Well another year done and dusted....

alot of changes this year some great some good and only a few stinkers. On a whole a much better year than in the past 8 years the seond half of the year has been wonderful for Samuel and I. We have had a lovely xmas and xmas day, and are going to have a New years dinner lamb roast (only time we can eat it or afford it!!!!) and trifle sponge, and during the day we are doing FANNIE ANNIE nothing!!!!

We are selling fundraising thundersticks (light random pattern ADULT sized light sticks) at a NYE venue and band concert 9now shifted to inside venue!!) has been raining for days here so everyones NYE plans are changing.... because of it.

I hope everyone has a lovely New Year and time with their families.

Ciao
Blondie

Baby pics ............

Introducing Riley Ralph Garry Allen. Dad Kevin Mum Debbie. They are so thrilled and what a gorgeous boy he is I had loads of cuddles and clucking!

Samuel had huge cuddles and Riley squeaked and squirmed and made all those beautiful baby noises.

The smell of new baby is intoxicating and I got to spoil Riley too.

Ciao
Blondie

A new baby yay!!!

My ex future sister in law and also my friend for over 20 years had her first baby tonight born 6.49pm a boy weighing 3.5kg by c section I am making a hurried trip tomorrow after lunch spending a few hours then travelling home tomorrow night.

Or being this close to xmas I wont get to see the new baby until after 28th Dec!!!!

I'm so excited after 10 years of trying 20+ miscarriages we have a baby.

I will post pics of course

Jaxx it is Debbie and Kevin of course!!

Ciao

Will this luck END?

I checked my lotto ticket today and won $422 dollars 5 numbers on a FREE ticket I won when you put your old non winning tickets into a barrel for redraw!!!!

ALSO 2 amazing things happened today I didn't mention but 10 years ago I got this most amazing one off solid sterling silver thumb ring imagine 3 mens belt buckles looped and it is as wide as knuckle to knuckle solid heavy and unique I love this ring WELL when Samuel andI went to the Wales Samoa RWC game I LOST IT!!!! was gutted very upset actually I didnt put it on as I had mesh gloves on and some mornings it doesnt want to go on easily I THOUGHT I had stashed it down my usual hiding place ( yip my bra) dumb I know, and jumped up and down so much it was dislodged ALTHOUGH how anything can escape my boobs and bra is beyond me!!!

Samuel had camp all last week just got home tonight he had my bum bag that I wore on that RWC game day and in the mesh zipped pocket was my ring!!!!!!!!!!! I whooped with joy and danced around even, then tonight looking in my make up case I found my missing white gold earring that was lost on same day as ring ........ HOW blardy cool was that!!!!!

I am on cloud nine tonight, money and jewellery how special am I!!!!!!

I want to say another thing with my winnings the horse race money I gave $100 to the foodbank of food items all on special items amounted to 10 grocery bags quite chuffed with that nearly 85 items not bad shopping eh, $100 to SPCA for puppies and kitten food, $100 to womens refugee shelter, my dad always said pay it forward today I gave $100 to plunket. alot I know but that was 10% of winnings nearly so almost the same as tithing at a church!

My son had an awesome awesome camp sun surfed and sand at Whangamata snorkelled fished kayaking climbing tramping, tenting came home brown as a berry lucky bugger and unpacked his bags put 2 loads washing on he hung it all out had shower had HUGE dinner in bed 915pm!!!!!!! He is his mothers son thats for sure......

Have an awesome weekend everyone.

Ciao Blondie

OMG you wont believe this!!!!!

I take my dad's numbers every year and this year I WON $3800 !!!! His numbers 3-6-8-9-12, how tinny AM I!!! In regards to the Melbourne Cup 2011 YAY FOR DAD and me.

Thanks Dad.

Ciao Blondie

A busy busy weekend we had....

Kapa Haka competition in PAEROA which we have been practising for all year (Hauraki competition) we left at 7am ( met at 6.30am) arrived home 10.30pm!! We had a fantastic day performed for 28 mins and watched some fantastic college groups as well smoosshed with other groups had lunch sang and laughed.

The kids came 4th marks were seven catergories out of a possible 100 we got 96,97,98,98,98,99,99!!!!! and came fourth the winners must have got 100's!!! On Sunday I just blobbed and didn't move far I even slept, cause on Saturday i drove 6.5 hrs and did a total of 499kms, we drove up through Tirau Matamata came home through Tauranga Rotorua WENDYS beckoned in Tauranga that was the main drawcard and we did a whole road TRIP, stopped and saw THE RENA, so all in all a long day.

So now we are just onto the fundraiser wind up segment of kapa haka where we are booked and appear at local community functions for an appearance fee normally $1000 a function some $500 ones but they don't get the full group for $500. Oh and of course the obligatory school wind up functions.

Hard to believe this year of school is nearly done Samuel has Camp Nov 27th through to 4th December so theres only 4 weeks left of school really....

Hope everyone is having a calm slow week.

Ciao Blondie

A long weekend and what AM I DOING?

BBQ fundraising for the Japan trip for Samuel it is standing on your feet being nice to paying customers, ALL day long for SFA, and coming home stinking of onions!!!!!!!!!!

BUT I always see loads of people and yakk all day long, and make money at the end of the day AS I don't have the capacity to write out a CHEQUE for the Rugby trips the KARATE trips, the Japan trips!!!! sheeesh never ending, and another upside IT wasn't raining!!

We will do BBQ SAT/SUN/MON then its back to work Tuesday, and from next weel an extra 3-5 hours a week work I may have a little wed/fri job looking after an 18month old for 5 hours a week I'm not sure as I'm over little ones at the moment.

I have showered and all CLEAN of BBQ eau d cologne!!

I will be too tired to post tomorrow and then cutting onions and getting bread and napkins ready for Monday BBQ...... so I will say this



GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

THEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE



ALL BLACKS



our National Rugby team vying for the RWC !!!!!



Ciao
Blondie

The boys T-Shirts...........

I have managed to find a business here to make me up some T-Shirts for Samuel these are going to be his xmas presents. He goes on and on about "The names Rooby Roo" and Scooby he has a thing with T-Shirts at the minute and loves the funny sayings. I have saved the pictures to load them onto blogger but am now going to delete them so snoopy pants doesn't see them. I mean the pictures I had saved in a folder he doesn't get access to my blog and actually doesn't know how to view my blog anyhoo....

Hope everyone has a nice school holidays and enjoys the rest of the RUGBY WORLD CUP matches "Show me the rugby" Yay Yay Yay

Here's a nice photo..........

I found this photo of me boy!!!!!! see WHITE men can jump!!!!!!!! he loved being the lock and his height now makes him a perfect chocie for that position..... If you win alot of ball from the lineout you can set play and runs from there and have go forward play!!!!!!

Have a great RWC weekend.....

Ciao Blondie

RWC pictures.........

This is our RWC house I have loads of flags around everyone but Australia I don't mind any other team winning but them!!!!!!!!!!!

Watched Japan Canada today good match Japan should have won but they threw it away in last 8 mins. Watching USA Italy now might be a write off me thinks.

THIS weelend is miserable weather and there is 7 games on this weekend and one on Friday what a bugger RUGBY IT IS then!!!!!

Ciao Blondie

Pictures Pictures Pictures......

Well here are the photos 1st one he is one week old, 2nd one 2 weeks old, 3rd and 4th 3 months, next one 4yr old, and the last one ON HIS 15th birthday with his birth friend Ashley these two are like brother and sister and are 9 days apart she being older (annoys him) he is now 6ft 1" and still growing funny how a little chingy bubba can grow ITS ALL the FOOD he eats!!!!

I will post more pictures of his presents later probably tomorrow or Thursday.

See no posts for ages and now heaps of posts and photos to boot.

Ciao Blondie

My baby is 15 today!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well it is here my baby is 15 today ?I woke him with the annual photo taking 5.57am!!!!!!!!!!!! Every year without fail I do realise one morning I'm gonna get a picture I SO DID NOT want to see!!!!!

I bought him a gorgeous leather and chrome MANDORA (his words) bracelet very manly and a T shirt he is right into funny sayings and has sooo many t shirts he loves them. One t shirt has "chainsaw beats paper scissors rock!" the other one is all pine trees being chased by bulldozer "Run Forest Run" and he got another one that says "the Ka Mate Kid" a silhouetted figure in a maori costume doing a high karate kick ( the Karate KID!)

He got hugs and kisses all day and loads of compliments on his man bracelet, he also got an ear cuff type sleeper thingy with maori design on it, lots of money. We went out for dinner to our favourite restaurant BBQ MASTER took one of his friends (5 other friends went to AC BATHS )swimming and afternoon pizza lollies drink and chips (snack only 4 LARGE pizzas garlic bread 4 bottles fizzy 1kg lollies 4 bags chips)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I will post some picture later on. I am actually pretty tired we got home at 10pm once we unpacked tidied sorted I am just getting to bed!!!!!!!

Ciao Blondie

Who could not love RUGBY?

We had a fantastic day Samuel won the tickets months ago and the day dawned, we travelled up no problem rained all the way there stopped at the warehouse bought a tarpaulin (waterproof plastic sheet), stepped outside SUNSHINE!!!!! Signage and directional arrows to game great parked less than 50m from venue, arrive 12.40 gates opened 1.30pm walked 30m to our seats up 2 flights stairs and BINGO 3 rows back from barrier WHOOP WHOOP and right behind goalposts.

The Samoans warmed up in front of us MAN THEY ARE HUGE the game was good atmosphere good, no dramas, lots of chanting singing and cheering and clapping. Finished 5.30pm took an hour to get to Tamahere just outside of hamilton had dinner with friends Roast Lamb veges and gravy AND PUDDING!!!!!! Got home 10.30pm tired but well worth the day.

We are thoroughly enjoying the rugby the tourists and the hype we are lucky to have 3 teams staying in Taupo, Ireland South Africa Wales Samuel and the Kapa Haka group has been apart of the official Powhiri (welcome) to Wales and had dinner with the Welsh a swanky affair and the kids loved it that was 10 days ago then they Welcomed South Africa Saturday and got to meet Viktor Matfield and Bryan Habana and Smitz and the rest of the team he is loving it next Welcome is Ireland when they arrive.

Due to our lineage Samuel can play for NZ, Wales,Scotland Ireland, England, South Africa, Fiji so he is 7 nations through and through!!!!!! BUT his choice Japan he wants to head there once leaving school and working and playing business rugby in the sports side and do karate over there and there is SOME serious serious money being thrown around for NZ Maori who can speak Japanese and are rugby players so he is ALL THOSE THINGS and he is right into Sports Therapy and Pschology unit at school at the moment and his PE teacher says he will do well.

I have only missed one game so far when in transit home on Sunday!!!!!

ROLL on more RUGBY!!!!!


Ciao Blondie

I should digress a little here.......

Samuel has consistantly and regularly BEATEN and "beaten up " by scoring direct points and "hits and strikes" the 16yr old and 17yr old in our Taupo karate club, blood noses black eyes split eyebrow bone just minor stuff GEORGE the sensei says "block faster move faster" etc, so Samuel knew he could beat some of the boys in the group easily, but the sheer enormity lead up and mental side EXCITEMENT nerves who knows it all got a bit much I think.

BUT we have a lifeline TAKAHASHI loved the venue tournament sooooooooooooo much he wants to do it all again BUT in MARCH when it is warmer he arrives 5 days before OUR huge snowfall and road closures etc etc and FROZE he didn't like it and I guess when you travel all around the world you can pick and choose the months you want to come.


So in MARCH RUGBY wont have started Samuel has 6 months to get sorted and get prepared so thats what he is aiming for and given he will have December January OF NO other events but karate training he will be sorted he may go to TURANGI to the other higher black belt instructor to train with him so he is doing 4 trainings a week over XMAS holidays his reasoning the other guy is actually the main one who chooses NZ TEAM and has more influence and he does have a very soft spot for Samuel I said maybe 1 EXTRA night a week so he isn't run down etc.........

The school sports programme has started him on an intense programme short sharp weights QUICK movements like weightlighting movements of clean and jerk etc to exact FAST muscle movement to mimic his own fighting style press ups chin ups etc and a little cardio.


The sports psychologist is seeing him once a week too so all in all I think it may be better for him.


So heres hoping it all moves forward.


Ciao
blondie

Karate was a disaster.............

My poor son we spent hundreds dollars at physio Arnica Symphytum cream and drops and massages and ankle strapping to NO AVAIL!!! Samuel couldn't successfully perform his Team Kata "Empi" it had a huge jump in it and a push off, he attempted it gingerly in practice no good, THE group of boys he fought in 16-18yr olds they were HUGE AS!!!!! They constantly LEG SWEPT his sore foot and keep hammering him MY SON GOT UGLY UGLY UGLY MEAN and lost it he was OTT I was embarrassed for him and embarassed for myself, he threw a tanty after (well threw his gloves and mouthguard down) it took me an hour to calm him down he was wound up and shoulders tight and hrrrummmmmpppphhhfffity, WHAT did we learn NO RUGBY at least 4 weeks before a tournament, and HE is seeing the SCHOOL SPORTS psychologist for MIND over matter exercises HE really over psyched himself and the older boys got under his skin too, the high performance school programme is going to help him BULK UP as he will always be the youngest in this group OF 7 YOUNG MEN he did learn his weakness though and hopefully will grow from this I do hope so BECAUSE the UGLY MEAN young man I saw was not PRETTY AT ALL. Once the lads turn 19 they are in the OPEN MENS division 19-35. So he will have to toughen up eh.

It was an intensely long weekend and by Sunday night at 7pm I had had enough we got home 8pm after cleaning up and packing away gear THE NEXT annual tournament is Palmerston North next year, THE CLUB is now in training for the WORLD CHAMPS I think Samuel may have missed his chance to be chosen, 2 days after the tournament we went out and had coffee together, I said to my son, I KNOW you love karate but what I saw on the FIGHT day was not you and WASN"T good, and may have hurt your chances, Takahashi wont want TANTY throwers or people representing NZ if they are sulky little tanty throwers.
Also he isn't old enough yet to work through those MENTAL barriers like TENNIS players when their game is off the drop a few sets and either disintegrate or lift their game and overcome the mind games. He has had the last 2 weeks off karate to help recover the foot and has done all the right things for physio, he has not walked anywhere etc to help stay off foot no kapa haka last week either BUT back into from this MONDAY. I did point out WE have been so insanely busy last few months I daresay he was burnt out mind wise too, HE didn't go to school Monday after tournament because when he is TIRED like that he gets INTO mucho trouble when tired!!!!!!!!

We desperately need rain now I bet we have a dry long summer.

Ciao
Blondie

Well the time is here...

Karate competition, BUT to back track the WEEK FROM HELL.

5th August RUGBY, Smauel was to play half a game but NO they started game late NO REF!!!! Samuel played first half WAS supposed to come off at halftime, they the coaches and manager keep him on. HE was injured with 2 mins to go.

He bruised his inner ligament on his KICKING LEG, and wrenched the muscle PHYSIO every morning this week Arnica Sympnytum drops (internal) Arnica Symphytum cream to rub on Brufen pain relief HE HAS iced his foot every interval at school and every lunchtime, then every night when he got home from school.

He has done all the appropriate exercises and stretches he WONT be doing the 6 hr training tomorrow BUT will train Saturday morning, and THE FIGHT day is SUNDAY afternoon he is WIRED!!!!!!!

I have worked all week double days to have half of today off and tomorrow and half of Monday!!


I am tired and I do hope I cope all weekend. This afternoon after school our kapa haka kids were at a marae for a huge TANGI (funeral) doing dishes, table setting up and clearing resetting tables 400 people through in 2 sittings, Samuel went from 330pm till 8.30pm, they were still going when we left!!!

I can't wait for this week to end HAVE A GREAT weekend everyone!!!

Ciao Blondie

More Snow...........

This shot is from Napier Taupo Rd Richmond heights end looking back over across Lake to Acacia Bay........ On this day we had a BBQ in town fundraising for Samuels Japan Trip April 2012 I had seven layers of just TOPS on 3 layers pants 2 pairs socks scarf hat AND was still a little cold!!!! Last Tuesday when we had this Snow Mount Tauhara waas covered TOP to BOTTOM and on its surrounding foothill farmland I hadn'tseen that for over 25 years!!! Temp that day last week 4 degrees ALL DAY!

Whoop Whoop SNOW!!!!

Last Tuesday we had snow not jus a little snow HEAPS of SNOW along the foothills behind Acacia Bay right through to Tokoroa, Atiamuri etc etc................ This is just out our front door!!!!!!next time I will get the whole shot from Acacia Bay right along spectacular and freezing too boot.

Ciao Blondie

Some more photos...............

Well the first shot is the "whanau" (group), Samuel and Teiria in the mirror, the boys kneeling at the conference room before the Te Arawa regionals (SPOT the whitest legs my son!!) next photo Samuel and Maya, Samuel Rerehau, Keirai, Gabriel last shot Mika, Amy, Memory, Samuel, Teiria, Maya I have some more photos too!!!!!! next post worth a look see.

Ciao Blondie

Samuels RWC moment!!!!

NOW for my stupendous NEWS yesterday 18/7/2011 we had the RWC roadshow here with Tamati from ONE NEWS my son dressed up in WALES gear (our adopted Team in Taupo).............................................................................................................................................

pictured with his friend Jamie in the USA gear SAMUEL won tickets to the rugby world cup game in Hamilton Sun Sep 18th 3.30pm WALES vs SAMOA !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


I was thrilled he WAS STOKED we are sooooooooooo going YAY and he was on TV and he was/is on the front page of the paper AND he was on radio and got filmed for PROMO video!!!!

whoop whoop RWC here we come.....................

Ciao Blondie

A few dress up photos!!!!!!

First 2 self explanotary BUT the Indian one he is winding up to do a HAKA!!!!!!!!

Ciao Blondie

Now the rugby photos!!!!!

Samuel is the tall one in the headgear he is also the one being lifted!!!! up we have had a great season I LOVE RUGBY!!!!!!!!!!!!! I will tell you why soon...............

Ciao Blondie

A few pictures of me son!

The first photo is of the girls!!!! They start off all smiley and twirling then this is their HAKA build up face!!!

The next photo is some of the group at the motel getting ready, Samuel in forefront.

The next is some of the boys , and last is Samuel Aniwa and Reuben Samuel on left!!!!

the group tally is around 35 - 38 max is 60 people.

More photos to come...

Ciao Blondie

Kapa Haka all done and dusted.....

After 6 months of hard core practicing and 6 weeks of 5 days a week practices, the day arrives, but to re cap. Wednesday I shopped for 45 people for Thrusday night dinner (mince pasta n vege) bread n butter pudding. I worked all day Thursday just so I could have Friday off,
I worked 8am til 5.30pm then headed to Marae and started. 2 other mums helped me we got dinner sorted and started on the lunches, cut up cucumber and tomatoes grated carrots and cheese boiled eggs for eggy mash, cut ham slices to fit pre buttered 100 buns and re bagged, then pre packed apple mandarins mufins, and peanut slabs and bottled water. Only thing to do was add the buns.

Finished at 11.30pm, headed home 50 people slept at the marae I DIDNT!! Got up 4.30am arrived 4.45am and started brekkie me and 1 other mum, porridge for 45, spag baked beans and left over mince and pasta all mixed in with cut precooked sausages and HOT MILKY MILO and MADE up all the buns for lunch and WRAPPED them before ANYONE GOT UP!!!!!! temperature -2!!!! woke others 5.30am Iwas told too do that though (brekkie nearly ready), all asleep most snoring!!! no movement went back 5.45am flicked lights on and said all CHEERY "wakey wakey" not MISS popular that's for sure. Filled 2 HUGE SINKS brekkie and dishes and clean up over in 40 mins flat

Brekkie down bus driver arrived 7am they left 8am!! After much checklists and doublechecking gear etc.

I stayed at school had long HOT shower in the peace and quiet changed and waited for Powhiri (welcome of B.O.T) meeting to finish then Te Reo teacher and I headed off.

The DAY was superb bare bodies ta moko (inked tatto) feather piu piu (flax skirts) and loads of haka,chanting.poi,singing it was awesome!!!! The group looked amazing and were pumped up that's for sure.

Spent 3 hours in conference room area getting everyone ready, hair, make up. moisturising, lips legs backs, kakahu (costumes) and then warm ups and practice.

Edit to stage THERE on and for 22 mins coming on they were so loud the blew the speakers one boy ripped his G String (worn under marau similar shape to scottish sporon) one boys rakau stick cracked the stage floor, THE LIGHTING flickered on and off momentarily they sang their hearts out AND WON 1st in Whai Korero (speech) came 4th overall. finished 7pm had dinner home 9.30pm unpacked bus tidied gear said goodbyes home 11pm TOO BED!!!!!

Next major competition is the Hauraki in September and Tuwharetoa festival in October. But they will have other little performances to do.


HUGE day loads of happy kids DID jack nothing today Samuel had no work no rugby no jobs!!!! It was bliss.

Samuel is also in the Manu Korero Speech Finals (Maori Speech ) at the Natinal competition end of June, and he has been chosen to travel to Japan in April 2012. HE IS excited already............

NOW its hard out karate training YAY.....

I went mooching today got myself a belt at the warehouse that I tried on 6 weeks ago could only get it too 1st hole TODAY it's on 4th hole!!!!!

FANTASTIC!

I hope everyone has a relaxing Sunday.....

Ciao
Blondie

Are we getting winter yet?

Heck it's been mild and rainy and humid and a few frosts but where is winter!!!!

I have bought some gorgeous black leather knee high boots in my favourite brand KUMFS and extra wide fit and calves $489 down to $139 (trade me) only worn twice AND they are beautiful SCORE bought a GORGEOUS coat from farmers white and black print $150 down to $50 double score got me some fancy nancy knee high patterened stockings for my NEW boots and NEW Mary Jane shoes I love them (like I used to wear to high school the flats with ankle strap in black leather), I LOVE IT I am in shopping heaven again and it is just FAB. AND I'm still saving money!!!!!!!!!!!

Samuel is 2 weeks away from KAPA HAKA competition and it is ALL ON, Patu (hand held mere), Rakau (stick),Poi,Haka the group is huge and we have been there Mon Wed Thurs 3 hour practises after school and Sat over night until sunday every week for the last 4 weeks WE have all day practice tomorrow and two PRE competition performances this week coming FULLY kitted up (ink tattoo etc and cultural costumes etc).

Rugby is full steam ahead and although yesterday was wet and miserable and cold it was fun Samuel has worked every saturday (sushi not open on Sundays now over winter) but is open all this weekend he has to squeeze in practice and karate as well, this week BUT no karate or rugby next week as TUTORS want NO INJURIES last competition had 4 broken arms on stage.


I am having another day off work so I can go to the KAPA HAKA competition which is Fri Sat Sun June 16th onwards crowds of 3000-5000 expected so thats full on then and we will all be tired as!!!

Have had this whole weekend off AND IT has been great!!!

AND as a little footnote I have lost 7kg in 8weeks!!!!! sleep no stress no bills and well it makes life easier.

I do hope eveyone else has had a nice weekend.

Ciao
Blondie

Thank goodness the weekend is over........

That was a mammoth weekend shopped for the 50 people, cooked 1 dinner 2 breakfasts, 1 lunch and oodles and oodles of dishes, I slept at home though.

Staurday family I work for are away and I had been left a list of jobs to do!!!!! niiiiiiiicccccccceeee
NOT. Picked up Samuel 8.30am dropped at rugby did 2 hours work, watched Rugby GREAT game despite a narrow loss, picked up Samuel he went to work i went to Marae and helped woth food and dishes, Samuel arrived back at 4pm, I helped served up dinner then WENT out for dinner to my FAV place it was scrummy. Kids finished up SAT night at midnight got to sleep around 1am not too bad.

Headed to work for 2 hours early this morning Sunday went to Marae did brekkie dishes went home did 3 loads washing, went back to Marae got Samuel spent 1 hour at storage shed sorted and condensed took load to dump.came home picked in said washing FOLDED and IRONED!!!! now sitting on me BUM I have earned my rest, we popped our dinner in the crockpot early this morning corned beef and we are all set!!!

I do this all again next weekend as another KAPA HAKA noho( practice etc).

Ciao
Blondie

And the rugby season commenceth!!!!

YAY rugby is here we are playing pre grading divisional matches. Looking forward to being graded in the premier grade again. Cold rainy and just what a rugby season needs, Samuel didn't make the noumea team but they are still hardout fundraising as a team towards it.

Have a kapa haka wananga ( practices) from Friday today 4pm until Sunday 4pm its MY BIRTHDAY today and I'm cooking at the marae today have to shop for 50 people that's 2 dinner 2 breakfasts 2 lunches and supper morning tea and afternoon tea last time 3 trolley's $600 this time probably $800-900 WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA that's a lot of trolley's!!!! And being a bargin shopper we get good bang for our buck.

I'm having dinner at the marae with the kids tongiht slack i have to cook me own birthday dinner and share it about 50 others!!!!! and then home tonight, tomorrow is kapa, then rugby 10am, then Samuel working then kapa haka then I'm going out for dinner to my favourite place BBQ MASTER it is divine such a cool place. I have to work anyhoo and I'm being floggged there anyhoo what's more Mahi!. (work)

Seen as the kids will be at the marae Sunday morning I am sleeping in and with ALL the frosts we have been having just as well!!! TIS freezing! a heap of snow on the mountains.

ciao
blondie

Did I say saving ? i should have said SPENDING

Its been an awful few weeks weather wise winds storms powercut TAUPO only, tornado, which brings me tomy post.....

My life is a whirlwind of JOB, JOBS at home list of JOBS to check off I am a chronic list maker but achieve nearly everything on that list everyday. ( a new list starts everyday too WHERE do these jobs come from?).

I have been lucky I am the proud proud new owner of a laptop!! believe me this is huge for me Jason transferred over all my stuff from desktop to laptop then it arrived home and I had just to connect to wireless broadband (wonderful SO friggin fast) YAY.

I am typing this in bed ! It is so cool Samuel Jaspa (cat) and I have settled in great Sue is not so stressed and we are saving WELL I'm spending laptop, 5 new pairs pants 3 tops 2 NEW BRAS long overdue new undies, bio oil chondrotin capsules (the mega big pottles!)flax pills (like fish oil same benefits mine was primarily 20 years ago for psoriasis but it does hair nails skin etc), face cream hand cream heel cream, Samuels magnesium capsules for lung function in asthmatics, shoes, walking socks, new handbag new clothes for Samuel curtains for my room, these are ALL things long long overdue and IT IS such a pleasure and thrill to be able to spend money on myself albeit mostly medicinal, I am sleeping better, and am alot more relaxed.

I have even started walking again and thats exciting for me all the things I bought were heavily discounted and if not on special, so I was thrilled with that too.

I have been to Rotorua twice shopping, and Tauranga yesterday to see an old friend of the family ( has just had major stroke 78) they were lucky they nearly lost their Dad 5 days ago so I wanted to go and see the family and Father, I was able to take beautiful Taupo books (as they lived her over 40 years) the family loved them and father, the mere fact I had money to do so and have petrol money to get there and worry was to me a relief and I for the first time felt humbled by the mere thoguht it was such a small gesture. Financial things matter they can be small things that bother you but the release of the last 4 weeks for me has been a tonic of sorts.

Samuel is busy as ever working karate kapa haka fundraising for rugby sevens trip to Noumea WHOOP WHOOP, his first term report was stunningly great OF course the impetus was do well then you can purchase a PS3 he had been saving SOOOOOOO hard so PS3 2 controllers, warranty 3 games and $900 later he is the proud owner of what he wanted! now he is saving for sevens trip and karate trips(should they arise). and he is very frugle with his money too so that is a relief he knows the money is hard earned and therefore not to be thrown away...

Something else I have started up again my weekly envelopes I used to save $10 a week for Samuel birthday, xmas food, xmas travel, clothes money vet bill so that it eased everything along a little, well I have saved over $300 towards these things in the last month on top of all my spending so I am on top of things again and it feels liberating. My weekly budget is now only with groceries utilities and saving envelopes $290 it feels like xmas every week to me I had made a list of all the things I needed to catch up on LIKE the pills clothes shoes socks undies etc etc and finally yesterday I did that, I am now saving to update my 16 yr old car which has done 271,000km and is a true workhorse of a station wagon!!!!!! I dont want a new car certainly can't afford that but just to update, so that's me. After 8 years of struggle I have arrived.

Ciao

Well Happy Easter everyone..................

I am finally shifted and settled, I moved one house down (just down the driveway!!), my friend last September had a operation on her foot it never healed and she worked on her feet all day 9 - 10 hours she couldn't cope the work changed her shifts to the WORST hours and in effect pushed her out.

She was seriously struggling and with rates and living it was becoming evident she could lose her home, so I gave notice and we condensed 2 houses into one well 2 1/2 actually A HUGE SHIFT, I sold nearly everything I own in fact I DID SELL everything and just took a bed and 3 sets draws and clothes thats it!!!!

So in a house we have 5 cats a dog 2 fish and 3 adults (50+, 43(in may) and nearly 15!!) phew this easter there is actually 5 adults and all the animals (one son came home for the weekend and his girlfriend) so my friend has gone from no one to a FULL HOUSE!!!

I am saving already no rent and we are sharing phone power and food costs, for the first time in 9 years I can actually relax a little.

I know of 4 other families condensing and amalgamating this month alone things and times are geting tough, finances are always tight for families and at the very least a juggling act.

Alot of my friends have said why sell? things I certainly have no attachment to material things NEVER have and since I CAN"T be in my family home NOTHING absolutely NOTHING means anything to me anymore.....

The move was easy peasy weather wise I had 2 huge garage sales, and sold 2 things privately and 1 item through (trademe like ebay)........ I will at some stage get some clothes I need a few things not much.

I do however have some things in storage Samuel's baby things and precious memories of my Dad.

I have had a relaxing day yesterday watching movies nodding off, and chilling FIRST TIME in months, I am relaxing again today I ALSO took 10 DAYS OFF WORK (I know shocking eh!!!!) first time in 6 years I TOOK time off although I cleaned packed moved and hucked out cupboards etc, (when my family that I work for are away I take holidays when they take holidays), so all in all I feel great, I will be back online seriously from next Saturday probably!

Once I get the laptop sorted IT'S ready to go I just have to pick it up from IT guy!!!

I hope everyone is eating drinking and relaxing....

Ciao

HOLY HOLY I have arisen...........

I am sorry for the delay I have been shifting HOUSE and I have just spent the last 4 weeks HEAD down arse up!!!! MY friend and I are condensing houses (we pay both of us power phone internet sky etc etc etc) I eat at her house most nights and we are down at her house every other day!!!! It made financial sense aside from she had stopped working and financially she was in shitters ditch!!!!!!

It helps me out (no more rent), it certainly helps her out BUT another big shift for me (just down end of my driveway there si so much more to tell), BUT I am offline for awhile again as no computer ATM (well that's a lie I have no computer jsut waiting on a laptop to be delivered GEARED up and transferred over with all my info) well thats me folks I have to go and I am only on a friends computer briefly!!!!

Ciao

Schools back and it's full on again.

The first photo is of Samuel in his NEW BEST FRIEND TSHIRT thanks to Chris H for picking up Samuel loves loves loves it and I think he may even sleep in it! The second is his sports day Friday 11th January 2011 his house colour RED the theme "Oh red Indians" he won a prize.... yay The third is him and his friends before going to school. the boy in Blue is the same sidekick from the "red pimp suit and superman" photo from last year!!!!

The school year started with a BANG, and Samuel has some really nice Teachers and is back into the Karate, Kapa Haka thing again and swimming throw in his part time job and yip he is busy! (hopefully that will keep the girls at bay for awhile!).

School fees/donations are ridiculous are THEY NOT! ours increased from $150 to $180, then they have CORE subject costs on top of that of $160!!!! scientific calculator $85 last year $115 this year lucky I didn't need uniform stuff as I was sorted from last year, although new sandals size MENS 10 bought 3 weeks before school try them on 2 days before school NAH AH now SIZE 11 !!!!

I am enjoying this year so far I at the end of last year had my hair semi coloured and permed AND CUT WAY SHORT!!! (trainee hairdressers needing models) I didn't like it BUT as I said to hairdresser "Oh well it's only hair it will grow" Now I love it again my fluffy bouncy curls and broomstick dragged through a bush in the morning look. I can even clip it up again like I used to when my hair was long and curly.

I have a few photos YES i do I know I always say I will post some and don't get around to it well here goes.

Ciao
Blondie

My other BIG NEWS!

My young son got a holiday job at a NEW local SUSHI place he LOOOVVVVVVVVES SUSHI and he gets to eat some for free, he MAKES it and then GETS PAID as well he is in heaven he works 4 hrs a day and in a fortnight he earn't LET ME tell you quietly I AM IN THE WRONG JOB!!!! is all I can say!

He has bought some shoes, clothes, jean shorts and some incidentals boy things HE LOVES it! and I love it too he spent all afternoon looking for clothes and BOUGHT the 2nd cheapest options in most and then the cheapest bargain was jean shorts $6 half price $3 at the (second hand clothing store ) he wanted retro worn look cheap as to rip up etc, HE REFUSED to pay $120 (on sale jean shorts), I know he loves it cause he tells me every day!!! YAY my son, you now owe me XXXXXXXXXX!!!!!!! The invoice is in the mail.

Ciao

I survived "Do I get a medal?"

Xmas day was lovely we got all our shopping and goodies earlyish, scored a plump Turkey and had all the trimmings had a lovely cheesecake for pudding Samuel loved all his goodies he got T shirts books and a speaker phone thing for his Mp3 player (looks like a yo-yo and has serous base sound) and some DVD movies etc. I got a diary and a HUGE huge container of my favourite moisturiser.

We managed to eat sleep rest and SWIM at the lake (Lake Taupo Central North Island NZ), biggest Southern Hemisphere Fresh water lake NOT man made.

New Years Eve arrived HUGE fundraiser and made HEAPS money selling some seriously BIG KICK ASS glowsticks!! that random flash in light sequences THEY are sooo cool and so did 1200 of our customers!!!!!!!!!!!

Whilst the family I work for were away I still worked on and off doing mail runs and animal feeding NICE and washing (normal house duty things as if family were still there) as they had 15 days off I couldn't drink until after 7pm once animals had been sorted SO sorted of spoilt my days off (supposed days off) why can't people with ANIMALS organise Other CARE!!

They arrived home and 4 days later the parents went away leaving me with kiddies, for 8 nights (well that turned out so wrong), DAD arrives AUSSIE appendix ruptures in hospital wont release him misses flights etc comes home 4 days after said time!! Me and the kids had a ball we swam, played, made lego forts, water slides, biked, played cards monopoly, played Barbie dolls hairdressing school (1000 clips and butterfly clips in my hair IT FELT LIKE!!!) baking, painting, bubble making generally had a blast.

I am a little over kids ATM only becuase I am so tired but 1 more good nights sleep I should be ok. (young NORTY kittens at other house WHOM jump on you and play at 3am NOT CUTEY CUTEY!). and young girl who wakes at 6am so cute but NOT! boys woke at 8am most mornings.

I am home in my own house and bed and it feels GREAT!

All in all we had a lovelish break but I will take some days too myself soon say a 4 day break! JUST ME! (well and Samuel of course cause I can't leave him on his own!)

I hope everyone has a nice last few days of school holidays!

Ciao