PATCHWORK CLASS ... OR NO?

Meh... I'm not sure I feel like going to Patchwork class today.
Feeling only so-so... and if it turns into a nice morning I'm tempted to take Teddy and Coco for a walk in the Gardens.

They've not been out and about for a little while (except for the great escape!)... so they would love a walk I'm sure.

Once we get Tallulah, going out and about will be not happening until she is fully immunised.

Dare I say it... 3 MORE SLEEPS!

So... depending on the weather, and my mood, I might just stay home.

ANNE R:  I'm still waiting for your address Chick... so I can send the Lighthouse wall hanging to you!

Right.... I'll bugger off for now... hang out the washing... bla bla bla.

ONWARD...

Yaaa.... it is a lovely spring morning here and I will take the dogs out and about. 
Bex and Dante are off to Playcentre too.

The dog panel from Ebay arrived nice and early this morning... it took so long I was starting to think it wasn't going to arrive.  Rather happy it did!

JUST IN:

ABOVE: Miss Polly, due to turn 1 year old on 26th October.  She is called 'Mad Dog' more than Polly I think.  She was our hyper puppy and it seems she ain't changed.  Awwwww.  She has just had her first 'real groom' in this photo... so I hope she's not feeling the cold too much down in the lower North Island.

So.  I'm driving home after walking the dogs, and I have to drive past our local Hot Bread Shop, who I might add sell the most divine Chocolate/Caramel slice EVER, and I'm seriously debating with myself on  if I should stop and buy a piece (or 2). 

But then I think: Nah, I shall get home and hop on the scales instead.  That might motivate me to keep going with the diet.

It's a day - by - day thing at the moment keeping on track.... and it's hard. 

And I'm so happy I didn't stop.  I have lost .95 kilos this week (that's just over 2 pounds).  If I can keep this up I will have lost 15-20 kilos by the end of the year, and that is my goal.... for now.

For lunch today I had bacon and onion and egg on toast.  It was really nice... and having a 'decent' meal at lunchtime means NO SNACKING.  Gotta be good.

Me cough kicked in after lunch and I nearly lost me lunch down the loo.  So I took some more Gees Linctus... the magic cough syrup. It works.

I'm now cooking dinner, macaroni cheese with bacon, onion and tomato.  Should be nice too.

End of Day:  Well dinner went down well... adding tomato tonight made heaps of difference... much tastier.
Watched TV and just chilled out tonight.  Too cold to go and sew down in the garage.  Might get some done tomorrow.  We will see.
nite nite

TWO YEARS AGO YESTERDAY...

I was reminded yesterday that our 2nd litter of puppies were turning 2!
And we are very lucky that some of our puppy families keep in touch, and send up photos of our pups:

This is PEPPA, she turned 2 yesterday:

ABOVE:  Hasn't she become a real beauty!  I am told she is totally adorable, but then... we only make adorable puppies!
Something tells me she's a real ratbag too!  She was the most spunky puppy from our 2nd litter.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DIESEL, PHANTOM, POPPY, PEPPA, MOLLY and ROXY.  I am sure you are all living lovely lives with your families.

Our 3rd litter all turned (1 on August 27th) edit:  got that wrong!  Their birthdays are on 25th and 26th October this year... RUBY,POLLY, PAISLEY, JASPER and JETT... We hope you are all doing well too.

Seeing as I'm mentioning puppies, I better not forget our 1st litter!  Born on 3rd August 2011... BRUISER, CHICO, RHINO, INDY, CHARLIE, BEE BEE and KIBA.  Heck they are 3 years old!  I can remember them all so well.

                                 LITTER 1

 LITTER 2

LITTER 3

I hope that once Tallulah is old enough we can have more GORGEOUS PUPPIES!  I am so looking forward to that again.

Though, I think we will just enjoy her being our new baby for now... *smiles* 4 more sleeps...

Today?  Some sewing maybe.  I also might pop out to have a browse around the mall... summer is coming and I have bugger all to wear... cleaning out one's wardrobe does that!

ONWARD...

There is NOTHING like clothes shopping and two way mirrors to make you realise you are as big as a bloody cow!  I'm not buying any more clothes until I have lost at least 20 freakin' kilos!
End of story.

I'm depressed now.  And FAT.  Feel ugly as.
I needed a trim of me hair... and felt like chopping all my hair off cos I was so CRABBY, but instead I just got 5 inches cut off instead.

ABOVE: Stew came home with flowers for his 'fugly' wife.  Awwww.... ta darling.
Dante liked them, until I put them in a safe place!  Then he wasn't that impressed with me.

There is no point taking a photo of me hair!  It's just the same, only 5 inches shorter.

End of Day:  well an uneventful evening... just watched some TV, ate some pop corn and now... off to bed.
nite nite

LAST DAY AT HOSPICE UNTIL AFTER SCHOOL HOLIDAYS

It's me last Monday at hospice shop for two weeks.  School holidays start on Friday... and we get Tallulah on Saturday... so exciting.

Not sure I will be saying that after a few sleepless nights of puppy howling!  And puppy puddles and poopy accidents!

Oh well... she will outgrow all that quick enough.

This morning I'm going to just chill out ... might have a long soak in the bath and really relax.
Then I might do some sewing.  

I can't remember if today is a Playcentre day for Bex and Dante?  But as she's got the cough from hell too... maybe she will just stay home.  Time will tell.

FUNNY STORY:

I had Stew bring out to the lounge the two suitcases that I had stored my 'old' clothes in...

ABOVE:  ... and they sat in the lounge for a while.  Then Griffin can into the room and sat down near me.  He was looking at the suitcases for a minute... and then he asked my why had I packed my bags?

I didn't even hesitate!

I just said "Because I am leaving tomorrow".

He was like... "What?  Why,  Where are you going?"

And I said "I am just so over everything and everyone here, I want to live on my own somewhere else"  (.... evil I know!)

The Poor Kid believed me and his face fell a mile in a split second!  He looked really upset, so I had to put him out of his misery and I told him I was only joking!

I think he forgave me!  hee hee heeee....

Right, better go and start the day...

ONWARD...

Dripping wet hair... but the bath was just devine!  It's been a while since I had a long soad in the bath I must say.  

The weather today!  OMG it is dreadful!  Driving rain, squalls, winds, just disgusting.

So bad down in Wellington a plane had to abort it's landing due to the wild weather.  It sounds like the entire country is getting hammered.

Something tells me it's going to be VERY  quiet at the shop today!

Well.. it wasn't that quiet after all!  The weather cleared up after lunch and the sun came out, so did the customers.

So, the afternoon went by faster than I expected.  We had the front door closed due to the wind, so it wasn't that cold in the shop either, which was something I was dreading.

I've not got anything to show you today, I kept my spending to a bare minimum and just bought some puppy toys and a Tupperware container for Bex.

Talking of Bex, she's hard at it in the kitchen cooking dinner.  So I can just sit back and wait to have it delivered to me lap.  Yaaaa.

End of Day:  well a lovely evening spent doing bugger all!  Curled up on the couch watching TV and playing on my phone.  What better way to spend a freezing cold evening?

nite nite

A DAY TO DO ... BUGGER ALL!

Seriously, it's a shit day.  Cold and wet.
And we don't have much to do except keep warm.

I do have a couple of things, like get the puppy crate up from the store room, and find the puppy food!  As Tallulah is being fed a different puppy food to what we have, I will have to wean her off it and onto our's.

That should take about a week.  6 more sleeps and she will be home.  Exciting!!!

So... I ended up eating a bit of crap last night.  Some Vege chips and a few (8?) pieces of chocolate.  Did I feel naughty?  YES.  Do I regret it?  NO.
Cos I am still on track, still feeling bloody confident I can and will get to my mini-goal by the end of the year.  
REALLY EXCITED about getting there too.

There is nothing like feeling in control.

Now I just have to work on getting some regular exercise (again).  Hopefully my lingering cough won't hold me back for much longer.

Today, apart from keeping warm, I'm going to get the housework done with the help of Stew and the kids... less for me to do on Monday.  And it will give them all something to do besides be bored.  

At least these coming school holidays (end of this coming week) the kids will have something to keep them busy (TULLULAH!).  Having her will probably keep me sane too, cos the kids will be occupied looking after her.

Right, no photos for the day as yet... so I'll bugger off and get a list made of jobs to do today!

ONWARD...

Where the hell has the day gone?  It's almost 1 pm and I've still not had lunch... nothing!
Most of the jobs are done though, so all good on that front.

Might spend the afternoon getting a few small sewing projects finished ...  and doing the bloody ironing.

Ironing... IS DONE.  What a shit job.  But I feel like a good wifey having done it for Stew.  I know he appreciates it so sometimes it is worth doing it!

I'm now going through clothes in suitcases that I've had 'put aside' for about 8 years... for me to 'shrink' into them again.  I think they are like a weight around my neck, so I'm giving them all to Hospice.

When I lose weight I can buy some new clothes.  I don't want to be carrying 'old' memories in a suitcase.

KELLY:  If there is anything I think you might like I will put it aside for you.  

I think I've cracked why I feel so tired most days lately.  Cough medicine!  It's loaded with alcohol (20%)!  I'm half pissed by lunchtime!!!

LOL

End of Day:  very happy with how much got done today... and for finally letting go of some old clothes that were just weighing me down.
nite nite

BROWN ON TOP

Last night's rare dessert... was a bit brown on top... but utterly delicious!

I forgot to take a photo until it was served up... but there was plenty left for today.  Steve wants some when he gets home from work... as he didn't have any last night.

ABOVE:  I don't think I'll wait years to make another one somehow.  Though next time I'll make the base and filling thicker I think.  Still was an awesome pie.

Today?  No plans.  Might do some more little pinwheel blocks like yesterday.  And some housework.

Then tonight Stew and I are going out to our friends, Marty and Jacqui's Moving Party.  They are off to live in Tauranga.  Marty got a new job over there.  We shall miss them, but then again... we can now go and STAY with them in Tauranga.  Yaaaa.... wonder if they know that yet?  dumm deee dooo....

Right, I'm off to make a start on this lovely day... it's ELECTION DAY here in New Zealand... so Stew and I will also be popping down to the local polling station to cast our votes.

ONWARD...

Well we did our duty and voted, then went over to Sylvia Park and had a very nice lunch at Garrisons, then we took a tiki tour around Redoubt Road .... some very nice homes down the extreme end.  
Just home and I'm going to have a nana nap so I can enjoy going out tonight.

I don't know WHY I am always so tired in the afternoon?   

Clearly a quiet blog day for me.

Stew and I spent a few very nice hours with our friends Marty and Jacqui tonight, we enjoyed watching the Election results as they came in and were all delighted with the result.

End of Day:  very late here, almost 1 am and I'm heading off to bed.  We just had a hail storm and it's really cold.
nite nite

FOR ONE OF MY PALMY GIRLFRIENDS

The other day a girlfriend on mine in Palmerston North said she could see that little Lighthouse Wall Hanging in her beach house.... I couldn't.

Because her beach house is at Castlepoint, on the east coast of the lower North Island, and it HAS IT'S OWN LIGHTHOUSE.

So, I found a picture on Google Images :

ABOVE: Castlepoint Lighthouse.

And... I had a go at stitching it with me sewing machine.... and ever so slowly...

it emerged:

ABOVE:  My rendition of Anne's Lighthouse.  I'm hoping she will like it. 

Today I'm going to Patchwork class, hopefully the tutor can give me a tip or two on getting all me points correct on that freakin' block!
It annoys the hell out of me when I can't get them right.

I've still got a bit of a cough, but if I stay away from class until it's gone, I might not get back there for weeks!  Last time I got a cough it held on for a couple of months.  So I'm going.

That's all for now... so have a nice morning cos I plan to.

ONWARD...

It was the Tutor's 70th Birthday yesterday, so there was a nice morning tea today.  Chocolate cake, caramel slice, savouries... and I had NONE.
It wasn't even that hard to say 'NO'!   

I finally put the hard yards in to get the points as perfect as possible, with the help of Janet, our Tutor:

Yaaaa!  Near perfect points.  I can't guarantee that every block will be near perfect, but I will do my darnedest to make them so.

I'm taking time out now... I've got a bit of a headache right now.  Still coughing... but it's getting a bit better day by day.

Lunch today was a pork sandwich with cream cheese and Basil Pesto.  Very nice.

I've had a quiet afternoon.  Mid-afternoon I decided to make a Lemon Meringue Pie for dessert tonight.  So I got some lemons from me neighbour (her tree is loaded) and it's now in the oven.
Bex has never had Lemon Meringue Pie!
So, hopefully it's a good one.

I botched up the recipe a couple of times, but it still looks fab in the oven right now.

I'm having some too.  Call it my one week sin.

After dessert I'm going downstairs to watch Coronation Street, so Stew can enjoy Sport in the lounge on the big TV.  Ain't I a saint!

End of Day: dessert was wonderful.  Bex even gave me a hug for making it !  Awwww.
Super tired tonight, off to bed, it's bloody late!
nite nite

WE HAVE A NAME... AND IN HALF AN HOUR...

After tossing a few names around all day yesterday we came up with....

TALLULAH, Lulah for short.

I got the name from the first Britto soft toy I bought, her name is Tallulah and it's always made me smile.

ABOVE:  Dante might be a bit confused for a while, he loves Tallulah the toy!  He only has to hear her name and he wants her out of the display cabinet!  But, I'm sure he will get it in the end.

Once Brylee and Griffin are out of bed I shall get them to draw the winner out of the bowl ... then you will know if you won the Lighthouse Wall Hanging or not.

Sorry!  You have to wait just a bit longer...

Today this is on my 'To Do' list:

IRONING.  For my hubby.  Cos he let me get Tallulah.  I can iron his shirts, it's the least I can do to say 'Thank You'.
And I friggin HATE ironing shirts.  With a passion.

ONWARD...

ABOVE:  Who wouldn't just LOVE to have a brother like Griffin?  *smiles*
The winner of the little Lighthouse Wall Hanging is:  Louise F, congrats Chick.
Email me with your address and it will be in the post in a few days. 

( stewandchris@hotmail.com )

Bloody cute kid.  He is feeling much better now, thank goodness.  I just hope he doesn't catch my cough too.

Sewing is happening... and ummm.... where's a bloody 'Hi'... 'Good morning'... SOMETHING from someone!  Pfffft.  Blog world is freakin' quiet.  I'm still HERE!

Well  I've not done that ironing yet... but it will get done.
I'm doing a little sewing, just about finished a little side project for a friend, and I'm about to start on J's Wall Panel.  Just watched a You Tube Tutorial on pinwheels done easy.
Can't wait to try it!

ABOVE:  First true 'patchwork' block I've made in a while.  Not perfect dammit.  Must try harder... they say practise makes perfect right?

Getting better.   But I will get advice from the Patchwork Tutor tomorrow to see how to get those bloody points perfect.

Karen Jones:  I'm a 'visual learner', so your instructions are a bit lost on me!  I get the drift, but I still can't seem to get those points to meet!
Grrrrr.  

End of Day:  Feeling crabby tonight,  didn't have dinner because I had two big salad sandwiches for lunch and wasn't hungry.  I am now.
The family had takeaways, it was quite easy to resist!
nite nite

MEET MISS ?????

Look what we bought last night! ...

Our newest family member.  Yet to be named.  Little girl from Pukekohe, youngest of 4 in her litter.
I suspect she is going to get spoilt rotten from the 'humans' and Coco, and snobbed by Teddy!

Could be in for an interesting time in 10 days.

Now... back to today.  If I'm not coughing too much I shall go to Patchwork Class.  I've got a little project to finish, then I shall start work on my friend's Bird wall hanging.

ONWARD...

Morning sickness AGAIN.  Wish I knew what was causing it, and I wish it would STOP!  I ain't pregnant for goodness sake, Bex is!

Sounds like Dante is still not 100%, kept his parents up a lot last night.  So glad we can't hear him from the garage!  

I keep looking at Teddy and Coco and thinking "Ha ha! You don't know what you're in for".
Little Miss H will be home soon!  
Pondering names.... it's so hard naming a puppy.

Sooooo.... I didn't go to Patchwork Class.  I was worried I would spread the cough to the others in the class, and something tells me I would not be thanked for that!
Bex has caught it now.
Whoops.

Not sure what I'm going to do now.  Don't feel like doing a bloody thing!

LAST DAY to go in the draw to win my little Lighthouse Wall Hanging.  Leave a comment today up until my bedtime (11 pm NZ Time) and you are in the draw.

I've not done a thing!  I had lunch then fell asleep.  Gawd I'll be so happy when I'm over all my various ails!  

Actually... I did do something!  I groomed both dogs' eyes, ears and tails ... the troublesome places that need in-between grooming.  They look OK.... not a 'professional' job, but good enough.  That did my back in though.  Grrrrr.  Stupid, stupid back.

ASHLEE:  I'm not asking for puppy name suggestions as we all have such different preferences ... I don't want to offend anyone!

I've got these on the list of possibles so far: 

Lily
Minx
Daisy
Misty
Tallulah (Lu-lah for short)

End of Day:  would you believe I finally started feeling 'normal' at dinnertime!  All day feeling queasy, right shitty that was.
But, a nice day in all... nothing out of the ordinary.  Except, we have settled on a name for our new little girl puppy.
I shall let ya know ... tomorrow.  Along with the winner of the little Lighthouse wall hanging.
nite nite

MEDICATION UPDATE AND SOMETHING EXCITING!

I totally forgot to mention yesterday the results of my Dr's visit:

- I'm now on a different blood pressure pill, one that will make me piddle more, so my fluid retention might just get a bit better.

- I've got Gees Linctus for me cough, it's an old fashioned cough syrup, tastes ikkk... but worth it's weight in gold.

- My on going nausea is most likely caused by my getting off Amitriptyline totally, AND is probably why my hot flushes are worse than ever.  SO... I have had to go BACK ON THE BLOODY STUFF.  But only a tiny dosage, hopefully just enough to bring the hot flushes back under control and also help me sleep at night again.  Fingers crossed on that one, though I'm pissed that I have to be on it again.

But, at least this time it's NOT for depression.

*** don't forget, if you want a chance to win my Lighthouse wall hanging, leave me a comment today or tomorrow.  You have till 11 pm tomorrow night (NZ Time).

Finally for now...  I have something exciting to tell you!  But not right now.  IF IT EVENTUATES, I can tell you about 'it' late tonight ... like after 9.30 pm!  Super excited and so hopeful it works out.

Today?  I'm going to sew again... all going well.
No point setting it in concrete, cos ya just never know what could come along to stuff up ya plans eh?

ONWARD...

Another morning of waking up feeling ill.  I have had a dry piece of toast even!  And that's not me, eating first thing in the morning.  
It seems to have helped though, so all good.

As it was raining something rotten at 8 am,  I took the kids to school... that's a rare event!
I've also done a couple of jobs down in Manurewa, so now I can relax and stay home for the day.

KAREN J:  Your little parcel is on it's way finally.  I kinda forgot it for a week or so.  Call it 'sick brain'.  *smiles*

DANTE:  seems to be much better today.  He's eaten a little toast too, and is very chatty... but then he was like that yesterday morning, then he crashed at midday.  Fingers crossed that doesn't happen again.

I want today to go FAST... I'm so excited about tonight!  Don't ya wish you knew why?  hee hee...

5.15 hours to go!!!   OOOOoooo the suspense is killing me.

ON other matters, I have just put 3 nice sized pieces of Pork Belly in the oven.  ... dinner is going to be delicious.

There is a certain dog in this house who does not like getting HIS feet wet to go poop outside.  He's been banished to outside for 30 minutes... little shit.

WELL.... here is the news:

 ABOVE:  Meet our new girl.  As yet unnamed, and still living with her birth family.  She will be coming home on Saturday 27th September.

So now we have to find a name for her!  

End of Day:  well, full of suspense and now we have seen her, we can't wait to get her home.  And it's going to be a long 10 days.
nite nite

FIRST MIDWIFE APPOINTMENT

Bex is off for her first midwife appointment this morning.  If Dante is better he will go with her, and if not, he can stay home with his Grandma, that would be me.

Me.  Still coughing and feeling like shit.  I'm making a Doctor's appointment first thing this morning, probably for tomorrow, when I have less on.

I want to get something more for the back ache, the cough and to help me sleep at night.  I no longer take Amitriptyline,  having successfully weaned myself off them, so am having heaps of trouble staying asleep at night, thanks to the bloody hot flushes hitting me on the hour.

So, fingers crossed the Dr can give me something.  Tomorrow.


Another possible side effect of going off the Amitriptyline?  My appetite has kinda gone.  And my capacity to eat huge meals?  GONE.  Wishful thinking?  Mind over matter?  Or those pills no longer affecting me?   Either way, it's a novel feeling!  Long may it last.

This morning will be devoted to housework and some sewing I hope.
If Dante ends up staying here with me when Bex goes to the midwife, I shall just enjoy some quality Dante and me time.  I hope he's well though, it was so quiet yesterday!  He spent most of the day sleeping, poor bubba.

This country goes to the Polls next weekend, to vote for whoever we want in power.  So over all the crap in the papers/tv about it all... all the major parties trying to dig up dirt on the others. Anyway, I read this on a friend's Facebook last night and it made me laugh:

The New Zealand Press...

A tough looking guy is at Auckland zoo with his kids when he sees a little girl leaning into the lion's cage.

Suddenly, the lion grabs her by the cuff of her jacket and tries to pull her inside to slaughter her, under the eyes of her screaming parents.

The guy runs toward the cage and hits the lion square on the nose with a powerful punch.

Whimpering from the pain the lion jumps back letting go of the girl, and the guy brings her to her terrified parents who thank him endlessly.

Nicky Hager, also at the zoo visiting his family (the simians) has watched the whole event. Nicky Hager addresses the guy and says, 'Sir, this was the most gallant and brave thing I've seen a man do in my whole life.'

The guy replies, 'Why, it was nothing, really, the lion was behind bars. I just saw this little kid in danger and acted as I felt right.'

Nicky Hager says, 'Well, I'll make sure this won't go unnoticed. I'm a journalist, and tomorrow's paper will have this story on the front page..So, what do you do for a living and what political affiliations do you have?'

The guy is embarrassed but replies, 'I'm an SAS grunt just returned from Afghanistan and a National party supporter'.
Nicky Hager notes all this down then leaves.

The following morning the guy buys the paper to see news of his actions, and reads, on the front page:

SAS SOLDIER ASSAULTS AFRICAN IMMIGRANT AND STEALS HIS LUNCH

And that my friends, pretty much sums up the media's approach to the news

Funny eh?  Can't wait for the elections to be over.

ONWARD...

GIVEAWAY:  Be in to win this little lighthouse wall hanging... enter your name (in a comment) by Wednesday 11pm (NZ time) to be in to win.

Change of day's plans.
I'm going to the Dr first thing this morning (9.45), and I'm not going to Hospice this afternoon.
I don't feel up to 4 hours on my feet in the shop, coughing and feeling miserable.

Dante is all recovered, so he's going to the midwife with Bex, and so am I.  Cos I got invited.  Cool.... today we will probaby get a due date.

GrandBaby No #13 is due on May 1st, 2015. All is well with mother and peanut.  

Dante:  sick as a dog.
Had a midday sleep, woke and threw up all over the floor.  High temperature and miserable.

Me:  Felt like throwing up at lunchtime something rotten, had a fruit bun and dozed for 2 hours.  I now feel much better, except for my back which is really sore.  Coughing has eased for now.

BEX:  needs sleep!  But coping well.

Griffin:  home from school, starving.  Making himself 2 huge toasted sandwiches for afternoon tea!

Brylee:  not home yet.  Fingers crossed she's been a good little teenager at school today.  *sigh*

***  I presume you who have left comments want to be in the draw to win the little wall hanging?  Ya didn't say (except Christine)

OK...  it's been a stressful afternoon/evening in a way.  Dante's temperature has gone up and down between 38.4 - 40.4 and he's still fluctuating madly.  Hopefully he improves overnight.
My cough is now making me throw up too.  Gawd I hate this sort of cough that seems to get me once a year!

End of Day:  hoping tomorrow sees better health for me and Dante, and Bex doesn't get morning sickness!
nite nite