3RD WEDNESDAY POST

THURSDAY 4/02/16:

Here's a couple of lovely photos I took yesterday while Steve, Bex and the boys were here:

ABOVE:  both these little boys ADORE Griffin.  It's so lovely to see.  More often than not Dante cries when he has to go home and leave Griffin.  This is exactly how Griffin was as a little boy with Steve!

 ABOVE: Archer getting his loves in.

I got visitors today.  Amanda and Andrew arrived back in Auckland from a cruise they took from Sydney to Auckland.  Andrew's Mum picked them up, she had all the kids with her.

So it was a busy couple of hours here with all their kids and mine.  Keera was at Kindy, so missed out on seeing them today.

It was Liam's birthday on Monday, he turned 3.
He got his present from us:

ABOVE: Kinetic sand.  I just found out it comes off/out of the carpet really easily!  *smiles*

After they left I got to just relax for the rest of the day.  I really should be doing more, but right now I just don't have the motivation to do much of anything.

FRIDAY 5/2/16:

I HAVE NO CHILDREN AT HOME!

Brylee and Griffin have started College again, albiet for only one day till next Tuesday.  Keera is at Kindy... so I'm all ALONE!

ALONE!  It's SILENT in my house.  OMG.  BLISS.  BLISS. BLISS.

I'm gunna soak it up for a moment, then go shopping to celebrate!  lol

WEll... after shopping, I met Stew for lunch.  He was working out of the Greenlane office today.

It was a lovely day, after picking Keera up from Kindy we both had a nap.  Brylee and Griffin came home from school happy too.

I feel so much happier today.  Changes are coming again ... and my stress levels are dropping, which is fantastic.  They have been way too high for too long.  (NO, house is not sold)

ABOVE:  I bought myself two new bras today, and these little buoys.  They are purely decorative, quite useless, but PRETTY.   And they were half price, so I got 'em.

It's been a little while since I bought something useless!

SATURDAY 6/2/16:

Today we are going to Kelly Tarlton's ... we have bought a Family Annual Pass so can go as often as we want now.

As it's supposed to be a wet day, it's perfect for going to Kelly Tarlton's as it's all under cover. And unlike the animals at the Zoo, the fish/sharks/stingrays/crayfish/seahorses/penguins and other sea life WONT. BE. ALSEEP!  *smiles*

Because Steve was feeling ill, and Bex was knackered after a rough night with Archer,  we picked up Dante and took him with us.

Photos of our visit:

 ABOVE: This is like a tunnel, only the walls slowly spin around you, it's very disorientating, and freaky.

 ABOVE:  I think the littlies enjoyed the playground the most!

 ABOVE:  This really big aquarium was in the playground, so it was nice to just sit and watch the Nemo's ... we decided they were ALL Nemo!  lol

 ABOVE: This fish's patterns and colours were amazing.

ABOVE:  I ended up doing a wee bit of shopping.  I got Dante and Archer a t-shirt, Keera a pencil case full of felt tips, colouring pencils etc, and myself two new melamine trays and a calendar.  So that was fun.  Heck, any shopping is FUN!

After spending about 2 hours at Kelly Tarlton's, we went to Sylvia Park for a late lunch.

It was wet and hot today, so when we got home Keera and I had another nap.  

Stew got to cook dinner... chicken and noodles.

After that, a quiet evening watching the telly.


SUNDAY 7/2/16:


The day started out like usual for a Sunday. Getting the house ready for the Open Home.


For once I didn't get me tits in a knot, and just did the jobs necessary, and chilled for the rest of the lead up time.


Everything was done, no panic at the last minute with puppies and kids etc.

It was EASY for a change.


We had 3 groups through, one is fairly interested. But... as we already know, that means nothing. Seems there is another buyer interested too... working on their finance? *sigh*


I hate getting my hopes up, so shall just go with the flow and presume nothing is happening in the background.


It's not like we are DESPERATE to sell... Stew can commute for as long as it takes. And I will survive living in limbo.


Steve, Bex and the little boys came over after the Open Home and stayed for dinner, as is our usual post Open Home routine.

 ABOVE:  Dante loves playing with Keera, and today he got rather possesive and dragged her around by the hand for ages.

ABOVE:  Keera had no choice in the matter either!  lol

 ABOVE:  Archer was getting tired by this time...
he always rubs his nose when he's tired.

ABOVE:  He's cutting two bottom front teeth, so is constantly putting his fingers in his mouth.  And DRIBBLING!  OMG constant dribble.  But he's still adorable!


I made a beef stir fry with noodles for our dinner, it was rather nice.


After Steve and Bex left, we spent a quiet evening sorting things out for tomorrow. We are going on a day trip to Hamilton.

MONDAY 8/2/16:


It's a public holiday today so we are off to Hamilton for the day. Not looking at houses, just having an outing.

So... our visit to Hamilton was nice.  We stopped in at Amanda's, and while there I spied a glass jar that was just lovely.  Amanda's friend Jackie is a Wedding planner, and she had lots of them, and she came down and gave me one!

ABOVE: When I got home I put some candles and shells in it.  Lovely!

I also saw a wall hanging I made for Amanda way, way back in 2009, and I took a photo of it cos I had forgotten how nice it was:

ABOVE: Amanda was ga-ga over frangipanis, hence the theme. 

 ABOVE:  Keera was having loves with her Aunty Amanda.  Big changes for Keera, as we left her at Amanda's.  She is going to be living with Amanda and Andrew until Lacy can take her back now.

Under Doctor's orders I have been working on lowering my stress levels, and giving Keera to Amanda was necessary.  I know she will be just as happy and settled there, having her two young cousins (Emily and Liam) to play/live with.  

I felt a bit sad leaving her ... but I have to do what is best for ME and STEW now.  Caring for a pre-schooler for the past 11 weeks has been very tiring when you add in puppies and Open Homes,  and keeping the house spic n span all the time!

 ABOVE:  Liam was hyper excited to see us... and being a right show off! 

 ABOVE:  By the time we left Amanda had her hands full, caring for her own, Keera and a friend's baby too.

After leaving Amanda's, we went to the Base (mall) and had lunch and did a wee bit of shopping.

I had NO intention of buying anything!  I swear I didn't!!!

But I spied a cute little Britto Minnie Mouse and got her, and then Stew drew my attention to a really funky handbag... so I got it! 

ABOVE: Isn't she so cute!

 ABOVE:  What do ya think of my new handbag?  Is it ME?  *smiles*

After I  had depleted me wallet, we came home.

Dinner was left overs and whatever you could find in the cupboard.  I have to do some grocery shopping really soon!  Almost out of food!

Boring TV tonight... so many repeats on the friggin telly.  Hopefully more of the new year's programmes start soon.

TUESDAY 9/2/16:

Start of a new routine.  Kids to school, then I can do whatever I want!

And what I wanted to do this morning was....

tidy the linen cupboards and wardrobes!
I tell ya, how nuts is that?

I dreamed about it... so it had to be done.  It really doesn't take long for your cupboards to get messy when everyone forgets where things go.

That COULD be my fault I suppose *sad face*... I do, after all, keep changing things around!

So, it's almost done.

DONE.   And I then went to Sylvia Park and got a few groceries, a few bits 'n' bobs for kids birthdays coming up, and then I had lunch with Steve, Bex and the boys before coming home.

I decided to try making my own sausage rolls for dinner tonight.  

I used sausage meat, chopped up bacon bits, onions, carrots, herbs and puff pastry.  Glazed the tops with beaten eggs.  Waiting for them to come out of the oven with great anticipation!

I got a visit from our friend Marty from Tauranga this afternoon too... which was just lovely.  He's a really nice bloke.  We have heaps in common, which makes our conversations 'interesting'.  *smiles*

In all, it's been an awesome day, for a change!

WEDNESDAY 10/2/16:

Another week rolls around!  And it's been an interesting and busy week.

Last night's sausage rolls came out amazing:

ABOVE:  I made two trays full... so I think everyone is having some for their lunches today.  Score!

 ABOVE: while tidying up the linen cupboards and wardrobe yesterday I found a box full of Tallulah's toys.  Before I knew it, she had dragged EVERYTHING out of the box and spread her toys all over the lounge and family room!

So, instead of kid's toys, I now have dog toys everywhere again.  *sigh*
That dog just LOVES her toys!

Coco does not care for toys at all.  

 ABOVE:  Archer was having fun playing with his baby wipes yesterday, that one on his head took him ages to get off.  So cute.

ABOVE:  Meanwhile, Dante was having fun playing with playdough.  He really enjoyed it when I played with him.  And I loathe playdough!  It's go so much salt in it it feels yuk on your hands after a while.

The things we do for our grandkids!

ONWARD...

Sooooo... today, for the first time in 11 weeks, I decided to have a sleep in.  Once the kids had left for school I got back into bed and slept.  Till 11.45 am !   I woke up thinking it was probably going to be around 10 am.  HA!

You sure feel groggy when you've slept in that long I must say!

But it was wonderful.

Since arising, I've been busy shopping!  From my lounge chair.

Forlongs of Hamilton, our favourite store is closing down by the sound of it... and they have a wall unit there that I want for my Britto Collection.  So, rather than wait till we move, and possibly miss out on getting that unit, I ordered TWO of them today! 

They only have two left, so I thought, "Why not get them both?"  I am sure I can fill them up with Britto and some of my other treasures over time.

What am I saying?  I can fill them up right now!

But I won't.  Everything, including my Britto, is in storage or packed up.  So, I'll just put the units in the garage till we eventually move.

ABOVE:  This is the unit.  Its perfect for displaying my Britto!  The side doors are funky, and mean an uninterrupted view from the front of my ornaments.

So... the rest of the day was spent being incredibly lazy!  Seriously, I did bugger all and it was WONDERFUL. lol

End of Day:  better not be so lazy tomorrow.
nite nite

FRIDAY SNEAK IN

I HAVE NO CHILDREN AT HOME!

Brylee and Griffin have started College again, albiet for only one day till next Tuesday.  Keera is at Kindy... so I'm all ALONE!

ALONE!  

It's SILENT in my house.  OMG.  BLISS.  BLISS. BLISS.

I'm gunna soak it up for a moment, then go shopping to celebrate!  lol   And then I'm going to have lunch with Stew as he's working in Greenlane today.

2ND WEDNESDAY POST

THURSDAY 28/1/16:

Felt friggin dreadful this morning, threw up about an hour after I got out of bed.  I might just have to talk to the Doctor about going off this new medication if this keeps up!  It's like having morning sickness ALL DAY LONG!

I took Keera to Kindy, and while there I noticed they had a potter's wheel!  So while talking to one of the teachers I asked if they used it?  She said they don't as none of them know how to... so I kinda mentioned I am a potter... next thing I'm being asked to come in and 'teach' the kids some pottery!  SHIT.  That is the last thing I actually feel like doing... but we will see.  I might go and play on the wheel and give the kids a go... who knows, it might be fun?

After that, I took Tallulah for a groom, and stopped in to visit with Steve, Bex and kids until Tallulah was ready to come home.  
Brylee came with me.

Dante enjoyed playing with Brylee and his trains.

ABOVE:  Brylee didn't enjoy the trains so much when Dante decided to drive one over her head.  Whoops.  Steve had almost finished de-tangling her when I took the photo.  *smiles*

I've felt no better during the day today, but I've had more energy... so not bad on a whole.

We are almost TOTALLY out of newspaper for the puppies, which is good timing!  Two go tomorrow!

End of Day:   another freakin' sticky, mega humid, hot summer day.  Can't wait for winter!

FRIDAY 29/1/16:

It's a wet day, and the temperature has dropped, making it much more bearable.
Keera is at kindy, and I've just bathed 3 puppies.  Taking a break before I do the other 3.

Jerry and Viva leave today!  I hope I remember to take photos of their new families.

ABOVE:  Two puppies have gone home with their forever family.  Three more go tomorrow.
How do I feel?
Kinda sad, but more relieved as they have been HARD WORK!
Particularly as Tallulah gave up mothering them literally 5 weeks ago and I've had to do everything since then.  

Because Tallulah didn't do well physically as a mother, we won't be breeding from her again.

I am going to take a break too... and think about dogs and breeding once we have moved.

End of Day:  An anxious day, with the first puppies leaving.  *sad face*  But also happy it's coming to an end, less stress come Monday!

SATURDAY 30/1/16:

Well it had to happen.  Starting to install house rules on Keera.
She refuses to eat lunch and dinner, and just wants to snack on crap.  So last night I had to get tough. 

She WAS going to get ice cream for lunch today as a reward for being good, but she point blank refused to eat her dinner last night, after having NO lunch either, so ... NO ICE CREAM.

She's not a happy kid right now.

We have three more puppies leaving today!
OMG that is going to be so sad... down to ONE!
Toby and Benji go home to Pukekohe, and Mini will be going home to a house just 5 doors away (as the crow flies).

Then we will be left with just Jonah until Monday, when he flies out to Christchurch.

SUPER BUSY this morning.  Up and cleaned out the puppy pen in the garage for the last time.  Now all the puppies are in the Archgola for the day, and once the 3 leave by end of day, little Johan will be in the crate on his own, and that will be easy to keep clean with just one puppy in it.

It took me 2 hours to get the garage all sorted and all the puppy stuff tidied away, cleaned and moped up.  So that will be one less HUGE job to do tomorrow for Open Home.

I'm so relieved it's coming to an end with the puppies, I'm EXHAUSTED from looking after them.  I really, really should have listened to you guys who said it would be too much stress.  Derrr... lesson learnt.  

Though I doubt these set of circumstances will ever happen again!

Selling house/puppies/extra kid... NAH.  Never again.

Now that all my morning jobs are done, I can relax for a while.  I am shattered.

ABOVE:  the remaining 4 puppies enjoying ice in a shallow dish.  It was just so hot today!

ABOVE:  Little Jonah is clearly going to be a water loving dog!  He is the only one who actually got into the dish and played with the ice... he seemed to love it.

ABOVE:  Benji and Toby and their new 'Mums'.


SUNDAY 31/1/16:

We had 4 groups through the Open Home today, the LADY IN RED for her 10th visit, and two groups who had been through before... so feeling a little bit hopeful something might happen soon.

Steve, Bex and the boys arrived for dinner, Stew is making mince and bacon rissoles, and putting them on the BBQ.  Looking forward to a nice dinner.

ABOVE:  Kids keeping cool.  It's so hot now!

ABOVE:  Dante and Steve saying goodbye to Jonah.

Dinner was wonderful.  Bex made a nice coleslaw to go with the rissoles and spuds.

End of Day:  glad it's over!  Too hot.  Too busy.

MONDAY 1/2/16:  

After dropping Jonah at the airport, we took off to the zoo.  Our first outing in 8 weeks, where we didn't have to get home within a couple of hours to look after the puppies!

FREEDOM!

We met Steve, Bex and the little boys at the zoo, and spent a couple of hours wandering around looking at sleeping animals.  It was MEGA HOT.

ABOVE:  A one legged bandit ... who flew up and stole a chip right out of Archer's hand!  Made the baby cry!

ABOVE:  Not my favourite animal at all ... hippos.  They smell ... but this one was entertaining when he snuck up and stared at us.

ABOVE: My FAVOURITE animal, the rhino.  He is magnificent. I could have stayed and watched him for hours.  

ABOVE:  Sleeping lions.  You NEVER see lions doing anything else at midday!

ABOVE: Sleeping flamingos.  One looked quite dead on the ground, but no, it was just asleep.
Weird bird.

ABOVE:  watching the elephants having a swim.

ABOVE: Yeah, Steve photo bombing.

ABOVE:  The elephants were nice to watch.  But really, it was blisteringly hot and humid and I couldn't wait to leave!

ABOVE:  We hired a pushchair for Dante, so we ended up with 3!  But they were necessary, the littlies got really hot and tired.  This was taken just before we left the zoo.

ABOVE:  My favourite photo of the day.  Precious Archer. 

End of Day: Another stinking hot, humid, unbearable summers day.   BRING. ON. WINTER. .... PLEASE!

TUESDAY 2/216:

- 1st visit to psychologist today.   I need help coping with all the stress in my life.  It was just an 'introduction' type of appointment today.

- Private Viewing at 1 pm by a couple who came on Sunday.  They are not too sure because our home is a 'plaster' home.  Never mind that it's got a sound builders report.  *sigh*

-  Keera enjoyed kindy today.

-   Dante arrived after lunch and is staying the night.

-  It's SO HOT today I am melting and feeling desperate for winter.

-  Stew is in Rotorua today, so he won't be home till after 7 pm. 

 ABOVE:  Dante enjoying playing X Box with Griffin and Coco.  
Well OK, Coco was just WATCHING.

ABOVE:  Dante asleep on Griffin's bed.  We put on  Griffin's disco lights for him.... he was asleep in about 3 minutes flat!

 ABOVE:  This is how Keera's room looks every night when she goes to sleep!  She loves it.  We gave her, and all our little granddaughters, these lamps for Christmas.  They rotate, so they are really neat!

End of Day: another really busy day.  When will they end I wonder?

WEDNESDAY 3/2/16:


First up for the day, Keera goes to kindy. Bex and Archer will be here for the morning while Steve is at his appointment.


Steve has a meeting with ACC this morning. He's been off work with his broken ankle for 3 months now! There is talk of physiotherapy starting soon, with the hope that he will get back to work by April!


I have no plans for the day, and that's just fine by me. It's been a very busy few days and I'm tired. The excessive heat is so draining.


As you can see, I am still kinda blogging every day, but just not publishing it. It has taken the stress off, feeling like I have to publish at a set time, or on and off all day. I just do it in the evening, or when I get the time... might be two days before I put photos on and do a synopsis of the day now. Much less stress. Feeling like I can start to enjoy blogging again.

I just caught up on some blogs!  Felt weird doing that.  I'd kinda backed off reading blogs lately.  Just didn't want to.  Part of the stress factor I think.  I will read/comment on and off from now on, I'm not going to stress about it anymore.  



I decided to keep Keera home so she could play with Dante, but they started arguing all the time, so I took her to Kindy after all.


Now Dante is bored. Fark.  AND now he's fine again.  Bloody kids!  He's a real darling though, and he not minded being here at all.  I thought he might crack a shit about not having his Mum and Dad here, but no.  

So happy about that.  

HAS NO ONE NOTICED MY NEW HEADER PICTURE(S)???? 
It took me HOURS to get it just right!  HOURS I TELL YA! Pfffft.  I wanted a fresh new 'look', for the new year.  Well... at least I LIKE IT!

Bex bought an annual pass to Kelly Tarlton's Sea World, so I just did too.  Even if we only go once a month we will have saved heaps.  And it's a nice place to go on the weekend, or even during the week for an outing with just Bex and the boys.  

Doing something positive, feels good.

Not putting life on hold anymore.  If we sell and move soon-ish, we can still come up and use the pass on a regular basis.