LIKE THIS ONE

 

MID WEEK, HUMP DAY.

And today is going to be a bit slower than yesterday.  Probably a good thing.

I was sent the Profile Photo of Stew and I, taken for our Village Profiles on Sunday.   I think it came out lovely.  So very happy it included Coco.

ABOVE: So very typical of Coco, camera shy.

Moving on... I did this the other day:

ABOVE:  I put up the temporary metal mesh fencing. Now I can have the dining room ranch slider open, (on a nice day), and not have to worry about Coco escaping.

I think it's a good solution, as opposed to installing a sliding screen door.

ABOVE: And that is where our Pig Weather Vane is going.  It won't get wind from every direction, but at least it will be up.  And not in anyone's 'face'.  

The things we didn't quite grasp about Village Life. 😤😡😠  Rapidly learning.  

WHAT GOES AROUND COMES AROUND.  Sometimes it can take a long time to see Karma bite ... but it does happen eventually. 

I might have mentioned this already, but vacuuming the carpet in this new house has been a nightmare.  The fluff and bits 'n' bobs just stick to the damn carpet.  So late yesterday I went out and bought a whizz bang 'super charged' spinning brush head for the vacuum.

And it works.  Just as well, as it was damn expensive.  Now I'm not having to stop, take the head off, and suck up shit with the hose end. Winning.

Pretty much the only 'job' on my list today is to empty the bathroom vanity and cabinet, in readiness for tomorrow's strip out.

We will be using the pool showers until our new bathroom is up and running. A bit inconvenient, but at least we have that option.

This afternoon I am attending my first 'Resident's Meeting' here.  I have been advised to attend by a few people.  I hope it goes well.

😖 I will not be publishing any more comments re:  Karma bla bla bla.  Or the shed issue, until a happy resolution is reached.

Lacy called in this morning, she helped me with a couple of jobs that involved a ladder up into the attic.  Not something I  like to do... I'm not too good on ladders!

I am about to head out and get our sofa bed paid for, then have it delivered. It arrived into Hamilton yesterday.  Whoop whoop, another big TICK.  I can't even remember what colour we ordered!

Right, that little job is done.  The sofa bed is arriving tomorrow sometime.  I've just got to get the two La-Z-Boy chairs out of the spare bedroom, so the sofa bed can go in there.

I've made a space in the garage for the chairs, so all good there.  

I might just finish getting everything out of the bathroom now.

3.25 pm:  Just in from the Residents Meeting.  It was nice to meet more of the people living here.  Everyone was lovely.  I sat with a nice group of ladies afterwards and had some nice conversations.

I learnt that there's a bus 'trip' up to the hospital in a couple of weeks, to show residents how to get there using public transport.  So you don't have to take your car, and get all bent and twisted trying to find a carpark.  Just take the bus.  I for one am doing that trip when it comes up.

I took two hot pods in a bag with me, so thankful, otherwise I would have been cold.  I'm really hating the cold this winter.

Now that I'm home, I will just take a bit of time to relax.  I think tomorrow is going to be a bit busy again.

9.52 pm:  I've had an awesome, quiet afternoon and evening.  It's so good being lazy for a change!

Catch ya tomorrow.

GAS REMOVAL QUOTE

 It is going to be a BUSY morning!

We have the electrician coming back to continue installing lights/range hood etc.

Then we also have a new plumber coming to give us a quote on getting the gas heater off the wall, and replacing the gas hot water cylinder with an electric one.

Also sometime this morning, the Village Manager is coming back to suss out yet another option for our shed issue.  This option sounds way better ... so fingers crossed it can be done.... but I really don't think it will work.  Too much is involved.

I have to be up and 'presentable' before 7.45 am.  That will be a mission, cos I'm not even out of bed by then, of late. 😖😅  

OH!  I just remembered something else... all the bathroom stuff is being delivered today as well.  I shall have a shower and vanity sitting in me lounge for a little while.  lol What's new?

Plumber has been and gone, now awaiting his quote.

Electrician is here installing the new rangehood etc.

Talking of the rangehood, I MUST show you why we are replacing the old one!

ABOVE:  See?  I couldn't bear to even look at it!  Completely disgusting.

ABOVE:  Mitre 10 just dropped off all the bathroom stuff.  And we get to look at it for a few days, until they can install on Thursday. It won't be finished on Thursday, but a lot will be done.

And it's now 9 am... things are ticking along rather fast! 

ABOVE:  The one light I've been dying to see up...

ABOVE: Done, and I love it.

ABOVE: The new rangehood is in place, and so is the kitchen blind.  

It is now almost lunchtime, so I shall pop out and do a couple of jobs (buy paint etc for the bathroom), then come home and enjoy looking at the pretty light.

I have not seen the manager this morning, so he might have already been and I didn't notice him.

KJ: there is no way in hell that woman next door will change her mind!  

4 pm, and the Village Manager arrived.  We had another chat and I suggested ANOTHER option not yet thought of.  And it might be the best one yet.  He's off to talk to someone else, then he'll get back to me.  

The mental exhaustion over this bloody issue!  I think there's been quite a few people kept awake over it.  It is slowly coming to a conclusion I hope.

8.42 pm:  It feels MEH seeing boxes all over the lounge AGAIN.  I hope they get out of here sooner rather than later.  I just want this house to start feeling 'normal', not a mess of boxes and stuff going on all the time.  It's been a month of upheaval already.

On top of everything involved with moving here over the past 9 months.  😖

I'm TIRED. Physically and mentally.

WILL THEY WORK?

 

Surprise, surprise, I don't have very much on the agenda today.

Lacy is coming over so we can go on a walk sometime this morning.  I might take a few photos of areas you ain't seen yet.

After freezing my buns off at the markets on Friday and Saturday, I've decided to use the lovely sheepskin off the footstool, for my market seat.  That should help keep me warm.  Don't know why I haven't thought of it sooner.

ABOVE:  I bought some of these things from The Chemist Warehouse yesterday.   I am going to put one on my lower leg and see if it does warm up and help keep my leg warm?  It would be awesome if it does work.  I will try anything to help keep me warmer!

And that's about all I have for now... catch ya later.

ANON:  You are not being a 'downer', just a concerned person.  Thank You.

But.. in this instance you are incorrect.  These pads can be used ON THE BODY, just not directly on your skin.  I read the instructions very carefully.

Lacy arrived bright and early (for me), and we did our first full walk around my new village.

Not a big or fast walk, but it's a start.  We can add distance once I've got my fitness up a bit.

ABOVE: Stew and I now live 90 seconds from this ... and we can add river walks to our day anytime we want.

ABOVE:  On our walk this morning... posing by our river.  Lacy has a lovely new drink bottle.  Lilac and purple.  

She's now gone home, and I'm rapidly cooling down, so will get off me arse and do some jobs.

VERY EXCITED to say the bathroom renovation starts this THURSDAY.  Whoop whoop.

The shower and vanity and related tapware arrives tomorrow. 

I shall have to buy some wet area paint for the walls.  And towel rails.  I'm trying to decide if I paint the walls pure white, or a pale blue?  

Well the Body Warmers work, but not as good as I hoped they would.  I think I simply have cold legs 'n' feet.  Probably a lot to do with being diabetic.  Grrrr.

I went to the mall to find a kitchen clock.  Found one that will do.

ABOVE:  It's nice enough.  I saw one I really loved, but it was too big for where we wanted a clock.  

Home now, and contemplating doing nothing for a while.

It's quite a windy day, and inside I can hear it... through the old gas heater on the wall.  It will be neat when that monstrosity is removed.

Happy to say I've had an enjoyable afternoon, just pottering around the house and yard.  Got a few things tweaked, and worked out a few other things.

It is slowly all coming together. We just have to get over the bathroom overhaul, and the gas disconnections.

I am done for the day.  It is only 7.24 pm, and I'm looking forward to bed!  Crazy.

Catch ya tomorrow.

PLANTS

I wanted to mention this, because I had alluded to a problem earlier.

We are really annoyed and pissed off with what's happening with our shed.  It has to be reduced in height to appease one neighbour.  A husband and wife.

Management here are doing it ... and shouldering the costs, as this fiasco was caused in part by us, and in part by them. 

I felt like moving here was a major mistake, and the happiness I was starting to feel about our new little home was gone.

But, as Stew has said to me, let's NOT let 'them' ruin the enjoyment we shall get from living here.  Lets NOT let them know in any way how much they have upset us.

We shall just totally ignore them, and get on with settling in here, and getting to know all the other lovely people who live here.

Now, the only thing I have to work out is where to put our Pig Weather Vane!  It can't be on the roof, or in anyone's 'face'.  So that's something I'd like to work on today.

We are also going out to find some new garden plants.

When we moved in, there were two areas in the garden that had been freshly planted with hedge plants.   I asked for them to be removed, and they did it immediately.   I am going to replace them with pretty shrubs of our choosing.

Later on this afternoon we have a lady coming to talk to us about our 'lives', for our Village Profiles.  I don't think telling her I'm a CRABBY TART will cut it somehow.  😂😉😏

Catch ya later.

'Smile and be NICE'???

ABOVE:  I'd much rather give them that face! 

btw:  I'm rather impressed with my "ugly" face!  lol

Stew just did the weekend shopping.  Next will be going out to nursery's to find some plants.

Before anyone else makes any helpful suggestions re: the shed, just know that most options were offered to the 'complainers', but short of removing the shed entirely, the only option was the one they agreed to.

Which was butchering our shed, and planting trees to shield it from their view, even though once it is butchered, it will not be in their sight much at all. 

We were kept informed for the most part in what was going on behind closed doors.  But we will still be asking to see the 'Rules and Regulations' that were enacted, as we have not been shown anything in writing to back up what is happening to our shed.  Which is basically being done against our wishes.

Just now, Stew's out the front, getting plants out of the car, and THEY drive past.  And that fucking bitch waved at Stew.  He waved back.  I wouldn't have.

ABOVE: And we have 8 new plants in the gardens, and they should look lovely in a couple of  years time.

Had a lovely yak with L and D, the neighbours whose home joins onto ours.  Lovely people, so nice to have them next door.

We are now going out for a kebab, then home in time for the meeting with the lady who is doing our village profiles.  I might even smile for that photo, cos the one above is not quite 'friendly'.  lol

5.35 pm:  And the meeting with the delightful 'J' went very well.  And she got a really lovely photo of Stew, Coco and I for our profiles.

Now... time to just relax, enjoy the evening, keep warm and look forward to BED.

Funny how when a kid, the last thing ya want to do is go to bed... and now? I start looking forward to it by mid afternoon!

TAMAHERE IN JUNE

Well, it's 5.53 in the morning, we are up and getting ready to head off to Tamahere.

It's about 5 degrees outside, so GODDAM COLD AS.

And we are expecting a HIGH of around 12.  Positively balmy right?

We are gunna freeze.

I'm going to be wearing TWO thermal tops and tights under my regular clothes today.  I am over being cold.

I'm also taking my hot pods, which I will warm up in the church kitchen.  

Let's see how that goes eh?

...

ABOVE: Yes...  it's  a pea soup fog.... and freezing.  Setting up right now.

ABOVE: Done, and now waiting for the customers.  I've got ALL me layers on, plus two hot pods on my lap. Can't say I'm cold! Well... except my feet. And I'm working on a solution to that for next month.

ABOVE:  WHY are people laughing at me???  Yes I'm a rugged up grandma sitting in a corner. AND???

2.19 pm, and we are home.

It was an 'average' market re: sales.

But, we have three people returning next month for things.

We sold two Scrappy Dolls today, so I'm down to only one left.  So that will be my focus once I get back sewing.

One lady is coming back next month for a few of them.

ABOVE: These delightful little children were only going to get ONE Scrappy Doll to share, but their mum relented and got two.  And I threw in the Giraffe for free, as the elder girl just loved it.  

ABOVE: Two fellow stall holders had portable gas heaters.  Hmmmm... I might have a look at those.

ABOVE: The fog didn't lift until close to 12 midday, and the sun?  Well that came out half an hour before the market ended.  So typical.  Now it's a glorious sunny afternoon.

We were in the process of unpacking the car's contents into the garage, when one of our close neighbours, who is also very new to the village walked by.  Next thing, we are standing there yakking in the sun, getting to know him.

And, I'm in triple layers of thermals!  I nearly died from the heat!   Talk about one extreme to the  other.

I couldn't wait to get inside and strip off all the layers.

Such a relief to be out of so many clothes.  I'm now in a big, snuggly Oodie top.  So nice.

Dinner tonight is going to be reheated Lasagne.  Yaa, I don't have to cook.

I just had my reheated lasagne, it was even better than the first time around.  Stew's helping is in the oven on slow warm, as he's at the pub.  Yep, on a Saturday night.  For a friend's birthday, and the rugby.  I didn't go as I am just too tired and needed to do nothing for a while. 

And that is me for the day.  It's been a long day and I can't wait to be in bed, nice and warm.  Looking forward to a sleep in tomorrow.

MATARIKI

Sorry for mentioning PEPSI yesterday.  It is where I can talk about stuff that is a bit more personal, or controversial.  And I only have family, and very long time friends who get to read it.  

Just a little reminder, this is a PUBLIC BLOG.  Anyone can read it.

So I have to be a bit careful what I do and don't put on here.

Our current situation involves a conflict here at our new Village.

A situation that happened due to us not being given clear guidelines for our garden shed.  The situation is now in hand, with a clear plan going forward.

Some adjustment to our shed will happen, but we do get to keep our shed.

And that is all I will say about that.

Moving on to today.

We are supposed to be attending the Matariki Celebration/Market this afternoon.  It is a 3-7pm market, with lots of activities going on as well.  If you are interested you can GOOGLE Matariki and see what it's all about.

If the weather does not clear, it will be cancelled.

I'm ambivalent about it... I'm not fussed if we go or not.

Tomorrow we have the Tamahere Market as well... the weather is looking better for that.

I want to have a 'feature wall' behind our bed.  I have been looking at wallpaper.  OMG it is so expensive now days!  

I found one I love:

ABOVE:  BUT, it will be a cold day in hell before I spend that sort of money on ONE roll of freakin' wallpaper!

I think I will be painting that wall pale blue, then doing something on top of it myself.  Maybe stencil a pattern, or whatever. 

Stew is going to hang the kitchen blind this morning, while I sort out what to take to market (if it goes ahead).  

10.30 am.  And the weather has turned out to be excellent!  We had heaps of rain overnight, so we are indeed lucky.

I made us an early lunch of lasagne with meatballs, onions and tomato. Very yummy.

We will be loading the car shortly, in time to leave after midday.  I also have to get layered up with me thermals, cos while the sun is shining right now... it's bloody cold.

Stew is now working on putting my kitchen blind up... something I didn't think he would get time for this morning.  Let's wait and see how that goes.

It's a work in progress.

AND... we just heard from Mitre 10. Our bathroom fittings have arrived and will be delivered sometime next week.  That's a bit exciting.

1.38 pm. We are at the market setting up. Stews had to go home and get another gazebo side. I packed the wrong one 😭😳.

There's been a few spits of rain, but what's worse is the wind. It's really blowing and gusty. Horrible. I have no expectations for this market.

I don't quite know why, but this set up has not gone smoothly,  as is normal for us. It's been a nightmare with WIND and constant heavy showers.  And not finding everything we need, stepping over stuff, just so disjointed. 

We have finally finished... it took us two hours! Usually takes one hour. 

ABOVE: The only nice thing.... a double rainbow.

It's almost 3 pm, the official start of this festival/Market. 

5.45 pm.  It's now dark, but still heaps of people around. 

ABOVE: Hot chips 'n' hotdogs... so good! 

Then our stall, the best lit up one here. Those Ryobi lamps are awesome.   

Made one sale... better than none. It's not really the right event for us. 

Hopefully we do better at Tamahere tomorrow. The Matariki Festival will be a one off for us.

6.37 pm. Half an hour to go. We are dying to pack up and get out of the cold.  Though at least it's not blowing or raining now.

Hoping tomorrow's market isn't as cold, but the forecast is saying it will be COLDER! I'm not looking forward to that. 

8 pm and we are home.  And so happy to be out of the cold.

ABOVE: It was a lovely festival.  But we very quickly realised that it was NOT the sort of event that attracts buyers of runners!  Totally the wrong sort of crowd.

They were there for the entertainment, and food.

Pure and simple.

We will NOT do that again.

ABOVE: A lovely night view of the lake, which was behind our stall.

ABOVE: Packing up in the dark, and tomorrow morning, we will be setting up in the dark.

Oh joy.

And with that, I'm off here, going to enjoy a hot chocolate drink, then go to bed.

Catch ya tomorrow.