My life is ..........

I have moved!!

2007-04-13T21:41:00.001+12:00

nah not house LOL but blogs. I am now over here - http://kiwipealucy.wordpress.com/ come visit me some time and say hi and let me know that my site meter works LOL

So I was wrong

2007-04-08T19:08:00.000+12:00

the worst part is the dumb painting. Painting painting painting. 3 days of painting!! I am sick of painting LOL Oh and I have now decided that the white around the skirting, door frames and window frames is too bright and I don't like it. LOL Guess tomorrow will bring more painting LOL Well we still have the ceilings to finish and the doors to start. Ho hum. A little bit of advice, if you are planning on decorating PAY FOR A PAINTER!! Truely they are worth every penny. Unfortunately for us there are no pennies left to pay for one LOL

Easter egg hunt was fun this morning. The girls ran around finding their clues and little eggs until they got to the bunny. Always fun to watch their faces. Also Miss 7 has taken a liking to catching bugs and butterflies and along with some other neighbourhood kids has spent the last three afternoons running around catching them. So cool to watch how excited they get when they find something a little different. We had plenty of crickets, cabbage butterflies, grasshoppers, katydids and the odd weird spotted stink bugs. They are then let back to the wild at the end of the afternoon.

Sadly the easter bunny forgot to leave me some cadbury marshmallow eggs. Perhaps the easter bunny needs a bigger hint next year!! lol

the worst part is over lol

2007-04-06T08:25:00.000+12:00

Well the bit that I was dreading the most is over. The gib stoppers were sanding yesterday and thanks to the advice of some friends, a huge sheet of plastic taped to the wall and ceiling, and the stoppers handy dandy sandy machine that sucks up most of the dust it wasn't actually too bad. We managed to keep most of the dust to the renovation. And then hubby and I spent a couple of hours cleaning up. Gave up on the very far end as there are no lights down there and it was after Greys started LOL So have that to finish this morning. Also they will be back to put up the coving some time today. But that wont make too much mess. So YAY!! now onto the painting!!!!!

As for the new blogger. I am not sure that I like it. It seems that I have to sign in every time I want to post a message and also I can't seem to go straight here from my blog like I used to. Can someone please tell me if there are shortcuts that I don't know about. thanks

Have a happy easter all and may the easter bunny smother you in chocolate!!!

New blogger and stuff

2007-03-23T14:09:00.000+12:00

Well I changed over to the 'new' blogger last time but then it has taken my awhile to remember how to get back in to make another post LOL

So anyway here is the lastest artwork from Miss 4. Yep its gorgeous huh??? Its apparantly a pic of her at the farm. And yes that is the window sill in her bedroom that she has used for her artwork canvas. Needless to say that after hiding the smile on my face as she told me the story, telling her off and then trying to scrub scrub scrub with jiff most of the pic is still there. It would appear that not only did she just draw but she also pushed quite hard with her pen. Gee I am glad we bought that mini sander last year and that her room was going to be repainted. *sigh* The small artwork I found on the hall wallpaper is resisting attempts to come off tho. You see, its kinda my fault right??? I had relaxed in the last month or so and let the girls colour (pencils or crayons only) on the coffee table in the lounge or on the floor instead of always at the table or bench. Guess we are back to the table and bench then LOL

It has been a quiet week actually. Think we needed that. All the visiting family have returned back to their various countries and this weekend we are looking forward to some quite just us time. Last Sunday was spent shifting piles and piles or compacted rocks, hardened concrete (thanks concrete truck man, well my one ab thanks you lol) and shells into the bin to be taken away. We now only have the fine metal (which is comming up very easily) to move but we are going to reuse that on the path. Hubbies 'to do' list for this weekend consists of moving said fine metal, erecting my washing line (PLEASE!!!) and tiling the hearth for the fireplace. Apparently this is very easy to do *snigger* I will reserve judgment.

Hope this lovely sunny weather continues for the weekend. Oh if anyone knows how I can eat those absolutely devine peppermint marshmallow cadbury eggs without gaining any of those nasty calories please feel free to divulge your secret!! YUM

A few bricks, a couple of windows and wahhlaaaaa

2007-03-10T21:06:00.000+13:00

Look at this!!!! Isn't it just so cool!!!!!!!!! The inside walls are all framed up too. Awesome!! And all in a week when hubby was sick, Miss 4 was sick and I was sick. OMG that had to be the worst flu bug ever!! Completely flattened us and we are still recovering, still trying to eat and drink. Great for the weight loss tho. Miss 7 has managed to hide from the bug and hopefully it will stay that way. Nasty nasty nasty.

Not much happening on the scrapping front. Infact I NEED paper. Feel like I must go shopping but am waiting for some new cbox and those fancy pants stamps are so cool. Hopefully then I will have the time and some mojo to scrap. Maybe I should pay the builder first LOL

Check this out!!!!

2007-02-24T08:27:00.000+13:00

WOW I knew the roof going on was a big deal but it really is a BIG deal!! I am so happy to see it there, absolutely stoaked (sp?) and it looks great, even from underneath. ahhhhhhh a roof!! so cool.

Building update

2007-02-17T13:09:00.000+13:00

This happened in a DAY!! OMG these guys are awesome. Now it is really taking shape and we can see how big it actually is. LOL Although I reminded hubby that there is a big storage cupboard on one side and a wardrobe on the other so really the bedroom wont be that big :)

I am busy cleaning and finding baby blankets, cot sheets etc for my SIL and her little man. They arrive from the UK in about 10 days so thought I should get things organised. Next is to actually take the cot out to the inlaws and set it up. Hope I remember how LOL

My Aunt and Uncle are here from Scotland and the girls are really enjoying her stay. We are trying to see them as much as possible and the girls are loving her hugs and cuddles. Although today has been a clean the house day.

mmmmmmmmm my darling cat

2007-02-12T20:04:00.000+13:00

it seems that the cat was wanting to leave his own mark on the building process LOL They have since been erased and he has had his feet cleaned and been locked inside for the last few hours. Luckily this is his 'rest-before-the-big-night-out' time and he is qute blissfully asleep on the couch. Don't think he appreciated having his paws washed tho. LOL YAY a floor!!

Sorry bout that.

Back to school

2007-02-07T07:51:00.000+13:00

Miss 7.5 got up early, got dressed early and has had her breakfast, packed her bag and is watching the telly. I didn't even need to nag about doing her hair. She is READY!! and when is it going to be time to leave LOL. Oh and there are frogs and butterflies in her tummy. 'big' kid stuff :)

Happy back to school day

hands up the slack blogger!! lol

2007-02-06T09:49:00.000+13:00

Not sure why I haven't blogged for a bit. Been keeping up with others but......well....... no reason really :) Anyway the extensions are flying along. And I mean flying!!! WOW We even had a concrete truck here yesterday to fill the blocks and lay the floor for the garden shed (well why not since he was here LOL).

School starts tomorrow and I think we are all happy about that. :) Isobel just can't wait to be a big kid with a big kid desk (shudder more room to loose stuff and to collect things like mouldy sandwiches lol)

Am hoping to scrap a little today. Started a page yesterday and finished a birthday card for my birthday box so that I can remember peoples birthdays LOL

Happy Waitangi Day everyone.

Just for you Karen

2007-01-30T20:11:00.000+13:00

here is the digger and the big hole and all the rain from last night. LOL

Sunny days, raining nights

2007-01-30T07:14:00.000+13:00

Beautiful blue skies (just those little puffy white clouds), sun and humidity are what the days are made of and terrential rain at night. Last nights rain storm had both hubby and I jumping (yep JUMPING) out of bed as it came on so fast and heavy.

Well we are up (thanks to Jess who bet the alarm lol), and waiting for the digger. So excited. The backyard will never look the same again and I can't wait!!!

Freestyle crafting convention

2007-01-28T08:35:00.000+13:00

I am booked!!!!!!!!!!!!! Took a bit of fiddling around with popups etc but I finally made it LOL Can't wait for April - its gonna be fun fun fun. Check out the kiwiscraps website for more info. Now I just have to work extra hours to pay for it LOL

Yesterday was HOT!! Yep it was summer yesterday and it was lovely. We had the pool out for the kids and they basically spent the whole time playing in and around it and riding bikes until they were exhausted and played a little of playstation. Love those kinda days, There isn't too much fighting/discussions and they seem to just play so beautifully.

We got the shed moved thanks to FIL and Paul. There was just NO WAY that I was helping with that little job. Nuh uh. Too many snails, bugs and spider webs for my liking LOL And wow the backyard looks HUGE. The little garden shed had a leanto kinda thing attached to it and I didn't actually realise how much room it was taking up. The shed will be relocated to a 'corner' of the garden later.

That comet thingy

2007-01-24T08:29:00.000+13:00

is avoiding us!! We have looked a couple of times and never see it. Again last night there was just too much cloud cover the 10 times that I walked outside to look!! *sigh* Will try again tonight. I love the pics on Karen's blog!!

I have it!!! I have it!!!

2007-01-24T07:56:00.000+13:00

Council consent for the extension!! YAY!! We are all good to go now. So this weekend will be rather busy moving the shed and relocating the washing line but YAY!!!!! So very excited!!! A digger and a huge hole is first on the list.

Oh and the points thing is working. The scales were nicer to me this morning than they have been in a while. I was starving yesterday tho LOL Maybe that is why the two rums I had made me feel like it was a whole bottle LMAO.

We are back from the beach

2007-01-20T09:29:00.000+13:00

Thanks for all your birthday wishes!! Jess and I had an awesome couple of days and were very spoilt. Ruth made a cool hat (check out her blog) and some yummy cakes for my birthday. Thanks also for the scrapping pressies guys. Love them!! BTW Nic the mojo has all gone - GONE to my hips LMAO.

Sunday we headed away to the beach for a week. We hired a bach and just relaxed and lay around the beach watching the kids play, and ate WAY to much. Drank a few rums too LOL. So this morning the scales were not nice to me!!! I love the beach, love the fun the kids have, love just watching them and their games etc. Shame that Mr Whippy was not around so much this year but we made up for his absence in trumpets LMAO. Came home yesterday to a meowing cat who had been well cared for but had obviously missed us as much as we missed him. We left blue skies and sunny weather and came home to 10 loads of washing and clouds and wind. Can't wait for next year. Oh and I even braved the water and had a swim. Go me!!!

blogger wants to play today

2007-01-10T16:52:00.000+13:00

it seems. Yesterday blogger didn't want to play LOL

Happy birthday to my little brother in Ireland. Hope you have an awesome day and get thoroughly drunk! LOL I know you will.

3 more sleeps till Miss 3 turns 4!! She is almost bursting out of her skin with excitement.

We are back into the normal work routine. Hubby up and off to work and me working at home when I can grab the time. Have to train the girls again that when mummy has headphones on she is working!! LOL They have been pretty good tho.

Funny sort of day today. One that kinda reminds me of the Gold Coast in Aussie. Hot and sticky with the occasional heavy rain to cool everything off, then hot and sticky again. Well it started off wet wet wet and some friends almost packed up the tent and came home. Then it fined up into a beautiful hot sunny day (although very humid). Now those dark clouds are back and I am sure that they will time their downpour for the 5.00pm commuters!!

Why???

2007-01-04T20:57:00.000+13:00

Did I forget to make this post??? well I think Tracy is right and it might have had something to do with too much rum and coke (or should that be gin and tonic wink wink lol).

Why??
did I drink too much rum and coke?
is it not a good idea to scrap while drinking said rum and coke?
was there so much chocolate and other assorted lollies on the table?
.....................
Oh and there were a few other 'why' questions that I think it is best just left now LOL

A new question for you tho is HOW many points do you think there is in a king size bar of cadbury black forest??

Hello 2007

2007-01-02T09:06:00.000+13:00

Happy New Year!! and hello to 2007. Another year to make some new resolutions like loosing the 2kg that found me in the last couple of months, exercising more, be more organised, scrap more, spend less (LOL).

Looks like today summer has finally decided to make an appearance (except for the wind - when will that stop!!)

We had an awesome day at Nics on the 30th. Thanks Nic and Paul for being such wonderful hosts and filling me full of food, lollies and rum LMAO. Thanks also ladies for you your inspiration (I scrapped 2 single and 1 double layouts YAY!) and also all the yummy goodies that everyone brought to help find the mojo needed. No wonder my scales went up again!! LOL Great fun.

Quiet home day the last couple of days and today will probably the same, although we have been promising the kids to go to a movie and I need some shopping time without them to organise Miss nearly 4's birthday pressie.

Enjoy the sun if you have it.

The jolly red man has been and gone

2006-12-28T19:18:00.000+13:00

but the extra chrissy kilos are still here!!! LOL They will be gone by the time we hit the beach tho (fingers crossed). Although we are still working our way through left over food. Let see - um, left over ham, cold turkey, curried turkey and tonights masterpiece was curried turkey filo pies!! LOL One more meal and I think we will be done. The girls loved christmas day so much. WOW and they are now able to really appreciate the family time and very proudly gave gifts to everyone that they had chosen on their own. The $2 shop is a treasure trove.

Next on the list is Miss 3's 4th birthday in the middle of January. She is excited and requesting a strawberry cake. Well that should be easy enough. No party this year but probably a morning tea with the grandparents.

Spent yesterday trying to find a magic swimsuit that will make me look like Halle Berry (failed of course) and looking for new sunglasses. Took the kids to the Domain for a walk around the wintergardens and then the museum. Gotta love that place. So much more fun than when we were kids with awesome interactive ideas and things that kids can actually touch, puzzles, dressups, sandboxes etc. Always a great place to spend some time.

The excitement increases

2006-12-23T21:32:00.000+13:00

as there are only two more sleeps. TWO MORE SLEEPS!!!!!!!!!! lol The girls are almost beside themselves with anticipation. This is really a fun time. They are both old enough to understand and enjoy fully the joy of Christmas. We took them both shopping (at the $2 shop lol) this morning. Yep we braved the crowds and arrived on the $2 shop doorstop at 9.00am precisely, only to find it already full of people and the street very busy too. Heaps of shops already open. For the past couple of years we have taken Isobel to choose a wee gift for members of the family. Something that she has thought about and can put her name on under the tree. She also makes alot of things too like pictures and books, but this is something that she quite enjoys doing. This year Jess wanted to join in too. So we decided that they should choice the pressies together instead of one each for each person KWIM? You know its the $2 shop!! Don't want to overload the grandparents with some lovely gift that is likely to break before they get home. Gotta love the $2 shop tho cause it does have some treasures. Anyway they found pressies for everyone and AGREED on them all!!!!!!!!!!! WOW!!! Then got a pressie for each other, home to wrap and put under the tree. They were so excited about that too.

The only things that are worrying me are - not having enough room for everyone to sit down and eat, and also having to cook the turkey!! OMG Do these people not know that I cannot be trusted with the turkey!!!!!!!! ah well, there will be ham as a backup!! lol

Merry Christmas and happy holidays to you all.

4 more sleeps!!

2006-12-21T08:25:00.000+13:00

wow where did that time go. The kids finished kindy and school this week, mum had her birthday, swimming and other after school activities have finished, I finished work on Tuesday and hubby finishes today. FAR OUT!!! the last few weeks have just flown by. We are sorted tho (I think lol) and ready for the big day. Just have to wrap a few pressies LOL Oh and type up the PTA minutes from last week. OPPS!!

Oh and far out!!! Who watched ER the other night!!! I was feeling sick the whole way through and haven't slept well since. One of those things that keeps going around and around in my mind.

And speaking of TV, hands up those that watched the Bandaid item on Tuesday. LMAO It was like being taken back in time and I have to admit that I have been playing some 80's music since then. Love the hair and the clothes. Gosh didn't that take me back. Might just grow out my fringe again, get a perm and tease the heck out of my hair. See if I can start a new trend huh?? LOL

First day of the school hols today and it is 8.30am, Miss 7 still in bed, Miss nearly 4 watching TV, no breaky, no LUNCHES to make and I finally find time to blog. COOL!! gotta love the holidays. Oh and the diary is blank for the rest of this week!! love that too.

One last piece of very exciting news. I am going to be an Aunty again!! yay!! My brother and his wife in Ireland are expecting number 2. Can't wait!!

Right off to check the things left to do. Oh and Miss Evana I haven't forgotten about your challenge. I am working on it but it is not comming out the way it looked in my head. May just have to start again LOL But I am planning on setting aside time today. I feel the need to scrap LOL

Merry Christmas everyone.

another weekend closer to christmas

2006-12-04T08:54:00.000+13:00

yep another weekend gone and according to my girls it is only THREE WEEKS till Christmas!!! lol they are so excited. We started the chocolate calendar and that is helping to keep up the excitment too.

Jobs completed over the weekend - work all done, umbrella stand concreted it (that took most of yesterday lol), christmas tree and decorations up (after rushing to the warehouse to buy a new one as the old one fell apart comming out of the box), santa parade accomplished with one on a float and the other watching, new fairy (star actually) for the top of the tree as the other one broke when it fell off the top of the new tree, not sure that it liked the extra height! oh and the first batch of my grandmas toffee is made and in the fridge. We make it every year at christmas and only at christmas time otherwise I would eat it all, and the garden dug up and weeded. Also we met with the draftsman doing the extension plans for the house so I have some jobs to do at the council this morning, need to get some more information but it is all looking really good. Should have the final plans by the end of the week. PHEW

Have a good week all

all is well

2006-12-01T19:29:00.000+13:00

and my new oven, stove top and dishwasher are installed and working beautifully (if only I knew how to use them lol). The buyer for the old ones arrived the next day after the auction finished to collect them so it was a mad rush to get them disconnected. Unfortunately I had the sparkie booked for today to put in the new ones and he was so busy that he couldn't make it any earlier (although he did try yesterday for me). Might have had something to do with the message on his cellphone begging him to connect them as I couldn't cope with another night of left overs or takeaways!!! and it had only been three nights LOL So he arrived at 5pm and they are installed and working (hubby did the dishwasher yesterday tho). Might just need to read up on the instructions tho as I have burnt the first meal cooked on the stove top. Wow it is HOT and FAST!!! Bring on the toffee pot its time to make chrissy toffee. Also the girls are really excited because we promised that tomorrow would be the day for setting up the christmas tree and they have started their home made countdown to christmas chocolate thingy that I made at the last crop thanks to Ruth and Tracy.

Busy weekend ahead with the santa parade tomorrow (although I might just be able to get out of that one if I say that I have heaps of work to do LOL). Oh and check out the pic!!! 9.30am this morning and we have a hail storm. Nice for the first day of summer!!!

Have a great weekend all.

Freddo

2006-11-28T20:47:00.000+13:00

You all know what I am talking about right. Well now there is the new freddo with the lollies inside. ah huh!! lollies INSIDE and he is bigger too. YUMMO

One little question tho, why is there a 'use by' date on the bottom??? HUH?? Its Freddo!! anyone gonna keep him lying around for long??? silly silly silly freddo making people

Big Red is GONE

2006-11-26T09:23:00.000+13:00

lol Well the big feature wall that was double sided and painted a chilli red colour is now grey. It was one of those things that I didn't like when we bought the house. Red isn't really my colour and as it was the wall between the lounge and what I am using as my office, it just made the space inclosed and dark. So I got sick of it this week and sarted trying out test pots. But the red was so intense that I couldn't see the true colours of the test post. Thanks Nic for suggesting to undercoat the whole wall first and for helping me with the painting lol. We now have a grey wall (cement apparently) where the red was. WOW it has opened up the space and really made it lighter. Um no it wont stay 'cement' but apparently grey is the colour that will cover up red and it sure has. Shocking paint job tho LOL

Great day yesterday catching up with the ladies from coffee group. WOW the kids have all changed so much and everyones lives are so different and busy.

Right must clean as the vacuum cleaner has forgotten what the floor looks like LOL

Have a great day all

shhhhhh

2006-11-21T18:45:00.000+13:00

don't talk too loud or the kids will find me. I am hiding out on the computer for a few secs. Not really a good choice as this is where they know to look for me LMAO. Anyway. Just wanted to say what an awesome day Saturday was. Nothing like an all day crop with great friends, lots of cuddles (thanks baby Dan) and then dessert pizza to finish off. OMG if you haven't tried the Hells dessert pizzas then you definately need to put that on your 'things to try' list. YUMMOO and thanks Andrea for my new addiction. Managed to make a 12x12 canvas advent calendar but the lollies went missing, got a layout finished and started a mini album. So all and all not bad for me. Just need to find some time to finish the mini album and I also have another to do.

Got some chrissy shopping done yesterday with Jess at kindy. Gosh doesn't time fly when you are trying to spend money and I only just made it back to school on time!! lol

I have my car back tomorrow

2006-11-16T22:02:00.000+13:00

and the pantry shelves will be filled at some stage during the day. OMG!! 3 days without a car and no shopping of any kind!! I am not a shopper, not a person that has to shop and buy stuff, well at least I didn't think so but I am feeling the withdrawals from NOT being able to get to the supermarket!! Maybe its just that place cause thats where the chocolate is!! lol anyway tomorrow there will be food (other than packet pasta and frozen veges) in the pantry. The little red car is still sick and at the doctors but hopefully will be home tomorrow. fingers crossed.

Not sure if I should say it as I don't want to jinx them but the kids are finally getting better. Jess seems to have got her snuffles back tho. Life can continue now that we are no longer in quarentine LOL

Have an awesome time those that are going to scrapcamp tomorrow. I am so jealous and know that you will all have a fabulous time. Please don't forget to pack the gumboots and the chocolate and the .......... LOL Have a blast ladies.

SIGH!!

2006-11-14T08:13:00.000+13:00

Sometimes little red cars just don't want to go!!

I am craving

2006-11-10T14:54:00.000+13:00

a sweet and soft gingerbread biccie or person with some yummy sweet icing on top!! mmmmmmmmmm yep thats all I want to eat. NOTHING ELSE!! lol might just have to go see if I can make some. Jess has cabin fever and so wants to get out and play but Izzy and I don't feel much like it. Poor thing. ah well tomorrow is the weekend and daddy will be home to occupy, inbetween mowing the lawn and cutting that BLIMEN hedge. Man it grows fast and needs to be chopped every weekend. Think there will be an electric hedge trimmer in the Santa sac this year.

Well that was nasty

2006-11-10T10:40:00.000+13:00

That tummy bug that is going round!!!!! PHEW Jess got it Monday morning about 3.30am and then spent all Monday on the couch throwing up every 30mins. She was just comming right and then yesterday morning (early hours again) Isobel and I got it. It just comes out of nowhere. You can be feeling great when you go to bed and then BAMMM!!! nasty nasty nasty. So hubby stayed home yesterday to look after us all and to play with Jess who is now a box of birds and decided that yesterday would be the day where she ate everything in site!! too funny. Anyway its a great way to loose weight and the scales were 1kg lighter this morning. Not a recommeded method tho. So today is a quiet, taking it easy day. Except of course the four loads of washing which need to be done and the carpet that needs to be attended to in Isobels room when she didn't quite make it. But we are on the mend. Hubby has decided that the power of positive thinking will work for him and he is NOT going to get it. All power to him I say and hope he is right.

So I should really be doing some chrissy cards today huh?? Good opportunity to just sit quietly while the girls are playing. Its just as well the weather is so crappy and I don't feel guilty with the tv being on alot.

Guy Fawkes

2006-11-06T07:22:00.000+13:00

gotta love the excitment on the kids faces, the gorgeous colours and the LOUD bangs. Has anyone else noticed that they are getting louder each year (or perhaps my ears are getting older LOL). Anyway we had an awesome night. The whole street came out to light fireworks and enjoy them selves. Isobel had her first firework burn when trying to pull a sparkler out of the ground when it had finished. Her had slipped up the sparkler and she just got the end of the 'hot' bit. Nothing much but enough to make her wary of doing that again. I have never seen so many kids and so many sparklers, having so much fun!!!!!!! They were making little circles with them in the ground and dancing around them like fairies LOL too cute.

Yesterday was fun too. I was helping some friends with some 'scrapping stuff'. This morning my butt is a little stiff from all the bending and putting of papers into class kits. You ladies going to scrapcamp are going to have a blast!!!!!!!!!!! The packs look awesome and I wish I was comming too.

Unfortunately Jess decided that 3.30am was a great time to start throwing up and has been doing so since then. Not even a sip of water is staying down at the moment, so there will be no music or kindy today. She will be extremely dissapointed but I might just be able to sneak that one past her. She is cute tho. Will start talking to me at the end and then gives me a great big smile when she has finished. She is very pale and tired tho. Good news is that it is only 7.30am and I have two loads of washing on the line and another in the washing machine. 2 unexpected loads!!

Have a good week all. I had the mass panic sometime after 3.30am that I am about to miss the christmas card cheap post rate to the UK!! Maybe I can sneak making those ones today LOL

Elsie is here

2006-10-31T10:53:00.000+13:00

She arrived yesterday safe and sound. And I actually managed to find an hour to sit and have a wee glance through which was great. I love it. Love how it has been put together and although I am never likely to scrap as funky as Elsie I still love it. I also got 2 4x4 maya road albums which I am going to use for the girls. They will be 'reasons why I love you' books. To remind me as well as them LOL

Hubby and I decided that we should go looking at ovens, stoves and dishwashers on the weekend. Just looking!! ok!! mmmmmmmmmmmm we are now waiting the delivery of a new one of each. My dishwasher has not been working properbly since we moved in and the stove top needed replacing. So there you go. We are now poorer than we were on Friday LMAO. I told hubby that he isn't to expect that my cullinary skills are going to improve drastically just because he bought me a new oven/stove LOL

This past week has been busy and this week is looking to be the same. Everyday seems to be full with 'things'. This week is the first week of three days of kindy, so yesterday was my first 'me time'. And I had a lovely massage thanks Tracy. Sorry about the coughing fit in the middle tho LOL We all have some little lurgie that is taking its time to move on. Isobel has had it for three weeks now. Mind you that may have something to do with her choice of clothing. I have come down hard now and she is wearing clothes that I tell her to wear until this cold is over!!!

Sorry Rach I will not be going to scrapcamp this year. Too much on (and no money now lol) and work is busy too. I hear that it will be a great party tho. I am saving up for the next one. Have fun if you are going.

Come on postie

2006-10-24T17:22:00.000+13:00

Bring me Elsie!! lol ok Ruth, you are on. Lets see who gets her first. Nics arrived today so *raspberry to her lol*

Back to routine this morning. Love that kindy routine now. Jess just says 'you can go mum' *shrug*. I will get over it, I promise LOL And it was kinda nice to have a chat with Isobel on the walk home this afternoon instead of them both wanting my attention or her running off ahead. Nice! truely!!

Happy birthday to the wonderfully talently, amazing mum EVANA!! I wont sing for ya honey LOL But hope you are having an awesomely fantastical day chick.

It rained and rained yesterday and then just for a change it rained again. Has been fine most of today but I can see the spits on the window now and the weather man says it is going to get nasty again. It was nice tho to have a home day yesterday, watch some dvds with the kids, play some board games (yatzee and candyland LOL) and spend some family time. Oh and thanks Nic for the slow walk yesterday in the rain and the fast long walk on Sunday. I am still aching but am walking thru the pain LOL And yes I deserved that raspberry licorice twist thing LOL

And yes Karen I think you might be right. There really is not such thing as 'guilt free' scrapping but we can kinda deceive ourselves LOL It's like 'guilt free no calorie negative fat' chocolate. Yep sure it exists LOL

come on Elsie!!!

and then I said sure

2006-10-21T22:13:00.000+13:00

I can do more work this week! LOL Ah it has been a very busy week. Had a fantastic time last Saturday with the girls cropping. Go a couple of pages done which was awesome. I really really want one of the books that Tracy had. ummmmmm oh you know her name. All fun and funky and fresh.

Anyway this week was also Jess' start at kindy. She was so excited to go. She was, I wasn't lol But my baby is growing up and doesn't need me so much anymore. *sniff* She was so good, said hello to the teachers, found her cubbyhole, name etc and is now firmly intrenched into the kindy way of life. Loving mat time and the stories and songs that they sing. Both days I have come home and worked solidly till school/kindy pick up time. Haven't had my 2 hours of 'me' time yet but that will come soon enough and I will probably rattle around the house looking for things to clean to keep myself busy. Less mother guilt tho when I knew she was happy playing at kindy and I was working. LOL Strange huh??

anyway I have worked an extra day this week and also doubled the hours that I normally work on a Friday/Saturday. So now I am done and have free time for the next two days. Except the GST return is calling me and also I have two mini albums to make before Monday (thankfully just the inside blank bits lol).

Managed to find time this morning to plant the front garden. Will take some pics when we have colour. I just planted annuals and colour as I can't decide right now what to put there.

Had to order the curtain rails for the house today as some of them are broken and another one broke on Wednesday. OUCH!! hurts the credit card but hey, has to be done.

Right off to find my milo and some choccie and try to find inspiration for a birthday card that I am failing at. LOL I know I know its only a birthday card but I can't get it to work. Maybe now I can do some guilt free scrapping.

Have a great labour weekend all

Thank you Mr Power Line Man

2006-10-12T16:37:00.000+13:00

Thank you so much for warning me that there would be NO power in my street from 9.00am this morning till 12.30-1.00pmish. Then again from 3.30 - 4.30ish this afternoon. Thank you so much for the notification that did not arrive in my letter box. Thanks again for being so nice on the phone and explaining that (even though you knew my name) you had sent the notification to the previous owners. Thank you Thank you Thank you I really appreciated that. Ah well. I didn't want to clean the house this morning anyway. Managed to get the truck out of the garage (OMG that was fun manually opening the door) and we went off to find a cafe with power and hot coffee. I must admit that I was a little worried that my computer may have been cooked or decided not to work again when the power came back on. Thankfully all is well.

Oh and one last big thank you to xtra for being down this morning (isn't it always broken at the moment?) so that I couldn't get my morning fix of emails and what has been happening in the outside world. NOT that I had power anyway LOL

Right guess I should go do that housework now that there is power. Gosh even with kids in the house it seemed really quiet. You just don't realise how much noise the fridge, fish tank filter, radio on low etc makes until there is complete silence.

Jess and her trike

2006-10-12T16:35:00.000+13:00

Heres the pic I took the other day. She is so happy with it and is still riding it around every day. Must have my helmet on mummy so I don't crack my head. Now I wonder who told her that one LMAO

I know I know - smacking bad blogger fingers

2006-10-11T08:18:00.000+13:00

Sorry bout that RUTH!! lol I know I have been AWOL but I kinda got blogged down over the holidays LOL

We all survived. There were a few days where I thought that might not happen but after some big 'chats' with Miss 7 about attitude and respecting family, we actually enjoyed the last week. Took the girls to Bad Jelly the Witch on the weekend. It was live theatre at the Civic in town. They loved it!!! I must admit to having a few good laughs as well. Just a little something different.

Also my courier finally arrived - well no it didn't! I got the parcel at the post office ticket in my mail box and I had to go and get it!! Ah well, after 4 weeks who can complain LOL Had a huge clearout yesterday of all the papers and cardstock that I have been storing (I say storing cause I haven't been using it LOL) and filled up the girls craft box. WOW that felt good. Got rid of all those of-course-I-will-use-this-tiny-bit-of-cardstock pieces and now need to work out a way of storing my colours better so that I can see them nicely LOL. Its all about storage.

We had been trying to get Jess on to the little two wheel bike with the training wheels for ages but she just has not been interested, which means of course that she can't keep up with the big kids when they are riding their bikes. So we were having coffee (and the yummiest muffins ever) at Tracys the other day and she jumped on their old trike and off she went. She is now the proud owner of her own delightful yellow trike and is riding it everyday.

Right back to routine, work, after school activities (actually the work bit didn't stop over the hols lol) and normal life. Isobel starts swimming lessons this afternoon. Please let there not be the hail (Nic reckons it was snow) storms from yesterday, cause its a half covered indoor pool!!!!!!!!!!

Things I learnt today

2006-09-25T18:14:00.000+12:00

I hate painting. Worked that out about half way around Isobels room LOL Also that there are so many different types of white it is hard to choose the right one and don't just settle for the white in the can. It will have to go back to be tinted *sigh*

Small amounts of chocolate are good, cream in the pasta sauce is not so good.

Walking is good, running up a hill is not so good.

Opening the dishwasher door while it is in cycle is not such a good idea.

The colour wallpaper I want does not exist but I can buy a special textured wallpaper and just paint over it with the colour I want. (after todays effort?? not likely to happen)

It was such a gorgeous day today that I really should have been outside enjoying the sunshine and saving up to pay for a professional painter.

And yes I will be sanding tomorrow to get rid of the mess that I painted today *sigh*

And last but not least!! DON'T waste my precious one day off 'me' time getting peeved off with a paintbrush in my hand. Does absoulately nothing for my mood LOL

Sending sunshine vibes to everyone for tomorrow.

blossom pics

2006-09-24T16:52:00.000+12:00

so I did promise you pics of the blossom trees outside my lounge window and I have taken them but I forgot to download them LOL Instead I downloaded these ones which I took today on the way out to the inlaws to drop off Miss 7 who is having a few nights holiday LOL This is a little side road and it is just gorgeous. It would make an awesome shot too when the blossoms start to blow off the trees. ahhhhhhhhhhh spring!! love it

And yes the weather was even warm enough for me to break out the 3/4 pants today. Still had three layers on the top but hey!! I was wearing shorts lol

Hope you are all enjoying some lovely spring weather.

Blossom trees

2006-09-21T09:22:00.000+12:00

Yep I will attach a pic when I take one LOL but just wanted to say that I LOVE blossom trees. And thankfully the very kind people who built the house across the road from us put in three beautiful trees so that when I am in my lounge, walk out my front door etc there they are. Beautiful pale pink blossoms. Absolutely full!!! Love it. Anyway I get a txt from hubby this morning to say that the blossom tree we planted in the old house (and only got a small showing last year) is full and gorgeous when he drove past this morning. Well guess I will be doing a drive by shortly LOL So glad that it is blooming nicely for the new owners. Blossom tree, kowhai and magnolia tree are on my list of things to plant. Not sure where we are going to fit them but I will make room. They each have a special meaning to our family and we plant them in every garden we have owned LOL

Thanks mr courier man for my photos that arrived this morning. WOW didn't realise how much of a difference to the garden we have made until you look back at the before pics and see what has been cleared away and how much room is now out there.

One last request to xtra - please please sort your *&()*&^% out today!!!!!!!!!! I NEED my link to the outside world, its my link to work, its my link to friends and its my link to life outside of home. I would really appreciate it if you could fix the problem. Thanks

Have a good day all

Karen tagged me

2006-09-18T12:43:00.000+12:00

thanks Karen. Nice to learn some interesting things about ya LOL Apparantly I have to highlight the ones I have done etc. OK so here goes

1. Bought everyone in the bar a drink
2. Swam with wild dolphins
3. Climbed a mountain - very big hill lol
4. Taken a Ferrari for a test drive
5. Been inside the Great Pyramid
6. Held a tarantula - ewwwwwwwwwwwwwww
7. Taken a candlelit bath with someone
8. Said “I love you” and meant it
9. Hugged a tree
10. Bungee jumped - on my list of things to do
11. Visited Paris
12. Watched a lightning storm at sea
13. Stayed up all night long and saw the sun rise
14. Seen the Northern Lights
15. Gone to a huge sports game - do the commonwealth games count?
16. Walked the stairs to the top of the leaning Tower of Pisa - no but walked all the way to the top of the William Wallace monument!!
17. Grown and eaten your own vegetables
18. Touched an iceberg
19. Slept under the stars
20. Changed a baby’s diaper
21. Taken a trip in a hot air balloon - another on my list of things to do
22. Watched a meteor shower
23. Gotten drunk on champagne - champagne, vodka, rum, wine.....
24. Given more than you can afford to charity
25. Looked up at the night sky through a telescope
26. Had an uncontrollable giggling fit at the worst possible moment
27. Had a food fight
28. Bet on a winning horse
29. Asked out a stranger
30. Had a snowball fight - well I thru them at hubby and he just stood there - does that count LOL
31. Screamed as loudly as you possibly can - every day lol
32. Held a lamb
33. Seen an eclipse
34. Ridden a roller coaster
35. Hit a home run
36. Danced like a fool and not cared who was looking - regularly
37. Adopted an accent for an entire day
38. Actually felt happy about your life, even for just a moment
39. Had two hard drives for your computer
40. Visited all 50 states
41. Taken care of someone who was shit faced
42. Had amazing friends - have amazing friends!!!!!
43. Danced with a stranger in a foreign country
44. Watched wild whales
45. Stolen a sign
46. Backpacked in Europe
47. Taken a road trip
48. Gone rock climbing
49. Midnight walk on the beach
50. Gone sky diving
51. Visited Ireland
52. Been heartbroken longer than you were actually in love - I am sure if you asked me that when I was a teenager the answer would have been YES!! lol
53. In a restaurant, sat at a stranger’s table and had a meal with them
54. Visited Japan
55. Milked a cow harder than it looks
56. Alphabetized your CDs - sad I know
57. Pretended to be a superhero - I'm a mum........
58. Sung karaoke
59. Lounged around in bed all day
60. Posed nude in front of strangers
61. Gone scuba diving
62. Kissed in the rain
63. Played in the mud
64. Played in the rain
65. Gone to a drive-in theater
66. Visited the Great Wall of China
67. Started a business
68. Fallen in love and not had your heart broken
69. Toured ancient sites
70. Taken a martial arts class
71. Played DVD for more than 6 hours straight
72. Gotten married
73. Been in a movie - home movie?????
74. Crashed a party
75. Gotten divorced
76. Gone without food for 5 days
77. Made cookies from scratch
78. Won first prize in a costume contest
79. Ridden a gondola in Venice
80. Gotten a tattoo
81. Rafted the Snake River
82. Been on television news programs as an expert
83. Got flowers for no reason
84. Performed on stage - school productions … always in the chorus
85. Been to Las Vegas
86. Recorded music
87. Eaten shark
88. Eaten fugu (pufferfish)
89. Had a one-night stand
90. Gone to Thailand
91. Bought a house
92. Been in a combat zone - Ireland lol
93. Buried one/both of your parents
94. Been on a cruise ship
95. Spoken more than one language fluently
96. Performed in Rocky Horror Picture Show
97. Raised children - RAISING children, whoever said that was gonna be easy
98. Followed your favorite band/singer on tour
99. Taken an exotic bicycle tour in a foreign country
100. Picked up and moved to another city to just start over
101. Walked the Golden Gate Bridge
102. Sang loudly in the car, and didn’t stop when you knew someone was looking
103. Had plastic surgery
104. Survived an accident that you shouldn’t have survived
105. Wrote articles for a large publication
106. Lost over 100 pounds - lost 14kg..... whats that in pounds lol
107. Held someone while they were having a flashback
108. Piloted an airplane
109. Petted a stingray
110. Broken someone’s heart
111. Ridden a bike
112. Won money on a T.V. game show - won $100 on the radio about 20 years ago LOL
113. Broken a bone
114. Gone on an African photo safari
115. Had a body part of yours below the neck pierced
116. Fired a rifle, shotgun, or pistol
117. Eaten mushrooms that were gathered in the wild
118. Ridden a horse
119. Had major surgery
120. Had a snake as a pet
121. Hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon
122. Slept for more than 30 hours over the course of 48 hours
123. Visited more foreign countries than U.S. states
124. Visited all 7 continents
125. Taken a canoe trip that lasted more than 2 days
126. Eaten kangaroo meat
127. Eaten sushi
128. Had your picture in the newspaper
129. Changed someone’s mind about something you care deeply about
130. Gone back to school
131. Parasailed - another on my list of things to do
132. Petted a cockroach - killed plenty but petted...... no
133. Eaten fried green tomatoes
134. Read The Iliad and The Odyssey
135. Selected one important author who you missed in school, and read
136. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
137. Skipped all your school reunions
138. Communicated with someone without sharing a common spoken language - worked in hotels...... nuff said
139. Been elected to public office
140. Written your own computer language
141. Thought to yourself that you’re living your dream
142. Had to put someone you love into hospice care
143. Built your own PC from parts
144. Sold your own artwork to someone who didn’t know you
145. Had a booth at a street fair
146. Dyed your hair
147. Been a DJ
148. Shaved your head
149. Caused a car accident
150. Saved someone’s life - tried and failed.

Right so I tag Ruth cause she has plenty of time on her hands LMAO

lucy

come on courier man!!

2006-09-16T17:23:00.000+12:00

I'll be nice I promise. LOL Ok so I only ordered some scrapping stuff on Thursday and it has to come all the way from the states AND I haven't had confirmation of shipping, but hey Mr Courier. Come to my house next LOL Just had to order the new Crate paper twirl collection. YUMMO can't wait.

Jobs to do this weekend. Finish stripping the wallpaper in Isobels room (tick), sort out the water feature which is broken thanks to Miss 7 standing on it LOL, waterblast the house (lightly) so that I can call the de-spider man next week to come around and spray!!!!!!!!!!!!!! *shiver*, mow the lawns (far out they are just growing so fast at the moment anyone would think it was spring, and decide on which carpet sample we like the best (just colour really) so that we can sort out wallpaper for her room. phew Note that all carpets are not the same and do not look the same. Who knew there are like 1 million different colours and textures of carpet. And thats just at one shop!!!

This week just flew past in a blurr. Aparently it is only one more week till the school hols. How did 10 weeks of term go so fast!!!!!!!! Work is getting busier and just when I thought it might be nice to have some time just for me (selfish I know) when Jess starts afternoon kindy next term I put up my hand to take on more work. I am looking forward to it tho. Might just pay for someone to do the wallpapering instead of me LOL we shall see.

right hubby!!!!! which room can I start on next????????

cleaning!! I am over it!!

2006-09-12T19:27:00.000+12:00

So over it. Ran out of exit mould on Sunday LOL There always seems to be something that I see that needs to be done. This afternoon the sun was shining brightly into the front door area that I could see all the marks on the walls and the black marks on the skirting, so that got done. I blame the sun shining LOL I also blame Ruth cause her house is so spotless and uncluttered. Had a coffee there today and had to come home and clean. Felt so guilty LOL So I am over it now!!!

Isobels floor rug arrived today so I tidied her room (wouldn't have found room on the floor for it if I hadn't) and laid out the rug. Her face was a study when she got home and found it there. I think she is pleased LOL Thanks to flybuys I am loving a subscription to NZ home and garden mag and getting some good ideas.

Nothing much else happening at the mo, oh except next year looks to be a big one for family visiting from the UK. My aunt and uncle (YAY they met Isobel when she was 3 and haven't met Jess) in January, my SIL and the new baby (YAY!! lots of cuddles) in March ish?? and then my brother his wife and my neice (YAY never met her and need cuddles!) lol Can't wait!!!!!!!!!

Best go check if I have work today instead of hanging out here LOL

Hello waving

2006-09-09T21:29:00.000+12:00

Hi Ruth!! lol Thanks so much ladies for a wonderful crop today. Haven't laughed so hard in ages. Think my pizza nearly shot out my nose at one point. TMI?? sorry lol

Any way, life......well it is spring and I have been spring cleaning. I actually like Ruths way of working room by room so might just do them all again next week LOL I really want to get the windows exit moulded tomorrow (don't you just love that stuff??) and then I can relax a little bit. Oh and have to wash one of the curtains in the lounge. Seems that the neighbours cats have been comming in the garage and for the first time ever my cat decided to spray in the house. Unfortunately (and for reasons only he can tell you) he decided that the lounge curtain was a great place to do this. So it got washed (and shrunk about an ince), hench the fact that I now need to wash the other one LOL.

Reno news is well not much really. Still waiting on the draftsman to come by. Will give him a ring next week. Oh and have to get the sparkie round again. Tomorrows jobs include the windows, cleaning the water feature thingy, putting up a blind in the ensuite and maybe scapping a little??

Had a few drinks at the neighbours this afternoon. Really nice couple with gorgeous kids. Oh and they have a fireplace!!!!! OMG I almost didn't leave. Come on draftsman......do you not realise that I need these plans approved so that I can get my fireplace LOL

And what is up with the world that Steve Irwin and Peter Brock are killed in accidents within a week. Very sad!!

sending happy spring weather thoughts to you all

Here I am

2006-08-28T20:33:00.000+12:00

Well not there but over here!! lol We are in and mostly unpacked. I have three boxes left, hubby has nearly a whole garage full, but they are stacked away in cupboards and you can't see them LOL What a weekend!!! I am still so overwelmed and speachless about the help that we had. Thanks so much guys!! Thanks to the wonderful Nic for making us scones (yep freshly baked) and lunch, thanks Paul for the loan of your muscles and for mowing my lawn before it rained, thanks to my awesome sister who babysat the cat, cleaned cupboards and emptied my kitchen all over the place LOL, thanks to her hubby for his lifting skills. Thanks to my fantastic inlaws and to Nick and Shelley for helping to unpack. Just awesome guys!!

No thanks to mr telecom who stuffed up the change over of my phone and also now broadband is connected but unable to work at the same time as my phone line. Too funny!! But that too will be fixed.

There are so many things about this house that I dislike but so much more that I am starting to like. Little things that I am finding like the size of the bath is awesome, the handbasins are so deep and a good size, the flow of the house is working for us and we have changed around our extension plans a little now that we are in here, it is much WARMER than I thought it was going to be (phew) and the rooms are bigger too for the girls to store their many treasures that girls have. Little things that are making me happier every day. It is starting to feel like home.

Thanks for all your good wishes girls. Kettle is on any time. Thanks for the cookies too Penny LOL

Off to relax

It is time!

2006-08-25T21:07:00.000+12:00

to move LOL Wow finally the day has arrived. We are all sorted and set to go first thing in the morning. Have had some wonderful help this afternoon and the truck is stacked full and ready to go. House is almost as clean as when we first moved in (in fact cleaner in places as there is now no gib dust left). I am shattered after a full on day but am staying close to my fireplace at the mo as we have no heating in the new old house LOL and you all know I hate to be cold.

Karen you have an invite for coffee anytime chick. Just hang out across the road and down a few houses from the last get together LOL

Four more sleeps

2006-08-22T08:40:00.000+12:00

yep thats all!! Four more sleeps and we are on the move. I went shopping yesterday with my MIL for baby clothes for my SIL. It was fun!! We found heaps, bought heaps (always fun when you are spending someone elses money lol) and also got some things on sale for next year for the girls. It was also good in that it kept me busy and I couldn't pack any more boxes LOL The weather is absolutely crappy, so heres hoping that it blows itself out by Friday and Saturday. Fingers crossed people lol

I am worrying that I have forgotten to do something, worrying that I haven't double checked something, worrying that the carpet wont get cleaned tomorrow at the new address cause I can still see furniture through the windows. I am trying not to drive past LOL

later

Boxes!!

2006-08-19T19:58:00.000+12:00

Everywhere!! Multiplying and stacking themselves in piles around the house!! Moving day is getting nearer and we all can't wait. Sad to leave our little house that we built, put our hearts into decorating, sweat into the garden and love into the walls. But 'home' is where you are, no matter which house you live in. We will make this new old home ours. Kinda really excited about it too. Once we have added a new room to the back then I get to add some colour and our personality to the walls. Gonna be lots of hard work but also lots of fun. Hey if 'e' can do it preggers then I am sure I can do it not preggers. lol E you are my hero, renovating while expecting.

The sleep countdown is on and the organising is done. Just the final packing and the cleaning (for those of you that know me WAHOOO!!! for the cleaning lol).

I really should be packing up the scraproom tonight but for some reason it is the room that I am struggling with the most. Need to be able to 'see' my things lol

enjoy the weekend

What a weekend!!

2006-08-15T08:52:00.000+12:00

What a blast CC06 was. OMG So great to catch up with so many awesome chicks. You girls are just wonderful. All my classes were cool and I came away with some fantastic projects, some still to be finished but I am determined to do that. Had an absolute blast, still recovering from the lack of sleep and the motion sickness from the flight and the 200 elevator trips a day LMAO. Oh and the scales aren't being very kind at the moment but I am 'ok' with that LOL The wonderful Trina had her baby boy the morning we left and the wonderful Evana decided that CC was a great time to have her gorgeous wee boy. We were taking bets on whether he would be born before dessert. LOL Well done ladies. Your babies are just gorgeous and I can't wait for cuddles. I did get cuddles with a friends little girl. OMG so clucky!!! Kate she is adorable!!!

As you will know from previous comments I wasn't really into the swap pin thing. Wow that was so much fun!!! I have a bag full of them (had to take them off the outside of my tote to fly home). Really lots of fun swapping and seeing what other people came up with. Next time I will be less shy about asking for them.

So to all you ladies that attended and I met, caught up with, chatted too etc. It was awesome!!!!!!!! Fantastic!!!!!!!! can't wait for next year LMAO

Right on to the next thing. Packing up the house. We move in ummm.... oh yeah, 10 days!! Need to get a move on I think LOL Am still just cruising after the weekend. Will get out the boxes and the tape this morning. My scrap space is next on the list, so there wont be any finishing of projects, albums etc until after the big move. I did finish my two layouts from the megacrop last night and I am happy with those.

Have a great day.

Clothes shop mirrors

2006-07-30T19:50:00.000+12:00

Yep strange topic I know but Clothes Shop mirrors. I have come to the conclusion, after spending the day shopping with Nic, that clothes shop mirrors are a completely different brand of mirror to any other mirror in the world!!! Every single pair of jeans, and I tried on every single pair of jeans lol, made me look fat in every single mirror. LOL I did evenutally find a pair of jeans, completely different style for me but I love love love them. And they looked ok in the mirror in shop and look fantastic in MY mirror at home LOL It is strange tho, even losing two sizes in weight last winter hasn't changed my original thunder thigh issue area. And please, skinny size 6 lady in Jay Jays, who was very helpful and kept bringing me different jeans, please please do not tell me that I look great when your mirrors are telling me otherwise. LOL

I will look great when I am wearing my new jeans, my new cool top and my new multi functional pashmina/scarf thingy which my girls tell me looks 'groovy'. Hubby wants to know where the shoes are?? I want to know if there is room on the mortgage for the liposuction!! LOL

I love scrapping

2006-07-30T19:45:00.000+12:00

Did I say what an awesomely fantastical day I had yesterday??? Thanks so much for offering your place as the venue for the swap pins meet Nic. I went with the intention of scrapping full pages and not doing any swap pins at all. Swap pins??? Who needs swap pins??? LOL well apparently I do so I made some. 18 actually but apparently that wasn't enough so I made some more. Now I have 36 swap pins for CC06 and I am really pleased that I did them. They came out great considering I have never made them before and certainly had nothing planned.

Anyway the swap pins are made, my homework for some of my classes is still not done but hey I still have a few more days LOL

Thanks again ladies, you made yesterday a blast!!! I honestly haven't laughed so hard in ages. Makes you feel great!! I am a little bummed tho that Trina didn't decide to pop LOL and that E didn't pop long distance either LOL Come on ladies. Lets make it a race shall we??

Fantastic day. Loved it!! But I will need to diet now for the next two weeks LOL

When things happen they happen fast

2006-07-22T14:55:00.000+12:00

You are just crusing along and then all of a sudden you get a phone call from the Solicitor and your house is sold!! yep sold!! unconditional two weeks early and YEP SOLD!! OMG now I need to do some serious shopping LOL Like um buy a house!! or maybe a Ferrari hubby says. um not sure that we can all sleep in the Ferrari honey.

ahhhhhhhh time to sit back and reflect and go phew that part is over. Then all of a sudden realisation hits and now we have four weeks to pack and find somewhere to live LOL Love a good challenge. BEST thing is NO more open homes, NO more agents bringing people thru at any time, NO more having to keep the house spotless. Kids............. get out your toys. Lets make some mess LOL

ahhhhh done

I got Tagged

2006-07-20T09:27:00.000+12:00

Thanks Ruth

Four Jobs I’ve Had :
Mother
Senior Receptionist/Cashier Hotels
Customer Services
Onion/Carrot/Spud packer

Four Movies I Can Watch Over And Over :
Pride and Prejudice
Sense and Sensability
Big Chill
Probably a Barbie dvd cause I HAVE to LOL

Four TV Shows I Love To Watch :
Desperate Housewives
Greys Anatomy
CSI - original
Evil Diet Witch - Fat Chance

Four Important things to me :
Family
Friends
Time out
Scrapping

Four Tunes That Play In My Head :
KT Tunsdil - wahoo
whatever is playing on the radio

Favorite Food Dishes :
Butter chicken
chocolate anything
steak, chips and salad
chocolate anything

Four Websites I Visit Daily :
Yahoo group
Blogs - theres about 20 of them LOL
Scrapbooking sites

Four Scrap company's I like :
Chatterbox
Pressed petal
SR
Queen & Co

Four bloggers to tag:
Nic
Rachel
Evana
Trina

Just for you Annie LOL

2006-07-13T21:04:00.000+12:00

although life really isn't that exciting and I don't have much to add today. Except thanks thanks to my wonderful awesomely fantastic mate Nic (check out her link over there *pointing down and right), who had my girls this morning so that I could have some 'me time' OMG I had forgotten what that was like LOL Got my mini album for my SIL new baby finished and am happy with it.

Oh and something seems to be happening in our little blog world this Saturday *shrug* very curious and by the way ladies, I really aren't that great with patience or surprises. So just whisper on my blog comments whats going on and all will be forgiven LOL Seriously, Lianne, Yolande, Trina, Racheal, Lesley WHAT THE (**&^&(*( is going on!!!!!!!!! I NEED to know!! lol Someone suggested that Lianne might be going to show us pics of her surfing??? well I think it was naked surfing?? anyway...................... I guess we are just waiting *patiently* for Saturday. Please let it be morning LOL

Oh and yay!! NO open homes this weekend as it is DD birthday this weekend. Didn't seem fair LOL YAY OMG can you believe that she is 7 yep the big 7!! Got the attitude to match LOL all pressies are wrapped and hidden. Must remember to find the overseas pressies that I hid when they arrived. Should be fun.

Also managed to tidy (read move things around, threw away a few things and repacked) my scrap space today. Decided to get rid of the wire cubes that I wasn't using and replaced them with plastic boxes that will be easier when it comes time to move. (cause there is a very distinct chance that we will have less than a week to find somewhere to live, pack and be out of here). Oh the pressure. Love it!!

Might just go scrap

Its been how long??

2006-07-09T20:35:00.000+12:00

Since I last blogged??? probably about as long since I last scrapped LOL I am doing an 6x6 album for my SIL and her lovely wee son James. (I am an Aunty for the second time) and have I have to have this album finished by next weekend so that it can hitch a ride on the way to the UK. Sooooooooo what am I doing on here you may ask?? Well its been a busy busy weekend and I feel I just need time to catch up LOL

Anyway, school hols are going ok. I took Jacob, Braden, Isobel and Jess to see Over the Hedge on Wednesday and they all enjoyed it. Although they might just have enjoyed the trip to McDs as much LOL Nic your boys are just gorgeous and so polite. Hope my girls behave as well for you this week. Great idea too BTW to do a swapsie LOL I might just get that album finished yet.

Friday Jess and I went to the new toy shop (the biggest one in NZ apparently) and it was cool. Wondered around for ages and had to take hubby back today so that he could have a good look. So much stuff!! Yesterday was open home again and then out to collect Isobel from mums. This morning we decided to take the girls to cars movie to escape the open home today. Funny thing is our local (20 mins away) cinema is a bit of a dive and after being there on Wednesday I swore that I would not go back again. Well the next day hubby comes home with vouchers for the same cinema!!!!! LOL Couldn't exactly say no to a free movie and popcorn. Anyway, about 20 minutes to go and they turn on the lights, turn off the 'big tv' and evacuate us all out the front. Turns out the popcorn machine that blew up when we were there on Wednesday wasn't fixed and had filled the cinema with smoke. Nothing like being thrown out into a freezing cold wind and bright sunlight after pitch black of the movie LOL Kids coped well and we were allowed back in about 15 minutes later (or we could stand in line for a refund). We figured we would watch the end of the movie then we wouldn't have to go back LOL So on the way out we are handed none other than four free tickets to any movie at the cinema!!!!!!!! OMG they are trying to suck us in again!!!!!!!!!!!

Then it was off to the farm to move the boys (read freekin big steers!!!) into the run to be collected by the steak man truck tomorrow. Imagine them running down a narrow fenced lane and me hiding behind a hedge with a long stick, ready to lift and shut the gate as they go past!! I have to say that big beast are not my thing LOL and the heart was racing when I heard the hooves. LOL But MIL had thought it through perfectly and it all happened without a hitch.

So thats week one of the school hols over. We have a repreive from open homes this weekend and it is DDs birthday so have said NO and please don't ring me on Sunday asking to bring anyone through LOL She has decided that she would like to take 3 friends to the local pools and then we are going to act grown up and take then all out for dinner at the local pizza joint. Should be fun!!

Oh and HUGE WOWSERS!!!!!!!!! to the wonderful Miss E (check out her link to the side). Her pics have been chosed by the one and only Heidi Swapp to scrap a page. (top 3 of 3000) So go to Evanas blog and link to Heidis and vote vote vote for our E. Her pics are awesome and Heidis page, well what can I say. Frame it dude when you get it back!!

happy hols

Day two of the school holidays

2006-07-04T20:42:00.000+12:00

and I feel that I am barely coping. I know it shouldn't be like that. Ever feel that way?? The girls are finding everything to argue about, even when they are playing quietly away from each other, one has to go and interupt after a few seconds and I find myself just waiting for the next round. Needless to say it has been a little stressful these last couple of days. And we have been out doing odd jobs and all sorts too. Tomorrow we are off to see Over the Hedge, and I am looking forward to it. Love going to the kids movies. Great reason to have kids LOL nah just kidding.

I am trying to get a mini album made for my SIL who just had her first baby in the UK. Its comming together (when I get the chance to play lol) and I am getting used to the blue and the bright colours of BG oh baby boy! Actually I quite like them for a change. Thanks to Nic who came to my rescue the other night when I realised that the lettering I wanted to use was pink LOL and I didn't have any blue paint either. All done and looking cool.

Up side for today was that my US order arrived and I have some lovely new C/Box papers to play with. I also bought the Rhonna Farrier swirly stamps (cause swirls seem to be in at the moment and I just HAD to have them). Looking forward to having a play with those too. I'm usually buying things at the end of a trend so I am quite pleased with myself that I made this purchase DURING a trend LOL

Hope all those with school hols are having a wonderful time. Our hols will get better I am sure of it. I am going to be more positive tomorrow and not sweat the small stuff LOL

Another weekend

2006-07-01T12:21:00.000+12:00

is here which means another round of open homes both Saturday and Sunday. Although we have also had two lots thru this morning as well so not sure if there will be any left for after lunch LOL Ah well the things you do when you have your house on the market. Lunch is over, kitchen is cleaned, house is as it should be. Lucky my kids like watching tv after lunch. They can't make a mess in there LOL

Also have to decide what we are doing for miss I when she turns 7 next week. OMG 7!!!!!! Well shes has the attitude to match anyway LOL So any fun ideas would be great. Those that don't cost too much would be awesome!! lol Oh and can someone come and do my GST?? Nic??

Nothing much to report this week. Just the next round of bugs which this week is thankfully just a cold. Jess is almost over hers and Isobel has just started so plenty of tissues flying around the house TMI??

Right off to do a last minute check and then I guess we are out of here for an hour. Hope people don't mind but the sheets are still on the line. LOL Lollies are out (whats left of them anyway LOL)

I have come to the conclusion

2006-06-24T21:59:00.000+12:00

that I am a procrastinator. Big word for this time of night huh?? especially after a few rums to warm the belly and the toes. Thanks for the suggestion Rach. I had one for ya. LOL

Anyway - procrastinating again lol - I have come to this conclusion cause I have just wasted two hours playing around on my computer instead of scrapping when I have had the perfect opportunity to do so. Oh and I got some really cool pics back the other day too. I think I am stuck cause I have just ordered some stuff and would really like to have that in my hot little hands before I start scrapping LOL Some yummy new Cbox is winging its way from the US as we speak LOL

I have also come to the conclusion that the process of buying and selling houses really just sucks. I seem to be constantly cleaning my house, my MIL is now teasing me that there wont be any paint left on the walls by the time someone buys the house LOL But maybe there is some truth in that I thought today as I wiped down all the doors in the house again, cleaned the windows inside and out - again!, vacuumed for the third time today and dusted and straighted and wiped etc etc etc. Open homes - you just gotta love them. We have another one tomorrow. YAY. Anyway we have spent some time in the past few weeks checking out the local papers, websites etc and viewing some of the other open homes on the weekends. I can truely say that there are some days when I just walk away thinking 'what the heck are we doing'. LOL It will all be worth it in the end when we are mortgage free and living in Nics letterbox LMAO Do you think your hubby could add an ensuite???

Jess is much better and her spots - lollipops she is now calling them thanks to Nics dd lol - are either fading fast or well scabbed over. TMI??? lol Her big sister is having a sleep over at MIL's so the house is very quiet. Well it should be - look at the time.

Funny thing that I found this morning during the BIG CLEAN. A handful of lollie wrappers stuffed under the cushion on the couch. Some one had a lovely pre breaky treat this morning while watching tv. Now since I struggled to get out of bed this morning and I had to literally kick hubby out, and there was a small wriggly girl in the middle of our bed, then there could only be one little lollie thief who was actually sitting on said cushion watching tv when I walked past to say good morning. *rasing eyebrows* But you can all guess the answer to the 'who stole the lollies from the lollie jar" question huh?? who me?? couldn't be!! (remember that little game lol) Anyway the lollies have now been moved out of sight and are back in the furtherest corner of the pantry. LOL

Hope you are all having a good weekend

We have spots!!

2006-06-19T09:18:00.000+12:00

yep - Chicken pox!!! I was just saying the other day that I wanted to rub Jess up against someone with them. Now she has them. And boy do they come out fast!!!!!!!!! She has heaps more this morning. Thankfully she is ok with it all at the moment. A little bit itchy but only the ones in her hair.

Isobel has her first Brownie outing tonight. She has only two more weeks of Pippins and then she is a Brownie. Can't wait.

Crockpot recipe

2006-06-12T20:01:00.000+12:00

Sorry girls, I keep forgetting to put some on here. Well here is the one for today and what we will be having tomorrow night. YUMMY

Corned beef.

Chop onions (1 large) and put in the crockpot. Add corned beef, two bay leaves, black pepper (to your taste), couple of tablespoons of golden syrup and enough water to cover the beef. Put on low and cook all day until it falls apart. LOL (about 8 hours)

Serve with mashed spuds (garlic or mustard flavoured if you like), baby peas and steamed carrots. Absolutely scrummy!!! enjoy

I am an Aunty for the second time

2006-06-12T19:57:00.000+12:00

And am so excited. My SIL just had her first baby in London. Its a boy!!! Still not too sure on all the details but I just rang her (she had to go before we got talking LOL) and I heard him do the wee baby squwark. Too cute!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Just wanna be there to give him lots of love and hugs (his parents too of course LOL).

Ahhh well, I am an Aunty. Thats one neice and one nephew and they both live in the UK!! *sniff*

Can't wait for pics. *doing the happy happy aunty dance* lol

WOW that was so much fun

2006-06-08T20:11:00.000+12:00

My first ever online baby shower and what a hit!! Everything happened in perfect timing. Even the postie was late this morning but arrived perfecting just after the shower had started. FANTASTIC. Evana (check out her link) was the recipient. Love ya chicky. Can't wait to meet this new baby. I know how difficult getting to this stage has been. Won't be long now YAY!!! Thanks to Delish Designs and Tarisota for the tags. They were awesome. We all decorated one each and posted off to E to arrive today. Even NZPost seemed to be working well in that department (strange I hear you say - but true). Great to hang out with all these cool scrapping chicks. We even had a few games which were extremely funny. I am sure my mum thought I was completely nuts running around the house saying, tea towel, peg, camera, slippers, chocolate, safety pin, tea towel, peg, camera ........... LOL Great fun and thanks so much to Nic for organising it all and to Deb for the games. AWESOME Hope you get a good sleep E and enjoy those tags over the next few days as they arrive in your mailbox.

Bumma tho, just after the online shower started mum found a wee crawly jumpy thing in Jess's hair, so off to the chemist I trott and shampoo and comb both the girls hair as soon as we get home from school. Had to do it right then to use the daylight as they both have blond hair and those wee suckers are hard to see. Fingers crossed that we have got them all and I will be using the Tea Tree oil over the next couple of weeks. So I missed some of the fun of the shower and being 'there' when the flowers and choccies etc arrived.

Right off to shampoo my hair. YUCK!! Little blighters

Slap my hand

2006-06-04T16:18:00.000+12:00

I have been a bad blogger. Opps sorry bout that Racheal LOL Yep it was great to meet you too. And I agree, I am just starting to see the light again after scrapcamp. WOW!! That was a whole heap of fun. Got some great layouts done, and some not-so-great-thrown-together-looking-like-I-am-doing-something-other-than-eating-chocolate layouts too LOL But I had a BLAST!! Great to catch up with and meet some new scrappers. Now about November?? Ask me again when my house is no longer on the market and the stress levels have decreased LOL OMG why didn't someone tell me it was so stressfull. We just did the less than 5 mins quick tidy up throw everything in drawers as another agent brought some people thru. Wasn't really expecting anyone today after the open home yesterday and it being a public holiday weekend. Well tomorrow my house will be spick and span all day long. (note to self to get out the mop AGAIN!!) lol

Anyway, scrapcamp was awesome and comming home to the HUGE hugs from my girls was even better!! Nice to know they missed me, although it has been a little bit down hill since then. What is it with the nearly 7 year old attitude. It is driving me nuts. They are busy bouncing all sorts of bad behaviour off each other at the moment and can't play nicely together for longer than 5 minutes it seems. The rebellious nature at the moment makes me wonder if we will all survive the pre teens and the teens LOL Love them both!! True!!

The forum I am on is having a crockpot challenge at the moment and I am trying out some very yummy recipes. I think my crockpot has sat on my bench every day this week. Yummy to smell it all nicely cooking away and knowing that I have very little to do in the evening. Anyway tonight is french country chicken and it smells divine.

catch you all later

I did it!!!

2006-05-25T21:04:00.000+12:00

Evana (pointing to the right side of my blog so that you can see her link) asked me to be a guest designer on Luv2scrapbook.com Check me out!!! I was so nervous but so glad she gave me the kick up the butt and I did it. Thanks E for giving me the opportunity. I enjoyed it!! So go to their website and check out my page. Its for the Carolees papers. They are fun and funky to play with.

One more sleep to fun fun fun. No I have not packed, although I seem to have a heap of chocolate and lollies on the floor in my scraproom, along with my sleeping bag and hot water bottles. LMAO But nothing else. Just can not decide what to take. Haven't even chosen photos. I just got some cool new chip chatter stuff and some lil davis things too and I wanna take them all to play with LOL I also know that there will be plenty of product to drool over too. Maybe I will just take my trimmer, photo splits, glue, ink and photos.

Right off to do something, I promise.

c u

How many sleeps???

2006-05-24T18:09:00.000+12:00

WOW 2 more sleeps and then it is scrapcamp. I am finally feeling that I am getting organised. Not sure why I have that feeling as I haven't done anything but print some photos LMAO.

Anyway can't wait. Lots of new faces to meet, old faces to see again and faces to go with blogs and emails. So exciting. No wonder I can't sleep. Its the excitement of scrapcamp. Nothing to do with the stress of having the house on the market, cleaning all the time and still not having found anything to buy. HO HUM!! Come on fate. Work your magic LOL

Those of you going to scrapcamp - see you in 2 sleeps. Those that can't make it - will report all the juicey behaviour when I get home. Promise LOL Nic?? Hope you have those lacey pink knickers packed LMAO

c u

OK you fellow scrapcampers!!

2006-05-21T17:46:00.000+12:00

5 more sleeps till fun fun fun!! I am so NOT organised even tho I have every intention of being organised LOL Well today was spent organising our table 'p' party. Watch out all you campers!!!!!!! We are going to blow away!! lol Now that will get a few of you thinking. Anyway it is going to be fun and I can't wait.

Busy busy weekend house hunting and realising that there isn't much out there at the moment!! eeeeeeeekkkkkkkk could be interesting LOL Nic can you get hubby to make that letterbox of yours just a little bit bigger?? Might need somewhere to camp LMAO

I really really need to scrap tonight. Jess is finally getting better and slept most of last night, so not sure if it is sleep or scrap that I really need to do tonight. LOL

Off to play candyland

c u

How did that happen??

2006-05-17T18:14:00.000+12:00

Came home from Kindy this afternoon and there was a real estate sign on the fence!! Guess that means we are moving. LOL Yep we listed last night. Now we just have to find a buyer for our lovely home, find another lovely home, pack up etc etc etc Oh and the cleaning!!!!!!! I can feel the adrenilan rush already LOL So if you know of anyone who wants to buy my place, let me know. I love my curtains in the bedroom tho. Do you think they would notice if I slipped them in a packing box?? LOL Need a new challenge. Hubby is sick of cleaning the garage every weekend since we finished the outside of the house. Seems hes not big on cleaning windows lol cause that would sure keep him busy. Well it should be interesting to say the least.

Right what else has been happening. Oh yeah it got freezing cold (and I mean turn the fire on first thing in the morning freezing cold!!) so we are currently making a lovely dent in the firewood pile. That should be a nice weekend job for hubby LOL

Both kids have been sick, colds, croup etc etc. But seem to be on the mend now. Oh and the tooth fairy kindly made a visit. Now we are just waiting for the really crooked, sticky outy tooth at the front to fall out.

Oh and I have been asked to design a page so will link it when I have worked out what I am going to do LOL Quite frightening as the only time I have been published was a workshop challenge in FK some time ago. mmmmmmmm I tend not to submit cause I just don't like rejection LOL

Not long till fun fun fun, need to find my chocolate stash, hot water bottle and the sleeping bag. Oh and the diet coke LOL Yolande's job is to bring the pink knickers LMAO

Off house hunting I go.

Another sausage sizzle

2006-05-11T18:39:00.000+12:00

has come and gone and hopefully that will be it for me for a while. It never rains on sausage sizzle days, but today for some reason it was gross!! LOL Even the principal said he can only remember one other wet sausage sizzle. Not fun at all. Thanks to the lovely ladies who helped to cook, lay out bread, squeeze sauce and hand out sausages. We cooked 550 sausages today!! Now that is alot LOL I then had to go back to school to clean all the dishes and chase up a few things. So it feels like this is the first time I have sat and managed to take a breath all day (and sneak a piece of chocolate - I think I was in chocolate depravation)

And to top it all off I could see all these messages from the forum I am on and couldn't find the time to sit and read them. LOL How sad is that?????? But I did managed to get my hair cut this afternoon. It has been about six months and it feels so much better. Now I just need to find the time to put through some 'natural-hiding-the-grey' colour lol and I will be feeling like a new person.

c u

Ok so I did this huge big blog entry

2006-05-07T20:03:00.000+12:00

and somehow it got lost in cyberspace. LOL Nothing very exciting. Just a 'ticking off' things from the 'to do' list LOL

We had such a beautiful day that I just had to wash absolutely everything, including the inside of the house. The only thing that didn't get done was the outside of the windows and well.........that can just wait. I did suggest a few times that I needed to get that done but hubby was ignoring me or not receiving the subtle hints LOL

It was so nice we took the girls on a HUGE walk. Its so great now that Isobel can ride without the training wheels and she can now ride for longer distances. We ended up at school and somehow I have volunteered for helping cooking indian food on Tuesday. Not sure how that happened and what the heck are the teachers lurking around school on a Sunday for!!!!!!!!! lol We also stopped at an open home just down the road on the way back. Huge house. Will be interesting to see what it goes for. The main thing I didn't like was the oven. Not big enough to even put a roast chicken in that one LOL The rest was nice tho. So wish we had put different carpet down in this house. LOL

Nice relaxing family day at home. I think I am almost ready for Monday. Almost!!

c u

Hello is this thing working

2006-05-07T16:26:00.000+12:00

I'm a love a lot carebear LOL

2006-05-06T08:32:00.000+12:00

Thanks Nic (now how do you link again???) ah well check out Nics link at the side of my blog and go see what kind of carebear you are LOL Something silly to do at 11pm at night, waiting for hubby to come home from watching the ANZAC test. Did we win btw?? He hasn't really surfaced yet LOL

Off scrapping today and I can't wait. Its my sanity day. The day that I do things just for me, when I want, eat what I want, while looking at pictures of my little darhlings and wondering what to do with them LOL (the pics I mean)

Breakfast, then pack.

c u

And then it happened

2006-05-05T18:44:00.000+12:00

Yep!! We all knew it was going to happen and I had backed up as much as possible, saved all my pics to disc (most importantly) and crossed my fingers that I hadn't missed anything. Well Tuesday it crashed, big flashing screens, trying to continually restart etc. So off to the shops I race and meet hubby. And there on the shelf is my brand new, sparkling, fandangled, did I say NEW, fast computer!! 'That one please' I said. Then it was home to unpack and try to get it up and running (email included) before the school run, picking up extra kids and feeding them dinner, and before I had to start work in the evening. What a fantastic boss I have and told me to take the night off.

I am enjoying my new computer, getting used to Windows XP and where to find things. Also I love the speed. I can whizz around the internet at lightening speed. Did I mention that I love the speed??!!

Still haven't copied everything over, and have found that I have missed or incorrectly saved a whole pile of things, but my photos are safe and so is my journalling file.

So we are up and running, trying to remember passwords and site address. Oh and BTW I have lost all of my email addresses so I appologise if you don't hear from me. Just flick me a quick email if you wouldn't mind.

Right off to play Candyland and then it is bed time for the girls.

c u

I am sitting here staring at the fireplace

2006-04-29T10:36:00.000+12:00

and thinking that I really really want to put it on LOL The temperature has dropped a fair bit this morning and the rain has set in. Apparently we have rain warnings out too. Nice. Hello winter. Not sure if I am really ready for you to arrive. I have stacks of firewood but still ....... LOL great scrapping weather tho and I am hoping to get into my scraproom and create something.......anything!!!!!!!! I have done one page in the last two weeks and I am feeling the grumpys LOL

Well this week has just disapeared. Infact the last two weeks have just flown by and I think I am still spinning. School hols came and went in a flurry of activity and we are now firmly back into the school routine. All the after school activities start up again next week.

National scrapbooking day is May 6th which is next Saturday and we have a crop organised. I am walking out the door at 10am and will be back sometime in the evening LOL So looking forward to it. Will be the first one that isn't run by KS as we no longer have a consultant. Just friends getting together to chat and scrap. My sanity day!!

The sneezes have started this morning, so I guess the cold season is arriving. Jess has been sneezing all morning and has a runny nose. Hopefully croup is not on the horizon.

Right off to do some jobs and hopefully con hubby into the fact that I really really need a new computer. This one is six years old and for the past three months has been playing up especially when I turn it on. Can take up to five times to get it going in the morning. LOL We all get a little slower as we age LOL

Hope you all have a nice weekend

I love the V8's

2006-04-23T21:19:00.000+12:00

Love the v8s supercars when they come to town. Love the sound, the excitment, the airplanes buzzing and helicoptors humming. It only lasts three days but we all just love the excitment. This year has got to be only the second year that I haven't been. Hubby didn't go either which was definately a first for him. Tana is here and has spent the last two days at the track. The amount of people comming and going has been HUGE. Over 102,000 people in three days and 42,000 of them just today. Now thats alot when you consider the population of our wee town (and surrounding areas) is only 20,000. There are so many people around in either Blue or Red and everyone seems to be happy and joking around. Personally I prefer the BLUE LOL
This years races were full of controversy however, so it will be interesting to see what the press make of all of it. Especially the Aussie press.

Weekend wrap up - well we have been busy driving people here and there and kids to grannys etc. Seems like we have been on the go the whole weekend with very little time to sit. Haven't managed to scrap either but that could be due to our little houseguest who has taken over my scraproom. Her luggage seems to have exploded!!! (love you Tana lol) and the floor is no longer visible. LMAO

Sad note is that Rosie the goldfish passed away last night. I realised something was wrong when I spotted her stuck up against the filter unable to swim away. Then she kinda just sunk to the bottom and did the big death roll. We rescued her and put her in a smaller bowl but I think it was all downhill from there. Goodbye Rosie, thanks for being such a cool fish. May your waters be clear and free from nasties and may you forever swim happily.

We then had to go to the pet shop and buy a replacement. Her name is Lilly and she seems to be settling in well.

She did it!!!!!!!!

2006-04-18T08:26:00.000+12:00

Isobel finally rode her bike with no training wheels!!!!!!!!!!!!! It has taken a long time and alot of confidence to get there but she finally did it. Also helped that we actually took her to the park with huge big open space for her to just go. She has been riding around for years on her bikes but everytime we talked about taking off the training wheels she would scream, cry and tantrum and then not touch her bike for ages. So we just gave up. But we just did it and she was off and so proud of herself for being able to do it. I must say that I was a very proud mummy too. Got lots of great pics. Now I just have to sort through them.

WTG Isobel!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Glorious Autumn days

2006-04-15T21:16:00.000+12:00

We have had a couple of just beautiful Autumn days!! Just fantastic. So today we decided that a bbq was needed. It did cloud over a little this evening but the kids didn't mind, they were running around playing in pup tents and scooters etc. Oh and filling up on chips!!! Nothing like lots of food, happy children, a few drinkies (those rums were going down just nicely thanks aye Nic??) and great friends.

Oh and thanks Grumpr for scaring the crap out of me when you rang my mobile. Note to self to go and change that ring right now!!!!!! I think I jumped atleast six feet in the air. Oh and thanks Nic for not kidnapping my phone this time. LMAO

Right I really need to scrap. I have started the inside pages of the handbag album and they are comming along just nicely. Only thing is that I am too full from dinner and apricot slice to sit at my scrapdesk LOL

Look what I made!!

2006-04-12T22:04:00.000+12:00

I stole this idea (well modified it to use what I had) from the latest CK. Thought is was just the perfect thing for Isobels school album. (another idea borrowed thanks Lesley lol) This will be an album for the beginning of each year. With just a little information like teacher name, class number, friends, favourite subject etc. Just simple stuff that I forget. Now I have to catch up on three years LOL BTW she loves it. Oh and these pics its not quite finished. There is stitching around the yellow (yep Nic thanks for your offer but I got the machine out for that little bit lol) and there is more ribbon added around the top and it has a mm enamel embellishment on the front as I didn't have any clippy type thingys. Also I am yet to put the title on it although I am now thinking that I will just make a title page for the inside. The inside pages are 6x6 album refills and the outside is cut from a 9x9 square chipboard album. This was so much fun. Now I want to start the pages and mojo has vanished. LOL always the way.

Weekly wrapup

2006-04-08T08:41:00.000+12:00

Its been a funny ole week here. Very busy. We finally found a sideboard for the dining area, its ok, we've only been in the house two years - can't rush these things LOL. Next is the couch for the family room and then we are all set. I think our visitors are gettin a little sick of sitting on bean bags LOL Although it leaves plenty of floor space for the kids to play. Anyway, we were busy Monday, Weds, Friday with our extra wee kiddies, kindy playgroup, music, school, pippins etc etc oh and Dora (The Explorer LOL) had to go back to the mechanics again for the back wiper and a service. It was very nice of them to valet her at the same time (just hope that wasn't added in the hourly charge!!!!!!!!!) The cat appreciated it so much that he decided the bonnet was the best place to sleep with muddy feet. Oh well. She was clean for a day.

Then last night was Isobels first disco. (she had missed the last one at school) It was fun, lots of kids dancing around in their best outfits. Very funny to watch. I'm sure she gets her dance moves from her father. The most embarrasing part of the evening for her would have been when her mother decided to get up and boggie to help start the dancing off LOL Athough I think she kinda enjoyed the fact that I joined in. I had threatened her with the wobbly dance early but managed to keep that one hidden. LOL Jess had fun too and found another friends little girl to dance with. They were both shattered and asleep before their heads hit the pillow.

Today they are off out with the inlaws (first time together) so hubby and I have some free time on our hands. Time for scrapping I say without interuptions LOL

see ya

Well I survivied Pippins camp

2006-04-02T19:09:00.000+12:00

At least I think I did!! LOL Made it through of just a few hours sleep. We had a great time in the afternoon doing all sorts of activities including a water balloon fight which the kids just loved!! Me???? well I wasn't too keen on having a water balloon down my back but at least it didn't get the camera. I must admit that it has been a long long day. What with my little pippin waking up at 5.30am and popping up her head every time someone moved, coughed or fluffed, just incase she might miss something (not sure who she gets that from LOL). The 'mums' headed to bed about 10.30pm after learning lots of Brownie magic games. I had forgotten so much since I was a brownie. It was kinda fun and very confusing at times LOL I didn't get much sleep what with the constant rain, snoring (man did you know that some 6 year olds can snore worse than adults!!!!!!!??????) and the sound of people rolling over on either their camp stretchers or air beds. Those things are noisey on wood floors. Oh and the leader next to me warned me that she mumbled in her sleep. She forgot to warn me that she actually yelled out in her sleep and frequently LOL I am looking forward to my comfy bed tonight.

We managed to get a walk in between showers this afternoon, just to clear the head and the girls had cabin fever. Not much scrapping done this weekend but I took over 80 pics at pippins. Now to get them printed.

Bring on Monday!!!!!!!!!!

Thursdays are my day off

2006-03-30T20:11:00.000+12:00

No extra kids comming to play, no work at night, just me and Jess (Oh and mum and my sister for lunch every week lol). So with the week having been so busy. What did we do today.

1 Hung out the sheets and the towels
2 Did the school run
3 Raced round the grocery shop
4 Came home and unpacked the groceries
5 Raced back to school for 10.30am to find that the caretaker had forgotten it was a sausage sizzle day and nothing was out, and it was my first time as head sausage person lol
6 Cooked 560 odd sausages, organised 50 odd juicies and 300 cans of lemonade. Helped to serve out to 500 odd students in 30 minutes. PHEW but we had a great bunch of ladies helping today so it was a breeze. All except the moment when I though we were going to run out of sausages. Had 10 left over LOL
7 Came home had a drink, something to eat and changed my clothes cause I smelt like a sausage. Can still smell sausages and will probably dream them tonight. LOL
8 Brought in the washing.
9 Made beds
10 Cooked dinner
11 Did homework
12 Bathed kids and read stories and off to bed.

Now I am enjoying a hot chocolate, marshmallow easter egg and surfing the web. Should be scrapping but haven't got the mojo or the energy LOL.

Did I mention that today is my day OFF!!! lol

Saturdays crop

2006-03-26T19:47:00.000+12:00

What a fantastic time. I haven't laughed so hard in ages thanks Nic!!!!!!! LOL Great to see so many ladies there for the final 'Lianne' crop. Also Karen I am still blowen away that you came all the way from Tokoroa!!!!!!!!! You win the prize for furtherest distance. Nice to meet you too and I hope that you had fun. We are a quiet bunch LOL except Ruth of course.

Nic you made the most fantastic gift for Lianne and thanks for making the card too. Oh and bringing the rum. We had one for you too Rachel LOL I didn't manage to achieve much (not unusual for those of you that know me LOL) but we made these very very cool little tins from eclipse mint tins. Still not sure what to use mine for but it looks great on my bookcase!!!!!! lol Ain't it cute??? Infact I managed to start 3 layouts, throw 1 away and start a mini album. Oh and I started the cover of my 'all about me' album. I've had the album for a year so have finally made a start. You can't rush these things. LOL I know that I would have been able to create masterpieces had my new Scenic Route arrived LOL Can't believe that I am almost out of patterned paper!! The girls and hubby had a nice day without me too. LOL

Must go finish my layouts.

Michelle I still have the bickkies if you want them. Email me your address and I'll post them to you if you want. Trina, start stalking your postie. LOL

The weather has been very rainy today, which is great for the grass and the garden, and has turned a little cooler. We were expected to get a bit of a cyclone but it has been downgraded to a heavy storm. That should be rolling in in the next couple of days.

Ok so I am going to try again

2006-03-22T21:45:00.000+12:00

and upload my page from Monday. aaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhh yes there it is. Still debating whether I will take of those green flowers. I painted mine instead of outlining them.

I did an online class yesterday

2006-03-21T10:49:00.000+12:00

and it was very interesting. I love classes that challenge you to try different things, whether it is a paper that you would never have chosen, a new technique or just a different way of using a product. Great fun. Thanks Evana for running such a cool class. This is the page that I created. I am usually just a plain, subtle kinda gal and stay away from the bright patterened paper, so this in itself was a challenge to me. Also the use of a HS mask. That was actually fun and I will have a play with that again.

On another note, I got my Tarisota order and it is fabulous. If you haven't had a look then you really should. It always comes packed with a wee choc or something sweet to temp you LOL Just love those extra things that make you feel special. The ribbon this month is fabulous and I am looking forward to using the chipboard shapes too. www.tarisota.com.au Go check it out.

Off to a crop this weekend so I should really have some photos organised. Must do that this morning and get my order sent away so that it is back in time. Really looking forward to this crop. It is my day 'off' LOL

sorry I am having problems uploading my page. Will try again later.

I'm a STALKER LOL

2006-03-14T21:27:00.000+13:00

of the postie!! Look out postie I am watching for you every day. LOL I love waiting for orders to arrive (anything really lol). Theres a certain amount of anticipation to the day and also good exercise for me as our letterbox is a good 30 metres from the front door. I know it doesn't sound much but when you are checking every hour it all add up right?? enough for another girl guide chocolate biscuit!! LMAO

We did the final biscuit round yesterday and thankfully have sold most of our 14 odd boxes of biscuits. I have to get another 2 full boxes that people have ordered and then that is me for this year. Actually need to sort out alot of pippins stuff for tomorrow. Should do that before bed. Yet more forms to fill in. Same with school. There were forms that came home for parent/teacher interviews. I love these. Its a great time to meet the new teachers for the year. But the form that they send home has some silly questions on it. Like what do you want your child to acheive this year? UM well......... let me see...... shes 6 years old so is there any chance she can finish a BA in the next few months?? Really!!

Had a lovely morning today at Andreas cuddling her beautiful new daughter. She is just gorgeous and mum and dad should be very proud. Almost made me clucky (loved scaring the heck out of hubby on that one too lol) but not quite enough to make me forget how delightful Jess was when she was a newborn with her screaming and being completely unsettled from about 2pm till well into the wee hours of the morning. We used to call it tag team time. Hubby would walk in the door and have this baby thrust at him so that I could go outside for a 5 minute breather. LOL those were the days!!

mmmmmmmmmmmm off to sort out the best spot for stalking the postie in the morning. LOL I know. No life. LMAO

Hello weekend!!!!

2006-03-11T20:26:00.000+13:00

Didn't realise it was so long since my last blog LOL

Have a few things to tick off on the 'to do list'.
1 - have booked flights and classes for CC06 - wahoo roll on August!!!!!!!!
2 - have registered for Scrapcamp - wahoo roll on May LOL
3 - have completed the first of my new scrap challenges (well just waiting for the dimensional magic to dry LOL)
4 - Can you see a theme happening here??? lol
5 - have finished one lot of 65 cards for my sister - one lot to go.
6 - have registered for Evanas (wish I knew how to link) online class next Monday
7 - have finally ordered some of the new BG baby girl papers that came out in Vegas (I know, I am a little slow with these things LOL)
8 - now all I have to do is hide the credit card from hubby and convince him that eating 2 minute noodles, mince and mixed veges every night for the next two weeks is absolutely OK!!! LOL
9 - and MOST IMPORTANTLY of all - we spent a lovely day in the sun (yep the sun was finally shining again) with the girls and we all had a bundle of fun. Hardly any arguments, short tempers, harsh words etc. It has truely been a lovely day to look back on as I sit here enjoying my rum.

Oh and for those of you in NZ (not that many people read my blog but just incase) and those of you brought up in the 70s and 80s, my favourite radio station on a Saturday night has to be Classic Hits. STOP no seriously STOP laughing!! LOL They have what they call 'duke box Saturday night' and it is filled with songs that I grew up with, and some a little older LOL But great for scrapping music. They just played the theme from Miami Vice (remember that?? lol) I love music that touches a memory - ok so Miami Vice theme music is probably a bad example but you all know what I mean. LOL so go find and turn it on and listen for yourself.

ENJOY

Saturday was a blast!!!

2006-02-28T20:58:00.000+13:00

Wahoo!!!!!!!!!!! The first crop of the year and it was so much fun. Great bunch of ladies and we had so many laughs. I even got a few pages done. Ruth I think you won that challenge tho LOL.

The weather has turned a little cold over the last week and I desperately need a new sweatshirt. The plus side of loosing so much weight is that you feel so much better about yourself and more comfortable in yourself. The down side to downsizing 14kgs is that nothing (and I mean nothing) fits anymore. Even the jeans that I bought during the winter last year, don't fit anymore. *sigh* not complaining but its a pain when you go to the drawers on a cold morning, looking for a sweatshirt (NOPE) and some long pants (NOPE again lol) and you have to settle for the longest pair of 3/4 pants, a long sleeved shirt and a pair of thermal socks LMAO I must have looked a treat!!!!! So off to the shops went my youngest dd and I. We had a really good morning (except for the fact that we could not find a sweatshirt - just a plain sweatshirt!!). But she enjoyed trying on clothes at P Patch and I even bought her a tracksuit. Finally found a sweatshirt in the last shop that we looked in (Murphys law or something), although it is a polarfleese but it will keep me warm until I can find another one. LOL

I thought it was a good chance to update my blog whilst I am waiting for the hair dye to develop (5 more mins to go). I am trying out the new dye and highlight kit (the dye bit is the easy part). Should be very interesting when I get to the highlight bit LOL So I will either be showing a pic tomorrow of my fabulous new 'do' or running for the nearest hairdresser to fix a horrendous mistake. LOL

Right off to wash this out and then put the highlights in. I asked hubby to help - used the 'if you loved me you would' line but that hasn't produced any help yet LOL I guess he is just needing a good laugh later on.

I did it!!!!!! I did it!!!!!!!!!

2006-02-19T16:55:00.000+13:00

I put a very bright pink clock on my blog!!!!!!! Go me LOL mmmmmmmmmmm not sure how long the pink will stay there but enjoy it while it lasts. I need reminding of things more and more these days. Especially dates LOL Ho hum....... age seems to be creeping up faster than I ever expected. LOL

Right - 'tick' - another thing off the 'list of things to do' LOL I even managed to finish my 10 pic layout for the challenge and make two birthday cards and one anniversary card. One more to go and then I am caught up LOL

I have spent the afternoon checking the girls clothes to make sure that they are all set for this winter. Thanks to JK and P Patch for sending out their brochures this weekend LOL So thats another 'tick'.

Oh and the fish survived their first night and we visited the local pet shop this morning and got them a sunken boat thingy, which seems to have made them remarkedly more happy. Do fish smile???????? lol

Well this week has just past in a rush

2006-02-18T20:06:00.000+13:00

With two extra kids three days of the week and something on the other two days, I think that I have only just now (thanks to my rum lol) caught my breath!!!!!! LOL

We went to the Pet Expo in town today and the girls just loved it. We walked around and saw all the dogs and a cats (lost count of how many dogs they petted), NZ dragons, rats (shudder), soft toys of all description and lots and lots of farm animals. Oh and also the largest BULL in the southern hemisphere. Let me tell you that thing was HUGE!!!!!!!! lol He weighed over 2 tonne and was 6ft 4 or something equally as tall. We fell in love with the Mancone cats and the Bengal tiger cats. WOW they are so cute!! Not so sure about the price tag tho LOL Also hubby found the dog that he has been wanting for years and years. A Leonberger!! They are about the same, if not bigger, than a St Bernard and are just huge but very very cute. Maybe one day when the kids are bigger. Even the puppies (like 1 year olds) were huge. Can't imagine having to pay their food bill!! So we decided to buy a couple of gold fish instead LOL a - the cat will be quite happy with that and not have his nose out of joint cause he wont be fighting for any attention, and b - the girls have been wanting a fish for a long time. So - show deals and all that - we are now the proud owners of a lovely wee fish tank and two little fish. I tried taking a pic of them but the little suckers wouldn't stay still and smile so it is attached but blurry. LOL Am going to get a decent one of them yet!!!!! lol Something else to scrap - when I find the time. And welcome to the family little fish. I hope you will be happy here. There names are Rosie and Goldie, just incase you wanted to know. LOL

Right off to fold the washing and have another look at that layout on my desk that has been there since last Sunday. I am going to fail the last week of your challenges Julie (just incase you read this LOL) but thanks for the motivation. It really got me going the other three weeks.

What is it about 30???

2006-02-12T17:43:00.000+13:00

That your body decides its time to crap out!!!!! Ok so I can cope with the saggy bits and the stretchmarks (afterall they arrived with my beautiful children), and the bits heading south. But what is going on with the TEETH thing. Not a year after a molar root canal and now I am due another!!!!!!! If you are wondering what that rattling sloshy sound is, then its me moving around. I am living on mushed stuff, custard, chocolate (there has to be some perk to the pain lol) and yoghurt. What I would do to munch into a nice crunchy apple or carrot!!!!!! Or even a cracker or pringle. I am living on two different lots of antibugs and painkillers. I have had to start writing down when my next dose is and what I need to take!!!!!!!!!!!!! How sad. The perk is that I can suck on chocolate to my hearts content and no-one is gonna tell me not too LOL Not even those bathroom scales!!!!!!!!!! Fingers crossed that these antibugs start working soon or otherwise this tooth will be going to the tooth fairy (although she probably wont want it LOL). Oh and who needs botox - the swelling is perfect for ironing out the wrinkles. LOL

Anyhooooooo - hubby being the darling that he is, took the girls out this morning to the beach for a swim and lunch and left me alone to scrap to my hearts content (inbetween swollowing pills) and I managed to complete 2 layout challenges and 1 photo challenge. Wonderful. Watch out you other ladies on the challenge. I am catching you fast LOL

Hope everyones weekends have gone well. I saw that they are advertising for the ski season on telly this afternoon. WHAT is that all about!!!!!!!!!! Does that mean that summer is nearly finished????? Please NO!!!!!!!!! We need more sun.

School is back

2006-02-07T13:06:00.000+13:00

And it seems like such a long time ago that we were soaking up the sun at the beach. *sigh* Back into that school and after school activities routine. Isobel was so happy to be going to see her friends that she almost bounced all the way there. LOL very cute and I am very grateful that she enjoys school so much that she is so excited about it.

It is another scorching hot day here and my temp thingy says 25 degrees. Lovely!!!!!!! All the jobs are done, the washing is out, dinner made (YEP its made lol) and number 2 is watching Hi5. The weatherman got it right yesterday. They said hot and sunny with the chance of afternoon thunderstorms. Heres a pic of us outside enjoying some water play (hubby and I were sitting under the umbrella enjoying something cool and refreshing LOL when out of the blue blue sky these huge raindrops started falling and then we heard the rolls of thunder. We only got just the very edge of the thunderstorm. Hubby suggested to the girls that they would be able to catch the raindrops on their tongues. This is the result. LOL

ooooooohhhhhhhhhhhhh stink!!!!!

2006-02-02T09:22:00.000+13:00

LOL this is my 3 year olds latest saying and it is just the cutest when she says it. The facial expressions go with it too.

Anyhooo I have decided over the last couple of days that I think I have taken on more than I can chew (as the saying goes). mmmmmmmmm so I have some thinking to do, and some re-evaluating before I make any decisions. I now have 3 kids that I look after (plus my own 2) and it is now over 3 days of the week. Oh plus 1 more after school two nights of the week. Plus my dictatyping job in the evenings. The worst thing is that there is no ME time!! And no ME time means no scrapping time!!!!!!!! LOL

Ah well. Have to grocery shop at some stage today and then my eldest is off to her grandparents for a few nights of freedom (for her - no nagging mum will be bliss I am sure lol).

Oh and Nic - come back - all is forgiven LOL I know you are having an absolute ball in the States drooling over all that new product. We need the goss!!!!!!! LOL

WOW is it ever HOT!!!!!!!

2006-01-28T19:28:00.000+13:00

My temp gauge is reading 30.3 and it is 7.30pm!!!!!! The humidity today must be close to 100%. The girls have kept cool playing in the water all afternoon. I think the most comfortable place was in the car with the aircon turned on full LOL But it is nice, the wind has dropped and I really can't complain LOL.

The SpiderMan was here on Thursday and has sprayed the outside of the house. Ever since then there have been black dead things falling out of the eves. As long as they are dead that is the main thing!!!!!!!!!!! He was saying that this year has been particularly good (????) for them. I wasn't too sure on his use of the word good LOL

Its Auckland Anniversary weekend which means that Monday is a public holiday and an extra day with daddy at home. Yay!!! Nothing planned as yet.

I have just realised that there is only about 10 days until school starts again!!!!! WOW that has come around fast and next week we have things planned nearly every day. Must add all the lunchbox goodies to the next grocery shop.

Well I have the weekend off as I got all my work done last night, so I might just go and sip something tasty out on the deck in the cool and then maybe, just maybe I will get a layout done. I have a few challenges to complete.

Update from me

2006-01-22T19:47:00.000+13:00

I am sitting here counting down the hours till hubby has to go back to work. It has been just the best having him on holidays for a whole month. Great to have two of us at the end of the day when everyone is ratty and tired. Has also been great to send the girls off to find out where he is hiding. LOL Means I get to creep into my scraproom, and on a few occasions I have actually managed to scrap!!!!!!!!!!!!! But tomorrow that all changes again, which means its not that far away till school starts and we are back into a different routine. I was watching the telly before and they were advistising for the new season of certain shows to start. Yay! That means that ER and Desperate Housewives aren't too far away. But the not so Yay means that summer is half way through. *cue crying and sobbing and massive tantrum* LOL

Anyway!! The holiday 'to do' list is almost complete YAY!! We finished off the gardens, just a few pot plants to go (hey Nic - I'll babysit those yukkas for ya while you are away huh?? LOL). The deck has two new coats of stain and is looking good, the letterbox is up (and no-one has come near it yet LOL). The only thing that didn't get done was the carpet cleaned but that can wait for another weekend. I have managed to scrap and make some birthday cards.

Went to a tupperware party today at mums. I always go to these types of things saying that I am not going to buy anything, but still manage to walk away having spent money. Oh well. I am sure hubby will be pleased with his new lunchbox LOL.

Kids are in bed. Its my night off so I am heading off to scrap. Catch you all later.

Warning - New Letterbox LOL

2006-01-17T19:46:00.000+13:00

Funny topic for a blog I know but hey!! its my birthday pressie LOL Well I assume it was cause nothing else was forthcomming LOL. Any hooooooooo The lovely big BLUE letterbox that used to live on this post is now sitting in the pile to go to the dump. Why????? you may ask!!!!! Poor ole BLUE was less than 2 years old but had seen alot of action. Lots of scratches, dings and a huge big swipe down one side. Oh and the door no longer stayed shut and snapped back so fast I was worried about the girls fingers. So BLUE has been replaced by BROWN LOL A smaller letterbox and certainly not enough room for all those scrapping parcels (Note to postie and courier man - please deliver said parcels to the front door, Thanks LOL). Fingers crossed that visitors can now negotiate the SLIGHT bend in the driveway, missing the fences on both sides and also leaving BROWNY to do his thing. LOL Next job for hubby is to paint the post to match the letterbox LOL (oh and spray those weeds up the side.)

I just love summer holidays

2006-01-15T09:27:00.000+13:00

We had the most awesome time at the beach. We only had five days away and next year we will make it longer. We hired a bach at the beach and soaked up the sun, sand and surf. Each morning we spent doing something, taking a ferry ride, going to hot water beach, discovering rock pools etc. Then the afternoons were spent sitting on the beach watching the kids playing in the water. We only left the beach at 6pm cause thats when Mr Whippy would be doing his usual stops!!!!!! Time went out the window and we were all relaxed for a few days. Even the kids!! Although I must admit that I missed my computer just a little LOL Took heaps of pics and this is one of Isobel having her first go at boogyboarding. She just loved it!!!!!!! Thanks for the drinkies Nic, well I think my liver thanks you LOL. Shame we didn't quite manage to finish that bottle.

We stopped at the Ngatea Water Gardens on the way home. They were really cool and Isobel is old enough to enjoy some of the little jokes. I think her favourite was the ducks crossing with the painted on duck feet. She is still chuckling about it. Then it was back home to reality and washing LOL Loads and loads of washing!!!!!!!!!

Happy New Year!!!!!!!!!!

2006-01-02T20:42:00.000+13:00

WOW!!!!!!!! Did anyone see that pass by????? How did 2005 go by so fast?? And welcome 2006!! We had an awesome day on Friday. First night that both girls had stayed away from home. Jess was so excited and loved every minute of it. Thanks Nic and Paul for a great day/night. Glad we left after the port and fejouia vodka tho LOL

Then on New Years we had our first BBQ in ages. So many kids sitting on the tramp eating icecreams. They had a ball!!!!!!!!! Note to self to forward those pics on. They are fanastic btw (thanks Nic) and shows just how much fun you can have on sugar LOL

Yesterday we had some friends arrive from Tasmania (aussie). Jill is an old drinking buddy of mine from my OE in Aberdeen. We had a blast catching up and can't wait to see them again next week.

So today after they left hubby decided that we should go out. Where?? yep - shopping!! He had some vouchers burning a hole in his pocket. Well I think everyone else had the same idea (since the weather was not overly nice) and the New Year sales are on!!!!!! Ho hum. After much searching and trying on clothes, I came home with a pair of jeans and two tops. Finally some clothes that actually fit!!!!! LOL Still need to find some shorts tho. Isobel lost the plot after McDs (her fun was over) and we had a wee chat. I told her that we were going to be spending alot more time shopping and that she had two choices. Either she could be grumpy and miserable and not have a good time or she could be happy and helpful and then we would all have some fun and maybe an icecream on the way home. She went very quiet for awhile and then decided that she was going to be happy and helpful. Giving her options like that doesn't usually work as she is a very emotional child but today it just clicked. And yes they were both very good and well behaved and they got a wee treat and an icecream.

And then it was here!!!!!

2005-12-29T20:16:00.000+13:00

Yep arrived safe and sound yesterday, albeit very dusty LOL, off the back of the transporter. I am so wrapped. Its gonna take a bit of getting used to, especially the height, but it is great. Lots of room and so very comfortable. Anyone wanna buy a Jeep???????? LOL

The day after the day after Christmas LOL

2005-12-27T20:02:00.000+13:00

Christmas day started about 5.49am in our house. Although I told Isobel to go back to bed for a little while. Then the mother guilt got to me so got out of bed about 6.15am and we had to wake Jess. She was still asleep and so excited that Santa had come that we had to sit for a cuddle for awhile and watch Isobel open pressies. Once the Santa sacks had been emptied and a cuppa had been had, we then started on the pressies under the tree. Isobel loves her new bike, even after taking her to the bike shop and making sure we got the right size she still got a surprise when she opened it. LOL Too cute. And Jess is loving her new blackboard/paintboard easel. Then it was breaky, a trip to wish Benn a Merry Christmas and then on to Omie and Opies for more pressies. I had to rush to the loo when we arrived and by the time I got back to the lounge it was already half covered in wrapping paper LOL. After that we went to Granny and Grandads for more pressies and lunch. Here are a few pics. I love this one of Granny and Isobel and also the one of Jess waiting so patiently for Grandad to hand her a pressie to open. After lunch we played a little golf (Chrissy golf involves about 3 golfclubs each and a six pack lol). We had a great day.

My sleigh is in the North Island!!!!!!!!!

2005-12-24T08:32:00.000+13:00

YAY!!!!!!!!!!! It crossed the straight early yesterday morning and is at present sitting in the transporters yard in Paikakariki, which is about 7-8 hours drive away. I seriously thought about flying down yesterday and driving it back. I even checked out the flights to Wellington ($256 one way!!!!!!!!) But hey! Would have had my truck. The only things that stopped me was the fact that it was so blimmen windy yesterday the plane may have ended up in the Chattams LOL, oh and the fact that there wasn't going to be anyone at the yard by the time I could get there cause they were all going on holiday!! Oh yeah and the thought of driving thru the holiday traffic. mmmmmmmmmmm So here I am waiting patiently for my pressie LOL They have promised that it will be leaving first thing Wednesday morning (when they all go back to work) and should be on our doorstep some time late that afternoon. Christmas is just going to go on for an extra few days this year LOL

Well Santa arrives tonight and the girls are already very excited. We have a few things to do today, like giving toffee parcels to the neighbours, so hoping to keep them busy.

MERRY CHRISTMAS everyone!!! Hope you all enjoy your family time.