ROUND TABLE TOPPER

 

Today I am going to make a round table topper, for our new dining table.  It won't cover the entire table top, just the middle half, or thereabouts.

ABOVE:  I am thinking of using these fabrics.  I might make a second one using the pretty Dragonfly floral fabric later on as well.

I plan on staying home all day today, as I am expecting an item I've sold on Marketplace to be picked up.  Slowly getting rid of 65% of our belongings!

It feels good, but scary as well.  It is hard letting go of some stuff, particularly stuff I actually love.

But we simply will not have room for it.  This is called EXTREME DOWNSIZING!  I just didn't realise how extreme it was going to be, or FEEL.

I have to keep reminding myself that there are more positives than negatives with this move.  😏

Right, I'm off to start my day.  

Catch ya later.

12.25 pm and I'm working on the round runner.

Before I started that, I finished my jig saw.

ABOVE:  this round table topper is different to be working on.  I'm so used to doing Braid Runners, I've almost forgotten how it feels to be doing something else.

I think this topper might end up too big too... but time will tell.

ABOVE:  Photo worthy... first solid RAIN in weeks.

If it was a market day, I'd be swearing, but it's not.  And it's just lovely, it has cooled everything down so well.

And the gardens need this rain so much.  

I'm making me lunch, kinda late at 2 pm, but oh well, I've been busy.

5 pm, and the table topper is 75% done.  I need to get some backing fabric from Spotlight tomorrow, then I can finish it.

This afternoon I wasted about an hour trying to decide what fabric to put in the middle.

I think I tried every fabric I had used in the actual topper, but NONE worked.

In the end I used something I'd not even thought of... till I spied it under my little pile of fabrics that are still here.  LUCKY.

I will show it to your tomorrow, once it is finished.  I know you are gunna think it's lovely, because I LOVE IT.

AND in fact, I'm inspired to make a couple more for markets.  Yaaa, something new to work on, and spend some time doing.

The sun has come out, turning my world into a goddam sauna.  And out of nowhere, a mass of flies!!!  Dirty little shits can bugger off!

Well the people turned up on time and took away our big, chunky headboard.  I am thinking of making a slim one to replace it, once we have moved.  Timber and white wash is what I'm thinking.

But it will have to wait as there will be a million other things to sort out first.

I woke up during the night with a bloody sore leg/knee... so painful it kept me awake for hours.  NO IDEA what happened to make it so sore.

But anyway, it's much better this evening... I'm just hoping it doesn't happen again tonight.

How ironic that Stew has a dicky knee (now diagnosed as arthritis), and I get a sore knee too.  Weird.

And now it is time to sign off for the day, it's been a nice, productive day... Catch ya tomorrow.

ST PATRICKS DAY

For the first time in a very long time, I don't have a bloody thing to do today.

Sure, I can make the bed, do a load of washing, water the plants and so on.  All the usual Monday morning stuff.

But aside from that... NO PLANS, no 'to do' list of things.

I'm LOST.  What the hell am I gunna do with myself?

I don't need to make any more stuff for markets for the time being.

I cannot pack anything else now until just before we move, cos we are using it all.

I suppose I'll just have to take it one day at a time, and try to make the best of it.

Maybe I'll do some research into the East Cape/Gisborne area, for our upcoming little trip?

That is in 5 sleeps time.

OH HELL, did I even keep any suitcases out, or have I put them all into the storage unit?  Eeeek, I better go see.

WHAT.  DO.  YA.  BET.  I'VE.  STORED.  THEM.  ALL! 

11.27 am:  I found something to do.  I did a small grocery shop, mostly for toiletries, make up remover, face cream and so on.  Grabbed some Hot Cross Buns as well... already had two.  With Jam.

I looked for the suitcases.  Guess what?

GONE TO STORAGE.

I'm just too damn efficient at packing up our house.

So now we will be using a couple of plastic boxes for our stuff when we go away.  Does it matter.  Nah, not at all.

ABOVE:  Since arriving back home, I've put some washing on, flung all the windows open (it's bound to rain now), and worked on my puzzle.

I know, I've been very quiet on here today.

That's due to me having a function to attend this afternoon.  Stew joined me after work.

We met lots of people who will be our new neighbours, so a lovely visit.

Stew was VERY popular with the ladies... I can see I'll have to be swatting those hussies off him!  lol

We are now home, and are going to enjoy a quiet evening.  Just the usual really.

9 pm:  And the day is done.  It's been a cruisy day, with a nice ending with our little outing.

Catch you tomorrow.

ORDERING NEW FURNITURE

Two days ago I said we would NOT be buying any new furniture until we have moved.  Then we could take our time to decide what we wanted to replace with new stuff.

What would fit etc.

But, then we started looking online at dining suites.  And saw one we both really loved.

It is on sale RIGHT NOW, and so is the Sofa Bed we've had our eye on for months.

So LET ME JUST SAY... WE have changed our minds, and will be going shopping TODAY for those items.

Both have $800 off them, so it would be crazy not to order them now, eh.

The sofa bed will take at least 3-4 months to arrive once ordered, so best to order it NOW, and have it arrive a couple of months after we have moved.

We can use the 2nd bedroom for storage/sorting out shit over those two months.  That will be very handy.  *The sofa bed is going in the 2nd bedroom.

Before we go shopping, we will be helping move the trundler bed over to it's new home.  The buyers don't have a trailer, so we are using ours to get it to their home.  

We have a busy morning planned, and it should be fun.

Catch ya later.

ABOVE:  And we have another totally empty bedroom.  So three bedrooms now need nothing doing to them.  I've emptied them and cleaned them.

That much less to do on moving day.

We are about to head out to look at/buy furniture for the new house.   Then we will have a nice lunch out, then come home to do????

ABOVE:  Bought today, arrives in 2-3 weeks.  We love the detail on the top of the table, and it's white accent.  It is American Oak.  It has one extension, which is handy.

ABOVE:  Ordered today, arrives in about 4 months.  We have chosen a 'Stone' colour,  it's a mid Grey.  

The carpet in the house is dark Grey.

Also ordered today, but won't be here for a few weeks, a new Oven.  The exact same one I bought a while ago.   We don't need to get a new Induction Cooktop, as there is a new one there already.

The house has a new cooktop, dishwasher and Tilt-a-Door in the garage, so that's three things we don't have to buy. 

It has a bath, but we will be taking it out and installing a big cupboard in it's place.

The Village has a big Hot Tub for when I want to lie in a 'bath' just to relax.  No lovely smelly bubbles sadly... just bubbly wine.  😂😊

Now that we are home we will be relaxing for the afternoon.  I will work on my latest jig saw, which is coming along nicely.

Stew decided, in his infinite wisdom, to chew lollies while sitting right beside me.  I was like, you wanna die today? 

Then I thought of something... I would go out and buy some earphones to use with my phone, so I could listen to music, answer the phone etc using them, and drown out Stewie.

So off we went to the mall to buy some earphones. 

We had a very helpful man who steered me in the right direction, discussed all the options, and I ended up getting some SONY Noise Cancelling Earphones that I'm very happy with. 

Got home, charged them up and BOOM!  They work a treat.

Stew is safe from certain death.... AGAIN.

Poor man ... he has a lot to put up with.

YOU.  DON'T.  NEED.  TO.  AGREE.  BTW.

We just had our dinner.  Gnocchi with Chicken/Onion/Cheese Sauce.  So yum!

Now, I'm probably gunna bugger off, and catch ya tomorrow.

TAMAHERE IN MARCH

 

Well it's about 5.45 in the morning, and we are up and getting ourselves ready to leave for Tamahere Market.

It is looking to be lovely weather today, so that's great.

Hopefully lots of people come to the market and we get some sales.

I sometimes worry we are seeing the same people month in, month out at Tamahere.  How many runners/bowl cosy's do they need/want ?

Just a thought.

For now though, I better get a move on.  

At least now I don't get me tits in a knot with stressing out before this market.  It goes like clockwork ... we have setting up down pat.  

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO OUR 

AWESOME DAUGHTER-IN-LAW

BEX.  She's a truly wonderful 

wife, mother and family member.

Dad and I hope you have an awesome day and we will see you this evening.

...

ABOVE: 6 am. FOGGY. COLD. And I didn't think ahead. I'm in summer clothes and jandals on me feet.

While setting up the stall I was hot, now though? Sitting doing nothing, I'm freezing. 

Hopefully the day warms up or I'm gunna get VERY GRUMPY.

ABOVE: Stew had a wander around the market and came back with these wooly slippers! My feet feel much warmer now. Thank you Darling.  🥰😊

11.45 am and I am FINALLY warm! And it had been an incredibly slow market.  We just made our FIRST sale!

We thought it was going to be a NO SALE DAY... but thankfully not.

2.12 pm: Home.  Thank Goodness!   It got really hot after midday and I started to roast.  Luckily, we always take our time packing up and unpacking when we get home, so we don't overheat.

Now Stew is off to the supermarket, and I'm going to simply put me feet up until he comes home.

Then we are off to our storage unit to look for the extra chairs and extensions for the dining suite.  Our friend 'R' has decided it's too big for her home, so we are selling it.

We already have our eye on a little dining suite that we both love.  How much fun is it getting new furniture?  I love it.  We will probably order the Sofa Bed while there tomorrow as well, as they are giving us a really good deal on the two items.  ($1,600 off).  You can't beat that.

YES RHONDA, I immediately did an about turn on my own words.  I'm weird like that.  New furniture is being ordered... to replace what we are selling.  I couldn't wait, I'm the most impatient person I know!!!

The sofa bed will take 4 months to arrive once ordered, so it is better to order it NOW, rather than wait until we are in the house.

AND we are taking advantage of the SALE that is on right now.

I'm knackered.  And will be off to bed soon.  It is going to be a VERY early night, but I don't care.  I'm feeling ill, I'm that tired.

Catch ya tomorrow.

THE COUNTDOWN - SEVENTY DAYS TO GO

 

Today I am going to start a countdown to moving day.

Don't worry, I'm not going to make you suffer every day, I'm gunna do 70,60,50,40,30,20,10, and then daily till MOVING DAY.

So, GOOD MORNING!  We have 70 days until we move.

I have a few plans today. 

- Get the Trundler bed ready to leave the house.

- General housework.

- Get market stuff ready for loading this evening.

- Finish those damn small runners!

Then if there is time I will go out and look at little dining suites.

And before anyone else tells me this, we do not intend buying any furniture for the new home until we are in it, and can see what we would like to replace or buy.  It won't be much as the house is TINY.

ABOVE:  Last night Stew had a go at removing that big mark on my car.  He used some sort of rubbing compound he got from Repco.

I was sceptical that it would work.

So anyway, he rubbed it on, then spent AGES rubbing it off.  He got all hot and sweaty.  Ikkk to hot and sweaty men.

But...

ABOVE:  It worked!   It's not perfect, but OMG almost.

I am thrilled to bits, as that was one hell of a mark!
Stew also removed a few other little scratches and marks on my car.  

Thank you darling, you rock.

ABOVE:  Miss Lily last night, so precious.  Just the most darling little girl.

SOFA BED:  We have already done our homework.  Looked.  Tried out.  And have one in mind that is super comfortable.  We also have a memory foam topper pad for it already, so anyone sleeping on it WILL be comfortable.

11.30 am, and phew, I've got lots done this morning.

ABOVE:  I got the last four smaller runners done and dusted.

That's a load off my mind.

I know we probably won't sell HEAPS over the next few months at market, unless a miracle happens.  So with that in mind, I'm tempted to pack up what's left in the sewing room soon.

All the market stuff is by the door, ready for loading.

The lady just turned up to suss out the trundler bed.  Looks like we will be helping her get it over to her new home in Hamilton East on Sunday.

So funny... she had NO IDEA what a 'Trundler Bed' was, and was gobsmacked when she saw that it was actually TWO beds.  She was rather cute, I really liked her.  I'm happy it's going to a lovely young woman and her family.

And now... I'm off to get more black thread, I just ran out completely!  That has never happened before.

8.07 pm:  I've had a fairly quiet afternoon, I jut tidied up the sewing room and did some washing.

Stew arrived home and we packed the car for tomorrow.

Watching shit TV now, while doing me jig saw.

We won't be up late tonight, as we have an early start in the morning, as per usual for a Market Day.

Catch ya tomorrow.

NOT TODAY

 

I'd love to say I had a wonderful night's sleep, but I didn't.

And I have a pounding headache, almost the first one this year!

Having my naughty tooth out certainly put paid to the constant headaches.

I was going over to Cambridge for mosaics this morning, but if this headache sticks around, I won't be going anywhere.

I feel quite ill in fact.  So I might just go back to bed with some panadol on board.

ABOVE: Stew sent me these 'words' yesterday.  He knows how much I take 'words' to heart.  He wishes I didn't.  So do I.

I will try harder to just let them flow over me.

10.42 am:   I'm up and feeling better.

I've done the morning jobs and am now in the sewing room working on the last 4 smaller runners.

Being in the sewing room is where my mind runs amok sadly.

I do tend to stew over 'words'.

But gosh, I am so happy I've not done certain things that were asked of me by people in my life.  I would sure in hell regret them now if I had done what was asked.

Some people like to use you, take what they can and then gaslight you, walk away and so on.  I feel lucky that I can see most people's true character traits early on.  Saves me having those regrets later on.

Still stewing on things, but moving on to better days.

I have almost totally run out of black thread!  So a trip to Spotlight is high on the list of things to do next.

USELESS INFORMATION INCOMING:

Usually I have 4 pillows and three cushions on our bed during the day.  At night I take all of them off, and replace them with the two pillows we actually USE to rest our heads on.

During the day, the pillows we actually USE are kept in a spare bedroom's wardrobe.

In our new home, there simply won't be room to store them in a 'spare' wardrobe, cos we won't have any spare wardrobe.  (sigh)

So I decided to take two of the 'day pillows' off the bed, and put our night time, USE pillows back on the bed full time.

Only, they ain't pretty pillows.  So I decided to make a 'cover/case' for them.

ABOVE: The front.

ABOVE: The back. Supper easy to chuck them in there and then on the bed.  

Problem solved, and the two other pillows are now on the spare single bed, which we are taking with us and will use for visitors.  

Mike and Joyce, fancy single beds when ya visit?  

Only joking, I'm probably going to get a sofa bed for the lounge, that you can use.

Stew arrived home early, so we sat and yakked.  And now we are going to sell our trundler bed and get a bed settee for the second bedroom.  AND our big dining suite is going too.

I'm going to have fun shopping for a small dining suite ... I bet there's HEAPS to choose from!  I've not had a new dining suite since we bought our last one, way back in the 90's!

So a friend of Steve and Bex's was at their place tonight, and I got yakking to her.  I know her fairly well as she did markets with Bex for a while.

Anyway, I digress.  She is moving and expressed an interest in our dining suite when I said I was selling it.

So I messaged Stew and suggested we gift it to her?  He said why not.  So now R has a new to her dining suite.

Yaaa, one less thing for me to try and sell.

The trundler bed went really fast on Marketplace, and is being picked up tomorrow night.

I hope I don't get carried away and we end up with NO furniture!

Just home from the pub, where I spent a nice hour or so with the regular Thursday night crowd.

I'm going to chill out now, so catch ya tomorrow.

FOUR DOWN, FOUR TO GO

 

Well luckily I don't feel like the photo above.  I'm feeling so much happier now that things are finally settled.  Well I think they are.  Our house purchase will go UNCONDITIONAL today or tomorrow, we have had to wait a couple of days for all the legal shimozzle to be sorted out.

Freakin' lawyers bla bla bla.

ABOVE: I got these four Runners finished yesterday afternoon.

And today, all going well, I will get the last four finished as well.

They really don't take too long to construct, quilt and bind, being quite short.  

I hope they appeal to all those people who kept asking for shorter ones, and cat ones. 

Let's wait and see eh?

Our next market is this coming Saturday, at Tamahere. 

Right, I'm off to do the small amount of housework needing doing, then I'll be in my sewing room if anyone wants me.  lol

 I have been sewing all morning.

Slowly getting through the runners.

AND... this happened:

We went UNCONDITIONAL on our new home purchase just now.

So, it's a done deal, no backing out now!

I can rest easy, and make plans.

Very excited to be moving on to the next phase of our lives.... at the end of May.

Yes, we have a long settlement, due to the buyers of our current home needing a 3 month settlement.

It's now lunch time, so I will take a break from the sewing and feed me face.

Would you believe I have just spent over TWO HOURS on the phone organising accommodation in Whakatane, Gisborne and Napier for our little get away trip?

Unbelievable.

But then, I do refuse to use BOOKING.COM, Trivago etc.  I find those sites really difficult to navigate.  I'm probably dumb as fuck, but I hate them.

I much prefer to actually speak to a person AT THE MOTEL/LODGE and know I've actually booked what I need/want.

Oh and if someone answers the phone and I simply cannot understand their 'English' I say thank you, but no thank you, and hang up.  I had to do that twice.

I don't do conversations with people who can't speak without a thick accent, that I can't understand.  Does my head in.  If you live here in New Zealand, and are in a service industry, you should be easy to understand,  end of story.

Was that a little rant?  lol

Moving on... I now have our accommodation booked in.  We know where we are going, but not necessarily what we shall be doing.  Probably cruising all the beaches, scenic places, and so on.

I doubt there will be any fabric shops worth visiting, as prices over there will probably be way more expensive than here.  Drat.

So, it's 10? days until we head off, plenty of time to get things organised here.  Coco will of course, stay with Steve and Bex.  Lacy can come over and keep and eye on the place for us as well.

Nearly time to think about dinner... well it will most likely be some crackers for me.  I had a decent lunch.

Oh GAWD... what have I done?  Lacy is already planning her 5 day 'holiday' in our home while we are away!  😂😅😖

Well the day is done.  I got something made in the sewing room today that was on my 'to do at some point' list.  I'm happy with it... and will show it to you tomorrow. 

Time to sign off.

Catch ya tomorrow.

GROOMING DAY

 

Coco is getting groomed this afternoon.

Until then, I am going out and about to look at bathroom fittings.  A new shower and vanity.  We are removing the bath as we don't need it.  (there is a lovely hot tub to soak in at our new village) 

AND when we gut the bathroom, we can use the community facilities until our new bathroom is ready.  So lucky that is an option.

I am taking a few things over to Steve and Bex's this morning as well.  Not much, cos seriously, I'm running out of outside 'stuff' to take over there.

Once I get home, I might do some sewing.  We will see.

Would you believe I've done NOTHING much so far today?

I canned going out to look at bathroom fittings, I decided I'd rather do that with Stew.  That way we are both choosing what to get.

I have the car loaded up with stuff to take over to Steve 'n' Bex's.

I should be in the sewing room finishing at least a couple of those smaller runners... but the will is not there.

Maybe tomorrow?

I went out and about, visited Bex and Lily, dropped off some stuff ... then went window shopping.  Just thinking...   planning... and so on.

Tonight Stew and I will be getting our heads together and plotting a mini break for in eleven days time.  The East Cape/Gisborne is our intended destination.  It is one area of the North Island we have not visited. We wanted to do it in 2020, but a bloody cyclone, closely followed by COVID put paid to that idea.  Now we have decided to do it.

ABOVE:  The groomers arrived bang on time, and took Coco into their van for her groom.   It takes them a full hour and a half to do her!  She comes out looking gorgeous.

And mental.  She literally runs around the house like a mad woman, rolling around, bouncing and SMILING!  Yep, smiling.  She is just so happy to be out of that freakin' van!  😂😊

ABOVE: See her smile!  It was very hard getting her to keep still for a photo I might add.  That was the best I could do.

I have had an awesome afternoon, best one in a while.  I need to remind myself that sewing really does make me happy.  My HAPPY PLACE.

I got four of the smaller runners finished this afternoon.

They will be on the blog tomorrow... cos right now I'm about to sort out our dinner.

DINNER - TICK

WATCH CORONATION STREET -  TICK

PLAN EAST CAPE/GISBORNE TRIP -  TICK

DO SOME JIGSAW PUZZLING - TICK

SAY NITE NITE..... DOING.