PREP TIME

 

It's been a whole month since our last market, so I have to do some prep work today.

I want to pare down the number of runners we take to market, as the weather is not looking too good for tomorrow..

I heard from the market organiser late last night, and we have been given a 'temporary' site for tomorrow.  It's a good spot, right next to where our old spot was.  But we might not get it next month.

Stew is going to come out with me tomorrow, and Lacy is also going to join us, so Stew doesn't have to do as much.

Talking of Lacy, I'm going over to hers this morning to get me eyebrows dyed.  I gave her an eyebrow dye kit recently, and it seems to work just fine.  So, she's gunna do mine today.

If it looks OK, I shall stop getting mine done at the Base, at $50 a pop.

After that, I shall come home and work on the market prep, and then move on to the next cot quilt I've got on the table.  It's another cute one.

ONWARD...

ABOVE: And the eye brows are done.  Lacy did a good job.  I'm never going to pay $50 to have them done again!  WHOOP WHOOP.

ABOVE: On my way home I stopped in at Spotlight to get some of this basting spray.  Hopefully it will hold the cot quilt fabrics and backing fabrics to the batting, thereby stopping the puckering.  I DO use pins as well, but they were not holding it enough.  Fingers crossed this works.

ABOVE: I also bought another cutting mat, so that my work table is covered completely.  I've been waiting months for Spotlight to get in the double sided cutting mats.  Yaaaa, finally have another one.

VICKI:  lol, yes I did know that... I have used it before, many years ago.

ABOVE:  A nice photo of Lacy, tending to her fish.  She's a bit precious when it comes to her fish!

ABOVE: Luckily it wasn't raining when I set up to do the spraying this afternoon.

It was an easy process.

But it didn't stop a little bit of puckering here and there on the front... not enough to be noticeable to anyone but a quilter though.

It certainly adds to the cost of a quilt, one can will be enough to do two cot quilts, and a can costs $25.

I think I might not be using it much!

ABOVE:  Today's cot quilt.  

ABOVE: And it's 'backside', which I don't usually show on here.  But today I decided I would.

I am now taking a break, before sorting out what runners to take tomorrow, and getting things ready to load into the car once Stew is home.

ANOTHER BUS TRIP

 

I'm off on another bus trip today.

It's one being organised by our Village, and the aim is to help us get familiar with the bus routes we can catch easily from here.

Because, maybe at some point in our future, we won't be able to drive and will have to rely on buses.  

Forward thinking and all that.

There was also a bus trip planned by the FBG's for this morning, which I was hoping to join in on as well, but it's now been cancelled due to the the weather. (rain on and off)

I hope the Village trip isn't cancelled as well?  I suppose if it is, we will be told via a text this morning.

In the meantime, I will get into Crabby Quarters and work on the next cot quilt... and hopefully the fabric isn't shit, and sews up nicely.

ONWARD...

Hindsight is a wonderful thing.

I just finished another cot quilt, then thought, SHIT!  I really should have made it wider.  Grrrr.

So, it's a narrow cot quilt, or a wall hanging.

I put polar fleece on the back, first time I've done that.  

ABOVE:  It's colourful!  And with that, I'm done for now.

I need to have some lunch, then put me face on, in readiness for the bus trip.

Which I keep expecting to get cancelled.  We had a massive downpour just half an hour ago, and now?  It's back to friggin sunshine and roses.  😖😊

ABOVE: The bus trip went ahead, and it was very nice ... a tiki tour around our area for an hour or so.  I doubt I will ever get on that particular bus again though, it goes to places I would not necessarily want to go to.

But it was a nice outing, I got to chat with the 10 or so other people from our village.

AND... at one stop my granddaughter Emily hopped on the bus!  So I got to see her and have a catch up.  She got off at Chartwell Square, while we kept going until we got back to our Village bus stop.

It's Thursday, so once Stew gets home from work I will drop him off at the pub, visit the kids, then join Stew for a drink and hot chips.   Our 'normal' Thursday night then.

8.05 pm, just home from the pub.  I had a very pleasant hour with our friends at the pub, always nice to catch up with everyone.  An hour is just the right amount of time for me!  

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

WHOOPS, I HAVE DOUBLE

 

I went through all the 'kiddy panels' I had squirreled away over the years yesterday.

I thought I had about 20.

Yeah, wrong.  I have at LEAST double that!

ABOVE:  I have chosen these six to work on over the next few weeks.  Most will become cot quilts.

ABOVE:  I started this one late yesterday... I have added borders to the actual panel, to make it cot sized.  It's going to be so lovely.  I can't wait to show you.

So, no guessing what I am doing today eh?

There's quite a few activities on in the Community Centre today, but NONE I want to join in.  I ain't into Tai Chi, Golf Croquet, Indoor Bowls or Singing, among other things.  I keep thinking I should try to join in on more things, but right now, I'm more interested in doing my sewing, and going to the odd morning tea.  And the Craft Group.

Maybe in a few more years I will be inclined to do more here.  Time will tell.

ONWARD...

11.30 am and I've not got much done so far today.

I went out and bought Coco a new winter coat, then adjusted it so it's a snugger fit.

I've had an early lunch.

And now I'm contemplating heading into Crabby Quarters to do some work.

We found out last night that our site at Tamahere is 'no more', as they have moved a footpath, and that means... we have to move.

That kept me awake half the night, worried about where we would end up.

I ended up sending an email to the organiser this morning, with a site map, highlighting ONE particular area I would NOT like to be in.

It is under very big trees, gets muddy in winter and it is just miserable being there, having been there a few years ago.

Hopefully she can find us a decent spot going forward.   Though, NOTHING is going to be as good as where we were.  I am really sad about that.

ABOVE:  1.40 pm, and I have just finished this gorgeous little girl cot quilt.

It could be a playmat as well of course, any cot quilt can become a playmat.

Now I'm taking a little break, before deciding which panel to do next.

It is a grey old day out there, one minute the sun is shining, and the next it's gone all dark, and is raining. Autumn eh?  There was a gust of wind while I was sewing, and a big swoop of dead leaves got blown into the garage through the dog door!  It was just a bit funny, Coco jumped out of her skin, as she was sitting down right beside me, near the door.

I completely wasted about two hours in Crabby Quarters this afternoon.

I started another cot quilt, but halfway through quilting it, I realised the fabric was utter shit, and it kept puckering something rotten.   No matter what I did, I was just not sewing up nicely.

So I threw it in the bin.  Such a waste, but there was no saving it.

I then started another one, and I'm hoping this one holds up better.

Some of those panels really are rubbish fabric, and such a waste of money.  😖😕

I made a really big batch of Spaghetti Bolognaise today, and put three containers of it in the freezer, and kept two out for our dinners.

So, something productive DID get done this afternoon.

It is now 8.15 pm, and we are chilling out in front of the telly, and will do that till bedtime no doubt.

Catch ya tomorrow.

THAT BIT THE DUST

 

I love Tupperware.

I've had lots of it in my kitchen/pantry for well... since I left home.  So 49 years.

Way back in the day, when my kids were little, I even sold Tupperware.  I love it that much.

So... reason for that back story?

I have this piece of Tupperware, it started life as something to store meat/chicken etc in, or something like that.

Over the years it became our dogs water dish, and it lived in the garage, or just outside the back door.  

It is around 45 years old.

Yesterday, I was cleaning it, and refilled it with fresh water for Coco, and as I lifted it up...

ABOVE: It FELL TO BITS in my hands.  I was gutted.  That is a relic from my past.   I felt a bit sad really.

And then I was like, well I got my moneys worth out of it eh?

So, now Coco has a new Tupperware water dish.

I am sure it will last just as long.  Maybe not Coco though. 😟😣

ABOVE: Coco's new water dish.  I like to have a large dish full of water for her, so she can reach it easily, even while wearing a friggin cone.  

ABOVE:  The printer lasted about 10 minutes on top of my dresser, then I realised it might get too hot there, and dry up the ink too fast.  So I re-arranged my computer corner in Crabby Corners, and that's where it is now.

Stew and I had a go at installing it, and connecting it to our computers to no avail last night.  Even with Steve on the phone trying to help, we had no luck.   So, Steve is coming over sometime today or this evening to have a go.  

WHY is technology so damn frustrating????   It said it was an 'Easy Setup'.  MY ARSE it is.

Today I am going to finish the Frog Cot Quilt, then move on to the Nautical one.    At least I can do that easily.  😊😏

Catch ya later.

ONWARD...

1.10 pm.  I've had a good morning, finished off the housework then went to morning tea at the Community Centre.  All the usual people there, it is interesting to see who turns up every time.  And who doesn't. 

I know I've met probably 1/3rd of the residents here, the social ones.  There's heaps that simply do not interact or engage in village activities.

Their prerogative of course.  I know I'd rather get to know as many people as possible, half the reason for coming here was for the company a village like this provides.

Anyway... after morning tea I came back home and did this:

ABOVE: So, one cot quilt down, a few more to go.

Next will be the Nautical one.

But right now, I'm taking a break for lunch.

ABOVE: Well scrap the cot quilt idea for this one, it was just the wrong size, too long and narrow.  So, it's a wall hanging now.  I like it.  It works.  

Now... I'm going to go and look at all the other cot quilt/kiddy panels I have and decide what to do next.

4.30 pm, and Steve called in and sorted out our printer issues.  I can now print out pictures:

ABOVE: I was really pleased that I could print out all my bag pictures.  Now I can keep count on stock, what is selling and so on.

I used to do that with my runners as well, but stopped a good year ago, when our printed died.

I don't think I can be arsed printing out all the runners I've made since then!

6.50 pm, and it's that time of the day... time to  hunker down and do bugger all.  Watch TV. Scroll shit on my laptop.  

Catch ya tomorrow.

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.