Friday, August 15, 2008 A day in my life. Posted in A Day in My Life I slept in - go figure a day I needed more time! 5.30am - up only time for a quick cuppa tea & blog about our new lamb. Then full steam ahead. We had to leave the house by 8am. Brent was wonderful & got off to work early. The cattery was done real fast this morning - sorry girls & kittens no time to pat & play this morning. The microwave worked fast heating up their hotties for the day. Lunches were packed. I had been busy night before making bacon n egg pie, fresh bread set in microwave to be ready for the morning, apple muffins for James - these didn't turn out the best - too heavy - it's very hard cooking without eggs & butter - but he said they taste nice just heavy. A lovely soup bacon & kumera  that just needed heating through & put in flask. A boiled fruit cake & fruit. Left the house at 8am - well done! And remembered to leave a not for courier. Dropped Abbey off at her friends place with her school work. James & I zoomed into town. - I do not enjoy driving & driving in town even less. I nearly ended up going wrong way in one way street, got totally lost. But I always leave plenty of time for such things & we arrived 1/2 an hour early. Oh & the parking - again I am not a driver - only got my licence from a cop who made me drive to his house to pick up his keys. He missed me reversing and driving over some cabbages as he wasn't in the car. So you try parallel parking on a hill. Not me! James & I just walked a bit further from an easy park. I rang James' assessor to see if she wanted us early & she said come on in. WOW! we were in a very posh home well over the million plus homes. And if you like views - they were to die for. I was nervous & had to have a bathroom stop - broke her flusher - well she said it plays up - but how embarrassing! James had 3 hour assessment -. I felt very lucky & thankful to be his mum, I also went through many emotions during assessment. I don't enjoy days of Dr & specialist visits - it makes me face reality - I cope by just getting on with what needs doing rather than focusing on issues. I think this is why I can't be in support groups & when asked & been in roles to help others I just don't enjoy it   Sad really as I have a lot of been there done that could help other families. Knowing James soo well & being his teacher I knew questions he could & couldn't answer. My tummy was knotting up for him. He did well & the tests did show strengths & weakness - the assessor is wonderful & again as I am told by many that come into James' life she remembers him well. James & I went off & brought him his chocolate bar he is allowed to eat - I actually brought him 2. Then off to have our picnic lunch along water front. We enjoyed our hot soup & bread & cakes. Too full for fruit. We wanted to hire tandum bikes - but found out they are only available weekends & school holidays. A visit to Te Papa to see Rita Angus Then clothes shopping for James - Farmers had a 30% day off so we got socks n jocks & a belt - best way to buy your needed clothes. Topped up Brent too. Hallenstines had a sale too -- James found the sale & brought. Giving the kids a clothing budget is the best thing I have ever done - they make their clothes budget go further! And don't mind buying items on sale - they see it as being smarter go kids! Picked up Abbey & had a quick cuppa - James enjoyed getting outside & playing on the skateboard. He scored an old one & his other friend is giving him some wheels. We haven't anywhere for him to practice here - so he plans to ask the neighbours. Off to costume hire shop & both kids have chosen their outfits for Abbey's birthday party - lady was wonderful & we got both kids outfits for price of one. Home - time to do cattery I didn't make tea - very rare for me. But the days emotions caught up & I just needed to chill. So every man for himself. Plenty of soup left over no one went hungry. Then we settled down to watch a dvd from video shop called The Dirtwater Dynasty - a mini series - very good! Bother I only got part one on Tuesday (as half price on Tuesday) so I have to wait until next Tuesday for part 2. Bed for me 11pm - read of book & zonk that was my day. • Comments (0) • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link Monday, August 11, 2008 sent to shop Posted in A Day in My Life Sunday Brent sent Abbey & I into town to get her birthday present - we were told James & him had mens work to do. Yesterday I was ever greatful to be in the female role. James & Brent dug holes, sorted out sewer pump - they have the pump out of the pit & waiting for the electrician to call Monday. Abbey & I had a wonderful mothers - daughter day out. - We went to kirkcaldies & Abbey learned to apply makeup from the professionals - the lady taught her how to apply it naturally & tastefully, got the right tones for her skin. The lady asked if there was anything Abbey wished to take today & was quite shocked by her reply - everything! Yes for her birthday Brent & I have kitted her out with makeup from clinique. We made wonderful memories yesterday & both enjoyed ourselves. I got a free lipstick out of it, I think the lady wanted to get hold of me & get me into makeup too. I like the natural naked look for me. But I have noticed I'm starting to look a tad older - gosh where have those years gone? Kirkcaldies is a store we have visited often - when little I took the kids there for an afternoon treat & would get a lovely book or small toy. We visited Santa at kirks for many years & have a photo of kids with Santa in the Christmas album. The personal service one receives is worth the little extra cost for special times. Oh and their toilets are every so clean a luxury if you are living without a sewer pump! This gal isn't into Laura Ingalls living of no Sewer. I don't enjoy a long drop nor emptying baths by hand. • Comments (3) • 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 Saturday, June 14, 2008 A Day in my Life - Saturday 14th June 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. 4.30am - Brent lying awake thinking about things on his mind.....it wasn't cold last night so he woke up over heated - even this morning it is warm - I have no heater on. Last few days the bedroom has been warm enough to put the dehumidifier on - I was told not to run it if a little green cold man was on as it only wastes power. I have got two bucket fulls of water out of our bedroom - a bucket a day yes!!! 5am up & let mother cats outside, fed the two litters - I do warn new owners the kittens get up early eeek. 5.15am - eeek no bread bother! enough for a doorstop sandwich for Brent but I also need to pack Abbey's lunch too. So threw in a batch of lemon muffins - they became Brent's breakfast, and 3 popped in his lunch box with sandwich, grapes, orange & nashi pear. He won't go hungry. Put the bread maker on fast cycle so bread will be ready to use to pack Abbey's lunch. 6.15 am Brent left for work so I get me cuppa tea & computer time. I've got a busy day planned. - House chores, cattery, and then I plan to sew I'm a bit behind on my starblocks. Brent working, Abbey babysitting & James has a friend over. I have an audio book on tape that I began listening to while cross stitching last night (if new to blog you will know I dislike Tv & if watching I will fall asleep - mind numbing stuff) - I was home alone - Abbey babysitting, James & Brent walking Mack. I am itching to listen to the book (arn't audio books wonderful, there is never enough hours in a day for all the reading I would love to do so audio books help me get time to "read") The Forgotten Children. Fairbridge Farm Schol and its Betrayal of Australia's Child Migrants. Cont.... I got some sewing block - & now up to date. I had two 11 year old boys get in the kitchen & cook their lunch - they had baked beans, sausages, bacon (with honey on top - interesting) apples & onions. Had to go hunting in the worm farm for the frogs to eat - running a tad short on flies. James got a photo of one of the frogs that we put in the worm farm. We picked our first olives ever - thrilling!!! Brent my mr fix it pulled apart the piano for Abbey as two keys have stopped working. A good day Ending with home made vege soup & fresh bread. • Comments (9) • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link Wednesday, May 14, 2008 A Day in My life. Posted in A Day in My Life Little Jenny Wren has been hosting a Day in your Life for 3 months now. It's quite a fun thing to do. Basically on the 14th of each month you just blog about your day - I imagine over a year it will make interesting reading for your family of what life was like  - imagine having this to let your grandchildren read. I know I would of enjoyed reading my grandmas. So today I awoke over heated at 4am - well so would you if you had slept on your electric blanket all night on the highest setting. Plus my light was on all night. I stayed up till 11pm hoping I would be tired enough to sleep well......So up at 4am. Checked emails, internet banking - James & I have been selling items on Trade Me (like Ebay) James has sold way more than me! But my month to date is $63.05 - not bad for items I would normally have just tossed, given to sallies or put in rag bin. If you calculate that back to me working out of the home - thats 6 hours approx ($12.00 min wage here in NZ less tax) But of course it would be more hours as the travel to & from work. But I am also decluttering - it's amazing how much more stuff I am ready to let go of each time I declutter. 5am - had me cuppa tea & crumpets on computer. 5.30 am I am off to do some quilting - my dinning room table looks very lived in - my sewing stuff in one half - Abbey's school work on the other half - mmm she doesn't usually leave it out - but we finished school at 4.30pm yesterday as went out in the morning so school got done in the afternoon. 12.30pm update: I got behind this morning as let out the girl cats in cattery for a romp, one wouldn't come when called grrrr - usually they are really good at coming, they know routine, run around free while I clean them out & then they get their wet food (cooked chicken this morning) when they come back inside cattery - Abbey tried - first call Jasmine came running to her grrrrrrrrr! School - James & I did well & he worked well on his own Abbey & I worked on Write - Shop - I had been having doubts - oh my I'm not the best teacher, .. I should of done more formal writing with her , English is my worst subject - what am I thinking trying to educate these kids... you know doubt, doubt, doubt - Abbey wrote her first lesson describing an object & all my doubts just went away! Both of us enjoy Write shop - it has clear and a wonderful marking system so both Abbey & I know what we are doing - it is a thumbs up . Doubting happens at times when you homeschool... but I know we have wonderful curriculum and help is just an email away if I am stuck eg Mathusee & Apologia both authors have personally replied to emails I have sent.  And I am sure if I got stuck with write shop I will receive this too. The objective of education is to prepare the young to educate themselves throughout their lives." --Robert Maynard Hutchins James finished school early - so he hung out a load of washing for me & cooked our lunch of sausages, onions & apples. He did a fab job!!!! We thought he should cook tea also since it was soo nice - but that idea was squashed. Kids want curry again tonight hahah that will be the third night in a row of curry Afternoon. I am now the families champion fly catcher! I caught two at once (they were romantically joined) - James placed in frog tank for me & he was delighted to watch the frog eat one after the other - still joined - Oh MY! We had to ring Brent & tell him of our success. Autumn has set the flies packing & we are bit short waiting for the lava to hatch (buy this at pet shops) so we are having to find flies.... - well this blog entry is all about a day in the life HAHAHA Abbey cooked vanilla biscuits yum We had a stay at home day (BLISS) so I got cleaning - house is looking nice n tidy. I just have to pack up my sewing stuff & vaccum the threads up - been zooming along with quilt blocks - all filler blocks finished, Ohio star mmm have to unpick once sorted will post a photo. James too Mack for a walk around section he is missing Brent & his walks. Infact we are all ready for Brent to come home, He is in the South Island working that piece of water is a long way away! James replanted all my spring bulbs for me - his chickens who are not laying dug them all up! These girls need a good talking to! Today really was a simple home day, animals, home school, house work & sewing. - Highlight of my day is I have been accepted into a diploma course for business studies - oh my I am going to be busy girl.... still I am never bored. • Comments (2) • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link Wednesday, April 16, 2008 A Day in my Life Posted in A Day in My Life Little Jenny Wren Runs on the 14th of each month a Day in your life. My old dial up connection will not let me tell Little Jenny Wren that I have played - so if anyone reads this I'd really appreciate you letting her know. I often try to leave comments on blogs & my old dial up times out... But I am not prepared to pay $60.00 per month for internet access so dial up does me - most days any way! I didn't get to computer on the 14th so here is my recount. I slept in 5am eeek - good tho as I needed it. - Checked emails & blogs. Made Brent's lunch & breakfast. Abbey helped me with the cats - I have to walk the long way around house to get to cattery at the moment as electric fence is up so the sheep can mow the lawns, So having an extra pair of hands & legs to fetch n carry was most welcome. We are a tad soft & heat up a microwave hotty that last for 13 hours - Laura one of our cats just hogs it. Washing on line School James picked up another wheelbarrow of leaves for the compost. I cleared some weeds. Lunch & we watched  LOST  while eating lunch plus did some more on the jigsaw puzzle with James. Abbey did some knitting of her sock - it is looking soo good! Dishes - I fed the chickens, goose & ducks. - They got left over scones & chocolate fig whisky cake - I enjoy watching them enjoy their treats - they are funny to watch. Raining so washing in. James helped me move last years lambs to different paddock. Began to take down electric fence so Molly the goat can get to shelter - but she just JUMPS the fence to get to our food tin - she really is a character of a goat - & well loved. Errand day Activities, chemist, Jennifer's place to pick up more LOST episodes (Have I mentioned the kids & I like LOST?), magazine for Brent - but BAD me I went to wrong shop looking for wrong magazine - Brent doesn't ask me to get much for him so I did feel stink. Another chemist, grocery shop, shop to get computer ink, gas station & then another gas station to get gas bottle filled up. Home & as we are arriving at gate so is Brent. Shopping away Abbey did cats for me Tea stir fry Brent takes James to his activity. But as he was putting Mack the dog in the land cruiser -Mack runs straight into the electric fence after the sheep. Thank goodness Mack came when Brent called (he has killed livestock before so he is kept under firm rules) But the fences are all down. Thank goodness James & I moved last years lambs as we wouldn't want their father ram to get them. But we had forgotten to turn back on the electric fence - hence Mack had tried his luck. So Brent had fences to fix -  I got changed & took James Brent & I did some more puzzle - I bailed out & went to bed to read my book - not having much time to read lately These puzzles are soo fun! And a tad hard - you don't get to make what is on the lid ( first photo.) it is only a clue. You have to try & work out what will happen next. Brent James & I have had a lot of fun doig this puzzle - And note our budget puzzle board - for free that was in car shed. A roll up puzzle mat was $45.00 in the shop - we like our FREE board & it gave us plenty of room to spread out the pieces.  And we got the puzzle on loan from the library too (no charge how awesome is that - as I'm not really ito doig the same puzzle more than once)   A Busy day but I like to try & get as many errands done while out so I don't have to be out everyday. • Comments (2) • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link Friday, March 14, 2008 The end of my Day Posted in A Day in My Life Since last post I've put the cleaner over our bedroom. The kids brought in washing, folded it & put it away. Abbey helped with the cattery -they all loved their fresh meat. Watered the garden Picked rock melons - I think they are a tad over ripe. And most have come on at once - better google on down what I can use them for, Dinner made vege meal of stuff potatoes & ratatouille (SP) For James I omit egg & cheese out of stuffed potatoes & he just had bacon, onion, parsely & chives (herbs from garden) Ratatouille - onion, garlic, capsicum. zucchini, egg plant & tomatoes which all but onion & garlic was from the garden. Pudding I made Black Boy Crumble. Peeled the peaches & finely chopped them. topping 50g butter rubbed in 1/2 cup flour 1/2 cup (not pressed down) of brown sugar 1/2 cup rolled oats 1/4 cup coconut. Bake in hot 200 deg C oven.  - You don't need to cook the fruit if chopped small - I use this recipe often for apples - but put 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon in topping. Served with whipped cream For James I made a water bath & poached him some Black boys with brown sugar on the top. We ate very late as we wanted to eat with Brent tonight - he has been working long hours. - We ate while watching Dancing with the Stars. Kids did dishes - James unstacked & Abbey re stacked. Just off to re fill jugs for boiled water for tomorrow - it really is tasting YUCKY even being boiled - need to get Brent to take water bottles to work so we get nice water - it tastes soapy & when I hose my garden it sure smells chemically. We haven't had much rain so I think the council has us on bore water shudder. WOW what a lot of posts for my day - not sure if I can do this every month - 9.40pm I'm off to do water, say night to kids & bed don't think I'll get much of my book read tonight. • Comments (3) • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link Friday, March 14, 2008 A Day in my Life part 4 Posted in A Day in My Life aaahhh 4.15pm - time for a coffee. I did 2 more loads of washing - James hung these out for me. Dust our bedroom & lounge Organised eggs - rotate old & new - I have 3 doz in fridge. Disinfect compost bucket & kitchen brush Washed out ginger beer bottles Organised a new ram for the sheep he should be here in the next week or two. Chimney sweep man came & did the annual clean - Lunch we had home made bread with tomatoes & cucumber out of garden. We then got changed & off to do errands. - Clothes shopping for kids - Ab decided to wait & see if shops will have easter sales. James brought a pair of sneakers - now size 10 mens & shop had buy one, second one 1/2 price so I got a pair of winter boots for $20.00 - mums perk for not having a clothes budget I tell them. (if new to blog the kids get given a clothing budget & have to keep within their budget - one of the BEST things we have ever done) Off to library all have arm full of books - we were all thirsty & knew we were going to library so got our free cold water at their cooler - and I spilt mine all over their couch - ROAST!!!! _ I have to be honest in a blog day like this (BLUSH) Then off to Cherry Patch Pie Quilt shop to get Abbey her block of the month Text mum to see what's for afternoon tea but they were out - so we missed them - arn't cell phones awesome! Stopped at a fruit & vege stall looking for golden peaches. But none - chatted to Krista a friend from cat shows & she told us a man down her street sells them at his gate. WACKO off we go - golden queens all finished - but he has Black Boy Peaches - just delightful! - we brought 4kg - $3.00 per kg - brilliant price. Not sure how many left kids are in love with Black Boys. (Pam Grant knows this fella) He is a hard case Kiwi bloke - has a long bushy beard ruff around the edges - he lives in a bus (with sky tv James tells me) has land where he grows blackberry. peaches, his honey hives (we brought honey too) Hay I just googled on down & found a link for you all The Old Busman He also makes grog that he assures never gives you a sore head in the morning - he didn't offer free samples. HAHA Then off to get my cat meat I buy minced beef in bulk. - Our freezers now will not fit another thing in. We had a drive looking for Karen & Brent's new house but I got lost - so home we are. This is really fun as often Brent will say what have you been up to today & I even I am amazed just what I can fit in a day. Back later. • Comments (1) • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link Friday, March 14, 2008 A Day in the Life part three Posted in A Day in My Life Oh wow I am getting a long coffee break this am After garden I put a loaf of bread in bread maker feed the ginger beer bug Said morning to James Cleaned bathroom (wipe over) Abbey did dishes & hung out washing, fed her cat,organised family library books, vac her room & practice her piano Off to cattery we go - we only have 5 kittens at the moment - but they had finger painted (YUCKY) so a full mop out of their run. - Checked on Tom cat & his girlfriend, the two queens who are on heat - thank goodness we don;' have close neighbours - they are calling.....very loud. Abbey took these photos yesterday of kittens - for cat blog - thought I'd share them her with you. And of course cleaning of dirt boxes. James he has vac lounge, compost, feed chooks & rubbish tin - rinse & cut down milk container - he is saving them for a water fight at sea scouts. - plus practice his guitar WOW 1/2 an hour morning tea break that is a tad too much And no we are not doing homeschool today - normally we would. • Comments (5) • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link Friday, March 14, 2008 A Day in the life - Part two Posted in A Day in My Life Ok it's 10am & I am sitting down with a cuppa coffee. My kids think I have gone bonkers doing this. Ab in teen tone said "Why don't you blog that you had a shower" - Me - "oh I have done that." James "well why not put a photo on blog & your blog stats will go up then" I laughed at both of them!!!! oK since I last posted I have Been out in the garden Enjoyed picking & seeing my plants grow all except my seedlings - I missed two days of watering & now realise the deck is too hot for them - booo boooo looks like I will be buying winter seedlings BLOW! Took some photos for you to share in my day peppers, zuchinni, tomatoes red & yellow, eggplant, yellow cucumbers & eggs from chooks. I got a chuckle how this one was growing straight up - shame my photo is wonky Sunflower just opening Yeah corn is growing - I wasn't sure it would as I planted it too late - I thought Yes we have feijoas growing. Simple things bring me great joy & I do soo enjoy my garden • Comments (4) • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link Friday, March 14, 2008 A day in My Life Posted in A Day in My Life Jenny from Little Jenny Wren Has begun - A Day in My Life - on the 14th of each month you blog about your day. I think this will be a fun thing to look back on - probably not that interesting for people whom read our blog - but more for me to see how our days & months change. I know I would love to be reading my grandmothers A day in my life if she had kept one. Ok So here is my day. (I'll update as I get time for a cuppa & add to this post throughout the day,) 3.45am Awake, let Caro outside. Fill jugs of water in fridge - I boil our water & let it cool over night Checked my emails & replied. Worked on budget I have finally decided I do not like You Need A Budget programme & giving permission  to myself to scrap it. I still like Microsoft money better - I've used it for 3 plus years & I am staying loyal with it. I think YNAB is a very good programme but if you are use to microsoft money I'm not sure that you can give up features you are use to eg - a list of bills & due dates, account transfer button, reconcile feature, very detailed graphs Brent Up we look at budget together, I make Brent's lunch & Breakfast. Talk to Brent over breakfast Pukeko in my garden - and I warn Brent he is NOT allowed to take a photo as I fly out the door in dressing gown with broom to deal to these pests! 7.45am Shower, make bed, get first load of washing on line. • Comments (0) • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link