From the Editor February 2017

Well, 2017 is now underway and just as we were talking about holidays and relaxing, it’s time for the kiddies to go back to school.

And, I’m pretty sure they, and their mums, will be ready for it.

As for me I’m more than ready for our new home to be finished and for us to move in. I did have fun during the break checking out curtains and blinds – at Kevens in Pukekohe, of course – as well as new furniture; it really is time for some of my pieces of four decades to go.

With the project now drawing to a close, I am relieved there have been few problems.

Our obliging site supervisor – Derek McFarlane from Signature Homes – has kept us informed every step of the way with weekly reports and photos while colourist, Nicky Booker was spot on with her decor suggestions.

Although building can have its moments, when properly planned, and properly supervised (as this has been), there’s really no need to stress and, with that in mind, I had to laugh when I read Kylie Bosanac’s column for this month (see page 41).

I can identify with a great deal of what she has written and I definitely fall into the group that is likely to go about goal-setting the wrong way without a little help!

Kylie talks about making a plan for achievements over the coming year and her suggestion that many of us are more likely to scrawl an idea down on the back of an old grocery bill at an inappropriate moment than to sit down and plan seriously, hit home… only my notes to myself are usually on the back of a depressing bank statement which I then promptly throw away!

However, I did take her point that regurgitating unfulfilled (even unrealistic) resolutions of the past was not the way to go.

And, I also acknowledge that often the DOING is harder than the planning.

But the good news is, this year the Rural Living team has planned to interview some fascinating people, feature some exciting competitions and to include great advice from people in the know on matters we often don’t know enough about.

What’s more, this month readers, especially those with a penchant for fine horse flesh, will surely enjoy Jon Rawlinson’s article on gavelhouse.com, so timely as New Zealand Bloodstock’s national yearling sales are set to go at Karaka.

Angela Kemp also gives us two ‘nanny’ stories (of a very different nature) and we introduce a new series, My Favourite Thing – find out who values what.

So, by this time you should all know what to do. Yes, grab a cuppa and sit down for a spell with this latest Rural Living – enjoy!

Helen Perry