RubyTwoShoes

Easter Saturday...

2011-04-23T07:22:00.005+12:00

It is 7am Easter Saturday morning, it is dark and the sky is angry, the wind is whispering grumpy thoughts at being woken so early...

One thing a baby (well, toddler) does is ruin any chance of ever having a sleep in again. 7am is actually pretty late in this house.
The great thing about morning times is that when you go into that dark little room there is such a dear wee happy face peering over the top of the cot and it makes it all worthwhile.

I have such lovely memories of Easter when we were children..the arrival of the box of Easter goodies from Nanny and Poppy...always a button filled Cadbury Egg, all the way from Christchurch. Grandmas eggs would be random form year to year but Aunt Beth could be counted on to bring marshmallow eggs with a vivid orange yolk.

Another vivid memory I had was the fact that my greed meant I couldn't ration my egg as well as Fiona...she could savor and nibble and make her egg last for days. My self control was horrible and that coveted egg was gone in a much shorter time..leading to the desperate desire to get just one last taste to the forbidden brown goodness! I apologize to all the family for any chocolaty theft that may have occurred!!

Another fond memory was the lovely fruity, spicy hot cross buns, cut in half and toasted to perfection in the oven..this was before the day of the microwave to heat them quickly. I still toast my hot cross buns like Mum did all those years ago..yum...must be breakfast time!!

More next time...Happy Easter xx

First homemade Hot Choc...very messy!!

Back again!!

2011-04-10T20:12:00.006+12:00

OK..here we go again.

I decided it would be quite nice to start blogging again, not that anyone reads this but it is quite nice to look back and see what we have been up to and what has happened.

I am not sure if I will put any photos in this first post but will see...I think our camera takes photos that are too big and I haven't got the energy to shrink them tonight! I have been playing with the layout. I like the birds in the background but not sure they really go with my "theme" so will continue to play, don't be surprised if it is different next time you visit.

The weekend has sped by. Ryan and I are on holiday for the next week. We wrote a list of all the things we want to get done about the place..we tackled cleaning the bathroom and bedroom today so that is two things ticked off. He is painting the roof, what a horrible job...it is New Denim Blue...goes with the family theme of all having the same coloured roof.

Henry is good, he has been full of beans this weekend. I took him to the park today. There is a cool little playground at Fairfield Park and plenty of space for Stellar to chase her frisbee without bowling Henry over like a skittle. Henry enjoyed the little swing until he made a sudden movement, threw it out of balance it it flipped forward and had him dangling precariously upside down. He thought it was funny but I was horrified..what a bad mummy...luckily no harm done.

Ok..added one photo...not bad for tonight!

Stellar

2009-02-15T20:02:00.001+13:00

I haven't added a photo of my favorite hairy brown creature lately...so here she is, tired after her adventure up the Maitai river...she is enjoying the new Wallace Cotton quilt...it is very pretty.
Have a good week xx

Sunday Market...

2009-02-15T19:48:00.002+13:00

The Sunday market in Nelson has always been a load of old tat...not worth the time to get there but on my way for a walk today I called in on a whim..I am glad I did. I found a stall run by one of the local interior designers, she had a table and a couple of baskets of material remnants...and they were cheap!

So, thought I would show you what I got....

This first material is actually a rather large curtain, I am guessing it was made before a minor flaw (some weird kind of rubbery stuff marks it down the bottom) was spotted. The curtain itself is about 2.5 metres long and over a metre wide...it is Sanderson..fabulous!!

This fabric is in two pieces in two colour ways...it is nice heavy fabric, about a metre of each.

This one looks better in real life, it is Sanderson as well.

This fabric is very pretty, quite a decent sized piece, it has butterflies and birds on it as well, the flowers are spectacular...the background is a dark fawny colour than the photo shows which is a shame...the photo is nicer than the real fabric!!

I found this set of two large lined curtains at another stall, I paid $5 for them, what a bargain!! Not sure if they will go in any of my rooms so may try and flog them off for a profit on Trademe!

Spoke to lots of the family today, Nanny, PoppyBlack and the old seadog..all are well. Mum and Dad are up in the North Island on a road trip and seem to be having fun so far.

Can't believe the weekend has gone already and another busy day of work is almost upon us, I will try harder to update this more regularly...I promise!!

The Green Room...

2009-02-09T18:14:00.002+13:00

The weekend saw beautiful weather and the completion of "Operation Green Room". The green looked pretty mild in the can but on the walls it is certainly green...we both keep looking in there saying "well, it certainly is green". The whole hallway glows green where it radiates out like some kind of radioactive zone. The green itself is very pretty, I love it...just have to get used to it I think. The photo is pretty true to colour. R worked very hard on it and in the end, I didn't lift a finger as he rollered the walls as well as doing all the prep.

Sunday was the most beautiful day, it was very hot. Stellar and I went to the beach with the rest of the Nelson residents and frolicked in the waves. It was another hot day today so I thought, lets go to the beach again. The contrast could not have been greater...it was windy, overcast, the sea was grey and choppy..horrible.

Check out my new ring...bought with my Jewelbeetle voucher I got for Christmas from the lovely R. The three sapphires represent three year of marriage, and the three of us...me, R and Stellar. My hand looks very old and wrinkly in this photo...might have to start moisturising!!

By the way..

2009-02-03T20:25:00.002+13:00

I got one of the Glassons t-shirts pictured a post or two back. For those who like the breast cancer t-shirts..go and try one on...they have them up to Size 20 I think and they area generous fit this year..neck is still a bit wide for my liking but not huge, and they don't seem to be long and skinny like last years version. I wore my cat to bowls tonight and it helped me play (I am sure!!!).

Bowls Update

2009-02-03T20:13:00.003+13:00

For all those avid readers out there...we are home forom bowls. It was great fun apart from the odd smart arse comment from a toothless old git who thought he was being funny...but that aside, we had a good game and only lost 8 points to 6 against a team who played in the social league last year..so we were very pleased with that. They told us that they had been beaten 31-0 last year when they first started so we didn't do too badly for our first game.

The sky was thick with smoke and some falling ash as a big fire burns out toward Atawhai, we have a couple of friends out that way so we hope they are ok, not sure what is burning or how big it is but the evening sky is shrouded in smoke.

Have just taken Stellar for a quick 30 minute jaunt along the Railway Reserve, I was just saying to R how lucky we are to live in a city which has nice quiet spots where you can walk and feel like you are the only person on the planet...we are very lucky...I felt like this tonight on our walk as I didn't come across anyone the length of the Reserve which is unusual.

No photos of the bowls so how about a photo of me on the red carpet at Universal Studios...if only I was an Academy Award winning actress.

Lawn Bowls..

2009-02-02T18:57:00.002+13:00

It has been a long weekend here in Nelson thanks to Nelson Anniversary Day.
The weekend weather was marvelous, in fact Saturday was one of the hottest days I can remember experiencing here in Nelson, official temp was 30 degrees but I am sure it was hotter.
I took Stellar to the river for swim which she enjoyed.

On Sunday Stellar and I took drive out to Ngatimoti to the farm and Stells and Daisy wallowed in the creek and danced the newly mown paddocks which had been cut and bailed for hay. It was lovely to see Mum, Dad and Nanny.
My trip home included a stop off at the berry farm to to a container of strawberries, I was the only person there (weird) and got an icecream container of glistening berries for only $5...bargain.

Today it was a bit cooler and the sky has been dark...no rain yet though. Stellar got a good walk and R has been working on plastering in the green room.

We went out and played bowls this afternoon..it was good fun..we actually play properly tomorrow night...not sure how we will go, when you are not that good it is possible to play one fluky great shot and then the next one is total rubbish. At least it should be fun!!

Quick update

2009-01-26T20:55:00.002+13:00

Not much to say today, another day at work...more hot weather...lots to do but nothing too thrilling.
Took Stellsy to the beach after work, she enjoyed dancing in the waves while I paddled along beside her.
We start in the social bowls league tomorrow night...the first night is a chance to practice and learn the game. Who knows, on of us might be fantastic at it, I am yet to find a sport I am any good at...throwing and catching are a problem for me so maybe bowling will be easier??
The photo of the t-shirt is just to let PoppyBlack know that the Glassons Breast Cancer t-shirts are out again, I am rather fond of this cat one, and of course the Trelise Cooper one is nice as well. I thought last years ones were tacky and nasty but there are a couple of cool designs this year..take a look on www.glassons.co.nz.

Hot Saturday...

2009-01-24T16:05:00.002+13:00

I don't think you will be reading anything deep and meaningful on this page today, it is far too hot for anything that makes sense, instead I will take you on a very mini tour of what is growing in the garden right now.
This rose bush has been amazing...it keeps flowering and flowering. I pick the dead heads off and a week later there area million more buds and gorgeous flowers...the garden seems to be a haven for rose bushes and over the past few weeks we have bought about 8 of them from the Warehouse...on special of course...just got two more today for $5 each.
OK...so these are not ripe yet but we are excited to get our first decent crop of blueberries ...there will be good cupful if the birds don't get them first!
Our corn has been amazing, there must be at least 20 or more cobs that are all a good size. I think we will eat our first ones tomorrow for lunch and see if they are as tasty as I anticipate they will be. These grew from a punnet of corn from the Warehouse..brilliant!!
Who is this wee green fellow...yes, there is one fine looking passion fruit hiding on the vine...in fact it was Mum or Dad who spotted it, we hadn't even seen it. It will get the royal treatment and will be put on a pav when it is ready to eat.
Of course what post would be complete without a photo of Stellar...she is struggling with the heat today despite me having filled up her paddling pool, she has been in there for a splash and is now lazing round inside with her friend.

R has finished stripping all the wallpaper in what will become "the green room". He has done an amazing job and killed a few braincells sniffing the paper removing paste stuff...it stinks!! He has been sanding this afternoon and I might get going on the undercoat tomorrow maybe if the plaster has been sanded etc...very exciting!!
We have a couple of DVDs to watch tonight, Eagle Eye and Taken..two action/thrillers and we will enjoy them while munching on homemade BBQ'd burgers. Yum.

Not much to report...

2009-01-21T21:15:00.002+13:00

Has been a quiet week so far. We played netball after work this evening and while we didn't win I think we all really enjoyed it because the teams were reasonably even, it was a wild, fast game and no one took it too seriously. The worst opponents are not the tattooed, pierced 20 something year old boy racers who we played tonight, but are the white trash bogan 50 year old ex-netballers who back into you with their large arses and elbow you in the jugular...there are plenty of them playing what is meant to be fun, social netball.
Once we got home I took Stellar for a lovely walk, the evening temperatures have been marvellous and Stellar loves her walks.

I have decided to add a couple of USA photos as I never got round to adding these when we got back in August...the first is me outside Universal Studios where we had the best day...the rides were amazing, seeing the films sets from some of the big movies was great and it was just a real spectacle. Favourite ride would have to have been the Jurassic Park ride where you plunge over a waterfall and truly think you will die...great fun when you don't!!

The second photo was taken on my birthday in Hawaii...my Pina Colada...it was very nice!! Hawaii was a lovely contrast to the hustle and bustle of LA...lovely weather, not so many people, warm water and gorgeous beaches, we had a great time there and would go again in a heartbeat.

A night in Blenheim..

2009-01-19T20:27:00.003+13:00

It may seem a little strange to go away for a night, and end up in Blenheim, but let me tell you, it is a fun place to visit. Lots of things to see, very pretty setting, some quirky shops, not too crowded...and, if you are into wine (which I am not), a squillion vineyards to visit, some with some cool foody/wine shops to visit. We stopped at The Mudhouse Vineyard which has a number of wee shops at it, one of which is The Quilters Barn...this place was amazing...the biggest selection of quilting fabrics I have ever seen, they have an extensive collection of Kaffe Fasset (hope I have spelled this right!!) fabrics as well, which may interest some of my avid readers!! I have never seen this fabric in the flesh before (until PoppyBlack bought some at Christmas time while visiting Wellington), it is amazing fabric, this particular shop had bolts of it in different varieties, plus fat quarters.

We dropped Stellsy off at the doggery on the way, she seemed happy enough to go in which made it a little less heartbreaking to leave her there. We were in Blenheim by about 10:30ish...the joys of not being big sleeper-in-erers...so we cruised the shops...I got a new floral top, white, grey and (shock-horror) yellow...I will post a photo sometime and get your opinions...it is cheap and cheerful...good for Summer. We then went and checked into our cheap hotel room...got a good deal on wotif.com...the room was great, very similar to the photo below...a real choccies on the pillow affair!!
We then went to the supermarket to fill up our chilly-bin and it was off to the races. Now, don't get the idea we are racing freaks...but it is a fun day out. Lovely weather, great people watching, fun picnic and some horses to watch. We gamble $1 each way on each race..so don't stand to lose much...and we actually came home with enough to pay for dinner. Yippee, and even if we hadn't, we would have only lost $20.
These little ponies caught my eye...no, you couldn't bet on them but they did race...some of them were tiny!!
After the races we went back to the hotel to "freshen up" and to watch some reality tv...then out to an Indian restaurant for tea...very yum food.
The morning saw us rising quite early, some breakfast and then back to Nelson in time to pick dear Stellsy up, she was no worse for wear after her night in dog borstal.
On Sunday Mum, Dad and Nanny came for lunch, bringing fabulous Blueberry muffins with them...so tasty. It was lovely to see them and we were even civilised enough to sit round the table for lunch...don't think Stellar could understand why we were eating at the table...not the usual plate on a knee on the couch.
It was a lovely weekend....shame it couldn't have lasted for several weeks!

Mental Health Day...

2009-01-13T17:51:00.003+13:00

I took the day off work today...or had a "mental health day". I have had a couple of dark days, plagued at night by dreams of death and babies. I don't think I am losing the plot...just a bit emotional...physically I am fine, emotionally I am still healing I guess.

Anyway, it was a beautiful day, far to nice to stay in bed and catch up on sleep so I feel like I have had a quite productive day. Firstly I tidied up what will become the "green room"...it has been hidden under a layers of stripped wallpaper. R is now on the final layer, the dastardly bunnies and Asian babies...he is confident he is on the home straight...then it will be a bit of polyfiller and then my turn with the paintbrush.

I took Stellar for a nice walk, she got into a big muddy ditch and I kicked her up the bum I was so cross...not a hard kick, just a gentle toe up the backside...I felt so guilty about it I gave her an extra long bath when I got home...she is clean and soft now (and has forgiven me!!).
I gave the garden a water and inspected the progress...check out the cauliflower we will be having with our roast chicken for tea!! Until a couple of weeks ago we were inspecting the plants frequently questioning why I was mad enough to buy cabbage plants...but it seems they were caulis (makes more sense) and they are big and glorious. The worst thing about homegrown veges is the hidden danger of wildlife living on them, adding to the flavour once cooked. At least I guess they aren't covered in pesticides!!
The corn is looking promising for being ready in a few days the the cherry tomatoes are now colouring up nicely!
What domestic day at home would be complete without some muffin baking...they are never as good as Mum and Nanny's ones, but they are not too bad. R came home for lunch and polished off a few so they can't be too bad! They look good perched on their lovely cake stand (thanks PB!!). I even fitted in some sewing...watch out for a new skirt coming to this blog soon!!

We are planning a night away in Blenheim, we have been granted leave on Friday so are heading to Marlborough...we have found a fancy 5 star hotel on www.wotif.com...yay for cheap deals..so we will go and enjoy each others company and go for lunch at a nice vineyard and have a look about...Blenheim surprisingly has some quite good wee shops. We may even go to the races again since we had such a good time last weekend. Still waiting to hear back from the doggery to see if they can take Stellar, once we know that we will book our hotel and look forward to it.

Hope you have all had a good day xx

Off to the Races...

2009-01-11T18:53:00.002+13:00

It was another perfect Nelson Summer day...the sun was hot and the sky was blue. We headed out to the Nelson Races with R, R's sister and her partner. We got a a great spot by the track and set ourselves up for an afternoon in the sun.
Sorry fr the crappy photo, the hat was essential today. There was a real mixture of people here...those who had dressed for comfort (like us) and those who had dressed to try and win the "Best dressed Filly"...there were some really leathery old dollybirds dressed to kill...plus some people who would not have been out of place at the Melbourne Cup.
Not being someone who likes to lose money I was pleasantly surprised to win enough to come out a few $$$ up...in fact the 4 of us had a pretty successful day with winning from about $25 to $50...good stuff.

Stellar and I are just back from a brisk walk in the evening sun while R slaves away on the final layer of wallpaper.

Colourful cushions

2009-01-10T19:18:00.002+13:00

I couldn't think of what to write about today so decided to add some colour to this blog by showing you my new cushions..the one above is a fabulous velveteen dog that Nanny got me for Christmas...he was the only one in the shop and looked very lonely...I am glad he got to come home with me...Stellar has treated him with great respect and is often found napping on the couch with her head resting on him.
The beautiful ruby red floral cushions were a Birthday pressy from Mum and Dad...they are glorious and look fabulous on the leather couches.
These two cushions were also Christmas cushions...the native birds are a handmade cushion made by my clever sister in law, Chocolate Britches...it even has a very professional zip in it with chocolate coloured corduroy on the back!! I got another green themed cushion from Nanny for Christmas...she is very sneaky, it was a surprise cushion and is the most marvellous colours and texture!
Just added this photo of one of my latest paintings, done a couple of months ago...
Check out the hard work going on in the spare room...R has shown amazing perseverance with this despicable job...stripping many layers of the most stuck on wallpaper...you can see the strange original paper that was hidden beneath other numerous papers...weird Chinese looking infants and blue and pink rabbits....R has been working on it all week...what a mission!!

Finally, happy birthday to my lovely Dad!! I feel very lucky to have such a fabulous, sweet father...love you Dad!! xxxx

It's a sizzler...

2009-01-08T19:48:00.002+13:00

It has been another gorgeous summer day with temperatures high all over the country. I am sure Mr and Mrs PoppyBlack are roasting down in Christchurch...with temps in the high 30s!!
Stellar and I went for a swim at the beach after work while R went to Bunnings to try and get a fan, we have been worried about how much panting Stellar has been doing in the evenings so we thought a fan might cool her down. Alas all the other keen hot shoppers in Nelson got to the fans first so R came home empty handed.

We met a wee 4 month old chocolate labrador puppy at the beach, she was a wee sweetie...her owners said "Gosh, I hope she doesn't grow that big" when they saw Stellar...I didn't have the heart to tell them their wee beasty had the same lanky legs, huge paws and giant ears just like Stellar did...so is possibly going to be a huge dog as well...anyway, what's a few kgs and inches???

I caught up with Mum and Nanny at the hospital this morning as Nanny had an appointment...they were off to do some serious retail therapy in Nelson so I hope they shopped up and storm and had a good day!!!

R is busy wrangling the 4 layers of wallpaper in the spareroom...hideous task..anyway, he is making good progress so we will get the paint in the weekend.

Finally, a photo, some very fancy, yummy chocolates we got for our anniversary...they are different dessert flavours and are very special...we have some for supper tonight...naughty but nice!!!

Happy Anniversary!!

2009-01-07T19:40:00.003+13:00

Three years today we had a magical wedding day, married by Mr Poppy Blacks mum at a wee church in Ngatimoti attended by our families.
It was a lovely clear day with a gentle breeze...we had the service at the Church with readings by Mum and PoppyBlack and the compulsory singing...a Christmas carol led by Mum on the recorder.
We all went back to Bannockburn, Mum and Dads place and sat in the garden chatting and having drinks.
The "weasel" (bbq) was cranked up and we dined at wooden trestle tables with crisp white table cloths and pretty pitchers of flowers from the garden. It was a perfect day.
I can't believe we have been married for three years...I never dreamed I would be lucky enough to find such a wonderful best friend and husband..I feel very lucky.

My dear R got beautiful flowers delivered to me at work...they had the right address on them but almost made it into the hands of one of the people in the inpatient unit with the same first name as me...luckily they were intercepted and delivered!!
It was a lovely hot day today, I promised Stellar this morning that I would take her swimming if it was hot ...so we went to the beach and she swam and retrieved sticks and a pinecone and had a lovely time frolicking in the waves.

Quick hello...

2009-01-05T19:39:00.004+13:00

Back to work today which was a bit of a shock to the system...it seemed like most of the world was still on holiday but it was ok being back...plenty to keep me occupied.

It is very warm this evening, poor old Stellar has take to lying on the wooden floors panting like a marathon runner...I wonder if she would appreciate being wrapped up in a wet towel?

I was lucky enough to be given a Jewelbeetle voucher for Christmas by R...Jewelbeetle is a duo of Nelson jewellers who make very cool jewellery...they made our wedding/my engagement rings...as seen in the photo below...the wee beetle pictured with my hand was a Christmas gift for them...nice touch!!
Anyway, have ordered a ring to go on my other hand which will sort of match my other ones...it is thick silver with three small dark round sapphires in it...the three stones represent three years of marriage and also symbolise me, R and Stellar...the three of us. It will be scuffed silver...I will get my other rings scuffed again when I collect my new ring. It will be about three weeks...yay!!

Finally some greenery...check out the coriander and Basil plants which have been merrily growing on the deck in the sun...I love coriander, adds so much flavour and no one can resist fresh basil!!

New Year...new start...

2009-01-04T14:55:00.002+13:00

Yes, back by popular demand, the life and "tails" of Stellar the brown hound and her dedicated owners, me and my darling husband, R.....

2008 ended on a sad note for us but it's too raw to write about still...so maybe in a while when it's not so close to the surface I might write about our experience, but then again, maybe not...we will see...

So, what does 2009 hold for us...not really sure, we had a pretty lame attempt at making resolutions which included the usual, lose some weight, get fitter...but aside from that, we want to get our house and garden sorted...including landscaping the front of the house, planting an "orchard" down in the lawn area, painting the roof, finishing painting the other spareroom...see paint charts below, you guessed it...it is going to be green...I think we have picked the colour...a Trends colour called Gluck...hope it is nice in the flesh!!! We also hope to expand or renovate the bathroom...then think about the kitchen...so not much to do really!!! Plus..curtains for all the bedrooms plus lounge area...curtains in this house are pretty revolting currently!

On a personal front, we have agreed not to let work take over our lives...to enjoy each other and our marriage and have fun...go on regular dates..go out and about, try new things...enjoy being in love...events of the last few weeks have brought us closer than ever and have highlighted what a wonderful, kind, gorgeous man I am married to...so I had better make the most of him!!!

On the creative front...well, PoppyBlack and I have agreed to encourage our crafty pursuits by completing a number of challenges during the year..and posting photos of the results of our craftiness on our blogs. I am also keen to join the Nelson Arts Society so will need to submit some paintings in March (I think) to see if my work is to the liking of the art wankers here in Nelson. R is keen to do some more jewellery making and start his own Blog with PB's husband...I am sure they will compete to post the best photos and cook the most creative yummy food (starting with fish curry for tea tonight!!!).

Mrs Dougray aka Stellar or Poo is keen to get in shape this year and maybe even do some agility if I can pluck up the courage to face the old hags at the dog club. Stells enjoyed a visit to the river today...her favourite place to go around Nelson...
That's about it for now...nothing too thrilling to report. We had a lovely Christmas and New Year with our family out at Ngatimoti...it is paradise out there, so peaceful...and still so much fun. I love my family so much!! On the way back yesterday we stopped at a PYO berryfarm and got a fine selection of lovely berries...raspberries, loganberries, blackberries, boysenberries and my favourite, strawberries...so I leave you with a photo of last nights dessert....what summer is all about!!

Vegas Baby....

2008-08-11T20:06:00.002+12:00

After watching the movie 21 on the plane on the way over, we were pretty excited about getting to Las Vegas. We flew from Colorado Springs to LAX and met up with R who looked surprisingly fresh after a long night of travel and no sleep...we were together again and the holiday was just about to begin. Let us not forget, we still had the GP from my course with us but only for the first two nights.
What hits you straight away when you get to Vegas is that they are REALLY keen for you to gamble, lining the corridors and rooms as you pass through the airport to get your luggage are lots of sparkling noisy slot/pokie machines...
We made it to our hotel, the Sahara...and everything I had read on Trip Advisor was true...it was a shit hole...the actual casino wasn't too bad, at least the air-con was running nice and cool and it wasn't too seedy...the hallways had nice new carpet...promising...the Surf and Turf (menu item that all hotels seemed to photograph to tempt you to have their buffet) looked like road-kill..not a good sign...and the room itself...grim....lets just say nasty 70's beige featured a lot...but the beds were clean and comfortable, and lets face it, you don't go to Vegas to spend all your holiday in your shonky hotel room.Above: View from shonky hotel room at night...

We headed out into the heat to see the sights...
The Sahara is down one end of "The Strip" which means your either walk a long way in the hot hot sun or you brave the public transport. We did the later and chose to ride in style on the Mono Rail, which is a train type of thing that cruises the length of the strip, stopping at about 6 different locations. One of the stops was our hotel...handy. We got a week long pass and rode the monorail a lot which saved us from dying in the hot desert heat.
The week was spent cruising about the place..highlights included finding one of my all time favourite shops "Anthropologie"..the most gorgeous clothes and homewares...I spent a good few hours in there and got a couple of things...
We LOVED Caesars Palace (hotel/casino and shops). Each hotel has a theme The Luxor..Egyptian with a Sphinx and pyramid, Caesars Palace with the Trevi Fountain and cobbled streets of Rome, The Venetian, with a canals of Venice (but much cleaner!!), The Paris...with a Eiffel Tower (surprise)..it was magical. The scale of the place can't be described, you just have to go there and take a look.
Me and the canals at the Venetian...
and me in front of the Eiffel Tower...the lake in front is where the Bellagio does it's water fountain show every half hour...fantastic at night.

We enjoyed a Mystere, a Cirque du Soleil show...the strength and grace of the performers...it was really quite magical, even R enjoyed it and he was a tad sceptical...
The shopping was great for R, he got a lot of summer threads and some clothes for work. I have to say I thought a lot of the woman's clothes were pretty skanky...not much practical clothing...didn't really buy much though found a pair of Camper (favourite brand) sandals for work at an outlet shop so very pleased about that!!

We ate some great food...we went to Planet Hollywood's Spice Market Buffet..all you can eat from a HUGE selection...Asian, Mexican, Seafood, Italian, American etc etc...plus desserts...it was fab. We even tried King Crab legs like they catch on The Deadlist Catch...pretty disappointing...We also went to The Paris Buffet for brunch one day which was a great extravaganza of gluttony.
Did we win at the casinos?? Well, Las Vegas did not bleed us dry...we won a wee bit of cash, I would say we left about $80 in profit...not bad for the worlds tightest gamblers...

I wasn't sad to leave Vegas, it was a great destination and I think everyone should go...just for the mere spectacle...but it is hot, crowded and there is always something to see...so it is a tiring place to visit...roll on LA for the next part of our holiday....

The first installment

2008-08-04T18:11:00.003+12:00

Yay...made it back from the great USA on Sunday...we had a marvellous time...it has all gone by in a flash and now seems like a distant memory.
Will tell you a wee bit about it...over the next few days...
Firstly...the flight over to LA was horrible...not rough or bumpy...but hot and cramped and I was a sick as a dog. I got wedged in the middle of two people...the man on the isle was very smelly...why do they let sweaty, smelly feral people in public places...plus he was a mega whinger...he complained about everything and invaded my personal space with his greasy pillow...not sure why, but I was sick...yucky vomit sick for the second half of the flight, so was very glad to arrive in LAX. We had been warned that the customs people were mean...I was pale, clammy and clutching two paper sick bags in the queue just in case the fish dinner made another appearance...the man I encountered on the customs/immigration desk was just lovey...in fact all the people we came across at the airport were very helpful and friendly.
The next flight was only 2 hours to Denver...Denver airport was massive...you had to catch a train to get your luggage...and of course our luggage was missing in action. Never mind...we headed for our hotel in the free shuttle...the hotel was flash...lets not forget the first 10 days of my trip were with my work partner, a slightly eccentric hairy armpitted female GP...and we shared a room...(not ripping off the tax payer...doing our bit for the health budget). We were due to meet our friend Mark, who was flying in from the UK but he decided to spend the night in Colorado Springs which turned out to be a wise decision...driving on the other side of the road at night in an unfamiliar place after a 14 hour flight would have been a bit mad.
We encountered our first American meal...Mexican...what fab food, but we learned that American food comes in HUGE portions and cheese features in large amounts...
After a good nights sleep we met up with Mark who managed to reach us in his fancy rental with the help of one of those speaking GPS systems who you could set to talking in a "sexy" voice...it was fun to play with and a great help to help us make our way to Manitou Springs and The Two Sisters Inn......a very quaint B&B...photos included...I loved this place...very shabby chic...I got my own room (pictured above)...and they even make their own lemonade from the carbonated springs (thus the name Manitou Springs)...there are 7 springs there...all with different supposed special powers...the lemonade we had was from the spring that has Lithium in it...great mood enhancer...

We spent the next few days exploring the local area on foot and via rental car (thanks Mark)...we even went on the famous Cog Railway which took us up to 14,000 feet...the trip up the hill was fun but by the time we came down the boredom had set in and the site of a huge stag with velvet coated antlers glowing in the setting sun saved the trip from being a tad mind numbing.
A highlight of our pre course stay was a visit to The Garden of the Gods which was an amazing park which had these massive cliffs and rock formations, the rock was red and had great texture...you could walk or drive around...we walked about for about an hour...the sun was hot but it was dry heat and we were so slathered in sun screen we were happy.

From Manitou Springs we traveled the short distance to Colorado Springs and the Cheyenne Mountain Resort...wow, this place was flash!! It has a huge aquatic centre, a lake, golf course, many tennis courts (indoors and outdoors), a day spa, shops, a coupe of restaurants and bars...and it was just beautiful set on the side of the Rockies....
The course itself was hard work, long days, lots of thinking, speaking, presenting, and challenging ideas but it was fantastic. The people were fun, Doctors, Nurses, Professors, Psychologists, Psychiatrists...quite an intimidating bunch but what a great group. We had a lot of laughs and I really feel like we made huge progress on our project, which is all about improving the physical health of people using mental health services. One afternoon we all packed up and headed toward Canon City (which has a extraordinary amount of prisons...interesting fact), and went white water rafting on the Arkansas River...what a fantastic adventure...it was wild, fun and invigorating...here is a photo of some of us in our boat (click on photo to enlarge)...tune in next time for the next riveting installment!!

Been a bit slack

2008-07-07T19:53:00.002+12:00

Hi there...sorry, I have not written on here for a while. Work has been mad and the last thing I think of when I get home is writing stuff on the computer.

Only 3 sleeps til I go to America...I can't believe it...here is the Itinerary...
10th July : Nelson-Auckland-LAX-Denver...1 night Denver
2 nights In a quaint B&B just outside Colorado Springs
5 nights swanky expensive resort place for work Conference
1 night cheap hotel Colorado Springs
19th July: Fly Colorado Springs to LAX...meet up with R who flies in from NZ..fly to Las Vegas...
7 nights...yes, 7 nights having fun and relaxing and people watching and shopping etc etc in Las Vegas
26th July: Fly to Las Angeles...3 nights Santa Monica...Universal Studios, Hollywood etc etc
29th July: Fly to Hawaii...3 nights Honoulu...
Back to NZ on 3rd August...
I can't believe we are going, I can't believe I am going in just 3 sleeps.
The worst thing about going away is leaving Poo behind...poor Stellar, at least I won't be the one dropping her off at the doggery (I shamed myself by shedding a few tears when i drove away last time)...I miss her so much and feel sad that she doesn't know where we are or if we are coming back...it breaks my heart. At least she is safe.

Poor Poo...

2008-07-02T19:11:00.003+12:00

Poor little Stellar...the sad, tired face could break your heart. She had to be heavily sedated yesterday and her claw cut off, it was badly infected and made me feel so guilty for not taking her sooner. I picked her up at lunchtime but she was too dopey to leave at home alone. R took her to work where she was doted over by all the ladies who work in his building, she was so sweet and gentle and good. Her wee bandaged foot stayed bandaged until this morning when the vet told me to take it off...it looks good and is not bothering her at all, in fact she was like a steam train when I took her walking tonight!!

Time is ticking on and it is in a week tomorrow til I go to America. I have been so busy at work, it has been stressful and I haven't been sleeping well and haven't had time to be enthused about the trip yet...just seems like there is so much to do before I can even think about getting excited. I am meeting the Dr I am traveling with for lunch on Friday so I am sure we will generate some excitement between us. And of course R is excited so that is good, it will be weird leaving him at home but nice knowing he will be joining me in Las Vegas 9 days later!!

The people at the service I have been managing for the past 6 or so weeks are having a surprise morning tea for me tomorrow...not such a surprise since I know about it...I hate things like that!! I hate a fuss and would rather just disappear next week and go away for my conference/holiday...it is not like I will never see them again!! Oh well, guess it is nice that they have appreciated having me for their manager..it has been a wonderful, challenging experience!!

Brown feet...

2008-06-30T19:18:00.003+12:00

These are my darling Stellars feet...sadly tomorrow I have to drop her in to the vet at 8am so she can be sedated and have her dew claw (hmmmm..I wonder if that is how you spell it??) cut off as she injured it a week or so ago and it hasn't come right. It took the vet 30 seconds to take a look and say bring her back tomorrow to get it cut off. It will grow back but is broken at the base and will not come right on it's own. I hate her having to be sedated or go to sleep but I am sure she will be ok...dear wee Stellsy...I love her so much.
On another note, work is mad busy...only 10 sleeps til America and so much to do. Another trip to Blenheim this morning which was ok.
Sorry, not much news...exciting seeing house progress over at Poppies and Daisies...

The weekend goes too fast...

2008-06-29T18:03:00.003+12:00

That is right, another weekend is over and I am left wondering what happened to all that time?
Saturday saw us taking the new wheels for a spin out to see Mum, Dad and Nanny...and to return Bob aka The Pope Mobile, Nanny's Honda Shuttle which we have had for the past weeks as a replacement for our car that crapped out. We are so lucky to have Nanny who kindly lent us Bob, he was a great wee car and we are very thankful that Nanny let us borrow him for so long.
We had a nice time out on the farm, saw some of Mum and Dads holiday shots...I love photos...it is lovely to look back on holiday photos and remember what you got up to...the dogs had fun playing together and I wished I had taken the camera as the hills surrounding the valley looked spectacular with the snow very low and so, so white...gorgeous.

Last night we watched The Guardian on Sky, it is a movie about Coast Guard rescue in America...it was a good movie but so bloody sad, I was sobbing by the end...I am not sure why they make such sad movies...I HATE sad movies, there is enough sadness in real life without being subjected to it on the tv or movie screen...anyway...good movie...could have been a great movie with a happy ending (yes, I prefer happy sentimental crap!!).

I took Stellar into town this morning, wanted to get some suitable pj bottoms from the Farmers sale for my USA trip but was too tight to pay half price so I didn't buy anything...then I took Stellar for a walk round the "rich streets"..where all the lovely huge old houses and manicured gardens are, it is nice walking somewhere different.
This afternoon was spend doing domestic things like washing, ironing and stuff...

and there is goes, the weekend is gone...

Off to Blenheim again in the morning with my boss to sort out traumatised staff...only 8 working days left before America...can I make it??

New Wheels...

2008-06-26T19:05:00.002+12:00

Yes, that's right, we have bought a new car!! Test driving and car yard negotiations went down today...the photo looks like our one...R wants to call it Corky...horrible name...no way....

Our new (well, second hand new) is a 2006 Mitsubishi Colt which has done about 30,000kms...it is silver...a tad boring in colour. The one we loved (well, I loved) was a lovely dark corn flower blue but the sad thing was, the upholstery was a horrible 80s beige with plastic wooden trim...nice if you are 90, but not nice when you own a big, dirty brown dog...so we got the silver one, dark interior...
We pick it up tomorrow. We have been so lucky that Nanny has lent us her wee shuttle for the past while, it has been a fab wee car, it would have been a nightmare with no car for so long.
Not much else to say...there is a weather warning...for storms and gale force winds...I hope we have a magnificent thunder and lightening storm...I love storms...it will probably come to nothing and I will be disappointed...

My wee Poo...

2008-06-23T19:40:00.000+12:00

Thought I had better add a photo because my last post was just pure grumble..so here is Stellar...she is a wee shining star and gets walked at a furious pace after a tough day at work...I would be lost without her.

Busy Saturday

2008-06-21T17:31:00.004+12:00

Stellar looks how I feel...she has a sore foot, can't work out what is wrong with it, she is only lame sometimes but has cried out in pain and stood holding it up in a very feeble manner...she is very happy going out walking...I will keep an eye on it and will take her to the vet next week if she is still being a wee gimp....

Sorry, have been missing in action the last few days and haven't kept up too well with this weeks challenge.
It has been a hectically busy week at work, managing a second service on top of what I already do keeps my days busy which I like. I am actually loving work at the moment and will be sad to give up the second service, just when I am getting to know them all.
Got up early this morning to take delivery of some firewood, the damn person dropping it off was almost an hour late which made me so bloody mad as we had got up early especially. I hate it when people say they are going to so something or be somewhere and let you down...no apologies. He was lucky I didn't answer the door when he showed up cause I wasn't in the mood to be polite.
So we, stacked the firewood and have a fearsome heap of it now. The fire is burning hot tonight!!
We then went into town as we are on the hunt for a new car...car sharks at the car yards were circling for fresh bait today...some were good, some pushy and some hopeless.You would think that the weekend would be the most popular time of the week for buying cars so would assume the people selling them would have the knowledge to say what kind of finance they can offer or how to negotiate a deal...if we were in the market to buy today, then one car yard would miss out cause why should we have to wait for some finance guy to ring us on Monday?? Stupid.
Anyway, we think we are choosing between a later model Mazda Demio, Mitsubishi Colt or Honda Fit...all have a back seat big enough for Stellar and room in a small boot for groceries and a couple of suitcases.This is the Demio...the ones were are looking at are either bright dark red or darker blue than this one...This the the Colt..the one we like is a very pretty pale metallic blue...the one we really like is darker cornflowers blue but is a wee bit expensive for us...shame...And the Honda Fit...comes in boring silvers...nice wee car...

We then went to get a few groceries and dropped in on Nana duty to see R's Nana who has had her knee replaced. She wanted some new slippers so it was back to The Warehouse then back to the hospital. I took Stellsy for a walk, did some washing, tidied up a bit and made a big dish of macaroni cheese for tea as Chocolate Britches and her boyfriend are coming for tea and to watch the rugby. On top of this busy day, there has been issues with one the the people in one of the services I manage and they are frontpage news in all the newspapers so not sure what that will mean next week...ahhhh...roll on America trip...not long now (3 weeks??)!!

Travel...

2008-06-18T20:15:00.001+12:00

Just wrote a big post and it is gone and I am too cross to write again...sorry!!

Travel....

2008-06-18T20:10:00.001+12:00

This will just be a quick post tonight...we are about to watch a DVD...

Favourite travel destinations...it is SO hard to chose. Close to home I love travelling out to Ngatimoti, the top holiday spot in the country. I also love visiting PoppyBlack and Mr PB in Christchurch...if fact anywhere where family are is a great place to have a holiday.
We have been lucky enough to visit many countries...a few stand out for a variety of reasons.

The most favourite would be Prague in the Czech Republic...it was a magical holiday, made even more special by the snow which turned this wonderful city into a fairy tale city..so much to see and so many places to walk...plus the tram system makes it so easy to go a bit further. We got caught out in a snow storm which has us laughing all the way back to our hotel...such a wonderful holiday.
Following our intrepid journey to Egypt, we stopped off in Athens, Greece on the way home. What a great place to visit...after standing out like sore thumbs in Cairo, we were anonymous amongst the crowds...the food was amazing, the shopping was great (as evidenced by this rather mad looking photo) and the people were just as we liked them...not too in your face. Great fun was had in Athens...

Then of course there is London..all the photos of my in London are grotesque...I LOVE London for a holiday...the public transport is great and there is just so much to see. It is amazing to see all those things you have seen on TV and read about in books, come to life...I would visit London again in a heartbeat...See photo below of our visit to Madame Tussards...we usually avoid touristy things that cost us money but this was great fun...

OK...have found the post...no photos, sorry...I am annoyed so can't be bothered with it...

Book Worm...

2008-06-17T20:39:00.003+12:00

I have always loved reading. I vividly remember going to the library after school on Fridays and getting a pile of books. I think we inherited our love of reading from our Mum, who had an enormous appetite for books and seems to love all sorts of books...
I feel sorry for people who don't have the joy of reading in their lives.

I have to admit, the more serious my work gets, the more"fluffy" and light weight the books I read are...I love what are classically named "Aga Saga" or Chick-lit...books written for female readers who want something easy to read, enjoyable, with the right mix of love, humour and emotion...your Jane Greens, Cathy Kellys, Marian Keyes, Maeve Binchey, Patricia Scanlans (all favorite authors of mine)...
Of course some of my favorites growing up included many of the Enid Blyton classics...I LOVED the Famous Five...far superior to the Secret Seven. I also loved the "Secret" series (not to be mistaken for the Secret Seven)...the Secret Castle, the Secret Island (my favorite) etc etc...

The book I loved most from my childhood, and one which I have a treasured copy of now, is Goodnight Mr Tom, by Michelle Magorian. I read this many times when I was a child and still love this book dearly now.

Sushi For Beginners is a wonderful book by Marian Keyes. I love all her books but this one really grabbed me. I like the fact her books are not just happy clappy...they address real issues such as depression and illness...they are touching and engrossing but not too heavy(and they always have a happy ending...yay!!).
What book list would be complete without a Jilly Cooper...I am showing my true trash colors here!! I can't get enough of the Jilly Cooper books, I would think that if you had little or no idea about sex, then you could read these books and learn it all. The scandal, the bottles of Moet and Dorissimo...surely this can't be a true reflection of how the rich and famous live??? I love the animals in the books...Riders and Polo taught me so much about show jumping and polo...but I think The Man Who Man Husbands Jealous is my favourite...
Can I sneak in one more book...this super book was such wonderful fun when I was little, I loved the slippers the tigers put on and they way they ran and ran until they turned to butter...what a magical story. Possibly very un-PC now but I think it is lovely...

It's hard to choose....

2008-06-16T19:28:00.003+12:00

It is very hard to choose just three favourite pieces of jewellery...I have so much though I don't think people would associate me with a heap of jewellery. I went through a brooch phase and have a lot of gorgeous brooches which I intend wearing again this year, even though they are not the "in" thing at the moment.

I have chosen the 4 pieces of jewellery I wear the most at the moment (minus the earrings, beads, rings etc that I posted during colour week).These are my most favourite earrings, designed and made by the jewellers at Jewel Beettle, who also made my wedding/engagement rings. I wear these almost every day. I say that Stellar got them for me as R bought me a voucher for Jewel Beetle last Mothers Day (Stellar had no pocket money for Mothers Day this year)...so I bought these earrings with my Stellar voucher, I figured she would appreciate them as they are wee rabbits, which she loves to chase. They are silver..little hard to tell in the photo.
This is a horrible photo, but it is off one of my favourite necklaces at the moment...I bought it when up at Whangamata for my brothers wedding...it is silver, pearls and shell...sadly it broke and I got some more stuff to thread it on but it is too think...I am missing wearing it...lots of people comment on it and it was super cheap which makes it even more special!!
Another necklace...this one is quite new...my most recent jewellery acquisition. Nanny got this for me at a wee flower shop in Motueka. It was on the half price table and it great...it goes with a lot of the colours I wear and has beads in it to suit every occasion...
This is one of most favourite things that I own in the world...it is my lovely silver necklace my darling R got me for Christmas two years ago just before we got married. He chose it himself and I LOVE it...I wore it on my wedding day and wear it a lot, it is unique and fabulous and so special to me.
I think I will have to have a brooch day when I take photos of my favourite brooches...

The day has been ok, it seemed very dark this morning and I never seem to sleep well on Sunday night, think it is the misery of having to get up and go to work, even though I do like my job. The weather here was beautiful and I got quite bit done at work. I met up with Mum and Nanny for lunch which was lovely, then we had a wee wander round Fashion Island...sounds tacky, but it is the new area of shops in Nelson. There are some good sales on but came home empty handed as I didn't really have time to look plus I am trying not to buy anything before America (23 sleeps!!)...also, we need to buy a new car, our one is officially dead...we possibly won't even get a cent for it as we will have to get it towed away...it is a real bummer. I think we will put down a deposit and pay one off as we are desperately trying to pay off the rest of the floating part of our mortgage asap...and a car would put a significant dent in it. Wish us luck for the car hunt!!

New week, new challange...

2008-06-16T18:08:00.001+12:00

New challenge has been put forward by M over at Chocolate Britches...

Monday: 3 favourite pieces of jewellery
Tuesday: 3 favourite books
Wednesday: 3 favourite travel destinations
Thursday: 3 favourite hot men (just for some shallow fun!)
Friday: 3 favourite household items (could be anything around the house)
Saturday: chosen by Ruby Two Shoes
Sunday: chosen by Poppy Black

Will have to go and take some photos...

Visitor

2008-06-15T16:31:00.000+12:00

Look who came to visit this morning...a dear wee wax eye that hit the french doors with such force I was sure he would be dead. But no, when I picked him up he was ok, a bit stunned and panting like a marathon runner, but alive. Stellar wanted to say hello, she was quite concerned about him...after a short photo session I put him out under a hebe in the sun. He sat for a wee while then flew away, I was so pleased. I was worried he would die from the shock of a blow to the head, then being sniffed by giant brown nostrils and picked up by a giant pink hand...he will have a tale to tell his feathered friends.

Mellow Yellow...

2008-06-15T16:01:00.003+12:00

Well, thats another Sunday almost over. We had a fun night last nights for M's (Chocolate Britches) birthday, the guest list consisted of my, R, M and her boyfriend and my brother...and of course Stellar and Flynn. M brought a heap of nice food over and we just ate, drunk and were merry. We watched the rugby and played on the X-Box...this would not normally thrill me but R bought home a copy of Scene It which is one of those games that you all have a controller and it is like a quiz but the questions are all related to movies...it is great fun, especially with more than 2 people as it gets quite competitive and I was getting a bit sick of being thrashed every time I played R who knows all there is to know about movies...

The rest of today has been spent going to the supermarket and being horrified at the cost of veges, then taking Stellar for a lovely walk out in the warm winter sun. Plus did a few loads of washing, mainly bedding as we have R's aunt coming back to stay again tomorrow...the spare bed has never seen so much action. Have done some ironing and now time to browse the internet before I go and get started on a painting...

The first photo is of M's birthday pav..it has mandarins on the top but I am using the yellow theme creatively and am including orange...

We used these gorgeous serviettes last night, Poppy Black gave them to me for one of my birthdays and I have been waiting for an occasion to use them...there are lots left so they will come out for another birthday...I love this wee card, it is in a frame with others so thats why the photo is so crappy...we grew up surrounded by daffodils and I always remembr Mum reciting this poem...
This bowl was made by me a while ago now...it has many colours on it, the pottery glazes are lovely. We use it to store our garlic in.
I have a lot of paintbrushes but the yellow ones are my favourites, I even have some that haven't been used yet...maybe this time...
This is what the yellow brushes paint...ok, it is a stretch for the yellow theme...but it does have yellow in it!!
This is a close up of a gorgeous wee bag R bought me for Christmas when we lived in Dublin, it is from a shop called Avoca which was my mots favorite shop in Dublin, every thing in it was Irish made...I love this wee bag with its vibrant colors and delicate work. I use it as my going out bag...I figure with so many colours in it, it goes with anything!!

So...thats the end of the week and the end of the colour challenge. It has been fun...what will we do next week?? Anyone got any ideas??

Black is back...

2008-06-15T11:35:00.004+12:00

I LOVE black, it is a great "colour"...I have a lot of black clothes but don't really have much black stuff around the house, I guess it is not a very shabby chic colour...anyway, what did I come up with?This is a close up of my wonderful Voon coat, it is long and has lovely flowers embroidered around the bottom half and also has wee patches of subtle sequins on it...it also has lovely buttons (you can see in a close up)...this coat was purchased at a half price sale and again, is made by Voon (NZ designer).
Go the All Blacks, last night for M's birthday party we hung up balloons so we blew up a few All Blacks balloons and enjoyed watching the All Blacks beat the English in rugby!!
More clothing from Voon...this is a skirt...the skirt itself is not my favorite but I love the material which features my favorite bird, the tui.
Meet my sausage dog cushion...he is very cool...I know Stellar wants to gut him like a fish but she has shown restraint so far, he is velvet and is embroidered with lovely pinks and purples...
My nice black boots...unfortunately I have rather generous shanks which is a shame because I love boots...in fact I have too many boots..these are great because they have a big panel of elastic in them which makes them comfortable. The also sound like arse kicking boots on hard surfaces...they make me walk with authority...
Who do these feet belong to?? Dear Stellar with her "Ratty"...yes, this black plastic thing used to be a rat, it is her 4th one I think...they start off with a face, feet and a tail and get dismembered...she then carries it about like a trophy...

I will be posting photos of the party later and then my yellow photos...

Purple Haze...

2008-06-14T09:34:00.008+12:00

Golly, I had better apologize for my tardiness when it comes to the purple post, my brother is staying so access to the computer is limited when he is here as he doesn't get the chance to play on the internet so much at his house because they don't have Broadband. Plus...I was a bit lazy last night, got as far as taking the photos...anyway, here are my purple things...The first is this amazing mosaic platter which sister in law M made (Chocolate Britches) for our wedding present. It is in our cornflower blue spare room and looks fabulous...we love it...has lovely blue/purple tones.
What is this...a Purple G (Purple Goanna), one of those horribly toxic coloured alco-pops...I don't really drink my alcohol, don't like wine much and despise beer but these wee numbers are quite tasty so I had to sample one last night...
Green chair...one of the first animal paintings I did...it is ok I guess...plus it has purple in it...you can see the colour of our bedroom walls behind it, the colour is Resene Cooled Cream...looks cream or yellow depending on the light.
I LOVE this skirt...purchased on Trademe, it is made by NZ designer Sophie Voon (label VOON), it has a kind of fish tail back and is nice to wear with long boots in winter.
These are a couple of bits if fabric in my sewing room, the darker is a skirt waiting to be finished though somehow it has managed to be ginormous...and you would be proud of me, I used a pattern...I don't understand why is is so huge...oh well...will finished it and see how it ends up...just got to finish the waist band and put in the zip...the other is a wee top that I am going to put ribbon ties on so it is a bit pulled in and doesn't look like a preggy top...will be nice and light for America (4 weeks away...ahhhh)....
This gorgeous wee pin cushion thingy was made for me by Poppy Black, it is too nice to use so hangs off the mirror on my dresser...look at the intricate work...PB is very clever!!
This purple book (excuse the bad photo) was a great read. For any Marian Keyes fans, I don't think you will be disappointed despite some of the crappy reviews. I thought it was a bit "deeper" than some of her others and it really kept me interested.
Check out this fabulous shirt belonging to R...not only is is purple it has gorgeous lining in the collar and cuffs...he looks great in it..

So...it has been a long week, with visitors staying and a lot of pressure at work. I am glad it is the weekend...we have my brother staying and then M and her boyfriend are coming over tonight as it is her birthday. We will eat party food and watch the rugby...Happy Birthday M!!!

More later...think the colour for today is Black, as nominated by Poppy Black...

Blue again...

2008-06-12T21:09:00.000+12:00

Just wanted to add a couple more blue photos as I love them...the first is the lovely flax which the tui and bellbirds play in out at Ngatimoti.

Check out this amazing blue jellyfish PoppyBlack, Mr B, me and R saw in the aquarium in Melbourne...I guess this photo represents a wonderful holiday, may there be many more!!

And what day would be complete without my dear Stellar...the blue in the background is our spare room...I love the blue, it is the most gorgeous colour...in real life it is a little less "aqua" and a touch more "bluebell" if you get my drift...

So that's it for now....

Feeling Blue...

2008-06-12T20:59:00.001+12:00

HI there...I have to apologize for my BLUE photos...the camera went flat just as I was taking my first shot so I have cheated and used photos already saved on the computer which I have taken over the past wee while...just random stuff that has blue in it...
The first photo is of a painting I completed a while ago, I was never too happy with the donkey but I like the colours...has some blue in it too!!

This photo was taken up the Maitai, there is a walk you can do that takes you up the hill to the lookout...there is an olive grove, when I go up there I feel like I am the only person in the world. I have NEVER seen anyone else on this track...it is like a secret olive grove...I love the blue sky behind the wonderful green...this signifies a perfect day for a walk.

I took this photo just trying out the new wee camera on close up mode...you can't really see the dark blue sapphire that is in my engagement ring...it looks black in this photo but is dark blue. I love these rings, made by JewelBeetle...the engagement ring fits inside two silver bands..the wedding band and 1st year anniversary band. I love them...no bling for me....

You can't get better blue sky than this...move to Nelson for this kind of weather!!

That's it for blue...sorry for lack of imagination...it has been a tough day, driving to Blenheim for a pretty stressful work situation, leaving at 6:30am...it is tough being in Management sometimes...I really worked for my money today and am really looking forward to the weekend.

Seeing red...

2008-06-11T20:43:00.006+12:00

Today is red day, it kind of suits my mood as I have found out I have to go to Blenheim for work early tomorrow so will be up and driving by 6:30am, I only hope it is not frosty. I will give myself plenty of time.
I struggled a bit with red, not because I didn't have red things (actually I don't have that many red things...no red tops I don't think, not really my colour having pink cheeks most of the time!!)...but I found red quite difficult to photograph, doesn't show true colour with the flash, nor without...anyway, here goes...

Meet my very politically incorrect friend, the Gollywog (ok, possibly should be called a Golly). I have vast fleets of these jolly fellows...in fact many, many of them. When I was a child I used to sleep with them all in my bed and would be distraught if I couldn't find one of them...they have many names, Dollywog, Stripe, Sambo, Orange, Paintpot etc etc...I still have them. Sometimes Dad and Mum would bring me back a handknitted one from a daffodil show, handmade by one of the local old ladies. This chap was bought for me by my dear sister PoppyBlack, he is a true gentleman and features the true golly colour of red.

My red boots...sadly the colour is not good in the photo. I got these babies in Dublin, I would have killed for the knee length version as skinny legged people everywhere were parading round in them, alas my thick shanks would only handle the shorter version...they are nice nonetheless....
A pile of dog and heart ribbon..I loved it so much I had to buy some but what to use it for??? That is the question....
Devils liquor...Diet Coke...ahhhh...if there was a world ban on all but one beverage may Diet Coke reign supreme...one of my few vices!!
Another day couldn't pass without Stellar getting in on the act...this red raincoat in a bag has been marvelously useful and doubles as a dog toy...she will carry it round for hours hoping to be chased....
Lovely red stripe on R's red and grey striped woolen hoodie jumper...it is cosy and warm and lovely...just like him....
So, thats red...took a few more photos but not too impressed with the colours...
Am enjoying seeing the efforts of my two blogging buddies, it is fun to look at your life with "colour" eyes.

Being a greenie...

2008-06-10T19:16:00.010+12:00

No problem at all coming up with green things to photograph, in fact I went a bit mad so had to restrain myself from putting too many photos on...possibly may have gone overboard so I apologise if this is a bit boring!!

The first victim is our trusty wood basket...we have a great wood bin inside but this basket carries wood inside for us...thanks you Big Fresh...not sure how or why we have this but Big Fresh supermarkets went out of business (maybe too many people stole their baskets??)...so they won't be missing it!!Meet my two hotties...Stellar the hot water bottle and of course my real hotty, great for a sore back...This ring was my grandmother's...when I was younger I used to think it was the most magnificent thing ever...green and sparkly and unique...I am so glad I have it. It is too big for any of my fingers but one day I will get it resized and wear it...
The brown snout couldn't resist...I got this mascara free off the front of a magazine...I will never look back, it is great!! Love the green bag as well, purchased in Athens.
My fabulous green glass beads purchased for 5 Euro at a market in Nice in France...I LOVE them...the string broke the first time I wore them, shows their age really but they have been restrung and I wear them a lot.
A bundle of wool...lots of strips of cut up jersies all ready to be turned into ragrugs.
My favorite Olga Berg green bag, I use it every day. It is like the black hole inside, I am forever losing things in it and threatening to thrown it away in fury as I dig around in it for lost keys etc...but it really is great.
How scary is the Queen close up...yes, those are a scary set of nashers on the NZ $20 bill...
Some yummy salad we had for tea with our pasta and garlic bread..R is a fabulous cook!!
This is not a great photo but it is of our beloved "vintage look" bread bin...we have a cookie one to match...wish there was some cookies in it!!

So that's green.....

Pretty in Pink...

2008-06-09T19:21:00.008+12:00

I have had a pretty average kind of day, work is busier than usual because I am managing a new service to me...I am more than twice as busy and sometimes I don't have enough time in the day to take breath and think...so it is quite nice to come home and cruise the house with our wee camera and find "pink things" to take some photos of...

Welcome to my fabulous Olga Berg handbag, the colour of this is not really represented in this photo, it is a fantastic bright pink with lime green lining...it prompts comments from strangers as does my green one that I use for everyday use...it might get photographed on green day. My lovely R bought it for me for Christmas one year...he chose it himself, no help needed...Who would have thought hairdryers came in pink...actually this is a hideously ugly hair drier...and was only purchased because it was on special, not because it was aesthetically pleasing...but it blows my hair back, so to speak...does the trick...
Next comes my marvelous Sanderson print skirt...I found this piece of fabric in the hospice shop...$1 for this and a couple of other scraps, I made a skirt out of it. Strangers have asked me where I bought it...I love the joy of finding the odd second hand treasure...
I couldn't possibly get away with not featuring my darling Stellar on pink day...she has a pink collar, it matches her personality...she is like a pinky bar..brown on the outside, pink in the middle...I love her so much!!
Our lovely duvet cover purchased over 4 years ago in IKEA just when Cath Kidston started being hip...it was dirt cheap and I will always regret not buying the lovely blue version of this at the same time...
Cute wee earrings form JewelBeetle who made my wedding/engagement rings...I love their quirky jewelery and it is very everyday wearable...

So, thats it for now, as mentioned, I have a million pink things though do not consider myself to be a pinky-pink girly type person...this is just a few random things that caught my eye...this is quite fun. I must check and see what colour we are doing tomorrow.
XX

The challenge

2008-06-08T19:23:00.003+12:00

Ok, when I posted earlier I mentioned a colour challenge...it is an idea stolen off Blogs that I like. I still haven't worked out how to have a column of favourite blogs down the side of the page..oh well, anyway, to the two other people who read this who have blogs...a simple challenge...each day will have a colour theme, the idea is to post photos of things around you house/life that represent these colours...

And...the colours are....
Monday : Pink
Tuesday: Green
Wednesday: Red
Thursday: Blue
Friday: Purple (will be easy for Choccy Britches...might be harder for others!!)
Saturday: Colour chosen by Poppy Black
Sunday: Colour chosen by Chocolate Britches

So...I challenge you to take some photos each day of things you come across that match the theme..post them and give explanations if you like...

Finally...I end with a picture of Daisy and Stellar...Daisy knows how to make the most of visiting a house where she is allowed on the couch...

Indian Feast...

2008-06-08T11:44:00.003+12:00

Last night R's Aunty cooked us tea...she made curry. I LOVE curry but can't handle anything too hot. I snuck a sample when she was out and it made my lips burn...I was scared..but I have to say, it was very nice. What made it extra nice were all the little extras she did to compliment it. A yummy tomato and red onion salsa, yogurt and cucumber dip, some onion and nectarine marmalade (sounds horrific but spicy and yum), and ....wait for it....fried banana wheels in coconut. Now, if you are like me, you would have been traumatized by a certain Aunts mince with sultanas in it when we were young, so if you ask me, fruit does not belong in anything savory, but I have to say, the banana/cocnut concoction took the sting out of the curry...all finished off with fluffy rice (best invention ever, the humble rice cooker) and some poppadoms...
think we will be having leftovers for lunch..

Now...another photo...for those of you with imagination, you will see the pattern R put in my homemade hot choc...yes, a choccy dog....just like Stellar.

I will be back later to announce the challenge for the week, the colour challenge. Have been speaking to PoppyBlack this morning and we decided to give it a go, rules and colours later.

Sorry...

2008-06-07T18:07:00.002+12:00

I haven't blogged for the past couple of days...I managed to hurt my back lugging furniture around at work on Thursday...just a wee twinge Thursday night then real pain Friday and now I am crooked like a dogs hind leg...I lay awake all of last night imagining how terrible it would be if my back was still so sore when we go to USA...it is funny when you have a pain, you just can't imagine how life was like without it.
Anyway, have just crawled out of bed after a wee rest and not as crooked anymore.

There is the yummy smell of curry bubbling away for tea, R's Aunt is here for an unknown quantity of time as his Nana is in hospital...I am not good with unexpected visitors....she arrived unannounced on Friday after work...me, R and Stellar made the mad dash home to tidy the house to a passable standard before she arrived to stay...at least our spare room is nice and I have the lovely Roselicious quilt from Wallace Cotton on it...must get on to the nasty curtains.
Anyway, this incident, and many others have made me realize that life would be so much easier if we kept the house tidier all the time.

Tonight we will watch the rugby, Ireland versus All Blacks...I am hoping it is an exciting game with lots of tried otherwise I get bored. Still reading This Charming Man by Marion Keyes, it is a bit "grittier" than some of her others and is really engrossing..wish I had more time to read.

Tomorrow I will learn how to fancy up my Blog, put in links etc...I will now look for a photo to add as just words look a bit dull.
Love to all my family, lovely to chat to Mum today, it is nice having her and Dad back in the country..looking forward to seeing the holiday snapshotsxxx

Sorry, no photos....having trouble, not sure why?? xxx

Trademe treasures...

2008-06-04T18:04:00.003+12:00

Who doesn't like a bargain?Trademe is a fantastic site for buying more junk, I must say, I have purchased a few disasters but on the whole, I have got come really good stuff for some really good prices. One of those is the fantastic NZ made RedHead coat I got for only $5.50 which I bought for my sister (you can see her wearig it over on Poppies and Daisies).
Thought I would share three of my other gems..one of which I haven't seen in person yet..

The first is my new Church Pews...I had these on my watchlist just for curiosity sake...and then they were offered to me and I didn't see the email as I was at work, R bought them for me...what a surprise. Luckily the lady selling them lives in the next street over so we can lug them down the street...so watch out for us scurrying down the street with a couple of church pews tomorrow. Who knows what we will do with them, but they were only $50 for both of them...bargain (I think!!).
The second of my marvelous buys tonight is this fabulous piece of fabric, it is quite big..big enough for a skirt should I feel the need to be covered in teacups all day...not sure what I will do with it yet.
My final piece of Trademe joy is this piece of vintage carpet which I bought a while ago and finally got round to getting it edged...it is LOVELY...I love floral carpet and am always on the look out for more pieces.

Regrets...

2008-06-03T19:27:00.003+12:00

I have a few regrets...one of them is that I wish I had trained as a vet, or had repeated my first year of University and become a Doctor...these regrets annoy me..sometimes I imagine if I won Lotto or couldn't have children that I would go and train to be a Doctor...this is one regret...

Another more gut wrenching regret is that I didn't buy myself a pair of Cat Camper boots. I am in love with Camper shoes and boots...I own one pair(with a donkey and sheep on them) and a pair of fakes (purchased in Athens, Greece)...if I could turn back the clock I would have parted with the ridiculous sum of money needed to own these beauties...

This is the best photo I could find on my Google search...one boot has the cats face, the other it's tail. Those of you who know Camper Twins will be familiar with the different but matching shoes/boots. These beauties came in grey as well...I want them...my heart aches for them...they don't make them anymore. One of the Drs at work owns a pair...she has so many boots and shoes I have never seen her wear her cat boots, I was talking to her one day about my yearning for a pair and she announced she had some...they must be in her magical Aladdins Cave shoe closet...

No other regrets to mention right now..oh, there was the otter in a bargain bin just outside Loch Ness in Scotland...it cried for me to buy him...he looked like a real otter, he was soft, silky and fury (realistic soft toy about a f00t and a half high)...I walked away. He was probably purchased by a revolting ginger mullet scouser whinging English tourist 7 year old who treated him like a circus otter...oh the sadness.

Hail to the Queen...

2008-06-02T20:53:00.004+12:00

Happy Birthday Queenie...thank goodness we celebrate your birthday so we get a day off work...yippee..
So, what did we do today? Well, we got up early and went out for a hot choccy and some fruit toast from the evil empire that is McDs...yum, fruit toast is good!! Then we went to the Warehouse, some other random shops then got some groceries and came home. I did a few loads of washing then took Stellar for a leisurely walk in the sunshine, she was a good girl and enjoyed cruising the streets and the parks. I did notice the poor school boys at Nelson College were warming up for a rugby match...how annoying having to play sport on a day off school.
This afternoon I did some cleaning, not cause I like it, but because I needed to, did the laundry, used my super sewing machine to patch a couple of pairs of the worst designed long shorts that R wears...they both ripped in the same place (the arse)...now they are patched...SO..as you can see, a pretty laid back kind of day, just what the Queen would have ordered I am sure.
SO I have taken a few random photos as it is pretty boring with just writing...

Do you like my new gumboots...I was thinking of getting pretty floral ones but these just stood out...yay for the Warehouse...Stellar thinks they are pretty groovy...

This is my new Cath Kidston material purchased from Trademe...sadly the pieces were way smaller than I imagined (even though the woman gave measurements I think my brain wasn't functioning when I was bidding), one of them might make a seat cover for my bargain chair (as seen below). My new favorite place to shop is The Recycling Centre..it is true what they say about one person's junk being another's treasure. I love my wee white chair (with retro snake/croc skin seat)...I am planning to strip it, paint it and recover the seat...it will become my painting throne...And lastly...a photo of some lovely catalogues that I ordered online from the UK...they are from Toast, which make the most gorgeous clothes and homewares...and if I was a squillionaire I would have our house kitted out in this stuff!! The website is www.toast.co.uk and it is worth a look as they stuff is fab and the "books" have lots of project ideas and were free...yes, sent across the world for free!!

random stuff...

2008-06-01T19:49:00.001+12:00

Who doesn't love a Labrador tummy, especially one which belongs to a puppy who is so soft and cuddly she makes your heart melt...this was Stellar as a puppy, just a day or two after we got her. She was a big puppy for her age and so gorgeous and snuggly. She is just as lovely today.

Mum and Dad arrived home from their big OE today, Nanny and I collected them from the airport and they were surprisingly fresh after being awake all night on their flight over from Hong Kong. They had a wonderful time..passing through San Francisco, on to the UK, Ireland, Holland...back to England, Scotland France and England again...then a stop off on the way home in Hong Kong, which they described as incredibly hot, muggy and smelly...not sure they will be going back there in a hurry!! They are just the same as ever, though a little wiser..it is great to have them back in the country.
Their exciting tales of fun and adventure reminded me of our first day on the loose in London...as the photo below demonstrates, I had my priorities right...diet coke and chocolate (nothing changes)...but I was super excited to find that diet coke came in silver bottles...yes, I am easily pleased. I wish I had kept that skirt, think I gave it to a charity shop in Dublin, maybe some stylish Irish woman is cruising the streets of Dublin in it?? The photo above shows a scene we could see from the Dublin 16A bus on the way into town, it never failed to amuse us...if the bus (or when you were walking) stopped at the right angle, Nagina Tandoori became an Indian Takeaway selling a different kind of dish....

At the farm...

2008-05-30T20:51:00.003+12:00

We had a very magical childhood in may ways...living in a small rural community on a wee piece of paradise called "Bannockburn" in Ngatimoti. We had ponies and chickens, pet lambs, calves, piglets..cats and dogs, rats and guinea pigs and pet eels...and me, two brothers and a sister (Hi Poppy Black). We could play in the creek, ride imaginary (and real) ponies, skate on roller skates found in the dump, pick carrots from the garden and have outdoors tea parties. We had a milking cow, plenty of eggs and fresh fruit and veges...it was lovely.
Mum and Dad still live on this wee piece of paradise.
We have come out here (R, Stellar and I) to be part of the welcoming committee when Mum and Dad get home from their first ever overseas adventure...an 8 weeks trip to the UK and part of Europe. They sound like they have had a wonderful time...in some ways it seems like they left just a week ago, and in other ways it seems like they have been away for ever.

So, I am using mum's computer for this and have found a couple of cute photos of their beloved pets...Daisy as a puppy and then as an adult, with the troop of cats...it is obvious from the second photo that the cats rule the roost...they are all such good friends but a stern glance from Oscar (the Godfather...a chocolate spotted Oriental Lynx) will see Daisy skulking away...

The big reveal...

2008-05-28T19:37:00.001+12:00

Well, here I am. I decided it is too hard to have a blog with a million potential photos, and not show yourself ( as I feature in so many of our photos...many of the horrifying self portraits). I figure no one is actually reading this anyway (except for family and a very exciting comment from Tracey, a Blogger from Australia).
Anyway, needless to say, the photo includes my darling dog Stellar.
Not much to say tonight. It has been a busy week so far as I am managing another service along with my own one. I think I have done more this week that I have for the past 4 weeks. I love doing something new, I like to be busy and be challenged...it makes me so much more efficient.
I took Stellar for a walk up the Maiati after work, there is a great flat track that winds up the valley by the river, of course Stellar can't resist having a swim so she had a nice hot shower when she got home. The detachable shower head thingy makes it very easy to wash her...she just sits in the shower and enjoys the warm water..apart from putting her paw over the plug hole every now and then, it is much easier that a bath (though I am sure Stellar would prefer a bath).
Day three of the Fatty Challenge, we had homemade pizzas for tea and of course I ate far too much but it was light on cheese and only had veges on it...so not too much damage done I guess.
Was very excited to receive my first ever grown up magazine in the mail, thanks to my dear sister who gifted it to me when she won a subscription to New Zealand House and Garden by being selected to be on the readers panel. She already has a subscription (as I am sure most of the people who would have submitted stuff to get on the readers panel..they should have awarded the selected people a new kitchen or something)...anyway, the magazine is thick and glossy and full of magical houses and fabulous gardens. It used to be a bit too grown up for me...possibly described by me as a magazine full of expensive wanky crap only the rich could afford but now it has great stuff for the every day collector of fabulous stuff...so THANK YOU to my darling sister for this wonderful gift! Love youxx

Paintings...

2008-05-27T18:57:00.001+12:00

Today I thought I would put a few photos of my paintings on here...back in 2003 I held an exhibition at at Cafe in Dunedin and sold 6 of my paintings, the profits from this essentially paid for my ticket (well, quite a bit of it) for our big OE...a year working in Dublin, Ireland.
I really enjoy painting and have my easel up in my "studio" aka spare room all set to go for some more painting. I paint what might be considered slightly strange things...animals in kitchens...and then more of a NZ native theme..my exhibition was called From Treetops to Tabletops and here are a couple of photos...excuse the quality ( can click on them to enlarge), but you get the idea.

My sister over at Poppies and Daisies has the large rabbit painting...the rabbit is her precious Merlin, who is a dear large old bunny. The one to the left ( in the photo above) and the one below both sold to a Lawyers office...I hope they enjoy them and that they are still hanging there!!

This painting sold to a man and his children, he wanted to buy in as a tribute to his wife who had recently died of cancer, I think it was going to be given to her workplace as a thankyou for all their support of her and her family. I am pleased it went to people who could see a meaning in it.

So..that is a wee sample of my paintings...I most like using colour and trying to paint animals...usually minus their legs (so head shots etc) as anyone who has ever attempted to draw an animal will know how difficult legs are to draw!! I have a donkey and a goat hanging in our house...never tried a dog...maybe Stellar will be my muse??

How is the Fatty Challenge going?? Pretty good...was very well behaved yesterday and went for a good long dog walk, resisted the urge to devour a king size Cherryripe bar that is sitting in the cupboard. Today was pretty good also though the evening is yet to pass. I even ran a bit on our walk today so that is remarkable in itself (and Stellar was most impressed)!!

That's it for now....

OH...haven't bothered to take nasty pants shot yet..too cold to get changed, I am sure you understand.

Posting from work...

2008-05-26T10:42:00.002+12:00

Ok, I know I should be working but it has been a tough morning so I am taking 5 minutes out to see if I can write a post from work...it seems so, though no photos will be attached.

It is Day One of the Fatty Challenge, which is being undertaken by myself and my lovely sister over at Poppies and Daisies (if I knew how to create a link I would, but still learning).
So far today I have had Special K and some yoghurt for breakfast, plus a cup of tea and have just eaten a banana...in WW terms I would calculate that to be 4 points so far...I am STARVING!! One of the big problems with doing something like WW is that your whole world revolves around food...how many points, what to have for a snack, what is for tea...you think about it ALL the time. I don't want to be like that.
Actually, I wish I could just be happy with who I am and the way I look already. OK, I am a few kgs over weight but not too bad. I think this is a problem that arises when working with too many females. They just seem to be obsessed with it. I would have thought this would have been a younger persons problem (me being 34 I consider myself young still) but it appears not, the Admin ladies at work range from me up to 60 and all go on about weight all the time...it really is quite tedious and boring and I ask myself why I even bother getting caught up in it?

My honest reality is that I would like to lose 5kg, not because I want to be skinny (cause lets face it, 5kg would not put me anywhere near the skinny category), but it would help me fit the lovely clothes that I have in the spare room that I wore 2 winters ago when I felt good about myself. Now everything is a bit tight, a bit short and a bit bulgy. 10kg off would be marvellous and I would be feeling like a supermodel but I will be realistic and strict...I have until July 10th when I go to America. I want to buy some new jeans over there so losing the muffin top would help with that task.
I actually have some pants that will be a good guide. They were a fantastic fit two Winters ago, now tight...nasty tight...so if they fit by America time, I will be happy. Maybe I can take a photo in them (nasty) and post it...plus one each week for progress...yes, that is what I will do.
I will apologize now for the nasty tight pants shot that will be posted later!!

Now...back to work....

Sunday...

2008-05-25T19:10:00.000+12:00

Hi there,

I am having a bit of trouble with my blogging...the whole photo loading thing is annoying. I am doing this with Picassa but I can't seem to write something then load a photo so have to chose them all at the start then write something.
Can't be bothered messing round with it so will just do this for now and think about it tomorrow... even the text looks different typing it like this so who knows what will happen when I publish it, oh well...it is Sunday and I can't be arsed worrying about it. I hate Sunday, it means work tomorrow, and even though I actually quite like my job, I would rather not go...ever.

So, today I went for a walk up the Maitai. The photos attached are actually from another venture up there...the first is Stellar playing the the river (her favourite thing to do) and the second is the view from the top of one of the hills you can climb up. Today it wasn't just me and Stellar, sister in law, M and her dog Flynn (a lab/kelpie cross) came along as well. We strolled in the sun for about an hour and a quarter. It was a magical day and annoyingly the rest of Nelson decided to come along for a walk, bike, run or to simply drag their vile children or decrepid relatives along. We also encountered dozens of dogs of varying degrees of friendliness and had a very pleasant walk.

I am mad with this cause my photo won't move....

This afternoon I pottered about in one of the spare rooms which I have set up as my "studio"...really just a bedroom with an easel, my sewing machine and a heap of other stuff in it.
Then we went to see a movie called The Ironman, which is one of those comic based movies which I usually treat with some distain (well, think The Hulk...what crap)...anyway, this was great, good action, good but not dumb special effects and a witty, fast paced story line..and don't forget Robert Downy Junior who was HOT....
Right, must be tea time. I am starting the Fatty Challenge with my sister...not a very PC name but who cares, it's her challenge. An attempt to get healthy and look fabulous and feel great about ourselves. Anyway, my typing fingers won't work which just makes me mad and there seems to be no spell checker so I will go now...more talk about the Fatty Challenge tomorrow.
May I just sign off with a photo of Daisy...I love the setting!!

Goodbye...

2008-05-24T18:20:00.001+12:00

Guess I had better update my Blog, nothing more disappointing than having favorite blogs you read and then when you visit them they haven't been updated for weeks (or even days!!).
Saturday was a lovely day here...the weather was fab for the end of May, warm, blue skies...perfect.
I took Stellar for a walk, she is joyful to walk as she is always so pleased and grateful. She wears a harness because she hasn't always been such a joy to walk...she used to pull like a train so we got a lupi harness...fantastic. Now she just trots along and can investigate things without me tugging away at her neck. Another shortcoming of dear Stellar is her "pin head"...she has a narrow head so can easily slip her collar unless it is done up so so tight it makes her eyes bulge like a pekenise.

Today I would like to pay tribute to Stellars vet, Martin Collins, who died today. He had been diagnosed with melanoma some time ago and was treated but I guess it never really went into remission.
Stellar and I were Martins last appointment on his last day of work. He gave her a hug and said how hard it was putting your trust and life into the hands of others, as he was due to go to Wellington for aggressive treatment of this horribly aggressive illness. Martin always treated Stellar with such gentleness and respect. He gave her cuddles and always commented on how gentle she was...he also never failed to comment to her ever growing girth. Martin, you were a sweetheart and a gentleman and I am sure if you were treated with the same care and respect and love you always treated your patients with, you would have been in good hands when you came home to say goodbye to your family. Stellar and I say goodbye.

Daisy and Stellar

2008-05-21T14:10:00.013+12:00

OK, looks like I am going to be writing a lot about my dog, Stellar., who is a 2 and a half year old Chocolate Labrador. Lots of people comment that she doesn't look like a purebred lab...well, she is meant to be. Her muzzle is a bit long, her ears too big, her tail too thin, her legs a bit lanky and she is HUGE for a female lab, but I don't care. To me she is perfect and I don't give a sh*t if people think she is a good example of a labrador or not.

I am not obsessed with my dog, though my husband and family might disagree...

Anyway, here she is with her friend Daisy, who belongs to my parents. Daisy came to visit the other day with my brother who was doing manly things like fixing the car and installing a new shower head. While I was busy I noticed the dogs had disappeared...where could they be? I found them on the spare bed (note the gorgeous Wallace Cotton bed linen)...Daisy, who is not allowed on the furniture at her house, seemed to show no guilt at being caught sleeping on the bed...and here is another one of them giving each other a kiss...

I did a bit of creating yesterday. I have an amazing sewing machine that arrived one day in the post...my darling husband bought it for me as a surprise. My old sewing machine came from a second hand shop and was purchased using the winnings from a night at the Dunedin Casino on the blackjack table...no, I am not a gambling freak...just a fun night out many years ago..SO...the new machine has so many features it is hard to know where to start and I have a million ideas and need to just play and make small quick things to learn to use it...anyway...I made a small fabric panel (leaf idea sort of borrowed from my sister even though she said no copying to anyone...but I am sure she won't mind for a dog toy)...and decided to add it to another piece of fabric and make a toy for Stellar...so here is it...pretty rough...

So..after abusing many crappy toys I have purchased for Stellar, saying things like, they must have been sewn up by a one armed blind person who was using spiderweb for thread due to their lack of robustness...I handed it over... it lasted only about 20 minutes...she carried it around for a bit, rested her gorgeous chinny-chin-chin on it and I proudly thought "she loves it"...then she destroyed it...nice.

Testing...

2008-05-21T13:52:00.003+12:00

Just seeing if I can work out how to add a photo...

Ok...my photo has been added...now I need to work out how to move it...oh, you just click and drag...handy...

This is my darling Stellar who is asleep in our bed. She is my darling (so is my husband)...I love her more than I thought possible.
I will write more in a minute, just want to post this and see what happens to it.

Where to start?

2008-05-20T18:02:00.003+12:00

Hi there,

Welcome to my Blog...I am not sure who I will tell about this yet...might just be the ramblings of a mad woman. Who knows what I will write about?

I am a keen reader of several blogs, including that of my sister, Poppy Black over at Poppies and Daisies (will I learn to create links?)...I also love reading about people living the good life over in the UK. My favourite blogs include those who write about their creative exploits and share their crafty ideas, and those people who love their animals and treat them as they deserve to be treated, as one of the family...

A few things about me...

I am a middle child...this means I am an organizer, a worrier, a "band aid" person...I try and fix things and make them ok for people...I am also easily frustrated, short tempered at times and a bit disorganized (despite being an organiser)...I get anxious and can't sleep the night before a holiday.
I love animals far better than people...bad I guess...I would rather see people die than animals (Hmmm...might be too early to share that kind of information!!)
We let our dog, a Chocolate labrador sleep in our bed...nothing makes me happier than waking up and the view from my pillow being chocolaty velvet ears and a brown leather nose on my pillow, and my husbands head on the pillow next door.
I like food...a lot...
My ex boyfriend was a creep...and I have enough tales to write a book about him...will write a few posts about him in the future..you will laugh...I do....
I work in health and am a Manager, I manage people who are in general, older than me. It is a weird thing, I have no desire to be a leader but it seems to come naturally, but it is all an act.
I am a HUGE fan of reality TV, I would watch it every night if I could. I am addicted to Project Runway, The Amazing Race, Biggest Loser and Americas Next Top Model at the moment..oh, and don''t forget Survivor. But my all time fave reality show has to be "So You think you can Dance"...or maybe Big Brother...I don't know...there are too many, they are all good.
I don't really have a great use for friends. I like my own company, and that of my dog and my husband and my family. If I never see another person outside of work, that would suit me just fine.
I would like to travel more...I will tell you about our travels...and our upcoming trip to America.
I love to sew, be crafty and paint. I wish there were more hours in the day. I wish I had a wee studio in the country and enough talent to make money.
If I won Lotto I would buy some land and have an animal sanctuary and adopt all sorts of animals that need love and a comfortable home.
I am afraid to have children just in case I love my dog more...I hate kids...I am missing the cluck factor...and am afraid it will never kick in while the biological clock keeps on ticking.
I use far to many of these ...........

My husband, who likes to cook and usually makes tea while I walk the dog, is serving up the chicken ravioli...my mouth is watering...so will sign off on my first post.
I need to find out how to attach photos...maybe next time.

M