EASY DIET DIARY NZ

 

While yakking with the ladies yesterday down at Craft Group, the conversation turned around to diets.  I said I was doing WEGOVY and Optifast.  One of the ladies had lost 16 kilos just counting calories... and I asked her how she kept track of what she was eating?

She said she was using an App called 'Easy Diet Diary NZ'.

So obviously, tracking is quite important when dieting, even when you are using Optifast.  I also have salads and fruit during the day, so thought... hmmmm.  I might look at that App.

And after taking a while to figure it out, this was my diet diary for yesterday:

ABOVE: It was easy to do, and gives you enough information on what you are getting in the way of Proteins, Carbs etc each day, and the calories consumed.  That's all I need/want.

The Weight Watchers App is beyond me, it's too bloody involved and complicated.  I looked at it a couple of times and was like, HELL NO.

I like simple. 

Before anyone says I'm not eating enough, this is only going to be for a month, then I will add in more foods.  This is a KICK START, pure and simple.  You cannot sustain such a low calorie diet like that for long.  Unless you are anorexic, and well, clearly I'm not.

Oh and I am doing Optifast day on/day off, not every day.  On the off days I am having a 'normal meal, but keeping it very small, with very little carbs.

So now, off that subject... I'm expecting Bex and Lily sometime today, which will be lovely.

I'm going into Crabby Quarters later on and will keep working on that Fish Runner... it was such fun working on it yesterday.

ONWARD...

THAT WAS FAST!

 

When Steve took the sofa bed away in a dozen bits, I really expected it to stay in bits in his garage for weeks, if not months.

He's a busy guy, and putting it back together would have been low on his priority list.

BUT NO!  Bex started sending me photos late yesterday afternoon...

ABOVE: They had already set to work putting it back together again! That involved A LOT OF WORK.  I had unstapled one entire end of the fabric and lining, so they had to sew it all back together, then assemble the framework again.  Then put the sofa bed components back into the frame.

So, not a small job.

ABOVE: Steve's apprentice was on the job the ENTIRE TIME I'm told.  She even had to remove her shirt like her Dadda.  It was a hot and sweaty job.  OMG she's so cute.

I am so happy we didn't totally ruin that sofa bed by chopping it up!  It cost quite a lot, and is a really good piece of furniture.

ABOVE: And there it is, all back together.  I think they will be getting rid of the dark brown leather sofa that we gave to them years ago.  It's no longer needed.  😊

Today I'm heading down to the Craft Room to do some sewing with my friends there.  I will be taking my Optifast shake and some salad with me, so I've got my lunch covered.  No more buying a scone or muffin from the cafe.  And I won't be indulging in the afternoon tea cake either.  This is me being bloody determined for this WEGOVY shit to work.

It is VERY expensive, so I am sure in hell not going to waste our money by blowing it.

ONWARD...

2 pm, and its been a busy day. First up was housework. Then I went to Spotlight for white felt and a different fabric for today's runner. I wasn't happy with the vibrant blue for the 'sea'.

ABOVE: I've just finished the backing and first fish.

Mc Dreamy has spat the dummy AGAIN, so now I have to decide on... get him fixed again or buy another, smaller, cheaper 2nd machine? 

Decision pending.

I'm at craft group,  a much smaller group today, so not so noisy.   Time to stop for afternoon tea. I'll have my diet coke, no shortbread for me.

Whelp... I don't have to buy another machine.  Bex is giving me back my little Baby Brother machine.

Now I feel like an 'Indian Giver'... which is what Lacy has accused me of a few times! lol

I've given her things over the years, then changed my mind when I've seen it in her home... and taken it back!  NOT too often, but a couple of times for sure.

So, Bex and Lily will return Baby tomorrow, and he will go back into the Craft Room for when I'm working down there.

Mc Dreamy is going to be 'retired'... I am not going to keep spending good money after bad, trying to keep him going.  He's done his dash.

It is now 3.25 pm, and I'm home from Craft Group.  I didn't do too much sewing today, as I'm not going to aggravate my shoulders/arm by sewing for hours at a time anymore.  I'm hoping once the weather warms up, my shoulders will come right.  They did last summer.  

Though in saying that, I think my fall in Akaroa didn't help my left shoulder at all!  It only became a really big problem, affecting my entire arm, after that fall.  Shit happens.  Moving on...

I'm now wrapped up in my heated throw and have the heat pump on.  It's a lovely afternoon, sunshine is streaming in the house.  It is bliss. 

8.30 pm, and I've been a totally lazy tart since I got home from Craft Group!  I have not even unloaded my trolley.  It can wait until tomorrow morning.

Stew arrived home and we both had our 'dinner'... lol.  Grapes and a pear for me.

And... that's me for the day.  Catch ya tomorrow.

ANOTHER FUN ONE

 

Plans for today?

Grocery shop for more fruit.

Mitre 10 for hooks to hang brooms, spade etc outside.  Cos I rearranged the area out the back door (leading into Crabby Quarters)... just a bit.

Kill some weeds with weed killer.

Then... 

ABOVE:  Head into Crabby Quarters and make a start on my next runner.  Can you tell what it's going to be?

ONWARD...

12 noon, and we are just home from shopping.  I saw a guy on Facebook cooking a type of 'bread biscuit' thingee, using cottage cheese and almond flour.  So I've bought some of that stuff to try it out tomorrow.  Might be a better option and a wrap?

Today's main meal, cooked at home for a change on the weekend is going to be:

Franks, a potato, onion, and some scrambled eggs with cottage cheese in it.  High protein with a bit of 'natural' carb.  

I have no intention of doing 'only' Optifast every day, my aim is every other day do Optifast and a salad, and alternate with a 'normal' meal.  But high protein/low carb.

I'm also going to try and make the meals interesting and tasty, and not all the same.  Hence trying out a few new recipes like the almond flour and cottage cheese things. 

This time around, I want to make the new 'diet/fucking lifestyle change' sustainable.

Once I'm at the weight I want to maintain, I can slip in a few more things.  I know I can maintain a weight if I don't go nuts like we have been doing for months now!

Eating out too much.  Lollies.  Just self indulgent shit.

12.45 pm, lunch was really nice.  I couldn't eat all I put on my plate, and it wasn't even that much!  Wegovy seems to be cutting my capacity so far.  

I've decided not to sew this afternoon, It's like FREEZING in Crabby Quarters, and my shoulder/arm is aching something rotten.  So, a lazy afternoon for me.

6.55 pm.  Well as I said, it's been a quiet afternoon here.  A perfect end to the weekend, just snuggled up and keeping warm.  

I have got my trolley ready for tomorrow's trek down to the village Craft Group.

My 'diet' is going well... I've not had a single thing I shouldn't.  I will record my first week's loss on Friday morning.  I think it will be a good loss, going on what the scale is telling me so far.

And on that happy note, I'm out of here.

Catch ya tomorrow.

A CHANGE

Today our son Steve is going to pick up our new recliner lounge chair, which is going in our front room.  I presume Stew will go with him.  Me, I am going to stay home and work on my latest runner.

ABOVE:  Yesterday afternoon I decided to make a Braid Runner using different colours/fabrics from what I've been doing lately.

It was refreshing to do it, and hopefully today I will finish it and can show you.  For now, you just get a sneak peek.

How did my first WEGOVY injection go?  In case you didn't read about it last night, it went really WELL!  Stew did it for me, as there is no way I could put a needle in myself.  Because I put on numbing cream 3-4 hours before I have the injection, I usually feel nothing.  Occasionally I will feel a little sting, but it's not enough to put me off.

Steve decided to buy flowers for his special girl yesterday.  When he arrived home with them, Lily thought they were for Bex, but NO.  They were for her, and she was THRILLED TO BITS!  She kept saying "Thank You Dadda", and wouldn't let Bex put them in a vase for ages.

ABOVE: That is what you call a 'melt your heart' photo.  She is so, so adorable.

And now... let's make a start on the day.

ONWARD...

It is now 11.30 am.  Stew and Steve are off getting the chair, and I've just finished this:

ABOVE:  I have to say it, none of my runners look the same as 'in person'... they are just so much NICER/PRETTIER in person.  This one is gorgeous, it just isn't photographing as lovely as it is.

Oh well... you are never going to know unless you turn up to one of our markets eh?  😉😊

I'm now taking a break for lunch, and giving my shoulders/arms a rest.  

ABOVE:  We now have... a monster box.

Meanwhile, it sits there and the guys are trying (again) to get the sofa bed out of the front room.  I wonder if it will still involve a chainsaw?  

ABOVE: Lacy and I did Step 1, taking the fabric off that end.  Now Steve did Step 2, taking the end off so it would fit through the doors.

Steve had already taken the sofa bed components out of the frame, making it so much easier to move.

ABOVE: The bedroom and lounge doors had to come off...

ABOVE: Then Steve could manoeuvre it out of the bedroom...

ABOVE: getting it through the lounge doorway was the trickiest part... 

ABOVE: He only had to saw off one very small piece to get it through the doorway!  And he can easily fix that at a later date, when he puts it back together at his house.

ABOVE: The lounge looked like a bomb had hit it for a  while!  

ABOVE: The couch FINALLY leaving the house!  I wish I'd never bought it. It has been a nightmare from the word GO.

ABOVE: The very last bit of the sofa bed leaving the house... and Steve and Stew took it over to Steve's home.

ABOVE:  It looks a bit munted at the moment, but I'm sure Steve can put it back together and have a very good, HUGE Sofa Bed for his home. lol

That took 2 and a half hours.

ABOVE: And in comes the new recliner for the front room...

ABOVE:  I was so worried it wouldn't fit through the freaking doors/hallway!   But it did, thank god.

ABOVE: And so did the exercycle.  

I hope like hell I don't want to move anything else for a bloody long time!  I am exhausted just watching it all happen.

ABOVE: The front room now, so much less cluttered.  And that chair?  SUPER COMFORTABLE.  It reclines to an almost lying flat situation, so can be slept in at a pinch.  I know that's where I'm going to have a nana nap from now on.

What a fantastic day this has been.  I love it when things come together and it all works out in the end.  And our home is like... TOTALLY how we want it now.

I CAN'T THANK OUR SON STEVE ENOUGH FOR ALL HE DOES FOR US.  We love you so, so much Steve, and not just for all you do.

ABOVE:  26 years since we lost you Dad.  You are missed.
  
8.10 pm, it's the end of the day.  I've been in Crabby Quarters this evening sorting out a project for tomorrow.  Another runner I've not done in AGES is going to happen.

Catch ya tomorrow.

TWEAKING AGAIN

 First up, thank you for all the positive comments yesterday in regards to my decision to go on WEGOVY.  Tonight I will have my first ever injection of it.  It's a once a week injection, so I am dropping my Friday night Trulicity injection, and will only have Trulicity on Tuesday night.  So, still having two injections a week, but differing medications.

I can't wait to see how it goes, and if I have any side effects from the WEGOVY.  Fingers crossed I don't have any adverse reactions.

Today I'm going to be tweaking a few things in the house. 

Because by the weekend we might have the sofa bed OUT, and the new lounge chair and exercycle in the front room. 

Im also moving a couple of things in our bedroom.  I will show you later what I'm up to. 

I really miss moving stuff around in the house! There's not a lot of opportunity for that here. *sniff*

ONWARD...

PETA: 

When I picked up the Wegovy yesterday, I heard the pharmacist ask the girl serving me to ask if I was stopping the Trulicity now?  I said no.  And I saw the pharmacist shake her head and say "NO!"... then she said something like "I can't say anything, it's up to the Doctor", while looking at me.   My red flag system did a bit of a 'WTF' is going on here?

So last night, I asked a question on Google.  Can you take Trulicity AND Wegovy at the same time.

And No, no you cannot.  Or should not.  So now I'm left wondering if Leo said to stop taking Trulicity, and just take the Wegovy?  I am going to ring him today and ask, because I don't want to be taking both when it is not advised to do so by the pharmaceutical companies.  I am sure though he said I could take both.... ten minutes later... and this is why I usually drive down to the Doctors to talk to someone in person.  You just get the bloody run around when you ring their 0800 number.  Grrrr.  I am now waiting to see if they ring me back to answer my question. 😖

I did my 'tweaking'.  Which just involved taking the colourful ottoman out of our room and putting it in the lounge.  Then putting the tea wagon/trolley thing in our room, instead of keeping it in the lounge.

The Ottoman will give us two more seats for visitors to sit on, thinking of kids really.

And the trolley in our room will be where the bed pillows/cushions/throws can go overnight, when not on the bed.

ABOVE: Having the ottoman there allows more light to come into the lounge as well.

ABOVE: The lounge now.  I've put the exercycle over by the dining table, just until it can go into the front room.

ABOVE:  I did have my big set of drawers in that corner, but now the little trolley is there, and it also allows more light into the room, and I can open the windows in that corner again over summer.  My job is done.

I'm thinking of taking Mc Dreamy back to the Craft Room, and spending a bit of time with the ladies who will be there today.  I might even do some sewing while down there?  

ABOVE:  I went down to the Craft room at 10 am, and Loretta and Margaret were there, so we all happily sewed and chatted.   I got that runner (above) quilted and bound, so a big tick there.  I've now only got two more big ones to finish off before next market.

Unless I make more...  I've found some beautiful floral fabric I'm dying to turn into a runner.   Maybe tomorrow.

I heard back from the Doctor. I must not take Trulicity AND Wegovy!  I must have misheard his instructions, cos I was sure I was to take both.  Sorted out now though.  Tonight I start the Wegovy.  

It is now 1.40 pm, time to have some lunch.  Today I'm just having a salad, not the Optifast.

7.15 pm.  I did some sewing again this afternoon.

Then Stew arrived home and we are spending the evening watching telly.  

I just had my FIRST WEGOVY injection.  It was SCARY.  The injection pen is very different to the Trulicity pen.  Stew had to read up on it and suss out how it worked.  He did well.

I was petrified, as the needle had to be physically inserted into my skin, unlike the Trulicity needle, that goes in once the pen is placed on the skin, and the button is pushed.  

I needn't have worried, Stew did it right, and I didn't feel a thing!  

And I don't need another one for a full week.  So relieved.  I wonder how long it will take to feel any effects?

I'll keep you updated on that.

I  can now relax for the remainder of the evening.  Phew.  I still have the shakes.

Happy Happy Joy Joy.   I'll catch ya tomorrow.

HAPPY THEY ARE DONE

 

Yesterday I finally got all my recent Braid Runners finished.  12 in 6 days, what an effort!

ABOVE:  There ya go, the photo of my hard work.  I do have three more larger runners waiting to be quilted and bound, and I will probably have a go at them this afternoon/tomorrow.

No rush.  Our next market isn't until August the 9th in Cambridge. 

This morning I'm going down to the Community Centre to 'play ladies' aka Coffee & Chat.  

Then who knows what I'll get up to?  Not too much to be sure.  My shoulders are really, really sore, any movement hurts right now.  Hell, my left shoulder gives me pain even when I'm not moving it.  Must take more painkillers, and stop complaining!

*** Here's a curly question. ***

Is there anyone reading my blog who's on a weight loss medication?  Like Wegovy, which is available here in New Zealand.  I am seriously considering it.  The Trulicity I am on is for DIABETES CONTROL only, it is having no effect on me in relation to weight loss.

And I am starting to feel like I need help.  My motivation to diet is non existent... having been 'on a fucking diet' for ... OH about 50 years.  I'm over the relentless grind.

There's a guy at one of our markets who was quite 'heavy', then last month I saw him after not seeing him for a while, and he's lost a shit ton of weight.  I was like, WTF happened?  He told me he was using Wegovy, and the weight has fallen off.  That is why I'm considering it.  He's had no side effects at all, and is looking and feeling so much better.

I used to think having surgery or taking a medication was 'cheating', but now?  Nah.  If you really need help, and it's available, GO FOR IT.

What do you think? 

...

ONWARD...

There's something to be said for just turning up at your doctor's rooms the minute they open the doors. I came down to make an appointment, and Leo saw me straight away! Boom! I am now waiting for the WEGOVY... nervous but excited as well. 

12 noon.  I had a very good discussion with my doctor about the bad habits that have crept back into my daily life.  Scones.  Lollies.  Eating out.  All self indulgent shit that MUST STOP.

He is going to see me again in one month, and expects to see good results.

I am highly motivated to do well... and not waste a huge amount of money on this new medication.

Because it is very expensive to say the least.  I am starting on the lowest dose, and it can and probably will go up next month. So will the cost.

I am hoping that in 3-6 months I will have lost the weight and can maintain it without staying on the drug.  Time will tell on that one.

But first.... I am having my first Wegovy injection tomorrow night.  I would have it this evening, but as Stew will have to do it, it can't be tonight.   

It's PUB NIGHT, and the last thing I want is a pissed Stewy giving me an injection!  Stuff that. 😂😕

I went down to Coffee & Chat when I arrived home.  There was some lively conversations.  I ended up staying for over an hour longer that 'usual', chatting with just one of the ladies on our own.  She was so lovely, and clearly wanted to chat more.  So interesting listening to life stories, and some shared experiences.

Now I'm about to have my lunch.   

NO MORE SCONES for me. 

Leo (my doctor) has advised me to have OptiFast for the next month as my 'main' meal, with salad.   I have a feeling I am going to hate it.  But as I said, I am so motivated to shift this weight and feel better, I will do it.

I will take a 'before' photo at some point... AGAIN.  lol   Like how many times  have I done this ffs?  Around and around in circles I go.  And you just have to sit back and say 'There she goes again'.  Suck it up, cos I have to as well.  😊

1 pm:  I just have the Optifast... Chocolate flavour.  It was IKKkkkk, as I thought it would be.  I've had it before and didn't like it much, but this time?  I'm going to stick to it.  I also had a very simple, store bought salad.  I didn't bother adding anything to it, so it was a bit ikkk as well.  

This evening I will be having fruit for my 'supper'.  

I talked to Stew just before, and we have decided we will still go 'out' for a meal, but just ONCE A WEEK.  It will be a reward for sticking to the diet all week.  It's what I used to do years ago, and it was something to look forward to.  

4.15 pm, I just had a surprise phone call from Harvey Normans.  Our new lounge chair is in stock, and we can pick it up TOMORROW!  Wow, I wonder how they did that?  Maybe they got one in from another store.  So now I am hoping that Steve can get the sofa bed out of the front room this weekend?  Then I can fluff around and get that room how we want it, and the exercycle out of our lounge.  

So, Coco JUST got up out of bed.  I've not seen her all day.  How does she know Stew will be home soon? And how the hell does she sleep ALL DAY LONG?  

8 pm, and we are home after spending a few hours at the pub (Stew), and visiting the kids and at the pub (me).  It was a very nice evening.

Now that we are home, I'm going to watch the telly till bedtime.  Catch ya tomorrow.

BIT OF THIS AND THAT TODAY

 

First off for today?

I'm sleeping in.  Once I have this post up, I'm rolling over and going back to sleep!

When I do finally get up, hopefully in a couple of hours, I shall be chopping this lot up...

ABOVE: These two lovely pieces of corned beef, that I took out of the crock pot at 10 pm last night.  They have cooled off in the fridge overnight.  This morning I shall slice them up and freeze them.  There's enough there for at least 6-8 meals for Stew and I.  Which is great, as OMG Corned Beef is not cheap!  But, with only the two of us, it works out at about $10 per meal.  You can't be upset by that.

Later on today I will be taking Mc Dreamy to the repair shop.  *sigh*  So annoyed I have to do that again.  

And that's it for now.  Catch ya later.

ONWARD...

Dare I say it?  I think I've fixed Mc Dreamy!   I took the bobbin case out and replaced it with a new one and yeah, the horrible noise is gone.  So, fingers crossed it keeps working clunk free.

I might have just saved myself $200 on a repair bill.  EXCELLENT.

It's now 9.30 am, I stayed in bed until 8.20, it was wonderful.

Best thing, I fully expected a shit load of condensation to be on our windows due to having the heat pump on and turning down the DVS.  NOPE, not today, and we have another bumper frost out there.  Weird.

I've chopped up that corned beef and put it in the freezer.  I was being a bit optimistic about how far it would go... not eight meals.  Five.  Plus a little bit left over, just enough for my lunch today on a scone.

I am going out shortly as I'm running out of a few essential toiletries, and my perfume.  So Chemist Warehouse here I come.

2 pm.  Been to Chemist Warehouse, got me stuff and then came home again.   Gosh it's a glorious day out there, sunshine and hardly any wind.  What ya get after a frost of course.

I haven't really done anything else since getting home, as I did want a quiet day after yesterday's efforts.  But I am thinking about getting into Crabby Quarters soon and working on binding a couple more of those runners.

The house is toasty warm, the heat pump in now set on 20 degrees C, and it's ticking over beautifully.  Clearly nothing wrong with it, I'm so glad we didn't need to get a new one after all.

6.30 pm.  I'm back in from sewing until now, Stew just arrived home as well.  I got ALL twelve braid runners finished now.  I'm really impressed with that effort, twelve in 6 days.  

Photo tomorrow, as right now I'm going to sit down and chill out for the remainder of the evening.  

Catch ya tomorrow.

***  I have a curly question coming up tomorrow ***

FREE POWER DAY

 

Today is a 'FREE POWER DAY' for us.

I had completely forgotten about free power days, and Brylee reminded me the other day.  So I immediately scheduled a free power day.

In October, on the Anniversary (10 plus years), of joining our power company (MERCURY) we also get 3 more FREE POWER DAYS on top of that.  How the hell did I forget about that?

So anyway... moving on.  I am going to bake heaps today, and then freeze it all.  Mostly savoury scones and Ginger loaves.  I might do some Cinnamon Scrolls (using scone dough) as well.  For a change.   I am also going to have some corned beef in the crock pot.  That should cover the baking spree. 😊

I will also be doing a couple of hot washes in the washing machine, and drying it all in the clothes dryer.  Along with keeping the heat pump on  ALL DAY LONG.  

So now I need to get up out of bed and get more washing on... then start making scones etc.

Catch ya later.

ONWARD...

10.35 am.  And so far I have done four trays of savoury scones, and in the oven right now are three Ginger Loaves.  There is a crock pot of Beef and Tomato Stew cooking. 

ABOVE: Some will be staying here in my freezer, and some will go over to Lacy's for STORAGE.  I don't have a big freezer anymore.

Once the ginger loaves come out of the oven, in about an hour, I am going to make some Cinnamon and Apple scrolls.

And then I might be done baking.

I put a load of washing in the dryer last night at 12.02 am... so that was free.  I have also done a load of hot washing this morning, and it is now in the dryer as well.

Hmmm.... what else can I do I wonder?

11.50 am:  Cinnamon/Apple and Pineapple scrolls are in the oven.  Should be ready to take out shortly.

Did I tell you ... we had a bumper frost AND a bloody fog this morning.  It has only just cleared here, but there are patches of frost still in the shadows.  

I am now pretty knackered!  It's not often I'm baking for four hours!  And trying to clean up as I go.  Lots of work.

ABOVE: And there they are... now cooling off.  I might just have a scroll for my lunch. Everything smells amazing.

And just like that, I'm down three of those sweet scrolls.  I noticed two of my neighbours (ladies) sitting out in the sun together, so I took them a scroll each.  Then I had one as well.   And George, who lives behind us, is asleep in his car as it's the only way he can get warm... so once he wakes up I'll give him one too.  I don't know why he doesn't turn his heat pump on?  Probably like me, doesn't like using power.  😖😂

I am thinking of having a nap.  Cos this house is now so HOT I'm falling asleep in me chair!

2 pm:  WHOOP WHOOP, Lacy was in the vicinity and picked up all my baking, and is taking back to her freezer.  Now I really can relax.

I ended up giving scrolls to four neighbours.  The two men have already scoffed theirs and returned the little trays.  One even wrote me a 'love note' to say thank you.  HIS words, not mine. 😂😊

4.55 pm.  I didn't get to sleep.  I was rudely interrupted by the phone.  It was the linen shop, telling me our second duvet cover had arrived.

So I jumped in my car and went to Chartwell Square to pick it up.  It was 'rush hour traffic'... diabolical.  I think there might have been an accident on Resolution Drive as there was a HUGE line of cars trying to get down there.

Anyway, I got to Chartwell Square, picked up the duvet cover, and two pillowcases, that I'm going to turn into bedside drawer runners I think.

Then on my way out of the mall, I stopped in at Woolworths and bought these:

ABOVE: Two nice pieces of Corned Beef, that are now in the crock pot.  They should be done before midnight.  lol

It is a WW night, so I might just go.  I am still not weighing in, as over winter I have gained HEAPS of weight.  Never ending fucking story.  I'm fat.  I'm always going to be fat.  I pity whoever has to carry my damn coffin!  But then again, I'm going to be cremated... OMG!  I will be LIGHT.  😂😅😂

7.55 pm, and I'm home from WW's.  It was nice to see all the usual faces again.  It was bloody cold in that hall though and I couldn't wait to get home again.

Home and we had some beef and tomoato stew for our dinner.  It was really yum.

Now... time to finally relax for the day.  My god I got a lot done today.

I hope I can sleep in tomorrow.

BINDING ALL DAY

 

First up for today?

Ring a bloke that Steve recommended, to come and see what's wrong with our heat pump.  I'm hoping it's a simple fix, and we don't have to get a new one.  I have no idea how old our heat pump is, it might be ancient? 😖😕

ABOVE: Once that is done, I will load this lot into the trolley, then off I shall go to Craft Group.  Where it is WARM.  And I will enjoy the company of a couple of other ladies.  Until 1 pm, when the rest of the group will turn up for a couple of hours as well.

I wonder how many of those runners I will actually get 100% finished today?

After Craft Group, I want to go to the supermarket for a few supplies.  I plan on doing some baking tomorrow, so need a few bits 'n' bobs.

ONWARD...  

1.05 pm. I've been working in the Craft Room since 10 am. There's been three other ladies here with me, so nice company. 

So far I've managed to bind six of the runners, which I'm freaking pleased about,  but I'm gunna have to stop soon as my back and shoulders are killing me.

Mc Dreamy, who now lives in the Craft Room decided to start making horrible noises this morning.  I swore.  Then walked home and got Mc 2ie and took him down to use.

Tomorrow, or maybe Wednesday, I shall take Mc Dreamy back to the repair shop.  AGAIN.

2.20 pm and I'm done.  I left Craft Group early as it was getting very noisy!  Lots of ladies.   And too hot.  

The irony of leaving home to work down there, as it was too cold at home.  And then it was too hot in the craft room.  I always take a t-shirt to change into once I'm there.  I've even taken my shoes and socks off!

Anyway, I got seven runners finished then called it quits.

I rang the electrician first thing this morning about our heat pump, and he's coming this afternoon.  Another reason for leaving craft early, as I don't know exactly when he's coming, just 'sometime' this afternoon.

I am hoping like hell the heat pump can just be fixed.  I've not looked at the cost of replacing it, but it's bound to be thousands of dollars. Though of course, you have to weigh up what it will cost to fix vs. a new one, and the age of the existing one.  I suppose I will find out this afternoon.

Tomorrow I will be baking savoury scones, maybe cinnamon scrolls, and yes, Ginger loaves.

8 pm.  The electrician arrived just after 5 pm, and after a long conversation it was determined there was nothing wrong with my heat pump!  It was just exceptionally cold (-2.8 degrees C) this morning, and the heat pump outside unit was FROZEN, and clearly had to defrost itself before it could even think about warming up our house.

So on the electricians advice I have to A.  Keep it on 24/7 at a moderate temperature (around 20-22 degrees) and B. Turn our DVS down, as it's pumping too much cold air from outside into the house.

With any luck that will keep the house bearable.

I clearly should have listened to EVERYONE who told me to keep the bloody thing on all the time.

Seems it won't cost THAT MUCH to do that, as opposed to turning it on and off when it's just freezing.

Lesson finally learnt.

I have just been out to the supermarket to get the supplies I need for tomorrow. It was already really cold outside, it's going to be another freezing night, and a bumper frost in the morning.

And that is all for today.  Catch you tomorrow.