CRAFT DAY

 

Today is the start of a fairly wet week ... according to the weather forecast.

How wonderful.

I'm going to the Village Craft Group this afternoon, I might even go over early.

I'm taking Mc 2ie this time, as I am over using Baby Brother.  Baby Brother simply doesn't have the features I use all the time with Mc 2ie, and I miss them.

Mc 2ie will fit in me trolley, and I have a rain cover in case it rains.  So, I've got shit covered.

I will do the housework first thing this morning.  I've got a considerable pile of washing to fold and put away, and I need to water the plants, do the vacuuming etc.  So, I won't be idle.

I am going to work on a PHD in craft today, I have two cot quilts 'on the go', so will continue working on one of them. They have both been in the 'to do' box for a year, or 3-4.  WHOOPS.

ABOVE:  So those are the two cot panels that I started a few years ago.  I wonder which one I will work on today?

Worth noting, I have about TWENTY Cot Quilt panels tucked away, waiting to be made into cot quilts!  Yeah.  I'm never going to have nothing to do right?  😂😊😉

ONWARD...

Well, before embarking on the housework, I'm popping out to buy a home printer.  I had one a year ago, but threw it out when we moved.  It wasn't working anymore and they are a dime a dozen to buy.  I figured, why pay to fix it when I can just get a new one?  So yeah, getting one today.

Then I'll get into the housework, of which there is a bit more than I anticipated.  *sigh*

ABOVE:  After talking with our son Steve, I went and bought this printer.  It was a mid-range priced home and office printer.  It will do all I need it to I'm sure.

ABOVE: The next decision was where the hell to put it?  Space is LIMITED in this house.  I ended up putting it on top of my dresser.  There is a power point on the wall to the left, so a good place to put it.  Out of the way. 
Now I just have to hope Stew knows how to get it up and going.  If not, I'm sure Steve can.  😊😉

Right, back to that housework before heading off to craft group.

3.20 pm, and I'm home from craft group.  It was only a small gathering today, no idea where everyone was.  So, 5 of us sat and did our thing, and yakked.

I got the quilting done on the cot quilt I chose to work on (the Frogs), now I  have to add the backing and binding and it's done.

I had to dodge a few heavy showers getting to and from the community centre, luckily I had made that rain cover for my trolley.

8.20 pm.   Eeee gads, I've been freakin lazy this afternoon!  I literally sat down and did NOTHING.

Well... I lie.  I watched You Tube, did a jig saw and not much else.

I haven't even unloaded my craft trolley.  I will do it tomorrow.

For now, more TV, then bed.

Catch ya tomorrow.

HOW WAS OUR NIGHT, AND WHAT'S THE DAY LOOKING LIKE?

 

Weather?  Storm?  Well, very little here for sure.

Nothing but a little bit of wind and rain, certainly not even stormy.  Up north they have lost power in places, but there's no reports of flooding etc.

So, it might pass us without even making much of an impact.

Dang, I was looking forward to a real storm too.

Maybe that will change as the day goes on, but somehow I doubt it.

Yesterday I worked on the Chook Tote Bag on and off.  I finally finished it around 7 pm last night, and got Stew to 'model' it for me, as I couldn't go outside and use me tree.

ABOVE:  I put a 'cracked egg' pocket on the outside for fun.

ABOVE:  I think it's a very nice bag, and a good size for shopping with.  You can get quite a bit in it.

Right, I'm going back to bed.  Ain't anything on our agenda for the day.

ONWARD...

ABOVE: Stew went to bed earlier than me last night, so he shut the bedroom door to keep any noise I might make out.

And there is Coco, lying on the floor all forlorn, can't get in to lie by the bed.  Too cute.

ABOVE:  And there she is this morning, back in the cone of shame.  And NO, she doesn't have fleas, she's treated regularly for that.  She just won't stop scratching and gnawing herself.  It totally does my head in. Apparently Marley is also scratching like mad, so it must be something in the environment.

We are going out to The Base shortly to get a couple of things, then The Hamilton Gardens for a light lunch.  Nothing fancy, probably just a sandwich or savoury.

11.52, and The Base is deserted! All those inflated play structures have been taken down, wise choice.

It is now raining fairly heavily, but not alarming. Very little wind.

We came over to Chartwell for lunch instead of the Hamilton Gardens due to the heavy rain.

ABOVE: We are trying out this place today. We've only been here once before,  can't remember if its ok or not. I guess we will find out eh. 😊😋

Lunch was OK, perfectly average.  Stew's Chocolate Thick Shake was AMAZING though, I had a sip.  Yummmm!  I never get one as if I had that, I'd have no room for food.

Anyway, on our way home we stopped in for a quick visit with the kids.  

Home now and we are going to have a quiet afternoon again... it's raining fairly steadily now.  But bugger all wind.

The cyclone is moving down the coastline, and not doing too much damage at all by the look of it.  There's some flooding here and there, but that's actually normal for low lying areas.

On with the afternoon... keeping warm, watching a movie or something...

ABOVE:  4.45 pm, and the cyclone has swung inland a bit, and now we are getting some blustery winds, but bugger all rain.  So, a complete switch from this morning.  A couple of things in the garden have fallen over, so I've picked them up and laid them down flat.

I just hope my water feature stays upright!

It is tied to the fence... so it should be OK.  I hope. 

8.15 pm, and it has settled down here now.  The wind has dropped a bit, and I'm not feeling like we have to worry about anything.

Time to sign off for the day.

Catch ya tomorrow.

LET'S GET READY SHALL WE?

 

Looks like we do have a fairly gnarly cyclone about to hit us... probably tonight/tomorrow.

Usually those sorts of storms drop down in intensity once they hit landfall, and here in Hamilton we are not usually adversely affected, well not as much as other areas.  

But, tomorrow is looking to be, at the very least, very windy.

ABOVE: Last night's sunset... heralding shit weather ahead.

Today we are going to go around our yard and make sure anything that can be blown away or over is secured, or put into the garage.  For a start, our pig weather vane is coming down.  

He just lifts off his pole, so that's an easy one for Stew to do.

I doubt we will have to do much, but better to make sure anyway.

We are going to the supermarket this morning as well... just the normal weekend shop.

Then we are going to The Lookout for lunch again.  I won't be having their Salmon Salad, much as I loved it, as I've had salmon salad for lunch twice this week already.

Might try something different.

So there ya go, our morning is planned out.  This afternoon, who knows?  

ONWARD...

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ABOVE:  I hope you can see this?    I  haven't laughed so much in AGES.  Just too funny. 

ABOVE:  Taken just now, I'm keeping an eye on it via 'Earth', a global map of wind.  Still hasn't made any impact on the country.  But I think it will, certainly along the east coast.

I've done the walk around the property, everything looks secure.  Stew just suggested tying down the Keter shed lids... so we will do that in a minute.

We have hardly a breath of wind at the moment, I think that's what's called 'The Calm Before The Storm'.

ABOVE: Lunch at The Lookout today was Loaded Fries... which were amazing!  The pieces of pork on the top were sooooo tender and juicy.  Best loaded fries I've had.

ABOVE: We also had a 'Carnivore' Pizza.  I had two pieces, Stew had the rest.  It was quite nice, though I think it would have been better if we had added a couple of 'extras' to it like mushrooms etc.

ABOVE:  I like the decor of The Lookout. 

Close to The Base there's a field of inflatable play structures, set up for School Holidays.

ABOVE:  I wonder how they will fair with the storm coming, or will they get taken down at the end of today?  I can't imagine them doing too well in a major storm, which is predicted to have very strong winds.

Talking of the storm coming, our district has now declared a 'Precautionary State Of Emergency', to cover any emergencies that may eventuate.

Now that we are home, we are just chilling out, enjoying a quiet afternoon.

7.20 pm, and we are settled down for the evening.

Stew had a 'swim' in the village pool this afternoon, just walking up and down and doing leg raisers.  

I did some sewing, and will show you the result tomorrow.

His nibs is now watching rugby, and I'm going to listen to something on my laptop.

Probably a 'who done it' movie or You Tube.

Catch ya tomorrow, where I hope to tell you we've had a good night, with no stormy weather keeping us awake.

A HAPPY ACCIDENT

 

My hair turned out a 'Happy Accident'... using the new toner made it a bit more lilac/purple in places... even though there was still some purple from my last dye job.

ABOVE:  At least once it was dry most of the yellow was gone, which was the aim at the end of the day.

It always feels like a lucky dip when I dye it.  Maybe one of these days I will actually go to the hairdresser here in our village and get her to do it.  She has quoted me $100 to do it, which is a darn sight better than the local salon's quote, which was, from memory $320.

I am NEVER gunna pay that sort of money for a dye job again. It's just not worth it.

And that's enough about me and the hair.  The market I was going to do on Sunday in Cambridge is a no go now. 

ABOVE:  I am not dumb enough to do an open air market in a CYCLONE.  And that's what is predicted to hit us on SUNDAY.

Just ain't gunna do it.  

Hopefully by the following weekend the weather will have settled, and I get to do the Tamahere market as per usual.  By then, Stew might be up to helping me again as well?  That would be neat.

He was certainly missed at the last Tamahere Market by our fellow stall holders.

This morning I am going to take the bus in the opposite direction, and go to The Base.  Cos, why the hell not?

I am sure I will think of something I need to get over there, between now and 9.15 am.  😂😅😉

It's that, or twiddle me thumbs here.  I still have to make that Chook Tote Bag, but I've got plenty of time to do that.

There's also a bit of housework to do, but meh.  I can't be arsed.  It too can wait.

ONWARD...

8.15 am, and just as well my days plans are not usually set in concrete, as now I am going over to Cambridge for an FBG walk, and to drop off a Tote Bag.

Then I'll come back here and get a quote to post a Scrappy Doll to Tauranga.

After that I'll come home, drop off the car and THEN get on the bus for the Base.  Cos I still want to do that.

ABOVE: Well it is now 12.30 and I've had a lovely morning over in Cambridge.  The walk was nice, if a bit hot.  I stayed for morning tea and a yak.

Came back, got the postage for a Scrappy Doll sorted out... just have to message the lady who wants one now, and give her photos to choose what one she wants.

Found out that the Cambridge Trash 'n' Treasure market this Sunday is now cancelled.  Wise decision!  

Me phone died over in Cambridge, I'd forgotten to put it on charge overnight.  So I'm now waiting for it to get up to speed before heading off on my next bus outing.

8 pm, and it's been a while!  I had a nice afternoon, did me little bus trip to and from the Base, but didn't do any shopping.

Came home and lay on the couch and listened to music until Stew arrived home in fact.

It was nice being a bit lazy.

And I've continued being lazy this evening as well... just watching TV and doing a jig saw online.

Catch ya tomorrow.

THAT WAS A GOOD IDEA

Yesterday our home got professionally washed outside.  This village is so well maintained!

Anyway, I'm sitting in the lounge when the bloke (in high vis orange) gets to our front windows...

ABOVE: The cleaning process is a bit like a drive in car wash.  They spray a cleaning solution on, then power spray it off with water.  NOT like super powerful, just like the pressure you would get from your garden hose.

Anyway, I'm sitting there, and the next thing... DRIP, DRIP, DRIP inside the lounge?  I investigate.

Sure enough, there is water pouring in from up the top of the lounge windows.

So I lay down a towel, and traipse down to the maintenance man's room.  

He comes up to investigate, as any external issues with the house is the obligation of the Village.

He assures me that it will probably never happen again, as rain doesn't usually come onto those windows, but if I have any more concerns I'm to let him know immediately.  As a small problem can, over time, become a big problem.

Such a nice man.

We are standing at my front door yakking (OMG both of us can yak)... and I mention that I'd like to paint our front door, as the varnish is looking decidedly jaded.  And 'L' said he will put it on the job list, and it will be done very soon.  BOOM!  I don't even have to do it.  AND I got a choice of two colours that compliment our house.

Gosh this place is growing on me.

Now, back to today.  I plan on doing some work in Crabby Quarters.  And maybe going on the bus for a tiki tour.  I don't know which one will come first.

Lacy is also supposed to come over at some point... not sure when.  

LACY, make it this afternoon OK?

ABOVE: I was going to make a small Tote Bag next, but spied this gorgeous chooky fabric and just had to use it.  I feel it will look better as a bigger bag, so a bigger bag it is.
 

ONWARD...

ABOVE:  Here comes the Orbiter... there's one every 15 minutes, so handy.  I jumped on, swiped me BEE CARD and sat down.

ABOVE: I forgot to time the trip to Chartwell, but it was only about 10 minutes, maybe less.  And the bus was virtually empty.

I got my few items from the chemist and supermarket, and caught the Orbiter home.  It does a circular trip around Hamilton, and it's the one I will use the most I'd say.

I took our 'market backpack' today, as I have not been able to get the other ones out of the attic yet.  That's what Lacy is for! lol

I found the backpack perfectly adequate for a small shopping trip.  It didn't get too heavy.

After arriving home, I popped down to the Community Centre, and joined some of the 'locals' for coffee and a chat.  Not that I had coffee of course.  It's a regular thing now, and I enjoy it.

It's lunch time now, so I am going to make myself another salmon salad.  

Well, it's now 3.10 pm and it's been a busy couple of hours.

Lacy came over and I asked her if she would dye my hair for me... having NOT done it myself yesterday.

So she did.

ABOVE: Changed into an old top, Lacy read the instructions, and off we went...

ABOVE: Putting the dye on...

ABOVE: Sitting in the sun like a twat, with glad wrap on me head...

ABOVE:  Instead of using my purple shampoo as a toner, I found one in the supermarket today.  She's posing with it, as only she can.

ABOVE: Before the toner, lots of YELLOW.  

ABOVE:  Done.  It's still wet, but at least it's not quite as yellow.  In fact, the purple from my last dye job hung in there!  So, it's done, I really don't care if it's multi-coloured or whatever.

I'm now knackered, and will just sit here and let it dry naturally. 

It's pub night, so I expect Stew home in another hour or so.  I'll drop in and visit the kids for a little while before joining him for a glass of bubbles and some hot chips.  

And....  the evening went totally as planned.  And it was lovely.  Hanging out with the kids for a while, then at the pub with our mates... nice ending to a good day.

Catch ya tomorrow.

HAIR JOB

 

I have bugger all on my agenda today, I still feel I need to make one more small bag.  But that's about all.

The weather is looking like shit this weekend, so if it's wet, I won't be doing the Cambridge market.

So, probably no rush to get anything else made eh?

Bearing that in mind, I think I will spend the morning dyeing my hair.  My roots are showing spectacularly!  Time for a dye job.  Which takes ages.

That's my morning taken care of.  

Catch ya later.

ONWARD...

9.15 am, and the hair has been postponed until this afternoon.

I decided when I got up to go for a walk.

In the POURING RAIN.

I put a raincoat on, then decided I'd get too hot, so thought... umbrella! But no, I hate walking too far with a brolly, so I just walked without anything.

And got super duper WET.  And I didn't care.

ABOVE: You could only describe the day as... GREY.  And wet.

Very, very wet.

ABOVE:  I love this view, it's kinda magical.  Even in the rain.

ABOVE:  Lots of this, and I've now got sopping wet sneakers.  And a little blister on the back of one of me feet.  Grrrr.  

ABOVE: It was neat seeing all the storm water drains and little streams pouring down into the Waikato River.

ABOVE: This is my 'default' walk now, it's not quite as long as around the lake, or an FBG walk, but for now it suits me just fine.  I can do it leaving from my house, no petrol involved.  And I'm not looking to break any speed records either.  I just want to be consistent. 

When I am up to it, I will tack a litte more distance onto it... but not yet.  I've lost a lot of my fitness from being a damn lazy tart of late.

There is a morning tea on here today, so I'm gunna clean myself up a bit and attend.

After that I'll do me hair.  Which is so wet right now I've got little rivers running down me face/neck.  Not a good look I must say.

1.21 pm.  I went to morning tea, which was very nice.  Got lots of yakking done! lol

Came home and found a bloke on a ladder outside my kitchen window!

There is a Cleaning Company here, cleaning the exterior of all the houses.  Our house is getting done RIGHT NOW.  It's very noisy.  

Crazy buggers are doing it in the pouring rain too!  

I have come to the painful conclusion that I really shouldn't eat Whittakers Banana Caramel Chocolate.  It is SO SAD.

But it just does not agree with me at all.

I had some on Sunday night, and since Monday afternoon, I've had bouts of shocking diarrhoea.  It's so annoying, going from one extreme to the other.  TMI I know, but hell, I share the good, the bad and the ugly on here right?

Not too many topics are taboo... except my love life, money, religion and politics.

Though what TRUMP is doing right now?  Fucking mad, evil, corrupt megalomaniac. 
*** JUST read there is a ceasefire between the USA/Israel and Iran.  Thank God.  Long may it last.

Stew arrived home a little early again today, but he's just fine.  I can tell he's finally starting to use his leg in a more natural way, not so limpy, and standing up straighter.  I'm so proud of how well he's doing.

We've  had a lovely evening, just sitting here watching tv, chatting, having a nice dinner ... and now, it's time to sign off for the day.

Catch ya tomorrow.

HAVE A GOOD DAY DARLING

 

After 4 weeks and 5 days, Stew is going back to work today.

I wonder how long he lasts?  Will he come home early, or last the distance?

This morning I am heading out to post Christy's bag, and also buy a shopping trolley.

ABOVE:  Something like them.

I plan on using the local buses to get to The Base or Rototuna shopping centre as much as possible from now on.

The bus stops right outside our village, and it won't take long to get to either of those shopping centres.  So why not?  It is FREE for us superannuitants too.  Win win.

The only thing I need is something to bring home whatever I buy, be it a few groceries, or something else.  So, a shopping trolley will be ideal to get on and off a bus with.

So, those are my plans for this morning at least.

Catch ya later.

ONWARD...

Hi Lynda. Valid point! We have a couple of back packs up in the attic space..  I'll try using one first, before buying a trolley (or not).  Thanks for the idea.

I am at Weight Watchers! A fairly new meeting that suited me today.  I'm trying to combine 'outings' into only one trip out. 

So I was expecting  a monster gain..  but no! Down .200 grams. Not much, but at least it wasn't  a gain.

11.30 , and I have done all I needed, grabbed a few groceried and come home.

Made my lunch...

ABOVE:  I bought some salmon and mango chutney, and made myself a salmon salad.  It was very nice.  The chutney was a bit spicy, but not too hot.

Now... I'm gunna relax for a little while.  Not got any other plans right now. 

ABOVE: This is the bag I made last night.  

Maybe later on I'll make my LAST one for now?

9.10 pm.  I've been quiet this afternoon/evening because I've been an utterly lazy tart!  Done bugger all, just pottered around the house doing inconsequential jobs.

Stew arrived home just a little earlier than usual.  He was tired but OK.  

He's slowly getting back into doing the things he usually does around here as well, which is taking the load off me a bit.

I'm signing off now, Coronation Street is on soon, then I'll be off to bed.