Saturday, July 26, 2008 Last day of being 11 Posted in Daily Life The kids always get their birthday's off school - perk for being home schooled. James' falls this year on Saturday - so they got Friday off. One could argue they still are doing school - but lets say a day off bookwork. It's funny them growing up & being more independent. Abbey & James made James' cake. I don't get to help at all - only said a few suggestions as walking past. Brent & I always used to make the cakes & often stay up for hours at night making them - so they were a surprize on the birthday. Now the kids like to make the cakes. Lots of team work goes on!! Dig the flash light so James can have light on his icing work. (will share a photo of cake all finished, needs another layer of icing & guitar strings yet) Fool Proof Chocolate Cake (doubled for guitar cake) 4 oz butter small cup sugar 1 egg 1 teaspoon baking soda 2 cups flour 2 tablespoons golden syrup 2 Tablespoons cocoa 1 teaspoon baking powder 1 cup milk few drops vanilla cream butter & sugar, add egg & beat well. Add melted syrup, flour & cocoa. Dissolve baking soda in milk , add & mix well until mixture is smooth & light. Lastly add baking powder & vanilla. Mix Bake at 375 deg C for 3/4 hour. James gets just as much enjoyment out of making a cake he can't eat. But we always make him some muffins so he has something to eat. - We make muffins so that they can be frozen as he can't - well ok isn't allowed to eat a whole cake. Ever had a growing boy that is not wanting to eat???? Allergy free  Chocolate muffins 4 oz olivani - or butter replacement 3/4 cup sugar 1 teaspoon of egg replacement 1 teaspoon baking soda 2 cups rice flour 2 tablespoons golden syrup 2 Tablespoons cocoa 1 teaspoon gluten free baking powder 1 cup chocolate rice milk few drops vanilla cream butter replacement & sugar, add egg replacement & beat well. Add melted syrup, flour & cocoa. Dissolve baking soda in milk , add & mix well until mixture is smooth & light. Lastly add baking powder & vanilla. Mix If too wet add more rice flour, too dry add more milk. I put in patty tins. Bake at 375 deg C for 3/4 hour. I find rice flour takes longer to cook. Then freeze spare muffins. Last time ever being 11. We always take a photo at night before bed of the last time we will see the kids at that age. (he is blond but has wet hair) I also get them to fill in a sheet of their favourites - eg tv, music,toys, friends. things they like to eat, do... I have a standard form I've used for years & then add to their scrapbook. Arn't birthdays fun & special! • Comments (0) • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link Friday, July 25, 2008 Wagging Posted in Daily Life It sure feels like winter here in New Zealand - lots & lots of rain - day in. day out. One would think our dams were over flowing with the amount of rain. Oh & thunder & lightening storms too! Yesterday the kids & I wagged school - well kind of! The kids did the cattery for me in the morning while I printed out pedigrees - new owners had rang to see if they could come a day early - not a problem! Abbey & I worked on her CV - drove her to collect her reference from babysitter & then dropped it in. She did thank me for  making her do all the international exams he he - she had quite a nice little CV with all the results. She loves I am her taxi - I love that I am seeing her blossom - teen years are really fun watching them grow & change - bit like a flower opening. We then drove in the wind & rain to the big shopping  centre south. I think other families decided to wag too as the mall was full! We priced new cell phones as poor James had lost his in the paddock in the weekend - we have looked & looked for it. - We bargained hard & got $40.00 off. He didn't like the big lump come out of his bank account - and commented he would hate to be in debt! Yes, yes, yes moment all the hard work of teaching the kids how to run a cashbook with their pocket money working. Brent helped him make a chain & his new phone can now be firmly held to his belt. I got a USB stick (A pretty pink one) as one of my friends keeps hassling me - Have you backed up??? Each time she sees/speaks to me  I do love her for it as I know I am shocking for backing up!!! - must do it today!. Oh and I also brought more flies for our families frogs - cracks me up buying flies! We also stopped at a warehouse  good specials of tomato sauce & rice by 25kg packs. James spotted some Batman juice so we brought bottles of that to smuggle into the movies - along with homemade popcorn & Bat lollies for the kids. Yep it is soo much cheaper to take your own snacks to the movies by a long way! We were an hour early for orthadontist (sp) so stopped at Macdonalds for a treat. it was really, really nice - the train has now gone - bit sad!! It now has a Macafe - we were most impressed and we sat watching cars drive by while we enjoyed each others company & our treat. Mcdonalds is a treat for us - we watch our pennies by choice - we live like no one else now, so we can live like no one else in our later years too. W we were talking how we are all greatful I don't have to work. The kids said they would much rather me be home than working. I often think of NZ today so many mums working - kids in day care - the government funds daycare. Oh no Brent was home early, we had only just walked in the door at 5pm - no tea on, no fire lit,  no animals fed. All hands on deck and home was soon buzzing. The kids got out their school work & worked on it while I cooked tea - macaroni cheese & James had baked beans, stewed apples for pudding. Ab made phone calls to her friends & they are all happy to come in fancy dress & costume for her party - they are now planning a mass trip to second hand shops. She rang my folks & they are helping her out with 1920 style theme. Should be a fun party! - Brent is NOT into dressing up - he is a kiwi bloke! - his daughter is trying to talk him into dressing up as a butler. It was a good choice to wag routine of home school & go out - we are recharged & very thankful for our lifestyle. • Comments (2) • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link Thursday, July 24, 2008 Gift from Canada Posted in Daily Life Blogging has enabled one to meet other people from around the world. Nicki from blog Rural Writings had a give away & I won - I was not meant to be in the draw!!! As knew the postage to NZ would be shocking - Nicky put me in the draw & pulled out my name. The parcel arrived yesterday - on a long journey of nearly 3 months. What a lovely way to start ones day - We did school by candle light yesterday -  winter here & we need a light on - ooh the bees wick candles smell wonderful!!! The kids want to make their own candles. I soo need to look into this for them. I have a slight fear of candles as when I was young about 12 I think .I burnt my bedroom down playing with a candle. Well actually I was playing the Ouija Board - called out of my bedroom & I blew out the candle -  next thing I am in BIG trouble & my bedroom is on fire. Luckily it was only my bed & not the house. My mum fell down the steps & twisted her ankle needing an after hours appointment. We lived in the back of a dairy & we had customers running through the house to help put out the fire. I was not popular & was sent away for the night, That was a very hard night as I always got very homesick being away from home - probably the best punishment I could of got. - Hence I'm a bit dubious of candles. Oh and yes Ouija boards too - hard to say to your kids I don't want you to do this or that when you have done it!.  I was very popular at playtime at school showing the kids how to play the Ouija board - just as well we didn't burn down the school. I remember doing one chant where a girl lied on two chairs & there was about 7 or 8 girls standing around the chairs. We did a chant along the lines - of there's been an accident ....we had to put  both our pointer fingers under her &  chant she is dead - or something to that nature (I actually remember it word for word but won't share here) & she actually rose off the chair up in the air on our fingers.  We were all soo scared  - screamed, we let go & the poor girl fell. Fair dinkum! Sometimes one doesn't believe unless your have witnessed something. Just like when James was a wee toddler. I was always ever so good at safety & wee kids. But this day I remember I had left my coffee up on side board. Had that awful dread feeling & walked into the lounge to see him with it. It should of been spilling towards him - law of gravity would say the same. But something or someone had like his arm and it was tossing the contents out in jerking motions away from his body. I stopped & couldn't understand what I was witnessing. James sure had someone watching out for him. I firmly believe there is more to life than we think - I've even experienced the white light - I nearly died after James was born - I even felt myself rise above my body & saw myself lying on the table Dr's & nursers working on me. I was floating to the most pure, gentlest, brightest white light in a tunnel. I wasn't scared or frightened - it was the most peaceful thing ever. Then I heard it is not your time & fell back into my body. Wacko you may think but it happened. I asked my Dr about it & she has a very scientific reason - of your body shutting down. Me I believe otherwise.Wasn't I spoilt rottten!!! -  Oh excuse the vase - but kids wanted to use the candle then & there GRIN. And I loved looking at the flyer of Canada food specials that was rapt around the candles. Thank you Nicki! NIcki's daughter, Jennifer has started a blog oh how nice it would be to have a blog from when first married. I've enjoyed reading it - it brings back lovely memories of when we were first married & setting up our first home. I think first homes are special! • Comments (1) • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link Wednesday, July 23, 2008 Gingerbread Posted in Morning Tea After school Abbey made one of my favourites - Ginger Bread. 2 Cups Flour 1 teaspoon baking powder 1 teaspoon baking soda 3 teaspoons ginger pinch salt. 3/4 cup sugar 1 cup warm milk 2 eggs 1 cup golden syrup Mix well add 225 grams melted butter Beat until very well mixed. This is a very sloppy, wet mixture. Bake in a square cake tin at 180 deg C for a bout 45 mins - 1 hour. Test that it is cooked. Butter & enjoy - oh men folk like it hot with custard. • Comments (2) • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link Tuesday, July 22, 2008 We have sun Posted in Daily Life Yes, yes, yes... there was sun yesterday - so after school we got some vitamin D into us. I pruned some rose bushes & herbs back. Molly enjoying the trimmings. James & Abbey went into paddock where there is a small pond from the rain, and tried out James' new boat - it was actually a plane he got for his Christmas but it hit something it shouldn't & broke the wing. Nothing like a bit of duct tape to turn it into a boat. How can one ever be lonely at our place with all the mates watching ?? And some of my favourite birds are visiting - yellow hammers • Comments (1) • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link Monday, July 21, 2008 Sunday 21st July man it rained and it rained this weekend. I soo need to get some outside time - being cooped up inside doesn't make me a happy chappy. It's meant to be fine today so will get the beds stripped & washed & I hope to begin pruning roses if I can sneak some time. - School holidays have finished so back to the books - I could do with another week since really we had not fun holidays with all of us being sick - but........ It was a wonderful sight on way to cattery - with all the rain we have our very own pond. Goosie was having a lovely time floating in it. I wish I had my camera - but I have to be fast to snap animals - as soon as they see you they come running. We are feeding them out as not much grass - these lamb chops will be expensive with having to buy in their food. We didn't get some in the pot before the ram came & then well it was too late - so we have more sheep than we would normally keep over winter. Lambing begins early August - my best time of the year is seeing new lambs in the paddock. I was a good girl & cleaned up all my mess I had made from moving bookshelves - Annette popped in & saved me so had a nice cuppa with her. Karen & Brent later after they had been 4 wheel driving - so not me - I'm the only girl out of the crowd that doesn't find getting mud thrown at you while driving fun. Just as well Brent has James who loves that sort of thing. But our cruiser won't do the tracks the others do so - I have a feeling a new one is on the plans. James got confirmation all can come to his birthday party - long story but he wasn't mean to have anything flash for his party as he got an amp - but he is taking 5 friends to see the new Batman movie plus Abbey, James, Brent & I. PLUS 3 homeschool friends, plus possibly James who will be over here from OZ. That's 13 to see Batman. But only 5 for tea plus our family - that's all we can fit in the two cars. So will meet the rest at the movies & they will just sit with us. Abbey is busy planning her party - she is thinking of having a Host a Murder party. - 1920's style one - yep July & August are birthday months here - quite fun as breaks up winter a bit - especially how we also have in June mid winters feast. Something each month to look forward to. Have a good week. • Comments (2) • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link Sunday, July 20, 2008 Fast pudding Posted in Puddings James had a friend stay last night who doesn't like or eat vegetables..... So I cooked lamb chops, hot chips (wouldn't normally serve chips but know Todd will eat them) and a salad for our family. Pudding was in order. So I stewed up some apples Got out a pre-rolled pastry sheet - cut it into 6 and popped on an oven tray at med oven temp until the pastry puffed up & browned - don't prick the pastry and they blow up like little pillows. Whip some cream and serve with stewed apple sprinkled with brown sugar & cinammon and a pastry pillow  or two as we call them in our home. Fast pudding! Two of our cats enjoyed licking the cream spoon. • Comments (0) • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link Sunday, July 20, 2008 Term 3 planning - home schooling Posted in Home Schooling  I got into term 3 planning of school - It's rather daunting at times to think of the responsibility I have on my shoulders to educate our kids, but Brent & I firmly believe this is not a dummy run - you only get one chance at education. To think I only have about 3 years left with Abbey - pretty sobering. I have been looking hard at the study I have taken on for myself - I also have realised I don't actually want to go back to corporate life when I grow up - the extra stress study has caused with winter ills... and I have had no time for sewing - something that makes me happy. So really sitting on the fence if I will continue it or not. When you look at the big picture I only have 3 years left with Abbey - that is not a lot of time - oh wow I can remember when we first started home schooling - it has gone fast! Homeschooling has worked really well for our family & it is a nice lifestyle. So I took all the homeschool books off the shelf, organised kids books for the term & planned the first 2 weeks. Now I have a BIG pile of books on dinning room table - I left it like that last night & had to face it this morning - I find it hard to let go of book. I also have kept a lot of kids work - it;s soo fun to look back on their work. Abbey Georgraphy/history & some English  - Anne of Green Gables unit study Writing Write shop Science - Apologia Biology Maths - we have stopped mathusee & picked up NZ maths - Mathusee got very dry at algebra shudder. James Geography/ history - Story of the World book 3 English - Progeny Press Science - Apologia elementary book 3 Maths Mathusee To think half of the school year has gone all ready. GULP • Comments (0) • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link Sunday, July 20, 2008 Olive harvest Posted in Protager Gardening A wet day - not cold but wet, I am really ready for spring I could quite happy skip winters. Brent worked on land cruiser & got the LPG in - his handy skills save us soo much money!!! He also preserved his olives.   Brent & James Picked our  olives when changing colour from green to black. Placed olives in a jar and covered with water and 1 1/2 Tablespoons rock salt. Change the water daily for 10 to 12 days, rinsing off any scum that may appear. Sample daily until bitter taste goes away Next step is to prepare a brine solution. Brine solution : 1 Tablespoon rock salt per jar. Rinse olives and eat a few Place into sterilised jars or clean containers and water top of the olives Add 2 Tablesoons Balsamic Vinegar add 1 dried chilli sliced Lemon rind & some lemon juice 1 small lemon Be sparing with any flavourings you may wish to add.....making sure you have washed the herbs first. Sprigs of thyme; rosemary; oregano; garlic clove; small dried chilli; mustard seeds; coriander seeds; zest of lemon peel. Seal with 5 ml olive oil (this also gives the olives a nice taste as you are fishing them out to taste)  Keep in a cool place and leave for 4 to 6 weeks,  testing as you wish Yes our very first jar of olives from our olive grove. We were told to remove all the olives the first year of growing, but we couldn't. - They taste real nice & seem to be going down by the day. • Comments (3) • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link Sunday, July 20, 2008 Credit Posted in Living on One Income Brent had a credit telemarketer ring him at work, finance companies make money by lending. "Would you like a free quote for debt consolidation?" Brent - "We don't have any debt" "Would you like some credit for a new car?" Brent - "I think we have enough cars - there are 7 in the backyard" "What sort of cars are they?" Brent  "Mainly yank tanks" "What about an overseas holiday?" Brent "Mate we run on cash, so we are right" This telemarketer sure tried hard giggle. It sure is nice to look at Brent's answers and make living frugal on one income just sooo worth it! We are back to saving hard & watching the pennies as we do, bank account has taken a bashing buying new computer & guitar amp the spend up made the balance drop. But soo worth saving & paying cash - a good feeling! • Comments (0) • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link Friday, July 18, 2008 Week 2 school Holidays Posted in Daily Life Mon & Tuesday were fine & I got in garden. Came down with another cold & feeling pretty tired & unwell. - I am soo over winter! Abbey went to bed early with a sore throat & headache last night poor thing. Wednesday I got Abbey set up on NZhome & Office programme I had on a floppy - it is that old, for her accounting assignment (See home schooling is a lifestyle we are doing school in holidays). Thursday I got MYOB off a friend - it's 6 years old but works for what we want. Which is a training tool for Abbey's accounting assignment. - I've spent a bit of time trying to learn it and stumbed on how to issue credits from suppliers grrrrr BAsh wack! Mark gave me a good tip to get Ab to do a projected income as it's pretty hard for a 14 nearly 15 year old to receive money from sales & then not have it available as need to restock.- ahhh this accounting assignment is growing - and I'm real excited for her. It is also going to be wonderful to say on her CV that she had her own business using MYOB since she was 14 years old. We have been playing SIMS 2 Open for Business & it is quite educational and relevant to our accounting assignment, especially talking profit, loss & percentages - mmm might have to give her some school time to play SIMS2 on her Sims business. Thursday the kids had a very first last time moment, they went on the train by themselves & had to get off at a stop to meet Brent -he then took them into the city and James got his birthday  & Christmas present- an amp for his electric guitar. We gave him this option so he could get a new amp - One very happy boy! - He had a play on it last night & now it is out of bounds until his birthday. However he thinks if he contacts his guitar teacher - he may like to pop around & see his amp and he knows I would let the teacher & James use it GRIN. • Comments (0) • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link Monday, July 14, 2008 A Day in my life Posted in A Day in My Life Little Jenny Wren has been running a Day in My life for a few months now. Basically you journal about an ordinary day - and over a course of a year there will be a snap shot of what our life was like in 2008. 5am - up computer time - did emails for cats & cat blog - I seem to be in a good routine for this now & it is a brilliant way to keep owners up to date. 6.30 am Brent up -I made his lunch ham, cheese & onion toasted sammies - well he toasts them at work. A bit of slice Abbey had made & fruit. - Made his breakfast of toast. Heated his boots by the fire & I pack all his bag with keys & phone - he has me well trained! 7.30 am I played on the kids Sims 2 computer game. I'm a big believer in knowing what the kids are reading & playing - so by playing their computer games I understand content, plus I can then listen to all they want to talk about their games & understand. Some of the Sims content I don't agree with & we have a few guidelines while playing. The kids finally got Brent to have a go last night - he made a man & a dog. He did have fun - but it's not really his thing. I do struggle playing x box - I find I get headaches & have no fine motor skills to play. till 11am shower, dress, chores - feed & clean the cattery, answer some more emails & have a cuppa coffee while start today's a day in the life... till 1pm I got out in the garden - oooh soo nice to get outside! Finished clearing vege patch, weeded front porch rose garden - One rose bush is still dead from when Molly the Goat pruned it - I've decided to turn it into a blueberry patch. Brent is going to ask a guy at work who has a trade account if we can get some bushed on his account - we did this for our olives. Had a good chat with Pam on the phone - you try pushing a wheelbarrow with a mobile phone in your ear - talk about laugh. I loved my time outside - felt very lucky to live where we do I love the open space - no neighbours can see me and all the animals to talk to - they seem to watch me weed looking hopeful for some titbits. The chooks love digging up my weedpile when I put in their run, Molly the goat & sheep wait by fence for their share of weeds. cats & kittens call to me from cattery. - We have a good life! till 2pm lunch left over cauliflower cheese, James cooked himself bacon & peas interesting but he ate it. Check emails, applied to my tutor for an extra 2 weeks as I have done bad time management and no way have assignment done.(She gave me 1 week phew glad I didn't ask for 1 week I might only of got 3 days grin) - Study is hard when life gets in the way & all our winter ills seems to of taken up a lot of my time & energy.  I'm also behind in my quilting SOB! Still I've made some bad choices - eg playing Sims with kids - but ....... Till 5.15pm A friend Annette & her girls came to visit one of the girls has been itching to play with the kittens. Abbey had made a yummy lemon slice - I'll con her to make it again so I can get a nice photo & share recipe - it's one of Brent's favourites. Once Annette went it was all hands on deck to get animals feed, cleaned & tea prepared - the kids & I work a s a great team & we worked hard & got it all done - just a bit too late for the animals they like routine & wait for feeding time. Kitten packs arrived so James sat & put them together - BIG help! Tea had to be quick with me starting it at 5.45pm so we had chilli con carne Evening was spent sitting at table entering in price book & planning sales from grocery shops this week - most thrilling we got them delivered this week! I am finding a lot of basics are not on sale - but lots of packaged food is, which we do not buy. We planned our day for tomorrow - a very busy day. Went through spam folder as my emails are ending up in there again grrrrrrrrrr. Got in contact with new kitten owners to confirm microchipping. Abbey did some knitting, Brent & James took the dog for a big walk. I hopped in bed at 9pm to read my book with my electric blanket on ahhhhhhh. • Comments (3) • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link Monday, July 14, 2008 Sunday Posted in Breeding Cats It was a beautiful sunny, warm winters day yesterday! It was nice to be able to open the cattery door & let fresh air & sun in - plus the cats/kittens like to look out and watch me garden. Yes I was having soo much fun being outside clearing up the mess the pukeko's had made (they had eaten all of my winter veges bar the board beans), that I forgot the time & so new owners met me in garden clothes & no makeup. Iorek's family picked him up - he is now called Louie & I think will be the young mans best friend. Lyra & Roger were able to go as I was cheeky enough to ask Iorek's owner who is a vet & his client is getting the litter mates - so maybe not too cheeky GRIN what he thought. Iorek's new dad (Micheal) gave the place a good once over & said we had a nice set up - very nice to hear from a vet! I got in BIG trouble from Abbey for letting them all in her bedroom - she had read till midday (nothing like a good book aye - she is reading Into the Wilderness series by Sara Donati so I know it is a good book - I sneaked her in a drink & bikie & her dad did her morning chores to let her lie & rot in bed as he says) She had made her bed but that was all...Micheal got to see Laura & her babies (in Abs room). They then met the grandmother - Briar - I didn't ask him if he thought Briar was pregnant -it must be a pain being someone special & always being asked things. Same when we have famous people getting kittens I try & treat them as I'd like to be treated & then name drop & go silly to my friends. - My vet Tracy said the closet she got to famous people is going to Mel Gibson's farm - her claim to fame is having her arm up Mel Gibson's cows butt. - Another  owner has had Mel Gibson sleep on her couch- drooooool. I know I will go silly if I met him - I'm hoping he will be Nathanial in the movie Into the Wilderness - Caro is fine with her babies going - she is still helping Cindy with her litter - it's rather nice to see - the two mums help raising kittens. It's always funny when the kittens have gone - I do miss them & even have caught myself looking for them - It's real nice to know they have gone to wonderful homes - it really is one of the best parts of breeding • Comments (0) • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link Sunday, July 13, 2008 Kittens Posted in Breeding Cats Saturday was a wet winters day - not too cold - but wet! My day was filled with people visiting & collecting their kittens. Top photo is of litter 1 week, 1 day old. We had some lovely kids come & their eyes were huge feeding all the other animals - they all come running when the nut bucket is rattled. I think sometimes we really take for granted the lifestyle our family has - we love animals and do get such joy from them all. This photo is of two that were meant to go yesterday - but the little girl had pulled out her stitches. - so she is confined to bathroom pen with litter mate to keep her quite. I felt real mean for the new family. One of the best parts of our hobby is meeting all the people & seeing the joy our kittens give. One couple shared how their previous kitten sadly had been run over - he used to go on Friday nights to the fish n chip shop, go on the cat lead & get them. I did zip out & get some fresh food - I hadn't been shopping & fresh fruit & veges was just about zero. While out I had to buy some flies for the frogs - $8.50 - too funny buying flies.....I know some of my friends would think I was mad but our frogs have lasted for such a long time - it would be sad to see anything happen to them. They are quite entertaining to watch! The kids were great - the training is all well worth it in the end - I could rattle off what chores needed doing & they both did some while I was busy with kitten owners & out shopping. They are really having fun playing on the Sims - they set the timer for 30 mins each & while one was on playing the other did chores - then they swapped.         • Comments (1) • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link Friday, July 11, 2008 Busy, busy, busy Week one of school holidays have gone - zip! James has come down with another cold & I am fighting a chest infection - man we have been sickly this winter. I've 16 kittens so that is keeping me pretty busy, especially when we had a piddler in the bed (cat bed that is not human bed) - quite a task to get washing washed & dried. I don't have a dryer & don't care for one. I'm home so able to move washing around & hang it in front  of fire to dry. A quick iron takes the last bit of dampness out. I enjoyed teen watching while waiting for the kids to come out of the movies with their friends the other day. So many teens hanging out at the mall. It was funny watching some very forward girls tell boys they thought they were hot. mmm girls are quite forward these days - man I am feeling I seem to be getting old..... Many of the teens had lots of cash - eg $20.00 notes on them & they were just spending it on junk & slot machines. I came away very thankful that I am a stay at home mum able to drop off & pick up our kids & that we are living a frugal lifestyle - sure will not be a shock to our kids when they leave home & enter the real world of how far money goes. After a year of much needing a new computer we have one. I ordered it last Friday off Dell & it was here Wednesday. Kids are very pleased how grunty it is. They have been having fun playing Sims - something they haven't been able to for like I said over 1 year. I must share what excellent service we had from Dell I highly recommend them!!!! I had my first ever shortest job period in my life - my joining caused a bit of a storm - 3 other staff spoke up that if there was any other hours they felt they should be offered it first - fair enough so I'm back to being a kept women - doesn't really bother me. I found it funny that after phone conversation I had been offered personally another job via email as a mystery shopper - so I am back being employed again - too funny. A good example to kids of life and how you react to it. I could of got all grumpy to boss - but instead I actually found it really funny - I can imagine the headache it caused him - staff issues can take up a lot of ones time as a manager. I must admit my first thought was oooh I might fine time to quilt now, giggle! Sadly i NZ news has been news of a TV person who beat up his partner causing her back to be broken - he paid her $100K to keep quite. - But it is all over the news & police are looking into it (good job) NZ Tui Beer have some excellent marketing staff & have made up billboards link here to view Well done TUI! • Comments (0) • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link Tuesday, July 8, 2008 Going Gray - 2nd try. Posted in Daily Life Going Gray - Looking Great 4th March this year I began the process of going grey & have blogged about it here and Here Yesterday I went to a new hairdresser - BIG step for me. When I met her I just knew we clicked! I got my hair cut - it hasn't been this short since I was 18 years old. - now just below my collar - didn't think to take a before & after shot! I love it!!!! Met with a friend for coffee to show her, another friend popped in to see it. buzzzzzz And the hairdresser said to use a BLUE shampoo - just as my friend Pam said & Going Gray - Looking Great shares. I think my hair will get shorter as the grey comes in & then I'll grow it long again. • Comments (2) • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link Monday, July 7, 2008 A Winter Sunday Posted in Daily Life I got up early (as usual) as I needed to send emails to kitten owners & people waiting on the waiting list. I don't actually like sorting out who is going to get which kittens, I always disappoint someone - our cattery name has grown & we now have a waiting list. SO I usually try & go by : person had a kitten off us before (maybe theirs got run over or now want another for company) People on waiting list the longest People wanting two kittens - I firmly believe two is great company People wanting two & don''t mind which colour or sex People wanting particular colour sex - I often can't fill what they are wanting eg 2 seal females. So they then go on next waiting list and get bumped up quite high. I always get Brent involved as he is emotionally  detached and then once he agrees with my reasons I send off the emails, wait for answers & usually in a few days all gets confirmed & people can than sit back & wait for their kittens to grow. I always find it works out and I have never let a kitten go to someone I'm not happy with, call it gut feeling or something - even out pets have told us. Eg we had one lady come to visit & the cats just wouldn't go to her - Abbey & I had a niggling feeling - then she went past our doberman Max & he just nutted off at her - he never did this! Ned turned up as he had a job for Brent - he has now put Brent on his companies fleet fuel card & we are able to save on LPG - A HUGE saving!!! I think Brent is now seriously thinking of keeping the Chev & converting it to LPG. We are very lucky indeed. I had to take James to his friends farm - the have 100 acres & it is just beautiful - some hills but also a lot of flat land (It even has an airstrip as they have their own plane). He packed his food - most of his friends family are now getting used to they don't feed James at all and he just has his food with him. He did a grand job - packed sausages, fruit, raisins & a drink of water. He had plenty of warm &  changes of clothes (thought I was a fussy mum) - Well I know James & Jack they are such out door boys. Sooo nice to see! James wanted me to take the landcruiser - but I refused as I know he would have me driving through rivers - as it was we had to yell & toot & Jack's dad had to come across the river in his jeep to get James.  But it was cold - funny how boys don't feel the cold. Then home for a phone call I have quite an internationally famous person buying some kittens and she was phoning me at 1.15pm - when she had called on my cell I was driving & still needed to take Abbey shopping - she brought herself a lovely red trench coat that was 60% off.- she was BUZZING with her bargain. I stopped off in library & to Abbey's horror I got out some of the books the famous lady has written - YES I am an old Groopy - I was right into her healthy Living books in the 90's. I enjoyed our phone conversation, now I have another name to name drop says Brent & Abbey hehehehe. Oh I also got a brand new book - I think having BRAND new books is just wonderful! But it's not mine (I don't buy books anymore one of my frugal changes - but I do ask the library to buy me in books I want & then I get to be the very first person to ever read it BUZZ AYE!!! The Book is called Sensatonal Knitted Socks. No time for lunch - was meant to be at Gills by 2pm running late, Abbey had a knitting lesson & I got a lesson in taking up jeans neatly - we used to take them to the tailors & pay $20.00 a pair - now we are going to do them ourselves. But I wanted to make sure I got the tailor look - not a homemade job look. Will share how to in a blog entry as we take them up GULP. Home - Brent had begun making a vegetable soup YUMMY!!!! - Abbey & I did cattery - takes longer now with 16 kittens HAHAH they all got their microwave hotties heated. And we did a photo shoot of each kitten to show new owners. As I didn't have to cook tea - I uploaded & put on cat website/blog & emailed them to owners. Then it was time for DR WHO! • Comments (0) • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link Sunday, July 6, 2008 Running a Small Business Posted in Home Schooling Sometimes it is best to learn from actually doing... So Brent & I have set up Abbey in her own business. She will be selling products for cats. - by default her business name is called Abbey's Shop. As we breed kittens she has a ready market - many of the new owners love to talk to the kids & they knew we were going to get Abbey to do this - they named it Abbey's shop & it sort of stuck. Abbey has very fine taste & she even stocks futon beds for pets, cat mint bubble blowers - (the kittens chase cat mint bubbles), possum tails, hotties you heat in the microwave that stay warm for 12 hours, kitten food, litter etc.... We finished working on it yesterday & launched her webpage, down track she will learn how to make shopping online part of the website (I havven't learnt this yet so looking forward to learning how too) She is going to keep accounting records using a very old program we had  called NZ office , I don't think it is still around anymore - my one is on a floppy disk it's that old. Would love to get my hands on MYOB for her  to learn with - one day... She has to issue invoices, a profit & loss, GST & Tax returns, stock control, ordering stock, percentages, expenses - she thought it quite cool her cellphone now has become a business expense,- learn about marketing, customer service and many, many aspects of running a small business. She will get the opportunity to sell items on Trade me and also at the farmers market in summer. We have a family friend who is a business coach we might be able to tap into some of his training too. Homeschooling does offer some wonderful opportunities and this is one example - pretty awesome that a 14 year old (ok nearly 15) can have real hands on learning of running her own business. PLUS today I had a rep call in home selling Science stuff - Abbey was thrilled she now has her own scalpel, slides & petrii dishes - next we are looking out for a microscope. James had an awesome day out with Brent - road testing Amps - his birthday is in a few weeks and he is getting an amp for his electric guitar. • Comments (1) • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link Saturday, July 5, 2008 What's up - cats, computers, work, tax & quilts Posted in Daily Life Well it's been full on - I've had to be very good with my time management to fit all I like to do in in a day / week. Family is back to being healthy - well nearly Brent is having a bit of trouble shaking off the bot. Computer time had been limited - mainly due to our computer is a tad sickly & playing up - Brent & I finally gave in & ordered a Dell computer yesterday. - We had to buy one suitable for small business to get XP - I wanted XP as a lot of my data is with XP. I was most impressed with the service - wonderful to deal with! Hopefully it will be here for last week of school holidays - kids have been deprived without a computer that can play their games or have MSN contact for over a year. I'm hoping old computer will be mine & work better once a lot of  files are removed - we will see!. - Pam I'll ask for a webcam for my birthday then we can play..... I'm  up early - a queen is in first stage of labour - they like you to be with them - I have her nesting box next to computer - but nope she wants on my knee - hope waters don't break while she is on my lap - that's not fun. Many folks who have ordered kitties are waiting excitedly to see what she has. Update - she had a litter of 7 kittens Oh this week I became a heiress to a kitten owners two cats - he has made provisions in his will for me to care for his two cats if they out live him. Brent laughed and said it was ok - but I'm not allowed to make a habit of it as he can see many little cat chalets with cats that of course he would kindly build for me. Another kitten owner emailed me her latest water colour she has done of one of our kittens - I'm dying to share but not on her website yet -drawing a fine line But the card of Muddy & big Ted is there - all cat lovers will enjoy this card! This week saw one of my ex-breeding queens have a trail run at my mums, but my folks didn't think she was happy - so home she came - we think she missed the other cats. So it's confirmed we will end up being a home for geriatric ex breeding cats. I won't be getting any more queens now & will focus on running a boarding cattery in the 10 year plan. UPDATE - I jokingly said top Brent - I'll have to start breeding dogs - Dobermans is my choice and he has agreed - so that's on the 5 year plan. Thankfully I will have a job to pay for my hobby - bit like eating at a restaurant and then having to wash the dishes afterwards. GRIN- Friday I did my first training at the vet clinic - talk about nervous - didn't help that the boss forgot to tell the staff I was coming - thank goodness I know a lot of the staff anyway - so after initial uncomfortable start I began learning the computer system and how to make bookings & payments. My highlight of my working day was one of the nursers brought her 10 month old dog to work & she has taught him tricks - wave paw & drop dead when she shoots bang bang with her fingers. Another client brought in his dog to see the staff - she is having chemo & is really happy to be at the vets, knows all the staff & where the treats are. I'm thrilled to get this job & know when the empty nest time comes I'll hopefully be able to increase my hours - but I think I may like to stay part time as I have way too many hobbies & interest to work full time. I do know I don't want to go back to corporate world - but I will finish my business diploma - just because I can. OOh I did our tax returns on line this year - wacko soo fast - a good thing. And phew I made it before cut off 7th July Haven't had a chance to get to quilting - hope to this weekend - but I have kitten owners visiting this weekend - so see how I go - I'm hoping some of you block of the monthers are behind in your blocks so I'm not holding you up. • Comments (3) • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link Saturday, July 5, 2008 Free scrap quilt pattern Posted in Quilting OOh now I just LOVE Scrap quilts. And this free pattern is just yummy. It is available for download for a limited time so pop over & visit. Gee I am greatful to the kind ladies who share their patterns on line! http://www.mycraftivity.com/adminquilt/blog/cat/general • Comments (1) • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link

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