My New Toy!

So my darling husband got me the best surprise for my birthday this year--a Kindle 2!!! Now to those of you who are not up on the latest electronics this is an electronic device that allows you to wirelessly download (or upload---I am never sure!) thousands and thousands of books to it and then you can just read them all there! It is really lightweight--less than a single paperback---and the convenience of it is awesome. He totally surprised me. The one I have is on the right in the picture and of course he got me a RED case for it. I love it already! It is going to be so perfect for traveling! And you know I seem to be on the road a lot!!! So the first thing I got was the Bible (the version I got was even free!) and then I have added several other books that will be good----along with devotionals and blogs and newspapers and magazines--the sky is the limit but of course you still have to pay for stuff---but it is much cheaper than buying the actual book. I love the feel of books in my hands so I was not sure I would like this but I do. You can do a lot of neat stuff with it that I am going to work on figuring out----I bought "Kindle for Dummies" so it is walking me through how to check my email, etc.

The one minute prompt today is "swine flu" and boy----is that something to be thinking about! When we flew back from LA to Minneapolis (was it three weeks ago?? Seems like forever for some reason) there were tons of families coming back from vacations in Mexico with hacking coughing kids. ...so I wonder if some of them were in the beginning stages--who knows? Anyway I have my handy dandy hand sanitizer in my purse and all over the house, have my Airborne for my airplane trip on Sunday and I am all set!!! Flu go away!

It's MY Birthday!

If you can tell from the picture above I have had a few birthdays since this picture was taken! I think I was about 2 in this picture--maybe a little bit older--and this is one of the few pictures I have of my childhood. Gonna get more from my mom and get them scanned in one of these days! Anyway, I am the baby in front next to my brother, Mark, with Paula and Chris in the back. That picture I think was taken in Hannibal, Ohio, where we lived till I was 8. And if it is where I think it is that is the infamous "Sniffy Bush" in the background. I could be totally wrong about where this is --it could even be at my grandparent's home but I would like to believe it is Hannibal!!!

I have been so blessed with such a great family and my siblings have been great support to me (and Chris) through all of our years together and it just makes me so grateful that I have a close family who cares for each other even tho we don't get to see each other as often as I would like! Maybe now that we are back in the US it will be a little easier! I at least get to see Aaron and my mom, sister and Chris' dad and sister (and family) in the next couple of weeks. Yippee!

Dinner at The Quarry tonight for my birthday---hmmmm--what will I have?? Something yummy no doubt!!!

HAPPY 24th BIRTHDAY, MICAH!!!

Today is Micah's 24th birthday! How in the world did that happen? I remember being pregnant with him, being surprised when he arrived 3 weeks early, being so upset when I had to be separated from him for several days 3 weeks later when I was back in the hospital, and then the early years in Orlando with all our great Navy friends! Who would have thought that that cute little baby who created Pear Mousse would turn into the cool guy that he is today. We have been sooooo blessed with our children. Not that we haven't butted heads now and then---who hasn't had that experience with their kids? But the best part of it all was that I was able to stay at home most of the time when the boys were growing up and be there for them. I LOVED that! My best job ever.

So today as Micah celebrates in Austin, Texas turning 24 I hope that he remembers how much his parents love him and how special he is. He has proved to us time and time again what a great individual he is and has learned to make some really good choices in life. I can't wait to see him in person and tell him that with a huge hug----I love you, Micah!!! Happy Birthday!

Memorable Jingle

My one minute writing prompt today was to write about a memorable jingle or advertisment............so many come to mind!!! But one of my all time favorites has to be the Claymation California Raisins singing "Heard it Through the Grapevine". Singing raisins---come on---how can you not LOVE those guys? All purple and wrinkly and loveable!!! And singing one of my all time favorite songs!!!

Now you know that there is some deep theological meaning in singing raisins-----somewhere there is and if you find it let me know! I want to know that my love of the California Raisins is because it has a theological root!!!

Have a great Earth Day and save a plastic tree today---use a green bag when you shop!!!

Iowa is COLD and WINDY!

Buddy and Holly in their youth....

Normal Buddy and Holly pose while in Mason City!

HI All! I know it has been awhile since i have blogged--my husband keeps reminding of my "followers" but I guess I have been a little tied up with trying to get things straightened out here in Mason City! All is well----we are living in our home and it seems eerily quiet without my feline friends (pictured above) to race around and snuggle but all in due time. We have much to do! I have gotten some of the boxes emptied that we stored, found essential kitchen items like my Kitchenaid mixer and my much missed Pampered Chef measuring cups and microcookers!!! But there is still much more to do--it will get done. We had the insurance adjustor come yesterday to assess damage, etc. and I have come to find out there is A LOT of difference in dwellers insurance versus homeowners insurance. But ....the bottom line is that we still have a lovely home (or it will be lovely again once we get some work done), and even tho it is freezing cold here and windy I did hear the birds singing outside this morning when I woke up so spring is coming! Of course our American birds are much quieter than the Australian birds I used to wake up to every morning!!! Quiet little tweets and songs here ---not loud screeching calls!!! LOL My brother made the statement one time that the birds in Australia were boisterious (I think that is the term he used) and that is pretty accurate!

I happily made my first batch of Chocolate Chip cookies this week and it was so wonderful to have a full size electric oven that did not turn off halfway through baking!!!! The cookies were delish and some are on their way to Micah in Texas for his 24th birthday on Thursday. How he got to be so grown up I don't know! I remember it like yesterday when he was born---well kind of! What a cutie he was! Still is but in a grown up way!

So I am getting to know Mason City again and am loving being able to shop anytime I want to shop! Life is good !

So once I find something exciting to blog about I will !! My life is filled right now with housework and getting this huge house (it is huge!!! way bigger than we need!) whipped into shape to put up for sale. And unpacking! And trying to make documents for customs to expediate our container being allowed to come into the US! Guess we did not make it clear enough what our articles were made out of and we had to submit more information about our furniture, etc. Keeping my fingers crossed that all goes well!!!

It's BACKKKKKK!!!!

1 Creekside Court!!

Toilet frog !!!!

I know you have missed the wildlife pictures of Australia so here you go------an honest to goodness Iowa ceramic frog bought at Menards (sorry, Jen---no Home Depots in Mason City) and placed oh so carefully in the toilet to surprise my stupendous husband . It took him ALL night to go in there (I think he has the bladder of a camel or something) and when he did at least he looked before he "watered" or we would have had a real mess! It got a chuckle which was the goal and lightened up our week a bit.

We slept at our house last night! Yippeee!!! I will put a picture here of our house if I can locate one on my puter----the outside looks great---inside is getting there. I am bringing boxes up one by one from the basement of stuff we had packed up and stored and it is coming together slowly. Still no resolution from the company that held the lease ......tomorrow is the deadline we gave them for getting to the bottom of this whole thing so we will see what happens.

I must say that I have such a good attitude about being back in Iowa----I guess I didn't realize how much I missed things like being able to hop in a car and get to shopping any time of day!!! I have spent hours at Walmart, Hobby Lobby,Kmart and Kohl's just looking!!! It is wonderful!!! I actually bought some herbs today because I got so used to using them so much in my cooking in Australia and it seems like I should just have a little patch out back here since I am sure it is going to take us some months to get the house ready to sell and then the wait to get it sold .....I need a diversion, don't I????

One of the things that I missed so much was just being able to call people or talk to people at "normal" times! Aaron and Micah can call anytime now and it is wonderful! Of course Aaron's last call was about his car getting broken into so that was not a fun call but fortunately it does not look like they damaged anything and took things that can eventually be replaced tho he is quite upset about his Marvin Gaye cd.....

So....here we are and life is good. I am enjoying the midwest friendliness---the old folks who chew my ear and the young woman who helped me get something into the back of my rented Pathfinder since I couldnt' figure out how to get the seat down!!! It is those little things that make a difference. God is so good. But the thing that is weird---having no kitties in the house!!! They are still with "Grandpa Skip" and loving life there!!!

Happy Easter!

Hope you all have a blessed Easter......

One day at a time!

So just when you think your life is going along famously things kind of start happening to put you back into reality and put things in perspective! Just had to relate my morning the other day! We are in a hotel till we can get back into our house here in Mason City and have a rental car for me until I can get back to North Carolina to pick up mine which my dear darling youngest son has been keeping for me after the dear darling oldest son got a company car and didn't need mine any more. (Are you still following???) Well, the rental car we got was leaking oil ---gushing actually to the point that the Beverly Hillbillies theme song was playing every time I got into the SUV!!! So I called the rental place and they said they would just tow a new one to me----well--considering that we got the car at the airport in Minneapolis I knew that was going to take awhile which it did but no worries. The lady asked when I called roadside assistance if I was in a safe place. It kind of made me laugh because I was at our house and I am not sure that it is really safe at this point!! Just kidding but I am sure glad she asked!!! 4 1/2 hours later my replacement was delivered and the oil geyser was no more.

As I was going into the hotel and up to our room I had my phone in one hand, backpack on, purse over the shoulder and my room key in my teeth.....phone rang and I jugggled the phone and room key as I got on the elevator and slicker than snot dropped my room key card (probably made by Assa!) . So you know that tiny little space between the elevator and floor??? Well that is where it went. Straight down there. Sigh. So I turned around and sat down in the lobby for a bit! But you know what---through it all I am still smiling! When things look pretty glum (as they have this week) I keep remembering how much I am loved, how great my family is, how awesome of a husband I have, how many friends and loved ones I have and most of all that I have a God who will never leave me---EVER! How cool is that??? Easter is just around the corner and even tho we will not be in our house for that probably I am happy that we are back here where we can properly celebrate and ackowledge the miracle of Easter!!!

Back in the USA---Sing with me !!!!! You know you want to!

Well we are back-----back in Mason City, living at the Country Inn and Suites and the big excitement last night was that the Globetrotters stayed at the hotel! Remember them??? I doubt that Meadowlark Lemon (is that right?) and Curly are still with them but I rode down in the elevator this morning with one fit looking polite dude who spoke little English I believe. Maybe that is is secondary language and Basketball is his first. I know you are laughing now!!! LOL

To those of you who have wondered about maybe my cryptic comments about moving back, etc. I really could not "announce" things until it was made public here but Chris is back working for Assa Abloy--the company he left to go work for CSR in Australia. We had such a great time in Australia and we loved it but it was time to come home for a variety of reasons and it is good to be home. We are dealing with a few issues left by the folks renting our house and I won't go into details here but suffice it to say we could use all the prayers winging our way that you could send. It is a tad bit stressful but we know that God is good all the time. Just a little disappointed in the behavior of some people at this point in our lives!

I promise I will get together an album of pictures of New Zealand---just a little preoccupied at the moment with other things but they are worth seeing, believe me. I may just post them online so you can see a bunch all in one place easily!!!

More later!

Back in the USA!

Best flights ever --- I LOVE premium economy with Air New Zealand!!! Awesome! Room to stretch out and it isn't even first class!!! Luggage made it all through to our final destination intact and when we arrived in Minneapolis it was snowing.....more overnight and tomorrow so our trip to Mason City tomorrow may be interesting! Will keep you posted!

Winding down.....and sad to leave!

I just noticed that I posted the same fur seal picture 2 days in a row---can you tell I am a tad tired??? LOL I am pretty exhausted right now but I did want to jot down a few notes before it got too late.

We have just had the most fantastic couple of days and I haven't really blogged about much so I will just do a couple highlights here. I posted a bunch of pictures on Facebook but when I get back to real internet in the US I will make a Picasa album to share with all of you. But first things first!

All my days are kind of melting into each other but all in all it has been such a great trip. Chris really did a fantastic job of planning things out, getting things booked and doing a lot of the driving (tho I must admit I did my fair share on the South Island). Wednesday was our longest day and Chris had warned me that it would be a long one. Well he did not lie! We had breakfast with a German couple and a man from Chicago at our B & B and got on the road from Te Anau ---not early enough for all the stops we had on the way! We stopped at the Otago Pennisula where there is an Albatross colony. We toured the visitor's center and took some pictures but did not actually go see the colony as it was going to eat up too much time and as it was we saw some on our own anyway! On the way further we got caught in road works and as the man chatted with us he told us to make sure we stopped to see these boulders along the way. Well we did and they were spectacular! There is a picture from a couple days ago of them and they were pretty neat to see. Looked like giant dinosaur eggs or something! They are the result of water intruding into the mudstone and they are just all along this beach-some look like eggs that have hatched, some look like eggs, but they are just really neat looking.

The down side of our little side trips was that we were going to get to our accomodations late. Chris had booked us at this Farm Stay which I was a little iffy about ---as it got later and later and we still seemed to be far away I got crankier and crankier!!! Chris was doing the driving at this point and thank goodness we rented a GPS unit which we named Fiona. Well, Fiona got us there but it was a struggle! It was pitch black and we were on this skinny road that had room for maybe one car (and it was of course both directions!) that was the curviest road I think I have been on in my travels! It was awful! Add to that that we knew that the left side was a sheer dropoff into the ocean and that was the side I was on!!! It kept going and going and I kept getting tenser and tenser! Well, we finally made it to this farm in the pitch black--there was one light on and no outside lights and it was after 10 pm so I told Chris that they had given up on us and what were we going to do??? He knocked on a door which was difficult to find since there were no lights on outside and then all the sudden a huge floodlight went on so we thought we were in luck....well.....a few minutes passed and no action.....Finally he was getting ready to walk around the house and the door flew open and out came this gent in his boxers trying to put his robe on!!! Oh my. I felt terrible! But what a sweet sweet man! He said he had just been brushing his teeth, they had given up on us and his wife was already in bed. Garry was the sweetest man ever and brought us in, made us tea, got us settled in our little room and we crashed. We joined them for breakfast at 8 and they were such a lovely couple----their farm is beautiful!!! Simply stunning and after my apologies for the late call we were all chummy! Rana and Garry were the most wonderful hosts and they even had dinner for us--too bad we didn't show up!!! I am sure it would have been a zillion times better than our takeaway that we got on the way! After breakfast Garry took us for a tour of the property on his 4 wheeler with a trailer, I got to see all the sheep, pet the pet lamb and just enjoy the wonderful countryside! It was awesome. And their house was really neat---it was built by /for an American in 1955 and was in the Craftsman style that we have kind of gotten attached to in Iowa---flat roof and all. Pretty weird to see that in New Zealand. They gave us some great advice on where to go and what to do in Akoroa and we were on the way.

When we got to Akoroa we booked a cruise to go out to see some nature and that was fabulous! Got to see a couple of the world's smallest penguins (white flippered penguin) and a bunch of Hector's Dolphins which put on quite a show for us by jumping out of the water. They, incidentally, are the smallest dolphins so we got to see 2 pretty neat things!!! It was a great cruise and we had such a great day---had what was probably our final real fish and chips by the water and headed to the airport to fly back to Auckland.

The great thing about the flying in and out here has been that it has been so incredibly easy! They have kiosks where you not only print your ticket but also your luggage tags, you tag it yourself, take it to the little conveyer belt and that is it! You are all done and just have to wait for your plane---so much easier and takes so much less time because you just take care of it all yourself! I loved it!!!

Well, this is just a quick little update but I am about out of minutes on my internet card here at the B & B in Auckland so will post more when I can! WE fly back to LA and then on to Minneapolis tomorrow night (Saturday) and will be in Minneapolis by Saturday night. Weird, I know!!!! Back in Mason City on Sunday and Chris will start work on Monday! Whew! What a whirlwind this has been! Keep you posted!

I hardly know where to start---so here are just a few pictures!

These were a couple of the dolphins we saw---very playful!

Hector's Dolphin jumping!!!Got him on the down side!

Rana (our Farm stay hostess), Peedy and me!!!

Moeriki Boulders

Another Beautiful New Zealand View

New Zealand Fur Seals

Getting ready to go cruise Milford Sound