Late Nov blog

I'm having a lazy morning as I will be working late tonight doing an evening teaching session in Hamilton. It's 8.45am and I am still in my dressing gown. E has gone to work and H and A to school. I think Mom and Daddy are around but I know they are off playing golf this morning. They have found a house in Waihi that they like but are not rushing to put an offer in just yet. I hope we can get to look at it later this week. It has a huge workshop which could be dismantled!! Harri will be pleased as it has a tamarillo tree and she is the only one that eats them. It also has manderin, lemons etc

Had a few busy weekends. It was Mom's birthday on the 12th so we had a few people over for a BBQ then on Sunday Mandy was coming over for lunch with her 3 and a family she has staying with her who had just emigrated. I had also casually invited R+R, K+S. A total of 17. Needless to say I cooked and prepared a veritable feast. Mandy phoned to say the boys were racing (boats) and her family had gone shooting, and Robyn phoned to say they were silaging (which she had forgotten) and therefore would pop over for coffee but didn't have tinme for lunch! We were down to 8. Needless to say we have been eating leftovers ever since. I threw the last of it away last night. Yesterday was Mom and Daddy's wedding anniversary. Only a few years left for the big 50 (which means only a few yeasr until my big 50! Had an email from Monique in the UK to say they (a crowd from my old ICU) were going to New York for Lois's 50th, sorry Lois 40th! I have my 50th planned, a girlie shopping trip to Melbourne (they have an IKEA in Melbourne!) Anybody free to join us? (June 2009).

My 50th. I can hardly belive it - I am sure I am only in my 30's still. A friend is going into hospital this weekend. It occured to her that she has not altered her will since some major changes in her life and addressed this prior to admission (nothing too serious but a general anaesthetic is involved). I was surprised that she has put some thought into her funeral, music to be played, what to be worn etc. I hope I survive her it sounds like it will be a ball! Anyway, what with that, recent 'offal hole' discussion, some recent sudden deaths locally of 'young' (my age) men and my imminent 50th I realise that I must be reaching a different phase in my life. I reckon I must have reached/passed my half way point. Hmmm. Maybe I will start that exercise programme I keep talking about!!!

I have finished my CAT course. I had a final teaching assessment on Monday and passed. I just have to get the final assignment in. I was worried that I had missed too much but managed to catch up with a session and am therefore just there. I now want to go onto the next level and do a course about setting up an online teaching course. As we are planning to do this at work I am hoping I can blend the 2 aims.

Eric has finally finished his exams, and has not stopped since. He has a huge list of 'to do' things but this week is tenderly caring for his boat and fishing rods as he and Richard are going fishing on Lake Rotorua this weekend. What are the odds for them catching anything edible?!?!?

Harriette and I are off to Wellington on Monday. I have paid for the trip but received NOTHING in the way of information from the teacher. Apparently I am taking transport, ie kids to Hamilton to catch the train (I knew nothing about this). Harriette kindly volunteered me, thinking nothing about me having to leave the family car in Hamilton for 3 days which means Alice and Eric are left with the heap that is the Safari. But she thinks that's OK! Apparently there was a parent pack sent out on Monday but it hasn't found it's way to us yet.

Alice went to a guide camp last weekend from Friday to Sunday afternoon. They were camping at the foot of the Kaimais in a local farmers paddock. They had a great time. Needless to say she came home exhausted.

Well I guess I should go and get dressed and do something productive.