Author Archives: paulainauckland

Oooof

Posted in House by

Today was a creative void, apart from imagining the changes I would make to the house we viewed. Part one would be getting rid of the carpet – it looks like the Jolly Green Giant sneezed. A lot.

Photo inspiration:

Cleaning Up

Posted in DIY home by

Some time ago, the laundry plumbing at the MIL’s gave up the ghost. We found out when the wall between the laundry & toilet blew up-the skirting board looks awful.

So the plumber has been, and some twit has given her a quote to fix that is so far out it’s not funny. Simon’s solution is that we clear out everything so we can get a clear view. Hence the 7.5 cubic bin on the front lawn. It is amazing how big that space is. If we had the money I’d re-design the space and have a butler’s pantry.

The sprinkling of rain is very welcome – it is hot work in this weather. I’m looking forward to the cricket tonight & some relaxing.

What the?!

Posted in family by

Its nearly 2013. I haven’t used this blog as I’ve been using Facebook to keep the creativity going. Clearly a fail, and I know a little too much about some people!

So I’ve already selected my word for next year. Create. On a budget, too. That will be impressive, no? It is a very good thing I’ve discovered Pinterest! I’m even machine sewing. My biological mother was good at sewing and used to pick anything I made apart verbally, so until last month it wasn’t something I enjoyed. But I made Si a waistcoat for his fancy dress (Al Capone) and then a cupcake print apron (with pockets) that she loves, so now its something to enjoy.

Simon’s word for me would be employment. I’m going to relax about that; Bran starts high school next year and Mase starts kindy. Zac will be one of a few year six in a combined 6/7/8 class and he’ll find that hard going too. A job will come along at the right time.

And the photo below? That’s Mase. Merry Christmas!

Writing Motherhood & PL updates

Posted in books, family, Project Life by

Based on (I think) an Ali Edwards recommendation I ordered Lisa Garrigues’ Writing Motherhood. It’s a workbook/course designed to get you to start writing again, even if it’s just a quick journal each day, despite all the other pressures that might be on you. Of course I ordered the print version and then saw on the jacket that it’s available as an ebook (oh whatever!) and it’s great. Full of starters that you could use to write or conversate with. Brilliant.

  Bran adapted it for Sunday night. It was his birthday and thankfully (as we lost power in the storms) he’d decided to eat out at Fortuna Sky City. We have a tradition when we eat out – everyone takes turns in my notebook to write down their current favourites – which might be anything from TV show to breakfast cereal to toy to car, depending on who helps generate the list. Bran decided that we would journal on our Project Life cards and also the topic, which clearly, was Bran. His categories?
  • Favourite memory of Bran (mine is, I am reliably told, when he was born)
  • Favourite Food to eat with Bran (he relaxed this somewhat and we were allowed to write down where we like to eat with Bran)
  • Favourite TV show to watch with Bran (clearly some forward planning going on here) and lastly,
  • Favourite Place to go with Bran

He was exactly right to choose to put these into our family PL album. I am finding more and more that we are looking back on these and it’s a fantastic way to keep everything together. I know that the kids won’t have their own albums, but when I die, they can copy these as needed. They’ll have school reports, projects, awards, writing notes, tickets, postcards, letters – it’s all in the one place and the pressure is off. I know that they will have the memories when I am gone. That’s amazing peace of mind, considering how little I have. Altho Dad told me a tale on Christmas Day that I had to record – can’t believe I did that! Well, in retrospect, maybe I can…

Promise – layouts will be up once I have the bucks to buy a printer cartridge. Those suckers are expensive.

And recieved an update from Jill. Back on the boat, making me jealous! And still dedicated to the Pirate Gag. Apparently the sword is an antique Iban head hunting sword (which runs me off into GoogleWorld). Awesome. I’d have that white one behind her (no, the BIG one). Bet I could get volunteers to crew it without too much hassle!

 

One Little Word & Welcome 2011

Posted in family, OLW, Project Life by

Long time, no blog. I guess I allowed myself to get caught up in all the usual rush – Christmas, work, kids, work…I am happy that I kept relitively up-to-date with my Project Life 2010 (only have October and some photos to print and we are done!).

My One Little Word (an Ali Edwards thing) for 2011 is CONTROL. I want to have control at work, at home – keeping to deadlines ( I am pretty good at this anyway work-wise); keeping up to date with PL 2011 as I want this to be P365 and not have monthly highlights as I did for some of 2010; clean out my stash of unfinished projects and be realistic about what I might complete – this might be the time to be ruthless, especially on my stitching patterns; replace my paper books with eBooks – which is already underway; keep to a healthy diet despite the stresses; and any other goals that pop up along the way.

I think however I will be flexible with the PL thing. It is OK to do high-lights – the kids and Si have enjoyed looking back at what we have done, despite the fact that Simon is the biggest critic of the money I spent on that album (it’s about $100 for all the components, with the additional outlay of an acid-free pen and photo priniting). Funny tho that he was the first one to tell me to pull it out on Saturday when we had guests over!

I have started to use the spare parts to get up-to-date on all the other digital photos – 2002 is complete apart from a print I am waiting on from Mum (hi Mum) – and 2003 is complete to August. It’s amazing to see how much I can remember even before I get Si or the kids’ input (gosh, Mase is going to be a mini-Bran all the way). This too is an album we’re all getting a kick out of.

So anyway that’s my goals. No resolutions, just Control. With a little bit of flex 😉

a very overdue update

Posted in family by

Here’s our man – hard to belive he’s now 7 months old. He’s walking around the furniture; eating heaps (still); starting to babble; kicks his legs furiously when he’s excited to see someone or something; sleeps well if in his sleeping bag; loves Bear in the Big Blue House and just about anything else on Playhouse Disney but doesn’t like Jonas Brothers (good taste, son!); loves swimming or baths but not getting out; his aunt and uncle, even tho A isn’t too keen on the nappy business; adores his sister and will go to her even when she’s grumpy; likes to push his dad out of bed and is now facing forward in the car. Likes playgroup some days and is not good at sharing if it’s not with his brothers!

The others are all doing well – Lou is with us at the moment, taking some time out from the other household (which is not going down well, but what can you do?); Bran has started training and Zac starts tonight. Muster is also tonight so it’ll be a late one.

Si is working at the Dockyard again; team leader of the sheetmetal shop where he did his time. He has two apprentices at the moment and I am encouraging them to give him heaps back.

As for me, I’m back at work and studying. Not too sure how things will fit, given home and work and league life, but we’ll see how that goes. Have a Becky Higgins Project Life folder which is desperately in need of photos but up-to-date (gasp!) with journal cards. Even sent some with the SIL for them to do, so it will be a full-on family affair. Just the way I like it.

Other stuff

Posted in family, stitching patterns by

I forgot to say that Mason is nearly up and crawling (he’s rocking, so we need to get those gates up pronto!). Zac and Bran can ride their new bikes with ease, and always remember their helmets. Bran also is showing awesome timing with the cricket bat he got from Nana & Grandad. He can heave it over the neighbours house. Oops.

This is Bran’s sampler – an Alma Lynne Ark that I altered. Cause I always do.

This is Mason’s – Sharon made it from a Maria van Scharrenburg kit. I had to finish off the bottom border but didn’t touch it otherwise.

and this is a framed pencil sketch print I found in a Devonport op shop of a Selwyn-like church and graveyard. Si loves things like this. We found a gorgeous old church while roaming the other day – St Johns in Drury. Took some great shots with my new phone.