DECISON MADE

 

Last night Stew and I made a decision about his next week off work.  We have booked our flights.

Today we will book accommodation.  Then we count down the days until we fly off to....

ABOVE:  Christchurch, in the South Island.

We will be going for 4 days, just enough time to have a good look around the city, and perhaps some of the surrounding areas. 

We are really looking forward to this little trip away.  Stew's knee will hopefully hold up to some walking around the streets.  If not, we can always get a car/taxi, whatever.

We have a week to make some plans re:  What to do, where to go etc.  Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated, as we have no idea what to do in Christchurch, where to go etc. 

We will probably spend some time today getting suitcases out of the attic, writing lists (as I always do), and so on.

I also would like to go into town to look at either hiring an exercycle, or even just buying one.  Stew is not getting down to the gym often enough, so if we have an exercycle in the house, he can't avoid it.

The recumbent exercycle we borrowed has gone back to it's owners now, so there's not one in the house.

And that's all I have for now, catch you later.

ONWARD...  

12 noon.  Just home from town, having bought Stew some really good walking sneakers to help support his knee.  I don't feel so bad about how much my lovely new jacket cost now!  His sneakers cost MORE.

Then we went to Elite Fitness...

ABOVE: The number of exercycles to choose from was INSANE!  But, I'd already done my 'homework', and narrowed it down easily.  We have always gone with Nordic Track, and never had a problem with any equipment from them.

So we bought a Nordic Track exercycle.

ABOVE:  For NOW, I have juggled things around in the dining/lounge, so the exercycle can fit here:

ABOVE: It can go by that window, so while using it you can watch TV.  You need something to distract you after all.  😊😉

The guy in the shop said it was easy to assemble, only a couple of screws on the legs.  He lied.

Stew hasn't started putting it together yet... I am expecting a few swear words.  There's heaps of screws/bolts etc...

MAKING SOME PLANS

 

Ok, not got a lot to yabber on about today.

We are doing the grocery shopping first thing this morning.  Stew has given up going to PakNSave, as they have not had Diet Coke for weeks now.

So we are going to the New World on Te Rapa Straight instead.  They have cheap petrol there, just like PakNSave, so why not.

Yes, their groceries are more expensive, but the shop is just NICER.  Less goddam bogans too.

Sorry bogans. IYKYK

Stew has another week off work soon, so I want to start making some plans.  We plan on  going away for a few days, probably Auckland.  I am going to let my fingers do the walking, find a nice place to stay and suss out what we can get up to while up there.

AND... that's it for now.

Catch ya later.

ONWARD...

WHO IS  A BOGAN?  In New Zealand a Bogan can be described in many ways:

- Rough

- Uncultured

- Aggressive

- Scruffy

- Unkempt

- Unsophisticated

- Lives in a rough neighbourhood (ie NAWTON), though NOT all people in rough neighbourhoods are Bogans of course.  But we know of some who are.

- Of lower socioeconomical status

OK, I think I've covered it fairly well.

I try to steer clear of BOGANS.  😂😉

Grocery shopping today at the New World I don't usually go to.

What an eye opener that was!  It was far superior to the Rototuna New World in so many ways.  Much more variety in the fresh/deli/meat/bakery sections.  A lovely flower/gift shop at the front.  And to top it all off, I was given a voucher for a free coffee/hot chocolate...

ABOVE: My free drink, which was lovely I might add.  The other bonus of this supermarket?  Petrol discounts that you can redeem right there, and not have to go anywhere else to redeem the voucher, which you have to do if you go to the Rototuna New World.

I think this is going to be my first choice supermarket from now on.

Our lunch today is going to be a fresh lettuce salad, shrimp/prawn salad and super fresh Chiabata buns.

This evening we are going to our favourite Indian Restaurant for dinner.  We have been sadly neglecting our lovely Indian restaurant in favour of the Lookout.  

ABOVE:  I can't take any credit for today's lunch, it all came from the supermarket.  I couldn't eat all of mine, so Stew got my left overs.

We will have to put off going out to dinner until quite late, as I won't have an appetite otherwise.

Stew has gone down the the pool to do some water resistant walking.  I couldn't be bothered, so stayed home and blobbed out in front of the telly.

A totally lazy day in other words.  I've been having a lot of them lately.  

8.09 pm.  We are just home from a very delicious dinner at Great Flavours of India in Horsham Downs.  We are always impressed with our dinners there.

We talked about our little 'get away' in July, and came to the conclusion we didn't want to spend it in Auckland.

So, planning something else, still here in New Zealand, but somewhere we've not been in a very long time.

Now, we are going to chill out in front of the telly until bedtime.

Catch ya tomorrow.

SHOPPING TODAY

 

I'm off to the shops today.

First up will be The Base, where I will be on the hunt for another creamy/white jumper, and maybe something to wear to the Mid Winter Formal Event being held here next month.  I used to have a couple of long dresses, but damned if I can find them now.

I have a sinking feeling I got rid of them when we moved here.  Grrrr.

Last night at the pub, I wore a white jumper and OMG, the number of compliments I got.  It was actually crazy.  Everyone said I looked so nice in my white jumper.  So, I might just try and find another one... clearly white jumpers look good on me.  Who knew, I've spent my entire adult life hiding in black clothes, thinking they would make me look slimmer.

I'm still a little dumpling, but in a white jumper, I must be a cute dumpling.  lol

After that, I'm going to the supermarket to get a few supplies.  Mostly fresh stuff, salad, fruit, veges and so on.

ABOVE:  I just love this little flower holder we got up in Auckland a little while ago.  It holds 9 flowers.  It's so cute.  

ABOVE:  My kitchen window... funny what makes me smile some days.  This window made me smile yesterday.  You can find joy in the small things sometimes.

And on that happy note, I'm off to start my day.

What brings you joy in your day?  

ONWARD...

12.25 pm, and I've had a very successful morning shopping.  It helps that most places are having mid winter sales.  I found a white top which I'm going to probably wear next week to the mid winter function on here.  Also, 2 more jumpers and a cardigan!  I don't usually wear cardigans, but it was so cute I couldn't resist.

I found out that Caroline Eve (women's' clothing shop) stocks the same clothes as Ballentyne's in Palmerston North, which is awesome, as I really like a lot of their tops. 

ABOVE: That is the creamy/white jumper I was wearing last night.  Do you like it?  You can get it from Caroline Eve or Ballentynes.  lol

I decided, yet again, to put off the grocery shopping.  I just wasn't in the mood after clothing shopping.  Trying on clothes is EXHAUSTING.  And I was done after doing that.

I'm now cooking my lunch, just some chicken nibbles.  Then I shall be a lazy tart for a while I think.  

10.33 pm.  Whoops. Sorry I forgot to update earlier.  Been sewing.  Sorting out clothes, juggling shit in wardrobes etc.

Got sucked into scrolling a facebook page I'd not seen before, of my first home town (Tokoroa), and yeah... couldn't stop looking.  Found a school photo with my sister in it, then one of me too.  Strolling down memory lane.  It was nice.

Time to sign off now, catch ya tomorrow.

COASTERS AND HAIR

 

Whelp, it looks like today is going to be another wet, wet, day.  Wonderful.  A good excuse to stay inside and do bugger all.

Well, as much as I can do bugger all!

ABOVE:  Because I felt like I'd been a lazy tart yesterday, I whipped these coasters up last night.  Some 'simple' ones for a change.  Not everyone wants busy, patchwork type ones.

I've got quite a few small pieces of animal fabrics that are perfect for coasters.  They are usually left over bits from making Bowl Cosy's out of fat quarters.

It's called waste not, want not.  I never waste anything if I can help it.

This morning my 'mobile hairdresser' is coming to colour my hair.  She did such a good job last time, I'm keeping her on.  

After she's been, I will get back to me sewing.

ONWARD...

10.30 am.

I finally got this job done:

ABOVE:  The 'before' shot.  Mouldy and ikkk.

ABOVE:  'During'... and lots of scrubbing with a heavy bristle broom.   And then I left the concoction of cleaners and bleaches on for about half an hour.

ABOVE: The after.  It's still wet, so should look even better once it's dry.  Totally worth the backache I got from all the scrubbing.

I'm going to try and find something I can spray on the pavers regularly to stop the mould coming back.  

ABOVE:  Vickie, 100% correct!  My 'mobile hairdresser' is of course LACY.  😂  Best of all?  She's free.  

ABOVE:  No before ... but how about a during?  We have to wait 45 minutes before washing it, then putting on the toner.  It's a process.  But it's a way cheaper way to do it compared to going to a salon.

I've yet to try the hairdresser here in the village... I'm sure I'll get around to it sometime in the future.

ABOVE: Well, another good dye job done.  Lacy sure does a good job, and it saves my poor shoulders.  Tendonitis ain't much fun I can tell you.

I had a visit from the head maintenance man this afternoon.  He is installing smoke detectors in everyone's garages.   He said it's because of the rising number of electric cars/fridges/freezers and other electric things in people's garages.

Great idea.  We are joined to two other homes, and if they start to burn, ours will too.  Not as scary as say, being in a high rise apartment, but still a little worry. 

It's now 4 pm, so Stew will be home in the next 45 minutes, and then I will drop him off at the pub.  I'm going to stay home until I go up and join him at 7 pm.  I will get some sewing done during that time.

8 pm, and we are just home from the pub.  The evening went to plan, and I enjoyed an hour at the pub with our friends.

Now... time to chill out and await Coronation Street starting in an hour and a half.  Then bedtime.

Catch ya tomorrow.

MIDWEEK/HUMP DAY

 

What can I get up to today I wonder?

First and foremost, I am going to take that gripper thingee back to Frankton.  Then on my way home, I want to stop in at the supermarket for a few things.

Lacy is due over at some point this morning, so I better write a little list of 'to dos' for her.

Mid morning, there's a Diabetes Support Group meeting down in the Community Centre, so I'm seriously thinking of attending that.

ABOVE:  These are the paving stones outside the back door of the garage!  I will be making this my job of the day.  A bucket of exit mould and detergent, and a bloody good scrub with a bristle broom will hopefully fix it. 

Someone told me if I poured White Vinegar on it, it would make it go.  I tried that, it didn't work obviously.

ONWARD...

12.30 pm.  The day is going to plan... Lacy arrived and did the housework.

I went to the Diabetes Support Group meeting.

First and possibly last time I'll be doing that.  Today they had a Sales Rep there from this group:

ABOVE: It was an hour long talk on why we all needed this sensor.  Almost  all of us there were type 2 diabetics. MOST are on a pension/very fixed income and could not possibly afford these sensors, as they are not funded.

NOt only that, but the technology involved?  Far too much for some of those people, hell most don't even have a laptop or mobile phone, of which you need at least one or other.

A few people walked out half way through the 'presentation', I don't blame them.  I wanted to, but didn't want to appear rude.

Once I had escaped, I went over to Sewing Machine World and returned the gripper thingee.  The lady there said it had sat in the shop for over 5 years, so had probably lost it's suction ability... NO SHIT.

Now I'm home, having forgone the grocery shopping as it's absolutely pissing down out there!  

Cooking me lunch now.

3.15 pm.  I had hoped to get the pavers cleaned this afternoon, but the rain just won't stop.  So I've shelving that idea for a better day.

I'm probably going into Crabby Quarters now to do some more coasters.

7.15 pm.   I had visitors this afternoon. Our new 'Area Representative'.  There's three 'Areas' in our village, and each area has a rep' or two who you can go to if you have any concerns.  

They will help you if they can, or refer you to the management if necessary.  So that was nice.

Stew is now home, it's cooling down a bit now, so I shall probably not do much else for the evening, except sit and keep warm under my blankie.

I DO turn the heat pump on periodically during the day, so don't think I'm sitting here freezing! 

Catch ya tomorrow.

WHERE IS BEX?

 

If you read the blog last night at sign off... you will have seen Bex's dinner.  It was a bit of a tease.

So now, here's Bex today:

ABOVE: She is looking ever so fetching in her hospital gown!

Yes, our girl is in hospital, having had her gall bladder removed yesterday.  She's suffered from gall stones for months, so getting her gall bladder out was necessary.

Now it's done, and she can move on with her recovery, which hopefully will see her 100% in a few weeks.

Having had my gall bladder out in my early 40's, I know exactly how she is feeling.  She will feel so much better soon, and best of all, NO MORE GALL STONE ATTACKS.

I'm going to the village Coffee & Chat this morning, before coming home to make a few more coasters.

This afternoon I MUST remember to pick the boys up from school.  How about you all remind me at 2.30 pm, NZ time?  Ta.  😂😃😅

OH and by then, Bex will be at home recovering.  Steve has taken time off work to look after the kids, but he's got a meeting this afternoon, hence me picking up the boys.

ONWARD...  

ABOVE: Whoop Whoop, my black fabric arrived first thing this morning.  Now I've got a really good stash, it should last me ages.  And at half price, I couldn't be happier.  Usually fabric at Spotlight is on sale for around 30% off, so for that fabric to be 50% off, I had to jump on it.

Now I just have to keep my eyes peeled for when the batting is on sale, which is HARDLY EVER.

I'm heading off to coffee and chat shortly, then I'm returning that gripper thing I got last week... the one that's supposed to latch on to your cutting ruler.  It doesn't stay gripped on for longer than about a minute!  Maybe I'm doing something wrong?  But I don't think so.  It's a very simple concept, should work.

11.35 am, and morning tea is over, and was very nice as per usual.

Yesterday at Craft Group, L the 'organiser' brought along another Ginger loaf.  OMG so good!

I dreamed about it.  So now I've got my own in the oven.  I have doctored the recipe again, and added crushed pineapple and more crystalised ginger... cos ya can't have too much ginger right?

After that is done, I'm going to have me lunch (not sure what yet), then I'll go over to Frankton to return that gripper thingee.

Looks like I won't get over to Frankton today. I've been over at Steve 'n' Bex's since 1pm... Steve wasn't happy leaving Bex for too long, so I went over earlier than anticipated.  I'm now outside the school  waiting for the boys.

Bex is doing OK, definitely sore, but that's to be expected.  

School pick up went perfectly, both boys came out very promptly and off we went back home again.

After that I came home and ate Ginger cake for my dinner!

Then I had the audacity to attend my Weight Watchers Meeting!!!!  lol  I'm not weighing in over winter, so it didn't matter.  The meeting was a really good one, talking about your relationship with the scale, how it makes you feel and so on.   Our WW Leader, Andrea, is so good at making the meetings interesting.  I really like her.  And she gets me.  Not a lot of people do I think.

Right, time to sign off for the day, it's been a reasonable day.

Catch ya tomorrow.

DOUBLE GLAZING?

 

I am going to start today with a question a reader has asked me:

Anonymous7:09 PM

Hi, are you still going to get your windows double glazed? Peta

ReplyDelete

Replies

1. 
   Chris H10:04 PM

   No we are not. We realised that one of the primary reasons for double glazing was to reduce/stop condensation... and we already have a DVS (Ventilation System) installed that prevents condensation. As for retaining heat, this home was built in the late 80's, and insulation wasn't the best then. Getting double glazing would not mitigate the fundamental problem of poor insulation. So, double glazing, and the relatively HIGH price of installing it was not worth it.

2. We got a quote for JUST the kitchen/dining/lounge rooms.  That was approximately $6,500.  If we added in the bedrooms it would have been double that amount.  We decided that was simply not worth it.

3. The salesman also tried to sell it as lowering road noise as well... what a dick!  We are so far from any busy road, we have absolutely NO ROAD NOISE here.

4. Now, back to today.  Stew is back to work after his week off.  I shall miss him... or will I?  lol, of course I will.  

5. I have a week's worth of washing to get through this morning. Some housework and so on.  Nothing got done over the weekend, being we were not home, or too tired.

6. At lunchtime I will wander off to Craft Group, and do a bit of sewing.  I still have 4?  runners to quilt and bind, so I shan't be idle.

7. And that's my plans for the day.  Catch ya later.

8. ONWARD...

9. It was a frosty start to the day, and in places (at 10.38 am), there is still frost on the ground.

10. I've been for a walk around the village, given out a couple of free hugs, and then home to do some work.

11. The washing is still on... dishes are away, bed made and all that boring shit.

12. I have packed up my trolley for craft group.

13. I've decided to just make some more coasters down at craft.  Red/White/Black and a splash of colour is on the cards for them today.

14. 
    
    ABOVE:  It isn't often I venture into the Multi Coloured box of scraps.  I found some treasures in there this morning!  

15. And that's it for now, I'm off to craft group.

16. 
    ABOVE:  Today's efforts in the Craft Room.

17. I'm really happy with them, it was nice to be using a different colour way.  There was only a small group of ladies at Craft today, just 7 of us.  But a nice group.

18. I'm now home, and the sun is streaming in the windows, it's so lovely.

19. LYNDA:  Our home is aligned SE/NW, so not true N/S.

20. 
    ABOVE:  Bex didn't have to cook dinner this evening.  And she tells me the sorbet was delicious.  Nice one. 

21. More on that tomorrow.

22. 

TE KOWHAI FOR THE SECOND TIME

 

It is probably going to rain today, so our set up will be very minimal at market today.

IF this market is DEAD... and we suspect it will be, it will be our second AND LAST time there.

We are going today to give it one last shot, as we have already committed to it.

If it is going to rain, at least it won't be freezing cold!  Or foggy.  Fog really is horrid.  Yesterday we had to sit in fog for about 4 hours!  I'd rather we had a good, honest frost any day compared to a fog.

We don't have to be at Te Kowhai until 7 am, so yipeee..... not such an early start today.

Catch ya later...

ONWARD...

. It is now 8.30. It was drizzling when we came out, but its stopped for now.

There's supposed to be about 25 stalls here, but there's only 12.  The weather has obviously put stall holders off. 

ABOVE: The Saints Public House, who host this little market.  It's a lovely old building. 

ABOVE:  Me in the corner for a change.

It is nowhere near as cold today, which is a massive plus.

10.16 am.

A lady popped in to tell us that the runner she bought from us last month was given as a retirement gift to a friend.  When the friend saw it, she burst into tears! Seems she LOVED IT.  Isn't that lovely feedback ☺️.

As for how its going so far? As we thought, its so quiet you can hear a sparrow fart. 

I think I can confidently say we won't be coming back to this market.  It has been raining for the past hour or more.  And there's NO ONE HERE.  I think even if it was fine weather, there would still be hardly anyone here.  Bit sad really, as we have an awesome spot. It's too small a market, and there's been no advertising done.  No wonder its dead in the water.

1.50 pm.  HOME.  UNPACKED.  EXHAUSTED.

Never doing that market again, for sure, for sure.

Even if it picks up over summer, we have not liked doing 2 markets back to back.

With his knee, my shoulder tendonitis, and we both get lower back pain, it's just not worth it.

We are both going to have an afternoon nap now!

We really need it.

Now don't ya all rush to leave a comment! lol

It is now 9.53 pm.  I didn't  have an afternoon nap as I planned, but I did lie in bed with the electric blanket on... is was blissful.

The rest of the evening was spent as per usual, in front of the TV, doing a jig saw on my laptop, and spending time with Stew.  

Time to head off to bed, and I'm looking forward to a sleep in.  Sorry you won't get one Darling.

TAMAHERE MARKET IN JUNE

 

It is about 2 degrees outside.

And it is 5.36 am.

I am not a happy girl. 

We are up, and getting ready to head off to Tamahere.

I have 4 layers on me top half, and three on my bottom half.  I'm also taking a hot pod that I can heat up and put on my knees, and a sheepskin that I can sit on.  Hopefully ALL THAT will help keep me warm?

I know I will stay warm while we are setting up, as I'll be moving around heaps.  It's once we are finished and are just sitting there that the freeze creeps in.  

And to think, we will be doing it all again tomorrow.  F.

I am praying that we don't have another NSD!  That would be the pits.  Sadly, it is a sign of the economy bottoming out.  I just hope it starts to pick up again soon, cos it's a lot of work for very little returns right now.

OK, I better go.

Catch ya later.

ONWARD...

ABOVE: COLD does not quite adequately describe it. Damp too. But, at least its no longer dark as well. 

We have finished setting up in our NEW PERMANENT SPOT. Time for a hot chocolate. 

Well... its 9.45 and its still foggy and freezing.    BUT its NOT A NO SALE DAY!! WHOOP 🫠🤪

ABOVE: I dare not take off my SCRIBBLER jacket, too many people covet it! It certainly attracts comments from heaps of people.  

Our sales so far today have been excellent... so pleased its going well.

2.20 pm.  Home safely, and now snuggled up with my electric throw, and planning on not moving again for quite some time.

The market was steady all day, good sales and nice people out and about.

It really was a bloody miserable, cold day though.

Tomorrow is looking to be WET, so we are not looking forward to that much.

Stew's gone to the supermarket for our weekly supply of Diet Coke.  Then I expect he will blob out in front of the telly all afternoon.  He's off to the pub this evening for a friend's birthday 'shout', and to watch the rugby.  NOT ME, I'm staying home in the warm.

9.16 pm, and I'm off to bed soon.  Stew should be home soon, the rugby must be over by now.  He's probably just finishing his last jug of beer.

Catch ya tomorrow.

CATS

 

Last night when I was up at the pub, I ended up having a yak with a young couple who have bought a couple of things off our stall in the past.

They want to order a custom runner, and a few other bits 'n' bobs.  So, I will be sewing again, sooner than I expected.  

I had thought I could take a break from sewing, as I do have plenty of stock to last through winter.

But nope, I shall be productive a bit longer.

I will be making them a Table Runner with a cat at either end, and some words in the middle.  It sounds like fun.

I just have to wait for their input on colours, type of cats etc.  

Taking an order is not something I would usually do, as it's added stress, but as we know them, I'm making an exception.

So this morning I shall check out cat ideas, and I need to see if I have any burgundy coloured fabric.  Not too sure on that.

Apart from that, we don't have anything planned for today.  It might just be a stay at home day.

Catch ya later.

ONWARD...

Right, first off... it's BLOODY FREEZING.  I can't get warm unless I'm under me heated blankie!  And that's with the heat pump on full blast! 

AND... Mc 2ie is fixed and ready for pick up, so we shall go out a bit later to get him.  WHOO HOOO.

Next... I've sorted out shit for tomorrow's market, and I've also got a small pile of older runners to be 'give aways'.  

AND.... I've found 30+ metres of plain black fabric, which I use heaps of, in Pukekohe's Spotlight.  So I'm teeing up getting it all.  It's  called stock piling! lol   Though, 30 metres won't actually last me that long, maybe 6 - 9 months.

I'm on a roll today....

Mc 2ie has been picked up. Neil (shop owner) gave me some free sewing machine needles. Such a nice man.

ABOVE: We are now at our favourite place for lunch... and its so nice and warm here. Doesn't  Stew look lovely. Love him to bits. 

ABOVE:  We both had the Pork Belly Bao Buns for lunch.  They really are to die for.

After lunch we went to the Base to get some cash for tomorrow's float.  While sitting there, our house alarm kept notifying me of a 'noise'... and when I looked inside the house via the cameras, I couldn't see a damn thing!  Just noise...

ABOVE: Those are about HALF the notifications I got about a noise inside the house!  As I sat and listened, it sounded like someone was banging and smashing and making a shit load of noise!

So I rang our village management, and they sent someone down to go inside and see what the noise was.

They didn't see A BLOODY THING!

So, we came home and ...

IT.  WAS.  COCO. 

She had gone out the laundry door, which has a  dog door, and somehow managed to flip the 'lock' switch, and she was locked out of the main part of the house.

So she proceeded to try and break the door down to get back in.

Hence the noise.

What a little shit.  She was still INSIDE the bloody house, just confined to the studio and laundry.

Next time we go out, we will make sure the laundry door is open, so she can't do that again.

I'm thankful for our security cameras.  They work.  VERY WELL.  😂😖

I have already tested Mc 2ie, to make sure the problem is resolved, and I'm so happy, it is.

ABOVE:  While at Sewing Machine World, I saw and bought this thingee.  I've been meaning to get one for a very long time.  It's to help hold the ruler steady while cutting fabrics.  I can't wait to try it out.

It's now late.  Time to go to bed, we have another early start in the morning.