Tuesday, December 03, 2024

ANOTHER DAY OF SEWING AHEAD

 


Feeling good today, after the stress of the past few days.

It's great knowing that we now have a clear plan for moving forward with our house sale.

New Agency coming next week!  Fresh start.

We are taking a little break from Open Homes for the next few weeks too.  

Now... on to another topic.

CHRISTMAS!   I'm really getting into the spirit of it.

I've fished out more decorations.

ABOVE: While I'm NOT getting out our bigger tree, I did decide to add some decorations to the little one.  It was not looking festive enough.

It looks much nicer now.

ABOVE: The girls watching me, wondering what the hell I was doing with that big box of decorations?

Coco had been enjoying lying under the tree, she sadly can't now.


ABOVE: Some festive shit on the windowsill.


ABOVE: Same with this lot.

And that's about all I plan on putting out, can't have too much clutter while trying to sell one's house eh?

ABOVE: This is the runner I finished late yesterday.  It was the second one of the day.

Today I'm aiming for one more Red/Green combo, then I have another Blue/Teal one to finish.

So, no lazing around for me.


Monday, December 02, 2024

START OF A WEEK OF CHANGE?

 


It's the second day official day of summer, and yep, the weather is finally warming up.  

It won't be long before I'm bitching about being too hot.

So this week could be a week of changes around here.

Either we have a contract on this home, and a contract to buy somewhere else, or it all falls through.

If that happens (falls through), we will be changing things up.

I can't say what will change YET, because everything is still up in the air. 

I am not enjoying this process AT ALL.

But at least by the end of the week WE WILL KNOW which way it's gunna go.  

That in itself is a relief!

Today I have to visit the chemist for supplies, then I will be coming home to work on the next few Red/Green Braid Runners.  I cannot believe how popular they are right now!  Seriously, I make them, I sell them, I make more, I sell more... we have two more markets until Christmas.  Then they should slow down, I hope!

While Red and Green are not my favourite colours at all, that combination has grown on me with these runners.

Now, a few photos from yesterday afternoon, when we had some family visit us, which was lovely. 

ABOVE:  First up, everything now has to come off the coffee table when Miss Lily arrives.



ABOVE:  Our little red head is very proud of herself, stripping everything off the table.

Little tart.

Talk about the centre of attention!


ABOVE:  *sniff sniff*, looking for more treats.  Nope, ya ate them all girls.

Time to get off here and make a start on the day.

Catch ya later.


8.06 am:  it is HELL starting the day bone tired.  I don't know if it's the heat, or my mind going around and around in circles, but OMG... lack of sleep is really killing me right now.
I literally get out of bed, do a couple of things then I want to crawl back into bed!

I've managed to do the morning jobs in record time today.  I am now waiting for the shops to open so I can get the things I need, then come home again.

Oh shit!  Still in me nightie, better consider getting dressed next eh?

Well some news, not what we wanted but it is what it is.
Our sale is A DEAD DUCK.
And our purchase of another property is also A DEAD DUCK.

Back to square one we go.

We will be making some plans towards the end of the week in relation to what to do now.

Am I crushed?  HELL NO!
I'm moving forward.

NO WAY were we giving our home away for an insulting price.

NO WAY were we paying through the nose for another place, even though we loved it.  

There will be a new buyer, and there will be a better house to buy in the future.

NOTHING IS ACTUALLY LOST.
Just a bit of time.

ABOVE:  Today's effort so far.  It's a long pointy one, and those side points were right shits.  Worse than 'usual' for some reason.  😖

I'm now going to make a smaller one that is suitable for a coffee table. With NO BLOODY POINTS!

I got the second runner of the day finished just before Stew arrived home.  I'll show ya tomorrow... even though it's VERY  similar to all the other Red/Green runners!    Come on, ya know ya love seeing them... *snort*.  Sorry, not sorry.

I'm now done for the day.  It's been an up 'n' down sort of day, but I'm going to bed tonight less stressed out for sure.

Sunday, December 01, 2024

JOBS... THEN OPEN HOME

 


Alrighty.... it's another Open Home day.

Stew and I will do the jobs necessary to have the house looking 100% this morning.

I am going to put a loaf of bread on, so the house smells great come Open Home time.

I slept like a log last night, which was awesome.  I really needed a good night's sleep.

And that's me for now... I have jobs to be doing.

Catch ya later.


9.26 am.  Everything is ticking along here well.  Waiting for floors to dry is fun.  NOT.

Bread is on.
Scenty's are on.

I'm now in the sewing room for an hour or so.
Making yet MORE Red/Green Runners!

Well, I  haven't started sewing anything right now.  Just laying out the next three Red/Green runners.  I don't want to make a mess in the sewing room today.  Spic 'n' span is the look we are going for. 😌😊

Same reason we are going out to lunch.  Don't want to mess up the kitchen.   There's some trepidation in going out and leaving the bread maker on... but as it was OK last week, should be fine this week.  Right?  lol


ABOVE:  out for lunch. 

ABOVE: Lunch today was at the Hamilton Gardens.  It was very quiet there.


ABOVE:  Really lovely Ham 'n' Cheese Toasted Sandwich.
And a very good hot chocolate.

ABOVE: I think the only thing we will get out of today's Open Home is ... another loaf of bread for the freezer.  *sigh*

If nothing happens in the next few days with the 'Potential Buyers' we are moving on to a new phase.

More on that in a week or so.

Right now, I'm wrung out and drained from all the stress.   Time to just chill out.

8.50 pm:  We've had a little visit from Steve, Bex and kids, which was lovely.  Nice to see some family.
Then we had dinner, followed by watching TV.  And now?  I feel like although it's rather early, I'm ready for bed.
Catch ya tomorrow.

Saturday, November 30, 2024

CAMBRIDGE MARKET

 


It's too damn early to be up, but here I am.

We are off to Cambridge in about half an hour to do the last Cambridge Church Market for the year.

This is our third Saturday in a row that we have had a market, and we have ANOTHER one next Saturday!

The weather forecast changed all week, right now it is supposed to be raining all day, so this market could be a bust.

Nothing we can do about it, so we just have to make the best of it.


...

ABOVE: Persistent rain. Oh yaaaa. 

ABOVE: Looking for the positives... it's not blowing a gale!   Just light rain.  And it's not cold.  And now I have to get off here and help Stew put up the runners. 



ABOVE: Wearing funky new earrings for the first time. They pick up different colours depending on the light.  The little fish are cute. 
It's now 8.51 am and it's still very quiet down here.
The rain is on/off, but not heavy. Counting every small blessing today.

3.15 pm, home, unpacked and feet UP.
Today wasn't a total bust, but it wasn't spectacular.  An 'average' day turnover wise.

So relieved to be home, I am utterly knackered.  

Stew is going out again shortly to do the weekend Diet Coke and grocery grab.  I am probably going to lie down and grab 40 winks.

I'm feeling 'sick tired'.

We are STILL in negotiations for the sale of our home... with no end in sight right now.

We are still having an Open Home tomorrow, hoping for an elusive cash buyer.  

6.39 pm:  We just had our dinner, I have not had an afternoon nap, so am hanging out till bedtime.
Catch ya tomorrow.

Friday, November 29, 2024

NOPE

 


I'm crabby.

I have no interest in yakking today.

If you want me, I'll be in my sewing room.

That is all.


ABOVE:  Today's two finished.
And that's it for now.
I will pull my head out of the dumps and start doing some housework, vacuum the sewing room cos it's got threads all over the floor.
Then I might visit that Christmas Shop after all.

JUST a little add on


I went to town, had a good walk around, sat in the mall and people watched for about an hour.  Had a long conversation with a dear friend.
Got a call from our Estate Agent at midday.

ABOVE:  The contract that was on the table is now A DEAD DUCK.
We refused to cave in on the price after negotiations, and they refused to pay a fair price, so bye bye.

Moving on, we have a few things to consider moving forward after our next Open Home.

But that shall remain between Stew and I right now.

I have just had my lunch, baked beans... poor Stew!  I'm gunna be popping off all evening.

Now I'm going to relax for a little while, before heading off to get everything ready for loading into the car tonight, in readiness for tomorrow's market.

Tomorrow's weather forecast is totally up in the air, according to one site it's going to rain, another it's just cloudy.
It will be what it is on the day, and we will go with the flow.  😖😕😒


Grrrrr....  BACK IN NEGOTIATIONS WITH THOSE PEOPLE. 

And again, we are waiting for a response from 'them'.  Probably won't be until tomorrow now.

Stew and I are off to bed shortly, as we have a very early start in the morning.

Catch ya tomorrow.

Thursday, November 28, 2024

NO NEWS

 


I didn't sleep well last night, even though I went to bed exhausted.

My mind kept going around and around in circles, wondering if we will get an offer on the house soon?

It's doing my head in.

So today I'm going to keep myself busy in the sewing room, I've got three runners on the go right now.  With any luck I'll get them all finished today.

I shall watch/listen to something on Netflix while I sew... that's a good distraction.

The weather forecast for this coming Saturday is rain, which is annoying.   We have another market in Cambridge, and it's usually a good market.  But not if it rains.  Grrrr.

I cannot believe how many markets have been spoilt by rain this year!

Meanwhile, here I am busily making more runners for said markets!  😕😖

Right, I'm going to try getting a bit more sleep before I get up.  No rush today, after my super busy day yesterday.   


11.20 am:  And I'm slowly getting some work done in the sewing room.

I've decided after I get to a certain point, I'm going to stop and go into town.
I really want to visit the Christmas Shop now!

I could have gone with the FBG girls yesterday, but knew I had to get home and get the house ready for the viewing last night.

So, that's my plans for now.  I might even meet up with Stew for lunch.... let's see how we go.

Well those plans fell through, so I'm home and making my own lunch.  And then I'll continue sewing.
It's pub night, which I am rather looking forward to.  Time to let some stress go.

I'm trying the Air Fryer option in my oven right now... here's hoping it works.  I've never air fried a thing.

I am feeling drained.  Utterly wrung out. 
So I had a Nana nap!
The runners will have to wait until tomorrow now.  I just ain't got it in me to go back there and sew right now.

My lunch went straight through me as well... which hasn't helped how I'm feeling.

Stomach churning times.

Our oven does conventional cooking, Air Frying and Grilling.  I think only the top oven can do Air Frying.  It really is an amazing oven though.
It takes just a few minutes to reach temperature, and if you are only heating one half of the oven, you are saving power.
I love it so much.
You can also use it as a 'larger' oven by taking the centre divider out.  

Right, I'm now heading into a full blown headache, so better take something so I can function this evening.

Well... we have been in negotiations with a potential house buyer all day/evening, with no resolution in sight right now.  
Maybe we will sort something out tomorrow, or not.
Either way, I'm a nervous wreck and just want to go to bed.
Stew is still at the pub, and will be walking home as I've come home early.
That is it for today.
Catch ya tomorrow.

Wednesday, November 27, 2024

OFF TO THE LAKE

 


Here's a nice change... this morning I'm off to meet up with some FBG ladies, who are coming over on the bus to walk around the Hamilton Lake.

How cool.  It's been a while since I walked around the lake, and I'm sure I will really enjoy it.

After the walk, there will of course be a coffee stop.  Time to yak 😊.

After that, the girls are going to visit the Christmas Shop in town, but I won't be.

I do not need anything from that shop!  Or rather, I don't want to see anything I MUST GET!

So I shall come home and work ...

ABOVE: My five runner bags!  I hope we don't need any more.

That's quite enough to be lugging from one market to the next if ya ask me.


ABOVE:  I have one Red/Green runner just started at the machine...


ABOVE: And two more half done.

I'd like to get all three finished either today or tomorrow.


ABOVE: How cute is this?  Coco, she wasn't moving, no matter what Stew was putting on top of her. 

Right, I'm off to do a couple of jobs before I am meeting up with the FBG'ers at the lake.


It is 1.33 pm.  And oh my, I've had a busy morning!
First up, walkies with the FBG's:


ABOVE: There were a few baby birds, but not an abundance yet.


ABOVE:  One of the girls having a swing...

ABOVE:  People feeding the ducks bread... even though there's quite a few signs asking people NOT to feed them bread.  😖😕

ABOVE: The lake was stunning today, and I thoroughly enjoyed my walk and chat afterwards.

ABOVE: Walk stats.  Seems my new phone has decided to add a few hundred meters to the distance around the lake!  Never mind.

On my way home from the lake, I got a text from our Real Estate Agent, asking if the family who have viewed the house twice already could come back again this evening?  The husband couldn't come last night, so he wanted a chance for another viewing. 
Of course I said yes.

ABOVE: I popped into Backstreet Bargains, on the off chance they had any of the Pohutukawa  fabric???  And they had 11 meters left, so I bought it all!  Best thing, it was on sale, I paid $19 a meter, while it is usually $35 a meter at Spotlight.  It is a discontinued fabric, so I doubt I will be able to find/get any more.  Makes it a bit precious.

NOW, I need to grab something to eat, and get the house ready.
I will be baking some more cookies!

I also have a beef/bacon and tomato casserole in the oven... the house is gunna smell lovely by the time they get here.  😊

And I'm going to be a bit knackered.

ABOVE:  Today is the first time I have both ovens on, at different temperatures, and different time frames.
ABOVE:  Tonight's casserole is in the top, and cookies are in the bottom.
I love this oven.
When we move I shall probably look at getting another one just like it.

6.15 pm:  home.  The viewers stayed in the house for half an hour, and are still very keen.  Now they have to work out their numbers, and perhaps make an offer, pursuant to selling their current home.
NOW.   WE.   WAIT.

Stew just got home, and ... he's eating a cookie.

They didn't get scoffed today.  

The casserole I had on all afternoon was yummy.  And now we are doing what we always do in the evening.... TV, then bed.
Catch ya tomorrow.