A Kiwi Halloween

Well I've just celebrated my first Halloween in New Zealand. Wow... it was very different from home. Of course, it's spring here so being from the Northern Hemisphere, I think of Easter and Bunnies. It's harder getting into the Halloween spirit without dark cold nights and leaves crunching under your feet (or if you're from Northern Ontario - snow). We also don't have big orange pumpkins here - and if we did, this wouldn't be the time of the year for them. So there are no jack o'lanterns glowing in every driveway... and hardly a Halloween decoration in sight!

Our church put on a "Saints and Angels" party for the kids. We had games and a bouncy castle and a sausage sizzle. The kids came dressed in costume - there were lots of fairy princesses and angels!

I was happy to see a few vampires and witches too, and even a little Robin


Hood. I dressed up as a Scarecrow/Clown.

It was a fun afternoon. We finished up there at 7pm and the girls asked if they could go trick or treating... they'd never done it before! How could I say no? I can't believe they've missed out on it for so long! Unfortunately Chantelle was grounded so she had to miss out... and dad wouldn't back down... so I took Nat out for a bit.


Let me tell you all about it! I've never in my life experienced this before! First of all, there are very few kids in our neighbourhood. It's mostly retired people or summer homes... so there weren't many people home and it was difficult knowing which houses to go to. So we just went door knocking... first stop, our next door neighbour Raewyn... we knew she'd have some goodies! Next we stopped at Ned's house (he's a boy who lives a few doors down), his mum was bound to have something (though she is a bit of an odd one)! Nat rang their bell and Ned's mum answered. She thought it was all very cute and she TOOK candy out of Nat's basket for Ned!!!! I couldn't believe it! Luckily we had put some smarties and chips in Nat's basket as decoys (for people to know what we wanted). Then she went away and returned with a Kiwi fruit, $2.20 and a firecracker!!!! How hilarious is that? I was thinking... "if the next house gives us drugs, we're going home." The rest of our street was a lost cause. People weren't home or just weren't answering their doors... but we got a few honks as we walked down the street and a few "thumbs up" from other parents. We made our way over to my friend Naomi's house (we brought candy for her two kids).... she grew up in England so she would surely have candy - plus she has two kids! Well, we got two lemons... literally. She gave Nat lemons! So now we have a basket with a Kiwi fruit, two lemons, $2.20, a few candies and a firecracker. It was the weirdest loot I've ever seen.

On our way home we saw another kid and his mom out trying to do the same. They had been out since 6pm (remember we didn't start till nearly 7:30). They advised us to drive over to the neighbourhood nearer to the school - there were a lot more kids there. So off we went... but by this time it was dark and it was still really hard to know where to go. The houses all had their lights off. I drove around until I saw a group of kids and parents. Nat hopped out and got some candy with them at a few houses. Then we made one more stop at Todd and Linda's (Raewyn's son)... and came home.

Nat was pooped and so was I... driving around looking for a place to get your kid free candy is MUCH harder than walking around the block carrying a pillow case.

A History of the Now

I had such a lovely Sunday - even though the weather has been grey and drizzly. What is this "summer" they are talking about?

The girls and I went to church as usual. You see, I grew up Catholic and went to Catholic school. I've always taken it for granted - until now - because now I have children and realize how valuable faith is. Plus, it gives children a good foundation instilling morals and values that are lost in society today. We have been attending St. Mary's Anglican church. It has a great Sunday school program. The girls really enjoy it. Our Vicar, Rev'd Marie Gilpin will be marrying us. She's so lovely and fun.

So yesterday was a special service run by the young people in the congregation. They did a great job - thanks to Bonnie! One of the songs that was chosen to be played during the service was that of my dear friend Monica. It brought tears to my eyes to hear her voice in my church - I felt like she was right there. I miss Monica. She is one of my most cherished friends. Her support, her praise, her encouragement, her positivity, her energy, her wisdom, her love... are paramount to my faith today. I adore that girl. Her song, "Deny my right" was the chosen piece for our service. The link to her website is listed on the right... check it out. She has written and composed all of her own music. There is such power in her words and beauty in her voice. It's a great album to have... and a fantastic Christmas gift!

I've finally gotten around to sharing my link with a number of you who I haven't been in touch with for a long time! I've had a few emails requesting a bit of some back dated history - like who's Brian? Where's the girls mother? How'd you get the job with Mrs. P? Are you still doing Massage?

So here's a short update:

I met Brian in March 2005 after I moved to Mahia. I was working in the pub and he was farming nearby. It was love at first sight for him - he was so smitten. The first thing he said to me was, "Are all girls in Canada as good looking as you? Cause if they are, I'm going to Canada!" He was as drunk as a skunk. He made me laugh... but I thought he was rather obnoxious. From there a friendship pursued. He asked me to go to the Wairoa Rodeo - and was really surprised I said yes! Brian used to be a Rodeo Rider - he rode Broncos. He was so nervous... he went and got drunk! Great second impression... but he still made me laugh. I made it quite clear to him early on that I was NOT looking for a relationship... but in time I realized it was too late. I was smitten too.

Brian lost his wife three years earlier of complications from her second liver transplant. She was only 28. Brian raised the girls on his own basically but after Kay died, his mother took them. It was too difficult to work farming hours and raise kids in the country.

In June 2005, Brian got a job on a farm in Cambridge so I went with him. The girls stayed with his parents until we got ourselves settled. In October, Brian put his hand through a glass partition on our deck and severed four tendons to his right hand. He lost his job.

Luckily I got offered this job looking after Mrs. P three days later! She needed a full time carer to look after her at her beach house in Mount Maunganui and we needed a place to live. So we live in her downstairs flat, and she lives upstairs. It's ideal for all of us. The girls came to live with us full time at Christmas last year - the beginning of summer holidays.

It has been such a blessing. We have all flourished here and have found the place we want to be. We love Mrs. P... she is our family. She has given us security and love and we will always be so grateful. But it's been good for her too - because having a young family around keeps her young too. She LOVES having the girls here - giving her kisses at night after their bath. Even just having them do puzzles on her living room floor gives her pleasure.

So no, I haven't been doing ANY massage therapy (except on Mrs. P's hamstring and Brian's tendons). This job and the girls keep me too busy.

Brian's recovery has been slow but he's not the sort of man to sit around. He has been trying hard to get back to work - he got all of his heavy machinery licences while he was recovering, he learned the stone masonry trade (he has done some incredible work privately for local builders) and at the moment he is painting a house. He is good at everything! Plus, he's a fabulous cook and keeps a tidy house!!! AND he's got a green thumb - you should see our veggie garden. I'm pretty darned lucky. He's good looking too...



We're a mighty good looking family aren't we? It's rather uncanny how the girls can easily pass as mine. No one questions it - and everyone comments on how much Chantelle resembles my family (she looks so much like my niece Meagan). But there are similarities between Brian's late wife and myself - except she had lovely curly dark hair.

There are no accidents. Here I am blessed with a family I have always dreamed of. Even though I can't have children of my own, I ALWAYS knew I would have a family. I had faith and I just KNEW I would be a mom. No one can tell me that a natural mother has more love for her children than I do for these girls. It's incredible how life can fall into place when you follow your dreams and your heart.


And here's our garden - which has grown substancially since this photo was taken! We'll have plenty of of veggies for salads this summer - which is great because our summer meals consist of salads and BBQ!!! Yum!

So who's coming to the wedding?

You say Mummy, I say Mommy

The girls have started calling me "Mom" this week. They've used the term before, but it was always just to see how it felt and was still a bit fun and strange to them (and me). But this week we seem to have reached a new level. A few weeks ago I told them that perhaps they'd want to call me "Mom" which is how Canadians say it. They started out by making me cards - To Mom.

They are very loving girls and they shower me with hugs and kisses constantly. It's these moments that they use the endearing term. Channy calls me Mummy. When they returned home from school this week, they both presented me with flowers they picked along the way, gave me huge hugs and said, "I love you Mom."

So this is why people have children. Now I know.

Magic Hands

Mrs P says she feels like an All Black. She's resting from a hamstring strain. I think she's rather proud to tell people, "Oh, it's just my hamstring, how boring." But she is delighted to have a professional on hand to give her a proper rub down everyday and we are sure to keep the leg mobile with stretching and flexion exercises. I'm using my Chinese tincture to warm the muscles - my dear clients from home would remember that stuff well. I hope you've found a therapist who uses something similar. It's the best stuff on earth. My "magic" potion. Mrs P tells me I have Magic Hands... that's a good name for a business.

I have to admit, it's nice to get back to doing what I do best... working with the body. It's hard to believe I've been at it for nearly 12 years - this is definitely the longest break I've taken from it since I started in 1995. It makes me feel so useful.

The toughest thing about trying to explain to people what I do (or DID in Canada) here is the fact that people don't understand how valuable Massage Therapists are for wellbeing. It's like a 20 year time warp. I had such a good reputation in my community back home - and it's like I have to prove myself here. But I am confident in my skills. It's just a matter of time before I have a following. It's so strange to think that so many people are missing out on such a wonderful form of overall healthcare - just from pure ignorance.

So today I am a MASSAGE THERAPIST! Hear me ROAR!

Big Brother

For those of you interested in checking out what's happening at the Mount, or what the waves are doing (for those of you who are keen surfies), or want to try to catch a glimpse of me shopping at Bayfair... you'll enjoy the cameras that are set up at various spots around the Mount.

It's all a bit strange thinking that people are watching all the time but perhaps knowing that my dear ones are getting a glimpse of me (albeit picking my nose or doing something else terribly embarrassing) makes it kinda okay.

I'm slowly getting the hang of using the features on this Blog - such as links (to allow you to click on a word which will take you directly to the website mentioned). There's still a lot to learn though!

God Has Great Taste

I don't know why I let myself get all stressed out about finding the right dress for the wedding. I compared dress shopping to finding the right man... and really it's so true. But one thing I've learned is that when you have found the right one - you don't have eyes for anything else.

The dress I have chosen is NOTHING like the vision I had in my mind. I was really surprised at how easy it all came together. There's a New Zealand designer I love - called Annah Stretton. I walked into her store at the Mount and knew that I wanted one of her designs. You can check out some of her stuff at www.annahs.co.nz

Not only are her pieces fun, funky, romantic and flirty - but I support the charities that she supports. I'd love to meet her one day and tell her what a great job she is doing. She lives in a small town near Hamilton called Morrinsville - I almost took a Massage Therapy job there! I could've been her Massage Therapist!! But I digress...

I have chosen a two piece ensemble, which I thought was VERY practical (even though it cost the earth). The skirt is a three quarter length wrap skirt with panels in different fabrics of the same shade of gold/cream. It's rather hard to explain. It can be worn 4 different ways - which changes the look and fabric. I will be able to wear it again and again - and because it's a wrap, I'll never get too fat or too thin. Plus, it's a timeless piece that I can easily wear on our 20th wedding anniversary and not look silly.

I chose a cream coloured corset - again with panels of different fabrics of the same shade. It has four panels of dark dusty rose velvet on the front bodice and I've added some detail work with a thin gold ribbon I found at a local shop so that it ties in with the skirt better. I will be able to wear the corset with jeans later. SO PRACTICAL... but also SO expensive!

I also got a really funky necklace from Annah S. to tie it all together. It's nothing I'd ordinarily buy... but it looks so good with the outfit. I'm not sure how much wear I'll get out of it again though.

I feel wonderful knowing that it is a one of a kind design - and no one else in the world will have a dress like this. Annah S. designs are all different - no two are the same. The corset is the only one in the country - and they had to ship it up to me from Queenstown! I feel so gorgeous in this dress. It's kinda like 50's meets 80's Madonna... if you can picture that.

I've found my flower too - it's the coolest thing I've ever seen! It's called a King Protea. I will only need one as my bouquet. You can see it here http://protea.worldonline.co.za/sugar7.htm

It's weird how everything has come together so easily and hassle free. We haven't had to leave the Mount for any of our wedding shopping! Even Brian's outfit came from a local menswear shop here - and everything we chose for him happened to be on sale! I swear, that wasn't planned. I would have gladly paid full price for anything that was "perfect". I like a good sale, but I also like quality. I'd never skimp on something important. But it's like God wanted me to have my dress - and so he made everything else on sale so that it all evens out! Thank you God.

God has great taste.

I wish everyone I knew could be here for this wedding. I've completed the Wedding Vows and the Ceremony. It's going to be such a special day for all of us and how I wish I could share it with my dearest friends from home. I'm still waiting to see if my Mom and sisters are going to make it. It's not looking promising. But it's a long way to come and I understand why they couldn't make it. It will be much simpler keeping it small and intimate.

I am so looking forward to December 30th!

Big Fish

We are watching a pod of dolphins playing in the harbour. There are about 20 of them, jumping and chasing boats. It's the most exciting scene and some people stripped down to jump in the frigid water to try to swim with them (they weren't interested in playing with the humans). Still, I think it would have been exhilerating - and not just because the water would be SO cold! I wasn't brave enough to try... I was happy to watch from the beach.

This is one of the highlights of my life in New Zealand - this is one of the reasons I love this country so much... well that AND Brian.

I'm such a simple Canadian girl - big fish excite me.

I had another productive Wedding planning day today... while I was out running some errands for Mrs. P, I happened to spot two dresses on the "SALE" rack (of course) on the sidewalk. I stopped in my tracks - they were absolutely perfect for the girls! They fit too! And for $45 I couldn't buy the fabric to make them! So that's another task done.

Brian and I went out for dinner at the RSA last night. We wanted to check the place out before the wedding of course. I am so delighted we chose it! The meal was lovely and the atmosphere was ideal for our big night. There's a large dance floor and the music isn't too loud. Everything they play is music you can dance to - real dancing - waltz, fox trot, line dancing... you name it... they play it. We were the youngest couple there but it didn't matter. We made friends with a couple in their late 60's who are "dating". They have a very active social life - dancing on Wednesdays at the Cosmopolitan Club and dinner and dancing on Fridays at the RSA (sometimes Saturday too). They were really fun and we've invited them to the wedding! Judith is going to do our photography!!! Brian reckons we're getting old and the RSA is more our speed now. He even asked me to dance! It's the best date we've ever had. We smiled from ear to ear all night.

We are far from old - but we are certainly past the loud bars and clubs. Even the loud and expensive restaurants are exhausting. At the RSA people will ask if they can join you and new friendships are made. Men will ask a lady to dance, regardless of age (or who they're sitting with). If you aren't dancing with someone - you're fair game. It was so much fun! Why don't we do more of that in our generation?

So now if you want to find Brian and I - we'll be at the RSA dancing.

Retail Therapy is Good

Today was such a wonderful day! Mrs. P and I had a big day out... I took her to the new shopping complex in Papamoa called "Fashion Island". It's a marvelous mall - with so many shops! Mrs. P was dazzled. I had to pick up the shoes I ordered for the wedding... that was the start of another shopping frenzy... and Mrs. P was the instigator of it all!!! I saw ANOTHER pair of shoes... very lovely and slightly dressier than the first... and a shade of gold closer to the shade of gold in my skirt. Very practical... AND they were ON SALE! My friends tell me that I am like a Bloodhound when it comes to sales. I've got a nose for it.

Next we had a nosey in Portmans - which is like a more upscale shop for dressy work clothes and nice summer dresses and skirts. Mrs. P wanted to have a look around to see what the fashion is this season. My Bloodhound instinct took over and we quickly found some items on sale... outrageously marked down! Mrs. P found a gorgeous lace bolero for Christmas (down from $80 to $20) and we also found her a nice blue skirt in fashion with the season (and marked down from$120 to $60). "I have to have it!" she said to the shop girl. She was so delighted with her purchases. The shop girl gave her a complimentary locket which was very generous.

I spotted a nice white wrap around dress - on sale of course - down from $150 to $60! I didn't "need" it but it went so well with the new shoes I bought that I didn't need either... and let's not forget that they were all on sale... so that's kinda like "free". Besides Mrs. P thought it was so elegant and suited me so well... so I had to have it too. I couldn't disappoint Mrs. P.

We certainly earned ourselves a cuppa tea so we headed over to BB's Cafe for Devonshire Tea. It was a wonderful end to a really fun day. Mrs. P said she felt like a young woman again. There's really nothing like some retail therapy to keep you youthful. I think we'll have to make a habit of this. I've hidden my purchases upstairs at Mrs. P's... away from Brian. He just won't understand that I did it all for Mrs. P's pleasure... honest. I wouldn't want to do anything to jeopardize my job Honey... ;-)