ANOTHER HOT DAY AHEAD

 

It is looking to be another super hot and sticky day today.

Thank god for our pool, I don't think I would even venture outside without it to jump into to cool off.

This morning I am going to finish off the next runner, which I worked on last night.

ABOVE: It's not quilted or bound yet, so I'll get that done today.  Just a nice simple black 'n' white one.

Once it's done, I don't know if I'll make another one today or not.  It will depend on what Stew wants to get up to.  I feel like we need to get out and about a bit more.

We are such home bodies!

BABY HARVEY STATUS:  Still no sign of baby.  All is going well though.  Bex is tired, and so over it.  It's very hard in this heat to keep ya cool.  But she's doing well.

BACK LATER...

Stew and the boys had a swim in the dark last night, apparently the water was lovely and warm.  I on the other hand, chose to sit and enjoy our little rock fire.

ABOVE: There is nothing like an open flame to sit in front of. 

We've decided to go to our local park this morning, let the kids have a play, then have morning tea at the little cafe there.

ABOVE: And that's #63 finished.

I am going to lay out the next one before we head off to the park.

I think it better be another Kiwiana one, cos I only have two of them right now.

2.41 pm:

ABOVE:  We didn't spend too much time at the park as it was just too hot.  Plus those boys don't know how to play outdoors!  Seriously.  Their thumbs get the only regular exercise!  Just like how our boys were.

After the park we had lunch at the mall (McDonalds) then came home and rested for a little while.

ABOVE:  I got the fabric for the next runner laid out, I'm happy with my selection.  It's a 'Kiwiana' in blues.  I don't think I've done one like this before.

Then we all got in the pool, and that's where I am going back to.  Right now.

4.37 pm:  Just too hot.  After having a swim I went back into the sewing room and worked on that new runner.

Now?

I have stopped for the day.

In a while I will think about what to feed the kids/Stew.  I am still full after lunch so might just have some yoghurt and fruit.

BABY HARVEY has been safely delivered late this afternoon.  Mother, Father and Child are all well.

Details will be posted when the parents are happy to share.

Stew and I, and the brothers are on cloud nine.  So happy.

8.58 pm:  We were extremely lucky to be able to visit Bex, Steve and Baby for a little while this evening.

I hope to let you all know the details tomorrow or the next day, it all depends on Steve and Bex, and how soon they want details on here.

Now we are home, and the boys want another swim in the dark before bed.

BED.  Gosh I'm so looking forward to that... it's been hard to sleep much lately.  Been a bit worried about Bex and Baby, thank goodness I can stop worrying now.  Both are safe and well.

Soon.. it will be...

DIFFERENT POST TODAY

  I've been wanting to put this post up for the past few days, but the timing was never quite right.

Hopefully today it's OK to post it.

When I left Coffs Harbour in 2020, following the death of my Mum, I left her ashes in the care of her partner, Ron. 

Last August, my Mum's partner died in an accident on his property.

I was expecting to be able to retrieve my Mum's ashes from his family, as had been arranged with Ron, prior to his death.

Unfortunately, after Ron's death,  his family informed me that my Mum's ashes were 'LOST' or 'disposed of' already!

IF they were already 'DISPOSED OF', that was totally against my sister's and my wishes, but there was nothing we could do about it.

What was done, is done.  We now have NO IDEA what happened to our Mum's ashes.  

ABOVE:  Blue Butterflies have been busy...

NOW

I HAVE THIS.  It is the plaque off Mum's ashes box, and before that, it was on top of her coffin.

It is SOMETHING I can hold on to forever.

And it confirms her ashes were not 'LOST'.  They were disposed of.

It was a sacrilegious act to dispose of them without our presence, or permission.

I will NEVER forgive whoever did it.  And I hope they are either already in hell, or are going there one day.

This has been troubling me for MONTHS.  I have to let it go now.  I WILL let it go now.

Today I will be spending the morning sewing, doing some housework and so on.  

It's far too hot to even think of going for a walk right now sadly.  I know my fitness will suffer for not walking, but there is only so much I can do over summer.

BACK LATER...

12.39 pm.

I've had a lovely morning.  I posted a runner off to Australia... a gift for a dear friend.

Then I visited Lacy and Keera.

After that I came home and made this runner:

ABOVE: It is an almost exact replica of the runner that is off to Australia... I just had to make another one, cos I love it.

Now, it's lunchtime.

After lunch I'm going to get in the pool and just enjoy our afternoon.

ABOVE:  It has been the most perfect afternoon in the pool.  The kids have had a blast, and should sleep well tonight.

I am now back in the sewing room, trying to decide what Braid Runner to make next.

Possibly a simple Black 'n' White.

ABOVE: Our dinner this evening was Teriyaki Chicken over rice, with a side of home grown cucumber, which was delicious.

We are going to have an ice cream for dessert, then a bit later on we are having a swim in the dark.

Then... it will be:

SLEEP OVER

Dante and Archer had a lovely sleep over with us last night.  They got to camp out on the lounge floor on mattresses, and the dogs spent the night with them.  They loved that.  (yes, we do have proper beds for them, but they wanted to be in the lounge with the dogs)  

edit:  The boys NEVER want to sleep with the dogs again!  They kept them awake ... ha ha!  That is exactly why they don't sleep with us as well.  Neither dog knows how to keep still for any length of time.

Bex has to visit the hospital again this morning.

This time, I will be taking her as Steve has to be at work.  

While she's in the hospital being monitored, I am going to have a short walk down at the lake.  I doubt I'll have time to do the entire circumference of the lake, but what I can do will be better than nothing.

It has turned out to be very fortuitous that Stew has this extra week off work.  He gets to stay home and look after the boys, while I ferry Bex to and from the hospital.

Spotlight has another 40% off sale on fabrics, so at some point today I intend to go there for a few more fabrics.

Then I will do some sewing/swimming and just enjoy our day.

BACK LATER...

OMG I am so sorry!

I have been rather busy today.

NO, there is no baby yet.

Bex and I went to the hospital this morning, where Bex was AGAIN put on the monitor to check on Baby Harvey.

Baby Harvey is PERFECTLY FUCKING HAPPY in there, and ain't coming yet.

So again, we came home.

And I did some sewing, Bex and the boys went home.

Then I had lunch.

Then I had a Grandma Nap, cos I'm not sleeping well... it's too damn hot and my mind is on BABY.

Then we had family call in again...

ABOVE:  This idiot!  Talk about a classic photo bomb!  

It was so lovely to spend time with the kids.

And now, it's time to get in the pool, cos it is stinkin' hot.  Like FUCK IT'S HOT.

Oooo the swim was magic... so refreshing for everyone.

Sadly, once you get out it's like being in a sauna here in Hamilton.  So typical for this place.

Stew went to the pub for his regular blokes catch up while I stayed home and did bugger all really.

Just too hot.

I'm not even going to stay up and watch Coronation Street tonight, I'm too tired.

It's nearly...

OLD TO NEW

 

Today Steve and Bex are dropping the boys off to us bright and early this morning.  They are going to the hospital for some baby monitoring.

Baby has been a bit quiet the past few days, and the midwife just wants to keep an eye on things.

Better safe than sorry of course.

While we have the boys, we will probably go shopping, then home for lots of pool time.

ABOVE: This was the family bathroom vanity getting removed.

Stew had a bright idea to alter it yesterday:

ABOVE: So while he did that...

ABOVE: Bex, the boys and I sat and watched him.  Archer is on the dog's bed in the corner, hoping they would join him. They didn't. 😊

ABOVE: Stew did a damn fine job of turning the vanity into a useable cabinet for the sewing room.  The top flips up to access the new storage area underneath, where the sink was.

That cabinet top is an off cut of the kitchen bench we put in our Palmerston North home!  Funny to think we have dragged that around with us for over 20 years.  Clearly I don't get rid of something that MIGHT come in handy one day.

Right, that's me for now.

BACK LATER...

Well it's much later.  WE have been out to the shops etc.  The boys are happy spending their money.

Lunch has been and gone.  I've done some sewing.

Steve and Bex are on their way home, as the hospital doctor does not think there is anything to worry about.  That's great.

ABOVE:  And there you have #61.  And that's me done in the sewing room for the day.

It's been a stunning day, and this afternoon I spent almost all of it either in the pool, or lying in the sun.  The little boys and Steve joined me in the pool at one point, and then so did Stew.

The perfect summer afternoon.

Let's hope tomorrow is a repeat of today's weather... this is SUMMER.  And it's not unbearably hot or humid most of the time.  Bloody lovely.

Did I tell you I finished my jigsaw?  Cos I did, late last night.  It's now back in it's box, awaiting the next person who might want to do it.

I doubt I'm going to do another one in the short term, even though I did enjoy doing it.  

Right.... we have the boys again.  Probably only for a couple of hours while Steve and Bex are out.

I'm going to sit with me fan on full blast and watch Coronation Street a bit later on... then it will be:

MORE LEFT

 

I'm thinking of having left over chocolate cake for breakfast.

Yep.  That's what I do.

Sometimes I can totally resist that sort of shit.

And sometimes I can't.

If I have some... I expect to look like that bloody puffer fish!

Maybe I should NOT DO IT?

Let's wait and see.

I'll be honest if I do eat some.

Bex has an ultrasound late morning, and I'm going with her.  It is probably the last time we get to see Baby Harvey before it's born.

I'm just a bit excited.

ABOVE:  Yep, the obligatory birthday cake photos from last night.

ABOVE:  Read the shirt ... it's so Steve.  ("I have selective hearing.  I'm sorry, you were not selected").  😂😅😉

ABOVE: Marley begging for Brylee to throw her ball.

ABOVE:  These kids last night... Dom looks totally chilled. Now that they don't have separate schedules, we should see more of them.

Time to go... got shit to do.

BACK LATER...

Well it's much later.

Our morning has gone well.

I've been working on my jigsaw and not much else until Bex arrived.

Then off we went to the clinic for an ultrasound.

ALL IS GOOD with Baby Harvey, Bex is very happy with the baby's size.  NOT a big baby at all.

While we were out Stew took Dante and Archer to the mall, where they got to spend some of their Christmas money.  

ABOVE:  I'm not far off finishing this puzzle.  The girls are bloody cute... looking at me hoping I've got something for them to eat.  NOPE.

Though it is lunchtime, so I might just get something to eat.

The pool was so wonderful this afternoon.  So refreshing.  Gosh I love our pool.

The boys and I had a lovely swim, then I lay in the late afternoon sun for a while.

Now I'm off to WW.

I am not weighing in... don't need that to spoil the day!

I'm up about 2 kilos.

Not too worried about it either.  It will come off.

I didn't have cake for breakfast.  I had it for lunch! lol

It was nice at the WW meeting this evening.  Our coach is leaving, and we are back to the 'main' coach until a new coach can be found.  So interesting.

Now that I'm home, I'm going to settle down and watch the telly, Coronation Street etc until...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY DARLING

 

ABOVE:  I'm so proud of my darling.  He's worked just as hard as me over the past 18 months to lose weight and get fitter.  He's done really, really well.  He hasn't been this weight since he was about 21 years old.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DARLING, I hope you have a lovely day. I love you HEAPS. 💙 💚 💜 🍧 🍰 🍺 🎂 🍉 🍩 🍨

So our day will go something like this:  Buy two birthday cakes.

Take one to Stew's office, cos it will be nice to catch up with all the staff in the office, and share birthday cake with them.

Come home and spend the day doing this 'n' that.  Sewing.  Movies.  Jigsaw.  Family visiting. Etc.

ABOVE: This is the runner I finished late yesterday.  It is number 60.  When I made the very first one just over 5 months ago, I would never have imagined me making that many!

And now I can't imagine not making more.  

I am going to be revising what runners I continue making, what sells and what doesn't, and then work on having a smaller line of runners.  Obviously, Braid Runners are now top of the list.  😁😊

And that is me for now, I gotta go... 

BACK LATER.

ABOVE:  We got up bright and early this morning and took off for a walk around the lake.  It was WONDERFUL.  The sun was behind clouds, so I didn't overheat.

ABOVE:  Cut half a minute off our time compared to the last lake walk.  I have decided NOT to do any more jogging, and just walk at my pace.  That way I don't put unnecessary stress on me knees etc.  

After our walk we popped into the supermarket  and grabbed the cakes, and other stuff for a family dinner this evening.

Now I need to pull finger and get a move on, we are due at Stew's office in an hour.

12.50 pm:  And we are finally home after our little outing.  Morning tea with the staff was neat, so was the carrot cake.

After that we went on the hunt for two teddy bears. It's been a tradition of mine to buy each new grandchild two identical teddies.  This time I left it quite LATE, but after pounding the aisles in Chartwell Square ( no luck there), then everywhere at The Base, we finally found what we were looking for.

PHEW... I was starting to think we were never going to find 'the one', let alone two of them.

I can relax now.

Stew and I are now having our lunch.  I'm having crackers, cheese and chutney again.

I spent some time in the sewing room this afternoon.  It's too cloudy to sunbathe or swim (well for me anyway).

Then I went out with Bex for a check up... all is good... nearly locked and loaded.

Nearly time for birthday cake, ice creams and far too much food.

OMG  ... I'm full as a bull.  Dinner was so nice.  The cake was too rich, but I still had a piece.  And an ice cream.  I think everyone left on a sugar high!

Now that everyone has left, we are going to wallow for a while before...

WALK, SEWING, POOL...

 

Morning you observant buggers!

No one has commented on 'ONWARD' and 'NITE NITE' disappearing!

I changed for the New Year to 'GOOD MORNING' and 'BEDTIME'.  Did anyone notice?

It's been a full week!

Moving on... I finished # 59 Braid Runner lst night.

ABOVE:  The layout for this one took me hours... because it was so hard to match up the colours.  But ... it's come out beautifully.

Believe me when I say these runners look even better in person.  This one would work so well in my family room, but I simply don't need it.  So, reluctantly it's going to market.

Our first market of 2024 is in 13 days, and I'm really looking forward to it.  I miss the markets so much.  It's going to suck over winter, when we go down to only one a month.  But it is what it is.

Back to today, I am hoping it's cool enough this morning for a lake or mall walk.  After that, home to sew probably.

And definitely swimming at some point.

BACK LATER...

Well, after waking at our usual damn early stupid o'clock, Stew and I just dozed on and off until... would you believe 9.40 am!

Yep, you can officially call that a sleep in.

Once up, we decided a walk was not on the cards, as it was too hot.

So I did this:

ABOVE: Stew mentioned the other day how he'd like some meatloaf.  So, I got all the necessary shit together...

ABOVE:  And I made meat loaf(s).  Being the sort of person I am, of course I made enough to feed a small army.

But ... we can freeze a lot of it for down the line.

While it was cooking, I went into the sewing room and started work on the next runner.

Meanwhile, his nibs vacummed the house, then headed out into the garden to do some weeding etc.

It's lunchtime now, so he will be in soon for... meatloaf I presume. 😂😊😋

And I am gunna have some crackers/cheese and relish, then lie in the sun, do some swimming and just relax for a while.

6 pm:  Gosh, another perfect day here.  The sun came out this afternoon and I lay in the sun, swam in the pool, and watched the kids swim and have lots of fun.  

Dinner was a tiny piece of meatloaf for me, and Stew had a bigger piece.  So YUM!  I have put most of it in the freezer for later.  It is even nicer after it's been in the freezer, which is weird, but true.

After dinner the kids came back for another swim.  Bex is really feeling uncomfortable now, and nesting is in full swing.

After they left, I worked on my jigsaw for a while, and now it's nearly...