Friend Making Monday - Christmas

If you’ve taken part in FMM then you know the rules. If you’re new, please take a moment to answer this week’s question on your own blog then add your link in the comments section here at: All The Weigh so we can all see your FMM questions and answers.

Please invite your blog readers to add their links so everyone has to opportunity to be seen. The idea is to connect with other awesome bloggers so take a moment to post your own FMM post and comment on a couple of other posts. Now it’s time for this week’s topic!

Christmas Questions

1. How will you celebrate the holidays this year? As normal we will be relaxing at the caravan at the beach. Although we are spending Christmas Day at my mum's house in Rotorua.

2. What’s the weather currently like where you live? We are heading straight into summer, so it is getting warmer. Shorts and T-shirts have suddenly appeared from everyone's wardrobes!

3. Do you decorate your home for the holidays? If so, share a picture please! I love decorating for Christmas but I have to be in the mood.

My mum brought the boys one each of these advent draws when she lived in Spain, however the draws are very small so nothing every gets put in them it just sits and decorates instead.

This was brought to signify a very special year in our family

In 2001 Steve and I went to London for a holiday, we treated ourselves to this snowman and reindeer as a reminder

I collect snowmen, so this is my new decoration for this year

Alex wanted the Santa to keep the snowman company!

4. What is your favorite Christmas movie? As it is heading into summer here then I notice that they don't seem to play many Christmas movies, however, I love them. I use to love Miracle on 34th Street, but I will happily watch Christmas movies, so any really.

5. What is your favorite Christmas songs? I so love Christmas songs. 'Oh Holy Night' is a favorite but I will happily put on a Christmas CD and sing a long all day. I have discovered a new album this year ........ a Christmas one by Lady Antebellum (Who I love listening to so much) it is called "On This Winter's Night" it is a beautiful album and the songs are gorgeous. Some traditional some new.

6. Do you have an advent calendar? Yes, I have a tree that I purchased from Avon many years ago. It has drawers underneath that are numbered. So you decorate the tree one day at a time. I love it. I got it in England many years before I moved to New Zealand. So it is very special to me. It has a wind up key on it and playes "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" as the tree spins round.

7. Do you prefer color lights or white lights? Coloured lights definitely

8. What is your favorite food to eat over the holidays? When I lived in England then Christmas meant mandarins and Quality Street Chocolates, warm food and lots of it.
Over here in New Zealand, with it being summer then it has moved on to Strawberries and lots of fresh summery food.

9. Do you display a live tree, or do you prefer fake trees? I like a fake tree, sorry. Although I have had a real tree one year when we stayed home for the holiday period. Seeing as we always go away at Christmas and someone else lives in our house at that time then I have fake as it is unfair to ask them to care for a real one!

10. What would you need to make your holiday perfect this year? No rain! Last year we all got flooded at the campsite. It made for a fun holiday watching all the campers in tents packing up in 20cm of water! But otherwise just happy healthy family to have fun and laughs with.

Mother to Son

I am sure this has been seen many times, but I think it is awesome and so true, definitely something to work towards.

20 Things A Mother Should Tell Her Son

1. You will set the tone for the sexual relationship, so don't take something away from her that you can't give back.

2. Play a sport. It will teach you how to win honorably, lose gracefully, respect authority, work with others, manage your time and stay out of trouble. And maybe even throw or catch.

3. Use careful aim when you pee. Somebody's got to clean that up, you know.

4. Save money when you're young because you're going to need it some day.

5. Allow me to introduce you to the dishwasher, oven, washing machine, iron, vacuum, mop and broom. Now please go use them.

6. Pray and be a spiritual leader.

7. Don't ever be a bully and don't ever start a fight, but if some idiot clocks you, please defend yourself.

8. Your knowledge and education is something that nobody can take away from you.

9. Treat women kindly. Forever is a long time to live alone and it's even longer to live with somebody who hates your guts.

10. Take pride in your appearance.

11. Be strong and tender at the same time.

12. A woman can do everything that you can do. This includes her having a successful career and you changing diapers at 3 A.M. Mutual respect is the key to a good relationship.

13. "Yes ma'am" and "yes sir" still go a long way. So do "Please" & "Thank you"

14. The reason that they're called "private parts" is because they're "private". Please do not scratch them in public.

15. Peer pressure is a scary thing. Be a good leader and others will follow.

16. Bringing her flowers for no reason is always a good idea. Remember Mum too!

17. Be patriotic.

18. Potty humor isn't the only thing that's humorous.

19. Please choose your spouse wisely. My daughter-in-law will be the gatekeeper for me spending time with you and my grandchildren.

20. Remember to call your mother because I might be missing you

Tooth Fairy

Alex is 7, in fact he turned 71/2 this week, and desperate to have some wobbly teeth.

In October we finally saw it happen. His first baby tooth started to wibble wobble.
However sadly a few weeks later he informed me that "hey mummy, did you know my new tooth is already coming through?"
So to avoid complications of tooth retention and have crooked front teeth we whipped him off to the dentist who kindly removed the offending over staying little tooth.

She mumbled at the time that there may be a high chance of it reoccurring with the other bottom front tooth, but as it was not wobbly at the time, she was loathed to remove it too!

He has gained 2 more wobbly teeth since that time, 1 on the top and 1 on the bottom.
On Monday I came home from a night out to be informed that "Hey mummy do you know my new tooth is coming through already!"
Just what the dentist suspected, another retained tooth.

Today he happily, he seemed happy about it, skipped off to the dental service and had the other bottom front tooth removed.

He had to have another injection to numb his teeth and he was so good about it. Not a flinch from him, mummy even got to assist with the suction, although the dentist said I was not a very good assistant as I kept kissing the patient! Apparently that is not allowed!!

So after tonight 2 teeth will have been collected by the Tooth Fairy and none of them have fallen out on their own. Let's hope the top wobbly one gets itself sorted and falls out naturally!

Christmas Spirit

I am not sure whether unemployment is doing it or if things have changed but suddenly this year I seem to have found the Christmas spirit.
My husband has known for years, well at least since I was pregnant with our youngest, that as much as I love Christmas it just seems to take me a long while to get into it and then suddenly it is Christmas Eve and we just go with it!

When I was pregnant with Alex in 2004/5 I lost the Christmas spirit, big time.
How I got through Christmas I am not sure, how we even had presents for family members or food on the table at my Sister-in-Laws I am even less sure of, simply put....it is a good thing we went away that year to someone else's house as otherwise Steve would have been at home with a 1yr old and a pregnant wife who couldn't have cared less!

This year I seem to have got it together, ok the Christmas cards are not written and posted nor is the Christmas Letter with all our news from the year, but other things are coming together.

Shimelle's Journal Your Christmas

This year I am taking part in Shimelle's Journal Your Christmas. And so far I am loving it. Ok I haven't written anything or taken any pictures but the thoughts that are running through my head means that very soon there will be a sudden influx of words and pictures and I am hoping I can keep up!
I am loving receiving a new prompt each day and this is making me think about Christmas. The memories are flowing and suddenly I am enjoying every day of December.
More on this to come in another post soon.

12 Days of Christmas

I will post about this seperately but I found an awesome gift for the boys Teachers on Pinterest which occurs over 12 days.

In basic terms they receive a small gift everyday for the last 12 days of the school term.

Today is Day 1 and the gift was well received by both teachers, Ben's teacher was so happy and smiling, there were hugs all round and she was so enthusiastic for tomorrow.

I will share the link and details soon, just have some pictures to take for it.

The Diary

In normal this time of year fashion, the diary in the kitchen is full. In fact if someone offered me a job now I would ask them to let me start in January as I surely couldn't fit in any work in the next few weeks!
But everything is flowing and fitting together nicely. We haven't had any double ups this year, nothing that is happening all on the same day, everything has found its day and fits in nicely with other things we have planned. It means we don't have a spare day between now and Christmas Day but it is going to flow smoothly till then.

Now if I could just get rid of the pain in my wrist (tendonitis/tendinopathy) we would be firing on all cylinders!

Christmas layout

I finally have 5 minutes to sit and try out further things with my photo storage programme.
Memory Manager 3.0 by Creative Memories
It can do wonderful things as I discovered today. There is also an update available to 4.0, that will get downloaded soon to my computer!

That meant I just had to do a layout with the picture I scanned.
This is the boys with Santa in 2009! I know, an old picture but so easy to work with....

Not sure I like the numbers I used for the date. Will go back and play with some others I have. Unfortunately I am fussy and things have to look perfect. These numbers just don't quite fit with the overal look for my liking. Funny how you see these things after you have posted it!!

Great Idea

I attended a craft fair a few weekends ago and came across a gorgeous little garden attraction.

Ok before I talk about that, I know our garden looks like a rain baren desert! It is a work in progress at present, at least it is looking flat. We are in the process of leveling so hopefully we can sew grass seed in the next week or two. Will keep you posted on that progress.

Now on with the main reason for the post!

The above picture is of a bird feeder, made from a cup and saucer/bowl.

They are screwed and glued into the top of the green pole and then you place in garden and watch the birds happily eating or even bathing in the saucer part if water is placed there!

The boys are able to fill with bird seed and the cats are unable to get the birds!

The birds are loving their new treat, hopefully when we do sew the seed they will leave it alone in favor of the tasty treats in the cups? Here's hoping?

Coming Soon....!

Here is proof alone that someone is arriving sometime soon.......

This little man pointed it all out to me!
Even that they had reindeer waiting and that one of them was Rudolph!

Proof Rudolph does exist!

The local shopping mall all ready to go for the imminent arrival of all the helpers leading up to Christmas

Planning Ahead

Now that I have finished my Degree I need to move on forward with my plans.
You know the ones....about becoming a teacher.

A few weeks ago I happened to see the application form for the course and realised that I am not ready for the course just yet.

I have no experince and my references would be weak.

So I decided that I need to plan for this course and get active in gaining the experience I require to stand me in good stead to get through the acceptance process when I finally go for it.

The application spoke about getting references from people who know you and have history with you in experience around children etc. Despite having my own 2 little people, this is an area that I do lack.

1 of my references will be my old manager, she has evidence of my education skills within nursing and would happily support me with a personal reference.

However my contact with school experince is limited, so I decided that maybe I need to spend sometime at school, maybe as a parent helper in a class room.

This would allow me to be in a class room setting and work along side a teacher who would hopefully be prepared to support my application at such time as I am prepared to submit it.

Today I approached our Principle to tell him of my plans and see how this fits in with the school.

Now luckily I know him on a personal basis as well so he was all open arms to my suggestion.

He is happy for me to spend 1 day a week in the class rooms next year, maybe even spending time in different age groups to gain experince in all areas of the school.

He also has ideas for some extra curriculum activites he wants to start within school time and thinks I would be super to support these with him, thus allowing me to also add to my experience the ability to coordinate and run a small class activity.

I really liked his thinking and feel this is going to be great for my plans. I love the idea of spending 2 terms in one area maybe Yr 5&6 (10/11 yr olds), then 1 term in another area, Yr 7&8, (12/13 yr olds) and splitting the 4th term between the remaining areas Yr 0-2 ( 5-7 yr olds) and Yr 3&4 (8/9 yr olds). This would allow me to spend a decent amount of time with the age group I would really like to be involved with but also get a small feel for the other areas involved in this type of teaching, cause you never know....I may have an area in mind but actually like a different age group once I have been involved with them!

So I am moving forward with my plans and feel great about them too.

Roll on next year, I am actually excited about it and can't wait for the summer holidays to get here so school can start again next year, with me there too!

Thankful

Today I am thankful for family and friends and the beautiful sunshine we are having.

Happy Thanksgiving to all my friends and enemies.

May you be enjoying a wonderful time wherever you are and that you don't eat too much.

May Black Friday be adventurous tomorrow and that you score some great bargains.

 Happy Thanksgiving

Moment in History

Today for us but yesterday for others will be one of those days that goes into history.
It may become one of those days that people will have in their "Remember when..." files.

I think people will remember where and what they were doing when President Barack Obama won the campaign to serve "4 more years" in the White House.
It was important to us that the boys watch what was being shown here in New Zealand on the television about it, well we made them watch his acceptance speech.
Ben (9) was not sure why we were making him watch it, although we did explain that maybe one day he might remember it and realise what we made him watch.
Alex (7) sat on my lap and proceeded to draw the American flag in his notebook, making me count the stripes on the flags we watched being waved on the tv and working out how to draw the 50 stars.

I am glad we made them watch it, doubt they took much from it, but at least Ben will be able to join in the news discussion at school tomorrow.

I however decided that it was something that needed to be journalled. So I attempted my first public displayed scrap book page.
Quite odd that the first one I use has no pictures and is not too family orientated.

Thanks to Sweet Pea Designs for the ability to gain some free embellishments from her Proud American Freebie Posts. Not much call for American Election embellishments here in New Zealand, so really happy to discover her July 4th Freebies that worked just as well in my layout.

I am not sure about the date I have used on this LO though? As the election was all on Nov 6, but to us it was Nov 7. May alter the layout to show Nov 6 somewhere just for historical purposes?

Scrap Booking Freebies

In my last post I mentioned how I had discovered digital scrap booking?
I am having fun learning all the ropes at present so no layouts to share just yet, but believe me, when I do they will appear thick and fast.

In the mean time I have been getting to grips with digital stores online, downloading zip files and learning how to unzip them and upload into my digital programme!
Believe me, lots for me to learn, luckily I have a very patient husband when it comes to computers and he will, at a push, happily show me how to do things on this electronic device that manages to have me very frustrated occassionally!

Anyway, onto the freebies.

You would not believe the amount of sites out there in that big old www world that has kits and papers for the digital scrap booker...!

My Memories is one of the wonderful stores I have come across and they have lots of freebies as well.

A side from that they have a blog and currently this weekend only they are celebrating International Digital Scrapbooking Day and there is a blog train flowing.

You start at the first station (designer) and you collect a free kit and then they tell you where the next station (designer) is located and you follow the link to the next place and collect the next freebie.

These freebies by the way are not just an embellishment, no we are talking full kits here, some with up to 50 items in the pack.

So if you have some time today and wish to find some wonderful new designers of awesome kits for scrapbooking, then head on over to the My Memories Blog and follow the train out of the station.

Choo Choo

Happy travels to you all

Life Goes On....

It sure does folks, life has just been racing by and I feel like I haven't been here for a while?
A quick check of the last post and it was over 10 days ago, so not really that bad at all.

So where have you been I can hear you all wondering?
Living life I will answer, but there are a few things I will share with you.

Study
As you are all aware I have been completing my Bachelors of Nursing over the last 2 years. Only had 4 papers to complete. Not too bad...1 paper every 6 months, which mainly consisted of 2 essays.
Well I can finally announce that paper #4 is complete.
Yep, 2nd essay got placed in the mail last night.

Done, finito, finished, end of story....I have done it and survived.
I just have to wait the next 3 weeks for the mark to be available and then it is official but I am quietly confident in myself, so I have no doubts that I have just achieved my Bachelors Degree!

Labour Weekend
New Zealand has just had Labour Weekend this past weekend. The weather was not the greatest nor was it the worst we have had. It didn't stop us as a family going to our caravan and having a great time.
The boys got to play with friends they have known for a while but were able to cement the relationships a little further. 1 of the nights they both got invited to sleepovers in some else's caravan so we even managed a night without them. Bonus!
We managed to get the plants cleared from behind the caravan with the help of my mum who came to spend a night with us, luckily we managed to get this achieved on the 1 sunny day we had, so we were very lucky. It looks great now, all we have to do is get some form of platform down to keep it level and it will be awesome in time for the Christmas break

School Holidays
The school holidays only finished the week before Labour Weekend, so I feel like we had only just got over having a lovely 2 weeks with the boys and then everything was due at this time. The holidays were fun and I had a lovely relaxed time with the boys. It was the best holidays I have had with them for a long time.

Alex being as cheeky as always!

Work
Even though I have yet to secure a permanent job, I was lucky enough to gain 2 days work with my cousin at the office she works at. They are responsible for the regalia that is used in the graduation ceremony for the local University. So for 2 days I got to celebrate with all the graduates as they collected and returned their regalia for their ceremony. It was the most joyous happy work I have ever completed. Everyone was so proud of themselves and extremely happy it was over. We congratulated everyone when they collected their stuff and they were so full of smiles. It was a great 2 days, plus I got paid to be there, bonus!
I also managed to score a single day job as a patient actor for the nursing school. So I spent a day sat on a bed in a room whilst nursing students got to do a basic assessment on me. Nothing bad just the same thing every 30 minutes. It was interesting and hey it paid some more money so wasn't going to pass on the opportunity. They have even offered me a 2nd day next week which I have accepted.

On the permanent work front, there hasn't really been anything in the last few weeks.
However I did have a meet and greet, which I think turned into more of an interview yesterday at a private ear clinic just round the corner from me.
They were lovely and I feel I related with them amazingly and that I fitted really well. The director of the company was awesome and I feel we gelled really well. I happily joined in with the other staff over morning tea.
I definitely handed back my application form later that day and I know through the sneaky grapevine that they have sent reference checks out to my referees. So fingers crossed for this. I think it would be a great little place to work. Yes it is a small private place but it seems friendly and inviting and I think I will fit in just nicely there.

Hobbies
I have several hobbies...reading, sewing.
Although I have never let myself indulge too much whilst I have been growing the boys. Also as mentioned in a post a while ago I am terrible when I read as I get lost in what I am reading and everything else disappears out the window until the book is finished! Not that we are talking about wild classic novels here, oh no, we are talking Danielle Steel and other family romance novels, the really heavy girl stuff. If I find a series then I am typically screwed as if I find I am enjoying the first then I just have to have the rest of the series and I want to finish them all just as soon as I can!
Well with the study now complete and the boys also leaving me alone for more time nowadays then reading is suddenly taking over again. Roll on summer.
However I have found a new hobbie....one I knew I would eventually get into but to an extent I needed to let the times catch up with this hobbie...as I have finally taken up scrap booking, digital scrap booking too.
Man is it easy to loose yourself for hours doing layouts on the computer?
I will post about this more in a while as I have lots to say and as I am only using a trial edition of my scrap book programme I can't post layouts until the activation key comes through next week. Keep you posted on that one soon.

So there you have it. I have been a little absent but not quiet in any means.

Lemon Time

New Zealand is coming out of winter and entering spring.
Well it sure felt like it last week. This weekend I think we have taken 3 gigantic steps backwards! Wind and rain like never before is lashing the country from top to bottom!

The lemon trees however are doing fine and there is plenty to go round.
So when you have lemons...make lemonade...or in this case lemon curd.

I love lemon curd, freshly made on a thick slab of fresh crusty bread, nothing better than sinking your teeth into lemon and fresh bread.

Now I know you can make this in the microwave but I still like to make it on the stove with a double boiler, or in my case the old fashion way of standing a dish in a saucepan of boiling water.

Lemon Curd

50g Butter
3/4 cup sugar
1 cup lemon juice
2 eggs, beaten
1 tsp finely grated lemon rind

Melt the butter in the double boiler.
Stir in sugar and lemon juice until sugar is dissolved.
Add the eggs and lemon rind.
Cook, stirring all the time, until mixture thickens.
Pour into hot sterilised jars.

Makes about 2 x 250ml jars.
Will keep in the fridge for about 3-4 weeks.

Mine sadly does not last that long in the fridge! Eaten before it ever gets that far.
Also I find this recipe is a little runny. I cook for about 15 minutes. It does thicken up but not a solid set, but it still taste divine.

Work In Progress

Our little house is a work in progress.
We always knew it would be and we were happy with that.
There is the garden to sort, bathroom, painting all over the house inside and out. Woodwork that needs replacing. Carpet to eventually be replaced etc etc.
I know for some this would drive them mental, but for us we are happy to just potter along and do things as we get to them.
Ok sometimes I am sure we could do with a little motivation, and yes life does just seem to wizz past us but we are getting there.
Of course unemployment does not help this situation at all!

1 little area that always needed sorting was the bathroom window.
It was fine and stable, does not leak and opens when needed.
However it was clear glass in the window.
Yep, someone in their ultimate wisdom had never put in frosted glass?
Now this didn't cause too many embarrassing situations as the window is actually higher than you realised once you got out on the driveway.
But we still discussed the fact we needed to get frosted glass in there at some stage.

The solution was presented to us by a friend....don't change the glass just place a frosted sticker on the window.
Steve finally remembered, after about 2 years, to find a website and low and behold they did all manner of different patterns on a frosted sheet that sticks to your window.
Very easy to install and very easy to remove if no longer required?

And guess what....due to the horrible weather that is hitting New Zealand as I type, he put it in place today and it took all of 15 minutes.

Now I can shower in peace knowing that no one can see me whilst there!

Countdown

Did you know that there is only 82 days until Christmas??
I can not believe that so many people are reminding us about it.
On Facebook and Blogger there seem to be reminders all over the place.

I guess it is now time to have a quick sit down with a cup of whatever you drink and see if there is anything you need or want to achieve/finish before those 82 days disappear?

Do you have some home made presents on the go that need completing?
Have you something to send overseas that needs organising to be able to get the early cheaper post?
Do you have a goal you are hoping to achieve?

For me.....I want to lose 3 more kilos, that is 1 per month.
That is what I have been achieving since February and that is my goal for the year.
Oh and also to finish my degree but seeing as that will be complete in 3 weeks time then I am not worried about that for now as I know it will be achieved.

So what are you aiming for...?

Hide 'n' Seek

Whilst at mum's house a few weeks ago, we got to enjoy the wondrous sunshine that suddenly decided to hit New Zealand.

We got to sit outside in her courtyard area and have some lunch.
She has a lovely large flower box in the middle of the area

can you spot the cat?

And it seems like her cat, Chivers, has decided that this is his space, despite the fact there is no space for him!

Chivers enjoying the daffodils as much, if not more than we are!

At least he is showing who owns what around the house!!

Friend Making Monday

If you’ve taken part in FMM then you know the rules. If you’re new, please take a moment to answer this week’s question on your own blog then add your link in the comments section here at: alltheweigh so we can all see your FMM questions and answers.

Uniquely You

1) Do you prefer to talk or text? I prefer to talk, although if I do text then I use full words, none of this text language.

2) How often do you make your bed? Not enough!

3) What sounds do you hear right now? Birds tweeting in the trees outside

4) List three things that you always carry with you? Phone, wallet and a tissue. (You never know when you will need one for something)

5) What are your favorite TV shows? At the moment, the things I ensure I record so I don't miss them are Greys Anatomy, Glee and Body of Proof.

6) Is there a hobby that you’d like to devote more time to? If so, what is it? Cross Stitch, I love how it looks and how simple it is.

7) What is your favorite drink? Anything cold, juice, cordial or fizzy. I don't do tea or coffee.

8) Share a couple of cool facts about your family. My parents took us to live in Kuwait in 1977, I went to Boarding School for 6 years, my parents fostered at least 15 babies before they had me, think they wanted the practise.

9) List one thing that you will do for yourself today? Enjoy my children's first day of school holidays.

10) Share something that you’re thankful for today? The friends we ahve in our life who are making the school holidays so much fun.

If you want to answer these questions on your blog, then leave me a comment so I know to come and visit your answers, but also remember to leave a comment here so others can come and see you too and make friends.