TAKING THE SPRINKLER BACK, AND A CHRISTMAS GET TOGETHER IN CAMBRIDGE

 

I learnt something new last night.  Not all sprinklers connect and work with Gardena hoses.

The sprinkler I bought yesterday certainly does not work with our hose.  So I shall be returning it today, and going to Mitre 10 for a Gardena Sprinkler.  

I don't want our lawns to die off over summer.  When we first looked at this home in around March, the lawns were DEAD.  Like crispy, crunchy dried off hay.

When we finally moved in, the gardening team had done lots of work to get the lawns pretty and green again, and I plan on keeping them that way.

So, yeah, a sprinkler at night is essential. Same with all the pots, they will get sprinkled too.

There will come a period where sprinklers are banned, it always happens over summer.  So that's when I'll just do it by hand, which is allowed.

Moving on, once I'm home I'll finish off the latest (# 4), Wave Runner.  It is looking STUNNING with blue sashings and binding.  I'm not sure if I have done a wave runner with the blue accents before?  Possibly.

Either way, I will be making more, cos OMG it's going to be so lovely.  I can't wait to show you.

This evening I am going over to Cambridge for a Christmas Get Together with a few friends from our small Card Group.  I'm looking forward to that.  I better remember to wrap my 'Mystery Gift', and sort out a plate to take too.

1.30 pm.  I have been a bit busy so far today.

First up I took the cheap and nasty sprinkler back... the lady at The Warehouse pointed out it was already rusting!  As I'd only bought it yesterday, she happily refunded my money.

Then I went to Mitre 10 and bought this:

ABOVE:  You get what you pay for, and this sprinkler cost WAY more than the first edition!  It looks complicated, for a sprinkler.

BTW, we pay our own water rates, so if I choose to have a sprinkler on, it's perfectly fine.

After shopping, I grabbed some food and went over to Steve 'n' Bex's, where I spent a little while with Bex, Lily and Dante.  Archer is still in school, he finishes on Monday.

I grabbed some more of my batting, which they are storing for me, and came home and sewed till now.

ABOVE: This runner is now finished, and it's a rather BIG one.  Hopefully someone wants a big one.  I love it in blue too.

Once I've had a bit of a break, I'll head back into Crabby Quarters and start a smaller blue wave runner.

Then get ready to go to Cambridge later on.

Well it's now 5 pm, and I've stopped sewing for the day, I'm knackered to  be honest.

The next blue wave runner is not small ... it's ended up being a long one.  But not too wide.

I've wrapped up the mystery gift for tonight, sorted out an easy plate (chocolates) and now just have to get myself ready.

But first I'm having a little break.

DOGSTARS: I don't do 'easy, or simple' runners.  I do ones that I love, and would want for myself.   And I take pride in how they look.  I really enjoy people seeing them and going WOW!

It makes me smile.

9.54 pm, safely home after enjoying a lovely evening with my Cambridge girlfriends.  We played cards, had snacks and exchanged gifts.

Now that I'm home, it's time to head off to bed very soon.

Thank goodness it's not too hot tonight.

GOT ME SEWING GROOVE BACK, AND NO MOSAICS TODAY

 

Yesterday finished on a bit of a high.  Stew's operation is on the agenda, and I got three runners done in two days.

ABOVE:  I am really happy with these three, all different sizes, should suit someone or other.

Today instead of going to mosaics, I am staying home.  Because our new fridge is getting delivered 'sometime' between 9 and 4 pm.  Shame they can't narrow the time frame down more, but it is what it is.

I'm just happy we are getting it so quickly... I can organise the food and drinks by the end of the day.  Yaaaa.

While I wait for that to arrive, I might just make another runner.  Might at well have a few up me sleeve... ha ha, like I don't already have enough?

I am also expecting a visit from two ladies here in the village, who want bowl cosy's for Christmas Presents.  My name is certainly getting around this village.  😊  Doing the little village market got my name and products talked about in a positive way.  That's nice.

ABOVE:  My job last night, pinning up all the strips I'm working with right now.  It makes it so much easier to see them, rather than fishing around in a box full.

12.25 pm, and I've had to stop making the 4th Wave Runner as I need to buy blue fabric for the sashing and bindings.  

And I can't go out until the fridge is delivered.  

I JUST got a phone call ... the fridge will be here in 15-20 minutes.  Yaaa.

ABOVE: Done and dusted.  Now I can pop out and get the blue fabric I need to finish off that runner.

My neighbours are all home, windows and doors wide open... cos it's another stinking hot day.  And virtually NO WIND... I'm not looking forward to walking down to me car in this heat.

3.09 pm and I'm home.

OMG it was so hot in my car when I got in it, I nearly expired on the spot!  The steering wheel was BOILING to the touch, I had to drive using a cloth under my hands until the aircon kicked in and cooled it down.

I'm happy to say I got just about everything on my substantial list, not just fabrics.  A sprinkler for the lawns (an me), more clips for market,  hand wash and power point thingees.

AND a reflector screen for my cars windscreen.

That should stop it being quite so hot?  I also parked my car in a different spot, so hoping it gets more shade, at least in the morning.

ABOVE: When I arrived home, there was a lady about to knock on my front door.  A Real Estate lady, handing out Christmas cheer and a little calendar.  She sells the majority of homes in our village.  The picture of her needs updating, cos that one has to be 20+ years old!  😂😉

She came inside and we had a lovely old chat, she's a sewer, so was very interested in my sewing room/fabrics/machine/what I make, bla bla bla.

Now she's left, and I've eaten two of her Tarts!  lol

Stew arrived home at 4.45 pm, and I shooed him off to the pub.  I'll walk up later and pick him and the car up.  No visit to the kids this evening, they have other plans.

So I'm home, just hanging out in front of me fan.  I have done the fridge shift around, all the drinks and excess cheeses, etc are now back in the garage in a fridge, and we have plenty of room in the kitchen fridge for day-to-day food again.

I'm happy about that.  I can now get stuff without having to worry I won't have fridge room for it.

8.04 pm, and we are just in from the pub.  It was a nice little walk for me to get up there, have a quick chat with the regulars, before bringing Stew home.

Now we get to relax till bedtime.

Catch ya tomorrow.

SPECIALIST APPOINTMENT & CHRISTMAS LUNCH

I bet today's comment section is really quiet compared to the last few days!  lol

It was certainly busy, and I enjoyed reading all the guesses.

Some of them made me think... hmmm, I wouldn't mind buying that at some point.  

So, there might be another guessing game in a few months.  😂😉

Now, back to today.

We have a couple of things on.

First thing, we are attending a Christmas Lunch in the village.  

Stew is taking a half day off so he can attend that and...

After the Christmas Lunch, we are heading off to FINALLY see the Orthopedic Knee Specialist.  Stew had been waiting about 3-4 months to be seen by this guy.  I am going with Stew, so I can STRESS just how much pain he is in.  We are hoping a knee replacement is confirmed as necessary, and he can get it done sooner rather than later.  At least he might get on a waiting list?

This morning, before Stew gets home for the lunch, I will continue working on those two runners.  It will be great to have them to add to my stock, for the last two markets of this year.

WELL!!!! Hello???

When I said comments would be quieter today I didn't expect NONE! 😪

ABOVE:  The second Wave Runner is done, and the third is about an hour and a half away from being finished as well.

I had forgotten just how LONG it took to make one of these, there's so much stitching involved.

Anyway... nearly done for now.

I just stopped and put me face on, changed my clothes and now... I'm waiting for Stew to get home so we can go down for lunch.

Thank you for the comments, I don't feel so alone when people pop in with a comment here and there.  😊  Yes, moving to this village was supposed to help with loneliness, but when you are at home sewing all day... yeah.

The village Christmas Lunch was WONDERFUL.  Beautiful meal, we were super impressed!

After lunch we left for the specialist appointment.

And that went exactly as we expected.

Options were discussed, and the only one with a realistic outcome to get Stew out of pain was the knee replacement surgery.

And we have already booked it in, going private, as waiting up to two years for public surgery is NOT an option.

It just means Stew will need to work a full year longer, to cover the big dent in our savings.

We are now home, and Stew is going to enjoy watching sport for a while, and I am going to finish that third runner.

I'll probably start ANOTHER one, as I've suddenly found my sewing groove again.

ABOVE: 'Entertainment' at the lunch ... three ladies who stood perfectly still and looked like statues.  Until they blinked, or had to change position.  It was ... interesting.   I felt sorry for them, it was so damn hot again today, and the Lady in Green started to melt.  Her face paint was running after two hours!  

9.36 pm and I'm done.  I just spent an hour in the sewing room sorting fabrics out for tomorrow.

Stew's just gone to bed and I'm watching Coronation Street, before I too go to bed.

Tired.

WHAT DID WE BUY??? WAIT UNTIL MIDDAY FOR THE CLUE...

 

RIGHT.

The clue to what we bought will be posted at NZ 12 noon, giving more people a chance to read it and respond with their guess.

So until then... I will be sewing in Crabby Quarters.

The current runner might be finished by the end of the day, in which case I will start another one, as those Green/blue wave runners are quite popular.  We have picked up another market to do this Sunday, so we will have done 7 markets over 7 weekends, once we have done the Tamahere Market on the 20th of December.

Good going eh?

ABOVE: Sent to me by Bex, showing how Lily did her OWN HAIR yesterday.

The hair adornment only lasted about 5 minutes, but hey, it's a start!  She sure looks proud of herself.

12 noon.... and what you have all been waiting for... the CLUE.

First one from Stew:

For a clue.  Remember the past.  Items we've had.  Didn't keep.  Got to get it back.  Even made space for it.

My Clue:

ABOVE:  I'm an idiot, and you know it.  Think of something recent.

***  I am going to wait for a few more guesses to come in, then read them all.  IF there is a winner, I will announce it later on today. ***

WOW!!!  So many actually guessed correctly after the clues.

The first person who guessed correctly and wins either a runner or bowl cosys is:

VICKIE.

Well done chick.

Please get in touch with me via email (stewandchris@hotmail.com) to let me know what you want and your full name and address.

Well done to everyone else who did guess correctly, sadly I can't give away that many runners/bowl cosys.

That was rather fun, and I think I will do another give away in a few months time.

With summer upon us, we very quickly realised that our ONE fridge was not big enough for all the extra summer type food, and drinks.

AND the chemist gave me three months supply of Trulicity in one go, which took up a big chunk of room in the fridge as well.

Hence the need to have a second fridge after all!

I felt like a right twat, having only recently sold our smaller fridge/freezer.

We bought a single fridge, not a fridge/freezer, as we don't need the extra freezer space.

ABOVE:  Today's runner is finished.  It's not an option Vickie!  

I have already started another one the same.

8.05 pm. I'm knackered!  I've been sewing all day long.  I have two more, smaller Wave Runners 75% done.  I've stopped now, as I should spend some time with my Stewie.

Congrats to Vickie on winning my little guessing game.

Catch ya tomorrow.

TRYING SOMETHING DIFFERENT WITH TRULICITY

 

As most of you are aware, I've been doing bi-weekly injections of Trulicity.  It's a diabetes/appetite suppressant drug.

This is the second 'round' of it I've been on, having stopped taking it after three months (the injections got to me), having a break then going back on it.

First thing I've now noticed... it 'works' for about two months, then the appetite suppressant component wears off.

I'm at that point again now.  It is frustrating, as I really NEED that suppressant component.  It suppresses your portion capacity as well, which is bloody fantastic.

I know I should be able to lose weight without any drugs, I've done it before.  But, I'm broken from being on and off a diet for literally my ENTIRE ADULT LIFE!  I need that help.

So, because Trulicity has stopped working again, I'm going to do what worked (inadvertently) last time... and stop taking it for a month.  Let my body take a break from it, then go back on it.

That way, I'm hoping the full effects kick in again, and it stops me feeling hungry all the time.

I will take Metformin in the meantime for my diabetes, having talked with my Dr about it.  He's fine with me doing this btw.  Whatever works for me is fine with him.

I'm not exactly looking forward to the Metformin, but needs must.

I am going to work very hard on my WILL POWER helping over the next month.  I'm sooooo close to another 'big' goal... and hope to attain it in a couple of weeks time.

Right, boring weight/diet twaddle over, back to today.

We bought 'something' yesterday, If YOU can guess what, I'll gift you a runner, or two bowl cosys.  I will keep posting this, until someone gets it right.

ABOVE:  I forgot to take the butt ugly Elf to market on Saturday, so Lacy adopted it.  She's welcome to it.

I'm going to Craft Group again this afternoon, so will be getting all my bits 'n' bobs ready to take.

I will be making another Wave Runner in greens and blues, as 'M' from Australia bought the one I finished recently.

11.36 am:  and I've spent the morning getting washing done and out on the line, and making these:

ABOVE:  Fabric bags for holding market products and stuff.  I have been meaning to make them for bloody ages.  It will make packing all the market stuff in the car much easier than boxes.  We will now only have one big box for the bowl cosy's, which do need to be in a box to help hold their shape.

Now I am about to have an early lunch, before packing stuff up and going down to Craft Group.

Catch ya later.

Right, it's now 3.25 pm, and I've just arrived home from Craft Group.  I got a good start on another Wave Runner.  It is another super hot day, with virtually NO wind, making it feel even hotter than it is.

As I was walking home, pulling my trolley, I passed a neighbour watering her gardens.  So I stopped and asked her to 'water' me... she happily sprayed my legs till I cooled down!  Nice lady.

Now I've got me feet up, fan on, just relaxing.

I've been busy all day and need a break.

Tomorrow I will give you all a clue to what we bought.  Cos clearly no one is going to guess it. 😂

9.22pm:  signing off for the day, happy it's over.  Toooo hot again.  At least now it has cooled down.

Catch ya tomorrow.

SURPRISE MEETING WITH A BLOG READER!

 

Yesterday was a really neat day.

Apart from having a really good market, we got to meet a blog reader who was visiting from Australia.

M and her husband T came to our market, and it was so bloody nice to meet them.

M was apparently thrilled to meet us, she was so cute.  She's been reading my blog for about 15 years!  Wow, dedicated.

Who else has been reading my blog for that long???

ABOVE:  The gorgeous M and I.  I was really chuffed that they came down from Auckland to meet me. (and Stew of course 😂).

ABOVE:  The two of them did some shopping in my stall... lucky my stuff is easy to pack in a suitcase.  

I have promised to visit them next time we are in Australia.  Seems we have somewhere to stay in Canberra.  😊 

ABOVE:  Look at the gorgeous Heart they gave to us.  It's on our Christmas Tree for now, and will go on our heart wall after Christmas.

Thank You so much M and T, it was a real treat meeting you.  And your hugs were rather special M.  💜💙💜

Today we have no particular plans, except having the kids over for lunch.

I'm going to do a variety of things for lunch, mostly finger food.  I'm hoping the weather is nice, so we can sit outside.  It will be a first for here.  We've not used our patio much at all since we moved here.

I'm really looking forward to doing that.

Stew and I woke up this morning, and I mentioned something to him, and he was like... I'VE BEEN THINKING THE EXACT SAME THING!!!

Strange how we do that so often.

We be 'in tune'.

So, we went out and bought 'something'.

If YOU can guess what, I'll gift you a runner, or two bowl cosys.  I will post this again tomorrow and so on, until someone gets it right.

Getting shit sorted for lunch now... 

ABOVE:  The snacks.

DD sugar free sweets for the diabetics.

ABOVE: Finger food, and a little bit of salad too.

ABOVE: Perfect weather for lunch outside.  Though next time I think we will put up the gazebo to give us more shade.  It was bloody hot out there!

ABOVE:  A gorgeous picture of Lily and Bex.

ABOVE:  Lily in our bedroom, getting behind our mirror to 'hide' from us.  She's just so damn cute.  Love that little babe to BITS.

ABOVE:  I finally got her to play in the water!  She wouldn't for ages, bloody minded little tart!  But I threw her crocks in there, and that got her going.

I am going to buy some rubber ducks...  she loves ducks.

ABOVE: Dante and Steve having a discussion on height.  That young man has a way to go yet.  Him and Archer seem to be growing taller by the day.

Our visitors have left now, so it's back to just us.  Coco was upset when she couldn't go with the kids, Steve grabbed her as she raced out the door and he reckons she growled at him!   I can't imagine it, but well ya never know.  She was pissed off.  lol
OMG it has been a stinking HOT day!  Our temps got up to around 29 degrees Celsius (84 F), which is certainly warm.  It is only just starting to cool down a bit.

It's going to be a long, hot summer I think.

I had a little nap mid afternoon, I simply could not keep my eyes open!  Food/heat.... yeah.

No one came close to what we bought today.

Keep trying.

I might add clues in a day or two. lol

I'm signing off now... catch ya tomorrow.

TAMAHERE CHRISTMAS TWILIGHT MARKET 4-8 PM

 

Today's Tamahere Twilight Market is the only market where we get to sleep in, instead of getting up at 5.30 am.  Gotta love that.

ABOVE:  This market is on from 4 pm - 8 pm.  It will be interesting to see how popular this time slot is, I can't remember how it went last year.  There's just so many markets on at this time of year, it's a wonder anyone comes.

The weather is supposed to be fine, maybe sunny, maybe cloudy, but not raining.  I can deal with that.

We will be going out there at around 1.30 pm, to set up, and be there early enough to catch people who are coming to visit the Church's Christmas 'shop'.

Stew has a couple of things to do this morning.  One:  do the weekend shop.

Two: Take one of his clients out to the cemetery to visit her family.  She's a 'special' case who he looks after personally.  I admire him for doing that for her.  

Once he's home, we will grab some lunch, pack the car and head off.

Now, what did I make yesterday afternoon for market?  Let's see...

ABOVE: Ta daaa... a Wonky House Tote Bag.

ABOVE: The other side has a pocket, or two.

ABOVE: It is fully lined.  I really enjoyed making it.  Might wait and see if there's any interest before making more though.

Not sure on pricing... any ideas?  

OK, famous last words and all that.

I made another one, finished it off by 7.45 am this morning.

ABOVE:  Two is always going to look better on the stall than one right? 

Bex suggested a price of $40 per bag.  Who thinks that's OK?

Hurry up, I have to price them by 4 pm lol.

ABOVE:  Whoops I did it again.  I'm getting faster at making them obviously.  That last one took about three hours to make.

And NOW I have to stop and get ready for market.

Shower, get dressed, do the face, pack the car.

In that order OK?  lol

P.S.: These bags have batting in between the outer and inner layers of fabric, so quite robust.

9.11 pm, and we are home and finally sitting down relaxing.

The market was GREAT!  So many people, and lots and lots that we had never seen there before.  We made GOOD sales today, but didn't sell any of the new bags!  Lots of admiration for them, but no takers... YET.

We were delighted to see/meet M and T, who are Australians, over here on holiday.

M has been reading my blog for about 15 years, and wanted to meet me.  So they drove down from Auckland to do just that.

Thank you for taking the time M and T, it was WONDERFUL to meet you.

And thank you for purchasing several items to take home with you.

AND also, thank you for the gorgeous Heart for out Heart Wall !!!

Photos of 'all of us' and the Heart will be on tomorrow's blog, as there's heaps on this one already.  😉😊

I'm going to sign off now, cos seriously, I'm just soooo tired.

Catch ya tomorrow.