Why did the Monkey Chase the Ambulance?

There is something fundamentally wrong when you giggle all the way to your job and all the way home once you have completed a 12hour shift. It is just mad I am having an abosolute ball and near piddle myself with excitment when off racing, sirens blaring to help someone who needs it.

I finally came face to face with blood and as suspected was than comfortable with the situation and for the love of god I GOT TO DRIVE THE AMBULANCE WITH A PATIENT IN THE BACK!!! Just crazy, it went well but could have gone better if someone had told me about everything being back to front so the wipers were going when trying to indicate, not good for the ole nerves.

Lordy we actually have just bought two, three bedroom homes in Kawarau for the princely sum of $220K for them both!!!! I know.............sounds a bargain but really risky for us as although it is the hottest place in NZ but apart from a mill there is not much there, its about 20 minutes from Whakatane and about 45 from Rotorua. But of push comes to shove we could live in one or sell again. Interestingly enough Kawarau was the only place to show good growth in housing prices in the last update so all fingers crossed.

Right I had best go and do something as the housework is piling up and I really should go play with my eldest.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

STAT STAT STAT

What an amazing night, speeding, lights whirling, running to the Ambo, stretcher carting, rushing patients to the Emergency Department(surprisingly no Dr Mcdreamy)t, wearing a fluro Jacket and even talking on the radio!

Really amazing and exhilarating and already I just feel great, like all of a sudden the fog has lifted and now I have complete clarity.
It will be hard work and the protocols to be followed are lengthy and the training immense to put it into perspective I cannot give anything stronger than an asprin until around two years of study.

But heck that was just my first shift 7pm until 7am. My next shift is on Saturday so I wonder what I will experience then. Today I took Ella into the station so she could see what Mummy is doing when she is working and the Staff was talking about the days jobs and it was really quite harrowing. I can only but wonder how I will react to my first death. Already last night I found myself paying close attention to the patients and gleaning much about their lives from any clue I could to form an opinion and wonder about their life and how the live it. It is all so brand spanking new and it is wonderful to feel adrenalin pumping, I feel amazingly lucky as it is not often we get to do something for the first time and I have a whole lifetime of first times coming my way.

I just feel so proud to be learning an amazing new skill that could be life changing, I feel proud to be doing something for my community as it is good for the soul. I feel thankful I have so many friends who give me support and encouragement and share in my excitement.

What else can I say…………………………………………. ……….Yeeeeeeeeeee haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

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Happy Waitangi/New Zealand/just another day off Day

Have you been watching the coverage of Waitangi day on the news? Did you also feel stomach gripping ready to unload all of its contents? Perhaps it is just me.

I simply cannot see Mr John Keys as anything other than a snivelling little swotty tell tale schoolboy. He just makes my skin crawl. If I sit down and listen to the man he comes across almost fine but there is something about his actions that completely undermine anything that falls from his mouth. I cannot explain it but there is no way I would vote for him.

I may not be a big Hairy Helen Clark lover but I do applaud her not going to Waitangi as it is little about the remembering the Treaty and more about stutting peacocks. Speaking of that what about Hone Harawira, Maori Party MP for the Tai Tokerau? Now that feller is something to be admired, provided he does not go on walk about. I cannot say I like the man but love listening to him being interviewed and is a fantastic media manipulator; I guess the apple did not fall far from the tree. I am currently reading a Sara Donati book where the characters are Mohawk Indians and they have names like 'Falling day and Runs with wolves and Many doves'. My name for Hone would be 'Cruising shark'

I was just thinking to myself how I would love to have someone like Hone on our side and not against us. A bit of a Freudian slip I feel. As these thoughts have come from a person who loves Maori culture and is truly interested in learning, tries hard to pronounce the language and incorporates the language in everyday life, whose children wear ponamu and hopefully one day I dream for my children to feel comfortable on a Marae. That is the first time I have felt there is an us and a them but who is who is very unclear. If I am feeling this way god only know what people who disrespect Maori and/or Non Maori are feeling. Scary stuff

Poorly Poppy. Yet again she has not quite unfinished her last antibiotics and she is unwell with a temperature. Friends we played with on Friday have the pox of the chicken variety. I am not sure how long it takes to get them but am keeping my eyes peeled, Ella has spots on her legs but does not feel unwell so who knows.

Oh you know that finacial adviser I told you of and how good we felt about it WELL in saturdays Mail was the bill and $760 later!!!! frickin heck!!!!! I am wild and feel screwed. I shall let you know.

Poppys word of the week DON'T!DON'T!DON'T!DON'T!DON'T!DON'T!DON'T!DON'T!DON'T!DON'T!DON'T!DON'T!DON'T!DON'T!DON'T!DON'T!DON'T!DON'T!DON'T!DON'T!DON'T!DON'T!DON'T!DON'T!DON'T!

Thanks for that Ella!

My first shift on the Ambulance is coming really fast...........................I am so nervous and underconfident on so many levels, I know I have support from Jason but not 100% that I am sure of as he detests the idea of me leaving the home and not getting paid for it. I need to do this for me. Just breathe

Poppy meets Tama

Summer in Whakatane has been far superior to any other summer I have experienced. Saturday night was spent in the rose gardens with hundreds of picnic rugs, children running riot and listening to a Wellington Jazz band Shaken not stirred. It was fantastic even CH got up a strutted his fancy side together in broad daylight!

It really was fabulous, the weather was deliciously warm, the wine and beers flowed freely and everybody was very relaxed. Poppy spent the time flitting from rug to rug trying to muscle in on a new family or running very fast in alternating directions and trying in vain to get on the stage as she was completely enthralled by the lead female singer. Ella was happy snacking on picnic fare and pulling out her classic 'run in a circle dance'

We lost Ella. It was terrible, our back was turned as we packed up and she saw an opportunity and buggered off. All our friends hunting for the little brat and luckily I found her on the otherside of the park, far away from the music and next to the blooming river, by jesus it was about then Ella was thankful for Sue Bradfords little law.

I guess the only thing we noticed was the clear class distinction of the event. Sure, jazz does not appeal to all but surely in a place where 40% of the community are Maori you would see a similar representation. Less than 5% would be more accurate. It was exactly the same to celebrate Christmas at carols by candle light. I am not sure what the reason could be as they are all free events and fabulous for kids all you need is time.

We spoke to Tama as he rode his bike to the event and Ella is very into bikes as she promptly checked out his wheels and proudly declared that soon she will be three and she will get a bike if she is good(highly unlikely at this stage) Tama said that was good as a bike will take her everywhere(thats what I am afraid of!) Poppy was intrigued by Tama, shied away at first then he held out his hand and she reached for it looking intently into his face. She has always done this and possesses a look far above her years that counts and weighs somebody with her all seeing eyes. Quite unnerving when most of the time she is left wanting.

$160 per hour and no happy ending!

We are in financial limbo. We have a little money that has been hard earned and for some it would take a lifetime to achieve and yet it is not anywhere close to achieving our goals. Do we invest in the property market, shares, currency, business opportunities or just simply save? Over the last year we have done the lot!

We are both impatient people and have been risk takers in the past but now we must be frugal. It seems odd then in the face of febuary, our new knuckle down buget kicks in that we go and blow $160 on a chat with someone.

A financial strategist. Actually really great once you get past the fact some stranger wants to get the real nitty gritty on your life. It was good just to have a person sort out fact from fiction on a non emotional level. It was also great to confirm we are not floundering and have thus far been clever and managed our money well. We now await an analysis based upon some of our ideas to get ahead and see if they can be given life. I will keep you posted.

Oh yeah my first rostered working night on an Ambulance is Waitangi day, cool huh!

Brandy Alexandra anyone?

Yep, gals I still have it.

It has been years since I stood behind a bar and made cocktails. I went to a fantastic birthday party and blew everyone away with my well garnished and equisitely good cocktails. Yummy!

The food was fantastic, I made bulk sushi which was lovely but the best by far was Kingfish spare ribs in an amazing sauce. Fantastic.

The highlight of the week was a child free day! I shit you not ladies a whole day with adults and no children. A free day at the races, all expenses paid bus trip and of course I looked gorgeous and Delwyn I wore those cool polka pants you made me buy in Melbourne, and yes it was a good bum day!

Healthline

What a week. Four nights and no sleep, crying baby totally inconsolable who is only now just starting to eat. Hey I have just had a thought and perhaps that is why I am feeling a little down on myself!

We have just come through a tonsillitis viral infection and discovered Poppy is allergic to penicillin. I had no idea tonsillitis was viral and infectious! hmmn who knew.

I also discovered that during high temps it is advisable to use a combination of both pamol and Nurofen for kids. Plus the Nurofen has the coolest top on it that makes it easy to measure out the right dose.

I called the health line and they were just amazing and encourage all of you to do the same, store this number in your cell as you never know when you will need it
0800 611 116

Life according to Ella

Ella is at this amazing age and constantly coming up with little observations. Here is this weeks little ditties.

"Mama, My bum does not fit me!"
Oh honey I know how you feel.

"Mama the moon is broken!"
How do you explain the waxing and waneing of the moon to a near three year old!

"Mama I am proud of you!"
A real heart melter when she came out of the blue with this one.

Yummy Yummy Yummy I have Jelly in my tummy

Not again.

I started the year with such positivity and this year was the first time I did not start the year with crash diets and deluded pledges of uncompromising exercise routines.

It is not even the end of January and I am feeling old, skody and horrifically unattractive. What to do, what to do.

I often look at my half stuffed Haggis looking stomach and I find it truly amazing, the thousands of the shiny stetchmarks with the occasional strips of skin. The texture is fantastic, really soft and CH loves it. Even my daughters love it and giggle uncontrollably when they pat it and watch it wobble.

In all honesty, I want it gone. I do not mind the fact I have stretchmarks as they stand as a constant reminder to that amazing time when your baby was just yours and yours alone. All those quite times with each other when you could keep them safe in every way. What I do mind is the fact you do not need to see my skin to know I am a mother for heavens sake if it were not for super bras my tum would be more prominent than my boobs as it peeks around the corner five minutes before I get there!

I am thinking sit ups.

Thankfully we start a firm budget in feb and the Dairy prices are so high that our house will no longer be filled with bulk chocolate, five different types of ice cream, toppings to match and nine different cheeses(seriously I just counted)

I need to do this, just for me all I need now is will power. Got any spare?

My home resembles ground zero for a national hygiene disaster.

Every wall from toy covered carpet to about a metre high covered in grimey fingerprints, sloppy kisses and hopefully washable pens.

Cupboards ransacked, pots replaced with headless dolls and the odd ball and broken MacDonald’s toys, potatoes with little bites out of them hidden through the pantry, cd’s and dvd’s posted wherever they can fit and used nappies discarded wherever my oldest stops drops and rolls.

But what a fabulous summer holiday, this last month our home has been brimming with children’s giggles, afternoon naps in the sun, good food and salty Margaritas. We have just said goodbye to last of our family and a return to life normality.

Highlights, too many to mentions but they all have involved spending a fortune on summer berries and swimming. I guess my favourite time that was just for me was my ‘Tolberone naps’ Sadly I am down to my last few peaks of my 400gram Choocie mountain and now I feel like singing “Summer loving” to a tight black wearing bock of Tolberone. Every afternoon if I got the kids down to sleep I would go and read and nibble upon said chocolate. I could judge what sort of day I was having by the number of triangular goodness to required to rock me to sleep. Three was a good day a celebration.

Well I am dithering again as I really need to be starting at one end of the house and today I promised a drawing day to Ella as it is slightly overcast and I am crossing all fingers for rain.

Right lets have a good food day, hopefully no crap for the first time in nearly two months. I have the DT’s already.

tolberone)Summer lovin' had me a blast


(jody)Summer lovin' happened so fast

(tolberone)I met a girl crazy for me

(jody)Met a choccie as yum as can be

Summer naps driftin' away,

to uh-oh those summer nights
Uh Well-a well-a well-a huh

Tell me more, tell me more
Did you eat very much?

Tell me more, tell me more

I feel a bit left out as I have not one New Years resolution.

Here is one for the benefit of you poor buggers that wade through my rant filled drivel.

I will try to use spell check...........................no really I will

I just did!

Holy shite 2008 already

It surely would take hours upon hours to entertain you all with my tales of life since my last blog.

To attempt to give you the shortened version would be cruelty at its most wicked.

So I won't.

But hear ye this,

It could quite possibly be the best two weeks of my life......................

Love to you all but I will be not blogging terribly often until Feb as this Jan is my summer holiday. Life is grand..........................now where did I put down my glass?

Does it get any better than this?

The perfect day, low cloud and mist settleling in the valley around, smothering all brightness except the twinkle of fairy lights, snuggling under soft blankets with cuddly children, watching The Lion King while eating warm home made piklets with fresh cream and straberry jam.

This is my day no wonder I cannot think about New Years resolutions as honestly there is nothing I would change!

St Johns update

Oh did I mention that I have made it through to the first interview stage for becoming a paramedic? Interview on the 19th, how very exciting!

The day after the morning after

Monday.............................Baking day.....................................

I have that horrible niggling feeling that I have completely forgotten something very important.

Christmas lights on, electronic babysitter on, still in PJ's, chocolate within an arms reach(but not a chubby toddlers digit) Nope it does seem that everything is normal and well with the world. I guess it is just the after alcohol blues. I have no idea why I bother really, well yes I do as I am much better at it than CH. All of yesterday the self pitying sad arse vomited the whole day until his nose bled. Sad bastard.

I too was feeling poorly, as pale as alabaster, cold sweats and the near embarrassment of coming close to dropping draws and doing unspeakable things in a friends garden. Quite a good night, by all accounts, Looking fabulous in my casual attire, my new favourite dress. Although everyone kept calling me Dorothy and hiding their cigarettes in my pockets..............................I do not really understand, Dorothy never had a neckline as plunging!

I really feel like sulking and hiding today and I perhaps stay in my silky gown all day. I wish I could sleep some more as I am having really vivid dreams that I awake almost more tired than when I went to sleep. I do love dreams and especially love the haunting ones that stick with you all day. I am dreaming about having threesomes lately, what do you think that means? Last nights consisted of some middle aged sex therapist/hooker CH had invited into our bedroom to give me a good time! man alive I was so wild and angry in the dream I must have some suppressed rage somewhere.

The night before I too was taken over with rage and with pure eloquence and reaching booming voice with no mercy proceeded to tell someone what I really thought of them. That would never happen again as really it has only happened once.

The previous night yet another threesome with another fellow some I also love but never in this way........................................it was really loving and amazing. Super dream I need more of those. Is there a pill I can take? The most amazing part of the dreams as that CH will do anything and is self sacrificing to ensure my happiness. Perhaps that is it?

I must try and find a book to tell me what the dreams mean as I have no wish for threesomes, fantastic and fun when young, silly and single...........................I have enough past exploits to last a life time, so its not that.

In my dreams I always end up running and getting the hell out of dodge. Nearly always filled fear, murderers and being chased but always winning. I guess I can be thankful for that.

My own Cinema that plays just for me...................................quite cool really.

Yes you may have some cake and no driving afterwards!

Well I did it finally cracked the Playgroup I go to and it only took three weeks! I did have my doubts as the ladies were not the most welcoming but I finally wooed them with my winning personality and delicious skills on edibles and off I go to a coffee at someones place on Friday. Mind you I could be off to a tar and feathering for all I know.

It was my theory if I just kept turning up they could not ignore me forever. I swear it is much harder to get into a beach Mothers group than it is to get into our Army museum and steal millions of dollars worth of hard earned medals.............................if we go to war may god protect us as our men and women in green are unlikely to!

Oh my Christmas cakes are amazing, so blooming rich and alcoholic that once swallowed you would swear you had a nip if whiskey as the warming feeling is the same. I have indeed found a keeper recipe.

Oh yes off down to Ashvegus for Christmas and Christ on a scooter I am actually looking forward to it! I know!!!!! The devil must be skating on an ice rink, I knew I had gone soft but this is akin to Helen Clark singing "Happy Birthday to Mr President" while dressed as Marylin to John Keys.

Geez I hope I am not dying!

Behold!

My first ever iced Christmas cakes I am well underway to rival Martha. Actually I must say that I am quite chuffed as it took no time at all(under an hour) and look at the result imagine how cool things could look if.........................
#1 I knew how to ice cakes
#2 Actually planned and though about it.

I cannot wait for next year then!

Right I must go as we are having people over for dinner this evening and I am about to find if I can buy any canneloni in this meat and two vege town

Christmas at the langdons!

Would you believe at last count we have nearly 900 pretty lights scattered throughout our home! Feck I love Christmas! Right nearly finished my Christmas cake too!

Good things happen to good people........Good things happen to good people........Good things happen to good people........Good things happen to good people........Good things happen to good people........Good things happen to good people........Good things happen to good people........Good things happen to good people........Good things happen to good people........Good things happen to good people........Good things happen to good people........Good things happen to good people........Good things happen to good people........

Good always triumphs over evil. Things happen for a reason.

I have to believe, with the week news stories I am truly finding it hard.

May you rest in peace Emma, may people tread carefully where you are laid as buried with you are many New Zealander's hope.