tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-141035952012-01-21T00:56:44.207+13:00strong-lightYour life is a project of your choosingstrong lighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04283142658145854192noreply@blogger.comBlogger6531100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14103595.post-38554069770188054392012-01-05T22:20:00.003+13:002012-01-05T22:20:00.166+13:00Goodbye Orange
We've been in our house not quite two years (I reckon it has been about
20 months). We first laid eyes on the lounge when we attended our very
first open home. This is what the lounge looked like at that open home
(photo from the real estate agent's website). It's pretty orange! And if you look closely (through the archway) you
can see through to the purple kitchen. Clearly the colours strong lighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04283142658145854192noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14103595.post-90176012107645744042012-01-04T20:30:00.004+13:002012-01-04T20:30:00.153+13:00Mama MuffinsI always find breakfast difficult. The ordinary breakfast foods have never really appealed to me. There's something very wrong about a bowl of cereal with milk. Firstly, I'm still dairy free - so that puts the kibosh on the milk; and secondly, milk just makes the cereal go all mushy. I find that whenever I am tempted to have a bowl of cereal that I sink quite a lot of time into trying to save strong lighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04283142658145854192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14103595.post-52088364325734901922012-01-03T21:00:00.006+13:002012-01-03T22:25:54.405+13:00Not a New Years Resolution
Who is so firm that can't be seduced? William Shakespeare (1564 -1616)
I decided not to make any resolutions for 2012. Instead, I decided that this year I would just write myself a to-do list - it's much more 'me'. It turns out that there are 12 things on my to do list, so it is my 12 in 2012.
Redecorate the lounge (this is going to involve finish stripping the many layers of old wallpaperstrong lighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04283142658145854192noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14103595.post-20471679363696860312012-01-02T21:34:00.002+13:002012-01-02T22:18:24.594+13:00Feeding the Little OneThe Little One is growing and growing and growing. She is such a little person now, and clearly no longer a baby. I think the growing is due, at least in part, to our ongoing habit of feeding her. The Little One is pretty good at clearly communicating when she needs feeding - usually by waving her arms around and whinging, and a lot of pointing at anything she recognises as food and that is strong lighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04283142658145854192noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14103595.post-29542655610119519252011-12-06T21:04:00.001+13:002011-12-06T21:06:20.027+13:00Nom nom nom
Oh look, biscuits for dinner....again.
We've made a few changes to meal times at our house.
The first big change is that I now leave work earlier so that I'm home in time to eat dinner with Willa. I'd like to say this was because of some kind of warm fuzzy 'let's all eat together' thing, but while that may be how I feel about it now, it actually came about for a different reason. Willa was strong lighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04283142658145854192noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14103595.post-58940183553975936812011-12-04T23:19:00.000+13:002011-12-04T23:19:17.966+13:00A snappier life We finally got around to buying ourselves a new camera yesterday, and it is fantastic. And so, because it is faster and less taxing to upload photos than it is to write stuff, I will now resort to just adding photos. They'll mainly be of the most delicius baby in the whole world (and you know, she has pretty much been the sole subject of my photo-taking in the last 24 hours).
It was strong lighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04283142658145854192noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14103595.post-25709218149020023442011-10-02T22:55:00.001+13:002011-10-02T22:57:16.023+13:00Months of WillabeastieMy little Willabeast is 9 and a bit months old - she has now been on the outside for the same amount that she was on the inside. My 7-toothed, long-legged, fair-headed, food-munching, solo-standing child is just the most delightful creature that I have ever had the good fortune to nibble. She does so much that amuses me - I'm even amused when she's having a total strop (she seriously does thisstrong lighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04283142658145854192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14103595.post-15438927944092540662011-06-29T14:45:00.005+12:002011-06-29T15:28:08.485+12:00Little Willamina had a bug up in her noseOne of my sisters gave little Willa a set of CDs with kids music on them. We've been listening to one that contains gems such as Do your ears hang low? and Skip to my Lou. Ah, the songs of my own (and many other people's) childhood. The later is a song that will always remind me of childhood toilet jokes, and my sister Julia. Love you Ju! It also contains one that I vaguely know the tune of,strong lighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04283142658145854192noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14103595.post-8023779186158277072011-04-02T10:39:00.001+13:002011-04-02T10:42:51.564+13:00The kids of UrutiOne of the best friends I made at University grew up at Uruti, a small town in north Taranaki. At one point her keyring was a big yellow tag - it was one of those tags they stick in the ears of cows. Anyway, she is choice and spent many years entertaining us with stories of Uruti. Like, did you know that one of their roads had the longest corner in the Southern Hemisphere (or something like strong lighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04283142658145854192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14103595.post-68493602987751518342011-03-31T21:14:00.000+13:002011-03-31T21:14:25.030+13:00Back to work at 14 weeks
Willa loves boob
On Monday, our delicious little Willa was the ripe old age of 14 weeks old and I returned to work full-time. I thought my first week of full-time work was going to be horrendous, but the first four days of it have been manageable. I am very lucky - we have had awesome family support and twice this week meals have just appeared at our house! My employer has also been very strong lighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04283142658145854192noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14103595.post-26622644659980672622011-03-23T11:31:00.000+13:002011-03-23T11:31:00.876+13:00tired mummyThe return to work continues to go well-ish. I did nearly fall asleep in a meeting yesterday. It was one of those late afternoon meetings, full of slumpish-ness and the 'meeting' consisted only of myself and one other person in a fairly airless room. It was so hard to disguise my heavy lids, and attempts to keeps my eyes open - I'm not convinced that I pulled it off. I had even taken a banana strong lighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04283142658145854192noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14103595.post-73651631434289809622011-03-20T22:55:00.000+13:002011-03-20T22:55:13.322+13:00Ready for week twoI've decided that the way to get through the working week is to be super organised. I don't have time to faff in the morning, and any extra faffing time in the evening cuts into my sleeping time (as is writing this right now). So we have a casserole for tomorrow night's dinner sitting in the crockpot all ready to be turned on in the morning, and if I have calculated our hunger correctly then it strong lighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04283142658145854192noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14103595.post-52470367682395822492011-03-16T10:16:00.002+13:002011-03-16T10:23:59.811+13:00Willa blingGoing back to work has been manageable so far - I'm only working three days this week as part of easing myself back in to it (and today is my day off. yay).
I'm not really having pangs of missing Willa as work is kinda chaotic and I'm too busy to stop and think about it, except for when my boobs miss Willa or when I'm trying to express milk for her. And then I am helped by an incredibly strong lighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04283142658145854192noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14103595.post-29348613005579310002011-03-14T22:00:00.000+13:002011-03-14T22:00:12.329+13:0012 weeks of WillaToday marks 12 weeks since Willa joined us. It's been a fantastic 12 weeks - she's an absolute delight and I find her to be very very delicious. She's a great deal more interactive and communicative these days - she smiles and pouts, and waves her long legs and arms around to punctuate whatever point it is she's trying to make. I surprise myself by enjoying dressing her in all manner of outfits strong lighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04283142658145854192noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14103595.post-89611708449752918512011-02-09T17:46:00.000+13:002011-02-09T17:46:50.389+13:00A few things on a WednesdayBaked: Carrot and banana muffins (gluten and dairy free)
Cooking: Swedish meatballs and tomato sauce (also gluten and dairy free)
Knitting: a pair of longies (long woolly pants to go over Willa's cloth nappies)
Thinking: argh I have to do aptitude tests on Monday. Work, brain, work
Wanting: the 'l' and 'enter' keys to stop sticking
Listening to: The Avett Brothers. It's the album most played in strong lighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04283142658145854192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14103595.post-85467693303802665122011-02-07T10:47:00.000+13:002011-02-07T10:47:07.350+13:00Reusable babyMorgan and I joke that I'm the Managing Director of Inputs and he is the Managing Director of Outputs. The inputs bit is still relatively easy. Willa is fed exclusively with breastmilk - I just stick my boob in her mouth and she does the work. To manage outputs we first started with disposable nappies. They're easy but heck they fill up the rubbish bags quickly, and they're kinda spensy too. strong lighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04283142658145854192noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14103595.post-71268712872079005752011-01-30T22:15:00.000+13:002011-01-30T22:15:20.141+13:00The Milk BankTwo weeks ago Willa's own special milk bank was opened. I started expressing breastmilk and storing some of it in the freezer. I'm a pretty prolific milk producer and I think we have about 600-700mls in there so far. The frozen stuff is a back-up stash so that Morgan can feed her breastmilk via a bottle when I return to work.
Around the same time as I started stashing breastmilk in the strong lighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04283142658145854192noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14103595.post-59333775682544043892011-01-24T22:08:00.002+13:002011-01-24T22:09:26.636+13:00Good MondayOn this weekend 11 years ago I moved into a flat. Morgan lived there.
On this date two years ago Morgan and I were wed.
On this day five weeks ago Willa was born.
We celebrated with a three-hour long afternoon nap :-)strong lighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04283142658145854192noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14103595.post-86127524798258291172011-01-20T04:45:00.102+13:002011-01-20T04:45:01.042+13:00One Willa filled monthWilla has been with us one whole month today.
Willa at about 12 hours old
Somehow, despite the predictions of some of my work colleagues, I've managed to let everything else go and just do whatever it is that Willa needs me to do. It's been bliss. My favourite times have been our afternoon naps, where we curl up in bed together and have a snooze. She snuggles in against my chest and sleeps strong lighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04283142658145854192noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14103595.post-85421363040099394502011-01-19T15:20:00.003+13:002011-01-19T15:28:10.905+13:00Food Glorious FoodI have been banished to the bedroom while Morgan and Willa make their first attempt at bottle feeding. It is both exciting and nerve-wracking. Exciting because, if successful, this means the possibility of sharing the night-time crazy feeding frenzies. Nerve-wracking because we really need wee Willa to feed from both breast and bottle if I am to return to work. I have no idea what we do if we strong lighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04283142658145854192noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14103595.post-72121519857139451012011-01-13T00:14:00.000+13:002011-01-13T00:14:16.549+13:00Four quick thingsWe are back from a week at Himatangi beach, and the dog-friendly bach we booked online this time last year. Dogs at bach: 0. Babies at bach: 1. The bach was very relaxing. I mainly sat on my butt and ate biscuits. Willa had a h.u.g.e growth spurt - I think she likes biscuits.
While at Himatangi beach, Willa started smiling and vocalising. She is clearly quite advanced :-)
I've started properlystrong lighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04283142658145854192noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14103595.post-51116396408732060142010-12-28T13:01:00.001+13:002010-12-28T15:18:33.851+13:00Dressing UpSo that it's not just our kid who got put in a funny outfit for christmas, I decided that some of my neices and nephews needed dress-ups for xmas too. With much help from the internet and some wise advice from bloggers who sew, I managed to produce three super-hero capes for three rather super nibblings.
This is the Wonder-James, complete with powerful hammer, playing in his cape on Christmasstrong lighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04283142658145854192noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14103595.post-91127612337170766992010-12-27T14:56:00.000+13:002010-12-27T14:56:08.819+13:00A belated merry christmas to allI felt kinda mean dressing her up like this.....but did it anyway.
strong lighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04283142658145854192noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14103595.post-17792844266604692442010-12-27T02:47:00.001+13:002010-12-27T02:47:59.759+13:00Food Glorious Food
Are there jobs going at Fonterra?
The most important thing in our house at the moment? Food, food, food. My only real job at the moment is to pump food into the baby. We're feeding on demand, which means that when she opens her mouth and makes sucky face at me, I squish a breast in to her mouth and she feeds. The feeding on demand means there is no schedule, and only a vague smattering of a strong lighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04283142658145854192noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14103595.post-56278890829851301892010-12-22T20:35:00.002+13:002010-12-22T20:39:02.947+13:00There's a baby in the house........and it feels like she's been here forever. It's only been two days but already it feels like she just fits in and I can't remember what it was like before.
I hesitate to say this, in case I jinx it, and because I know it's not the norm. Willa has been a pro at breastfeeding since she was 30 minutes old, and so far it hasn't hurt a bit. She has put herself into a ridiculously efficient strong lighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04283142658145854192noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14103595.post-75410197202781535622010-12-09T11:01:00.000+13:002010-12-09T11:01:23.566+13:00Shamelessness and heroesWe (or rather I) broke the washing machine yesterday, so this morning rang the manufacturer and begged them to send out a repair person today. There was serious begging along the lines of "No, I can't wait until next Wednesday. I'm 9 months pregnant and that's when I'm due. No next Thursday wont be any better. Isn't there anyway that someone could come today" (insert plaintiff whine with hint ofstrong lighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04283142658145854192noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14103595.post-20042728397606675772010-12-05T21:30:00.000+13:002010-12-05T21:30:51.259+13:00I don't have to go to work tomorrow...Yippee! It is beginning to feel like a holiday as I start to wind down from the year of work, and get some relaxing going on. It's been a nice slow weekend, with a bit of knitting for baby and sewing for baby, some watching of Sopranos DVDs and a trip to the movies to watch Harry Potter 7. And unlike almost every other Sunday this year, I haven't had to get out my iron and sort out my work strong lighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04283142658145854192noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14103595.post-20411294110371964122010-12-03T21:47:00.000+13:002010-12-03T21:47:48.865+13:00Love in a potWe have such awesome friends.
The M and I were meant to go to the house of some fab friends tonight for dinner - something I've been looking forward to all week. However, today I kind of hit a wall, and have spent the day exhausted and barely functioning. Very reluctantly, we gave our apologies for dinner. And do you know what these amazing friends did - they drive all the way to our house strong lighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04283142658145854192noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14103595.post-75771459064109870142010-12-03T18:12:00.000+13:002010-12-03T18:12:11.666+13:00GardeniaIt's a warn, sun-shiny day and Morgue has got his gardener on. I've sat in the shade and watched while he has mowed the lawns and plucked weeds from the edges. Neither of us really had any interest in gardens before we lived here - now I can't wait to be bump-less and be able to bend down to pluck weeds myself.strong lighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04283142658145854192noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14103595.post-29654565559288620312010-12-01T18:43:00.001+13:002010-12-01T18:51:59.125+13:00Day 3 at HomeI'm slowly getting the hang of this business of winding down and waiting for the baby. This weird in-between time still feels, well, weird - it's not quite a holiday, not quite work, and not quite anything else. While I did grab a good sleep-in, managing to drag my carcass out of bed had some benefits today.
For starters there was Aaron's poetry reading
This was followed by time hanging out withstrong lighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04283142658145854192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14103595.post-51411313050235133762010-11-29T21:41:00.001+13:002010-11-29T21:42:33.725+13:00Day 1 at homeI wasn't quite sure what to do with my first day off work. I've kind of flitted from one thing to another, without finishing anything that I've started, and have not really accomplished anything while carrying around a feeling that I have heaps to do. It always takes me a while to wind down and to get used to not being at work.
I did, however, manage to cast on some knitting. Despite having astrong lighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04283142658145854192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14103595.post-20442178907710801782010-11-27T22:51:00.000+13:002010-11-27T22:51:17.156+13:00A lady of leisureYesterday was my last day of work for a while. I kind of feel like a uni student again, on holiday for the summer - except that I have a big 9-months-pregnant belly. It feels decidedly odd and I think I'm going to take a few days to wind down from the combination of work+pregnancy. I started off by staying in bed for as long as I could this morning and, after being up for all of about 4 hours,strong lighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04283142658145854192noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14103595.post-21894492001589864972010-11-08T21:42:00.000+13:002010-11-08T21:42:36.212+13:00In briefDays till baby is expected to appear: about 35 - 45Days left of work: 14Classes enrolled in so far: 3 (breastfeeding, first aid, antenatal education)Cups of hot chocolate per day: about 3Number of trips to the loo each night: 3-4 Number of pillows I'm sleeping with: 5Amount of space in bed for Morge: not much
strong lighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04283142658145854192noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14103595.post-58482045484884135042010-10-26T21:53:00.000+13:002010-10-26T21:53:45.569+13:00Around the world in 50 daysAccording to the Internet, it is now 50 days until the estimated date of our baby's arrival. Let's call it 60 days to be on the safe side (which would make it Christmas Day). That's not long aye.
I'm not really fussed about the number of days left, really. No, really. The only reason I'm inclined in the slightest to count down the days is that I'm one of the lucky ones who has had 'morning' strong lighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04283142658145854192noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14103595.post-78358277266363038312010-09-19T21:15:00.000+12:002010-09-19T21:15:45.740+12:00who's in the Hutt?Yesterday I received my voting papers for the local elections (Hutt City Council and Hutt Valley DHB). Being new-ish to the Hutt I am completely ignorant about local hutt politics - and while I'm tempted to vote for people based on the advertising that's coming through my letter box, I know that's not always the best idea.
So, tell me, Hutt people - who are these folk who want to run our fair strong lighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04283142658145854192noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14103595.post-19614717034584811242010-09-18T16:54:00.000+12:002010-09-18T16:54:50.905+12:00A sunny and windy saturdayMy first attempt at making sauerkraut was unsuccessful. Turns out I may have used 3 times as much salt as I should have. It was inedible. Batch number two is now underway, and I have high hopes that this batch will be successful, or at least able to be eaten.
Only about 12 weeks to go until this bebe is able to held by people other than myself, and only 10 weeks of work to go. Wow, that's gone strong lighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04283142658145854192noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14103595.post-8119345156705475842010-09-02T20:12:00.000+12:002010-09-02T20:12:16.906+12:00Well, that wasn't so bad, was it?We've survived our first winter in our new house. It's hard to know when you move somewhere new, how the place is going to deal with a winter. So many flats I've lived in have looked lovely in summer sun, but have turned out to be cold, draughty, damp holes after weeks/months of rain and cold. Fortunately we somehow struck it lucky with this place - it's warm! and dry!
Some of the first things westrong lighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04283142658145854192noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14103595.post-73541228572002857942010-08-31T20:14:00.000+12:002010-08-31T20:14:54.885+12:0028 August 2010So life continues to ebb and flow. Saturday marked the third anniversary of my Dad's death. I never quite know what to do with myself on the anniversary of his death - I kind of want to do nothing, and see no-one. I faff, and mooch and generally waste the day. I look at photos of my Dad, I hear his voice in my head. I think of my Dad and the kinds of advice he used to give me. I remember strong lighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04283142658145854192noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14103595.post-84414640238567613362010-08-14T22:59:00.000+12:002010-08-14T22:59:43.860+12:00August is roughI have spent Saturday lying on the couch and watching DVDs as a way to recover from a hellish week. I think it's time I accepted that I just can't work long hours at the moment, or cope with early morning starts, late nights and days of travel. I've never been someone who copes terribly well with exhaustion (it just makes me cry) and the current combination of interrupted sleep, hormones, and strong lighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04283142658145854192noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14103595.post-35270573768943598892010-07-25T20:30:00.000+12:002010-07-25T20:30:29.700+12:00Three (or Five) Beautiful Things this weekendA family dinner on Sat night to celebrate Morgue's Mum's birthday. Yummy nibbles, a fantastic roast, and a communal crossword. And my first attempt at a gateaux (chocolate cherry) turned out rather well.
A lovely, relaxing afternoon at the movies watching La Danse: a doco about the Paris Opera Ballet (set at the Paris Opera House, where the real phantom of the opera originated), complete with strong lighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04283142658145854192noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14103595.post-55830407172755554492010-07-18T22:43:00.000+12:002010-07-18T22:43:14.261+12:00Beautiful ThingsI was all ready for a day of rain, but I woke up to sunshine. The laundry was hung out, the windows were thrown open, and I sat on the floor swamped in warm sunny sunshine and crafted. Sunshine was on the 'not negotiable' criteria when we house hunted, but I don't think we realised just how well situated this house was/is until now.
The Hutt Library is awesome. I can reserve books on line for strong lighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04283142658145854192noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14103595.post-68062873961129299182010-07-12T22:00:00.000+12:002010-07-12T22:00:00.236+12:00Many Beautiful ThingsI ran/wobbled for the train tonight and reached it with seconds to spare. When the train is just about to leave they close all carriages expect for the one closest to the station so that everyone running like me jumps on the last carriage - often meaning that its packed full of people standing.
I stood in the train doorway, wheezing for breath (damn this reduced lung capacity), psyching myselfstrong lighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04283142658145854192noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14103595.post-72247112108916607792010-07-01T22:00:00.000+12:002010-07-01T22:00:34.859+12:00Feeling human againI don't really want this to turn into a blog about pregnancy, but chances are it is going to anyway. We're now just over the 16 week mark, and I'm finally beginning to feel human again. The vomit and nausea continues, but no longer during work hours - which is much more convenient. Phew. Beginning to feel human again is awesome. Also, I actually feel pregnant now, rather than just feeling likestrong lighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04283142658145854192noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14103595.post-21587522148053665152010-06-23T21:06:00.001+12:002010-06-23T21:07:23.830+12:00Burn it babyOur new house has a fireplace, and I am loving the warm, roaring heat of the fireplace. I don't think I've lived in a place with a working fireplace (and proper firewood) since I loved at home with my folks - and that's about 15 years ago. When we were kids, it was often our job to get the fire going in the evenings and I have to say - I still have the magic fire-lighting touch. A good fire strong lighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04283142658145854192noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14103595.post-1230687845082137722010-06-18T20:07:00.001+12:002010-06-18T20:08:25.861+12:00Getting it off my chestSo, we're having a baby. I can now say, at 14+ weeks pregnant, that I'm pleased about it. However, I must confess that for the last two months this baby has been a right pain. I seriously do not know how people get through the first trimester of pregnancy without telling people they are pregnant. At about 8 weeks pregnant, all my co-wos in close proximity knew - the gagging during meetings and strong lighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04283142658145854192noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14103595.post-27901410939412427092010-05-24T20:32:00.001+12:002010-05-24T20:32:53.775+12:00It's got the lotWalking home from the train station tonight, I actually felt like I belonged in the Hutt. It's been over a month since we moved here, and it really has taken me that long to adjust. It sounds silly I'm sure, to say that it has been quite a big change, and I've been trying to put my finger on what it is that's so different.
The streets are full of kids as I walk home from the train station. strong lighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04283142658145854192noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14103595.post-23210029112016223582010-05-15T22:14:00.000+12:002010-05-15T22:14:57.723+12:00Back on the airHeck, it's been nearly a month since I last blogged. Haven't had a lag like that for a while. I'm going to blame the move into a new house in the Hutt. The Hutt is like a vacuum - I forgot the internet even existed.
Today the M put a lawn mower together, mowed the lawn and chopped up a branch for firewood. I sat in the sun and finished some sewing. Such domestic bliss.
We've found a darn good strong lighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04283142658145854192noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14103595.post-47591796452275639452010-04-26T21:25:00.001+12:002010-04-26T21:25:55.840+12:00Back to realityWe're in the new house. Most boxes are unpacked and we feel pretty settled in. One of our many visitors on the weekend commented that it felt like we'd lived here for ages - and it does kind of feel like that. We've finally got the phone and internet on (it was a long week without the internet) and we have whitewear. Whoop.
We've also had our first graffiti on the fence. Morgue was out on Sat strong lighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04283142658145854192noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14103595.post-42359997646159567212010-04-14T21:51:00.000+12:002010-04-14T21:51:39.539+12:00Two more sleepsTomorrow we're going to check out our new house, and do a walk through/inspection with the current owners. I'm quite excited - it feels like a long time since I was last in the house. Really, I've been in it only once - during the open home. Hope it's kinda like how I remember it.
And then it will be packing, packing, packing, before the following day when we do the moving, moving, moving. strong lighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04283142658145854192noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14103595.post-84391246152444160582010-04-11T21:36:00.001+12:002010-04-11T21:43:23.761+12:00Not long now.We've had Morgan's birthday, and an afternoon tea with cakes and kids, and boxes and boxes and more banana boxes, and a dog walk with the coolest dog ever (who may turn out to be ours one day soon), signed the official mortgage documents, had fish n chips, watched the latest Dr Who and eaten chocolates. Oh and we bought a washer and a dryer too.
Only five more sleeps till we shift house.strong lighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04283142658145854192noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14103595.post-37032392663963997112010-04-04T21:54:00.000+12:002010-04-04T21:54:56.306+12:00BusyI am so very grateful that it's been a long weekend. Two weeks from now we'll have moved in to our first home and there's so much to pack and do. I've been packing, throwing stuff out and adding to the pile of stuff to send to the op shop. There's not so much to throw out and give away as I had anticipated - I thought there'd be heaps more 'junk' than there is.
Our landlord has given us a strong lighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04283142658145854192noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14103595.post-62491152507993748792010-04-03T00:12:00.000+13:002010-04-03T00:12:32.139+13:00BirthdayIt was the M's birthday today. We did some stuff together.
We went for a walk around Newtown in the sun (and the wind)
Stopped in at Baobab for brunch. Baobab was open all day and without a surcharge for the public holiday!
Saw Boy tonight. Loved it. But it also made my eyes water.
I've done some more family tree stuff, and have nearly finished adding all the info people have sent me about strong lighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04283142658145854192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14103595.post-15829263442138787252010-03-30T21:57:00.000+13:002010-03-30T21:57:49.510+13:00FamilyHave been phaffing with the family tree tonight - trying to piece together some of the new information I have been given. Some of it seems to slot in nicely, but heck there are a lot of gaps
It's given me renewed interested in heading down south to Pleasant Point later this year to talk to the last of a generation before they die. They're my grandad's first cousins and since its now over 20 strong lighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04283142658145854192noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14103595.post-54056702598099123212010-03-29T20:35:00.000+13:002010-03-29T20:35:03.847+13:00Glug Glug GlugI would love to blog tonight about serious things - like mining our precious conservation land, and the benefit cuts for single parents, but I'm very brain dead tonight - I had to get up at 5.20am to catch a flight and have spent a very long day at a workshop. So, tonight's blog is slightly more frivalent frivolous.
I think I've mentioned before that I started seeing a naturopath last year afterstrong lighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04283142658145854192noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14103595.post-77973730505279071462010-03-24T22:47:00.001+13:002010-03-24T22:49:35.517+13:00Good People to knowThis whole house buying business take a bit of energy doesn't it. The house has been bought (but not settled yet), the insurance has been (largely) sorted, and now we just need to organise the movers. I don't think I've spoken to so many experts and brokers ever before. We've received some really great advice from very helpful 'experts' and haven't had a bad experience with an expert yet. strong lighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04283142658145854192noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14103595.post-60521982543646847272010-03-23T21:41:00.003+13:002010-03-23T22:49:25.174+13:00And there it isAnd now, voters of New Zealand, observe the true face of the National Party. Its 18 months into its term of government and the time has come to pull out the "real" policy direction the government intends to implement:opening high-value conservation land to mining
targeting solo parents
cuts to adult education
cuts to public sector agencies/government departments
The Nats only have a short strong lighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04283142658145854192noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14103595.post-76783545662396386672010-03-22T22:37:00.000+13:002010-03-22T22:37:58.713+13:00WwwwwwwwwwwwwwwindI really love this wind! It fair blew me home, and I loved every second of it.
I've cut out the fabric to make myself a skirt. This will be first *proper* bit of sewing for myself. I didn't buy expensive fabric, so that I can have a real play with it without worrying that I'm ruining the good stuff. But if it fits me, and I like it, then it may be the start of a skirt collection.
And I've been strong lighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04283142658145854192noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14103595.post-3192020586433978232010-03-20T23:58:00.000+13:002010-03-20T23:58:13.926+13:00It's a loverly day todayA lovely sunny day in Wellie today. We have an overseas guest staying with us, so got oot'n'aboot. Drove around the bays in the lovely sun, called in to check out the Weta Cave in Miramar, mooched up cuba street and just generally enjoyed the city.
I love the textiles book shop on Cuba - Minerva. It's so tempting. I am only saved by there being so many books I would love to own, that I can't strong lighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04283142658145854192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14103595.post-25106443116656597042010-03-14T22:50:00.001+13:002010-03-14T22:52:26.716+13:00Sunny SundayA lovely high tea at hippopotamous restaurant this afternoon to celebrate H's soon to be new bebe. Very exciting!
We've been stalking our potential new house today - drove past it slowly twice! I think we officially go unconditional tomorrow. I've spent the weekend trying not to be all nervous and anxious about it - not so much the house, but looming job insecurity and general scaredy-cat-ness.
strong lighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04283142658145854192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14103595.post-78448524625053536362010-03-10T21:07:00.000+13:002010-03-10T21:07:02.467+13:00PopI've blogged before about my favourite pharmacist. I visited him again today for advice about my burn blister, which has popped. I keep catching the top of it on things and it hurts. Once again, Mr Pharmacists gave me great advice, and some special spongey plaster thingees. I do so like having a good pharmacist to talk to.
Morgue's move to a new blog host means I can read his blog at work again!strong lighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04283142658145854192noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14103595.post-25522743188887044962010-03-09T20:32:00.000+13:002010-03-09T20:32:27.486+13:00ZzapA lovely sunny day today - I even managed to get out in it for five minutes in my lunch hour.
We had a big power cut at 4.30 this arvo so I went home early, and somehow managed to get on a bus that was travelling fast. I was home by 5pm, and my evening has just stretched out in front of me. Feels like such luxury to have spare hours in the evening. (Hopefully when I turn on the computer tomorrowstrong lighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04283142658145854192noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14103595.post-78592704932781825232010-03-07T20:14:00.000+13:002010-03-07T20:14:57.006+13:00A fair dayI burned myself making caramel last night, and have the most fantastic blister on my hand. It's big, and bubbly and filled with fluid. I kinda want to pop it, but at the same time I don't want to touch it. Fortunately I have some codeine left over from my last dental treatment, for which I am very appreciative.
Newtown Fair was hot and filled with yummy ethnic food, and crowds of people. We strong lighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04283142658145854192noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14103595.post-51585519628770379692010-03-06T23:08:00.000+13:002010-03-06T23:08:44.534+13:00the day before the newtown fairI'm having real problems sleeping in at the moment, and I am T.I.R.E.D. This morning I woke up at 7.45 am, and I had nothing to do until midday, but my mind just wouldn't let me sleep. ARGH. So very shortly, when I've finished watching the episode of Man Men I'm watching right this minute, I'm going to take myself to bed, read myself to sleep and desparately hope that my mind lets itself sleep strong lighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04283142658145854192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14103595.post-56963580903120467482010-03-06T01:16:00.000+13:002010-03-06T01:16:14.264+13:00friday makes me tiredMy boss took me out for coffee this morning. I so do like having a boss with people skills.
The latest copy of Interweave Knits arrived in my letterbox, and there's at least three things in it that I want to knit myself!
A new friend from Cork, a movie (Shutter Island) and a trip to Sweet Mother's Kitchen.
strong lighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04283142658145854192noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14103595.post-48275661160696082862010-03-03T22:22:00.000+13:002010-03-03T22:22:07.345+13:00Woof WoofRuffWe're in the process of buying a house. It's very exciting. We've made an offer that has been accepted - conditional on all the usual bunch of conditions, so now we're in the process of getting builders reports and valuations and all that other good stuff. It seems to be going fairly smoothly so far, which is nice.
We drove by the house tonight so we could see it and the surrounding strong lighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04283142658145854192noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14103595.post-28769866659533644622010-03-02T22:20:00.000+13:002010-03-02T22:20:14.920+13:00It was grey today but I was sunny on the insideI've been wheat free for a while now. It often extends to being gluten free, but I'm really just about avoiding the wheat. I've been taste testing a number of the gluten free breads available, and this weeks one is the Young Buck. It's very yummy spread with Riley's Organic Peanut butter made right here on the Kapiti Coast. Yuummm. Can't beat a breakfast of this, washed down with a cup of hot strong lighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04283142658145854192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14103595.post-80549976927320066702010-03-01T22:18:00.000+13:002010-03-01T22:18:41.763+13:00Today's 3BT is bought to you by...the letter's MR and G and the number 3.
fluffy slippers
yummy dinner
picture of a dog.
*The M keeps it short and to the point. Normal transmisssion will resume tomorrow.strong lighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04283142658145854192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14103595.post-72460449417754075452010-02-28T20:41:00.002+13:002010-02-28T22:10:08.303+13:003BT for the weekendA big veggie breakfast at Baobab in Newtown. I always come away from that place feeling very satisfed on a number of levels.
A trip to the Newtown Library, where I picked up two great books about knitting socks. I love that our library has great books, which I would otherwise feel tempted to buy (although one of these sock books is so great that I commented to M that I think I do *need* to own strong lighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04283142658145854192noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14103595.post-68371363008503743932010-02-25T21:44:00.000+13:002010-02-25T21:44:50.361+13:00I liked todayNew colours for the blog. I was waiting for the bus after work today, and got a distinct whiff of Autumn. I have a bit of a love-hate relationship with Autumn - it always reminds me of my Dad when he became unwell. It reminds me of the drives between Wellington and Hastings to visit him; with the light at a certain angle, the trees losing their leaves, and the colours of rich, brown earth. For strong lighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04283142658145854192noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14103595.post-48509370227433729422010-02-24T22:32:00.000+13:002010-02-24T22:32:06.162+13:00Lucky meI finished a knitting project tonight! I can't really say what it is, cos it's a surprise for someone else and I don't want to ruin it. But I thoroughly enjoyed the process of knitting this one, and *really* loved the yarn I knitted it with, and I think the finished project is awesome. I almost want to make a mini one for myself..
I had visio installed on my work computer today. This may sound strong lighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04283142658145854192noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14103595.post-51660851117544855672010-02-23T21:35:00.001+13:002010-02-23T21:36:02.324+13:00Frock itI've recently attempted to sew a little frock for a one-year old. I think it turned out pretty well. As you can see it's a mixture of denim and spotty dots. The sewing is still a new thing for me, and buttonholes are still scary but I'm perservering. Afterall, it is one of my 101 goals for 1001 days. Next item of sewing will be a skirt for me. Exciting!
This is the front - you can kind of see strong lighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04283142658145854192noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14103595.post-20642494115830561262010-02-21T19:44:00.000+13:002010-02-21T19:44:51.633+13:00Un-race-dayWaking up before my alarm even goes off, I caught an early bus into town for the Round the Bays. So pleased I didn't wait for a later bus; its highly unlikely I would have made it there in time for the race start - the bus were packed and leaving people behind.
It's the first time I've completed the RtB, but I'm sure not the first time I've registered for it. It's this crazy moving mass of strong lighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04283142658145854192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14103595.post-20853167928177848962010-02-19T23:54:00.001+13:002010-02-19T23:54:54.768+13:00tired-dayUsually I fall asleep in movies, especially if it's on a Friday night, I'm tired, and it's warm and dark in the movie theatre. But tonight, watching Sherlock Holmes the movie, I stayed awake the entire time. And I thoroughly enjoyed the movie too :-)
Dinner before the movie at Habiebie was pretty good too. I had yummy fish in some kind of an almond sauce.
I think I've made my first batch of strong lighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04283142658145854192noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14103595.post-78006077178207934582010-02-16T20:11:00.001+13:002010-02-16T20:21:10.695+13:00I can't believe we're halfway through the month...There are three little siblings who get on my bus in the morning. The eldest would be about 8-9 years - she's very responsible and takes her job very seriously. Every morning she attempts to bat away her younger sister's nagging to let her hold the snapper card. When younger sister's voice hits a certain pitch, older sister turns back to look at the rest of the bus then hands over the snapper strong lighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04283142658145854192noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14103595.post-72856231902667767062010-02-15T22:47:00.000+13:002010-02-15T22:47:55.011+13:00To-dayFinally ordering a canvas print of one of our wedding photos. (That's taken a wee while, aye). Thanks to Sam Hall for taking a great photo, and Ju+Blair for the gift voucher. Can't wait to see how it looks!
A game of ultimate. The game itself was average but again I feel good after having a run around.
Ordering sewing patterns online - I'm going to make myself a trendy coat thing (and McCalls strong lighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04283142658145854192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14103595.post-21934469204536892292010-02-14T20:23:00.001+13:002010-02-14T20:26:49.422+13:00One-dayCar-pooling for an early morning trip to the veggie market. We went wild and have filled our fridge with leafy green veggies, fresh mushies and purple cauliflower. They had super cheap eggs (a tray of free range eggs for $7), which are going to be factored into the budget for veggies next week. YUM.
I had never heard of the biathlon until today - they ski and then stop and shoot, and then ski strong lighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04283142658145854192noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14103595.post-18509774351651085032010-02-14T00:38:00.000+13:002010-02-14T00:38:12.206+13:00Shatter-dayI spent some time this afternoon just wandering around town, mainly hanging out in book shops. I wanted to buy so many of the books in Unity, and I nearly bought one until I realised I was buying a book all about reducing consumerism. I didn't buy it.
There's a great little second-hand book shop in Left Bank that I hadn't been to for ages (Pegasus Books?). They were playing music that made me strong lighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04283142658145854192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14103595.post-32137274211501164212010-02-11T23:07:00.000+13:002010-02-11T23:07:15.769+13:00Thirst-dayToday's breakfast was a bowl of buckwheat with salt and sauerkraut. It's fast becoming my favourite breakfast, and finally after 33 years I think I've found something I actually like to eat for breakfast on a regular basis. It's savoury! And good for me! This makes me very happy.
I made gingerbread babies for my co-wos today, and finally managed to make an icing that was spreadable, and dried strong lighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04283142658145854192noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14103595.post-10491607128570062322010-02-09T22:57:00.000+13:002010-02-09T22:57:12.314+13:00You-dayA super warm day in Auckland - sunshine, and a quick trip to check out Sylvia Park (the huge mall).
Meetings that sparked new thinking.
A nice glass of white wine before boarding the flight home.
strong lighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04283142658145854192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14103595.post-82212731015725585752010-02-08T19:26:00.000+13:002010-02-08T19:26:44.789+13:00Mun-dayLunch at kapai - a big, green leafy salad with mushrooms, capsicum and a yummy balsamic dressing. Buying my lunch is such a rare treat these days.
Husband cooks the dinner. It's just a little bit crispy/singed.
Daydreaming of a change in career; more study and a job that involves getting off my butt and 'doing' something.
strong lighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04283142658145854192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14103595.post-65789582099302945662010-02-06T22:57:00.000+13:002010-02-06T22:57:18.547+13:00A weekend with a dog and someone else's houseHours with the big boundy dog at the beach. A stick. Surf. Other boundy dogs. Sunshine. Fish'n'chips.
A tv in the bedroom, with sky and dvds.
Dark orange chocolate with ginger.
A tomorrow with no obligations, jobs or duties (other than looking after the dog)
strong lighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04283142658145854192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14103595.post-51743023846428338182010-02-03T21:56:00.000+13:002010-02-03T21:56:42.631+13:00Wed-yes-dayA lunchtime walk in the sun with a mate; eating lunch on the waterfront.
Drinks after work at liquidate. I don't know what they put on their fries there, but darn its tasty.
Home to a meal all cooked and hot in the crockpost. Tender lamb with veggies and quinoa. Satisfied.
strong lighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04283142658145854192noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14103595.post-22069157781657837092010-02-02T21:06:00.000+13:002010-02-02T21:06:10.092+13:00ChewsdayA work meeting so funny that there was crying with laughter.
Lunch late in the afternoon, long after everyone else is back at their desks. The Terrace is quiet and empty, and I feel like I'm in an odd movie where aliens have stolen the people away.
The smell of fresh gingernuts baking in the oven, and the warm melty taste of earl grey tea loaf, all moisty and fruity.
strong lighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04283142658145854192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14103595.post-70128092966517519952010-02-01T22:45:00.000+13:002010-02-01T22:45:10.650+13:00Monday-itisBuckwheat with salt, olive oil and fresh mint. Salivate.
Hearing that wee nephew was treated well by our public hospital, and escaped with losing (only!) two of his teeth. Hearing his normal two-year old noises in the background as his mum gives me an update over the phone.
Coming home to a yummy dairy free lasagne, made by a fab sister. Extra flavour resulting from not cooking it myself :-)
strong lighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04283142658145854192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14103595.post-70762390036483372872010-01-30T22:01:00.014+13:002010-01-31T10:06:48.647+13:00Warmer, Sunnier BitesThe M and I mooched up Cuba street together for the first time in ages. It was warm, there were people, and we had nowhere we needed to be.
Browsed in Minerva and fell in want with so many of their books. I restrained myself from purchasing.
We ate sorbet in Waitangi Park, seeking shade under that old telecom building. My feet were bare, my skin was hot, and the shade was just right.
strong lighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04283142658145854192noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14103595.post-50468007177066360622010-01-27T21:51:00.000+13:002010-01-27T21:51:41.488+13:00Warm sunny bites So many people strolling home from work in the evening sunshine. I was kind of envious as I bussed past them. It kind of gave me motivation to walk home from work sometime.
So many dogs having a lovely time in the evening sun. Woof Woof Ruff.
More sauerkraut from my local sauerkraut supplier. It has the crunch and bite I love.
strong lighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04283142658145854192noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14103595.post-26659962912474041322010-01-26T22:34:00.000+13:002010-01-26T22:34:46.402+13:00Three beautiful thingsHeather has been blogging the three beautiful things and I've been enjoying reading her posts. I've decided to join in on the TBTs.
My co-wos and I escaped work this morning to visit Marg and Owen, the nicest little cafe owners on the terrace. I was especially good and stuck to my dairy-free-ness by just having an apple juice. Seeing Marg and Owen buzzzing about in their busy wee cafe made me strong lighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04283142658145854192noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14103595.post-17980473829147359122010-01-24T16:26:00.000+13:002010-01-24T16:26:33.738+13:00A book recommendationI've just finished reading a really great book and thought others in search of a good novel might like a recommendation. It's the Family Tree, by Carole Cadwalladr (and you get it from the Wellington City Library). It was my third book of the year - the first two I attempted to read were baaaaddd, and I had to give up on them. Hate it when that happens. But then I found the Family Tree.
So, strong lighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04283142658145854192noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14103595.post-89975075288875503242010-01-20T21:01:00.000+13:002010-01-20T21:01:45.803+13:00I'm a working girlBack at work this week - it's been harder and busier than I anticipated. My brain has benefitted from the holiday, now I just need it to knuckle down and do some intensive work in a fairly short space of time. (I knew there was a reason I gave my brain three weeks of nothingness).
We're into the second budget fortnight of the year, and things are going to plan. I think the bank may have strong lighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04283142658145854192noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14103595.post-82716462326946923762010-01-05T23:50:00.001+13:002010-01-05T23:51:21.237+13:00Another hard day of workToday was sorting day - it's the initial part of sorting out our finances, before the year properly starts. This is the way it works:
Scout around the house and find all bills, receipts, warrranties, instruction manuals, and general paper work gathered from all over the house. In our house these were nicely spread between three different rooms.
Take all bills, receipts, warranties etc and sort strong lighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04283142658145854192noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14103595.post-12231622509494374652010-01-04T15:03:00.000+13:002010-01-04T15:03:07.406+13:00A week of not much reallyIt's hard - all these days of holiday. I kind of feel like after a few days of nothingness, I kind of need to do something with my day, else I get all cabin-fever-ish and restless and a bit over myself. This morning M and I went for a nice meander in the sun, down to the Newtown and back. Most things are shut, but the occasional busker is on the street. And I feel much better for leaving the strong lighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04283142658145854192noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14103595.post-69996028457579566112010-01-02T20:50:00.007+13:002010-01-02T21:05:33.786+13:00101 in 1001 (updated for 2010)At the end of 2008, I started a list of 101 things I would like to do in the next 1001 days. At that time I only managed to come up with 48 things, but that's okay. My original list is here. More information about the 101 things in 1001 days is here (it's called the Day Zero Project - you can scroll through and read other people's lists). I'm not making New Year Resolutions, but I figure it's a strong lighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04283142658145854192noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14103595.post-75991154340291241202009-12-31T08:14:00.000+13:002009-12-31T08:14:57.160+13:00Get ShirtyMy wee nephew Tim turned one on Christmas Eve. I started making him a shirt in about September, and was vey pleased I had started so early, cos it took me so long. It turns out that shirts are tricky things to make - with those collars and buttons; things that newbies to sewing don't know how to do.
My first attempt went okay until I got to the collar. I did and undid and redid that collar so strong lighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04283142658145854192noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14103595.post-34786162087063160012009-12-27T16:33:00.004+13:002009-12-27T17:04:13.262+13:00I'm spentIt's that time of year, when I spend about 30 seconds reflecting on the year that has been and about 30 hours planning the year ahead. (This is where M and I differ the most, I think. He spends almost every moment in the present, while I'm overly focussed on the next thing). I think the main goal in 2010 is going to something to do with budgeting and saving. Yeah, that's probably going to be strong lighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04283142658145854192noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14103595.post-10707564542511103632009-12-26T16:00:00.001+13:002009-12-26T16:00:01.706+13:00sew whatIt's not just my nibblings that I've been sewing for - I also sewed wee thingees for some of my friends. They're little lavendar sacks, and the lavendar smells so strong that our house fair reeked of it for a while. Fortunately I quite like the smell of it. Anyway, this is what they look like.
strong lighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04283142658145854192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14103595.post-22700577917915113762009-12-25T16:00:00.013+13:002009-12-26T16:26:38.674+13:00Nibblings at xmasI've been learning to sew this year - it was one of my 100 things to do in 1001 days. Turns out that I quite enjoy it. This Christmas I have a record number of nibblings - five whole nibblings all at the one time! That's a lot of nibblings all in one place. So, some time before christmas I decided that I would sew for them. I ordered some fantastic fabric from etsy.com, and made each nibbling strong lighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04283142658145854192noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14103595.post-86412768114416281092009-12-23T19:45:00.003+13:002009-12-23T20:14:02.055+13:00The work is doneToday is the end of my working year. I couldn't have done another day, I am shattered. I just ate dinner and then promptly fell asleep on the couch. It's as though my body knows it's okay to crash now. *big fat sigh or relief*strong lighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04283142658145854192noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14103595.post-86910804265042826592009-12-22T21:38:00.000+13:002009-12-22T21:38:53.840+13:00StuffyAhhh, a cup of tea, piece of christmas cake and an episode of six feet under. Pretty damn happy right now.
I go through phases of wishing we lived in a house, with a garden and a backyard and space for a big boundy dog. But at the moment I'm in a phase of "gee I really like our little apartment". It's pretty much got everything we need, my little planter of herbs are growing nicely, we both strong lighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04283142658145854192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14103595.post-70639959778891058762009-12-20T17:44:00.001+13:002009-12-20T17:45:49.085+13:00Mooory ChristmasThe M and I don't really go crazy over christmas. I think we own two christmas decorations - one that someone just gave M and is hanging on the door to his writing room, and the other is a big straw (?) angel that I bought from Trade Aid in 2005 and drag out every year. Someone gave us a christmas cake this year, which was much appreciated and very yummy. That's about as far as we go I think. strong lighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04283142658145854192noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14103595.post-9150453175477353002009-12-14T22:57:00.000+13:002009-12-14T22:57:28.709+13:00Christmas craftingYay - I've had some minor crafting success, and feeling pretty happy with my experimenting. Most of my presents this christmas are homemade and crafted by me. I'm experimenting with some new crafting and, as always when expermenting with new stuff, it's a bit of an exercise in crossing fingers, holding your mouth the right way and hoping it works out. It seems to be working! And the bonus is, strong lighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04283142658145854192noreply@blogger.com1