Sunday

Two of the l/os I have done over the last few months I can't show yet as they are for something special. Yesterday was another scrapping day and I did the following:

These photos were taken on our first trip to the US in April 2000 when Adrian won us a trip "backstage" with the penguins (it just needs a bit of journalling). And I have just noticed a HUGE spelling mistake - no matter - I can fix that. Maybe I should offer a little prize to the first person to email me to tell me what my horrible mistake is. Not even my "intelligent" children noticed.

This one is May for Project 12: Mother's Day, the Wellington Regional Barbershop competition and our trip to National Park

Another one from our US trip in 2000

And Mother's Day this year

The jelly fish at Momorangi Bay in April. They are usually around, don't sting and have a pink bit inside.

What else? Back to school this week and the seniors have trial exams starting on 23rd August - Ross is not impressed!! These will be his first big exams.

Both boys got a FIFA football from their SA cousins and were thrilled with them! One ball has already had a "test drive" and been pronounced perfect.

It has been just the boys and me this weekend but that's fine as it's quite easy actually .... except when I have to clean out the washing machine because one of them left a lot of sponge rubber bits from a pillow in there!

Lots of lovely sunshine here today so it was great to get lots of laundry onto the line. I'm off to help Colin clean out his bird's cage now - a task he is really struggling to do

Edited to add: I have fixed that horrible mistake now; and we've done Colin's birdcage - he really couldn't do it by himself

Senz

Well, I'm home from Senz which was a bit disappointing. Not many retailers and not many scrapbook classes ...... certainly that I thought would be could. There were a number that I knew would be over the top and totally not for me. However, I won a class from Artfullcrafts which was great but a bit ott for me.

Then I went to a Cuttlebug card class which was great but I think I had hoped I would get cards that I could repeat at home quickly

The same applied to the Cards for Men class - I will never do a guitar card like that one myself!

I also went to a Slice class with a view to buying one. If I didn't have a cutting machine, the hands free Slice would be fantastic but my WishBlade is better. However, I did have the title for one of the l/os I did cut for me on the Slice and I was pleased about that.

Not much shopping but I did buy some lovely felt birds and the felt cats looked just like Sally so of course I had to have them!

On the Friday night we went to the Scrappin' Patch crop which was great because I met quite a few people I only know online. Also met up with Mandy who lives in Wellington but I hardly ever see her! I did a few l/os one of which I can't put up here. The other one is a bout Speckles, Colin's cockatiel who very sadly died in Colin's hands the Wednesday night before I left. The title is cut on the Slice (at the class) using some almost reflective paper to represent the mirror that Speckles loved so much. I really miss that bird chattering to me! Then, on the way home I took a few photos out the plane window which aren't stunning, however, the view really was! The snow covered mountains:

Wellington harbour: And of course there was my room mate Irene, and Katrina who shared our wine and dinner on Thursday night! Great evening

I hear that next year Senz will be in Auckland which I may go to depending on my SIL's nieces!

Weekend of Sunshine

It was a lovely weekend and we even had sunshine! Not so much yesterday but today was glorious - temperature was up to about 16°C today.

Yesterday we took a lot of my Dad's old books to the second hand book seller. We got a very small amount for them and took the rest to the Rotary book sale drop-off. Adrian wanted to buy a small gift for someone at work whose wife has just had a son so I made a card. I was quite pleased with how it turned out. The baby's name is Daniel

Then I really liked the sketch competition at Scrapbook Outlet and have been wanting to scrap this photo for ages. It took me quite a while to cut the Mickey ears on the black c/s!

Today the sun shone so we got outside to patch the painting on the outside of the house. I also cooked some lamb shanks in the slow cooker so the whole house had a delicious aroma in it for most of the day. I have also perfected the recipe for sago with palm sugar and coconut cream from Monsoon Poon so we enjoyed more of that today.

I also put a colour and lowlights into my hair this morning but I'm not sure I like the look. I'll give it a few days and then decide whether to get rid of it or keep it.

Tomorrow is my turn at the doctors: first the chiropractor in the morning for my back. I have had lower back ache for as long as I can remember but only when I sleep! Then in the afternoon a trip to the GP for a cortisone injection in my knee. I have been hanging out for that for a few weeks now.

On Thursday I go to Senz which should be fun

No sleep-in yet!

Yesterday we got up early to get Colin to his soccer match - 8.30am across town! They played a team that have been relegated. At half time the score was 4- 0 to the opposition! Minutes into the second half we scored, scored, scored and again! Yes, the got another one, but a 5 - 4 loss was waaay better than a 4 - 0 loss!

Ross asked if he could have some friends to sleep over and watch some quarter final games so I turned it into a bit of a party for him. He had three friends and Colin one so six teenage boys altogether. I made some mini pizzas and got a lot of snacks. The plan with the pizzas was that they would warm them up around 12.30am - 1.30am just before the Germany game. Colin and his friend collapsed into bed and saw no football, however, we had to get up at 5am to get our lovely "god-family" to the airport and Ross and mates were still awake when we left! They were supposed to watch the Spanish game at 6am but when we came in just after 7.30am all four were fast asleep. Adrian went back to bed but I couldn't sleep. Around 10am I made pancakes, bacon and bananas for everyone for breakfast. I should have taken photos of all the boys, but didn't think about it, however, here are the leftovers! Ross said it was a fab night so I think I deserve Mother of the Year award.

I have also finished the 21st album I did for the party at the end of May so will get it into the post tomorrow.

The cover

The first page

The rest of the pages look like this
It was a beautiful day here today - with clear sunshine - no rain or clouds! Hopefully the rest of the holidays will be the same

Only two days to go!

Oh my word I can't wait! And to think that next year three terms will be eleven weeks long - not sure how any of us will cope.

Ross and Colin are enjoying the Fifa World Cup; however, watching it live is not really user friendly for us. They did get up one morning at 2am to watch the All Whites play. Go the All Whites! Ross also got up this morning at 6am to watch Spain play Portugal. They are both very happy with their Bafana Bafana shirts that Aunty Jen sent! Hopefully I can get a better photo tomorrow or over the weekend!

Our Maths Dept (about seven teachers and 28 kids) are going to China next year so we are all busily fundraising. I have been baking a large chocolate cake on a Tuesday and a Thursday to sell at staff morning tea time. Ross has taken over now as he is raising money for the Barbershop National competition in September. The slices are $1 each and this is today's leftovers - which will be enjoyed by everyone here!

We are also selling chocolates - lots of variety here at $1.50 each and they are selling like hot cakes!

I am hoping that Colin will be able to go with us, but currently it is only open to Yr 11 & 12 students and he is in Yr 10 - but I'm sure that there will be cancellations closer to the time.

My Dad is not very well at all. I had to take him to the renal specialist last week who said he felt that Dad's kidney and heart are only working at 30%. The next day I had to take him to the doctor because his foot is so sore. When he took his socks off I could not believe what a dreadful sight it was! Swollen with a big wound under the heel and with a fungal infection all over it. My Mom has to soak his foot every day and put a special silver plaster on it. We go back next week to see if it has improved at all.

And I spent last Saturday in bed. Now for me to spend all day in bed I must really have been ill. Getting better now, though

This term has been very busy - Colin has sport almost every day; I have to take him to some of them and we have had meetings at least twice a week. Roll on next week when I don't have to rush or make school lunches!

The shortest day

The Winter Solstice is on June 21 at 18:46 (6:46pm); this is when the Sun is at its most Northerly point in the sky. At the middle of the day on June 21, it reaches its lowest altitude, from the Northern horizon, for the year.
Brian Carter, Senior Astronomer at the Carter Observatory says, “This means that the longest night is June 21/22 and the shortest day is June 21”.

Yay! I know it will still get colder but at least the days will get longer

I also have to check all my form class reports :-( Some people cannot put a sentence together properly and these will go out to the parents! Then I have to write some form teacher comments ... by Wednesday!

Last Wednesday we were so busy! From school, I took Colin to Naenae pool (about 35 minutes away, but more in peak traffic) for his first waterpolo match. I bought take-away roast for Ross and I and came straight back home. We ate and then I took him to the choir concert. In the meantime, Adrian went across to the pool and met Colin at the take-away roast where they ate and then went back to the pool for Colin's second game. We all got home around 9pm.

Soccer yesterday was transferred to way on the other side of Wellington out at Upper Hutt - now that's about a 40 minute drive away and we had to be there at 8.45am! Afterwards I went scrapping but I was so tired I didn't get much done.

We did get most of the fittings for the bathroom replacement today on sale so that was good. And another builder came round today to give us a quote. Hopefully it won't be as astronomical as some of the others have been.

Now, some photos but the light is a bit bad so I'll have to put them up another day

Bad English

Argh! I just squirm when I read scrapbook l/os where the English is poor. Why don't people type it in Word first and hopefully get some of their mistakes fixed? And even worse when it's a l/o that's published (online or in print). My small complaint for today

Queen"s Birthday

Last weekend was Queen's birthday so we had the Monday off. Three friends and I went about an hour up the road to Waikanae to spend the weekend scrapping. I was not organised so took almost everything I owned as did the other three - you should have seen the lounge/dining area! We didn't do much on Friday night and on Saturday morning we set off for a couple of shops and lunch out. So four of us setting out ready to ooh and aah over most things, we arrive at the first shop (not very big). No one greeted us even though there was a card class going on. After about 15 minutes, one of them got up and said hullo and that was about it. We decided that our spending there would reflect our welcome - I spent $2. Then we headed half-an-hour up the road to Levin where the welcome there was soooo different! The owner welcomed us as we came in the door and wanted to know where we were from etc. We then went shopping and she was doing great deals for us. I only spent $26 but Helen spent nearly $150 and the other two also spent a bit.


Then we went to a cafe specialising in crepes and had a wonderful lunch. After stocking up on some kindling and firelighters, we headed back. By now, it was getting cloudy and cold so we settled in to scrap ... which we did.

These photos are of the boys the first time we went to the US (remember them, Mels?) in their Star Wars pyjamas

Island "girl" - Ross looking beautiful!

Last year's junior bowls championship

Ross waiting for a cake to come out the oven (I didn't realise quite how skew it is! I'll have to call that a design feature)

Tracy then spent Sunday evening sorting all my paper and cardstock into co-ordinating bundles - what a wonderful job she did! I am very colour-challenged so struggle with this. I did another few, but need to put a couple of photos and some journalling in but I'm pleased with what I've done.

What else? The downstairs bathroom has a great leak in it (actually very small but it's been leaking for ages) ans so the floor and the wall needs replacing. There is water getting into the plug for the tumble drier which means it blows every time it's switched on - I'm waiting for the electrician right now. But the exterior painting is finished and looks wonderful. That's it - no more house painting - we'll move before that happens again.

Three weeks to go until holidays and I really need them. The boys were going to stay up last night to watch the opening of the FIFA world cup but didn't. However, they did record it and watched this morning. Both are very keen and particularly Colin to watch the games, but I think they'll be recording most of them.

That's it for now - hope the photos are bigger

Senz

Senz classes opened today and to be honest, I'm a bit disappointed with them. Lots of card classes and a few scrapbook classes and none of them appeal because they have lots of "stuff" on them. I also don't like l/os where there is no journalling and maybe one word like "Dream". And I don't like birds! Doesn't leave me much, I think. I booked two card classes and a Slice class ..... I don't even have a Slice!

Maybe because I'm so tired. We've just finished a round of senior reports and had senior parents' nights the last two nights and we have to do junior reports too. Not to mention the heaps of marking at the moment.

We went to National Park for the weekend to a 21st. This was the Mountain coming home - it restores my soul - I just wish I could bottle it and bring it home!

I'm going away this weekend with three girlfriends to scrap - and I have nothing planned! I am packing every last scrapping item I have. Maybe I'll just spend the weekend sleeping!

New look

Oooh look at my new look! I rather like it. Only problem is that most of it is "missing" and I dont know how to fix it.

A month later .....

I did 25 l/os on our holiday and I read four books so I had a wonderful time! Not so sure about the boys though. It was very quiet there with very few campers so no one to play with our swim with. We got home safely and then it was into a long busy term. This photo is from our last day when there were lots of these non-stinging jellyfish in the baby. Funny things because they had a pink interior. This photo is taken looking across to Anikiwa where Outward Bound is

Today was Mother's Day so Happy Mother's Day to all mothers. Colin cooked a wonderful lunch - stir fried vegetables, a lovely chicken dish and baked potatoes. Ross made banoffi pie for dessertMy Mom and I on Mother's Day

Holiday

Coming to you from Momorangi Bay on Queen Charlotte Drive. We have had two days of hot clear weather but today is a bit overcast. No matter, I've had lots to do as has Adrian. The older boy has been bored (no PS3 lol) but the younger has had a wonderful time "catching" fish - he's lost a few big ones (of course). I have done ten l/os, some of them doubled sided and also read two books. These l/osare from our holiday in January both in the Coromandel

I thought I was so clever and planned all our meals so that I would not have to go to the shops at all - I forgot all the fresh veges at home :-( Avos for salad and sushi; brinjals to bbq; the fresh carrots for sushi and the potatoes and onions. I managed to find a garage that sold a packet of frozen veges to me and that will do for quiches, and some onions that I can use but that is all they had so we are making do! There is a campshop that I was relying on for extar milk and maybe a loaf of bread; however, that is closed for the winter! Luckyly I brought the bread maker and I'll go back to the expensive garage for milk when I need it!

Off to put the bread in the oven and give the boys the bbq meat!

Easter

We had a lovely day - our godchildren found Easter Eggs and Easter Chicks and Easter puzzles in the garden and then my Mom and Dad came for lunch. Lunch was corned beef, potato bake, roast pumpkin and grilled brinjals with slices of haloumi on top - very yummy. Dessert was Colin's fruit cake - the base is a cross between a pastry and a sponge with fresh fruit on top then glazed with a sugar or honey glaze - served with cream and is delicious

Finding eggs and putting them in the basket

Isn't she just gorgeous?

Happy Mail

First of all this - a package of lovely little bits amd pieces from my SIL in South Africa. If some of it looks familiar, that's because it is - I used some flowers on my Quilt l/o and the pearls on my cards.

Then, some of you will know of my search for Henzo Glue - I found it online at Kodak express and these boxes arrived.

And lastly, the loooong awaited Kit-of-the-Month from BasicGrey: here's March and April's. Can't wait to get into them and use them up!

And an update on the house painting - the eaves are almost complete and the first coat on the wall is also almost complete. Yes, it's only half the house but the other half of the house has bigger windows so hopefully will go faster and the painting will be done before the winter rains come. It's looking really good so far - the "white" on the walls is supposed to have a touch of green it but we can't see it. Hopefully, it won't look like stark white.

Then tomorrow is the end of daylight saving and we'll put the clocks back one hour :-( at least it will be lighter in the mornings for a short while.

And then on Sunday we'll have an Easter Egg hunt - will post photos then!

Fun!

Oh I've just been involved in the best fun! Over at Scrappin' Patch, many of them went away to a Retreat. Nicki decided we should have an online retreat for those of us who couldn't go. Mandy and I jumped in to help. Poor Nicki ended up having to work all weekend but there was lots of fun anyway. I had a Treasure Hunt - twenty questions whose answers could be found all through the SP website. By 7pm tonight, some of the ladies were nagging me incessantly for question #20 - and I was trying to eat my dinner! I haven't laughed like that in such a long time - my family thought I was mad.

Anyway, here's what I did:

Challenge #2:Use one piece of patterned paper, as much c/s and embellishments as you like but no flowers

Nicki's challenge: Use old punches

I didn't do Mandy's but I did a few other l/os:

The Kanuka tree that we planted at Cape Reinga

Colin's first boat fishing trip

My god-daughter's quilt (but it needs a title)

It's the last week of term - Yay! And next weekend is Easter. And in two weeks time the pin will come out my foot - I'm over it as it hard to shower, hard to sleep and hard to walk!

I also got a wonderful little parcel of things from my SIL and wanted to take a photo, but I started using it all!

Foot, scrapping, end-of-term

I went to the surgeon today and I was really hoping that I would loose the pin, and the "boot" and be able to have a wonderful shower tonight! I lost the bandages but the pin is still there. My toe is lovely and straight and he's pleased with the healing. The stitches will dissolve but my foot looks dreadful! I still have to keep my toes dry but I think showering will be a bit easier. I can't wear shoes so will have to keep the "boot" still until 9th April when the pin will come out.

It was scrapping on Saturday and I had a lovely day! I got eleven l/os done and two of them were doubles. Of course it's my plain and simple style and packing page kits that helps. I even finished all the journalling and titles on Sunday and the l/os went straight into my album without me taking any photos of them. I'll try to take some photos over the coming weekend.

It's end of term so it's very busy. Last night I got home at 7.30pm after leaving home before 8am as it was parent-teacher meeting night. I have no more than one packet of stewing steak and some frozen fish the freezer and can't get to the butcher until Saturday. It will be creative meals this week. Working full time is really hard when you're trying to be a good parent and supervise homework etc as well!

Last night's storm

A storm from the south came in just before 5pm. The sky went black and the temperature dropped from 20°C to 10°C in about ten minutes. The was lots of wind and hailstones. Other parts of Wellington had lots of damage - trees down, surface flooding and roofs blown off. This is what it looked like coming in over the Harbour (not my photo)

It's really cold here this morning - 8°C. I have to take and fetch Ross to a party and I will get take away curry for dinner; then spend the rest of the day scrapping or packing page kits

Operation

I had a foot operation yesterday to correct a hammer toe which was causing a constant fungal infecting in the toenail. Th op was fine but I really don't do anaesthetic very well. I came out of theatre with an oxygen mask on and then they took me back to the ward after about 15minutes. I was fine, but started to feel really sick so back came the oxygen and an anti nausea IV for nearly two hours. Around 8.30pm they asked if I was staying the night, but I knew I would be better at home in my own bed and with some decent food in my stomach. I'm not sure that they were happy though. I left in a wheelchair, with a crutch and a boot for my foot! I got home to two boys who were very pleased to see me! I'm home today (been in bed most of the day) and tomorrow and Thursday I have Wellington Secondary Bowls Championships although the weather forecast is not too flash so I'll just spend another day at home. Here's my foot - the bit sticking out the top is a pin with a bead on which will come out in about two - to four weeks time. The bead was catching on everything so hubby put some tape over it. Showering's going to be fun!!

Flowers my two boys bought me!

And then I have three very clever boys here: we had arranged for our house to be painted but over two months later we haven't seen the painters. Adrian put up some scaffolding frames and bought another four from TradeMe. Then we bought ten planks from Bunnings (driving them home on the Odyssey was another story!) and then they put them up. First job to water blast is done and now they can slowly paint.

I also managed to get my Project 12 February l/o done

Then this morning when I logged I had a wonderful request from the lovely Shell at Scrapbook Dreams: she wanted to use my Parrot Place l/o in her newsletter and when I find out how to link it, I'll add that link here. In the meantime, just go along to Scrapbook Dreams and signup for the newsletter! Update: I can't link it here, but I can email it to you if you want it

Oh and on Sunday we went to buy some shirts for Adrian and I also found some bargains. So I bought three winter tops - not one, but two sizes less than what I currently am wearing!

6th March - such an original title!

Yesterday was my Mom's 80th birthday - that's just amazing! We went out to dinner at Cafe Vella in Plimmerton - very nice.


This morning, Hubby and I woke up really early so we decided to head over the hill to the Martinborough Fair. We stopped at McD's in Johnsonville on the way for breakfast. Did you know that a BLT Bagel is only four WW points? That did me for breakfast. We got there and sat in the car and waited for the rain to stop which didn't take long. We first bought some coffee which was so good and then walked around the Fair. We have been looking at wall art for awhile and found some pieces that we liked, but none that really struck us. We have had an idea in our heads of what we want so we're going to make a "test" piece - a small canvas and if it works we'll buy a bigger canvas and make our own.


I found a bag I liked even though I am still searching for the "perfect" one. This is reversible but I like the cats on the outside. Then we bought some great hot cross buns. I was looking for the berries and ice cream stall and although I saw people eating them, I never found it so a raspberry fruit ice cream sufficed. Of course, as I finished my ice cream, I found the "right" place. I didn't buy another one. I was looking for something for my two boys but the was just nothing for teenage boys unless they were into caps. Lots of jewellery and other trinkets though.

I also got a bit of scrapping done for some competitions:

Purple Cottage for Scrappin Patch Patch it Up

More Birds, also for Scrappin Patch

And The Parrot Place for Scrapbook Dreams more than four (or eight on a double) photos

On Monday I am having a small foot operation to correct a hammer toe. I am quite stressed about that, but even more worried about making sure that I've left enough work at school for all my classes. The operation is Monday afternoon, so I'll go to school in the morning then have Tuesday and Wednesday as sick leave. On Thursday it it the Wellington Secondary Schools Bowls Championships and both boys are taking part so I'm off school for that day too. I was hoping to use some time on Friday to get organised as I had two delightful policemen in my classroom. They have been at the Police College for two weeks learning how to present the DARE programme. However, I had to spend quite a bit of time helping them (it was fun) so didn't get anything else done. I have some photos but I don't want to show any faces and rather than "colouring" the faces in Paint, is there any other easy way of blurring faces? I have Paint and PSE4.