Study, Shows and Miss Fizz!

Hi there
yep things are still going at the crazy hectic pace that we like to call our life!
I have exams over the next couple of weeks and a show in Haumoana so I am stressed to say the least!

Quick Fizz update, she is doing well! Here blood cell count is looking really good and the "R" word has been spoken but we don't want to jinx it yet, so we will wait a little longer... Yesterday she put up such a fight to go into her cage she had all her claws locked into Gabe's Jersey and I had her by the scruff of the neck, we finally got her in. When I got to the vets I told them to watch out as she was very feisty today and sure enough they had to moderately sedate her as she was trying to pull her IV lines out! She was very groggy when she got home and was walking like we do when we have had too much wine! Today she is back to her normal cuddly advetourous self!
Gabe is busy with work- When is he not??  He also brought me a new sewing machine on the weekend as my old one was playing up! (And he didn't like that it was noisy!!)
Any way I better go study!
Take Care
Nell, Gabe & Fizz

Fizz with Cobwebs on her whiskers!

Grouchy Ladybird Quilt going to the show

Sesame Street Quilt going to the show

Timeout.

Hey There!

Gabe and I have taken a few days out in Kuratau( by Lake Taupo).
Our first day here Gabe said to me its too quiet, can you do some sewing?? Yes i had brought my sewing machine with me! I have 2 shows in the next couple of months and need to make some more things!
By day two we were enjoying the peace and quiet, have been doing study( and Gabe has been working), going for walks by the lake, eating yummy food, drinking wine and enjoying spending time together. Day three has been similar to day two and we are thunking we could move here! Its soooo peaceful and we seem to be more productive here without heaps of distractions that are back home, may have to look out for a cheap bach!
No photos this week as i am writing this on my ipad..maybe next week :)

Take Care!
Nell and Gabe :)

Google Maps may help most people but not me..

Hey There

Just a quick post from me this week as things are abit crazy around here!
Fizz is doing well with her chemo and is almost back to her normal self, right now she is sleeping on the quilt batting I just brought!
Gabe has reached his deadline so is a little less stressed, but still working around the clock! We are planning on going somewhere next week- even if it is to go camping for a few days so we can sit back and do NOTHING!
I have exams starting in a month, and also am attenting the Haumoana Market Day on the 6th of November, so am crazy busy sewing :)
Your probably wondering what does this have to do with google maps..I am getting there! I thought of a funny story that I thought I would share with y'all..
In singapore we had some time to spare and Gbae being the thoughtful husband said "Shall we go to one of the quilt shops you want to go to?" I of course said yes.."Do you know how to get there?" Gabe asked me, I replied that i had the address and that I "have google maps on the ipad so of course I can get us there".
If you ever hear me say this to you just stop me there. Say No. Take over all map controls.
Gabe and I have been through this many many many times, and every time we go away I think I can do it.

But I can't.
I don't know what I do..this time I didn't lock the screen and also think I touched the transit directions(we were walking)..it sent us on what can only be described as a wild goose chase..in 37degree heat.
Gabe did take over and we did get to the shop...eventally. I brought him a beer afterwards and we laughed about it, and I did not use a map for the rest of the trip.

Moral of the story is I am usless with maps, even with google maps. Do not trust me with a map.

Any way I better go and do some sewing before my dentist appointment. Yep I am off there again I have a tooth that is giving me crap, it feels like a electrical pulse in my mouth!
Take Care and we look forward to hearing from ya!
Nell, Gabe & Fizz

P.S How do I get to the dentist??

Home From Singapore!

Hey!!

We are home and still a little jetlagged, but are slooooowly getting back into the swing of things. I have just finished unpacking the suitcases ( On to the bed..that counts right??), just about done all of the washing, slowly getting back into sewing (I have so much to do I don't know where to start!), and have been catching up with Cain and Ikuho who have moved back from Japan!

Singapore was nice and hot, and it was fun to get away and do some new things- Salvador Dali & Chinese Terracotta warrior exhibition, eat lots of Yummy food, drink ridicoulsy oversized drinks, laugh at crazy signs/packaging and just enjoy each others company!

Frozen Strawberry Margerita..Yep I got Brain Freeze!

Gabe with his Crazy Huge Beer!

Marina Bay

Merlion

Salvador Dali

Chinese Terracotta Warriors

Fizz was happy to see us when we got home, and we took her for her weekly vet appointment yesterday, she has lost weight (120gm), which doesn't sound like alot, but for a 4kg cat its quite abit. So we are trying all sorts to get her to eat- tonight she is having salmon! Gabe said he will get her fish from the fish shop tomorrow! One spolit cat! So any tips will be welcomed!
Any way I better get sewing- I have orders to fill!
Hope you are well and we would love to hear from anyone!
Take Care

Nell, Gabe & Fizz xoxoxo

Bumpits...WTF??

Be Safe- Run For the train..and put your lips in to stop terrorists??

Be Safe- Don't climb down to retrieve your items off the track. Take your pants off and make a laso. That's excatly what I would do to...Yeah Right!

Singapore

Hey there
I know I keep on saying I will get better at posting here but I don't! Things have been normal...crazy busy!

Fizz has stared Chemo as the cancer cells are in her blood and they think they can put her into remission by doing this which will give her a good chance at living a normal life, if we didn't do anything she may have only lived for a couple of months, so we are giving her the best chance at living a happy life! She has been going well with the treatments so far with little side effects :) (And before you ask no cats don't loose their fur!) Cain is now home from Japan and is looking after her while we are away, and a friend Dave is taking her to Chemo each week, so she has lots of people looking after her!

My first show went well, sold a few quilts, bibs and bags! Also got some custom orders as well! The same weekend I double booked myself and also had a Birthday cake to make for Luke who turned 2! Luckily Uncle Gabe was able to deliver the cake and enjoy the party while I was busy at the show. I have applied for a couple more shows as well so will keep you posted!

Luke's 2nd Birthday Cake

Luke guarding his cake!

Any way yes we are in Singapore again, Gabe is teaching here for the third time. It hasn't changed, its hot, busy, has far too many malls but has alot of yummy food, beer, electronics and fabric, so we are both happy! We found a MASSIVE electronics expo on an went to it, its called Comex and goes for 3-4 days, it was insanley busy. It was over 4 floors and you could hardly move, there were crazy deals and people were busy up a storm, we could hardly get in to some of the stalls it was so busy. They estimated that over 800,000 people attended this year! Gabe is teaching in the mornings, so we have the afernoons and evenings to go on adventures! While Gabe is busy teaching I am doing my study at the apartment keeping cool under the air-con ;)

Any way Gabe is due back any minute so I better head off!
Take Care
Nell xxxxx

The Turtles at Singapore polytech..there is a new baby this year!

I think this looks like a Batman building...

Another couple of crazy weeks!!

Hi There
I did have to say last time that Crazy was out new pace of life, cause it only got crazier!
A couple of weeks we had my teenage cousin Jason here for the school holidays, and he was lying in bed being lazy and he called out to me to let Fizz inside cause he could hear her crying. She was under his bed making the strangist noise I have ever heard her make. I managed to call her out but I could tell there was someting wrong, I took her to her food and she collapsed.
I panicked as Gabe had the car, but pulled myself together, called a cab and got her in the cat cage rushing her to the vet, where they saw her straight away and after a quick examination I was told it was really serious and she was taken away.
Gabe turned up and the vet came to tell us Fizz had blood pressure of 45(should have been 120), low body temperature and we were lucky to get her then when we did as they were able to stabilise her. We were allowed to go and see her in ICU, where she was in an incubator hooked up to all sorts of things. They were doing more tests and would get back to us when they had news.

Fizz recovering at home!

We left and went to Gabe's office on campus and the phone rang, Fizz had crashed again amd they had discovered she had massive internal bleeding as she had ruptured her spleen! They were unsure of how it had happened they said it was either tauma or something wrong with the spleen. When they called they informed us it was a tumour that had ruptured it. Further testing has shown that was a malignant tumour which they are testing to see if it has spread.
Luckily Fizz has been recovering well at home for the past week, she is sleeping ALOT! Eating and playing too! She is not allowed out side for another week, which we ALL are struggling with especially when she starts crying at 5am to go out!
So Finger's Crossed that it has not spread! And we are soooo grateful that Jason was being lazy that day and heard her crying under the bed!

Jackson checking out his quilt!

On the other hand we have had some happy times in the last couple of weeks- Yesterday our Godson Jackson turned 2! As fizz has to be monitored Gabe stayed behind and I went up for the day to celebrate his special day!
He LOVED all his pressies- His Tiger Suit from his mum and Dad, Frogs from Brooklyn, Scooter from Nanny Boss and his Animal books and his quilt from Us.
He had a fun party popping all of the balloons, going cross eyed looking at the teeth on his tiger hat, reading his books, looking for stuff on his quilt, eating lots of yummy food and was sooo happy when he saw his birthday jungle cake I had made him!

Jackson's Birthday Cake

Jackson you bring a smile to all of our faces! We love it when you tell us all the noises Animals make! And love the big cuddles and kisses you give us! You make us laugh when you use tongs..and if you can't find any tongs you make your own!
HAPPY 2ND BIRTHDAY!!

Thanks for dropping by! I need to go and do some more sewing for the Hawkes Bay Baby & Child Show..its only 20 days away!!
Take Care
Nell

Playing "Frogs" on me :)

Happy Birthday!

Had to wear his Tiger Hat while eating the tiger!!

Long time between posts...

Hi There
I know the posts have been sporadic but things have been a little crazy round here...well I am beginning to think that "crazy" is our new pace of life. It seems as though some weeks we have more going on than the previous week, and some days it seems as thought he only time Gabe and I see each other is dinner time or when we are both dragging ourselves to bed with exhaustion!
So what has been happening...
1. I have had my wisdom teeth out- And it wasn't as bad as I was expecting, except for the bill.
2. I went to Brisbane to celebrate Ella Hooper's 1st Birthday (It was great seeing all the family :) )
3. I have been invited to have a stall at the Hawkes Bay Baby & Child Show on the 27th & 28th of August. So I am crazy busy ordering stock and supplies, Creating and sewing bibs and quilts, organizing things to display the stuff (Brent and Gabe are making them this weekend!!),making business cards and trying to get everything done!
4. Semester 2 has started, so have 2 papers which I am doing extramurally
5. Custom orders are coming in for JellieBellie..3 last night!
6. Gabe is crazy busy with his work, trying to meet his October deadlines! As well as supervising his PhD & Masters Students, and getting stuff ready to teach in Singapore in September (Which reminds me I need to organise new passports..)
7. Cain & Ikuho are moving back to NZ! So I have to sort out the spare room.
8. Look after Fizz- She comes and reminds us sometimes to take a break , she sits on Gabe's keyboard and sits on my fabric while I am trying to cut it out!
9. Keep the house from turning into a bombsite- I think I am slowly getting there
10.Need to apologize for being crap at keeping in touch with everyone! So consider this a apology! Sorry!! We will be in touch soon-ish!

Anyway I have a tonne of sewing to get done, and a fabric database to create( So people can pick their fabric squares for quilts..) so I better get going!
Hope you all are well, Take care of yourselves wherever you are- Keep Warm or Cool
Lots of Love
Nell, Gabe & Fizz

Hoopers & Me (excluding Nath)

Jaz & I

Fun In Sydney!!

Luna Park!

Hi There!! We are home from our week in Sydney, We had a great time (with the exception of Queensland losing Game 2) spent heaps of time sightseeing, eating and drinking! I even dragged Scooter to Ikea- and he loves it too!! I brought a few bits for the house :) We went to a few places I hadn't been too since I was 5 years old- Taronga zoo where I think I saw the same chimpanze that ate its poo in front of me 26years ago- He was still eating poo! We also went to Luna park and had a look round :) Went on the ferries and managed to catch another NRL game- Rabbitohs vs Titans- The Rabbits won woohoo!
The weather wasn't that great for the first few days- losts of rain, and it turned out there was flooding in northern NSW :(
It was great to see Gabe relaxing for a week, And also to have Scooter along with us
to enjoy the trip (We would have loved to have Jules and Luke with us too!!) I mangaed to fit in a few hours of study each day- and today finished my last exam!!
We also magaged to catch up with Uncle Jason, Aunty Shirley and Riki- It was great seeing them all! Uncle Jase took about 5 minutes before he started teasing me..some things never change ;)
We have a busy week here in the dairy..I have dentist appointments (owww), sewing to do, quilts to load up to sell, housework, gardens to do..and Gabe has a tonne of work! So I better head off and do something...Oh that's right I'm having a wine to celebrate exams finishing, so might get round to it tomorrow!
Take Care
Nell and Gabe xoxox
p.s Fizz got us a welcome home pressie yesterday..the bird that had been annoying me!

Crazy Busy Week!!

Hey There

Its been a busy week at the corner dairy...Finishing 5 play quilts ready for sale, studying for exams, visitors last weekend (Madsen/Thompson family), more visitors today- Uncle Paul & Aunty Janice and then the Morgan's tonight. Scooter is coming with us to Sydney (early hours sunday morn...) to head to State of Origin- Supporting Queensland of course! And to do a bit of shopping, sightseeing and eating!!
Gabe is flat out with his work and has been quite stressed out lately so hopefully the break will be good for him!

Anyway I better go, as there is packing to be done, house to be tidied etc! I will keep you all updated while we are away!
Have a great weekend!
Nell & Gabe
P.S Fizz is sulking as she isn't going to Oz :(

First Post!

Hey!
As you may know I have a craft blog jelliebelliemade.blogspot.com- this blog is where I will put the other stuff that happens in our lives...Family, Friends, Food and Travel..and most importantly what Fizz does each day!lol.

Today's post is a request I have been asked for HEAPS!!

Jackson's Pulled Pork Recipe

We made this for his First Birthday (mainly for the adults), but know when he get's bigger he will be fighting us for it too!

Jackson's 1st Birthday(Go Bruins!!)

Ingredients
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/2 cup soy sauce
2 cups tomato sauce( 1 can of watties)
1 teaspoon garlic powder or garlic salt (or 3 cloves smashed up)
1 large onion, coarsley chopped
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
One Boneless pork shoulder roast, fat trimmed (2-3kgs)


Whisk the oil, vinegar, brown sugar, soy sauce, tomato sauce, garlic powder, onion and Worcestershire sauce together( I mix it straight in the slow-cooker dish) place the pork in the sauce, make sure the pork is covered with the sauce, put the lid on and refridgerate overnight- Turn the meat once or twice during the marinating.
Cook the next day on low for 10 hours, until the pork is fork tender. Remove the pork from the insert, place on a plate and cover with foil, and let it rest for 15min. Skim the fat from the sauce.
Shred the pork with 2 forks and return it to the sauce.
The pork will keep in the fridge for up to 5 days, and can also be placed in containers and frozen for up to 2 months.
Serve with Fresh Bread rolls, coleslaw and BBQ Sauce, and a side of Baked Beans(recipe another day..)

Happy Cooking
Nell :)