FIRST FBG CHALLENGE WALK OF 2026

 

Sheesh... I have to get up early on a Sunday morning ... to attend the first FBG Challenge walk of the year.

I am going to try and complete the Challenge this year, which will mean going over to Cambridge 2-3 times a week for the next 8 months or so.

It's a personal commitment, and I hope to do it and reclaim my fitness.  And of course, maintain my friendships with the ladies and gents in Cambridge.

So, I'm up early, and heading off to Cambridge in about an hour.  

Catch ya later.

ONWARD...

BIG CLEAN UP

 

As I usually do, I will be doing a big clean up in Crabby Quarters today, before I start work on finishing the other three runners 'on the go'.

So, a big sweep out, then mop the floors.  Tidy up the shelves etc etc.  I will also clean the bobbin case in Mc2'ie, something I have promised myself I will do once a week.  No more letting it get clogged up !

While I'm doing that, I hope Stew will do a little job out the front.  The plumber had to pull apart the rock garden in one spot, to access the water main.  Whoops!  I forgot it was covered up with weed matting and rocks.  That needs to be sorted out, so the water main can be accessed easily.

ABOVE:  Let's see what he comes up with.  I also would like him to move those 4 concrete gazebo weights around the back, so I can get my trolley in and out of the garage easier.  

And there's a big blue pot on the right hand side of the driveway, by the garage, that needs to be moved.  Then Stew can get his car over to the right a bit more. 

I'm sure those jobs won't take him too long.

The last message from the Landscape man, who will be doing the driveway extension, was that he would probably be doing our job in about two weeks.  That is so exciting!  Two more weeks, then I will no longer have to traipse up and down from the distant carpark, every time I use my car.

After our jobs, I suppose we will go out to lunch... a weekend thing we enjoy doing now.

ONWARD...

11.30 am and all the jobs are done.  It took a bit longer than I expected, but OMG my floor was filthy!  The water ended up BLACK.

Stew got everything on his list done as well... and even managed to re-hang our new birdhouse.

ABOVE: It was on the fence around the back, but it got ripped off by the lawnmower a couple of weeks ago.  The groundsman was very sorry his thumping big lawnmower caught it as he went by.  

No damage done thankfully.  It looks just as nice in it's new position.

ABOVE:  This afternoon, if I can be arsed, I will start quilting those three runners.  

But for now... feet up for half an hour, then off to lunch.

6.25 pm.  We had a lovely lunch at Foundation, the Base.  A new burger on their menu, well worth every cent.  Once home, I had a nap then got to work on one of the runners.

ABOVE: This green Braid Runners photographs differently in different settings/light.  It is very earthy.

ABOVE: A close up of the centre panel.  Very kiwiana-ish with our native birds.

I'm sure it won't last long on our stall.

11.15 pm, and I better get off to bed.  I have to get up fairly early tomorrow (for a Sunday).

Catch ya tomorrow.

GIMME A LOO

 

What do we want?

A NEW LOO.

When do we want it?

TODAY THANKS.

After the plumber not arriving yesterday, all I can say is he better come today, or I'm going to be just a little annoyed.

While I await his arrival, I am going to work on the Blue Wave Runner.

ABOVE: It is on the machine, all ready to go.

ABOVE: It has taken a while, but I do finally have the sewing area all set up in the right configuration.  The classic U shape.

I can rest longer projects on the ironing board, and also just swivel to my left to press seams etc.

It is so handy.  You probably need to be a prolific sewing (like me) to get it. IYKYK.

ABOVE: The new work station/desk Steve built for me is a godsend as well.  It is PERFECT.  I just love it.

On hot days like we are having right now, I have the back door open, and also the garage roller door... it gives me really good airflow.  And I can see out, and chat to passer byes too.  

So, that's me day ahead sorted.  Sewing, and getting a new loo. ALL.   GOING.   WELL.

ONWARD...

ABOVE:  1.15 pm, and I'm happy to report the plumber turned up on time, and got the job done in just over an hour.

ABOVE: One bright, shiny new loo.  Now we can put this 'room' back together... paintings, shelving unit etc.

I worked on the Blue Wave Runner all morning, and I'm now up to Steps 6 & 7.  I'll probably knock them out this afternoon.

Right now, I've stopped for lunch.  I've made some Bacon and Tomato Gnocchi ... with enough for Stew's dinner as well.

ABOVE:  7 pm.  And this freakin' big Blue Wave Runner is done.  It took two days of hard work... I'm glad it's finished!   It's one of the bigger ones I do, so much work involved.  

Now I'm going to stop and sit on me bum and do nothing.  

Catch ya tomorrow.

CAMBRIDGE, THEN BACK HERE FOR THE PLUMBER

 

This morning I am scooting over to Cambridge to pick up my raffle winnings.  I'm excited to see exactly what I won.  I have no idea what a 'Care Package' is, and that's what it is called.

I won't be staying over there today, as I am expecting the plumber 'sometime' today to instal the new toilet.

I'm looking forward to the new loo, the one here is lower than I'd become used to, having put in higher toilets in our last home.

While Craig the plumber is here, I will continue working on the runners I have on the go.

If he finishes in good time, I will then pop out and grab a few groceries.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the driveway extension quote comes in today, and it's not too expensive.  We have NO idea what it's likely to cost.  

ONWARD...

It is 10.45 am, and I have been out to Cambridge, then to the supermarket, and now home.

The groceries are away.

The plumber has not been yet.  I somehow thought that would be the case.  I shall now tentatively expect him late this afternoon.

I'm very glad I did the grocery shop this morning, instead of waiting until this afternoon.

ABOVE: That is the care package I won ... some nice things in there.  But 99% of it will be re-gifted, as I don't use or need any of it.

While in Cambridge, I did a drive by our previous home there.  It has changed hands again, so second owners after us.

The people who bought it off us spent about $200,000 putting in a pool, a brand new kitchen, a gas fireplace and painting the interior, among other small things.

These new owners?  I don't know what they have done inside the house...

ABOVE: But outside they have turned it into Fort Knox.  Such a huge, foreboding fence.  The gate slides open and closed electronically.

I don't know that I like it.  I suppose if you want privacy it's perfect.

The end of town we lived in is now unrecognisable... there has been an explosion of homes and businesses out there.

I'm going to have an early lunch, and then get on with my sewing.

3.37 pm, and you are going to  be shocked to hear I have done NOTHING since I had lunch!  My batteries just DIED.  I sat here and fell asleep.  So weird.

AND, the freakin' plumber has not turned up YET.  I don't expect him today now.  Most frustrating, as I have literally been waiting for him all day.

Now that I am 'recharged', I am debating just doing nothing for a bit longer.  Or going into Crabby Quarters and doing some work.  Dunno.

5.30 pm, and I text the plumber at 3.30, asking when to expect him?  He replied with "Had a shit day, will be at yours at lunchtime tomorrow".

Not really good enough, but nothing I can do about that.  

Stew arrived home at 4.30, did his knee, leg, back exercises as directed by his surgeon, then I took him to the pub.

He has to do a set of particular exercises twice a day in the lead up to his operation.  He's been ever so good, doing them diligently.

I am going to visit Steve, Bex and the kids for an hour before I pick Stew up later on.  I'm not going to the pub tonight, I'm feeling pretty blah.

8.40 pm, and I did end up at the pub with Stew for a while, after visiting the kids.  Now?  Headache is kicking in.  I think I'm just a bit hot and tired.

We got the quote for the driveway extension this evening ... and I have already accepted it.  It was a good quote, nowhere near as much as I thought it COULD be.  Phew, such a relief.

Now we just have to wait for him to do it.

Time to call it a day... catch ya tomorrow.

JUST SEWING TODAY

 

Oh thank goodness, today is gunna be a NORMAL day.

No one is due here.  I don't have to go anywhere. 

I can sew to my hearts content, and I couldn't be happier.

Mc 2'ie is going to get a real work out today.

ABOVE: These are the three runners I am working on today. That green one is showing it's true colours today.  😉😊

The house is almost 100% ship shape again, we just have a few things to re-hang on the weekend.  I look around and just smile, I'm so happy the painting is done, and I didn't have to do it.

In the next couple of days, we should have the driveway extension quote, then we can get that done.  

THEN we really will be totally settled in here, apart from the usual bits 'n' bobs ya do over time.

It has certainly taken a bit more time, this time around, moving and settling in.  I've made inroads into becoming a part of this village, and there's plenty more activities/groups that I can join in the future.

I really am happy here.  I didn't think it would happen to be honest.  But... time sorts out most things eh?

Right, I'm done waffling... time to read the news, check who's doing what... then get up and sew.

ONWARD...

ABOVE:  1 pm, and I have got two runner tops ready for quilting and binding.  It's taking longer than anticipated, as I keep getting side tracked doing other small jobs around the house.

And it's hot.  I just had my lunch, and am taking a break from Crabby Quarters for a little while.

5.30 pm, and I had a good break, then went back to sewing.

I finished the third runner top ready for the next steps tomorrow.

After that, I started a Blue Wave Runner:

ABOVE:  I got the first two steps done this afternoon.

Tomorrow I will move on to the next steps.

3.  Press and Pin

4.  Applique' stitch each strip to it's neighbour.

5.  Attach borders and backing fabric.

6. Quilt it.

7.  Bind it. 

Once I get the wave runner finished, I will move back to the other three Braid Runners.  They have a few steps left to go too.

I'm bloody tired just thinking about it!  Time to stop and put me feet up ... my legs are swollen from standing for hours, and the heat is pretty oppressive too.  

I KNOW, probably not as hot as other places, sorry other places. 😜😏😎

8.01 pm, and I am feeling much better now, having sat on me arse for a couple of hours!  lol

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

THE CONE OF SHAME

 

Stew is back to work today, and this could be the last day with the painter here.

Then I can get this house finally back in order, and get on with life 'as we know it'.  😊😉😂

It is Mosaic Day here in the village, but I don't know if I will go yet.  I have quite a bit on in Crabby Quarters, runners I'd like to be working on.  But there is no rush to get them done, as our next market isn't until the third weekend in March.

I'll see how I feel later on.

ABOVE: Poor Coco isn't very happy with life right now. She's in a 'cone of shame'... because she won't leave her rump alone... gnawing it until she's raw.

It's a common problem with smaller dogs.  We have been very lucky with Coco, she's not had many bouts of itchiness.  This summer though, she's been bloody itchy.  There must be something around this new property that is annoying her. 

Hopefully she heals up, and I can get the cone off her in a week or so.

Right, I'm off to get things done around here before the painter arrives.

Catch ya later.

ONWARD...

12 noon, and it's been an EXCELLENT morning.

Jonny the painter came, and finished the job, so now I can put everything back in place, and just enjoy the house for a while.

I do have a couple of other smaller paint jobs I want to do, and shall do myself over time.  Like paint the internal doors and door frames. Now that the walls are white, the door frames look yellow.  Ikkk.

ABOVE:  I brought my car up to our house so I could load my mosaic stuff in it... and that turned out to be very fortuitous, as next thing I know I get visited by the Village Manager, the Head Maintenance man and a Landscape Company.

They came to suss out the extension to our driveway.  Having my car there made it much easier to measure and visualise how it could look.

The Manager was still not sold on the idea AT ALL, but by the time they left it was a given... it IS going ahead.  I just have to wait a few days for the quote, then the job can be booked in.

Once they had all left, I went down to mosaic group.  I worked on grouting my big Bird Panel... it is now half done.  What a shitty job grouting is!

Now that I'm home, I'm taking a bit of a break, and giving Panadol time to quell my headache.

I am feeling quite rotten, just too much going on I think.  And paint fumes.

7.22 pm.   I hung most of the pictures/paintings and what nots on the walls this afternoon, and did some tweaking while I was at it.  A few things got moved to other places, and a couple of paintings didn't make it back onto a wall too.

I went to Weight Watchers and recorded a GAIN of 1 kilo.  I wasn't in the least bit surprised.  I'm still plateauing, which is a bit frustrating.  I really need to pull my finger out and stop friggin well procrastinating. 😖😕

We went out for dinner, a Tuesday night thing now.  That or takeaways.  We both had a burger from Foundation.  They do 'specials during the week, and drop the prices.  I was a bit surprised when our burgers came out... they were nowhere near the usual size... seems when you drop the price, you drop the size.  Though the manager assured me they didn't... I  was not convinced.  As I pointed out to him, we are regulars there, and know those burgers were much smaller.

Oh well, lesson learnt.  I took photos.  I will get a burger there on a 'normal' day and I bet my bottom dollar it's much bigger.  Just wait and see.

Those sorts of things just piss me off.  

Right now... we are obviously home, and about to put our feet up and enjoy the remainder of the evening.

Catch ya tomorrow.

AN EVENTFUL DAY

 

ABOVE:  Darling Lily yesterday... she was just so delightful.  Full of beans, running around being super entertaining.

Then sadly, she ran into a metal staircase and dinged her head.

ABOVE:  Steve 'n' Bex took her to A&E, and she ended up with her forehead being glued and a couple of steri strips being applied.  Poor little darling.  She gave all of us a really big fright.

I am hoping to hear how her night went, and that she's not feeling too bad today.

Talking of today, I am sure we will have a visit from Mike and Joyce, before they head home later.

Stew has today off work, so we will get the other 'areas' ready for painting.  We don't have too much to do in that respect thankfully.

Certainly NOTHING like what I had to do in the lounge/dining/kitchen rooms.

We better get up soon... the painter will be here around 8.45 - 9 am.  

Catch ya later.

ONWARD...

3.30 pm, and clearly I've been a bit busy today, no time to get on here till now.

I went and bought some food for visitors, and a neck cone for Coco, she's gnawing her freakin' rump.  I put flea treatment on her, just in case it's fleas.  More likely grass seeds though.

ABOVE: Then at around 10 am, Lacy arrived, followed by Mike and Joyce, then Bex and the kids.

So we had a full house.

Lily slept well overnight, and seems none the worse for her nasty little accident.  

ABOVE: Beau just LOVES Coco... and luckily for him, she tolerates him quite well.

He just wants to play, she just wants to tease him by refusing.  

ABOVE: Dante and Archer got to stay home from school today, as they had a busy day yesterday, and didn't get to bed until quite late.

ABOVE: Beau is quite an attention seeking dog... he's rather lovely though.

ABOVE:  Coco got sick of him and took herself off to a corner.

We have lots of stuff in the lounge from our bedroom, the hallway and the toilet.

The painter has been working all day, and said he thinks he will be finished tomorrow.

That would be awesome.  I'm done having my house in a muddle.

After all our visitors left, I went down to the Community Centre for Craft Group.  I must have been tired, as I kept making absolutely dumb mistakes!

I did get this done :

ABOVE: A Green Kiwiana Braid Runner.  It is by no means finished yet, I have to add two more 'rows' of colours, sashings etc etc.

It's going to be beautiful once finished.  It is NOT that bright, the photo refused to show how deep dark green some of those fabrics are.  Grrrr.

I will continue working on it tomorrow.

Stew has been watching rugby on the telly while I've been out... he's happy.

Dinner tonight is going to be a savoury Cheese Scroll, with some baked beans!  Nice.  

10.41 pm, and I'm finally ready for bed.  The usual evening here, dinner, TV etc.  

Catch ya tomorrow.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LACY

 

Well.. I for one am looking forward to a nice day... the weather is looking good.  Not a lot planned, just pottering around after a busy day yesterday.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LACY... we love you and hope you have a lovely day.
I did want to take her out for lunch, but she wasn't having it.  "It's just another day" is what she said.  

Pfffffft.  Spoil sport.

Never mind, we got to spend the evening with her and the family last night.

Steve 3D printed her a birthday present:

ABOVE: yes, it is what it looks like!!!  Lacy was a bit shocked at that gift.  😂😅😆  Look at Steve's face, he's very proud of his efforts.

ABOVE:  They also gave her some chocolate, and beer.  Nice.

ABOVE:  It is safe to say she had a nice evening with everyone.

ABOVE: She DIDN'T WANT A BIRTHDAY CAKE... she was adamant about that.  So I got cupcakes instead!  LOL   She got to blow out a candle ... it's a tradition eh.

Now... I'm off to start my day... we fully expect to see the family again later on today.  We want to hang out with Mike 'n' Joyce while they are up here.

They have not seen our cute little house yet either, so that's on the cards too.

ONWARD...

I am taking paintings off walls, AGAIN.  

This time in the hallway, toilet and our bedroom.  The painter is back tomorrow to do those areas.   Then it will all be done.  I can't wait for it to be over.

We might go out shortly to find a new toilet roll holder, maybe a grab rail too.  The new toilet roll holder is useless, it keeps loosening and wobbling on the damn wall.  Most annoying.

8.08 pm.  We got a new roll holder/grab rail for the bathroom... it will get installed after the painting is finished.

Then we had some lunch, I made Stew and I savoury cheese scrolls again.  Made enough to have them again another day.

Then we went out for the afternoon and spent time with Steve, Bex, Mike, Joyce and the kids.

ABOVE: I even managed to get a nice photo of all of us... I propped my phone up against a tree in a park.  Worked well.

ABOVE:  I really love this photo of Lily and Mike.  Happy moment... best photo of the day.

I am now ready to just sit back and relax for the remainder of the evening.  I'm done for the day.

Catch ya tomorrow.