A tag

My friend Jenny tagged me to tell you 10 of my husband's favorite things. After censoring the less family-friendly answers, this is what I got out of him. *snort* I asked why his family wasn't on the list and he said, "Well you said favourite things."

1. Photography - well this one was obvious. He's a landscape/wildlife person. Doesn't do people or street photography type stuff. Tends to the more traditional end of the spectrum in terms of style and doesn't think too much of overworked Photoshopped-to-the-nth-degree type stuff. Which makes it interesting because it seems like the PSNZ is tending towards that sort of stuff when it gives out awards these days. He would love to have more time to explore this hobby. *aside* It amuses me that the 3 guys I had relationships with (and married one of them), all were into photography. In fact one of them now owns a glamour photography business.
   
2. Big white lens - a lust after item! He does have one BWL, but he'd like a bigger one to get up close and personal to birds with.
   
3. Computers/ gadgets - he's really good at electronics stuff (it's his job) so luckily for me he can do some useful things when the computer dies.
   
4. Music - he plays the piano, the piano accordion and is teaching himself the guitar. He listens to music regularly.
   
5. Food - his tastes have expanded as he has got older and upon leaving home.
   
6. Birds (the feathered kind) - particularly natives.
   
7. The bush - this is his happy place. Whereas I'm a beach/water person, he prefers the bush.
   
8. Trains - where do you think DS got his obsession from!? He's planning to build a model train one day.
   
9. Chocolate - dark of course, like me ;)
   
10. Coffee - he makes a really good flat white, as good as any barista. He scorns these machines that do all the work for you and has one that requires his input. It really spoils me for anything else! LOL!
    

Tagged x 2!

themommykelly tagged me ages ago to do this one... She writes:

We’re blogging all about five gifts we would make to ourselves for Christmas if we had unlimited income.

So these are my thoughts!
1. Since charity begins at home I'd be looking to my family first. I'd like to set my parents up with some income for their retirement because I do worry about when they will be living on pensions. I'd be giving some to my sisters to do what they wish with it. And for my own little family, we'd be getting a bigger house more suited to our lifestyle (i.e. 4 bedrooms, 2 living areas and good indoor/outdoor flow). Preferably one that is sustainable - built with things like solar power, green insulation, grey water recycling systems etc. Oh, and I'd be ditching the x-craft (my car) for something a bit roomier.

2. I'd be giving some donations to the Pindrop Foundation. This charity is one that isn't too well known (I think) and it's not ..uh .. trendy like some others.

Pindrop was set up to raise awareness and funds for cochlear implants (bionic ears) and to draw attention to issues relating to hearing loss.

Over 400 people in New Zealand have received a cochlear implant since 1986. It has been estimated that there are over 400,000 hearing impaired New Zealanders, 4000 of whom could possibly benefit from a cochlear implant and yet a good many of these people aren't aware that the option exists for them to consider.

The funding for cochlear implants is not that great and so some people (including Alice, a friend of mine) have to wait, and wait, and wait until they can have it done.

3. I like to invest in some companies that are trying to make a difference in terms of the third bottom line - their environmental impact and other ethical considerations.

4. I'd like to travel with my family to places overseas.

5. I'd tell DH to ditch his job so he can go back and train to do what he really is interested in. And I'd get him the BWL he wants, just because. BWL=big white lens.

My online friend Jenny tagged me to blog 5 things about myself that people don't know.
1. I get motion sick quite easily. Especially on planes. Makes it tricky when traveling overseas. I'm the one checking for the existence of the barf bag.
2. I love words but hate crosswords! I like looking at dictionaries and etymology.
3. I like to play Cranium, Trivial Pursuit & Pictionary. But only with intelligent people.
4. I used to do karate.
5. I would like to swim naked in the sea. (heh heh) Clear the beach!!!

Looks like I've been tagged by themommykelly - go check out her photos :)

I shall try not to have food items for all of the letters though it is usually what comes to mind first when I think of words!

A - pile of laundry awaits my attention in the lounge room. *sigh*
B - books. Well what did you expect from a librarian? Come on!
C - Cranium is a board game I like to play but only with people who can answer the questions.
D - my maiden name and my surname begins with it. So convenient that my initials didn't change.
E - elementary my dear Watson. I like reading mystery stories, crime and adventure.
F - Flanders and Swann. Make me laugh. Especially their Gnu song.
G - geckos. I am fond of them and collect them. I have 2 gecko stamps, a ceramic one for my wall, a beautiful ornamental one in it's box waiting for the time when I finally have a china cabinet. I also like dragonflies.
H - have a cup of coffee? Sure! Especially if it's Atomic coffee.
I - ice cream. Sorry. But I had to have it for this letter. Favourite.
J - Jahangir. Am reading a fictionalised story of this emperor right now. Or more particularly his wife. I really want to visit India before I die.
K - "K-K-Katy, beautiful Katy you're the only g-g-g-girl that I adore". My mum used to sing this song.
L - lounge room. Laundry. See A.
M - motherhood is probably the hardest job I ever did but the one I do with the most love.
N - nearly finished!
O - fortuna... from Carmina Burana. I once saw Uwe Grodd conduct this at a graduation festival. The hairs on my arms literally stood on end.
P - First letter of my name. I was going to be called Amanda Gail until my parents saw me when born. Then they decided I didn't look like Amanda and was called Penelope. Most people call me Penny though.
Q - questions, questions, questions... what I get from DS.
R - Rusty. Is sitting here beside me. He is DS's favourite at present.
S - singing. I love to sing and have sung in choirs throughout my life. Should like to do so again one day.
T - Tanekaha, celery pine, Phyllocladus trichomanoides one of the few latin names I remember from my botany days.
U - underwear. I do wear it. I'm sure you're pleased to know that.
V - vacillate. I am a chronic fence sitter. I most often see both sides of an argument.
W - waiting for me. Laundry. In the lounge room. See A.
X - x-craft. What I named my first car, a Mazda hatchback. So called because I could reach all parts from the driver's seat! LOL! All subsequent cars are now named x-craft in memory. DH used to call it the Rustang.
Y - younger sisters. I've got two of them.
Z - zzzz... my kids are sleeping at the moment.

Now I know my A,B,C's
Let me think, yes, I'll tag thee
(if you feel like it of course!)

Shell
Kristen
CW

Name tag

I've been tagged by Ilka :)
1. Players must list one fact, word, or tidbit that is somehow relevant to their life for each letter of their first or middle name.
2. When you are tagged you need to write your own post containing your first or middle name game facts, word, or tidbit.
3. At the end of your post choose one person for each letter of your name to tag.
4. Don’t forget to leave a comment telling them that they have been tagged, and to read your blog.
5. If I’ve tagged YOU (see below), please join in on the fun!

P - passionate about many things; family, crafts, food, education - the list could go on.
E - embroidery - still love this but it's taken a back burner for a while. Might take it up again when the kids are older.
N - naturally inclined to try and please people which can be rewarding but also can mean I forget about more important things or get frustrated when it isn't appreciated.
N - naughty. sometimes. ;)
Y - (uummm... this is hard) Younger by 1 year than my husband. Ok - I know that one isn't very interesting but I can't think of anything else!

I think I will tag Sharon and Tara.

A tisket a tagit

I've been tagged by Ruth! :-) These tag thingies remind me of the stuff we used to do at school with our friends.

My roommate and I once: ate a "midnight feast" which consisted on pickled onions, chips and licorice bullet lollies. eeeuw!

Never in my life have I: been to a tropical island.

High school was : a mixture of great times and some big time cringe factor moments! LOL!

When I’m nervous : bite nails, jiggle my legs, pee a lot

My hair : is getting darker as I get older. I used to be much blonder.

When I was 5 : I was living in England and went to Primrose Hill Primary School. I had a friend called Anunga who was from Africa - we used to feel each other's hair. Mine was long and blonde, his was tight black curls.

When I turn my head left : I see the laundry on the clothes horse and a pile of scrapbooks.

I should be : doing housework or scrapbooking or sewing

By this time next year : I'll be another year older.

My favorite aunt is : is not really my aunt but a close family friend.

I have a hard time understanding : some maths concepts

You know I like you if : I tease you

My ideal breakfast is : Hmmm.... that depends. Yoghurt and muesli is good. Can't go past Toast and Vegemite either. Porridge is good especially with naughty cream and brown sugar. But I wouldn't say no to bacon, egg and pancakes either.

If you visit my home town : you won't find it hard to get a decent coffee

If you spend the night at my house: Small boy might get into bed with you

My Favorite blonde is : my family

My favorite brunette is : my family

The animal I would like to see flying besides birds : pigs? Nah... imagine the mess on your windscreen.

I shouldn’t have been : spending money

Last night I: Went to bed round about 10ish and Small Girl woke me at 1am for a feed.

A better name for me would be : Hey! Small Boy called me a Good Mummy today.

I’ve been told I look like : Brooke Shields - it's the wide mouth ;-)

If I could have any car, it would:be so much better than the one I drive now!!!!