Goodbye 2006, Titanic, Bantams

1. We're saying goodbye to 2006 in about half an hour. No party or anything. Just a happy new year and a yawn. However, it sounds like the neighbours are having a knees up. I'm looking forward to 2007. I like new starts. I don't make resolutions though. Too depressing when I break them. Hope all the bloggers who visit my blogs have a wonderful 2007 and I look forward to getting to know you all a bit better.
2. We all stayed up to watch Titanic which was a four hour long epic on tv. What a wonderful love story. The children even stayed up and watched to the end which surprised me. We let them stay up as a treat and they went off to bed very easily when it finished. I won't be far behind.
3. I've answered Michelle's question about silkie bantams on yesterday's post. We went to get them today. They are four weeks old and we have three of them, very fluffy and cuddly. Hopefully we have a rooster and two hens. Still a bit young to be completely sure. The rooster has been named Rocket and the girls are Tammy and Opal.

Sales, BBQ, bantams

1. We bought some Christmas decorations for next year at 75 per cent off the normal price. It was fun choosing and we particularly like the colour change lights. We stood in our large cupboard with the lights off to watch them change colour. Wonderful.
2. We also bought a bargain BBQ today. My husband spent a long time putting it together and I'm sure he enjoyed every minute of it. It looks magnificent. I'm looking forward to him cooking on it very soon.
3. We have been looking for some silkie bantams and have finally found some for sale not far from here. We're off to buy some tomorrow and borrowed a chicken coop from friends today. It was a mission getting it home but it's finally here, waiting for its new inhabitants.

Visitors, laughter, end in sight

1. My sister and nephew came to visit from Auckland today. It was great fun having them and a lot of help as my sister took all three children to the movies while my husband and I continued with the concreting around the pool. It was wonderful spending time with family as we didn't see them on Christmas Day.
2. We shared lunch and dinner together and spent much of our table time laughing over funny anecdotes. I've even been laughing to myself a lot since then, just remember the funny stories. We need laughter.
3. No concreting tomorrow. Probably gardening instead. And resting. Yes. Definitely resting.

More hard labour, gardening, cleaning

1. Aren't I the virtuous one? Not sure what's come over me but I certainly seem to be doing my fair share of hard work lately. More concrete mixing today which I continued to enjoy, although I'm not sure my hands will ever be the same again. Progress is being made though, so that's what counts.
2. I am creating a vegetable garden. Well, I've dug the hole anyway. This has happened before, without result - apart from a patch of weeds. However, I feel confident that I can make it happen this time. Ask me later.
3. I haven't had a lot of time for cleaning lately, due to my being stuck next to a concrete mixer for several days. However, tonight I vacuumed under and behind our bed. I finally got sick of cobwebs being the last thing I saw before switching off the light. I feel much happier.

Hard labour, food, weather

1. I've probably said this before but I'll say it again. I love the feeling I get from doing really hard manual labour. It makes me feel much more alive. I've just spent most of a day shovelling cement and sand into a concrete mixer as part of our swimming pool preparations. I concreted a few things I wasn't supposed to, including my shoes, due to poor co-ordination and lack of upper body strength. But generally speaking, I did a good job and I was very proud of myself.
2. However, due to the level of hard work, I allowed myself way too much food. It meant I had more energy for longer but I think I overdid it just a tad!
3. Has anyone seen summer? It's drizzling, although warm enough from time to time. I suppose I should be grateful as it's easier doing hard labour in weather like that I guess. Well, back to the grindstone.

Christmas, gardening, biking

1. Christmas has come and gone and I'm pleased to be back to some kind of normality. I like special occasions but I'm always pleased when things are back to normal. I like things to be predictable. That sounds boring, I know. But it's true. I hope all the word imps out there had a happy and relaxing Christmas.
2. Boxing Day for me has been gardening day. Well, I have done other things as well, but this evening I have been making a vegetable garden. So far, it's involved a lot of manual labour. Great for the soul.
3. We went on a short family bike ride so the children could practise riding their new bikes on the quiet roads around our street. It was wonderful to see the beginning of a confidence I'm sure they'll master very soon. A privilege, in fact.

Chocolate, tarts and pizza

1. In a rush so I have to say I enjoyed the chocolate truffles tonight, Margaret.
2. Also loved the fruit mince tarts, Margaret.
3. The pizza was super delicious Liz and Margaret. Happiest of Christmas wishes to everyone.