11.30.07
Me and 15,000 kids – oh and Beckham!
Photo by ANDREW GORRIE/Dominion Post
Can I just say… My ears are still ringing!
And, I am glad I have boys. Girls are very, VERY loud and shrill!
When did I make these amazing discoveries? While I was at the Westpac stadium today. Although Mr 6 was scheduled to go, I had no such plans. But found out they needed an extra adult person. With Mr 3 safely in preschool for the day I figured the gym and the housework could wait another day, and I volunteered. Bit silly really: I had no jacket or even lunch! Luckily another mum was able to lend me her jacket, and well, I got to eat when I got home.
So our school had 140 kids going – not bad for a school with a total roll of around 200! Although it was a bit nightmarish as other, less well behaved, schools would zip between our nicely organised lines, it was a bit of a laugh. It was amazing too to see 15,000 kids pack out half the stadium. And loud. Did I mention the noise already?! Although it was apparently nothing compared to the noise generated by loyal Phoenix fans… 
To be honest, I have no clue what the kids got out of it – they had to sit in their seats for quite some time and then get back on the train at the end of it. Still, you ask every single kid there if they had a good time and “YES!!” was their answer go figure!
As for those loud girls – it was the ones from the fancy, expensive girls schools all swooning and shrilly screaming their lungs out for their man! Yes, I am glad I have boys!
Our leading teacher had us all well organised and we were a well oiled machine as the kids went from bus to train to stadium to seats and all in reverse again. This was the first time I’ve been able to get to a school outing – and it really gave perspective on how hard our teachers work to ensure our kids are safe, get opportunities, and enjoy themselves.
It’s now 10 to 5 – and I want to go to sleep! 
11.29.07
Week 4 November Card
This week’s sketch with Di Hickman is up. This is mine – I really love this particular mix of papers and I’ve used them a few times on various christmas cards. The whole traditional colours but looking pretty crisp and clean. Like that!
There’s a good range of interpretations on this sketch this week – really loving the different looks. I think my favourite this week is Jackie’s sympathy card.
I used: KI memories and Shabby Princess patterned papers, white cardstock, bobbin ribbon, Stampin Up ink, Bella brads and Montarga stamp
If you still have a few cards to make for this year, go check out the last few weeks’ sketches. A lot of them have been great for using the scraps you have.
Also I thought I’d throw a plug into Keryn and let you know the new Stampin’ Up Mini catalogue is out. There’s some interesting things in there – both for cards and for scrapping. Her contact details are on her blog if you are interested in more info. And if there was something in the current mini cat – well, you’d better get your skates on because those orders must be made by tomorrow!
Speaking of tomorrow, our Mr 6 is a bit excited. As is the rest of his school. They are among the lucky ones that get to see Mr Beckham bend it at training tomorrow at Westpac Stadium. Not that Mr 6 is actually into soccer – but hey, it’s not everyday that you get the chance to see these kinds of things.
11.27.07
Idol sneak peek
Oh my goodness! It’s been a while since I last updated. And it’s not as if life has been so interesting …more like stressful and frustrating at times. But hasn’t the weather been great?! Ok – so it’s due to pack up for the rest of the week, but I have my fingers crossed that it’ll be back like this next week.
OK, so amongst the frustrations of a very long and tiring week last week, I had to get a circle journal out. It was meant to have been forwarded on the Monday, but I had made a request to get a photo of a particular person and held out to the last minute. I’m like that – I will hold out till the last second… it’s the procrastinator in me! Not particularly helpful around deadlines and other date driven activities – like…….. ohhhh, Christmas! Well, I got rescued by my lovely friend K who had just the right pic.
So for those of you not privy to my general conversations that probably sounded more than a little stalker-ish, my scrap idol was Cathy Zielske. Actually, truth is I have many: far too many to shake a handful of sticks at. But I picked CZ because … well, Because! I guess too in my mind I had the layout somehow looking CZ-ish and so it made sense. Others on my short list were Ali Edwards (the whole patterned paper thing and the embracing imperfection thing. I am imperfection after all!) plus Stacy Julian who I had the good fortune to enjoy a lecture from the previous weekend.
And I even included a couple of local gals ………. only two – because that was all the room I had left in the journalling block! There are many, many MANY more I could have included too.
Ok – so I need to get on with another couple of crafty deadline items. So, instead I’ll spend a couple of extra moments here with you guys instead. I’m telling ya – I am the Queen of Procrastination!
Hubby played with the brass band in the Santa parade. I hate (as in I will faint… not a good look!) being in a crowd of people on a hot, sunny day. So I get around this by taking the mr’s to the starting point. Normally we see the tail end of the parade leaving, hang around and play for a bit then watch as the whole parade comes back in.
This year my timing was a little off. That was possibly a good thing. The start was delayed for some reason so we got front row spots and saw the entire parade pass by. Hubby was on the back of a truck really close to the head of the parade so at the end we got to meet up quickly and get on out. After getting him to collect parade participant treats like fizzy drink and a hot dog! I noticed too that this year there were a few kids attached to the band members on the back of the truck with the band. Maybe next year the Mr’s can go on the back too - how cool would that be?!
After my assessment at the gym last month I was a little down that the results were not even slightly favourable. So I’ve been working hard on the “rubbish in” side of the equation and ensuring I’m going to the gym at least 3 times a week over the past month. I noticed the “diing” as I checked in today. Not quite ready to be re-assessed just yet so I put it off for another week or so. Then I’m hoping my good work will pay off and I’ll see some of those nasty numbers begin to go downwards. I’ll be happy with even a little bit.
At the last assessment, the instructor mentioned that I had started on my journey at the right time. With a few good changes in diet and the exercising I might reach my self-imposed target within 6-8 months. That doesn’t actually seem that long – if I put in the work now. Still, it would be nice to wake up tomorrow and discover that the excess has just disappeared!
Ok – so now I better go down and fold some washing. Yes – see I can do the domestic duties when I want to!
11.19.07
In the summertime….
Gosh doesn’t it feel like summer right now? I love it! I’ve actually been inspired to walk Mr 6 and his buddy up to school the last couple of school days.
Today was the parent-teacher interview for Mr 6. We get a face to face meeting instead of a written report up until year 2 or 3. It was a quick meeting as we had caught up with Mrs D recently (actually I think it was a little longer in between – but it sure feels recent!). Mr 6 is hitting and exceeding benchmarks in reading, writing and maths. All good news – definitely the sort of stuff you like to hear as a mum. There was one aspect to his writing which ducked under the benchmark but Mrs D wasn’t worried. It was all to do with the mechanics of actually writing – and he as improved out of sight on that front so all is good.
But in every report there comes a “But” and this one is no exception. Sigh…
Thankfully it isn’t too much of a biggy but we do need to keep an eye on it. Being the very social personality he is, our Mr 6 needs reminding a little more often than desirable about the time and place for silly behaviour. It’s so much a part of his personality that I don’t want to squish it – just help direct it and channel it appropriately. And as we discussed this on the way back to the car, Mr 6 is running across the field giving the best impression ever that his mother was not saying a word. I’m sure there was actually words being uttered and they weren’t just voices in my head!
Friday night. Was. Great! Of course, you could tell I was a Crafting Connection newbie. I actually thought the mega crop night meant there was actually scrapping to be done. Silly me! Instead, after a really neat meet and greet with Stacy and Friends, we were then treated to a 90 minute plus lecture style class from Stacy herself. It was a talk not so much about scrapping as how scrapping can help consolidate all the things that help make people happy. In a nutshell, she presented a fun set of secrets as to the sorts of things that make people in general happy. Yes, it sure spoke to me: Happy being my word for the year and all that.
Somehow we were the only table that thought to try and reserve a spot. “We” being a group of us that get together regularly in person and even more regularly on a group. So we ended up right beside Stacy as she was doing her thing. Definitely the best spot in the room!
It sure was fun too to meet people that I have *met* in some virtual form or another… Michelle, Debbie and Trina to name but three. It made me wish I was doing more over the weekend. But then I would have missed out on a wonderful summer like weekend, complete with fantastic gathering of friends at a BBQ. And that’s the sort of thing I don’t want to miss out on.
11.16.07
So excited!
I’m off to the opening event of the Stacy Julian Crafting Connection tonight! How cool! I’m only doing tonight’s session because I’ve been allowed to get away with friends quite a lot during the year for weekends of scrapping getaways. I thought that the whole event price tag and another weekend away so close to Christmas might just be pushing my luck! So I reckon a night is a good thing.
I would love to meet Stacy in person – I really admire her style and her philosophy. Cripes – it might even mean I can do the Scrap Idol cj entry that is due out on Monday! Now that would be seriously cool.
Ok, better get on and get those Friday jobs finished cos that will keep everyone happy. I’m so excited …. first time in weeks to really get my teeth into scrapping… and to top it off Meg’s kit arrived this morning. Really – I better get going – can you tell I’m excited??!
11.15.07
Di’s Sketch Nov 14
Here is this week’s sketch for Di’s blog. There are some really great interpretations of the sketch this week.
I used this one the other night – a friend is moving away to Hastings. I got to know L via Mr 6 and her Mr 6 becoming good buddies. It has been so cute watching them becoming friends through kindy and school. If I go a little early, I’ve seen them walking (in that school way of 2×2… so cute!) holding hands. They really enjoy each other’s company. My Mr 6 is pretty upset, but we’ll be staying in touch and Hastings isn’t that far away now is it?!
The girls had a few drinks with L and I had chosen a lovely blown glass koru as a farewell gift. It’s hard being the one to make the decision on behalf of others on what to get on these occasions, but everyone loved it so it was a good call.
And if you are unlike me (i’d say most people are!) and are actually organised or getting that way for Christmas, you might want to take a look at this really neat bow. I make cards for Christmas but my wrapping is normally pretty ordinary. I do try to get nice paper and wrap it nice and neatly, but really – it’s just wrapping right??! But I think I’ll be doing this for a couple of special gifts…. a really nice touch to finish it off with. Of course, then I’ll need the nice tags to go with those too…..
11.13.07
Fortnightly sketch dare
Finally! I’ve managed to get a layout done for my albums! It seems to have been a long time coming…. but thanks to the fortnightly sketch challenges over at Scrapbook Essentials, I’ve done it.
I bought the green circle paper some time ago and have had trouble working out how to use it – it is pretty strong in real life! The sketch is a circle sketch which I gave myself enough room by using a dinner plate to give me my circle. I then backed it with 12×12 white cardstock so it would go in my album…. don’t know why the scanner wouldn’t play nice and not cut things off but there you go. I also couldn’t help myself and I doodled in one corner.
The Mr’s love baking and if I was more of a baker myself they would probably spend more time in the kitchen than they do. Trouble is, if it is made, I usually end up eating more than I should. Solution: don’t make it more than I need to. Sigh!
11.12.07
Party On!
On Saturday night hubby and I attended a friend’s 40th party. While that in and of itself is not so amazing – we are reaching that point in our lives where we know more 40 year olds than we do 21 year olds. When did that happen? Sigh!
Anyway, back to Saturday. What I loved the most about it was the kind of bash that it was. A church hall was hired, many church friends catered it, there were some emotional speeches given, and friends and family from many walks of lives. N and G’s kids were the only ones there – it was specifically a grown-up do. They were allowed to stay until quite late then dad ran them home with the baby sitter before returning to do some serious partying. But watching the dance with guests and chat and generally just do things that kids do at these events brought back a lot of memories.
My mum was one of 5 kids and her and dad had me and my sister and eventually my brother quite early (for these days – the norm for back then). There is 13 years between my mum and her youngest sibling. So over the years, in many a country hall throughout the South Island, there were gatherings for 21sts, engagements and eventually weddings. For the longest time, myself and my siblings were usually the only kids there (long time before the cuzzies started appearing). There were masses of extended rellies and friends – on both sides of the couple. Rowdy doesn’t begin to define the general noise level!
I remember specific phrases being uttered: “nooo, I’m not sleepy/tired/asleep” – usually said while by head was lolling around and eyes rolling backwards into my head – unable to stay open for more than a 1/3 of a second. Finding a quiet spot on a little row of chairs, or a bench. My favourite spot was my nana’s lap: her chest was the softest of pillows for a little head.
So N’s party took me back to those days. It’s been a while since I’ve attended anything remotely like that. I hardly see much of my own immediate family, let alone the extended. I’d be lucky to recognise my younger cousins if I tripped over them. And this was a little like that at N’s party too: her family was represented but the majority was the many friends she had from various places.
I sincerely hope that the ever changing society pressures and such, where we find ourselves further and further away from our families (physically or emotionally) , doesn’t diminish the big old celebrations of old. I hope my boys get to experience the fun of a good old fashioned knees-up or shin-dig many times.
That might be a cue for hubby to start thinking…. 
11.08.07
On Randomness
It’s one of those days. You know the ones. You’re chasing things up, trying to remember other things and just busy busy busy.
- I went out with one of my neighbours last night – to Housie. Truly!! I had a laugh and a half! I had mentioned that I loved jumping in on the round that was going when I visited Nana and Grandad at their place last week and how I loved to go to the working men’s club with my mum way back when. Then my neighbour heard an ad on the radio for housie night at a local RSA. “We should go!” I declared for a laugh. So the following night, we did. I am soooo not the right demographic! I must be the exception that proves the rule. It was a hoot. Cheap night out too. My neighbour got 2 lines while I sat “sweating” on a house so many times it just wasn’t funny. I got “Dib envy” too: because it has just started up again in the last week or so, everyone had nice clear or coloured dibs. Me: I took a container full of craft buttons from my stash!
- Mr 3 has the petting zoo visiting kindy today. Lots of rabbits, and sheep, and cute little pigs to pat. Can’t get him anywhere near the horse or the alpacca. Nor can I get him to stay with one animal long enough to take a picture!
- Hubby broke a window over the weekend. Drat is a fairly major understatement I would say – he was pretty cross with himself. It’s a fixed part of the window and we need to replace the hinges on the opening part too. Do you think we can find the hinges we bought a while back for the very job? Do you think I can get hold of the right grade stainless hinge? Anywhere?
- Day 8 of the Mo-bro … it’s coming in…nicely…. except for the fact that “nicely” is not the word I want to use in this context. You know what I mean??! Photo is due to be taken in the next day or two so we will see some progress. Apparently it is not comfortable playing a brass instrument with a moustache. Fancy.
- My recent Stampin Up order is stuck in customs apparently. It’s already a week overdue – hopefully tomorrow night it will have shown up. Poor Keryn has had the last 3 boxes I think she said caught up.
And that is it – enjoy your day – however random it is for you.
11.07.07
Back on to the sketches again
Got this card done for this week’s Di Hickman sketch. It’s good to be doing these again – I am building up quite the stash for those occasions when I need something in a hurry!
I’ve actually been on Di’s card team for a while but my link wasn’t on her blog – just a wee oversight. But I finally asked Di to pop it on there this week – I’ve been dying to say “Oh yeah, I’m on Di’s card team” for aaaaages! So yep – I’m there!
My other crafty work at the moment has been my Mum’s wedding album. She got re-married a couple of years ago and gave me her photo album while I was down in Christchurch a few months back. I thought it would be nice if I actually got the album made up for her sometime soon! As it was a reasonably informal affair, I’ve decided to keep it a very simple and classic look. Cream, browny-gold toned patterned paper with the accent colour and ribbon. I’ve got the pages more or less together, the photos matted and now all I really need to do is glue it all down! In the meantime, I’m hunting for a simple, elegant and not too expensive 8×8 album. I know they are out there yet because I want one yesterday NOW, do you think I can find one??!
Actually, this might be the excuse I need to get a “Bind-it-All”. Hmmmmmm…..
