So the main news around these parts is not of new houses or rings or anything particularly exciting but rather my ankle. While playing soccer last week in my spectacular attempt to get the ball I rolled my ankle. Good news is despite initial concerns it's not broken. Bad news is it's a nasty sprain on both sides of my ankle. Crutches = fail. Here's to hoping for a speedy recovery. I do have to give one big, big mention to my amazing fiancé who has been so supportive and uber helpful lately. All in all I am a very lucky girl.

But the real point of tis entry is to mention the cost of all of this. As the health care debate rages on back in the us my bills from the above injury have been as follows:

A&E clinic visit - $35 (incl 2 doctors exams and cast)
X Ray - $25
Drugs - $6
Crutches - $30 **deposit-refundable
Physio therapist - $10 (inital consultation & 1hr treatment)

That's it. $76 nzd which is like maybe $50 usd. For all that. The rest is all covered by the government. Amazing.

Well that's it for now, hoppy/stixs/cripple on out!

Whew! What a busy last few months we've had!

There was Thanksgiving, then Katrin arriving and Christmas, going up North for New Years, then Doug arriving, then Barb arriving and Anna staying with us!

2 weeks ago was our 3 year "New Zealand-iversary". Hard to believe we've been living here for 3 years now. Seems like we only just arrived. And now we have a house!

Speaking of the house i've been meaning to write more about my garden. My garden has just been coming along so nicely! I've made stuffed zucchinis, fried green tomatoes, sauteed broad beans, and all sorts of great stuff. Oh and my cucumbers and divine. Some pictures -





I've been thinking i might start a separate food/garden blog. I've been really enjoying getting out in the garden and have been doing as much as i can with it all - recently i did Apple & Mountain Pawpaw jam (i had to buy the apples, but the pawpaws are from my garden) and a lemon and grapefuit marmalade.

Hard to believe it's February already. 2009 flew by and seems like 2010 is on track to go by as well. With all the major events that happened in 2009 its hard to imagine what more this next year can bring.

The wedding seems to be on track for 2011. We've been trying to get out and look at different venues. We found one we love but haven't picked it for sure. But our plans are starting to move forward.

We're also going back to the States in August to catch up with family and do a mini road trip. We're also going to see the new place in the Bahamas. I"m really looking forward to showing Matt different parts and enjoying some sunshine.

Well that's it for now.