My two beloved nieces

Aren't they cute?!! Oh to be 18 again. That's Magda on the left and Jemma on the right, two cousins who live across the street from each other now, about to head into Auckland University and organise their ID cards and check out the bus route etc. I am SO enjoying the lingo, the style, the sheer sweetness of these two charmers. They are darlings, but I'm biased!!

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY

Okay, I admit it - I LOVE Valentine's Day. Not because I am used to getting a lot of Valentines, but hey, ANY day that we are reminded to let people know that we love them has got to be good. It's a shame it is only one day a year. . . but then, occasionally I remember to tell folks they are right here in my heart, and I'm going to do it TODAY! YOU know who you are!! So there. . .have a Valentine from me. LOVE JEN

Back from an idyll of serenity

Oh my, I'm going to have to refer back to this blog page myself in the next few months to remind myself that I was actually HERE. This is at Peter's place in Te Awamutu, where I spent a wonderful three days, just lounging around, swimming, walking, sipping, and reading. Sigh. The calm before the storm! HOW I LOVE THE COUNTRY!! I really didn't want to come back and face my life again, but I'm here.
This was the evening view from the house. With Mt Pirongia in the distance. The colours are not as intense as they were in real life. Ah me.
This was my favourite spot for the weekend. AFTER a number of swims in the pool, I would end up here with a drink and a book. Envy me? I do. It was wonderful.
AND here I will be in two weeks. At no. 58 Yeovil Rd, Te Atatu. Don't miss the seal on the porch. My room is the one with curtains, and the huge lounge is the one on the right without. Looking forward to finally being here, but hey, I'd better start packing!

My, but my wheels are turning!

This is just a word blog, no pics, for those of you who know me and check it out sometimes.
I found out a week ago that the landlord is putting house on the market. Deep breath. I'm doing an intensive one year course in COmputer Publishing and Design, and it is about to start again on Feb 20 until May. No time for part-time work or anything. Gulp. Then this weekend we found out that the nice brick house on the corner of the street is up for rent, and yes, they said we could have it. So in two weeks we are moving in there!! Considering there aren't that many houses on the street, it is a miracle! Steve Sing and I will be moving into 58 Yeovil Rd, Te Atatu Peninsula on the 19th Feb. Make a note.
Thank the LORD.

Brown paper pictures

Don't you love brown paper? I do! And I came across a great kid's book the other day which used solely brown paper for illustrations. So I've tried my hand at it over a cup of tea and this is the result. More practice needed, but oh what fun. So, reach out, tip the pot. . .
Choose your mug/cup. . . add your sugar. . . and join me in a cuppa.

More pics from the holiday

This is the first night at Lake Rotoiti, with just five of us, and oh joy, FISH and CHIPS for dinner. We got these from the local dairy, where two older ladies served and made the chips - it took ages, because she did each order separately, but hey, they were delish.
When I finally got to Te Awamutu and Peter's place, I plunged headlong into this pool which I believe was rarely used despite it's alluring appearance.
A view from the top paddock about the Graydon homestead. Mt Pirongia in the distance. The horizon line was pretty much like this all the way around. Amazing. Not a highrise in sight.
And here is the new owner/manager of Ngaroto Nurseries, looking like he'd rather be elbow deep in the dirt. He was soon enough but it's proof I was there.

Back from holiday!

All the photos are out of order, going from last activity to first, but here is Ngaroto Nurseries, where Peter now lives, and which he owns. I stayed the night, had two swims in the pool, and enjoyed the beautiful rural setting of this lovely place.
Here's Lake Rotoiti, which Helen, Cath and I swam in even if the boys didn't. It is a fresh water lake, by Rotorua, and this is pretty much at the door of the bach.
This is the six of us, and what a great bunch we were too. On a bush walk that went from the end of the beach into the bush. Lovely.
Our only night out to dinner at Rotorua, and only moments before Gene was too sick to stay at the table any longer poor man. Check out that expression.
Helen and I had two days at the family bach in Waihi before meeting the others at Rotoiti. This is our breakfast. Aint my sister sweet? Pippi Longstocking.

Another Year stretches before us. . .

Alright then, come on out here and join me in the sun on my porch, among my potplants, and the butterflies, and let's talk about 2006 and what our hopes and dreams are for that year.
Can you feel the sun on your back? Step into the shade of my sunsail, and I'll make a cup of tea.

I'm off to Lake Rotoiti next week, and away from Auckland for a while, oh joy! Always at this time I think of what the coming year will bring - most of it completely unexpected and unplanned, and some of it downright painful no doubt, but along with those moments are frequent bursts of joy and pleasant surprises.
Where would we be without Faith, Hope and Love? Unable to take another step. And those nice sounding words come in reality packaged (if it's even possible to consider him like that) in the person of Christ. I thank God that although life is unpredictable I have a rock upon whom I can stand, and who has proven unshakeable and WORTH IT. Oh to know Him better.

Christmas DAY at last

Here's Helen's verandah with the family sitting around the table, and the food about to be devoured. Ho ho ho.

I have nothing to say, I'm that FULL. I just want to go and see yet another Christmas rerun on the TV. But here was some glimpse of Christmas BEFORE y'all in the States were even up.
Enjoy, and Merry Christmas.

Sisters in the church Christmas Supper

Such as it is, here is our evening gathering on Monday last. . . I really WAS having a good time, despite my expression. Sigh. Hey, we were tired, I had eaten too much, and it was a hot evening. Merry Christmas!

More of those Christmas BBQ photos

Here's one half of the room, with Trace, Helen, Linda, John, Bev and Gord standing there. It's about 7.30pm so still quite light.
Here's the other half of the room, with Gord, Naomi, Caro and Cath, the boys were outside by the BBQ (typical) and the teenagers hanging around the fringes.

Here's beloved Cath, resting her neck on Gordy's shoulder, as Rach, Linda and Michael chat in the background.
What a great night. GOD BLESS US EVERY ONE!

Christmas BBQ last night

Okay, this is Angel 1 and Angel 2, who seperately bought costumes for the BBQ and found that we both revert to our childhoods at such occasions, and I am once again Fairy 1 and Helen is Fairy 2. At least I chose the halo! Had a lovely BBQ with friends last night. All the old faces there and we managed to bring out instruments and play carols while a small group sang. I'm sure the neighbours were thrilled.
I need to go and make some of these photos smaller, so they fit. Meanwhile, these are the ones already adjusted. Enjoy

THE News article in the Western Leader

Well, yes, that goofy grin is really me. Gulp. The lens was mere centimetres from my face and HUGE. Sigh. But hey, the pride is lighting up the whole room and the picture, and as they say: "Every dog has its day" - I think that that was mine. Hee hee.
I don't know if you are able to read the words under the article by copying and zooming in, but perhaps it's just as well.
This was published in a HUGE publication called The Western Leader, with a mindboggling readership, and on PAGE THREE. I'm finally a page 3 girl.
Well, that's it. It's over. Now there's only Christmas.

Way way way back

I realise I've just got to get past Mr Darcy - even I'm tired of seeing that blog every time I open up. So here's another. Dad sent it to me a short while ago. It is the four of we kids back in the days when colour photography had just kicked in, hee hee. I'm the second eldest so the burden of that responsibility is just kicking in. .. my older brother never has taken that as seriously as he should, judging by his goofy grin.
I've just been sick on the front of that nice matching dress, because this is taken in Perth, visiting my grandparents, and that flight was turbulent and circled the airport coming in. NICE. Maybe that's why the expression. My youngest brother appears to have caught a whiff of it too.
Anyway, the day calls, I must away.
"I meant to do my work today
But a brown bird sang in the apple tree
and a butterfly flitted over plain
and all the leaves were calling me
And the wind went sighing over the land
tossing the grasses to and fro
and a rainbow held out its shining hand
so what could I do but laugh and go"

Mr Darcy and I! Settle down!!!

Okay, I may not have the REAL thing, but I do have the best two-dimensional image. Sigh. Here I am with Mr Darcy, in my bedroom. Helen has one too. It pays to put your name down at the movie theatre for one of the posters. Sigh. Don't you wish you had one too?!!!!

Hey, I WON! Can you believe it?

The BIG news this week, is that I won the competition for the front cover of the white pages for the Auckland phonebook for 2006. Whoopeee. That's a whopping $3,500 to boost my dwindling funds, and the hugely helpful marketing of my artwork and name from March next year.
Hold me down!
This was the winning piece, painted in three hours with a day to spare to get it in.

Jen

Another birfday. . .John and Cathy

Had another great reason to celebrate on Friday last, with John and Cathy's mutual birthday up at a restaurant in Albany. Then stayed over at the Duncan's and enjoyed breakfast in the morning with Peter as well. Oh that all weekends could be as pleasant.

Tracey's birthday last night

Four of us gathered for champagne and strawberries to celebrate with Trace. Hee hee. Hick.
Jen

My writing group met last night for a meal

This is us, minus Graham who couldn't make it, having a laugh and farewelling Linda who is off to a romance in London. How we enjoy telling stories!

Jen

The church had lunch today

and this is us having it, in the sunshine, on Helen's porch. AMAZING - we can all fit around a table. Ron and Lorna are down at Waihi at the moment, or they would have been there too. Mark is looking forward to coming over to be with the church in Jax in a couple of weeks, and with Gene.
Sigh. Oh to be there too.

Brunch at the Duncans

Sorry, I am never sitting with a few moments to spare to write cunning and clever blogs, but at least you get a wee glimpse of life as it is for me, captured hastily en route to Uni or homework. Here's last weekend, at Cath and Gord's house, with Hazel from UK who is moving to Australia.

Just a few more photos

. . . from the Persian Party. It was fun, and the paper from presents and the Paraphernalia is still hanging around. Phunny how many words to do with Party start with P. Hee hee.

Peter leaves town for good!

Sniff, here's the final shot of Peter and the trailer and car, and all his stuff. Off to Te Awamutu. Had to unload the trailer FIRST and then load it with his accumulations from the last twenty years. Quite a little considering, but the dust, the dust.
Anyway, feeling a little sorry to see him go, but he is heading into the big outdoors, and the nursery, so it's all upward and onward for HIM.

A time for every season under heaven.

How to have a Persian Party!

Yep - you get a couple of dancing girls, some friends dressed up in middle-eastern gard, and your mothers mandolin group to play. It works. Hee hee

NOw I truly AM fifty years on this planet

Aw, shucks, that's me about to go off the Auckland's Sky Tower Restaurant in company with good friend Peter, who really was charming and treated me so well! (Check out the huge bunch of white flowers!)
I had a Persian Party on Saturday night, that the whole church came to, and family, and friends, and we had a couple of traditional belly dancers come who got us all up dancing (you should have seen Mark Boyd!) And my mother's mandolin group were so funny and so good. The two authentic Iranians in our midst, who lived in the house that we held the party in, were most impressed!
A good night had by all, and particularly one very spoiled little princess who is lavished with endless amounts of grace and love by the One who created her.
Sigh.

Tr ip to the zoo

Yes, what you see is MOST of the church in TE Atatu, Auckland on a trip to the zoo last Saturday. The Trasses couldn't be there, nor could Tracey, but ALL the rest of us are under the elephant. And yes, we do have the real elephants, but things have become so pc these days, that you need binoculars to see them. Hee hee. Gone are the days of small cages and various mentally unhealthy animals - thank GOD.
We had a great time, four hours in all, wandering around and investigating wild beasts. The kookaburra was the most interesting, and had a mouse in its beak, but still managed to 'laugh'.
Warn out and needed a wee rest when we got back.
Wish you could have been there, anyone reading this!

Jan's birthday

Whew it's high time I got a new picture that actually works in here. THis was taken an hour ago at my sister's place after a surprise party for Jan, who turned 40 today. Jemma is taking the photo. That's Lorna, me, Jan, Helen and Tracey at the table - the entire sisterhood of Auckland, NZ. After singing the lovely song "I breathed out love and made this day for you" to Jan, she opened her presents, and we had a cup of tea in bone china teacups, and the cake, which is a prune and pumpkin cake (don't imagine you AMericans would like the sound of it, but it was delicious!)
The conversation, after festivities, was all about New Orleans, and the paper this morning was covered in photos, and so we ended on a grim note, but nevertheless, HE is LIFE.

Where's it gone?

The 50th!

I'm hoping the picture I've added to today's blog shows up. If not, I'll republish. Can you believe that I've been nearly half a century on this planet?? Me either! Ha ha. Anyway, any of you Americans want to come to a 'Persian Party' to celebrate, you are so welcome. There'll be two dancers, a small group of mandolin players, and poetry and song. Bring your own cushion - invitation attached.

Ancestral stuff

Love this photo of my forebears. . .there's Grandma and Grandad Jeffries with my Uncle Murray in arms, and my father the Tweedledee character in the front, standing in Rotorua soon after they arrived in NZ from Australia to live. Don't they just look ever so hopeful that NZ will provide them the kind of lifestyle to which they had grown accustomed. There's a famous Maori guide standing behind them with her flax basket about to show them the sights. God bless 'em.

Artistic stuff

Ah, this is what my poor mother is reduced to. Climbing up the stairwell to satisfy an assignment I had for a photo depicting 'the narrative of long experience'. I ended up using the one with the age-spotted hands pouring tea. They were her hands too. She's such a dear! If you look closely you can see the family depicted on the wall behind. Heartwarming aint it?

Anyway, that's one assignment behind me and umpteen still to do. I'd best get to it.

"LORD!"

The end of the second week

Hello my great crowd of witnesses!
Read your blog Sarah, and enjoyed the sight of the lovely car. Well done on the new acquisition.
I was Art Director today for the group in my course, I really am going to have to pull my neck in and take a more background role. (Yeah right!) BUT it's fun still. I'm taking photos for an assignment, and have a second assignment in the wings.
It's Friday so I have to get out there and find some entertainment.
Until next time,
Jen

GOBS of time???

Ha ha ha, Sarah Fay, but you are funny! All the extraneous time I have is going in to hunting up the hard cash to survive the course. I get $20 in the hand after my rent is paid and beyond that, I have to find the rest. I have just heard that I have a long cartooning job which I have successfully won, so that will be work, yippee. Doing about 10 hours of internet checking tomorrow, and in between times, LOVING being that student. I'm class rep already - what's that about??
Back to milling with the mob - lunchtime is almost over. My thermos is empty. My pear eaten. My soggy sandwiches over.
J

Here I am!

Hello, and here I am again, in a totally different status, and looking more like a student again. . . jeans, scruffy hair, a pack on my back. No time for lunches, thermos coffees, no place to call my own, and I have to grab a computer in my lunchhours from some strange room next to the library, where I am sitting now.
Hello anyone reading this! (Sarah!!)
Life is good - I'm LOVING my course in graphic design and already feel like an artist again.
Will try and get on this more regularly.
Jen