After her Diploma in Amenity Horticulture at Massey University, Denise Cleverley ran her own part time Landscape Design and Garden Maintenance business for several years. She switched to retail management, progressing to Company Buyer and working on the Development Team opening new stores. After motherhood came along, Denise worked as a researcher for Maggie Barry on both Maggie’s Garden Show and New Zealand Woman’s Weekly gardening.
Denise has been the NZ Woman’s Weekly Garden editor for two years now and feels extremely lucky being able to combine her passion for plants, gardening and photography with a flexible job that allows her to be a mother to her three children, first and foremost.
The young Christchurch promotions model determined to walk again after tragically losing her legs in the February earthquake is still coping with the ongoing complications ... More
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Over the Teacups
My four-year-old grandson was at the supermarket with his mother when he exclaimed, “You’re buying something, Mummy, auntie is buying something – I want to buy something!” Mum replied, “You have to be big, have a wife, have a job, then you can buy things.” He replied, “I have a wife – Maia,” meaning his four-year-old friend. Mum said, “What about a job?” Master Four replied, “My job is having a wife!”
Robyn, Whangarei
Water you want?
I was in the car and asking Master Three what he wanted for Christmas. He said he was going to ask Santa for a water pistol. “And Nanny,” he added, “I’m going to ask for some water for our paddling pool.” Now that could be interesting!
Julie, by email
Bee gone
Master Three had his first bee sting recently. The incident broke his heart, but after many cuddles he came right. Later he said, “I never want to see another bee again. I don’t like bees any more, I only like flies.”
Gaileen, by email
Fraud with worry
My daughter warned me that “old people are being taken for a ride,” and that I shouldn’t engage in conversation with phone sales people. To this, Master Five piped up, “Nana can’t go on that ride, she’s old.”
Joseph’s Nana, Hamilton
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