A few photos from yonks ago.

pink pics

Just me.

My goal is to learn more of this beautiful language.

True Happiness.

 Today I did something I never do, I paid full price! I am a bargain hunter, or maybe I am just cheap, but I do not see the point in paying for something when you can get it for a tenth of the price, with character and sometimes a nice smell to it. But this was an exception. I walked into a store and saw these babies displayed on their wall advertising. Without a moment to waste I asked for the goods, sadly they did not stock these so they needed to be ordered. My long wait began as I counted down the days.......well this is a large over exaggeration but I did really love the shoes and paid way to much for them. But when you love something what is money right? Plus since I only ever pay $10-$30 on shoes I can justify this splurge.
Another exciting event happened today, I have now payed off my over draft, hiphip horray! I am now officially debt free (minus the student loan but that doesn't count). So it has been a good day, new shoes, no debt and I made a killer lasagna. What will school think when I wear these to school, maybe a bit over dressed? but I am sure deep down it will be pure jealousy.  x

My journey to vegetables.

 When I asked my flatmate what was for dinner he replied "vege pie". I found myself already making a plan B for dinner. But I though suck it up this is what you want. You see I have never been a fan of vegetables. I would hide my peas under my plate, feed the broccoli to the dog and would utterly refuse to eat them, even if it meant not leaving the table or missing out on dessert. My poor parents, they did try. A year or two ago I realised it was time to grow up and join the adult world of eating what was on my plate. So I began my journey forcing myself to eat one vegetable at a time.

 I started with lettuce, and mouthful upon mouthful it stopped tasting like a leaf and more like a staple part of my diet. After this spinach, pumpkin, carrot, corn and even peas (I use to be sick at the sight of them) all become a part of my diet and I managed to keep it all down.

 If I am being totally honest I dont feel any healthier or like my body is thanking me. I am sure it is and the benefits will hopefully ensure I live a long and healthy life. My main reason for sucking it up was so I can make my kids eat them, when ever they may come. I am not a fan of being a hypocrite so I new I better start now since this journey is only just beginning.
I do like that I am a much easier dinner guest now. 

So at the end of this meal I gave myself a mental pat on the back and remembered how far I have come. Maybe I am not the best and still make people shake their heads when I say no thank you, but for me this is an accomplishment worth being proud of.  

Pepper Anne

 Meet Pepper. She is the beautiful kitten of Scott ave, loved by all, minus one (he doesn't count much anyway) When one of the flat mates was off to get her wisdom teeth removed we thought the best idea would be to get another cat, (the other one is on the way out so it is not a huge commitment). Within a matter of hours Rachel and I had decided to get a kitten we were in the car and off to get her. When we got to the farm there was a choice between a grey boy and pepper. It was a hard decision since the grey cat was more placid but he was a boy which we didn't want. So we decided to take pepper and that was that. On the drive home we had a stinky mess in the back and many scratches on our hands and neck. For the next week or so she was scared and physco so natural we questioned our decision. But it didn't take long for her to be far too cute, love cuddles and stopping pooping all around the house.
I am far to attached to this cat and treat her like a child. I am ok with being a crazy cat lady they bring me joy so who cares if I am a little obsessed. When the flat breaks up it will be interesting to see who she goes with, maybe I will just take her? Who knows, but for now I will continue to talk to her like a human, take way too many photos of her, and let her in and out of the house like a stupid but cut game.

 

Book Review

 Here is my attempt at a book review.
My Mum gave me this book a while ago after loving it herself. It had been sitting on my dressing table for a good few months just waiting to be read. I knew I would get around to it but the size of it put me off. Yesterday morning I was off school sick and I had the morning free, so I though no better time than the present. Within a few pages I was lost in the words and forgot I was reading. I started the book at 7.30am and finished it a few hours later at 10.30am. This may make me sound like a fast reader but that is the beauty of the book, it is half words and half pictures.
The words are telling one story and the illustrations are telling another. During the story you follow a boy called Ben on quest to find his father. Along the way pieces of the puzzle are pieced together and in the end.......well, I will let you read that.
I would highly recommend this book for many reasons.

1: It is an easy read and you dont need to commit to a weeks worth of late night reading sessions.
2: The two stories being told through words and pictures is a way in which the reader is intrigued
to the very end when you discover the way they are connected.
3: It makes you want to live in a museum.
And 4.....It is a really good read, trust me.

Now my review might not be convincing so I think you must go out and read it yourself. Have a three hour read and let me know what you think.

Wonder Struck by Brian Selznick.

These are a few of my favourite things. They have been collected over a few years now either from op shops, the dump, my noons house, past down from the family or other peoples trash.

 I love this container. My Noon (nanna) pulled it from her back room behind the shed and knew I would love it. At the moment it is doing a great job at being my rubbish bin, but it has also been a dirty washing holder and a place to store my towl.

 My two soliders are my most special. The russian doll was my uncles and the wooden solider was hand made by my Granddad. My uncle passed away when I was four-ish which is a shame because he was a dancer and I know we would have been close. My Granddad passed away when I was fourteen. He had a heart transplant when I was a baby so he got an extra fourteen years to watch his grand kids grow up. I wish he stayed around a little longer though, I dont think my fourteen year old self really appreciated him. I am glad I have some of his hand crafted things, it reminds me how talented he was.

 I love these tea spoons, I really need to have a tea party so I can use them. My Noon thought I was silly buying second hand tea spoons, her words where "I have perfectly good tea spoons at home you can have". The best part about them is they have towns of New Zealand on them. I am on the look out for more to add to my collections. Dont tell Noon.

 I have too much stuff that I am not willing to let go of. So this makes a nice storage unit until I get my own house.

 This is Poppa, he is my other granddad, my dads dad. He passed away when I was seventeen. I have the fondest memories of him. He was incredible with his hand. From cross stitching, to carving, drawing or making things, he could do it all. My favourite memory of Poppa was his final birthday with us. By this time he has forgotten most things but when we arrived for his birthday he smiled at my arrival and held my hand until we sat down. Maybe he had no idea who I was, but for me it meant the world. I miss this man a lot, it is a good thing my Dad is slowly but surely turning into him....or is that a good thing?

 Thanks Daniel for the antlers and Ryan Berney for the amazing paper flowers and vase.

 You can never have too many cameras or photos.

My beautiful mother. Where would I be with out her. She is far to good to me, I have been missing her a bit lately, why do we live 6 hours apart! See you soon mumma.

My beautiful mess.

Those who know me know I am a messy person. Whether it is the lounge, kitchen, bathroom or my room my mess will be everywhere. I am not sure why I am like this but it doesn't overly bother me so that is the way it stays....that is until I cannot find a single things that is needed, I stand on something hidden and hear it break, I have a clean freak guest coming over or my flat mates have had enough. I have to admit as I grow older my tolerance for my mess is becoming less, but for now I shrug my shoulders and say meh. I had the night to myself so thought I would have a clean. I am glad I did, it always feels nice when I have tackled the monstrous mess that I call a room. So for now I will enjoying seeing my floor, having clothes in draws and sleeping in a made bed, because tomorrow it may not be like this.

I like this lady.

http://fancytreehouse.blogspot.co.nz/

Fancy Treehouse is another blog that I love. I love her clothes, lilly white skin but more than all of it, her dog. I have become determined that I am getting a boston terrier regardless what my mother says. They are a perfect mix between a large dog and a small dog. Not small enough to placed in the 'girl with a small dog' category but not large enough that you need a large section and amples of time to give them exercise. I am yet to meet this breed of dog, but if they are anything like this blog makes them out to be then I will be one happy owner when I get one. I am not sure when this beautiful day will be when I meet my lovely, but until then I am sure I will continue to post photos and dreams until that dog is mine.

I have always been an Aaron Gillespie's enthusiast, whether its the orange hair, nose ring or blunt honesty. I have always been intrigued, no more like obsessed with him.  I was hooked when I first heard Underoath play many years ago and continue to find his journey and words resinate with my own life. I have watched this video more times than I want to know. It is not because of my obsession or fascination but the reminder that we are all humans and despite our short comings Jesus does still love us and wants to be apart of our lives. It is easy to get caught up in life and issues and find that you are lost and confused not knowing which way is up. Thats why I keep coming back to this video, it doesn't matter where you are at, its simple, Jesus love you. I know for me its nice to be reminded that from time to time. I might need to watch this video a few more times before I head off to sleep, just so my soul can rest easy knowing I am loved.

Who needs colour.

Only for you.

http://www.patriciacribb.com/#!

Not only is this girly an amazing best friend she is also an incredible designer. Deciding high school was not for her she packed her bags and headed to another city not knowing what to expect. It didn't take her long to fall in love, settle in and make a successful name for herself as a designer. I am truly blessed to call this girl my best friend, she makes things so simple that your drama free life ceases to exist when you follow her lead. I look forward to having my house filled with her art work and dropping my kids off at aunty Trisha when I want to kill them. Remember the name Patricia Cribb, you will be seeing a lot more of it.

My inspiration

http://bleubirdvintage.typepad.com/blog/

Once I stumbled upon this wonderful blog I knew I was hooked on blogs. I love the way she shares her life with her followers and they get to feel apart of her world. Reading her blog makes me want to get married, have babies and move to America. I am not sure how a mother of three (soon to be four) can still look that good and have enough style for her family and the world to see. I follower her enough that if I was to see her on the streets I would probably say hi thinking she was an old friend. I suppose thats what makes a great blog, you become so involved that their words and pictures become a welcomed friend. Its nice to have a blog to inspire to. I hope you enjoy her blog as much as I do.

While on my last adventure to Waihi I got outside with my camera at the right time. The sun was slowly setting and the tide was coming in. I sat on the rocks and watched a family enjoying the last few moments of day. Looking at them now makes me want to jump in the car and head there now, just my camera and I and who ever is on the beach that I can spy on.