Because I can ...

 I had a 'memory' post pop up on my FB newsfeed today.  It was a short sentence and a photo of the marina at Motueka where Mum and I had coffee when I was down visiting her.  I realised it would've been about 6 months before she sold the house and moved up to Wellington to be near us. It sparked off a "Bad Dad Day" (BDD) for me.  Funny how sometimes such a small thing can set you off.  BDD's mean it's a day I'm going to cry at least once.  Dad's been gone over 6 years now and while the sharpness of the pain has dulled to an ache, it's never going to be OK.  I look out at my garden and hear my Dad telling me 'You need to do this, and you need to do that'.  Saying that, I'd probably never have bothered to start the journey of establishing a garden if it wasn't for him. So, some days I look out at my yard and I think of Dad, and it's enough to know that I'm doing something he loved to do, even to the point of pruning way to...

This is a complete test post.  Just checking to see how live this thing still is and whether or not I'm able to use it should I feel the need to go back to blogging.  Which I miss incidentally, and think would be great to use again for an outlet of sorts. I got the washing done yesterday finally, all hung out, worked in my study passed sundown and considering how much the temperature dropped, damp washing, not worth bringing in.  This morning look out the window at 9am, overcast and then raining, so what the hell.  It stays out for another day or 2 at least. Got that out of my system and with the boredom of it all, let's see how this posts, or not!

This far down the track, it's sometimes hard for me to remember where Dan and I came from. Not in the "Who am I?" or "What is my purpose on this earth?" kinda way you understand...but of how we met and how much that totally spontaneous meeting unexpectedly affected both our lives and the lives of those around us. It's been over 3 years since Dan stumbled across this blog, and almost 3 years since we actually met in person for coffee. Next February it will have been 3 years since I told him I was in love with him. Don't panic...this is not going to be a post filled with sunlight and rainbows, extolling the brilliance of the above-mentioned man and all he means to me. Would I do that to you? I mean to say...this is the first time I've put font to screen in over 4 months, do you really think I'd come back and get all gushy/mushy on you? Nah...that'd make even me wanna gag. The fact of the matter is...that it HAS been such a long time sinc...

I hate this day. You'd think after 18 months of flying up and down the country every month, that eventually you'd get used to saying goodbye...that you'd practically be ho-hum about it all...but you don't. Well, I don't anyway. One day I'm hoping the only goodbye I'm saying to Dan is when we leave the house for work each day...knowing that we'll be saying hello again in person , at the end of the shift. I hate this day *sigh*

I'm down south in Christchurch at the moment. Dan's at work and my new boss is away for 6 weeks, cycling through Italy I believe, so I don't have any work to do. In fact, this morning I've done nothing except lounge around on the sofa, watch an action movie on the telly, eat stuff that's bad for me, and think about how much I want sex. I'm wondering if I'm turning into a man. When that flowed off my fingertips it sounded too good to worry about the whole PC thing, so, what the hell.

...sitting here at my desk this morning with not much to do and realised something. I could post if I was of a mind couldn't I? Could I? Yeah, why the hell not? Lawd, do you know that it's been so long since I've actually posted (not to mention come into my own blog page), that I had to sit here and remember HOW I get back into blogger to do said posting? I honestly had to think hard about that. Anyway, I'm here. I've been busy as you all have probably been. For the last couple of months I've been doing an extra job...from home...which is ideal, but quite demanding and very time consuming. The fact that I'm here this morning is only due to my new boss being at conference yesterday. I've taken on a medical typing contract for a neurologist. This has been an interesting and somewhat eye-opening endeavour for me. And it practically takes up all the hours that I'm not at the medical centre. BUT, it suits my purposes for the moment. I don...

On Thursday I saw one of our regulars get out of the car and thought "Oh God, I DO hope she doesn't bring that bloody noisy little dog in with her today". It had been a frantic, loud morning and the last thing I felt like dealing with were other patients complaining. It's hardly healthy standards to have an aminal inside the medical centre, but it never seems to stop this lady, she must feel that everyone loves her pooch as much as she does. How dreadful do you think I felt when she came out of the doctor's office looking miserable, then burst into tears, telling me she'd had to have her 'baby' put down just before Christmas? Poor lady. *** On the phone to Dan the other night: Me: "I should probably blog again." Him: "Yes you should." Me: "But about what ?" Him: "About how great I am lol." Me: "Yeah, but I try to keep my blog as factual as possible." *** To those in the northern hemisphere: It ...

Am feeling very dissatisfied with life in general at moment. Can't seem to make any major decisions about where I want to be in my working career, or even where I want to live. I have far too many options available to me. I guess that's better than having no options at all. The boys are doing well. Ryan's leg is getting better and better as you'd expect, and he's now working for his father. Not entirely sure WHAT he's doing there, but happier that he's not at service station any longer. He went into town yesterday for the first time, independently, no crutches...came home limping and looking grumpily frustrated. To be expected. BABY STEPS DAMN IT! They always think they know better. Cameron and two mates are spending weekends looking at houses to rent (in between sleeping and socialising). Obviously we all knew it was going to happen, and have been preparing myself for void for 19 years now. Regardless of mental and emotional preparation, can stil...

Yes, yes, I'm still here. Maybe not as often as I thought I'd be at this time of year, but I'm here all the same ok? I've the iPod blasting in my ears, I'm comfortable and chances are I could rattle on for eons. Pull up a seat and feast your eyes upon my words for a change. Who knows? They could be the last you see of me for the rest of the year. Best make the most of it now, yeah? Thought so. The MOST exciting news of the year for me, is the arrival of the beautiful and much awaited Payten. And my God, you shoulda been there to see it all happen...well, ok, not really...in fact I wasn't even there to SEE it all happen myself. As can sometimes happen, the wee babe just refused to come out of the purpose-made orifice and came into this world via emergency C section. (Already trying to avoid her Aunty Lisa I see.) Last Friday (16th) I started off the day by attending Anna's midwife visit, checking out bodily functions were normal, making sure all was a...

God I'm bored tonight.  Bored, Bored, BORED ! I have plenty of things I should be doing. And earlier I was feeling guilty, Guilty, GUILTY !...because I haven't done half of the things I should've done today. I did, however, buy a new handbag...so...yeah...you know that means the day is not a complete waste. Someone told Anna she needs to have hot curry, hot sex and a bounce on the trampoline to get Payten moving into action.  I'm not sure that'd do it, but I'm willing to be a cheerleader for all three if it helps.  I am, if nothing else, happy to lend a hand in similar hours of need, so why not this?  Desperate times an' all that blah. Obviously still no baby... obviously no flight south has been booked. Dan said he loves Anna, and he'll love Payten, but if they get in the way of him having sex then "By God, there'll be all hell to pay!" lol I won't say what'll happen if this prestigious event gets in the way of ME having sex.....

I've got a couple of weeks annual leave coming up shortly, and there are several things I'd like to do with my down time.  Not the least of which will be flying south to spend some time with Dan after he has a knee operation on the 20th of this month.   I'm also hoping that at some point I'll be able to bring him back up here with me...this of course all depends on his follow up appointment and how soon they feel he's able to get back to work etc. BUT...I won't be going anywhere until Anna's stomach shrinks with the much awaited arrival of Payten Grace. Once these two have parted bodily company, I'll be able to set firm plans in place. Anna is due on the 19th but swears she will go into labour any day now. Jaimee was 4 weeks early, but we're obviously past that point and can't guarantee Payten will be early....but even so, Anna reckons she's had all sorts of niggles lately and that baby will be arriving very soon. I do hope so, I'd l...

In the last couple of weeks, I have been thinking about putting together a post to wrap up the 2008 year. I had great plans to talk about all the changes that have happened this year..you know, stuff that'd make you laugh, make you cry, make you go "oh my God Lisa!"...that kinda thing. I had planned to start writing this off and on, add bits and pieces to it over the days, and post it with grand finesse on New Years Day. Well...*ahem*...much like everything else that happens around this place, it fell into the I'm-too-tired-it's-too-late-it's-too-hot-and-"OMG-I've-run-out-of-time!"-too-hard basket. Yesterday, Cameron and I decided to have a party this evening. He had wanted to invite his mates around tonight anyway and was encouraging me to return to the orchard again like last year. I've decided to stay home because I'm overnighting at the orchard on Saturday (because I have to drive further north to collect Ryan halfway between his ...

Ever seen anyone this excited about putting on an apron?? Not to worry, she'll learn eventually lol Guess who got a makeup kit for Christmas? You oughta see the colours of my fingernails right now...when I turned up to see Jaimee, Anna and Jason, I was taken by the hand and told "Now just take a seat Aunty Lisa". Purple on one hand, hot pink on the other, glittery "blaaaash" from the corners of my mouth upto my ears and a variety of lip colours that changed over the course of time as and when she felt it needed refreshing. I wasn't the only one that fell prey to her beautific demeanour... I hope that your day was as fun and colourful as mine! Merry Christmas to you and yours :) (Um, let's not tell Jason about this ok?, he'd be horrified to know he was launched internationally in such a way.)

I realise you probably think I've disappeared again, but I haven't...honest. As is happening in most households across the world, the great crescendo toward Christmas preparations and all it involves, is upon us. Add that to Ryan's injury, Dan's visit, Jaimee, the orchard...oh, yeah, and work, blah...that doesn't leave a lot of time for blogging. Don't misunderstand, I'm thinking about blogging, truly I am. But my energy levels are thwarting any action. It's not like I can climb into bed to rest and have the added benefit of a cuddle from blogger is it? I have been making a very half-hearted attempt to even read blogs the past couple of weeks I'm afraid. Just time and energy, nothing more. It has certainly not been forgotten. Anyway, enough of that for now. I will hopefully be back on track soon and catching up with everything the rest of you are doing in your lives too...I'm looking forward to that...you know how I hate being out of the ...

Ryan's girlfriend arrived in Wellington today (she lives up north, we are obviously a family with national affiliations *waves flag* yay us)...she's staying until Friday. We don't have a spare room, so the plan was that Ryan sleep on the sofa, while Therese took over his bedroom. Everyone was happy with that, so it was all good. "WAS" being the operative word. Yesterday at approximately 1.15pm, my youngest son fell out of a tree (yes, a freakin' tree)...broke both bones in his left leg (tibia and fibula), which pierced the skin and then duly went back in. Enter one compound fracture. Thankfully, he was surrounded by friends when this happened and one in particular was Cameron's current boss. He rang me to let me know...I couldn't hear him properly and thought he was the painter at first, sheesh...but the news got through finally and I left the house with the ingredients of pinwheel scones strewn across the kitchen counter. I started writing this q...

Tomorrow night is my work christmas party. Thing is, we all have no idea what's happening. I mean, the practice manger knows, and I suspect the partners know...but the rest of the staff? the plebs? we don't know. We've just been told to turn up at work before 6.45pm and be wearing our glad-rags. Over the course of the past few weeks there has been much talk behind the scenes of what we could be facing during this coming event. We've managed to find out there will be no need for passports, sea sick pills, snorkels, gas masks, bicycle clips and the like. We also know there'll be no paint balls to contend with...which is just as well because I can see one particular male doctor a whole plethora of hues by the end of the night if that were the case lol. Anyway, doing my best to live up to an ounce of 'glad-rag' image and having my ghastly grey silver regrowth starting to make an appearance again, I was in the bathroom tonight trying to douse them in dark...

I must say I didn't have as much problem this month as I did in July when I tried this, but then I did have a bit to write about, what with the flat crap an' all. Mind you, I had flat crap in July as well, while I was busy trying to rent it, eg. laying carpet, hole in laundry wall due to yet another leak etc. The boys and I went out this afternoon for coffee. Turned out it was for an early dinner and icecream instead. It's almost like I have to pay them to spend time with me these days. Well, maybe not to that extent, but there's usually a bit of bribing needed to get them out of the house with me. While we were having our eats this afternoon, we started talking about what we could get each other for Christmas. Several large ticket items were mentioned, way out of our price range, but we were kinda fantasising, so what the hey. Then Cameron leans over to Ryan and says behind his hand: "I know...we should buy her a friend, then we wouldn't have to go to the...

Haven't seen Miss Jaimee for a while, so I must do something about that this weekend. But then I also haven't heard from her, so I'm wondering if they're either away or just been full on busy with life like the rest of us. It's another beautiful day here in Wellington, bit breezy, but that's makes it the perfect washing day. Got called downstairs to the tenants this morning...that's not unusual, it's rent day and I usually have to go down to them to get it. They never come up here. I heard a few days ago that the husband had to go to the doctor earlier this week because of a chill he apparently got in his back due to the leaky roof. I don't know if that's what actually caused it, but I really am not going to bother investigating it further. They feel that was the cause, so I deducted $70 off the rent for the doctor's visit, and everyone seems happy. They didn't ask for it, but it made me feel slightly better for all the crap they...

It's a gorgeous day today. Not a cloud in the sky...lots of birds singing...the delicious smell of BBQ's sizzling and the happy laughter of children playing drifts through the open door of my home. It's one of those special days...the kind we all love about summer. (Fuck it, I just realised I forgot to get butter when I was out earlier) Excuse me for a mo, gotta text Ryan. Damn, too late. I can hear the scooter coming up the street...there goes that plan. Speaking of hats...here's the one I was waxing lyrical about the other day. Please excuse the dark circles under my eyes...I did get plenty of sleep last night, that's just the end of day mascara doing it's thing, blah. Here's the other version of my hat. Not that you can notice much of it...it's disappeared into the wall behind me. Oh well, ya can't say I didn't try. Just about outta the woods folks, only 2 days to go. (And here's me thinking I was not going to go on and on about nee...

I'm sitting here trying to come up with something to blog this evening. Only 4 more posts to go...that's including this one. I'm struggling for subject matter...well, more that I'm tired and can't be bothered trying to be witty lol. A few positive things after yesterday's moan. It didn't rain, so the washing DID get dry. I worked until 8.45pm last night, so sent Cam a text message earlier asking him to get the washing in as soon as he was home. His response? "You are a mean person." Just for getting the washing in? Sheesh...that kid's gonna get a shock when he's out there on his own next year. I told him that one day he'll answer the phone and all he'll hear is me laughing at him. lol The insurance loss adjuster finally turned up this afternoon, he reckons the room downstairs will be liveable again early next week, thank God. My colleague's son has been improving really well, he's out of hospital now, and getting bet...