Back into things and days out.

Hi there blogging world. I've been back at work for 2 weeks now so I'm into the swing of it.....and ready for the anniversary weekend and Waitangi day holidays lol. Do you realise we are ripped off this year and next. This year Anzac day falls on a Sunday (so no day off work) and next year Waitangi day AND Anzac day both fall on a weekend day. Short changed by 2 public holidays. I should hope our new National government might do something about that.....yeah right lol.

Anyway...rant over. This month DH and I have been doing some days out on the weekend, as he has had the last 3 weekends as days off (usually he has one weekend day and one weekday...often a Wednesday) We have taken it in turns to decide what we do. The first one was my turn and we went for a walk at Lake Okataina...a truly beautiful spot on a good day...which thankfully it was.We did some exploring in Rotorua with coffee and cake at the Fat Dog...a favourite of ours. Then it was DH's turn and we went for an explore around some of the Waikato, ending up at the Hamilton Gardens...which is one of his favourite (photography) spots but I have never been there. I must say they are awesome and I would go there more if I lived in Hamilton (which I NEVER will..intensely dislike the place....no offence to those who do)

Today we headed over to Blue Lakes rowing regatta to watch a couple of the crews that DS coaches. They did very well in the race we saw (a close 3rd in an 8's race rowing an age group above their level) Then in to Rotorua with other DS to buy him some clothes and a compulsory stop at the Fat Dog again. No wonder I'm not losing any weight lol.

Last night we went to a local show that a friend of ours has written and produced (DH was doing some photos for them) It was a clever musical amalgamation of Aladdin with Robin Hood with all modern songs and a mainly teenage cast. Exceptionally well done and a good laugh.

Oh, and I whipped these up this weekend for a friend of Abby's.
to say I'm really pleased with them...soooo cute.

Caio

HAPPY NEW YEAR...(warning-long post follows)

...and welcome to 2009. I've had my head down, just getting through the festive season so I haven't managed the "blog thing".
I did come through Christmas having achieved some sort of 'domestic goddess' stuff which is good for me. Since losing Olly I have struggled to do any sort of Christmassy thing...usually managing something but not much. This year, although I was frantic right up til about 2 weeks before, I did manage to do some creating and effort. Thanks go to SBO for their Very Sweet Christmas Competition which provided some motivation to get stuff made, tree up etc.Christmas day was spent with my Mum, our family and my brother and his family. Our table looked fabulous (my domestic goddess bit) and the food was plentiful and yummy.Mum has been unwell and it was good to just all hang together. My DGD is starting to get into the celebration thing and it was cool to have them here with us.

So...2008...was a very busy year workwise for me and 2009 is shaping up to be the same. I'd like to share a layout I did at SENZ 08 with Lusi Austin which, for me, sums up my joys of 2008.
are in no particular order:
- Toby - 18 yrs, heaps of fun and finding his niche for now in radio work
- Elliot - turned 16 and I'm so thrilled he's decided to return to school in 09 and persue his dreams
- Izzy - now 20 and I'm so proud of the wonderful parents he and Abby are turning out to be.
- Taylor - my DGD. She is a delight and I love her to bits. I'm loving my Nana role too
- Steve - I have really enjoyed watching him develop his passion for photography and start teaching it too
- My RJ work - love the work and the people. Ask me about it sometime if you are interested
- My scrapspace - I love having my own room and the whole scrapping thing...friends, time out, creativity etc, etc
- Making my jewellry - I think I am (finally) finding my feminine side lol
- Food - I have enjoyed getting back to a little creativity with food

So...2009...what does it hold for me..

A few challenges. We have to do something about our house (we have been saying that for about 8 years now) It was going to happen in 08 but interest rate rises and an unplanned trip to Chch for all of us when DH's mother died meant it all went on hold (again!!) This year (01/02) marks the 5th anniversary of Oliver's death and it will fall on the same day (a Sunday) which feels like a biggie for us. My mother's ongoing 'wellness' challenges will mean I am supporting her alot too. I will do another paper at WINTEC towards my PostGrad Diploma in May/June this year too

A few good things I hope too. DH and I hope to visit Melbourne and his brother in Tasmania for a holiday in October (ish) I want to get back into more food creativity (so if you live near me you may get an invitation to dinner sometime :-) ) I will continue to scrap and create stuff with paper - I have booked into the Autumn Escape in May so far. And to continue to enjoy time with the very lovely Taylor

So there are a few of my musings about 08 and 09. Of course the usual healthy eating/.exercise/declutter/use my stash etc etc type plans also.

So, as I said at the beginning...HAPPY NEW YEAR. May you be blessed with things that bring joy to your life, and may you find the strength to go through the hard stuff

Caio

Sandra