Mr & Mrs Smith...

Our First House, Amsterdam New York!

2008-11-24T21:33:08Z

We finally got a house! Closed on August 22 2008. The closing went smoothly & took about 1 month to complete with the paper work. 1900 sq ft 1.5 bathrooms and four rooms. We are very happy with our find as many family names are street names located close by. Genevieve St, Phillip St, Johnathon St, Ann St, Henrietta St, Van Dyke St, to name a few. Neat to have family nearby...in a way of street names!

Here are pictures of our DIY home. It is a mess right now with foam on the floors, left over from the old pink carpet we removed. Walls torn up but the projects are coming along nicely. My darling Ben is working on the electrical work, while I scrap floors and knock out walls to put insulation in. We plan to remodel the kitchen and bathrooms next year some time.

Picture of before and after of the front of the house.

A picture of the coloured stones underneath the front door entrance. I put a shrub to compliment the differant colours of stone on the front porch. It changes during the seasons and with a few other scrubs that will eventually grow to the height I want.

The front door that I resprayed black..bit of a 'whoopsie' at the top left hand corner...will fix soon

The state of our driveway- another project to complete in the coming years. I am not looking forward to the ice in winter time with this driveway.

Here is the Pine tree at the back of the house. Abit of work to rack the fallen pine needles for the winter coming.

Some pics of the laundry room Ben is doing a great job on. Here is a pic of the washer\dryer set, not sure if I want to keep them stacked or put both on the floor side by side. Ben has finished the insulation. Next work to do is put up the gibb for the laundry room.

Wonderful wiring work...

The laundry floor-

The laundry ceiling...

Here are pictures of the downstairs. My scraper for the kitchen floor. I am removing the tar adhesive. We may replace the floor or have it finished...just abit suecky to walk on at the moment...

Photos of the upstairs.
This picture is 'coming up the stairs from the front entrance'

Coming up the stairs looking to the left you will see the master bedroom. The stairs to the Attic is on the other side left of the stairs. The office is to the left as well.

Looking to the right from the stairs is the Spare bedroom- the pink room. I demo'd when Ben left for a few days, hehe. Bathroom is the right, as well as the reading room.

Our bedroom,which was the lovely pink. Painted quickly with a neutral colour so we can sleep at night.

The office room- at the front of the house.

Living room looking from the dinning room to the left hand side. You can see the front entrance on the left.

Top of stair case when going to the attic-pretty cool seeing the wood frame & beams.

Attic- the stairs are in the middle of the picture

Pictures of the outside.

Work that I have done on what was the over grown garden. Ben had chainsawed through every plant & bush -so I started from stratch. The garden was looking good, until the big pine tree behind our property started to shed for the winter. So these photos are from what it looks like at the moment.

Our First House, Amsterdam New York! remains copyright of the author BenLavinia, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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We bought our first house! woohooo

2008-07-27T20:28:06Z

In Amsterdam...New York that is...more info and pics to come soon!

We bought our first house! woohooo remains copyright of the author BenLavinia, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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Rachelle & Bevans Wedding Feb 2008

2008-07-13T22:25:27Z

Rachelle & Bevans Wedding Feb 2008 remains copyright of the author BenLavinia, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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New Zealand Trip Feb 2008

2008-07-13T22:12:42Z

I made it to NZ! After flight delays, lost luggage and swollen ankles...

I had knots in my stomach. Earlier that morning before my flight to NZ, we had a storm. Lightening struck a tall tree at the far end of the car parking lot. Two cars had back windshields blown out, five cars had tyres blown, 1 car had its circuits blown. My car was next in line with the damaged cars but thankfully, no damage done. Phew!
Sadly, that was the que to let me know it wasnt going to be an easy trip to see my family, who were waiting anxciously back home.

The alarm sounding off at 3am, nervous me got up out of bed & got ready to head to the airport. Arrived at my inlaw's home and to my lovely suprise, even Linda, my sister inlaw was up to come along for the ride. After the fairwells and safe journeys said, I checked in my luggage and waited in the looong que to go thru security. Yakkin to people in the que, I heard my name mentioned on the overhead speaker.."would Lavinia Smith please return to the checkin couter to UNLOCK HER LUGGAGE".. whoops, didnt realise this was illegal. Got to the counter red faced to unlock my suitcase. Back in line again, the que even longer than before...
Landed in Chicago, stayed unwillingly for 14 hours trying to get a flight out. Thank godness I brought my cell phone. Finally got a flight to LA -Orange County Airport. Airport was closed and no luggage of mine to be seen anywhere. I was supposed to pick up my luggage and take a shuttle to LA Airport which is a 45min drive away, but no luggage-must be at LA airport. Advised I had a hotel booked for me and was directed to hotel. Jumped in Cab, cab didnt take credit card, went back to get cash, got cash, arrived a Hotel, no booking and... no voucher...but I could stay for $238 per night! Walked back to the closed Airport and tired to sleep on a cold metal bench for 5hours!
To my joy I had some battery left on my cellphone and getting really cranky now. Spoke with my dearest mum, who gave me a breath of fresh air. I got my sanity back and able to sleep for a few hours..there was me, on a iron bench, cold as ice, stearing at a store opposite me, which sold blankets and pillows- closed!

Got in a pre arranged (with ofcourse hassles) shuttle finally, and made to....

LAX. Lots of walking to find my luggage, found it, then took the 12 hour flight to Auckland, nearly missed the plane, so cldnt let family know I was on my way. Arrived in Chch, and saw my wonderful sis, Angie..I was sooo happy! Everyone was there, Mum, Arthur, Gene, Rachelle, Bevan, Brian, my nieces and our dearest Oma. We all had coffee then I headed to see Mum & Arthurs new place in Rolleston. Loved the way the place is done..I can say Mum and I have the same tastes! After a relaxing shower and a bit of rest, Genevieve took me out for a drive...I had my reservations but the scary part was remembering I was now sitting in the passenger seat...very scary.
Gene and I went to see Nick and his flatmate (roommate) and Darian. So good to see everyone again. Gene looked after me the whole day, she was so good.
Thsi is Gene washing her 'poo brown' car that she brought with her saved up money

I finally got to have a meat pie after 2years not having one..boy it was good! oh and crunchie bars, vogels bread..it really is like that ad.
Went out for Dinner with Mum, Arthur, Jono, Dom, Gene and Ben when Jono had arrived from Wellington, at a Asian cusine place, very tasty! Had a lot of fun

Dad, Ben and I went out to Dinner at Lonstar, Dad is very popular there as the staff knew him by name! Had a great time, especailly with giving good old Kiwi hassles to our waiter who shrunk when taking our order.
Ben, Gene & I spent a day at the gorgeous Sumner beach, beautiful day to give Gene a 'shower' at the beach, lol. Had yummy kiwi fish n chips after our drive over the Port Hills.

Meet up with seeing my beautiful niece, Alexandra & Abby. Read Alexandra a bedtime story and spent some time with her.

Spent some time in the city of chch and it was great to see a real Police Car!

My last day in NZ, Ben and I went on a driving trip at the last minute over to Arthurs pass, greymouth and over though Hamner springs. Tried to meet up with Claire and Grant, but didnt work out, so we headed to the beach to watch the sunset.
Me in Greymouth with the Train & Car Bridge is.

Lake Lyndon in Arthurs Pass

New Zealand Trip Feb 2008 remains copyright of the author BenLavinia, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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MT Cook 2006

2008-07-13T22:29:30Z

Spectacular MT Cook

Pic of a C130

Arthurs Hazelnuts take a trip to Antartica

MT Cook 2006 remains copyright of the author BenLavinia, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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May you rest in peace little Ajay

2008-01-27T01:38:13Z

A picture (left to right) of Shannon, Ben, Little Ajay adn Caitlyn

A poem for little Ajay

'In Our Hearts'

We thought of you with love today,
But that is nothing new.
We thought about you yesterday,
And the days before that, too.

We think of you in silence.
We often speak your name.

Now all we have is memories,
And your picture in a frame.

Your memory is our keepsake,
With which we'll never part.

God has you in His Keeping.
We have you in our Heart.

May you rest in peace little Ajay remains copyright of the author BenLavinia, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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Little Alexandra trying on School Uniform

2008-01-27T01:27:51Z

Photos of my Niece Alexandra trying on her Uniform with her mother Abby. Isnt she so adorable?!

Little Alexandra trying on School Uniform remains copyright of the author BenLavinia, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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Dec 2007\ Jan 2008 equals snow

2008-01-27T00:47:40Z

A few pics of the winter snow. This is a pic of our view outside our bedroom. The river is just behind the trees-frozen river which I will add.

The lethal looking icicles hanging down from our apt building.

This pic is taken form inside our apt..you can reach out and touch the icicles, oh how fun!

It wouldnt be a good idea to be running late on a day with a car like this...

This shows how much is snowed last night...nice to have plough workers who clear out the snow everyday and night

Dec 2007\ Jan 2008 equals snow remains copyright of the author BenLavinia, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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Home Sweet Home

2008-01-27T01:01:32Z

Here are a few pics of our 2 Bedroom\2 full bathroom apartment in NY.
Here is our Kitchen

Here is the Living area.

Here is the spare bedroom which we call the Study\Exercise room.

And the main bathroom. It has tiles and a marble entrance at the door. The ensuite bathroom to the Study\Excercise room is smaller, but still a full bathroom.

A very cosy apt compared to places I have lived before andI am very pleased...cos we have central heating...oh so nice not to live in a damp place!

Home Sweet Home remains copyright of the author BenLavinia, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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Prospect Mountain, NY

2007-11-10T04:29:40Z

We had passed this attraction many times becouse we were always on the way to something else. We quickly decided, as we were coming up to the exit, that it would be a nice thing to do on that sunny but windy afternoon. We took the 10-minute drive up the Prospect Mountain Veterans’ Memorial Highway. At the parking lot near the top, a free shuttle transported us to the summit for the famous “100-Mile View.” As we were admring the spectacular views, we thought it would be a lovely place one day to utilise the picnic area when the weather would be warmer. We lingered awhile in this gorgeous spot, where we could take in the wide range of view, comprising the southern peaks of the White Mountains in New Hampshire, the Green Mountains in Vermont, the Catskill and Adirondack Mountains in New York, and the Berkshire Hills in Massachusetts.
1877 - Dr. James Ferguson of Glens Falls purchased the top of the mountain and built THE PROSPECT MOUNTAIN HOUSE HOTEL accessible by horse-drawn carriage. Many guests were there for health reasons - tuberculosis or hay fever. Construction of the cable drawn railway was commenced on Jan. 2, 1895, and was carried on through many difficulties incident to the cold and snow. Fares $1.00 , later dropped to $0.50. The total cost was about $120,000. The length of the Cable line is 6,625.7 ft and the total rise is 1,594.7 ft. The two hotels built, the first in 1880, 2nd 1880 where burnt down from bush fires.
It was a wonderful time...shame we didnt have our camera.

Prospect Mountain, NY remains copyright of the author BenLavinia, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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Seasons from our Balcony

2008-01-27T00:25:11Z

Winter Dec 2007 is now here. Ice and snow on the ground amoungst the grounded leaves from Fall. The Dark grey Sonata is my car in the parking lot. Ben's Truck is to the right.

Fall Sept 2007. Warm Temperatures. The trees with their beautiful leaves changing colours as the chilly Fall season is with us.
Summer August 2007. Gets very humid, hot, above 30 degree c. (98 f)

Seasons from our Balcony remains copyright of the author BenLavinia, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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Hoel Pond

2008-02-03T01:35:39Z

A three day canoe trip with Isaiah, my husband Ben and me, though April couldnt make it as she wasnt well. A delightful sunny day was spent canoeing passed a few lake side vacation homes, as we headed our way to Hoel Pond. Isaiah had spent a night already to 'safe keep' the best camping spot at hoel pond.

A pic of Isaiahs first 21" Brown Trout fish - very skinny but made a tasty meal later that evening.

The boys heading out...

I caught a fish too..without any bait on the second try!

Me and our piled up canoe, enjoying the warm sun

This is the small tunnel Ben and I pushed the canoe thru...mush easier instead of carrying everything over the train tracks.

This is Ben enjoying the warm water.

Signing out!

Hoel Pond remains copyright of the author BenLavinia, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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Las Vegas baby!

2008-07-13T22:27:37Z

After a few months of planning, our trip to Las Vagas started with Bens younger brother Matt taking us to the airport , with the nice ' testing' of the sub woofers in Matts new car at 5am, lol. After five hours straight, we landed at LAX, took a bus to Budget Car rentals, where we splurged on upgrading with a great discount..hehe.

We drove through the Joshua Tree National Park - some random thing I always wanted to see, until we reached Las Vegas 3hours later at dusk.

We stayed at Harrahs on the strip, opposite Caesars Palace where we would see Celine Dion in concert the following night, during her last year in contract.

We visted most of the casinos on the strip...Uncle Leo and Priscilla were right about the loads of walking, glad we bought comfy shoes! The lions at the Mirage, Flamigos at...the Flamigo, lol, the beautiful and breath-taking Venetian with the Gondolas and marvellous realistic ceiling paintings. All the excitment and romance is inside the Casinos, as lots of beautiful floral arrangements, Musicans playing and Grand entrances, delicious dining and fabulous shopping...hehe.
We lost more money then gave with the gambling, I won $120 but ended up buying Ben a pair of sunnies, the original pair has lost somewhere in one of the casinos. Ben was a happy man with new Oakley sunnies.

After we had doen lots of walking around Las Vegas, which is in the state Nevada, we thought we would get lost and try to make it to one of the main sightseeing attractions in Las Vegas, the Hoover Dam which is about a 45min drive from the Strip.
The construction of the Dam occurred from 1931 until its completion in 1935. Blocking the Colorado River created two lakes, the first being Lake Mead in 1935 and the second being Lake Mohave with the completion of Davis Dam in 1950. Hoover Dam has produced approximately 150 billion kilowatts (enough energy to supply a million residents for 20 years). The picture is me facing Lake Mohave and the State of Arizona to the left, Nevada on the right.

After spending a adventurous time in Las Vegas, it was time to head back to LAX in California, the state where Ben was born! Sadly, our Four day trip was closing to an end. On the drive back, we stopped at Manhatten Beach. Where around the Rancho Palos Verda Point was Newport Beach, Long beach and Laguna Beach.

I managed to sweeze in some more shopping while Ben talked about the last time he was at this beach and what mischievious and funny things he got up to with his mates at the time. Standing on the beach, the crushing waves brought back wonderful memories of home in New Zealand and how my life has changed completely. Cheers to here, there and everywhere!

Las Vegas baby! remains copyright of the author BenLavinia, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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Paddling not optional at Lake Saranac

2007-10-04T18:26:35Z

After staying up late the night before to organise our camping items, we had an early start at 5am to load the 4x4 with our backpacks, tent, chairs and 'cooler' - in kiwi land, the name 'Chilli Bin' seems more fitting. After picking up the hired canoe for $10 per day and a quick stop at Dunkin donuts for coffee, we were on the road at 7am for a three hour drive to Saranac Lake. Upon finding the car park we unloaded together and Ben proceeded to carry the canoe by himself on the 10min walk downhill to the lake- he ended up letting it slide down the slope to the lake...lol.
Isaiah and April, who had stayed at the camp site for the past two nights, met up with us at the lakes edge in their empty canoe. With their suprise that we had arrived earlier then planned, we loaded both canoes and were on our way to the camp site.

With smiles, laughter and ' I am gonna accidently get you wet with my paddle' jokes we paddled passed native birds 'Loons' with their unique calling and a few other people in kayaks\canoes for about an hour until we arrived at the campsite, where we had our own small (very small) private beach.
After setting up our tent and Ben & I having a wee disagreement of where it would be placed - the chairs and tarpolin cover where erected. Then the rain started to poor down creating nice puddles and a nice small creek started to apear next to my chair..hmm. We all moved and were trying to place our chairs on a spot where the chairs wouldnt tip over ... then April starting cooking up some great American burgers, (cheese, meat pattie and burger bun only) which we all munched into quickly after the long day. Along with alcohol, the burgers went down with great praise to the cook.
Lots of yarns later, Ben and I headed to our wet and soaked tent. With a few words of who got to sleep near the puddle- not me, hehe, and the forgotton double air mattress, the nights rest wasn't a pleasant one.
The next day Aug 24th, April and I got up early on the humid 25 degree day, to canoe back to our husbands identical 4x4's ( except for the colour) for our trip together to Lake Placid, where the Olympic Games where held twice in 1932 and 1980. We had been there before but never got the chance to do some shopping- our husbands didnt want to be dragged around doing so. So we jumped at the chance to leave them to their shooting at the lake while we headed for the Starbucks frappacino, apple struddle and a hope to find a air mattress to purchase. Being a tourist town, the mark up for foam mattresses where $30 each- ouch! To our disappointment with the prices, it was not worth it to purchase any and our small single tramping air beds will do the trick for one more night.
After we had bought some humorous t-shirts for the husbands, we headed back to the car parking lot where April had seen a rope tied to the front of our 4x4 and said "Looks like we didnt pay enough to the parking attendant as there is a rope tied to the front of your 4x4. Did they try to tow us..?" We both looked at each other, thought for a moment then gasped with the thought that the white turned black rope was left over from Ben trying down the canoe, that may have got caught in the drive shaft while we were driving...whoopsie.
Yep, it was the first thing Ben asked when we arrived back at the campsite.. did we take off the rope from the front of the 4x4?...needless to say you could see his breathing stopped for a few seconds. Though he understood as the 4x4 was parked toward into the hedges at the parking lot, so not noticable if not pointed out.
With delicious baby back ribs and alcohol beverages for dinner, Ben and I moved the tent about 1 metre where the ground was level and combined with the thick blanket I grabbed from our 4x4, we had a better 2nd night sleep.
With time for lots of book reading and a relaxing time we packed up and was approached by 'Park ranger and his trusty assistant' on our canoe out ( Ranger bob as we nickname them)...we tend to meet up with the Rangers often... they had some complaints about shooting noises coming from our direction...

April and I really wanted to go for a last dip in the water before we left but time was running out... so 'til next time. With a Stewartsthick shake stop, we were on our way home... to a comfy bed, lol

Paddling not optional at Lake Saranac remains copyright of the author BenLavinia, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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