I'm in love....

.... OK, I'm not a materialistic person, but I am so in love with this, our very own DVD recorder.




When the other staff were leaving at Jons work, they received luggage. We went to them and said "we seriously do not need luggage, if you want ideas then........." so we were very fortunate to receive a voucher towards this baby. The best part, the chase and play feature. Let's say you're going to miss the start of a movie/programme by a little bit, you can start recording it at the start time, and when you get in from 'work/shopping' 10 minutes later, you can start watching the movie from the start, while it continues to record, isn't that just the greatest.

Anyway, while I'm on the topic of tv, etc, who has been watching America's Got Talent? We only started watching it about 5 weeks ago, so missed a few of the previous talents, but wow, what a variety. Tonight is the finale, and seriously they could all win (although I have reservations about the rapping granny, LOL.)

(By the way, I will be back with my ABC's, just need to find some photos to do the E post!)

F is for ........

........ family.

Yes, I know, I've skipped E, but I'll have to come back to that, partly 'cause I can't think of anything else, and I want to share our family photo.

This is my immediate family, my husband and I, (together for 15 years at the end of this month), my eldest who, as you know if you are following this, is 9 at the end of the year, and my youngest just turned 7, (aha, I just had a lightbulb moment for E, will do that tomorrow),

These were the fundraising photos you get done, you know, pay $10, get the photo, go back and look, and get sucked into buying more. Cameron was not in a good mood, and refused to co-operate, although the pose after this one he did give a little smirk, but unfortunately this was the one for the freebie. I hope we can laugh about it in 10 years time.

D is for.......

...Dad

This is my Dad, the first was taken at what used to be called the Hilldale Zoo, now Hamilton Zoo, and I was 15 months old.

The second photo is taken at a place called Bulmers Landing, (out the back of Arapuni way) somewhere we used to spend quite a bit of time as a family, and with extended family. I was 23 months in that photo.

Growing up my Dad used to work at a timber yard, and would do shift work, starting early in the morning, one week, finishing at 2, (and the alternate week he would start at 2 and work through to 11ish) and then would go mow lawns. When we got old enough we were allowed to go help him, often the little old ladies whose lawn we mowed would have little treats for us.

(PS, I wanted to add more to this, and probably come back to it, but felt it appropriate to post it today, and not that my father would see it, he doesn't even know how to turn a computer on, but Happy Fathers Day Dad!)

C is for Cameron......

..... my first born, nearly 9.

Cameron has an obsession with dinosaurs. The whole world revolves around dinosaurs, he can tell you which is which, probably about 30 different ones, and what characteristics they each have.

Cameron does very well at school, excells in spelling, reading is well above average, enjoys maths, and does well across the board!

He does not enjoy sports, although will happily participate at school, but he does tell me he wants to do athletics this coming summer (because he saw the fun they had on the last night, don't know if he realises he needs to participate on the other nights too).

He also follows in his fathers footsteps, and has trouble sleeping, he will often still be awake at 11pm, although we have since got some sleeping tablets, and he has them a couple of nights a week to make sure he gets his 'quota' of sleep for the week, otherwise he is like a bear with a sore head.

Speaking of him and sleeping, I'd best go see him to bed, and it shouldn't be too long before he's asleep.

It's been a busy week.....

...... and I'm absolutely knackered.

I've been busy learning the new job, which has been really hard as there is quite a tight schedule to follow, which hasn't left the time to learn things, find out, ask questions, etc. On the whole the job has been going quite well, but I forget what little kids are like, you have to be careful what you say, or they take it so literally. The staff have been really good, I feel like I've always been there!

In other news; had a girls night out on Saturday night, that was good fun, nothing planned, just drinks at a friends house for her birthday, sat around talking, some music, home at 2am. Then on Sunday we went to Hamilton, not that I had wanted to, after working 6 days in a row, plus Saturday night, the last thing I felt like was going out, but we were still struggling to find the thing we wanted for Bradens birthday, so off we went to Hamilton. Had a late lunch, went to several shops and still came away with nothing.

Today was Braden's birthday, so he just opened our present, and then Grandma came to visit with a cake for afternoon tea. She bought him a recipe book, and some ingredients and equipment, which he thinks is pretty cool, 'cause he wants to make muffins to sell, to use the money to buy a toy he has been after. It's quite funny, 'cause he mentioned this last week, even before he got his present, so it worked out well. Keep an eye out for the entrepreneur coming to a town near you!

This Friday after school he is having a party, red party to be exact, so if you have any ideas for food etc, or cool red things I can do, let me know.

I've also, at the very last minute, like an hour ago, managed to upload my layout for the SE Challenge. Now, I'm normally not one for competitions, but if this gets me back into it, then good, however, if it gets too much I have no qualms about pulling out either.

And on that note, I need to catch up on some sleep, so will continue with the ABC's next post, and will post about the party.

It appears I've been tagged....

about a month ago, by Kirsten, but, upon actually reading it properly, I've already done this one, go here and check it out if you haven't already!

B is for Braden

Braden is my youngest, turns 7 next week.

• He is a list writer, it's his birthday party next weekend, and he has been planning it for 2 months. Lists, food, people, games, things to buy.
• He loves drawing and making things, I'm forever finding things he's made floating around, and scissors, paper, tape, etc, left behind.
  
• We had interviews last night, and the teacher is very impressed, as are we, with his progress. He is reading at a 10 - 10 1/2 year level, although not with complete understanding, partly because books at that level are geared for children with a more mature mind, therefore covers topics not relevant to a 6/7 year old.
• He is a very social bunny, has a huge pool of friends, always someone new coming home, imagine the difficulty in narrowing his birthday list down to 7.
• Entertains himself well, enjoys a wide range of activities.
• It's not all good, he has a huge temper. He's a bit like that girl with the curl. When he's good, he's very good, and is very even tempered, but when he loses the plot, boy, does he let go!
  

ABC's

I've been doing some blog hopping, and found this and thought it would be fun to do, and would give me some journalling at the end. Some days it may be a list, some days it may be a total post around 1 word. Feel free to join in, leave me a note if you do, I'd love to read more about you.

So, today I'll start with A.... (really, hah, who would have guessed???)

A is for Angela, that's me, surprise, surprise!
A is for Abba, some music I love
A = ache, I have one in my hand
and for afternoon, when I seem to get a burst of energy, and for Aunty, of which I am to 6 nieces and nephews.

That's all I can think of for A, (I may add to it later) but I have already started some of the others, for future posts.

The Week that was....

Thank you so much for all the congrats and well wishes for my new job.

I will be working at the primary school, the same one my children attend, in town. A large part of my day is working with a young boy who requires assistance, and with the junior classes in general, wherever a teacher may need help, be it testing, reading groups, games, supervision of a group activity, resources, etc. Plus, I will also be running the school lunch system, so my day starts at 8.30 doing lunches, and I work through till 12.30, 5 days a week, plus Monday afternoon doing some admin stuff for the lunches.

It's going to be a week of changes, with my job, and Jon's new job, everything will be up in the air while we get into a routine. I've spent the last couple of days catching up, tidying, cleaning, etc, in the hope that I can stay ahead of things.

A while ago I was moaning about my washing machine, we have had nothing but trouble with it. I had the guy out here 3 weeks ago, and already something else is wrong, so I rung him up today and said he could "just take the damn thing". I have to say, I'm not sorry to see it gone, and we already have a new one in it's place.














What is ScrapPink? Keep this weekend free in your diary - 28-30th September. More info coming soon!

The Interview

Aaaargh, I hate interviews. It's the whole lead up, nervousness thing that happens.

Anyway, I had my interview yesterday, a little more casual than I thought it might have been. Half an hour, chatted, answered a few questions, asked a few questions, then I was outta there, with a "we'll be making a decision by the end of the week, if not before, thanks".

I came out of it a little bit confident, but I was unsure who I was up against. I do know there was an older lady going in after me, so felt quietly confident then.

Today I am chatting to a friend, telling her about the interview... when my cellphone rings.

It's the school number, so I think mmmmmmm, what have the kids done now.

Oh yeah, I didn't tell you that it was a teacher aide job at the school my kids go to.

Yep.

You guessed it.

My kids hadn't done anything.

It was the school ringing about my interview.













Yay, I got the job.

OMG, my heart was pounding.

Anyway, sorted that out today, informally inform my current boss about what is happening, just 'cause I didn't want him to hear through the grapevine, before I officially hand in my notice.

Then.... and this is the part about the rain and it pouring, I get a phone call to offer me another job. It is an offshoot job to an informal interview I had a year or so ago.

What to do, what to do?

I politely rung the lady for the second job, and didn't say it in so many words, but seeing they didn't see fit to offer me the job the first time, I didn't feel right accepting this time. It's not really what I would like to be doing anyway, so it was a bit of a no-brainer.

The short of it all, is I start my new job on Monday. Mmmm, that will be interesting. Have to get into a better routine around home, starting 8.30 every morning will be fun. I know others do it, but my children are just not morning kids!

It doesn't rain but it pours

Is that how the saying goes???

(And I don't mean the weather!)

Sunday!

'Jama Day!

Yep, it's been a hard week, worked 6 days this week (considering I'm only rostered for 1), so today is my day off, I don't even intend getting dressed, although I have to take Junior to a birthday party at 1pm, (don't you just pity that mother), so I think I will HAVE to get dressed.

Things are moving along quickly now on the situation with Jon's job, the deal is signed, just need to negotiate his contract, and it should all be over and done with in about a weeks time. The opportunities for him should be good in this company, so let's hope all goes to plan.

Speaking of jobs, keep your finger and toes crossed for me, I have a job interview tomorrow. Don't get me wrong, it's not that I'm not happy where I am, but this is something more in my field than what I am doing now.

We finally have an appointment with a counsellor this week, to see if we can come up with some stratagies to deal with Cameron's behaviours.

My washing machine shit itself. Again. We only had the guy out here 3 weeks ago. So, we, or should I say Jon, is off to get a new one today. I shouldn't complain as the one we have is now over 10 years old, but I got told the other day they only make them to last 10 years now. WHAT?!?!? Why can't they last longer than that? Think of all the landfill. I really think we got sold a dud, this machine has cost us so much, in the first 2 and bit years (yep, just out of warranty) we had to have it fixed 3 times. Yes, I did ring them, and complain, and they did come to the party with that 3rd visit. But, we have had it fixed at least another 6 times since then aswell.

(Wow, listen to that wind, have you got it at your place???)

Right, I might go have a quick tidy up of my little area here, and get on to some scrapping, use some of the stuff that I got in Wellington.

(PS, that really was a boring post, wasn't it, no photos, no links, nothing!, so here's a joke.)

Drunk....Again!
		An Irishman had been drinking at a pub all night. The bartender finally said that the bar was closing. So the Irishman stood up to leave and fell flat on his face. He tried to stand one more time; same result. He figured he'll crawl outside and get some fresh air and maybe that will sober him up. Once outside he stood up and fell flat on his face. So he decided to crawl the 4 blocks to his home. When he arrived at the door he stood up and again fell flat on his face. He crawled through the door and into his bedroom. When he reached his bed he tried one more time to stand up. This time he managed to pull himself upright, but he quickly fell right into bed and was sound asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow. He was awakened the next morning to his wife standing over him, shouting, "So, you've been out drinking again!!" "What makes you say that?" he asked, putting on an innocent look. "The pub called -- you left your wheelchair there again."

Sex!!!

Wanna know the definition of sex according to an 8 year old.

KISSING.

Aaaah, but not any normal kissing.......... kissing for 3 minutes!

Don't ask where this all comes from.

We were watching Who Wants To Be A Millionaire tonight. The contestant phoned his friend, and when asked where was the friend, he replied, 'At home with my wife'. Cameron pipes up, "I hope they're not having sex".

I was shocked. I didn't even know he knew the word, let alone a description (as creative as it is).

So, there ends our biology lesson this week!

The new toy

Yay, we finally got the new toy up and running. It's been great, despite the weather lately they were out there all afternoon yesterday, and have both been on it today.

The Week that was......

........

Tuesday - travel to Wellington, already over an hour late, as Braden had been sick the night before and I wasn't sure if he could go out to my friends house, so had to do that Tuesday morning before we left. After settling into our motel we went and had dinner at Hogs Breath, and saw Ocean's 13 at the movies.

Wednesday - we wandered down to Te Papa, didn't do the whole thing again, as it's only been a year since we went, but went to the Poisoners Exhibit. Then on to help set up the stand, pick up fellow workmates from the airport, and then I had some time to myself, while the guys 'worked' before dinner. Ginette McDonald was the speaker, really funny to listen to. 1 o'clock to bed.

Thursday - Ladies Day Out. We went to Parliament first, then up to the Kapiti Club for a cooking demonstration by Martin Bosley, then lunch, and back to town via Nyco Chocolates, and Prenzel Liquers, with shots in the bus on the way home. I was a good girl this year, only had a couple, as I wanted to enjoy the rest of the night. After changing and refreshing, it was on to drinks and nibbles, along with a performer/magician by the name of Nick Nickolas and then all the guys (and girls) from Jon's work went to Lonestar for dinner. We had hoped to be in bed early as we knew that Friday night was going to be late, but it was 1 o'clock again.

Friday - The morning to myself, so I went for a wander around the lower half of town, and then a semi-formal lunch, which starts at 12, and goes through till about 4. There were some awards, and entertainment and then it was back to get ready for the evening do. Cocktails at 6, through to dinner, awards etc, which go through the night, we left at 1am, we actually got kicked out as we were only booked in till 1, so headed down Cuba Mall and Courtney Place. Boy, did we get an education, we live a very sheltered life up here in little 'ole Matamata. We didn't end up going to bed till 5am.

Saturday - The conference had officially finished, so we slept in, had late breakfast, went go-karting, and shopping, a late lunch, visited Janine, and then went to see Carl Barron at the Opera House. OMG, that was high for someone who doesn't like heights, but it was all worth it to see him perform.

Sunday - we left our hotel about 10, headed out of town, stopped in at Dress Mart, and also at the Southward Car Museum, before heading back up the island, having a late lunch in Taihape, and getting home at 6.30. It was a nice quick drive back up the island, no delays, and the weather was good.

Today has been catching up on washing etc, unpacking the kids stuff, groceries (and dropping lunch boxes off at school, as there was nothing to put in them until I had gone shopping) and.... assembling their trampoline we had bought them, and had promised them as a treat if they were good while we were away.

A great week, but very tiring and busy, so looking forward to this week being a bit quieter.

More tags

I have been tagged by Ruth so here we go!

My roommate and I once: went to Scrapcamp together

Never in my life have I: done a bungy jump or skydive

High school was : just down the road from me

When I’m nervous : I get flustered

My hair : really needs washing

When I was 5 : I would walk to school, by myself!

When I turn my head left : some scrap pages hanging beside me

I should be : finishing the unpacking from the weekend (more on that later)

By this time next year : I will be unpacking from going to Conference 2008 Auckland.

My favorite aunt is : mmmm, don't like playing favourites

I have a hard time understanding : the male mind!

You know I like you if : I talk to you ?!?!?

My ideal breakfast is : anything, I'm naughty at eating breakfast, so if I get anything I'm doing well!

If you visit my home town : you won't get too excited!

If you spend the night at my house: be prepared to have the cat join you in the middle of the night

My Favorite blonde is :

My favorite brunette is :

The animal I would like to see flying besides birds : ummmm.......

I shouldn’t have been : staying up so late

Last night I: caught up on some much needed sleep, although I still need more

A better name for me would be : Sometimes, like all mums, I feel like I should have been called Superwoman

I’ve been told I look like : the other girl in town who looks like me

If I could have any car, it would be: I've always loved VW's, but I'm not much of a car person

Mmmm, who to tag. OK, I'll start with Sharon, Hannah, & Christi

Been a busy few days. Sorting out the bathroom. Buying baths, lights, and everything else you need. The shower is up and running, which I am really disappointed with, we used to have a reasonably good shower, so I don't know if it was the budget system we bought, or something during the installation, but will get the plumber to advise, 'cause I ain't going back in that shower.

Thursday we headed down the New Plymouth, stayed the night, and headed home Friday. We were just dropping off the shower door we had sold, so it was a quick visit. On the way down we stopped at the kiwi house in Otorohanga, and then caught up with my sister briefly, before carrying on.

We tried to visit more family of mine, but they were in Aussie (for 75 days, no less, I hated packing for a couple of weeks, imagine that), so headed to our motel, and then on to dinner and movies.

The last couple of school holidays there haven't been much in the way of kids movies, this time there were so many to choose from, Shrek 3, Transformers, Bridge to Terebithia, Fantastic Four, and Pirates of the Caribbean. Anyway, the kids chose Fantastic 4, and there was only 1 other person in the theatre, which the kids thought was fun.

We happened to be in NP during the tornadoes, but fortunately didn't have any problems, although it was very very cold and wet when we went out that night. The weather cleared for us on the way home too.

We dropped the kids at my sisters in Te Kuiti, rushed home, got ready, and went out to Hamilton to a work do, to a "Ball". Nothing exciting, home about 2, and we slept till 10.30. Got up, went and picked up the new bath, had some brunch, and then off to scrapbooking with the Matamata girls, while Jon went and picked up the boys.

Then..... today....... I'm trying to get ready as we are off to Wellington for 6 days, driving down tomorrow, conference Wednesday - Friday, potter around Saturday, and wander home on Sunday, and even better, no kids.

That's Life

How appropriate, what a fantastic title for a book. Have been looking at Nic's book, looks fantastic, love the title, might have to pop into Kiwiscraps on Tuesday when I'm down that way and see if there are any left (don't like my chances!!!)

Can't wait to see it, when I first saw a picture of it, it looked quite thin, but I've since seen a better picture, and it looks to be good value, I'm not an ideas book person, but this is one to make me change my mind!

Our Create journal

No one seems to have posted pics of these fantastic little album/journal/book that we made at scrapcamp. SJ was the tutor, and she was great, had thought of everything, her instructions were fantastic. I missed some of the steps, but the instructions were so great it meant I could just wander ahead.

Inside there are 4 dividers, as can be seen poking out, all nicely decorated.

There are some plain pages in there, for sketches, notes etc.

There are also some page refills (you know, the clear plastic sleeves)

There are a couple of small brown envelopes which can be used for collecting nick-nacks.

The cool thing is, is that it is so easy to add more, just punch a hole, and add it.

The Weekend

Well where to start.

How about an early morning call from the plumber. I was sound asleep and heard some banging, and called to the kids (who had got up to watch TV) "be quiet". Anyway, Jon's alarm hadn't gone off, or we had slept through it, the plumber turned up, the kids let him in (and then went back to watching TV) next thing I know, my eyes pop open as the plumber walks past our door. Now the scary thing is we don't wear anything to bed, and fortunately we were both still all covered!

I shouldn't complain, as he was supposed to come last week and with the frosts we had he had other urgent jobs to fix. Anyway, he'll do his bit first, and then later today the builder will make a start, I imagine it will be a couple of days, so with it being school holidays, AND wet weather I may have to take the kids out for the day.

Scrapcamp? You want to know about Scrapcamp. Had lots of fun. Actually did quite a bit for me, considering how much I normally do.

The classes were heaps of fun.

This is my Chris Millar page, the photo is shocking so will fix it later. Mine doesn't quite have as much bling as others, and even though pink is not really me, I like. I was quite surprised when hubby came around the corner at home as I was putting the photos on (cause I hadn't taken them to camp) and said, even before I said anything, 'wow, I liiiike that'. Chris was such a neat teacher, she thought of everything, and was so friendly and helpful.

We also made a cool little folder/album and that class was presented by Sara-Jane Bunting, who did an amazing job, she was so patient, and understanding (I skipped several steps, as I did not want them in my book). I'll add photos of that soon.

I also met up with some really neat ladies that I have talked to via web/blog/email, so hi to Ilka, Ruth, Tracey, Lynda, Kirsty, Trina, & Sandra

After Scrapcamp, Jon came over with the boys, and we went out to the Paradise Valley. When I rung him in the morning to arrange it, the weather had been clearing, unfortunately, just as we got there it turned to crap, and we got soaked. We were lucky to be in the right place at the right time, and followed the keeper around as he was feeding, and got to help him, and also see the Chicco the possum. Just as we were about to leave, being the last there, we were invited into see the cubs again, and got some cool 1-on-1 time with them, and the keepers. The photos are just terrible, I think the darkness didn't help, but with the flash they looked just as bad, and I had Jon's camera ('cause me, a scrapbooker, had flat batteries , doh!) which I'm not used to. I hope you also noticed I handed the camera to Jon and TOLD him to take photos of me. After doing pages at scrapcamp where we had gone away for the day, I began to wonder if I had actually been there, 'cause there were no photos of me!

By last night I was absolutely shattered, and fell asleep in the lazy boy watching TV.