my views of New Zealand

the start of a new garden

2012-01-23T16:20:00.001+13:00

We have been at the new house for about three months now and the bulbs and seeds that we brought with us have become very happy indeed! I thought I'd share our container garden with you. They have dahlias, impatiens, carnations and the train that Hubby made has begonias. The other plants, I have no idea of names, but I bet you can help me out!

new addition!

2012-01-20T19:27:00.002+13:00

We have a new addition to the family. It was by default, but nevertheless, she's here.

Let me introduce you to Wheelie! (Because she's wheelie stinky when she farts!)

She was thrust upon Otterboy by a local personage last week when he stopped to pet her on his way to town. We put up a 'found' poster but got no response so she's now part of our family.

She has wasted no time making herself at home.

Who'da thunk?

2012-01-20T11:57:00.001+13:00

There's so much in this huge world to see that I will never see with my own eyes. Who'da thought 40 years ago that I would be able to visit Siberia or see inside a cell or into outer space?! I am grateful for those that bother to share their world with me.

That's why I like to share my photos with those that will never make it to NZ. And for those that set up memes to help me share them without any fuss, a big thank you.

Of course, I find some of the places I visit in the blog world a bit like the old-maid teacher who has lost all reason to smile. I am probably old enough to be most of those blog owners' Mom and I don't appreciate being treated like I can't get out of the rain.

Some meme hosts demand (they say they don't demand, but you know they do) that you only link to their meme if you join them. Excuse me, but the internet is not some place you can censor and tell me how to write my blog. My photos are interesting, IMHO, and I will share them with whomever I want. I will link to whomever I want. And, it's not you.

Then there are those that won't allow you to right click anywhere on the page, even on the link you want to share. I understand the reason for it, but let's face it: If you put it on the internet, there are no guarantees on what happens to it. And it's a long road to sue somebody for stealing it, so if you don't want to worry, don't post it.

Also, I'm sorry, but I am not going to type out the whole link just to have it be misspelled by one letter and have to do it again. And, what do you think you're accomplishing? I haven't tried, but I bet I can steal your stuff without right clicking and I'm not even a geek. I don't link to your memes, either.

For those that understand how the internet works and the possibilities it presents, I thank you for your spot in cyberspace where I can interact with others without being treated like I need help with my homework.

And for those that actually encourage you to use their posters and photos by telling you they are free to download, you are top of the list in my book!

I guess anywhere you go where there are people you will find both extremes. If you find a place without the sourpusses, let me know.

My personal stats

2012-01-17T13:26:00.000+13:00

I love to check my feedjit and stats occasionally just to see how folks end up on my blog. I am happy to announce that there has not been one search for 'rude kiwis' or 'are kiwis rude' for about five days now!

There have been about 12 searches that ended up at my 'pay it forward' post.

And there were a few visits from a blog that I have never heard of before, which is a bit disconcerting.

Several Kiwis checked out my post about the memorial to the homeless lady.

There were quite a few visits to my recipes, too.

All in all, the internet is a weird and wonderful place.

Back to the grindstone

2012-01-09T12:00:00.000+13:00

Over the holidays, Otterboy is in the 6-week break between school years and Hubby took 2 weeks off work. Since I don't really get a day off (...a woman's work is never done, you know!) I requested a week of no dishes and got it! That was a heavenly week, let me tell ya. And the dishes were done without complaining or reminding each night. I have the best guys!

Otterboy and Maniac (his best bud) are pretty much inseparable these days and it's good they have each other to help with the entertainment since we stayed in Taranaki for the holidays.

The two of them went swimming while Hubby relaxed in the spa pool and I wandered about outside taking pictures a few times.

At one point, the three of them went up Paritutu (<- click for photos) for some fresh air and exercise. I don't do climbing, thank you. We were in New Plymouth again later, just Hubby, Otterboy and me, and the two decided to go up again. Apparently, Hubby met somebody to chat with half way up while Otterboy went up and down twice!

We also had plans to go to Kai Iwi, near Wanganui (that's barely outside Taranaki) because they have this huge flying fox that they kids love to ride. But the weather was not great and the two boys ended up swimming there, which they didn't seem to mind at all, while we went to find a cup of coffee and then to the winter garden (<- click for photos) at the local park. After that, Hubby found us a picnic shelter where we had our late, leisurely picnic lunch. But, I think the boys liked driving through huge puddles the best :)

Of course, between little trips and the rain, there was the PS3 for the boys and a bit of gardening for us all, which made for a very laid-back two weeks. I think Hubby got rested before he had to go back to work today.

And to think that we entertained ourselves as kids without huge water slides and interactive machines. I'm not sure if those were better times or not.

Everything I need to know, I learned from Noah's Ark

2012-01-03T12:58:00.001+13:00

ONE: Don't miss the boat. Be flexible enough to see what's going on around you.

TWO: Remember that we are all in the same boat, so be kind.

THREE: Plan ahead. It wasn't raining when Noah built the Ark.

FOUR: Stay fit. When you're 60 years old, someone may ask you to do something really big.

FIVE: Don't listen to critics; just get on with the job that needs to be done.

SIX: Build your future on high ground even if it doesn't make sense to others.

SEVEN: For safety's sake, travel in pairs.

EIGHT: Speed isn't always an advantage. The snails were on board with the cheetahs.

NINE: When you're stressed, float awhile. Sometimes, you miss an opportunity by trying too hard.

TEN: Remember, the Ark was built by amateurs; the Titanic by professionals.

ELEVEN: No matter what the storm may bring, with God, there's always a rainbow waiting.

Slouching is bad for you

2011-12-30T19:44:00.002+13:00

...because your cat will think you have become a place to sleep!

I'm not sure why or when she decided my right shoulder is a good place for a nap while I am at the computer, but it has become a regular stopover on her way to the inbox for a second nap.

It's such a tough life being a cat....

Just for you...

2011-12-25T16:42:00.003+13:00

It's still weird....

2011-12-22T12:39:00.000+13:00

Even after five years in NZ, it still doesn't feel like Christmas without cold weather. I guess growing up outside of Chicago will ingrain that in you.

However, as hard as it is, I am willing to sacrifice snow and sleet and cold temperatures in favor of gardening and picnics on the beach and walks in the park on Christmas day :). It's great fun to see who gets bikes and skateboards and scooters for Christmas because they can actually be used the day you get them!

The only fear of electrocution and fire while putting up lights is if the sprinklers are not turned off and not snow getting into the wiring. But, I guess the down side is falling off the ladder onto the hard ground instead of soft snow.

I still giggle whenever I see Santa with shorts and he still seems a bit out of place sitting on a blanket on the sand and elves in bikinis are mind-boggling.

Since our move, Hubby has been gardening like crazy. Just because he can. So I thought I'd share a bit of Christmas sun and color with you--just in case you're covered up in snow. *trying very hard not to snicker*

For more colors of our southern hemisphere garden, click here.

Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year to all my blogger buds!

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-20T13:30:00.000+13:00

She turned me down

2011-12-16T14:30:00.001+13:00

I just had an interesting chat with a Jehovah's Witness lady who comes around occasionally.

She is a very nice person to talk to--not demanding or one to pressure you--and we get along quite well. I know that we won't ever agree on any of the 'interpretations' that divide religious groups, but we do agree on the basics, that Jesus died for our sins and acceptance of that fact into you life leads to a better life after this one. In their case, it's not immediate, but eventual, but I digress.

Anyway, since we are both believers and since I am a huge advocate of prayer, it seemed like a good idea to invite her to start a regular prayer time for our city and it's citizens once a month or so. I have never actually invited her into my house until today so the past visits have been spent on the doorstep.

She came at the appointed time and I invited her in.

I was a bit expectant when I gave her my proposition to pray and she was duly impressed that I would offer her such an opportunity.

She declined.

Hmmm.

I'm not exactly sure why, even though I did ask her directly 'why?' but I think it's about the fact that she thought I prayed to Jesus and she prays to Jehovah....Personally, I think God is big enough to figure out the details if we pray together, but, oh, well.

I hope there will be a change of heart for her. I will let you know if there is. It would certainly be the beginning of some good things for our city.

Life

2011-12-12T13:16:00.001+13:00

Isn't this sweet?

2011-12-06T14:47:00.001+13:00

We got this letter in the mail today from Otterboy's school.

"Dear Mr and Mrs ***,
Re: Otterboy's absence from school

I am writing in reply to your letter requesting that Otterboy be absent from school from the 5th December onwards. Under the terms of the Education act students are legally required to attend school when it is open for instruction for that year level. Therefore, Otterboy's absence will be recorded as an explained unjustified absence.

I am disappointed that you are not allowing Otterboy to remain at school and participate in activities week. This week is still part of the school year and Otterboy should be at school or on an activity until Thursday 8th December the last day of the school year.

Staff and students value this week as it is a time where students can undertake new experiences and learn new skills in an enjoyable end to the year.

Yours sincerely
PH Keenan, Principal"

(All lack of punctuation is in the original letter)

Doesn't that sound so very concerned and caring?!

Well, this is the same man that sent Otterboy home four hours after an incident because he thought Otterboy might do something to another boy at lunch. In reality, if he had bothered to talk to Otterboy before his being sent home, he would have known that both boys had forgotten about the incident and gone on with life. This isn't teaching students how to deal with conflict if they don't actually deal with it. So they learn to never confront any situation and then expect the world to right itself, I guess.

This is the same man that had Otterboy sent home because a teacher "thought he looked angry". What 15 year old boy doesn't look angry!

This is the same school that showed 'R' rated movies to 14 and 15 year olds last year during 'activities week' without any parental consent. Apparently, we don't have the right to know what they are showing our kids at school, but they sure better show up!

Activities week, in my opinion, is just another week that is wasted by the school. They are only 'in school' because the school requires to have the kids in class. That's why Otterboy didn't want to go, and we certainly couldn't blame him. And that's why he's not in school. So sue us. At least, we know where he is and what he's watching.

What a great act of vandelism

2011-12-02T20:33:00.001+13:00

Spate of 'bearable art' in New Plymouth

MATT RILKOFF

Teddy bears are turning up all over New Plymouth in a spate of "bearable art" graffiti attacks that have city residents baffled.

In the past seven days, cute and cuddly bears have appeared overnight at Puke Ariki, Huatoki Plaza, Govett-Brewster Art Gallery and the New Plymouth District Council offices.

Despite knowing it would be no picnic, the Taranaki Daily News launched an investigation into strange but heart-warming activity and quickly found two women who had witnessed a "bear bombing" event near the Govett-Brewster Art Gallery.

"We had been trying to find out who it was before this and we were working here late one night and saw her tying bears to the trees outside," Kirsten Peterson said.

"She just said she was doing it to make people smile. She said she was going to keep going until Christmas. She said: all I am going to tell you is that it is bearable art," Hannah Whiteman said.

The teddy artist was thought to be in her 40s, drove a large van and had not been happy about being discovered, Ms Whiteman said.

New Plymouth is thought to be the first city in the world to experience "bearable art", though it is not the first time art has been brought to the streets by people who would prefer remain anonymous.

In May, Mikaere Gardiner was outed as the man behind Eno, the artist responsible for dozens of pictures pasted up around the city.

He has since gone on to some renown and the works he once gave away for free now attract a healthy price tag.

Knitted jumpers and scarves have also appeared on parking meters, street signs and other city implements from time to time in woolly attacks known as Guerrilla Knitting.

Regardless of its benefits, all such "art" is the modification of public property without permission and therefore classified as vandalism by the New Plymouth District Council.

Its policy is to remove graffiti within 24 hours of being notified.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/taranaki-daily-news/news/6073371/Spate-of-bearable-art-in-New-Plymouth

How many....?

2011-11-30T13:04:00.001+13:00

I was bored earlier today and so decided to do a search for 'jpg' to see how many pictures I have stored on the computer and my external hard drive--the one that Hubby bought specifically for storage for my shots.

I knew I had a lot...yes, A LOT...of them. I mean, if you moved from KS to NZ, I think you'd have a lot of photos, too!

I was truly gobsmacked when the search was finished. The result?

52,070!

How many do you have?!

This would be incentive to exercise!

2011-11-25T10:52:00.001+13:00

Smart birds

2011-11-20T01:03:00.000+13:00

We went to KFC for the first time in ages the other day. They have automatic doors that use a sensor at the top, I'm sure you've see them. Apparently, sparrows are smart enough to figure out how they work!

Yes, for the second time, Hubby and I witnessed a lone sparrow open the door and fly in to help himself (or herself) to the leftovers sitting on the table and the crumbs on the floor. After eating a bit, the bird flew to the door, tripped the sensor and flew out again. Twice.

I was impressed between giggles.

Enjoying the new place

2011-11-17T00:30:00.001+13:00

For the first time in longer than I can remember, we had a little barbecue in the back ~~yard~~ garden. Otterboy invited his inseparable buddy over, Hubby grilled sausages and it was so wonderful to be able to sit outside and eat and watch the boys kick a ball around, knowing the neighbors aren't going to start acting rude at any moment.

Hubby has also been working hard getting a small veggie garden planted with peas, carrots, beans and a few other things I can't remember. He has put out planterboxes that he made along the front with some potted color in them, as well. Otterboy took over the flowerbed alongside the house and is growing some really pretty impatiens and pansies.

I have some tomatoes growing in the glass-enclosed porch along with a few more veggie sprouts.

We are really settling in and enjoying the change. It's a bit less room in this house, I think, but the layout of the house makes it seem bigger.

Since we are only a few blocks from town, I don't have to take Hubby to work when I have to tutor at SeniorNet--I can just walk there and to the grocery store, too.

Speaking of SeniorNet, I am writing a few short courses to be taught on photo storage, trademe (NZ version of ebay), Facebook and different ways to search for things on the internet besides using your ISP homepage. I've never done anything like this before, but it seems to be coming along quite nicely.

I think this place will do until we get a transfer to a different district so Otterboy will be in a different school system.

Faith is free and prayer should be, too

2011-11-09T12:22:00.001+13:00

Did you ever notice that, when you pray for others, answers come quite quickly; but when you pray for your own needs, it's hard to see any answers? I guess that's why the Bible says, "Share one another's burdens". And so I have looked online for groups that have the same beliefs as me to share some of my innermost concerns--sorta like a world-wide Wednesday night prayer meeting. :)

Sadly, there's a very prominent paid ad on Facebook for prayer that comes up a lot. The same site is a paid ad in Google at the very top of the list when you search for christian prayer.

I looked at the site and was appalled. You fill in the boxes for your request and then they ask how important this request is to you. When you click a box for that, there appears another window that asks for money! I couldn't believe it! When you leave the page, they offer to pray for free, but that seems a bit sacrilegious to me.

I know it costs to have websites, but if the owners of the site believe God wants it up on the internet, then they should trust that God will certainly provide. I was reminded of Smith Wigglesworth, a great British evangelist, who made a deal with God when he became a full time preacher. He told God that he would preach as long as God provided. He would never ask for a penny and told God that, "if my suit ever gets shiny (old and worn) I will go back to plumbing." He never did go back. God is so good!

Times may have changed, but God hasn't. Faith is still simple and still free. And prayer is, too if you know where to look.

rerun 5/09

2011-11-07T00:01:00.001+13:00

It's weird living in a wee country that you lose a day of your life getting to. You find that you have taken most everything around you for granted.

Like television. In Kansas, I knew that the shows I saw were relatively new. I always figure the American shows we get here to be those that didn't make it very well--you know, the ones that TVNZ can buy cheap, after all, this is a small country with a small budget for EVERYthing. So, I was surprised to find that "Legend of the Seeker" is only a year old. Some of the BBC stuff on The Documentary Channel (Doco, in Kiwi) is 6 or 8 years old. On the bright side, all the BBC stuff is new to me.

OTC Sleep aids. I got something for Hubby last year and had to give his name and address because it is a "pharmacy only" medication. That's sort of halfway between a prescription and the first-aid cream and tylenol. As for myself, the only ones that work have doxylamine in them and they don't sell that in any form here.

Same stuff, different name, sort of. They sell 'Snakes and Ladders' game for children here. I recall it as 'Chutes and Ladders' in the US.

We also have a Kiwi version of Monopoly, which is kinda strange for me, but fun.

I found a NZ cracker that is exactly like a Ritz. It's called Jatz. I can even find Ritz brand occasionally.

TV hosts are called 'presenters' here.

Dairies here are convenience stores--without the gas pumps. There are several in each town, even the smallest of places.

Pudding here is dessert. So when we have instant pudding for dessert, it get very confusing.

Even though this is a 'metric' country, they measure television screens by the inch. And eggs are sold by the dozen, not by 10s.

Main streets here are referred to as High Street, no matter what they are named.

There are about a billion types of cheese that you can get here (ok, not that many, but there are a lot, since dairy is one of the top exports). But, I have been trying to find my favorite, Muenster, ever since I arrived. Hubby tries very hard to help and we have found some that are very good and a couple that are pretty close. Without his encouragement, I don't think I would have bothered to try new ones.

Different attitude Any vehicle doing anything but driving straight down the street is subject to being passed, whether you're waiting for a space or slowing down to turn. Room is made on all the streets for this, with lanes for all traffic. Also, drivers here don't stop and let another car out of the angle parking along the main street, unless, of course, they want the parking space.

I don't think it will be any time soon that I just fall into step and take my new homeland for granted.

Simon Baker does NZ

2011-11-01T16:06:00.000+13:00

One of the few good programs we get is 'The Mentalist'. I love Simon Baker's character and so I was surprise to see him in a commercial for ANZ, a bank here in NZ.

Thoughts

2011-10-28T13:50:00.002+13:00

We are pretty much settled into the new house and it's feeling like home. The mornings and weekends are wonderfully quiet and we have gotten into our routines.

One of the great things about this house is that it's within walking distance to the ~~only~~ grocery store and the main shopping street. That means I can walk to my SeniorNet tutoring sessions, too. And since I have been walking, I feel better about myself and my abilities to get around. I had some thyroid problems a few years back and I still have some deteriorated muscle use in my legs that is gone forever, I think, even with some adjustments of my meds, and so I felt a bit trepiditious about walking too far. But, I am glad to say that it's working for me.

Interestingly enough, in my walking I have encountered Mrs. Numnuts--twice. She manages the local chain of the 'two and five dollar' stores and each time, she seems to be shocked as I walk past for some reason. Personally, I think it's karma (God) that she recognizes. For the record, I blame her by association for the atrocious treatment we got from her house. I don't know if she contributed to the abuse, but I certainly never saw her try to stop any of it.

Numnuts did give us another phrase to mean 'trailer park'. He would wear his hi-vis work vest in the ~~yard~~ garden when he worked or washed is car. And when two vests were on the clothes line, we would joke that he's probably naked and make appropriate noises. So, now, when we see someone acting crazy, Hubby will say, 'I bet he wears hi-vis in the garden!' and we get a good giggle.

I feel so much free-er here. I don't have the need to stay inside like I did at the other house. Hubby and Otterboy have been working quite hard in the garden to prepare it for flowers and veggies. If the rain stops this weekend, we can get some plants in the ground. I'm really excited! But just walking around looking at the empty flowerbeds feels really good.

Since tv here sucks sooooo very badly, Hubby very cleverly set up one of our computers so we can wheel it into the lounge to watch free movies on the internet when nothing is on. (That is a sentence I never thought I'd write!) I'm very impressed!

Things are looking up at work, too. Hubby put in an application for a job in another part of the country that he is very qualified for. I sure hope he gets it, as I am ready to move. I'm hopeful that any other school system would be better than Stratford for Otterboy and he's willing to move, too. Please say a little prayer for our success if you get a chance.

Otterboy asked if we could have a chocolate cake with chocolate cream cheese icing (you can find my recipes by clicking the 'my recipes' tab at the top) as a celebration for our new house, and, of course, I had to comply!

So, we are moving on and enjoying our new place. I will definitely keep you posted when the garden gets growing.

Bet this wouldn't happen in the US

2011-10-24T02:44:00.001+13:00

It's a holiday weekend so everybody has Monday off. Sunday was also the day that the All Blacks won the Rugby World Championship for the first time since 1987. And these people take their Rugby seriously.

So with all the celebrating and the weather being well into nice springy weather, there are more traffic cops around and, of course, more tickets being issued.

I can't imagine anybody ever being stopped for flashing their headlights as a warning of a police car waiting by the side of the road. I mean, it's an unspoken courtesy to those that might not be as vigilant as they should be with their speed. I've done it and seen it done for as long as I can remember--and that's a long time. Maybe the police don't like it, but illegal? Can't be, can it?

Well I'm here to tell you that it is. At least, in NZ, it is. Some snot-nosed kid that we figure has been out of the Police Academy for about three weeks stopped us for exactly that today. We only got a warning, but he wrote down Hubby's name and our license number in a little notebook.

According to this newspaper article in Otago from September, we aren't the only ones and the guy in the article wasn't so lucky.

It's a great Kiwi tradition, but a Taupo man who flashed his headlights to warn another driver of a speed camera was pulled over by police.

As police yesterday announced a big increase in speeding tickets last year, Paul Gamble was driving to work on State Highway 1 between Taupo and Tokoroa when he passed a mobile speed-camera van.

"It was hidden behind a bush on a downhill stretch of road so they're clearly after someone who is just going down the hill and speeding up a bit.''

Mr Gamble, 39, said he carried on for half a kilometre and saw a vehicle coming in the opposite direction.

"I thought, `He's travelling a little bit', and did the friendly thing and gave him a flash.''

A police vehicle was behind the car and its driver pulled Mr Gamble over.
"I can't remember the exact words; it was either inappropriate or excessive use of headlights,'' he said.

It is against the law - with a penalty of $150 - to flash dazzling, confusing or distracting vehicle lights, although police say the law is used sparingly.
Mr Gamble wasn't given a ticket for that but for having only one working headlight. But he says he was still stopped on the "premise of excessive headlight use''.

He said he flashed his lights only once and did so to slow people down _ which in theory was what the speed camera was set up to do.

Home, sweet home!

2011-10-17T11:54:00.002+13:00

Hubby makes moving easy. He and Otterboy got all the furniture and big stuff done in record time and I am so happy and proud of them.

Apparently, this house hasn't been occupied in at least a month but somebody tried to grow a veggie garden somewhere along the way. After a long mowing session and quite a while with the weed-eater, Hubby brought in a huge handful of carrots! They were quite tasty and I thank the mysterious planter of carrots. There are also broccoli and cabbage plants that have gone to seed among other things that I don't recognize. Hay, I'm from Chicago. Give me a break. I'm learning about plants as I go.

The back of the property borders a small cemetery that I haven't visited yet. There are many years of grown of an ivy and a jasmine vine climbing the 30-foot trees that separate the properties. At our 'garden' house (almost 2 years ago) there was a brick planter on the back porch with some of the same jasmine. I loved seeing it and smelling it and was impressed that it was so hardy but seeing a whole wall of it is a bit intimidating.

Otterboy bought another TV for his playstation this weekend It's older but huge! Since our flatscreen needs an aerial and his older TV doesn't, we have traded him until we can get an aerial up. So he's playing playstation on our flatscreen and we have rabbit ears on his in the ~~living room~~ lounge. It works for me since Hubby and Otterboy don't watch much tv and I usually have it on for noise.

With the cable company spending lots of money on promoting the Rugby World Cup--did you even know that NZ is hosting it even now as I type?!--and not much else, we had decided months ago to forgo cable for a while. The movies that they bill as 'premier movies' are many that I watched for $1 before I moved 5 years ago! Occasionally, we get a movie or series that is less than 5 years old but the series usually gets cut off without notice. Knight Rider and Charles in Charge are making the rounds again. Go on. Laugh. I'll wait ;). Sometimes I miss US tv, but it's a small price to pay for NZ and my new family.

So we are officially settled into our new house. I am so loving the peaceful weekends here. Apparently, our house is the only concern on the block for noisy neighbors. OK, it's a very small block with only 4 of the 7 houses actually facing our street, but, still, I think we will be good for the neighborhood.

Still unpacking, but here's some advice...

2011-10-11T13:10:00.000+13:00