CRAFT GROUP

 

Another week rolls around, and I've got a few things on my agenda.

Today is Art and Craft Group here in the Village.  So I'll go to that after lunch.

Before that, I will do the small amount of housework needing doing.

I'll put a few things in the new outside cabinet.  Chair squabs/pads/cushions will go in it once we have some, but for now I am going to put the disposable bbq plates, plastic glasses etc in there. Also, the liquid we put in the fire rock... It's a gel of some sort.

The other morning job is to make sure everything is ready for our next market, coming up on Saturday in Tamahere.  I'm sure I need more float (cash), and the runner bags need tidying up.  

It's getting closer to our busy time with markets, though I have kept the number down this year.  

I'm not interested in 'chasing' markets, doing as many as possible like some people.  I just want to enjoy them, and not have them dominate my life.

While I love making my stuff ... I feel like I've probably only got another 5-10 years of doing it.  Not because of health, but because of interest.  I am already not feeling PASSIONATE about it anymore.  

That could be down to just feeling so tired right now?  I'm not sure.  I'll just have to wait and see how I feel over the next year or two.  Markets have been slow of late too, which might be why I am feeling like this?

I can't IMAGINE what I would do with myself if I gave up sewing!  NO IDEA AT ALL.

Well... that was not where I expected today's start of the blog to go!  Moving on...

I've been scrolling back through my runner photos, trying to get some motivation.   I saw some of my older runners that I really like, so will do some of them over the next couple of weeks.

A change is as good as a cure eh?

I've also decided to have a SALE table/rack of runners at the next market, to move them on.

They will be super cheap, so hopefully they go fast.

10.45 am:  it seems like a nice day 'out there', but I'm still bloody cold.  All me jobs are done.

I shuffled Britto around and put it all back in the one cabinet, therefore making room for anything new in the dining cabinet, like the blue sand timers.

Happy with that.

I've put some stuff in the new outdoor cabinet too.

Watered the plants.

Folded and put away washing.

All the usual Monday shit, done and dusted.

Now I'm thinking of having an early lunch, before I go to Craft Group.

JUNK IT UP

 

Guess what I thought when I saw the finished cabinet out the dining room door?

"Hmmmm... how can I 'JUNK IT UP' on the top?"

Like... let's see what I can find to put on top of it!

Yep.  Just to keep my 'junk it up' reputation alive and well eh?  😂😖😏

While that is said with a healthy dollop of sarcasm, I still might put something up there! lol

Can you believe we have NOTHING on our agenda today, except to just relax?

I'll come back later on, probably with an update on something I've dreamed up to do.

9.21 am and I'm still in bed! Stew made me a hot chocolate drink, so once I've had that I'll get up.

He's in the lounge watching rugby... 👀  typical.

I've suggested we drive out to Raglan for lunch. He's keen, so looks like a plan.

I'm keen to try Orca's seafood platter again. It's a very long time since we did that.

ABOVE: Having fun. Been to the beach, it's wild out there!

Now awaiting lunch.

ABOVE:  Manu Bay, the world renown, left hand break, surf beach.   This was the end with the boat ramp to the right.

ABOVE:  Manu Bay from higher up the hill.

The sea was very stormy and rough.  I doubt anyone went out fishing, or even surfing.

ABOVE: Our seafood platter at ORCA.  Sometimes when you get a platter like this,  you think they have 'padded it out' with pieces of fish.  But OMG, that fish was AMAZING!  I'd go there again just for the fish.  And that's saying a lot, as I'm not a big fish lover at all.

Stew got two thirds of all that, as my appetite is not what it used to be.  I still had a lovely meal and enjoyed it thoroughly.

Now, as for what we bought, you'll have to wait a little while, cos I'm waiting for something to 'end' before I can post about it.

ABOVE:  There ya go.  Three blue glass timers.  I could have bought only one of them, but why?  lol

7.30 pm, and the day is almost done.  It's been a very nice day, I love getting out and about.  

We are just watching the telly till bedtime, relaxing and keeping warm.  It's still fairly cool, spring is not really here yet.  

CABINET

 

Today's task is for Stew to put together the new Keter Cabinet.

I don't envy him one little bit!  It looks damn complicated, with lots of parts.

While he's doing that, I will get back into Crabby Quarters and carry on with the larger round Table Topper.

It was so nice actually doing some sewing yesterday, I had forgotten how much I love it.

Hopefully I can have the garage door open again, but we will see.  The weather is very 'iffy' right now.

I'm not sure when we will be getting the water fountain sorted out.  We have to wait for Steve 'n' Bex to come over.

10 am, and it looks like today MIGHT be the day we finally get our fountain up and running!  Steve 'n' Bex are coming over to help us with it.

*squeals*.... I'm just a little bit excited.

ABOVE:  The kids arrived, and pretty much got straight into the job.  Steve and Bex did the heavy lifting, and I just guided the pump into place.  Stew watched, taking care of his leg.

ABOVE:  Lily was like "Oooo water!"  But today was not the day to play as she didn't have any spare clothes to change into if she got wet.

Grandma will sort that out.  lol

ABOVE:  I thought I took a video as it was switched on for the first time, but buggered that up. 

ABOVE: The kids have now gone and Stew is doing the cupboard.  

ABOVE:  a bonus video  .... and now I'm going to sew until lunch time.  lol

It's almost midday, so we will probably go out soon for lunch.  

3 pm:  Lunch ended up being me going and buying Pizza and bringing it home.  It was nice for a change.

Then Stew went back to building the cabinet.

There's been a few glitches, but he's slowly getting it done.

A few choice words, grunts and groans thrown in for luck.

The wind is very strong and blustery today, and that is just making his job harder.  I think he will need a stiff drink or ten by the time he gets it done!

ABOVE:  3.40 pm, and the weather has put paid to Stew finishing the cabinet unfortunately.  It's just too windy and wet to be out there right now.

So he's taking a break for now.

4.20 pm: And then the sun came out, so out he went again.  And after about FIVE HOURS of hard work and frustrations, he got it done.

ABOVE:  Well done darling!  I could never have done that in a million years.  I am really happy with how it fits there, it's unobtrusive and not 'in ya face'.  Good use of a dead corner.

7.41 pm:  What a good day it's been.  

I finally feel like we are totally settled, everything we needed to do is done, and I've not got anything else to do in a hurry.

Yes, I've got rooms to paint, and more minor tweaks, but on a whole, we are HOME.

Such a good feeling.

THIRD OPINION

 

Today Stew is seeing a THIRD doctor about his knee.

The first one he saw sent him off for an ultrasound, and said it was arthritis. Nothing else was done.  We are sure it's more than that.

The second one (most recently) saw him when his leg/knee was swollen.  He gave him Antibiotics and Anti-inflammatories, which helped bring the swelling down, but didn't give us any answers about WHAT IS WRONG WITH HIS BLOODY KNEE.

So today Stew is going to see MY DOCTOR, who he has now switched to.  Hopefully L can get to the bottom of what's going on with Stew's knee, and order more extensive tests, to find out what can be done in the long term to resolve Stew's pain.

Right now, Stew can not walk far or fast, he cannot even straighten his knee fully any more.  He limps really badly, and is in pain 24/7.

I am going to work in Crabby Quarters (my sewing garage) until I meet up with Stew at the Doctors later on this morning.

THUNDER.  RAIN.  And I've gotta walk down to me car in it.  Worse, I've left my umbrella in the bloody car.  Grrrr.

Oooo, just remembered I've got a raincoat somewhere....

12.30 pm:  And the visit to see our Dr was excellent. L has given Stew a referral to a knee specialist, and also some place to get a proper, orthotic knee brace.  He's pretty much confirmed it is Stew's meniscus that is the problem, stemming back to February, when he twisted his knee on the treadmill.

He also recommended Stew get on a treadmill and walk uphill slowly, and also use an exercycle, both those exercises will strengthen the muscles around his knee.

Fingers crossed with the knee specialist and the exercises, things will eventually improve.

BLONDIE:  I can park in my own driveway during the day, but have to walk down and get it first.  Then at the end of the day, before Stew gets home, I have to drive it back down to it's 'designated' spot, so Stew can park in the driveway.

ABOVE:  This cute little Scrappy Doll left for Palmerston North today.  So nice sending her off to a dear friend.

ABOVE:  I got a bit of work done this afternoon, it was nice working with the garage door open too.  When Stew arrived home from work, I closed up and went inside.

9.45 pm:  We are having to stay up a bit later than we wanted tonight as I forgot to put the numbing cream on me belly, in readiness for my Trulicity jab.

So... another half an hour should do it, then I can go to bed.   Fingers crossed it doesn't hurt.

BOOKED IT

 

Once we made up our minds to travel back to Brisbane in October, I got online and booked our flights.

We are leaving on October the 6th, and coming home again on October the 12th.  It's not a long time away, as we have a market the following weekend, and again on Labour Day.

I have also booked our accommodation... staying up the road from Rowena and family.

I'm pretty sure we will be doing a bit more 'travel' in January as well, but probably not overseas.  We will see.  Ya just never know what ideas will pop into my head.

Now, back to today.   I am staying home, as the new cabinet is arriving 'sometime' during the day.  Shame they can't narrow down the time frame, but it is what it is.

It will probably arrive last thing this afternoon knowing my luck.

While I wait, I have an urge to make a few smaller Braid Runners, and maybe another round one.  I've not made any in bloody ages, I hope I remember how to do them. 😂😉

ABOVE:  Our trusty 'guard dog', keeping an eye on the neighbourhood.  She loves seeing out.

Because I wanted to stick around home today, I decided to attend the coffee morning at the Clubrooms.  It's only for an hour.

So off I go.

On my little walk, I see a beautiful cat, and stop to say hello.

He/she comes over and rolls onto it's back, presumably expecting me to rub it's tummy.

So I do... and it cried when I touched it's body.  

ABOVE:  I ran my hands over it's entire body, and to my horror, it was covered in MASSIVE knots, balls of hair thicker than a tennis ball everywhere!

I took photos of the cat, and went to speak to management.

G, our Manager, is going to approach the owners in some sort of 'sensitive' way, and see what can be done to help that cat.

As I said to G, that cat is in pain, and needs urgent attention. 

I cannot talk to the owners, that would not be my place.  But management can.

After that, I spent an interesting hour at coffee and chat.  Most of the people are lovely, but I'm starting to recognise some who are less than friendly.  *WARNING*  Wide berth... wide berth.

I got home at 11.15 to find the cabinet had been delivered.  So I hauled it inside...

ABOVE: I unboxed it.  There's masses of bits and pieces, Stew is gunna hate it.  Another job for him.

Now... I'm contemplating what to have for me lunch.  Salad and some sort of meat....

Three hours later, and lunch is done, couldn't even eat half what I 'normally' would.

Trulicity is pretty good.

Then I made a start on a runner.  Just getting the pattern done first.

ABOVE:  I say 'pattern' with a smirk, cos it's just a large circle!  My dining table was the perfect template to use, as my next round one is going to be slightly smaller than my table.

I figured someone out there might want a slightly larger round table runner eh?

I'm sure someone at a market asked me if I had one?  Either way, I've started it.

It is pub night, so Stew will be home in the next hour and a half.  Now when I drop him off, instead of going 2 minutes up the road to visit with the kids, I have to go a bit further.  I don't care.  I love my Thursday nights with them.

Thanks for the concern POPPY's Mum, but our home won't be empty.  Lacy is staying in our home while we are away, and taking care of Coco for us.  

9.09 pm:  Well my evening went as planned.  A nice visit with the kids, then a little while at the pub catching up with our friends there.

Now home, waiting to watch Coronation Street, before heading off to bed.

Catch ya tomorrow.

PLUMBER HERE

 

This morning I have the plumber coming to instal an insinkerator.  It was supposed to happen last week, but he had the flu.  It didn't matter being late, as I don't have an electrician coming for another week to connect it to the power.

As I said last night, he will need to look under the vanity as well, as there is still a slow leak somewhere.

I have been on a steep learning curve when it comes to PATIENCE of late.  Nothing happens right away.😖😒

The new cupboard is on it's way, man that was quick.  Probably not today, possibly tomorrow.  It depends on the delivery person I suppose.

Lily is coming to spend a little bit of time with me this morning, as Bex has a dental appointment.  Rather her than me any day.

ABOVE:  Lacy came over to visit....

she's put fake dreads in her hair.  Ikkkk.

But she loves them.  Each to their own.

ABOVE:  C the plumber found the leak.  Finally, I don't have to worry about it again.

He put the insinkerator in too of course.  I just have to wait for the electrician to come now and wire it in.

Waiting....  he's due on the 18th.

ABOVE:  The kiddos have arrived... Lily is happy having her snacks.  And Archer is here as he has a head cold.  

I just had some of my pea 'n' bacon soup.  Didn't like it!   I've not cooked in in many years... and I doubt I will again.  Sad, it used to be one of my favourite meals.  I feel like I wasted my appetite on it.  😖😕

My visitors have all gone home and I'm back on me own.  So, I'll watch last night's Coronation Street, then ... put everything back under the sink.

I decided to unplug the dishwasher and plug in and test the insinkerator.  YAAA.   It works.  Something I don't have to follow up on.  

Now I just need the electrician to give the dishwasher it's own on/off switch and power point.

I reckon the previous owner didn't have a dishwasher.  He took out the original insinkerator and put in the dishwasher.  

I'll get it sorted.  In ten days time.

It was been quite a nice day weather wise, but OMG is there some rain coming.  The skies are going black with storm clouds.

Stew just booked two weeks holidays for the beginning of October.  Now I just have to decide where we shall go.  I'm thinking back to Brisbane to be with my sister's family on her birthday.  

You are not going to believe this, but I've been HOT all afternoon!  Yep, so weird not feeling cold all the time.

Maybe summer is coming, and I get to BITCH about being too hot???  😂😅😇

ABOVE:  Stew trying the pea 'n' bacon soup.  He enjoyed it!   He added some water to thin it out a bit, and more seasonings.  I'll try some more tomorrow, and do that as well.

And that's a wrap on my day, I hope your day has gone well too.

Catch ya tomorrow.

EACH TO THEIR OWN

 

Hmmmm.  A few comments about our choice of cabinet for out on our dining room patio.

I did consider a box type thing, to keep seat squabs in, and to sit on.  But there is limited space... and we wanted to maximise the space available for storage and practicality.

We have 5 wooden seats for sitting on.  We will be getting two little wooden tables to sit between them.

The area we are going to put the cabinet is in a corner, separated from the 'seating' area. It is a 'dead' space.   But perfect for storing outdoor things.

ABOVE:  An older photo of that corner of the dining patio. The new cabinet is going in that corner where the bar leaner and plants/flowers are.  No one will want to be sitting in that corner on their own eh?  And it stays dry there, so I can feel confident the contents of the cupboard will stay dry.  Squabs, cushions, outdoor dining dishes etc. 

It is nice knowing people are invested/interested in our home and how we do things, but also remember it is our home. Thank you for your suggestions, please don't be offended if I don't act on them.

So... today I am going to start knitting me some more leg warmers.  The ones Bex made me recently made SUCH a difference, keeping my legs so much warmer.  I am going to make some in black, and then multi-coloured.

I've given up (for now), making teddy bears.  I started one and didn't like it at all, plus I stuffed up at the end... wasn't concentrating.

Tonight is WW, then my next Trulicity injection.  I'm praying tonight's one doesn't hurt like the last one.

10 am:  And I'm up, having stayed in bed until 9 am!  Yep, I was not in the mood to jump out of bed all eager for the day to start.

Over it already.  It's a grey, miserable day out there.  Just blah.

ABOVE:  I cheered myself up with a bloody HOT shower, then put me face on. I even put on some foundation and powder!  Not normal, but I felt I needed a pick me up.

I scrub up better when I try harder. lol

So now I'm off to Spotlight for some black wool.

12.0 pm.  I'd just left home and a thought popped into my head.  Bex has a ROOM FULL OF WOOL!  She would be cross with me if I went and bought any more, when she probably has what I need.  So I drove over to her house.  She wasn't home, but came back when I rang her.  She was just down the road.

She gave me two balls of black wool for my leg warmers.  Thanks Chick.

Then I went to Pak n Save for a few things.  WRONG DAY to go there.  It was super busy.  Next time I will remember, don't go on a Tuesday or Thursday.  Benefit days.

So anyway, I got the things I wanted and have just unpacked them at home.  Time for lunch and then I'll get my knitting needles out I think.  

It is SO NICE under my heated throw!  I love it so much.

4.30 pm: The knitting needles have not come out yet.  I spent a bit of time this afternoon fluffing around in the house, washing, more fluffing and so on.

I just got a pea and bacon soup on in the crock pot for tomorrow.  I am rather looking forward to that for my lunch/dinner.

I don't expect a big loss on the scales this evening, in fact it will be quite small I think.  After the BIG loss last week, I am sure of it.

Well, in saying that, I HOPE FOR SOME SORT OF LOSS!  I'd be pissed as if I gained.

I already have my EMLA Patch on my belly, in readiness for my next jab.  Feeling so nervous after the last one hurting like hell.

VERY QUIET ON HERE TODAY, what ya all doing?  

I was just in the bathroom, and thought... hmmm... better check under the vanity again.  JUST IN CASE, ya know?  And bugger me, it's wet under there again.

Luckily, we have the plumber coming tomorrow who did the plumbing work in our bathroom, so I will get him to look at it while he's here.  I am a bit annoyed it is still leaking.

Right, time to head off to WW.  Face them scales.  

Two good things this evening.

Firstly, I lost 1.4 kgs this week, taking my total over the past two weeks to 6.1 kgs.  I'm really happy with that.

Second, my injection did not hurt at all!!!   I washed the Emla numbing cream off with soap and water... maybe that's what helped?

I'm just so relieved, as I was stressing out over it all damn day.

I can now relax and have some dinner.

9.06 pm, and dinner is over, now watching tv quietly.  I'm off to bed soon, catch ya tomorrow.

AUCKLAND BOUND TODAY

 

Stew is not at work again today, he is trying to use up some of his holiday time.  He's got MASSES he has to use up in fact.

So, today we are going up to Auckland to look at another Keter storage shed.  I felt like going up to actually see what was available, for the area just outside our dining room door.  It needs to be big enough to hold chair pads, and other outdoor things.  Any extra storage I can fit around here is a bonus.

As it will be tucked up under our roof line and not in anyone's face, I don't have to worry about it 'bothering' any bastard, I mean neighbour either.

Clearly the 'rules and regulations' around here still rankle.  But, I'm just sucking it up, as there is nothing I can do about it.

I actually don't think there is anything else that will crop up in relation to 'infringements'!

So, let's get a move on and have a lovely day up in Auckland.

11 am. Our trip to Auckland was a complete waste of time. The Keter shop was basically closed. They are setting up for the Home Show next weekend,  so we will come back then. We might get a better deal at a Home Show. 

But still annoying coming up for nothing.  

We are heading home now.

The replacement fountain pump arrived.  It does not fit the pipe under the big pot.

So off we went to Mitre 10.  They double checked the original pump was not working - it wasn't.  Then they fluffed around and found new fittings for the new pump and we are now home again.

We don't think we can do it on our own... so now we wait for help.

ABOVE:  This is what we went up to Auckland to buy.  And I just bought it online, with the 'HOME SHOW' discount as well.  Score.  Now we don't have to go up to Auckland to get it.  

I'm happy with our day, even though we still don't have our water feature/fountain going.  It will happen.

I'm snug as a bug with my heated throw on me, watching tv very happily.  Time to sign off for the day.

Catch ya tomorrow.