PHEW!!!

So yesterday I decided to close down my 2nd Facebook account. 

I had a 'friends' one, and a 'family' one.  Only the family one kept growing and growing with friends too... so I decided to merge them into one.

So... I put a post on my 'friends' one, saying I was closing it down, and to send me a friend request (for my other account), if they wished to keep in touch.  I  sent out friend requests as well.

WELL!  I then had to spend 4 hours sending out requests and accepting requests!  What a palaver!   

In the end I just had to 'walk away'... cos I had a 17 page Employment Agreement to read!

SEVENTEEN PAGES ... bloody hell!  Is that normal?  Having not signed one in a dozen years... I have no idea.

Oh yeah... I also have a 15 page 'Staff Orientation Programme' document to read as well.  Far out!  That's polite speak for F#*K.

This morning I am off to clean 'P's home... then home for lunch and a relax before heading off to Lifecare for my afternoon shift.

I think I will be putting a nice bacon/vege soup on in the crock pot before I do much else this morning.  Then I don't have to get home and cook tonight.

Good thinking 99.  (showing my age there!)  Anyone know where it's from?  lol

I'm thinking of making a Doctor's appointment for me.  To have a fresh start with our new doctor ... talk about getting me back on track with the diet/diabetes/medication and so on.
I went COMPLETELY off the rails when our last doctor pissed me off over Griffin's medication.

I know it doesn't make any sense at all... but she just threw me completely offside, and I stopped doing what I should.

I've not had a blood test since OCTOBER, I've not been taking my medication very often, and I've certainly NOT been following my diet.  So yeah, time to stop being a dick and get back on track eh?

I will ring and make an appointment asap.

And on that note... I'm gunna go and get dinner on in the crock pot.

Catch ya later.

ONWARD...

1.20 pm:  So I've been home about half an hour.  Today's house clean took 2.5 hours, of that, one hour was solid vacuming!  Man I really should have toned arms ONE DAY!

Just waiting for my lunch to cook... and relax till I have to head off to Lifecare.

ABOVE:  tonight's dinner all ready to cook... when I got home I could already smell it.  So yum... I have some buns in the freezer to heat up to have with them.

What a day!  Two jobs today... and I'm knackered!
Thank god the next two days are 'just' at the resthome.
Friday is looking grim.. a 3 hour house clean then a 2.5 hour shift at the rest home... and all of it is done on me feet!

Do ya reckon this is gunna help with fitness and weight loss???? 

The Chef brought hot, home made pizza into the staff room at the end of our shift, when we were filling in our time sheets.  I HAD NONE... cos we got a yummy soup tonight.

10 outta 10 for resolve.  My taste buds probably won't forgive me though. 

COUGHING. FREEZING.  HOT.  DAMN!  Why now????

Early night for me, with a big sleep in tomorrow. 

FIRST SHIFT AT LIFECARE!

WOW, Stew and I worked it out last night, it's been at least 12 years since I was 'employed' !

Sure, I've done plenty of volunteer 'work' since then, and my private cleaning work,  but no paid work by a business.

So, today I re-enter the workforce.  At 60 years old!

I'm actually rather surprised anyone would employ me at my age.

But, obviously I sold myself well enough at the interview.

(Let's not forget I did actually get another job a little while ago too.. but turned it down.) 

This week is going to be busy, I've got Lifecare 5 afternoons in a row, and two private cleaning jobs too!  I wonder how I'm gunna feel by Friday night?  *smiles*

Today, let's start with an FBG walk!!!

Yep, I'm not giving up on my walking group, much as I wanted to on Saturday afternoon.

This walk is at 8.30 am, so borderline 'early' for me.  lol

The leader is a good friend of mine, so I don't anticipate ANY conflict at all.  But I will be practising keeping my mouth shut!

  

I don't want to be 'myself' anymore... cos it just seems to get me in trouble. 

So no bubbly, talkative, loud, slightly potty mouthed Chris.  

It's going to be hard.  Very hard.  Wish me luck.

I did finish the large Autumn Tree Runner last night:

ABOVE:  everyone in the house loves it.  I think it's very colourful and cheerful looking.

I'm going to start something else once I get home from the walk.  Not sure what yet, maybe some soup bowl cosys.

ONWARD... 

10.15 am:  And this morning's walk was just fine.  I chatted to one girl the whole way around, just general chatter.  Nothing that could be taken offense by.
It's really hard having to 2nd guess everything that comes outta your mouth I must say.
But, it's what has to be done obviously.

Moving on, I've just finished filling out 8 pages of information for the new job!  Hopefully I've done it all correctly.

Now.. I'm freezing so am warming up with an electric throw before moving on to some sewing.

ABOVE: Yeah, I'm hiding in the back. 

6.55pm:  wow I've been very tardy on here.  But I've been a touch busy!

I did some cutting out this afternoon, then went to 'work'!

And all my trepidation was for nought!  It was fine... yes there's lots to do and remember, but I am sure I will get into the swing of things soon enough.

WELL.... I better, cos on Thursday and Friday I'm on me own in the laundry! 

I got home with plenty of time to cook dinner, though I think having something cooking in the crock pot some nights would be good.  Less for me to do as soon as I get home.

Now... it's time to relax.  I'm just a bit tired!
Looking forward to watching some crap TV then bed!

PINK RIBBON BREAKFAST

ABOVE:  This morning will be my first ever time attending a Pink Ribbon Breakfast.
It is a fundraiser event for Breast Cancer.

First thing I have to do is pick up a platter of food from a cafe close to my home and take it down to the venue.

Then I'm coming home to get ready.  Then back as a guest.  I hope it's a lovely morning.

The lady who had a go at me yesterday is going to be there too... so I am hoping we are not at the same table... if we are I am moving for bloody sure.

I HATE CONFRONTATIONS, I actually end up feeling physically sick!  So... I do hope I actually enjoy the morning.

Once I'm home I shall be sewing... best way for me to wind down.

So, that's me for now.  Fingers crossed for a good update later.

OH.... I am utterly in love with this song:



Enjoy.  You're welcome.  *smiles*

ONWARD...

2.41 pm and I'm home.
I was so busy helping set up, pick up food and so on I had no time to worry about 'who' was there or not.
And not was how it turned out to be... AS IN... the person I was upset with was not there. 

So, it was a really lovely event, I'm sure we raised a very good amount for Breast Cancer New Zealand.  Total tally is not known yet.

I sat next to 'C' and she won an awesome auction, then I needed to move (too hot in the sun), so I went and sat next to 'R'... and blow me down... she won TWO of the raffles!!!!  And she won the 2 Pink Wonky House Placemats I donated too!!!  

 ABOVE:  My dear friend Sue T... she went in her pyjamas... and rollers in her hair.  What a hoot!

 ABOVE:  The 'grazing' tables are such a fantastic idea!  Like platters, but just food on the tables ...  we had PLENTY of food!
All of it was donated too.  There's so many generous people eh?

 ABOVE:  We all got a t-shirt to decorate. Lots of fun, lots of boobs featured.  *smiles*

and there ends my wrap up on the event.  I thoroughly enjoyed it.  

Now I'm going to chill out for a little while, then do some sewing I think.

Forgot to mention, when I got home my phone started pinging... wi-fi kicked in!
And I had 2 private messages from the lady who upset me so much yesterday.
I was really hesitant to open them, sure it would be more of the same.

But no.  Thank goodness.  She'd had a night to think on what she'd said, and she apologised.  It was a kinda back handed apology, as she still reiterated her opinion on what went down... but I accepted her apology as it was the right thing to do.

So, while I'm still a bit annoyed about it all, I've learnt a valuable lesson.  Keep my mouth shut.
You want to question a walk for whatever reason... DON'T.

I have almost finished that large Autumn Tree Runner... will be able to show you tomorrow all going well.

Tomorrow!  I do my first short shift at the rest home.  Learning the laundry routine. I'll probably have nightmares tonight about blowing the bloody washing machine up!

ABOVE:  Looks a bit like this, like you need a license to even open the door!  

Stew has cooked dinner tonight, he's used left over spag bol meat from last night, and turned it into a Shepard's pie with a layer of veges in it.  My mouth is watering.  I'm a bit hungry!

So Stew pulls his dinner out of the oven, and says "Well???  Aren't you going to take a photo?"... so of course I do!

ABOVE:  It was as yummy as it looked and smelled I assure you!

And now... it's time to sign off for the day, catch ya tomorrow.

PINK STUFF?

Today Kelly is coming out with a pink hat and wig.
I asked her yesterday to show me the wig she has:

ABOVE:  She looks really good in it, so hopefully so will I!

If not, I've only got TODAY to get myself sorted for tomorrow's Pink Ribbon Breakfast. *sigh*

I looked at pink pyjamas yesterday, but decided not to get any as they were $25, and I'd probably only ever wear them once.  Waste of money obviously.

I plan on just wearing black tights/top and pink wig.  Big, dangly pink earrings too.  Not sure what else I can do without spending money?

Any ideas?  I've got plenty of pink fabric (non stretchy) I could use for something?

Stew has reminded me that we need to do a grocery shop.  Great.  Ruin my day!   But, I suppose if we are to eat and keep a clean home we must.  Grrrrr.  I will wait till after Kelly has been out I think.

ONWARD...

3.23 pm:  very late in the day for my first update I must admit.  Sorry about that.
Stew and I went and spent a HUGE amount of money on groceries... sometimes it's scary!

We also spent some time looking for pink stuff.. I ended up just getting a pretty pink scarf to wear with my usual black ensemble.
I'm not going overboard, that's for sure, nor am I sticking out like a sore thumb!

Found out today, in a nasty way... that I really can't even talk on a walk or it might be/will be twisted and used against me!  Seriously, if I didn't have quite so many dear friends in that group, I'd be leaving right now.
I wasn't joking when I said I really needed to zip my mouth... sadly.
I feel like I have a huge target on my back.

I've had a shit afternoon.  So upset about a horrible Personal Message I got, it's tainted my whole day.  I'm not even looking forward to the Pink Ribbon Breakfast now, cos SHE will be there.

Zipping my mouth is no longer a joke.  It's a damn reality.  

STUNNING TOADSTOOLS

So, yesterday I was sitting in my car waiting to join a walk, and saw some toadstools on the side of the road... and I couldn't help myself, I had to take photos.

 ABOVE:  This one just needs a nose and mouth.... lol!

ABOVE: This one ... so funky!

 ABOVE:  So pretty.  There were quite a few in fact, but these were the prettiest. 

I thought they looked so nice with the autumn leaves around them too. 

ABOVE:  After yesterday's fiasco... yeah.  Going to try and NOT open me mouth so much.  It doesn't help, even if you KNOW you are in the right.  Which I was.  

Moving on.... first thing this morning I am going on an FBG walk... with a really LOVELY leader. I hope to do it all as it's only 5.2 kms in total. Oh, and with me mouth firmly shut, bar pleasantries.

After that I shall come home, grab a shower then head out on a mission.

To find something PINK to wear on Sunday to the Pink Ribbon Breakfast I'm attending.  I'm hoping to find a pink wig and feather boa?  Or a novelty hat... I suppose I will just have to wait and see what I can find.

And that's me for now, gotta get moving.

ONWARD...

The FBG Admin team put out a set of 'Rules' last night. Covers things like starting on time, walking as a group, safety aspects and so on.  One of the new rules covers using photos, or rather, not using FBG photos outside the group.  So there will no longer be walk photos!

I will still take some photos, but can't show faces it would appear.  Bit of a shame as I really liked using them as a record.  But never mind, I'll just have to get a bit more resourceful.  *smiles*

Let's see what I come up with today!

And just like that... ignore the bit about the photos!  I heard from FBG Admin this morning and I can use walk photos on my blog!  There is a clause in the membership contract that allows it.  So... back to 'normal' it would seem.  Though I do like the idea of me taking more photos if I can... so let's see if I find something worth snapping this morning.

It's a glorious early winter day, but rather cold!

11.45 am:  and this morning's walk was just lovely.  No hiccups to speak of... we did think we'd missed a street but NOPE... all good.  We were just yakking so much we didn't even notice half the streets we went up and down!

ABOVE: It was just over 5 kms long, and I didn't feel sore at any point.  Really happy about that.  I might put up the 'official' walk photo too, once it's published by the walk leader.  But, I'm happy with these ones too.

Now, I am going to cool down, get changed into something warm and sew for a while.

Kelly is coming out tomorrow with a pink wig and hat, so I can choose one to wear on Sunday.... neat eh?  I don't have to go and buy one after all.

It's now 1.30 pm, Brylee is due home from work shortly.  I should be sewing but may actually have a Nana Nap!  I can then sew till really late tonight, when I actually have some energy again.

I'm an OWL, not a Fowl.  Total reverse of how I was 15 years ago!

HELLO?  Am I on my own here?  Where is everyone... ?????

Thanks for the comments girls, I thought there was a glitch or something, or ya just stopped reading!  I'm touchy today!

ABOVE:  Look who visited!  Sharon from Taupo, she was on her way up to Auckland.  Catching a plane to Sydney, Australia in a couple of days on holiday.  Lucky tart.

It was so lovely to see her ... and those two girls thought she was rather lovely too!
I was VERY surprised at Marley getting up on her knee, she's usually very reserved around visitors.

Now... it's nearly dinner time and I'm waiting for Stew to get home with some sausages.  We shall have them with some spuds and baked beans/spaghetti.  Silly bugger night.  *smiles*

Dinner is done.  Time to chill out.
For the first time in a few years, I am having...

ABOVE:  A Bacardi and coke!  No ice, cos that just dilutes it. Ikkk.
Stew is having a Coruba and coke too... we've not had any in the house for a couple of years at least!!!  So, we decided to indulge,  Stew went down to the grog shop and got a bottle of each ...great way to wind down after a long week.

Catch ya tomorrow.

MAGNETIC SIGN

So... last night I had some fun thinking about, then choosing a design for a car sign.
A magnetic sign, one that just sticks on me car.

Because I am running my little business OVER the table, I wanted to put some signage on my car.  

At the end of the financial year I can then claim for running costs, along with my cleaning supplies etc.

So, I chose a template, added my words and this is what I have ordered for my car:

ABOVE:  I love it, Stew loves it too.  I can't wait for it to arrive.  I've ordered two of course, one for each side of my car.
I couldn't believe how cheap they were too. I got them from Vistaprint if anyone's interested in getting some too.
They do all sorts of sizes too, not just car ones.

Today I have a house to clean, then home for lunch.

After lunch I am having an hour long break, then I have an FBG walk.  It's another half walk for me, I'm doing catch ups.  
Truth be known I am really enjoying the half walks right now... I don't get quite so tired doing only around 2.5 - 3 kms each time.

My toe is finally no longer hurting much at all, and my back is certainly getting better too.

Fingers crossed I don't do myself a mischief again. *smiles*

And that's all I've got for now, so catch ya later.

ONWARD...

12.45 pm:  Home, had lunch, now chilling out till I go on the FBG walk.
I love doing my job, I get a real kick out of leaving a home sparkling clean and tidy!

Something that pretty much never happens here cos of friggin teenagers and dogs.

I bet in ten years I will have nothing to do around here cos there's only me and Stew!  Bet I bitch about that too.  *smiles*

I now have a 'work' break till Monday afternoon, when I start the 'Orientation'  stage of working at Lifecare Cambridge!  OMG I am still so nervous!

Not about the cleaning aspect, that's a doodle.  But the laundry, the big machines, getting all the clothes to the right people... THAT scares me silly!  

I hope I'm worrying about NOTHING... but I won't know that till I'm there and actually doing it.

And now that I've updated here, I really can relax for a while.  

5.43 pm:  This afternoon I went on an FBG walk.  First time ever after I finished, I felt like I wanted to leave the group.
The walks are supposed to be enjoyable, but today I had an argument with the walk leader over part of the walk.  

We came up to a shared DRIVEWAY, it was NOT on our map or in the instructions, but she insisted we had to go down it.   I pointed out the 'facts', but no.  She made everyone walk down a driveway!

Me being me, didn't.  I stayed on the street and waited for them.   It just soured the whole walk after that.

I got in my car at the end of the walk and felt like crying.  Instead I went and visited my friend Sue T.  We had a good chat, shared some cupcakes and then I went and picked up Stew's prescription and came home.

I've just put dinner on, which is Teryiaki chicken on rice, with garlic bread on the side.  

P.S. I've decided to stay in the FBG's, but simply NOT go on any walks lead by 'M'.  That way I don't end up getting upset/cross/or want to throttle her!

ABOVE:  Today's walk photo. 'M' took the photo, so isn't in it (by the way).

So I know the walk 'incident' wasn't a biggie, but there's a few other issues going on with FBG stuff that's getting me down too.  So ... that's why today just upset me a bit.  I will get over it, don't worry.

I've spent the evening doing bugger all!  Watching TV mostly.  I want to sew, but Coronation Street is on tonight, can't miss that!

Signing off for the day now.  Catch ya tomorrow.

ANOTHER APPOINTMENT, THEN SEWING

Well... I have another appointment at Lifecare Cambridge first thing this morning.
It's to go over rosters and work out times for 'Orientation' and so on.

Once that is done, I will be starting work there.
Can't wait.  Best thing?  It's nice and warm inside that building, cos shit it's getting cold now.

I have NOTHING else on today, no walk, no work... just a big fat nothing.  I should do my sewing, but maybe I'll be a lazy tart and just put me feet up for a while?

Let's see how I feel once I get home from the rest home.

For now... I'm off to get ready to go out.
Probably put a load of washing on, make the bed ... you know... all the usual stuff one does in the morning.

Here's a funny to start the day:

ABOVE:  I kid you not... he's got verbal diarrhea! Sometimes when he's telling me a story, recounting something that happened during the day I literally sit there waiting, rolling my eyes, waiting some more .. for him to get to the bloody point!  lol

Poor man... I don't think he's ever going to change.  He's damn lucky I love him, cos sometimes I just want to throttle him!  *smiles*

ONWARD...

DOGSTARS:  Wow! Thank you so much for the botanical lesson.  I, and probably every other reader on here DID NOT KNOW that there IS a Fir/Conifer tree that loses it's needles in winter!

Tamarack (Larix laricina), also known as American larch, is a very unique member of the pine family — one that loses its needles in fall. ... Tamarack has a narrow trunk that is covered with thin, gray bark on younger trees and red-brown, scaly bark on older trees.

9.36 am:  And I'm just home from my meeting at 'work'.  lol
Guess what?   I start next MONDAY!!!  Three days of orientation, then straight into the deep end on Thursday and Friday.   Eeeeeek.

I hope I don't blow the bloody clothes dryer up!  Or take Mr Brown's clothes to Mrs Smith!  lol
I'm sure I will get the hang of it over time. 

Is it normal to feel a bit nervous???  *smiles*

I'm going into Hamilton now... I've got a $40 off voucher at Spotlight!  I really SHOULD use it before it expires eh?

Catch ya a bit later.

It's later.  2.15 pm to be exact.

And I've been to Hamilton... a most successful trip too I must say.

 ABOVE:  First stop was Spotlight, where, with the 'normal' savings in store, and my $40 voucher....   instead of my stuff costing $167, it cost me  $63.  I SAVED $104!!!   Score.

ABOVE:  Boom!

ABOVE:  I just finished working out my roster/private work... and NOTHING clashes!

NOW... in answer to everyone's questions about how much I'm going to be working... this is my 'roster' of both my private jobs and my new job...

ABOVE:  It's  a two week roster... which just repeats.

So in Week one, with both private and Lifecare, I do 16 hours work, with no weekend work.  

In Week two, with Private and Lifecare I do 20.5 hours work, and work Saturday and Sunday, with a break in between the two separate shifts to come home for lunch.

I think it looks really good... I get plenty of time 'off' to do me own thing, sew and so on.

8.30 pm:  time to sign off for the day.  I'm trying to decide if I'm gunna sit and watch TV, or do some sewing.  *sigh*
Either way, I will be on me butt! lol

OLD MOO'S BIRTHDAY

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY LOVELY MUM

82 TODAY 

BUT SURE IN HELL DOESN'T LOOK IT!

The women in our family have been blessed with pretty good genes if ya ask me.

Have an awesome day Mum, and enjoy dinner out with your friends and Ron. 

Today  I've got work this morning, then in the afternoon I will continue working on this:

ABOVE:  (a work in progress) ...This one has three 'naked' trees.  Not dead trees, just naked trees.  I'm not trying to be 'Botanically' correct here, I'm just trying to make pretty runners.  Half those trees are not 'realistically coloured' FIR/CONIFER trees either... by the way.

And now... I better get up and load the car with my cleaning 'kit'.... get the bed made, tidy up around the house etc etc.

ONWARD...

I mentioned I  had some news... well this is it.
I just had it confirmed, I now have another job!

On top of my own private cleaning jobs, I am now going to be working here:

ABOVE: It's a smallish rest home and hospital.  I'm going to be doing cleaning and laundry work.  The pay is a pittance, but hey!  It's more $'s in the kitty for the extras in life, and I get to work with other people, which I love.

Sorry if you thought my news was a new baby on the way.  Sadly no one wants to do that *sad face*.  Stuck on 13 grandchildren.

And OMG it's cold this morning!  Rather glad I have to go do some work, it will warm me up.

2.30 pm:  So today I was at 'P's home cleaning.  I gave P's name as a reference for the new job yesterday.  She got a phone call from the Rest Home and was asked a few questions about me this morning.

P said she gave me a glowing reference, then proceeded to tell me all about the phone call.  I was like, super relieved she said so many nice things about me!

THEN she said she was asked if there were any 'Negatives' about me?

And she said well... yes!  'P' told the lady I 'scared her' sometimes!!!!!   But in a nice way, I was a positive influence on her, and made her get more organised herself!  But I scared her!  I find that hilarious, sort of.  *smiles*

It was a bigger job today, I got stuck into P's two bedroom 'unit'.  Pissed off a hundred spiders!  Happy to be home now, having a break before I head out at 5 to do a half walk with the FBG's.   I've got about 4 half walks to get done.
And of course, try and keep up with the new ones that are getting released every week.

BUSY BUSY..... which is neat.  I don't like being too idle.  Like that's gunna happen now that I've got another job! 

5.40 pm:  Just home from a very fast walk... about 2.6 kms.  I got there bang on time to meet up with the girls who had done the 1st half of the walk.  The leader stuffed up a bit and said I didn't have to join them 'at that point', so off they went without me.  But I checked the map and sure enough, she was wrong.  So I ended up RUNNING to catch up with them!

YES!  I kinda ran!  So as I said, a 'fast walk' to begin with!  I feel quite tired, but it's all good.  

And now... I have to cook dinner then I'm hosting Card Night!
It's a simple dinner tonight, home made kebabs... meat and salad in a flat, thin naan type bread.  YUMMY.

ABOVE:  So happy to get the 2nd half of this walk done.  And in the 'daylight' too.  So many lately I've only managed to get to in the evening.

Dinner is ready.  And now I'm just waiting for the Card girls to arrive.

Cards is over, I did not win or lose. It was a lovely couple of hours... but I'm now done in.  It will be an early night for me.