and my colleague later in the day, we knew and what a horrid day it was, bearing in mind that you can't let on to the trainees. Anyway I am safe but my colleague wasn't, so very bittersweet I can tell you.
So with that behind me and the long weekend I want to go somewhere (camping was out as the weather wasn't upto scratch). Key had arranged to go to a 'sci fi' thing with a friend in Auckland, so his mum asked us to go the beach with her. Her daughter has become a friend of Lou.
So Saturday we went to Raglan beach.

Now I have been told that Raglan is one of the world's best surf beach. Because it has a left hand break (whatever that means). We normally body board there - good fun. But it was too cold for me and Stevie, but Lou and her friend did.

The sand is black sand on Raglan beach as it's on the west coast (it's the Tasman Sea, not the Ocean) and the black isn't oil (unlike West Kirkby were we used to go in UK) but volcanic sand and it can get very hot because of it. We walked along the beach (I picked up shells), which is a really long walk and me and Stevie haven't done it before. It was quite windy but good. We had 'fush and chups' (as the kiwis say) for tea at the estuary and the girls climbed the pohutukawa trees (these are known as kiwi Christmas trees as they blossom red flowers at Christmas time, so they weren't in bloom today). Then dropped Lou at their house for a sleep over. A quick catch up with Key, who had a good day, then back house just me and Stevie.
Another good day.

Happy Birthday Karen !!

2009-10-24T21:42:00.004+13:00

The message with the Tasmin Sea in the background.

Just want to post this birthday wishes to my cousin. Hope you have a lovely day and see we were thinking of you today and sorry I couldn't chat for longer - next time.
Lots of Love from us all xx

will do a post about our day tomorrow when I get the chance.

QUESTION - When the weather is bad where do you go?

2009-10-19T18:31:00.003+13:00

Is it
a) stay indoor and read a book or hire a video
or
b) go the beach and paddle in the South Pacific.

Yes the correct answer is b!!!
No I was fed up with the weather and being at home then work then home again. So I said on Saturday (and it was lovely on Sat) "s*d it I am going the beach tomorrow, I don't care what the weather is doing". I really miss being quite close to the water and love to go the beach and summer seems to be taking its time coming.

Well woke up to grey clouds and rain (more blinkin rain! What the f....) Key and Lou thought I was mad and didn't want to go (think Kevin the teenager here) and as the norm a fight was to be won before we ventured out.

The rain wasn't so bad on the Bay of Plenty, and we went to the Mount. Paddy just loved running around with the kids well Key as Lou got a migraine (her first one poor thing). When we got there we saw the saddest thing - a tiny penguin (well smaller then the ones at Chester Zoo) dead in the surf!!! Our first penguin in NZ and it was dead. So sad.

Anyway I rolled up my jeans (POM alert and northern POM at that! were is the knotted hanky the kiwi's were crying) and paddled in the water, sorry Ocean (still love saying that). I have had a rash (long story - don't ask) hence why I was also fed up, and I wanted to bathe in the water to see if that helped any. The water was so blinkin freezin (like being back at Southport!) but it felt good. Key had a good time paddling in the Ocean.

We then headed into the town and had a hot chocolate/coffee at Starbucks. Although now Starbucks coffee/chocolate doesn't taste as nice as other local coffee shops. Starbucks is sentimental for us, as it was Starbucks (within Borders) in Speke where me and Stevie talked about our move to New Zealand and filled in some of the paperwork. So Starbucks has a special meaning for us and that's why we go there especially when at the Mount.

The weather still looked amazing when the cloud was over the Kaimai range (we had to go over those)

These photos were taking on my phone.

We have been watching Austin Powers so that's our 'theme' photo taking now. We have to do Dr Evil photos were ever we go!!!

Thank you Face book!!

2009-10-17T17:04:00.002+13:00

Well because of facebook I have gotten in touch with some of my family that I haven't spoken to in ages - some of them I have never spoken too. It been so nice to speak to them all again. I have given them my blog addy so if you guys are reading this Haere Mai (welcome)and hope that you check in now and then to see what we are upto in God's zone. Love ya xoxoxox.

Me the abridged version

2009-10-11T18:41:00.006+13:00

I have been busy doing an online course with Big Picture scrapbooking. When I have finished (and I nearly have) then I will have an album about me in A-Z so to speak.
So the layout will be posted soon as.

Farewell dear Rose.

2009-10-11T16:49:00.006+13:00

Well one of our ex batts has been sick for a few weeks now. We tried everything we could (yes we even took her the vets) and boy did she fight. I said to the kids that it proves that she had something to live for. But she went down hill again and we could see that the fight was being lost. When I left to go to Orewa I could see she was dying and when I said goodbye I knew it was for the final time. It seems she last till the Saturday morning, when everyone got up (Kieran had a match)and the kids were with her in the bathroom, Stevie had gone into the kitchen, she looked around at the kids(who were stroking her and crying) and gave a big breath and passed.
She was our favourite (I know we shouldn't have them but) as she was so tame and loved being picked up and fussed. It's so sad and unfair but at least she had a couple of months of freedom and although she never saw the summer, she did get to see the sunshine. She was able to be a chicken and was loved for the first time in her life and when she died she was surrounded by love.
So she is buried where she loved to scratch for worms (see entry of spring is here).

Here are a few of my Fav photos of her.
(she is the one on my shoulder)

With Paddy

Key showing her to my mum on web cam.

We will all miss her.

Gone but not forgotten. Free at last xxx

Thelma and Louise does Orewa!!

2009-10-11T16:27:00.007+13:00

Well I booked into a scrap retreat with Angie, who I have turned to the dark side!! It was held at Orewa which is further up then Auckland. So I have never driven that far before. 2 1/2 hours later we arrived. I had called it our "Thelma and Louise trip" (from the film which Ange hadn't seen so didn't get it), it was our get away from the family, a well earn rest.
The retreat didn't start till the Sat morning, so the Friday night we went and had a curry (it was yum) and a glass of wine (or two) in the hotel room, and a good gab and laugh.
The retreat was in the hotel, so we popped around with all my stuff, minus my tote - I can't believe that I left my tote with all my tools etc behind!! (Stevie said that there was no way he was going to bring up, when I told him I'd left it behind on the Friday night - spoilt sport!!). There was a class on the Saturday which was designed by Melissa (the organiser) herself. She cut out the scallop frame using her machine, which is like my silhouette but it takes 12" paper (no I do not need one, especially as I don't use my silhouette as much as I should - need to find out how too), she was having probs with it for some of us and mine was all torn. Melissa felt terrible but I saw it as a challenge to work with. The design took me out of my comfort zone, so well done on that one Melissa, and went so well with the piccies from Liz's wedding. I really enjoyed doing it. I took a long time so didn't get too much done in the evening especially as we got kicked out of the room at 10.00pm!!
Next morning, after a shower (or should I say a hose down....you had to be there!!) we started again, another class which was equally fabby and went great with a piccy of me and mum at the wedding. I changed it a bit, well you have to don't you?!? and was so pleased with the result. I managed to start a couple of layouts to finish at home when I have all my stuff (and I don't just mean my tote!!) to hand.
Then after goodbyes and some piccies it was a trip back down to sleepy Cambridge and the families. Seems they missed us both and that last all of 5 mins hey Ange!!
But the retreat was really good and we really enjoyed it. They were a good group of girls and we had a laugh and I good time. I love crops and miss them soooo much.
Oh did I tell you that I forgot my tote!!

The hotel we stayed in

The girls busy working - see we did get stuff done as well as chatting!

The Sunday class

The Saturday Class - Melissa's

See Thelma and Louise (you'll have to wait till the layout)

The big day out!

2009-10-11T15:00:00.007+13:00

Well we (the staff and me) fought a battle and won and took the trainees down to the snow, bare in mind that a lot of these guys have never seen snow. My own kids wanted to come too (I know, they wagged school for the day oops!)and CA brought her eldest too (who has adopted Lou as a younger sis!!). So we headed down to the Tongariro National Park with a visit to Taupo first to see Hukka falls which was sooo full, more then any of the other times we'd seen it. For the folks in the UK Mount Ruapehu the mountain we were going on is a live volcano!! It was an (here's that word I don't like but....) awesome day out. The weather was glorious, with some of us going down to vest and tees!! Thank goodness I don't think I could of put up with the moaning from the trainees about the cold! The kids (me included!) had a great time, the trainees were laughing that I was going down the slopes on the boogie boards when I got the chance and I was a pretty mean snow baller thrower (hey I grown up throwing snowballs). Stevie was throwing snowballs at them as they went down the slopes and they all ganged up on him and got him back. CA had arranged a treasure hunt with prizes buried in the snow and a 'coconut shy' thing were they had to throw snowball at the chocolate lollies to win them. But as soon as their snowballs had knocked the choc off, they had to run to get their prize, I made the others turn the snowballs on to the person getting the prize instead!! Good fun.
Then it was a trip back, after a stop for hot chips in Te Kuiti, then home late. A trip of 600K in total!
But worth it.

Hukka falls - the start of the Waikato river, it's not that blue when it gets to us!!(although we did kid a few of the trainees on that they put food colouring in the water!) look at how full it is.

Here is the Motley crew!!

"oh no they didn't" I am shocked by a photo shown by CA.

On our way in our van

Here we all are with Mount Ruapehu in the background

Key trying a bit of 'snowboarding' and not doing too bad!

Me and Lou going down the slopes, YAY!

Key taking the high ground to throw snowballs at those below him (look some of them our in vests it was that warm).

The trainees getting Stevie back - she's behind you!

Too late - bang on target - Ka Pai

Stevie getting Key back

Stunning Mount Ngauruhoe, I just love that! (or otherwise know as Mount Doom on LOTR)

Waiting to start the treasure hunting.

Key and Lou picking on one of my girls when she went to get her choc bars!!

Bad blogger!!

2009-10-11T14:57:00.002+13:00

Well I have been a naughty girl and not blogged for A-G-E-S!! (haven't been on Facebook for about the same amount too!) BUT I have been busy and a good girl in other areas (have been scrappin like a good'un), so I best do some post about what has been going on the last month. Here goes..........

What did I say........

2009-09-06T11:05:00.005+12:00

..... about Key growing up.
Well he was asked to a social, what we would call a dance or disco (now I am showing my age!) by Charly his friend/girlfriend (I don't think they can decided which - great by me :-)).
So here is a photo of them before the social.

and here is AFTER!!!

and not all that lippy is Charly's (as you can tell from the difference shades of lippy) WHAT!!
(think is was more a fun thing and one of his friends (male) did it for a laugh too!).
He had a good night though.
All I am saying is GULP!

Netball final

2009-09-06T10:23:00.003+12:00

well Lou's team St Peter's force, got into the finals again this year. They hadn't been beaten all season (how great is that!) they played the middle school's best team (they had beat them and they were the only team that had). Lou had lost her game a bit over the last few weeks with being really ill and mind games from one of the other shooter (girl can be so b*tchy). She wasn't playing as well as we all know she could. The coach therefore put the best ones in the game. BUT as she did so well in practise in the mid court, the coach asked her to play WD. She hasn't played that position in 2 years, that was when they rotated all the positions when they were little. So she played out of position in a final too and the WA she marked was a rep player. She played the first 2 quarters and played brilliantly. The score was quite close then too. But you do a hell of a lot more running around in that position then you do as a GS. They unfortunately got beaten in the end. The other team was the better team and there was a few in our team that didn't play as well as they could do. But I think like last year it came down to nerves in the end.
Some of the girls came up to Lou and said we missed you in the circle and as said she played really good as WD. SO she ended the season on a good note and knows next year as well as a shooters position to try for another mid court position too, so she has a better chance of a game.
Their team won the trophy for the greatest number of goals scored in their league too.
Tumeke Force! (awesome)

Cross country.

2009-09-06T10:13:00.003+12:00

Well it was the school's cross country. The catholic schools cross country was on Tuesday, but Friday was just St. Peter's, in was held in Lake Te Koutou, which is like a park with a big lake in and only down the road from us, nice place.
Lou as well as running in it, also had to do her house leader duties (hence why she was in red the colour of her house - I know tell me about it, at least she can wear her England kit). She was soooo lookin forward to it.
So here are some piccies, unfortunately I wasn't able to go (was in work!!) but Stevie was there. She came 4th in the age 11 girls Ka pai Lou.

Fourteen, 14, one four!!

2009-09-06T09:49:00.004+12:00

Whatever way you say it, it still sounds OMG!!
My number one son, my baby, my first born is fourteen. Thirteen sounds bad but fourteen to me sounds like the really start to an actual teenager. If you get me.
So after a morning of tears (he was missing folks back in the UK) and he wants an ipod touch and has heard that there is a new one coming out so wants to wait. I kept telling him that it meant he had nothing to open on his birthday, but no he wanted to wait. So he didn't have anything to open (beside his cards and a music download card we bought him) so I think he did felt it and it was more like a grown up birthday.
But we went out for dinner and he wanted to go to Gengy's, which is a Mongolian restaurant. You pick what you want in the terms of meat (not in our case), veggies, oil, sauce and then they cook it on a hot plate in front of you. You can eat as much as you want (2 times for me and Stevie) and afterwards (soup before too!) pancakes, again cooked in front of you, with ice cream and lots of choices of sauces.
We all liked it, even Lou in the end. But the main thing was Key loved it.
Happy Birthday Son.

Scrap Sunday

2009-08-30T19:11:00.003+12:00

Feel really pleased with myself, as the kids went out and about today and the weather was crook.
I did some scrapbooking.
I have felt that it was becoming an issue with scrapbooking and I had really lost it. Couldn't see the point, wasn't any good etc etc. In saying all this, the last couple of weeks I have had to look back on certain layouts for different reason, e.g. the trainees were talking about jiu jitsu and I told them about Key and Lou being black belts. I got the scrapbook out and took it in to show them. But I read it myself, it gave me the info I had forgot (how old they were) but it gave my feelings on it and reading it brought it right back to me. So I felt the importance of it.
So today I bite the bullet and did 3 Los. Yes don't faint.
I will upload the piccies when it's day light and put them on here.
But I feel good about it and that's the point too.

Winter sports

2009-08-29T22:09:00.003+12:00

are drawing to a close.

Here is Key playing basketball for the school, of course he is number nine (famous number for Everton players)

and here he is scoring a basket

They have finished top of their league, so they have play off's this week.
He went in goal at footy today for the first time (he used to play goal for Cambridge but hasn't for the school) and the coach was well impressed and said he will finish off the season and 5-a-side in goal. He has a big lump/bruise on his foot off one of the other team - he's up against BIG lads!!

Lou's netball team has gotten into the finals AGAIN this year Ka Pai to St Peter's Force. Fingers crossed for them and lots of practise for Lou this week!!!

(I have joined another course!!!! No a scrappin one this time. It starts this week and looking forward to it, need to make sure I pull finger on it)

Spring is here.....

2009-08-29T21:39:00.005+12:00

spring is here,
it's the best time of the year
(I have Little Bill singing that in my head)

or another line from a David Byrne song
"when seasons lose their grip"

which is certainly happening here in NZ, there are lots of blossom on the trees in the garden (still more to come) and the daffs are well out too.

This isn't a blossom really, they are leaves (I know they look like flowers), I have fell in love with these (they grow into a 'tree') since getting here. They make great 'cut flowers'. So we have one in our garden now. I just love it.

This is peach blossom, makes me laugh - I always think of M&S body lotion when I was younger and here is the real thing in MY garden. Don't know if we will get fruit we can eat this year.

Shows you how tame these girls are getting.

New sense of the word "spring chicken" it's Rose looking for worms in the leaves. Cute aye!

Busy busy!!

2009-08-05T17:33:00.003+12:00

Well I have been on a course (day 2 of 3) and really enjoy the course, unlike the other one I have done this year. The tutor is a really laid back kind of dude, but very encouraging and as it is what we already do, just a case of getting the right evidence.
I was coming back home from Hamilton and saw the van with the girls ex farm logo on. I had a lump in my throat. But came back to see this sight, which is Astrid in the winter sun sunbathing with her wings up (she couldn't do either in her cage). How FAB.

Then Key had a go of holding the girls I don't know who is the biggest coward him or Martha!!!

The girls....

2009-07-25T21:16:00.006+12:00

Well spent a lovely day with the girls and the family today.
We let them out into the garden, the sun was shining (we have red cheeks tonight and it's only winter - gotto love this place). The girls loved standing on the grass and scratching around in there and two of the girls sunbathed it brought a tear to my eye - what a lovely sight to see. Poor Martha is the lowest in the pecking order (we think she is quite a young bird) and she spent a lot of time on her own exploring and having fun.
So here they are

My lovely Donna, the first to do most things. Her beak has been cut off (quite a bit) but I am sure she'll be fine.

Here is Marjorie, she is one of the bosses she unfortunately likes to frighten Martha. Funny enough she likes being stroked by us the least!!!

This is Lady Christina. She is the boss and will stand up to Marjorie. She loves getting Stevie's laces, must think they are worms LOL!!

This is Martha, sweet timid Martha. She loved being out of her pen (to get away from Marjorie), here she is enjoying some winter sun. How sweet is that.

Here the cutie Astrid. She was so small and tiny when we got her and is really filling out. She jumped on my knee last night before her bed time for a stroke!! The difference a week makes!!!

Last but not least here is Rose. She loves being picked up the most and she is perfect without a feather missing. Here she is trying out the ramp that Key made for them so they can get onto the shelf. I don't think she's too sure about it!

Their names (if you haven't figured it out yet) are the Dr's (Dr Who) assistants, all but one. We gave each one the name to match the character of the show, e.g Astrid, who was played by Kylie, had to be the smallest, Rose's beak has a over bite etc.
Marjorie's name came from the hen that was on the first big bro, it sticks in my mind the man walking around calling her name.

and I also made Lemon Curd using the lemons off our tree in the garden and some of the 'iggs' kindly laid by some of the girls and it's yummy.
New Zealand is certainly changing me, who'd have thought it of me!!!

They're here - our new Whanau!!

2009-07-23T17:22:00.005+12:00

Project Indigo is complete!!!
On Saturday we went and rescued six battery hens right from the farm itself.
It's been touch and go if we got any (we were gutted when we thought it was a no), but Sat morning we went to the farm (about 1hr away) and tried our luck and luck it was. After waiting till their lunch time, the lady loaded our Paddy's cage with six ladies for us. Stevie went in to the shed and looked around (said it wasn't as bad as some he'd seen on the net), I couldn't, I was trying not to cry (at the thought of all the others left behind that are going to be culled). So we set off home with the girls in the back.

The kids stayed at home (didn't want them there just in case it was upsetting, they know about battery farms but still....). Anyway we took the girls into their new home and we were pleased that they weren't in as bad as condition as others we have seen. We sat and watched them for ages and could see the differences in them straight away. I could see the one who was watching me and the journey home.

One of them started to walk around and eat, she knocked over the water container and her face when she looked at the water (and felt it) over her foot was like "what the heck is that?" (the water system wouldn't have allowed her to feel the water) and before long she was pushing her way out by knocking into our legs by the door. So we let her and she walked around outside. Bear in mind that these girls have NEVER seen real daylight nor sunshine or felt fresh air. At one stage the late afternoon sun came into the yard bit of the pen, she lifted her head into the sunshine and looked as happy as could be. Bless. That's when I realised what we had done and how important it really was!
Here she is heading down the garden bit of her pen. It was really muddy (really bad down pour the night before and it was flooded) and she didn't like that and was skipping about to save walking on the mud. As you can see Lou is smitten by them already (although she loves birds she is very nervous of them, in fact phobic is more like it).

And just as she did everything else first. Donna (her name) cuddled into Stevie's feet and guess what - she laid an egg!!! We all saw it and couldn't believe it.
Another one later went and kindly gave us an egg (or as we say here 'igg').

These girls are now retired and to us that if they lay us an igg every now and then that is very kind, but we haven't got them for that.

Please remember not to buy battery caged eggs, not all these ladies are as fortunate (nor as in good condition) to see the sunlight one day, most of them (like these girls would have been and their friends did) are 'disposed' of at the age of one or one and half just because they may not lay every single day like the farmer wants, in their second season of laying.

lust night!!!!

2009-06-17T17:49:00.003+12:00

Now don't go jumping to the wrong conclusions!!!
As I was leaving work tonight I said "well it's LOST night tonight" to the new girl at work. Her face was a picture!! and she said "what did you say??" I repeated myself and said "you know, the telly programme!" and then she burst into laughter and told me she thought I'd said LUST night with my accent!!! I told her that's going on my blog tonight.
Stevie said he wished it could be and I said it's too blinkin cold!

Spoilt

2009-06-16T18:00:00.003+12:00

We were only talking in work about Galaxy choc, one of the guys wife has gone back to England and we were talking about Galaxy when my friend asked why was it so special, being a kiwi she has never tried it. And she loves choc.
Anyway Stevie turned up moments later and I got in the car and there was a bar all for me. I dashed out and gave her a piece and of course she loves it :-)
Can you see the price on the piccy. $7.90 which is about around £3, yes you hear right for a bar that size which is about 70p?!?! Hence why it's a special treat for me. Stevie bought it for me as a thanks as I helped him this weekend do some of his course work and he got an excellent!!
The treats continued as my friend Angie turned up to see us, she want a cheer up and laugh we did. She gave me, as a prezzy, the copy of the new (well new for us over here - May issue) Creating Keepsakes - my fav scrap mag.
And I even did some scrapping too. 2 layouts, can't share yet.

On UKS they are asking for you to post piccies of your desk as it stands. So here was mine. Can't say it was because I have been busy, but been moving around AGAIN. I tell I move that room more then I scrap.
But I went on scrap 2 los after I tidied it. Not bad.
So last night I felt real special. I did. It's nice when you feel like that and it easily done too.

Another weekend spent...................

2009-06-16T17:40:00.003+12:00

on our project. It was start painting the shed. As paint is REALLY expensive I mean REALLY expensive, we are just using what paint we have. So as Lou's room is part Lilac and Lime (lime was already on), the only other paint was the paint from my craft room which is turquoise - don't think our neighbour would be happy!! lilac is was, Well they are girls :-)
The only thing was that it started raining (before that it was 24 and its winter :-o) after we did it and the next morning....................some of the paint washed away :-( Never mind. But getting there won't be long now.

It was also Saturday sports.
First Lou's netball again they won. 40 - 1. Lou scored 15 in 3/4 of the game. Way to go Lou!! She has been a while getting into form but last week she did well and this week, well seems like she was back! Her and the goal attack (2 diff girls) played like a team too and gave the ball to who ever was in the best position.
Footy - Kie was a bit peeved as he was on the 'bench' again for most of the game. He came on the last 10 minutes and passed some good balls to the others. He got in the penalty area and got his legs whipped from under him and they scored the penalty. The coach was pleased with him and said he played well, so he was pleased. They won 3 - 1.
Ka pai (well done) Dolans :-)

Two Today!!

2009-06-10T20:11:00.003+12:00

Well it's Paddy 2nd birthday!!

We love this little guy!.

It's the start of field days today. It's a expo (biggest in this part of the world) mostly about farming but tons (or should I say as my kiwi friends say "heaps") of other things there.
My trainees have been asked by the Sallies to give out the tea and coffee at the caravan, as a work experience in customer service.
So we started there today. The kids are really good (the ones that showed anyway), quite a few people were asking who we were and to what to the Sallies. This guys was talking to us and we were telling him about what I and the kids do. He was asking me to they give me a run for my money and I said that they weren't a bad lot (which is true) and he asked them was a like a mum to them. Without thinking they all, bar one, said "yis" and smiled. I was touched, the other girl who was thinking, said "No" "she more like my nanna!!". That my trainees for you they say what they see.
(if all fairness, being serious, a lot of Maori kids are brought up by their nanna (or someone they see as a nanna) so it still was a compliement! SEE!!).

Right it's LOST night, so I am off to cuddle up on the couch with the kids and watch our fav programme.
Ka kite!!

Project Indigo

2009-06-07T17:12:00.006+12:00

This is what we have been getting up to most weekends. Getting ready for some new addition to our Whanau (family).

It's coming along so say tuned!!

Happy Birthday Mum!

2009-06-04T07:24:00.002+12:00

It's my mum's birthday today.
Happy Birthday to you
Happy Birthday to you
Happy Birthday dear mum/nanny juna
Happy Birthday to you!!

We love you soooooo very much and you are in our hearts and minds.
Love you.

Well....

2009-05-31T10:50:00.000+12:00

........sad. Both teams lost. **sigh.
That's all I am going to say on that.

Come on you blues - go the Chiefs!!

2009-05-30T18:36:00.001+12:00

Well its final day!!
It's FA cup final in the UK - Come on you blues (of course I mean the Toffees) and over here Waikato Chiefs (super 14 rugby), the local team, are in the finals for the first time, in South Africa! Kick of is 1 hour apart. We will be get up in the night to watch the FA cup and I am sure will check out the radio now and then to check on the Chiefs. Hope they both win.
Kieran went to Hamilton (we went shopping for school shoes for Lou and things) in his Everton kit, baseball cap and scarf!! When we were in one shop we could see a Chelsea fan in the lobby, Kieran couldn't resist going over and showing off. Stevie had to join him with his cellphone blasting z cars out!! Don't think the guy even know what we were on about, must have been a kiwi!!LOL!!
Got back and played some Everton tunes and had to phone a friend up, we wasn't in but we left a message of some songs for him. He phoned us up when he got back and said it made his day!! He sounds just as excited as us.
We maybe 12,000 miles away but will be there in spirit!!
Come on you blues - Go the Chiefs!! :-)

Haere mae!!

2009-05-29T19:03:00.000+12:00

Well here I am with a new blog. Similar name - different country. (I better stick to it more though this time.)
Why the title - well when I did the last blog I had been listening to Cyndi Lauper song and it kinda went. Plus I love the quote by Danny Kaye (White Christmas film not our Bing the other one) - 'Life is a great big canvas, and you should throw all the paint you can on it'. Exactly. Being a scrapper colour is important to me too. So that's where the title comes from.