tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82126137419233226142024-03-06T02:40:19.498+13:00Tall PipiTall Pipihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08156116653469566766noreply@blogger.comBlogger81125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8212613741923322614.post-1394046899807857712013-12-16T08:46:00.001+13:002013-12-16T08:46:13.648+13:00Transitions - 17 week update<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm not very skilled at taking selfie bump pics, but here I am at 16 weeks. At least it made me clean the mirror!</td></tr>
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This was taken for my friend Weza (whom most of you in blogland will know). I was trying to figure out if this was baby or flab. She says baby. I'm still on the fence. BUT, I have only put on 300grams in this whole pregnancy, so I am thinking possibly not flab. Morning sickness put paid to any weight gain. Although I never threw up, I was a very fussy/picky eater, never being able to decide what to eat.<br />
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This week baby's bones are hardening. I am craving yoghurt, cheese, cheese and cheese, spinach, fish, and eggs. Aren't bodies just magical things the way they just know what to do?<br />
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I am very aware of a transition taking place. I am totally struggling with it in some ways, and embracing it in other ways. In the first trimester, my motivation was totally lacking. Feeling sick and tired all the time will do that to a girl! Often, meals were easy and not always the best nutrition, housework was left, clothes remained unfolded in piles around the house, bed was unmade, dirty clothes in corners awaiting the washing machine. Hubby took on more around the house but with his final exams coming up, a lot of things were left undone. Work took a dive for me. I did the basics and no more. I feel like I really failed in my leadership roles, as I had less focus and drive than I used to. And I just felt, well, sort of uninterested. Where had my ambition gone?<br />
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Now in the second trimester, I have a bit more energy, although still needing naps, and yet, my priorities have changed. I still lack ambition and professional drive, but find myself wanting to get unfinished projects done around the house. Sewing, knitting, making, creating, and painting all those pieces of furniture I have been meaning to revamp, seem to be in my immediate thoughts. And I will do them. This week.<br />
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I can only surmise that something chemical is going on in my brain. My priorities have changed, the things I used to value have taken a back seat and I feel like everything has been put into slow motion. I keep thinking it will change back to 'normal' soon, but as I continue in this pregnancy, I start to wonder if there is a new 'normal' being shaped. One that includes room for a baby. So maybe this is all a good thing.<br />
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You know what I mean? <br />
<br />Tall Pipihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08156116653469566766noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8212613741923322614.post-52166353214415005432013-12-03T21:14:00.001+13:002013-12-03T21:14:35.136+13:00Emerging From the FogWell, that's what it feels like. But I must say, I am not sure I am completely out of the fog yet. So much has been happening over the last few months. I have been absent for a very good reason. I have been making one of these:<br />
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No it's not an alien, or a shriveled up jelly bean! Here is a more traditional pic:<br />
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For those of you who know my history, I had to take some time out during my first trimester to concentrate on being positive and not going crazy! I have been sick, tired, bloated, tired, teary, tired, scared, tired, in awe, and did I mention tired? Although, I wouldn't have traded any of it for the world!<br />
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Now, in my second trimester, currently growing my baby's ear bones, I have a little more energy, I'm not always sick, and I find myself having room in my foggy brain for something other than getting through the first trimester.<br />
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So, hello to you all in blogland again! I will be in touch again very soon, but for now, my battery is about to die. Speak soon. Ta ta!Tall Pipihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08156116653469566766noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8212613741923322614.post-85708392556324758742013-07-14T17:08:00.000+12:002013-07-14T17:08:00.069+12:00Bullet Point LifeThe weeks have zoomed by and I find it really hard to keep up the blogging bizzo during term time, so, be prepared for a deluge over the next couple of weeks!<br />
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In the name of fertility and trying to help my body keep hold of a little growing bean, I am making a few adjustments to my diet. I saw a naturopath specialising in fertility and she has given me some things to help my body prepare a healthy lining. She also suggested I look into cutting out grains from my diet, and directed me to this fabulous website - <a href="http://www.petite-kitchen.com/2013/07/slightly-posh-prune-and-pistachio.html?showComment=1373776216148#c8318239964520498189" target="_blank">The Petite Kitchen.</a> Today I have tried these yummy little morsels. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Prune, chocolate and pistachio truffles.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>And they really are quite delicious. Go <a href="http://www.petite-kitchen.com/2013/07/slightly-posh-prune-and-pistachio.html?showComment=1373776216148#c8318239964520498189" target="_blank">here</a> for the recipe. I did find I had to add another 1/4 Cup of prunes to make everything combine. I can't wait to try some of the other yummy things on there.<br />
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I am hoping to get a bit of R&R over the break, but not before this weekend, when I will be celebrating my 40th birthday! Eeeeeek! So this is birthday week. I love birthday week and what a better time than in the holidays when I can catch up with friends, have coffees, lunches etc. The adjustments to the diet may need to wait until next week. Hehe.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An early birthday present handmade from a friend.</td></tr>
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Getting a bit of reading done instead of watching TV has been really enjoyable. Although I am struggling to get into this particular book. I go to a book club and this is the latest one. I don't always enjoy their selections.<br />
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It's winter. It's cold. I love winter. I love wearing layers, scarves, gloves, funky hats. I am a hat wearer. Oh how I love rugging up and being snuggly.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Please excuse my nearly 40 lines but this photo was taken unawares and I'm just keeping it real sistas!</td></tr>
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Finally, I had a whirlwind visit from these two. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chris and Liz</td></tr>
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They came down from Wellington for 48 hours, for a wedding. The most funny thing was, I saw the proposal. I think half the world has. Well, maybe not that many, but a few thousand anyway. The lucky bride is Chris's niece. <br />
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It was so lovely to see them both. Liz left me a card that said seeing me was 'like balm to the soul' and I couldn't have put it better myself. Yay for good friends!<br />
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I hope you have all had a fabulous week. See you again a bit sooner than normal! TPxx <br />
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Tall Pipihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08156116653469566766noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8212613741923322614.post-64983421467415881632013-06-22T09:55:00.001+12:002013-06-22T21:21:53.940+12:00Bullet Point Blog PostTaking a leaf out of <a href="http://jacksta-b.blogspot.co.nz/" target="_blank">Jaksta's</a> book and doing a bullet point.<br />
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It's been a while...always is when I am working. Holidays are great.<br />
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<li>I am sick at the moment - laryngitis and croup. No talking allowed for 2 - 3 days. It has really brought to my attention how important being able to communicate is. A couple of interesting observations: When I lost my voice to a whisper, people would reply by whispering back. That was funny. Now with no voice, I am using pen and paper. I write notes to DH and I have to remind him that he can talk back instead of writing back - which is what he goes to do. Weird. I guess that we connect through speech and one way to connect is to reply in kind.</li>
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<li>I was going to do a month of being grateful. I was going to do this in June. Hmmm. Might start in July now. Of course, I am grateful every day, but I just mean actually blogging every day about it.</li>
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<li>Croup - just a note on that. It is awful and excruciatingly painful and scary. If you are a mum and you've never had croup and your kids get croup, give them lots of cuddles and love. It is truly frightening. The first night that I had gotten really bad, I was scared to go to sleep in case I stopped breathing. It feels like you have something stuck in your throat that you can't cough up. You don't want to cough because it jolly well hurts, and you can't get enough breath to do a decent cough anyway. Poor kiddies. I really don't wish this on anyone, let alone kiddies.</li>
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<ul>
<li>I bought a new camera - eeeeeeee! I have been looking for months and months, inspired by all the lovely bloggers at the <a href="http://www.bloggersconnecting.com/" target="_blank">Around the Table</a> bloggers conference. All that click, click, clicking...I was in awe. It is such an art to take a really good photo. I have always loved and appreciated other people's shots and I have taken a few good ones in the past on my smartphone, so now I think it's time to up the ante. Sadly, since I bought the camera, it has been raining. Sigh. And for some reason, I am too scared to use it in case I get really dumb, nothing shots and start to feel despondent. Perfectionist much?</li>
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<ul>
<li>DH has had a change of heart and has asked me to take down the posts about Aspergers and our marriage. That's okay. He can change his mind. In a way, it is really his material. I am still going to do some posts on coping with Aspergers in a marriage but from a less personal point of view - more practical. I will still get DH to approve these before posting though. I haven't been posting at all recently about anything, let alone that. But we have been a bit on the dark side of Aspergers and marriage due to other stresses such as exams and infertility, so, 'nuf said.</li>
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<li>I have been to a specialist, I have had some surgery (day only), and there are things happening, things are moving along. Boxes are being ticked off. We are fairly normal it would seem, except for my low progesterone in the second half of my cycle, which can be dealt with. Not sure what to feel about that. It is good to be normal but I am still left with questions that don't have answers. At the same time, I wish I was innocent and didn't know so much about fertility, infertility, miscarriage, ovulation, etc, etc. I have been shoved into a world I never wanted to be in. But who does?</li>
</ul>
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<ul>
<li>I am sewing and loving it. I am making some beautiful cushion covers for a special friend and her gorgeous girls. It is lovely to be taking <a href="http://tallpipi.blogspot.co.nz/2013/05/chevron-show-off.html" target="_blank">something I learned</a> and repeat it with the knowledge I have gleaned from the first time. It is so much easier this time round, and the satisfaction is greater. I will share when I am done and they are in their new home.</li>
</ul>
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To finish, here's a couple of pics from my new camera - just trying out that 'shallow depth of field' from inside while it rains on and on and on outside.<br />
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<i>TPxxx</i></div>
<br />Tall Pipihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08156116653469566766noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8212613741923322614.post-90099812250886555502013-05-29T17:48:00.001+12:002013-05-29T17:48:51.189+12:00Chevron Show-Off<div style="text-align: center;">
I did a fabulous Chevron Cushion workshop over 2 nights at The Make Cafe. I'm feeling a bit clever now!</div>
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Tall Pipihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08156116653469566766noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8212613741923322614.post-62539482561448019312013-05-17T19:49:00.000+12:002013-05-17T19:53:10.102+12:00My Laugh For the Week<center><a href="http://meghanandmark.blogspot.co.nz/search/label/Things%20Im%20Loving"><img height="160" src="http://i1198.photobucket.com/albums/aa455/meghankf/Buttons/ThingsImLoving.png " width="160" /></a></center><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><i>I wholeheartedly believe that no matter what is happening in your life, there is always something you can be thankful for..no matter how simple it is.</i></b></span><br />
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Worth 1 min 30 secs of your life. It brought much joy and many smiles to me and my colleagues this week. Enjoy.<br />
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<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Nni0rTLg5B8" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
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Linking in with gorgeous <a href="http://meghanandmark.blogspot.co.nz/2013/05/things-im-loving-17513.html">Meghan</a>.Tall Pipihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08156116653469566766noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8212613741923322614.post-9641008857741743012013-05-13T15:50:00.002+12:002013-05-13T15:50:57.367+12:00Mother's Day Gifts for MeSunday. One week till Mothers Day. So unsure how I will feel. My first baby keeps popping into my head. Little Bean would be 2 months...I would be celebrating my first Mothers Day. <i>If LB was here, I probably would be so knackered I wouldn't care about Mothers Day!</i> Lord, may I never take anything for granted again! I talk to DH about Mothers Day. His Aspie answer is, "Why? You're not a mother". Ahhh, bless him...he knows not what he says. I again explain the mother heart, how it unfolds as soon as that little life is conceived...that heart never stops beating again. In the wee hours, I write a poem for my babies...an outlet of sorts for a grieving mother heart.<br />
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Monday. So many posts on my support forum talking about Mothers Day...I hope I am acknowledged somehow...I hope someone notices my invisible motherhood...<i>me too</i>. <br />
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Wednesday. One of my little girls comes up to me after school. Wrapping her arms around my neck, she squeezes and then lets go. She has the biggest, most gorgeous pools of chocolate brown you could ever stare into. "Tania, I want to wish you a happy Mothers Day". Breath catches, eyes blink...what to say, what to say...thank you, M. that is a lovely thing to say. <i>How does she know? </i>My head whipsers. But I know how God uses little people...thank you, Lord. I know He has heard my heart. That is enough for me.<br />
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Saturday. DH makes plans to study the next day at uni. My breath leaves me. I was hoping for something to be special. Again we discuss Mothers Day...my feelings about it...I miss my babies, especially my first...<i>LB would be here by now.</i> <br />
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Sunday morning. Still awake at 1am. I decide to listen to the song I chose that spoke to me of my baby, during my first miscarriage. Make You Feel My Love by Adele. Tears flow, nose runs, eyes swell...it's not pretty, people! But my grieving mother heart needs this outlet. I know it's not forever and the pain is easier to handle now. I can stand again.<br />
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8am. I decide I will be doing this day on my own. There will be plenty of people around me today, but I will be alone. I go to LB's rose bush, weed it, water it, touch the last few blooms of the season. I crouch down and pray. I pray for the emptiness to be filled, but not filled. The emptiness is where my babies reside. If it is filled, will I forget? I pray to God, <i>please, you know what to do, what I need, please take this hurt, but don't...</i>Tears flow and I prepare for a hard day.<br />
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9am. Breakfast and getting ready for church. DH comes out puts a hand on my shoulder, "Happy Mothers Day, darling" A precious gift from a heart that doesn't understand, but loves me enough to try. That is enough for me.<br />
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10am. Walking in through the church doors. The pastors wife is waiting. Enveloping me in her arms, she whispers, "Happy Mothers Day, Tania". Eyes sting, breath halts. That is enough for me. Roses are given out to the Mum's in the room...the basket makes it's way to me...the holder says, "Take one". I am a mum, I wear a rose. That is enough for me. Worship this morning does not bring me to tears as I thought it would. My heart fills, hope rises, filled with joy, I sing, thankful for a God who is bigger than me, bigger than anything that has happened to me, I am taken out of myself. I breathe. That is enough for me. A sermon on hope, entitled A Hope Transplant...<i>how did he know</i>? An alter call. I respond. A prophetic word...hope renewal, fresh faith like I've never known before. That is enough for me.<br />
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1pm. Lunch, Texts and Facebook. Many messages from gorgeous ladies, remembering me. Heartfelt messages from ones that 'get it'. A message from a beautiful lady, connected to me by a thin thread of acquaintances. She tells me she stands in the gap for me...<i>how did she know</i>? That is enough for me. <br />
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Today, as I sit and reflect on my incredible Mothers Day gifts, I marvel at how blessed I am. I took each acknowledgement, each message, each hug, each smile, each word and thanked my amazing, HUGE God. I am filled, I am lifted, I can breathe. That is enough for me.<br />
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Tall Pipihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08156116653469566766noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8212613741923322614.post-78226066999037630902013-05-05T13:53:00.000+12:002013-05-05T13:53:54.242+12:00A Poem For International Beareaved Mother's Day<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: Abscissa; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Sweet Dreams</span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Abscissa; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I made a little home for you</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Abscissa; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">But you couldn’t stay.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Abscissa; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">So I prayed a little home for you</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Abscissa; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">To keep you nice and safe.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Abscissa; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I put your little pictures</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Abscissa; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">In little silver frames.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Abscissa; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Each night I whisper “Sweet Dreams”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Abscissa; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Even through the pain.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Abscissa; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I bought a little dragon</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Abscissa; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">He sits quietly in your room.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Abscissa; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I planted a little rose bush</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Abscissa; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Light peach are its blooms.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Abscissa; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I made a little owl</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Abscissa; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">These things I do remind me</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Abscissa; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Of the ones who could have been</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Abscissa; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The ones that nearly were</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Abscissa; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The babes no-one has seen.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Abscissa; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">But I knew you were there</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Abscissa; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I felt you every day</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Abscissa; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I miss you both so much</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Abscissa; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">More than words can say</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Abscissa; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">One day I hope to have a babe</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Abscissa; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">To hold close to my heart.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Abscissa; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">But I will never forget</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Abscissa; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The ones there from the start.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Abscissa; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">So sweet sweet dreams</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Abscissa; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">My darlings; babies one and two</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Abscissa; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Be assured although you’re gone</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Abscissa; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Your Mama still loves you. </span></div>
Tall Pipihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08156116653469566766noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8212613741923322614.post-49515666237572622322013-05-04T10:22:00.000+12:002013-05-04T10:22:58.276+12:005QF<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span">1. W<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">hat is your next home improvement goal?</span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I have<span style="font-size: small;"> a fair few pieces of op-shopped furniture in need of a lick of paint. My only problem is the space to actually paint them. At the moment we really don't have a sp<span style="font-size: small;">ace for this but <span style="font-size: small;">one day...</span></span></span> </span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">2. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">If you could only read one book for the rest of your life, what would it be? </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">No religious texts (ie Bible, Quran, Torah, etc, etc)...</span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Gifts of Imperfection by Brene Brown<span style="font-size: small;">. SO many lessons that I need constant reminding of, this book is gold...<span style="font-size: small;">elixir</span> <span style="font-size: small;">for</span> the soul.</span> </span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">3. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">What is on top of your refrigerator?</span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: small;">Our microwave, a white<span style="font-size: small;">board pen (to write mess<span style="font-size: small;">ages to each other on the fridge<span style="font-size: small;">) and a lot of dust!</span></span></span></span></span></span> </span></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span"></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">4. W</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">hat are your favorite or most used phone apps?</span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">M<span style="font-size: small;">y Fitness Pal <span style="font-size: small;">helps me keep track of food intake and energy output.</span> Do It Tomorrow</span> </span></span>lets me write to do lists and then put them off till tomorrow! Love it!</span></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span"></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">5. W</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">hat's the one thing you hate most about your spouses job?</span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">He gets so obsessed he stays up hal<span style="font-size: small;">f the nigh<span style="font-size: small;">t and won't finish up until he's completed the task. I <span style="font-size: small;">know this s<span style="font-size: small;">oun<span style="font-size: small;">ds admirable but when it's 3am...</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Linking in with <a href="http://fivecrookedhalos.blogspot.co.nz/" target="_blank">Mama M.</a> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>
<br />
<center>
<a href="http://fivecrookedhalos.blogspot.com/" target="_blank" title="Five Question Friday"><img border="0" img="" src="http://i607.photobucket.com/albums/tt155/fivecrookedhalos/th_w6r0jk.png" /></a></center>
Tall Pipihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08156116653469566766noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8212613741923322614.post-11078517278924710552013-05-03T21:39:00.001+12:002013-05-03T21:44:50.918+12:00A Lil' Inspiration<div style="text-align: center;">
Totally inspired by all the crafty ladies at the <a href="http://www.bloggersconnecting.com/" target="_blank">Around the Table</a> conference, I decided to try my hand at crochet. Don't you just love youtube? I looked up a couple of lessons and made my first hat. </div>
<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/AVvXsEjrBnFRBizI3-fVQ5OoSwBvhafhQVrVytzcmy1Pf-OBP7U186hl6Iv1PWoJGIl7mCMnajFHmw2X6msnXxjSfoStT7DRqaO3EniGsYsCrcstq7ltIZXTWRe9aShGWyRxtXU5rbT10WTbdO1e/s1600/20130503_200828_resized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrBnFRBizI3-fVQ5OoSwBvhafhQVrVytzcmy1Pf-OBP7U186hl6Iv1PWoJGIl7mCMnajFHmw2X6msnXxjSfoStT7DRqaO3EniGsYsCrcstq7ltIZXTWRe9aShGWyRxtXU5rbT10WTbdO1e/s640/20130503_200828_resized.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr align="center"><td class="tr-caption">Pretty cosy</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Then I got a book out from the library because I couldn't work out how to make granny squares and found out I'd been doing it all wrong - fingers and all! The hat still looked pretty good I think and it only took me a few hours (I've been a bit obsessed).</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
In my goodie bag from Around the Table, I got this cute little piece of
fabric. It screamed, "do something with me!". But what to do? I'm not
a quilter (yet), I'm not a sewer (yet) and I lacked inspiration. So
off I went to <a href="http://themakecafe.co.nz/" target="_blank">The Make Cafe</a>. I relaxed, drank Peppermint Tea and
reveled in the soulful music, soaking it all up. </div>
<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/AVvXsEioIuifAtmOW9lBdehkjZhVvCKltqFCnL9bErRFj0UiQ542-L1lTOTU0Vgv7K0_v3aVF375c-5zGXNDseTc4LPyYbg8y7oizt1-NKwV-dSMLTqzzhaTJ40UXhH3KG7KVeT0jclGks8KbPTa/s1600/20130501_105312_resized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioIuifAtmOW9lBdehkjZhVvCKltqFCnL9bErRFj0UiQ542-L1lTOTU0Vgv7K0_v3aVF375c-5zGXNDseTc4LPyYbg8y7oizt1-NKwV-dSMLTqzzhaTJ40UXhH3KG7KVeT0jclGks8KbPTa/s640/20130501_105312_resized.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></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/AVvXsEhtq8Wlan7k2jTLbbnvUD3M2HzwNfceKDx8U2m2w9hRj-kQhgk2BqxjK_ahepi2edKkOfKb6a1LXARRAZasdbNdUh_bm5P5luHo3GXRnyEZRCl7eLH5kXZC8UUkypybmoXR-ZiOhdLTe1A5/s1600/20130501_105341_resized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtq8Wlan7k2jTLbbnvUD3M2HzwNfceKDx8U2m2w9hRj-kQhgk2BqxjK_ahepi2edKkOfKb6a1LXARRAZasdbNdUh_bm5P5luHo3GXRnyEZRCl7eLH5kXZC8UUkypybmoXR-ZiOhdLTe1A5/s640/20130501_105341_resized.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://themakecafe.co.nz/" target="_blank">The Make Cafe</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Eventually, I came up with a plan and hand-stitched my first cute little owl. </div>
<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/AVvXsEibMRMC4_Z4hkSpX6x8HdkNkrMY7v7J-VEfMk8-j8Ru-XVuWRToWALprd5ylFnCBSFP4r9r7rM3TOWvbdaACCEiaP-teXRHId2dp15DVh16hJDz5gnam8OAcAsXIqOK_yHIw2gyHdvsRUxP/s1600/20130503_200439_resized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibMRMC4_Z4hkSpX6x8HdkNkrMY7v7J-VEfMk8-j8Ru-XVuWRToWALprd5ylFnCBSFP4r9r7rM3TOWvbdaACCEiaP-teXRHId2dp15DVh16hJDz5gnam8OAcAsXIqOK_yHIw2gyHdvsRUxP/s640/20130503_200439_resized.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sweet Dreams</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Spurred on by success, and a tendency towards OCD, I bought a couple of remnant fabric pieces and tried my hand at something a little more challenging. </div>
<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/AVvXsEgeGUXILTwnTS2ZMJwms2TXfj6UKI6AORigXbY7Xm32iurO5VnooBRHPnaYbeK-gIds-8qrfz-OwNqA2XYvOzJZVSNwCL0Y-knnpboFkeI_YZkS_yGfxBOtWsKmF1ZEDyR8RobDVSAkob84/s1600/20130503_200341_resized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeGUXILTwnTS2ZMJwms2TXfj6UKI6AORigXbY7Xm32iurO5VnooBRHPnaYbeK-gIds-8qrfz-OwNqA2XYvOzJZVSNwCL0Y-knnpboFkeI_YZkS_yGfxBOtWsKmF1ZEDyR8RobDVSAkob84/s640/20130503_200341_resized.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cat purely decoration</td></tr>
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<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/AVvXsEiAZMIAR5rduuoCk0EkF0knYGqlK9qd-gwNqt2HZ6ETSFezUAXPPVkHWIobT5K6cHTb5YiPnLtUiLe5IolQjKvGcFK53X_Sv47rB8KsTZIzcPDNeBWInamhMEpynF8J4vH9TYZffn_4n5ey/s1600/20130503_200525_resized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAZMIAR5rduuoCk0EkF0knYGqlK9qd-gwNqt2HZ6ETSFezUAXPPVkHWIobT5K6cHTb5YiPnLtUiLe5IolQjKvGcFK53X_Sv47rB8KsTZIzcPDNeBWInamhMEpynF8J4vH9TYZffn_4n5ey/s640/20130503_200525_resized.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Guess which one suffers from insomnia</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
I'm pretty stoked with my creations thanks to a lil' inspiration. </div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Linking in with <a href="http://www.thesimplelife.co.nz/2013/05/a-badge-for-sophie.html" target="_blank">Sammy</a></div>
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<a href="http://3xsunshine.blogspot.co.nz/" target="_blank"><img alt=" Show & Tell Thursday's " border="0" src=" http://i1321.photobucket.com/albums/u552/LeonieDe/IMG_0617_zps2f975b92.jpg" style="height: 150px; width: 200px;" /></a></center>
Tall Pipihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08156116653469566766noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8212613741923322614.post-83844760318428625672013-05-03T20:52:00.001+12:002013-05-17T19:50:10.476+12:00Thankful for the Gift of Giving<center><a href="http://meghanandmark.blogspot.co.nz/search/label/Things%20Im%20Loving"><img height="160" src="http://i1198.photobucket.com/albums/aa455/meghankf/Buttons/ThingsImLoving.png " width="160" /></a></center><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><i>I wholeheartedly believe that no matter what is happening in your life, there is always something you can be thankful for..no matter how simple it is.</i></b></span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">I have recently discovered that when the chips are down the best thing I can do is give. Giving fills my tank in some way. Being able to give back makes me truly grateful for all that I have.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5e4iHNjI2wO_TCdTZJLNd_XwZ3_49DadlwT3tscjfLN7T2_3Df-BR6-HtH7mfV4pi1g1GG6olSEKfXJeQqNQEFN7-hNqVDtOnpNiOM5_Rz6mwSkSpPPYlA5qpHcj413K8XUnJyOV8vq6T/s1600/20130430_111512_resized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5e4iHNjI2wO_TCdTZJLNd_XwZ3_49DadlwT3tscjfLN7T2_3Df-BR6-HtH7mfV4pi1g1GG6olSEKfXJeQqNQEFN7-hNqVDtOnpNiOM5_Rz6mwSkSpPPYlA5qpHcj413K8XUnJyOV8vq6T/s640/20130430_111512_resized.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
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</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;">This week we had the pleasure of hanging out with my nephew, J. He is at a really enjoyable age and so enthusiastic about life. We love having him, it makes me see what we would be like as parents, and I like what I see. To see DH in that sort of Dad role just makes me love him more. </div><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/AVvXsEiusi010K9DhqicTfJvzdQCehd9WqyR6ul2PmitoBcjIn0BJX9zkpklXFnHmgXrfo_DlIpukl4VUe-0eW01SR3Kb41Gd-MKgRMhNS_YeLdk_WroPKZoPW1oI4CcCT1JFqMzaUyWvSjuNR8E/s1600/20130430_110645_resized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiusi010K9DhqicTfJvzdQCehd9WqyR6ul2PmitoBcjIn0BJX9zkpklXFnHmgXrfo_DlIpukl4VUe-0eW01SR3Kb41Gd-MKgRMhNS_YeLdk_WroPKZoPW1oI4CcCT1JFqMzaUyWvSjuNR8E/s640/20130430_110645_resized.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijH8ax5DhY5PFUDT0hTZUj-hE6ZnySiSfAW6shajxttP2EHFSSoyD6ZaDnMmsoyjRvkrwFCK1ssh7qdPSGvBSc4ovpB1vNVKrEhIZceHkkjR46j3l5brQJ56I9N0Pnfr9tTm_5X5TL2AQa/s1600/20130430_112130_resized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijH8ax5DhY5PFUDT0hTZUj-hE6ZnySiSfAW6shajxttP2EHFSSoyD6ZaDnMmsoyjRvkrwFCK1ssh7qdPSGvBSc4ovpB1vNVKrEhIZceHkkjR46j3l5brQJ56I9N0Pnfr9tTm_5X5TL2AQa/s640/20130430_112130_resized.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
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</tbody></table><center> We headed out in the drizzle to the Botanical Gardens. Each holiday they put on a free activity for the kids. These holidays it was a Flora Discoverers scavenger hunt. We picked up a booklet and went on our adventure. <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/AVvXsEitwtHjA9PjL8oIy3qpk2SkYioyoGbOILsq0yDKEQnCtn1yY3Uvk2QizS5GcLIhxtlYbPs0VPSdrRwtur2Ud-bef-nCQwGMyccS2bXuKe8S0AO4GWiGocdrg3sfvEJGsRQ0VAXTNI-noiZ3/s1600/20130430_110719_resized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitwtHjA9PjL8oIy3qpk2SkYioyoGbOILsq0yDKEQnCtn1yY3Uvk2QizS5GcLIhxtlYbPs0VPSdrRwtur2Ud-bef-nCQwGMyccS2bXuKe8S0AO4GWiGocdrg3sfvEJGsRQ0VAXTNI-noiZ3/s640/20130430_110719_resized.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzLfiB_IwkRSW0_Cy2rmk_uxgig7v57NxlNFEACGxOzHK8eb9GXhQmiSzbFDsugiX7qkeig3MvfNRlRDQxyyaLAbD94QIHJvJEnW-XJ2Qp9Z0hLkPG5P93C0aG21WRf0phxa0QyeHs2-mh/s1600/20130430_113748_resized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzLfiB_IwkRSW0_Cy2rmk_uxgig7v57NxlNFEACGxOzHK8eb9GXhQmiSzbFDsugiX7qkeig3MvfNRlRDQxyyaLAbD94QIHJvJEnW-XJ2Qp9Z0hLkPG5P93C0aG21WRf0phxa0QyeHs2-mh/s640/20130430_113748_resized.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6fILDVlFY6QS3srE7jPBKsY5nrgCUobu1tMmTj5o0KXwI997yk0vyAifxsRE7dAGJ8StySuHPbo-DevInpdMx4yJI4RGUaSd38Dxo2B0M5ZVhGLRXA6okCwmRXi2LNplfEycauI7qu_Jo/s1600/20130430_112730_resized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6fILDVlFY6QS3srE7jPBKsY5nrgCUobu1tMmTj5o0KXwI997yk0vyAifxsRE7dAGJ8StySuHPbo-DevInpdMx4yJI4RGUaSd38Dxo2B0M5ZVhGLRXA6okCwmRXi2LNplfEycauI7qu_Jo/s640/20130430_112730_resized.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</tbody></table>We discovered areas of the gardens we'd never seen before. J collected seeds for the seed collection scheme, drew plant life and he got a certificate at the end for all his efforts. We finished just as the torrential downpour started! </center><center><br />
So grateful for the time I have to spend with that boy.</center><center> </center><center>Linking in with <a href="http://meghanandmark.blogspot.co.nz/" target="_blank">Ms MNM's Meghan</a>. </center>Tall Pipihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08156116653469566766noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8212613741923322614.post-67901027638302772762013-04-30T15:09:00.000+12:002013-04-30T15:41:42.633+12:00Being the Mama I Want to BeWARNING: This post has all sorts of heavy heaviness going on!<br />
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So I have really been enjoying getting back into blogging...but I feel limited by what I can post about. I try to keep things light and positive, I try to focus on the good but this is not my heart at present. My heart has a massive ache, my soul is shouting, wanting to be heard, and I have yet to find a suitable outlet. I don't want to be a downer, but I also want to be true to myself, and true to my world, and true to my babies. How do I do that without bringing my fellow bloggers down big time? I see so many sharing their hearts, and I long to do that too. I'll share my heart anyway and see how it goes... <br />
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And I do stay positive most of the time, I do try and turn things for good and I know, ultimately, my God has it, He has all of it. He has me in the palm of His hand and will turn all my sorrow into joy, exchanging beauty for ashes. I know, I know, I know. And I believe.<br />
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But sometimes, that worry creeps in, 'maybe motherhood is not for me, maybe it has passed me by?'.<br />
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I read all your posts about motherhood and I know I want that too. I go to craft markets and fabric stores and find myself looking at all the displays for children's rooms, ooohing and aaahing and planning what I would choose if it was a girl...if it was a little boy...I drive past baby stores and think, 'one day I will go in there...' There are newborn babies all around me and pregnant ladies everywhere I go...I watch wistfully and think of the day that will be me.<br />
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Lately I have been experiencing a lot of grief over friendships, feeling neglected and uncared for as they all go on with their lives, and of course they should. The feeling I most identify with is wanting my loss to be acknowledged, wanting my grief to be understood and validated, my ache to be seen, a hug to be given, a hand on my arm...just the little things.<br />
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I am worried about Mother's Day. How will I feel on the day? Will anyone acknowledge that I am a Mum too? Do they need to? Do I need them to? If my first baby had gone full term, I would be holding a 2 month old baby in my arms. I would be seen as a Mum. I believe I am a Mum but it is not seen. If my second baby had kept growing, I would be 4 months by now. We would be telling people and looking forward to an October baby. I would be seen as a Mum, but it wasn't to be so.<br />
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These experiences have taught me so much, and I am grateful for that, I am grateful for the journey. I am grateful that I can help support other grieving mums. Recently I have been learning that when you are in need, giving is the best thing you can do. I won't stop doing these things, but right now I do it with a heart that has a massive ache and a soul longing to be heard...Tall Pipihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08156116653469566766noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8212613741923322614.post-74607195828351414602013-04-28T18:19:00.001+12:002013-05-03T22:03:24.109+12:005QF First Timer<center>
<a href="http://fivecrookedhalos.blogspot.com/" target="_blank" title="Five Question Friday"><img border="0" img="" src="http://i607.photobucket.com/albums/tt155/fivecrookedhalos/th_w6r0jk.png" /></a></center>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;">Trying out a new linky...It's called 5 Questions Friday (5QF).</span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;">If you want to join, head over to <a href="http://fivecrookedhalos.blogspot.co.nz/" target="_blank">Mama M.</a> and follow the instructions. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;">1. W</span></span></span></span></span></span></b></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">ho drives when your family is together, you or your spouse?</span></b><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">It depends who feels like it. If DH is tired or still getting dressed, I drive. If I want DH to take charge, or if DH wants to feel like the bo<span style="font-size: medium;">ss, </span>he drives. If either of us is drinking, the other drives. Usually it's me doing the driving...<span style="font-size: medium;">But actually, I am a ter<span style="font-size: medium;">rible, aggressive Christchurch driver so I don<span style="font-size: medium;">'t know why DH <span style="font-size: medium;">takes his life in his hands <span style="font-size: medium;">as much as he does...</span></span></span> </span></span></span></span> <b><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">2. Are you an i</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">ntrovert or extrovert?</span></b><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Bit of both, dependent on what else is going on in my life at the time.</span><span style="font-size: medium;"> I love socialising, but <span style="font-size: medium;">if I am stressed, or tired</span></span>, I really just need to be by myself.<br /><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">3. Are you m</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">arried to an introvert or extrovert?</span></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Introvert definitely!</span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">DH's favourite place to be is in his study by himself...no matter who is around!</span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">4. W</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">hat's your favorite type of social media?</span></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Facebook is my main one but I am getting more into blogging now instead.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;"> I<span style="font-size: medium;"> don't really participate in many soc<span style="font-size: medium;">ial networking sites...a bit too much for my small brain to handle.</span></span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">5. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">What's your favorite way to "recharge"?</span></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Watching a good movie, reading or taking a break away...And I may or may not watch tra<span style="font-size: medium;">shy television just a little too much...</span></span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>Tallpipi</i></span> linking in with <a href="http://fivecrookedhalos.blogspot.co.nz/" target="_blank">Mama M.</a> </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i> </i></span></span></b></span>Tall Pipihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08156116653469566766noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8212613741923322614.post-47564467520543119892013-04-26T10:03:00.000+12:002013-05-03T20:51:45.835+12:00Wellington Lovin'<center>
<a href="http://meghanandmark.blogspot.co.nz/search/label/Things%20Im%20Loving"><img height="160" src="http://i1198.photobucket.com/albums/aa455/meghankf/Buttons/ThingsImLoving.png " width="160" /></a></center>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><i>I wholeheartedly believe that no matter what is happening in your life, there is always something you can be thankful for..no matter how simple it is.</i></b></span><br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMWnQHTuLFFYba09qIGyMbt2z-u6lbu0hrVinIIoHPRuNag5dP8zILbZVObX52tFOH09NKkKKO7-u4ElcxfIRgQawg9piWR7SYMFQTFsVDa-0vDs7fJC0KRW9WkvgqQRD9yDzBlBn2oCkg/s1600/20130421_090625_resized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMWnQHTuLFFYba09qIGyMbt2z-u6lbu0hrVinIIoHPRuNag5dP8zILbZVObX52tFOH09NKkKKO7-u4ElcxfIRgQawg9piWR7SYMFQTFsVDa-0vDs7fJC0KRW9WkvgqQRD9yDzBlBn2oCkg/s640/20130421_090625_resized.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunday Wharf Markets</td></tr>
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<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/AVvXsEjuQcUXxqfKIwCy4LZQd70Gob-JXCWBMqACgYQg4PgPLA1r_meH9wP8koanHdPCKGjSEBTnpM59BKH00OqdSgbNcvVf1Bx9c9-R371DXGBJdMoo2p1XmM5nELgQKT37AOFH4auA0ZUtMnm4/s1600/20130421_090632_resized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuQcUXxqfKIwCy4LZQd70Gob-JXCWBMqACgYQg4PgPLA1r_meH9wP8koanHdPCKGjSEBTnpM59BKH00OqdSgbNcvVf1Bx9c9-R371DXGBJdMoo2p1XmM5nELgQKT37AOFH4auA0ZUtMnm4/s640/20130421_090632_resized.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amazing Colour</td></tr>
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I absolutely LOVE Wellington and it's such a treat to be able to pop up for an adventure.<br />
<br />
The mission: to meet up with a couple of the funniest and craziest ladies I had the pleasure of being friends with when living in Whangarei. Now all living apart, we got together in Wellington to do some of our favourite things.<br />
<br />
♥Sunday wharf markets - so much fresh produce - a delight for all the senses.<br />
♥Bordeaux Cafe - another delight for all the senses!<br />
♥Porirua - art gallery.<br />
♥Plimmerton - op shopping, cafes, & walks on the beach.<br />
♥Petone - amazing ecclectic mix of boutique shops and a foodies heaven! I now have the most amazing smelling chipotle smoked chillies in my pantry. Can't wait to use them!<br />
♥Te Papa - Nga Toi Section - TANTILISING for the eyes and mind.<br />
♥Walks at Oriental Bay.<br />
♥Martha's Pantry for a delightful tea party - such fun!<br />
♥Giggles, in house jokes, and memory makers with two fantastic chics!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCTycJeVom6eGpMOIkEiPxA5EkgBxUzjmO4iftOZXbNjkHk60va-5xgcM5CBBvwjdmGwUuuZKhRcDJzYQXjFizs7m_zfwqpX4C0TCkud1cKhM227VxZBAEwknEV51_85sZq8sQWGrEVzTl/s640/20130421_102052.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="480" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tantilising sights at Bordeaux Cafe</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCTycJeVom6eGpMOIkEiPxA5EkgBxUzjmO4iftOZXbNjkHk60va-5xgcM5CBBvwjdmGwUuuZKhRcDJzYQXjFizs7m_zfwqpX4C0TCkud1cKhM227VxZBAEwknEV51_85sZq8sQWGrEVzTl/s1600/20130421_102052.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> </a> </div>
<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/AVvXsEioUY5DeX1bRaai86uSem4DYVlB3hXFolBcyjc9ec7h5YcHB3l9UsEceQFzaUZ3Ept_CdNutWnM0TEUdDkwCc-kiCbtW85ghCb_DpBNK-ffSSOg_q3AmYBLhc5qIn4rz1TER5IyZcOZ9TDC/s1600/20130421_102057_resized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioUY5DeX1bRaai86uSem4DYVlB3hXFolBcyjc9ec7h5YcHB3l9UsEceQFzaUZ3Ept_CdNutWnM0TEUdDkwCc-kiCbtW85ghCb_DpBNK-ffSSOg_q3AmYBLhc5qIn4rz1TER5IyZcOZ9TDC/s640/20130421_102057_resized.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So much choice!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYlD1bsHiujrNXNupoWIS0veyO6UQt7-RFCyf0dr7_LVAKezpk4kdzYW2yLOohXToMRLVCSqn_YorPrf5jRCCf_REYTv34GSYDYMy8JF6VCzJtdTP8tBll5AkLooKLzfgznH_XSVJhSmov/s1600/20130421_194520_resized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYlD1bsHiujrNXNupoWIS0veyO6UQt7-RFCyf0dr7_LVAKezpk4kdzYW2yLOohXToMRLVCSqn_YorPrf5jRCCf_REYTv34GSYDYMy8JF6VCzJtdTP8tBll5AkLooKLzfgznH_XSVJhSmov/s640/20130421_194520_resized.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My first go at crochet - at least it fits something!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnvncjW-_mUKj9hOdjmVKiAKYOXP5ApFPH-e6n2pAMB1BvREqZY_8OmlY3z98u_UzFLCm9x3UWCLIHVLQ3pzk-pK5AmHAdspWgzQG7KDdLAOPEKbEyghecwh9ND06bkYTCQGAIPq_QRuQW/s1600/20130422_104441_resized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnvncjW-_mUKj9hOdjmVKiAKYOXP5ApFPH-e6n2pAMB1BvREqZY_8OmlY3z98u_UzFLCm9x3UWCLIHVLQ3pzk-pK5AmHAdspWgzQG7KDdLAOPEKbEyghecwh9ND06bkYTCQGAIPq_QRuQW/s640/20130422_104441_resized.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">How long do you think this blanket took to make? At the Porirua Art Gallery.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHlVa6BxICBqfcEquX6_PIim4rWXjhMmA_BGpWLatJCs9wz4dGm0wqRLbyKG-hn_wo2XDJAvVYTZXPGIHY5V4u-HQQeyQcfIKRnbwYvO2TdUCw-I8JTth1WeRpuHjArVLpxlCha1Dst6l0/s1600/20130422_110011_resized_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHlVa6BxICBqfcEquX6_PIim4rWXjhMmA_BGpWLatJCs9wz4dGm0wqRLbyKG-hn_wo2XDJAvVYTZXPGIHY5V4u-HQQeyQcfIKRnbwYvO2TdUCw-I8JTth1WeRpuHjArVLpxlCha1Dst6l0/s640/20130422_110011_resized_1.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cool art idea - string art on the carpet. At Te Papa Museum.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiODLpPZDK9lFNTkx2AoFCYrV1W7DKidoCV1lAYMVlPVetLb81kjhNoDQ2SupFU2O5gYHC9mNLABFfiB5MAUC5kQ2VdZfFXC17z-o5HIYqTijOsRwZaaasuZg-Hh94WMe5XGmIw2x_hkFd1/s1600/20130424_152411_resized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiODLpPZDK9lFNTkx2AoFCYrV1W7DKidoCV1lAYMVlPVetLb81kjhNoDQ2SupFU2O5gYHC9mNLABFfiB5MAUC5kQ2VdZfFXC17z-o5HIYqTijOsRwZaaasuZg-Hh94WMe5XGmIw2x_hkFd1/s640/20130424_152411_resized.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tea toting at Martha's Pantry.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
LOVE! Till we meet again Wellington...<br />
<br />
Linking in with the lovely<a href="http://meghanandmark.blogspot.co.nz/2013/04/things-im-loving-26413.html" target="_blank"> </a><a href="http://meghan./">Meghan.</a> </div>
Tall Pipihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08156116653469566766noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8212613741923322614.post-50772086523902575002013-04-20T08:30:00.000+12:002013-04-20T11:42:58.172+12:00Things I Am Loving<center>
<a href="http://meghanandmark.blogspot.co.nz/search/label/Things%20Im%20Loving"><img height="160" src="http://i1198.photobucket.com/albums/aa455/meghankf/Buttons/ThingsImLoving.png " width="160" /></a></center>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><i>I wholeheartedly believe that no matter what is happening in your life, there is always something you can be thankful for..no matter how simple it is.</i></b></span><br />
<br />
What a week! FINALLY the holidays are upon us. I have only just had a couple of weeks off due to the <a href="http://tallpipi.blogspot.co.nz/2013/04/on-break.html" target="_blank">loss of my second pregnancy</a>. But I couldn't have been more grateful than I was yesterday to finally shut the door on what has been a very long term. I celebrated after school by going out for a few drinkies with work mates where the theme of the afternoon was saying, "Woohoo!" and clinking glasses whenever anyone came back with a full glass (what mad woman would come up with that idea?). It was one way to really get everyone laughing and get that stress leaving! Then last night my wonderful husband planned a dinner out with a couple of friends. While I didn't want to leave the previous celebrations, I was grateful I did. We had such a great time.<br />
<br />
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<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/AVvXsEgAotXdIgutlZDk8Rt18dVZBiB4d3NEH2v0Iwo-3nGIGU8olB_3UABpd85mLa-5AkTlWhUM6J3fw8a2LzVVYddLAqZWUtiu3_aiK5ceQKTDKPFkH-tLNiMf2Rc36XN_UzQFwaIJ3wgxgn2W/s1600/625680_10151627102239314_1100028613_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAotXdIgutlZDk8Rt18dVZBiB4d3NEH2v0Iwo-3nGIGU8olB_3UABpd85mLa-5AkTlWhUM6J3fw8a2LzVVYddLAqZWUtiu3_aiK5ceQKTDKPFkH-tLNiMf2Rc36XN_UzQFwaIJ3wgxgn2W/s640/625680_10151627102239314_1100028613_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Woohoo with a Woo Woo!</td></tr>
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<center>
What else am I loving?
<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/AVvXsEhQHhslZ4CAyaEvOUpJzI8TnUv59aLtu8vaYbaOFoNpVmmqDQ9pb5cIpx10g3dLNAgAbfe2TsO_04-9nu0sjiAvTh29rHV6AzDBI2teCVg_5lmxHgIOAhbDorP2DByybxDjU4uUhVgLanHU/s1600/Pic+monkey+varietyfarewellall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQHhslZ4CAyaEvOUpJzI8TnUv59aLtu8vaYbaOFoNpVmmqDQ9pb5cIpx10g3dLNAgAbfe2TsO_04-9nu0sjiAvTh29rHV6AzDBI2teCVg_5lmxHgIOAhbDorP2DByybxDjU4uUhVgLanHU/s640/Pic+monkey+varietyfarewellall.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our Farewell Party for 3 lovelies. Bunting made by me - an ex-bunting-hater</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVWtJtiOC47FxJzIouAOfT9oSouTuHCn3wngO0unUB8nmMrOL6EYwo2M9xD4ZutfGq16i9UMugjIzGsG7TNAgDFvkQuIGY7CXX74R4CJj-A2xC4mDwwmWHH3Uqvn5nvf_bSTU3aM60xwmE/s1600/Flowers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVWtJtiOC47FxJzIouAOfT9oSouTuHCn3wngO0unUB8nmMrOL6EYwo2M9xD4ZutfGq16i9UMugjIzGsG7TNAgDFvkQuIGY7CXX74R4CJj-A2xC4mDwwmWHH3Uqvn5nvf_bSTU3aM60xwmE/s640/Flowers.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flowers for real and retro flowers on new fleecy jammies</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaaH-GjyLBctYykgf1Xhv_l6knHhlU6D_JN-ZSdAZEsISPeBnznUHZYWIc6tRsGgrYdCXS1CpE2YCWFsI95fPm-OydBFlU91zm612PLjrzKrEvSqucEyepU1UT9lJQiDSEKBcoe9YEri6X/s1600/541572_10151359847897120_357800017_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaaH-GjyLBctYykgf1Xhv_l6knHhlU6D_JN-ZSdAZEsISPeBnznUHZYWIc6tRsGgrYdCXS1CpE2YCWFsI95fPm-OydBFlU91zm612PLjrzKrEvSqucEyepU1UT9lJQiDSEKBcoe9YEri6X/s640/541572_10151359847897120_357800017_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Meeting up with these lovely ladies (some for the first time and others meeting again) - Pic courtesy of <a href="http://www.paisleyjade.com/" target="_blank">Paisley Jade</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0waCFMzhzTkIVDZsBPgQamtsDpYVijhr3EA76SmiyAdNxmwgEzL1S7OGLIlMg1nbA65aHOmZ7SgpvRS1ai65oIg_JUGrLc-KYSDrmyDAz0tzSA_hYHMVXb2YfbJCTCx7hH6neBczFM0F5/s1600/P1010802.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0waCFMzhzTkIVDZsBPgQamtsDpYVijhr3EA76SmiyAdNxmwgEzL1S7OGLIlMg1nbA65aHOmZ7SgpvRS1ai65oIg_JUGrLc-KYSDrmyDAz0tzSA_hYHMVXb2YfbJCTCx7hH6neBczFM0F5/s640/P1010802.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rain for a desperate, dry garden.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<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/AVvXsEi2gF0bx5s8XxGaE6uoJhLjazmUZGGma5UOlrULbG3AJzK-3z4XFQRK93irxsFYFhZdcAnOhdD34cnTF3jQ-Y-XttHHVearviT0Zi-CZhCNs7K_BXtewnsiodsKHWDgr3GRGXNAGFquhZY2/s1600/P1010810.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2gF0bx5s8XxGaE6uoJhLjazmUZGGma5UOlrULbG3AJzK-3z4XFQRK93irxsFYFhZdcAnOhdD34cnTF3jQ-Y-XttHHVearviT0Zi-CZhCNs7K_BXtewnsiodsKHWDgr3GRGXNAGFquhZY2/s640/P1010810.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The last blooms on my <a href="http://tallpipi.blogspot.co.nz/2012/08/starting-memory.html" target="_blank">first baby's</a> rose bush.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBskZIhZkitH4-cal3cPLQotGYhLaLBeTiCKkcThSuPXDaQKVFOF1jqnAxBJBW0s5lNjiFBQHp1oX6Vec56LNftkEkj0TeIxhZZR6QjfxPW4runIv_QuS_DLpsmasSMXoe_wHRoiEGSuDG/s1600/P1010801.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBskZIhZkitH4-cal3cPLQotGYhLaLBeTiCKkcThSuPXDaQKVFOF1jqnAxBJBW0s5lNjiFBQHp1oX6Vec56LNftkEkj0TeIxhZZR6QjfxPW4runIv_QuS_DLpsmasSMXoe_wHRoiEGSuDG/s640/P1010801.JPG" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Creating beautiful spaces in my home (table undergoing re-modelling soon!)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidFma4ytbNc8SDk1QJHLV6FxFADE4Tde_AzOH004RlrWS1sZYnFDS5sAiP3mfO33CzLUpsxidrCiuOHS33Y58DkdQk94Jgw2uN-wv62WeqKHY_2MRZYSoR73r3B91f9s3lhDSPW4VXDpn-/s1600/Trade+Me+Finds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidFma4ytbNc8SDk1QJHLV6FxFADE4Tde_AzOH004RlrWS1sZYnFDS5sAiP3mfO33CzLUpsxidrCiuOHS33Y58DkdQk94Jgw2uN-wv62WeqKHY_2MRZYSoR73r3B91f9s3lhDSPW4VXDpn-/s640/Trade+Me+Finds.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Latest Trade Me finds.</td></tr>
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So, so much to love! Linking in with the lovely <a href="http://meghanandmark.blogspot.co.nz/2013/04/things-im-loving_19.html" target="_blank">Meghan</a>.
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Tall Pipihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08156116653469566766noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8212613741923322614.post-15865745424328980662013-04-18T00:41:00.001+12:002013-04-20T09:20:06.888+12:00Confessions of a Bunting Hater*Please excuse my photo placement. They're doing something silly and I haven't worked out how to fix it yet!
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So, on the weekend at the <a href="http://www.bloggersconnecting.com/">Around the Table Bloggers Conference</a>, I declared very quietly to my friend Gail that I hated bunting. Within the space of one 'Johnny Special' filled night, everyone knew! And all I can say is Johnny should have done Pinas! Now, there are many, many reasons I hate bunting - none of which I will go into here, except to say that I just find it a bit twee. I mean, what's wrong with some balloons and a few streamers?
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However, I may have to eat my words a little bit and disappoint my friend <a href="http://www.blogger.com/delightfullydiva-ish.blogspot.co.nz">Gail</a> and possibly <a href="http:///">Widge</a> too (sorry girls). And it all came about today as I made preparations for three of our little darlings to be farewelled at a class picnic tomorrow. Thinking I would do something special, banners with their names didn't cut it in the wind, and a good reason for bunting was born unto me...
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I love a good creative project, but hate anything fiddly or time consuming - I'm talking nothing more than an hour or two at most. I have been known to whip up a couple of skirts in one 2 hour sitting...<i>I know!</i> So, straight to you comes my evening project: The Lazy Crafter's Guide to Hassle-Free Bunting.
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1. First you will need these things:
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9tDPBjYiIUoz0CUr1BMRUey_Gcl-Vaeg44sw8cekIePjAfeGInivIaEtK3lnyaN8DdJHS8_dQl066uSZZeu9VkiLPCeGJrfLC5OIsXsI3rJLZ_I050agomW97xuIS_Q1pOlextQIb6yFO/s1600/P1010784.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9tDPBjYiIUoz0CUr1BMRUey_Gcl-Vaeg44sw8cekIePjAfeGInivIaEtK3lnyaN8DdJHS8_dQl066uSZZeu9VkiLPCeGJrfLC5OIsXsI3rJLZ_I050agomW97xuIS_Q1pOlextQIb6yFO/s640/P1010784.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scissors, twine, felt sheets, foam stick on letters.</td></tr>
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I got the felt sheets from a $2 variety shop, and the foam letters from The Warehouse - great deal at the moment on Little Hands Craft Supplies - buy two, get a third free.
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2. Cut into bunting shape and use the first one as a pattern to cut the others to uniform shape.
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitv-HOUccDqgY1QEMtStHnLMriLMF8zvVPlA3ZfwWGvNBi7KKQ2hQGMVVzfQzgMy2nTcv0BFlpYEaIXdVy0Hu89ZPtZwXdxgtljKjZGJ9gwOPiePNNHGMk1o8jxU-piCAglMYyxPZVgVv8/s1600/P1010787.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitv-HOUccDqgY1QEMtStHnLMriLMF8zvVPlA3ZfwWGvNBi7KKQ2hQGMVVzfQzgMy2nTcv0BFlpYEaIXdVy0Hu89ZPtZwXdxgtljKjZGJ9gwOPiePNNHGMk1o8jxU-piCAglMYyxPZVgVv8/s640/P1010787.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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3. Arrange the letters on the bunting, contrasting colours to suit.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPX7uONT95sw3TJ9FmNd5xWD97wVIYEo5T7atNyskSuGqj2OQ2ruUIKs_LwR21SkPkYNo9_IzqVRIiHaMiV9v7VWxlKePglLjXpcQyrsbYNLpkRuGsyaW78qUQ2dzqcW1QuoCf1GjvnNBC/s1600/P1010789.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPX7uONT95sw3TJ9FmNd5xWD97wVIYEo5T7atNyskSuGqj2OQ2ruUIKs_LwR21SkPkYNo9_IzqVRIiHaMiV9v7VWxlKePglLjXpcQyrsbYNLpkRuGsyaW78qUQ2dzqcW1QuoCf1GjvnNBC/s640/P1010789.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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4. Glue twine on the backs with a hot glue gun, ensuring you space them apart the desired distances.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3WJP3iR6Wr5soqHbPLCm24r9OwlpJLotOTRVnc7X79eckCdZjzhHxb4SvyBhNme1YPpnNlL8D1yR0psVhvfEwm5PPoulfWeiYYGbq0ToL8yV-gTn_LtVRH1quzzd9B6QrF6e5hI7ehtJp/s1600/P1010790.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3WJP3iR6Wr5soqHbPLCm24r9OwlpJLotOTRVnc7X79eckCdZjzhHxb4SvyBhNme1YPpnNlL8D1yR0psVhvfEwm5PPoulfWeiYYGbq0ToL8yV-gTn_LtVRH1quzzd9B6QrF6e5hI7ehtJp/s640/P1010790.JPG" width="640" /></a>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYvzvwJya-8gsa3WLaBxWDPSBJD0dPdZm5BzfUecYj8521AQMjl8xSInJ_zmW2WY6jpDXdWvxCVA-Y8vo-iSyU6W8F-KlyO-s9oZSi5yh9jPrmLnm28rpF59TzuwQDaDQFnuPyK95eIoX-/s1600/P1010791.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYvzvwJya-8gsa3WLaBxWDPSBJD0dPdZm5BzfUecYj8521AQMjl8xSInJ_zmW2WY6jpDXdWvxCVA-Y8vo-iSyU6W8F-KlyO-s9oZSi5yh9jPrmLnm28rpF59TzuwQDaDQFnuPyK95eIoX-/s640/P1010791.JPG" width="640" /></a>
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5. Realise you've glued them on back to front and proceed to snip off the twine on either side of each bunt (is that even a word?). Then tie lengths of twine in between each bunt, with the letters in the right order this time. Attach more twine on each end - enough to tie and stretch across whatever it is you're tying it to.
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oops!</td></tr>
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6. And there you have it! Pretty attractive if I do say so myself, and relatively quick (even with my dyslexic moment). I think I might even do it again sometime now I've worked it all out. Please, don't think I've gone totally crafty or anything, no need to panic! But I think you are looking at a semi-reformed bunting hater to say the least!
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsvyHD5XryhUGvfDtgDmv0Zj9iD5OcAVKhsg7Hnj4BFLAAzLC3yEiuqeX8Em9taLv2jDJD2YxTcC9amAX4BB89RpLF67ce84aPfyZE-a-RQYg_EQu5BKtPeilZ2D-U4sXDbWSk8By566uS/s1600/P1010795.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsvyHD5XryhUGvfDtgDmv0Zj9iD5OcAVKhsg7Hnj4BFLAAzLC3yEiuqeX8Em9taLv2jDJD2YxTcC9amAX4BB89RpLF67ce84aPfyZE-a-RQYg_EQu5BKtPeilZ2D-U4sXDbWSk8By566uS/s640/P1010795.JPG" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMZJTr6r81UhY3DfstXG-kVeDTFZwQ18C_BMSbIup0a0LXpiJVhTLLim8QhCOHrmsd9h0sgKzPF7_m401VYN8w09XINj5Wn4CtVh9fng9qyT61Fqg-6mfx8M5VjYcB_ByLq-fkIApAYSJY/s1600/P1010796.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMZJTr6r81UhY3DfstXG-kVeDTFZwQ18C_BMSbIup0a0LXpiJVhTLLim8QhCOHrmsd9h0sgKzPF7_m401VYN8w09XINj5Wn4CtVh9fng9qyT61Fqg-6mfx8M5VjYcB_ByLq-fkIApAYSJY/s640/P1010796.JPG" width="640" /></a>
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I'll post a pic tomorrow when they're up. Excites!
Tall Pipihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08156116653469566766noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8212613741923322614.post-63888790384224996752013-04-16T20:14:00.000+12:002013-04-16T20:15:19.494+12:00Playing Pick-Up Sticks in the PantryThis is what I came home to today.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDJmc7lMtXwJqtMkQdt_uIwPiMYPF9w5BohcaYCkGN7PI5XcboXcHBNT1kYSRnLZE2D6yh4oLwpUdk3rnDLTV_2IqXf-GCFwOtRG9XAxklC5O1vQeppy27pc8gMAw7yTQyIEXLY_zjmNeK/s1600/P1010778.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDJmc7lMtXwJqtMkQdt_uIwPiMYPF9w5BohcaYCkGN7PI5XcboXcHBNT1kYSRnLZE2D6yh4oLwpUdk3rnDLTV_2IqXf-GCFwOtRG9XAxklC5O1vQeppy27pc8gMAw7yTQyIEXLY_zjmNeK/s320/P1010778.JPG" width="212" /></a>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiqasZggQddftKRGZJRr32cE_0n3Z9scJyei52bjz9uH49gSw-doY7RqviTc40YHX0eGpXoRr66xQPUzjAJ3Wy3wALksfLHvHQ-Go8K_-a_q0UlEeNOJq-CTGM8-3n8Vkfn63eVXOILHZ2/s1600/P1010780.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiqasZggQddftKRGZJRr32cE_0n3Z9scJyei52bjz9uH49gSw-doY7RqviTc40YHX0eGpXoRr66xQPUzjAJ3Wy3wALksfLHvHQ-Go8K_-a_q0UlEeNOJq-CTGM8-3n8Vkfn63eVXOILHZ2/s320/P1010780.JPG" width="320" /></a>
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Oh dear. <i>Sigh</i>Tall Pipihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08156116653469566766noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8212613741923322614.post-69892514445918812002013-04-15T20:38:00.001+12:002013-04-15T20:38:55.867+12:00"So, what did you do?"Going on a date with DH after a huge weekend hanging out with some of the most amazing, inspiring and creative women I have ever met, and he asks, "So what did you actually do?"
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Hmmm...how to answer that? I think my new friend <a href="http://www.thesimplelife.co.nz/2013/04/my-weekend.html">Sammy</a> said it pretty well...<i>"It was like a big blanket- warm, inviting and inclusive. I arrived emotionally empty and left emotionally full."</i>
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It's been such a tough few months for me and I really was unsure how I would cope in a big group, meeting new people etc etc. But there was totally nothing to worry about and, yes, I did come away filled to the brim.
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So, what did we do? We learned, we loved, we laughed, we inspired, we hugged, we shared, we listened, we snapped a gazillion pics, we ate, we drank, we gave, we cried, we created, we connected.
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I can't remember the last time I felt so loved upon. I can't quite believe that, although many of us had never met each other before, it felt like old friends meeting up again. I can't now imagine my life without these awesome ladies in it. I can't help but be inspired and moved by each woman I met, hearing their journey's, sharing experiences.
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We came together for a shared experience of blogging and left with a huge appreciation of how blogging allows us to connect and be real with each other, and ourselves. Women's stories accepted for what they are, comments like "yeah, I know how you feel", and "I've been there" help a heart to heal, a vessel to fill, a realisation that we are not alone, no-one is 'normal', and a hope that there is a light, things do get better.
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There are so so many ladies to thank and acknowledge and they know who they are, but for me it was also about the collective. That collective group that made it such a worthwhile weekend to give time to. Kudos to you all, ladies, and Auckland...BRING IT! Tall Pipihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08156116653469566766noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8212613741923322614.post-13435541478868900932013-04-06T21:21:00.002+13:002013-04-06T21:22:35.462+13:00A Little PoemI found this little poem today and it really puts into words how I feel about acknowledging my babies.
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The world may never notice if a snowdrop doesn't bloom, or even pause to wonder if the petals fall to soon. But every life that ever forms, or ever comes to be, touches the world in some small way for all eternity.
The little one we long for was swiftly here and gone, but the love that was then planted is a light that still shines on. And though our arms are empty, our hearts know what to do, every beating of our hearts says that we do love you.
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<a href="http://lilypie.com/"><img src="http://lagf.lilypie.com/ohVWp13.png" width="400" height="80" border="0" alt="Lilypie Angel and Memorial tickers" /></a><a href="http://lilypie.com/"><img src="http://lagf.lilypie.com/74NCp13.png" width="400" height="80" border="0" alt="Lilypie Angel and Memorial tickers" /></a>
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Nice aye?
Tall Pipihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08156116653469566766noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8212613741923322614.post-47177881113902121122013-04-02T09:27:00.000+13:002013-05-04T22:36:30.535+12:00On A BreakI've had to take a break. I've produced another angel baby. I am sad. I am tired. I never thought it would be this hard. <a href="http://lilypie.com/"><img alt="Lilypie Angel and Memorial tickers" border="0" height="80" src="http://lagf.lilypie.com/ohVWp13.png" width="400" /></a> <a href="http://lilypie.com/"><img alt="Lilypie Angel and Memorial tickers" border="0" height="80" src="http://lagf.lilypie.com/74NCp13.png" width="400" /></a>Tall Pipihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08156116653469566766noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8212613741923322614.post-86002967935570392112013-02-07T21:39:00.000+13:002013-02-07T21:45:26.379+13:00Aspergers and my DHI've been AWOL for quite. some. time. Luckily I don't get the guilts for being bloggy AWOL. I've been grieving and in that grieving, learning. A lot. The last 6 months have truly been the hardest of my life. But I seem to be bouncing back. I have a new focus for this space, borne out of a need I see out there in the bloggy community (from what I have seen).
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Recently my DH (darling husband) has been diagnosed with Aspergers. A shock and a relief for us both. Devastating and challenging, yet liberating and educating. At times it has brought us closer together and at other times, never further apart. Since the diagnosis, we have done a lot of research and we have come across many, many sites, blogs and forums that are so so negative. Most forums are support groups for women married to men with AS and all they do is complain. I understand the need to off load, but support to me should be positive and pro-active. Maybe that's just me.
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<br />
So, with the permission of my DH, I am seeking to provide a place for people to come and learn about partnering with an Aspie, to be a place to provide pro-active support, and have an outlet for my own creative drive. I wanna put a positive spin on this whole AS thang!
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<br />
And just to kick things off, there will be a prize draw for a Tania L. original artwork (I will post a pic shortly as it is currently being worked on!) To be in the draw, I would love for you to ask any questions you might have, both personal and general about AS or being married to someone with AS. At the end of next week (Friday 15 Feb) I will make the draw.
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Looking forward to hearing from you soon!Tall Pipihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08156116653469566766noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8212613741923322614.post-47849404344084016912012-08-22T11:12:00.001+12:002013-03-22T16:33:10.732+13:00Starting A MemoryOur Little Bean. Your heart stopped beating 8 weeks 5 days. You
finally left us at 12 weeks 3 days. Thank you for letting me be your
mummy if only for a short time. We will always love you. You will
always be our first baby. I promise to look after Daddy for you. See
you again in heaven. Until then I will look at our new rose bush where
we buried you. Sweet Dreams Our Little Bean.
<a href="http://lilypie.com/"><img alt="Lilypie Angel and Memorial tickers" border="0" height="80" src="http://lagf.lilypie.com/7ngIp12.png" width="400" /></a>Tall Pipihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08156116653469566766noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8212613741923322614.post-68324181846446598322012-08-20T18:53:00.001+12:002013-03-22T16:32:43.106+13:00Saying Goodbye to My Little BeanHi all, so I've been away for a while. I was busy with my new sideline business and full time working and then I found myself pregnant. And then, well, I was sick and tired and lethargic and overwhelmed and adjusting. Then, last week, things went very wrong and we lost the baby. Posting on here is part of my healing. I want to share my story.<br />
<br />
I had some clues things maybe weren't right at 9 weeks - nausea
subsided, breasts stopped being sore and huge, and I was feeling more
energetic. I was worried, but decided to keep positive until I knew any
different. People had also told me I was being paranoid and looking
back, even if I had followed my instincts, it wouldn't have changed
anything.
<br />
<br />
Anyway at 11 weeks, last Monday morning, I started spotting.
I was alarmed and rang the midwife. I had to leave a message. Then I
decided to stay calm, pray and just get on with my day. That
afternoon, and then evening, I had more spotting, my midwife rang me
back. She wasn't too worried and said to take the next day off, rest
and see what happens. I was hopeful and positive. In the morning, more spotting and I felt like I was
getting my period. I rang the midwife and she booked me in for a scan.
<br />
<br />
At the scan, we were feeling really nervous but still a glimmer of
hope remained. After a tummy scan, we could only see a pregnancy sac
and I was praised for my full bladder, however, it was getting in the
way of my uterus. I had to empty my bladder and then have an internal scan. Straight away we saw the baby. I'll never forget
that moment. It was a complete surge of love, mixed with the certainty
that our sweet little bean wasn't moving. Such a strange, wonderful and
tragic feeling. I was filled with love for this tiny thing even though
I knew I would never get to meet them, to hug them, to call them by
name. After a few measurements, the radiologist asked us if we were
sure of our dates. We were and she said the baby measured 8+5 weeks.
She turned on the colour to see any small movements. Nothing but black
and white. I said, "Oh I can't see a heart beat". I couldn't believe
how calm I sounded. She said, "I'm sorry, I can't either". She left to
get a doctor to confirm.
<br />
<br />
I lay on the bed and burst into tears. I sobbed with Kev by my side,
holding my arm. The doctor came in and confirmed everything. He was
professional and very routine. I wiped my tears and nodded. After
calling my midwife, the doctor said we were to go home and she would
take care of the rest and call me. They were great at the radiology
clinic. They let us stay in the room as long as we needed and then when
we were ready, they said we could go straight out and they would sort
everything at the desk for me. (I had my 12 week scan booked for the
next week and obviously wouldn't need it anymore).
<br />
<br />
It has been a long, very drawn out process involving horrible
decisions, lots of tears, pain, questions and such an empty feeling. Kev and my midwife have been amazingly supportive. I thought my
midwife would be off as soon as there was no live baby but she has been
there for me throughout.
<br />
<br />
Tomorrow, I go into hospital for medical management. Even though I
know it's painful and drawn out, I couldn't do a D&C. I didn't want
to risk any damage to my uterus for future pregnancies (this was my
first baby and I know the risks are small but I couldn't take any more chances). I don't know where I am at anymore. I just
feel empty and sad and nothing - all quite normal, I know. And I will be okay.
<br />
<br />
If you are the praying kind, please pray that tomorrow goes well and
is successful so I can have some closure, and say goodbye properly. Sweet dreams Little Bean.Tall Pipihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08156116653469566766noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8212613741923322614.post-15274465748412302692012-04-29T18:18:00.001+12:002012-04-29T18:18:08.958+12:00SundayToday for me looked something like this;<br />
<ul><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4BuedQPC6TvjawB1g0iD43GVVl9SIY52ZgVET89pv1N-RGt3SUsdqkC4pTBsUkzIGw7wdK5PTlPhiDfOR4SYUEe-gR5F8DNUNCSZ3fhz0iAPPq7p22NfruaY4wmiCkaYI7nanzoZQFP_i/s1600/IMG_20120429_174857.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4BuedQPC6TvjawB1g0iD43GVVl9SIY52ZgVET89pv1N-RGt3SUsdqkC4pTBsUkzIGw7wdK5PTlPhiDfOR4SYUEe-gR5F8DNUNCSZ3fhz0iAPPq7p22NfruaY4wmiCkaYI7nanzoZQFP_i/s320/IMG_20120429_174857.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXKEjcWEY6GK5v-7u7l0911rwkscpoGn6bPZc49Et-FNjq-d4UxYUAkHFTwwYMO7ZER5gQ5Mj4dMh7CWkXYxSroZEl31rSKcsHsybynW0KpBEEoIw_Moce78tqflPwHDLgwiS4inXUDWJg/s1600/IMG_20120429_161322.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a>
<li>I awoke at a decent hour which was such a relief. Waking and already starting to think at 5am was becoming a bit of a drag. Later when I thought about my lovely wake time I wondered: could it in fact be the amount of wine I drank last night and not that my mind and body was calmer?...oh well.</li>
</ul>
<ul><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXKEjcWEY6GK5v-7u7l0911rwkscpoGn6bPZc49Et-FNjq-d4UxYUAkHFTwwYMO7ZER5gQ5Mj4dMh7CWkXYxSroZEl31rSKcsHsybynW0KpBEEoIw_Moce78tqflPwHDLgwiS4inXUDWJg/s1600/IMG_20120429_161322.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXKEjcWEY6GK5v-7u7l0911rwkscpoGn6bPZc49Et-FNjq-d4UxYUAkHFTwwYMO7ZER5gQ5Mj4dMh7CWkXYxSroZEl31rSKcsHsybynW0KpBEEoIw_Moce78tqflPwHDLgwiS4inXUDWJg/s320/IMG_20120429_161322.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW4izGsCFsNnR4mEruCF05AawQiqSswRQYx5W2xQenHivCY3MZLXNOkS9mj6Fx1Mdvc_7aslHXTT42Zw_Beyjy5jnal6mDftDCib7uuHHSyRVyXs3M2z9uUcn3GD5NNXh6ui9eM-2OXPqm/s1600/IMG_20120429_160829.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW4izGsCFsNnR4mEruCF05AawQiqSswRQYx5W2xQenHivCY3MZLXNOkS9mj6Fx1Mdvc_7aslHXTT42Zw_Beyjy5jnal6mDftDCib7uuHHSyRVyXs3M2z9uUcn3GD5NNXh6ui9eM-2OXPqm/s320/IMG_20120429_160829.jpg" width="320" /></a>
<li>Travis Junction Life Centre is the place I have chosen to worship. It is small, community based and the people are so real and so friendly. It's not trendy, fashionable or flashy, just really down to earth, comfortable, spirit-filled and I feel like I belong. Ahhh...at last...it's been a long search. </li>
<li>After some of my delicious leftover risotto (made for the very first time last night because I have never really liked risotto - flavourless and stodgy - this one was not either of those things and I am so proud of myself!), and a little moe, Kev and I took a drive to the city centre.</li>
<li>We walked and familiarised ourselves with a 'new normal' CBD that is totally unrecognisable - so unrecognisable that I got quite disorientated and lost. I felt a mixture of emotions throughout the afternoon - grief, frustration, disappointment, amazement, confusion, resignation, relief, peace, and hope. Not always in that order and definitely some were revisited more than others. Madras Street was opened this weekend, which is where the tragic CTV building was. We stopped for awhile at the perimeter and...well, nothing, just stopped, stood, looked, and thought about those who lost their lives here and those they left behind.</li>
<li>As the sun sets, I am again grateful for an affordable house that we can live in without fear of horrendous rent increases, or owners wanting to move back in. I am mindful, and grateful that, for this season, Kev and I are able to have days like these because we don't have children yet and can just please ourselves. I am grateful that Kev and I spent some time together in the sun. And I am very grateful that I have a God that knows the bigger picture and I can put my fears, worries and questions into His hands, and know that He holds me too. </li>
</ul>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
How was your Sunday? </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
xxx</div>Tall Pipihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08156116653469566766noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8212613741923322614.post-43781478656853954542012-04-28T13:24:00.000+12:002012-04-28T13:24:23.709+12:00Right Now...<div style="color: black;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia,palatino;">Hey Everyone, it's been a while. I must admit I have lost my blogging mojo and would love to find it again, so thought I could possibly kick start it with something easy but effective. </span></span></div>
<div style="color: black;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: black;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia,palatino;">Idea taken from the lovely <a href="http://www.artbyanya.com/2012/04/right-now.html" target="_blank">Anya</a>.</span></span></div>
<div style="color: black;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #00bfbf; font-family: georgia,palatino;">right now i am.....</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #00bfbf; font-family: georgia,palatino;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia,palatino;"><span style="color: #00bfbf;">watching: </span>the dog trying to find someone to play with.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia,palatino;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia,palatino;"><span style="color: #00bfbf;">drinking: </span>post work-out water</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia,palatino;"><span style="color: #00bfbf;">wearing: </span>oh gross....my workout clothes from this morning...a bit stinky!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia,palatino;"><span style="color: #00bfbf;">eating: </span>feijoas - L.O.V.E.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia,palatino;"><span style="color: #00bfbf;">listening: </span>to my husband bopping a beat while he studies (I think it helps him focus)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia,palatino;"><span style="color: #00bfbf;">avoiding: </span>cleaning up my messy house...doing my school work that desperately needs </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia,palatino;">doing...deciding what to have for lunch...having a shower (all of it means I'd have to move off the couch)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia,palatino;"><span style="color: #00bfbf;">wishing: </span>I had already had a shower and that the weekends didn't go so fast.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia,palatino;"><span style="color: #00bfbf;">feeling: <span style="color: black;">overwhelmed, yet trying not to be overwhelmed by replacing it with calm, all the while feeling guilty for not having started, and feeling like I should be more overwhelmed than I am!</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia,palatino;"><span style="color: #00bfbf;">missing: <span style="color: black;">good friends who are far away.</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia,palatino;"><span style="color: #00bfbf;">thankful: </span>for living in a house that is affordable.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia,palatino;"><span style="color: #00bfbf;">craving: <span style="color: black;">time to slow down.</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia,palatino;"><span style="color: #00bfbf;">wondering:</span> how I will be able to pull off everything I have going on?! </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia,palatino;"><span style="color: #00bfbf;">praying: </span>for my friend <a href="http://everythingbytwos.blogspot.co.nz/" target="_blank">Weza's</a> little boy Rico who sounded so sick this morning. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia,palatino;"><span style="color: #00bfbf;">needing: <span style="color: black;">a housekeeper.</span></span><br /> </span><span style="font-family: georgia,palatino;"><span style="color: #00bfbf;"> </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia,palatino;"><span style="color: #00bfbf;">thinking: </span> about how to promote my <a href="http://getnailed.net.nz/" target="_blank">business</a>.</span></span>
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<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia,palatino;"><span style="color: #00bfbf;">dreaming: </span>about the future.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia,palatino;"><span style="color: #00bfbf;">loving: <span style="color: black;">the now</span></span><span style="color: black;">.</span></span></span>Tall Pipihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08156116653469566766noreply@blogger.com2