TAMAHERE CHRISTMAS TWILIGHT MARKET 4-8 PM

 

Today's Tamahere Twilight Market is the only market where we get to sleep in, instead of getting up at 5.30 am.  Gotta love that.

ABOVE:  This market is on from 4 pm - 8 pm.  It will be interesting to see how popular this time slot is, I can't remember how it went last year.  There's just so many markets on at this time of year, it's a wonder anyone comes.

The weather is supposed to be fine, maybe sunny, maybe cloudy, but not raining.  I can deal with that.

We will be going out there at around 1.30 pm, to set up, and be there early enough to catch people who are coming to visit the Church's Christmas 'shop'.

Stew has a couple of things to do this morning.  One:  do the weekend shop.

Two: Take one of his clients out to the cemetery to visit her family.  She's a 'special' case who he looks after personally.  I admire him for doing that for her.  

Once he's home, we will grab some lunch, pack the car and head off.

Now, what did I make yesterday afternoon for market?  Let's see...

ABOVE: Ta daaa... a Wonky House Tote Bag.

ABOVE: The other side has a pocket, or two.

ABOVE: It is fully lined.  I really enjoyed making it.  Might wait and see if there's any interest before making more though.

Not sure on pricing... any ideas?  

OK, famous last words and all that.

I made another one, finished it off by 7.45 am this morning.

ABOVE:  Two is always going to look better on the stall than one right? 

Bex suggested a price of $40 per bag.  Who thinks that's OK?

Hurry up, I have to price them by 4 pm lol.

ABOVE:  Whoops I did it again.  I'm getting faster at making them obviously.  That last one took about three hours to make.

And NOW I have to stop and get ready for market.

Shower, get dressed, do the face, pack the car.

In that order OK?  lol

P.S.: These bags have batting in between the outer and inner layers of fabric, so quite robust.

ABOVE: All ready by 3.15, and there's already customers here. There is a big gazebo across the road selling Christmas 🎄  trees... and the church have a Christmas stall in the hall, so lots going on.

We got STINKING HOT setting up, the weather is brilliant. 

CHRISTMAS TREE DONE, AND BOOBS GET SQUISHED

Today I'm thrilled to say  I'm getting me boobs squished.  😂😉

Breast Screening... IMPORTANT.  I hope every woman has them regularly.

Last night I got the main tree decorated.  I'm leaving the smaller one with just it's lights.

It looks fine.

ABOVE: The dining area.  YES, I know it's cluttered.  But we simply do not have a big house to spread them over now.  AND, they are only out for three weeks every year, and our family are the ones who are enjoying them over that time.  There's a few on the couch in the front room, by the front door (inside) and outside the front door too.  

IF I ever buy another one, it will have to be extraordinarily gorgeous to justify getting it!

And NO, I will not cull anymore than I already have.  We love our Christmas stuff.

ABOVE:  We bought two spinner things while in Australia.  Finally putting them up, and attaching two Elves to them.  They spin around and around.  Really cute idea.

ABOVE: The main tree, view from outside.

Putting it on the trolley was a damn good idea.

ABOVE:  I bought some new, pink themed decorations for this year's tree.  And I also used most of our older deco's.  I love this tree.

I can't wait to see what Lily thinks of all our decorations and trees/elves etc.

Right, that's me for now... the house needs a vacuum, washing needs to be done, and then after the boob squish, I have to get stuff ready for our TWILIGHT MARKET at TAMAHERE tomorrow afternoon.

HA!   I forgot these ones:

ABOVE: I've had these for a couple of years, and never knew the little tree had lights.  Very cute.

Waiting for the washing to be done, so I can hang it out.  Then on to the next job... killing time really.

I want to go into town and visit the shop where I got those Waikato Shirts.  I paid for four of them, but only got three that day, as they didn't have one of the sizes I needed.  

They said it would be in at the end of November.

I've rung and left a message, I've sent two emails asking where it is...  NO REPLY.  Very poor customer service.  So, I'm going there in person at lunchtime to see what the hell is going on.

They were not cheap shirts, I am not going to be brushed off like that.

After that I'll be off for the breast screening.

Clouds forming, damned if I'm gunna hang the washing out and have it rained on.  I threw it in the dryer.  I don't even feel bad about it.

12.46 pm, and it seems my last phone message got through. The Crate guy was not very nice to deal with, he was obviously on the defense. The shirt has been sitting in their shop for over a week! I just picked it up, and confirmed they DID have my phone number and email address. I told the lady in the shop their customer service needed addressing  before I left the shop.

ABOVE:  while in town I visited the Christmas shop and yeah... got more for the tree. It's going to look even better with a few more gaps filled up.

Might stop now 🤣😅😇.

I've got just over an hour until my boob appointment,  so I'm staying in town, hanging out at Stews office.

5.50 pm.  I've had a busy afternoon.  Instead of sitting for an hour in Stew's office, I decided to  head off to the hospital for me boob squish early. I fully expected to have to wait until my appointment time, but NO.  They took me in straight away, so that was excellent.

The squish itself wasn't too bad, though I will get bruises in my armpits, cos they got hurt.

All good, it's for a good cause.

I visited an Op Shop this afternoon and bought several pairs of jeans.  And then Spotlight for some denim.

Then I came home and sewed 'something' for roughly four hours.  I'm really happy with my something, and it will be on my stall tomorrow. It's a little different from me runners.

It it garners some interest, I will make more.

You will get to see what it is, tomorrow.

Cos I like keeping you in suspense. 😂😏

Stew is at his work Christmas Dinner, staff only, the buggers.

I'm going out later to get something for myself. I'm not going to miss out!

8.11 pm:  Stew just got home.  And I didn't go out and get food, I carried on sewing! Derrr.

Probably won't get anything now, as I did have something to eat at around 2.30.  It killed me appetite.

Time to sign off for the day.  Catch ya tomorrow.

STEW HOME LATER ON TODAY, AND MOSAICS AGAIN

 

Stew is due home from Taupo mid afternoon.

Did I miss his snoring.... NO.

Did I miss him moaning and groaning about his knee .... NO.

But Darling, I did miss YOU.

Safe trip home, love you.

I'm off to Cambridge to continue working on my Bird Panel.  I think I will be doing branches and leaves today.  After that, I might have a wander around the Cambridge shops, it's been a long time since I did that.

ABOVE: Coco's new favourite spot to lie in.  If the door is open (with screen door closed), she lies slap bang in front of the door.  She must enjoy the breeze.  And seeing who's coming and going.

ABOVE: How beautiful are my neighbour's hydrangeas!   I hope mine flower at some point so I can see what colour they are.

ABOVE:  Last night, before I went to bed, I put 90% of our Christmas Friends on and around the dining table.  Plus the little self lit tree.

I'll put decorations on the tree later on today.

Plus the slightly bigger tree in the lounge will get done too.

So much for just looking at it all and leaving it for another day!  ha ha ha.

2.30 pm:  It's been a busy day so far.

I went over to Cambridge and got this done:

ABOVE: Branches and leaves under the fantail.  It took longer than you think to cut and shape those branches!  Next week I'll move on to the next bird.

Stew's meeting wrapped up earlier than expected, so he was home by the time I got back from Cambridge.  I didn't get time to wander the Cambridge shops.  Another day.

ABOVE:  All the managers gave a 'Secret Santa' gift to someone in the group.  Stew got the Santa Suit.  Perfect for Christmas Day.

ABOVE:  I got a few more areas decorated ... front door etc. 

ABOVE: We went out for lunch at Foundation.  We hadn't been there in ages, so it was nice for a change.

We ordered a Lamb Sandwich (more like a burger), and a Beef 'n' Bacon Burger.

ABOVE:  Then we cut both in half, so we could both try each one.  The Beef 'n' Bacon Burger was nice, very yummy relish on it.  The Lamb Sandwich was AMAZING!  It had a most delicious  MINT flavoured relish on it.  I will definitely get that again, and I WON'T share it with Stew.  😂😅😆

Now we are home, and I'm not inclined to continue with decorating trees right now.  Maybe later.
8.47 pm: I didn't visit the kids this evening, they had other commitments.  So I joined Stew and the crew at the pub early.

And we had a really lovely time.

  

I earned some money... G 'bet' me he could make my tits giggle without touching them, and put $2 on the table.

Then that cheeky bugger grabbed me tits and jiggled them!  And gave me the $2 cos he 'lost' the bet!!!

Lucky I've known G for 40 years and love him to death!  Anyone else who grabbed me tits would get a whack over the head. lol

When we got home I did the tree.  Photos tomorrow.

Now, it's time to sit and relax till bedtime.

Catch ya tomorrow.

GETTING MY EYES CHECKED TODAY

This morning I am off into town to have me eyeballs checked.

Free Retinal Screening... cos I'm a diabetic.  I've always passed the screening, so hopefully I do again.

Stew is getting picked up from home this morning, then he's off to Taupo for an end of year Managers meeting.  He is away until tomorrow afternoon.  I am not worried about being on my own, this place has a security company that patrols the village several times every night.  That is really neat.

After my eye screening, I might just pop into Chartwell Square for a wander, get some exercise.  

I'm killing time till I have to leave for me appointment.

ABOVE: So I decided to shave me legs... long overdue AGAIN.

But today I did something I've been meaning to do for ages.

I shaved the right leg with a regular razor type shaver, and I put hair removal cream on my left leg.

I'm interested to see which one does a better, longer lasting job.

Anyone else done this?  Results?

I'll let ya know how it goes on my legs k?

15 minutes left till I have to leave, dumm dee dooooo...

11.26 am, and I'm home again.  The eye screening only took like 5 minutes!  Read the letters, get photos taken of eyes, leave.

After that, off to Chartwell Square.

ABOVE:  It was very quiet.  Santa wasn't there.  How rude. lol

ABOVE:  I wore this top, that I really like.  Shouldn't have.

It kept gaping at the top, showing off me bra straps.  Not good.  I will try to alter it a bit so it still fits.

I managed to get a few more Christmas presents, after thinking I was done.  Ha ha ha.

And some pink flowery things for the Christmas tree.  

Now though, I'm a bit hungry, so will go make something for me lunch.

Back later.  Cos ... well ... that's what I do.

I cooked some chicken for me lunch, it was OK, but meh.  So I had some Christmas Cake.  Derrrr.

What an idiot I am.  I totally did not need that.

Moving on, I've been sitting here listening to THUNDER... the sky has gone dark and stormy.

I love a good storm!

We've had a massive thunder/lightening storm all afternoon.  One flash of lightening was so close it lit up my lounge, then the BOOM of thunder immediately after it was MASSIVE, IT SHOOK THE HOUSE.... then lots of smaller booms.

It's still going on right now, at 5.15 pm.  Non stop lightening and rolling claps of thunder.

Lacy arrived half an hour ago, all agog with how the thunder rattled everyone in the milking shed this afternoon.  Even the cows.

Then she climbed up into the attic and got all this down...

ABOVE: Not as much as you Felicity, but more than enough for here!

In fact, I think there's going to be too much to spread around this house.

I might just look at it until tomorrow afternoon, or even Friday.  It's a bit daunting.

I've just finished closing up all the windows, locking doors and closing curtains for the evening.

Poor Coco is sitting by the front door, waiting for Stew to come home.  Oh dear, she's stuck with me tonight.  I better not forget to feed her dinner.  😉😋

Coco is fed.

I got most of the Christmas decorations out of their boxes and bags!  I've got two trees in the lounge, but no ornaments or lights on them yet.

I think, I really think... It will all fit in here!

Though in saying that, I have a big black sack of stuff to take to the OP Shop tomorrow.  Just ornaments and so on that I no longer love enough to keep.

Someone else can get them and enjoy them.

Time to sign off, I'm just a bit knackered now.

LET'S GET IT FINISHED OK

 

Top of my 'to do' list today?

Go out and get the last few gifts for Christmas, come home and wrap them.

I want this job done and dusted by the end of today.  It's one job I really, really loathe to be honest.  I don't mind the shopping part (of course lol), it's the damn wrapping.

I'm sure I'm not the only person who feels like that eh?

ABOVE:  The 'Trans Elf'... no longer stinks!  But she's still butt ugly, so she's been stood in the corner, facing the wall.  I seriously doubt I could sell it, like, who the hell would want it?

I have learnt a very valuable lesson, NEVER buy anything sight unseen again.

The weather is supposed to be really wet for the next few days, then come right by the weekend.  Perfect, as we have the Tamahere Twilight Market on Saturday.  

Right, I'm off to start my day.

12.04 pm.  I have decided to take 'Tranny' to market on Saturday.  I'll put some ridiculous price on it and hopefully it sells and buggers off!

I'm just back from shopping.

I went to Spotlight to check out the new layout.  It's OK, and I will get used to it.  The one thing I wanted (batting) was not on sale.  Typical.

I found a couple of gifts to fill the gaps at The Base.

Now home, about to have some lunch then finish wrapping gifts.  Should not take me too long.

I just had a phone call from the Breast Screening lady.  I am due for me boobs to be squished ... she asked all the questions ... no implants, no changes in me boobs etc etc.  I answered all of them.  Then the last question was "Is there anything else we might need to know about you?"

My reply "I'M PRECIOUS".

She laughed her head off, said she had never had that answer before and I made her day.

Nice.

Boobs getting squished this Friday afternoon.

I.  CAN'T.  WAIT. 

WW weigh in this evening, and I stayed the same.  I better be careful the shit I ate this past week doesn't catch up with me next week.

ABOVE: Dinner tonight.  Pasta, asparagus, bacon, red onion and cheese sauce.  It was rather nice.

Took bloody ages, and lots of pots to make.  But worth it.

Now... usual evening, front of the telly, feet up, doing a jigsaw puzzle bla bla bla.

I'M SO HAPPY WITH ALL OUR GARDENS

 

SIX MONTHS, and I do believe MOST things are done in our new forever home.  

Forever?  Forever ever?  You just NEVER KNOW.

I am super happy with the gardens, even though my original plan was not to do pots 'n' rocks, it was a damn good idea going forward.  No maintenance, and they look awesome.

ABOVE:  I really love how the backyard looks now.

ABOVE:  Putting the fountain there ... brilliant spot for it. And the lovely couple over the fence get to enjoy it as well.

I didn't even need the all weather power cord protector, as the wire from the pump was plenty long enough to reach the power point.  

If I ever need an all weather power protector, I have one.  That's a bonus.

ABOVE:  This area looks nicer now, and I'm not even that bothered by the SKY dish anymore.  I will probably just leave it 'exposed', like there's nothing wrong with it. 😌😏

ABOVE: There's Stew, working on getting my design wall made yesterday afternoon.

ABOVE: And there we have it, already in use.

Stew is going to see if he can get castors for the bottom of that trestle, so it's easy to move in and out.  Fingers crossed on that one.

Can you believe it's already DECEMBER!!!!  Where the hell has this year gone?  I swear it's flown by.  We have certainly fitted A LOT into this year.

Selling/buying/moving house.

Visiting Australia 3 times... for sad reasons.  RIP my dear sister Lorraine.

And of course, lots of happiness thrown in as well.

Now, today?  I am going to get the housework done, then make a start on wrapping Christmas presents.

After lunch I shall go to Craft Group.  I might just take ... me mouth! lol  

Catch ya later.

9.42 am, and I've finally had a chance to sit down.

When I got outta bed this morning I decided to make the two Christmas Cakes first and foremost.

I'd had the fruit soaking in brandy since yesterday.

So...

ABOVE:  I don't have a bowl big enough to make a double cake mix in, so I found a bucket.  lol

ABOVE: And yeah, in went me hand to do the mixing.  Worked just fine.

I now have two cakes in the oven for three hours.  Plus a smaller one in a loaf tin, cos there was just so much mixture.

I'm now going to do the washing, then wrap presents.
10.30 am.  Lacy just visited to 'touch base'... seems I'm BASE.  😂😅😏

I went outside and sprinkled one and a half bags of smaller rocks around the gardens, filling in little gaps.

Glad I never have to get another bag of rocks.  We had enough from yesterday's load.

The cakes are starting to smell GOOD.  Two more hours until they are done.

Then I shall go to Craft Group.

6.07 pm:  well it's been a while.  I got stuck into wrapping presents after lunch, and just carried on till Stew got home from work.  I missed craft group too.  I just didn't want to stop till it was done.

It's still not all done, but NEARLY.

Thank goodness I don't have to wrap quite so many now days.

Right, that's me day done.  90% of the presents are wrapped, I've got a few more to get and wrap, but mostly I'm organised.

Hoping to get all the Christmas decorations out of the attic sometime in the next few days.