A HAPPY ACCIDENT

 

My hair turned out a 'Happy Accident'... using the new toner made it a bit more lilac/purple in places... even though there was still some purple from my last dye job.

ABOVE:  At least once it was dry most of the yellow was gone, which was the aim at the end of the day.

It always feels like a lucky dip when I dye it.  Maybe one of these days I will actually go to the hairdresser here in our village and get her to do it.  She has quoted me $100 to do it, which is a darn sight better than the local salon's quote, which was, from memory $320.

I am NEVER gunna pay that sort of money for a dye job again. It's just not worth it.

And that's enough about me and the hair.  The market I was going to do on Sunday in Cambridge is a no go now. 

ABOVE:  I am not dumb enough to do an open air market in a CYCLONE.  And that's what is predicted to hit us on SUNDAY.

Just ain't gunna do it.  

Hopefully by the following weekend the weather will have settled, and I get to do the Tamahere market as per usual.  By then, Stew might be up to helping me again as well?  That would be neat.

He was certainly missed at the last Tamahere Market by our fellow stall holders.

This morning I am going to take the bus in the opposite direction, and go to The Base.  Cos, why the hell not?

I am sure I will think of something I need to get over there, between now and 9.15 am.  😂😅😉

It's that, or twiddle me thumbs here.  I still have to make that Chook Tote Bag, but I've got plenty of time to do that.

There's also a bit of housework to do, but meh.  I can't be arsed.  It too can wait.

ONWARD...

8.15 am, and just as well my days plans are not usually set in concrete, as now I am going over to Cambridge for an FBG walk, and to drop off a Tote Bag.

Then I'll come back here and get a quote to post a Scrappy Doll to Tauranga.

After that I'll come home, drop off the car and THEN get on the bus for the Base.  Cos I still want to do that.

THAT WAS A GOOD IDEA

Yesterday our home got professionally washed outside.  This village is so well maintained!

Anyway, I'm sitting in the lounge when the bloke (in high vis orange) gets to our front windows...

ABOVE: The cleaning process is a bit like a drive in car wash.  They spray a cleaning solution on, then power spray it off with water.  NOT like super powerful, just like the pressure you would get from your garden hose.

Anyway, I'm sitting there, and the next thing... DRIP, DRIP, DRIP inside the lounge?  I investigate.

Sure enough, there is water pouring in from up the top of the lounge windows.

So I lay down a towel, and traipse down to the maintenance man's room.  

He comes up to investigate, as any external issues with the house is the obligation of the Village.

He assures me that it will probably never happen again, as rain doesn't usually come onto those windows, but if I have any more concerns I'm to let him know immediately.  As a small problem can, over time, become a big problem.

Such a nice man.

We are standing at my front door yakking (OMG both of us can yak)... and I mention that I'd like to paint our front door, as the varnish is looking decidedly jaded.  And 'L' said he will put it on the job list, and it will be done very soon.  BOOM!  I don't even have to do it.  AND I got a choice of two colours that compliment our house.

Gosh this place is growing on me.

Now, back to today.  I plan on doing some work in Crabby Quarters.  And maybe going on the bus for a tiki tour.  I don't know which one will come first.

Lacy is also supposed to come over at some point... not sure when.  

LACY, make it this afternoon OK?

ABOVE: I was going to make a small Tote Bag next, but spied this gorgeous chooky fabric and just had to use it.  I feel it will look better as a bigger bag, so a bigger bag it is.
 

ONWARD...

ABOVE:  Here comes the Orbiter... there's one every 15 minutes, so handy.  I jumped on, swiped me BEE CARD and sat down.

ABOVE: I forgot to time the trip to Chartwell, but it was only about 10 minutes, maybe less.  And the bus was virtually empty.

I got my few items from the chemist and supermarket, and caught the Orbiter home.  It does a circular trip around Hamilton, and it's the one I will use the most I'd say.

I took our 'market backpack' today, as I have not been able to get the other ones out of the attic yet.  That's what Lacy is for! lol

I found the backpack perfectly adequate for a small shopping trip.  It didn't get too heavy.

After arriving home, I popped down to the Community Centre, and joined some of the 'locals' for coffee and a chat.  Not that I had coffee of course.  It's a regular thing now, and I enjoy it.

It's lunch time now, so I am going to make myself another salmon salad.  

Well, it's now 3.10 pm and it's been a busy couple of hours.

Lacy came over and I asked her if she would dye my hair for me... having NOT done it myself yesterday.

So she did.

ABOVE: Changed into an old top, Lacy read the instructions, and off we went...

ABOVE: Putting the dye on...

ABOVE: Sitting in the sun like a twat, with glad wrap on me head...

ABOVE:  Instead of using my purple shampoo as a toner, I found one in the supermarket today.  She's posing with it, as only she can.

ABOVE: Before the toner, lots of YELLOW.  

ABOVE:  Done.  It's still wet, but at least it's not quite as yellow.  In fact, the purple from my last dye job hung in there!  So, it's done, I really don't care if it's multi-coloured or whatever.

I'm now knackered, and will just sit here and let it dry naturally. 

It's pub night, so I expect Stew home in another hour or so.  I'll drop in and visit the kids for a little while before joining him for a glass of bubbles and some hot chips.  

And....  the evening went totally as planned.  And it was lovely.  Hanging out with the kids for a while, then at the pub with our mates... nice ending to a good day.

Catch ya tomorrow.

HAIR JOB

 

I have bugger all on my agenda today, I still feel I need to make one more small bag.  But that's about all.

The weather is looking like shit this weekend, so if it's wet, I won't be doing the Cambridge market.

So, probably no rush to get anything else made eh?

Bearing that in mind, I think I will spend the morning dyeing my hair.  My roots are showing spectacularly!  Time for a dye job.  Which takes ages.

That's my morning taken care of.  

Catch ya later.

ONWARD...

9.15 am, and the hair has been postponed until this afternoon.

I decided when I got up to go for a walk.

In the POURING RAIN.

I put a raincoat on, then decided I'd get too hot, so thought... umbrella! But no, I hate walking too far with a brolly, so I just walked without anything.

And got super duper WET.  And I didn't care.

ABOVE: You could only describe the day as... GREY.  And wet.

Very, very wet.

ABOVE:  I love this view, it's kinda magical.  Even in the rain.

ABOVE:  Lots of this, and I've now got sopping wet sneakers.  And a little blister on the back of one of me feet.  Grrrr.  

ABOVE: It was neat seeing all the storm water drains and little streams pouring down into the Waikato River.

ABOVE: This is my 'default' walk now, it's not quite as long as around the lake, or an FBG walk, but for now it suits me just fine.  I can do it leaving from my house, no petrol involved.  And I'm not looking to break any speed records either.  I just want to be consistent. 

When I am up to it, I will tack a litte more distance onto it... but not yet.  I've lost a lot of my fitness from being a damn lazy tart of late.

There is a morning tea on here today, so I'm gunna clean myself up a bit and attend.

After that I'll do me hair.  Which is so wet right now I've got little rivers running down me face/neck.  Not a good look I must say.

1.21 pm.  I went to morning tea, which was very nice.  Got lots of yakking done! lol

Came home and found a bloke on a ladder outside my kitchen window!

There is a Cleaning Company here, cleaning the exterior of all the houses.  Our house is getting done RIGHT NOW.  It's very noisy.  

Crazy buggers are doing it in the pouring rain too!  

I have come to the painful conclusion that I really shouldn't eat Whittakers Banana Caramel Chocolate.  It is SO SAD.

But it just does not agree with me at all.

I had some on Sunday night, and since Monday afternoon, I've had bouts of shocking diarrhoea.  It's so annoying, going from one extreme to the other.  TMI I know, but hell, I share the good, the bad and the ugly on here right?

Not too many topics are taboo... except my love life, money, religion and politics.

Though what TRUMP is doing right now?  Fucking mad, evil, corrupt megalomaniac. 
*** JUST read there is a ceasefire between the USA/Israel and Iran.  Thank God.  Long may it last.

Stew arrived home a little early again today, but he's just fine.  I can tell he's finally starting to use his leg in a more natural way, not so limpy, and standing up straighter.  I'm so proud of how well he's doing.

We've  had a lovely evening, just sitting here watching tv, chatting, having a nice dinner ... and now, it's time to sign off for the day.

Catch ya tomorrow.

HAVE A GOOD DAY DARLING

 

After 4 weeks and 5 days, Stew is going back to work today.

I wonder how long he lasts?  Will he come home early, or last the distance?

This morning I am heading out to post Christy's bag, and also buy a shopping trolley.

ABOVE:  Something like them.

I plan on using the local buses to get to The Base or Rototuna shopping centre as much as possible from now on.

The bus stops right outside our village, and it won't take long to get to either of those shopping centres.  So why not?  It is FREE for us superannuitants too.  Win win.

The only thing I need is something to bring home whatever I buy, be it a few groceries, or something else.  So, a shopping trolley will be ideal to get on and off a bus with.

So, those are my plans for this morning at least.

Catch ya later.

ONWARD...

Hi Lynda. Valid point! We have a couple of back packs up in the attic space..  I'll try using one first, before buying a trolley (or not).  Thanks for the idea.

I am at Weight Watchers! A fairly new meeting that suited me today.  I'm trying to combine 'outings' into only one trip out. 

So I was expecting  a monster gain..  but no! Down .200 grams. Not much, but at least it wasn't  a gain.

11.30 , and I have done all I needed, grabbed a few groceried and come home.

Made my lunch...

ABOVE:  I bought some salmon and mango chutney, and made myself a salmon salad.  It was very nice.  The chutney was a bit spicy, but not too hot.

Now... I'm gunna relax for a little while.  Not got any other plans right now. 

ABOVE: This is the bag I made last night.  

Maybe later on I'll make my LAST one for now?

9.10 pm.  I've been quiet this afternoon/evening because I've been an utterly lazy tart!  Done bugger all, just pottered around the house doing inconsequential jobs.

Stew arrived home just a little earlier than usual.  He was tired but OK.  

He's slowly getting back into doing the things he usually does around here as well, which is taking the load off me a bit.

I'm signing off now, Coronation Street is on soon, then I'll be off to bed.

STEWS LAST DAY AT HOME

 

Stew better make the most of today.  It's his last full day recovering at home.

Tomorrow, he's back to work.

And my days get back to 'normal' as well.

Since he's been home, he's lost 5 kilos, and I've gained 4!  Seriously not fair, when we have been eating exactly the same food, well except for meals out.  But basically, the same quantity.

I need to get back to my norm, and have no more freakin' snacks.

I also need to get back to doing regular walks, starting tomorrow morning. Once he's left for work, the first thing I am going to do is go for a walk along the river bank.  I would like that to become a daily thing.  

Today, although it's Easter Monday, our Craft Group is still on, so I shall be going to that after lunch.

I have another bag ready for stitching...

ABOVE:  This one is going to be another lovely bag.  Once it's finished, I think I have one more I want to make, then I'll call it quits on bags for a while.

The only other thing I must do today is post Christy's bag to her in Sydney.  All the post offices were closed these past few days, so I didn't get it done.

Right, that's me for now... catch ya later.

ONWARD...

Grrrr, the post offices are still closed.  So Christy, your bag will be posted tomorrow.

Next.  I spent a good couple of hours this morning moving shit around, from the outdoor cupboard to one of our Keter sheds.  It's given me heaps more room in various ways, so a major re-shuffle between the outdoor shed, the keter shed, the bathroom cupboard AND the linen cupboard happened!

But, it's now given me more room in the linen cupboard, which was jammed full.

I still have to sort out the linen now that I have more room, but that can wait.

I have my trolley packed for craft this afternoon.

I have lunch (roast lamb left overs) all ready to reheat.

And I'm now just a bit knackered.

ABOVE:  Marley was given her lamb bone this morning.  And she was shut outside to eat it, because Steve (like me), can't stand hearing anyone eat.

There she is, begging to be allowed to bring her bone inside.  She will be waiting forever if she thinks Steve's going to let her in!  lol

Coco hasn't got her's yet, it still has way too much meat on it, which we will have again tomorrow for lunch.  Stew can take his to work.

Thank you for the heads up Re:  Lamb Bones!  Seems dogs should NOT be given cooked lamb bones.  How did I not know that I wonder?  Marley is losing her bone now.

Craft this afternoon was very quiet, just 5 of us.  I finished my bag and came home early.  I've got a grumbling tummy and feel ikkk.

ABOVE: As anticipated, it's a very nice bag.  And a larger size, perfect for an overnight bag, or groceries/shopping.

I am now going to have a quiet time, and hope my tummy settles down.

DOGSTARS:  Stew is now doing 5-10 minutes on the exercycle, and getting full rotation the entire time.  Isn't he doing well!

6.20 pm, and I didn't have a relaxing afternoon.  I sewed up another bag!  Funny that.  It's a much smaller one.

I plan on making ONE more smaller one, then stopping.  I promise.  

The last thing I want is to have masses of bags, and they take forever to sell.

And that is me for the day, I'll show you the latest bag once I can take a photo of it outside.  It's already very dark out, so can't do it till tomorrow.

Catch ya tomorrow.

EASTER SUNDAY

 

No easter egg hunt going on here.

In fact, I don't think we have ever done one.

Just not our thing.

And with no kids at home now, it's never gunna happen.

We will be having a sleep in ... then up to a lazy day no doubt.

Stew is enjoying his last few days off work, then hes back into it on Tuesday.

I got another bag finished last night, after only intending on getting it ready for stitching.  Once I'm up, I'll take a photo for ya.  

I re-purposed parts of a quilt I'd started years ago for last night's bag, and I have enough pieces left to make at least 3 more.  So, guess what I will be doing today?  😂😊

It's gunna be a right bitch if I don't sell any at market!  I think by the time I do next Sunday's market I will have over a dozen made.

I never do anything by halves eh?

MEH... there's a pile of washing waiting to be folded and put away, and dishes on the bench as well.

Steve, Bex and their kids are coming for dinner this evening, I'm going to cook a Lamb Roast and veges.  No point inviting anyone else, as 'they' are always too busy, or have other plans already.

It is what it is.  Kids grow up, get their own lives and move on.

We see it a hell of a lot here in the village, people all on their own in their old age.  It's bloody sad to see.

At least we have a few who we know DO CARE, and will never leave us alone like that.

Right, enough of that, we are happy right now... and plan on having a lovely day.

ONWARD...

ABOVE:  FINALLY!  Coco is allowed back on her Dad's lap.  Stew covered his leg so she could get back up on him.  She was so happy.  We just had to wait until there was no open wound at all.  Still taking precautions, hence the cloth over his knee, but it should be ok now.  

ABOVE:  Last nights bag.  I'm so happy with it, and being able to finally use up so many of my PHD's.

I stayed up until 1.30 am last night, just getting more of those PHD's ready for making into bags.  I've got 5 lined up and another 2-3 still to sort out.  All in that 'Nautical' fabric that was once going to be a quilt.

Kinda sad it never became a quilt, but oh well... at least I'm now sharing it around.

ABOVE: 'Nautical' Tote Bag #2 done.  And now I'm taking a lunch break.

Not sure how many more bags I will make before our market next Sunday, maybe just a couple.

I also have a Braid Runner 'on the go' which needs to be finished as well.

So, plenty to keep me busy.

ROBYN:  I have now made 20 bags, and sold 6 so far.

ABOVE: Roast Leg of Lamb with Bacon.  Roast potatoes, onion, peas, corn and cauliflower cheese.  Brown Onion Gravy.

Everyone enjoyed it.

And Marley and Coco both have a bone to enjoy later.

ABOVE:  happy family snaps.  I always forget someone, usually Bex!  So I got a pic of her, and forgot the boys!  lol

It was really nice to have a hand with the massive clean up after such a big dinner.  Lots of dishes... thank you Bex.

It's now time to sign off for the day, and just relax for the remainder of the evening.

Catch ya tomorrow.

SATURDAY.... BACK TO NORMAL IN A WAY

 

Today is going to be the start of getting back to 'normal'.

Stew is going to do his 'usual' Saturday morning shopping at Pak N Save.  I will go with him to do the driving, and help with getting the groceries in and out of the car.

Then we are going out for lunch.  Stew has suggested we go to Lake Karapiro, because it is lovely out there, and we can go for a little walk along the lake edge.

When we get home, I shall get into C.Qs and do some work.

And Stew can relax and get over our outing  😂😅.

I'm happy to report his 'teeny tiny hole' seems to have closed over, and there's no sign of added redness.  That is awesome, one less thing to worry about.

The knee's HOTNESS is perfectly normal apparently, and can continue for months yet.  All good to know.

And that's about all I have for now... catch ya later.

ONWARD...  

12.31 pm. Grocery shopping done and all is away.

We are now awaiting our lunch, at Foundation. I decided it was dumb going out to Karapiro. The traffic is bloody crazy. We went to Spotlight to check out something I've got me eye on, and it was PACKED. You would think the shops had been closed for a week, the amount of people shopping today. 

Travelling up Te Rapa Straight? Crawl.  Stop. Crawl. Stop. Took us 10 minutes to cover 1 km.

The Base is packed out as well. I'll be relieved when we get back home.

ABOVE:  I decided to try something new for lunch today, a Corn Fritter Salad.

It LOOKS amazing eh?

IT WASN'T.

The salad component was nice.

The corn fritter?  Almost cold, and tasteless.  To add insult to injury, it FELL APART the second the fork hit it, so was a damn pain in the arse to even get on the fork.  And the poached egg?  Also cold.

I left 75% of it on the plate and had some hot chips for my lunch.  

SO DISAPPOINTED.   Utter waste of money.

We are now home, and I am going to have a break before doing some work.

ABOVE: Today's bag... a very nice one.

I will probably now go and get another one ready for stitching tomorrow.  

7.25 pm.  I'm done for the day.  I have another bag to show you tomorrow, I got carried away and actually finished it. 

Catch ya tomorrow.