SUNDAY - MORE PACKING

 

Right, today I'm going to finish emptying the kitchen cupboards.  I'm going to put up a trestle in the dining area, and put everything on it that we still need to use.

That way ALL the kitchen cupboards will be clean and empty.

Stew meantime, is going to mow the lawns and weed the gardens for the last time here, as long as it's not raining.  If it is, they will have to be done on Monday or Tuesday.

I'm not sure what else I will get up to today... there's only so much left I can do before say, Thursday.  Then it will get a bit crazy.

SATURDAY - TAMAHERE IN MAY

 

It's freakin' early as... and we are getting ready to head off to Tamahere.

This is the last market we have before we move.

I feel like I have been waiting AGES for this market to be over and done with, so I can then pack it all away until after we move. 

My calf/leg feels much better this morning.  If I  take small, deliberate steps, there is no pain!  It's only when I forget and try to stride it out that it reminds me it's still mending.  But, it is getting there.  

I have a large piece of pork in the crock pot, which I will switch on as we leave.  Dinner is sorted.

Right, time to go... catch ya later.

...

ABOVE:  expected fog... wasn't wrong.

ABOVE: It's 7.49 am, we just took our time today, so set up finished a bit later than our 'norm'. It's still very foggy, but the sun should burn it off eventually. 

No expected wind or rain, which is awesome. 

The organiser of this market goes around taking photos.. then puts them on their Facebook page. Today she featured my Scrappy dolls.

Meanwhile, there's a lady lying in bed, scrolling Facebook. She sees my dolls... jumps out of bed and drives down here...

ABOVE: She is very happy with her doll. (Posted with her permission)

ABOVE: Nearly 11 am and we still have fog!  A decent amount of people here today. 

Would you believe it! Another lady saw the dolls on Facebook this morning and came and bought 2. Looks like I'll be making more once we have moved and settled in.

ABOVE: At 12.15 pm, forty five minutes before the market ended, the FOG FROM HELL finally lifted!  

There was a reasonable amount of people at the market today, and most stallholders turned up.

AFTER 12.15 it turned into a gloriously sunny, warm day.

We are home now, and just relaxing for a little while.  Stew will head off to the supermarket shortly to get diet coke and other bit's 'n' bobs.

We ended up having decent sales today, which was nice.  What really made me smile was A) The dolls selling and B) one of my runners is off to Switzerland.  

I love it when they go all over the world.

The pork in the crock pot is smelling delicious!!!  So nice to come home to that smell wafting out the door.

2.45 pm: Stew is at the supermarket, and I just finished loading the van with heaps of stuff, ready to go on Friday to the new house.  BIG TICK.

ABOVE:  Oh almost forgot.  A lady from Hamilton City Council was wandering around the market, looking for stalls to invite to the MATARIKI FESTIVAL,  to be held on Friday, June the 20th at Innes Common, Hamilton Lake.  It is a Twilight Festival.  She was looking for 'one off, unique, locally made' products.  She loved our stall and invited us to attend.  How lovely was that?  We shall certainly be going.

Best put that on our calendar right now.

6.38 pm, and I'm signing off early.  We are both knackered... half physical, half mental.  So much to remember to do over the next 6 days.  I tried to have a power nap this afternoon, but my brain was like ... hell no.  

So we will stay up till around 9-10 pm, then go to bed, hoping to get a good nights sleep.

Catch ya tomorrow.

ONE WEEK TO GO!

It's Friday.

ONE MORE WEEK until we move.

Stew finishes work tonight, and has the next two weeks off.

He will be busy though, helping me get the last minute things done before the move.

And then helping get us settled into the new house.

We have the Tamahere Market tomorrow, so we'll load up the van today, in readiness for market.  

We are borrowing Steve's van for the next week, so we can keep all the market stuff in it, and also fit in anything else we want to get out of the way/garage, before the movers arrive next Friday.  BIG TICK.

ABOVE:  I just ordered these glass domes off Trade Me.  And changed our delivery address... they will probably turn up at our new home BEFORE us! lol

I didn't want to put our present address in case they turned up after we moved, and I didn't get them.  Shit happens.  Trying to avoid SHIT at all costs.

I was going on an FBG Social Walk today... but just tripped over Coco and wrenched my sore calf again. DAMN IT.  So now I'll have to cancel. I was looking forward to going so much. 

...

How typical.  Already my leg is feeling quite a bit better.  Though I think it was wise not going on the walk, it's at Raglan, on the beach.  Might have been a stretch for my leg to cope with 5 kms of walking on sand.

I've already done quite a bit in the house this morning, like empty all but two cupboards and one drawer in the kitchen.

The washing is on, and I just scrubbed out the laundry sink.  Tick tick.

Time to put my leg up and rest it for an hour or so.

2.42 pm:  Why do the seemingly little jobs take so much time?  All I did was clean out some of the bathroom cupboards and cabinet.  Two hours and two boxes later, and that's done.  All that's left in the bathroom now is stuff in daily use. Yet another big tick.

I know I'm actually getting way ahead of the game... come next week there is going to be bugger all to do.  That's not a bad thing I suppose.

Does anyone else do this?  I just hid in my hallway because there were two men knocking on my door.  They kept knocking.... Coco was going nuts as she saw them coming to the front door.   I loathe door knockers, no matter what reason they are on my property for.  This lot were religious callers...  and I ain't into that.  They knocked several times... until they left finally.

I felt like a right twat hiding in my hallway!

Hanging out for Stew to get home.  I've not had lunch today... cos I want a Subway sandwich for dinner.  Starving. 

7.45 pm:  All is done for the day.   Van is ready to go.  Dinner was awesome.  And I'm knackered and ready for bed.  It's just a wee bit early for bed though.  Maybe in another hour and a half.

Till then, I'll watch some mindless TV, while Stew is in the lounge watching ... SPORT.  Of course.

Catch ya tomorrow. 

MOSAICS AGAIN TODAY

 

Today I'm off to Cambridge to work on my little projects at Mosaics.  I am enjoying it, it's different from sewing.  And I get to hang out with a few very nice ladies.  And Yak.  Gotta love the yakking.  😂😉

On my way over there, I'm dropping Coco off at Lacy's.  Lacy is going to give Coco a bath for me, as I don't want the 'wet dog stink'  in my bathroom after it took me 4 hours to get it spotless!  And it's too cold to bath her outside.

So, Lacy can do it in her wet room/bathroom for me.

I'll pick Coco up on my way home from Cambridge at lunchtime.

I have sold or given away SO MUCH STUFF, in preparation for our move to a much smaller home. While visiting Lacy yesterday something strange happened.

ABOVE:  I spied this gorgeous blue platter... said it was gorgeous and ... Lacy gave it to me.

I don't often get given stuff, it's usually the other way around.   

ABOVE: See how gorgeous it is!  I will definitely find a spot for it in our new home.

ABOVE:  Talking about our new home... I drove out to the Village yesterday as well.  Look what I spied in my new garden.  Such a pretty iris.  I think it will be interesting to see what pops up in the garden over time.

ABOVE:  It is now 12.37 pm, and I'm just in from Cambridge.  The day started with another really heavy fog... so I layered up with me thermals to keep warm.

Of course, by lunchtime (like now), I had to take them all off cos it's warmed up considerably.

ABOVE:  My Lizard On Shist is coming along nicely.  I added grout today, and next week one of the ladies will cure it for me.  I won't be back there now for a few weeks... due to moving etc.

ABOVE:  I got quite a few more bits 'n' bobs on this rock today as well.   It's looking lovely and bright.  A happy rock.

It is now lunchtime, so as per usual, I'll take a break and be back.... later.

Thanks for saying how lovely the Lizard looks, but remember, I didn't actually make him.  I'm just repairing him.

I had thought of leaving him in this garden when we move, but decided I liked him too much to leave him.

Our new garden is much smaller, more compact and I have no idea where everything will go!  Or if it will even fit.

Considering how much I've already given away ... I may still need to rehome more stuff!!!

That kinda hurts, but it is what it is.

Stew arrived home and I've just dropped him down at the pub.  I chose to come home again, instead of visiting the kids this evening.  I'm tired.  Bex is tired (baby woke too early today).  So  I now have about 3 hours to kill till I pick Stew up from the pub.

What to do?   Might just sit here and watch TV.

So I am watching tv, the NEWS in fact.  But I also just emptied 3 more kitchen cupboards and cleaned them.  More ticks.

9.38 pm:  I ended up spending half an hour with Stew at the pub.  Then home to chill out till bedtime.

Catch ya tomorrow.

HUMP DAY

 

I checked my lists... and there is like, NOTHING I need to do today.

Which means I have nothing to do.  

No plans whatsoever.  Totally bored.

I should be thankful I suppose.  But really, I just want to be busy, so time flies faster.

Oh I know what I can do!  I'll wash all the windows outside.  The insides are fine, but the outsides sure need another clean.

There, solved me problem.  

That should take me an hour or two...  catch ya later. 

Two jobs done already, and it's only 10.20 am.

ABOVE: When I started cleaning the windows, it was super foggy, really damp, almost like drizzle!

But by the time I'd finished it had cleared, and we have a gorgeous day out there.

After finishing the windows, I came inside and did the next job.  Talking to the Insurance Company again.  I'd changed all our policies last week, to reflect smaller home, less contents etc.

I also cancelled our trailer insurance, effective next week.

But as Stew pointed out, WHAT IF some bastard steals it the day after it's no longer insured?  So I reinstated the insurance on the trailer, just to be safe.

I'll cancel it after we sell it. 

I am now considering going out and about... 

Sorry Christine, forgot to reply.

Score the top of the meat, going through the fat.  Put some oil on the top and sides to stop it drying out, sprinkle with salt.  Into a low oven for about 3 hours, then turn the heat up a bit to crisp up the top.  Serve with apple sauce and veges.  Super YUM.

ABOVE:  Flowers delivered to me door just now. ??

From Stew...   'Thinking of You'.

I get it.

It would have been my Mum's 88th Birthday today.  I have tried to keep myself busy.  But that kind gesture from Stew made me cry.   

ABOVE: And then I laughed, cos the closest thing I had to a vase to put them in was... the bottom of the blender!!!   Works for me.  

Thank you Darling.

See you later.  

6.38 pm:  Stew arrived home and we sat and pondered 'dinner'.  Usually we just have snacks, but tonight we decided to have a pizza.  So he's gone out to get some.  I felt cheated, as we had planned on having pizza for lunch on the weekend, but ended up having a burger instead.

ABOVE:  Dominoes Thin and Crispy Crust Pizza... perfect!   We really enjoy them, cos you don't get too much dough.

Now that dinner is done (sorry Coco, none for you), we will blob out till bedtime.

Catch ya tomorrow.

BABYSITTING LILY

 

GOOD MORNING

Today my first 'job' is to head over to Steve and Bex's, as I am baby sitting Miss Lily while Bex attends an appointment.

After that, I will come home and get on with some jobs around the house.  

Now that I've decided not to make any more scrappy dolls, I think it's time to REALLY pack up the sewing room!  Like REALLY, REALLY put it all into boxes, tape them closed and put them in the garage.

Then I can vacuum, dust, clean windows, window sills etc and close the door.

That job will probably take me a good couple of hours.  So... 

Let's get a move on.  

12.25 pm:  I have had a very productive morning.

First up of course, was looking after the delightful Miss Lily.

15 minutes before Bex had to leave, Lily took a nose dive between the couch and chair, and dinged her forehead on the windowsill.

I was, of course, worried because she was so upset.  But her 'ding' was a big 'out', not an inny, so we could relax a bit.

She came right pretty quickly as well.

So off Bex went, and I was left with these two:

ABOVE: Marley sat at my feet almost the entire time.

ABOVE:  Lily sat and watched tv, and ate snacks ... she was perfectly happy.  I 'bleeped' out her ding, ya don't need to be seeing that. 

After leaving Bex and Lily, I went into town and bought a new dog door, which will be fitted the day after we move.  ANOTHER BIG TICK.

Then out to the Base, where I did my banking.  So thankful I wasn't in a queue for too long today.

It is now lunchtime.  After lunch I shall get on with packing up what's left in the sewing room.

ABOVE:  While there wasn't a lot left to pack up in here, it still took me two hours. 

ABOVE: While I am sad to be leaving behind my amazing sewing room, I will make my new 'space' in the garage just as awesome.   Said with some healthy scepticism.  😕😖  It's not like I ain't done my sewing in a garage before eh?

I'm tired now, so will take a break. My leg is holding up well today, still a bit sore when I walk, but on a scale of 1 - 10, it's around a 3.  Progress is slow but steady.

5 pm and the sun is low... it's getting dark already.  I just did a very quick supermarket run.  I only wanted some rice snacks.  Have enough to last quite a few days now.  NOTE TO SELF:  Don't damn well use the self check out!  Because I'd bought from the Bulk Bins, the staff member 'manning' the self check outs had to come over and scan and approve every single item himself. Quite pointless me even trying to do it myself and avoid the queues.  😠😞

Bitching over... moving on.  I'm looking forward to a quiet evening.  It is only Tuesday and I already feel like it should be Friday.

Hanging out for me bed... but have to friggin watch Coronation Street first.  I wanted so much to give up Coronation Street, but damn well can't.  It's ingrained in me.

Catch ya tomorrow. 

A SEWING MONDAY

 

Stew is at work this week, then come Friday, he's off for two entire weeks.

Awesome.  He gets to help me do the final packing, then unpacking once we have moved.

I am looking forward to having him home to help me. 4 sleeps till then.

Back to today though, and my plans are to make 2 more 'Itty Bitty' scrappy dolls.  

I'm having quite a bit of fun doing the scrappy dolls.  Making the faces is the best part.  Giving them character is so enjoyable.

I also need to ring and organise the Plumber, Gasfitter and Electrician for the first 'JOB' at the new house.  Which is to remove the gas heater and hot water cylinder, and replace the hot water cylinder with an electric one. Then I can get the gas connection decommissioned. 

Damned if I'm going to pay exorbitant connection fees for gas like we are here. Our last Gas bill was $83, of which our gas usage was $34.  Just does not make sense to keep using gas.

I just want to pay ONE bill... electricity.  Full stop.  End of story. 

ABOVE: Two of the buttons I bought yesterday, which I really like.  Let's see how they look on a scrappy eh?

CLEARLY A GIRAFFE!  😂😅

ABOVE:  12.01 pm,  MEH.  I made an Itty Bitty Scrappy doll this morning... and hated it.  It went straight in the bin, after I removed the buttons.

I've just had lunch, and am pondering if I can be bothered even making another one right now. 

I look around and wish there was more I could pack up!  But no.  Everything left out has to stay in use till next week.  

So maybe I'll rest my leg, then go back in the sewing room later.  

It's later.  6.03 pm in fact.  It's been a  busy afternoon for me.  I did more sorting out in the garage.  I vacuumed the entire house.  Did dishes.  And a few other little jobs.

I am NOT going to make any more scrappy dolls.  I'm done for now.  Sewing will happen again once we have moved and got ourselves settled in.

Stew just arrived home and got on the exercycle, while watching the news on the telly. 

We are heading into a nice, quiet evening at home, relaxing (blobbing out) in front of the telly.

Catch ya tomorrow.

MOTHERS DAY

 

It's the 5th Mothers Day without my Mum. 

4.7 years of reaching for the phone to tell her something, ask her something, just speak to her.

And then I remember.  She's not going to answer, ever again.

It does not get any easier.  But I am learning to accept it.  Learning to just remember the good times, the fun times.  And accept loss is a part of living, we all lose family over time.  

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY MUM, wherever your soul rests now.

Mum's birthday usually coincided with Mother's Day, either the same weekend/day, or close.  So a double whammy loss.

Personally, I don't 'do' Mothers Day.  I firmly believe you should show you care for you Mother every day of the year, not just on one HEAVILY COMMERCIALISED DAY of the year.  Mothers Day is for the RETAILERS.  

Stew and I will probably go out to lunch somewhere nice, as we usually do on the weekend.  That's all I want, thanks.

ABOVE: This was taken about 7 years ago, but it's one of my all time favourite photos of Mum and Mike. 

I did some sewing late yesterday, and made my first 'Itty Bitty':

ABOVE:  It was super easy and quick to make I must say, and not too much nutting out either.  The next one will be faster now I've made one.

I might even make another one today.  

ABOVE: LOOKING FOR....

And got. Will show you once we are home.

Tried to have lunch at Iguana in town ... fully booked. Same at Fergus. So we are now at Burger Fuel. Not unhappy about that, as they do the best burgers in town.

ABOVE:  By the time we got our 'lunch', it was pretty much early afternoon.  So I'm calling it "Breakfast/Lunch and Dinner'.  Our burgers were amazing.  You just cannot beat Burger Fuel.

ABOVE: We went to David's Emporium for buttons (for eyes), and also got some really cheap felt as well.

ABOVE: And finally, I bought some new sneakers.  NOT for walks with the FBG's, rather  for out and about in town etc.   It was quite a mission finding them I must say.  I had almost given up in fact, when we found these at the Skecher's Shop at The Base.  Skechers sneakers really suit my feet.

It is now 2.08 pm, and seriously, I'm gunna have a nap!  Such a big meal has wiped me out.

4.02 pm: So much for the 'nap'.  I spied something for sale on Marketplace, and thought, wow, that would be awesome to put my fabrics on in the new garage.

ABOVE:  EXTRA tall, but not too deep.  It will hold so much without taking up masses of space.  All the shelving is adjustable as well. I'm thrilled with it, and it was at a very good price.  SCORE.

8.28 pm, time to sign off for the day.  Catch ya tomorrow.