change...is the seed of growth

mmm, forgot to talk about this. Well, I am embracing a bit of change at work and although I am not growing yet, at least the seed is planted. Enjoying watching the change in the garden. I took one of my beautiful roses to work for my office...lovely, fragrant, mezmerising.

The shoes that got away...here they are...can't talk about it yet...too sad.

out and about

The weeks are just roaring by right now, cant seem to get my thoughts together to catch up. Enjoying not working weekends even though they were only every three. This weekend we decided to make the most of the lovely weather before the Antarctic blast arrived. Funny what you can fit in to a few days when the threat of freezing rain is impending.

On a whim we headed up to Flaxmere garden near Harwarden to check out the Art in a Garden event. We were nice and early so there weren't a whole lot of people there when we arrived. It was a stunning place that had a real feel to it. The art was lovely and we desperately wanted to buy some but nothing worked for us. Fun looking though. Chatted to some lovely people. Plenty of North Canterbury farmer types which is always entertaining...walking cliches... Check out our pics

We discovered a really cute little cafe in Waikari on the way home. Nice meld of cofee, jewellery, art and other lovely things. Was blowing a howler.

Been on a couple of fun bike rides the last two weekends. Firstly the Little River Rail Trail...a word of advice, dont be doing this in a big bad head wind...not pleasant. Kind of takes the fun out of it. Ruth, Simon and family were on the tandem and Nic fell asleep on the back of Jonty's bike. That child, can't get him to go near a bed but not fussy about the back of a bike, motorbike or back pac. Will put some pics on sometime, can't get them on now.

Yesterday I was dreaming of a gentle city ride with a cafe pitstop along the way but we ended up in Bottle Lake looking for tadpoles and biking up a storm. It was great. Another entry for another day.

simplicity

Well, I started on the simplicity road by putting some clothes on 'trade me' to get them out of my life and to try and help me get some funds to buy new ones. Doing this meant that I had to face the fact that I have some gorgeous clothes that I will never fit again, or by the time I do, they will be no longer appealing. That was the first tiny step. Another big step was leaving my old work for the last time last night. Heading for a new job, clean slate, empty office. Here's hoping for a simpler life.

What not to wear... when I was in Warworth with Karen we went to a WNTW evening at the Mahurangi Hall. What a fun night. Jackie O'Fee from Signature style in Auckland entertained and educated us about style and image. I took notes ...

Women who have style or are stylish

• interpret fashion in to their look - they aren't slaves to fashion but pick out bits that suit them
• are not scared to change their image...keep updating hair styles and make up - good advice, I think
• know what works for them, what looks good, which colours suit
• know their best feature and work it!
• are well groomed - nails, makeup etc
• remember the details - shoes should match an outfit etc
• are confident
• don't spend a lot of money - they know where to shop.

This session was one of the prompts to get me to take a good hard look at my miserable 'wearable' wardrobe and get things out of there. So now I am working out how to proceed. What not to wear actually.

SALE! A word I love. The lovely Jackie discussed the traps that we fall into when we see that word emblazoned on any clothing shop window. I sat there cringing and mentally ticking off all those sale bargains languising in my wardrobe. In fact I have so many there is no room for the clothes I do wear. Tragic.
Anway...here are Jackie's tips . 3 questions to ask yourself when you spot that bargain
1. Would I buy this full price?
2. What will it work with?
3. Do I love it?

Keep a sale list of items that aren't must but wants and would be good to pick up in a sale...ski suit perhaps.

Other tips
Throw stuff out - but keep your designer one offs
Read fashion magazines - 'Simply You' and the Aussie 'InStyle' were recommended because clothes are not on models.

BUY STUFF YOU LOVE!

Change - is the seed of growth

positive thinking

Home again after a great week of holidaying on the Kowhai coast. My next few entries will be about that. Nothing earth shatteringly great happened, just a great week of hanging out with Karen, Anna, Justin and Nic plus a weekend treat visit from lovely Jonathan. It was real soul food and I have come home very energised and relaxed.

Karen and I managed a couple of weekend escapades on our own. First visit was to the Matakana Village Farmers' Market which was lovely. Small, very middle class and bloody expensive. The photos on the link say it all. Very sumptuous. We did hoe into a stunning whitebait patty on white bread with a squirt of lemon. I bought some lovely blue cheese from the Art of Cheese which is a cafe in Puhoi about 20km south of Warkworth...it was creamy and delicious. If the cheese is an indicator, the cafe is well worth a visit. Karen picked up some shiney red peppers and a red onion or two. We tasted all the things to taste including some very grassy olive oil.

We also disappeared to the Ascension Vinyard for a girlie catch up lunch and ate up a storm and got a bit tipsy at a tasting session. Heaps of fun and highly recommended if you find yourself in Warkworth on a Saturday.

Out and about today I came across some things that I thought worth sharing. I guess you could call them affirmations but I detest the word. So I am thinking of using the terms 'thoughts'. Very original I know but I thought that by publishing one of these little thoughts with each blog, I might be able to energise myself and make some positive changes. Kind of like enhancing my life a little bit, you might like them too.

First one: SIMPLIFY... clear the clutter! I will keep you informed of progress in my next entry.

snaps

Just a few holiday snaps. Algies Bay blissful afternoon in the sun

the zoo

After a fairly uneventful but enjoyable flight to Auckland Karen, Anna, Nicholas and I took ourselves to the Auckland Zoo for the afternoon. Having seen it countelss times on tv the level of anticipation was high...that was for me. I think it is one of the nicest zoos around and since my last visit there has been huge growth and development. Nicholas and Anna were very excited to be there but I am guessing it was less for the animals than the novelty. However, it was great and our 2 hour whizz around was fun. We went mainly for the African animals which were well worth it. Being a Wednesday we were blessed with lots of room and empty space. I was particularly taken with the signs and displays and the conservation messages and got some snaps to take home for adding to my work collection of interesting ideas.

I'm writing this from Karen and Justy's place on their computer so not sure how the photos are going to go. Before I try that, I just remembered a funny thing that happened at ChCh Int. Airport...we were in the duty free touching but not buying and Nic was roaring around checking out the stuff and I heard his increadibly loud voice off in the distance yell 'look mummy GIN! I found some gin' . I laughed...thing is I don't drink gin but we have a tiny bottle of Sapphire sitting on the bench at home...made a good story for everyone int he shop to tell.

This poor lion seems to have a spot of hayfever...he is sneezing

pheeew!

Life over the past month and a bit has been hugely tense with all the tension and changes at work. At last I am starting to feel relaxed again and am hugely tired. I just want to sleep but now that I have a new job, sleeping is alluding me again. Oh well, heading north soon for a week of R and R so will hang out for that.

Yesterday we went to Little River for lunch for Jonty's birthday. The main motivation was the Little River Gallery where we have often stopped and fondled the art with our eyes...yesterday we intended to buy some but it didn't happen. However, we did have a very relaxing time over lunch and lazing about, visiting the playground and generally chilling out. Got some nice pic's for the album.

Nic on the old carriage at the end of the Little River railway line

Kind of posing in the stainless steel hammock that was for sale.

The last few times I have been to the gallery there has been some lovely work by the artist Hannah Kidd for sale. I wish I had bought something as there is only the elephant left and it is $15,500. It is huge and the head turns every minute or so. Nic is memerised by it and would love to have it at home.

The material used is recycled corrugated iron, bashed flat and welded. I love the houses particularly and will keep an eye out for more pieces like this selection.

weekend words

no photos just words - backwards - my weekend
warm evening, planting strawberries-blueberries-helebores, mulching, me and Nic fence painting, dripping paint, talking on the phone, digging, cheese toasties, breakfast with the family, washing, toast, helium balloons. Party, wine, fish and mash, new people, kiss, lipstick, best clothes, playing at Anne and Tim's, lunch, playground, coffee and treats, vinyl shopping with Ruth and Ben and Olivia, trailer, 'bye, have fun', french toast for Jonty, cuddles for Nicholas, Spring, eyes open.

Lovely

coogee coup

Jonty's surprise weekend to 'Tauranga' turned out to be a Coogee beach getaway. What fun I had planning and keeping that a secret. We had a fab time just hanging out in Coogee and around the place. We ate out every night at a variety of reasonably priced retaurants including 'A fish called Coogee'. I had marlin - first time, lovely.

We walked from Coogee to Bronte along the coastal track which was a 2 and half hour round trip after a spell on the beach at Bronte drinking a terrible coffee. I just love the way the Aussies go to the beach and just chat and hang out. Only kids and speedo clad surf life savers in the water. Jonty took a dip at Coogee - not in speedos.

Waverley Cemetery ...perched on the cliff top, it has a fantastic multi million dollar view, yay the dead people!

On our first morning we thought there was some 'thing' happening but it turns out that it is just that lots of people just hang out and chat at the beach. Very cool. We did that too but just talked to each other, had our lunch, did some reading and checking out the locals.

We stayed a boutique hotel called Dive - which is a funny name for a lovely place but you get it when you see the photo. Our room was gorgeous...facing the beach, huge with a king sized bed and the most sumptuous curtains. It was pretty noisy in the wee small hours but you expect that with the student bar down the way but it was fine.

Our hotel is the little grey one in the middle of the photo.

Markets - Paddington. Having been to heaps of markets I think it is one of the best with genuine gorgeous things. We bought a few bits and pieces. Sydney Fish Market was a real find. It was fun being one of the very few white English speaking people there. We had some very tasty morsels and watched the hubbub from the water front. Bought some delicious strawberries to eat back at the hotel. Yum, roll on summer.

That's it really..Bloody great!

nic's pics

One day a few weeks ago I let Nic take the camera and have a play before pre-school. He had fun working out how to get the images he wanted. Here are some of them.

A flattering image of me

The fire place was a favourite topic

Hippo bowl

The cupboard where the vitamin C tablets live

Cups on the bench

20 days since

Jeepers...it has been 20 days since my last post. That is about how many days I have been sick sick sick. No energy to think about anything vaguely interesting, that is if some interesting was happening. Well it hasn't. I got the New York flu and was pretty stuffed. I guess if you are going to get the flu what better one to get than the one from the Big Apple. Still feeling pretty unwell but at least my wallet is lighter thanks to some after hours Dr's visits. Hopefully the new sore throat I have will be cleared up before our mystery weekend away this weekend. I don't want my head exploding on the plane. Could be a disaster.

Anyway having had one week back at work, I am tired but I am starting to get my mojo back and might be able to string a sentence together. Busy day at work today but time and half pay makes it worthwhile...kind've.

That's all for now.

a day in the life...

Day after day of colds, runny noses and sore throats is enough to really get you down. However, two days of glorious sun and a hint of spring in the air is almost enough to get the sun block out and start planning summer holidays. Nicholas has no idea about the seasonal flux as his life is just a dream...

...a bit of gardening

...hanging out with his mates (see who knows about cameras?)

...a pre-breakfast snack...

What a life!

Bridle path pictures

View from the top...and the boys almost there
A typical Nicholas photos...he just wont pose for a photo!
Part way up...an excuse to stop for a moment

bits and pieces

We have been super busy lately and a bit sick so no proper entries for a week or so. So this is just a catch up of all the stuff that has been happening - not beautifully described as all the emotions and feelings that are normally attached to the events of life are but a memory, so it is bullet points and a few pictures.

Bike ride - yesterday we went for a ride with Ruth and Simon and the kids. They were on their tandem...all four of them and we were on two bikes between us. Everyone looked and pointed and talked about them so it was quite fun watching from behind. The weather was perfect so the experience was extremely pleasant. We ended up at Sumner and the kids played on the stuff before we headed back to WAC for lunch. Ran in to some people we knew along the way which is so Christchurch. Spent the evening at Anne and Tim's for a shared meal. The kids were great fun and Nic just loved rough housing with Finn and Lydia.

My best friend has gone to live in Auckland. It has been a very hard adjustment to make for me. There is a gap. Although a wrench for Karen, I think it is probably more of an adventure for them as you would expect. Having a gorgeous house on the beach in a warm climate is probably a pretty good silver lining. We have booked some flights to go and visit. So that is our silver lining, getting to travel a bit more and discover a new part of the country. You have to look for the silver linings.

Every Sunday we try and go an adventure of the physical kind. The previous two weekends we have walked the Bridle Path. Nicholas being the star that he is, walked every step both weekends. No complaints from him on the whole. And we get to walk slowly so there is a bonus fo us too. Good fun though. Noticed after the first climb and descent, my legs were in agony. A week later, nothing. It is amazing how fast your body can get fit (ish) . This is a wee photo of the Pioneer Womens' shelter at the top of the path.

I am trying to publish some photos but am having trouble doing that which is par for the coarse wiht Blogger. Very frustrating. Will do a separate post with them.

broadband

Thank GOD! Broadband has come to our house to stay. Need I say more, the light has come on and I love being on the computer. Haven't done an entry for a while. I seem to have been in a funk for some reason. We are still doing interesting fun things in the weekend to try and make the most of the small amount of time we have together. Just stepped away from the keyboard to make a couple of cakes for morning tea tomorrow so got distracted and will return tomorrow for another update. Off to bed to read my book and snuckle my husband. Catch up tomorrow.

more snow photos

Justy and Anna

Jonty and Nic on Lake Lyndon

Karen on the saucer

Morning tea - (small) Jonty, Paulette and Nicholas

snow

Lake Lyndon

Last weekend we ventured up to the snow in Porters Pass. Paulette and Jonty came with us and Karen, Justy and Anna joined us later in the morning. What a fantastic day. The snow was lovely dry powder which is perfect for children because they don't get so wet. Here are a series of pictures from our day. It was fantastic getting out in to the country, seeing the sun and laughing our heads off for the day.

Nic and the dalmation

random pics from qbw

St Clair
Karitane
Brighton Beach (Dunedin)
Jonty
Saltwater pools St Clair

the photos to go with the story qbw

St Clair with St Kilda in the background...man it was cold
















The Otago Harbour looking back towards the city