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