HOW TALL? GREAT-GRANDMA has DUCK'S DISEASE

My mother was only in the house 5 minutes before she just had to see if Griffin was taller than her.... bearing in mind she is 74 and he is ALMOST 10:

ABOVE:  my mother tried very hard to 'stretch' up as far as she could with her neck... it didn't help.  Griffin wins by a mere half an inch... but he is taller than her!  Almost 10 .... yee gods in another couple of years he is going to be peering DOWN on me too!  (classification of Duck's Disease?  When your arse is too close to the ground... of course!)... lol.

I'm taking Mum and Ron down to Manukau to pick up a rental car first thing this morning, then they are off to Tokoroa to attend his granddaughter's wedding on Friday (11/11/11)... that explains why it's on Friday not Saturday!

Then they will do the 'rounds' visiting friends and family before coming back here next Thursday to catch their flight home on Friday next week. 

Once I've dropped them off this morning I am picking Griffin up and it's off to his Speld lesson.

I am quite sure those two old's live to MOAN!
It was too cold here... it was raining (how dare it rain!), they were not looking forward to the wedding tomorrow (like, why did these kids feel the need to get married nowdays?), they don't own a credit card... so could not buy food or drink on the plane.... or rent the car.  I had to use MY credit card before Avis would let them have the car.

That did not go down too well ... like, what is wrong with cash was their reply to that.

They are now unhappily on their was down to Tokoroa... and will be back next Thursday.  I hope they have a nice trip, but I doubt it.

RIGHT, I need to move it... and go pick up Griffin...

ONWARD...

The day turned into a glorious sunny day... Pukekohe was boring today.  Luckily I took my Kindle so I could read while waiting for Griffin.

Once home I was having the most awful time keeping me eyes open, so I had a nap!

The kids are home now, I'm off to do some more cards...

End of Day:  glad it's ending... so tired today?  No idea why.  And the blasted hot flushes have been hitting every half an hour today... making me so damn crabby.  Maybe that's why I'm so tired?
nite nite.

CARDS... AND LUNCH OUT

I said the creative juices were flowing eh?  lol... I was thrilled to bits to get 18 large cards done by last night!

ABOVE:  see?  18 done, just have to do the insides and put me 'moniker' on the back, add an envelope and they will be finished!  Yaaa.

ABOVE:  the rest waiting to be 'titivated'.... I so love doing that part!

Will be taking a break and going out to lunch at Sylvia Park today too.... hopefully will catch up with Lynda and maybe Beastie Girl?  Must text her and see....

Might just wait until she's likely to be outta bed though!  lol

BLONDIE:  nope, I don't use glitter.

I forgot to mention, me Mother and Ron (her partner) arrive tonight.  They are only staying one night as they have a wedding to attend on Friday down the line.... most likely see them again on their way back home.

ONWARD...

Lunch with the girls was lovely!  I was going to have sushi, and even bought some... but then I saw Lynda was having Tai so I changed my mind and had that too... it was really nice too.  Steve and the kids can have the Sushi!  lol

Yikes!  Talking of food, I better not forget to put dinner in the oven before heading out the door to pick up the Mother and Ron.  I'm thinking they will be very tired and want and early night.   *smiles* at the thought.

Well, the olds are here.  We just had a lovely dinner of roast chicken and veges, and now I'm hiding in my walk-in-wardrobe doing me update!   Decided there was more room in here.... I feel so 'naughty'... lol! 

Better get back out there before they miss me!

End of Day:  a perfectly pleasant evening... showing the olds some photos of all the grandbabies/kids lately.   Watched a wee bit of tv then off to bed they went (9.30).... they were tired after travelling for hours.
nite nite.

CARD MAKING. FULL STOP. END OF STORY.

You might as well bugger off.

I'm making cards all day.  And that is all!

So... ya might as well go read a more interesting blog today.

I'll chuck a few photos on for now, so it isn't quite so boring:

ABOVE:  Teddy... can't get any cuter.

ABOVE:  Emily playing peek a boo with Griffin.

ABOVE:  two watching TV, and one ignoring me.

ABOVE:  Emily asleep in the porta-cot.

 ABOVE:  Lacy and her new cat.

ABOVE: Hayley feeding her baby sister Sienna.

ABOVE:  Russell's newest tattoo:  Sienna.  Looks like it hurt!  

Right... off to do some cards.... might even have a few to show ya later.

ONWARD...

I came to the conclusion I simply did not have the right stuff to embellish the cards with (Xmas Themed) so went out and bought a few bits 'n' bobs... and finally the cards are starting to flow...

ABOVE:  opinions?...

Happy to say I got heaps done with the cards today!  The creative juices really started to flow... thank goodness!

End of Day:  going to bed really happy.  I've loved making cards today.  Being creative is something I love to be... arty fatry tart....that's me!
nite nite.

DROOLING OVER THESE, ME AND BRYLEE!

Yesterday at the mall we walked past a display selling hair curlers... and we stopped so Brylee could get some curls put in her hair:

ABOVE:  Brylee getting curls.  She loved them.  I love them too....

ABOVE:  if the budget allows, I think Santa will be bringing ME and BRYLEE a Jose Eber curling Iron ....  we will just have to wait and see how the Elves are doing!

Oh another thing!  I have one wall in Steve's bedroom that needs either re-painting or wallpapering, so I went online to look at some wallpaper and came across this site:  http://www.cadlow.co.nz/   they sell wall murals.  Some are downright amazing:

ABOVE:  how amazing are they then?  I so want one... or two! 

TODAY: only ONE thing on my list:  Christmas Cards.   I hope to get heaps done today....

The creative juices are struggling today!  I have not done Christmas Cards before... and I am finding it difficult to get ideas for the 'titivating' part... taking a wee break for now as it's after 1pm and I've not eaten anything today.... feeling a bit 'ikkk'...

Still feeling really ikkk... I grabbed a peanut butter sandwich for lunch... it's been repeating on me all afternoon.  I just took a Losec to try and settle me tummy.  What with still having the cough/cold from hell and now an upset tum... I'm feeling quite miserable. 

I even had a 'nana nap' this afternoon.  It didn't help.

Just started preparing dinner... pasta and sausages.. something easy. 

END OF DAY: I get it now... I needed food! I am feeling a lot better after dinner.  Which was nice btw.  Relaxing in the lounge... not going to be up late tonight. 
nite nite.

MEMORIES, AND A GROWLY GRANDMA

We were watching 'Gone Fishing' last night... and it was about a charter business up Helensville way called 'Kaipara Cat Charters'... and they were fishing on a Catamaran Fishing Boat... and Stew said "I'm sure that's your Dad's boat"... AND it was!

My Dad had quite a few boats during his life, the last one being Merc Cat... which was sold when my Dad drowned back in 2000.

Merc Cat was his 'Dream Boat'.... she was his baby.  It was so neat to see her on the TV!!!  She's been owned by a few people in the past 11 years... we saw her a couple of years ago up at Tutakaka.... being chartered out of there too.

ABOVE:  there she is.... My Dad and I went to check her out in Coromandel before he bought her... so she has some special memories for me.  I grew up fishing with my Dad ... I miss the fishing.  My Dad?  Have not gone there yet... he died only a year after my younger brother died in a tragic accident in Indonesia.. and also at that time my Mum was battling Cancer... so grieving for my Dad was put on the 'back burner'... it's still there.  I expect it to make an appearance ONE DAY?

ABOVE:  A certain little miss is now crawling... and getting into everything....

ABOVE:  The first time she opened this drawer she put her fingers in and leant on it.. jammed her fingers didn't she?  Cried too.  Did she go and open it again?  Sure did.

ABOVE:  Only this time she got it all the way open and started getting into it... so I GROWLED at her....

ABOVE:  she had never heard me growl before!  Didn't like it much either!  Cried in fact!

ABOVE: yep, growled at her here too....  so she sat there and held her hands and just looked.  hee hee... she's a clever wee baby is our Emily.

TODAY:  hangin' out with the kids, doing some housework, card making.... expecting Amanda and Andrew to pick up baby Emily this afternoon....

FROGGY:  I have the answer for a baby who does not learn 'don't touch'... it's called a play pen!   And if that doesn't work, and it didn't with Griffin... a sheet of 9-ply tied on top of his cot kept him there!  I had to do that with Kelly and Russell too! 
At least if they are in a play pen or in their cot you KNOW where they are and what they are doing when you are too busy to watch them every second.   I am OVER having to go to the bathroom with a baby sitting on my lap!  Been there, done that.

so... we went out to lunch at Albany Mall today, then took the new motorway link to Lincoln Road (West Auckand), hoping to see Stew's sister at her new house and see how the renovations/alterations were going.
But she wasn't there.... luckily for us the painter was passing and saw us there and came in and opened up the house so we could have a gander.  It's looking really lovely inside!

Home now, Emily off to bed, feet up for a minute, then going to continue with the Christmas Cards for a while.

End of Day: Amanda and Andrew just arrived for dinner, then took their baby home.  We won't miss Emily for long... she's coming back on Friday for the weekend again. 
So, best make the most of this week to get those Christmas Cards almost finished!
nite nite.

FULLL HOUSE LAST NIGHT

Although we did NOT have my Mother and her partner here last night, we still had a full house:

ABOVE:  full house, noisy house.  Happy house.

ABOVE:  Emily really liked my beef stew, even though she only got the gravy....



ABOVE:  Rena... gazing up at Granddad.

ABOVE:  Steve thought I was taking far too many photos of Emily....

ABOVE:  These two have a special bond...



ABOVE:  Emily loves the dogs... but they simply won't stay still so she can catch them... funny that.

ABOVE:  she loves being on her feet!  And she is just such a happy baby!  Always smiling, and laughing now!

ABOVE:  Emily.... our little darling.

It's times like this that I feel so sad our other baby granddaughter is so very far away ... and growing up without knowing us.  :(

TODAY:  Kelly and Rena are going home sometime today...and us?  Not sure.  Out for lunch probably. 

ONWARD...

Emily woke at 6.30am.  So Stew and I have been up since 6.30am.  We are thrilled about that.  NO really... we are...  tonight Emily is going to bed at 11pm.  Maybe she will sleep in tomorrow?

Before going to bed last night I went to get my necklace and earrings that I'd taken off earlier... and do you think I could find my earrings?  Stew, Griffin and I searched for ages, then gave up.  I was SURE I had left them on the coffee table ...

ABOVE:   after thinking about it for half the night (these are my most favourite earrings!), I concluded someone must have taken them.    So I text'd 'someone' and yep, that tart had my earrings!  And I have proof... last night's photos!   She better bring them back or I'm keeping the baby.!   lol

Lovely lunch had at St Lukes Mall... had a wander around... got me upper lip and chin waxed... did not hurt as much as I thought it would!  Got the red face going on now though... such a good look!  NOT.

Kelly and Rena have just left, Emily is in bed and Stew and I are going to just relax for a little while.  Brylee and Griffin WOULD be outside playing, but as it's keeps showering, they are inside watching tv, playing their PSP's and just behaving nicely.

Emily had a nap,  so did I.  It wasn't long enough.  Coco sat down right beside Emily.  Emily wasn't too sure what to do ... so she licked Coco!  It was so cute.

End of Day:  knackered.  Just fed Emily then bathed her... all ready for bedtime now.  Can't see her lasting till 11pm though, drat.  lol
nite nite.

IT'S GUNNA BE A BUSY, BUSY DAY

SO..... no bugger better text me today!  Ya hear me ???

Comments are fine.  Lots of love over the cyber airwaves would be much appreciated. 

First up today, I'm going down to the Hospice shop to hopefully pick up some clothes racks.. they are being thrown out otherwise.

Then home to make up beds for visitors.
Vacum.
Dust.
Clean bathrooms.
Prepare dinner (Beef stew in the crock pot)

bla bla bla.

If I get a chance I will work on the Christmas Cards too!

ABOVE:  see what Stew and I bought last night?  We started watching the first episode of Series One last night.

ABOVE:  Something tells me we will see The Big Bang Theory on our telly for weeks to come!  Yaaa.

Seriously feel ill today.  Tossed and turned again all night, and at one point I was hit with a massive "I need to vomit" urge.  OMG it was awful.... and it wasn't brought on by a coughing fit either. 
I am wondering if it's my body having withdrawal symptoms from not taking my 'hot flush' pills for three days now?  I take amitriptyline ... it's an antidepressant, but the side effect of them is I sleep at night.  So first thing this morning I am getting me 'script filled!

ONWARD...

CAN I BLAME IT ON ????  BEING A BLONDE?   I just checked my calendar to see what time I have to be out at the airport to pick up my Mother... and.. ummm.. they are not arriving until next Wednesday!   OMG I'm a fool.  I've just stripped Steve's bed and made it up with fresh WARM linens for my Mother and she's not due here for another 5 nights!

Bloody hell I'm a twit.  This makes the weekend look a bit better if nothing else! 

ABOVE:  Our darling wee Granddaughter Sienna... apparently she likes her toes at the moment!    And would ya look at that... she has legs like her Grandma!  Only hers' are cute.

Kelly and Rena have arrived.... and have just left with the Dogs to pick up Brylee and Griffin from school.
Me?  I took two of my amitriptyline pills this morning to try and get back to 'normal'... and I feel like a zombie!
Best thing about today though... it's Friday... Tipple O'clock soon!  Yaaaa.

It's funny how I only have one or two drinks on a Friday night ... I could drink every night if I wished...but it's just not in me Psyche to want to drink much. 

IT....IS....TIPPLE....O'CLOCK....

End of Day:  full house.  One tipple... then just faded.  Looking forward to bed.
nite nite.

COMEDY'S... MOST SUCK

Before Steve (son) came to live with us (again) Stew and I hardly ever watched comedy shows on TV.

But... as Steve watches most of the comedy shows on a Wednesday night, we have started watching too.

AND I must say... I have come to totally LOVE one in particular:

THE BIG BANG THEORY!

ABOVE:  I have to say I just love the actor who plays Sheldon!  He is AMAZING!  I also really like the actress who plays Penny.... so cute.  I wish now that I had been watching it from the start.

What one do you love the most (if any) ?

TODAY:  taking Griffin to his Speld lesson.  I have a feeling we will be paying for Speld lessons for YEARS.... *sigh*

While Dude is at his lesson I shall read on my Kindle.  Yes, I can go a whole day without shopping.... I think!  lol

I don't think I shall be reading .... I had the WORST NIGHT EVER ... I don't think I got to sleep till about 3 in the morning.  I tossed and turned all night.  NOT hot flushes... just a busy brain.  Stressing already about tomorrow... my Mother and her Partner Ron are coming over from Australia, Kelly and Rena are arriving for a couple of days and we are babysitting Emily Friday night till Sunday afternoon. 

It's going to be all go.   And I really am not looking forward to it.

Last time my Mother was here she was super critical.  Apparently I am not supposed to sit down AT ALL.... so here's to a WONDERFUL weekend. 

Stew said before he fell asleep "It's not often I look forward to Monday before the weekend even starts!"

ONWARD...

MARY H:  Ha!  Fat chance of that. lol

Back from Pukekohe and would you believe I am getting a cold right on the back of the last one?  Been sneezing all day, got the sniffles again... headache... far out!  Not a happy camper. 

That could be why I didn't get much sleep.  Or not.  Just over everything right now. 

And there is so much to do before me Mother arrives.  If the house isn't fairly decent she will really think I do nothing all day but sit on me arse and 'play' on the computer!  Well... that's what she accused me of last time.

My computer is going in the bathroom again.... starting tomorrow.  And Brylee and Griffin will have to put their PSP's away too.  She HATES kids playing with 'those stupid things'.  Apparently they NEED to be outside  playing.  Whatever.

I'm going to buy that game 'Trouble' and when I want to sit down I'm gunna play with Brylee and Griffin.  She can't knock me for that.

Seeing red right now.

ANON - LACY:  seeing as you only see Griffin once or twice a year, how would you know how often he is using his PSP?

For your INFORMATION:  his speld Teacher said his use of the PSP was great as it involves him having to READ and use FINE MOTOR SKILLS... all very good for his dyslexia/dysgraphia.

AND when it is a lovely day Griffin loves nothing better than getting outside and playing, swimming, etc.

AND Lacy, I thought you didn't want ANYONE to know you were PREGNANT?   Why go and announce it in a comment for everyone to read???   Brain should be engaged BEFORE you hit 'send'.

You want to re-connect with your family?  Great way to go about it.  I only have so much tolerance left ...

I CAN'T HELP MYSELF:

ABOVE:  Would ya look at that?  Not a PSP in sight!   Sarcasm?  yep. 

MARY H:  please send me your email  address.  I would like to 'talk' to you personally.  OK?

***PEPSI UPDATED***PEPSI UPDATED *** PEPSI UPDATED***   again.

Thanks Leigh, if I get a chance I will watch it.

ANNE LY:  The other two children Lacy mentioned (Savanah and Tamsin) are her Fiance's children ... who live with their mother.  As for me taking another child in.... AIN'T GUNNA HAPPEN.  I just cannot take any more.  I have raised 6 kids, still got Brylee and Griffin for at least another 8-9 years at least.  I AM DONE.

End of Day:  it's been a crap day.  That is all.

Just did the grocery shopping.  Time to chill out and not answer any more texts, comments, facebook posts... I'm over it for the day.

nite nite.

NO WEIGHT WATCHERS LAST NIGHT

I didn't forget.  I just couldn't be bothered going out in the rain!  It was crap weather last night and I was in a bit of a mood.

I bought a chicken/vegetable filo wrap for lunch yesterday and was really looking forward to having it.

When I got home and cut into it... I found 20% was chicken and the rest was bloody pumpkin!   I can't eat pumpkin.  It makes me vomit.   So I was not impressed.  Hopefully I find something nice for lunch today.

TODAY:  off to Hospice Shop, hopefully I will find some sort of treasure! 

ABOVE:  it's organised chaos in my 'sewing room' right now!
When I get home from the Hospice Shop I will work on the Christmas Cards until the kids get home.   Brylee has her 11 year old immunisations this afternoon too.... she ain't gunna like that!  
I hate injections too.... poor kid.

ONWARD...

We are having a clear out sale at the Hospice Shop... closing the doors on friday so the shop can be renovated.  It's going to be all new.  That is going to be so nice cos right now it's rather shabby.
I only got a few items of clothing today as we were so busy!  I was on my feet the entire morning serving customers.... sure made the hours go fast.

Home now and got my feet up for a little while, they are throbbing!

Brylee's injection went really well. She didn't cry, flinch or pass out.  Excellent.
We had to sit and wait 20 minutes to make sure she didn't have a reaction, then we came home. It's late in the afternoon and I simply feel knackered!
I've done no housework, and we need groceries desperately too.   Might just have to ring his nibs (Stew) and get him to go across to the supermarket for a few supplies before he comes home.

End of Day:  well... another 'normal' day here in the 'H' household.  I'm actually quite happy about that.
nite nite.

WHAT CAN I SAY ABOUT TODAY?

Not a lot really!

I am FINALLY going to pick up my new luggage  today.  (shame I have nowhere to go to use it... YET).
I'm also going to buy some more Elizabeth Arden facial moisturiser....for Steve (son).  He has very dry, irritated skin mid-forehead and either side of his nose and I've been getting him to use my moisturiser, and it has helped immensely!  So, I shall get him his own.

Then I shall come home and get on with sewing fabric on to cards. 

ABOVE:  I saw this on Facebook last night.  It made sense to me. 

Gossip just in:

ABOVE:  Kim K is divorcing her newest husband... after only 72 days!  YEP, saw that coming even before they got married.  Sheesh, what a huge waste of $10 million dollars! 

ABOVE: yaaa... I finally have my new Guess Luggage (to go nowhere with, lol)... it matches my handbag.  At least now if I do want to go somewhere I have nice luggage eh?

Not got much sewing done... took Brylee to Gym after school.... and actually had a lovely yak with one of the other Mum's there... her two girls go to the same school as B & G. 

Got butter chicken cooking in the oven, rice in the cooker... all's good.

End of Day:  an INTERESTING day ... but me lips are sealed on some aspects of it.   But not bad overall.  Dinner was so-so... don't try and do Butter Chicken with chicken pieces ok?  Doesn't work that well. 

nite nite.