05.27.08
The photos
Tuesday is here – we have bread thankfully today! Lots of swimming lessons and friends around the place today. So while I remember, here are some of the photos from the cross country and the rugby.
05.26.08
The weekend that was.
I’m always amazed at how fast the weekend zips by and we find ourselves back at Monday again. This weekend was no different. Despite me having plans to get all sorts of projects out of the way, not much actually got done. Nevermind! I haven’t downloaded pics off my camera yet, so I htink I’m just going to add them in later.
Mr 6 had the school cross-country Friday afternoon. We’ve had lovely weather all week and it was due to pack up on Thursday so there was a thought the racing may have been cancelled. But no, it managed to get underway. Mr 6 is not what you would call an endurance racer, but he was very pleased to come in 10th in his age group. Mr 4 was also up watching his big brother. Normally he is at preschool all day on the Friday, but he had something weird going on with one of his eyes so I decided to keep him home in case it was infectious. It wasn’t and he enjoyed just hanging out with mum.
Saturday saw us all trooping off to Wainui for the rugby game. We lost this time. And we were standing in oozy, squelchy mud. Mmmm mmm. I so have to get some gumboots! (Unfortuantely, the very cool looking ones with chocolates or roses on them don’t allow you to tuck your jeans inside so I guess I’m going functional rather than styley… sigh!) Mr 6 scored a try so he was very happy. Hubby reckons he also “Lomu-ed” an opposition member – Mr 6 thinks he just tripped up. Luckily also that the rain was more just light drizzle until the end of the game and didn’t set in properly until we were back at the car. Home for a family clean up and lunch!
Don’t you just love it when you get put on the spot sometimes?? I had one of those moments at the end of the game, when the coach asked the parents for “Player of the Day” and “Fairest Player”. Amid the general “uummmmms”, mine being the only name he could remember I get asked directly. Oh Man!!! So I pick out 2 kids, and name them. I think we’ll be working off the team list to ensure everyone gets a turn with the trophy! Mr 6 wanted to know why I didn’t pick him… uh-oh! 
Then that afternoon, instead of preparing to head out for a night of fun at a friend’s church fundraiser, my gallstones decided to have a party. Meaning I was back in ED for a few hours. This time, the attack didn’t seem quite so bad as last time and apart from being tired and wiped out, all is good. I’m hoping too that the visit added to the points I need to get into surgery faster.
A slight added bonus is that I was able to watch some of the Crusaders-Hurricanes game. Hubby could tell I was a bit out if it as I wasn’t nearly so enthusiastic a supporter as I usually am. And I didn’t rub it in about his team not winning. (Well, they were never going to anyway! 
) I almost fell asleep before the end of the game. Pethadine must be some kind of magic! But the boys did go on to win and now I look forward to the final being played in Christchurch this weekend. Wooohoooo!
Sunday I spent resting for the large part of the day. And then before you know it, it’s Monday again. And we’re running late – where are the jackets? bags? who used all the bread?
Gee, and I wonder why my life seems so hectic at times!
And now, on checking my bloglines this morning, I discover that I won the Friday Freebie over at Paper Pesto. How cool!
05.23.08
There’s a new place to hang!
After the sad news that Scrapbook Essentials was to be no more at the end of the month, the fantastic Megan took on board all those expressions of wanting to have somewhere we could still go and call “home”. She has been working hard behind the scenes and while we were told we would have to wait til 1 June for the unveiling, she has really worked wonders and it is here now. Where is Here? It’s here: SketchbookNZ. There’s a forum for chatting, a blog, a gallery and all the usual amzing challenges etc. Hannah and Beverley are founding contributors – which is just fab because their work is just amazing.
The other cool thing is that you’ll find the rest of the SE girls making their way there bit by bit… making it a warm and cosy place to hang. What are you waiting for? Run there NOW and register! 
05.21.08
Wooo Hoooo Wednesday
WoooHoooot Wednesday is Janine’s brainchild… celebrate the good things in your week and make sure to let Janine know so we can all come take a look.
My WoooHooo things are small things in an ongoing list of Big Picture things. And for all you scrapbookers out there, no, I’m not referring to anything to do with Stacy Julian.
- I had my last session with my counsellor / therapist last week. With the follow up with my GP this week. One of the things that I wanted to do after my mini-break down earlier in the year was to try and identify why I had started going down that path. How did I end up where I did. I’ve never seen a therapist before and was a little nervous. In reality, it was not a big deal at all. And I learned a lot of things about myself. Things I actually already knew, but needed to have them pointed out, or reflected back at me. It’s helped put me back on the path of being me again. I’m feeling really good about things for the moment. And that just has to be a Wooo Hooo, right??!
- I haven’t been creating very much in terms of cards and scrapping right now. Mainly because I have been trying to catch up on the study. Discipline, see? I have however been knitting a bit. Still creative… just a whole lot slower! There have been 3 babies born and so I have tried making some booties. Never have been a good bootie-knitter. But I persevered and after trying a pattern that looked like it should turn out great – and have it really look like a complete mess, I went and got some advice. Show me some modern, kinda lacey but really easy booties, said I. And the assistant pointed out the exact pattern book for me. And I knitted 2 pairs already. And they were good booties. And I gave them to the new mummies. And they adored them. But I forgot to take pictures before handing them over. Doh!!! But I will show you the jacket I am making for another good friend. Watch out for that.
- I finally finished the latchhook rug that I had been making for Mr 4. I bought two; one each for the Mr’s. They were started and were meant to be completed in time for Christmas 06.
It never happened. Mr 6 got his somewhere in and around… probably after… his birthday last year. Mr 4 got his on Monday this week. Mr 4 is thrilled with his one, which is a bear lying on a golden moon. I now only have eleventy billion and three unfinished pre-scrapbooking projects to complete.
05.19.08
Future All Black’s first game
Saturday dawned bright and sunny. no chance of cancellations today. Which was a good thing because having had 2 cancellations in a season that started 2 weeks ago, it was getting hard to explain why we still needed to go to training but not play a game. Mr 6’s team was playing an Upper Hutt team out at Trentham Park. Definitely a picturesque setting – very autumnal.
We all enjoyed watching the game – even Mr4 didn’t mind standing on the sidelines cheering his big borhter on.
At this age level it is rippa rugby that is played. Each player wears a band with velcro tags on either side that get ripped off, equalling a tackle. Five rips and the ball gets turned over to the other team. Unless of course the ball is turned over by the opposite team getting their hands on the ball first.
For most of us parents, it was the first season so we have lots to learn. Including the appropriate behaviour for supporters. We all got issued with a pamphlet with specific instructions on how to be a good supporter. Most of us laughed because it is the sort of advice that should be just common sense. But we have all heard of the parent or parents that just get plain nasty and take their “support” to levels that just are not right.
Petone seemed to play very well – we scored some good tries: there are a few boys in the team that seem to know what they are doing. Our team also appeared to have good technique in ripping. There was a sense that both teams were even (no official score is kept at this level) but we did score a few more tries so the boys definitely felt good.
Mr 6 ran out of puff three quarters of the way through – and you could tell because he would be trailing behind his team at that point. He didn’t score any tries himself but got some really good rips. So he was feeling very good about that.
After the game we all got a sausage from a fundraising BBQ, and wandered off to find coffee for me and hubby, and fluffies for the Mr’s. Lesson learned for me: bring thermos full of hot beverage!! When we asked what Mr 6 enjoyed most about his game, he replied “It was all good. I liked being able to rip really well. It doesn’t matter that I didn’t score the try because it was fun.” And a little bit later: “I think I will be playing this game when I’m an adult because it’s a good game. Tana played for my club so I will be an All Black too.”
Life is good when you have big dreams. 
05.17.08
Things to keep smiling about
I was about to head out the door to Mr 6’s rugby practice when I checked the emails just before I left. One left me gobsmacked. Janine’s e-mail telling me Scrapbook Essentials is about to wind up. At teh end of the month. It can’t be true was my first thought. But then I headed over to the forum and yes indeed, an announcement from Meg confirmed it.
Scrapbook Essentials has been an amazing experience. One I had no idea that would come to mean so much to me over the last 2 years. Through this forum I have met some truly amazing women that have become fantastic friends. Others I have yet to meet yet I class them the same. Truly amazing friends.
I’ve been part of a few other forums but have not been so active on them. None have compared to the genuine warmth, encouragement and just that general cosy feel of a family. That was the strength of SE.
24 hours after hearing of Meg’s decision, I have witnessed the outpouring of schock and support. Because Meg has chosen to end an amazingly successful venture for one of the most fantastic reasons you could. For family.
I am thankful that I was part of the SE family. That I came out of lurkdom to be embraced and encouraged. I am grateful that I had been given the opportunity to pass the time of day with amazing women. I am gobsmacked at the enormity of the vibe of wanting to stick together – to keep the “family” intact. Someone is working on some ideas so time will tell how it pans out. I hope for the best. I am grateful that the inter-web allows people like me to meet people like these and connect with them. I am grateful that there are things such as blogs where no matter what, most of the SE ladies will keep in contact with each other.
To Meg: I salute you for having a dream and making it so darn successful. I admire how your dream magnatised into something really valuable and worthwhile for so many of us. And I applaud you for making a very tough decision in order to be the mum you want to be. Go you
05.15.08
Happy Birthday to Me!! And WoooHooot Wednesday
Yes, today’s WoooHooot is all about me. Well, it would have been if I got the post written on Wednesday. I am told that better late than never is OK sometimes. It will have to be this week 
I so totally had a fabulous day. I am lucky to have fantastic, awesome and seriously cool friends. Thank you too all my bloggy and forum buddies for your good wishes too…. It really has been a fun week. I can highly recommend the practice of a birthday week to you all!
Tuesday I went with a friend to have a coffee and a piece of cake after Mr 4’s swimming lesson. He enjoyed that because he got to share. My hips and thighs are grateful for his presence.
Yesterday I went with a neighbour to Spotlight. It’s the first time I’ve ever remembered the birthday discount on the day! her and I had fun poking around. Bonus was most of the stuff I wanted was already discounted any way so how cool was that?? The best buy was discovering in the clearance area “leather” 12×12 albums for just $4.99. Yes, really! Go now and get some!! I picked up a couple. Actually, if you do go…. leave some red ones because I might need to go back and get a couple more I think!
Ezibuy showed up and I have new birthday PJs. Very cool they are – and warm!
A Stampin’ Up order arrived today too. Add that to the fantastic LSS vouchers I received and I will not want for crafting supplies. For about 56 hours at least!
Then to finish the day, hubby took me to Speight’s Ale House where we had an awesome meal and an even awesomer dessert ( awesomer is so a word! ) But to really top it off, when I got home I discovered that a housework fairy had dropped by while Ii was out. Yes, people, housework fairies exist!!!! What a pleasure to walk in and find the bombsite had magically righted itself. Now, that is one AWESOME gift…. thank you Nikki – mwah!
But the real life friends weren’t the only ones spoiling me. Now, there are also some very cool cyber buddies out there who have organised to have stuff to land in my email, my letter box and elsewhere. Thank you too to you.
I feel a little guilty in enjoying the things people have said and done to make this a really special birthday. But just a little – cos it’s been awesome.
Wonder if I can stretch the indulgence out to a month?? Too greedy?
05.13.08
A week of it
I could get used to this concept…. a week long birthday. I’m liking it a LOT!
Yesterday I went and had a coffee at Janine’s with Beverley. It was a lovely, relaxed morning and they spoilt me with wonderful little gifts (which I will share with you later when I get teh photos uploaded).
Then this came into my inbox this morning from a timezone challenged friend – I so remember those dilemmas! Ain’t he cute??!
I do have a babysitter organised (yay!!!) but Hubby is organising the rest. I know! Awesome stuff. I’m waiting on the arrival of teh Ezibuy parcel which will contain some nice new birthday PJs and then there is the latest monthly kit which will arrive later in the week too.
It’s enough to make a girl feel spoiled all week long.
I like that. A lot!
05.10.08
Rainy, Grey and Grim
That’s the outlook around these parts today. It meant junior rugby is cancelled for a second week in a row – and Mr 6 is howling with disappointment. Hubby dragged him off to get a long overdue haircut for them both.
The house still looks like a bomb went off after the holiday activities: we’ve had a busy week and I haven’t really got my act together to sort that out. We will be on a mission this weekend to correct that!
There are two birthday parties to attend. One each for both the Mr’s. Mr 4 also had one to go to last night. Yes indeed – their social life is a lot more hectic than mine.
But the best thing that is putting a smile on my face today? I have broadband back!! After downloading a few songs, and half a dozen digital scrap kits earlier in the month we managed to exceed our limit for the first time.
Dialup.is.soooooo.sloooooooow.
And now that I have had a quick catch up with my blogging buddies and emails, I better get a move on. There are parties to attend!
05.07.08
Woooo Hooooo Wednesday!
I know. I can’t believe that week just flew by either! Woohoooo Wednesday is the Angel’s creation (I think she needs to get a button so we can make our posts look cool and stuff).
The biggest Wooohooo for the week is that Term 2 has started. The holidays were actually not too bad – always good just to chill. But I am discovering that routine is good for the soul and that can only mean good things.
Another Woohooo is the fact that Mr 6 walked home on his own from school this afternoon. He’s been wanting to walk for some time and because I have to sign Mr4 into kindy which means I need to go to virtually the same place anyway, so I take both Mr’s in the morning. However, walking home seemed a good option – and it has the added benefit of not needing to take the car out for a short jaunt: I’m doing my bit for the environment This afternoon’s exercise was reletively successful. I say relatively because he did walk home. To a neighbour’s place! We had briefly discussed whether he could walk home and play with S and I had agreed it was possible, but they would need to check with K first because the new baby is just 8 weeks old and K may well have been too tired to have an extra body in the house. At 3.20 my radar was starting to get a bit wary. Mr 6 should have been home by now. I went and stood at the bend in our street to see if I could see him making his way. While standing out there the neighbour dad spotted me and thought “uh-oh” – and came out to see if it was Mr 6 I was worried about. Yes!!! So it all worked out and Mr 6 is keen to walk home again. Hopefully it won’t be raining tomorrow so we can do it all again.
Oh and I have a 3rd Wooohooo too. {wow…that rhymes!} It’s my birthday next week. Next Wednesday in fact. What is being planned I wonder?? Actually, I know. Nothing. Unless I get on to it! I’m off to sort out a baby sitter now.
Ciao!
