BANK AGAIN

 

I went to use my new EFTPOS card yesterday, and the bloody thing didn't work.  Most frustrating.  I've had no end of hassles since I changed my bank account.

Clearly, I will have to visit the bank this morning to get that sorted out.

After that, I will be going into my Doctor's office to check out an email I received from 'them'.  I'm thinking it's a scam, so I need to sort that out as well.

Once both of those issues are seen to, I will be coming home to get sewing.  I have 4 Red/Green Braid Runners to make.  

...

MIGHT GET ONE

 

Sleeping in! 

It's bliss not having to jump out of bed at 5.30 in the morning.

When we do eventually get up, we will potter around getting the house ready for today's Open Home.

Not that it takes us long, cos the house never really gets messed up now.

I will put a loaf on in the Bread Maker again, only this time I'll be doing a SMALL loaf, not the Extra Large one.  No way do I want to have burning bread again.

ABOVE: While at market yesterday we were talking to a fellow stall holder.  She was saying she isn't looking forward to summer as she over heats.  Same as me.  She showed me what she uses to keep cool.  A portable fan, which runs on either electricity, or it's own rechargeable battery.

My brain cogs started churning over, and I was like, shit I need one of those!

So at some point today we shall go to Bunnings and have a look for one.  

Stew said he will get me one for my Christmas Present.   How nice of him.

And that is all I have for now... catch ya later.

1.48 pm. All is ready for Open Home.

We spent the morning doing the usual jobs, then headed off to Gilmours. A wholesale shop.

Steve had a business card allowing him to shop there, so we went as well.

It's very much like Costco, but on a smaller scale.

We all ended up buying some stuff.

ABOVE: Stew being a dick in the chiller.

ABOVE: Shopping...

ABOVE: DANTE.... sigh.

ABOVE: Let's not even wonder where he gets it from.  

We are now parked up down the road waiting for the Open Home to start.  We go home once it's over.

Hoping for a few viewers.

Well.. we had a group through today that are VERY interested.  So now we wait to see what happens next. 

They have to sell their current home... so it might take a while to progress.

Dummy dee doooo.

We are going out again soon, to look at portable fans. 

We had a visitor arrive after our Open Home, so the shopping had to wait.  

Once he had left we took off to Mitre 10 and Bunnings to look at portable fans.

First up we looked at a Stanley fan, as we already  have a couple of Stanley tools that run on batteries.  But the Stanley fan was gutless.

So off to Bunnings we went, to check out the one I was shown on the weekend. (the Ryobi).

It was perfect, a good gutsy one.

ABOVE:  It is going to be very nice to use on a bloody hot day, when we are out and about... like at a park, the beach or a market.  Or even just out on our patio.  The battery lasts a long time too, so that's neat.

After that bit of shopping, we went to the supermarket for the 'essential' supply of Diet Coke and a few other things, and are now home.

We have a cooked chook, coleslaw and bread for our dinner this evening.  Yummm.

8.45 pm: Well our dinner was lovely.  And now we are just doing the usual, tv and relaxing till bedtime.

Catch ya tomorrow.

THIRD KORIKORI MARKET

 

It's around 5.45 am, and we are just getting ready to head out the door.

This is the third Annual Korikori Christmas Market, here's hoping it's a good one.

At least the weather is looking OK... cloudy with virtually no indication of rain.

I am super happy with the stall site 'S' gave me the other day!  

ABOVE: We are on a corner and we overlook all the food vendors.  So lots of people will be able to see our stall with no trouble at all.

Not only that, we are just a few metres away from the 'Cash Out' facility, which comes in damn handy when people don't have cash.

I never attend a market with big expectations, that way you are not too disappointed if it isn't a good one.  Last weekend's market was exceptional, so let's see how this one pans out. 😊

ABOVE:  7.30 am, and we are ready.

And my head is POUNDING... so I'm rather relieved that I brought some pills!

It's very cloudy and windy, but otherwise ok. 

ABOVE: Quite a few people have said "Are you cold?"

NOoooooo.... I just like dressing like this! 

It is nippy. The wind has a real bite to it. I don't give a shit how I look, as long as I'm not cold and miserable. 

Still early with hardly any shoppers here yet.

ABOVE: 10.40 am, still very overcast and cold, but the shoppers are arriving finally.  We've made a few sales.. those Red /Green runners are certainly popular!

I'll be making more next week.

3.01 pm:  And we are home.   Overall it was an 'average' market.  We made enough to get out of bed for, but it wasn't as good as last weekends turnover.

Still, we are happy enough.

Now that the car is unpacked, I at least, can put my feet up and rest for a while.

Stew is going out again in a little while with Steve.  They are picking up Lacy's small fridge/freezer and bringing it back here for us to use.

We are finding having just one fridge and one freezer not quite enough coming into summer.  So, as Lacy has our really big fridge/freezer, we are stealing her little one.  Works for us.  It's what family does, helping each other out.

7.01 pm:   And the fridge/freezer is in the garage, and we will put our stuff in it tomorrow.

It has to 'settle' after being transported over here.

Stew cooked dinner for us tonight, which was lovely.  

I am bone tired and intend going to bed damn early tonight.  

Catch ya tomorrow.

A QUIET DAY?

 

Right.  I'm not sure what I am going to do today.

I could make another runner, or two?

Or just have a quiet day.

Yesterday's headache really drained me, and made me feel quite ill.

I am hoping like hell once I get this damn tooth pulled out the headaches stop.

In the meantime, it's just painkillers that keep me going some days.

As we have a market tomorrow, I'm really thinking a quiet day would be the best idea for me.

So, maybe I'll just blob out and watch something on Netflix?

Let's wait and see.

Ever since we put a mattress topper on our bed, it has frustrated me that the bedspread was a bit short on the sides.

So today I finally did something about it.

I took the white bedspread off the single bed, chopped it up, and sewed it onto my bedspread.

ABOVE: So now it reaches the floor all around.

I took the salmon pink end blanket off my bed, and put that cute little one on, cos I needed the larger end blanket for this:

ABOVE: It is now the 'bedspread' for that single bed.  Looks fine to me.

While doing all that, I had dye in me hair.

When the time was up, I washed it out and toned it with purple shampoo.   Conditioner next, then *sigh*... leave it to dry.  I'm hoping it's not too yellow!

I completely refuse to spend hundreds of dollars on my hair ever again!  The dye cost $17 from The Chemist Warehouse.  Awesome.

NOW, I'm going to put me feet up and relax for a little while.  

1.52 pm... did I relax?

ABOVE: NOPE!  I made this smaller Braid Runner instead.  

But THAT IS IT for today!

I'm going to tidy up the sewing room a bit later on, then walk away from it till after Sunday's Open Home.

Stew and I are going to our favourite Indian Restaurant for dinner tonight... something to look forward to.

When we get home from that, we will be packing the car in readiness for an early start in the morning.  Korikori Market here in Rototuna, so we don't have far to travel.  Yaaa.

I just had a couple of girls call in on their way home from a meeting in Auckland.  And I felt stink!  I had not brushed my hair since washing it... it was all fluffy.  AND worse yet, I had not one iota of makeup on!  Horrors!  I felt naked.

So once they left I did the necessary, cos I can't go out to dinner looking like a hag can I?

ABOVE: There we go, such an improvement!  I'm very happy with how my hair came out this time.  Hardly any yellow tinges, thanks to purple shampoo.

WTF?  I didn't know you could leave a comment Darling!  Thank you for such a nice one too.  See you soon you hunk.

7.50 pm:  And that's it for the day.  We enjoyed a lovely dinner, then once home we packed the car for market.

Now... time to chill out, watch some mindless TV till bedtime.

We won't be up late as we will be getting up at 5.30 in the morning.

Catch ya tomorrow.

I REALLY LOVE THIS ONE!

 

Hi ho, I have a full day planned today.

First up, I am popping into the bank to hand in a form, then I'm off to Cambridge to do Mosaics with the girls.

After that, I'll be coming home to sew. 

ABOVE: There is the runner I made yesterday.  I really love it, so does Stew.  I knew as I was making it, it needed to have a border and points.

Today I'm making another one in the same colourway, I'm not sure yet if it will have the border and points.  

I think I've finally gotten better at doing the points, even though they are still utter shits to do.  

NOT the very end points, it's the other ones, which are not on a 90 degree angle that are the shits.  I've heard a few other sewers say the same thing about 'those' points!  😂😊

Alright, enough about friggin points.  I have to get a move on.  I have stuff to do before heading out the door.

Catch ya later.

1.07 pm.  Mosaics was nice this morning.  I got more of my project done, but it's nowhere near finished yet.

I baked some cookies to take for morning tea, they went down well.

Since getting home, I've been sewing...

ABOVE:  My sewing room view today.  It's raining on and off.  Sometimes quite torrential, coming down sideways!

I hope it clears by Saturday.

I'm going to stop soon for a bit of lunch... then I'll be back to it.

ABOVE:  And there's the 2nd one in that colourway.  It's now 3.50 pm and I'm done for the day.

I am seeing double... must be tired.

It's pub night, so Stew will be home in an hour or so.  

8.44 pm:  I joined Stew at the pub after visiting the kids this evening.  I have been enduring a horrible headache most of the day, but it just got 10X's worse late this afternoon.  So I wasn't really in the mood for being out.  So we skipped the hot chips and came home early.

Now... I'm actually gunna head off to bed super early, loaded up with some painkillers.

Catch ya tomorrow.

ON TO THE NEXT FEW

 

Yesterday's effort in the sewing room ended well.

ABOVE:  I did get these three Braid Runners finished.  

Today I am going to make a couple of Kiwiana themed Braid Runners.  Slightly more blues than greens.

I heard from the Hospital yesterday.  My tooth extraction is scheduled for bang on the end of this year!  Nervous would be the best way to describe how I'm feeling about it.  At least Stew can accompany me, and not have to take any time off work, as he will be on holiday.

So, as long as I don't bleed to death (lol), I will live to see another year.  A bit nervous about the bleeding issue, but the hospital is 100% aware of it, and know what to do if I do start bleeding.

No more trying to bleed to death thanks!  😉😊

Catch ya later.

Thinking about sewing, then I realised I had several things to get/do out and about.

So off I went.

First stop was the supermarket for some more fruit/meat/veges.

Then for only the second time ever, I gassed up my car with 'supermarket' petrol.

I didn't know how to work the friggin machine, so a kind man came over and helped me.

Even he took a while to get the damn thing to accept my card!

After that fiasco, I went to Chartwell square for a petticoat, to wear under a linen dress I plan on wearing to a couple of weddings early next year.

Next was a calendar for next year, then a hair dye, and finally...

ABOVE:  I got a couple of cute little houses.  Didn't need them, they were not on 'the list', but hey... my Christmas spirit is sure kicking in.  lol

I also did some window shopping for gifts.  

When I arrived home, I had a quick visit from Lacy.  

Now?  Taking some time to just relax, before heading off to the sewing room.

Well, after sewing for what feels like all afternoon, I got ONE runner finished by 6.15 pm!

It's a slightly bigger one than usual, having pointy ends and a border.

I shall show you it tomorrow.

I heard from the organiser of this Saturday's market this afternoon.  Korikori Market, Rototuna, Hamilton.

She has moved us from our original spot to a MUCH BETTER spot!  Seems someone was dicking her around, so she bumped them and put us in their spot!  Nice one.

If you are coming to this market, I will post our spot on Friday, so you can come and say 'Hi'.

Right now... off to relax, watch the telly bla bla bla.

Catch ya tomorrow.

I THOUGHT I COULD

 

Yesterday I went online to see how to oil my sewing machine, cos I am worried about it needing oil.

Seems you can do it yourself with a lot of sewing machines, but not mine.  Damn.  So, scrap that idea.  The sooner I get it serviced the better.  

So, with that in mind...

ABOVE: The runner tops I got made yesterday.  Today I'll get them quilted and bound, then I can churn out a few more before sending my machine in to get serviced.

I hate the idea of not having my sewing machine!

Last night I managed to get a couple of photos of the kids.

ABOVE: Dom used to be so RESERVED and quite.  He's starting to find his feet in our family ...  😂😅😊

ABOVE:  A few snaps of me and the kids.  I feel bad I forgot to take any of Stew and the kids.

Next time darling, for sure.

Lacy managed to come and go unscathed.  Except for the gherkins upsetting her tummy once she got home.  

Well... as already mentioned... I have sewing to be getting on with.

So... catch ya later.

10.30 am.  The morning is going very well.  I've almost finished one of those red/green runners.

I had to do a quick run to Spotlight for more black fabric.  Luckily it's on sale, cos I bought enough to last me at least three months.  (I hope).

DIANNE:  I will explain, seeing as you asked.

Amanda:   Has four kids, Huston, Joel, Emily and Liam.  We see Emily and Joel via our SIL Andrew.

Lacy:  Has three kids.  Brylee, Griffin and Keera.

Kelly:  Has one kid, R.  TOTALLY ESTRANGED from us.

Russell:  Has three kids,  Joshua, S and B.  

Steve, married to Bex.  Has three kids, Dante, Archer and Lily.

Mike and Joyce.  No kids.  Beau is their fur baby.

Brylee and Dom.  Brylee is our granddaughter, who we raised from infancy. We go by Mum and Dad to her. No kids.

Griffin and Tash.  Griffin is our grandson, who we raised from birth. We go by Mum and Dad to him. No kids.

Our 8 'kids' range in age from 45 down to 23, not counting the other 12 grandkids.

I hope that helped?

AIN'T NO ONE BEEN READING MY BLOG FOR 20+ YEARS... cos I've only been blogging for 18 years.   Stalkers still stalking I see.  Dumb bastards can't even get the facts right, on ANY SCORE.

2.55 pm:  And I'm just home from a visit to the Doctor.  I needed to get repeat prescriptions etc.

It took me over TWO hours to get my meds today.  😞😖

I now have a massive headache, and won't be going back into the sewing room right now.

And.... it's now 6.34 pm, Stew is home and I actually did some sewing late this afternoon.

I will do some more this evening, after dinner.

But for now... it's probably time to sign off for the day.  Not much else on tonight except feet up, and relax.

Catch ya tomorrow.

LONELINESS

 

I was watching the tv the other night, when a segment came on about Loneliness.  It is now considered a leading cause of 'illness' in our ageing population.

Seems thousands of older people consider themselves lonely, to the point where it affects their quality of life.

I can relate.

We have SIX ... (raised 8) ... kids and fourteen Grandkids. I didn't ever think we would be lonely.   BUT most days, while Stew is at work, I'm LONELY.

I used to dread when Stew and I are REALLY OLD, because I felt sure we would be very lonely.

Your kids grow up and get their own lives, and move on from YOU.  

Unless you are extremely lucky, and they actually think about you, and care about you enough to visit, ring, or just message now and then.

Of course, in this family, with a few of our kids 'estranged' from us, it's even worse.

And that is one of the reasons why we are moving!

To an area where there's more similar aged people like us, and a community where you can be around other people more.  Where there are community facilities, opportunities to mix and mingle with others regularly and so on.

It's called 'future proofing' our lifestyle, and wellbeing.  

I'm hanging out for the next phase of our lives to begin to be honest.  Being in 'limbo' sucks.

Moving right along now... today I am going to the supermarket first thing, I need a couple more things for baking.  Then home to sew.  I am going to churn out as much as I can in the next couple of weeks.

My sewing machine told me (yes it can message me on screen), that it needed servicing and oil.  So as soon as I feel like I have enough stock again, I'll send it in for servicing.

I had a play with my phone's camera yesterday... tried a few different setting.  It's rather complicated!  I am going to find the time, eventually, to watch some YouTube tutorials on how to get the most out of the camera's capabilities.  But for now...   

ABOVE: A bee that kept still just long enough for me to get a photo.

ABOVE: Our gorgeous hydrangeas.  I will have to start taking cuttings off them soon, so I can put them in our new garden, once we move.

ABOVE:  A blurry bumble bee.   I have only seen two bumble bees this season, and both were very small and thin.  I hope the bumble bee population is ok? 

ABOVE:  I put some string lights through this Christmas decoration.  You can't really tell in this photo, but they look so lovely.

ABOVE: I used the 'NIGHT' setting for this photo, and Telephoto... it came out rather well.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO OUR GRIFFIN, have a lovely day, Dad and I love you to bits. 💚💙💜

And that's it for now.

I am getting up and making a move on the day.

Catch ya later.

8.36 am:  All the jobs are done, so I can now go out for a little while.

ABOVE: This Fruit Loaf is a resounding success.  It smelled lovely whilst cooking.  TICK TICK.

I have tasted it, it's not super spicy, so next time I'll add a bit more spice.

It has now gone in the freezer.   It will be interesting to see how it defrosts.  I've never frozen home made bread before. 

Has anyone else?   Opinions?

10.34 am:  And I'm home from a good shopping session.  I skipped the supermarket, cos I was hungry, and we all know what happens when you grocery shop when hungry!  So no.

ABOVE:  I did my banking, then some shopping for Christmas.  I couldn't skip a year of buying a Christmas Friend!

Meet Rascal.

He's probably the one and only addition to the family this year.

ABOVE:  And I got those three salmon pink Xmas Decorations for our bedroom.  They match perfectly.

And now... I'm in the sewing room for the remainder of the day.

2.34 pm:  Been sewing.  And I cooked a mince and tomato stew and put it in a pie.  It's now in the oven, with mini hash browns on the top.  It's looking good.

Now... back to the sewing.

ABOVE:  And there's the pie.  It looks and smells amazing.   And we shall have company this evening to help us eat it.

Brylee and Dom are coming.  Nice one. 

Right, we've had some lovely company for dinner this evening.  Not only Brylee and Dom, but Lacy as well.  

Lacy raided the pantry again, and tucked into some Gherkins.  She's paying the price now... 💩💩💩.   lol

They have all left now, and it's time to chill out until Coronation Street is on, then bed.

Catch ya tomorrow.  edit:  No Coro Street tonight!  I forgot it's only Monday.  *sigh*