Last night we had the first formal parent/teacher with Z’s new school. The conversation revolved around Z and his integration into the school (took less time than expected, only a week) and his academic achievements (on or above target) for maybe two minutes then it went to league. Quelle surprise.

So Z had a good night when this was combined with his afternoon jaunt in Riki’s VERY LOUD Ferrari. Very fast, too. Perfect for little boys, and probably the ones who pretend to be grown up too. He went to bed on top of his world.

Prompt 18: Complete this sentence….. ‘If all else fails…….. ‘

Start again. Work out where I went wrong. Follow the directions. Re-create the directions. Find a child to finish whatever for me. Google. Do something else until my brain coughs up the solution. Eat Whittakers chocolate. Stitch. Read. Walk.

Prompt 19: School uniform! Still a tetchy subject! What did you think of yours?

I loved mine. I went to Penrose High (before it was renamed One Tree Hill College) and it was mostly blue. Junior school had pale blue shirts, senior school had white (or was it the other way around?) and Seventh Form had mufti. Plenty of choice for bottoms – skirts (always rolled up higher as soon as we left home!), trousers, shorts and reasonably flattering styles too. So much better than brown! The uniform today at the school is very similar.

In two weeks all my babies will be in uniform and I’m going to love that too. I’m a big fan of uniforms – identification, unity, equality – and of course, it seems like less washing in the basket too. Bonus! As long as we forget about the very grubby league uniforms… B’s team circa 2005…

One of the other things about Penrose was the art – as we leaned against the reception desk our knees knocked on a Colin McCahon (Necessary Protection), and plenty of other NZ artists were featured on our walls. I remember all the pieces in the links except for the Frizzell – perhaps that was in the staff room?

At home we have some prints (not enough) and the kid’s stuff. When we had Colwill on the market we got more than one offer for a collage Lou had done – at seven.

http://www.art-newzealand.com/Issues11to20/penrose.htm

http://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/local-news/central-leader/805528/Tuck-shop-art-on-show

Prompt 14: You are just about to go on holiday. You get into the car – but remember that you have forgotten something! For what would you really delay the start of your vacation? The answer can be serious or trivial.

It isn’t a real holiday unless I’ve forgotten something. Usually toothpaste, or pj’s or something small. I haven’t ever forgotten to set the alarm, or have someone in to feed the pets (easier now with Lou being old enough and responsible enough to be left at home alone). I guess the only true delay would be if we forgot kids or passports – and we haven’t done either yet. Yet.

There was one time I seriously wanted to “forget” something – the massively heavy multi-tiered wedding cake we had to take to Bali for a family wedding. Try juggling normal carry-on, three cake boxes, a worrying MIL and three rambunctious kids. Worst check-in EVER.

Prompt 15: If you could do something you have never done before – what would you do?

Travel to Europe or the States. Or buy a Ribbon Rose (my favourite LNS) franchise and set it up at Westgate or nearby. I have plans – but they revolve around the fantasy of winning Lotto or something like that. I’d also love to pay off the mortgage – that is first on my list.

I’d like to hit the Marlborough Sounds this coming summer – we have kayaks and I love exploring the area. Or ride the Otago rail trail – on horseback. Simon would prefer to ride – he likes his Scott road bike he brought earlier this year. What a hardship if he had to buy another that’s more suitable for the track! I imagine if we did this it would be hare & the tortoise – eventually I’d get past him 

Prompt 16: G K Chesterton once sent a telegram to his wife saying ‘Am in Market Harborough, where should I be?’ Have you ever gone somewhere by mistake, forgotten where you should be going – or – if you have no other response – been to Market Harborough?!

Where on earth is Market Harborough? England? Maybe I’ll get there on my Europe trip 

I quite often get text messages from the team parents – I’m here, where are you – Umm, I sent a text earlier, the game/training is off/postponed/venue changed – oh ooops sorry. Or it’s B, who is very good at not being where or when he should be.

I’m sure I’ve not been somewhere as arranged (Simon accuses me of this often) but some of our best family or friend trips have been because we’ve gone driving and explored along the way. I usually book accommodation and do a little research, then we just go from point A to point B and it takes as long as it takes. Best playground? Levin (surprisingly). Best windy spot? Apart from my beloved Bethells, it would be Castlepoint, but if you are thinking of heading there, book the accommodation in advance as it’s a long windy road back to the next hostel/motel or B&B. My “research” for the Wellington-Castlepoint leg was one line I had read – the first ever ANZAC service held in NZ was at the local settlement of Tinui in 1916 – only one year after Gallipoli. There is an awesome mix of fact and story on the http://www.devonport.co.nz website – and Devonport itself is worth a trip with your camera, especially if you like 1890-1920 architecture.

Prompt 17: You have the chance to change the packaging on one product that you use often. Which one is it? Why would you change it? How would you like it changed?

I don’t buy them often, but I hate the way the Pascall lolly bags open. The crimping at the top of the bags is too much (same at the base) so everything ends up ripped and the lollies fly everywhere – yuck if they aren’t wrapped! Yet another reason for me to take my sewing kit with me, scissors are my best friend.

so behind! Some prompts aren’t popping up with a lot of inspiration, or life is just taking over. I’m going to roll with it – some journalling is better than none.

Prompt 9: Jack Buchanan said that ‘everything stops for tea‘. Morning, noon or night – which beverage will make you ‘stop’ and say ‘Ahhhh! That’s better!’?

This is me in the morning. I NEED at least two cups of coffee (or a V) to get going but I try not to have anything with caffeine post noon. I won’t sleep, or I’ll be very restless. This morning I woke with awful dreams (that we had been invaded, and B was conscripted, and the family separated) and I’ll blame that on the afternoon Pepsi.

Lunch – water.

Evening – depends on what is around. The other night it was obviously the vino (I’m buying that one again, no hangover!) & I’ve recently discovered Endeavour ginger ale – very dry. Stupid label placement tho. It tells a story (about the first sighting of land by the cabin boy) in two panels, one either side of the title, which would work on the flat but once the wrapper is on the bottle, you read the second half of the story before the first. #fail

Yesterday and this morning I’ve fed Emma’s three cats while she and her hubby are down at the Mountain. Even Gary, her older boy, is all smooch this visit. It’s nice to hear the purrs.