BIG 40

Well officially I turn the BIG 40 on Tuesday however I had a little get together with close friends and family on Saturday. But first I must tell you the story pre birthday gathering:

5 Feb 2009

My dearest eldest brother Peter rings me asking what I was doing for my 40th I said nothing special its just another birthday. He then asks me are you sure Dave hasn't got a surprise lined up??? Dave was sitting next to me so I asked him. He looks at me blank No should I have??? Pete then replies useless well a group of us are coming down so get Dave to ring me tomorrow so we can organise things see ya.

After much discussions and a few tantrums I decided to take a few close friends and family out to dinner at the Esplanade. Dave did the budget and suggested approx 25 people would be good. So I get my invitation pack of 25 and gave them out.

20th Feb 2009

My dearest brother rings and informs me that they wouldn't be coming due to unforeseen circumstances. I was not impressed as I went through a few hurdles to organise this gathering and now the main person who made the fuss was not coming ARRRRRRRRHHHHH.

Meanwhile during the week I knew that my darling husband would not think to get a cake for me so I organised that myself from the Dessert Room nothing but chocolate.

21st Feb 2009 (Party Day)

Dave went for his usual 3 hour run (in the pouring rain). Once he got back I told him I needed to go to the shop to pick up my cake. To my amusement he replies with "What cake?" I said the birthday cake to which he replied "do you really need a cake and anyway how much is that costing?" Glaring at him at this stage I then said well did you get me a cake he grunts no. He persisted on questioning the reason for a cake and sadly I had to spell it out for him "ITS MY 40TH BIRTHDAY" and left slamming the door.

My cake was lovely and alas I did organise my own candles and if Dave had had his way he would have let me to stick the candles in and light them and sing happy birthday to me. Thank goodness for loving caring friends who took over the singing I love you guys XXXX

But wait theres more during dinner a phone call came for me. It was my darling brother wanting to know where the restaurant was as my mum was in Dunedin but couldn't find the place. I was thinking how did mum get to Dunedin and where would she sleep? The house was fill with two boarders and us. Well surprise surprise my brother, sister-in-law and mum had driven from Ashburton. Due to the rain their activities they had were cancelled so they decided to come down. I was so happy to see them, my brother makes me laugh heaps he is a huge blessing in my life. In the back of my mind, I was still trying to figure out where they would sleep but Pete wasn't staying they were going to drive back Ashburton which they did and got back about 3am.

An awesome night and even though there were a few little hick ups I'm glad I celebrated my 40th with those I love heaps.

The Comfy Sofa

The Comfy Sofa

Again looking on trademe I came across this picture I'm still trying to make out the sofa part. Can you see it????? According to the seller the sofa is really comfy

Being Grateful

My darling husband had his birthday on Friday 13th February and I find it so very hard to buy for him. He is what you call "fussy" However I know he likes stuff from R&R sports and he has a marathon coming up in March. So being the thoughtful wife I endeavour to buy my husband a throughtful and practical gift. An ice breaker running shirt and a hip pack to carry bits and pieces and two drink bottles were perfect. Feeling quite proud of myself I wrapped them and felt confident Dave would appreciate them. Oh how wrong was I, Friday morning came and Nicholas gives his daddy his present. I was waiting for the oh thats awesome speech but alas the first thing to come out was "you spent too much money" followed by is that the only colour they had and then finally will that hip pack really work??? Well I was not impressed and felt like he had kicked me in the guts. Sparks flew and we parted on angry terms (I hate that). The day went by and Dave rang from work asking me would I be offended if he exchanged the gift after work? OFFENDED!!! you think. Well I could go two ways with this the good path or the bad path. Still feeling betrayed I did pursue down the bad path for a moment but at the end of the day it was his birthday so just let it be Paula. I really hate giving gift vouchers it feels like no thought has gone into the gift but I think Dave will be getting one next year.

More Photos of the Holiday

The Family tent which is awesome and spacious. Can you see the tree and shrubs Dave wanted to rip out because they were in the way?????

Ben & myself ready to do some walking.

Dave & Kate about to venture along Nugget Point I wish I could have sat in the backpack it looks very comfortable.

Ben at McLean Falls Cathedral Caves quiet impressive

School Holidays are Over Yeah!!!!

I survived the school holidays just. Amazingly they went pretty quick I think it helped going away at different stages and having Dave home for 3 weeks. Yesterday I could have tired Nicholas to a tree and left him there. After working the nightshift I generally go for a wee nap about 1100 when Kate has her morning nap. I generally set up the the sofa bed and Nicholas watches a movie whilst I take a kip but for some reason Nicholas just wanted me to watch the movie too. Just as I was dozing off he would yell out "look at this mum pretty cool aye" At first I said thats real cool but now mummy needs a little nap so can you just watch the movie quietly. So I slowly drift into noddy land when I get a cushion thrown at my face "want to have a pillow fight". Nightshift and children don't mix very well at all. NO NICHOLAS mummy really needs to sleep if you be quiet I'll give you a treat when I wake up. So again I drift off "hey mum I've been really quiet can I have my treat now? ARRRRRRRGH. So sleeping was not going to happen until Dave got home from work, its going to be a long day. Yeah for school.......

Antique Looking

Tonight whilst I was looking for a couple of bedside tables for our spareroom on trade me I came across this:

The title read Antique looking, description: will add handles great condition just been remodled. Starting bid $20. Are these seller serious??? surely not antique??? I wouldn't pay $1 for them and who would take a photo like that??? So funny

Final Day at the Catlins

Back at camp I was feeding Kate when I felt this terrible pain in my finger. So painful that I screamed and jumped around. Kate was wondering why her milk supply had been cut off so sundenly. Something had stung me it was a bumble bee I've never been stung before and it really really hurt. Dave, Ben and Nicholas could only sit and laugh at me bad mistake boys. Having had very little sleep and it was 30+ temp and no breeze my temper got the better of me, I stung those boys with my words and stormed off with Kate still trying to clutch back onto my breast to finish her "top up". From the tent I could still hear the boys laughing whilst I sulked. There was absolutely no sympathy from the men folk how rude....... Kate looked at me as if to say harden up mum oh and by the way can I finish my drink now. Kate and I managed to fall asleep and awoke just as tea was being prepared by the boys. Dave still with a smirk on his face asked if my finger was ok expecting to see a swollen index finger I looked and saw nothing so why did it hurt so much??? I had absolutely nothing to show for the pain that I had endured what a drama queen!!!!

Being such a hot day the tent seemed stuffy and made sleeping difficult but alas relief came when we heard rain drops and a cool breeze rustling through the tent. Oh no Dave said, packing up the tent in the rain is going to be a blast isn't it? But by morning the rain was gone and sun was beaming down again. Whilst Dave went for his run Ben, Nicholas and myself packed up our camping gear already to go home. I think we were all looking forward to going home well except for Nicholas.

Dave gets back from his run and asks me if it was my car or his car that needed to be registered (the things he thinks about whilst running) I looked on my car oh no it was my car oops registration expired 2 days ago. Husband frowns with disgust and stormed off to the shower. Oh well that's life no worries well just have to drive extra careful to the nearest post shop (Balclutha). We left the Catilins with some good, bad, and ugly memories but overall a good time was had and I am so very grateful that we have such a beautiful country to live in.

New Blog Template

Yeah I did it finally. Thanks Ange it took me quite sometime to figure it out but alas its done and now I wont forget. Its really cool to have knowledgeable people in your life.