Gran Denny: Looking Up from Down Under

Second Thoughts

2011-12-20T21:05:00.002+13:00

I looked at my blog a few minutes ago and thought, I'm not really into this anymore and it shows. I checked visitors to my site, all foreign strangers and I started feeling a little uneasy. So I decided I might post one last blog - The Last Post.

Then a funny thing happened, I remembered posting the story of Christ's birth one Christmas, so I started scrolling back through old posts looking for it. Another funny thing happened, I was quite surprised at some of the funny things I'd written and of the diverse range of topics I'd blogged about. I actually used to think I wasn't that good at blogging, not compared to those witty American bloggers and my very funny friend from Dal, Hel and Bel (Incidentally Hel, I've never stopped hoping that sometime soon you will have time to give us an update).

No wonder my family never check me out anymore - I never post! So here is one of those resolutions that will make it to the New Year list.

1. I will pick up blogging again and start sharing all the cool stuff that I have to be grateful for.

Yes folks, there are still 24 hours in every day, no more - no less; so I'm going to make a more concerted effort for 2012 to keep the whanau up to date with the happenings in my neck of the woods.

So tomorrow I start................ stay tuned

Cramming for exams

2011-11-10T17:05:00.002+13:00

Isn't if funny how all those little things you meant to do for ever such a long time (ie new post), suddenly get done when it's time to start serious swotting for finals!

I'm usually quite well organised, know what jobs need doing on what day, have lists for everything blah blah but there is one time when I become the master of procrastination - and that time is now. So instead of cramming - here I am, alive and well, in remarkably good condition, apart from the body that groans under the strain of the always increasing weight. But come this weekend I'll start for sure. Promise.

IN RECOVERY MODE

2011-03-28T11:27:00.002+13:00

I've been in hospital for some surgery. Although its one way of getting a few weeks off work, it certainly wasn't fun. I had lots of injections and other poking and prodding, lots of drugs that made me feel yucky and lots of PAIN. The visitors were the best part of the ordeal. My sister even travelled up from Wairoa to visit (although she looked so tired and stressed I felt I should have been cheering her up and not vice versa). Major learned to say Hostible, but there was no way he was getting anywhere near the bed incase I got to go home and he had to stay. Now I'm at my aunty's recovering. Under Dr Sally's careful eye I'm doing lots of ....zzzzzzz...

and the odd bit of this

And soon I'll be all good as new, back to work and this will all be one of those unpleasant, distant memories that I'll banish as quickly as it appears. After all you can't keep a good woman down!

BOUNTY FROM THE GARDEN

2011-02-20T08:54:00.004+13:00

A quick whip around the garden a couple of weeks ago, brought this wonderful bounty to the kitchen. There's corn, purple and green peppers, tomatoes, grapes, cabbages, cauliflower, zuchinni, onions, passionfruit and these flying saucer type things that I don't know the name of which I accidentally picked up instead of zuchinni. They're obviously related to zuchinnis but taste quite different.

Anyway it's a real buzz to get all these beauties straight from garden to kitchen, well worth the effort.

HOLIDAYS HAVE BEEN AND GONE

2011-01-20T20:46:00.002+13:00

Who sped time up?

I waited all year for the holidays and already they are over.

The good news is I got to spend a precious few days with both my mokos and it was so much fun. The joy your grandchildren bring into your life is hard to describe, your own kids are great but your mokos are out of this world. My mum told me that and now I know what she meant.

Major's helping Jade unpack her Christmas box from Gran (he was an expert at opening presents by the time all the gift giving was done - and he wasn't really fussy about whose present he was opening either)

Wish I could master the art of taking a good photo, this isn't the most flattering shot, but it's my best darlings without any airbrushing

Jade is so tall and beautiful now, we loved playing Cluedo with her. Despite our best efforts she still managed to whip us at it. Now previously Justine thought she was the Cluedo Champ, so there were a few heated discussions over whether a wrong accusation by all three players meant the last player to get it wrong could actually be considered the winner (that was Jade of course who still counts that game as a victory)

You have to have plenty of coins for the rides when you take Major near the mall

You know my great grandmother was full Maori and wore a moko (tattoo chiselled onto the lips and chin). You'd never know these two had any such connection looking at their pale skin. One thing's for sure though, they look like cousins and they're both mad about each other. Hope that lasts through all their years.

Merry Christmas from me to you

2010-12-23T18:12:00.005+13:00

Work is over for the year, can you hear the yahooing from there?

It's so hot and humid I can hardly think, but I think it's hotter in Sydney and Brissie.

Christmas shopping is all done, the presents are all wrapped and labelled under the tree. Major is in for a lot of surprises this year and there's a lovely box full of goodies waiting for Jade, but I don't know when I'll get to see her. She is in NZ with her maternal grandparents but I don't think her plans include a visit to me this year. I'm trying not to be tragic about it.

Tomorrow morning I intend to be waiting at the supermarket when the doors open for business to pick up all those perishables that couldn't be purchased earlier. Then it will be off to the local butcher who, just like Kel from Kath & Kim, advertises himself as a 'purveyor of fine meat' (and the sign always makes me giggle when I remember that episode when Kath & Kel got a bit carried away out the back of the shop while the line of customers grew longer out front). Anyway I digress, it'll be off to pick up the rolled pork roast, chicken something or others wrapped in bacon and a few other fine meats.

Christmas day won't be a big affair in our house, our guests are arriving on Boxing day so we are planning a fairly laid back day on Saturday.

We'll start with a special breakfast - fresh fruit salad and yogurt sprinkled with Gran Denny's delicious toasted muesli (crunchy granola) then bacon and eggs en croissant. For the first time ever we are embracing the new Kiwi tradition of firing up the BBQ for Christmas dinner! But it's okay we'll do the traditional Roast Pork blah blah on Boxing day (although I am giving some serious thought to rotisserie cooking the pork on the barbie.

I've wrapped a few novelty gifts to put at each place setting for your Boxing day lunch, and got lots of Christmas bits and pieces too. I love Christmas and I love fussing about over it all too. It's a special time celebrating the birth of our Saviour and gathering our loved ones about us. Still trying not to be tragic about Jade.

Anyway somewhere among all this food (that's steeped with family history - the pavlova's just come out of the oven, I'm still using Aunty Nella's recipe and she died nearly 30 years ago and the boysenberry Philly cheesecake that I first tried when I was 15 is about ready to throw together) well somewhere in the midst of all this there'll be games, trips to the beach at the end of our street, a few good movies, lots and lots of laughter and relaxation.

I can hardly wait!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to one and all.

Love

TOKU WHANAU

2010-10-03T16:30:00.002+13:00

Our stake is having an art exhibition and all the different wards were asked to have their own exhibitions and choose some pieces to show in the stake exhibition.

The scrapbook page above is what I made for our ward art exhibition and much to my surprise it has been chosen for forwarding to the stake exhibition.

This is the little speel I wrote to accompany 'Toku Whanau':

To Save the One starts with our own families.

In this scrap booked page I have tried to depict how each individual in our blended family is a unique, crucial part of the essence of 'Toku Whanau' (my family).

From Welcome Bay Ward, I'm married to Judah and my iwi is Rongomaiwahine.

It's Been A While

2010-08-28T18:31:00.002+12:00

Yes, I'm still alive and kicking, though not kicking quite as vigorously as I've been known to in earlier times.

Been having a bit of a struggle for a while, battling to stay cheerful while undergoing a myriad of tests. I've seen this specialist and that specialist and nothing I have is entirely serious on it's own, but combined they're enough to slow me down quite a bit. Most worrying and the biggest nuisance not necessarily in any particular order: arthritis, ovarian cyst, hypertension, impaired lung function, chronic anaemia and the good old IBS.

Some exciting news though, I'm back at tech, completing a Diploma I started a few years back. I'm doing business computing this semester. Gosh it's strange to be studying again. It took me a while to settle into. I must say the old brain isn't quite as sharp at retaining facts as it was when I started studying, but I'm enjoying what I'm learning.

Just got the first test results back this week, wow, I can't believe it - got an A for an advanced word processing practical. and dare I complain, I was so flustered in the test as time was running out so quickly, I submitted one incorrect file and that cost me 8 marks and a + on the A. But I'll take an A and give myself a severe scolding for a totally preventable mistake. Anyway, a pass is a pass is a pass. Go me.

The first day of Spring is just around the corner, next Wednesday actually. Hope I catch Spring Fever soon. I've normally got it bad by this time, dreaming and planning what I'm going to plant, rumaging through all the plant shop catalogues, wondering if this is the year we'll do the great landscaping project that will transform out back yard into one of those wonderous gardens they make on shows like Mucking In or Better Homes and Gardens. But every time I think about weeding the raised vege gardens, a large sigh escapes. Guess I'm not quite up to it yet.

Oh yeah, other good news, I've had a step up at work. When I moved from Hams to Tauranga, I moved into a totally different section of my company and they started me off as a 'Fundamental' specialist. Now I'm an 'Applied' specialist. They tell me you normally have to be 'Fundamental' for at least one year and I've been over here for only 5 months, so I guess that's good. Hope it means a pay rise!

Now I will try and post a little more frequently, but for now enjoy the daffodils, and the wonder of all God's creations.

Angels and Demons

2010-05-23T19:27:00.007+12:00

has been to stay, some parts of his visit were just plain angelic and some parts were tense to say the least. He's walking now, or should I say lurching, staggering, stumbling, teetering and falling down A LOT.

I was pretty happy to see him, even when he slept in until 6ish on Saturday morning!

We went shopping at Bayfair. He's shaping up to be a petrol head just like his uncle....

Look at the absolute delight in these shots!

We let him have a good 10 mins drive time before we inserted the $2 coin and he got a taste of the real action

But it was all over far TOO SOON, this was a full 5 mins later after he'd stopped throwing himself rigid and screaming very loudly. We're down to gentle sobs here.

Then we went shopping at Farmers, now that was an EXPERIENCE

First it was hide and seek in among the jeans

Then it was time to startle some poor lady in the changing rooms

Just checking to see if any other unsuspecting shoppers need to have their privacy invaded

Oops both Mummy and Gran were after him by this time

So we went for icecream, then we had to go home, cos the mess was just too sticky and it was everywhere, even in my handbag

But dear hubby and I did survive and we can still manage a smile. (Although I cried when my angelic demon went home, as I always do).

And somewhere in between all this he took all the pots out of the kitchen cupboard at least 20 times, emptied the bottom cutlery draw a lot, broke the inside shoe shelf, threw DVDs around the lounge like they were frisbies, posted my mothers day Michael Jackson DVD in the sink while Judah was washing the dishes, threw his plate of dinner upside down onto the floor, walked up to the DVD and switched it off right at the climactic part of the movie, gave the best cuddles, danced so cutely to any and every piece of music, made his cute animal noise (all animals make the same noise at the moment), came to Stake Conference with us this morning where he played angellicly through opening exercises then right on cue went to sleep when the speakers started and we had to wake him up when it was all over.

I would just like to share that GRANDCHILREN are the most wonderful blessing of senior years that one could ever hope to enjoy.

Netball Season

2010-05-03T07:49:00.002+12:00

How exciting is this? I don't know what the cup is for, but Netball has started for this season, and here is the first photo of the season. Jade plays for her school at Bondi Junction.

Go Jade go! You are looking so tall and grown up. How blessed I am to have such a beautiful family.

THE LITTLE BOY IS ONE!

2010-04-23T21:15:00.010+12:00

The party was loads of fun, with lots of pretty decorations and lots of presents to open, ably assisted, of course, by my little friends

We practised blowing for a couple of months prior to the big event

But I still got gun shy when the real thing came along (much to Disa's amusement) and Chloe was most concerned in case I burned my hands on the candle, so she held them tightly. Chloe is Nana Pania's moko and Disa is my girlfriend, and there's little Anihera on the left, she's Chloe's sister

But Mummy came to the rescue and she blew the candle out for me

Then it was no holds barred and I was in

Thank you Mummy for such a great 1st birthday cake, it tastes every bit as good as it looks

In fact I think I'll have some more

When you're the birthday boy, surrounded by admirers, every thing you do is fascinating even blowing your nose

The highlight of the day (after play, presents, food & cake) was cruising on my bike with Disa on the back. Disa's mum is laughing cause I can only ride backwards, so I push and push until I hit something behind me and then I scream until someone comes along and turns me around. It's the coolest fun!

Well I had a great birthday and I think Gran Denny enjoyed it too

CAMERA EYES

2010-04-23T20:53:00.004+12:00

Now how do kids learn so quickly that when the red light starts flashing on the camera, they're going to be seeing stars very soon. Unless of course, they are clever enough to put on their 'CAMERA EYES' and shield some of the glare..........

Trying out his birthday bike

Choice pressie, Gran

(That's Justine, her friend Karen, and Pappa Dave partially obscured)
Hmn now that looks very much like a MacyD's hash brown on the tray there

Tissues are just as much fun as that white roll paper in the bathroom

I can still manage a squinty smile for Gran, even though she keeps following me around trying to make me blind with that flash

Helping in Gran's Garden

2010-04-22T20:12:00.004+12:00

I had a little helper

His name was Spotty Chops

And every time I turned around, he'd got a little spottier

So we took him straight from the garden to the bath tub!

Lucky I'm sooo cute

2010-04-22T19:57:00.003+12:00

Boy, the bathroom is such a fun place

And all this paper for me to play with

Yea, we finally have decent internet access and I can start posting again, yea, yea

Guess What We Did Last Night

2010-03-13T14:43:00.005+13:00

I feel like the luckiest gran in the world.

The excitement was at fever pitch at our house yesterday. You see we drove over to Hamilton straight after work. And I was beside myself with anticipation, we were taking little Major to the rugby. Dear hubby was beside himself with anticipation too, we were actually going to the rugby and he didn't have to pay. You could so feel all the anticipation, the air was electric!

I didn't get to see too much of the rugby in the end, I couldn't take my eyes off the little darling. He was so cute when he clapped his hands as the Chiefs ran on. You'd never know it was his first rugby game either, he handled it like an old pro. We taught him how to wave the Chiefs flag that the lovely Functions Manager gave him. Dear hubby complained about the price of the food, but we had a great night. The only down side was every time I did get to look at the rugby, Dan Carter was taking another kick, and man is he deadly!

End result, the Crusaders whipped the Chiefs on the Chiefs home ground, but a gran, a koro and a wee moko had an absolutely fabulous time.

TSUNAMI, PITFALLS OF LIVING BESIDE THE SEA

2010-03-11T20:27:00.005+13:00

A couple of Sundays ago we woke to a frenzied call from a friend blasting his message down the phone "Tsunami warning, head for the hills!"

Before I was even ready to be awake, there we were, in the car, in a full to overflowing car park somewhere up in the Papamoa Hills, surrounded by mums, dads, bickering kids, pets galore, worried looking nanas and grandads and a few straggly others who looked like they'd come straight from a night on the town. And still the cars kept rolling in.

I wasn't prepared for it, it was night-mareish. Would the sea really engulf my new raised vegie gardens? And what about all the not-quite-precious-enough-to-make-it-inside-immediately stuff that's stored in the outside shed awaiting the next round of sorting to get a final resting place inside the house? There was time enough sitting in the car to envisage all my semi-treasured possessions floating around the house on the force of the wave.

We were kept up to date with the latest developments thanks to Kerre's Cafe on the clearest radio station we could receive. Thankfully she (Kerre Woodham) had put her regular show on the backburner and devoted every minute of today's show to TSUNAMI updates.

Its not the height of the wave that matters its the force behind it, some Civil defence expert droned on to us. A wave with a force of 100km behind it can travel a hefty distance inland with frightening ferocity!

A sense of impending disaster washed over me; the sea is at the end of our street. We're definitely goners if it hits - well we aren't because we are safely in the car miles from home, but the house wouldn't stand a chance. And now dear hubby is nagging me to get out of the car and walk to the top of the hill, which he estimates will take anywhere between 20 and 45 minutes.

Groan.

Thankfully I buy some time by insisting someone has to stay in the car park to keep an eye out for the nanas and grandads. "They look ever so concerned". Phew, he buys it and we go back to listening intently to the next update.

Estimated time to hit Papamoa beach deferred for a further 40 minutes, more opinion and advice for surviving Tsunami from yet another expert. Two and a half hours later and the experts finally agree: They don't really know what's going to happen, when!

Cars are starting to leave the car park now. The kids next to us have come back from up the hill and taken their totally freaked out cat, in his cage, for a stroll through the bush, to put him at ease, I wonder. The dog in the car next door is barking at full volume again - the cars have disturbed him.

"Can we go home now, pleeaase?" Ten minutes later the car park is now only half full and dear hubby finally decides its probably safe to go. Besides that we'll get better pictorial coverage from the TV. We're not mentioning that this was yet another false alarm. Remember the boy who cried wolf? Experts don't cry wolf, it just didn't turn out to be as serious as they first thought.

Now what did we learn from our little excursion?

We went straight home with firm resolve to check and update our 72 hour survival kits. Dear hubby had thoughtfully thrown ONE kit into the boot of the car prior to our hasty departure. But have we checked them? My what fickle folks we are, as soon as we discovered the RED ALERT was over, we made a promise to check them real soon.

And one day we will, in typical Kiwi style, but there's no rush eh.

I CAME BACK

2010-03-07T21:13:00.002+13:00

Well hi there friends and family, no need for a search party, I'm alive and kicking but without decent internet access I haven't been able to post for a while.

Quick update, I've transferred from Hamilton to Tauranga and now I'm working for a different part of the Tax Dept, in a lovely office overlooking Tauranga's inner harbour, it really is lovely here, can't tell you how good it feels to be home.

There's just one thing that's missing, and I mean really missing, that's to say I'm reallllly missing and that is my beautiful moko Major, who incidentally is now ONE and he's the size of a two year old. Yes sadly, Major is still at Hamilton keeping his mummy on her toes as he crawls at an amazing pace around the house, wreaking havoc and leaving little trails of destruction behind him wherever he goes.

When I get some decent internet access I've got loads of great photos to post and a few tales to tell. But for now, I'm okay and still busy settling in. Stay tuned.

We've Been Busy

2010-01-03T21:24:00.004+13:00

Thirteen things I'm greatful for in mostly reverse chronological order:

My darling mokos

Eldest moko aka seasoned international traveller

Major loved the sea from the minute he was introduced, he squealed with glee as every new wave came crashing in

Oops slightly out of order, the back view of Jade's Church Bag, stiched with love by Gran and this applique kindly completed by Aunty Justine

A fun picnic at Papamoa Beach on New Years Day

Major's new skill for New Years Day was mastering clapping his hands

Big Cousin reading to Little Cousin

Enjoying real fruit icecreams at a Berry Farm where we got strawberries, blueberries and raspberries, yum

Opening Christmas presents on arrival at Grans

Hmm who had most fun Gran filling this Christmas box with goodies or Jade opening it?

Quality time with Uncle Cookie on Christmas afternoon

Our small family sitting down to Christmas dinner

Cheers Ears!

Today's top 5

2009-12-28T21:02:00.002+13:00

1. The house seemed back to normal today.

2. I didn't over eat

3. Finished sewing for Jade, and everything looks great.

4. Jade arrives tomorrow

5 It was great having Michael staying with us for the past few days. I've never watched so many documentaries before. What a pleasant change from the E Channel. He's even coming back next week for a few more days to look after Jade while Justine & I return to work.

Christmas morning at our house

2009-12-25T08:19:00.004+13:00

Merry Christmas.

We've already been up and opened some of Major's presents, since he awoke before 6am. So here are a few snapshots taken earlier this morning. Now the little angel is full of a croissant breakfast and tucked up back in bed.

I can't believe they are letting me so close to the presents, all I've heard for ages is "Don't touch Christmas"

If I'm allowed to sit this close, a little touch surely must be in order

Wow, I like this!

See Gran's lovely tree

Now this one's kept way out of reach, I can only see it when they lift me up

Yip, my first Christmas has just been great so far

Notice how tired I'm looking, well it's 7.45am and I have been up for a couple of hours

Yea, more toys to ignore while I practise turning the TV on and off, but thanks anyway folks

Compliments of the Season to one and all

2009-12-25T00:20:00.003+13:00

As my grandmother would always say "Compliments of the festive season to you, merry Christmas and Happy New Year"

This month has flown by, and it's officially Christmas Day here in NZ however, I'm not going to bed without saying hi and we love you to all my family who are scattered around Australasia.

We are all ready for Christmas tomorrow (or rather today), it will be a small affair for our household. My youngest son Mike is coming over to join us so there will be my eldest and youngest and one moko (grandchild) and me. (Eldest granddaughter is in NZ, but she is spending Christmas Day with her Nana and Granddad Eagle, we'll see her in a few days time).

Dinner will be a splendid affair with marinated New York style roast beef, rolled roast of pork and of course the staple kiwi meat, roast lamb. These will be served with a selection of salads and kamokamo and extra sweet peas from the garden. Because Justine and I both worked right up to today, we've cheated and bought the salads and desserts.

Dessert consists of strawberry glazed cheesecake, choc cheesecake, lemon meringue pie and white chocolate mudcake.

My guess is we'll snooze in front of a Christmas movie on the telly after that lot!

Today we took Major to have his first Christmas captured on film at Santa's grotto. I don't have the pics yet but the photo above is how his mummy dressed him to meet Santa for the first time. He wasn't afraid either, staring intently at the white beared giant as he bounced contentedly on his knee. It was very cute.

And lastly, lets not forget the reason we celebrate Christmas: the birth of our Saviour Jesus Christ. I have loved reading a few verses each night of the story of Jesus birth.

Luke 2:1-20:

1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.

2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)

3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)

5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.

18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.

20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

A good day

2009-12-08T21:35:00.002+13:00

1. What a pleasure to witness such a milestone: MAJOR CRAWLED TONIGHT! And real proper crawling too, he was up on all fours as if he has been doing it for ever. It was mischief of course, that provided the motivation needed to get going. He crawled to touch the plastic sheet that goes on the floor under his bath. We of course, immediately moved it further out of reach to make sure he really could crawl, that it wasn't a one off wonder and lo, he did it again. We were so chuffed we kept moving it so he would crawl some more, until he cried from both exhaustion and frustration. But it was very cute. His mother immediately recorded the great event in his Baby Book.

2. My son phoned from Sydney and we had a jolly good chat. I miss my kids, they are so far away.

3. At work I finally nailed my monthly quality coaching session by scoring 100% for tax technical knowledge. I've been busting my gut to achieve this for months and finally got there. Yea, I might not be ready for the scrap heap quite yet.

4. Got out in the garden tonight and sprayed up lots of weeds, it bothers me when our yard looks unkempt so I am grateful to get this done.

5. One of the sisters from our ward phoned tonight to ask about a recipe I gave at our All Things Christmas workshop. It is a good buzz to know that someone was listening and is actually going to make gifts from the kitchen, from the workshop and that in some small way I might have helped, taught or inspired someone.

Todays 5

2009-12-07T21:19:00.003+13:00

1. Had fun decorating at my workplace for the big competition that the teams go all out to win. My work looks more like Santa's grotto than the tax department.

2. Fresh asparagus, I love it and I had it for my lunch today.

3. Planning the Christmas menu, we have so many favourites we can't possibly have all our favourites on the menu, so which are the things we don't have often, that we especially look forward to hmmm

4. Poring over my project that I'm making Jade for Christmas, imagining her face when she sees it and hoping that my gifts will help her to understand how important the gospel is to me, and in some small way hoping that they will help to nuture her testimony.

5. Pondering over what I could prepare for a really meaningful Family Home evening lesson since we will actually have the family together on Monday 28th Dec. Yea, this is a rare thing for 2 out of 3 kids and both grandkids to be in the same place at the same time.

Top 5 from the last 4 days

2009-12-06T21:08:00.005+13:00

I've been a bit busy the last few days and didn't get a chance to post so I thought I would just round up my best five things from the last four days

1. Went to the final concert at Church College of NZ. The college was built by Labour Missionaries before I was born, it sits nestled close to the temple and amid much discussion and speculation, it has been closed down marking the end of an era. The farewell concert was a wonderful tribute to all that has been achieved over the last 50+ years. I spent a bit of time taking my glasses off and wiping my tears during the concert, it was moving and special.

2. Yesterday I went to a Christmas workshop called Time Out for Women, mixing with lovely sisters, learning lots of great new christmas ideas, trying lots of yum christmas treats and coming home full of inspiration of more things I'm gonna do when I get around tuit

3. Modern Communication technology, I've just been speaking with Luke sorting holiday plans for eldest moko and only granddaughter, sounded like he was just down the road!

4. At Church today I learnt 3 things: well at Sacrament I felt the Spirit - really strongly, it was a special meeting, a special way to wind up testimony sharing for 2009.

At Sunday School I took up a challenge from our teacher to work on something this week that will strengthen the spirituality of our family - I am going to practise using a SMALL VOICE as I often use a big voice which I know isn't great.

In Relief Society I learnt that we should consider the gifts we are giving and realised that some of what I had in mind for my granddaughter, although chosen with a gran's love, are not appropriate because I have placed an unrealistic expectation on myself to have them finished on time. It is inappropriate to choose gifts that cost so much they place a strain on the christmas budget, it is senseless to pick a christmas dinner menu which will have you in the kitchen all day instead of enjoying the day with your family. I'm good at doing all of that, so I am going to try and be more sensible about the choices I make and hopefully be less stressed as a result.

and finally

5. Major's new thing, he had us in fits of laughter tonight while having his bath. He's developed a fascination with lifting his leg up til it touches his forehead and he dedicated his whole bathtime to showing us how good he is at it.

for Dec3rd

2009-12-04T20:44:00.002+13:00

1.Justine got really sick today so I got to be of service. I helped by collecting Major from day care, feeding him his dinner, washing the big pile of dishes in the kitchen, drying the big pile of dishes in the kitchen njbhmmmmmmm\

Ha ha this is as far as I got before I fell asleep at the computer the other night, by the time I was finished being of service I was pooped. I even went to bed without dinner because I was too tired to make it.

Day four, the 2nd Dec

2009-12-02T20:57:00.002+13:00

1. Last night my stepson, well perhaps not officially stepson, although I am still legally married to his dad, well anyway Tane arrived home from his mission. He's been serving in Sydney South and he's worked really hard. I spoke to him on the phone and he sounds so grown up and so much more refined in his language. His dad says he grown heaps. Well we are proud of him, completing an honourable mission is one of life's BIG milestones.

2. On a completely different note, I love a gripping TV show. Right now I've got one eye on this and one eye on a show called V. Not sure if it's a mini series or a new regular show, but it's got my attention.

3. I'm really greatful to have a job. Everyday I take calls from people who have been made redundant (retrenched), I often see lists with large numbers of staff affected by redundancies. I think the business climate in NZ is still depressed regardless of how much/little growth the government say we are experiencing.

4. Living close to the temple is such a blessing. We have a Stake night every Wednesday and I get to attend regularly, but not tonight because tomorrow I am going with my cousin and her son as he goes through the temple for the first time.

5. My cousin's son has received his Mission call, he is going to the Phillipines next year. It's such a thrill to have family members serve the Lord.

Day 3's top 5

2009-12-01T23:06:00.002+13:00

It's really late so these are going to be short and sweet

1. Tonight I purchased a small nativity set, it has a light that's supposed to hang from the roof of the stable and change colour slowly as it gently illuminates the stable. Justine's calling it disco nativity as the light seems to have a minor malfunction or I've connected it wrong, anyway it's flashing and changing colours very speedily. I'm going to disconnect it soon. When Jade comes to stay we are going to make a nativity set. I'm looking forward to that.

2. I bought a pattern to sew a couple of dresses for Jade so I can surprise her when she comes to NZ for her annual holiday. So glad to have a sewing machine.

3. I was well enough to go back to work today and Justine was good enough to give me a lift there so I didn't have to walk (it did mean I got to work at 7.30am and didn't actually start until 9.15am but hey what's one hour 45mins among friends.

4. Got to listen twice to the last chapter of the BOM on my mp3 player since I was so early for work.

5. We are well underway with making Christmas decorations for our pod at work, they are looking good. Best pod will be judged next Monday, if it goes on how long it took to make the decorations we will win. If it goes on how large your decorations are, the pod next to us will win.

Today's top 5

2009-11-30T16:56:00.002+13:00

1. I didn't go to work today as I felt quite awful when I woke up this morning, now feeling awful isn't exactly something to be greatful for, but having a day off work, yep I really enjoyed that - well as much as you can enjoy a day of feeling off colour.

2. Dinner is already on the go, so Justine will have 2 less jobs to do when she gets home from work. (That's making dinner for us and making dinner for Major)

3. The first sounds I woke up to this morning were Major's squeals of delight. I love having a baby in the house. Before breakfast he had us laughing as we watched him doing his best to get on all fours as he learns to crawl. I can see that the Christmas decorations on the TV cabinet are not going to be safe for much longer, actually I'm wondering where I can move them too. I reckon he'll be crawling within 2 weeks.

4. Because I was at home today I got to watch a scrapbooking DIY show, now I have a good idea for making a paperdoll embellishment.

5. The biggest, reddest, yummiest looking strawberry, picked from our container garden is sitting on the bench for Major's dessert tonight. There is also zucchini and silverbeet all fresh from our garden boiling away in his veggies. I love harvesting from our garden.

5 Things I'm Thankful For

2009-11-29T21:17:00.004+13:00

I've been reading my friend Misty's blog lately as she has been blogging every day about 5 things she is thankful for. I've enjoyed reading her positive comments, and I reckon I'd like to do the same. So here's my five things I'm grateful for:

1. Went to Church today and one of the speakers was Elder Reti who is not long home from his mission in Sydney South. Now I remembered him coming for dinner to Helen and Dallas's apartment when I was staying with them. Two reasons I remembered him, the colour of his hair and he had connections to Kawhia, it was always feel good material to meet missionaries from NZ while in Sydney.

Anyway, after Sacrament I went to say hi. He was looking at me trying to place me, I could tell. Much to my amazement, when I said Enmore Ward, he said "Now I remember, you spoke about David and Goliath on your last Sunday in the ward".

Now I'm going to take that as a compliment as the only talks I remember from almost 2 years ago, are those that really made an impression on me.

2. The next two are from yesterday, but they still count. Had a great time at our Ward beach camp. We stayed at Waihi beach and had the most fun time doing all the usual things you do at the beach but instead of it being with my family it was with our Ward family. I hope Bishop makes it an annual event.

3. Justine and I went to see New Moon for the second time last night, I liked it better second time around. I'm now the proud owner of a New Moon bucket that the popcorn came in. The wolf scenes in the movie are so much better than my imagination made them when I read the book.

4. Major and I went to visit my first cousin Jocelyn this morning. She is turning 79 next week and Major put on his cutest smiles and goos for her. Lucky he's not crawling yet as she had lots of treasures everywhere that he would love to have dribbled all over if only he could have reached them.

5. I'm greatful for reading your blogs about Thanksgiving. We don't celebrate it in NZ, I think that's a shame, seems to me its a fine tradition. And it seems to bring families together and I like that.

All Things Christmas: Relief Society Workshop

2009-11-23T20:43:00.014+13:00

On Saturday just gone, I had the pleasure of conducting my last Relief Society activity. I've been released as 2nd Counselor as I'm moving on to Sunday School, teacher development. Now I'm sad to say goodbye to Relief Society but by the same token I'm really excited to lead the Teach My Gospel course. It's content I'm familiar with from my previous ward where I taught the same course there. I know this course can really make a difference to the teachers and strengthen the ward from its ripple effect. But really I'm just happy to serve wherever I'm needed.

Anyway, I think I finished on a good note, well I had a jolly fine time anyway. And I've had some emails from some of the sisters saying how much they enjoyed our workshop, so yeah, I guess it was good. God is good. Where would I be without the gospel, I don't like to imagine.

Anyway, here are lots of photos from our workshop, the Relief Society room looked a real treat, these photos don't do it justice. Thanks Janferay for helping to set up and for picking up when I ran out of steam.

Thanks Justine for putting up with me fussing and cooking, and cooking and fussing and for not throwing away any of my endless lists and I mean like untold lists, great numbers of lists. I mean the programme list, the breakdown of programme plans, list of things to cook, list of things to make, plan of when to do it, plan of shopping trips, lists of deadlines for completing tasks, lists of ingredients required, list of stores to visit for shopping, lists of craft supplies to assemble, lists of decorations to take, lists of assignments to be given and so on and so on. I just get to the point where if its not on a list I couldn't possibly remember it.

I won't really miss all that list making, but I do swear by the old adage, plan the work and work the plan. Anyway..................

All the goodies on display, click for a better view

The sisters are enthralled

Below is Janferay telling us how she makes Sand Art brownies, layering all the ingredients in a jar just like sand art and adding a label along the lines of add an egg, so much oil and milk, then bake and enjoy

At this workshop the sisters made little nativity sets from terra cotta pots and other stuff, there's a closer view of them on the table in the first pic above. There was also a fancy waterfall card making workshop, and compulsory taste testing from the sweet treats gift basket.

We talked about starting family traditions with advent calendars, filling the pockets with scriptural references of the Saviour's birth, or a treat for that member of the family who had done a good deed. We talked about creating an advent calendar that goes with your missionary out into the field and gets handed down to all the family members to take on their mission, creating bonds of love for family and missionary work. We had a few examples of specially made calendars including this beautiful one here. The one on the right is a 'kitset' ready for sewing.

The Primary board set this elegant Christmas table, check out the pretty mauve favours. I'm going to make some of them for our Christmas table

A totally different approach to a christmas table, this one has little framed photos for place settings and Santa's Polar Express chugging around the track for a table centrepiece

Then there were the gifts from the kitchen, starting with good old Chocky
Fudge sauce

Easy peasy chutney

Green cucumbers and red peppers in this pretty Christmas pickle, at the rate we're eating it in our house we'll be lucky if there's any left by Christmas.

Old Fashioned Lemonade

Never fail uncooked Coconut Ice
Every Christmas basket needs truffles
And these pretty mints which look better than they taste but that's only because I accidently put garden mint essence instead of peppermint essence into them, lol
And so it was, a really busy, fun, busy workshop.

Unexpected side effect: our Christmas decorations are up at home even though its not officially the Christmas month yet because when I got home with everything, it didn't make sense to pack them all away only to have to get them out in a couple of weeks time, so I decorated the house, early, very early for us, but good.

Other unexpected side effect: We have Christmas gifts all prepared and decorated for our Visiting Teaching assignments for December. Early, but good, will definitely take the pressure off what's shaping up to be a very busy December

Well New Moon's Been and Gone

2009-11-22T21:45:00.002+13:00

Well we've been and we've seen and my thoughts are a bit up in the air, no verdict yet which is really strange for me - I rate myself as a decision maker.

We had a great party though. A few of my friends from work and Church and a few of my daughter's friends came over for a bit of a munch before we went to see New Moon. We had chicken and salad rolls and mini spring rolls, then we gorged ourselves on a few fine desserts and watched Twilight for the umpteenth time and YES I still enjoyed it even after this many views.

My favourite part is when Edward crouches to defend Bella at the baseball game when the other vampires turn up, oh and I also like the part where he roars up and orders Bella into the car in Port Angeles when the thugs are eyeing her up. He's confident and protective and it makes me wish I'd known love like that.

For New Moon, well my favourite part was when Jacob took off his shirt the first time and there was that six pack or was it eight? and the rippling biceps. An involuntary woohooo escaped my lips with much more volume than I intended and the whole theatre giggled and tittered.

I noticed no-one screamed, clapped, stamped and cheered at New Moon the way they did at Twilight.

The wolf bits were fascinating, as were the Volturi, but somehow it wasn't quite as mezmerising as Twilight for me. I knew when we left Twilight that I couldn't wait to watch it again, but I found myself thinking this time, 'Well to see the wolf bits again I'd have to watch the slow, agonizing bits of Bella's heartache and they would drag, too long, too sad for me'.

And I was disappointed with myself for thinking that Edward looked a tad pathetic when compared to the muscular wolf boy: white skinny : brown muscles. It wasn't a comparison I'd wanted to make, I felt like it was forced upon me; that definitely never entered my head for Twilight. Noticed also that the post movie discussion was very different to the after Twilight enthrallment.

With Twilight I enjoyed the movie every bit as much as the book, with New Moon perhaps my expectations were a little too high because Twilight was so well done, probably not helped by the time lapse between releases, gives one too much time to gather expectations.

Now I'm not saying I didn't like the movie, I'm saying I'll reserve judgement.

Count down to NEW MOON

2009-11-11T07:58:00.002+13:00

ooHH the excitement is mounting, our party is next Thursday and we have 8 friends coming over with their goodies for a shared dinner while we watch our favourite parts from Twilight. We are making desserts to die for, I just can't wait.

And I'm reading New Moon again, just for a quick refresher, AND we have watched lots and lots and lots of interviews of the stars on ENews

Pictorial Post

2009-11-08T20:22:00.004+13:00

We've had Santa's Little Helper at our place recently, we're quite taken with him, see why....

He's such a jolly little fellow

He's really thoughtful.......

full of bright ideas........

and is extremely flexible.....

Repetition mistake that I can't work out how to delete!

Major: 'Just kicking back with my mates'

Major: 'Me 'n Chas, he's my besty, you know BFF and all that stuff '

Major: 'Yeah, Disa's right up there on my list of BFsF too, her mum wants me to marry her when we grow up, but I've got a mission to serve first'

Major: 'It's okay guys I'll only be gone for 2 years then I'll be back, promise. Don't be sad'

Showing off Major's Flash New Gear

2009-10-26T19:54:00.003+13:00

Thank you Aunty Shelley and Uncle Luke for all my new clothes. I don't like getting dressed and undressed so I could only show you one set of them. The suit will fit me next year too. I'll be the flashest baby at Church.

I'm gonna have fun strangling myself with my tie
My vest and jacket look good too but Gran couldn't get any good photos with them

Mum reckons I look like a mini business man!

Loves to you all,

Major

Milestone for Major

2009-10-20T22:22:00.004+13:00

Finally after lots and lots and lots of demonstrating how its done............

Major has learnt to wave goodbye!

and it's sooo cute

and we're glad he's learnt cos Disa's been waving to us for near on two months

he first waved this morning when I left for work, then tonight when he went to bed and I just can't wait til I leave for work in the morning to see him wave again, lol

New Moon Party

2009-10-18T20:10:00.003+13:00

Oh the excitement's running high in our house.

There's only 32 (WHAT.... 32!) yes 32 more sleeps until we go to New Moon, the second movie in the Twilight saga.

And being the Twilight zealot that I am, that is something to really look forward to. If I knew how to make proper links I'd put one here - but you can check out my older posts to see my Twilight story if you want.

In fact, its so exciting and anticipated that we have decided to host a New Moon Party. I'll get to paw over all the zillions of pics on the net to choose the most suitable to adorn the front of the invites I'm planning as I type. We'll make our finest desserts oh and a few savouries etc (aka party pies by the Aussies) and we'll all watch Twilight for the umpteenth time and enjoy a shared supper before we head off to New Moon - the next chapter in the adventure of Edward and Bella's great love story.

I just can't remember the last time we hosted a party for something/anything other than a birthday, wedding or funeral.

Thank you Stephanie Meyer for writing this series to appeal to young and old alike. Thanks for bringing a bit of sunshine into an otherwise ordinary day.

Can't wait to hang out with the tweenagers at the movies, to ooh and aah, clap and sigh, stamp my feet and swoon (that's if I can remember how - I'm getting a bit carried away now) anyway to go and loose myself in the saga for an hour or two. Expect more New Moon posts from me.

Photo for Maia

2009-10-05T21:27:00.003+13:00

I have just remembered that my great neice, Maia, is staying with her Nan at Wairoa for the holidays. Nan has internet and that means I can finally get to show Maia this scrapbook page I made with a photo of Maia that Aunty Emma sent me. Here you go Maia, this is my special page of YOU.

With lots of love

And here is one made with pics taken when we were stayed in Wairoa in August

Sorry the photos aren't so crash hot, I couldn't find anywhere to take them without the light reflecting off the pics, but anyway you can get the idea. If you click on the photos you can see the full size photo. We wish we were at Wairoa for a holiday too.

Justine's Birthday

2009-10-01T12:16:00.004+13:00

Yesterday was Justine's birthday and we had a teeny bit of fun:

and went out for dinner with Chas and Disa and their mums

Click on the photo Di to see a closer view of the finished wall plaques Justine created

Things to Pass the time when YOU have a Sore Back

2009-09-28T17:20:00.004+13:00

I have been off work for a week now, after slipping a disc in my lower back. The pain is severe and my movement is quite slow and restricted still. Today the best thing I could think of to take my mind off how miserable I'm feeling was to take these snapshots of our little darling.

Major has also been sick for two weeks but you wouldn't guess it from these shots. You would believe it if you could hear him screaming his head off from about 1am until 4am every morning though.

Enjoying my Bunnykins table and chairs from Uncle Andy and Aunty Marie
Don't be fooled: Totally sick of it now!

Isn't he just the most precious wee soul

You would laugh too if you saw the faces mummy and Gran were making!

Hmm it I just reach out a little, I could do some serious touching here

Just you wait Smokey, when I learn to move in a forward direction, you will be in DANGER

But Wait There's More

2009-09-28T15:12:00.004+13:00

New Tamati Tereina gym jams aka Thomas the Tank Engine pyjamas, the first garment off the line from the new sewing machine, another craft fair inspired useage of time.

Brag Book (Waterfall design)

2009-09-28T14:30:00.006+13:00

Here's one of my latest projects, it's a card, made in a waterfall style, so that when you open the card up and pull the ribbon, the photos inside cascade down like a little waterfall, each drop revealing the photo concealed underneath it.

I just love it.

Note the front of the card is a trifle narrower than anticipated as I fluffed the fancy border stamp and had to cut the edge back twice before I finally got it right.

Of course practise makes perfect, I'll look at the photos with more perspective before I mat them next time around and perhaps choose some that are more flattering to the little darling. I'm talking about showing the ungainly view of his chubby legs and feet here.

See the ribbon on the end, just give it a tug to set the waterfall away.

Click on the photos to see the full size picture.

Trying to demonstrate the cascade effect as each photo flips to reveal the photo underneath it.

I was pretty pleased with myself, despite the flaws in this little project.

The next one will be more 'on to it'

My Next Few Projects

2009-09-14T09:59:00.006+12:00

Nothing like a good craft fair to get you spending (wasting) money on all these projects you always wanted to try........................

I'm going to cover this chipboard Family Tree with Scrapbooking paper then personalise it with all our best, smiling pics

A scrapped calendar (2011) not even trying to finish it for 2010, then photos on fabrics - now these look really exciting

Stamped Christmas Cards with glitter embossing powder oh yes and tooth fairy pillows, library bag with photo of owner (Jade), quilted wall hanging with old family photos and countless other projects with photos on fabrics and fancy labels

Its great to feel like you don't ever have to think I've got nothing to do today!

There's a Whole Lot of Crafting Happening Around Here

2009-09-14T08:55:00.002+12:00

This past week we have been fortunate enough to attend (and drool over) the hundreds of exhibits, stalls, craft classes, workshops and demonstrations at New Zealand's number one Craft and Quilt Fair which as lady luck would have it, was held here in our very own Hamilton (sometimes known as The Tron or Hams).

The quilts were spectacular, the overall winner was a child's fantasy book, I can't even begin to describe it, don't know why I didn't think to take a photo, was unbelieveably intriguing. I'm beginning to think my life will not be complete until I have constucted a quilt of my own.

Mental note to put it on the list of things to do before I'm too old and senile too manage it

Anyway, our house has been an absolute hive of activity ever since. Justine is working on these door hangings for Major and his little play pals. Constructing them wasn't without some hilarity, as I read and she followed, a set of totally inadequate instructions and we wound up with the first hanging stuck fast to a sheet of baking paper in reverse order with all the underneath bits being topside instead of underneath. The next day we went to the Bernina shop in town to ask the kindly ladies there to help us assemble in the proper manner, and here they are - the right way up

Bit of machine and hand stiching here
All assembled ready to start sewing

Now, speaking of Major and his play date pals, these pics were taken about 3 weeks ago

Major Disa and Chas

Who farted? Chas, definitely Chas see....

Good intentions pave the way WHERE???

2009-09-04T22:01:00.005+12:00

Oh dear, its hard to be too healthy when there's such a great baker in residence........

Peanut butter choc chip biscuits aka cookies in the making

Yes and there were not one but TWO trays of them

And the proof of how good they are is in the eating, YUM

Spring Is Here

2009-09-01T21:46:00.006+12:00

Mixed sprouts and wheat grass signal the intention to be more healthy

Its the first of September today and that means Spring is officially here.

I can tell its Spring time, I've had that 'itching to plant something' feeling. I've emptied out some garden pots and scrubbed them up and sat dreaming about the dozens of plants I'd like to grow in these few pots.

Ah, decisions decisions. Basil is a definite starter as are strawberries and zuchinnis and cucumbers. I'd love some splashes of colour from a few annuals also but alas, we don't have any area on our section (aka in our yard) for a veggie garden, so it's veggies first and the odd hanging basket of coloured flowers if there's space to cram them in after the veggies. And all this is in flower pots spread lovingly all over our deck, where we might otherwise sunbathe.

I have managed to clear a few areas up the bank behind the house for squash and kamo kamo (my most favourite vegetable of all time!) yea.

And Spring brings the beginning of the Healthy Season too. You know the one when you look at yourself and think 'Oh me, oh my, I've got to get into better shape for Summer'.

So... we are growing sprouts and wheat grass that I learned from HFPE from a very kind Sister who was gracious enough to share her talents with us. They are so delicious, so much nicer than any I ever bought, and so easy to make.

Winter is a great season, roaring fires indoors and wild, wet, windy weather outdoors, but there's nothing quite like Spring to chase away the Winter woes.

Yes I'm glad it's Spring. And that's without even beginning to waffle on about the magnificent magnolia blooms, the blossoming fruit trees, the daffodils and freesias and so on and so on.

Night at the Opera (house)

2009-08-24T21:39:00.004+12:00

We had a skype last night with No.1 granddaughter (and her mum and dad) and were treated to a full rendition of one of the songs that she is singing with her school choir at the Sydney Opera House in the not too distant future. What great excitement, I do believe she is the first member of our family to have such an auspicious opportunity afforded her.

Now I'm not going to dwell on the pangs of disappointment I've felt at not being able to be there at the Opera House to see the real deal, I'm as blind as a bat and probably wouldn't be able to actually see her anyway. And I'll be there in spirit, absolutely willing the very best performance she can muster. A Gran just knows she'll be all right on the night.

I'll be looking forward to the next holidays in NZ when we can set the lounge up as a make-believe Opera House and listen to the whole 12 songs!

Did anybody Notice I was gone?

2009-08-23T20:58:00.003+12:00

Haven't felt like blogging in absolute ages, but now I do, infact I've been trying to upload a video of Major (now aged 6 months) for the last week.

Everytime I get the upload happening, it just goes and goes and goes but never gets finished. Does anybody have any hints on what I might be doing wrong or perhaps could anybody give me a dummies step by step guide on how to upload a video clip from my pics.

Anyway instead of a really cute video here are some almost as cute photos, taken at his 0.5years celebration day.

Update on our Darling Little Major

2009-06-28T10:41:00.004+12:00

Major is now 4 months old. He's a thriving, beautiful, big baby. At his 4 month check, he is right on the 87th percentile weight line for boys, but he's 2 lines above the 97th percentile for height, so I guess he is going to be one TALL man. We wonder if he'll be even taller than his uncles. Both my sons are over 6 foot 5 inches tall!
Anyway here are some recent pics...

Waiting to go to Church, see how blonde his hair is getting

He loves reading with Gran

But the best part of reading is in the tasting of the book!

His great grandmother, Nana Jarden, bought him this cutie, winter outfit

At last a smile, testing out the jolly jumper

This pic was taken three days ago

Another Month Flew By

2009-06-07T21:41:00.003+12:00

As one gets older the days rush by faster, I still remember waiting to become a teenager, it was so embarrasing being 5foot 7inches tall at age 12. No matter how much I stooped all the kids around me still never reached even to my shoulders. And getting to 21, well that took an absolute age - I was old before I got there it took so long!

Then suddenly the years started to speed up, at 22 I was a mum, at 24 I was married. By 30 I had 3 children, by 40 I was raising them on my own, by 50 I was the most slender and fit that I'd ever been in my life - some things are just too good to last though, for the past three years I've been plagued with health problems and loosing the battle of the bulge.

But along all those fleeting years I've racked up some jolly fine experiences, experienced triumphs and tragedy and best of all I discovered who I am, why I'm here and where I'm going.

I've learnt what mothers love feels like. It's overpowering and all encompassing but yet, it's nothing compared to the absolute wonderment of grandmothers love and even that is miniscule compared to the love that our Creator has for us.

And all the while the days rush on by......

My Mum

2009-05-10T07:55:00.005+12:00

Mum's Last Christmas 2006

My mum was the greatest hostess, she would welcome friends, family and strangers alike with open arms. All who entered her home would not be permitted to leave until they were filled with the most scrumptious repast, tales of life, laughter a-plenty and promises to return again soon. She could whip up a banquet from her humble pantry at any time of day or night for one person or for a crowd and all with seemingly no effort.

Mum played golf, as did most of her family and she had a store of humerous anecdotes to recount at any given opportunity. Like the time she and her sister were driving to Napier to play golf at Waiohiki when they either broke down or were pulled up for speeding (my memory of her stories is letting me down here). However by using their charm and alarm on the traffic officers who attended them, (actually I think they had broken down) the officers pulled out a tow rope and attached it to their car and towed them full speed to the golf course where Aunty Lil was competing in a very important match. The traffic officers even assisted by getting their golf clubs out of the car, assembling their trundlers (golf club carrying devices) and one of them ran with Aunty Lil's all the way out to the first tee to help her get underway on time!

Mum and her sisters had so many adventures and I used to love listening to her stories at any family gathering.

In her later life, I looked after mum, caring for her through illness and infirmity until she finally passed away. I was holding her hand when she died. I knew it was coming. The Spirit had awoken me in the early hours of that morning and said very clearly that this would be her last day. I was sad for me but I was glad for mum. All her suffering was finally over.

I was blessed to take her name through the Temple, to have her sealed to her parents, to my dad and to have myself sealed to them. Now I look forward to the day when when we meet again as an eternal family on the right hand of God.

We're a teeny bit famous

2009-05-07T21:29:00.003+12:00

A while back there I posted "What's In A Name?" http://grandenny.blogspot.com/2009/03/whats-in-name.html

Well the saga is not quite over, last week Justine, Major and I were part of a feature that appeared on Campbell Live NZ TV3, highlighting our plight and disappointment at not being able to register Major as a first name for our wee darling.

The camera crew came with the pretty young reporter and all the lights, cameras, sound equip, it was all very exciting! Justine and I flew around the house in an absolute frenzy tidying and polishing before they arrived. The neighbours came out to stare when they spotted the TV vehicle outside. I rushed to my room to throw on a splash of makeup, hoping I would be able to think of intelligent sounding answers at the right moment.

Major was just too cute for words, smiling at the reporter, the camera-man, the couch, his feet, photos on the wall.... He was perfect actually. The reporter asked if she could hold him while they filmed her intro. Right on cue, he smiled and gurgled happily at the camera, the reporter fell in love with him and the producer was impressed. His mother beamed so smuggly, yes she really has produced the best behaved, cutest baby she knows.

All too soon the adventure was over and I had to rush back to work making sure I emailed and texted all my friends, relatives, casual acquaintances etc to invite them to tune in to watch it that night. They even let me go home early from work so I could catch the show. Right after it aired the phone ran red hot, everyone wanted to tell us they'd seen it and how great Justine came across, how cute Major was etc. The next day the feedback started; everybody has an opinion, some agreeing and sympathising with us, others saying it was a ridiculous name to call a child.

But that was last week and now it's this week and I've watched the interview almost as many times as I've watched Twilight!

Anyway if you'd like to see it this is the link http://www.3news.co.nz/Video/When-a-babys-name-is-a-Major-problem/tabid/367/articleID/101815/cat/84/Default.aspx#top

I'd just like to say, I know Major is an unusual name but it was my dad's name and I'm proud of my daughter for having enough love for her grandfather to want to name her son after him. To carry the name of a beloved ancestor is an honourable endowment. I believe it will give Major a sense of belonging and will reinforce the tenet that families can be together forever.

Visiting Teaching

2009-04-24T21:54:00.003+12:00

While I was blog stalking I happened upon a visiting teaching blog with the most wonderful ideas for handouts. This delightful little treasure chest is my adaptation of an idea from the visiting teaching blog.
I glued 'jewels' to the lid of the teasure chest then filled it with treasure: scripture mastery cards, pencils, a note on how to study the scriptures taken from "Preach my Gospel" and finally a couple of quick scripture games for FHE, oh and an inspirational quote from Pres Kimball taken from the April VT message. I just loved these so much that I made extras for myself and my granddaughter.

Thankyou Visiting Teaching Blog, I was really excited to get out to deliver these with the message this month.

It's Been a While

2009-04-24T21:10:00.004+12:00

Chas, Disa and Major

Gosh, this month has flown by, I've had a birthday, bought the TWILIGHT DVD, see earlier post here http://grandenny.blogspot.com/2009/01/confession-of-twilight-freak.html; watched the Twilight DVD including the deleted scenes and a few other random clips that were in the extra disc. I've somehow managed to pass a competency test at my new job and I'm not the 'newbie' any more infact I was even helping the new newbie with some tips the other day.

But the best thing of all is that I've been able to watch my adorable moko learn to smile and goo, almost manage to control his little hand and laugh with delight when he occasionally manages to get that hand up to his mouth and lick it like it's the tastiest icecream in the world. I've tried not to be concerned when I watch the water come flying out of his bath all over the carpet as he learns to kick his chubby wee legs and practises going hard til he's all worn out. I wasn't too squeemy when I changed his nappy and the poo was all the way up to his chest, all over his tummy and his kicking legs spread it all over the change table too. And I've adored looking at the photos from his latest playdate with Chas and Disa.

Daylight Saving Ends

2009-04-05T20:55:00.003+12:00

Our littlest darling is 7 weeks old today. Check out how the end of daylight saving has confused his sleeping timetable. Much to our amusement tonight his mummy bathed, dressed and fed him without him waking up. I mean it is only an hour, but it sure has upset his body clock.
And it seems like all of a sudden he has lost his brand new baby look. His wee legs are getting little rolls on them and his nighties only reach to his knees, when he was new they came below his feet and now they're half mast. He's also smiling and talking.
When I look at him I marvel at the wonder of God's amazing plan for new life, at the blueprint so lovingly created to enable this tiny new bundle to grow in stature and wisdom; at the ability this baby has to enslave us with love for him, to make us respond to his every whimper.
I marvel that this tiny bundle can teach his adult mother how to put another's needs ahead of her own, how in 7 short weeks he's taught her things I've been trying to teach her most of her life. And, she's realised that life is okay without makeup and straightened hair. Life's better than okay actually. With a little darling like this in the home, life is a wee slice of heaven.

Daylight saving's end has just wrecked the wee poppet's schedule

Play Date

2009-03-30T22:23:00.004+13:00

Major had his first big play date today with his girlfriend Disa and his older buddy Chas. Now how cute are these photos? I've been giggling at them ever since I got home from work. Apparently he slept through most of the date as did Chas but Disa was wide awake checking out her two sleepy suitors.

Disa: Eeny Meeny Miney Mo, Which way do I want to go?

Major: Can't a guy get any sleep around here?

Disa: You're the one that I want, oo hoo hoo

Major: Man I knew I was cute but I'm still pretty chuffed she picked me, oh well doesn't look like Chas is up to it anyway - that guy sure can sleep!

Like the sands through the hour glass, these are the days of our babies lives

What a Difference a Day Makes

2009-03-27T20:31:00.008+13:00

I love that old song

'What a difference a day makes, 24 little hours

Brought the sun and the flowers, where there used to be rain'
Well I've just completed two days working with real people after 5 weeks training - practising on the crash test dummies, and what a difference a day makes!

Thursday was just awful, I wasn't looking forward to it and with good reason. The old nerves kicked in and I stared at my instruction sheet like it was a diagram of the surface of the moon. It just plumb didn't make any sense to me, there was nothing recognisable in it, despite the fact I had committed it all to memory the day before. Instant amnesia. Is this really me I wondered, I've always been so confident and assured, well mostly, okay sometimes I am.

But now it's Friday night and Ive managed another whole day and some people even said thankyou and sounded like they really meant it. In fact by this afternoon I was actually enjoying myself. I'm quite looking forward to next Monday.

Yes, what a difference a day makes, 24 little hours....

Ready Or Not Here I Come

2009-03-25T21:32:00.005+13:00

Remember how I was ecstatic a couple of months back cause I got a new job.....

Well I've been in "training" for the past 5 weeks and now the powers that be have decided it's time to let us loose on the real people and this afternoon I had the exciting job of moving all my junk, oops I mean important work resources, out to my very new (make that almost new) desk. The previous occupant did leave a few reminders of his/her existence behind, including lots of old, yukky blue tack and a half filled salt shaker. But I'm not complaining . In no time at all I had my work station looking like it had been mine forever, oh well for quite a while anyway.

So tomorrow is "D" day, it won't be role plays or practice runs there will be real people relying on me to know stuff and advise them and I just want to say I've never felt so nervous before about doing a new job - EVER.

I'm heading off now to make something delicious for my new boss - to try to appease him in advance - for trying his patience, testing his resillience and pushing his ability to remain calm under pressure.

I'm looking forward to this time tomorrow night when those first day jitters will be all behind me, and I hope I'm still employed.

A Great Reason to Celebrate

2009-03-24T17:57:00.003+13:00

Last Thursday we got together for the Relief Society Birthday meeting. I'm the 2nd Counsellor in our ward Relief Society, so this is a busy and exciting meeting on my calendar. Lots of planning, preparation and rounding up assistance.
We had a great night as these photos show. I have come to know and enjoy the company of all these women, with all their fabulous different qualities.
Sets me to thinking, when you attend Relief Society you KNOW you will make friends.
I've lived in lots of different places, different country even, and have enjoyed the company and friendship of some remarkable women; women who have the same goals and standards as me, women who know who they are, why they are here and where they are going. I love Relief Society for the way it enriches my life and for all the friends I've made along the way and of course all the spiritual enlightenment.

Our wonderful Relief Society Sisters

Check out the centrepiece, it's recycled from Justine's birthday into a Relief Society tree
We had great fun making birthday cards for Visiting Teachers to use throughout the year

Plus there was candle decorating

And last but not least, delicious shared supper and birthday cake.

No resting on my laurels though, I'm already starting to plan the next quarterly meeting - a service auction, can't wait.

One Month Old

2009-03-16T18:16:00.004+13:00

Our littlest darling has reached another milestone - he's a whole month old! Because I'm a doting Gran, here's some of yesterday's photos. If you click on them you can see the full sized picture.

All bathed up ready for bed, Mum's just waiting for my eyes to start looking heavy

I think my mum's just the bees knees - can you tell?

Now I'm a month old I can show my muscles - see
p.s. Gran still loves me even though I pooped all over the couch, and mum still loves Gran even after she dropped my poopy nappy on the floor in mummy's bedroom, cos Gran was flustered when I weed and pooped on my changing table, my clothes, myself and my sheepskin while Gran was trying to put some long pants on me. Lucky I'm so cute eh.....

The Holiday's Over

2009-03-09T18:49:00.004+13:00

Shelley, Luke and Jade

The house has a tinge of sadness to it, it's safe to put your feet down - anywhere and the day no longer starts with twenty questions.

Our darling house guest, formerly known as The Only Grandchild, now known as The Eldest Grandchild has gone home, all the way back to Sydney. Her mum and daddy came to pick her up and all too soon the holiday was over.

There were so many things I still wanted to do with her, but I dare say they'll keep. All we're left with are memories, the wonder of how much she's grown and giggles from our fun stuff.

Like the night we were out walking and played dare truth or promise - her suggestion. I picked truth, and much to our amusement, she hadn't quite sorted out the way the game should go. She supposed in her inexperience, that she had to tell me something truthful about myself. In a very solemn voice she whispered "Gran, in the mornings, well your breath really stinks" Justine and I doubled over with laughter, then we explained that I had to tell the truth to any question she should care to ask. More contemplation.... then with bright eyes that gave away the mischief thought behind them, she asked "Gran, have you ever looked at your poo in the toilet?" More hearty laughter from Aunty and I..... the things 8 year old girls wonder about!

Before she left I asked her what the highlight of her holiday in New Zealand had been, (she'd been to a few other places before she arrived). "Baby Major" she announced then added almost all the other activities of the entire holiday, so I take it she had a pretty good time in NZ.

Oh and one final thing, she loves New Zealand better than Australia, although she does like Aus, but she's definately coming back to NZ to have her babies when she gets a husband. Yip, I can rest easy, my darling granddaughter's plans for her future include making me a Great Gran with babies in the same country as me. Life is good.

What's In A Name?

2009-03-09T17:18:00.004+13:00

What's in a name? Well apparently there's plenty!

Justine has just received a letter advising her that she is unable to register her baby using Major as a first name and if she can't provide a good explanation of why she should be allowed to call him Major, he will be registered using his other names Te Kahui James.

Major, apparently is an undesirable name. How dare they!! Major was my father's name and let me assure you: HE was a GREAT man and we are delighted at the prospect of his name being carried on in our family. Major Te Kahui James represents a leader and gatherer in our whanau (family). It is a name fit for a little man who has waited sooo long to come to this earth.

Now I could understand if she was trying to name him Talullah Does The Hula in Hawaii, Bus Shelter Number Five, Fish And Chips, Benson And Hedges, Shotgun, or Pete And Repeat. These are all actual names given to children, all of which I would label undesirable. But no, they are obviously all okay cos they are allowed - no explanation required.

Where is the logic and where is the common sense in this crazy old world of ours? We wait with bated breath for the outcome of this debacle!

3 Weeks Old Today

2009-03-08T18:41:00.003+13:00

Today Major is 3 weeks old, gosh it seems like he has been with us for more like 3 months or even 3 years. That's probably got something to do with the fact that he never seems to sleep, and he's ALWAYS hungry. But when you see how adorable he is those minor irritations just melt into thin air. His mummy, his daddy and Gran are just SO in love with him. Oh yes better not forget his only first COUSIN, she's pretty spellbound too.

Here are the 3 week old photos especially for my sister, who tells me today she loves to show off my blog to her family. Feel free to leave a comment Di, just click below where it says comments.

I love my bath age 2 weeks

Don't tell anyone, Gran slipped me a dummy cos I don't like the car

Hey check out my flash socks

Notice how wide awake I am....

I've already out grown some of my flash new clothes

Phew, Made it through the 1st week of new job

2009-02-28T14:52:00.003+13:00

Hip hip hooray, I'm now a working woman of independent means! I've made it through my first week of work in the new job without any major catastrophies, didn't embarass myself more than I could cope with and even managed to make a few new friends.

I'm in with a group of eight others in training for six weeks, it feels like we are back at school. Our group comes complete with class clown, class chatterbox, 2 new kids on the block - it's their first 'proper' job, a distant relative whom I never met before, only guy amongst us whose most amazing life moment was 'coming out', one with a VIP connection - she's engaged to a professional sportsman, and one other ordinary mum just like me -except of course I'm a Gran, and that I was told by my visiting teachers this morning is a unique and special role.

The most amazing thing is we all get along like a house on fire. All extremely nervous on our first day - we didn't need to be - it wasn't so bad. We're even planning to go dressed as VICTIMS for the V day next Tuesday when the whole site (around 500) indulge in a little inter-team rivalry. We reckon there'll be loads of Vampires, vegetables and vicars and hopefully no other Victims.

And by the way, I couldn't have managed any of this without the support of my daughter and the adorable Major, who, although he has only been in our family less than two weeks, has forged a deep gouge into my heart to make a special place reserved just for him. I'm so so glad to know that Families Can Be Together Forever.

What A Week!

2009-02-20T22:42:00.005+13:00

Well I'm beat, after rushing around all week I'm absolutely shattered, lethargic, struggling to be motivated and my foot hurts. I've been struggling all week long, anyone would think it was ME who had the baby.

At first I thought it was just a lack of sleep, so I tried to sleep late; couldn't too many pressing duties. Then I realised I hadn't really eaten much over the last couple of days so I fuelled up; didn't help I just carried on exhausted with a full puku (tummy). Tried really hard not to stress too much about the monthly Provident Living activity I lead - which of course fell into this awful week. Then one of the midwives at the birthing centre mentioned how emotionally draining it is when you are closely involved with labour, birthing and new babies - funny I always thought it was THE NEW MOTHER who carried all the pressure, extra hormones, emotions and battle scars. I stand corrected, I now believe this all falls onto the GRANDMOTHER'S To Do List.

And just to add to my week, I'm very aware of how I'm starting work next week after 11 months of never-ending leisure time.

Now I've become quite expert at falling asleep every time I sit down for more than 10 minutes, so this week I had planned to begin my new routine of early to bed, early to rise to make me healthy, wealthy and wise AND TO HELP ME STAY AWAKE AT WORK. That of course, has been blown out the window with our new arrival. I hope my training is interesting and varied otherwise I fear I may embarass myself. Just incase, I'm taking a crash course in somnambulism in the hope that those on high may be fooled by movement into not realising I'm asleep - don't like my chances.

Justine came home with little Major yesterday afternoon and we have had a fairly constant stream of visitors, phone calls, texts, emails etc ever since. My daughter knows 75% of the Hamilton population and they all feel the need to be involved in this chapter of her life.

Despite all this, little Major is doing very well, he's an absolute darling and we all adore him - as you do!

I hope next week will feel a little easier on this old Gran's body and soul.

How could you not love this?Gran's Precious Darling

Nau Mai Haere Mai

2009-02-17T16:48:00.003+13:00

He's finally here, my darling second moko, named Major after my dad his great grandfather. He arrived on Sunday night at 9.25 pm weighing in at 10lb 1oz!

Here he is having his first play date with Disa who is nearly 3 weeks old, notice how much bigger he is. They both slept through their first meeting, much to our amusement.

He's got masses of dark hair - is there some truth to the old wives tale that heartburn makes for hair, cos his mother had loads of heartburn, little squinty eyes and big solid legs. He'll make an excellent rugby prop with those legs! And by the way mummy's doing okay too.

What We Were Doing On Major's Due Date

2009-02-13T10:04:00.006+13:00

Well yesterday was Aunty's due date. The day came...... and...... went.

So instead of gathering to welcome our newest family member last night, we, and 10,800 others, went to watch the Warriors play Melbourne Storm in the pouring rain!

The blurry is the rain, everything was soaked!

The rain could'nt dampen our smiles tho

Notice Aunty's 'All Areas Pass' We got them too!

Aunty and Treasured House Guest

Still Waiting.....

2009-02-09T12:59:00.002+13:00

By the way, Aunty is off getting acupuncture at this very moment as she read somewhere that it can get labour happening within 24 hours.

Sure hope that's true, we've almost run out of tissues - all used up by mother-to be's frequent, out of the blue, outbursts of sobbing COS THERE'S STILL NO BABY!

Don't kids make FHE so much fun?

2009-02-09T12:38:00.002+13:00

Now don't kids add a whole new`dimension to Family Home Evening? Instead of our usual dull study and whatever- we actually started with a song (it happened to be Popcorn as that we are informed is one of our house guest's favourites) then we all participated in a simple - but prepared- lesson and then we had the best fun creating these little beauties below.

We used malt biscuits sandwiched together with icing made from a stiffly beaten egg white with 1 and a half cups of icing sugar beaten into it. They were then decorated with an array of lollies.

Our "kewl' houses

The artists at work

It's Official - I'm no longer Unemployed -

2009-02-03T22:21:00.002+13:00

Wooo hooo, I've accepted a job with the NZ tax dept working on a relatively new, government backed, retirement saving initiative. Only a couple more weeks of being a lady of leisure: Yes! Yes! and work means a pay check Woooo hoooo. It would be fair to say I'm ecstatic.

It's been a long time coming. I've learnt lots on how to survive on the smell of an oily rag as the old saying goes. Work is a blessing especially in these economically troubled times. God is good.

The Lounge Has Been Transformed

2009-02-03T21:57:00.003+13:00

Our lounge has been transformed into a baby equipment testing laboratory and I'm pleased to announce: Our delightful house guest (otherwise known as The Only Grandchild) has deemed all Aunty's Baby equipment in great working condition.

Not so sure about the condition of the original house occupants - gran Denny's feeling a trifle tired of worrying about where it's safe to put my feet down in the lounge and Aunty is just so over being pregnant.

The toys make wonderful crash test dummies

Big Bird fits the highchair perfectly - apart from the struggle it was to fit him in there

And this contraption seems to be made for multiple babies tho we're only expecting one

The Scan

2009-02-03T21:42:00.002+13:00

We finally got to see Aunty's baby scan, and what a thrill that was. We discovered that Aunty's baby is in the 99% something or other and that he weighs 9lbs 5oz! Poor Aunty!

A Couple of False Alarms but no baby yet

2009-02-01T22:52:00.004+13:00

Still no baby, don't those last few weeks just seem like for ever? I'm feeling sympathetic when I watch my daughter waddle along in the heat. I can see how uncomfortable she's looking, I often hear her up and about in the middle of the night when she just can't seem to sleep.

The situation isn't made easier by her knowing that her 3 friends have all delivered their precious bundles of joy over the last fortnight. She's quite certain that she's the only one still pregnant from her ante-natal class too. The phone seems to be ringing all day long - another well wisher enquiring to see if there's any news yet.......

On the plus side, dear house guest just can't go past without kissing or rubbing aunty's tummy and talking to her soon-to-be cousin. She's almost gotten over asking if aunty's waters have broken yet, however she's had time to ponder and subsequently ask not only how the baby gets out but how it got there in the first place!

We gave the simplest explanation we could about how the mum's egg gets fertilised and then the baby starts to grow. She was very relieved to know that the egg doesn't get laid like a chicken but I'm waiting with trepidation for when she realises she needs to know how dad fertilises mum's egg. Shame daddy's so far away, I would have enjoyed listening to his explanation of all this

Aunty and our darling house guest

I'm Awake...it's question time

2009-01-28T08:20:00.002+13:00

Our revered guest opened her eyes this morning with the words "Aunty have your waters broken yet?"

It's Been An Exhausting Day

2009-01-27T23:20:00.013+13:00

My darling moko (granddaughter) is on holiday with us from Australia. This means a number of things for our previously adult-oriented household including: adjusting to the constant chatter, endless questions and frequent requests.

Smokey the cat has gone into hiding - it's all too much for him. I have however, survived the first day of the holiday (which I am informed by my guest is going to be a VERY LONG holiday), by assisting in a number of activities to keep said guest entertained and amused.

Amongst other things today we have.............

done scrapbooking to keep a record of the exciting events of the holiday

picked Nashi's off the neighbours tree which hangs so conveniently over our fence

practised our large motor skills and balance whilst trying to reach the higher fruit (and narrowly avoided falling over the fence)

done a good deed by collecting all the fermenting fruit off the ground and returning it over the fence to the neighbours from whence it came

cooled off by testing out the baby's bath with a wee spot of simultaneous swimming and sunbathing - with a request for a larger pool for next holidays please

sworn 'Death to all Flies' and then tried to urge Gran to pay for exterminating services

And these are only the documented activities, we haven't included making the Nashis into jelly-jam, grocery shopping, playing several hands of Old Maid, phoning Aunty Justine at work several times- to check whether her waters have broken yet - Our guest is growing impatient waiting for her first real cousin to arrive! And lastly asking Gran even more times 'how do your waters break any way?'

I wonder what tomorrow holds... Oh now I remember we have to go swimming in a real pool, to the library, to watch Aunty Justine's scan (to check her waters are still intact), make cookies, finish making the jelly-jam, do Christmas scrapbooking, clean Smokey's teeth - if we can find where he's hiding.....

And after lunch we'll enjoy each other's company some more.

I've Been Scrapbooking

2009-01-19T11:10:00.005+13:00

Callai is my cutie little great-niece. She is shown in these photos with her big brother Baden.

Wish I knew how to rotate this photo of Jade's baptism scrapbook page.

Doesn't time fly, one minute they are new born, next time you blink - she's eight. Luke and Shelley look so young here!

My first ever attempt at scrapbooking, I read a few books and gave it a go, I was so chuffed with it, everybody who came by the house had to view it while I gooed over it with them.

Scrapbooking has proved to be a God send as I've looked for useful ways to wile away the hours between job search efforts. There's something that makes me grin when I look at a newly created page...... perhaps I do have a teeny bit of artistic merit after all.

And what fun I've had scouring the shops for bargain priced stocks for that ever enlarging pile of NECESSARY THINGS! that go with such a past time. I've accumulated card stock and papers, templates and cutting tools, a hammer and some tools I haven't work out the use for yet - but I know they go with scrapbooking - they were in the craft section. I've got embellishments and stickers, labels and metalic pens, glitter pens and scrapbooking pens, ribbons and buttons and all manner of glues and glitter.

I have yet to enjoy the 'cuttlebug' and 'cricut' or work out what die cuts are - I know women who've done them and they're still alive: good. I've enrolled for lessons to get a turn on the aforementioned goodies, so I'll keep you posted......

Confession of a Twilight Freak

2009-01-10T18:30:00.001+13:00

Yes, I confess, I'm a 50 something (barely something, mind you) Twilight aficionado.....how was I to know once I was gripped by the intrigue of the story that it was pitched at tweenage girls. Under this well worn exterior, I'm possibly a tweenager in disguise anyway.

Justine passed me the first novel with instructions to try it for size; I read the back cover - Romance, Vampires. I passed it straight back. Not my cup of T, no sireee, not wasting any of my precious time on the likes of this.

She wore me down in the end and I promised I would at least read the first chapter and then pass it back to her. Didn't take long to get into, by the end of that first chapter I was hooked, hook line and sinker as they say. Much to my amazement, I've never devoured a novel quite so quickly and with quite so much relish in years.

Quickly followed the second, third and final books, the housework went undone, I read 'til the wee small hours, like a tweenager possessed in fact. It was most fortunate that when I got caught on the couch in my pyjamas at 3 in the afternoon with my head buried in said book, it was by a fellow Twilight addict! Thank goodness for that - she understood the fever.

Then, the movie arrived.....We had prime seats for the advanced screening, Justine, me and a theatre full of young uns, actually I'm exagerating, there were 6 others of parental age in the full house. The tweenagers swooned, cheered and clapped with gay abandon and I loved every minute of it.

We've already ordered the DVD, its due out ?. Oh, I'm exagerating again, Justine tells me we don't know when it's due out, but rest assured we will be among the first very proud owners of the DVD and I will watch it over and over and not go to sleep while it's playing either.

How Come my Pics are at the top of the post?

2009-01-03T14:08:00.000+13:00

Man I wish I could figure this out, feeling ever so pleased with myself yesterday for setting up my blog, how could it be that the photos I carefully selected to put at the END of said ramblings appear at the top? And then there's this GIANT photo of myself - where on earth did that come from??? Hope I get better with practice.

Numero Uno

2009-01-02T13:08:00.000+13:00

Hello. Welcome to my very first posting on my very first blog.

As 2008 has just drawn to a close, it seems appropriate to look back on a few of the major events that coloured my life this past 12 months.

I celebrated the arrival of 2008 with a bird's eye view of Sydney Harbour Bridge and all it's spectacular pyrotechnics and flotilla display from a friends apartment in Kings Cross. Now that sure did make a change from sitting around an open fire with smoke billowing into your eyes, instead of up the chimney, at our camp site at Mahia.

I was released as Gospel Doctrine teacher at the Enmore Ward, Hyde Park Stake.

At the end of March I quit my job with Genworth Financial in Sydney and flew home to NZ to give my 18 month old marriage a second try. Didn't make it to the 2 year anniversary.... At least now I'm not wracked with guilt over not trying hard enough.

Upon arrival in NZ I was called as the Teach My Gospel teacher in Welcome Bay Ward Sunday School, Tauranga Stake.

In September I moved to Hamilton where my daughter Justine and I have rented a little place while she awaits the birth of her first child - a son - according to the marvels of science and technology.

The temple is 10 minutes drive from our house and I attend weekly and whenever I can - even more frequently.

I was called as 2nd Counsellor in Pukete Ward Relief Society, Hamilton Stake. It's been a struggle adjusting from education to homemaking but I'm trying hard.

For 9 months I have fruitlessly searched for employment in two cities. The struggle to stay positive has been difficult, but I guess there's something I need to learn from it all.

We celebrated Christmas '08 with a very quiet family dinner - Justine, me and Mike. A little gathering doesn't have to be a dull gathering, we enjoyed all the trimmings and loads of laughter and good food.