Brown Owl, Upper Hutt

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Read posts from interesting Kiwis on our Know Thy Neighbour page.

1642 days ago

Reduce your isolation energy bills

ECCA

With so many of us spending more time at home due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many people’s energy bills are skyrocketing. But it doesn’t have to be that way.

Here are 5 simple, easy to implement ideas and tips for cutting down your domestic power bills to save yourself some cash.
Find out more

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1643 days ago

Time to decorate?

Resene

You can purchase everything you need for your decorating projects from your local Resene ColorShop – simply shop online, or call or email your local Resene ColorShop. Click and collect or we can arrange contactless delivery direct to you.

And if you need any advice for your project use our … View more
You can purchase everything you need for your decorating projects from your local Resene ColorShop – simply shop online, or call or email your local Resene ColorShop. Click and collect or we can arrange contactless delivery direct to you.

And if you need any advice for your project use our free online help service, Ask a Technical Expert, or Ask a Colour Expert or call 0800 RESENE 737 363.
Shop online

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1643 days ago

Enjoy Europe Day with a hamper of European goodies!

Delegation of the European Union to New Zealand

9 May is Europe Day, a day that celebrates peace and unity in Europe. This new form of political cooperation made war unthinkable in Europe and became the European Union.

Across Europe and worldwide, Europe Day showcases what the European Union does.

This year, since we can't do … View more
9 May is Europe Day, a day that celebrates peace and unity in Europe. This new form of political cooperation made war unthinkable in Europe and became the European Union.

Across Europe and worldwide, Europe Day showcases what the European Union does.

This year, since we can't do anything in person, we wanted to bring Europe to you. Answer our quiz and be in to win a $75 hamper from our friends at Le Marche Francais.

To find out more about the European Union (and maybe even the answers!) find us on @EUinNZ.
Find out more

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1644 days ago

Journaling Your Way Through Personal Crisis

Tania Jones from ClearThinking Coaching Ltd

One of the best ways to get through a personal crisis is through journaling your thoughts in writing. It helps bring up emotions for clearing. It surfaces creative solutions to the situation you're dealing with. And it serves as a record of your experience that you may want to turn to again.
View more
One of the best ways to get through a personal crisis is through journaling your thoughts in writing. It helps bring up emotions for clearing. It surfaces creative solutions to the situation you're dealing with. And it serves as a record of your experience that you may want to turn to again.
It also gives you the chance to reflect as you go on what you want to choose to have in your life going forward. Especially from our current crisis...what do you want to retain from lockdown, and what do you want to bring back from before? What can you do without!

The general notion of journaling might not interest everyone. But there are multiple ways to journal, and at least one of them is likely to appeal to (and benefit) you. Here are five formats, each with a different application, that you may want to explore.

A Story Book

Human beings are natural story-tellers, and keeping a story journal can be especially helpful if you’re depressed, struggling with a sudden crisis or unresolved tragedy, or living with a chronic ailment.

Stories have a beginning, middle and end. Write your experience much as you would tell a story. Some experts advise writing about the same episode several times; the retelling often gives new perspective.

A Worry Book

This format can benefit those who suffer from anxiety, stress, or insomnia.

Draw a line down the centre of a page. On the left, write some of the issues that are upsetting you and on the right list some of the steps you’ve taken to address the problem, or some solutions you can try. Use this space to plan, organise and strategise for the future.

A Daily Log

This log is useful if you want to get more fit, spend less money, understand your body’s rhythms, or chart your recovery from illness. Use this journal to keep track of anything from growing a garden to growing a child.

In this journal, you simply record the facts: how far you walked or how long you exercised, how much you spent on what, how your body feels, etc. You may also want to write some narrative in addition to the “facts.”

A Couple or Family Journal

Enhances communications, deepens emotional bonds, encourages trust and intimacy.

The journal is left in a place where everyone has free access, anytime. Each person is encouraged to write, recording his or her thoughts or feelings, or in response to another person’s entry. Remember to write compliments and encouragements as well as writing through problems and misunderstandings.

A Gratitude Journal

This can be especially helpful to those who are inclined to be pessimistic, depressed, over-stressed or in the midst of a crisis. And it’s a journal which can bring anyone joy.

Simply make a list of that for which you are thankful. From the smallest to the grandest, the very personal to the global. Every day write five to ten things for which you are grateful. It doesn’t matter if you repeat yourself.

As always, if you need help to work through steps forward toward achieving a goal that will impact you life, a coach is a great support and guide with this. Contact Tania to talk about what coaching can change for you: tania@clearthinkingcoaching.co.nz

Or book an appointment through:
www.facebook.com...

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1644 days ago

Paint a school desk

The Team from Resene ColorShop Upper Hutt

Turn an old school desk into a stylish side table or hallway feature with a touch of Resene colour and Resene Aquaclear.

Upcycled industrial items like this work really well alongside modern furnishings to give your home an eclectic style. A piece like this is also a … View more
Turn an old school desk into a stylish side table or hallway feature with a touch of Resene colour and Resene Aquaclear.

Upcycled industrial items like this work really well alongside modern furnishings to give your home an eclectic style. A piece like this is also a great way to introduce pops of colour that you might not be brave enough to attempt on a larger scale.

Make the most of this weekend with this easy step by step project idea from Resene.

Find out how to create your own.

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1644 days ago

Getting married in New Zealand?

Kelly Dennett Reporter from Sunday Star Times

Coronavirus has us celebrating our local businesses, does that extend to your Big Day? We've spoken to wedding venues who are hopeful people will commit to a local wedding in the future. The Sunday Star-Times is keen to speak to a couple who have new plans to keep their wedding in New Zealand.… View moreCoronavirus has us celebrating our local businesses, does that extend to your Big Day? We've spoken to wedding venues who are hopeful people will commit to a local wedding in the future. The Sunday Star-Times is keen to speak to a couple who have new plans to keep their wedding in New Zealand. If you're willing to be interviewed and identified for a story, please email kelly.dennett@stuff.co.nz.

1645 days ago

Gift Vouchers for any occasion :-)

Raewyn Richardson from Lagans Pharmacy - Wellness Clinic - Mobility Hub

Gift Vouchers are available and can be redeemed for anything instore including mobility equipment and our Wellness Clinic treatments.

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1645 days ago

Mother's Day is this Sunday 😃

Raewyn Richardson from Lagans Pharmacy - Wellness Clinic - Mobility Hub

Mother's Day is this Sunday 😃 10th May 2020. We have lots of lovely gifts instore for you to purchase.

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1645 days ago

NZ Gardener's new issue is out now

Jo McCarroll - NZ Gardener editor Reporter from NZ Gardener & Get Growing

We are (very) excited to say that the May issue of NZ Gardener is on sale today, and absolutely packed with the good stuff! Lynda Hallinan reflects on 60 lessons for gardeners from the lockdown (with plenty of idea on what you can sow and grow in May); there's a bumper gardening quiz; we … View moreWe are (very) excited to say that the May issue of NZ Gardener is on sale today, and absolutely packed with the good stuff! Lynda Hallinan reflects on 60 lessons for gardeners from the lockdown (with plenty of idea on what you can sow and grow in May); there's a bumper gardening quiz; we suggest five herbs to reduce anxiety and promote calmness; and visit a Taupo sanctuary full of art and alive with native birds and a wild and wonderful garden in Glenorchy. And since we've been gardening in isolation, Jack Hobbs talks to gardeners on the Chatham Islands about how they keep things growing, 650km from the nearest garden centre. Normally our subscribers get their copy before it goes on sale, of course, but things aren't quite normal right now so if your copy hasn't arrived yet, it should be with you very soon! We are so pleased to have a new issue of your favourite magazine for you, and I cannot wait to hear what you think. NZ Gardener has been informing and inspiring New Zealand gardeners for more than 75 years and we're incredibly grateful to our readers, especially our subscribers, because we couldn't do it without you. And by the way subscribing is easy and a much cheaper way to get your magazine each month! And would an NZ Gardener sub make a great Mother's Day gift this Sunday, you ask? I think we all know the answer to that! Jo

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1645 days ago

Can you see? The car? Cyclist? Or Pedestrian?

The team from Upper Hutt City Council

Sunstrike while travelling north on Miro Street on the morning of the 23 May 2019.

Sunstrike is more likely to occur in winter, especially from May to August, because the sun is lower in the sky.

Be prepared for possible sunstrike:

»» Keep your windscreen clean, inside and out.
»» … View more
Sunstrike while travelling north on Miro Street on the morning of the 23 May 2019.

Sunstrike is more likely to occur in winter, especially from May to August, because the sun is lower in the sky.

Be prepared for possible sunstrike:

»» Keep your windscreen clean, inside and out.
»» Wear sunglasses if the sun is in your eyes.
»» Use your car’s sun visors.
»» If you experience sunstrike, it may be best to pull over and wait for a few minutes until visibility improves.
Find out more

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