SPRING FLING

 

Well another Friday rolls around, which means I'm off to the craft room to sew with company.  Hopefully!  Cos ya never know who's going to be there, or not be there.  If no one is there, I shall turn around and come home.

Actually... instead of packing everything up and hauling it down there, I might go down myself and see if anyone is there first.  That way I don't end up packing everything up for nothing.

GOOD IDEA.

Tonight (7 PM) there's an evening on here, it's called the SPRING FLING.  There will be live music, and free drinks/nibbles.  These sort of events are well attended, no doubt because of the free grog and food.  Though, I think you only get a couple of drinks free, after that you have to pay.  Fair enough too... I am sure there would be some people who would take advantage if the drinks were free all night long!  

Thank goodness it's not a 'dress up' event ... or themed (even worse!).   I'm looking forward to Stew meeting more of the villagers, he doesn't attend many social events yet.

* This is a reminder to myself... put numbing patch on at 2 pm today, have jabby jab at 6 pm. 

ABOVE:  The two Scrappy Dolls I made yesterday.

Stew:  does not have a hangover, but yep, his leg is sore.  Serve him right, that shit kept me awake half the night with his snoring and Woolworths bladder!  Grrrr.  I lay in bed until almost 9 this morning... it was wonderful.

I've decided not to go down to the Craft Room today. I'm going out to buy some new casual sneakers.  My current pair, while perfectly fine, have lost a lot of their tread.  And the right one SQUEAKS, ALL.  THE.  TIME.  Except this morning.  When I went to show Stew, it didn't squeak!  Bloody typical.

ABOVE: So many to choose from. But once you narrow it down to colour, its not so hard. I ended up getting the same sneakers I had, but the latest version.   But... NOT the Wide Fit, my feet have slimmed down. Why the fuck can't weight GO from where I want???  I don't need it to go from my bloody feet! 🤣😅😂

After buying my new sneakers, we decided to have a nice lunch out.  My 'naughty' meal of the week.

We went to Foundation, and I decided to get something I've not had before.

ABOVE:  I got the spare ribs.  And they were amazing!  The coleslaw had some sort of tangy dressing on it, delicious!  The ribs?  Melt in your mouth, and the surrounding sauce was so nice.  Stew ended up getting a third of my ribs and 80% of my chips.  I had 6 chips... gosh once upon a time I would have eaten all of that and then be looking for something else!

ABOVE: Stew had steak, eggs and chips.  Seriously, his plate was packed with ... chips.

ABOVE:  He did wonder where his eggs were, till he cut into the little round crumbed things. Ahhh, there they are!

I asked the manager how they did them like that, so he told me.  I am going to try it at some point.

Par-cook the eggs, then coat them in beaten egg and breadcrumbs, then deep fry them.  I would put them in the air fryer obviously.

It is now 1.15 pm, and we are probably going to have a quiet afternoon.  I don't even feel like sewing today.

And like, where the hell is everyone?  It's been a bit quiet here for a couple of days now.  😟😣

ABOVE:  Ready for Spring Fling.  It is not a 'dress up' type evening, so I'm happy with my outfit.  I bought that top in Palmerston North years ago, but have never worn it before.  It was always a bit too snug... it still is a bit snug over the boobs, but not too bad.  

It's been a nice afternoon, I dyed my hair (the roots were showing) and had a shower bla bla bla.

Stew is just getting himself ready now... he's wearing jeans and a nice top.

I remembered my Jabby Jab, Stew just did it for me.

6 pm, and we shall wander down to the Community Centre in a little while.  

Hopefully it's a nice evening.  

9.15 pm.  After a slowish start, Stew and I got into the mood, and got up and danced!  I dragged a recent widower up to dance as well, which was lovely.  He seemed to enjoy dancing with me.  Though YMCA was kinda a shit song to dance to!  Most of the music was sung live by a lady who is engaged to come here every time.  She's not too bad.  The songs are from the 50's to about the 80's... sadly we knew a lot of them.  lol

We left a bit early as I was over it by 9.  

Stew walked home while I did my 'hill walk' on my own. 

We are now both in our pyjamas, nestled in front of the telly... which we haven't even turned on yet!  What a laugh. 

There's 5/8th of F all on telly anyway.

I'm off, catch ya tomorrow.

ANOTHER BEE RUNNER?

 

What's up today?

Coffee & Chat at 10.

Sewing another Bee Runner after that, mostly because I kinda like them.

Lacy is coming to do some housework and to bath Coco.

Stew has a school reunion this evening, so we are not going to the pub this evening, instead I'm dropping him off at another pub in town for the reunion.  

So there ya go... a fairly full day planned. 

ONWARD...

11 am, and I'm just home from C & C, which was really lovely today.  There were easily 12-15 of us there, so lots of chatter and varied conversations.  I've got one resident calling in this afternoon to buy a Scrappy Doll for his daughter.  Another resident has just bought a set of Pot Holders as well.  Nice to know my stuff is appreciated here as well.

2.20 pm.... And what have I been up to since then?

Lunch.  Today I went back to a favourite... Baked Beans and a baked potato.  So yum.  With onions.

Look out Stew tonight!

Then I went into Crabby Quarters and did some sewing, NOT another Bee Runner today.  Scrappy Dolls in fact, cos I have an order for a couple and I need to get them done.  Pronto.

One is almost done, and I'm going to start on the second one once my visitor has been and got his doll.  😊

11.45 pm.  I got the two Scrappy Dolls made this afternoon/evening.

I got another one sold to a fellow resident.  

Stew arrived home early from work, and I took him and our friend Richard to the pub for their school reunion.  Crazy traffic at that time of the evening.

Home for me, where I did those Scrappy dolls.

Then at around 10.20 pm I went and picked up two ever so slightly PISSED AS CHOOKS men.

Stew learnt a lesson tonight, DON'T get so drunk that you can't walk properly, cos you HURT YOUR FRIGGIN KNEE.  I hope he's not too sore tomorrow.

I'm now about to head off to bed... to breathe beer fumes all night.

He's not even going to notice if I let rip with some farts now!  What a shame.

Catch ya tomorrow.

NITE NITE..... blogger is having another glitch.  No photos appearing today.

BEE.....

 

Another day, another morning tea.  This time it's the Monthly Residents Morning Tea.  It is usually very well attended, probably due to the free food and drink! 

The only thing I find derrr is that almost all the men sit together at a big table, and then all the women at other tables.  There are a few men who mix it up and actually sit with their wives.  Once Stew starts going to these things, he better sit with ME.  😂😅

I don't really know why I'm going cos I'm not going to be having any of the food.  It's always bog standard pre-frozen savouries (not that nice), slices cut into TEENY TINY pieces and OMG Fucking EGG SANDWICHES.  Gross.

Who the hell likes egg sandwiches?  Not me.

The only reason I go is to show my face, be present and sociable.

It's only for an hour or so, so not too long out of my day.

ABOVE: There is the runner I made yesterday, I finished it last night.

I'm a bit annoyed because I should have put BEE, not BE.  But oh well, it's still cute.   I saw it on a t-shirt a while ago, and finally did it as a runner.

I'm going to make one more today, then see how they go at market. 

OH and Stew worked out it would take THIRTY SIX YEARS of using the clothes dryer twice a week to spend $6,600 ... so yeah, not getting that awning.  We will use the clothes dryer!  lol

ONWARD...

ABOVE: I was so happy to see how well this huge succulent has started recovering after the huge frost we had a few weeks ago.  The frost had killed a large percentage of the plant.  Now though, there's heaps of new growth, lots of little shoots coming off the branches around where bits simply fell off.  So happy, as this succulent must be years and years old.  It's special, and I love it.
10.20 am.  I decided not to go to the morning tea... just wasn't in the mood.

Those who love egg sandwiches... at least you know what NOT to give me if I ever come for morning tea!!!

Seems I have to let Stew sit with the men... Pfffffft.  Whatever.

I'm off to sew.  

Been out and bought more tiny buttons for bee eyes, and some more hot chocolate mixes.  I am really enjoying having one of them a day.

6.15 pm, and I know I've been quiet for most of the day.  I got a nasty, sick headache after lunch, so I took some panadol and lay in bed for a couple of hours. 

Woke up feeling much better thankfully.

So, I went into Crabby Quarters and made a second Bee Runner.

ABOVE: And as you can see, the runner I made yesterday is already sold.  So I'm probably only taking one Bee Runner to Market on Sunday, unless I pull finger and get another one made tomorrow.  *sigh*

No rest for the wicked it would seem.

NOT that I need more runners!  I've got plenty heading into the spring markets.

Stew just arrived home from work, and he's now doing some exercises in the front room.

I'm finally sitting in front of the TV, which is still OFF... so perhaps I'll turn it on?

AND OMG I can't get over how many people like egg sandwiches!  You fullas are welcome to them.

10.25 pm, just finished watching Coronation Street... lots going on in it.  Very interesting. 

But now, it's almost time to head off to bed, and I'm not expecting a good night's sleep after having a two hour 'nap' this afternoon.  It is what it is.

Catch ya tomorrow.

Did ya know I sleep with a fan on me EVERY SINGLE NIGHT of the year?  Thanks Menopause that has, so far, lasted 21 years.  Yep.  Thanks.  I'm coming back as a bloke, thank you very much.

YES OR NO?

 

First up for the day?

Coffee & Chat down in the Community Centre.

Hopefully it's a nice group, with good conversation.

Once that is done, I'll come home and do a bit of sewing... working on a new project.  Maybe I'll get it to a point where I can show you ... later on today.

After lunch I have a bloke coming to suss out us getting one of these:

ABOVE:  I'd like an awning out from our dining room/kitchen area.  To increase the covered area out there so I can A) put washing out there on racks without it getting wet, and B) provide shade in summer.

So that bloke is due around 1 pm today.  It would be neat if it can be done soonish.

ONWARD...

3.05 pm.  

Coffee & Chat was nice this morning.  Quite a few people there.

After that I came home to do some sewing.

Had some lunch.

The bloke from the Awning place arrived and measured up.

His quote has already come in.  I won't be getting an awning!  It was like, twice the price I expected!

And I really only want it to keep the washing dry... might as well throw it in the dryer.  I can certainly think of a better way to spend $6,600!

ABOVE: Another sneak peek at my next runner... I still have a bit more work to do on it.  I probably won't get it finished today.

I've got WW this evening... so will be stopping work at about 5.30 pm.

7.50 pm, and WW this evening was nice.  I enjoy going now that I don't actually weigh in!  I like the company now that I know most of them who attend regularly.

Stew went for his walk while I was out, it's good that he is getting his exercise, and his knee is coming along so well.  He is still limping a bit, but not too badly.  He still has some pain, and getting on his knees to do anything is still not possible.  Lucky he doesn't have to weed gardens any more eh?  😃😆😅

And... that's my day done and dusted, just watching the telly till bedtime.  Plotting my next runner... you get to see what I made today ........ tomorrow. 

NEW WEEK, NEW DESIGN

 

This morning I plan on staying home to sew, instead of going to the Craft Room.

I might head down there after lunch, and just hang out with the ladies for an hour or so.  It's supposed to piss down with rain today, and I am not going to take all my stuff down there in my trolley in the rain.

I used one of the pot mitt sets last night while cooking dinner.  They are perfect for taking lids off hot pots and lifting hot pots.  I will make just a few more, then stop to gauge interest.

I am thinking of taking Mc Dreamy back to be repaired again.  I really would like him down in the craft room, so I don't have to lug Mc 2ie down there twice a week.  It is annoying that Mc Dreamy needs repairing again.  If I do take him in for repair, it will DEFINITELY be for the last time.

ONWARD...

Oh hell... I have forgotten to update. Sorry.

I took Mc Dreamy into the repair shop.

Then I bought some fabric.

Then I ran into a very old friend from TOKOROA, and had a yak.

Then I came home and had lunch.

Then I came down to Craft Group, and I'm still here.

I've made two more pot mitt sets, and started on my next project.

ABOVE: The new projects colours...

Got home... went to the supermarket for cottage cheese.

ABOVE: But its pissing down, so here I sit. Worst part? I'm  busting for a piddle. 😖🥹

It is now 10.05 pm, and it's been a long day.

I finally got what I needed from the supermarket, dodging the rain.

Home and I cooked some apple things.... I mixed up some egg/cottage cheese/almond flour/baking powder and a cooked granny smith apple.  Chucked it in the air fryer and cooked it.  It was rather nice I must say.  That was my 'dinner', along with some grapes.

Not much else has happened for the rest of the afternoon/evening.  I DID go for a walk up the hill... I'm determined to do it for the entire month of September.  I'm hoping it stops being so hard, and making me puffed.

And that's me for the day, I'm off to bed soon.  Because I didn't sleep well at all last night, I'm hoping I get a decent sleep tonight.

Catch ya tomorrow.

SUNDAY LUNCH

 

Today is the Village Lunch that I thought was on last Sunday.  lol

I'm looking forward to it, not the lunch really, but socialising with more residents.  And of course, I'm really happy Stew is coming too.  He's the one who needs to meet more of our neighbours.

ABOVE:  These are the next batch of pot mitts I made yesterday.  I am very happy with them.  Gosh I hope they sell at market!  Otherwise I'm gunna have to gift them all away at some point.

That's all I have for now... so catch ya later.

ONWARD...

2.30 pm. Well the village lunch was lovely, we had two soups to choose from, pea and ham and a vege one. Both were very tasty. Lots of different breads and buns too, not that I  had any bread.

Once home, Steve, Bex and the kids visited us. Steve fixed the lounge door, which was sticking on the carpet, so he shaved it down so it now glides over the floor better. I was having to use both hands and force to open and close it! 

Now they have left, and I'm about to have a nana nap. Or at least a lie down, for some reason I'm tired 😴. 

ABOVE: Steve working on our door...

ABOVE: One troublesome door fixed.  Thanks so much Steve.

ABOVE: My 'Princess Maud' Azalea survived the move from our last address.  I'm so happy it did because I've not seen that one anywhere else.

4.55 pm, and it's so dreary outside.  Cold and overcast, totally miserable.  I'm going to do the friggin hill in a minute, then start dinner.  We will be having chicken pieces, potato pom poms and a little lettuce salad.

9.11 pm.  Well it's been a nice evening, watching TV, doing a jig saw and so on.   I'm off to bed in an hour or so... catch ya tomorrow.

LET'S MAKE MORE!

 I thoroughly enjoyed making pot mitts yesterday afternoon... I wonder if I should make any more?

Perhaps I'll make maybe 4 more in different colours, then take them to market and see how they go.

ABOVE:  I ended up getting seven sets made yesterday. They are very easy and quick to make, lots of fun.

We don't have any plans for this weekend, except the Village Lunch tomorrow, that was the one I thought was on LAST weekend.  lol

IF it's fine, there is a pet meet and greet today as well... it was cancelled last weekend due to the weather being shitty.

So we might end up taking Coco to that.

Ha, seems we do have a little bit 'on' this weekend after all.

ONWARD....

12.30 pm, and we'e had a lovely day so far.  We both went grocery shopping, and got everything we need for the next week.  Lots of fruit and veges!

Then I made two more Pot Mitt sets, and I have two more ready for stitching this afternoon.

AFTER we take Coco to the pet meet and greet.  It's a lovely day out there, so that is ON.

ABOVE:  I decided we should have lunch out today, as a 'reward' for our good eating over the past couple of weeks.  We went to The Lookout, our favourite eatery.

Pork Bao Buns, we both had 2, and Lamb Ribs, again, we both had two.  Stew ate the majority of the chips, but I did have a few.  It was a DELICOUS lunch.

AND I don't feel like I even had a 'cheat' meal!  It was small portions, and healthy... except for the handful of chips.  I am really happy with my choices today.

I'm now going to just chill out for a little while.

COMMENTS:  There seems to be a glitch leaving comments.  I don't know why.  Sometimes it can take a while for these glitches to clear.  Hang in there... it will sort itself out eventually.

So the dog meet and greet... went ahead.  It was supposed to be a 'training session' really.  Most of the dogs there were not that interested in being 'trained'.... Coco certainly wasn't.  😃😂😅  She is way too old for learning new tricks.

ABOVE:  I think there were about 7 dogs there.  And a few other people turned up as 'spectators'... dog lovers obviously.

ABOVE: Coco was not interested in doing a bloody thing except run around and sniff butts, and do her own thing.  I didn't mind at all, as long as she enjoyed herself.

And she did.

ABOVE: There was an agility course, Coco did her best, which meant she didn't do any of it.  But, she DID go through the tunnel!  I was shocked.  And proud.

There was no way in hell she was jumping over the hurdles... I carried her over every one, just so she could say she's 'done it'.  LOL

ABOVE: After the 'training session', we all went for a leisurely walk along the river bank.

Coco loved that.  4 shits later, and we were back at the village.  

ABOVE: some boats roaring up and down the river... hooligans.

ABOVE: A tired, but very happy Coco.  We enjoyed it too... nice to see people who we might not have run into at other social events.

testing..... and it looks like the comment section is back working.  So... off ya go!  lol

I've had a lovely late afternoon/evening.  Stew got to put a shelf in the cupboard under the kitchen sink... poor man HATED DOING IT.  But he did a half decent job.  I've only been waiting for that shelf for 15 months!

I watched a Netflix movie, and Stew watched sport... and now?

Winding down for the rest of the evening ... catch ya tomorrow.

edit:  9 pm.  I forgot to 'do the hill' today... so I just dragged Stew out in the pitch dark night to charge up that hill !  I feel better now.

FRIDAY, FRIDAY...

 

Today I am going to 'do the hill', then pack my sewing trolley up and go down to the Craft Room.

I know there will be at least two other ladies working there this morning.

And I have decided to try making something totally different, just for a change.  I have no idea if they will be saleable on my stall... but if not, I will just use them as gifts.

I'm a little bit excited to be doing something that isn't a runner!  

I will be able to use fabrics from my stash that I don't use for runners... that's going to be fun as well.

I will need to pack myself a lunch... probably a few crackers, cream cheese and relish/salami.

I have decided to add crackers into my 'food choices', as they are easy and you only need 3-4 to be satisfied. 

It is 'weigh in day'... so once I'm up I shall step on the dreaded scales and see if I've made any downward progress this past week.  I'm not expecting much, mainly because while I've not been eating anything 'bad', I've not been eating enough either.  THAT can backfire.

ONWARD...

Well I just got on the scales. I've been on this new diet for 5 weeks and have lost 4.85 kilos so far.  This week's loss was 1.05 kilos. That's ok by me.  If I can continue at that pace I will be where I want to be by the end of the year. 

Gosh I hope I can do it. I've been so UP and DOWN for so many years  it totally does my head in!  I've looked back through this blog and honestly... I really am hopeless. The number of times I've done this is pretty sad. I want so badly to lose the weight and KEEP IT OFF. Why is that so fucking hard for me? 

WHY has most of my adult life been dominated by weight issues? I wish I knew. 

Maybe THIS TIME I will win the battle. 

Time to get up and start the day... its 7.53.

11.55 am.  I went for my hill walk.  Still puffing.

Then on to the craft room, hoping to have company for a few hours, but NO.  No one was there but me, so I stayed for 1 and a half hours, then came home.  I can be lonely on my own just as easily at home right?

At least at home I can watch a movie, or listen to music.

So, I did do a little bit of sewing down in the craft room:

ABOVE:  I saw them on Facebook and was like, hmmmm... interesting.   They are so cute!

ABOVE:  They are little pot mitts!  I think they might be something else to have on our stall.  

I'm still trying to think of the 'right' price for them... any ideas?

ABOVE:  I had some of that egg frittata thingee left over, so I just dumped it on some baking paper and put it in the bench top oven on bake.  It came out really good, and only in like 10 minutes! 

I'm loving that oven/air fryer.  Oh and obviously, I canned the cracker idea today.  Seeing as I was home at lunch time, instead of down in the craft room, I could cook that frittata thing.

8.45 pm...  Usual evening around here.  Watching the telly, doing a jig saw on the laptop, trying to keep warm.  Busting for a wee for over two hours... don't wanna get up.  That loo seat is bloody COLD  😂😃😅😖  But, I better 'go'... before I have an accident!  

Catch ya tomorrow.

ANOTHER SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT ONE

 

And here we are, another Thursday, so another Coffee & Chat.

I kinda enjoyed the C & C on Tuesday, so I'm going again today.

But first... let's get the hill walk done and dusted first... oh yaaa.

After C & C and the hill walk, I will be coming home to do this:

ABOVE:  The 4th Wave Runner, dark blue/light blue and aqua.  I think this one will look stunning once finished.  I laid it out last night, and cut all the strips into waves.

ABOVE: And here's the line up of threads I will be using on that runner.  I bet you didn't even know I alternated the threads eh?  Or maybe ya did?  Who knew???

And that's me for now... I'm off to get the housework done, not that there's much ... then off up the dreaded hill I go.

ONWARD...

ABOVE:  9 am.  A village text was sent out 10 minutes ago, to say there was some lettuce and silverbeet available in the foyer from our village garden.  Guess who was first in there?  ME....  And today's lunch is going to be a silverbeet and egg bake thingee.  Yummm, I've not had silverbeet in YEARS... Stew doesn't like it.  Silly really, I could still buy it for myself, but I never do.

I'm off for my walk now.

Well... I got half way up the hill and stopped to yak with a neighbour.  We yakked so long I ended up walking back down the hill with her, then turned around and walked BACK UP... this time all the way.  I was puffed at the top, it's a mean little hill I tell ya.

I'm now going to dry my hair, put my face on and go to C & C.

2.23 pm.  C & C was OK, some lively conversations were had.  Met a new lady in the village there, she's from Whitianga, so we had something in common which was nice.

After C & C I came home and made my lunch:

ABOVE: What would you call this?  Eggs, cottage cheese, almond flour, chopped up salami/onion/silverbeet/tomato and cheese.  Salt to taste.  Baked in the oven for about 35 minutes.  It was nice.  I think it needed a bit more flavouring of some sort... it was just a wee bit lacking on flavour.  Maybe some bacon would have been better than the salami?

Either way, it was perfectly edible, and there's the other half for Stew's dinner in the fridge.

After lunch I did some sewing...

ABOVE:  I just finished this wave runner.  And I think that's 'it' for wave runners for a while.  Not sure what to move on to next.  I'm sure I'll think of something.  😊😉

ABOVE:  I wonder if I can get that put on a shirt???  I'd wear it for sure.

7.45 pm.  Been to the pub, visited the kids.  Home now.  I'm bloody cold as, so the rest of the evening will be spent on my lounge chair with my heated throw on.  I really don't like being cold at all.  Coronation Street to look forward to... after that... bed.

Catch ya tomorrow.