ONE WEEK UNTIL CHRISTMAS

WOW!  Hasn't it come around fast?


I know I'm all ready for it.
What about YOU?


The only person I haven't bought anything specifically for is Stew.  He told me not to.  But I do want to.
What the hell do ya get a guy who doesn't want anything?


I ate chocolate and lollies last night.  I felt ill.  I had to wait ages to go to bed cos I felt so IKKKK.   I can't wait for the New Year when I can go back to Weight Watchers for a fresh start.  I KNOW I could limit the damage ... and I am trying.... but it's SO HARD when all the season's yummies are in ya face.


My 'won't' power is at an all time low.  


So many people love the Christmas season.  I don't really.  I try to enjoy it.  But it's hard when so many of my family are not around.  My kids are scattered.  My Dad and Brothers are dead.  My Mum and Sister are in Australia.  It's just not a 'fun family time'.  Too much sadness sometimes.


TODAY:   I'm thinking a road trip somewhere.  
Back later once a decison is made...


I had toyed with the idea of going to Hamilton to drop off the Xmas presents...  but the menfolk said NO.  So, Stew and I went through all of Brylee and Griffin's clothes, weeded  out all that didn't fit ... so now their drawers are ready for any new stuff SANTA might bring.


That's a good job done.  
We are heading back to the mall after lunch so Steve can do some Christmas shopping.  I'm in a much better mood today.  No headache.  I had one all day yesterday.  I blame the chocolate.


I asked the guys to do ONE JOB today.  Affix the headboard to Steve's bed.  I got that headboard months ago... and it is still not on the bed.

ABOVE:  the guys giving it due consideration.  The holes on the headboard do not line up with the holes in the bed.  It's proving to be a stumbling block for them.  But I am sure if they put their minds to it they can sort it out... hopefully.

ABOVE:  they did it!  Steve had to go down to his work and get some longer legs for the bed and bolts to hold the headboard on... and now it's sorted!  The bed is also now 7 inches taller!  That is not a bad thing, it gives me another place to hide things under!  lol


We went back to Sylvia Park Mall after lunch.  It was PACKED TO THE RAFTERS ... trying to find a park for the car was a mission!
But, we had a successful shopping expedition, Steve got all the things he wanted, and then we came home.  
I'm loving the weather, even though it's wet ... it's cooler!


End of Day:  another day down and another day closer to Christmas. The kids are starting to get excited.  
nite nite

DRAT, NOTHING INTERESTING TO REPORT YET TODAY

In fact, most day's I have bugger all to 'report', it's just normal everyday life around here.


I'm thrilled to bits that I am on top of the Christmas shopping/wrapping for once in my life. There is nothing worse than having to spend hours on Christmas Eve wrapping all the presents.


Today we have no plans ... Steve is working, so he's not heading down to Hamilton to see his girlfriend for once.
I feel like we should stay home and do some serious housework ... there's quite a few things I don't get around to during the week that could certainly do with being done.


Ever gone around the house just looking at the doors?  MY GOD!  Talk about filthy.  Fingermarks all over them.  Freakin kids with their grubby hands!


AND BOYS.  Ikkkk, messy things boys.  

Someone did ask me if I was doing the big 'Christmas dinner' thing this year?  Well I'm darn happy to say NO!  We are going to Stew's sister's for Christmas dinner.  I only have to take a salad or two and something for dessert.  That's gunna be easy.
It will be the first time in years I haven't had to do it.  

ABOVE:  I'm going to make Ambrosia for dessert.  There is nothing easier than that!  It's just whipped cream, yogurt, fruit and marshmallows all mixed up and allowed to set!  YUM!  Sometimes I add little meringues too. 


See, clearly I have nothing to yabber on about today yet!  I'm just filling in space lol!


Righty ONWARD...


WARNING! DO NOT start cleaning your doors .... cos you will then see that EVERY WALL in your house needs cleaning too.  
Stew and I slaved away for a good hour cleaning all the doors in the house, what a shitty job.
Now that I KNOW all the walls need cleaning too I will have to do them.  
Maybe one wall a day?


So, a good job done for the day.  Had sweat dripping off us by the end of it.  It is hot and sunny one minute, then pissing down with rain the next today.  Like living in a sauna.    Nice.


We are going out for lunch soon. Coco has outgrown her collar, so we will get her a new, pretty pink one from Animates too. 


Heard of 'Road Rage'?   I have a new one.  'Pedestrian Rage'.  Got to any Mall now and you too can catch it.
The mall's are diabolical.  And I'm sure almost everyone is feeling rage by the time they leave.  There's just too many people trying to shop.  
We went to Sylvia Park for lunch, bought a collar for Coco from The Warehouse, it was a full $10 cheaper than Animates!  And seems to be a better one too.
Then we went over to Botany Town Centre and had a wander around.... bought a case for my prescription sunglasses and finally came home.  
I'm now sitting with me feet up (cos they hurt) and eating chocolate (cos I'm crabby)... with the fan on full blast (cos I'm hot).  Bliss.
Now I hope no one annoys me cos I'm likely to bite their head off. 


End of Day: we've had a totally lazy afternoon and evening, watching some movies on the telly.  Off to bed, it's rather late!
nite nite.

DINNER AT LA CIGALE

We went to a French Eatery in Parnell last night, it was Stew's Work Christmas Dinner.  
I was really looking forward to it.  We had pre-ordered our dinners.  We were given a choice of two dinners:  Chicken, or Wild Boar. We both chose the wild boar.  

Dinner Options for Wednesday 14^th & Thursday 15^th December

1. Ragout of Wild Boar (braised with mushrooms, speck and garlic)
2. Rotisserie Chicken cooked with cafe de Paris Butter served with Garlic Aioli

Starter of: Charcuterie Platter

Dessert: Rhubarb Clafouti served with cream or Vanilla Rice Pudding with caramilized pineapple

Before the 'main' we were served a TINY selection of cold meats with some crusty bread.  There were 10 people at our table... and the amount served would have easily done for TWO or maybe THREE people.  Not 10.  

First FAIL.

Then dinner arrived.  They placed two bowls of pork casserole on the table, one small platter of chicken pieces, and two bowls of small cubes of potatoes.  About 30 minutes later they finally brought out the 'salad'... two bowls of MIXED LETTUCE leaves!

Second FAIL.

I thought the pork casserole LOOKED lovely.  Until I tried to eat it.  It was spiced heavily (to me) with pepper.  I HATE PEPPER.  So I couldn't eat it.  So I had another little piece of bread.

And a small piece of the chicken.  Bearing in mind we have chicken ALL THE TIME, it was not something I would ever choose to eat 'out'.  And it was dry.

Third FAIL.

So I'm thinking, it's OK, I shall have dessert and that will be nice.  It was going to be a Rhubarb pie thingee and Vanilla Rice Pudding.  I was REALLY looking forward to that..............

until they brought out the cutlery for dessert.

a teaspoon.

FUCK... my spirits hit the floor then.  And sure enough, the dessert was ONE small platter of the  rhubarb pie, enough to feed maybe 4 people, and the vanilla rice pudding, again ... at a pinch enough to feed 4 people. I had a 'taste' of both.

Fourth FAIL.  

SO... I give that eatery, on a scale of 1 to 10 ... a miserable 2.  AND that is being generous.  

To say I was bitterly disappointed would be an understatement, and I wish I had taken photos to show you just how shitty it was.

Sorry it's another negative post... but I aim to be honest! 

Today is the last day of school for the kids.  They come home at lunchtime and that is it for 7 weeks.

I have several ideas for entertaining them over the holidays... and am actually looking forward to doing things with them. 

But for right now... I'm going to enjoy this morning just plodding around doing odd jobs in the house.  

ONWARD...


I sold some Christmas Cards to a lady in the USA  and she told me she had posted payment and some cute stones she makes about a month ago.
As it hadn't arrived as of yesterday I said to Stew last night I doubted it was going to ... I mean it should have arrived after about 3 weeks MAXIMUM.  
How TYPICAL:

ABOVE:  they arrived TODAY!  It did make me laugh. THANK YOU Christine, the stones are really cute and yes, the money was there too.  *smiles*
Did you know I used to be a Potter years ago?  I made all sorts of things ... and loved it and taught pottery to Adults and school groups too for a while.  But not anymore.  It's just too expensive nowdays.


I've had a lovely morning shopping (again) .... and shortly the kids will be home so I better make the most of my last hour without kids in me face.


Kids got home.  I made them really lovely ham salad sandwiches for lunch.


They both had a gift from 'Secret Santa' at school.  Griffin got a big block of Chocolate.
While my back was turned he took ALL his lovely sandwiches and chucked them in the compost bin!  I do believe the thought he was going to have chocolate for lunch!
NOT SO.


He now has to starve until dinner time.  Maybe next time he thinks he can throw away perfectly good sandwiches he will remember how FEELING STARVING feels!  


Hmmmm, wonder how late I can make dinner?  lol

ABOVE:  'pigs in mud' comes to mind.... how about 'dogs love rug'?  They really do love that rug...  shame  I'm going to vacum in a minute....


WOMBAT:  but of course we had to pay for it.  In advance even!  NEVER ever going there again that's for sure.  


End of Day:  have come down with a really nasty headache... off to bed early I think.
nite nite.

'SECRET BLOG'

When you sit down in your lounge and have a chat to a friend or two about things that are on your mind ... that's OK.

When you talk on the phone to someone about things that are on your mind ... that's OK.

When you write in your diary about things that are on your mind ... that's OK.

If you talk to a counsellor about things that are on your mind.... that's OK.

NO ONE expects you to then have to go and tell EVERYONE you know what you said or wrote... it's between you and the other person/persons.


So, when I write in my PRIVATE BLOG about stuff that is on my mind ... THAT IS OK TOO.


If I wanted to talk to you about stuff that is on my mind... I WOULD.  But you might not like it.  You might not even listen.   You might even scream and abuse me.  Or leave me a nasty comment .... and that is why I don't.


MY 'Secret Blog' IS NO BLOODY SECRET.  It is me using another way to TALK TO MY FRIENDS, cos they are not in my lounge right now. 


Just like YOU talk to your friends.  I don't expect you to tell me EVERYTHING YOU SAID.... 
I do know that some people no doubt say all sorts of  things about ME TOO... but I don't expect them to tell me either.   That is why we have private conversations.   
So there ya go.  I will post on my Private Blog whatever and whenever I like.  Just like you can if you want.


TODAY:  is all mine.  And I am going to sew.  Stuff the housework.  Stuff trying to please anyone.  I am over trying to please everyone.  It's impossible.  This is MY life too.  I don't want to be on my deathbed wishing I had done more JUST FOR ME.


STEW: I would do ANYTHING for you... well,  except iron your bloody shirts... Or weed the garden....  or put out the rubbish... OK, *sigh*... maybe I would do ALMOST ANYTHING for you!  lol


ONWARD...


The kids have gone to school with water guns, togs and towels... as it's 'Fun with Water' Day at school today.  BUT,  it's blowing a gale and pissing down with rain.  I am quite sure it will be cancelled.  And  knowing Griffin, it will be MY FAULT somehow.... and he will be in the worst foul mood when he gets home.


Thankfully then, Stew and I have his work Christmas Dinner tonight, so I can escape and leave grumpy Griffin with Steve!   *snigger*


I have done a little sewing, but for some reason it wasn't calming.... so I did the next best thing. I went shopping.
Stew has instructed me to NOT get him anything for Christmas.   So I got some things for both of us instead!  Where there's a will, there's a way eh?
Again, even though it is a mid week day, the mall was crowded and hot.  I was happy to find a few bits 'n' bobs then come back home.


It's a bit scary on the motorway when it's pissing down and busy!  Just saying.


I'm amazed!  They still let the kids play in the rain!  So Griffin was happy.  Oh and neither of them chose to wear their raincoats on their way home this afternoon, so they were dripping wet when they came through the door.  Grrrrr.  Little shits.


End of Day: home much earlier than expected.  Dinner was on a scale of 1 to 10.....
to be told tomorrow.
nite nite.

LAST DAY AT THE HOSPICE SHOP UNTIL AFTER SCHOOL HOLIDAYS

I am looking forward to today.  It's the last day of my volunteer stint at the Hospice shop for 7 weeks.  Much as I love being there MOST of the time, I am going to enjoy having NO commitments except look after me kids and enjoy summer.

ABOVE:  See my woolen rug?  I just LOVE that rug.  But it's been up in the loft storage for months cos it drives me nuts.  We have had that rug for over 4 years and it STILL has masses of fluff coming off it... every day I have to vacum just to keep the room looking tidy.  I got Steve to bring it down a couple of nights ago,  I decided to just put up with the constant vacuming... and enjoy the 'look' for a while.  Cos it does look lovely, particularly with the Christmas decorations and tree up.  Kinda 'cosy'.

ABOVE:  the dogs showing me some love for a change.  This is me midday,  enjoying me lunch break.  Sometimes that 'break' can turn into a bit of a nap!  lol


Anyways.... time to get moving and make the lunches, get the kids ready for school... bla bla bla...
ONWARD...

ABOVE:  very, very busy at the Hospice Shop today!  I almost had NO  time to hunt for treasures!  But ... I managed it somehow.  lol


I can now relax and know that the next 7 weeks are free to do whatever I want.  Yaaa.
I really hope we get to spend lots of time at the beach, and I even get some time to sew.


WHERE is everyone?  It's gone quiet around the blogs...WHAT ARE YA DOING?


OMG dinner smells divine!  I put chicken thighs on a baking tray, smothered them is Teriyaki marinade and slow baked them.  Can't wait to eat....


End of Day:  dinner was lovely.  Quiet evening had by all.  Lately I've been trying to stay up really late so I actually sleep... last night I had a right dreadful night, so fingers crossed I actually sleep tonight?
nite nite.

THE DIFFERENCE A FEW MONTHS MAKES

ABOVE:  Steve in February this year.... around 78 kgs.

ABOVE:  Steve mid-year.....  still a bit thin on it... and not happy.

ABOVE: Steve now.  He is looking good eh?  I put it down to two things:  my cooking and his life improving so much this year.  He has a job and a girlfriend and is HAPPY.  What more could a Mum want for her kids.
He just bought those shades, they are pretty cool... Oh and he is now about 92 kgs.  He thinks he's a bit fat.... but most of his gain is muscle now, he has a very physical job afterall.


TODAY:  there is a morning tea being put on by the Hospice for all the volunteers from all their shops, and the people who work at the Hospice itself.  So I may go.  


After that.... last bit of Christmas shopping I think.  AND looking around for something for my darling hubby's birthday, which is on January 8th.  I want to get him something NICE.  Not necessarily something I WANT!  lol
I'm a bit of a shocker at buying him things that I want for the house!  


ONWARD...


Well I had a very successful morning shopping... got all I needed... so I'm happy.  Next week I shall buy the gift vouchers for the 2 kids, then it's all done!  
Did I tell you I already have the first two Christmas Presents for NEXT CHRISTMAS?  Well, I do!
I am on top of it.... if I do say so myself... lol.


Time to chill for a while before checking what needs doing around the house...
Nothing got done cos it was Brylee's gym afternoon (which I had forgotten)... so I spent the afternoon at gym.
Then when I got home my Mother rang... and we yakked for about an hour!  First time we have had such a good conversation in YEARS!  It was nice.  She even reminisced on events of years ago, which she hasn't done in years.  I have always felt like when she left for Australia years ago she turned her back on all sentimental attachments here.  She literally dumped everything of sentimental value in my storeage room and didn't look back.
I found that hard to accept.  But I think she just wanted a fresh start?


End of Day:  hot and sticky tonight.  More heavy rain expected so hopefully that brings the temps down.
nite nite

I STILL THINK FACEBOOK IS EVIL.

Sometimes I wish Facebook never existed.  Cos so much can be said that really shouldn't be said.
And when someone puts shit up that is totally ONE SIDED it is very annoying.
And that is all I am going to say about it here.


*** PEPSI UPDATED ***  PEPSI UPDATED *** PEPSI UPDATED *** 


And I'm sorry that most of you can't read it.  But I have to rant somewhere without it being used against me.  And nope, I am not adding anyone else to the reading list right now.  If you have asked but not been added yet, it's cos I don't feel I know you well enough.  And as I know everyone who is on the reading list, I know who can't read it too.  


TODAY:  I'm going to do the bloody housework.  AND read blogs/comment etc.
Just the usual Monday.
This is the last week of school too.  The kids finish on Friday at lunchtime... then they are home for 7 weeks over summer.
I. CAN. HARDLY. WAIT.


Well.... it will be nice to not have to get up early and make lunches, take kids here and there, keep track of school activites... bla bla bla.  Won't it?


Hopefully they don't drive me nuts.  Much as I love them, they can be tiring at times.  They either get on together really well.... or the total opposite!  AND I am so over being a referee.  AND NO, that does not mean I want to get rid of them at any point either.  I'm just sayin.... 


Actually, I'm feeling rather crabby right now, can you tell?
It's like, it is IMPOSSIBLE  to get on with a certain person for any length of time before the shit hits the fan AGAIN.  I am so over it.  We clearly rub each other up the wrong way... and probably always will.

ABOVE:  OMG I so need to remember this.

ABOVE... pinched this off Facebook somewhere... thought it was hysterical!  
RIGHT... off to make a start on the day... 


OMG!  I decided at 8.30am to go down into the garage and finish wrapping the Christmas Presents ... while the kids were at school... and I just finished.  I looked at the clock, fully expecting it to be about 11am...AH NO!  It's 1pm!  How the hell does time fly like that?


As I've been nibbling on some cheese all morning, I'm not in the least hungry either.  Cool.  Somehow I don't think I'm gunna get around to washing the floors today afterall.
But with some luck I will get around so blogs... 


The bad weather we were expecting yesterday.... arrived today.  It's pissing down.  And the temperature is GORGEOUS.  Long may it last.  Cos once the sun comes out again it is going to be DIABOLICALLY HUMID. 
Then I will be crabby again.   NEAT EH?  


I'm slowly plodding my way through blogs... not going to read the entire 724 updates.... just the latest OK?  *smiles*


Yaaa... I have read all I'm gunna.  Done and dusted for another few days.


Dinner tonight:  Beef Spare Ribs cooked in a thick marinade... OMG delicious.  With side salad and wedges.  I've started using smaller dinner plates and serving much smaller meals.  The only person who is still not SATISFIED after dinner?  GRIFFIN.  He can eat more than any of us!  Have to work on him more.  He does not seem to recognise when he is 'full'.  


End of Day:  not a bad day in all.  I got quite a few jobs done that were bugging me.  So I'm happy.
nite nite.

WHAT'S ON YOUR WISH LIST?

OR don't you have one?
I do.
It's really small.


I just want Stew and my kids to be happy.
I don't need anything else for Christmas.


BUT if I was being totally honest...

ABOVE: one of these would be really nice!  BUT, it's not on the budget for a good long time yet.  Cos I have EXPENSIVE tastes.  And this is one of the 'top of the line' Food Processors.  (Kenwood FP980).
I will get one... for sure... but not yet.
I can be patient... living with Stew for 27 years has taught me how to do that at least.  *smiles*


TODAY:  no firm plans yet... the weather is supposed to turn to crap.  So we will see...


ONWARD...


So, the weather did not turn to crap afterall.  I'd heard that the new Kopu Bridge over at Thames had opened so I suggested we go over it!  So off we went.

 ABOVE: from a distance we could see it WAS NOT OPEN to traffic yet.  Drat.   I had heard on the radio all about the 'official opening ceremony', not the official:  cars can go over it announcement.  OH well.... it was a nice drive.

 ABOVE:  and we got to see it all finished from the old road/bridge's perspective.  Better than nothing.  We will go back once it truly is open.

ABOVE: after having a nice lunch of KFC by the water we took a little drive up the coast a bit.  The day was quite overcast and windy as, so we didn't linger long.  The tide was out, so not that pretty... it's such a rocky shoreline in most places you can't walk along it for far.


End of Day:  just watched the most stupid movie I have seen in a while.  It had Sandra Bullock starring as some nutty woman who stalked a man named 'Steve'... seriously not worth watching.  And on that note, we are off to bed.
nite nite.

LETS GO CHECK OUT THE NEW MEGA CENTRE TODAY

The new Mega Centre opened a couple of days ago, and I'm dying to go and check it out.
Especially the new Spotlight!
I hope I find some bargins!
We will no doubt have lunch out too... it's become the norm afterall.


What else?
bugger all really.... I don't have much Christmas shopping left to do, just want to get some gift vouchers for Brylee and Griffin so they can go shopping on Boxing Day.  That will be fun for them, they are like me, they LOVE SHOPPING.
And strangely enough, Griffin loves it the most.
Weird boy that.


So, until later...

ABOVE:  a week or so ago I was reading a friend's blog and admired one of her pouches she had made... and next thing I know it's mine!  Thank you so much Jane, it is beautiful and is going to come in handy as my Jewellery bag.  The embroidery is very pretty.  OH and thanks for the two lovely Singapore cards too, very cool!


Well.. it was all 'GO' at the new Mega Centre today!  Every shop had opening specials, giveaways and so on.  

ABOVE: the kids had the most fun in 'The Good Guys' store, where there was a magician who made balloon things.  Brylee got Nemo with bubbles and seaweed and Griffin got a monkey, for free!  The guy on the left, bottom photo is a Dom from 'The Edge' radio station.  He was also enjoying the magician!


I picked up a book on Kenwood appliances,  as at some point I would love to buy a Food Processor.  My last one died about 5 years ago!


We spent a good deal of time wandering around the Mega Centre, then headed off to Mission Bay for lunch at Masala.  Sadly they gave me a Medium Hot Butter Chicken instead of the mild I had ordered... so Stew ate it.  They did offer to get me a new meal, but I decided to forego it and then I could enjoy an ice cream on the way home!  Which I did.  


Going to have a Nana nap then read some blogs...


Pffft... didn't have a nap afterall.  I got sucked into reading some blogs!
Did not commenting though, the blogs I read were all new ones!


JANE, who sent me the cards/little pouch asked me if I had opened the Singapore Tour card yet? Well I hadn't ... so I did:

 ABOVE:  the inside of the card.... a MERLION.  See Jane, I did know what it was!  We saw the huge MERLION in Singapore when we went on a boat trip.

ABOVE :  and we even bought one!  This Merlion is about 14 years old now!  He is special. 


JANE:  I have looked after him of course!  That's why he's still white.  Even with 6 kids, it can be done.  lol


END OF DAY:  super lazy afternoon/evening.  Stew cooked dinner, beef rissoles with mashed potoatoes and gravy.  Very nice.
nite nite