Christmas Lights

When we moved here seven years ago, we put put one strand of lights in the tree outside. The following year we added a few more and one or two of our neighbours had a few strands of lights too. Slowly the light show has grown to become one of the best in Wellington - so the eople walking and driving around tell me!

I took some photos but it's not easy to show the full effect ...........

Happy Christmas

Yes, I know it's two days late but the wishes are there.

We had a lovely day - Adrian got his calendar (that he really liked), some CDs, some chocolate from the boys, a huge pack of chewing gum, and some chilli bites. Ross had already got his Phoenix cap, but he also got some Bonus Bonds, a PS2 game, and some chocolate. Colin got a PSP game, and the third Golden Compass book. They got lots of shared presents - badminton set, Twister ball game and some Dodge balls. I got my Wishblade, some new undies and some CB dies and embossing folders.

We went to my friend Sharyn for the day and had a lovely lunch - lots of salads, ham, turkey, roast beef and some boerewors. Dessert was superb - Christmas pudding, meringue and stawberries and cream, brandy snaps filled with caramel cream (very rich and decadent) and fresh fruit.

Yesterday we hit the sales and bought some more lights and a new Christmas tree. Colin also bought a cell phone and Ross bought a PS2 game with the money that they got. I'm thinking about a little pink phone or a CB bag - which should it be??

I must confess that on Sunday I hated my WB but I am liking it more and more. Lots to learn so if anyone out there is a new (or old) WB user, I'm compiling a helpful hints list and will happily share with you - just email me (in my profile)

I was also one of the lucky winners in the Fiskateers draw!

Another new post

Work is over for the year and so I was able to start the Christmas shopping. I spent Monday with Bronwyn creating calendars. This one is for A's Christmas present so hopefully he won't come looking here!


On Tuesday it should have been the Intermediate picnic but it rained so the picnic was postoned to Wednesday and it rained even harder. To tell the truth, I was not sorry as I was able to complete all the Christmas shopping and grocery shopping.

I made these chocolate trees for the teachers' presents and they were suitably impressed. The trees were about 25cm high and were fiddly to do but looked sooo impressive.
The boys went to a school disco on Wednesday night and we went to dinner at Rushes in Pautahanui. The setting is beautiful, the food was delicious but the service was second class and totally lacked finesse. Now that's fine at Denny's but not when you're paying a lot of money.



Thursday night we were out for dinner again, this time at Denny's for Colin's birthday. His birthday was actually on Wednesday but we went out on Thursday because of the disco.
Friday the boys and I cleaned the house (a job that doesn't really happen in early December because I'm so busy). They also started putting up the Christmas tree but got cross with each other and the tree so that was the end of that! Hopefully it will either be put up or away today. It really doesn't feel much like Christmas at all except outside where our cul-de-sac has its customary abundance of Christmas lights out. It is so wonderful with all the people coming to look and last night I was outside talking to some of them.

We also won tickets to see the preview of The Water Horse: Legend of the Deep last Sunday. Fabulous movie but I do admit to crying in it. It was filmed in Scotland and New Zealand and we met the younger Angus at the movies too. His scene with his on-screen dad was filmed at Titahi Bay beach which is very close to us.

I have today started playing with my Christmas present - a WishBlade - it is a cutting machine that attaches to my laptop which means I can cut in any font I have on my laptop. I wish I could go to a class to use it as I learn better that way than reading tutorials.

Well, I suppose that's enough of an update for now.

Soccer

Last Friday I took the boys to the Beckham practice which they decided was rather boring but they were very pleased that they had gone! I had to agree that it was boring though. There were about 15,000 school children at the practice and when Becks did walk out it looked as though he was very surprised to see so many children there. However, they had to watch the Phoenix - LA Galaxy match on TV.

Tonight the boys were ball boys at the Phoenix game and they had a wonderful time. This meant that each child got an adult ticket so Adrian and I went to see the game as well as having a parking ticket for the Stadium parking - cool! I took four boys in with me and they talked all the way there, but coming home they were babbling with excitement! They had a wonderful time - got sandwiches, drinks, hot-dogs, and signatures on their clothes (which we are not ever allowed to wash again), and signatures on programmes.

While we were waiting for one of the friends to get his sleeping bag etc for a sleep over, The Breeze had a phone-in competition for four tickets to the new Narnia movie and I won them! So we are off to see the next instalment next Sunday morning. The boys are very pleased indeed.

A much better day

After I dropped Colin at his swimming lesson (5.30pm) I went to visit my other Year 10 class who are at camp. Well, my faith is restored! They were so pleased to see me. “Hullo, Miss”, “Hullo Miss”, from all round when they heard my voice. A couple of the girls were talking to me and telling how glad they are that I am their teacher and they really hoped I would be their teacher next year. One of them told me that she had heard that I am very grumpy and mean – “but you’re not Miss – you’re great”. But she did agree that I’m strict and that I have standards. One of the boys kept calling me to watch him doing a forward flip on the trampoline – just like my own kids do – “watch me, mom, watch me”. His mother is dying of cancer and I often get the feeling that he appreciates it when I call him “Michael, my angel” and show that I care about his well-being. I mentioned that some of the other class had been mean to me – “Tell us who Miss, we’ll beat them up”. Can you hear that I feel better? I’m so glad that I spent under an hour with them. And then earlier today, one of the Year 11s that I taught last year, came to me to ask me if ours was one of the houses all lit up – “it looks fantastic, Miss” he said. So yes – a great day today – thanks for all the hugs and well wishes – they paid off.

I got a letter of apology from M and his parents - they have taken his phone from him so I suppose that's better than nothing

Adrian's birthday

Yesterday was Adrian's birthday and we went on the dinner cruise on the Wellesley round Wellington Harbour. It was a perfect evening and the harbour was like glass (except when the boat hit the bow wave from the ferry). The meal was good - the kids and the birthday boy loved it so that's what counts.

On the way out

Eating dinner

On the way back with the fountain in the background

Bullying

A couple of years back, Colin was bullied quite seriously by another boy at his primary school and we took a big stand against what was happening. He was so upset, that he didn't want to go to school.

Well, Tuesday it was my turn. I received a horrible text at 12.45am on Sunday morning and then during Monday another four from the same number and a sixth from a second telephone number. I contacted Telecom Abuse Line and the sender of five texts was then sent a text telling him/her to stop immediately or his/her phone would be disconnected.

I thought that I was fine on Tuesday morning, but I got to school and a black cloud descended and I just fell to pieces. The wonderful 2IC at work stepped in and showed was a fantastic PI she is! She called out one girl (K) and got the name of two boys involved (M & C). The 2IC got C's phoned and asked permission to look at his contacts where she found the two matching numbers - one belonging to M-boy and the other to K-girl. K admitted her part in the bullying

K's parents were called in last night and she is stood down from school for two days and when she returns she will be in the withdrawal until the end of term. The boys are a bit harder to pin down: M is accusing C of using M's phone to send the texts and C is emphatically denying it. Both boys are in the withdrawal room until the end of term so won't be seeing any of them again. I am not sorry.

It appears that one child in the class looked up our number in the telephone directory, phoned our land line and, as many people do, our voice mail had my cell phone number on it. These "darlings" wrote it down and over the weekend decided that it was time to target me.

I do feel angry and violated and I feel like the victim. Initially I wanted to change all our telephone numbers and go unlisted. For now, I will change my cell phone number and see how things go regarding the ladn line. My husband is loathe to change anything as he feels that that gives these little ***** the power. I need to change my cell phone number for my own personal self worth. If you had my old number and want my new number, please email me.

This is NOT what I need at this time of the year - I am to busy to find the time to get a new phone number and change the number at all the necessary places. As a result, I will go into school for an hour tomorrow and then come home to sort this mess out.

Always hard to think up a title!

This has been a very busy week with LOTS of marking to be done. I finshed my share and then helped out four other people to the detriment of my own report writing. Friday at morning tea I got selfish and only did my own class (which should have been done by someone else and another colleague's class (should also have been done by someone else).



Yesterday was our Christmas crop and because I had been so busy at work I didn'r really do enough preparation. Everyone was happy though, but I knew I hadn't done enough. Some of the wonderful ladies that I scrap with gave me a $20 KS voucher - they were very naughty but I really appreciated it so if you are reading this - thank you from the bottom of my heart. I quickly spent it on another CB embosssing folder and some more Henzo glue. It was really pleasant sharing the premises with Lynne's cropping group - much better than a party or three!



I was very tired and by 4.30pm I was ready to come home. I didn't and managed to do quite a few l/os.



Here is one for the SBO Christmas Challenge #3 - Traditions





Then the next is the Mouse's challenge - a cuddly toy - Turbo Man is not quite cuddly but I have wanted to scrap this story for a while




The next three need titles and/or journalling

Pilot Bay (in Mount Maunganui)

I used BB Oceanside pack and some Jolees Surfboard stickers

Ross' 13th birthday (title will be "13")

C/S and patterned paper from one of the SBO kits

And the Carterton Express

And more from another SBO kit

My Special Class ....

I saw my great Year 12 class for the last time today. Not a very bright class, but it was designed that way so we have been working at Achieved level only work. This has done wonders for them as none of them have felt pressured to rush - we could work fairly slowly and they could all get to grips with the work. Most of them have done well so far and I expect them to do fairly well in the exams. I took chocolate cake in today and every one said thank you. I will miss them. (Click on the card to enlarge it and read what they have written - too sweet - I did have tears in my eyes)

Busy time of the year

It's always a very busy time of the year - the seniors finish tomorrow. YAY - can't wait for the little darlings to go! Some of my students are not very well prepared but at this stage I can do nothing - they have to do their share. Some of them I will miss: for example my Yr 12 class. I have had them first thing every Monday morning all year. Mostly they're good but I have always appreciated the effort they make when I expect it of them. As Adrian said today - it's a good way to start the week :-) It's prize giving tonight which is always a great evening. Last week I was sick (in bed couldn't get out) for two days so I had a lot of marking to catch up on. I spent most of Sunday marking 150 papers. There is a bit more but hopefully I can get that done tomorrow sometime.

The juniors start exams on Friday and then after exams we start Yr 11 work with the Yr10s so they will have to knuckle down and work.

Lots of fun over at SBO with all the Chritmas challenges etc. I have done a l/o with recipes and I'm working on the Traditions l/o - I had a wonderful idea but the idea and the reality are nowhere close so I will have to start again on that one. :-(

Then I have to say: I LOVE THE MOUSE!

Funny neighbours

Last night when we got home, there was a plastic bag with a parcel in it and a card attached to it at our post box. I opened the card and this is what it said:

To J & A,
This morning I witnessed your black cat with the white paws, soiling in my garden. The evidence is contained in the jar.
This garden, a rose garden, is a memorial to our deceased infant son and it distresses us greatly that your animals soil in it and destroy the plants with monotous regularity. It is not only a health issue but incredibly destructive. Today I have lost 3 Petunias last week 6.
Today I retun to you the evidence. The next time I will be seeking reimbursement. Your animals are persistent offenders
Regards
K

Now this lady lives across the road from us. Her next door neighbours have four cats and our neighbours have two. This lady lives on a corner property and has no fence or wall or hedge around her house. She goes outside and shouts at children/teenagers if they dare to walk on her lawn. She had shouted at my boys before for looking into someone else's car. I could tell you more but you get the gist.

I laughed when I opened it and threw "the evidence" in the rubbish bin. I am going to offer to get her some lion "doo" from the zoo as I believe that keeps cats away. I also wonder why she just doesn't turn the hose on the offending cats!

Actully, if she has time to check out "the offenders", gather up "the evidence", write a letter about it, and then deliver "the evidence" and the card, I think she needs to Get A Life!

PS Thanks for all your opinions and laughing with me! I phoned the Zoo and can't get pure Lion "doo" unfortunately. Roo (and others) have said moth balls. We've decided we're going to ignore her - how is she going to "seek reimbursement" anyway?

Summer's on its way

It was a beautiful day today, even though it was a bit windy. We went about half-an-hour up the coast to Queen Elizabeth park and had a bbq picnin with some friends. And I left my camera at home! I was a bit annoyed with myself at that.

We have three weeks to go before the seniors go on study leave and my full time employment ends. It has been busy and tiring but I have coped so far and I have enjoyed it.

Some Layouts

Four layouts from last weekend. One right out of my comfort zone (6x12) inspired by Meek and I actually like this size for a few photos. The photos are from the Crown Range Summit in January and it was very cold up there. No wonder the road is closed sometimes in winter. I like the smaller size for fewer photos and can see myself using different sizes in my 12x12 albums - yes I know that some of you think that's amazing for me to admit and are laughing right now!




This one is our day in Bluff and I used a Becky Higgins sketch for it.

The next two I used our new printer: Kaikoura Blue to print in colour on a transparency and Seals to print on Bazzill Bling (I had heard this was impossible). I am very pleased with both results

I will enter Kaikoura Blue at NZDares for their two colour challenge - hope it fits - I have used blues and brown - even the printing is blue

Sad news

We had to have a funeral today - Tae didn't make it. He/she was fine at 12.30am when I got up to check but by this morning he/she wasn't alive anymore. The boys said they weren't upset, but they arranged a funeral this afternoon (private) and buried the bird. There is now a small cross over his/her last resting place. Birds are very fragile creatures so A. thinks this one just died of a heart attack.

Long weekend

I went scrapping on Saturday and even did a 6x12 l/o ala Meek! I will post it here when I take a photo of it.

Sunday we watched the Springboks win "we are the champions ...of the world" as I keep telling someone at school who gives me a hard time! :-) We also went to the Town Hall Land of Hope and Glory organ recital (totally wrong music given the Poms didn't win) which was fantastic. Dinner at Strawberry Fayre afterwards was yummy.

Monday we painted the stairwell and passageway but had to buy a new ladder before that could happen. It went really quickly and looks great.

Today the boys were playing down at school and found an injured baby bird. They brought it home and we have been feeding it and giving it water. We made a "nest" and it seems to have gone to sleep. The wing is very badly damaged and A. seems to think it won't fly (if it lives). If it does live, we will take it out to Nga Manu the bird sanctuary. It has a name: Tae - short for Tae-Kwon Dodo (from Ice Age) as it cannot fly. The boys have been feeding it mashed banana off an ice-lolly stick and giving it water from an eye-dropper. It has been eating and drinking.

Jen - this is for you

Here's my Cuttlebug - there are some plastic plates that go through with the embosser or die shape and come out the other side all done. The card is the one I made last night - nothing stunning I know, but Ross was happy and much cheaper than buying a card

Just want to say one thing ......

thanks Kerrin!

Ordered

I forgot to add that I ordered a Wishblade! I have been looking at a Craft Robo, but essentially they are the same machine and Esselte NZ is bringing in the Wishblade. It means that there is local support if needed rather than having to go back to the suppliers in Australia. Andrea at SBO is ordering it and it should be here in Mid-December!

PS I am seriously thinking of getting a Cuttlebug too because I love all the embossing folders

Home from a weekend away

The plane to Christchurch on Friday was delayed by almost an hour and when we finally boarded it was on a tiny little 68 seater with propellers! So a deap breath as there was no one to hold my hand on take off and landing. I arrived in Chch and Irene was waiting for me in a complete state as she had left her medication at home. We set off for SENZ and Irene ended up taking the wrong turn and I saw a medical centre. We went in and they suggested that Irene phone her doctor and get a script faxed the the pharmacy there. Once we had that sorted out, Irene was able to relax a little and we headed to SENZ. We had about an hour to walk round before taking up our first job manning the information and left coat and bags table. At the end of the day, we headed back to our cottage picking up some take-aways on the way.

We opened our bottle of Fraise and tucked into our feast - dukkah, sundried tomato pesto, hummus etc and we had a real banquet.

Saturday we were working for SBO except for the class we had booked. The class was dreadful - did not match the class description at all and I walked out early. I wasn't the first to go, and Irene said a number of people left just after I did. It was very disappointing as the class was taught by a well-known scrapper whose classes I have enjoyed in the past; using old Chatterbox product and no technique taught at all. I could only call it cr*pbooking. I did complain.

Back to working at SBO and I got a quick lesson on the Cricut and the Cuttlebug from Lara. I ended up selling one Cricut and two Cuttlebugs so I was very proud of myself. At 5pm when SENZ officially closed, Irene and I did our shopping and put it under the desk. I loved working for SBO and working with Andrea, Nik and the rest of the girls. We all sat together at dinner that night and shared a few bottles of wine and LOTS of laughs.

Sunday morning we had a photography class and I learnt that I really need to play with the settings on my camera. We had a spare hour before our last hour at the information table.

I had a wonderful weekend and I'm really glad I worked for SBO. I met some ladies at ChCh airport who had been at a number of SBO classes over the weekend and they were very impressed. They loved the clear, consise instructions; they loved the new product and they loved being able to buy another class pack as well as any other product used in the classes! So take a bow, Andrea and SBO tutors - you've earned an excellent name for yourselves out there!

So no projects to show, but in my shopping I bought some to make and will upload them here whenever I manage to finish them. I am looking forward to having SBO in Wellington next year - I'll start planning the fun now!

Oh yes ... go the Boks!

End of the Hoilidays

Well, it's back to school for all of us tomorrow and a hard term ahead for me. The seniors start their finals on 19th November so there is work to finish as well as revision to do to make sure that they are all prepared. I am also taking over two other classes from someone who left and I think those two classes are going to get a shock when I expect them to work! I will be full time for 6 weeks and then back to slightly longer part time hours. I do expect that it's going to be hard on me.

It is SENZ next week and I am meeting up with Irene and we are doing Mandi's photography class; Kerrin Qualls's patterned paper class; working for SBO and working at the main door. So we will be busy but in a good way and able to meet and catch up with lots of people. Most of the ladies from the SBO Forum are wearing a pink ribbon so that we can recognise each other. I am really looking forward to a weekend away but already my three boys are asking me for suggestions as to what they can do while I'm gone.

And then what can one say about the upsets in the RWC? I think now our hopes rest on South Africa but I won't be getting up at 2am to watch the game!