Break Free

After more than two days of solid rain dumped about 10 inches here, we have been enjoying the New Zealand sunshine (with plenty of sunblock, of course, as the hole in the ozone layer sits just above NZ). The storm was so strong it caused some area roads to flood and made Amber's umbrella flip inside out several times.

Since drying out, Ediza Rose went on her first bush walk (see photos above) and has been running around the farm enjoying all the animals and fresh air. We have been doing some sightseeing drives -- one led us to a beautiful bay that had sailboats (one of the boats was named "Break Free").

We also found a great public park with a running trail leading to waterfalls. At the park, Ediza loves visiting and feeding the ducks, roosters, geese and seagulls (see photo below). I have started running some there, although I find it a bit difficult because of the heat and humidity. It's also been a challenge for me to learn to relax and realize that I don't have to go-go-go and do 50 million things at once.


Amber, on the other hand, has been very relaxed. During the past two days, she's clipped the toe nails of the female llama herd and has the males left to do. She's been having lots (make that "heaps") of fun and looks forward to training three llamas in particular -- Coffee, Chocolate and Caramel.

We are adjusting quite well here, given all the changes. Summer is starting to wind down and the kids are going back to school. I'm continuing to stay in the left lane while driving (most of the time, anyway) and even routine things, like grocery shopping, are becoming these great new experiences.