LUNCH WITH THE KIDS

 

First up for today is just the usual housework.

Then a bit later on we are going out and about, looking for a piece of wood to use to hang the new round Table Toppers in our stall. 

I'm not sure how it will work yet, but we need some sort of rigid background to mount the round TTs on so they hang nicely.

We plan on having lunch with Lacy and Keera ... we'll probably pick them up and go out to Fergus.  That should be lovely.

ABOVE:  This hot air balloon flew over the house yesterday morning.  I'm going to miss them once we move.  They are fun to watch.  That one landed on the soccer fields just down the road from our home.

12.54 pm.  Whoops, I didn't realise I'd not updated today.

Well, Stew and I went out and about, bought some stuff for holding round runners... rigid corflute.  Should work.

Went to the supermarket for lunch supplies.  We did not go to Fergus afterall...

Made lunch:  

ABOVE: Lunch today was hot cheerios, fresh ciabatta and hamburger buns, hot Angel Bay rissoles (so amazing!), Cheeseburger Spring rolls, chicken bites, fresh fruit and snacks.

ABOVE:  Everyone had a lovely lunch.

ABOVE:  These are the little Springrolls.  I'd never bought them before, and I have to say, they were DELICIOUS!

I will certainly be getting more of them.

ABOVE:  Steve annoying Bex.  He said "We are one, feeling connected"... he said more, but it was rude.

Talking of RUDE:

There was a discussion going on about cutting Dante's hair over the school holiday, and someone said to take an INCH off the length.

Then everyone was trying to figure out how much an INCH was.  

ABOVE: Stew said "This is an inch", and I said "No it's not, that's too big!"

And he said "Yes it is, cos I'm SIX INCHES". 

Then he totally cracked up and went bright red from laughing.

What a dick.  Don't think of SIX INCHES. 

We've had a lovely quiet afternoon here.

All the kids left after lunch.

The stuff we bought for displaying the round runners is actually called Foam Board.  I will cut out the round to fit the runner tomorrow.

Stew can nut out how to hang it in the gazebo during the week.

We have the Tamahere Market next Saturday, and we are trying the Te Awamutu Market the following weekend.  

Stew is making himself a smoothie for dinner, I'm still full from lunch, so will give it a miss.

Catch ya tomorrow.

WHAT SHED???

 

Ahhhh Saturday.  How wonderful. His nibs is home.

We didn't go to the village last night as I had planned... we are going today instead.  More time to have a wander around, take measurements etc.

The shed choices are:

ABOVE:  This wooden shed, which measures 2.7m X 1.5 m.

ABOVE: Or this tin shed, which measures 3.3m X 1.2m.

So one is shorter, but wider (wood), and one is longer but narrower (tin).

ABOVE:  Last night I laid this lot out on the floor, to give me some idea of sizes for the shed.  It was really helpful to see the difference like that.

One way or another, I want to have the decision made today, so I can order it in good time.

What else is on our weekend agenda?  Not sure, spending some time with the kids is a given.

11.54 am.

We have been out and about, taking measurements of areas around our new home.

And the verdict on which shed?

THE WOODEN SHED.  It will fit in nicely, it looks WAY nicer than the tin shed, and I can hang shit on it!   Always a positive when I can do that... Maybe our Willy The Waiter fence panel can go on it.  I am gunna have fun for sure.

After that, we visited the kids for a quick minute.  I got talked out of making the heat pump cover until we are living there.

So I was like, what the hell am I going to do for the next 6 weeks?

I'd seen a picture on Facebook of 'something'... so yeah.

ABOVE: We ended up at Spotlight!  I am going to make 'something' and see how it goes at market.

It's something fun, and will take me a bit of time to get it how I want.  

I will be able to show you in a few days time... what 'something' is. 😂😅😉

I thought I'd work on my new project this afternoon, but instead I did nothing at all.  Lay on the bed and watched YouTube, listened to some music and so on.

It was lovely.

Stew was in seventh heaven, watching tv... sport and Netflix.  Just so nice to relax and just 'be'.

Probably going to blob out in front of the telly tonight as well.  Why not?  

Catch ya tomorrow.

COUNTDOWN

Six weeks down, six to go.

A 'normal' settlement time span, once you go unconditional, is six weeks.  This time ours was 3 months.  While it's been good to have that extra time to finish the packing, organising etc.. I do wish it had only been six weeks.  I just want this whole damn process OVER.

Life is still 'ON HOLD'.

And all Stew and I do is mentally move furniture around in the new house, plan what will go where, and so on.  

HALF WAY THERE.

This morning Coco and I are going for a walk at the lake.  I'm hoping Coco can do the whole way around, if not I have a front pack thingee to put her in.  I have missed walking around the lake heaps.  Now that the weather is finally cooling down, I hope to do it on a regular basis again.

11 am:  And I'm just in from my walk etc.

First off.

I won't be going to the lake again.

A couple of reasons.

1.  It is a diabolical trip across town, particularly in 8 am traffic!  So slow and annoying.

2.  It's a 24 km round trip.  Kinda a waste of petrol when I can drive 1.5 kms down the road and walk along the river bank, which is just as lovely.

Today's walk?  I got about 600 metres along the path and my calf started to hurt, so I slowed down.  Then 'PING', the bloody thing 'went' again.  I don't know what's going on, it is definitely my calf muscle playing up.  I think I will have to give it more time before trying to walk distances again.  Grrr.

ABOVE: Coco was very interested in the geese.  But didn't jump into the water, thankfully.

She's older and wiser than Marley.  lol

ABOVE: To be clear, I don't walk Coco, she walks ME.  She did just fine on our little walk, not gasping for air, just happy as larry.

ABOVE: There seems to have been an explosion of Canadian Geese! They were EVERYWHERE, and so loud.  Lots of domestic squabbling going on by the looks of it.

After our little walk, I drove out to our new Village to talk to Management about a few things.  I left there very happy after having my questions answered.

Now?  I'm having an early lunch, to be followed by bugger all really.   I can't pack anything else!

What's not packed it in use.  And we are still six weeks out from moving.  *sigh*

I have been having lots of fun this afternoon... letting my fingers do the walking.

Sussing out a garden shed to house all our bits 'n' bobs.

Stew and I might take a drive out to the village after dinner to take some measurements of the area we can put a garden shed.  It has to 'blend' in with the environment and not be an eyesore for everyone else in the village.  Of course!  I don't want to put something nasty on the property do I?

Once we have decided which way to go... metal or wood, I'll show you.

A flicker of excitement just happened!  lol

Over a bloody SHED ffs.  That's just a wee bit sad.

It got too dark to go out and measure things up, so we'll do it tomorrow.

Time to sign off for the day.

Catch ya tomorrow.

WHAT COULD GO RIGHT

I don't know if you are aware of this trait of mine, but I am always worried about what could go wrong.  In so many situations, things have gone wrong.

I also keep waiting for the next bad thing to happen... having lost both my brothers and my Dad in tragic circumstances, then Mum to Cancer, and family strife ... it's ingrained in me.

Stew knows this only too well.  I am not an optimistic sort of person now.

So, the reason for this post today?

I heard a new song recently, and I keep listening to it, because I find it so uplifting.

ABOVE:  I don't know how many of you have heard of Thomas Rhett, but he's a favourite singer of mine.

IF this video is copywritten, and does not load, you can find it on YouTube, Thomas Rhett, WHAT COULD GO RIGHT.  I hope you enjoy it.

I had planned on joining the FBG's for a walk here in Hamilton this morning, but my left calf muscle is still playing up after last weeks walk.  So no walk for me, but I am joining the group for morning tea after the walk.  Better than nothing eh.

I am determined to keep up my friendships with the Cambridge group, come hell or high water. 

Once I get home I've got two loads of washing to fold and put away, then on to some more sanding and painting where I've taken down more picture hooks, and where the TV was anchored down in the family room.

Just a few more ticks ...

8.30 am:   And already a great day.

The washing is done (Stew did some last night bless him), and I have already done the sanding and painting!

ABOVE:  It was an incredibly fast, easy job.  I had been putting it off as I loathe painting so much!  So happy that is probably the very last thing I have to paint in THIS HOUSE.

Who knows what I'll get up to in the next one.  😂

Not much I'm thinking, as it's got a brand new paint job already, which has been beautifully done.

HEY!  Let me know what you think of the song.... am I the only one who loves it??

Another thing, who's wondering how the Coffee vs. Diet Coke is going?

First day:  I got dehydrated and had nasty cramps all night.

Second day: I had a headache all day, but no cramps.

Today:  So far so good.  I've taken to making the coffee WITH some Mocha as well, to dull down the coffee taste a bit. 

I am still having Diet Coke, but only half what I usually drink. 

ABOVE: St Andrews Golf Club, where I met up with the group of FBG'ers.  Very pretty.

Some very snazzy golf carts and trundlers.  I can see how you could spend A LOT of money on all the gear/stuff to play golf.

Luckily for Stew, I have LESS THAN ZERO interest in playing golf.  I couldn't imagine anything worse.  I have tried MINI GOLF a couple of times and found it incredibly frustrating.

I'd rather just pick up the ball and put it in the damn hole!  lol

The walkers arrived much later than I expected... and they were VERY HOT AND BOTHERED by the time they arrived.  It is a rather hot day.

ABOVE: The carpet inside the clubhouse/cafe.   Very Scottish.   St Andrew's tartan I presume.  It's quite nice, but not for one's home.

Too busy.

ABOVE: After we all had lunch, the FBG'ers walked off to catch a bus back to town.  They were going to wander around the shops before catching an afternoon bus back to Cambridge.

I'm sure they will enjoy the rest of their outing very much.

As for me, I went off to Harvey Norman's to check out a couple of things for the new house, and ran into our Steve as well.   So I had a quick chat with him, before coming home.
I will see Steve again this evening, while Stew is at the pub.

Home now, and sitting here listening to Coco's stomach grumble and gurgle!  LOUDLY.   She is not a happy dog, she keeps adjusting her sitting position.  I think I'll be putting her in the garage in case she's sick.  

ABOVE: The FBG crew today... I  love 'doctoring' the photos.  lol

7.43 pm.  Visited the kids.  Had hot chips and a Diet Coke at the pub with Stew.  Home now and looking forward to a quiet evening.  

Catch ya tomorrow.

BREAKING GROUND?

 

Yesterday, while at the supermarket, I couldn't help but notice something going on opposite Woolworths, Te Rapa.

ABOVE:  For the past few years, that block of land (marked with the X) has been earmarked for a new Pak n Save Supermarket.  It's taken forever for the grocery chain to get all the consents lined up.  I didn't think it would ever happen.  There seemed to be so many delays, conflicts, consent problems and so on.  The entire site has been fenced off for YEARS, just growing weeds.  Lately, people have even been using it as a free for all, dump your rubbish site.

But yesterday....

ABOVE:  All the fencing has come down, and they were breaking ground!  WOW, I will be thrilled to bits if it's finally going to happen.   I prefer shopping at Pak n Save, but it's a lot further away from where I live, so I tend to go to New World or Woolworths more often than not.

Let's wait and see what happens, fingers crossed it is finally getting built. 

12.44 pm:  You are gunna be disappointed in this update.

I've been doing NOTHING.  Well, except this:

ABOVE: Yep, I've been working on this jigsaw. It's a real shit of a jigsaw I must say.  Only the second one in forever that is pissing me off.

But I shall persevere, cos I'm no quitter.

It's been nice having a day 'off' from all the crazy packing and organising our move.  

I just walked down the hallway and realised almost every room on the east side of the house is done... except for one of the linen cupboards.

Knowing me, I'll soon pack that up too... into open boxes so we can still access what's in them.

ABOVE:  This is on our fridge.  Every room I've finished packing up (except for major pieces of furniture) is crossed off as I do it.  That is 6 months worth of hard work! 

The bonus of all that is now I can sit and do a jigsaw! lol

10.09 pm:  I've just arrived home from Cambridge.  A lovely evening with some friends, yakking mostly!  

 It's been a very quiet day!   I'm outta here.

Catch ya tomorrow.

HAIR

 

My new resolve this year is to only go over to Cambridge ONCE A WEEK.  So I have to pick my day carefully.

Last week I managed to get two things done on the same day, an FBG walk followed by mosaic group.

This week I'm choosing to go over on Wednesday night for a get together with some girlfriends.

So no mosaics this week.

I'm joining up with some FBG's for a Social Walk here in Hamilton on Thursday, so I get my FBG 'fix' as well, without having to go to Cambridge.  Excellent.

My plan for today is to not do much!  Perhaps just potter around here doing a few little jobs.

Nothing major or tiring.  I think I'll dye my hair too... Cos the regrowth is a real thing.

10.46 am:  and oh wow!  Did I ever sleep in this morning.  I woke up at 5.40 for a piddle, then fell back to sleep after about half an hour.  Didn't hear Stew head off to work, didn't hear a thing.

Woke again at... 9.14 am!!!!!   Like that is unheard of.   I jumped out of bed so fast, feeling guilty.

Then it occurred to me that I don't have to feel guilty at all!   NO ONE is relying on me getting out of bed early.  Derrr.

So I did the usual stuff, got a load of washing on then headed out the door for my errands.

Got Algicide for the pool and then went to the supermaket for this:

ABOVE: While I dislike Coffee, I'm going to try and drink some every day.  WHY?  So I can cut down on how much Diet Coke I'm drinking, without getting the caffein withdrawal agonies.  Namely a migraine headache.

I have a feeling the Diet Coke is not helping me with my weight loss efforts.  I've read it all, heard it all, been lectured over and over again about the evils of Diet Coke.... so don't go there.

I will do what I will do... and if that means cutting down... be assured it is MY DECISION. 

I am not quitting Diet Coke, just cutting down.

Now that's out of the way, I have tried the Jarrah Classic Cappuccino, HATE IT.  Tasteless shit. So next to try was the  Jarrah French Vanilla Latte.  NOT BAD.  I've got my 'hot' drink bottle full of it and will sip on it till it's gone.

It's kinda fun trying something new eh?  I've not had a cuppa coffee in .... 50 YEARS.  I think I tried it as a teenager and hated it then too.

QUESTION:  Is coffee evil?  Cos I'm actually liking that shit.  😂😅😆

And oh hell, does it have masses of calories?  Better check.

I just checked .... there's 58 calories per 3 scoops.  I put in 9 scoops to fill my drink bottle!  That's 174 Calories for a full drink bottle ... I can live with that.

NOW I have to wait and see if I get a headache from only having a little Diet Coke today.

I just finished dyeing my hair.  This time the results are not quite what I wanted.

I have some ORANGE, some PURPLE and some blonde.   Let's just say, a mixed bag.

I will go out and get more purple shampoo, to try and tone it down a bit... especially where it's ORANGE.  But not right now.  I'm done for now.

3.25 pm, and I just remembered I have an evening with Cambridge friends tonight!  LUCKILY, when I dried my hair it didn't look quite as bad as when wet.  Quick face on, fresh top, and I'm sorted.

Just have to get a small plate ready now.

Stew just rang me.  Seems I thought it was Wednesday this afternoon  .... it ain't.  So I'm NOT going to Cambridge this evening.  The platter can go in the fridge for tomorrow.  

8.19 pm: And we've had a lovely evening.  I worked on my jigsaw until I couldn't see straight, then gave it up for the day.

This puzzle I'm working on right now is a right doozy!  Very difficult.

Time to sign off for the day.

Catch ya tomorrow.

I DID IT

 

My plans for today?

CLEANING.

The family bathroom is going to get a deep clean, then I might just pack up what's in there, and close the doors.

It visitors come, they can use the ensuite bathroom for the time being.  As we only have a few visitors usually, and they are family, it's not going to be an issue.

One more BIG TICK off the 'to do' list.

ABOVE:  Yesterday I packed up the sewing room.  The only things left in there are market stuff, the sewing desk and workstation.  I will probably move the desk and workstation into the garage today.  Then I can clean the skirting boards, wipe out the cupboards etc.  Yet another BIG TICK.

ABOVE:  The storage unit is almost at capacity.  We haven't been exactly great stackers, there's quite a bit of 'air room' above most things, but luckily we don't need to put much more in there.

I think a few more boxes will fit, then that will be it.  

I'm looking forward to unpacking it in a couple of months time... slowly.  Half what's in there will be heading off to other places, Hospice shops etc.

ABOVE:  Me and Miss Muppet... she's getting so big! She will be a teenager in just a a few months time. 
Right, I'm off to start the day.  I hope to get quite a bit done ...

8.30 am.  I had to do a little clean of the ensuite's vanity before I could move all my stuff into it.  I realised while doing it that Stew has the exact same toothbrush as me, so I shall go out and buy myself a new one sometime today.

Next step is to do the big clean in the family bathroom, and close the doors. 

TWO.  HOURS.  LATER, and I have finally managed to mop the bathroom floors.

I needed to go and buy a new mop, so off I went to Pak n Save.  Got a few groceries and a new mop.

Came home, filled the bucket with hot water, and put the mop in the bucket.  The sponge component just dropped off the mop head.  And no matter what I did, it just kept doing it.  So, feeling rather annoyed, I took it back to the shop, got a refund.  

Headed over to another shop to find a better mop.

Got a better mop and came home and got the damn floors cleaned.

Had lunch ... while watching floors dry.

Next thing will be putting polish on said floors.

I'm now probably going to take 5 before I head into the garage to do stuff in there.

2nd boo boo of the day?  The floor 'polish' I thought I'd bought recently turned out to be a concentrated floor CLEANER.  I put it on straight, not the recommended 1/100 dilution!!!  So now I've had to re-wash the floors a couple of times so they are not sticky.

And they are drying dull.  So I still have to find a polish that works on wood laminate.  What I usually get is unavailable.  Grrrr.  It's not my day.

I managed to track down some of the floor polish I needed at Bunnings, so off I went at stupid o'clock... amongst all the parents picking up kids from school... and people leaving work early to beat the traffic.   ha ha... you ain't ever gunna beat the traffic in Hamilton.  Found my polish and headed home in the traffic.

ABOVE:   So now my wood laminate floors (both bathrooms and the kitchen) have been washed THREE TIMES, to get the concentrated cleaner off.  And now they have polish on them, drying for at least the next hour or two.

I can't believe all I got done today was the bathrooms, and kitchen floor!!!

I had so much more planned in me mind.

Oh well, tomorrow is another day.

I'm now taking a well earned break, cos my bloody back is killing me.  

 7.23 pm:  And I have to admit I'm bloody knackered tonight.  We had left overs for our dinner, and I doubt we will be doing anything else except blob out in front of the telly.

I don't think I will be up late at all ... catch ya tomorrow.