The final post for 2011...

I know lots of people aren't welcoming the rain right now, and it sounds like it's doing a bit of damage up Nelson way, however because of the rain, I'm getting a bit of time inside! I've spent the week staining fences, mowing lawns, heading off to the tip, and taking the dogs on long walks - not much time left to be on the computer.

In the lead up to Christmas I had a lovely catch up with these wonderful people...

And these critters got the leftover raspberries and strawberries - do you think they enjoyed them?

I also nabbed my friends two kids and headed into the Cadbury Snow globe, followed by a picnic in Hagley Park, the home for a spa and a movie - I asked them what they wanted to do, and those were the choices they made
:-) And they were so good, weren't worried about the hours wait to get into the snow globe.

Here's my entry in this round of Challenge me Happy - which had we not got wet weather today would probably still be sitting on my desk for the next couple of weeks!

As we head towards the end of 2011, thank you for your friendship, support and laughter over this past year. Here's wishing you a fun evening on New Years Eve no matter whether that is out and about or sitting and reading a book and may 2012 bring you all that you hope for (and no more big earthquakes please Mother Nature!)

T'was the week before Christmas...

I hate it when that happens!! I just wrote a blog post, hit publish and got an error message - my apologies for the swearing ;-)

Just think, this time next week, presnts will have been opened, church may/or may not have been visited, strawberries, ham and other traditional food will have been consumed (and some will be wondering how on Earth they will fit more in when they go to the next relatives place!) and a general feeling of contentment will full the air...(well that's the case for most of my friends anyway).

As I sit and write this, I can hear little piggy grunty noises at the door, where they lay sleeping on the pavers. We let them in on the lawn on a daily basis as it keeps their lives a bit more interesting, helps them to become well socialised (with us and the dogs) and means they have plenty to eat. As they are getting bigger, their paddock somehow seems to have shrunk LOL.

Here is the gorgeous Digby (okay so it's a face only a 'Mum' could love ;-)

They came inside today so Dad (who was on Skype) could see them. They do this once in a while (and yes they are house trained!) However, they aren't present trained...and there were a few pressies under the tree that they found most interesting!! We had to do a quick shoo outside so that the presents would survive lol. I know, it's a mad animal house, but we love it, and that's all that matters.

Last night we were also chatting to Dad on Skype and he couldn't believe how light it was. The further south you are the longer the days - the sun rises earlier and sets later. So I thought I'd have a bit of fun with my camera and the chickens. Here's what it looked like at about 9.45 ish last night:

Well I don't want to tempt fate, so will try publishing this now. Have a fantastic week all.

Last week of term four

Presents are wrapped. Baking is done (off to the vets tomorrow with that). Lawns are mowed. Ironing and housework...Done. Dogs walked. Don't you just love those days when you actually work through your list!

This is what Donna's house looks like now...

Yesterday we popped out and brought all the lights for her house. A lighting shop was having an opening special, with forty percent off everything, no exceptions. So she has some pretty nice lights going in there! Had to have a wee giggle while we were waiting for our turn at the counter to pay. Two ladies were in front of us, paying and talking about one of the chanderliers, when she says, 'yes, they're very nice, but imagine what will happen with the next earthqauke...' Only in Christchurch do these conversations become par for the course lol.

For the last three weeks I've taken part in a Christmas competion over at Scrapbox (had tough competition - Brenda and Vicki amongst others). Here was my final entries:

One had to be 'something that stands' and one had to be 'something that hangs'. I'm pleased as punch to say, that I was the overall winner of the comp and that they voucher I won has been well and truly spent ;-)

The piggies are doing well. They both sit on command (actually when they see you they run over and then sit without a word being spoken, in the hope that you might feed them). If I sit in the paddock then Digby comes and lies down next to me, for a tummy rub. Fergus just nuzzles my pockets in the hope that there might be something edible in there. Which there never is, as I hardly ever feed them, that's Donna's job. And they only get fed once in the evening and once in the morning, and that way they come over if you are around but don't hassle you for food. Hopefully they'll contine to grow up with such good manners.

Busy last week at work this week. We had our evening Christmas party last Thursday night. Tuesday we are having a daytime Christmas party, shared plate etc for the kids. Wednesday Santa is coming, and on Friday for our last day we are having fish and chips for lunch. Tuesday afternoon after the kids have all left, and our paperwork is all done, us teacher's are heading out for a drink and a present swap. Lucky for the animals, Lyall is off work as he had surgery on his shoulder again, last Thursday, so they won't be sitting around waiting for me to arrive home from work.

Have a great week everyone.

Jingle bells...

'It's starting to look a lot like Christmas...' Well it is in my house! I put on a Christmas CD, put up the tree and then a couple of days later, dug out the decorations and now they're up to. The angel and the nativity scene are both in their spots. And they are all together in one lounge so that certain little four legged creatures can't get too inquisitive ;-)

Last week over at Scrapbox we had to do a layout with ten things you love about Christmas. Here's my take on it.

I know Vicki has a good whack of hayfever, as have I. I've decided that when I win Lotto, I'm buying an apartment down on the wharf in Auckland - maybe at the end of the Hilton lol. No trees, no grass, just sea breezes. And for a couple of months of the year we can shift in there and have no hayfever LOL. Of course I have to win Lotto first...(and considering I hardly ever buy a ticket, it's not like the odds of me doing that are great ;-) Anybody else want to join us? Come for a visit? We could 'do' lunch at the Viaduct LOL.

I'm hoping that Mandy, Janine, Beverley and Brenda who felt a good 5.7 shake last night haven't had too many aftershocks from it. They don't make for good sleeping conditions. I guess they don't call us the shaky isles for nothing aye...

Well dinner is ready so I best be off. Have a fantastic week everyone.