Happy New Year!

Thank you Christchurch for turning it on for the rellies...a couple of beaut days followed by a dusting of snow on the mountains this morning lol.

Short post, off to cook bacon and eggs before we head off for a day or two...but if I don't do this now it might never end up getting done...so here is my scrapping for the last week or so. There's a couple of scraplifts from Vicki and Annelie - thanks guys! There were a couple more but they are straight into albums lol. Happy New Year my friends. Roll on next week, when our new puppy gets to come home!

Chrismtas Day 2010

So after a bit of a sleep in we got up ate breakfast and opened our presents. Actually Danny ripped them open for us and then ran off with whatever was inside - so that stretched the present opening a bit lol. Anyway, we packed up a picnic and headed off to Ashley Gorge for the day (that's about 25mins away) and spent the day sitting in the shade, reading magazines (the one's we'd hidden away just for this day lol), eating good food, walking in the river and swimming. It was just superb. There was a few people at the river which leant itself to a nice friendly atmosphere, games of cricket on the grass, the smell of barbies wafting around, kids trying out their new boggie boards, a few families with their dogs playing...a very kiwi kind of a day. Didn't want it to end, but sooner or later one must head home (or face a very hungry cat lol). With our rellies heading down in the next couple of days, I'm sure we will be heading out that way again - nothing like swimming in the river, so clear, no sea lice...hmmm just bliss.

I've been scrapping up a storm - Christmas Eve mainly, so will get some photos taken and popped onto here in the next couple of days...

A few people have asked how Danny will feel about the new arrival. When we went to check her out, we took Dan for a drive and when we got there the owners of the pups said to let him out...They have four dogs - a German Shepherd, a foxy cross, the Mum and Grandma of the pups and then the four pups...Danny loved it and the other dogs are obviously all well socialised and they all had fun. Danny is used to a wide range of other dogs - he does dog training with a mix of dogs on a Tuesday night, we go the dog park and the beach. So I think it won't take him long before he figures out that she's staying. The one who will have her nose out of joint is Tui (our cat). Another dog in the house...crikey the one we have she bosses around - mind you he thinks it's great to hold her tail (sounds mean but he just holds it, doesn't bite it!). Still she thinks she's half dog anyway having grown up with a labrador! At one point I had two dogs, one cat, two cockateils, a budgie (and the male cocky taught the budgie to talk!), five guinea pigs and a rabbit - we often had them all out in the lounge together and it was never a problem, they all got on (except the rabby who used to stamp her feet when things weren't going her way lol!) - so well used to integrating a few animals into the mix.

Enjoy your Boxing Day.

Here's hoping there's photos on here...

So I've talked sweetly to my computer and hopefully pushed all the right buttons...here's hoping there are photos of yesterdays visit...

Tourist town...

I got up this morning cleaned all the windows, did a bit of gardening, looked at the clock and it was only ten thirty! So Donna and I decided to head out to Willobank Wildlife Park. I loved it there, because I got to pat the eels. I love eels. One of the eels scooted as far up on the rock as it could so I could pat it - it didn't want food, just a rub. Yep, it did freak other people out. If I could see through your computer screen I'm betting you're probably thinking the same thing lol. I also loved the kunekune pigs and they gross people out to. You can scare little kids with them ROFL. You can also get really close to the kiwis which is very cool.

We spent a couple of leisurely hours wandering around there (and now I feel like I'm on holiday lol), then headed off to pick up photos for me to scrap from Harvey Norman and to grab some groceries before heading back home. Got home to find that they've been and turned all our hay, so keep your fingers crossed for good weather for the next day or two and they might have it all baled and out of here. Dan gets in the paddock and he's in doggie heaven - he burrows into the hay, rolling around and covered in it - very cute to watch. Thought I'd just update my blog and then I'm actually going to scrap - I have three layouts on the go, but for the last couple of days I just keep looking at them, nothing seemed to go right, but today it all seems to be coming together, at least on one of them anyway lol.

Hmm had some very cute photos but the computer isn't playing nicely and for once it's not bloggers fault but my computer...will have to get back to this once I've had a play (or kicked it, one or the other lol)

So this is Christmas...

For a while now we've been talking about getting another dog. We've ummed and ahhed on whether it should be another labrador or some other big dog, or a small dog. So we've compromised and gone for a medium sized lol. That lovely wee thing in the photos will be coming to live with us in early January (they are only six weeks at the moment - so another three weeks before they are really ready to leave Mum). We will have a new girl in the house - she needs a name - any ideas? I prefer human names, simply because they don't sound so odd when your calling your dog lol. What is she? Well who really knows...a bitzer, but we met Mum and Grandma, and they are both shaggy knee high very friendly well socialised dogs, so hopefully she'll retain a bit of all of those qualities. As she's my birthday present (that's in Jan) I'm guessing I won't be getting the camera I asked for then ROFLMAO - I told Lyall I wanted a new camera or a dog...lol.

The other photos are really for my Dad to have a nose. He phones for a chat each Sunday and get's an update on what we've been doing around the house, so finally I took some photos for him. The photo down the bottom right of the collage was taken at nine thirty at night - it's so cool how the sun doesn't set till really late down here (except it's a pain in the backside how it shines through my ensuite window when I'm trying to sleep LOL!!) Now it's the holidays maybe I'll have enough energy to stay up till it's actually dark!

The wee kittens? Nope, I haven't gone completely mad, filling my house with animals and then trying to shift lol. I was driving down our very rural road when I spotted the little dark one on the side of the road. Thought I was seeing things but turned the car around to check. When I went over to pick it up I then heard hissing, it was the grey one. Looked around, no driveways anywhere nearby, so I suspect they are a feral cross. Tucked two very cold kittens into my shirt, took them home and popped them into Danny's crate, gave them food (which they near on inhaled, hissing and growling!), water and made a litter box. I then rang around until I found a cat care (people who foster and then adopt out) place and they are warm and snug in their care now. I had one very hacked off cat - Tui wasn't impressed at these little intruders. Tough life kid.

I'm sending Lyall off to work tomorrow with a huge amount of chocolates to share out. They can't stay at our house, I so don't need them. The parents were generous beyond belief, with presents galore and many put in to buy a gift for me as I move on to other relief teaching - I'm now the lucky owner of three more charms for my Pandora bracelet from the families and another Pandora charm from the head teacher. Lucky girl eh.

If I don't get back on here before Christmas day - Merry Christmas to you all, may it be fun, safe and spent with your families (and full of small expensive gifts or scrappy ones ROFL)

Opps, forgot to add, the Trotter sign, well that's for Dad, thought he might like to send it to my brother.

The layout with Danny and the lollipop flowers is a straight scraplift from Heidi (thanks Heidi lol!). The green, gold and red is a SP challenge - using these colours on a non Christmas shabby chic layout. The pastel is the SP shabby chic layout - pastel colours plus two black and white photos.



With five days of work left the countdown is well and truly on. I can't wait for the joys of being able to lie in bed and read, rather than having to get up. Even though it's five thirty on a Sunday morning right now, and I'm up...I must be mad! But the internet is much more reliable at this time, my eyes and nose are streaming and I'm sneezing (and yes, I'am full of anti histimaines but they are only of limited use) and it's just too light to actually sleep - however my hubby manages to do that lol!). Yesterday saw Donna and I finish off the last of our Christmas shopping and catch up for afternoon tea with Vicki and Gaye. Last week and I was at the SP crop, pinching a layout off Heidi and admiring Vicki's work, laughing often and eating the odd chocolate...

Work if full on with the kids concert on Tuesday night yet to happen. Lots of parental bribes trying to get me to stay and teach at this kindergarten. Not a happening thing people LOL. Lots of raspberries and strawberries in my fridge being nibbled away on. Boxes of Christmas chocolates rolling in from work - Lyall has hidden them - good idea lol. A bit of painting being done around the house. Yep same colour just touch ups. And a partridge in a pear tree...lol.

Right off to brave the garden shortly. The weeds are higher than the actual plants. I don't think that's such a good thing LOL. Enjoy your week.

On the road again...

Sorry if you now have that tune going around in your head lol! So I have a bit of news to share.

We are on the move back to Auckland. Yep, the traffic in Christchurch is terrible, we just can't take it anymore LOL. Seriously though, Donna and I both really love it down here, but Lyall doesn't and a week or so ago ended up nearly having a break down. I got him to the Doctor and he's now on anti depressants and sleeping tablets and waiting for counselling and if you know my husband this so isn't him. A lot of it stems from not having mates close by, family far away (and a Mum who isn't well), a job he doesn't enjoy...now he could change a few of those things (you actually have to go out and make friends DH!)and he could change his job. But at the end of the day he really wants to head back and his health and our marriage is more important to me than where I live (even if it is the most awesome spot). We have a few more things to do around the house to make it a bit more saleable so are planning on putting it on the market come middle of January and then it's just a case of wait and see. He'll keep working, I'll keep relieving and Donna will head back to Auckland mid January as she is going to stay with our Dad and has a job all organised. Once we get up there we'll all shift back in together as it works really well.

On a completely different note. We've all talked about going on a cruise for a while now. A couple of weekends ago Lyall was up in Auckland visiting family and friends and came home with a crusie booklet. In the meantime Donna and I had both had a wee read of the newspaper during the day and both of us had commented on the cruises advertised. So this last weekend we thought, 'bugger it' you only live once, and headed off to the travel agents and have booked a cruise, for 2011 LOL! So we are now counting down the weeks, seventy five weeks apparently - that's my sister for you! She's the organiser in the family, already searching our options for sightseeing etc. Which is great for me, as I can be lazy and just sit back and let her come to me with all the options ROFLMAO!

I'm looking forward to this weekend. Off to SP crop up in Rangiora and I haven't been near my scrap desk for a couple of weeks now (except to glance at it as I rush past) so it will be great to sit, yak, shop and maybe, just maybe do some actual scrapping.

As for the photos...well of course there's Danny, I just want to look back in time and see how much he's grown and how cute he is fast asleep after hooning around at the dog park (so gonna miss the dog park). The vege gardens are starting to look lush and healthy, I love being able to go out and get veges straight from our own gardens - I've never been without a vege garden wherever I've lived. And that's Donna on our new toy. Dad being the kind hearted soul he is, brought us one to share for Christmas, but of course we've opened it early and Wednesday nights have become Wii night - lots of fun.

Enjoy your week!

I can't think of a catchy title lol.

So I'm thinking I should shift. To an apartment. With lots of concrete and no greenery. Because then my eyes, throat, and ears wouldn't be itching. And my nose wouldn't be streaming. And then I could sleep all night. I'll add it to the list, along with the three day weekends...lol. The up side of these strong warm winds that are whipping all the pollen around, is that the washing is dried in about ten minutes - I kid you not. Of course it does take about a hundred pegs to hold it on the line...but hey it's worth it.

As for the photos...With the great cold winters here, peony roses grow beautifully and there are heaps of roadside stalls out our way that sell them for a dollar a stem - how can you resist?...hence the photo. At the moment we have some gorgeous pink ones in Donna's bedroom and a verigated cream and aubergine in the lounge. I've always wanted to get a shot of the moon over the mountains and while this isn't a great shot by any stretch, it's another memory added to my blog. On the blog because I'd never print it out and use it lol. And of course there's me and my hubby enjoying the spa. Yep, it's back up and running. I just can't go out in it if it's too windy. No fun then.

So I've just been busy working and sticking eye drops in my eyes, (and the odd matchstick to keep them open). I've popped into my scrapping room a couple of times. Two layouts for SP challenges and one just for fun, and to use one of Neen's kits. I want to buy more of them, but since I've got about six of them that I haven't used (because of the 'that's too nice, I think I'll save it' mentality), I figured I have to chuck that mentality out the window and just use them - heck that's what I brought them for ROFL.

My hubby is up in Auckland this weekend and my SIL phoned him as we were heading to the airport -"what would you like for dinner?" (she's an amazing cook), and his answer "Wendy's" (as in the burger joint). LOL. No Wendy's in Christchurch and he's had a bit of a hankering for them. Silly boy, I would have gone for one of Mo's homecooked meals!

Now thanks to my personal pick up service (sounds dodgy doesn't it lol!). Vicki was out at SP during the week and picked up the few things I had sitting there (and yes, it was only a few!) and I picked it up from her place today. Now you can't beat that for service lol. Hope she doesn't start charging me ROFLMAO!

Right it's too hot in this room I'm heading back to the air conditioned lounge. Yep, at 33 degrees folks we've cranked up the air conditioner (hey, I can't have the doors open, too much pollen!). Enjoy the rest of your weekend.

Sunday catch up

With the great onset of spring I'm finding myself out mowing the lawns every weekend, nothing wrong with that, but it's a big space to mow, add in the normal household chores and that means less time spent scrapbooking lol. Still lovely to be out and about in shorts and a t-shirt and to have loads of washing drying on the line.

The Culverden fete was okay but if you're a North Islander and you've been to the big Coromandel fair in January then that beats it hands down. I had in my head because of their advertising that it would be very Christmassy and fairly crafty - as in lots of handmade objects, food etc. But alas it was like a heap of shops there with stalls. Lots of food stalls - which is to be expected - but very few of them were Christmas focused. On the food front Donna brought paneforte and I brought some hazlenut stuffing. There were quite a few clothes stalls, very upmarket - and it was far to cold to be trying on clothes I tell you LOL! The other things I brought on the day were two bags (a handbag and a beachy kind of bag) and two bubble blowers. However it was still neat to be out and about for the day and we did stop at a cafe in Culverden township and have the most divine scone with cream and fresh strawberries YUM! While wandering around we ran into a Mum and Dad whose boys Donna and I had both taught, so that was just lovely. Her and hubby had come down to Hamner for a long weekend.

Last month I was chosen as being in the spotlight over at Scrappin Patch, which for those who don't know, they send you a little pack of goodies to play with and then you put what you did on the forum. So the two Jillibean layouts are for that and the other layout was to use up your Basic Grey scraps - the older the better - well these were pretty old LOL!

Dad, if you read this, our landline is on the blink, that's why you can't get hold of us using that. Telecom will be out tomorrow (will they really???) to have a look...and hey lucky the plane didn't land at your place lol!

Have a great week everyone.

Great Southern Land

So when Jim Hickey said that there would be a southerly rolling up the country we should have taken him literally...Never before have I seen clouds literally rolling towards me, with the sky darkening and the wind suddenly starting to whip up...very, very cool! I don't think the photos quite do justice or give a sense of the power and vastness of it. And then we woke up this morning to find the foothills with a dusting of icing sugar on them. Typical New Zealand spring weather - 21 degrees, stunningly sunny during the day. Came home walked the dog about six in shorts and a t-shirt, helped Lyall outside with some building when at about eight o'clock the temperature started to change and those clouds came visiting.

Day off today. Visitors are here and we are wrapped up warm and off to Culverden Fete, with it's two hundred Christmas themed stalls...might come back just a little lighter in the bank balance me thinks lol.

Catch up

So I think we should petition the powers that be for all weekends to be three days long...and no shops should be allowed open on one of those days, so that families get some time together (sorry if your a farmer, can't do much about the animals that still need to be looked after lol!). Somehow I don't think it's going to be a happening thing, but one can dream lol.

The layout of Lyall drinking his morning coffee was for the Scrappin Patch Man Challenge and you had to use yellow and blue. Yellow isn't a colour that features highly in my stash so it certainly was a challenge lol. Oh, and you had to have metal. Haven't really got a lot of that either, maybe a few years ago I could have found some, so anyway, out came the tinfoil...

This weekend has seen us out buying curtains for the two lounges, at the moment they have an odd shade of red to clash with the grey walls. So not my thing. The new ones are good old readymades, but they are pretty nice. Will take some photos once they are up. Waiting for the cat to stop losing her winter coat before we hang them, otherwise they will be covered in black cat hair lol. Lyall got busy and hired a compactor and so now we have some rock hard base areas, ready for the top of white chip to be put on. I spent time on Saturday teaching Donna how to use the ride on, and Dad wanted a photo - so there you go Dad!

Saturday also saw me needing (notice that's needing!!) a visit out to Scrappin Patch. And yes, of course I purchased just one or two things as well as picking up what I'd ordered over the last couple of weeks...I also headed into town with Donna and we visited the market at the Arts Centre and the botanic gardens - hence the collage. Well they don't call Christchurch the garden city for nothing I guess!

We've decided to leave our paddock and sell it as standing hay (this means that the person buying it has to cut the grass for hay and turn it into bales). The big farmer down the road will be doing that (you know, the one who owns half the street lol!) For the next month or so we can still walk around in it, it's not too long yet, however for a little dog it's like a jungle and he's in heaven - run's around like a lunatic and then hides, with us looking around until this little head pops up and this maniac comes hurtling over. So just had to capture that.

We shot off to the dog park today (didn't see you there Vicki lol!). It was as busy as buggery, but such joy as the dogs run round, never any fighting, just lots of fun. Good for the soul. Makes me so want a lab again - all the labs down in the river, swimming around, chasing sticks and balls.

Yesterday Gaye and her lovely girls came over for a catch up. She's been a busy lady, packing boxes ready for the big move. And with a new house after Christmas she's got a bit of time to design her new scraproom, so if you have any good websites or blogs, send me the addy's and I'll pass them onto her. Make her head explode LOL! While here, her girls did their best to tucker Danny out and then they found the massage chair. I just had to get a photo of her eldest who thought that this was just great. Lots of fun wasn't it M!

Yipee for a short week this week - off to Culverden Fete on Thursday so only three days of work left and two of those we only have a morning session for.

Enjoy your week.

This weekend

So Mandy, I told you I'd do your challenge so here you go! One photo of me straight out of the shower, ready to tackle the pile of gravel on our driveway, the other photo of me all dressed up and ready to hit town for dinner and the Topp Twins. The other photo Lyall reckoned I should put up - it's a shot of me in the eighties, how I wished I still looked like that lol, ummm maybe without the big hair though - very 'Day's of our Lives' LOL!

I've been busy with the spade and wheelbarrow moving lots of gravel around and hoping that Labour weekend will be dry (not couting on it though, because is it ever???) I've done a bit of scrapbooking, but nothing's finished. I've downloaded all Lyall's photos from the snow last weekend and there aren't a lot that are hugely different to mine, so won't bother uploading anymore lol. Just 'cos I like photos of our dog in the snow doesn't mean you all do!

Happy birthday Mrs Frizz, sorry for being such a slacker, I don't usually forget your birthday! It must be because I live out in the wops ROFLMAO...(she says while playing the banjo and a piece of grass hanging out of her mouth, while talking to her cousins Mother's brothers son!!)

Enjoy your week everybody...and good luck to all those with Prima on their blogs, may it be someone I know who is randomly selected!

Walking in a winter wonderland...

Yesterday we decided to head off to Arthurs Pass for a play in the snow...it was like a winter wonderland up there! I have about three hundred photos to prove that point lol! I really wanted to head out so that I could get photos of Danny in the snow and that was accomplished - he loved the stuff and had an absolute ball but like all littlies was tuckered out by the end of it and slept in till eight this morning. We drove as far as the Otira viaduct before turning for home and stopped at the Bealey Pub on the way back for a drink and a bowl of hot chips - we plan on staying there sometime as they have fab motel units that stare straight down the river and you'd never know there was another soul around...but you can walk a few hundred metres and go have a drink and dinner.

LOL you may not want to check in over the next few days as I'll be uploading some of those three hundred photos to here! I've only done my camera so far - got Lyall's one to do yet! And, yep, I've even managed a bit of scrapbooking too - so will upload those photos at some point as well.

In reply to the comment on my last post!

Go HOLDEN! Go HOLDEN, Go HOLDEN!

Yep, that's about the extent of my holiday creating - that and a few cards...

It's been a couple of weeks since I got on here, we've been having fun with broadband, so I've been rather computer limited (well that's what happens out in the wops eh Mrs Frizz lol!). My holidays have been relaxing - a bit of scrapping, lots of household jobs (you know the clean out the fridge, sort out the drawers type...)I've caught up with some wonderful friends, even if they do take the mickey...isn't that what friends are for lol. Yesterday I went to work, and we changed the kindergarten all around - it hasn't been done for over ten years so it looks so different, very cool, can't wait to see the reactions come Monday morning (the parents and children know it's getting changed, but I think they'll be suprised at how good it looks).

Happy birthday to my husband, he's forty something today...he decided last week that he'd quite like a Holden jacket for his birthday, so have hunted everywhere, but he's totally out of luck - will have to put that on hold till winter is here again.
And happy birthday to Janine W yesterday and to my twinnie, Vicki for tomorrow (even if I was a couple of days early LOL)

Have a fun weekend all - the weather is meant to be yuk down here tomorrow so am glad I have a good book lol!

Balloons in my backyard

Balloons are fairly common place where we live but they usually stay over the mountains however this morning and yesterday morning saw them in our backyard. They make for a picture perfect postcard moment.

The other two photos are of my latest layouts...one is from a sketch challenge which I'm too late to enter, but I really liked the sketch so wanted to play and the other one is for the multi photo challenge over at Scrappin Patch (where I'm heading on Saturday to pick up some goodies ready for the school holidays!)

Lyall has Phar Lap playing at the moment, I can only watch it when I'm in the right frame of mind - it always makes me cry. Damn animal movies lol!