MASSES OF WASHING

 

I was a bit of a lazy tart on the weekend, and didn't get all the washing done.

So that's top of my list today, get it done.  As the forecast is for rain for days, I'll be hanging it all on racks in the house.  Oh ya.  I hate wet washing inside, but I refuse to put linen in the dryer, so it is what it is.

ABOVE:  Stew got quite a few little, niggly jobs done around the property yesterday.  Hanging the new hose reel on the wall was one of them.

He also put an outside key holder on the wall (thanks Lacy), so if we inadvertently lock ourselves out, we have a spare key outside.  Very handy to have.

The other thing he did ... well I still need to take a photo of that, so ya have to wait. lol

It is Art and Craft day, but I'm not sure I want to go anymore.  Some of the ladies are SO NICE, but there's also some who I just get an uneasy vibe from. 

A while ago there was a small conversation about the King, and I said he wasn't MY King.  Well!  You would not believe how fast some of them jumped down my throat about that!  

There is another topic I mentioned... parking... and again, I was made to feel very uneasy. There was 'surprise' at my saying I'd been given a parking spot down by the community hall.

One lady said "REALLY?  WOW, REALLY???" Very emphatically.

*sigh*... this is what I meant about being very careful what I say around other people who live here.  

So yeah, I'm not sure I want to go there anymore.

I don't want to be walking on eggshells, watching what I say all the time.

Seems the general consensus is that I still go to 'activities', but keep my mouth shut and just be pleasant.  Hmmm... me.  Keep me mouth shut.

Tall ask, but I will try!

I will let ya know how that goes.

ABOVE:  I recently started using this little lap tray for my laptop.  It's been working really well.

I didn't know what to do with my old computer trolley, but kept it in the meantime.

ABOVE: Yesterday I found the perfect use for it.

We got a piece of lightweight plywood, and boom!  I have a jigsaw table that I can pull right up close to me to work on.

I love it!

When not in use, I can just roll it into the garage.

ABOVE: And last for now, that is what we bought from Interiors Barn yesterday.  A handy 'thing' for the front door.  Visitors can leave a note if we are not home.  And we can probably hang wet umbrellas and the like from the hooks.

Cute eh?

11.45 am:  And I went out and about.  Dropped off some stuff to the Salvation Army Op Shop.

Went to Mitre 10 and got these:

ABOVE:  I got a matching umbrella too, but I can't get the two parts of the pole to connect.  A job for Stew when he gets home.

ABOVE:  I also found these cute serviettes for summer. Cheap as chips at Mitre 10 as well.

I arrived home JUST AT THE RIGHT MOMENT TOO.  Saw two neighbours chatting and visiting each other (awww how lovely).... but OMG.  The neighbours from hell and a new couple across from us ... who we thought ... well never mind what we thought.

It just reiterates how goddam CAREFUL you have to be and what you say to anyone around here. 

I'm feeling really gutted to be honest.

Clicks and cattiness, like in the school yard really does sum this place up! But NO Blondie, I'm gunna go and just sit back and LISTEN.  Never offer information or opinions, that way I can slowly integrate into the group without upsetting anyone.

ABOVE: Today I am taking a box of fabrics that I shall be cutting into pattern pieces for round table toppers.  That way I have an excuse to sit at an empty table, not at the one where almost everyone sits around, knitting and doing hand sewing.

3.30 pm... home from Art & Craft group.  I joined in, but made sure nothing came out of my mouth that could be misconstrued, no 'opinions', just idle chit chat.

So it was ok.  But tiring having to be that 'careful'.

Why was I upset about the neighbours?  Because when the new couple moved in, they commiserated with us about our shed situation, and the fact that we were going to lose it thanks to 'them' at #xyz.   They were super friendly towards us.

NOW?  They don't even say hello to us.  Totally ignore us.

THAT is why I am upset about it.

There is no 'TRY BEFORE YOU BUY' option on places like this eh?  

At craft group today, one of the ladies was saying how two of her new friends had up and left the village after only a short time here.

She said village life wasn't for them. 

I KEPT MY MOUTH SHUT.

Be proud of me, very proud!

9.28 pm:  We've spent the evening watching the telly, and I've also spent the time doing my jigsaw.  Which is a doozy I tell ya!  Catch ya tomorrow.

PIRONGIA TODAY

 

This morning Stew suggested we head on out to Pirongia, to their annual market.

We have thought about doing this market, but the stall fees are quite high, and you have to sell heaps to recoup that cost.  So we don't do it.  

So we shall be 'customers' today, and just enjoy the vibe.  

After that, we might come back into Hamilton and have a look at.... electric bikes.  Yep.  It's an idea for us, so we can get exercise outdoors together. Stew can't walk far now, so maybe biking is the answer for us.  Worth investigating.

Does anyone out there have an electric bike?  What do you recommend? And why?

I'm at the 'research the death out of them' stage...

9 am. Still in bed. Thanks for the very helpful comments about bikes. Upon reflection and considering all the points raised, we have decided NOT to buy bikes. 

As mentioned,  I get an idea in my head (like kayaks), then it simply doesn't happen. E bikes are rather expensive, and we are probably best to shelve that idea!

As for going out to Pirongia, Stews knee is really sore this morning,  and he's asked that we don't go after all. I'm fine with that, it's not like we haven't seen it all before. 🙂

So now our plans for today are totally up in the air....

ABOVE: We ended up going to The Interiors Barn in Tirau. Found a couple of things for the house and Christmas presents.

ABOVE: Then into Notting Hill, another lovely shop in Tirau. They stock Polish Pottery, and while there were a few gorgeous things that caught my eye, I didn't get any. I simply do not need any more of it. 

In saying that, we did get one more little thing, which I will show you when we get home.

We are at the Kebab shop right now having a late lunch.

6.30 pm.  I've had no appetite at all today.  I didn't have a kebab, just some onion rings and a couple of chips.  Stew had a nice lunch though, and he got my left overs.

I tried to have a nap this afternoon, but no luck.

My back/shoulder and arm just throbbed non stop.

I've been taking Tramadol and Panadol to no avail.  I think I'll be visiting the Dr again to try and get on top of the pain.  And ask how long it might be  before I will get an ultrasound to hopefully get to the bottom of this pain.

Same with Stew, he's waiting to see a specialist, with no idea how long that might be.

Our health system is FUCKED.

You shouldn't have to pay through the nose to go private, to end constant pain.

ABOVE:  My little buy today was the pretty house at the back, left hand side.  There were quite a few to choose from at Notting Hill, but I restrained myself and only got the one I really liked.

I think this 'collection' is finished, unless another one comes out that is just irresistible.  lol

We got another 'thing' for the house, but I'll have to show it to you tomorrow, as it's too dark to take a photo of it now.  It's outside.

We are settling down for a quiet evening, so catch ya tomorrow.

TAMAHERE MARKET IN SEPTEMBER

 

Well, with any luck today will be our last really cold start at a market until next year.

We are still anticipating a freezing start to today, so lots of warm clothes on board.  But also, some t-shirts in case it warms up later on in the day.

Last month at Tamahere we had a terrible day in sales.  Hopefully things pick up today.

It is now 5.55 am, and we are just about ready to head out.

Catch ya later.

... 

GOOD MORNING!  4 degrees outside, with a light frost.

ABOVE: So lucky, it's a beautiful day. 

It is nearly 11 am and yaaaa, this is a MUCH BETTER market. So many lovely people out and about. We are making good sales too, which is an added bonus to the day.

1.50 pm: just home from market, and what a difference a month, and lovely weather makes!

We have had a really awesome day.

The car is unloaded and all is away, ready for the next one. Which is next Sunday, in Harrowfield, just up the road from us.

Stew is off to do his grocery shop, and I've put chicken in the microwave to defrost for our dinner.

Now... might have a little nana nap.  Or at least, I can try, cos they just ain't been happening of late.

Well I think I dozed off a couple of times, Stew assures me he checked on me a few times and I was asleep.  Nice.

I cooked roast chicken with veges for our dinner, it was really yum.  Though
I must admit I couldn't eat much of it.  

I'm now contemplating going to bed early cos I'm still tired.

Catch ya tomorrow.

NOTHING, ABSOLUTELY NOTHING

 

Today I have absolutely NOTHING on my agenda.

I could sew.  I could knit.  I could do some housework... yeah nah, scrap that idea!

I will get the market stuff ready for loading into our car a bit later on today though.

ABOVE:  Lily climbs into the bucket on her own, she thinks she's the bees knees.  She was a very energetic little girl last night, running around and around almost non stop for 3 hours!  I bet she slept all night long.  

The boys are looking forward to the school holidays, which start this afternoon.  Bex?  Not so much! lol

Though in saying that, they are at an age where they can entertain themselves most of the time.  Bex just has to 'throw food' at them regularly. 😂😅😊

It is two and a half weeks until we fly over to Brisbane, and I'm already starting to think about packing!  Not like last time, when I literally threw a few things in a back pack and took off the same day I decided to go.  It will be nice going with Stew this time.

I am sure Stew is going to enjoy the break, he's not had a proper holiday in a while.  And this time, I am not going to be so stressed out either.

Can you tell I'm looking forward to it?  lol

Now, back to today... I hope it's a better day than yesterday in relation to the pain in me back etc.

10.20 am:  And I've ended up sewing!  I don't know how that happened, it wasn't on my mind to do first thing this morning.

So I'm in Crabby Quarters, sewing and listening to music, and the Grounds Manager, 'L' turns up at me door.

I immediately think I'm in 'trouble' over something.  But no, it's nothing to be bothered about. He just had to check up on the repeater for the alarm system, which is plugged into our house.

I get yakking with him, and wow. Do I find out a few things from him that are enlightening.

He's made me realise I need to be damn careful what I say and divulge to others in this village.

He's definitely the man to turn to for advice, and I'm very thankful he's so helpful in that way.

There are definite 'clicks' here, and he's steered me towards one that is a nice lot.  He knows I've been struggling to settle in here, and is trying to help me navigate it all. 

ABOVE: Sewing. Not sure it was a good idea with my back etc... but I'm plowing on.

ABOVE:  Well it's finally finished, and laying under our big mat to press it flat a bit more.

I'm now done!  My back didn't like that one little bit.

Just as well I've got plenty of stock going forward into summer market season, cos I don't think I want to be sewing too much right now.

6 pm:  And Stew is home, the car is packed ready for tomorrow, and I'm totally done for the day. It is looking like the weather is going to be ok for tomorrow.  Thank goodness.

I don't think either of us feel like a wet/windy market day.

Catch ya tomorrow.

ELECTRICIAN HERE

 

At some point this morning I am expecting the electrician to arrive and give the dishwasher it's own dedicated power point.  And also instal an outdoor power point for the water fountain.

If he gets finished quickly, I might get time to go over to Cambridge for Mosaic Group.  But that's up in the air for now, as I don't know when he's arriving exactly.

The only other thing on my agenda today is to shave me legs!  It's bad, sooooo bad.  I ain't shaved them in MONTHS, and I was horrified when I noticed how long my leg hairs are.  GROSS.  If only I'd shaved them on Tuesday morning, imagine how much MORE weight I would have lost at weigh in!  😂😖😅 🐑jj

...

ABOVE: I had to share it. 

I forgot to tell you something that happened at WW on Tuesday night.

STORY TIME:  two meetings ago, our coach asked us "What Motivates you to lose weight?"  There were the usual answers, "To be healthier", "To be fitter", "To live longer" etc etc.

I put my hand up and said what I always say "I stand in front of a full length mirror NAKED, THAT motivates me more than anything else!"

That answer always gets a few laughs, and some who say no way would that motivate them.

But why not?  Surely if you can honestly SEE what you look like overweight, you would want to do something about it?  Works for me.

Back to this Tuesday night, and I arrive at the meeting, and this lady comes up to me and says "Thank You Chris, I went and bought a full length mirror because of you".   Awww that made my day I can tell ya.  Even if I only 'help' one person, I'm happy.

Then she described her new mirror, and dang!  It's my mirror, bought at the same shop and everything.

It's now 8.38 am, and I've done the vacuuming, made the bed etc, and am now just awaiting the electrician.  dumm dee dooo...

9.50 am, and the electrician arrived. He was coming and going through the front door.   I usually put Coco in the garage, so she can't escape. But I realised I'd not seen her AT ALL this morning.  I rush to her bed... she's there. But I'm thinking, why hasn't she been up yet??? So I lean down  looking for her tummy to rise and fall with her breathing.  I can't see it moving! Instant panic. I touch her... still nothing. So I literally grab her up in my arms, and OMG  she finally woke up. I nearly cried, she gave me such a fright. I think if the electrician hadn't been here I WOULD have cried with relief.

ABOVE:  I'm so tired of this.  Talking to some people is so hard.  I am constantly having to be very careful what I say, how I say it, in case I give a narcissist an opportunity to gaslight me. Why do I even bother talking to them, when I know how it could end up?  Me, always in the wrong... or at least, that's how THEY want me to feel.

I'm so over it.

ABOVE:  The electrician has had to go and get a part for the switchboard.  Knowing my luck, I'll get billed for the extra 'travel costs', and time.  Grrrr.

Feeling frustrated right now.

ABOVE:  I started my new puzzle.  I SHOULD be sewing, but my shoulder and between my shoulder blade (left side), are still hurting like mad.  I don't even have to move for it to hurt right now.  I'm feeling quite ikkk.

Yes, I've taken a pain killer... it's not bloody working.  I'm going to try a hot pod on my back  next.  

My day isn't exactly all happy, happy, joy, joy eh?  Sorry.

How about this?  I look in my wardrobe and KNOW that most of my summer shit is going to fit! That makes me happy.

3.50 pm:  Well the hot pod did help, thank goodness.  I've had a very quiet afternoon, just scrolling stuff on the 'net.  Looking at food videos, getting ideas for nice, simple meals.  Trouble is, I forget most of them pretty quickly.  Sometimes I remember to screen shot them.

It's pub night, so Stew will be home in less than an hour, so I better do something with me face.  

8 pm:  Just home from picking Stew up from the pub.   I spent the night with Steve 'n' Bex and didn't go to the pub.  My back/shoulder/arm hurting constantly meant I just didn't feel up to it.

Bex got me a hot pack when I was there, which was lovely.  

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

AUCKLAND BOUND TODAY

 

Lacy and I are off to Auckland today.  We are doing a little job for someone, then coming home again.

I'm sure a stop at Sylvia Park is on the cards, as long as Lacy is up to it.  She's prone to anxiety attacks in some situations, crowds and so on.

We have to drive right into the heart of the city, so that should be 'fun'.  It's a very long time since I did that.  As I'm semi familiar with the area, I'm not too fazed by it.

I'm not sure when we are leaving, or getting back, we'll just play it as it goes.

Should be a good day.

...

ABOVE: She's trying to look cute.

Happy to say the business side of our visit up here is done. Very smooth.

Now Lacy and I are at Sylvia Park,  having an early lunch. After that we are going to have a wander around the shops before heading home.

ABOVE: I wore a sweatshirt up here and OMG, I got too hot. So, quick stop to find a cooler top. Sorted now.

ABOVE:  I love the knuckle bone 'seats' in Sylvia Park.  

ABOVE:  And Lacy loved this purple one.  Can't think why.

ABOVE:  My lovely 'bag girl'.... she was rather handy.  

ABOVE:  Dogstars, happy to oblige.  We both got the same top, different colours.  I got them in a 'normal' shop, not even a PLUS sized shop!  I can see clearly where my weight has to come off, boobs and belly.  I'm working on it.

ABOVE:  Saw this and just had to get it.  It matches our placemats, coasters and the wall hanging in the bathroom.  

I never thought I'd buy another jig saw, considering how many are here in the Community Building!  

But as I said to Lacy, there's no guarantee those ones don't have missing pieces.

Imagine spending hours on a puzzle to find it's missing a piece, or more, at the end.  NO THANKS.

ABOVE: Remember me looking several times over winter for super warm trousers to wear to markets?  FOUND these in one of those 'cheap as' shops in Sylvia Park.  $20!  And they are so thick and warm.  I will be wearing them over my usual tights this Saturday at market.

ABOVE: Our last stop was at the Made in Italy shop at the top of the Bombay Hills.  I love that shop.  I didn't find any pretty dresses (my aim), but did find this beautiful Milano Bead necklace.  It will go well with a plain dress.

Lacy and I had a really, really LOVELY time today, I'm so glad I asked her to tag along with me.  Thanks Lacy for being my 'security' during my business meeting, and then my shopping buddy.

6.48 pm:  I tried having a nap this afternoon, but no luck at all.  Grrrr.  I was/am so tired, as I didn't get much sleep last night, thanks to my sore shoulder/arm etc.  It's a constant pain right now.  Stew and I are a right pair eh? lol

Right, just had left overs for dinner, and about to settle down for the evening.

Catch ya tomorrow.

WALK, THEN SEWING

 

First up for today is a walk for me.  Probably just around the village, as my fitness is shot right now.  

When I get home it will be time to actually do some sewing.  I will work on that round table topper today, all going well I SHOULD get it finished today.

Then I can start on a runner similar to these:

ABOVE:  I really enjoyed making these ones, and they sold very well.  So why not make some more for the summer markets.

You can call me 'The Parking Police', cos when I'm out walking around our village, I'm constantly looking for illegally parked cars.

ALL.  THE.  TIME.  Stew has told me to 'get over it' in relation to the fact that we got kicked out of 'visitor parking' due to neighbours complaints.

And my car is banished to the far car park.

On my walk today, what do I see:

ABOVE:  The neighbours from hell's car, parked in VISITOR PARKING. Are they taking the piss or what?

I am constantly seeing people who live here parked in Visitor Parking spots.  It does my bloody head in.  Seems others can do what they like, but we can't.

I literally FUME every day over this.

And I know there is NOTHING I can do about it.

I know I have to GET OVER IT, or it will cloud my experience living here, but still.  It rankles, and probably will for some time.

ABOVE: Our beautiful Kowhai trees are in bloom, so lovely.

ABOVE:  A gorgeous Tui, singing it's heart out.  I stood and listened to him for ages.

ABOVE: A pretty view through the trees.  

It was cold and blustery out there today, so I didn't stay out too long at all.

But it was nice to be out all the same.

Sorry for bitching, I'll try not to do it again.

3.45 pm, and I've done a wee bit of sewing, but not much.  I've got a really awful headache, had it since yesterday in fact.

My left shoulder is killing me, and I've got a crook in me neck as well.  Must have slept wrong.

I hope it settles down soon.

It's WEIGH DAY, and JAB DAY.  Oh yaaa.  I think I'll have a very small loss this week, just thinking back to my meals this week.  Not all stellar!  I struggle with portions ... and tend to make too much.  Stew hasn't minded my left overs though. 😉😋

7.31 pm, just home from Weight Watchers.  This week I lost 1.4 kgs again, same as last week.  So in three weeks I've lost 7.5 kgs.  Not bad eh.

Once home, Stew jabbed me and... didn't feel a thing!  Again, so relieved.

Excellent end to the day.

Catch ya tomorrow.