The Life Of Kathe: Hello New Year, Hello First Accident Of The New Year ...

“Still livin’ life and being a dare-devil!!!”

Well, I started the New Year with sass and attitude!

Hello New Year, Hello First Accident Of The New Year ...

On New Year’s Eve, spent a lovely day out with my favourite Cookie Monsters, and Mr and Mrs Cook!!!

JorjaRose mastered the Knee Board, and I had a ride in the "Cooked" Sidewinder Boat, my first jet boat ride in 20 years! – SUCCESS!!!

Reilly came out boating after Uncle Craig bet him $20 that he wouldn’t get wet and have fun … Craig lost his $20!!!

On Tuesday, 03.01.2017, we had a family “Fish and Chip” Tea night.

Love our family nights, we also caught up with family from Christchurch, along with 2 of my brothers, their families, and my Mom and Dad, + of course Wayne, Reilly and JorjaRose.

Afterwards we had a game of Kiwi Backyard Cricket, and we all played ...

Here's a video of my beloved brother Pete, entertaining us all ...

{please click on the photo to start the video}

I had a runner {due to my walking cane "MacKenzie"}, did a massive 4, overbalanced, fell over and fractured my ribs on the left side.

To say I’m in PAIN is a very accurate description!!!

The A&E Doc said it could take 12 weeks to heal … that’s gonna be towards the end of Sale-A-Bration!!!

May have to spend allot of time recuperating, and on my computer, checking out Pinterest of course!

Oh well … didn’t expect to have an accident so early on in 2017, but I’m gonna keep pushin’ on!

From my family to yours, wishing you a very Happy New Year!

btw didn’t need any Iodine this time!

btw here are the Rules Of Backyard Cricket ...

#2017 #FirstAccidentOfTheYear #Oldham #Cook #Hunt #family #MonacoWaimeaInlet

Dusty Deserves His Own Post! …

Dusty, 3am in the Bathtub!!!

Dusty Deserves His Own Post! …

You may have discovered by now that we have a gorgeous cat called “Dusty”.

Dusty is a Russian Blue, and is the most gorgeous cat I have ever met!

Since Dusty came into the family, he gets up to daily high jinks, and terrorizes the neighbours, by leaving wee gifts of birds in their homes!

Some of our neighbours even give him treats, and my crafty ladies quite often stop in with cat biscuit samples they have been given in the “Junk Mail”!

Aside from high jinks, Dusty’s other occupation is  … sleeping, and he loves to sleep!

Dusty was a gift from a family, who read online what happened to our previous cat, who was attacked by 3 dogs, and subsequently had to be put down.

Nike had been in our family for 23 years, so it was really hard to see her put to sleep.

I wrote about the dog attack on Facebook, and a girl {now a lady!} whom I went to High School with {25 years ago!!! – you do the math!}, read the post on Facebook, and made contact via a private message, saying that their family would love to give our family a kitten, as their Moma cat was about to have a gorgeous wee litter of kittens!

We met Dusty when he was 5 weeks old, and brought him home when he was 6 weeks old.

As you may have gathered, we are dotty over Dusty, and I just can’t help but share photos of his antics!   Dusty even has his own hash tag #dusty!

I just went through my Facebook posts, dating back to January 2015, and this is what I came up with …

12.03.2016

“Feeling Amused”

#dusty 

It's 2:45am and Dusty has fallen asleep (again), whilst he is helping me write an article called "Dusty Deserves His Own Post"!

11.03.2016

“Thinking About Birds”

#dusty #ThinkingAboutBirds

Now this is the life!

Just hanging on the sofa, chillin'

05.03.2016

#dusty 

It's a hard life being a kitty cat!

Dusty's half awake/half asleep after catching birds again today

02.03.2016

“Feeling Amused”

#dusty 

Dusty chilling it!

Ode to be a cat!

26.02.2016 {same day}

“Feeling Envious”

#dusty 

The sun has moved, so Dusty ' changed position!

Oh to be a cat and have no worries!

26.02.02016 {same day}

“Feeling Hot”

#dusty 

It's soooo hot out there, that Dusty has taken refuge, by lying in shade of the windowsill!

23.02.2016 {same day}

 “Feeling Amused”

#dusty 

'tis too hot out there for Dusty!

23.02.2016 {same day}

“Feeling Frustrated”

#dusty 

So Dusty still lay there fast asleep whilst we had dinner! 

This is JorjaRose's plate, now that she's almost 13 years old, she is now a Vegetarian!!!

22.02.2016

“Feeling Amused”

#dusty

Yep, that's our Dusty, stretching and trying to keep cool in this afternoon heat!

18.02.2016

“Feeling Amused”

#CreateWithKathe #JorjaRoseFiles 

Dusty all tuckered out ... 1 Class down, 1 Class to go!!!

17.02.2016

Dusty all tuckered out after chasing those "Crazy Birds" ...

08.02.2016

“Feeling Amused”

#CreateWithKathe #JorjaRoseFiles The JorjaRose Files

Dusty couldn't help but have a nap in the middle of Class today!

29.01.2016

“Feeling Amused”

#JorjaRoseJewellery

Dusty all tuckered out after making jewellery this arvo! 

27.01.2016

Poor "Doug", Dusty caught him, nurse Jen rescued him, but alas his injuries were too severe.

He passed away peacefully in Jen's caring hands.

RIP Doug.

03.12.2015

“Feeling Amused”

#CreateWithKathe #JorjaRoseFiles 

Meanwhile Dusty is asleep (again!), and I am craftin' hard in the "Kat(he) Cave"!

24.11.2015

“Feeling Amused”

#ThisIsTheLife! #CatsHaveAHardLife - not!!! 

Had a hard night out, promoting #JenScentsy, and come home to find Dusty all curled up and asleep on his favourite chair! 

04.11.2015

#workinit

“Feeling Amused”

Check out my new holder for my Cane "mac", hooked onto my Big Shot #3 "Topaz"!

Dusty had to get in on the action ... of course!

*edited, as typed on my Cellphone, and had some spelling/grammar errors!

08.10.2015

“Feeling Amused”

#CreateWithKathe #JorjaRoseFiles 

Dusty showing off my up coming Class projects.

09.09.2015

“Feeling Amused”

#CreateWithKathe #JorjaRoseFiles 

TRYing to set up for tonight's Class, as as usual Dusty is laying amongst the projects ... Grrrrrr

31.08.2015

“Feeling Proud”

JorjaRose made Dusty a bandanna scarf, how cute is he?!!!

29.08.2015

#WOBber

Craftin' like mad whilst Dusty sleeps under WayneO's legs.

Notice the WOBber socks!

26.08.2015

“Feeling Amused”

#CreateWithKathe #JorjaRoseFiles 

Brydee had to move chairs 'cos Dusty was sleeping on her chair! 

23.08.2015

Dusty sleeping amongst the Christmas product!

16.08.2015

Dusty taking a snooze 

16.07.2015

“Feeling Sleepy”

Dusty all ready for Class to start! 

23.05.2015

#CreateWithKathe #JorjaRoseFiles

Class starts at 2pm, I have 1 seat left

And yes, Dusty Will be in Class too!

And here's a competition I entered Dusty in, to win a pair of shoes from

"Number One Shoes".

Didn't win, but isn't he soooo stink' cute!

Found this shot of Dusty in the Pantry!

And finally a couple of videos of Dusty when he was about 10 weeks old!

Have you fallen on love with Dusty yet too?!!!
Meow!!!

The End Of An Era ...

The end of an era ...

Today the Cook Family Homestead and property sold.

This land has been in the Cook family since 1912, and it is with much sadness that we say goodbye.

My brother's comment says allot ...

"Remember even though the physical has been taken away from us and the great grandchildren to come, the memories, the stories and the love will never be taken away from us".

Thank you for the memories Grandma and Granddad Cook...

This photo is of my grandparents on their wedding day, and is taken back on 3rd December 1947. 

and these photos were taken just before Grandma and Granddad  passed away ...

A book by Sue Murray, was written about our family and the property, entitled 

"Cook Family Chronicles: Early Settlement of Upper Moncks Spur, Mt Pleasant, Christchurch 1912-2012"  ...

and here are some recent photos of the property ...

and finally a "drone" movie ... 

1.39ha (3.43 acres)

Steeped in history and boasting magical views across Christchurch city to the mountains and sea, this is truly something special. 

Purchased in 1912 the property has remained in the family until now. As well as being used as a military base throughout WWII, the property also boasts an original army hut. 

Modest in design the home offers potential plus with a character filled kitchen/dining at its heart. With sliding doors connecting the space to the decked verandah outside, the room is flooded with natural light and amazing views morning and night. 

Found adjacent is the living area. With built-in cabinetry and timber joinery throughout it offers a warm and neutral canvas on which modern day family life can play out. 

A Masport log fire ignites notions of cozy nights in. 

Four bedrooms and one bathroom ensure there is a private retreat for every family member. 

Able to enjoy the view from bed, the master bedroom has touches of luxury with sliding doors to the verandah and a separate toilet. 

A separate laundry with external access completes the floor plan. 

Sheltered from the elements by mature plantings, macrocarpa and olearia hedging, also a stand of pine trees planted for firewood. 

The house and surrounding 1.39ha is comprised of five paddocks. Perfect for those with a love of space or looking to run stock. 

A mature garden connects the home with surrounding pasture. 

Ticking all the boxes for outdoor utilities is a wood shed, small hut, garden shed, hay shed, glasshouse and old army hut. The army hut was given to the family by the army as compensation for the use of the land. 

An external access single garage is also found on the property.
Without a doubt this is a property all about location, location, location. With unbelievable views it is something you have to see to believe. 

Have you fallen in love with the Cook Homestead yet?