Magic in the Air!

Christmas magic has entered the castle...finally

the falling down tree in the bedroom has been rebuilt - for the second time now... my 20 month old nephew from Australia loves to pull the pink balls of it and run around with them hanging off his ears and clasped his wee hands saying "MINE" and "NO" if I ask for them back!
As he pulls the pink balls off the tree, the branches come out as well, which he just discards, my bedroom floor is very sparkly at the moment!

For the first time in years I have a real Christmas in the living room. The smell of pine is just divine. This tree has its own set of issues, the decorations keep falling off it and it has toppled over once...

The mantle is decorated very simply with my rose lights, faux branches and a gold angel. Its all very pretty at night time. And one lone stocking, I wonder if that means a good haul from Santa!:) What is very good is nothing has toppled off the mantle although now that I think about it there were a line of Christmas cards hanging with that stocking....

Among all this tree toppling, the Princess and my little three year old niece from Australia crafted today. We made beeswax candles to give to the Mummy's and Daddy's,

before walking into the shopping centre for a nutritious dinner, McDonald's for the girls! There has been quite a bit of that lately! I haven't quite finished my shopping or finished making gifts or done my baking or shopped for food but its all good - heaps of time!!!

While I am airy fairy-ily going about Christmas preparations I have also had a few more dates... two guys who only seem to be available during the day... very suspect!

There is one though, that has quite taken my fancy....

looking forward to a magical Christmas and a magical summer...

take care
Rachaelxo

p.s don't forget to follow my Blog, follow me on Twitter, follow me on Facebook and visit my ETSY!!!

What price?

There is no price...

the burglars who broke into the castle on Friday night took my laptop, my jewelery and my camera USB cable!

The laptop and USB cable are replaceable, all the lost information. photo's and files on my computer are not replaceable, and no I did not back up regularly, my grandmothers engagement, my gold baby bangle and all the jewelery my dad gave me when I was a little girl is not replaceable, as is my Princess's pillowcase that they stripped off the bed to carry the jewelery out in.  And what is hard to replace is feeling secure in our home now that it has been violated.

What has gone and how we feel is not measurable in $$$, there is no monetary price!

But it ain't all bad in fact most is good...

*The Princess finished school today, eight weeks of summer holidays - awesome!
*My sister in law, my 3 year old niece and my 2 year old nephew are out from Australia to have Christmas with us - awesome!
*The Princess and I put up and trimmed the bedroom Christmas tree and then the wind blew it over and we had to start again, it is now bolted into place -awesome!
*We went to Christmas in the Park on Saturday night - awesome!
*I haven't done any Christmas shopping or making presents but have bought new clothes - awesome!
*I had coffee with the hottest guy ever today and he wants to see me again - awesome!

And hey! Thanks for all the comments and feedback about online dating, really interested to hear that many of you have experienced online dating!

I should clarify that I am just interested in having a male companion type person rather than a serious relationship at this stage but in saying that, it was fascinating and inspiring to hear that is how some of you met your husbands - awesome!

take care
Rachaelxo

The Dating Game or should it be called The Mating Game?

Following on from my post about my new collection titled Eclectic Men, I thought I would give you a run down on the highs and lows and ups and downs of Internet dating...

My foray into Internet dating started on the recommendation of a resource I downloaded on how to recover from being cheated on, this resource cost the Wasband $90 US, I had his credit card number - haha!

Anyway one of the recommendations was to have coffee and go to movies with male friends to build your confidence back up, well I didn't have any male friends as such and didn't think my girl friends would lend me their partners!  Where do I find some male friends I wondered and then I had a light bulb moment,  ONLINE!!!  My own slant on what was recommended - LOL

The first site I registered for cost $30 NZD per month to be a member, very pricey and then I found another site $10 NZD per month, bargain!!!  I suspect you get what you pay for...

To belong and to 'find and meet friends' you register, pay and create a witty and interesting profile of yourself with a stunning photo that has been photo shopped!  Ok, I am joking about the photo shop bit!  And then you wait...

not for long though, your new meat, they sniff you out like bloodhounds and you can't keep up with the messages coming into your mailbox.

Sounds great doesn't it!

Cartoonstock.com

It was an eye opener and I mean an EYE OPENER. Men think nothing of doing the following, and this is often without even a hello in the first line of their first message to you...

"do you want to f#@*?"
"how much do you charge?"
"can I buy your underwear?"
"would you like to watch me on cam?"
"can I watch you on cam?"

and they send you revolting photo's of their private parts... which believe me could do with a lot of photo shopping!!!

So you very quickly acquaint yourself with the settings on your account and fortunately you can prevent most of that from getting to your mailbox!!!  But truly, that is what happens, I thought I was reasonably unshockable but I swear my jaw would hit my keyboard some nights until I figured out I could prevent those messages!!!

It's quite easy to sort out the chaff from the hay, you reject 99.% of them and engage in humorous and clever chat with the 1% that sounds and looks ok and after a while you meet them for coffee!

I have had some interesting coffee experiences, the guy who turned out to be 6ft8 compared to my 5ft and had cerebral palsy and stuttered, not that there is anything wrong with that but he hadn't told me so it was slightly shocking when I met him! The guy who went on and on about his ex wife and how she screwed  him over financially, the guy I had coffee with whose wedding I went to 6 weeks later or the white shoe man who I posted about!  And then finally the Cartoonist who was a decent man and who I was involved with for 15 months until recently.

And because I like to have a man in my life, I am back in the Dating Game... and have met a couple of nice guys, one of who might develop into something further than a friend....or not!

Before I finish this post I need to reassure you that I have rules to keep me safe while going through the Internet Dating process:
I never divulge where I live or study
I never divulge that I have a child when conversing online
Coffee is always in public and I am careful when I drive home
I never give out my phone number

and finally my Princess has no idea of her Mummy's dating life and unless I meet a man I am very serious about and confident it is going to be a long term relationship, I would never introduce anyone into her life.

There you have it, Internet Dating 101!!!

I'll keep you posted!

take care
Rachaelxo

P.S.
would love you to follow me
would love you to be my facebook friend
would love you to check out my Etsy

To hell, to hell with balance!

“To hell, to hell with balance! I break glasses; I want to burn, even if I break myself. I want to live only for ecstasy. Nothing else affects me. Small doses, moderate loves, all half-shades, leave me cold. I like extravagance, heat. Letters which give the postman a stiff back to carry, books which overflow from their covers, sexuality which bursts the thermometer! I’m neurotic, perverted, destructive, fiery, dangerous - lava, inflammable, unrestrained.” — Anaïs Nin

Take Care

Rachaelxo

p.s please follow me... I am not very popular yet - lol

Eclectic Men!

I have moved on from roses and cherubs and am now collecting men...

they are much better than roses and cherubs in the way that they don't require dusting, hanging on walls, cluttering my home...

although they certainly have signs of ageing and flaws, like a good vintage collectible, and do require attention...

but then again so do I!!! haha!

So in my collection I have:
*the Wasband, who I have an excellent relationship with despite everything...
*the Cartoonist, who remains a good friend...

and a few potential additions to the collection that I have met recently or am going to meet:
*the lawyer/chiropractor
*the IT city slicker
*the professional sportsman

could be an interesting summer...

take care
Rachaelxo

p.s. this type of collection needs to come with a warning... cracks in ones heart rather than an empty purse can be a side effect

oh and I need to state that the Princess has no idea of anyone in her Mummy's collection apart from her Daddy - the Wasband!

Eclectic Reading!

I am an avid reader and always have a book on the go.  Much of my reading this year has been "have to read" text books and papers for my university degree.

It is so nice to be able to read again just for pleasure and not feel guilty that I am doing so!

As I was cleaning my castle today I noticed with amusement my two distinctively different piles of reading matter...

This is the pile on my bedside table, these are my dip into books, topics I am interested in, interests that have changed somewhat, last year you would have seen a pile of craft books here!  As you can see most relate to teaching apart from 'Loving Mr Spock' which is a fascinating account of loving an Aspergers male and of course The Secret, thank you Universe!

And then on the coffee table in my living room are my library books, a common theme running with them, see the little gun on the side, they are all murder mysteries!  There are some really good ideas there - haha!

And of course I do a lot of online reading, blogs, articles that interest me, Facebook etc!

The Princess is an avid reader as well, I have got her into Enid Blyton and she is plowing her way through anything we can find!

Oh, and exciting news, I am winding up my website as I have done nothing to promote it for the last year but have resurrected my Etsy store go have a look!!! Go on!!!

Take Care
Rachaelxo

Work in Progress!

That Room is coming together, it's got a long way to go but you can at least get in there now and I have a bed set up and my sewing table is accessible!

I have just shoved stuff onto this book shelf for the moment, however it is going to hold all my fabrics and craft supplies soon, eventually, one day...

Last week was so busy, a school trip with the Princess, then her athletics day, she represented her school in sprints and came third in each of her races. I was so proud of her as she was the youngest child competing.

I have got this massive to do list which I have been plowing my way through, it starts to look good and then I add to it! Ugh!

Have got 3 results in from this semester at University and have passed with really good marks. Quite an achievement as I had some fairly big stuff to deal with in my private life!

Over the last two weeks I have been feeling very sad and down as I have parted company from the man, Cartoonist that I had been seeing for past 15 months. Very sad as we had a lot in common, interests and future plans and got along very well but unfortunatelyy it was not to be.

So what becomes of the broken hearted, they move on!!! :)

take care

Rachaelxo

As a country we mourn...

The church bell rang 29 times so we knew it was final and the end of the line. Now 29 miners are at heavens gate, with coal silt dirty faces asking is it too late? When god replies with half a grin, no my children come on in. They placed their mining lights gently on heavens floor when god said "job well done, leave your boots at the door."

 Repost in memory of the 29 miners that died at Pike River Mine, Greymouth, New Zealand ♥

Pike River

Heart felt sympathy and prayers for the trapped miners and their families involved in the horrific Pike River mine disaster in the South Island of 
New Zealand.

6.07pm Update

A second explosion this afternoon leaves little hope for the 29 miners to have survived.

Prayers and blessings to the families for this devastating news.

Itchy twitchy fingers...

do your fingers feel all twitchy when you are inspired to create?

Mine do, its been a long while coming though!

I am so enjoying catching up on blogs and have only just visited my friend LiLi M. who just so happened to post this amazing garland she created, it gave me the itchy twitchy finger urge to start creating again...

I have probably committed some kind of blog sin by stealing LiLi M.'s bird garland picture, best I hop back over to her blog and confess!

Best I actually deal to that room so that I can find my supplies so that I can create!!!

So much procrastination makes for so little time...

Its after 5pm, I might pour a wine and ponder that one...

take care
Rachaelxo

Around the castle

A little castle randomness for you...

In my entrance hall is 'Bless this Home', I cross stitched it about 15 years ago. I think I need to paint the frame... add that to my long to do list!

and also in the entrance hall is this unit. I have used colour here as it is window-less and quite dark.  The glass vases belonged to my Granny and I found the chippy blue stool underneath the castle!

The kitchen is very quaint, lots of built in open shelved units, I keep my herbs, spices and seasonings in the drawers, it works really well as I don't have a pantry. The kitchen scales also belonged to my Granny!

I finally got around to decorating my newly cleaned sunbathing veranda which is off my bedroom with pots and ornaments. I'm on the look out for a little table set to go out here as I use it a lot in the late afternoon for reading, writing, studying and sunbathing and having a glass of wine!

Have you noticed now that I am not studying how regular I am posting. I am such a good blogger when I am in denial... denial about that room!!!!

Take Care
Rachaelxo

The last of my ladies....

they have a Grecian look to them...

this one came from an Op Shop (thrift shop)

and this divine creature was another Trade Me bargain...

and of course the picture in my blog banner which is worth a substantial amount of money for a print but to me is priceless!!!

So anyway, about that room...it still looks the same... the week has just gone, but I do have a very clean kitchen floor and sparkling windows...

I might need some help with that room... MUMMY!!!!

take care
Rachaelxo

Chloe...

I bought Chloe for something ridiculous like $10 off Trade Me, she was an absolute bargain as I have seen her again on there selling for over $100.

She's a bit of a conversation piece, I first hung her over my dining table, as you would, much to the consternation of my Father in Law who felt she was more suited to.... a bedroom! haha!

Also the Wasband's granddad who blue tacked leaves to her 'privates' one Christmas Day, to protect her modesty!!!

Eventually I did retire Chloe to the bedroom, this was after I kicked the Wasband to the curb and turned the bedroom into a more dreamy like space!!!

And where is Chloe residing now, well on a living room wall, a prominent living room wall in the castle! Hah!!!

I do love a good conversation piece!!!

take care
Rachaelxo

It's funny how easy it is to forget...

just what you own when you have so much crap...

such as this trio of sexy sultry looking ladies who now hang over my bed,

I had completely forgotten about them until I had to move the rest of my crap from the house Wasband and I sold.

 

When I look around this castle I seem to have amassed quite a collection of lovely ladies, will show you more in my next blog post!

I had full intentions of dealing to that room yesterday but it was such a beautiful sunny day I ended up sunbathing on my front veranda while reading a book!

My lovely day was completed by a visit from a friend bearing a bottle of delicious red wine!

I woke up this morning feeling completely energised so am off to scrub my kitchen floor and wash my outside windows... and look at that room...AGAIN....

take care
Rachaelxo

My Dirty Little Secret...

Do you remember my garage?

Because I am shameless and have no pride I used to quite happily blog about it...

at one point it looked like this...

well the Wasband and I finally sold the house so I had to move what was left in the garage to my castle, so now this is what you see when you open the door to my guestroom/studio...

and now that I have finished university for the year and have three blissful months without study and exams I am going to turn it into a pretty room for castle guests and an inspiring place for me to create in! It's true I am... just you watch this space!

Also over my long and lovely summer break I am going to spend lots of quality time with my beautiful Princess and become her fun Mummy again rather than her grumpy to busy study Mummy!

Loving my lovely life....

take care
Rachaelxo

Great artwork from kids in Texas!!!





http://wordtoons.com/wordtoons-from-a-class-in-texas/


Last exam today and then FREEDOM until late February!



take care
Rachaelxo

Exams, Exams, Exams

Three exams this week:

• Language and Literacy
• History of Education in New Zealand
• Maori
  

lots and lots of last minute cramming...


and then my university year is DONE

and my life will begin!

Back soon:)


take care
Rachaexo

Happy Halloween

Happy Halloween bloggers!!!





take care
Rachaelxo

p.s. will be back after my exams on November 12 for a nice big catch up! I have soooooo much to share!

Where did September go?

I lost September, it was mad and bad and crazy...

some nasty things happened that could have had negative long term consequences on my life plans... but fortunately someone or something was looking out for me and the mad and bad and crazy roller coaster I was on ended and positive outcomes started coming my way.....

phew.....

But among it all I have had some good and fun times:)

And little spurts of nesting to make this castle we live in more like a home....

My computer corner, note... no pink or roses!!!


This table will get a coating of white paint over summer, its got my printer on the bottom shelf,


and the fireplace in the living room, which is festooned with rose lights, so pretty at night, and a pretty Princess to decorate it as well!


The ugly sofa, I have white fabric to make a slipcover and the cushions are going, there will also be major changes to the shelving in the background.


This was the bathroom curtain, so funny, when you slid the window up to open it, the ugly curtain went up to, so no privacy!!!


I made this cute black and white striped curtain that stays put when the window is opened!


Unless its tied back!


It was the Wasband's birthday in September so the fashion conscious supermodel Princess posed for me, we then hopped on the train and went into the city, developed the photo and put it in a frame, an hour before the Wasband turned up!!!


And while we were at it, I got my nose re-pierced, for his birthday! Ha!!!

So that was a bit of September!!!

October is so much better already!!!

Take Care
Rachaelxo

Earthquake Damage

Photo's are of my godparent's street and house in Christchurch.

The area they live in was one of the worst hit by last Saturday's earthquake.

My beautiful godmamma sitting on a park bench in her area!

Their toilets!

Cleaning up the mud!

The mud is actually half way up the legs of these chairs! Hard to believe that there was lawn and garden here!

Their driveway!

Such a miracle that no lives were lost in the Christchurch earthquake.

Take Care

Rachaelxo

Sing, sing a song, make it simple...

Are you a singer?

I am not a good singer and apparently neither is the creator of Wordtoons

He can however sing, and so can you!

Watch this short clip to see how you can sing and teach your children to sing!

The Princess loves doing Wordtoons, I can't wait to show her this one!

Trust me its fun and clever!

Earthquake Update

Christchurch is still having terrible after shocks and many people are still without power and water. The suburb where my godparents live is one of the worst hit. They are fortunate to have a natural spring in their backyard that is uncontaminated and they are supplying their street with fresh water. Toilet are portaloo's out on the street. Their street are pooling resources and communally barbecuing meals. My godparents have lived in that street for over 20 years and are only just meeting some of their neighbours. The upside of a natural disaster!

Thanks so much for the nice messages of concern, our blogging world is such a caring one! I am in Auckland many, many miles away from Christchurch so quite removed from the reality of the earthquake, tucked up safe and sound in my castle!

I am in the middle of writing a particularly horrid essay so must get back to it!

Take Care

Rachaelxo

Earthquake in New Zealand

Christchurch, one of the major cities in our little country was hit by an earthquake of 7.4 magnitude at 4.35am this morning.

Homes have been destroyed, buildings collapsed, roads and railway tracks destroyed, power and water supplies cut off.

The city has been declared a state of emergency.

People have been hurt but miraculously only 2 have been hospitalised for serious injury.

We are a little country that is very blessed as this earthquake has been likened to the one that hit Haiti in January of this year.

As we are such a small country in size and population, many people have family or friends in Christchurch. It is such a relief to know they are ok.

Full credit to Civil Defense, emergency services, volunteers, insurance companies, banks, businesses and people pledging donations, and our Prime Minister who has spent the day in Christchurch and on behalf of the government has promised massive amounts of money and resources.

It's times like this when it hits home just how lucky and blessed we are, not only to live in this country but just for life on a daily basis.

Flooded carpets, windows that won't close, rats on rubbish bins and much else that I have whinged about this week is completely insignificant compared to what the people of Christchurch were shockingly woken up by this morning.

Puts it all into perspective really!

Take Care

Rachaelxo