Rugby mad. 
At work on Monday, we had a draw to work out which team we would each support. They'd already put me down for England, but I protested that I wanted to support Romania, since my Romanian colleague Daniel wasn't interested in rugby. So they put me in the draw anyway, and I got New Zealand. I currently have an All Blacks scarf, an old English flag from 8 years ago, and Bronwyn managed to find a Romanian flag in the $2 shop. Watched Ireland beat Australia last night. Bronwyn was over the moon. You see, she supports the All Blacks, and any team that can beat the Wallabies...

Spent a while sorting out the accounts for the band. I'm now allowed to sign cheques, but of course I need to get two signatures, so I still have to go and find someone else to sign them too. It also means that internet and telephone banking is not possible. So it currently feels very much like the 1980s. I'm juggling cheque books, envelopes, stamps, and a ring binder of receipts. We've just had a grant in to build a store room. This is just as well, because I had a queue of people wanting money last week!

Bronwyn only did one day at work last week. But it was a very long day, and they wanted her to work all week at the same place. They seem to have a lot of staff relievers at this particular center!

Preparations are under way for Bronwyn's birthday. Still no clue about the operation, so we're planning an afternoon at her parent's house. I've bought some presents...

Rachael is still raising money for her trip to the Jamboree next year. I made a huge batch of fudge last night (it took 1.6kg of sugar!) and they've been selling it this afternoon, plus some cupcakes. Sold lots - I hear Rachael's hit the $200 mark! Not sure if it was wise making that much fudge in one go though - I had to be very careful otherwise it would have boiled over, and I used a very big pot. Still tastes good though.

[ add comment ] ( 2461 views )   |  permalink  |  $star_image$star_image$star_image$star_image$star_image ( 3 / 2246 )
The world is black and white. Mostly black. 
It's always the way. After spending the morning clearing the lounge, you come across them. A marble, two empty chip packets, a single shoe off a barbie doll, and a miscellaneous piece of plastic that looks like it might be important somewhere but you haven't got any energy left to find out. There's also the theory that nature abhors a vacuum. I'd say my family was entirely natural. I'm waiting for the big "Foop" and every random object reclaiming it's rightful spot somewhere on the carpet.

I guess I'm glad I didn't attempt to drag the family into town to see the fireworks. We got quite a good view up the hill. And heard quite a bit too, from 30km away. Rachael's decided she's supporting Argentina. Bronwyn's supporting the All Blacks, her mum is supporting England. I'm supporting Romania. I'm told they gave Scotland quite a run for their money. I'm going to try and learn the national anthem and come to work dressed in blue, yellow and red.

Still no idea about Bronwyn's operation. We're planning a fairly quiet birthday party just in case.

[ add comment ] ( 1874 views )   |  permalink  |  $star_image$star_image$star_image$star_image$star_image ( 3 / 2158 )
Cat in exile 
Got a lot done this week. I think I need another weekend. At least the cat hasn't done anything this week. Hasn't been able to. He's been sleeping outside all week! Tidied the office yesterday (and vacuumed up all the cat food). Bronwyn made a good effort on the lounge. If we can bring the kitchen under control, we'll have successfully restricted the chaos to the bedrooms.

Bronwyn has her big birthday on the 2nd October, but it might get rearranged because she's due for the rescheduled operation around then. We haven't organised anything definite yet. Meanwhile, Bronwyn's brother Neil is getting married next January. The ceremony is going to be on the farm here. Should be good.

I've been working on three different jobs this week. The normal one, plus a couple of projects for old customers. It's worked OK so far, so long as they're happy to wait until Saturday to get a response! Meanwhile, Bronwyn only managed one day at work this week. She did her normal Monday, but she couldn't make Thursday or Friday. On Wednesday they wanted to work in Takapuna, which is quite a long way and in peak traffic. She was reluctant. Fortunately she wasn't well that day...

[ add comment ] ( 1760 views )   |  permalink  |  $star_image$star_image$star_image$star_image$star_image ( 3 / 2240 )
Too much for one week 
Nice weather this week. I've had to water the garden, and it's still winter!

Bronwyn cancelled work on Monday since Rachael had kept her up all night. She got asked to work on Tuesday by the agency (the one she's been enrolled in since February but the haven't given her a single job). However, it was miles away at 7:30am, so she declined that one. She then got asked to work on Wednesday, but she couldn't get there in time. But they then gave her another one nearer instead. On Thursday she worked at her old centre as planned. On Friday she got phoned up again, but her parents were due to come home, so she wanted to be free for them. So somehow she's had five different requests to work this week, after nothing for the entire year!

I'm now treasurer of the brass band. I've been given two bags full of old paperwork, and The Briefcase. Plus the Cheque Book. I feel empowered...

Bronwyn's knitting. It's been a theme this year. Sigrid attempted to knit some socks, but got to the heel and decided it wasn't worth the effort. I believe she's working on a blanket now. Bronwyn bought a variety of yarns and has been knitting squares for a blanket too. They're all different shapes and sizes. We'll fit them together somehow. She's doing scarves now. She's got this bizarre yarn with huge bobbles every ten centimetres. Which means one stitch per ten centimetres, and ten per row. Never seen anything like it...

The cat is in disgrace. I've put a bowl of food outside high up where the dog can't reach it. He won't be allowed inside for a while. I'm getting tired of having to clean up after him!



[ add comment ] ( 1942 views )   |  permalink  |  $star_image$star_image$star_image$star_image$star_image ( 3 / 2253 )
Normality returning - take 2 
We've had an old clock sitting on the mantelpiece for a few years. However, late last year it stopped, and wouldn't go again. So a couple of months ago we finally took it in for repair. It's now back, and ticking quietly. It also has three different chimes, but we don't use them. They last quite a while, they go every 15 minutes, and they're so loud it's impossible to hear the television. So we've left them switched off for now.

Bronwyn was supposed to go in for an operation last Monday, but it got postponed. So she's back with us again. She's also been asked to work Monday and Thursday for the next three weeks. Meanwhile, Rachael's going to a social skills course at the hospital, which is on Thursday mornings. Last Thursday I took her in, and spent 20 minutes in a traffic jam. Will try a little earlier next week...

Bronwyn's parents are returning this week. They've done thousands of miles all over England, Scotland and Wales. They're spending a few days in Singapore before returning home. Meanwhile we've managed to lose the bull, a couple of sheep and two lambs, and one of the older calves went missing under mysterious circumstances. We've also had the padlock on the gate go missing too. But Allan's rearranged several paddocks with a large digger, and done some major work on the farm. We've also got quite a horde of lambs in the paddock who spend a lot of time running around randomly in a pack. Fun to watch.

One last thing to sort out. Sigrid, if you're reading this, we've got a present for you. And no, I'm not going to wait until Christmas.

[ add comment ] ( 1729 views )   |  permalink  |  $star_image$star_image$star_image$star_image$star_image ( 3 / 2308 )

<<First <Back | 53 | 54 | 55 | 56 | 57 | 58 | 59 | 60 | 61 | 62 | Next> Last>>