About Me

Welcome to my little corner of the World; I'm so very glad you dropped by. 
Let me introduce myself properly...

It's pronounced "Simonne" as in "on", not "Simoane" as in "moan". You can call me "Simoney" (like they do in Scotland, which is my blog name), or "Monnie" (as some of my friends do). My husband calls me Babe.
I'm coming to you from DownUnder, New Zealand. For those of you geographically challenged types, that's down near Australia in the South Pacific.
I'm a Kiwi born and raised (New Zealanders call themselves "Kiwis", just in case you thought I was meaning the fuzzy brown Fruit, or the flightless Bird). My home town is Auckland, a city of a million people (quarter of New Zealand's entire population). We live in the leafy suburb of Mt Albert in a 1920's bungalow which I love.
Being from Downunder, I might use some different words for things, so you can click to my NZ page for a Kiwi dictionary. (Read more about our slice of paradise here...)
My Family is Team G, made up of Mr G (the man of the house), Dash (10), Miss Fab (8) and Scrag (5).
This crazy bunch of party-mad lunatics are quite often the focus of my writing. They are a bunch of energetic extroverts, never short on an opinion or two, all with minds of their own... which makes for plenty of fun'n'games, if you know what I mean? There are no nerd-librarian-types in our family (apart from me). Although I am working on cultivating a love of books and art into at least a couple of my outgoing offspring.
To read more about them click Our Family.


NOTE: "Dash", "Miss Fab" and "Scrag" are actual real-life nicknames. (Names have been changed to protect the guilty.)
READING: I can chew through a thick novel in two days... or if it's a really good one I'll sometimes pull an all-nighter (but not very often these days). My bookaholic alter-ego is Mrs Readalot. You can read her book reviews and join her Bloggy Book Club here.

WRITING: A re-discovered child-hood passion. I've started regularly writing for NZ Parenting magazine, which is very exciting to be in print. My dream is to one day write books, and get them published  (I've made a start with my children's Christmas Book, An Unexpected Christmas).

 PAINTING: I like to paint or doodle as a creative outlet. It's part of my therapy, and I need to do more of it. I especially like to paint seascapes. If I can't have a seaview out my window, I'll hang them on my wall. Plus it's so relaxing painting water.


PLANNING KIDS PARTIES: My husband thinks I'm out of control. I think I'm creating great memories and using my creativity. Check out my Kids Parties here...

 PHOTO-SHOPPING: I love messing around in Photoshop. I have no qualifications, I'm totally self-taught. I designed a bunch of kids birthday party invitations and stuck them on this website so people can print them off and use them for free. I'm nice like that.

PHOTO-TAKING: I photograph anything and everything. My family groan and call me a Japanese tourist.

DOING COFFEE: One of my favourite things is going to a cafe with a good friend or two. Always gives me a boost. Especially if it also involves Cake. I only drink coffee at a cafe (a trim flat white or a mocha). If I come to your house I'll have a cup of tea with plenty of milk, no sugar.
TRAVEL: Nothing better than getting stamps in your passport, even with kids in tow. Places visited so far: Australia, Canada, USA (California), England, Scotland, France, Italy, Malaysia, Bali, Fiji, Vanuatu, Tonga,  Mauritius, Ireland and China. Find our Travel Adventures here

MY BUCKET LIST: I've written a list of all the things I hope to see and do before I kick the Bucket.

ENTREPRENURIAL ME
I've started a little home business: GreatfunDesign, using my design and Photoshop skills. I have a website sharing FREE party invitations as well as an Etsy shop where I sell my personalised party invitations which are cheap as chips and super cool (if I do say so myself). I also have a Custom Blog Design webshop - I can do your blog makeover for you or just create custom headers or buttons for your blog.

"Finding fun on the Rollercoaster of Life" pretty much sums up my blog. I write honestly about the ups and downs of life and motherhood; things that make me laugh or cry, and what I'm learning along the way. I share bright ideas I think will help make your life easier or more fun, like our parties and theme dinners. My book-loving alter-ego Mrs Readalot runs a Bookclub where you can link up your book reviews. Sometimes I share my thoughts on faith and soul stuff. At times I write about Living with Depression and what gets me through. If you really want to understand me, read My Journey.

 MY BELIEFS
I'm a Christian. An often-struggling one, but very definitely a committed one. Basically I am thankful to God for never giving up on me through my long and winding road; thankful for the blessings he has brought into my life, and aware that were it not for him, I would not be here. I don't use my blog as a soap box or pulpit. I won't hard-core preach to you. But if things move me, or I have an insight or thought that I think would encourage you, I will share it here. My relationship to God is what you might call, "defining". It's the most important thing in my life.
Blogging is an amazing way to meet like-minded people from all over the world. Some of my blog-friends have become real-life besties (read our meet-up stories here)
Like every other blogger, comments make my day... especially heartfelt ones! I love to "meet" my readers and get feedback from you.

I don't reply to every comment, it's just not possible.  Life is often crazy and blogiquette has to take a backseat to whinging kids or eliminating dust bunnies. But if you ask me a question, or blow my mind with your kind words or profound thoughtfulness, I'll do my best to reply.

 If something I've shared here touches you, or relates to your situation but you don't want to share it in public via a comment then email me instead: greatfun4kids@live.com. (Though I may not reply to every comment, if you email me I will always reply.) 




[this is what I sound like when I talk -
my Kiwi Accent and my nutty kids!]

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