Friends – Page 3 – Pamper Stamper

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January 6, 2014May 15, 2015

Wedding in Whangarei

All I can say is…’How refreshing!’

We have just arrived back home from a lovely weekend away. A weekend that has been planned for approximately six months. One of my best friend’s daughter had fallen in love with a lovely young man, and this weekend was their wedding, and we were invited. We had a little way to travel but it was worth it!

Rebecca, the bride had just finished her second year of teachers training and still has one year of study left. Roland, the groom, had just completed his training to become a youth Pastor. So as you can imagine money is tight. But, they are very much in love and could see no reason to delay a wedding…they were committed to each other for life! Just look at the love in their eyes for each other!

Now the wedding was definitely a wedding made on a tight budget, but in my opinion, it lacked nothing. It was a wedding full of meaning, joy, love and a real delight to experience. A very blessed event!

It was an open ceremony held in a local park. The setting was beautiful. A lovely arch was built as a background to the altar, and a wishing well for gifts to be deposited. Very sweet!

We were all invited to bring along a picnic and blanket for the reception. And everyone did just that. With joy and happiness and lots of laughter, we all sat around and ate our picnic tea together, with the bridal party sitting just along from us. It was perfect! The weather was warm and sunny, the surroundings picturesque, and the atmosphere delightful. You could just feel the support and love for both Rebecca and Roland. Everyone helped to make this day a delight to remember.

And we had a reason to dress up and have a weekend away! It will certainly be a weekend to remember. I feel very blessed to have shared in the whole experience.

Rebecca and Roland…I admire your decision to get married, and I also admire the fact that you didn’t waste money on lots of unnecessary trimmings. Your wedding day lacked nothing. It was a fabulous day and a very well thought out meaningful wedding ceremony. We were all able to contribute and help to make your day special, even if it was just by bringing along our own little picnic. Many people contributed one way or another and that’s the way it should be. Why get married and start the marriage with a huge debt that is caused by the wedding day. There was no alcohol, no loud music and no raised voices. The whole experience was simply lovely!

Yes….How refreshing!!

I LOVED it all xoxoxo

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November 27, 2013April 12, 2014

Church High Tea Garden Party

Every year in October-November we host a Huge Rhododendron Garden festival here in Taranaki, New Zealand. And our church decided that as we live in the area we should have our own garden party, and make it extra special by having High Tea as well. What a lot of fun! Sadly my Rhododendrons had finished flowering, but the garden still looked lovely, so I offered my place for the event. We had a couple of planning meetings, decided what each of us were making/doing, and with the date of November the 24th picked, it was all on!

30 made and approx 30 ladies came to the afternoon 🙂

I made some invitation for all the ladies and that sealed the day and time…Sunday the 24th from 2-4pm! I also made some centrepieces for the tables and a doily garland to look extra special.

Under the gazebo with a nice sparkling grape juice :-) — Under the gazebo with a nice sparkling grape juice 🙂

We invited a special lady to come along and share her fantastic fashion secrets with us. Irene is a beautiful Christian lady who has four grown up children. She has an amazing life story which she shared and then she presented us with many options of what to wear with one black dress! She was so inspirational and we all went home with ideas for transforming our wardrobes!

Amazingly Irene walked beautifully on high heels on the grass

Irene looked beautiful and we were amazed

Thanking Irene for sharing her talent and life story with us :-) — Thanking Irene for sharing her talent and life story with us 🙂

The food was the icing on the cake…haha! Listening to Irene and then chatting over a cuppa and a cup cake….nothing could be nicer 🙂

There's our Sue again — There’s our Sue again

Look at all the ladies :-) — Look at all the ladies 🙂

Mothers and daughters :-) — Mothers and daughters 🙂

Pouring our 'Champagne' — Pouring our ‘Champagne’

Chocolate eclairs and strawberries....oh my! — Chocolate eclairs and strawberries….oh my!

And then look at the lovely ladies who not only helped to create the lovely afternoon, they also stayed until every last dish was washed. Along with Doreen, Shirley and Erin were the most stylish helpers a gal could want!

Doing dishes in style :-) — Doing dishes in style 🙂

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September 13, 2013May 15, 2015

The Final Day Of Our Holiday!!!

No!!!!! The holiday has come to an end…and we had to say goodbye to Daniel and Marysia early in the morning. They had to go to work in London, and we had to leave for the airport at 5pm. With our bags all packed and the beds stripped and towels in the wash, we venture off again in Marysia’s little car. Teresa is beginning to get quite the expert I must say.

We venture to the nearby town of Windsor. After the nerve wracking experience of finding a petrol station, we find a carpark and off we go and explore Windsor on foot. The Windsor Castle dominates the town so it is very easy to find your way around. The gates of Windsor are at the end of the Windsor Great Park. Last year when Judy, Len, Robin and I came over we walked the great walk with Dan, Marysia and Glenda. It was fantastic. The whole grounds are owned by the queen and yet the public can wander through, ride bikes, horses, or just have family picnics and outings there. The deer even roam around in the park. We didn’t have time to do the walk this time but it was great to be able to show Teresa what it was like. I have put a photo up of the gate with a rusty old padlock on it. The story behind it is that when king Albert died, his wife Victoria was so sad she had the gate padlocked and it hasn’t been opened since then. He used to go out that gate every morning on his horse for a ride and Victoria couldn’t bare to be reminded of it…she loved and missed him so much…Awwww Outside Windsor Castle, there is a rather enigmatic Royal Air Force blue post box standing side-by-side with a red pillar box. The blue post boxes were introduced to important sites in England (such as Windsor Castle) between 1930 and 1938 to receive air mail post for Europe. They only lasted eight years because of the rapid expansion of air travel in that period, and also the RAF in the build up to the Second World War, but a few of them can still be seen today. A much wider and longer-lasting legacy of the brief blue boxes can be seen on the airmail stickers used today by Royal Mail, which are still Air Force blue to match their old post boxes. And as you can see by the photos below..we found the blue post box!

Windsor Castle grounds - part of! — Windsor Castle grounds – part of!

Windsor Castle wall with Windsor shops on the left

Standing at the Windsor end of the great walk

In front of Windsor Castle and at the end of the long walk

While at Windsor, we did a little shopping, had a nice lunch and just explored the Windsor town. Very soon it was time to get back to Dan and Marysias and get ready for our taxi pick up.

Standing in front of the old train engine called The Queen

All went smoothly and we were at Heathrow airport before we knew it. Our flight was leaving at 10pm. We had a meal shortly after take off and then we all slept until nearly at Singapore. The Singapore stopover was a little easier than on the way over as it wasn’t as long, but the flight from Singapore to Auckland was painfully long! Because we had slept on the first flight we were only able to manage a couple of hours sleep on the second flight. We arrived in Auckland at approximately eleven am. And we had an arrival party. Merv (Teresa’s husband) and the four children were there to meet us. Jessica arrived shortly afterwards and we all enjoyed a fabulous reunion lunch together. Judy and I then had a three hour wait for our flight to New Plymouth. And I couldn’t stay awake! I had to lie down on an available seat, most uncomfortably, and with my backpack as a pillow….and sleep.

For the next three days I was asleep at 7.30 and awake at 5am. I do not cope with jetlag at all. But, I would put up with it anytime to have another amazing holiday like the one I just had. I am happy to say that this time I am home and feeling settled. After my last holiday I just couldn’t settle in to normal life…I fought it every day! But, I have felt strongly about getting this holiday all posted on my blog, and then I can move on to my next venture…more about that in my next blog post. Until then….no more holiday posts for me. The holiday has ended…thanks for reading. I hope you feel encouraged to travel yourself. Insight Vacations do amazing tours to lots of different destinations. I would easily go on another tour….want to join me?

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September 13, 2013May 15, 2015

A Forever Friend

Nearly five years ago a very close friend of mine decided that she needed a change in her life. So she bravely decided to apply for a job in the UK, through an agency called Oxford Aunts. See my friend Glenda is a nurse and had been managing a rest home for the previous eight years (approx), and assistant manager for nearly six years before that. Oxford Aunts finds nurses employment in elderly peoples homes as a live in care giver/nurse/home helper position. Glenda was perfect for the job and has been living with and looking after some very nice elderly people ever since. The present lady she is looking after is in her 90’s and is an artist, who is still doing art and even has a studio on her top floor of her house. I have been to see Glenda the previous two trips to England and I couldn’t be here again and not get to see her! So the last full day in London and we arrange to meet and spend the day and evening together.

Teresa very bravely drove Marysia’s car to Henley on Thames where Glenda lives. We had a few giggles as the indicator is on the opposite side to most cars, and it was a manual…Teresa drives an automatic! We had the window wipers going a few times even though it was perfectly fine. Glenda was waiting outside for us, had a car park sorted for Marysias car, and once the greetings were over, we were off. Glenda had planned a little tiki tour of Henley on Thames and some of the surrounding villages. I always find it interesting to see what Glenda has discovered in her little ventures around England and am amazed at how knowledgeable she has become. She probably knows more about her area than many locals. Henley on Thames itself is an awesome little town. I would love to live there too!

This place is right at the end of the bridge into town

We went into an old antique shop that is filled to the brim!!! so to speak. This was a sign at the door.

The gatehouse at George Harrisons place at Henley on Thames

The first little village we came to is the village that Glenda is going to be celebrating Christmas in with her new found friends in England…and there is quite a sum of them! Approximately 27, mostly from New Zealand or Australia, will get together and have Christmas lunch and festivities together.

A lovely back garden with a stream flowing through

Our drive through trees as tunnels to the first villsge

The next place was an amazing little village where ‘The Vicar of Dibley’ is filmed. We were able to even go in the little church and have a look inside, and then wander through the church grounds. In this village there is also a windmill that you can see on a hill nearby. ‘Chitty Chitty Bang Bang’ was filmed there.

There you go...a letter box and phone box together....and Judy posing for the photo :-) — There you go…a letter box and phone box together….and Judy posing for the photo 🙂

Can you see the windmill in the background. 'Chitty Chitty Bang Bang' was filmed there — Can you see the windmill in the background. ‘Chitty Chitty Bang Bang’ was filmed there

The 'Vicar of Dibley' church. Dawn French must love being filmed in this lovely little church. — The ‘Vicar of Dibley’ church. Dawn French must love being filmed in this lovely little church.

The Parish of Turville. Home of the filming of the Vicar od Dibley

We carry on driving through some other little villages and find a quaint little pub for our lunch. We also saw lots of thatched roof places..I love them!

Another lovely little village and the church

Now…Judy and I have seen the rivers with the locks on them to move the boats from one level to another, but Teresa hadn’t seen anything like that at all. So that was our next place to go. The little place was so scenic we sat and watched lots of boats go through the gates, both directions. It was just a lovely peaceful and very rewarding afternoon.

We were watching the boats go through the locks from the bridge

We decided to sit down and relax...a very pleasant afternoon — We decided to sit down and relax…a very pleasant afternoon

The lock gate starting to open — The lock gate open at the other end, letting a boat into the lock.

We ended the day with a lovely meal together at a little pub about an hours drive from Henley. We got back to Glenda’s place in the dark and then Teresa bravely drove us back to Daniel and Marysia’s place. What a fabulous catch up with Glenda and a most perfect way to do it. Thank you my friend Glenda. Love you always…..mwah

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July 23, 2013September 21, 2018

Looking back, I can now see that God was working!

Way back in April I posted about my job ending at the ANZ Bank and how upset I was about the way I was treated during the whole process. I must admit I hadn’t really enjoyed my job as much after the ANZ dropped the National Bank Brand, but I was good at my job, and I felt that their unwillingness to offer me another position was very sad. I also had the perfect working hours and couldn’t imagine finding another job with part time work available. Little did I know that God was in control, and He had a plan for me that He knew I would be really happy with. I believe that we can ‘cast our cares on God, because He cares for us’ but as I cast my work cares upon Him, praying for Him to work out the details, I didn’t really think he was answering when the ANZ job ended.

But on my post on the 22nd of May, I told you about my new job and how it was an amazing answer to prayer. I have now worked about 10 days and I love it! I am really happy! I am meeting lots of really interesting people. I am helping people that are sick and hurting. I am using a computer daily and doing all the reception duties mainly on my own…and it’s great!

So way back in April I couldn’t see the future and I was wondering what was going to happen. Now I can see that God had it all in hand. He helped me let go of my old job and He opened the door to my new job. He took away the sadness and frustration that I had at work and replaced them with contentment and satisfaction with a job I enjoy.

Praise God!

During the stage from unemployment to employment again, I have had 2 more trips to Sydney and have also planned a trip to Italy with my sister Judy and niece Teresa, for 2 weeks in August and following that 2 weeks travelling with C2 and D2. I will leave NZ on the 1st of August and return to New Zealand on the 31st of August. I am so excited.

I have also been able to do some more house renovations. I have stripped wallpaper, prepared walls for painting and then painted three rooms! And they look great. Robin finished our bedroom walls for me while I was away in Sydney. I took some photos to show C1 and D1 the changes. I love them…what do you think?

No updating here but look at the clean fresh dining area!

Didn't update this, but it is clean and tidy — Didn’t update this, but it is clean and tidy

This area used to be dark blue and it didn't have the big storage cupboard...which I am loving! — This area used to be dark blue and it didn’t have the big storage cupboard…which I am loving!

This are is the fireplace lounge looking into the big lounge. This was the last area I painted before starting again recently.

My new bedroom colour with a new Duvet cover and pillows.

Joanna's room. This room used to be dark green! What was I thinking? — C5’s room. This room used to be dark green! What was I thinking?

This is Jessica's room. It used to be blue. I painted this room quite awhile ago. — This is C6’s room. It used to be blue. I painted this room quite awhile ago.

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July 25, 2012May 15, 2015

Windlesham and Windsor – Our final day in England!

We had a fabulous evening with Daniel and Marysia and a really good nights sleep. The plans for today were to do the walk through Windsor Park starting off at Virginia Waters, and then walk the long mile and end up at the Castle. We woke to a beautiful sunny and hot day. So pleased as it would have been less fun to walk it in the rain. We had planned for Glenda to get to Dan and Marysias place and we go together, but she got stuck in traffic and was running late. So the plan was changed and we met Glenda at the park.

The walk was great and along with the views we had plenty of time to chat and enjoy each others company. We arrived at Windsor Castle just after lunch time so we found a cafe and had lunch together. After lunch we walked down to the river and looked at the swans and the boats. Lots of families were at the river and surrounding parks because of the beautiful sunny day.

We had to catch the 6pm bus back to the gates to Virginia Waters and the Windsor walk entrance so there was time to have a coffee at a cafe near the Castle. We arrived back at Daniels around 6.45pm. Glenda was able to stay for tea so we all went to the local Indian restaurant and enjoyed our last meal together.

What a fabulous time we have had in England! Tomorrow morning at 6am we are off to Heathrow airport to catch our plane to Singapore. This certainly has been a full holiday! It’s hard to remember the details of our whole time away. I will be reading this blog to help jog the memories. Onto the next chapter of the holiday….

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July 3, 2012September 21, 2018

Holiday Photos

I have finally got an internet connection where I can load some photos. I will try to name each one to give you an idea of where they have been taken. We have had our 10 days travelling over to Poland and back and have also now left C2 and D2’s place. Tonight we are in Leeds and looking forward to discovering York tomorrow. The next night will be at Windemere…a beautiful place so we have heard. I will let the photos tell the story otherwise I will be on the internet for hours and I don’t want to waste this precious time 🙂

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March 20, 2011September 21, 2018

Earthquakes

So….With Japan now having a massive earthquake followed by a very destructive Tsunami, Robin (my husband) has been hot on the trail of working out why???? He has put his theory on his blog www.kiwithinker.com and now spends hours searching the web for more info. Along with his previous passion of proving the ‘global warming’ belief wrong, we now lead a very interesting life! I sit on my computer doing this blog, facebook, and then also fit in my passion for scrapbooking and mainly music, while he sits on his computer doing his blog and further searching and listening to scientists around the world. We do sit in the same room though and still share meals and coffee breaks. Hehe….actually it works quite well! We are both in our mid fifties, and I seriously wonder what the next decade will be like for us! C5 also shares our lounge room and as she is on her second year of nursing, she also sits at her computer and studies. C6 sits at the BIG lounge table and does her homework, along with keeping up with all her friends via facebook or texts! And….I know that if any of our boys were home, they would be sitting with their laptops as well! We are quite a technology focussed family really. C1’s life is Business cost anaylsis via a computer program. C2 designs and markets Samsung laptops. C3 writes songs and raps on them via the computer, and C4 sells computer games via itunes eg. his new game http://itunes.apple.com/nz/app/geomonsters/id420203626?mt=8

On Wednesday we are heading down to C4 and D3’s wedding in Featherston….yay…I can’t wait. They have been going out for 6 years and have amazing lives individually and also together. C4 with his computer stuff and D3 with design and modelling. They live in Sydney and are travelling to New Zealand on Tuesday. C4 was his friends best man only one month ago here in New Plymouth. Here is a photo of them both…

Aren’t they a gorgeous couple. I’ll be adding photos of their wedding as soon as possible 🙂

On the 26th of March I am heading off for a 2 week holiday in Sydney catching up with C1, D1, G1 and G3…and then the last week, C4 and D3 as they should be back from their honeymoon. I am so looking forward to seeing everyone again. It’s so sad that it takes a holiday overseas to see family and yet also exciting to be travelling!

But, back to reality. I have so much to do for mainly music before I take off for the wedding and holiday. Mainly music theme day is the first week back and it needs to be organised before I go. So, I need to get planning and preparing!

Lets hope there is also better news concerning Japan and their nuclear woes next time I write. It is such a worry for all! And after so many have already died 🙁

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March 5, 2011September 21, 2018

Saturday the 5th of March

This week has been an emotional one. The clean up is still happening after the BIG earthquake in Christchurch. 165 people died! and possibly more! It is so sad. Jordan (C5’s boyfriend) is back home from University. He couldn’t stay at Canterbury Uni until it was cleaned up, power back on and water running again. He was only there for 10 days and is just managing to cope with the change of plans. C5 on the other hand is delighted to have him back home again! Tonight they have gone out to a dress-up party. I have added some photos of them and also some of my G4.

Don’t they look great!

Judy (my sister) and Len have moved into their new home. They have been busy getting it ready for nearly 3 months after transporting the house onto their farmland. C3 (my son) has been busy doing lots of different labour jobs for them so the job could be made earier. C3 has been demolishing, then rebuilding, making fences, concreting, building decks and heaps more! He has had his mate Colin helping him. I have had the job of looking after G4 every day from 1pm until 5.30pm while they build. That has been lots of fun and yet also very tiring. I haven’t the energy I used to have with young children that I had nearly 20 years ago. G4 is a very active little man but is growing up into a lovely little chappy. He will be 2 on the 25th of May. My baby C6 turned 17 on the 24th of February, and G1 (my grand daughter) turned 14 on the same day!

Mum and Dad have celebrated their wedding anniversary yesterday (the 4th of March). They have been married for an amazing 63 years. Congratulations Mum and Dad…you are a fantastic example for us all and we all love you xoxo.

Today has been a wet day and I have taken advantage of the opportunity to stay indoors and scrapbook! I love days when I can sit and scrap and not worry about anything else! I did do some housework though. I managed to stew up lots of apples from our trees and got 3 2litre containers full and into the freezer. I now have 5 containers in there ready for winter. The tree is still laden with beautiful apples so I plan on getting many more done….hopefully.

I will put up some photos of the scrapbooking on the next post 🙂