So cute

Kids really do say the funniest things... at work today catching up with all the news of the kids holidays, when one wee soul imparts "yep, and there were heaps of drink bottles" umm turns out they were at Tairua and there were heaps of blue bottles!! (for those who don't know, they're a jellyfish, with a good sting!). And how cute is this...chatting away to Miss four, I asked her what was the best thing about the holidays, and she replied "my mum's having twins!" now that is so adorable, not the presents, not that they went away, but that Mum is pregnant - and yep she is already a big sister, so it's not just the thrill of thinking that she's going to have a real live doll to play with!

Anyway it's too hot to sit here at the computer, so I'm off to find a cooler spot. Catch you later.

Last day of holidays...

Ah, yes, sad but true, I must return to work tomorrow!! So a little retail therapy was called for, and my sister and I went into Mission Bay for the big craft fair. I brought a number of cool dress up's for work, a couple of hats for my hubby and a sarong for me. Now for your viewing pleasure... LOL...Here is my sister on the sea wall...and the tug boats racing...my scraplift of the Vicki's gorgeous layout and of course today wouldn't be complete without a shot of good old iconic Rangitoto!

Whats been happening...

Lyall was working yesterday and had to do a trip up to Whangarei, so I went with him and was fortunate enough to meet the wonderful Janine (mummymoo). It's great to put a face to the name...and we went to a beaut cafe where Janine's husband Karl, is the chef. I had the yummiest french toast, with pineapple instead of banana, yummo! Janine's breakfast looked pretty yummy too! So if your ever visiting Whangarei, then take a look at Nectar cafe, on Bank Street! Janine, it was lovely meeting you, and I hope you've had a great weekend down in Hamilton. Look forward to catching up again in March for the crop at Deb's.

Since my little sojourn squashed any scrapbooking plans for yesterday, I got up early this morning and painted (Lyall is up there finishing it now!) and then did a couple of layouts (you know, between all the other weekend chores...).

So here is my layout for the Friday night challenge at SE. It's not one of those layouts that you look at and think 'yep, I totally love what I've done'. But it's done and dusted...

Naomi, (Gnome) over at SE sent me a rak this week for my birthday, and amongst the treats were some papers, so I've put them to good use...

And here is a photo of my darling husband finishing the painting, not because I couldn't but because you know he can just do it better than me... (in other words he stood there and watched and then told me all the things I was doing wrong, so I suggested he could do it himself!! This is why I paint and strip wallpaper when he's at work and I'm on holiday!!)

Enjoy the rest of your Sunday, and if your an Aucklander, then enjoy your long weekend!

Back to work

Although the kids don't come back till next week, we are back at work this week. I love having this time to set up, do paperwork etc, and generally get my head back into work mode. Spending time setting up the kindergarten is always fun. It takes us all day, but seeing the end result is worth it. I must remember to take a photo and post it on here...

My friend Nik is staying tonight (she's the one who had the operation last week, when we looked after her girls). So I cooked a nice roast chicken for dinner with a kumera salad etc - nothing like being spoilt a bit. She came to stay because she's off to the same conference as me tomorrow and I'm her taxi. We've had a spa and now she's watching a DVD with Lyall , a gin, lime and lemonade in her hand, and no children - she's not planning on going home anytime soon apparently!

Tomorrow is conference day. Our association has a conference once a year where all three hundred or so teachers get together - that's always good and again helps you to shift back into work mode. It's always at this time of the year, where as during the rest of the year our meetings are usually done through each area (eg, East, North...). These are held in the second week of each term break - so we get the first week off as holidays and work the second week. It's great knowing that you are having a break, and are coming back refreshed - the downside is they always put up the airfares etc for the school holidays!!

Thursday should be a bit of a fun day, I'm taking my SIL out for the day. She broke her foot on Christmas Eve so now that her hubby's back at work, needs to get out to stop going insane! I got her into scrapbooking about a year ago, so we are off to our local shop and then to get some teaching resources (she's a primary teacher) and then home to my place to create...and yak...! My hubby is one of five boys, and three of them married teachers, so we sure do have some interesting conversations!

Well here is my latest layout, which is for the fortnightly sketch challenge over at Scrapbook Essentials...

I aren't happy with my journalling so that might be Thursday's job...

This photo Lyall took on his way home a couple of weeks ago, it's one gorgeous sunset. I only just downloaded his photos hence why it's only being posted now!

I'm just sitting here staring at the photo, mmm so peaceful.

A busy few days...

It has been a busy few days. Not so interesting for you to read about, but lots of little jobs around the house to do, and wonderful people to visit, before I head back to work next week.

I've been getting up early each morning to try and get the wallpaper stripped in one room, and it's being a pain. It must like being there, 'cos it sure doesn't want to come off easy. And yep, we are using a steamer etc but it just wants to come off in tiny little pieces and two inch strips. The rest of the house so far was a breeze to strip, so I guess I shouldn't complain. I must be paitent!

So last night I stayed up late and did the Friday night challenge over at Scrapbook Essentials. You had to use the title 'Summer Days', and a combo of either orange and blue, or orange and pink and use some stickers that you've had for at least a year...so here is my layout...

And this one is my take on Trina's sketch...

And this one, I like the colour combo (I'm trying to use some of my old photos - this young man is now eighteen) but dont' look too closely at the sewing LOL, I enjoy using my sewing machine (thanks Dad! it was a Christmas present from him 2006). But sewing isn't my forte!

Right, I'm off to make a bacon and egg pie for lunch...yep not healthy in the least, but it's Lyall's favourite...have a good Sunday!

Today...

I've been busy painting. Door frames. Fun NOT! Still worth it when it's all done.

I had just finished when the phone rung. I'm going insane. Take me out!! It was my friend Nikki, who is the Mum of the girls I had been looking after. She's so sick of steering at the same four walls, poor thing. So we headed off to Whitford for lunch and then into Botany where we borrowed a wheelchair and off we went. Nothing like a bit of retail therapy to brighten up your day (that's her spending money, not me!!). Another friend has offered to have the girls, this afternoon, tonight and tomorrow - and she's back to the specialist tomorrow.

I have to start saving my money...we are off to the South Island for a couple of weeks in April. Have booked and paid for the ferry crossing. And booked our accomodation in Invercargill (we did this a month or two back as we were a bit worried about not getting any if they ended up changing the Oyster festival to Invercargill instead of Bluff.) Other than that we are just winging it. We are staying away from all the main towns - eg we will drive through Oxford and the Gorge etc, rather than into Christchurch. Not that we don't like Christchurch, but rather we like to take a road or two that we haven't travelled if at all possible. While I don't usually wish time away, all I can say is roll on April!

I did look at a layout this morning. But that's all. Thought I'd better get those door frames painted instead! Mind you did get some photos printed so I can do the sketch challenge over at Scrapbook Essentials. At least I managed to get that much done!

Enjoy your Thursday!

Normality returns...

Well, whatever 'normal' is anyway...I have my scrapbooking room back, so got busy today and have made a start on Christmas cards, because this year I'm determined to make them. I always leave it too late and can fit in making the odd one, so am being super organised...of course I still have to finish them! Also did this OTP as a thank you to a scrapp'n friend, hence the reason I can't show you the whole thing.

I took out another friends three year old with the girls yesterday and the youngest girl said to him as we were driving along "I had a dream about you, and you gave me flowers and I wrote your name in my diary" to which he readily agreed. Umm trouble is they've never met each other before! And apparently she has a list of people in her diary that she's going to marry! One of the boys at work once went home and said the names of four girls he was going to marry, to which his older brother replied, you can only marry one girl at a time, so he said, well I'll marry her first, and when she's dead, I'll marry her...yep kids do say the darndest things!

See you.

Treat day...

Rainbows End this morning and then Alvin and The Chipmunks this afternoon! The girls decided to call this treat day...I'd call it 'keep them busy day!' I'm going to biff my battery charger too. We've only had it a couple of weeks, as we had to buy a new one, because some clever person (yep me) put normal batteries in it, and guess what that don't work!! But this new charger obviously doens't work, and as we just got it from Woolworths, I don't have a docket, because I'm not into keeping all the supermarket dockets....Anyway got to Rainbows End and of course the batteries went flat after three photos, giant ggrrrrrrr on my part.

Well I've loved having the girls and they have been great, but to all you Mum's out there, I don't know how you fit in scrapbooking (mind you they are now camping in my scrapbooking room, so even if I had time I can't get in there past the tent etc). So I will miss them when they go home tomorrow, but it will be nice to see my scrapbooking room back and I won't miss the extra washing either LOL!! I often crop with a bunch of Mum's from my work who I'm now teaching their second and third children, so I have a new found admiration for them and of course for their husbands, as they are the ones at home with the 'babies' while we are out...

Best I go and get the girls now (they are having a spa) as we are making their Mum a book. If I leave it too much longer they'll me too tired... Hope you all have a great day tomorrow, isn't this weather just great. Oh and big thanks to Vicki who sent me a lovely birthday RAK today - thanks Vicki!

Aren't they cute...

Actually right now they're super cute, that's because their upstairs asleep!! Seriously though the girls have been great and are having a great time, and their Mum groggily phoned to say her surgery went well, which is all good, since yesterday she was telling me who their not allowed to go should she die on the operating table...!!!

This morning we had on Abba and were dancing, that's the look of bliss on Ellie's face in the photo. Then we shot back to the vets with Tui, to have her wound and stitches checked. On the way home we grabbed lunch and then went and spent two hours swimming. That's probably why they are now in bed...and the fact that they were still up at nearly nine last night. We put up a tent in our spare room and that's where they are 'camping' tonight. It's great because the curtains are dark blue, so although it's still light outside the room is really dark. Last night when I put them to bed they complained because the birds outside were too noisy LOL!! Anything to drag out bedtime me thinks.

I got a lovely RAK today from Tanya over at Scrapbook Essentials. Why is it that husbands don't understand that we 'NEED' this stuff, I totally comprehend the tools hanging in the garage and the drooling as we walk around Bunnings, with the 'honey, this would be really helpful at home' plea. While he never comments or worries about the cost etc, and last year he promised to fit me out a scrapbooking room aka like the ones in magazines, he looks at my stash and does ask when I'm going to use it all - oh they just don't understand!!

Anyway on that funny note, I shall leave you for your weekend...enjoy.

Happy Birthday to me!

It's been a strange kind of a day. It started out good, Lyall got me a bridge climb (climbing the Auckland Harbour Bridge) voucher, so we will do that together once the weather cools down a bit, along with a dvd. My sister gave me some Body Shop stuff and pottery and my brother gave me lotto tickets (lets hope their the winning ones!). Dad always gives us money. No scrapbooking supplies, that's a bit sad!!

So I got out of bed, and finished a layout, before going out for lunch. I started my car in the driveway, walked up and opened the gate, backed out and went to close the gate, when I saw this wee wax eye huddled on the ground. How I didn't run it over is beyond me. So I picked it up and gently put it in the garden where I hoped it would be a bit safer. Went off had lunch and a swim (or really just floated around...lol).

When I return from anywhere Tui (the cat) always runs out to greet us. She was hand reared by me from a few days old, and she kind of thinks she's a dog...anyway she didn't come out, and I thought that was pretty strange. After opening up the house etc I gave her a call and in she came, but she just didn't seem herself, so I checked her over and found a huge cut from the base of her tail, but underneath. Rung the vets and took her up there, and the wound required surgery. Both the vet and I are at a loss to what could have caused it. Makes for an interesting opearation for them though! So we are back at home with one very dozy cat who has to stay locked inside for the next three days. I was meant to go hiking tomorrow so have had to cancel that. So quite an eventful day really.

And from tomorrow night I've got my friends two girls till Sunday, as she's going into hospital and her husband is away in the army. So we will have a day here together on Friday and then I will take them out both Saturday and Sunday, to try and tire them out a bit!! One has just turned four and the other will be six in March. They are used to coming and staying so they won't have any problems. I've told them we will make a list of all the things they want to do...should be able to drag that out for a while, might have to get them to illustrate all those things too!!

Oh well another year older, best I go and find out what my hubby has cooked me for dinner!

Everyday...

The last few days I've managed to get for a swim each day...oh just divine! Trouble is you don't want to get out, but the wrinkled prune looks' not good, and of course theres always the washing etc waiting to be done at home. Shame really! Visited the dentist today, it never seizes to amaze me just how far technology has come in the world of dentistry. I think back to the 'murder house' at school. Now it's all lasers and ozone machines and who knows what else, but more importantly it doesn't hurt! Mind you it was for a clean, no fillings needed (that's probably 'cos most of my teeth already have fillings in them LOL!!).

We went off to my sisters tonight, and caught up with family, as my sister had cooked dinner. Yummy lasagne and a salad (mainly from her garden). Made with no garlic. I'm allergic to garlic. Bizzare but true. And what's worse I could eat it up until I was in my early twenties, so I do know what I'm missing...Still beats being dead!

Anyway thought I would just throw this photo in, of my hubby and Milo out for a walk...

My babies...

Vicki asked what sort of four legged children I have, so here are just a couple of the thousand or so pics I have ...!!!

A productive day...

It's hot. Too hot. As soon as the tides in I'm going for a swim. Or Chrissy maybe I'll head to your house for a swim...you did say use the pool anytime!! Lyall kicked(oh that sounds wrong, should I say he suggested...that way I'm out of his way!!) me into my scrapbooking room so that he could get the sanding done. Now he looks like a ghost! Yep I did take photos but they aren't great so they aren't going up on here, not yet anyway! It was too hot to think creatively so I scraplifted. And used up some of the last two SE kits that are waiting for me to use them...and of course I've ordered the January one, so I better get my act together and get busy. Roll on Tuesday, it's meant to rain, then I don't feel bad about scrapbooking instead of doing work around the house. Usually I can balance out all the other things along with time for me scrapbooking, but being school holidays I'm driven to get some of the renovating done before I head back to work.

Anyway some acknowledging is due...thanks to Jo Burney, whom the top layout on the left is from...then next one is from Marieke Broekman (but from Nic Howard's book), and last but not least is 'Growing Up' (and yep that's me folks!). Last year I got given a kit of Nic's which I promptly did so it's different papers etc, but this is roughly the same thing. Oh and I finished my instruction book for Tui and Milo - now if anything happens to Lyall and I, or when we hit the South Island in April, then the people looking after our darlings will know what they eat, where they sleep (okay okay, so Tui sleeps either in or on the bed depending on the weather, and Milo on his own bed at the foot of ours), likes and dislikes etc.

Now I'm not much of a drinker of things alcoholic, but I'm going to sit and have an ice cold beer now, and then down to the beach...

What the?

Posted by: m1chele84 January 4, 2008
2007 In Review
1. What did you do in 2007 that you’d never done before?
Oh heck where do I start, lots of little things, as my philosophy is you never stop learning. One of the more unusual things was Lyall and I shifting in with my sister while in the process of house shifting.

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year? Yep, 'cos my New Years resolutions last year, were to eat, spend money and generally enjoy life. Umm I think I will keep those resolutions for this year. Especially the third one!
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Nope, not close to me. But I get to cuddle lots of babies in my line of work, when they come in with their siblings.
4. Did anyone close to you die? No, but having lost both my Mum and my Nana the year before glad that they didn't.
No.5. What states/countries did you visit?None, we were home bodies.
6. What would you like to have in 2008 that you lacked in 2007?
A house in the South Island.
7. What dates from 2007 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
None come to mind.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year? Recovering from a back injury without having to have the surgery that they wanted me to.
9. What was your biggest failure? Not going through with a house sale because of other influences.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Yep, prolapsed a disc in my back, at SENZ LOL!
11. What was the best thing you bought?
A massage chair, extremely decadent, but true!
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?Heck, me depressed, it takes a lot for that to happen!
14. Where did most of your money go?
On a house to renovate! And on scrapbooking supplies!
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
I'm to laconic to get really really excited!
16. What song will always remind you of 2007?

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
 a) happier or sadder? Happier b) thinner or fatter? Same) richer or poorer?Same
18. What do you wish you’d done more of? Life's to short to regret not doing something.
19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
See above answer
20. How did you spend Christmas?
Had brunch with my hubby, Dad, Stepmum and Sister.
21. Did you fall in love in 2007?
Only with a massage chair!
22. What was your favorite TV program?
Piha Rescue and Rove
23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
Nope, hates a wasted emotion.
24. What was the best book you read?Oh I read books like I eat - that's way too much! Couldn't pick out just one...
25. What was your greatest musical discovery?
 A few new kids c.d's for work - heck when your up dancing and singing everyday, new ones make a world of difference.
26. What did you want and get?
Another great year just being me and living my life.
27. What did you want and not get?
The winning Lotto ticket!
28. What was your favorite film of this year?
Umm sad but true the last movie I went to was Narnia...not a big movie fan.
.29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I was 37 and you think I can remember back to then?? Only thing I wouldnt' have done is cook dinner, that's the rule on my birthday, that I dont' cook!
31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2007?
The same as always. I like new clothes, but I aren't driven by fashion.
32. What kept you sane?
My Friends & Family
33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?

34. What political issue stirred you the most?Anything involving education.
35. Who did you miss?My Mum
36. Who was the best new person you met?Beverley from Scrapbook Essentials. Great being able to put a face to a name. And a really good pain specialist whose name I'm not even going to attempt to spell, who treated me like a thinking intelligent adult when it came to my back injury.
37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2007.

Another gorgeous day...

I took these while out walking Milo earlier today, you can just see the houses on the clifftop at Beachlands in the photo to the left of this writing. The water was warm and inviting so it didn't take too much for me and Milo to be in having a swim - needless to say I then had to bath him when we got home. Why is it that he will happily swim around down at the beach, but acts like his world is ending when theres shampoo involved? As I walked along it got me thinking about this wonderful country that we live in. I can't think of anywhere in New Zealand where you dont' get great scenery...how lucky we are to live somewhere not only so beautiful but also safe. I have travelled, and yep there are some amazing places around - everywhere has something to offer. But we really are a lot of wonder rolled into one small space! In the top photo you can see a flat island, which funnily enough is called, wait for it... "Flat Island!". When the tide is low you can walk right out along a sand bank and then around the actual island, or you can walk over the top of it - but you are fighting the bush if you do that. Pretty cool really. Too far to take poor old Milo now though, he's not up to such a long walk. While this is a fantastic place to live, we are getting ready to move on, so I will make the effort to get out and take more photos...Beachlands is changing rapidly as more and more houses are getting built. We have had three new 'estates' in the last two years and there is land being cut up now for one more, with the biggest one yet in the pipe line. While progress is inevitable the newbies are wanting reticulated water (we are on tanks) and supermarkets (we shop once a fortnight in 'town'), we all used to know each other and look out for each other (now not everybody says hi...)and as those changes come about we know that's not the lifestyle for us...but in the mean time we will tresure living in this place...

Any 'grape' ideas!

It looks like we are about to be hit with a grape or two...and apart from eating them straight from the vine, and giving bunches of them away I have no ideas on what to do with them! So if you have an idea or two, I'd greatly appreciate it! I tell you what, today is a great day to do your grocery shopping! I've been down to Botany Town Centre to grab my groceries this morning, and would have been lucky if there were maybe thirty people in the store. Sure sped things up. And because I've decided I drink way to much Coke the grocery bill shrunk too! Wonder if my darling will let me spend that money on scrapbooking supplies LOL! We are motoring through our renovations at the moment, I've been plastering walls upstairs ready for Lyall to sand, and then I'll paint them (I DON'T do sanding!!), I think it will take us the best part of a week, and then we can head down to the kitchen and lounge which will be our biggest job to do. As long as there is a clean bedroom to sleep in and a spot for me to scrapbook in, then it's fine, actually quite enjoy it, but no clean bedroom...hard to cope with then! I guess in terms of the kitchen we will have the pro's in doing that. Oh well if your reading this, I hope you are happing a great day, the weather's certainly been smiling on our little piece of paradise.

A new start for the New Year!

A few days ago I started a blog over at Wordpress, but I've been having problems loading on photos in a size where they can be seen, so thought I would see if Blogger would be easier for someone whose not so proficient in the IT side of things - even though I'd had great help from Neen and Hannah! So having tried this...I'm going to delete my Wordpress blog and go with Blogger because as it stands now, it's much easier for me to use! Anyway the photo above is of a layout I finished a couple of days ago, inspired by, and scrapliffted from Nic Howard's book. Well it's going to be a bit of a busy day for me, so best I don't linger on here for too long! Happy New Years and all the best for 2008 my friends!