GATHERING DUST NO MORE

With my recent facination with fashion necklaces and earrings, which I blame fully on Christy Ann who gave me that gorgeous blue necklace a while ago....I have managed to collect quite a few ... and I needed something to hang 'em on...  and yesterday I found just the thing :

ABOVE:  see?  It's an old candle holder, that refuses to hold candles!  It's been sitting in a corner gathering dust so I'm rather happy with it now!  AND the best thing ever... I've got ANOTHER one doing diddly squat too, so I've got room for MORE.  hee hee.

TODAY:  *sigh*  ... got a lady from Special Education Services coming this morning to discuss Brylee and HER plans for getting Brylee on 'the right track' this year.  What FUN. 
I think I will be having a very similar conversation with her that I had with the school lady last week somehow.

AFTER that I will be doing the housework.... as long as my back is not still as painful as it was yesterday.  My god, I could hardly move by the afternoon!  Even breathing hurt. 

Isn't it Valentine's Day?  Oh well... love ya Stewy.... don't need a 'special' day to tell ya eh?

ONWARD...

I'm off to the doctor.   I couldn't get out of bed this morning... I can't move without intense pain in my lower back... I can't even look down!  Brylee had to help me get dressed... she was a bit alarmed at having to put my knickers on me!  lol

Yaaa for doctors and their prescription pads:

ABOVE:   oooo they have helped immensely already!  The pain is not gone, but is certainly has taken the worse of it away.
Seems I should NOT be moving furniture and exercise equipment on my own.  *sigh*.... lesson finally learnt.  

The doctor is quite sure I have done some muscular damage that will get better in the next few days... my god he better be right.  I'd rather have a baby than that pain again!

The SES lady arrived on time, and to my surprise we had a very good meeting.  She took on board my concerns, how I felt railroaded into taking certain steps that I was not comfortable with... and we agreed on some things, and not on others.  All's good... I feel confident Brylee will have a much better year at school now.  *fingers crossed*

Off to sit in me lazy boy chair and do NOTHING... on doctors orders!  I usually do masses of housework on a Monday ... but not today!  There is nothing like being ordered NOT to vacum!  lol

ABOVE:  the other thing I really wanted to do either today or tomorrow was CHOP DOWN THIS BLOODY TREE!  It's getting too big and it is constantly dropping either leaves or flower petals or hard little seed pods... It's a shitty tree and it's going.
BUT MAYBE NOT TODAY. 

Brylee had a lovely wee girl home for a play date this afternoon.  For the first time ever it went sooooo well...there was no bitchy-ness... Griffin behaved (I bribed him)... and the girls got on really well.   They all had a swim then I took the girls downstairs and they sewed a heart cushion .... Claire got her's finished so she could take it home for her Mum... and Brylee is going to finish her's a bit later today when I've had a bit of a rest.

I am just so happy it was a lovely girly visit... and I hope we can do more... cos it will be so nice for Brylee.

I will put up a couple of photos of the girls sewing tomorrow. 

Stew just got home early.... he came home to help me out as I'm kinda incapacitated.  OOO he's going to chop down that tree!   Off to watch...

 GOING....

 GOING....

GONE.  Well... except for the stump, which his nibs will take out on the weekend.   Yaaa... no more mess from that tree.

End of Day:  a painful day... but bearable once the pills kicked in.  I'm sleeping in the lounge chair tonight ... the Dr said it would help keep me comfortable... rather than lying down.  Suits me!  Hopefully I'll get some sleep. 
DIET: spot on
nite nite

BEFORE... AND AFTER

ABOVE:  the necklace I got yesterday before I doctored it.

ABOVE:   and after.   I took off the cross and added a jewelled anchor, my sapphire and diamond pendant AND some paua shell dics.   Stew isn't sure the additions are in 'keeping' with the material of the necklace.... what do you think?

PERSONALLY I like it cos the additions are really pertinent to me.  Sea shell, nautical AND sapphires and diamonds... I mean... COME ON!

Today:  don't know yet.   We might go out and check out the new Chinese Market  (China Town) in Te Rakau Drive, Botany.   Who knows what we might find....

ONWARD....

Well we did indeed go out... and are going out again in just a minute to look at another house.
I took some photos at China Town, will upload them when we get back....

ABOVE:  some of the neat stuff at China Town... Sandra C I thought of you!  lol... for anyone who doesn't know, Sandra C (My former WW Leader and rather good friend from Palmerston North) collects bears.... she has well over a thousand!

It's so hot today ... that I jumped in the kid's splash pool.. ooo it was so nice.

End of Day:  apart from everything, a nice day was had.  Did I mention I have probably pulled a muscle in me lower back and can hardly move?  Well... I have.  Ain't nice.  Bloody hurts.
*sniff*
DIET: on track.
nite nite.

TENACITY

ABOVE:   about 18 months ago we planted two magnolia trees along this fence line for privacy... but then I realised that one had to go as it was blocking access through the side gate.   So, I chopped it down to the ground. 



ABOVE:  guess what?  The bloody thing has up and grown again.  Pfffffft... talk about TENACITY.  I wonder if FAT CELLS are like that?
lol

Somehow I think they are...

TODAY:  well whether he likes it or not we are going over to Ponsonby so I can look in that shop 'SHELL SHOCK'... even if I only look, I'm going!

What a day!  My feet are killing me... but it's been neat.  We went to 'Shell Shock'...

 ABOVE:  found it no problems...

 ABOVE X 3:   what an awesome shop!  It had lots of interesting chicky type things.... and I found a necklace SIMILAR to what my friend had... not as long as I wanted, but I still got it...

ABOVE: a couple of doors down there were some open stalls selling hand made clothes ... some really funky stuff which I loved.   But I am NOT buying any more clothes until I have lost 30 kilos!

 ABOVE:  a few more doors down we passed a shop called 'The Fairy Shop', which sold girls fairy outfits.  Griffin said "If we have to go in there I'm going to vomit in me mouth!".   Such a nice boy.
We didn't go in.

 ABOVE: across the street the MINI dealership, with a cafe above.  The upside down Mini caught our attention! 

 ABOVE:  the necklace I bought.   It is gorgeous, except I will have to take the cross off and find something else to add on the botton.  I won't wear a cross.  It would be hypocritical of me.... as I am not a religious person at all.

ABOVE:  also got these cute earrings, they were only $5 on SALE.  Score....

After that we went into the city proper and found some new business shirts and ties for Stew... have to pick them up next weekend.  Then went to Stew's work so he could attend to some business thafinat came up ... and   *sigh*, finally got home about 5 hours after we left.

Kids are now in their splash pool... and I'm going to sit down, put me feet up and relax for a while.  It's friggin spitting hot outside right now.

End of Day:  it's finally getting cool again...man I can't wait until winter.   I found something to put on the end of that necklace... will show you tomorrow.
DIET: not bad.
nite nite.

WEIGH IN RESULT AND....

Well..... I went to Weight Watcher's last night and expected a bad result.
And it was ... but not DREADFUL.

I GAINED .300 grams over 2 weeks.  So while it was a gain, it wasn't as bad as I was expecting.

Also, we found out at the meeting that were are getting a new WW Leader, we met her last night.

May I introduce her:

ABOVE:  she's tall, blonde, young, gorgeous, incredibly skinny and I immediately thought "stick insect".
I decided to have a yak with her ... and she's actually rather nice.  But ... I asked her to wear a sack and jandals next week so we wouldn't all feel fat and frumpy!  lol 

She lost 10 kilos to get to her goal, so time will tell if she can emphasise with people who really need to lose heaps.... and in my case... AGAIN.  edit:   she was already in the WW's "healthy weight range" when she joined too.... so now she is right at the bottom of her 'range'.... I asked her what her BMI was, she did not know, my guess is she is underweight.

*sigh*  Today:  doing some sewing. And housework.  Might even do some exercise.

ONWARD...

I had a yak with my former Weight Watcher Leader :  "Sandra Oh Humble Leader" this morning... oh it was so so lovely to talk to her!  I miss her and my other girlfriends down in Palmerston North  SOOOO much... *sniff*
She has made me even more determined to win the battle of the fat AGAIN... cos I know I can... I just need some support from my friends eh?
It isn't something some of us can do on our own...

WOMBAT:  I do kinda agree. But I am going to give her a go... ya never know eh?  Some people just have the right attitude to be INSPIRATIONAL... so we will see!

I have been working on a new 'sign off signature' ... will debut it tonight!  lol

OH and another thing... I am asking you all...PLEASE don't give me any more awards or ask me to do a 'tag'... I just don't have the time or inclination.  While awards are lovely, most of them come with 'conditions' that I just find tiresome.  So thanks, but no thanks. 

ONWARD...

For some reason I have no energy whatsoever.  I just feel blurg...ish.  I think it's the heat... and not eating enough today.  Dinner is cooking.
Pasta/mince/tomatoe/cabonara sauce.  Should be nice.  Nearly ready.......

End of Day:  a good day... dinner was yum, the guys in the house certainly thought so... they came back for seconds!  lol
DIET:  Great.
nite nite

SORE FEET AIN'T THE HALF OF IT

WARNING:  too much info!

Yes, I had sore feet yesterday...but there was something worse than that sore!

Me butt.  Seriously.   I must have eaten something that didn't agree with me cos I was on the freakin loo a dozen times yesterday!  It was not nice... and me butt got SO SORE!

I'm hoping it's now gone through and today is better!

Griffin does not have his speld lesson for now as his teacher is getting ready to sell her home.... so she is too busy. 
So it's just a normal Thursday here.  I am possibly going into town to check out a shop that sells funky fashion jewellery.
One of the ladies who came to Stew's 50th Birthday party had on an awesome necklace and she just told me where she got it... so I want to check the shop out.

Obviously I won't be buying anything this week.... *sigh*
... but maybe I can take some photos!
ONWARD...

Change of Plan.... I decided to wait until Stew can come with me over to Ponsonby .... he might be tempted to get me a little something!
Who Knows?

So instead of shopping, I'm down in the garage doing a bit of this an that... re-arranging a few things.  Can't help myself.

The 'issue' down in the nether regions has settled down thank goodness!  

A conversation between Griffin and Stew last night:


Griffin: "Dad do you know how it feels that you are so excited about tomorrow that you can't get to sleep?"


Dad: " Yes, so what is so exciting about tomorrow that you can't get to sleep?"


Griffin: "Cos Mrs Delany is such a nice teacher!"

I was so touched I had to let his teacher know, so I sent her an email and told her about the conversation.  She just emailed me back and said that had made her day!  Awwwwww.

I am going to Weight Watcher's tonight.  I WILL have a gain.  I own it.  And will try harder.

It has been a quiet afternoon... with me dreading tonight... but... I am due to hit the scales in about 45 minutes, wish me luck... I hope it's not too big a gain....

End of Day:  no one wished me luck!  Pffffft.
Going... you can wait until tomorrow now to hear my result.  *sniff*
DIET: ???
nite nite

BACK TO HOSPICE SHOP....

FINALLY, after 7 weeks off I get to go back to the hospice shop.

I have missed it a lot.

Maybe I've kinda missed the shopping too.... lol.

Knowing my luck Elite Fitness will try to drop off the Transformer for our treadmill while I'm out this morning.  Or not at all today.

Man are they gunna get an earful if it's not delivered by 5pm.

Well seriously, that's about it from me until I get back from the Hospice Shop...

Do ya reckon I'll buy anything???

I have about $20 till next week!!!  Think I can hold on to it?

ONWARD!

ABOVE:   $11.50.

Three books, two jars of plum jan, a top for Brylee and a top for me.  NOT BAD.

AND I have change.

My feet hurt.  I'm certainly not used to being on them for 4 hours straight.  We were busy, which was neat.  I loved being back.  I had missed the ladies down there. Can't wait until next week.

NOW... lunch!

Well, our treadmill's transformer was delivered mid afternoon, so all's good with that.  Had a 'nana nap' this afternoon... just could not keep awake!  When you toss and turn all night thanks to hot flushes and the heat and humidity it takes it outta ya I can tell you.  *sigh*
Now I have to think about making dinner for us.... soooo don't feel like cooking.  *hint* *hint* to Stewy!

End of day:  well his nibs brought home dinner, what a honey.
DIET: ooops,fail.
nite nite.

ARE WE RAISING A GIANT?

Yesterday after school the kids had a friend over to play.... he stays with his Grandparents  across the road from us until his parents pick him up.

When his Grandma dropped him off I thought he was so cute... and about 5 years old.

Until Griffin told me he and 'K' were in the same maths group!  Seems 'K' is 9 years old like Griffin.

ABOVE:  is 'K' small... or are we raising a Giant?  I know Griffin is big for his age, but really!  (Steve, recognise your clothes?  lol)  edit: yes 'K' is small for his age and Griffin is big for his age!  but it was good blog fodder!  ha ha ha

Today:  well it is Tuesday and I should be going to Patchwork Class... still can't decide if I will go or not... AND I should use the money I do have to buy the kids their stationery for the year.... which is $100.  NOT included is the $140 extra fees, or the $360 school DONATION.  Pfffffft.  Never ending money pit is school... and kids.

ONE DAY we will not have these sort of expenses, imagine what I can do then! OMG I could shop EVERY DAY.... 

ABOVE:  yaaaa (said with heavy sarcasm) ... now I get to name everything.  And NO, I don't cover the books with anything... I never have and never will.

I didn't go to Patchwork... and I'm not that sad about it either.  Now I can stay home and .........vacum.  *sniff*

ABOVE: yaaa, our Treadmill is finally home again... let's NOT tell Stew they forgot to bring back the Transformer for it... hopefully it will be delivered before he gets home and notices it's missing! 
It's been a right fiasco with this machine... they gave us THREE different invoices, with three different costing breakdowns... one didn't even add up to what we paid.  Grrrrr. It's all sorted now and we have a $256 credit with them for our trouble.  This is good... but I do hope they find our transformer and get it back to us pronto.

It's nearly home time for the kids so I better get off this computer, I know the kids think I live on it!

End of Day: and sadly the transformer did not come home so we can't use the treadmill yet.
Kinda crabby about that.
DIET: so-so
nite nite.

ENOUGH NEEDLES YA THINK?

Someone yesterday said I should make myself something for a change!

Well funnily enough I was right in the middle of doing just that.

I was sick of having my needles here, there and everywhere in my sewing desk and organiser... and I'd thought of making some sort of needle holder for ages.  So yesterday afternoon I did just that:

 ABOVE:   folded for storage....

 ABOVE:  and open.   I do believe I have A LOT of needles!  And does anyone know how I can keep the scissors from falling out the top? 

 ABOVE:  these are the gorgeous sea shell pasta (all the way from Italy no less) that we bought from NOSH on Saturday.

ABOVE:  they look gorgeous, cost a bomb... and .... not worth the extra cost really.   I cooked them up last night, added a Cabonara sauce, bacon/ham/mushroom and cheese... and it could have been ANY PASTA at all.  *sigh*... but they are still cute.  Just won't be buying them again.

It's the first full week back at school for the kids.  I am undecided yet on whether I will go back to patchwork class this term.  It's such a CHORE packing everything up to take to class!  I am just as happy at home now. 

Still, it's not until tomorrow so I can think about it some more.

I've got a 9am meeting the the Special Needs Co-ordinator at the school today... I just want to touch base with her and express my concerns with both the kids this year.

ONWARD... I'm feeling sick again... it's NERVES.  How silly, you would think by now I would be used to having meetings with School people???  Off to said meeting ....

LYNDA:  since you asked, here is my pin holder:

ABOVE:  I love it... the wee knob comes off to allow you to put needles in the side too... but I never do.  I must have bought this pin cushion in 2000 as it's got that date on the back.  It's made from New Zealand Kauri....  I can't think why I bought it way back then though,  as I hated sewing up until about 3 years ago!  Weird.  It must have caught me fancy at the time!   lol

I'm back from the meeting obviously.  I THINK it went well!  I was fine once I got started... I just wanted to point out my concerns about both kids and how the school is handling them.  The 'new' lady was looking a bit 'steamrolled' once I was finished!  Oh well... some things needed to be said.  So I said them.  SIMPLE EH?

Did you know that it is 75% easier to jump in the shower with your dog to bath it than run a bath?  Take it from me, it is!  Two dogs much cleaner now.  Me?  Hot and bothered.  Not clean.  Need a shower myself!

Kids had a friend over after school... which was nice.  Met the grandmother of the kid, she's a neighbour... lovely lady.

Dinner is lamb chops with mint  sauce gravy... smells delish!

End of Day: and it's been a nice evening... which I spent watching the telly while clipping the dogs some more.  I think they look rather hideous, but at least I saved a lot of money!   Maybe I will get better with practise. *sigh*
DIET: ooops, just ate chocolate.
nite nite.

I AM SUCH A TWIT!

The other day I was hunting in my 'stash' of fabrics for a small piece of green fabric for a bag... and I did not have any!   I was perplexed, as I was SURE I had some.   I hunted high and low through my open shelf 'cupboard' where I keep all my fabrics.  No luck.

So I went to Spotlight and bought some.

Then last night as I was sewing the Baby Bag for Emily.... I glanced to my right and was looking at the cabinet with the TV on it.... and at the drawers... and then I remembered....

ABOVE:   ooops!  I do have a bit more fabric than I remembered!  IMAGINE forgetting all this !!  I feel like a kid in the lolly shop.  Quite gleeful.    ha ha

TODAY:  friggin grocery shopping.  Can't live on cheese alone.  NEED more real food.  And loo paper.
JOY.

So, apart from that... I will go to David's Emporium for the bits I need to finish Emily's Baby Bag...

ONWARD....

Oh and it's 'Waitangi Day'... when we are supposed to celebrate the signing of the Treaty between the Europeans and the Maoris.  WHOOP.  The true meaning of the day has been long lost ... now it's just a non event to the vast majority, and a chance for a few to grandstand.
only my humble opinion of course.

The dreaded grocery shopping is done.  Nearly died from the heat and humidity lugging it all inside.  But it's done now...THANK GOD.  
Now cooking pizza's in the oven for lunch...

FINALLY:

ABOVE:  Emily's Baby Bag is done.   I am going to lend my baby shawl to Amanda ... I hope she uses it to bring Emily home in.   My maternal Grandmother made if for me (it was the first round one she ever made)... and I used that shawl to bring home Amanda, Lacy, Kelly, Russell, Steve and Mike... AND Griffin.    I think I loaned it to Lacy when she brought Brylee home from the hospital too!

End of Day:  another stinking hot, humid day.  I can't believe I could say such a thing, but I'm looking forward to winter!
Shock horror I know.
DIET:  so-so.
nite nite.

I'M NOT THAT NICE

Our treadmill died a good 8 months ago.
We didn't want to spend lots of money getting it fixed... I thought about getting a new one.

ANYWAY... Our friendly Elite Fitness guy (Adrian) said why not bring it in for an assessment, to see how much it would cost to have it fixed?

So we took it in about 3 weeks ago ...   and waited......... and waited...... and got several phone calls from the warehouse asking what was it doing 'wrong' so they could 'assess' it.

We got a phone call yesterday... they had up and fixed the bloody thing without asking us first if we actually wanted it fixed.  REMEMBER we had sent it away for an ASSESSMENT.... we wanted to weigh up whether it was worth paying good money to have it fixed, or to just buy a newer model (which I was wanting to do).     Stew, being such a NICE MAN, up and paid the $250+ for the repair.... but I was MAD.

So... I rang Adrian at our local Elite Store and told him how I was feeling.  AND I said "If the treadmill goes and dies again within a few months I was considering the money we paid for the repair as a DEPOSIT on a new one!"

Now Adrian knows us quite well (we have been in his store heaps in the past 2 years and bought lots)... and he said "I understand, and yes, the $250+ you just spent will be the deposit on a new Treadmill if required"..... LOL.... such a nice man.

I'm not nice.  I simply  TOLD him how it was gunna be.  He's clever is Adrian.... he knows when he's met a woman who knows what she wants.

But ... I do wonder if he will quake in his sneakers when he sees me again?????  I chuckle just thinking about it...  lol

TODAY:  ahhhh... it's saturday.  Stew is home, so are the kids.  Crap weather.  Might just veg out in front of the TV... or do some sewing.  Or shop. 
We will see!

'SHOP' wins. We are going out to do the grocery shopping, and check out a shop that sells rather nice cheeses near Stew's work.  It's called Nosh... and as it's near Onehunga I might just get Stew to divert to there too... there's a rather nice fabric shop in Onehunga!  lol

 ABOVE:  First stop.. NOSH... where we got to taste many of their cheeses, and ice cream, bread and oils... in fact the kids ate so much we really didn't need to feed them lunch!   We bought a selection of their 'TO DIE FOR' sausages... and after trying quite a few of the cheeses we settled on an aged cheese that has lots of taste.  Yum yum.

ABOVE: then we stopped in at the fabric shop in Onehunga... where I got this really cute Fat Quarter to make another giraffe wall hanging with... and a really cute button which will look good on a bag.

After that we went to Sylvia Park for lunch... then came home.  I couldn't face grocery shopping after all that food tasting and lunch!  It can wait until tomorrow.

Grrrrr.....80% finished the Baby Bag for Emily and I have no eyelets, no thingee's for the straps and no cord.  I will have to go out tomorrow and get them... WHAT A SHAME.... I need to go shopping again! lol
It is stinking hot here again today, you can't even move without breaking out in a sweat...diabolical.

End Of Day:  lovely evening watching a movie on the telly.... fans on full blast to keep cool.... dinner was really lovely.
DIET: not bad.
nite nite.

PACKING MY BAG

BUT NOT LEAVING.... lol!

I am going to pack an overnight bag for myself, and a bag for Brylee and Griffin, which will contain food, drink and games.

WHY???

Because I could get a phone call at any time, day or night,  from Amanda and Andrew to tell me their baby is on the way....  and I want to be ready to jump in the car and go!  
I'm hoping it's at a time that means I can leave the kids with Stew, but if not... they will just have to come and sit outside the hospital room!

Now for something so cute:

ABOVE:  Griffin asleep on the floor of his room.  He has two perfectly nice comfy beds to choose from... and he chooses the floor!  I put the fluffy wool rug in his room as I had nowhere else to put it... and he loves it.... obviously.  lol

Today:  well after packing those bags I'm going out to look at fabric.  I need a fabric 'fix'.... I haven't bought any in a while....even if I only get a fat quarter it will stop the craving.... ha ha ha!

ONWARD...

*sigh* no fabric bought... instead I got two new bra's... Double D's !   OMG.  I am no longer in denial...or half kidding myself.  I MUST LOSE WEIGHT.  Me boobs are friggin enormous. I AM SO  OVER BIG TITS.

*slinking off now to lick me wounded ego*

Yet again I got behind on my blog reading... so I just spent 3 hours reading and commenting.  I feel awful when I get so behind.  But life just takes over eh?
At least I still manage to blog myself every day.  I wouldn't know what to do if I didn't have my blog.  Probably keep a diary.... I used  to keep a diary years ago... until I had about 10 years worth cluttering up my closet!
So anyway, if I didn't get around to visiting you... SORRY.

End of Day:  I just did one of my most hated 'jobs'... trying to de-knot the dogs.   They are a bloody mess... knots everywhere...sore spots with scabs all tangled up with knots... god what a nightmare.  I managed to do a reasonable job of Teddy, but Coco is impossible!  I will have to get her groomed professionally next week.
DIET:  so-so.
nite nite

WHAT CAN I SAY BUT....... YAAAAA.

You all know why I think!
The kids are going back to school.... and I am going to walk them there, see them into their new classrooms and scuttle home, lie on the couch and bask in the silence!    lol

I haven't read the news yet about the Australian Cyclone... so will go and do that right now.....

ONWARD...

There isn't a lot of news coming out of Australia yet... we are at least 2 hours ahead of them... they are all asleep still! 
I've woken up feeling decidedly seedy... no idea why.  It might be a very quiet day for me until I feel a bit better.  My stomach is churning... ikkkk.

The kids are at school... I took them so I could talk to Griffin's new teacher... she seemed really nice.  AND I found out the new DP/Special Needs Co-ordinator is a lady I've met before, she taught Griffin a couple of years ago.... she's LOVELY... so fingers crossed we can work together to get Griffin on the right track at school THIS year.

BLONDIE: ? ...the new DP is not going to be teaching Griffin, her job is to try and get funding etc within the school to get a Teacher Aide or similar... and there is no guarantee that will happen.  We will have to wait and see ...

It's weird what you think about while you are washing floors!.... I got to thinking about Brylee and the last IEP meeting I had at the school about her... and her behaviour.
AND I realised a couple of things. 

1. She is picked on and singled out by other girls for ridicule.
2.  She reacts all the time by hitting back,either with words or her fists.
3.  Because she is always the one 'caught' being naughty she is always the one dragged off to the Principals office, and I'M THE ONE who is called into school to be lectured over her bad behaviour!

Now where is the fairness in all of that?
Why should the other kids who probably started it get away with it? 

With that in mind, I am going to speak up for my kid.  She is not always bad... she does have a problem with reacting to things in an inappropriate way.... it's just her nature.
I also know how groups of girls can behave, being mean and nasty to the odd girl out.... (Brylee).. and I am not going to let the school act like it's all her fault.
I fell into that trap last year.  I am not going to this year.... F&*k  them!

*sigh*... back to the floors...
Floors are done... I'm sopping wet from sweat perspiration... OMG it's like a sauna today!

I went up to the school this afternoon and made an appointment to see the teacher who organises the Special Education/Reading recovery etc for Monday morning.   I hope I don't forget!

I have been having 'waves' of nausea all day.... I have no idea why?  I'm starting to think it's just the stress of getting the kids back to school and worrying about getting the appointment to talk about what is happening with them both this year.

Some school 'people' have a way of making you feel 2 inches tall... and a fool to boot.  *sigh*

As for the Australian Cyclone, it sounds like it was terrible, but so far there have been no injuries or fatalities which is AMAZING and so lucky.

Yep I'm definitely wound up.. I'm having back spasms (like electric shocks up me backbone)... that ONLY happens when I'm super wound up.
All I feel like doing is lying down...
BUT... I have to cook dinner now.   I've got a lovely mince/bacon/vege stew on and I'm going to make it into a pie... but only pastry on the top for a change.

So, once it's in the oven I can relax and take a 'chill pill'.... Nurofen should do it.

End of Day:  a busy, kinda stressful day, but it ended nicely.  I had a long soak in a cool bath which was so lovely!  I hope it's not so hot tomorrow... nite nite.
DIET:  Fail.

THOUGHTS...

ABOVE: Cyclone Yasi bears down on Northern Queensland in Australia... and my thoughts go out to all who have had to leave their homes before it reaches land.  This cyclone is due to hit Australia today. 

As if they have not endured so much already this year... with severe flooding wrecking havoc recently.

Here in New Zealand we are hardly ever affected by such dreadful Cyclones, I am so thankful for that.

I think I will be glued to the news channel today so I know what's going on over there.

The rest of the time I shall be making sure the kid's last day before school is a nice one. I will take them out for lunch I think.

ONWARD...

Griffin's Speld teacher just rang me... they are moving up North and so Griffin needs to find a new teacher.  BUT she warned me there is a long waiting list for Speld Teachers and we may have to wait a while to get 'in' again.   She was terribly sorry as she knows just how much Griffin NEEDS the specialist teaching.  DAMN!

The kids and I had a lovely lunch out, posted a shirt to Blondie that I had bought for her son (as requested..lol), and have come home to enjoy the afternoon .... as much as one can with two bored kids in the house.

I've been watching the news all afternooon... apparently Cyclone Yasi is going to hit Northern Queensland late tonight.... the people who are in the direct path of it must be petrified!  It's the biggest cyclone to hit Australia in almost 100 years.  I will be on the computer first thing tomorrow morning to see what has happened.

End of Day:  yep it's early.... but nothing is happening here!  I've decided not to cook tonight...just don't feel like it!  So once Stew gets home we will decide what we will have in the takeaway variety.  Probably something like KFC as their chicken is super nice.
DIET: *sigh*
nite nite

WHO WAS THE BUTCHER THEN???

Our Granddaughter Rena has a new haircut.... her Dad did it.





Luckily it will grow out.... Mullets went out in the 80's eh?
Kelly dyed her hair black too... it's nice.

Today:  well his nibs is back at work (yeah I got it right this time)... and the kids and I will probably go out for something to do.... I can only look at the housework for so long before needing to get away from it for a while!  lol

Oh and I really should pull my finger out and finish a certain Baby bag for Amanda.... her wee girl will be here before we know it... ooooo I am so excited!   New babies are so ......ADORABLE!
(those bags are $50 each, change mats are $35... prices went up as I was only just covering costs before.)

ONWARD...

ABOVE:  I decided to do the twice a year toy tidy up today.... before doing anything else.
Griffin's room was driving me nuts... but it was worse, SO MUCH WORSE... in Brylee's room!  She is a hoarder.   Bits of paper, reciepts from the supermarket, labels, you name it. 

We have stopped for lunch as it's 1pm and they are now feeling hungry!

Well I have finally called a halt to the housework... totally knackered now.  Dinner is in the oven, vacuming is done, washing folded and put away, bla bla bla.  Gee I just love housework.... YEAH RIGHT.

And we have not managed to get out at all... that will have to be tomorrow.

End of Day: two more sleeps till SCHOOL starts!  B & G are obviously getting bored and restless... I know for a fact they are looking forward to school too... they have packed their schoolbags already!
DIET:  it's a struggle... but OK.
nite nite