October is nearly over!

Most jobs these days require you to an appraisal. My hubby brings home his appraisal to do once a year. It is a multiple choice set up, you choose from A, B or C, for about twenty questions, and that's it, your done. Mine has a little more to it than that. Right now I'm up to about page eighteen of full on writing. So instead of being on the computer trying to get it finished, I thought I'd blog LOL. Let's just say a little procrastination never hurt ;-) As you know I'm keen as pie to get back into Project Life next year. If I don't have things organised then it won't happen. That's just how I work. I thought I could use up my old cards that have sat there the last three years by just giving them a bit of an update with papers etc. For some reason I didn't think that would take long. I was wrong. It's taking quite a while really ;-) Each day I'm doing about six or eight cards, so I am making headway, and more importantly I'm enjoying it. But I will be glad when I can tick it off my list and do some more twelve by twelve scrapping. No, I can't do both. LOL. I like to finish one project before starting another...

Although Spring weather is still making it's presence felt, we are starting to see some signs that summer isn't to far away. The sunshades are up at work, we are all wearing our sunhats and around home we are starting to see our cherry and peach trees with these on them...

Oh and a photo of one of my chickens! Not sure why Faith ended up here, but hey, there she is lol. I'm sure I've said it before, but I love living where there are still lots of roadside stalls. At the moment there are quite a few selling paeony roses. I think they are the most gorgeous flower. And the bonus for me, as someone who gets shocking hayfever, they don't set me off.

Once I've done a bit more on that appraisal, I'm going to head on out and buy me some more, I chucked out the last lot yesterday. One of my best friends arives tonight, for a short but sweet stay, so I'll pop some in her room and some in the lounge. I'm so looking forward to catching up with her...it's all her fault that I got into scrapbooking in the first place LOL. Lucky I booked tomorrow off (no pay for that, but oh well), so we can head on out, cameras in hand and have a fun day. Have a great week everyone.

Like the rest of the country it was freezing here yesterday. After spending the morning at work Lyall came home and hit the couch, to watch a movie. With the fire roaring, it didn't take too long before he was joined by these two...and then they all fell asleep ;-)

With that wee cold snap, we woke up to this...

I never mind mowing the lawns when that's my view. Other critters enjoying the sunny day around this place are:

Darcy, Digby and Fergus have all had a busy morning. Of course the dogs have had their usual run at the small dog park, but then it was time to shift the cows and pigs. The pigs must follow you as you change the electric fencing, just in case you have food hidden somewhere, or if not then you might get a scratch or a brush from your human lol. I've been busy in my scrap room making lots of variations on these:

Yep, thats me getting ready for Project Life next year...and using up my scrap bits of paper stash. Doesn't seem to be making much of a dent in that pile though ;-) Whatever your up to this week, here's hoping it's a good one for you.

Last Monday I spent the day travelling by rail and sea, as I headed North to Wellington. I love travelling by train. I find it so relaxing, and with brand new carriages, it's rather luxurious as well. So I snapped a few shots on the way, and then once on the Interislander, found a nice long couch and had a wee nap for a good chunk of the very calm crossing. I was woken up by the announcement of scones fresh from the oven, with cream and jam, and with an hour to go of the journey, sat back and enjoyed one of these along with a drink.

Beverley kindly picked me up from the ferry, dropped me at Janines, and then came back later with her family and we all had tea together, thanks to Mike and Janine. The following day we (Janine, Beverley, myself, Jessi and Alexander) headed off to see the gorgeous tulips at the Botanic Gardens, before doing a bit of a tour of Miramar and Seatoun and having lunch at the Chocolate Fish Cafe, which was just gorgeous, and yes I did have a choccie fish ;-) Of course my camera battery went dead and so no photos of this... Janine I had a wee wander around town and a suburb that starts with K that I'll attempt to spell lol, Kilbirnie? I had such a relaxing time at Janine and Mikes and was spoilt rotten.

I raided her scrappy pile that was heading off to charity (sorry to the charity that was going to recieve this, but really I don't think I made much of a dent in it LOL). And I tried to read her wonderful stash of magazines and made pretty good in roads, but I think I'd need another month to get through these LOL. Lucky Janine and I share a love of reading. Wednesday I headed off to Mandys (and raided her books to read lol). We spent Thursday in professional dialogue (that's teacher talk!), visited her kindergarten and went out to an Emporium where I brought a few things for work but was concious that I needed to fit them into my one suitcase. Mandy had also organised for us to do high tea at a beautiful spot, just perfect for such a thing. We went into the city on Friday and did a tour of Parliment, which was excellent. So much hidden behind those walls. Thanks Mandy for your hospitality (and tour guiding!).

Before Mandy headed off home, and I stayed in the city, we visited the Christmas part of the shop, Kilcadie and Stains. This is like H J Smith to those who are in Southland, or Bally's to those in Chch, and Smith and Caugheys to those in Auckland. Each year the shop puts on a wonderful display of Christmas wares, which are of course for sale, but it's a magical spot to visit and view in wonderment.

Friday night through to Sunday was spent with my niece, my sister and a friend of my sisters, along with her two girls (I've known her a long time to - she was at my wedding). We shopped of course, and ate out and spent Saturday night at WOW (where I managed to catch up with Janine again for all of two minutes lol) - but with a sold out audience that was an impressive feat in itself!

And finally I headed home on Sunday. The crossing was a bit rough with quite a few sick people on board (nope, not me). But a glorious day all the same.

How lucky we are to live in such a stunning country, with such wonderful people.