INTERESTING, VERY INTERESTING

Hee hee, thanks to Zanna I have been having some fun! This site gives you the chance to mix your face with different hairstyles (and bodies)... so what looks best people????

Don't I make a pretty boy:
I look a lot like my brother and sons I think! FREAKY. I am VERY tempted to go black haired! that first one really looks neat. (like the body too)

Today:

- kids to school

- pick up flyers to distribute around neighbourhood

- do some bloody housework, I've been a bit slack and there's a bit to be done!

AMERICAN VISITORS

I got some lovely mail late yesterday... a package from America! Two lovely wee boys (and their MUM) have sent me 2 Flat Stanleys ... they have come to visit and spend some time with us here in New Zealand. How neat... and they added some treats for us too!

Elf and Emperor send their 'Flat Stanleys' to all sorts of places in the world, and they learn about lots of other countries in the process.

Last night the Stanleys came to Weight Watchers with me, Elf and Emperor you will be pleased to know they have not put on ANY weight yet....

Today:

- kids to school

- Sew another block or two

- Lunch with a couple of girlfriends.... yipee.

NO sewing has been done today, I ended up going up to the hospital to visit Dave (Chris D's hubby) and having morning tea with them.... then I went off to lunch with Anne, Jenny and Chris D... all three of them ended up having PUMPKIN SOUP (IKKKKKY) while I had a lovely chicken burger (more like a large sandwich) which was DEVINE.

Take note: NO CHIPS on me plate, not one!!! I am proud. and full. and home again. chillin for an hour before I have to go and get the kids from school. *BIG SIGH* I DO LOVE EM, I DO ... I DO!
End of Day: a neat day has been had! Steve and Mike came for dinner, so that was nice. All quiet now, kids in bed. BLISS.
NSV: been evil tonight, dunno why... just felt darn hungry so kinda ate 'stuff'.... derrrrr. nite nite.

READY... SET... GO.

I'm all fired up today... to sew!!! I have finally got the sewing machine and what not set up in the spare bedroom upstairs... it took me a while to decide where to set it all up! I mean, I have several options in this house... but I had put off doing it cos WE WERE MOVING eh??? Well, no more... it's all set and ready to go...

Today:

- kids to school

- Sew some patchwork blocks

- sew Brylee some trousers

- do a little housework I suppose

- just chill out!

I'm going to enjoy today, by hook or by crook.... I have decided, so there!

Isn't the INTERNET wonderful? I have been browsing around and last night found this block pattern:

What do ya think of my version then? I am bloody chuffed with it!

Time to take a break, I've done 5 blocks this morning! Having fun...

Oh and before I forget.... there is NO SHAME in unpicking... NONE! Just wanted to say that. ( not that I have done MUCH unpicking you understand).....

Well after saying I was taking a break.. I did another block.. and now my back is killing me and I really am stopping for a while! It's hard work bending over cutting out material and sewing it. Another thing, I have decided NOT to use the two blocks I've made with the green and yellow cos I hate them! In fact its the green and yellow I hate... so out they go! Going to find more patterns now.

"chuffed" means really happy, proud of one's effort.

"unpicking"... unpicking one's sewing cos you stuffed up!

End of day: went to weigh in... should have stayed at home! Gained 1 kilo... TOM could have something to do with that I suppose.

NSV: sewing for hours keeps you away from the pantry, this is good. nite nite.

WRITERS BLOCK....

Shit me mind is totally blank this morning! ................yep, still is.....................................................................

Today:
- Kids to school
- do some bloody housework
- go into town to pay a bill or two
- see if the letterbox flyers are ready for me?

That's it, totally normal day! later....

HOW COME...
- for the last week every time I've looked at me sewing machine I have just felt like throwing it out the window?
- today I feel really excited about doing some sewing?
- how come for the last few days my legs have felt like lead weights?
- today they feel fine?
- how come for days I have felt dejected?
- today I feel really 'up'?
I really just don't get myself at all... up and down, up and down... is this the beginning of something I should be worried about??? I am DRVING MYSELF NUTS PEOPLE. And really this is not good.

I live to drive other people nuts, not myself.

How bloody cute!

HORMONES? Oh ok then... so what explains the other weeks when I'm so up and down then? Just being a bitch then? I give up!

I've been to town, bought Griffin a new school sweatshirt... no point putting it off anymore, we are obviously here for the winter. BUGGER IT. I had thought last winter would be our last one here, no such luck.

I have spent an hour this afternoon 'doctoring' Griffin's new school sweatshirt... I defy any bugger to say this one is theirs!!! There is light blue and orange stitching all over it!!! And even on the inside facings too...

I get sooooo crabby when some bugger nicks one of the kids sweatshirts... it happens all the time. And cos every kid is dressed the same you can't tell if they have their own uniform on or not... so that's why I've doctored my kids ones.
End of Day: it's been an OK day, kinda got some stuff done...
NSV: Feeling very motivated .... nite nite.

IT'S A 'STAY AT HOME' DAY FOR SURE!

I am staying home today, probably tomorrow as well.... there is a full on FLOOD in this house! I've been up and down all darn night.... HAPPY HAPPY JOY JOY.

Griffin has woken up feeling a bit better by the look of it, this is fantastic cos he can go to school! If he had to stay home I would have probably ended up throttling him! Sick kids and me don't mix too well... and boys are so much worse than girls when it comes to them being sick. IKKKY.

Steve is coming over today to get a few jobs done around here, he's finding it very boring being 'at home' with no job... no mates to hang out with, so me thinks he will be trying to get himself sorted out quick! Well I hope so anyway, it's not good for a young guy to be on his own so much.....

ANNE: Steve's visit to the Dr went as per usual... he's on medication to lower his stress levels which in turn should stop his postural hypotension from being so chronic.... The Skates.. I'm still at the 'bumbling' stage! Just need more confidence then I will be fine.

Just been talking to our Real Estate Agent.. I put an idea to him... make up letterbox flyers and I deliver them around the area... it MAY help? So, he's going to print lots and my job will be to deliver them... I CAN DO SOMETHING CONSTRUCTIVE at last besides clean the bloody house! YIPEE. Hope to get going on that tomorrow.
WOO HOO.... I just got this month's power/gas bill... $85 ! I'm a legend at cutting the power bill.... just get rid of ya teenagers and husband.... well I don't recommend losing the husband bit... but DEFINITELY the teenagers!!!

Working on me trip to Melbourne... I will be staying in Williamstown, Melbourne... and hope to 'run' into a couple (?) of bloggers !!! Saturday or Sunday (21/22nd June) afternoon/evening would be good! Any ideas people???


End of Day: it's been a VERY quiet day... luckily I didn't have much to do cos I have felt awful! A hottie and a few Panadol have helped. Steve and Mike were here for dinner, made a 'quickie' dinner for us all.... and have enough left overs to mean I don't have to cook tomorrow night. ya.
NSV: Well I feel fat, I look fat, so no victories today! nite nite.

SUNDAY... BLOODY SUNDAY

I bloody hate sundays! Two reasons.... it's Open Home Day, which means masses of cleaning, then high expectations always dashed. And it's the day Stew goes back to Auckland again. boo hooo.

The Real Estate "Boss Man" is coming around to see us this morning too... I have already told him if he's coming around to try and get us to drop our price again he can suck eggs, we ain't gunna do it! Maybe he thinks he can talk Stew around? Fat chance.

I am still in bed .... have to drink me hot chocolatte eh? Then it will be all on.....

Well Tim has been and gone.... poor man ... I reckon he was quaking in his boots! He does want us to drop the price... or at least advertise that we are prepared to look at all offers over a certain amount... grrrrrrr... I have agreed to rewriting the ad to attract more viewers, but I am still not going to accept a shit offer!
Stew is now busily vacuming the house, I am sitting here feeling very sorry for myself....TOM has FINALLY arrived after 64 days!!!! I feel like shit..... my back and tummy are KILLING ME. Oh the joys.
Stew has gone.
First time ever no one came to our Open Home.
Am feeling flat and sad.
Going to go make Apple Crumble - comfort food.
End of Day: comfort food is NOT COMFORTING... Griffin has a temperature and a sniffle.... I still feel bloody awful... tomorrow might be a day in bed !
NSV: I VOS BAD. nite nite.

POOR STEW, I'M SUCH A BITCH

Misunderstandings abound.... last night Stew wanted to 'just check the score' on the rugby, seems he had no intention of watching it.... but when he flipped over to rugby I packed a wobbly thinking that's all he wanted to do and went off to my room to watch something else!!! so he continued to watch it, and I continued to think he only came home to watch rugby... so we ended up in a 'no win' situation ....

Anyways, we sorted it out later on and now I just feel like a crabby old bitch. Poor bugger can't win it seems. I'm blaming it on MENOPAUSE OK? Helps.

Today: I'm going to morning tea with a girlfriend or two... then home to spend some time with the man/kids.... well hopefully more with the man (sick of the kids).

CHANGE OF PLANS: Stew just showed me his new suit pants, both pairs have a serious pilling problem... so we are taking them back to Otaki where we got them from... they are under warranty for a year... and cost an arm and a leg!

I mean.... ya don't expect this to happen after only 3 months eh? So, I ain't going to morning tea afterall.... later...

Home again... dropped off the pants to be sent back to the manufacturer.... had a lovely lunch and I'm proud to say I was ever so good and only had a few chips, no sour cream and a really HEALTHY chicken burger ...... then we checked out the clothing shops....

I got this really neat top and Stew got a t-shirt ....
both being 'New Zealand' themed, which is nice.

Griffin did his usual "I'm out, I'm gunna be a little prick" scenario... so next time we go out I am going to leave him at home with Steve... he's got to learn that his bad behaviour is NOT going to be tolerated any more! He manages to ruin every family outing we have by being so naughty! I'm OVER THAT KID.

End of Day: a neat day .... and I stayed on track, might have gone over a bit on the points, but not too bad. nite nite.

I'M GUNNA GO BEGGING TODAY!

Stew is due home tonight, I am so looking forward to seeing him.

What else?

Well, kids to school, then I am off to Pak N Save supermarket to help Arohanui Hospice raise funds for the year.... I'm begging..! OK... maybe not begging, but certainly asking people to make a donation! I'm doing a 2 hour stint, then will probably grab a few groceries and come home again.

No other plans yet... will wait and see how the day unfolds. later...

Well that was fun... and bloody freezing sitting in a supermarket doorway.... but lots of lovely people gave up their money, and I happily gave them a donation sticker on their chest! Funny how many people said "No I don't need a sticker" !... HA! No one got away from me, everyone got a sticker! I even chased one bloke out the door and slapped it on his chest... made him laugh. The only other 'interesting' thing that happened was one old chap came in, saw me and what I was collecting for and yelled at me "THEY DIDN'T HELP MY WIFE DID THEY, SHE DIED"! And stomped off! UMMMM Hello, it is a HOSPICE mate! So rude.

Good deed of the day - DONE.
Picked up Steve and we are now home getting warm..... and fed.

...Further on the old dude this morning, I do believe he was still probably grieving so I didn't really mind once I thought about it. Well Steve and I have had a lovely quiet afternoon, I even had a wee nap! Want to be bright and cheerful and full of energy when Stew gets home eh? heee heee......



Steve is such a bully.. hardly seems fair against a kid who weighs about 20 kilos! Thing is, she loved it!

How cute is this: above... the two terrors reading a book together, snuggled up in their Spongebob blankies!

End of Day: Stew is safely home... and I am feeling really let down. He wasn't even in the house 5 minutes and the tv was on to rugby and he was sitting in his chair watching it. I wonder why he drove all those hours home for? To watch friggin rugby maybe.

NSV: I had lots to drink today and feel much better for it... I think I was not drinking enough .... nite nite.

SOMETHING TO LOOK FORWARD TO...

I decided last night... to go to Melbourne in mid-june to attend my niece's Police Graduation! I had thought it would not be possible as Stew is away... but he is going to take some time off work and come home and look after the kids so I can go! I AM WRAPT.

Finally, something to look forward to... and I hear the shopping over there ain't half bad either! OOOOO! *DROOLING* shopping....lol.

Today: kids to school then hot foot it into town for my hair appointment.... that will kill the whole morning... then home to catch up on some blogs! I didn't read many yesterday as I was feeling so ill..... feeling quite a bit better today. later...
I have had a NICE day! Had the hair done, it looks just the same! And I love it....

I had lunch with my mate Chris D and her hubby, then I went and had me darn blood test (it was only 4 weeks overdue, come on people!)... then I went and booked me flights to Melbourne....


then I picked up Steve and brought him home so he could fix a couple of dings in the walls...

So all is good today, I'm feeling so much better today.... yipee.

End of Day: it's been a nice day, I havn't felt miserable at all today! and watching Steve do some gardening made me day too! I hates gardening! And I didn't want Stew coming home for just a day and a half and having to do bloody gardening! I cooked us all a lovely dinner of pork chops and veges.... delish.

NSV: I have had the day "off"... as I always do the day after weigh in.... it's kinda like a 'reward' for being good all week. works for me. nite nite.

HOPING FOR A BETTER DAY

Today:
- kids to school
- do some housework
- skip sewing class, not in the mood for chatty women

Am taking Steve to the Doctor this afternoon... he needs a sick note as he hasn't managed to get back to work... so has to go on a sickness benefit... not what he wants but he has to keep his head above water for now. He's talking about going to University next year... I hope he does do something constructive with his life. I couldn't bear the thought of having two kids on a bloody benefit all their lives, one is bad enough.

It is also WEIGH IN day... well tonight it is (5.30pm).... wonder if all the crap eating the past couple of days will make a difference? Hmmmmm.. we will have to wait and see eh? I hope I've lost something or it might just tip me over the edge into complete depression!!! Can't have that, got to spring back somehow.

OOOOO it's me Mum's birthday today too... she is 71 and doing well over in Australia with her man! Living in sin she is, ha ha ha! Lucky tart. I never imagined her taking up with another bloke after me Dad drowned... but miracles do happen and she deserves to be happy! Hope she has a lovely day.

Above: me Mum getting a birthday hug from a New Zealand fur seal in Coffs Harbour last year on her 70th Birthday! It was so funny!

I popped into town for some cash... gotta pay for the weigh in eh? anyway.... I havn't been able to find a Spongebob toy for love or money... then today I saw this:

A lovely polar fleece cuddly blanket... so grabbed two for the kids... me thinks they will love them! Mission "Spongebob" accomplished!

I've just had an 'interesting' experience.... had a nasty case of the 'shits' ... then had the mother of all hot flushes, hyperventilated, nearly fainted... and could hardly stand up! And all this 10 minutes before I'm due to pick up the kids from school! So I hops in me car (I can drive luckily) and go pick up Steve, who's now getting the kids for me! It was bloody awful .... me hands went all funny and stiff and claw-like, everything was tingling and I broke out in this massive sweat.... not nice! Hope that never happens again! I think I got dehydrated .... must drink more ... diet coke! LOL

Still going to Weight Watchers tonight....

*** I LOST 1.5 KGS THIS WEEK***

End Of Day: a weird day... feeling a bit better now.

NSV: I had my first weight loss in a long time... so I'm happy. nite nite.

HMMM, WHAT DO I HAVE TO LOOK FORWARD TO TODAY?

Well to be perfectly honest... I don't think there is anything good about today... maybe I will just get the kids to school and can go back to bed?

Oh hold on... CORONATION STREET!!!! That's on tonight, and it's getting rather interesting... will Tracy go to jail? Will Deirdre dob her daughter in? Shit, I can hardly wait!

So... kids to school... bed.... kids home from school... Coronation Steeet. HOW THRILLING CAN IT GET. Can ya tell I'm grumpy today?

So todays mood: PSYCHO/BITCHY... that about sums it up. onward.... go read another blog ... one that's NICE, cos this one isn't today.

I went back to bed.... lovely and warm it was too... but could I sleep? NO... could I enjoy it? NO.... my mind just went around and around in circles till it drove me nuts and I ended up just crying cos I'm so bloody miserable.

Now I'm outta bed, and thinking... thinking... might do something .. dunno what though.

I am sorry I'm such a misery guts today... just can't seem to snap out of it. Had a nice lunch of chicken/mushroom/tomatoes... but now feel really ill.... ? might have been the chicken or mushroom? Whatever, it matches me mood.

COFFEE BEAN: I like the idea of dragging you out shopping... shame you live so far away!

End of Day: been the worst day in a long time. NSV: none. nite nite.

NEAT, SCHOOL TODAY

well... another week starts... they sure are going fast.... it's nearly the middle of the year and I'm still stuck here in Freezing Palmy... booo hooo! I didn't hear from the Estate Agent last night about yesterday's viewers... so no doubt a no go.

Here ya go, a couple of photos from yesterday, above: Amanda and Steve playing Wii... me thinks Amanda wants one now...

The kids got spoilt while they were out too... Griffin chose a car ramp thingee and Brylee got Polly Pockets... they are really chuffed about that. I forgot to take them shopping on saturday, so might try and find those Spongebobs today. I have a Mother's Day gift voucher to spend... oooo fun!

Right, gotta go.. beds, breakfasts, lunches etc await....

Above: the gorgeous flowers Amanda and Andrew gave me, and also a cute thingee that goes on me phone ... it says "Care Factor Zero", yep that would be ME!

Daugher #3 gave a gift voucher to my favourite kitcheware shop... I really needed a new baking dish.. WELL they had this set on SALE ... down from $205 to only $99 BARGIN!!! I am bloody wrapt... oh and I also got a couple of silicone oven mitts... badly needed. Lets say they came from Brylee and Griffin!

Ahhh, shopping.... BLISS.

End of Day: sorry, been tardy in me updating... been pissed off actually... the viewers from sunday came back with an offer... $100,000 under our GV !!! Ummm no prizes for guessing where I told them they could go. bummed out and crabby now.

NSV: I ate my annoyance, not good. nite nite.

MOTHER'S DAY

I pinched this from The Old Tarf...
25 Reasons I owe my Mother

1. My mother taught me TO APPRECIATE A JOB WELL DONE
'If you're going to kill each other, do it outside. I just finished cleaning.'

2. My mother taught me RELIGION.
'You better pray that will come out of the carpet.'

3. My mother taught me about TIME TRAVEL .
'If you don't straighten up, I'm going to knock you into the middle of next week!'

4. My mother taught me LOGIC.
' Because I said so, that's why.'

5. My mother taught me MORE LOGIC.
'If you fall out of that swing and break your neck, you're not going to the shops with me.'

6. My mother taught me FORESIGHT.
'Make sure you wear clean underwear, in case you're in an accident.'

7. My mother taught me IRONY
'Keep crying, and I'll give you something to cry about.'

8. My mother taught me about the science of OSMOSIS .
'Shut your mouth and eat your supper.'

9. My mother taught me about CONTORTIONISM.
'Will you look at that dirt on the back of your neck!' or 'You can cut that out lad, or you'll be smiling on the other side of your face in a minute.'

10. My mother taught me about STAMINA
'You'll sit there until all that spinach is gone.'

11. My mother taught me about WEATHER .
'This room of yours looks as if a tornado went through it.'

12. My mother taught me about HYPOCRISY.
'If I told you once, I've told you a million times. Don't exaggerate!'

13. My mother taught me the CIRCLE OF LIFE.
'I brought you into this world, and I can take you out.'

14. My mother taught me about BEHAVIOUR MODIFICATION.
'Stop acting like your father!'

15. My mother taught me about ENVY.
'There are millions of less fortunate children in this world who don't have wonderful parents like you do.'

16. My mother taught me about ANTICIPATION.
'Just wait until we get home.'

17. My mother taught me about RECEIVING .
'You are going to get it when you get home!'

18. My mother taught me MEDICAL SCIENCE.
'If you don't stop crossing your eyes, they are going to stay that way.'

19. My mother taught me ESP.
'Put your sweater on; don't you think I know when you are cold?'

20. My mother taught me HUMOUR.
'When that lawn mower cuts off your toes, don't come running to me.'

21. My mother taught me HOW TO BECOME AN ADULT
'If you don't eat your vegetables, you'll never grow up.'

22. My mother taught me GENETICS.
'You're just like your father.'

23. My mother taught me about my ROOTS.
'Shut that door behind you. Do you think you were born in a barn?'

24. My mother taught me WISDOM.
'When you get to be my age, you'll understand.'

25. And my favourite:
My mother taught me about JUSTICE
'One day you'll have kids, and I hope they turn out just like you.



I think I have said almost all of these to one or other of my kids over the years!

Another one I love and have said a million times....


When I can hear a kid screaming outside: "There better be blood, or you are in trouble for all that screaming"!


In fact, there's heaps more I'm sure!

ANYWAY, it's Mother's Day ! Happy Mothers Day to all you Mums out there, I hope you have a fantastic day.
Amanda and Andrew arrived here safely last night... they are, like me, still in bed .... I'm waiting for breakfast in bed, somehow I don't think it's going to happen! Oh well.... better get up, fed the kids, tidy the house in readiness for this afternoon's Open Home.

Wouldn't it be nice to be spoilt on Mothers Day? HUH! I have vacumed, washed floors, made beds, tidied rooms, dusted.... shit you get the drift! One day....
Amanda and Andrew have taken the kids out for me so I could get the house tip-top for viewing... only 1 couple through today... they LOVE the house (who doesn't?)... just wait and see now.

Totally knackered .... gunna relax for a while.... before getting dinner for everyone. 'Mothers Day" my arse!
End of Day: yeah baby, I DID feed everyone.... with a little help from the local takeaway shop! Stuff cooking on Mothers Day! NSV: got lots of exercise, felt good too. nite nite.

I'M FEELING A BIT FLAT ...

*** yesterday's post has had a tiny bit of "editing"***

Stew won't be home this weekend.... so I'm on me own again.... until tonight anyway! Daughter No#1 is coming down with her fiance to visit, that will be lovely eh? (there is a gag order in place)

Seems there are some things I am not supposed to/should not put on me blog! AAALLLLRIGHTY THEN. (Just so ya all know, Lacy read my blog entry yesterday morning while she was still here, but did not MIND what I had written, she could have asked me to remove it and I would have, I am really pissed off right now. I don't as a rule put really personal family stuff on my blog, some things should stay in the family... but yesterday's entry started out quite 'innocent' really... and ended up a huge blow out of explaining why we had the kids, bla bla bla...and certain family members took exception to it) Maybe in future I shall be a bit more circumspect with what I put on here? 'Family' censorship has been established it seems.

Above: my 'normal' look.... Griffin chose the picture, he LOVES Spongebob Squarepants! Maybe while we are out this morning at morning tea with the girls I will try and find them both a Spongebob soft toy.
Above: I have bloody sore nipples, lucky I ain't got 17 then eh? LOL. 57 days... without me monthly is reeking havoc with me ... sore boobs, bloated belly... backache, stomach ache... any wonder I look and act like a crabby old tart! And I AM NOT PREGNANT... I took a test even! I was getting PARANOID. HEY.. guess what? I can put on me blog whatever the hell I want about MYSELF! Me tits hurt people!

Right, enough nonsense, time to get ready to go out... later...

The kids and I had a lovely morning tea with the girls... and I got 'TOLD OFF' by Sandra... my 'old' weight watcher Leader... I am very good at giving good advice to others but not so good at doing it 'right' myself.... so she is taking me for 'one on one sessions' .... whatever that means! Me thinks she is taking me under her wing... Awwww shucks, she loves me! Actually, I loves her too, she is wonderful.

You have to feel sorry for Steve right now, I have him moving the sauna from the rumpus room down to the garage AGAIN!!! I want to set up my sewing machine in the rumpus room..... I am always moving stuff around! You can bet Stew's happy he ain't here right now....

The sauna is in the garage, the sewing machine is on the writing desk in the spare double bedroom upstairs, and I decided to get the boys to take up the marble top unit and put it in the rumpus so I could set up a 'kitchenette' .... to show the versatility of the rumpus room:

Believe me when I say this was a bastard of a thing for them to get up those stairs, around the bend and into the rumpus room! They dinged the wall at the top so I have to fix that up and paint it before the open home tomorrow!

I am very happy with how it looks! It's a lounge/kitchenette now. Shows the upstairs could be a self contained two bedroom unit.

End of Day: I'm totally knackered, got lots done. Lots to do tomorrow too... NSV: well, not been too good today but got lots of exercise! It evens out. nite nite.

I AM VERY OPEN MINDED, NOT MUCH SHOCKS ME...

In the last couple of days I have sat and listened to Lacy and her mate talk about her having a threesome last week, not to mention all the other guys she's been with over the years... (edit: SHE TOLD ME ABOUT THE THREESOME)

Her pot smoking ... (OK, I smoked pot TWICE in my early 30's), so I can't get on my high horse with this one...

Her pill popping ("It's not like I'm sticking needles in my arm Mum!" ... (like that makes it better?) Edit: SHE TOLD ME ABOUT HER PILL TAKING.


but what really really upset and shocked me was the BRANDING on her arm!!!

why the hell did she feel the need to do that? She reckons she was just showing her mates she was STAUNCH... my mind just boggles. She has scarred herself DELIBERATELY! It's not like a tattoo, it's a bloody burn scar on her arm! (edit: SHE LET ME TAKE THIS PHOTO AND PUT IT ON THE BLOG, knowing I thought it was awful)

So, she's going today, I am happy to have seen her of course, but just as happy to see her go! I don't 'get' her at all... she is living on a sickness benefit, before that the Dole... and I wonder if she is ever going to get her life together and become a responsible member of society and not just a drain on the welfare system? She is 28 now! At least she isn't pregnant I suppose.

TODAY:

The kids have the day off school, it's 'TEACHER ONLY' Day... just what I feel like after just having got them back to school after the holidays!

No plans yet... except get the house tidy...

Anonymous: Yes we took her babies... so yes we ENABLED her to continue her merry way....but what were our choices? Leave them with her to be neglected and end up in care? Or have them adopted out? (Edit: Lacy wasn't too happy about this bit!) THOSE were our choices.. and we chose to love and care for OUR GRANDCHILDREN, and make sure they had the very best life we could provide for them. Our daughter does EXACTLY what she wants, we have NOTHING to do with it, we do not ENABLE her to do drugs, be promiscuous, bludge on the Welfare.. those are her CHOICES... nothing we say or do will change her FREE WILL. Obviously you either have no children or have PERFECT children! Either way, I refute your claim that we are enabling her behaviour! As if! AND let me assure you, she knows there is NO WAY IN HELL we will ever take another baby in, so there! NOT enabling her in that respect either. Maybe that's why she has not had another child in 6.5 years eh?

Lacy and OUR babes.... no matter what choices you make in your life, I will always love you Lacy. And you made two GORGEOUS children.

LYNISE: Your comment made me cry, cos what you said is so bang on... I worry about the life choices Lacy is making and I worry about how her life may turn out, yet I cannot do anything about it. My door is always open to her if she wants to come home and turn her life around.

And yes, we made the choice to raise B & G for THEIR SAKES, not for Lacy's. THANK YOU for your excellent comment.

I too am gobsmacked that 'Anonymous' could be so insensitive and JUDGEMENTAL, but then not everyone is NICE eh?

Lacy and her mate have left, should be nearly home in fact by now. I have done the washing, dishes, vacumed the entire house, rearranged Brylee's bedroom, fed the kids, bla bla bla. Anything to keep busy.... I am expecting (?) a phone call from the Estate Agent sometime today about the viewers who came through the other day... trying NOT to get my hopes up. Had them dashed too many times already....Update.. they love the house, they cannot afford the house.. back to square one. GUTTED.

End of Day: well, it's been interesting, and so very nice to read everyone's comments! Some of you said a few 'choice' things that I would have liked to say...

NSV: yep, on track.... got no exercise though. Will try harder to get the balances right. nite nite.

FUN AND GAMES

So what do ya do when one of your big sisters is in town visiting? Ya lie in wait and when she comes through the door:You POUNCE, trip the tart up and ....

Have some fun!

Seems the silly tart just decided to come visit on the spur of the moment! Drove 5 hours to get here.... and is probably going again either today or tomorrow! NO, she isn't pregnant! PHEW. No she hasn't got a job... now that would have been worth her driving all that way to tell me! She is waiting for surgery on her hand, she punched a parking meter (2 years ago!) and it DID DEFEND itself! She busted up her hand good! Stoooopid tart!

Anyway... today: kids to school, tidy the house, maybe go to town and show me two visitors around a bit. OH and be damn good with the diet shit... I am an official Weight Watcher AGAIN... and I am glad! It is going to give me some structure and discipline again.... roll on next Wednesday night's weigh in.

In case you are wondering: Brylee and Griffin consider Lacy like an Aunty.. she is not their MUM, I am.... they know they came out of Lacy's tummy, they know she did not want to be their mother... no nasty surprises awaiting my kids when they grow up! We have always been honest and upfront with them, we are their Mum and Dad, AND their Grandma and Granddad. They understand this. As to how they feel about Lacy being here, she is just another visitor really. They have only seen her twice in the last 3 years! They love her like an Aunty.

End of Day: I'm tired! Having visitors is tiring... Lacy is LOUD.... and very annoying at times. NSV: I have been a good little vegemite! nite nite.

I AM GOING TO BE A ....

Our eldest Daughter Amanda is getting remarried in January 2009... and ... I am going to be the FLOWER GIRL ! I jokingly told her I wanted to be the Flower Girl... and now I AM!!!

I am leaning towards this sort of dress:

Do ya think it will suit me???? NO? Oh well, it was just a thought. I just hope I don't end up looking like this:

With fatter legs of course! Ahhh what fun that was! I am really looking forward to it!

Today:

- kids to school

- Go to Patchwork class.

That's it for now! later...

Picture this: I'm not long back from patchwork class, I am naked as a jay bird in me sauna and the phone rings. It's the Real Estate Man: "Can I bring a couple through right now?" FUCK! "Gimme half an hour" I say... on go the clothes, race downstairs, put away the washing, the dishes get thrown in the dishwasher, the vacum comes out and ..... all done in half an hour!

NOW.... we wait and see. This was the woman's 3rd visit to the house, her husband's first... she loves it, he's not so sure. May know something by Friday. Cross EVERTHING.

I have been asked how Steve is... he is so-so, still not back at work, not moved in here...he is resisiting that idea. I am not really sure what he is doing .... but one thing is for sure, if I sell this house, I AM OUTTA HERE! If he chooses to come with us that would be great, if he chooses to stay here, it is his life. There is only so much I can do.

Just to make my day NOT... daughter No# 2 has decided to come down for a visit today, bringing some guy with her... I can't wait..... GAWD. I have no idea what has prompted this visit... last time we saw her was August last year...FUCK she better not be pregnant! I am already raising her two kids! Think of me.....

So Lacy and her cohort arrived safely, and I promptly left to go to my first Weight Watcher's meeting again this year! As expected, I have put on another *5* bloody kilos... so off we go again. I can do it, I am determined to be a GORGEOUS Flower Girl! ha ha ha.

End of Day: well it's been a busy and interesting one... to say the least. NSV: I fully expected to have put on 10 kilos, so was kinda happy with only 5! nite nite.

YIKES, SLEPT IN AGAIN!

Tossed and turned a lot last night, dunno why... as a consequence...slept in. Makes for a mad rush getting kids ready for school... AND UPDATING! I know from experience I must update!!!

It is a gorgeous winters day, fine and friggin freezing! At least it ain't raining, and my house is nice and warm.

I think I have finally won the night trainging with Griffin too... I now take him to the loo at 11pm when I go to bed... and he is waking up dry and taking himself off to the loo first thing! What a relief! 8 kids TRAINED.... and I don't want to do ANY MORE, ya hear? NO MORE.

Today:
Kids to school.
Go to town and do some retail therapy! Want to find a couple of long sleeved skivvy's....that cover me bum... later...
MR PINEAPPLES: Dude you can visit again!!! lol

Well... I did not get the tops I wanted... just too cold to try some on! But I did score a couple of bedspreads for Brylee's room....

they are to go UNDER her duvets, to cover the mattresses and hang down to the floor. I also did a small grocery shop... and now I'm back home killing time till I go and pick up the kids from school.

I think I'm walking a bit 'funny' today... DOMS in my upper thighs no less.... they are paying me back for that walk yesterday! I am going to watch CORONATION STREET tonight on my exercyle... wish me luck.

End of Day: been a kinda OK day, nothing special, no dramas. NSV: I have been quite good, gathering my courage to start going to Weight Watchers again...next week in fact. nite nite.

TIS A GOOD DAY, IT TIS

Well ya just gotta know I am happy about today! School's back on... YES YES YES! I have slept in, which is a bit of a bugger, but never mind, I will get them there on time!

The good thing is the kids are really looking forward to going back to school too, no temper tantrums about hating school in this house. Hmmm, wonder if it's cos I'm such a crabby old mother! lol

Anyways, once I get them to school I shall do the small amount of housework awaiting, then as it's very wet out there I shall get on me treadmill and exercycle and get some exercise! No more slacking around, no more 'waiting' till I get to Auckland to pull finger... it is going to happen NOW.

onward....

Friggin HATE the treadmill, so I went for a walk in the wind and rain... I took an umbrella this time! Below is my 'here for now' walk:

I was a twit and wore the wrong socks, so now the soles of my feet are darn sore... but I feel great! Am going to have a sauna now...

It has been a very quiet day... dare I say BLISS? And I have totally caved in and just turned on ALL THE BLOODY HEATERS. I can't stand being cold.... I'm bloody crabby enough without being cold and grumpy as well! so, the kids are safe for now... lol.

Mike is here washing his hair, he's getting a HAIRCUT!! Eeee gads, the boy must have a temperature! Better go check he's feeling ok....

End of Day: the house is warming up, yeah! NSV: I walked! I did a GOOD walk... in the rain even! I am pleased with myself. Tomorrow.... exercycle. nite nite.

HERE WE GO AGAIN...

I'm sitting up in bed, tapping on me computer, drinking me hot chocolate.... BLISS. Must make the most of it, Stew is going again this afternoon, and I don't think he will be back for at least 2 weeks.

He is going to be "Acting Regional Manager" up there for the next month or so... a huge challenge for him.. but something he is looking forward to very much, as it is another opportunity to prove he is up to the job. WHEN he gets THAT job (in a couple of years?) we will be so much better off, so it's worth going through all this shit now, to get to there later.

After having had no Open Homes over the past month, we are back into them starting today.... I am not feeling in the least bit optimistic... I know that's not the right attitude, but experience has taught me not to be. Onward... got cleaning, dusting etc to get on with. OH YAY.

Today's Open Home... one group through only... but she had been here before, loves the house... but her husband is not too keen on the price. So anyway, she is going home to 'work' on him! Fingers crossed (AGAIN)....
Expecting Stew and the Kids back from town soon.. he has to leave for Wellington soon. *BIG SIGH*

I have had to "Griffin Proof" my sauna! There is a piece of ply across the controls and a padlock on the door now... cos I have caught him upstairs playing in it with it ON!! All I need is to go up there and find one 6 year old boy shrivelled up like a prune in the corner of the sauna! GRRRRR ... luckily there is a dual control panel inside the sauna, so covering the outside one does not matter. It's acutally a really good idea to safe proof it from all children playing with it eh?

While it doesn't LOOK as nice.... it's safe. Now where was I? hmmmm... might just go read a book and have a drink with me man before he buggers off again.

End of Day: in all a nice day, no stressing over the Open Home at all! Just did a bit of tidying and that was it! Stew is gone again....... and I have caved in and turned on 1 heater in the dining room, closed the lounge and kitchen doors and will just heat up a tiny part of the house. It was 13 degrees in my lounge this afternoon, too cold.

NSV: yep, none. I will do better tomorrow I promise. nite nite.

SATURDAY

today's post was going to say : "I am taking a break, I have nothing nice to say so I will say nothing"...

BUT... I need this outlet to get my feelings and frustrations OUT.... and your feedback DOES HELP... so I will continue. But be warned... it will not be all happiness and fun. I am very very down today.

Stew and I have talked this over and it looks like the children and I will have to stay here, not just because of Steve's situation, but because moving is going to cost us in excess of $1000 a month with having to pay a mortgage AND rent in Auckland. We thought we could do it, but to be going backwards financially by that much every month is not going to work. We just can't do it. Well, we COULD, but this situation could go on for months and months yet and I do not want to use up all our savings on rent.

If Stew can find somewhere much cheaper for us to live in Auckland, then yes, it might still happen. But I am over being optimistic. and NO ONE suggest renting out our home down here, it just is not going to happen. Who would want to rent a huge house (and pay a huge rental) knowing that it is on the market? And let's not forget all the hassels involved with getting GOOD tenants, worrying about how they are treating your home, us having to move EVERYTHING we own and double move...... NOPE, AIN'T GUNNA HAPPEN.

I am going to morning tea with the girls soon, so better pull finger and put some face on!

I had the NICEST morning tea in ages, all my girlfriends barr one came... they perked me up no end... don't think I was very good company, but I tried.

Then Stew and I went back into town as per usual, fed the kids, wandered around for a while then came home. It is FREEZING in our house! and I'm STILL not going to put on the heating... in fact, I'm going to have a suana right now! That should warm me up.

End of Day: coming to term with things. NSV: I have been totally 100% on track today, feel good about that. nite nite.

FEELING QUITE NERVOUS

I am feeling nervous.... cos I'm going to ring the Auckland School today to make 100% sure the kids can start there next week... there is no point putting plans in place if that is not a definite!

I have to cancel the gas, sky, internet, rubbish bin, telephone.. change Doctors...

empty fridges and freezers, organise for the lawns to be done, get the house checked every few days... the list goes on.

So wish me luck, I need an emphatic YES from the school before I do ANYTHING else. I have had to wait this long cos it's SCHOOL HOLIDAYS, and no one has been at the school. I'm hoping like hell someone is there today, I've been told they may be having a 'Teacher Only Day' there today, so should be there. If not, I will have to wait till Monday and that is getting kinda late as I want to BE THERE on Wednesday!

This is what ya do when you are cold but don't wanna turn on the heating (it costs around $100 a week to heat this house)! A hoodie and a blankie... works for me. I may look like a Dork, but I'm warm! lol

BUGGER ... can't get hold of anyone at the school, so will have to wait till Monday. Not happy today... Steve is here, he can't work cos he keeps blacking out so it looks like he will have to go on a Sickness Benefit... something he has put off for ages and ages. This may throw a spanner in our works, cos I am hesitant to leave him here to cope on his own. I wish something would go right for me.
Stew is due home in an hour... we will have to sit down and have a good talk about our options AGAIN... I can't see me going to Auckland right now afterall. Maybe in a couple of weeks, once we can find a rental house and move WITH Steve in tow. I am not leaving him here, I just can't do it. It doesn't matter that he is 21 and all grown up, he needs our help. So Steve, when