Hen's Party

We went to our friend Cindy's hen's party last weekend. This involved a 1 hr belly dancing lesson, with 20 or so women between the ages of 16 and 60(?). It was great fun, better than I had expected. We first had to place our hands on the hands on the woman in the circle beside you, and then using your hips, spell your name. She taught people with dots in their names how to be demure, but hip thrust forward to accentuate the dot in their name. Quite funny! I volunteered to be the groom, for one segment of the lesson. Little did I know that the teacher ("Moon Jelly") and Cindy were going to do a seductive dance for me, while I sat in a chair. Never would I have had a woman do that for me before, I must say. Cindy and I have had some giggles about it since then!
Back at Cindy's place, we had a feast, and lots of bubbles (champagne) and played some games (as you do). One of the games was a classic NZ children's party game called the Chocolate game. I had never played it before though, and as it involved chocolate, we were all keen. You had to roll a dice and if you rolled a six, you had the opportunity to put on all the clothing in the middle (a boa, fairy wings, and two gloves) and then use a knife and fork to eat a block of chocolate, BEFORE the next 6 is rolled by someon else. The panic really sets in, because as women, we don't often get offered chocolate, and then get it taken away from us, just before we are allowed to eat it. Some of the girls were eating the chocolate off the floor as it had fallen and it was difficult to pick it up with a gloved-up hand and fork. And chocolate off the floor is still chocolate and not to be wasted!!
Fun night: some shameful karaoke at the end and lots of dancing, but a really fun time.
In the pics, Clare, Charlotte, Kim, Michelle and me

Li'l All Blacks

Today we went to visit some of Bryce's family and got a chance to see his 2nd cousin (?) Henry play rugby. Henry is 7 and Cushla had said he was one of the youngest on the team. It was a much more skilled game than I thought we were going to see, considering their age. They had "proper" scrums, lineouts and even some super hero, leap in the air trys to score. Very cute.
Henry is number 9 and was a great player. Very focused and a super tackler. Here's a picture of him at the end. His mom Rachel said that he would not be in the bath till later in the day. Not by her choice, but he just loves being dirty and we saw the esteem he held around the big rugby boys later, with having lots of dirt on him.


The picture below shows Henry and an opponent (with barefeet,of course) fighting for the ball.

Head butting teenager- the latest update

So, we got a letter. Actually we got a phone call from the police first to tell us a meeting of her whole family and lots of agencies were meeting with "HER" to help her rehabilitate to a proper citizen who doesn't head butt strangers. Then today, we got the apology letter she wrote. Man, there was some shocking grammar, spelling, not alot of thought process...or flow, but a nice gesture, I guess.
If you would like the low down on what the letter actually said, I'll let you know, but not in a public forum like this. I do believe that the police are doing all they can to make her make amends for her rash stupidity, but it's hard not to criticize when she obviously behaves like this for many reasons than just her being an "evil unruly teenager". I did like the addition to the letter that was addressed to me, "I am so sorry for making your female partner affaid and making her scared. You both should really visit our town again. After all, there are alot of excellent people staying here including myself."
The giggle we had was retribution enough. Surely that doesn't make us evil, does it?

Grandma/Grandpa Party

So, this past weekend we were home for the first time in 3 weeks. How great it was! We spent the day doing some much needed gardening and stacking some free firewood we got after giving some labour to a farm who needed lots of wood gone, after the big wind storm from 3 weeks ago.
On Saturday night, we were invited to Michelle and Nathan's house for a house re-warming/birthday party that was a Grandpa/Grandma theme. It was awesome to see everyone's outfits because everyone got into the theme of it. Crazily enough, Michelle's outfit was so good she actually didn't look like she was wearing a costume at all. I can see her looking like that as an old teacher one day! (Just kidding Biggs!)

Bryce and I, looking ahead to the Year 2043:


So Bryce and I went to the Salvation Army and got some "cool" nana duds. Bryce got a plaid engineers hat and plaid suit jacket. I bought a turquoise blue 2 piece suit, with lapels and shoulder pads. The skirt was a size too small. It's amazing how after a glass of wine, wearing a skirt that is only partially zipped up isn't such a big deal.
Enjoy the pics. It was such a fun night!

John and I, "In my day, we didn't have schoooool buses, or cars! We had to walk to school, uphill both ways. That's the way it was, and we liked it!"


Grandma Kim Kelly - but in the car with my cellphone camera - not a good mix


THE BAHAMA CRESCENT REST HOME - not everyone that was at the party, but a good overview of what it looked like with all of us as old fogies


Michelle Biggs - aka, the best costume for real life resemblance... to an old teacher


Clare - enjoying the old woman bra, with old woman breasts


Clare with me, enjoying the comfort of her old woman breasts


Clare - getting her old groove on (before she busted her hip, that is)


Don't mess with the geriatric crew. We'll waste you.


Kim, John and Bryce

On another note, I have truly enjoyed watching the Olympics. B and I have been glued to the TV every night, and on most occasions been caught yelling and cheering on the athletes from our lounge. I think that having so much sport on TV is just fabulous and wish it came around more than every 4 years. Quite sceptical about the Jamaican success in the track events though. Can't help it. I am putting money on them being "juiced". Mind you, I would rather find out they had some amazing unusual training regime instead, which made them stand out so far amongst the rest of their competitors.
Super impressed with all the sports, especially Synchronised Diving, Gymnastics (every event) and the 10km swimming marathon. Who swims for 2 hours? Like, seriously? What is up with that?
Volleyball is still by far the greatest event at the games, but I must admit, I am thrilled to be watching any sport when you know you are seeing the best people in the world competing at that event. It doesn't get much better. Except when they are on the trampoline....and they fall. And only because I have been yelling, "fall, fall, fall" at the screen. That is always better than any gold medal.

2 week catchup...

How dare I leave the blog unchanged for two weeks? Shame on me. So I will make it up to you with funny pics.
First off, I am going home to Canada for a well deserved family visit to meet the newest Knights: Zoe and Annalise. They will be almost 2 months old before I get a cuddle so hopefully they will be well out of their "puke on their aunt" phase. (I can hope, can't I?)
Second, Two weekends ago we went up to Ruapehu again for a ski weekend with Carl, Denise and some friends of theirs. They had booked a great chalet, which was an A-frame style house with a cosy fireplace, a warm shower and bedrooms upstairs right above the fireplace so that the rooms were stinking hot at night. Nice though, considering it was snowing lightly outside.
So Bryce and Carl got a big day snowboarding in on Saturday, while the ladies stayed back at the chalet, chilled out, went for a run, and then went up and watched a snow competition on rails up on the mountain. Denise and I also partook in a little bit of "bum-sledding" on any slope we could find. Great fun.
The next day, we decided we were going to spend the next day toboganning so we bought some small slide on bum toboggans that you sit on, with the handle that goes between your legs. We had a great time and because you are up high on the mountain/volcano, there was a lot of powder. I have never sledded in powder. It was awesome, but super cold when it blew all over your face from sliding through it all.
Bryce had got a tummy bug late Saturday night and felt pretty sick after almost fainting in the chair lift lineup on Sunday, so he cut the ski day short and we headed back home pretty early. And No, no 14 year old girls caused us any trouble this time, which has nice.

Weekend in Vegas

Another weekend away, another long drive on both Friday and Sunday (5 hours each way), but another whole suitcase full of memories as well. Good to be getting away after being homebodies for a month or two. Mind you, being at home for a weekend is looking pretty appealing now.

So, we drove up to Roto'vegas' on Friday, amidst lots of rain and bad kebabs and stayed with Mark and Rachel for the weekend. They were on call for the entire weekend, so our visit was complete with great vet stories about delivering calves with arms up the cow's backside up to Mark's shoulder, and about twisting uterus' around to deliver twin calves. It is always great to reflect on your own job and how the problems of unruly teenagers are still always preferable to me than putting my entire arm up the backside of a bovine. Although, we are looking at alterior discipline strategies at the school....maybe I should pass on the suggestion....I'm sure the threat of it would cause some behaviour changes!

Anyway, I digress. The most amusing vet story/situation I encountered this weekend was when Mark and Rachel were both busying around getting their vehicles ready for their next call-outs and they were discussing how they need to go back to the clinic for some lube. Silly of me to picture a small, toothpaste size tube of lube for delivering a cow. Instead, I was shocked to see that the amount of lube they use in these deliveries is carried in a plastic milk-type carton, that must hold about 10L of the stuff. Ewwww......so impressed with them though. MArk and Rachel I mean, not the lube jars.


So we had a rainy weekend, AGAIN. But we at least were in Rotorua, so we had great sulphur stench all weekend, along with a fun ride for Rod and Bryce, an AllBlacks vs Australia game to watch at the pub, great cooking from MArk and Rachel, lots of cafe visits with Rod and Donal and a visit to see that Maureen's tree is looking strong and healthy once again. Oh, and I also ran a half marathon.


The race started in lots of rain. Cold. I was wearing mitts. Didn't want to get out of the car. But finished in 2 hours 13 minutes. Same time I did at this race last year, with not as bad weather and surely a more severe headwind on the last 5Km that we had last year.


On the drive home, we came across some flooding on the highway. With my fancy new phone I captured some of the water shots from the car. This country has gone from drought in some areas, to serious erosion, mud slips and floods in the same areas, all in one year! Blessed to not have had those problems with our town. And our house. Our main house problem right now is that only 5 out of 6 of our cauliflower seedlings have started growing. Life is good!

Oh and I got to meet (over Skype) my new niece Zoe the other morning. Big baby, but still soooo tiny!

"Ski" weekend...

We headed up north to Ohakune, the gateway town to the mountain/volcano, where you can ski/board in the North Island. There are two other ski fields/resorts around as well, but we have only ever been to this one, called Turoa. WE were invited by our friends Nichola and Duncan, who have just moved back from England to settle in New Zealand, and wanted a ski weekend away. Here's a pic of them (taken on my new camera/phone/coolest thing I have ever owned). A nice pic of them, but not the clearest image ever. However, it's still great to have a camera with me most of the time now.

Bryce was super keen to get some boarding done, since he got so buzzed up about it from the boarding done in Canada at Christmas, especially with Robyn and Lawrence in the Rockies, at Lake Louise. So we drove up Friday night and moved into our cute little chalet that we had rented: Nichola, Duncan, Nichola's sister Gemma, their 14 month old son William and us. It was a fun group to hang out with and in the morning, Gemma, Duncan and Bryce headed up the mountain. WE had been warned that the weather was not going to be great, but had woken up with a great clear view of the volcano, and figured it was worth a shot. (On another note, I am training for a half marathon and decided it was better to get a training run in, than stress myself out with a day of "learning" to ski for the 15th time. Nichola was going to take William up later in the day to play in the snow.)
Before I went for my run, Nichola and I noticed a weird sound coming from the lounge floor. Turns out, a pipe from the water cylinder burst, probably from serious cold and lack of use, and water was rushing out (like a full-on turned on hose!) from underneath the house. We called the lady who owned the place, who in turn apologized and just said, don't worry, a plumber will check it out tomorrow. Regardless of how we explained, "uh, it's A LOT of water coming out!", she reiterated that we should not worry and if we wanted to have hot showers, to find a place to have them and she would reimburse us the cost. WOw.
Meanwhile, the boys and Gemma got one run in before the weather turned horrible (it actually turned into a blizzard while they were riding the chair lift, and the chair they were on was blown out to one side from the insane wind!). The mountain was officially closed, and they all got their money back. So they came back, we poured some wine and played board games inside, while it poured rain from the sky, and poured water from the foundation of the house. WE all felt weird sitting around not doing anything to help the problem with the house, but the women assured us that we should just leave it be, and enjoy ourselves. Plus, none of us were volunteering to lie down in a massive freezing cold mud puddle, underneath the rotted poles holding the house off the ground, to slide under the house to "check out the sitch". It sure was nice merlot....
WE played this funny board game called SMuggle where one person is the customs officer and the rest of the players try to lie/or tell the truth about what cards they are holding and therefore what "they have to declare". The customs officer has to decide whether to take the money for the items declared, or call the person's bluff and hopefully fine them more money. It's pretty amazing how people you think can be so honest, lie to you without "blinking an eye". Shocking, yet very entertaining.
However, not as oddly interesting as what happened today. We went to an indoor climbing wall and played around on the walls, which was something we haven't done in a long time. Good fun and amazing to find out how fast your arms can become entirely exhausted. Mine felt like sacks of potatoes, trying to get to the floor before my feet could!. Here are some pics of the boys climbing.


Nice calves, eh?

THAT'S NOT THE INTERESTING BIT THOUGH.....

On our way back through town, some teens were crossing the road, but one misjudged that we were driving through (he was walking out onto a busy highway, in town, while two other mates were patiently waiting for traffic to clear). Bryce stopped the car/slammed the brakes and raised his finger to his head, as if to say "Use your brain" to the kid. His other friends took exception to Bryce's gesture, and banged/spanked? the back of our car as they crossed behind our car. They obviously has forgotten to read the rules of ski town etiquette and did not know it is extremely offensive to touch someone's car, especially someone's SUBARU. Bryce stopped the car in the middle of the road, and jumped out, upset that these kids were just going to act like that was okay. Bryce said, "what was that all about?" and two of the kids approached Bryce (hoodies over their heads, looking quite tough) and got real close to Bryce's face. I was not pleased at this at all, as you can imagine and fearing for the unpredictability of teenagers and Bryce's safety. The one kid then headbutts Bryce (like goat does to establish territory), so Bryce yells to me to call the police. I do so, and as I am getting the phone sorted, the kid pushes Bryce twice but backs away when he sees that I am on the phone. The whole posse walk away to the other side of the road and into the adjacent park to scatter like the vermin they represented. Keep in mind, I think teenagers are awesome and spend time with great kids everyday. These kids were not representative of teens and I don't think all teenagers are vermin. These ones were though.
So police were there within 2 minutes, caught up with a few of the "slower mice" and eventually got the "king rodent" with the "goat tactics" and locked them up until their parents came to the station to get them. Bryce and I had to give statements and it was all quite an interesting (and no longer scary, once Bryce - I felt - was no longer in danger) and educational event. The extra interesting bit of this was when the cop explained to us, after our description of what the person looked like and what they were wearing, that the king rodent was actually a 14 yr old female, Bryce was like, "uh, no. It was a guy". The cop assured us that others have mistaken her for a male before, we were shocked.
So, as I sit here, with a warm fire cranking, a hot chocolate, a pile of graded homework from lovely teenagers who will make the world a better place, and solid pipes in the foundation of our house (at least that's what we hope....), I reflect on how lucky we are and how others are less fortunate. When I told the policeman who was taking my statement that I felt sad for this girl who "assaulted" Bryce, the cop said, "Why do you feel sad? Those specific kids know exactly what they are doing. And they know that we can't do much to them." I still thinks it's a sad state though. Makes me feel like at least I hope I am helping other teens make better decisions than that chicky did today.
SO, was it a good "ski" weekend? Damn straight it was! No skiiing, burst pipes, customs smuggling, and a head butt to boot. But it was a great chance to get away, and also, I had been complaining that I needed some good stories to put on my blog, so "it's all good".

On another note, here's the wicked ski suit Duncan bought for $25. None of us lost the bets bad enough this weekend to warrant having to wear it out anywhere though...

New nieces are still the most exciting news and still get top billing, but...

This is too funny.

Annalise Arden

Meet the newest addition to the Knight clan, Annalise Arden, born on Sunday July
20th to Rob and Kathy (and Asher and Abby). How exciting to have two new babies in the family in one weekend. My parents said it was pretty hectic, but great!
I imagine how it will be when Zoe, several years from now, can give digs to Annalise about being the older cousin (like twins do). It's pretty amazing how both of Tim and Rob's last 2 children were born within a few weeks (or in the recent case, days) of each other. Max and Abby, and now Zoe and Annalise.
I wonder if they will do a "three-peat"? We can only hope! They are both pretty good at making cute babies!

Zoe Claire Knight

A very proud "Gamma" holding Zoe. The newest addition to the Knight family has arrived. Zoe Claire was born to Tim and Kristie on Friday (saturday NZ time) at a massive 10 lbs 14 oz. Big baby! Can't wait to meet her.....
Awaiting the newest Rob and Kathy project anytime now as well. Watch this space.

Long weekend

So we headed off on Friday morning to check out the famed "Castlepoint" on the east coast of the north island. Whenever I ask anyone if they have been there, almost everyone has, and yet it is a pretty remote place. 2 1/2 hr drive from us and inland 1 hr from the closest town.
Castle point is a small little holiday surf destination with "lots" (like 30) of cottages all nestled around the little bay. It has some pretty mean wave action which has made some good rock formations from all the erosion. It was called Castlepoint because Captain Cook thought the rock formations looked like fortress walls, like a castle would have. In some of the pics we've taken you can see the neat views. The bay is protected by a big reef that curves out and rises up (like a castle wall). As you can also tell from the pics, it's not summer here. We have decided to rent a cottage/"bach" (pronounced "batch") in summer with some friends and do some better checking out of the place.




This was a creation on Castlepoint beach, called, "The Home of the Lost Soles", a memoriam to old flipflops/jandals and other sandals. On the bottom, there was even an old cast from someone's foot!

After the Castlepoint stop we drove backcountry Targa racing style until we happened upon the longest place name in the world.

This was the road sign that signalled to us to stop. The reason you might not stop is because the "place" is really not much of a place. Just a place where something did happen a long time ago, but with no substantial significant landmark left behind, just a story (see my previous blog entry for the story).
Needless to say, it was worth the drive. I love random stuff like this. And I would even like to brag to say, I can say the whole name by memory. I learnt it so that one day, when some quiz is on, or a crucial moment in a Trivial Pursuit game arises, I can let the geek within me shine and speak fluent Maori for that one moment in time!



Note the length of the car parked in front of the sign, and the sign still being longer than the car.
After the excitement of the longest place name in the world sign, we headed off to Napier to stay with Carl and Denise for the weekend. Rod and Donal had planned to join us there as well, so we had a great weekend hanging out with everyone. Bryce and the boys got lots of riding done and Denise and I got a tramp done at a place called "Blowhard Bush". You will notice in the pictures that the place is aptly named. It was a cool hike, with neat caves which the track was built around and through. Rumour has it that an outcasted family had escaped into this part of the bush back in the 1800's and lived in one of the caves; this made for some interesting discussion of what parts of which cave would have been suitable for living in and so on. We got right into one cave and just as I was checking out a very dark corner and hoping that the roof was high enough so that the weta's (yucky native insects with lots of legs, like a massive cricket) that love dark spaces would choose to remain on the rock and not on my hair......something tickled my neck. I let out a scream and a shiver, and then felt slightly embarrassed. C'mon, raindrops can be creepy..... when in a cave!!




After that walk, we checked out an old Maori pa ("pah") site, which is just a settlement on a hill, where they would have been able to check out to see if any enemies were coming close to attack them. Some of the old pallisades still remain, but the rest of the walk was a bit left to the imagination. Nevertheless, there is something great about finally stopping and checking out something you always say, "oh, we should stop there someday". Well, someday should sometimes be today!
Great weekend and a nice break from work and trying to keep busy during the holiday.
Hopefully we can keep doing interesting things and our camera stays nice to us so I can keep updating this. Till then, let me know how you are doing.


PS. Neat pic of the chickens at the maori pa site. I like chickens.