WORD SPREADS...

*~*~*~HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY MUM... 73 TODAY~*~*~*

Today Griffin's RTLB Teacher is visiting to discuss what the new IEP is for Griffin at school.... as his 'special' 2.5 hours a day in a special needs class is no longer happening. In fact it hasn't been happening for weeks.

And she is coming to our home...... as she has heard all about our new puppy and is dying to see her! How cute is that?

What do ya think of the roof box? I just ordered one for our Highlander.... we will need it next week when we go down to Palmerston North.... No more car interior jam packed with luggage! There will be room for both dogs and all the paraphernalia we will have to take with us for them. I have been wanting one for ages... so quite rapt!

I feel like going out and about today.... so might just go to Sylvia Park for a browse around... after the RTLB teacher has been and gone.

ONWARD....

I just HAD to post this wee video of Coco today! She has learnt how to use the Dog Door!!! So quick too... no doubt from watching Teddy come and go through it.... I am so happy! This means she can go outside herself once she realises that's where the toilet is! AWESOME...

And YES NOLA: I know it's yet another video of Coco... I am NOT biased ... we still love Teddy... and you are NOT having him! LOL

Lunchtime: got a call from school... Brylee had fallen down some concrete steps and grazed her knees and bumped her shin quite badly... so I went to school to check out the damage for myself. Poor girl... all she was worried about was missing out on swimming this afternoon... so I said she could still go and we would bathe her legs in anti-septic as soon as she gets home. That cheered her up a bit.

Being the freaking lovely mother I am... I will drive over and pick them up from school today so she doesn't have to walk home with a sore leg. *sigh*..... the things ya do.

Went shopping too.. bought a bit more card, another cuttle bug die and some pretty paper. Could. not. resisit. lol

End of Day: So glad it's a friday, I plan on sleeping in tomorrow! Brylee was headachy and tired tonight and fell asleep in a chair.. poor kid. Think her wee accident upset her lots today... I took photos of her legs but they came out all blurry... oh well.... maybe tomorrow? Sure looks like she's going to have some good bruises. Time to call it a day, nite nite.

JUMPING JACKS... AND MORE TOES.

Today I take Griffin to Jumping Jacks, which is an Occupational Therapy session.... there will be 4 OT's assessing him (and about 5 other kids) over an hour and a half session, which is one of 5 sessions he will have. At the end of the 5 sessions the OT's will hopefully be able to tell us what we need to do to help Griffin .... like how to sit STILL and concentrate better.

Apart from that, I don't have much on today at all. I will probably make a start on the Gift Cards for the shop.

Above: yet another cute wee video of Coco, taken last night.

ONWARD...

- The cards I am making for the shop are just tiny ones... so I won't be registering for the 'Rich List' any time soon!

- I will not be wearing slippers... I am having a hot flush every 20-30 minutes all day and night now... so I am constantly stripping off! Hot and SEXY... I am NOT! lol

I have been working on a few of the gift cards... in between looking after Coco... she is like a naughty two year old, getting into EVERYTHING. *sigh*... the joys.

ABOVE: as if I didn't have enough housework to do! Grrrrr... that mess used to be leaves and twigs.

...... Griffin had a fantastic time at his Jumping Jacks session... while he was there I had lunch with Stew.... and got back in time to pick up the Dude and then Brylee from school.... arrived home and EEEEKKKKK! I had left the garage door open.. our house was totally 'OPEN' for anyone to just walk in for over 3 hours! Far out... what a blunder! Luckily, no one took up the open invitation!

Breathing a huge sigh of relief about that.

ABOVE: today's card effort... 17 Gift Cards. They are only little.... but that's fine, it is fun making them.... and I am sure I will need to make more! (well, fingers crossed)

End of Day: Stew and I were totally EVIL tonight and had a Tower Burger from KFC... OMG it was delicious too! They are the best burgers IN THE WORLD! That is all there is to say. Except I am now full as a bull! nite nite.

NEWEST CARDS... AND FINGERS CROSSED

These 4 I made yesterday/last night. Funky.

I have my fingers crossed about 'something' today....

My diet is going splendidly... even though the scales are refusing to shift at the moment! Bloody horrible things.. but the difference this time is that I am not getting all cross about the 'no loss' thing... it WILL happen... I just have to persevere.

And here's a Question: What do you call a 'hand brake' in your car when it's a pedal? My Highlander has a foot pedal that is the 'hand brake'... it's weird. But I love it.

ONWARD...

It's been a quiet morning.. I had to drive the kids to school today as it's raining.... quite a lot in fact. Lucky I got all the washing done yesterday!

I have an appointment at 1.30... might have some nice news after that.... feeling a bit nervous!

What have I been doing? Well.... I had an appointment to see the owner of an Art/Gift shop in Manukau Mall with a view to supplying them with my cards... and while they don't want the big ones... they have asked me to make them smaller gift cards.... I AM WRAPT! It may eventually pay for my hobby! Now I can make them and know they will not just be piling up in my drawer! lol

End of Day: dinner = done, relaxing in front of the TV = doing. Going to do nothing else all night.... nite nite!

VET VISIT TODAY

I'm taking our wee girl Coco to the Vet today... she is due for her 2nd Vaccinations.... and it will be a chance to have her checked out properly ... though I am sure she is 100% A-OK.

I need to get some flea stuff too... cos I'm bloody sure we now have fleas! Could only be mind over matter, but I am itchy! Teddy is itchy. And Coco is itchy. I hate fleas!... hell who doesn't?

After the Vet visit I have to go down to the mall and post a card to me Mum for her Birthday... of course I made it!

Then.... retail therapy? Can't think what I 'need' right now... but I am sure it will come to me! LOL

ONWARD....

ABOVE: let's just call this one 'TOES' eh? lol

I have had an AWESOME morning! Coco's visit to the vet went well... I have some flea stuff to put on both the dogs....

Then I went down to the mall and posted my card.... and bought a really neat new dress/top to wear down in Palmerston North... as it's COLDER down there! We are going down next week for a few days... to see our friends and two youngest boys.

The other thing that was rather neat this morning was..???? Ain't gunna tell you.... it has to wait until tomorrow afternoon... cos by then I might have some news to tell you! Quite excited... hope it pans out.

A quiet afternoon, made a few more cards... wonder if I will ever get tired of that? Right now I'm loving it! Kids are home safe and sound, it's a grey sorta afternoon... almost cold... but not quite yet! Amazing the weather up here.. so mild compared to Palmerston North. Love it.

Suppose I should think about dinner now, hmmmm...

End of Day: it's been a really neat day... got lots done.... felt good. Time to hit the hay... nite nite.

LET ME IN!

Last night:

ABOVE: Let me in...... it looks like fun!

ABOVE: OOOOhhhh... you sure taste good...

ABOVE: Gimme a kiss eh? Ahhhhh.... so sweet.

Anyone who doesn't like 'cutesy' dog pictures... too bad! LOL

I love Mondays... kids are at school, man's at work... and I get to clean the house and mop the floors. How lucky can a girl get??? *smiles*....

Coco is 9 weeks old today... I'm sure she has grown heaps in the week she has been home with us! She has settled in so well... and Teddy is certainly more tolerant of her. We just have to teach him to not play quite so 'vigorously' with her.

I'm looking forward to getting the housework done then relaxing for a while today... I am feeling really tired. Not sleeping that well (hot flushes) .... but I suppose it could be worse... Coco could be waking during the night like a real newborn baby! Stuff that! I am so glad I don't have to go through THAT again! Babies are ADORABLE... but I am over sleepless nights.

ONWARD...

My floors are clean again.

The vacuming is done too...

and the washing......

And I have confirmed that Coco has grown in the past week! The little piddle puddles on my carpet are BIGGER now... ! Nice one.

Off to make some lunch now... starving...

Quiet afternoon.. did indeed have a nap, from 1pm - 2.30pm, must have been tired! Woke up feeling all foggy in da brain (quite normal)... but came alive again when the kids got home.

I have a gorgeous Bacon 'N' Egg Pie in the oven for the family for dinner... Stew will love it. I used to make them all the time for him when we first met cos he loved them so much.... the way to a man's heart... through his stomach... AMONG other things! ha ha ha.

ABOVE: said Pie.

Line an oven dish with flakey puff pastry, then: chuck in a bowl 10 eggs and a tad of salt .. beat the shit outta it... add 750 grms of chopped up bacon, 1 and a half cups of grated tasty cheese and some chopped up parsley. Pour the whole lot into the lined dish... cover with a 'lid' of flakey puff pasty ... poke some holes in the top... decorate with a pastry heart or words (I often put 'PIE' on the top)... put in a hot oven (200 C) for about an hour and a quarter. done.

End of Day: family loved the pie.. I had tomatoe soup. With cheese. nite nite.

MOTHER'S DAY.... YEAH RIGHT!

It's Mother's Day again, and no doubt I won't get a sleep in.... and as I don't eat breakfast... I won't be having THAT in bed either.

Hopefully most (or all?) of my kids will REMEMBER and ring me.. that would be nice. But I won't hold my breath.

I have no plans for the day... as Amanda is here we will probably go out and about to the shops, make a card or two together....

ABOVE: Amanda having a go at finishing off one of my cards...
Coco woke up at 6.45, so I'm up... *sigh*... Stew is still asleep, so is Amanda. Suppose I better feed Brylee and Griffin and open the curtains, bla bla bla...

Anyone who knows me... knows I HATE ORANGE... of all the colours .. I really, really hate orange! So what did my darling eldest daughter get me for MOTHER'S DAY:

An orange flower!!! I am going to give her shit for ages over that! LOL. I do love her for thinking of me and coming to visit of course!!!

LOL... we went out... and the silly Tart bought me TWO more flowers.. in BLUE... I told her not to be so silly... *sigh*... but she did anyway... and she got me some more card and stuff! What a sweetie... awwwwwww.

ABOVE: Two cards I just made... totally LOVE them! NZ = New Zealand, in case you don't get it.

For the first time in many, many years... ALL MY CHILDREN have remembered me on Mother's Day!!! I can't tell you how wonderful that has been. THANK YOU TO ALL MY 6 KIDS.... I love you all... well most of the time! *smiles*

End of Day: and it's been a lovely day... the best Mother's Day in years... cos ALL my kids contacted me. Looking forward to tomorrow as per usual.... cos it's a Monday.... and I will get some peace and quiet again! nite nite.

MORE FREAKING CARDS.... AND ME YAKKING

Righty-Ho... for all you weird buggers out there who think my 'accent' is cool, here's me yakking again! I'm a bit 'croaky' as I am getting a cold me thinks...

And of course, showing off some more cards I made yesterday.

Today: well His Nibs (Stew, ABOVE) and the kids are home... not sure if we have any 'concrete' plans for the day.... but it would be nice to go out somewhere!

ABOVE: the dogs on Stew's lap last night... TOGETHER.... even if it didn't last long! Coco crawled up onto Teddy's back, which made Teddy scarper!

ABOVE: just cos I can, another video of the dogs.

ONWARD...

ABOVE: Another PHD nearly finished! This wee bag has a name on it too.... so NO Amanda!

Stew is down at the MedLab having blood/urine tests to make sure his diabetes is under control (we are sure it is).... ikkkkk to needles! Happy it's not me. I've just been moving furniture in the Family Room...

I wanted some more card... so we popped down to the local mall and Stew (Bless his heart) bought me some more for Mother's Day! He reasoned there was no point in him buying me a card... lol!

I felt like something sweet, so Stew went and bought some caramel cake.. it was devine! Don't think I will be eating dinner now (Nachos)... as I am full!

Amanda is due here at dinnertime, she's staying overnight. So 'someone' can bring me 'breakfast' in bed! ... won't be hard... a drink of diet coke and me pills! lol

End of Day: Amanda arrived safely, dinner was fed to the family... I took Amanda down to see me latest cards and she had a go at making one.... now time to chill out and relax for the rest of the evening. nite nite.

THE ICEBERG IS THAWING...

ABOVE: Last night... Teddy finally started coming around to liking Coco.....

ABOVE: And then he went nuts and played with her for ages! That 'growling' noise is just him playing.... he always makes that noise when playing with us.... Puppy loved it! They played for ages, racing around the house like mad things! It was so gorgeous to see!

Today: I'm going to sew something.... make a card or two... do some housework... and of course... it's weigh in day.

I am not expecting a loss this week.... my portions have been a bit too big I think... it is so easy to give yourself just a bit more... and before you know it you are having too much again! *sigh*

Constantly having to moderate one's self.... but it is worth it to be healthy eh?

ONWARD... I put a hot water bottle (covered) in with Coco last night... and the result? A happy puppy who slept all night and didn't wake up until 6.45am... and Teddy stayed in the laundry with her all night too. AWESOME. I have woken up with a cracker of a headache though... think I could be getting a cold...or am just overtired?

SPRINGIRIS: Yes, you are a dork! LOL at you ...

DEE: Nope, Amanda is NOT having the Table Runner! It has a name on it already, and it ain't her's. I must hide it....

I just weighed in... I STAYED THE SAME! FREAKING Awesome, very, very happy about that. NO GAIN.... yaaaaaaa.

Been busy, did some gardening (shock, horror!), some sewing, housework, made 3 more cards... looked after Coco (it's like having a naughty 18 month old in the house) and now.. waiting for Stew to get home with dinner (fish 'n' chips).... it's me day 'off' the diet.

End of Day: why is it that 'evil' food is not as nice as you think it's going to be? I didn't enjoy the fish 'n' chips... bugger! I did enjoy making a couple more cards tonight, and tidying up the card-making area.... it sure gets messy quick! Bone tired now... off to bed. nite nite.

I'M TIRED... WITH AN EMPY HEAD

No photos.
No videos.
No idea what to put on here today!

I'm tired.
Puppy wakes up REALLY early.
I don't like that.

I WILL finish the bloody Cupcake Table Runner today. I will do NOTHING else until it's done. I hope that shuts ANONYMOUS up!

Then I might have a nap.... so there.

ONWARD....

Teddy is getting better with the puppy, this morning when I got them out of the laundy they both played with me on my bed.... Teddy wouldn't even get on the bed if the puppy was on it yesterday! So he is thawing!

PROOF:

See? I am sewing....

ABOVE: Peace reigns.... well, until SHE wakes up and makes Teddy move!

ABOVE: yesterday's bath... NOT impressed with me. Too bad.
Right, back to the sewing...

IT. IS. DONE.... and now I can relax! I was going to give it to me Mum for her birthday, but she saw it when she was over last and was like "Oh, that's nice"... but said in such a way that I just KNEW she didn't think it was really LOVELY, so I am giving it to someone else who I am sure will LOVE it. It has taken a lot of hours to do.. but worth it!

Time to do some housework.. and get warm! It is actually COLD in the house today, I have turned on the heater!

I warmed up, then went and visited my little old lady next door... took the puppy to show her.. ended up staying for 2 hours! She loved Coco... as I knew she would.

I am cross!... (just joking), where are all the accolades for FINALLY getting the Table Runner finished then? ANONYMOUS????? pffffffft.

... off to make something else now.... probably a card... I'm working on a Birthday Card for my Mum....

End of Day: so glad Anonymous is happy I finished the Table Runner! And who is ANONYMOUS??? do tell. Had some developments with the dogs tonight... will show you tomorrow. Time to settle down for the evening... watch a wee bit of telly, spend some time with 'The Man'.... nite nite.

THE EYES HAVE IT.....

ABOVE: Coco, the day we brought her home... AND:

ABOVE: AFTER I took to her face with the scissors! Her darling wee eyes can now be seen... I just love that adorable wee face... who wouldn't? She is such a wee darling... I love her so much already! Even though she has piddled on me carpet half a dozen times already! ha ha ha!

Today I have to post 4 Cards to a lovely lady up in Whitianga... as she's a fellow blogger I was thrilled to make her a few cards for some Special Occasion's that are coming up in her Family. I am loving the card making... and incorporating fabric into them too. You really are only limited by your imagination....

ABOVE AND BELOW: A Baby Boy Card and a Birthday Card..... I hope Anne likes them!


ONWARD.... *sigh* edit: let's make that 7 piddles, and 1 poo on me floor! WONDERFUL.

I just bathed the puppy, blow dried her (she hated that), then while she was still a little damp I rubbed Teddy's bedding all over her! Hopefully she will seem more 'ours' now to Teddy?

Had to go out and pick up Teddy's steroid pills... took both dogs with me... what fun! Am finally getting to read some blogs.... catching up on what's been happening...

End of Day: I've been busy making some more cards. And looking after the puppy/kids/housework.... ANONYMOUS.... I will finish the Cupcake Table Runner.... unless you want to come and do it yourself? I will do it...... I WILL! nite nite.

PUPPY VIDEOS

ABOVE: a few short videos of the puppy again.. as requested!

Yesterday was long... and tiring! Keeping the two dogs apart and happy was quite stressful! Today... I'm going to take a bit more time for myself... which will mean they have to 'go to bed' a few times!

OH Excitement! I am getting my PINK CUTTLEBUG today too... I hope it's as fantastic as it seems to be!

Stew rang me yesterday and asked me if I could make a 'Well Done' card for a bloke he works with... so I did:

As I didn't have a 'Well Done' stamp, I rang the sewing machine shop to check if I could sew material to card (I can)... then I stitched the words on and put on two crystals too! Very happy with that! Stew thought the card was AWESOME! Awwwww.
Today I am going to be out most of the morning, so I have decided to leave Coco at home with Teddy... I've put her crate in the laundry beside Teddy's bed... here's hoping she doesn't ruin his hearing with her howling! LOL... or maybe she won't howl?

SHOPPING - Done!
Morning Tea with Stew - Done!
Home to a rapturous welcome from BOTH Dogs.... Done!


ABOVE: my pink cuttlebug and a few embossing folders and dies.... being checked out by our new little Tartlet!

ABOVE: Score of the day.... an alphabet die set ... reduced by $60! Awesome, I didn't think I'd be able to afford an Alphabet Die Set yet.... YIPEEEEEEE!

Now... I do believe it's time to have a play with me new toy... ONWARD...

The 'toy' I'm playing with is the Cuttlebug! Puppy is asleep in her travel case at my feet in the garage! She like to be around me... well anyone actually! lol

I am going to be brave tonight and read some blogs.. I've been too scared to open Google Reader.. I bet there are hundreds of unread updates there! OOOOooooo... so much to read, so little time! Forgive me if I miss you... but I have been busy!

End of Day: I had a sneak peek at my Google Reader List.. gasped... and got outta there real quick! Over 500 updated blogs!!! Nope, ain't gunna happen... marked them all as read... will just start from tomorrow catching up on who's doing what! nite nite.

SERIOUSLY PISSED OFF DOG....

ABOVE: this is the face of one seriously pissed off, spoilt rotten dog! Oh we are going to have fun getting him to accept Coco!

ABOVE: A tiny video of Coco last night.

Today: well the house is back to just me... and the DOGS... funny saying 'dogs'... *smiles*. I should be going to patchwork class... and I might yet... but if I do I shall take Coco with me in the travelling case.... she's too little to stay home on her own ... surely? LOL.... yes I'm a big softie!

So I did take Coco out with me this morning... BUT... I put her in her crate first.. then told Teddy to go to bed (as per usual) and once he was in the laundry with the door closed (as per usual), I then put the puppy in the car. Teddy did not see me do that, he had no idea the puppy was out with me.. and when we came home I put puppy back in the crate before letting Teddy out of the laundry. So I think that was sorted.

The ladies at Patchwork thought Coco was just adorable.. I was lucky to get out of there and still have a puppy! lol

Now.. .I have to get card making! I've got a wee order from a lovely lady in Whitianga who wants 4 for various reasons... what fun!

ONWARD...

Since coming home from our outing this morning I have ascertained that:

- Coco can howl and yowl VERY loudly

- Coco can howl and yowl for A VERY LONG TIME

- Chris Needs EARPLUGS very badly

- Teddy is very good at ignoring said NOISE better than me.

*sigh*

Slinking back to the garage, where at least Teddy and I can shut the door on her noise!

End of Day: Puppy is in her crate... it's 10.30 and she's started howling... of yaaaaa. nite nite.

EARLY START ... FOR A SUNDAY.

TODAY is the day.... we go and pick up COCO.

So, as it is quite a distance away where we are picking her up from... we have to leave at around 8am this morning! The breeders are also leaving early as they are meeting us half-way.... which I think is just so nice of them! They live way up North in the Bay of Islands...

We are packing a picnic lunch... no point going all that way and not having a lovely picnic at a beach now is there?

YES, Teddy is coming with us. He loves going out in the car! I just hope he takes to Coco well... life as he knows it is about to change! LOL

I have set up the crate in the Family Room, so Coco (and Teddy) can have 'time out' from each other if it is necessary.

so... ONWARD.....
Catch ya later!

We are back!....

Meeting the Breeders at Waipu...




Having a picnic at Matheson Beach near Leigh....


Teddy in the crate to keep him safe from the other dogs at the beach.... he goes nuts when he sees other dogs and barks like crazy! So, better safe than sorry! He is NOT impressed!




Loves and kisses for her new Mum and Dad....



Checking out her new backyard...


Am I cute or what?


She likes her new Big Brother...


Teddy checking out the plumbing on this new annoying thing ...

Teddy isn't that impressed with the puppy really... and not long after this photo was taken he got really nasty and growled at Coco and snapped at her... poor Coco was terrified and cried and ran away.

As we have never had two dogs before... and Teddy is no doubt territorial and jealous... any suggestions on integrating them without bloodshed would be appreciated!

End of Day: and it's been long and eventful! Coco has VERY sharp teeth... I found that out when she tried chewing my toes! Nice one Coco. nite nite.

OPINIONS PLEASE.....

Which Background colour???

Pale Blue with tiny white spots...

Light Green or....

Lilac??? I have not trimmed the blocks yet, so don't go noticing how uneven they are!!! I did not use a pattern, just slapped them together!

I am going to make a kid's quilt out of the blocks, or a couple of cot quilts....

These blocks were so quick and easy to make, my kind of block! *smiles*

Today... well the family is home from school/work... we need to do a grocery shop, and some gardening... some housework.. and it all has to be done TODAY, as tomorrow we go out of town to get the COCO!

ONWARD...

COCO... I have had her name ready for at least 2 years! If Teddy had been a girl he would have been named Coco... the breeders had been calling Coco "Missy"... but once I bought her they have been calling her Coco too. So, Yes ... I named her.

The kids are going on and on about tomorrow... today better go FAST!

I have now made 74 heart blocks... hopefully enough to make two matching single bedspreads for our spare bedroom! Just have to buy the sashing material, borders etc.... it's looking like the LILAC material is coming out on top of the favourites! Stew and I think so too... even though I love blue, the lilac just accentuates the blocks so well!

Off to do the grocery shopping now... JOY.

End of Day: we had the most awesome Beef Spare Ribs for dinner, with lovely veges. Bliss. Having a quiet evening... tired! Looking forward to tomorrow, hopefully it will stop raining! nite nite.

FABRIC FLOWERS... WHY NOT BLOCKS?

A couple of days ago... I had my thinking cap on... and thought.. Hmmmmm... wonder if I can make some cute little blocks to put on cards?
ANSWER: YES!

ABOVE: This is the first one I am working on.... nowhere near finished, but already looking so cute! I am having so much fun with these!

Today? Well... I have the RTLB Teacher coming first thing this morning to talk about her observations of Griffin working within his classroom.... she's been doing observations for about 6 weeks now. So, she's coming to discuss it. Interesting.

What else? Only two more sleeps till Coco comes home! Jiggling with excitement...

AND it's weigh in day.... which I will do a bit later...

ABOVE: the heart blocks I made yesterday afternoon, they are so quick and easy! I'm thinking.... they would make a cute quilt too... with a very neutral sashing?

Onward... still in me nightie!

The Meeting: went OK.. not sure just what she thinks she can/is doing for Griffin though. She also let me know that the 'Special Class' Griffin has been going to for half of his day has been dis-banded, and he's now just back in his 'normal' class all day with NO help. I am furious, the school has not told me about that development!

Now what do I do for him? If the school is not providing the extra help he needs??? I'm ringing SPELD for a start. Pffffft to the school and their 'We are doing everything we can for your son' bullshit. I'M FURIOUS.

And while I'm feeling crabby... I only lost 300 grams this week! Holy Hell... that is annoying considering how bloody good I've been. Grrrrr.

Off now to eat freaking JELLY.... its WATER afterall!

JANE P: You are right of course... it does seem a waste to put the blocks on a card.. which will probably be thrown away... so I'm making a whole lot more of the heart blocks and might just make them into a cute kids quilt! Thanks for making me think about it from a different perspective.

End of Day : I've made a few more heart blocks... fed the family Fish 'N' Chips... my day off! going to chill out now and watch some telly. nite nite.