Last of October

Everyone seems to be better this week - thanks for praying people!
We've had a bit of a re-arrangement of rooms. Katarina is now downstairs, Hannah and Janine are sharing the larger of the two rooms upstairs and Zachary is enjoying his own room again. The children are all quite happy about change - a change is as good as a holiday, perhaps?

Don't panic, for those of you intending to come and stay, we've bought one of those double bed/bunk set's and Katarina seems quite happy about shifting out for a night or two when we have visitors.

This is the last week of placement for us, so Chris and I are putting together final reports. And we have started on the round of farewells which will mean the week is slightly busy. etc. With extra music practises and performances thrown in.

Braggin' blog

It may only happen once this year.
But I'd like for all my dear readers to know that Dunedin had the highest temperature in NZ today, yes, 26 glorious degrees, we were, for once, the warmest place in the country.
Yeah. Baby. !

Spring things

Hannah is better, Katarina and Zach are coughing, my nose is running but Chris and Janine seem to be fine so far.
The children are having school photo's today.
We are starting to head into end of year activities, planning for all the farewells we need to have. I've finished my muisc course at uni, Chris is preaching again on Sunday, life goes on.

After the birthday

Chris worked really hard to make this year's birthday really special, from organising presents and breakfast in bed with the children to getting my Mum and Dad down for tea, all without me knowing.

I also managed to squeeze in a visit with a friend to the Woman's Expo, which was a hoot. And then from about 3 people just seemed to keep arriving, not too many at a time so there was time to enjoy everyone. Very cool! Well done Chris - thanks!

I preached a narrative sermon on Sunday (i.e. a drama) which seemed to go down very well, all have been very encouraging. Chris was also busy with a very creative and technological intercessory prayer in the morning and another teaching time at night. I don't think I am on anything this weekend which is just as well.

This week has turned to custard as Hannah is sick. Didn't matter on Monday as we both took the day off but it is starting to look like it might be another few days. While it is not too serious, "just a virus", she also has an ear infection, which we haven't had for a year or two, and we've got anti biotics for that. It might be slap cheek or still could turn into chicken pox; while she isn't too miserable (thank goodness for Pamol!) she is coughing away, quite croupy at times. I.E. not fit for the company of others really! The gossip from other pre-school mums is that several others have been sick and then sent back too early which just spreads the illness around. However, I can understand the huge temptation to get them back as soon as possible.

Apart from that, all is well. We have really not had much sickness this year at all. God is good.

Washing machine saga

We have a front loader.
It has done many years of faithful service, about ten I reckon. But this year, well, things have started to come unstuck. Literally.
I can live with the rusting exterior. I don't really mind the funny grumbling noise it makes when it spins. It's the lack of spinning that I can't live with.

Dennis has helped us sort out the coil previously.

Last week, just when he didn't need it, the machine flooded the laundry. ALthough this turned out to be a blessing in disguise as it prompted some cleaning out and disposal of some items to the Kaikorai garage sale. Yay.

This week, Chris (and my dad) have replaced a bearing and Chris has glued in the thingy that came unstuck after the plumber did odd things to our water supply. I was kinda hoping I might finally get a new machine - thanks dad!

We are currently using the neighbour's machine while the glue dries. Just as well as I had muddy tramping gear to sort...

Apparently there is a sweepstake going on when the Konings finally get a new washing machine.

We will keep you posted.

The trouble with being married for nearly 17 years is that all the appliances start wearing out on you. Even the second hand ones that we've been using. So far this year we've replaced a fridge, freezer and dryer, some of which I'd budgeted for and all of which we've managed to source at good rates. God is good!

Routeburn ramblings

Well, I survived the walk into the Routeburn Falls hut and back - plus a few blisters etc. We had a great time - what a beautiful country we live in. We tramped in snow Saturday morning, saw a robin and generally enjoyed each other's company. Slightly late getting back for Student Soul.
My Mum and Dad brought KJ back on Sunday and stayed so Chris could come to the final SS for the year. Good times!

We've managed to survive the first week back at school so far. Janine and Zachary had such a great time at the holiday program that they want to go to after school care all the time now! Janine forgot her togs the first day back, Hannah is having a blast scooting by herself down to school and I am trying to keep up with her on the bike. Katarina is busy with the homework she forgot to mention she had during the holidays!

Chris' sermon on Sunday went well and I am trying to prepare for one this Sunday at Leith.

Second week of the holidays

Trevor went home Sunday night and the kids are off to holiday programs this week, 2 next door at Opoho School and Hannah at her Montessori school. Janine was hanging out to go to the holiday program so she is happy and there is a playstation there so Zachary is estatic. Chris put Katarina on a bus to Timaru on Monday - she is having a few days with her cousin and aunty Tracy and Uncle Duncan there.

The dishwasher is now sitting in the right place in the kitchen after hiding in the laundry for a week while we waited for the joiner. Now we are waiting for the plumber and the electrician. Katarina is really hoping all this happens before she get's home this week. I am wondering how much dust to clean up now or whether to leave it until the rest of the mess makers have been and gone!

Sunday night saw me organising Student Soul; I sent them off to various stations to actually do some Bible reading and they came back with some awesome stuff, especially the drama and music groups. Seriously funny. I'm pretty happy with it so we will see what the debrief looks like later this week. I have to say, I am really, really, really enjoying this.

I am training to go tramping this weekend with Student Soul while Chris is preaching at Kaikorai. Zach and Hannah have both been invited to friends places on Saturday or is Zach's friend coming here? Anyone, it is still all go. And I am trying to spend some time in the lab getting my head around Logic, a computer based recording program - when I'm not walking up hills, slowly.

With Neville announcing his resignation as principal of SOM last week, things are starting to move quite quickly. There is a lot to organise. Also, with our TSU president Nimorota out of action for 6 weeks as he recovers from his back operation, I have picked up some of his responsibilities, especially with the Valedictory service November 14. More meetings...