Scrapping

I have even done some scrapping these holidays! This one is the story of the revolting cocktail we had and uses one of the l/os from Nic Howard's Senz class. This one has the umbrellas, the next one doesn't. Question - with or wothout umbrellas?
Photos of the three of us - Adrian lying on a lounger; Colin with the revolting fishbowl and me with the beautiful lei around my neck. I love this one!

Another one from Nic H's class

And the buses!

I'm very pleased with what I've done and would hope to get some more done but groceries, laundry and marking will get in the way!

There's a light at the end of the tunnel

There's a Light at the End of the Tunnel

There's a Light at the End of the Tunnel

The inside might be as black as the night

But at the end of the tunnel, there's a light

That's how I'm feeling - I suddenly can see a bit of light and it's not so black out there. Last term it was all I could do to think and scavenge something to put on the table at night to eat; today I'm planning meals for next week, next term.

Maybe it has to do with the fact that all the bad/hard things I've had to suffer this year so far seem to be coming right.

Adrian has issues but is working them through. I can get divorced now or I can hope that he can sort himself out and come back to me. I love him and want him back so I'll wait.

I was supposed to see a lawyer yesterday but she postponed until Monday so hopefully that "little" issue can get sorted out.

And today we interred my Dad's ashes at Whenua Tapu in the Ashes Plots. I am so pleased with the plaque that we had made at Glover's Memorials! It is so shiny you can see my reflection in it.

This is the view looking south from his plot. it is such a beautiful peaceful place

And just next to where he is is the train track! I tried to get this photo but the train went by too quickly. That's my Mom looking at the train. We chose plot #87 as that's how old he was and he was so pleased to be the oldest Woods.

We played " Amazing Grace" and I read out:

When God saw you getting tired
And a cure was not to be
He put his arms around you
And whispered come to me
He didn't like what you went through
And he gave you rest
His garden must be beautiful
He only takes the best
And when we saw you sleeping
So peaceful and free from pain
We wouldn't wish you back
To suffer that again
Today we say goodbye
And as you take your final rest
That garden must be beautiful
Because you are one of the best.

So little steps in that tunnel and it won't be long before I'm out in the sunshine

There's a Light at the End of the Tunnel

There's a Light at the End of the Tunnel

The inside might be as black as the night

But at the end of the tunnel, there's a light

Last week of the holidays

So what have I (we done)? Ross has recovered from his bad cold/infection and Colin has played PS3. Oh and he and I tidied the Tupperware cupboard! What a huge job that was, but now it's neat and tidy and I've got a big plastic box full of stuff to get rid of. I couldn't believe how many ice-cream containers we found either. I've always kept some as it's very convenient to send shared lunch food in because no one has to worry about the good Tupperware coming home; but so many!

I also did a bit of scrapping. I had my Raro photo printed on Monday when the special was still on at Harvey Norman and today I got out my incomplete Nic Howard Senz l/os and started using them. The colours work well and the 20 layouts class is just ideal for me and my lots of photos on a l/o.

Monday was so cold here - most of NZ had snow and particularly the South Island. There was snow on the hills just north of us. By contrast, today is beautiful! Bright sunshine and no wind. I even have the windows open letting in the lovely sunshiney fresh air. I suppose I should have put some washing on the line today.

Last day of holidays tomorrow and I still have lots of marking to do - I suppose I'll do it on Sunday!

Rarotonga

22°S and 159°W lie the Cook Islands of which Rarotonga is the largest. 32 km in diameter and with a population of 9,000 people and 100,000 visitors per year. What a wonderful five days we had! The weather was great - around 25°C per day made it very pleasant. On arrival we were each given these beautiful very sweet smelling leis.

We stayed at the Edgewater which was not elaborate but very pleasant nonetheless. The reef was fairly close in where we were so Adrian and Colin could snorkel quite easily. The first few days the visibility wasn't too good as it was a spring tide which churned up the water and created a bit of a current.

On the second day we saw two whales just beyond the reef. They spent at least an hour out there - it was a great sight!

Colin feeding the fish at the water's edge. You can see how close the reef was so the whales were not too far away

The mountains were just as beautiful to look at

Sunset was beautiful!

To get around the Island, you hire a scooter, a car or a bike ... or catch one of two busses: the anti-clockwise one or the clockwise one! Depending on where you want to go; the busses run every hour.

Even the Houses of Parliament are simple!

We all enjoy a cocktail when we are on holiday and on our last night, I said we could have a "fish bowl" - 1.8litres of cocktail! We looked forward to it and it was revolting!

One day we went out on a lagoon cruise and beach bbq which was such fun. The crew caught a turtle in the lagoon (most of the lagoon area is protected) which they put into the boat so that the marine wildlife department could come and tag it

We could go back to Rarotonga for a winter break any time and self catering is very easy there. it was a bit of a shock to get back to the miserable Wellington weather and it was raining so much I thought we'd skid off the end of the runway!

Oh, and we were seven hours late leaving Auckland airport (technical problems - as always!) so only got to Raro in the very early hours of the morning

Now I feel bad ....

the sunrise/set is not mine

End of Term

Thank goodness only two days to go! An eleven week term followed by two weeks in China with students and another eleven week term makes 24 weeks and I'm tired! Not to mention everything else that went wrong this year.

Last Saturday, I did some scrapping in the morning at home! I usually never get a chance to do that but Ross was at a friend's house, Colin was at football and I had three loads of washing done and outside. I did another four China l/os and I am coming to the end of my China photos now.

On Sunday, I headed to Havelock North along with some other teachers and 150 kids including Ross for the annual sports exchange. We adults stayed in a motel and the kids were at billets. It was a good sports day: we won ten, lost four and drew one so came away the winners of the exchange. We went up to play bowls and played at the Heretaunga Bowls club in Hastings and a very nice facility that was too. All indoors. We won 6-2 so were pleased with that.

No photos this time but will hopefully have more soon. I'm playing with my blog look because I get bored with it!