I'm still here - though mainly lurking...

Hi - yes I am still about, have started my new job...

I started last Tuesday, I am Personal Assistant to the Chief Executive of Workbridge for a fixed term of 12 months (whilst the original PA is on parental leave)... they are lovely people that I am working with, office is very relaxed, and getting back into the swing of minute taking again. Haven't given up on finding another human resources advisor/administration role, however the job market (like most places) is very bleak at the moment, and decided it was better to accept this role, rather than continue to miss out on HR roles (because I don't have paper qualifications, it seems at the moment that practical experience doesn't count for much!). Though it sounds like the Workbridge role was a lesser choice, it is proving not to be the case, there is much to learn and plenty of challenges to keep my senses stimulated - the universe aligns itself in many ways, and I feel that this has been the right choice.

Only downside it is based in Wellington - so am now back into the commute routine of catching the train to and from work... on the plus side am getting lots of reading done - currently am reading Jodi Picoult "Perfect Match" - this is an excellent read and can't put it down.

Training for Duathlon 5th April update: Am still getting up for the early morning walks - though gotta admit - am heading to bed pretty early with a cuppa tea (and my book) as am so tired by about 9pm... bike training hasn't happened since the first ride, I've purchased through trademe (online auction) a contraption that you attach to the back wheel of the bike which makes it an indoor trainer, thought this was a better way to bike off some love handles and build up the bike (read "bottom") fitness before venturing out in public again LOL

Bella (kitten) is just divine - she has now had her stitches out (from the girlie op) - I still haven't been brave enough to let her explore outside - perhaps this weekend :)

I've been working away on ChookyBlue's gift (she won my 100th post draw) and I promise chookyblue that it will be winging its way to you soon...

Right is past my cuppa tea and book bedtime ... so will sign off here and promise - crafty photo's (and bella photo's) will be loaded soon.

Love

Stone Carving 2009

Every year our local art supply shop "Archibalds Art Supplies" sponsors the stone carving symposium - this year it is being held at Maidstone Park. I visited at lunchtime on Wednesday, and then went back with DH yesterday (with camera in hand this time)... here are a few pics of my favourite pieces...

Now isn't this zip amazing... that would look so cool in my garden (ahh dream dream...).

Now I have been doing a bit of stitching - though haven't taken any pics as yet - so will make more progress and post pics later today :)

Hugs

It's Thirsty Work...

... being a kitten!!

Oops look how my mum found me - naughty I know - though I was so thirsty watching her fingers flying over the keys...

Mum says to tell you that the glass HAS been thorougly sterilised (how rude - I don't have germs!!)

Miaow Bella

More Free BOM's to add to your WIPs !!

You may already know about these great free BOM's that two wonderful bloggers have made available to tempt us...



Gail Pan Designs - A Christmas Wish Free BOM, and...



Ellies Quilt Place - Ellies Country Calendar Free BOM

The links are on the right hand side of my blog ......... ooh the temptation so many lovely projects so little stitching time...

Hugs

Darling Bella...

Peek-a-boo...

How quickly can a wee fluff ball take over your heart - in my case almost within a blink of an eye...

She seems to like playing around the sewing pedal...

Bella has settled in so quickly that you would think she has lived here in a previous lifetime... the older cats aren't too pleased to see her, though with the smugness of being the new kitten on the block it doesn't seem to phase Bella in the slightest... exhausted at end of first day...

She's checked out my messy storage sewing table and the computer desk...

And Bella has a new feline blog friend, Frank his new human-mum is Deb, pop across to meet him. Bella thinks that Frank is very 'miaow' - I can see they are going to be great blog friends.

Hugs

My 100th Post Winner....

Oops - don't these days just flyyyyy byyyyy.... it's now the 12th and I had promised I would make the draw on the 10th....

Thank you for your lovely comments and encouragement to keep the blog going - it is great fun - and I'm meeting so many lovely like-minded people from all around the world - fantastic...

With Beck's to assist me in finding a winner... first we cut out the strips of names and folded...

Then we placed them in the container and shook 'em all about...

Then the lid was removed and Beck's chose the winning slip of paper...

And the lucky winner is....

So dear ChookyBlue (Elf Donna), please email me your snail mail address and let me know your favourite colour... congratulations your goodies will be in the making and on their way to you soonest :)

Hugs

Am so excited...

...I'm picking up wee Bella (I decided on the name before I had even seen her) this morning - she is a bundle of fluff and six weeks old... sorry the above picture is a little grainy - is from my cellphone (petshop pxt it to me!)...

You may recall I made the decision before Christmas for my clonky old girl, Holly, to keep her dignity and go play with the cats in heaven, one of the hardest decisions I've had to make, and I miss her terribly.

Our three other cats are very specific as to who their owner is so I'm feeling very neglected and cat-lonely, so decided it was better to get a new feline friend for me now while I am between jobs so that I can help settle her into our crazy household LOL

I will post some clearer pictures once we get her home...

Hugs


PS: The walking is going great, heading out for 2nd bike ride tomorrow morning - eek :)

Free BOM pattern link...

Not long back from my first bike ride - I TOTALLY recommend Gel seat covers and fingerless gloves with Gel padding (great on the carpal tunnel scars that are still mending)... the bike ride wasn't too traumatic though the thigh and butt muscles were extremely tight when I got off the bike to walk up the hill to get back home... felt like I was waddling like a penguin LOL...but I digress...

While eating my light muesli with light milk and banana, cup of coffee at the ready, along with a berocca drink - I starting scanning my bloglines... and began catching up with MayBritt - poor darling is not well, so pop across to wish her bugs away quickly, though bless her she still has placed a great blog with lots of information including a link to a free BOM pattern from BunnyHill.

The BOM pattern is just gorgeous, and I am so going to look forward to tackling this project once I've cleared away a few outstanding WIPs... so for now I will save the pattern and instructions each month. Thank you Anne for your generosity in sharing.

Hugs

Oh Dear...

You won't believe what I've done this morning...

I've registered with sis-in-law (Leigh) to do the RealWomen Duatholon http://www.realduathlon.co.nz/ in Wellington on 5th April 2009... here are some motivational pic's she kindly sent through to me after we had registered online together ...


It is 3.5km walk/run (mine will be a WALK) then a 10km ouch bike ouch ride then another 1.5km walk/run (most likely I'll be crawling by then)...

I've been walking for an hour in the mornings the last few weeks - you wouldn't think so by the clothes ... so the challenge is going to be ouch building up the ouch bum muscles - oorgh I feel the pain already...

This is what happens when you have too much time on your hands at work with nothing to do (ie., my last week of my redundancy notice and not really motivated).

Am borrowing a bike to get me into the ride of things, so to speak - one blessing each entry has a chance to win a new bike - now wouldn't that be wonderful... :)

Hugs

A gorgeous day at Ngawhai...

Hugs