Money money money

I've been furiously trying to save money for our Australian holiday in June. As of yesterday I had nearly $1000 saved. Money we need to have:
$320 - Shuttle to and from Auckland airport
$180 - Cattery care for our two cats. No, we aren't comfortable justing getting a neighbour to feed them. They get shut inside at night. I'm super vigilant about this now after Brock being hit by a car last year.
$50 - Airport departure tax
$300 - Nicole's ticket that we are paying for. Nicole is paying for this herself from the child support that her father has to pay and which I've had direct credited to her own bank account.

So I guess we're almost sorted! Stewart will be paying some of all the bills too.

I'm thinking of getting him tickets to WWE in Melbourne for while we're there. It'll be his 21st birthday present from me. I'm just waiting for my Dad to get back to me about whether my little brother Mark wants to come too.

And I've finally paid off my car. No more weekly $60 payments!

Some people should be neutered!

A week or so my father's ex wife rang up wanting my half brother and sister's phone numbers. She rabbited on about getting custody back of her 16 year old son(Jimmy). CYPS has had custody of him since he was 5-6 after he was abused by more than one of her boyfriends/mates. I took her phone number and passed it on to my brother.

Tonight my brother called round and he had Jimmy with him. Apparently his mother has sent this kid up to live with John or Christine. She had only just gotten him back and now shes palming him off on someone else. She should never have had any of the children. Tauraki was raised by first his grandparents and then an aunt. I had John and Christine. Jimmy by foster parents. And the youngest, Harry, by his father.

John and Christine are in their early 20s with young families of their own. They really shouldn't be raising a 16 year old with many social, emotional and psychological problems. I know from first hand experience that its tough.

For my own sanity I've remained distant to the situation. It actually feels almost good that for once its not my problem. John and Christine are adults and whilst I can offer advice when asked, they're the ones making the decisions for their families and are the ones who have to deal with the consequences of those decisions.

Banging my head against a wall...

I'm feeling rather low at the moment.
The problem is this:
Two people working full time on conflicting shifts. Not seeing much of each other. We had the opportunity of spending a morning together. I had two extra children for the day as well. I suggested we go for a walk down to the park so the kids can play on the playground and we can have some quality time. He refuses so he can stay home by himself and play computer games. Just one more incident in a long line.

Apparently I'm not alone in this. I met my sister-in-law at the park. My brother keeps making promises of family time, yet when the time comes plays golf, watches tv or sits in front of the computer. Sounds familiar.

Woman's Lifestyle Expo

Last year Nicole and I went to the Woman's Expo in Tauranga. We had a great time and enjoyed it throughly.

This weekend was this years Expo. It was another awesome event. We got a goodie bag. In it were:
Nina EDT by Nina Ricci
Detangle Spray by Tresemme
Hard as Nails by Sally Hansen
Sheer Vitality Shampoo and Conditioner by VO5
Apricot Scrub by St Ives
A Prestige Vinylwear lip gloss
Pure Cashmere Shower Creme by Palmolive
Bio Oil
A New Zealand's Woman's Weekly magazine
A selection of Dilmah tea bags (yuck!)
Moulten Caramel Puddings by Betty Crocker


We met Bob Clarkson the National MP for Tauranga. He gave us a key ring that lights up in the dark. 'Its something practical because hes all about practical solutions for Tauranga's problems'. -cough- Okay then... lol.

I also bought a new body scrub called Bush Essentials. I've been looking for a nice exfoliant, and this one impressed me.