big day out

Yes, I got to take Tawhai on his first fair ride. He was hillarious!!!!! I thought he might start crying after the first round - but he just started laughing away. Very cute.

We went to go and watch my cousin in the National Shearing Champs. She was absolutely brilliant - ended up 6th, and is still the only girl to do so well. She just blows me away with her strength and calm manner doing something so hard..... and she has such style about her too. :)
Took this picture of Tawhai with Sam afterwards (Emily's husband) He's a mans man with the softest nature... and the ability to grow amazing spuds! :)

pics from this week

I was off exploring on Tuesday..... up and around the Coromandel. Was a bit grey, but still such a great place to be. Was kind of one of those hot sticky days in the rain. Bizarre how that happens.

I'd promised to take some pictures for a friend who hasn't ever been up there - so, here you go!

<--------Those are the Dr Seus Trees

















































Just to give you a glimpse. :)

another year....

Oh yeah.....

Friday is that day again......

Can't believe that it's been a year since the night in the park with all my friends and mum and dad flying down to surprise me.

This year......
I'm working and that's about it.

I've been invited out to dinner with a bunch of other people in Hamilton from different churches, and I think I'll go along to that - though it will be lonely, not sharing my day with friends.
I had thought about having a birthday dinner on Saturday night - but Tamati is going away for the weekend, and brother David is in a bit of a funk right now, not returning my calls... so it would be mum, dad and alex. hehehe. Actually, Alex I think Alex may even be working?
Another weekend?

It is, after all, just another day.

As ever, thoughts running rampant.

xx

Bonjour!

Salut mes chers amis!

Another weekend breezed past, and it was all a blur.

My brother, sister in law and neice and nephew came to stay. It was lovely to have a full house, and to have the company, but it really did stretch my patience too.
They'd all been very sick that week, and so I'm sure Tessa and Tamati needed a break - but Evita was being quite fussy, and just wanted to be held all the time.... poor Tawhai must be teething, and while he's just the best at finding things to do - I felt quite bad that I didn't give him more attention.

I was left feeling drained and with the thought that I would just not make a good mother. My time as a nanny and in the classroom had indicated as much.... being an aunt has confirmed! Hehe. It's not really an issue, but a passing comment.

Anyway.... I've since been hit by the passing bug, and spent all of yesterday in bed, or in the bathroom... and today, while better - still not able to sit for long periods. Thankfully the spa is such a relief. I can go and sit out there and almost fall asleep in a state of bliss. The heat seems to help my stomach settle a little and eases those aches and pains from the tractors which visit requently during the night, running over my back and legs. hehehe.

This however may be the motivation that is required to get me down to the local video store to become a member. 10 months later and I still haven't been down there to get out a dvd, which is most bizarre... I don't think any of my friends would believe me if I told them that. Today, I do feel like watching something though. :) A nice sappy movie to keep me company.

The movie "Miss Potter" has just come out here, and I was supposed to go and see it last week with a new friend. (yes.... I'm getting out there and meeting people, slowly but surely. hehehe) I ended up in Auckland though, and he got bogged down with work. hehehe. Maybe this week we'll actually get there?
Yesterday we had a cute little visitor, so I thought I would include a picture of her for you. For those of your who are Beatrix Potter fans, such as myself - you should have no problem recognising her.

Yes.... Miss Tiggywinkle came a-visiting. And Twiggy was most curious.....


I think Twiggy thought she'd found a new friend. And while a hedgehog will hardly hurt, not something to dig your claws into.

It's rather unusual to see one out at day light, so hope that this little one was ok. It was just as dusk, and it seemed quite happy foraging around looking for slugs and snails. I have no idea where it wandered off to after this.... but hopefully it stayed clear of the horses hooves.

Right.... must move..... tickets to buy for Brooke Frasers concert - which I'm most excited about, and better try and get something done with this car.

Be blessed
xx

from the office desk

The American story.....

Wow, it's almost been a month since Valentines eve. And while this all happened on the night, that really isn't the point. :)

I had band practice that night.... and when I got out, my phone had not one, but two messages from my parents asking me to stop and get milk on my way home. Kind of funny since they both rang independently. Great minds?

So... off I trot to the super market. It's a place I don't actually mind when the hoards have all gone home to sleep, and you can meander the isles in blissful peace. I wander around, perhaps a little aimless, and endup with an arm load of things. (I'm always of the opinion that if I don't get a trolley than I won't buy more things than I need, because it's just too difficult to load up - but what ends up happening is that I struggle to carry everything!)

To the check out I go, and stand behind a guy.

Now, super markets aren't really the place to strike up a conversation. People generally stand around and mind their own business. They look at what the person in front of them has bought. Make all sorts of judgement calls, just to wild and crazy conclussions, and that's the end of that.
I however have this need to talk - especially since I only seem to talk while I'm at work. So, standing there, this guy is waiting for the check out chick to find something, and we start talking. He's from America - so immediatly I have more to say.
~ where in the States are you from?
~ How long have you been here?
~ Where have you been so far?
~ Favourite spots
~ Where to next
It goes on from there until things are finally sorted, and off he goes.

This is where you would imagine normalcy accomplised once more, and it is for a moment.

I walk out to my truck and literally throw the stuff into the passengers seat - there really isn't any other way of doing it. Then, when I look up, I see that the guy is parked right in front of me.
I don't think there was any real thought going through my head.... except, Why not?

I walk over and say " please don't think me a stalker, or strange, but I wondered what you were doing now? Would you like to go get a drink?"

We end up standing there and talking for a while, then eventually head off to a cafe. We even find parking right next to eachother, and wander up the street..... sit at the cafe and talk until the place is all packed up around us.

What blissssss... a night of conversation, different opinions, stories of travel and life.

Yeah.... could once actually ask for more on what is supposed to be this extravagent night of romance? I don't think so. In fact, I think that officially rates up there as my best Valentines night - one with a complete stranger, who I may never see again. No romance, no motives, no worries. hehehe

Madness, I know!

march, already!

The weekend is zooming by, and I thought if I don't sit down now, and make time, when will I get around to it again?

Firstly; Mr Ed, I so appreciate your notes, and constant encouragement. You really are so super sweet to stop by and check up on me. To anyone else who stops by... thanks to you too. :)

Right.... some pics that I had to share


Firstly; Tawhai and Popa! hehehehe... yes, one of Tawhai's first words is Popa, and he says it with such convection and excitement. We've come to the conclusion that while he loves Popa, what he really LOVES is the tractor! Whenever they are driving out in the country now, Tawh gets all excited and starts saying Popa, regardless of where they are. Has made for some tearful drives. But, wow is it ever cute when he does arrive here, and jumps out of the car to find Popa!

Next bit of exciting news; Tawhai is trying to say my name! :) Yipeeeeeeeee....... ok, so CJ is coming out like Yeyay, but I'll take whatever I can get. He even chants it around the house, especially after I've been around there. How cute is that?!

Evita is growing super quickly, and I suspect is going to jump straight to walking. She is a mover and a groover, and hates to be still. Quite hillarious to watch, but exhausting to have to try and hold. We had her dedication last weekend at church, and she wore a dress that was made from Tessa's great grandmother's wedding dress. Absolutely gorgeous, and for the first time she just snuggled into my arms through most of the service. It was so precious to have that time with her, and just cherish this beautiful little girl. I've got a couple of photos on my computer that I need to get over here to put up.....
For now, this one will have to do. Tamati being his usual cheeky self.


Tamati's response to my saying that I was looking to move was one of panic, quickly followed by one of madness. He's adament about setting me up with some guy. Yes, he's of the belief that if I should fall madly in love, then I wouldn't make such threats. It was such a funny process to watch. Instantly naming off guys with Tessa.... " what do you think of so and so, and then there's.... "
I had to laugh.
I'm not looking for a guy to make me feel better about living here. I would like some friends to do things with. I'm becoming more of a recluse, and it's scaring me - as it's becoming more comfortable, and I know that I'm starting to make less of an effort.
Sure, I still ask people out, and am ever the friendly one.... but it's becoming less of an issue.

I'll have to spill the story about the American in another blog. hehehe.

Hope the weekends have been warm and filled with much laughter. It is certainly an awesome thing to have people around who fill your heart with warmth and cheerfulness.

Be blessed.
xx