sailboats and more

So who knows who Dean Barker is, besides Wylie?  If you lived here, there would be no doubt.  He is skipper of Team NZ's boat in this year's America's race in SF.  That is all we hear about here now.  Fun to be in the midst.
Check out this link for the latest: (thanks Wylie!!)
http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/americas-cup/9162135/Barker-cautious-despite-another-dominant-day

It is pouring and though I awoke with all sorts of motivation to get to the beach for a walk, I seem to have lost it.  Instead I sit here pondering the mash of feelings that I experience each day of late-the excitement when the boys tell me they are eager to go back to school or tasting last nights' fish and chips from the local spot or the sadness of missing home, not having my dog to walk with on the beach, not being able to call my friends to share all that is new here, not having my partner to nestle into when I am low....but this is the real thing.  Despite all of those lists and the time spend getting ready on the other end, only so much one can do to prepare and then we must live it!   In my better moments I relish the feelings, how alive I feel, and really when all is said and done, always reflecting on how grateful I am to have this chance.  Heck, I'm sure I'd want to throttle these boys now whether we were here or back home!  Oh to be 14, or better yet, oh to be the mother of those who are 14!!!

There is a church garage sale that promises a book shelf this AM!  Maybe Noah will play cribbage with me or I will play candy crush with Maggie, our favorite new game on the iPad.  so addicting!
Got the keys to downstairs as well so we will do some moving around some more and then collapse into the All Blacks rugby game against South Africa this evening on the tele.
Maybe we will head to the hot pools in town for a soak and swim...see photo below. it is salt water, about 90-95 degrees , three pools one for laps, one for kids, and one for general soaking.
Other shots are of Maggie's creation on the beach, and boys at bus stop after I dropped them off in town of Tauranga and made them figure out how to get home via bus while I was at work.  They made it, with Lina's help!!