Well, I can honestly say that life is never boring !!!

On Monday, it was a hot, sunny and calm day.

I decided we could head outside and tidy out the shed, and pack some stuff for the dump. Just regular household stuff. I also decided to take the opportunity to burn the cardboard boxes the pig food comes in. We usually recycle, but we are unable to recycle containers with food smeared in it.

Being the Fire Safety conscious widdle shamrock that I am, I put the hose by the incinerator, ensured the incinerator was in an open space with nothing near it that could catch fire and happily set the boxes alight. We were all pottering around outside, I was no more than 10 metres away from the fire at any one time.

I have become very accustomed to knowing when someone is driving up our private road. I thought I could hear something and asked Celtic Lad to investigate. He came back and said there was a fire engine driving up the private road with its lights flashing !!!!!!

Someone had seen the smoke and called the Fire Brigade. The Engine had got stuck on a bend in the road, so the Firemen got out and walked the rest of the way. I was so embarrassed. I told them what I was burning and asked if they wanted to come see, which they did. I figured it as to ensure I was being safe, so I prattled on about how I had set everything up and was being so safe.

It turns out there is a total fire ban !!!!!!!! I honestly didn’t know. I was very apologetic and the guys were very nice. I offered to put out the fire and did so while they had a look around the place and admired the view etc.

I did comment how it worried me their engine couldn’t make it all the way up here, and they suggested that if there was ever a fire, to let the station know the biggest one couldn’t make it, as they have smaller engines which would be able to get up here.

I tell ya, it’s never a dull moment around here !!

So, on Tuesday we put up the tree.

This year, I invited the First Spawn to join us. I pull everything out, and we all assemble everything together. I love how the kids giggle and get all excited as they decorate the tree. I had images of the 4 of them, laughing and decorating with me videoing and taking those precious shots for the scrapbook.

And it started out that way……. Until the First Spawn put on the Santa hat.

And turned into the Christmas Nazi !!!

She wouldn’t let the kids touch ANYTHING !!!! She assembled the tree, with her siblings excitedly jumping up and down. She refused to let them help as the leaves had to be ‘just so’.

So I dubbed her ‘the Christmas Nazi’. The kids thought this was hilarious. She wasn’t so keen.

The Christmas Nazi finally allowed the children to touch the tree and apply decorations, however, every now and then we heard “NOT there, it’s not even!” “Here, here, put it here.”  I can see she will make a great teacher **snigger snigger** Of course her adoring siblings were only too happy to comply. Helpful little elves that they were. I would have made her the Christmas fairy and stuck the tree up her …….

As the kids worked, The Christmas nazi insisted on us playing her favourite Christmas CD, David Hasselhoff.

After decorating the tree, the kids sat in front of it and sang with The Hoff. I tried to upload them to youtube, but this is the only one that would take.

We had a great time with lots of laughing til we cry moments.

Antibiotics and Antidepressants.

I am sick **cough, cough, splutter, splutter**

In the midst of what was meant to be a quiet and uneventful week **snort, snort**,  the children and I took turns to have a tummy bug, and I got myself a wee chest infection.

And sprained my wrist.

So I went to the doctor yesterday. I had been jumping in a hot shower to loosen up the gunge on my chest and realised I must be sicker than I think when the hot water didn’t feel hot.

I have been seeing the locum in recent visits, so the doctor didn’t know Jock and I had separated. He asked for details and we had a long chat.  He asked if I was on anything. I said no, but I am seeing a counsellor. After a bit more of a chat, he suggested some antidepressants for a short period of time. I didn’t fully understand why he felt they were necessary, but as he has been my doctor for 20 years now and has never been a pill pusher, I trust his judgement that it is what is needed.

So I have started all my drugs today, and hope that I stop feeling like a grinch soon.

Well, the day has finally arrived !!!!!

After 3 years of living on a concrete slab, we carpeted four of the bedrooms !!!

I am going to do fake floorboards on the rest of the ground floor.  I haven’t decided about what to do upstairs.

There has been many comments made to me about whether I am going to stay in the house. I would like to. There is a possibility I will be unable to.  Either way, there are things that need to be finished about the place.

Anyway, we were thrilled at the carpet we chose. We chose a commercial grade carpet.

The place was in absolute chaos, as we dragged out 4 rooms full of ’stuff’. But it was well worth it for the end result !!

The Celtic Boys room. Noice.

Yes on the agenda is WGO’s toy box. LOOK AT THE CARPET !!!!!

The toy room where I was able to rearrange everything into a much more orderly fashion.

Are we sick of looking at the new carpet yet? NO?

The homeschooling room, also rearranged.

I was chatting with the Carpet man this evening, as the lads had left some stuff behind. The lads are about to carpet his place and the lads have suggested they come and check out the carpet, as it is rather lovely.

Ididn’t think I would get excited over carpet, but I tell you, I am a very happy Widdle Shamrock !!!!

Of the native bird variety.

The children have been peering out the window to Finbar’s garden to see if any birds come to visit.

And they have been all day !!!!

 

 

 

So we checked out our native bird book and think we have named our visitors appropriately.

 

This is a male chaffinch

We think this is a female Chaffinch

This is a Yellow hammer.

We have hung another birdfeeder we made out of a lemonade bottle. It is so cool watching them fly around the place, just outside our window. Currently, we have 5 visitors. We are hoping for more.

The weather has been all over the place here, making it a bit difficult to plan any time out in the garden.

Today was an ok day weather~wise, so the kids and I went to California Garden Centre to pick up some plants for Finbar’s garden.  Since the widdle bird feeder we made was such a hit and attracting some native birds, I wanted to create something that would add to that. So after a chat with the ever helpful staff at CGC, we picked up a couple of grasses which seed and a couple of natives with flowers that would attract the birds. We threw in a couple of shrubs for good measure and a garden ornament.

 

This is the before. There were 2 plants that survived the year, a flax and a small shrub.

We decided to pot them as opposed to planting them into the ground. My helpful gardeners were only too eager to lend a hand or 4.

On the left is an angel, and the small white figurines on the right are angels too. We have to have it wired as the animals might get in. There is a small bird feeder on the right also which we filled with wild bird seed. (That’s seed for wild birds, not seed that is wild, lol)

While it isn’t quite what I had in my head, it’s a huge improvement and Celtic Lad is more than happy with it for his twin.

If you are inclined to be squeamish, I suggest you read no further.

Firstly, Gertie is fine !!!!!

She did not deliver a kid, dead or otherwise, so I rang the vet’s to check in. The vet I had, was not rostered on, nor was the Senior vet who had given a 2nd diagnosis. When I was told who was on, I asked for him to be told that Gertie had not delivered, that she was happy eating, but a bit skittish and didn’t like being touched. I also expressed concern that as she hadn’t delivered anything, would there be a possibility of her having a problem and toxicity concerns. Once a goat gets toxins building up, they can literally sit down and die.

The vet called back about an hour later, and was not happy to hear that Gertie hadn’t delivered her kid. So we discussed options and possible case scenarios and decided to take her for an X~ray.

An X~ray revealed that Gertie’s uterus was full of pus!!! The kid she was carrying has fully decomposed. Not even skeletal remains !!!

So we discussed toxicity and the fact that she is pushing the pus out little by little (don’t ask for any more info than that, ok?) We discussed how perky and healthy she is at the moment with no signs of toxin build up. We discussed again the possible consequences of operating.

So we have decided to wait and see. Apparently, the whole process could take up to a month (!!!!) to resolve itself. In the meantime, Gertie is happy and healthy and that is what matters.

My poor widdle Gertie !!!!!!!

Kimmie poos and I went to see Twilight/New Moon on Wednesday night.

The cinema was full. I was surprised at the number of young males I saw there. And they didn’t appear to have been dragged there by their TwiHard girlfriends.

Kimmie hadn’t read the books or got into any of the hype, so I introduced her to fellow TwiHards as a Twilight virgin. And people smiled knowingly.

Prior to the screening, one of the ushers came out and tried to get everyone screaming. I just don’t think kiwis are like that. We’re not a reserved bunch, we just don’t get overly hysterical. Unless it’s rugby of course.

What was lovely about the atmosphere is how everyone smiled and talked to each other. It really didn’t feel like we were sitting among strangers.

I impressed Kimmie with my ability to quote Twilight lines (Or maybe I showed her just how obsessed I really am. No,  I am sure it was an impressed look)

Then there was a short intermission for people to strech and get refreshments. New Moon was starting at 12.01am. I have no idea why it had to be at that time. Maybe because New Zealand is the first in the world to see the new day ???

Anyway, it was a bit surreal, as I had read the books umpteen times and knew what I was seeing.

I enjoyed the new look that Chris Weitz brought to the movie. The movie just about parallelled the book perfectly, so those critics of the first movie should be pleased. I did think the meeting with the Voltauri was a bit ‘light’. I expected more. Though more of what, I do not know.

I loved seeing Jasper have a few lines as opposed to just ‘being there.’ He is quite a humourous character even though he tried to attack and eat Bella. I would like to see more interaction from the Cullens, and felt they could have done that, while staying true to the storyline.

Of course, there was the introduction of werewolves too. Taylor Lautner worked out like crazy to keep his role as “Jacob” and it paid off. In the book he rapidly buffs up as he becomes a werewolf.  I warmed to the Wolves. When I read the books, I never took to them.

There was alot more humour and less intensity than Twilight. I can’t say I was as enthralled as I was with Twilight, but then as I mentioned, I have read the books alot and possibly, if I hadn’t and the storyline was all new to me, I would feel different.The movie stopped very abruptly, and it felt as though it needed to continue. I do wonder the merits of perhaps combing the 3 books into 2 movies. I don’t know if the storylines warrent 3 movies to be honest.

Kimmie poos converted to being a TwiHard and said she can see the appeal.

I bought a few bits and pieces of merchandise. For the kids of course. Not for me.

There were popcorn buckets and each had both pictures on them.

They came with cups, one of vampires and one of the werewolves.

Celtic Lad is Team Edward

Celtic Dingo is Team Jacob

The Wee Green One loves Bella and I also was given 4 free posters. We were only meant to be given one, but I told the gentlemen, I had 4 kids who were fans.

The New Moon Board game may have fallen into my shopping bag as well. 

It’s going under the tree for Christmas.

It’s been a busy week.

One of the things I forced myself to do when Jock left was get busy. It would have been all too easy and preferable for me to shut down and isolate. It took a bit of energy, but I really think it has saved me from falling into a pit of depression.

Another thing I did was get a counsellor. I had my first session with her last week and it was good. I came away with a little more clarity on the situation. She suggested I blog more to get everything out of my head. I haven’t blogged since !!! Only because it’s been busy though.

Last week saw me have a 2nd 21st !!!! I turned 42. A girlfriend ‘V’ organised a ’surprise party’ for me.    Well, what transpired is she asked me if I was doing anything for my birthday and I said crawling under a rock. I don’t do birthdays at the best of time (well mine anyway) and just wasn’t in a festive mood.  A week later, she mentioned she had decided to throw me a surprise party, but was unsure how I coped with surprises.  I don’t, unless it’s for someone else.  So 8 of us hit Buzz Cafe in Lower Hutt. YUM YUM !!! I usually go with the Scotch Fillet as it is to die for. However, I branched out and ordered the most yummy chicken breast filled with some kind of garlic/cream sauce. My tastebuds went into overtime !!!

On Saturday I catered a wedding for 200 ish people. Well, it was a light afternoon tea for everyone. It was fantastic. It was lovely to see everyone all dressed up. The young men wore suits. Even the boys wore suits and ties. During the afternoon, this one lad kept looking at me. I knew I knew him, and when they thanked me during the speeches, he must have realised who I was, and came over to say Hi. It was Jock’s cousin who I haven’t seen in around 4 or 5 years. Jock’s cousin and Celtic Dingo are both named after the same family member. It was good to catch up.

So now, to change gears and slow down a bit. YEAH RIGHT as the Tui ad says.

Yesterday, Gertie appeared to have delivered a kid. However, there was no kid to be found or afterbirth. She wouldn’t let me near her. So, it was an emergency trip to the vet, where it as decided that she is self aborting her kid. She has been dosed up on penicillan, been given a shot of progesterone to start labour and now I am playing the all fun ‘wait and see’ game. I was up at 6 this morning to check on her, and nothing, nada, zip. So I think it will be another trip to the vet. AND it’s pouring down with rain.

Something bright to look forward to is NEW MOON !!!!!!!

SQUOOT !!!!! I have 2 tickets to a Twilight/New Moon screening and am taking Kimmie poos tonight. We will grab a bite to eat before we hit the cinemas. There is a new 60’s style diner just opened up in the Hutt which we want to check out.

So after tonight, maybe I can change gears and take it a bit slower in the build up to Christmas.

I see BlogWorld is abuzz with Christmas preparations.

I have been musing over what I will do this year, once again looking for a few homemade ideas that the children can be a part of also.

I have a few ideas and have started on some baskets and weaving them. I got them from Teacher Direct. I have been given a quick recipe to fill the baskets with sweets.

Here tis.

1 egg

2 cups of icing sugar.

Mix it. It should end up feeling like play dough.

You add your own essences or food colouring to make whatever you want.

A couple of  examples,

Add red food colouring to make candy canes.

Add peppermint, and green food colouring. Roll into balls and dip in choclate.

Place on baking paper and allow to air dry.

I haven’t tried this yet, but will post pictures when I do in a couple of weeks.

A blog I visit has started the 12 Days of Christmas J, the blog owner has some brilliant ideas for Christmas, ones that I will be doing.

When people first started talking about Christmas, I thought “Hang on !!!! It’s only the start of November!!”  The reality is however, if you are thinking of making gifts, the time to start is now.