BACK TO CAMBRIDGE I GO

 

I'm supposed to be going over to Cambridge for an FBG walk this morning.

But as we are forecast to have showers, it might get cancelled.  I will have to keep an eye on the updates, so I don't drive over there only to find it's cancelled at the last minute.  

I might even message the walk leader and make sure it's still on before I go over.

If it's cancelled, I will just head over to the mall and do me own thing.

ABOVE: Can you see her? That's one of her favourite places to sit.  She's literally keeping an eye on our front door, in case someone arrives and she misses it.  Bearing in mind she's very deaf now, she has to SEE what's going on.

She's just a bit cute.

Right, it's probably time I got outta bed and started my day.  Catch ya later.

ONWARD...

Well I needn't have worried about the weather.  Its a glorious day! I'm  already in Cambridge,  waiting for everyone to arrive for the walk. 

ABOVE: What a lovely day for a walk! 23 of us walking this morning... and a good half of us went to coffee afterwards.

I'm now at Stew's office, waiting to go to lunch with him and Jacqui.

Then I'll head home and make sure everything is ready for tomorrow's market. 

ABOVE: Today's walk photo.  I've not got a 'stat' one as I forgot to hit 'RESUME' after we stopped for our photo, so I didn't record our entire walk.

It was 5.1 kms long and took just under an hour.  So average pace and a nice distance.

Lunch was at Centreplace Foodcourt.  Very average would be kind to say.  We got donuts for 'afterwards'.  

Now that I'm home, I'm going to take some time out for a while.  Then check everything is tickety boo for tomorrow.  

7.46 pm:  Well... everything is ready for tomorrow.  

ABOVE:  I did a little tweak to my UCKI PLANTS tonight, so they are ready for market tomorrow.  I'll show you another day what I did... cos they are already back in the van and I can't be arsed getting them out again!

ABOVE:  My steps for the day... not bad.  Not the 10,000 that 'they' used to say we all needed to do.  I think the magic number now days is like... 6,000 isn't it?  I'm not sure.

And that's me for the day.  We will be off to bed earlier than 'usual' tonight.  It will be an early start in the morning.

FIX IT NOW!

 

We have pretty much 'stolen' Steve's work van, to use as our market van.

Bex isn't doing markets at the moment, so the van just stays here.

A couple of weeks ago it got a flat battery.  Lacy and I jump started it and I thought that it would be fine.

But it's flat again.  So today I am ringing the AA to come out and see if it needs a new battery, or just jump starting again.  

Something tells me it will be needing a new battery.  *sigh*

One this is for sure, it needs to be sorted out NOW... as our next market is on Saturday, at Tamahere.

I didn't hear from Heathcoats about my new appliances yesterday, here's hoping I do today.  I'd like to think we can pick it up by the weekend.

Today is definitely a 'rest' day from walking.  I've had three days walking in a row... and I have another FBG walk tomorrow.  So, no walking today.

What shall I do?  Well, obviously hang around and wait for the AA to turn up.  Then I have no idea.

Just to clarify something.  I mentioned not knowing what to do with myself yesterday.  I'm not BORED.  I'm just so used to doing my sewing most days and being productive, I find it weird not having anything to do!

I am sure I will come to enjoy watching movies, reading, trying other things over time.  WHEN I'm not sewing that is.

In fact, I might even paint a wall in the middle bedroom soon.  It's got a large painting on it that has a white background, which doesn't look that good on a white wall.  It needs COLOUR on that wall.

See?  I'll come up with shit to do eventually.

Or I'll just sew more runners, and have a huge stockpile!

ONWARD...

9 am:  And the van is fixed.  I had to get a new battery, which the lovely AA man had on board, and he fitted it for me.  Such a neat guy, he's come here about 4 times now for various reasons.  Very talkative, so friendly.  

Next job:  touch up a tiny area in the bathroom that got missed when painting.  You could only see it when you were in the bath... so I could see it. And it was bugging me.  Off to fix it. 😉😊  ONLY been meaning to do it for a couple of months!  Derr.

9.30 am: Next job:  Ring around to see if I'm paying a competitive price for our dogs to be groomed.  The prices just keep going up and up!  Only 4 years ago it cost $69.  Now where I take them it is $81 each. So I rang another place and was told $97!  Holy hell that's steep!  When you have two dogs it sure adds up fast.

I'm now trying a third place, a guy who does it from home.  Fingers crossed for a better price than both those other ones.

10 am:  RESULT!  And an excellent result at that.  I've found a guy who will groom the girls for $50 (each)!  All I have to do is bath and dry them before their appointment... and that brings the cost down.  Gosh that is so good! I'm now off to cancel their next appointments at the 'other' place.

3.50 pm:  Yaaa.   I just sold one of our China Cabinets.  Slowly getting rid of surplus furniture from our home.  Now... what else can I sell? 😊

I'm expecting Stew and our friend home in about half an hour.  Then we are off to visit Steve, Bex and the kids.  And Stew will go to the pub to yak with mates. So it should be a very pleasant evening.

ABOVE: Awwww, how cute are Jacqui and Lily!

ABOVE:  Jacqui still knows how to settle a baby, they are listening to Pink on the phone.

It's been a really nice evening, lots of yakking and enjoying each other's company.

I'm home now, having picked up Stew from the pub.

Jacqui has left for her next destination, so it's just us and the dogs again.

Nice and quiet. 

Time to sign off for the day.

Catch ya tomorrow.

WILL THEY ARRIVE SOON?

I got a phone call from 'G' at Heathcoat's a couple of days ago.  He told me the new Oven had arrived into Hamilton, and they were just waiting on a small part for the Cooktop to arrive, then we could pick them up!

That is so exciting.

It means I will have to enlist Steve's carpentry skills soon, to make sure they will fit in the existing spaces in the kitchen.

The new oven is actually smaller in size than the old one.  So some tweaking of the space will need to be done.  It might mean I get an extra little shelf above or below the new oven.  That could be handy.

Once Steve has sussed the fit out, I can then call in an electrician to instal them properly.

So, fingers crossed I get the call to pick them up in the next day or two.

This morning I am going on a lake walk.  I might even do 1.5 times around the lake, to make it a bit longer.  I've missed my lake.  I wonder if anything has changed?  

ONWARD...

10.30 am, and I am home from my walk.  I didn't end up at the lake as planned, as the weather was a bit WET.  And I didn't want to walk it on my own after reading on the news yesterday about some bloke sitting down by the lake doing 'ikky things' to himself, while people walked by!

Yeah Nah, not going to put myself in that position.

So the mall it was.

ABOVE: As per usual with walking in the mall, the only accurate stat above is the time!  Even the graphic is wonky as.

ABOVE:  As I had no one to talk to on my walk, I decided to talk ... TO YOU.  lol

I hope you don't get sick of listening to me.  

Now that I'm home, I've certainly started to cool down.  Hmmm.... might get changed out of me walking clothes and into something a bit warmer.

Then I will decide what to do next.

Well next was just pottering around in the house, doing a bit more tidying up in the sewing room, and finding a few more things to take to the Op Shop.

I've also got the front bedroom ready for an unexpected overnight guest.  

So here's a weird question.  What do ya do if you are not sewing, or crafting, or doing housework, and you are at home?

Because, I've not really needed to get anymore stuff made for markets, and am TOTALLY at a loss as to what to do with myself!

I do not want to tie myself down to a job, or even a volunteering one.  I want to be 'free' of commitments and stress.

But I'm like, STRESSED out with nothing to do!

It is a totally weird situation to be in.

I think, in the future, Stew is going to be in the same situation. Though I think once he retires we will do some travelling, and just be old farts together.

Perhaps I need to take up... fucking gardening!  Pull some weeds. Oh god, I can't think of anything worse to be honest.  I like to see my gardens looking nice, but I don't want to tend them.  Ikkk to dirt on me hands! 

It's been raining all day.  And now my house stinks.  I have a horrible feeling Coco has gone 'bathroom' somewhere in the house.  She hates going outside when it's really wet.

Off to look....
 

Well no shit ... so I probably have to blame Marely for farting under my feet!  lol

Our visitor has arrived, so we are just sitting here gas bagging.

Nice to have another chick to yak with in the evening.

Time to sign off for the day.

Catch ya tomorrow.

DO I CONTINUE?

It's one of those days where I reflect on blogging.

Blogging is something I've done EVERY DAY for 17 years and 7 months.  It is something I used to love doing.  

A small change is going to happen.  From now on... I will only be mentioning, posting about, showing photos of, those who have given me EXPRESS PERMISSION to do so.

That is going to look like absolute FAVOURITISM, but it is just how it is evolving, through others choices.

There are no 'favourites'.  But there are people who have chosen to walk away, or who by their own actions have excluded themselves.  

If I stick to safe content, and people who have given me permission to post about them, I will no longer have to second guess everything I put on here.

Will I offend anyone?

Will I upset someone?

I will try not to!  But sometimes I am only human, and I might slip up.  

SHOOT ME NOW!

I got me tits in a knot the other day, and had thought of ending my blogging days.  But now, upon reflection, I am thinking of doing this for about 10 more years!  So hang in there if you don't mind being bored shitless more often than not.  

I am thinking of my Mum right now.  She would have turned 87 today.  She absolutely LOVED my blog.  She looked forward to reading it every single day.  She lived in Australia for 16 years, and she told me my blog meant she could keep in touch with her/my family from afar.

She also LOVED interacting with some of my readers, GM (aka Robyn), and Michelle C to name a couple. 

ABOVE:  Happy Birthday Mum, wherever your soul is.  I feel your presence every day.  You were one of my staunchest supporters.  I lost my Mum and my best friend when you left us.

Now, back to what we will call 'safe content'... I'm off for an FBG walk again this morning.

And that is all I have planned so far.

ONWARD...

ABOVE:  We have a horrible thick fog again this morning.  It's bloody freezing out there.  NOT Northern Hemisphere freezing, but freezing for HERE.

I'm not looking forward to this morning's walk... cos the fog is DAMP, and it seeps into ya bones.

My bath might be getting filled when I get home.

1.53 pm:  Wow, I've been out for much longer than I anticipated today.

My walk was WONDERFUL, if a bit cold to start with.  I even kept my warm jacket on until half way, which is not like me at all.  

ABOVE:  It was a slightly longer walk today, but you hardly notice it when you are yakking.  😌😊

ABOVE:  It's getting much easier, and faster to 'doctor' the walk photos now.  Quite a few of the FBG'ers have seen my doctored photos and think it's hilarious.  That good, glad I'm not offending anyone!

After my walk, I came back into Hamilton and went to the Base.  I had a couple of things to get done there.  Then I got some lunch, ate it, and came home.

Now I'm going to relax, get warm again and think about cooking Stew some Spaghetti Bolognaise for his dinner a bit later on.  I'm sure he will love that.

Oh!  Forgot.

ABOVE:  I stopped in at this Op Shop today, and asked them if they wanted any Patchwork magazines and books.  The lady said "Sure, just pop them here", indicating this little space on a table by the donations door.

*SNORT*... I told her I had quite a few, and perhaps I should just put them on the floor?  

All good by her.

So I hauled in the 9 bags FULL of magazines and books.  Very happy to have divulged myself of them.

One good job done.

5.30 pm:  Hee hee... I got in my pj's this afternoon... so comfy. So warm.

Totally didn't care if anyone arrived or knocked at the door to find me in my pj's either.  It's my house, my space, and I'll dress how I like.

I have done bugger all since lunchtime.  Dinner is simmering in the pan, and I'm about to put the water on to cook the spaghetti.  The house smells so lovely.

Whoop!  My alarm went off at 7pm, to remind me to take my Trulicity injection.  I would have forgotten for sure without it.

Tonight's injection stung quite a bit, but it's a momentary sting... and worth it at the end of the day.

Stew really enjoyed his dinner, so I'm glad I did it for him.  I'd not made Spag Bol for a long time.

And there is enough left for me to have some for my lunch tomorrow, though I don't think I'll bother using the pasta for mine.

And yep, that's me done for the day.  I've had a nice day all round.  

Catch ya tomorrow.

FIRST FOOD

 

*sigh*

Didn't sleep well last night.  Got stuff on my mind that just needs to bugger off!

I need to get up and get moving.  I am going over to Cambridge this morning for an FBG walk.

In fact, I have three booked in this week!

Once I get home, my plan for the remainder of the day is to finish sorting out the front bedroom's wardrobe.  The middle bedroom's one is done.

I'm not going to bust a gut this week, trying to do so much.  I totally overdid it last week and paid for it by the weekend.

Our baby granddaughter, Lily, was given a little stewed apple to try the other day.  It didn't go well.  She hated it.  So last night Steve and Bex decided to try her with some meat 'n' vege baby food.

ABOVE:  That went down much better!  In fact, she seemed to actually like it, after the first taste.

So cute watching the 'firsts' again.

And the boys made me smile with their lovely 'Grandma' comment.

ABOVE:  From last night...  Steve and the boys having a rough and tumble. Note Marley, right there!  She wanted to join in so bad.  So sweet.

Right, that's me for now, I'll catch ya later.

ONWARD...

12.48 pm:  Well... this morning's walk was lovely.  There were about 20 of us walking today!  It was foggy, cloudy and cold.  And it drizzled a bit during the walk as well.

But, I wasn't cold, until we stopped walking.

Quite a few of us went to the nearest coffee shop for morning tea and a natter.

ABOVE:  It was a nice distance, and an easy pace today.

ABOVE:  you don't see many coffee shops that sell 'Dog Treats'!   Cambridge is renown for people taking their dogs with them for walks, and having them outside coffee shops.  Most coffee shops have bowls of water out for the dogs too. It's nice.

Once home, I quickly made myself some lunch as I was a bit hungry.  Now.. I'm going to potter around in the house, get a few jobs done and so on.

Once the walk leader posts our walk photo, I'll do me bit to it, and post it here.  I LOVE putting funny faces on them!

So far, no walk photo.  Might even be tomorrow.

I've not done too much so far this afternoon.  Just sorting through card making stuff, which I fully intend keeping.

I might want to start making a few again one day.  But NOT to sell!   I don't want to add any more stress to my life.  I'm doing all I can to cut stress OUT!

ABOVE: And we have a today photo after all.  Gosh that was a lot of faces to put on there!  Note the dog even got one.

I'm feeling sick as a dog.  Lunch did not agree with me.  I had a home made burger.  The meat pattie has kept repeating on me all afternoon.  And I have acid reflux as well.  Not fun.

Certainly won't be having any dinner.

Stew is cooking some bacon, eggs and kumera chips for his dinner.  The smell of the bacon cooking is turning my stomach!  I can't stand bacon any more. 

So yeah, it's the end of the day, and I'm going to relax till bedtime, and hope like hell this acid reflux doesn't keep me up all night.

HAIR CUT

 

Well ... another cool morning.  It's still only Autumn, yet we are getting mid winter temperatures.  Brrrrr.  I'm not looking forward to winter proper.

It is 'Mothers Day' here today.  I don't expect anything from anyone.  It's a day for RETAILERS in my opinion.  If you can't show you love and care for me 365 days of the year, don't even bother on one highly commercialised day of the year.  

I know who cares about me, and those who DON'T.

I fully intend getting a LIGHT TRIM of my hair today.  It needs it.  Stew and I will then pop into the supermarket to get a few things for dinner tonight.

As far as I know, we have the usual family coming for dinner.   I'm making home made ham/chicken burgers.  Should be yum.

ABOVE:  Last night's restaurant.  I was surprised to see the blingy light fitting I'd had my eye on earlier on last week!  It was kinda out of place in the restaurant, as they only had one, the rest of the lighting was cane shades with regular light bulbs. 

ABOVE:  The decor' was nice.  And it wasn't too busy when we arrived.  

ABOVE:  For the first time ever, the menu had Butter Chicken/Lamb/Beef!  I decided to try the Butter Lamb.  AND OMG!  That lamb was SOOOOO soft and succulent!  It was amazing.

We will certainly be going back there again.

ONWARD...

1.20 pm:  Well I got a very light trim and am happy with it.  For once, the hairdresser listened.

We got some supplies for dinner this evening.

After inviting a couple more family members, and having them cancel, we are down to just Steve, Bex and their kids.

At least they can join us for a nice evening meal more often than not.

My biggest question right now.  To take a Nana nap.  Or not?

ABOVE:  Darling grandkids, 'hanging out' this evening.  *snort*

ABOVE:  Stew, Bex and the boys had Beef Burgers and Chicken Burgers, they looked lovely.

Steve had Asado Short Ribs, Bacon and Haloumi Cheese

Because I'd had toasted sandwiches for lunch, I didn't need any dinner.  In fact, I still feel full from lunch!

The kids have just gone home and it is time to settle down for the remainder of the evening.

Catch ya tomorrow.

WAIKATO PATCHWORK AND QUILTERS GUILD TODAY

 

As you know, I've been doing a really big clean up/de-clutter lately.

There is no way I need half the stuff in this home, so I'm getting rid of it now.

One big 'get rid of' is all my Patchwork/Craft magazines and books.  I never look at them now.

So, it is the Waikato Patchwork and Quilters Guild meeting today.  I shall take all the books and magazines there to be donated to anyone who wants them.

I doubt just one person will take them all, as there's quite a lot!

ABOVE: That is about half of them.

My car's boot and back seat are full!  Any that are not taken will be given to an Op Shop.

This past week I have also taken a few loads of 'stuff' to the local Hospice Shop.  No more buying or collecting things that are pointless.

I don't need any more 'pretties', cushions, baskets, kitchenware and so on.  

One day we will pass on, and all those things will just get thrown out if not wanted by a family member.

I think what I am doing is called 'Death Cleaning'!  

What is the concept of death cleaning?

Swedish death cleaning is a well-known concept in Swedish and Scandinavian culture, where you work on eliminating unnecessary items from your home, so loved ones won't be burdened with the task after you pass.

I might be a bit early, as in a bit young to be doing it, but I just felt the urge.  So, I'm doing it!

This morning I will do all the washing, Stew will do his weekend grocery shop, then we will just chill out I suppose.

Maybe after the Guild meeting we will go out to dinner.  Now that I weigh in on a Saturday morning, the best time to have an 'indulgent' meal is on Saturday.

That's what I used to do when I went to WW in Palmerston North all those years ago.  It worked.

ONWARD...

Freezing start to the day with a nice little frost.

Best way to warm up?

A long hot soak in the bath.  Soooo good.

ABOVE:  So happy my hair has grown back to a nice length after the massive chop I was given a while ago.

Though in saying that, I probably need a trim now.

Maybe I'll do that soon.

But for now, I'll just enjoy it being long again.

I have to head off to the Patchwork meeting in an hour or so.  Might just sit here and browse the 'net till then.

What are you doing?  Anything fun?

2.30 pm:  Just home from the Guild meeting.  And that is 2.5 hours I will never get back.

I didn't know it was the AGM today, did I?  I had to sit through all that, then the regular meeting.  Then when it was 'Show and Tell' time, where members line up to show what they have made over the past month... I LEFT.  

Virtually all the magazines and books I hauled into the meeting.... I had to haul out again!  I was gobsmacked that no one wanted FREE Patchwork/Craft magazines and books!

So I will take them to an Op shop on Monday.

Ever so slightly annoyed by all that.

Brylee and Dom are due here soon, as they are using our car and trailer to take her big set of drawers back to their house.  Yaaa, getting rid of SOMETHING today.

We have decided to try a totally new Indian Restaurant for dinner tonight.  It's in our local area, and new so it will be nice to go somewhere different.  Fingers crossed the food is good.

6.45 pm:  Well that was a very quick in and out at the restaurant!  The food and service were 10/10.  A very nice, intimate place.  I will post photos tomorrow.

For now... I need to just blob out! I'm full as a bull.  I certainly do not have the capacity to eat as much as I once did. 

Catch ya tomorrow.

HIT REPEAT ...

 

A brisk morning!

No walk today, unless Lacy wants to do one after she finishes work.

First thing this morning I'm going out to buy a heated throw.  Hopefully I don't get a dud like the one I bought last year. (it stopped working after only a week or two)

Then I will come home and continue sorting out those two wardrobes that I didn't get finished yesterday.

Believe it or not, I am taking my time with this current big de-clutter!  I am LOVING it as well.

I love being busy, as you all probably know.

ABOVE:  And here we have last night's walk photo.  There was a nice group of us braving the cool winter evening.

ABOVE:  Our walk stats.  A nice amble really.

And that's about if from me, for now.

Catch ya later.

ONWARD...

10.20 am:  And wow!  Stew left for work and I rolled over and thought, yeah nah.  Might stay in bed a bit longer.  That was at 7.20 am.

I WOKE AT 10!  TEN O'CLOCK!!!

Clearly, I was tired.  

Might slow down a bit, I have been going like a manic twat for days now.

I'm about to head off to Briscoes to find a heated throw.  When I get home I might just take the day 'off' decluttering.

I do have to get some washing on... might do that before I go out.

1 pm:  And a very nice morning for me.

I bought my new heated throw, then a bit of food, and took it over to Bex's. We enjoyed an hour or more just yakking and clucking over Miss Lily.

ABOVE: Lily just loves her Jolly Jumper!  

ABOVE:  Isn't she doing well!  Bex is 100% breastfeeding, no solids yet.  Baby is so chubby!  Sooooo cute.

Now that I am home, I'm seriously considering actually doing nothing for a bit longer! 

It's now late afternoon, and it's been really nice just sitting and doing bugger all.  But now I'm ready to tackle those wardrobes again I think.

I can't be lazy all day! 

Wow, super duper quiet today!  

Not much happening eh?   I'm looking forward to a quiet evening.   Stew is home and ensconced in the lounge watching sport.  There is bugger all on the telly on a Friday night, so I'll probably just watch something on YouTube or Netflix.

Catch ya tomorrow.