Twas the Day Before Christmas

And what did I do? Why I harvested potatoes! What a beautiful day we had. Hard for me to believe it's the day before Christmas.

I told Lloyd he could open a present on Christmas eve, all the while thinking (but not actually SAYING) that meant nighttime of course. He joyously entered our room at 6:30a.m. declaring, "it's Christmas eve!! I get to open a present!!" So open a present he did. And proceeded to play with it all day (good call us!).

We worked in the garden, harvested the potatoes, planted cucumber, more rosemary, a swan plant (to attrach monarch butterflies; there's already a caterpillar on it!) and a blueberry tree.

Weird.

Because it's Christmas eve!! But I'm happy. Oh so happy.

The biscuits and beer are set out for santa next to the fireplace and all is well with the world.

BECAUSE yes, Lloyd does know the real reason for Christmas, he does! And so do I.

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night.

Thanksgiving

Tomorrow we're hosting a Thanksgiving of sorts. We have 9 families coming! This includes family and friends with children... Lot and lots of children! And it's raining outside as I type but never mind.

So consumed have I been with this endeavour that I found myself driving on the wrong side of the street the other day! Lived here nearly nine months now and that's the first time that has happened. Yikes. Must have had a lot on my mind. Scary how normal it felt to be driving up the right side of the road... That is until a car came around the corner straight at me! Her arms flailing sign language we all understand.

I digress. Thanksgiving.

There is so much to be thankful for. The mere fact that we have 18 adults and 12 children coming to our first ever Thanksgiving in New Zealand is cause for celebration! And there's Lloyd... I might be biased but will still proudly call him the happiest boy in my corner of the world. You all know how I feel about my husband. Skype! Let's not forget that. This house; so glad I talked Greg into it!

None of this would matter for a second if I didn't know there was a God up above in control of absolutely everything and caring about it all. Every single seemingly inconsequential bit. Ahhh... to be so loved. I am indeed thankful for this above all else.

Looking Back

Seven years ago today (tomorrow in the US but whatever) I married my husband. We met 10 years ago and have different opinions about the first time we ever laid eyes on each other. What matters about that argument, to me, is the fact that we each have a memory of the first time we ever laid eyes on each other! Think about how many people have come into and out of your life; from chance encounters to lasting relationships. Do you remember the first time you laid eyes on every single one of them? Of course not. Probably not even most of them. There must be a special place in our brains reserved for special memories like that. That pleases me no end! It was from that moment I knew, somewhere deep in my heart, that that man was different and was going to be in my life for a long, long time. He HAD to be, there was no doubt about it.

So here we are seven years later and it's our anniversary. Haven't really celebrated this date in years but still. It is a big deal and we both know it.

Second to my dad, he is the most patient person I know. And trust me, I know because I challenge that patience on a daily basis I'm sure. He is also one of the funniest people I know. He is the most amazing father; beyond my dreams amazing. He is a caring, understanding husband who loves me more than I deserve. And wow! is he handy around the house!

I love my husband! I am in love with my husband!

Tootin' my own horn

We've been here 8 months! But who's counting. I was sitting outside earlier today looking at the garden and at our house marvelling at how far we've come these past eight months. And I am VERY proud of us!!

We are so very happy here in this house; it's hard to believe we've been living here only just over a month.

Lloyd has some great friends. He's got one friend who lives right next door! True story. Carlos is the same age as Lloyd, he's very polite and they get along very well. He and Lloyd's cousin (and great friend!) Liam have been over here most of the afternoon playing cricket and now who knows what with a cardboard box. I love it!

Greg bought us a BBQ yesterday so now we feel like right proper kiwis. I told Greg I didn't think immigration would ever grant me residency without one!

I've got the most wonderful friends in Miranda, Alex, Natalie, Kirsty and Yvette. We are all amazed at how our friendship has formed and at exactly the time each of us needed it most for individual reasons. And I have really been enjoying reconnecting with friends and people I have known from visiting here or through yachting.

Tis the season for get-togethers around the BBQ. It's going to be an amazing spring and summer I just know it.

Despair

Not a good day. I googled the definition and one said," loss of hope; utter hopelessness". Yeah, that about covers it.

Received news this morning that friends of ours who were going to come visit early next year have cancelled their plans. No hope left of seeing them any time soon. Gut wrenching.

Hence despair.

I HATE the fact that I can't see anyone I want to see from home. I HATE the fact that it's absolutely hopeless. And I'm really really tired, once again, of being positive. I'm really quite worn out.

Yeah, yeah, yeah there are lots of positive things going on but I seem to have forgotten every single one of them right now.

Theo!

Our newest (and final!) addition. We actually adopted Theo about a week or so ago but had some troubles at the beginning. The VERY beginning. Lloyd and I brought him home and got him inside to let him start getting used to us and the house. I went back outside to get more things from the car forgetting that the alarm had been set in the house. You know what happens next, right? Alarm goes off, I run back into the house pushing the door closed behind me. Gust of wind comes and blows the door open, Theo wastes no time and is out that door in a flash! Bribed him with food for a few days and he's now coming around regularly and sleeping with us and loving being loved. Phew!

And Life Goes On

So. Here we are. Loving life.

Getting down and dirty in the garden... with any luck I'll have potatoes by Christmas! Other wonderful vegetables have been planted as well as an herb garden and all this pleases us no end.

Lloyd has a loose tooth! Discovered that on my birthday. No one wants to pull it out so it's hanging in there. He keeps saying, "tomorrow we'll do it". As you all know, tomorrow never quite makes it so there you go. There's no way I'm pulling it out EVER so we'll just let it come out when it's good and ready.

Hard to believe he's in his last term for Year One at school. Amazing.

Also amazing is how content I am. Having our own house and being surrounding by all our things (and my oh my do we have a lot of things!) has made all the difference in the world. We feel like we've been here a long time, not the few weeks it's been.

Still hard to believe I can't plan an impromptu visit to any of you. Doesn't bear much thinking about really because there's nothing anyone can do about it. But! Skype has been a lifesaver and so have the packages we've received. Thank you with all my heart for the time, expense and, most of all, thought that has gone into everything that has been sent.

Just harvested the celery and some spring onions (they were here and growing when we arrived) so best go get it all washed and ready for consumption!

Dickens

Just finished reading Barnaby Rudge. I like this from Charles Dickens:

"In the exhaustless catalogue of Heaven's mercies to mankind, the power we have of finding some germs of comfort in the hardest trials must ever occupy the foremost place."

Sleepless

I hate the thoughts that keep you awake at night. They're always "bigger" than necessary when you lay awake listening to the person next to you breathing peacefully whilst sound asleep. Like you want to be.

I was awake most of last night worrying about things I should not be worrying about having to do with the closing on Wednesday. That's what we pay a lawyer for, right? So she can worry about the details? Only it seems to me like she isn't so I'm doing the worrying for her. I bet she slept well last night. Now, in the light of day, I know it'll all work out. It will.

The other thing I got to thinking about last night was flags. It used to be that seeing the New Zealand flag flapping in the breezes at Lloyd's school would startle me every time. I startle easily (it's a mitral valve prolapse thing) but still. Every time? Come on. Well, I realized last night I'm over it. I still 'notice' the NZ flag when I see it but it no longer startles me.

And I sing the national anthem at Lloyd's school assemblies and it makes me proud. Not pride-of-country proud (yet), just proud of myself for being able to sing it and not cry (as is my wont at the drop of a hat, you all know that). I used to have to just keep my mouth shut and grin and bear it. To tell you the truth, when Lloyd first started school, and going to these assemblies, it took all my power of will not to run down where Lloyd was and scoop him up and get him out of there! Get him on an airplane headed anywhere in the US and insist they play OUR national anthem all the way home!!

Also, I say 'we' sometimes now. Not 'they'. My dad pointed that fact out to me during a skype conversation earlier in the week. I was talking to my grandmother who was at his house and she was asking me what's here for restaurants that I recognize from home. So I told her we have all the fast food joints and have had them for years and we just got Dunkin Donuts about five or six years ago. See that? "WE"! Amazing; I didn't even catch it but my dad did. Made me cry.

Yeah, I know. It's a wonder I sleep at all. Casting all your care upon Him because He cares for you. Just keep saying it like a mantra and eventually you'll fall asleep.

Visitors

My folks are coming for a visit! January 4th - February 7th. In our new house! How cool is that?!?

Everything's Coming Up Roses

Well, the bunker (my new term for this rental house) went up for rent again yesterday and so was shown for the first time today to three prospective tenants.

For the first and last time because the realtor collected two applications on the spot!!

People loved the bunker!! The realtor told me it helped very much that our stuff was in here and looking so nice and warm and lived in.

So, we should be free and clear to get out of our lease early and get our security deposit back. Phew!!

And then...

The best part? Your husband comes home and you're no longer alone.

Waxing Lyrical

I like to break out in song from time to time. I'm remembering one particular gathering right now. My in-laws were visiting and we had a dinner party. We were playing a kind of table topics game. The question I was given was "what do you wish you had more time for" or something like that. I responded by bursting out in song..."if there's one thing in my life that's missing, it's the time that I spend alone..." followed by laughter all around.

But really, think about it. It's nice when it happens, right? And I'm talking about at night when child or children are all tucked in and you are officially clocked out.

Well, here I am. Alone! Greg is out with his mates he's known since childhood and they're watching rugby. He's living his dream and couldn't be happier.

Lloyd is just about the happiest kid in the whole entire world who I am so proud of.

And I'm coming around. I have friends. Admittedly it's different but... Nevertheless... And hey! We're moving into OUR HOUSE soon!

Oh yeah and I'm alone right now! Yeah, life is good. No, make that God is good.

Big, Huge Sigh of Relief

Guess What. We got the house!!!!!!! At auction and blah blah blah if you really want to hear about it I'll tell you but otherwise bottom line will suffice. We own a house! Remember my longing for that happy feeling? Skipping down the street giggling happy feeling? Well, it's niggling it's way to the front of my heart and wow! does it feel good.

I'd like to thank the academy. No, I'm just kidding. I'd like to thank my friends and family who have been so patient and tolerant of me throughout this whole transition and who I know will continue to be tolerant and amazing. And, most of all, I'd like to thank my Lord... without Who (Whom?) life would not be worth living anywhere.

Leap Forward

The computer is up and working! I'm online and all is well with the world. So turn on skype and let's catch up!

Offer...

We put an offer on the house yesterday afternoon. Got a call back from the realtor last night saying it was enough to move the date of the auction up -- to tomorrow at 3:00pm! This is great because we cut out four future open homes/potential buyers. Also, any other interested parties have to scramble today or tomorrow to get a building inspector in, etc. so that helps our chances at the auction.

I had a chat with the lady who owns the house yesterday while we were there with our building inspector. We were having such a lovely time out on the porch, when the realtor arrived, she told him, "I like these people -- make sure you sell the house to them"...

And, last night, when I spoke to the realtor he told me again that these people really want us to have the house. We shall see.

So, tomorrow at 3:00pm.

Click on this link or copy and paste and you should be able to have a look at the house...
http://www.barfoot.co.nz/416620

Yeo's Abode??

I shouldn't even be talking about this but you do deserve an update...
One of the two houses we saw on the weekend was nice but we didn't like the neighborhood at all so that's that. The other house is a different story... I loved it! Greg wasn't so sure but went back on Sunday and had another look and now he loves it too! So much so that we're going to put an offer on it... Promise I'll keep you posted. And I'll send details of how you can view it after we've made the offer.

Hopes up?

There are two houses we'll look at this weekend and,dare I say it, I'm hopeful!! As before, if I think we have a fighting chance for either one of them, I'll send a link so you can check it/them out.

Losing It

By the way, my computer is still not functioning. Unless it's some strange coincidence, I'm hoping you all have one that functions properly. I make quite the effort most days to get somewhere and use a computer in order to keep in touch with you all. Have given my phone number more than once. Provided helpful hints on the wonders of skype. There are half a million ways to figure out what time it is here; don't tell me you never know. Figure out a way to remember. I've done it so anyone can. I feel so completely ridiculous typing this but it's been building up inside me and I have to let it out. I am very very lonely and homesick still. I know some of you have an awful lot going on and, if I still lived nearby, I know I'd be doing all I can to help out. Please, don't shut me off because I'm far away. My heart is still right beside you, know that. I don't know what else to say. It's bad enough you've made me beg.

Well, Now I've Done It

I blew up the computer. Blew. It. Up.

Used the converter but that wasn't enough evidently because it sure enough blew up. Smoke. That awful smell. A loud shout from me which might have prevented the heart attack I almost had. What an awful shame.

So. If you're waiting for me to call you via Skype, you should not wait any longer because I don't know how long it's going to be before we sort something out. I think I've said it before but will say it again just in case... you can put money on your Skype account and call my home phone for something like .12 cents a minute! If you need the home phone number again, send me a message and I'll get it to you.

A (Rented) Place to Call Our Own

Well, we've rented a house. It's tiny and nothing to look at but we couldn't care less! It's ours and because of that we love it. And it's even closer to Lloyd's school than we were before! He thinks he's already nearly ready to go off by himself (I don't believe him!).

Moving in came with dramas -- of course! When Greg went to get our furniture he was met with quite a surprise. Lots of water on the floor and mold and fuzz growing on everything! Awful.

Thankfully, our books are in plastic bins so they're okay. Most of the furniture is going to be okay, I think. My grandfather's bureau drawers still won't open but I'm hopeful. The couches are drying out thanks to a dehumidifier and heater running nonstop. We got everything out of there so are living quite cramped but it's okay; it's so nice to see our stuff again and to spare it any further damage.

Yesterday evening, I had the nicest surprise I've had in a long time... someone knocked on the door and I opened it to find five friends I've made through Lloyd and school standing there with smiles on their faces!! Lemons off her tree from Kirsty, cashews (which I love) from Miranda, wine from Natalie and Yvette and Alex just so happy to share in the occasion. Fantastic.

Lloyd has a friend coming over after school today and another one tomorrow. He's in heaven seeing his toy box again and is sleeping soundly through the night on his bunk bed. He's set up his stars that glow in the dark and is so at home.

Still on the look-out for a house but the pressure is off and that's a very good thing!

Stuff

Not all posts have to be profound, do they? I flatter myself. But I have decided that sometimes I just have to write and simply let you know what we've been up to.

We went out to eat last night to Meredith's, voted Restaurant of the Year. Sadly, Kelly and I are not at all well and couldn't taste A THING! We kept commenting on the wonderful texture of the food rather than it's taste. Pete and Greg were very impressed so I have to assume ours was delicious, too. A nice night out nevertheless. Pete's birthday was yesterday and Greg's was last week so that's why we went out.

Going to get some culture in a few weekends. Going with my mother in law to see the opera and orchestral version of Madame Butterfly for her birthday and, the next weekend, Greg and I are going with Pete and Kelly to Dralion, Cirque de Soleil's newest venture. That event was a gift from G and P's mom for their birthday! It's my present, too and Kelly's for next year (the tickets weren't cheap!).

A friend of a friend of a friend has just arrived in Auckland from Texas. I'll be showing her around this weekend and am looking forward to that. Nice to be able to show someone around; makes me feel like I really do live here or something. Oh, that's right -- I do!

I've got some rental possibilities to look at today. Kelly's going to drive me around. You may be wondering why Kelly is going to be driving me around and I'm not taking myself... Well, that's because my car is in the shop. I looked the wrong way whilst pulling out of our street the other day and crashed into another car. Everything is alright but the front end of the car needs some help. Oops! Not good. I wasn't thinking. It has to be a concentrated effort to remember to look the right way. Old habits die hard. And when I have a lot on my mind... You know.

Lloyd is well and enjoying his friends. He's up to my waist now! My next task is to download some photos so you have something new to look at on my shutterfly site so keep an eye out for those. I'm afraid they may not be very exciting but there you go.

Changing Course

We're looking at rentals. I know, I know it's about time, right? That's what I think. Wow are they expensive! You could (if you could) easily be paying over $700.00 PER WEEK! Ridiculous. I hate the thought of paying someone else's mortgage but there you go. Something has to be done. To save myself, my husband, our marriage... You know.

Slight Shifts

Lloyd and I were having coffee this morning (okay, he was having frothed milk, locally known as a fluffy) and he was doing some drawing in my notebook. He drew a picture of a cat and was trying to tell me so and explain that he had drawn.... and he couldn't think of Mabel's name! I prompted him and said, "O'Malley?" because that's the cat we live with here and he got all upset and almost started to cry because he could not for the life of him think of Mabel!

Something like that happened to me a few days ago but now I can't even remember any of it except that it happened so my excuse is I'm just getting old! But I do know it was a place I was trying to recall, not a person or pet. But still. As predicted, R.I. favorites are being given a new spot in my brain, slightly farther back, as new favorites are coming to the forefront here in N.Z.

It's all good, just hard to even admit sometimes.

Not Meant To Be

We didn't get the house.

I've sat here for a bit just staring at the keyboard considering how to even begin describing the despicable (sp?) auction process but can't. I just can't. It makes me sick and I don't know how any realtor in this country sleeps at night.

Bidding started at $500,000 and finished at $672,000. Our last bid was for $671,000 even though we had promised each other we wouldn't go a dollar over $660,000. But, in the heat of the moment and with a realtor literally in your face and with the only other bidding couple mere inches away from you at the back of the room countering every single offer you make SECONDS after you've drawn your next breath... you find yourself sort of stepping outside yourself and doing something no sane person WOULD EVER DO!

Thank GOD we didn't get it. Because it's not worth even $660,000. (Our building inspector told me we'd need to put in about $100,000 to make the basement and FOUNDATION sound!)

My disappointment today is not because we didn't get that house. It's simply because I woke up this morning still not having a place to call my own. Blah blah blah. I'm even sick of writing about it.

The Lord has promised good to me. His word my hope secures. He will my shield and portion be. As long as life endures.

I'm so thankful for the constants in my life. Friends beyond compare. Husband beyond compare. A son who really couldn't be happier. The unfailing love of parents, distant and related by law. The sunrise every morning (come on, it's not silly... we take it for granted but I see the most amazing sky when I pull back the curtains in the morning).

I saw a pod of Orcas yesterday morning flipping sting rays high into the air! It was fantastic. Absolutely amazing. To be at the right place at the right time and see that. What a treat.

That's what's going to happen with a house. Right house, right time. Really, it is.

Auction

We've got an auction to go to Wednesday at 6:00pm. It's not as though I frequent them but I can assure those of you who live in the States, it will be unlike any auction you or I have ever been to.

This one if for a house!

So, I know most of you will be sound asleep Tuesday night when the auction is occurring but if you do find yourself awake, say a prayer for us as we bid for the possible next Yeo's Abode.

I'll keep you posted...

Vision

Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart; (and find us a house)
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art. (except for a house)
Thou my best Thought, by day or by night,(and that we need a house)
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light. (mostly waking because we need a house)

Be Thou my Wisdom, and Thou my true Word;(and some heat please, it's 55 INSIDE!)
I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord;
Thou my great Father, I Thy true son;(daughter)
Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one.(a dwelling... another word for house!)

Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise,(just a house please)
Thou mine Inheritance, now and always:(an inheritance so we can buy a house?!?)
Thou and Thou only, first in my heart,(and second is a house)
High King of Heaven, my Treasure Thou art.(no treasures, just a house)

High King of Heaven, my victory won,(and maybe win the auction this Wednesday!)
May I reach Heaven’s joys, O bright Heaven’s Sun!(warmth from the sun!!)
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,(but please oh please let us have a house)
Still be my Vision, O Ruler of all.

Happy

Webster's dictionary defines the word this way: enjoying or showing or marked by joy or pleasure.

Okay. I'll buy that. But what I was really looking for I guess you can't put into words. It's a feeling and those are so hard to describe.

But I miss it. However you want to describe it.

Being in a state of waiting for something to happen doesn't generally evoke that feeling, does it? The process of making friends in the midst of missing your lifelong friends doesn't generally evoke that feeling, does it? Being lost on a motorway miles from where you're supposed to be certainly does not evoke that feeling let me tell you!

And I'm not complaining; really I'm not. I just long for that feeling again and there's not much I can do about it but hope and wait for better days to come. These days aren't bad, don't get me wrong, but too often I find myself longing for days gone by.

When we get a house, when we get a house, when we get a house... I'll be happy again? Side splitting, falling over, laughing so hard I snort, skipping down the footpath happy? Try me. We'll see. Because then people will come visit?

You better!

Comfort

What's the first person/place/thing/activity that comes to mind when you hear that word? Often times it's a cup of tea, a hot bath with a good book and a glass of wine, laughter with your best friend, silence with your best friend, the sound of the ocean and the sand between your toes... or something unexpected...

My comfort arrived this week in the shape of a 40' steel box!

Our home (minus the four walls and ceiling, etc.) arrived and it's all in perfect order. I now have other clothes, other shoes, toys for Lloyd, blankets, UGG boots, CREATURE COMFORTS!!

Bliss.

A Butterfly Again?

Social butterfly that is. Things are picking up and that makes me very happy! We house-sat again this weekend for friends from Thursday to Monday and entertained on Saturday and Sunday. We were in our element and loved it! It was great to see friends and catch up.

Playdates are being scheduled and a coffee group I initiated last Friday was such a success that we're getting together at another moms house this Friday AND the Friday after that is already scheduled too!

Nice.

How he got the job

Because this is too amazing to not tell.

So, we have these friends. Matt and Vic. Greg knows Matt from working on boats. Greg saved Matt's job once, in a big way, and Matt always has said to Greg over the years, "I owe you for that".

Time goes by.

Vic has recently been hired for a job about 5 hours from here so that means the family is moving for said job. Matt resigned his position at Alloy about a week ago. As he did so, his boss asked him if he knew anyone appropriate to take his place... Matt replied, well yes, yes I do!

Greg's name and contact details were given. Two interviews and two references later... Matt has made good on his promise and Greg now has his job!!!!

How cool is THAT?!?

Gainfully Employed!!

Greg got the job he was going for!! He'll be a project manager at Alloy Yachts working as liason between the Yard (Alloy) and the owner/owner's rep/captain. Fantastic! Now we can find the perfect house and buy it!! And move in and live in it and make it home.

At long last, the container is due to arrive Monday evening. It has already cleared customs somehow and MAF (Ministry of Agriculture and Farming) has already marked on the inventory what it is they need to see (wooden stuff mostly) so they'll go through all that and then the contents are ours! I cannot wait to see what condition it's all in. It's been on a very very long trip...

Pictures

I have updated my shutterfly site with some new pics... have a look!

Choices

We are presented with so very many choices every day, aren't we? Coffee or tea? What to wear? What to do first on the list? What's for dinner? Trouble is we get caught up in all these choices and forget to make the crucial ones first and next thing we know we're so involved in the everyday that another day goes by without having made a conscious effort in it... The first choices we should be making upon waking are what really matter.

I choose to be positive today.

I choose to make this a productive day.

I choose to be more patient than yesterday.

I choose to enrich the lives of those around me today in little, meaningful ways.

Try it. Before you even get out of bed. Make the positive decisions that will set the tone for the rest of the day.

Comments

I've changed the comment moderation so that you don't have to be signed up in order to post a comment so there you go -- you can now comment to your hearts content!

A Heart Divided

I wonder if I'll ever get used to calling cookies "biscuits". Or french fries "chips". Or undies "knickers". I wonder if I'll ever stop wincing when I go to turn right because I think I'm cutting someone off behind me! I wonder if I'll ever stop longing for just one more day at Second Beach with my friend. I wonder if I'll ever stop missing spur of the moment activities with that same friend... I KNOW I'll never stop missing my favorite breakfast spot and all the good times I've had in there. It was in that spot, over breakfast, I saw the man who would become my husband, over ten years ago. It was in that breakfast spot I found out our house had been sold, gulp! That seems so long ago now. I wish there was such a thing over here as an affordable cell phone plan so I could actually use the phone I have to make the occasional phone call. I wonder if there will be family friends we make over here where we'll go for sleep overs. I miss sleep overs in Richmond and Tiverton. I want just one more night on the town in my town. I wonder if I'll ever stop watching Desperate Housewives reruns just to hear their accents... I've got to stop getting annoyed when someone passes me on the right on the motorway (it's not a highway anymore) because it's actually okay; that's the high speed lane now!

Be very, very glad your house is insulated. These aren't and they are COLD!

I've made great strides, I know I have and I remind myself of that and the fact that we've only been here just over two months. There are certain things about home and best friends I can't even think about because it's too painful. I still get a lump in my throat when someone asks me how I'm doing. Wonder when that will stop.

The thing is, I'm kinda glad I'm having these struggles because it's keeping it all real. And that's me -- keepin' it real! Really really real. Sometimes heartwrenchingly real.

LOVE this Pixar short...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VHgahrjsqmY

If you can't view it by copying and pasting that link, enter Boundin' and you should be able to see it...

It has to be said

I live in New Zealand.

Yeah, yeah, yeah I know you all know that but you don't understand; I've never said that out loud before now. (I just said it out loud to myself.) I am amazed by how raw my emotions still are but I guess I really shouldn't be because I'm a rather emotional person but still. I live in New Zealand. No, we may not have a house, proper jobs, still living out of suitcases but those are little things right? I guess. Because here we are living in Auckland, New Zealand.

And it's not half bad! It's beautiful beautiful beautiful. For autumn, the weather is amazing. To still be in flip flops (some days) is quite a treat. Had to bring Greg to a boat early this morning and so was graced with an amazing sunrise and rainbow on the way back to the house. Nice!

We are surrounded by family. There's water water everywhere. Horses, cows and sheep are never far away. Good food has been found (even an aged cheddar that rivals my favorite!).

And I drive around and think about you all and what I want to show you when you come visit. I have different days planned for different people; there's something for everyone! I'll have the calendar ready as soon as we get a house. So, you all enjoy your spring and summer and then start thinking about a visit to New Zealand!

Okay? Okay.

Right house wrong price

By about $60,000 at least. Oh, it's the house of our dreams... Our dreams!! We're going to make an offer but expect to be laughed right out of town but what else can we do? It is the house straight out of our dreams; why not aspire to our dreams? Right??

Dare I mention it???

When we were still living in the States, there was this house we saw for sale online. We had my sister in law go to the open house and have a look at it. She reported back that she really liked what she saw... Time went by and, next thing you know, it disappeared from the website so we assumed it had sold.

Now that we're here, we've driven by it and looked longingly at it wishing it was ours. Sunday was one such day only this time we wrote a note and stuck it in their mailbox saying that if they ever want to sell, give us a call...

Well.

Greg got a call this morning and guess who wants to sell!!!!

It never did sell; they had taken it off the market. We're going to look at it Sunday!

Ah...

So we're house sitting again in mission bay; this time for three weeks!!

We started the day with a dancing session to earth, wind and fire! What fun! Spent a wonderful day with Lloyd and my mother in law who I adore and now...

I'm ALONE!!! Pure bliss! And listening to music watching the sunset. The angst and everything else from the past week is not present in this day/moment/evening and I am very,very thankful. The God I love and do my best to serve is with me, always is and He is good.

Today

I need to start living in the present again. Not the past, not the future, just today. This very moment if that's all I can handle. Carpe diem. One day at a time. All that smack talk; it would do me good.

I Want to go Home

I'm too old for this. I had a perfectly wonderful life at home. The best friends one person could ask for. Lloyd had the best friend he may ever meet in his whole entire life. I had shops I loved to go to where people knew me. There were great restaurants we could go to and people knew us. I have never felt so alone. Ever. I am so sad it's ridiculous and I'm tired of being positive and waiting for it to all get good again. I am so tired.

I know I'll make new friends but they will never, ever replace the ones I already have. At home. Where I want to be. I know we'll have another great house someday and great shops and great restaurants and all that but I just don't want to hear it right now! Because everything was fine. Just. The. Way. It. Was...

The Season of My Discontent

Well, well, well. Waiting is the hardest thing, isn't it? Waiting for the right job to come along, waiting for the right house, waiting for Lloyd to come home from school... Okay, maybe not that third one! Lloyd started school yesterday! I'm told by his teacher he did, "Fantastically well"! How about that? He was so so ready to be with the other kids and make some friends and to LEARN! He's on a field trip today.

Nothing new on the search for a house. There's just nothing available in our price range. Everything is $800,000 or higher it seems. Ridiculous. We want a house of our own so badly!

Greg has been dayworking but that gig ended last Friday so now he's back to networking and we'll see what comes up.

Tough stuff but the days have been beautiful and we're keeping busy doing who knows what but the days are flying by.

Perspective

For homeless people, we're doing alright. First of all, there's the unbelievable generosity of Greg's brother and family who have let us stay and now there's this five day house sitting gig we happened upon! Two beautiful homes to stay in, two great areas of Auckland to be a part of... Not bad, not bad at all. Some day we will have a place to call our own but for now, this'll do just fine!

Packing Again

We're going housesitting in Mission Bay for friends who are going away and need their dog looked after! Five nights away will be a welcome relief for all, I think. It's a beautiful house with a sweeping view of horse paddocks and the water below. A wee getaway...

I hope to get the camera attachment attached and send some photos soon.

No Place to Call Our Own

However... we had a meeting yesterday with a lady who is going to work on our preapproval and then approval for a mortgage. So now we have a rough idea of what we can spend. We've seen some beautiful houses but they're out of our price range. The right one will come along; just have to be patient. Not my forte!! We are so, so lucky to be able to stay with Greg's brother and his family. But. It's not always easy. I am so eager to get into our own house. Cook, entertain, speak freely. Lloyd is missing his things; he mentions the odd toy every now and then so I know he's thinking about it all.

We have bought a car so that's something! It's a Honda Avancier. Have a look on google images if you want to see what it looks like. It's straight off a boat from Japan. It's got a lot of extras and is really nice to drive. Nice to have that independence.

Greg is at the Viaduct this morning seeing a man about a job! Let's hope something comes of it.

So. All in all we're doing well. We've only been here a week so I have to keep that perspective and get through each day hopeful.

So.

Here I am. Went to immigration with Greg today to start the paperwork for my residency. Cried most of the way there. In part because, sitting in the car with just him, that was my first down time in a long time and so had the chance to let this big move hit me a little bit. Just a little bit and that's how I like it. Ease on into it. Thank you for the emails; I've read them all a few times! I'll get better at responding, I promise. We're going this weekend to look at cars in the hopes of buying one and also going to go to a few open houses to get a feel for what's out there. We know where we want to live according to the school we want Lloyd to go to so that's a start. I'll keep you "posted"!

Slack... No, Busy... No, Slack

So it's been a while since I've updated this space; sorry about that! We've had a little bit going on. Let's see. Had a wonderful send-off party last night at Emily's house (thank you Emily!). A few tears from many people and a lot of heartfelt goodbyes. Today, I've been having fun playing with my new toy -- a gift from Lori, Emily and Karen -- an iPod Touch! Thank you so much ladies; I will keep in touch and think of you each time I use it. Tonight, we're having some more friends over and will enjoy more laughter and then have to say more heartfelt goodbyes. Phew! We're exhausted. Lloyd spent last night with a high fever; he's so run down. We're eager to get on the plane and begin our journey into our new lives in New Zealand. It's inconceivable to me still that I can't make plans with anyone here for next week; so weird. Day by day. Now stop reading this and go download Skype if you haven't already!!

Mabel

I must not forget to give a wee tribute to Mabel our much loved cat who left the household yesterday in very good hands. She's going to live with dear friends of ours and have a wonderful life. She will be missed, though! She is already.

The Long Goodbye/s

So the goodbyes have started and aren't getting any easier! First was to my brother and his family after we had spent a night at their house. Then I dropped my sister off at the airport and you already know about that. This past weekend, my other sister visited with her family and so yesterday we had to say goodbye to them. Today, a dear dear friend and her family came to visit and so there was THAT goodbye. She was my first friend in this fair town. Like she said over lunch today, it's not like we're falling off a cliff or something and disappearing for good but... I've got to tell you, when I'm in the throes of these goodbyes, it sure feels like it!

My Sister

I said goodbye to Michelle today and can't put into words how painful that was. This is something I wrote for her 40th birthday.

Once upon a time, in a land north of you, there lived a family full of love.

Of course, it wasn't like that every second of the day because this family consisted of human beings and sometimes human beings fight.

In this family there existed four children: (imagine!) three girls and a boy.
For this story we are interested in the two oldest girls.

Sisters.

Have you heard of sibling rivalry? Well, that’s when brothers and sisters fight.
Fight for toys, fight for attention, fight for the bathroom, fight for the last piece of chicken, stuff like that.

These sisters were like any other and they fought like that. Boy oh boy did they fight.

But remember how I said it was a family full of love? Well, sometimes you had to look hard to see it but, underneath all that fighting was a love those sisters had for each other that was going to prove far stronger and more important to each one of them than any fight they ever had.

So, time went on and these sisters grew up. Growing up isn’t always easy to do but, thankfully, these sisters had promised themselves to Jesus early on in their lives and, thankfully, Jesus has promised He will never leave us no matter what if we stay true or return to Him.

Now each sister has a family (full of love!) all her own.

The older sister was married first and moved away.

The younger sister carried on in her life.

No two people could have been further apart at this stage of their lives but yet, somehow, every day they were becoming closer and closer as two people becoming the very best of friends.

Finally, at long last, the younger sister got married and started her own family (full of love!).

Now the sisters had more in common. The younger sister was constantly calling the older sister for advice and encouragement. Couldn’t get enough of it as a matter of fact because she thinks the older sister is the best mom that ever lived.

Grant, Haileigh and Kelly, it’s Aunt Sandra and I am writing as the younger sister about me and your mom, the older sister.

She has far more to teach you than just how to put your shoes on and how to take them off. Or why you should keep your room clean. Or that you should always say please and thank you (which you should). Or that green vegetables are good for you (which they are).

Pay attention to her and she will teach you what it is to live in a family full of love.

How to be a friend that will last a lifetime.

How to listen.

How to have fun and laugh with reckless abandon.

How to eat a s’more with reckless abandon.

How to make friends out of sisters and brothers.

Please give your mom a huge hug for me on this momentous birthday. I so wish I could be there to hug her myself…

My sister and best friend in the whole world.

Gulp!

It's February. Wow. I think that explains the constant state of panic and butterflies in my stomach!! We are very very busy and need to make the most of every moment; whether it be packing, spending time with family and friends or sleeping. Hard to remain aware of that but I'll try.

Ahhh well...

So, I'm sleeping better. Thanks to Tylenol's Simply Sleep and gin! I wish with all my heart my grandmother was still here and I could ask her how on earth she slept through my grandfather's snoring! Maybe she used the spare bedroom when I wasn't there. I remember sleeping over and trying with all my might to fall asleep before he came home (he worked second shift at the post office) because if he came home and fell asleep first, there was no hope for me. Oh how I love our spare bedroom. But that's no way to live now is it? What I love more is our bed and our duvet and snuggling with my husband on these very cold nights (and he keeps the house about as warm as a barn!)... UNTIL the snoring starts. What's a girl to do!?!

Tick Tock

I had forgotten what an exquisite feeling sleep deprivation is. And how long sleepless nights can be. At least the last time I experienced this I had a good reason because Lloyd was a baby and it was all his fault! And, when I was up at night, I had something to do. I guess I could get up and start packing in the wee hours of the endless night but it's too freezing cold beyond the duvet. Who thinks about organizing SHOES at 2:00a.m.? Who? So, this morning, packing began in earnest because I NEED SLEEP!

Posted Pending

We've taken matters into our own hands and created a Pending sign because I wanted something that shows we mean business -- for those of you in denial -- yet another tangible sign of our intent! I even went so far as to send an email to our realtor (in Florida!) telling him I want a SOLD sign... maybe that's posted after all the papers are signed not just the preliminaries. I thought that since the buyers got their mortgage approval, someone would have been out front the very first thing in the morning to post the sign! Because, after all, isn't this just about the most important thing in the world to just about EVERYBODY???

Time to Go

We've booked our flight to Auckland. Our one way (gulp!) tickets are for Sunday, March 1 out of Providence.

It's hitting me now. My stomach does a flip every time I think about it or read that sentence! I don't think I've ever had a one way ticket before. I'm handling it better at times than others. I'm worried about certain friends and family members more than anything at this point!!

A Mid-Winter Move

Well, we got the call today that the buyer's mortgage was approved! No big surprise but significant nonetheless because now we know for sure. Closing date is February 26th. I've sent an email to Masterpiece Intl. who will book the container for us and we'll look into flights soon, too! With subzero temperatures predicted for the next few days and lots of wind as well, now is a very good to move!!

No Time For a Nap!

We are 99% sure we have sold our house!! Pending buyers' mortgage approval it's a done deal. And we close on February 26th. Completely according to plan; amazing! I'll forward the "SOLD" sign when it's up.