Happy Birthday, Queenie

OK, so the weekend started out well.

Saturday: My cousin Mark turned up, on his way from Wellington up to Auckland on another massive road trip. We are SO proud, I mean SO proud. He has just graduated Police College and starts at his new post next week. The kids thought he was a real life hero (awww, bless!). We love ya, "Jugs"!! Mum supplied this pic from his graduation on Thursday last week:

Later, my parents decided to take the kids overnight (yay!), so we took them up after dinner and spent a few hours watching tv and having a drink or two, which was lovely and relaxing. Even the weather was nice!

Got home, went to bed around midnight cos the Chiefs were playing in the Super14 final, which was played in South Africa (against the Bulls), and it meant a 3.30am kick-off. So I grabbed a couple of hours sleep, then we got up at 3am. I must be a sucker, but I love watching Northern Hemisphere games live - it's so much more exciting! Takes me back to my youth, from the time I was about 10, my sister and I always asked to be woken up to watch the All Blacks when they were playing "up north". My Nan used to wake us all up, make cups of tea, make sure the fire was stoked up so we were all warm, and then make cheese and Marmite "toasties" in the oven, for snacking on during the game. We loved it!

So, anyway, in case you didn't hear, the game was a bust. Chiefs were well and truly out-played by the Bulls (all credit to them, as Sean Fitzpatrick was famous for saying) and it was a sucky game. Nothing sucks more than watching your beloved team getting run rings around by a better team.

Mum and I texted each other during the game, and the conversation went a wee bit something like this:

(About 20 mins into the first half)

Me: Wot da feck...? If da Chiefs don't pull finger I'm goin back to bed. Dis is crazy!

Mum: I no. Its all 1sided @ da moment. Nothn 2 get xcited about

(After first half was almost over and we were getting well and truly cuffed)

Mum: Thats it. We bak 2 bed.

Me: Hey u cant do dat! U guys r ment 2 b die hard fans!

Mum: We R, but we tired 2!

(At half time)

Me: We r gonna stik it out. Start praying! Hoping 4 a rark up in the dressng room at half time

Mum: Dats my girl

(Not long after)

Me: Yahoo! (after only try by Cheifs in second half)

Mum: We stil watchn!

Me: Dats my girl LOL!

Mum: I fulla sh*t!

So yeah. Optimism was there, but it didn't really help, did it? Gah.

Sunday: Slept in late...I mean really late. Got woken up unceremoniously by my sister and her 3 kids (plus an extra playmate) who turned up for a visit. Whoops - sprung! Never mind, she knows what I'm like :) The kids were dropped off not long after, and we spent a lazy day watching TV, listening to music and refereeing the occasional arguments the kids got into. It was organised chaos. My poor nephew (who's 4) fell over on the concrete and ended up with a bruise the size and shape to a golfball on his forehead (but he was more worried about the fact that he had stubbed his toe in the process...he's a tough little nut!).

After farewelling them, we settled in front of the fire (which is where I am now - it was chilly today and is worse tonight!) to watch some telly.

And you know what? Tomorrow's a holiday too (this is Queens Birthday weekend so we all get Monday's off).

Wonder what we'll do with it?

~A

Epic Rock

While whipping up another truly scrumptious dinner tonight (Domestic Goddess, remember?), I cranked up this song on my iPod and the kids and I boogied round the kitchen. Seriously. We do that alot!

It's the classic U2 song "Silver and Gold" from the album "Rattle and Hum" and it's undoubtedly my favourite U2 song of all time. Was stoked to find the vid on YouTube! The Edge's guitar solo (at 4:55 on the vid) is EPIC! It gives me goosebumps :)



Crank it up, folks!

~A

Chair-Dancers Beware!

Just sittin' here, rockin' out tonight :) Dinner's done, dishes are too, kids are in bed and I should be working on my custom orders, but I just got a little sidetracked here...back to the custom orders in a minute :)

And, because I'm not exactly having a blog-heavy day, thought I'd share with you one of my favourite songs at the moment.

Lily Allen's "The Fear" is brilliant - love her! WARNING: This is the album version (not the radio version), so the language is a little..."choice". Don't watch this if you're a little sensitive :) If you're not sensitive - knock yourself out - this ROCKS!! Dare you not to chair-dance to this LOL!



Lily's album "It's Not Me, It's You" is right at the top of my favourite albums list at the moment - I listen to it in it's entirety at least once a day (usually when the kids aren't around...it's bad enough they listen to Pink!).

OK, back to the custom orders. Move along people, nothin' to see here...

~A

Finish Book: Tick!

Yup, tick it off - finished! Finally! Of course, I would have finished it sooner, had I not been waylaid by another book halfway through...woopsie (see aforementioned Attention Deficit Disorder...).

What am I on about (and you may well ask)? I finally finished reading "Eden Close" by Anita Shreve yesterday. Yay! Quite a pleasing book, not earth-shattering, but entertaining, and that's not such a bad thing is it?

And why did it take me so long? Well, because halfway through it my copy of "Life's That Way" (by Jim Beaver) turned up in the mail from Amazon, so I dropped "Eden Close" to read that instead. I do that. Drives my husband crazy. Bonus!

I posted previously about "Life's That Way" and how I was enjoying it (if that is even the right thing to say about a book so heartwrenchingly raw). But it was awesome, and I think it's probably not too much of a stretch to say that it has changed my life. It certainly makes you appreciate your loved ones. At least I have them here with me, which makes me luckier than some. It's good to get that reminder once in awhile.

I'm now onto book 2 in the Anita Shreve omnibus I bought (and intended to read over Christmas last year - whoopsie), "Strange Fits of Passion".

With any luck, it won't take me 5 months to read it. Depends what else comes along in the meantime...

~A

Another Week, Another Movie

Can't believe it's Monday - the weekend just seemed to "whoosh" - disappear!

Friends came over from Gisborne on Saturday - the weather was gorgeous, which was awesome! Had a good laugh, but it wasn't long enough :( Next time, they'll have to stay the night so we can squeeze in a fun night as well!

Sunday was spent indoors...all day....man, was it cold! We kept the fire going all day, and basically curled up in front of it...for the day. I'm beginning to hate winter already.

Today was a typical Monday - ooh, except the kids went up to my folks for a couple of hours and Willie and I watched "My Bloody Valentine" on DVD. Eeeek! I'm a real wuss when it comes to horror movies - but the fact that Jensen Ackles was in it was a big drawcard for me! Still...yes, I enjoyed it (there was more of a story there than I'd thought there would be) but yes...I still spent some time hiding behind my hands/the cushion/the TV remote/whatever was to hand...it was originally a 3D movie, but even though we didn't get the 3D version, we still "got" the 3D effects...which were actually pretty damn cool.

Be warned: NOT FOR THE SQUEAMISH!!

And somehow, between Thursday and Sunday, I've ended up with a tonne of custom order/remakes that are littering up my workstation, so I spent a wee bit of time today working on them. Still need to update the website with them though, so I can keep track of them. Gonna be busy this week!

Anyway, will leave you with this cool vid - was chilling out to this song tonight while I did the dishes (see: "A Domestic Goddesses Work Is Never Done") - I so love Missy Higgins, and the fact that this vid was recorded live really shows you what a great performer she is - she puts such feeling into her music. And I love this song - has to be one of my favourites of hers :)

~A

Year of Jewellery for May - "Nature"

Finished my Year of Jewellery (YOJ) themed necklace last night - "Nature" was the theme this month. Doesn't sound that monumental, except that as of 3pm yesterday I didn't even have the vaguest clue as to what I wanted to do for this month's piece. Hmmm.

Then, just sitting down yesterday and looking at the beads in front of me on my workstation, I had one of those "eureka!" moments and ended up, as of 11.30pm last night, with this gorgeous corsage necklace:

I used lucite, glass and polymer clay flowers and leaves, with heaps of sparkly Swarovski crystals for good measure. I hand-wired then hammered the swirls for the chain, to add abit of balance and substance. Didn't want to overwhelm the focal piece too much, but it definately needed balance.

The best thing? It found a new home this afternoon (hope it brightens your day whenever you wear it, Monique!).

Now, off to sit in front of the fire (it's FREEZING here tonight!) and to start another piece. I love love LOVE having my mojo back!

~A

DIY DVD covers = Big Time Fun

Had such fun today - found this great website that lets you create DVD covers for your favourite TV shows, so you can have professional-looking DVD covers. Woot!!

I spent a couple of hours just playing with the Supernatural ones - you can completely customise EVERYTHING about the covers, and then print them off! It's totally free, really easy and fun to do, and pretty quick too (except when you're like me and have to try EVERY SINGLE OPTION available - hehehe!).

Here's what I came up with, after the first 10 minutes:

So. Much. Fun!

Speaking of which - I'm off to do the dishes. A Domestic Goddesses work is never done.

~A

Just showin' my support...

Good luck for Friday, guys! I, for one, will be watching on the telly, and probably screaming my lungs out (no doubt you'll hear me from there!).

GO THE CHIEFS!

In case you somehow missed it, the Chiefs take on the 'Canes (again) in Hamilton this Friday night, in a Super 14 semi-final. Nothin' like the sound of cow bells on a Friday evening :)

(Click here to see what I'm on about...).

~A

"Life's That Way" by Jim Beaver

Yay! The book finally arrived from Amazon (not as quick as last time, but at least it's here). I was kinda scared to start it for a couple of days after it arrived, cos I knew I'd be sucked into it and wouldn't get anything else done till I'd finished it (see: aforementioned addictive personality).

So I stared at it for a coupla days and read the dust jacket (front and back) and mentally noted the beautiful photograph on the front. Then I picked it up and started reading.

True to form, I haven't been able to put it down since.

Remember how I'm such a night owl? How I can't go to bed before at least 1am or I won't sleep? Well, been going to bed around 11pm and then reading for 2 hours (hey, we're heading into winter here in NZ, so it's cold, OK? And bed is warm...so it's not so dumb).

I've been reading every night (haven't done that for a few months), before work (while having breakfast) and for abit when I get home too (after the kids homework has been dealt with and before I have to go sort out dinner). Basically, every chance I get.

To say the book is wonderful really doesn't do it justice. I feel like a voyeur. It's like reading someone's diary - you know you shouldn't, but you can't tear yourself away. The pain is so raw, the emotions so real, the prose so honest. Sometimes it actually hurts to read it. I put it down for abit, go about my business and then come back to pick it up again (once my emotions are under control).

Last night, for instance: I went to bed at the same time as Willie. He was sleeping next to me whilst I read. For two hours. With the light on (obviously). He was so dog-tired he didn't really care so that worked out well. But then I started crying. Not just "tears rolling down my cheeks" crying, but almost sobbing, really. I could no longer see the words on the page, could barely see the book, through my tears. Jim's beloved wife died the same day that my Nanna died (which was also, coincidentally, Cammie's first birthday - will never forget that day as long as I live). My Nan died of lung cancer. It was secondary (she'd had breast cancer almost 15 years beforehand and been cancer-free ever since). She was dead within 6 weeks of the diagnosis. And none of us were prepared for that. At all. The doctors didn't tell us, we were never spoken to about it. She was in hospital with a drain in her chest. Then she was coming home and we thought "yay!". They never told us that she was basically coming home to die.

I cried buckets on the day she died, despite trying to be brave for Cammie, who was having his first birthday, poor wee soul. We have about 2 photos of his first birthday, and thankfully he looks happy in them. We have no group photos of all of us, as we usually do on the kids birthdays. And despite thinking of her every day since (she died 3 March 2004), and having conversations with her in my head, I have never really cried for her since. Until last night. I think it's a good thing - cleansing, and all that. I think I felt better for it. I think.

But, the book. The book did this to me because Jim is so honest and so open with his emotions. I guess I haven't really confronted that before. Not in this way, at least.

One thing's for certain - I'll be recommending it for awhile to come, I know that.

And I'm only half way through the book.

~A

DIY Belt

I was talking about this to some friends recently so thought I would just pop it in here too :)

You probably picked up by now that I'm a DIY freak. This doesn't just stop in my house - it also spreads to my person as well. For instance (and it's just a "for instance" - there are others), this is my favourite belt:

And here it is to show you all I did...one seam, that's it. So easy!



I made it out of two old neckties that I found in an op shop. I love the colours! All I did was sew the thick ends together. Then to wear it, I just tie it around my waist (or higher) and tie it in the front or on the side. Voila! I kid you not - the ties cost me $1 each, and EVERY TIME I wear it, I get favourable compliments. I'm almost embarrassed to tell them A) I made it myself and B) It cost me $2 :)

Had a busy afternoon today - finally finished a bracelet I've been working on for the past 5 days, which is an AMAZING feeling (specially since the bracelet came out way better than I could've hoped for - pics later).

So, yeah. Feeling pretty smug about now :)
Oh - and two more sleeps till the "Supernatural" season 4 finale. Woot woot!!!!!!!!!!!!

~A

Footloose...and showing my age

Recently, Vic and I were chatting about movies we used to love/grew up loving. We mentioned a few from the 80's (cos we're 80's kids, dontcha know) like St Elmo's Fire, The Breakfast Club and Footloose. I happened to mention that the Footloose soundtrack was one of the first albums I ever bought (Bon Jovi's "Slippery When Wet" was another...really showing my age now).

And then she mentioned that she had the Footloose DVD...boy, did I give her crap about that! But, when we got past that (took me awhile, I'll admit) we got to talking about our 8 year old daughters and how they'd actually enjoy the movie - kinda like the pre-curser to "High School Musical" really (with "Grease" being the pre-curser to "Footloose"...and on and on it goes). Apparently her 8 year old DOES love it, so she offered to send it over to me so I could show it to my kids.

It arrived yesterday and with the gathering storm brewing yesterday afternoon (hailstones 2cm in diameter fell in Ohope, just 20 minutes drive from us!), I settled in to watch it with the kids.

Yes - I did sing along (I remembered more songs than I thought I would, which was kinda exciting - even worth the freaky looks my kids were giving me). And yes - I did enjoy reliving old memories and watching it again (I've lost count of the amount of slumber parties I was at where we watched this movie!). And - the kids loved it!

Here's a vid of Cammie (aged 5) who thought the dancing was v. cool and had to have a go himself. Goes without saying that I'm saving this for a replay at his 21st birthday. OK, so I won't be popular. I can deal with that :)



Please excuse the dim lighting - the stormclouds were gathering outside and it got real dark, real quick. I turned on the light in the living room, but it didn't seem to make all that much difference on the tape unfortunately. This vid was taken at about 4.30pm (to give you an idea of how dark it was!).

~A

Mothers Day and 48 Hour Filmmaking

What a great weekend! Mothers Day yesterday was lovely - right down to the cooked breakfast in bed. Although, I suprised myself by thinking "actually, as lovely as this brekkie in bed is, I think I'd rather get up to eat it". Don't get me wrong - bed and food are two of my most favourite things - but I don't think they mix all that well...crumbs in the bed, egg on the sheets etc. Just equals more work for me! Far too practical, obviously.

The weather was pretty crappy, I have to say. We had a fair bit of sunshine on Sunday, but it soon turned wet and cold. Today is the same, FYI.

Also had abit of excitement last night. My Mum is a JP and had been seconded to be an official for the 48 Hour "Furious Filmmaking" event (this weekend was the shoot weekend - screening is in June). But she and Dad had been in Hamilton to watch the Cheifs thrash the 'Canes (hoorah!) and had abit of a mission getting home due to car accidents blocking the main roads in TWO DIFFERENT LOCATIONS!! Nightmare.

Anyway, the filmmakers that participated had to turn in their entries by 7pm last night and it became clear that Mum wasn't going to be home in time, so they were diverted to our house (my hubby's a Deputy Registrar with the Court, so is also qualified to receive them). So, we had three very jubilant but exhausted teams arrive on our doorstep right up to 6.59pm last night - talk about cutting it fine!

They're probably still at the wrap parties :)

The 48 Hour "Furious Filmmaking" event is a doozy - read about it here. Basically:

"Filmmakers don't know what genre (thriller/romance etc) they will be shooting until the start of the competition. All creativity: writing, shooting, editing and adding a musical soundtrack, must occur within the 48 hour window beginning Friday evening at 7pm and ending Sunday at 7pm. To add to the mayhem, they must also include some random elements."

Over 600 teams competed last year. They aren't allowed to do much in the way of preparation before the shooting weekend, so they pretty much have to make a short film (1-7 minutes long), including editing etc, in 48 hours. What an awesome idea! And I wish our local Opotiki teams luck - good on ya, guys!

~A

"Belle"

I just had to share these pics with you!

"Belle" has now shifted to new premises and just LOOK - it's downright GORGEOUS! I wandered in today to find a gift for Mum for Mothers Day this Sunday (job done - easy, with all these pretties to choose from!) and thought I'd get Noeline to snap me a few pics so I could share it with you all (thanks Noeline!).

"Belle" is just a few doors along from the "Two Fish Cafe", in the main shopping centre, Church St, Opotiki.

Come visit!!

I'm off to Libby's tonight for the "gourmet evening", so I better go feed the troops before I go...catchya!

~A

New Stuff

Spent a fantastic weekend beading - first time in absolutely AGES, so I really enjoyed it :)

Here's what I fashioned from my OWN TWO HANDS (hehehe!) - I just love hand-sewing with beads! I've listed these on my website already (if you're interested in finding out more, just click on the pics to go straight to their page on the website):

I also made a bracelet, but I'm not happy with the clasp - it's too fiddly to do up. So I'm just waiting on a nice antique bronze-finish toggle clasp to arrive, and when it does, I'll be swapping it over and listing the bracelet on the website too :) No good looking pretty if it's a bugger to do up! But here it is anyway, in it's "before" phase:

What else did I get up to on the weekend? Well, precious little, actually. Oh - except! - I managed to successfully get Willie hooked on "Supernatural" - woohoo! Long road, but really - resistance was futile. And I think he knew it.

The weather was cold and miserable all weekend - perfect DVD weather! So we watched the rest of Season 1 and are now about 1/3 of the way through Season 2. I was hoping that he'd be fully up to date (which is, Season 4, episode 20) in a little over a week, so I could watch the finale of Season 4 with him (online), but I can't see that happening. I'm not really that upset, as it means I get to watch all the seasons right through again - and it's incredible how much I'm picking up from them. The writers really do a great job - subtle hints all over the place that I didn't pick up at the time, but now with the benefit of hindsight, it's like "oooooooooooooooooh....". Good stuff.

Right, bedtime for me. I have my "gourmet evening" at Libby's tomorrow night - can't wait! Need my beauty sleep for that one :)

Night night...

~A

Tea anyone?

Awww, just look at this!

Verna made it for me and it's just tooooooooo cuuuuuuute! She knitted it herself and just LOOK at how PERFECTLY it fits my teapot! I so love cupcakes (and Verna!! Thanks so much xxx).

Perfect time for a spot of tea, while I wait for today's online episode of "Supernatural" to become available...diversions are good!

~A