SIMPLE RUNNERS

 

OMG, it's another super cold, frosty morning!  I suppose the only consolation to this weather is, it's getting us used to freezing temperatures.  Cos, it's going to be even colder down in Christchurch!

Today I am going to make a start on assembling everything we will need to take with us on Sunday.

Stew will get our suitcases out of the attic tomorrow, then all we will have to do is pack.

Before I do that though, I have these strips of fabric which I am going to turn into very simple runners:

ABOVE:  I am doing them as an 'experiment' really, to see how simple runners go.  

I will do some sewing this morning, then after lunch, start my prep for our little jaunt away.

ONWARD...

I just looked outside... and its an even heavier frost than yesterday.  I'm staying in bed. I just turned the heatpump on, and I'm not getting up until the house has warmed up.

2 pm.  It's turned into a gorgeous day!  I did a bit of sewing early on, then heaps of washing.

I just got back from a little walk along the river bank, which was really nice.

Now... it's a late lunch for me.

After that, I'm going to get the washing on lines, then sort out a few things for our trip.

4.30 pm, and I actually changed my mind about what I was going to make today.  I put the cat/dog fabrics aside, and started a much smaller Braid Runner.

ABOVE: And there it is.  A smaller braid runner, which might appeal to someone looking for a runner for a coffee table, or the top of their drawers and so on.    I am going to make a few more this size, as I don't have a lot of smaller runners.

I will eventually get around to the cats 'n' dogs.  😊

And now that's finished, and I'm feeling good, having got something productive done today.

AND.... another normal evening here.  Watching telly.   Doing a jig saw online.  Occasionally yakking with Stew.  And now?  It's nearly 10 pm, and I'm going to bed.  

Catch ya tomorrow.

COFFEE & CHAT....

I'm going to have a fairly quiet day .... first up, I'm sleeping in.

I'm going to get today's post up, then I'm rolling over and going back to sleep!

Then mid-morning, I shall join the group at Coffee & Chat down in the Community centre.

Then I shall wash my hair and get it all pretty for the Formal Dinner/Event that is on this evening.

I know what I'm wearing... LEGGINGS, white top and the black woollen 'cape thingee', with black boots.  I might add a pretty necklace to jazz it up a bit, we will see.  

Stew is going to wear pretty much what he wears to work, a dress shirt and trousers, and dressy shoes.  No tie.  It's not 'that' formal.

The evening gets started at around 5 pm, cos there's heaps of older people here, and that means an early start, and an early finish.  The darlings go to bed early I'm thinking.   Unlike me, who's usually still up at 11 pm.

I'm an OWL, not a fowl.  

Anyone remember 'It's in the Bag'?

ABOVE: 'It's in the Bag' was a game show on the TV in the 70's - 90's, primarily hosted by Selwyn Toogood.  I can vaguely remember watching it way back then.

Anyway, I mention it as we are playing it tonight, as part of the evenings entertainment.  There's some bloke coming along to host it, so it could be a bit of fun.

I'll let ya all know how it goes of course.

But for now... I'm going back to sleep.

Catch ya later.

ONWARD...

FROST!! Its bloody FREEZING. I've got the heat pump on and my electric blanket! Think I'm staying in bed at bit longer.    Brrrr.

I'm mega frustrated,  my internet is not working, so I'm having to use my phone to update.

I have no idea why my internet isn't working either.  Hopefully it comes back on its own?

So anyway, the day is going well, lots of TICKS. It's still bloody freezing, even though the sun is shining brightly.

2 pm, finally!  I pulled all the plugs, turned off the power to the wi fi and router... then turned it all back on.  And it worked!  If only I'd thought of doing that hours ago.

Now I can concentrate on getting my hair done!  

ABOVE:  READY to go.   I don't think I look too bad for a 67 year old.  Opinions?

Thank you for the lovely comments on how I looked.  That was so nice.

The evening?  Was good.  Lots of people won some awesome prizes, primarily vouchers from supermarkets/petrol stations/cafes and the like... plus a few boogie prizes.  

The meal was a 5/10, as per usual when caterers are feeding 120+ people.  It was still a lovely evening all up though.

Now that we are home, it's glad rags off and heated throw ON.  

We are in for another heavy frost tomorrow, it's already super cold outside.

Catch ya tomorrow.

OFF TO MATAMATA TODAY

This morning I am driving over to Cambridge, to join up with a group of FBG's for a trip to Matamata.

ABOVE:  We are walking to the Matamata Tower, then have lunch in MATAMATA. That should be a bit of fun.  

While I'm not doing the Urban Challenge this year due to the price of petrol, I am still staying involved in the FBG group, cos I really don't want to lose touch with so many of them.  They have become such nice friends. 

I have no idea how long we will be out and about, but I'll no doubt do an update at some point during the day.

Catch ya later.

ONWARD...

ABOVE: Well we are here, and there's quite a few old buildings to explore. There's little 'exhibitions ' inside most of them. 

We have a GORGEOUS DAY, SUNSHINE AND NO WIND.
4 pm.  Phew what a long day that was.  But ever so nice to spend time with my friends.

The Matamata/Firth Tower and it's surrounding buildings were neat to see.  It is run by the local council and is open for visits most days.

We got  a private talk about the history of the Estate/Tower, then we could wander around the buildings.

Most of the additional buildings on the Estate, apart from the original Home and Tower have been brought on site many years ago.  

I thought the tower would be a water tower, but no.  It's just a 'folly'.  Or in other words, a rather flash garden ornament!

ABOVE: In the little school, I spied this school desk  and OMG!  I can remember having a desk just like that in Primary School!

ABOVE: An original telephone box.

ABOVE: An incredibly old sewing machine, used to make leather goods.

ABOVE: This made me laugh, the little metal/cane seat?  We had one exactly like that when I was a kid.

Does that make me old?

ABOVE:  We had lunch at the J Swap coffee shop, which is on the J Swap industrial site.  This display of vehicles was pretty neat to look at.

ABOVE: The entrance to the coffee shop.  It was a very nice coffee shop.

The trip lasted quite a bit longer than I anticipated.  But all good.

Happy to be home now, and having my lunch at 4 pm!

Because my digestive system cannot be trusted, I can't eat if travelling, when I don't know where the next loo is likely to be... when you have to 'go'... it's an immediate thing with me.   Unfortunately, it's one drawback of having your gall bladder out.  I hope Bex doesn't get that side effect.

ABOVE:  A fun photo, we all held a 'mask' up of one of our walkers, who was celebrating a very special birthday.   Yaaa, one photo I didn't have to put 'faces' on . 

10.16 pm.  I'm praying for a really good night's sleep tonight.  I've had some really shitty nights lately, what with Coco doing Zoomies in the middle of the night, and Stew dropping farts strong enough to knock out an elephant!  I swear, between the two of them I'm a wreck.

And on that note, I'm outta here.

Catch ya tomorrow.

MUST STOP STRESSING

 

I'm feeling much better this morning, having got a decent night's sleep.

I also now know why I was feeling so awful... I was having a blood sugar LOW.  I'd not had one in ages, so it took me a while to twig what was going on.  

Stew is seeing his surgeon this morning, for a follow up after his knee replacement.  I will be going with him, so I know exactly what's going on.

I want to know if everything is actually 'on track' or not.  

I am happy to say there's big ticks on most details for our little jaunt off to Christchurch now.  Flights/Accommodation and Car Hire.  TICK TICK TICK.

As for where we go/visit ... we will work on that between now and then.

We leave on Sunday 5th, and return on Thursday 9th July.  Coco is staying with Steve 'n' Bex.  We just need to let management here in the village know we are out of town, and our home is checked regularly during the day, and three times overnight.  Such AMAZING security!

It really is a 'lock and leave', with peace of mind here.

I talked to some of the ladies at Craft Group yesterday about the 'Formal Event' being held here on Thursday night.  Most said it's way less FORMAL now days, and some people don't even bother to 'dress up'!  So I've been stressing out about nothing.  Though, I am happy with my outfit choice. I know I've made an effort.

Time to get a move on, Stew's appointment is fairly early this morning.

ONWARD...

10 am, just in from the Specialist appointment.  And... all is as it should be by the sound of it.  Stew just has to ride it out and know that it will take at least a year to get to the optimal result. Buying the exercycle was the best thing we could have done by the sound of it, as it's the NUMBER ONE best exercise for knee replacement recovery.

Stew is now going back to work, and I'm off to Coffee & Chat.

12.30 pm:  C & C was OK, the usual people there.  One lady tends to dominate the conversation, which sometimes gets a bit annoying.  You know the sort, who has been there, done that, knows everything, makes most conversations about her and her experiences.  I kinda shut up today, I really wasn't in the mood to try and join in much.

Home now, and I've just had lunch.

ABOVE:  I tried out these new silicone egg rings, and was pleasantly surprised how well they worked.  The rings kept the eggs contained, not spread out all over the pan.  I used a little oil, then towards the end I add hot water to cook the tops (lid on).  They were very nice on a piece of toast.

I can't be arsed doing much else right now.  Might get into Crabby Quarters later on.

ABOVE:  So, while fossicking in my stash of 'scraps', I found that piece of animal fabric.  Hmmm... coasters? 

Nah.  I added some border fabric (the yellow/orange shit) and turned it into a little runner.  Looking at it now, I'm like, Whoops!  Forgot to put the yellow/orange fabric on the ends.  Too bad, it looks just fine the way it is.

And that's all I've done this afternoon.  It is now 5 pm and I shall await the return of 'the man'.

9.10 pm:  We've had a pleasant evening... just the usual, so nothing note worthy.

Catch ya tomorrow.

HAD A THOUGHT...

 

We have a 'formal' event to attend this Thursday, here in the village.

I was tossing up between a rather colourful dress I already have, or leggings and a new white top.

ABOVE:   I really like the black/white option, BUT am terrified of dropping something on my front during dinner.  I do it ALL.  THE.  TIME.

So I've been trying to work out how I can still wear the white top, but not have to worry about spillages.

I think I've worked it out!   

I will take a photo of the solution a bit later on, once it's lighter inside.  *I will be wearing black dress boots on the night, not sneakers.

Today is Craft Group, so I'm going to gather up some stuff to work on, and put it in my trolley, in readiness for later on this morning.

After I've done that, I am going online to suss out things we can do in Christchurch.

Top of the list?  Visit Sew & Co at the Tannery of course!  Fabric.  We are packing LIGHT, just in case I have to buy some fabric.  *snort*

ONWARD...

10.35 am.   I've been working on what to wear, considering all the comments re: Leggings.

First of all, here's the solution to the spillage problem:

ABOVE:  My black, pure wool cape thingee that I bought in Bellingen on the 12th of October, 2020.

I can take it off after dinner if I want to.  Still got leggings on here.

ABOVE:  Long, flowy black pants.

ABOVE:  Found these too... pants, not so flowy.

So, I still love the leggings.  But might go with the not so flowy pants yet.

And now, I'm off to Craft Group.

2.30 pm.  I came home from Craft Group a bit early today as I'm feeling a bit ikkk.

I got acid reflux badly overnight, so didn't get much sleep.  Had to literally sit upright from 10.30 pm till about 5 am!  

Therefore, I'm bloody tired as F.

I did get these made in C.G. :

ABOVE:  I love using up bits n pieces of fabric which would otherwise go to waste.

Now... I'm going to have a freakin' nana nap.

7.29 pm, and NOPE, I did not have a freakin' nana nap after all.  I was so, so tired, but could not get to sleep.  So I just lay in bed with the electric blanket on and scrolled the 'net.

Coco was doing 'zoomies' up and down the hallway, having a ball.  She's so cute.

Stew arrived home and got on the exercycle.  I might a bit later on this evening, depending how I'm feeling.  I'm still feeling rather ikk.  Just over tired I reckon.

I just got a hire car sorted out for when we are  in Christchurch.  It gives us total freedom to go where we want, when we want. 

I had looked into doing a day tour, to like Akaroa/Cruise on the harbour, but OMG... they want an arm and a leg and lots of $$$'s.  Just not going to do that. 

We will probably wing it each day, but I do have an idea of a few places we can go.

And on that happy note... cos it's been a productive day overall... catch ya tomorrow.

DECISON MADE

 

Last night Stew and I made a decision about his next week off work.  We have booked our flights.

Today we will book accommodation.  Then we count down the days until we fly off to....

ABOVE:  Christchurch, in the South Island.

We will be going for 4 days, just enough time to have a good look around the city, and perhaps some of the surrounding areas. 

We are really looking forward to this little trip away.  Stew's knee will hopefully hold up to some walking around the streets.  If not, we can always get a car/taxi, whatever.

We have a week to make some plans re:  What to do, where to go etc.  Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated, as we have no idea what to do in Christchurch, where to go etc. 

We will probably spend some time today getting suitcases out of the attic, writing lists (as I always do), and so on.

I also would like to go into town to look at either hiring an exercycle, or even just buying one.  Stew is not getting down to the gym often enough, so if we have an exercycle in the house, he can't avoid it.

The recumbent exercycle we borrowed has gone back to it's owners now, so there's not one in the house.

And that's all I have for now, catch you later.

ONWARD...  

12 noon.  Just home from town, having bought Stew some really good walking sneakers to help support his knee.  I don't feel so bad about how much my lovely new jacket cost now!  His sneakers cost MORE.

Then we went to Elite Fitness...

ABOVE: The number of exercycles to choose from was INSANE!  But, I'd already done my 'homework', and narrowed it down easily.  We have always gone with Nordic Track, and never had a problem with any equipment from them.

So we bought a Nordic Track exercycle.

ABOVE:  For NOW, I have juggled things around in the dining/lounge, so the exercycle can fit here:

ABOVE: It can go by that window, so while using it you can watch TV.  You need something to distract you after all.  😊😉

The guy in the shop said it was easy to assemble, only a couple of screws on the legs.  He lied.

Stew hasn't started putting it together yet... I am expecting a few swear words.  There's heaps of screws/bolts etc...

ABOVE: TWO. HOURS. LATER... it wasn't an easy job  and Stew sure in hell swore a lot!  It will stay in the lounge until we free up room in the front room. 

We are now visiting  the kids.

ABOVE: LOL, sorry Steve, I just had to do it.  He had a blood nose.  He's always been prone to nose bleeds.

ABOVE: Our ginger ninja... aka Miss Lily, looking adorable as per usual.

Bex is feeling much, much better.  She took her dressings off today, made her feel a bit queasy.  But then, she is a bit of a pussy!  lol

The boys would be on here, if I thought anyone wanted to see the back of their heads, headphones on, playing on computers.  Yeah, Nah.   We do get a 'Hello' and 'Bye' most of the time, not much in between though.   Pre-teen/teenage boys *sigh*.

Now that we are home again, it's going to be our usual evening in front of the telly.

It's a bit early for sign off, but meh, nothing much else is likely to happen tonight.

Catch ya tomorrow.

MAKING SOME PLANS

 

Ok, not got a lot to yabber on about today.

We are doing the grocery shopping first thing this morning.  Stew has given up going to PakNSave, as they have not had Diet Coke for weeks now.

So we are going to the New World on Te Rapa Straight instead.  They have cheap petrol there, just like PakNSave, so why not.

Yes, their groceries are more expensive, but the shop is just NICER.  Less goddam bogans too.

Sorry bogans. IYKYK

Stew has another week off work soon, so I want to start making some plans.  We plan on  going away for a few days, probably Auckland.  I am going to let my fingers do the walking, find a nice place to stay and suss out what we can get up to while up there.

AND... that's it for now.

Catch ya later.

ONWARD...

WHO IS  A BOGAN?  In New Zealand a Bogan can be described in many ways:

- Rough

- Uncultured

- Aggressive

- Scruffy

- Unkempt

- Unsophisticated

- Lives in a rough neighbourhood (ie NAWTON), though NOT all people in rough neighbourhoods are Bogans of course.  But we know of some who are.

- Of lower socioeconomical status

OK, I think I've covered it fairly well.

I try to steer clear of BOGANS.  😂😉

Grocery shopping today at the New World I don't usually go to.

What an eye opener that was!  It was far superior to the Rototuna New World in so many ways.  Much more variety in the fresh/deli/meat/bakery sections.  A lovely flower/gift shop at the front.  And to top it all off, I was given a voucher for a free coffee/hot chocolate...

ABOVE: My free drink, which was lovely I might add.  The other bonus of this supermarket?  Petrol discounts that you can redeem right there, and not have to go anywhere else to redeem the voucher, which you have to do if you go to the Rototuna New World.

I think this is going to be my first choice supermarket from now on.

Our lunch today is going to be a fresh lettuce salad, shrimp/prawn salad and super fresh Chiabata buns.

This evening we are going to our favourite Indian Restaurant for dinner.  We have been sadly neglecting our lovely Indian restaurant in favour of the Lookout.  

ABOVE:  I can't take any credit for today's lunch, it all came from the supermarket.  I couldn't eat all of mine, so Stew got my left overs.

We will have to put off going out to dinner until quite late, as I won't have an appetite otherwise.

Stew has gone down the the pool to do some water resistant walking.  I couldn't be bothered, so stayed home and blobbed out in front of the telly.

A totally lazy day in other words.  I've been having a lot of them lately.  

8.09 pm.  We are just home from a very delicious dinner at Great Flavours of India in Horsham Downs.  We are always impressed with our dinners there.

We talked about our little 'get away' in July, and came to the conclusion we didn't want to spend it in Auckland.

So, planning something else, still here in New Zealand, but somewhere we've not been in a very long time.

Now, we are going to chill out in front of the telly until bedtime.

Catch ya tomorrow.

SHOPPING TODAY

 

I'm off to the shops today.

First up will be The Base, where I will be on the hunt for another creamy/white jumper, and maybe something to wear to the Mid Winter Formal Event being held here next month.  I used to have a couple of long dresses, but damned if I can find them now.

I have a sinking feeling I got rid of them when we moved here.  Grrrr.

Last night at the pub, I wore a white jumper and OMG, the number of compliments I got.  It was actually crazy.  Everyone said I looked so nice in my white jumper.  So, I might just try and find another one... clearly white jumpers look good on me.  Who knew, I've spent my entire adult life hiding in black clothes, thinking they would make me look slimmer.

I'm still a little dumpling, but in a white jumper, I must be a cute dumpling.  lol

After that, I'm going to the supermarket to get a few supplies.  Mostly fresh stuff, salad, fruit, veges and so on.

ABOVE:  I just love this little flower holder we got up in Auckland a little while ago.  It holds 9 flowers.  It's so cute.  

ABOVE:  My kitchen window... funny what makes me smile some days.  This window made me smile yesterday.  You can find joy in the small things sometimes.

And on that happy note, I'm off to start my day.

What brings you joy in your day?  

ONWARD...

12.25 pm, and I've had a very successful morning shopping.  It helps that most places are having mid winter sales.  I found a white top which I'm going to probably wear next week to the mid winter function on here.  Also, 2 more jumpers and a cardigan!  I don't usually wear cardigans, but it was so cute I couldn't resist.

I found out that Caroline Eve (women's' clothing shop) stocks the same clothes as Ballentyne's in Palmerston North, which is awesome, as I really like a lot of their tops. 

ABOVE: That is the creamy/white jumper I was wearing last night.  Do you like it?  You can get it from Caroline Eve or Ballentynes.  lol

I decided, yet again, to put off the grocery shopping.  I just wasn't in the mood after clothing shopping.  Trying on clothes is EXHAUSTING.  And I was done after doing that.

I'm now cooking my lunch, just some chicken nibbles.  Then I shall be a lazy tart for a while I think.  

10.33 pm.  Whoops. Sorry I forgot to update earlier.  Been sewing.  Sorting out clothes, juggling shit in wardrobes etc.

Got sucked into scrolling a facebook page I'd not seen before, of my first home town (Tokoroa), and yeah... couldn't stop looking.  Found a school photo with my sister in it, then one of me too.  Strolling down memory lane.  It was nice.

Time to sign off now, catch ya tomorrow.