Around the bend ... and a bit further down the road

Some more mood songs- arrggghh

2009-05-04T17:43:00.001+12:00

Train - Drops of Jupiter

Now that she's back in the atmosphere
With drops of jupiter in her hair, hey, hey
She acts like summer and walks like rain
Reminds me that there's time to change, hey, hey
Since the return from her stay on the moon
She listens like spring and she talks like june, hey, hey

Tell me did you sail across the sun
Did you make it to the milky way to see the lights all faded
And that heaven is overrated

Tell me, did you fall for a shooting star
One without a permanent scar
And did you miss me while you were looking at yourself out there

Now that she's back from that soul vacation
Tracing her way through the constellation, hey, hey
She checks out mozart while she does tae-bo
Reminds me that there's time to grow, hey, hey

Now that she's back in the atmosphere
I'm afraid that she might think of me as plain ol' jane
Told a story about a man who is too afraid to fly so he never did land

Tell me did the wind sweep you off your feet
Did you finally get the chance to dance along the light of day
And head back to the milky way
And tell me, did venus blow your mind
Was it everything you wanted to find
And did you miss me while you were looking for yourself out there

Can you imagine no love, pride, deep-fried chicken
Your best friend always sticking up for you even when I know you�re wrong
Can you imagine no first dance, freeze dried romance five-hour phone
Conversation
The best soy latte that you ever had . . . and me

Tell me did the wind sweep you off your feet
Did you finally get the chance to dance along the light of day
And head back toward the milky way

Creed - Beautiful

She wears a coat of color
Loved by some, feared by others
She's immortalized in young men's eyes

Lust she breeds in the eyes of brothers
Violent sons make bitter mothers
Close your eyes, here's your surprise

But Beautiful is empty
Beautiful is free
Beautiful loves no one
Beautiful stripped me
Stripped me
Stripped me
Stripped me

In your mind she's your companion
Vile instincts often candid
Your regret is all that's left

(chorus)

She told me where I'm going
And it's far away from home
I think I'll go there on my own
I think I'll go there on my own
She told me where I'm going
And it's far away from home
I think I'll go there on my own
I think I'll go there on my own

But Beautiful is empty
Beautiful is free
Beautiful loves no one
Beautiful stripped me
Stripped me
Stripped me
Stripped me

She stripped me
Stripped me

I took a walk around the world to
Ease my troubled mind
I left my body laying somewhere
In the sands of time
I watched the world float to the dark
Side of the moon
I feel there is nothing I can do, yeah

I watched the world float to the
Dark side of the moon
After all I knew it had to be something
To do with you
I really don't mind what happens now and then
As long as you'll be my friend at the end

If I go crazy then will you still
Call me Superman
If I'm alive and well, will you be
There holding my hand
I'll keep you by my side with
My superhuman might
Kryptonite

You called me strong, you called me weak
But your secrets I will keep
You took for granted all the times I
Never let you down
You stumbled in and bumped your head, if
Not for me then you would be dead
I picked you up and put you back
On solid ground

If I go crazy then will you still
Call me Superman
If I'm alive and well will you be
There holding my hand
I'll keep you by my side with my
Superhuman might
Kryptonite

Muse

2009-04-30T23:45:00.001+12:00

Unintended

Choice to live my life extended
You could be the one I'll always love
You could be the one who listens to my deepest inquisitions
You could be the one I'll always love
I'll be there as soon as I can
But I'm busy mending broken pieces of the life I had before
First there was the one who challenged
All my dreams and all my balance
She could never be as good as you
You could be my unintended
Choice to live my life extended
You should be the one I'll always love
I'll be there as soon as I can
But I'm busy mending broken pieces of the life I had before
I'll be there as soon as I can
But I'm busy mending broken pieces of the life I had before
Before you

Maroon 5

2009-04-30T23:34:00.001+12:00

She will be loved

Beauty queen of only eighteen
She had some trouble with herself
He was always there to help her
She always belonged to someone else

I drove for miles and miles
And wound up at your door
I've had you so many times but somehow
I want more

I don't mind spending everyday
Out on your corner in the pouring rain
Look for the girl with the broken smile
Ask her if she wants to stay awhile
And she will be loved
She will be loved

Tap on my window knock on my door
I want to make you feel beautiful
I know I tend to get so insecure
It doesn't matter anymore

It's not always rainbows and butterflies
It's compromise that moves us along, yeah
My heart is full and my door's always open
You can come anytime you want

I don't mind spending everyday
Out on your corner in the pouring rain
Look for the girl with the broken smile
Ask her if she wants to stay awhile
And she will be loved
And she will be loved
And she will be loved
And she will be loved

I know where you hide
Alone in your car
Know all of the things that make you who you are
I know that goodbye means nothing at all
Comes back and begs me to catch her every time she falls

Tap on my window knock on my door
I want to make you feel beautiful

I don't mind spending everyday
Out on your corner in the pouring rain
Look for the girl with the broken smile
Ask her if she wants to stay awhile
And she will be loved
And she will be loved
And she will be loved
And she will be loved

[in the background]
Please don't try so hard to say goodbye
Please don't try so hard to say goodbye

Yeah
[softly]
I don't mind spending everyday
Out on your corner in the pouring rain

Try so hard to say goodbye

Matchbox Twenty - Unwell

2009-04-30T23:11:00.001+12:00

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All day staring at the ceiling
Making friends with shadows on my wall
All night hearing voices telling me
That I should get some sleep
Because tomorrow might be good for something

Hold on
Feeling like I'm headed for a breakdown
And I don't know why

[chorus]

But I'm not crazy, I'm just a little unwell
I know right now you cant tell
But stay awhile and maybe then you'll see
A different side of me
I'm not crazy, I'm just a little impaired
I know right now you don't care
But soon enough you're gonna think of me
And how I used to be...me

I'm talking to myself in public
Dodging glances on the train
And I know, I know they've all been talking about me
I can hear them whisper
And it makes me think there must be something wrong with me
Out of all the hours thinking
Somehow I've lost my mind

[chorus]

But I'm not crazy, I'm just a little unwell
I know right now you cant tell
But stay awhile and maybe then you'll see
A different side of me
I'm not crazy, I'm just a little impaired
I know right now you don't care
But soon enough you're gonna think of me
And how I used to be

I've been talking in my sleep
Pretty soon they'll come to get me
Yeah, they're taking me away

[chorus]

But I'm not crazy, I'm just a little unwell
I know right now you cant tell
But stay awhile and maybe then you'll see
A different side of me
I'm not crazy, I'm just a little impaired
I know right now you don't care
But soon enough you're gonna think of me
And how I used to be

Yeah, how I used to be
How I used to be
Well, I'm just a little unwell
How I used to be
How I used to be
I'm just a little unwell

Frustrating !!!

2009-04-30T17:12:00.001+12:00

Vent to follow !!!
Blimmin hospital here are a friggin pita!!!
Cam's being having bleeding noses for the past 4 days .. today the school rang up and said he had 2 there today and did I want to go and get him ..
So anyhoo the hospital had told me to ring or they would ring me to check to see how he was from yesterday ( I rang to see what they thought and if we needed to do anything after I'd checked his INR and it was at 1.9) .. so I rang and told them his new INR today (still low at 2.0 - we aim for 2.5 - 3) .. well they made me feel like an imbecile again ..
FARK!!
Stupid people !!!
So frustrating!!!
So anyway after them toing and froing .. (ie yeh come up for full blood count .. no don't .. well might need a blood transfusion .. now he doesn't .. well could be just a cold - me - HE HASN"T GOT A COLD ... how often does he have them .. me - NEVER .. only this week!! or when he's sick!! .. it's nothing to panic about Cheryl, why are you ringing if he's not troubled by or sick with them .. me - NO - BUT YOU TOLD ME TO RING YOU)
I said to them that last time this happened about 18 months ago his INR again was low and they said well that can't be it coz it should only be happening if it is high .. Isaid well last time it was low and last time he had bleeding noses .. and whenever he has bleeding noses it is when his INR is low ... they told me well I must be mistaken and that it sounds very out of the ordinary ...
WTF!
... they told me basically to chill out, not bother them unless he was really sick .. and if he keeps getting them for the next couple of days to bring him in as he might get anaemic and need iron or a transfusion ...
Will I be ringing them ''NO!

The Man Rules

2009-04-30T16:54:00.001+12:00

At last a bloke has taken the time to write this all down
Finally , the bloke's side of the story.
We always hear ' the rules ' from the female side.
Now here are the rules from the male side.
These are our rules!
Please note.. these are all numbered '1 '
ON PURPOSE!
1. Men are NOT mind readers.
1. Learn to work the toilet seat.
You're a big girl. If it's up, put it down.
We need it up, you need it down.
You don't hear us complaining about you leaving it down.
1. Sunday sports: It's like the full moon or the changing of the tides.
Let it be.
1. Crying is blackmail.
1. Ask for what you want.
Let us be clear on this one:
Subtle hints do not work!
Strong hints do not work!
Obvious hints do not work!
Just say it!
1. Yes and No are perfectly acceptable answers to almost every question..
1. Come to us with a problem only if you want help solving it. That's what we do.
Sympathy is what your girlfriends are for.
1. Anything we said 6 months ago is inadmissible in an argument.
In fact, all comments become Null and void after 7 Days.
1. If you think you're fat, you probably are.
Don't ask us.
1. If something we said can be interpreted two ways, and one of the ways makes you sad or angry, we meant the other one.
1. You can either ask us to do something
Or tell us how you want it done.
Not both.
If you already know best how to do it, just do it yourself.
1. Whenever possible, Please say whatever you have to say during commercials...
1. Christopher Columbus did NOT
need directions, and neither do we.
1. ALL men see in only 16 colours, like Windows default settings.
Peach, for example, is a fruit, not a colour. Pumpkin is also a fruit. We have no idea what mauve is.
1. If it itches, it will be scratched.
We do that.
1. If we ask what is wrong and you say 'nothing,' We will act like nothing's wrong.
We know you are lying, but it is just not worth the hassle.
1. If you ask a question you don't want an answer to, expect an answer you don't want to hear.
1. When we have to go somewhere, absolutely anything you wear is fine... Really .
1. Don't ask us what we're thinking about unless you are prepared to discuss such topics as football, motor racing or golf.
1.. You have enough clothes.
1. You have too many shoes.
1. I am in shape. Round IS a shape!
1. Thank you for reading this.
Yes, I know, I have to sleep on the couch tonight;
But did you know men really don't mind that? It's like camping.
Pass this to as many men as you can - to give them a laugh.
Pass this to as many women as you can - to give them a bigger laugh..

Kindy time !!!! faint

2009-04-30T09:01:00.001+12:00

Abbie had her first "official" day of kindy on Monday ...

She was a bit "reserved" at first but then after she saw C and K she was happy ..

.. although kept me in her sights the whole time .. and came and checked in ..

We've decided that the best approach is to do the "slow withdrawal" thing like I did with the boys .. and seemed to make them more settled. I don't mind.

Baking cookies

Painting a masterpiece

"Take a photo Mum!" ... the end result

Some car playing .. doing some puzzles

Her favourite thing (funny enough the same as the boys) .. the animals .. the end photo is her roaring like a tiger ..

Her "lock with my picture on it"

** On Tuesday she "hung" around with K and played on the "puna" (computer) with him and I read them some books and she was very vocal .. heh heh .. and then she sat with him at the kai table and ate some apple .. (it's progress as there was no way she was going to sit at the table on Monday ..)

Oooohh look

2009-04-30T08:30:00.001+12:00

Now you see it .. now you don't ..

Michael's first tooth FINALLY came out after months of "wriggliness"

YAY!!!!!

He pulled it himself as it was still hanging on .. the one beside it is just about to come out too ..

I had to "tell" the tooth fairy not to come last night as he wanted it to wait until his other one was out .. so he didn't put his tooth under the pillow but in a little plastic bag up on his book self .. heh heh.

It's great how as parents we can negotiate with these imaginary people .. heh heh.

**** unfortunately the adult teeth have already grown up behind the teeth and are growing inwards (shark like) .. so we were told to try and get him to pull the "baby teeth" as soon as he can or they would have to pull them out at the dentist .. so we egged him on to pull it out .. the one beside it is a bit more "stuck" but they are so "little" it's a wonder he could grip on to it to get it out ..

Chris said his teeth were like this when he was a kid and he had to "push" them forward each night with a spoon to make them grow the right way .. urghhh!

Rippa Rugby mate!

2009-04-26T17:31:00.001+12:00

The boys had their first "game" of Rippa Rugby today. I was sooo nervous for them .. but they were better than I thought getting involved ..
It was a tryout type of thing to lead them in to it ..
Cam was REALLY in to it and was very confident .. got in there and played 3 full games (of half an hour each) .. and was quite a staunch little mite!
Michael wasn't too keen at first as was a bit shy of not knowing the kids .. but played in the 2nd half of the first game .. and then the first half of the second game (where he even got a try!!!) .. he wasn't too keen playing in the rain as it got harder and I think he was finding it hard with his glasses getting wet .. (so we are going to have a few practise games at home with his glasses off to see how he goes) .. he sat out the 3rd game when both teams combined and they had 14 aside (they played 7 aside for the others).
They are in the T "black" team. Chris is assistant coach and so he was "helping" on field for the first 2 games .. and I think he and the coach did just as much running as the kids .. heh heh ..
Cam is keen to play again next week and told us he didn't want to stop coz it was cool... think we'll have to see whether Michael will play .. but hopefully he'll give it a go ..as he gets more confident with the other kids.
It's good too as it's pretty relaxed and they all have a turn with the ball and basically have a run around ...

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

The boys get their rugby jerseys and mouth guards

Practicing ball handling with the team before the game

First game

Video of Cam with the ball

Michael sitting out the first half .. checking it all out

Shaking hands with the other team afterwards

Cam after the first game .. happy as!

2nd game

Shaking hands after the game

Michael proudly showing off his rugby clothes

Cam after the 2nd game ...

Michael kicked the ball around while the team played the third 14 aside game.

Cam in amongst it!

A very rare pic!!!

2009-04-25T14:03:00.001+12:00

Gotta put this somewhere ... a moment caught in time where his brotherly love shows through for his sister

.. when you least expect it ... (they are usually on each other's nerves .. both strong personalities)

A new "round-tuit" for me .. heh heh

2009-04-25T11:31:00.001+12:00

I chanced across this blog Our Lives

.. and in it she mentioned that she was starting back using the FLYlady techniques ...

So me being me .. and trying everything out .. until I get slack .. have decided to give it a go ..

Here was the Our Lives - 1st post about it:

FLY again

I think I am ready to FLY again. I want to make this a journey on how to get our home organized enough to function efficiently. I've found the FLYlady method back in 1999. The only thing that stuck with me at the time was the shinning sink task. Fast forward to 2002, a major personal event hit me and that was when I decided to look closer to the FLY system again. My home was organized for about two years (which were the two happiest years for me as a home maker). Another situation hit in the end of 2005 and I lost it again with the zeal of home organization. now into the new year of 2009, which is the 10th year since I found the method, I thought I would do a "refresher course" once more. So the journey begins with... you got it! The shinning of the sink! I want to regain my weekend for my family's activity, and I know if I am diligent and with prayer and by God's grace, it could happen again.

If you would like to be my companion on this journey, then roll up your sleeves and let's get started with Day 1!

Since tomorrow is weekend, I will just keep the Day 1 all the way through until Monday or Tuesday to start Day 2. At the mean time, I will continue my hot spot cleaning or de-cluttering.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

So here's my sparkling clean sink ... (ignore the grout work .. that's a big job ... lol)

.. and my hot spots are my benches and breakfast bar ... oh and my bedroom dresser .. my bookcase ... well OK I have lots of them .. I'm not gonna get it all sorted now huh? Just small steps .. so ... breakfast bar first!

Here's the first day thingy from the FlyLady.net

Now, here's what I want you to do today (and every day from now on, even on the weekends!):

Get dressed all the way to the shoes. No, I don't mean dragging out your sloppiest sweats, and your huge fuzzy slippers! I mean get dressed in your home-working clothes. Get your hair and face made up and slide on some shoes, with laces! If the doorbell rings, you are ready to answer it.

Make up your bed, but first wait until everyone is out LOL! (Laughing Out Loud)

Go shine your kitchen sink until it sparkles.

That's all! When you have done these three things, you have started to FLY!

The final part to the Gotta Orchard challenge

2009-04-25T09:15:00.001+12:00

Phew the last week we had to use 2 different alphas for a title and then write journalling of 4 or more lines ..

Urrghhh .. this week I found really hard as I am so not a journalling kinda gal ..
.. but anyhoo here is the result ..

Week 4
Credits:
A title using 2 separate Alpha's : AWP - A country life alpha and S J Towers - Rock star alpha
and at least 4 lines of journaling.
Journaling says
"Abbie
April 2009
Having fun on the trampoline
& enjoying the Autumn sun."
Other credits :
Week 3 requirements
* At least 4 Decorative elements
- Jen Lin Designs - Rusticana - Flower 1, Flower 5, Swirl and Flourish
*Add 1 element for writing
- Jen Lin Designs - Rusticana Frame 3
Week 2 requirements:
2 fasteners
- Jen Lin designs - Rusticana - Brad 2 and Brad 4
3 ribbons
- Jen Lin Designs - Rusticana - Ribbon 2 (twice) and Ribbon 4
1 set of stitches
- Sarah Belle - skohul Spring Denim - Blue Denim Stitched Flower
Week 1 requirements -
3 papers from - Free Kit - ppd_zgl_the_blues_2
- Shauna of Pineapple Plantation Designs
& Kami of Ziggle Designs

The coolest thing about this .. and one of the main reasons I did the challenge was

.. because I did each week I got these kits for free as a participation prize .... yahoo!!!

Week 1 ... Week 2

Week 3 ... Week 4

Bonus for completing all parts of the challenge

COOL HUH!!!!!!!

The boys 6th birthday

2009-04-24T22:01:00.001+12:00

*faints* OMG .. yes the boys turned 6 today *faints again*

Time hasn't flown .. but holy Batman .. 6 years ago I didn't think this would be going on ... cool Bananas huh!

.......

The boys birthday started early in the week when we went and visited Aunty L and J and K and they gave the boys their presents early

.. Ben 10 toys and games .. and cool puzzle books that J and K had made themselves ..

This morning on their actual birthday Michael was ready to start opening presents at 5am!!!

I was able to hold him off until we heard Cam wake up .. but not without him checking every 1/2 an hour if it was time to get up .. urrghh!

The start of the full on present opening!

Happy about this present .. which later on started a stereo war (music wise) .. a view of things to come?

Aunty S's present is a hit (used lots already)

Their present haul .. looking very happy about them all

Bakugon and Dinosaur eggs

The boys with their cakes before we left ..

They went Ten Pin Bowling with their friends L, J and D (S is away on holiday)..

The boys step up to play

.. after a couple of frames Michael and Cameron decided they could bowl without the frame ..

Dad and Abbie came to lend a hand ..

End result Michael 93, L and D 91, Cam 88, J 85 and Dad .. well lets keep that to our selves ;-)

then McDonalds time for lunch

Nana Rose, J, K and Aunty L met us there also.

The cakes

Candles time ..

Singing Happy Birthday

Michael then Cameron blowing out the candles

The boys at the party

.. top - J and Michael, bottom - L, D and Cameron

(S couldn't make it as had gone on holiday this weekend

- L (Mum) said he was really bummed and said he wasn't going to go with them - lol)

The boys 6th birthday ... so far

2009-04-23T17:40:00.001+12:00

***** an update ***

Michael's cake ... urghhh to the icing!

Cam's cake .. urghh to the wafers!

I think I'm almost organised ... phew ..

Presents - check

Party bags - check

Cake, candles, matches and knife - check

Progress so far ..

the inspiration .. my take

the inspiration .... then below my take

A peek preview of the cakes ...

Still got a little bit to do on the Ben 10 .. but you get the idea ..

Was going to use Royal Icing and make the Ben 10 figure.. but I got frustrated with it ..

.. and so are now using cardboard cut-outs ... heh heh ..

Got the "pretend" road to go for the truck ..

Update on progress

2009-04-20T14:47:00.001+12:00

Start Now - Month - 8

Weight 84.1 kg                             67.4kg
Chest 112                                    92
Waist 108                                    80
Abdomen 111                               94
Hips 120                                      95

Weight loss - 16.7kg as at 20.04.2009

Cm’s lost this month
Chest 1
Waist 4
Abdomen 1
Hips 5
Total cm’s lost - 11 cms

Cm’s lost total
Chest 20
Waist 28
Abdomen 17
Hips 25
Total cm’s lost - 90 cms

Amazing looking back at it ..

I'm in a good head space at the moment .. and my aim is to get to goal within the next month or 6 weeks!

Just a funny site ...

2009-04-18T19:09:00.001+12:00

I stumbled across this site that has little pics to represent your mood ..some are kinda funny ..

It's called Punkymoods ..

So at the moment I'm

Heh heh ..

Holiday over Easter

2009-04-16T15:09:00.002+12:00

We've just come back from a family holiday at my sisters bach ..

It is our first ever (not counting going to Starship/Auckland with Cam) since goodness knows when ..

The photo journey and write up is here on the kids blog (for those with a password) ..

.. but here are some of the photos ..

Love this shot of Missy

Hot Air Balloon Festival - "Nite Glow"

Afternoon at the beach/fishing with friends

(Missy would NOT get out of the car boot - she was under the weather with a cold)

Miniature Railway train ride (the best part of the holiday according to the boys)

Proof I was there - lol

Our families "artistic" creations on the fence ..

Part 3 of the digi-challenge

2009-04-16T11:39:00.001+12:00

This is getting tougher each week .. but I got there .. ... although it took me ages !!!!!! to figure out what to put in and where ..

.. the next part to the challenge - we had to add at least 4 decorative elements and an element for writing/journalling

Credits - Week 3 requirements
* At least 4 Decorative elements
- Jen Lin Designs - Rusticana - Flower 1, Flower 5, Swirl and Flourish
*Add 1 element for writing
- Jen Lin Designs - Rusticana Frame 3

Further Credits:
Week 2 requirements:
2 fasteners
- Jen Lin designs - Rusticana - Brad 2 and Brad 4
3 ribbons
- Jen Lin Designs - Rusticana - Ribbon 2 (twice) and Ribbon 4
1 set of stitches
- Sarah Belle - skohul Spring Denim - Blue Denim Stitched Flower
Week 1 requirements -
3 papers from - Free Kit - ppd_zgl_the_blues_2
- Shauna of Pineapple Plantation Designs
& Kami of Ziggle Designs

.. the next part of the digi-scrapping challenge ..

2009-04-09T20:48:00.002+12:00

So after getting this kit for free for completing part 1 of the challenge .. I thought what the heck lets keep going ..

.. the next part I found kinda hard .. I'm not a ribbon kinda girl .. more a grunge elements type of scrapping gal ... but I got there ..

The instructions for the next part of the challenge were:

From the Gotta Pixel Gotta Orchard forum:

For this week you need to grab up the layout that you started during WEEK 1 at Scrap Orchard. No movement can be done to the placement of your papers and photos. However You CAN relayer objects in your layout.
For example: You can't move the photo from the top of the layout to the bottom this week.
But you can put the ribbons behind the photos.
From the week one layout add:
2 fasteners (buttons, staples, brads)
3 ribbons (ric rac, ribbon wraps, straight or folded or curled ribbons)
1 set of stitches

So this is my layout with the above added

Credits: Week 2 requirements -
2 fasteners - Jen Lin designs - Rusticana - Brad 2 and Brad 4
3 ribbons - Jen Lin Designs - Rusticana - Ribbon 2 (twice) and Ribbon 4
1 set of stitches - Sarah Belle - skohul Spring Denim - Blue Denim Stitched Flower
and Week 1 requirements -
3 papers from - Free Kit - ppd_zgl_the_blues_2
- Shauna of Pineapple Plantation Designs & Kami of Ziggle Designs

... had to really think about this .. and changed it quite a few times

.. hubby wasn't overly impressed as I left the kids and him to dinner .. while I pottered back and forwards to try different things .. oh dear

.. but at least this week is done .. heh heh ..

Finally started Digi-Scrapping again ..

2009-04-05T17:02:00.002+12:00

I started a challenge at Scrap Orchard/Gotta Pixel (my first layout in ages) ..

It is a progressive scrap .. where they give you instructions each week .. and this continues for 4 weeks .. and each layout earns you a free kit ..

Here is my first part of the challenge ..

Abbie was on the trampoline yesterday in the sun .. so I snapped her ..

Credits: Papers - Pineapple Plantation Designs - ppd_zgl_the_blues_2

These were the instructions this week -

Choose 1 background paper
2 paper pieces (you can use just strips of paper, cut 2 papers into shapes, mats ect.. however you want to use pieces of 2 other papers)
and 3 photos

It will be interesting to see what next weeks instructions are ..

We aren't allowed to move any of the objects around after they have been uploaded to the gallery .. but we can change the layers ...

Phew .. will be fun to see how it turns out ..

Farming Unit sharing day and assembly

2009-04-01T18:24:00.002+13:00

It was a big afternoon yesterday for the boys .. Chris and I and Abbie had a picnic lunch with them ... and then it was time for the school to show us what they's learned over the past term ..

Michael was part of the farm skills relay - part of Agrikids fun unit

They had to walk together in a line (with their feet working together) .. then put up a fence with standards, put together a trough hose line, dress the adult up with safety gear, 3 of the youngest were carried in a wool sack to the end .. and the adult use the chainsaw safely to cut a piece of wood through ..

The girls won some dog whistles .. lovely ..

Video of .. boys team trying to walk together .. lol

Video of .. Michael helping to put the fence up ..

Then each of the classes shared their studies ..

For the boys class .. they showed theri tractors/trucks etc .. and then some read out their stories about what they had learned .. Cam read his story out ..

Video of .. the kids showing their creations ..

Video of .. Cam reading his story .. (he got stuck a little way through) ..

Video of .. Old McDonald had a tractor song ..

Then after the assembly we were invited to visit the classrooms to see the Farming Unit Activities in their classes ..

Cam's creations

Michael's creations ..

Some other creations in their class ..

Pirates Ahoy!

Turtles .. not too sure what these have to do with farming ..

Hard working little Man!

2009-04-01T15:14:00.000+13:00

After I'd almost finished a certain little man asked if he could finish the rest of the lawns off .. and off he went

.. he worked like a trooper .. and was rewarded with an ice-block at the end !

(It was great as I hate doing that side of the lawns - all paddock grass)

The pics say it all!

Athletics 30th March

2009-04-01T14:47:00.000+13:00

The Rural Schools athletics was held on Monday ..

Michael waiting for his turn ..

Cam waiting for his turn ..

High jump

Ball and jumping relay ..

Videos of ... the boys doing the jump and run relays ...

More waiting ...

Run run as fast as you can ,. can't catch me I'm the Cam man .. heh heh

Video of ... Michael coming first in his running heat .. YAY!!!

He then went on to have a further race against all the other winners

.. he wasn't too impressed about this as thought one race was enough .. heh heh

Video of ... Long "jump" .. well run really heh heh ..

16-year-old schoolgirl who survived SEVENTEEN heart operations

2009-04-01T09:03:00.001+13:00

This is from the site : news updated frequently

Sarah Haselgrove is just 16, but she has already undergone a shocking seventeen heart operations.

The teenager is the longest living youngster in Britain with so many complex cardiac problems.

But despite spending more than half her life in hospital, she is just a year behind at school and will sit her GCSEs next year.

The schoolgirl from Kent, was not expected to live a week and underwent five heart operations in her first year of life.

She was in and out of hospital throughout primary school and has faced three major surgeries in the last six years.

But Sarah has battled on to live a normal life, and even competes at carriage racing at Windsor Castle every year.

She said: ‘There are lots of things I can’t do, so I just concentrate on things I’m good at.

‘I’ve had a lot of time spent in hospital beds, but I’m fine now, as long as don’t overdo things.’

Sarah, who lives with her mother Nicky, 45, father Steve, 51, a nuclear power engineer, sister Holly, 13 and brother Stuart, 18, was born five weeks prematurely with a catalogue of problems including Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome.

Children with the rare condition do not often survive beyond infancy and only a few have survived into their teens.

Less than half of Sarah’s heart was working properly and just hours after birth, weighing just 4lbs 4oz, she was rushed to The Royal Brompton Hospital in London for her first operation.

At just three days old, Sarah had surgery for coarctation of the aorta, where the main artery is narrowed and repaired using part of an artery from the left arm.

Mother Nicky, an ex legal secretary, said: ‘She was so small the tubes and machines completely swamped her.

‘We were told it was unlikely she’d survive but somehow Sarah battled through.’

But at just three months old, she was rushed back into hospital again for her second emergency surgery to close a hole in her atrium.

Nicky said: ‘Sarah’s heart had other holes, and was like a piece of Swiss cheese.

‘She was so weak her little body would not cope without major work. There was little hope she would survive but we had to try.’

Amazingly Sarah pulled through the operation, but her first year of life was a constant battle and she underwent three more surgeries, to fit a cardiac catheter, repair her mitral valve, and carry out work on her right diaphragm.

The following year, she faced five more operations, including three sets of heart and lung echoes, surgery to replace her faulty mitral valve, and to drain excess pericardial fluid.

Doctors also fought to save her life after her diaphragm became paralysed and she was unable to breathe. Sarah was also constantly vomiting and had to be fed via a nasal gastric tube.

Sarah kept battling on but at the age of six, after she’d already spent most of her life in hospital, she faced her eleventh heart operation, another cardiac catheter.

Six months later, she had her twelfth and most complicated procedure to date, to remove an obstruction on her aortic valve and close holes between the ventricles.

Nicky said: ‘It seemed never ending. She’d also endured stomach operations and treatment for numerous chest infections, pneumonia and bronchitis.

‘I used to look at clothes for little girls and think, will she ever live to wear those?’

But despite her family’s fears, Sarah, who remembers the operation, never doubted herself.

‘I got a little nervous before each operation but I always knew I would come out the other side,’ she said.

‘It never really worried me. I suppose it’s like a gut instinct.’

Finally Sarah was allowed home to her family but was still not strong enough to attend school, and between the ages of eight and nine she faced two more surgeries.

The thirteenth involved fitting a new cardiac catheter and her fourteenth involved a cardio echo which confirmed she had an irregular heart rhythm.

A month later she was admitted to Great Ormond Street Hospital for her fifteenth procedure, to have a pacemaker fitted.

Nicky said: ‘It is a dangerous operation for a child as young as Sarah was.

‘She was very badly bruised after this surgery and looked so frail.’

In September that year Sarah underwent her sixteenth surgery, to replace her mechanical mitral valve with an upside down aortic valve, which was larger and would continue working as she grew.

She recovered well, despite doctors’ concerns numerous scar tissue would restrict their access to her heart.

Sarah was finally well enough to go to mainstream school, where she did brilliantly to catch up on four years of work.

She started a normal life with her friends, meeting up after school and going shopping at weekends, although she was not allowed to do any sports.

It was not until she was 13 that Sarah needed her final and seventeenth surgery to replace her existing pacemaker with a larger biventricular one.

Nicky said: ‘It was a long operation and difficult, due to the blocked and narrow arteries. But it needed to be done, as the previous one wasn’t working properly.’

Sarah has been trouble-free for almost three years, although she undergoes six monthly checks at Great Ormond Street and recently has been referred for further tests at Kings College Hospital for a possible neurological problem.

The teenager said: ‘I still have to take warfarin every day to thin my blood so it can travel through my valves.

‘I have to be very careful not to cut myself as it can cause heavy bleeding. But other than that I feel great.’

The ambitious schoolgirl hopes to become a dietician because she remembers how much help she received after stomach surgery.

Sarah said: ‘I had my stomach stapled to stop the food coming up and flooding my lungs.

‘That meant I couldn’t eat much, so I was all small and skinny.

‘But the dietician gave me an eating plan and lots of high-fat milkshakes so now I look normal for my age.

‘That got me really interested in nutrition.’

Sarah also loves cooking and is taking her food technology GCSE.

‘My chocolate eclairs always go down pretty well,’ she added.

Suzie Hutchinson, chief executive of the charity Little Heart Matters, said: ‘Sarah is a reflection of the wonders of modern medicine.

‘The way new surgeries and techniques have emerged means many more children may be able to grow up and lead full and happy lives with this condition.

‘Every day is a challenge for Sarah, not only because of her ever-changing medical condition but her need to move towards an independent adult life.

‘She is the most wonderful role model.’

Nicky now runs a helpline for the charity and the family often hold fundraising events to help other youngsters.

‘I wanted to give something back and I hope Sarah’s story will give other parents some hope and encouragement,’ she said.

‘It is possible to defy the odds and pull through.’

Cuckoo ...

2009-03-25T12:49:00.001+13:00

Heh heh ..

I'm reading the Twilight series again ..

Almost 3/4 the way through Book 3 ..

.. is good as I was in such a rush to read what was going to happen the first time I missed stuff ..

.. and now I've re-read them ..

.. I'm enjoying them again ..

.. as I understand some things I'd think .. mmm .. what .. the first time round ..

LOL ..

.. and I've watched the movie ..

.. but must say was kind of corny ..

.. but of course it is more directed at teenagers etc ..

Not a middle aged Mum .. who should be folding washing and doing housework ..

LOL

Stone the crows ...

2009-03-25T11:18:00.001+13:00

.. Well knock me over with a feather ..

.. Call someone

.. hell has frozen over .. lol

.... I've started to attempt to increase my exercise

.. and so ..

I started RUNNING!!!!

(OK more a light jog than run .. but you get the drift)

.. I always swore I'd never run in my life

.. but I've found walking kind of too easy lately ..

.. So I've been running 3 road markers .. and then walking 2 .. all the way along my 6km walk ..

.. and yesterday on the treadmill I did 5 mins run .. 5 mins walk for the 30 mins

.. I was knackered at the end .. but I did it ..

Playgroup Visit to the Zoo

2009-03-19T12:23:00.001+13:00

Some of the ladies with their children A few of the locals *heh heh*

Abbie checking out the bird enclosure

Not impressed about something ..

Looking at the Otters

Monkey time ..

Alpacas

A selection of the farm animals there .. funny enough we times it just when they were being fed .. which the kids thought was great!

Abbie practiced and practiced until she could do this on her own .. and then was very proud of her self ..

My little monkey!!!

******

There were lots of other playgroup kids who I took photos of but only for their Mums .. promise we weren't the only ones there *lol*

Great help for me ...

2009-03-15T14:29:00.001+13:00

Another lady on EBB mentioned this site a while ago .. FitDay.com ... and I've found it great over the past few days ...

It has a ... Free Online Account

and you can use it to enter your daily foods and exercise. FitDay analyzes all your information and shows you:

Daily Calorie Counts

Carbs, Fat, and Protein

Weight Loss and Goals

Detailed Nutrition for 1,000's of foods

Long Term Diet Analysis

and other things ..

I downloaded the PC version because sometimes my BroadBand isn't the best out here ..

It has cool reports .. I like the mood vs cal eaten one .. lol ..

I also joined up to the JC forums to meet others using JC .. and it's been eye opening esp. this amazing guy Dave who has so far has lost a huge amount of weight and changed his whole look at eating and exercise ..

Recession Busters ...

2009-03-14T19:21:00.001+13:00

1. CAN'T afford contact lenses? Simply cut out small circles of cling film and press them into your eyes.

2. DON'T waste money on expensive iPods. Simply think of your favorite tune and hum it. If you want to "switch tracks", simply think of another song you like and hum that instead.

3. DON'T waste money on expensive paper shredders to avoid having your identity stolen.
Simply place a few dog turds in the bin bags along with your old bank statements.

4. HOMEOWNERS: Prevent burglars stealing everything in the house by simply moving everything in the house into your bedroom when you go to bed. In the morning, simply move it all back again.

5. SAVE money on expensive personalised car number plates by simply changing your name to match your existing plate. - Mr. KVL 741Y

6. DON'T waste money buying expensive binoculars; simply stand closer to the object you wish to view.

7. AN empty aluminum cigar tube filled with angry wasps makes an inexpensive vibrator.

8. SAVE electricity by turning off all the lights in your house and walking around wearing a miner's hat.

9. OLD telephone directories make ideal personal address books, simply cross out the names and address of people you don't know.

10. SAVE on booze by drinking cold tea instead of whisky.
The following morning you can create the effects of a hangover by drinking a thimble full of washing up liquid and banging your head
repeatedly on the wall.

11. SAVE a fortune on laundry bills. Give your dirty shirts to The Salvation Army, they will wash and iron them and you can buy them back for fifty cents.

12. IF you feel cold indoors this winter, simply pop outside for ten minutes without a coat, when you go back inside you will really feel the benefit.

13. WHY pay the earth for expensive jigsaws? Just take a bag of frozen chips from the freezer and try piecing together potatoes.

14. MIX tea with coffee, and leave in the fridge to cool. Hey presto! - Toffee.

15. MAKE your own inexpensive mints by leaving blobs of toothpaste to dry on a window sill. Use striped toothpaste to make humbugs.

16. SHOPPERS, when buying oranges, get more for your money by peeling them before taking them to the counter to be weighed.

17. WOMEN: Don't waste energy faking orgasms. Most men couldn't care less anyway and you could use the saved energy to vacuum the house afterwards.

Positive Weight Loss Ditties ....

2009-03-14T16:41:00.001+13:00

A lady on EBB doing WW posted these .. and I lost them on my computer .. so I thought I'd put them on here so I could find them ..

Every action has a positive intention. Think about that for a moment...
It means if you eat when you are feeling stressed, you're actually trying to do something positive: relieve stress. And what is the the real need lurking behind that positive intention? You want to feel calm and in control...Right?
Have a think about the emotions you feel often eg. anger, sadness, disappointment, and ask yourself what real need they are masking.
When I feel stressed, I have chocolate. What I really want to feel is calm and in control.
When I feel insecure, I have doughnuts. What I really want to feel is confident.
When I feel sad, I have wine. What I really want to feel is happy and contented.
When I feel worried, I have lollies. What I really want to feel is assured.
When I feel angry, I have ANYTHING! What I really want to feel is calm and understanding.
When I feel like a failure, I have takeaways. What I really want to feel is successful.
When I feel hurt, I have chips. What I really want to feel is healed.
When I feel bored, I have EVERYTHING. What I really want is to feel stimulated.
When I feel frustrated, I have hot chips. What I really want to feel is in control.
When I feel trapped, I have cake. What I really want to feel is freedom.
When I feel overlooked, I have muffins. What I really want to feel is acknowledged and respected.
When I feel tired, I have whatever! What I really want to feel is fresh and relaxed.
So I am sad, tired, and worried. Chocolate is not magically going to make me happy, refreshed and carefree.

Here are some ideas to help you change negative thoughts into positive ones:
"I really hate having to do exercise"
Doing exercise I enjoy will keep me motivated.
"I can never stick to one helping"
This week I'll dish up my meal in the kitchen so that I will stick to one serving.
"Everyone is eating takeaways so why should I miss out"
I'll make sure I have enough Points saved so that I can enjoy a takeaway this week.
"No thanks! I'm not allowed it on my diet!"
Thanks very much but I am saving myself for dessert this evening
"I'll never reach goal weight"
Each week I'll focus on a different aspect of my plan as I aim to reach my goal
"No point going out, I won't enjoy myself"
It'll be great catching up with my friends, we always have a laugh.
"I look fat in this outfit"
I'm really enjoying my new shape and know that I look good too.
"I'll miss my favourite programme if I go for that walk"
I'll video it and watch it when the baby is sleeping (obviously they never met my baby!)
"I feel too uptight to stick to my diet"
I'll take time out to relax in a bath and then I'll decide what to eat.
"If my partner has one I can't resist one either"
I choose to have one tomorrow when I have planned for it.

Abbie's 3rd Birthday

2009-03-09T13:17:00.001+13:00

After the Playgroup party on Wednesday : Playgroup Morning Tea ..

Abbie's birthday arrived !!!!

We had a late start as we had the local hall opening on Saturday night ..

Portia rang to say she was going to Skype shortly .. so we got Abbie to open her presents before hand ..

I think Abbie got a couple opened on here own .. the boys thought they'd "help" ..

Talking to everyone at Aunty Sonje's on Skype

The dolls house ...

Chris went up to the hall to help tidy up .. and Abbie got an hour to play with her presents on her own ..

€

Opening Aunty Sonje's present ..

Party time ..

The invite ( I made on Thursday night)

Time for party food ..

Cake time ..

Abbie went a bit coy and wouldn't blow out the candles ... so I helped ..

Aunty Lish is visiting today on her way back from her holiday ...

Getting back on track!!!!!

2009-03-09T10:19:00.001+13:00

To get myself back on track .. some progress pics to get me moving again

Now don't ask me why .. but my bust is increasing (+3cm) .. while my waist is decreasing (-4 cm)... have no idea why that is .. proportions maybe ??????

Only 3.3 kgs to go to my goal .. so close .. but also so far .. heh heh

Birthday Cake for our little Miss ...

2009-03-08T10:30:00.001+13:00

Here is Abbie's Dora Birthday cake ... based on this pic as a template ..

I'm not overly thrilled with it .. as the skin icing .. for some reason wouldn't do as it should!

So poor Dora has a bad complexion ..

.. and Dora's hair is slipping and cracking ...

Urrghhhhh ...

... but as long as Abbie likes it that is the most important thing ..

Boys first swimming sports ..

2009-03-06T13:52:00.000+13:00

Well Friday finally came .. and Chris, Abbie and I went to the town pool to see the boys "compete" in their first swimming sports ..

About 6 or 7 rural schools were involved which is kind of cool ..

Michael had been a bit worried about what was involved .. but as I said to him it was all the things they'd been doing in their school pool .. and would be lots of fun .. and they both enjoyed it .. except for Michael losing his goggles before the fun had even started ..

In the end Michael got 2 firsts and Cam got a third .. all good fun (as they were all handed out randomly .. except for the racing one).

They were both in different heats too which was handy as I could get photos of each of them as they competed ..

Waiting to have their turn ..

Happy .. serious ..

Event 1 - Cam - 2nd from left ..... Mike - at the end left ..

Getting in the pool for the next event ..

Cam giving it a shot ..

All ready to go .. Damon, Mike and Scott

On yer marks .. set.... go ..

Mike came first ... happy chappy ..

3rd event .. Cam's turn (2nd from the right) ..

Mike's turn ...

All of the school lined up .. the event schedule ..

Trying another hairband out for size ...

2009-03-06T13:50:00.000+13:00

Peeka boo

Who is this pretty little girl .. and what is she doing in our car ..heh heh

School Dairy Farm Visit

2009-03-06T11:29:00.000+13:00

Getting ready to go check out the sheds and farm

Talking about implements

Visting the bulls

Talking about vats

Talking about feeding calves

How much grass does a cow eat a day 15kgs!!

Some cows do eat chocolate

Turnips anyone?

Patting the cow

Hand-milking vs Milking in the shed

Checking out the pump action of the cups

Straight from the cows udder ..

Listening attentively

Talking about water and air pipes to the vat and filters ..

Any questions ???

Games while waiting for the tanker to arrive

Here it comes ...

Being watched by many eyes ...

Group pose ... and cleaning out the vat ..

Sunset here in the whops ..

2009-03-05T21:01:00.001+13:00

Yes their is a little face under all that hair!

2009-03-04T20:52:00.000+13:00

My little Missy has discovered hairbands ...

Ahem ..

Yes their is a face under all that hair .. LOL!

This is the way it's supposed to go MUM !

Getting silly with it all ..

"Prettying" herself up she reckons ..

Frustration ...

2009-03-04T20:50:00.001+13:00

*WARNING*
Big pity me post coming ahead !!!!
Urgghh
.. I'm lost
.. I've lost a little put on a bit .. lost a little .. put on a bit .. and now are at only 100g off what I was when BL7 started
.... it's driving me bananas ..
... and I only have 4.2 kg to go to my goal ...
.. but I've been at that for the last 2 months (at myself)
Urggghhh
I think I've still got a body image issue .. and all the wonderful comments about how much weight I've lost can work a little against me too .. in that I think (subconsciously) .. oh well having this (treat/snack/extra portion) won't really hurt .. when all of them add up ...
4pm is getting to be my hardest time of the day ... AGAIN!!!!!
This week will also be hard with hubby being away all week .. Abbie's birthday, a party on Sat night .. and then Abbie's party on Sunday ..
.. Expect LOTS of moaning and angst this week ..
URGHHHH!
I just feel like .. sad huh?

Playgroup Morning Tea

2009-03-04T20:41:00.001+13:00

Just my luck .. half of the kids/families didn't turn up to Playgroup on Wednesday ..

But ..

Cam and Michael's class came over to do some baking in the hall

.. so the class and teacher ended up helping us finish off the cake and party food ..

I think Cam and Mike thought that was kinda neat

.. coz they said to me later that they'd forgotten to come over at morning tea time..

A false start

Some of the kids

Me blowing out the candles because Abbie wouldn't!

Lets just stare at the cake huh? ... "It's bootiful Mum .. I like my Cake!"

Abbie's Playgroup Birthday Cake

2009-03-03T17:03:00.001+13:00

Now this was very rushed and will be tidied up before we go .. but you get the general idea ..

I couldn't find a ballerina for the music box for love or money

.. so a little My Little Pony .. was the next best option .. and one she'll probably like better anyway!

Abbie and Cam ... checking the progress out ..

Americana comes to town ..

2009-02-27T22:12:00.000+13:00

I offered to do Parent Help taking Michael and Cam's class to see the cars ...

Abbie loooooved most of them and "I wanna buy dat one Mum" (about 15 of them) ... and was very happy to pose in front of the cars

My favourite

Walking up and down roads is hungry work!

Then we went back to school to drop the other children in the group back

.. and were in time to see many of the convoy of cars that were heading on to the next town .. go past the school .. so the kids got to see a lot of them again .. and waved .. and got tooted at .. and got excited all over again!

Yes I wasTwilight obsessed in February ... lol

2009-02-24T17:27:00.002+13:00

Ummmm .. what happened in Feb .. well .. ummmm ...

It kinda whizzed by ...

Ummm ..

Mmmmm ..

Life has now resumed normalcy .. and of coursethe chaos begins ..

I'm getting organised for Hubby to go away on a fishing trip, lots of Parent Help at school, Abbie's 3rd birthday (Sunday) .. and the Grand Opening of the local Hall (which hubby has put hours and hours in to .. by either organising , working or fretting over) ..

Oh yeh .. and shifting these last kilos before I go Bananas!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Twilight .... yep I caught the bug ..

2009-02-17T17:28:00.001+13:00

I brought the book finally .. and have read it the fastest I have ever read a book in my life ..

I really really liked it and didn't think I would have ...lol

Just shows ya huh ...

So I brought the rest of the series ... coz you know .... you have to follow the story - line right ..

Can't wait to see the movie ..

Twilight trailer

Here is the authors web page: Stephanie Meyer

So tonight .. well probably this afternoon ..

Next up ..

Link to twilight playlist*

The Twilight Soundtrack:

1. "Why Does it Always Rain on Me?" — Travis
2. "I'm Not Okay (I Promise)" [video edit] — My Chemical Romance
3. "Creep" [radio edit] — Radiohead
4. "In My Place" — Coldplay
5. "By Myself" — Linkin Park
6. "Dreaming" — OMD
7. "Please Forgive Me" — David Gray
8. "Here With Me" — Dido
9. "With You" [reanimation remix] — Linkin Park
10. "Time is Running Out" — Muse

New moon playlist*

"Do you realize?" - The Flaming Lips (B)

"Papercut" - Linkin Park (B)

"Hyper Music" - Muse (B)

"Apocalypse Please" - Muse (B)

"Time Stands Still" - The All-American Rejects (B)

"Empty Room" - Marjorie Fair (B)

"Unwell" - Matchbox Twenty (B)

"Pain" - Jimmy Eat World (B)

"Ride" - The Vines (B)

"Fix You" - Coldplay (J)

"Blueside" - Rooney (B)

"Over My Head (Cable Car)" - The Fray (B)

"Going Under" - Evanescence (B)

"Tautou" - Brand New (B)

"Be My Escape" - Relient K (B)

"Never Let You Down" - Verve Pipe (J)

"Sing For Absolution" - Muse (E)

"Ya Mamma" - Fatboy Slim (Generic action-scene music)

"D.O.A." - Foo Fighters

"Stare" - Marjorie Fair (B)

"Memory" - Sugarcult (B)

"The Truth About Heaven" - Armor For Sleep (B)

"The Scientist" - Coldplay (E)

"Sound of Pulling Heaven Down" - Blue October (E)

Alternates:

"Drag" - Placebo (B)

"Like A Stone" - Audioslave (B)

"World Has Turned and Left Me Here" - Weezer (B)

"Best I Ever Had" - Vertical Horizon (B)

"My Immortal" - Evanescence (B)

"Not the One" - Collective Soul (B)

"Stuck in a Moment You Can't Get Out Of" - U2 (B)

"Rest In Pieces" - Saliva (B)

"White Flag" - Dido (B)

"Everybody's Changing" - Keane (B)

"Unintended" - Muse (B)

"I Miss You" - Blink 182 (B)

"The Reason" - Hoobastank (E)

"Hate Me" (radio edit) - Blue October (E)

Eclipse playlist*

Mexican Standoff — Elbow

Hamburg Song — Keane

Clocks — Coldplay

The Small Print — Muse

Stab My Back — The All-American Rejects

Overweight [edited] — Blue October

Mr. Brightside — The Killers

Newborn — Muse

Love Me Like You — The Magic Numbers

Vindicated — Dashboard Confessional

Hysteria — Muse

Uninvited — Alanis Morissette

Yes Please — Muse

Infra-Red — Placebo

The Boy Who Blocked His Own Shot — Brand New

Luv — Travis

Blackout — Muse

It's A Disaster — Ok Go

*This Is How I Disappear — My Chemical Romance

*Sleep — My Chemical Romance

*Falling Away With You — Muse

*Accident & Emergency — Patrick Wolf

*The Well and the Lighthouse — Arcade Fire

*I couldn't make up my mind about the last song on the playlist, so pick your favorite of these five!

Breaking dawn playlist*

Book I

Beach Boys — Wouldn't It Be Nice

Billy Idol — White Wedding

(INXS — Never Tear Us Apart)

(Muse — Can't Take My Eyes Off of You)

Blue October — Congratulations

Plain White T's — Take Me Away

Jack's Mannequin — Dark Blue

Coldplay — No More Keeping My Feet on the Ground

Fuel — Hemorrhage

Book II

Nine Inch Nails — Down In It

Aerosmith — What it Takes

Incubus — Earth to Bella (part 1)

Interpol — No I in Threesome

Korn — Twisted Transistor

TV on the Radio — Wolf Like Me

My Chemical Romance — The Sharpest Lives

Motion City Soundtrack — Point of Extinction

R.E.M. — Accelerate

Blue October — My Never (song not released until March 2009)

Jimmy Gnecco — Someone to Die For

Book III

Smashing Pumpkins — Today

Right Said Fred — I'm Too Sexy

(Jimmy Eat World — Chase this Light)

(Jackie Wilson — Your Love is Lifting Me Higher)

Linkin Park — Pts. Of Athrty

3 Doors Down — Duck and Run

Simon and Garfunkel — Hazy Shade of Winter

Death Cab for Cutie — I Will Follow You Into the Dark

Muse — Intro [Absolution]

Muse — Take A Bow

Muse — Assassin

Ok Go — Invincible

Travis — Safe

Arcade Fire — No Cars Go

Midnight sun playlist*

Since I'm not sure when/if I'll get back to Midnight Sun, I figured I might as well post the partial playlist along with the partial rough draft. Enjoy.

Monsters — Matchbook Romance
One of a Kind — Placebo
Animal I Have Become — Three Days Grace
Na Na Na Na Naa — Kaiser Chiefs
Hit the Floor — Linkin Park
Notice — Gomez
Bullets — Editors
Glycerine — Bush
Ugly Side — Blue October
Please Please Please Let Me Get What I Want — Muse
MakeDamnSure — Taking Back Sunday
Map of the Problematique — Muse
You Make Me Smile — Blue October
Paperthin Hymn — Anberlin
Pts.OF.Athrty — Linkin Park
Hemorrhage — Fuel

* Playlists from stephaniemeyer.com

BMI Visual Graph

2009-02-12T11:32:00.001+13:00

This is from : Healthy weight forum.org

Found it kind of interesting ...

Our bodies come in different shapes and sizes and as such weight alone is not a good indicator of our health and fat levels. The Body Mass Index (BMI) is a much better way of evaluating your fat as it takes into account your height in addition to your weight. Say for example, a person who is 6ft tall and 78kg. They could be considered very healthy, whereas a person who is 5ft tall weighing 78kg would be considered obese to the degree that they may face serious health risks as a result. The same amount of weight cannot be carried by a person who is significantly shorter and would indicate a much higher fat percentage.

The Pictures BMI graph takes the approach of the Body Mass Index, while providing us with a graphical indicator of what the numbers mean in terms of our body appearance. After all, as useful as numbers are, the way we look is one of the most helpful tools in assessing our health and weight. It is also often a strong driving force behind reaching/sustaining our healthy weight, so to have an idea of how bodies look at different BMIs is useful in that respect also.

The use of pictures against the numbers of the Body Mass Index is a good representation of how different ranges result in different shapes and the carrying of weight. If you find your body mass index and the corresponding body shape is similar to your own, then you can see what affect an increase or decrease in your BMI will have on your body. If your body shape is slightly different to the corresponding picture, the progression in photos is still a very good indictor of how changes in your BMI will affect fat increase and distribution.

Plateau anyone!!!!!

2009-02-12T09:08:00.000+13:00

Argghhhh !!!!!!

Plateau at 68kgs !!!! Jan/Feb 09

Start of weight loss 84.1kgs - Aug 08

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Front on I'm kinda happy with.. but side view

.. well that butt is still there .. along with my twin/preggy tummy ..

One day that will go surely ..

My 3 monkeys

2009-02-02T10:09:00.000+13:00

At a visit to the zoo for the Multiple Birth Club ..

What Tarot Card Are You?

2009-01-31T22:45:00.001+13:00

Just for fun I thought I'd do this ...

Heh heh ..

You are The Hierophant

Divine Wisdom. Manifestation. Explanation. Teaching.

All things relating to education, patience, help from superiors.

The Hierophant is often considered to be a Guardian Angel.

The Hierophant's purpose is to bring the spiritual down to Earth. Where the High Priestess between her two pillars deals with realms beyond this Earth, the Hierophant (or High Priest) deals with worldly problems. He is well suited to do this because he strives to create harmony and peace in the midst of a crisis. The Hierophant's only problem is that he can be stubborn and hidebound. At his best, he is wise and soothing, at his worst, he is an unbending traditionalist.

What Tarot Card are You?
Take the Test to Find Out.

What does this all equal ...

2009-01-30T17:31:00.001+13:00

BACK TO SCHOOL ..... in 3 more sleeps ..

ARRRRGGGGGGHHHHHHH

It'll be a shock to both them and me .. lol

Their bedtimes have been sneaking back to where they should be to get them up in time for the bus .. but well mine haven't ..

.. and it sooo much harder when it's still nice and sunny outside and you just wanna play ....

BUT ..

.. swimming lessons will start up again ..

.. reading homework will start up again ..

.. and spelling homework will start ..

They'll be be big Year 1 students when they go back ..

.. new class, but same teacher and pretty much the same kids in the class ..

Kinda of looking forward to it, to get things back in to routine

.. but will miss the little beggars .....

"The Smell of Rain," an Inspirational Story about a Premature Baby

2009-01-30T11:33:00.001+13:00

A cold March wind danced around the dead of night in Dallas as the Doctor walked into the small hospital room of Diana Blessing. Still groggy from surgery, her husband David held her hand as they braced themselves for the latest news. That afternoon of March 10,1991, complications had forced Diana, only 24 weeks pregnant, to Danae Lu Blessing.

At 12 inches long and weighing only one pound and nine ounces, they already knew she was perilously premature. Still, the doctor's soft words dropped like bombs. I don't think she's going to make it, he said, as kindly as he could. "There's only a 10 percent chance she will live through the night, and even then, if by some slim chance she does make it, her future could be a very cruel one." Numb with disbelief, David and Diana listened as the doctor described the devastating problems Danae would likely face if she survived. She would never walk, she would never talk, she would probably be blind, and she would certainly be prone to other catastrophic conditions from cerebral palsy to complete mental retardation, and on and on. "No! No!" was all Diana could say. She and David, with their 5-year-old son Dustin, had long dreamed of the day they would have a daughter to become a family of four. Now, within a matter of hours, that dream was slipping away.

Through the dark hours of morning as Danae held onto life by the thinnest thread, Diana slipped in and out of sleep, growing more and more determined that their tiny daughter would live, and live to be a healthy, happy young girl. But David, fully awake and listening to additional dire details of their daughter's chances of ever leaving the hospital alive, much less healthy, knew he must confront his wife with the inevitable. David walked in and said that we needed to talk about making funeral arrangements. Diana remembers, 'I felt so bad for him because he was doing everything, trying to include me in what was going on, but I just wouldn't listen, I couldn't listen. I said, "No, that is not going to happen, no way! I don't care what the doctors say; Danae is not going to die! One day she will be just fine, and she will be coming home with us!"

As if willed to live by Diana's determination, Danae clung to life hour after hour, with the help of every medical machine and marvel her miniature body could endure. But as those first days passed, a new agony set in for David and Diana. Because Danae's under-developed nervous system was essentially raw, the lightest kiss or caress only intensified her discomfort, so they couldn't even cradle their tiny baby girl against their chests to offer the strength of their love. All they could do, as Danae struggled alone beneath the ultraviolet light in the tangle of tubes and wires, was to pray that God would stay close to their precious little girl. There was never a moment when Danae suddenly grew stronger.

But as the weeks went by, she did slowly gain an ounce of weight here and an ounce of strength there. At last, when Danae turned two months old, her parents were able to hold her in their arms for the very first time. And two months later-though doctors continued to gently but grimly warn that her chances of surviving, much less living any kind of normal life, were next to zero. Danae went home from the hospital, just as her mother had predicted.
Today, five years later, Danae is a petite but feisty young girl with glittering gray eyes and an unquenchable zest for life. She shows no signs, what so ever, of any mental or physical impairment. Simply, she is everything a little girl can be and more-but that happy ending is far from the end of her story.

One blistering afternoon in the summer of 1996 near her home in Irving, Texas, Danae was sitting in her mother's lap in the bleachers of a local ballpark where her brother Dustin's baseball team was practicing. As always, Danae was chattering non-stop with her mother and several other adults sitting nearby when she suddenly fell silent. Hugging her arms across her chest, Danae asked, "Do you smell that?" Smelling the air and detecting the approach of a thunderstorm, Diana replied, "Yes, it smells like rain." Danae closed her eyes and again asked, "Do you smell that?" Once again, her mother replied, "Yes, I think we're about to get wet, it smells like rain. Still caught in the moment, Danae shook her head, patted her thin shoulders with her small hands and loudly announced, "No, it smells like Him. It smells like God when you lay your head on His chest." Tears blurred Diana's eyes as Danae then happily hopped down to play with the other children.

Before the rains came, her daughter's words confirmed what Diana and all the members of the extended Blessing family had known, at least in their hearts, all along. During those long days and nights of her first two months of her life, when her nerves were too sensitive for them to touch her, God was holding Danae on His chest and it is His loving scent that she remembers so well.

Summary of eRumor:
The story of Diana and David Blessing and their daughter, Danae, born when Diana had been pregnant for only 24 weeks.

The Truth:
This is one of the most widely circulated inspirational stories on the Internet and one of the most commonly forwarded to us.
TruthOrFiction.com has been in contact with the Blessings who confirm that the story is true and that now 9 year-old Danae is doing wonderfully.

Here are excerpts from Diana Blessing's message to us on 8/21/00:
"Yes, the story known as THE SMELL OF RAIN is true.
"The original title is 'Heaven Scent'. About 5 years ago now, the C.E.O. of Columbia hospitals decided to compile some of the wonderful stories that he had received and put them into a book formatted similar to the 'Chicken Soup' series. This book was titled 'Miracles In Our Midst.' Danae's story was submitted and picked in rough draft written by my mother. The 'writers' then called and interviewed me, finalizing the story from this interview. When the book was released, he decided to use his, 'favorite story' to promote the book on the internet. It happened to be Danae's story. People then began the long journey that has now revolved over and over all around the globe as they took that little story and forwarded it to their friends and loved ones. The story has been in numerous church newsletters, two magazines and has most recently been published in the latest 'Chicken Soup' book titled 'Chicken Soup For The Christian Family Soul.'
"Danae is now a lively, beautiful, active, free-spirited, blissful, God-loving fourth-grader. She is in the Gifted and Talented program. Still petite, but growing daily. She loves to play 'active' sports. Soccer, softball, basketball. She had taken gymnastics and loved it. Especially the fact that she shares a birthday with Shannon Miller, but decided to stick with the more aggressive sports. She swims like a little fish. Loves all animals. Has several of her own.
"Danae has a compassion for other people that I have never witnessed with another child and I work with children daily. She is a pure joy to be around and is NEVER at a loss for words. When I first began getting response from the story I was startled. I quickly realized that God was working his magic. I praised him for allowing me to be blessed in such a way that I see his well doings each and every day. My husband and I decided that if sharing Danae's story touched even one person, than that is what was meant to be. I know now that it has touched many, many and continues everyday. I am so grateful to know the Lord and to have him so evident before us. I am also thankful for the widespread response and blessings from so many of the people that have received the story and have been touched by it. Hopefully it will continue to spread the news of God's love.
"I knew when I first saw Danae that she could not and would not be contained. She screamed to be shared. We couldn't walk in the grocery store without someone commenting about her. So, I painfully acknowledged the fact that she would not be mine alone. Danae has a lot to give. This story is only the beginning.
"Thank you for taking the time to verify the truth. I am excited to imagine all the lives that will be touched even now that they know it is true!
Sincerely,
Diana Blessing-Luckiest Mom on Earth!

Sunset at the North Pole

2009-01-30T10:47:00.001+13:00

A scene you will probably never get to see.
This is the sunset at the North Pole with the moon at its closest point.
You also see the sun below the moon.
An amazing photo and not one easily duplicated.

The Chinese have a saying:
'When someone shares with you something of value,
you have an obligation to share it with others.'

History lesson!

2009-01-30T10:42:00.001+13:00

* LIFE IN THE 1500'S *
The next time you are washing your hands and complain because the water
temperature isn't just how you like it, think about how things used to
be.

Here are some facts about the1500s:

Most people got married in June because they took their yearly bath in
May, and still smelled pretty good by June. However, they were starting
to smell, so brides carried a bouquet of flowers to hide the body odor.
Hence the custom today of carrying a bouquet when getting married.
Baths consisted of a big tub filled with hot water.The man of the house
had the privilege of the nice clean water, then all the other sons and
men, then the women and finally the children. Last of all the babies. By
then the water was so dirty you could actually lose someone in it. Hence
the saying, Don't throw the baby out with the Bath water.

Houses had thatched roofs-thick straw-piled high, with no wood
underneath. It was the only place for animals to get warm, so all the
cats and other small animals (mice, bugs) lived in the roof When it
rained it became slippery and sometimes the animals would slip and fall
off the roof. Hence the saying. It's raining cats and dogs.

There was nothing to stop things from falling into the house.This posed
a real problem in the bedroom where bugs and other droppings could mess
up your nice clean bed. Hence, a bed with big posts and a sheet hung
over the top afforded some protection. That's how canopy beds came into
existence.

The floor was dirt. Only the wealthy had something other than dirt.
Hence the saying, Dirt poor. The wealthy had slate floors that would get
slippery in the winter when wet, so they spread thresh (straw) on floor
to help keep their footing. As the winter wore on, they added more
thresh until, when you opened the door, it would all start slipping
outside. A piece of wood was placed in the entranceway. Hence the saying
a thresh hold.

(Getting quite an education, aren't you?)

In those old days, they cooked in the kitchen with a big kettle that
always hung over the fire. Every day they lit the fire and added things
to the pot. They ate mostly vegetables and did not get much meat. They
would eat the stew for dinner, leaving leftovers in the pot to get cold
overnight and then start over the next day. Sometimes stew had food in
it that had been there for quite a while. Hence the rhyme, Peas porridge
hot, peas porridge cold, peas porridge in the pot nine days old.

Sometimes they could obtain pork, which made them feel quite special.
When visitors came over, they would hang up their bacon to show off. It
was a sign of wealth that a man could, bring home the bacon. They would
cut off a little to share with guests and would all sit around and chew
the fat.

Those with money had plates made of pewter. Food with high acid content
caused some of the lead to leach onto the food, causing lead poisoning
death. This happened most often with tomatoes, so for the next 400 years
or so, tomatoes were considered poisonous.

Bread was divided according to status. Workers got the burnt bottom of
the loaf, the family got the middle, and guests got the top, or the
upper crust.

Lead cups were used to drink ale or whisky. The combination would
sometimes knock the imbibers out for a couple of days. Someone walking
along the road would take them for dead and prepare them for burial.
They were laid out on the kitchen table for a couple of days and the
family would gather around and eat and drink and wait and see if they
would wake up. Hence the custom of holding a wake.

England is old and small and the local folks started running out of
places to bury people. So they would dig up coffins and would take the
bones to a bone-house, and reuse the grave. When reopening these
coffins, 1 out of 25 coffins were found to have scratch marks on the
inside and they realized they had been burying people alive. So they
would tie a string on the wrist of the corpse, lead it through the
coffin and up through the ground and tie it to a bell. Someone would
have to sit out in the graveyard all night (the graveyard shift.) to
listen for the bell; thus, someone could be, saved by the bell or was
considered a ...dead ringer.

And that's the truth. Now, whoever said History was boring ! ! !

Animal Antics

2009-01-30T10:37:00.001+13:00

Humorous animal antics with statements of encouragement and wisdom for everyday life.

Always try to help a friend in need

Filo and Snitch on another venture to save the universe.

Believe in yourself

Be brave...but it's ok to be afraid sometimes

"Maybe I shouldn't have eaten her kittie treat."

Give lots of kisses

"Let mommy kiss it better."

Laugh often

Kittie on left: "I don't get it"

Study hard

"Now where's that mouse they talk about?"

Don't be overly concerned with your weight, it's just a number

"Is there anything liquid, fragile,
perishable, or potentially hazardous...?"

Always try to see the glass half full

cup-o-kitty

Meet new people, even if they look different to you

Remain Calm. . even when it seems hopeless

When your ass is not big enough

Take lots of naps..

"Do you think the tooth fairy came?"

Be weird whenever you have the chance

"Say cheese?"

Love your friends, no matter who they are

Don't waste food

Take an occasional risk

"I hope that is low-fat cheese."

RELAX

Try to have a little fun each day.
...it's important

bad doggie!

Work together as a team

Share a joke with friends

Fall in love with someone..

...and say "I love you" often

Express yourself creatively

Picasso has come back as a cat.

Be conscious of your appearance

Bowling for Nemo

Always be up for surprises

"Aha! . . . I see a flee!"

Love someone with all of your heart

Share with friends

"Are you sure it was dead?"

Watch your step

"Dang banana peel!"

It will get better

"Stupid bird's been watching too
many Sylvester and Tweetie reruns."

There is always someone who loves you more than you know

Exercise to keep fit

Mighty Mouse!

Live up to your name

dog bull

Seize the Moment

Hold on to good friends; they are few and far between

Indulge in the things you truly love

Take Time for Romance

Cherish every Sunday

At the end of the day... PRAY

...and close your eyes and smile at least once a day

its' just gas

I got some more flowers ...

2009-01-29T22:36:00.001+13:00

We called round to Mum's on Monday .. and I got flowers and cake ..

YUMMMM ...

The flowers are beautiful .. and are now mixed in with the other lillies ..

Cam didn't want to be in the photo ..

He was busy eating cake ...

OMG .. look at those dark circles under my eyes !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

BUT ... the chin is looking less double .. lol

Girly Dress-Ups

2009-01-29T21:57:00.001+13:00

Missy has discovered "girly" dress-up clothes

.. no Firemen or Cowboys for her anymore ..

Butterflies and fairies seem to be the choice in the past few days ..

Although her favourite thing is still to pretend to be a ghost .. with a blanket over her head .. which I'm sure she can't see out of .. because she walks in to things ..and then giggles away ..

.. this all comes with dancing to her own singing and "tippy toes ballerina" dancing .. with her hands up in a circle above her head .. twirling .. and dancing on her "tippy toes" ..

Ummm .. when did all this happen .. someone let me know ..

Trying out the waterslide ..

2009-01-28T16:30:00.001+13:00

We're building a waterslide down the bank beside our house

.. the kids and hubby have been trying it out ...

Still a few modifications to be made ..

.. but it can be seen coming down the valley ..

.. and lots of people have asked to come and try it .. lol

All good fun ..

From the video on Daryl-Ann's website

2009-01-27T23:23:00.001+13:00

Athlete

Wires lyrics

You got wires, going in
You got wires, coming out of your skin
You got tears, making tracks
I got tears, that are scared of the facts

Running, down corridors through, automatic doors
Got to get to you, got to see this through
I see hope is here, in a plastic box
I've seen christmas lights, reflect in your eyes
You got wires, going in
You got wires, coming out of your skin
There's dry blood, on your wrist
Your dry blood on my fingertip

Running, down corridoors through, automatic doors
Got to get to you, got to see this through
First night of your life, curled up on your own
Looking at you now, you would never know
I see it in your eyes, I see it in your eyes
You'll be alright
I see it in your eyes, I see it in your eyes
You'll be alright

Alright

Running, down corridors through, automatic doors
Got to get to you, got to see this through
I see hope is here, in a plastic box
I've seen christmas lights, reflect in your eyes
Down corridors, through automatic doors
Got to get to you, got to see this through
First night of your life, curled up on your own
Looking at you now, you would never know.

Daryl-Ann

2009-01-27T23:15:00.001+13:00

This incredible little girl and her family have faced amazing odds ..

The web-site her parents have created and the story they shared, had me in tears as it showed how far this little girl has come .. The video shows how her life is truly a testament to her parents strength and love (and of course her strength).

Her parents are raising funds to enable them to take her to receive a new medical treatment - stem cell treatment, in Mexico.

This is from the home page of the site : http://www.darylann.co.nz/index.html

From Daryl-Ann's Parents

When Daryl-Ann was born, she didn’t draw her first breath until six minutes after her delivery. Daryl-Ann was left fighting for her life from the very beginning, an MRI scan showing extensive damage to virtually all of her brain. We were told that Daryl-Ann would probably never eat, drink, walk or talk – in fact, she would probably not even see her first birthday. We should have been rejoicing at the glorious birth of our first baby– instead we were left devastated and heartbroken, watching with disbelief as she lay so beautifully in her incubator, looking perfect in every respect, but hiding the true battle she was fighting.

Daryl-Ann proved she was a fighter. Now two years old and against all odds, among other things she has learned to feed, play, stand and walk with assistance and, just recently, showed us she can giggle – a most infectious laugh that you can’t help but join in with! Daryl-Ann’s future remains guarded, as the lack of oxygen at birth has left her with severe cerebral palsy and developmental delay, a smaller head due to the lack of growth in her brain and a life threatening form of epilepsy. Each day with Daryl-Ann is precious as we never know if we will see her tomorrow.

However, a new medical miracle has given us hope for Daryl-Ann that we had never previously let ourselves dare imagine – hope to fix damage caused to her brain.

A recent article on TVNZ’s Close-Up screened the story of Ryan Schneider who made a miraculous complete recovery from Cerebral Palsy after receiving stem cell treatment. The treatment is not to be confused with controversial embryonic stem cell treatment, but is a treatment utilising the blood inside the cord of a healthy newborn baby – previously treated as medical waste but now a medical miracle. Stem cells from the cord are injected into the body using a remarkably simple method. The cells then zero in wherever required to repair damaged tissue, for example regenerating new cell growth in the brain in the case of cerebral palsy.

Ryan’s recovery after only one week of treatment as well as other incredible cases of spectacular recovery and improvement of CP sufferers has encouraged us to seek out treatment for Daryl-Ann. The treatment is not yet available in New Zealand but is offered abroad by Dr Fernando Ramirez del Rio, at a clinic just across the American border in Mexico (the treatment is still in the process of obtaining regulatory approval before it can be administered in America). The treatment uses cord blood stem cells from the national cord blood bank in America, where the cells are also tested and prepared. The results of treatment administered by Dr Ramirez to children with cerebral palsy so far have all resulted in measurable improvements.

Dr Ramirez has agreed to accept Daryl-Ann for treatment as soon as we are able to attend. We are now in the process of fundraising to make this miracle treatment a reality. We have set up a charitable trust and hope to raise $40,000 before February 2009 so treatment can begin as soon as possible (the brain naturally doing most of its growing before the age of three). We would love you to read our web site to learn more of Daryl-Ann’s story and this incredible treatment available. We hope you feel touched to help Daryl-Ann and make a donation towards the costs as it is only with the help of people such as yourselves, that this treatment can become a reality. We will keep a blog to keep everyone informed, as well as hoping to provide a forum for CP sufferers and their families to discuss this treatment and others. Please let your friends know about this site, and feel free to leave your comments on the forum. We are very greatful to you for taking the time to explore Daryl-Ann’s website and special thanks to all those who have already helped us so much to date. If you would like to make a donation, please click on this link to take you to the donation page. Thank you.

Janine and Rob
Daryl-Ann’s parents

http://www.darylann.co.nz/index.html

Vege garden update ..

2009-01-26T16:51:00.001+13:00

We have fruits of our labour .. heh heh

Cauli-power ..

Yes some turned yellow before we got to them ... but I still had to take a picture - lol

Giant cabbages .. the boys complained they were heavy ... so they gotta be big huh?

Cucumbers ... they're growing growing ...

and ......

Harvest day .. heh heh

99 Things I Have or Haven't Done

2009-01-25T15:40:00.001+13:00

I saw this list on Creative Triplet Mum's blog .. who got it from Katie the Scrapbook Lady's Blog.

You are supposed to copy and paste to your own blog and bold everything you’ve done!

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band (recorder -lol)
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland/world
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person.
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Guide Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Gotten flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a cheque
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee

Our Tauranga Trip

2009-01-24T23:23:00.000+13:00

Photos etc are on the kids blog ..

Tauranga Trip in pictures

(sorry a private blog for those who don't have the password ) ..

I've put the link here .. so I know I've done it ..lol

...... 38 ......

2009-01-23T23:19:00.001+13:00

It was my birthday today ..

Started off sedate ..

I made eggs, bacon and tomatoes (all healthy cooked) for myself .. and it was delicious

I got hugs and hugs and kisses from my three little people ..

.. coffee from my husband .. (oh and of course my camera .. which was a Christmas/birthday present)

... then I went out for lunch with my Mum and sister and niece .. and it was YUM!

A wine, full tummy .. and 4 new tops later ... (shopping you see - no children)

I came home (as my husband watched the kidlets) .. and thought I was off to my inlaws for BBQ dinner ..

BUT...

Hubby and my friend had organised a surprise Birthday BBQ for me .. with some of the neighbours and some friends ..

On the way out for tea, we turned off at my friends drive-way and I was like what is going on .. and all these people were there ...

.. and I got a sponge birthday cake .. and presents ..

How cool ..
I was all OMG ... .. but it was cool ..

Blowing out the cake .. and with my boys ..

Flowers from my sister - Lish ... and new kitchen essentials from my sister - Son.

Some of the presents from the BBQ ..

Was a nice way to end the day ...

.. and yes I have just posted a photo of me with no make-up .. tired red eyes .. and not my best party clothes .. lol ..

I was completely unprepared .. heh heh

Missy and J

2009-01-21T22:09:00.000+13:00

Yes these photos look weird .. J has no head ..but I haven't got permission to show his face ... so here are some photos of Missy with J .. while playing hide and seek ..

Missy was very taken by J while he stayed here for a few days ..

Every morning she would go in and "check" to see if he was still here .. or would ask where he was ..

.. She told others that she had a J at home and that he was staying .. heh heh ..

.. the morning after he had gone home she was very quiet and asked when J would be coming to play ..

Some new measurements

2009-01-19T15:48:00.001+13:00

Month - 6

Weight 68.6kg
Chest 93
Waist 84
Abdomen 95
Hips 100

Weight loss - 15.5kg as at 19.01.2009

Cm’s lost
Chest 19
Waist 24
Abdomen 16
Hips 20
Total cm’s lost - 79 cms

T'was the month after Christmas

2009-01-19T15:17:00.001+13:00

T'was the month after Christmas,
and all through the house,
Nothing would fit me,
not even a blouse.

The cookies I'd nibbled,
the chocolate I'd taste
and the holiday parties
had gone to my waist.

When I got on the scales
there arose such a number!
When I walked to the store
(less a walk than a lumber),

I'd remember the marvellous meals I'd prepared;
The gravies and sauces and beef nicely rared,
The wine and the rum balls, the bread and the cheese
And the way I'd never said, "No thank you, please."

As I dressed myself in my husband's old shirt
And prepared once again to do battle with dirt...
I said to myself, as I only can,
"You can't spend a winter, disguised as a man!"

So, away with the last of the sour cream dip.
Get rid of the fruit cake, every cracker and chip.

Every last bit of food that I like must be banished
Till all the additional ounces have vanished.

I won't have a cookie, not even a lick.
I'll only chew on a long celery stick.
I won't have hot biscuits, or corn bread, or pie.
I'll munch on a carrot and quietly cry.

I'm hungry, I'm lonesome, and life is a bore...
But isn't that what January is for?
Unable to giggle, no longer a riot.
Happy New Year to all! and to all a good diet.

Almost gone .....

2009-01-10T17:45:00.001+13:00

One more sleep ......................

I'm off to my sisters way up over the other side of the Nrth Island for the week ...

Last minute decision ... well OK two weeks ago .... but only for sure this last couple of weeks ..

Have been told it's 28 - 30 degrees ... so not to pack anything warm .. lol ...

She shifted there last Christmas and I wasn't able to catch up with her this Christmas with one thing and another .. this and that ...

Soooooo ... will be driving the 4 & 1/2 hrs with the kids .. and stopping lots ... and trying not to go round the bend with the "how much further is it"

Sooooooo .. excited !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The boys can hardly contain themselves !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Almost 15kgs down ... YAHOOO ...Progress Shots ...

2009-01-09T15:03:00.001+13:00

Then 3 Aug 2008 - 84 kg ... now 9 Jan 2009 - 69.4 kg (14.7kg loss)

EXCUSE THE HAIR .. bad hair day ..lol

Side profile

Weight loss - 14.7kg

Cm’s lost
Chest 18
Waist 23
Abdomen 13
Hips 20
Total cm’s lost - 74 cms

78 Kgs (5 kgs lost) - 9th September 2008

74 kgs (10 kgs lost) - Over halfway - 30.10.08 .

Start
Weight 84.1 kg
Chest 112
Waist 108
Abdomen 111
Hips 120

Month - 3
Weight 74.4kg
Chest 96.5
Waist 89.5
Abdomen 104
Hips 106.5

Month - 4

Weight 72.6kg
Chest 95
Waist 86
Abdomen 102
Hips 104

Month - 5

Weight 69.9kg
Chest 94
Waist 85
Abdomen 98
Hips 100

Weight loss - 14.2kg as at 23.12.2008

Cm’s lost
Chest 18
Waist 23
Abdomen 13
Hips 20
Total cm’s lost - 74 cms

Roughing it with Dad

2009-01-07T22:18:00.000+13:00

Sometimes Dad is cornered and is squashed and is clung to and becomes a giant with two cling-ons ..

The kids are in hysterics throughout - and at the end Dad collapses in a exhausted heap ..

Me .. I'm happy just to photos .. and then run ... when I'm cornered to be squashed ..

Yep .. call me a wuss ...

Mmmm .. amazing what a difference a month and a half can make ...

2009-01-07T12:08:00.001+13:00

From this ..... to this .. YEEHHHAAAA !

Someone supersized the cabbages

The caulis are taking over too .. (we've already taken 3 out .heh heh)

The lettuces are healthy

Ooohh and look at the cucumbers flowers and the strawberries (NO FLOWERS - what the heck !!!!)

Corn patch .. .YUMMMMM we have ears ... heh heh

OK so anyone can grow potatoes .. but holy smackaroo ... who planted all those!

Mmmmm something's amiss .. no carrots after 2 months .. someone's brought a dud pkt of seeds .. won't do the seed tape thing ever again me thinks!

The tomato plant has been revived .... Yahooo .. and OMG it's flowering!!!

The pots look a heck of a lot healthier!

The cherry tree has come back too .. YAY!

(Yep I'm killing grass to make some MORE gardens - eventually)

Oooooh look at the flower garden in full bloom .. we only planted it last year! ... and the flaxes and grasses have grown too .. much better than the overgrown weeds and lavenders .. heh heh

Around the bend ... and a bit further down the road

Some more mood songs- arrggghh

Muse

Maroon 5

Matchbox Twenty - Unwell

Frustrating !!!

The Man Rules

Kindy time !!!! *faint*

Oooohh look

Rippa Rugby mate!

A very rare pic!!!

A new "round-tuit" for me .. heh heh

FLY again

The final part to the Gotta Orchard challenge

The boys 6th birthday

The boys 6th birthday ... so far

Update on progress

Just a funny site ...

Holiday over Easter

Part 3 of the digi-challenge

.. the next part of the digi-scrapping challenge ..

Finally started Digi-Scrapping again ..

Farming Unit sharing day and assembly

Hard working little Man!

Athletics 30th March

16-year-old schoolgirl who survived SEVENTEEN heart operations

This is from the site : news updated frequently

Cuckoo ...

Stone the crows ...

Playgroup Visit to the Zoo

Great help for me ...

Recession Busters ...

Positive Weight Loss Ditties ....

Abbie's 3rd Birthday

Getting back on track!!!!!

Birthday Cake for our little Miss ...

Boys first swimming sports ..

Trying another hairband out for size ...

School Dairy Farm Visit

Sunset here in the whops ..

Yes their is a little face under all that hair!

Frustration ...

Playgroup Morning Tea

Abbie's Playgroup Birthday Cake

Americana comes to town ..

Yes I wasTwilight obsessed in February ... lol

Twilight .... yep I caught the bug ..

BMI Visual Graph

Plateau anyone!!!!!

My 3 monkeys

What Tarot Card Are You?

You are The Hierophant

What does this all equal ...

"The Smell of Rain," an Inspirational Story about a Premature Baby

Sunset at the North Pole

History lesson!

Animal Antics

Always try to help a friend in need

Believe in yourself

Be brave...but it's ok to be afraid sometimes

Give lots of kisses

Laugh often

Study hard

Don't be overly concerned with your weight, it's just a number

Always try to see the glass half full

Meet new people, even if they look different to you

Remain Calm. . even when it seems hopeless

Take lots of naps..

Be weird whenever you have the chance

Love your friends, no matter who they are

Don't waste food

Take an occasional risk

RELAX

Try to have a little fun each day. ...it's important

Work together as a team

Share a joke with friends

Fall in love with someone..

...and say "I love you" often

Express yourself creatively

Be conscious of your appearance

Kindy time !!!! faint

Try to have a little fun each day.
...it's important