THURSDAY...

Yep, totally original.

It's what ya put up when you have nothing to say!

I don't know what we are doing today... we do need to go to town so I can get a couple of things from Spotlight...

That's about it!

I really, really enjoyed the sewing yesterday, I am not going to let another 2 weeks go by without sewing.

Today I am going to FINISH that bloody Frangipani Project! Yaaaa.

AND I will make a start on the binding for Brylee's quilt...

OH YES! Today I will go to the gym and join again ! There, I found something to say! Wasn't that hard was it? LOL

ONWARD...

(2010... not sure who you are? And I couldn't leave a comment last night on your blog?.. )

It's done! I joined the gym... and my first 'assessment' is on Monday 9am.... followed by another session on Wednesday to go over my proramme. I am thinking my fitness assessment will SUCK BIG TIME! I am dreadfully unfit now. *sob*.... but all that is going to change! I'm excited about that.

I also got the materials I needed to finish two sewing projects.. so it's looking to be a good day. Kids are driving me nuts, but what's new on that front? lol

There is always something with a big family... Mike text'd me.. he's in hospital... seems he has no doubt broken his ankle. I'm worried (as normal)... he hadn't been seen by a doctor when he text'd me.. but he's 100% sure it's broken. *sigh*... seems he did it LAST NIGHT at netball... but didn't go to hospital till this morning... and of course now it's swollen to hell and they probably won't be able to fix it right away. Grrrrrr.

All I want to do is be there and make sure he's ok. He may be 19, but he's my baby. It's broken, he's in a soft cast up to his knee till the swelling goes down, then hopefully they can put a proper cast on it next wednesday. Broke some bones, chipped some bones... lots of muscular damage. Might mean no more netball this year, which is a bummer. He is a Manawatu Rep player... gutted.

My first instinct was to just jump in the car and go down there! Now? Suppose I will just stay here and worry, nothing I can do down there really.

End of Day: I am on track still, I'm motivated, I'm doing good again! Long may it last. The 'Gratitude Diary' is great! Looking on the bright side works! Shit still happens, but it's how you cope with it that counts. I choose to cope with it JUST FINE thanks. nite nite.

DINNER PLEASE!

Hopefully this wee video will play for you:

It shows the kids having dinner last night, and Teddy doing what he always does...standing under the chairs waiting for something... anything... to drop on the floor for him to eat! Right after I stopped taping Brylee dropped her whole sausage and Teddy had it in a split second and tried to take off with it! I took it off him of course! Poor dog.

When I prepare dinner he stands at my feet gazing at the floor, not moving ... for bloody ages! Sometimes he quickly looks up at me... as if to say "Drop something eh?"... lol.

Not got anything planned for today... just going to grit my teeth and hope the kids behave. We have plans to take them out on Friday, Stew is taking the day off.... I am hoping we can all go to the movies and see the latest Harry Potter movie.

I've given up trying to get any sewing done during the day... it's impossible with the kids home. *sigh*...

I had my car 4 days... and crashed it.

I have had the heat pump 4 days... and it's malfunctioned!

BUGGER... oh... it warms the room! That is the problem. I set it to 16 degrees overnight, no point heating the living areas when we are in bed eh? EXCEPT...last night it kept on heating .. and heating.. and this morning? The room was 25 degrees and rising! Pfffffft.

I have rung the installers... and they will 'Get back to me'... hmmmm, wonder how long that will take? In the meantime, I've turned the heat pump off. NOT IMPRESSED.

KAREN DEBORAH... you are right! I forgot about the sewing machine!!

Sewing machine malfunctioned 4 days after getting it.

Crashed car 4 days after getting it.

Heat Pump malfunctioned 4 days after getting it.

THAT'S my 3 in a row! AWESOME.

ABOVE: I'm sewing !!! I brought the machine up from the garage... and I'm finally getting on with the satin stitch on the Frangipani Project!

Kids are playing semi-happily, I can still hear the bitching.. damn it. I might just have to turn off the Playstation/Wii soon.

ABOVE: we have progress! Still a bit to go, but getting there!
Kids are finally learning how to get along, what a relief!

The Heat Pump.. seems to be working properly right now... will be interesting to see if it plays up again tonight eh? The installer guy said to give it another night to see how it goes.

End of Day: well I've done all I can on the Frangipani Project for today.. will need to go to Spotlight tomorrow for some black material to do the edge... otherwise it's almost done! AWESOME.

Stew bought home some Tia Maria... nummmm num! Off to relax now, he can put the little shits to bed. *sigh*... I've had enough of them for one day. nite nite.

ANOTHER KID...

This gorgeous wee boy is coming to visit us today... our Grandson Joshua. He hasn't visited us in this new house before... and in fact we have never had him come to stay on his own for so long before.
I hope he doesn't get homesick! edit: Joshua is Russell's son, he lives with his Mum and StepDad, 3 younger brothers and he is getting a baby sister soon too!

Griffin is really looking forward to his arrival. He's coming on the Airport Shuttle from Whitianga this morning. It meant we didn't have to drive 5 hours there and back to get him. Awesome.

Once he's here I expect the kids will play all afternoon! Neat.

At some stage today I need to go out and post the old number plates of ROXY's away.. we got the new ones! D C ROX is now on the Highlander!

Now all I need to organise is the Graphics ... I want "Diet Coke Rocks" and "ROXY" on her next.... KIM? Get back to me on that one ...

Joshua arrived bang on time.. and very excited to be here. First thing I had to do.. go shopping to get him some clothes to wear! His Mum must have forgotten to check his bag.. hardly any clothes came with him. Not a problem.. I will just keep a few sets here for him.

ABOVE: he loves Ben 10, so luckily that label was on sale!

ABOVE: Josh and Bry playing Wii... thank god for games!

ABOVE: mmmmm, this is the BEST spot in the house! Right under the heat pumps airflow.... yeah baby! *snore*

While out shopping, it became apparent that ROBIN is TOTALLY over TOM... cos every time we opened the car door she made a run for it!...

ABOVE: I'm sure that tart jumped outta the car 3 times this morning! So....

ABOVE: I took pity on her and gave her a new pozzie, no where near TOM. happy now?

ABOVE: I found my 'Gratitude Diary' book.. and some pretty stickers to adorn the pages too. Must have it looking pretty! I think writing 3 positive things down each night is great... seems to be working too. I feel much more positive about life in general.

End of Day: and I feel ragged. The kids have been full on this afternoon... arguing over who's turn it is.. what to play... bla bla bla. I have 5 more days of this. Where is the grog??? nite nite.

FREEZE ME BUTT NO MORE!

I am thrilled about today....

The Heat Pump comes today...

I am not going to freeze after today...

TODAY IS GUNNA BE GOOD! I am going to take lots of photos of the heat pump going in... HOW THRILLING is that gunna be for ya???

And sometime today I am going to do some sewing... cos tomorrow our grandson Joshua comes for the week... and I will be busy keeping 3 kids amused and not fighting all day long. Thrilling.

So, there ya go... that's it for now...

It's 9.10am, the heat pump installers were supposed to be here at 8.30am. I got up EARLY especially so I would not still be in me nightie and have no face on when they got here... and THEY ARE LATE! NOT a good start to the day. It's 10 degrees in my house right now... Brrrrrrr. God help them if they don't arrive at all...

I got the phone, ready to ring the installer and give them a blast.. and he arrived. TYPICAL.
So, it's going in....

The book: My Sister's Keeper, by Jodi Picoult... I loved it right up until the end... and the end? SUCKED. That's all I will say about that.

ONWARD...

ABOVE: Nick and the 'helpers'... getting ready....

ABOVE: shit! A hole in me house...

ABOVE: the 'sparky' on me roof! (Electrician)

ABOVE: the outdoor part being installed.

ABOVE: YES!!! All up and running... and it's already lifted the temperature in this room from 10 degrees to 20 degrees in like... 20 minutes! HOW AWESOME IS THAT!

Nick set the temperature for 22 degrees... it's now 24 in this room! And ummmm... I'm hot ! BLISSssss.

The kids and I just did a big grocery shop.... it all fitted in the back of ROXY just fine. And I feel fine driving her again...

Got home, SHIT A BRICK! It's too hot in the house! I have turned the heat pump down to 20 degrees! And it seems to be heating up much more of the house than just the family/kitchen rooms. SWEET!

End of Day: It's been a neat day! I'm warm again, this is huge! nite nite.

GALE FORCE WINDS AND RAIN....

We were supposed to get gale force winds and rain overnight.. DIDN'T HAPPEN. I just got Stew... snoring his bloody head off for the umpteenth night in a row. I have been soooo tempted to smother him... but cos I love him I haven't!

He's recovering from a cold. I FORGIVE HIM.

What we did get was kids... giggling Gertie's the lot of them! There's two in Griffin's room playing PlayStation, and two in the family room playing Wii.... LOUDLY.

Stew has just gotten outta bed... I'm hoping he will go out there and feed them all... and bring me a nice hot drink while he's at it! WAITING....

Got diddly squat plans for the day.. it's wet and friggin miserable outside... not exactly conducive to doing much. Maybe we will think of something a bit later on..
ONWARD...

I should have stayed in bed! It's freezing! I'm freezing, wrapped up in a blanket in the family room... can't wait till tomorrow when the Heat Pump arrives.

ABOVE: Amanda and Joel. Cute. They just left. It's been a long day... just hung around the house.

I have been looking at patterns on the net of bags and soft toys.. and I even ordered some over the net. Isn't it neat when you can shop from home! AWESOME!

End of Day: it's been long, it's been cold.... and I'm glad it's over! Roll on tomorrow! nite nite.

HANGING OUT WITH THE BOY

So, Steve seems to have fixed a few of me computer issues... and as for the internet disconnecting constantly... might be the Internet Supplier's fault... he's going to talk to them today to try and sort that out for me. The last time he had to do that I ended up getting free internet for a couple of months by way of an apology for their crap service. Hmmmm... that would be nice.

We have the usual Saturday morning routine:
Visit the Doctor for weigh in and the yakkity yak.
Go do a few things in Manukau... want to pick up some bits and pieces to do a couple of jobs around the house, then home to do said jobs!

Spend some time with Steve, he has to go back to Hamilton this afternoon ....

- I lost 1 kilo, Stew lost 1.5 kilos... this is good!
- I have been told by the doctor to join the gym again.. he believes (as I do) that it will help make me a more positive person... as I am always waiting for something dreadful to happen! Shit has happened so often in my past that I tend to live my life just waiting for the NEXT bad thing to happen. This must change.

- I have to get myself a 'Gratitude Diary' and write in it every day 3 things I am grateful for.. and hopefully it will teach me to start focusing on the positive and not the negative all the time. Interesting.... So, that was our visit to the doctor today..

NOW.. we are going to head out for a shop-around and have lunch with Steve.
I am already feeling so much more positive that I can make the changes necessary to lose my weight and live a happier, healthier life FOREVER.... not just lose it, gain it, lose it... like I have been doing.
ONWARD...

OOOppps! We went out, and SOMEHOW I ended up buying a new computer! I had intended to buy a small 2nd laptop to use in the bedroom/lounge... but ummmm... we ended up getting a slightly bigger thing:

ABOVE: here is Steve setting it all up for me... such a sweetie!

Amanda and Andrew are going to some Ball tonight, here in Auckland, so they have dropped off Huston and Joel for the night.

So the house is full of kids. LOVELY. Next week we get our other grandson Joshua for the week too. No rest for the wicked eh?

ABOVE: I've been hard at work tidying up the computer area... sorting out all the friggin papers etc that you tend to keep ... all tidy now.

Stew has gone out to get the family Pizza for dinner... not exactly a good choice but...WE BEEN BUSY .... not time to cook!

End of Day: sheesh it's so cold today! I can't wait until monday when we get our new heat pump! Kids are all fed and watered, just waiting to get them all to bed now. Yaaa. nite nite.

I DID IT AGAIN...

Last night I decided to re-arrange the family room... I just didn't like how it looked, all that clutter in one area:

And every time we wanted to use the bed settee we had to drag it out into the middle of the room:

And that just sucked.

ABOVE: So... with Griffin's help I moved things around:


ABOVE: So now, the computer is over where the bed settee used to be..

ABOVE: and the settee is where the computer used to be. It looks so much better... don'tcha think???

One of my most favourite things to do (apart from shopping) .... is re-arranging the furniture! LOL. I'm fairly LIMITED in how much I can move things around in this house though... *sigh*.

Today I suppose I will take the kids out somewhere... can't have them stuck inside all day eh? I think Steve is coming up for a visit tonight... not sure. But if he does that will be nice. He can take a look at me computer issues. Yihaaaa!

I havn't read a decent book in bloody ages.

I won this book in Coffee Slut's competition:

I have been putting off starting it.. kinda putting off the disappointment ya know? I have read far too many duds lately.

Anyway, I finally pick up this book and BUGGER ME! I can't put it down! It's got me hooked.... from about page 1!!!.... god I love a book like that. And they are so few and far between nowdays.

So... I'm reading..BUGGER OFF.

I will come back later... much later... lol!

Roast Pork is in the oven.

Steve is due for dinner.

Lynise is due for after dinner yakkity yak.

Book is riveting, just my luck she's only written 6 books and I have them all read in a week. Pffffft.

End of Day: the book should be finished by the time I go to bed... it's really good.. love the style she's written it in.

Lynise just left... love seeing her.. we always had a lovely yak. Nice seeing ya chick.. now back to the COOKIE JAR. Steve is here for the night.. nice having him home too. Wish he'd stay longer. The kids just love him. nite nite.

CHILL OUT

It's not very warm around here.
Thank God our new heat pump is coming on Monday morning!

I am soooo not a nice person when I'm cold.

Ha ha, some would say I'm really not nice at all!

Sadly, I don't have much to blather on about today.
I really need to do some friggin housework... cos no other bugger is eh?
I tried really HARD to get Kelly to do a job for me... didn't happen. *sigh*

So, today is going to be devoted to the housework, maybe some sewing... and just keeping Brylee and Griffin amused.
Though, they are really good at doing that themselves! Playstation, Wii, toys, TV... pretty much keeps them happy!


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

Here's another little competition to enter: Run by Irish Muses, a patchwork quilter in Ireland. Pop over and check her out, she's a hoot!

ONWARD....

I was good! I took the kids and Teddy for a good long walk.. in the brisk morning air even! lol

We did the 'block'.. it took us 40 minutes, which is a good walk for everyone.

Since then, I've done some washing and watched a couple of TV programmes that I taped earlier. It's a nice day!

Now... I'm feeling rather BLA... will come back later hopefully feeling a bit better. Just tired I think. And kinda crabby.

IT'S OFFICIAL! I'm nuts.

I went down to the garage for something... and patted ROXY and asked her how she was. FUCK, I'M TALKING TO A CAR! Send for the doctors... I'm nuts.

End of Day: I cheered myself up by doing some 'tidying up' in the family room. Will show ya tomorrow. Going to bed early tonight, if ya call 10.30 early! nite nite.

CRABBY

Is anyone else out there having computer issues?
I am.

Almost every night my MSN Messenger keeps disconnecting from the net.. which means I can't read blogs, comment, or do ANYTHING!

I am wondering if someone is tapping into my computer and using my connection?

HELP! I am not up to the play on this shit. I USED to have a secure network.. until STEVE decided to use it and 'unsecure' my internet connection. Since then.. no end of problems.

GRRRRrrrr.

Today: as we have 'wheels' again.. we are going out to the mall. I have some parcels to post, some window shopping to do... and yeah, just get outta the house for a while.
It's the school holidays and the kids are champing at the bit to get out too.
AND while I'm out:

ONWARD....

LYNDA: I read all the updated blogs through Google Reader.. which is accessed via my Hotmail Account... which in turn works through MSN Messenger ... well that's how I work it! AND my whole internet connection goes off not just MSN I think! I am not THAT computer literate... maybe it's a problem with my internet connection? So frustrating not knowing.

We went out... did 'The Mall'... had an early lunch, went out to the airport to watch planes come in... only two piddly arse ones arrived while we stood in the freezing cold.. so came home again.

Kelly and Co. have just gone home... now it's time to do a bit of housework then relax for a wee while.

Driving ... went well! I wasn't as jumpy as I thought I would be. Not too confident with the backing yet... it's a beast to back! I'm not used to having a big motor out the front ... but I will get used to it over time I'm sure. I'm just happy I drove it and didn't feel really scared.

ONWARD... the vacuming awaits. OH YA!

Did I do the vacuming? HELL NO! I fell asleep on the lounge chair... HA HA HA!

Then I was rudely woken by someone knocking on the door.. after I sorted that out I kinda gravitated towards me sewing 'room'... and started working on the Frangipani Project again. I'm hoping to actually start the satin stitch edging tonight! Awesome.

Darling.. if you are reading this... I need more Diet Coke! lol

*sigh*.. yes Steve.. *sigh*.. you have got your *sigh* point across! Now build a bridge and GET OVER IT... *sigh*... I will take your word for it that no one is interferring with my internet connection.

ONWARD....

End of Day: it was a neat day.. I got out and about again.. and loved driving the new car again too. nite nite.

LOOKEEEEE... I FINISHED SOMETHING!

ABOVE: look at that! I finished my first ever Roman Blind... I'm rather chuffed about that! Stew did the final bits like screwing the brackets on and hanging it for me... but I did 98.5% of it!

ABOVE AND BELOW: I think Teddy wants to take some credit too... cos I'm sure he thought he was 'helping' Stew do this bit! Isn't he just the MOST adorable wee dog?

Yesterday was an ikky sort of day, showers, cold and just typically WINTER. Late in the afternoon I glanced out the family room window and saw this:
ABOVE: talk about a 'demonic looking' cloud! This photo is totally 'untouched'.. just as I saw it. Freaky.... and luckily it didn't last long!

We heard from the Heat Pump Installers, and they are coming in a week ... I'm thrilled about that! It's cold. He had originally said it could take up to 3 weeks to get it installed, so I really am appreciative that they have pulled out all the stops to get it in sooner for me.

What else? OH yes, Kelly and her two kids are coming for a visit today for a few days... so at least I won't be stuck at home, carless, on me own!

OH I do hope ROXY gets home soon! Even though I have been VERY nervous driving ever since my little accident! Yesterday I kept jumping out of my skin at the slightest thing! Wonder how long that will last???

Yeah .. yeah.. I know I've been slack today on the updates! Kelly and the kids arrrived, I've been playing with me camera.. see!

The 'mosaic' feature on me camera is getting a thrashing! It's just so much fun!

Apart from that.. done NOTHING!

My car is coming back tomorrow! I am soooo happy about that. AND the dealers we bought if off had not changed over the ownership until today... does that mean it was THEIR car I crashed last week! LOL, nah it was mine. *sigh*

It's a weird day here, one minute we are having a hail storm, and the next its beautiful and sunny! Derrr...

End of Day: it's been long, it's been tiring... thank god the kids are in bed and asleep... only 14 more sleeps till they go back to school. *sigh*... nite nite.

SOMEONE WILL SLEEP IN....

But it won't be ME.
Stew is coming down with another cold... and so it Brylee ... so I'm going to be a gorgeous wife (well I am already of course!)... and let the man sleep in.

*sigh*

It's so hard being ... NICE.

I will go to Spotlight as soon as it opens and get the last loopy things so I can hang the Roman Blind. I stayed up bloody late last night ironing on some crystals (the BLING)... and now it's looking very pretty.

What else? Hmmmmm.... it's too darn early on a Sunday morning to be coming up with anything else eh?

LOOK!!! Photographic proof I can be VERY NICE:

Stewy got breakfast in bed.

ABOVE: The gift bags for my prize winners and Coffee Slut... all ready to be posted.

That was fun. Off to Spotlight now...

HA! I've been back to Spotlight twice today already! ran out of cord for the blind after already being there once today, so had to go back. Stew and Griffin went to the movies this afternoon, Brylee went to a girlfriends for the afternoon... I got to shop... and I didn't buy anything! Must be feeling ill or summit!

End of Day: it's been a rather nice evening, helped along by a couple of shots of that rather delicious Totara Cafe'... num num. and nite nite!

WHAT CAN I SAY ABOUT TODAY?

It's saturday.

It will be all day.

We have absolutely NO plans... that is so weird!

I might have to go shopping, as I've been housebound for three whole bloody days!

I feel like a chook with it's head chopped off! WHAT TO DO... WHAT TO DO?

I fully intend finishing the Roman Blind for the Hallway window today.

****Our Heat pump is coming in two weeks! The Installation people called in yesterday to measure etc. Talk about PROMPT when you threaten to cancel your order! OOOO ERRRRR. Works for me.

I'm so happy Steve has decided to stay in Hamilton and give it a 6 month trial... after yesterday I thought he was going to go back to Palmerston North! He just needs to give the place a chance.... and the other 'thing' too.

That's IT for now... I promise to come back later with a photo or two... don't know what of... but it will be a photo ... cos I didn't have even ONE yesterday did I? JUST NOT ON! HA HA HA.

First off... we went to weigh in at the Doctor's..
- I stayed the same (AGAIN!)
- Stew gained 2.5 kilos. Not too sure how he managed to do that!

Then we went over to Albany Mall on the North Shore and did a bit of shopping.. I was gathering gifts to send to my competition winners and Coffee Slut...

AND of course Stew managed to buy more Playstation Games for 'the kid' who must have more. (grrrrrr).


ABOVE: the Tupperware I got the other day... I just love TUPPERWARE.

Now we are home, it's cold... I feel like crawling into bed to warm up... and I might yet!

End of Day: well I almost got the Roman Blind finished, but ran out of the little loopy things that go on the back... dammit. Have to finish it tomorrow now. nite nite.

SEWING

Well... sewing has taken a back seat this week!
I have done N0NE.
Luckily it is something I can pick up at any time... it's not like it's going to get ruined from waiting for me eh?
This is good.

Today I hope to do some sewing.... I really would like to FINISH something soon!

What else? Oh yeah, I'm still stuck at home... no wheels. Got feet. They just don't DO IT FOR ME though. I like having wheels.

I so want next week to get here FAST. Then I can drool over ROXY again... and a ROXY who is INTACT again. *sigh*

ONWARD... ***PEPSI UPDATED***

I'm actually not having a good day today.... and it's only 9.30 am! It sucks having a LARGE family sometimes. There's just that many more opportunities for things to go wrong.

GOING TO GO EAT CHOCOLATE NOW... if I had any that is! AND I can't even go buy some... GOT NO WHEELS. Pfffffffft! GOD DAMN BUGGER AND BLAST!

-We ordered a lovely big heatpump for the family room last sunday.
- I was supposed to hear from the installer by tuesday. I didn't hear a word.
- I rang the shop yesterday to be ASSURED the installer would ring me last night. He didn't.

SOOOOOOOooooo don't mess with me when I'm in a shitty mood! I rang the shop back just now.... GET YOUR INSTALLER TO RING AND ARRANGE INSTALLATION within the next hour or I am cancelling my order!!! He rang me back in 2.53 minutes!!!! ON. TO. IT.

ONWARD.... oh and I found peanuts and cashew nuts too... and had a couple, then thought "NO .. ... it's not worth it. SHIT HAPPENS".

It's nearly 5pm.. I got some sewing done.. I fielded lots more phone calls today... and now....

I am going out! There is a "Girls Night Only" on at the kids school tonight and I'm going. We are going to watch presentations on Makeup, clothes, colours etc... and the school got a liquor license to serve wine... so it should be fun. BEFORE that though I'm joining a group of the school Mum's for drinkies at one of their homes... see... I'm making friends! I'm taking my Totara Cafe'.... yum yum.

End of Day: well I've had a really lovely evening! Drinkies with the girls... on to the Style evening, which was a bit like Trinny and Susanna.. and quite informative. MUST STOP WEARING BLACK! Yeah right!! nite nite.

WOW!!!! COFFEE SLUT IS JUST AMAZING!

I entered a wee competition of Coffee Slut's... to win a couple of things, including a book. I thought... well I NEVER win anything, but I will enter anyway.. I liked the book!

AND I WON! And that gorgeous woman added a few more things to the parcel and sent it to me.... AND the poor bugger had to pay OVER $60 to get it to me!

THANK YOU SOOOOOO MUCH Chick! Your parcel arrived yesterday... and it made me and the kids (AND Teddy) smile so much.

ABOVE: Teddy checking out the parcel... the kids showing off some of the contents... I just LOVED the blue shopping bags... Coffee Slut knows me so well! *smiles* I do believe I am now collecting shopping bags! They are neat.

ABOVE: a very pretty brooch...


ABOVE: The 'Haul'! There was:

Market (shopping) bags, Butterfly brooch, 3 pair of socks, A Car Freshner, An Extreme Sudoku Book, The Book!, 2 Magnetic Pens, Huge Bag of Lollies for the kids, Silly Putty for the kids, Rawhide Bone for Teddy... and a gorgeous NAUTICAL THEMED Incense burner with tealights and scented candles. DIDN'T I DO WELL?

And didn't Coffee Slut just make my day!

OH... AND SHE MADE TEDDY'S DAY TOO! He LOVED that bone.

Once I have walked the kids to school I am coming home and doing the housework... then I've got a lady visiting.... I've never met her before. Our doctor has hooked me up with a 'Diet Buddy'... and so she's coming over for morning tea. Hope it goes well. I am supposed to help her lose weight by encouraging her... and visa versa. Hmmmmm. We will see how that goes eh?

Ha Ha! I've been yakking with a lovely woman in Ireland... who found me via the blogs.... and last night we had quite a few email exchanges... and I ended up calling her a TWIT.. well she called me a 'wise guy' first! Anyway, she has decided I NEED an Irish Magical Charm to keep me and Roxy out of harm's way!

So she's finding 'a very potent one' and sending it to me. Awwwww ain't that so sweet?

Oh and she decided to bestow an Irish Name on me too... from now on she's calling me "Keeley" which means "Beautiful" in Gaelic... I can live with that thanks! *smiles* Now apparently I'm an IRISH LASSIE.

ONWARD ....

Morning Tea: went really well! She was a lovely girl, we yakked for over an hour and half. She even brought me a gift! Shit, I'm popular and she doesn't even know me! LOL!

We are going to get together once a week from now on.

I have been stuck at home ALL DAY...and me phone hasn't stopped ringing! It has been just amazing, I honest-to-god have NOT been able to get off it, and I have made no calls myself! It's manic around here I tell ya!

And shit! I have to go and get the kids from school..... yikes will have to run now...

*** huffing and puffing***... RUNNING is not good for me! But I got there on time... JUST. And I have fielded 3 more friggin phone calls and numerous texts in the past hour... bloody hell I'm popular today.

AND My latest Tupperware order just arrived too! Sheesh, I'm flooded with gifts and parcels today. Makes me smile.

AND my MUM got FANTASTIC news today!!! She had cancer in 2000.. major operation/chemotherapy etc... and today she got the FINAL ALL CLEAR... she does not have one drop of cancer in her ANYWHERE. We are soooo soooo relieved. And they don't want to see her again..EVER! No more nasty invasive yearly tests for her. I'm so happy for her.

Could today get any better? I don't think so.

End of Day: It has been a hectic day... for my ears! If either phone rings or texts me again I am going to scream! nite nite.

BUILT LIKE A BRICK SHITHOUSE...

...THANK GOD!



So... yesterday... I pick up the ladies for our Patchwork Outing.... and we headed off ...

I go left at an intersection, as our Tutor instructed me to do.

Then the Tutor says "oh we are going the wrong way, turn around".

So I look ahead... NOTHING COMING... I look back... NOTHING COMING... I turn right to do a U-Turn.


CRASH!!!*#@ OH MY GOD!.. there was a small white car in my blind spot... and I side swiped him.

He is shunted right across the road onto the other side, bits of his car and mine flying LEFT - RIGHT - AND CENTER!

OH MY GOD, WHERE DID THAT CAR COME FROM???? is the first thing that entered my head.

Then.... I stop and run over to the other car.. the two elderly men inside are climbing out... they are OK! THANK GOD!

My passengers are all OK Too.

I am shaking like a leaf.

HOW DO I TELL STEW I JUST CRASHED OUR BRAND NEW CAR???

WORSE... we have NOT put the new car on our INSURANCE policy yet... SHIT SHIT SHIT.

Once I had exchanged details with the other car's owner... we continue on our expedition. I rang Stew of course, and he was so good about it all!

I felt totally SICK all day, and couldn't even eat lunch.

When I got home Stew rang the insurance company... and we are COVERED (as Stew knew we were).... we have a clause in our policy that gives us 30 days grace to put any new car on our insurance policy! WHAT A RELIEF!


My car is not damaged TOO badly.
The other car is.

MY ROXY IS BUILT LIKE A BRICK SHITHOUSE. And that's why I bought her..... but I still feel like crying every time I look at her.

I have to take her to the panel beaters this morning for assessment, photos etc.
Then I will go and get my hair done.

And then I will go home and try to think about something else!

ABOVE: these are the materials I bought yesterday.... see.... even when I'm in shock and feel sick, I can still SHOP!

I NEED exercise right? Well that's good then, cos the Panel Beaters have kept ROXY ... and I won't be getting her back till mid next week.... EXERCISE is good! I'M SURE.

NOW... I have to walk to the hairdressers... luckily it's only about 1.5 kms away.

ONWARD......Hair is done, the walk was... COLD AND WINDY... totally messed up the hairdo. SAD.

Walked home... then walked up to the school for a meeting with Griffin's teachers.... that took 1.5 hours.... then we walked home again. All good exercise If I Do Say.... it's all good.

Now I can't be bothered cooking dinner... so we are getting a takeaway! I KNOW... it's not good.... but I'm tired. And wrung out. AND OVA IT. I need to chill out now.

End of Day: well it's been a much better day than yesterday, for sure! Off to bed soon, got a mean as headache going on. nite nite.

AND THE WINNERS ARE:

THE DRAW: well I took a wee video of Stew doing the draw, but it just WON'T upload.. sad.

In the end I had to give out THREE prizes...

1. The Name: "ROXY"... ( Congrats KAY JAY, aka Karen from Palmy)

2. The Lucky Draw: Anonymous! (His/Her suggestion was "Ivanna")...Anon, you have 3 days to own up or I will do a redraw.

AND ...

3. A Number Plate idea! : DC ROX ! ( Congrats Kate in Australia) ... it ties in with the name, AWESOME.

I will get the name "ROXY" put on the car ( somewhere), AND the personalised number plate....

THANK YOU EVERYONE WHO ENTERED MY WEE COMPETITION... it was fun! Must do something like that again.... one day!

ABOVE: when we moved from Palmerston North, I had a huge clean out of all my kitchen ware/glass ware etc... and I gave away a shitload of stuff, including 90% of my glasses. Hell, I had far too much anyway. BUT.. I gave away all the shot glasses didn't I?

And now that I have found a liqueur that I LOVE.. I needed some glasses! So I bought these from Living and Giving, who were having a 50% off SALE... SCORE! I didn't get 'shot' glasses, just some really cute little ones for me and some mid-size ones for Stew ... for his Baileys.

Today is Patchwork Class... and we are going on our "End of Term Outing"... to a couple of shops in and around Auckland. I am providing transport... cos I have more seats in my car than most vehicles. (7)... which is very handy... and only 1 less than we are used to.

So, I will be out for most of the day... Hope I don't spend too much cos I am getting my hair done tomorrow! Sheesh....

ONWARD.....

I crashed the new car.

It was my fault.

No one was hurt.

Except my new car and his car.

I am feeling GUTTED.

End of Day: nite nite.

LAST CHANCE..

This is the last day you have to suggest a name for me new car! I will be doing the draw late tonight....

BIG...BLACK...BEAUTIFUL...4X4 Toyota.... and of course It's MINE...! Lots of you have been focusing on the Highlander name... but I was thinking more of the BIG, BLACK AND BEAUTIFUL aspect really. Like what is big and black and beautiful? Who? What? Where even? So there's more ideas to help ya! There are a few really good suggestions already... but I'm open to more!

Today I am going to EXERCISE from 9 - 10 am, it's the start of my new routine... fitting exercise back in NO MATTER WHAT else I want to be getting on with. Exercise has to come first.
And I am planning every evening meal in ADVANCE, so I'm not left wondering what I'm cooking for dinner at 4pm ... and sometimes just thinking "oh what the hell, let's have takeaways!". NO MORE being lazy....

This is the last week of school before the next 2 week holiday for the kids... so I want to make the most of it and get lots done.. primarily the new blind... and maybe Brylee's quilt finished!
ONWARD...
EXERCISE = Done!

ABOVE: see the tennis ball? hee hee, now I can drive me new car into the garage without hitting the wall.... it's a bloody Looooong car... a bit longer than my van in fact. Oh and it took me over 45 minutes to get that bloody ball positioned just right... and two holes in the roof... *sigh* (small nail holes Stew, don't go panicking now!).

What's next? oh yes.. now to the blind... yeah forget the blind.. I had to go grocery shopping and put petrol in the car ready for tomorrow's Patchwork Class Outing....

***********NAMES: what about something that depicts the "DIET COKE ROCKS" side too????

ABOVE: I snapped this guy in the supermarket this afternoon....like.. WHY did he bother putting on his jeans if he wanted to show his arse so badly???? His underdaks were so thin I could see his butt crack... soooo not a good look. IDIOT.

End of Day: well I drove the new car with some trepidation.. especially around town... but on the motorway I actually CRIED.... cos I felt so safe ! In the van I always felt very vulnerable. I will be doing the NAME DRAW in 3 hours... then going to bed. Results will be posted tomorrow. nite nite.