INTRODUCING...ILLIA

Here's one of the reasons for our recent visit to Australia. She's finally been named, yay, I won't have to call her THE BABY any more.

Isn't she a cutie!

I'm always a little wary of babies. My youngest step-daughter was at the crawling stage when I met her and never having given birth myself, I'm not used to being around newborns. I couldn't believe how much time Illia spent on the breast! Yikes, it was like Meg had another appendage. Illia's a very good baby and I'm so happy I was able to spend some time with her.

More pics tomorrow.

Love KB
x

WHOSE PLANS

It takes courage to do what you want.
Other people have a lot of plans for you.

Joseph Campbell


Something to remember this holiday season.

Love KB
x

WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION

When was the last time you heard of a blonde woman from New Zealand, blowing up a plane with a tube of toothpaste??? Ridiculous, isn't it!

Before entering airport security, every liquid or smearable product in a passenger's hand luggage has to be placed in a see-through bag and shown to a security officer. It's a waste of time if you ask me - most of the time they don't even look at the items.

Once, I forgot to empty my water bottle, was taken aside and given the third degree. I felt like a criminal.

Recently at Heathrow airport, getting through security involved: queuing for 90 mins with hundreds of people, almost passing out from the heat, and showing my little baggy and passport to half the airport staff. Followed by, a further 20 mins of queuing to enter the gate lounge. I was exhausted before I even boarded the plane. What a nightmare.

Why aren't security personnel profiling travelers instead of making people like me display our deodorants, lip balms, toothpaste etc, in a little plastic bag? Come on people, what kind of terrorist attack can I possibly perform with the use of my LIP BALM!

Love KB
x

I OWE MY MOTHER

Wanted to share this funny email I received this morning. Hope you likey.

1. My mother taught me TO APPRECIATE A JOB WELL DONE.
"If you're going to kill each other, do it outside. I just finished
cleaning."

2. My mother taught me RELIGION.
"You better pray that will come out of the carpet."

3. My mother taught me about TIME TRAVEL.
"If you don't straighten up, I'm going to knock you into the middle
of next week!"

4. My mother taught me LOGIC.
< "Because I said so, that's why."

5. My mother taught me MORE LOGIC.
"If you fall out of that swing and break your neck, you're not
going to the store with me."

6. My mother taught me FORESIGHT.
"Make sure you wear clean underwear, in case you're in an accident."

7. My mother taught me IRONY.
"Keep crying, and I'll give you something to cry about."

8. My mother taught me about the science of OSMOSIS.
"Shut your mouth and eat your supper."

9. My mother taught me about CONTORTIONISM.
"Will you look at that dirt on the back of your neck!"

10. My mother taught me about STAMINA.
"You'll sit there until all that spinach is gone."

11. My mother taught me about WEATHER.
"This room of yours looks as if a tornado went through it."

12. My mother taught me about HYPOCRISY.
" If I've told you once, I've told you a million times. Don't
exaggerate!"

13. My mother taught me the CIRCLE OF LIFE.
"I brought you into this world, and I can take you out."

14. My mother taught me about BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION.
"Stop acting like your father!"

15. My mother taught me about ENVY.
"There are millions of less fortunate children in this world who
don't have wonderful parents like you do."

16. My mother taught me about ANTICIPATION.
"Just wait until we get home."

17. My mother taught me about RECEIVING.
"You are going to get it when you get home!"

18. My mother taught me MEDICAL SCIENCE.
"If you don't stop crossing your eyes, they are going to freeze
that way."

19. My mother taught me ESP.
< Put your sweater on; don't you think I know when you are cold?"

20. My mother taught me HUMOR.
"When that lawn mower cuts off your toes, don't come running to
me."

21. My mother taught me HOW TO BECOME AN ADULT.
"If you don't eat your vegetables, you'll never grow up."

22. My mother taught me GENETICS.
"You're just like your father."

23. My mother taught me about my ROOTS.
"Shut that door behind you. Do you think you were born in a barn?"

24. My mother taught me WISDOM.
"When you get to be my age, you'll understand."

25. And my favorite: My mother taught me about JUSTICE.
"One day you'll have kids, and I hope they turn out just like you

Love KB
x

HONG KONG BY NIGHT

The first time I visited Honkers I remember being upset by seeing young prostitutes on every corner. This time I was more disturbed by the fact I wasn't even noticing them anymore. Here's a little convo hubby and I had about this very subject.

Me - Where have all the hookers gone?

Him - There's one

Me - OMG, look at her hair and her boots. Almost want to pick her up myself.

Him - Erm, that's a bloke hun

Yikes, she/he was beautiful but on closer inspection, definitely a man.

Hubby is a pilot and travels with different people on each trip. The crew are usually great company but I especially enjoyed this time because one of the pilots was a woman. Sometimes the blokes get together and talk about planes for hours (slight exaggeration but it seems like hours) so it was nice to have a lady to talk to about other things.

I did feel a little sorry for her actually because she told us she wasn't much of a drinker so we dragged her to ladies night at the pub. Free drinks for the ladies all night; that's my kind of place. She proceeded to drink quite a few spirits and I had to walk her home.

Was happy to leave the place actually. There were quite a few desperate looking older men there. Quite sickening that some men have to wait till a woman is half sloshed till they try and pick her up. Tsk!

Anyway, a good time was had by all and my new friend had a sore head to show for it in the morning, hehe.

Love KB
x

THE SEXIEST MAN ALIVE

MATT DAMON, was recently named sexiest man alive by People magazine. Well, it's about time! Handsome, intelligent, witty, talented and humble. You certainly get my vote Matt.

BTW, thanks for the info M. I've been sitting here staring at him for an hour. LOL.

*stares again*

*faints*

Love KB
x

It's my cyber daughter's birthday

Happy Birthday sweetheart, have a fantastic day and I'll talk to you tonight.

Lots of Love
KB
xxxooo

I don't remember packing that!!!!!

I woke this morning to find this little darling in my suitcase. Maybe she's hoping I'll take her on my next trip away. Hehe.

Love KB
x

We're Going To The Zoo, Zoo, Zoo

Recently while in London, we took a trip to the zoo. I'm always excited by the prospect of seeing animals but have mixed feelings about zoos. I realise some of the species which are near extinction are in there to help continue the species but look at this beautiful girl. I shed a few tears when I saw her; locked up and bored out of her mind. Wonder what she's thinking.





I the rest of the day was good; the butterfly house and the aquarium being the areas I enjoyed the most.




Love KB
x

*rushes in*

I'm back, I'm exhausted, need another holiday to recover...hehe. Have lots of pics to share but heading out to a birthday party tonight so you'll have to wait till tomorrow.

Missed you nutters
Later
Love KB
xxx

I'm outta here...AGAIN!

Yikes, I haven't even finished telling you all about my last trip and I'm off again on my travels.

Heading to Australia to visit my nieces and nephews (including the new arrival). I'm hoping to update while I'm away but don't fancy my chances; the families I am staying with have a total of 6 kids. I'll probably need another holiday when I return, hehe. Really looking forward to it anyway.

Be good while I'm away and if you can't - make sure you tell me all about it when I return.

See you in a couple of weeks
Love KB
xxxooo

A Drop Of Culture

Our first day in London was a busy one. The weather was great...GASP. We decided to toddle over to the Natural History Museum for a look see.

Hubby and I both love museums but we shouldn't really visit together, (I'm sure he will agree with me here). I wander around aimlessly looking at the displays, playing with all the gadgets and having the occasional read if I find something interesting. Hubby, on the other hand, has to read EVERY WORD. I remember one such outing where I had been around a whole section of a museum and he was still in the corridor. This would be a typical conversation.

Me - OMG, are you still back here? My feet are killing me, can we go now?

Him - Why don't you read more of the info Karen?

Me - I don't have to, you'll tell me all the good bits.

Him *raises eyebrows and walks off*

Hehe.
The museum was great and well worth a look if you're in the neighbourhood.

We took Grace and a couple of her friends out in the evening. Hubby visits Grace once a month and she usually spends the whole time eating, as Dad is paying. OMG that girl can eat! We enjoyed our steaks while being entertained by a street fight. Four men, who had obviously been drinking, decided to jump out of their cars and pound each others faces. Disturbing yet fascinating to watch.

Headed over to the pub after dinner to watch England play in the World Cup. I never thought I'd be over in England watching them in the semis. I thought I'd be watching NZ and gloating. Serves me right I guess.

All in all, a wonderful day.

Love KB
x

Back To The Mother Land

I was born in England so it's always a treat to visit. I was especially excited this time around because I would be catching up with Grace (one of my step-daughters). I hadn't seen in her in almost five months. Hubby and I didn't see her the day we arrived in London; partly because she was working and erm because I fell asleep in the hotel and didn't wake up until the next day. Hubby tried to wake me and take me out to the pub to watch Rugby World Cup but apparently I told him to F off and went back to sleep.

We spent two whole days with Grace and I loved every minute of it. I've been worried about her being so far away from home but she seems to be settled now. I'm very proud of her.

It's such a shame I didn't have more time in England. I have so many friends and family over there I would have liked to spend time with. Maybe next time.I have some pics of the places we visited while in UK but my dinner is ready now so I'll post them tomorrow.

Love KB
x