I know this is soooo not the right time, with Christmas coming, etc, but if I/we don't do it now we won't start.

Whatis it, and what bought'it' on?

An 'attack' on the weekend, where I seriously thought I was gonna die, it was definately worse than labour pains.

So, after a consult with the doctor, we are participating in a 'Better Living Diet'. Now, I don't like the use of the word diet, as I think it should be a lifestyle change, not a set diet. However, we will plod away following the details, for the next 10 weeks minimum, and will have hopefully learned new habits, and broken old ones. I am determined to follow it to the T, Jon is also going to do it, but is going to have to modify it a little on the days when he is away.

I also have to have an ultrasound on Friday, yay, not, so think of me then!

So, this was lunch, day 1














Wish us luck!

Lots happening, nothing happening.

If you know what I mean. Lots of things happening, but nothing too exciting to write about.

The silly season is upon us, and so comes all the gatherings. Last Friday night the first was my work 'do', for the adults. This was great, nothing exciting, we had dinner and drinks up at the Club, the kids stayed with my sister so we didn't have to rush to get up in the morning. We were supposed to pick them up early Saturday afternoon, but in the end my mother bought them back with her, so we didn't get them back till late Saturday night, so yay for us, sitting down to watch an adult movie in peace. We also had a wander around the shops, (hassled everyone who had to work with a hangover from the night before!!!) and enjoyed lunch by ourselves.

Sunday MIL came over and looked after the boys while we went to the first of Jons work 'do's', more of the same, just catching up over lunch.

Friday, Jons work put on a kids party, again at the club, dinner, karaoke/disco, etc.

Then after that around to a workmates place to help decorate the float for the parade today.

Today, the parade. Braden went on the float, Cameron wasn't interested.

After that we had a party for all the kids from my work, at the local pools. Just chilling. BBQ, the new inflatable was a hit, although Braden was a bit gutted as he wasn't big enough to get around part of it, as you can see in this photo, it was about 2 seconds later that he fell off.

Now, home to relax and get ready, (Jon heads off to the South Island for a week,) before next weekend, when we have another 'do'.

Right now, I'm all over 'do's'!!!

Mmmmmm. What's been happening?

Right at this moment I'm watching Martha Stewarts Apprentice. I never got into the Donald Trump version, but maybe because I like Martha, I've really got involved with it. OK, now Martha has just announced her choice. Dawna. Who I did not like. I can't say I really liked Bethenny either, mmmmm.

What else? Rude customers. For those that know me, know I work in retail. I dealt with the rudest customer I have EVER had. It was a phone call, and before the gentleman, (and I say gentleman in the 'loosest' of terms,) had even given me a chance to piss him off he was asking for the manager. I managed to talk my way around that, and help him out, but boy, did he have a short fuse. I then had several more instances of rude people, some customers, some staff. Fortunately I don't have any work lined up for the rest of the week, yet, so as long as my family doesn't annoy me, I should be good!

The silly season is upon us. The first function for the end of year is this Friday, and another on Sunday afternoon. Last year we seemed to have something on every Saturday/night, but this year there seems to be a trend towards Friday nights, so this year our Friday nights are busy till Christmas. Weekends themselves aren't too bad.

Speaking of silly, even though I work retail, or maybe because I work retail, hasn't it all got out of hand. Presents I'm talking about. Part of my reasoning process is the fact that we are not a religious family, therefore find the reason behind it all a bit hard to explain. Why, when we do not celebrate the 'reason for the season' do we choose to go overboard on gifts. Why not give a gift, for no reason, during the month of July, or April, or any other blimmen month of the year. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy spending time with my family, including my husbands family, but the gift part has got out of hand.

Right, I'm getting down off my soapbox :)

And I got this! The not-yet-released in NZ December issue of Scrapbooks Etc.

Another week in review

- Lots of work. Shouldn't complain, especially as it's on my terms, during school hours, and I could also sneak away earlier as the kids had things on at school.

- Tuesday. Finished work early to go watch Braden at school, they had their Spring Ball.

- Registering for swimming lessons, summer is on it's way!

- 5 baby guinea pigs born. Aaargh, when is this vicious cycle going to end.

- Friday..... mmmmmmm..... what happened Friday? Not much. Oh, yeah, that's right, MY HUSBAND CAME HOME!!! It's good to have him home, and he is very pleased to be home, although he does come home with a suitcase full of washing. Rather than get it washed, as explained earlier, he bought more. That's Cameron, absolutely beside himself with excitement, they both got a DVD, and Cameron got Prehistoric Park. I had videod it when it was played on TV, but it wasn't a very good tape and the quality was a bit snowy, plus I accidentally copied over episode 2, so he was pleased to have it in DVD form.


- On Saturday we went to a family birthday party in Otorohanga. My niece had been given a motorbike, so Cameron excitedly had a turn. He had a good couple of minutes, but not long after this photo was taken, he crashed, and then refused to get back on. I made him get on with me (yes, poor motorbike) as he is a terrible quiter, and I don't want him to develop that attitude.

- BBQ/Guy Fawkes with Jon's work, the Social Club puts on a display, so it's all very safe, out on a farm, bonfire, BBQ, and last night, complete with these most horrible bugs, huge, and everywhere.

Right, I'll be back, for more on Jons trip, when I've actually heard it myself.

- Not long to go now, 5 sleeps.

- Athletics went well. Didn't really get any good photos, will try again next week, the sun was in
an awkward place, so will move next time. I also helped out with the field events, so will try to get photos of that next week.

Not much else happening. I've done a couple of pages this week, which I have added into my slide, but this one here is one I was starting on Friday night, because I had bought a whole lot of new papers, and rather than add them to my stash, I was encouraged by Vicki to actually finish a page, so here you go Vicki, it's done. I also picked up a tip from Dallas, and have outline the BG letters with black, they have helped it to stand out. I actually lifted it from the May '06 CK, but I should have done the stitching in white, me thinks, as you can hardly see it.

Anyway, off to brave the weather and tidy the section a little.

Relieved.

We live in a street with predominantely retired folk, or at least older families, so with several houses around us selling, we were disappointed to find no kids moving into the street. Until the weekend. The new people in the house across the road have kids at primary school, and one of the boys is even in Camerons class. I went and met her today, lovely lady, so I'm hoping that Cameron will be able to get along with this boy and have a friend, especially one living so close.

In other news, I finally spoke to my dearly beloved.

No thanks to Telecom.

Because the phone calls from hotels are so expensive, and I have been ringing him from home, we have set up a system. He emails me when he is in the room, and has a spare hour or so, so I can ring him and talk. We had decided to wait until the weekend, it's much easier to get a time that suits us, so I hadn't heard anything by late Saturday night, I was starting to get worried. Turns out Telecom had kindly, or not so kindly, decided to hold back his emails for me, 3 of them, because by then HE was getting worried at why I hadn't rung. Finally they came through 12 hours late, and I was able to ring him, and had a good chat.

Things are going well for him, this week has been a bit better, he has had some company, been out and about for a few drinks, (a bit too much out and about, if you know what I mean!) and it even snowed on him while walking home. The countdown has started, it's the downhill slide, not long to go now.

Right, we are off to our first night of athletics for Junior tonight, so I better go get some dinner ready.

Things learned while travelling overseas:

- don't get your laundry done through the hotel. A few pairs of undies, socks, 2 shirts, t-shirt type, not business, and 2 pairs of pants = $320! Yes, $320. I told him overseas that he would have been better off to toss those and go buy more.

- don't use the hotel for toll calls. We all know calls overseas can cost a lot, and ones from hotels even more, but $200 for approximately half an hour?!?!? WTF? How can they justify that? So, today, plan B. Jon emailed me when he was in his room, and I rung him. Slingshot. $5. And we talked for 1 hour and 4 mins.

It was nice to catch up, especially on the little things, but he is homesick. Unfortunately he is not even half way through his trip. I think he is bored, as he has been in a little town with not much to do, so is looking forward to the next part, heading for Norway today, and then Finland on Thursday.

Anyway, off to battle with my children over dinner, we are having something they haven't had before, and it will be a protest all the way, wish me luck.

Yay, you can all come visit me now.

I was getting very dispondent about having no visitors, yet my profile view said people were following the links, until I realised that I had not clicked the box to show my blog to the public.

Right, so I'm making a big effort to leave messages for you all, so I expect the same in return, huh, is that understood!

1. Do you have any middle names? Joy! Not sure where that came from, but I was always reminded of it when I was not in the best of moods.

2. What’s under your bed right now? Nothing!!! And probably only because it is a full base so I can't jam anything under there, otherwise I probably would!!

3. Last time you laughed so much you cried? Not sure I cried, but he was good. We have this guy at work, an 'older' man, who is a real laugh. He was the butt of all the jokes today, which was fine, because he was the one making them!

4. What age were you when you first drank Alcohol? 16, and far too much of it! Had no exposure growing up, and when introduced to it went completely off the rail!

5. Porn Star Name (First pets name and name of your street)? Jo was the name of our first cat, which is a pretty good pornstar name, but Rawhiti, Jo Rawhiti? I don't think so!

6. What’s your desk top photo on the PC? I usually change it to show my recent photos

7. What did you have for breakfast? Muesli, and Complan

8.Music or TV? Depends. Both! Usually at the same time!

9. Worst outfit you have ever worn? I remember when I was about 13 we had mufti at school, and I wore a yellow shirt, black jeans, and stripy rugby socks and black shoes, thinking I was so cool 'cause everything matched, but I must of looked like a bumblebee.

10 Where do you feel most at peace? Pretty much anywhere as long as I know what is happening. As soon as it is out of my control, or it is unplanned I don't feel relaxed. Don't get me wrong, I like to be spontaneous with the rest of them, just as long as there is no deadline/time to follow then thats ok, I can cruise.

How often am I gonna see this now? As they are getting older these shots are getting rarer, I guess I need to enlarge it, and put it on the wall to remind me that these moments do happen.

Really, I shouldn't complain I suppose. Since Jon has been gone they have been pretty good, Cameron is resisting school, not with any great force, but when he comments at the gate, as I am on my way to work it makes it a bit hard.

You can't see it very clearly in this photo, but Braden is rapidly losing his teeth, and not getting anymore. He currently has a gap from 4 teeth at the top. He also has a gap from 4 teeth at the bottom, has got 2 new ones, but doesn't really have much room for the other 2, so I guess he is going to have my teeth problems.

Has anyone seen or heard from my husband? No?!!? Neither have I. He did ring Saturday night our time to let me know he had arrived safely, but I haven't even got an email. It doesn't bother me too much, but I'm not sleeping well, and am having some weird dreams. I have to work early the next 2 days, so I'm hoping I get some sleep tonight.

Finally, another photo of us that we took on the weekend, on our way to the local A&P show.

Watching some trashy movie on TV2, Evil Woman, really ridiculous, but it has the most fabulous Neil Diamond in it.

Jon got away yesterday, kind of as planned. The shuttle turned up 15 minutes early, so it was a mad rush to get him on it, was annoyed as it was a very quick 'bye', although, I guess the state I was in, it was just as well. Then, I get a text to say he had forgotten his camera (now, how many scrapbookers husbands forget their cameras), so I offered to go for a drive and take it up. The kids and I drove straight to the airport, had 10 minutes with him, and another quick goodbye, 'cause by then it was time to go through customs.

He rung to say he made it safely to his hotel, but was a bit out of sorts due to the time difference, and was going to have some 'breakfast' and have a sleep.

Thats all for now, I'm off to find my Neil Diamond CD, and blast it while he who doesn't appreciate good music is out of the country!!!

Last weekend Jon and I went to Auckland by ourselves. We were supposed to go Saturday morning, but my sister ended up staying at our place Friday night anyway, so said we could go if we wanted to. We ended up staying at my Dad's in Hamilton, as he was borrowing my car for the weekend, so we made the most of it and went to the casino, nothing exciting to report there.

Saturday morning we headed up to Auckland, and spent a couple of hours wandering around Sylvia Park. It wasn't anything exciting at this stage, although I guess when it is all finished it will be a one stop shop which would be good for a day out.

We then headed into the city, and checked into our hotel, Sky City hotel, and, went up the Sky Tower. Now, I have a huge fear of heights, and this was the first time I'd been up there, and I didn't step away from the inner wall, but at least I can say I've been up.

We had dinner at one of the Sky City Restaurants, then went to the Casino. We spent some time on the pokie machines, then decided to be brave and had a go on the Black Jack tables. We got on a couple of good tables, where the players were not so serious, and the dealers were good as well ( a bit of fun).

After a great night, we got home at 3am, and had to be up earliesh, as Jon was doing a bungy jump.

I couldn't do it myself, but I did manage to get over my fear and go up and watch. I was going to watch from the harbourside, but am pleased I didn't as you can't see anything from ground level.

We caught up with Jon's sister for lunch, and then headed back down to Hamilton to get my car, and came home.

Everything was good at home, which is always a relief to come home to!

I'm baaaaaaaaack!!!

OK, no real excuse. Lazy. Lost my password. Busy. Tired.

Week 1 of the holidays have been pretty good.

Saturday - the kids and I walked up town to get the Lotto Ticket, nothing terribly exciting, but passes the time!

Sunday - over to Hamilton to take our baby guinea pigs to the pet shop. Pet City out Te Rapa is huge, you could get lost there!

Monday - I had to work, so my sister came and looked after the kids, and my nephew stayed on.

Tuesday -The 3 boys got on really well, so I said he could stay another night. The boys were playing softball, and the ball kept going astray, so I took them to the park to have a bit more room, only we got to the park to realise they hadn't bought the ball!!!

Wednesday - A trip to the supermarket with all 3, they were so well behaved, and were rewarded with a treat at the Warehouse. Troy went home just before lunch, and after lunch we went out to Opal Hot Springs.

Catch our antics here.... (OK, I got some cool video that I was going to insert, but it won't let me upload.)
Thursday - I made them playdough, and they played with that for ages.... good 'ol playdough never fails to entertain. In the afternoon a friend call around with her girls, just had a good old chat.

Friday - We walked up town, got a couple of groceries, and the boys spent their pocket money they had saved this term.

Tomorrow Jon and I are off to Auckland for the weekend for some time together before he flies out to Europe/America for a month.

And that's me for another month (LOL), I'll try to get back a bit more regularly.

The week in review

* Since handing in my notice for some of my hours, effectively cutting them in half, (and remember I didn't do that many in the first place,) I'm relieved to have been called in for shifts today, tomorrow and next week, on my terms, 9 - 3pm. Long may it last!

* Following the post earlier about our guinea pig babies, we were saddened by the death of one of the babies today. The younger members of the family decided we must have a burial, just putting it in the wheelie bin was not acceptable.

* We were fortunate enough to attend Cirque Rocks in Auckland on Friday night. What a great experience that was. We bused up, with Jon's company social club, leaving at 5.30, for the 9pm show. Before the show we had nibbles in the function room, which was a bit disappointing, finally getting home at ..... 2am. The kids came too, Braden fell asleep not long after we left, but Cameron held out until about 12.30.

* I had a day to myself yesterday, not that I did anything exciting, but did manage to do this layout.

* During my day to myself I did manage to get the house quite tidy, which pleased me, until I got sidetracked, and flooded the kitchen,..... aaargh!

* Fatso sent me an extra DVD. Not sure why, I haven't returned the other, so will watch 1 tonight. 'Coach Carter', anyone seen it?

* I get so angry with people who rip off the Welfare System, I just hear on the news some facts about Benefit Fraud. I was so angry I didn't hear the exact figures, but 1 person claimed over $220 000, fraudulently, and if made to pay it back, at $25 a week it would take 170 years. What makes me annoyed, is we are right on the threshhold for various 'assistance', but the second I start doing work, I have to repay it! What am I supposed to do??? You can't win!

Deja vu

I seem to remember posting this a while ago, but for those following our guinea pig saga, we have MORE! The white blind baby we had from the last litter, is not a female after all, she is a HE. Therefore I introduce to you, babies, numbered 1-5!!! Ignore the fact the cage needs cleaning, but I thought this photo was so cute, the babies are sandwiched next to each other, left to right.

A layout

Hoarders Anonymous

Hi my name is Angela, and I'm a hoarder.

My task for the last couple of days has been to declutter. I have so much stuff, so today I was quite proud of myself, as I threw alot of 'stuff' away. You know, all those, "maybe I might use it one day" kind of things. I listed some books on Trade Me, all bought under coercion from DoubleDay Book Club, dont' use just love them! I even vacuumed, properly, behind and under things, instead of around.

Anyway, while one is busy doing that, other jobs must be done, therefore, I present the master firelighter (obviously done in the best controlled way).

Braden is 6!

I ask what the theme is going to be for this years birthday party! Ninja Turtles. Apparentely Ninja Turtles have made a big comeback, having been around when I was a kid, but the big news is the movie coming out next year!

Anyway, a Ninja Turtle party it was. Complete with Ninja Turtle cake, Leonardo is the favourite, pin the mask on the ninja turtle, and all the green foods and decorations I could come up with.The funniest part to the day was a new game. New to the kids, again something that was around when I was a kid. It has chocolate, which has to be a good start. You have to throw the dice, and when you get a six, you put the jacket and hat, (and gloves if you are one of the older boys), and using a knife and fork, proceed to cut, square by square a block of chocolate. However, while this is happening your mates are continuing to throw the dice, and if they get a six, you must relinquish the clothing and utensils, and rejoin the queue for those wishing for a six.

Fortunately for Cameron, who never seemed to keep the jacket on long enough to pick up the knife and fork, managed to secure an ally in Aunty Wendy, who towards the end, helped with the cutting, while Cameron made the most of the spoils.

Absolute hilarity to watch, frustrating to participate in, guess what I was doing.

I've been 'tagged'

4 jobs I’ve had: Shop work
Teacher Aide
Stable hand
Picked Onions, (bloody hard work)

4 Movies I could watch over and over: I don't think I could name 4, I very rarely watch movies more than once

4 Tv Shows: Amazing Race, Survivor, NCIS/CSI and all the various spinoffs

4 Fav foods: Chocolate, wedges, Roast meat & veg, chicken

4 tunes that play in my head: The Gambler by Kenny Rogers, James Blunt, Lots of Bee Gees, Lots of Abba, I have a very strange taste in music.

4 Websites I visit daily: NZ Herald, blogs, National Bank....

So thats a bit about me, nothing exciting really!!!