DIFFERENT

Another day, another runner finished.

I'm on a roll again.  

I said yesterday this next one would be a little different to my recent runners, so here it is:

ABOVE:  See?  It's still a Braid Runner, but it's got BLUE in it.  What do you think of it?

Should I make another one?

Excuse me if I don't actually wait for your reply... you fullas are a bit slow at replying sometimes.  😂😅😉

So... I'm gunna lay out another runner this morning, and then get to work on it.

Stew is really enjoying the series 'The Good Doctor', he's about 4-5 episodes behind me. So I think he will be watching more of that today.

I might also 'encourage' him to take a look at the old vanity.  He is going to take the sink top off and put a wooden 'lid' on it, so it can be used for storage etc. He's got another whole week off work, so it's something productive he can do.

Last night Steve went online and found the exact bath spout and mixer that I want for our bath.

ABOVE: They will be ordered on Monday all going well... slowly getting all the bits 'n' bobs necessary.  It's just a bit exciting. 😊😉

Next on the list to get is a new towel rail, and hand rail.  

And that is me for now....

BACK LATER...

Well, if you thought the black/white and blue runner was different... wait till you see the next one!

ABOVE:  It would be safe to say this has been the hardest one yet to lay out!

I had to do 8 lay outs until I was actually happy with it.  EIGHT!  I usually get it right in 1 or 2 lay outs.

Stew and I are going out to Karapiro for lunch today.  There is a lovely cafe out there called Podium.  We haven't been out there since June last year.  I will be interested to see the swinging pole.

ABOVE: This is how it was, no barrier at either end to stop kids getting hit when walking past.

I contacted the council about my concerns.  They said they would 'look into it".  So I am very keen to see if anything was done.

Now, back to me sewing.

11.45 am, we left for Karapiro.  Steve, Bex and the boys followed us out.  Lacy was invited, but chose to stay home and do her washing!

ABOVE: Just saying 'Hi' on the expressway.

We saw rabbits at the Cambridge off ramp, that made my day.  I've not seen rabbits there in a while.

Well, I've not been out to Cambridge in a while either.

The food at The Podium was amazing.

So damn nice.  So worth it.

ABOVE: There was a Scout Jamboree on at the lake, lots of activities going on.

Everyone looked to be having a whale of a time.

ABOVE: Waiting to cross the dam at Lake Karapiro.

ABOVE:  The X marks the spot where Bex spotted lots of Koi in the water.  They are a pest and eradication of them is ongoing.  Probably never get rid of them though.

ABOVE: Koi sunbathing.

ABOVE: A little water whirlpool where two currents meet down river from the power station.

ABOVE: Home, and the kids are swimming in summer rain.

It's hot and muggy.

Oh and I forgot to say, NOPE.  There is NO barrier at either end of that log swing.

7.45 pm: Gosh it's been a really lovely day.

After I finished in the sewing room for the afternoon, I jumped in the pool with Stew, and now we are both watching The Good Doctor until...

BACK WALKING

 

First thing today, I'm off to the mall for a good, brisk walk.

I've been very remiss when it comes to exercise the past couple of weeks, so it's time to pick it back up again.

Stew is coming with me today.

ABOVE:  Bex has been keeping herself busy while awaiting the arrival of Baby Harvey.  She won't be doing any markets for quite a while, so she's back to advertising on Facebook.

The link is: Bex's Crochet Corner 

She made a 'Snowflake' over Christmas...

ABOVE: Stew and I fell in love with it, so it's now ours.  Well, it will be once she brings it around later on today.

I'm starting a new runner today.  It won't be a Bee one.  Might just be Black/White and ....  

And that is me for now.

BACK LATER...

Busy!

Photos of this morning's walk ...  Because it was so cloudy ... we did the lake walk instead of the mall.

ABOVE:  Such a lovely morning for a walk, and we even got to see a couple of hot air balloons.

ABOVE:  And so many Canadian Geese!

ABOVE:  They are always in one big group at the lake.

ABOVE:  The 'ordinary' every day geese are also usually in the same area of the lake.   So, why did the geese cross the road?

PERHAPS they wanted to use the new pedestrian crossing!  😂😅😆  In fact, they are often over the road, eating fresh grass.

ABOVE: There were quite a few outrigger canoes on the lake today.  Practising their times.

ABOVE:  Our time around the lake was 2 minutes longer than 'usual'.  Lost some fitness.  But, I'll make it up again eventually.

Steve, Bex and the boys popped in after their midwife appointment.  All is well with the baby.

As they were about to leave, I asked Steve a SMALL question about how I could remove the vanity in readiness for the  bath placement.

He showed me what to do... 

ABOVE:  And then.... he just did it!

I didn't ask him to, I didn't nag him... he just did it.

ABOVE: it took them all of 15 minutes to get off the wall.

ABOVE: he got the old tiles off the wall..

ABOVE: Disconnected the tap from the vanity unit...

ABOVE: And there ya go.  It's ready for the plumber now.

And I do believe that will be in the next week or two.

So exciting.

I now have to look for a new tap, hand rail and towel rack.

SHOPPING!   💙💚💗😂

ABOVE: it was a real family affair.  I sat in the shower area and watched men at work.  One of my favourite things to do. 

ABOVE: Even Bex and the bump were in there!

It's now 12.43 pm, the family have gone home, and I'm off to the sewing room to get some work done.

9.24 pm:  Well I got the latest runner finished, I'll show you tomorrow.

Since coming in from the sewing room, all I've done is sit on me bum and watch the TV.

At some point in the next hour or two I'll be off to bed.

AND SO IT BEGINS

 

Summer is here.  

And as per usual, my legs are blowing up with fluid.  It happens all the time, but it's so much worse over summer.

I got on the scales yesterday, and I've had a BIG gain.

But, I know it's not just poor eating over the past two weeks.

ABOVE: Fluid retention... I now have CANKLES and fat feet/legs.

ABOVE:  *sigh*

This morning I will have to take a 'piddle pill' to try and shift some of that fluid.  My legs feel so heavy and stiff, and they are 'ticking'.  It's not nice.

And sure in hell not pretty!

I'm also going to lie on the floor with my feet elevated, that should help as well.

I can continue watching a series on Netflix that I'm thoroughly enjoying.

ABOVE:  I stumbled on it yesterday, and so far I've watched 4 Episodes.  I told Stew about it, and he's on Episode 2.

It's worth a watch, if you like medical dramas, with a little twist.

I doubt I will venture into the sewing room until this afternoon, so I can keep me feet up all morning.

Usually I end up running to the bathroom half a dozen times in the morning... so let's start counting.

Won't that be fun?  Counting how many times I need to pee!  lol

BACK LATER...

8.45 am. So far... Four.

I can already see a huge difference in me legs/feet! Whoop.

12.15 pm:   And I'm up to 7 times now!   It's such a relief there is a solution to the fluid retention.  I've suffered from fluid retention for about 40 years now, and no, it's not a problem with my heart, in case someone suggests that.

I've had all the tests, it is of undeterminable cause.  

YES, it might be due to my Diet Coke intake, but it's not going to kill me, so I will continue to drink it.

DIET COKE does not melt tar, or cause nails to disintegrate, yadda, yadda, yadda.

Oh and YES, I have tried 'doctoring and flavouring' water to make it more palatable to me.

DOES NOT WORK.  It is disgusting.

Now, what have I been up to this morning?

ABOVE:  I moved my Dad's chair from the lower sunroom area, up to this area.  Now the drying rack(s) can stay down in the lower area, out of the way.

I think it looks nice like this, getting rid of all three brown couches freed up lots of room in here.

ABOVE:  Stew completely unboxed the bath, and it is 100% fine.  That's a relief.

Do you think it's too soon to start nagging for it's installation?  😂😆😅

ABOVE:  After that, I went into the sewing room cos... well I love being in there making shit!

And I am 70% done with this one.  It's not going to have borders.

Right now though, I'm taking a break.  Having some lunch.

ABOVE:  It's 3 pm, and I just finished this fairly long Bee Braid Runner.  I love the bee in the middle.  

And that's me done sewing for the day.

It's time for a swim.

Our swim was just what we needed to cool down this afternoon.  

After that, we just chilled out for a while.

Stew is now at the pub for a couple of hours, and I'm pottering around, topping up the pool, picking tomatoes, watering the fruit trees and so on.

ABOVE:  I'm happy to say most of the fluid on my legs/feet has been piddled out.

THREE KILOS worth I might add.  That's a colossal amount of fluid to have on board unnecessarily.  

I might just stay here now, feet up until...

NEW FABRIC SHOP

Recently I found out about a fabric 'shop' here in Hamilton, one that I've never been to.

The lady who owns it does so primarily ONLINE, from her home. However, she is open a few days a month.

I messaged her and she's happy to allow me to pop in today, to look at her fabrics in person.

I like that idea very much, as I can see what she's got, what quality it is, her prices etc.

I saw one of her fabrics online that I'm very interested in.  I hope she still has it.  I can see it coming in very handy with Bee Braid Runners.

I'm also stopping into the Post Shop to send Braid Runner #53 off to Auckland.    I hope you love it Tracy.

That is top of my 'to do' list today.

Once we get home, I want to continue cutting out fabric strips.

ABOVE:  I got a whole heap cut out last night.  I've probably got another couple of hours cutting ahead of me today.

After all that, I hope it's fine enough to get outside this afternoon and spend time in the pool.

BACK LATER... 

*** SQUEALS***

Our new bath has arrived in Hamilton!

A whole 6 weeks earlier than expected.  So, we will be picking it up this afternoon.

I'm so thrilled.

11. 35 am, just back from that new fabric shop.

I say shop loosely, as it's actually a garage!

But all good.

The lady was just lovely, and I found a few pieces of fabric that will be handy.

ABOVE: This guy is pretty handy too.  😊😉

ABOVE:  I specifically went over for this piece of fabric.  It looked black on the website, and while it's not what I expected, I still got it.

I can use it sometime, just not on the black and white, or Bee runners.

ABOVE: These were the other three I bought.  I'm loving that black and white 'splatter' fabric!

I got lots of that. lol

So, now I'm going to spend an hour or so doing more cutting out, then we will go and pick up our new bath.

1.07 pm:  And thank god for that.  All the cutting out is done for the day.  I still need to do more, but it can wait.  My back needs a break.

ABOVE: The next runner lined up.  This one is going to have a bee in the centre as well.

I reckon it's gunna be lovely.

NOW, we are off to get our bath.

2.44 pm:  Well Steve did warn us about Trade Depot.  

While most went perfectly well in picking up our bath, I was a bit concerned about one thing.

ABOVE:  It was put on the trailer without a hitch...

ABOVE: Stew secured it, and off we went home.

But once home, I immediately saw this on the box:

ABOVE:  DON'T CLAMP.

It was even shown in a picture (left arrow).

And excuse me, but how did they put it on our trailer?

With a CLAMPING forklift. 

We had a quick look at it when we got it into the garage, and can't see any damage.  

Hopefully once it's fully unboxed that still holds true.

Just a little disappointed in their handling, and Steve had warned us they were VERY slap dash about that.

Hence why we opted to pick it up, rather than have them deliver it.   We have not heard any good stories about deliveries going well!

BUT... it is here.  And it seems to be OK.

Now I just have to 'tee up' the builder and plumber.  😉😊

It's 10 pm.  We had a lovely afternoon, the kids called in for a swim, and I got more cutting out done.

After dinner I worked on my jigsaw, which was nice.  Sitting doing that and watching telly.

I'm now watching Coronation Street, before...

BEES TODAY

 

Well hello there.

It's gunna be another cracker jack day.  Sun is shining, pool is sparkling, and my sewing machine awaits me.

I'm going to work on a Bee Braid Runner until lunchtime.

Then I will come in and have lunch, and after that I will get in the pool.

I got a little bit of sun yesterday, so am going to work on getting a bit of a tan again this afternoon as well.

ABOVE:  HAPPY BIRTHDAY to our daughter Amanda... we hope you have a fab day.

And that's me for now.

BACK LATER...

12.47 pm... and I'm back.

I've been sewing all morning, and I got this one (#56) finished.

ABOVE:  I was going to put an applique bee on it somewhere, but decided it was gorgeous just the way it is.  So pretty.

This is the third one I've made with no borders.  Giving buyers options, as no boarders means the runner is narrower.  

I am now taking a lunch break.  Not sure what comes after lunch.  I mean, I could go make another runner, but if it keeps being sunny outside, I'll get in me togs and lie in the sun, and have a swim or two.

3.55 pm: Stew and I had lunch at Taco Bell, then came home.

Brylee moved into her boyfriend's home today. They called in this morning and picked up our trailer and the brown couch I had put aside for her.

Then, off they went.

After our lunch I decided to give them the third and final brown couch, as they could use it more than us.

So we took it over ...

ABOVE:  And guess who decided to arrange the furniture in their lounge?

WASN'T ME!!!

ABOVE:  And then he made himself at home.

In fact, he was demonstrating how comfortable it was lounging on that couch, watching the telly.

*snort*

ABOVE:  Yeah, we are leaving.  Catch ya later kids.

We got home just in time to be here when Steve, Bex and the boys arrived for a swim.

So now we have them here.  Love it, kids popping in all the time.  Enjoying the pool.

I just spent two hours in the sewing room ... cutting out strips of fabric.  My back is KILLING ME, even with my cutting table raised up.  *sigh*

Time to stop and just relax for the remainder of the evening until....

NEW YEAR....

 

Right... IT'S A NEW YEAR.

And hopefully it's a bit better than last year.

Stew and I were supposed to be heading up to Auckland today, but our plans had to change.

So, staying home.  Which is ok by us... we love being at home.

We have no plans for the day.

No one has suggested anything, so we will probably do exactly what we did yesterday.

I will sew and Stew will potter around, and watch some movies.

Talk about boring old farts!

BACK LATER...

It's later. Like 8.40 am.

And my brain has been twirling.

My latest 'Challenge' is OUT THE WINDOW.

It was too hard to maintain whilst being a diabetic.

I suffered too many blood sugar lows.

They ain't nice.

So, back to the drawing board I go.

Maybe not another Challenge for now, cos I can't think of one.

Anyone else got any bright ideas for me?

My goal for this year?  LOSE ONE KILO A MONTH.  I know it doesn't sound like much to lose per month, but over the course of a year it adds up, and 12 kilos is more than I want/need to lose to get to my GOAL.  So, totally doable.  And it won't stress me out.  Let's avoid unnecessary stress ok.

For right now, I will tend the pool, which means put chlorine in it and top it up with fresh water.  When the kids come to swim, we lose a substantial amount of water thanks to 'happiness'.  Splashing.  Bombing.  And so on.

Happiness is OK by me.

After that, I will head off to the sewing room.  I am going to start a new Braid Runner.  BEES.  Think  yellow, but not too much.

ABOVE:  I spent a couple of hours in the sewing room, cutting out strips and so on.

Then I laid this one out, ready for sewing tomorrow.

Then it was lunchtime, so I made us a toasted sandwich ... which was just lovely.  Having a little bread was neat.

ABOVE:   Then, it was have a swim time.   This morning we had a very strong wind, but luckily by this afternoon it had gone.

Perfect swimming weather.

Not long after I got in the pool, Steve, Bex and the boys arrived for a swim as well.

After their swim, they helped us find the FINAL THREE little critters!

They were well hidden I must say.

I think we would have found them eventually, but certainly not in the short term.

All is quiet here now, kids have gone home, me feet are up and I'm eating some Christmas lollies.

Cos I want to.  

Now that I have set me goals, I don't feel under so much pressure to STARVE, or deny myself something if I really want to.  It feels good.

It's now 8 pm.  We are settled down for the evening, I'm looking forward to watching a movie in half an hour.  Then it will be...