tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54002369169428339712024-02-07T17:52:26.462+13:00Ladybird WonderingsJolandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09737888583541105323noreply@blogger.comBlogger99125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400236916942833971.post-54407797284664792052016-12-18T20:31:00.000+13:002016-12-20T22:14:21.591+13:00<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxuLFbxVTKtSd7WqCLpCcM-CNudfFV87viUXioZIVe3p7_zlPkyyym8sUEnrA89CMhCoEHnMnRJazxGbObxDgTQg0nv_PurnO-n72z071Fk9ZboDVA_cz660UoWkGwVIytzNJo-XaU8FEz/s1600/Nativity.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxuLFbxVTKtSd7WqCLpCcM-CNudfFV87viUXioZIVe3p7_zlPkyyym8sUEnrA89CMhCoEHnMnRJazxGbObxDgTQg0nv_PurnO-n72z071Fk9ZboDVA_cz660UoWkGwVIytzNJo-XaU8FEz/s1600/Nativity.png" /></a></div>
<br />
It's hard to believe that this will already be the 4th Christmas that I am alone, well actually I'm not going to be alone really as I will be spending Christmas with the family, but alone in that Roy is no longer here. Time sure does march on doesn't it!<br />
<br />
I have been finding it harder and harder to sit down and write, not because I have nothing to say, but the need to say it, to get it out there so I can process has become less of a need. My blogging did what it needed to do when I needed it to do it - if that makes sense?? Oh I still have my moments where something will trigger the tears, but that's ok. It comes and it goes and I'm ok with it.<br />
<br />
I am comfortable with the life I have now created for myself. I love my 2 jobs, I enjoy the challenges they bring, the new things I am learning, the new ideas and procedures I am able to implement to make things run more efficiently, but mostly that in both my jobs I am able to help other people and hopefully in doing so being a witness for the Lord. Life is not always easy, and I still find it hard not having anyone to come home to and to share things with, but I am content being on my own. I have a wonderful family and a wonderful group of friends. How blessed am I!<br />
<br />
The last time I wrote I was still in plaster after my ankle surgery. I have decided the only upside from having to hop around on crutches for 6 weeks is that it helps you loose some weight ;0) That is the only benefit I can find, for the rest it was really hard, tiring and at times very frustration work, esp having to hop up stairs. The day I got my cast off and my moon boot on was the best day ever. Six week in a moon boot and being able to walk again on 2 legs was wonderful after 6 weeks of hopping on crutches. in fact from day one in the moon boot the crutches became redundant. What I enjoyed the most besides finally being able to have a proper shower, was to be able to have a proper full cup of coffee or tea, rather than loosing half of it because it sloshed over the sides of the cup because I had to hop behind the trolley I was using from the kitchen to the lounge, it's amazing the waves you can make with a cup of tea or coffee. I soon learnt the paper towels where a necessity on every trip from the kitchen. I tried drinking coffee/tea out of a very large soup cup, but it just didn't taste right and often although only half full would still slosh over the sides.<br />
<br />
The six weeks in the moon boot literally flew by compared to the six weeks in a cast and although I was told to ease out of using the boot, it was suggested that if I had to do a lot of walking I should still wear the boot for a few weeks, I didn't, the moon boot came off and it stayed off. Walking to start with was a bit stiff and felt strange, I was very conscious of my foot and how I stepped on it, if that makes sense. I also had a very pronounced limp. In fact I felt all out of alignment from having walked uneven in the moon boot for six weeks. I have been going to physio and with the help of exercising have got a lot more movement and strength in my ankle and my limp has also improved a lot. I have splashed out on an expensive pair of sneakers and have had an orthotic insole made for my left foot and I must say the combination of these two things has made a HUGE difference. I walk with ease now and have found that my ankle doesn't swell up to a ridiculously huge size like it was doing when I have other less supportive shoes on. Now I just need to find a good pair of dressy shoes, cause I can't or rather don't want to have to wear my sneakers all the time. <br />
<br />
I have found since my ankle op that a number of my shoes don't fit properly anymore or just don't feel right, so yesterday I had a big cull of my shoes. Out went everything that is no longer required including anything with heels, while I was at it the rest of my wardrobe also got a going through. Nothing like a good clean out every now and then. I am in the clean out mood at the moment and a few weeks back I decided to start on the garage. Actually I was looking for something specific and thought Roy might have stored it in his tramping cupboard. The item I was looking for wasn't there but I did find some interesting 'stuff' that Roy had squirreled away. It was a bit of an emotional morning going through all the items and brought back lots and lots of memories. I did find the item I was looking for eventually in the back shed, I also discovered that the shed has become the home of a rat or 2 going by the poop I found. I'm now thinking the shed should have a really good clean-out. It might be a good holiday job ;0)<br />
<br />
In October our family again lost a much loved family member. Tragically my 18 year old niece took her own life, suicide (let's name it ugly as it is). She was a beautiful, bright, clever, vibrant young lady, loved by all who knew her. She was caring, outgoing, and quirky. She loved to dye her hair purple or blue, just to make a statement. She would help others at the drop of a hat and was doing well in her studies, she had a strong faith in the Lord and attended Church and Bible study weekly. She had everything going for her and yet she struggled with depression and one evening in her deepest darkest moment she took steps from which she would never return. My sister and brother in law have lost their only daughter, her brothers have lost their only sister, my parents have lost one of their 2 grand-daughters, my children have lost their only girl cousin on my side of the family and I and my brother and his wife have lost our only niece on my side of the family. It is sad and tragic and so terrible hard to understand. When someone dies as a result of an illness or an accident we know why the death has occurred, there is understanding if you like. When someone commits suicide there is shock, unbelief and unending questions. Questions that will probably never ever be answered in this lifetime. The worst is the feeling of guilt, I know we shouldn't take upon ourselves, but somehow you do, maybe it is part of the grieving process - why didn't we notice, why didn't we do more, why wasn't I more involved.<br />
<br />
Even though we question why God allowed this to happen, we take comfort in the knowledge that my niece is now at peace in the arms of her Lord. Her journey on earth is over for the Lord has seen her struggles called her home with Him. Our children are given us on loan from the Lord, as much as the proper
order of things is that they should outlive us, that is not always the
case. For those of us left behind there is now a second empty place at our family gatherings. It's a place that shouldn't be empty. Roy's death I could cope with as hard as it was, because he had a
disease that we knew would one day take his life. My niece's death is
so much harder to understand and process. <br />
<br />
New Zealand has one of the highest rates of youth suicide in the world, don't you think that's terrible. Why do our young people think it is better to end their life than live it?? Why do so many 'normal' young people with their whole lives ahead of them struggle?? Are we as a society putting to much pressure on the young to achieve great things? How much does social media, the internet, cyber bullying come into the equation. This needs to be addressed and we need to stop being the ambulance at the bottom of the cliff picking up the pieces. Suicide is not ok. This is becoming an epidemic in our country. How do we start to do something about this? We have young people almost on a weekly basis tragically taking their own lives and now the powers that sit in the Beehive want to pass a law to make it legal for those wanting to end their own lives with assisted suicide to have that right. What sort of screwed up world are we living in? Do I feel passionate about this - yes I do. I never for a moment
thought our family would be so directly effected by suicide. Sadly I
don't think there are many people who haven't been in some way.<br />
<br />
A friend of mine wrote a wonderful article entitled "When Christians Commit Suicide", if you want to read it click <a href="https://womenmentoring.wordpress.com/2016/10/03/when-christians-commit-suicide/">here</a>.<br />
<br />
The one thing my niece's death has taught me is how important it is to stay in contact with those you love and to be in tune with what is going on in each others lives. It's about reaching out, strengthening bonds and being there for each other. As a result I have started writing weekly emails to my children, often with no real news, just what I've been up to that week and also forwarding a revised version to my sister and brother. I know it sounds terrible old fashioned, but sometimes old is good.<br />
<br />
Well I think I'll leave it there for now. I don't know when I will write again. As I mentioned above the need has gone, but who know maybe something really important or exciting will happen that I just need to share with you all so watch this space. Thank you for taking an interest is my journey the last three and a half year. <br />
<br />
I wish you all a wonderful Christmas, love those who are nearest and dearest to you for life is short and you just don't know what tomorrow will bring.<br />
<br />
May the Lord bless you all richly in 2017.<br />
<br />
Till we meet again.<br />
<br />
Love and blessings<br />
Jolanda<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioe9CgqhsHnGTEdtI0dpMpwGSEcp9lSeohmlbDQZmWfYTTVu-PI2CJte9_CSfKUblSjYiNNd2GOJeMpDV3fP1rNUly9SZHZJUbAde-eFFEGEiUT1lT3RNAwie9H3THDgyIRHQ92eGOkzN0/s1600/8e9f532d498a24829a0e610f75f9d717.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioe9CgqhsHnGTEdtI0dpMpwGSEcp9lSeohmlbDQZmWfYTTVu-PI2CJte9_CSfKUblSjYiNNd2GOJeMpDV3fP1rNUly9SZHZJUbAde-eFFEGEiUT1lT3RNAwie9H3THDgyIRHQ92eGOkzN0/s1600/8e9f532d498a24829a0e610f75f9d717.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />Jolandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09737888583541105323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400236916942833971.post-10750786145386628582016-08-14T18:49:00.002+12:002016-12-18T20:43:56.953+13:00Goodness the last time I wrote was way back in Feb, where has the time gone?? So much has happened since then, where do I start??<br />
<br />
I guess a good place is with an update on my ankle, which, as it turns out is the reason I have time to sit and write. I got to see the orthopedic surgeon at the end of May who told me I had a collapsed ankle and that I needed surgery. So right at this moment I am sitting with my leg in a red cast after having had an op on my ankle 2 weeks ago. The op took two and a half hours and involved cleaning up and reattaching the very damaged tendon and re-positioning and screwing in place my heel, hence the cast which I am not allowed to weigh bare on for 6 weeks. Once the cast comes off I will be in a moon-boot for another 6 weeks, all up a long recovery. I went from being told that it was only going to be one night in hospital to staying almost a week. This was mainly because I have a number of stairs at my house and they would not let me go until I could get up and down them. I am very thankful to Dad and my brother Ron who came and put in handrails for my internal stairs or there would have been no way I'd have been able to get up them except to bum shuffle - while that's all very well in theory it's not so great in practice, believe me I tried when I still had 2 good legs. The tricky part is that somehow you eventually have to stand up again. I am now able to hop up the stairs which it a pretty good work out and coming back down hopping is a breeze. The outside stairs already have a good solid rail which was put in when Roy was first sick.<br />
<br />
Recovering physically from the op is going well. Although getting around on crutches is way harder work than I thought it would be I am managing - slowly and carefully. Thankfully I have no pain at all, but more a discomfort of being in a cast. I am sleeping well at night which is good.<br />
<br />
Mentally however I'm not doing so great. I'm very fragile emotionally at the moment. I know some of that is post op related, but it is also missing Roy related. When you are 'healthy' and independent you get on with life, and to be honest pre surgery I was happy with my life and very content. But post surgery I am struggling with no longer being independent and it makes me miss Roy so much. As much as I really, really, really appreciate all the help I have been getting from my Mum and Dad who come every day to help with this or that and my friend Diana who came to stay a few nights when I first got home, it doesn't really replace the support Roy would have given me. I really dread the weeks to come. All those feelings that I thought I had worked through - loneliness, sadness and grief have bubbled back to the surface and it's just like I'm back to where I was when Roy died 3 years ago. My heart aches and the last few days tears seem to be a constant companion. On the one hand I am cross at myself for feeling like this and on the other I can't seem to shake myself out of it. I know I am not alone, that the Lord is my rock, my strength and my comforter, but sometime I just want to be held in loving arms and told 'Babe you're going to be ok, we'll get through this together.' So that is really why I decided to blog again after such a long absence. I have too much time, esp this weekend to be in my own head so I'm hoping by writing it all down it'll help. Please pray for me.<br />
<br />
Tomorrow I have to go back to the hospital to have my cast removed and get the stitches out of which there are quite a few on both sides of my foot. I am looking forward to being cast-less if only for a half hour.<br />
<br />
A lot of other things have happened since I last wrote. All 4 grandchildren have had birthdays. Inge is now 5, Noah 3, Asher 2 and Tilly 1. They grow up so fast. Grandbaby # 5 (a boy) is due in a few weeks. Exciting.<br />
<br />
The other BIG news is that I have a job. Yip you read that right I have a job. I am the new office administrator for <a href="https://www.hinemoahouse.weebly.com/" target="_blank">Hinemoa House</a>. Hinemoa House is a Christian not for profit Trust based in the lower socio economic part of town. The roll is challenging with lots to learn, esp in the area of financials. I was so overwhelmed when I first started and wondered what I had stepped into esp as there was only a week for the change over. It was pretty much sink or swim. Now I am enjoying it and am slowly making the roll my own. I work for Hinemoa House 5 mornings a week and am still able to work at English Language Partners 2 afternoons a week, all up that gives me 25 hours a week of work and as a result I have finally been able to say goodbye to Winz - freedom!!<br />
<br />
When I was interviewed for the job I did know that my surgery was coming up so the Board were aware of it, however it has meant using my sick days already and going back to work maybe a bit quicker than I should have - home Monday afternoon back at work on Tuesday morning ;0) I am thankful to Diana who has agreed to be my taxi service for as long as I can't drive. At least being at work gives me something to do and helps make the time go by a bit faster. There would be nothing worse than being stuck at home everyday for the next 6 weeks.<br />
<br />
Another highlight that has recently happened is that our new church building has been finished and we are now worshiping in it. What a blessing to finally have a place that our congregation can call home. Yesterday we celebrated the official opening of the new building. It was wonderful to celebrate with so many people from far and near. The singing was amazing. We give thanks to the Lord and pray that He will make
us a blessing in the Foxton community. To Him be the glory.<br />
<br />
Well I guess that about brings you up to date with some of the goings on in my life for the last few months. Thanks for 'listening' to my rantings and ravings. I do feel a bit
better now I have it off my chest. This blogging thing continues to be
very therapeutic for me and I pray that those of you who take the time
to read what I write may also be blessed in some small way.<br />
<br />
Through
all the turmoil and the ups and downs I continue to fix my eyes upon
Jesus in whom my hope is found. He will never leave me or forsake me
and I trust that He will continue to supply all my needs.<br />
<br />
Until next time, may the Lord watch over you and bless you.<br />
<br />
Much love and blessings<br />
Jolanda<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfozhjkL5hUDvC9KpngFnWzNFiBzLLUxMNs6251uHJ574RYN06iz36MLWIa2ScCaIIcZR2uaxvPkgPHhYqU6tJGagAeHid3fUctwNZXG9rR1f47C4T4HQBLkaTaLRnx_ns6SY2TocEJNg-/s1600/13891964_1769280826689896_3603225946987665940_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfozhjkL5hUDvC9KpngFnWzNFiBzLLUxMNs6251uHJ574RYN06iz36MLWIa2ScCaIIcZR2uaxvPkgPHhYqU6tJGagAeHid3fUctwNZXG9rR1f47C4T4HQBLkaTaLRnx_ns6SY2TocEJNg-/s320/13891964_1769280826689896_3603225946987665940_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />Jolandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09737888583541105323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400236916942833971.post-65074961734137943982016-02-09T23:03:00.001+13:002016-02-10T13:58:19.868+13:00Summer is well and truly here and it's been super hot. This evening we finally had a bit of rain, but it was nothing to write home about and didn't really even wet the path. It did make the air smell nice and fresh though. The down side of hot days is also hot nights. I now have a fan in my bedroom and use it most nights. The duvet is hardly being used and sometimes even the sheet is too hot. I'm kind of glad I don't have to share the bed with anyone ;0) The down side of not sleeping under a sheet however is that you become a smorgasbord for the mozzies. I obviously have tasty blood cause they sure seem to enjoy feasting on me. I have sprayed my room and searched high and low but I can't find the little blood suckers. I'm thinking of putting on a new cologne before bedtime called insect repellent.<br />
<br />
Last time I wrote I promised an update on my ankle - well there isn't really much to report. The Doc thinks it might be a sprain and that the lump might be a cyst. He is going to refer me to an orthopedic person, however it could take some time as the wheels at the hospital don't always move very quickly. So for the time being I just have to live with it and take the painkillers the Doc gave me which are also anti inflam tabs. If I am on my feet a lot the ankle is very swollen and sore by the end of the day but usually come morning it has gone down again. Please pray that an appointment comes sooner rather than later.<br />
<br />
Last weekend I had Noah and Tilly come to stay for 2 days and 2 nights. I was a wee bit apprehensive, but it actually went better than I thought it would. The hardest part was not having anyone here to help 'share' the load and that made me miss Roy very much. Maybe for these occasions I need to 'hire an Opa'!! Noah was not keen to stay to begin with and we had a lot of tears. It was actually not about staying at Oma's, it's about Mama leaving him behind. He does it when he goes to Daycare as well. The fact that Tilly was being left behind too made no difference. He soon settled down and to show how fickle he is come Sunday morning when I said that Mama and Papa would soon be here to pick him and Tilly up he said he didn't want to go home. Silly boy.<br />
<br />
It's weird really because as tiring and busy as it was having Noah and Tilly it was also wonderful - maybe because for a short time I felt I had a purpose and was needed. I did miss them when they had gone and the house was very quiet. Noah is a real chatterbox and always has lots of questions. He is fascinated with the Monarch butterflies that he sees flying in my garden. I have a Milkweed tree (Swan plant) in my garden which is finally doing really well and the butterflies have been laying eggs on it - and the plant is surviving the onslaught. We have done a lot of exploring and talking about eggs, caterpillars, chrysalis' (Noah calls them coons), hatching and butterflies. This got me thinking and inspired so I sat down and wrote a simple story which pretty much covers the life cycle of a butterfly. I have used photos I have taken myself and some that I found on the net and a book for children has come together nicely - I am so excited about it. The story is easy to understand and the photos are amazing. I have just done it using the same online book making program I used when I made the book about Roy. I'm not really sure how else to go about it. I'll post some pics when a copy arrives.<br />
<br />
Job wise there is nothing positive to report - 5 applications done already this year and so far 1 negative response. Experience is telling me that the other 4 are also no goers. I am left feeling frustrated and annoyed. How do I go about making myself stand out in a crowd????? How do I 'sell' myself more than I am already doing??????<br />
<br />
Sigh!!<br />
<br />
People talk about having a bucket list - usually it's the things they want to do before they die. I have a bucket list of sorts too, on it are the things I want to do once I have a job because then I'll be able to afford to do them. They're not extravagant things like a world trip, a new car or anything like that. They are everyday practical things that haven't been super urgent but do require a bit more finance than I currently have. Unfortunately some of those thing have now become a bit more urgent - one of them was to go and get my eyes tested. It's been about 4 years since I last went and I have noticed that they have slowly been getting a bit worse. Recently at work I was hand writing out some envelops and everything was just a tad blurry and I even with my glasses on, so I have bitten the bullet and made an appointment at the optometrist for an check-up.<br />
<br />
Well you know how it goes, if it's not one thing it's another so you can imagine how I felt on Sunday evening to suddenly find that a filling had fallen out - yip I was not impressed, in fact I can honestly say I was more than pretty annoyed. Why now??????????????? Thankfully it doesn't hurt, it just feels funny and there is this rather large hole that my tongue keeps going into.<br />
<br />
Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!! I am so over it all. I've had enough, I can't do this anymore, it's too hard, I want someone else to be responsible for a while - stop the world I want to get off!! I want to kick and scream and throw a two year old style wobbly - but I can't. I'm a grown up and as a grown up I need to 'suck it up', 'get over myself' and 'get on with it'. So I guess that's what I'd better do. First I'll sort out the eyes and then eventually I'll sort out the tooth.<br />
<br />
'They' say bad things always come in three's so I've hit the jackpot because I thought my dog Jack was unwell as he had stopped eating. I suddenly saw a very, very expensive trip to the vet in my very near future - just what I didn't need on top of everything else. Jack is a mix of chocolate lab and border collie and he has always had the lab appetite, until Sunday morning that is when he suddenly didn't want his dog biscuits. No amount of coaxing or cajoling worked. Noah tried really hard. He sniffed at the food and walked away. Sunday night dinner the same thing happened and again on Monday morning - by now I was a wee bit worried, although he did seem his normal self otherwise. Monday night I made up some beef stock and poured that over the biscuits - still no go. Thankfully he was still drinking. And yes he seemed to be pooping ok, I went out and checked. I decided maybe the biscuits in the container were off, I threw them away and got fresh ones from the bag for him - he wasn't interested. I did some research via Dr Google and discovered that sometimes older dogs have a change in their food tastes (Jack is 12 so he's getting on), after work this morning I bought a tin of dog food and as they also had bones so I grabbed one of those as well. I am pleased to report that Jack is fine - the tinned food got wolfed down and he was very, very happy with his bone. Tonight for his dinner I did biscuits again and he didn't want them until I mixed some of the canned food through them and he ate the lot. Looks like he might be on canned food for a while and I will slowly re introduce the biscuits. I am just soooooo relieved that there is nothing seriously wrong with him. It would seem he has just become a bit fussy in his old age.<br />
<br />
Well I think that is about it. I'm sorry this blog has been a bit more grumbly than normal - I blame it on birthday melancholy. Yip on Sunday I'll be turning the ripe old age of 52. Yahoo - not. I am actually not in the celebrating mood but maybe that'll still come. Maybe I should bake a cake - carrot I think with cream cheese icing. Well I'm not going to do it tonight. I am going to sign off and go to bed.<br />
<br />
Thanks for 'listening' to my rantings and ravings. I do feel a bit better now I have it off my chest. This blogging thing continues to be very therapeutic for me and I pray that those of you who take the time to read what I write may also be blessed in some small way.<br />
<br />
Through all the turmoil and the ups and downs I continue to fix my eyes upon Jesus in whom my hope is found. He will never leave me or forsake me and I trust that He will continue to supply all my needs.<br />
<br />
Until next time, may the Lord watch over you and bless you.<br />
<br />
Much love and blessings<br />
JolandaJolandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09737888583541105323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400236916942833971.post-36295667675793393622016-01-16T17:37:00.001+13:002016-01-20T13:49:35.402+13:00<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Goodness me, the gaps between posts are getting bigger and bigger. Thanks to those who have let me know that they really enjoy reading what I write and also for encouraging me to continue, I will try my best.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">I hope everyone has had a wonderful and blessed Christmas and that the New Year is going well. My Christmas was pretty good. The children all went to the 'in-laws' this year so I spent Christmas day with my Mum and Dad and my sister and her family in Whitby. We had a lovely afternoon and the weather was beautiful. New Year was a non event really. It happened, but I didn't stay up to see i<span style="font-family: inherit;">t</span> in. Not much use staying up when you're by yourself. I did make oliebollen which were very yum. Dad esp enjoyed them and he took 2 bags home. On the Sunday there were still heaps left so I took them to Church for coffee morning - thankfully they went like hot cakes. I like oliebollen, but after spending a morning making them I've kinda had enough, probably more from the smell than from eating lots. The first day of the New Year was a scorcher - the temp outside on my deck in the shade got to 31.9 degrees. All the family (well those who were around) came for a New Years day family dinner, which was a really nice way to begin the New Year, although it was almost too hot to eat. That evening was one of those rare evenings where you can sit outside in the dark because it was so still and and mild, so that's what I did after I'd tidied up after everyone had left I grabbed a bottle of cold cider and sat outside enjoying the beautiful moon and the stars. It was wonderful - peaceful and relaxing, a good time to ponder the past and wonder about the future.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Since I last wrote there have been some highs and some lows. Soon after my last blog I got a phone call from my case manager at Winz to let me know that she wouldn't be available for our next appointment as she was moving on to a new position in Wellington. Since then I have heard nothing so I am expecting to receive a letter sometime advising me of who my new case manager will be and an appointment to meet him/her - this will be the 4th one. In this case no news suits me fine.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">The extra hours at work were great - both from a financial point of view but also to be working - I loved it. Unfortunately I am too efficient and by early December I had managed to get everything (the back log) that needed to be done, done so that was the end of the extra hours. October also saw me making the early Monday morning trip up to Palmy again to look after Noah and Tilly as Aimee was returning to work. This has continued with me also <span style="font-family: inherit;">g<span style="font-family: inherit;">o</span></span>ing up on Thursdays for a while in November due to the busyness of preparing for Christmas and I think this month there will be some Thursday's required too as Aimee is busy with wedding cakes. It is a wonderful blessing to be able to spend time with both Noah and Tilly, watching them grow and develop, although all Noah's 'Why' question can get a bit tiring ;0)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">In November I had another first - boy you'd think after two and a half years that you'd have covered all those, but no surprise, surprise a new first popped up. I was blessed to be invited to attend a 35th wedding anniversary dinner of some very dear friends. A first outside of family events. To be honest I was reluctant to go, but decided that it was something I needed to eventually do, so I went and I had a lovely time. It was held in Wellington so my friend Diana came down with me and I dropped her off in Whitby for some Oma time with her new grandson., on the way home I picked her up again and we were back in Levin just after 11pm.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Another thing that happened late November was the installation of Roy's headstone. It is so nice to see that Roy's earthly resting place has now been marked. Many thanks to those who helped make this happen. xxxxx</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJtuJJe_9YM9ABxFSw-vHXRGmrD3hxGyxFnx1nyt7CgICExCva8NIX5KEm_wiPOTNboolFxiKi4KVXsJDCna8pn4mxgKYj_5KizRsYNHh9wEGhWU5EXJpUUKH5jSzE47-d4vu-ajIuKHQg/s1600/IMG_20151203_162636.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJtuJJe_9YM9ABxFSw-vHXRGmrD3hxGyxFnx1nyt7CgICExCva8NIX5KEm_wiPOTNboolFxiKi4KVXsJDCna8pn4mxgKYj_5KizRsYNHh9wEGhWU5EXJpUUKH5jSzE47-d4vu-ajIuKHQg/s400/IMG_20151203_162636.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">November/December saw the arrival of another great nephew and another great niece to the Nugteren clan. Nothing like being a great aunt to make you feel just a wee bit old - I am currently the great aunt of I think 19 great nephews and nieces and that will increase in the coming year with I believe 2 more on their way.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">November also had a down side. Without going into specifics (as it is now water under the bridge) a situation arose that caused feelings to be hurt and things to be said when emotions were running high which were taken the wrong way and in hind sight probably shouldn't have been said. It was an all round horrible situation as these things usually are. But it did get me thinking about how we portray ourselves to the world around us and because of that we judge people by what we see. The chorus from song Masquerade from the Phantom of the Opera comes to mind - "Masquerade! Painted faces on parade ........ Hide your face so the world will never find you." If we are honest we all wear a mask of one kind or another, keeping our true feelings/situation mostly hidden, except from maybe an exclusive few, because we want the world to see us as doing ok, that we're happy, content, coping etc. If anyone asks 'How are you doing?' most people will answer 'I'm doing ok' - but what does that really mean?? Do we say that because that is the answer the asker is expecting, or do we say that because we actually want to be seen as doing ok. I guess it's a pride thing. We don't want people to feel sorry for us, so we get up every morning and the 'mask' goes on and we get on with our daily life, because that's expected, it's what helps us feel 'normal' and it helps to keep one sane, we want to be seen as being 'ok', everyone else seems to get on with life and cope so why should we be any different. But at the end of the day secure behind our closed door the mask falls away and the sadness, tears and frustrations come crashing in because nothing has changed - the troubled marriage is still there, the illness we might be battling, the wayward child, the chair and bed are still empty, the loneliness is still there, the financial pressure is still there, the frustration of another job rejection. Come morning the mask is back in place and the whole dance begins again and that becomes your life, and that is actually ok because choosing to smile and be positive even when things aren't going well doesn't make you a fake. It actually means that you want the world to see that you're doing great, coping, surviving, getting on with life and enjoying the blessings life has to offer rather than dwell on the hardship and stresses. I guess what I'm trying to say with all this is - that we shouldn't judge people by what we see because we may not being seeing the whole true picture and don't assume that because they seem to be doing ok that they must be. If we really care for someone and we know they are going through a rough time we shouldn't just accept their 'ok' answer, but dig a wee bit deeper.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">For me personally I will always say that I'm doing great or ok is someone asks and that is because truthfully I am doing great. I am very proud of everything I have achieved in the last 2.5 years. I take
pride that I have managed to sort out and keep the Rawleigh business running. I am proud of the job I was able to get so
soon after Roy's death and for the things I have been able to achieve and learn
through that job. I am proud of the financial decisions I have made - renewing
the mortgage, organising insurance, getting a small loan for the new
wood-burner, the deck railing and many other things including all the stuff that
needed to be sorted out as a result of Roy's death. I am proud of the fact
that to date I have always been able to pay a bill and that the only people I
owe money to is the bank for the mortgage and on my credit card (still paying off 4 new tires and the car service). I am proud of all
the jobs I have applied for and that even though it has at times been soul
destroying I have never given up. But I am most proud that this whole journey
has drawn me closer to the Lord in whom I place my complete trust. I know He
has a plan for my life and in His perfect time it will happen. I am proud of
what I have achieved and that through the Lord's grace I have become a strong
women with an even stronger faith. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">But I'll admit I am also tired and just a wee bit frustrated - I'm tired of the endless financial struggle and juggling that is constantly on my mind, I'm tired of applying for jobs and the stress that comes with that and the knocks to my confidence every time I get a no. I keep thinking I should take some time off from applying for jobs, but as yet I haven't. I even applied for one between Christmas and New Year - lol! I </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">currently 2 applications pending and 2 to apply for this coming week.</span><span style="font-family: "georgia";"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span>I want to get out of this rut that I feel I'm in. I want to move forward, I want to be financially free (read - out from under Winz and my 'obligations' to them) and I want to get on with my life. I want! I want! I want! But I know I need to be patient for a bit longer - everything will work out in the Lord's timing - it just seems to me seems to be taking a long time to happen, but I guess one day I'll look back and see how everything worked out just right.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">So besides applying for jobs the first few weeks of 2016 have been busy. I had a lovely weekend away in Wellington last weekend staying with sister in law Joc. My plan had been to go down on Friday late afternoon but a rather violent storm swept through that day so I delayed until Saturday morning. After a good natter and some lunch we went into Wellington to Te Papa to see the <a href="http://www.tepapa.govt.nz/WhatsOn/exhibitions/Pages/GallipoliTheScaleofOurWar.aspx" target="_blank">Gallipoli exhibition </a>which was really good. We went back to the Hutt for a quick bite of dinner and then headed to the movies - thankfully we had our tickets already cause we arrived a bit late - yip we were those people - not the last ones to arrive though, there was another couple after us. However we soon discovered that we had been given tickets for the wrong movie (this was a French film with sub-titles, we wanted to see the Suffragettes movie) so at an appropriate time we got up and walked out - thankfully it was dark, but I'm pretty sure the people we had to pass - twice - were not so impressed. We were able to get the tickets changed for the movie we actually wanted to see for a bit later that night. It added a bit of fun to our evening. It was also wonderful to be able to go to Wellington Church and catch up with</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span>friends, </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">both locals and out of towners.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">This past week I also restarted at work even though the office doesn't officially open until coming Monday - I did a whole lot of catch up non urgent stuff. You know that your day is not going to go well when you turn off your alarm and go back to sleep only to wake 45 mins later in a panic cause you're going to be late for work. Thankfully my hours are flexible so I was able to make up for being late by working a bit longer. It was good to be back.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Last week I went to the doc as I have been having a bit of trouble with my left ankle. A number of years ago (actually it was soon after we moved into this house so well on 8 years ago) I took a tumble down the stairs and sprained my ankle (no x-ray was ever taken). It has never been right since and when I do a lot of walking it often feels like it is going to give way. Before Christmas it got very sore and is now very swollen by the end of the day. After a very busy day mowing the lawns just after new year it was very sore and I suddenly noticed a rather strange bobble on the top of my foot - so I made a doctors appointment. His initial diagnosis was either gout or rheumatoid arthritis, both of which I was a bit shocked about - he ordered blood tests and an x-ray and gave me a script for painkillers which I haven't actually used. </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">The blood test came back as all fine, no gout, no rheumatoid markers, inflammation
markers show there is an inflammation - somewhere (ummm I think the puffy ankle confirms
that). One test has had to be sent away and will be back next week - I'm not actually sure what that is for but I guess I'll find out if something shows up. X-ray
showed nothing much but was waiting to be read by the doc. So I have an appointment to go back to the
doc on Tuesday afternoon to see where to now. The ankle still swollen, when I stand it tends to bend inwards, the lump
is a bit bigger and it has become more sore and stiff to move and walk on. And so the mystery continues. I'll keep you posted.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Well I think that might do for this edition. It has become way longer than I thought it would. Hopefully it hasn't been to boring a read.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">I have a few prayer requests - please pray that the Lord will soon open a door of full time work for me and also for extra patience to wait. Also that we get to the bottom of what i<span style="font-family: inherit;">s</span> going on with my ankle.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Wishing you a blessed Sunday and I'll try and be in touch a bit sooner next time.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Love and blessings</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Jolanda </span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Jolandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09737888583541105323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400236916942833971.post-8703254219890731612015-10-17T17:46:00.001+13:002016-01-11T14:27:35.218+13:00<span style="font-size: large;">I finally back!! Goodness the last time I wrote something was way back at the end of July. Where has that time gone??</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">So I guess I need to do a bit of a catch up.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">August arrived with me still out of work due to the funding not having come through yet for my English Language Partners job. The timing was actually good really as I had the opportunity to make another trip down to Christchurch that month and it meant being able to do so without having to take time off work. More about that later.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">It was also good timing to not be working because I got sick - there has been a really nasty flu going around this winter and I got it. I went from feeling totally fine to suddenly having a cough and lets just say it was down hill from there. Achy bones, hot and sweating one minute, cold and shivering the next and endless coughing - oh and tired, so very, very, very tired. So tired in fact that I almost passed out two mornings in a row after having my shower. Both mornings I woke up feeling pretty good, had breakfast (this bug did not really seem to affect my appetite) and then went to have my shower. Well much more than water must of gone down my drain judging by the dark spots dancing before my eyes when I got out of the shower. I think my energy got washed away too. Sheer will power and the determination to not be found in a naked heap on my bathroom floor kept me upright and finally dressed, but I was wiped out for the rest of the morning. Thankfully the weather wasn't so great so I just had a couple of do nothing but read and sleep days. Now I never (well hardly ever) sleep during the day, because if I do I can forget about sleeping at night, so I really was sick cause I slept both day and night no problem. This getting sick was not good timing at all, it has suddenly started on a Wed afternoon and on the Saturday morning I was meant to be flying to Christchurch. By Friday I was in two minds - to go or not to go. On Friday night I was feeling ok so I was still going, by then it was almost to late to pull out anyway. On Sat morning I felt great, the shower went fine and I raced around getting ready and sorting out last minute things - I probably should have done things a bit slower cause when my friend Diana arrived to pick me up I wasn't feeling so crash hot and the first thing she said to me wasn't 'hi, ready to go?' but 'are you ok cause you don't look so good.' I really didn't feel so good either - my head was swimming, I was really, really thirsty and I just felt yuck. It suddenly dawned on my that maybe I was a bit dehydrated as I hadn't really been drinking a lot the last few days and with the high temps had been sweating a lot, as soon as we got to the airport I downed 2 bottle of Powerade. I don't often drink the stuff but it actually helped a lot and by the time our flight was called (it had been delayed) I was feeling a lot better than I had been.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The trip to Christchurch came about because my friend Diana needed to go to the Burwood Spinal Unit for some tests. Diana has<span style="color: black;"> <span style="color: black;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transverse_myelitis" target="_blank">transverse myelitis</a> </span>and the team from Burwood thought it would be good for her to come down there for a visit. Now Diana doesn't like to fly and although she can walk short distances with a stick, needs a wheelchair which she needed to bring down with her anyway. Diana told ACC that she needed a travel companion and I was happy to be that person and ACC were happy to pay - hence a trip down to Christchurch. The trip down went well - first on and last off was great. Diana held my hand (without breaking any fingers) going up and coming down and otherwise did really well. We parted ways once we got to Christchurch - She went to stay the weekend with family and I went to Tim and Yvettes. It was a lovely relaxing time in Christchurch. I was feeling way better just very tired still. It was fun spending time with Asher - we read lots of books together. I had a wonderful day out with my friend Janice and we had some pampering by going for a haircut and having our nails done. Diana spend 3 days/3 nights in the hosp and everything was fine and she was discharged in time to catch our afternoon flight on the Thursday home. That flight went really well and Diana was so confident that she didn't even need to hold my hand at all.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;">We had flown out and into Palmerston North which worked out really well. When we got back on the Thursday we went and picked up Noah - Aimee and Tilly had been in and out of hosp that past week as Tilly had become unwell and stopped feeding. She was diagnosed with a viral upper respiratory infection for which there was nothing they could do and time would heal it. It had been a rough few days for them with not much sleep so not having the little man around for a few days was a nice break for them. All went well once we got home - Noah loves being at Oma's. The weather was lovely so we pottered outside a bit. Everything however went down hill on the Sunday. Noah had had a bit of a runny nose and on the Sunday morning I had noticed a wee bit of blood in it, nothing to bad though. After Church we had lunch and Noah went for is sleep. He actually went straight to sleep but soon woke up crying. I went up to see him and I can honestly say it looked like something had been slaughtered in his bed. There was blood everywhere. Noah had the worst bleeding nose I've ever seen and it just wouldn't stop. He was beside himself and very upset about all the blood he was covered in. Things finally settled down - the bleeding stopped and we cleaned everything up - Noah and the bed and had some quiet reading books time. Noah's nose was still oozing a wee bit but nothing too bad. Suddenly he started to cough and the next thing I knew he had thrown up - into my hand, all the blood that he had swallowed. He definitely felt way better after that. That night I didn't sleep very well at all, I was half expecting to be woken by Noah crying and finding his nose had started to bleed again, but he made it through the night just fine.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;">Monday morning he wasn't a very happy chappy - crying, miserable and very, very clingy. Home to Palmy and Mama we went, which Noah was not happy about at all. He slept in the car on the way up and once we got to his place he slept again while sitting on my lap. Aimee gave him some medicine and made a doctor's appointment for him. Turns out he had a slight ear infection - no antibiotics just pain relief and it would heal with time. Once the pain relief kicked in he was as right as rain.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;">Honestly if it's not one thing it's another.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;">Things did improve - thankfully the funding came through and I was able to restart my 5 hour a week job. I qualified for a rates rebate which was a huge financial relief. I was also finally feeling physically better (it took 3 weeks to really get over the bug) and I got stuck in and emptied the compost bins. That was a huge and heavy going job and I managed to do almost the whole lot by myself. I ended up having more compost than I needed for my garden so Diana's husband Hillary came to get the extra and did the last wee bit for me as I had had it by then. We discovered that the compost had been hold up the sides (old pallets) and once it was gone the bins fell apart. I wasn't too sad really and once Hil had removed the rubbish I installed a smaller plastic bin that is doing the trick quite nicely. After Labour weekend I plan to start planting some veggies in the garden. Today I noticed that the first asparagus spears have made an appearance - yum!</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;">The whole job thing really got me down in Aug/Sept - so many applied for and nothing. It gets very disheartening and tiring too. I had a meeting with my Work and Income case manager and told her I was over it all. I didn't want to apply for anymore jobs for the rest of the year as I had enough. We had a talk and then she took me to have a chat with the work broker and they both encouraged me to keep applying for anything that appealed and blow me down I got 2 job interviews within 2 weeks of each other. One was for a 15 hours a week job and the other was for a 40 plus hours a week job. One was a very casual interview and the other was a very proper interview with some really hard questions. I got neither of them and having processed that it's actually ok. The fact that I got 2 interviews has been a HUGE boost to my confidence. The Lord knew exactly what I needed and He provided.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;">The 15 hour a week job would not have seen me financially better off due to being taxed at a higher rate as it would be classed as a secondary job (the benefit being my primary income, even if it is still only a few dollars) and there was also the daily cost of traveling to Foxton, it was also a sole charge position which made me realize that because I live alone I actually need to be around other people in my job, also the owner guy looked very much like someone I know and that would just have been a bit weird. I was 2nd choice for that job which was nice to hear. The one who got it had more experience dealing with freighting companies.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;">The 40 plus hours a week job would have been full on - 7.45am - 5.30pm 5 days a week. I would of coped but it would have been a shock to the system for the first few weeks. It would have been home, feed the dog, eat something, probably anything that was simple and easy and then bed, forget the washing, vacuuming, ironing etc - lol!</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;">I have since been back to see my case manager and she was very please for me that I had had 2 interviews. She was please too that from them I have been able to really work out what I think will work for me. She encouraged me to find a good balance - to be financially free yet still have time for family, grandchildren, friends and the other things that fill my life - I guess that's it I need to find a balance between working and having a life and I know that God has the right job lined up for me that will give me that balance.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;">I haven't stopped applying for jobs and this week sent in an application for a job at the local Library. Just after Roy died I thought about doing some study and library study really appealed. I even enrolled but pulled out as the timing just didn't feel right with so much other stuff including grieving still going on. Maybe this could be the stepping stone to revisiting that. I covert your prayers.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;">The other good news is that </span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;">up until Christmas</span></span> I have probably 5 maybe 7 more hours a week at work. National office wants all centers to go digital which means scanning in and linking all our records (learner and volunteer information forms etc) to the database. It'll be a big job to start with, but I'm happy to do it. I'm hoping to start in the next week or so. I am also going to be looking after both Noah and Tilly again as from Monday, it'll mean 2 trips to Palmy a week as Aimee needs me on a Thursday too. So the next weeks leading up to Christmas are going to be full on and probably (hopefully) fly by.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;">In other news - the monthly card making group is still going strong. For the last few weeks we have been making Christmas cards. I gave the Rawleigh shop a good spring clean and rearrange. I have finally added some of the other craft items that I have been making. It now looks great and smells amazing thanks to the scented candles I've made. I had a wonderful day this past week down in Wellington for a chicks day with my dear friends Jackie and Stella. We had a wonderful time as we always do chatting, shopping, laughing and unbaggaging. It is always a blessing to be able to spend time with these two wonderful ladies and just what I needed to recharge my battery.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;">As Murphy's Law would have it I decided to clean out and put away my fire stuff. We had been having such lovely warm days and even the evenings were mild. Well no sooner had I done that then the weather changed and it cooled down again. I have as yet not succumbed and relit the fire - instead in the evening I put on a jersey, close the curtains and light all my candles - I'm dutch after all ;0) </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;">Well there are the highlights of the last few months - well most of them anyway. Hopefully it wasn't too boring a read.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"> I still believe that the Lord has great plans for my future and I wait (as patiently as possible) for His timing. </span></span>Life is good and I am blessed daily - sometimes I just forget to see and appreciate them. Life is too short to let yourself get burdened by baggage. We need to enjoy each and every day we have been given and be thankful for the blessings. Things that have happened in the past need to be left there. You can't change them and if you keep dragging them along they will eventually trip you up. Let go, stop looking behind and look forward and most importantly look up to Him who will supply all your needs because when all else fails you can trust in Him.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;">Thanks for spending time with me via this blog.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;">Till next time.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;">Love and blessings</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;">Jolanda</span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
Jolandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09737888583541105323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400236916942833971.post-64541382647610727982015-07-26T22:02:00.000+12:002015-07-26T22:02:05.090+12:00The saying goes "When it rains, it pours" and that has indeed been true lately. Not in the weather sense, but in the funeral sense. Four funerals in the last two months with three in three weeks. Three of the four where members of my congregation and the fourth was a past member my father-in-law. The Lord called Pop home suddenly and peacefully on Monday 13th July exactly 6 weeks after his 90th birthday. Pop was enjoying his afternoon coffee and quietly passed away, he didn't even eat his biscuit!! A beautiful way to go really. It's a strange feeling really when you know something is eventually going to happen, but when it does you still aren't really prepared for it. That's how it was with Pop's death. Already before Christmas the Doc's said that Pop didn't have long, giving him weeks rather than months and he proved them wrong. In fact they took him off almost all his medication and he rallied, improving and seem way better than he had been for a long time. Son Ryan always reckoned Pop wanted to outlive his Dad who had passed away at 90 and 3 weeks. Well he sure did that - by 3 weeks.<br />
<br />
Funerals are a little bit unsettling as they bring back memories. Pop's funeral meant a trip to the cemetery where Roy is buried. It was the third time I'd been there since Roy's death. I must say this time it was far easier to face than it had been when Nana passed away. I guess that is progress. Funerals are actually great family times and it was wonderful to catch up with the extended family, to spend time together and share memories. Pop's death made me realise that things change when parents die - suddenly you become the older generation, the tie that binds siblings is gone and your focus changes to be on your immediate family - children and grand-children. I feel very blessed to still have both my parents alive and well.<br />
<br />
At the beginning of July I made a trip to Christchurch to celebrate grandson Asher's first birthday. This trip down ended up being a comedy of errors due to me not actually reading my ticket properly. In fact I didn't read the ticket at all and just assumed!! I was all ready and packed on the Thursday morning and Mum and Dad kindly gave me a lift down to Paraparaumu Airport, They dropped me off deciding not to stay, which I had said was fine. It turned out to not be so fine as when I got to the check in the lovely lady there informed me that I wasn't actually flying till the next day. I of course disagreed with her and then felt pretty silly when she pointed out the date on the ticket. Well that left me in a bit of a pickle esp with Mum and Dad on their way back home. First I rang them - which they didn't hear - so I sent them a txt instead asking them to come back to the airport, quietly praying they got it before the arrived back in Levin 45 mins away. I then rang the airline on the off chance that I could change my ticket to fly that day, however the cost was going to be far more than the original ticket so I decided against it. Thankfully Mum and Dad had received my txt and returned to the Airport. They kind of expected to find me very upset and in tears and probably if this had happened 18 months ago they would of - obviously I have matured a lot. In fact I had a good laugh about it as it really was my own silly fault. The upside was that I was able to get the Church bulletin done once I got home rather than having to do it while I was away and I was also able to attend a funeral. On the Friday we once again headed down to Paraparaumu for my flight to Christchurch - yes it was the right day.<br />
<br />
Yvette and Asher picked me up from the Airport and Tim finished work early so we could headed out to my sister-in-laws place in Bealey near Arthurs Pass. Helen runs the <a href="http://www.arthurspassecolodge.co.nz/" target="_blank">Arthurs Pass Eco Lodge</a>. If you're looking for a place to stay I highly recommend it. It was amazing. The trip out there is beautiful, the views are stunning and the accommodation is fantastic. We had a really great time. It was cosy and warm inside thanks to the wood-burner and -1 outside still at 10.30am. The last time I had been out to Bealey was when Jim (Helen's husband and Roy's brother) and Roy were both still alive, so it was a first to face. It was great to be able to create new memories and I look forward to going out there again in the future. On Saturday we headed back into Christchurch and I spent the rest of that day with my cousin Femmy and her family. Sunday was Asher's birthday party out at Yvette's parent's place. It was a lovely day. Monday I had a quick catch up with a friend over coffee and then it was time to head home again so it really was a flying visit but very enjoyable. This time we flew into Paraparaumu over the land rather than over the sea and Kapiti Island. It was so cool to see the new express way that is being built from the air. It is a huge project and looked amazing. It was a wee bit freaky flying low over the top of houses just before we landed.<br />
<br />
The following weekend Noah came to stay for 3 nights. He loves coming to Oma's to stay and Oma loves having him. He is always really good and doesn't get homesick at all. I took him home on the Monday (this was also the day Pop died) and spent the day there catching up with youngest son Joel when he came for dinner at Aimee's that night. I hadn't really been looking forward to the drive home in the dark but it went fine, if I'd known what I found out later than week I might have been more worried.<br />
<br />
On the Thursday of that week I had booked the car in for a new warrant and service. The mechanic rang to let me know that I needed 2 new front tires as they were in very bad condition - something I had suspected. When I asked if I could have the car back to drive to Palmy that afternoon to collect Tim, Yvette and Asher from the Airport he said no as it would be far to dangerous driving long distance with those tires, esp in the wet - gulp glad I didn't know that on Monday when I drove home in the dark and the rain. Unfortunately the replacement tires would not be arriving until Friday so in the meantime they found me another car to use. It is so weird driving a different car - this one was way, way lower than mine and had a really sloppy accelerator. Anyway it did the job even if you tended to fall into it and have to hoist yourself out of it. I was glad to have my own car back on the Friday, it actually had to have 4 new tires as the mechanic discovered that one of the back ones was marginal so they all ended up needing replacing. The bill was a trifle more than planned but at least the car is up to standard now and I def wont be needing tires again for a while.<br />
<br />
Earlier this month I finished my course and received a certificate of achievement. My last 2 assessments were using Excel and Word. I really enjoyed both of them and have used what I learnt in Excel to set up a Petty Cash logbook to use at work. For the Word assessment I had to edit a document which was a lot of fun. My tutor was super impressed and her comment was "WOW! This is one of the best submissions I have ever seen for this
module. Your contents table was fantastic, layout professional, bullet
points perfect, loved your tables, headers and footers." Feeling super pleased. Maybe I should go into editing!!<br />
<br />
Work continues to elude me and not from lack of applying for jobs. I don't know why God is not answering my prayers for work, but I know that He is control of this and that in His time it will happen, it is hard with so many doors closing and none seeming to be opening. To make things more frustrating my job at English Language Partners has also been put on hold as from last week as we are waiting for funding to come through from a grant application. We have received money from this organisation before for my position so we are hopefully it will be successful again, but you never know. Being reliant on funding is sadly the down side for organisations like ours. Please pray that the funding application is successful and that the Lord will open the right door for me work wise. I know that God has a plan. I pray for direction to follow it. Patience to wait for it, and wisdom to know when it comes.<br />
<br />
Well on that note I'm calling it a night. I didn't sleep very well last night so need to catch up.<br />
<br />
Have an awesome week.<br />
<br />
Till next time love and blessings<br />
Jolanda<br />
<br />
<br />Jolandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09737888583541105323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400236916942833971.post-88205605867671149652015-06-20T17:45:00.002+12:002015-06-20T18:00:53.956+12:00Rain, rain go away we've had enough this winter!!<br />
<br />
I decided that since it was raining - again, that today was a good day to catch up on some blogging.<br />
<br />
On the subject of rain - it has rained pretty much for the last 48 hours (actually I'd say it has rained off and on for the most of June) and the region is suffering because of it with flooding, slips and road closures. The flow of traffic past my place today is very low as currently no-one can leave Wellington - State Highway one (the main road north for non NZ readers) has been closed just south of Levin due to a bridge being washed out. At this stage it will take them 24-48 hours to fix and the continuous rain is not going to help. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNo7lFAI6DiT-sCuWllkA8utRwIQlOuxW1x2u6A6MuYdajvJoo_SdOvYCiSmOd8BFxAGZNoht7q7o-vjfBRryJCbCwtSPD3UaQpqurKiuK8oRiPPCk96lXzA-vfSfdJ-FV6VPunPTKwH7G/s1600/11428725_575897015882341_2227242181408331586_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNo7lFAI6DiT-sCuWllkA8utRwIQlOuxW1x2u6A6MuYdajvJoo_SdOvYCiSmOd8BFxAGZNoht7q7o-vjfBRryJCbCwtSPD3UaQpqurKiuK8oRiPPCk96lXzA-vfSfdJ-FV6VPunPTKwH7G/s320/11428725_575897015882341_2227242181408331586_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Rivers are high and overflowing in places, farm land is covered with water, streets are flooded as the drains just can't cope with the volume of water falling out of the sky and sadly some people have water flowing through their homes. Thankfully I am not affected as my house it high off the ground except for the garage and at this stage the water hasn't come in there. My carport does however have a pool in it as the water just can't drain away.<br />
<br />
So while the sky continues to leak I am sitting in my lounge with the fire going and no great plans for the day except to hopefully catch you up on the last few months.<br />
<br />
Looking back I see that I lasted blogged on the 9th of April - wow that's a while ago. I see that at the time of writing I had little to no voice - believe it or not it took me 3 weeks to finally get my voice back to where it stayed around all day ;0)<br />
<br />
A lot has happened since I last wrote.<br />
<br />
For a start I have made 2 trips down to Wellington all on my own - I feel so proud and grown up ;0). The first was a weekend down to go out with a group of friends to see the musical 'Singing in the Rain' - ha seems very apt to be writing about that now considering the weather outside. It was a..ma...zing. Loved it, loved it, loved it. What an awesome way to step out of the cares and worries of your everyday life for a few hours. The songs were catchy, the cast was very professional, the story was easy to follow, we laughed a lot and we were all really glad we didn't have seats to close to the stage in what was called the splash zone as those people definitely got wet when it 'rained' on stage - they did get given rain coats! It was a great night out with a wonder group of ladies and nicely rounded off by catching up with friends at Church the next morning.<br />
<br />
A few things happened before I made my next trip down to Wellington.<br />
<br />
One was that I finished my weekly trips to look after Noah as Aimee went on maternity leave. It left much more of a hole than I thought it would, although to be honest I don't miss the very early morning starts or the driving too and from Palmy in the dark. The second significant thing that happened was the arrival of my beautiful grand daughter Matilda (Tilly) Elsie Waite. Tilly was born on Monday 25th May and weighed 7lb 8 oz. She is as cute as a button (but then Oma's always say that about their grand children) and at this stage a very easy baby. Noah is pretty proud and loves to help out at home.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiltnPyuiC9GqRUH2RgMc-E-H3uVDWYTq3EeDlmMHlUZF44HadpkoC18Q_OlXyZBycPdolxkx6a7nCXUoMYX41iHLUbrivI8lGGeqUsHUhqvNnQ8H9WyKF1FoNy4HPyGnThXrkleuCGe2wT/s400/10346592_10153384536672673_3750639091304624097_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo taken by <a href="http://www.baby-photography.co.nz/" target="_blank">Keepsake Photography</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
My second trip to Wellington was to go and celebrate Dad Nugteren's 90th birthday. An awesome achievement considering he was at deaths door just before Christmas. We had a lovely morning tea for him at the rest home with family and friends coming from far and near to be part of this special occasion. Dad was very well that day and seemed to enjoy himself very much.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
A week after Dad's birthday was the 2nd anniversary of Roy's death - the 8th June. Why does it seem such a long time ago and yet it's only 2 years. That is such an odd notion!! There's a saying the time heals all wounds and I guess in a way it does - although maybe not heals but makes it easier to bear. I have days where I don't think about Roy at all and other days when he is often on my mind. Maybe it depends how busy I am with life and living. Sometimes I have melancholy days, esp on rainy days or when I get another no response to a job application, these are times when everything is just way to hard and I'm so tired of it all - tired of applying for jobs, tired of being rejected, tired of juggling finances, tired of being on my own ......and the list goes on!! They are days where I struggle with this new normal that is now my life. Maybe some of that feeling of melancholy is due to frustration - the frustration of feeling ready to move forward with my life but not yet knowing in what direction I'm meant to be going. I have learnt to allow myself these little moments as a way of processing whatever the current situation has thrown my way. A lot of praying happens during these times of struggle, a lot of asking God why, when and how long and often with tears, but thankfully God is gracious, He doesn't allow me to become overwhelmed with self pity and I am able to pick myself up, carry on and face the world again with a smile on my face. God has also blessed me with good friends and family who are a listening ear when I need them.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Aimee and the children came down to spend the 8th with me which was really nice. Nothing like Noah and baby Tilly cuddles to make it a great day. My parents popped in for a quick visit - mainly to see their great grandchildren ;0) and Diana and her sister Johanna came for dinner that night - actually they brought dinner and I made apple pie for dessert - yum. All in all it was a good day - lots of memories and sharing and thankfully very few tears. Thanks to all those who sent me messages, txts or phoned I really appreciated it.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I am pleased to say that I am definitely in a better head space this year than I was last year and although I don't want to sound conceited I am actually please and proud at how much I have achieved since Roy's death and also at how far I have come. I have discovered I am a way stronger person than I ever thought I was, although it probably was always there, but it didn't need to come out as much because Roy had always been there to 'take care of things'. Now I have to stand up for myself because there is no-one else to do it for me. You get on with life and all that entails because you actually have no other choice. If that means that I've become a stronger women than that's fine with me.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The job situation is as it was - I'm still applying for jobs without too much success. I did have a phone interview for one job which is a bit of progress I guess but didn't get to the interview stage. I recently did apply for a job that I was really, really keen on but that didn't pan out either, which I was quite sad about for a day. Thankfully my good friends from Australia - John and Trudy - are here at the moment and they took me to Palmy with them for some Mall therapy as John calls and a catch up with Aimee, Noah and Tilly. That was just what I needed and I am really grateful that they thought to include me. There seem to be a lot more admin positions coming available locally so when I see them I apply, I then leave it in the Lord's hands asking Him to open the correct door. Patience is a virtue so 'they' say, I must be brimming with virtue by now ;0)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
My study continues to go well and I am now up to the last assignment. I have really enjoyed studying even if at times I found it really frustrating and hard to understand. It was actually good to go to the Church AGM this week and understand the budget, profit & loss statement etc. In the past they were just a bunch of numbers to me but know they have way more meaning and make sense. I did have a wee glitch which meant I had to put my study on hold for a few weeks. The hard drive on my computer decided it had worked hard enough and was going to give up the ghost. Thankfully it gave me fair warning and I was able to back up all my files. Off the computer went to visit my brother Ron to see if he could fix it, which he could cause he is so clever. I felt quite pleased that I had backed everything up, however a week later it suddenly occurred to me that moving an icon from your desktop to your external hard drive does not back up and save that file - I'm not sure why I even thought it might. I had thought I had saved the book I was making about Roy onto my external hard drive when all I had saved was the desk top icon. In a bit of a panic I sent Ron a txt to see if it was still saveable and he assured me that he was still able to access the hard drive and would therefore save the book for me so I didn't loose it - phew!! Being computer less for 3+ weeks was really hard. The 'old' computer down stairs still goes but it was really slow and it was also really cold having to sit down there to use it, it also wasn't able to run some of the programs I needed for my course, but I was able to take the work laptop home a few times which was really cool and meant I could continue with my studies.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Work continues to go well and I still love the job, it's just a shame there isn't enough funding for some more hours. I am being given more and more responsibilities and David (my boss) is quite happy to leave me 'in charge' if he has to be in Kapiti for the morning or if he has a meeting to go too. He usually leaves me as much work as he can find and my goal is to empty my table and fill his. This is generally achievable.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Last time I mentioned about continuing with the card making group and I must say it has gone very well. So far we have met twice, always on the first Wed of the month and to date we have made 4 cards. Usually there are between 6-7 of us and we have a great time of not only card making but fellowship too. Next month we are going to make some Christmas cards - I better put my thinking cap on and come up with some ideas. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Oh that is some news I haven't told you yet - I finally have a case manager at Winz - Yip third time lucky so to speak. She is a lovely enough lady, not overly helpful but at least she is sticking around. This coming week will be my third visit with her. I <u>have</u> to go and see her every 4 weeks - unfortunately. I'm not sure what it is exactly but it always puts a damper on my day when I have to go for a Winz appointment. It's hard to describe but I hate having to go there and it leaves me feeling a bit 'meh' when I've been. The sooner I no longer have to have anything to do with them the better.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I mentioned earlier about the book I have been making for my grandchildren about Roy - well it's all done and I am quite pleased it. I have ordered 5 copies one for each of my children and 1 for me. I am hoping that they will arrive early next week. I can't wait to see what they look like. The other thing I have done is go and inquire about a headstone for Roy. The plan at first was to have a wooden (rimu) cross made up and have a brass plaque attached, but after some discussion it was decided that this would not weather so well and would eventually need replacing. We are now looking at a black granite plaque with a smooth face but raw edges for that out doors feel that was so much part of Roy's life. I had thought that doing this would be emotionally hard, but it hasn't been the case at all. The man at the funeral home who I talked to is a lovely, kind gentle man and I think that helped too.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
In two weeks time I'm off to Christchurch to celebrate Asher's first birthday - wow 1 already. I am so looking forward to it. Maybe we'll get snow - that would make a nice change from the rain. I will def be packing winter woollies. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Well I think that's about it for another epistle. Goodness it has taken me almost half a day to write this, although I did get visitors half way through. Before I end I'd just like to say it is still raining and doesn't look like it's going to stop anytime soon. I will definitely have to watch the news tonight.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Now it's time to make dinner. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Until next time. Stay safe and God bless.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Love and hugs</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Jolanda</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBnf9j_IRVbsIyjPj2nSz6G9NqmW5JNJgTxmcZzLnaR8qc8WWqWEhV76JktIN_AXO3sysCCE9GjqNoyCXewesEhOL4RDEWggnvRAmBSf7gaPSDXNnqsMMaIYb6r3JnngucfcnQPA3NAMcP/s1600/10387622_10152839506293661_2803239212577251871_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBnf9j_IRVbsIyjPj2nSz6G9NqmW5JNJgTxmcZzLnaR8qc8WWqWEhV76JktIN_AXO3sysCCE9GjqNoyCXewesEhOL4RDEWggnvRAmBSf7gaPSDXNnqsMMaIYb6r3JnngucfcnQPA3NAMcP/s320/10387622_10152839506293661_2803239212577251871_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />Jolandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09737888583541105323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400236916942833971.post-22421198571425368562015-04-09T14:23:00.001+12:002015-04-09T14:23:12.510+12:00"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times" - so goes the opening quote from 'A Tale of Two Cities'. Not that I've ever read the book, but the quote did spring to mind as I was thinking back over the last few weeks.<br />
<br />
To be honest I should actually be working on the next module of my accounting cert. as I haven't done anything for the last 2 weeks, but I felt inspired to write instead. And when inspiration strikes you've got to go with the flow.<br />
<br />
So why the opening quote - well these last few weeks have been full of blessings and ........hmmmmm, the antonym of blessings would be curses, but I wouldn't say that has been the case. Lets rephrase then, they have been weeks of highs and lows, positives and negatives, good and bad, happy and sad, encouraging and discouraging - take your pick!! I'm sticking to the quote as that really describes it best - they have been weeks of the best of times and they have been weeks of the worst of time - leaning heavily towards the best of times of course.<br />
<br />
So let me give you a run down of the best and worst of the weeks that have been.<br />
<br />
My friend Diana and I decided to use our free birthday movie tickets to so see a movie together. It took a bit of work to find something we would both like to see as we do have different tastes in movies. We finally settled on the the new Will Smith movie <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k46VXG3Au8c" target="_blank">Focus</a>. The plot was great, but the bad language at times was terrible and kind of spoilt the movie. Diana and I felt pretty special though as we actually had a private screening of the movie as we were the only 2 in the theater, but I guess that's to be expected when you go at 1pm in the afternoon - lol!!<br />
<br />
I have been inspired this past month to get back into card making. Betty - wife of our interim Pastor is a very talented lady and she has been teaching some of the Church ladies card making. It was so much fun, not only creating beautiful cards but also fellowshiping together. Sadly Bill and Betty have returned to Australia, but I am planning to take up the mantle and continue were she left off. It is good to be able to use my gifts while I have the time and 'freedom' (read no job) to be able to do so.<br />
<br />
Mid March Noah turned 2. He was very excited to get his big boys bed and proudly had to show it off to everyone. His birthday party was a great event with good weather which meant everyone was able to be outside. Aimee did an amazing job on the decorations and catering. She is one talented lady.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO2k2X9hgjbXrHVFjeA71ppyvMEg-v8ZKfgA6oc67ej2m01Qw7s64rDsDQ1pTG4GtJz_K2wPkwLCOcbjA3e77qxxEItj3prbmq18WCTV_jq425oqfWZP-RmUj6wBlpEcbcnLoW4HSrm6XC/s1600/IMG_3553.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO2k2X9hgjbXrHVFjeA71ppyvMEg-v8ZKfgA6oc67ej2m01Qw7s64rDsDQ1pTG4GtJz_K2wPkwLCOcbjA3e77qxxEItj3prbmq18WCTV_jq425oqfWZP-RmUj6wBlpEcbcnLoW4HSrm6XC/s1600/IMG_3553.JPG" height="320" width="319" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWul8DK0oD8FdwhUmK8fQNxOhNZEQkdAarWCc-Gu-1-Alq1OyWeJNeO-oJL5MNkB5p0E_q_dVa-N8QBId3vaCmjozlYrfBKXowxe3l_rBJiPLC61BzeOUAyjfC_SaUvleW_E01wm7kaoNy/s1600/IMG_3555.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWul8DK0oD8FdwhUmK8fQNxOhNZEQkdAarWCc-Gu-1-Alq1OyWeJNeO-oJL5MNkB5p0E_q_dVa-N8QBId3vaCmjozlYrfBKXowxe3l_rBJiPLC61BzeOUAyjfC_SaUvleW_E01wm7kaoNy/s1600/IMG_3555.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
I think in past blogs I have written about the fact that the house shakes in the evening when the big truck go by heading north. Well it's been fixed. I decided to do some ringing to see if I could get the problem sorted out. I had the usual thing of being passed from one organisation to another, but finally I was connected to who I needed. The girl I spoke to was very nice and took all my details and said someone would be in touch - and I thought 'Yeah right!!'. Well a week later they were - in fact he was standing on my doorstep and we had a lovely chat about the road, road bounce, ripple effect, bitumen thickness, culverts etc. Some of what he had to say actually went over the top of my head but I nodded politely like I got it - lol!. Anyway he did say he could see the exact 2 spots the trucks were hitting and he even marked them on the road. He logged the info into their system and he hoped something would get done within 6 months. I got his name and number so that I could get in touch should that not be the case. Two weeks later a road maintenance truck pulls up and they fill the 2 dips in the road with a layer of asphalt. I must say I was pretty skeptical that it was going to make a difference, but it really has. The house still shakes but no where near as badly has it had. I wondered if maybe it was just that I was so used to the shaking that I didn't notice it, but visitors have also noticed the difference. In fact the wood-burner flue doesn't rattle anymore which is good.<br />
<br />
I have had a few Skype sessions with Ryan, Ineke and Inge which has been awesome. Noah joined in for a couple too which was great. He often asks to talk to Inge on the 'puter'. At the end of March Ryan turned 30 - wow where has that time gone.<br />
<br />
My course is going really well, it is hard work but eventually it does make sense which is good. I got 100% on my last assignment on the Trial Balance - a great boost to my confidence I can assure you. The next module is on Financial Statements (sounds heavy going) - I plan to start work on it this afternoon motivation allowing ;0) and if I don't get too side tracked with making a birthday card.<br />
<br />
I have had a wee holiday down in Christchurch to catch up with Tim, Yvette and Asher. It was wonderful and I had a great time getting to know Asher better. He is a real cutie and a generally happy wee man. He is crawling everywhere and standing up and walking along the furniture. He loves being outside and is a real chatterbox. Sadly near the end of my stay he got a cold and was pretty miserable.<br />
<br />
While I was away I applied for a job - a clerical position for 30 hours a week (the things you can do thanks to modern technology). As you can imagine I was pretty excited to get a phone call half a hour after sending off my application asking me to come for an interview. Explaining that I was currently not in Levin we arranged an interview for first thing Tuesday morning (I arrived home Monday afternoon). I was a bit surprised to see that the job had been removed from TradeMe on Friday but didn't think too much of it really, except to think that maybe this was a good thing for my chances. I left Christchurch pretty excited and nervous about the thought of finally having a job interview the next day. I felt like my ship had finally come in, that this was the answer to all those prayers ............................... however..................................... I got home to a message that the interview had been cancelled as they had filled the position!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yip you definitely read that right. Gutted doesn't begin to describe how I felt. It was a blow to my confidence like nothing I've ever felt before. The wind wasn't just knocked out of my sails the whole mast was cut down and my boat scuttled. Even now 2 weeks on and having 'processed' it I'm still find I get upset by the whole experience, it has left a very bitter taste. I mean who does that????? You don't treat people that way. If I had received the usual (and I've had plenty already this year) 'Thanks you for your application, but you were not successful' letter I could have coped. Probably muttered a bit as you do, but shrugged it off and moved on. But to have this happen is just.....just.... beyond words!! It's just not right. Or am I being naive??!!<br />
<br />
Anyway I am taking a wee break from job hunting (not that there is anything going) to concentrate on the things I have going on that need my attention, esp my study and I have 2 orders for sewing items to get onto. I still believe that God is in control and has a plan, but I must admit to being pretty cross with Him that day, I know that He will have something better planned for me when the time is right and I guess this experience will definitely make me stronger.<br />
<br />
The rest of that week pre Easter was actually great with 2 sessions of card making, work, a catch-up afternoon tea with my friend Jackie from Wellington who had a work meeting in Levin and a movie/dinner night out with friends to see Cinderella - which by the way was a fantastic movie, although I am just a wee bit biased as it is my favourite fairy-tale. On the Thursday before Easter I went to pick Noah up and he came to stay until Easter Saturday afternoon - we had an awesome time together.<br />
<br />
Although the week was good I kind of felt a bit meh!! I just lacked some energy and wasn't sure if it was post holiday blues or job let down related. Turns out I was getting sick. That cold that I said that Asher had, well not only did Tim and Yvette get it but I got it too. And sadly I have passed it on to Noah. On Good Friday I woke up minus my voice - well a good part of it anyway. Having no voice I can cope with, but the coughing is driving me crazy. By the end of the day my chest and head hurt. At times I feel like I'm about to expel my lungs. And the voice - well lets just say that resting your voice by not talking isn't making it any better, if anything it gotten worse or should I say less. I feel fine now, but am still coughing although that too seems to be a bit less. Maybe with less coughing the voice will recover as well. Time will tell.<br />
<br />
So you can see why I wrote that it was the best of times and the worst of times.<br />
<br />
Well I think I'll leave it there for now. This has already taken up more time than I expected - but then good things always do.<br />
<br />
I will leave you with the following verse which I read this past week and which has given me great comfort.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaPsf5lhUJHi5zKfqR6PnCfOsgJr5lZMbNUDPbk4VrVbfVJmOfVxg8zTEswYfs-0-onPuo5Yejfwt5eN0CqVPEuOl88HsXKj3IuATgKkTsV7u9ox7ryswbb0sneRKUmsQN6hqZ7vj6aBCx/s1600/isaiah-41-10-by-andrearhowey-via-flickr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaPsf5lhUJHi5zKfqR6PnCfOsgJr5lZMbNUDPbk4VrVbfVJmOfVxg8zTEswYfs-0-onPuo5Yejfwt5eN0CqVPEuOl88HsXKj3IuATgKkTsV7u9ox7ryswbb0sneRKUmsQN6hqZ7vj6aBCx/s1600/isaiah-41-10-by-andrearhowey-via-flickr.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Till next time.<br />
<br />
Love and blessings<br />
Jolanda<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Jolandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09737888583541105323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400236916942833971.post-36376552267459085822015-03-08T15:10:00.002+13:002015-03-08T19:18:21.139+13:00<span style="font-family: inherit;">Hi everyone. I'm back!!! Not that I've actually been away, but it's definitely been a while since I sat down and put pen to paper - so to speak. Fingers to keyboard just doesn't have the same ring to it even though it's the way of the modern world. Pen to paper is probably something that is happening less and less.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I'm guessing your lives are all speeding along just like mine is. The other day I reading the following which kind of sums things up nicely:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">"Oh okay, it's March!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Nobody panic it's just March! </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Hahaha, that's fine, everything cool!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">It was just Christmas, but okay it's now March!!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Yip that about sums it up alright!!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">So what's been happening the last month - well lots really - I think????? To be honest it's a bit of a blur but lets see if we can work it out!!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">All the usual stuff has happened - weekly looking after Noah, going to work (although I am doing Tuesday afternoons at the moment as there is a course running in the office in the morning), doing the Church bulletin, mowing lawns, a bit of sewing, getting up each morning and going to bed at night (probably a bit later than I really should - going to bed that is not the getting up - lol)!!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">At the beginning of February Noah came to stay for a couple of weekends. He was home in between the two weekends. He was great and we had a wonderful time. He has progressed from the port-a-cot into what he calls his big boys bed when he come here to stay. He is so proud and loves to show people his bed with the beautiful quilt a friend made. Thankfully he's never fallen out of bed yet - more by 'luck' than design I'd say if you'd seen the different positions I would find him in. One time when I went to check he was lying on his back the wrong way round in the bed with his legs up the wall - fast asleep, another time he was literally hanging over the edge, also fast asleep!! Going to sleep at night took a bit longer than usual - one because of the heat and the other was the excitement and freedom of the new bed. I decided as long as he stayed in bed he could stay awake as long as he liked. That seemed to work and the bonus was he usually slept in in the morning.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">February also saw a personal milestone - another birthday/Valentine's day without Roy (yip my birthday is on Valentine's day). The week before I'd been feeling pretty melancholy about it all. Last year I had a relatively big party because I was turning 50, so this year was a bit of a downer and I wasn't sure what to do. During the week leading up to the actual day my friend Diana took me out for a pre-birthday dinner which was lovely. As a 'gold card' member of the local picture theater I got a free movie ticket because it was my birthday and as I have a 'club' card at the local department store from them I got a free pen as a birthday gift. I felt pretty spoilt and a bit more in the birthday mood. In fact so much so that I even baked - a beautiful pavlova for my birthday dinner dessert. On the actual day I had a lovely visit from my sister in law Joc who came for morning tea and then the family (those who could make it) came for dinner. It was a wonderful day/evening and I felt truly blessed. A BIG thank you to those who sent cards, txt's and messages on Facebook. They were very much appreciated. The birthday weekend was rounded off with a Skype session with Tim, Yvette and my handsome wee grandson Asher- that wee man is growing up sooooooooooo fast.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Job update: there's not a lot to report actually - the 3 jobs I applied for last time I blogged came to nothing and currently there are another 4 'in progress'. Time will tell. I apply for the jobs and then leave it in the l</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Lord's hands and I'm not worried about it at all - amazingly. Actually I don't worry about much anymore. I get nervous about stuff, but not worried. Max Lucado in his book 'Come Thirsty' wrote : "The
worrisome heart pays a high price for doing so.
<i>Worry</i> comes from the Greek word that means “to divide the
mind”. Anxiety splits us right down the
middle, creating a double-minded thinker.
Rather than take away tomorrows trouble, worry voids today’s
strength. Perception is divided,
distorting your vision. Strength is
divided, wasting your energy. Who can
afford to lose power? But how
can we stop doing so?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Paul
offers a two-pronged answer: God’s part and our part. Our part
includes prayer and gratitude. “Do not worry about anything, but <i>pray</i> and
ask God for everything you need, always giving <i>thanks</i>.” (Philippians
4:6) God’s part? “And
the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts
and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7)" So why worry??</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">What I have done - with much gratitude and thanks to a very kind, but to remain un-named benefactor - is apply for the course I was interested in doing last year. It is a NZQA Cert. in Accounts Admin and Payroll. Last week I made a start on the first module and quickly discovered that at 51 my brain is a bit slower than it used to be, esp at retaining knowledge. This study stuff is hard work. What I also discovered is that the mathematical side was much easier than the theory side - I am surprised by this because maths and numbers have never been my strong point, I think the years of running the business have definitely helped improve my mathematical skills. I take plenty of notes and I find that really helpful, and it is good to be able to work at my own pace. My first assessment has been handed in for marking and I go 84% on my first test so I'm pretty happy. As part of the course I received a copy of the 2014 Payroll - A Practical Guide to NZ Payroll Administration - if anyone is having trouble sleeping let me know and you can borrow it ;0)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">On the 1st of March my beautiful grand daughter Inge turned 4 - where has that time gone?? Inge loves the movie Frozen and I was able to get some fabric in that theme so I made her a couple of dresses for her birthday from it and sent them over to England. It still makes me smile remembering her singing "Let it go" at the top of her lungs as we walked through town when they were here before Christmas. Next week there will be another birthday as Noah will be turning 2 - man he is growing up too - he is having a Bob the Builder party - exciting.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Speaking of exciting - there has been much excitement at Noah's place with the arrival in late Feb of puppies. Richard and Aimee's English Springer Spaniel Rosie has had her puppies. She had 8 but sadly 2 died. Still 6 is a good number and they are sooooooo cute and they grow so fast. I'm looking forward to seeing how big they are tomorrow when I go up to Palmy.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I am glad to report that my wood shed is almost full. One bay is completely full and the other is half full. I'm pretty sure I have enough wood to last the winter. Dad has also constructed a water collection system by adding some guttering to collect the roof water with a down pipe that flows into a barrel. The barrel also has an overflow into a 2nd large bucket. Great for watering the garden and Jack has plenty of water to drink. Mind you with the torrential rain we had yesterday the overflow bucket overflowed.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Yes, yesterday we finally had a good drop of rain. In fact it rained so hard that the carport got flooded. The drain I dug just couldn't cope. I'm really pleased that the firewood was no longer stored there as it would have been soaked. We haven't had any real rain for probably a month and a half, so it was good to finally get some., Everything is fresh again and looking just that wee bit happier. The warm weather has a down side in that is seems to have brought the spiders inside, esp the daddy long legs. I don't mind sharing my shower, but not with anything with more than 2 legs ;0), also it is rather disconcerting to walk down the hall still half asleep in the morning and get a face full of spider thread. Those wee suckers are really good at hiding too because for the life of me I can't find them in order to give them their eviction notices. Even as I sit here and look at the window I see a beautiful web has been strung in the gate opening of the fence around the deck.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I am doing some re-winter sorting and cleaning - that should make spring cleaning easier. I have sorted, cleaned and rearranged the laundry - as mush as you can without moving the tub and washing machine. I have also re-arranged the lounge and gave it a good clean and sort out and then last week Saturday I decided to tackle my bedroom. My bed sits on drawers and is attached to a heavy headboard so it isn't easy to move - in fact it's pretty unmovable as far as a quick dust under or behind is concerned - so you can imagine that when I finally moved the bed that the 6 years of dust I discovered was not such a pretty sight. After a lot of huffing, puffing, lugging and just a tad of muttering I got things re-arranged to my satisfaction. The bed head is now against an internal wall rather than under the small windows which will be great come winter. The down side is that I am now sleeping on what was always Roy's side of the bed. Not that this is a bad thing because it was his side, but I always slept better on my side so it is taking some getting used to. You might think I'm crazy but you should try try swapping side. The simple fact that you get into bed in a certain way on 'your' side and that you have to do so differently the other side is a problem to start with. Funnily Roy always used to say we should swap sides just for something different, but I never would. He would be amused to see that now I have. I have only changed because of convenience (closer to the door) so I'll give it a few weeks otherwise I'll change back to my side - it'll just mean a walk around the bed. Some of you may be wondering why this is a big deal as I have the whole bed to myself anyway, but after years of sharing it is just habit to stay on my side rather than use the whole bed and anyway I am still sharing - with the cat and for someone pretty small she takes up a lot of space.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I have a few projects on the go at the moment - I have been doing some sewing to make personalised pillowcases for children going through cancer treatment. So far I have made 3 - for a little girl of 5, a little boy of 4 and another boy who is 10. It is so sad that these children are having to fight such a hard battle so young, but also so awesome as well to be able to do something that will hopefully brighten their day and make them smile.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The other project is the book about Roy for my grandchildren. I have finally felt emotionally ready to make a start on this. All the photos have been scanned that I want to use and I am now slowly putting the book together. I started with the cover and title page and when they were done I burst into tears - it sounds a bit silly now that I write about it but at the time it was much more emotional than I had expected. The book has since started to take shape, and the tears do still flow at times as old memories are relived, but that's ok. The end result will definitely be worth a little heart ache now.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Well I think I'm all blogged out for now. I have some exciting things coming up but I'll tell you about them next time. For now I'm off to do a spot of knitting for my new grand-daughter (Aimee's having a girl) before heading off to afternoon Church.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I'll leave you with this Valentine's poem with a difference - it's beautiful.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm9XqFQp_zS1U9S-0BxfyFYaUmPxDnBbkJJikJAmbAYEpn9irBZdJINT3n2rtmGtUjVg-b2_QZHh0ZfNPCDm9nsMT_N1n0HBXLKcosS587auOd37oSYbvOILmo0miyF4kxVfbm6jHBTm9h/s1600/Sweetheart.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm9XqFQp_zS1U9S-0BxfyFYaUmPxDnBbkJJikJAmbAYEpn9irBZdJINT3n2rtmGtUjVg-b2_QZHh0ZfNPCDm9nsMT_N1n0HBXLKcosS587auOd37oSYbvOILmo0miyF4kxVfbm6jHBTm9h/s1600/Sweetheart.gif" height="640" width="404" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Thanks for reading. Wishing you the Lord's richest blessing on your life. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Till next time.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Love and blessings</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Jolanda</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
Jolandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09737888583541105323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400236916942833971.post-13198891719040312732015-01-29T20:54:00.002+13:002015-01-29T20:54:46.128+13:00Wow it's hot. Have you melted yet???? <br />
<br />
At 5.30pm the temp outside was 31.4 degrees C in the shade and inside it was 30.5 degrees C. The clock on the Post Office in town was reading 28 degrees. The TV weather man reckoned we had 27 today. Summer has well and truly turned up and it's great, even if it is too hot to be outside doing anything. Mind you it's too hot to be doing anything inside as well. I'm not complaining though because when the weather turns bad we'll be wanting this lovely hot weather again.<br />
<br />
So January is almost over and a busy month it's been too. I have started back at work and it's great to be back there. I now work 3 hours on a Tuesday morning and 2 hours on a Wednesday morning. It took me a bit to get used to just doing 2 hours on a Wednesday though. I'd get home just after 11am and think it was lunchtime - lol. Next week I'll do Tuesday afternoons as there is a 9 week training course starting for new volunteer tutors and it's a bit hard for me to get work done while David (my boss) is busy teaching. I have also had some extra days look after Noah as Aimee has been very busy with wedding cake orders what with this being wedding season. Tomorrow I'm off to Palmy to pick Noah up and he's coming for the weekend as Aimee and Richard have an all day work do on Saturday.<br />
<br />
Besides working and tripping up and down to Palmy I have also been busy down in the office where it is actually relatively cool so lovely to work in. This week I had another cull of the stuff waiting to go on TradeMe. It has been sitting down in the office since the last cull which was probably over a year ago so it was time to go through it again. I got rid of a good portion which has been added to the growing Op shop pile. The rest has finally started to put on TradeMe. I have also been selling off some of my fabric on a fabric de-stash page on Facebook. What doesn't sell there will eventually go on TradeMe.<br />
<br />
I have had visitors as well the last few weekends. Sister in law Joc came for a weekend which was really, really lovely and then the following weekend my sister Carolyn came for a long weekend which was also really, really lovely. It was so great to be able to spend time with these lovely ladies and reconnect. I felt truly blessed being able to spend time with them both.<br />
<br />
There has been progress on the woodshed too this month and it is now at the almost done stage. I promised you photos so here they are.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjbfM2KE5DqVk6D5CWDWr0n4Zy_8SWKoozbMkJWjk9H1k1VBosvAqg6JrElKUWRTtxmctoQoCGy-mpYQGNgyx-Q75BnGqbktKLbe5s-nCr7YQIbmrfO2BzGiuHXEow1cm1dZeYg0V2M7iX/s1600/IMG_3017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjbfM2KE5DqVk6D5CWDWr0n4Zy_8SWKoozbMkJWjk9H1k1VBosvAqg6JrElKUWRTtxmctoQoCGy-mpYQGNgyx-Q75BnGqbktKLbe5s-nCr7YQIbmrfO2BzGiuHXEow1cm1dZeYg0V2M7iX/s1600/IMG_3017.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjcYc2KcCtRKA7p66CiWLVVmrLRLIsmSSIFXMGncR07MxT-uj-uD895ZyekJIdMJrN-DJuWfVu0VvaQLT89WT5Gj7h81fteTQpjpP1dKKcVo-hRbqFB_hNcbc-h6YPnEqO-0vtWNe3Vdku/s1600/IMG_3513.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjcYc2KcCtRKA7p66CiWLVVmrLRLIsmSSIFXMGncR07MxT-uj-uD895ZyekJIdMJrN-DJuWfVu0VvaQLT89WT5Gj7h81fteTQpjpP1dKKcVo-hRbqFB_hNcbc-h6YPnEqO-0vtWNe3Vdku/s1600/IMG_3513.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
All that is left to be done is a mowing strip and putting down the pavers. My Dad and my brother Ron have worked really hard to get this built for me and I am in awe of their handy-work and appreciate their effort immensely. It is a really sturdy shed. Next week I hope to move the load of fire wood that is currently residing in the car port into it's new home. Exciting!!<br />
<br />
The rest of the outside is looking pretty good - the veggie garden has started to produce a crop. I have been able to harvest snap peas and lettuce so far. The spring onions are growing into leeks and I had to replant the beans as the first lot died. I have also planted corn which is looking pretty good. I try to make sure I water the garden and the pots every second day as the plants are struggling in this heat. The strawberries are also starting to produce and the passionfruit plants have finally taken off and are making their way up the trellis. I just need to spray them before they totally become infested with passionfruit hoppers and fluffy bum aphids which suck the life out of the plants. Thankfully the lawns have finally slowed down a bit, in fact most of it has stopped and is looking brown except for the couch grass which is terrible stuff and just keeps right on growing. I've just done a quick read up about couch grass and the only way to really get rid of it is to spray the lawn with<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> <span style="line-height: 21px;">glyphosate until the grasses are fully killed. Then the area </span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px;">can</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 21px;">be dug over and prepared for re-sowing or re-turfing. My lawn is pretty big so that just ain't happening, I'll mow instead.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 21px;">The applying for jobs has started again too this month with 3 applied for so far. Two are actually based in Palmy, and although the thought of travelling that distance every day doesn't really appeal I think that maybe it is wise to look in that direction. My preference would still be to find something in Levin, but there just isn't a lot available here at the moment. It will all work out I'm sure when it's meant too.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 21px;">This week I went and got a hair cut. I've gone short, very short as in no more curls. I'm loving the new look esp in this heat. The curls will eventually grow back - they always do. Did you know that it's a known fact that people with straight hair want curls and people with curls want straight hair!!!!! I've always loved my curls, but I'm happy to be without them for a while.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 21px;">Well I think that about catches you up again on the goings on in my life. The Lord continues to be my strength and He blesses me richly everyday. The very fact that I wake up every morning feeling refreshed and ready to face the day is a huge blessing in it self and one we so often take for granted.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 21px;">Well I'm off to make a cup of tea and close some windows and doors so I can turn on some lights. I don't want to be invaded by bugs so I'll just have to put up with the heat. Either that or leave everything open and sit in the dark which isn't a bad plan as long as I don't have to type anything.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px;">Until next time.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 21px;">Wishing you Gods blessing wherever you are.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 21px;">Much love and hugs</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 21px;">Jolanda</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span>Jolandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09737888583541105323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400236916942833971.post-13652576047405626192015-01-08T22:07:00.001+13:002015-01-09T14:21:17.304+13:00<span style="font-family: inherit;">Happy New Year everyone - I hope 2015 has started off well for you wherever you might be. May <span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; line-height: 15.4559993743896px;">God bless this New Year. May He be your guide as you step into the unknown that this new year will bring.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I guess the New Year is a time for reflection on the past and looking forward to the future. On that note the reason I am blogging today is because today a year and a half ago the Lord called Roy home to be with Him. Yip it's been a year and a half - 18 whole months. Amazing really - where has the time gone and yet it seems so long ago. So much has happen in the last 18 months - I have learnt a lot about myself and what I'm able to do. I have especially grown spiritually. The last 18 months have been both hard work and yet very rewarding as well and I can honestly say that I have only come through them because the Lord has been at my side guiding me along the way.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">"They" (those mysterious people who seem to know everything) say that it (grief) gets easier with time, but I'm not so sure about that. I think it's become easier to hide my emotions and feelings from those around me. When I do have a 'meltdown' (yip they do still happen </span>occasionally<span style="font-family: inherit;">) I do so in private. The people around me have moved on with their lives (as is only natural) and I guess I try to portray the image that I am too, that I'm coping just fine and life is sweet, and actually for the most part it is and I am doing fine. I get up in the morning and I do what needs to be done. I love spending time with family and friends, going to work, looking after Noah, sewing or pottering around the house and garden. All those normal everyday things, that make life normal. I have become comfortable living alone. Very much so in fact - maybe almost to much so. I like having my house neat and tidy - just so!! I like having smaller loads of washing, less dishes, less mess. I'm even getting used to cooking smaller meals and I esp like not being 'accountable' to anyone. And yet I miss </span>belonging , being connected if you like. Sure I'm connected to my children, parents and friends, but they all have their own lives. I miss being part of a couple and that is not getting easier with time esp at family gatherings, which are always wonderful and I love going to them or having them at my place, but they are bittersweet as they are often also very, very hard. I miss being connected to that one special person and that has not gotten any easier over the last 18 months. Maybe over time and with the Lords help that too will get easier. I know that God has given me the strength so far to walk the path set before me and my daily prayer is that He will continue to remove the feelings that hinder my walk with Him and that He will give me His peace and guidance.<br />
<br />
I found this lovely quote which is part of a poem by Minnie Louise Haskins, those some of you who are my friends on Facebook will have seen there. I think it's a great way to view the new year.<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
"Give me a light, that I may tread safely into the
unknown!"<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
And he replied:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
"Go out into the darkness and put your hand into the
Hand of God.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
That shall be to you better than light and safer than a
known way."<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
The other quote I really like is.<br />
<br />
"I don't know how my story will end, but no where in my text will it ever read .....<i>'I gave up.'</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
I don't know exactly what 2015 holds for me, but I sure am looking forward to finding out. I know that the Lord has it all in His hands and He will reveal His plans for my life when the time is right. It's kinda like an adventure ;0) and who doesn't love an adventure. I guess it's about opening your heart and mind to new possibilities. Life's too short so lets enjoy it, making to most of each day by reach out and share it with others.<br />
<br />
Which reminds me one thing that will be happening this year, God willing, is that I will be an Oma again of grandchild number 4. Aimee and Richard are expecting a baby, which means Noah is going to be a big brother. Baby Waite is due in May. So exciting.<br />
<br />
A lot has happened since I last wrote a month ago What with Christmas and New Year and family coming and going and coming and going.<br />
<br />
The week before Christmas I had Ryan, Ineke and Inge come for a few days, which was really, really lovely but way to short. While they were here we spent a bit of time in Palmy with the Palmy based family members. Inge and Noah got on really well. Noah was more than happy ( for the most part) to let Inge 'mother' him and drag him around, it was so cute to watch. That week Dad Nugteren took a turn for the worse and was admitted into hospital with suspected kidney failure. The doctors did not expect him to survive and we were all thinking we'd have a funeral before Christmas. That however turned out to not be the case as he was actually severely dehydrated. Since then he has actually rallied and although still very weak and frail is doing ok, but some days are better than others.<br />
<br />
The weekend before Christmas I had niece Melinda and nephew Julian come and stay for Sat and Sun nights - Julian came to do some preaching at our church in Foxton. Then on the Sunday Tim, Yvette and Asher and their small dog George arrived and Aimee and Richard dropped Noah off as they had very early starts leading up to Christmas. So I had a house full which was busy but actually really nice. It was interesting to watch Noah and Asher together - Noah really had no interest in Asher at all. Maybe that's a boy thing or an age thing. Asher is a real cutie and a very happy wee man with a ready smile.<br />
<br />
During this time I also got sick again - going down with a bug that both Tia and Aimee had - Joel also was not well. That is one thing I can def do without this year. I think 2014 had enough sickness to cover a few years.<br />
<br />
On Christmas eve Aimee and Richard came to pick Noah up and then on Christmas day after Church we all headed to Palmy and spent Christmas Day at Aimee and Richard's along with Joel and Tia, my parents and Ron and Maria Tine (my brother and sister in law). We had a wonderful day with glorious weather and way too much food. Tim, Yvette, Asher and George stayed at Aimee and Richard's that night as they had an early home to Christchurch the next day and I headed home alone to my empty and very quiet house. Mum and Dad popped in on their way home as they thought I might be a bit sad and lonely - what a blessing they are.<br />
<br />
After the busyness of those 2 weeks it was actually nice to be able to 'put my house back in order' - by doing housework and getting the lawns done. Mum and Dad came on Boxing Day for a 'left-overs' dinner and then on the Sat evening Diana came over for dinner as she was home alone as her family had gone down south for a family reunion. Diana has trouble walking and the trip would have been just to much for her. We had a great time together as we always do.<br />
<br />
Monday saw me heading back to Palmy to look after Noah and Tuesday I headed south to Wellington to pick up Ryan who was coming to stay for a few days before he flew back to England. It was great having him come and stay and together we played heaps of games of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carcassonne_%28board_game%29" target="_blank">Carcassonne</a> (a game Roy and I used to play regularly as in every Sunday after church). It was great to be able to play again and although Ryan won more games than me we were pretty evenly matched - or maybe he was just being kind to his mother eh Ryan!!!!<br />
<br />
New Years eve was a non event this year as the next morning I had to make another trip to Wellington to take Ryan back to the airport. This time Mum and Dad came to and we first went to see Dad Nugteren in Lower Hutt and then we went to Whitby to have lunch and spend some time with my sister Carolyn and the family. We dropped Ryan off at the airport at 4pm and were back in Levin for dinner at Cobb and Co (Dad's shout) by 5.30pm.<br />
<br />
This past week I have been busy sewing a custom order of 4 cushion covers and 2 pillow slips which are off with the buyer to Croatia. I just have to sew on the buttons which is tomorrows job and then they are off with the courier. I also spent a day catching up on all the business stuff which I had let slide due to having visitors and the Christmas/New Year break. Dad and Ron have been and have made a good start on my new wood shed, which I hope will get finished off before the end of the month. Yesterday I went to the funeral of a friends daughter who had died after a battle with cancer. Diana came for dinner again last night and we chatted until nearly midnight - oh the things we talked about - such fun!!!!. Consequently though I slept in by mistake this morning which mucked me up a bit as I had a coffee appointment with Mum and Dad. This afternoon I did all the lawns (which thanks to the rain we keep getting haven't stopped growing yet). I also got 3 loads of washing done, weeded and planted more vegetables in the veggie garden, washed the dog, tried to brush the cat as she keeps loosing fluff all the time - this plan was not as successful as I'd hoped as Pixie was not at all impressed. I did manage to get a bit of fluff off her but I got a number of claw puncture wounds as my reward. Pixie is not at all happy with me at the moments and runs away every time she sees me.<br />
<br />
I am enjoying having a 'holiday' although I keep getting confused what day it is. I was sure today was Saturday!!! Next week work starts again which will be nice and it'll put me back on track.<br />
<br />
Well this edition has taken me all evening to write, but I am finally done. I think I'll 'unwind' with a episode of Magnum PI before heading to bed - I've been watching them on Youtube since there is nothing worth watching on TV. They made good stuff back in the 80's.<br />
<br />
Until next time.<br />
<br />
Love and blessings<br />
Jolanda<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>Jolandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09737888583541105323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400236916942833971.post-87767136546416232812014-12-06T20:47:00.002+13:002014-12-06T20:47:52.353+13:00Happy Sinterklaas :0)<br />
<br />
I have some good news and I have some bad news!!<br />
<br />
The good news is that I have been given an extra hour at work and a pay rise. Yippeeeeee!! I will now be doing 2 mornings which is great. The bad news is that as I suspected the idea to work 30 hours on the flexi plan was not a goer - there just isn't enough work for that many hours. The other bad news is that I am getting another new case worker as my 'new' case worker is moving to another job. Honestly talk about getting the run around. I'm starting to think it's me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!<br />
<br />
November has just flown by probably because I've been very busy. I suddenly had a large number of custom orders to fill - it was really exciting actually. I had a large order for NZ themed cushion covers for one customer - who emailed this week to say they were very happy and will prob want to order some more. For another customer I made 2 dresses, and for a third customer I had to remake a Christmas stocking she had purchased but that I had sold the day before to a Rawleigh customer and had forgotten to remove it from my Felt store. Thankfully I still had fabric and I was able to whip one up for her quickly. Rawleigh sales have also gone up which is nice.<br />
<br />
Noah came to stay for a weekend recently as Aimee and Richard had a work do to go to in Wellington. We had an awesome time although he was a bit under the weather with a runny nose and cough. I have yet to have him come and stay when he is well. He is starting to talk a lot more with words that I can understand. He actually talks heaps I just have no idea what he is on about, but he is happy when I agree with him. While he was here we had a Skype session with cousin Asher and another the next morning with cousin Inge. He will be seeing both in the next few weeks so it'll be interesting to see how they get on.<br />
<br />
The next few weeks leading up to Christmas are going to be pretty full on with 2 trips a week up to Palmy to look after Noah as Aimee is working extra pre Christmas and working at work 2 mornings a week. Next week Ryan, Ineke and Inge are coming to stay for a few days and the week of Christmas Tim, Yvette, Asher and Noah will all be staying. Busy but exciting times. I have to make sure I get enough sleep or I'll be a right off come Christmas.<br />
<br />
To be honest I have been feeling a bit melancholic this past week - in fact I had it so bad that I haven't even read this weeks junk mail yet, something I usually love to do. I think it's a combination of being over tired, the weather which can't seem to make up it's mind, my (not) 31st wedding anniversary that is coming up this week, Christmas and just feeling lonely. Probably watching a romantic movie this past week didn't help either, it makes me so aware of what is missing in my life. I guess sometimes you cope better than other times. I've shed a lot of tears this past week but I have been doing a lot more praying too which I think is a very good thing. I need to focus more on the Lord and trust in Him, but sometimes the shadows in the valley are so overwhelming.<br />
<br />
Today's therapy was a day outside in the garden since the weather was so nice. It has helped and I feel much better - mentally. Physically I'm tired, but I guess that'll mean I sleep well tonight. Actually sleep isn't usually a problem as I sleep very well. I just need to make sure I get enough of it by going to bed on time as I tend to stay up a bit too late at night but am also waking up too early thanks to the birds who are just oh so cheerful at 5.30am - NOT!!!!!!!<br />
<br />
Well on that note I'm calling it a night - time for a cup of tea and an early night I think.<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white;">This Christmas<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>may you know Him more fully<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>through the love and grace<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>He so richly bestows.</span> May Jesus always be<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>your joy, your hope, your song.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>And
may this Christmas<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>and each day of the
new year<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>be directed by His guiding
hand of love!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Till next time.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Love and blessings</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Jolanda</div>
<br />
<br />Jolandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09737888583541105323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400236916942833971.post-9191282048938890172014-11-16T22:24:00.003+13:002014-12-06T19:20:12.802+13:00It's been a while since I last wrote so I guess it's time for an update.<br />
<br />
Last time I wrote I was heading off the the Fabri-a-brac de-stash in Palmy. It was a beautiful sunny day and I can report that although it started a bit slow it actually went quite well and I was very happy with what I sold, although I still have plenty of fabric left over. I think in the next few weeks I'll have to get the camera out, take some pictures and start listing what's left on TradeMe. It would be nice to sell off some more pieces. First though I have to work my way through the growing list of custom orders that I have suddenly received. It's a really nice feeling actually.<br />
<br />
After the 'high' of the Fabric-a-brac weekend things pretty much turned to custard to be honest and I have been feeling a bit down at times. It started with another bout of the tummy bug. This is the third time this year that I've been hit with the tummy bug. I think all the years of not being sick (maybe cause I was too busy looking after Roy) have caught up on me. This one really knocked the wind out of my sails and it has taken a while to get over it - mainly the tiredness that went with it. I'm feeling way better now and hope this will be the last sickness for a while. I had hoped that my healthy fruit, kale and chia seed morning smoothies would have helped boost my immune system but obviously not.<br />
<br />
So as if being sick wasn't enough of a downer I also had an appointment at Winz to meet - yip that's right - to meet my new case manager. Yes you read that right I have a new case manager - apparently my 'old' case manager moved to a new position so all her cases were reassigned. It is so frustrating having to go through the whole rig-ma-roll again. It was an interesting meeting. It would seem that not all the case managers are on the same page - I decided to talk about the course I was interested in doing to up-skill so that I had better job prospects, but apparently I don't qualify for any help as I am not a single mum with children at home. To be honest I felt pretty gutted as I was really keen to do the course but can't afford it. So much for them saying they'd help me out if I needed help. Obviously up-skilling is not important. I did discover however that if my current job could guarantee to pay me for at least 8 hours but preferably 10 hours of work than on Winz's flexi scheme they could provide funding to top the hours up to 30 to get me off the benefit. Sadly that isn't going to happen as there is no funding for that many hours and there isn't enough work for me to do 30 hours a week. It really all comes down to the Winz 'books' looking good and them being able to say they have lowered the unemployment rate. Anyway I have decided to not stew on it and look at it again in the New Year. I want to enjoy the lead up to Christmas.<br />
<br />
The weather the last few weeks has also been a bit all over the place - one minute you think summer has come and the next you're lighting the fire - not that I'm complaining about that part - lol! The worst part has been the wind - boy have we had some wind. In fact it's been so windy I haven't even bothered putting out the Rawleigh sign as it just keeps blowing over.<br />
<br />
I am really glad that Guy Fawkes has been and gone again for another year. Poor Jack didn't know what to do with himself he was so upset with all the banging and popping going on outside. It always amazes me why people need to let things off at 11.30 at night as if it is darker then than it is at 9.30. Hopefully this is the last year they'll be available for the public to buy.<br />
<br />
Boy I do sound grumpy don't I but it hasn't all been bad. I have been blessed too. I had a great day out in the garden in the sun two Saturdays ago. I got the lawns all done, weeded all the gardens, pots and edges, I went through all the branches that Hillary had cut down for me and collected all the good sized branches to dry for kindling. I also chopped another couple of branches off the orange tree which were just at the wrong height for head hitting. When I dropped one of the branches on the ground out scuttled about a dozen different sized cockroaches - yuck, shiver!!!! I have also planted some vegetable seeds (beans, peas, spinach and lettuce) in the garden and am hoping they will come up soon. It'll be nice to be able to pick some fresh veggies from the garden for dinner. At the moment I am still enjoying the asparagus that I have growing. <br />
<br />
Hillary come and collect the pile of left of camilla and lemon/orange tree branches and took them away for me as I couldn't fit them all in my wheelie bin. I was also blessed to receive a free load of firewood this week. It still needs to dry but it smells wonderful and will be great for next year.<br />
<br />
Church wise there have been some exciting happenings. Firstly 2 weeks ago the congregation gave the go ahead to start building our own church building. For the last two and a half years we have been meeting in a local school hall as the church we had been using had been deemed an earthquake risk and could no longer be used for worship services. The school hall has not been ideal esp in winter but it has helped to fill a need. It will be nice to have our own building in the near future. We have also been blessed to have an interim pastor and his wife come to minister to us for the next 3 months. It is so good to have Christ centered preaching from someone with a passion for the Gospel - the good news that God loved me (and you) so much that He sent His son to die for us. What an awesome gift. What a great way to start each week.<br />
<br />
I'm not sure where September and October have disappeared to but November is also flying by. Is it just me or does time seem to go by faster and faster?? It's amazing to think that in 6 weeks a second Christmas without Roy will have been and gone. I want to say a HUGE thank you to all who continued to support me with your love and
prayers.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
Until next time God bless.<br />
<br />
Love and hugs,<o:p></o:p></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jolanda</span>Jolandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09737888583541105323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400236916942833971.post-49304550202639751222014-10-22T22:15:00.003+13:002014-10-22T22:15:47.137+13:00I can't believe I'm actually going to write this but ...... I almost wish we were heading into winter rather than summer. Yip I really said that - lol!! And that from someone who loves summer. Notice I did say almost as I really am pleased that summer is on it's way, loving the sunny days, longer evenings, bare feet, shorts and t-shirt weather. The reason I'm looking forward to winter is because my new wood burner has been installed and I want to use it. Actually I have had it on twice, not because I really needed it but there were a couple of coolish evening so I tried it out. I love it. The heat is amazing. So nice to have the whole house toasty warm. Here is a pic of the before and the after.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTPxRCXOZ_JGyWXu3KEXg3K7SwpJ2nty0ypaJkqNuBMnB3Lz9aOjz8N3T5HlkSvA1BOffYq7CMb9Xb47tNYxg4zoKnb1Z_qsjVzrnooNnQm7UNLzKcE8i4VtWqkckD7-v_9F4lC5efoPkC/s1600/heaters.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTPxRCXOZ_JGyWXu3KEXg3K7SwpJ2nty0ypaJkqNuBMnB3Lz9aOjz8N3T5HlkSvA1BOffYq7CMb9Xb47tNYxg4zoKnb1Z_qsjVzrnooNnQm7UNLzKcE8i4VtWqkckD7-v_9F4lC5efoPkC/s1600/heaters.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Unfortunately I do have to do a little bit of tiling as we discovered that they had not tiled under the old gas heater. There are tiles ther but they are the old tiles that they covered with the new bigger tiles. I am thinking of getting some sort of contrasting mosaic looking tiles to put into the empty space. Haha I will probably find that I just live with it the way it is for the time being, it's not so noticeable as the wood burner sits over the top of it and in winter I will probably store some firewood under the wood burner and then it wont be noticeable at all. Thankfully I was able to sell the gas heater which was a bonus.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Since I wrote last I have had a very busy few weeks. I had an awesome day with my sister chicks from Wellington. It is always so nice to be able to spend the day together but sadly it always flies by too quickly. I feel very blessed to be able to call these two ladies not just my friends but my sisters as well. They are wonderful listeners and encouragers and are a great blessing to me.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I have finally spent a whole day in my sewing room actually sewing. I finished 2 dresses that were waiting for hems and buttonholes and I made 3 other dresses from scratch. It was an awesome feeling to be so creative. I can't wait to do some more sewing this coming weekend. I have the spring cleaning bug and my sewing room has had a major overhaul last weekend. I have been doing a lot of sorting out of fabric, measuring, labeling, and pricing for the Fabric-a-brac that I will be attending on the 1st November. I am hoping to sell as much as possible of my fabric stash - and I have a BIG stash. Once I was done with that I decided my sewing room needed a clean-up and that is exactly what it got, even the wardrobe got tidied. I rearranged my sewing tables as well and I must say I'm very happy with the way things look - all neat and tidy. Almost a shame to mess it up again by sewing - lol!! Inside the house I still need to spring clean the laundry, the downstairs office and the garage, but I think I might wait with the garage till some of the boys are here to help. Oh and the back shed could also do with a clean out - that is a job I'm not too keen on as I'm not sure what sort of creepy crawlies and little critters I might discover. It'll def be a gloves on job.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I have been busy outside as well. Last week I did the lawns twice in one week - the first day I did it without the catcher as it was pretty long, the next day I went over it again this time with the catcher on as I didn't like all the clumps of grass on the lawn. My friend Diana reckons I have OCD - lol!! She's probably right. I can get a bit pedantic about some things. I just like things neat and tidy. I even managed to mow the bank thanks to the ramp Dad sorted for me - 3 planks of wood. It worked like a charm and means I can do it by myself. Tomorrow if it is still nice weather I'll do the lawns again as they are growing so fast at the moment. Diana's hubby Hillary came over with his chain-saw and chopped down 2 Camilla trees that I wanted removed and also cut the lower branches off both the lemon and orange trees so that I no longer almost scalp myself when trying to mow under them. I even managed to get some firewood out of the removed trees. I also found a whole lot of very dry firewood under the deck which Hillary kindly cut up. I've become a wood and stick collector - lol!! It is a shame to throw branches away when they can be saved, dried and used as kindling. That's recycling right!!!! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Life can be cruising along just fine when bang you hit an unexpected bump. That's what happened the other day when I suddenly developed a tooth ache. I tried to ignore it but that didn't work very well at all, so reluctantly off to the dentist I went. The dentist discovered that my molar had a crack in it, hence the pain esp when eating something cold. Much drilling and tension on my part and it was all fixed. I am pain free, well almost, the pain to my wallet is still being felt.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I have finally decided to do a course (assuming Work and Income will pay for it) on accounts admin and payroll. I think I need to get some sort of qualification as there are a number of jobs I can't/don't apply for because I don't have the relevant skills. It'll be good to have something to work towards and that I can add to my CV.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
All in all I am becoming content with my life, although I still have moments when being alone gets me down. But I am finally finding my rhythm and my walk with the Lord grows stronger daily. I continue to put my trust in Him and seek His guidance in my life. I know that the Lord loves me and that I need to look to Him (which I do) but sometimes I can't help thinking that love with skin on would be nice too.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Well on that note I think that is about it for another chapter. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Until next time.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Love and blessings.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Jolanda</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
Jolandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09737888583541105323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400236916942833971.post-19054965679136995052014-10-04T20:14:00.003+13:002014-10-04T20:26:32.710+13:00<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It's Murphy's Law!!!!!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">No sooner was my gas heater turned off than the weather went pear shaped. The temperature dropped to winter temps which resulted in the best dumping of snow on the Tararua's we've had all winter. In fact since having no gas heater we are onto our second cold snap already. I decided to use the oil column heater that I had been given, but for some reason it wasn't working so Dad gave me the instruction book to read. But before reading the instructions I though maybe it would be easier to use the small fan heater I use in the downstairs office. Sadly that was not to be - it went - as in it turned on - but for some reason it wasn't heating, just pumping out cold air so no use at all. I plugged the oil heater in instead and after reading the instructions turned the dial and there was a poof sound and a terrible smell and that heater had died too and fearing a fire I very quickly unplugged it. Two heater down!! I even thought (only for a fleeting second mind you) about sitting in the bathroom as it was nice an warm in there thanks to the towel rail being on. My sister in law suggested that I could fill the bath with pillows so I'd have a comfortable place to recline. I must say candles can be a good source of heat and with the sliding door to the dining room shut the lounge does become warm-ish. Thankfully I now have an old bar heater to use when I need it and thankfully to date it is still going. The good news is that I can almost guarantee that as from this coming Wednesday the weather is going to improve - because that is when they are coming to install my new fire!!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">My brother Ron and Dad are going to build me a wood storage shelter in an unused part of my back yard but close enough to the back door that I don't have to cart a full wood basket for miles. I'll do some before and after photos. It is an area that isn't used at the moment but does need mowing so I'm all for less lawn. Better order some fire wood too.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #0b0d01; font-family: Georgia;">It is a bit strange to now have no children living in Levin. Something I discovered I do need
to adjust too, and actually grieved over a wee bit. Their lives all move on - as
they should - but I must admit to feeling a bit stuck and left behind. Not that I am making any plans to move as I totally believe that you shouldn't follow your children around, and anyway I have 4 so how do I choose??? I'm actually feeling a lot better about it now that time has moved on a bit. We will just have to make an effort to stay in touch, but I guess that is the case in so many aspects of life.</span><br />
<span style="color: #0b0d01; font-family: Georgia;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #0b0d01; font-family: Georgia;">Last week I had a lovely day out Op shopping with one of my best and oldest friends. Not that this friend is old (although she is older than me, but only by about 11 months 2 weeks) but we've been friends for years - in fact we worked out that we'll be hitting 38 years of friendship next year. We decided that when we get to our 40th anniversary we'll do something special, DV, - no idea what we're going to do yet but we've got time to think about it.</span><br />
<span style="color: #0b0d01; font-family: Georgia;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #0b0d01;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Although we have had some cold days we've also had some lovely warm spring days as well. Last week Wed was glorious so I made the most of it and spent the day outside. </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I managed to get the lawns done, the veggie garden turned over
and some veggies planted, my asparagus is starting to sprout new spears - yum. I transplanted the strawberry plants which were growing in the veggie garden and planted them into containers for up on the deck. Now there is just the
front garden to weed and mulch. I'm not really sure what to do with the front garden. At the moment it's a bit of a wild mess with bulbs popping up all over the place. It really needs some structure. I'll have to give it some thought.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Mum, Dad and I did a trip down to Wellington 2 Sunday's ago to visit Dad Nugteren. Nephew Andrew was also in Wellington and did the morning service. Dad Nugteren came to Church which was wonderful, but very tiring for him. We were thankful that we got to see him at Church because he was fast asleep when we went to the rest home to visit him - 2 nurses tried to wake him without any success so we left him a note and headed back to Levin. We plan to go down again sometime in Nov.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Rejection sucks - big time and it does little for your self confidence. Last week Monday I had 2 job rejections in one day - it sure put a bit of a damper on my day. I have been giving things some thought and when I go for my next meeting with my case working I will talk to her about maybe doing a book-keeping or beginners accounting course. Or maybe I should go down a completely different track and do a hairdressing course. It'll give us something to talk about.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I am really looking forward to this coming week - I'm having a 'chick' day with my 2 very dear friends from Wellington and of course my wood burner is being installed. I am also planning on carry on my 'spring cleaning/sorting' which I started today by sorting out the wardrobe in my sewing room. Today I did the wardrobe in the spare room. I have applied to have a stall at the Fabric-a-brac event in Palmerston North at the beginning of Nov and want to see if I can sell off some of my fabric and accessory stash. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Well that's it for another installment. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Until next time.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Love and blessings</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Jolanda</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<br />Jolandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09737888583541105323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400236916942833971.post-39270940974772908012014-09-18T18:18:00.002+12:002014-10-04T17:36:12.320+13:00<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It's official - I am finally human!!!!!!!! Well as far as Winz (oops make that the Ministry of Social Development) is concerned. I have always felt like a number with them, but no longer. Last week I had another meeting with them. I tried to get out of it but that was a no goer so off I went armed with a few issues I wanted to get sorted and all the jobs I have applied for this year - quite a bundle I must say. I saw a very nice lady who was not only on time but who will also be my case manager from now on. I'm not sure why it has taken this long to be allocated a case manager, but then there is lots about MSD that I don't understand. We had a nice chat and ironed out a number of concerns I had. She was very impressed at how I have been managing and how active I have been in seeking work. She has assured me that if anything come up that she thinks will suit me that she'll be in touch (we'll see) and if there was anything I need, or any courses I wanted to do to let her know and she'd see what she could do for me. She seemed willing to bend over backwards to help me as she said I'm not the sort of person who comes in every week looking for a handout. Haha!!! I told her the less dependent I was on them the better. From now on I have to see her ever 4-6 weeks just for a quick catch up which shouldn't take more than 5 mins she reckons. All in all a good outcome and I was able to get to work only an hour later than my usual start time.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Actually although the meeting with MSD went well it has left me feeling a bit meh!! (for the loss of a better word), no maybe contemplative is a better word. My case manager said that if there were any courses I wanted to do to let her know, which got me wondering - was there??? Is there a course I'd like to do and if so what?? Here I am applying for jobs because I need work and that's ok but what do I really, really want to do????? I honestly have no idea!!!! I guess I'll just keep applying for jobs (2 more this past week) until inspiration strikes - if it ever does or until I get a job.</span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Tuesday a week ago the GIGGLES group from Church had another get together. We had a lovely evening of fellowship and did a personality test, which was a lot of fun and caused much laughter. Most of us had a fair idea what we thought we were before doing the test. My personality is that of a Beaver very closely followed by Golden Retriever with a bit of Lion mixed in as well. My lowest score was as an Otter (you'll have to Goggle them if you want to know more. Here is the link <a href="http://www.sagestrategies.biz/documents/FiveMinutePersonalityTestforclass.pdf" target="_blank">Personality Test</a>). It was actually interesting to do this test as I think my results would have been a bit different if Roy had still been alive. Due to his death the Lion part of my personality has become stronger than it would have otherwise been.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Last week Friday I had an evening out. A proper dress up evening out. I haven't had one of those sorts of evenings out in a very long time. Aimee and I had a mother daughter date night. First we went out for a very yummy and rather fancy, but not too expensive dinner during which I had my first ever cocktail, what a sheltered life I've lead!! I am happy to report it was very, very delicious and I'm sure I'll be trying them again in the future ;0) After dinner we strolled down to the beautiful Regent Theater in Palmerston North were we went to see The Phantom of the Opera stage show. It was a..maz..ing!!! Loved it, loved it, loved it. The Phantom is my all time favourite musical. When it came out as a film I saw it a number of times and even bought the dvd. In fact I have 2 versions on dvd. The opening music gave me goosebumps and brought tears to my eyes. The singing and acting was wonderful - it was the best night out ever. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I stayed the night at Aimee and Richard's and the next morning I got to go and watch Noah do his swimming lesson which was fun. He is very confident in the water. We had lunch in town and then Noah came home with me for the weekend as Richard was away Sat/Sun and Aimee had to work. It (Noah's stay) started out well but once again he became unwell - I am honestly starting to get a complex as he seems to often be unwell when he come to stay at my place. In the mornings he was fine, ate a hearty breakfast and was his normal happy self, but by days end he was running a temp, glassy eyed, coughing, runny nose and looking very miserable. Thanks to paracetamol he slept well at night. I took him home on Monday and on Tuesday Aimee took him to the Doctor - his chest and throat were fine but he did have an ear infection in both ears, which explained why he was unsteady on his feet. The poor wee guy is now on antibiotics and hopefully on the mend.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The other exciting thing (well I think it's exciting) is that I've made a BIG decision. I received a letter earlier in the month from my gas provider letting me know that from the 1st Oct my daily charge would be going up from 90 cents to $1.25 a day. The gas fire is the only thing in my house on gas which means for 6-7 months of the year I'd be paying nearly $40 for something I wouldn't be using. Back in 2011 we had to replace our old gas heater as it died and we looked at different options but decide to stick with the gas because at that stage we had a special deal where we didn't pay a daily charge but our usage charge was a bit higher. That was brilliant as it meant no bills over the warmer months. However the original company was taken over by another company and they discovered they weren't making any money off me over the summer months so they reinstated the daily charge, but kindly lowered the usage charge. But now they want to up the daily charge up again which I'm not thrilled about at all, so after some thought I have decided to get rid of the gas heater and I had some quotes for a wood burner instead. I didn't want to get a heat pump as I don't like them - they're too drafty and my area is too big to heat. The quotes are in and I have decided which one I'll take (the cheapest of course). I rang the gas company and they sent me a form to fill out giving consent to having the meter removed which apparently could take 5-10 working days depending how busy the service man was. Well apparently they're not too busy here in Levin because I emailed the form back yesterday afternoon and this morning at 9am a man was standing at the front door to come and remove the meter. In less than 5mins he was all done and gone. I can now expect a bill to arrive for $150 + gst which really seems a bit steep for 5mins work and considering they take the meter with them as well, not that I have any use for it. Tomorrow I'll go and drop off the signed copy of the quote and get that ball rolling - in the meantime should this cool-ish yucky, rainy weather continue I'll just have to rug up and if it gets really cold, I'll either go to bed or succumb and use the column heater . </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Finally! Finally!! I have my sew-jo back. Or should I say my sewing mojo?!! I spent a bit of time in my sewing room cleaning up and sorting out recently. I especially had a sort out of my fabric/s, which isn't easy going when you're a fabricaholic like I am and have a lot of fabric (oops found a vise after all - lol!!). Every piece of fabric was a struggle because I would suddenly get an idea of what I could use it for, but I was tough on myself and now I have a container full of fabric waiting to be photographed and listed on TradeMe. I suspect that I'm going to have the same struggle when I take their photos. It felt good to be in my sewing room and I am so inspired that I have almost finish the first in a series of dresses for Inge - she is fortunate to be the only grand-daughter at this stage because I love designing and sewing little girls dresses. Ryan and Ineke I suggest you make sure Inge's suitcase is almost empty when you come in December because I'll be able to fill it for her ;0)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This past week I have stopped watching the news because I am so over all the rubbish they have on there every night. It is much more relaxing to watch another episode from my collection of Remington Steel dvd's instead.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Tomorrow I'm off to Otaki to lend a hand 'dismantling' the Conservative Party shop so it is all gone before election day. Then in the afternoon it'll be time to get the Church bulletin done again for another week and hopefully Joel and Tia will be coming for dinner and a catch-up on how their house hunting has been going. They are planning to move to Palmerston North where Tia now has a job at Melody's Bakery where Richard and Aimee work. Joel has been made redundant from his job so is also busy looking for work in Palmy. It will be strange not having any of the children here in Levin anymore, but so is life.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">All in all it's been an eventful couple of weeks in which a lot has happened and I have achieved much too. I thank the Lord for continued good health (although I still have a lingering cough which is a bit annoying) and I continue to trust in Him for all things.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Until next time.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Love and blessings</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Jolanda</span></div>
Jolandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09737888583541105323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400236916942833971.post-64544735304738378312014-09-02T17:58:00.001+12:002014-09-02T17:58:10.779+12:00<span style="font-family: inherit;">Who'd have thought that I'd be going into politics!? Definitely not me but I kind of have. I received an email last 2 weeks ago from the Conservative Party - of which I'm a member - letting me know who the candidate for my area was. The email included contact details if I wanted to help in any way like distributing pamphlets or host a sign. So without a seconds thought I flicked off an email offering my services to distribute pamphlets and my front berm for a hoarding. On the Sunday the lady popped in to drop off the pamphlets, I invited her in (not something I usually do with strangers) and we had a lovely chat. Things have kind of snowballed and I am now her secretary of sorts. I manage her database, write and send out letters as required and will help out in her campaign office in Otaki when I can. Sadly it is unpaid but it'll look good to be able to add this to my CV. Exciting times ahead and I'm learning a lot, but otherwise things on the job front are very quiet - 3 more applied for and 2 more rejections. The latest one that I applied for really, really appeals but we'll have to wait and see - it closes next week.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">After 2 weeks I have finally stopped coughing, almost and am slowly getting my voice back. It still gets a bit croaky towards the end of the day and esp when I'm tired but it's way better than it was. I have had to cancel having Bible Study at my place twice already due to being unwell, so Lord willing this week it will go ahead.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Yesterday was the first day of spring and also another birthday that Roy is not here to celebrate. I spent the day up in Palmy looking after Noah which was nice. He is a good distraction. But it was bittersweet too. It makes me sad that my grandchildren have no Opa and have little or no memory of him. On Sat while doing my much needed housework (haha makes it sound like the place was a tip, but anyone who know me will know that my house is never a tip, I just hadn't dusted in a while) I stopped to look through the photo album I made for Roy about his life - probably not the best plan as it ended in tears - literally, but it did get me thinking about the book I want to make for my grandchildren so that they can know who their Opa was. It's a wee project that will eventually happen just not yet as I'm not sure I'm quite ready yet. At the moment it's still formulating in my head.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I recently did one of those quiz things that are so popular on Facebook at the moment - it was how rebellious were you as a teenager. Mine came in at 16%. I can even name the 2 major rebellious events in my teenage years, although Mum and Dad may be able to name a few more - they were piercing my own ears and sneaking outside to smoke without Mum and Dad knowing - yeah right like they were born yesterday!! Horrors!!!!! What a rebel!!!! Actually I wasn't I never did the night-club scene or the excessive drinking thing. We had parties but that was always with the Church youth-club. I have probably been tipsy once in my life. See I really was a 'good' girl. Recently I read an article (prob while waiting for the Doc at the beginning of August) about the actress Helen Mirren. In it she said - "I'm a would-be rebel. The good girl who'd like to be a
bad one. But I’ll
never make it as a bad girl…I’m too fearful. Too much of a wimp," Haha that's me. My wild child is well and truly buried I think, however I have discovered that I am way stronger than I ever knew, and every now and then the rebel in me makes an appearance. I like the heady 'freedom' of not being 'answerable' to anyone - except God of course. Sure I'm going to make mistakes, but they're mine to make and hopefully learn from. I'll listen to advise but weigh it up with what I want, need and what I think is going to work best for me. Some people will think I'm plain crazy and that's ok, they can think what they like. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">What's she gone and done now I hear you asking?? I guess after that spiel there must be something coming!! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Don't worry it's nothing really drastic like dying my hair
purple, getting a nose ring - hmm now there's a thought, or selling up and joining a commune - lol!!!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If you've kept up to date with my blogs you'll remember that
back in July (the 29th actually) I wrote about feeling like I had lost sight of
the Lord's work in my life and the comfort I found in the words of the song by
Stewart Townsend - "In Christ alone my hope is found, He is my light,
my strength, my song; my Comforter, my All in All, here in the love of Christ I
stand." Well I can now see those words everyday - yip I've gone and
had them tattooed on my inner arm. I imagine right now there is a bit of
head shaking and tut-tutting going on. It's ok, keep calm and carry on!!
I don't have many vises - I don't drink (excessively) I don't smoke,
gamble, do drugs but I do like to express myself with body art. It gives
me great comfort to see those words - "In Christ alone my hope is
found" - and for me a beautiful testimony of where I am
in my journey not only as a widow but also in my spiritual life.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So there you go, now you know. Time to pick your jaw
back up off the floor. As for me I'm off to make dinner - home made
veggie soup. I am definitely loving these evenings now that it's longer light - a sure sign that summer is once again on
it's way.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Till next time.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Love and blessings<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Jolanda<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 17.387998580932617px;"><br /></span></span></span>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
Jolandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09737888583541105323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400236916942833971.post-38457885400228520582014-08-20T21:07:00.002+12:002014-08-20T21:07:39.830+12:00I'm over August. The sooner it's finished the better. August has not been a good month for me health wise.<br />
<br />
I started the month with a tummy bug thanks to a visit to the doctor. I think!! I had to go and see the doc as I needed some new scripts. Because I haven't actually seen a doctor since October last year they booked me in. After a 45mins wait I saw the doc for a total of probably 5 minutes and was then charged a hefty bill. I really think you should get a discount for the time you have to wait after you appointment has passed. Anyway I left with the needed scripts and as it turns out the tummy bug had secretly hitched a ride too. I felt ok the rest of the day although I did have a bit of a headache and at dinner time I felt a bit light headed, but I thought that maybe I'd just stood up to fast. Joel had kindly bought Indian for dinner - mango chicken for me with a garlic naan. However after dinner things were not sitting quite so well - garlic and I don't usually get on very well even though I love it so I thought that was probably the problem. As the evening progressed so did the feeling of un-wellness. Finally after a very restless night with a number to trips to the bathroom the mango chicken and rice and I finally parted company. What a relief!!! I sure felt better once my tummy was empty. I can tell you I was very, very pleased I'd taken a bowl to bed cause there was no way I'd have made it to the bathroom in time. Throwing up really, really sucks, even more so when you're all by yourself. Needless to say Indian is not going to be on the menu for a while, in fact anything that has rice in it is a no go for a while I think. Shudder!!!!!!<br />
<br />
I spent the next day (Saturday) on the couch in the lounge. My Mum - bless her - was my angel of mercy delivering a big bottle of lemonade and a box of chicken cuppa soup - just the thing for sick tummies. In between sleeping I watched one of my favourite shows from the 80's on DVD - Remington Steele - nothing like watching a suave and very good looking young Pierce Brosnan to help you feel a bit better. Amazingly even though I slept off and on during the day I slept really well that night too. Sunday and Monday were quiet stay at home recovery days as I was pretty tired and weak from not eating for a few days. I had planned to go and look after Noah on Monday as I woke feeling pretty good that morning, but after my shower I was just worn out so thought it best to spend the day at home.<br />
<br />
Thankfully by the following weekend I was well again and off I went down to Christchurch for a long weekend to see Tim and Yvette and to finally meet my new grandson Asher. He is a bonny wee lad who looks very much like his daddy as a baby. It was so nice to have Oma cuddles with him. Richard, Aimee and Noah came along too and we had a wonderful weekend together. Interestingly Noah wasn't too interested in Asher. Maybe it's a boy/girl thing because I remember Inge being very interested in Noah when he was a baby. She was all over him. The weather was beautiful the whole time we were there although nippy esp at night and the company was even better. We were also able to Skype with Ryan, Ineke and Inge which was really nice. On Monday afternoon we headed home again arriving in a wild, windy and very wet Wellington. The landing into Wellington was one of the bumpiest I've ever experienced. We were really pleased when we finally made it down.<br />
<br />
Now that I'm home I am sick again - this time I have a terrible cough. I cough so much that by the end of the day I have a headache. I also have a croaky voice, a sore chest from coughing so deeply and at times a bit of a temperature. I'm also really tired but I guess all the coughing will do that. All in all I feel blah and I'm praying that this cold will soon be gone. I started August with being sick and it looks like I'm ending the month that way too. <br />
<br />
So between being sick and tripping to Christchurch I have also worked, applied for 2 more jobs, and finished knitting and finally sewn up a cute jersey for Noah - love the knitting part but hate the putting together part. I also did a bit of sewing - friend needed 2 new wheat bags for her Mum so I whipped them up for her. It actually felt good to get behind my sewing machine again and the urge to sew is coming back, esp as I bought some lovely fabric so I can sew some dresses for my favourite grand daughter. The problem though is that my sewing room is a mess and in serious need of some attention. I hate working in clutter - when I get my energy back I'm going to do a HUGE spring clean. At the moment I only go in there to dump stuff or to get the vacuum cleaner. I better be careful I don't become like the hoarders you see on TV.<br />
<br />
Well I think that's about it from me for the time being I'm off to read for a while before going to bed..<br />
<br />
Thanks for your continued love, support and prayers. <br />
<br />
God bless.<br />
<br />
Love and hugs<br />
Jolanda<br />
<br />
PS: If this contains more mistakes than normal I apologise, blame it on the cold. ;0)<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Jolandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09737888583541105323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400236916942833971.post-7885486701434676122014-07-29T20:24:00.000+12:002014-07-29T20:24:38.604+12:00I know it's been a while since you've heard anything from me. I have been meaning to write but couldn't. Why haven't I felt like writing?? Because I've been stuck!! I've been in a funk or maybe a rut is a better way to describe it. I've lost my direction and I hate to admit it I've lost a bit of my sparkle and enthusiasm. <br />
<br />
Maybe it's a winter thing, but the last few weeks have been pretty hard going. It's been so bad that I've even stopped going swimming in the morning - mind you the freezing mornings have definitely had something to do with that, but I'm not even motivated to take Jack to the dog park when the weather is good. I don't sew anymore either - I have a number of unfinished things waiting for attention and I have no interest at all. The only time I enter my sewing room these days is to get out the vacuum cleaner - see it's bad I'm definitely in a rut!!!!<br />
<br />
Now don't get me wrong the last few weeks haven't been all bad - there have been plenty of high points/blessings but these have been a wee bit overshadowed by the lower points. Over the last few weeks I applied for 3 more jobs and got 3 'rejections' back. That really has put a dampener on my self confidence and has left me feeling very disheartened. I guess I'm itching to get on with my life, move forward if you like and I'm not sure how or where I'm meant to be going. <br />
<br />
So how do I move forward?? I'm past the coping, sorting, coming to terms stage, I'm ready for the what's next stage but I have no idea how to move forward from the rut I now find myself in.<br />
<br />
I want???????????????????????? I want?????????????????????????? What do I want????????????<br />
<br />
I want my old life back - a happy content life where I am financial stable, had a man who loved me, goals and dreams ..............<br />
<br />
These days the goals and dreams seem too hard. I'm tired, lonely and yip feeling very VERY sorry for myself.<br />
<br />
And then the Lord gave me a much needed kick in the pants with some very thought provoking sermons, a wonderful series of books I've just finished reading and here I am feeling like blogging again.<br />
<br />
I have become anxious because I have lost sight of the power and work of the Lord in my life. God is my refuge and fortress, in Him I trust (Psalm 91:1-2). I can trust that He is in control of all things for He takes a personal interest in my life. God claims my trust for He has done great things for me through the death and resurrection of His Son. To quote the words of a favourite song - In Christ alone my hope is found, He is my light, my
strength, my song; my Comforter, my All in All, here in the love of Christ I
stand.<br />
<br />
And so I strive to stop trying to do things in my own strength but to rely daily on His strength. I strive to seek Him daily for my comfort and peace. I strive to work on being patient, on waiting on the Lord to reveal the path He has set before me, a path which will be revealed in His good timing and I strive for a closer walk with Him.<br />
<br />
Is it easy???? Nope I'm as human as any of you, but I know that with the Lord's help I can do it. As I said I'm itching to move forward with my life but not without the Lord's help and guidance.<br />
<br />
I think I need to make some new friends, not that I don't love my old friends but some single friends could be nice too. It's a funny dilemma really because as a couple you have mainly couple friends, but now I'm single I sometimes feel out of place in the couple friends scene - kinda like a third wheel. Now I'm not sure how to go about making new single friends bar putting a sign around my neck that reads 'single and available' - lol!! which probably isn't a very good or very wise plan at all. Actually the thought of 'putting myself out there' to make new friends is a wee bit scary so I'm not going to worry about it and I'll just leave it all in the Lord's hands. He's got it sorted I'm sure ;0)<br />
<br />
On the subject of friends I have been instrumental in getting 2 new groups up and running in the last month or so for the ladies from Church. One is a fortnightly afternoon coffee fellowship group for the older ladies in the congregation most of whom prefer not to go out at night. We bring along something to do (eg: knitting, embroidery, crochet) if we want and otherwise the focus is on fellowship and spending time together. We have between 8-10 ladies who attend when they can. The other is a monthly evening ladies group which has been named GIGGLES (I can see you smiling). GIGGLES stands for<span style="font-family: inherit;"> <span style="background-color: white;">G</span><span style="background-color: white;">irls </span><span style="background-color: white;">I</span><span style="background-color: white;">n </span><span style="background-color: white;">G</span><span style="background-color: white;">od, </span><span style="background-color: white;">G</span><span style="background-color: white;">rowing, </span><span style="background-color: white;">L</span><span style="background-color: white;">oving, </span><span style="background-color: white;">E</span><span style="background-color: white;">ating & </span><span style="background-color: white;">S</span><span style="background-color: white;">haring. We got together for the first time last week with a meal and movie night. Ten ladies attended and we had an awesome and fun filled night.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">What else have I been up to since I last wrote??</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">I've been working some extra mornings at work which has been great. In fact I am now doing an extra morning every fortnight. I had a wonderful dinner out at my brother and sister-in-law's place, an awesome day out with my sister chicks in Paraparaumu - it always does my heart good spending time with these beautiful and wise sisters in Christ. I had a catch up day with my sister and her children when they came up to Levin for a visit. I had a Skype session with my new grandson Asher - well actually with his daddy and mummy, but he was there even if he slept through it. </span></span><span style="background-color: white;">I made a day trip up to Ingelwood with Mum and Dad to pick up the newest member of their family - a dog. </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">I've been out with the GIGGLES group, attended the coffee fellowship afternoon group twice, I </span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span style="background-color: white;">finally</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"> finished and washed the baby shawl for Yvette, looked after Noah as usual on Mondays and managed to read 3 books. Oh I also applied for the 3 jobs I wrote about earlier which I didn't get, served customers, delivered orders, worked on TradeMe, did the usual housework, laundry and lawns. Sounds really busy that's for sure.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">I'm looking forward to making a trip down to Christchurch soon to spend some time with Tim, Yvette and Asher. So looking forward to having Oma cuddles with this precious wee boy.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I'm off to do some knitting, I'm working on a </span>jersey<span style="font-family: inherit;"> for Noah.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">May He who hold us all in the palm of His hand be with you this week. May He watch over you and bless you all.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Till next time.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Love and blessings</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Jolanda</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<br />Jolandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09737888583541105323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400236916942833971.post-58481128929503232352014-07-01T18:39:00.001+12:002014-07-02T19:07:36.220+12:00<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Wow 2 blogs in one week - well I did say I'd post something when I have news.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I feel very blessed to let you all know that I have another grandchild. </span></span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Introducing Asher Roy Nugteren.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Born at 3.01pm 1st July and weighing in at 9lb.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7L5F6fwJIqJCk9vtuUqOZzNk7z09dMzxg54X0GkX6v55nltxgAS15QsInKi2-b21EXLbXWiPhhQ-oQPt5I88wQYOyl0ejPQPw6m2TaMwBHLnVm7eyH_4TqH2qvIH3JWHRNdET4uGE41KQ/s1600/Asher.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7L5F6fwJIqJCk9vtuUqOZzNk7z09dMzxg54X0GkX6v55nltxgAS15QsInKi2-b21EXLbXWiPhhQ-oQPt5I88wQYOyl0ejPQPw6m2TaMwBHLnVm7eyH_4TqH2qvIH3JWHRNdET4uGE41KQ/s1600/Asher.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
What a blessing from the Lord this precious little man is. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white;">To be honest I have very mixed emotions - although I am very, very happy at Asher's birth it is tinged with a bit of sadness as I miss having Roy here to share this wonderful moment with. You think when you've passed 1 year that you've faced all the firsts but it's not true. Odd ones pop up when you least expect them. I'm sure there will still be others to face that I'm not even aware of.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white;">Brrrrrr I think winter has finally arrived. It is very cold today and I think there will be a good dumping of snow on the hills. That'll be the first this winter. </span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> I always love snow on the hills - it gives Levin a holiday town feel. Makes for a cheap holiday ;0)</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Stay warm those of you who are suffering from the cold.</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Till next time.</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Love and blessings</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Jolanda</div>
Jolandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09737888583541105323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400236916942833971.post-66813278802678662462014-06-30T15:30:00.000+12:002014-06-30T15:30:00.685+12:00I'm feeling tired. <br />
<br />
Not physically tired, but mentally and I guess a bit emotionally tired too. Maybe it's the winter blues or maybe the year that has been has finally caught up. What ever the reason I think I need a holiday - somewhere warm, sunny and tropical would fit the bill I think. Somewhere to laze away the day without a care in the world and recharge my battery - dreams are free I guess!! <br />
<br />
Time to get back to reality.<br />
<br />
Speaking of dreams - I am sleeping well but boy do I dream a lot lately. Actually maybe that's why I'm tired!! A couple of weekends ago I had Noah come to stay for 5 nights. Now Noah is really into Bob the Builder so being a good Oma I catered to his likes with some dvd's to watch and a CD with Bob the Builder songs. Guess who turned up in my dreams those five nights??!! Yip you guessed it - Bob did. I don't always remember what I've dreamed about, but sometimes I do and when I wake up feeling tired I know I must have had a busy night.<br />
<br />
A while ago someone asked me if I'd ever dreamt about Roy and I vividly remember only 1 dream - probably because it was more of a nightmare and I woke up during it. It happened probably a month after Roy had died. I dreamt that we were in bed together and suddenly Roy complained that he was so very, very cold. When I turned over he was lying there white and stone cold - I remember getting a huge fright and waking in tears. As far as I know I have not dreamt about him since that time. I have never ever told anyone about that dream but it has always stayed with me.<br />
<br />
The last few weeks have been busy (nothing new there) and have flown by (nothing new there either). I spent some time with dear friends for Aussie. It was so good to see them and spend time together. Thanks John and Trudy you are both a blessing. Your porridge pot is safely back in the cupboard till you come again.<br />
<br />
Noah has also been to stay as I mentioned earlier. We had a great time although he was a bit under the weather as he was off his food - this definitely means he's sick as he is a fantastic eater. Thankfully he did sleep well. I worked out if I put him to bed a bit later than his normal bedtime he would sleep a bit later in the morning and I could get up before he woke and have a shower. At times like this you sure miss the extra pair of hands and eyes. We managed well but I was pretty tired by the time he went home. That saying that says it's nice when grandchildren come and it's nice when they go is definitely true. I love my grandchildren to bits and love having them come and stay, and although I miss them when they're go again it is also nice to be able to put your house back in order and 'relax' and get back to your own routine. Oh how quickly we become set in our ways - lol!!!!!<br />
<br />
While Noah was with me Aimee and Richard were up in Auckland winning awards and trophies for Melody's New World Bakery <span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">at the BIANZ Bakery of the year competition. Melody's is the </span></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">third best bakery in New Zealand and they are the supreme winners of the creative cake </span></span><span style="line-height: 20px;">category</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">. Below are 2 pics of the cake and the gingerbread house (kombi van) that they made for the competition. They are both amazing.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGPa_T2_NcaailPn_NINfd7tY5PjiaxCj9J_keZWMzBugTW7rZkWJRWGMbjMZfEMxDMPGSsNfzhzHq06xp8v6PGSWEjr-6KA8508JVTkCohtkK5c7s_6SGyZvJn6pY-g4WVL0FTQt_fB-Y/s1600/10303469_533505793420695_5024749305472226884_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGPa_T2_NcaailPn_NINfd7tY5PjiaxCj9J_keZWMzBugTW7rZkWJRWGMbjMZfEMxDMPGSsNfzhzHq06xp8v6PGSWEjr-6KA8508JVTkCohtkK5c7s_6SGyZvJn6pY-g4WVL0FTQt_fB-Y/s1600/10303469_533505793420695_5024749305472226884_n.jpg" height="270" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.800000190734863px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">GOLD AWARD - Gingerbread house - Christmas Theme - a kiwi Christmas at the beach</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ-LjNt44dmri6Fiwg51cBOb-Ir1wNzDQGtqSCLmHZS8s1UK2J69xggAGM7rvMRrdHf5dbWbIEwLCHcYULwG128VUU6p3z4pIPrQU2In3fQtBtymQf_sTMxBK5Ug_rSHl6RlC1iXDvmoZv/s1600/10505461_533505816754026_759450302881889326_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ-LjNt44dmri6Fiwg51cBOb-Ir1wNzDQGtqSCLmHZS8s1UK2J69xggAGM7rvMRrdHf5dbWbIEwLCHcYULwG128VUU6p3z4pIPrQU2In3fQtBtymQf_sTMxBK5Ug_rSHl6RlC1iXDvmoZv/s1600/10505461_533505816754026_759450302881889326_n.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.800000190734863px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">GOLD AWARD - Celebration Cake - Gatsby Theme</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><div>
They also won awards for their bread display and for a variety of specialty breads they now make. If you want a cake made they're the people to see - some free advertising for Richard and Aimee and Melody's New World ;0)<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
WINZ has also been in touch as I had to go and see them to be reassessed for my job seekers allowance. I filled all the info in online and then went in to see a very nice gentleman who told me I was an easy customer to deal with - I guess that's a good thing!! While I was there I talked to the job broker about a job I was interested in and I had to send her my CV. So that's another job applied for.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The job at Kindy has come to an end - a) because I resigned and b) because the parent has decided to keep his daughter home because of the cold weather. I have been at Kindy 5 weeks and seen the child 2 morning!! I've come to realise during these last 5 weeks that I have outgrown Kindy (now that is really saying something for me), it just isn't what I want to do work wise anymore - I'd rather do photocopying. Actually this has become the joke at my job at ELP (English Language Partners). We always have plenty of photocopying to do and it isn't the most exciting task. Recently my boss asked me to ring around all the schools in the Kapiti area to ask if we could place a small ad in their newsletters to advertise our services. Now I hate making phone calls (probably why I'm not a telemarketer) I told my boss that he was making me step outside my comfort zone and he knew it was bad when I said I'd much rather do photocopying. It has now become our gauge on how good or bad a job is - lol!! Thankfully there are not many jobs that are worse than photocopying!! I am blessed to have some extra hours become available at ELP which is great and will make up for not working at Kindy.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The Rawleigh business has also 'come alive' again with a few more email/phone orders. I have also (today actually) dropped off all my knitted items at a store here in Palmerston North. They will be sold on consignment with the shop taking a 20% cut. I am very excited about this and the lady loved the items I brought in so it'll be interesting to see how they go. They will also take custom orders if people want a certain style but in a different colour - in fact one of the ladies who works in the shop loved that knitted hat that Noah was wearing so much that she has already put in an order for her 3 year old. Mum you could well be busy ;0)</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I got my tax forms filled out with some help from my brother and sadly I made a loss of neg $17 this year. Not a great way to run a business so I def have to fine tune a few things I think. All a learning experience that's for sure. A profit is definitely something to strive for this coming financial year I'd say.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Well I think that's it from me for now. I had hoped to tell you that baby Nugteren had arrived, but he hasn't - he is taking after his father who was 10 days late. As soon as I know I'll let you all know. In the meantime prayers for a safe and smooth delivery are welcome.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Wishing you all a wonderful week whatever you're doing and where ever you are. Stay safe.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Until next time.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Love and blessings</div>
<div>
Jolanda </div>
<div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
Jolandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09737888583541105323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400236916942833971.post-53049223576877745152014-06-08T23:59:00.001+12:002014-06-30T12:31:04.286+12:00<span style="color: #333333;">Today i</span><span style="color: #333333;">t is one year</span><span style="color: #333333;"> since the Lord called Roy home to be with Him. At 2.20am on the 8th June 2013 Roy finished his earthly walk and is now resting safely in the arms of his Lord and Saviour. </span><br />
<span style="color: #333333;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWcYO2XYAnUtbe_28YsLaQ0qWSWDtc4UC5pytpBNMft2-v4DH4MeKJVyz-Rcb0NdiexYo5-XzKi9xsV44KodalF8RKt6UFN4I2J_n16JHGxN0K7BV9gE8zO7iQZIOC_91K8-uRjCDcuBBy/s1600/1471168_10152481031087673_6674355086918728245_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWcYO2XYAnUtbe_28YsLaQ0qWSWDtc4UC5pytpBNMft2-v4DH4MeKJVyz-Rcb0NdiexYo5-XzKi9xsV44KodalF8RKt6UFN4I2J_n16JHGxN0K7BV9gE8zO7iQZIOC_91K8-uRjCDcuBBy/s1600/1471168_10152481031087673_6674355086918728245_n.jpg" height="400" width="377" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 12pt; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #333333;">Why God does this is still the HUGE unanswered question - a question that will probably remain unanswered this side of glory. Why was it so important for the Lord to call Roy home when he still had so much more to do down here with those who loved him. I sometimes still struggle with the why of it all and yet knowing the answer won't change what has happened, nor would it make things any easier to dear. We can trust that "<span style="font-family: inherit;">...</span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">in</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span>all<span style="background-color: white;"> </span>things<span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span style="background-color: white;">God</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span>work<span style="background-color: white;">s for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28</span></span><span style="color: #333333;"> even if we never understand the 'Why"!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #333333;">I guess it has been a good day today although I have shed a lot of tears (quite a few writing this blog to be honest), but I guess that is to be expected. There has been sadness at the loss of Roy, but also tears of sadness for my children - some of whom struggle with the loss of their father. This hurts my heart very much.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #333333;">We decided to make today a family day so Joel and Tia picked me up this morning and we </span><span style="color: #333333;">spent the day in Palmy with Aimee, Richard and Noah. It was a lovely day, we spent some time at the beautiful Esplanade feeding the ducks, looking at the birds in the aviary and watching Noah have a great time on the slide. Later while Noah had a sleep we played a couple of games and had a Skype session with Tim and Yvette. After a wonder roast lamb dinner with Yorkshire puddings all prepared by Richard we also Skyped with Ryan, Ineke and Inge over in England. It was really nice to be able to spend time together even if we are far apart and Noah and Inge really enjoyed seeing each other.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #333333;">I guess the first anniversary is a time to reflect on the year that has been. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #333333;">Those who have been following my blog will agree a lot has happened in this last year. </span><span style="color: #333333;">This past year has been filled with blessing - a new grandchild on the way (due end of this month), celebrating my 50th with family and friends, good health, and the everyday blessings we so quickly take for granted. </span><span style="color: #333333;">God has been gracious and has seen me safely through even if the journey has not always been easy. I am adjusting to my new normal even if there are aspects of it that I don't like. I have discovered who I am as my own person not just as the wife/widow of Roy and mother of my children. I am stronger and more resilient than I actually knew I was. I have discovered thing about myself that I didn't know existed -</span><span style="color: #333333;"> a strength,determination and grace that can only be God given. I have learnt to trust the Lord for all things, to stand up for myself, to make my own choices and to not be afraid to say what I think. It is not in my nature to wallow in self pity - even if I do have moments when I just wish the world would stop so I can get off.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #333333;">In practical terms I've learnt a lot too - I'm really good at mowing lawns now, I can pump petrol and check the oil (note to self to do that this week). Haven't had to change a tire yet but that's why I have an AA card. I wield a mean pruning saw and am pretty handy with a rack and a spade too. I have kept my business running, started 2 new jobs, lost 15kg's, started and maintained my aqua jogging regime 4 mornings a week and through that </span><span style="color: #333333;">and my job </span><span style="color: #333333;">meet new people</span><span style="color: #333333;">.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #333333;">And yet .......... </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #333333;">I find myself wondering when people ask how I'm doing </span><span style="color: #333333;">if I'm actually being honest when</span><span style="color: #333333;"> I say I'm doing well. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #333333;">I guess all things considered I am doing well and yet how do I explain that the biggest thing I struggle with is loneliness. That there is a HUGE empty ache in my heart. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #333333;">Now I know that some of you will say that I need to look to the Lord to fill that ache and I know that He does and will, on a spiritual level. What about on a physical level? </span><span style="color: #333333;">I am 50 years old (young), I was engaged at 17 and married at 19 to a wonderful man for almost 30 years. I expected we would spend our lives together until we were old and grey, but now I'm alone and I hate it - there I've said it. I hate being alone. I have conquered many thing over this last year except this one thing - loneliness. </span><span style="color: #333333;">How do you get over the empty feeling of having once been the love of someones life and now you're not because they're gone? How do you get over the loneliness of coming home to an empty house day after day, of having no one to share with, to discuss things with and to spend evenings with? No one to take you out on 'date night', to walk along the beach with or to go away on a romantic weekend with. How do you get over the loneliness of an empty bed night after night and waking to that same empty bed morning after morning, to no hand to hold, no arms to hold you tight, no kissing, no cuddling, no intimacy</span><span style="color: #333333;"> and no sex (blush! there I've said that too)? </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #333333;">I mourn deeply today for all these things that I no longer have. The thought of living my life alone brings me to tears. Will that loneliness ever go away?????? I'm not sure since I'm only 1 year into this journey. I know I have weeks where the loneliness is buried deep and I just get on with life. Maybe because of what today is the feeling are much more raw and the loneliness is so much more profound. I pray daily that the Lord will give me the strength and the courage to face the days, weeks, months and years ahead no matter what they bring. That He will quiet the longing in my soul and grant me His peace.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #333333;">Maybe this blog should have come with a warning at the beginning about a soul being laid bare!! As I said earlier today actually this past week has been about reflecting on the year that has been and although it has been a year of growth and many, many, many blessings it has also been a year of struggle as well and I guess I just needed to share that part of it in this blog - I always feel much better once I've put things into words..</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #333333;">I do want to take a moment to say a HUGE thank you to all those who take the time to read my blog every time I post something - I know it's not always that exciting but thanks for following my journey. To those who have supported me during this past year with their prayers, cards, visits, words of encouragement, acts of service and gifts - thank you. I feel very blessed by each and every one of you and you have all made this journey that much easier to travel. May the Lord bless you.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #333333;">In 4 minutes it'll be a new day and in a way the beginning of a new year. So Happy New Year to me - lol!!!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #333333;">Time to get some sleep or Noah and I will both be taking a nap tomorrow.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #333333;">Till next time.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #333333;">Love and blessings</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #333333;">Jolanda</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
Jolandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09737888583541105323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400236916942833971.post-20035724584928409832014-06-03T19:31:00.000+12:002014-06-03T19:31:06.039+12:00I started this post yesterday, but it didn't really flow so I decided to leave it and try again today (Tuesday). I was feeling a bit discombobulated yesterday - I'm not really sure why, although I am starting to suspect that the trip to Wellington may have had something to do with it. I may have to test my theory but popping down that way again soon.<br />
<br />
On Sunday we (Aimee, Richard, Noah and I) went down to Wellington for the day - the weather there was stunning with not a breath of wind. We went to church first - always wonderful to catch up with the lovely people at the Reformed Church of Wellington, many who hold a very special place in my heart - hence why I think I feel a bit unsettled. :0( After church we went to Jesse and Hannah's for lunch before going to see Dad N to celebrate his 89th birthday. He seems to be settling in well in the new rest home and it was lovely to have been able to spend an hour or so with him on his special day. The rest home had set up an area for us in the dinning room and had even provided afternoon tea which was really nice.<br />
<br />
The past week has gone well. I started my teacher aide job at Kindy on a very, very cold Wednesday morning last week. After 2 hours of being outside I was frozen stiff - it always amazes me how children don't feel the cold and run around on bare feet and in T-shirts with snotty noses. My kidney's ache just thinking about it. It took me ages to warm up once I got home. I have decided to take some immune booster cause I see my self being sick come the next school holidays - that's how it's always gone in the past when I worked at Kindy. I think the little girl and I will get on fine once she gets used to me. For the time being her Dad will be staying too which is ok. On Friday she wasn't there but I had a meeting with the Group Special Ed coordinator and have also spoken to one of the Kindy teachers to see if there will be things for me to do on the days then the child is away because otherwise I feel a bit like a fifth wheel in a center already overrun by teachers and parent helpers. Time will tell how this will all work out and as it is not a permanent position I continue to apply for jobs. In fact today I have applied for 2 more jobs. I'll keep you posted.<br />
<br />
On Thursday and Friday afternoons Noah came to visit while his mama and papa were working on the cakes they are making for a competition. Noah is a happy wee chappy who brightens my day and keeps me on my toes. It is amazing watching a young child develop, explore and grow in understanding about the world they live in. Maybe we have more time to enjoy these stages with our grandchildren than we did with our own children because then we were so busy raising them.<br />
<br />
It was nice on Sat to be able to pottered around home - I did some baking to take down to Wellington, caught up on the washing and even did some sewing as I had an order for an apron which still needed to be made - the sewing went well and has helped me feel inspired to sew again - I've found my sewing mojo it was hiding under a pile of fabric!! At 4pm I decided to mow the back lawn as it was getting a bit long - it started as an I'll just do this one piece cause it's the longest but quickly progresses to just doing this piece, then that piece and before I knew it I'd done the whole back lawn. Of course it's never as simple as just quickly mowing the lawn - first I have to pooper scoop (the joys of having a dog!!) and then I have to pick up all the lemons and oranges that keep falling off the trees - they aren't good for the compost as it become to acidic or so I've been told. Then when I'm all done, because I have been well taught by my Dad, the lawn mower and the catcher got a hose out so they go away clean. Buy 5 o'clock I was all done and very happy with the way everything was looking. Leftovers for dinner - that's one thing I really hate, cooking for one. I often still make too much and usually I have no idea what to make. I'm not a very adventurous cook really.<br />
<br />
I have finally had a Skype session with Ryan, Ineke and Inge which was really nice. It was great to hear how things were going for them over in England and to spend some time chatting with them. Roll on Dec when they will be back.<br />
<br />
Yesterday I looked after Noah at my place instead of at his as Aimee and Richard needed to continue working on the competition cakes with the help of Richard's Nana. These cakes are going to be a-mazing if the sewing machine cake I got for my birthday is anything to go by. When I'm allowed I'll post some photos.<br />
<br />
I think I might have overdone it while aqua-jogging this morning and I now have an achy shoulder blade. I could really do with a massage right now to work out the knot. I might just have to heat a wheat pack and use that instead since there are no handy hands to help out.<br />
<br />
Well I'm off to do some crochet - I have a baby shawl to finish before baby Nugteren makes his appearance. Then next on my list is to finish the birth sample cross stitch for Noah that way I can start the one for baby Nugteren - plenty to do.<br />
<br />
Thanks to those who continue to take the time to read what I write. Have a great week and let your light sign.<br />
<br />
Love and blessings<br />
Jolanda<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Jolandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09737888583541105323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400236916942833971.post-45082210888515618202014-05-27T20:25:00.000+12:002014-05-27T20:25:05.342+12:00Winter has definitely arrived - we had our first frost last night - brrrrrrrrrr it was cold. Actually I don't mind a frosty start if it means we get a sunny day like we had today, not that is was warm in the sun, in fact it was bitterly cold outside. It was 5 degrees on the Post Office clock this morning when I went to work and had risen a whole 2 degrees to 7 when I popped out to do the banking. I'm not sure what it eventually got too but I suspect it'll have been in the low double figures. I'm looking forward to seeing snow on the Tararua's - I always feel like I live in a tourist town when there is a good dumping of snow on the hills. It makes for a cheap holiday.<br />
<br />
The upside of winter is soup - it was lovely to come home this afternoon to a house that smelt great thanks to the pea soup gently cooking in the slow cooker. Roll on dinner time. Pea soup and fresh buns - yum.<br />
<br />
It's been an interesting couple of weeks which started with me feeling very 'flat'. I think some of that feeling was because of the weather (I don't do endless sunless days very well) and some of it was from having been so busy the weeks before. I just didn't know what to do with myself even though I had plenty of things I could have done - nothing really appealed. By the Friday the weather had improved and the sun was out so with a bit of help from my very young helper (Noah had come for a visit) we set about raking up the leaves on the front lawn. The pile was HUGE and Noah had a ball climbing into it and throwing the leaves about. I managed to stuff the whole pile into the wheelie bin as there were too many to go in the already full compost bin. On Sat the sun was shining again and it was nice and warm so I decided to have an in the garden day. The agapanthus needed to have their heads removed so that was the first job, from there I moved on to pruning the wild rose bush on the bank. It was a prickly job and due to a lack of gloves a scratchy job too. I conquered the bush but not without it biting back, my hands and arms were covered with scratches and blood. The next day I had to get Mum to remove some rather nasty thorn splinters from my hands -ouch! Thanks to Dad I now have gloves - for next time, assuming the rose bush survives the pruning I gave it. I also pruned (severely) one of the feijoa trees which had only produced tiny fruit for the last 2 years. That's Biblical right!!?? I tell you I am bad news when I have a pruning saw in my hand - no tree is safe ;0)<br />
<br />
The lawns also got a haircut - in fact since they were sooooooooo long I thought I'd cut them without the catcher as I'd be forever having to empty it - the plan worked ok except for all the grassy humps that were left all over the lawn. Being a bit of a perfectionist by nature this new look was just not sitting right so I decided to rake up all the grass, put it into the wheelbarrow - by hand, and then deposited it from the wheelbarrow into the compost bin - by hand!!!!!! Phew she was a big job as I have a big back lawn. The lawn ended up looking not great but better and I got a good workout. All in all it was a good days work.<br />
<br />
This past week I had to go to another workshop at Winz to do with writing a CV. I was a bit unsure why I had to attend this workshop as last time I'd attended it I was told I was all done and some one would be in touch to see how things were going - I never heard a thing. So I attended the workshop and was again told at the end that I was now all done and someone will be in touch to see how I'm getting along - I wont be holding my breathe - lol!!!! I'm not sure what is going on there but it's not very organised.<br />
<br />
The job front is still quiet although I have managed to get 4 hours of Teacher Aide work at one of the local Kindy's. It is just a short term position but it's a start. As with anything new I'm a bit apprehensive although I'm working at a Kindy I've worked at before about 6 years ago so I do know a few of the teachers which is nice. I start tomorrow so I'll tell you all about it next time.<br />
<br />
I am still going Aqua-jogging in the mornings at 6am - 3-4 times a week. This morning it was really, really, really hard to get out of bed. I hit the snooze button and contemplated staying in bed but since I was wide awake I decided to bite the bullet and go. To be honest I am amazed myself - I hate getting up on cold mornings, esp out of a snugly warm bed. Speaking of snugly beds - there is nothing nicer than lying in a warm bed listening to the wind howling and the rain falling on the roof - I find that so relaxing. Almost as good as lying in bed listening to the sea.<br />
<br />
It struck me yesterday that a year ago Roy left home and never came back. A year ago yesterday Roy went to the hospice to have his meds fine tuned and to be evaluated after his fall on the stairs and he never came home again. In 2 weeks time a year will have passed without him - only a year - 365 days and yet it feels like a lifetime. It's such a strange feeling, maybe it feels like Roy has been gone so much longer because the year has been so full of 'stuff' and I've been busy recreating my life - my new normal. The reality is that life is fleeting and we soon become but a memory in the lives of those who loved us. Life moves on and that's a good thing. I give thanks to the Lord for His constant care over this last year and I trust that He will be with me in the years to come too. If I mourn a little that's ok - it's not Roy that I mourn for, he is in the presence of our Saviour. I shed tears for the life/love I had and for the empty place that has been left behind and the loneliness that brings. For the uncertainty of the future and the scariness of that future, yet there is joy and peace too as I know who holds my future in the palm of His hand and He will watch over me. I don't know what the future holds - good or bad, but I know who holds the future and in Him I put all my trust.<br />
<br />
Until next time.<br />
<br />
Love and blessings<br />
Jolanda<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Jolandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09737888583541105323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400236916942833971.post-27633232201640302622014-05-12T20:46:00.000+12:002014-05-12T20:46:13.333+12:00I feel like I've been living in a bubble this past week and today have suddenly come crashing back to reality. My bubble goes by another name and that it's called 'being on holiday' - that time when you de-stress and all the worries,care, decisions and bills that make up your normal daily life are put on hold temporarily. I have just spent a wonderful week (almost) in Christchurch visiting Tim and Yvette, other family and friends. I had an awesome if busy time away and sadly it flew by as holidays always seem to do. For those I didn't get to see I'm sorry I just ran out of time - maybe next time!! I want to say a BIG thank you to my wonderful niece Karen for shouting me the trip. Love you big time hun.<br />
<br />
While I was in Christchurch I was able to help Tim and Yvette out with their shift into their first home. Wednesday afternoon was spent cleaning the new house - it really needed it and smelt and looked way better by the time we were done. On Thursday I spent most of the day with my dear friend Janice. We had a wonderful time shopping did lots of chatting, laughing and catching up and no one had a headache (last time I was in Christchurch our day out together was cut short due to Janice having a sever migraine). I also joined Arie and Janice at a Rotary dinner which was very nice. I want to say a HUGE thank you to Arie and Janice for their kindness and generosity towards the cost of getting my car fixed. I am truly blessed. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Love you both heaps.<br />
<br />
On Friday I spent the morning doing the Church bulletin (what a blessing to have a laptop and the internet) and then I spent the afternoon/evening with my cousin Femmy and her family. We had lunch at the mall, a lovely walk in Riccarton bush and then dinner at her place - it was another wonderful time of sharing, laughing, some tears and lots of encouraging each other. Saturday was moving day. Tim and Yvette didn't own much furniture as their rented property was furnished, but it meant we needed to pack up the kitchen, clean it and then unpack the items that belonged in the house. We managed to get everything done and out of the house by 12.30 which was great. Over this past week I have cleaned 2 kitchens and 2 fridges - I had been thinking mine could do with a clean but I'll leave it for a few weeks I think. Yvette and I left Tim to clean the carpet and headed off to Yvette's baby shower which was an wonderful afternoon. Baby Nugteren will be a well dressed wee lad when he arrives in June ;0)<br />
<br />
Sunday was my last day in Christchurch. I went to Church in Bishopdale with niece Melinda and nephew-in-law Julian. The service was great and it was nice to afterwards catch up with friends I might otherwise not have seen. The rest of the day I 'hung out' with Tim and Yvette and helped unpack the kitchen a bit. When you shift organising your kitchen is always the worst job I reckon cause nothing seems to fit like in the old one. It always takes time to get it just right.<br />
<br />
Having helped Tim and Yvette shift got me thinking to how many times Roy and I had shifted since we got married and it come to 8 times - wow and before I got married I had already shifted 8 times so in total I have shifted 16 times - amazing!!!!!!! No plans to shift again anytime soon but you never know. The problem is each time you buy a bigger house which means more space for more stuff - it's amazing how quickly you accumulate things.<br />
<br />
The flight home was very smooth and I arrived back in Palmerston North to find Aimee waiting to pick me up. While we were waiting to pay for the car park a lady came up to me and asked if I was Jolanda, when I said yes she said her name and it was a friend from High School who I hadn't seen since I'd left school. I wouldn't have recognised her, but she did me which means I haven't changed much in the last 30 odd years - is that a good thing???? We had a quick catch-up in the cold car park and hopefully will touch base through Facebook and maybe get together sometime as she lives in Palmy. It was a really lovely surprise.<br />
<br />
I stayed the night at Aimee's so I could look after Noah today - silly to drive home only to drive back the next morning. Noah is walking really well now and chatters a lot too - not that we can understand him but that will come eventually - I think he'll be a real talker once he finds the words. This afternoon I drove home again in the rain!!! This time it wasn't dark though as Richard had had an early start this morning so finished early. Jack was very happy to see me and Joel came around for dinner which was nice. My suitcase is all unpacked and the washing is on. <br />
<br />
Tomorrow morning I have to work and then I'll spend the afternoon catching up on business 'stuff' that has piled up while I was away. My boss is away this week so hopefully he has left some things for me to do. Last week he was away too and I had a bit of a blonde moment - when I got to work I realised that I'd left the key to unlock the office at home so I had to go home and get it - thank goodness Levin isn't too big. I will be better prepared this week.<br />
<br />
The job I wrote about last week has not come to anything due to them not being able to accommodate the hours I had available. I am actually ok about it. Tomorrow I will have a chat with the lady from Group Special Ed to let her know what hours I have available and see what she has on her books for teacher aide work. It will all work out I'm sure - God has a plan and I take comfort in that.<br />
<br />
I had a lovely letter with photos from Ryan and Ineke today. Their trip went very well and they seem to be settling in quite well in England.<br />
<br />
I think tonight will be an early night - I am looking forward to sleeping in my own bed again and I am planning to be up early tomorrow so I can go swimming again. It's been a whole week since I last went and although I am looking forward to going again it was nice to sleep in while I was on holiday.<br />
<br />
Well that's it for another edition. Until next time have a wonderful week and God bless.<br />
<br />
Love<br />
Jolanda<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Jolandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09737888583541105323noreply@blogger.com0