Pins and Needles.

The day was mild and a little sunny. Tonight is cold and crisp and smells of snowy mountains.

Spook, Finn and I went to the 2nd hand ski sale and got Finn a jacket and fleece and some wrist guards for iether Spook or I. Meg and Smithy went and got an earing shot through the upper regions of one ear each!! They said they could hear bone crunching when it was done.

We called in to see Rob and Stacey et Famille who are up for the weekend. Finn stayed and went for a cycle with the kids, and the girls came home with us. We had a really pleasant afternoon of glueing and sticking and sewing. Finn may look like he's put on a bit of wieght, but has just sewn himself a cushion out of a t-shirt that is too small. Hannah sewed the pink rabbit and Meg forged the other and declared it to be the devils spawn. I am more impressed with it than her and love it. It was amazing how absorbed they were - especially Smithy who talks more and faster than anyone I know, but who silently created all day and was completely at peace.

Spook is supposed to be off for 4 days now, but is going in tomorrow to clean out a tank. An unpleasant job, but it's to be done.

That damned cat is definately not pregnant and that nice wee house up the road has been rented out to someone else. The children are disappointed on both counts.

I am grateful for:

my husband (he just told me to say that),

golden fingered children, and for Smithy being a very easy teenager to shelter,

time - I didn't realise how nice it is to have so much of it.

Sharing the sun with Fort William.

Finn came home this morning as Spook and I were enjoying breakfast outside. Spook then went to work and Finn announced he wanted to go and watch Sam's game of rugby. He chased me around the house, yelling to get out the shower or the game would be over, don't bother drying your hair and why are you putting make-up on when no-one will fancy you anyway. He certainly knows how to spoil a relaxing morning. While he was observing Sam's play, I wandered down to the lakeside and took this photo.

Finn went to Sams afterwards and Meg and Smithy went to the opening of the Kahu Youth Quarters. I spent the afternoon baking and cooking thier tea. So much for the great outdoors.

Last week, Meg and I caught the end of a river rescue of a guy who had fallen out of his kayak. We saw the helicopter and rescue boat. We read in the paper that it was a 70yr old guy from Luggate and he was lucky to be alive. In this weeks paper he is complaining about the media coverage. His 55yr old girlfriend has left him as she thought he was 60.

Spook's pooworks is not functioning very well today and having been there for the last 14 days, he is a bit fed up with it - first time I've seen that. Maybe he might wish he were in Fort William. WE hear the weather is stupendous and there was a wonderful atmosphere up at Nevis Range last night. I remember how lovely it was last year. Go No Fuss, hope you all have a brilliant day.

grateful for:

a kitten that doesn't actually look pregant now,

a nice wee house for rent up the road, at a decent price,

a lovely day, ahead of the wicked Southerlies that we have been threatened with tomorrow.

Happy Birthday Lizzie.

I had a very nice day cleaning the 2 new classrooms at Hawea Flat school. I wore the knee pads to help me keep warm, rather than to protect my knees. Mary said I looked very professional. I thought that was a good moment to ask for a raise, seeing as how I was adding value to her company with my appearance. Unfortunately my long scarf shot up the vacuum cleaner at the same time, spoiling the whole effect, and nearly blowing up the vac.

Spook had a less than pleasant day. The skip driver tipped the load (by mistake). This is perilouslessly close to the newspaper magnate's house and Spook spent a long time shovelling it back into the skip. It never happened in 10yrs in Fort William.

I was late home from work and found Smithy and Meg cooking up a storm in the kitchen. They made a fantastic chocolate cake. Own recipe.

Finn never made it home. He went straight to Sam's house and when I went round with some clothes for him, I found him resplendant in the spa pool. It was pitch dark but the pool was underlit in a cool green light. Smithy and Meg jumped in the pool before I could stop them. Steve let me go home without them, so I provided Spook with a meal and then went and retrieved the girls. It is the Queens Birthday this weekend, in case none of you have noticed at home, and everyone is having a long weekend to celebrate. Smithy is staying for 3 nights as her parents are away. The Queens birthday is a big deal for people who claim not to think much of 'Poms'.

Yesterday, when I was polishing up the bathrooms, the window cleaner came in to do the windows. He couldn't reach them without standing in my clean bath. I said it was ok as long as he was in his stocking soles. He stared at me as if I had called him a bad name. He seemed to think I was implying he was wearing stockings. Am I the only one who says that?

grateful for:

nearly 20hrs work this week,

The Queen for giving the children a 4 day holiday,

Wanaka Lake House and it's occupants for sheltering my son who insisted he was not doing sleep-overs under any circumstances........unless there is a hot pool and a swimming pool, obvioulsy.

Try, try again.

I'm relieved that Finn doesn't actually wear his jeans like this yet, but on his way to the shower, he did look like one of the year 11's.

As I was cleaning and polishing up the 3 bathrooms at work today, I kept wondering why I felt quite excited. I realised it was because I was looking forward to Finns rugby tonight. Spook said he had been looking forward to it and Finn certainly was. Meg elected to stay at home and read a book! His Upper Clutha team were playing against Cromwell at home. With each week, we can see Finns determination to score a try grow. He had more posession of the ball this week and the whole team played together very well. Cromwell are not such a strong team and were 48-0 at the end of the first half. Finn finally got his wish as I just managed to catch sight of the flame-haired one dip the ball to the ground triumphantly and score his first try.......for Cromwell!! Thankfully rugby doesn't seem to do own goals. What a terribly destructive thing THEY are. Cromwell were a man down and Ben played for them the first half before swapping with Finn who became a thorn in the side for Upper Clutha as he ran their men into the ground and did his bit for his new team to lessen the tries against them and to finally double their score with their 2nd and final try of the night. As they all shook hands at the end of the game, Finn stood at the end of the line and his team doled out claps on the back and hugs until it came to Josh Timu who floored him with a big tackle to repay him for stopping his try. Finn will now get a cup of tea at many doors in Cromwell. The whole team then headed off to the school disco and danced the rest of the night away.

Meg stayed home the whole night and read the book which her literacy teacher lent her - a Kiwi story which has certainly got her hooked whatever it is.

Bottled Youth.

Tonights webcam pictures were taken at 5.45pm at the poo factory. The inversion lifted around 2pm today.

I started a 'builder's clean' today. Mary sent me in ahead of her as she had other business to do. Her dream is for me to fall in love with Wanaka and be her slave for ever. It amazes me that there seems to be a regular supply of expensive houses for sale, which are still selling. This one had 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 2 living areas, 2 kitchens and between the doors and patio doors, there were 8!. That's a lot to remember to lock. Although, there are still many unlocked doors in Wanaka. Apparently they get locked when the bad snowboarders arrive in town.

As part of my new life as a pioneer, I bought $11 hair die. This saved me $84, compared with my last hair colour. Meg got the gloves on and applied it. I was a bit shocked to see it turn the colour of dark chocolate, but thankfully it washed out to a 'dark blonde' surprisingly like the colour from my 20's. That is all that looks like my 20's mind you.

Finn is reading a book with his class at school about the plight of Polish, Jewish children. I have never had him retell a story so clearly. He has been gripped and shocked at there plight. I heard from Mary (Forfar), whose daughter is in the same class, that some children have been a bit traumatised. It was a 'no holds barred' story. Very vivid. He is not traumatised, but taken aback. And annoyed. (This was the word he used to describe his feelings about the boy who shopped them to the Nazis at the end of the story.)

Grateful for......

not having chocolate coloured hair,

wholegrain, jumbo porridge oats,

dry, cool weather.

The New Pioneer.

This morning was overcast and it was about 2.30pm before the sun finally burst through the cloud inversion. There is still a warmth to it when it appears. This is about 5.15pm on the webcam.

We went out for dinner tonight - a very rare occasion. It was a fund raising night for Meg's Kahu Youth Group. Amigos Restaurant let them take it over, providing a Boss and 2 cooks. The girls did the waitressing and invited their families to come and eat. Half the money goes to the Youth group and an empty restaurant was filled. Most of the girls had their first taste of waitressing and the owner told us that she would be pleased for Meg to go back for a job when she is 16. She complimented her on her ability to keep busy and see what was needing done without being asked. Product of a household where she needs to do it herself if she wants it done! Good girl.

I was reading about some of the early pioneer women today. In letters home to her brother, a young English woman wrote in 1885, about the kind of nature required to survive out here. "..those that are VERY strong, and that can live and thrive on those things that are cheap." and don't bother coming out, all you who have "..sympathetic, imaginative, poetic and refined tastes, also those with affectionate and appreciative natures." (The Adventures of Pioneer Women in New Zealand from their letters and diaries as selected by Sarah Ell). I had to have a wee laugh to myself as I wondered how much had really changed in 124 years.

I am grateful for the library again as I truly come to appreciate the wealth of information that is there, the free half hour on the internet for research purposes, the friendly and polite staff and the large area of up-to-date magazines that you can borrow for a week at a time. And it is lovely and warm. I am learning to 'thrive on those things that are cheap.' (I'm hoping I wont have to dispense with ALL of those other undesirable attributes.)

Beautiful Bootcamp.

It was a rather nice day. I had coffee with Mary from Forfar, in her new house in Albert Town. Great blether and Scottish catch up.

The boys and I had a wee run, but without Anne, were not quite so driven. They made up for it with their antics.

We are all settled down to watch Desperate Housewives. There are a lot of adverts on TV about drinking too much, drink/driving etc and the childrens favourite is when they get to read out loud the last words. IF YOU DRINK AND DRIVE YOU ARE A BLOODY IDIOT. It is their big chance to swear and get away with it.

I'm grateful that that is as bad as I hear.

For crap TV that we all watch together.

Sunday Treat.

A mild evening became a mild day. Not sunny, but pleasant, with birds tweeting in a vaguely spring-like fashion. The messy house must have been quite bad as it penetrated my psyche and I felt driven to do something about it. Meg and Victoria luxuriated about the place and a sleepy Finn appeared when it was time for me to go and buy Sunday croissants to consume at the sewage works. That was surprisingly pleasant - no bad smells, everything running smoothly and no noise to upset the newspaper Magnate next door.
Finn went up to Johns, Meg and Victoria went to Puzzling World and I chopped kindling and brought in the wood for the night. Can't be seen to be relaxing when the husband is out working on a Sunday. He did manage to get a run in up at the work which improved his lardy out-look, and I went for a run with Anne at 5pm, just after Spook got back. I ran to meet her with big cement filled boots and thunder thighs - the sure sign of a bad attitude. It's amazing how a bit of perseverence which passes while talking and is therefore not noticed, lifts the feet and the heart. I really enjoyed my run up and round Mt Iron and found it much easier than the last time I did it.
I'm grateful for Anne's continued encouragement to meet her for a run,
the mild evening that allowed us to get the house up to a balmy 24 degrees,
the wee blether with my old neighbour, Coleen, who filled me full of the interesting insight from having attended the hugely newsworthy court case at Christchurch these past weeks, as her husband Stewarts ex wifes family are at the heart of it. We were swapping notes on how you can't believe all you read in the papers, a la the newspaper magnate of our local Sun. It was like having an old friend to catch up with.

KIds out, Adults in.

The girls prepare for a night at the cinema, dinner at Subway and an evening of musical entertainment.Finn also ended up going, quite spontaneously but his hair wasn't done. Thankfully he HAD showered after the rugby. He had a good game against Wakatipu, but theylost 6 - 2. Finn did work hard along with his team and had a few shots at a try. They were a great team, but the others were tougher. He picked up a point out of the 3 possible for the day, for his general effort - possibly because he set up a try for the other Finn. Last week, our Finn (or 'Our Scottish Friend' as the coach called him), was unmoved by the kind words, and more concerned about the fact that he hadn't got the Snicker bar that goes with the 3 points. Sure enough, JT, the coach, had not forgotten and had brought one for this weeks 3 points and Finns from last week. NOW, Finn feels valued.

So Spook and I find ourselves home alone on a Saturday night. Don't think that's happened for a long time.

I have to take yesterdays gratitude for available houses in Wanaka back, becuase the one I was interested in was apparently an old website at $350 per week, and it is now upwards of $550.

I'm grateful for a peaceful evening,

A mild evening,

A snuggly husband.

Shooting, but nothing had to Die.

Meg had cooking at school today which was great as she came home and cooked it again for tea. (Moroccan Cous Cous, but with Quinoa). Finn didn't have the pleasure of that as he was at war with a lot of 11yr olds. It was See-am's birthday party today at the paintball emporium. Finn had a fantastic time. He was on Sam's Dad's team and it was full-on war against his mum (Meg's yoga teacher, Shannon). Shannon said that once you got used to the concept of shooting children, it was surprisingly easy.
Spook had an easy, non-pooy day today. I, on the other hand, had a pregnant kitty with a skitty bot, pooing on the floor. Unfortunately, I chased her mid poo, around the house, and had a major clean up to do. Most unpleasant. If that cat is not pregnant, she is out the door.
It would seem that our landlord is closer to selling the house, so I did a wee bit of research into possible alternatives, should we become homeless. There are options out there.
Finn has a home game tomorrow and Meg has Victoria coming over and then they are going out to MacStock. It is their school music festival - all hip and cool, but without the cannabis and free love......we hope.
I am grateful for Sam's family and the lovely afternoon he had with them.
I am also grateful for the glass of wine I had when I went to pick him up.
I am grateful that there is more than one house to rent in Wanaka.
I am grateful for Mrs Davidson at Lochaber High School for e-mailing him to tell him that he will be with Grieg, Keir and Aaron when he attends the school in November.

Sunrise over Poo.

Spook is providing the webcam results from 8am this morning. From the Poo Factory looking towards the same mountains we see from over the hedge at our house.

You don't need to come to NZ to enjoy a Kiwi experience.

3 cups plain flour

5 tspoons baking powder

1/4 tsp salt

75g butter

1 to 1 and 1/2 cups milk approx

flour, b powder and salt into bowl, Cut butter into wee cubes and rub in. add 1 tbsp sugar and cup of chopped dates. Add milk and mix quickly to soft dough. Knead a few times. Push out into a flat round shape and cut into 6. Place on tray with grease proof paper, sprinkle with a mix of sugar and cinamon and put in oven 220c for 10 mins. I can't make scones....but I can make these. Kiwi as!

The local ski fields have 1m of snow and it is being hailed as the best start to the winter since 1995. Still not opening until 26th June but expecting a bumper season.

When I was in the surgery with Meg today (she,getting 2nd of vaccination for protection against Cervical Cancer), I read in a magazing that you get the best sleep from before 2am, and we should all be tucked up and sleeping by 10pm to have the best chance of keeping healthy. We did very well with that last night, but as I have managed to get the house from 4 degrees this morning to a balmy 20degrees, I am less inclined to jump into bed so early. Couple that with Spook messing up my work target by going back out to work at 8pm tonight, and there's little chance of him snoozing before 10pm. You think he'd be content with the 10hrs. He is also talking of going in early tomorrow. This could be useful financially, as Finn has banned me from Wastebusters until his birthday as I don't earn enough. I may be able to persuade him to lift the ban. I miss the place.

I am grateful again for a warm library. I am really enjoying the story about the little duck that the librarian reads to the different school classes every day (95 times, she told me she has read it to the little darlings of Wanaka).

I am grateful to Spook for his jump starting me with his cards and I think I have convinced him that I can occupy my day most happily without them now (they did suggest quite a lot of jumping on the bike and very little sitting in warm libraries).

I am grateful for Finn's hug when I gave him warm pyjamas. Shorts and t-shirt don't cut it now.

I am grateful for it being payday.

Smelly Cat, smelly cat.

We're not quite sure why the cat likes Spook so much. She tries to sit as near to his head as she can. Maybe she was born in the sewer.

I worked 5hrs today and managed to get my total for the week to match one of Spooks working days. He's done 3, so only has 9 to go.

Finn played basket ball straight after school and really enjoyed it.

Meg made macaroni cheese for tea, but refused to put it in the oven as she doesn't like it crispy.

The fire didn't really get going very well tonight, so we are all tucked up in bed (9.15pm), with electric blankets on and laptops each - we are not wearing hats, so it's not too bad. I did however find a very nice pair of BHS boxer shorts behind the sofa and put them through the wash. Then I put them on. They are lovely and snug, right up to the waist. They give me the air of the teenager, I think, as my trousers are hipsters, so there is a lot of pants on display. I used them as a tool to distract Finn who was having a bit of a 'moment' over homework. He stopped fussing and looked quite horrified. I suspect they may belong to a Scottish Downhiller. I can see little point in girls pants now and am looking forward to a cosy winter. The Lindis Pass was closed due to snow today. It is up around 900m's.

When Spook was tucking the children in last night, he asked them what they would do if they won a million pounds.

Meg said invest it in a vegetarian food company, save animals by shooting carnivores (!!!!!), buy a horse, build a stable.

Finn said he would buy a lawn-mower and some rugby goal posts to make a pitch on the croft. He would import animals that required shooting and extend his bedroom with an outdoor staircase and a Hide, so that he could shoot them. Perhaps he and Meg could come to some sort of an agreement.

I am grateful for carelessly tossed underpants.

Date Scones.

A few hours work.

Warm toes.

Thickening Snow.

The snow is creeping further down the mountain. It was advised that one should take ones snow-chains if crossing the Crown Range today. These photos were taken just before 8am this morning.

I went to the library and settled in for a pleasant day on the laptop, when I got a call from Mary to go and polish up a Show Home that is being judged for an award tomorrow. I was supposed to take 2hrs, but in a state of paranoia, I took 3hrs. It was about 380sq metres floor space. That was a lot of polishing. But it does take my work committment closer to the 10hrs that Spook does each day. 5 hours to go. I have to go to my usual haunt tomorrow, but it is only expected to take me 4hrs max. That leaves me 2 days to find 1hr of work. (This is paid work - it does not go unoticed that I make the tea, the piece, do the shopping, light the fire and maintain a semblance of order. Not yesterday, right enough, but most days). And Finn did make the tea tonight - cheesy beans on toast for him and Meg and he cooked some meat in a frying pan for his Dad. I did the roast potatoes and parsnips. Finn didn't go to training after school today as he wasn't feeling well. That probably blows his chance of playing for the All Blacks. There is no such thing as not well.

I am grateful for Finns interest in making the tea - may he increase his repertoire quite quickly.

I am grateful that Meg wants to make it tomorrow.

I am grateful for Cadbury's chocolate.

Only 8 hours to Go.

I managed 8 hours of work last week and I'm up to 2 this week already and it's only Monday! My aim is to equal one working day of Spooks. I wasn't idle though. I came home in time for coffee and had time to make date scones (Kiwi as) to take to lunch at Maggies. We had a great blether and I got home in time to take Meg to the optician - she has not worked very hard at her eye excercises, but has still manage to improve her problem by a 25%. The optician has done a deal with her to only excercise once a day before breakfast to improve by 10% more in July. I have done a deal with her that if she doesn't improve by 10%, she pays the $30 fee. That should get it done.
The day had started very wet, so I thought that would get me off the run with the boys. Unfortunately it cleared beautifully and they were waiting for me when I got back from the opticians (actually they were up a fir tree trying to dislodge the rugby ball). A wee run became 1hr and 10mins as Anne came too. She is a hard task master, but the boys got a 2nd wind and really enjoyed it.
I rattled out something for everyone to eat (Smithy is here as she doesn't get Desperate Housewives at her house), then I went to badminton. I missed the first 40 shots and then suddenly managed to hit back and it was good fun. There were too many people there, though and I'll give it another week or two before I decide if it's for me.

I am grateful for an enjoyable day.
I am grateful that I managed to get tickets for Finn and I for the France v All Blacks game in Dunedin on the 13th June. We will take Spook to the airport, Finn will play his game against Wakatipu, and we will head south. Meg will catch up with her friend Kate.

November blusters.

It was quite an ordinary day with no sporting revelations - other than I went for a run with Anne this morning, along the lakeside. It was blustery with watery sunshine. We got back in the car just as the rain came on. We tried to rescue a young french couple who's car battery was mal-functioning and I ended up taking them home for coffee and use of the phone. It was weird being buffetted by wind and rain, peering over the car engine (I can talk a good story). I haven't experienced that kind of weather for a while! They got sorted and headed on their way. Finn watched Lord of The Rings 3, and could tell me all the places in New Zealand where it was made. Meg computered and Finn did some homework before going up to Johns to make chocolate muffins. Spook worked.
Josh came round for tea as it's his last night. He is heading for the North Island now and then home. He's not been feeling great and thinks it's probably a good move just now. We will miss him. Spook has had very little time to cycle with him, and will be sorry to lose the opportunity of the big training runs. We all hope we will see him in Scotland. Fort William would suit him.

I forgot to say yesterday that I am grateful to Hedginal Shand, gentleman of Woodend, formerly of Mill O' Dess, for his early introduction and encouragement of Finn's rugby interests, when that boy was 3 years old, on the occasion of his youngest sons naming ceremony, at a fishing hut on the river Dee.
I am grateful that we got the chance to get to know Josh Findlay a bit better.
I am grateful that the fire has nearly managed to dry 15 rugby shirts.
I am grateful that Spook never ever complains at having to go out to work, no matter what day it is, nor that I work less hours in one week, than he does in one day.

Match Report from Coach - John Timu.

Hey there Troops Well we were lucky that the weather was kind to us in Alex today. Both teams did very well today. Something out of the ordinary, I do have to single one player who must have had a great day. Finn Munro received the “Player of the Day”, “Tackle of the Day” and also got maximum points (3) towards the “Player of the Season” for the Golds. Well done Finn. To cap things off his mum Morag won the big prize of washing the jerseys. With so many games today it was great to see you guys digging in. See you at training. JT

Dry in Alex.

Finn got up at 6.45am, with the rain battering on the roof and so it fell, all the way to Alex. It eased a little after the Clyde Dam and had stopped before the 1st game. I did my usual talk around the sidelines without paying much attention to the game. Bought coffee for John's parents and I (John is running just at Finn's back), and then went to town and had another coffee and brought some back for the coaches. So it was with some surprise, when I watched the game that was played out between Finn's team and his other Upper Clutha team, that Finn was in the middle of every tackle, splayed out at my feet, throwing himself on the ball with gusto, grabbing it and running like the wind. He was clearly having a boost of confidence playing against his own team mates, but he then took it on to every other game. He was every where. When his coach gave out the points at the end of their day (they lost 5 and won 2), he asked the boys to guess who had got the player of the day - they all chorused 'Finn'. He was glowing - he, at least for today, elevated OUR social standing. He has certainly elevated his own in his teams eyes.

Meg and Spook had slept-in and awakened to the non-stop rain, so they drove down to join us. (1hr 10mins down the road). The only dry place around, was Alex. Spook was delighted to turn up in time to see some of his sons performance. The other 7's from Finns team made it to the final but lost out to Wakatipu (Queenstown). It was very exciting.

Meg and Finn played indoor rugby most of the night, with Finn trying to persuade her to join the girls rugby. He has almost convinced her. He can't think why anyone wouldn't want to.

I am grateful for a funny shaped ball that bounces the wrong way.

For a dry roof and a wood-burning fire.

For children that get on will with each other.

Sewing B.

As Megan was home from school again today, the house got tidied up in a most thorough manner - not the superficial run around of her mother. So our quality of life is enhanced by our calm surroundings. We did work together and I did some home-baking at the same time. We went shopping and bumped into a Scottish lady who is from Perth and used to live in Barcaldine. Her husband is an outdoor instructor and having to work up at the Abel Tasman just now to keep in work. She was instantly likeable and confessed to often feeling homesick despite having been backwards and forwards to Scotland for various spells of time. Her 2.5yr old son was born there and is called a gaelic name that sounded like Naraich and means serpent. It is the name of a meandering burn in a glen near Kinlochleven -am I stiking any chords here? He is called Nat for short - I guess that works better here. What I keep hearing - and from Pete the Paddler too - is not having the sense of belonging. Eventually that becomes more important than the climate.

This weeks Sun is giving the sewage works a break and claiming that there is no work to be had in Wanaka. People are starting to arrive in the hope of winter work - 1000 people for 180 jobs at Cardrona. Notices are going up in shops saying NO WORK.

This fits with what Pete and Spooks lovely barmaid was claiming last night. I finally got the call to retrieve him at 12.30am. I found him and Pete sheltering from heavy rain under a covered walkway. They looked very happy. There was no-one else on the streets. They were nearly home by 9pm, when they stumbled upon a bar that wasn't about to shut and with a barmaid who was actually pleased to see them. She says the town is dead and has had to lay off staff. To that effect, she treated them to a 'Staffie' at the end of the night, as there was no staff to share a drink on the house with. Spook and Pete have been through a lot of troubles at work and manage to have built up a long term friendship over a very short period.

Finn took his buttons to school on the monkey to demonstrate his homework. His teacher wants to buy one. Finn is practicing, and the headless cream one is the beginnings of his attempt. He is going to give it to the cat when it's finished. I will make the one for his teacher as she was Meg's teacher too and recently got married. Both children have loved having her and we had wanted to give her a wedding present, so a No Fuss Monkey will be it. Meg cut up and stuffed an old t-shirt of her dads and slept with it last night. Max loves it, so now she is making one for him, sewing his name on to it. I had to make a pin cushion yesterday to cope with the demands and constant loss of needles. I am cross-eyed and going to bed early, as Finn and I have to go to Alexandra tomorrow for his rugby 7's. It is Spooks only day off in the next fortnight, so we will leave him in bed. Meg has already said "No Way". Alex has the reputation (apart from me calling it Muttonville) to be a hot dustbowl in summer and a hoare frost bowl in winter. I'm not sure what tomorrow will bring, but it wont be cosy.

I am grateful for having a daughter who can provide order in my life.

The sun shone today.

I am grateful for Finns enthusiasm for rugby that stops him from even thinking about complaining about getting up early on a Saturday (he LOVES his long lie).

Rain on a Tin Roof.

It was a beautiful morning again and Mt Roy was very clear. This photo was taken at about 8.30am. Meg is off school as she has caught the big cold that is going around. She is very well in herself and coping with the stuffed up head, but is too infectious to send to school. Half her class are off already. I went to work for 4.5hrs and she stayed home alone and sewed. We have both got a bit of a sewing bug and Spook will be using the cards to direct me away from monkeys out of old socks. Meg and I went to the OP shop (second hand shop which means Opportunity, I think), as Wastebusters doesn't sell old socks.

Spook went out for dinner - I had cooked something so it wasn't because of neglect. Pete is staying in town tonight as there are end to end meetings with the council just now. The boss above Steve (who is still on holiday in England) is out for dinner as well, so it better be on the company. I can hear the rain on the tin roof, so Mt Roy will be well under cloud by now. It looks like a bleak November night, but it's not very cold. I'm waiting for Spook to call for a lift home.

I read in Meg's yoga journal about the benefits of writing some things that I am grateful for on a daily basis, so I thought I might do that here, seeing as how I write it every day. Really, there are loads of things so I'll just log a few - I am always grateful for the well-being of my family, so I'll need to record the less obvious ones.

I am grateful for old socks and the pleasure they have been giving me recently.

I really, really love my electric blanket - it makes me whoop with joy every night, and saves Spook from being my foot warmer.

I am glad Mary, my boss, got every thing in place for her new (old) house set in 20acres of field. There will need to be much work to pay for it. And she is stoked.

Old Socks.

Finn sewed the buttons on and it was certainly an education for him. I do hope he appreciates all the sewing that went into creating his canvas. On his lap is the proto-type that Meg and I made out of an old pair of her socks. Now she wants one like Finns. Sigh.

The sun came out mid-afternoon and it was glorious. I didn't have the benefit of the cards and managed to spend quite a lot of time on the internet, followed by writing wrapped in a blanket, followed by a little attempt to go running, which was interrupted by a nice architect lady who had been sent by my landlord (who would never sell the house out from under us), to see what can be done about the house to make it more sellable. Thankfully, John came home from school with Finn and invited us to go running with him and his mum, so I managed the run that I was never really going to do.

I made chocolate muffins so that Spook might think I'd done good without the cards.

I THINK I'm working tomorrow, but as my boss is running around trying to secure a new house, I may not work until Friday. Not sure if I could hold off the cards another day.

All for a Button!

Well, here is the sorry excuse for the late blogging. Finn's homework this week is to sew a button onto something. And as we have a pattern to make a monkey out of an old pair of socks, this is what he wants to sew the button on to. So, without guidance from any cards today, I sourced the material at Wastebusters, spent the bulk of the day writing in the warmth of the library, and then started the monkey at 2.45pm. It is now 11.10pm and we DID eat a cooked meal, but there is certainly no piece made for the morning. We are watching Babel on the TV and it is not cheery. At least I didn't choose it form the video shop.

Spook didn't have such a terribly bad day as expected but has an early start tomorrow. He will be able to go to bed once he has made his own piece. I have work to do yet.

Uncommitted.

Spook has issued a complaint that the hat was not second hand, but from the bargain box. This is the least of his problems, as the plant malfunctioned today (on Murray's shift) and he is faced with a long spell of grief. Murray has a 2 week course in Wellington coming up so Spook will need to cover for him.
When I was running with John's mum, Anne, she mentioned a committee of friends of the Lindis Pass (or something like that). She is a landscape architect and very clever. The news that I have been black balled from ever sitting on a committee again has clearly not reached NZ. After supplying a sub-standard santa claus suit for the toddler group (one child still in counselling after recognizing his grandfathers stripy shirt through the large rip), and forgetting to order 100 coconuts for the shy at Banavie Primary school and trying to fob them off with 3 coconuts - hit one, win a nice marble or a yoyo - I have been scarred and have damaged too many people. This is to be a fresh start for me, so no committees.
This weeks Monday run with John and Finn had been allocated to Spook, but he made me come too. It was cool, with a look of rain coming in, but that made for pleasant running. The boys ran more comfortably than last week and I tailed along behind. Spook was very impressed with them. Maniototo, watch out.
It is a cold and dank night. But Finn has a snowboard in his posession now, so he doesn't care.....bring on the snow! (season not due to start until the 26th June).

Mummies Choice Stinks.

The Southerlies didn't keep their promises, so it was a dry but chilly day. I didn't get breakfast in bed, but refused to get out until the house thermostat went from 5 degrees to at least 7. I got a lovely wee book from Meg with quotes about mothers and a home made card from Finn. And Spook bought me the hat from the second hand box in the town shop that I really wanted. Then, when it was warm enough, I made everyone breakfast, made the dinner ahead, and after a drive out to get a closer look at Mt Burke made toasties for the kids who then wanted more toasties. Josh came round and I went for a run with Johns mum. Then we had tea and watched the video of my choice. It was about relationships falling apart - you could see realities in the womens performances and the mens and it did make one wonder why we ever get together in the first place. It did not make for happy mothers day viewing and Spook and Josh kindly sat through the whole thing without complaint. Meg noted that it was not uncommon for me to choose a duff movie and that next years gift should be that Spook choose it.

Hail Mother.

Finn's rugby match against Maniototo had a final score of 84 -10. The boys did great to keep up their spirits and to score anything against these big (and at least 5 of them must have been 13) lads from the wilds of Central Otago, was something to be proud of. Finn got his first hold of the ball, which was brave of him, as we did think that if it had landed in his hands by mistake, he would be wise to throw it away imediately. He got bowled over pretty quick, but was chuffed with his game.
It was warm in the sunshine when it eventually showed itself, and Meg, Smithy, Finn and John spent the aftenoon at the hot pools up the road. Spook and I enjoyed the peace and quiet. Spook is still a little bit crook. I suspect he has consumed something unpleasant at work. It couldn't have been my cooking.
He was well enough to go out for dinner though and we had a very pleasant evening. Meg elected not to go when she discovered she had to WALK the 10mins up the road. We felt bad abandoning her alone in a house without a fire (I couldn't quite handle the thought of her loading up the fire) and came home about 9pm to find her with feet up on the oil heater chatting to Amy in Scotland. Clearly had not suffered in any way.
It is Mothers Day here tomorrow, so I will be hoping for breakfast in bed, even if I have to say there until mid-day to get it. The Southerlies brought big hailstones tonight (though we came home in cool moonlight), and are expected to bring wind and rain tomorrow, so the streets will be empty. I should have the right to a movie of my choice from the video store and a clear conscience throughout the day. No motherly guilt will be the best gift.

Vampire Girls

I posted a picture of my remaining tomato crop, brought in from the frost, to counteract the apparent effects of the girls having watched Twilight too many times. Spook wasn't feeling very well today, which is why both the cat and the girls were able to take advantage of him. We are not sure if he has Swine Flu, but if he does, we know what to do. We heard on the radio today that there has been a government suggestion, that should you suspect you have it, you should drive to your doctors surgery and peep on your horn 3 times to get attention. The radio presenter lives in Auckland and said that when she drove through the tunnel in the city where, traditionally, every one peeps their horn, she got tailed by a doctor.

I read over yesterday's blog and realised that I hadn't explained on the blog before THAT, that Stacey, who is a nurse, farmers wife and cat owner, declared our kitten to be pregnant. Spook was concerned that the grandparents might think they were about to become GREAT grandparents. The kitten never stops eating and drinking and we thought she had developed a bit of a belly. She has, but it is not too many cat crunchies. The children are very excited. Spook is not.

I think I may have to make up suggestion cards for Spooks first of the 4 days off. That transition from work to play does not flow very well. He spent the first 2.5hrs at work. He lay awake last night solving problems and went in to discuss them. The plant made front page news in The Sun yesterday. (Wanaka's free community newspaper). It said that it stinks. His nearest neighbour to the plant owns the paper and would appear to have his own agenda.

Finn got hugged a few times today and only by one girl. A boy with a similarly golden tint to his hair was promised $20 from his mother if he got hugged a hundred times. Finn told me this and also, with a hopeful hint, that he had been hugged 6,ooo times.

We have been invited to dinner over at John's house tomorrow.

Hug a Ginger Day

Just remembered that it really is the hug day tomorrow. Spook says it's surely not as bad as the 'Punch a Pom' campaign back in the early 70's, that his Dunfermline born, Liverpool raised coffee mate in Cromwell told him about. That was the slogan of choice on the Kiwi's T-shirts when he first arrived with his wife in 1974. Their flights were £12 each.

No Cards.

It was a beautiful morning and although freezing outside, our borrowed thermostat read 6 degrees inside, so that's not so bad!

I had no cards today as I was working. However, the work only lasted 2.5hrs as the original job is not happening now until next week, so we tidied up the big house on the hill and sooked up all the dead flies. My life has not been a waste. But I had to make up the rest of the day myself and justified it by food shopping, securing a good deal on a snowboard for Finn (happy Finn), getting Meg's form into the Kahu Youth Club, her to yoga and nourishing the teenage mother-to-be as she is clearly eating for about 5. We thought she had worms - how naive. I am using her as an example of what can happen out there in the big bad world if one is not careful.

Spook had a very pleasant working day - always pleasant when he doesn't have to poop scoop. He picked up a package in Cromwell and had coffee in the Mall and then called home and had a coffee with Mary and I as we had just finished work. He's on his 4 days off now, but not sure how much of it we'll spend together. Josh had talked about going out with him tomorrow. If not, I may have to make up some cards for Spook to choose from.

Meg has 2 friends coming over to stay tomorrow night - Vicky and Smithy, and Finn has to stay sober and go to bed early as he has a match against the big, bad boys of Maniototo on Saturday. Then he has to feature in a documentary Vicky and Meg are making about Gallipoli, which features a donkey - played by Finn and Vicky's wee brother Jack. I think the rugby match will be easier.

Still Obeying My Husbands Commands.

The cards invited me to cycle out to Treble Cone today. Thankfully they didn't suggest I go all the way up to the ski field. I have worked out (silly it took so long) that we are 6 months out of sinc here. It is actually the 6th of November. So when I realised that, I dressed accordingly in 3 long sleeved tops, a buffalo jacket and a buff under my helmet. The buffalo jacket was off by the time I got to the bottom of our short drive and the buff was off before I got out of Wanaka. It was very disorientating to listen to cicadas in the nearby grass and roaring stags in the distance. It was cool in the shade and lovely warmth in the sunshine.

The cards didn't require any housework to be done today, but allowed me to call into the libary on the way home and enjoy researching a few things.

I got home in time to receive a phone call from Stacey to say that she and Rob are in town (No Fuss winners and our hosts in Gore for the Moonshine race) and were going to call round for a drink at 5.30pm. Then John and Finn came home and said that Johns Mum had invited me and Finn to join them for a run at 4.30pm. So it was a quick jaunt up to Wastebusters to get a terrific pair of snowboard boots for Finn for $10 and go to the shops to not get a snowboard (sad Finn). Then I had to talk my way round the run pretending I was a runner and likewise Finn, but we both really enjoyed it. Probably about 6km, but mostly like the furthest Finn has run without stopping.

Rob and Stacey had a quick drink and then off out for dinner and we will go over tonight and check out the house they have just bought to rent out as a holiday house.

I barely managed to get our dinner on the table, but it has to be said, dinner wasn't mentioned on the cards.

Doodle Duck.

I forgot about yesterdays doodle, which I started outside in the sunshine and finished off later inside.

Today was the first day of Spooks suggestion cards. I selected one from it's upside down position and it invited me to do housework, followed by a swim, art, internet access at midday and then the library in the afternoon. It had rained early morning and was very dull, so the swim idea seemed a good one. By the time I had polished up the loos and cooked the tea, it was warm and sunny, so I checked out with the boss if it was ok to cycle my 40k loop and join him for coffee. He had been otherwise engrossed in the business of continually unblocking a poo (cake) pipe, so was pleased to have a change of scenery. The view is one of my favourites, looking in the direction of Hawea, from Albert Town, just outside Wanaka. The yellow sign is a guide for speed at the upcoming corner. Spook reckons you can add 20kph to it and still be fine. With the number of road accidents, people must be adding more than that.

There are many things I love about NZ, don't like, am puzzled by or downright scared of. I think the number of 'shooters' is a little alarming. Duck shooting season opened on Saturday, and the newspaper declared the first round to have been won by the ducks. The weather was clear which means the ducks fly high and are not such an easy target. However one man was shot dead by a family member in the frenzy to get the ducks and another shot in the face! 6 hunters had their guns confiscated as they didn't have a licence and 2 men face prosecution for having shot everything that past them by, including 20 protected grey teal. I'm not sure how long the season lasts, but I was hoping I didn't look like a duck on the bike today.

I accessed the internet at midday via Spooks work computer, then came home and baked biscuits and a cake, and drew at night. The weather closed in again once I was home, so it was a good plan, I think.

Avoidance tacticts.

I didn't take in photos today so I just posted this one from Spooks cycle with Josh - looking back towards Queenstown.

Josh called by this afternoon and stayed for dinner. He will be moving on soon. Spook has not had much time to get out with him, which is a real shame. This is the guy who would make an athlete of Spook!! He may go to Nelson for a while so hopefully will be able to get in touch with The McNeillys' and Robbi and Roddy.

I cleaned for 3.5hrs, which will not make much of a dent in the snowboarding bill. We will manage to get everything, by hook or crook, and then just settle in to Wanaka for the winter. At least we will have no need to leave the place. It will be sandwiches and no fancy coffees up the slopes. I will need to negotiate a day off every now and then, as that will be when I have plenty of work. Mary wants to divvy up the 7 days between us and pay me to take on a supervisory role. I can hear people sniggering at the very thought!

I didn't do very well at my pledge to go to Badminton. Josh was here, tea was late, and I was enjoying doodling in my sketch pad. The usual - do housework to avoid running, running to avoid painting, drawing to avoid Badminton. I need to apply some positivity to this.......

Late Autumn Sunshine.

The last 2 mornings have been very cool, with grey low clouds, but we could see sunshine round the edges, and sure enough, the days have been gorgeous. Finn went dirt jumping with John - prefering their own unofficial ones to the expensive, purpose built park. Between the park and the skatepark, the doctors are kept very busy. In a group of young teenagers in town, today, I noticed 2 with their arms in plaster. Finn has a rugby mate with 2 arms in plaster. Spook and I went for a run around Sticky woods and then into town on the bikes with Meg. We got her snowboard boots, so managed to spend more than $12. Then we persuaded her to come cycling in the woods with us, and with nice boots under her arm, she couldn't refuse. She is very competent on the bike, despite loud protests and scoots downhill like a pro. Unlike her mother.

Finn went fishing on Lake Hawea with John and we could see he didn't particularly want to go, but we ignored that and sent him anyway. He said it was fine, but he would rather have built more dirt jumps and come into town to stare at the snowboard he's getting. Johns mother said the lake was like glass, and we know oursleves how beautiful Lake Hawea is without being told. Finn is unmoved by such beauty now!

Swapping Raquets.

Finn and I cycled down to town in beautiful sunny weather. We encountered a brass band, a couple teaching the public The Tango (Spook was SO lucky he wasn't there), a man playing the piano inside a tiny dolls house where everyone had to lie down on their tummies and peer in the window to see him. We could hear the plink plonk of the toy piano, but were too dignified to get a good look. And there was an exhausted International face painter in the library with 100 children wanting their faces done.

We did very well to enjoy ourselves, only spending $12. We borrowed magazines from the library to satisfy everyones taste. The Artist for me, New Zealand mountain biking and Adventure for Spook, Yoga for Meg and HUNTER for Finn. Unfortunately, the $12 was a deposit for his snowboarding helmet and we agreed that he could have the $600 board and bindings if he would pay $400 of his own money from Scotland. He is delighted with this deal. A lot of pleasure for a small deposit. I will need to clean a bit more next week.

We called by the hot chocolate and gift shop so that I could remind her that Meg would love to have some work experience with her. She will be away for a month, but hasn't ruled out the possibility. She also paints and recommended I join the local Art Society. I suppose I can't keep persuading the children to do things and not do them myself, so I will join, AND I will go and play badminton with Maggie on Monday night. She is a full-on expert and I haven't played since I joined the village group when I was 17. I was very bad then, I don't expect the tennis lessons to have improved things much.

Finn and I came back for lunch, by which time Meg had gone horse riding with Smithy and Ceilidh ( she is going to change the spelling). Spook came home from his 85k road cycle up the west coast road and we went over to the Sticky Woods so Finn could make some air and I did a couple of very enjoyable running laps round the forest.

What's French for Ginger?

The autumn colours are not particularly vibrant. I think everything went golden a long time ago with the dry weather. It depends on where you look. Some places must be damp and things are still green. Other places must be dry and windy and the leaves have just fallen off. But the Smoky Bush in the garden is lovely. The bark is dark which makes it more striking.

Spook went to work for about 3 hours this morning as there is crisis meetings taking place and he was to put his penny's worth in prior to the meeting. Then we went back to Diamond Hill and took the long route, which the children had refused to do before. It was a little bit harder work but an even better view. It always does feel better when I have got out and about, but I'm still struggling with self-motivation so we hatched a plan to make Spook my support worker. He has created cards for my days off with various lists of things for me to do. I pick a card on my day off and follow the plan. It will tell me what time to check my e-mails, housework, art, cycling or running and writing time. We agreed that I am at my best when employed, so I have to treat him as though he is my employer. ( I hope he doesn't take advantage of the situation - the children have already started leaving notes of what they expect done at the end of the day "please make our beds and leave us a surprise!!!!")

The children went to school in Mufti today (casual clothes). Wanaka is to be French for the day because of a play written about what it would be like if it had been settled by the French, which is playing at the festival today. So the children had to go in something French. Meg had a Tour De France t-shirt and Finn went in a white and blue fleece and a red t-shirt. A nice break from green and white stripes. He was a bit worried today because he said it was also 'Hug a Ginger' day. He said he was going to run away if anyone came near him. He was late home from school and Spook wondered if he was tied to a tree, getting hugged. He finally arrived, having meandered slowly home and said that the dreaded hugging day was next Friday.