tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-234499962024-03-06T22:10:35.200+13:00Regnum Advenio<b>Regnum</b>: (lat.)1. kingly government, royal authority, kingship, royalty 2. In gen., dominion, sovereignty, rule, authority. // <b>Advenio</b>: vēnī, ventus, īre, to come to, reach, arrive atregnum_adveniohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02666211656813459138noreply@blogger.comBlogger359125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23449996.post-11337230047898656442010-01-06T14:22:00.001+13:002010-01-10T17:11:59.353+13:00Moving on upatrevathan.piratepup.com<div><br /></div><div>Follow me...</div>regnum_adveniohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02666211656813459138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23449996.post-77655716587998210472009-08-11T13:55:00.002+12:002009-08-11T22:07:39.287+12:00Less of meI don't do very well at this whole "dying to self" thing. In fact, I may even be utterly crap at it. The more tired I am, the crapper at it I get.<br /><br />Which I think is the reason why I have to re-learn this so often.<br /><br />I'm full of envy, pride and some very selfish desires. Worse still, I'm a control freak. I need to have things go my way. I can always tell when I'm edging towards the "my way or the highway" attitude. I'm more stresses, things affect me more and I get angry and bitter when things don't go my way.<br /><br />Unfortunately, I don't always recognize the trigger symptoms until it's too late.<br /><br />The truth is, it's so much better to be submitted. You don't have to worry so much because you trust that everything is in hands much larger than yours. It also makes decision making a much pleasenter experience. I think we should all try it.regnum_adveniohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02666211656813459138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23449996.post-46580510689584035182009-08-07T08:07:00.003+12:002009-08-07T08:09:24.232+12:00Donald Miller: Million Miles TourI don't know how many of you have heard of Donald Miller. Pretty much, if you haven't, you may have been hiding under a rock. And you need to read <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Blue-Like-Jazz-Nonreligious-Spirituality/dp/0785263705/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1249589052&sr=8-1">Blue Like Jazz</a> now.<br /><br />Anyway, Donald Miller is awesome. He's one of those incredibly authentic writers who say stuff and you find yourself thinking "Wow, that is so true..."<br /><br />AND...he's offering you a free download of a chapter of his latest (audio)book A Million Miles.<br /><br />The link is a little off centre (who says I need to change my layout??) But it's the yellow-y bit down the bottom. Click and voila - free audiobook chapter! Yay!<br /><br /><script type="text/javascript" src="http://widgets.clearspring.com/o/4a71a0d82e788bc1/4a7b37e772ed1140/4a7b228bb01138bb/7abd625/widget.js"></script>regnum_adveniohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02666211656813459138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23449996.post-18725725655486884592009-08-05T13:39:00.002+12:002009-08-05T13:42:42.125+12:00Money, money, moneyMoney is such a necessary evil. Often I think that my life would be much better if money didn't exist and everyone gave & recieved freely in a perfectly ideal world.<br /><br />I can hear you scoffing from here. You've got to admit it would be nice!!!<br /><br />The inspiration behind this is simply the fact that I find myself thinking about money A LOT lately. I guess that's what comes of having a mortgage, building a house & paying rent all at the same time. Here's where I've got to confess to my lack of faith.<br /><br />I know God can and will provide. And, when I look at this situation honestly I can see that we haven't been without. AND I've heard the stories of people who have had way worse debt and they're still around to tell the tale. But it's kinda scary.<br /><br />Here's how I see it: For me, God providing is great in an abstract way. When it gets down to the nitty gritty of it all then I get worried. I get worried because it's not really "abstract" any more...it's real and it's my life and I know there are people out there who get random donations posted in their mail but there's a recession out there and it's bigger than God...<br /><br />Or is it?<br /><br />I don't want my faith to be the kind that constantly needs to be affirmed. And deep down I know that the God who healed my friend's daughter's sight (an awesome story by the way) is so much bigger than anything else that's going on. But I've never been here before and that's a little scary.<br /><br />I guess we all need reassurance sometimes.regnum_adveniohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02666211656813459138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23449996.post-83519029126713861082009-06-28T16:43:00.002+12:002009-06-28T16:53:44.429+12:00Busy.I haven't had much to say lately. Life has been, to put it simply, crazy.<br /><br />Which probably explains why I'm feeling so drained today. I've basically had three weeks without a weekend. Consistantly. I keep looking forward to the next weekend only to find that it is full of "stuff".<br /><br />Thing is, I don't mind the "stuff". In fact, most of it was quite enjoyable. Some of it was even awesome. It's just the timing that sucks.<br /><br />It's really made me think about the way I spend my time. (Time seems so precious at the moment.) I am really, positively quite sure that busy-ness is a massive, life-sucking tool of the devil. Here's the thing, right? If can be busy with all matter of stuff that is abso-positively <span style="font-style: italic;">eternal</span> - in the sense that it is a <span style="font-style: italic;">good</span> way to spend my time. But if I'm giving out all the time I also need the time to fill up myself spiritually.<br /><br />Because, and I'll be frank - living eternal is pretty difficult. I feel really challenged to start living my life in a way that counts. The thing is, I've found it really, <span style="font-style: italic;">really </span>hard. It's like the moment I started trying all I found was roadblocks in the form of tiredness, leading to frustration, annoyance and all manner of other things. I know I need to lean on God more. But in the middle of the full on, <span style="font-style: italic;">frustrating</span> day, I find it really difficult to step back and take perspective.<br /><br />Learning curve, right? If there was an easy way I'd LOVE to know what it is!<br /><br />Sadly, I'm quite doubtful of there being an easy way.<br /><br />Lucky God is full of grace.<br /><br />This week coming up is, again, crazy busy. I don't want my relationships to suffer for busy-ness and in a way they have been. Both with God and with Isaac and with other people. It's such a fine balance that I'm still learning about what that is.<br /><br />Lucky God is full of grace.<br /><br />Better still - lucky God knows who I was meant to be, and I trust he'll steer me in the right direction.regnum_adveniohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02666211656813459138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23449996.post-44095623844365106502009-06-08T22:12:00.002+12:002009-06-08T22:15:56.190+12:00Blessings in abundancePraise the Lord, all you nations; extol him all you peoples. For great is his love towards us and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever. Praise the Lord. - Psalm 117<br /><br />We were told today that work is on a pay freeze. Understandable given the "economic climate".<br /><br />I've been thinking lately about the things that get me worked up and worried. Money is one of those things. It's stupid really because I've never lacked for anything. But the nature of the world we live in is to tell us we want things that we don't need.<br /><br />Yes, I'm aware my job contributes to that. My thoughts on that another time...<br /><br />"Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the Lord has been good to you" Psalm 116:7<br /><br />I want this to be true of me. It is true if me. I just forget sometimes. Here's the deal:<br /><br />1) I have a roof over my head = blessing<br />2) I don't go hungry = blessing<br />3) I have a job = blessing<br />4) My husband has a job = blessing<br />5) I have an education = blessing<br /><br />I think you see where this is going...<br /><br />I'm not writing this list to boast about what I have. I'm just trying to point out that there are so many things we take for granted in our lives.<br /><br />So can I, in good conscience complain about not getting a pay rise? Not really, no. Because I don't lack for anything. Moreover, I don't lack in the things that really matter: friends, family, grace, mercy, love.<br /><br />And, in the light of eternity does it really matter how much I get paid?regnum_adveniohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02666211656813459138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23449996.post-15866163917506838952009-06-05T21:06:00.003+12:002009-06-05T21:19:50.580+12:00Hello June!It's winter and it's COLD. Supposed to possibly snow (again) tomorrow so we'll see how that goes! I finally went out and got some new layering basics from Dotti since they're having a sale and all!<br /><br />That and most of my basics are getting a few holes in them due to over-wearing. Work clothes wear out so quickly!<br /><br />(Am slightly distracted...Petespace is on Rove)<br /><br />Right...Petespace is over.<br /><br />This week has been INTENSE at work. We're full on into new system training/updates and changing just about everything. One more week and we are re-entering EVERYTHING into the new system. Fun times.<br /><br />Highlight of the week (apart from Isaac coming home from the West Coast) was seeing STOMP at the James Hay on Tuesday night. Opening night even! It was incredible. No photos as they weren't allowed, but I cannot believe the sense of rhythm those people have! It was so much fun and they had us all clapping and stomping along by the encore. And they were hilarious!<br /><br />Dom Post review <a href="http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/entertainment/reviews/2450805/Stomp-the-rhythm-of-life">here</a> (I can't find the Press one!)<br /><br />If you want to go - and you should - you can buy tickets <a href="http://premier.ticketek.co.nz/shows/show.aspx?sh=STOMP2009&searchId=35d5b2b7-d00e-4144-9984-5ce0839d2cc4">here</a>. Only 8 shows so get in quick!<br /><br />ANNND tomorrow is another show day. We are going to Disney's Princess Wishes on Ice. Yes, childish I know - but oh what a way to relive my childhood!!!! I'm excited :)regnum_adveniohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02666211656813459138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23449996.post-47647010668373238602009-05-31T11:33:00.002+12:002009-05-31T11:44:42.000+12:00Be StillI had a "moment" yesterday.<br /><br />We're down at Ohau and I took my bike to the road. (As you do)<br /><br />It was spectacular. The sun was out, but dropping behind the mountains very quickly. Probably about 6 degrees out and I was biking into the wind. Brrr!<br /><br />At one point I just pulled over and it was so utterly quiet. No cars, nothing. All I could hear was the occasional bird. Right in front of me? Massive snow-capped mountains. My breathing sounded almost intrusive in an atmosphere like that.<br /><br />It was like I could hear God whispering. In the light of such awesome, magnificent beauty it's like the whole world fell into perspective. It's why I love getting out of town. You never get utter stillness and silence in town. We clutter life with noise. Traffic, tv, radio, advertising. Humanity is very good at talking and not listening.<br /><br />Imagine all that would be revealed if we just listened.<br /><br />(P.s - it's snowing again)<br /><br />I think it's important to remember that God's not the noise of the storm - the thunder, the waves, the earthquake, the hail, the sleet...you get the point.<br /><br />If I was to associate God with the weather system it would be snow. Snow is silent, it has this ability to blanket everything it touches. What's more it transforms. Not in a hugely intrusive way. But in a gentle, quiet way. And yet it has the ability to make the whole world grind to a halt if it's heavy enough.<br /><br />That's what I think anyway. I think we all need a little more snow in our lives.regnum_adveniohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02666211656813459138noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23449996.post-29522306598341617802009-05-11T19:46:00.003+12:002009-05-11T19:54:38.271+12:00Indescribable.I don't know how to explain what God has done in my life. Well, I do. But I don't - if that makes sense!<br /><br />There are no words to explain what He has done in my life.<br /><br />I wasn't a drug addict.<br /><br />I wasn't an alcoholic.<br /><br />I wasn't abused.<br /><br />But I was broken.<br /><br />And though I'm no where near being whole I am on the journey to getting there. And I wouldn't be able to get there if it wasn't for him. You have no idea the sense of relief in knowing (and I forget this often!) that I don't have to worry. That I don't have to be in control. That there is a plan and even though I don't know the next step that I am going somewhere. The things that frustrate me don't need to frustrate me because I can have perspective. There is a bigger picture.<br /><br />I get to be accepted. I get to be loved and not just in the broken, distorted way of human love. Because we can only love to a certain extent and our very human-ness distorts what love is meant to be. I get unconditional, lay-down-my-life-for-you love.<br /><br />If you don't get what I'm talking about that's fine because I don't think you can until you're at the place you can understand that. But that's what it is for me.regnum_adveniohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02666211656813459138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23449996.post-19006549657482728362009-05-09T15:07:00.003+12:002009-05-09T15:15:44.410+12:00Fringe is back!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhsiOClkSgtG_UIadst5yv-sg7gBfcR9WtVF73LW_NZEHC4xNm_HxJjuDSBXGj5yExZ8eaFkvKjG3ZNCAGbf0W1ry18XKtjZiGfg64-UfCprJ4NeABEzcr9WHR1_abcdtRT6-eeA/s1600-h/P09-05-09_14.30.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhsiOClkSgtG_UIadst5yv-sg7gBfcR9WtVF73LW_NZEHC4xNm_HxJjuDSBXGj5yExZ8eaFkvKjG3ZNCAGbf0W1ry18XKtjZiGfg64-UfCprJ4NeABEzcr9WHR1_abcdtRT6-eeA/s320/P09-05-09_14.30.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333655794954934306" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Nothing like a tidy to make you feel good about yourself!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7C5-UvOVyVAaY-ozyQkNwYmcLyOCj_PCeodhGocd7wvopo_DP-WbELFwUquRm8m1vcwCdnTd4afLPHYnHeBaNurbEfoRMZ_Xl5Zn9B5JSPnJm2fmLnHjzMEiW7xKFgIEcaE6sWQ/s1600-h/P09-05-09_14.49.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7C5-UvOVyVAaY-ozyQkNwYmcLyOCj_PCeodhGocd7wvopo_DP-WbELFwUquRm8m1vcwCdnTd4afLPHYnHeBaNurbEfoRMZ_Xl5Zn9B5JSPnJm2fmLnHjzMEiW7xKFgIEcaE6sWQ/s320/P09-05-09_14.49.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333656011037201810" border="0" /></a>I find that if you don't make eye contact your soul doesn't get sucked into the camera...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I love V for Hair. I see the head stylist there and she's awesome! I will have to start going back to see Amber once she starts cutting again though. I always feel like I'm cheating on my hairdresser if I go see someone else.<br /><br />Does any one else feel that way or is it just me and my neurotic personality???<br /><br />Did the early Mother's Day thing with Mum & Dad today. Test ran the new <a href="http://drexels.co.nz/">Drexels</a> in Ricc Mall. YUMMY! I love Drexels. It is SO GOOD. Love the Mexican 3 egg omelette. I always get no guacamole and mushroom instead. *drool* And free refills of coffee...muwahaha.<br /><br />Highly recommended. Tomorrow we are doing the Ground Floor Cafe for breakfast with Isaac's mum. I'd better get on my bike soon or I'll have to start rolling places!!!<br /></div></div>regnum_adveniohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02666211656813459138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23449996.post-49456807242266209302009-05-07T21:56:00.002+12:002009-05-07T22:03:46.866+12:00Fly, fly my pretty!My week has gone so quickly! Seriously. We're at thursday already, and let's be honest right now it's pretty much friday. Surprisingly, or unsurprisingly, it hasn't really gone to plan. It was supposed to be my "down" week. (Up week is small group week)<br /><br />The weekend has blown out on me due to Mother's Day - not that I mind as I appreciate a day that is all about appreciating my mum - but with two families it takes a lot of negotiating. Less with my family and more so with Isaac's. But that's ok.<br /><br />House stuff is totally in full swing and taking up time! But that's good, sooner we get it all started the sooner they can start building!<br /><br />Stupidly I also made dinner plans for Saturday. Not stupid as in I don't want to go, because I do. It's just that it means that Saturday is REALLY full on. As is Sunday. Hmmm...<br /><br />I may need a weekend after the weekend.<br /><br />Few "interesting" things have happened at work lately. Nothing I'm willing to elaborate in the public sphere but just a number of things have happened that have made me go "hmmm..." And some days I don't really want to be there, but I know very certainly that God wants me to be there so there's no real arguing with that, is there?!<br /><br />Trying to find time to write but it seems a little far off now. Hoping things settle down soon!!!! Barely time to Tweet, let alone blog, let alone songwrite.regnum_adveniohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02666211656813459138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23449996.post-73219955345449168072009-05-03T17:25:00.003+12:002009-05-03T17:33:38.613+12:00My thoughts on swine fluGet over it, people.<br /><br />Seriously, GET. OVER. IT.<br /><br />People die from the normal flu all the time. Especially, in NZ (read: Christchurch) when combined with the freezing cold winters and poorly insulated houses.<br /><br />Has anyone stopped to consider the difference in medical standards between Mexico and places like NZ and the US? All our so called "unbiased" media agencies have conveniently forgotten this. And also, talk about scaremongering. We went from 150 (ish) dead in Mexico to 7. How's that for attributing every single possible cause of death to swine flu??!<br /><br />Meanwhile we can now buy Tamiflu on Trademe. So hopefully that will make it cheaper than the $60-80 it will cost to get it without a prescription. (P.S according to Wikipedia <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oseltamivir">Tamiflu </a>is not so sucessful with Bird Flu anyway, fingers crossed for Swine Flu though!)<br /><br />People need to calm down and not panic so much. So there are infected people in the country. Most of them aren't actually that sick (from what I've heard) and they've been quarantined. How is it any worse than the general course of colds and flu that people get over winter anyway? And the media need to stop perpetuating this. *smacks wrist* Bad media.<br /><br />Also, go the Brits for using Swine flu as a reason to not go to work. "I think I have the flu, I'll just quarantine myself now...I'll be back in a couple of weeks"regnum_adveniohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02666211656813459138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23449996.post-51845948463188979092009-04-28T11:11:00.003+12:002009-04-28T11:16:29.821+12:00Of house dreams and designs.Am home sick today. Have been in bed all morning, I figure if I do that I might feel well enough to actually do things in the afternoon.<br /><br />So, have been thinking and surfing the net, mainly checking out <a href="http://community.livejournal.com/saucydwellings/">SaucyDwellings</a> - which is basically a community of people who post photos of their houses once (re)decorated. Pretty cool. It got me thinking about the house - if/when it's built it'll be pretty modern, which is great because I love modern. But modern often lacks a bit of character. (Though if you look <a href="http://www.desiretoinspire.blogspot.com/">here</a> you'll see that that's not always true!) So I'm trying to think of ways to give it character. Which is silly because it's not even close to being built yet.<br /><br />But I'm a little like that. Currently am thinking a little old mixed in with the new.<br /><br />Anyway, will be exciting because once it's done (like 6 months from now - eeek!) I can post pictures and whatnot. I'm just excited to get my own space!regnum_adveniohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02666211656813459138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23449996.post-47543131956006149532009-04-26T10:38:00.003+12:002009-04-26T10:44:09.017+12:00I always feel slightly guilty when I don't go to church on a Sunday morning. Which is silly, isn't it? I'm going tonight. But I feel like I should be going in the morning as well.<br /><br />Logically it makes no sense. I shouldn't feel guilty in any case.<br /><br />Plus it's not like God only resides in church. He doesn't. And I don't regularly make a habit of NOT going. I've been so tired lately that today I just feel like I want to stay home and get things done.<br /><br />AND take the new bike for a spin.<br /><br />Hmm...maybe that's why???<br /><br />PS - People if you're on here and reading this, click on one of the links below! It'll greatly help our house fund if people start clicking on adsense!!!!regnum_adveniohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02666211656813459138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23449996.post-66716156784374664142009-04-23T17:51:00.000+12:002009-04-23T17:52:23.988+12:00We got approved!The bank approved us!! Only took almost a week lol. Yay!!! It's all becoming a little more "real". Lotsa decisions to make in the next wee while - going to need lots of prayer!!!regnum_adveniohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02666211656813459138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23449996.post-69872496719826915362009-04-19T22:32:00.002+12:002009-04-19T22:34:54.712+12:00AgeismSometimes I look in the mirror when the make-up is off and I feel old.<br /><br />We had a retro worship night tonight...not just the '80s but the '90s too...good to listen to the old stuff but MAN the 90s feel like a LONG time ago!!<br /><br />One of my ex-youth group girls is ENGAGED!! I'm happy for her but am also thinking it doesn't seem like that long ago she was in high school...<br /><br />Perhaps when we all have kids I will ponder this again. Thing is the best time is now!!! Loving to live the dream...or at least part of it!regnum_adveniohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02666211656813459138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23449996.post-25355484118331480182009-04-17T19:00:00.003+12:002009-04-17T19:03:49.688+12:00New to comeWorking on a new layout. Wanted autumnal but am leaning towards Spring. Hope for the future perhaps?<br /><br />Getting slowly re-addicted to Shorty Street. Not sure if it's bad or not. But the acting sure is!!! *sigh*<br /><br />So...this week have met with the builder/real estate agent and today we met with the mortgage broker. All very positive sounding. Will just have to see what the banks say now!!! Feels so old and grown up though!<br /><br />Watch this space!!regnum_adveniohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02666211656813459138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23449996.post-1348422297267138202009-04-16T18:52:00.002+12:002009-04-16T18:53:12.235+12:00I am a shopper of the timesI buy general stuff from Pak n Save. Meat and veg for Raeward and ocassionally go to the Funky Pumpkin or the Mad Butcher depending on what is cheap.<br /><br />Basically, I am awesome.regnum_adveniohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02666211656813459138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23449996.post-3582026655755257862009-04-14T22:37:00.002+12:002009-04-14T22:40:44.999+12:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3630/3441455650_bd3469c51f.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 333px; height: 500px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3630/3441455650_bd3469c51f.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />I'm glad I've started carrying my camera around town. Means I can capture moments like this. I'm putting together a new Flickr set - Christchurch in Autumn. Hopefully it'll be something really worth doing!regnum_adveniohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02666211656813459138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23449996.post-45209882037527995052009-04-13T20:17:00.004+12:002009-04-13T20:22:18.418+12:00Love this country!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3571/3433234703_1462c938a2.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 256px; height: 385px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3571/3433234703_1462c938a2.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a>The Ahuriri<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Where else in the world can you go and see sights like this?? I love this country! It was a great, relaxing Easter as well. Felt a little like summer but slightly colder.<br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3409/3433339017_cacf5e6a13.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 210px; height: 316px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3409/3433339017_cacf5e6a13.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Just by the Ahuriri Valley Track<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">More photos to come on my Flickr. It's almost enough to make me want to throw in my job and just go live somewhere that's NOT the city and wake up to the mountains every day :)<br /></div></div></div>regnum_adveniohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02666211656813459138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23449996.post-64917284254265181992009-04-11T10:02:00.002+12:002009-04-11T10:10:31.790+12:00Traffic!<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiBbJZno_C9QXJ7fkHNONnGXcHFB88xL7B01D4RR9HBDIHj6bu__B6cv2UtfzEEpRmL6pKOArKOF10H4DO2rav4ZOy5vJtbPB9hBqS5tvDdJwgNxgPujTcKDDyl0GdCWjbDZ2axg/s1600-h/IMGP4176.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiBbJZno_C9QXJ7fkHNONnGXcHFB88xL7B01D4RR9HBDIHj6bu__B6cv2UtfzEEpRmL6pKOArKOF10H4DO2rav4ZOy5vJtbPB9hBqS5tvDdJwgNxgPujTcKDDyl0GdCWjbDZ2axg/s320/IMGP4176.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323187561893248306" border="0" /></a>Traffic on SH1 - outside the Synlait factory<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Yep...we couldn't believe it either! Traffic stretched all the way to the Rakaia bridge! According to Google Maps it's a good 16kms of crawling traffic. WELL away from civilisation!<br /><br />Crazy!!! Turns out there was an accident on the bridge. Ouch.<br /><br />But we're here now!<br /></div></div>regnum_adveniohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02666211656813459138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23449996.post-51158440187611655252009-04-09T10:52:00.004+12:002009-04-09T11:10:41.359+12:00TodayToday I apparently believe in the power of internet advertising. Oh no what have I done???! Like it's not enough to be surrounded by it 24-7 at work! I suppose if it generates revenue it's okay. Or is that what ad execs have been telling themselves for years in order to justify the creation of this consumerist state we are in??!<br /><br />Or am I over thinking?<br /><br />On today's baking menu - lemon/lime squares! I am quite excited regarding this as it's out of my 500 great cookie recipe book which doesn't use cup measurements but weight instead. I got to use my new Salter scale which rocks! It's also extremely quick to do in the mini oven. (Book estimates close to an hour for baking but it took me just over half an hour)<br /><br />These are to take away with us this weekend. And am going to do bread as well. Will let you know how they taste! Cooling in the tin now :)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuO4VtXGxI-bzxS3jz6Q2u7nluKC3-nI2psReSxGPrER6SBPI345B0_QvY5KlsFw5GNt-mT4IyVfllqtoqUcXwaJ5RFfCbaux8wAWxyM-g-5bOOVOBAFjgD4DPdy88HBPgKoinxw/s1600-h/P09-04-09_11.03.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuO4VtXGxI-bzxS3jz6Q2u7nluKC3-nI2psReSxGPrER6SBPI345B0_QvY5KlsFw5GNt-mT4IyVfllqtoqUcXwaJ5RFfCbaux8wAWxyM-g-5bOOVOBAFjgD4DPdy88HBPgKoinxw/s320/P09-04-09_11.03.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322460614220627810" border="0" /></a><br />NOMS<br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br />Isaac is graduating today which means that everything is fairly full on. Being him he didn't actually look through all the stuff that they gave him in his graduation pack till last night! *sigh* At least he managed to book his robes...lucky I love him!<br /><br />Am really, <span style="font-style: italic;">really</span> looking forward to getting out of town. Had a bit of a missing kitty moment yesterday. Every time I head out I feel like I'm forgetting something like checking his food bowl, making sure he doesn't run outside or just saying goodbye. This too shall pass I guess.<br /><br />House hunt is still on. Mum is on board now which is nice - she likes looking at houses and has an agent friend so that's good. And she makes it her business to know what the best deals are. Kinda like I do but to a greater extent. I learnt from the best! (Haha)<br /><br />Enjoy the ads people ;)<br /><br />Ps - 8 degrees and it's 11am! Awesome!!! :(<br /></div></div>regnum_adveniohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02666211656813459138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23449996.post-12736054078030937212009-04-08T17:43:00.002+12:002009-04-08T17:46:47.440+12:00Biccies!!!<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4FHLmdtzzHEIUysqWXprlMe6oI-DeXCDNPl9FTmRf7f4O3-mPqTwnoSltzY91-6X0qcuFlAD3bL5QzF8mXApjTTOh8_xc892cP6KElE6HolEQQZqjTzHq3MrB6UPmp67-d4Zivw/s1600-h/P08-04-09_17.36.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4FHLmdtzzHEIUysqWXprlMe6oI-DeXCDNPl9FTmRf7f4O3-mPqTwnoSltzY91-6X0qcuFlAD3bL5QzF8mXApjTTOh8_xc892cP6KElE6HolEQQZqjTzHq3MrB6UPmp67-d4Zivw/s320/P08-04-09_17.36.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322192210990151714" border="0" /></a><br />So, I decided on Belgium biscuits for some UNKNOWN reason. I forgot that I am crapski with biscuits that need rolling and cutting out.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">BUT these turned out pretty ok if I do say so myself! I am happy to send these a church-ways.<br /><br />They also taste good. NOMS!<br /></div></div>regnum_adveniohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02666211656813459138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23449996.post-27081107693171067862009-04-08T10:10:00.002+12:002009-04-08T10:12:28.464+12:00Lack of excitingAm trying to find something exciting to bake for Journeys Towards Easter pack down on Sat. Since I'm not going to be there and all I thought I'd contribute in some way.<br /><br />Alas, everything I find appears to have "frosting" (said with American twang) on it.<br /><br />May have to drop back to the old failsafe Edmonds choc brownie. Am also thinking biscuits to take away with me.<br /><br />Will let you know how I go. First time in yonks I am at liberty to blog all the time and no one else is here so how better to use up all my words for today??regnum_adveniohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02666211656813459138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23449996.post-1836210636073574692009-04-07T19:18:00.003+12:002009-04-07T19:20:58.799+12:00White Cat needs home!Someone, <span style="font-style: italic;">anyone</span> in Christchurch after a cat? Saw <a href="http://tinyurl.com/dzbppd">this </a>on Trade Me and it just makes me feel so sad! He needs a home and we can't give him one at the moment as it's too soon :(<br /><br />But I figured that I'd get the word out there in case anyone is looking or thinking of maybe adopting a baby. He's a bit older and he's had a hard life.<br /><br />So...if you've been considering it and have a place in your home and heart for this baby please, <span style="font-style: italic;">please</span>, give him a home!!!regnum_adveniohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02666211656813459138noreply@blogger.com0