My new mobile phone...my first one...

I have a new mobile phone, my first one! I have enjoyed texting Jahna and Christina (grandson & daughter) but I do need to learn to retrieve phone messages though, Ted rang twice while I was at a course, last week, he was flying home from Stewart Island... I thought he was arriving on Thursday, when he rang from Stewart Island earlier I discovered it was actually Wednesday... he said he would ring again... but I didn't hear from him, I had told him I was at a course, (but he swears he didn't hear that!) and I just expected him to get a ride back with our neighbours...The phone went twice at the course, by the time I got outside to answer it, he was gone! I didn't know how to retrieve the messages, and didn't realize I could ring back, it said restricted number... anyway, he arrived at Tauranga Airport 1 pm and turned down 2 rides home, because he didn't want me to go all that way and find him not there! I got home at 4.30 pm to find him absent, turned around and picked him up at 5 pm! Poor darling! I did feel stink!
I will post some of his Stewart Island photos shortly. He had a wonderful time!
We had a great Regional SLS day in Hamilton yesterday a long way to go, but very rewarding. Had a computer session first off, we had Linda McCullough from the National Library, with really useful websites to visit http://www.natlib.govt.nz a great starting point. Also http://www.biguniverse.com/ to read picture books around the world, or to create your own picture books. Te Ara: the Encyclopedia of New Zealand http://www.teara.govt.nz Matapihi, multimedia resources from NZ libraries, galleries, archives and museums http://www.matapihi.org.nz the list goes on! Linda also read Click, Clack Moo, Cows that Type, by Doreen Cronin and showed us Harry Highpants by Tony Wilson. Super picture books!

Stewart Island update.

I heard yesterday that the four guys are fine on Stewart Island, enjoying sunshine, yesterday was not quite as nice, but far better than what we are experiencing here, so that's good. Ted's mate Rick has shot three deer, and Ted one, the two guys none. So they won't be starving! They come back next Thursday.
I went out to breakfast yesterday with the Support staff from the Intermediate, it was a great way to start the day! Then fancy morning tea at Te Ranga school, and lunch too at Te Puke Primary (all saying thank you to the support staff) so I just had pudding for tea!
Dieting was another thing I had thought about, while Ted was away, but that can wait!
I have just started my new boy VJ at school, and we have been having lots of fun. Next week I have a training day, and also will meet up after school with my 3 fellow SLS teachers from Tauranga and Papamoa. that is always an inspiring time. Scrapbooking on Sunday too.

East Ruggedy Hut

Here's the East Ruggedy hut Ted is staying in. It is a 12 bunk hut.

Stewart Island

Ted left for Stewart Island yesterday. He was really looking forward to it, he has left a photo of the hut he and his 3 mates will be staying in, as a screensaver! Just to remind me where he is! I will post a photo. I hope he has a fabulous time, he really deserves it! It has been a busy year, and quite traumatic for him. His Mum, who has been in Country Lodge for just over a year, here in Te Puke, moved last holidays to Awhina Mai, a secure Dementia wing at Redwood in Rotorua. This has been tough for Ted, to have her move to Rotorua (no space for her in the secure dementia wing in Te Puke at present) and to see the deterioration in her condition. However. we are thankful that Bud (Ted's Mum) has Paul and Tracy (youngest son and daughter-in-law) in Rotorua, and they are just marvellous.
Well, as usual, when Ted goes away I have great plans... some that have been made, and changed already! I thought I might stay downtown after Tai Chi, Tuesday and Wednesday nights... but after checking out the accommodation at $90 a night, I gave that idea away! I may not even go to Tai Chi, it means hanging about till 5.30pm, and I can come home straight after school, so why not do that?
I thought about doing a room a day springcleaning! There are 11 space in the house, counting passage, back porch, and our open-plan kitchen/dining area/lounge I have counted as 3... but I have gone off that idea overnight!
I have got 3 books to read, and that sound more fun! I am reading Kate de Goldi's "The 10pm Question", absolutely delightful. I will send it to my 13 year old grandson Jahna, to read, when I have finished it. It is truly delightful! Makes me want to be a writer... but have I got time? Or the flair? Ted has got his new Lee Child book to read at Stewart Island, I imagine they may get a few wet days down there!
I am also doing the International Computer Driving Licence course through the local Polytechnic. It is free, a group of us are doing it at school. I jumped in late, got my CD Friday night of Labour weekend, swotted up over the weekend, and sat the first test on Tuesday. I hadn't covered everything, but thought I may as well give it a go, and I got 94%! Amazing! It was the Internet and email... enough said really!
Well, I had better go... I have planning to do for school...