WILL IT BE TODAY?

 

Well... I am hoping like hell we get to use the driveway extension today!

'W' did say it would be either this afternoon, or tomorrow morning.

I simply cannot wait.

I WISH I could put a big fat 'fuck you' finger on the back of my car!  For those shit neighbours who cost us THOUSANDS of dollars, so we could actually park both our cars at our own property.

But... I can't of course.  But, I am just so happy we got a win at the end of the day.

Today I have a bit of housework to get done, just the norm really.  Then I might do some sewing.

I didn't get any done yesterday as I was feeling really jaded.

My cold is much improved today, thank goodness!

And Stew's knee is coming along well too.  He's moving much better, using the leg more, and doing all his exercises.  I'm so proud of him, he's had to go through so much to get where he is now.  I feel it won't be that long before he's back to doing everything he wants.   Like going on lovely evening strolls with me around the river banks.  😊  AND getting back to the pub on a Thursday night!  He's not been for two weeks already... and can't resume until he's off most of the pain killers.  Those drugs and alcohol don't mix.

We might go out for lunch today, let's just wait and see how the morning pans out.

ONWARD...

ABOVE:  Progress shot.  I can't see much of a difference yet... we've been told it will take quite some time for the swelling to go down.

And now... I'm off to C.Q. to do some work.

ABOVE:  Two and a  half hours... cutting out strips in readiness for sewing.  Do you have any idea how much time is taken with just cutting up strips?  Easily a third of the time it takes to actually sew them into a runner.  My legs have gone numb from standing still for so long.  Time to take a break.

It's a gorgeous day, for the washing to get dry.

It's out on the line.

I've hand washed his nibs compression stockings, got them dry and put them back on his legs.  THAT was a workout for me I can tell ya.  Those things are freakin' murder to get on and off.

Isn't Stewie lucky he doesn't have to do it.  For now.

This 'nursing' malarky isn't my forte for sure, for sure.  I'm hoping in another week or so he will be able to do more.

It is now 4.30 pm, and I decided to take down the driveway barrier, and do this:

AND...

ABOVE:  I am so, so happy!  

ABOVE: I never, ever have to leave my car down here again... or walk down to get it, or walk home from there.  

IT'S A MASSIVE WIN.

* during the week that carpark is full of staff cars, service vehicles etc.*   

9.34 pm, and it's been another long, sorta lazy day.

I did me wifey duty, and fed and watered the man.

Got all the housework done and even got some sewing in as well.

Now, I'm probably gunna go to bed.  Cos I'm feeling a bit tired.

Catch ya tomorrow.

YET ANOTHER FBG WALK

 

Well... I'm off on another FBG walk this morning.

Luckily, it's not a super early start.  The walk starts at 9.30, so I don't have to leave home till around 8.30.

When I get home the first thing I must do is gas up the car.  Petrol prices are rising rapidly, so best get some in the car now, before it gets any higher.

Because Stew is doing so well, I will stay for the post walk morning tea today.  I might even buy him a treat for his lunch while I'm out and about.

I'll take a photo of the last bag I made too... it is so lovely.

I think I've got enough bags for now, so later on I might make another Kiwiana Braid Runner or 10!  lol

I gave one to 'W', the driveway man the other day, by way of a personal 'Thank You' for such a beautiful job he did.  He loved it.

Right, I'm off to get ready for me walk.

Catch ya later.

ONWARD...

1.20 pm.

Walk was HOT and STICKY.  So, so hot.  

I was not the only one who got beetroot red in the face, and I think everyone sweated buckets!

ABOVE: Walk stats, slow but steady.  It really was too hot to go fast.

ABOVE: The area we walked in today has many beautiful homes.  I love this one's letterbox.  And there's cute little 'R'.  A very dear friend.

11.15 am, back in Hamilton.  Got changed and then we went to PakNSave for a few groceries.  Then gassed up the car, came home and put the groceries away, made our lunch and so on.

I'm now knackered.  It's just too hot... probably not as hot as other places, sorry other places.

We are supposed to get rain soon, it can't come soon enough for me.  I'm just dripping.

ABOVE: I have so much fun putting funny faces on everyone, even the dogs.  😊😉

ABOVE: The last bag for a little while.  I love it, probably cos it's... blue. LOL

ABOVE:  7 pm, and Coco and I had a lovely walk along the riverbank, then up the bush path to come home along the road side.  Coco was ready to get home after about 20 minutes... so luckily for her our walk was only half an hour long.

That's me for the day, time to chill out and look forward to BED.

I'm freakin' tired.

Catch ya tomorrow.

SLEEPING IN HOPEFULLY

 

It will have been one week since Stew's operation this afternoon, and he's doing so well!

This afternoon he has an appointment with a physiotherapist.  Hopefully he gets a good report on his progress, and an outline of what he needs to keep doing, or add into his regime.

He was seen by a physiotherapist in the hospital for a grand total of about forty minutes, and we just got the bill.  $260 +.   I nearly spat the dummy.  OMG that is daylight robbery.

If today's physio charges that much, we won't be going too often.   And YES, I know he needs physio, but they can just give him a list of what he needs to do and send him on his way!

So, not much happening this morning, I shall take a photo of #4 Tote Bag, then get on with another couple.  They will probably be wonky house ones.  Or a Fat Bottomed Girl.  Dunno yet.

ONWARD...

11.30 am, and I've just finished the first bag of the day.  I'll start another one after we have been out this afternoon.

ABOVE:  A really pretty dog one.  I have just enough of that dog fabric to make one more... I will pair it with a pretty Blue.

ABOVE: This is the one I finished last night.  

After I've done the second dog one for today, I will switch to a Wonky House Tote Bag I think.

3.30 pm, and we are home again.  Stew's physio appointment went well, all is as it should be.  We will probably go back again in a week and re-assess the necessity after that.

After physio, we went to Foundation for lunch:

ABOVE: We both had the Lamb 'sandwich' and fries.  To be clear, I did not eat the top bun of mine.  And Stew got half me chips as well.  

JUST in case someone wants to tell me off for eating so much.  As happens.  Too often.

Moving on, my cold seems to be marginally better today, I'm certainly not sneezing quite as much, and my head doesn't feel so awful either.

On the mend I hope.

Now... gunna have a quiet couple of hours, before heading back into C.Q.

8.15 pm, and I've had a wonderful afternoon/evening.

Stew and I both had a nap (couple times, so cute), then I went into C.Q. and got another Tote Bag made.  It's lovely.  I'll show ya tomorrow.

I'm now having Caramel Probiotic Yoghurt and a pear chopped into it for my 'dinner'.  Stew passed on dinner, his tummy is giving him a bit of grief.

We think it's the drugs he's on for the pain... hopefully it settles down once he starts weaning off the drugs.

But that's not yet, he still needs them to enable him to do his exercises.  Baby steps... or Stewie steps as the case may be.  😂😅😉

I'm going now, I wanna relax and eat me dinner, watch some telly then head off to bed.

Catch ya tomorrow.

DRIVEWAY WILL BE FINISHED TODAY

 

'W' told me yesterday that he would finish the driveway today.

He just has to put the concrete 'anchoring' strips around the edges, cover them with soil and grass seed and it will be done.   I wonder if he will actually put the soil and grass seed down today?  

I suppose I'll find out eh?

ABOVE: That's how the extension looked yesterday afternoon.  

ABOVE: Stew and I are very impressed with the attention to detail... I love it!   I know it's 'only' a driveway at the end of the day, but it's bloody lovely.

The left hand side is going to be the 'walkway' to the front door now.  

My plans for the day?  Think I'll make a couple more Tote Bags. I've got some fabric already cut out.

While I do that, Stew can lounge around in the house, watching sport on the telly, or a movie on Netflix.  

I suppose I better get up and make him breakfast...

Catch ya later.

ONWARD...

11 am and MEH.  I feel like death warmed up.  So shitty with this cold and sore throat.  I tried having a mid morning nap.. no luck.  Wasn't really tired, just feeling ikkk.

Stew is doing great, his knee is still hugely swollen, but I think I can see some improvement with that today.  He's getting around much easier and his pain is under control on a whole.

ABOVE: The concrete is going down, and 'W' said the soil and grass seed will go down today as well.  He is going to 'barricade' the driveway so no one drives on it until the concrete is set.  He reckons it will be totally fine by late Saturday or Sunday.  I can wait.  It will be worth it at the end of the day.

I'm now going to do an hour or so in C.Q's, before getting our lunch.

2.30 pm and I've been sewing for a couple of hours now.  Getting things done.

'W' has finished the driveway, and is just watering the grass seed.  I'm now taking a little break for a late lunch (Stew's already had his).

Someone asked me if any of the neighbours have made a comment about the driveway yet?

YES.  Two have said it looks very good.

And the ARESHOLE to our side/back, who made us lose our shed?  He drove past yesterday while I was out there with 'W', and 'L' from the village.  He drove INCREDIBLY SLOWLY, looking in at our place the entire time ... it's a wonder he didn't drive into something, he certainly was not looking where he was going!

I couldn't help myself.. and said "Take a photo why don't ya"?

I do believe 'L' sniggered.   He's well aware of how much of an arse that man is.

If there's been any negativity about it, I've not heard.  And ...

TOO LATE.  It's done.  A fait accompli.   Come Sunday my car will be permanently at my actual home.

ABOVE: Done and dusted.  The barricade will be up till 'W' comes back on the weekend.

I shall water the grass seed every day, it won't be long before it grows.

ABOVE: One Tote Bag done, and the second one of the day is about 50% done.  I don't know if I'll get it finished today, my batteries ran down.

Lacy called in to check up on us... that was nice.

She's doing well, keeping busy with her cute little home, her two cats and a bunch of guppies (fish), that's she's breeding.  

:Lacy wants you all to know she is not 'breeding' guppies, they are just doing it all by themselves.  She didn't set out to have 30 baby guppies!! 😂😅😆

It's now 8.36 pm, and I've just finished a second bag for the day.  I'll have to show you tomorrow, as it's now dark outside.  I like to use my tree as a prop.  lol

Catch ya tomorrow.

AN FBG WALK, THEN HOME TO STEW

 

First up for today, I'm off to Cambridge to an FBG walk.  I won't be staying for the morning tea after the walk.  I'll get back here quick smart... so Stew isn't on his own for too long.

Though, I expect the Landscape man will be here doing the driveway.  So, there will be someone nearby.

Plus, he does have his phone if he needs help, so I'm not going to worry too much.

He's a big boy.

And he has Coco.  😂😅😉

ABOVE: This is how the driveway looked after the landscaper left yesterday.   I hope there's a big change when I get home from my walk.

It doesn't look like a big enough area for my car, it is very deceptive.

ONWARD...

ABOVE:  A lovely sky this morning  on my way to Cambridge.  

And its not even cold enough to wear my new FBG sweatshirt.  

I have got a freakin' head cold. Sniffing and sneezing, not fun. Seems to be going around, Steve and his kids have it too. Stew hasn't  caught it ... yet.
12 noon.

The walk was really good...

ABOVE:  Today's walk stats.  Walk photo to come later.

After the walk I came back to Hamilton, grabbed a few things from the mall... and home in time to make our lunch.  Which was Chicken/Bacon Tortellini.  

ABOVE:  knee progress.  It's looking good.  Another week and the clear dressing can come off.

ABOVE:  Progress when I arrived home... all ready for the pavers.

ABOVE:  And there it is, the first paver is down.  

I bought some Covid tests while I was out, cos my throat is killing me, and sneezing???  OMG, they won't stop.  But, THANKFULLY... my covid test was NEGATIVE.  Very relieved about that. 

And now... I'm knackered and might just have a quiet afternoon. 

ABOVE: Today's walk photo.  

Stew and I lay down after lunch... and he went to sleep and snored like a trooper.

I didn't sleep... why?

Cos my socks were annoying my toes, and I couldn't be arsed bending down and taking them off!  How dumb can ya get?  Well, clearly that dumb.

It's now 2.50 pm, we are both up and listening to 'W' cutting up pavers.  He's got another day of work before it's finished.  And I can't drive on it until Saturday or Sunday, so the concrete edge can set.  The concreting will be done tomorrow, then covered up with grass.  It's just to hold everything in place apparently.  

It's going to look awesome.

7.25 pm, and a quiet afternoon was had by both of us.  My cold is dragging me down a bit, hopefully it doesn't last long.

Stew is getting quicker, and better at walking around the house.  And getting a bit too confident, he was about to walk down the hallway without his crutches... till I told him off!

I don't want him falling and stuffing up the knee, and putting back his recovery.  

'W' worked until 4 pm, then knocked off for the day.  He got HEAPS done today... I will show you tomorrow.

For now, it's sign off time.  Coronation Street is on this evening, then I'll be off to bed.

Catch ya tomorrow.

RUNNERS... AND A NEW DRIVEWAY

 

Today... is THE DAY.

We are getting our driveway extension started today.  I am thrilled beyond words.

I have kept my car down in the distant carpark for now, as I didn't want ANY BASTARD NEIGHBOUR to get wind of what's happening, and put in a formal complaint before it's even done! 

I'm damned if that's going to happen.  I want our new driveway, and my car up by the house to be a fait accompli before anyone gets an idea to complain about it.

Once it's actually DONE, there will be no way they can stop me putting my car ON MY OWN GODDAM DRIVEWAY.   And a driveway WE PAID THOUSANDS of dollars to get installed I might add.

You can expect photos!

ABOVE: This is the before photo... with the letterbox already moved to it's new position, off to the left.

ABOVE:  Those are the four Braid Runners I finally finished yesterday afternoon.

I'm now contemplating what to make next.  I'm thinking.. some more Bags?  

ONWARD...

10.30 am, and things are ticking along nicely today.

Stew is all good, in pain but that's to be expected.  It will get better day by day.

He's fed and watered, and now in the front room relaxing.

I've been sewing.

ABOVE:  I'm so happy right now.  I've found another use for fabrics that are not suitable for Braid Runners!  Tote Bags.

That's the first one for today.  The next one is using some really old fabric from our friend Martyn's Mum's Stash... happy to be using some of her fabric too.

ABOVE:  'W' arrived at 8.30 am and got right into ripping up the old pavers.  He reckons the job will take him 2-3 days.  Whoop!!!   It's happening. 

Right, back to C.Q's.

ABOVE: We now have a little digger in our yard.  😊

ABOVE: Bag number two for the day features cats.  I'm experimenting with sizing.  This one is fairly large.  Might make the next one smaller. 

ABOVE: Stew's lunch today:  Chicken Salad, Mussels with a Tangy Seafood dip, and fresh fruit.  I'm feeling very, very GOOD WIFEY-ish.  *snort*

DOGSTARS:  I think the village manager IS worried about there being a 'run' on people wanting to do what we are doing!  But, as I've said before, many of those that live here only have one car, or can use their garage for one car, and have the other on the driveway out the front.

We are having to use the garage for my sewing 'room', hence no where to put a car in there.

Stew is doing small walks around the house and doing his exercises right now.  I don't think he will be going on any walks outside yet, as uneven ground would not be safe right now. 

3 pm, and I've spent an hour having a catch up down at Craft Group.  Stew is sleeping, so it was a good time to nip out.

I didn't do any work down there, just sat and yakked.  Yakking is good for the soul. 

8 pm.  I got home from Craft Group to a sleeping husband, and no driveway man working.  He had knocked off early.  So, not much else got done today.

I haven't done much else myself either.  Had a quiet afternoon/evening.

Forgot to get Stew his dinner... Whoops.  He got himself some yoghurt and fruit.  He needs to move anyway... I'm consoling myself!

Time to sign off for the day.

Catch ya tomorrow.