tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82807820681703906562024-03-13T18:33:51.409+13:00CherishedSammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12196141425469259485noreply@blogger.comBlogger502125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8280782068170390656.post-5916319370817312782013-03-12T11:37:00.002+13:002013-03-12T11:37:08.894+13:00read giveaway!<br />
The fourth and final giveaway to celebrate the new blog is open! Lots of reading goodness xxx<br />
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Come on over and enter!<br />
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<br />Sammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12196141425469259485noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8280782068170390656.post-33837678875709599822013-03-03T19:39:00.001+13:002013-03-03T19:39:36.734+13:00make giveaway!<br />
Hello friends!<br />
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As with last week and the week before, there's a giveaway over on the<span style="color: red;"> <a href="http://www.thesimplelife.co.nz/2013/03/make-giveaway.html"><b><span style="color: red;">new blog!</span></b></a></span><br />
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Come on over!!<br />
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<a href="http://s307.photobucket.com/albums/nn314/adlander23/?action=view&current=signature1.gif" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn314/adlander23/signature1.gif" /></a>Sammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12196141425469259485noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8280782068170390656.post-31910762278618318932013-02-24T19:18:00.005+13:002013-02-24T19:18:41.011+13:00giveaway, come on over!<br />
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Hello friends! Week two on the new blog and the second giveaway. Hopefully I can entice some more of you over...!<br />
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I am on<a href="http://www.thesimplelife.co.nz/2013/02/eat-giveaway.html"> <span style="color: red;"><b>The Simple Life</b></span></a> xx<br />
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<br />Sammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12196141425469259485noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8280782068170390656.post-4824781088759215212013-02-16T18:46:00.000+13:002013-02-16T21:22:27.373+13:00moving on**UPDATE x2: to comment on the new blog click on the post and then at the bottom the comment box will appear. It confused me too x)<br />
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*UPDATE: It would be very helpful if I gave the new blog address... www.thesimplelife.co.nz Gotta love it!)<br />
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Well friends, it's time. To close this chapter of my life. When I started the blog I was in the middle of a mighty battle. I was desperate and felt alone. Nearly five years on my life is changed beyond imagining. The barren woman has truly sung and I don't feel like I am the same person that I was when I started this blog.<br />
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So it's time to move on.<br />
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My new blog has a new focus. Simplicity. We are passionate about living simply- eating simpler with natural ingredients, doing with less and putting less stuff (chemicals and preservatives) into our bodies. My friend designed the blog and I love love love it.<br />
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It will be a little different, the kids will be called by their middle names, Luka and Grace and Dida will use his initials- MJ. Other than that business as usual!<br />
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My hope is that you will come with me. I am shamelessly doing a series of giveaways to entice you over.<br />
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So won't you come with me? Please?<br />
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<br />Sammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12196141425469259485noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8280782068170390656.post-64761605768336279122013-02-14T11:07:00.000+13:002013-02-14T11:07:07.459+13:00bunting sweetness<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I made Sweetpea (Rupi's birth mother) a little string of bunting for her birthday. I used a pattern from a <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Granny-Square-Crochet-contemporary-traditional-techniques/dp/1908170883"><span style="color: red;">granny square crochet book</span></a>. I used a 4-ply cotton yarn and sewed a glittery button on each point. She loved it which made me very happy x</div>
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Linking up with the lovely Leonie x</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>
<a href="http://s307.photobucket.com/albums/nn314/adlander23/?action=view&current=signature1.gif" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn314/adlander23/signature1.gif" /></a>Sammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12196141425469259485noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8280782068170390656.post-18721017606612387372013-02-13T18:23:00.000+13:002013-02-13T18:24:59.410+13:00bad and good<br />
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<i><b><span style="font-size: x-small;">September 2010</span></b></i></div>
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<i><b>Bad news</b></i>: my Dad has grade 4 glioblastoma multiforme brain cancer (evil aggressive fast growing cancer in an advanced stage)<br />
<b><i>Good news</i></b>: this cancer is highly researched due to it's devilish nature so there are more treatment options<br />
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<b><i>Bad news</i></b>: my Dad starts radiotherapy and chemotherapy later this month<br />
<b><i>Good news</i></b>: the clinic is in the top 5 clinics world-wide in treating this condition<br />
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<b><i>Bad news</i></b>: my Dad's cognitive abilities are affected<br />
<b><i>Good news</i></b>: he thinks he's fine<br />
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<b><i>Bad news</i></b>: he has a 50% chance of surviving 14 months<br />
<b><i>Good new</i></b>s: he has utter belief that he will be one of the 50% who makes it<br />
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<b><i>Bad news</i></b>: I am an insomniac<br />
<b><i>Good news:</i></b> tequila sunrises and sleeping pills = good nights rest<br />
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<b><i>Bad news</i></b>: My Dad is grumpy and belligerent<br />
<b><i>Good news</i></b>: this is normal (!)<br />
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<i><b>Bad news</b></i>: my sisters and I are struggling<br />
<b><i>Good news:</i></b> my aunt arrives on Sunday from South Africa for 5 weeks followed by another aunt<br />
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<b><i>Bad news</i></b>: my Mom is also stage 4 terminal lung cancer<br />
<b><i>Good news</i></b>: she is responding well to the current chemotherapy<br />
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<b><i>Bad news:</i></b> this is all horrible<br />
<b><i>Good news</i></b>: we have a faithful God who has promised us an eternity with Him<br />
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<b><i>Bad news</i></b>: how the heck did this happen to us?<br />
<b><i>Good news</i></b>: I have amazing friends (this means you, thank you for being awesome x)<br />
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<a href="http://s307.photobucket.com/albums/nn314/adlander23/?action=view&current=signature1.gif" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn314/adlander23/signature1.gif" /></a>Sammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12196141425469259485noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8280782068170390656.post-11216374513034504652013-02-07T16:31:00.005+13:002013-02-07T16:31:53.387+13:00call me if you need anything<br />
In the bleak winter of emotion we find ourselves in as a family, there have been some wonderful moments. Moments where I am reminded that I am loved and cherished. I have some amazing friends.<br />
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Darling Meg turning up with with a DVD for the kiddies and "love" blocks because she loves me and can't think of what else to do.<br />
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Sweet Liv, the secret blog lurker giving me a package on Sunday at church. With yarn! Soft amazing yarn. This was so thoughtful (I cried)<br />
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And beautiful <a href="http://delightfullydiva-ish.blogspot.co.nz/"><span style="color: red;">Gail</span></a>, struggling with her own battles yet seeing me in mine. Knowing my Starbucks-crush and giving the perfect time out gift.<br />
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These mean so much to me as the words that I hear the most are "Call me if you need anything." And without being unkind I can't do anything with those words. The reality is that by the time I have had a million conversations about my parents, each weighing me down as I am faced again with their mortality, looked after my family, organised things I did not think of organising for many years and tried to work, the last thing I have energy for is to contact someone with a request.<br />
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What I need and what anybody needs in the same boat, is someone to do something specific. Sometimes I am not sure quite what I need either and something is always better than nothing. So a meal is good, a bunch of flowers, a text to say I am praying for you or I thought of you today. A facebook message to say I love you...<br />
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An amazing example is the day we moved. I was exhausted.<span style="color: red;"> <a href="http://www.greatfun4kidsblog.com/"><span style="color: red;">Simoney</span></a></span> rang (and rang a few times) to see what she could do. And eventually suggested lunch. I had not even given lunch a thought and we were between houses and packed up. She arrived with an abundance of food, disposable cutlery and crockery, her own knives and a cutting board and drink (with disposable glasses). I felt so loved.<br />
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Oh friends, to be honest this journey is bigger than what we can cope with. My Dad's cancer is worse than my Mom's and the prognosis is bad. Seriously bad. My Mom's big sister arrives in a week and I can't wait. She's a hospice (terminally ill) nurse so will help us prepare mentally, emotionally and physically.<br />
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I know my God is in this. We truly trust him. It's just that the woods are awfully dark right now and it's a little scary.<br />
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P.S. Yes that's a new blog sitting on my profile waiting for me to find time to complete it. It's getting so many page views which is stressing me out. It's not ready and I need to launch it. So ignore it for now (pretty please)<br />
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<a href="http://s307.photobucket.com/albums/nn314/adlander23/?action=view&current=signature1.gif" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn314/adlander23/signature1.gif" /></a>Sammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12196141425469259485noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8280782068170390656.post-91120714126028508452013-02-02T14:34:00.003+13:002013-02-02T14:34:39.333+13:00back<br />
Somewhere in the last month or five (or longer) I lost my Dad. He slowly became grumpy and belligerent. He grew intolerant and could not be with us for longer than 5 minutes before becoming bored. I can't even put my finger on when it started.<br />
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Last night I sat in the high dependency unit with my Dad and realised he's back. In the dim light surrounded by beeps and alarms and murmurs, I found him.<br />
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I held his hand and talked. I cried with relief and he patted my hand and told me "Not to worry, my sausage." I poured out my heart and he thanked me for sharing. He listened and talked and made sense. Oh, he made delightful sense.<br />
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The tragedy of all of this is that my Dad is one of the most intelligent people I have ever known. He has a string of degrees and knows things I will never know. The tumors were stripping that away and it was hard to see. His intelligence was dulled.<br />
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But he's back! Within hours of the surgery my sparkly, bright Dad is back. The one who makes plans and thinks streets ahead of anyone else. The one who thinks I am fantastic and tells me he's proud of me. My Dad. He's back.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgISi9C4BUSjuMqUeeYLeL8gWlqj0mQRYBEE-yzODivgls-_mvUwrEcOxSL_WwLVtvzS554D18D9rFBPxUEaebVHzVG-Sy5eTvLyADbR0peWaV-AIszN-M9KUjGEw91S5bb2py_k99ujWzM/s1600/IMG_0589.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgISi9C4BUSjuMqUeeYLeL8gWlqj0mQRYBEE-yzODivgls-_mvUwrEcOxSL_WwLVtvzS554D18D9rFBPxUEaebVHzVG-Sy5eTvLyADbR0peWaV-AIszN-M9KUjGEw91S5bb2py_k99ujWzM/s640/IMG_0589.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://s307.photobucket.com/albums/nn314/adlander23/?action=view&current=signature1.gif" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn314/adlander23/signature1.gif" /></a>Sammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12196141425469259485noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8280782068170390656.post-64751196972165255092013-01-30T13:12:00.003+13:002013-01-30T13:12:32.562+13:00life shots<br />
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Thank you so much for your loving comments, texts and emails, friends. We feel encouraged and supported by you and your prayers.<br />
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My Dad does indeed have two tumours in his brain. An apricot and a grape as I like to think of them. He's had all the tests he needs to and he has been transferred to Auckland hospital. After another MRI he is waiting for surgery to remove the suckers. We hope that it will happen this afternoon.<br />
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My Mom is coping with the chemo and in a funny way coping a bit better now that she needs to focus on Dad. His situation is lifting her above her own. Sometimes my head spins at the knowledge BOTH my parents are seriously ill with cancer at the same time.<br />
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Anyway.<br />
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So... we moved!<br />
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Our new house is much bigger and we are settling in and doing battle with the boxes. When I say that the house was filthy, those words don't even come close to describing it. And the owners got a commercial cleaner in before we moved in. All I need to say for you is that Dida has used an abrasion wheel on his drill to get the imbedded dirt/fat/oil off the stove elements. Apply that to the rest of the house and you get the picture.<br />
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Other than the dirt and the effect that has had on my clean-freak persona, the house is lovely. The kiddies love the flat back yard and space to play. The "new one house" is a success!<br />
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<br />Sammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12196141425469259485noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8280782068170390656.post-16088542568086355362013-01-23T19:27:00.001+13:002013-01-23T20:52:33.601+13:00the week<br />
This little space has been vacant for the last week or so, my apologies for that. It's hard to put words around things so I will do my best.<br />
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<a href="http://godslittlegiantkiller.blogspot.co.nz/2012/11/dry-run.html"><span style="color: red;">This dry run</span></a>? It was the truth. After some niggly feelings and a deep conviction in my heart I called the oncologist. His blunt words were very hard to hear but at the same time refreshing. My Mom started a course of chemo on Monday and is doing ok. She has to be ok and weather this chemo and the symptoms. No choice really.<br />
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My Dad has been displaying some very worrying symptoms and my sisters and I were at our wits end last last week. I talked to my Dad over the weekend and despite his denials we managed to get him to the doctor on Monday. He's been in hospital since and has two tumours in his brain. At this stage we don't know much about them and he is undergoing testing.<br />
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Add to this we are moving house. This post sounds like those atrocious posts you read where you thank God it's not your life. But it is my life. And we have to put one foot in front of the other and be ok. I am actually as fine as I can be, God's Grace is amazing.<br />
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His Word is immensely comforting as is this...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVFIWeoYv015o5zeikMX0GYIaC_a8mW7jyKdkXizrDLr3vOjDVxW_Nmfurjscz4MKiPdisJ64q52Dv_eeBBbbYdTnJlEQh2aYGbi4whjHHUTvShruniw6o_ZLFy9lUrgv7108q7ikn-jTK/s1600/crochet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVFIWeoYv015o5zeikMX0GYIaC_a8mW7jyKdkXizrDLr3vOjDVxW_Nmfurjscz4MKiPdisJ64q52Dv_eeBBbbYdTnJlEQh2aYGbi4whjHHUTvShruniw6o_ZLFy9lUrgv7108q7ikn-jTK/s640/crochet.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://s307.photobucket.com/albums/nn314/adlander23/?action=view&current=signature1.gif" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn314/adlander23/signature1.gif" /></a>Sammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12196141425469259485noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8280782068170390656.post-34400484194622787672013-01-17T08:20:00.003+13:002013-01-17T08:20:43.195+13:00Alpaca goodness- Show and Tell<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDJubocn-SieUut4jNXi3KxHiwPbEzPdh1QmJ07gKzlCcxbHNp_L2gP4aIwPIDVw1cNUbzqPPQEx_yVW_UJPSNmI3_gY2xC4qD4j2f7unIK8_z6_8ya97xbDnr3WHCFbvPv21agP4iUOoQ/s1600/scarf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDJubocn-SieUut4jNXi3KxHiwPbEzPdh1QmJ07gKzlCcxbHNp_L2gP4aIwPIDVw1cNUbzqPPQEx_yVW_UJPSNmI3_gY2xC4qD4j2f7unIK8_z6_8ya97xbDnr3WHCFbvPv21agP4iUOoQ/s640/scarf.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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Here is my new little beauty...made by me! I love (love love) crochet.<br />
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When we were in Tauranga I visited a little yarn shop called<span style="color: red;"> <a href="http://www.creativeoutlet.co.nz/">Creative Yarns and Knits</a>. </span>They are so helpful and friendly and the yarn is amazing. I fell in love with this yarn- Baby Alpaca chunky (Misti Alpaca in Blue Bell). It is super soft and cuddly. As I could only afford one hank the shop assistant suggested I make a scarf (see, how helpful?)<br />
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This is it! A simple combination of treble and single crochet rows with a size 10 hook giving me a long narrow snuggly scarf ready for winter. I may be waiting for a little while to wear it, given the heat at the moment!<br />
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Linking up with <a href="http://3xsunshine.blogspot.co.nz/">Leonie</a><br />
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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>
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<a href="http://s307.photobucket.com/albums/nn314/adlander23/?action=view&current=signature1.gif" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn314/adlander23/signature1.gif" /></a>Sammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12196141425469259485noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8280782068170390656.post-17534907295348079142013-01-15T13:36:00.002+13:002013-01-15T13:36:33.401+13:00Eighteen<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI9iYA8naXHAqTyRQn6rRwNglFPhkYDuVQJNjBnQYKJxOnx5kdwmseX60piXtOzQ4WZkQJSxHIHP_VBhcqvPv-348_ONHqy7o53CvBM4_zJoKXpIwnmlzOqL0XbFIFZqoSMfp_RxZiwhkh/s1600/IMG_0372.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI9iYA8naXHAqTyRQn6rRwNglFPhkYDuVQJNjBnQYKJxOnx5kdwmseX60piXtOzQ4WZkQJSxHIHP_VBhcqvPv-348_ONHqy7o53CvBM4_zJoKXpIwnmlzOqL0XbFIFZqoSMfp_RxZiwhkh/s640/IMG_0372.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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Yesterday we were married for 18 years. Eighteen. Eiiightteeeen. That's a whole lot of years.</div>
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He's never had any doubts about us, he says. He told me during the years of horror waiting for kiddies that he would choose me again. Even though I can't make babies he would ask me again.</div>
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I am loved and chosen. Life is never boring with me, he tells me. And he likes the way I look, skinny, medium and fatter, he likes me always.</div>
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I am truly and utterly blessed.</div>
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<br />Sammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12196141425469259485noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8280782068170390656.post-82666631401414100692013-01-06T15:56:00.000+13:002013-01-06T15:56:31.926+13:00summer love<br />
Our little holiday is over- we have had the best time. I hope your break over the Christmas and New Year break has been wonderful.<br />
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We have been up to Tapora and the Kaipara and down to Tauranga and Te Puke and then back home via Ohiniwai. (Translation- north from Auckland and then south and then sideways and back to Auckland) Bliss.<br />
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Tomorrow I start work. Dida has another week off so is on children duty for next week. Then we have one more week in this little house before we move. And <b><i>no</i></b> packing or sorting has been done yet (I don't care)<br />
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To keep me in the holiday mood, here are some pictures from our time away...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgal3lc9Ish1l-PwEWmltsI0GpCwdTqeLPa6VQiVtXO3hK1RRKKCf3ORmY7KXyKYMX6Ej0TWYtdUx6VMIIeuI-opbCdLvAj4cphONjC1eYek5ebn0WQnp10uS0pFP1XhyphenhyphenqYzNbIZahz2o9L/s1600/Tapora.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgal3lc9Ish1l-PwEWmltsI0GpCwdTqeLPa6VQiVtXO3hK1RRKKCf3ORmY7KXyKYMX6Ej0TWYtdUx6VMIIeuI-opbCdLvAj4cphONjC1eYek5ebn0WQnp10uS0pFP1XhyphenhyphenqYzNbIZahz2o9L/s400/Tapora.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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<i>Up at the bach (holiday house) in Tapora</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZpD1nVZTBeeYAPEMyQK-wVZdQai04cGlNUC3kSB7Ob2V_KPGYV5TQTEqQKQSB8dnnfUKZ02W-qacvZ-3VRYLTHUUwMYS7N6PX94FWQVwxHErpKK9An9Y4dFrb2lh2pYKR7D2OVtbgRVaW/s1600/Dress+up.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZpD1nVZTBeeYAPEMyQK-wVZdQai04cGlNUC3kSB7Ob2V_KPGYV5TQTEqQKQSB8dnnfUKZ02W-qacvZ-3VRYLTHUUwMYS7N6PX94FWQVwxHErpKK9An9Y4dFrb2lh2pYKR7D2OVtbgRVaW/s400/Dress+up.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Playing dress up in my friend Meg's Mum's garage</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWrJSHfbMUZxi5KpXuoec5VMOaFxy_rC9ip3gJZoa0BHpLFcp_ojCPEUqRCEvpFnKxMRzP58d47EHtpSzFFzukPMjvtqnpGUV60N2ilUpO-WKly9nnR1bLz25zKHRmkvMhYocE5a3W7Y1s/s1600/Chilling.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWrJSHfbMUZxi5KpXuoec5VMOaFxy_rC9ip3gJZoa0BHpLFcp_ojCPEUqRCEvpFnKxMRzP58d47EHtpSzFFzukPMjvtqnpGUV60N2ilUpO-WKly9nnR1bLz25zKHRmkvMhYocE5a3W7Y1s/s400/Chilling.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Chilling at the cousins</i></div>
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Long live summer!!!<br />
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<br />Sammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12196141425469259485noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8280782068170390656.post-23515391925203918432013-01-01T17:03:00.003+13:002013-01-01T17:03:58.313+13:00Beautiful<br />
Happy New Year, friends! May 2013 be filled with love and laughter xxx<br />
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I had a little secret late last year. And I couldn't tell on my blog, even though it's my safe space, as my sisters read it. It was a Christmas surprise.<br />
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My Mom was told about her cancer relapse on my birthday (remember <a href="http://godslittlegiantkiller.blogspot.co.nz/2012/11/happy-not-birthday.html"><span style="color: red;">this</span></a>?) None of us knew what the next couple of months would held and I just wanted to hold my Mother in that space, on the 8th November forever.<br />
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I asked her if I could organize a photo shoot for her as soon as possible. So the following Monday she did the same session as I did for my business shots. They did her hair and makeup and she had a wonderful time. The photographer knew about the whole situation and they treated my Mom like a queen (rightly so!)<br />
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The shots were simply beautiful and they took our breath away. I had them framed and gave the framed photos to my Dad on Christmas day. He loved them.<br />
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Here are some of the shots of my gorgeous mother. Isn't she amazing?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcD97nGBM4w3rDpv1pMSOis4NN3WLEQ_SkkdyKC49CseeWzoe2SJbTzX-OGTdYWjtjF-XIBJi9uz4Ufaa4w72V83rWadresKGTl1f_9TDXZTBA7Zz8xRTxktZ9LxKZIv5rFJRvnZCrzktq/s1600/02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcD97nGBM4w3rDpv1pMSOis4NN3WLEQ_SkkdyKC49CseeWzoe2SJbTzX-OGTdYWjtjF-XIBJi9uz4Ufaa4w72V83rWadresKGTl1f_9TDXZTBA7Zz8xRTxktZ9LxKZIv5rFJRvnZCrzktq/s640/02.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<br />Sammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12196141425469259485noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8280782068170390656.post-39421905786409539922012-12-24T17:21:00.001+13:002012-12-24T17:21:34.053+13:00Dairy free Gingerbread Christmas cookies<br />
We have done some Christmas baking which has been wonderful. I adapted a recipe of mine to be dairy free and it works well. It tastes really yummy and Blossom can eat to her hearts content!<br />
<b>Dairy free gingerbread men (or flowers/ stars/ circles<span style="font-size: large;">)</span></b><br />
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50ml golden syrup<br />
125g deodorised* coconut oil (more as needed when kneading**)<br />
1/2 cup of sugar<br />
1 egg yolk<br />
2 cups of flour<br />
1 tbsp ginger ground<br />
1 tsp baking soda<br />
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Heat the syrup in the microwave until runny.<br />
Cream the coconut oil*** and sugar, add the egg yolk and beat in the sifted dry ingredients a little at a time.<br />
Add in the warm syrup and kneed the mixture** until sticky and moist.<br />
Roll out the dough to roughly 3mm in thickness.<br />
Use a cutter and cut shapes. Bake at 190 degrees centigrade fan bake for 7 to 10 minutes.<br />
Remove and turn oven down to 100 degrees centigrade. After 10 minutes return gingerbread cookies to oven and bake for a further 5 minutes to harden.<br />
Decorate, or if your kids are like mine, eat them plain!<br />
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* I use a deodorised coconut oil in our cooking and in baking as we are not quite into the taste of coconut flavoring all our food. Nothing wrong if you are though. The brand we use is Blue Coconut oil (white tub) available at Pak N Sav or new World in the oil section.<br />
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**The mixture is more crumbly using coconut oil as a fat and I guess that the vegetable fat must act in a different way to butter when helping to bind the mixture together. I just added more coconut oil until I felt the mixture was binding well enough. You need to use your hands to kneed and "feel" the dough! When it holds a shape in your hands it's ready- its not like a pliable sticky bread dough though- its more crumbly.<br />
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***Coconut oil is solid at room temperature except during a sticky Auckland summer when it becomes liquid. I "set" mine in the fridge until it was the consistency of spreadable butter. Or if in a colder climate you may need to warm it over a hot bowl of water until soft if yours is hard. It does resemble a butter/ sugar mix when creamed but is white.<br />
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<br />Sammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12196141425469259485noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8280782068170390656.post-5427424842888394112012-12-19T16:18:00.003+13:002012-12-19T16:18:44.200+13:00Finished<br />
Today is my last day of work. Because I have a great boss (myself) I have kindly given myself annual leave until the 7th January. I wouldn't work for me unless I had to as this is the first proper leave I have had since Blossom was born.<br />
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Anyway. I am super tired.<br />
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The kids have been home this week on school holidays so I have worked around them. Today they came with me to run some work errands and drop client gifts off. It was great mostly, apart from a few little boy meltdowns. I am learning not to base the success of an outing on Rupi's meltdowns. The inner city was bathed in Christmassy goodness, we loved it.<br />
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Bring on Jesus' birthday!!!!<br />
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<a href="http://s307.photobucket.com/albums/nn314/adlander23/?action=view&current=signature1.gif" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn314/adlander23/signature1.gif" /></a><br />
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<br />Sammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12196141425469259485noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8280782068170390656.post-58561852841267217312012-12-12T19:05:00.006+13:002012-12-13T08:09:52.703+13:00happy little secret** UPDATE: Crochet does not have needles but HOOKS. Yes indeed... I am learning slowly!**<br />
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In these slightly scary days it's good to have some happy bits. And one if these is... crochet!! I am a newbie crochet lover...<br />
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I am learning slowly and can do granny squares. That's all. I can't follow a pattern yet and don't know all the stitches but I LOVE it. Love love love it!<br />
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Here's my first project, Christmas bunting! It's all wonky and the triangles are different sizes but I don't care. I am so proud!<br />
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And <a href="http://catalinanz.blogspot.co.nz/"><span style="color: red;">lovely generous Cat</span></a><span style="color: red;"> </span>gave me a special Christmas present- a holder for my needles (or noodles as Rupi calls them!) Isn't it gorgeous?<br />
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Super happy!<br />
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<br />Sammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12196141425469259485noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8280782068170390656.post-77726223683720396592012-12-09T20:00:00.000+13:002012-12-09T20:00:08.867+13:00invited<br />
Cat (from <span style="color: red;">C<a href="http://catalinanz.blogspot.co.nz/"><span style="color: red;">atalina's cottage</span></a>)</span> is a new IRL friend. And I like her a whole lot!!!! She is warm and funny and has such a soft heart. She wants to create a community of bloggers in Auckland and has gone about making her vision happen. And yes, it's all happening with warmth and inclusion and lots of fun.<br />
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This is the latest gathering. We met at a child friendly cafe and as expected had we all had such a good time. I have never met a blogger I didn't like and this was no different!<br />
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This is me, ha! With my little darling, of course.</div>
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Sarann from "<a href="http://www.ibequeathlove.com/"><span style="color: red;">I Bequeath Love</span></a>" and Simoney from "<span style="color: red;"><a href="http://www.greatfun4kidsblog.com/"><span style="color: red;">Great fun for Kids</span></a>"</span></div>
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Leonie from "<span style="color: red;"><a href="http://3xsunshine.blogspot.co.nz/"><span style="color: red;">Sunshine x3</span></a>"</span>, Rachel from "<a href="http://heartandcrafty.blogspot.co.nz/"><span style="color: red;">Heart and Crafty</span></a>" and Cat from "<a href="http://catalinanz.blogspot.co.nz/"><span style="color: red;">Catalina's Cottage</span></a>"</div>
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So, if you are in Auckland (or near enough!) and looking at the photos feeling a bit left out/ uninvited/ lonely.... you are invited to a dinner in January 2013. Pop along to Cat's blog and email her or leave a comment. She'll add you to the list and you will get details of when and where.<br />
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We will be loud, eat a lot, laugh even more and generally have a wonderful time and I would LOVE to have you there!<br />
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<br />Sammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12196141425469259485noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8280782068170390656.post-1996718003041447412012-12-08T11:54:00.001+13:002012-12-08T11:54:36.644+13:00little bites of happy<br />
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Little boy hand picked flowers just for me. Although I can't actually <b><i>have</i></b> them, they have live in his schoolbag (?)</div>
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Little girl offerings to the printer gods</div>
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She finally "got" toddler ballet and utterly loves it. Yes this is actually one of her ballet moves... it's called the "crouch down and spring up"...</div>
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Ice creams on the beach together on a rare sunny Auckland November Saturday (note drip on the chin- he just lurves "dalilla" ice cream!!)</div>
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Putting dolly and lion to sleep and then sleeping on top of them- Plunket would have a heart attack!<br />
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Happy weekend friends!!!<br />
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<a href="http://s307.photobucket.com/albums/nn314/adlander23/?action=view&current=signature1.gif" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn314/adlander23/signature1.gif" /></a>Sammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12196141425469259485noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8280782068170390656.post-16678174127489842372012-12-02T08:12:00.003+13:002012-12-02T08:13:03.513+13:00tradition sweetness<br />
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This year we made the annual trip to the Christmas tree heaven shop with the cousins. It was chaotic and lots of fun. The idea is that each child gets to choose an ornament of their own. No boundaries, well, except the giant stuffed reindeer costing over $800....</div>
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This is the first year that Rupi has really understood the tradition. And he just loved it. While Blossom ran around the shop creating havoc he carefully selected his own ornament. Which was....</div>
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...an ENORMOUS lolly (sweet)! He truly is his mother's son as this is excatly what I would have chosen as a child! It dominates the whole one side of the tree and makes me giggle every time I look at it. All of his ornaments are carefully hung close to each other and he relates the story of each again and again.</div>
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This is Blossom's. I chose it for her as she was randomly selecting candles, lights, tinsel and carrying them all around the store. Bless.<br />
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I love this silly little tradition! It doesn't take away from the true meaning of Christmas and provides a great introduction into the Christmas season. Traditions bind family together and this one doesn't get much better!<br />
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<b><span style="color: red;"><a href="http://godslittlegiantkiller.blogspot.co.nz/2011/12/tradition-loving.html"><span style="color: red;">2011</span> </a> </span></b><br />
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<b><a href="http://godslittlegiantkiller.blogspot.co.nz/2010/11/ornament-heaven.html"><span style="color: red;">2010</span></a></b><br />
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<b><a href="http://godslittlegiantkiller.blogspot.co.nz/2009/12/little-tradition.html"><span style="color: red;">2009/ 2008</span></a></b><br />
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<br />Sammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12196141425469259485noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8280782068170390656.post-72639809369284231212012-11-27T16:26:00.004+13:002012-11-27T16:26:46.357+13:00sold!<br />
We sold our little house! We listed a week ago, had the first open home on Sunday afternoon and by 8pm that night it was signed, sealed and SOLD! I cried a little as this house is our first and holds so many memories.<br />
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The agent said the buyer fell in love with the house and made his offer as soon as he walked in. He's a single dad with a 13 year old son and so it's going to be a family home. Love that and love that he loves the house!<br />
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Can't believe it sold so fast and can't believe how insane the Auckland house market is. We plan to rent for a couple of years, sit on our nest egg (cluck cluck) and see what happens.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXr3Z9CLmkptwx0hYHKwrQQxUJiPnVnTAXY13HlEnrUJDNWud0glOhwfI6VJKBoCvznmdiUpYBAbwDWdgncF4GVBxvIxkHzQeQI8zoogHPvTWrupLpnNZxEPCGi2mEpsZmCBUzjNSWr2N8/s1600/house.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXr3Z9CLmkptwx0hYHKwrQQxUJiPnVnTAXY13HlEnrUJDNWud0glOhwfI6VJKBoCvznmdiUpYBAbwDWdgncF4GVBxvIxkHzQeQI8zoogHPvTWrupLpnNZxEPCGi2mEpsZmCBUzjNSWr2N8/s640/house.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
Happy days!<br />
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<br />Sammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12196141425469259485noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8280782068170390656.post-11299298762818659172012-11-24T10:44:00.001+13:002012-11-24T10:47:44.903+13:00my crowning glory<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLI76ZmjLlgbb16kcIKdlOlBnPDxSaJ0Nw2FzEJG2-AcIT2EE0gyrHsgnLV7VCkxmD56kUpvlEb9wTU2P3B8fYYPqBFfRIAQ05TTn5p-ifRgr5oxolgaz2H34c3M8wVRTPvxO2Kke-UurD/s1600/kiddies+and+me.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLI76ZmjLlgbb16kcIKdlOlBnPDxSaJ0Nw2FzEJG2-AcIT2EE0gyrHsgnLV7VCkxmD56kUpvlEb9wTU2P3B8fYYPqBFfRIAQ05TTn5p-ifRgr5oxolgaz2H34c3M8wVRTPvxO2Kke-UurD/s640/kiddies+and+me.jpg" width="488" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sing</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">barren</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">woman</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, you who never bore a child; burst into song, shout for joy, you who were never in labor; because more are the children of the desolate </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">woman</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> than of her who has a husband,” says the LORD.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Isaiah 54: 1</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxiA0L1wmw_EBjVOasB6quFHIvKDHy2vILtadmrYrtcB90kJOY9u9Jv7l3IR2C2-uYFwObnZLCeAO6ZuUvhrH0ANkMBVkZJ-FEQrC2MB9FZGvcQX-6J3BqVQxKuwVVpTDdof2GUaEu5k2L/s1600/kiddies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxiA0L1wmw_EBjVOasB6quFHIvKDHy2vILtadmrYrtcB90kJOY9u9Jv7l3IR2C2-uYFwObnZLCeAO6ZuUvhrH0ANkMBVkZJ-FEQrC2MB9FZGvcQX-6J3BqVQxKuwVVpTDdof2GUaEu5k2L/s640/kiddies.jpg" width="448" /></a></div>
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We had a family shoot with these<span style="color: red;"> <a href="http://kmsphotography.co.nz/">amazing photographers</a>. </span>They did my MIL's shoot and I loved their photos and they way they handled the kids, so booked them for my business shots and a family session.<br />
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They asked to use the kiddies as models last week (ummm yes!) and those photos are amazing. I can't wait to get copies of the images!<br />
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I highly recommend them and they have given me some vouchers to hand out to my clients or people like me. By that I mean, people who turn up on time and are polite. So if that's you, and of course it is, and you would use a voucher, say so in the comments and I will organise one for you x<br />
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<br />Sammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12196141425469259485noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8280782068170390656.post-16218104257863406982012-11-17T19:07:00.001+13:002012-11-17T19:07:58.700+13:00dry runYesterday we sisters had a dry run for when news is really bad. <br />
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I was driving home on a high after having coffee with friends. My middle sister calls. Have I been on facebook she asks? No, was my reply. She starts sobbing. This is posted on facebook by my aunt....<br />
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<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id=".reactRoot[69].[1][2][1]{comment296677693766713_1373026}..[1]..[1]..[0].[0][2]"><span class="UFICommentBody" id=".reactRoot[69].[1][2][1]{comment296677693766713_1373026}..[1]..[1]..[0].[0][2]."><em><span style="font-size: x-small;"><strong><span id=".reactRoot[69].[1][2][1]{comment296677693766713_1373026}..[1]..[1]..[0].[0][2]..[0]"><span id=".reactRoot[69].[1][2][1]{comment296677693766713_1373026}..[1]..[1]..[0].[0][2]..[0].[0]">Ruth is having all sorts of tests done to precisely identify the type of cancer cell. Depending on what it is, she will have a course of medication preceding the actual chemotherapy. Chemo is being given to reduce production of fluid and relieve disco</span></span><span id=".reactRoot[69].[1][2][1]{comment296677693766713_1373026}..[1]..[1]..[0].[0][2]..[3]"><span id=".reactRoot[69].[1][2][1]{comment296677693766713_1373026}..[1]..[1]..[0].[0][2]..[3]."><span id=".reactRoot[69].[1][2][1]{comment296677693766713_1373026}..[1]..[1]..[0].[0][2]..[3]..[0]">mfort and pain. She has stage 4 cancer - terminal. All treatment from now on is given to keep her comfortable. But God ......... Thank you for your prayer support. Bless you.</span></span></span></strong></span></em></span></span></div>
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This is NOT what we had been told. We had been told that my Mom's cancer is inoperable but we are hopeful that treatment will at the very least extend her life indefinately. But we had no reason to doubt this post. This is my Mom's big sister, who is a hospice nurse and spoke to my Mom the day before.<br />
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I try my Mom's phone, the friend who is with her (in hospital while they drain the fluid in her chest cavity) and my Dad. No-one answers their phone. To be honest, I freaked out. <br />
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My middle sister comes over to my house and we are faced with a horrible decision. Do we call our youngest sister and tell her what we have read to save her reading it cold? Or do we wait until we hear from my parents and hope that she wouldn't go onto facebook in the meantime? We decided we couldn't chance her reading it and I call her. It was awful.<br />
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While we spoke to my youngest sister my middle sister and I sat side by side on the couch. We leaned into one another and as we talked on the phone there was such solidarity. We were <em>together</em> facing a monster. It was horrible but we were together.<br />
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Eventually my Dad called and clarified the situation. My aunt had assumed a whole lot of stuff. It was the sweetest phone call. Yes, this is bad. Yes, it's life threatening. But we are in the fighting zone and believe that treatment can work! My Mom is NOT terminal. The end.<br />
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P.S. The coffee I has was with two amazing bloggers- <a href="http://catalinanz.blogspot.co.nz/">Cat</a> and <a href="http://3xsunshine.blogspot.co.nz/">Leonie</a>. I felt like I had known them forever- they are fabulous. Real and kind and normal. If you can get to spend time with them, grab it with both hands!<br />
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<a href="http://s307.photobucket.com/albums/nn314/adlander23/?action=view&current=signature1.gif" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn314/adlander23/signature1.gif" /></a>Sammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12196141425469259485noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8280782068170390656.post-73994471652379937562012-11-12T19:55:00.003+13:002012-11-17T19:08:18.451+13:00thanks<br />
Thank you so very much for the deluge of kind words, encouragement and love. Emails, texts, face book messages, comments and blog love = amazing. This is why I love blogging. It's not a business for me, it's friendship and as the lines between real life and the internet blur I love each of you more.<br />
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Thanks, my friends.<br />
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So. Tonight my Mom meets with the oncologist. In about 45min in fact, and we will know the nature of the beast we face. It will have a name and a description and a timing. I admit that I am terrified. But I know that just because someone with green shoes (true) and a long list of letters behind his name calls the beast something does NOT mean it has jurisdiction over my mother's life.<br />
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The end.<br />
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I have had some good times over the last couple of days. Dida organized a birthday extravaganza that got sabotaged by the beast to some extent but Friday bight was a goodie. He organized some of my closest friends to go out to dinner with me. Some people were missing (hello Gail) But I had a wonderful time.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3UeIJcYYZamfCy-Ex6ac9FS4hEWiLPPMBiYk_112sc0_d6i1KTDKnCeqlLaqI2Jzo4tLSWE0gCjlUSXTcEwL6_S5lD3KAMngtHxb_kTXAKviFR_voK79hgyKh6tsWsrasotIdBW4Jcc6Q/s1600/dinner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="373" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3UeIJcYYZamfCy-Ex6ac9FS4hEWiLPPMBiYk_112sc0_d6i1KTDKnCeqlLaqI2Jzo4tLSWE0gCjlUSXTcEwL6_S5lD3KAMngtHxb_kTXAKviFR_voK79hgyKh6tsWsrasotIdBW4Jcc6Q/s400/dinner.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Then on Saturday I got to have lunch with <span style="color: red;"><a href="http://meghanandmark.blogspot.co.nz/">Megs from MNMs</a>.</span> My gosh this girl is wonderful. She's tiny, wears mint green jeans, likes gluten free cake and is truly as lovely as she comes across on her blog.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoiyUATJVVxBQDZ2tt0k_lqQDFesIcckekspcN-RN3XiWN76QrsXWxvsZGg2NBl2MZIBHJmW-8OclB-aGTgL72xTDzGCL_jP-KXdsxleCsl1Zr5qlciqdo-6QyjSah_YKJhMlodtffYbvp/s1600/Megs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoiyUATJVVxBQDZ2tt0k_lqQDFesIcckekspcN-RN3XiWN76QrsXWxvsZGg2NBl2MZIBHJmW-8OclB-aGTgL72xTDzGCL_jP-KXdsxleCsl1Zr5qlciqdo-6QyjSah_YKJhMlodtffYbvp/s640/Megs.jpg" width="386" /></a></div>
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Loved these two bits of cheer in the middle of everything else!<br />
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<br />Sammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12196141425469259485noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8280782068170390656.post-15999275491502872912012-11-09T16:21:00.000+13:002012-11-17T19:08:30.724+13:00happy (not) birthday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitO8WRNpJ6ZtNCWHvivXGQTBJZpABVmEWHYpo9ZTgBOb8tU-EyqCmKeZFoX-8Iogm_s_O09Dfs7QAIjejpxOtEWbTeejn65xDglSjxs-cNTpiKods8WuoymaiR-rUOlLIOIZtc_WS49krs/s1600/nana.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitO8WRNpJ6ZtNCWHvivXGQTBJZpABVmEWHYpo9ZTgBOb8tU-EyqCmKeZFoX-8Iogm_s_O09Dfs7QAIjejpxOtEWbTeejn65xDglSjxs-cNTpiKods8WuoymaiR-rUOlLIOIZtc_WS49krs/s640/nana.jpg" width="438" /></a></div>
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Yesterday we got news that none of us expected. My mother is very ill. The cancer has returned and is inoperable.<br />
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Last Saturday my Mom left Rupi's birthday party early to got o the local hospital ER. She was in terrible pain and the doctors discovered a build of fluid in her chest cavity. Not unusual where a lung has been removed but unusual this far after chemo/ surgery. And tests indicated cancer in her chest cavity lining which is inoperable.<br />
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So officially the worst birthday of my life. But that fact shrank to insignificance in the shadow of what is happening. Instead of going out to celebrate last night my sisters gathered at our house with my parents and we battened down the hatches. We cried and talked and read scripture. It was where we needed to be.<br />
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We are reeling.<br />
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We face more chemo and treatment. It's different this time. This time it's not preventative but palliative. Not a word we are accepting right now but it does mean that this fight is serious.<br />
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So my friends, this blog may be a little cancer focused for a while. And even more than that- God focused. If this offends you, please accept my heartfelt apologies. But this is who I am and where I turn. I can't do this without my God, nor do I want to.<br />
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We stood on these verses a while ago. And they resonate with me again...<br />
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<i>But mightier that the violent raging of the seas,</i></div>
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<i>mightier than the breakers on the shore</i></div>
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<i>The Lord is mightier than these</i></div>
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<i>Your royal decrees cannot be changed</i></div>
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<i>The nature of Your Reign, O Lord, is holiness forever. Psalm 93: 4-5</i></div>
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<br />Sammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12196141425469259485noreply@blogger.com14