A Day to "Win" Stuff

Firstly, a warm welcome to our Indonesian readers....

I had Abby & Sarah over for coffee this morning (and Karen, briefly) with their babies, which was great fun. Who knows whether I will be up to it next Tuesday..... While they were here Jamie took Lachie to the beach for a run around.

Later in the afternoon the new dog kennel arrived - it took several blokes to lift the thing. I will have to take a picture of it and post it on here. Fortunately it fits down the side of the house so my eyes aren't assaulted with the view of it as I look out the kitchen window.

Got my first birthday card today, from Lone Star Restaurant. Apparently I can have a free meal there in the month of November, so long as I bring at least three friends.....

Then I got a call from a local photographer tonight - I had entered her competition at the Whakatane Business & Leisure Show to win $500 worth of family portrait. Anyway, apparently I am the runner up (I didn't know there was 2nd prize) and have won $50 toward a portrait and a photo shoot to the value of $150. Does that mean that my family portrait will now cost only about $400 instead of say, $600?? I shall have to make further enquiries. They wanted to book the sitting time on the phone tonight but I said (a) I will have to speak to my husband and (b) I am expecting a new baby shortly. They are going to call back later in the month.

You've got to be inventive to drum up business these days!

It looks like we finally have new neighbours next door. They have had the key for weeks as we have seen a van coming and going dropping stuff off. Yesterday we saw a great big removal truck in the driveway, and then another big one today (they must have a lot of stuff). Me and Jamie had been praying that a young family would move in and I am hearing the sound of children's voices (and seeing their swing set and kiddie pool over the fence)!

Jamie was at The Light Party tonight, helping Grant run a game. I only got one lot of trick or treaters knocking on the door and I didn't bother answering. Catch y'all later.

An Uneventful Meeting with My Midwife

It was Monday, grocery day today. Me & Lachie got an early start by dropping Jamie off at work. Yes, he is on leave, but he had some training today - on stuff which 'expires' so he decided today would be a good day to do it and get up to date.

I dropped Lachie off with Zac and Martin at 11.45, which he was very pleased about. He loves playing at the Wintersons, there are so many wonderful toys there! I headed to the maternity annexe to be monitored on the CTG for half an hour. All is well with baby, nothing much to report really. Except that we suspect this will be a November baby! I have put it out of my mind for this week anyway.

Church yesterday was great. Sarah and the team did a great job of leading the worship and we had a guest speaker from Manukau City New Life Church who spoke to us from Psalm 127 (Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain....).

I can hear Lachie chatting in his bed, and Jamie is just out giving the dog a run around. Catch you again soon!

A Quiet Weekend So Far

The weather has been pretty iffy here today. We went to the beach briefly this afternoon and it was quite chilly! The only other thing we've done today is go out to Postie Plus where I bought some new pyjamas for myself. Oh, and I got a Baby Names book out of the library (just to finalise matters in that department).

Yesterday afternoon Ben and Zac came over after Ben finished school and all the boys had an iceblock together (unfortunately I didn't snap a picture), and ran around. A short one today. Enjoy my shots of Lachie at the playground by the beach and of Whale Island.

Fabulous Friday!

There's something about a Friday, even if you are not working! Still early here, but Lachie & Jamie are out for a walk.

Yesterday me and Lachie started off our day at Mainly Music. (Mainly Music is run by the Baptist Church, it is 1/2 hr of singing songs with the kids and then 1/2 hour of morning tea/playtime). I can see that Lachie is really enjoying it this term. He likes to run around (he used to be really shy and just watch) and is starting to do some of the actions to the songs. He was really great yesterday, sooo obedient. I am seeing the benefits of him going to playgroup on the Wednesday, eg the kids have to sit on the mat to have their morning tea and he doesn't find that a problem. Also he had no problem following the instruction to pack away the 'shakers' required for one of the songs.

Jamie trimmed the hedge yesterday afternoon so it is looking very tidy here! After Lachie's nap we went to the park by New World.

I bought some pyjama pants from Ezibuy that were too big, so I returned them yesterday. What a rip off - I paid $16.95 for the pants, $4 for postage, and then $3.50 postage to return them. So $7.50 expenditure for ZIP!! They don't charge if you do an exchange, but there are none in my size left. I might send an e-mail to complain! (Golly, this is the second 'consumer issue' I have posted on this blog...). Have a good day all.

Wednesday, a busy day for the Kerrs!

I have been at work today. I think it will be my last day for a while, Peter has not been giving me as much work (which is good) and I am all up to date with the monthly Trust gifting. I have worked myself out of a job!

Lachie is with Millsy (his carer) as normal for a Wednesday. She is dropping him off today, so that will save me a trip to Coastlands.

Jamie has had a good day too - so far on his leave (all two days of it!) he has, amongst other things, stained the outdoor furniture, waterblasted the fence and mowed the lawn! Also this morning he went to the beach with a mate where they walked their dogs and even finished off with a coffee at Cafe Surfside. Very nice.

Yesterday we put Lachie down for his nap a bit earlier, which proved very successful as he slept for three hours. We were pleased and he was a very happy chappy when he woke up. Last night we went to John & Moana's for dinner, where he happily played with some cars the boys got out for him and then went to bed in his porta cot without a peep! He's a bit of a wonder!

Also yesterday I saw Twink - all is well with baby. My next appointment is next Monday at the maternity annexe where she will put me on the CTG. I can't remember what that stands for but it monitors baby's heart rate and contractions (if any!).

I shall leave you with pictures of Lachie polishing off his Weetbix all by himself this morning! Love Dale.

Labour Day in Whakatane, but no labour for me!

It is almost 8pm and we have just got home from Lake Rotoma. We headed over this morning at 10am. At 12.30pm we left Lachie with Nana Ann and went to Rotorua. We had Thai for lunch, then went into Rebel Sport where we got Jamie a new pair of cross trainers at 50% off. It doesn't get much better than that! Had a bit of afternoon chocolate cake at Fat Dog Cafe where they chucked on the stat hol 15% surcharge. I have decided that is soooo rude, as no one else adds a surcharge, just some cafes and restaurants!

Lachie is doing much better. Yesterday (Sunday) he was a basket case when he woke up from his nap. Then all of a sudden I seemed to distract him with an iceblock and he saw that the rugby (Wanganui v Wairarapa Bush) was on and he was pretty excited about that. All of a sudden he was a different boy. Thank God for that! Also I noticed that he had cut another tooth so I imagine the iceblock helped with that. He got a hair cut today from Ann's friend Wendy so he is looking much tidier.

Yesterday at church our lovely new signs were up! Must take a picture and post it on here. Byee.

The Berry Season has Begun!

Jamie is just feeding Lachie dinner. He hasn't been eating hardly a thing for the last 3 days. Still, I think he is improving.

This afternoon we went out to Julian's Berry Farm, which opened today for the season. We got some sushi and shared a boysenberry frozen yoghurt. There were so many people coming and going! Its such a great spot. Then we popped around to the Wintersons on the way home. The boys are camping out in a tent on the lawn this weekend. Unfortunately it hasn't been summer berry weather, just in the last hour it looks as if it is threatening to rain...

This morning I had to move at some speed to catch Lachie before he ran on to the road, so I have a bit of a sore belly!

Yesterday the people came to collect the desk they bought off us on Trade Me. What a giggle! They live in Tauranga and have just moved over from Chicago. I gather they didn't realise quite how far away Whakatane was - she sent me an email at 10.45am saying "we are running a bit late, see you at 11.30am"........they turned up at 12.30pm! They were driving a station wagon and I was sure the desk would not fit in the back (she told me they hadn't bothered to measure up!) fortunately it did.....they wanted a hand lifting it seeing as he had a bit of a bad back (sorry, this pregnant lady ain't helping).....and then they needed some rope to tie down the boot as it wouldn't close properly! I found some in the garage to give them. Hopefully they made it home OK!!

I'm Sick Grandma

Hi again. Just sitting here at the compooter on what seems like a really nice Friday morning. Its Jamie's last day today before his leave starts.

Yesterday was a bit of a let down for me and Lachie. We were all set to head off to Mainly Music at 9.15 and I could not find the key to the red car! How frustrating. I had a decent look but had no luck, and of course it was too late to walk. And I'm not up to walking that far anyway lately! I even started to look through the wheelie bin! So we went for a walk around the block instead. It was probably a blessing in disguise as Lachie wasn't overly well, so I probably protected a whole lot of other kids from coming down with the same thing. It started with a cough and now he has a runny nose too. He just had a cold before we came to visit you Mum! So please pray that I don't get it as well.

Anyway, I finally found the car key (once Jamie got home) in the glove box of the gold car. I must have put it there after doing a carseat swap around on Monday.

Last night I went off to cell group - it was mainly a casual sort of evening, we were putting together Christmas gift shoe boxes for kids in Fiji/Solomon Islands. A group of us girls put together a box for a 2-4 girl and well, I would be pretty excited to get all the goodies we put in there! Girls are so easy to shop for. Lots of fun.

Well I might head off down to the dairy with Lachie and purchase that illustrious publication, the Friday Beacon. People coming at 11am to pick up the desk they bought from us on Trade Me.

Keeping Busy

Hi all. The middle of the week is here already! Its a nice Wednesday evening. I have had a busy day - up early to get ready for work. We left a bit earlier this morning to go to the airport beforehand to say goodbye to Malcolm & Lynley. Sniff sniff. Was glad I got out there. I popped around to Sarah's this afternoon and I think she was feeling a bit sad about it all. Work was good, at last I have no lingering jobs waiting for me. I felt like I wouldn't be there for a while. Hopefully I am right! Although I did bring some work home.

Yesterday (Tuesday) I went to Abby's for coffee with her and Sarah. We had a great time! Lachie was sooo tired when we got home. After his nap Grandad Kerr took him down to The Heads were there was a Coastguard/Airforce exercise. I gather they were winching people off boats on the river etc. Sounded pretty exciting!

Monday it was raining here but I managed to do my grocery shopping without getting wet. So I have had a nice busy week!

We seem to be all ready for the baby - got the bassinet up, the baby bath back from the people who borrowed it, a baby carseat, clothes washed etc. I haven't got a hospital bag packed but I have got a drawer full of stuff ready, with instructions to Jamie to throw everything in said drawer, into bag, once in labour!

Here is a pic of me, taken tonight, 39 weeks, 2 days!

Sunday Night

Tonight, me Jamie & Lachie all went to church in the evening. We were on duty today. However me and Lachie left the service early to get him home to bed. He is so great how he obediently rushes off to the bathroom to get his teeth brushed and then in to the kitchen to have a drink and rinse his mouth! Also he is starting to repeat different words that he hears you say.

Malcolm & Lynley's farewell service was this morning which went really well. Lynley spoke briefly before Malcolm preached and she did a great job. After that our afternoon went really quickly.

Last night our quiz night at the station went well. It was to raise money for a guy he works with, whose wife has breast cancer (they are only our age!). It was a long night (well, 11.30pm is late for me) but good fun. Our team could only take out fourth place....Lachie went to Paul & Mel's and by all accounts was perfectly wonderful.

I should go and do some jobs. Jamie should be home shortly! Love from Dale.

Saturday Lunch

Hello on Saturday afternoon. We just got home from Grant & Abby's who had a lunch to say thanks to all the people who cooked a meal for them after Joseph was born. It was a really nice afternoon out. The Wintersons were there too. See pix!

Tonight we are off to a quiz night at Jamie's work so that will be interesting.

Yesterday was an amazing warm day. Me and Lachie did jobs in time in the morning. Then once he woke up from his nap we went over to the beach. We shared a chocolate icecream, had a brief stint on the playground and then went for a walk on the beach. I wish I had taken the camera. Lachie was a bit nervous at first about walking on the sand but he soon got used to it. He is such a little treasure..... At the moment he is asleep after all the excitement of the afternoon. He fell asleep in the car.

This morning he went with his Nana Kerr to the Presbyterian Fair at the War Memorial Hall. I gather he had a great time. He came home with a balloon. He saw his great-Poppa there and his great auntie Jill (who I think has a bit of a soft spot for our boy).

Our auction on our desk closed this afternoon and only went for $16!! We were hoping there would be a bidding war as there were a number of 'watchers'. Oh well!

Wild & Windy Thursday!

Brrr...its another windy day here, and I need to put some warmer clothes on. When is summer coming? Still, at least the washing will dry. Lachie is having his nap a little earlier than usual. He must be tired after his hour at Mainly Music this morning. He seemed to enjoy it, more so than last term. We came home straight away as Twink was here at 10.45am. All is well on the baby front. She is away next week so I can't really have baby until after Labour Weekend.

Last night I went out with my coffee group to Babinka for coffee and dessert, so it was a nice catch up with them. Yesterday was also a work day, so I dropped Lachie off with his carer at playgroup at 9.30am. He was pleased to see the sandpit again. I gather he likes to watch what the other kids do and then follow their lead. Work was good, I plan on going in again next week! Whether I make it the week after that is another story...

Here is a picture of Lachie taken when we stayed with Mum and Dad in the last week of September.

Wild & Windy Tuesday

Hi there

The grapefruit tree has been shedding a bit of fruit, which Lachie usually uses as a soccer ball or to send down the slide. Or takes a bite out of the skin (very sour!). So this morning I took him inside and showed him what we really do with them. I put him on one of his new plastic chairs so he could reach the bench. He enjoyed the grapefruit but enjoyed playing with the teaspoon ("poon") more. I remember we used to eat grapefruit quite a bit for breakfast as kiddies.

Abby & Sarah from church came around for coffee this morning. We had such a nice time that we are doing it again next week! We figure we may as well start up a new coffee group. So I am looking forward to that.

I'm going to go and order some photos now, which I haven't done in months!!

OK, my last post for today. Anyone would think I didn't have anything better to do! Lachie has just gone to bed and I think I heard Jamie opening the kennel door.

Forgot to mention (1) the house next door (Joyce's) has a "sold" sign up - we wait with anticipation to see who our new neighbours are; and (2) we saw Gareth & Leigh at church yesterday and caught up with them. Morrells were there too but didn't get a chance to chat to them.

Went for a walk with Lachie this morning, and then this afternoon Jamie was home early from work. So they went for a walk, visiting various people on the way! I zipped up to the supermarket.

I'm going to go make a date and apple loaf as I have some girls over for "coffee" tomorrow morning. Byee.

Here is our new foster puppy. Its name is currently Essex. We are not sure whether we like that name or not, and whether or not we can change it.

He arrived on Friday. I had never seen a completely black German Shepherd. He is pretty good - he knows how to sit and lie down. Chances are that this dog will be Jamie's police dog. Pretty cool eh.

Lachie is a bit scared of him, but then that's not surprising considering the dog is bigger than him!

Our new foster puppy.

Hi Mum

It is Monday morning and I decided I would try another way to let you see our pictures. Our own wee blog. I haven't told anyone else where to find it. It says "Sunday 8 October" because I guess it is in American time.

It is a cloudy overcast day here, but thank God that awful southerly wind has gone. Lachie is running around, his latest habit is to get up and bring all kinds of clothes that he wants to wear - usually it is just shoes, but this morning includes his wooly hat and a jersey, and gloves!! It must be cold in here!

Yesterday we went to church in the morning. Sarah did a great job of preaching! After that I came home with Lachie while Jamie went to watch Bathurst at John Thomson's, with a number of guys from church. He had a great time watching it with other blokes. I guess they all understood what was going on. Me and Lachie went to the beach for an icecream once he had woken up. It was a bit windy over there, but nice.

We tried to have a bit of a clean out in this computer room on Saturday. We listed that wooden desk on Trade Me for $15 and someone has already bought it! We may get more bids and sell it for a bit more than that.

Right, I'm going to publish this now and see how it looks.

love Dale

Our wee family on Saturday September 30, 2006.