25.02.15

 

Today I turned 50!

Not quite as scary as I tyhought it may have been - it does seem REALLY old to a teenager I guess but surronded by friends and doingt he things I do, it felt pretty normal!

Always interesting the expectations around how to celebrate - should it be a party, a big deal, a drinking session - but this was good: family, at home and with people that really do have my best interests at heart.

Grateful for friends who're able to come out on a  Wednesday evening and eat tons of sweet cake just in my honour. feeling really fortunate and loved by the friends I have to support, love and hang out with.

24.02.15

Rachel nabbed in the custard box!
I've so appreciated Rachel's help (and Norms!) to make a couple of desserts for tomorrow evening. This is my last night before I turn 50 and it's been good fun: ukulele, pudding making and time with family and Matt. Roll on tomorrow.
Grateful for life, friends, a job, students that I enjoy and my home to come to at the end of each day!

23.02.15

...and so it starts - the marking. I'm determined this year NOT to be carrying books backwards and forwards - and also NOT to mark without students around...let this be the LAST time!

Grateful for supportive parents who, when I phone about their kids assure me they will follow up the behaviour that's going on in class. Glad too, that what I'm seeing in class is to some extent what they're dealing with at home...lots of pre teen behaviour! Here's hoping there's now a change in attitude and of course, output.

22.02.15

Isn't it wonderful just what we can produce from our own garden? It never ceases to amaze me!
Grateful for family time, visiting with friends and having Sunday off. Feeling most contented and not too unprepared for school this week!

22.02.15

21.02.15

Two photos today: a lobvey walk at Goldie's bush this morning with the Wheelers and Lawsons - heaps of river crossings; took my shoes on and off repeatedly, slid ina nd had a very wet bum for most of the walk, but it was a greta respite from work and lovely to get out into the bush.
Second picture is of Ben and Tim - celebrating Tim's 14th birthday. Can't believe these 2 bottoms still can fit in the same chair!
Grateful for friends, lovely nature walks and time to go walking.

20.02.15

The tree on the top of Stockade Hill, Howick. We were on our way home from a dog walk to Mellon's Bay beach. Lovely to be family and enjoy being on the beach until quite late!

18.02.15

A walk with Ben to Mellon's Bay beach where there are always dogs for her to play with. This evening it was a whippet and a lab X. They had such a good time - wild and wet, tumbling and turning over and over. It made us laugh.
Grateful for pets and the laughter they bring to our lives.

17.02.15

My ukulele has to be a part of this in some way: so enjoying my Tuesday evenings with first Caro, and now Caleb. A time to laugh, sing and play - does me good.
Grateful for people who give p their time to help me play an instrument and for the chance to be part of the Ukes of Howick!

16.02.15

Spent some time this evening sorting out my earrings and putting them onto the holder Tors made me for Christmas. loving seeing them all displayed but am a little dimayed at how many single earrings I have. Will have to have  agood hunt under the bed me thinks.
Grateful for tomorrow being Specialist day and so less teaching time! Had a great walk with Ben today - a super way to chat with him and hear what's going on his days.

15.02.15

There's something about receiving roses on Valentines Day that is special. Really grateful for being married to Norm, being spoilt and loved. (Despite being away at Waikato row for the weekend with his daughter...flowers were a ready reminder of him!)

14.02.15

Valentines day and no this isn't from Norm but rather the chaps at work who handed them out to all the ladies on Friday before treating us to some poetry: Steve to a 50 shades of grey poem; Mike McG to a poem complete with singing the last verses and Sojung and Aiden doing a Shakespeare scene with sock puppets about the first kiss. All very very funny. Oh and Josh starting it all off with a tuneless bit of guitar playing!
Today I ate the rose! nor and Rachel away on Waikato row trip so its Ben, Jingbo and I...not quite the most romantic of days I could've had!
Grateful for weekend and also for Flixonase nose-spray which looks like it may have stopped the sneezing fit I've had at home for the past couple of weeks. here's holding thumbs. Also for going to the Pakuranga night market  and relishing all the different nationalities that live in East Auckland and tasty churros. Yum!

13.02.15

A bit of a random pic tonight - the kids had a youth group event down at Eastern beach and the whole area was just full of youngsters, from all sorts of groups - it was  a great atmosphere with heaps of energy and sporty action. I just loved seeing everyone enjoy the outdoors while we still ahve summer.
Today I'm grateful that its weekend and i have a chance to sleep in tomorrow and not face 31 kids!

12.02.15

Walking Tess at 6.00 - it was dark but teh view ofteh lights over Auckland city were spectacular (despite this blurry photo!). I just couldn't believe how dark it is in February...winter's coming.
Today I'm grateful for my job and the news of some back pay for the past year: that'll certainly be welcome. Shelly park really didn't get it together when I left, did they?

8.02.15

Norm had a chance today to take his Christmas flight present out at Ardmore Flying school. he went off in a Cessna and came back beaming as he'd been able to fly the plane pretty much on his own bar landings and take offs. he was like a kid in a candy store and I was delighted that this present had worked well! I guess I know what to do if I win Lotto: $22 000 for a PPL for him! he'd love it...but would never be able to take me as I'm way too terrified!
I'm grateful for church this morning and a chance to praise God; here of authors doing great things with their In Grandad/Grandma's garden...thank you Lord for making the difference in so many differing ways. Thanks too for being able to give gifts that delight Norm as he gives so much of himself to us all without ever moaning!

7.02.15

Am not quite sure how this dog - or boy- ever got so soppy but here's Tess tucked in with Ben and he assures me she did it all on her own accord! Great to see just how bonded the 2 of them are together...it's lovely.
Grateful for 3 day long weekends - whatever the reason and time just to spend with friends and catch up on household chores; once they're done, it's immensely satisfying.

6.02.15

Today was one of those days where one does something  little bit out of the ordinary: a guided trip/tour/walk around a local caemetry: actually All saints Anglican adn Star f eth Sea Catholic cemetries in Howick. A fascinating look into Howick/Pakuranga's  history. Kids thought it was a most bizarre thing to do - I found it fascinating.
Grateful today for people who give up their time voluntarily to share their knowledge and passion for history with the locals. A fabulous morning!

5.02.15

Now this is one happy cat: Roxy. It's been months sincwe she last joined us for dinner by lying on the table - Granny wuld never have approved and I guess tehre just hasn't been teh space. t's lovely to have things return to calm/normal!
Grateful today for the prospect of a long weekend this weekend - Waitangi Day and 3 days at home (despite the long holiday we've just had!!!). Glad to hear Sam has arrived in Greymouth safely - he'll be pleased to be back in his roots.

4.02.15

6.30 am this morning - walking along Eastern ecah with Tess./ What an absaloutely beautiful sunrise. Felt really privilaged to have been tehre at this moment as even 30 seconds later it had all gone.
Grateful for living in such a beautiful place, the rain that started falling this afternoon and a peaceful home of my own. Good to hear Sam has made it safely to Picton on his journey south.

3.02.15

Well Sam's day for returning to the south has come: one incredibly laden car and one excited boy. I find it sad but I know he's chomping at the bit to get back to 'his' world. Grateful to have had this time with him and I just so enjoy the man he's grown into - despite the bad breath, farts and knife licking!!!

2.02.15

Well this officially marks the end of the summer with Sam heading back down south tomorrow. I know he needs to go and live his life but boy I'll miss him. Aren't I fortunate Ic ans ay i really really like/love my kids! it's been so good having him here for 3 mnths and I do wonder when I'll see him again as he has lots of travel plans ahead.
Grateful for family, long summer holiday, laughter and watching my kids grow into the people God has intended them to be.