duck, duck, goose......

'Tis New Years Eve..... almost 9:30pm.....

and here I sit in my kitchen.... there is a gorgeous cool breeze blowing in the kitchen door, and I can hear fireworks being let off into the almost dark sky.

I've just come in from watering the garden. It's my favourite time of day. The sky is dressing up - clothing herself in all those magnificent colours, and showing them off to anyone who bothers to look up and take a moment to appreciate them..... although she is constantly changing her mind about what she will wear tonight to enchant the moon... finally slipping away behind the hills.

I feel so much calmer and able to think once it's cooled off and the rest of the world seems to have gone to bed.

As is always the case on New Years Eve, I sit and ponder on the year that is ending and wonder about what lies ahead.

I don't feel as though I've achieved what it was I set out to do this year, and am slightly disappointed that I'm here in New Zealand, still. But... I'm really enjoying my little house, and while it's all been very slow, I can handle that.

It does leave me feeling like I have a HUGE question mark hanging over my head for this year. Only absolute right now would be wedding in April. After that - anything could happen.

I was watching the movie "The Holiday" the other day.... and stumbled across this. It actually kind of sums it all up for me right now.

".... sometimes you can even convince yourself that he'll see the light and show up at your door. But after all that, however long all that may be, you'll go somewhere new and you'll meet people who make you feel worthwhile again, and little pieces of your soul will finally come back and all that fuzzy stuff, those years of your life that you wasted - that will eventually begin to fade."

~ Iris, The Holiday

I feel like I may just be getting through to that place where I'm beginning to believe that I am worthwhile.

It's a long road.... but I'm trusting that I'll finish this race set out before me.....

It's certainly less lonely with all you wonderful people in my life who offer up words of encouragement and support.
You are all so appreciated.

Wishing you all a wonderful year ahead of you.

Arohanui

xxxx

A time to give.....

Praying that everyone is having a Christmas blessed with much love and joy - and that we all find time to reflect on what it's all about.

God bless.

Born to die ~ Bebo Norman

They never knew a dark night
Always had the Son's light on
their face
Perfect in glory
Broken by the story of untold
grace.... come that day

Majesty had come down
Glory had succumbed now to flesh
and bone
In the arms of a manger
In the hands of strangers that could
not know
Just who they hold

* And the angels filled the sky
All of heaven wondered why
Why their King would choose to be
Be a baby born to die

And all fell silent
For the cry of an infant, the voice
of God
Was dividing history
For those with eyes to see, the Son
would shine
From earth that night

To break the chains
Of guilt and sin
To find us here
To pull us in
So we can join in Heaven's song
And with one voice around the throne

All the Angels filled the sky
And I can't help but wonder why
Why this King would choose to be
Be a baby born for me
Be a baby born to die

some more.....

photos.....

pics from the last wander

I was over on the Coromandel on Thursday. It was a stunning sunny day, and while driving around catching up with clients I managed to snap some pictures. It was really nice to be out armed with my camera. I haven't actually felt terribly inspired lately.

I was actually thinking about checking out some courses. I'd love to do some night classes to learn more, and maybe take it all a little further. You know that dream job of working for National Geographic, or Lonely Planet. Think I'm going to have to put a little more effort into that! :)




Computer isn't being very co-operative right now... so will have to try and download the pictures individually on here. A tad bit frustrating.

nuts?

the other cheeky monkey

~

Tawhai decided to use up an entire jar of Tamati's hair gel. Two hair washes, which he hates at the best of times, and you wouldn't know the difference. He's such a riot!

He helped me decorate cupcakes.... taking great delight in sprinkling hundreds and thousands all over them (and everything else), and wore his apron with such pride. I'm going to have to make him one of his own when my sewing machine arrives. A very enthusiastic little chef indeed.

The house looked immaculate before they arrived...... this morning when I left I walked out the door wondering what on earth had happened. Who needs a tidy house when you can have so much fun making a mess?!

Hope everyone else had as much fun this weekend. :)

sometimes.....

~

I think I know what she's thinking! hehehe.

I'm not sure that I can get away with making this expression any more?

The super happy couple

A picture of Danica and Neil.... out on our adventures. This bridge was originally built in the mid 1800's - which is pretty old by NZ standards! Was pretty cool that while it was closed back in the '80's a bunch of people got together and decided to give it a new lease of life.

Get a bunch of people jumping up and down on it, and it's quite an exciting place to be. :)

~

After the weekend.....

Managed to get a couple of pics before it started to RAIN.... and wow, did it rain! The whole weekend was spent jumping puddles.

It was still a wonderful weekend.

This pic was taken on Friday night from "the Bach" where we went for dinner. Fantastic company and great food.... plus it's hard to beat such a view.

moi

taking off....

I'm heading down to New Plymouth tomorrow..... our main supplier is based down there, so I'm going to go and check out the factory and meet all the top dogs as well as finally meet some of the people that I spend much of the day on the phone bothering with all my questions.

Really looking forward to meeting them!

We're going out to dinner tomorrow night - along with my old flatmate and her fiance.

Yep - also getting to talk wedding with Danica. Realised there are only 6 months until they want to get married, and I have no idea what the plans are. Hopefully I'll get to help out with the lists, and check out the venue and dress ideas that she has. :-)
(curious as to what she has in mind for me too... no pink frills I hope! )

I'll be armed with camera the whole time. I've been pretty slack about taking it with me these days - partly because the truck just doesn't have much space... which sounds kind of pitiful - but everything seems to take up so much room, espcially suitcases.

I should have some pics to post when I get back though. :)

I'll have oodles of time to drive and think, and hopefully come back with a clear mind ready to get focused on things that need to be done - like that plastering next weekend.

Happy weekend people.

xxxx

why?

I find myself doing things that I shouldn't.

Thinking thoughts that should never even enter my mind.

And I know that it's because I'm not spending enough time in the word, and yet... I feel like I've fallen so far short from where I should be that I don't know how to begin climbing back up.

How did I allow myself to fall into the traps that were laid out before me, and not see the truth?

I know that we all fall short, and that there is forgiveness. I know that when I hear the words muttered in my head that I don't deserve it that they are just lies.....
But finding the strength to scream out that I have been given the authority from Christ to trample on scorpions and snakes feels like such an effort.

Apathy.

Evita.....

the adorable duo.... i don't think there is anyway that I could actually describe how much I adore these two. They are just super precious!

We were at the lake for mum's birthday yesterday..... Tawhai has just started saying his name, and that he should do everything. Quite cute. Meanwhile Evita is running everywhere. She turns 1 next week, and is just starting to talk too. :) Fun times!

~

the nightingale.....

~

I've actually made some time to pick up a few books that I've had sitting around for ages - in fact, this one has been through at least 3 moves with me, and only now have I actually read any of it.

It's a collection of Oscar Wilde stories.

The first one that I flicked to was quite lovely.... a beautiful story of how we really can't take things at face value.

The Model Millionaire

http://www.eastoftheweb.com/short-stories/UBooks/ModMil.shtml

I managed  to get in a few others before stumbling into this one;
The Nightingale and the Rose.

http://www.eastoftheweb.com/short-stories/UBooks/NigRos.shtml

It's a story about love....

and while I was reading it I was reminded of something.  I tucked away the thoughts, as I'm sure I got busy. I picked the book up again tonight, thinking I might share it with someone. While I was reading it again that familiar feeling came over me once more.

It was the act of complete selflessness.

A life given up for a greater cause.

Sound familiar?

1 Corinthians 13
The Way of Love
1 If I speak with human eloquence and angelic ecstasy but don't love, I'm nothing but the creaking of a rusty gate. 2If I speak God's Word with power, revealing all his mysteries and making everything plain as day, and if I have faith that says to a mountain, "Jump," and it jumps, but I don't love, I'm nothing. 3-7If I give everything I own to the poor and even go to the stake to be burned as a martyr, but I don't love, I've gotten nowhere. So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I'm bankrupt without love.

Love never gives up.
Love cares more for others than for self.
Love doesn't want what it doesn't have.
Love doesn't strut,
Doesn't have a swelled head,
Doesn't force itself on others,
Isn't always "me first,"
Doesn't fly off the handle,
Doesn't keep score of the sins of others,
Doesn't revel when others grovel,
Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth,
Puts up with anything,
Trusts God always,
Always looks for the best,
Never looks back,
But keeps going to the end.

8-10Love never dies. Inspired speech will be over some day; praying in tongues will end; understanding will reach its limit. We know only a portion of the truth, and what we say about God is always incomplete. But when the Complete arrives, our incompletes will be canceled.

11When I was an infant at my mother's breast, I gurgled and cooed like any infant. When I grew up, I left those infant ways for good.

12We don't yet see things clearly. We're squinting in a fog, peering through a mist. But it won't be long before the weather clears and the sun shines bright! We'll see it all then, see it all as clearly as God sees us, knowing him directly just as he knows us!

13But for right now, until that completeness, we have three things to do to lead us toward that consummation: Trust steadily in God, hope unswervingly, love extravagantly. And the best of the three is love.

From The Message version.

I know I could do with a gentle nudge to remember what it is to truly love, and how it's not actually just the people that I find it easy to share that with - but more so with the people I find it difficult to love.

xx

emptying....

~

My head has been full of "stuff" lately. Buzzing away with thoughts.  (perhaps how I'd feel if I were to have a seagull sitting 
on my head all day?)

Sure, if I were to catagorize it I probably could quite easily.....

 ~ family
 ~ work
 ~ house
 ~ friends
 ~ wants
 ~ random what'cha ma callits

Simple, right?

Now, how do I declutter the thoughts so that I can better process them all?

hehehe

I guess the biggest thing at the moment would be the fact that I've been asked to be maid of honour for a friend who is getting married in April next year.

At the time I had just finished a conversation with a good friend of mine who was encouraging me to pray about the 'when' of me packing up and leaving. I'd said that I really wasn't sure if it was meant to happen this year. I got off the phone and turned on my computer to find the email asking me about the wedding. Answer straight away!

It was actually awesome  to have that kind of confirmation. Yeah, I'm kind of gutted, but not about to try and do this move in my own strength. I'm quite happy to wait for God to say when. In the mean time I've got more than enough to keep me busy.

Who knows if it will be straight after the wedding that I can run away, or if it will be at the end of next year now? Someone told me I was at an incubator stage in my life...... things 
were just being readied for me to break out and get busy 
with whatever it is I'm meant to do?

Bring it on.....

down the road

~

The journey has always been about laughing together, loving eachother, seeking adventure, believing in our dreams and making a difference..........

but sometimes we forget.

tip toe through the tulips.....

Well... spring sprung a while ago. I even welcomed it in with a poem on the radio. (Ah, yes. The things that I am convinced to do on air!)

I met a neighbour a few doors down the other day, when he came to ask if he could stick his sheep in my backyard. Yes, only in New Zealand! I now have a ewe with her twin lambs roaming around, hopefully cleaning up the long grass down the hill for me. I was going to get the nanny goats back, but after one of them escaped I was a little worried that they would go wandering into one of the neighbours places, and destroy the beautiful garden where the ewe has come from. This way I'm not responsible for any mishaps. :) And I don't need to find a way to mow the lawns.

Lazy?

The house hasn't had much done to it in the last couple of weeks. The last bit of wallpaper stripping that I did - when I finally got the spare room finished was when I had a wee accident.

Note to self - do not use any equipment when blurry eyed and unable to concentrate properly.

I somehow managed to lean over the steamer with my arm, and rested it right on top of the steam vent, letting the steam escape right onto my arm. In my stubborn state of mind, I didn't even stop what I was doing until the room was finished! 20 mins later, I was sore, although thrilled to see no more wallpaper in sight.

I finally checked out the burn and put it under the cold water. Very silly. It gets worse though.... I pretty much ignored it until the blister burst, and I had no choice but to go to the doctor a week later. Antibiotics are a great thing! As are South African nurses who are gentle at dressing such things. (though I will say that when she had to cut the skin off it hurt alot!)

2 weeks later, and a few more visits to have the burn dressed it feels so much better, and is looking ok too. It felt so good this morning, that I took off the bandage, and have left it to breathe today.

I now have my first war wound from the house adventure, I guess. The first and last, I hope!

That means that this weekend I might actually get to start the plastering.

I'll have to put up a pic before I start the next bit.
Fun times.

Be blessed.

ambling

Was reading a book review ages ago..... quite a different book - but I was interested in the quote that they used:

"The wrong hung wallpaper could upset him (Oscar Wilde) more than the death of a family member"
We often underestimate how much of our inner cheer hinges around the quality of our environment.
The Architecture of happiness - Aain DeBotton

I understand what they are trying to say, though it reminds me of how we are supposed to have a home which is peaceful and welcoming. I wonder what Oscar would have thought of my house? Would it be somewhere that he would have been happy to have been?

I had a friend call round last night, bringing dinner with them. SCORE!
After eating he sat and read and I sat and organised photos while some mellow music played. It was relaxing, and you know, it was just great to have that space to share with someone else. To see them relaxed in the atmosphere that you'd created. I hope that doesn't sound all arrogant, it's just something that I've always wanted to be able to provide for friends.

A simple goal of mine.

the other night

Looks like my blog is doing funny things....

Will have to try and play around with it later.

For now, these were caught the other night - alas, we didn't get such a clear sky the night of the eclipse - this was the night after. :)

this side of tomorrow.....

 

~

I was driving home the other night, right at dusk.... my favourite time to be out with my camera. I haven't had my camera in the truck in ages, so wanted to grab this one - unfortunately, I drove past, and didn't manage to get turned around for a while. By the time I got back, the light had changed again.

I'll have to try again another day.

moon rising....

The weekend is almost over, again.

I've got a small patch of wallpaper in the spare room that is teasing me. I ran out of steam just before I got to the part above the door. Not sure if I'll get back in there tonight.

I can't wait to get to the plastering part though, and then to see the paint getting slapped on. I'm going with nutrals throughout the house. My room is a beige/cream, which carries down the hall. The kitchen is more of a mushroom colour, so I'll keep it along those themes.

The thing will be when the room is totally finished. Then I can have visitors. Yipeeeee!

Soul Salsa

~


I was given a book by a good friend of mine - He's a chaplain over in Australia at a private boys school. Someone I've known for a super long time. In fact, he's been in my life through all of the big stuff.

I have to say I'm really quite enjoying the read. It hasn't been one of those books that I sit down and just devour - but more a book to snack on. :)

So, I thought I'd share some of the last little thought provoking bits.

"You can't pray for people without being changed by those prayers. A pastor taking another parish spoke these words of warning to the congregation in his good-bye sermon:

Sometime I'd like to hear someone say, "Pray for me," and have the person they're asking say, "No, I'd be afraid of doing that. It would require us to become too connected. If I prayed for you I would no longer be able to objectify you and it would change our relationship in ways I would find unsettling. Praying for you would also pull me out of my narcissistic selfishness and force me to contemplate the ineffable power of God in my life which would also be uncomfortable. So thank you, but I just can't.

To pray for someone is to enter into a reciprocal relationship of life transformation."

He goes on to talk about how we need to make our life a prayer. It shouldn't so much be to pray the Lord's Prayer, but to become it. When everything that we do is offered up as a prayer to God, then we become that prayer. "

God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self discipline.
~ Timothy 1:7

Taken from Learn to Dance the Soul Salsa by Leonard Sweet, 2000. pg 36,37



~

friday, I'm in love

One of my customers and I have this thing, where we'll often have a conversation, which is interjected with song titles which go along with what we're talking about.

Does that make sense?

The one that stands out would be the days of the week......
I don't like Mondays,
Outlook for Tuesday.....

It's kind of silly, and the guy who sits in the other desk in the area always rolls his eyes when we get on a roll.... we go off on absolute tangents all the time. I appreciate it alot!

I was talking to someone else yesterday about the "click" which happens between two people. You start talking to someone, and you have that instant rapport with them.
I always find myself getting excited when I feel that.
It's a buzz.
A high.
The possibility that there is a 'kindred spirit' there that you may be able to bounce ideas around with.

This particular person had told me a while ago that when he goes out, he doesn't tend to talk to strangers at all. If he's in a bar, he'll sit and watch. I got kind of sad when I started to think about that one. Partly because this is a person who's conversation I value a great deal. I felt sorry that people weren't getting to experience his intelligence and all that he has to offer others.

I told him that yesterday, and I really hope that he took it in the spirit that I meant it.

At the same time... when I asked if it was because they were just very comfortable with life the way it was - they have a close group of friends, and doesn't actually feel the need for more. He related immediately to that.
I do understand. Life is incredibly busy, and it is hard to actually make the time and to put in the effort that is required to build those relationships. I can't deny that.
But - I've always been one of those people who has found that one can't have too many friends.

That's not to say that I open up to anyone and everyone.

I don't.
I'm very picky when it comes to having deep conversations and close relationships.

BUT... I guess I've been on the other side often enough to know that there are incredibly good people out there who don't have the friends that they need. People who have moved. Who are trying to start over. It takes a huge amount of effort for them and I know how much I value people who will make the effort and take the time to get to know me and befriend me.

If we settle, become comfortable and somewhat compliant we don't know what relationships we may miss out on. Those 'kindred spirits' just waiting to be embraced into our worlds.

I guess I want to encourage everyone to sometimes step out of their comfort zone, to make sure that there aren't people around us who are in desperate need of a friend, a smile, an encouraging word.

It doesn't take much to make someone feel appreciated and worthwhile... and in all honesty.... it's something that we don't seem to be very good at doing.


I guess it reminds me of that quote from St Francis of Assisi.

"Preach the gospel at all times, and if you have to, use words."

gathering thoughts.....

~

finish each day and be done with it. you have done what you could. some blunders and absurdities have crept in; forget them as soon as you can. tomorrow is a new day. you shall begin it serenely and with too high a spirit to be encumbered with your old nonsense.

~ emerson

christchurch ~ the square

  




this man watches all those passing by the square. I thought it was time for me to watch him instead when I was last down there.

my favourite kind of field

into the hills....

I've got so many pictures that I need to go through.... and not enough time to sit down and actually do much of anything.

My computer is growing old and slow, and I freak at the idea that I might have to upgrade the beast, when there are so many other things that need to happen.

I had a classic weekend......
It's been raining cats and dogs! Flooding galour!
I was inside for most of the day, but had to run out to grab some things.... and while I was out the ceiling decided to leak in my living room. Now - a decent sized room, so amazingly enough... where should it leak, but right over my television!!! Was quite classic. I'm ever greatful that it wasn't over my books... but I had to laugh.

I managed to get ahold of a wise friend who gave me a perscription to follow....

"go and buy a cheap heater from the warehouse (NZ version of wallymart) $15, bring it home and aim is directly to the back of the tv, leaving it on for 2 hours. After that, turn it on, and call me if it goes Whoooomf"

Had to laugh - but followed his directions, and wohooooo... tv was fine after that. :)

Ironically, while it's winter, I hadn't gone out and bought a heater since moving in here. I haven't been that cold - but I had to buy one for my tv!

Of course - the same weekend, my hot water cylinder decided to give up too. That was abit more of an ouch. Meant I had to have a cold shower on Monday morning, and get an electrician out to fix it. Nice and expenssive - but at least I have hot water again.

Just been looking at log burners. Absolutely love the idea of having one put in here.... but we'll see. First I've really got to get the kitchen sorted out. :)

Right... lots of driving to get through today.
Just wanted to get something out into the void.

Hopefully this week will be a little more quiet than the last few, and I can catch up on what's going on with everyone out there.

Thinking of you all... prayers flying!

xxx

fingers grip....

I've been shut up in the spare room tonight, doing what I started a few nights ago..... the wallpaper is moving.

With it a past - one of golds and greens on cream. Swirls of the 60's are being moved along with the stories that they could whisper to me.
So the pattern was painted over in that bright blue a few years ago now, the time has come for something new in the room!

People had warned me that I would never enjoy this job. That it would take ages, and I still have the plastering to look forward to yet. (Eick!)
There is some bizarre sense of satisfaction that comes from tearing each small strip that I can convince to let go of it's piece of jib.
The walls are starting to show the nakedness of white, and with it comes an anticipation of newness.

One of excitement.

One of promise.

This process is about so much more than making improvements to an old house.

It's the beginning of something new in me.

meanwhile..... my fingers are sore, and nails are gone.

Ah, the joys!

Kia kaha.
xx

if

was talking to a friend the other day, and for some reason we got onto poetry.

He reminded me of this one... Rudyard Kippling

If you can keep your head when all about you
are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubtyou,
But make allowance for their doubting too;
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or being lief about, don't deal in lies,
Or being hated don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise:

If you can dream - and not make dreams your master;
If you can think - and not make thoughts your aim,
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build'em up with worn-out tools:

If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breathe a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve to sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the will which says to them: "Hold on!"

If you can talk to crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with Kinds - nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes now loving friends can hurt you,
If all men count with you, but none too much;
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything thta's in it,
And - which is more - you'll be a Man, my son!

inside....

the making of a baker.....

Yesterday was Tamati's birthday, and also the big day of moving for them - so Tawhai and I got busy in the kitchen.

Yep ...... we made dad date scones for breakfast! and you know what, I think I've become more relaxed over the years with kids. He had a blast with the flour, and putting things in the wizz and turning it on. Was super fun to watch him having so much fun.

the last sunset....

The last night I spent on the farm.... thought it was appropriate to capture it. Stunning stuff!

the house....

Not great pics - but I've been promising people that I would put some up. Hopefully I'll get some of the inside after the chaos this weekend. :)

Note - window next to the front door, the one that I had to replace. WOHOOO! It fit perfectly, and now I can attack that room. Need to replace some of the jib board, and strip the wallpaper. Exciting times! Then I'll have a spare room all ready for the visitors - especially those with paint brushes.

thief....

I don't want to be all depressed about anything. But this is the song of the moment. The song that fills my heart, and I'm going to let it for a moment. Let it be a swift moment though.

I think it means more because of the explanation that came with why it was written. Brooke makes me laugh, and smile with the gentle way that she exposes herself in her songs. Have to admire that.

if you get a chance, have a listen to it.....

www.brookefraser.com

The Thief
Your eyes are full
Full of the future of us
The air changes as you look across
At me in that wondering way

It is as if
I knew you before we spoke
Do our hearts know something we don't?
Conspiring, converging without giving us any say

CHORUS
You, sing me to sleep
Talk down my walls
Look through my windows as I wait
You could be the thief
I give the key to

You're ruining me
With secrets and gestures and looks
With sonnets from second-hand books
Playing the chords in me nobody knew how to play

It fits in your hand like water in rain
It unlocks our two different selves
And shows we are the same
Rather than wait `til I put me out for the taking
You're breaking
You're breaking
You're breaking into my heart
And I'm letting you

happening.....

So I'm all moved......
that is to say that I'm living in the house with boxes all around me.

I'm driving down to a cute little town tomorrow to pick up the vital fridge and washing machine, which should be quite fun - considering all the snow that is on the roads at the moment. I've managed to convince a friend to come and keep me company. Strangely for the first time I really didn't want to go on this drive on my own. I think more because if something happened, I really wouldn't be able to lift a fridge on my own. ;)
Sure, I'd like to think I could deal with it - but my stuborness ends with fridges.

I'm gutted that I haven't taken any photos before things have started to happen!
Hopefully the rain will have gone by Sunday, and I can get snap happy so that I've got a record of what's happened to the abode. The things that have been done have made a huge difference so far though.... The picture is starting to take shape and I'm getting excited.

A long way to go though!

Other than the house, life is ambling along.

Feeling rather shallow still..... questioning things.... and where I need to go.... how my relationships need to change and be worked on.

I need to make more time for God.

Sunbeams and daisies.
xx

long time coming.....

The packing has begun.
The boxes are being gathered.
The "stuff" is being sorted.

Here we go again!

Actually... I just sold my beloved little car; Molly, so this is really happening.

In saying that, I also just bought a fridge, washing machine, dryer, microwave and vacuum... so while I'm getting rid of things, I'm gaining rapidly too.

I move into the house over in Morrinsville on Friday for operation DO UP. The plan - to do up the house and sell it all before Dec 11th, which is cut off date for flights to somewhere far far away. :)

Yes... I'm on a mission, and I'm gaining painters and builders as I go.

I'll be snaping pics on Sunday when I get back from Auckland for a reunion of wild and crazy university friends. Hopefully I'll be all unpacked come Sunday too. Though I don't get all the nitty gritty things for another week. (Big trip south for all of those things)

It's all madness and mayhem, and I'm trying to soak up the views from the farm while I can. I'll be 30 mins away, which is nothing - but I don't imagine I'll have alot of time for much else besides the house.

It's a new season.

Bring it on!

Thought for this new season....

if it doesn't scare you, it isn't from God!

xxx

pics....

Bridesmaid flowers....





















Raewyn - after the ceremony....


















I didn't really get the chance to catch up with her - but it was a gorgeous ceremony, and I guess I'll have to try and get down there again before too long.

The building where they had the ceremony was stunning.... the old court room of Christchurch, with stainglass windows, cool old fire places, big old room with a balcony.