aotearoa bracelet

over the weekend, for my cousin, i've refashioned a pearl necklace of our auntie's and arranged the pearls like the *long white cloud* of aotearoa new zealand.
the two other strands symbolise the atlantic and pacific oceans which surround the country of our birth. this bracelet is travelling half way around the world to you, bringing sunshine and all our love X

Mum!! Come And See!!! QUICK!!!!!

I rushed outside on this blue-skied morning and peered over the fence into the back paddock to see a ewe licking a very-still-white-object on the ground in front of her. Two minutes earlier, the lads had noticed a wobbly-legged lamb standing next to its mother, and as they watched, its twin was born!!!
Ten minutes later, umbilical cords still attached, the newborns were both standing, being gently nudged by their mother towards her milk.
We keep zipping outside every few minutes to check on progress, and to see if any of the other heavily pregnant sheep are having their babies.
Spring has arrived early to The Sunny Bay!!!!!!!!!

It is finished.

juggled successfully between four people (often travelling from bedside to bedside *during* the wee small hours), we've finished The Book. we savoured every word. and we *loved* it.
and we agree with JK Rowling, "All was well." and shall continue to be.

scrubbed up

D17, you look fabulous in Dad's new pinstriped suit etcetera. Have fun storming the castle...

SCHOOL BALL 2007

hope this, your last year, is as much fun as last year.

treasure on earth

"Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
(Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, in Godric's Hollow; as well as other sources, lol)

my grandfather, who i never met, had a whole acre of ground upon which, year after year, he grew flowers. he didn't sell many though, he loved to give them away.

it's an exciting thing, going global. it's a tingly thought, knowing that people are actually willing to *pay* me for doing something that gives *me* such delight: threading beads. i *love* the buzz that i get from designing something unique, something that epitomises an individual woman and gives her the message: you are special.

i made myself some little cards earlier in the month, with my label *kate couture* (it's a pun on Haute Couture) on them, and as i was thinking of a slogan that is "mine and all for me", i couldn't decide. so i've made different ones, with things like:
*beautiful inspiration
*intricately yours
*making every day sparkle
*celebrating femininity
*crystal heartstrings
all in different fonts printed on them.

in my perfect world, i'd love to design jewellery for people who can afford it, and then i could use that $ to buy beads to make pieces to give away. also, i love designing the *first* piece, i'm not so good at a production line. but i believe in my friend ang's vision: so gratis, in the last two weeks i've lit many candles and sipped a lot of espresso, and listened to lovely music, and chatted to patient kiddos and friends, and threaded heart-shaped beads and pink pearls and twirly heart charms to make two hundred and twenty five little danglies (for a mobile phone or a keyring) for ang who's sharing the love at next month's *shine* conference.

and it makes my heart sing that like my grandfather i can make something beautiful, and give that treasure away, and the love goes global.

"It's a broa' bricht moonlicht nicht tonicht!"

Hubby recounts various wonderful stories and family sayings from his youth, of weekends spent with siblings and cousins at Gran and Pop's. They still live in The Big Smoke, in the same house that Hubby remembers from his childhood when Gran used to take all the grandkids into town on the bus and go to the movies; and Hubby's teenage years, spent with Pop in his garage, helping Hubby fixing his British Racing Green Morris 1000 (The Morrie aka Army Tank) again, even finding an old crank handle from his hoard and giving it to Hubby for much-needed-emergencies.
Pop recently turned ninety, but both he and Gran are still spritely and full of life and they always have time to spend with The Gang, passing by for a cuppa.

Pop talks football and The War with Hubby and D17; while Gran and R14 and I sip tea and Gran reminisces about when R14 was three and promised Gran that when she is grown up, she'll build a Princess Castle and she'll invite Gran for tea parties there. J11 plays tunes for us on Pop's keyboard while S9 and M5 read various books and clean out Gran's chocolate bikkie stash. I ask Gran questions about her youth and fashions and family, and think to myself about their lives and love shared together over many years, leaving an imprint on our hearts and lives.

M5's five cents' worth

On M5's *fifth* birthday it was the last day that New Zealanders could use their *five* cent pieces. Now the smallest coin in use Down Under is the ten cent. We have a h-u-g-e jar of *fives* that we use mostly for gambling at cards, but today,
during a little quiet moment, M5 decided to tip them all out on the lounge floor and make *me*, Mummy.
"See, it's you Mum, with the curly hair."

Parenting 101

oh, yes, I've got The Power!!!!!
"When you've tidied your room, it can be your turn to read Harry..."
"Please empty the dishwasher, and then you can read Harry."
"Hey, how about you make your bed and adios those dirty clothes and then you can read Harry..."
"Ok, you have a quick shower while your sister finishes the chapter, and then you can read while she hops in..."
Aha, bargaining chips. I'm loving this... while it lasts!
and then perhaps it can be *my* turn to read Harry?!!

sammy's jammies

somewhere between my fourth or fifth pregnancy and the Ever Growing Washing Pile i had a flash of genius and decided that the freshly-washed-and-brushed-kiddos could go to bed *already dressed* in their clothes for the next day... that was sometime during a summer i think. some of the crazee boys still insist on wearing their *jeans* to bed in the winter. i'm over the Washing Pile now, and so is S9. he twisted Daddy's arm up his back this morning to get him some Oh So Spunky PJ's.
yep, S9, you are one Very Cool Genuine *SK8r boi*.
(for the record, this was the "Mum, P-L-E-A-S-E Take A Photo Of Me In My New Pyjamas??!!!" Delighted Facial Expression...)

What to do if Harry dies...

with all the hype surrounding HP, the miami herald has a few pointers on how to help the kids if Harry dies while facing his nemesis, He Who Must Not Be Named.
nope, we didn't queue to buy the book at 11.01am NZ time this morning.
so there's more than one HP fan in the house who is still holding his/her breath...
and will be for a few days, until we can bribe a Book Buyer to part with his/her copy...
*closes eyes to spoilers*
EDITED, 15 HOURS LATER:
ohgosh, we simply CANNOT WAIT!!!!!
hubby spotted The Book late last night at almost half the price i *thought* it was... but he didn't get it, cos we all *said* we'd be ok to wait.
but upon the reception of The News, *poof!* went all my resolve.
i have had such a restless night!!!!!
at least i don't have to brave the queues at the shop when i leap in the car in fifteen minutes time...
but there will be FOUR pairs of eyes queueing to read the book here at home.
and there will be all sorts of Shushing Outside Distractions and "what page are you up to?" and "have you got to the part where Harrr.." "sh-u-u-u-u-ush!!!"
oh i am so On The Edge of My Seat.
*kate turns off computer and goes off in search of a secret hidey hole for 24 hours*

"safe journey especially through water"

i had a funny feeling
i would jinx it.
we woke up this morning
to find that our car
thinks it is a
swimming pool.....

carve diem

wow J11, that is one beeee-autiful bone carving that you made with GD a month ago...
and i'm not surprised that you never take it off... it's too gorgeous. and what a beee-autifully braided string!!!

while we were waiting for D17 to get his piece of paper yesterday, we walked up and down The Main Street and we saw some pounamu (greenstone) pendants with their meanings attached: the fish hook means *determination, strength, and safe journey especially through water*

it's obvious you have the first two qualities... and i wish you the third. not that you are journeying through water in the foreseeable future. i don't think.

licensed to thrill

D17, this is the *crack of dawn* shining on you as you leaped behind the steering wheel of Dad's little car ridiculously early this morning:
these are the three text messages you ecstatically sent me straight after your drive around the block with The Driving Licence Man:
Try 91 percent!
And he didn't even get me to do a parallel park!
"don't thank me, it's your driving"

this is the look on your face when the boys'n'i met you back at the car:
(please note: cool funky nike glasses, to be worn whenever you're behind the wheel, ok)
and this is your very own map of The Sunny Bay that i gotcha, cos like me, you're all at sea when it comes to directions:
yep, another Special Plate Moment, although i'm not sure you're home for dinner, cos the first words you said to me were, "mum, i'm gonna need the car tonight..."

trade me

ooooo, a wonderful little delish-smelling package has arrived in the mail... and *just lookie* what's here...
BATH BOMBS lovingly handmade by our fave-paekakariki-princesses... aka "KAPITI KIDS". these little sparklies turn every bath in to a *fizzing* heaven. we have *boys in blue* (scented with lemon blossom lol) *pampered princess* (strawberry) *love is in the air* (passionfruit) and even a speshal one for moi: *mum's muse* (lemon) all deliciously wrapped in tissue paper, sparkly stars, cellophane and curling ribbon... what a Perfect Present For Any Occasion: girls, i *love* your First Home Business... now The Lads'n'i are dreaming up Special Somethings to trade you... but first, i think i'll pour myself a bath!!!!!

one fish, two fish, where are you fish?

oh dear, we had a moment of distress this morning when we decided to feed the fish (they've been on a slight diet for a wee while cos we couldn't find the Fish Food. but fleur and i discovered it in the depths of the pantry on saturday night during The Big Clean. there were an amazing amount of *discoveries* in the pantry actually lol. and i know, how sad is that? the girls spent saturday night Cleaning The Pantry. well, you know we don't get out much pp-f-f-f-ftt-t-t-tttt!!!!)
anyway, S9 and M5 suddenly realised that one of their three goldfish is MISSING... not buried. or floating. V-A-N-I-S-H-E-D. (how many words can you make from the word "vanished"???)
so... maybe Lucy-the-Outside-Cat ate it?? and who let her inside???
M5, through his tears, suggested that now he'll get himself a *lizard* instead...

"Oddly" and Co.

just enjoyed another Four Day Blast in The Sunny Bay with our dear, dear friends:
Todd and Fleur, Josh and Abby...

fleur, lol about "How many ENFPs does it take to clean out a pantry?"
you know i'm still so in awe of your Kitchen Rationalisation Moves.

love that all of our gorgeous kids

have such an instant, wonderful connection.

love all our nonsense and White Boy Dancin' and fabulous chats and blackcurranty merlots and cafe moments and charging around the shops like teenagers and sleep-ins and unencrypting crossword after cryptic crossword and That Word Game...

loved our oasis in the middle of the madness.

quiz addiction

I am:

Benevolent Creator

You are a Creator

Your imagination, confidence, willingness to explore, and appreciation of beauty make you a CREATOR.

You are independent, and you enjoy your self-sufficiency.

Defying convention, you are very innovative, and you have a vivid imagination.

The look of things is important to you, and you have a keen eye for aesthetic beauty in multiple arenas.

You have a strong interest in what is new and exciting—and that includes forging ahead with new ideas, not simply discovering what is already out there.

Your eagerness to seek new and varied experiences leads you into many different situations.

You're not set on one way of doing things, and you are creative when it comes to finding novel solutions to complex problems.

You trust yourself to be innovative and resourceful.

Your confidence allows you to take your general awareness and channel it into creativity.

You're not one to force your positions on a group, and you tend to be fair in evaluating different options.

You're not afraid to let your emotions guide you, and you're generally considerate of others' feelings as well.

You tend to do things on the spur of the moment, not sticking to a set schedule.

You are a fashion maven, up on trends, but distinct in your own style. You don't follow trends, you set them.

If you want to be different:

Appreciate the earthly, practical elements of things—there is beauty in form as well.

While you are good at thinking abstractly, focusing on details a bit more may help you discover things about the world.
how you relate to others

You are Benevolent

You are a great person to interact with—understanding, giving, and trusting—in a word, BENEVOLENT

You don't mind being in social situations, as you feel comfortable enough with people to be yourself.

Your caring nature goes beyond a basic concern: you take the time to understand the nuances of people's situations before passing any sort of judgment.

You're a good listener, and even better at offering advice.

You're concerned with others at both an individual and societal level—you sympathize with the plights of troubled groups, and you can care about people you've never met.

Considering many different perspectives is something at which you excel, and you appreciate that quality in others.

Other people's feelings are important to you, and you're good at mediating disputes.

Because of your understanding and patience, you tend to bring out the best in people.

If you want to be different:

You spend a lot of time taking care of others, but don't forget to take care of yourself!

Sometimes you can get overcommitted, and when you sacrifice spending time with those close to you, it can make them feel unimportant.

Take your very own Personal DNA test here

princesshannah

it's taken me a week to get my thoughts together, sweet girl.

i remember being pregnant with S9 at the same time that mummy was carrying you under her heart. we all thought you wouldn't last twenty-four hours, but you've stayed here for nine years, the littlest princess, full of life and cheekiness and bravery.
you had an accident last week and were surprisingly taken from us.
what a privilege it was to cry over you, asleep in your bed, painting your teeny fingernails the night before last; R14 and abby reading you the rest of clarice bean spells trouble.

When the sun shines, we’ll shine together
Told you I'll be here forever
Said I'll always be a friend
Took an oath I'ma stick it out till the end
Now that it's raining more than ever
Know that we'll still have each other
You can stand under my umbrella
You can stand under my umbrella

Hannah Sarah, we celebrate your beautiful sparkly life.

oh-seven, oh-seven, oh-seven.

Hubby had his hair cut like 007's daniel craig.
i'm not big on opera, but i was completely transported this afternoon listening to the most beautiful Ave Maria, sung at a wedding by a local soprano.
(just heard on the news that an estimated 65 thousand people got hitched in USA today)

my cousin thought that JK would release the last Harry Potter book today, but instead we're waiting two weeks (and how many hours, Emily???)

the kiwis celebrated the seventh day of the seventh month of the seventh year of the new millenium with bubbles, smoked salmon, cheeses, dips, olives and breads.
D17 went to work.
R14 went to play at a friend's place.
J11 made up a few words in the *new* language he is inventing.
S9 wrote a song and played it over and over on his guitar.
M5 watched his new veggie tales movie three times, and played the dvd games.
and Hubby had a wee nap (so he can stay awake to watch The Game tonight) while i threaded beads to make a cellphone dangly or two for girlfriends-passing-through.

yep, it's just another day in The Sunny Bay.

*three brothers*

for kate, arranged in threes, the brothers forever holding hands; with love and mamma's tears.

*butterfly kisses*

these bracelets, made especially for the *prize* winners from my crazy fortnight are called *butterfly kisses*
it turns out that liesl, barb and leighleigh each have two chidren. liesl has two boys and barb and leighleigh have two girls. so the bracelets have two strings of beads intertwined with sparkly kisses... now you can wear your babies on your wrist, as well as in your hearts.

double chocolate

yep, holding hands, we did it...!!!!!!!
nyeeh, nyeeh *oink, oink* wheeeeeeee...... (movie outtakes line)

strawberries and cream

it's the school holidays in The Sunny Bay. over the last few days, i've put away my rubbish sacks and window cleaner, and have been drinking espressos and chatting with lovely girlfriends and popping all around town sniffing candles and admiring french couture and watching movies and just breathing.
oh, and i've been busy creating this delish little french-inspired necklace and earrings set for rosie's sister in law. it's pink and sparkly and a bit special. you can almost eat it!!! i hope you both like it. i do.