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 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 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 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 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 Tuesday, June 24, 2008 Kittens. movies & winter brrrrr Posted in Daily Life Two litters of kittens snapped early hours before they woke up & came to see me. This is two litters & the toys one of the mother cats always brings in for her - she just loves soft toys. With a house of sick people we have been keeping warm & watching videos.  I highly recommend is Evelyn and Mansfield Park Others we watched were - Chuck and Larry (rather rude) but a light comedy & I love comedies Disappointed with Hairspray I didn't even finish watching - it I loved John Travolta in my teen years & John in Hairspray - well - maybe if I had finished the movie I might of felt different??  Amazing Grace was another I didn't finish - again could of been because off my oats - if you think I really should finish it let me know I have it until Thursday. We picked up 5 more movies for $5.00 eight day hire - awesome price!!! New Zealand weather forecast is for Blizzard like conditions - brrrr - winter is here, we don't have to go out today - so once school is done we can sit in the lounge with fire & watch our cheap movies, I'm nearly finished cross stitching my country bloomers and rally want to finish it as I want to start the next project - as you do - starting is the BEST part! Ones we got out to watch are: Because I said so, Spiderman 3, Ya-Ya Sisterhood, The Prestige and Infamous. Home made soup, fresh bread & steamed pudding is on the menu tonight - nice comfort warming food. • Comments (1) • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link Tuesday, June 17, 2008 Winter bugs are here. Posted in Daily Life Abbey caught the winter bugs off the children she babysits for - she felt unwell Saturday but still worked (good girl!) Sunday she was able to rest & Monday she was still off colour - so she sat in lounge with fire & knitted - with the company of some movies Brent picked up for her from DVD shop. Monday James had a bit of a runny nose - but guitar lessons Monday - so he was telling himself - he was not sick! He didn't want to eat all of his dinner - WHAT an 11 year old boy not wanting to eat??? He tucked himself off to bed but was quite distressed. Our temperature reader read 38.75 deg c. He had sore head, didn't like the light & his spine hurt. mmmmm Thankfully our family Dr was on duty & Brent took James down to the surgery - his temperature was now 40.5 c and he has influenza. Panadol, rest, fluids & asthma meds increased. One thing with homeschooling we just stop school & the kids just pick up where we left off - there is no missed lessons or catch up required. Today will be a day of keeping warm & resting in front of TV for kids. • Comments (0) • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link Tuesday, June 10, 2008 Global Warming Posted in Daily Life This came in my inbox so thought it was relevant since I showed a photo of my Country Bloomers yesterday. • Comments (2) • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link Monday, June 9, 2008 Making Laundry soap, bloomers & kittens Posted in Daily Life A sunny winters day but a real nip in the air. I needed to make more laundry soap. I felt like a little kid playing with water - I tend to make a mess Brent came to my rescue & fitted a bit on the end of my tap so I can now fill my bottles without it pouring out. It really is the best thing making your own laundry soap & the savings is huge. To make 20 litres. Grate 2 bars of Sunlight soap Boil this in 3 litres of water until disolved. Add 1 cup borax (I got mine off trade me) 1 cup washing soda. Then pour into 20 litre bucket & fill with warm water. The two litters of kittens are 4 & 5 weeks old - 5 week olds are using litter tray yea!!! and eating solids. Their personalities are starting to come out - they are fun! In the evenings I've been working away at my Country Bloomers Cross Stitch I love most patterns by Jeremiah Junction • Comments (8) • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link Sunday, June 8, 2008 Near Fire eeeek & Lonely Bones Posted in Daily Life Saturday was cold & wet, with thunder & lightening Winter is here. Many in the South Island have Snow.. Brent began lunch of toasty sammies  while I was talking to people wanting to buy a kitten. Brent turned off the toastie machine & came outside to chat with the people. - However he must of knocked the element on & when he walked back inside the house was FULL of smoke. The house still smells of burnt plastic from the toastie maker. We were very lucky indeed! - My first thought was of the mother cats & kittens - no property. But it does make you stop & look around what one can loose in a fire. We sure had someone watching over us! Thank you. Abbey babysat - the dad is currently working on the Lonely Bones Film. OOOh Abbey & I are looking forward to this film coming out - but also realise it could be a R rating considering content. Abbey, James & I have made the decision to put our name down as extras for some films - (won't be Lonely Bones, mmm maybe the Hobbit) We figure we can take our school work & do it on the sets as we know a lot of down time is required. On a funny note the kids Abbey looks after laughed & laughed when they found out a big girl has Eyore Pj's • Comments (4) • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link Sunday, May 18, 2008 Our Friday & Saturday Posted in Daily Life We are having lovely Autumn days. James had Todd stay the night - Brent got the pee wee going for them & they had fun blatting around paddock. He cooked them up a mega feed of bacon, sausages & chips for their lunch (as I was meant to be at hairdressers). Then it was target shooting with the slug gun. A good Boys day. Did Brent wonders too ,not working but hanging out with the young fellas. Abbey was off her oats, - I don't think I shared Thursday night I just came down quickly with the chills. Brent arrived home from working in Nelson with me in bed with heaps of covers on. Friday morning I got up made his lunch but went back to bed. I slept until 1pm where I got up as promised to pick up Todd - plus needed to get cat meat & Abbeys next quilt block, plus we brought our veges & fruit from road side stores. Came home & went to bed. Then I was fine Saturday morning... go figure. For me to be in bed is a big deal - I spend the least amount of my life in bed. I was very proud of our kids. Friday morning they did all my chores, all the cats & kittens - fed themselves etc... and for school James couldn't do much without me as up to new units. He did art & they got out board games. I am very proud of their wise choices & sure beamed when I had a bathroom stop to see them playing scrabble. Way to go kids they really know what Brent & I think of x box, computer games & TV. Abbey cooked everyone tea, tacos & apple pie (stuffed apples for James), Brent played the game of life with the kids So what ever lurgy I had Abbey has something similar as very quite Saturday & tucked herself up in bed early. • Comments (0) • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link Sunday, May 4, 2008 Our Saturday Posted in Daily Life I was pretty tired all day after being up kittening - so was on a gooo s l o w most of the day. I got a few more rows pinned & sewed on quilt - still not finished just a few more hours to go. Why is it cats like to lie on quilts?? Photo is of Cindy an Ebony Mandalay - her kittens are due next Sunday.     James he had stayed the night at Todd's - Folks are starting to let James stay - it's a BIG issue with his allergies. He takes his own bedding & a chilli bin of food. all for one night. James is able to cook for himself when at other peoples homes & knows to re clean their bench before he prepares his food. It does feel weird for the host family as - as hosts we want serve. But they are all adapting well. And James had a ball. They have 16 acres & he is such an outdoor boy .... He took his bike & they went bike riding, plus they have a Donkey - petrol cart which the boys drove around the paddocks. James felt the earthquake & it felt weird him not being home. James has had the best school holidays - at someones place most of the first week - then his friends here 2nd week. He is such a social kid loves people! Dinner was a nice warming pot of chilli con carne with rice. Even tho we didn't get home until 6.15pm - It didn't take me long to whip it up - takeaways are not an option in our family - and chilli con carne was much nicer than fish n chips. I just have to be organised - having a good stockpilr helps so does having meat defrosted. I went off to bed early & left the family watching season 2 of LOST. I;ll have to go google LOST & see what happens in season 3 - that's not on DVD here in NZ. Season 4 begins here on Wednesday. Friends have told me LOST has lost the plot a bit - so will be interesting to see. Weather man says nice day for today - Sunday so hope to get out in garden, finish sewing quilt top & then its back to planning another 10 weeks of school. Keep warm! • Comments (3) • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link Wednesday, April 30, 2008 New Old Sewing Box Posted in Daily Life I'm tickled pink I've wanted a wooden concertina sewing box for such a long time. So when one came up on Trade me as BUY Now and in RIMU I got it. It has been soo well looked after - I wonder who was the owner before hand - all I know from seller is it came from Dunedin. It looks such a nice piece of furniture next to my Granny rocking chair in our 1900 villa. PL:US I got my new camera yesterday - it really is feeling like a birthday week from the postie. I haven't had a good play with camera - but Abbey set it all up for me - I didn't even know how to get out the memory card out this am - I had to wait for her to get up HAHA. BUT I can write on my photos. I want to play taking photos of our birds in our garden for Scattered Seeds  the new camera has an awesome zoom on it so I hope to share some NZ birds that visit our garden - coming next week we will have paddocks of ducks as Saturday Duck shooting begins. (Something I wish to do before I die - Have to see if a friend will take me - not sure how I will actually go when I shoot one & kill it - probably cry) But a friend goes shooting & he is bringing me home a few ducks so I have to learn to pluck them oh MY I am going out of my comfort zone. And I also  got my certificate for first part of my Vet Nursing degree - I wanted to see how I went studying - It has triggered me thinking mmm maybe I will pick up something - I'm just a bit worried about getting over committed - my home. animals & home schooling the kids is my first priority BUT..... It is never too late to become what you might of been George Eliot • Comments (3) • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link Thursday, April 24, 2008 School Holidays Posted in Daily Life Week one is nearly over - it has gone fast & I have found I am busier than school time. This is mainly due to James' social life - he loves people & I 've been his personal taxi taking him to all his friends homes. Each home when I drop him off I stay & have a coffee with the mum - Which is nice - but I've spent a lot of my time this week playing ladies. We have been doing school each morning - Jame about 1 hour - Abbey about 2 - feels good as if over the winter we have BLAH days I know I will relax knowing we have kept schooling through the holidays. I did make the time to help Abbey begin her pillow she is making - she was a brick & cleaned the bathroom for me while I did it. She has sewed her blocks together & now has to trace her design and she is all set to begin embroidery. Some days - weeks we do need to remember the BIG picture - the kids aren't gonna remember if our house wasn't dusted - but they will remember the we have spent time with them.... So if you visit my home today - shut your eyes at the dust & clutter - I've been busy with the kids. My home tells the story! - It needs a real good pick me up - and I hope to get more done today. • Comments (1) • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link Wednesday, April 23, 2008 The Simple Woman's Daybook Posted in Daily Life For Today Wednesday 23rd April 2008 Outside my Window The animals are awake & the day is beginning I am thinking -of all the things I've got to get done today & yes we have a fine day so I can get my washing up to date & hang on the line. I am thankful that clothes shopping for Abbey is nearly completed - I don't enjoy shopping & Abbey has learnt this too - so clothes shopping is well lets say not one of our favourite things. But we did good yesterday & she got some nice clothes. And was within her budget by $37.00 - Our kids get a clothing budget & have to live within their means - one of the best things Brent & I have ever done for our kids. We really want our kids to have good money management skills - hence we invest in the time to teach them. Here's looking at the beginning of her winter wardrobe - underwear, PJ's,  2 jeans, 2 tops &  jumper. From the Kitchen . Dinner tonight will be roast chicken with vegetables - unless Brent is working late - if so the kids & I will have a stir fry. I am Creating kitten pedigrees - one of my not so favourite jobs - admin work -have put off too log so  that is on my must do today I am going to try  take time to do some quilting - after helping Abbey begin her new embroidery project I am wearing me nightie, dressing gown & slippers cos I get up early I am reading Di Morrisey's book - Kimberley Sun sequel to Tears of the moon but got sidetracked reading Quick and easy scrap quilts I am hoping to get our house into better order - being out a lot seems to get me behind. I am  hearing silence except for birds. Abbey is asleep, James is awake early because it is school holidays - hence you don't sleep in & is on his e box he hired a new game. He wants to get his school work done before he goes to his friend Josh's house. Yesterday am he had me doing his spelling while I was eating my toast. I'm a mean mum & he can wait till 9am before I'm available otherwise I don't get my free time (IE blogging) or my chores done. Around the house -well blush it's messy - I am behind in doing my chores - but by the time Brent walks in to night ii will be a nice place for him to come home to. One of my favourite things  our animals. We all get a lot of joy out of the animals we have brought here - or who work out this is  good spot for a free feed. front left is the clever lamb who is safe from the pot - Lilly she is soo tame & has been granted pet status - just like Gerry the goose You might be able to see the Pukeko's  - dark blue just behind Gerry the Goose. • Comments (1) • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link Monday, April 21, 2008 Our Sunday Posted in Daily Life Another cold, wet day - I'm reading the otherside of the world is warming up & we are cooling down brrr..... I didn't get my new heater - Brent had a thought how he might fix it. So he had a go not sure where we are placed -I tell you frugal living gets addictive! Abbey cooked - spiced apple muffins for lunch & lasagna with French platted bread for dinner. - I have been spoiled. James did cattery again today for me - readers with younger kids - it pays to put the hard work of training in when kids are younger - as look what rewards you get. Both parties win! The kids get a lot of satisfaction doing jobs well & contributing to the home. One of Abbey's Austrian blinds is finished & hung. The hanging takes a lot of time as you have to adjust each cord. Brent has done a wonderful job. Abbey platted the cord on the side & now all it needs is a toggle & it's all finished. Well worth the effort. Second curtain is all sewen - just needs a press & the 50 brass rings hand sewen on - Abbey & I will do that today while we watch another episode of LOST. Brent said he will hang her second curtain at night after work - then she can move out of the lounge & into her room. She has enjoyed having a TV & Fire in her sleeping area - but Oh I am soo looking forward to my home getting back to order. The first day will be giving everything a good deep clean as we haven't had much room to do this. It's school holidays here in NZ for 2 weeks - we are going to be working through the holidays as Brent was home for 3 weeks & our work load was light. Hence the kids have agreed we will do a small amount each morning - keep the routine going. We are flexiable & when their friends stay over we won't school but  most days we will. • Comments (0) • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link Thursday, April 17, 2008 A good day Posted in Daily Life My days are pretty full with homeschooling kids, cats, animals,  gardening, crafts when I get to them, housework & meals... James had a good school day he got 100% in a maths test wacko his not favourite subject! So as a reward we all stopped school & played Risk. I need to take a photo of one of our very tame last years lambs, she has been named Lilly & comes up to you for a pat - looks like another who is safe from the pot! - Clever Lamb! - She follows you around & then the other sheep will happily follow. I locked up the dog & got Abbey to lead them into the grass area where Mack the dog spends his time - to get them to mow his grass area - mmm maybe his markings aren't too tasty as they didn't like being in there at all. Our puzzle was packed up & returned to library - James chose a new one number 2 wasgij - The parrot is enjoying having puzzles out as you hear - "don't let the cats in the lounge they will knock over the jigsaw puzzle" So if you were a bird wouldn't you just love having James all to yourself more & help him do the puzzle? For tea last night we finished off the chicken from the previous night - it was made into a chicken pie. Chicken Pie Cooked chicken flesh shredded. 3 slices bacon 1 onion chopped - I microwave onion & bacon until tender about 2 mins on high. Make a white sauce in microwave. Then add one egg & whisk. Place bacon, onion & chicken on pastry. Add sliced mushrooms, sliced spring onions. Pour over the top white sauce Pepper Top with pastry & glaze with milk. Then being the ever thrifty person I am. I made chicken stock. Chicken Stock place bones from chicken in large stock pan cover with boiling water. add what ever is limp in the vegetable basket but do try to put onion celery carrots pepper & salt parsley Let is cook away. Strain & place in containers & freeze. • Comments (3) • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link

Page 1 of 4
Last Page | Next Page