Beautiful!

Yesterday evening was so beautiful that we bought fish and chips and went into Whiteriea park down to the beach. The boys found a washed up boogie board and were using it to slide down the hill.





The light was so lovely across to Plimmerton that I had to take some photos.





Then coming back over the hill look what we saw: that's Mana Island in the right foreground and the South Island in the sunset! Too beautiful

More about Momorangi Bay

The whole area apart from a few bachs and the two Post Office houses, is a campsite. There is only one little shop there that sells basic goods (milk, bread etc) and doubles as a cafe/take-away place. (They make the BEST chocolate cake there and I got the recipe.) Anyway, because of this, there are no young adults etc there only families with children.

The boys made friends with lots of kids and one of the dads invited them to go out on his boat on the "hotdog" one morning. Well, they jumped at the chance! They had to wear sunscreen, hats and lifejackets and they set off very excitedly. They were out for about three hours and came back beaming! They'd had a wonderful time and both the dads who were out with the kids said they were brave boys. Yes, they fell in but all they did was stay where they were and they boat came back round to pick them up. I didn't manage to get many photos as they went across to the other side of the sound and my 10x zoom didn't reach that far!

Another favourite was to jump off the end of the jetty there - they would meet up with their friends and just spend the day jumping in together, swimming round to the steps and then doing it all again.

No one missed TV, PlayStation or PSP as there was so much to do and all of it outside in the sunshine and fresh air.

Question

I know that there are lots of "ordinary" scrappers; friends and family who visit here and at each other's blog; and I know that we all visit the "scrap celebs" (aka as DT members) blogs but do they visit us plebs at all?

My useful little tool .....

known as a Lil Chizler it's great for lifting the letters off the sticky carrier sheet from my WishBlade!

Home again

We're back after a very pleasant crossing on the ferry. Of course, the seasick tablets helped as well as sitting in the middle of the boat so it was quite blustery, but I didn't feel anything. I have some photos but I need to go through them all and pick some to upload. We're all brown and had a wonderful two weeks in the sun just relaxing, eating when we felt like and what we felt like and reading lots of books.

Where shall I start? Momorangi Bay is just beautiful - it is a DoC campsite as well as a few bachs. We stayed in the green roofed cottage you can see in about the middle of the photo. Even though this photo was taken about ten years ago, only the trees and bushes have grown

It was wonderful to be able to just sit in our lounge and look out at the water. The boys would get up in the morning and just head for the beach. While we were there, we drove the long and winding road to The Portage. It was beautiful but if we ever go again, we will go by water taxi.

We also went across to Lochmara Lodge where we had a wonderful day and the boys spent lots of time in the water

Then we had a week in Nelson and although we spent lots of time on Rabbit Island, we were also there in the strong storm that passed over. Unfortunately we missed the pod of orca that came into the bay but we think we saw evidence of them being there - a number of chewed up rays on Rabbit Island beach. Also the storm at the beginging of last week brought down a few trees. This one fell right where we always used to spend the day

We also went back to Natureland and I saw a peachick for the first time - look how small it is!

They also had three of these birds that had been injured as chicks and would never survive in the wild - at least two groups of Kiwis did not know what they were!

What is it with Blogger that it cuts my internet connection every second or so??? It really makes me cross as I'm trying to upload photos and it just won't work!

Ice creams!

Outside Richmond is a PYO berry farm and we usually stop to pick raspberries and whatever else they have. We stopped on Sunday and the PYO were finished but we did buy some raspberries and strawberries that were delicious. e stopped again yesterday to buy more raspberries but there were none left. Ross asked for an ice-cream which we've never had there before. He chose booysenberry and they make it on the spot - a block of vanilla icecream and a smaller block of frozen fruit all get put into a machine which pushed the fruit icecream out like a soft serve shape. We decided to have raspberry and it was delicious! I can't believe that in all the times we've stopped there we've never had one, but we'll be back.

It has been really hot here but started raining yesterday and is still raining today. Even so, at 8.15am this morning it as 24 degrees C inside this morning - that's with all the indos and curtains open overnight! My car has to go to the garage today (always when we get here :-) ) as the ABS system has no fluid left. The wind is also bloing a gale today - feels so much like Wellington!

Thanks for all the comments so far!

No change here

It's still hot and sunny - 35 degrees here yesterday!

We have taken the long and winding road to The Portage which lovely but if we never go and again by road that will be fine.

A boat from Lochmara Lodge came and picked us up yestreday and took us there for the day. It was beautiful and the boys had great fun. Kayaks were great, the rope swing to drop into the sea was great, feeding the fish (herrings), catching non-poisonous jelly fish was all part of the water fun. Then a walk through the extensive gardens where hammocks abounded, art work all over as well as a bird recovery programme all added to the wonderful atmosphere. The only way in is by boat or an hour off the Queen Charlotte walking track.

We also drove to Anakiwa where the Queen Charlotte tracks ends and it is also the place where the NZ Outward Bound school is.

I will upload photos when I can get to a more accessible internet connection

And the "w" is not working too well on this keyboard so hopefully I went back and put them all in!

Beautiful one day, fantastic the next

At midday today it as 26 degees C inside our cottage. From where we sit, we just see a stretch of Queen Charlotte Sound, the hills on the other side, boats and sun. At night we can hear morepork calling and during the day bellbird and tui - just bliss. Today we felt as though we have had too much sun!

The kids have built sandcastles and dams and then have watched the tide come in and destroy all their wonderful engineering! We bought a sandcastle building set just before we left and although Ross sneered at it at first, he has loved using it. They have swum, caught crabs (and returned them), and jumped off the wharf.

We have read, walked slowly, sat in the sun and eaten the most wonderful chocolate cake at the DoC cafe here. Last night, our neighbours here collected mussels and so I have eaten fresh mussels and bbq prawns today. Talk about relaxing - that's exactly what we have done in this beautiful corner of NZ! Linda - it's Momorangi Bay which is 20 minutes west of Picton

Another year

Woke up this morning and even though my WishBlade was a combined Christmas/birthday present, I thought I might get something wrapped up (even if it was a $2 bath sponge) or at least a cup of coffee. Nothing ... not a "happy birthday", no coffee, no present, nothing. Not-so-DH left for work and about 20 minutes later I heard bth boys awake. Nothing from them either. I gave them ten minutes and then called out "Have you forgotten something?" yes, they had but they came bounding in with a present - wrapped in Xmas paper. Inside was a cool wine glass to replace the one I smashed last week (accident - don't ask - left me with three cuts in my hand) and a wine bottle stopper.

Before not-so-DH left for work, we heard a courier outside and I thought it was the boys' DVD that they ordered - it was my prize parcel from Fiskars! It was perfect as it felt like a birthday present had arrived. Inside was some very cool Heidi Grace papers, some HG embellishments and a silver coloured HG charm bracelet!

My parents took us out for lunch; a friend came for afternoon tea; another friend brought chocolates and flowers and we went out for dinner.

Oh, when did not-so-DH remember? About two hours after getting up and he phoned me very apologetically

Happy New Year!

Ross talked us into having a party for New Year's Eve - we had about 14 or 15 people for a bbq and it was great. We decorated the garage because it was rather windy out and had music and lights in there. We chatted, drank, admired the lights in the street, drank a bit more, ate our bbq, ate dessert and by then it was midnight. Our last guests left at 1am and we quickly cleared the garage so we could bring the cars back in.

New Year's Day was glorious so we packed the car, fetched my Mom and Dad and headed for Paraparam beach where there was a slight breeze blowing which was great for keeping us cool. We bought fish and chips at Fed Up fast food (on the beach front and a great place) and washed it down with Chardon or beer shandy. The boys had a got a volleyball/badminton set for Christmas and so the four of us had fun playing that.

Second New Year and we slept late and then stayed in bed reading and drinking coffee until 11.30am - what a treat! I spent the rest of the day sewing and then in the eveing we met my online Australian friend Alicia and her family for dinner. They are on holiday in NZ and slept over before catching the ferry to the SI. How amazing to have had almost every day contact with someone for about two years yet never met in real life

I have done no scrapping but have made Adrian a pair of sleeping shorts and a summer dressing gown. Tomorrow I will start Colin's gown and then one for Ross. I also have fabric to make a few skirts for myself but I will be last in the queue. Actually I finished off this l/o by cutting the title on my WishBlade - the first one I've done! It's quite a learning curve but I'm really pleased with what it does so far.

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!