A parcel a week

Cleaning Tips ......

2012-01-13T17:36:00.000-08:00

Here is a foolproof way to get all your cleaning done in literally no time at all. I mean literally. So here's what you do. You find something more interesting to do than cleaning and that way everything is done in no time and you have spent a far more interesting and satisfying day than the one you had in mind. So today at the market I bought fresh raspberries from Waimate and came home and made fresh raspberry jam. The smell makes the whole house smell like - strangely - raspberries. A simple clean and delicious smell now covers any other odours lurking around.

The reason for cleaning is because the hosue is supposed to be going on the market next saturday. On Tuesday I signed up with a very nice real estate agent. On Wednesday he died from a massive heart attack. So Im not exactly sure what will hapen now however the sale of my house pales into insignificance when compared with his demise. Im taking it as one of lifes unexpected events rather than a bad omen.
Still it reminds of how to make the most of each day and it certainly reinforces the avoidance of cleaning.

Here are some shots of the newly painted house. Im really pleased with how it has turned out. Anyone want to buy a house complete with many happy memories of the last six years?

Anyway here's to life of making the most of every day.
Marg

Packing tips .......

2011-12-20T00:37:00.000-08:00

Are you off for a summer holiday? Well if yes, here are some tips from the travelbaglady. Its been a travelling year. I've had 67 nights out of town not counting holidays. I'm really good now at packing in 5 minutes on a monday morning before I take to the road. "Really good" requires a little qualification. I usually take just enough to wear for the days I am away with one change of old clothes for after work downtime. I now have a travelling toilet bag all good to go and a cooler bag with essential food items- a little oil, container of homemade meusli, jar of chutney. container of crackers, box of meusli bars, box of UHT milk, box of plastic ziplock bags and box of mini glad wrap, also small container of washing powder in case emergency washing needs doing if I havent packed enough to wear after all. I always pack on a Monday. I cant bear being pushed into monday on a sunday night. It ruins the weekend. So if you adopt the same approach to going on holiday beleive me it can be done simply and easily. Less is more and you can always buy it or make do if you cant.

Aside from travelling for work I have had a holiday in totaranui and and a mini break in Auckland. These pictures below are from both those places. Both seem like distant memories but ones I will hang onto. These holidays are to be spent in Dunedin, packing up my house and hopefully finding someone to buy it. I have had the last 2 days off work throwing much of my past into a skip which has proved to be too small. I didnt know my life had so much in it. It's been a tiring, nostalgic and kind of sad couple of days. Anyway Christmas soon and a day of good cheer.

Heres to a restful pre christmas week.

Cheers Marg

Object of Ugliness

2011-09-15T01:40:00.000-07:00

You can't really tell but the cardigan in the book promises a lovely garment to however takes up the challenge of knitting it. This is not the case. This cardigan is both a testament to not knowing when to quit ( the story of my life I think) and ugliness. It is really hideous. It's like a horrible school cardigan. I've been knitting it for about 3 years. When dad was in Ross Home for those 12 weeks I knitted the front about 3 times and it is still full of unsightly mistakes.

So why carry on with this thing.? Well one reason is because I dont like to leave projects unfinished but also it has been quite literally keeping me sane when I've been travelling to some of the most obscure and at times unlovely places in the South Island. After the night meetings are done and all I have for company in the motel room is sky T.V and me , this knitting porject has become my friend. Now that it's nearly finished I am almost becoming fond of it. I may even decide that it looks beautiful on me after all.

I have been in my new job for exactly one year this week. I have also had a whole week based at home. This is very unusual and Ive enjoyed cooking in my kitchen and sleeping in my own bed. Next week Im off to a lovely part of Otago. 3 days working in Wanaka. Now that will be a lovely spring treat.

Happy spring.

Cheers Marg

Objects of beauty include - woodpiles!

2011-07-23T21:23:00.000-07:00

Is there anything more beautiful than than the sight of a wood pile. It holds the promise of cosy afternoons with a good book in front of fire - it signals more than one worry free winter - just as face cream advertisements sell youth - a firewood pile equates to comfort, warmth and always knowing there will be enough. So while the sight of this pile might not move any of you to tears in warmer climates - In Dunedin it brings great joy indeed.

It's been a crazier than usual time. Tom turned 20 and Rosie came home for 10 days before heading back to Wellington. We went to the Catlines for a few very cold but very relaxing days.

It's strange to think that I no longer have any teenagers. Probably just as well. A young whipper snapper called me Grandma at the harry potter movie the other day ! Still I was soon vindicated. Rosie sent me a text saying that her good friend Jade could hardly believe I was nearly 50 because I have such a young face. But my age is what I am and I love every minute of it and am making the most of it. Even if that means most weeks out on the road for work and a strange existence inbetween.

Heres to a week of keeping warm

Marg

Hobbies and Interests Include ... firewooding.

2011-06-19T01:06:00.000-07:00

Yes it's been a while since I had anything to say ... for a great many reasons. Glitches with technology, time and generally managing a life in what I would called "Transition"... but from what and to where...? My anchors are loose right now.
Even so a number of weekends of late have been spent at a work- mate's farm in Dunback where we are clearing a gully for the farmer in return for the firewood. The farm is set quite high up in the backhills. It is quiet, remote and beautiful. I find the physical work deeply satisfying.

You might be a little upset that it is native wood going down - but reassured the farmer is a great conservationist and has mature stands of trees - set aside to keep- and has cleared the land of the predators so that the native birds have thrived. This gully is full of scraggly wood and it is hard to see or clear the stock.

We take plenty of food and work as long as we can manage without overdoing it.

At a guess I would say that fire wooding is set to become the new hobby for 2011. It certainly is a good feeling to know that already next years wood is in.
Tonight I have the fire going - it is warm and cosy. Tomorrow I'm back on the road to live out of suitcase in yet another motel with no fire. So I'm making the most of it

So here's to week of pursuing all hobbies and interests.

Cheers Marg

the best 50 cents ever ............

2011-04-19T13:02:00.000-07:00

This last week I have had more or less a week at home - that is not travelling for work and so have had time to check out some of my favourite haunts and finish various projects that have been on the go. But first here is what I consider the best 50 cents worth of fun I've had for ages. I found this CD at where else but Wiers and have had much amusement from it. Ive already used it as a joke gift for someone who will only dance when he is very drunk and Im sure I know a few more people in that category too who would love this CD if only they knew where to get one.

Ive been working on an easter craft project. It didnt come together as perfectly as I had hoped but the end result is cute enough.

These little birds have a flap that opens at their rear ends and inside they are stuffed with mini easter eggs. Somehow I also find that very amusing. ... SO there we have it ... making your own fun has a way of elevating that good enough life into a terrific one. Even better because it costs only 50 cents.

Heres to a lovely easter all for less than a dollar.

cheers Marg

A good enough life.......

2011-03-26T22:31:00.000-07:00

So what makes life good enough... I've been thinking about this and this week have had plenty of opportunities to think about what that means in practice...

Take these two photos. The first is sunflowers which on their own have not come to much but nevertheless make a passable photo and the second is this bowl of tomatoes - clearly never ever going to ripen in any Dunedin summer outdoors - let alone this dismal one just gone. But they've become green tomato pickle and therefore proved their value. So whats a good enough life? well for me it is making the most of everything even when everything is imperfect.

One thing I really like about my job - is that even though it is busy and I'm often away these days is that when I am at home I have more energy to be creative because I have more room inside my head. So with the April birthdays approaching and Easter coming up I am in full swing of making things. I can hear Rosie and Tom groaning already!!

SO here's to a good enough week.

Cheers Marg

Chilling out in Papatowai

2011-03-04T16:47:00.000-08:00

This week I have been in Wellington where over night there was a small earthquake - a jolt and shudder that woke me up on the fifth floor of the hotel I was staying in. Nothing at all compared to the what happened in Christchurch but even I who have not been directly affected felt wary and a degree of edginess I wouldn't usually feel. I cannot imagine what these days and weeks must feel like for those in Canterbury. The organisation I work for was in the PG building that collapsed. One of our colleagues was the only person who was rescued alive 25 hours after the building went down. No one is unaffected.

Last weekend we went to Papatowai. Me to walk the 15.5 km walk and the other two to do a spot of bike riding. Look at the glorious views. It was so lovely !!!. The crib was a treat too. Very cheap at $25 per adult per night and I couldn't help but take these photos. It was such a cosy restful place to be ... if only we didn't have to come back for work......sigh !!!

SO last week was in Wellington and this one coming up in Central Otago. NO rest for the wicked goes the old saying. OH well that's why Im trying to idle in my personal life. Why not book yourself a weekend at Papatowai soon? you wont be sorry if you do.

Cheers Marg

The blog that languished .......

2011-02-19T20:37:00.000-08:00

Small things are so often underestimated. Take my garden for example. On a tiny scrap of postage stamp sized section I have managed - mainly by neglect - and only by sheer virtue of putting things in -to have produced so many beans, courgettes, onions and lettuces that I am sick of the sight of them. My neighbours and friends have smiled weakly and muttered a gracious thaaaanks as I deliver more bags of beans and courgettes. MY PLEASURE!! I would never have thought that it was possible. I am reminded that you always need a lot less than you think and that applies not just to plots of land. That's my garlic crop - grown from the bulbs Miriam gave me last winter. I think that will keep me going for a month or two at least.

It really feels like the end of the summer that never quite was. I got the first lot of wood in last week for the autumn and in a week or so am off to a colleagues farm where she has Manuka to get rid of. Mind you that will be next years wood because it has to be chopped down and dragged out a gully first. Picture me wielding a chainsaw with gusto! No - I have managed to rope in some manual labour with the promise of some beer and a home cooked dinner as an exchange. Pretty much a win- win I'd say.( for me anyway)

Between working , and being out of town a lot and also juggling some house sitting my blogging has been languishing. Also for practically the first time ever my plans this year are to have no plans. I'm trying to do less so I can do more. As a person prone to extremes I am teetering on the brink of complete inertia and kind of liking it. Next weeknd I'm off to Papatowai to walk 15km in beautiful surroundings. That should get me going. Im taking my camera so you will see some lovely shots of the Catlins no doubt next time. The photo above is from the bedroom of the house where I was house/cat sitting. I awoke to a most glorious view of the sunrise in the mornings overlooking the city. Magic indeed!!!

Heres to a week of no plans.

cheers Marg

Home alone follies.....

2011-01-29T15:36:00.000-08:00

I must be insane- in fact I am convinced of it. I am home alone - Rosie in the UK and Tom now away flatting - and so what do I do - I buy 5 kg of apricots and make jars and jars of chutney and then more bottles of apricot sauce than anyone person can use.

Those January habits of pickle making are hard to break. I tell myself that pickle is just as worth making for myself to enjoy as for others but still it seemed absurd even to me to make that much - as delicious as it is. This is a recipe from the Stewart Island cook book. Easy and yielding good results.
Here it is if you care to try it.

2 kg apricots
360 g raisins
560 ml vinegar ( 1 pint)
2 tsp curry powder
500 g onions
2 c sugar
1 tsp salt
1 tsp ground ginger.

make in usual way - simmer one and a half hours. Bottle. ( enjoy - all year long if you are by yourself and perhaps for a month or two if there's more of you.)

Ah well - becoming accustomed to whatever stage of life you are at takes a little getting used to and Im sure a little foolishness along the way does no harm.

Here's to week of summer fruits.

Marg

To market to market to buy a fat pig......

2011-01-11T20:36:00.000-08:00

... home again, home again, jiggety jig. That is the start of the rhyme and an apt one for travelling cattle class in turbulence. Not pleasant but flying for me is always about the destination and never the journey. And so it was we arrived in Los Angeles with no destination in mind but a whole journey ahead of us.

On our first night we walked along Hollywood boulevard

just out of Santa Monica on the way to Santa Barbara and already we needed a walk along the beach ... same ocean as the one back home but different beach. A strange feeling !

I really liked this place for no special reason. Monterey Bay. We had Christmas here

Dougs enthusiasm for Redwood trees took us to the tiny town of Felton

from memory this tree is about 2000 years old - maybe older

a glimpse of a cable car in San Francisco

the grand canyon left me almost but not quite speechless


homeward bound. Our 3rd last day was spent in Palm Springs. Holiday resort of many of the famous.				Its hard to capture a holiday in words. Any attempts to explain the experience either seem lame or boring or both. So I wont try. Enough to say it was an amazing time in a country of great extremes. Good company, good fun, bad food, good bye. Here's to great holiday memories. Have a good week Marg

up, up and away in my beautiful balloon.

2010-12-20T21:03:00.000-08:00

Last week it was Chloe's last day. She went home to Carterton and wont be back till February when her course starts. Between us we made a special dinner - got out the good china, a tablecloth and had a mini celebration. So many things to be pleased about!!

Chloe got into her early childhood course,

Tom successfully completed the semester at Polytech and as soon as we're back from holiday moves into his flat.

And me- well I got through a year of the surprises, challenges and changes all in one piece and surprisingly in good spirits.

Chloe has become quite the baker since she has been here. Ta da - look at the Christmas cake. What a beauty. It's the Allison Holst no fail Christmas cake.

When Chloe arrived here I assured her that she was coming to a house where she would have to fend for herself and where she could be certain to be neglected. There would be few domestic pleasures such as a cleaning, washing or cooking service coming her way and as you can see the strategy has worked. Baking has become a hobby, she can now successfully work the washing machine and I'm pleased to say prepare a meal that is more than tuna on toast. I am confident that Tom has been similarly prepared and so will excel in flatting life.

Tomorrow we fly to the states to see Rosie and hopefully Doug if he can get out of the UK. Destination L.A - itinerary beyond that is anyone's guess but we are hoping to get to San Francisco, the Grand Canyon and Yosemite National Park among other places. I am not packed but have our tickets , some US dollars, and our passports ready.

The neighbor will feed the cat and the oven has had it's once in a lifetime clean. I cleaned the oven to take my mind off the thought of flying. I think that's why Im procrastinating on the packing.

So here's to hellos and goodbyes and irrational fears!! Have a great Christmas.

Marg

For you Rosie ........

2010-12-03T18:20:00.000-08:00

It's hot today. We're not used to this so much in Dunedin but it's true. This is the first quiet weekend I've had for ages and I'm lolling about inside the house - all manner of activity clamours for my attention but as a colleague said to me recently " I'm concentrating on being a human being not a human doing." So it's shaping up to be a delightfully idle day. These photos are for you Rosie. Even though we're going to see you in a couple of weeks it will be a long time till you come home so here's some shots of the garden in all it's unkempt glory. The first photo is the only one I managed to take while I was away in Tekapo the other weekend.

We've had the nativity set out for a few weeks already.

So in the true spirit of doing not much I'll leave it here before I turn it into work.

Have a lazy week everyone if you possibly can.

Cheers Marg

Parenting Crimes .......

2010-11-18T00:34:00.000-08:00

The week has given me cause for reflection - in the photo above you can see my lovely Tom.( He is going flatting in January). This week he reminded me again how one of the hardest things to do as a parent is to stand back and let your kid sort it out. This week he had to find a work placement as part of his Polytech course. The work placement was due to start Monday and by Monday he still had not had any luck in finding someone to take him on. Getting into fix it mode I started thinking of favours I could call in. When none of them turned up trumps I got mad. Haven't I done so many favours for so many kids in the course of my work?? Look - I have Chloe here as proof of that. I was indignant that the universe had not complied with my request. Fool that I am - the necessary learning was for Tom to persevere and find his own placement. At the 11th hour he did! And is now having a great time and a well earned sense of satisfaction that he made this happen without the help of his mother!!

A parcel a week has morphed into a phone call a week in my house. Postage to the USA is horrendous and to send Rosies birthday presents cost an outrageous $52!! What was even worse was the entire contents of the parcel were only worth about $20. The star attraction - a new bottle of perfume had been sniffed out as a prohibited item by the shrewd post office attendant. The box was cut open the offending item removed and the rest sent off. Still by all accounts the birthday passed very well and marked a new milestone in our house - that is not being home for the birthday. The first ever!! Instead of making a birthday cake I made instead some homemade bread. It is the no knead recipe from Anabel Langbein. Delicious.

Here's to a week of trusting that our kids have all the qualities they need to figure it out. The trick is to to know when.

Cheers Marg

Chloe and her Cake .....

2010-11-05T23:50:00.000-07:00

Meet Chloe - here she is. Chloe as it turns out has been boarding with us for coming into the fourth month now. When Chloe first came my way I thought she was going to stay four days. But when she got off the plane with 2 enormous suitcases I knew that my ideas were mistaken. It is typical of the attention I pay at times to detail - which as you can see is very little- however somehow it opens up for a more interesting life. '

It has been a real treat having Chloe here. Among other things she loves to think about baking. Recently she bought a book with 500 cake recipes. At the rate of one a week that would take nearly 10 years to make all of those. As luck would have it a friends daughter had a birthdy recently so Cloe pulled out all the stops and tried her hand at one of the recipes.

The little girl was really happy with the cake and Chloe got such a buzz out of making it. It reminded me of all the little things in life that make a person happy - like making a cake for example and being really pleased with your efforts.

I've just finished my 4 week stint of travelling for work. I've had a week in Alexandra, a week in Cromwell, a week based in Wanaka and finally a week in Queenstown. I bet you're feeling really sorry for me having to be in such a beautiful part of the country. You know I was worried about being away, worried about being alone in a motel room, worried about being worried but it was fine. even this last week when my lack of organisation got the better of me and I had no battery charger for by ipod or my cellphone so both went flat and my computer froze so I couldn't work on it and I hadn't packed enough of the right clothes and then permanently stained my one respectable top with ink from my pen and still had to look as if I knew what I was doing and you know what I was fine. Fine but tired so last night I did the unthinkable. I went to bed at 9.00PM. This morning when I was talking to Rosie on the phone and I told her that I felt like a real old lady going to bed so early she laughed and said - you are an old lady!! OF course how could I forget myself. IN the eyes of a nearly 22 year old I am ancient indeed.

So things to look forward to this week are
- staying home for the whole week
- going to book club and not talking about books
- cooking in my own kitchen
- sleeping in my own bed
- going to bed early if I feel like it.

Heres to a week of all the small things that make a person happy- no matter how old they are.

Cheers Marg ( 48 years old)

Knock, knock.....

2010-10-23T21:56:00.000-07:00

Knock knock

who's there?

Walter

Walter Who?

Walt to wall carpet!!!

Remember those silly knock knock jokes?

You know the ones you used to find hilarious and maybe still do a tiny bit?

Well I thought I'd put this one up today as an entre to the guided tour of my house which is now complete with wall to wall carpet. Murray the carpet layer who is saving for his daughters wedding was more than happy to do this cash job over the long weekend. He was fast , efficient and friendly. What 's more he took all the old carpet off to the dump for me and for that I'm most grateful.

So have a look and see what he did

So hows that for the ultimate in recycling? A whole house of carpet that came from a bank and was off to the tip had it not been for my friend who sent it my way.

So to go the full circle I also took a load of rubbish to to the dump today and the dump shop came up trumps yet again. Look at my finds all for the outrageous price of $3.

So to leave you with a wise saying ... waste not want not.

Here's to week of excellent bargains.

cheers Marg

5 weeks already!!

2010-10-16T17:18:00.000-07:00

In my fifth week already of my new work I spent the week in Alexandra. Sometime over this week I turned the corner mentally. That is to say I suddenly no longer felt like I was kind of having a holiday from my old job but actually working doing what you do in a job - that is work. And work we did. We had 2 assignments to carry out by Thursday evening. So evenings were spent working as well. (There are some strange aspects to my new work. One which I find the most difficult to balance is how we have to simultaneously suspend and make judgments. That part is really tricky along with the nagging question when we leave of "Have we got it right?")

However one lovely night I decided to walk up to the Alexandra clock. Can you see it up there on the hill? It's not very far to walk there but from a distance it looks like a long way.

Before you know there you are up on the hill. I really enjoyed this walk and especailly loved getting right up to the clock face. There every teenage couple that ever lived in Alexandra and maybe a few older ones as well have scratched their initials and other declarations of love on the face of the clock. I kind of like the sentiment expressed but also the views which were well worth the effort.

Next week I'm away to Wanaka. Its been a very long time since I spent anytime there so maybe there will be time for some more good walks.

Have a good week wherever you are.

Marg

It's Friday Again......

2010-10-01T02:10:00.000-07:00

I can't believe both how fast and slowly a week disappears. Here it is Friday again and I'm just getting around to thinking about what I did last weekend before I turn my mind to this. Last weekend I went with a few friends to stay at Kakanui - that lovely seaside community not far from Oamaru. There's not a lot to do there except relax, walk the beach and generally solve all of life's problems as you do when you have a glass of wine or two with friends.

we stayed in this cute little crib. Really cheap at only $45 per night.

I was inspired by Mary Nanas post where she wrote about 10 things that her readers might not know about her. Given that my readership is mainly my family I have been trying to think of 10 things that they may not know about me - Lets see

1. Among other things my favourite foods are currently avocados, olives and feta cheese.

2. While I am happy to drink red wine my first preference is for white.

3. I really really don't like country music. Currently I am enjoying a wide range of many genres - especially jazz.

4. Every year I declare I will take a week off work when the film festival comes to town. So far I have not succeeded in that ambition.

5. I nearly always overestimate how much I can fit into one day and my capacity to succeed at tasks I set myself.

6. I never ever cry in movies (but can weep to music or poetry). This has often given me a reputation of being hard -hearted.

7. I am very good at knowing the meaning of dreams.

8. If I wasn't doing what I am doing now I would like to design beautiful shoes for awkward and ugly feet.

9. I do not like flying.

10. I am speed reader.

That's all for now. Have a great week.

Marg

One of the Wombles goes to America .....

2010-09-19T00:35:00.000-07:00

Look who is going to America. Why it's one of the Wombles? Can you remember who this one is? Is it Orinoko? I'm not sure myself - all I know he is very cute and he is one of the treasures I was sent home with on my last day of work. Originally he and 2 others were lovingly knitted for the Children's ward but got rejected because knitted toys cant be kept germ free so the poor husband of the wife who knitted them brought them into us. He did not dare appear back home with those treasures so soundly refused. Anyway the idea was our children at work would play with and adore these creatures but somehow they never got out of my office. So after all these years of imprisonment this one gets to exploring. He is taking a healthy food guide with him. ( as a good NZ ambassador should). I hope Rosie can find something delicious to make and eat in there.

Hey what's this he's sneaking along with him? A bag of pineapple lumps! I must have had my back turned when that happened. Oh well just this once I will allow it.

Have fun in America little womble.

As for me - Im off to Te Anau for a week. What fun.

Cheers Marg

A brisk walk does wonders ......

2010-09-12T01:33:00.000-07:00

Here we are quite the happy couple. That's me on the second last day of work with the new manager Nikki beside me. ( sorry Nikki if you didn't want to appear in a public place- but like I said - your private life is over- especially if you want to do something you shouldn't in Dunedin. From now on you will always see someone you know) . I am wearing my practice clothes for being a civil servant. Black is the theme but in truth I can't do that well. So I have my second hand coat ( $20) my second hand boots($10) my second hand and most favourite second hand turquoise jersey ($1) with my own not second hand navy blue tights - and the underwear is also newish. - no not new at all. So I thought tomorrow when I turn up at the new work place - I will give this outfit a whirl and see if it passes muster. If not - I'm not that bothered.

Actaully the staff put together a CD of about 150 photos of the farewell and last weeks moments. That's the only showable photo. I look a bit too wrecked in the others. I decided this weekend that since I'd had such an emotional workout over the week I would bring all things into balance by having a physical work out as well.
So today saw me entering and completing the half marathon from town to Port Chalmers.

It was a brisk 21 km walk. The number below shows you not my placing but almost certainly the as usual lateness of my entry into the race.

I can still walk so that's a good sign. The day was lovely , the company cheerful and the sense of satisfaction enormous. It kind of felt like a good way to end a hard week and a perfect way to start a new one. I might even do it again next year - just because I can!!

So here's to a week of doing whatever you please just because you can.

Cheers Marg

Onwards and Upwards .. moving right along please .....

2010-09-05T02:16:00.000-07:00

Last week the form to terminate me from payroll was prepared, I can no longer authorise payments, sign cheques or handle any financial transactions, My email address has been signed over to the new manager . On Friday she sat in my chair for the day while I faded into the background. Several visitors arrived unanounced and it was my job to introduce them to the person who has become me. Today I polished my travelling spoons with some rarely used silvo and wrote my farewell notes. I felt very sad and of course have had many moments of questioning my decision and only time will /can answer that. I was also determined not spend anymore time writing or thinking about leaving my great job of 10 years so this is literally the last word on it.

To cheer myself up , this afternoon I took myself off for a walk - signs of spring everywhere and also ominous clouds which have now resulted in gale force winds . The house is shaking - but safely. A real contrast from Saturday morning when I woke up feeling the Christchurch earthquake. It was scary feeling that here. I can only imagine how scary it must have been for the people in Christchurch. What must be hard will be for a few days the earthquake will be front page news but in a week or so we will have forgotten it , but Christchurch has many long hard months of recovery ahead.

Feels like this should be a week where everyone takes good care of each other or at least of themselves.

Cheers Marg

A parcel a week goes international...

2010-08-28T23:26:00.000-07:00

Last week I kept thinking I would write a blog-post about our trip to Auckland but some how there just weren't the right words to capture all the fun of the birthday weekend and spending time with family. I never had a lot of children myself but am very grateful to our parents for giving me so many siblings.

So this week you get to see a parcel a week going international. Yep this little lot is going off to the USA. Apparently marmite is unknown there as are pineapple lumps and New Zealand themed greeting cards. The whole package has to weigh under 1 kilo or else the postage will be terrible. So sadly I have had to limit the junk I'm sending off. However I couldn't resist these two Snoopy's - from weirs ( where else) . One in american and the other in mexican costume. She will need these to brighten up her room I'm sure and to keep connected to her familial wierdness genes .

Walking to work this week has been amazing. The blossom is out and if you look at the ground you could be fooled for a minute into thinking it's been snowing - but really it's just all the blossom on the ground.

These window boxes are very inspiring also. These are on the main street and someone who works inside has gardening style. Don't you love the silver beet and daffodils growing together? I do. Makes me happy every time I walk past.

Here's to a happy first week of spring.

cheers Marg

The travelling spoons

2010-08-18T01:59:00.000-07:00

Look closely - what can you see there?

Yes, a bunch of flowers I am still enjoying, but no, take a closer look - peek into that cup. It's full of travel spoons - those strange little enameled implements that people used to pay a fortune for to prove they had been wherever they had been. Then they would take them home and who knows how they were used?

What I do know a lot about is their eventual fate. They end up in the junk shop for sale at $1 or $2 a piece depending on whether they are still in their plastic foam - lined cases.

Then I buy them. Not because I'm after my very own spoon collection but because these are going to be the leaving gifts for my staff.

I considered my budget - about $ 2 per person. ( NO I'm not being a cheapskate - we have a large team.- numerically that is ) And I came up with this marvelous plan of giving each person their very own spoon from me.

First because they represent some things I like - they come from my favourite junk shop and the price is perfect.

Second each spoon is symbolic. It represents a journey that someone made to somewhere. Some of those places are familiar, some are not. Some of the spoons speak of times and significant events.

That's what teaching is like. It takes you both physically and figuratively to places you never thought you'd go before. Sometimes you end up in a place you never could even have imagined. There are always significant times and events as you teach that change you either for better or worse- inspire you or embitter you depending on how it pans out.

I plan to pass these wise thoughts along with some suitably silly ones on to my colleagues as I leave. I am sure if nothing else I will be remembered as being cheap and wierd. What better legacy can I leave ?

SO Here's to a week of being cheap and weird.

Marg

Brussel sprouts and the strange week.

2010-08-08T01:45:00.000-07:00

Help -can anyone tell me what's wrong with the brussell sprouts? They are not the small dolls cabbages I was expecting but rather they are all loose and floppy. They don't look delicious at all -I'm pretty sure I'm not going to bother eating them-they look so horrible.. I'm wondering if it is a soil problem ? and as Ive found out this winter the lack of sun to the garden has resulted in very indifferent growth.

And because you are so interested in brussel sprouts here's another picture for you to look at. No I get it - you are not interested and clearly there's not enough going on in my life at the moment.

Quite the contrary -too much so- which is why I'm focusing on the minutiae.

This week has been quite the most bizarre week.

First there have been emails from Rosie from the grand canyon. I can't even begin to contemplate the size and scale of that place much less think that it was less than a week ago since she left.

Second I had to show my successor through my work place and introduce her to everyone which I found very unsettling. Later I had a very vivid dream that could only be explained by that. But very annoyingly it hung around in my mind for several days which unsettled me more.

Then thirdly -suddenly and inexplicably. I have a 19 year old boarder till the end of the year. I can't quite figure out how that happened and I'm more than fine with the arrangement. But I have been reminded of one of the secrets to success that I've learned as a manager. Communicate,communicate ,communicate. And don't be afraid to even if it feels awkward. The capacity to misunderstand another's requests or intentions is enormous.

so there we are. I hope it will be a BORING and PREDICTABLE week. Lets look forward to that.

cheers Marg

Up up and away .......

2010-08-02T00:14:00.000-07:00

This weekend just gone in the frenzy of packing and getting all those last things done before Rosie took flight this morning we managed to fit in a trip to Long beach -one of our favourites.

I took my new camera and made a startling discovery - I can't use it unless I'm wearing my glasses otherwise I can't see the picture I've taken. Look at this dreadful shot above.That is supposed to be one seamless panoramic shot made up of 3 photos taken close to each other. Even I am surprised at my lack of skill there and annoyed that my eyes aren't what they used to be.Glasses are so annoying and I can never find mine at the best of times let alone wear them constantly!!!

That aside I'm really pleased with the general ability of the camera to take a good crisp picture.

Later when we got home I made another bag for the USA.

This one was an old hospital blanket -lined with impossibly slippery and sure to fray lining. But who could resist those Russian dolls peeking out at them while sitting in a not so interesting class.

I was nervous about this bag. I know that here in Dunedin you would have no trouble wearing it loudly and proudly -but I'm not so sure it will be understood down in Southern USA. Never mind I made it as an expression of my affection -not because it needs to be used.

It was a muted goodbye at the airport this morning. We sad but happy - she nervous but so excited. Good luck Rosie -missing you already!!!! What an adventure you are going to have.

Here's to a week of dreaming of new adventures.

Marg

Groundhogs day........

2010-07-23T02:02:00.000-07:00

Do you remember that movie groundhogs day? I haven't seen it for a long time but it has always been one of my favourites.

This week has definitely had that feeling of groundhogs day. It's been the longest dreariest week ever with so much to do at work I could hardly think or breathe. But here we are it's Friday- the weekend beckons and I remember the amazing things that have happened lately.

Look at this. Not much to the undiscerning eye. But let me tell you - this is my new carpet. Only about 2 or 3 weeks ago I began to notice how threadbare and old my carpet was. Well too bad I thought to myself - it will have to wait. I seriously can't afford new carpet so it will go right down to the bottom of the priority list. No sooner had I thought that than one of my friends called into work with a carpet sample. All the carpet was coming out of a bank - top quality - commercial grade wool - would I care to have it - NO cost!!! Hmm let me think about that . Why that would be a yes you are hearing.

Another friend just happened to know a carpet layer who happily came and last Saturday laid the carpet in the hallway and living rooms. There is also enough in my basement to do the bedrooms as soon as I save for the carpet layer to come back. Im so grateful for my new carpet. It looks so great.

In the same way I had been finding my old camera frustrating. I'm not a great photographer but in anticipation of my new job I'd been vaguely thinking it would be great to have a better camera. And what do you know. An opportunity has arisen for me to upgrade. The new camera is just what I need. Perfect for me. Here's a shot which looks forward to spring that I took on the way to work this morning.

SO even when it's a groundhogs day all week good things can and do happen.

Here's to unexpected good things. Marg

teenage-man boy and mini- fork night

2010-07-12T01:52:00.000-07:00

This last week it has been Tom's birthday. The last year of his teenage years gets underway and has left me thoughtful about this time of both children leaving their childhoods firmly behind and assuming greater adult roles but at the same time there remains in all of us ( and at times especially me according to the kids) that desire to be and want to act as a child...

... So it was much hilarity that Rosie and I searched for silly pictures to adorn the wrapping on Tom's very sensible grown- up gifts. Duvet cover set, socks and undies and a lava lamp. How adult are those presents? He even expressed a genuine liking for them all - so polite. Well that's what you get I say when you don't offer any sensible suggestions of your own. Still birthdays have other redeeming features like going out for breakfast with your family and then because you are 19 and full of sufficient self- belief you throw yourself another great party which your friends later say was the best night out they had for a while. ( something your mother cannot even contemplate doing even in her wildest imaginings)

As I make this post I am having trouble matching up the photos and words so you will have to look down to see where the photos fit. You may remember several weeks ago my wonderful find of a set of cocktail forks from the recycling shop at the tip for just $1? To make good on that find we decided we'd have a mini- fork party night on Sunday.

Here is what you do to throw an excellent most outrageously fun mini- fork party.

1. Get yourself a set of mini- forks.

2. Plan a mini - menu. ( cheerios, roast veges cut into tiny chinks, tiny salad tomatoes, and chunks of tiny cheese.) Desert - a mini fondue - mini marshmallows and chunks of fruit in chocolate fondue made in mini -fondue maker

3. Set the table with best cloth, nice candles you best mini china.

4. Eat only with mini forks.
5. Tell mini jokes between courses ( short jokes - one liners or knock- knock jokes)

6. Play one party game ( pin the tail on the donkey)

7. Play mini table soccer.

8. Clean up only a mini bit and leave the rest till another day.

Then when you're fully done your grown up part tells you to remember that moment, that time, that day because as the young adults go more than they come those times are fewer and further between. All the more reason for your childish self to shamelessly cheat at pin the tail on the donkey, and to be the sorest loser at mini soccer.

Here's to a week of moments to treasure.

Cheers Marg

The bag of many uses.....

2010-07-02T22:42:00.000-07:00

In anticipation of all the spare time I will have when I start my new job I am dusting off my hobbies. ( you know those things that are supposed to make you an interesting multidimensional person) Last weeks effort was to try a prototype of a bag made from fabric scraps lying around the house. I was pleased with how it turned out. The bag is for Rosie to take to the States. Well actually not this one - she thinks it is too loud and won't go with anything she wears - but I disagree I think it suits me quite well.

or do you think it suits Rosie better? How bout this view? The bag of many uses indeed.

I think that's enough of being silly. I am about to become a public servant - there is a code of conduct to adhere to, serious matters to attend to. I am surprised at how sad I am feeling about leaving work. It has taken me by surprise.

here's to a silly week

Marg

Winter thoughts......

2010-06-20T00:15:00.000-07:00

Winter arrives and in light deprived Dunedin motivation for all sorts of things go out the door. Its that time of year when all you want to do in the evening and on cold days is to hunker down in front of the fire with a good book and a cup of coffee. I did muster energy to tidy up the garden a couple of weeks ago. It's shabby and bare at this time of year. The broccoli can't really be bothered sprouting. If you look closely you'll see runty heads in the background there. Even the silver beet is showing a poor display of energy. Oh well the garden gave itself it's all in the summer so I guess it deserves a rest.

Yesterday was the annual second hand fabric sale. MaryAnna you would have been in your element. Perhaps though that while the fabric was cheap it was not as cheap as you are able to find when you are out and about. The first church hall was filled with a frenzy of madwomen all pushing and shoving for their bargains. Of course that was not me. I only went with the thought of getting fabric for the one garment I intend to sew soon. That fabric is going to be a most imperfectly made jacket. I will love it and wear it often. I will probably spend a lot of time incubating the idea of making the jacket and then suddenly one weekend it will come together.

After nearly 10 years I have a new job. This morning I Went to work and contemplated my mess.

This is how I work.

This is how I have become accustomed to working. At a very messy desk with 100 uncompleted tasks all on the go at once. the phone goes, people's complicated lives consume much of my energy. So I'm off to be a public servant. Someone will be in charge of my complicated life. I'm looking forward to it. But I am also very sad to leave this place. It's been amazing. I said in jest to someone that leaving will be harder than getting divorced. But actually I almost think that is true. Still there is a right time for everything and I know this is the right time for me so I just go with the process and see what happens next. How exciting!!!

Here's to a cosy winter and new starts. Cheers Marg

Out they go..........

2010-06-06T16:10:00.000-07:00

I guess that it is inevitable that as times move on so does the way that we do things. If you want something second hand these days you can look on trade me and find what you want but looking on trade me isn't the same as browsing in a junk shop and ending up with something that you didn't even know you needed!!!

The clothing alteration shop on the left was until recently a second hand shop and now this one above in the Queens gardens is closing down. Luckily my favorite one - Weirs is still going strong. I'm not opposed to buying new things but it seems unnecessary to me to have everything new when there is plenty of good previously owned things to be had.

Yesterday I was my fathers daughter. I took a load of garden rubbish to the tip and came back with this lot.

6 little china cups that I really don't need but think are very cute, a pot lid to replace one that has broken , some picture books to cut up for card making and these totally amazing cocktail forks. they will be so handy. I am going to cook a special dinner which requires us to eat only with these little forks. I'm excited about that already.
This weekend we are off to Wellington to move Rosie out of her flat. The last parcel has gone and in 2 weeks she will be here for a month before she heads off for her next adventure.

Here's to a week of changing times.

Marg

...and the coach really was a pumpkin after all ...

2010-05-22T23:12:00.000-07:00

You may recall in the Cinderella story how the young scullery maid went off to the ball in a pumpkin magically turned into a golden coach. On the stroke of midnight the coach once again became a pumpkin rolling sadly and unnoticed down the royal driveway.

Today as I walked over the swampy summit my mind turned to this story as I thought of the recent events of this last week's budget announcements.

For a long time early childhood education was the scullery maid of the education system. For 10 short years it got to ride in the coach and go to the ball but since the budget of last May and now this budget the sector has once again been returned to scrubbing the flagstones and wishing it were a princess. Since May 2009 there have been eleven things taken away from early childhood and the latest news is a severe setback. Not only has our funding been cut but also there is no longer funding to employ all fully qualified teachers. Apparently there is no evidence to suggest that a full complement of qualified teachers makes a difference to children's learning.

I would beg to differ. I have seen the difference.

What is to be done?

I guess if centres like ours wish to retain our full staff of qualified teachers our fees will go up. We probably won't pass on the next round of salary increases in July as anticipated which will further widen the gap between our salaries and those even of kindergarten teachers. Worst case scenario will mean we will cut staffing which will increase teacher workload. Still we will work it out! people who work with little kids generally do it because they love it not because they get well paid for it or have great working conditions.

On a happier note - it was beautiful winterish day here today. Leaving pigeon flat at the top of the northern motorway around 9 this morning a group of us then walked across swampy summit and down the pineapple track to the edge of the Ross Creek reservoir. It took us 3 hours so I'm guessing it was about 10 or 12 kilometres. It was a lovely walk. I really enjoyed it. No matter what life is sweet.

here's to a sweet week . Marg

Do what you love to do .......

2010-05-15T23:48:00.000-07:00

These are some of the beans that got away. Hidden in the bean stalk they are now encased in green hides as tough as old boots - totally inedible you would think but Miriam suggests taking these and saving some for seed and making a bean feast with the rest. Apparently the flavour is so delicious - nothing at all like dried beans. I just love how beautiful they are - nature sure has got a way with colours - green and purple together looks great and I do so wish they were magic. Then I could get rich the easy way.

I wanted to tell a story this week that I hope Doug and Rosie don't mind me telling. Oh well it's a family blog so too bad. When Doug and Cath lived with us last year we would often go out walking in the evenings. As well as admiring all the houses and gardens along the way the walk would also involve much admiring of lampposts. Like this

and this .....

Being a linesman Doug knows all the nuances of a lamppost - all about their size shape, age and what different kinds of lampposts do. And may I add all of this is truly interesting information and if you'd been walking with him you would have admired them also. Now Rosie who likes to live anonymously and as a normal human being in Wellington has so far managed to keep this lamppost interest under wraps but last week she reported that she was walking with her flat mate when she stopped to admire a lamppost. If she had been with anyone else she would have been accorded freak status so she sent Doug an email blaming him for this curious obsession. This is his reply - which I found very funny

Dearest R Chops ,it may very well be true that you have crossed a line
> and become a hard wood power pole pervert.Brace yourself All the clues
> are there , you carnt fight it, like it or not it's all about DNA ,you
> are your gradads gran daughter. I can trace my obseson directley back
> to him and your only one step behind me. You have grandad to blame ,i
> mean thank. On the bright side you have access ,consider yourself
> lucky , unlike myself who lives in a land with only soft wood round
> poles , you however can enjoy every day contact with your square hard
> wood faverates ,should you choose to do so you can visit a lovely
> power pole daily, where as all I have are memories.Still with my new
> lap top and google street scene I to am able view the beauty of my
> favorates as and when ,but only on the Internet It's not the same
> Dont forget God has opened your eyes, you are now a member of a
> handful of select people,so select I'm the only other one. Now that
> your hooked may I surgest a visit to an Australian rain forest to view
> first hand these magnificent trees before they are cut down. REMEMBER
> your not a
> Tree hugger your a power pole lover!
> All I ask is you pat them,talk to them nicely before any photos are
> taken. Your friends will understand
> Love Doug
> Ps send me your bank details and if I'm not sacked before the months
> end I'll buy you dinner.

So here's to a week of indulging your interests - no matter how strange.

Cheers Marg

Happy Mothers Day Margi Moo she said .....

2010-05-08T22:52:00.000-07:00

Happy mothers day to all mothers out there - especially to my own mother and to my sisters and sister in law who are some of the most amazing mothers I know.

Today Rosie sent me a text which said "Happy mothers day Margi-moo", then Tom and I went off for a lazy breakfast at one of our favourite places from a former life- Port Royale Cafe in Port Chalmers. A warm autumn day with no agenda after what has been a hectic and at times gruelling week.

Just what can one dollar buy you these days? Hardly anything. It wont get you a ride on the bus, maybe it will buy you 2 fizzy lollies, 15 minutes parking in the central city, perhaps a k- bar, a single fresh tomato or maybe 3 grapes. So I know you will be very impressed with this salt and pepper set bought for just one dollar - yep just ONE!! Isnt it wonderful. I bought it especially for good luck because Rosie was waiting to hear if she had been accepted for the USA exchange and the waiting was excruciating. I thought if I put these in the parcel they would be symbolic of a positive outcome.

I've been away for work again but while I was away the message came through in capitals. I GOT ACCEPTED. So well done Rosie - you and your friend Liz are off to America for a semester at Georgia Tech University.That's so wonderful. You have both worked so hard for this. Tom has been working hard too. Last week he passed his heavy traffic license and is just waiting for the apprenticeship to come through. In the meantime he cleans bouncy castles and does dishes. But hey - work is work and pay day is always sweet.

This weeks parcel also went off with a tin of homemade chocolate chippie GF biscuits (Edmonds recipe book) , GF pizza bases, jelly just in case there was going to be party with party food; and one homegrown carrot from my garden. Apparently it arrived complete with earwig!!

Heres to week of knowing that being a mother is always worth it ( at least to me)

cheers Marg.

Autumn comes to town ....

2010-04-26T02:00:00.000-07:00

I've been really enjoying the changing of the seasons both here in the town and also the virtual tours provided by other bloggers. Miriams detailed accounts of her changing garden and Donalds photos add a dimension to autumn that is quite unlike what you see here. One of the things I love about my walk to walk are the many sights I see along the way. These shots are all taken on High Street. What I love is the way people garden around here even with the smallest amounts of land available. Take a look at these

Giant sunflowers..... ( that's a second floor balcony in the background)

last of the tomatoes ...

This tree stands alone totally hemmed in by pavers and a metal grille. Kind of like a lone monkey at the zoo but it is so lovely - the leaves I noticed are much thinner today and browner and by the end of the month they'll be all gone. Then it will feel like winter. My reputation as a wierdo is firmly cemented as I try to sneak my photos as all the morning traffic hurries past. Luckily Dunedin is such a HUGE city that you can be totally anonymous.
Still at home I can click away to my hearts content. This last weekend as well as going to see the Wellington International Ukele Orchestra - which I would 100% recommend to anyone to go and see if they come your way - I sewed a sumo cushion for Rosies flatmate. It's her birthday and a request was made for me to make one. This guy is rather fun. A long time ago I made one for my sister MaryAnna . That was when she was a single girl and I made him as a hot water bottle cover for her.

...and of course I packed up a parcel. ... You know I'm thinking of changing careers. I'm sure I could start a business specializing in food parcels to students. Wealthy mothers could pay me to box up parcels of food and annoying second hand shop junk and write personal notes to their offspring. Rosie assures me that parcel day is eagerly looked forward to. On a serious note I am thinking of changing careers.

Have a great week. Cheers Marg

When time stands still....

2010-04-19T02:51:00.000-07:00

Hi there - I thought this week I'd start with some ideas for those of you intending to send food parcels now or some time in the next 20 years. Healthy fruit snacks and herbal tea go down well when assignments are due and every living person should have a packaged hamburger to go in their civil defence emergency rations kit. You know for when the big earthquake strikes as it is due to do any year now.

This last week just gone I accepted an invitation at short notice to go for a 4 day walk at Cape Campbell. 2 days walk across farmland to the lighthouse and 2 days back again - about 54 ks in all. I'm so glad I said yes to this trip. At first I thought I was way too busy and then my breathing reminded me that there is only this moment to live so off I went. The scenery was stunning, the wind was like nothing else and somehow it felt good to be so drawn into the elements. So there we were - good friends, going for a good walk - we ate good food and between us we were a secondary , primary and early childhood teacher. So there was plenty of heated and hearty debate - Along the way there were these quirky huts to stop at and make a cup of tea and rest a while - That little hut on the right really was on that lean - the wind was so terribly strong along the coast it was a wonder we weren't completely blown away!! And somehow the four days seemed like 4 months. It did feel like time had stopped for a bit. I'm not sure why that happens but I think it's got something to do with being totally in the moment and having no other priorities beyond walking and talking at that time. Whatever the reason - it was a great trip to say yes to.

Here's to a week of saying yes to good things. Cheers Marg

Mirth and Mockery...

2010-04-06T02:12:00.000-07:00

Now tell me please what does a person have to do these days to be taken seriously. Anyone who reads this blog will know now that for several weeks I have been extolling the virtues of deep breathing as taught by Saga from Christchurch. What do I get for my trouble? Nothing but Mockery and mirthful laughter at my expense. Take a look at these cards produced for my birthday by Rosie and Miriam.

Actually I found these cards very funny and Im happy to be a source of such ongoing amusement. It's been a really nice Easter. A mixture of being at home - watching series one of Jonathon Creek ( another Weirs purchase) and another climb to the top of Mount Cargill. We went up to see Miri and Bill and the boys in the Maniototo and tonight I'm putting together a parcel to go back to Wellington. Muesli, gluten free chocolate chip biscuits ( yet to be made) some homemade peanut butter ( which has already claimed the lives of 3 mice - figure that one out!) and these lovely collector teaspoons.( another Weirs score) I don't know if you can see but there is one from Port Chalmers and another from Kingston - where we often used to take the kids on holiday when they were little. So both places have some old associations and hopefully fond memories.
A final word about breathing before I go. Focusing just a little for a few moments a day on my breathing before I go to work ,does I swear make a difference to my head space. I am noticing more consciously where my thoughts are - or more to the point where they are supposed to be as I get on with the day. Anyway enough of that. Here's to week of not taking yourself too seriously !! Marg

When will you be happy?.....

2010-03-27T23:23:00.000-07:00

When will you be happy and what will it take to make you happy? asked Saga from Christchurch last weekend while we were on our breathing course. We were asked to ponder those questions overnight. It wasn't hard. Now and not much were my two answers.

Today for me was a good example of these answers. This morning I walked with a group of friends and others up through Bethunes Gully over to the organ pipes and down through the Grahams Bush walk to Sawyers Bay.

It was a lovely climb up through the bushes then over to the Organ Pipes. Apparently if you go to Ireland you will find very similar rocky outcrops. Local legend there has it they they are sticks thrown by giants. Stick, or stones who knows - they are certainly spectacular.

This afternoon I managed to massage $30 from our grocery budget and took myself off to an afternoon concert. In the lead up to easter the southern symphonia performed St Johns Passion by Bach. I don't cry in movies or over books but give me amazing music or poetry and Im done for. I was really happy to be there by myself so I didnt have to explain myself to anyone. This really is such a great little city. There's so much going on here. A lifetimes worth of stuff actually ...

You may or may not recall a couple of posts back, that I mentioned that I had managed to get some curtains for $7 from the hospice shop. With autumn upon us I knew that I had to have curtains in my new room but of course there was nothing in the budget to make that happen ,so I was really happy to find these. There were a little bit too short but I managed to find some green fabric almost the same colour as the walls in a remnant bin for $15 and so for $22 and a whole day of stitching, pressing, and reshaping I have these warm, very pretty, fully thermal backed curtains for the room. Just in time!! Now that satisfies all my happiness criteria - a problem solved, a bargain, creativity, lovely to look at, and finally useful. What more could a person want?

Rosie is coming home for Easter so a parcel won't get there in time. NZ post now takes a minimum of 4 days to deliver to Wellington so she will be back before then. Just as well - it was probably her parcel money that paid for my concert today.

Here's to a happy week all round.

Marg

The art of living ..... ( some people call it heavy breathing)

2010-03-21T03:12:00.000-07:00

Have you ever read any books by Alexander McCall Smith? I have enjoyed much of his writing and in particular the kindly view he has of people despite all their foibles and weaknesses. I always want to think nicer thoughts after reading one of his books.

Anyway, this weekend I found myself in a situation along with 5 others where each one of us could have been one of the characters out of one of Smiths books. ( read - slightly odd) There we were in the OUCA clubs and societies building for the whole weekend. We had given up one night and 2 days to "master the art of breathing". For those of you who are right now thinking we had come to learn to breathe heavily into a telephone let me put you straight . This is serious self- improvement style breathing!!

Saga from Christchurch had come to teach us. The first thing she made us do, was promise to attend for the whole weekend. I think she could see each of us furiously planning unexpected deaths in the family or some other tragedy about to overtake us. Nodding in agreement wasn't enough. The words had to pass through my lips. " I'll try to come tomorrow." A pen is thrown towards me. "Will you try to pick it up please?" OK point taken " I will come back tomorrow". And you know what? I did come back for the next two days and all in all I can say I'm really glad I did.

taking time out of one's own life generally has good results, but learning to be conscious of your breath, your thoughts, your emotions also has positive spin offs. Gaining some distance and perspective allows you to see things a little more clearly or maybe to worry less about the concerns that are ever present. When you focus on breathing you certainly get to be present in the moment and that is much harder than it would seem.

I also liked the way the course did not expect you to sign up for anything else, or necessarily to rush off and follow a particular religion or adopt a dogmatic rigid lifestyle. I could not bear to do that ever again. So yes - it was good. And where before I might have called the group slightly odd I would now say a group of really interesting people who I wouldn't mind saying hello to in the street if I ever met them again.

I can't show you Rosie's parcel this week. I decided you simply would not be interested in seeing packets of gluten free pasta, falafel mix, marshmallow easter eggs and a jar of homemade pickle. No that would be tedious. Instead take a look at some of the photos of the children's garden at our centre. Aren't these lovely? My philosophy has always been that if children are here all day then this is their world. Our job is to make it the best world we possibly can for them to live and learn in.

Here's to a week of many breaths.

Marg

....

Jam packed with deliciousness ....

2010-03-14T11:22:00.000-07:00

This week to amuse myself I pretend I am a star of the Food in a Minute Show. By the time you have finsihed reading this I will have whipped up this superb batch of Meusli. First the finished product all good to go.

Now you see a selection of my ingredients left thoughtfully on hand by my kitchen assistant

- sunflower seeds
-pumpkin seeds
- dried apricots
- almonds

other ingredients

- rolled oats ( main ingredient )
- coconut
- oil/water and 1 T honey melted together
- rice bran flakes or other wheat free alternative - oat bran , cornflakes , millet etc

Now mix all that lot together , bake in the oven till it's as crisp as you like it and serve with your favorite kind of milk, yoghurt and stewed fruit. Good for breakfast or for pudding. The whole thing is fast and above all thrifty. ( a perfect addition to Rosie's parcel this week)

Speaking of thrifty. Did you notice the flowery fabric under those cups? They are my $7 hospice shop curtains - thermal backed - which are soon to adorn my dining room windows. Now that the nights are drawing in the curtains need hung. These are perfect - it was as if someone had left them there just for me to find for my house.

Wishing everyone an equally thrifty week.

Cheers Marg

Project Lovely .....

2010-03-07T22:53:00.000-08:00

If you recall, last week I set myself the challenge of finding lovely things in dull places over the next week.

I had been so precoccupied with life I forgot about all the great sights. So this week here are some of my top lovely things.

- Above - my garden vegetables in my very dull old kitchen sink. Below - a handful of sweet peas on the window sill. Also Doug and Caths kitchen sink which I think is very lovely and if I were an envious person I would be suffering from sink envy. ( actually there is no denying it I am)

Last week we also got an invitation to attend a hospice memorial service for Dad but instead we decided to have a get together of all who live close enough to attend. So these pictures are for you MaryAnna, Jen , Mama, George and Rosie. Miri's tomatoes and cheese from the farmers market set the scene for what we do best - Eat and talk - Ken and Mary brought the juice, coffee and chocolate, Doug the customary bacon and egg pie, Cath's brownie, Miri's homemade foccaccia and well I pretty much just provided the venue. Somehow the day meandered towards late afternoon and we all went to see the gravestone

Here they go - our grandmother, sister and father. I think the stonemason has made a great job of the headstone, with plenty of room for one last inscription.

Did you know that in 2010 Rosie has taken up collecting souvenir teaspoons? She doesn't know it yet but is about to find out when her parcel arrives to her new address in Wellington this week. I think she will love both of these. One is a Port Chlamers teaspoon - so that will be very sentimental for her and the other is a shilling or something like it beaten into a spoon shape. A bargain at a dollar each at Weirs.

Lastly here is a strange tale of curious connections. At our work we have a teacher who comes from Zambia.

There is a masters student at the university who is about to go to zambia for a reasearch project that is set in the same town our teacher comes from. Coincidentally I have some freinds in the geography department at the university who mentioned to me that they had this student and who needed accomodation and contacts in this same town.

I was able to put the student in touch with our teacher who has organised the student to stay with her family.

Now for the curious bit. Today Rosie sent me a text saying that one of her friends and a friend of his had helped her shift into her new flat recently. The friend was a masters student at Otago about to go to Zambia for a research project. She mentioned she had accomodation sorted out with the family of a zambian woman who happens to be a teacher in Dunedin. It is the same person and the teacher is the teacher from our centre. I know it's a small world but I find it strange that Rosie just happended to meet this very same person.

Bye for now

Marg

Every Hood has a silver lining....

2010-02-28T23:33:00.000-08:00

I made this hoodie for Annarose to take back to Wellington. She chose the fabric which included a piece of silver ever so stretchy lycra for the linings. I may be on a sewing roll because now Tom wants one too, and so another project will soon be gaining momentum. He and I are planning a shopping trip to get a pattern and fabric but I'm going to have put my foot down on sewing with silver lycra - stunning it may be but to sew it is an absolute nightmare. It slipped and stretched all over the place and in the end I had to sew it with tissue paper under the pressure foot. It got me thinking about that saying " every cloud has a silver lining". It would seem to me that any benefits won by hardship are indeed well earned but does everything have to be so hard! There must be an easier way to sew lycra!!

It wouldseem the effort was worth it. Annarose said she had lots of comments on the silver lining when she wore it to University today.

One of the reasons why I had my own back garden paradise constructed was because this is the view from my kitchen window. Not very appealing you might think. You would be right and is probably one of the reasons why I won't live in this house forever. However yesterday when I was cooking dinner in the kitchen I happened to look up and noticed those sunflowers in the second garden over. It's not the best photo but there they were looking bright and cheerful and amazing over there! I couldn't believe that all summer I hadn't noticed them ! I wonder what I've been doing when I look out the window which I do all the time? How unobservant is that? This week Im going to consciously look for lovely things in dull surroundings.

When Rosie came home for the summer I wondered if I would find anything of interest to write about as blog entries and I was surprised how there was always any number of possible posts. Now that I am back to sending parcels I wonder if any readers of this blog are still interested in seeing what goes in a parcel ?

I shall leave you to ponder the answer. Have a happy week. Marg

Gardening - a cautionary tale .......

2010-02-25T00:56:00.000-08:00

Last year when my garden was getting off the ground , I just planted plenty of whatever took my fancy and then proceeded to feel very virtuous about all the rapid growth. The garden looked good and no one could argue that those plants weren't super busy growing.

But of course these 2 photos will by now have alerted you to a very serious problem in the vegetable patch.

There is just way too much going on in there - so much so that nothing is happening - green foliage everywhere and the plants all stomping over each other - pushing and shoving for room and sunshine, and hardly any results . When Miri was down last weekend she gave me valuable advice. Pull out anything that is not going to be productive and create some space to give those things that will produce something some time to grow. So this weekend the tomatoes are coming out, also the broad beans, probably the peas and the last of the pumpkin vine that has gone crazy and is completely out of control.

Ive been thinking that in some ways, that garden you see, is what happens when I get way too busy in my own life. I try to pack too much in, and from a distance one might think there's a lot going on. However ,what I have found by experience, is that there is often not enough of what matters most to me going on. Since last year I have been consciously working to eliminate things that don't add value to my life - even if on the outside it might look like a great or glamorous opportunity. It's kind of a shame I am such a slow learner but I think I'm getting the hang of it. Slowly that is.

Still all is not lost on either the home or vegetable front. I did get these out of the garden over the weekend and I did turn down an evening out last weekend in order to spend an evening with Rosie before she heads back to Wellington this Saturday.
Finally it was today last year that we had Dad's funeral.Today when I got home there was an invitation from the Hospice saying that on March 4 there will be an ecumenical Remembrance Service - where Dad's name will be readout with a list of others then afternoon tea served. So if those who are closeish by - Ken and Mary? Miri and Bill? feel like going I have the details.

Anyway here's to another week of well chosen priorities!

Marg

Another holiday , another time , another place....

2010-02-16T00:16:00.000-08:00

For the last 7 days I have shrugged off adult responsibilities and worries about taking another holiday after I just had one at Christmas, and left them neatly packaged in my car at Bluff while the kids and I enjoyed our first holiday all together ( not counting attending funerals) in 3 years.

We came to Stewart Island - the photo above is a view from the crib we were staying in. It was the first time for Rosie. Tom came down here when he was 12 and again 13 and sailed around the Island on a boat called the Elwing

and I came down here for work last year but that had been the first time back since I was a teenager.

For me it was the perfect holiday - as much for the suspended reality as for the amazing scenery of the place. Every day we did a walk - no shortage of bush walks to choose from here. I think the childhood experiences of making the children go walking are paying dividends. They willingly came with me !!

I read all my library books I brought with me and then some more off the shelves while Tom and Rosie amused themselves with the jigsaw puzzles in the house. We caught up with Ken and Mary and baby Louis who also spent a weekend on the Island ( thanks for having us to lunch - great to see you!). We ate at the Kai Cart, the kids went out on a fishing boat and caught blue cod - I went the museum and we all joined in on a team at the weekly Sunday night Quiz night which is held at the pub.

Every night as a tribute to the puddings our Mother always made for my kids when we visited her, we made jelly with fruit. The photo above is the deluxe version we had on the last night. Jelly , fruit, cream and grated chocolate. So simple - so delicious!

these are two of my favourite shots- Rosie and Tom - enjoying each other's company - brother and sister - carefree - nothing matters here - life begins again for all of us tomorrow. May the strength of this holiday sustain us all year long.

Have a great week - Marg

When losing your way is better than finding it ....

2010-02-07T21:44:00.000-08:00

The day started with high hopes. We were off at the end of a long hot week on a day that started with mist and rain to go on an " art in the garden " tour. Sounds like great fun. It is - especially when you get to the Taeiri plains with only a map of Christchurch to guide you. (Of course your failings win again -For me, I am great with the overall concept and fall short on the details - like knowing where exactly we were supposed to be going ) So it was a mystery tour through the back streets of Wingatui. So much to see and do. First stop - the topiary hedge

Followed by the good luck of finding chicken manure for just $5 for a hefty sack - ( my compost sighs with relief- now we can get some heat cranked up in there) - then as luck would have it we stumbled across one of the gardens. This is my favourite image from that place.

Not one of the art works - but far more evocative and meaningful at least to me of anything we saw. We slunk in and out of that garden and right there and then ditched the rest of the tour.

I can tell you are wondering about the apricots in the first picture? What? you couldn't care less about them? Let me show you a thing or two you can do with apricots.

you can take a photo of them...

..or you can turn them into jam and chutney. The jam I am especially pleased with because you make it in the microwave. To be truthful I do not really use my microwave for cooking ,but I was inspired to try this recipe because it promised - full flavour and no possibility of burning the jam. The recipe was as good as its word. The jam is great and so so easy.

Here is the recipe.

4cups of cooked apricots. ( put raw and stoned apricots in microwave and cook for20 mins) Then add 4 cups of sugar to apricot pulp. Cook 20 mins in microwave. Bottle in clean jars and cover when cool. The chutney recipe is another gem from the Stewart Island cook book. I was especially happy making it because this week we are going to Stewart Island for one week before Rosie goes back to Wellington. I am looking forward to it. After that it will be back to sending parcels.

Yours in anticipation

Marg

600 Minutes of Gratitude.

2010-01-30T23:00:00.000-08:00

This summer among others I have been reading "Creative journal writing" by Stephanie Dowrick
I've been having a go at some of the exercises and one that I'm persisting with is 600 minutes of gratitude. That means that for 60 days you have to write for ten minutes about things you are grateful or thankful for. Easy peasy right? No, wrong. Day one was pretty easy- could think of lots of things, day two found me being grateful I did not live in London at the time of the bubonic plague, day three I was grateful that I now only have one elderly cat to care for. As you can see quite a challenge in the early stages, but to my surprise I find myself at now around day 20 being somewhat less superficial. Actually I am using the concept in a far more sensible way. Friday was a particularly challenging day because I had a very painful and honest conversation with a friend which left me feeling very bruised. later in the day as I was thinking about the epsiode I was thankful that I could see the part I played in it and how my actions had given rise to the misunderstanding. I felt that in writing it I could learn from it and I was thankful for that. Also it has pretty much helped let the whole thing go and so I've enjoyed every minute of this lovely weekend.

One of the really fun things I did was a 15km walk called the peninsula challenge. It's a fundraiser for the Otago peninsula trust which seeks to protect the wildlife there. Because the track takes you over 10 private properties you get to see scenery that is otherwise inaccessible. Take a look at these.

the start line is way down the bottom by the trees at the start of the walkway to Allans beach.

It doesn't look that steep but you can kind of tell that these people are finding it hard.

we made our way carefully down this hill and were ferried across the estuary in motorboats to get to Victory beach

There you can see Victory beach in the distance - home to very large sea lions!!

Here's me at the finish line. One of my friends had arranged a bottle of bubbly at the end along with plastic champagne glasses. Hip hip hooray ,3 cheers to us! What a fun day.

Here's to a fun week.

Marg

Walks that leave you weary but happy.

2010-01-25T23:12:00.000-08:00

Part of me wants to apologise for yet again showing you photos of my garden but the other part just wants you to enjoy the growth that has occurred despite the very indifferent summer we have had and sporadic bursts of input from me.

I love how things grow with or without me and I am amazed at what a constant source of pleasure it is to me as I look out on it as I sit at my dining table. When I look at the garden, I often see my neighbours white cat sitting on top of the fence gazing down and I am reminded of Rapunzels mother who looked longingly at the lettuces in the witches garden and sent her poor husband to steal some.

At work I am known for overestimating my capacity to achieve and underestimating the enormity of the task I have set myself. (by contrast I think a definition of anxiety is overestimating the task and underestimating one's ability to achieve the task). At times the same applies to my non work life. Last year I was determined to walk my way entirely through this great book which charts pretty much all of Dunedin's walk ways. Im not sure how many weekends I thought there were in a year but is clear that I miscounted. I think I need about 250 weekends to do all of these. Anyway last week as a preparation for the peninsula challenge this coming weekend I walked one of the very lovely tracks in this book. It was the walk from Henley through to Taeiri Beach. About 10 km in total. There's quite a lot of going up and down which gives the track a cassification of moderate to hard but it's such an enjoyable walk that it's well worth doing whatever the weather. I was weary but happy at the end.

Here's a couple of photos along the way to inspire you.

Have a great inspirational week everyone.

cheers Marg

Holidays, Volcanoes and Back to Work.

2010-01-16T11:30:00.000-08:00

2010 has started well for me so far. Chiefly because for the first time in what feels like years I've had 3 weeks off all in a row. I could get used to it so it's just as well I'm back to work tomorrow.

Last week I made sure there was enough food in the house and petrol in the car so Rosie and Tom would not notice my absence and went to spend a week with George and his kids in Masterton.

Having a holiday with a sibling is fun because after so many years of independent living it's like getting to know a new person without all the hard work because there are still so many familiarities. On the day I arrived we went to the latest exhibition at Te Papa.    . " A day in the life of Pompeii". It was amazing. I would go to Wellington just to see that on it's own. Did you know that before Vesuvius, the Romans had no word for Volcano? They had never experienced one before. So when the mountain was erupting they had no way of knowing what was going to happen next and of course no evacuation plan or disaster relief package. Things don't change much over the years. Look at what has happened this last week in Haiti.

Anyway moving on - the Pompeii exhibition seemed to develop a focus for our holiday because we decided that we would spend a few days checking out some of our own volcanoes. We mapped out a journey that would take us up past Ruapehu, and then include having a go at the Tongariro crossing.
And finally if time allowed we would look at Mount Egmont.

For me the highlight of the trip definitely had to be the day we spent walking up in the mountains although the little boys would disagree. They did well . Reuben is only 7 and that day he walked over 15 kms.

Words often seem to me to be such an inadequate way to communicate the depth of an experience. If only we were more highly evolved creatures we could look into the eyes of another and they would immediately understand how we felt.   Perhaps some photos might do the trick.

Lastly here's a photo of something we saw at the Turangi national trout centre whcih made me think about how we understand our day to day reality.

We went to the viewing chamber where you can see the trout under the water. It immediately made me think of the Truman Show. Do you think those trout know there is a world that exists above the water? A huge, vast world that is inaccessible to them? What say there is a world just outside our line of sight? What would we think if only we knew how to see it?

Well enough from me I think. Yes it's time I went to work and started thinking sensible thoughts.

Have a great sensible week everyone. Cheers Marg

Imagine ....

2009-12-30T17:14:00.000-08:00

Imagine way back at the start of 2009 that you wrote in the journal of sorts that you keep when the mood takes you, that this year you'd like to make a coat. You thought to yourself that it would be a lovely coat with beautiful lining. You imagined yourself wearing such a coat. You thought it might look a little like this.

The only trouble is that when you imagine something there is frequently a very large gap between what you see in your mind's eye and reality itself. Somewhere in the imagining the voices of commonsense and reason come knocking at the door. Of course you don't answer it and certainly don't listen when they ask

" Excuse me ma'am, do you actually know how to sew a coat?"
" Have you had much sewing experience?"

So you forge ahead - you attend the course that helps you sort the pattern out.. you buy the fabric... you imagine the coat... you imagine the coat some more. You put the fabric away so you don't have to look at it any more ... and then your sister Maryanna

suggests you bring the coat stuff with you when you come up to Miri's for Christmas because she will be there too.

Here they are the miracle workers. Maryanna who generously gave up 3 days of her holiday to give a personalised sewing tutorial on coat making and Miri (with Jude who slept in the tent so the Aunties could have a room to sleep in) who supplied endless amounts of home baking, good company and wonderful hospitality.

The gap has been closed. What was imagined became real! I have a coat with beautiful lining. It is better than what I imagined. Thank you everyone.

I wonder what I might imagine for myself in 2010??

Happy wondering and dreaming to you all as we move into 2010.

Cheers Marg

A parcel of my own !!

2009-12-18T00:46:00.000-08:00

Today something very exciting happened.!! Tom rang me at work to say that a parcel had arrived - it was from America! Who could it be from? Let me tell you - it was from this amazingly talented artist called Christy. You can find out all about her here: http://thehouseofnana.blogspot.com/

You know I'm not even supposed to get this parcel yet. I'm paying it off in installments. That's how I buy art. In fact when my hot water cylinder was leaking and close to blowing up I went and made my first deposit on a screen print by Dunedin artist GillianPope. The woman who let me pay off the painting said she was proud of me for choosing art over hot water.( she is saleswoman through and through) I have never regretted that choice although my power bills were exceedingly high that winter.

I really loved this painting when I saw it on Christy's etsy shop but I can't tell you how lovely it is in real life. The colours have a depth and intensity that you can't really see from the photo and the painting has a prescence that's also hard to describe. What I really love about it is it reminds me of the collection of old irons my dad had scattered round his place - it connects me to times and places I remember from my childhood and I love the domesticity of the iron. ( not that mine gets much use) So thank you Christy - I will get so much pleasure from this painitng.

Finally and just because it's nearly Christmas - here's my knitted nativity set out on show for the festive season. Did you notice the knitted santa propped drunkenly beside the shepherds. Like he's had too much to drink and fallen out of his sleigh and landed with a thud beside the sacred scene. He was a bargain today for just $2 at the St Vincent de Paul shop. I was ostensibly out on a work based errand and just had to pop in on my way back to work. Luckily at this time of year my colleagues are willing to be be generous towards my failings.

So what an exciting day and it's not even Christmas. Enjoy a light hearted, looking forward to Christmas fun- filled week. Marg

Why are endings always harder ?

2009-12-12T23:42:00.000-08:00

Well I just had to show how my garden progresses and I have to say I'm getting more than my share of enjoyment out of my tiny plot. It's over planted and there is no coherent plan or record keeping going on just lot's of planting and some watering. And I'm proud to say we ate all of the first spinach crop this weekend just gone. Spinach and feta fritters. Very tasty.

This week I've been overwhelmed with trying to finish things and been thinking a bit how often beginnings are spoken of as being difficult but in my experience it's the endings that are messy and hard to navigate. This year I got a small scholarship to find out about the experiences of teachers as they move into late career. While I was on leave for the first 6 months of the year and working for what is known as the "dark side" I got to travel a lot and had plenty of time to think and read and get onto this study. Since I've been back at my real job I have found myself so unmotivated and almost at the point of mental paralysis when it comes to writing up my findings. I have not done what I need to and in the process have also not done what I want to do . Now it's crunch time. The report has to be submitted by Friday. Finishing this thing, getting it onto paper and ending it is like a refined form of torture. It's not that the topic hasn't been intriguing and relevant it has - it's just not done. That's the problem.

It reminds me of another form of torture I subjected myself for a lot longer than I ought to have simply because I couldn't bring myself to end it. That was when I used to get a monthly massage from a naturopath who was not only poorly qualified but also terrrible at the art of massage. It was not relaxing, or refreshing. It was awful. The person in question used to talk all the way through the session - there was no soft relaxing mood music , no nice oil burning in the background and no soft lights. No - there were hard hands and bad monologue. I heard all about the bad mariage, the arsehole of an ex , the troublesome teens and I lay there like a slab of meat being pounded for the barbeque month afer month. Finally I got stronger in myself to ask the question? Am I enjoying this? Is this fun? Is this in my best interests? I had my answer and after that I never went back.

That's another question I've been pondering a lot lately. Asking myself which of all the things I do and agree to do are in my best interests. That is a hard one and one that sometimes people around me resist as I try to do what is right for me .Recently I have been called selfish and heartless because I declined an invitation to do something with some people. I'm getting better at living with criticism as well. So much so that when the young girl told me recently that the machine had diagnosed my skin age as being that of a 47 year old and how terrible that was and that now I had to buy expensive products to repair the damage I just laughed and told her but of course my skin is 47 years old as am I!! And no thanks to the skin products. Sunscreen will do the trick.

So make this week one in which you put your own best interests first. You'll be glad you did. Cheers Marg

Routines ,Rituals and Regular Events

2009-12-06T23:15:00.000-08:00

In our early childhood curriculum there is a learning outcome which states that "children will become familiar with the routines rituals and regular events of their learning environment".

For a long while I think I thought that routines were tedious and dull but I was very aware while away recently of all the many routines that govern my life. Like, I realise I do not especially enjoy breakfast conversation and I really hate breakfast TV. Mostly because I work all day long in a place where I have to talk frequently to a great many people and so I relish my morning solitude. In the same way I like some time by myself at the very end of the day and so have always stayed up late after the household is at rest, reading and often listening to the radio or current favourite cd.

Then there are all the rituals which go with Christmas approaching. This week Jenny wrote about making christmas cakes. In our house we always make elderflower cordial at this time of year. The flowers bloom for just a few weeks and you have to pick the heads not to soon and not late to get the best flavour. Getting them just right involves following your instincts and peering at the bushes intently as you dawdle your way to work and back. Then you wrench the flowerheads off and try not to look as if you are stealing someone's prize roses. It's ok though because elderflower bushes really are considered a weed around here. Not precious at all but the cordial is wonderful. Heres the recipe if you want to give it a go.

Elderflower cordial

25 heads of elderflower

1.5litres boiled water

1.5 kg sugar

2 lemons thinly sliced

50g citric acid

Dissolve sugar and citric acid in water. Cool then add lemons and elderflower heads. Leave in a covered bucket or bowl for 2 days. Strain and bottle. Put your feet up - get someone to get you a glass, add some cordial and top up with soda water. Is an amazing fizzy fragrant drink on a hot day. It makes you feel like Christmas, relaxing, sunshine and everything else that goes with summer - even in Dunedin!!

On a final note it is fabulous to have our home internet back. I was surprised how much I missed it when it wasn't around. How quickly we learn to rely on technology!!

Happy Christmas rituals to you. Marg

a westcoast wedding and wretched technology.

2009-12-01T01:46:00.000-08:00

Can it be done I ask myself?
What's that you say?
Well is it possible to make a blog entry with no photos?

Im going to try.
The wretched home computer has a fault. We can't use our internet and therefore I can't post any photos because they are all deleted from my camera and stored on our old cranky hunk of junk which doesnt even have a cd writer!!
So I had to come into work tonight to clear some urgent emails and also put in a couple of hours on a report due way to soon and now distracted want to write about the wedding of my good friend Pauline who got married to Dave this last weekend at the Brunner mine just a minute before her 50th birthday.

If Pauline were a plant I'd call her a rare desert cactus which flowers once or twice in a lifetime. So it was a special occassion to be virtually the only guest at the wedding who wasn't family.( I was the witness, reader and ring bearer) The wedding group numbered 12 in all including bride, groom and vicar and his wife. Pauline and Dave rode their mopeds to the wedding( old bikes with motors attached) and we trailed behind in a couple of cars. They both wore old jeans and tee shirts and we all got wet under the drizzly rain. Later we went back to their house - feasted on mock turkey ( Pauline is vegetarian) and real west coast smoked chickens ( dave's secret recipe) and drank plenty of wine. More wine than 12 people should, I suspect. It was such fun!! And so inspiring and amazing to see the two of them together - they found each other by chance and later with much patience and persistence by Dave he finally won Pualine over. I know they will be happy together.

I also totally loved the trip over to Greymouth. I got a lift to Chirstchurch - stayed in a squalid backpackers overnight and caught the bus over Arthurs Pass. I really enjoyed sitting back and taking in the scenery. At one point while I was listening to my ipod I looked up at the mountains and it was as if at that exact moment there was a perfect fusion of sound and scenery. In that split second I felt I didn't need to die to go to heaven - it was like I was already there. Words cant do the experience justice - you had to be there and even if you were I guess you had to be me to feel that way. Still I'm holding that moment. It's going to be crazy here over the next 2 or 3 weeks. So I'll revisit the memory to preserve my wits in the coming days.

Well enough unaccompanied words already. Have a great technologically perfect week. Marg

Hope, despair and anticpation

2009-11-21T16:55:00.000-08:00

When Doug and Kath lived with me earlier this year for 7 months , Doug was very fond of the saying "after hope comes despair" and would invariably have a story ( usually embellished) to prove the truth of these words. For me hope is about the big things in life which make the present day tolerable and is filled with such high expectation that despair is the inevitable consequence when those hopes never eventuate so I prefer to live with anticipation. Anticipation allows you to enjoy the surprises and quirks of every day life but allows you to look forward to something in the future.It's a softer more compassionate form of hope.

A few weeks ago I got an email from Tonyandelinor in Brunei. "Hi MArg just letting you know a letter is on it's way." So anticipation of a lovely long letter starts to kick in. After about two weeks I actively start to wonder if today is the day I'll get my letter. Finally 3 weeks later the letter arrives. Now there's the ritual of reading it. ( so much more staisfying than reading an email) Do I read it now or shall I wait till later when I've got more time? No - now wins- but first make a cup of tea and a piece of toast, open the letter and try to make out tony and elinors scribbles. It's written in fountain pen and now I remember when Tom and I visited last year and Tony and I drove Elinor crazy when we spent what seemed like hours drooling over fountain pens in a wierd little shop on the border of sarawak and brunei. Finally we each chose one and several bottles of ancient parker pen ink. It's like being on holiday all over again. And what news? None essentially because there's not much to do ever in Brunei but I feel like I'm sittitng down chatting to them as I read. Now that's the joy of anticipation.

This week there's plenty to despair about. In July our esteemed government cut all the professional development funding for early childhood services. On the EVE of world teachers day they announced that it is no longer necessary for all early childhood teachers to be trained and registered and last week a small RFP slipped under the radar on a contracts website calling for proposals for universities and other providers to provide a training programme for early childhood teachers that would be only 6 weeks long. I hope my colleagues will rise up and take action and protest loudly - I anticipate that it will be hard to galvanise my colleagues into action - but I won't despair becuase I know that is always the case. I will just rant and rave in the staff room as I am known to do. I will write a letter and make everyone sign it. That's a start.

first Hope ..........

..................... now Despair ...................................

.. Aha ..Anticpation !!!

My balls of clay hold so much promise . After the first lesson I know I do not have the patience for this. However week 2 shows some signs of improvment. Don't worry you are all safe . No one will receive this as a gift for christmas. You have my word on it.

Have a fun filled week everyone. Marg

The Day after the Night Before (I survived a 21st)

2009-11-13T23:00:00.000-08:00

8.45 Saturday morning there is a car honking outside my window. I'm still in bed - barely conscious - I'm supposed to be dressed and ready to go. My friend Toni is picking me up. Off for a day long course on learning dispositions and key competencies. She is getting impatient. I crawl to her car still in my PJs." Give me 2 minutes".I croak "and I'll be right there". I wish I could iron the exhaustion and sleep lines off my face. No luck!! That's what you get for having a 21st birthday at your house the night before.

They tell me they turned off the music about 2.30 AM and after the big ones went to town(Hey do any of you know that town only gets going at that hour?) Tom stayed up and cleaned up the lounge, cleared the dishes and sorted the bottles for the recycling bin. He's a good lad. It was a great night. Thank you so much Miri and Bill and Catherine for being family there with me for Rosies birthday.

It was a night I had in truth been feeling anxious about. Not the having friends and family round for dinner part. I'm good at that. I love that bit. No it was the after dinner bit. The PARTY bit!! That takes me way out of my comfort zone. Any insecurity I ever had culminates in hosting a party. Who would come? Do I know anyone who would want to come? What say no one comes?

As I heard today it was an opportunity for me to practise 'growthmindset' thinking. That is , do something that carries a risk of failure. I need not have worried. It was a really fun night. Some of my friends ,some of Tom's friends and many of Rosies friends were there. Everyone looked like they had a great time, nothing terrible happened and today Rosie said it had been exactly as she wanted it to be. Very Good. One down and only one to go. Thank goodness I did not have 8 children. My parents were wise. They did not go in for parties. They saved themselves a lot of needless anxiety. Now that I have mastered the art of Parties it's only dogs and flying that I need to feel anxious about.

Have a great worry free week.

Marg

How renovating has made me a slightly better person.

2009-11-07T18:13:00.000-08:00

Ok so we're not finished but if you use use a little imagination you can see the progress and get an idea of where we headed with this project. Do you want to know something strange? When we moved nearly 4 years ago, not long after we had settled in I was looking at the back section and suddenly and fleetingly I had a picture of the garden as it is now becoming. At the time I had no idea that this would ever be a reality and neither did I know that it would be someone else who would actually conceive and execute the plan.

It was that fragment of an image which helped me decide to use some of my share of my fathers estate to do the garden and not the kitchen which as you can see is small and awkward and you might think a hindrance in creating gourmet meals and almost certainly in need of a make over. But it works. I kind of like its awkwardness and many happy dinners are cooked in here.

Along the way with my indoor painting project and outdoor makeover I think I've learned a few things.

1. It always costs more and takes longer than you think.

2. Living in chaos is not very fun and can be stressful. ( next time - move out for a while - or maybe just decide there won't be a next time)

3. Wood does not have to be sacred. My friend Jackie gave me that insight and freed me from my notion of not painting wood in case it lost it's integrity. ( She laughed at my ideas."Marg , don't you see the wood in this hallway has no integrity. It's not Buckingham palace you're living in"!!) The painted hallway is amazing!!

4. The end result if you get someone else to do the work is as good as it gets and good enough really can be good enough. Perfection is exhausting , unrelenting and never permanent. I'm happy to live less than perfectly.

5. When you start moving stuff around there's always too much stuff. Less has the potential to definitely be more.

This is the last parcel for the year. Tomorrow Rosie will be home for the summer , take a break of a week then start her summer work. So this week it was gluten free pizza base, cheese and bread from the otago farmers market ,( The farmers market is great and If you want to get a sense of just how corrupt the food industry is able to be, I would recommend you see FOOD INC. I truly felt sick watching it) some more gluten free coconut biscuits and a chocolate bar each. It will seem a little odd not sending of a parcel every week for the next 3 months but it may feel equally odd having us all at home for 3 months. Still as always this little house will expand and contract in the ways it so easily does to accommodate as few or as many of us as are here. Well as Miriam can vouch for there's a lot of tidying up to be done around here. I will go and tidy up. ( later though - there's a coffee to be had first!!)

have a great week. Marg

On parenting and parcels that fail to arrive.

2009-10-30T16:20:00.000-07:00

Here they are Tom and Rosie with Brooke , Tom's girlfriend on the right. You can't see Tom's hands but I've long held a not so secret dream for these hands.I thought they could make him a fortune by becoming accessory models. You know modelling man- jewellery, bracelets, rings and wrist watches. Rosie and I have frequently thought it unfair that that the boy should have been born with the long slender fingers that tan at the slightest hint of sunshine. This week those hands have been attaching cups to cows udders( as part of a practicum he's had to do) and apparently enjoying it!!! Now I have to admit to myself that the time is long overdue for me to release my children from the tyranny of my spoken and unspoken expectations and aspirations for them. And as the days for saying goodbye to school for the last time approach he must be free to pursue whatever path his life intends for him. I will watch and see with interest.

A while back in moment of light heartedness we 3, made up a family motto.

"Don't tell lies.,don't steal and try to be a good person."

I guess if I can hang onto any aspirations at all for my kids it is that they would value their own human qualities beyond things, possesions and a career. Even then they will decide. I do think this is the hardest part of the parenting journey. The part that lets them go. So if you have little kids enjoy every moment of the experience!!

This is the errant parcel- who knows where it is malingering - maybe at the bottom of a pile of stuff somewhere or delivered to another address. I'm sorry Rosie it's not there. It's got a mini birthday kit in it for you to enjoy with your friends before you come home. The strange looking white photo is a pass the parcel complete with insructions. I thought you might have some fun with that. Anyway if it turns up enjoy and I will assemble the very last parcel for they year and hopefully it will get to you before you leave.

Progress inside and out is slow this week. You can see where the new fence is going to go and the gravel area is in preparation for the paving tiles which will go on top. everywhere I look there is something that is the beginning of something else. A layer of chaos has descended over every available space in the property. I am trying to maintain an inner calm knowing that it will all come together soon. Meanwhile I might clear out for a long walk on this beautiful day. Grab a coffee on the way and enjoy other peoples order.

Have a great week.

Marg

Nothing is ever as it seems.

2009-10-23T23:44:00.000-07:00

At times i have read posts on other peoples blogs that seem so personal that I have felt like an intruder. Like I'm spying on a life that has no business with me. But today I understand that need to say personal things. Because today when I woke up I remembered that's its 5 years and 1 day since we got home from work and school to find that he had gone. Had packed up 22 years into one small suitcase and left . Gone with no forwarding address. Now I can't remember why I cried every day for a year. We have found a life we didn't even know we didn't have. Gifts sometimes come to us in strange and mysterious ways.
These pictures may help correct a false illusion created by selective photography last week. It might have looked like I have a great garden. Nothing could be further from the truth. I have a house and section that measure 200 square metres all up and the section is in the early stages of development. Next week someone is coming to reconstruct this back area. There will be a paved area, a lovely trellis back fence and a gravel path leading to the raised vegetable gardens. This little section will be a tiny urban celebration of small scale gardening at it's best and easiest. In my minds eye it is stunning. I think it will feature in a photo shoot for the house and garden magazine. I will look at it and be envious of the owner and then I will remember that I am the owner!!

The parcel this week went bright and early on Sunday morning complete with instructions for a sick student hanging in there till the end of the term. I thought that this supreme effort would be rewarded with a Monday or Tuesday delivery. Off all the parcels this was the slowest to arrive - it took till thursday . typical I suppose when for once it had the most sensible contents. NZ post promise efficiency. Like I said nothing is ever as it seems. You may not think that raspberry drops and fejoia sours are sensible items but to me they are fruit. That makes them sensible.

Happy Labour weekend. enjoy the day off on Monday. Have a great week

Marg

Somethings are too big to go in a parcel

2009-10-16T21:37:00.000-07:00

Some things just don't fit no matter hard you try to wrap them up and post them away. Like my new china cabinet from my current favourite secondhand shop , Wiers. It's a quirky brother and sister combo who run the shop but luckily for me they have a crazy penchant for salt and pepper sets and disney stuff and also lots of china cabinets which are going cheap because they are not popular at the moment. Now wouldn't you think if you were a savvy business operator you wouldn't be selling china cabinets by the dozen if they weren't popular. If it were me I'd hide all the china cabinets away in storage and just put one on display and still sell at a very fair price but the virtue of just having one on display would signifiy high demand. A luxury item indeed! Quick let me buy the lovely last one. But they seem to do a roaring trade( with only a modicum of custom from me) so I'm sure they have the right formula.

Rosie if you are looking - I wanted you to notice my new raised garden beds -partly planted with beans, spinach and broccoli. The cat has ruined any chance of the carrot seed coming up by digging the row up - even getting under the wirenetting to carry out that peice of gleeful revenge on me.Oh and did you notice the wall behind the china cabinet? That is the new wall just waiting now to be painted after the new gib board has gone up.

These will be gone by the time you get home. This rhodendron just yesterday was a bud - today after a night of rain it is open - in a week it will be gone. So lovely it makes me stop and look each time I go past. Actually Dunedin is beautiful right now. The Rhododendrons are all coming out fast and there is still lots of blossom and spring flowers around. I love my walk to work in the mornings. I find myself arriving late because I'm dawdling on the way looking into all the gardens as I go.

So what actually went away this last week? These ungainly looking things called coconut biscuits ( gluten free- mostly coconut with 1 Tablespoon only of rice flour held together with an egg and some sugar ) . I was sure they would arrive as crumbs but apparently not. And evidently very tasty despite appearances. Also some more brain food - nuts and dried apricots from central otago. And no junk from Wiers. Not one little thing. I got to thinking that maybe just a month out from packing up and coming home for the summer that perhaps adding to the possessions wasnt such a clever idea. Still I have walked past Wiers everyday and gazed in the windows thinking what I would choose if were going to buy.
Im sure my walk to work is almost the highlight of my day most days.

Enjoy the coming week. Marg

Which One Do You Choose?

2009-10-09T18:14:00.000-07:00

Seriously this is a difficult decision. Last week I sent off 2 salt and pepper shaker sets. The merry corncobs and the bashful aliens. Salt and pepper shakers are becoming quite the the thing for students who live in Wellington and so this week Rosie and her flat mate got have one set each. How they decided who got which set I don't know. But I do know that when there is just one week to go till the end of classes and assignments that it makes for the longest week ever. Time seems to stand almost still. The minutes inch past at a snails pace and still so much to do, so much work!!!!

My idea that in my week off I was going to learn how to do tricky things like make sure photos go the right way up went by the board pretty quickly. I got sick ( isn't that what you do when you have a break?) and felt really bad so hardly did a thing. I did however find these old story books with records that I thought were just about the cutest I'd ever seen. If you want to know where all this junk is sourced - try going into Wiers on St Andrew Street in Dunedin and you'll find great stuff going very cheaply.

Last things to in the parcel this week are some sensible things. Brain food - almonds and cranberries, comfort food - chocolate and an emergency meal - gluten free spaghetti and tomato paste. Not that appealing but a backstop.

Well that's all this time - have a great week. Marg

Do these make you happy?

2009-09-25T16:55:00.000-07:00

Surprise!!!! At least that's what they'll all say as they jump out of the box and onto Rosie's bed. Quick as a flash they will start making mischief. One at least has an idea to hop into her coat pocket and call out cheeky things to her tutor this week when everyone is being quiet in class. Miss Happy's cheeks light up if you give her arms a good tweak and the one with the big smile has a very goofy laugh. I know because I tested them all myself and had a very happy play time before I sent them away. Like I said getting a parcel ready is probably more fun for me than forRosie who gets it.
OOPS - that's a bit hard to see. I haven't yet mastered turning a photo around. What you can see are 2 new facecloths, some dried apricots, herbal tea and 3 pinky bars. One for each of the flatmates.So here we are - all good to go. Well I better hop away too. I'm off to Wellington myself this afternoon. 3 days at a union conference. Hope it's fun. have a great week. Marg

All Work and No play makes a student's life dull.

2009-09-20T00:17:00.000-07:00

And what might these strange things be?
These are meat skewers with pictures of native bird puppets taped on the ends. They took my fancy when they came as an ad in the stationery order at work. I thought Rosie might like to make stylish fruit kebabs with these and impress her friends or if not she could put on a little puppet show to amuse her flat mates. What do you think?

Can you read the label on that jar? It says quince paste and it comes from an amazing place just out of Oamaru near Dunedin called Riverstone kitchens. It's a cafe and shop and also on the property are 4 huge barns stuffed full of kitchen and garden stuff for people to buy. It's the kind of stuff that all looks lovely and then afer you look at it all you ask yourself if you'd really want to own any of it - and mostly you dont.
However - the food they make you really do want to buy and especially all the jams and pickles and of course quince paste which is an all time favourite in this house.

So what else went in the parcel this week. Somethingthat no self respecting mother would put on a blog - some new undies for rosie- and boring things like a packet of rice crackers to go with the paste and a disposable camera just for fun .Oh and a small box of those guerlin shell shaped chocolates.

Soon I am having a short holiday. When that happens I am going to teach myself how to add all the extras to my blog that other people do - like show other interesting blogs they are reading and learning how to follow blogs and add links and stuff like that. Im getting excited already.
Have a great Week. Marg

Would madam care for some more to drink?

2009-09-13T02:07:00.000-07:00

This last weekend Rosie came home , albeit briefly, so the parcel was able to travel in comfort as hand luggage back to Wellington. Never mind the hand luggage, I hear you say , get on with telling us what sort of flour went into the gluten free banana loaf. Ok, well since you asked it is a mixture of ground almonds, rice flour, potato flour and cornflour. Was it delicious? - apparently so and so was the fudge.

As luck would have it, I too, was in Wellington this last week for work for a couple of days and I stayed at the flat. When I was listing the secret ingredients of the banana cake to satisfy the flatmates curiosity, there they all were laughing around me. What on earth could be so funny?
Rosie had predicted that when I arrived one of the first things I would want to do was to tell them what the secret flour mix for the banana loaf was. And I did. I hate being so readable. I am going to work on cultivating a much more mysterious persona from now on.

You may not have loved the feet but I definitely adore the pigs. Cant you just hear the waiter asking madam if she would care for more to drink? The second hand shop close to work has many cabinets of salt and pepper shakers at super cheap prices. looks like Rosie is starting her own collection. She didn't know she loved them so much but she does now. Great thing is she can dump them or leave them as a gift for the new flat mates if they don't appeal. What fun it is to buy and not to keep. Have a great week. Marg

Crazy feet and Lemon Honey

2009-09-04T19:35:00.000-07:00

Hello - what do we have here today? Not much food for the tummy but some soul food perhaps and much amusement by me finding this weeks offerings. Even better for me is enjoying junk shopping and not keeping what I buy. You may not believe it but I'm at that part of my life when I'm trying to get rid of things. Experts call it simplyfying and decluttering. I can truthfully say that one of the best unexpected consequences of getting a divorce was literally ending up with only half my possessions. Not that I'm recommending that necessarily as the best way to de clutter but for me it certainly helped. - physically and mentally.

What you can see up there is a little old camera case - perfect for a modern day digital camera , some more damp rid for one very damp flat and a tub of locally made calendula cream - all made with natural ingredients - great for eczema, chapped hands and dry skin and really cheap. Just $6 for that little pottle.

As for that smiley fellow to the left.He is on the side of reusable grocery bag given to me at the 4 square shop where Rosie works over the summer. I got it for free because I bought$20 of groceries. I thought she might like a reminder of that summer work which paid such a pittance.

Don't you think these little salt and pepper feet are hilarious? I find myself wondering who would use them, and who seriously ever owned them?

These are the lemons I used to make the lemon honey. It is so delicious. You cook it up in the microwave. It takes about 15 minutes from start to finish. It very nearly didnt get to the parcel because it was so tasty. If you'd like the recipe I'll gladly share it.

So thats it from me " a parcel a week"

Have a great week.

What does a hungry student need?

2009-08-31T00:22:00.000-07:00

I have my sisters to thank for this blog. Mary Anna and Miss Smith . Each has a blog which shows many and varied aspects of their creative lives. My creativity is restricted more to providing for my girl who is studying in a far away city which is as far to me as a distant land. Last year my work took me to Wellington several times a month so we would meet and have breakfast. This year I don't travel much and so I send a weekly parcel as a way to amuse myself and hopefully at times her. Do you know how hard it is to organise a weekly parcel?

Not hard for any one super organised but for me it's a challenge . first you have to decide what to send, then make or buy what to send , find suitable packaging and then get the parcel into the post no later than Tuesday to make sure it gets there the day before student loan payday.

So what have we here this week?
1 batch of homemade meusli
1 jelly mix
1 packet of mini toblerone bars to share with flatmates
and one box of damp rid to dry out the wardrobe in the damp bedroom.

Well thats all for now. Marg