SKYWATCH, FLASH 55, FOLLOWED BY A RAMBLE

Yikes, I only sat down here for a few minutes and it's seems I had more to share than I thought. Hope you make it to the end of the post :)


SKYWATCH


SNAPPED THIS ONE AT THE ZOO A FEW WEEKS AGO.



There's a link to skywatch on my sidebar. Feel free to visit.



RAMBLE

Having a great day. Went for my follow up appointment after coming off my happy pills. All is good and I'm making excellent progress. Woohoo. I'm back to my old self again and it feels great. The hardest part for me was not being in touch with my emotions. For example, I could have been watching a heartbreaking movie, feeling sad but unable to cry (I usually cry at the drop of a hat). Anyway, I know I'm back to normal because I cried over who left Idol the other day. Sad but true. BTW Please don't mention any Idol updates as lil ole New Zealand is a few weeks behind (as usual).

So you'll be pleased to know that usual KB transmissions will resume. Actually, me thinks I've been back on track for a couple of weeks now.

*Does Happy dance* or should that be moody dance now?




I was trying to explain to a friend the other day how it feels to be depressed. It's hard to explain but I think I'll give it a try for my 55 this week.





FLASH 55 - THE WELL

Bruised and battered, bravely hanging on.
Mind and body have found rythme; slipping further into the well. No longer calling for help or trying to climb. Her focus is on staying out of the darkness below. The finality of it terrifies her. A rope appears, she reaches out and is pulled back into the light.



Flash Fiction - Each Friday, I compose a short story of 55 words - no more, no less. If you would like to join in the fun and games... post your story and report to the boss -

G-MAN

If you're not interested in contributing a story, feel free to read the other entries. I'm sure any comments you have would be appreciated.

Happy reading and writing!





IN OTHER NEWS

I treated myself to some new bras this morning. The shop assistant asked if I wanted to pay $0.20 for a bag. WTF? Bit of a cheek if you ask me. I declined but felt rather foolish walking around the shopping centre with two bras in my hand.

I'm heading out to have dinner with my parents tonight. It's Friday, I wonder what we'll be having? I'm spending the rest of the evening with G and her fella. We're going to knock back a few to celebrate their move. They will be leaving early in the morning *sob*.

That's all folks. Thanks for making it to the end of my post.

Love KB
xxx

PILATES - TOO EASY

You may remember I injured my neck and hip in a fall a while ago. I have been seeing a osteopath for my neck problems and all is well again. Yay. Matthew found me very amusing, he would ask me to relax my neck so he could manipulate it and ask me again and again and again, until he couldn't take it anymore. He would burst out laughing and tell me I was hopeless. He suggested I take up yoga or pilates to help me relax.

Recently, I received a free Pilates DVD with my contact lense solution. What Pilates has to do with contact lenses is beyond me but I thought I'd give it a try.

Hubby chuckled away as I sat in bed enjoying a glass of red while watching the DVD. He suggested this probably wasn't what Matt had in mind. Sprung!

Have a great/day night people.

Love KB
xxx

THE LAST SUPPER

QUOTE OF THE DAY

We shall not cease from exploration
And the end of all our exploring
Will be to arrive where we started
And know the place for the first time.

- T.S.Elliott



G is off on her travels soon (again). She's moving to Wanaka with her fella. I've loved having them here and will miss them heaps but it's good to see them exploring and enjoying life.

Hubby will be overseas on G's last day so we decided to share a yummy meal together. Hubby cooked a rack of lamb *drools*. It was delicious, I'm hoping he will share his recipe on here before he leaves.

That's all from me. G and I are going to watch the last episode ever of Boston Legal together and then it's bed time.

Later gators.

xxxx

BIRTHDAY UPDATE AND SCENIC SUNDAY

SCENIC SUNDAY - KAITERITERI , NEW ZEALAND







Hubby dragged me up the hill, moaning and complaining (as always) but I'm glad I made it to the top.

There's a link to Scenic Sunday on my sidebar. Feel free to visit.





BIRTHDAY UPDATE


I had a quiet birthday this year as hubby was on his travels. I enjoyed a yummy dinner with my parents, followed by a quiet night in with a good book and a bottle of read.

Hubby is home safe and sound so we are celebrating tonight instead. I received some cool pressies - a new mobile phone and Singstar Queen were my favourites.

That's enough from me for today. There's a bottle of expensive red calling my name.

Have a wonderful day/night.

Love KB
xxx

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME

All gifts and well wishes expected, whoops I mean accepted. I'll check in later to let you know what I got up to.

Let the red wine flow.

Love you all (except Grumpy Pants, of course)

KB
xxx


CAMERA CRITTERS - Coco

A pic of Coco when she was a puppy and now as she is all grown up.








There's a link to Camera Critters on my sidebar. Feel free to visit.

SKYWATCH AND FLASH FRIDAY

SKYWATCH FRIDAY - AUTUMN SKY





There is a link to Skywatch Friday on my sidebar. Feel free to visit :)




FLASH 55 - OLDER AND WISER?


Filling up on food and wine provides comfort during lonely nights. She's no longer twenty something, although she feels like that inside. Her mind is writing cheques her body can't cash. Every birthday she resolves to change, yet the years slip away. Will this year be different? She intends to stay a very long time.


Flash Fiction - Each Friday, I compose a short story of 55 words - no more, no less. If you would like to join in the fun and games... post your story and report to the boss -

G-MAN

If you're not interested in contributing a story, feel free to read the other entries. I'm sure any comments you have would be appreciated.

Happy reading and writing!
Love
KB
xxx

MOUNTAINS, SIGNS AND A TOPLESS ZONE

LENSDAY CHALLENGE - MOUNTAIN



A pic I took of Mt Ruapehu. Do you recognise it from LOTR? It's difficult to see the Mt because of the clouds (NZ isn't called the land of the long white cloud for nothing) but I still love the shot. I've been as far up the mountain as the ski field. I was too busy admiring the view to learn much about skiing. Hope you likey.

There is a link on my side bar to Lensday Challenge. Please feel free to visit.


THURSDAY CHALLENGE - SIGNS



This is a sign my friend made. He hangs it in his shed at the beach house we visit. Makes me giggle every time I see it. He's forever hopeful.

There's a link to Thursday Challenge on my sidebar. Feel free to visit.


QUOTE OF THE DAY


Out of clutter; find simplicity.
- Albert Einstein


I'm in the process of sorting through my clutter. Clothes are mostly done, photos and writing stored away, G has been tackling the cupboards. I'm leaving my books till last. I have boxes of books in my study (about 500 unread), I find it really hard to part with a book I haven't read and I'm having to be very stern with myself. At least I have them sorted into categories now - to be read, to wild release and to give to charity. Only thing is, I have had them in categories for almost two years and still they remain.

It's true that clearing away clutter helps make things simpler. Not only because you have more room and can easily find things but also I find it helps clear my head. Every time I walk into my room and see the books, it reminds me of a job unfinished. Tidying things away gives the mind time to think of more important things. Wonder if my books will still be in boxes next year? Hehe.



DAILY RAMBLE

Had to bite the bullet and order a tank of water today. That's $180 down the drain (hehe) but we don't pay water rates so I guess the cost evens out. So the water is arriving this afternoon which means it's sure to rain by tonight. It's always the way.

Righto, I'm off to watch a bit of telly. Which reminds me Criminal Minds is on later and just thinking about that makes me giggle. My Mum told me the other day that she enjoys watching the show but it's a bit violent. Erm Mum, it's called CRIMINAL Minds. She does make me laugh.

Night all, have a great day/night.

KB'S RAMBLINGS

QUOTE OF THE DAY

There is only one journey. Going inside yourself.

- Rainer Maria Rilke


This quote appealed to me today as I've been on quite the inner journey these last six months. Perhaps I'll tell more about it some day.




DAILY RAMBLE

I've had a relaxing day today. Went out for breakfast this morning. I ate eggs, toast and hash browns at a cost of $2. The decafe coffee cost me more than my breakfast. How does that work?

Bought myself a couple of pairs of jeans, which fit really well. I've been looking for some jeans for ages. All the ones I tried on where the style with the low waist that the youngsters wear. Not exactly a good look when you're over 40. Well not if you're me and you have to keep holding your belly in. Too much info Karen, let's move on.

I returned home to find my first birthday card for this year. Nearly wet my pants laughing when I read it. Thanks sweet Tim. Where do you find these cards?

I've just been reading the local rag. There is an ad in there which reads...Do you want to learn English? Erm, how are students going to notice the ad if they can't read English? Oh dear.

My rain dance obvioulsy isn't working...not a drop of rain all day.

That's enough rambling for today. Night all.

xxx

JOIN ME IN A RAIN DANCE?

The area where I live isn't on the town water supply. All the water we use comes from the sky, onto our roof and through a filter system under the house.

Unfortunately, we haven't had much rain fall recently (very unusual for Auckland). We held G's Birthday Party last weekend and had many people staying with us. I thought it was time for me to check our water tank - not my favourite job. I donned wellies, a torch and tip toed under the house. Eew, cobwebs, spiders and I hate to think what else is under there.

Anyway, the tank is running very low. I need you all to stop what you are doing and perform a rain dance.

Thank you

*performs rain dance*

WATERY WEDNESDAY - LAKE ROTOITI, NZ

A beautiful, quiet spot...wish I was there now.








THERE'S A LINK TO WATERY WEDNESDAY ON THE SIDE BAR :)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, G

My eldest step-daughter turned 22 last week, woohoo, party time.


DON'T YOU JUST LOVE IT WHEN FAMILY TURN UP EARLY AND YOU CAN SET THEM TO WORK








ME IN MY PINNY - LET THE COOKING BEGIN.



Hubby and I spent most of the day cooking and cleaning up after people. I don't mind being in the kitchen though, it's the focal point of the house and I can see and hear everything that's going on.


HELLO STRANGER...LONG TIME NO SEE



THE BEST BEHAVED DOG IN THE WORLD - SAM. PUTS MY MISBEHAVED DAWG TO SHAME.



BIRTHDAY GIRL AND HER FELLA



Watch where you are putting those hands Mr.





IT WAS ALL A BIT MUCH FOR SOME




MY GIRL LOOKS CUTE WITH HER NEW HAIRCUT







ME THINKS THIS WAS G'S FAVOURITE PRESSIE. CAN YOU GUESS WHAT THEY ARE DOING?


We decide to put our old furniture to use and set it up in the garden for the kids to hang out on.




HAPPY BIRTHDAY G. LOVE YOU HEAPS!



Once the cake was served, I could finally let my hair down and have some fun.I had been drinking non-alcoholic drinks up until this stage. Piny thrown off and down the hatch with the tequila. It didn't take me long to catch up and make a fool of myself on the guitar hero and the sing star. Hence the lack of further photos.

Me thinks a great time was had by all.

A DAY AT THE ZOO

Hubby's step-daughter and her little ones came over from Australia for a visit. We were lucky enough to spend a day with them at Auckland Zoo. Most of my pics are of the kiddies, funny how that happens when wee ones are around but there were animals at the zoo too, honest.

Hubby took pics too. He will post them later.

SCENIC SUNDAY - LAKE ROTOITI

Another pic from our tour of New Zealand.

Hubby and I camped here for a week. The camp site was out in the middle of nowhere and all the lights were turned off at night. Looking out over the lake was quite an eerie feeling. We felt we were transported back in time. Hope you likey.

THE WEEK THAT WAS

Happy Easter all. I don't know about you but I've had a really fun week.

The family took a trip to our local temple. It's a short drive from where I live, the food was delicious, and the setting was tranquil and beautiful. I can't believe I've never visited before and I'll definitely go back.






Hubby and I are in the process of redecorating the house. He decided to drag me along to Mitre 10. I giggle when I go there; the men strut around on a mission to find tools. You can almost hear them grunting - must build things, must make fire, must drag woman around by hair, must beat chest, grunt, grunt.



Hubby surprised me with a trip to the Viaduct for a seafood dinner. Yum, yum! We ordered an enormous seafood platter to share, finished the whole lot AND dessert, and I didn't spill anything down my white blouse (amazing but true).

Oh, I almost forgot. We were given the wrong directions to the restaurant, parked the car and headed off in the opposite direction. Hubby was about to pop into a hotel to ask the way when a taxi driver asked if he could help us. He said he knew the place we were looking for and to hop in and he would take us there. It was a bitterly cold night so we jumped in the cab and he dropped us outside. Hubby offered him money for the ride but the driver declined. He also informed us how to find our way back to the car park after dinner.

I was gobsmacked. Not only by the fact he didn't accept our money but by my cynicism. I thought he had only picked us up to charge us money but it was a total random act of kindness. Thank you, kind sir.

In other news both my step-daughters and hubby's step-daughter and her kids are here for a couple of weeks. I can't wait to see them and take some pics to share with you. All my babies here at once - it doesn't get much better than that.

Later gators
xxx

MONOCHROME MONDAY

The family took a tour around our local temple this week. I have a similar shot to this one in colour which really does the building justice but I like the way the foreground looks in black and white.



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SCENIC SUNDAY - APPLE TREE BAY

Hubby and spent several weeks in the South Island of New Zealand a few years ago. Hubby encouraged me to part take in a short walk to Apple Tree Bay. This short walk ended up taking us an hour and a half each way. Hubby in his wisdom decided to trick me (as I wasn't much of a keen walker at the time) and frequently told me along the journey that we were almost there. I'm happy he did though because the view was breathtaking. Apple Tree Bay is only accessible by foot or boat. Hope you enjoy.

CAMERA CRITTERS - A DAY AT THE 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 animals which are near extinction are in there to ensure the species don't die out but look at this beautiful girl. She's supposed to be free, she doesn't realise she's being protected. I shed a few tears when I saw her, locked up and bored out of her mind. Wonder what she's thinking?

SKY WATCH FRIDAY - KAITERITERI, NZ

I took this a few years ago while on hols. Hubby and I were lucky enough to find a campsite which overlooked this quiet beach.

MONOCHROME MONDAY - MY GIRL

Take a trip to

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