MONDAY, AND OUR TRIP NORTH PHOTOS.

ABOVE: Teddy LOVED Lacy's cat! And the cat didn't mind Teddy either! It was really cute.

ABOVE: Lacy modelling a summer dress we bought her in Paihia.

ABOVE: Haruru Falls which are just up the road from where Lacy lives right now.
ABOVE AND BELOW: Tim teaching Griffin how to do 'wheelies' in a wheelchair.. oops, he wasn't too good at it!

ABOVE: Two girls up a tree....

ABOVE: The kids had a whale of a time playing with Tim's spare wheelchair, there were a few arguments over who's turn it was now!

ABOVE: This was a FIRST! Lacy taking the kids out in the car.... she's never had them own her own before! I had no qualms about her taking them either... OK.... they were just going down the road to the shop, but still a momentous moment for me.

ABOVE AND BELOW: playing on the Go Kart... which broke down not long after. Darn, they loved that too.

ABOVE: A big cruise ship in the Bay Of Islands, moored off Paihia. When we went through Paihia on Friday all the tourists were in town.. it was mayhem.

ABOVE: overlooking Waitangi Golf Course... and the Bay of Islands.

ABOVE: hee hee, where we had lunch Friday and Saturday. Can highly recommend it... good food, well priced, gorgeous view from your table of the Bay. Ummm... forgot the photo of the view didn't I? lol

ABOVE: Oh NO I DIDN'T! Here it is! From our table at the Mako Bar!

ABOVE: a short video of the Whangarei Falls.... taken yesterday on our way home. We walked down through the bush to get to the bottom of the falls..... in the rain.... and then had to trudge our way back up again. SHIT I'm unfit I tell ya!

I'm going to post a few more photos tomorrow... that's enough for today!

And as for today:

Kids back to school, the man back to work... and me? HOUSEWORK.... plant some vege plants, catch up on some blogs... MISS ME??? LOL...

**** PEPSI UPDATED ****

My little old neighbour, Myra...had a stroke in the middle of the night and lay on the bathroom floor for about 4 hours until her daughter (lives next door in connecting house) heard her and got an ambulance for her. I am going to see her at the hospital today... apparently it was a fairly mild stroke and she's not too bad. But scary all the same for her. Her daughter is going to get a Medic Alert for her when she gets home so she is never unable to call for help again.

I went on the train to Middlemore Hospital to see Myra. I get there, I have NO IDEA what her surname is! I go to this ward, then that ward... all the time asking if they have a 'Myra, who is 82 years old'... kept being told 'NO'! Then in one ward they DO have an 82 year old lady who came in on Thursday.. turns out her REAL name is MARGARET! Ha ha, it took me an hour to find her.. but I did! Quite pleased about that. She is doing well... not too badly affected by her stoke. May be able to come home towards the end of the week.

So that killed me morning, I've done nothing else yet! My car is a right mess and that is top of my 'TO DO' list.... I have vacumed out my ROXY car... and hung out some washing, put a beef casserole in the oven.. and when the kids get home from school I am dropping Griffin off for his extra tuition lesson, and Brylee at the Orthodontist for her 6 week check-up. It's all GO around here I tell ya!

I am feeling decidedly jaded. And a bit down. Kids .... why do we have them? They don't get any easier as they age I can assure you. And when you have 6 + 2 of them.... *sigh*.

HEADING HOME TODAY...

Today we are heading home from the far North.... Stew wants us to go via Tutakaka... no idea why! It's another beach place on the east coast. And I want to go to Russell on the Car Ferry... so it might be a long trip home!

Will update properly when I get home and can upload some photos... won't THAT be fun!

... and hopefully tomorrow (Monday) I will get a phone call to say my MACHINE FROM HELL is coming back on Tuesday.. and it will be ALL BETTER FOREVER! Won't that be fun for all of us eh? I am totally over telling you all it's playing up!... and bitching about it.
ONWARD.....

5pm.. we just got home. It was a long way to go for technically 1 day with Lacy and Tim... the trip to and back was nice.

We decided to take Teddy with us in the end... but regretted it big time! NEVER taking him again... he restricted where and what we could do.... even though he's only a little dog.

Today at lunch we chose a lovely pizza place at Tutukaka 'cos it had outside tables ... covered by an awning... but the owners asked us to get our dog out of there! Arseholes!

It rained on and off on our way home... but that was OK.
We stopped at Whangarei to look at the falls.... got lost trying to get out of the place!
Never mind... we had a nice time anyway.

End of Day: exhausted. Will do a lovely long photo post tomorrow. And I will update PEPSI TOO.... tomorrow OK? nite nite.

SATURDAY IN THE FAR NORTH

It's a LONG way from Home! edit... it took roughly 4 hours to get here from our home.

Today we are heading back to the Bay of Islands, Paihia to be exact.... I saw lots of really neat shops that I want to investigate further! AND Lacy and Tim have not been there yet either...

Also, hoping to take a ferry over to Russell... depends on the cost! If it's a bit too high priced we will just tiki tour around the area.

It's supposed to be a really nice day weather wise today too.. so here's hoping it is.

ONWARD... So we checked out Kerikeri, then popped over to Paihia again.. did the shops, lay on the beach front, had lunch... opted not to go over on the Ferry to Russell today (weather was a bit 'iffy')... might go on the way home tomorrow.

Lacy and Tim are having a few 'settling' in rough patches... just getting used to being together 24/7... it's a big adjustment for both of them I think. But I'm sure they will sort it out. Well I hope so! It is a gorgeous home they have here, and Tim's parents are very supportive.

We will start heading home tomorrow morning, stopping at a few more places of interest on our way...

Lacy dyed her hair last night... reddish Burgundy... I dyed mine tonight... quite a dark chocolate brown! Never been this dark before.. it's WAY darker than the last time I did it! Hmmmm... feels weird being dark!

So, another day down in our mini break.. and only tomorrow to go. *sigh*....

End of Day: looking forward to a nice evening with Lacy, Tim and Stew... nite nite.

LUCKILY....

I'M NOT SUPERSTITIOUS! It's BLACK FRIDAY here.....

We are heading up north today.... The weather is looking promising for a really nice weekend in The Bay of Islands area. I hope we get to see some of the lovely beaches and bays up there.

Time to pack the car and hit the road!

If I can use the internet up there (I think Lacy and Tim have internet)... I will update when I can.

OFF WE GO!

Yaaa, we got here safely!

Fantastic drive up, we diverted over to Paihia in the Bay of Islands for lunch ... there was a big cruise ship in the bay and lots of tourists mingling around... and a small craft fair in a park... so it was really neat. The weather has been a bit cloudy with some light showers, but on a whole ok.

Got to Lacy and Tim's about mid afternoon, and we have spent the afternoon just checking out their home and surrounds. They live in a gorgeous house, surrounded by an orchard/citrus nursery. I am envious .. AND they have a pool..... which is not up and running yet, but will be soon. We are coming back after Christmas to spend more time as it is so lovely here.

End of Day: sorry no photos... I forgot me usb cable... derrrr. nite nite.

THEY LOOK AWFUL LIKE THIS!

ABOVE: three more bags ready for the fancy stitching and then 'construction'... they sure don't look much like this!

Today I am concentrating on getting all the washing up to date, our bags packed etc in readiness for tomorrow, when we go away for a three day mini break. I can't wait! I have never been way up north before ... we plan on having as much of a look around as we can fit in. AND of course visit Lacy and Tim. I am thinking we will go back up there for a longer visit in the New Year if this visit goes well.

It's so nice to actually be going to stay with one of our kids... it doesn't happen often! Amanda is the only other kid we can go and stay with as she has the room for us.

So yeah... I better get moving.... ONWARD...

Every morning when I get up ... I go around opening the blinds.. and most days when I am opening the blinds in the lounge I look over the fence to Myra's house and see her doing the same thing in her bedroom... which faces our lounge...

But this morning she hadn't opened them when I was doing ours... so I thought nothing of it.. until about 11 am when I noticed her blinds were still drawn. ALARM BELLS RANG. Myra ALWAYS opens her blinds... so I hot footed it over there and banged on her door... I could hear her dog barking inside, but NO ANSWER. I was really worried and started to head home to ring the police (hell I was worried)... when a neighbour yelled out to me that she had been taken away in an Ambulance early this morning. RELIEF ... then worry again. I hope she is alright, she is 81 years old and such a sweetie. I will ask her daughter tonight how she is.

Now.. I shall go back to getting ready for our trip tomorrow...

I'm feeling incredibly frustrated! I noticed some activity next door.. washing put out... windows opened.. so I went over and knocked on the door... no answer... yet someone is there! I can't knock on the daughter's door cos she has a locked gate, you can't get to her door! It's driving me nuts not knowing what's wrong.. if she's Ok or not. Grrrrrr. I just put a note in the letterbox, it's all I can do really.

Still not got much done towards packing... waiting for some washing to dry before packing the clothes. Just made a huge meatloaf, some for tonight and some to take up there with us. Should be yum.

OH, and I had ice cream for lunch... don't know why! Stupid, really stupid.

End of Day.. and I'm tired and feeling a bit crabby. It's normal, don't worry! I always get a bit wound up trying to get ready to go away, ask Stew! He usually gets it in the ear. Anyway, almost done. nite nite.

I WILL HAVE A BETTER DAY... I WILL.

I am going to cut out some more bags today... round ones and maybe a square one too. There is quite a bit I can do even without the machine I reckon.

I am hoping the sun comes out today too... so I can start working on me tan. AND yeah... I'll keep me top on!

What else? We need more vege plants, so I will go get them too.... and maybe even plant them!

ONWARD....

I went to The Warehouse (yeah I know, I hate the place!)... to buy a foot pump for the airbeds, and some beach footwear for me.

I got the above for me feet... and saw this nightie:

Totally had to buy it... it's so ME! LOL

I also got the vege plants... and now I'm home testing out the foot pump on the airbed. I think that will be my exercise for the day... bloody hell it's taking FOREVER to pump up a single airbed!

IT'S OFFICIAL.... I am a true blonde.... I stood in the lounge pumping away on that foot pump, getting all hot and bothered for about 20 minutes before I realised that nothing was happening! I mean... I could see the air going in the bloody thing... but it wasn't going up.

THEN...

I realised that the plug wasn't in the 'air out' hole! FAR OUT I'M A TWIT. So. WITH THE PLUG IN, it only took a few minutes to pump it up. Off now to laugh at myself.... do join me. I won't mind. REALLY.

I have spent the afternoon cutting up material strips for my bags.. and that's about all!

Yakked to me Mum, who's in Australia... Yakked to me Aunt down the road. Did some talking to myself too. All good.

Cooking dinner now... Spaghetti Bologniese... yum yum.

End of Day: quite a good day really. Got a lot done. Tomorrow is going to be busy too.. getting ready to go away. nite nite.

TIME ON MY HANDS

Just what did I do with myself before I started sewing eh? Now that my sewing machine is away again... I have no idea what I'm going to do today.

I could of course do the housework... naaaaa....

I could go to Botany and check out a shoe shop I saw yesterday that was having a sale....

I could hunt out the wood stain that goes on the garage door and maybe paint it?.... it does need to be done...

I could climb into the attic and get down the airbed for our upcoming trip up North.....

I could do any number of things I suppose!
Lets wait and see what I get up to!

OH and how much did I spend on groceries yesterday? $629. So there. Some of you were fairly close. Some of you must have thought we lived on lettuce leaves with the really low guesses! There may only be 4 people in this house, but let me assure you.... our Griffin eats as much, if not more than me! He is a growing lad. edit: yes that was for a fortnight's groceries, but we will have to buy fresh fruit every few days .. and I bought enough meat to last about 3-4 weeks. Yaaa having a big freezer again!

ONWARD....

All I can think about is food right now... idle hands and all that! It's nice enough outside to go for a walk, but I don't' want to. It's boring... and lonely. *sigh*... feeling crabby about being bored. Pfffft... I'm a pain in me own arse.

I got a phone call from the sewing machine shop lady
... I hadn't taken in the power cord/foot control or accessory box for my machine yesterday and she wanted them... UMMMM... LAST time I took my machine in you said you didn't need them? This time you do??? FUCK. So I got in my GAS GUZZLER car and drove the 70km round trip to drop off those bits. Like they didn't have a power cord or foot control in the shop they could have used? Yeah they had like 10 of them! I'm so over this shit, god help them if that machine plays up again when I get it back... so how do I feel right now?....


FRUSTRATED...

PHILOSOPHICAL... AND...

JUST PLAIN ANNOYED! Ha ha, that was fun. Took me like 30 photos to get those three semi decent ones!

ONWARD... there is some more housework awaiting me...

End of Day: well I got heaps of houswork done... am feeling really good about that. Bonus really. Quiet evening. Ate too much this evening. Crabby with myself about that. Win some, lose some. nite nite.

PINKY... AND FINGERS CROSSED

So... 'PINKY' is finished.. and it rocks! I have yet to make a bag I don't like! Every one is cute in it's own way.

I am now taking a break from sewing for a few days because...

THE MACHNE GOES BACK TODAY for the 7th TIME. And if it EVER... EVER... EVER craps out on me again after it comes back they HAVE TO REPLACE OR REFUND. I have been nice enough about this eh?

Therefore, this morning I am going to Howich to drop off said machine, then I am going to come home and do.... blog reading! I need to catch up on what you buggers have been doing while I've been enjoying my weekend! lol

And after that I might just do some lovely housework. Stew's sister Khady is coming by this evening to pick up the bags I have ready for her Gallery... I hope she likes them!

ONWARD...

11.48am, just got home from dropping the machine off and getting the groceries. I tried out Pak N Save in Botany, not a bad shop. GUESS HOW MUCH I SPENT? Come on.... guess!.. it is a fortnight's worth....(and NO BLONDIE, ya won't win a prize!) lol

WHOOPS! I am putting the groceries away and...

Found these... ummmm.. can ya tell we don't eat many potatoes now? Can ya? *smiles*

End of Day: have had a lovely visit from Stew's sister.. and a lovely dinner too. AND she loved the bags for her Gallery.. which was neat. Good boost for my confidence. Time for bed! nite nite.

THE SAGA CONTINUES...

I had a very lenghty, fraught conversation with the 'Boss Lady' from the sewing machine shop on Friday night.. she has asked me to try THIS AND THAT.. and to see if it makes any difference to how the machine runs. I could have screamed... but decided to give her ideas a go... and...

BUGGER ME IF THAT BLOODY MACHINE IN BEHAVING ITSELF! I used it all last night and not one problem.... *shaking head*.

I had to thread it a weird way, and tighten the tension a lot.... to stop the cotton jumping off the take up lever... and it seems to have worked. Now I am wondering if I need to take it in tomorrow? PROCRASTINATION WILL DRIVE ME NUTS!

GRIFFIN: is getting a little bit of help at school right now... and his 'case' is being heard by the RTLB Board on 17th November... but IF he is picked up he won't actually get any help from them till at least next year. So we shall continue taking him to Kip McGrath in the meantime.

ABOVE: the bag I started last night.. not finished, but you get the idea. I made the 'flap' wider.... and I'm going to make the strap different too...

It's FUN. But hard on the back and shoulders working at the sewing desk for hours. Shame you can't charge for your time and effort nowdays! *boo hoo*

Today: NO PLANS yet.. Stew is getting up really early to watch the rugby... and I'm hoping to stay in bed till LATE. Maybe he will bring me a 'wake up' hot chocolate drink in bed??? Ahhhh, I live in hope. Until then, I will read some blogs eh?

Upon getting me butt outta bed (no hot chocolate I might add)... I decided to go to Calico Christmas, which is the BIG Auckland City Quilter's Guild Annual Show.. I havn't been to one before so am GOING. I hope to spend no money... but it might be DIFFICULT.

After that we will do the grocery shopping.. oh YAAAA!

ONWARD...

I am so glad I went .... I got to talk face to face with the Sewing Machine Importer (Richard)... and he wants my machine back tomorrow so he can look it over personally, and fix the problem once and for all. He seemed nice enough. Time will tell.

Did I buy anything? Ahhh.. yep! But not masses of material! I got:

ABOVE: These awesome handmade buttons for bags, that pink one is for the latest bag...

ABOVE: this cute bag pattern... and OMG! I just could NOT resist this:

ABOVE: This wee coin purse LITERALLY HAD MY NAME ON IT! I paid an outrageous price for it... but I could not help myself!!!

It's now mid-afternoon and it's time to chill out for a wee while before we do the freakin grocery shopping.. which I HATE... totally HATE I TELL YA!

End of Day: we went out looking at three Open Homes in our area this afternoon... all big houses, all gorgeous, and all too freaking expensive! I want a bigger house! But I don't think it's gunna happen. *sigh*... just as well I do like this house eh? Going now to finish off the 'Pinky' bag. Just got some hand sewing to finish it off. nite nite.

WEEKEND MADNESS

Once again... it's off to the Doctor's for me... and then Stew... then lunch at a mall... followed by a quick visit to Spotlight to get some 'stiffening' stuff for the next bag...

THEN we are going to check out a local Boarding Kennel for Teddy to stay in next weekend when we go out of town for a few days.

So, it is going to be a busy day.
And I will leave you with this:



ABOVE: I saw this book in Whitcoulls the other day... and all I could think of was "So, is there a 'LOSERS BIBLE' then"? It kinda made me laugh.

Bye for now....

ABOVE: Found this awesome material today in our travels... it's an extra wide batik... *drool*.

Having no end of trouble trying to find some 'stiffening' stuff to put behind my material when making the bags. Damn. What do other's use ? I have ended up having to buy a heavy-ish iron on interfacing. Not quite what I wanted, but it will have to do. I was using a really heavy interfacing that it not available anymore.

Oh well... we are off out again now to check out the Boarding Kennel for Teddy...

And where the hell is everyone? I am getting lonely here. *sniff*

So, the kennel is lovely, out in the country, totally GORGEOUS set up. Teddy liked it, so he is booked in for next Friday. We are going for a three day jaunt up north, staying with Lacy and Tim just out of Kerikeri. We hope to have a wee look around the area. It's just a mini break after all the stressful weeks we have been through.

End of Day: a very successful day ... and now it's time to say : nite nite!

I'M STILL FURIOUS!

There is a BIG show on this weekend, called 'Calico Christmas' where all the big retailers sell fabrics, sewing machines and everything to do with Quilting, Crafts etc... and I am so tempted to go and stand in front of the HUSQVARNA Stall and tell EVERYONE just what sort of service they can expect if they buy one of those machines!ABOVE: Tempting!

But I won't. It's tempting, so tempting, but I don't think that will get me anywhere. DAMMIT. I'm just so furious that the HEAD HONCHO... Richard... has said he won't replace the bloody machine! We will see about that.

Today: housework, and lots of it! Totally sucks that dust balls exist...and freaking washing has to be done... and loos have to be cleaned... *sigh*...... only good thing about being in a foul mood is that it's a good mood to do housework in!

I'M CRABBY ... SUPER CRABBY TODAY!

I am SO happy I thought to take photos too: (shame I didn't take a photo EVERY time it jammed up)

If I ever see that 'error' message again I think I will smash the machine with a sledge hammer!

And on that note... I'm off to sew... and no doubt take more photos!

It is 1.30pm, I've been sewing with no problems so far today.. but as WE ALL KNOW....that is not likely to last. I am set in my resolve to take it back on Monday. I have:

- A three page letter detailing EVERY SINGLE time I have taken it back, how long I was without a machine, how frustrating it has been, how I have been treated,... bla bla bla.

- A copy of the New Zealand Consumers' Guarantee Act, highlighting my rights.

- Copies of photographs of the machine when it has jammed (when I thought to take photos that is!)

I am giving the Owner of the shop/Importer 10 working days to give me a refund or a TOTALLY NEW Machine... or I will be taking legal action. I have not even mentioned 'Fair Go' or similar YET.

Right, I am thoroughly sick to death of this topic.

I am now going to have a bite to eat... I think I'm hungry now.

End of Day: I had ice cream for DINNER. Yep, emotional eating... I own it. nite nite.

WHAT HAPPENED TO ME CHRISTMAS TREE...

My Christmas Tree on the side bar is gone! Pffffft.

Taking me sewing machine back today.

Hope they give me a loaner.

Might go for a walk.

And then again I might not too! I am so fickle when it comes to exercise right now. At least I have a handle on the eating!

Right, that's it for now... I'll be back later I suppose! Eeeee, I might even get to read/comment on a few blogs today! LOL

I talked to the lady at the sewing machine shop this morning, she persuaded me to keep the machine and sew like mad for the next couple of days and really give it another chance. So I am. I must feel in my mind that I have given it every opportunity I suppose. And the thing is, the stupid thing is sewing beautifully TODAY.

It is a totally crap day today too, raining non stop and cool. So perfect to be sitting on me bum sewing. Though, I have been jumping on the exercycle on the hour for 10 minutes, just to get a break and some exercise! Works for me.

I started another bag today.. it's pretty much the same colours as the last one, but with green sides/strap...

I just rang the shop to let them know I was bringing the machine back...to be told not to bring it in till Monday, as they can't pick it up for repair till Tuesday anyway... AND the lady in the shop said that she had spoken to the MAN who imports them and he has said he will NOT replace or refund it as he is sure that he can fix it... even if it means stripping this, that, and the other thing right out of it and replacing those parts! LIKE HELL I said to her! I am not going to put up with this crap anymore... I want a brand new replacement or my money back! AS if I am going to let this drag on for another 5 friggin months!

Tomorrow I am going to ring the right Government Department to find out my legal rights... so I know exactly what to say to that prick when I finally talk to him. FUCK I'M MAD NOW.

End of Day: Tonight's dinner is :

Steak and Cheese to be precise.. and it smells devine. I'm not having any... don't want the pastry. Will have some veges or similar later. nite nite.

IN A QUANDARY

That blasted sewing machine behaved last night. Now I don't know what to do. Take it back or keep it and and see how it goes for a few more days. Pfffffft.

ABOVE: So... here is what stage I got to last night on this bag. It's certainly a bright, vibrant bag! I love it. In fact I love most of them... derrrr!

Steve leaves this morning for Hamilton, all he has to do is 'report' in then he can go again! Mad. His trial is looking like being in April next year. Such a long time to wait and have it hanging over his head.

Today? Gunna sew. And go to Weight Watchers. Hoping for a small loss. Or large.. I will take either!

I LOST: 1.8 kgs this week. AWESOME. (well in fact I'm bloody STOKED about that, cos if ever there was a week when I was going to 'eat my emotions', this was it! And I didn't.)

Now I'm going to do some more sewing and see how we go.

ABOVE: The 'Bright Bag' finished. LOVE IT.

Can a sewing machine has a 'split personality'? Cos I swear that machine is out to totally piss me off! It sewed beautifully this afternoon, only jammed up once! Pffffft. Still taking it back... but will do it tomorrow. I'm scared they will take it back and make me wait ages for a new one... and NOT give me a loaner in the meantime! I will be lost if they do that!

But then, I won't know till I do it eh? Should not expect trouble...

Steve is safely back in Palmerston North.. Amanda has her boys.. all is good in my little SOAP OPERA... for now.

End of Day: spend the evening fighting the urge to throw up! Must have been the kebab I had for lunch. Nasty. Off to bed now, hopefully I'll feel better in the morning. nite nite.

NOT HOLDING MY BREATH

Today Amanda goes to court to try and get her boys back.... I don't have any idea if any resolution will happen today or not. But I will keep my fingers crossed anyway. She did NOTHING wrong.. and her ex-husband has used a situation to take the boys away from her. Now it's her chance to put that right. I hope the judge sees the injustice of it all and does the right thing.

Steve is due here sometime today too.... he has requested Roast Pork for dinner... so that's in hand.

I will do some sewing today to keep my mind off things. Maybe it will work?

OH! I'm supposed to be getting my sewing machine back today too! Let's see if they ring me eh?

Apart from all THAT... it is just a normal day ! YEAH RIGHT.
And I'm hoping it will be nice and sunny... I'm wanting to start work on me tan! Summer is coming....
ONWARD...

IT'S RAINING. AND COLD. *sniff*...and now it's cloudy, some sun shine and it's warm. Stoooopid weather.

I just picked up my machine... off to sew now...

ABOVE: The next bag, ready for the fancy stitching to happen... much brighter than the last few eh? I used batik materials, they are just so gorgeous!

Amanda... text'd me... there has been Strike Action at the Court.. so her hearing is delayed.. may not even happen today afterall.

The sewing machine is behaving so far... the shop said the repairman had found some 'burrs' on something? And he fixed it. WE WILL SEE eh? *smiles*

Steve is due here in the next couple of hours.... and there will be no TANNING today.. it's cloudy and cold again. pffffft.

YES! YES! YES! Amanda got her boys back. And so she should! There is going to be another hearing on her custody issues in the future as the courts were very backed up and could not address a lot of her issues in relation to her ex-husband's controlling and violent ways.

Steve arrived safely.

My machine PLAYED UP... and is going back for the last time tomorrow.

Stew came home early... which is nice.

End of Day: a good one and a bad one, a stressful one... and I'm having a drink. So there. nite nite.

MONDAY... MONDAY...

Tis another week... with quite a few things on this week.

Stew and I have an appointment with the School this morning to discuss Griffin's lack of progress.

Amanda goes to court tomorrow to try and get her boys back.
Steve goes to court on wednesday to 'check in', then he can go again till his hearing next year.

So it's going to be stressful... a real test of my coping strategies.

TODAY:
- Kids to school
- Appointment at school
- Stew to work
- Me?

Housework.
Sewing.
Get some exercise.
Kip McGrath for Griffin this afternoon.

And that's it for now.
Back later...

EEEEwwwww... we saw a huge cockroach in the kitchen... And Teddy grabbed it... OUR SAVIOUR! .... but then he ate it... and if I was entertaining the idea of having breakfast...it has now gone. My stomach is totally in revolt at the thought of food after that. lol

I am sitting here (after our meeting at school) hoping it wasn't

It was like a re-run of the meeting we had with the school WAY BACK in October 2008... where they told us ALL THEY WERE DOING.. and we listened, believed them and left them to it. ONLY this time we are not going to do that.

I left feeling annoyed as hell... and vowing to be on their case every other day until we see some results. They know he has to be tested for 'this that and the other thing' so BLOODY WELL DO IT!

In all it was a 'good' meeting I suppose... but I hate having to confront anyone and get all hot and bothered. HATE IT.

My first impulse on getting home was ... eat something. But... I have managed to hold off that impulse for 2 hours now, so I am feeling proud about that.

Now all I have to do is have a good, solid, healthy lunch and STOP at that. So much easier said than done, but I am determined that this weeek, even though it is going to be stressful for days, is not going to be be a disaster that shows up on the scales.

HOUSEWIFE Tip of the Day:

Tea towels DO NOT make good splatter guards. THAT. IS. ALL.

Just home from picking Griffin up from Kip McGrath.. going well there.. no progress yet, but it's early days.

Got a phone call from school.. they are 'working' on getting him assessed ... but nothing will happen till next year OBVIOUSLY! Yeah we have heard that before.

Round and round... and round again.

Dinner is in the oven (lamb chops cooked in mint sauce)... expect Stew home in an hour or so. Tomorrow looms...

End of Day: Productive.... hopefully. Frustrating....much. I am happy though that I did not react by stuffing my face. I AM going for a walk this evening... while it's nice and cool. nite nite.