Monday, March 15, 2010

The Kaiapoi Women's Institute

A couple of months ago I spoke to my friend, lets give her a blog name...Martha (you know who you are!), about getting together with a bunch of like minded ladies, generally Mums. The purpose was to share homemaking/crafting/gardening ideas with each other. This went down a treat as Martha had been thinking the same, and in fact her sister had set up a group where she lives. So we set about getting our little club together, and hey presto, the Kaiapoi Women's Institute (youth division) was born.
Here's the current KWI members (must think of a better name!)

Mrs T - Friend, Working Mum, 1 son, 1 Husband, 1 Golden Labrador puppy soon to be received. Look forward to meeting you Bessie!

P4Perfect (formerly P-Lala) - Friend, Sister in Law, Domestic Engineer, 2 sons, 1 Husband and soon to be new home owners at the wonderful Pegasus Town development. Why can't you stay living in the VM Commune?? What's wrong with us?

Martha - Founding Friend, Working Mum, 2 sons, 1 husband, 1 doggie called Morris, 1 insatiable appetite for anything gardening/crafty/baking etc etc etc. Do you get the name connection? Here's her blog; http://fromplot2plate.blogspot.com/

And last, but most certainly not least...

Miss MoneyP - Newest friend and a great find! - Working Mum (2 jobs), 2 daughters, 1 Husband, hidden craft talent, Netball/Athletics Extrordinaire.

Last week we met for the second time. We shared recipes, ate a wonderful frozen cheesecake made by this months host, Mrs T. Quaffed some wine (the painting took some concentration, so not a huge amount was quaffed). It was simply wonderful! Our purpose is to cover some of these topics on a monthly basis;
  • In the Garden
  • In the Kitchen
  • In the Cleaning Cupboard
  • In the Craft Basket
  • In my Mind
Of course in a fun, non serious/but deadly serious kind of way.
Most of the subjects are self explanatory and In my Mind I feel is the opportunity for us to have a moan and groan or chat about anything that might be bothering us. Which I reckon I could probably hold court with for most of our meet up.

We decided on our first night to do Miss MoneyP's kids paintings. Boy did I think it would be a challenge. However, it was surprisingly easy. I haven't yet finished my cow painting for Master L's bedroom, but here's a picture of our wee group and our achievements. Aren't they fab??


Suggestions on a name other than Kaiapio Women's Institute are all welcome. In fact they are invited!

Saturday, March 13, 2010

Auld Davie

My Papa (Mum's Dad) passed away on Thu 11th March. It was his 84th birthday. For those of you that may not know, my family are all in Ayrshire in Scotland and I live in New Zealand with my husband and kids. I haven't felt the distance between my family and I as much as I do right at this moment.

I'd give anything to be with my family to help them mourn and join in their grief. But I can't be there. My kids need me and I need my kids right now. On Friday, I spent most of the day writing a little poem that I'm hoping will be able to be read at his funeral on Thursday.

A Tribute to Auld Davie

Shaking your false teeth, making gurning faces,
Grabbing my knee, tickling me in different places
You’d continue until I’d squeal in defeat,
Then stand me up and dance whilst I stood on your feet.

Sitting down to many Sunday dinners that Gran used to cook
You’d distract me and point out the window to “look!”
Then season my Sunday lunch with pepper, your favourite,
Get the meat on your plate, cos you knew that I hated it.

My Papa, My friend… A big torment!

Holidays, parties, family times, a lot to remember
As I write this my heart is like a burning ember
Funny songs, silly nicknames, Dirty Agnes was one,
I remember we used to have so much fun,
Planes, steam trains and pipe band music,
Playing on your keyboard, and teaching me how to use it.

Tales of the good old days and photographs to ponder,
I’d look into your face with a huge sense of wonder,
Sitting on your knee, never to old for a cuddle,
Then you got older and your mind started to get in a guddle.

You’d get confused with our names, never find the right one,
You reverted to calling everyone “Lass” or “Son”
Too many to remember I used to say,
You just continued to do it your way

Today I give thanks, for the time that we had.
My memories they simply make me so glad,
That I knew you, I love you and I’ll always have,
The best parts of you with me, here in my heart.

Goodbye Papa. xx

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

**NEWSFLASH**

Numbers 1 and 7 from the previous post are now struck off the list. Can I get a "hell-yeah!"?

Here are some other events that require recognition.

Today = bad day. As in one of those Mummy days where you shout at your kids for doing kid stuff and then you feel guilty for shouting at them. Then you feel mad at them for feeling guilty for shouting at them, cos if they hadn't been awake between 1:30am and 4am then you wouldn't be feeling so god-damned crabbit and cranky to shout at them in the first place.

Cue tears at playgroup this morning. Thanks Auntie P-la-la (your new blog name) for the hug.

However, I can confirm that today is almost over and I've survived.

Music Man in Auckland overnight on business. Kids fed, bathed and in bed asleep before 7pm with no tears and mummy shouting. Cue *fanfare*

Today was a contradiction of emotions. Nothing a glass of fine red didn't sort out.

Now, where's my to-do list....?

I've been busy, busy, busy....

...procrastinating!

Yes, its been one of those weeks already. Here's the stuff I haven't done.

1. Haven't paid the speeding fine I got travelling to our holiday home. There's something about Murchison (place) and me. Last year in the same town, travelling to the same place, I reversed Music Man's car into a parked 4 wheel drive. This year a cop with his blues and two's howling pulled me over for speeding in a 100kph zone. I'll tell you I was clocked at 113kph. I am sorry, truly sorry, but I was having a debate with Ella in the back seat. Just like the year before. Thankfully this year, Music Man and I didn't have to argue about it!!

2. Paid car insurance, i've still got another week to get onto that one. Can you see a common theme?

3. Organised a meal planner for the week, so we're just having a "what shall we pull out of the freezer today" week.

4. Tidied the computer desk.

5. Applied for Kiwi and UK passports for Master L.

6. Tidied out my car.

7. Cleaned my car.

8. Looked at places to go for a holiday in Scotland.

9. Ironed Music Man's shirts.

10. Cleaned out the fridge.

11. Blogged about our Holiday.

There are innumerable (word?) other things I haven't included above that are boring and mundane, but still need to be done.

On the upside I have achieved a few things this week.

1. Spoken to Mum and Sister on the phone.

2. Spoken to Emirates on the phone to do various bits like confirming seats, meals and accommodation for our trip.

3. Watered houseplants.

4. Had my sis-in-law over for lunch yesterday.

5. Did a load of washing.

6. Procrastinated.

7. Procrastinated some more.

8. Blogged on here, which is probably classed as procrastination too.

Well, the way I look at it, some weeks you win and achieve a helluva lot. Other weeks, it starts badly and you've just got to do as much damage limitation possible.

My damage limitation last night involved eating too many chocolate biscuits whilst folding a pile of washing and watching Greys Anatomy and Private Practice.

What? You didn't know I've got no self-control?

At least I can multi-task.

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