3-0 Baby!

This is the first Stars goal - Zubov, nice job - notice the photography skills.  The puck is still in the air in the net.  I AM SO GOOD!  I also enjoyed some i-friend texting during the game with fellow STARS FAN, the Unstable Blogger.   

I won't say it, but I might take a broom to the game tomorrow.  GO STARS!

Don't look if you are a cat lover. This hurts.

I am really pissed off right now.  I just spent money at the vet that I shouldn't have had to.  My kitty, my little Cagey.  You remember he got caught in the soccer net.  Well the neighborhood tom cat, beat the crap out of him.  He ripped the hair off of him from knee to foot on his back leg and he has a a gaping wound on his haunch.  The problem is I'm friends with the owner of this cat, yet I would like to call animal control and have him picked up.  They won't let him in the house anymore.  He fights with all the cats in the neighborhood and he sprays my bushes, front door, back door, all the kids playground equipment.  F**k!!  

I realize that cats fight and all that crap, but this is ridiculous.  Don't you think?

New Zealand Day 7: Traveling to Nelson

We took the Interislander Ferry from the North Islands thru the Sounds to the South Island.  From Picton we drove to Nelson.  On the way we stopped for the toilet.  There was a beautiful old church and a pub in this little group of buildings.  Well, you know me I grab my camera and start taking pictures.  

While doing this I got snuck up on.  All of  a sudden I turn and there is this old and very drunk dude standing next to me. I say dude, but he was probably 60 with long grey hair past his shoulders and he says:

Him:  I'm the preacher at this church, were you looking for a sermon?

Me:  No we were just using the toilet.

Him:  Where are you from?

Me:  Texas

Him (staring at my boobs):  I always heard things were bigger down in Texas, now I know why.

The conversation went down hill from here.  Offering drinks, coffee, anything to get us to stay around.  We hurried and piled into the car and finished our trip to Nelson.  We had a lovely dinner and packed it in for the night.  But my "Texas sized boobs" were the highlight of the day.

New Zealand Day 6: Petone, Paua Shells & Setting up House

This may sound like a lot, but it was a good day.  Mom, Stehle & I took off for shopping in Petone.  We had much success.  We found a great little bookstore.  I found a jewelry store, I know there was something else, but in all the excitement I've forgotten.  Mom had picked up a cold and we couldn't hang out with the new baby this day. 

After shopping & lunch, we walked down another beach close to my aunt's house and picked up paua shells.  We had great success at that too.  Now I just have to clean and polish them and I'll have something - maybe a cool soap dish.  I also got some cool shots of the beach and some surfers.

Our cousin Brandon & his fabulous pregnant wife Lizzie moved into their new house so we took off for a little unpacking.  Before we left we had the whole house unpacked and set up.  Pregnant people again cleaning up on the getting stuff thing.   

New Zealand Day 5: The Ferry & Pokie

So my sister and I headed over to downtown Wellington to do some shopping.  I found some great stuff for the kids and  my husband.  We went out for the evening with our cousin Brice to a little pub in Petone.  We ate and SURPRISE slot/poker machines are legal and in a lot of pubs in New Zealand.  I love Vegas - so this was a nice surprise.  Mostly we sat around and talked and had a few drinks.  My sister and I played for a little while and just about broke even.   

The cab ride home was another story - never get in a cab with a gassy Indian cab driver.  Especially if the windows are up.

New Zealand Day 4: Hysterical Giggles & Dribbles

Day 4 we hiked to Butterfly Creek.  I may have touched on this in an earlier post, but we walked up a mountain - they call it a hill, but it was a mountain, trust me.  It was suppose to take 1 hour & 20 minutes, but it took a lot longer.  I'm not sure if that was because we were out of shape, or my mother decided we had to take pictures every 30 feet or so.  

Anyhow, we made it to Butterfly Creek (that is up a mountain and back down) and sat down to eat our lunch.  All was going well, the tastey sandwiches were yummy.  We were eating dessert, when Honey - a young golden Lab - came by and ate mother's dessert.  We all laughed so hard we couldn't talk or breathe, however I think my sister wet her pants - or maybe just "dribbled" a little.  

My sister and I took off for our Aunt's a different direction on the way home (that would be over the mountain and back down again), it was dark, humid and the trail was very narrow in places, but we made it and this time in the allotted time so I think it was the picture taking that took so long the first time.  

My legs hurt, my kness hurt, everything hurt, but I got some absolutely beautiful pictures.

Break From Vacation Stories for a "Squeal"

As my i-friend and the best blogger ever Krista would say - SQUEAL!  Why you ask?  I just got carded for booze.  Yes, I bought a bottle of wine at the grocery store and got carded.

C-A-R-D-E-D!  I'm 40.  Yes, this absolutely positively made my day. 

I guess 2 weeks away from kids and husband relaxed me a bit huh?

New Zealand Day 3: Rumituka

I learned a few things on this day.

1.  Never sit on the cliff side of the car when anyone else is driving over a big hill (especially Susan). &  2.  When Stehle says I'm hungry, feed her immediately.   

On this day I also experienced a first.  

Driving in a car on the wrong side of the road.  Yes, I drove a car with a right hand drive on the left side of the road.  OMG - How much fun is that?  Pretty much.  Especially when your sister is in the front seat freaking out because she keeps saying I'm too close to the edge.  Its a control thing - I was not driving too close.  I'm a good driver, even if I am a girl.

We went to Martinboro, Greytown.  Did some shopping.  Blah, Blah, Blah.  

New Zealand Day 2: Sea Glass

My sister and I discovered a wonderful thing on Friday when we got to New Zealand - Sea Glass.  We spent hours on the beach just down from my aunt's house picking it up.  We picked up a huge amount over the next few days.  I brought home a bunch - just need to figure out what to do with it.  

On Friday night/Saturday morning we got a some rain showers and were blessed with the most fabulous rainbow right out in the bay.

We also had a big family dinner.  It was great to see everyone together.   Lizzie even got a hand and foot rub.  Pregnant women just clean up don't they?

Traveling & Day1: In need of a shower.

This should really be titled DELAYED.    We were delayed  1.5 hours in Dallas, then 3 hours in LA & 1 hour in Auckland.  Our flight from LA to Auckland included a call for a doctor only about 200 miles into the flight. We all turned and looked at each other and groaned and just knew that we would be turning around and heading back for LA.  Our 9 o'clock flight had already been delayed 3 hours and we actually took off at 12:30 LA time so not one was really excited to hear this over the intercom.  

Apparently some lady up front had a suitcase fall on her from the overhead bin.   A doctor from the "cheap seats" went up front and was then rewarded with business class seats.  We (my mom) quickly claimed the seats and my mom, sister and I were all lucky enough to have grabbed 3 seats a piece for the flight over so there was a little sleep gotten by all.

We made a new New Zealand friend in the airport.  He helped us tremendously getting thru the Auckland airport to get to our Wellington Flight.  Thank you Des!   

I've never needed a shower more than after all that airport and airplane.  We managed to hang around and stay up until our bedtime.  What an incredible view from the front deck at Susan's (our Aunt) deck.  Also the view our bedroom.  The big surprise of the day came from Amy, my cousin Brice's wife.  She delivered her second child while we were in the air.  Although I feel like "Auntie Dijea", I am only a second cousin to cute little Pippa.  Here's a little shot of Susan and her first grand-daughter.

Don't forget to check out my photo blog, there will be tons of New Zealand photos popping up there.

Hello from New Zealand

I don't even know where to start and I only have a minute on the library's computer, but I have to say this place is awesome. We are staying at my aunts and out the window of our bedroom is the most beautiful view of the ocean. Every evening we watch the sunset over the bay. The full moon over the ocean is unbelieveable.

My sister and I have been hunting sea glass most mornings and have aquired quite a large collection. We went on a 10 -15 killometer bush walk yesterday. We have entiled it "Giggles & Dribbles", but that is a whole other post. We have enjoyed coffee overlooking the sea at Chocolate Dayz Cafe and today are exploring Wellington - and shopping a little.

I have to say - YOU NEED MORE THAN XANAX TO GET THROUGH THAT FLIGHT. That's another post as well.

And I'm out-of-here, almost

So I wake up this morning feeling like I sucked on a blow torch.  I do manage to get in-touch of my doctor and he fits me in.  Thank you Dr. P.  I get an antibiotic shot and a Z-pack.  My backside is killing me from the shot though.

I'm packed!  The suitcase is only 40 lbs.  Yea!  So I'm 10 lbs under the limit - although when I lift it it feels more like 60.  I've got a very small carry on and a huge tote/purse.  I should be good.  I also have 7 GB of memory cards so expect pictures.  What you don't see here will show up on my photo blog by the end of the month.  Maybe even while I'm there if I can swing a computer somewhere.  

I am watching my beloved STARS and they are not having the best of evenings.  My husband is at the game, my parents are in my kids beds and my kids are in mine.  I'm about to crawl in there with them.  Pray for a safe trip for me and I'm looking forward to sharing when I get home, so get ready.

Trip Freak Out #563

Even though I have all the clothes in the suitcase, I'm still feeling "unprepared".  Its not that I'm leaving the kids, although I will miss them like crazy, because I know my husband will take good care of them.  Probably forget their medicine, but he'll take good care of them.  Not because the little kitten had an accident and is hobbling around the house.  Not because I have to spend 19 1/2 hours (or some other ungodly amount of time) in a giant tin tube either.  Its not that I'll be in another hemisphere either, but least they speak English in New Zealand.

I just won't have any control over anything.  Is that scary or what?  I won't have control over what's happening at home, I can't just "go home" if there is an emergency.  At some point, either my mom, my sister or myself will probably be offended by something the other one does.  More of a "too much togetherness" than anything or maybe "too many expectations".  I handle things really good at the time they are happening, its the anticipation of events that freak me out.

Well, I can't wait for the rest of the freak-outs before I leave on Wednesday.  I'm off to go get everything I've forgotten so far.

GO STARS GO

My Dallas Stars got another win tonight.  YEA!!!!!   Marty, you were fabulous!  Richards - excellent. Love me some Modano with the game winner.  Mike Ribeiro with a goal and two assists.

I just love watching my Stars!  Final 5-2.

SHUT OUT

"Perfection" that is what Razor said about your game.  After 4 goals by the Dallas Stars I turned to my husband:

Me:  I want Marty to get a ......

HIM:  No don't say it you'll jinx it.

So I didn't say it and I didn't jinx it and you got your shut out.  This is why I named my cat after you.  I'm sure you are thrilled to hear that - aren't you Marty? 

You'll never read this blog and never know about my cat Turco, but I am devoted.  Really I am.  I am also a big giant nerd, but that is another story.  

GO STARS!!

My Petunia's

I checked out bunny bunster's blog yesterday showing pictures of beautiful bulbs.  I am kind of a flower/nature freak.  Yes, freak.  I have a front flower bed full of daylillies and where I don't have flowers I have pots of flowers. My petunia's are blooming like crazy.  All four pots of them.  We had a little rain this morning and they aren't quite as perky as usual, but so colorful.  I've been enjoying them this spring.

Manic Monday

Ever had one of those days that things just didn't turn out right?  I'm like totally having one of those.  (Sorry - its so bad I'm talking in 80's speak.) 

AAAGGHHH!! 

Thank you for listening, I feel better now.

Unwanted excitement.

Yesterday afternoon the sun came out and trying to lure the children outside, I laid down on the trampoline with my book and my phone (I was expecting a phone call.).  All three cats came up and joined me.  Mason came home and the kids came out to inform me that they were going to go with our next door neighbor and walk her dogs in 15 minutes.  All is well, right - WRONG.  

About 10 minutes later I hear a huge crash next door.  My first instinct is to scream "Is everything OK?"  But my heart said run, which is what I did.  You know those lovely nets that are suppose to keep kids from hurting themselves - they do not make it easy for you to get off in a hurry.  By the time I had exited the prison that was the trampoline, I got to the backdoor in time to hear a blood curtling scream.  I was thru the house and out the front door faster than you can say "whoa" and almost at Cici's door when out she comes holding a very bloody Hunter.  He had shattered her sliding glass door with his head.

Mason & I took the screaming child inside and tried to clean him up, but as I wiped his head the towel came back with bits of glass and not having decent vision decided the only course of action was the ER.  I was halfway there when the doctors service finally answered the phone.  The pre-authorized the visit - for insurance purposes - and I was in the ER a noticably calmer child because we had been doing breathing exercises in the car.  Am I inventive or what?  I filled out the paperwork and without even getting comfortable in the waiting room chair - if that's even possible - we were called in.  

The triage nurse was very good with Hunter and said he had the lowest pulse of any child he had seen with any injury - see breathing exercises work, I'm not a total loon.  After a quick once over we were back in the waiting room.  This time I was just getting back into a chair when we were once again called.  Is this ER the best or what?  After a PA, a doctor, a nurse and two X-Ray tech and X-Ray's we were told he was the luckiest child in the world.  NO STITCHES.  My son broke a glass door and shattered it and he required no stitches.  We were home in under 2 hours.  I LOVE MEDICAL CITY ER!  

My husband has ordered me to remove the sliding glass door in our house.  I am awaiting a call back as we speak.  

If you want to see the picture of him after he was cleaned up click here.

I'm going to New Zealand!

Holy Cr*p!  I'm leaving the country in two weeks.  TWO WEEKS.  I don't even have my clothes completely together, I'm going to another hemisphere and it is another season.  I'm leaving my children for way longer than I ever have, I'm going to go into withdrawal for a little wee one hug.  I may get used to sleeping in a bed without snoring.  I might not be able to find stuff I will eat.  Maybe I'll find too much stuff to eat.  AAAAGGGGHHHH!  I'm freaking out. 

Not really, I'm looking forward to it.  But I will miss my kids & maybe my husband.  OK honey, I will miss you too.  That part before was just my lame attempt at humor.

My husband is going to play video games every moment - oh he already does that.  But he'll now have to do laundry in between sessions.  HA!  And he'll have to make lunches. HA!  He'll even have to go to the grocery store.  HA!  Will he survive unscathed?  It probably won't even phase him.  I'll probably worry for nothing.  But hey, that's what I'm good at.

Do you think I'll survive the trip without throwing up on a plane or a ferry?

 

You must get this. Or at least check them out.

I downloaded this album yesterday from I Tunes.  Then I saw that it was "the next big thing".  Then I really sat and listened to them. 

LOVE THEM!  LOVE THEM!

Check this out.

Give me a book and I'm happy. HAPPY! My mother told me once if I was reading she wouldn't ask me to do stuff around the house. I avoided chores for years. I read almost every genre there is although I have to say I usually stay away from biographies. I'd rather watch TLC or The History Channel or BIOGRAPHY.

Some of the best books I've ever read in no particular order:

• Praying for Sleep, Jeffrey Deaver
• A Maiden's Grave, Jeffrey Deaver
• All the Stephanie Plum Novels, Janet Evanovich
• The Lovely Bones, Alice Sebold
• The Brothers Karamozov, Fyodor Dostovesky

Authors I rarely pass up

• Jeffrey Deaver
• Janet Evanovich
• Michael Connoly
• Greg Iles
• Clive Cussler - I love the Dirk Pitt novels
• Dan Brown
• Nelson DeMille

I probably will hit myself on the head and realize I left out 3 of my favorite authors. I could read all day, every day and well do. I read everyday, I try to write everyday.

I read blogs everyday, see them on the left. Check them out. The best writer out of all of them, Krista.

I hate that with all the new books being written every year Hollywood has to remake the same movies over and over and over. Can we get some new material!