Multi-Tasking

The new year is well underway and time has come to get back to my blogging. Some jealous, surly types are a little dismissive of the 'holidays' they think teachers enjoy, but I must assure my dear readers that I only really got six of the seven weeks to myself. Despite this I managed to do quite a lot.

I don't like going away on holiday. That's not to say I don't like being away on holiday, it's just very stressful getting away and often exhausting during the recovery stage. I did try to sound convincing to those who inquired as to my plans - a trip to Napier, a few days an Wanganui with a riverboat trip - but I never got up the energy or enthusiasm to actually organise these and in reality I was very happy to base my holiday at home. So I had a holiday by the sea staying near a quaint village of interesting shops.

I did do some day trips to Kapiti, and out to Castlepoint where I captured a great shot just days before the big earthquake knocked a big chunk off Castle Rock.

I spent lots of time with lovely friends involving lots of eating and drinking. I managed to see a few movies. Make sure you see The Secret Life of Walter Mitty and the brilliant Nebraska. Don't believe the hype about August: Osage County - it was very disappointing. A real treat was Good Ol' Freda. It was a lovely documentary about the fan club organiser and secretary to The Beatles. Great music, of course, and a fascinating life story. It seemed to have quite limited release and was only on for a week or two, so get it on dvd if you can. 

I also had some exciting adventures with the use of chalk paint, linseed oil and polyurethane, with great success. I have already outlined the hutch dresser process, but I am equally pleased with the new dressing table that I brought back to life. It had been stripped of paint by a previous owner but was still in a sad state. Interestingly, it is identical in design to one I had as a teenager. At the time, I found my parents' habit of acquiring old furniture from auctions seriously uncool. With considerable nagging, I managed to persuade my father to paint the distasteful item white. I feel my work on this one goes a little way to make up for my past error in judgement. 

The 25th of January marked three years in the house, which meant I had suffered three years of no baths. Just relentless showers, which cleanse the body but do nothing for the soul. Three years without a good soak. Three years without bubbles. I hasten to add that the lack of a bath did not stop me continuing to receive gifts of bubble bath, bath bombs and bath salts, of which I built up quite a stock in the time. But finally the wait is over.

Some people might imagine that spending a long time in a generous bubble bath is a time waster. They are quite, quite wrong. Much can be achieved if one plans ahead. Why just this morning I enjoyed a nice cup of tea, sent texts, talked on the phone, read a book and planned my day all from the comfort of my new bath. Try doing that in a shower. All you will be is clean.