Sing for your Supper

Saturday night at the chapel,  we had an activity evening organised by Kate J.  It was a talent night which saw some amazing and not so amazing acts. 


Highlights of the evening

• Fabian's kapa haka group amazing!!! they were the opening act and they could have stayed on all night they were awesome.
• Nicholas Finnie playing the piano. (all week practicing and making mistakes he was a little nervous) He never made one mistake and he did the cutest bow after the performance so so proud of him
• A great turn out of people
• Asha 3yrs singing solo "Baptism" very very cute
• Brother and Sister Lee magic act "HILARIOUS"
• Manu & Fiona truly perfect
• Ana singing sassy Summer Time
• Lydiate boys 7yrs & 5yrs singing with their grandad a very long song and remembered all the words.
• Craig the MC kept the evening going smoothly (there were 22 acts we started @ 6.50pm and were finished by 8.30pm well done Craig
• Craig allowing me to sing a quick solo even though I wasn't on the list.
• The supper well earned

Thanks Kate for organisng such a wonderful, fun and entertaining evening we should have more of them.

Birthday Surprise

Yesterday was my 41st birthday.  As I worked the night before most of my birthday was spent in bed sleeping.  When I woke my husband had organised with Amiee to look after the children (sorry Ange I had no idea but I will be calling on you sooner than you think).  He wanted me to meet him in town so he could take me shopping and out for dinner.  So I dropped the children off and headed to town however I received a phone call from Alice my dads wife.  My dad was in hospital having tests and needed to stay in Dunedin overnight.  I offered a bed and too my surprise they accepted.  So that you understand dad and my relationship is rear (once in a blue moon). I never in a million years would have my dad stay at my house.  What a wonderful birthday surprise unfortunately we never got to have dinner but it was worth missing out just to have dad stay over.  My husband surprise was getting me an i-phone so cool I love it!!!!! Farewell telecom XT and hello vodaphone.

I was a little nervous about dad staying as we never done this thing before.  What would we talk about? Can dad hold a conversation? How would Dave react? What about the children?  Would we be comfortable around each other.  Well the answer to all the above was everything was great.  I went off to work feeling warm and fuzzy. 

Highlights for my birthday: 

• Getting texts from my family mum was the first to text me, followed by my brother Robin
• Actually sleeping without cooking in the heat
• Lots of birthday wishes on facebook
• Amiee made me a cake
• Kate made me a card at Montessori
• My I-PHONE!!!!!
• my dad staying over
• choosing 2 nice shirts for Dave in less than 30mins whilst he was there

Downer:

• getting an unwanted womans cycle (too much info sorry) but the highlights so outweighed the downer.

My dad and Alice left this morning to go home and just as he left he slipped me two purple notes.  It reminded me when I was a little girl dad would have money in his pocket and he would ask us what colour money we liked. Pete liked the blue ones $10 and I like the green ones $20 but the purple ones $50 were my favourite.  Thanks dad love ya

House Building Part 4

The Drains being laid

The house is coming along in leaps and bounds and today is no exception.  I generally go to the section everyday to see what's happening and when I visited today the plumber and drain layers were busy putting in the drains in and outside the house.

The other thing I noticed is the hard fill is in.  The next step is to lay the mesh and the polothene.  On the cladding front we have choosen our bricks and window colour (iron sand), roof (iron sand) entrance door (cedar) garage still deciding.

The BIG Day Out

My group

Yesteday Nicholas and I went on a school trip with 45 pupils, 8 teachers, and some parents.  We met at the school watching the little people load up on the bus was very exciting.  The teachers went on the bus whilst the parents took cars. I was fortunate to have two parents in my car to keep me company and to to keep me awake.

Our first stop was Waihola where we had morning tea and the children has a toilet stop and a play. 

At Waihola

Morning tea time

Then it was off to our next destination which was Berwick camp site where the year 6 were camping there this week.  It was a beautiful and hot day.  The camp  site was amazing and it did bring back fond memories of my school camp days.

Berwick Camp

Each parent or teacher were assigned 4 or 5 pupils to look after.  My little cherubs were very well behaved and we had a great time.  The year 6 children showed us around the camp site and demonstrated activities that they do at camp.  Most of the juniors were keen to have a go but alas were not permitted.

Archery Demonstration

Kyaking

After the tour of the camp site it was time for lunch.  We all sat under a huge tree which was fantastic, it kept us shaded and yet we could still enjoy the sun.  After lunch we played lots of games.  We were split into 10 groups and had races.  I find it fasinating how little people don't quite grasp the concepts of instuctions. A example was asking my group to line up in a straight line behind the leader.  They managed to stand up and some were beside the leader and others went to other lines.

Tabloid Sport Groups

The train race

We had a great time and we left camp at 2pm and headed back to school.  I love being a helper at school outings the children are wonderful and they always make me laugh.

My Superhero's

Spidergirl & Batboy

Nicholas loves dressing up and now he has started dressing up Kate.  So today they both came out and I had to laugh alot. Nicholas was telling Kate the big adventure they were going on. There mission was to protect mum from the baddies. They played so nicely and they were laughing and it just made me so happy and I told them that they were my superhero's and that I felt really safe.  These are the moments I treasure.

Puzzle World

Whilst at Wanaka the Finnie family took a trip to Puzzle World.  It was amazing and we had a great time.  The last time I went there was when I was about 12yrs old and I never ever found my way through the maze.  However, this time and with the puzzle king on hand we managed to find three of the four towers and that was because time didn't allow us to finish.

Our favourite place was the illusionist room that was amazing and really funny. We laughed so much because of the room which makes things go up hill.  There were some Asian tourist in the room and they couldn't balance very well and they kept falling over and stumbling around.  The Finnie family were in fits of laughter.

Nicholas going up

Kate's turn

When we finished doing the stuff inside it was time to head back and get ready for the wedding but we had to take photo's of the leaning tower.

Mum's turn

Nicholas's turn

Kate 08's turn

We really liked our time away in Wanaka we shall go again.

Bec & Rod's Wedding

So at last the big day finally came for Bec and Rod.  I work with Bec on nightshift and for the past year I have watched her make all the invitations and organise the guest list and listen to the stories of what will happen on the day. I saw the dress and also watched her loose weight and turned into a fitness freak running duathalons and triathalons.  I also heard about the honeymoon they are spending 5 weeks in USA and she and Rod are snowboarding in Utah.

After all that I was lucky enough to get invited I tried to get onto the wedding party but unfortunately Becky was fit and well to do the job. Even though I tried to think of ways to poison her or wished she broke a bone.  I was much satified to go as a guest.

The Finnie's

The day in Wanaka was beautiful and very warm.  We arrived early enough to see an awesome view.  It was great to see a few familiar faces from work and others who use to work in Dunedin but have since gone over to Aussie.  

The crew

After three attempts of getting the music right Bec made her way out from the bush with her lovely bridesmaids.  She looked stunning its amazing how a dress can look totally different on someone else  when you seen it in a picture.  Her hair was gorgeous and I loved her flowers.

Waiting for the bride

Here she comes

The ceremony was very special.  Rod had grown two rose bushes in separate tubs and they gifted them to the parents so they would remember the day. The roses were called everlasting love.  They also had both sets of parents give a blessing on their wedding rings.  They had a candle burning throughout the ceremony to remember those who had passed on.  All very special moments in the ceremony. When they recited their vows they both had "one liners" that they promised each other they would or wouldn't do.

Kate & Bec

After the ceremony Kate had been playing with the horseshoe and when I asked her to give it to Bec she wasn't very happy about it (hence the face).

The Happy couple

The reception was amazing great venue lovely cold drinks, food that was unbelievable like fresh blue cod and marinated chicken meat and lots of salads and new potatoes and more...... I managed to have seconds and still have room for dessert which again was divine

Mark, Erin & Mel

The Cake

Rod's sister made the cake and OH MY!! it was divine the yummiest chocolate cake ever and I ate alot of it my waist line needed a good workout.  Luckily for me there was a dance after dinner and so I danced the night away well until 1.30am when the band was shut down. I had a great time.

House Building Part3

The wise man built his house upon a rock.  MM is focused on the building and today is no exception.  Even tho its Dave's birthday there was no rest for the wicked he spent the day boxing up the block work and preparing the ground for the new patio.  Over the week the block layers came and the concrete truck filled the blocks and now Dave has to prepare the inside for the big foundation pour which should happen in approximately 2weeks.  So far so good we have managed to choose the bricks and now its time to focus on the bathroom etire.  Always makes me nervous when we have to choose things together because we have such different taste  I hope we don't get into too much strife over which toilet or shower to have.  I had better say a prayer.

Preserving Season

Prepared Apricots

Its that time of the season where I get out my preserver and do apricots, peaches, nectarines, to replemish my stock. I really enjoying preserving. The trick to great preserving is the prep work. My preserving does not include sugar which MM really likes and it saves money.

  

I like to arrange the fruit very neatly and try not to get burn't at the same time





Placing them into the boiling water is somewhat of a challenge I really should get some preserving tongs

The finished products

 

The most annoying part of preserving is preparing peaches and nectarines because they are so attached to their stone.  They never look that pretty in the jar not like apricots do.

Blue One Week Red The Next

Elmgrove School Uniform

So Nicholas started his new school this week and despite having his buddy in the same class Nicholas still talks about his old school and how much he misses it.

Dave and I made a deal with him that he should continue for a week at his new school and if he still not happy we would send him back to his old school.

A week passed and we had a family meeting.  Nicholas informed us that he really wanted to go back to his old school.  He really missed his friends and school routine.  So as promised we have decided to send him back.

Mornington Primary Uniform

Bex's Hen's Night

Next weekend my buddy and co-worker Bex is taking the plunge and getting married.

Elaine (our boss) organised a hens dinner. The last hens night I went to was my own which was rather great fun. (remember the pole Amiee?)

We started the night off with nibbles and drinkies before Leeanne whipped into the first game of the evening. We had to bring something blue and place it in a bag to which we all had to close our eyes and guess the object.

Later on we had a fantastic potluck tea with some yummy food not to mention my funeral potatoes. Elaines sister from Canada made an awesome 7 layered dip it contained sour and cream cheese, mince mixture, layers of salad. I can't wait to make it myself and serve it to my darling friends

Game 2 involved decorating undies for Bex. I'm not that creative unfortunately but Bex and I share a love for Twilight and she loves the Edward camp where I'm for Jacob. Of course I didn't win the wearable arts reward that went to Mary who created from the front a awesome ski slope with Bex skiing down it and the back end was a tropical beach resort. This symbolised there honeymoon as they are going to America and Fiji for 5 wonderful weeks. Bex and Rod are going skiing in Utah and she is going to take a picture of the temple for me.

Game 3 again was to be creative not my forte unfortunately. We were given a piece of play dough and were asked to create an object or something you would find or see at a wedding. Can you guess which one is mine???? Again I didn't win but the bride to be was voted best with the beautiful yellow rose. Have you guessed mine yet??? Did you say the plate of food with the serviette then you are correct. Bangers and mash with peas a perfect wedding breakfast.

The favourite part of the evening was this awesome chocolate fountain. This was our dessert along with fresh fruit and mashmellow we also had rice pudding, ambrosia, triffle and pavalova. I just stuck with the chocolate fountain and ended up with lots of chocolate on my clothes. This is a must thing I should buy to me from me.

Game 4 was another creative game that involved a heap of toilet paper and skills to create a wedding dress. I was lucky to have such a creative team and we manage to make Rambha (the middle bride) into a beautiful toilet paper bride. A very enjoyable evening was had by all.

All the best Bex for your future and I look forward to seeing you in Wanaka on the 20th xxx.

To Go Back To School or Not That is the ?

Ben left school at the end of term 1 last year. Unfortunately Ben didn't leave with any qualifications. He came to live with us and managed to get a job at McDonalds thanks to friends in the business. He started off on a great note however, as the year progressed and Ben got a taste of freedom and money some of his decisions were not wise ones. Consequently he quit McDonalds and went back to the farming arena to work on his dads dairy farm.

Last week Ben rings me and tells me he is going back to school and that he had made an appointment with the deputy principle at Taieri College. To be honest I thought he was joking and I laughed out loud whilst on the phone. To which Ben said "so you wont support me then" and the laughing stopped. Yipes! he is serious, what to say? that was the question. As I listened to his case I could understand where he was coming from BUT he didn't do to well last time what would be different now?

I told Ben that I would support him 100% however, I knew I had my work cut out trying to convince Dave and true to my word as I told Dave the plan his face said it all. Furthermore Dave also had good points about why Ben should not go back to school.

And so I'm left stuck between a rock and a hard place how will it pan out that is the million dollar question. Stay tuned for the outcome.

Training Wheels No More

I have waited along time for this moment and I am so excited and proud of Nicholas. Finally he can ride his bike without his training wheels.

Lucky for me he was riding his bike whilst on his training wheels when he got one of the training wheels stuck and hence it broke off. He was devastated about it and suggested we buy a new set of training wheels. Right I thought this would be a great opportunity to get him to ride trainer free. So I told him that the broken wheel was a sign from heavenly father that you are ready to ride without the trainers. He looked at me not convinced of course but then he said "OK lets see then" A quick silent prayer, then I proceeded outside to help him get started. To my amazement he started off really well and managed to bike from one end of the section to the other before falling off. The smile on his face was memorable you could tell he was so proud of himself.

I love the victory dance after the ride. Awesome Nicholas!!!

Easy Rider

Victory Dance

Finnie/Boys Testimony Frenzie

Finnie/Boys Family on a happy day.

I wont go into too much detail but Saturday wasn't one of the Finnie/Boys fun days. To be perfectly honest it was a "crap" day, which involved yelling and crying etc and to top it off I had to work that night.

Sunday was here and I love Sunday because I get to go to church and spend time in the Lords house with friends and family. Where you can go and remember our Savior and forget about the outside world for 3 hours.

I was excited because its a new month and I was teaching my primary children a new song. When I got home from work I realised that I hadn't printed the pictures for the new song but alas everyone was still asleep so I was able to quickly print cut and laminate before I heard the words "mum where is my breakfast"

Church for us starts @ 12.30 so I had time to have a quick kip. The family headed off to church and I was greeted at church by Ben who hadn't come home the previous night hence he had no church clothes on. He had on a pair of high riding white shorts and a purple tee with white slip on shoes (what a sight). He also had his sorry face on as well.

First Sunday of the month is fasting and we get to bear our testimonies. Today was no exception the previous speaker talked about the temple trip and the sealing of friends which made me reminisce about our temple trip and sealing and I knew I had to get up and share it with the congregation. Once I had finished, Stacey bore her testimony which is another whole post, but it involved her waving to her brother from the podium it was so funny. Stacey sat down and Dave got up and I thought he was going to the toilet but he went the wrong way and before I knew it he was bearing his testimony AMAZING!!! Just when you think you've seen it all something else happens Yes Ben decided to get up and bear his testimony. Trying to cover himself up with his arms he starts off with "I'm probably the least active person here today and I'm not dressed for the occasion but I want to bear my testimony.............. " His heart felt testimony was awesome and I couldn't help but forgive him for his wrong doing the night before.

The sister that followed Ben's testimony acknowledge Ben and made me and the congregation realise that life isn't perfect and that people who appear to look perfect are generally not. I can't remember word for word what she said but it was something along the lines that Jesus loves us when we do wrong he love us unconditionally. By now I was sobbing and what do you know I had to conduct the closing song which was Because I have been given much I too must give. And so the music starts along with my tears and I couldn't even see the words or sing what a MESS!!! In conclusion testimony session was definitely filled with the spirit.

PS: crying on fasting Sunday causes so much dehydration not good!!

House building cont.........

This is the shape of the house and today the footings were filled with concrete. The stupid thing about today is I didn't have my camera so I took photos on my cellphone because I can email them to my hotmail account can't I??? Oh no I can't for some stupid reason my XT telecom phone wont send them so pictures of the concrete truck and the pour are stuck in my stupid cellphone. Next step: brickies will come and do the block work. This is great progress MM is a working machine. Thank you MM

My new house to be