A BUSY SATURDAY AHEAD

 

Well, I really shouldn't still be in bed!

We have a rather busy day today.

First up, pack our car in readiness for going down to Taupo/Kinloch this afternoon.

Then we have to ready the house for today and tomorrow's Open Homes.

And drop the dogs off at Steve 'n' Bex's, as we can't take them with us, or leave them here because of the Open Homes.

We will be staying here until after the Open Home this afternoon, then leaving for Taupo.

We are so lucky to have family in Kinloch that we can stay with tonight, it means we don't have to leave here on Sunday morning at some ungodly hour.

Also, there's some road diversions in place half way to Taupo, and we will have to take some secondary roads to get to Taupo.  So, going down today means we don't have to get flustered over time, or what way to go.

Enough procrastination, I really should start the day.

...

ABOVE:  A photo that got missed last night.  Miss Lily didn't mind Uncle Andrew at all!   In fact, she would have stayed with him,  if they didn't have to go home.  lol

Very cute.

5 pm. Sorry for no update till now. But, we have had heaps to do today.

We are now safely in Kinloch.

When we arrived here, we drove down to the Market site to suss it out.

ABOVE: We are very happy with our spot, its super close to all the facilities. 

ABOVE: Hee hee.. our spot. 🤣🙂😊

ABOVE: Looking towards our site. Theres quite a few people who are already setting up! They have to sleep on site. We could have done that too, but didn't need to thanks to having family here to stay with.

Time to just relax now.

8.15 pm. Time to sign off for the day. Catch ya tomorrow. 

NITE NITE.

WAITING TILL NEXT WEEK?

 

Yesterday I said I would wait until sometime next week to make one of those floral runners that I showed you yesterday.

HA HA HA!  Like I could wait!

I started one yesterday morning.

And I finished it in the afternoon:

ABOVE:  And there it is. Now before you say it, yes it LOOKS like there's a lot of YELLOW ... but in real life those colours are less yellow than they look here.

ABOVE:  And I don't usually put an expensive fabric on the back, but that fabric just screamed at me.  I had to use it, it's perfect!

And because I'm bored shitless, I shall be making another one today.  I'll try to use less similar shades this time.  Sadly I don't have enough of the gorgeous floral backing fabric for the next one.  

Just remembered, we have family coming for dinner this evening, so I need to pop out to the supermarket for a few things.  Then when I get home I will start work on this lot:

ABOVE:  This is the line up for the second runner in this style.  None of it is stitched up yet.

It's been fun doing a few different runners of late.

It gives people a few more choices at market as well.

9.57 am:   All the jobs are done. Half the packing is already done for our trip away tomorrow.

I went to the supermarket and got what I needed for this evening and the weekend.

I needed fresh bread buns/rolls.... but like, there was SO.  MUCH.  CHOICE.

What to do? What to do?

YEAH

Dinner this evening will be:

Hot Roast Pork, sliced

Hot Roast Beef, sliced

Lettuce Salad (for inside the buns)

Sliced Cheese

Various mayo's and sauces

Followed by... MAGNUM ICE CREAMS.

I think that should be rather yum.

And now I'm in the sewing room, about to make a start on that runner.

ABOVE:  And there it is, DONE.  And that is a wrap on me doing any more sewing for the next few days.

I'm switching into clean up mode, get the sewing room all tidy, house tidy etc.

And I better not forget to put the meat in the oven in a couple of hours!

3.17 pm:  And the sewing room is spic 'n' span.

The roasts are in the oven.

I have to cut up all the buns, and get the salad ready.... luckily I actually bought pre-sliced cheese, one less job to do.

I am starving, and had a little bit of ice cream.  It didn't satisfy me at all.

I am craving the meat and buns!

The aroma of the meat cooking is just starting to waft over me... my mouth is drooling!

Seriously, there's another 3 hours to go till dinnertime.  Booo.

In other news.  I have none! 😂😅😆

I really can't do much else in readiness for our busy weekend right now.  So I'm sitting on me arse watching a movie on Netflix.  Though it's actually a series I think.  Called 'Clickbait'.  It's quite interesting.

Thank God for Netflix, it keeps me entertained when I am being lazy.

ABOVE: Dinner has gone so well, everyone really enjoyed themselves.  Lots of laughs and yakking.

ABOVE:  NEVER give your phone to Steve to take photos for you!!!  

ABOVE:  Lacy LOVED the Gherkins so much that she even drank the gherkin juice!  Gross!

It is now wind down time, and everyone is getting ready to leave soon.

Then Stew and I can start getting the house ready for tomorrow.

Catch ya tomorrow.

YAWN...

 

Right, first up for today I'm going to get the washing done... there's a load in the machine waiting for me to hang it on racks in the garage.

I don't feel like hanging it outside at all now days.  

Plus, my neighbour is having some house renovations, and the dust outside, right beside my clothesline, is sometimes a bit ikkk.

Then I shall get the house all spic 'n' span, JUST IN CASE we have an impromptu house inspection.  

After that, I shall stitch the new strap up for the gazebo.  I'm hoping to use it at Tamahere mostly, for hanging horizontal runners.  I'll show ya once it's in use, so ya know what I'm on about. lol

So it should be a very cruisy day ... not much on at all.

I did think about trying a new runner pattern, but I just don't need to make any more right now.  

ABOVE:  This is the runner I'm probably going to make next.  Maybe next week I'll give it a go.  What do ya think ?  I will use pretty floral fabrics.  edit:  I did not make that runner (above), it was on the 'net, and I will make my own version soon.

OK, time to go.  Catch ya later.

9.45 am:  Done the house - TICK

Washing getting dried - TICK

Facial hair obliterated - TICK

Iron all Bowl Cosy's - TICK

Double check all is ready for market - TICK

NOW... sew up extra gazebo strap.

TICK TICK TICK.

I just went into the front bedroom for some cardboard out of the wardrobe.

Walked past my poor dead ? Monstera plant.

It had once THRIVED in the front bedroom, but a few months ago I put it in the sunroom.

And it literally withered and died.  All the leaves went yellow on the edges, and the growing shoot withered up and looked like a stick.

I thought it was DEAD.  

So I put some succulents in the pot, but left the big plant in there... JUST IN CASE it revived, fully expecting it not to though.

I also put it back in the front bedroom.

Today?

ABOVE:  It is growing again!  I am beyond thrilled!  I'm so glad I didn't dig it out and throw it away.  

Today is a GOOD DAY.

I started watching a movie on Netflix yesterday, and just finished it while having a lunch break.

I knew how it would end from the VERY BEGINNING, but it was still a lovely movie.  It made me cry in a couple of places, so it gets an 'EXCELLENT' rating from me.

'What's Love Got To Do With It'... a total Chick Flick!

Now.... I'm off to carry on with something in the sewing room.

Something didn't agree with my tummy, or I'm coming down with something, cos I'm feeling quite off.

So, I dropped Stew off at the pub and came home to just relax.  Hopefully it passes quickly.

I'll go and pick Stew up later.

For now... feet up.  

And it's now 8.05 pm.  I've picked the man up and brought him home.  We are now going to settle down for a quiet night in front of the telly.

Catch ya tomorrow.

WEIGHT ISSUES

 

An issue I'm sick of talking about... but I'm gunna anyway.

Weight.

Trulicity is NOT working to curb my appetite at all.  Something to talk to the Dr about ... hopefully it is working to keep my Hba1c level down.  My next blood test will show what's happening there.

Since I stopped regular walking with the FBG's, I've been too scared to get on the scales.

My eating has been, to be totally honest, out of control.  I have eaten whatever I felt like, and more often than not, in excess.

THOUGH, I have mostly stuck to my 'main meal' at lunch time, and only something very light for dinner.

So, getting on the scales yesterday morning was scary.

And I was super surprised to see NO CHANGE!  I am up about 4 kilos on my lowest weight this year, but no gain in the past few months!

I was shocked.

I have been 'emotional' eating like there is no tomorrow.

It should have caught up with me by now, but it hasn't.  So obviously I have the balances right?

Interesting.  Very interesting.

If I was content at my current size/weight, I'd just not be bothered about it.  But I do still want to lose another 10 kgs!

TEN KILOS.  I've been saying that for how friggin long now?  Two years?  Yep, at least that.

It's not impossible.  It is in fact, totally doable.  I just have to want it badly enough.  And not let my emotions sabotage the goal.

So... in saying all that, I don't know when the 'I WANT TO' will kick in again.  I hope it happens soon. 

Weight Watchers has decided in their infinite wisdom to stop Face to Face Group Meetings in New Zealand and Australia.  So if you are a member, you can only access the programme online after early November.

The WW Leader here in Hamilton is losing her job.  And lots of 'us' in the WW community have suggested she start up her own Weight Loss Group.  

She is bound by a 'non compete' clause in her contract, but once that time is up, she is going to set up a group.  I have already expressed my interest in joining.

I have found being a part of a group is THE BEST way to stay on track, and be accountable to yourself. Stepping on a scale in front of someone else makes YOU accountable.

Hell... I avoided my scales for two months!  That's not exactly being accountable now, is it!  lol

So, I can't wait until A starts her group.  It will be nice to be around the WW ladies again.  I have missed them, but not WW itself.

ANON who keeps leaving me snarky comments about "falling off my diet", "losing the plot", "eating crap again I see" and so on... fuck you.  I am NOT ON A DIET.  I am simply working on trying to be a healthier ME.  And what I eat is 100% my business, and nothing to do with YOU.  So stop leaving those shitty comments, because I can hit 'DELETE' faster than you can type them.  Alright?

Why do trolls bother leaving shit comments, when YOU know I am just gunna hit 'DELETE'?

Seriously.  Don't bother. And putting "lol" on the end?  Twat.

Moving on.  I'm going grocery shopping soon, just as soon as my phone is charged.  I forgot to put it on the charger overnight.  Derr.

Nothing else on the agenda right now.

Looks like we are not having an Open Home this weekend.  Bugger.

I've messaged the Estate Agent to find out what is going on... waiting to hear back from her.

12.16 pm:  Shopping all done.  Home, unpacked and ready to move on to the next job.  Making a new hanging strap for our gazebo.

WHOOP WHOOP! Our estate agent just got back to me, and our home is having TWO Open Homes this weekend! That's neat. Rather relieved in fact. Double the chances of the right buyer walking through the door.

It has been a quiet afternoon for me.  I've got a new strap almost sorted, we just have to put up the gazebo (on the driveway) so we can do the adjustments.

In other news... my washing machine is making an horrendous noise.  Just my luck it will shit itself and I'll have to get a new one.  

Once Stew arrived home, we put the gazebo out on the driveway so I could adjust the new strap to the right length.

Then it was inside to have a relaxing evening, just blobbing out in front of the telly.

Coronation Street is on any minute now, so...

Catch ya tomorrow.

A NEW CHALLENGE

 

First of all... Thank You to everyone who wished me a Happy Birthday yesterday.  It was much appreciated, and brought a smile to my face.  💙💗💚

Today I am starting a new sewing project.  It's going to be a bit of a 'Challenge', as it's a little bit fiddly.

ABOVE: That is part of a company LOGO that I have to put on either end of a table runner.

It's an order, for Christmas, so I have plenty of time to get it done.

I will be going to Spotlight first thing this morning to get the orange fabric.  Not that I expect to be cutting it out today.

But it's a start.

The other thing I will be doing today?

NOT EATING CHOCOLATE/SWEETS/CAKE all day!

OMG that is pretty much what I did yesterday.  I was in such a funk.

Not even sure why.  Just a whole combination of things getting on top of me.  I am trying to adjust my attitude.  MUST. BE. MORE. POSITIVE.

Find the happiness in life, and be so thankful for what I do have.  A very loving family and the most AMAZING, LOVING husband any girl could ask for.

Right, enough misery guts.

I'm off to start me day.

Catch ya later.

ONWARD...

12.24 pm, and it's been another busy morning for me.

I had to re-visit the bank as my card wouldn't work.  I also spent a good half an hour there while they set up internet banking for me.  Talk about a rigmarole!  So many steps involved.

But, it's all done now, and me EFTPOS card works.

Just as well, cos I did use it a couple of times this morning.

ABOVE:  I went to Bunnings and got a decent sized work box for market stuff... instead of having 3-4 smaller boxes.

Then out to Tamahere (Bower Bird), for Steam a Seam and that cute blue/teal fat quarter.

After that, chemist for the next month's supply of Trulicity (ain't killing me appetite), and finally Spotlight for the orange fabric.

Now (sigh), home and having some lunch.

5 pm:  I've spent the last couple of hours in the sewing room, trying to work out how to put that LOGO on the fabric.  With so many small lines and curves ... I'm thinking it's A NO to that!  Far too intricate for me.

I'm gutted.  I might try again tomorrow, but it's stressing me out far too much right now.

Well it's been a nice evening.  I'm thoroughly enjoying watching 'Matlock' on the telly.  Kathy Bates in a new programme.  LOVING IT.

Catch ya tomorrow.

START OF A QUIET WEEK

 

I fully expect this week to be very quiet.

I don't need to sew anything... except one runner for a Christmas Order.

It's going to take a bit of prep work before I can start actually sewing it.

Apart from that, I don't need to make anything else for now.

My only jobs will be to keep the house spic 'n' span, do the housework and try not to stress out about things.

We have two big markets coming up this coming weekend.  And the weather forecast is for rain/showers.  Bugger, damn and blast.

I'm hoping it's not going to be too bad.  I've been looking forward to both these markets for months.

Right, I've gotta get moving, there's washing to get out of the machine and hang out - or throw in the dryer.  Which I tend to do more and more now.  I just get sick to death of hanging it out, only to have to rush out and get it in cos it's raining.

I can't believe how wet the past few months have been.  Seriously want to KILL the weather gods!

ONWARD...

'Someone' let the cat out of the bag.

It's me birthday.  66 today.  I've been kinda NOT looking forward to it, head in sand type of thing.

My Dad died aged 66.  And I thought he was fairly old then.

OLD?  I don't feel old at all.  

I feel sad that my Dad didn't get to live longer, he could have had another 20+ years in front of him.

I hope I do.

This morning I've decided to go to The Base to do some banking, and just have a wander I suppose.  Call it exercise.

11.38 am, and I was out and about WAY, WAY longer than anticipated this morning.

First stop was my bank (KIWIBANK) where I just wanted to change some larger banknotes for smaller ones.

They have  a 'cash in and out' teller.  So I stood in the line to be served.  There was one man being served when I arrived, and one lady ahead of me.

So.  I stood there for 35 minutes while the man deposited his considerable amount of cash, with each denomination counted, weighed, recorded and so on.  It took forever.

Then the lady in front of me got to be served.  And fuck me!

She too was depositing copious amounts of cash... so I then knew the process was going to take at least 35 minutes.

So I looked around at the other 3 Kiwibank staff in the bank.  None of them were dealing with anyone right then, so I asked if one of them could serve me?

NOPE.  I had to stay in the line if I wanted to get smaller notes than what was available from the money machine.

So I stormed out of there, went over to the BNZ, opened an account.   Went back to Kiwibank, took out all my money, and put it all in the new BNZ account.

Then I had to go to the WINZ office in 5 Crossroads to get my pension re-directed to my new account.

Far out.  Not what I had planned for my morning at all.

But, I did finally get my larger notes changed for smaller notes ... at the BNZ.

I've been with KIWIBANK for 25 years.  And have had that loooooooooooooooooong wait at the counter once too often.  

It is particularly galling when there's staff there, doing nothing, and they won't serve you. 

Hopefully that never happens again.

Now on to something nicer.

ABOVE:  I arrived home to flowers at the front door!

ABOVE:  I knew who had sent them immediately.

Thank You Lacy.  I shall enjoy both the flowers, and the chocolate.

It is now close enough to lunchtime, so I'll get myself something to eat.

We are not doing anything for dinner.  

ABOVE:  Steve, Bex and kids called in after dinner with this lot!

OMG anyone would think I was a piss head!  That bottle of Bacardi will last me two years for sure.

The cake?  Yeah that will be gone by tomorrow.

ABOVE:  It was nice to see family, after me saying I wasn't wanting to do anything special today.  

I've been feeling really 'flat' of late.  I'm sure it's just the uncertainty of the house selling process, all the markets coming up and so on.

Just a bit like... gimme a break!

But, I'll come right.  I always do.

Time to sign off for the day and look forward to starting a new project tomorrow.

NUMBER NINE

 

And here we go again.

Another Open Home today.

So the day will start with the usual tidy up, making sure the house is Tickety Boo and ready for showing.

Hoping for a decent turnout of viewers today, but ya just never know how it's gunna go.

I get my hopes up every time... sometimes to have them dashed.

But these things can't be rushed, and at some point the right person/family will come through and buy our home.

We have no other plans for the day right now.

So. Let's just go with the flow.

ONWARD...

1.20 pm. Not much to yabber on about so far. Just done all the jobs, had lunch and now killing time till the Open Home. 

Sadly can't say today's Open home was a resounding success, but one very interested group through.  Now we just wait (again) to see if anything comes of it.

Tis a waiting game we have played quite a few times before.  It's not fun.  

I now have a super duper headache and just want to sleep.

7.25 pm:  So it's been a quiet day on a whole, nothing much else has been going on.  I've started work on an order for a runner.  More on that later on in the week I suppose.

For now, it's feet up, watch tv till bedtime.  Just a lazy evening.

Catch ya tomorrow.

LOOKING GOOD

 

It's bright 'n' early Saturday morning, and we are off to the Tamahere Market.

For once, the weather is looking good.  It's not going to be sunshine and warm, but not RAINING either.  Thank God.

The day might go well, who knows.

So, until later, once we are set up etc.... catch ya later.

ONWARD...

ABOVE: WE ARE ALL SET UP... THE SUN IS SHINING...bring it on. 

ABOVE: Stew bought me two pairs of earrings for my upcoming birthday. Nice.

OMGosh we are having an EXCELLENT DAY!!!

ABOVE: Visitors... how lovely. 

2.20 and we are home.  Pack up went like clockwork, we are such a good team.

ABOVE:  I took this little video first thing this morning, before it got very busy.

I put it on my Facebook Stories as well... neat that I remembered how to do it too.  😂😊😉

We are now looking forward to another visit from Lacy and Keera.  Stew has gone to the supermarket for his weekly Diet Coke 'run'.

After the girls have been and gone, we are going for a walk.  I really need a walk, I've been far too idle since I finished the FBG Urban Challenge.

It sucks not having anyone to walk with in Hamilton.  Lacy's anxiety issues have stopped her walking with me for months now.  Sadly.

Maybe once we move I can find someone in my new area to walk with?  Time will tell.

Otherwise, I'm just gunna swim every day. 

7.20 pm:  Stew and I have a nice walk around 6 pm, then popped in and visited Steve, Bex and kids.

Home.  Dinner.  Feet up, Telly on.  Trying not to fall asleep!

We certainly won't be up late tonight.  We are both knackered now.

Catch ya tomorrow.