Ken....

Ken looking every bit the wealthy super yacht owner.

Dreams r free....

103 feet of sheer beauty................

MMMMmmmm now how much is in that account??? Maybe Linz could come up with a few mill?? 35,000 litres @ $1.21 a litre.....................
Hey Kenny....I reckon I could probably afford this prop mate??

The ups and downs of 2007

The Queen once had an "Annus Horribilis" and I think 2007 just about qualifies as mine. Emotionally it has been a year of big downs peppered with those little ups that keep you going.

Watching Zach grow up and spending time with him is always a hi light, the added bonus came during the year when he called me Poppa for the first time. Stace, Tanya and Zach will be joined by a little girl in a few more months which was fantastic news after their earlier disappointment.

The big surprise of the year was Justin and Johanna getting back together after several years. It is heart warming to see them happy together ... it was like old times and the family welcome her and her little girl Kaia. Instant grandchild by the look of things???

Ian came to visit before he shot off to his new life in the Philippines. We went to Brisbane for Emma and Brents wedding in April ..another of the family gatherings I enjoy so much. They have a baby due around the same time as Stace and Tanya.

Trish and I had an unexpected holiday in Fiji thanks to winning Franchise of the Year for the Warkworth store.... $2500 worth of free travel thanks to Dick Smith.

The biggest disappointment of the year was cancelling our planned trip to stay with Ken in Vancouver unfortunately it was around that time that it all started to happen. Young Kenny is visiting NZ right now and we will be spending a bit of time together which will make this a special Christmas.

Linz purchased his Fraser... apparently it is all MY fault..Maaate.... I have big shoulders!! Thanx to Linz for making me get my arse in gear thoroughout the year. I needed it.

July 1st was close to being the worst day of my life, the day Dick Smith took over the Orewa store, Stace and I watched as their staff invaded 11 years of our lives, changing locks etc... it was like standing there helpless as someone violated a loved one and you could do nothing to stop it.
It was extremely gratifying to hear months later that the turmover has plunged 30% since.

Stace and I opened Howards Storage World in LynnMall to replace the Orewa store, this has been a rollercoaster ride of emotions everything from elation to extreme frustration to huge disappointment........2008 will be a challenging year business wise

I have to express my total admiration for Julie who lost her Mum and Dad within a few weeks of each other after they battled cancer. Personally I would have crumbled.

Everyday we read about or experience things that show no matter how bad we think our trials and tribulations are there is always someone worse off who would love to have our minor problems.......................

I apologise to everyone if I have not been my usual self at times but the last few months have been hard.

All the best for 2008

Christmas 2007

As a retailer the lead up to Christmas is a time of hard work and long days. The day itself is chance to relax and enjoy time with the family....

A few days off then it all starts over again....

The Boy........

Zach demonstrating that he comes from a long line of unco-ordinated Brees. At this stage of his development I dont think the boy is a threat to other up and coming tennis talent. Cant hit the ball Zach... beat the crap out of the box.............

Is there a reason why every second word Zach utters is car??????

Zach

Zach came for dinner and to play....

Summer in Paradise??

It must be Summer .. the Hair Dressers Club were out and about in their Mazda MX5s... spotted in convey thru Silverdale followed close behind by a long line of true Americian muscle cars.

I have my Tank Top on, the sun is shining and there are boats galore whizzing around the bay.

And I got arty with the camera

BULA....

Seven wonderful days in the sun of Fiji @ Mana Is. not the top resort in the World but still worth a visit and value for money. A bit of work on the menu would help. Check out the plane, Trish loved it...NOT!!!

Ready for the Ice Breaker 07

The first race meeting of the year for the classics is the Ice Breaker @ Puke 15-16 September.

After our DNF back in March the MG has pretty much sat there waiting for some attention. Linz came around yesterday and gave me a much needed kick start and we ripped into it. The problem that caused the DNF was a flat battery causing the fuel pump to falter... the ultimate culprit was a wire the wrong way around on the alternator. I must point out this was done BEFORE we got the car. We purchased some AVGas from the North Shore Aero Club, visited Supercheap for some bits then had lunch at a cafe in Albany. Great day.............

ROLL ON PUKE!!

Zach...Car Guy

Zach came over to play last nite. It looks like my brainwashing is finally paying off, at 18 months the boy's number 2 word is "car"... NO!!! is still number 1 and is usual delivered loud and clear accompanied by a stern frown. "WOW Cool" is the newest expression. I was knackered by the end of the day after numerous trips down stairs to the garage where Zach would pat whichever car he wanted to get into then hold his arms up to be lifted into the drivers seat where he investigated every switch and knob.

I have several model cars in display cabinets in my Boy's Room, Zach would love to get his hands on them but it aint going to happen no matter how often he says "WOW Cool".

Howards Storage World LynnMall

Our new store in LynnMall. A tad different to electronics!!!

Nu Howie Truk

This is the soon to be signwritten Howards Storage World truck. 2007 Toyota SR5 4x4. I can recommend this vehicle to anybody. Drives like a car

Ooopps been a while

No excuses but it has been a while since I updated the blog. We have been extremely busy with the handover of our Orewa store and the opening of our new Howards Storage World store in Lynn Mall. Check out http://www.hsw.co.nz/

I picked up the new arse kicker this morning, many thanx to Chris @ Giltrap Holden. 2007 VE SSV Commodore. 6 litre V8 and 6 speed triptronic automatic, 20" mags...love the big dish look on the back wheels. This is a nice machine but I will miss the Monaro

Linz Toy

Linz and Craig came around on Saturday morning in Linz Fraser 7. I took the car for a drive... heaps of power and very drivable. Hey Craig in case you never get your arse in the drivers seat, it's bloody good fun...he he

Domain Hillclimb 2007

This has to be a unique motorsport event as it takes place almost in the middle of Auckland City. A huge field of classic and modern 2wd cars raced the clock thru the Auckland Domain on a beautiful winters day. This event is a must do for me and the MG in 08.
The highlight for me was the battle and banter between Allan Woolf and Colin Waite, these two gentlemen have been racing against each other for centuries and are as competive as ever as they head towards their 80s... I will be quite happy to be breathing at their age, driving a race car would be a bonus......
I will post some pix when this thing will let me

ANZAC Day

One beauty winters day in Paradise!!!

Zach

Zach stayed for a few days before him and his Mum joined Stace in Sydney for a few weeks

OOOpps forgot

I forgot some wedding pix... that was Boff's very nice 1969 Monaro that I got told off for taking too many photos of...

Emma and Brett's wedding April 07

We flew to Brisbane for our niece's @ Tamborine. 4 days in Oz then home again to Paradise.

Pukekohe 17/3/2007...OH YEAH!!!

What a great day!! The whole thing was an absolute buzz. The people there today were extremely helpful and I really appreciate all the help and advice. So cool to have my little girl coming down to watch, an extra big thanx to LinZ & Tim. Disappointment at the end of the day when we had a fuel problem but thats racing. If you ever get a chance to do this grab it with both hands.