NO NEED TO WATER THE GARDENS TODAY!

It started raining yesterday, and I'm sure it hasn't stopped since then! And the temperatures have dropped quite dramatically, so quite a bit different from the past week for sure.

Today: kids to school (in the car for once!) then home to do a bit of ... nothing!

Yesterday I was sure Stew was about to tell me he no longer intended to take up the job in Auckland... I just was so sure the other shoe was about to drop! He had been making noises about how he wasn't happy about 'this and that'.... so anyway, I decided to take the bull by the horns and talk to him about it, no pussy footing around.... what a good idea!

While he is concerned about how long it may take to sell the house, and how long we may be seperated, he is NOT going to back out of the new job. Thank God! I really really want to move. Not that I hate this town, I have some amazingly lovely friends here, but my heart is NORTH, it's where I want to be.

So, all is good here, and I am really happy Stew and I are going to be ok.

WHAT A REALLY LOVELY DAY, AND IT'S ONLY JUST STARTED!

After 16 hours without the internet... Telecom 'found' it for me again... so it's a late start on the day.




Meet Linda and Brandon and their three adorable kids: (from left) Braydon, Lila and Ellie. This gorgeous lady has sent me the Jordin Sparks CD that I so wanted and could not get here in New Zealand, all the way from America!!!! She is so very kind... and the BEST Mom in the whole wide world... she actually LOVES her kids..... hey, they are NOT TEENAGERS yet eh?



Laughing now..... and Brandon and her have had to fight really long and hard to get their precious girls... all the way from China. I have been reading Linda's blog for quite some time now, and felt like I was 'with' her when she finally met her darling wee daughter Ellie a wee while ago and got to take her home. It was special following their story. Thank you LINDA, FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART.



Today: kids to school, then I am going to tackle the presents and get wrapping! OOOO what fun.... really!

But before that..... I have a few more jobs (shopping) to do in town.... later....

I have done almost all my Christmas shopping!

I have wrapped all the presents, WITHOUT having a major hissy fit.

I have caught up on all my favourite blogs.

I am feeling bloody tired now!

AND........ I put up the bloody Christmas Tree last night.... after vowing I WOULD NOT!!! Hell, seems I have caught the darn Christmas bug. Bugger it. lol

End of Day: very productive, and resolved a few more issues with Me and Stew... all is good.

NSV: Well I did have some lovely home made fruit salad again... but I added icing sugar (hanging head in shame) ! nite nite.

LAST WEEK OF SCHOOL, BETTER MAKE THE MOST OF IT.

The kids finish school on thursday, so I am going mad for the next couple of days and shopping.... must find something for my hubby.... and me! I am leaning towards another ring.... well... I AM A GIRL EH?

I was going to get a Pandora bracelet but have changed my mind.... they are lovely but I already have a lovely bracelet and bangle....

Also, a girlfriend just moved into her new house on saturday, so am going to visit her too. I am so envious, she sold and bought in 6 weeks flat. Lucky tart. When I think of our situation my heart just drops.... Stew will be living and working in Auckland from January the 7th..... permanently!!! He will only be home once a fortnight for a weekend. How the hell and I going to cope with that?

***QUICK SLAP AROUND ME HEAD***...I am trying to be positive today..... no more bitching! You poor buggers must be sick to bloody death of me moaning and groaning!

Right .. where was I? Oh yeah, shopping....... yipee! Off I go.

LAST OPEN HOME TILL MID JANUARY

Here we go, our last chance to sell this house before the Xmas Break.... next open home won't be until Jan 13th.... so I am crossing EVERYTHING!!! we get a buyer today.

And here is something weird.... my fluid retention is at an all time LOW.... and the only thing I have been doing different is.... DRINKING HEAPS MORE DIET COKE! Hmmmmmm..... let me think about this... Diet Coke is supposed to be bad for me, yet I have been drinking about 2 litres a day this week and my fluid retention has gotten 100% better? Before upping the Diet Coke I was having ice (gallons of it) and it made no difference. So, I think I will continue drinking my Diet Coke eh? YEEE HA!.

Ok, time to make my latte and then get cracking on the housework that MUST BE DONE today....

SATURDAY AGAIN, ENDLESS ROUND OF HOUSEWORK AHEAD

After the shit that's been going on around here, I have actually done NO HOUSEWORK since I got home! I finally unpacked my bag last night... didn't really want to either, would rather be anywhere but here right now.

Our Saturday Morning Get Together is 'on hold' now till after the Silly Season.... so I'm just meeting one friend this morning in town... she is going through hell too. Her husband was diagnosed with lung cancer last week.... so she is not is a good place right now.

Our Xmas plans are changed now too...we were going up to Whitianga for 2 weeks, but with everything that's going on here we just don't want to! It is such a long way to go, and Mike wants to stay home... LIKE HELL am I going to leave him to mess up the house for two whole weeks!

I feel like this blog is full of "woe is me" right now, and I hate that.... I am not normally a down sort of person, but in some situations that's just how it is eh? I wish I could just snap my fingers and magically find a unconditional buyer for this house, then we won't lose the house we want in Auckland. Somehow I don't think it will go like that.

TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS

There is only so much a person can take without bursting a Fu Fu Valve eh? Well last night I lost it over a teenager again.... ended up taking myself off to Janene's for a while to cool down. Thank god for friends is all I can say!

Am still stewing over last night's issue, but will not go into details cos I am too upset really. Suffice to say it was the final straw for me, with all that is going on right now I did not need any more upsets.

Telecom are coming today to try and find out why our internet connection keeps cutting out... god help them if they piss me off cos I'm likely, in my present mood, to throttle the technician ! LOL.

Another good thing, I have lost my appetite... shit hot.

- telecom guy has been at our house for 2 hours, can't find the fault yet
- I am at Starbucks using a Telecom Hotspot
- I almost packed up Brylee and Griffin today and left Stew
- Being told by Stew that he would leave me if I kicked Mike out did not go down too well.
Things are very tense at the moment, don't know what will happen. STESS LEVELS ARE GOING OUT THE WINDOW.

So, Mike is now not going to do the Physiotherapy course in Auckland, he is not going to Auckland at all.... he's staying here in Palmerston North.... this was told to Stew yesterday, 1 day before we paid the $7,000 to the University in Auckland for his accommodation! I WAS SO PROUD of him, now I am just guttered. And trust Stew to 'side' with one of his kids.... never mind that in 5 years I just know Mike is going to regret this decision

This really doesn't describe my mood.. should be "FUCK FUCK FCUK" but I couldn't find it. WE finally have internet again, took 8 hours .... it did not help today to be locked out of the internet~!

Food has been spot on, had a salad sandwich for lunch, but actually felt ill afterwards, I think my stress levels are too high.

My doctor rang, my iron levels are coming up and my ECG was fine, so one bit of good news today.

End of Day: food excellent, mood foul, not much resolved except the kid has caused a huge rift between Stew and I at the moment. I cannot get over him saying he would leave me. Still not talking about it either.... I am just not in the mood to forgive him right now.

NSV: Foul mood = no appetite. nite nite.

NO WORK TODAY...BLOOD TEST INSTEAD

Today:

Kids to school, go have another blood test.... ring Dr for ECG results.... do a bit of RETAIL THEREAPY.... then I really need to do some housework ! AND read about 200 blogs!

Stew has done a fantastic job of keeping things going at home, but I'm such a fussy tart ... I won't be happy until I've cleaned the house from top to bottom myself! I am my own worst enemy I know!

PLUS Izzy needs a walk, and I want to get some serious exercise in today too. AND work on eating right.... such a lot to achieve today....

STEVE.... if you are reading this... ya shit - bring back my bedroom laptop.... how the hell can I sit up in bed and do my morning update and sip me latte when you have nicked me bloody laptop !

Been out all morning, running around like a blue arse chook... got lots done though. It bloody hot and humid too, does not help one's mood at all. My blood test stung like mad today, but I was brave and only bitched for about 5 minutes! LOL
Got a few more Xmas presents sorted..... got heaps of salad shit to eat... going to make Tabouleh (sp?).... need to find some fresh mint now.
The internet keeps stopping here too, driving me nuts it is!
Onward...

I just had a hissy fit at Telecom... our internet connection has been 100 times worse today! I am fuming... what the fuck am I paying for???? They are getting a technician "on to it" tomorrow! Friggin WONDERFUL.... in the meantime, I come and go....

I have been fantastic with my food so far today, using Diet Coke as a crutch, but hey, I ain't over eating! I'm starving, we are having steak and salad for dinner.... I will be having NO CARBS either. I had a sandwich for lunch and that is all... I am feeling quite proud of myself... I hope I can continue it tomorrow!

DINNER: Steak, lettuce salad, taboulie (sp?), Broccoli and feta salad with greek yogurt, an egg and some seeds. YUM. Doing good eh?

End of Day: I done good! Got lots accomplished, but still have not unpacked my bags! Can't take Izzy out walking either, she has decided now is a good time to have her "monthly"!

NSV: Lots today! Really chuffed with myself I am. nite nite.

HOMEWARD BOUND..

Today: First thing this morning I am popping into the Real Estate Agents office to do final signing of House Contract, then heading home.

It has been a busy few days, Auckland has been overcast, windy and wet the whole time I've been up here, but not cold. I have gotten lost once, most frustrating!

Can't wait for lunchtime either.... in Taupo is the same Doner Kebab shop like the one we have down in Bulls!!! The guy in Taupo owns the Bulls one too, and he was ever so nice when I had lunch there the other day on my way up here to Auckland... he opened his shop half an hour early cos he could see I was waiting ... neat eh? So.... todays lunch will be a kebab.... mouth is watering thinking about it! Foooooood...... *BIG SIGH*. I reckon I have lost some weight this week, my Aunty and Uncle are small eaters, and almost never have carbs with the evening meal. Weird!

Anyway.... better get going.....

THIRD DAY IN AUCKLAND...

And... all I dream about is houses, houses, houses! My Aunt and I are off to have another look at the "first choice" house this afternoon.... I can't wait!

Then, if I'm sure about it being the right house for us, Stew and I will make an offer... conditional on the sale of our house of course!

For all who would like to 'check it out' it's with LJ Hooker, Listing No # 3E9GQN, Named: "Elegant & Age Defying"..... It's in Conifer Grove, I have already visited the school, Decile 7 (so-so), I met the Principal (she was nice) and it's a school that goes from New Entrants to Form 2... then the kids would catch a bus to go to Rosehill College. Heard that college is OK too.

So, there you go.... it's slowly coming together, just hope our home goes unconditional soon!

This morning, I think I will go to a shopping centre and browse around,

ROUND TWO...

Ok, another day of house hunting.... had a few tears yesterday, couldn't help myself.... it is so depressing!

Today I have only two !!! lined up worth looking at, don't even know if it will be worth it cos so many look "OK" on the net but in real life are bloody awful!

And the agents use tricky photography to make a house look bigger than it acutually is! Wide angle lenses and the like, it's just so frustrating!

Yesterday I looked at a house that in it's photos looked really huge, but inside.... NOT AT ALL! That is when I first cried!

I am starting to really realise that we are going to have to 'downsize' from 320 m2 to about 200 m2 !!! This means a good half of my house furniture etc will have to be sold. I think I might cry again.....

And.. I am hating not having the time to read all your blogs! I havn't read any since I left home! I am using my Auntie's computer, so no favourites list... nothing! So, I apologise for not popping by to leave any comments ...... just don't have time! Wait till I get home! later ....

AUCKLAND HOUSE HUNTING...

Sunday 10 pm... went out with an agent.. looked at half a dozen houses... starting to feel depressed already!

I don't think I am going to find my "dream house" here for the money I can afford.... hell's bells everything is tiny and soooo very expensive.

I think I want to pick my Palmerston North house up and bring it with me! Anyone got a REALLY big trailer??? LOL. I have not seen anything yet worth considering at all..... onward....

Lunch time.... might just need something nice to perk me up!
Well overall an interesting day, very "eye opening" for me! My money is not going to get me much up here.... but that's how it goes I guess.
End of Day: it's rained all day, even been cool! I have been ever so good with my diet... my Aunty only has small meals! Though, we did have fruit and ice cream tonight.... yummy.
NSV: havn't been able to get out to the shops and go nuts and eat shit! This is GOOD. nite nite.

HI HO HI HO ... IT'S OFF TO AUCKLAND I GO

Right, I'm off to Auckland, don't expect to hear from me for a day or two, unless I can access hotspots or someone's computer.

Wish me luck finding some decent houses to consider!


This is more a "find the right area" mission though... if I do find "the house" I may have to put a "conditional offer" on it.... like there is on our house.
Bye for now.

I'm in Auckland... The Big Smoke.... the Mad House.... Jaffa Land... you name it... I'm here!
Already been for a drive around my Aunt's area, lots of houses for sale, a gorgeous area it is too! It has an almost brand new area school, Decile 10 (the best) so am hoping to find something here!

On my way up I stopped in Hamilton and dispensed Xmas presents to two daughters... Daughter No# 3's belly is getting bigger! She's 26 weeks now, oooo it's getting exciting! I am hoping to be with her for the birth... I got invited today! I am so wrapt about that, you have no idea!
What else? Not much, I'm kinda tired from the trip, it took me almost 9 hours to get here... with a 30 minute stop in Taupo and an hour in Hamilton. Me bum is killing me from sitting all day!
End of Day: Bit different from the last week for sure... NO KIDS OR TEENAGERS TO DEAL WITH...... Phew!
NSV: spot on with the food.... no exercise though! Does driving count... me thinks not. LOL. nite nite.

STEW IS HOME TONIGHT, POOR BUGGER

My poor man is up in Auckland, slaving away at a new very stressful job, and what am I doing? Text'ing him threatening to throw out his youngest son! I mean, what can he do from up there? Not a lot! So, he's coming home to War on the Homefront.... but at least I can get away for a few days and leave them to it...

Bit sad really, he's only going to be home for one night and I'm buggering off....AND he will have to do all the work on sunday to get the house ready for another OPEN HOME! Oh well, that's life.

I am still seething about Mike, so might be just as well he's off to work today...less I see of him the better. Today: kids to school, walk Izzy, home to do some housework, sort out a nice dinner for

IT IS THURSDAY! I AM GOING TO WORK! I WILL NOT BE A DORK TODAY....

I am feeling really positive about today, I will get it right... I will do my last day at the Hospice Shop, maybe I will buy something, maybe not....

Only *1* more sleep till Stew comes home, and I am going to turn right around and bugger off to Auckland myself!!! How sad is that? But, it is for a good reason, we do not want to get caught out with our home sold and nowhere to go!

My Aunty knows Auckland very well and can steer us in the right areas.... she lives in the general area where we want to be too, so it's great. For you Aucklanders and others who worry about us living in South Auckland, we are looking in The Gardens area and similar areas like that, not the 'grotty' areas!



Here is Griffin, his Teddies and our CHRISTMAS TREE ! Isn't it pretty? ha ha ha. No clutter!




Today's purchases: Another tray, a cute skirt and two nice shirts....and..

HOW could I resist!!! It's a boat, a wooden funky wee boat.... and I love it! Buggered if I know where I will put it, but I just couldn't leave it there could I? More useless clutter I know, I know.

I might just be chuckking Mike out of this house tonight...he is a lazy inconsiderate little bastard... and that is all there is to it. I HAVE HAD IT WITH USELESS BLOODY TEENAGERS WHO TAKE EVERYTHING FOR GRANTED.

I think I'm having a mini meltdown, my temper is rising, my wick is getting short... don't think I am coping well with all this shit.

I have Screamed at him, slammed a door, huffed and puffed, demanded he leave my house..... and the little shit hasn't left! He's upstairs playing on his computer with his friend Ben ! NOW WHAT?

End of Day: it's been good, it's been bad... kinda normal for here eh?

NSV: well I have been on track if nothing else! Could go a whole block of chocolate right now though! nite nite

I JUST ELF'D US!

http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1172535872 Dunno if this worked.... but it was funny! I just checked.. it did work! It is funny, thanks for that Ann(ie) from Life is Short.

YIKES!!!! I HAVE SLEPT IN...

This will be quick.... spent too long last night looking at houses on the 'net... far out there's a lot up in Auckland to choose from!!!

Got to get going now, kids need feeding, lunches making, house quickly tidied before I go to work.

It's my last day at the Hospice Shop today, feel sad about that but it can't be helped.

SHAME GRIFFIN'S TOO YOUNG TO MAKE ME LATTE

Sitting up in bed.... no latte.... AND I am going to have to get up much earlier than 'normal' and make school lunches too.... *BIG SIGH*.

Oh well, I shall be positive about it... he's only away for the week this time! Feeling like I havn't had any sleep.... soooo tired!

Photos from last night.... will come later in the morning.... no time right now that's for sure!

Today: kids to school, walk Izzy (maybe!)... and then I plan on doing 5/8ths of bugger all !

IT'S GUNNA BE A BUSY MONDAY

1st thing today... take Stew out to the Airport to catch his 8.20am flight to Auckland... he's home on Friday night. Booo hooo.

2nd - Kids to school by 9am

3rd - Get to hospital by 9.15am for ECG (oh joy!)

4th - Get home and bloody relax!

Oh yeah... Izzy had a wonderful time at my girlfriend's yesterday too... the little tart ruled the roost it would appear!

Right... let's get this day started, the sooner Stew is away, the sooner he is home again.

Just to keep you amused while I'm out and about, here's some of the Calendar Photos:

"Roderick" the chook at Moxie's having a muffin... something Stew OFTEN got himself for morning tea...

Roderick the Chook in Stew's wardrobe amongst his ties, in his Union Jack shoes and doing "I have no idea" on his knees!

Roderick the Chook outside the Panel Beaters, where Stew's new Toyota spent most of it's first few months!!!!

OH!!! Forgot to mention.... I am having some guests for dinner tonight.... Anne and Bloss from Australia, another blogger to meet! Also coming is Anne and Peter from Palmy and hopefully Janene. Stew would have loved to be here... but alas work calls.

The ECG went well, I did not have to flash me boobs, this is good! No results.. they are being sent to my GP, but I'm sure they were fine.

Open Home yesterday, slow, only 2 groups through. No change on our situation.

Been getting dinner sorted, have it in hand so can relax for now. Yaaa!

End of Day: Fantastic get together with Anne/Peter, Anne/Bloss (who does have a 'real' name!).... dinner was devine, company was excellent, conversation flowed no problems .... and it was nite nite at 10.30pm.

NSV: O errrr... NONE! Had a few drinks, a good dinner and hot apple pie for desert! Photos to come tomorrow, to tired now! nite nite.

IT'S SUNDAY...ANOTHER OPEN HOME COMING UP

Quiet looking forward to today, even though we still have to do Open Homes, it is comforting to know we do have a contract on the house. It would be FANTASTIC if someone turned up today with CASH and made an offer, but really I want that lovely wee family to have my house!

The kids are both starting to feel much better I reckon, last night they drove me nuts with their noise ... lucky for us Steve and Lisa are having them this afternoon while Stew and I go to his "farewell party"... MUST remember to take my camera and take lots of photos.

Righty ho, I suppose I better get outta bed and get this house sorted, kids fed, bla bla bla! later...

3 Toilets, 3 showers, 2 baths, 6 bedrooms, a rumpus room, a kitchen, dining room and lounge - all done. Dog off to friends for the afternoon, kids off with Uncle Steve, us off to PARTY.... and relax! BRING IT ON.... I am exhausted. It's a stinking hot day too, so the party is at a beach... hmmmm might end up in the water even..... wet t-shirt photos???? *snigger*

Above: when we arrived .. the first thing we were offered was a JAFFA Lollie.. afterall, we are going to become JAFA's soon! What is a Jafa? Just Another Fucken Aucklander OF COURSE!!!! lol

The gorgeous setting, view from the deck....

Santa and his Fairy getting dressed.. or were they???? HMMMMMM...

Santa getting ready to dispense the gifts....

Santa, Fairy and Robyn....

Karen... spent hours and hours making a "going away" gift for Stew....

She had sewn a chookie, with a colourful tie (Stew is renowned for wearing LOUD ties !), and American Flag feet... like the shoes we bought in Sydney last May!!! Also, she had taken lots and lots of photos of the chook around Palmerston North and around our home and had them made into a calendar.... an awesome momento of our time here in Palmerston North!

The water was.... freezing... so NO wet t- shirt shots... SUCH A SHAME... I'm sure!

End of Day: ate too much, drank too much, had a bloody fantastic day.....

No idea how the Open Home went, havn't heard from the Agent yet.

NSV: I learnt that if I go back for seconds of the cheesecake I WILL FEEL ILL !!! ha ha ah hahahahhaha! nite nite mates.

WONDER WHAT TODAY WILL BRING?

I can't imagine much! Yesterday was such a happening day, hopefully today is nice and quiet.

Girls are here for morning tea, then we will have to go to town so that Griffin can spend his "Tooth Fairy" money, a whole $2 !! Two Dollar Shop here we come I suppose!

Even though we have a contract on the house, that does not mean the end of Open Homes ... as the sale COULD fall over... so I will still be madly cleaning, tidying etc ready for tomorrow. OH JOY.

And also tomorrow, at the SAME time as our Open Home, we have to be at Waitarere Beach (40 minutes away) for Stew's Farewell and End of Year Xmas Function.... that should be fun.