Home & Family TO BE FIXED – Page 10

Auckland, Christmas, Fireworks, Home & Family TO BE FIXED, Travel, Travel - New Zealand

Back home again … and Christmas in the Park

19 December, 200825 February, 2012 Anne S

Here I am sitting at my computer desk at my little flat – I got home last night, after having a really awesome time back home in NZ. I took oodles of photos so I could document all or adventures, so I may have to spread them out over a couple of posts.

I guess I should start where I left off last time … last Friday we drove over to our closest family friends for a BBQ (including Dad). It was really wonderful to see them again – they are the only people I “have to” see when I fly over, even if it’s just a flying visit I try hard to make sure we call round to visit. They’re just like our family (in fact probably closer than family), and it always feels as though I’ve never been away when I see them, as there is such a level of comfort there. It was great to see Bradley and Danial to see how much they’ve grown up, and of course always lovely to see Heather and John, Tracey and Glenn. I always have such fond memories of our get-togethers. Unfortunately I neglected to take photos, but Tracey took some, so I’ll have to try to get some copies down the track.

The next night (Saturday) we headed off on the train to Christmas in the Park at Auckland Domain. We were very lucky with the weather, as the forecasted rain held off and didn’t show itself at all during the day. I’m so glad we went (Mum and I), as it was a really super show. Unlike Melbourne, these shows are free entry with donations made to a charity on the night by way of buying glow sticks and Santa hats etc. They say Auckland had a record crowd this year, with approx 150,000 people there … can’t say I noticed all the people as we were in our own little bubble enjoying the atmosphere, music and gourmet delights we’d taken along in our picnic hamper (along with a delightful bottle each of red and white wines to wash it all down with!). Following are a couple of photos from the night:

I thought some of you in the Northern Hemisphere might enjoy this one … Santa comes to visit in all his glory in the middle of summer for us – while you’re sat huddled in your jumpers (aka jerseys, sweaters, pullovers), we’re down here in our singlet tops and shorts, but still following traditions with the Santa hats and trees etc 🙂

Crowds starting to fill up in front of Auckland’s Museum – the concert is held in the Auckland Domain, a large parkland which is usually just used for recreation and sporting activities (especially cricket)

And here’s the stage itself as people are starting to fill up the spaces

Lucky last, here is the Christmas tree once the lights have been switched on, and the evening finale of fireworks (which were disappointing compared to previous years, but still awesome to see – and guaranteed to bring the childlike glee from the depths of my soul).

We didn’t get home until just before midnight, and had an early start the next morning, as Mum and I hijacked the car for 3 days and drove to Napier/Hastings for a mini-break … which was absolutely awesome!! That will be the topic of the next couple of posts 🙂

Home & Family TO BE FIXED

Two more days then Carols in the Park

11 December, 200825 February, 2012 Anne S

I’ve been having a really lovely time here visiting in NZ. Yesterday I got Mum teed up with broadband internet, and we got her a wireless modem which means my laptop also works over here for internet access as well – it rocks!!

So far Mum and I have been spending most of the day shopping, which is very unusual for me. I’ve been getting a bit fed up of public transport and walking but Dad didn’t want me to use the car as the carparking is so bad locally now that you have to pay for parking at Manukau City. Yesterday and today, though, I got to drive the car and I loved it! It’s so much better being able to make a decision where to go and just go there instead of having to walk for miles or waiting for ages for public transport! It’s especially lovely to drive my old baby again – this is my old car from living in NZ that I gave my Dad when I left … my old Mazda 323, ah heaven … 🙂

Mum and I have really enjoyed wandering around the shops and catching up, and my suitcase will be full of cheap shoes on the return trip – Dad has been OK for the first few days, or perhaps I’ve just been more tolerant … until tonight. It’s been pretty good this visit, though – the last time I came over here was 3 1/2 years ago, and I had to leave the room after 24 hours to chill out before I lost my rag with Dad … this visit it’s taken me 5 whole days before I lost my cool and had to leave the room tonight after telling him to get a grip and chill out. I should have remembered all those childhood Thursdays when Mum and I used to vacate the lounge really quickly as soon as 10pm arrived, so we weren’t up to see Dad on his return from a drinking session at the RSA – geez, it’s amazing how quickly those memories come flooding back! Thursdays used to be my favourite day of the week ‘cos Mum and I would hang out together in the lounge – the rest of the week we all spent the time in our respective rooms separately … no “family time” in this family! 😦

Tonight has been the only down time so far, though, and the fun parts will hopefully continue. Tomorrow we’re off to have a BBQ at our closest family friends’ home – time will tell whether Dad will go, as he usually packs a sad and pulls out ‘cos he doesn’t feel like going (for years my friends didn’t think I had a Dad ‘cos he never came to anything), but regardless Mum and I will go and have a good time. Saturday brings the Christmas Carols in the Park – Mum and I used to go to this religiously each year, and I’m thrilled that I’m here for this year’s concert … fingers crossed the rain holds off for the night! I feel like I’m a little kid again when the fireworks start at the end of the night – I can’t wait!!

Sunday morning will see us taking off in the car for a very early morning start, when we’ll be heading off down the coast to Napier/Hastings, when we hope to visit Katrina on Sunday afternoon. On Monday we get to do my choice of the holiday, and visit the gannet colony at Cape Kidnappers – we’ve done this trip once before, and I loved it, and I really wanted to see the gannets again and take some more photos. Afterwards we’re probably going to head over to New Plymouth, as we’ve never been there before, where we’ll overnight before heading back up north to Auckland. I then finish off the trip with a day of work in the Auckland office on Wednesday before flying home again on Thursday.

I’ve been feeling quite sentimental about this whole visit – I’ve loved retracing my footsteps among my old local haunts and seeing how things have changed … I’ve also loved hearing all the Kiwi accents without having Aussies being rude about it … it’s surprised me how happy I’ve been to be home and how the smaller things have touched me. For instance, just seeing the sparrows flitting around the garden (we rarely see sparrows in Aussie) warms my heart – and as soon as my feet got out of the car when I first arrived home on Sunday I was thrilled to see big fat bumblebees buzzing around the flowers (I only ever see the little wasp-looking bees at home) … such simple little things, but such simple joy they bring …

Alas Thursday arrived and brought with it the emotional dark clouds, but tomorrow is Friday, and chance to put Thursday behind us for another week … thankfully I will be leaving before Thursday evening next week, so this will be the last one I have to endure for another couple of years! Apparently I have to return in two years time for Mum and Dad’s golden wedding anniversary … better start getting the valium ready now! 😉

For now, however, we have lots of fun to look forward to … then I have to work out how I’m going to get all this shopping home!!! 😀

Gifts TO BE FIXED, Home & Family TO BE FIXED

Stitching day at Karen’s

6 December, 200825 February, 2012 Anne S

Today I had the most wonderful day in the company of stitchers and patchworkers at the home of Karen of The Stitching Post/Dragonfly Dreams fame. The company was awesome, as always, the food sublime, and the chatter endless and interesting. It was lovely to see some finished works as well … and I was seriously tempted to mug one of the patchworker’s quilts she was paper-piecing – you don’t have to think too hard to guess it was in scrumptious blues!!

As we were saying goodbye at the end of the day we got chatting about sewing machines, and how I really do dislike my el-cheapo one I bought on sale at Spotlight – and that I seriously miss my old Janome machine. You may/may not remember that my old faithful machine I’d had for 20-odd years finally gave up the ghost just as I was putting my belongings into storage … so I splurged on a cheapo one to tide me over until I could afford another good one.

Anyway, Karen then surprised me by saying she had an old spare Janome just laying around and she’d been wondering what to do with it, and would I like it? My jaw just about hit the floor – and the wonderful kind soul that she won’t accept any payment for it, rather that it’s in thanks for doing the model stitching for her. I was seriously gob-smacked (and still am!), and I actually felt quite choked up when we picked it up from the shop on the way home. Karen, from the bottom of my heart, thank you so very very much … I’m actually now looking forward to stitching again with it – I’ve got pile of gifts I’ve been wanting to get finished, but I haven’t grown to love my own machine yet and therefore putting off using it ‘cos I just can’t get the tension right.

No piccies yet, as I really need to get cracking and do my packing for my holidays – my flatmate will be enjoying the peace and quiet until I get home again … and I’ll probably be offline for a while longer. I’ll post piccies on my return, along with some holiday snaps – but I couldn’t go without acknowledging my unbelievable gift! 😀

Home & Family TO BE FIXED

Rotation, rotation, rotation

16 October, 200825 February, 2012 Anne S

I must say I’m quite excited about my rotation starting – I think I’ve been missing having some ‘organisation’ in my stitching … and I’m quite motivated about it, which is good. I’ve been timing my stitching on Home Sweet Home as my “free choice” project for this rotation … I’ll be so close to getting it finished during the next 4 hours of stitching I’ll probably just keep going if it takes me a bit longer than the allocated 10 hours.

I got a reasonable bit of stitching done on Tuesday, but that was while fighting off a brewing migraine so my stitching was pretty slow, and not as much to show for 6 hours as I would show normally … yesterday, however, not a stitch was done as I woke up to a full-blown migraine that had my flatmate very concerned when she saw me, and myself very fed up when I was heaving up into the toilet bowl … geez I hate migraines that are so bad they make me throw up! Needless to say I just spent the day snoozing and resting and definitely not stitching or playing on the computer.

Today, though, I’m most surprised to see a little red button at the top of the WordPress dashboard – and when I hover my mouse over it it says “add a poll” … when did that little beauty appear? That’s been one of my whines about WP vs Blogger … of course I haven’t tested it yet, so I’m just going to have to test it here to see what it looks like! 🙂

Hmmm, somewhat pretty! I like how you can choose from 19 different layouts … of course I HAD to go with the only blue one!! LOL.

And on that note, it’s time to jump in the shower and head to work … I hate to think what’s waiting there for me after 2 days off ho-hum 😦

Home & Family TO BE FIXED

Home again, home again, jiggity-jig

12 October, 200825 February, 2012 Anne S

What a wonderful, wonderful weekend away I’ve had … this is probably the first ‘real’ girlie weekend I’ve had away – just me, Brenda and Kerrie, and another lady called Rhonda. Kerrie and her husband own a 2-bdrm unit up in Toowoon Bay, and it’s a beautiful setting up there.

On Friday night we sat and had a drink and nibbles before sitting down properly to have tacos for dinner – then eventually Rhonda faded at about 10 or 11pm, and the rest of us chatted until 1.30am … assisted by a few drinks.

Saturday saw us having a relatively early start to the day, and we wandered down to the beach to the Surf Lifesaving Club Cafe where we had breakfast. After a yummy start to the day of bacon and eggs and coffee we headed back to the unit where Rhonda picked up her beach gear and headed back to soak up the sun that had just started to appear from behind the clouds, while the rest of us went and wandered around the two small shops where I bought part of Brenda’s birthday present plus a couple of bleached starfish. Afterwards we headed off to meet Rhonda on the beach where we lay like beached whales for an hour or two, then Brenda and Kerrie headed off to visit Kerrie’s Dad. I continued to blob out on the beach for another hour until the thunderclaps overhead started getting a bit close for comfort!!

Saturday night we took our food over to the local park and heated up a BBQ for dinner … washed down with yet more wine (we’d already been on the cocktails at about 4pm haha) … it was a wonderfully social day, but I to admit we were all knackered by 9pm and hit the pillows early.

I woke up at 7am this morning and lay in bed for 3 whole lazy hours to finish the book I’d taken with me, while Brenda and Kerrie chatted their heads off in the bedroom. The rest of the morning was finished off by a sort walk around the local streets (but Rhonda left us and went straight to the beach), then walked back up the beach … I managed to saturate my 3/4 pants by going into the ocean over my knees and paddling up the beach … it was awesome!! We ended up at the Surf Lifesaving Club again for lunch where we spent the next two hours just chatting and watching the world go by …

I haven’t been that relaxed in absolutely ages – it was an awesome weekend away … and just what the doctor ordered after a relatively stressful week at work. I didn’t put a single stitch into my stitching, even though I took it with me, but I’m thrilled to finally get my book finished (I’ve been picking it up every now and then since December last year) … it was a great book, that I really enjoyed immensely (Tami Hoag’s Ashes to Ashes). I really should get back into the audiobooks again, I really love reading, and I haven’t done any for so long …

Anyway, time to go start thinking about getting dinner ready, and getting my work clothes ready for tomorrow … or maybe doing a bit of stitching … I’m so relaxed I don’t feel like doing chores, so perhaps stitcing will win out … 😀

Home & Family TO BE FIXED

Probably offline for a few days

7 October, 200825 February, 2012 Anne S

Just so no-one worries, it’s possible I’ll be offline all week – an unexpected event at work kept me there until 10pm tonight, and it’s likely the issue will continue tomorrow … it’s highly unlikely I’ll have the energy to get online after work much this week, and I’m heading away for a girl’s weekend away on Friday. Lisa will be able to enjoy the peace and quiet on her own LOL.

With any luck, though, I’ll be able to get some stitching in this weekend, so there may be a bit more pink to show … then it’s highly likely that a Halloween design will be showing its face (especially for you, Giovanna! LOL).

Have a great week everyone!

Cross Stitch, Friends & Family, Home & Family TO BE FIXED, Works in Progress

Housewarming Party

7 October, 200825 February, 2012 Anne S

I forgot all about adding a couple of photos from a Housewarming Party I went to on Saturday night (what a social butterfly I was this last weekend – very very unusual for me!) … here are a couple of photos taken of me with friends during the evening (I’m the one in the blue top – how unusual LOL).

Alex, Anne and Lisa

Nat, Katie and Anne

Anne, Katie and Lisa

And just to prove this is still a stitching blog, here’s my bit of stitching from Sunday night and late yesterday afternoon – LHN’s “Home Sweet Home” on 28ct cream Jazlyn (I think it’s Jazlyn) (stitched in pink, so obviously this one isn’t for me teehee). Even though I don’t enjoy stitching in pink normally, I DO love the Pink Peony darker pink colour in this one … and have to admit I’d almost be tempted to keep this one, except I already have visions of re-stitching it in scrummy blues 😉 This one, however, is destined to live with Karen at The Stitching Post in Katoomba – finished as a cushion like the cover model. I’ve bought what I hope is the most perfect finishing fabric, but time will tell when it’s stitched up 🙂

I’ve had a couple of pieces where I’ve ironed the fabric all ready for stitching, and the kits all sitting in a shopping bag – I’ve got the fabric hanging up on a “skirt hanger” to keep the pieces crisp and flat, so I’ve been working my way through those pieces before starting on anything else. I still have a serious urge to start some other pieces, especially a Halloween piece, but want to get some of these hung-up projects finished off. This LHN piece was one of those projects – as was Just Nan’s Evening Star and Drawn Thread’s Garden Recipe … at least this project I’m actually enjoying stitching! The remaining two projects with fabric hung up are Victoria Sampler’s Crimson Fire sampler and Calico Crossroads’ Spring cushion – then the fun starts again deciding “what next” … although I’m thinking of using a “pick a number” system like I used to do with my UFO’s, then I don’t have to actually decide! We’ll see what I feel like when I finish this one … ‘cos tomorrow’s another day! LOL 😀

Home & Family TO BE FIXED, Music, Sydney

NRL Grand Final

6 October, 200825 February, 2012 Anne S

Yesterday was a fun day as Lisa and I joined 1000’s of Rugby League fans for the Grand Final match between Manly Sea Eagles and Melbourne Storm. Neither Lisa or I are League fans, but at least I’m a Union girl so I knew a fair few of the ‘basic’ rules. It was a really fun trip out, and Melbourne Storm got a total a**-kicking at 40-0 … sorry Melbourne, but that’s just pitiful, especially as the Premier winners from 2007 – I bet a few Melbourne supporters were hanging their heads after last night. Manly had a very deserving win, and the local crowd went nuts at the end, very understandably ‘cos the better team most definitely won on the night!!

Personally we felt the highlights of the match for us (heathens that we are) were the pre-match entertainment sessions. We were treated to songs by Jon Stevens of Noiseworks fame … and loved the “BBQ lids” banging session, it was like a live version of Tap Dogs – it was great fun!

We were then treated to a couple of songs by Living End (including their current hit White Noise) – the pyrotechnics were fun!

Finished off by the National Anthem sung by Anthony Warlow – what a terrific voice … we were unfortunate not to see him sing at Phantom earlier this year, but now at least I’ve seen him perform live, even just for the one song 😉

Our final highlight before the match was when a sea hawk helicopter flew into the stadium and landed smack bang in the middle of the stadium to hand over the trophy … that was awesome!

As for the game, the final 1/4 hour was thrilling watching Manly score try after try … but otherwise to be totally honest I found it a pretty boring game (I’m obviously a Union girl still at heart LOL).

Straight after the game Lisa got the train home and I drove over to Brenda and Nigel’s to stay the night. It was a lovely relaxed evening sat drinking wine and watching a DVD while getting a little bit of stitching in. Then we went out to the local Flower Power garden nursery for lunch today, and I bought a stunning blue pot and a few plants to make a succulent display for our balcony, and a few herbs ready to be potted up this week. Nigel also kindly donated one of his stunning tomato plants to me, along with some basil plants, bless him. I ended up unexpectedly staying for dinner as well tonight, and got to watch the Golden Compass DVD before driving the hour’s trip home.

All in all it was a wonderful weekend full of socialising with good friends 😀

But now it’s time to hit the hay ready for another wee of torture at work …

Home & Family TO BE FIXED

Alien invasion

1 October, 200825 February, 2012 Anne S

I’m sure that’s what’s happened to me recently … Aliens have invaded my body!! There’s just no other answer for it! And no, I’m not referring to the fact that my stitching mojo has been struggling – perhaps the alien abduction may be part of that answer as well, though!

Over the last couple of weeks my body has voluntarily been waking up by 6am every day … I repeat, in case Mum thinks she’s made a mistake reading that … yes, that’s right … VOLUNTARILY!!! What the heck is wrong with me??? LOL. I am sooooo NOT a morning person, but it appears I no longer have the urge to sit up stitching or watching TV/DVD’s until midnight … no, NOW I get the urge at 7.30pm to crawl into bed and go to sleep! Oh my goodness, is the world coming to an end?? 😉

Seriously, though, it is really really bizarre – I started making myself turn off the light between 9.30-10.00pm at night, and I have to admit it’s really given me awesome benefits. I get so much more done in the extra hour every morning – I have so much more energy during the day, and my concentration is much better at the moment. To top it off, I’ve also gone back to walking in the mornings before work, which is fantastic and something I really need.

I bought a couple of pieces of clothing at the weekend, because I hardly fit any of my ‘fat clothes’ anymore … after buying a few tops from Autograph, and some jeans from My Size, I strolled into Target and tried on a top ‘just for the sake of it’ … best thing I could have done!! Unlike the other stores, Target have the mirror set-up that shows you all angles, and I was totally horrified at what bad shape I’m in … seriously!! I knew I’d put on weight after working all those stupid hours and not eating properly, but oh boy I hadn’t realised just how bad it had gotten. Seeing those rolls of flesh hanging in the mirror is what has promptly got me back into walking again … bless you Target!!! – my body and my health thank you wholeheartedly! Of course the change in seasons has also helped, ‘cos now it’s light enough in the mornings to get up early and go walking in daylight … another reason I feel soooo much better during the day this week particularly. Although, it’s now 7.15pm and I’m starting to get bleary-eyed already LOL.

Rightio, off I go to finish off the final wording band on the dratted sampler – but I’m so so close to finishing, thank goodness … then I have to find something else to treat myself with! 😀

Friends & Family, Home & Family TO BE FIXED

No stitching to show but … “Da plane, da plane!!”

30 September, 200825 February, 2012 Anne S

Today we had a meeting at work with our ‘team’ … and it got sidelined a bit by ‘my boss’s boss’ – she gave us an update of where we’re heading and the fact that they are trying to get some positions confirmed for our team (but obviously no guarantees!). It was good that she said she appreciated some of us had moved interstate and they were aware of the huge commitment that takes, so they are doing what they can (although there are hiring freezes on, so who knows what will happen). All-in-all, though, it was really good to have our situations acknowledged and a faint glimmer of hope that things will become more concrete in time (fingers crossed) 🙂

Added to that we are now taking on the work of three overseas call centres that are closing down (1 down, 2 to go), so our workload is certainly not diminishing in any sense of the word!! It will be ‘all hands on deck’ for a few months yet … and I am brushing up on my fares skills (as I’m the only member of our team that’s Fares & Ticketing II trained) to assist with writing procedures – it’s all a good challenge and keeps the grey matter active!

Aside from being head down, bum up as normal, today we were given a little treat – our bosses nominated everyone in the team to take a bus trip for an hour or two to drive over to the Jet Base … it was great! We had a full tour of the Airbus A380 aircraft sitting in all its glory in the hangar … it was a wonderful opportunity that we just don’t normally get! The biggest highlight prior to that was meeting John Travolta when he visited our call centre in Auckland 6 years ago! 😀

I normally like to keep my work totally separate from my blog, but thought I’d share a couple of the photos of the aircraft in the hangar.

I haven’t shown any photos of the interior (even though I took a sum total of 72 photos this afternoon!), as I wasn’t sure if that would be appropriate to publish. I couldn’t resist taking this shot, though – this view greeted us as we walked back to board the bus … I just love seeing all the planes lined up in a row! Every day I drive to work either under the international runway or under the domestic flight path, and drive past the Jet Base … and I just love to see the aircraft lined up from all the different airlines – puts a smile on my face every morning (but unfortunately due to security and safety reasons we obviously can’t normally get up this close and personal) 🙂

So, all-in-all a pretty good day … definitely can’t complain … and to top it off I’m going to stitch a word or two of that dratted sampler – hey, can’t have TOO good a day, hahaha 😉

I’ll finish off with another work photo … and definitely one of THE highlights of my career to date … yep, the infamous John Travolta in the flesh, in his dashing pilot’s uniform! {{sigh}} 😀

Updated to add: In both the top and bottom photos, that’s me in the blue top (had to be blue, didn’t it?! LOL) – unfortunately I no longer have my VERY expensive blue wool jacket in the bottom photo – Fraze kindly thought he’d do the laundry washing one day (which he’s never done before), and kindly put my pure wool into a hot washing machine along with everything else … I ended up with a toddler-size felted top … not happy Jan!! 😉