Less of me

I 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.

Which I think is the reason why I have to re-learn this so often.

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.

Unfortunately, I don't always recognize the trigger symptoms until it's too late.

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.

Donald Miller: Million Miles Tour

I 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 Blue Like Jazz now.

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..."

AND...he's offering you a free download of a chapter of his latest (audio)book A Million Miles.

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!

Money, money, money

Money 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.

I can hear you scoffing from here. You've got to admit it would be nice!!!

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.

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.

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...

Or is it?

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.

I guess we all need reassurance sometimes.

Busy.

I haven't had much to say lately. Life has been, to put it simply, crazy.

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".

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.

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 eternal - in the sense that it is a good way to spend my time. But if I'm giving out all the time I also need the time to fill up myself spiritually.

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, really 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, frustrating day, I find it really difficult to step back and take perspective.

Learning curve, right? If there was an easy way I'd LOVE to know what it is!

Sadly, I'm quite doubtful of there being an easy way.

Lucky God is full of grace.

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.

Lucky God is full of grace.

Better still - lucky God knows who I was meant to be, and I trust he'll steer me in the right direction.

Blessings in abundance

Praise 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

We were told today that work is on a pay freeze. Understandable given the "economic climate".

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.

Yes, I'm aware my job contributes to that. My thoughts on that another time...

"Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the Lord has been good to you" Psalm 116:7

I want this to be true of me. It is true if me. I just forget sometimes. Here's the deal:

1) I have a roof over my head = blessing
2) I don't go hungry = blessing
3) I have a job = blessing
4) My husband has a job = blessing
5) I have an education = blessing

I think you see where this is going...

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.

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.

And, in the light of eternity does it really matter how much I get paid?

Hello 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!

That and most of my basics are getting a few holes in them due to over-wearing. Work clothes wear out so quickly!

(Am slightly distracted...Petespace is on Rove)

Right...Petespace is over.

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.

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!

Dom Post review here (I can't find the Press one!)

If you want to go - and you should - you can buy tickets here. Only 8 shows so get in quick!

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 :)

Be Still

I had a "moment" yesterday.

We're down at Ohau and I took my bike to the road. (As you do)

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!

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.

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.

Imagine all that would be revealed if we just listened.

(P.s - it's snowing again)

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.

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.

That's what I think anyway. I think we all need a little more snow in our lives.

Indescribable.

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!

There are no words to explain what He has done in my life.

I wasn't a drug addict.

I wasn't an alcoholic.

I wasn't abused.

But I was broken.

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.

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.

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.

Fringe is back!

Nothing like a tidy to make you feel good about yourself!

I find that if you don't make eye contact your soul doesn't get sucked into the camera...

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.

Does any one else feel that way or is it just me and my neurotic personality???

Did the early Mother's Day thing with Mum & Dad today. Test ran the new Drexels 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.

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!!!

Fly, 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)

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.

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!

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...

I may need a weekend after the weekend.

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?!

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.

My thoughts on swine flu

Get over it, people.

Seriously, GET. OVER. IT.

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.

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??!

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 Tamiflu is not so sucessful with Bird Flu anyway, fingers crossed for Swine Flu though!)

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.

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"

Of 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.

So, have been thinking and surfing the net, mainly checking out SaucyDwellings - 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 here 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.

But I'm a little like that. Currently am thinking a little old mixed in with the new.

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!

I 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.

Logically it makes no sense. I shouldn't feel guilty in any case.

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.

AND take the new bike for a spin.

Hmm...maybe that's why???

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!!!!

We 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!!!

Ageism

Sometimes I look in the mirror when the make-up is off and I feel old.

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!!

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...

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!

New to come

Working on a new layout. Wanted autumnal but am leaning towards Spring. Hope for the future perhaps?

Getting slowly re-addicted to Shorty Street. Not sure if it's bad or not. But the acting sure is!!! *sigh*

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!

Watch this space!!

I am a shopper of the times

I 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.

Basically, I am awesome.

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!

Love this country!

The Ahuriri

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.

Just by the Ahuriri Valley Track

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 :)

Traffic!

Traffic on SH1 - outside the Synlait factory

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!

Crazy!!! Turns out there was an accident on the bridge. Ouch.

But we're here now!

Today

Today 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??!

Or am I over thinking?

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)

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 :)

NOMS

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!

Am really, really 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.

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)

Enjoy the ads people ;)

Ps - 8 degrees and it's 11am! Awesome!!! :(

Biccies!!!

So, I decided on Belgium biscuits for some UNKNOWN reason. I forgot that I am crapski with biscuits that need rolling and cutting out.

BUT these turned out pretty ok if I do say so myself! I am happy to send these a church-ways.

They also taste good. NOMS!

Lack of exciting

Am 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.

Alas, everything I find appears to have "frosting" (said with American twang) on it.

May have to drop back to the old failsafe Edmonds choc brownie. Am also thinking biscuits to take away with me.

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??

White Cat needs home!

Someone, anyone in Christchurch after a cat? Saw this 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 :(

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.

So...if you've been considering it and have a place in your home and heart for this baby please, please, give him a home!!!

Freedom!

Well, it is officially Easter weekend for me due to a mix up in when Isaac's graduation is. (It's Thursday, not Wednesday)

But that's ok. Initially I was planning on spending most of Weds with the kitten, but that has obviously gone out the window now. So I am filling my day with things like baking and going to Journey Towards Easter and preparing for heading down to Ohau. Again, we originally weren't going any where for the holiday but with kitty gone it seems like a good time to get out of the house as it's a little uncomfortable-feeling here sometimes.

Sometimes I think I see the kitten sitting somewhere on the floor. It always ends up being my shoes or something like that. But I don't expect him to walk into the room as much any more :(

So tomorrow will be okay. Just me. My parents get back tomorrow so may stop in for a visit and Isaac and I are planning on trialing the delights of Wagamama tomorrow night as a pre-graduation celebration.

I feel that I will probably have to take a few deep breaths. But that's okay. I'm doing okay and that is really only due to the grace of God.

We are looking at places to move to. Places to buy. Looking into how much we can/need to borrow. It's all very exciting and grown up. I'm believing for the right place and the provision to get it.

Still haven't heard about the job I applied for. But that's all good. Supposed to hear by the end of the week - but I'm not there (haha). I'm not worried though, I still like my current job well enough and part of me would feel bad for leaving in such a time of change.

6 days off work! Whoop!

Thoughts

We are thinking of buying a house.

For a number of reasons:

1. The market is really good right now and it's probably good to take advantage of it before it changes again. (Btw - how much of a grown up do I sound like using terms like "the market")

2. One day at some stage I would like another kitty. Simply because I miss Mr Squirrel's company very, very much. We can't do that here, not with the dogs and all.

3. Some days this house feels claustrophobic because it's ours but it's not.

4. I want my own place. And more space.

Last week was really hard. I miss my kitty like nothing else. It sucks knowing that he's never coming back. I have gone over so many things in my head and cried so many tears. We had a beautiful memorial service for him yesterday - I think it helped. And I guess with time I will stop being sad and remember the good times. I'll see him again one day - I really, really believe that.

The whole house buying thing was a bit of an impulse decision. Especially when we were upset at the neighbors and their dogs. But now I think we'll do it. We have a couple of areas we like. So yes. Watch this space.

Complexity

Life isn't always easy
Complexity surrounds me
Some days it's not clear to see
Evidence of your majesty...

But I am hanging on,
To the one,
Who gives me life...

I am hanging on,
To the one,
Who gives me life...

I'd forgotten this song. Must be Easter if I'm thinking of Satellite. It so fits my mood right now.

Wow

Things can change so quickly.

My heart hurts...so, so much. I miss my baby SO much.

I don't get the unfairness of it all.

I don't get why it had to be this way.

I keep expecting him to poke his head round the door and come bounding up to sit on my lap.

I miss him.

I wish I could have held him one last time.

I wish I'd kept him inside all day.

I wish bad things didn't happen.

I just wish he'd come home...

My love for my slow cooker

So it's like freezing cold and whatnot at the moment. Totally a precursor to winter. Brrr! So the last couple of nights have been really good opportunities to use the slow cooker.

I love my slow cooker - if you don't already know this - I think it's because it makes such hearty, comfort food. Or at least I think so! On tonight's menu is beef strogonoff, which I love but don't make very often due to the fact that I don't like doing it on the stove and it takes a wee while to do in the oven. And when you do it in the oven nothing comes out quite as tender as doing it in the slow cooker.

Last night was lamb ragout with white wine. Basically a really hearty lamb stew. Nommy! Perfect on a really cold night.

What I love about the slow cooker as well is on days when you know you're going to be rushed for time at the other end (think: work followed by church meeting) you can chuck everything in in the morning before you head off, stick it on low and voila it is done when you get home! Loving the ease of it all! ANNNND apparently they are cheaper to run than your cooktop. (Unless perhaps you are on gas)

As far as I'm concerned it's at least a little bit of a money saver, you can buy cheaper cuts of meat, top it up with veges and it still comes out tender! In fact, with a slow cooker fat is good because it softens all the meat!

Am I gushing? I don't mean to gush! I am just excited by the possibilities! Also this post was NOT sponsored by any type of slow cooker manufacterer. Just in case you were wondering.

If you do happen to have a slow cooker and are a little unsure of where to start here's a couple of websites with great recipies/people who are willing to help!

Crock Pot Cooking
A Year of Crock Potting

Looking forward to dinner tonight all ready!!!

Tweets

So I'm totally into this whole "mindcasting" thing. It's taken preceedence over my blogging. WHY has no one told me about this sooner? And the widget!!! Now I can tweet and blog at the same time.

Yes, I am a retard.

Or a geek.

Geek is the better term.

Also, hello! I have lost inspiration to blog lately - somewhat due to aforementioned love of tweeting and reading John Mayer & Jamie Cullen's tweets (amongst others).

Here are grainy, cellphone photos from our work dinner last weekend. Went to Nobanno and it was SO GOOD.

This is Pablo!

This is Pablo again and me with the gammy GIANT EYE OF DOOM!
(Like the fringe?)

Bry-diggity!!!
I've just noticed that the bags under my eyes are HUGE.

My word we are retards! Hahaha but it was a good night and didn't run too late for a nana like me.

Also...we are finally making progress with our wedding photos & album - whoopitty whoop!

And that is all. But I will be tweeting - oh yes I will be!

Beauty woes

So...does anyone else feel super-duper insecure when they go in to get their hair cut? Every time I go I ponder whether or not I need to be totally making myself up so that I feel just as pretty as all the people in store look. And they're just the stylists!

I mean, I'm going there to get pretty (so to speak) but I find all these gorgeous ladies a little intimidating! I don't look that good on a normal day! I have to say though, getting a haircut - and in my case a specialised treatment - always makes you feel GOOD.

I am loving V for Hair at the moment. The girlies in there are lovely, and they have their token gay guy who is so camp it's funny. Last time I went was just after the wedding and I got all the length taken out of it because I was so sick of it long. I had a lovely stylist then who has now unfortunately left the place.

This time I wanted a bit of a change and they had sent out a voucher for a free treatment plus $10 off a cut. AND my hair was basically pissing me off so it was really about time to give it a bit of a hack. (Haha) The treatment was awesome. My hair feels great! They basically moisturised it and added some shine. That and a head massage (bliss!) plus some heat treatment and a complimentary coffee. (Noms!) I love head massages - they are SO GOOD. There's something about them that is so relaxing and stress relieving!

This time they booked me in with the head stylist - they hadn't told me this when I called to book and she costs $10 more than booking in with one of the regular stylists but that's all good. She'd just had her hair cut by one of the trainees that morning so she was looking pretty sharp too! She was awesome. She kept checking back with me to see if the length was good, if I wanted more layers etc etc. She even told me how to style my hair when it was all done. I really wanted a fringe but wasn't too sure if it would suit or what style would suit and she totally talked to me, gave her opinion and basically all in all did a great job. Totally worth the extra $10 bucks!

That and she did everything herself! Normally the other stylists get the colourist to blow dry and straighten the hair. But she totally did it all. It was quite cool.

And I'm really happy with it because I totally needed a different look!

So the "Woe" part of this post...well, I missed an eyebrow waxing appointment. This is not the end of the world for me as I usually don't really bother with my eyebrows. But last year I went with a friend from work to get them done and they booked us in four weekly.

But work's really busy and I forgot. Now, this friend of mine had an appointment the very next day and she forgot too. (Like I said, work is busy) I didn't call them and neither did she. But they called her and asked her to reschedule. No such service for me!! I thought to myself "that's weird" and didn't really think any more of it and was like "Oh well, I'll book and reschedule eventually"

Next thing I know they have sent me an invoice for half the price of the missed appointment. Apparently that is business policy when someone misses an appointment. Which is all well and good as I did miss an appointment and I didn't call them.

BUT THEY CALLED MY FRIEND.

Double standards, no???! I would happily pay the invoice if I knew that every time someone missed an appointment and didn't call they had to pay the fee. BUT I KNOW SOMEONE WHO DIDN'T CALL THEM BUT GOT CALLED INSTEAD. (Caps for emphasis) I'm not paying them their measly $7.50 - more on principle than anything else.

Btw - It's Body Business on New Regent Street, if anyone is thinking of going there. I mean, the girls there are usually lovely and I quite like it and they do a good job. But this really disappointed me. They need to have one policy for all customers. I don't care if they had a spare appointment slot to fill at the end of the day and so they called my friend to see if she'd take it. That's bull.

And that is the end of the woe.

High point

So...high point of today is the potato story running in the southern edition of the Mail. Check it out when it arrives in your mailbox, Christchurch!!!

Dramas with one of my "more difficult" clients today. I love working with travel advertisers!!!

Sunday Funday

Photos as promised...

On Sunday we totally got ourselves along to The Outwits performance of The Complete History of Cinema...Abridged. It was awesome, those guys are funny as! It was the last night otherwise I would recommend that all others go along. It was a good crowd and we brought a picnic - fun times :)

Jeremy is angered at having to wait for the play to start

We are less impatient!

Anyway, I didn't take photos of the play as the play was on and I was more engrossed in it's amusing-ness than in taking photos. These guys do it every summer in Hagley Park and it's well worth a visit - I'm already looking forward to next year!

After we made a stop in at the Chinese lantern festival:

Shiny!

It would have been fun(ner) if not for the BILLION (I am only exaggerating slightly) people wandering the park and rudely walking in front of people (namely me) trying to take photos. Bastardos!!! They are so rude!! Nevertheless, I persevered despite my hatred of crowds.

Kitty cat!

The turtle band - cowabunga!

Crazy crowdfolk

Some crazy Asian dude

Pandas!!!!

And finally for this photo-blogging moment, my baby!!!

Whatchu lookin' at punk???!

Awww...he so cute!!! (No more cutie-cutie!!!) Who remembers that dulux ad???

Crappity crapski

Well there are a number of reasons why this Monday particularly sucks the big one.

1) It's freaking freezing!!!!! Seriously it's like winter out there. It's almost like we jumped from hot summer weather to the depths of winter.

2) From 3pm today I will basically be the only person from my team actually at work... *sigh*

3) The Killers cancelled their Chch show!!!! "Personal reasons" my ass!! That's a total cop-out! They've only postponed their Auckland show...what up with that????!! And what am I supposed to get Isaac for his birthday now??? Highly inconvenient!

Oh well...the only positive is that it's lunchtime. I have photos to post (for a change) and will do that tonight so no more bitching and moaning!

Valentine's Day

So I was pondering how commercialized Valentine's Day has become as I walked to work this morning. Especially these days with retailers trying to "beat the recession"!

But...having thought about it a little it's kind of good to have that wee reminder to spend time together (even if you can't use your Entertainment Book vouchers - what's up with that?!!) and it doesn't HAVE to be ridiculously expensive either.

People are busy and relationships take quite the pounding in this old world! It's nice to say this is our time.

Or at least I think so anyway...

Speculation is rife

Did Chis Brown really attack Rhianna? I love how everyone seems to be taking this as fact regardless of there being no evidence to it.Normally I wouldn't even be THAT interested...but work has been ridiculously quiet lately!

*sigh*

I would give just about anything to be on holiday again!

But the good news is that the v-day potatoes sold for $20!!!!! I'm stoked that people apreciated what a good cause it is! I'm really quite proud to have participated :)

And we'll do it all again this weekend!

Long weekend...

So, I coped with the absent husband long weekend! Only now his flight is delayed. So instead of being home at 1.30 he isn't coming in till approx 4pm. Fun times.

Spent the weekend with friends and potato picking!

Incidentally, you gotta check this out - perfect V-day present or what??? Get bidding!!!

Recession ponderings

So...if we are in a recession and the price of living has gone up then WHY are Pak n Save - the self-professed supermarket of guaranteed lowest prices only running FOUR specials in this month. Two of which revolve around alcohol??

Yes, let's encourage people to drink when they can't afford to feed their children.

I mean really!

It's as bad as the people who were getting food from the foodbank after Christmas but who were still paying for their Sky subscription.

People like that need a good slapping. Priorities people!!!

I am unimpressed.

Week in review

So...I am actually exhausted. Isaac has a work leaving dinner tonight and I am declining attending due to tiredness. It's been quite a full on week. Mainly due to having to organise a raffle for today at work - which was a GREAT success by the way. We raised $394 for our sponsored kids! It means that we don't have to run another raffle for another three months! Whoop!

It kinda got dumped on my desk this week and I was told that we were pretty much out of previously raised money. In true Press organisational style! All good though, we rallied and managed to put together two hampers plus a guys prize pack and a womens prize pack (including Redken hair products, L'oreal mineral make up, Bobbi Brown lip gloss and Clinique eye shadow - yes I really wanted to win that one!)

Incredible huh!

That, work in general and the new "baby" makes life quite involved at the moment. Neither Isaac nor I have ever had a cat before. And a kitten is very different to a puppy! He's very affectionate though - hates being shut away when we're at work (but he's getting used to it now!) - and he's learning not to climb up us anymore! The backs of both our hands are covered in kitty scratches though!

So yes, following on from J&J's wedding and all the stuff we had to do then - it was quite full on! I'm glad it's the weekend!

Speaking of the wedding:

The Church filling up

The Bride - awww!

The Kiss!

Watching the races at the Showgate

That's me!!!

Entrance of the Mr & Mrs


Mmm...cake!

Our slightly overexposed table (in terms of lighting!)

Me and Melsie

Wedding finery!

So yes, was a good night and good times! Just such a busy day what with the making pure chocolate truffles for the afternoon tea (yummy!) and setting up the reception venue after the ceremony!

No wonder this week has been exhausting!

New Baby

Mr Squirrel is a mischief maker...this is why I've been busy!

Busy!

Argh! What a week!!! The wedding tomorrow and then church on Sunday will top it off nicely methinks!

Shall update when things settle down a little. I don't think I was this busy when MY wedding was coming up - but that may have had something to do with the fact that I had a week off work!

I am a perfectly responsible human being

I am working on the design for the wedding thank you cards. It needs to be done...and I quite like doing it. Don't like it when people keep "reminding" me to send thank you cards. As though we weren't ALWAYS intending on sending thank you cards.

I love them but REALLY. I am not a child and am perfectly responsible (mostly!).

I just dislike it when every form of communication contains a reminder to send thank you cards to overseas people.

I'm GETTING to it!!! *sigh*

A belated introduction...

Mr Fishie!!!

We got him a couple of days after we got back from honeymoon because we had this bowl - one of many - that had been part of the table centerpieces at the wedding and we thought it would make an awesome fish bowl.

And it does!!! Unfortunately kitting out Mr Fishie's bowl cost close to $50 - including the price of Mr Fishie! Glad we don't have a tank!!! He is very cute - probably about the size of my thumb and he may be a teensie bit bigger than when we first got him but I can't be sure...

A closer look...

When we first got him he was uber-depressed...probably because he had come from a giant tank with lots of friends to our fish bowl. He would just sit in the part of the tank that faced the window and stare at his reflection in the glass. We never even saw him eat!!!

Thankfully I think we are past the critical stage in his development. He is much more active and even eats in public. He must not be bullimic. Hurrah!

I personally think he has just forgotten that he used to have friends....

Anyway, he is a good fish as fish go. Doesn't complain too much about bowl cleaning which is a plus!!!

*sigh*

Well...all good things must come to an end I guess. I have to go back to work on Monday - which means we are leaving Ohau tomorrow morning :P

I really, really don't want to!!! *sob*

Although right now I'm in a lot of pain. So I'd probably sob over having to move off the couch. We went mountain biking today. Hard core!!!

Weather when we started out...see that little trail up the hill? THAT'S where we were heading!

It was so lucky that I've been doing 3km around the village pretty much daily since we've been here. I think if I'd done no exercise at all I'd have been in A LOT of trouble...lol. As it was it was pretty intense. Lots of hills and pretty rough terrain.

Geeky husband lol

Our intrepid leader - excepting he is behind other people

Isaac doesn't really like biking - well, he never used to. He's more of a runner. But I basically never run because I don't like the impact. (Possibly because I don't have proper running shoes!) Anyway, am hoping to talk him into getting bikes because that will actually mean that I will possibly be inspired to get some exercise when NOT on holiday.

Me all hot and sweaty - awesome :P

I have not the ability or stamina to make it up this hill. But if you peer closely you will see the intrepid leader make his way up!

So yes, two hours (approximately) there and back. 8kms total...but felt a LOT harder than that, probably because we weren't on the flat. Parts were very windy and rainy. My Columbia outer served me quite well when we were waiting for the really fit ones to make it up the hill and back.

However, it really fined up for the ride back :)

So yes, sore and holidays are over. Much sadness! But I'll sleep well tonight!!!

All artistic-like

So being on holiday is good for the soul (I totally didn't mean to get all preachy in the last post...btw - Elinor has responded and she pities me...good thing I care fairly little about her opinion! Really I pity her for her narrow minded-ness.) I have finally had a bit of a chance to play around with photoshop with recent photos :)

Candle in a bar that we ate at in Queenstown. I think it's called Brazz???

Lillies in the Queenstown botanical gardens

The gateway to Narnia...

Pretty roses :)

Thistles out the back at Ohau

Glenorchy

Queenstown was fun :) Good-ish weather and we had a gorgeous little apartment to ourselves which was quite self sufficient really. We were only there two days but it was a pretty good way to unwind.

So yes, am having fun "playing" and am actually quite pleased with the results of what I've played with. Shall have to do more as long as this holiday lasts! SO not looking forward to going back to work :P

Something I dislike...Palestine & Israel take two

Actually, not just dislike - more like really, really abhor. When people who don't even know who you are attack you for your opinion.

Not only that - when they are too cowardly to do it in a public forum and so they privately send psuedo-scathing private messages to one's facebook account.

I'm sorry, but you are doing nothing to change my opinion or gain my respect. So long ago that I can't even remember how long ago it was...2007 as it turns out....I blogged about Palestine and Israel. Probably in response to some act of aggression that was happening at the time. Now, I don't claim to be an expert on the situation over there. In fact - I am probably anything but. However, I don't think it is possible for us to assign blame all over the place - especially when people's lives are being taken without their permission. Especially when childrens lives are at stake.

There are people all over the place who believe firmly in what they believe. The Palestinians and the Israelis both believe that they are entitled to the land of the Gaza strip. (Like I said, not an expert - correct me if I'm wrong!) But there are people involved here too. People who are losing their lives and families being torn apart - on both sides.

I am not - and I really want to stress this - not picking sides. All I am saying is that there is a point where enough is enough. Where compromise is always going to be the best option. This is one of those occasions. Yes, Elinor, Israel did give that land in Gaza to the Palestinians. You say "stupidly" and perhaps that may or may not be right. But that land originally belonged to the peoples in that area - the arabs who you claimed attacked Israel when they were still trying to get recognition as a "people".

So how can you say that these people are not a nation? Are not people but terrorists? Are all Palestinians terrorists? Israel have their own military that has caused it's fair share of terror. And if I remember correctly (5th form history is a long time ago now!) that land never originally belonged to Israel. They took it from other nations. Is it really a surprise when those people want their land back?

I'll admit that I am not there. I don't fully understand - and possibly will never fully understand. But don't you dare lecture me on my opinion. I'm not opposed to learning - but not when you seek to force your opinion on me. I have the right to study all sources of information and make a reasoned judgment. And I don't need you to judge me for that.

You say New Zealand would respond in the same way if a neighbouring country was attacking them? Yes, perhaps. (Although with our pathetic lack of air force we'd probably lose...hmm...) But this is more than just one nations greed and want. This is about hurts - real or imagined - that have gone back years and years and years. People who can't let go, who continue to hurt the innocent people around them and who have very little regard for human life if it doesn't suit their agenda. And that is on both sides.

So thank you for sharing your side of the story. But don't you think you might be the tiniest bit biased? After all, these people are in your country, attacking your family. And to you the loss of life on the other side is deserved because, hell, they did it first! But is that really the right attitude? If your attitude is the same as the majority of the Israelis (and I pray that it's not!) then I doubt we will ever see any resoultion to the middle east conflict in my lifetime, if ever. On some level people need to learn to forgive and to let go. They need to time to heal and rebuild their lives.

Your attitude won't let that happen because you see them as beneath you. They don't deserve to live but you do? They don't deserve a home, a land, a place that they belong - but you do?

Think about that...

Ringing in the New Year

They say pictures speak louder than words. We rung in 2009 with cocktails - what else???

Me, Jen & the lovely Mrs Kelly back from honeymoon!

Yes, cocktails in champagne flutes is a TERRIBLE faux pas...but that was all that was there! A Mocolada - yummy!

Mmm...cake! The icing was an invention and it was YUMMY (and obviously good for us!)

Jem ponders his next amazing cocktail creation...

So, it's 2009 - yay! Going to Queenstown tomorrow!!!