TRUE LOVE

6 pm in our house:

ABOVE: Oh hi Mum... we're just waiting for Dad.  He's taking FOREVER!

ABOVE:  Yep... still waiting.  More often than not they both stay there till he gets home!

So amazing that they know when it's 'about' that time of day.

 ABOVE:  The look of love.  Or cupboard love... cos Stew is the one who feeds them dinner!  

 ABOVE:  What do you think?   *smiles*

Today:  I'm taking myself off to the movies.
Might as well... watch a 'chick flick' on me own and enjoy some time away from the house.
I'm going to watch "Miss You Already" which stars two of my favourite female actresses, Drew Barrymore and Toni Collette.
I'm really looking forward to it.

That should kill half the day, once I've spent the first part of the morning doing the housework.

ONWARD...

1.06 pm: It is always a good chick flick if I cry.  I cried. 
It was a near empty theatre, so one didn't feel self conscience at all!  *smiles*

Home now, and about to hang out the washing then have a bite of lunch.  

I'm trying to decide if I really want to go to Pottery Class next week?  I am not sure now.  I love my sewing so much... I think I might explore the possibility of joining a group in Hamilton early?  If there are any on right now that is.

I will check it out on the 'net and find out.

Off to find something for lunch.

ABOVE:  For Steve, cos he was upset there was no photo of his child/children on the blog today!

It's been a quiet afternoon.  I spent it doing bugger all... which was nice.

Dinner tonight was chicken on rice... was very yum.

End of Day:  nice evening... spent making some plans for tomorrow. Going to be a different Wednesday.
nite nite

ANOTHER WEEK ROLLS AROUND

Stew heads back to Hamilton today, and I face another week of wondering if anything comes from our latest Open Home.

There might be two logs in the fire right now.  Time will tell.  Not holding my breath.  Just going to carry on like normal.

I'm thinking of going down to Ribbon and Rose for some fabric.  I'm going to sew SOMETHING today if it kills me!

The only other thing I want to get done today is ironing Stew's shirts.  Usually he does his own, but as he's commuting now and is so busy, I shall do them for him.

It's not something I like doing!  I HATE ironing shirts. They are such a shit to do.  But, I'll be the dutiful wife and do 'em.

What else?  Nope... nothing!  So I'll bugger off for now, and catch ya later.

ABOVE:  I'm off to have a lovely day.

ONWARD...

12.45 pm:  and what a strange day.  Started really cold with rain... and now it's sunny but blustery.
I didn't feel like doing much this morning cos I was cold, but now I'm doing the ironing and feeling just great.

I still loathe ironing.  I've done 3 shirts so far, and have about 6 to go.  Ikkkk.  But, watching tv while doing it is helping of course.

I'm watching 'Say Yes To The Dress'... a programme where Brides are choosing their wedding dress.  It's interesting.  I would LOVE to wear an amazing wedding dress, something I didn't get to do with Stew... maybe for our 30th wedding anniversary I can wear something amazing?

I think when you never got the chance to wear your 'dream dress' at your wedding you regret it forever.  So I hope like hell when Bex gets married she can get her dream dress.  If those two ever get married!

Not putting any pressure on them of course, but I do hope they eventually get married.

Yaaa... the freakin' shirts are done.  It took me longer than it probably should have, but it kills me back standing ironing.  Same when I spend too much time at the kitchen bench.  I get dreadful backache.

Anyway... moving on.  The kids just got home, quite late today.  Lucky I didn't notice the time, or I would have been getting worried.

Bex just sent me some cute photos of Archer... here's one:

ABOVE: I adore that stripe suit on him!  So darling.  I love how Bex sends me photos all the time.  I will never lose touch with them, even when we move to Hamilton.  So thankful for knowing that.

End of Day:  Stew arrived home safe and sound... bang on dinner time.  Which is now 7 pm instead of 6.30.  Funny how he's only half an hour later getting home, yet has to travel 127 kms now, instead of 21 kms!
Isn't that interesting?
nite nite

UP EARLY FOR A SUNDAY

Today we are getting up early.

And not because it's an Open Home this afternoon either.

Because of RUGBY.

This morning at 8 am the All Blacks play against France in the Rugby World Cup Quarter Finals.
The last time our team faced France in a RWC Quarter Final we lost.

Fingers crossed history does not repeat itself, or this entire country will go into mourning!

LOL... probably NOT, but Stew sure would!

Steve, Bex and the boys are coming over first thing so that Steve can watch the game with Stew.

I know that they shall go home after the game so we can get the house ready for Open Home, so I shall probably spend most of the morning with the grandsons.

It only takes me a couple of hours to get the house all ready for the Open Home now, so I know I can enjoy the morning.

Right ... that's all for now.  I will come back later and let ya know if our All Blacks win or lose... stay in the RWC or go home.

ONWARD...

And it was an AWESOME game! Our guys played so well... and were rewarded with a win of 63/13 against France. I even watched some of it while cuddling darling Archer.

He was full of smiles today.

I fed the men bacon and egg toast sandwiches for brunch... and Bex too.

We are now doing the prep for this afternoon.

Open Home today went well.  5 groups through.  One lady was on her THIRD visit and just LOVES our home, and WANTS IT. But... she has to sort out her finances before making an offer by the sound of it.

Another couple love it too, and talked about getting a builders report... so if that happens it's another possibility in the line.

The Estate Agents are coming back just before dinner to discuss 'stuff'... don't know what that is.  We will find out I am sure.

Here's a few photos from this morning:

 ABOVE:  The guys having brunch.  I think they enjoyed it. *smiles*

 ABOVE:  A darling little bib I got at the Craftworld shop yesterday.  It's a good size.

ABOVE: Dante trying to give me the finger!  And his MOTHER helping him use the 'correct' finger!

ABOVE:  Little bugger!  But so, so cute!

5.28 pm: And the Estate guys have been and gone.
It was just a catch up chat, no offer on the table right now.  There is a buyer in the wings ... KEEN AS MUSTARD... but has to sell her current home first.  So.  We wait.  What's new?

Luckily we have all the time in the world, really. Stew can commute for as long as it takes.  And I can carry on with life, like normal.

Stew is cooking dinner tonight, so I can sit back and relax for a while.  Wonder what he's cooking?  I can hear him peeling potatoes...

End of Day: Stew made us a lovely dinner tonight.  Chicken schnitzel and veges.
Then we watched some telly and had a nice evening.
Off to bed soon.  
nite nite

OUR GORGEOUS GRANDSONS....

Bex sent me this darling little video of Dante and Archer yesterday, and I just have to share!


ABOVE:  Adorable!  Thank goodness Dante really loves his little brother.  It could have easily gone the other way and he could have been jealous/antagonistic towards him.  Ya never know until you add another kid to the mix.

I only had one instance of that with my lot.  Not mentioning any names, but one kid certainly got it's nose out of joint with the addition of the next baby.  I had hoped it would resolve when they were all grown up.  Not so sadly.

But at least Dante loves Archer!

A HUGE CONGRATULATIONS to our daughter Kelly, she has got a new job as Assistant Manager of a city Cafe.  She deserves it so much, she's such a hard worker.  
She is one of our success stories *smiles*... and has always been a loving daughter.

She was a bit of a nightmare as a little kid, it's a wonder she survived childhood, she drove me MENTAL!  

Looks like no matter what, she has done well in her life.  WE are so PROUD of her.

ABOVE:  She just dyed her hair.  I'm not a fan, much prefer her as a blonde.... but she likes it, so that's the main thing.  I wonder if her new Manager will want her sporting such colourful hair?  

Right, I'm off to get the school uniforms in the washing machine... and so on.

ONWARD...

2.40 pm:  We decided to go check out the new mall out west... funnily enough called 'NorthWest'.

ABOVE: the new mall... it's not quite finished outside, they are still working on parking/footpaths etc. But inside is all done. 
It's a long strip mall like Sylvia Park, but with much less in it.

ABOVE: It's a nice enough mall... but we won't bother going there again.
The only shop they had that isn't in Sylvia Park is Wallace Cotton, which sell linen.

ABOVE:  I fell in love with the quilt on the top bunk... would cost $200 to buy a large one.  I reckon it would probably cost just as much for me to buy similar fabric and make it myself!
I shall check out my stash once I can get to it again, and see what I have and make one I think.

I love the bunting too... would look neat on the wall above the bed. 

After checking out the mall, we drove across the road to Westgate Super Centre.   A shop had caught my eye named Craftworld.  Just before we entered the shop, a couple came out of it... and I immediately recognised the woman as one of my Aunts.  (My Mum's sister)

So... I walked up behind her and slipped my arm through her's.  Luckily she didn't shit herself or have a heart attack!  

Hee hee...she did a double take though, then realised who I was.  We had a lovely catch up chat, then we went into the shop, and they went on their way.

 ABOVE:  Some of the stalls/products on offer in Craftworld.  Individual crafters can rent a booth here and sell their wares.  Like a craft market, but better as you don't have to stand there all day trying to sell your stuff.

 ABOVE:  this picture caught my eye.... wish I'd seen it sooner, it could have been my 'Auckland' picture!  Too late now.

ABOVE:  These caught Stew's eye.  I think they are a bit too rustic for my taste, but I do like the concept.  

So, after that we went to Sylvia Park for lunch, and are now home.  Stew is going to mow the lawns, and I'm gunna do... nothing!  For now anyway.  *smiles*

End of Day:  a lovely afternoon and evening... just chillin'.  
nite nite

WOW, WHAT A COINCIDENCE!

Remember yesterday I asked for newspapers?

Well would you believe I got this in the mail  yesterday...

ABOVE:  Talk about a coincidence!   Of course I promptly applied online for my FREE 5 weeks worth of the Herald!  Who wouldn't?  I can read the news and then save the paper for the puppies.  SCORE!

I will still need more, so Tracy... keep collecting for me ta.  *smiles*

Today?  I might just go to the mall... or Spotlight for some fabric.  I can't access what's in storage as it was the first stuff to go in the unit, and it would mean unpacking the entire unit to find my fabrics.  I'm not going to put Stew through that.

So, that's me for now.  Catch ya later.

ONWARD...

12.45 pm:  and the mall was nice to have a wander in today.  Lots of people out and about.  Spotlight was quiet, and I didn't buy A THING!  Their fabrics just don't appeal anymore!  How weird is that, I've become a FABRIC SNOB!

I am dying to have a good look around Grandmother's Garden in Gordonton again (just outside Hamilton).  I have a feeling that will become my 'fabric shop' from now on.

They also have weekend workshops and classes, so I will be getting involved in some of those next year.  Yaaa.  Can't wait.

OH wow, I just realised I will be that much closer to Wrights in Morinsville too!  They stock the most amazing array of Batiks, best in NZ I reckon.  Milton the owner is a really neat guy too.

End of Day:  well a quiet afternoon and evening.  Poor Stewy has gone to bed early... he's knackered.  I hope he sleeps in tomorrow.
nite nite

A CHANGE OF MIND SET

I did a lot of thinking yesterday.  About where I'm at  ... in me head.
Cos I'm seriously NOT HAPPY right now.

I've stopped going to Patchwork class... Hospice shop... Weight Watchers... all the things that kept me busy/ mixing with other adults and just LIVING.

And why? Because we were so sure we would be moving fairly quickly after putting the house on the market.  That hasn't happened of course... so now I have to stop living IN LIMBO and just settle back into a normal routine again.

I can't keep sitting here in the house, waiting for it to sell... and do nothing to occupy my time happily.

So.  I while I'm not sure what I am going to do YET... there are a few possibilities.  

I don't want to go back to patchwork class or the Hospice shop... but I do want to be around other people.  So I'm going to give it some more thought and see what's out there right now.

There IS ONE class I've got my eye on actually.  Found it last night.  It's a Hand Building Ceramic Sculpture Class down at Nathan Homestead, which is just down the road from here.  It starts at the end of the month, so I could go to it.  I might pop down to the local ceramic club which is also at Nathan Homestead and suss it out.

I used to be a potter, did ya know that?  Yep.  Made heaps of stuff, sold it too.  But have not done any for about 15 years!  I wouldn't mind having some fun doing a little bit now and then.

So, that's where I'm at right now.  Trying to find ways to occupy myself and not just sit and wallow.

This house WILL sell... eventually, and I have to stop letting it get me down.  Well that, and other shit on me mind.  But I'm letting go of THAT.  

So today... I am going to get out the whelping pen and suss out what needs to be done to make it useable... I've lost or packed the locking pins... need to get/make some more.
And I need to suss out sourcing newspaper ... ANYONE AROUND HERE GOT SOME SPARE???  I will need HEAPS.  Pretty please if you have any!  If not, I shall need to start buying a newspaper every day until early December!  

What else?  Washing.  Vacuming. All the usual shit.  

ONWARD...

Got the little bit of housework done... groomed Tallulah before her bath... and shit.  No dog shampoo.
So I'm off to the shop to get some.  I'm all fired up to get her totally groomed TODAY.

 ABOVE: My little boof head!  she's such a rat bag.  And her coat seems to grow twice as fast as Coco's.

 ABOVE:  All de-knotted and clean, now blow drying herself outside.

 ABOVE:  As the bath was full of lovely warm water, I decided to bath Coco too.  She hates having a bath.  Too bad.

The shampoo I got smells like Coconut and lime... it was all the supermarket had.  It smells weird.  I hope the  dogs don't mind the smell.

ABOVE:  found this one in the camera... taken on Tuesday.  Tallulah and Dante get along amazingly well... they play running races in the house, up and down the length again and again.  Dante laughs all the way.  They are both taking time out here, tired I expect.

ABOVE:  I have internet protection, and can add up to 6 devices on it.  I have added my phone and Brylee's phone.  

That way if our phone gets lost/stolen we can track them down.
It also means I can see where Brylee is!

I am NOT tracking my daugther.  Really I'm not.  But if she's late home from school, I can at least see where she is right?  *smiles*

I've explained it all to Brylee and she seems OK about it.  I hope. 

2.42 pm:  feeling so much better today!  So relieved.  Getting off me butt and doing something was what I needed to do obviously.

PEPSI UPDATED *** PEPSI UPDATED *** PEPSI UPDATED ***

5.43 pm:  and Tallulah is partly groomed.  My clippers were playing up so I basically butchered the dog! She's looking dreadful!   I will wait 2 weeks then take her to the professionals I think!  
Luckily she can't see herself.

lol

Stew is due home in an hour, and it's takeaway night.  I'm angling towards ... chinese.  All I've had today is some yoghurt, so I'm being fairly 'good' today.

TRACY:  thanks for that!  I shall be only too happy to pick up any newspapers you have in 6 weeks.

End of Day:  a good day, let's hope tomorrow I feel the same.  
nite nite

BLOG ANNIVERSARY

Today marks 9 years of me blogging!
Nine years of putting myself 'out there'...and mostly, I've really loved it.

I just took a 'public break' from blogging.  I need to do that sometimes, just to take a break from the haters out there.

And there's a few of them let me assure you!

My new mantra:

A clever Doctor told me this exact same thing years ago... and he was right.  I just have to remember ... this too will pass, and soon enough all will be OK again.

It will be different, but OK.  Learning to let go ... JUST LET GO.

Today I'm going OUT for a walk.  I probably won't feel like it later on... but I know that I will feel better for it once I get out there.
I've spent way to long on me bum the past few days, just had no motivation at all.

Time to pull finger again.  Summer is coming and I would like to think I can be a bit lighter and fitter before the heat hits.

ONWARD...

10.23 am:  no walk.  I'm suffering from an upset tummy... and it's a bit 'risky' to think about going out for a walk.  I might need a bathroom midway!
No idea why my tummy is not happy?
*sigh*

Starting to really miss a lot of stuff we have in storage.  My sewing stuff mostly... Now I want to make a few Christmas things and all my fabric is in storage.  If we are here at Christmas time, we have no tree, no decorations, NOTHING!

And of course I'm paying hundreds of $$'s a month to keep everything in storage too.  So frustrating.

No word from the Estate Agents, which means no buyers yet.  Maybe with better weather coming it will bring some out?  I live in hope.

I'M SO SORRY I UPSET SO MANY PEOPLE BY GOING 'PRIVATE' FOR A WHILE with no warning.
I promise if I ever feel the need to take a break I will just say "TAKING A BREAK" and not go private. 

6.41 pm:   Stew is due home soon, dinner is in the oven.  Chicken Steaks and potato pom poms.  Oh hold on!  He just arrived home.  I better go get the dinner dished up!

End of Day:  well I was going to waffle on about a few other things today ... but kinda ran outta time.  Off to bed shortly.  Not even tired though.  Another night spent waiting to fall asleep for a couple of hours no doubt.  yaaa. Not.
nite nite

BACK TOMORROW

YEP.
TOOK A WEEK OFF BLOGGING PUBLICLY.

But... I will be back tomorrow.

See ya tomorrow!

DANTE VISITING TODAY

Today Bex is taking Archer for his 5 month immunisations, so she's dropping Dante off here with me.

I will be taking him back to her after the two of us have been to Sylvia Park.  I want to get some clear nail polish and post a little package to my Mum in Australia.

There's a good chance we will visit the toy shop too!  *smiles*

When I get home from Sylvia Park I'm going to read some blogs myself.  I need to see what other boggers are up to, cos I'm way behind on so many... yet again.

I'm going to open my blog up again soon.... and delete the posts that were 'private'... probably sooner than I had planned, but really, I miss my blog traffic!

I miss hearing from so many of my readers!  I've had numerous emails from disgruntled readers who can't read it anymore.  I can't add any more readers either, you can only have 100 readers on a private blog.  That sucks.
So, in the next day or two it will go back 'online'.  

I will just have to make sure I keep controversial family shit off it so I don't end up being trashed by THEM for talking/mentioning it on here.  *sigh*

I'll just have to post more on PEPSI eh? *smiles*  Though lately no one seems to read it anyway... probably sick to death of the same old story... Amanda  and Lacy being RIGHT BITCHES.

Right... I'm off to get the house all tidy, get some washing on, all the usual stuff I do every morning.

ONWARD...

 ABOVE:  it doesn't seem that long ago when Dante would fit UNDER the bench!  Now he often bangs his head into it.  

ABOVE:  Bex and the boys this morning.  Dante was so happy to be here!

At the mall with Dante and I went to fart.... OH FUCK!!!!   THAT WAS NOT AIR!!!!! More on that later...

1.51 pm:  Finally home.  Red faced.
I was putting Dante in the car after our lunch at the mall and a fart slipped out... only it wasn't a fart. It was a shart!  I was like, OH FUCK ... clamped me butt cheeks together so fast!  Raced off to Bex's, stripped off, cleaned up (gross!)and borrowed underwear and tights from Bex so I could get home in a decent state!

How mortifying!  So glad it didn't happen in the mall... or I would have had to blame Dante for the stench.  lol

Having IBS can be a really annoying thing to deal with I can tell you, though it's not too often I get 'caught out' like that! Thankfully.

Now... I bought some lovely new nail colours and shall be re-doing my nails this afternoon at some point.  It's fun now that Bex has given me a little lesson on stamping!  I love having multi-coloured nails.

So... I seem to have an upset tummy.  Today's 'accident' was just the start!  Ikkk.  Hopefully it's better by tomorrow.

End of Day:  going back to public posting.

BACK TO HAMILTON... BACK TO SCHOOL

Stew heads back to Hamilton this morning bright and early... and the kids go back to school.

I know the kids have missed their friends, so they are keen to go back!  Weird kids wanting to go back to school!  I just hope they are not just going there to eat their lunches and be with their friends. *sigh*

They wouldn't be the first ones to do that in this family I'm sure.

Once they are off to school... the day is mine!  To do what?  Well... I'm thinking of getting on the treadmill this morning, and kick starting the Optifast shakes again.  I took a few days off them... time to get back to it.

Yesterday I went over 10,000 steps with my FitBit, so was really happy about that.
Last week I averaged only about 5,000 steps a day.  I was in a bit of a funk.  Funny that.

Hopefully now that I have literally cut myself off from Amanda totally, and Lacy up to a point, I'm hoping my stress levels will drop.  I want to get in control of how I react to stressful situations, and not use food to self medicate.

I WISH I could get on top of that.  Maybe I never will?  Hell I'm getting old and if I can't stop the emotional eating NOW, maybe it's too late to try!

Something else I'm thinking of doing... going swimming again at the local pool.  I love swimming, and it's great exercise.  Maybe I can explore some exercise classes at the pool too.  

Now... for something different, Steve showed me the view he has from his work site right now:

ABOVE:  A gorgeous view of the harbour!

 ABOVE:  The company he works for is restoring and refitting every window in the Heritage Hotel in downtown Auckland!  BIG JOB.

So, that's me for now... I'll be back later.

ONWARD...

What was I thinking?  I'm freezing cold today and the last thing I feel like doing is swimming!
I might shelve that idea till the weather is nicer.  I'm a wimp when it comes to cold.

I've done the washing, done a general tidy up and that's about all for now.  OH... I did do a 20 minute walk on the treadmill too.  

Mondays suck.  I sit here and ponder yesterday's Open Home, knowing that nothing will probably come of it.  Stew is so busy he doesn't have time to think about it much, whereas I'm thinking about it all the time.

So, this afternoon I've been feeling really down AGAIN.  As I said, it sucks.

End of Day: a suckful day really, I hope tomorrow is better.
nite nite

SUNDAY... SO... YOU KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS.

ANOTHER BLOODY OPEN HOME.  I'm not even getting hopeful.  I just feel resigned to this taking FOREVER.

Which is a bit of a bugger as it's costing about $150 a week for Stew to commute to and from each week!  I thought his car was more economical than that, but no.  Of course not, just our luck.

Perhaps he really does need to try and find somewhere to stay down there a few nights a week.  

So... back to the drill.  Get the house ready for the Open this afternoon.
Shouldn't take too long.  We can even sleep in I suppose.  I'm going back to bed!

Catch ya later!

ONWARD...

Hi! Well we have been busy.  Got the house all spic n span, then we went down to the mall for lunch.
Came home, did the last minute things and vacated the house for the Open Home.

3 groups through today, one quite interested, but she has to sell her home first, and see if she can actually get the finance.  So... a wait and see situation.

Better than no situation I suppose.

After the Open, Bex,Steve and the little boys arrived for dinner.  Bex came bearing lollie cake.  Then Stew came home from the supermarket with more cake and biscuits, so everyone is ruining their appetite for dinner!

Not me.  I'm holding out for my favourite dinner... Teriyaki Chicken with garlic bread!

Talking of bread.  I made a loaf so the house would smell delicious:

ABOVE:  I had it sitting on the kitchen bench cooling down... and Dante decided he felt like some fresh bread... so he just grabbed himself some!  *sigh*  He declared it was rather yum .. so I'm not too bothered.  Might make slicing it a bit difficult!

End of Day:  all in all... a nice enough day.  Best part was cuddling wee Archer and watching Dante enjoy himself here.
nite nite