Summer lasted 2 days. It then rained solidly for days. The rain has stoped and we have had a few hints of sunshine this morning. Agenda for the last few days has been to lounge around eating and reading - bliss, except I have probably gained 5kgs! In contrast we have continued to be horrified at the tragedy in Asia/Africa. I cannot imagine the horrors out there and do not have the linguistic skills to put my feelings on the matter into words, so will not even try. I have seriously considered the possibility of travelling out there to help but it is obvious that organisations need to go through the process of selection long before the disaster strikes and use people on their lists. Also I have this responsibility called motherhood which restricts ones ability with such activities. Maybe when they are older. Our thoughts are with all involved, including Carol who is manning the UK end of things over the next few days, at least.
Here at least life goes on as normal and today it is the cooking of Lamb Korma, Banoffi Pie and a creamy fruit dessert then off to J+K's for a NY's bash.I think there are 17 of us staying which should be fun (except for her of great hilarity!). We have to load up bedding, piano, dogs and food into the trailer and travel up in Eric's Safari (which I hate!) over the nexy few hours so I guess I best press on rather than typing.
From the Tanner household we offer you all our best wishes for a wonderful New Year and may 2005 offer you peace, good health and happiness.
Friday, December 31, 2004
Wednesday, December 29, 2004
The 2 days of summer.
I blogged yesterday morning. I told you about our Boxing Day weather and the summer that arrived 2 days ago (and lasted 2 days!!!) and I wished Carol Happy Birthday. As the computer is playing up I even typed it in Word - and still lost it. I even thought I had published it so was very surprised when I looked for comments later and there was no blog. I have looked for the Word document and that has also disappeared. Was I dreaming I ask myself.
I am laying in bed and laughing at Eric who is glowing. On Monday he burnt parts of his body not normally exposed. I have no sympathy, I repeatedly told him to put SPF on!!! The girls are also burnt. I was on the pool deck with them on Monday and supervised regular SPF applications. Yesterday they spent hours in the pool with Sarah (boil sitably covered) and Katherine. I called from the house at hourly intervals to apply and they yelled at me 30 secs later that they had done (their idea of application and mine obviously vary). I sunbathed under a blanket of lotion on Monday and tingle now but am pink, not Rudolph nose red!!
These were taken on Boxing Day. I'm not going to explain the hats, I did all that yesterday!
This is what we sat down to...
...and this is what was left over.
Yesterday Robyn bought the girls over to swim (their pool is still looking very dry. Repairs seem to have come to a halt since Eric went to the UK, not that he has done much to help but he has promised to) and then they came after milking to eat. I did in fact beg Robyn to come over and eat the left over left overs. We also BBQ'd and I made a cauliflower cheese. Why? I hear you ask. 2 reasons. 1. The veg garden has lots that are ready to eat and they don't keep very well and 2. I was craving some healthy, non rubbish food (she says tucking into another custard cream with early morning (8.48am!!!) tea). I declared that any food left over would be fed to the pigs so we all had 3 puddings, but in smaller portions than on Boxing Day. During the day I worked in the veg plot until I got too hot to carry on. Weeding being the order of the day. I also sowed (is that a word?) carrots and lettuce. I will be able to pick the first runner beans in about 3 days the broccolli and broad beens have just about come to an end. The strawberries are producing but as my plants were neglected at the start (they dissappeared under a mat of weeds at one point) they are only producing in dribs and drabs, suitable for a treat when gardening but not enough for a proper feed.
Well as you would have gathered summer arrived on the 27th. We had 2 glorious days but today it is windy again and the weather report warns us of rain arriving this afternoon and lasting 'til NY's Day and dumping a third of a metre on us!!! It is around 20 degrees C.
Like everyone around the world we are listening with horror and intense sadness at the devatation to have hit SE Asia. If I wasn't a mother I would be at Auckland airport now to fly out and help. It is awful to be so helpless when you know you have skills that may help, even if it where just lining the kids up for cholera jabs. We have been relying on the internet and radio for news. Sri lanka are here playing cricket and have been threatened with a 3 million $ fine and suspension if they cut their tour (ICC rules apparently). Isn't that disgusting.
Eric bought me a double USB hub as we only have one on this computer. This is to attach my speakers that he also bought me so I can listen to good quality Archer's. The problem is it works randomly. I think he needs to speak to the shop to ask why.
My battery is fading so I am going to get up and post before I loose this lot. Carol we have texted, tried to ring your mobile and your landline. We would phone at Bloo's but we don't have their number. Hope you had a great day. Let us know when you will be home and we'll try and phone.
I am laying in bed and laughing at Eric who is glowing. On Monday he burnt parts of his body not normally exposed. I have no sympathy, I repeatedly told him to put SPF on!!! The girls are also burnt. I was on the pool deck with them on Monday and supervised regular SPF applications. Yesterday they spent hours in the pool with Sarah (boil sitably covered) and Katherine. I called from the house at hourly intervals to apply and they yelled at me 30 secs later that they had done (their idea of application and mine obviously vary). I sunbathed under a blanket of lotion on Monday and tingle now but am pink, not Rudolph nose red!!
These were taken on Boxing Day. I'm not going to explain the hats, I did all that yesterday!
This is what we sat down to...
...and this is what was left over.
Yesterday Robyn bought the girls over to swim (their pool is still looking very dry. Repairs seem to have come to a halt since Eric went to the UK, not that he has done much to help but he has promised to) and then they came after milking to eat. I did in fact beg Robyn to come over and eat the left over left overs. We also BBQ'd and I made a cauliflower cheese. Why? I hear you ask. 2 reasons. 1. The veg garden has lots that are ready to eat and they don't keep very well and 2. I was craving some healthy, non rubbish food (she says tucking into another custard cream with early morning (8.48am!!!) tea). I declared that any food left over would be fed to the pigs so we all had 3 puddings, but in smaller portions than on Boxing Day. During the day I worked in the veg plot until I got too hot to carry on. Weeding being the order of the day. I also sowed (is that a word?) carrots and lettuce. I will be able to pick the first runner beans in about 3 days the broccolli and broad beens have just about come to an end. The strawberries are producing but as my plants were neglected at the start (they dissappeared under a mat of weeds at one point) they are only producing in dribs and drabs, suitable for a treat when gardening but not enough for a proper feed.
Well as you would have gathered summer arrived on the 27th. We had 2 glorious days but today it is windy again and the weather report warns us of rain arriving this afternoon and lasting 'til NY's Day and dumping a third of a metre on us!!! It is around 20 degrees C.
Like everyone around the world we are listening with horror and intense sadness at the devatation to have hit SE Asia. If I wasn't a mother I would be at Auckland airport now to fly out and help. It is awful to be so helpless when you know you have skills that may help, even if it where just lining the kids up for cholera jabs. We have been relying on the internet and radio for news. Sri lanka are here playing cricket and have been threatened with a 3 million $ fine and suspension if they cut their tour (ICC rules apparently). Isn't that disgusting.
Eric bought me a double USB hub as we only have one on this computer. This is to attach my speakers that he also bought me so I can listen to good quality Archer's. The problem is it works randomly. I think he needs to speak to the shop to ask why.
My battery is fading so I am going to get up and post before I loose this lot. Carol we have texted, tried to ring your mobile and your landline. We would phone at Bloo's but we don't have their number. Hope you had a great day. Let us know when you will be home and we'll try and phone.
Monday, December 27, 2004
Xmas and Boxing Day's 2004
Hello. Hello. I'm back. Carol you seem to be the only person to notice our absence! I'm soo sorry. How unusual that you have had daily access to a pooter. Can yours be working now?! A BIG BIG Happy Birthday to you. Have a fabulous day won't you. We will have a drink or 10 for you.
I have so much to write that I won't do it all in one hit. Firstly Ryan, big apologies darling. I did try to put the photo on after we spoke but had problems with connecting to the internet after attaching some bits to the computer that Eric bought me for Xmas. I did take the photo and it should be on there now.
I learnt two things over Xmas. One is that 3 puddings eaten one after the other leaves you full for more hours than is comfortable. Similar effect to obsence amounts of potatoes Helen though I didn't have them all in my mouth at the same time!! Even Bridget turned down alcohol on far too many askings after supper as she had no room for any! The second thing is how boring some people, or rather one person can be. No I don’t mean Eric! More on that later.
Xmas day was blissful. We went to Midnight Mass. Harri asked last year and I said No as I thought she was too young but agreed this year it would be reasonable. We all went and met Robyn and Sarah there. Richard seemed to think that having to get up at 4.30am meant he had a good excuse not to go. Wuss I say. We got home about 1.30am and got to bed by 2.30am and were woken at 6.20am!!!! The earliest we have be roused on Xmas Day for a long time. Anyway, we actually managed to wake enough to take an interest in the girls and our stocking contents about half an hour later then I think we must have dozed again for awhile. When we finally got up I went with Eric to feed pigs. We decided to put the little piggies in with their parents (they had been in adjoining pens but the piglets were outgrowing their space). So I waded through the mud that seriously threatened to run over the top of my gummies (NZ ones are only mid-calf length) to get to the gate between the pens. I looked at Eric and said this was not how I anticipated spending Xmas morning!!!! We came up and I made the waffles that the girls had requested for breakfast. I made the batter the previous day and it looked very thick by now. I don’t know what went wrong but they did. I made a big pile and we managed to salvage some that were OK. These were eaten with fresh fruit (blueberries, strawberries and kiwifruit) and cream. I then remembered that I had not made the required Xmas Day pavlova so quickly threw one together. I was a bit reluctant as I had, in the previous 24 hours semi-ruined a stollen (put in the oven set to turn off automatically while we went to Mass!) and a pantone (pinger went, Eric turned it off and did nothing although he assures me he told me. I found the pantone, still cooking about 15 minutes later!), as well as the waffles. Anyway it came out fine. Our Xmas Day plan was to go for a walk in the morning and open pressies in the afternoon however every time we went to go the heavens opened for another downpour so we abandoned that idea and opened pressies instead. I was telling Tricia (Eric’s sister) yesterday that we started to unwrap at about 10.30-11’ish and Alice announced '12.25 actually!'. Was someone clock watching I wonder? We unwrapped for a while then had a break. At this point I suggested Alice and Harri have a snooze. I did, for an hour, Eric did for 15 mins and Alice went to bed for several hours! Harriette read. These photo’s were taken about 5pm shortly after I woke up.
Note the lolly sticking out of her mouth!!
We then, after 3 attempts to wake Alice, sat down to a meal at about 6pm (-ish, roundabout, I think). By about 8.30pm we resumed unwrapping the last of the presents. We got a Hector dolphin!!! Bridget spoilt us rotten, In fact I was embarrassed by her generosity. And I told her how naughty she was! Not only did she adopt a dolphin in our name but she also gave Eric and I movie tickets AND offered to babysit so we could go. How awsome is that? Now it appears that Bridget and Carol feel we cannot be trusted to name him/her (what’s wrong with Dusty for a cat?!?!?) Sooo...... here is your chance to enter the ‘name a Hector Dolphin competition’ The prize is knowing you won. Entries to be posted by clicking Comments below and then clicking OK at the bottom (after filling in the bits in between!). Good luck.
Other pressies I loved were ‘Creative Scarecrows’, a fabulous how to make them book from Eric, and Relax and Escape a Classic FM 4 CD set from Mom and Daddy. Thank You. I can now also tell you that the cryptic messages to Carol about there being 4 refers to England rugby shirts. I asked her to get me 3 for E, H and A for Xmas. Well she bought me one as well and it ended up that she gave them to the girls also. Thank you Carol. Tricia, bless her also managed to get organised and send pressies back with Eric for all of us. I should have got better organised and sent more over with Eric but it just didn’t happen. I was pretty stressed at that point in my life though so I’m not going to be too hard on myself. Eric also bought me a set of decent speakiers for the computer (now we have broadband we can listen to The Archer's properly) and a double USB port for above speakers. Problem is though nothing works when 2 USB's are plugged in so we are hoping the upgraded desktop will accomodate them when Eric reloads Windows today.
Alice got this for Christmas!!!!
Thanks Ava-Lee, it gave us all a laugh!!
Boxing day was to be our busy socialising day. Juliet, Kev, Emma and Hannah, Juliets parents Ann and Mike and Emma's friend from the UK, and her Mom were here for 2 days. We organised sleeping arrangements, Harri and Alice cleared up their respective rooms (if you are regular blog readers you will know how big a feat that is) and the cottage bed was made up. When they arrived in the afternoon I detected a bit of an atmosphere and questioned Juliet. Apparently they had left an answaphone message (I keep telling her to email rather than do this we pick up answaphone messages about once every 2 weeks!!) saying they would not be staying!!!! This other person had said that she did not want to come as she did not feel she could stay over and her daughter may feel left out!!!! We at Cedar Lodge go out of our way to make people feel uncomfortable and left out as you well know!! Well obviously they could not leave these guests behind so they had to agree not to stay over. Mike therefore agreed to not drink (this is a man who loves his beer) and drove them all back in the evening. I cannot tell you how incredulous I was of the whole thing. How can you go and stay will someone and be responsible for for altering the Xmas plans of 3 families? Juliet and Kev are going through such a rough time at the moment this was going to be a serious relax, chill out day for us all. I hope she felt very guilty about the whole thing. Am I being unreasonable? Not only this but when they arrived our 4 girls dived into the bedroom to play hairdressing (straighteners and styling sets being Xmas pressies) and came out to find this child when she didn't follow them in. She would not go and as a result Emma and Hannah had to stay out on the deck with her while she did craft things. Finally she did go in and they had a great time, appearing at half hourly intervals with different styles. Throughout the afternoon the Mom only spoke when spoken to and no one witnessed a smile (although she is on 2 photo's). After eating (more about the meal later) the girls piped up 'Can we go and swim?'. On 'Yes' they cheered and ran out. This woman then said to her child 'You can't go in for 30 mins' Poor child looked crest fallen! I think Bridget was on the verge of saying to her don't be mean or ridiculous or something. I don't think any of us could trust ourselves to speak. As a compromise she was able to put on her togs and sit on the edge. Alice crept in a while later and asked if she could please join in now and was told Yes. I mean, yes, you shouldn't swim after eating. But these girls spent so much time giggling they hardly ate anything and they were going to lark around in a pool ouside the kitchen window, not swim kms in the sea on their own. I tried not to let the woman spoil our day but it was hard and threated to deteriorate badly when Juliet said after a few drinks, and very loudly in the next room 'If ever I get that boring please shoot me'!!! Anyway you get the picture. When they left at 9.30pm I made a point of saying to them each in turn 'I'm sooo sorry you have to leave'
I have just spoken to Robyn. Sarah was sick over Xmas and had to go the doctors on Boxing Day. They spent Xmas Day rushing around and running late all day and their relaxing Boxing day did not really happen after 3 hours at the doctors. And I have just listened to the news for the first time since the 24th and heard of the terrible earthquake and tsunamis in Asia. Puts things in perspective doesn't it. I hope none of you have friends or family in the affected areas.
I must go and do something. Eric said the sun is shining so I may dive out on to the pool deck for a while. Will fill in all the gaps later. Love to you all. We still miss our friends and families and think of you especially fondly at this time of year.
Saturday, December 18, 2004
Why God Made Mom's
Bridget's Mom sent this too me, (I suspect to consol me regarding my opinions of my parenting!!). Anyway what it did do was have me laughing very loudly. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. Thank You Trish.
WHY GOD MADE MOM'S - Ask the Kids
Enjoy the answers given by primary school age children to the following questions:
Why did God make mothers?
She's the only one who knows where the sticky tape is.
Mostly to clean the house.
To help us out of them when we were getting born.
How did God make mothers?
He used dirt, just like for the rest of us.
Magic plus super powers and a lot of string
God made my mum just the same like he made me. He just used bigger parts.
What ingredients are mothers made of?
God makes mothers out of clouds and angel-hair and everything nice in the world, and one dab of mean.
They had to get their start from men's bones. Then they mostly use string. I think.
Why did God give you your mother and not some other mum?
We're related.
God knew she likes me a lot more than other people's mums like me.
What kind of little girl was your mum?
My mum has always been my mum and none of that other stuff.
I don't know because I wasn't there, but my guess would be pretty bossy.
They say she used to be nice.
What did mum need to know about dad before she married him?
His last name.
She had to know his background. Like is he a crook? Does he get drunk on beer?
Does he make at least $800 a year? Did he say NO to drugs and YES to chores?
Why did your mum marry your dad?
My dad makes the best spaghetti in the world. And my mum eats a lot.
She got too old to do anything else with him.
My grandma says that mom didn't have her thinking cap on.
Who's the boss at your house?
Mum doesn't want to be boss, but she has to because dad's such a sad-sack
Mum. You can tell by room inspection. She sees the stuff under the bed.
I guess Mum is, but only because she has a lot more to do than dad.
What's the difference between mums and dads?
Mums work at work and work at home, and dads just got to work at work.
Mums know how to talk to teachers without scaring them.
Dads are taller and stronger, but mums have all the real power cause that's who you got to ask if you want to sleep over at your friend's.
What does your mum do in her spare time?
Mothers don't do spare time.
To hear her tell it, she pays bills all day long.
What would it take to make your mum perfect?
On the inside she's already perfect. Outside, I think some kind of plastic surgery.
Diet. You know, her hair. I'd diet, maybe blue.
If you could change one thing about your mum, what would it be?
1. She has this weird thing about me keeping my room clean. I'd get rid of that.
2. I'd make my mum smarter. Then she would know it was my sister who did it and not me.
WHY GOD MADE MOM'S - Ask the Kids
Enjoy the answers given by primary school age children to the following questions:
Why did God make mothers?
She's the only one who knows where the sticky tape is.
Mostly to clean the house.
To help us out of them when we were getting born.
How did God make mothers?
He used dirt, just like for the rest of us.
Magic plus super powers and a lot of string
God made my mum just the same like he made me. He just used bigger parts.
What ingredients are mothers made of?
God makes mothers out of clouds and angel-hair and everything nice in the world, and one dab of mean.
They had to get their start from men's bones. Then they mostly use string. I think.
Why did God give you your mother and not some other mum?
We're related.
God knew she likes me a lot more than other people's mums like me.
What kind of little girl was your mum?
My mum has always been my mum and none of that other stuff.
I don't know because I wasn't there, but my guess would be pretty bossy.
They say she used to be nice.
What did mum need to know about dad before she married him?
His last name.
She had to know his background. Like is he a crook? Does he get drunk on beer?
Does he make at least $800 a year? Did he say NO to drugs and YES to chores?
Why did your mum marry your dad?
My dad makes the best spaghetti in the world. And my mum eats a lot.
She got too old to do anything else with him.
My grandma says that mom didn't have her thinking cap on.
Who's the boss at your house?
Mum doesn't want to be boss, but she has to because dad's such a sad-sack
Mum. You can tell by room inspection. She sees the stuff under the bed.
I guess Mum is, but only because she has a lot more to do than dad.
What's the difference between mums and dads?
Mums work at work and work at home, and dads just got to work at work.
Mums know how to talk to teachers without scaring them.
Dads are taller and stronger, but mums have all the real power cause that's who you got to ask if you want to sleep over at your friend's.
What does your mum do in her spare time?
Mothers don't do spare time.
To hear her tell it, she pays bills all day long.
What would it take to make your mum perfect?
On the inside she's already perfect. Outside, I think some kind of plastic surgery.
Diet. You know, her hair. I'd diet, maybe blue.
If you could change one thing about your mum, what would it be?
1. She has this weird thing about me keeping my room clean. I'd get rid of that.
2. I'd make my mum smarter. Then she would know it was my sister who did it and not me.
Wednesday, December 15, 2004
Broadband
HORRAY. WE HAVE BROADBAND!!!! I feel we have, at last, joined the 21st century. It took a bit of setting up, the people at xtra said we had to have the line checked but when the guy came out he said that was rubbish as we are within 5.5km of the exchange (doesn't 'exchange' sound so quaint!). I also had to phone this evening to find out how to reconfigure our accounts so that the pooter doesn't keep trying to dial up. Anyway, it now works and is sooooo much better.
Had a day teaching in Hamilton and R+R came for supper. Eric cooked a nice pork with cream and apple and we had scrummy bread and butter pudding with apricot brandy as well as rhubarb crumble. From the garden came; the brocolli, broad beans, rhubarb oh and the pork of course. R+R had kindly had the girls for the morning and will do so again on Friday as we were both working. After H and A did their chores today Eric collected Sarah and Katherine to bring them here. I came home to find all the girls swimming 'skinny' (tannerspeak for naked) and thought of how Carol would be horrified at all the nudity! They were having a ball!
Mom and Daddy are considering their options. Watch this space.
Had a day teaching in Hamilton and R+R came for supper. Eric cooked a nice pork with cream and apple and we had scrummy bread and butter pudding with apricot brandy as well as rhubarb crumble. From the garden came; the brocolli, broad beans, rhubarb oh and the pork of course. R+R had kindly had the girls for the morning and will do so again on Friday as we were both working. After H and A did their chores today Eric collected Sarah and Katherine to bring them here. I came home to find all the girls swimming 'skinny' (tannerspeak for naked) and thought of how Carol would be horrified at all the nudity! They were having a ball!
Mom and Daddy are considering their options. Watch this space.
Tuesday, December 14, 2004
End Of Term.
I am so fed up with my job laptop! The internet connection is terrible and downloading emails took me 1 and 1/2 hours this afternoon. I have had no reply to my request for broadband!!
The girls are now off school for the summer holiday!!! I listened to parents at end of year assemblies saying how they were looking forward to having their children home for 7 weeks. I am riddled with guilt knowing that I dread it. I am going to try really hard this year tp be more positive. I wonder if these other Moms are really looking forward to it or just trying to convince themselves they are? I have told Eric that we must try and DO things this year rather than just let the weeks glide by.
As I mentioned we have been attending school EOT assemblies. Alice's was yesterday. They did a kiwi-ised version of a childrens story. It was so funny and the whole school participated. I never fail to be impressed by the support the schools here get from families of their children. The hall was packed and overflowing - literally. Alice had a lovely report pointing often to her kindness, consideration and helpfulness. Her literacy skills are way above her year level but I feel she lives in Harriette's shadow sometimes and doesn't believe she's as good as she is. Harriette's assembly was today and she recieved one of the 6 awards given for acaedenic excellence for her year. Her report was excellent and said at one point that "the depth of her vocabulary is outstanding and her peers are often in awe of her knowledge". It also said things like "Having a tidy desk may help Harriette to be more organised"!!!
The weather is still so up and down. Yesterday was gorgeous in the afternoon and the wind even dropped for awhile, it's back today!
We came hone today to find strangers poking around in Claire and Ians woolshed. I was just about to call out "Can I halp you?" which is code for 'who are you and what are you doing?' when I realised that they are probably prospective buyers! I therefore just offered a friendly wave. Needless to say Eric had the bino's up peering at them from the dining room and assessing whether or not a)they could afford the place and b)did we want them as neighbours. I wonder how they would feel reading this in a years time when they have moved in and we are all best of friends?!?!
Had some, not so good, news from Mom and Daddy today. They went to NZ House to deliver their application for residency last night (well yesterday for them - you know what I mean) and were told that the limit on residency visas for family sponsorship had been reached for this year and their application would not be processed until July 2005. I didn't know they had a quota even! Anyway they now have to think about coming out for a very long holiday while they await a decision.
Richard and Robyn coming for supper tomorrow night. They have such a hectic social life that we have had to resort to catching up mid week with them as their weekends are chocoblock!!!! (I can see Robyn laughing as she is always saying they never go out!!) Still with them up early 7 days a week and the girls now on holiday I guess it makes no difference to them.
I am off to teach in Hamilton tomorrow - the last of the MeNZB training sessions. Should be interesting as for the midwives session we only have one person booked in! I'll let you know how it goes. That's it for now. Serious Xmas card writing tonight.
The girls are now off school for the summer holiday!!! I listened to parents at end of year assemblies saying how they were looking forward to having their children home for 7 weeks. I am riddled with guilt knowing that I dread it. I am going to try really hard this year tp be more positive. I wonder if these other Moms are really looking forward to it or just trying to convince themselves they are? I have told Eric that we must try and DO things this year rather than just let the weeks glide by.
As I mentioned we have been attending school EOT assemblies. Alice's was yesterday. They did a kiwi-ised version of a childrens story. It was so funny and the whole school participated. I never fail to be impressed by the support the schools here get from families of their children. The hall was packed and overflowing - literally. Alice had a lovely report pointing often to her kindness, consideration and helpfulness. Her literacy skills are way above her year level but I feel she lives in Harriette's shadow sometimes and doesn't believe she's as good as she is. Harriette's assembly was today and she recieved one of the 6 awards given for acaedenic excellence for her year. Her report was excellent and said at one point that "the depth of her vocabulary is outstanding and her peers are often in awe of her knowledge". It also said things like "Having a tidy desk may help Harriette to be more organised"!!!
The weather is still so up and down. Yesterday was gorgeous in the afternoon and the wind even dropped for awhile, it's back today!
We came hone today to find strangers poking around in Claire and Ians woolshed. I was just about to call out "Can I halp you?" which is code for 'who are you and what are you doing?' when I realised that they are probably prospective buyers! I therefore just offered a friendly wave. Needless to say Eric had the bino's up peering at them from the dining room and assessing whether or not a)they could afford the place and b)did we want them as neighbours. I wonder how they would feel reading this in a years time when they have moved in and we are all best of friends?!?!
Had some, not so good, news from Mom and Daddy today. They went to NZ House to deliver their application for residency last night (well yesterday for them - you know what I mean) and were told that the limit on residency visas for family sponsorship had been reached for this year and their application would not be processed until July 2005. I didn't know they had a quota even! Anyway they now have to think about coming out for a very long holiday while they await a decision.
Richard and Robyn coming for supper tomorrow night. They have such a hectic social life that we have had to resort to catching up mid week with them as their weekends are chocoblock!!!! (I can see Robyn laughing as she is always saying they never go out!!) Still with them up early 7 days a week and the girls now on holiday I guess it makes no difference to them.
I am off to teach in Hamilton tomorrow - the last of the MeNZB training sessions. Should be interesting as for the midwives session we only have one person booked in! I'll let you know how it goes. That's it for now. Serious Xmas card writing tonight.
Saturday, December 11, 2004
She came and went.
I haven’t blogged properly for a week really. I have had the time but it’s the usual, if you’ve got the time it means that nothing much is happening. We didn’t get to Hobbiton as the weather was, and still is, awful. It was raining and windy. The rain has since abated but the wind has not and it’s getting everyone down. I did manage to garden on Saturday but Sunday was a doss around indoors day. Eric cut the big shelves for Harriette’s room to go on the new wall which is part of my office. I finally got them up yesterday. She has that wall painted seriously bright lime green. I really like it, Bridget and Eric don’t! It’s a real teenage bedroom as the other walls are 2 shades of purple, and you can’t see the floor or surface for the rubbish all over the place. She had to tidy it last night as Sarah and Katherine (spelt properly Sarah?) are staying overnight and we needed to put a bed in there.
On Monday Carol was due back however the winds and cancelled ferry crossing from the South Island played havoc with her travel plans. For details click on the quest4aragorn link. She ended up hiring a car and driving back, arriving here in the early hours of Tuesday morning. Her timing was terrible. I had been working flat out when she was here at the start of her holiday and hardly saw her, whilst she has been away I have had lots of time at home and was here all day Monday. Tuesday was her only day here and I was in Hamilton all day. In fact she walked into the house about 30 seconds before I was due to leave. When she returned to the UK I felt that we had not had chance to have a proper chat at all. (I am typing this in Word and the grammar check tells me that was a badly constructed sentence. I know but it’s my blog and it stays!) I had lots to ask and seemed to constantly be bombarding her with questions. She said it was like having her mother around, or words to that effect. Eric had a thought before she left about making her a gift from the charred wood remaining from the fire she famously caused when she first got here (her blog again about Sept 2003 – exact date Carol?). He came up with the idea of carving a fish hook (classic Maori design). I’ll try and get a photo put here (Stan have you got time to do that? Please.)
I was so impressed. He is such a clever badger. So now she has gone and if she keeps returning every 6 months she will never be able to afford to return here in 2 – 3 years to live, as is her grand plan!
Work is now focused on these cold chain accreditations that every GP practice has to have. I am waiting for the practices to return there self-assessment forms, then I go and do a review and accredit them. The forms are just beginning to trickle in and I have done my first 2. They took about 40 minutes each which is better than the 1hr 20 min we were told to allow to start with. I only have another 62 practices to do.
Harriette is being even more foul than ever at the moment so I am force feeding her Evening Primrose Oil. She has her end of year piano concert this afternoon. We all cram into the living room at her teachers and listen to about 30 children play 2 pieces of music. Of course the only ones you want to hear are your child’s and the pieces played by the senior students. Before that, we drop off Sarah and Katherine at their separate destinations, and afterwards we are off to a colleagues in Tauranga for a housewarming BBQ. Tomorrow we are doing the Hobbiton thing that we didn’t do last Sunday. I will pick Sarh up from her sleepover first as she is keen to go but Katherine will give it a miss. Finally we have Christmas on Broadway (Broadway being one of the main streets in Matamata) in which Alice is playing recorder again. Last Sunday she played in tiny church opposite her school. It seated about 50 and had an old organ, the size of a piano, that the lady playing had to pump foot pedals frantically as she played. Harriette was most impressed and was chuffed to have a go playing afterwards.
At 9.30am I had better get up. I wonder if Richard is still in bed? He was so looking forward to a lie in as he has been getting up at 4.30 (or some similar ohmygod hour) 7 days a week since about August. Yes I know you have as well Robyn but not for quite so long. I asked Richard on Thursday if, if he had his time again, would he go into dairy farming? He considered and said Yes but that he’d like to be able to drop the pm milking (I mean this man is mad, he’s happy getting up at ohmygod hour every day?!). I must say though having to be back at the farm for 3.30pm every day is quite restricting. Anyway I MUST get up. I’ll try not to leave it a week before I write.
On Monday Carol was due back however the winds and cancelled ferry crossing from the South Island played havoc with her travel plans. For details click on the quest4aragorn link. She ended up hiring a car and driving back, arriving here in the early hours of Tuesday morning. Her timing was terrible. I had been working flat out when she was here at the start of her holiday and hardly saw her, whilst she has been away I have had lots of time at home and was here all day Monday. Tuesday was her only day here and I was in Hamilton all day. In fact she walked into the house about 30 seconds before I was due to leave. When she returned to the UK I felt that we had not had chance to have a proper chat at all. (I am typing this in Word and the grammar check tells me that was a badly constructed sentence. I know but it’s my blog and it stays!) I had lots to ask and seemed to constantly be bombarding her with questions. She said it was like having her mother around, or words to that effect. Eric had a thought before she left about making her a gift from the charred wood remaining from the fire she famously caused when she first got here (her blog again about Sept 2003 – exact date Carol?). He came up with the idea of carving a fish hook (classic Maori design). I’ll try and get a photo put here (Stan have you got time to do that? Please.)
I was so impressed. He is such a clever badger. So now she has gone and if she keeps returning every 6 months she will never be able to afford to return here in 2 – 3 years to live, as is her grand plan!
Work is now focused on these cold chain accreditations that every GP practice has to have. I am waiting for the practices to return there self-assessment forms, then I go and do a review and accredit them. The forms are just beginning to trickle in and I have done my first 2. They took about 40 minutes each which is better than the 1hr 20 min we were told to allow to start with. I only have another 62 practices to do.
Harriette is being even more foul than ever at the moment so I am force feeding her Evening Primrose Oil. She has her end of year piano concert this afternoon. We all cram into the living room at her teachers and listen to about 30 children play 2 pieces of music. Of course the only ones you want to hear are your child’s and the pieces played by the senior students. Before that, we drop off Sarah and Katherine at their separate destinations, and afterwards we are off to a colleagues in Tauranga for a housewarming BBQ. Tomorrow we are doing the Hobbiton thing that we didn’t do last Sunday. I will pick Sarh up from her sleepover first as she is keen to go but Katherine will give it a miss. Finally we have Christmas on Broadway (Broadway being one of the main streets in Matamata) in which Alice is playing recorder again. Last Sunday she played in tiny church opposite her school. It seated about 50 and had an old organ, the size of a piano, that the lady playing had to pump foot pedals frantically as she played. Harriette was most impressed and was chuffed to have a go playing afterwards.
At 9.30am I had better get up. I wonder if Richard is still in bed? He was so looking forward to a lie in as he has been getting up at 4.30 (or some similar ohmygod hour) 7 days a week since about August. Yes I know you have as well Robyn but not for quite so long. I asked Richard on Thursday if, if he had his time again, would he go into dairy farming? He considered and said Yes but that he’d like to be able to drop the pm milking (I mean this man is mad, he’s happy getting up at ohmygod hour every day?!). I must say though having to be back at the farm for 3.30pm every day is quite restricting. Anyway I MUST get up. I’ll try not to leave it a week before I write.
Wednesday, December 08, 2004
2 photo's. She's gone now.
Alice after Carol straightened her hair this morning.
Carol and Eric pondering the view just before she leaves.
So Carol, when did you open it? Did you cry? Isn't Eric brilliant!
Monday, December 06, 2004
Rough Crossing?
5m swells and winds gusting to 140kph. happy crossings Carol! (Carol due to cross the Cooke Straits on her return to the North Island this morning).
Friday, December 03, 2004
Dogs and cows. Computers and Hobbiton.
Friday night. I love it!! Actually I have had a go slow day. Little bits of work interspersed around shopping (boring food sort), gardening and general housework. I feel like I have actually made some progress in the garden, yes it has stopped raining and the wind eased off through the day. I tilled a section and planted my sweetcorn plants that were bursting out of the seed trays and some seeds. I also tidied up the potatoes and strawberries. The cows watched me put hay (yes I know it should be straw but I haven't got any) round the strawberries so I am half expecting them to risk the electric fence and be in there tomorrow. If they are I will cry! They have already eaten one of my pepper plants as they push their heads through the section of fence that is wire and warratah as opposed to electric tape.
When Eric and I were down there this evening (he is always dragged down to admire my efforts when I feel like it looks like I've done some work) Rust sat outside the veg plot and allowed the curious cows to come right up and sniff him. Inca would not come anywhere near us as he is terrified of cows. He did try to get to us taking a wide berth round them but they saw him and ran towards him. He was in the front paddock before you could say 'Jack Rabbit'!
Carol is keeping a low profile. I have text'd, phoned and emailed daily and had no reply. I think she should extend her holiday but can't do anything about persuading her when she is 'in communicado'.
Had calves liver this evening (remember Richard and Robyns calf that Eric had to slot) followed by strawberries and cream. Harriette served the strawberries and got in a mega strop when I swapped hers and Alice's plates. She had put equal numbers of strawberries in each plate but gave Alice all the small ones! She was so cross and threw such a temper she was sent to her room while we ate. I bought asparagus for $3/kg today but didn't think they went with liver and thick gravy.
Eric is trying to repair our desktop where the computer man failed to! Knowing how good he is when he fiddles I wouldn't be surprised if he suceeds. The man said it needs rebuilding but Eric's employers have upgraded all their computers and are selling high spec columns off cheap so we will have one of those when they are available next week.
I'm weary and have sore eyes. I strimmed without goggles and got dirt in my eye. I know I should have had googles on but I had started before I realised I had forgotten them and couldn't be bothered to go back to the barn. My bed is calling but I have no good book at present. I started one a few weeks ago but have not got into it, picked one up at the library without proper perusal this week and don't like that one either. Tomorrow I am in town so will have a decent look at the library. Oh I forgot to mention. Hobbiton tours, which are usually $50pp are being offered to locals for $10 ($5 for kids) on Sunday and I am helping with a sausage sizzle there (fund raiser for Hinuera School). Hopefully I'll get a free look but at long last H and A will get to look round there.
It's windy in Nelson which made us think of Murray and his kite buggying. Todays entry made us chuckle!
When Eric and I were down there this evening (he is always dragged down to admire my efforts when I feel like it looks like I've done some work) Rust sat outside the veg plot and allowed the curious cows to come right up and sniff him. Inca would not come anywhere near us as he is terrified of cows. He did try to get to us taking a wide berth round them but they saw him and ran towards him. He was in the front paddock before you could say 'Jack Rabbit'!
Carol is keeping a low profile. I have text'd, phoned and emailed daily and had no reply. I think she should extend her holiday but can't do anything about persuading her when she is 'in communicado'.
Had calves liver this evening (remember Richard and Robyns calf that Eric had to slot) followed by strawberries and cream. Harriette served the strawberries and got in a mega strop when I swapped hers and Alice's plates. She had put equal numbers of strawberries in each plate but gave Alice all the small ones! She was so cross and threw such a temper she was sent to her room while we ate. I bought asparagus for $3/kg today but didn't think they went with liver and thick gravy.
Eric is trying to repair our desktop where the computer man failed to! Knowing how good he is when he fiddles I wouldn't be surprised if he suceeds. The man said it needs rebuilding but Eric's employers have upgraded all their computers and are selling high spec columns off cheap so we will have one of those when they are available next week.
I'm weary and have sore eyes. I strimmed without goggles and got dirt in my eye. I know I should have had googles on but I had started before I realised I had forgotten them and couldn't be bothered to go back to the barn. My bed is calling but I have no good book at present. I started one a few weeks ago but have not got into it, picked one up at the library without proper perusal this week and don't like that one either. Tomorrow I am in town so will have a decent look at the library. Oh I forgot to mention. Hobbiton tours, which are usually $50pp are being offered to locals for $10 ($5 for kids) on Sunday and I am helping with a sausage sizzle there (fund raiser for Hinuera School). Hopefully I'll get a free look but at long last H and A will get to look round there.
It's windy in Nelson which made us think of Murray and his kite buggying. Todays entry made us chuckle!
Wednesday, December 01, 2004
Who's Who
Long ago I promised to do this. Here it is:
Michelle – 40 something. Main writer of this blog. Has nursed for 27 years now in the UK, S. Africa and NZ. Now working from home as an Immunisation Co-ordinator. Aspires to live the Good Life and is nearly there. Just the necessary full-time job that gets in the way!
Eric – 30 something and Michelle’s husband. Attended Duke of Yorks Royal Military School in Kent and is therefore an ex- ‘Dukie’. Ex-police officer in the UK, retired after being shot, and a law graduate from Kent at Canterbury Uni. Currently jumping through loops for the NZ legal education council in an attempt to qualify as a lawyer. Working part-time as an Animal Control Officer in the meantime.
Hax aka Harriette aka 'The Evil One' – 11 year old daughter of the above. Intelligent and hard to live with at times (hence the Evil One)!
Alice aka Licey Lou. Stan's Pwincess – 10 year old daughter of the above. Horse mad.
Stan – Ex-Dukie. Great advocate of blog. aka (also known as) Paul, Queenie, Stin, Big Man and lots more. Stan is…..unique! May emigrate to NZ … one day?!
Carol – aka Cx, Briggsy. Carol worked with Stan in the Mets. Came to NZ in pursuit of horses on a career break and in a round about way ended up living with us. Part of the family. Now back in the UK (for awhile at least).
Ma and Pa Smith – Michelle’s Mom and Dad. Have visited twice and now hoping to emigrate to NZ.
Milky – aka Bridget. We met through blog. Well Stan found her and she is now an integral part of this world. Bridget is a kiwi planning her big OE. She also lived with us for a while during a difficult patch.
Milky’s Mum – Bridget’s Mum!
Richard and Robyn – our very dear friends who live nearby and whom we see lots of. Dairy farmers who work too hard!
Sarah and Kathryn – daughters of the above and good friends of Harriette and Alice.
Helen and Phil – ‘new’ friends who have recently emigrated to NZ from the UK with sons Tom and George.
Bloo – aka Stuart. Ex-Dukie somewhat younger than those mentioned above. Bloo has done his OE and took refuge here for awhile. Currently living back in Fleet, but not for long I feel.
Hx – Helen. Does not qualify as an ex-dukie as she is the wrong sex, but is in that crowd by virtue of attending a local girls boarding school with which Dukes had strong ties. Lives in London.
Cheryl (and Mark) – friends from the UK. Occasional visitors to NZ with children Myles and Laura. May emigrate in the long term?
Claire – fairly regular reader I believe, but infrequent commenter! A dear friend from the UK whom I met when our children were in nursery together in Folkestone. Awaiting baby No 5. Will this be another girl?!?!
Louise – a dear friend from a million years ago. Louise and Michelle trained together in Kent in the 70’s and although contact is infrequent she remains very dear.
Hels and Chris – Eric and Chris did their law degree together. They have visited us briefly and we hope to see them back one day.
Emma, Katie and Lily – nieces and special.
Sean Veasey – ex-Dukie.
Brian Griffiths – ex-Dukie from a while before Eric’s time. Lives in NZ now.
Fred – recent addition to blog readership. See his blog. It’s hilarious!
If you're name is not there please comment and I'll add it.
Had a busy weekend. Saturday I went to a colleagues house somewhere between Tauranga and Katikati to drop some stuff off for work. She lives in a house built from bricks made in a little brick works in the paddocks. It was a lovely place, with quite an English cottagey feel. Then took H and A into Tauranga to buy clothes. Finally found a pair of jeans to fit Alice. I managed to pursuade her that the rolled up look was 'in' (which is actually true) and avoided turning up 6" of denim.
Sunday Helen and Phil, along with Phils parents, came over for tea and ended up staying to supper. Roast pork, cauliflower, broccoli and rhubarb crumble all care of our own production with the exception of the new potatoes (mine aren't ready yet) and the oxo cubes for the gravy. I don't know why I bother to invite them for 'tea' or 'coffee', they always end up eating the next meal here!! Helen starts a new job today as the key person in a Maori organisation. Hope it all goes well Helen. I will be watching her progress with interest! I will also be working with her from time to time.
Eric is still tired. I think he's playing on things a bit now!!!! He has had an excuse for not finishing the office walls (Harriette's side) as I had not got the paint. Bought it today and Eric was not impressed. It's called Wellywood and is luminescent green!!!
Alice came home from camp yesterday ate supper and asked if she could go to bed!! I am hoping she will do a blog entry about her escapades. Paul, the school principal, told me he was very impressed with Alice making it across the 3 wire bridge (the one I wrote about going across when Harriette was on music camp in March). She was terrified but made it. She enjoyed the archery most of all.
Carol is on South Island. She's obviously had a brilliant weekend with Murray and is calling in there on the way back. I can't believe she goes home next Wednesday and I know Carol believes it even less!!!
Harriette came out with something dorph this morning which warrants a blog entry. We are trying to remember what it is - where is Carol, she always remembers these things?
Michelle – 40 something. Main writer of this blog. Has nursed for 27 years now in the UK, S. Africa and NZ. Now working from home as an Immunisation Co-ordinator. Aspires to live the Good Life and is nearly there. Just the necessary full-time job that gets in the way!
Eric – 30 something and Michelle’s husband. Attended Duke of Yorks Royal Military School in Kent and is therefore an ex- ‘Dukie’. Ex-police officer in the UK, retired after being shot, and a law graduate from Kent at Canterbury Uni. Currently jumping through loops for the NZ legal education council in an attempt to qualify as a lawyer. Working part-time as an Animal Control Officer in the meantime.
Hax aka Harriette aka 'The Evil One' – 11 year old daughter of the above. Intelligent and hard to live with at times (hence the Evil One)!
Alice aka Licey Lou. Stan's Pwincess – 10 year old daughter of the above. Horse mad.
Stan – Ex-Dukie. Great advocate of blog. aka (also known as) Paul, Queenie, Stin, Big Man and lots more. Stan is…..unique! May emigrate to NZ … one day?!
Carol – aka Cx, Briggsy. Carol worked with Stan in the Mets. Came to NZ in pursuit of horses on a career break and in a round about way ended up living with us. Part of the family. Now back in the UK (for awhile at least).
Ma and Pa Smith – Michelle’s Mom and Dad. Have visited twice and now hoping to emigrate to NZ.
Milky – aka Bridget. We met through blog. Well Stan found her and she is now an integral part of this world. Bridget is a kiwi planning her big OE. She also lived with us for a while during a difficult patch.
Milky’s Mum – Bridget’s Mum!
Richard and Robyn – our very dear friends who live nearby and whom we see lots of. Dairy farmers who work too hard!
Sarah and Kathryn – daughters of the above and good friends of Harriette and Alice.
Helen and Phil – ‘new’ friends who have recently emigrated to NZ from the UK with sons Tom and George.
Bloo – aka Stuart. Ex-Dukie somewhat younger than those mentioned above. Bloo has done his OE and took refuge here for awhile. Currently living back in Fleet, but not for long I feel.
Hx – Helen. Does not qualify as an ex-dukie as she is the wrong sex, but is in that crowd by virtue of attending a local girls boarding school with which Dukes had strong ties. Lives in London.
Cheryl (and Mark) – friends from the UK. Occasional visitors to NZ with children Myles and Laura. May emigrate in the long term?
Claire – fairly regular reader I believe, but infrequent commenter! A dear friend from the UK whom I met when our children were in nursery together in Folkestone. Awaiting baby No 5. Will this be another girl?!?!
Louise – a dear friend from a million years ago. Louise and Michelle trained together in Kent in the 70’s and although contact is infrequent she remains very dear.
Hels and Chris – Eric and Chris did their law degree together. They have visited us briefly and we hope to see them back one day.
Emma, Katie and Lily – nieces and special.
Sean Veasey – ex-Dukie.
Brian Griffiths – ex-Dukie from a while before Eric’s time. Lives in NZ now.
Fred – recent addition to blog readership. See his blog. It’s hilarious!
If you're name is not there please comment and I'll add it.
Had a busy weekend. Saturday I went to a colleagues house somewhere between Tauranga and Katikati to drop some stuff off for work. She lives in a house built from bricks made in a little brick works in the paddocks. It was a lovely place, with quite an English cottagey feel. Then took H and A into Tauranga to buy clothes. Finally found a pair of jeans to fit Alice. I managed to pursuade her that the rolled up look was 'in' (which is actually true) and avoided turning up 6" of denim.
Sunday Helen and Phil, along with Phils parents, came over for tea and ended up staying to supper. Roast pork, cauliflower, broccoli and rhubarb crumble all care of our own production with the exception of the new potatoes (mine aren't ready yet) and the oxo cubes for the gravy. I don't know why I bother to invite them for 'tea' or 'coffee', they always end up eating the next meal here!! Helen starts a new job today as the key person in a Maori organisation. Hope it all goes well Helen. I will be watching her progress with interest! I will also be working with her from time to time.
Eric is still tired. I think he's playing on things a bit now!!!! He has had an excuse for not finishing the office walls (Harriette's side) as I had not got the paint. Bought it today and Eric was not impressed. It's called Wellywood and is luminescent green!!!
Alice came home from camp yesterday ate supper and asked if she could go to bed!! I am hoping she will do a blog entry about her escapades. Paul, the school principal, told me he was very impressed with Alice making it across the 3 wire bridge (the one I wrote about going across when Harriette was on music camp in March). She was terrified but made it. She enjoyed the archery most of all.
Carol is on South Island. She's obviously had a brilliant weekend with Murray and is calling in there on the way back. I can't believe she goes home next Wednesday and I know Carol believes it even less!!!
Harriette came out with something dorph this morning which warrants a blog entry. We are trying to remember what it is - where is Carol, she always remembers these things?
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