IRISH GIVEAWAY!

MICKI over at Irish Muses is having a Christmas Giveaway... so pop on over and enter!

The countdown begins to Christmas... 4 more sleeps! I think I am ready for it! We have family coming in 'stages'... but not masses at any one time, so that will be nice... we can spend some good times with everyone....

I shall probably pop out again today... there is always a few last minute things to get.... even when you think you have got it all... something pops up and ya just have to go get yet another thing!

Like I just realised I have made no plans for Dessert on Christmas Day! Shit I have nothing at all! So... might have to get some pavlovas, make a trifle... bla bla bla. Now... what do I need for a friggin trifle? I only make them at Christmas time! Sherry! Sponge! Custard! Fruit! Jam? EEEEkkkkk I better go look in me Cooking Books.... if I can find THEM! I never use cooking books.... they are in this house SOMEWHERE.....

We bought the Susan Boyle CD yesterday.... now it's not my usual sort of music.. but hey! It's lovely.... just right for this time of year. And her story is lovely.... Stew would NEVER have bought it ... but I managed to twist his arm! *smiles*

CHRISTMAS: the time when you miss those who are not near you more... I've just been text'ing our two boys down in Palmerston North... ended up blubbing (crying)... I miss them soooooo much. That is the biggest drawback to moving up here... we left them BEHIND. Wish I could twist their arms into moving up here. If I could have just one thing this CHRISTMAS .. it would be for them to come home to us.

End of Day: and thank God for that! It's been a long day ... and I'm over it. nite nite.

PRETTY...

We planted two magnolia trees a year ago... to build up the 'screen' between our house and the neighbours... and they have got flowers this year! So pretty. I'm rather chuffed about them ....

Today: well we are going to hire a trailer and take all the agapantha plants to the dump hopefully.
After that... NO IDEA!

There is a fair bit of housework to be done, not that I feel like doing it.. but I suppose it won't get done on it's own eh? Bugger it....

Busy day... we went to Sylvia Park again... got some bits and bobs, turkey and ham for Christmas Day.... lunch out again... then home.

Stupid weather we are having.. friggin hot .. then rain!

Didn't get the rubbish to the dump afterall... Stew wants me to get a mini skip.... will try tomorow for that.

I did some sewing this afternoon, just shortened both my new Maxi Dresses... now I can walk without tripping up in them. I am not that tall ... *sigh*.

End of Day: quite a nice day in all ! Thanks for the yak Wanna! nite nite.

MY FOREHEAD IS .... PEELING.

Nice, such a glam look.. me face is falling off!
So, I will just have to get some more sun on it eh?
The HAIR:

Totally thrilled with it... and I know I will NEVER go dark again, even though quite a few of you thought it was nice... it all comes down to how I felt about it.. and I felt YUK about it! *smiles*

Last weekend till Christmas... and I am soooo looking forward to having Stew home for a few extra days over the Christmas break... we are dying to take the kayak out for some fun on the water! Of course, SANTA has to deliver it yet... *sigh*.....

ABOVE: a better photo of me hair. Gawd I feel like myself again.. and I can smile again! Yeah yeah, I know I'm not smiling fully, but it's a wry one! lol

We have been out getting HOPEFULLY the last presents... now have nothing to do but relax! Well, till I have to cook Christmas dinner anyway!

Stew went and bought a second DVD player... I have one in the garage to use when I'm sewing... so he got one for the lounge.. I'm sure SANTA is bringing some DVD's ya see!

End of Day: It's been a lovely day, we got all those blasted Agapantha's out today.. just have to take them all to the dump now... nite nite.

2ND NEW DRESS:

ABOVE: this is the dress my Mum bought me... and yes I am headless... I haven't done me makeup or hair yet!

And talking of Hair.. I'm off to the hairdresser this morning to finally get some blonde highlights back in... never again am I going all over dark. Just not ME.

The kids are spending the morning with their Aunty Ethel... yaaaaa.

I got some sad news yesterday... My Mum is the eldest of 10 kids... 5 girls then 5 boys... the youngest boy is only about 4 years older than me... mid 50's... and he has been told he has Lung Cancer. He has been quite ill for a while apparently.... I'm in shock ... but can understand this... he's been a heavy smoker all his life. The saddest part is that he is the father and has Sole Custody of a wee 3 year old boy. If I didn't already have Brylee and Griffin I would be putting my hand up to take him in. It breaks my heart that I cannot have him... but I just can't do it again. There will be someone in the extended family who will love to have him I'm sure. Life goes on....

I have spent the last 3.5 hours at the hair salon... I wanted to go mostly blonde again.. with some brown highlights..... this is what I got:

I CAN'T SHOW YOU! It was an unmitigated DISASTER... my hair went ORANGE... I am going back at 5.15 tonight for them to try and fix it!! I could cry.. but won't. It is my own fault for putting a dark brown dye in it I suppose! LIVE AND LEARN.

Now I am going to lie on my tummy for a while cos me butt is KILLING ME... sitting that long is the PITTS.

Just had the kids at the dental clinic... Brylee's teeth were great, Griffin's one filling had fallen out, so they redid it. All good for another 2 years it would appear.

Just found out from my Uncle that MINERAL TURPS will kill Agapantha's! Awesome, just spent about $45 on weed killer for nothing... still going to chop them out with the axe!

End of Day.. I've spent another 2 and a half hours at the hair salon.. .. and am now THRILLED to bits with the result! The hairdresser was really, really pleased with the final result too... apparently she got a right telling off from the bosses after I left this morning for sending me out looking like that... but it wasn't her fault and I made sure her bosses knew how thrilled I was when I left tonight. I will post a photo tomorrow.. the lighting is all wrong now to get a decent photo... going to have a late dinner now... nite nite.

ANYONE FOR THE SPLITS?

I got skates from America a couple of years ago.. then was just too wobbly to use them! So I have given them to Griffin.. they should fit him for a couple of years!
He gave it a go:


BUT as you can see... he spent more time on his bum than anything else! It was great to see him getting some 'exercise' ... ha ha ha!

Last day of school, they get out at 12.30 this afternoon.. then my days will be filled with being a 'Referee' again. You know how it goes if you are the mother of many... constantly sorting out squabbles. The 'Waltons' we are not!

ONWARD...

I am all HOT AND BOTHERED! I have been trying to get rid of 8 Agapantha's.. I have lathered them in concentrated Weed Killer, but the buggers just won't die.. so today I attacked them with an axe:

ABOVE: happy to report 'TWO DOWN'...

ABOVE: and only SIX to go! Shit it's hard work! Might just have to take a break...

End of Day: been 'yakking' to Amanda (daughter) over MSN all evening AGAIN.. and drinking my Totara Cafe... thought it was Friday even! derrr.... quite happily tiddly now... lol. nite nite.

SECOND TO LAST DAY OF SCHOOL...

So, I really must pull finger and get the rest of the kid's presents wrapped today... *sigh*.
Apart from that chore, I don't have any plans to day.. thought I might try to do a bit of sewing, and if it's fine lie in the sun for a wee while.

ABOVE: seen it before? Too bad, I love it! Really is ... like true~!


ABOVE: same with this one... I just delete all those sort of emails!... I don't believe in any of it! SORRY if you do!

ONWARD!......

It's ALL DONE! All gifts wrapped and hidden in the Cellar... thank God for that! Now I just have to get the kayak from where we are storing it and try to wrap it too~! I know... seems stupid, but I want to give it a go!

Might just head off into town to try and find a little something for Stew now.... we don't usually exchange gifts .... but as he is always 'left out' of the gifts given by my MUM for some reason.. I feel he should get something! And I loves him! *smiles*

WEll I found something for the 'man'... got a kebab for lunch and came home... not nice enough for suntanning, there's a cool wind and quite a few clouds.. so I watched telly... did a bit of this an that... just pottered around the house really. Kids are home now... one more sleep till they are home all day... yep, I'm a happy mother .. I'm sure!

End of Day: finished off my day with some gardening in the cool of the evening. nite nite.

LOOK AT THAT!

In JUST two months.. this is what has happened to Brylee's teeth!

ABOVE: BEFORE.......BELOW: AFTER!

ABOVE: BEFORE..... BELOW: AFTER!

ABOVE: BEFORE.... BELOW: AFTER!

I am thrilled to bits with how her teeth have responded to the brace... and to think I thought NOTHING could be done about her teeth for at least another 4-5 years!

Today I'm heading into the mall to pick up the last present for Xmas... and then it's DONE DONE DONE!!!! Well, except for a bit more wrapping!

This afternoon the RTLB teacher (Resource Teacher Learning and Behaviour) is coming to discuss Brylee's progress... AND to discuss Griffin! She's taking him on next year! FANTASTIC!!!....at last the Education System is doing something for him too!
ONWARD....

Just got a letter ... me boobs have NO EVIDENCE OF BREAST CANCER... woooo hoooo! So that's some good news. I'm awaiting the arrival of the RTLB lady....been out and finished my shopping...

The Resource Teacher came and went... she is going to start working with Griffin next year... but couldn't tell me how often or when she might start. But I am feeling confident that something is happening NOW. It's only taken 3 YEARS to get RTLB involved. Pfffffffft. Only been ASKING for 3 years too!

End of Day: it's been a great day, wrapped a few more presents, slowly getting through them. Nite nite.

LAST MONDAY OF PEACE....

The kids finish school this week.. and have around 6-7 weeks off over the summer. I AM THRILLED to bits at the thought!

Ha ha... well actually it will be nice to not have to rush around in the morning getting them ready for school, making lunches etc. And I know that what Santa is bringing them this year is going to keep them happily amused and occupied most of the time. So really.. it is not a time to go into MELT DOWN mode... lol!

But I must make the most of these last few days while they are at school to do all the Xmas present wrapping... I tried to make a start on it last night but was just too tired.

So today I begin... and I bloody well HATE present wrapping! Loathe it in fact. And I reckon Stew hates it even more than me cos that bugger VIRTUALLY NEVER EVER DOES IT. The shit.

ABOVE: I found this amongst all of my Mum's photos, it's TOTALLY ME. Going to keep it on my computer desk... cos I like it.

ABOVE: I just put all of Brylee and Griffin's and grandkids presents out on my bed... FAR OUT where do I start???

So... I wrapped some blasted presents (YUK, have to do more tomorrow), then took Griffin for his last session of the year at Kip McGrath... don't know if I will take him again next year... the teacher said he couldn't give me a progress report after having him all of this term... which I thought was a bit suckful. Will have to see what the school is offering for him next year first I think. It is sooooo expensive to take him to Kip McGrath... I thought they could have given me some sort of report?

Off to prepare dinner now... not sure what it will be.....some sort of FOOD !

End of Day: all is good... had a peaceful evening... got a few odd jobs done... off to bed now. nite nite.

FAMILY FUN

ABOVE AND BELOW: Where Stew's work 'Do' was held, a winery in west Auckland. It was gorgeous there too.After that function we went home and got ready for the family BBQ... ended up with about 13 adults and the 4 kids.

ABOVE: Feeding the troops...

ABOVE: My cousin's wee boy Nico.. such a darling wee boy.

ABOVE: Rena our Granddaughter. ...21 months.

ABOVE: Nico is only just two years old, and he has a cleaning fettish! He loved sweeping the floor... he can visit again! *smiles*

ABOVE: My Mum and two of her sisters. My Mum is the eldest of 10 children in her family... her Mum had 5 girls, then 5 boys. Clever tart.

ABOVE: Four generations of Mothers/Daughters

ABOVE: Me and Rena, with Teddy licking er toes... he has a foot fettish does Teddy!
ABOVE: Me and Rena again.

Today Mum catches a plane for Australia again.. quite early too. I'm hoping Stew is taking her so I can stay in bed a bit longer!

A quiet day is planned... freakin tired I am!

ONWARD...

It hasn't really been a quiet day! Went out for lunch with the kids and Kelly and Rena.. did a lot of housework... bought a small fence thingee for the back yard to contain Teddy in a certain area.. ate a lot of left overs... and now am going to relax for a while! Will try to visit some blogs later on tonight... if I get time!

I also want to start wrapping Xmas presents. I AM NOT going to be doing it all on Christmas Eve like I usually end up doing!

End of another lovely day! What more can I say? It's been LOVELY. nite nite~!

WORK 'DO', THEN BBQ

It is going to be one hell of a busy day today!
First off we are being picked up at 10 am to go to Stew's Work Christmas Do.... that is supposed to last until mid afternoon...

Then when we get home we have to get dinner organised for a family mini get together.. expecting 11 adults and 4 kids for dinner... We are doing a BBQ and hopefully I have everything kinda in hand for that already.

IF I get a chance I will post a photo of me dress (in it's entirety) before we head out the door....

ONWARD....

The dress: It's more black than blue.. but the accents are blue/white. You are lucky you are getting to see it... cos I am FAT and I feel ugly. *sniff*

We are having a FANTASTIC day... the work do was awesome... and the family BBQ is in progress.. it is just so lovely having lots of family here. I can't do photos right now.. must get back to the family... but just know.. I AM HAVING A NICE DAY.

End of Day: photos tomorrow, I promise. nite nite.

HORMONE REPLACEMENT?

A few months ago I started taking HRT pills to stop the hot flushes at night, when they were at their worst. It worked for a while, then they stopped working.. back came the hot flushes, which kept me awake all night..... So my doctor gave me a sedative, to make me sleep through the hot flushes!

THAT worked! I sleep... so... why bother taking the HRT (which wasn't working anyway) if I don't need to? SO.... I HAVE STOPPED TAKING THEM.. I still sleep thanks to dem gorgeous little blue pills. WIN WIN situation I do believe. Feel much better about that I do.

TODAY: Stew and I are going to finish off the Christmas shopping together.. he's got the day off courtesy of his boss... she felt sorry for him... and she REALLY likes him! Heee heee.... today might just be FUN~! Oh and my Mum arrived back here last night, so she is coming shopping too... yaaaa!

Just got home from shopping for hours! Spent A LOT of money! What fun. Think we have everything SANTA needed to get now. AND Mum bought me another dress... I am a spoilt tart. *smiles*

End of Day... me feet are KILLING ME! Did a huge grocery shop tonight too.... then had to put it all away. PHEW I am knackered! nite nite.

A SEA OF....

HYDRANGEAS! Second summer here.. and my cuttings from Palmerston North are looking great!

ABOVE: my favourite one.

ABOVE: WOULD ya look at that! TWO passionfruit... a whole two.. maybe next year we will get more? Hopefully B and G will NOT pick them off before they are ready. I might have to throttle them if they do!

ABOVE: a sea of... are they Agapantha's??? Whatever, I just sprayed weed killer on the whole lot down the right side... that is where we are going to store the KAYAK when Santa brings it! *smiles*

Today... well don't have any plans, hoping it's fine so I can get some sun.... might potter around in the garden....

EXCITMENT! I bought a new dress for Stew's Work Christmas 'Do' on saturday!!! Will probably show you all ON SATURDAY.....

ABOVE: ALRIGHT... I felt sorry for ya.. here's a SNEAK PEEK at the dress. na na nah nah!

End of Day.. and Shit a Brick it's midnight! Mum, Stew and I have been yakking all night! must go to bed.. nite nite.

WHAT A SOOKIE LA LA!

Ha Ha! Here's a short clip of Teddy getting groomed yesterday... he cried and howled the WHOLE TIME! I had to leave the lady to it and stay in the house because every time Teddy saw me he cried even LOUDER! The little shit, the whole neighbourhood could hear him.

Whoops, a bit late today!

I got waylaid by kids/postie at the door bla bla bla! I just got some gorgeous batik materials from my Sister in Law in Indonesia! Will take a photo soon and show ya all!

I'm expecting THE LADY FROM THE SEWING MACHINE SHOP here this morning to fix the machine again! Wow, she's actually coming here! WOW WOW WOW!

ABOVE: batiks all the way from Indonesia... I'm a lucky tart!

Sewing Machine lady arrived... mucked around with the machine.. couldn't get the new needle threader on... so she has taken it back to the Repairman, and will bring it back later today. Yaaa, she gets to do all the running around now. SCORE.

The machine came back! All is good there.. will test it out tonight.

It's been a super dooper fab day.. sunshine all day, no clouds... got to lie in the sun for a while... my kinda day!

End of Day: thrilled about today.. I got so much done... and the machine is going well too! What more could I ask for eh? nite nite.

TEDDY IS IN FOR IT TODAY!

Oh Goody! I have a Mobile Groomer coming today to tidy up the mutt... who was locked out of the house all of yesterday due to him having the shits. Poor dog.

Also have to go into town to pay for some Trademe purchases, some stamps.. for card making. Kinda like the idea of making my own cards, gift tags etc!.....

ABOVE: the stamps I won at auction. I just love the fish kiss one!
Too cute.
Right, better bugger off for now and get the kids off to school!

ONWARD....

All done... and I am thrilled to bits with how she has groomed him!

One exhausted little dog... ready to have a HUGE sleep to get over the trauma of being bathed/clipped! I'm off now to pay some bills... oh yaaaa.

End of Day: I'm friggin roasting! Just put a huge Bacon and Egg Pie in the oven. It's HOT today. And cos I'm bloody FAT again I am feeling it. Grrrrrr... pull finger... pull finger.... pullllllll me BLOODY FINGER... and lose some weight even! nite nite.

ASSESSMENT TIME:

ABOVE: a couple of photos of the area out Cleveland way (15-20 minutes from our home).. taken yesterday.. it's so pretty!

TODAY:

This morning Griffin is going to see a Child Psychotherapist .... arranged by the school! To try and find out why he is just not learning the same as his peers.
We have waited 13 months for this appointment! Hopefully it will help with SOMETHING?

After that I will drop him back at school and hopefully go home and relax for a while... I'm tired.

Home again... appointment went well... but time will tell if it helps. Griffin needs 'cognitive assessments'... where we were today don't do them, the schools don't do them.. we have to pay for it to be done privately... typical. So I have to wait for the child psychotherapist to send a referral to me before I can go down that road. MORE WAITING. Meanwhile Griffin falls further and further behind his mates.

I'm starving! Must go have something for lunch now....

Teddy has diarrhoea... thought you'd like to know.... ikkky.

Off now to cook dinner.. steak and veges...

End of Day: dinner was yum! Quiet evening.. looking forward to bed. nite nite.

DO YA THINK SHE WILL LOVE THIS?

Stew saw them advertised at Bond & Bond.. and as I have already bought a black one for Griffin for Xmas, I thought... NEAT! She will LOVE IT ... I'm sure.

And luckily for us STEVE our darling son is going to come up for Xmas and teach Brylee and Griffin how to use them. AWESOME... cos neither Stew or I know how the hell to use them!

ABOVE: Mum and Amanda this morning... Mum has just left in a rental car for Whitianga, where she has some business.. she will be back here later on in the week... yaaa. we can go SHOPPING together! LOL

It's a lovely day today.. quite warm. Think we are heading off to the mall now....

Well we ended up at Maraetai Beach for lunch by the sea! It was lovely.

Me under a tree... you can see how dark my hair is now... I HATE IT.... I am going to get blonde highlights as soon as I can. The darkness of it drags me down.

End of Day: and I think that photo of me is gross! I look and feel so fat and ugly now. I don't know what it is going to take for me to truly pull my finger out and lose the weight again? NO IDEA. But just know this, I am miserable about it. And I hate myself. TOTALLY. But tomorrow is another day... and I will try to enjoy it. nite nite.