Mid-week Mutterings

This is my second attempt at writing a post, hopefully no more interruptions! The boys are at school, Grant is down at the kart track getting ready for the practice session this afternoon. He will pick Scott up at 12.30 and Jake's off to visit a friend straight after school. This means I have the day rest of the day free from my taxi duties. Actually, I should go into School for a short session with Jake, I've told him to stay in Arabic and read quietly (hopefully no one will notice....shhhh).

Jake enjoyed rugby over the weekend, he has been working on his fitness and its making a difference at last. Scott and Grant have the kart all sorted for the weekend (first race of the 2007 season).
The weather has been really cold and unpredictable lately, however, very little rain. Yesterday a sandstorm was blowing up around here making a mess of everything. Today it's nice and fine again.


I have made a bit of time to sit and do some scrapbooking pages, It's fun but the time really runs away, I love putting things together slowly and fiddling with all the elements till I'm happy. I will have to go back into the old albums and do some pages based on old photos but I seem to only just keep up with the recent stuff. In this set there is one of Jake taken on Boxing day. He had been soooo looking forward to getting a big box of leggo for Christmas. Grant picked it up on his trip to Seattle, I was very impressed that he remembered and got the right one. Well, for Jake to wait even one day before tackling it was hard, he was up first thing in the morning as the sun streamed through the window. I don't think he even noticed that I was taking this photo, his concentration was complete.

This next photo was taken up in the stands while we were watching some of the 24hr race. It was quite chilly so I was giving Jake a cuddle. It would have been nice if Scott had smiled but this is his normal face (very serious).

Lastly, Jake playing rugby last weekend. He did well and enjoyed the day. His club has three teams playing in the Under 11's. They are all improving and are lucky to have the most excellent coaches. Now I must get back to my chores, washing to hang out, bathrooms to clean etc. This weekend will be a busy one and it will be good if I'm on top of things. We have a party tonight for some good friends who are leaving Dubai, and then racing all day tomorrow. Grant has work over the weekend also so I'm not sure how it will all pan out. I think I'm officially a mechanic tomorrow, that should be fun. I do polishing and fetching and that's about it!

Credits:Leggo: Unamused Boys Kit by Jessica Bolton at Scrapbookgraphics . Ribbon and Treasure Word, Its a Guy Thing kit by Doris Castle. Inked Edge by Kim Hill. Paper Arrow, staple and photo corner by Linda GB, Star Bazar Kit from ScrapArtist.

Family: Swirly Q kit by Tracy Rivera at ScrapArtist (Apprentice). Date Stamp by Amber Clegg SA

Rugby: Background from Ophelia kit by Linda BG and Elements from the RAD collections by Kim Christensen both at ScrapArtist

Hello......I'm back!

I thought I'd give myself a little time off and get away from the computer and it turned out to be a bit longer than planned. Sorry folks...
Hey - I had a great birthday! Thanks for all your wishes, got your card yesterday Joanne (I love it). Andy and Raewyn thank you for all those nice words, the boys really appreciate hearing from you, it's nice for them to know they have family wishing them the best - it can seem a very long way from you all at times. Dad, thanks for your advice too.
We are all looking forward to a big catchup with everyone on Xmas day.
I got loads of neat stuff for my birthday, heaven only knows what Santa will bring because it's all been covered now!

We had some bad news today, our cat Daisy is staying at the vets for a few days. She was in a fight last night (sweet Daisy attacked by a vicious trespasser!) One back leg has some nasty bites and needs drains inserting and antibiotics etc. Poor thing was in a bad way this morning, I think she was really terrified last night.

Last week was not so busy but I was trying to get Xmas shopping done and it takes such a lot of time. Why do I always end up looking for stuff for me??? Must be a major character flaw!......hey, I did need some new clothes, promise.

On the good side my shopping is pretty well sorted and I have been wrapping as soon as I get gifts so for the first time in forever I wont have a big wrapping marathon just before the big day. Some Xmas cards will probably be late.... I'm not that good!

It's been really COLD and WET here, wettest winter in 10 years and we are only at the beginning of the season. All the winter woollies reserved for winter in NZ have been coming out of the closets. Jake has his Christmas Carol performance tomorrow night at the Madinat Amphitheater, it's a lovely venue but I'm not sure about the outside bit! I will try to get a nice photo and post it here.

Grant has been working hard as usual and is now getting the kart fixed after the big accident. (bent steering column, tie rod, stub axle and a few miscellaneous bent brackets) - Note, reporting with improved technical quality!

Jake is fine, he is doing a school project on gems and crystals using all the treasures he collected in NZ last winter. We just found out he missed out on getting into the English College, he did the entrance exam the weekend before last but his results are such that the college says he needs more help than they can offer (heard that a few times before) His other choice will indeed give him a higher level of support so I'm fine with it but he was disappointed because Scott's school has a nice friendly atmosphere. So I will have the boys at different colleges but that's OK.

We are going to have a very quiet Christmas and New Year. Grant is working through. We will get to have a nice lunch out, booked at our favourite Xmas place The Jumeirah Beach Hotel. I do miss our family Xmas in NZ, total chaos and food overload but they are the best!

The photo page is from a couple of weeks ago. I could not get it to load at the time.

Credits: Kit is Crimson Christmas by Susan Long ScrapArtist "Apprentice"

Glitter frame from Sweet Evangeline by Michelle Coleman at ScrapArtist

Still Buzzing Around!

It's been a weird week or two, I've been in a scratchy mood and so of course nothing seems to go right when you feel like that!
Jake's big rugby tournament turned out to be a bit of a flop for us (his club did really well)
Did you know that when you get a blister, if you keep wearing the same boots and keep running around in them it WILL get worse - a plaster will NOT help (I'm sure you do and we do too now)
So Jake missed out playing with his team for a draw in the final, we all arrived home hot, tired and glum.

It's been constantly busy, still more meetings... school trips, parent/teacher interview for Scott.
We have had open days at the two colleges that Jake would like to go to. It looks like he will go straight through to his primary schools sister college. Jake's teacher is happy that he will cope even though his exam results don't show it. The other college that Jake is keen on is to one that Scott attends. After talking to them they encouraged me to apply for Jake, he has two things in his favour (a sibling at the school and a fairly high IQ), so despite his poor last exam results they will look at him, he will however have to do an entrance exam. My main criteria is good support for Jake's needs. I will let you know how it all works out.
Speaking of support I have been assisting Jake in class for one of his literacy lessons, this is in addition to the 5 dyslexia support lessons that I do. Its certainly interesting being in class with Jake, I'm not sure that I help him that much but it's been quite a learning curve for me. I can see now that one of Jake's biggest problems is his processing and working speed. He needs a lot of time to get things done. However, he still understands everything and it's a sign that he has good teachers because he is so happy and positive about school. Jake is also getting after school help privately (not sure if I mentioned that before) it's working out really well, its just a bit of a scramble getting there on time.

The last week has not been to good for me health wise. I think it's been brewing for a while and that's why I have not been feeling myself. I had a lot of pain in my back and side a few nights ago and fearing that it was kidney stones again went to the hospital. (10pm at night - luckily Grant was around). I have had lots of tests and they suspect some sort of infection, still waiting on the results but the antibiotics they gave me seem to be working (like domestos the doctor said - kills everything).





Here is a photo of Jake from last weekend.

Now onto this weekend. Christmas tree time!!!! Jake and I will put the tree up and make the house all Christmassy.

Scott and Grant have their big event - The Biland Worlds!!! It is a very big international race meeting, I haven't been down to the track yet but its been transformed according to Grant. Scott will be competing against 25 Juniors and there are about 50 Seniors. It's huge for Dubai and will be a great experience for Scott. Scott is paying to race here rather than most competitors who have won their way here by being the best in their countries. Scott has only had and hour or so in this type of kart which is quite different from his own. He is hoping to do well but will be happy to be at the front of the local guys. He is mainly looking forward to the race experience of big fleets and racing to international standards and rules.

I am just about too nervous to watch after that big crash at the last meeting. I want Scott to be careful but I know he has to be aggressive out there. I just have to keep quiet and trust that he knows what he is doing.

I really will be back with updates over the weekend. Today they are being allocated their karts, are getting the seats fitted and making sure the paperwork is all up to date. I will let you know how everything went at the end of the day.

OK off to the shops now, got a new school uniform made for Jake and it's ready to collect. And I have to get some Euros to pay for this weekend, seems funny not to be able to use our local money but everything is in Euros only!

Keep checking back over the weekend - love to hear your comments too!

Birthday Boy

Back so soon - a first for me!
Actually last week I did a nice long post about Jake, telling you all about his rugby games the weekend before last, along with a nice scrapbooking page. When I went to publish it the whole thing disapeared - never to be seen again. I was really brassed off as I was so busy and didn't have the time to re-do it. Anyhow, now I will just say that it was a good weekend but very hot. I was just sitting around and taking a few photos and I was in a sweat, I felt sorry for the players as it was 39C and there was no shade at all. This week I will purchase an umbrella so we will have a bit of shade for next time.
Jake's birthday was yesterday and he had a nice day, not much time for enjoying his prezzies but everyone was so nice to him. His two dyslexia teachers both gave him vouchers (one is for books and one is for a game of 10 pin bowling),
he got some money (thanks Sue & Mike) and his really big gift from us was a PSP and a game for it from Scott. He is delighted with it, it was a toss up between that and an Ipod but he really only likes a handfull of tunes so I think the PSP is better and he can still have his MP3's and even photos on it. I can't wait to give it a try! We got home late from his after school dyslexia help so just had a simple dinner but with a special desert birthday cheesecake. This Thursday he will go to the movies with three friends, then bowling and burgers, he is really looking foward to that now.

This weekend is shaping up to be really busy again. Jake has a big rugby tournament at Abu Dhabi over both days. Teams from all around the Middle East, so it will be crowded. Sounds like we have to park our cars then get a shuttle bus to the fields. I will post some more photos as soon as I get a chance. Scott is back a school but finds all the stairs a struggle with crutches.

Grant took the boys to school this morning so I have and extra hour before I have to go in, I've done a few chores then this wee update here and soon I will be off again.

Thanks for the birthday wishes Mum and Dad, Jake is eagerly waiting for the mail to come through!

Here is the photo I did last week of Jake.
OK I've tried 4 times and the photo wont load so I will get back to it later today and it will go to the top of the blog. I have to dash now or I will be late.

Broke Down House

I didn't intend to be away for so long, Scott keeps asking if I have posted the latest news from his last race meeting.
Time to get you all up to date -
Well, the last kart meeting was a real corker! Scott was flying, the kart was great, competition was mixed but Scott had some great battles, getting amazing starts but ending up finishing second (that's a mighty fine effort for a newbie!)
Grant and Scott are settling into a great team and are both having a blast.

Jake has been to two rugby practice sessions, fitness is a problem but he's getting there! He had a great time practicing tackling and was flying through the air. Jake has made a great start to the year at school. He is getting used to taking to laptop to the Dyslexia Unit and will gradually be using it in class. He loves his teacher and is so full of enthusiasm. I just hope he gets the results that he needs and progresses on to college here. We are keeping a very close eye on his work and his teachers are very supportive.

I have been getting used to my new schedule and this year it's actually pretty good - excellent in fact! I do have a fair bit of waiting around but at least I'm not having to make any extra trips back to the school in the middle of the day. Saves on petrol and my stress levels.

Grant is super busy but that's how he likes it. He is either at work, working on the kart or fixing up this place! A beer and BBQ at the end of the day is the height of relaxation for him.

We have had more than our fair share of breakdowns over the last week. It's been one thing after another. I was putting together a scrapbook page of everything just for fun and Scott call's out that there is water everywhere from the top balcony, what a sight, I had to get under it all to try and turn the irrigation system off, I was fully dressed and got soaked to the skin!

The really bad thing though was Scott spraining his ankle. It is quite bad. I took him the the hospital on Friday night because he went into shock and we were afraid that it may have been broken. Luckily the Xrays were clear, the doctor says no sport for three weeks. Scott tells me that kart racing is a passion not a sport and he will be out on the track for the racing this weekend. He has had two days off school because he can't walk on it so we will have to see how it heals. Grant may be in the kart yet!

I will now try to post some scrapbook photo pages. I will do a separate post just in case I have problems with blogger.

I will be back after the weekend racing.

What do you think?

OK I had a little problem there, it didn't want to post a bigger size at first.
Anyway - the kart and Scott look great don't you think!
Scott starts back at school on the 11th, somehow he got a bit of extra time off. Jake started back last Wednesday, he is sooo happy with his teacher and with life in general. Rugby starts up next week and he is supposed to be able to jog the field twice and do 20 press ups and 20 crunches for the first practice. He has been exercising - a bit - so he will find it quite hard I think. He got puffed today just playing with the cat!
I have been busy trying to get myself more organised for this new school year. Man, its hard work being organised! And, of course, it's still to damn hot (low 40's)
I will be in touch later this week to let you know how everything is going.