TGIF

How about some happy snaps of Dante's Birthday Dinner?

Well come on... you don't actually get a choice!

ABOVE: New version of tic-tac-toe.  

ABOVE:  I stood behind Steve and was silly, and managed to get a REAL SMILE out of that boy!

Now... back to today.  No idea what I shall do.

I'm still loving my sewing, so might just do that AGAIN.  

I watched a movie on Netflix yesterday, it was called 'The Unforgivable' with Sandra Bullock.  I really enjoyed it.  Another one I enjoyed recently was 'The Cry'.

So I shall watch something else today.  Any suggestions please?  (I hate horror, suspense and shoot 'em up bang bangs.)

Bex has recommended 'You' and 'The Dressmaker'.  

STILL no communication from the asphalt company!

10.30 am:  Bex and the boys called in to pick up togs.  And I sent her home with half my house plants... cos I kinda almost killed them.

*sigh*

Succulents DON'T like too much water!!!

And Maidenhair ferns DO like water:

ABOVE: This is the little fern I nursed back to life from a bin at the Rest Home I worked at 3 years ago!

I almost killed it.  I put it on the shoe shelf by the front door and forgot about it.

Bex reminded me about it last week.  So I watered it then, but I think it simply does not like where it's positioned.  So, it's now back in the family room.  I hope it revives again.

I've been pottering around the house all morning, doing odd jobs.  Now I'm going to Spotlight for backing fabric for some Heart Runners.

2 pm:  Fabric bought, home and sewing for the past 2 hours.

I decided to do some UFO's.

ABOVE:  I got these four Heart Runners finished.  That's a load off my mind I must say.

They only needed their backing put on!  Into th e finished cupboard they go.

I'm taking a break for half an hour, then going out for a while.

ABOVE: nowadays the first thing we do when Keera comes over..  check for NITS. 

And YEP... she's got LIVE NITS ... WHO THE FUCK sends a child to someone else's home with fucking nits..  EVERY SINGLE TIME?????    What is wrong with them? Poor Keera has had nits for MONTHS now. 

SANDY:  Why should I be kind?  I'm over this kid being sent here with damn nits!  If we didn't check EVERY SINGLE TIME she came through our door, we would ALL end up with damn nits.

It's not on.

And NO, 'every kid' does not have nits right now!

That is bullshit.

AND that's the only comment (not published) that I will be replying to.  

RHONDA: sorry Chick, I won't publish your comment as it could cause 'ripples' that we simply don't need right now.  Quick answer to your main question:  No, nothing can be done now or in the future.

SLANDER IS WHEN IT'S NOT TRUE.

And on that note.

LAST BIRTHDAY OF THE YEAR

Another kid's birthday!

Today Dante turns 9, last year in single digits.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DANTE, have an awesome day.

On the odd occasion, I've seen a spider in the bathroom.  Not a biggie. 

It's usually a Daddy Long Legs.  They are harmless right?

Well, last night while in the bathroom, I see not one, but two damn spiders sitting right beside me.

ABOVE: I was outta there so fast!   Straight to the kitchen to find insect killer.

And boom, killed 'em.

I don't like spiders AT ALL.  And those two had creepy bodies.

It still gives me the heebie jeebies.

ABOVE:  Brylee and Marley last night.  Doesn't Marley look adorable, perched up on Brylee's lap!

Yeah, it's a nice pic of Brylee too I suppose.  *smiles*  😋

Today I'm going to take a little break from sewing, and I think I'll paint that oar Lacy gave me.

White to begin with, then possibly a couple of blue stripes near the handle.  Though my creative juices are flowing, and I'm thinking of somehow doing an acrylic pour on it.

And that's me for now.... hoping for a wet day, or no rain at all so it's not so damn humid.

 10.40 am:  Bex and the boys have arrived for a visit.

With a little gift for me:

ABOVE:  A new Christmas Friend!  The boys picked him for me.  He's a Royal Penguin, hence his name is perfect for him.

The boys want to start their own Christmas Friend collection, so Bex let them choose a Friend each:

ABOVE:    Dante's one is ROVER, and he's a Minecraft Gamer.

Archer's one shall remain nameless as he doesn't like anything we suggest.  Pain in the butt child.

Well, it's now almost 3 pm.

Archer named his friend Ruben.

And I've been sewing again.

The oar can wait.  I still felt like sewing, and until that stops, I sew.

I made three more One Christmas Tree runners.

Now I'm moving on to a few Two Christmas Tree runners. 

White backgrounds this time.

I'm looking forward to dinner.   Stew and I are going to Steve 'n' Bex's for Dante's birthday dinner.

We are having what Dante wants, Ravioli pasta.

And probably cake.

Nah, for sure cake.

ABOVE:  Today's trees.

Yaaa.   Stew has arrived home early, so we won't be late for Dante's birthday dinner.

Off we go.

8.20 pm:  And we are home again.  We had a lovely dinner and ice cream cake for Dante's birthday.  He loved his present (a family game), and I'm sure he will be nagging his Dad and brother to play it for a while.  lol

Photos tomorrow, cos I need something for tomorrow don't I?  lol

Right, we are stuffed, so it's feet up, telly on, and chillax till bedtime.

YAKKITY YAK

 Today's plans are to just do some more sewing.

But first, there's a bit of housework to be done.

Just basic stuff, nothing much to speak of.

I took a few photos last night to share, cos well... it would be a boring blog post without something to share...

ABOVE:  Reid and Rosy jumped off the plant trolley and onto the dining table.  They like it there.

ABOVE:  Randy loves his corner of the lounge.

ABOVE: One of the Santa's... squeeze his hand and he sings and dances.  Noisily. 

ABOVE:  All the presents around the tree.  It's going to be such fun watching everyone open their presents on Christmas morning.

ABOVE:  See that colourful bowl?  I've had it for at least 25 years!  I used to keep our eggs in it.  Now it's just for pretty flowers of the artificial type.  It looks just as lovely now as it did way back then too.  

The funky corner mirror?  Got it in an op shop many, many years ago too.  

And that little blue lighthouse was bought from Bellingen in Australia, about 14 years ago.  Mum took me shopping there when we went over for her 70th birthday.

How ironic that she ended up passing away in Bellingen Hospital.

ABOVE:  parting shot for now.  Sound advice.

11.35 am:  I went to Mitre 10 this morning for a piece of trellis.

ABOVE: They had exactly what I wanted.  Now I can keep the sewing room door open, and just slide the barrier to the right when I want to leave the room.

The large brown barrier has gone back in front of the air con unit by the pond.

ABOVE:  Ridge.  He needed to come home.

ABOVE: The girls gave him a very cursory sniff, and were underwhelmed.  They don't even growl at new ones now.

I've just had an early lunch (or late breakfast).  Gunna relax for a little while then go into the sewing room and do stuff.

Still no email or communication from the asphalt company.  I hope they are not going to ignore the problem and just walk away?

4.50 pm:  And this afternoon I have....

ABOVE:  Done some 'housework' in the sewing room, which involved filling about 35 bobbins.

Another shitty job like folding washing!

ABOVE:  After getting that done I made this Christmas Tree Runner.  

Crazy making them really as there is going to be no opportunity to sell them this year.

But, they are such FUN to make!

Why the hell not have some fun eh?

It all this sewing wasn't fun I'd pack it all in and rent out this room!

Today we have had rain/sunshine/rain/sunshine ALL DAY LONG.

And it's so stinking hot and humid, there is no relief at all.

And I can't live in the pool!

Stew just got home, he's going to have a walk on the treadmill, then no doubt jump in the pool.  As it's not raining and cool (at all!), I might join him.

10.10 pm:  Well,  we had a WONDERFUL swim before dinner.  Steve, Bex and the boys arrived for a swim as well.  Then Brylee arrived for a yak... so it was a busy, happy evening.

Now... it's time to wind down and just relax till I go to bed.

Catch ya tomorrow.

HIT REPEAT

 Well today I'm going to make some more of these:

ABOVE: Funky little Christmas Tree 'runners'.  Not big enough for a big coffee table, but certainly big enough for a small coffee table!  Or you could have two or three on a big coffee table. 

I am going to make 6 more today.  

They are such good fun.

I'm hoping today goes smoothly, with no drama or nastiness.  I'm presumably getting an email from the asphalt company.  At least, that's what 'K' said he was going to do when he stormed off yesterday.

Knowing how quickly they responded to OUR emails, I won't hold my breath for theirs.

So, that's me for now... off to get on with me day.

10.50 am. I took a flying trip to Cambridge this morning to drop off a couple of gifts.

Then half way home I found out Lacy was on her way to hospital in an Ambulance. 

ABOVE: in A & E. 

Right.  She's out. All is good again.  I won't be saying what the problem was, as that is Lacy's business and she's asked me to respect her privacy.  Not a problem.  Just know she's OK.

I've just had my lunch.  Not sure if I feel like sewing now.  Let's wait and see.

No email from the asphalt company yet, no surprise there.

Well... after being an utterly lazy tart for a couple of hours after lunch, I went into my sewing room and made this:

ABOVE:  A two tree runner, on a very soft green background.  It's adorable.  

Bex and the boys popped over  after school today.  Nice to have someone to natter with for an hour or so.

We are having dinner with them on Thursday night, as it is Dante's 9th Birthday.

7.50 pm:  I had venison mince out for dinner, so I made a venison and vege stew.  It wasn't that nice in my opinion.  Stew said it was 'OK'.

Might not do that again.  

A quiet evening ahead.  It's raining, so the temperatures are pleasant.  But muggy.

Signing off for the day, catch ya tomorrow.

WILL THEY?

 On Friday 'K' from the asphalt company told me he would be back today to work on the 'issues' with our driveway.

So will they be back today?

Will they fix EVERYTHING?

While I wait to see, I will work on projects in my sewing room.

I've got HEAPS of projects on the go, or that I want to get started on.  Just not enough hours in the day really.

I am easily distracted by something new to do... it's a bit of a problem. That's how you end up with a dozen UFO's (Unfinished Objects).

Another few names for those are:

WIP's... Work in Progress

PIGS... Projects in Grocery Sacks

PHD's... Projects Half Done.

There ya go, something you probably didn't even know about, sewing 'slang'.  lol

I have probably got about ten projects 'on the go' right now.  There's a couple that are easily 5 years old!

Maybe I will resolve to finish them next year!

ABOVE:  This little man took a shine to Richard on the weekend.

So, a cute photo to be carrying on with... until I come back later.

With hopefully, some good news about the driveway?

9.47 am:  No show yet from the asphalt company.

I'm in me sewing room:

ABOVE:  having fun with these.  I want to use them as gifts, and have a few spare for next year's markets... obviously nearer to Christmas 2022.

ABOVE:  The driveway after a few cars drove and parked on it over the weekend.  Tyre tracks all over the place.  I don't think they are going away.

11.55 am:  And well!  'K' from the asphalt company turned up 10 minutes ago.  And it didn't go well.

He argued over most points.  Said he turned up here last Tuesday when I rang and said there was an urgent problem ( the water running down the driveway), when I can clearly show he didn't.  

He is adamant the driveway is going to 'weather and end up looking just fine'.

But... as I disagreed and pointed out the issues, he decided he couldn't talk to me at all, and is going to arrange a time to speak with Stew.

He kept calling me 'LOVE' and saying I was very argumentative, and spoiling for an argument with him.  Maybe I was?  I know I ended up getting quite upset and almost cried.  I knew I shouldn't have talked to him!  I don't do confrontation too well.

Oh while I remember.  'K' said the plumbers dropped petrol on the driveway from their concrete cutting equipment, and that is what ate into the driveway and caused the potholes.

'K' took photos of all of that... he's probably going to hit them up for the damage there, and the petrol staining running down the driveway.

I just feel sick to my stomach over it all.  'K' talked about maybe having to rip the entire driveway up to fix it.  My worst nightmare.

I just looked up 'misogynistic gaslighting', and yep! That's EXACTLY what he did to me.

He tried to shut me down, and blame me for being upset! And he tried to twist the facts, and doubt my own recall.

Thank god I have an amazing diary in this blog!

6.40 pm:  And I've had a wonderful time in the sewing room today!  My mind has been going around and around in circles since seeing 'K'... the only thing I wish I'd thought of doing was putting my voice recorder on!  Hindsight.  Annoying.

Stew is home ... on the Treadmill. Once he's finished we are going to have a swim, in the rain.

Then dinner.

ABOVE:  And there ya go!  Stew is in the pool.

And I am not.

I got in me togs, put me feet in the pool... and straight out again.  Way too cold for me.

I'm a pussy.

So, I'm getting dinner ready, making gravy etc.

Then we can sit down and enjoy our dinner, and watch some telly before bed.

I might as well sign off for the day now.  Not gunna be doing much else worth yakking about.  *smiles*

A QUIET MORNING

 We are looking forward to a quiet morning.

AND RAIN.

OMG that would be wonderful, it would certainly help to ease the temperatures.

I plan on staying in bed for as long as possible.  I'm just so tired lately.

Once up, I will suss out a few jobs in the sewing room... I've got those cat runners to finish, then I want to start a special project for our lawyer.

He rang me on Friday night, just checking in on us!   What a lovely, lovely man.  Oh and he was excited to let me know he and his wife are expecting their third baby.  (3 babies, 3 and under)  He's a bit nervous. lol

So, I might just make them a cot quilt.  Cos well... how many lawyers do ya know who keep in touch with their clients?  

I am also going to make an Advent Calendar for next year,  I've never had one before.   I plan on making one, then putting fat quarters, and other small sewing things in it.  I told Bex my plans and she said she would put little surprises in it too.  So, something to look forward to ... in a year.  *smiles*

I lost a couple of days!  I was looking forward to marking the 2nd anniversary of moving into this home!  It was 2 years on the 5th of December.   I feel like we have been here much longer.  I really love this home, it is so perfect for Stew and me.  I can't imagine wanting to move again.  edit:  the date was the 5th!  Derrr.

Are you as happy in your current home?  Or do you wish for something else?

ABOVE:  This afternoon is our FBG Christmas Function.  So I shall have to wrap the little gift I'm taking to that, and be out of here by about 1.30 pm.  I'm sure we will all have a fabulous time, even if it does rain.

So, those are my plans for today.  What are yours?  Shopping?  Christmas preparations?  Holiday preparation? Sleeping in?  Gardening?  Beaching?  Well????

Catch ya later.

10.10 am:  And we have a little bit of drizzle.  Not enough to cool things down dammit.

And add to that, water on the driveway makes it look 99% better!  grrrrrr.  Bet they come tomorrow and wonder what we are on about, with it looking so much better.

ABOVE:  I was going to make a little 'Fat Bottomed Girl' mini runner for this FBG Christmas Event, but then thought, Nah.  It's Christmas, so I made a little Tree instead.

It's rather cute.  I hope whoever ends up with it likes it.

I have turned on our aircon.  But it keeps turning itself off.  Annoying thing.

1.35 pm:  And it's finally properly raining.  Yes!

And I'm almost ready to head off to the Xmas function.  Stew is staying home on his pat malone.  I bet he falls asleep in his lounge chair.

6 pm:  Well the FBG get together was lovely.  There were about 45 ladies present. I knew almost all of them, and it was lovely to see them again.

ABOVE:  'E's home was set in a country side area.  Her gardens were beautiful.

ABOVE: We played the game where you get allocated a number, then when it's your turn to choose a gift from the pile, you can 'steal' someone else's if you wish.  A gift can be stolen only 3 times.  I was thrilled that my gift ended up with a very dear friend, after being stolen a couple of times.

I didn't stay until the end as I wanted to have dinner with Stew and put me feet up!  I chose comfort at the end of the day.  *smiles*

It has finally cooled off a bit, thank god.  It's almost pleasant!

Usual evening here.  Dinner.  TV.  Bit of yakking, as ya do.   Now?  Early to bed, kinda tired.