Rochelle Elliot's Blog: The World of WellyChelle, page 6
November 13, 2013
A work in progress…
Writing is what I call my work, but what then do I call the other stuff that goes on in my life? Because it’s hard work as well, and requires a multitude of skills, lighting quick reflexes, time management and prioritisation, as well as general knowledge, economics and risk taking.
This is what I’m talking about.
6.45am Personal Shopper
Woken by 6 year old alarm clock carrying the Toy World Catalogue.
Apparently a 6 year old truly cannot have too many car tracks. Because they have made a micro track. It’s different from the Hot Wheels track. And the Cars Track. And the other Cars Track. And anyway, apparently it’s not up to me. It’s up to Santa. He can make all kinds of stuff. So there.
6.55am Doctor / Nurse / Physio
9 Year Old’s foot shoved up my nose (because I don’t have my glasses on)
Discussion ensues regarding the need for the ankle support.
It’s itchy.
Then don’t wear it.
But my ankle hurts.
Then wear it.
6.59am Life Coach and Anti-Bullying Campaigner.
Advise children that am going to the shower. Insist they speak nicely to each other.
Do not fight. Do not touch each other.
7-705am – personal hygiene time. Multi-tasked with practise of possible future job at Roulette table at Casino.
A child (hard to distinguish which as shower door steamed up and not wearing glasses) calls out a sentence that starts with Can I. Other words are muffled under the noise of the water. Judgement call. Do I answer Yes or No. Consider ‘Maybe’ but realise this will just prolong the child speaking words I can’t hear.
Feeling the odds are in my favour. Go with Yes.
Child leaves bathroom without complaining. This is good but could also be monumentally bad. Also, said child leaves bathroom door wide open.
7.10am Hair and Make-up artist.
Stare in mirror while blow drying hair and check for grey hairs. Hold skin back around eyes and pretend I am 21 again.
Small child comes to find out what I am doing.
7.11am Chef.
Do not put cheese in one child’s lunch box.
Do not put Banana in other child’s lunch box.
Provide multiple toast toppings and cut bread in requested shapes.
7.13am Comedian.
Put carrot sticks in both children’s lunch box and tell them to eat them first.
7.20am Personal Stylist and Meteorologist
Point out howling rain and wind outside windows. Explain that am not actually responsible for the weather and do not have any control over turning off the rain.
Create outfit for 6 year old that meets requests for short sleeves and shows supportiveness of one of many countries sporting teams and clubs.
Discuss benefits of warm arms over people being able to see Angry Birds singlet. Point out that Messi does not in fact wear an angry birds t-shirt over his Barcelona team kit.
Acknowledge 6 year olds strength at overcoming southerly wind and rain problem by pulling Barcelona soccer socks up over knees to middle of thighs and covering with his shorts, therefore eliminating need for track pants.
7.30am Childcare professional.
Welcome in nephews. Ask if they slept well. Put more toast in toaster. Wave sister off to work.
7.35am Health advisor
Hand out first plaster of the morning.
Take control of the sugar jar and monitor sugar sprinkling on Weetbix while yelling at the cat to stop her peeing on the carpet.
7.40am Education Support worker. Speed Eater. Responsible Parent.
Eat marmite toast while listening to 6 year old read about Father Bears surprise and fill in notices for class trip that wasn’t for ages but appears to be tomorrow.
7.55am Dental Hygienist. Behaviour Modification Specialist. Vocal projectionist.
Yell louder than the four children trying to brush their teeth all at the same time. Send three children out to the other room. Yell at cat who is once again trying to pee on the carpet. Chase cat around the lounge room until she finally, begrudgingly, goes out into rain.
Yell at three children to get back in the bathroom and brush their teeth.
Not at the same time.
8.05am Childcare professional.
Provide 6 year old with lesson in being responsible and independent.
Ask child to find shoes.
Remove rugby ball from child.
Ask child to find shoes.
Remove other rugby ball from child.
Ask child to find shoes.
Remove hula hoop from child.
8.10am Team building exercise.
Join other children in watching small child hula hoop. Watch each of the other three children hula hoop.
8.15am Hide and seek. Time management.
Hide hula hoop.
Find 6 year Old’s shoes.
Shove shoes on child’s feet.
8.20am Hair dresser
Provide ‘spikes’ in upward and inward fashion as requested.
Brush child’s hair and put in pretty headband. Brush over knots to make it look smooth and cared for.
Glance at desk and see notice instructing that nits are going round the classroom.
Call child back and hastily shove in pony tail. Use hairspray to hold in place. Do not feel bad about cloud of chemical stickiness because apparently nits don’t like it. The googles says so.
8.25am Exercise facilitator. Gardener.
Send children outside to shoot hoops while throw washing on line. Run out of pegs. Dig in between weeds in garden to find extra. Dust dirt off.
8.30am Vocal Projectionist.
Get in car
Get in car
Get in the car.
Don’t forget your bag.
Have you got lunch box.
Get in the car.
Put the balls away.
Away I said.
No not there.
Away.
Get in the car.
Have you got your bag?
8.40am Relay Practise of Olympics.
Run back to house for some ones bag.
Run back to house for notices.
Run back to house for drink bottle.
Run back to house for cell phone and hand bag.
Run back to house because cat has snuck back in.
8.45am Taxi Driver.
drive out of garage.
8.45am Vehicle Safety Inspector.
Stop car and assist with seat belt securing.
8.46am Taxi Driver.
Drive car down driveway.
8.46am Vehicle Safety Inspector.
Pull over to side of road. Children opening and slamming doors open shut while establishing which one not shut properly. Get out of car and shut boot properly.
8.51am Beater of the School Bell.
Shuttle kids out of car. Open boot and fire bags at children.
No we are not late.
You will be fine.
Off you go.
Walk quickly.
Quickly.
Okay run. Not too fast. Don’t fall over.
8.54am Parenting and Childcare Expert.
Always leave on happy note.
Have a lovely day guys.
Have fun.
Love you.
Wave kindly from top of ramp in hopes of fooling other parents into believing how organised you are.
9am. Tea Lady.
9.05am Writer.
Feel free to like this post if you’re a parent responsible for getting any small creature out of the house each morning!!!!
Tagged: children, mornings, school run, stay at home dad, stay at home mum
October 10, 2013
The voice of reason…
Ashton dressed himself this morning in his usual eclectic style; basket ball boots, knee High socks, football shorts, a back the front thermal and a brown and yellow T-shirt.)
Ashton (standing before me in all his glory) “Is this okay what I’m wearing? Dad says I have to check with you.”
Me: Thumbs up, nodding of head.
Ashton (skipping away). “She actually said yes Dad! I don’t believe it. I think her brain might be broken.”
It’s not actually my brain, though who knows. The lad might be on to something! I’m actually on day three of laryngitis. I’ve been barely able to whisper for the last 24 hours, but am able to make some sound now so things are looking up!
The last three days I have been attempting not to use my voice unless absolutely necessary. Made a bit more tricky since it’s school holidays. Thankfully my Mum took the kids to the movies with their cousins yesterday, then home for an afternoon play with Grandad.
And today my hubby has dropped them at his Mum and Dad’s for a bit of Grannie and Bump adventure time in their new house (they just shifted in last weekend!)
With Aidan off to work, and my nephews arriving before school during term time, it is usually my job in the morning to sort stuff out and move people along. But with no voice, it’s very hard to engage in detailed negotiations in the usual morning areas – breakfast choices, television and electronics time, and what people are wearing.
With less immediate involvement, my main goal has been not to have to talk much, and with just a few reminders to myself that I do not always need to be in the middle making things happen, I relinquished my usual level of involvement and control, and a peculiar looking little boy went to his Grannie and Bump’s house happy and carefree!
Not a bad way to end the holidays!
Though he’s not happy with the way his hair sticks up in the morning. He thinks he might like hair like his dads (a number one.) But then a bee might sting him on the head. And in the summer he would have to wear a hat all the time so his head didn’t get burned. Apparently the other year he got a sunburned foot and it’s really sore.
Tagged: control, decision making, fashion, laryngitis
October 1, 2013
A stitch in time…
Ashton’s year of living dangerously continued last week when he head butted an unsuspecting chair.
Our lovely Doctor sewed him up and glued up the bit on the side, and we’ve been conscientiously applying antibiotic cream and keeping his eyes clean for a week.
Today is the day we get to have the stitches taken out. Then he gets special tape over the scar for the next few weeks to hopefully minimise the scaring.
He’s been told that two broken arms and stitches is probably enough for one year, We suggested he avoid any dramas for a few months. He says he’ll try.
Tagged: child, stitches
September 28, 2013
Winning at loosing
When Team New Zealand took the start, it seemed like it might be possible. If all of New Zealand could have released the breaths we were holding, and collectively pushed our lads that little bit faster, we would have.
But we couldn’t.
We are gutted, but at the same time we are so proud of the men and women who have given their all to this campaign, that have worked tirelessly, against the odds, to get our boat and our boys across that finish line first.
It wasn’t to be. But what remains true, is that we are proud of the manner in which our kiwi contingent have raced, have conducted themselves, and have fought to the very last.
In the end, Oracle’s boat was faster. The commentators have varied opinions on the technology that made this possible, but the fact is, against automated foiling, Team New Zealand worked their manual system to the absolute best of their abilities, and very nearly almost came away with the cup.
But the wind gods were not on our side a few times, and when it came down to the final race, Oracle took the spoils.
But anyone who watched coverage of the Team New Zealand crew on the telly will have seen how truly heart-broken Dean Barker and his team were. Those shots of Dean fighting his emotion as he sailed that magnificent black boat back, one last time, were enough to make the hardest kiwi cry.
But in place of the finger pointing and grumpiness that usually comes with a national sports team not bringing home the bacon, we have a nation of people standing tall and proud behind OUR Team New Zealand, and an out pouring of pride and awe at the level of resilience the team showed, and the incredible honesty and dignity they have shown throughout the journey they have taken their country on.
Yes we are broken-hearted. But we, as a country, want every sailor and family member and shore crew member and sponsor to know how proud we are of their effort. How they have taken us on a roller coaster ride the last month, and we don’t want that to end.
In our hearts we know this is not the end of the story.
As a country we are fired up, we are standing ready for the next battle. On Facebook people are posting photos of their red ribbons to welcome home our Team New Zealand, and offer ideas and money and their commitment for the next campaign.
So all of New Zealand can stand proud. To the victor goes the spoils. We may not have the cup, but all of New Zealand are showing the world that the Kiwi spirit and resilience and strength are what makes us a great nation.
It’s times like this I am proud to be a Kiwi!
http://www.sirpeterblaketrust.org/support-us/buy-red-socks/
Tagged: Americas Cup, Dean Barker, Oracle, Red Socks, Sailing, Team New Zealand
September 25, 2013
Geriatric Jostling
This afternoon I made a quick trip in to the supermarket for bread and veg.
I had a pounding headache and the bright lights weren’t helping. I was keen to get out as quickly as possible.
I parked my basket in a quiet queue, but the supermarket gods were obviously busy eating buns in the bakery department, because I found myself in a sudden senior citizen squeeze.
The little old lady in front was having a wee bit of bother, finding it a bit fiddudly trying to tell her visa from her library card. I often have the same problem so I used the time to make sure my own cards were ready to roll.
But coming up behind me were two old ladies with more spunk than Jimmy Spittle. Barely waiting for me to put the divider between our items, the front guard started stacking her loo rolls, while bumping me forward with her plaid skirt covered bottom. The rear guard was only slightly taller than the handle of the trolly, her white fluffy hair and thick glasses just visible as she shunted forward every few seconds, so I eventually ended up so close to the lady in front of me I could have climbed in her hand bag with her avon lipstick and her 55 store cards.
They were still nudging me off their line while I attempted to put my PIN number in – and let’s face it, by now they were running that checkout with age and experience on their side.
I checked out their groceries… I wanted to see what supplies these supermarket seniors were stocking up on…
Panty liners, sucrol, sugar free drink sachets and lavender fabric softener.
The stuff that gives senior citizens their super powers? All I know is two old ladies owned me today.
Never under estimate the power of the purple rinse!
Tagged: elderly, shopping, Supermarket
September 23, 2013
Still leaning with you Team NZ!
I got out my old photo album to show the kids the photos of the ticker tap parade last time Team NZ won the Americas Cup Yacht Race.
Click to view slideshow.
I can still remember skipping school for the day and we lined up with the other fans on Lambton Quay, happy just for a glimpse of those mustard yellow jackets.
It feels like all of New Zealand are holding their breath right now. There’s a dogged determination in us all to see this through. Twitter and Facebook feeds full of angst -
if we’re feeling like this, imagine what it’s like on the boat?
I’m enchanted with the boats. The way the lads skip across the mesh and slide into position, grinding their way up and down past Alcatraz, the city of San Fransisco forgotten for 40 minutes while the magnificent sails of Emirates Team New Zealand and Oracle Team USA fill the sky line, helicopters buzzing by to beam shots into our living rooms, where we sit on the edge of our couches, cups of tea forgotten, finger nails chewed and children told to shhhh.
http://www.sirpeterblaketrust.org/support-us/buy-red-socks/
Red socks on, schedules adjusted to fit the morning sailing. Children pushed into school early, “love you but I have to get back home!” or shuffling in after the bell has rung. It’s not our fault. Wind delays.
Layline…Starboard…Tacking…Jiving…Code zero.. flood tides…Time limits… Foiling! Match Point!
Image Credit: TVNZ
We are digging deep and leaning with our team. Praying to our sporting gods that Dean Barker and the boys will bring the cup home.
How I would love let my kids skip school and stand tall on tippy toes in the crowd, to see the Cup sail past.
But for now – we’ll keep
leaning
Tagged: Americas Cup, Red Socks, Team New Zealand, Yacht Race
September 22, 2013
Done with dithering part one: Garage Sale
Hello Chickens.
I dither a lot. Something I have dithered most spectacularly over, for the longest time, is whether to have a garage sale.
It’s one of those things you think hmm, is it worth it? Will people come? Will they want to trudge up my driveway for treasures?
I’ve dithered about the weather – what if it rains?
I have asked various people and they have returned with a wide range of responses… from go for it, to don’t be daft.
In the end it is the enormous pile of stuff I have cleared out of the kids rooms and the cupboards and dumped in the conservatory over the last few weeks that has moved me from dither to doing.
This Saturday I am going to sell stuff, as well as a few cupcakes. I’ll give away some copies of Lighthouse Love and hopefully we’ll get our conservatory back again!
Tagged: Books, Cupcakes, Garage Sale, Lower Hutt, Toys, Wellington
September 19, 2013
The 19th of September is a great date because:
120 years ago, in 1893, Women in New Zealand were the first in the world to be awarded the right to vote.
“We are tired of having a ‘sphere’ doled out to us, and of being told that anything outside that sphere is ‘unwomanly’. We want to be natural just for a change … we must be ourselves at all risks.”
Kate Sheppard
71 years ago, in 1942, Williamina Gilchrist Milne (my Grannie) gave birth to her first child, William James Milne (my Dad.)
And 9 years ago, in 2004, I gave birth to Isabelle Katherine Ruby Elliot, my first child.
“It’s always good to remember where you come from and celebrate it. To remember where you come from is part of where you’re going.”
Anthony Burgess
Tagged: birthday, Kate Sheppard, Vote, Women's Franchise
September 15, 2013
WellyChelle Writer retreat
Last week I left the little ones in my sister’s capable hands and disappeared up the North Island to break out of the every day and get some writing done without the distractions of normal every day life.
My husband was going to be geeking it up at TechEd NZ during the day, so there would be plenty of time to fill my pages with prose.
However. The children had spent the two previous weeks dragging random virus’s through the house, so it was inevitable that I would eventually contract something. The fact my body chose to do this the night before my four days off, was less that ideal. I imagine some Greek God was up on a cloud having a hearty laugh at my expense!
However, if you are going to be feeling a bit hot and cold and tired and headache ridden… a lovely hotel with room service isn’t a bad place to be!
I slept for most of the first 24 hours, then started to feel better, and ventured out – even in the rain, down to the Viaduct where I found a lovely cafe to do some writing and ginger crunch eating!
I found the Auckland City Library, and joined the students who were busy talking Microbiology and geography while I tapped away, sending my characters off dancing the Viennese Waltz!
I snooped around Smith and Caughy’s and admired their range of Kitchen Aid mixers, though they did not have any as nice as my Pinkerbelle!
I found a very cool Japanese shop – 3 for $10, and got Belle’s some little things for her birthday this coming Thursday.
I watched Dr Phil send a 17 year old to Wilderness Camp.
I ate fruit toast every morning and we had hot chips from room service every night.
Aidan came back to the hotel from Tech Ed with lollies and some interesting things… hence the orange stylish glasses in the photo!
And even with all of that, I managed to get five more chapters into my story, and an afternoon of research under my belt!
Back home now.
There are blossoms on the trees and the day light is lasting longer…
Summer is just around the corner, and hopefully, with a little luck and a lot of hard work, my new book will be too!
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Have you got your copy of Lighthouse Love yet?
Lucy leaves London, bidding farewell to her ballet career and failed romance.
Half way around the globe she lands in New Zealand, and begins her kiwi adventure in a pub on the Wellington Waterfront. It’s busy, so Lucy offers to share her table. There’s Georgie and her slimy boyfriend Felix. Fran and her husband Jamie.
And ther e is Ethan, who squeezes in beside her with a cider and a smile.
Ethan fills Lucy’s life with lust and laughter, and a trip to Pencarrow lighthouse might prove the potential for a happily ever after. But Ethan does not mention his dream job in Dubai, and Lucy is reluctant to bring up the mess she left in London. Neither wishes to sully the clear blue sky and the fresh sea breeze, with worries from the past or concerns about the future.
But when Ethan’s sexy-ex reveals his secret job plans, and Ethan discovers Lucy’s deception, it’s the perfect storm.
Strong winds and rough seas are forecast. Can Lucy and Ethan fight through the storm and find some solid ground?
Lighthouse love is a whimsical tale of real love, the kind the that comes with sexy slappers, ex-husbands and more baggage than a cab load of Kardashian’s!
Lighthouse Love is available on:
Apple iBooks
Tagged: auckland, hotel, writing
September 3, 2013
Were there people in 2001?
Where did people come from?
This was the question asked on Sunday morning by Ashtie Smashtie.
I had printed out this picture for my Dad and turned it into a Father’s Day card in homage to our Scottish heritage. This made a very quick explanation of evolution possible. Finishing up with “and then they all played the bagpipes!”
Today produced a new question. “We’re there people in 2001?”
“Yes Ashtie, evolution began in 2001,” I said.
“Wow, that’s ages ago!” He said, “they must have all been babies!”
I guess when you’re born in 2007, 2001 seems quite bizarre. Wait till I tell him I was born in 1978…
The World of WellyChelle
- Rochelle Elliot's profile
- 3 followers
