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!!!

Some pages I've done

Quite pleased with myself, both of these pages were started and finished in 1 sitting.

Normally I'll start them, and then put them aside, either 'cause I don't like the way it's going, or I don't have the right colour, and they tend to stay there.

In fact I have a drawer full of unfinished pages!

Still sick

OK, so I was on the mend, even went back to work on Monday.

Yesterday I didn't feel so good, and then this morning, not feeling the best, I headed off to work. I figured it was only 3 hours, and I was feeling not too bad.

However, half an hour later I went downhill, and have just got back from the doctor, with an ear infection. $50!!!! Now I know why I don't go to the doctor very often. I can't even remember the last time I went to the doctor, it could well have been the last time I had an ear infection, which was over 3 years ago.

Lets hope it's another 3 years before I have to go again.

SICK SICK SICK

Well, what a great welcome home that was.

Got home Monday, Tuesday went to visit a friend and then got some groceries. After I had had some lunch I had a lie down, and woke up feeling worse. Since then I've spent 95% of my time in bed, or my bed in the lounge (read that as lazyboy/sofa). Can't say it was a full blown flu, as I think I'm better too soon, but definately flu symptons. Fever, headaches, aching, etc.

Yesterday I dragged myself up, we got some wood in the morning, and picked up the guinea pigs in the afternoon.

Today, has been a bit of a non event. I did a mega clean out of crap from the lounge, and the last few bits from holiday, and then just vegged, still feeling a bit energyless.

Until tomorrow, when I have to find some energy... back to work.....

SOUTH ISLAND

Edited to make sense, with new photos.



Tuesday
Weather foggy. Left 9.30, through to Turangi for lunch. Stopped on the Desert Road for snow, not a lot, and a bit slushy, but enough for the kids to have a little snowfight. Onto Bulls, which by the way has NO shops. Jon stopped to visit a client, and the kids and I went to McD's to pass time

Wellington right on 5 o'clock traffic, which wouldn't have been to bad, except we weren't clear on directions to our hotel, coming straight off the motorway and pretty much into the driveway, only thing was we were in the wrong lane, and ended up getting a scenic tour around Wellington. The weather was terrible, the wind, and the rain. Our hotel room was huge, very nice, 15th floor. We had dinner in the hotel restaurant, quite nice, although not a lot of selection, but as to be expected, very expensive.

Wednesday
McDonalds for breakfast, and onto Te Papa.

We got a $10 pass to get us on the buses all day, which we really got our money worth. We went to Te Papa, which was great. There was lots to do and see, although the kids did get bored after a while. I could have spent a lot longer, looking at some of the exhibits about travellers coming over to NZ, was very interesting. Lunch at Te Papa.

After battling the rain, we found the movie theatre, saw Cars. Coming out of the theatre, we were wondering what we were going to have for dinner when we came across a eatery,called .... Hogs Breath. What a great place, they catered for the kids, pens and colouring pictures, kids menus, great service and food, the atmosphere was similar to HardRock Cafe. We went back to our room and got jackets and braved the wind and the rain to go up the cable car. The view was great, but being dark there was not much else to see or do.

Thursday

By the time we got organised and got going it was mid morning. Jon had to see a client, unfortunately there had been a slip, and we were held up traffic. We finally called into a shop I had been wanting to go to, and then it was time to check in for the ferry. The weather for the ferry ride was not the best, we couldn't see anything going out, and it got quite choppy. Things were going OK, until Braden was sick, and then we all went and found a piece of floor and had a sleep. Dinner at Subway.

Our motel in Picton was not the flashest, but we actually got 2 units, which was they way things were arranged to give us the extra bedroom. It was an early night for the adults, sleep having been a bit scarce lately.

Friday

The dilemma this morning was which way to Nelson, either the shorter way, less used, or longer. We chose the shorter way, but very quickly regretted it, when we realised it was also the windy way. Both boys were sick, but once we hit the straight road they were better, and it was not long till we got to Nelson. A quick look around the shops, we were actually hoping to find a sled or taboggan, but couldn't find anything. While Jon went to visit a client I took the boys to the pools, one with a wave pool, which they enjoyed, burned off some energy from having sitting in the car all day.

We've went for a nosey around the Warehouse, got some thermals for the boys in anticipation of cold weather down further. Pizza Hutt for dinner, and then back to our motel unit for dessert and a DVD.

Saturday

We woke to an absolutely beautiful day in Nelson, and got away a bit later than hoped, but the nice weather was a welcome change. We stoppedat what is supposedly the longest swingbridge, but those from Waikato would contest that Arapuni is longer, not sure there. Jon went for a walk, the rest watched from the end. We stopped there for some lunch, buns and ham, and left over pizza. Not long after that the weather turned sour, surprise surprise,and hung around for a while. We finally got to Punakaiki, and headed off for the 10 minute walk, before, guess what, rain. We managed to make it aroundand back to the truck to dry off.
We are now in Greymouth, wet and windy, which is supposedly the first wet weather they have had for a while, typical.

Sunday

After the weather cleared a little we headed out of Greymouth, and to Shantytown. We must have spent nearly 3 hours there, including gold panning.

We left Shantytown, and headed over to Christchurch through the Arthurs Pass. At first we were quite
disappointed as we had hoped for more snow, but once we got further along we found lots of snow near the road, and got the boogie board out and had a play.

We are now in Christchurch, Jon knows his way a bit around, so hopefully we should be right.

Monday
This morning we woke, and had breakfast at McD's, and then headed out to Orana Park

It was really neat in it was very natural, was great to see the animals really being able to get around. The cheetahs were neat, reacting to the kids at the fence line, but the highlight would have to have been feeding the giraffes. We were able to get right up to their heads, and feed them, pat them, and lots of opportunities for photos. The weather was very chilly so we headed to the shops, Jon finally bought some

clothes he has been after all week.

Tuesday

Right, we are finally starting to know our way around the place. Today we took the kids to Miniputt, not sure who had the most fun. Caddyshack is the most amazing place you have seen, just like a mini village, all the parts of a town, church, ferry, Sky tower, river, circus.

After a drive through the Lyttleton tunnel, and lunch, it was back to Ice Skating. The kids have been wanting to go for ages, so, reluctlantly, we took them. Braden took to it,

not terribly fast, but was happy to cling to the wall and try. Cameron wasn't so keen, but gave it a good go, which surprised me, I thought he would have given up a bit quicker.

Wednesday

OK, nothing much to report here, official work days for Jon, so my friend and I took the kids out to one of the malls. No money spent, apart from lunch and a haircut for Junior, but amazingly, I did meet up with another Matamata girl, I mean, come on, go all the way down there to meet a local. Actually she is at Uni, so is technically a southlander.
Evening saw us attend official business dinner. Nothing exciting. After a spot of the casino, again, nothing exciting.

Thursday

Every year the association puts on a partners day out, great fun. Jons sister looked after the kids, and while Jon did the business thing I went and played on the army tanks. We got to ride in a couple of them, and look inside them all, but there was no shooting to be done. Unfortunately, all the time spent couped up in the car and hotels got to me, and when it came time for a few drinks, someone, not mentioning names, had a few too many, and consequently, can't tell you much about the rest of the day.

While I was away, the boys had great fun with Aunty Carlene. She took them to the movie 'Over the hedge', then to the science centre, to MiniPutt, and finally the pools.
Evening we attended a theme night, rugby, at Jade Stadium.

Friday

A day to relax, sleep in a little, and then I took the boys to Lollipops, for a drop off session, while we had a formal lunch.

It is now Friday night, having not long got back from the final dinner. We are well and truely ready to hit the sack, as we need to get away earlyish tomorrow.

Saturday

We got away OK, headed up the east coast, stopping in Kaikoura for lunch, and hoping to see the seals. We didn't see any in Kaikoura itself, but about half an hour down the road we saw a heap down a 'cliff' on the side of the road.

As we were pulling into Picton, we got a text message (got to love technology) to say the ferry had been delayed by an hour and a half. We went down to see if one of the other ferries had any space, but at that stage they were only freight loads. Unfortunately not much is open in Picton at 5 on a Sunday afternoon, so we went to the playground,



and watched them loading the freight ferry.

We had our dinner about 6, in the hope that by the time came for us to said our food would be digested enough to not give us any problems. Because there was nothing to do we went and checked in early, everyone had the same idea, we were the 50th car to check in. There were lots of kids roaming around, bored. We finally got onto the ferry, and sailed around 8pm.

There was a clown on board to offer some entertainment, which was good, because the kids were full of beans.

The crossing itself was very rough, rough than the way over, but none of us were sick, or really even felt sick, not so much for the rest of them, most were very quesy.

We finally got to our hotel at midnight.

Sunday

Sunday morning, was a very late start. I had plans to do more, but by the time we got going, called in to see a friend (hi Janine) and headed out of Wellington we were already behind our planned schedule.

Cameron had been sick at the Hotel, and again in town, so he slept from Wellington to Palmerston North.

Once in PN we took the kids down the this great little park, complete with train and all.

We went to have a late lunch, and Cameron was sick again, so we headed off to Taihape, with Cameron sleeping from PN to Taihape.

We made it to my Aunty and Uncles farm, with no problems, although I can't say I'd want to travel that road too often.

Cameron came inside and slept on Jons knee for half an hour, woke for a drink, and then went to bed at 6, and didn't wake till 8.30 the next morning, right as!

We had a great night catching up with my family, we don't see as much of them as we used to, so was neat to hear about what they had been up to.

Monday

After a sleep in, and a wander around the sheep farm we finally got on the road about 11.30. We had promised the kids the whole holiday we would take them to a Time Out, so had planned to do that when we had lunch in Turangi. We we got there most of the games weren't working, so we went into Taupo for a turn.

We started the last leg of our journey, very much ready for home, finally getting here right on 5.

Great!

Our first destination, and this is what is being predicted.

"On Wednesday, showers stick around for Wellington but should clear elsewhere and cold southeasterly winds should ease as a ridge of high pressure spreads over the country."

Thanks Wellington!

Star Pupil.......

....... for Academic Excellence!