Saturday, September 27, 2014

I'm Baaaaaack!

Forgive me readers for I have sinned. It has been 16 MONTHS since my last blog update.  And in that time I have.....

Big apologies for the massive delay in updating.  Thanks for all your prompts to keep writing (Mum).  So, over a year has passed. Bare with me and I will cast my mind back to find the best bits to report. Possibly in an abridged form.

Right, let's see. Let's start with the Southern Barts.  Annabelle turned 5 in January and started school.  She's such a big girl now.  She sounds like she is enjoying it and even catches the bus there some days. She is riding her bike now WITHOUT training wheels.


Hazel is a big 3 year old now and is such a good big sister to Poppy.  She has moved over to the big room at Montessori Preschool and is doing really well. I love her cuddles and she is always a real character.
Poppy is GORGEOUS!  She has grown so much and is walking, or should I say RUNNING around to catch up to her big sisters. 


The SB's went on a holiday last year to the UK - the first time the girls had been there.  Lots of catching up with Grandad Bob, Nana Sue, and Grannie Annie, as well as the girls cousins, and meeting new people.  Gavin flew back home after 4 weeks (I think that's right?) and Catkin and the girls stayed on for longer.  Gavin and Catkin are doing a fab job of raising their 3 gorgeous girls.  Gavin had shoulder surgery in August and is recovering well.

The Lethaby's are doing well and, in exciting news, are expecting a little addition to the family in February.  Exciting!!  Quinn turned 1 last November and will be a brilliant big brother.  He is a cool wee guy and makes me laugh every time I see him.  Claire is back at work for 3 days a week and is able to take Quinn with her - he is in the nursery and she is in the preschool, which works perfectly.  Scott is busy with his own Farrier business and is doing really well. 

The Metcalfe's (or as I like to call them, the Metty's) are busy and well.  They have taken on a foster pup, Lulu, who has slotted into their family nicely with their two older dogs, Hippo and Tank.  Averil is a top notch teacher who works hard to do the best for her class and Eru is studying and working part time. 

The Mama's and The Papa's haven't yet migrated to the South Island!  Both have turned 65 this year (sorry Mum, I mean 21!) and are still working hard.  They had a lovely mid-year holiday to Norfolk Island in July this year and thoroughly enjoyed it.  Mum is still enjoying work, although I personally think her favourite job is being a Nana.  And she is soooo good at it!



The Clouston's are still in Auckland and have just adopted two fur babies.  Mouse and Scrappy are their two little kittens.  Bless.  Moos (aka Alan) resigned from Barter Card and is setting up his own business and Kitty (aka Kathryn) is working hard in marketing.  Always nice to see them when I go North!

 And then there was one.  I have had a bit of a roller coaster year (FYI I am NOT a fan of roller coasters!).  I resigned from my job at Carter Holt Harvey after 8 years.  It wasn't a particularly nice situation but one of the managers was a complete 'twit' (this is the word Mum used to describe him, I'm not inclined to be so polite and use words that rhyme with banker, stick, and trucker!) and in my view was a bully and made it almost unbearable to stay.  So, with my head held high, I left at the end of January for pastures unknown.  I took 3 weeks to put myself back together and started working part time as a merchandiser for Wattie's in February, which I'm really enjoying.  The mornings are early starts but I get to finish early which I love as I get more time for me.  I am also still doing Intimo which has been going alright but there is ALWAYS room for improvement, and I have just become a marriage and civil union celebrant.  Exciting!  My first firm booking is on January 3rd.  Eek!
I also turned the ripe old age of 40 (still a little hard to say out loud) in April and decided to celebrate with a shindig.  It was fantastic!  Lots of fun and people really made an effort to come which I was very humbled by. 
 


I took a holiday in June to Rarotonga - if you haven't been and are looking for a real 'Island Holiday' I can highly recommend it.  All we did was sleep, eat, drink, swim, and sit in the sun.  Eight days of bliss!
 
 
 
 

In other, not so nice news, our dear Uncle Bryan (Mum's oldest brother) passed away on August 3rd of this year.  Such a gentle, kind man who will be sorely missed.  Averil and I flew up for the funeral, as did the Southern Barts.  So although the circumstances weren't very nice, it was lovely to see and catch up with family.

So now you are up to date.  You're welcome!