Precious Moments

Queen's Birthday weekend  - and we had a visit from Simon, Jackie and Theo. Just meant for relaxing. We enjoyed taking over the daily responsibilities from Jackie and Simon - and I think they enjoyed that too!
Duncan was in charge of breakfast and by the time I got up Theo had had several pieces of toast. He wrinkled his nose up at one and said "Too much Marmite" I was in charge of baths in the evening and had to deal with a poo at one stage. Theo came to inpsect - he crinkled his nose and said "Too much Marmite!"

 He really loved his bubbles but unfortunately a nice relaxing bath did not guarantee that he would have an early night - especially on Friday night as he had slept for quite a bit of the journey down.

 The weather was very wet over the weekend and in the excitement to go out side in his gumboots he announced that he was going to "put on his gumpoos and jump in the cuddles" But he also used both gumboots and puddles correctly as well.

 He really pulled his weight in the housework stakes. And Camille was very impressed when we went for coffee that he put all the toys away when I announced that it was time to go. Same thing with the toys when we went out for brunch the next day.

 Theo did enjoy the piano and often played with a very delicate touch. "Grandma, you stand there and crap" he instructed. Needless to say I clapped.

 At school we had had a Flea Market Day and I bought some home made playdough which kept him occupied.

 The hens were also a great hit and had breakfast, morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner while Theo was here. I was disapppointed that they hadn't laid an egg. It should be in the next week or two that they start laying.

 We have a little run for them now, and they have occasionally got out but always want to go in at night.

 Simon and Jackie got to go out for a short while while Theo and I hung out together. What enjoyable company he was too!

He looked such a Theo in his handknit sweaters and vests!

A Weekend Away

Over the long weekend at Anzac Day we went up to Hamilton, and from there onto Wairakei with The Bushies to enjoy the golf weekend that Duncan won as a prize. Here Duncan and Theo feed the birds in Hamilton. Theo wasn't all that keen to share the bread. However it was not like that on our visit to Lyn's - a huge feast for lunch which we all tucked into with great gusto. Jackie was thrilled to inherit some Crown Lynn plates from my Mum's place (via Lyn) as she is going to collect Crown Lynn.

We had a long detour into Taupo with the journey taking 1hour 40 mins instead of 50mins. We wove our way through Waikite Valley, past the turnoff to Ngakuru, then onto gravel roads and finally back onto the main road.

 We had a few drinks in our room before going to dinner and Theo enjoyed the small capsules of milk.
Next day the boys went off for golf and Jackie, Theo and I went to Taupo. On the way we stopped at Huka Falls and Theo was transfixed by the gushing water and even a bit quiet when we rolled up at the playground in Taupo. However a few circuits on the small train and he seemed in a better frame of mind. The morning tea stop was enjoyed - this fluffy had Hundreds and Thousands  on it. The cafe was interesting with whole (dead) grapevines on the walls and a dispenser system for getting drinks.

The boys returned after a a very enjoyable - and not too bad score-wise -game of golf. We had a swim in the warm pool at the hotel and then went to Taco Taco for tea. The meal in the hotel the night before had been slightly disappointing, but this was superb with a great atmosphere. Next morning time to check out - but lets get a family photo to remember the weekend by.

Not quite ready

What about a smile??

Yay, we did it!
Duncan and I played the nine hole course before returning home on the Napier Taupo Rd

Minor renovations

With the demise of my wall oven, and the decision to return to a free-standing one we had a few minor alterations to do. This is the gap where the wall oven was. We also decided to move the microwave down to a lower height.

 The cupboard was built in and a rolla door was added.

 And this is where all our breakfast things are stored now.

 Where we had the breakfast thinkgs stored was a bit fiddly, and heaps of stuff was piled on top, so we replaced this cupboard by a larger one.

 It looks a bit big at present but we are getting used to it. I'll try and put something distracting on the top of it.

 Its called an Appliance Garage. Again with a rolla door - just like a garage! The microwave is now at bench height. The only thing is - it looks quite full already!!

The Eagle has Landed

Yes, the girls have arrived!!

Kath and Kim were collected from the poultry raising place today and after an initial break for freedom - brilliantly handled by Duncan we got them both in the cage and transported them home to the Henhouse Hilton which we have bought for them. They will have to lay well for 2 years for us to get our money back, but the source of entertainment so far has been tremendous.

That's Kath facing us, she has less white on her, plus a smaller tail feather, although that may have been a result of the escape bid.

 They looked immediately comfortable and began pecking the nice green grass and scratching in the edge of the compost heap that we thought they might like. Certainly they turned up their noses at the breadcrusts and vege scraps I put in the henhouse.

I checked them out later on and they were investigating the sleeping quarters. They are only pullets so no eggs for about 2 -3 months so we haven't put and straw in the nesting boxes yet, so I hope they are OK.



Lastly  I have finally finished my knitting outfit for my great neice Bonnie Margaret Bishop born to Nick and Michelle on the 26th March. I've teamed it up with some Pumpkin Patch Jeans for a 3 month-old and I am very pleased with the finished ensemble!

Room 6

One of the things that has made my life a good deal easier this year is having a classroom of my own. I can sit in there and prepare work - I've even got a computer, but of course it is not connected to the total internet - Just the "White" list, but this is starting to be wider and wider. This is in the vestibule of the old church that Westmount has as its hall. Its quite near the road so it is a bit noisy by they have lined it with fluffy wall board. This is unfortunately off-cuts from other office jobs that have been done by a Brethren firm, so it is a variety of colours - mainly grey but quite a bit of orange.

The maximum class I have is 6. This is my year 12 maths class working hard. We are setting in place a new format for year 12 called the assignment. It doesn't really align itself with my teaching practice. Too often I prepare a whole unit of work and never use all of it because the needs of the students dictates we go another way. Normally classes at Westmount are not this small, but George - that's him on the right -  has an independent learning program because his neural circuity is not like everybody elses. However he has passed his first internal. I thought we could get him through as he is not unintelligent - just jumbled.

 This is my little nook - the windows are frosted but it is nice to get a bit of natural light. I'm even sorting through my filing cabinet  - after 9 years its getting quite full.

There is a huge amount of storage at the back of the class, but already it is starting to get filled up with various plans for Market Day. I think it might be quite cold in winter, but it does have air con. So when you think of me at work - you know what it looks like!

Moving on.

The wool that I am growing at the top of my hair is very springy and curly. Even it I wanted to I couldn't wear my wig as wiry grey curls would spring from underneath it. The top of my hair would lift my wig off my head. I find it quite a masculine look - but at least its hair!!
Time to pack my wig, wig stand, wig net, wigshine away.

It was a great wig and it saw me through the hard times and most days I felt better from wearing it. It made me look quite young so I felt quite attractive in it.

Goodbye wig. I hope I never have to use you again.

Mozzarella + Oncology appointment success

Last Friday I got a clean bill of health so far from Dr Goodman - only another two years and nine months to go until we know if the lymphoma has decided to go away and stay away.
So onto new adventures now and this included using the Mad Millie cheese making kit that Jill gave me for Christmas.
The first step was to milk the cow. I left this to Anna and David. The first night they seperated the calf from the cow, but the calf wasn't having any of this and smashed through the barrier that David had erected between them. When David went out in the morning he went to pick up the bits of the barricade and a metal standard flew up and hit him quite badly - just missing the eye. However the next attempt was much more successful and the rich creamy wonderful tasting milk was delivered.

Rich and Creamy

Frothy when poured

Sterilise all equipment

W

Heat to the required temperature and check for a clean cut



Now I'm sorry I cant show you the stretching stage but it required two hands. Here they are 5 balls of mozzarella! It tasted pretty good too. I did have some problems getting the clean cut so I had to add double rennet. Looking forward to trying it again - if only the cow would co-operate!