WALK, THEN RENA

As long as it's not pissing down with rain, I am going for a walk around my suburb this morning.
Actually, if it's raining I can take me flash new umbrella... UNLESS it's torrential rain!

It will be interesting to see how many steps I clock up, I intend going for quite a big walk.
I need to be home again by late morning as Kelly, Gordon and Rena are due to arrive.

Kelly and Gordon are heading off to Coromandel for a 'grown up' birthday party over the weekend, so we are looking after Rena.

Here's hoping they have a nice time while away...  the weather forecast is a bit iffy though, so maybe not too many outside activities.

I had planned on going to patchwork class, but it won't fit in with the family coming.  Never mind, there is always next week.

I might take Rena down to the mall after lunch and get her some colouring in books and pens/felts to play with over the weekend.  I don't have anything much in the house for her to play with right now!  It's all in storage!

So, that's my plan for the morning... off to do all the usual stuff... dogs, beds, general tidy up.... 

ONWARD...

Well... while I don't mind walking in light rain... I draw the line at torrential rain and this stuff:

ABOVE:  Freezing hail!  There's been several hail episodes come through in the past hour, so I'm not going walking.  Well, not outside anyway.
I might get on the treadmill later I think.

For now... I'm just pottering around the house.  Got dinner on in the crock pot, a beef stew.
Yummy.

2.00 pm:  And Kelly and Gordon have come and gone, leaving Miss Rena here with me.
We had some lunch (kindly provided by K & G), then we went down to the mall for 'stuff'.



ABOVE:  ha ha... stuff included 2 new outfits, new sneakers ... AND a couple of colouring books with felts.

End of Day: dinner was nice... then I got to watch my favourite TV... I love Friday nights!  *smiles* Coronation Street!  Rena has been a good little girl, she went to bed no trouble at all.
nite nite

SUCCESS....

I tried a new dinner last night.. soft shell taco's.

And they came out perfect.... Stew and the kids loved them.

 ABOVE:  I don't think the 'recipe' called for the sour cream, but I didn't actually follow a recipe.  I made my usual nacho mince mixture, then put the other stuff on top.  I think they look really cool.
Will certainly be doing them again.

Bex is constantly sending me little photos of the boys... mostly to cheer me up I think.  So, I got these ones late yesterday: 

ABOVE:  Dante feeding his baby brother.  How darling is that?  I wonder if he tastes it first?

Talking of Bex and the boys, I'm meeting them today for lunch at the mall.
I'm going to leave early and do 3 'there and back' lengths of the mall... that should make up for yesterday's inactivity.

And I shall have a sensible lunch, cos yesterday's certainly WAS NOT.  I ate far too much and felt sick as a dog all afternoon.  I'm a dick.

ONWARD...

Walk done
Meet up with Bex and boys done.

Now at j b hi fi waiting for them to sort out my laptop. Azmat is the computer guy... and hes WONDERFUL. Hes on to it.

3.30 pm:  well it took over an hour in the shop for Azmat to get my laptop running again, he took off all the 'free' security and I bought and he installed a new Computer Security system.
The computer had had a hissy fit and couldn't decide if it was running off the battery or power cord, so it had shut down.
Azmat fixed it... he's amazing.

If I'd done what most people do and taken my computer to a repair place, it would have cost me hundreds of dollars.  Luckily, Azmat remembered me and said he would fix it for me.  As I said, he's an awesome guy.

The security system I bought can have 6 computers/phones on it, so I've just installed it on my PC too.  It takes a while as it has to uninstall all other security systems.  But I did it, rather proud of myself!

I'm feeling heart sick.    

Was going to cook a lovely beef stew for dinner, but now I just don't feel like doing it.
So, Sorry Stew, it's takeaways tonight.

We couldn't have dinner till quite late as we had the Real Estate guys coming around to discuss our advertising.  We are re-jigging some of the online advertising next week, and the estate agents are getting a professional videographer in to take a movie of our home to put online as well.  All free!

Plus there is a possible buyer very interested in the house coming to look at it this Sunday too.  And another person who is still keen, but has to sell his home first.  So... it's not all doom and gloom I suppose.

After Steve and Paul left we went down to Manukau mall and the family had dinner.  I really wasn't too interested in anything on offer, so I had some yoghurt and fruit when we got home.

End of Day:  still feeling like I've got a huge lump in my stomach... I hate it when things happen that upset me so much that it makes me ill.  Also had a tight chest feeling on/off all day... I'm sure it's down to the upset.
It happened just before the Real Estate Agents arrived too... so it IS just stress related.
I need to learn how to relax and not let stuff upset me so much.  *sigh*
nite nite

LACY

I don't need to 'diss' you Lacy.  (comment you left last night)
If I did, it would be JUSTIFIED though, and you know it.

YOU chose to move away from our support.  We cannot and will not be at your beck and call, we will not be emotionally blackmailed forever and ever.  But we WILL do what is necessary to ensure Keera is safe and well, physically and emotionally.
Do you think she is emotionally safe right now?  Think about last night and her reaction to your 'conversation' with me on the phone OK?

*readers... please no comments on the above.

Today for real.... I think I need to go for another walk.  It will help clear the mind and build up me steps for the day.

I got to 7,618 steps yesterday, which was a good day.
Let's see if I can better it today eh?

ONWARD...

Can you believe... I'm still in bed!  Yep.  Just been doing stuff from my bed so far this morning.  Answering phone calls, emails etc.
And I'm freezing!  Yet my stomach is churning in a hot, nasty type of way.

I'm gunna get up soon though.  I need to pee!  Oh and get dressed, make beds, get meat out of the freezer for dinner bla bla bla.

11.18 am:
Am now out of bed and regretting a few things this morning.    
Expressing feelings is not a bad thing, it's an honest thing.  Being shot down in flames for 'sharing' my feelings is not cool.
Particularly when I opened up to YOU.  Won't make that mistake again.
Olive branch taken back.  You won't be included in any more family situations by me.

*sigh*   back to my life as it is.... lunch!

There are 'cries for help' and then there's emotional blackmail.  I know the difference.
Also.  When you lose the plot and scream and cry, rant and rave and threaten harm.... maybe it's because you know deep down that what you are PLANNING is WRONG.  Yep.  

There are other alternatives and you were offered one today, even though it's the last thing we need right now.  But the offer was made.  Don't say it hasn't been offered. Don't try and justify where your child is now.  If harm comes to her... be it on your head.

And yes... here I am... venting to the whole world on my blog... YET AGAIN.
What an awesome mother.   Yep yep and yep.

The above was said 'tongue in cheek'.

I've had enough of today.  I'm signing off.

End of Day:   a shitty day.  Didn't get me walk.  Didn't do much at all.  My laptop charger died.  I've got my PC on a trestle table in the lounge.  It's not ideal, but at least I can still play on me computer and watch the TV.
nite nite

STEW BACK TO HAMILTON TODAY

So Stew has gone to Hamilton today, I am not sure if he's staying overnight or coming back?
I forgot to ask him.
Whoops.  Either way, he's out of town today and tomorrow.

Re: Yesterday's mood.  Of course I'm bored!  But I hate saying it.
Bored = Boring.
And I don't want to be boring.

But it is what it is.  I have to stop living in LIMBO and just get on with it.  I will go back to my Friday patchwork class I think.
Luckily I did leave my sewing machine here!  And all the fabric I need to work on my next quilt.  So I can do that at least.

So... it's a new day... and hopefully a good one.

ONWARD...

8.44 am:  Stew is safely in Hamilton, and he is coming home tonight.  Yaaa, I will sleep ok tonight then.

Kids have gone to school and I'm feeling much better today.  I'm even going to put me 'face' on!  I'm in me trackies, I am going to Sylvia Park to walk up and down it's length a few times.  It's much NICER to do a walk when you are out and about around people.

After my walk I will call in and see Bex if she's home. If not, I will come home and have me lunch.

I got on the scales this morning... 3 weeks of being a miserable pig and I've gained 3 kilos.  If only it was that easy to lose!  Never mind, I'm in this for the long haul, so I shall just keep working on it.  I'm feeling positive today, so let's not dwell on a gain eh?  *smiles*

1.09 pm:  
Well I found out two things today.  Sylvia Park mall is 1.25 kms long, if you park in the most extreme end carpark.  And I clocked up 3,467 steps by walking from one end to the other ... twice.  I was silly though, I wore long track pants and a long sleeved track top.  If I hadn't got so darn hot I would have walked another 'there and back'.

Next time I will.

After my walk I visited Bex and the boys, which was lovely.  Archer is such a happy bubba, and Dante is very entertaining.  BOSSY, but entertaining.

Then on my way home I stopped at the supermarket for a few things for tomorrow night's dinner...

 ABOVE:  I didn't mean to buy a 'kit'... just the tacho shell thingees.  I'm making my nacho mince mix to go in them, along with lettuce, tomatoes and capsicums.
I hope it's nice.  

ABOVE:  LUNCH today.  I should be farting up a storm by tonight... pity Stew!  lol

Not a good evening.  Family issues.  Probably going to toss and turn all night.  

End of Day:  a wonderful DAY.  Not so wonderful after dinner though.
Shit happens.  WE deal with it.
nite nite

ANOTHER WEEK...

So starts another week in limbo.
Not knowing when we will get to Hamilton... I hate this feeling.

I just want to move on with the next chapter, get us all settled again in a new home.
When you put your house on the market, you disengage from where you are... the house you made into your home becomes just another house you want to move out of.

I no longer feel 'at home' here.  It's not a nice feeling.  

*sigh*... moan over.  

I have NO PLANS today.  The house is spotless.  There is nothing to do.  
I don't feel like sewing.
So I might as well work on the fitness.

Get on the treadmill/exercycle ... while watching a movie on the TV downstairs.
Let's hope that lightens me misery guts mood.

Oh yeah... some photos from last night:

 ABOVE:  beautiful, smiley Archer.

 ABOVE:  Steve looking like a bloody sheep... I cut his hair last night, then forgot to take an 'AFTER' photo.  Derrr.

 ABOVE:  Hanging out before dinner.

ABOVE:  Archer happy on his tummy.

ONWARD...

BELLA:  No he didn't.  He's not rolling over YET.
Won't be long though, he's trying hard.

This morning I did NOTHING.
I am just in the most crabby, depressed mood.
I can't seem to pull myself out of it.
I'm eating anything and everything and I don't give a shit.

See?  Depressed.  Can't see anything good happening for ages... just like what happened in Palmerston North... took something like 11? months to sell there.   Over it already. 

Sheesh! What happened to my "Don't Stress About It, It WILL Happen Attitude?"
I don't want to be this misery guts.
I'm going to kick myself in the butt and sort my self out.
There has to be something I can do to make my time happier.

But What? Maybe going back to patchwork class?  Hospice?  Must give it some thought I think, I don't want another day like today, where I simply did not want to even get out of bed.

End of Day:  a crappy day.  No motivation to do anything.  Hopefully I'm out of this funk tomorrow.
nite nite

YET AGAIN... OPEN HOME

Yep, another day spent getting the house ready for another Open Home.
*sigh*

I certainly don't get myself all hot and bothered anymore, it's quite automatic.  I start in our bedroom and work my way through all the rooms one by one.  I've got it down to a fine art.

At least I'm happy with the lounge now.  It's not too cluttered, there is way less 'stuff' on the walls and floor, but there is still enough colour to make me feel it's looking warm and inviting.

After the Open Home I expect Steve, Bex and the boys to visit for dinner.  So... I better think of what I'm going to cook!  I'm thinking something easy like Mac Cheese and Bacon.

So... until much later... have a nice day and fingers crossed our elusive buyer comes today.

ONWARD...  

ANON from yesterday's post (4.40 am)..........

"MISH MASH AND TACKY?"  My lounge looks "TACKY"???

What the fuck do you know?  Are you an interior designer then?

WE all think our lounge looks lovely, and THAT'S  what matters.

'Constructive criticism' is always welcomed.... mean comments are not.  Fuck off would ya?   

Now... let's get back to the housework...

11.07 am:  Well the sun was shining with hardly a cloud in the sky, so I sent the kids out walking with the dogs.
WHOOPS.  Now it's utterly pissing down with torrential rain.

Luckily the kids had hoodies on, so the top half of them stayed dry.  The dogs were sopping wet and FILTHY,  so they went straight into their crate.

ABOVE:  the lounge with all the new cushions.  I love them.   So bright and cheerful.

2.45 pm:  Today's Open Home was a fizzer.  Only 1 group through.  So much for the 'HOT AUCKLAND MARKET'.  I'm so despondent right now.

Dinner was just lovely, and so was seeing Steve, Bex and the boys. A quiet evening after they left.  Just watching TV, mucking around on the computer etc.

End of Day:  a day spent doing a shit load of 'getting ready' for nothing.  Oh well... another Open Home next weekend then.
nite nite

ROLLING....

Well... ALMOST!
Archer is 4 months old TODAY... and he's trying very hard to roll over... back to front.

ABOVE:  adorable wee man.  

Today we have no plans as such.  The house is fairly shipshape, so not too much to do before tomorrow's Open Home.

It's supposed to be utterly shit weather, so maybe a stay indoors, do bugger all day?

Let's wait and see eh?

ONWARD...

Well looks like the weather forecast was wrong.  It's a beautiful day out there.  Maybe it will change later on?
Either way, I'm still hanging the washing inside... cos sure as eggs if I hang it outside it will rain.   The washing that got hung out the other day is still out there as it got rained on all week.

I'm a weather forecaster today.  It's getting cold.  Just turned on the heater... brrrr.
We plan on going to Sylvia Park mid afternoon... Griffin needs a haircut and I can't be arsed doing it.
And I want to get another cushion that I saw at Bed Bath and Table... on sale, half price.  Hopefully it's still there.

It wasn't. So I got 4 more from the Design Store!

And now we are at Mission Bay getting a Movenpik icecream. Shit does Hamilton have a Movenpik shop????

10.29 pm:  well whoops!  Forgot to update for a while.
After our ice creams we went to Bunnings and got more Water Spot cleaner for the shower doors/walls. 
Home.  Stew cooked dinner, Pork and Rosemary rissoles and veges, very nice.

End of Day:   spent a quiet evening watching the telly and just chillin'.
nite nite

HMMMM....

I'm in a quandary.
I look around my lounge and think..."ikk".
It's just not me at all.
There is hardly any colour.
So, I am thinking of putting just a tiny bit back.

Not sure if it will be some flowers, ornaments or what.

I'm still thinking about it.

I also have to finish painting the walls that had picture hook holes all over them... so that might get done today.

The only other thing on my 'To Do' list is read some blogs, catch up on who's doing what.
I really have been the worst blogger 'friend' of late... well the last year or so!
I think that's one of the reasons I feel like not blogging sometimes, because I feel guilty for not keeping up to date with all my favourite blogs.

So... I will try to do some reading today.  And get some exercise too... treadmill/exercycle.   Steps... I want to get to at least 7,000 today.
I can do it!

ONWARD...

OMG I could scream.
I am busy getting beds made etc... and then I finally get down the the Family Room to find this:

ABOVE:   Tallulah has been eating my beautiful rug AGAIN.  I'm so angry right now I could throttle her.
Then I look around the house... and can't find even one of her toys?
Where the hell are they?
No wonder she's chewing me rug, she's got nothing to play with at all.  
I don't forgive her, but I will be getting her more toys for sure.

Right, back to the housework.  I've just put a Chicken/Mushroom/Onion casserole in the Crock Pot for tonight's dinner... to be had with some nice veges. 

WHOOP!  I've had fun this morning!
I went to Sylvia Park, didn't find anything I wanted there, so went across the road to Freedom/The Importer/The Design Store.  SUCCESS.

See what ya think of me lounge now:

 BEFORE:  Ikk... dull.

ABOVE:  Now.  Colour.  No flowers though, I wanted to get away from flowers.

ABOVE:  I adore this throw, it's so bright and cheerful.

After getting the cushions and throw I went to Animates and got Tallulah some more toys.

ABOVE:  She seems to like them, and even Coco gave them a sniff.

So far today I've done 4,926 steps too.  Awesome.

So weird... I love reading blogs once I get going! I'm slowly plugging away at my huge list of them... on the couch, snuggly blankie on my knee, fire on... BLISS.

End of Day:  Dinner was lovely and it's been a lovely quiet evening enjoying some tv.
Now watching Coronation Street, love Friday nights!
nite nite

ST LUKES

Today I have arranged to meet up with Bex and the boys at St Lukes mall.
For a change of scene.

While there I hope to find some little, flat glass dishes to put the candles on,  above the lounge fireplace.
The old ones have left stains on the mantle, so I don't want that to happen again.  As it is, I have to repaint the mantle sometime before Sunday's Open Home.

So... that's about it for now!  No plans after the mall... hopefully I will clock up plenty of steps while out and about.

ONWARD...

1.41 pm:
Well... I've  had a wonderful morning with Bex and the boys.  We wandered around the mall, had lunch and just had a nice time really.
I looked for a present for Stew, but didn't see anything worth getting.
I also looked for little dishes to go under the candles but no luck there either, unless I wanted to spend $50+ on coasters?  Nope.  

On my way home I decided to pop into the Hospice and Op Shops in Onehunga.   Found the perfect little dishes for the candles !  They don't match, but hey... they are cute...

 ABOVE:  I love them, and the best thing?  Cost me $6.50.  You just have to love op shops.

End of Day:  Yaa, I didn't have to cook tonight, takeaways for us.   Steps so far today:  6,020.  Not that good, but I will get a few more in before I head off to bed.
nite nite

TRAINWRECK

I'm going to take Christy's advice and take myself off to the movies today!
I shall be watching Trainwreck.  I've seen the shorts and it looks like it will be amusing.

Before going out though, I need to get some housework done... mostly washing and cleaning the kitchen.  It gets mucky so quick when you have kids using it.  Piggy things kids.

Steve and Bex got professional photos taken of the boys some weeks ago and they finally got them the other day.  They got three:

ABOVE:  I love them!  Steve was swinging Dante upside down in the bottom right photo. The one of Archer on his own is him in the cocoon Bex crocheted.

I wonder if they will get photos done again when they have number 3?  *smiles*

Right, I'm off to start me day.  If it's pouring with rain I shall be taking the kids to school like I did yesterday.

ONWARD... 

I just checked my stats on my FitBit. I've only averaged 5,000 steps the past 2 days.  Not good enough.  Clearly I need to step it up.
As for my sleep patterns, it looks like I'm a very restless sleeper.  And the FitBit says I only took 10 minutes to fall asleep last night... WRONG.
I may have been keeping STILL, but I wasn't asleep.  I didn't get to sleep till after 1 am, after going to bed at 10.30 pm.  So, it's not that accurate recording sleep patterns.

But I still love using it... and keeping an eye on my activity during the day.

 ABOVE:  since I put a chair back there, they have become very good gaurd dogs.  They bark at EVERYONE, even those who actually live across the road.  

See the pretty candles?  I got new ones, brighter ones.  I just had to add more colour to me room.

ABOVE:  I reckon Tallulah would fit into a Meerkat population just fine!  She's such a good lookout.

3.23 pm:  and I'm home from the movie.  My critique?  It was OK, not as funny as I thought it would be.  I probably laughed a couple of times.  It was a nice to get out though.
I had a good walk around the mall before I went into the movies, so got some excercise, which was great.

The kids should be home soon, then a bit later on I'm going to have a go at making Pork
Steamed Buns.  

Stew is due home tonight, so I hope they come out nice.

It's a gloriously sunny day today, lots of wind too. Shame I didn't hang out the washing!
Oh well... one of the kids can once they get home.

6.00 pm:  waiting for my dough to rise, and the pork filling to cook and thicken.  I am drooling...  fingers crossed it all works.
I can't remember the last time I made bread dough by HAND!  Probably 35 years ago!

 ABOVE:  I used two tiers of the steamer.  Wow, it heated up and produced steam in about 30 seconds!   
While the buns were steaming I made a sauce with soy sauce, teriyaki sauce, honey, 5 spice powder, garlic and some water... it was super yum.

ABOVE:  Pork buns.  They were really lovely.  Quite a lot of work involved... but worth it.
I've got heaps of the filling left, so will freeze it for another day. 

End of Day:  a nice day, it was very enjoyable to do something different by going to the movies.
Stew is safely home again... until next week anyway.
nite nite

PAMPER TIME

Well... rather than sit at home and bore myself shitless AGAIN, I'm going down to the mall to get me hair coloured.  It's been bloody ages since I had it done!

I made an appointment late yesterday.  So, that's me morning taken care of.
I think I'm going to get a few inches cut off too.  My hair is well past my waist now (well... IF I had a waist!), which I don't really.  I might even get it shaped around the front too... something different?  Dunno.  Might chicken out too.  *smiles*

When I get home I might do some housework then read a few blogs to while away some time.
Then after lunch I will get on the treadmill and exercycle, get off me butt for a while.

Stew is in Rotorua today, I hope he has a nice day.  I miss him, it's hard sleeping without him in the bed... I get scared of every little noise!
Silly really, but it is what it is.

One more sleep and he will be home again.  Yaaa.

Right, I better get moving, I like to have the house ship shape before I do anything else, just in case I get a call from the Agent, wanting to bring someone through.

ONWARD...

2.51 pm:  Well my hair took exactly 3 hours... such a long time to have to sit still.  I hate it.
But... it's done now.
I changed my mind once there about getting some cut off, opting for only a trim.  I know if I get any cut off I will just cry!
Not worth it.

Since getting home all I've done is have me lunch, yogurt and fruit, and I'm now watching the MVT Video Award show.

I can't get over just how 'sexual' it is ... since when was filth and sexual innuendo in MUSIC OK? It's disgusting, and so is Miley Cyrus.  That girl is sick in the head to think anyone really thinks her outfits and speech is acceptable.
I will probably get shot down in flames for saying so, but I'm entitled to my opinion.

Christy: yes I have been to one movie on my own... and keep thinking I should go again.  I've seen the shorts for Trainwreck and will go see it.

lol.... I win.  Euro Plumbing is sending their receptionist around tonight to pick up their faulty Under Floor Heating Control... after expecting me to deliver it back to them.  Well... I did try to take it back ... but they were not open.  Next time that bloke ORDERS someone to return something, he should remember that having possession of the thing is everything.  I'm laughing at him now.  What a dick.

I won't be putting a hair photo up, it's just the same a usual.  

ABOVE:  just in from Bex... this adorable photo of the boys. I sure have beautiful grandkids!  All of them are, not just these two of course.
I might just have to go visit them tomorrow, I'm missing my cuddles.

It's nearly dinnertime, so I better sort out something to feed the kids with I suppose.

End of Day:  kids fed and in bed, time for me to feed the dogs and go to bed myself.
nite nite