HALF A FIX

Our lounge suite is getting half a fix today... I THINK Morgan Furniture is fixing the sagging leather on the back of the two chairs.  NOT fixing the dye transfer though.  
But I'm not sure. *sigh*
I think Harvey Norman is going to do something about the dye transfer?

Either way... it is an on-going saga.

So I have to stay home this morning and wait for the men to come and do their thing. 

All going well my Sister-in-Law takes possesion of her new home today (ABOVE)... it all depends on if the owners take away all their rubbish, she is not signing over the money until they have done that.  And fair enough too.... she does not want to suddenly become the owner of a new house and a car wreck and lots of old furniture!

That's all for now....

ONWARD...
I went grocery shopping... it took me over 2 hours!... and my God it cost a lot this time!   WELL over $700!
So, Steve carried it all in from the car for me and even put it away... only trouble is this is what can happen when you leave it to a BOY:

ABOVE: that is cornflour all over the floor...

ABOVE:  and he didn't THINK to ask me to get the vacum cleaner did he?  OH NO, he just had to go get it himself....*sigh*.
What can ya do but laugh?  I love you Steve, I really, really do.  *SMILES*

5 ... NO 6 boxes of cornflour... well I use a lot.  And the container I put the cornflour in is a big one... so why not fill it up?  You would not believe how often I run out of blasted cornflour!
$700+ on groceries is not a 'normal' fortnight's groceries.  On AVERAGE we spend about $600 a fortnight, with more spent during that time on fresh fruit too.
The high cost of meat/butter/cheese/bread and most necessities is to blame I think. 
I did NOT buy any biscuits or crackers, fancy cheeses, lollies, magazines, ice cream bla bla bla... either, just the basics!

I just got back from taking Brylee to Gymnastics, she is still loving it.  Time to prepare dinner now...

End of Day:  it's been a busy evening.... Steve and I decided that it was time to add a 'potty' area for the puppies.  So some re-arranging was done.  Then it was spa time for the kids, and soon Stew and I will have ours.  It's such a nice way to unwind before bed.  And my back always feels so good afterwards too.
nite nite.

PUPPIES WALKING ... SORTA!

I took several short videos of the puppies trying to walk last night... wasn't that successful as they were trying to sleep... but here's one anyway:

OK forget that then!  I can't wait all day for it to download... will try again later.

Today:  going to do a grocery shop.  And keep our fingers crossed Steve gets a phone call saying he has a job???

 ABOVE:  Teddy getting spoilt on Steve's knee...

ABOVE:  he looks happy eh?  lol

ABOVE:  last night Stew and I took the dogs for a short walk... Coco was getting tired of being inside with her pups all day long obviously, as she escaped out the front door yesterday and we had a hard time getting her to come back!  some Mother she is!  Pffffft. 

ONWARD...

I had a meeting up at the school this morning Re: Brylee.  The Special Ed Psychologist is closing her case with Brylee as she had done all she can.  All good.  Now I have to take her to Whirinaki (on their recommendation) to see if her anti-social behaviour is due to her feeling unwanted by Lacy?  *sigh*... so didn't want to go down THAT TRACK... and possibly give Brylee yet another reason to feel 'different'.

Steve was called back for a second interview at the job he interviewed for on Friday.  He will be told on Wednesday if he got the job or not.  AGAIN he has to wait. 

ABOVE:  maybe this video worked?  I've been trying since first thing this morning to get it to download!

ANON:  nope, it's Bee Bee (Big Bird).

Seems like I've been out and about a lot today... taking people here and there... and when I've been at home I've been playing that friggin new computer game!   Derrrrr.

Must go and sort out dinner now... Chicken Schnitzel and coleslaw me thinks.

End of Day:  had a lovely evening ... Lynda our coleslaw is very basic:  cabbage, carrot, onion, fresh herbs, spring onion, sometimes broccoli, grated beetroot and grated cheese. 

nite nite.

NEW GAME, AND A LOVELY PILE OF PUPPIES

Steve found a new internet site with games that we are loving, it can be found at :  www.puzzle-shikaku.com, and at the bottom of the page (if you visit the site),  are a few more different puzzles you can do....it's neat!  I am hooked on Shikaku!

ABOVE:  This is how the puzzle looks when you start....

ABOVE:  And how it should look when finished... it's addictive so be warned!

ABOVE:  every night at dinner time Steve and I weigh the puppies... this is the second bowl we have been using.. the first one got too small... and now this one is almost too small too.  *sigh*... better find the next size up!  That is Bruiser in the bowl... he almost weighs 1 kilo!
This is the ONLY time my Weight Watcher's scales get used at the moment.... lol.

ABOVE:  can you remember just two weeks ago when they took up only a tiny space in the whelping box?  Look at them now...they are getting so big!  

ABOVE:  it's not that often that they all pile on top of each other now... as I put the heating pad under their blanket when the weather got so very cold last week.  Last night they were all on top of each other though... it looks so darn cute.

I've just finished doing a solid 2 hours of housework and re-arranging the garage (AGAIN)... how we had it was not 'working' for me. 
Now:  we are heading off to Maraetai for a late lunch...

We ended up at Whitford for lunch, it was darn nice too!  Then we had a look around Moyes Caryard in Mt Wellington... I havn't mentioned it but Stew's company is doing away with Company Cars, so we have to get a 2nd car for Stew to get to work in.  *sigh*... luckily it's not for a few months yet...but it can't hurt to look and get an  idea of prices.

PENNY: Thanks for the blog invite.  I would leave a comment ... but for some reason I can't... and I'd become a 'Follower' too... but can't as there is no link.

End of Day:  just enjoyed a lovely bacon cabonara pasta dinner that Stew cooked.  YUM.
Going to chill out and do bugger all now.
nite nite.

PUPPIES ON FACEBOOK?

KATE:  by all means!  

-The pups are:  3/4 Shih Tzu, 1/4 Bichon.  Three girls and two boys are available.
-Non Shedding, so will need regular
grooming.
- Will not affect people allergic to dogs.
-Very sociable and loving and have been raised with children. 
- Cost $550 and will have had their first vaccinations, flea treatment, Vet Book and soft toy from 'home'. 
-Pups will be ready for their 'forever home' from 28th of September onwards. 
- Enquires can be made via this blog in comment form in the first instance.

Now today:  we have to go out and get Chlorine and testing strips for the spa... do a grocery shop... have lunch 'out'... then come home and do some housework.

Steve did not hear from the place he interviewed at yesterday, so he rang them and was told they would be letting him know on Monday sometime as the lady who did the interviews could not discuss the applicants with her 'other half' yesterday afterall...  so yet again we wait.

OH and while I was watching the puppies last night I observed some of them 'almost' getting up on their feet and 'walking'!  So far all they have done is slither and crawl along... so it's very exciting to see them finding their feet.

ONWARD...

We went out and about... got LOTS of dog food for the pups, Teddy and Coco... we also had lunch at Sylvia Park ... Stew and I just love the kebabs at Kebabs on Queen in the foodcourt!
The kids (Steve too) had McDonalds... Steve and Griffin got the KIWI BURGER ... it's usually only available for a limited time:

ABOVE:  the 'Just because...' bit makes me laugh cos YES, people do whinge when it's unavailable.  lol

ABOVE: the Kiwi Burger is the only McDonald's burger I really like.  I bet they will be serving them while the Rugby World Cup is on here!

End of Day:  I just love weekends!  It means Stew cooks dinner... tonight he's doing fishcakes and coleslaw... HOMEMADE coleslaw I might add... yum yum.
I'm going to enjoy it very much.
nite nite.

FRIDAY ROLLS AROUND SO FAST SOME WEEKS!

All week I've been forgetting what day it is... on Monday I woke up and had NO IDEA what day it was!
Tis a worry that is.

Anyway, I'm quite sure it's Friday today... and Steve has another job interview.
It's just down in Manurewa, so it would be darn handy if he gets it.  Fingers crossed again.

I was talking to Stew last night about the pups, and realised that he had not even held one of them yet!  So I made sure he had a cuddle:

ABOVE: Coco is such a good Mum, she followed me and her puppy and made sure she was OK... then she sat with Stew and her puppy until I put puppy back in the whelping box. 

For a first time Mum she is DEVOTED to those pups.  We don't handle the pups much yet BTW, it's not good for them while they are so little and it could upset Coco.

Today:  take Steve down to his interview, while he's there I will pop into the Hospice shop and see what treasure I can find!

ONWARD...

Steve should know by this evening if he got the job.
While he was being interviewed I went and visited the girls at the Hospice shop... and umm... I'm going back!  Start again on Wednesday morning!
I walked into the shop and just felt like I really had missed being there and so wanted to be there again!  Deb's the boss is happy about that.

JAXX: I must put more SUPER CUTE photos on here so you can go nuts trying to decide if you want one or not!  lol

ABOVE:  how's that for super cute?  It's funny but I don't recognise the pups from their faces yet.. I can only tell them apart by the marking on their bodies.  Oh and size.  Obviously the three boys are bigger than the girls.
Coco is almost feeding them in shifts now.. three at a time.  It's hard to fit all 6 'in there' now.

Just had ANOTHER bloke come and look at our lounge suite on behalf of Harvey Norman's.  He seems to think that the dye transfer is totally weird and unacceptable and is going to tell HN that.  I am not holding my breath on this getting resolved any time soon somehow.
Apparently Morgan Furniture (who make the suite) have said they will do nothing about the dye transfer as it's not covered by warranty.  BASTARDS.  Shame they didn't tell us before we bought their bloody suite not to wear our clothes while sitting on it.  PFFFFT.

OMG JACKIE!:  I was just that instant looking at the Fair Go site and thinking of doing just that!  But I will wait and see what this latest 'inspection' turns up.  The guy was really nice and said he would be 'pleading' our case to Harvey Norman's... so I will just wait a wee bit longer.

End of Day: and yes!  It's Friday night and I am having a couple of drinks while relaxing in the lounge.  Such a nice way to wind down from the week. 
nite nite.

SORRY!  Forgot to say:  Steve has to wait until Monday now to find out about the job.  The lady who intervied him has to talk with her other half before making a decision on who gets the job.

MOVIE REVIEW....

ABOVE:  Stew and I went to the above movie last night.  It was LOVELY.... if a bit predictable...

ABOVE:  it was a total 'Chick Flick'... and I thought I would love Kate Hudson's part... but instead I found Ginnifer Goodwin's part much nicer, in fact she was pretty much the 'star' of the movie in my opinion...

ABOVE:  she is just GORGEOUS. 

TODAY:  taking Griffin to his Speld lesson.  Might not go into Pukekohe today ... don't want to be tempted by anything!

ONWARD...

ABOVE:  I couldn't resist taking this shot... Wee Tulip snuggled between her big brothers Rhino and Bruiser.

ABOVE:  I'll have you know it is VERY difficult to get a puppy to keep still long enough to photograph them with their eyes open!  This is Kiba, and the first photo I've managed to get of a puppy with it's eyes open!

JAXX:  One of our puppies could have YOUR name on it right now if you wanted!  They are just the most adorable wee things, very sociable, love kids, never molt, don't smell... I could go on and  on about how lovely they are!  You are welcome to visit if you want and check them out anytime!  lol

WOMBAT:  NO, I did not have the flash on... that would have been mean.

Sat in the car and did Sudoku puzzles while I waited for Griffin... home now and going to catch up on some housework...

Got the kids to do a bit of housework when they got home from school... it's amazing how much Griffin can MOAN!  At least they did a bit for me... I've got a really BIG chicken in the oven for dinner... then I de-knotted Coco's belly and ears... and now I can relax for a little while.

ABOVE:  Dinner was nice.

End of Day:  a lovely winter's day, crisp in the morning then sunshine all day.

nite nite.

BLISS, AND HALF OPEN!

I got my spa last night, it was BLISSFUL... and it did not rain.  In fact, although it was really cold out, once in the spa it was fine.  The sky was clear, I could see stars. BLISS is the word for it.

The Puppies:  Well most of them have their eyes HALF OPEN... so fully open can't be far away.  It's weird, after having their eyes firmly closed for the first two weeks , now that they are opening they look so different!

I'm still not ready to take photos of their faces properly until their eyes are fully open.
Until then you can feast your eyes on them:

ABOVE:  There is always ONE REBEL who has to lie differently!  This time it's Kiba, usually it's Bruiser, who I have taken to calling 'Fat Bastard',  cos he is!  lol  He's so much BIGGER than everyone else.  Can you TELL which one is Bruiser???

 ABOVE:  does he look contented or what!

 ABOVE:  just... having... a... stretch...

ABOVE: Ahhh... dat's better... ZZZZzzzzzz.........

TODAY:  I'm going to get some exercise, then sit down and plan meals for the next week or two... so I have NO EXCUSE to have silly meals.  We are all GAINING weight at the moment and it's got to stop!
And the only one who can do that for everyone... is ME!  I am the one who feeds them (and me)... so it's up to me to make better choices for dinner.  We have to cut down on the carbs in this house.  It's ridiculous how much we eat.

ONWARD...

I've been out and bought some nice fresh veges and steak for tonight's dinner.
For lunch I am having a little bit of chicken and fresh veges.
I rang Stew and told him "Prepare to Starve"... as he has been going OVERBOARD with his portions lately ( so have I )... I intend to make him lose at least 8 kilos by Christmas... and me 10.  It CAN be done.

Lunch was lovely, Steve and I had stir fried chicken and red onion on top of par-cooked cabbage!  It may sound weird, but it was nice!

After that I had a nana nap!  That was nice too... I had Teddy lying on my back the whole time so he was like my little hottie bottle! 
The weather has turned lovely today... blue skies and sunshine... still cool but certainly not freezing any more.

PUPS EYES:  are all open, but only just, not wide open.

BEASTIE GIRL:  Yes, we are selling the pups... even though it is going to be hard parting with them when the time comes.  *sniff*

ABOVE:  Sienna playing with the cute toy I sent over for her.  Apparently she LOVES IT.  Awwwww.  Isn't she beautiful?

End of Day:  Apparently Stew and I are off to the moves!  Going to see 'Something Borrowed'... I'm sure Stew is going to LOVE IT.  lol
nite nite.

APPARENTLY WE CAN EXPECT MORE OF THIS:

 ABOVE:  lots of hail....

ABOVE:  don't think I'll be lounging on this chair for a while...

ABOVE:  My black car trying to be white.

So, this very rare Antarctic Storm is expected to stick around for today and then dissipate over the next couple of days.  I will miss the mad weather to tell the truth... but maybe not the cold!

If I can get the portable gas heater working today I might just do some sewing!  I spent a couple of hours in the garage yesterday sorting out all my fabric and my sewing drawers... my god they were in a right mess!   

ONWARD...

Spotlight's Sale was nagging on my mind... I need batting, so I went down to the local Spotlight and got some more batting... and ummm, more fabric too.

ABOVE:  the fabrics I got today.  They are all going to be made into Stay Open (CUTE) bags.  After there we (Steve and I) went to The Warehouse for pool chlorine, but ended up buying puppy toys instead!

ABOVE: each puppy will have one each to take to their 'Forever Home'.

It's really, really cold today... but so far no rain/hail or snow.  We have had to turn the heating up inside for the puppies so they don't get cold.

ABOVE: IT. IS. FREEZING.  and Teddy has the best seat in the house.  It is raining, and we had hail a while ago too... though not as bad as yesterday.

I just dropped Brylee off at Gym.  I came home rather than sit in that huge building freezing me buns off!  The outside temperture is, right now,  4 degrees Celcius (39 F for you in the Northern Hemisphere)... Brrrrrr.

FELICITY:  No, none of the pups has opened their eyes yet properly.  Tulip and Pinky have one eye partly open though... so it can't be long now.  The little buggers spend 90% of their time sleeping so it's hard to get them to even THINK about opening their eyes!  lol

End of Day:  and by hook or by crook I am having a spa tonight.  I don't care if it's pissing down... so there.
nite nite.

WILL TODAY BE THE DAY?

APPARENTLY puppies eyes should open between days 8-14, and today is day 12.  I can't wait for them to open their eyes!
They are going to look so darn cute when that happens.

You can bet your bottom dollar the moment they do I will be taking more photos.
We weighed them all again last night and now ... at day 12 they have all TRIPLED their birthweights.  Pinky and Tulip (our really little ones) seem to be holding their own... I may be worrying over nothing.  They are just little girl dogs is all.

ABOVE:  the latest two photos I grabbed off Facebook of our other infant granddaughter, Sienna.  Isn't she gorgeous!

TODAY: housework. Don't envy me now!...

New Zealand (where I live) is gripped in a fierce Antarctic Storm ... there is snow falling in places it has almost NEVER fallen before.  Here in Auckland it is FREEZING, we are having hail and heavy wind/rain...

I saw an advert on the telly last night saying Spotlight were having a huge 40% off EVERYTHING sale today, so I decided it would  be PRUDENT for me to go buy some fabric while it was so cheap.

So I drop the kids off at school and head off... just as I get on the motorway I am hit with a HUGE HAIL STORM... and within seconds the road was completely WHITE!

ABOVE:  it was quite awesome to see... all the traffic ground to a crawl... and stayed that way for miles!

The trip to Spotlight should have taken me about 15 minutes (Panmure store), but instead it took me over 40 minutes.  The traffic today is diabolical.

ABOVE:  the fabric I scored!   So wrapt.   I'm home now and it's so cold I'm turning on the gas fire in the lounge now... brrrr...

Just 20 minutes ago I was sitting in the lounge when I looked out the window at all the rain... and BUGGER ME  if it was not SNOWING!  Right here in South Auckland, there was a sprinkling of snow falling!!!
And no, it wasn't hail... it was SNOW!  AMAZING!!!

NO, I didn't get photos, it was too fleeting ... only lasted a few minutes.  Damn.
It's now sunny!!!

BEASTIE GIRL:  he's 24, and ain't you married? I feel like a pimp now.  lol

None of the pups have opened their eyes today.  Maybe tomorrow?
We had a huge hail storm this afternoon.... it was HAIL this time , not snow flurries. 
Steve and Griffin went out in it:

 ABOVE:  clearly they have not seen hail in a while!  Idiots!

ABOVE:  Steve made a 'hailman'... almost three hours later and it's still there!

ABOVE: somehow I don't think I will be having a spa tonight.  Just a bit too cold me thinks.  lol

Tulip opened her left eye!  It's happening people! 

End of Day:  would love to have a spa tonight, but just don't think I could handle the freezing cold wind/rain.  *sniff*
nite nite