Life In Perspective.....

Okay, so this next post has taken 3 days to prepare...There's so much to get onto the screen. Last week, we had planned to make our movie with the amazing Annette. Due to her constant chemotherapy (and some nerves), her nausea was too bad to film earlier on the week, so we made plans to do everything on Friday. I finished work and picked Annette up at 2o'clock, met up with Nat then on to Unichem Putaruru, where the amazing Trudy B waved her magic make-up wands - Annette looked gorgeous (thank you Trudy) then onto Tuscany Road. Kay from Tuscany Road had told Nat and myself to pop down on Thursday to look through the shop for some ideas. Annette wanted nothing frilly, pants and nothing red. We looked through with Margaret (who was sssssooooo amazing it just wasn't funny) and picked out some outfits (even a red one!). I found this gorgeous wool jacket that would look great on Annette, but as Margaret pointed out, it would just be too heavy for Annette to wear, she simply doesn't have the energy to carry the weight. I hadn't even thought about that as a factor!! Eventually, on Friday, with the help of Rose, Annettes mum, Annette chose a gorgeous top and trousers with a lightweight RED overlay with a very slight frill (all women are allowed to change their mind at anytime!!!!!) Then it was on to @Junction to film the movie. Mike and Raewyn were thoroughly amazing( thank you guys ), and everything was ready for us as we arrived. After a few nerves, we got started. Annette was a complete star, stopping every so often as her own story caught up with her, needing to take a breath and dry eyes. I know that I fought back the tears just watching her, so Lord only knows how she was feeling, but she did it with an amazing grace. Thank you Annette. On Saturday morning, I awoke thinking about her and everthing she is going through and found myself drying my eyes again. Then on Sunday, the music that I've chosen to play with the movie comes on the radio and the flood gates open...bloody hell, I was just outside Woollies in Putaruru, and got quite a few stares!!!! You know, we've been arranging this for sssooooo long that you become immune to words, then the rawness and complexity of how this disease affects families comes along and WHACKS you in the face. Annette has to be the most gentle humbling person to be around and I know that you'll agree when you see the movie.

Our Little Pocket Rocket - Maree Worth.....

Although I'll fill you in on the latest from our little pocket rocket, firstly - A MASSIVE THANK YOU goes to TIRAU EARTH MOVERS.. They have donated $1500 worth of product for our "Garden of Eden" auction lot, so a huge thanks to Steve Ensor and his team, it is another great prize (that we girls want - lol!!). Maree - our little Pocket Rocket at Putaruru Super Liquor is waving her magic wand constantly - although last night she was magically waving extemely superior sauvignon blanc - yum. We decided to have our annual pre-calving dinner, throw the men in the other room to watch the telly and we had a Think Pink meeting until midnight, along with Nat and a warm toastie fire. I really don't know what we'd do without Maree and her mine of information she has stored.. Yet again, a huge THANK YOU MAREE...(and thank you for the bottle left in the fridge - hehe) - Now I have to go as I've had the rolling eyes from Nolan at Odeon Computers as he's waiting for info to complete the site. Back to the grindstone.......

The best way to get it done....

Well, request letters for sponsorship have started to go out.. It sounds like we haven't been doing much lately - so I'll fill you in! I'm sat typing this on a sunny winters day, overlooking Mt Maungatautari with 2 rabbits and a pheasant on my garden, my husband would think this alarming that I find it peaceful rather than see it from the eyes of a hunter.... Now there's 3 rabbits - that was quick reproduction! We have our Kitchen - Keeping the heart in the home, courtesy of Hopkins Joinery here in sunny Putaruru but Ron & his team are organising more for us - so like may other items for auction, we can't actually list them until we know what is what. BUT - if you are thinking of buying a new kitchen this year THEN DON'T... Wait and come and bid on this. You'll be able to choose everything, but we're getting vouchers to cover cabinetry, plumbing, electrical, appliances, tiling, flooring - THE WHOLE NINE YARDS - so get saving as this will be worth tens of thousands, and ALL of the money raised throughout the night will go to the trust. How cool would it be if we could fund a whole research in Linda's name....

I start my new job on Monday - yes unintentionally at the start of the holidays - the boys are getting lists of chores to do on the farm - but I'll be Manager at Pride in Putaruru, so it will tie in perfectly with what I do with the Rural Party Girls, so one can have their cake and eat it (unfortunately it shows!!). 50 corporate packs went out last night, we sat over at my house, fire raging, switching between checking requests & Coronation Street (I may sound like someone off "The Street" but I don't watch it - I just ring my sister!!), nibbles, cheese and crackers and a few bottles of Allan Scott Sauvignon Blanc 2007 - most divine AND $9 A BOTTLE OFF AT WOOLLIES!! Someone called at the farm this morning and said "I don't know where you girls find the time" and I had to stifle a giggle - on a professional scale of 0 to 10, we'd be a 0 - late night meetings, more concern over who's doing morning tea - or now that we have night meetings, supper & wine, on a passion for what we're doing we'd be a 50 - we love every minute of it and Nat and I drive Anne INSANE with constant requests of new things as ideas. Anne is the sane(ish) one amongst us, has 6 kids between 5 and 16 and is ssssoooooooo organised. So, blogging through the school holidays may be a little sporadic, but one thing can be said - you're in for a bloody good event!

Nats Horror........

I think that Nat is horrified.. I went to see Priscilla The Musical at the weekend in Auckland and told Nat that I want one of the cupcake costumes that they wore above but in Pink..I really hope that she didn't believe me because she'll be emotionally scarred! I'd look like a cross between an umpaloompa and a pink elephant! Wow the costumes were amazing - speaking of which - Mrs White is doing a fantastic job of our waitress' tee shirts - thank you Anne!! And watch out Phil McKinnon at United Video Putaruru/Matamata, she's heading your way!!LOL

So Who Won....

Well - the basketball game saw Nat and I sat together for the match of the century...I must admit that I offered mine $20 to win and yes, I'm all for competitive reward (bribery for short!). Screaming from the sidelines only stopped for a very important text from Anne White - Tanner Industries are paying for our waitresses footwear ( if you're passing through Putaruru after September 1st, you will see them in their window as they're right on the roundabout) - HUGE thanks to Tanner Industries for the sponsorship..And then - my sons team won - YAY - HOWEVER, I must say that it was a fantastic game and well played by both sides BUT - I enjoyed every minute of shouting obscenities at Natalie - all in the name of camaraderie spirit - WHATEVER, WE'RE JUST POOR LOSERS.

So long Since Our Contact Details....

Today, we had an email to let us know that our contact details weren't on the site - a big thanks to Forsee for that, we'd never thought that although they were on there, they had trailed off into never never land and so I've added the link to the relevant blog entry. Today we had the big meeting with the local Council and Police representatives, and thankfully all went well. 1 more permit to apply for regarding the marquee and we're legal!! Thank you to Anne White (NOT) who suggested that it may be a good idea to lock me up for the weekend prior to the event to prevent any trouble..... We have a major D-Day tomorrow, you see; of the three, there always has to be an odd one out. 2 have been really sick for a few years, one hasn't, two seem to have 1 million kids each and 1 doesn't (can you guess that's me!) we have 2 Catholics and 1 Church Of England (mmmmoooiiieeee again) and our kids are playing each other tomorrow night for the final of basketball at the Putaruru Sports Stadium. Nat and Annes children - Georgia and Therese are playing my son Tom's team. Usually, we sit through the game together talking Think Pink - HOWEVER - tomorrow, I shall have to be sat amongst my own little rural school camp shouting them on - watch this space. For 9 year olds, the pressure amongst the parents is unbearable!!

Many thanks to our saviour DEAN GITTINGS of Arapuni who once again has saved the day with painting sssoooo many PSP Coreflute boards with our Google Think Pink slogans - YOU ROCK DEAN........

A huge thank you for Bed, Bath & Beyond and Shanton for sending vouchers for our raffle.

Thank you in a massive way to Fiona Tunnicliffe of Fire Works who has made a funky clay cow for the auction. Fiona sells her work in the Heritage Gallery in Cambridge and The Blue Orange in Tuakau - watch out for the image to be uploaded online this week and you can view her horses on the Blue Orange site above...

More to follow up on later this week - after the game!!!!!!

So What's Happening??

We're constantly being asked - what do you get for the $50 entry fee, so I thought that I'd put on a brief of the itinery, and believe me - there's way more - but if we told you, we'd have to kill you - so here's what we can pass on! All food and soft drinks are included in the ticket price - we will have a cash bar - and it will be bloody awesome! And most impotrantly - THE ENTIRE TICKET MONEY WILL BE GOING TO THE TRUST.....

1.    6.30pm - Arrival.
2.    Canapés & cocktails will be served as the entrance of the Plaza is turned into a piano bar, with baby grand & Paul Bowers-Mason playing the piano.
3.    Guests are then taken trough to the main body of the theatre where they are shown a short film (no more than 5 minutes) that we are currently making with local girl Annette (in her 30's) in the later stages of secondary bone cancer as a result of breast cancer. 
4.    Following the film, Clinical Oncologist Michael Jameson will briefly address the audience.
5.    The auction will follow.  We have the following pieces donated for auction
An amazing photography package by Louise Butler of Okoroire.
A commissioned clay sculpture by Kiln Works.
A commissioned sculpture by stone artist Jocelyn Pratt.
A commissioned painting by The Naked Gallery - Tirau.
A commissioned painting by Fiona Barrett - breast cancer survivor.
A commissioned Think Pink quilt by top artist - Anne Berben.
A large painted canvas by Annie Waterworth - yep ME, and yes, I have started!!.
An Australian package donated by Kay Humphries - Travel Managers Putaruru—to include show tickets too.
Keeping the heart in the home - an auction of the most amazing kitchen worth tens of thousands.
6.    Raffle - 3 massive prizes to be won with tickets available nationally.
7.    The Partaay starts and music is provided by Affirmation - a massive 9 piece band who never cease to have everyone rocking on the Club side.  In addition to the piano bar & Club dance floor, within the Plaza complex accessible via the marquee, we shall have lower tempo dancing, including Annah Hawkins of Morrinsville.
8.    More food is to be provided by way of hot basted carved meats, salads & rolls.
9.    Spectacular desserts are to be provided.
10.    Depart at 2am.

There will be a cash bar, however, ALL soft drinks will be provided FREE OF CHARGE on the night as we PROMOTE NO DRINKING & DRIVING, and Anne White is currently organising the sponsorship to provide FREE BUSES from the Waikato centres and home again. For those of you within the Putaruru region, we have organised for the Club van to be running at 10pm, 11pm, 12midnight, 12.30am, 1am, 1.30am and 2am. Watch out for our accommodation write up - we'll be brutally honest and we'll include photos too!