"All your dreams will come true, if you have the courage to pursue them."

I've had the 40 before 40 list on the go for about 6 months now. I added to it now and again, and the last 10 goals were quite hard to come by. I researched other's lists for inspiration and I put a lot of thought into making sure I was happy with the list.

Here is some of the thought that was put into each one.

1. Write a will

This has been on my 'to do' list for a while and we're lucky it didn't get done prior to the list starting as it's really important to have one. This is one that will be ticked off sooner rather than later.

2. Be that person that always gives great presents (and wrapped amazing too!)

We all know that person, the one who gives great gifts - thoughtful, just right, and wrapped beautifully. I want to be that person. I'm quite an efficient person and sometimes this is at the quality of the output. This goal is part of me slowing down and being more thoughtful and mindful about these sorts of things.

3. Get my masters

I love learning and this is just the next logical step. It'll help me in my career also.

4. Watch the Top 250 IMDB List

This follows on from last years, 'watch some big movies and movie series' goal. I'm planning to re-watch any that I've seen before and watch all 250. Will be tough as it changes now and then as votes are taken, but I gather... I have ten years, right?

5. Learn how to use a proper photo editing tool

It will most likely be lightroom. I've wanted to take this step for a while, but just been using picmonkey as it's easy. From what I have seen though, lightroom (which I'm told is very easy to use) can make simple changes, easily.

6. Learn how to play the guitar (better than 4 chords!) using yousician

I can play a good G... that's about it. Hah! I get by, but I'd like to unlearn some bad behaviours I've been doing for years and learn how to play properly. This is one I'm really worried about as I can hardly find time to do this blog, in addition to all my other things. I don't know where I'll find time. Plus, my nails darling! How will I play with my weeny claws?

7. Make a point of family time, AND individual Leah/Willow/Dadda time.

This is a no brainer. Making time for everyone and being the mother and wife I want to be. I'm dying to have girlie time when the girls are a bit older and I also want to make a point of spending time with Damien, without the girls. I've done some of this in the last year with Leah and it feels great.

8. Go through the 'life circle' goal process again

This was so helpful for me when I did it in 2012. It helped me shape where I was going in life and I often look back on it, read though what I want my future to be like and it refocusses me - something I definitely need from time to time.

9. Participate in at least 40 (yes 40!) events - runs, walks etc

Last year I enjoyed doing the colour run and the mauku fun fun so much that I wanted to do more and more. This puts a quantifying goal on that. 4 a year is so doable and I have a lovely group of friends who are keen to do them with me. Yay!

10. Try something completely new each year of my 30s

There were a few things that I wanted to include on the list, but for a 10 year period, just seemed too small. This one allows me to choose something completely new and different each year. It could be eating something new, a new activity, visiting a new place - Anything!

11. Take the girls (oh and Damien!) to Disneyland

This one is so exciting. Damien and I have only been to Thailand and Australia before, opting to buy a house and have our family earlier rather than do our OE thing. This is always something I wanted to do as a kid and to be able to provide this for our girls will be amazing. 

12. Go to an NRL Grand Final

Another bucket list goal. Hopefully one of our teams will be in the grand final in the next 10 years, but I think it will be an amazing experience no matter who's playing.

13. See at least one show at the theatre each year

Again, something that I love. Making sure I give myself permission to actually go, rather than just think, "oh that would be nice".

14. Finish a whole art journal

Or more importantly, have some time to relax. It's all too often I'm home at night doing school work. Even if I'm watching TV, I have my laptop on and I'm making resources or marking tests with the TV in the background. No more! I want to spend time actively relaxing and leave work at work. Art journaling allows me to have something to do while I watch TV so that I don't fall asleep lol.

15. Learn how to cook the basics AMAZINGLY

I'm not a bad cook, but I want to be a better one. I plan to make a list on exactly what the 'basics' are but at this stage I can't poach an egg - that might need to be #1.. Damien always does it for me. Hehe

16. Write my memoirs

I thought this was a cool idea for many reasons. The first being that it gives me a reason to write, something that's been falling by the wayside recently. The second being, if I was to drop dead tomorrow - how would Leah and Willow remember me? I want to write something for them to remember me by. 

17. Do the A-Z blogging challenge (Aprils) ever year of my 30s

Another reason to write. I need some motivation now and then and this provides a great idea that heaps of bloggers get into.

18. Buy a good set of cooking pans and saucepans

This one is part of me adulting properly and of course adding to improving my cooking abilities.

19. Buy a new ‘Grown up’ dining room table (when the kids aren't going to annihilate it anymore)

Which will probably be closer to when I'm 40. These children are monsters!

20. Have some inside plants that I keep alive longer than a week

Purifying the air and all that jazz. My mum used to have lots of plants in the house and I really liked it. I've tried as a housemaker myself but have often killed things. Need to put some proper effort into them.

21. Have a dish that I take to every event I'm asked to 'not bring anything but yourselves'

I admire people who do this so much. I often get talked out of it by my other half but I think I need to insist that I bring something, to make myself feel better. Making the effort and all that.

22. Throw more dinner parties for family and friends

Again, something the other half often talks me out of. I love having people over and cooking for others. I want to do it more often and for a larger range of friends and family.

23. Nail down a savings plan and stick to it

So important for things like the Disney trip. We could be saving a tonne more than we are now if we (mostly I) wasn't so frivolous with money. This all starts with making a budget then having a little bit of  self control.

24. Give back and teach the girls to give back

I've been more proactive about doing this myself in the past couple of years and it's no a cliche, it really does feel great. I want to bring the girls up knowing how lucky they are and how others aren't necessarily as lucky as them, and that they can use that position to help those in need.

25. Learn to meditate

With those black clouds that loom over me this is an important way to be more mindful and to look after my head health.  I've dabbled a bit in the last few months and I really like it, but it's hard to give myself even 1- minutes when I have reading, blogging, kids, movies etc. It's a tough one.

26. Make a dent in these one day hikes

Exercise and I have a love/hate relationship. I love when I'm doing it but convincing myself to get out and actually do it is another story. I particularly like these long walks as you see parts of the country you don't normally see...and we all know I love a list.

27. Auckland Harbour Bridge Climb
Something cool I'd like to do. I've always liked doing touristy things but often go out of Auckland to do so. With this there's no need!

28. Go Zorbing
I'd actually like to do a few of the things that they have on offer at one of the zorbing places in Rotorua. Another bucket list thing that I want to say I've given a go.

29. Go black water rafting
Damien and I went to the Waitomo caves in 2015 and I couldn't believe how much I enjoyed it. This is another experience that they offer and it sounds incredible.

30. Own a spa pool 
Cool goal, right? I love our house, absolutely love it, and it would be so freaking cool to have a spa pool here - to cool down in the summer and to warm up in the winter. I can just see myself soaking in the spa and reading my nights away.

31. Read these books
I'm an adult now... 'bout time I read some books for 30 year olds, right? I guess so. Hopefully I don't have to wade through them slowly and I really enjoy what they have to offer :)

32. Do these things in my own 'backyard'
Some of these are complete piss takes, but some of them are really good. I feel like to be a real Aucklander I'll have to do them all - piss take or not.

33. Learn to love my body and treat it like it should be.
All of my previous lists have had something to do with losing weight and I don't want that to be the focus anymore. Yes I know that being a healthier weight will be a part of my future, but I don't want that to take over everything else. I also need a great skin and hair routine and I should be proud of all my body has done for me. After all, I'm gorgeous!

34. Learn how to cook vegetables in a variety of ways that I'll actually eat.
I've grown to hate myself for the fact that I don't like and eat a lot of vegetables, more and more as the years go on. Because I haven't liked them historically I've never learnt how to cook them. I like a lot of veges when I eat out. Enter: this goal.

35. Explore Auckland
Refer to #32. Enjoy this beautiful city I live in. Many people pay a lot of money to come here and look around. I think I take it for granted all too often.

36. Swim with dolphins
One from the bucket list. I met and patted some dolphins in Thailand but I'd love to have an experience with them in the water.

37. Have a good, nailed down skin care routine
The older I get, the more important I find this goal. Luckily I have some friends who can make this a very awesome reality for me.

38. Ride in a hot air balloon
This goal actually terrifies me a weeny bit and that's what makes it pretty exciting. I like the idea of the views and the feeling of being up so high. I'm not so much scared of the height as I am of not being in control.

39. Wear more dresses
I look awesome in them, but I'm a big of a dag. I like wearing clothes that are easy to wear, and many dresses are not - I feel restricted in some way, or like I'm taking up too much space, lol. I always, always feel pretty in them though, so I'd like to continue to buy, and wear more.

40.  Have a wardrobe I actually like
I think between being overweight and being a tight arse when it comes to buying clothes for myself, I just hate the bulk of my wardrobe. It's comfy and it's basic. Which is great, sometimes, but definitely not all the time. I admire people who know what to wear and how to wear it and I'd love to develop a style of my own that I'm more happy with.

I present to you... THE 40 BEFORE 40 LIST!

Here it is. Keen to get stuck in. Phew - some of these are super lofty.

My 40 before 40 goals.

1. Write a will
2. Be that person that always gives great presents (and wrapped amazing too!)
3. Get my masters
4. Watch the Top 250 IMDB List
5. Learn how to use a proper photo editing tool
6. Learn how to play the guitar (better than 4 chords!) using yousician

7. Make a point of family time, AND individual Leah/Willow/Dadda time.

8. Go through the 'life circle' goal process again

9. Participate in at least 40 (yes 40!) events - runs, walks etc
10. Try something completely new each year of my 30s
11. Take the girls (oh and Damien!) to Disneyland
12. Go to an NRL Grand Final
13. See at least one show at the theatre each year
14. Finish a whole art journal
15. Learn how to cook the basics AMAZINGLY
16. Write my memoirs

17. Do the A-Z blogging challenge (Aprils) ever year of my 30s

18. Buy a good set of cooking pans and saucepans

19. Buy a new ‘Grown up’ dining room table (when the kids aren't going to annihilate it anymore)

20. Have some inside plants that I keep alive longer than a week

21. Have a dish that I take to every event I'm asked to 'not bring anything but yourselves'

22. Throw more dinner parties for family and friends

23. Nail down a savings plan and stick to it

24. Give back and teach the girls to give back

25. Learn to meditate

26. Make a dent in these one day hikes

27. Auckland Harbour Bridge Climb

28. Go Zorbing

29. Go black water rafting

30. Own a spa pool 
31. Read these books
32. Do these things in my own 'backyard'
33. Learn to love my body and treat it like it should be.
34. Learn how to cook vegetables in a variety of ways that I'll actually eat.
35. Explore Auckland
36. Swim with dolphins
37. Have a good, nailed down skin care routine
38. Ride in a hot air balloon
39. Wear more dresses
40.  Have a wardrobe I actually like

Like I did in this post with the 30 before 30, I will get a post up shortly to explain some of the thinking and catalyst behind each of these. 

What are some of your current and long term goals?

I only see my goals... I don't believe in failure.

Tomorrow...it happens:

I've never really been one of those people afraid of growing old, so I'm just excited what the next wee while has to bring really. My 20s have been fun - getting married, buying houses, having babies...and now I'm looking forward to a decade of getting to know myself more and continuing to grow.

And of course, this means I bid farewell to my 30 before 30 goals, in exchange for my 40 before 40 goals (the big reveal is tomorrow). But first I want to reflect on how I've gone with these 30 goals.

I'm a huge advocate of continual self improvement and my goal challenges help me to do that. 30 before 30 is the third that I've embarked on. Typically with these type of lists you give yourself a good amount of time, but I only came across the concept a couple of years ago, giving me about 14 months to complete the list once I had compiled one I thought was worthy. With all three of the challenges I've done, I've never completed all of the goals, and I don't think that's super important, but something I like to point out. For me, it's the journey and the reason behind why I made the goal and what I've done towards it rather than being able to cross it off - although that's always super satisfying.

With that in mind, let's look at how I went with this challenge.

I did get a pass rate with 18/30 I am happy to say I completed. Some I've put on my 40 before 40 list and others I was very close to finishing but I wasn't happy to say complete.

Mostly I blogged about the ones I had completed as and when, but a few I just went through now and tidied up. You can see the ones I've blogged about by going through the 30 before 30 tag on the right.

I just today crossed off #4: be more proactive about giving Jake a great life. I think I worked toward this one well. My dog gets a good deal to be honest - he sleeps on our bed, he gets a birthday cake and presents as well as spoiled at Christmas time, he's well looked after. I made this goal mostly to be more mindful about the fact and to do some things for him - take him out when we could, not lock him away when people are over - and I feel like I've nailed that.

Another thing I didn't blog about but finished about a week ago was the 52 Lists Project which I see now has been made into a sweet book - future goals? This was a really cool exercise that got me thinking about what makes me, me. I made my templates of the lists, as you can see, but the book you can purchase now looks too good to pass up! Here are my finished lists with a close up of one of my faves - so pretty.

Today in going through I also crossed off numbers 9, 13, 18, 19, 20 and 28. All that I have either done or come so close to it's not worth mentioning where I (think I) have fallen down.

On the list I've marked some of the goals green, which means I've pretty much completed it or am waiting for it to happen. For example, #3 is learning how to apply a good face of make up and one of my friends has purchased me some lessons with a Smashbox make up artist, but the date won't be locked in until it's  not wedding season. Or #5 to get my half sleeve, which is underway, see..

Lastly, there's others in red which just haven't happened and will make an appearance in one way, shape or form in the 40 before 40. Swimming with dolphins being one of them.

And lastly, I've left two of them completely which don't push my buttons anymore. #10: Write a children's book is still something I might like to do one day, but it just 'too hard basket'. I got a few ideas down, but until I have that one idea, nothing can really take fruition. And #11: to make more money with my blog. I've looked into this a little bit. I make around $60 a month from my blog through advertising at the moment and really, without putting more effort into it, I can't. I fall off the blogging wagon from time to time and with 2 kids, a full time job, friends, family, study and all the other crap I seem to do, I can't devote more time to it. Perhaps in the future.

I'm so excited to share my 40 before 40 list tomorrow... I love a new list. So much potential self improvement! I can smell it! Haha.

Weekly 10 round up and Ka kite for a weeny bit

Woah, that was aaaages ago. Story of the blog at the moment. More about that to come, lets see how I actually went with the list.

 

1. Complete appraisal learning stories

2. Do the calf club thing

3. Amy's 30th!

4. Take some sweet photos of Damien doing his stunt driving

5. Get things printed for physical baby books and get them up to date

6. Do some more of the advanced google course

7. Watch 'MKR'

8. Watch 'The Walking Dead'

9. Watch 'American Horror Story'

10. Have a nice hot, relaxing bath.

Still in the pursuit of getting these baby books up to date! I have made a start! And, not only did I do more of the Level 2 google course - I nailed the exam and now and both a Level 1 and 2 certified google educator. Excited!

The next is that I'm taking this year's summer break a whole month early. I am keeping the girl's pages up to date and will be back with a hiss and a roar in January, but I never wanted this to become a chore and it's been hanging over me lately. I'm giving myself 2 months off to focus on the 30 before 30 goals and just spend some time doing what I usually do but not writing about it....until January where I'll fill you in.

Have a great couple months for the start of summer, today feels like it's already begun at our house <3

Looking back and looking forward - Weekly 10

Here is last 'times' list and how I went...

1. Make sure I blog 'Tasty Tuesday' this week.
Lots of yummies here
2. Begin Willow’s 52 weeks page.
You can see it here
3. Think of idea for Leah’s photos this year.
Thought of and begun! Here.
4.  Do a 52 list.
5.  Proofread and order shutterfly books.
6. Complete the maths portion of my assignment.
7. Make Leah's birthday cupcakes ready for Sunday.
8. Complete planning for next term.
9. Make another slice for workmates.
10. Finish watching AHS: Freakshow

Wow, that seems like so long ago now! Since then I've received the shutterfly books and completed the whole assignements (and TWO others!). I also did a tonne of other stuff over the holidays even though I didn't technically have a 'Weekly 10' list, they were...

Get Tattoo

Uni Girls lunch

Got my hair did

Make summer bucket list

Had High Tea @ TriBeCa

Hei Papa Tikanga workbook - complete (two of them in fact!)

Blog about 30 before 30 things I have achieved (some of the more obscure ones)

Make a big dent in the 40 before 40 list. I have written 31 of the 40 things.

Start planning Christmas advent stuff/& elf on a shelf stuff

Booked in Lynn for family photos

Project life things

Call connect about phone

Herb and vege stuff - weeded gardens and leveled them ready for top soil. Covered with newspaper.

Maths course complete and enrolled for the next free one.

Boom! That's heaps, plus I probably did some other extra things in there... like have a shopping spree and stuff lol.

So how about this coming week? Let's see.

1. Complete appraisal learning stories

2. Do the calf club thing

3. Amy's 30th!

4. Take some sweet photos of Damien doing his stunt driving

5. Get things printed for physical baby books and get them up to date

6. Do some more of the advanced google course

7. Watch 'MKR'

8. Watch 'The Walking Dead'

9. Watch 'American Horror Story'

10. Have a nice hot, relaxing bath.

Half relaxing stuff and half balls to the wall. We like a bit of balance!

What are you doing this week?

xx

30 Before 30... crossing some stuff off! Episode One

Over the next little while I want to begin to cross some of my 30 before 30 goals off. There are a tonne I've been chipping away at and I've even completed some up to my standards. Will be exciting to begin getting them crossed off and not just a 'work in progress'.

So to begin, the reason I've had such a super fun week.

Since January, I have been working on this savings plan.

I think I got up to Week 40? It was always my plan to stop in these school holidays so I could go on a shopping spree. I also had some birthday money stashed from January, so I had a nice little whack of money that I went out on Monday and spent all on MYSELF! For me, that's insane. I'm very good at spending money, but I usually do so on the girls, not me.

It was really nice, and I'm loving having some brand new shiny things to wear and use. I've been wanting that Karen Walker necklace for aaaaaages so to have the money to just go and buy it was superb. The shopping itself was even fun. I'd forgotten how much I enjoy it.

So without trying to brag too much. Here's all my goodies...

New Weekly 10

This week's list...

1. Make sure I blog 'Tasty Tuesday' this week.
2. Begin Willow’s 52 weeks page.
3. Think of idea for Leah’s photos this year.
4.  Do a 52 list.
5.  Proofread and order shutterfly books.
6. Complete the maths portion of my assignment.
7. Make Leah's birthday cupcakes ready for Sunday.
8. Complete planning for next term.
9. Make another slice for workmates.
10. Finish watching AHS: Freakshow

SUCH a busy time at the moment. Couple that with becoming very accustomed to jumping into bed at 7:30 and I don't have a lot of spare time! But That's OK. Super happy with my achievements recently and looking forward to a new list tomorrow :)

1. Write Leah's birthday letter.
2. Take Willow and Leah's tradition birthday photos & do Leah's birthday quiz.
Here are a couple of the pics...

3. Go for a walk in the weekend.
I would ideally like to make this a common occurance but our weekends have been too busy or too wet recently :/
4. Find a costume for Danielle's party.

5. Make slice for workmates.
Recipe coming up in Tasty Tuesday, which I will do next week... I will I will I will!
6. Make a list of things to do in the coming holidays.
7. Organise get together in the holidays.
8. Call McDonalds about Leah's party.
9. Map out 30 before 30 goals between now and January.
10. Finish Willow's Shutterfly book. 
I even finished Leah's too. Almost time to order - just need to proof read.

Weekly 10 - The Sequel

As I said yesterday, I may not have had a Weekly 10 list for a little while, but I've been busy in between lists. In the last week I have...

• Booked time for my next tattoo and emailed the artist my ideas
• Done more than 20,000 steps each day (I did close to 120k in the workweek)
• Met with my Kaitiaki and got started on my new Open Wananga course - Hei Papa Tikanga
• Got a good chunk of Module 2 begun on my university maths paper 
• Wrote Willow's birthday letter
• Finished 'Cross Stitch' and 'Play dead'.

So I'm quite happy with myself. Let's see what's happening this week.

1. Write Leah's birthday letter.
2. Take Willow and Leah's tradition birthday photos & do Leah's birthday quiz.
3. Go for a walk in the weekend.
4. Find a costume for Danielle's party.
5. Make slice for workmates.
6. Make a list of things to do in the coming holidays.
7. Organise get together in the holidays.
8. Call McDonalds about Leah's party.
9. Map out 30 before 30 goals between now and January.
10. Finish Willow's Shutterfly book.

Weekly 10 - It's been a weeny while

With party prep, parties and birthdays it's been a busy wee while. Here's how I went with the last list. Make sure to check in tomorrow to see what else I've been up to and what I've got coming up :)

1. Put together party favours

2. Get hair and nails did

3. Decorate ready for party

4. Wrap Leah's birthday presents (organised little poppet I am)

5. Clean front door entrance ready for party favours

6. Clean out/ re-organise the girl's clothes

7. Decide on cake and make

8. Take cake smash photos

9. Whole day Saturday prep for the party - clean, food, shop, last minute decorations

10. Snuggle the crap outta the husband that's back from 'Straya. 

That's right! Smashed it.... and although I haven't had lists, I've done a whole heap of stuff in between lists. Read about it tomorrow in Weekly 10, the sequel. Lol

Weekly 10 - A new week

I quite like doing the 'Weekly 10' in two posts - one to round up the last week and then outline the next. I did a smashing job with last week and this week is all about getting ready for our wee ones first birthday party on Sunday.

1. Put together part favours

2. Get hair and nails did

3. Decorate ready for party

4. Wrap Leah's birthday presents (organised little poppet I am)

5. Clean front door entrance ready for party favours

6. Clean out/ re-organise the girl's clothes

7. Decide on cake and make

8. Take cake smash photos

9. Whole day Saturday prep for the party - clean, food, shop, last minute decorations

10. Snuggle the crap outta the husband that's back from 'Straya.

Weekly 10

Phew! What a busy week. I haven't had time to blog, but did you notice how fast the turn around on this Weekly 10 is? 4 days!!! That's 4 days people. After streaks of 3 weeks I'm very proud of myself. PLUS I've even done things extra to the list, see below. Keeping in mind that I've had parent teacher interview two nights this week AND it's just me without my sidekick at home with the girls. THAT'S impressive... maybe it's the sidekick that takes up too much of my time usually? Or maybe I'm just trying to keep myself busy so that I don't miss him so much (3 1/2 more sleeps <3)

So, here's to how I did.

Productivity:
1.  Laminate and cut out things for Willow's birthday.
2.  Get cook books ready to sell.

3. Get baby books up to date - shutterfly ones and physical ones. 
I've completely got the digital books up to date, here they are for your paroosal. I've also decided to hold off on printing the photos that are needed for the physical ones as I will do them in one fell swoop after birthdays so I have everything I need. I have although, got all the needed photos on a memory card ready to go. *PROUD*

For the family:
4. Get through the week without dadda!
5.  Take Leah to choose and buy her 4th birthday bracelet charm.
I'm crossing this out now as it's planned for the weekend. Needed to do something productive while daddy was away. These littlies would drive me nuts if we stayed at home all weekend! LOL

Work and stuff...:
6. Finish making Gloss aligned maths resource.

7. Write plays blog post... when the videos hurry up and upload to drop box!
You can see it here.

Just for me:
8. Be kind to myself this week - it's a busy one and we're one man down at home!
9. Track eating on 'My fitness pal'.
Proud that I did this every day, even though my eating has been mediocre. I often stray away from tracking on days that I'm not super awesome with eating, but I've found that I've actually not done too bad this week! Yus!
10. Finish reading cross stitch.
I was happy to 'complete' my list with this goal 75% finished. I've begun watching 'Outlander' which is based on the book, and that's taken up some of my time. Still loving and enjoying the book also and didn't want to make it a chore by forcing myself to read when I also want to watch.

Other things that I have done this week include...
Updated Willow's 365
Listed cookbooks to sell
Lister make up to sell...and sold it

Weekly 10 has been somewhat of a disappointment of late. Don't worry, I'm super busy doing stuff... just not the stuff on my list. Lol, this last time in particular, which is why I've been skulking away and not doing the next list. Oh alright let's look at it...

Productivity:
1.  Christmas shopping list.
2.  Make a budget that makes saving a priority.
3. Get baby books up to date - shutterfly ones and physical ones.

For the family:
4. Day out to the movies and mini golf with Dadda and Leah.
5.  Enjoy spending time with our cousins at Savannah's 1st birthday

Work and stuff...:
6. Make maths games resource bundle.
7. Go to secret squirrel interview.

Just for me:
8. Conquer at least 20000 steps EVERY day.
9. Practise making curls using the hot iron
10. Read!

I don't know what I was so scared of. It's actually not that bad. One of the ones I haven't done I will add to this week as I'm halfway there. The one about the budget I'm going to defer until birthday season finishes in our house and although I haven't quite done 20000 steps a day, I have won my challenges on the fitbit. So I'll take that.

Onward!

Productivity:
1.  Laminate and cut out things for Willow's birthday.
2.  Get cook books ready to sell.
3. Get baby books up to date - shutterfly ones and physical ones.

For the family:
4. Get through the week without dadda!
5.  Take Leah to choose and buy her 4th birthday bracelet charm.

Work and stuff...:
6. Finish making Gloss aligned maths resource.
7. Write plays blog post... when the videos hurry up and upload to drop box!

Just for me:
8. Be kind to myself this week - it's a busy one and we're one man down at home!
9. Track eating on 'My fitness pal'.
10. Finish reading cross stitch.

30 before 30 progress report

I have wanted to do a progress report for some time, and now I've gotten around to doing it, a lot of the photos I wanted to use are potentially lost with a broken phone... hrmph.

In the meantime I will update what I can.

My sleeve got underway about a month ago and I'm SO happy with the start. I love it. Will be booking in time during the October holidays for installment #2 - a dream catcher.

 Of all my goals, the restaurant one has been the most pleasant I think. Lol. Albeit in competition with my goal to lose weight! I've lost many a photo of a few meals but have found these of my trip to Longroom in Ponsonby. What a yummy lunch!

We ordered a few plates to share - pork belly in miso sauce, hot wings, sliders and we also go salt and pepper squid (which I didn't get a photo of). The pork belly was to die for and even though I live about an hour out of Ponsonby, I would travel there happily for that dish alone. A very cool little place with very yummy food. Would highly recommend it to any and everyone.

I've also visited Red Earth. I do like the tapa style of eating, but felt like this place was over priced, especially considering where it is. In comparison to restaurants in town where I've had tapas in particular. The food was OK, I would have felt a lot better about it if it wasn't so over priced. I did like how the waitress looked after my little wriggler by offering a complimentary fluffy. She loved the chocolate fish! A very average meal though.

Weekly 10

Let's see how I went with my last list...
Productivity:
1.  Have a movie day next week when the weather is yuck (yes this is productive!)
2.  Sell the culled bits and pieces in the garage
3. Post it note some more of my cookbooks
4. Make two of the dishes for the 5 course gourmet meal

For the family:
5. Book in an area with Cornwall park for Leah's birthday
6. Take Leah to the movies to see inside out
Planned for this Friday!


Work and stuff...:
7. Make trial run of cupcakes for Nicola's 30th and take them to work for awesome homework kids.

Just for me:
8. Practise making curls using the hot iron
9. Have a great time and take lots of photos on our little trip to Rotorua - without the girls :D
10. Read!

Can't complain really. I need to get my A into G with this hair stuff of mine. Hmmmm. This week!

Productivity:
1.  Christmas shopping list.
2.  Make a budget that makes saving a priority.
3. Get baby books up to date - shutterfly ones and physical ones.

For the family:
4. Day out to the movies and mini golf with Dadda and Leah.
5.  Enjoy spending time with our cousins at Savannah's 1st birthday

Work and stuff...:
6. Make maths games resource bundle.
7. Go to secret squirrel interview.

Just for me:
8. Conquer at least 20000 steps EVERY day.
9. Practise making curls using the hot iron
10. Read!

A weekend away

And what a weekend! We had such a great time. I'm so happy to be able to do this...

...but the weekend was about so much more than just the caves, as cool and amazing as they were.

When looking into booking the caves I came across what is called the 'Middle Earth Trilogy Tour'. Considering the price for the caves we wanted to see alone was going to cost half of the whole trilogy tour, we decided to go for all three. We were SO glad we did. Before I go into my photos and how much I loved each place, let me just say, NZ does tourism RIGHT. It was so slick, so well done and all of the people we dealt with were amazing. I can't recommend it enough.

First stop...Waitomo Caves. The reason for the trip! In the eyes of the 30 before 30 anyway. We saw two caves - the Ruakuri and the Glow worm cave. Both limestone caves with stunning scenes in all directions.

The Ruakuri cave starts off with this sweet spiral entrance and then you're hit with some serious stalactite and stalagmite action. I found the caves really magical. It's like you've stepped into a completely different world. I'm a big fan of 'The clan of the cavebear' series and I often found myself thinking of it during the tour.

I'm in the middle of compiling my 40 before 40 list and will definitely be putting the Black Water Rafting experiences that are offered at the caves on that list. I was so enchanted by the place that I have to take everything they have to offer!

We also went into the glow worm caves, but you're not able to take photos in there. FYI you also see a few glow worms in the Rua Kuri cave with their icky little strands of fishing line spit. Amazing little creatures they are with their glowing poo.

Our second stop was Te Puia. Which has both a gigantic geothermal park as well as some cranking night life in the way of Maori performers. We attended 'Te Po' which is their 4 and a half hour night experience. Amaze balls. We spent an hour and a half looking at the geothermal doo dads and went into see their pepe kiwis in the kiwi house.

The cool part of Te Puia is that it's also a working Maori arts school so at the end of the tour we were able to go and have a look at their carving and weaving. For people like us who come from New Zealand it's really nothing new, but I'm sure for people over from other parts of the world, this sort of thing is really exciting to see. As is the Maori performance. Our group of 60 or so was 'welcomed' onto the marae by a group of performers and they were awesome. I wish I was more forward when taking photos because these aren't great, but to tell the truth. I was captivated by it and didn't want to watch the whole thing through my lens - which I have a tendency to do!

My husband will tell you that the best part of the trip was the dinner that Te Puia put on for us as part of the tour... and he's basically right. It's incredible. I was just expecting to get some hangi in a tin foil package, but oh no. Hangi cooked root veges and meat (lamb, chicken and pork), seafood, soups, yummy steamed pudding and pavlova desert. It was great! Just what we needed on a cold night. Nom!

Our last stop was Hobbiton.

 Was a cute wee place this was. I'm sure it would be even more spectacular if you were a huge fan (turns out neither of us are). Nevertheless is was a great tour.