Monday Adventures

Today we took the class to the Cathedral to see the Christmas tree. I have to say, the one outside was very uninspiring. I couldn't get it all into my shot, so you can't see the full effect, but it is rather tragic. The poor thing has unruly branches sprouting everywhere, and the decorations look like they got dragged from an old cardboard box stored under a crypt. The inside one is prettier. I think the Cathedral needs to have a creative decoration drive and invite craftspeople from around the city to contribute an oversized creation. The tree really is massive, so needs some over-the-top decorations. We were all impressed with the size of the pile of presents for needy children. I was most impressed with the stunning stained glass window that was above the tree. Sorry, couldn't get a good shot. Mr. B has replaced the zoom lens that I dropped with a prime lens. I'm learning how to use it, so you will have to excuse any dud photos.

I was a lucky girl today. My brilliant sister (the best in the world) sent me a new charm and such a cute card. I you can tell in the photo, the charm is a four leaf clover, which is kind of my trademark. I have been collecting them since I was little. I've got a whole lot in a Harry Potter book pressing at the moment. I've got several sources, once of which is a goldmine. I had some ideas about setting them in resin. I put the clover charm on a silver chain, and then decided it needs some friends. So I've got my animal charm bracelet, and now a charm necklace to fill.

I am feeling pretty good today. My doctor didn't growl, but she did say "Now you know" and I surely do. Have to admit, loading up on my medication has made me a bit silly. When I had to write the reason for our visit to the Cathedral, instead of writing something terribly sensible about social skills, I wrote "visiting God". I wonder if one of the PC brigade are going to hunt me down for a grilling. I'll have to get them to tell me why else I would be visiting a church.

Hope your week is going well so far. We have our market day at school tomorrow. Plus prizegiving. I am so proud of my students getting certificates for their ASDAN work. ASDAN is an internationally recognised programme for students with special educational needs. I hope the weather is good.
Bye for now. XXXX

More Photos from the house of Canterbury Tales

A Canterbury Tales Evening

Feeling much better tonight. Still a bit weak and pathetic, but full of Christmas enthusiasm. I've just visited So Tread Softly (yes I will learn to link once my brain stops being addled), and Al has been busy making her living room into a very stylish Christmas  nest. Take a look! I love her elegant, simple use of colours.

I have been out visiting Mr and Mrs Canterbury Tales tonight. I took a few photos around their house on the hill. Mrs CT cooked a yummy roast lamb leg. Sadly, wasn't my usual gluttonous self, but enjoyed it anyway. 

Disaster

Well, were you waiting for it? Got so sick today I had to restart my medicine. Thanks to Sister Black for getting me through, and Leah and Mrs Canterbury Tales for phone calls at the right time. The only time I have ever felt so nauseous was the unfortunate whale watching trip in Kaikoura when I got so seasick I had a panic attack. Coming right now. So now I know. At least I tried.

On a brighter note, here is my tiny little Christmas tree. It is about 40 cm high and stands on my blanket box in the living room. Barbara made the gorgous Christmas stockings. She is such an amazing needlewoman. I love the Father Christmas as his colours are so beautiful, and Barbara popped in Miss Dog, Merlin and a dear little bird. She knows I am mad about animals. I knew I was in trouble this morning when I couldn't stand the feeling of Monty pressing up against me, or Miss Dog's tail tapping me as she wagged. I'm going to give it another go in the New Year very, very slowly, with someone watching over me.

Did anyone else see the gorgeous 12 year old at Starship Hospital who has cancer and was given a Playstation, but donated it to the hospital because she wanted the other children to be able to have it too? Now that is the spirit of giving. Of course she got given masses of treats, which is just lovely. I wonder who I could launch a bit of Christmas spirit on to. I'll have to think about it.

Merry Christmas, my lovelies XXX

Ps. You should see the report I got from my amazing cello teacher! Even a 36 year old likes a great report. Thanks Jenny XXX

Tough Day

What a day! In my infinite wisdom I decided to have a roast dinner at school, with all of the trimmings. What I underestimated was the enormous stress and effort that would result. Thank goodness the students all enjoyed it. As you can see it was pavlova for pudding. That went down so well I had one student prancing around the room grinning and flapping his hands for about 20 minutes when he had finished his serve. I won't show you the first course because we only took photos of the food chopped into easy to eat bite-sized pieces. In case you have forgotten, my students have severe intellectual disabilities. By the way, fortunately I decided a shop bought pav was the sensible solution to my limited energy and time. Note the perfect roundness. Actually it was pretty good!
I'm not really sure if I am writing to myself, having NO comments. I guess I could put a counter on to see if there are any lurkers out there, but why worry. Actually I do have some news on the anxiety disorder front. I decided (possibly rashly) that after about 6 years on paroxetine to control my still rampant anxiety disorder, it was time to see if going it alone was worse than being drugged to the gunnals constantly. So I am detoxing. The intense headache lasted several days. The crazy dreams are rather exciting. Today I've got the waves of nausea, sudden rushes to the toilet, and weird kind of sudden head feelings. Having read up on all of this I am quite typical. The head feelings are described by some people as electric shocks. I would call them tiny faints. I'm taking a day off school tomorrow because I'm exhausted and am not sure what is in store for me next. I do feel happy and positive though. A bit scared that I will cave in and be back to square one. Apparently paroxetine does not meet the definition for an addictive drug. Something to so with rats not wanting to keep chomping the stuff. The problem with it is that the withdrawal mimics the anxiety disorder, so all of the hard fought wellness feels like it has been taken away. People love to bring out the "you need the drug like diabetics need insulin" argument. Maybe that is because people can't resist killing themselves when they are going off the drug. Sorry to be a bit morbid, but I am utterly sick of being at the mercy of drugs, and would never have started on it if I hadn't been persuaded (despite my concerns about sideeffects and addiction). Mind you, without the drug I wasn't well at all. So wish me luck! Tomorrow I've got a hard day of sewing planned, if I can be bothered getting up. I might even show you some Christmas treasures. Lots of love, my phantom readers XXX
Ps. If blogger cuts off the side of some of my post I am not going to smash my computer, but I may be a tad infuriated. You are all clever enough to work out the missing bits, I'm sure!

Show day

I have realised that I forgot to post any pictures of the A and P show which we attended in November with my sister and brother-in-law. I just found the pictures and thought you might like to see a few. 

Visiting the Estate

Today we went out to the estate to have a look at the new back fence. I can't wait for the side fences to go in so I can see how it is going to look. You can see the entrance to the private right of way, the end of the right of way, plus a look across our land. They have sown grass seed, but we haven't had decent rainfall to get it going.

My lovely Canterbury Tales friend has been shopping again at So Tread Softly. She is giving me one of Al's lovely doorstops for Christmas, but I had to choose which one I wanted and I couldn't! Al, you must be thinking about tranferring your production to a factory in China based on 
the amount of items travelling to the South Island (believe me, Al would never do that!!!!). Go handmade all the way! By the way, if you are into handmaking things take a look at Victoria's fantastic tutorials at her Cupboard Love blog. I bet she has an amazing Christmas tree!

Ps. I figured we could plant about 15 climbing roses along the back fence. And clematis to grow through them.

Yay! Friday!

I'm excited! It is Friday, and we have two whole days in front of us to enjoy. The house is a mess, so that needs some attention, but it is nearly Christmas, so I am happy. I love Christmas because it means fun with the family, delicious food, decorations and presents. Plus the school holidays start just before Christmas, and we have weeks of freedom. We have to do some Christmas shopping over the weekend. I wanted to make lots of presents this year, but school is really busy, so I am tired by the end of the day. So far I have two pretty presents purchased. I'm popping in some photos from Christmas 2002 to get the family in the spirit. Believe me, these are the good ones! We are a strange lot when we all get together.

The Wedding of the Year!

Guess where I have been! Mr Black and I went to Whangamata for my brother's wedding. We flew up to Auckland, then picked up a rental car and drove to Whangamata, arriving about midnight on Friday night. On Saturday we went shopping and found a few goodies. I tried on two lovely pairs of shoes, but sadly my giant hooves didn't look graceful jammed into the pretty things. After lunch we got dressed for the big occasion. I wore red, which coincidentally fitted in beautifully with my brother's kilt. The wedding took place in a garden overlooking the beach, and was a gorgeous spot. The bridesmaids wore black long dresses, and the bride looked stunning in ivory with crystal beading, and delicious crystal buttons.
The reception was at the Whangamata hall, and the tables looked pretty with rose petals, glitter and calla lilies. There were masses of glasses by each place setting, and I thought we would never use them all, but believe me, we did. I discovered a liking for bubbly wine and danced up a storm even when no one else was dancing. The food was fabulous. I feel really hungry thinking about it. There was chicken, beef filet, salmon with a moroccan seasoning, new potatoes, asparagus, salad plus chocolate wedding cake and pavlovas for pudding. The bride and groom both looked so happy, and were really happy with how everything went. I was especially pleased that I made a wise choice of shoes and was still spinning and skipping late into the night. They were bridesmaid shoes from a previous wedding and were comfy even with heels. Mind you, if I had been wearing spiky stilettos the heels would have snapped off under the pressure of all that dancing.
On the Sunday we all staggered out of bed for breakfast at a local cafe. Sorry to admit that I felt rather seedy. I've never had a hangover before. I thought that they involved headaches, but I just needed some good stodgy food. We had a barbeque at the bride and groom's house, which is a great spot perched up high with a view of the sea. We had a great roast potato salad made with jacket potatoes and a yummy creamy dressing. Sadly we had to drive back to Auckland for the flight back to Christchurch after that. I miss my family and can't wait for Christmas!!!!!