My Boy - HIS blog... Introducing Entering The Ring...

Hi Folks...

Im writing today, in the hope youll drop by to check out my sons new blog.
Its called ENTERING THE RING, and he is blogging so he can express how he feels about life in Christchurch, write some book reviews, (hes an avid reader), and lots more.
His blog begins with his autobiography, which he has done for part of his school homework... So please, if you get a chance, pop across to his blog and have a read. He has LOTS of photos to come, and hes an entertaining chap mostly *grin*... Ok, Im probably quite biased...But he really will appreciate your taking the time to have a look!

Sniffling...
Weve all got a rather nasty sneezy, snotty cold at the moment. It knocked us all for a six this weekend, but Im picking the worst is over for Mr 11 and he will be back into it tomorrow. Miss 5 slept for almost sixteen hours, and woke blocked up, so here we go again. Its a strange time of year to get sick, no?

Weird Weather
Weve had the weirdest weather in the past few days. Hot sun and singing cicadas, through to scared birds and very rumbly thunder and rain... Its a crazy Summer weve had, if thats it all over with. I sure hope not :)
The tomatoes are starting to colour up, slowly. We have big ones that are just starting to turn, so fingers xed we have enough warm days left to get them all through...

Weekend -We went to the Botanic Gardens to see the new Memorial Gardens and The Festival of Flowers that is on at the moment. Beautiful! We went on to the museum, and they have some awesome displays. Theres the Wearable Arts display which is gorgeous. Exquisite details that you just dont get to view from seeing the awards on TV. The intricate details and the colours and textures are amazing. Of course the touch screen monitors draw the children to them, as they are totally interactive and the interviews about what inspired the designers is really cool!!

Then theres the Christchurch Earthquake display. Wow. We were blown away by the coverage. Everything. From the dear old battered spire of the Christchurch cathedral that lies in state as you walk in, to the shoes that the Rescue Dogs wear, the boots that the Search guys wear, and everything in between. Theres a toilet bike (yes, really!) and so much info about the whys, the wheres, and the hows. There are again, touch screen monitors which allow access to lots of footage that wasnt seen, the Forensic examiner talks about their difficulties and findings, there are videos of when the eq happened, there is Police Comms coverage that you can listen to. All in all, we were really quite impressed... And rather subdued when we left...

The thing that helped us *Happy Up* was seeing the kids in the butterfly house. The ladies there are awesome, helping both kids hold monarch butterflies... Awesome. Our kids know the importance of butterflies, and they hold them in some reverance, knowing they need to be gentle with them, and they always comment when they see them... Here theres a room you can go in and watch the butterflies as they do their *thing*... Theyre raising awareness of the butterflies, which is so very cool... Youll find more information about them in the link below

THE MONARCH BUTTERFLY NZ TRUST

Out In The Garden...
Planting Winter crops like brassicas, more carrots and onion, we have a large group of cabbage and brocolli. I havent planted caulis because I know our dear Miss B from along the road has them covered, so we will swap. I have lettuces planned too, and I must remember to re sow the carrots and onions in a few weeks so we have continuous sowing before it gets too cold...

Raspberries that were cut back have gone mad. Suckers everywhere, some of which Im going to pot up to sell... That was always the intention, and we have many bushes now. Awesome. Some are Autumn fruiters, so it evens things out nicely. The tansy buttons look great, by way of companions to the raspberries, but they need to be kept an eye on as they grow so quick...

Well more from me when I get to lend a camera. I must buy myself one... I just dont seem to have any luck with them lasting more than six months, for some reason.

Love to All,
Keep Smiling
E BUTTERFLY
XXXXXXXXX 
PS Please... take a look
ENTERING THE RING by Taurus Hunter

2011 leaves with a Shake... so what will 2012 begin with?...

2011 is leaving.
Well, ceasing. And The Bitch doesnt want to leave us without a decent farewell - We got that!
Today we had a 4.82 that the USGS recorded as a 5.2! Some serious shaking, more damage for some, liquefaction for others - us, the lucky ones, just a stern reminder that Mother Nature Lives Beneath.
After a drive yesterday, we realised sadly, that yes, there are changes being made in Canterbury, but our neighbourhood is now looking like a series of country lanes, empty houses on funny angles, broken bits and bumpy gravel roads and neglected spaces where gardens still bloom regardless. Sad and Forgotten for the most part. The people who drive by, are just there just to look, to Thank God, maybe, that it isnt them?  and then they drive back from whence they came.

Did the Mayans truly predict that The World Might End in 2012? Im sure the Mayan who was in charge of writing the numbers at the time, lost count of where he was, and then decided, he had to go to the bathroom. When he arrived back, he looked at what he was writing (The Calendar) and shrugged... Meh. It seemed like a good thing to do at the time, but Im over it... and off he went to lunch. Never would he ever guess that he left us all hanging...
Ok, so thats not it at all, but we will never know :-)
Im picking The Changes that are spoke of,  have begun already. Theres an air of unrest right around the world.  Chaotic Economic changes, Natural Change, More water, less food, more people, Earthquakes, Floods, Famine. Civilization is Changing.
It is all part of an energy that means we MUST assimilate Change - Into our lives, our homes, the way we educate our children, technology, it all will change.
Change never happens without some sort of negativity or positivity to activate it. We need to get used to the changes, and its tough!
Its what they say - What doesnt Kill Us, Makes Us Stronger.
Im about as Strong as I can be. No - possibly not, but lets not push that to trial.

... Out with the Old, In With the New...I just want to cruise - no - sleep! through the end of 2011. I do not like New Years Eve at all.
My family are not entirely with me, and never are now theyre older and have Social committments. New Years Eve for me brings back sad memories of people dear who are no longer with us, of past Memories that bring home how much I miss the ones I love.
So Im a sad sack, and I ll be happy just chilling with the littles, watching some TV, then drifting off...

OR WILL I?
This year in Christchurch, it seems half the world wants a reason to celebrate... and why not?
Weve had some kind of wacky stuff to deal with  this year...
On with the good stuff - Celebrate Your New Year Cantabs~!
Parties on each side of the street here, and lots of music.
Someone was jamming on an electric guitar before - It sounded awesome, even from here, and Im picking it was a few houses down. The unfortunate thing, is that next door have Elton John on Replay, and the two playing alongside one another makes me want to run for cover :-)
Shouting can be heard, (the happy kind) and lots of families walking in the night air. It isnt dark or cooler yet, at 7.30pm its a nice time of night for a stroll around our neighbourhood...
Let the celebrating fill your heart, and let go of the fear - not just here, but whereever you are!
We got through, we will continue to make good.

Love, Light and Blessings
HAPPY FABULOUS NEW YEAR

Roll On 2012!!
Love
Earth Butterfly
XXXXXXXX

Tuesday already...Plans... Globe Trotting Teens... Bikkies for Breakfast.

Cant believe it is  Tuesday already. I know, its Tuesday every week, but this Tuesday has come around so quick. Think about what you were doing last Tuesday. To be honest, Im not sure I can remember the details. It involved reenactment of the chicken with its head cut off, panic, frenzied shopping and Lists. Ahh. Thank Goodness that is over!
This Tuesday Im planning. Ive just bought another red currant. And an Autumn Bliss Raspberry that fruits late Summer/Autumn. I think it is the wrong time of year to buy things like this, but they are On The List of Wanted Plants, and they can sit until the beds are ready to go in. Im planning next years garden already.

My list of Wanted Plants is extensive. I think Dwarf Comfrey sounds good. The blue variety. To put right along my fenceless edge that I share with our neighbours. Theres a huge *hedge* of Flax and Bears Breeches, and Im thinking some dwarf comfrey along underneath might encourage some good soil eventually.
It is very dense soil out there, and it has been sorely neglected.

Also, I have a list of herbs Id like to have access to. Not all for culinary purposes, but medicinal too.
Some of the herbs have the most romantic names - Pellitory-of-the-wall, Alexanders, Skullcap and Lovage...
Watch this space, Ive not made my selection yet, still in the Learning stages - ie, Im reading up on things.
Thank Goodness for my aged copy of A Modern Herbal by Ms Grieve. It is great for reading up on herbs...
Yes, this book information IS ONLINE!

So the Pre-teen with the Cellphone has spent the morning catching up with his brothers. Theyre the Globe Trotting Teens that have this morning, hit Auckland and are looking to see as much as possible while theyre at a Family Function. Its awesome theyve had the chance to go, their Dad is very brave taking two unruly teens on holiday with him and his wife, for a week... I hope Auckland looks after them - if youre up that way and you see one very bedraggled, tired looking man and two perky looking teenagers, its them...  :) I hope they have a blast! Its not often they all get away together.

And Im picking Im in line for Bad Mother of The Year award given this mornings fare for breakfast. We have eaten so much of late, and there was a dearth of goodies left, or given... It was bananas this morning, that took their fancy, and shrewsbury biscuits, with milk and shortbread afterwards... Oophs!!

After watching Harry Potter (Deathly Hallows 1) last night, this morning I have the pleasure of watching The Muppets Take Manhattan, with Miss 5. She loves it. The rats are so funny, and she giggles her way through it all... I get more pleasure out of watching her reaction, than the actual movie.

Well thats us.
I hope youre all doing fine, and enjoying the sun if you have it. Remember to Slip, Slop, Slap and Wrap if youre in the sun!

Thinking of You,
Love,

E BUTTERFLY
XXXXXXXXX

The Big Wake Up Call...5.1 for Breakfast!

Blue Skies with a tinge of cloud, and an aftertaste of SHAKE!
Good Morning Christchurch, this is your Mother speaking - Mother Nature that is!
WAKE UP! Youve slept long enough... Yeah I know, you didnt sleep a wink... Or you lot there (Us!)
I know youve just got to sleep, but cmon - WAKE UP!!...




Zander

 5.1 should be enough to wake the dead.
Oh wait, theyre NOT dead, theyre just rather badly traumatized and very very tired!
My Littles didnt sleep well. We went for a walk around the neighbourhood last night, checking on their local haunts.
They came home, we watched TV until late. Sleep. Bliss. Shake. Uh-Oh!
We were awake between the hours of 1am and 3am. Sleep again. Wake Up!!! Mother Nature calls... The 4.2 at 5.50ish I almost slept through, rearranged the blankets and cuddled under again.
6.30ish and we have LIFT OFF.
By the time I get off the floor to check the kids, the damn shaking is over, and I realize that I was the only one moving. The only one awake...Oh except for one very scared, big-eyed cat who meows at me.  (And now I think about it, that meow could have been for food, not empathy for our predicament!)

So. Its Saturday, and I have visitors arriving later, Family!
Bring it on. Lets Celebrate all that comes our way.
Best foot forward and besides, its CHRISTMAS EVE.
Joy. Peace. Spirit of Santa - of GIVING, sharing, loving.
The Joy starts when I realize Im alive. Theyre alive.
Im safe. We are safe! We have everything we need.
Most of what we want.

We can celebrate and whilst we celebrate, we can duck into doorways when required...The serviettes may not match, the glassware will be sparse.
It wont matter at all.

Merry Christmas.
Happy Holidays
Blessings!
E Butterfly
XXXXXX

A Day Out in the City and Surroundings, Lest We Forget...

Soldiers wearing their black berets and ANZAC poppies can be found all around our city at present. Busy, proud and helpful, friendly smiles from most seen today, and willing to chat, answer questions, generally make you feel at ease.
Makes you feel proud to be a kiwi.
Certainly proud that we have an Army who cares about its general population.
Talking to these young people makes you realize, for most, theyre glad to be able to help where they can... some have been here since the very first days and weeks after the EQ - some from as far away as Northland. Many talk about the family they have living here in CHCH or the friends they know from *Back on Base* from Christchurch... Good on them all, I say.
Theyre full of compassion  and I think we love having them here, if only the circumstances were different...

Entrance to High Street - Road Closed

Anyhoo - we were out and about today. Ive taken some photos to show you the devastation. And Im not being *down on it* Seriously. Take a look - if I didnt know differently, I would wonder which street I was looking down. Im not a Cantab by birth. I dont know the city streets as if I were bought up here, Im an Otago Girl... but c'mon... I had to ask Mr EB, is THIS Colombo Street?


Colombo Street - almost unrecognizable from the road


Looking down a street that you know people lost their lives in, is taking me back to those first hours on that very day. Too wrapped up in my own family, their lives, our lives... it is so hard to register what they went through.

A Floral Tribute left at the base of the Cordon on Colombo Street in Central City

Part of the process of understanding the depth of suffering and  grief. The photos and images come to the fore, and honestly, we were so lucky... and it registers that sentiment over and over.
WE WERE LUCKY, so lucky. To those whose lives are not the same since that day, my heart goes out to you. I now see some - such a little part- of what went on in the city. Scary stuff. And the Change that is occurring to the city we knew... Constant change - the landscape, the people, the outcomes...

ST Asaph Street, one of the many *holes*in the buildings where shops used to be.

Our day actually started with a few laps of the wargaming tables at the National War Gaming Convention at the Woolston Working Mens Club.

Awesome stuff, lots and lots of people (men mostly, me and Miss 4 and one other Wargaming Widow were present this morning) and ... well, it still amazes me that you get such amiable groups of men who guffaw and banter, debate and hassle each other and yet always go back for more... Where were they all when I was looking for a suitable mate back in the day? ... Im guessing they were all inside, happily painting models, throwing dice and building the most amazing scenery and props for said games... If youre creative at all, youll appreciate the time and dollars that goes into some ... no, most, of the pieces. Not only do they touch up the most teeny tiny of models in the shapes of men, horses, and some of the most amazing (some mystical and two headed) creatures, they make fantastic replicas of buildings from all kinds of  time periods, in all manner of repair (some bombed or shot up by cannon fire) ... Amazing stuff.

downstairs next to where Adam and Eve were

upstairs next to where Adam and Eve were



The right side of Colombo Street. Note how less damage there seems  when you look at first.




Someones Thoughtful Tribute on the Cordon Fence in Colombo St




oophs tilting street signs everywhere!




Signs on Local business windows




The Christchurch City Council Buildings




Autumn Colour in the leaves, City Centre





Dance of the Road Cone... Popular in our City!





Autumn Leaves in city gutters

 So then, it was on into town, having a quick look then on we go, to let the kids spend their Easter Egg Dosh. Done...and Dusted. Easy when they have Super deals at Pak n Save that leaves their bags groaning with chocolate eggs (creme eggs 2 for 99c!!) and theyre happy for the rest of the weekend.

Have to say, there seems to be an *air* around, that feels Earth Quakey. I sure hope Im wrong. Tomorrow Im going to spend the day sorting out the Bunker :)
Spent the week chasing my School Holiday Tail, and finding it nowhere... I think sometimes Im not versed in organizational skills when I have three children at home. They seem to make far more mess than two... Half way there though, so fingers xed next week goes nice and quick so we can get back to *normal patterns*

Ok so thats it for today.
Now tomorrow is Sunday, its Easter AND Anzac Day so dont expect big things... Dawn Service? Or Lie in?Tea? or coffee?... sunshine (hopeful) and some chocolate...lots of chocolate?

Loving This,
All the VERY Best,
E BUTTERFLY
XXXXXXXXX