SCRATCHING FOR IDEAS

 

I'm in that annoying position of not having much to yabber on about!

It happens sometimes, where I just can't conjure up any drivel.  😂

Stew is off to the gym this morning.

While he's doing that, I will do the housework, not that there's much of that.

I can't do a bloody thing in the sewing room... which is soooo frustrating.

ABOVE:  I just remembered this photo... it was our last sunset of 2025.  Might as well chuck it in here.

When Stew gets back from the gym, we will go and do a small grocery shop.  There's a few basics we are out of.  And that is it for now.

**********

11 am.  After a leisurely arising, we both went down to the gym/pool complex.

Stew did 20 minutes on the recumbent cycle, then joined me in the pool.

I got to spend about 35 minutes doing exercises and ...

ABOVE:  I got to use my static swimming belt again.  AND I  had to tighten it, as it was a bit loose around me waist.  I say 'waist' with a snigger, as I really don't have one... yet.

ABOVE:  It was so lovely being in the pool again, and we only had to 'share' it with two others.  Both men we knew fairly well.

Stew is now having a cuppa tea, then we are going out to the Base for a wander, then lunch.

I'll try not to buy anything, but no promises.  I'm incorrigible.  Sorry, not sorry, to those who find my spending excessive.  NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS.

ABOVE:  When we were up in Auckland on Boxing Day, Stew suggested we stop in at Made In Italy, top of the Bombay hills.  It's one of my favourite shops.

I found TWO dresses.  That one above is one of them.  It's linen, so cool to wear.  Super flowy without making me look mega fat.  I love it.  So does Stew.

The other dress is also a shade of blue, but I'm not showing that one, as it might be worn to a special event coming up.  

ABOVE: How's that for a perfect match? I've had that little fabric shoulder bag for years, some kind lady sent it to me. I wish I could remember who.

We are now at The Base.

3.30 pm.  We had a quick wander around The Base, had lunch, then Stew did some shopping.

ABOVE: He bought some summer jandals (thongs, flip flops) and he says they are very comfortable.  They are Skechers. 

ABOVE: After the mall, we visited the flaming red head and her family.  The boys DO LIVE THERE, but we hardly see them!  They are always busy doing something.  We do get a kiss and cuddle 'Hello & Goodbye', so that's nice.

Steve is working on something for me in his garage.  I'm a little bit excited.

Next stop was the supermarket, where I spent $200 + MORE than I expected... but that is how it goes.  If you go in with a list and keep to it... WELL DONE YOU!  I had about 5 things on my list, and came out with a trolley full.  😖😒😏

We are now home, and I reckon a Nana Nap might be on the  cards.  Though usually, try as I might, I do not sleep.  It's just nice to lie down and totally relax for an hour eh?

Stew is... well you guess what he's doing!!!

7.20 pm:  Stew was watching sport, of course.

I did grab a few zzz's!  For about an hour, which was nice.

Now we face the usual evening, watching TV, scrolling the internet, and so on.  Catch ya tomorrow.

HAPPY NEW YEAR, WELCOME 2026

WELCOME 2026.

You better be a much better year than 2025 is all I can say.  

Thank you to everyone who reads my drivel, and sticks around and supports me and my family.

I hope everyone has a WONDERFUL Day and a Fantastic New Year.
 

ABOVE:  I never do New Year Resolutions, but that one?  I can do that.  😂😅😉

ABOV: that kauri clock used to be in our bedroom, but I wanted it in the lounge.

I finally settled on there, as it tied in with the browns in the painting really well.

I used a hook and nail... and for once I actually banged into a stud in the wall.  

I said to Stew "Wow, it's not often I bang into a stud!"

He sniggered and said "Yeah ya do ... every day", indicating himself.

I walked right into that one didn't I?  😂😅😂

10 am:  Stew is at the gym and I'm pottering around in the house.  I've just tidied up my photo files on my laptop, deleted shit I don't need anymore.

Which includes ONWARD.  Starting a New Year, less cluttered, even on here.

I almost talked myself into going and buying a new (spare) sewing machine.  I say almost because while Stew said that was OK, I realised my own big machine MIGHT be back soon?  The place I took it to for repair is open on Monday, so I'm holding out hope that McDreamy will be back soon.

In the meantime, I shall continue working on layouts.

ABOVE:  I just cooked a duck for our lunch.

The village is holding a PICNIC LUNCH down at the community centre, and anyone can go, take their lunch/drinks with them, and enjoy some company on New Year's Day.

We are going, as Stew really needs to get to know more people.  And it should be nice.  

I've got half an hour to do me face, get dressed, and pack the lunch.

1.35 pm, and lunch is over.  It was very pleasant, nice company and conversation.

Our duck was delicious.  I think we shall be having duck for our lunch again tomorrow.

Now... time to chill for an hour or so, before going back into Crabby Quarters and finishing those Fat Lady layouts.

7.35 pm.  Well that was a lot of work!  My back got a bit sore, and my legs certainly did.  Lots of standing up, sorting out fabrics, tracing the shapes onto Steam a Seam, etc.

I now have FIVE Fat Bottomed Girls Runners ready for stitching.  

I can't wait for Monday, when the shop opens and I can find out how long McDreamy will be away for.

My biggest fear is that he's sitting in a corner somewhere, with nothing having been done yet.

That will piss me off.  He's been gone since December the 18th.

Right, enough bitching.  Time to sign off for the day.

Catch ya tomorrow.

SUPER, SUPER FRUSTRATED RIGHT NOW

 

It is the last day of 2025, and it's started off with me feeling incredibly frustrated.

I tried using my 'spare' sewing machine last night, and it won't go!  OK, it GOES... in one spot.  It won't move the fabric forward, the needle just goes up and down in the same spot.

I've read up the instructions/troubleshooting, and nothing I do changes it.

So, I'm unable to sew for a full week, until the sewing machine shop opens up on the 5th!  I can't believe BOTH my machines are not working.

My baby one has literally had NO USE at all, and it now won't go?  WTF?

MASSIVE GRRRRRR.

There are a few other things I can do in the meantime, like cut out fat ladies, and their swimsuits etc.  But no sewing.

So that's what I shall do today, cut out fat ladies etc.

I have no idea what Stew will do with himself.  He has no hobbies, except anything to do with sport.  But usually not playing sport.  More like watching sport.

We talked about that yesterday, and I said he would have to get involved in some of the activities that are held in the village once he retired.  Retirement is still a while away yet though.  

He could make a start though, some of the activities are held over the weekends/evenings, so I'm going to encourage him to get involved.

Right, time to start the day.

Catch ya later.

12.30 pm.  Stew and I stayed in bed until 9.45 !!!

I cannot remember the last time we did that, it's got to have been YEARS.  

 Once up, Stew went down to the gym and I went into Crabby Quarters and started sorting out the fat bottomed ladies.

Cutting out bodies and costumes.

ABOVE: It is actually a long process, cutting out all the individual parts, choosing fabrics etc.

I have only just started really. 

I can't sew the background fabric together, which is a bloody nuisance. But at least I can do something constructive.

I have stopped for a break now, and have lunch on.  We are having a lettuce salad, beetroot and cucumber, beef patties and bacon.  Should be good.

Re:  The sewing machine.  The feed dogs are up.  There is no other reason that I can see/find to explain why it's not working correctly.  It is going to the sewing machine hospital once the shop opens on the 5th.  Then I will be totally machine-less. 

Lunch was lovely, and after that I went back into Crabby Quarters and worked for a couple more hours.  I'm about half way through getting all the fat ladies laid out.

I wish so bad I could do some actual sewing  😖😓.  I am SO tempted to go and buy another sewing machine!  But that would be dumb.  *sigh*

It is now 6.10 pm, we are watching the news on the telly... usual shit.

I'm having a Bacardi and Diet Coke, alongside Stew, who is also having a Rum 'n' Coke.

We have no plans for the evening, apart from just chillin' out and relaxing.

Catch ya tomorrow.

Don't do anything dumb, have a nice evening.

REPURPOSING IT

 

It's going to be another day of virtually no plans, just hanging around at home.

ABOVE: The only definite thing is, we will be taking this cubby unit around to Steve's.

I've asked him to incorporate it into my 'new' work desk.  It was in my wardrobe, but can now become part of the new work desk in Crabby Quarters.  Waste not, want not eh.

Stew has started going down to the village gym to use the recumbent exercycle, to strengthen his leg(s) before his surgery in March.  The specialist said he needs to get himself as fit as possible before surgery, to help in his recovery afterwards.

I might go down with him and get on the treadmill.  We can't use the pool right now, as the pump needs a repair, and at this time of year getting parts is a bit difficult.  That's a bit of a bugger.  

Hopefully it's fixed soon.

OK, time to go and make a start on the day.

Catch ya later.

11.30 am.   I did not join Stew at the gym as I had planned today.

Instead I got up determined to get one BIG job off my mind.

ABOVE:  Before

ABOVE:  After

Now I can relax. I was a bit shocked, yes shocked, at how putting the hearts up like that made the wall look like our last home SO MUCH!

Like, how it was supposed to look all the time.  It looks 'right' now.

AND YES, there's now room for more freakin' hearts!  lol

We are now going to take that cubby unit around to Steve 'n' Bexs, then go out for lunch.

ABOVE: Once the cubby was dropped off, we went to 'our' Indian Restaurant out at Horsham Downs.  I never eat the rice, so Stew gets it all.  I get a Garlic Naan ... and today I laid it on my plate and poured half my Butter Lamb on top of it.

AND I could only eat about half of it, so Stew got a bonus meal.

He never complains.

ABOVE:  After lunch to went to Chartwell Square, as it's nowhere near as crowed and hectic as The Base.

ABOVE: When we remade our bed this morning, I realised I'd given away more of my linen than I thought.  I'd only kept two King Size Fitted Sheets, one summer, one winter.

So while at Chartwell today I took advantage of the SALES all over the place, and bought another fitted sheet.

And two GORGEOUS HUGE towels.  Didn't need them, but oh well.  I was in a shopping mood.  

(oh hell, when am I not in a shopping mood???)

ABOVE:  And yeah, another heart.  Cos there's ROOM on the wall, right?  😂😉

6 pm ... we had a lovely visit from Lacy an hour ago.  She's on cloud nine, having worked 6 days straight, she now has 6 days off, before doing it all again.

She was covered in cow shit... nice aroma Lacy!

She left to go home and have a shower.  Funny how she wanted to visit us before the shower....

😏😆

ABOVE: Our weather today has been totally mickey mouse.  Fine, then rain, then fine, then wind like no one's business, then rainbows! 

At least we haven't had the terrible weather like in other areas of our country.

It looks like tomorrow will be the same... oh yaaa.

Time to sign off for the day, catch ya tomorrow.

COCO GROOMED TODAY

 

Coco is getting groomed today, and it couldn't come a day too soon.

She has gotten all fluffy, and smelly.  Smelly because we've had some rain, then humid days.  That makes for a smelly dawg.

I am going to work on laying out more details for Fat Bottomed Girls Runners/Wall Hangings.  It will be lots of fun (well for me it's fun), choosing fabrics for their togs (swimming costumes) etc.  

At some point before our next market, I need to go through all the runners, and weed out all the Christmas themed ones.  I always put them aside until October.  I might get Stew to help me with that.  Hauling the runner bags around is not fun, they are heavy.

And that is me for now.  Not too many plans for the day, I'm sure Stew will enjoy some down time.  

I have spent the last 2 hours fluffing around in the bedroom, organising the wardrobe, getting rid of stuff I don't need/want, can donate or throw out.

Then I started on my bedside drawers, and the unit in the corner that had all sorts thrown in it.

I was looking for one thing in particular.

My Paternal Grandmother was given a very dainty necklace when she was a teenager.

She worked in the Mangakino dairy for a while, but wasn't allowed to be paid with cash, so the owner gave her the necklace. 

It was given, in turn, to my Mum.  Who then gave it to me in 2020, before she passed away.

I have been fretting about it for months, as I've not been able to find it.

Today, while tidying up my drawers, I FOUND IT IN ME KNICKER DRAWER, under me knickers.

I am so relieved, as I want to lend it someone for a little while.

ABOVE:  the necklace, gold and crystals.

Clara Annie (Boddy) Marshall (1911 - 1996)

Born 27 Sep 1911 in New Zealand 

Died 11 Oct 1996 at age 85 in Rotorua, Waikato, New Zealand 

If my Nana was around 16 when she was given the necklace, that makes it 98 years old! 

Wow, it's amazing to have lasted that long, considering how delicate it is.

I know all of that is totally irrelevant to most people, but I want it on here for posterity.

One day I will pass that necklace on to one of my descendants.  Someone who will treasure it, and care for it.

ABOVE: I found this in me wardrobe.  KEEP? Or donate?

One of my nicknames is 'The Old Snapper'...

So yeah, maybe that shirt never sees the light of day in this house !  I was unsure about it, hence asking YOU fullas.  😂

It is now 3 pm, and Coco's groom has just finished.

ABOVE: It's very short, cos it's summer eh?  But it's actually freakin' cold today!  Like, I've got a t-shirt and a jumper on.  

Stew and I have both just been relaxing after our lunch, which was steak, salad and a potato each.

Main meal done and dusted, and this evening we will have fruit and Guilt Free Ice Cream (low carb, no sugar), or yoghurt.

In my head I should be in the sewing room, getting on with some work.  But meh, it can wait.

6.45 pm, and we've just had our 'supper' of fruit, yoghurt and ice cream.  It was OK, but I probably had too much.

Portions... still a challenge.

Not much else to do now except wind down till bedtime.

Catch ya tomorrow.

YES, IT WILL BE A QUIET DAY FOR US

 

Today Stew and I will be having a quiet day.

Stew got almost everything crossed off his list of 'to dos' yesterday.  And I certainly did.

So, no plans for today at all.

We will be looking after Marley today, as the kids are going on a day trip to the Bay of Plenty.

Coco will love having her sister come and stay for the day.

Perhaps we will take them both for a little walk down by the river?  That will depend on how Stew's knee is feeling of course.

ABOVE:  This hydrangea is one that was already here when we moved in.  Isn't it just lovely.  I hope to plant more over the next couple of years, both inside our gardens, and the gardens around our fence line as well.  I have taken a couple of cutting from plants around here, just waiting for them to take root before I put them in a pot of soil, then they will go into the ground after the worst of the summer heat is over.

I'm pretty sure I've taken cuttings, and planted hydrangeas everywhere we have lived. 😊😉

ABOVE: We are starting to eat our cute little lettuces... well they are basically just leaves.  I hope to get more lettuce plants,  ones that are more 'traditional'.  The ones I want next are called Iceberg lettuces. 

Hmmm, maybe we will go out later and get some plants.  

Right, I'm off to make a start on our day.

Catch ya later.

11 am:

ABOVE:  We woke up to a light fog!  It was so cool, it felt like winter.  Well, almost winter.

Very glad we didn't have to do a market today, even though the weather has warmed up now.

It would have been a cold start.

ABOVE: Marley back in the 'prime' spot.  Poor Coco wasn't brave enough to join her.

ABOVE:  The girls are getting on just fine.  

ABOVE:  Until I get my big sewing machine back, I am going to work on getting a few runner lay outs done.   I'm getting a couple of Fat Bottom Girls ones done today, maybe more.  They take a while to sell, but they are great attention grabbers, and do eventually sell.  We have none left.

Around lunchtime, we are going out to get a few things on our list, then we'll no doubt have lunch somewhere nice.  

2.31 pm.  We have been out and bought new lettuce plants, wood screws and isopropyl alcohol.  We had lunch at Burger Fuel.  It was average today as they had overcooked a lot of things.

Home.  And AGAIN, I decided my clothes were NOT working on the rack in the sewing room!!!!

So we took the cubby unit out of the wardrobe, put the hanging rail back into it, and just rearranged a few things in our room.  It didn't take much to accommodate the cubby unit in our already overcrowded room.  *sigh*

ABOVE:  Before the Christmas decorations/trees/Christmas Friends go up in the attic, I decided to go through them and get rid of some.  I'm sad to say not many are leaving the house!

I like/love too many of them.

Stew said if I wasn't here, he'd not put anything out at Christmas.    Boo.

Now... Stew is watching a movie on Netflix and I'm going to do NOTHING for a couple of hours. 

TOO FUNNY!!!  That Fat Lady Runner (now wall hanging) is already sold!  And it's not even properly started yet.  Now I just have to hope McDreamy gets back from Sewing Machine Hospital sooner rather than later. 

ABOVE: The kids arrived to pick up Marley.  I offered them the choice of any of the surplus Christmas decorations etc.

ABOVE: They took them all.... and the clothes rack that I no longer wanted.

Then Steve and Bex put all our Christmas stuff back up in the attic for us!

That was our major job for tomorrow... and now it's done.

We would have struggled to do it in fact, so we are just so thankful to them.

ABOVE:  Everyone leaving, carrying something, even darling little Lily.

We can truly relax now.

I wonder what we will do tomorrow now?

8 pm, and I'm done for the day.  We did heaps today, quite a bit wasn't even on our agenda.

Pottering around the house and just enjoying being at home.  I love it when we get things done 😊.

Catch ya tomorrow.