The 5 McKenzies

Birthdays and Treasures

2010-03-21T21:22:00.003+13:00

Firstly and most importantly - a very happy birthday to this awesome lady who has in recent times developed a special interest in all things tea!!! Word has it that she had her inaugural 'high tea' today - Janine, a very happy birthday from the McKenzies and I hope one day soon we can sit down over a cuppa!!! So in your honour a very scrummy (and extremely bad for the figure) piece of homemade brownie and cup of green tea was consumed this evening - damn good too both were as well!!

Now treasures...... as anyone who even knows me a little is well aware I love shopping!! It's the guaranteed feel good action for me - and although I do have certains things that I love to shop for (black cardigan and super cute ballet flats of the briarwood variety!!) I am not fussy really about what I shop for!! So when two good friends of mine informed me that this gorgeous wee shop which is tucked away on a side road to Winton was having a big sale, it seemed rude not to go and investigate!!!

For anyone who has been to the Hideway 201 you will know that Jo has created a virtual wonderland for weddings (we have attended many weddings there and the place is just magical with its lavender vista walkway, landscaped gardens that go on and on and on!!!).

And tucked away in the gardens is this little treasure trove.............

Even the outside is cute - and its full of goodies of the homewares kind, beautiful things that make me want to redecorate the whole house - mind you considering we have only been in our new house 7 months, can't really see hubby going for it - still a girl can dream!!! And I did 'shop' a gorgeous set of wine glasses with beautifull ornate stems came home with me !!!

Feeling inspired....

2010-03-20T13:21:00.002+13:00

For a while now I have been reading assorted blogs that I enjoy and have had the beginning of itchy fingers to perhaps start blogging again but then I get distracted by something and the idea evaporates!!! But the itchy fingers have become an urge so without further ado - a post about nothing really but it feels good to sign in and start 'typing'!! I look back on the last few months and SO much has happened and even in bullet point form would take me a month of Sundays to get it all down - so have decided on the clean slate approach from today - plus it means that anyone who may still read this doesn't fall asleep!!
Off to watch Miss 8 run shortly in the Southland Athletics Champs - she's third runner for the All Saints School Zone in their girls relay - where the child gets the ability to run as gracefully and quickly as she does escapes me on a regular basis - she sure as heck didn't get it from her mother!!!

Have a wonderful day
M.

It's a Boy!!!!

2009-05-01T21:20:00.004+12:00

Yahoo - my sister had her scan today (20 weeks I think??) and because she hates surprises as much as I do they found out!!! Gosh, am SO excited, off shopping tomorrow now that I know what 'colour scheme' I am shopping for!! Roll on September!!!

This is very cute and I don't even like country music!!!

2009-05-01T09:07:00.002+12:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y5zlf2cxj98

Favourite childhood character...........

2009-04-30T13:38:00.005+12:00

We have been invited to a party where you have to go dressed as your favourite childhood character...... I must admit I really had to sit down and think about this one as I couldn't honestly say right off what my favourite was. Barbie, Fleur, My Little Pony all featured among numerous others or 'phase' while I was growing up!! I was never really loyal to any particular one to be honest, even now kids are constantly inundated with the latest toys all the time, and that is one thing that hasn't changed from when I was a kid!!

So after talking with my hubby and talking to Mum (who told me that I used to love the muppets but could only manage 'mummets' lol!!) I remembered that there was a toy I did LOVE for a while and it was STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE!!!!! Gosh I used to love the smell of her and Blueberry her wee friend I also had, Mum said I was pretty possessive of both of them as well!!!! I googled Strawberry Shortcake dressup and found the site Wear it Out which has some pretty amazing costumes - apparently they are really busy with the Wellington 7's when they are on each year!!!! And here's the outfit.............. Unfortunately I don't look like the model lol but the lady assured me that the dress with a petticoat underneath will not be that short!! Anyway I can always pull the stockings up!!!

Aaron didn't take 5 minutes to decide at all, his heroes from when he was a small lad has never changed, the fact that the costume was so simple to wear also helped I think!

I can't wait for the photos from the party as I think this is a definite layout for my Book of Me!!! Feel free to leave a comment with who your favourite childhood character!!!

End of an era .......

2009-04-28T14:06:00.004+12:00

So long time no blog - the last couple of weeks have been so very sad and I make no apology for the sad post that is to follow, I need to get some things down and out of my head and my blog seems a great place to do that..............

My grandad, who I was privileged to have in my life for 32 years passed away on the 20th April 2009. I wish I could say his last days were happy, but they weren't really, I think he finally gave up - heartbreaking to see and frustrating not to be able to stop him. He had a stroke at the beginning of January and up until 10 days before he died, seemed to be making good progress, enough that a rest home was found for him and arrangements made to leave the rehab unit at the hospital. And that's where it all kind of went downhill.................

He only spent 5 nights there before collapsing and being taken to hospital on the Wednesday evening before he died on the Sunday, we were told Thursday that any family members who needed to travel to see him should get home asap and on Friday, they turned off the fluids and antibugs. He had a mass on his chest, the biopsy to determine what it was, would kill him so we simply had to wait and hope. Friday saw the arrival of all our family from everywhere it seemed, overseas and here in New Zealand, and what followed was a bizarre combination of laughter, tears and silent moments.

I truly think the nurses at the hospital thought we had all shifted in as we were all there constantly in some sort of strange roster that evolved without us arranging it so Grandad wasn't ever alone.
He was permanently on oxygen by then and while he slept alot he was also awake a lot and even in his final hours, his memory of days gone by was as true as ever. Saturday is the day I remember most vividly, the doctors had told us he was on the home stretch, and we all crowded into his room for the best of the day and it was the most amazing thing to listen to my mother, two aunties and uncle (Grandad's children) talk about their childhoods with Grandad, living on the farm as they did and then beyond childhood - I learnt more about my immediate family in those 8 hours than I have in years and I think it was the fact we were there that kept Grandad going, although he did ask several times "when this show going to get on the road"!!!!!! I also laughed alot at some of the stories (My mother was quite resourceful in her younger years let me tell you!! lol) The hardest part was the one time he cried, I think my heart quite literally broke and he knew he was dying but had a strange calm about him none the less..............

My sister and I were the last ones to see him, we offered to do the 10pm to 2.00am shift, I fed him some icecream which he enjoyed immensley and then the nurses gave him some sleeping drops which eventually worked about 1am. Amber and I decided to leave early as he was sleeping so peacefully for the first time in days so we cancelled the 'night shift' who were coming to relieve us........
Getting to sleep when I got home was near impossible but must have eventually dropped off as I was woken by my cellphone ringing at 7.10am, it was Mum and it was the saddest news, Grandad passed sometime between 6-7am on Sunday morning. Both Amber and I felt terrible about leaving him but the lovely nurse who had been looking after him told us that often people wait until they are on their own to leave us, whether that's true or not I don't know but knowing Grandad as I did, I think she is probably not far wrong.

I went to the hospital to say goodbye and it was amazing how peaceful Grandad looked, and I felt relief for him but immense sadness as well. We all spent time with him and then I came home and slept for a few hours but then all the planning begins for his funeral so you summon up the energy and help where you can.

We held his funeral on the Thursday, and without bias can honestly say it was an amazing tribute to an amazing life, something that many of the people there expressed as well. The RSA were involved with Grandad being a returned serviceman and I cannot express how much their involvement added to the whole day- the respect paid to Grandad by both the RSA servicement who conducted their part of the ceremony and the ex-servicemen who placed a poppy on the casket was extremely moving as was the last post which was played - Grandad was completely deserving of all the fuss although I know he would have been embarassed by all the attention.

My sister spoke (how she managed it I will never know) and then the slide show of Grandad's life set to some of his favourite music really upset me but in a good way if that makes sense???? So here we are, over a week since he passed and it doesn't feel like it happened, almost like I read a book or watched it on TV and that's how I know about it, strange really. I have no idea when it will 'hit' me that he is really no longer here, that the kids no longer can see Grandad Ian and there will be no more 'Grandpoppa" for me, gosh losing a loved one leaves a massive hole in your life.

The one thing I have taken from the experience is how much Grandad was loved and respected, his funeral was very large which is humbling as so many of his friends have passed on before him - he would have been 89 in July this year and had enjoyed such good health prior to the stroke. I think giving up was an easy decision in some ways for him, he missed Nana so much and she passed in 1997 so I think he will be so pleased they are back together.

Miss you forever Grandpoppa.............

Friday is the day..........

2009-03-24T20:00:00.002+13:00

Big reveal over at SBO - not sure what or why but stay tuned by visiting them here.................... Not sure about you but I love suprises so will be interesting to see what unfolds!

Expecting.......................

2009-03-19T10:10:00.002+13:00

A niece or nephew in September - sooo excited and thrilled for both my sister and her fiance Hayden!!!! I'm going to be an Aunty!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Weekend In Wanaka.........

2009-03-15T20:55:00.015+13:00

We spent last weekend in Wanaka - the annual A&P show (second biggest in the South Island so hubby tells me!!) The weather was AMAZING and not having spent alot of time in Wanaka, really enjoyed the place. It was insanely busy as the 2 day show was on plus the Icebreaker Mototapu Mountainbike/Run Race was on (runs through Shania Twains big property) so plenty of people around!!

The kids had a great time at the show (as did Mum who was very impressed with all the different clothes and homeware tents lol) and there was so much to see! Max loved watching the horse jumping as he is currently in a 'horse' phase and these are his fav toys to play with and lines them all up in a row here at home!!

A few photos from the weekend.........

Paige on the vertical bungy!

Millie loved the vertical bungy, even wee Paige had a go but her legs just didn't have enough jump in them and the lady had to keep bouncing here lol!!

Max LOVED being in the fire engine with dad!! Needless to say he did NOT want to get out.

Boo - I see you Mum he was saying on the big dinosaur slide at the park.

Millie was determined to give me a heart attack climbing this rope tower - eeek!!!

Picnic on the waterfront - yummo!!!

Mrs Frizz - this photo is for you, damn things wouldn't go away lol!!

The entrance to the toilets at Puzzle World, a mural depicting Roman toilets, and then they had

replica ones, they apparently used a toilet brush looking thing instead of toilet paper according to the sign inside the door - gross!!!

Inside the illusion room, one side is smaller than the other, kids loved it!!

Looking through the illusion room!

Max in the off balance room, really hard to walk in as you can see from Max!! This room really plays havoc with your sense of balance and I actually felt like being sick.

Millie 'holding up' the clock tower at Puzzle World which is on even more of a lean than the Leaning Tower of Pisa apparently, the clock in the top goes backwards!

Long time no blog..........

2009-03-13T21:36:00.003+13:00

Well Christmas has been and gone, New Years was a blur and here we are in March and I am finally blogging!!!!! Dec/Jan/Feb went so fast for a variety of reasons so to stop you all being bored rigid will via a short list below update you all on the last 3 months!!

- Christmas was awesome, both sides of the family at ours for the big day, kids LOVED the trampoline they got!!!

- New Years was spent in Clyde where we went camping for the first time - in a tent!! Now those of you who know me well, would have had the same concerns I did about my ability to actually camp in a tent, on a non-powered site no less.......................... for 8 days!!!! Well I did it and had a fab time - the weather was a little patchy which is very unusual for Central Otago at that time of the year but we had a great time anyway!!!!

- Now for some sad news! My Grandad who is a fantastic man had a very serious stroke two days after we got home from camping! To say the first week was touch and go is a serious understatment and we all did truly think we were going to lose this wonderful man from our family BUT in true Grandad Ian style I am very very happy to report he is now in the rehab unit, has made friends there and is hoping to be home in the next 4-6 weeks. The only downside is that he won't be able to return to his wee house in the retirement village where he has been living and will have to live in the actual home itself, but he will be able to walk with the help o a frame initially and will have most of his independance - I'll take that over him not being here anyday!!!

- I joined the gym and got a personal trainer!!! I have finally decided that it is time to remove the evidence of three pregnancies and am pleased to report that since the end of January I have lost over 4kgs - which isn't that much 'numbers' wise but as my trainer (who seriously knows her stuff and has just given me so much information and insight in this whole process) its not the numbers - its body fat and measurments that count ! And I have lost a considerable amount of both - don't get me wrong I don't want to to be skinny - but I do want to be lean and strong! So every morning when my alarm goes off at 5.40am to be at the gym by 6am to workout and I might not feel like going - I just remember what I am trying to achieve!!! I had about 15kgs I wanted to lose and so I have about 11kgs to go! I have developed saggy baggy crutch syndrome with my pants so may have to look at investing in some new ones soon!! It's amazing how losing 'inches' make your clothes fit differently - very empowering!!!

- Millie is back at school and Paige is at morning kindy for 5 mornings a week and has been for a while, I am starting to struggle with the fact that she will be off to school in November!! I mean how the heck can she be 5 and Millie will be 8 in December!!! That will leave Max at home all day with Mum and I am already starting to worry how he will cope without Paige at home in the afternoons !!!

A MASSIVE thank you to my super talented friend Megan Renfree who dollied up the blog for me also - when it comes to computers she is a whizz!

Well a short post but hope to make them more regular as I have kind of had a light bulb moment that my blog can be used to record stuff, moments, memories, photos etc! It always used to be about scrapbooking and the business, but maybe it can be more about the McKenzies!!!

Done and Dusted.................

2008-12-18T10:00:00.004+13:00

Another school/kindy/preschool year that is - the carol concert is performed and done, prizegiving attended and the last day exchanging of cards, gifts etc done. Millie is officially done with Year 2 and needless to say being the sensitive soul she is was very upset that Mrs Dawkins and Mrs Wilcox-Clarke will not be her teachers next year. She is especially sad that Mrs Dawkins will not be teaching her next year, she literally adores her and she has thoroughly enjoyed being in her class, Mrs Dawkins has during the course of the year taken me aside to tell me what a thoughtful, caring child Amelia is and her compassion and sense of fairplay amazes her at times, she did make the comment that sometimes Amelia is older than her years in terms of her ability to relate to people.

The teachers gave the girls each a small present and card and Mrs Dawkins wrote a small note inside the card which read

Amelia - you have been such a kind and caring girl in Room2. The way you care for others is very special. Mrs Dawkins

Needless to say I had a big lump in my throat!!! It's funny that as a parent we worry that we are doing a good job of raising our children to be good citizens so when you get comments, or read lovely cards, it's nice to know!

Next year sees another new teacher, both for Amelia and the school and also a new class structure - composite year 2/3 class. Where Amelia goes to school is quite small, 125 girls to be exact, so as there are only 6 coming into year 2 for 2009 they are combining the youngest 9 in Amelia's class with the 6 to form a class. I have researched it on the internet and their are alot of studies for and against but the strong theme seems to be it has some really good benefits and is only for a year and the new teacher comes very highly recommend and has a particular interest in literacy so fingers crossed.

Right off to organise three children, Millie is dancing tonight in the big variety concert at our big Stadium so have been there every night for the last 5 watching her rehearse - the full dress rehearsal was last night and the show looks fantastic!!! Sophie Westenra (Hayleys sister) is one of the guests and has the MOST amazing voice and sings one song in particular called Songbird, beautiful!!!! We bought a video camera a couple of weeks ago so planning on giving it a whirl tonight, might even figure out how to post a short vid on here!!

7 years ago

2008-12-12T22:20:00.003+13:00

A beautiful little girl was born at 12.36pm on a wednesday afternoon weighing 8 pounds 8oz and I remember feeling overwhelmed that I was a mother and now responsible for such a precious little person!!! And now you are 7 years old and growing into such an amazing kind young person who everyday surprises me with your insight into life, your compassion for those around you,

the patience you show with your brother and sister, taking time with each to play the games they love and to give everything you do your complete focus and for indulging your emotional Mummy who was a little teary today as you turned another year older by telling me that you will always be my little girl, thank you Amelia for being a wonderful daughter - we love you so very much!!!!

Boy meets Talcum Powder........

2008-12-07T21:43:00.004+13:00

Pretty self explanatory really - it took over half an hour to clean up - Max was chuffed with himself and thought it was pretty hilarious!!! Needless to say all powder is now located out of reach - still there was the vaseline incident a few days ago - not so easy to clean up lol!!

Am not sure why, but he seems everyday to find an 'adventure', the girls would rather sit and play my little pony/ barbies etc - but not our wee man!!!! Still he makes each day a little bit different and I am assured by mothers of other children who were once the same age, that he will grow out of it!!!

Doing the rounds...........

2008-11-09T21:12:00.003+13:00

at the moment is the following quiz..................

Where is your cell phone? Next to me on the table for a change, always losing the thing!

Where is your significant other? Doing the ironing - seriously!

Your hair color? Ash blonde according to my hairdresser last time she coloured it!

Your mother? One of my best friends and a massice source of knowledge!

Your father? Passed 15 years ago - very big influence on my life today!

Your favorite thing? My laptop, my new briarwood boots and my scrap stuff to name a few!

Your dream last night? Never remember my dreams if I have them.

Your dream/goal? For my children to have a happy and successful life, to have a healthy family and to do a duathalon!

The room you’re in? Dining room

Your hobby? Scrapbooking

Your fear? That something happens to my children

Where do you want to be in 6 years? A busy mum, a career that makes a difference.

Where were you last night? Home

What you’re not? Messy

One of your wish-list items? SLR Camera

Where you grew up? Invercargill

The last thing you did? Put Max to bed for the 10th time - he can climb out of his cot now sigh!

What are you wearing? Hoody, canterbury pants.

Your TV? Is in the corner of the lounge with the Sunday Theatre on it.

Your Pet? Van and Diva the dogs, Shaggy the cat

Your computer? Laptop, love it!

Your mood? Tired

Missing someone? My sis, she is coming home at Xmas.

Your car? Ford Territory

Something you’re not wearing? Shoes, I have blisters from my running shoes!

Favorite store? Where do I start................ lol!

Your summer? lCamping with the children in Central Otago for the first time, wish me luck!

Love someone? My family and hubby

Your favorite color? Pink

When is the last time you laughed? Tonight

Last time you cried? Today, reading Kyah's blog (a wee girl with terminal cancer in ChCh)

Tagging everyone who has not seen this!!

Cupcakes, Twirly Dresses and a birthday........

2008-11-08T20:54:00.001+13:00

We celebrated Paiges 4th birthday yesterday with a 10 girls of various ages who all wore their best twirly dresses and came to play in the sunshine with Paige! Her birthday is actually on Guy Fawkes but it's so much easier to organise parties for the weekend! She had a WONDERFUL time, serious overload on Barbie Dolls and accessories gift wise, needless to say we now have a box for just the barbie stuff!!! My super talented friend Sharyn made Paige the most divine cupcakes using one of Tamara Jane who owns Tempt in Wellingtons recipe - simply delish!!!!! I loved the cupcakes with the strawberry lollies on the top - they were super cute!!!

They played Pass the Parcel and I was really surprised as a couple didn't know how it worked and they were older girls as well??? Then they had a treasure hunt for chocolate Freddos that had been hidden around the section and then it was present opening time! Party food to follow, thank goodness for Mum and helpers, quite hard to serve party food to 10 little girls and don't even get me started on the negotiations on who got what colour of fizzy lol!!

Max had been away for lunch with his aunty so by the time he got back he was fast asleep lol!! Still he did wake for the end of the party and had a fantastic time playing 'Drama Queens' with the girls which from what I can figure out considered mostly of them running in a single file line in and out of the house squealing and laughing and shouting Drama Queen - go figure!!!

I really can't believe that Paige is 4 but then I say that every birthday any of my three little people have, time just seems to disappear and we also got a phone call to say she had a place to start morning kindy 5 mornings a week in the next few days and we said yes but that means a whole year at morning kindy and now I am doubting our decision as perhaps it will be too long for her and it would seem her other little friends are all starting at the beginning of next year! Sometimes being a parent seems like a constant barrage of decisions, choices and worry!

So Miss Paige, now you are 4 I look at how much you have changed since your last birthday and the things I have noticed most

- My Little Teeny Ponies have been replaced as your favourite toy by Barbie!!!
- You continue to develop such a lovely personality, especially towards your brother and sister who you truly adore but there is definite backbone in that small body as is quite often displayed with a battle of wills with your Mummy!
- You love to 'twirl' and have an almost obsessive fascination with flip flops and the fact you got your own pink polka dot pair for your birthday just sealed the deal!!
- Your desire to have Macaroni Cheese as often as possible!!
- Your use of the word actually - 'Actually Mummy", 'Well actually I didn't"
- You still love cuddles with Mummy the best and butterfly kisses on the nose!!!

Everyday I am amazed at the person you are becoming Paige, and how independant and strong you are growing up to be, so very proud of you baby!!!

The birthday girl with new twirly dress!

Who needs a birthday cake?

It was a bit much for Max!

Ready to blow out the candles!!

New party dresses!!

Don't Forget.................

2008-11-07T22:20:00.004+13:00

to vote tomorrow!!!!! SO SO important that we exercise our democratic right!!! We are having a wee gathering to watch the results tomorow night - will be interesting to see who the Prime Minister is tomorrow although there is no guarantee under MMP we will know but I have fingers crossed big time for a certain newcomer to be our next Prime Minister - just saying.

Bula, Bula!!

2008-10-04T21:35:00.003+13:00

There are times in a girls life when you truly feel damn lucky - and yesterday was one of those!
My uber talented, hard working husband rang me yesterday morning and the conversation went something like this.

M: Hello
A: Bula, Bula
M: What?
A: Bula Bula!!!!!
M: OMG - you are not serious, we are going to FIJI!!!!!!!

The organisation my hubby works for has selected him as a finalist in their best of the best awards which they hold every year which includes a very formal black tie dinner which is always held offshore - so we have to go here for 5 days!!!!! He works so hard so for him it is the ultimate in recognition from his peers - so well done honey you flippin deserve it!!!!! I have travelled alot throughout the world but have never made it to Fiji and neither has hubby so it will be nice to go there together and play grownups without our three little people (who I love dearly!!!!) It is also just before our 5 year wedding anniversary anniversary so as far as presents go, he really pulled out all the stops!! I must admit to having already selected some of those spa treatments while Aaron plays golf so the race is on to lose those last 8 kilos - running shoes here I come!!!!!

Gotta be in to win!!!!

2008-10-04T21:01:00.003+13:00

So a site which I can see me spending alot of time on (bags are a huge downfall for me) so I just had to let everyone know that by linking Handbag Planet on your blog will increase your chances of winning one of the super cool bags that will be for sale - so that is my enablement for the day! Good luck!!

And I know this blog post is totally random but life has been very busy the last few weeks and looks like it is not going to slow down at all anytime soon so looks like blogging will just have to become part of it all - but the thing I FINALLY realised is that blogging daily events, no matter how small is allowing me to leave a record of things in every day life so apologies in advance if you fall asleep reading them :o)

Happy birthday my darling boy.........

2008-07-24T23:28:00.005+12:00

Tomorrow our wee man is 2!!! Eek the time has just flown and as I type this it takes me back 2 years ago when I was also on the computer talking to the the forum members at Scrapbook Essentials and packing orders to take my mind off the contractions - they thought I was nuts!!! LOL Anyhoo to my darling Max - have a happy day tomorrow - we all love you lots!! Mwah!!!

Been creating.......

2008-07-24T23:10:00.003+12:00

This layout was one I had been meaning to do for some time, in the photo is paige and her 'darf' also know as Mummys once very expensive pashmina scarf I bought in London which was given to Paige one night when we were going out when she was about 17 months old - it never made it back to me and is now in 4 pieces and a tangled mess but it is her comfort so I don't mind one bit. smile.

This one was inspired by Nic Howard and her album she has been completing for her daughter - it took a little coaching from Paige but now she keeps asking people to ask her how old she is so she can pull this pose.......... truly the daughter of a scrapbooker lol!!!

Missing in Action........

2008-07-17T23:01:00.001+12:00

Feeling a little overwhelmed at the moment, lots going on so poor blog has been neglected but will be back soon, promise!!

New Perspective.............

2008-07-09T22:11:00.004+12:00

Just had to share these pics I found on my camera a couple of days ago - Miss Millie has asked to use the camera and to be honest I had forgotten all about it until I was checking the card yesterday to get some photos printed - not bad for a 6 year old dont you think!

Busy creating.......

2008-07-06T16:12:00.005+12:00

So here is what I created today - I love getting snail mail and also sending it so have started making some little cards and thank you notes to send - as much as I love the internet and email there is something quite exciting still about opening up the letterbox and finding an envelope (which is not a bill, marketing material or the like!!!) and opening it - well at least for me there is! So I challenge you to create a card, big or small and send it snail mail this week just to say hi, thanks or thinking of you and make someone's day a little brighter!!!

So it's been a while...........

2008-07-05T12:46:00.002+12:00

Since I have sat down and scrapbooked - I remember Rhonna Farrer once saying that being creative is something she does every day, like flexing a muscle, it's something I aspire to do - I don't mean scrapbook everyday but be creative whether it be writing down something in my journalling book, changing a room in the house around, sketching layout ideas in my head down, or simply reading a scrapook magazine - unfortunately time does not always allow it but I am getting better and it feels GREAT!!!

This layout I completed for the Friday Night Challenge at the Sketch Book - challenge was based around using red, blue, white and stars - it looked a little 'patriotic' so I broke the rules slight and added in the green cardstock which I ran through the cuttlebug using the swiss dots folder (love that folder!!) and there are those American Thickers again!!

Love this layout of Max and his (too small) Blue Hat!!!

Peace

The Good Life.......... maybe?

2008-07-03T11:30:00.003+12:00

In the weekend we went and had a look at a 5 acre block with a house on it - it's about 10 mins drive in peak traffic to the gates of Amelia's school which is town so still close enough - and I LOVE it, have you ever walked into a house and thought 'I'm home?'
Well that is how I felt PLUS the house has 5 bedrooms, one of which we will use as a study as it looks onto one of the houses decks which has double doors and a built in sandpit (I know a certain little nearly 2yr olf wee boy who is going to be in HEAVEN!!) No bath in the house but both bathrooms have double showers in them and our bathroom has the most rockstar glam chandlier lights hanging from a silver rod in it, MASSIVE living and a HUGE three bay shed for our vehicles and all the stuff we have!! The girls won't be sharing a bedroom anymore although I am not confident how that will pan out as they are very close..... sooooooo we put an offer in and it was accepted!!! So now we have to sell our house, first open home this weekend so have been decluttering and cleaning like a women possessed!!!!
So keep your fingers crossed for us that ours sells quickly, still I am a firm believer it what is meant to be will be..................

Woo Hoot Wednesday.............

2008-07-02T11:17:00.004+12:00

It's that time of the week again ladies thanks to Janine aka Angelgurl....................

- So so so excited! The uber talented Megan Renfree has asked me to join the Sketch Book
team as her marketing/sponsorship contributor - and let me tell you know my head is buzzing
with ideas for the site - stay tuned!!!

- Week of bargain shopping with 20% of American Crafts Thickers at Spotlight on Monday (love
these letters!!) and Kaiser Flower shapes which will be altered for the girls walls which is also a
project for the school holidays that are fast approaching!!!!

- Snuggles this morning with Miss Paige and Miss Amelia - none of us wanted to get up!!!!

- Miss Amelia's parent teacher interview on Monday night - that girl is such a delight, her
teachers ADORE her, she is above average in both maths and english and generally a popular
and well liked child within her class (which shows in the constant birthday presents I am
buying for the child to take to her latest invite!!!

Hope you are keeping warm wherever you are and don't forget to woo hoot, it will give you a warm fuzzy promise!

Peace
M

Just because..........

2008-06-26T16:33:00.002+12:00

Have seen this on a few blogs recently and it made me want to join in!!

10 Years Ago - Living in Invervegas, living with my first fiance (thats a whole another story!!), working for Radioworks in Marketing for some pretty cool radio stations ie The Edge, Rock etc etc!!

5 Things to do Today - mopped floors, updated blog, finish off my scrap space, go to the post office, start on my OE album (it's only been 9 years lol!!)

Snacks I Enjoy - Cheese & Crackers, Sushi, Green Onion Chips and onion dip!!

Things I would do if I was a Millionaire - donate to some very deserving charities, buy Aaron a Holden crewman for his 'weekend' car, take all my family and friend somewhere hot with masses of cocktails, finally get my Louis Vuitton Speedy handbag and take Aaron to Europe and show him all my old haunts!!

Places I Have Lived - Invercargill, Christchurch twice, London, Greece, Italy, Scotland

Woo Hoot Wednesday.............

2008-06-25T16:22:00.002+12:00

Another week, another woo hoot Wednesday!! So this week a big woo hoot for

- New winter boots I bought in Christchurch over the weekend, have been looking for ages!!!
- Getting home safely on Monday night after seriously doubting the pilots abilities to fly the
plane!!
- Having my hubby home again today - he has been away constantly the last four weeks for
work so nice to know he is staying put for awhile now, just have to find that to do list for him
now lol!!
- Making huge headway on my new scrap space and actually beginning a layout without having
to move 'stuff'!!
- Having a wonderful hobby called scrapbooking to keep me busy on cold winter nights!!

As I was writing this it made me thankful for having a friend like Janine who has gently reminded us that once a week it is nice to sit and think about what is positive in our lives each week with Woo Hoot Wednesday - it is so easy to focus on the negatives sometimes so thanks Angel - you rock!!

Sheesh a whole week..........

2008-06-19T19:50:00.003+12:00

since I last blogged!!! It has been crazy busy around here - so much for having more time to scrap since SE closed - sigh. One of the coolest things about the forum that was at SE and and now at the Sketch Book is the people that you meet - and one of those amazing ladies Ann who just happens to be a super talented scrapbooker sent me this which arrived on Monday

It is just so cute, it has her user name and number of posts (she talked alot lol!!) and then a simple and honest message for me - so thank you Ann - I did PM you to say thanks personally but me and technology are not the best of friends at times!!! And the really awesome thing is that Ann, Mich and I are all staying with that pesky Angel Gurl who is a dear friend for SENZ later this year - recipe for chaos!!!!

So if you haven't been over to the Sketch Book for a day or two then head over as Nichol Magourik is the latest celebrity to post her challenge! There are some fantastic celebs lined up by the talented Megan Renfree to inspire everyone of the coming months - it really is the place to be inspired!!

Off to Christchurch this weekend with Mum for a girls shopping trip - Aaron is playing Mum and Dad - he is very good with the 3 munchkins but I think once we get home after 3 days he will be the one needing a holiday!!!

Woo Hoot Wednesday

2008-06-11T22:55:00.002+12:00

So another Woo Hoot Wednesday rolls around.......

Woo Hoot my new Owl Stamp from Maya Road - isn't he cute!!

Woo Hoot a handy husband - who pulled apart the lux (vacumn for all you non Southlanders!!) and retrieved my ' key off my laptop from the motor which got sucked in there when I was cleaning up today - how did it get from my laptop to the vacumn............. too embarassed to tell!

Woo Hoot a fellow parent telling me about a thank you letter Millie wrote to her for helping us find a rabbit costume for her recent drama festival at school completely unprompted.......

Hope you all found some things to Woo Hoot about today!!

Peace

Makes my heart smile.....

2008-06-10T16:40:00.000+12:00

They love books just like their mummy!!! And they are also sitting NICELY together for once - moments like these make me
feel blessed to be their mum!

I Love Red........

2008-06-08T20:35:00.000+12:00

So when I saw these red leather couches - I caved!! We had been looking for ages so it almost seemed like Karma when we found these!!! We had to draw the line at a new coffee table, Max is still too fond of using it as a drum with whatever his favourite toy is!!!

Proud Mummy Moment

2008-06-06T22:08:00.000+12:00

Okay so I am finally going to blog about Miss Millies AMAZING result in her school cross country a couple of weeks ago. Her teacher said to me on the morning of the cross country that she would be running with only six of her classmates and also the remainder of the junior school who were 7,8.9 year olds as she had completed the training runs well - to be honest I was a little concerned but figured worst case scenario she would walk...........

So Millies group is the last to go and they are running 1.8km in total, not too long afterwards the first girl home arrives (she is 8 years old) and while I am standing there talking to one of the other Mum's, I noticed a small figure running the last few hundred metres and the mum I was talking to said

'Isn't that Millie?'

I replied 'She wouldn't be back that soon'

But blow me down it was her - running flat out!!! After I picked my jaw up I went to the finish line to welcome the wee poppet and had to laugh as all the girls cheering her on at the finish line were high fiving her lol!!!!

When she finished the race I was giving her a big hug and she started crying so I asked her what was wrong to which she replied "I thought I was lost Mummy cause there was no-one in front of me!!!' I tried to explain to her that that was a good thing while trying not to laugh as it sounded so damn cute!!!! The Head of PE at the school caught up with me after the race and said they had checked with all the marshals around the course to make sure she hadn't strayed off the course as she ran the second fastest time in the whole junior school and also to make sure she had been safe on the course while running on her own!!!

To say we are proud of her is a major understatement - she loves all sports, dances 3 times a week, swimming lessons and hockey each week so to see her excel is just awesome!!! Definitely a proud mummy moment!!!

Woo Hoot Wednesday

2008-05-28T22:46:00.000+12:00

So thanks to Angel aka Janine - each Wednesday there are a whole lot of blogs updated in the scrapbook world with things that are a whoo hoot for the week so in no particular order here are mine.......

Sketch Book - check this out if you haven't already - fantastic community full of scrapbookers/cardmakers chatting their little hearts out - go Megan for getting this up and running!!!

Slowcooker - yummy chicken casserole for dinner and all I had to do was serve it when I came home tonite!!

Scrapspace - this is slowly taking shape, I am one of those scrapbookers who has to have things organised before I can create - it's the OCD in me I think!!!

Have some photos of Miss Millie to blog and also her AMAZING result in the school cross country - we were blown away!! More tomorrow!!

Feeling better

2008-05-24T21:38:00.001+12:00

Finally those antibugs are working and my throat feels less like I have swallowed a roll of barbed wire and actually managed to eat dinner tonite that Aaron cooked. So looks like I will be ripping up that blood test request form for galandular fever - wahoo!!! Am still feeling utterly tired but ANYTHING is better than how I felt the past few days and with a few good nights sleeps I should be 100% - thank you to everyone who has called, texted or emailed to see how I am getting on, and thank you to Mum who I know reads this, without her helping with school drop offs and pickups, cooking dinner etc poor Aaron would have not coped as well as he did, thank Mum (smooch!!)
So if you haven't yet been over to the Sketch Book then hurry on over, the membership is growing so quickly, something like 70 plus registered users in the first day and a half - everyone seems really enthusiastic about the site and there are some cool things planned for the site by its creator Megan Renfree so make sure you add it your favourites so you don't miss out! The first friday night challenge has been posted so am going to try and get this finished tomorrow!!!

Hope where ever you are you are snuggled up warm cause it is freezing here!!

Peace
Meg

Max dancing......... just like his Dad!!!!

2008-05-24T13:14:00.000+12:00

is a funny thing at the best of times but I just couldn't resist his latest trick - breakdancing or his from of it, it happens about 10 secs into the video - classic!

Introducing the Sketch Book............

2008-05-22T22:21:00.000+12:00

then why not head over to a brand new site based here in New Zealand and designed by the uber talented Megan Renfree and say hi! Honestly I am so so so proud of Megan for getting this community up and running - can you believe she designed it herself!!!! So get on over there and get signed up!!!

Sick.............

2008-05-22T14:13:00.000+12:00

I'm not normally a poor me but I am sick - yucky yuck sick!!!! I started feeling a little grotty on Tuesday and by early wednesday morning (try 4am) I was a goner! I didn't make it out of bed at all yesterday, couldn't walk properly without poor Aaron helping me, my throat was killing me so nothing to eat (I am so over lemonade!!!!) and I couldn't get warm at all - at one stage I had my flannel PJ's, thermals, and dressing gown, ski socks and electric blanket on 3 ........... then I would spike a fever and Aaron had to help me take it all of as I was too hot!!!! Seriously the man has the patience of a damn saint!!!!
So I finally gave in and went to see our wonderful GP - and I have full blown tonsilitis (sp?) - and so am now on antibugs, pain killers for the achy body(not keen on these but the relief they give is enormous!!!) I feel exhaused but am my own worst enemy so might try resting this afternoon .........
And hopefully something very cool will be launched tonite............ so check back..

Coming to a computer screen near you soon........

2008-05-18T22:04:00.000+12:00

This amazingly talented scrapbooker and dear friend of mine has been working on something very cool and I thought I would share a little sneak peek with her permission of course! So keep checking back for the big 'reveal'!!!

Saying goodbye...................

2008-05-16T21:50:00.000+12:00

Well today has been incredibly sad for me - the announcement was made today that as of the 31 May 2008 a dream for me will end - the doors are closing on Scrapbook Essentials! To say it was a hard decision was a complete understament - it has been a very long week with sleepless nights, to and froing about the right thing to do and in the end Aaron and I made the decision that the three little people need me more at the moment - don't get me wrong, Aaron supported me either way but it came down to with the kids being so little, that time goes so quickly and they need me to be there for them. The site has grown so much and is demanding more and more of my time which means less time in other areas of my life.
So from me to all the wonderful customers, and supporters of the site - thank you for helping me achieve a dream, making some brilliant friendships that will last long after the last challenge is posted and for making the last 3 years a fantastic experience.
A big thank you to all the current Design Team girls - Megan, Janine, Hannah and Kelly for giving so much of themselves each month with the wonderful work they produced with the kits and to previous DT members - Neen, Jo and Beverley a big thank you for your continued support since your terms ended - it means a lot.
A big thank you also to all the emails, phone calls, text messages from so many people who wanted to send their good wishes - I am just blown away, truly.
So on that note and because I can;t see through my tears I will end this post but this blog will still be updated very frequently so if you have a spare 5mins from time to time, make sure you drop in and say hi!!

Peace
Meg

Aaron - pick a number between 1 and 11..........

2008-05-09T16:17:00.000+12:00

So he did - number 7!!! So the winner of the giveaway is

Kiwi Mich!!!

Congrats Mich - will get the goodies away to you on Monday!!! Thank you to everyone who has left a comment on my blog this week - its been 5 days and I (touch wood) have managed to blog each day!!!

Unfortunately.......

2008-05-08T19:59:00.000+12:00

'your daughter was not successful in her audition to become a kitten as part of the Cats cast'.......... this was the letter I got in the mail yesterday after auditions in the weekend with Miss Millie (6 years) to become a kitten in the musical cats which is being performed during the school holidays in July. Needless to say I was at a complete crossroads as to what to do - tell her and break her wee heart or not mention it and hope she didn't remember (to be fair she hadn't mentioned it since the audition, but that's not to say she wouldn't have at some stage!!). In the end after discussing it with my own mother who is very wise and has always given me such good advice, we decided that we would tell her.
We all face disappointments in life, some little some big and each in its own way knocks us off course but with the help and support of friends and family eventually we hopefully learn, start to feel better and with time move on.
So we told her and she cried and inside I cried that she was upset - I know that there are so many issues in the world today that outweigh not being picked in a musical but as a mother I hate the fact that she was sad and I couldn't do a thing to make it better. But as Mum told me sometimes we need to feel disappointment so we can appreciate the successes so much more and she is right - Millie woke up this morning in a great mood, had a brilliant day at school, we are taking her to buy her own hockey stick this weekend as her hockey team starts playing next week and although the disappointment was severe to her, she has moved on and is looking forward to things she is involved in!!!

I found the following quote

'Age does not diminish the extreme disappointment of having a scoop of ice cream fall from the cone' Jim Fiebig

and how true it is!!!

Urban Rhapsody...............Finally!!

2008-05-07T13:51:00.001+12:00

Finally!!! NZ Customs do truly do my head in - they lost the box with the remainder of the contents and it only arrived yesterday - nearly kissed the courier!!! Anyhoo here it is and I just LOVE it, can't wait to see what the Design Team come up with!!!

A Giveaway Because I Can!!

2008-05-07T05:30:00.000+12:00

Leave your name and on Friday will randomly draw a winner!!!!

Mothers Day Cards

2008-05-05T10:30:00.000+12:00

As part of the challenges over at Scrapbook Essentials during the weekend in celebration of National Scrapbooking Day, the first challenge was to create a card or OTP item that you could actually give - so considering I am normally a last minute sally with these
things, I whipped up a couple of cards for Mum and for Aaron's mum! It is times like these that I remember how much I love my cricut
as it makes projects likes this so easy!!!! I have actually moved my scrap space inside from the garage - with the weather definitely on the change, it is toooooo cold out there!!! We have had a couple of absolutely amazing frosts the last 3 mornings which makes getting up not a lot of fun BUT the days come out sunny and blue skyed for most of the day until about 4pm when the sun starts disappearing again! I am one of those bizarre people who actually enjoys winter - I love being cosy inside with a hot chocolate, reading my scrapbooking mags and then actually scrapbooking - during summer it's just not quite the same!!!!!

Millie is away back to school this morning, in her winter uniform which she was most excited about wearing as I think the last week or so
of last term with the bad weather, the poor thing was starting to feel the cold! Uniforms truly are the best things ever invented - no debating with children over what to wear - unlike Miss Paige who at 3 thinks that dressing in her summer dress and that is all is sufficent for the start of winter - sigh, she is a little too like her mother at times - stubborn!!!!!

Have a great day
Peace
M

New Blog...............again!!

2008-05-04T16:45:00.000+12:00

Well I am going to give this blogging thing a go again, it is such a fantastic idea but I must admit to a couple of false starts in the past - but - thanks to the no-computer-gets-the-better-of-me-Megan-Renfree I have a new look blog and hopefully I will get into a good habit of recording stuff which is not as silly as it sounds, I have the memory of an ant at times - it started around the same time as when our first child arrived and considering the youngest of our three is now nearly 2 - the whole sleep deprivation issue which is not really an issue anymore just doesn't cut the mustard as an excuse anymore!!!!! So please leave me a comment and if you like your blog addy and I will add you to my list and bloglines (why did no-one tell me about this time-saving resource before!!!!!)