Morning all. Sitting in Auckland public library with a nice upstairs view! Fine but with a crispness that Autumn is here. Just mucking around until classes at 1 but I have a nice Chickpea and Pumpkin Pilau to enjoy for lunch.

jcprotea - 2011-03-07 11:06:00

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elliehen - 2011-03-07 13:17:00

WAAA Not fair - I want to sit in the library so much I'm having withdrawal symptoms. Enjoy yourself jcprotea.

Juliewn, thanks for the refuge link, now my old cellphone and the dvd player I can no longer use 'cos the TV is munted, have a happy new home. Fortunately the worker whom I spoke to lives over this side of town so she will pick them up, along with a top-up card, after work.

I hate the fact that domestic violence goes up at time like this.

calista - 2011-03-07 13:21:00

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cookessentials - 2011-03-07 16:07:00

I'm happy to be adopted by firemen....

sumstyle - 2011-03-07 16:20:00

elliehen wrote:

jcprotea, why not post some of your favourite recipes in the Vegetarian Recip thread? I'll bump it closer for you.

I should. Just been a bit hectic last few days with uni and the like. The library has very slow internet though, glad I am back home for 5 mins to have an iceblock then go get my son from daycare.

jcprotea - 2011-03-07 16:44:00

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charlieb2 - 2011-03-07 17:01:00

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charlieb2 - 2011-03-07 17:04:00

I'm laughing Sumstyle and Charlie..

On my way home from Hamilton recently, I had a problem with smoke coming from under the bonnet of my car on the steep Kaimai Ranges road... long story short, out of the car, made a fast 111 call to the fire brigade. then rang my Miss 20, she contacted the AA for me, so they'd come to help.

Thankfully all was ok by the time the fire brigade arrived.. I sent a quick text to Jenni to let her know they were there and all was ok.. and got a text back saying:

'Are any of them hot?!!'

Lol.. The five men were all considerably older than she'd find interesting.. none were the hot young firemen she was imagining!

Thank goodness for my AA membership, and the man from Te Poi Motors who came to ensure all ok.. it turned out that too much transmission fluid had been put in the reservoir when my car was serviced, some dripped onto hot motor parts causing scary smoke coming out from under the bonnet.

juliewn - 2011-03-07 19:45:00

calista wrote:

WAAA Not fair - I want to sit in the library so much I'm having withdrawal symptoms. Enjoy yourself jcprotea.

Juliewn, thanks for the refuge link, now my old cellphone and the dvd player I can no longer use 'cos the TV is munted, have a happy new home. Fortunately the worker whom I spoke to lives over this side of town so she will pick them up, along with a top-up card, after work.

I hate the fact that domestic violence goes up at time like this.

Hi Calista.. I so agree with you.. they'll be thankful of your kindness and your gifts will be huge for a woman and her family who'll be needing support at this time.. x

juliewn - 2011-03-07 19:50:00

juliewn wrote:

I'm laughing Sumstyle and Charlie..

On my way home from Hamilton recently, I had a problem with smoke coming from under the bonnet of my car on the steep Kaimai Ranges road... long story short, out of the car, made a fast 111 call to the fire brigade. then rang my Miss 20, she contacted the AA for me, so they'd come to help.

Thankfully all was ok by the time the fire brigade arrived.. I sent a quick text to Jenni to let her know they were there and all was ok.. and got a text back saying:

'Are any of them hot?!!'

Lol.. The five men were all considerably older than she'd find interesting.. none were the hot young firemen she was imagining!

Fortunately I'm of an age where I can either go toyboy or sugar daddy, so of the 4 that came to remove my chimney in September 3 met the criteria! Then there's the actual likelihood that they have the strength to swing me into their arms if the need arose - very appealing.

sumstyle - 2011-03-07 21:30:00

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cookessentials - 2011-03-07 21:49:00

sumstyle wrote:

I'm happy to be adopted by firemen....

The sympathetic looks, nods, smiles, words & even hugs I've recieved from Policemen, Firemen, Soldiers, Civil Defence & Red Cross guys ... over the last week make me think I've been going about the dating thing all wrong!
These good kiwi blokes obviously like the damsel in distress thing lol ;)

winnie231 - 2011-03-07 22:29:00

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charlieb2 - 2011-03-07 23:31:00

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charlieb2 - 2011-03-07 23:33:00

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charlieb2 - 2011-03-07 23:35:00

winnie231 wrote:

The sympathetic looks, nods, smiles, words & even hugs I've recieved from Policemen, Firemen, Soldiers, Civil Defence & Red Cross guys ... over the last week make me think I've been going about the dating thing all wrong!
These good kiwi blokes obviously like the damsel in distress thing lol ;)

Male Nurses are good to add to your list Winnie....very understanding of our womanly needs and as you get older aches and pains.My Dad was in the Fire service 30+ years.....I must have him on ...

jbsouthland - 2011-03-08 04:49:00

Morning Morning Lovely Ladies and a special shout out to our lovely Charlie... so nice to see you back... was like there was something (or someone) missing when you were off line.

Life continues as normal with us in Auckland... and I still feel guilty about that.
We have been away to a lovely wedding in Whitianga on the weekend, we left straight from work Friday night and arrived home on Sunday afternoon. Fabulous venue http://www.ohukafarmlodge.co.nz/ and even the weather couldn't dampen the spirits. At 55 & 65 they truely have found their soulmates in each other.
And at work things are changing all around me...again... but in a good way, can tell you more when everything is "official".

Making a conscious effort to catch up on life this week, which means limiting computer time, seem to have got behind in many aspects... so off to do accounts now. Did 2 loads of washing last night and started on the "bomb Site" that is my bedroom. Hopefully by Friday I will be more caught up and have the weekend free.

Been keeping up my exercise but still haven't started back on my bike... seem to have a mental block as I know how hard it will be after such a long break... maybe tommorrow morning.. watch this space.

Have a great day everyone.... Hugs & Strength to those that need it... and if you need anything... just ask... its amazing what the universe comes up with.

Edited by toadfish at 5:33 am, Tue 8 Mar

toadfish - 2011-03-08 05:32:00

Morning all,
toady - right now I'm asking the universe for one of the Fiji escapes on offer for earthquake victims ... but when I looked at the details online ... the $50 flights each way turn into nearly $400 with taxes :-/ and no mention anywhere of which hotels are offering free accommodation!
Think I'll continue my 'holiday' in Mum's spare room lol! It comes with a free cat :-)

winnie231 - 2011-03-08 09:01:00

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cookessentials - 2011-03-08 09:40:00

Sounds like you need a couple of the 'press on/press off' battery powered lights I was talking about yesterday in the shop Pam.
I don't think I have my 1st aid kit but I have more sorting to do today. If you can imagine 3 people running high on adrenalin tossing things into rubbish bags as fast as possible while trying to avoid being cut by glass & hoping the next shake wouldn't come before we were out ... that was us on Sunday at the flat.
Not something I ever want to repeat!

winnie231 - 2011-03-08 09:55:00

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cookessentials - 2011-03-08 10:24:00

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cookessentials - 2011-03-08 10:25:00

Yipee I might *might* have hot water by Sunday!

*sends living thoughts to the electrician who might be able to come here on Friday* (hope he used to be a fireman )

sumstyle - 2011-03-08 15:13:00

The wee supermarket and the post shop just down the road are open!!! Meanwhile the Paper Plus at Ferrymead is now selling milk and bread,

My fave cafe in Ferrymead won't be open for another couple of weeks though.

Fingers crossed for the plumber sumstyle.

calista - 2011-03-08 18:13:00

calista wrote:

The wee supermarket and the post shop just down the road are open!!! Meanwhile the Paper Plus at Ferrymead is now selling milk and bread,

My fave cafe in Ferrymead won't be open for another couple of weeks though.

Fingers crossed for the plumber sumstyle.

Thanks calista. Which is your favourite cafe - is it Metro? O please I hope not. Metro in the city has sustained damage and is inside the cordon. Metro Ferrymead have superb staff, lovely coffee and their nutty prune slice...o my.

sumstyle - 2011-03-08 18:25:00

Metro in Ferrymead is my favourite cafe too ... I love the gluten free ginger and pistachio slice, and they make beautiful coffee. The staff there are delightful. We just had a 4.3 aftershock about an hour ago, centred near Kidson Tce in Cashmere, felt it very strongly here. About to have a nice restorative cup of tea ... :-)

2halls - 2011-03-08 23:23:00

Waves a cheery good morning to everyone.

Sounds like another rocky night for Christchurch... I would imagine it feels a little like life is on hold... or are things more normal than we imagine.. I would imagine 2 young boys keep you grounded Charlie.

Well I ticked another job off my list this morning... have decided to take the "Small steps" approach to my back log, so feeling very smug and satisfied to tick something else off the list this morning.

Have a great day all. JBx

toadfish - 2011-03-09 07:08:00

Morning all,
that 4.3 shake reduced me to a puddle of tears again ... I'm in Barrington & it felt like it was just about under my bed! A rotten nights sleep. I try and tell myself that I'm ok but the irrational overides the rational ...
Atleast I'm not having to cope with kids like charlieb, although I know her boys are little troopers :)
Kia kaha people, Rae xx

winnie231 - 2011-03-09 07:46:00

Heavens Winnie you are not being irrational - given what you've been through it would be irrational if the aftershocks weren't getting to you! You have been so brave and positive about starting again. I still have times when tears are not far away and that IS irrational because we have suffered so little that I feel quite guilty. Have baked, gathered baby and other stuff and donated money but it still feels pathetically little when I wake up with power, water and a flushing loo and go to my undamaged office with my similarly blessed colleagues. Kia Kaha to you and as soon as you start to need stuff again we'll be there for you.

greerg - 2011-03-09 08:38:00

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charlieb2 - 2011-03-09 09:08:00

I'm escaping to Akaroa for today and tomorrow.

Winnie, Charlie is right. Please be at least as kind to yourself as you are to others. I'd like to be in contact with you wahen I get back - Toadfish has my number, as ( I think ) does Charlie. My hearing makes voice calls on the cell difficult, but I can txt you my home home phone.

I've decided the T shirt *I* would design would be - "Be of good courage and cry when you need to." as I think not crying isn't helpful (even if people have to do it after the children have gone to bed),

calista - 2011-03-09 09:35:00

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cookessentials - 2011-03-09 09:41:00

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cookessentials - 2011-03-09 09:44:00

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herika - 2011-03-09 10:10:00

Have just had an email saying that the Ministry of Social Development have contracted World Vision to do a community needs assessment. The first stage is to have teams of volunteers door-knocking in damaged suburbs and finding out exactly what individual families are needing. They need volunteers on Friday and Saturday. May be a way of getting to people in the Eastern suburbs who have received little help yet and have minimal access to even total necessities.

greerg - 2011-03-09 11:06:00

Thankyou luvly peoples ... you're going to reduce me to tears again!
I swing between wanting to run away and start again - again lol ... and saying no - this isn't going to beat me, I'll stick it out and get there ... with a little (actually alot) of help.
I'm thinking of opening a new bank account for myself (my own little earthquake recovery fund), where I can start to put small amounts aside while I'm living in the caravan, so I can slowly build up enough to eventually be able to buy whiteware & furniture and get myself back into a proper home. I think realistically though, the caravan will be home for atleast the next 6mths ... I'll make it my cosy haven :)
I don't know if you realise how much the moral support I get here means to me ... a huge hug & thankyou to you all! Rae xx

winnie231 - 2011-03-09 11:22:00

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cookessentials - 2011-03-09 11:23:00

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cookessentials - 2011-03-09 11:26:00

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cookessentials - 2011-03-09 12:00:00

Hi winnie ... you say you are in Barrington currently, well I am really near you. If you want to meet for a coffee or need any sort of moral support, please say. I know how frightening the aftershocks are, I basically didn't sleep a wink last night :-)

2halls - 2011-03-09 12:44:00

2halls - it would be lovely to meet you! Cooke, toadfish & charlieb all have my contact details ... or trademe cooks facebook page.

winnie231 - 2011-03-09 13:10:00

I'm not on facebook, but I know cookessentials, so I will email her and ask for your contact details. She can check on here that you've said it's okay :-)

2halls - 2011-03-09 13:15:00

I've done that winnie, and I've given her my details so she may email them to you :-) Big shake just now ... yicky

2halls - 2011-03-09 13:20:00

.....and Rae, I haven't forgotten you either. Distance-wise we are close by too as I'm in Halswell and I do intend to phone you within the next day or so in the hope that we can meet up and see how I can help. Our DD who returned to Wellington yesterday is also very keen to help. Oops, just shaken again so hope you're ok - I'll text you my landline number so you can easily phone if you want to talk. :-))

245sam - 2011-03-09 13:22:00

Not much wonder it stirred us up, it was a 4.1, 8 km deep and in the Huntsbury Ave area. Hope everyone is ok. :-))

245sam - 2011-03-09 13:41:00

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cookessentials - 2011-03-09 13:59:00

Would you believe it_ missed the bus whaich I thought left at 10.30 - it was 10.00!

So tomorrow I'm going to Arthur's Pass tomorrow.

Hey - don't forget me if you're meeting up. Barrington is within biking distance for me, as is Riccarton.

calista - 2011-03-09 16:26:00

I have some phonecalls to make in the morning ... hopefully I'll be functioning a bit better then.
Thankyou ladies :-)

winnie231 - 2011-03-09 20:04:00

Hi Winnie - is it OK if I email Cookessentials re your contact details too please?

greerg - 2011-03-09 20:44:00