WASHING MACHINE

 Our washing machine has been playing up for over a year or more.

It keeps stopping on the spin cycle, with it going CLUNK CLUNK CLUNK and obviously having an uneven drum as it spins.

Yesterday it just kept doing it, no matter how much I took out of it.  It just would not spin without stopping and showing ERR 17.

Steve came around last night after dinner to have a look at it for us.  He thinks he knows what's wrong with it, so will pull it out from the wall on the weekend and see if he can fix it.

If it's not fixable, I'll be looking for a new machine.

A front loader.  I've never had a front loader,  if I get one I won't ever have to stand on tippy toes to get the washing out of the machine again.  That would be awesome!

So I'm kinda hoping it is condemned.  😀😜

I had so much to sort out yesterday in relation to the applications to Aussy that I didn't finish sorting out clothes to take with me.  So I will do that today.

Then I really am going to do NOTHING.  My brain needs a break. It's been buzzing from one thing to another for too long.

Coco : has ear wash and steroid cream to be applied twice a day to her sore ear.  Someone remind me to do that would ya?  lol

That Vet!  OMG can you believe it cost me $175 for a 10 minute consult?  And I told HER what was wrong with Coco, and was correct.  I could have even told her what medication we needed too. This was not Coco's first ear infection.  

What was I paying for I wonder?

She said I was to bring Coco back in a week for a check up.  Ahhh... NOT A SHIT SHOW IN HELL!  I'm not getting charged like a wounded bull again.

Next time we need a vet I will be ringing around to find out what their charges are.  I felt utterly ripped off yesterday.

Finally for now... The Old Moo gets to go home today!  She is looking forward to that so much.

I can't wait to talk to her tonight and see how she is feeling... AT HOME.

ONWARD...

Wow lot's of negative comments about Front Loading Washing Machines!

The OLD MOO has one so I will ask her what she thinks of her's, how it affects her back etc.

ABOVE:  I went out and bought some travel bottles, and a little tube of toothpaste.  Getting all me ducks in a row... which I'm good at I might add.

I also had 4 inches cut off my hair, just getting rid of all the ratty ends and dry bits.  It feels much better.  I ran into Emily and Liam's Dad who was in having a haircut too. 

I'm now home and contemplating lunch.  I seriously don't 'feel' like food, but my stomach is complaining ... so I better have something to shut it up.

NOW, BEFORE SOME BUGGER ASKS:

ABOVE: There.   The hairdresser cut it in a curve, not something I ever ask for, but I forgot to say "Make it straight", so there ya go.  Curved bottom.  Probably just as well, cos I've yet to have a dead straight cut.

Right.  Lunch.

ABOVE:  This girl is worrying me. She's lost a lot of weight since moving out of here.  So Lacy, if you want me to stop worrying so much... EAT A HORSE FFS.  Come around and eat our left overs EVERY DAY if need be.  Just fatten up a bit, I am really worried about you.

Sheesh... now it's like... 50/50 with what type of machine to get (if I need to!).  

Utterly stormy outdoors today.  We've had some really heavy downpours and wind.  Not nice at all.

I tried to have a nana nap this afternoon.  Didn't happen.  Got phone calls/texts etc.   And Marley decided to chew up a toy right under me nose.  Charming.

Stew just got home to a cold house, and no dinner.  Just not cooking tonight.  Takeaways it is. Might turn the heater on though.  

I can't wait to ring the Old MOO and see how she's been today, and if she's safely home again.  I've wanted to ring all day, but didn't cos she could be busy.

So... sadly The OLD MOO is still in hopital, and will be until Monday.

Last night a poor girl in the room next to her had a breakdown, and spent the entire night screaming and crying and banging on the door and walls.  So she kept everyone awake.  All night long.  

So Mum was scared and afraid that this girl would get out and perhaps hurt her.  She was assured that that would not happen, but she was still so very upset.  

As a consequence, she was just too tired and overwrought to go home today.

I'm so upset for her, she was looking forward too getting home and being with Ron again.

Hang in there Mum, it will happen.

I'm about to head off to bed soon (early night), so catch ya tomorrow.

STARING AT A SCREEN

 Guess what I'm doing today?

Yeah.

Staring at the computer screen.  Waiting for that damn email.

*** Going crazy... very, very FAST. ***

One of the paintings I finished yesterday went off with it's new owners last night.  (This one was varnished about a week ago, so it is totally dry.)

ABOVE:  They hung it as soon as they got home!

I think it's the first painting to get hung in their new home?

Steve wanted to name it "Covid"... but I suggested something else.  Can't for the life of me remember what it was though!  Something cheerful.

Still waiting for the clock to go up too.... ya dicks!  😂😄😋

ABOVE: I got this lovely photo of this little family last night. 

 

💙 The OLD MOO is heading home at the end of the week. She's really looking forward to that.

She is doing as well as can be expected with her illness.

From now on, out of respect for my Mum's privacy, information will be of a general nature.  I am sure you all understand and will respect that. 💙

What else will I be doing today?

Well I might just sort out clothes for Australia... I got the tops sorted out yesterday.  Today it will be the bottoms.  What fun stuff.

Marley stinks like ... really bad.  So if Lacy comes over today I will ask her to give her a bath.  Otherwise it will have to be me.

Winter.  Hairy dogs = stinky dogs. 

Oh and Coco has a sore ear, so I am trying to get an appointment at a vet for her.  I left a message with one last night... so fingers crossed she can get in today.

Last for now... how about a lovely photo of my darling Stew:

ABOVE:  I don't know what he was laughing at... probably Dante.  Dante was being a right hoot last night.  Apparently pretending to be a SLOTH is fun.  

And that's a wrap for now.  I will be back later, hopefully with good news re: documents arriving, appointment for Coco etc.

ONWARD...

It was a shitty start to the day for me.  I woke up, and threw up straight away.  Felt ill for a couple of hours, but I'm fine now.  It's just stress and nerves... I'm not sick.

I'm working on getting the ducks in a row... still nothing from the hospital... but IT WILL HAPPEN eventually.

Bex and the boys called in for a couple of hours this morning, which helped settled me down.  

It's bloody cold today.  Wet and miserable.  

I have closed my shop until Summer.  I really don't want to be tied to it at all right now.  I think that was a good call to make.  I can't think straight, let alone sew straight!  

😂😏

Oh and Coco sees the Vet this afternoon.  

We have the letter!  Finally, I can collate all the necessary documents and fill out the application for entry into Australia.

So relieved.  I cannot imagine they will turn me down.  And if I have to quarantine in Sydney for 2 weeks, I WILL.

This afternoon I am visiting a Justice of the Peace to sign a Statutory Declaration in support of my application too.  No leaf is going to be left unturned.

Bex and Lacy came back with lunch for me.

They got me a custard square...

ABOVE:  I only ate a tiny bit of it, the rest?  The dogs ate.  Marley just had her face cleaned too.  Whoops.  She's a bit grubby again. 

4.40 pm:  All my applications are IN!  Now I just have to wait.

I'm having some very weird moments today. 

My head is totally fried.  

FINGERS CROSSED I now get the permission to get into Australia.

Dinner tonight was Lamb steaks, lettuce salad and wedges.  Very nice.  I'm no steak fan, so missed that bit.

I'm going to bed early tonight.  I'm exhausted.

CLEANING

 Cute story:  Yesterday Bex came around to do my vacuming.  She had both boys with her.  Archer has a cold.  So Dante decided he had a tummy ache and 'the sniffles', so he didn't have to go to school either.

I said to him he couldn't keep wagging school, cos he was a clever boy and he needed to go to school to keep being clever.... LIKE HIS DAD.

He said "Nah, my Dad isn't clever, he's a dick!"

I snorted, then said "Yes he's a dick, but HE'S A CLEVER DICK".

Dante had no come back to that.

I was amused.  That boy is such a chip off his father's block.

Today I will be cleaning 2-3 paintings, so they can be varnished and be pretty much finished.

I expect to have 90% of my current painting finished before I (hopefully) fly over to Australia.

It's just timing, waiting for them all to be ready for cleaning/varnishing etc. 

I will open my shop today, but pretty much don't expect anyone in.  The weather is supposed to pack it in for the rest of this week.  Forecast is for rain, rain and more rain.

Once I have my paintings cleaned and drying, I will go into my sewing room and tidy it up.  Put away a lot of stuff that's out that doesn't need to be.  I don't think I will be doing any sewing for at least a week, if not longer.

My aim, after the paintings are done, is to prepare everything I will need to take with me once I leave for Aussy.  

MAKE LISTS!  I'm really good at lists.  Just ask Stew. 

😄😂😅

My Mum had her first round of radiotherapy yesterday.  It's going to be a case of one step forward, two back ... and so on for a while.   But the aim is to get on top of her pain and reduce areas of concern. 

She has enjoyed being allowed to eat whatever she likes... up till now.  Now the dietitian is starting to tell her NO, you should not be eating that!  So she is gunna have to start behaving. Dang!  No more yummies for you OLD MOO!

I bet she manages to sneak in some evil stuff anyway, I sure would be.

And... that is all I have for now.

I'm going to get outta bed... and start me day.

ONWARD...

My paintings are done... well three of them.  Now waiting for the varnish to dry.

It's been very quiet here... just sitting looking at my INBOX... waiting for what I need from OLD MOO's hospital.

I am struggling to focus on anything else right now.

Sorry.

One less worry.  I can travel into Auckland to catch a flight to Australia without having to jump through hoops and get permission.  Thank god.

It's been an utter rubbish day.  And that's just how it is.

I'm going to sign off now.  

THE END OF MASKS!

 Today's mission, should you choose to accept it, is to finish all of the mask orders!  *snort*

I couldn't help myself, that just snuck in there.  

Yes, I will be sewing all day, with the fervent hope to get them all done and off in the post by the end of the day.

I think I now have 14 left to make. I can do that in a day ... as long as I don't get distracted too much.

Ever felt like you needed to prop your eyes open with matchsticks?  Yeah.  Me too.  Seriously having trouble sleeping, then having trouble staying awake during the day. Most annoying.

I get why of course.  But still.  Annoying.  I feel like I've got sand in me eyes too.  Oh well.  I really should stop bitching and get on with my day.

I think Bex is coming around today to vacum and dust.  Yaaa.  I knocked over the standard lamp yesterday and the glass lamp shade shattered ... I'm sure there's still glass in a few places.

At least the lamp still goes.  That's a blessing.  And who needs a lamp shade anyway?  It looks just fine to me.

ABOVE:  See?  While it was a lovely, frosted glass upshade, it really doesn't look that bad without it eh?   Well that's how I feel anyway.  I seriously doubt anyone will even notice.

Righty ho... time to get up and get moving.  Not quite so cold this morning, no frost. Awesome.

ONWARD...

1.55 pm:  And it is done.  All ordered masks are about to head out the door to their respective owners.

I'm just going to have some lunch first.

My flight to Australia is booked!  Now I just have to fill in all the necessary forms, provide documentation and it SHOULD be a go for September.  

God I hope I can get in!!!

The masks are posted.  YES.

Now I am sitting here literally tearing my hair out, because the hospital in Coffs Harbour has still not provided me with the necessary documentation I NEED to support my application to travel there.  OMG I'm getting angrier by the hour.  

If I have to re-book my flight because they dick around, I will have to pay through the nose to re-schedule the flight.

Drumming my fingers, steam rising out me ears... picture it.  JUST PICTURE IT.  

😖😣😟 grrrrrrr.

We are having sausages (pre-cooked) with wedges for dinner tonight.  Something easy cos I'm too crabby to cook.  Well OK... any excuse not to cook really.

Right.  The day is over.  I've had a good day really, got the first big 'TO DO' ticked off my list.

*** LISTS ***  Must actually sit down and write some.

ANOTHER BIG DAY

 I have lots to do today.

Top of my list?

Find out all the in's and out's of getting over to Australia in the near-ish future.

There's exemptions to be applied for, medical documentation to get from Australia to support our application to travel, quarantine exemptions etc.

It's a lot to work out.

On top of that, there is 'just' the flights to sort out too.

If Auckland stays at Level 3 lock down for a longer period of time, we will have to fly out of Wellington.

Which means an additional flight from here to Wellington to factor into our plans.

It's all up in the air for now. 

I might have found a place here in Hamilton that has some thin elastic, so am going there first thing this morning to see if I can get my hand on some.  I only have about 16 masks left to make and get elastic for.

Once they are done I can actually relax and close the door on the sewing room for a while and get on with other things.

I'm not sure what those 'other things' are right now... but well... I'm sure I'll figure it out! 

It might just be chilling out for a few days ... doing NOTHING.

ONWARD...

SUCCESS!  I finally tracked down some elastic...

ABOVE:  I bought enough to finish off the mask orders I've got, and for our own masks.  Thank god, that's been bothering me for a week or more.

Home now and I'm about to head into the sewing room to get on with it.

It will keep my mind off other things for now, which is good.

OH... I have most of the information I need to proceed with applying to get into Australia.  I'm just waiting till tomorrow ... when we have more information about time frames, before I plow on with it all.

It isn't going to be easy for sure! 

2.29 pm: so it would appear today is the day I sit and do nothing!

I don't know how this 'works', or how to explain it, but I was sitting here before and I thought ... I don't feel right as a brunette.  There's so much going on that is totally out of my control right now... being dark haired was something I could 'fix'.

So I got some dye and now... I'm a blonde with  ORANGE tinges!  LOL

I know I wasn't going to dye my hair again, but it just felt right to do it. It'g gunna take a couple more goes before I'm back to where I want to be, but I've got time.

News from across the ditch just trickles in.  Looks like The OLD MOO will be staying in hospital for another week at least.  Because there's several doctors involved in her care (oncologists for lungs, liver AND bone)... it's very much a waiting game to get all the information collated, treatments sorted out and so on.  It's totally doing my head in.  I can't imagine how it feels for Mum and Ron!

Poor buggers. 

ABOVE:  See?  Just a BIT Ginger-ish!   Gimme a couple of weeks, I will tone the shit outta it and it should settle down a bit.

Turning my thoughts to dinner.  Left overs.  Not wasting food that's sitting in the fridge just begging to be eaten.

10.25 pm:  And shit a brick, I seem to spend most of my time on the bloody phone, or answering Private Messages and so on of late.

It's NOT that I'm popular, I know that.  But I am kinda a base for information it would appear.  😏

Moving on... apart from yakking a lot, I've done bugger all tonight.

I shall have to do better tomorrow.

And on that note.... catch ya tomorrow.

*** I just love this 'NITE NITE' picture! ***

FIRST ORDER FINISHED

 Well... today I will be posting off my first mask order.  It is also the biggest one, so it's good to get it done.

ABOVE:  Sharon, this lot will be in the post to you today.

I expect to have the next 20 (two orders) done in the next few days too.

And that will only leave me with three small orders ... then I will be done and can make a few for family.

Today? Well first and foremost... A SLEEP IN.  For sure.  It is literally the only day of the week that I actually do sleep in.

Then I will do some housework and see what Stew is up to.  I'm hoping he will do a little weed pulling!  He  hates it, but some bugger has to do it. 

😰😣😛 

After the housework, I'm gunna get a net and scoop some of the sludge out of the pond.  It's looking really green and ikky.  I know the fish are perfectly happy in there, but I'd like to see them a bit easier!  Right now it's like pea soup.  I was going to get some pond water clearer, but the guy at Animates said don't do it... I will just kill the fish!  So, I listened to  him.

I talked to the Old Moo last night and it is sounding like she might get to go home tomorrow some time.  She  is looking forward to that, even though she is a bit concerned about how she's gunna make Ron a cuppa tea when she doesn't have the strength to lift the jug!

I told her to just fill it a third then it won't be heavy.  I think she's getting ahead of herself though... I'm sure Ron will be the one making the cuppa's for a while yet.

Right, it's time to roll over and try to catch a few more Zzzz's before I should get up and start the day.

Frosty out there this morning... I'm not too keen on getting up right now!

ONWARD...

11.30 am:  And the masks are on their way.... the pond has been cleared of debris and the pump is on to give it an aeration.  Now I am making some lunch before heading into the sewing room to ... make masks.

I've got 20 left to do, then I'm done.

We ran into a friend at The Base, she sells kids clothes at markets.  She is working on masks too... only she's doing it BIG TIME!  Sounds like she has thousands to make!  Bugger that.  Though, she has a team of sewers working for her, not just her.

I'm glad I've not taken any more orders, I want to do my best to get over to Australia in the next few weeks to see The OLD MOO.

Sorry I'm not a good blogger at the moment.  Just lots to do around here, masks, and cat napping!

So tired.  Making lists of things I have to do, get done bla bla bla.

We had a visit from one of my cousins this afternoon too.  She is the daughter of The OLD MOO'S brother.  Old Moo has 5 brothers and 4 sisters... we have a very large family!  I have 27 cousins on my mum's side of the family!  And then there's 2nd cousins too.  I dread to think how many of them I have.

So anyway, seeing Hillary was just lovely, and her little girl too.

I've not had dinner tonight.  I had.... (shut your eyes OLD MOO).... lollies and chips. 

Yeah.  Not good.  But I was craving sweets.  Call it comfort eating OK?

I will do better tomorrow I promise.

I'm now going to be glued to the TV, watching the final of Liar.  Riveting stuff.

OLD MOO NEWS

 💙💚💜

THIS INFORMATION IS GIVEN WITH MY MUM'S PERMISSION AND ENCOURAGEMENT:

Well... after a couple of weeks of tests and scans and biopsy's we have the results of all of the above.

UNFORTUNATELY Mum has cancer in her lungs, liver and pelvis.

She will be embarking on a treatment plan very soon, and she is determined to fight this, and do her very best to live her life in a positive frame of mind.

She is thankful that she does have options, and lots of support around her to get her through this.

Her attitude astounds me!  She's such a tough old chook, brave and wonderful.  She's made of the strong stuff is my Mum.

So, NO DOOM AND GLOOM... we are looking forward to her being with us for a long time yet.

Love you MUM. Old Moo. Ma. 

You know you are distracted when you pour Diet Coke on your cornflakes!

Yep.

ABOVE: What a waste of Diet Coke!  ... and cornflakes. 

😂😆😅 

I had such a good day yesterday.  I got 14 masks made, and sewed the elastic in them all last night.

Today I will work on some more and hopefully break the back on my orders.

I've cut out a few more than have been ordered, so will have them in my shop next week sometime.

I will be heading down to Spotlight first thing this morning to try and get my hands on more elastic, I'm rapidly running out.

This is half the reason I'm not taking any more orders.  It's near impossible to get elastic now.  I don't really want to revert to t-shirt material if I can help it.

Stew is getting up to do 'work'.  He virtually never has to work on a Weekend, but today he has a Zoom meeting, as his company has to work out how to go forward during the latest Covid-19 restrictions.

We are very lucky that we are STILL only at Level 2.  Auckland is at Level 3 for another 12 days.  Hopefully these restrictions get on top of the latest cluster/outbreak.

ONWARD...

Making masks.  Can find NO ELASTIC anywhere, so am having to resort to t-shirt fabric and a little elastic in the middle to give it a bit more stretch!

It's the best I can do.  Luckily only the last 12 masks will need to be done this way.

So far today though, I've really not got much done. Fielding phone calls and texts/messages literally all morning, which was to be expected I suppose.

OLD MOO:  You are the subject of the day!  I hope you are enjoying all the lovely food they are giving you in hospital.  😋😉  

7.20 pm: Sorry I've been fairly quiet today.  Just busy.

I took a break at lunchtime and Stew and I went out for a leisurely lunch.

ABOVE:  We went down to Hamilton Gardens Cafe, and got a gorgeous outside table, overlooking Turtle Lake.

ABOVE:  We both had a chicken burger.  They were HUGE!  We did what we always do, and didn't eat the bun.

ABOVE:  The bullrushes were flowering, sending their seeds out into the world.  Such funky seed heads.

Because I didn't sleep too well last night, I had a nana nap this afternoon.  Only about an hour, but it did help clear the head a bit.

We just had dinner... pretty much a get it yourself from the fridge type affair.

Now... I'm going to continue stitching elastic onto masks. 

Then early to bed tonight I hope.

NO MORE

 MASKS.

Last night I decided to say NO to any more mask orders.

I have enough on my plate (read MIND) right now, and yesterday I made quite a few mistakes while sewing, silly, stupid mistakes.

So, I'm happy to plow through the current list of masks, but that's it.

I always said I didn't plan on mass producing them!

I am looking forward to making a few for us too though, I will really enjoy making them as LOUD and COLOURFUL as possible. 

*** 😀😂😆  *** 

OLD MOO UPDATE:  Still having tests, still loving all the attention and company in the hospital.  But I am sure she will be happy to get home again, which could be soon by the sound of it.

ABOVE: I loved this mask.  It got sold yesterday.  I have two left.  One for me and one is going to Taupo I think.

ABOVE:  This is a small selection of what I've already made.  I'm really happy with them. They are NOT hard to make, anyone who can operate a sewing machine can make them.  Just watch a few You Tube tutorials.  That's what I did.

Today I'm gunna sew a few masks first thing this morning.  Then Bex is coming around and we are going for a walk.  It won't be a long walk, or a fast walk.  We are both unfit.  But it will be a start.

And come October, when our treadmill arrives, I am going to embark on a BLOODY SERIOUS  'Get Fit' regime again.  Walking as much as possible from now on is a good start though.

So, that's me for now.  I'll catch ya later, probably after our walk.

ONWARD...

12.20 pm:  Bex and I did go walking.  Around the shops!  I got 5 more winter tops as I was getting very  low on them.  And two little dresses for summer.

Then we popped into the supermarket for cheese and ham for lunches.

Home.

Made two more masks.  Now it's time for lunch.

I look out the dining room window, and there's a huge splash of fresh bird shit!

So out I go with a bowl of hot, soapy water to clean it up.

As I'm doing that, a gorgeous, fat as Bumble Bee flies over me.

ABOVE:  And would you believe it!  He shat on me!!!

Bumble Bees don't wee, they release uric acid... so I got ACID BOMBED!!!

Dirty, dirty little bumble bee.

Bird Shit.  Bee Shit. NEXT...

ABOVE:  Bex is hanging around today.  The dogs love her.  LOL

OMG I have not blogged for most of the day!

Whoops.

Well in my defense, I've been very busy.  I sewed 14 masks today.

And this evening I hand stitched elastic in place.

Steve, Bex and the boys came for dinner (fish 'n' chips), then they went home and it's been quiet here since then.

*** got a huge headache ***

Off to bed very soon.

Catch ya tomorrow.

DO YOU EVEN NEED TO?

 WELL... do you even need to read today's blog?

Ya all know what I'm going to be doing right?

Sewing masks.  All. Day. Long.

With a lunch break in the middle of the day.

Riveting reading.

ABOVE:  These are my new melamine trays.  Spotlight had them for only $2 each, what a score!

And I love them all... particularly the flowers and pups.  So pretty ... and cute.  And those two top ones? I've never seen that size or shape before.  Usually they are rectangular or a longer rectangle.  Love them.

Stew is in Rotorua again today, and Brylee is working, so I have the house to myself.  Nice one.

Brylee's work hours have been cut back to just 19 hours a week, so she's home a lot more now.  I hope she can find a job with better hours eventually, THEN SHE CAN LEAVE HOME.

2020 was SUPPOSED to be OUR YEAR.  Ya know, the year Stew and I finally got to be on our own.

Well 2020 TOTALLY SUCKS.  Damn COVID totally eff'd up everyone's year.

And on that score, I'm outta here, got work to do.

ONWARD...

11.20 am:  And I've been sewing for a few  hours already. Also had a friend and her daughter in the shop, and they bought 3 masks... WHOOPS... I now have to add more to the pile just to fill the orders.

It's keeping me busy, so I should not complain.  😀

ABOVE: That is the link to the mask I am making.  I do not put a nose wire in mine, they stay on ya face just fine without it.  And you don't risk the wire coming through the fabric  or rusting if you don't add it. EDIT:  THAT LINK DIDN'T WORK.  THE VIDEO IS BELOW...

Bex came over for a couple of hours, and she offered to cut out a few masks, so that was wonderful.  Then she went out and bought us some lunch, so I've been a bit spoiled.

She's now left with Marley.  The boys are going to be thrilled to bits having her visiting until after dinner.

My friend Sue's daughter brought an old Harley Davison T-shirt with her this morning, and asked me to make her a custom mask.

ABOVE:  The t-shirt fabric was so thin I was lucky it didn't fall apart!  I had to iron stabiliser on the back of it to hold it together.  K is on her way to get it now.

ABOVE:  Barbara Anne and others, this is the You Tube tutorial I used to make masks.  I did not put a pocket in... I used iron on interfacing instead, so you still have three layers protecting you.  Nor did I use wire on the nose bridge part... it's not necessary.  This mask fits to your face really good.

Most annoyingly, Mum's test results are still not back!  Talk about drag out the uncertainty.

She's off to have an ultra sound shortly too.

So... we WAIT.  

We are having left overs for dinner (sorry Lacy).... so mince on toast it is.

😋😉

Right.  It's 9.30.  I'm knackered.  Time to sign off for the night.

THIS WAS A BIT CUTE

 Yesterday afternoon, I brought my make up bag out of the ensuite and put it on the couch.  I planned on putting some face on before heading out later on.

In the meantime, Marley came into the family room and spotted the bag on the couch.

She was SO FUNNY!  She was not happy about that 'thing' being on her couch!

ABOVE:  I took this little video a good minute or two after she first started stalking it, and growling at it!

Coco came in the room and wasn't in the least bothered by my bag... she just had her usual 'go nuts' moment.

Today I shall continue cutting out the masks, I certainly did not get them finished yesterday.  All going to plan, I will actually get to sew some later on today.  It's the cutting out that takes the time with these things usually.

Last night our country confirmed 4 people in one family had untraceable Covid-19.  They had not been travelling, or been in contact with anyone who was/is infected (that they know of right now).  So community transmission?

Auckland has gone to Level 3 for 3 days, the rest of the country is at Level 2.

Masks... LOOKS like I will be making them for a while.  I got an order from a girlfriend for 12 last night.  So I've got 22 to make right now, with more on my list for family.

AND my neighbour messaged me last night asking for masks too.

I don't know what happened to my determination NOT to make masks!

In light of the current situation... I don't actually feel so bad about making them.

But I will ONLY make to order.  That way I'm not left holding them and bearing the cost.

I'm feeling really unsettled right now.  What with me Mum being so far away and not well, Covid rearing it's ugly head again and other family issues... it's like nothing is quite right.  I am TOTALLY OVER 2020!

Let's cancel it and fast forward eh?

If only.

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

ONWARD....

1.10 pm:  And so far today I've been to Spotlight to buy more elastic.  I go there before 9 am, so did a couple of dozen other women, who seemed to be there for the same reason.

It was almost a stampede to the elastic section!

I got some. Probably not enough.

OH... and Bex was outside waiting for the shop to open too!

Rather funny running into her so often now.  

She was there to buy a melamine tray for ME... cos she got two yesterday and showed me.

Silly girl.  I wanted one too of course.

It was a pug dog.  So cute.

AND only $2, usually they are around $7 new.  I might have bought a few too. lol

Since getting home I've cut out the rest of my masks, and started sewing them.

I now have orders for 35 masks.  I hope I don't get too many more for now!

That lot is going to take me a few days.

4.50 pm:   And I've had to stop sewing.  I was starting to see double and my eyes hurt.  I worked on masks all day long, and got 12 made, and 30+ cut out.

Which is just as well as I now have another order for 10 more.

I'm taking a break now, before turning around and cooking dinner.  It's going to be a lovely tasty mince stew and veges tonight.  Simple, but it will be delicious I'm sure.

9 pm:  And yes, dinner was lovely.  And now I'm relaxing, waiting for Coronation Street to start in 30 minutes.

Had a long yak with The Old Moo tonight.  No news ... still awaiting results.  *sigh*  Keep ya fingers crossed please.

I'm a crossing everything!

Time to say...

TEN MASKS

 Well... I said I wasn't making masks.

But today?  I'm making 10 for a girlfriend!

ABOVE:  There ya go.  Some lovely fabrics ready to make into masks.  

I am going to make Stew and I a couple each too.  If family wants them, they can 'order' some!  lol

I intend covering my costs if nothing else.

Yesterday, when the girls were doing the fridge/freezer, we noticed the light in the freezer wasn't going.  Did we bugger it up when we took the internal panel off?  

So I asked Stew last night, and he said no, the bulb was out and needed replacing.

ABOVE:  I do wish we had known about that, before we put the panel back on and filled the freezer up again!  I would have gone and bought a new bulb.  Oh well... it can wait.

Today The Old Moo is having her first biopsy.  Scary stuff.  She's literally shitting herself.  Like me, she has a very healthy fear of needles.  I will be on tender hooks all afternoon till I hear how she is doing after it.

Right, time to go.  Start the day and all that jazz. 

ONWARD...

10.30 am:  Well no visitors in the shop yet , but I did just have a lovely visit from one of my neighbours.   'R' he's just so sweet.  He's been severely incapacitated with a disc in his back pressing on his spinal column and nerves... so much pain!  But he had an operation 2 weeks ago, and is now in NO PAIN AT ALL.  And he's out walking ... in the rain!  What a  man.

Gosh I live in such a nice area.  I hope we never move again.

NOT NOT NOT getting involved in family issues.  If you choose to stop talking to me because I refuse to be dragged into YOUR issues with another family member, that's your prerogative, and YOUR loss.

Just don't blame me for something YOU have caused, 100% you caused.

PAULA:  Yes I will take orders from my friends.  Just PM me for costs etc.

4 pm:  which means 2 pm in Australia.  I keep looking at the clock, willing the phone to ring with good news. But it hasn't yet.  

I've got cards in Cambridge tonight.  Might put some face on.  Can't scare me girlfriends! 

😂😅😆

Old Moo update:  She's had her biopsy.  She's doing well.  No results for a few days.  Keep ya fingers crossed for good results everyone.

COVID-19:  Our first cases of Covid-19 OUTSIDE of managed isolation facilities has just been confirmed.  4 people in South Auckland, who have no travel history.  BUGGER. DAMN AND BLAST.

Praying that is all ... but it's highly likely it's not.

Card night was lovely and fun.  But this news about Covid-19 put a real damper on the evening.

BLOODY GROCERY SHOPPING

 How thrilling.

I've got to do the grocery shopping today.

It's clearly the last thing I feel like doing.

I'd much rather be doing another painting on the now LEVEL painting table:

ABOVE:  The table was rather wobbly, but not any more. I've also done away with the plastic container under the painting.  Now I'm just going to use Puppy Pads.  Less chance of an uneven surface that way.

I put varnish on two paintings last night, so they will get their second coat sometime today.  I started them 3 weeks ago, so they will be finished in about a week from today.

The house is smelling rather ... funky right now.  We have something smelling really 'off' in the garage, but we have NO IDEA what it is, or where it is.  We are scratching our heads to be honest.

I am probably going to have a thorough look again today, to try and find the source of the smell.

Then there's the smell of paint and varnish on paintings in the Drying Room.  It's ... like walking into a workshop.

I hope it's a nice day so I can fling open all the doors and windows and air the house out when I get back from the grocery shopping.

In the meantime, I will turn on my Scentsy Wax Burners to at least try and mask some of the smells.

Oh the joys.

ONWARD...

So.  I was lying in bed last night, pondering THE SMELL.

And it occurred to me that it only happened AFTER our fridge/freezer defrosted.

What happens when that happens usually?  The drip tray CAN fill up with rancid water eh?

So, when I got back from the grocery shopping, Lacy and I got everything out of that fridge/freezer, dragged it out and took the back off so we could check out the drip tray.

EUREKA!!!

That was the smell!

Lacy almost vomitted.  When I sniffed... so did I.  Gross.

Thankfully just then ... Bex arrived.  So I set both girls the task of sorting it out, and asked them to clean the fridge/freezer as it was now empty.

ABOVE:  A good job done.  Thanks girls.

6 pm:  Ummmm... kinda fell asleep after lunch!  Had a two hour 'nap'.  Woke up just in time to close all the curtains and think about cooking dinner.

We are having Chicken Ravioli in a tomato based sauce, which is nice an easy.

The Old Moo is doing as well as can be expecting, considering her various ailments.  It sucks getting old.  Worse still during a Pandemic, and not having much family around to visit you.  Thank goodness she does have Ron, who dotes on her.  Oh and she's got some lovely ladies in her room, keeping her amused.

Right, it's 9 pm (almost) and it's time to wind down for the day.  

Catch ya tomorrow.