START OF A BUSY WEEKEND

Yaaaa!!!

Steve is coming down today to install the attic ladder.
I can't wait to get everything out of the freakin' hallway.

Bex is coming down first with the boys, and Steve should be here mid-afternoon, after he finishes work.

Before they arrive, we are popping out to get a few bits 'n' bobs.  

 ABOVE:  We finally have lights above the kitchen sink.  They sure make a difference when you are working there.
It's a bit hard to appreciate the difference when the 'before' photo was taken during the day.  But I'm sure you get the gist.

ABOVE:  Botton left, we now have power points in the entrance way.  I will show you later, WHY I wanted a power point there.
But not right now, we are off out and about soon.

ONWARD...

12.41 pm:  So, Stew and I went out to Wairere Nursery at Gordonton to look for a big pot.

 ABOVE: They have a pretty good selection there, but quite pricey.

 ABOVE:  Stew liked these concrete pots, but only because they were cheap.  I thought they were ikk.

 ABOVE:  They also had lots of the very big Atlantis pots that I adore... but at $1,200, they stayed there!

We then had a look in Palmers at Rototuna, but they didn't have much of a selection to look at.

So Mr Google directed us to another place on the other side of Hamilton.

 ABOVE:  It was called 'More Than Pots', and it's a lovely shop!  We wandered around for a bit, not seeing many really big pots that we liked... then Stew spied the ONE AND ONLY big Atlantis Pot they had.

AND it was on sale.
SO we bought it.  Hundreds of dollars cheaper than the ones at Wairere Nursery!

ABOVE:  The rest of the shop.  Oh we bought another thing there to.  I will show you later.  It's been dismantled to fit in our car.

ABOVE:  One of the advantages of having a big vehicle like our Highlander.  So bloody handy.  *smiles*

Right, it's lunchtime and my stomach is churning... better eat something.

2.37 pm:  And lunch is done... and we are now just enjoying the kids.

 ABOVE:  Archer just loves taking 'selfies' on his mum's phone.  He pulls all sorts of faces!

ABOVE:  He is utterly adorable!  When he frowns at himself, we all crack up.

We had unexpected visitors this afternoon... Marty and Jacqui and their kids.  So it was neat to show Marty around our new home... and spend time with them.

Marty... decided to re-arrange some things in the family room!

 ABOVE:  First he exchanged the metal/wood trolley for the white marble top unit.  He took the huge blue glass jar off the table and put it on top of the white unit.  Then ...

 ABOVE:... then he put the coloured candles back on the table, took 'DINE' off the wall AND the Giraffe painting! 
He put the Giraffe painting on the wall over where I sit.

 ABOVE:  Then he moved a few other paintings around till he was happy with it all!
What a crack up.

 ABOVE: I think he had fun.  I've never had a friend come in and move stuff around before, it was OK though.  I sure didn't mind.

 ABOVE: Steve finally arrived, and after spending a few hours visiting, Marty and Jacqui and kids left for home.

Steve and Bex left to spend an evening out without their boys.
It was the first time we had babysat Archer, and we expected him to scream the house down when they left, but he didn't.
What a relief.

ABOVE:  Oh yes, this is why I really wanted a power point in the entrance way.  Fairly lights!

So pretty.

And that is all I have for today.  Time to wrap this up and enjoy the evening with the kids.
And Coronation Street.  Cos I love that programme.

GIMME POWER!

Well... OK.... Just gimme some more power points!
Seriously, this house has one failing.... it's got bugger all power points!

So, at 8 am this morning there's some electricians coming to put more in.  And there's a few other things lined up for them too, like put lights above the kitchen sink.

Not that I spend much time there, but in the evenings it would be nice to actually see what you are doing there!  Right now, the lights are behind you, so you are working in shadow.

It's not very good.   

Also, Brylee's lights don't go in her bedroom, and the light switch in the garage is almost hanging off the wall.

So, after today, all of that should be done/fixed.

Hopefully that doesn't take all day, as we would like to go into Hamilton and return a couple of things that we bought recently that are faulty.

Oh and before that, Stew has a Doctors appointment.  I'm making sure he doesn't run out of medications like I did, he's going before that happens.

I bought something on Trademe last night ... something I thought the grandkids would like...

ABOVE:  I think the kids are going to LOVE playing in this, and I have the perfect place in the garden to put it.
Now I just have to get a few little things to put inside it... small table and chairs, tea set, pots and so on.  Maybe a bean bag?  It's going to be fun setting it up for them.

Right, I better get moving, the Electricians are due here soon.

ONWARD...

2.25 pm: and we have been killing time while the electricians are here. They arrived at 8 am.... and they are still here. *sigh*.  Hopefully they will be finished soon so we can go out and do a few jobs.

3.50 pm:  Very frustrated now.  It looks like all we wanted to get done today in Hamilton will have to wait.
The electricians are STILL HERE.  One of them has had to leave to go to the KFC in Te Awamutu to fix something there, so more delay.

10.45 pm:  We finally got to head out of the house at about 4.45 pm!
Which was fine as we got to return the things that were faulty (solar lights and door guard).
We then had some dinner at Te Awa mall and came home.
We will go back tomorrow to do the other things we had planned for today.

TIME OFF

Because Stew has so many holiday days saved up, he's taken today and tomorrow off.  NICE... having him home for a long weekend.

So... this morning we are going with Brylee to the bank to sort out an EFTPOS card for her.

After that, the day is ours to do with whatever we want.

We will be going into Hamilton to return some faulty items we have bought recently.  Then probably do some mall browsing.  

Seriously, I don't have any idea what else we will be doing today!  Most of the 'jobs' that had to be done around the house are done.

This weekend we will get the attic ladder installed, then I can finally say everything is unpacked and put away!

It will be wonderful having NOTHING in the hallway waiting for somewhere to go.  

Oh just remembered.... Brylee won 4 movie tickets in a radio promo... so we will probably go to see that movie some time today.

WOW.... seems I missed this lovely comment on Tuesday's post!...

Anonymous7:15 PM

So glad you finally are giving up on the blonde,it's very white trash looking.

ReplyDelete

Replies

1. 
   J Cleary10:16 PM

   Troll alert!

Thanks for the head's up Jacqui!

Makes me want to stay blonde just to piss Anon off!  White Trash?  Get a mirror Anon... does your vile personality show on your face?  It sure does in your words.

ONWARD...

12.04 pm:  So... the bank business is done and dusted.  And later on this afternoon we will take Brylee's friend home, then head into Hamilton.

We are going to the movies tonight.
Seeing Central Intelligence. Hopefully it's good. 

9.15 pm:  OMG, Central Intelligence was AWESOME!  If you ain't seen it yet...GO!  Totally worth it.
We all loved it.

Home now and going to chill for a while then go to bed.  The electrical company is coming tomorrow to do the few jobs that need doing.
I can't wait... I will have a few more power points and Brylee's lights in her room will be going again. 

They are arriving early... so need to get to bed so I can actually be outta bed and dressed before they get here!

FOUR OPTIONS

Back to the hair decision.

I think I have FOUR options.

1.  Go with The Sample Room, and pay $275. (and presume they will do a fantastic job)

2.  Drive back to Manukau, and pay $140.

3. Do more ringing around, and try to find a cheaper salon.  Trusting that cheaper does not mean I will get a bad colour and cut?

3.  Talk to a long time, but haven't seen in years, friend who does hairdressing from her home in Hamilton, and get her to do my hair.

1 and 2 are both fairly sound options, number 3 is dragging it out some more.... and number 4... well what if she does a shit job and I end up pissing her off by never getting her to do the job again?

What a drama over my stupid hair! But I really want to get it sorted soon, and stick with whatever option I go for.  I hate mucking around.

Stew's sister, Khady, is due to leave this morning, she's off up to Auckland to spend a week with a friend.
Shame the weather is going to be atrocious this week, she won't get many walks on the beach with her dog Max.

As for the kids and me... we have NO plans today.  And I don't have any 'jobs' to do either.
I can't believe almost all the jobs are done!
I will be looking for things to do soon.
Actually, I might just do some sewing today... now there's an idea.  *smiles*

ABOVE:  Here's Stew trying out the bed settee, with a new foam topper pad.  Steve and Bex said the mattress that came with the suite was utter shit, so hopefully when they come this weekend, they will find the bed much more comfortable.
They choose to sleep in the lounge so they have more room for the cot Archer sleeps in, and Dante can be with them too.

The spare bedroom is quite small with the queen size bed in it.  It's just fine for the likes of Lacy and Keera, but not a couple and a toddler in a cot.

Oh talking of Lacy, she's coming back this weekend to spend a couple of days with Keera here.

So, we will have a full house this weekend.  FUN.

ONWARD...

11.24 am:  I decided to go down town and visit a couple more hair salons, and get more quotes.

The first one ...

 ABOVE:  If you thought yesterday's quote of $275 was bad.... it isn't the worst!!!
Oh hell no way am I paying that sort of price!

So, on to the next salon...

ABOVE:  Totally acceptable!  She agreed to lower the hair CUT price, as I only ever get a light trim.  No styling.  $170 all up if I get a trim too... otherwise just $150.  SCORE!

I was tickled pink with that quote, so made an appointment for next week... the soonest I can get in.

Better cancel the other appointment now.

After the salon hunt, I went to the local New World supermarket to get some lunch stuff (ham, lettuce, bread and so on). 
There is a LOTTO counter as you enter the shop, and as I had a couple of old lotto tickets, I decided to get them checked out.

Ummmm....

ABOVE:  I won $668 !!!

I'm pretty sure I squealed!  Then I text everyone to share my happy win.  

I am having a bloody AWESOME day!

4.56 pm:  after lunch I had a nana nap.  I was feeling a bit tired ... no reason even!

So now it's almost time to think about dinner... but nah.  It's takeaway night I think.
Brylee has a friend coming over for a sleep over tonight.  Hope that goes well.

Thank goodness we have a spare bedroom!

I've been thinking of what to do with my winnings.
And have decided to do NOTHING with it.  It can go towards a very special event that is going to be happening in the next few months.
BUT. IT'S. A. SECRET. RIGHT. NOW... don't ya just hate that?  

I know.  But you don't.  hee hee.  Shit I'm awful.  But nice too... *smiles*

10.40 pm:  Time to wind down for the evening.  It's been such a lovely day.  I've got the hair sorted and money in the bank for a special something.  Yaaa.

THE SAMPLE ROOM

Today I'm going down to The Sample Room to book a hair consultation/appointment.

I know it's going to cost a lot more to get my hair done here, compared to Auckland!
It doesn't really make sense ... but I had struck a good deal with my 'regular' hair salon in Manukau.  We agreed a price, and they promised to not increase it unless it was justified.

So I've been going there for about 2 years, and the price never rose at all.

Now I've checked out local and Hamilton prices and they are almost $100 MORE than what I was paying in Auckland!

But I figure if I factor in the cost of petrol to get to and from Auckland, I might as well just get my hair done here.

I want to get my hair back to it's 'almost' natural state/colour.  I'm sick to death of re-growth.  I know I've said that before... but after the bad reaction to the 'block' colour I had last, I am over the struggle to buck nature.

At Weight Watcher's last night, we were told of a new 6 week challenge, to start next week.  I'm determined to reach the 'goal' of losing .500 grams a week for the full 6 weeks, if not more.
As an added incentive, the Leader said there would be some prizes at the end too.
Nothing like an incentive to do well.  

Right, that's all I have for now... catch ya later.

ONWARD...

Well I don't know what happened to the frost we expected to wake up to! It's freezing, but no frost... and I'm back in bed keeping warm!

I'm trying a sachet Mocca... cos it's hot.

Tallulah has been sin binned... I've had to block her from the bedrooms. Last night I could hear a weird sound, so got up to find her eating one of our rugs again. I was bloody fit to kill. I put her back in the garage overnight. Sadly, that meant Coco had to be in the garage too. If she wasn't with Tallulah she would have scratched at the door all night. 

I really should get up....but it's so warm in bed!

MARLENE:  When I first went to Synergy in Manukau, I spoke to the Manager and we agreed that I would pay $140 all up for my colour (full head of foils and toner).  If I wanted a trim it would be another $25.  If I wanted it blow dried and 'styled' it would be another $45, all pre-arranged and agreed to.
All those prices were way less than the 'normal' price.

So, I used to get the colour done, and sometimes a light trim.  They would always part dry it for me.  Then I would go home and dry it myself.

So that's how my 'Auckland' salon was way cheaper than anywhere else.
Oh and if they buggered up the trim and took off too much, I told them I would not pay them! We had a great relationship!  *smiles*

You have to fight to get what you want, at the price you are happy with.  Somehow I think I might have scared them... can't think why!  lol

 ABOVE: This beautiful rug.... munted by Tallulah.  I'm so pissed off at her.  

ABOVE: Temporary blockade... Poor Coco, it's not her fault.  I will now have to re-think where they sleep... can't be in the bedrooms, can't be in the lounge or family room cos Tallulah is a shit... and it can't be in the garage cos it's too cold!  Hmmmmm.... doesn't leave many options.

SOLVED IT... should have thought of it sooner...

ABOVE: They can both sleep in the big crate at the end of Griffin's bed.  They will be warm, and inside... but Tallulah will be confined.  Excellent.

Stew's sister is due here tonight for an overnight visit.  She moved to Wanganui last year, so we haven't seen her in months and months.
Can't wait to show her our new home.  *smiles*

I have an appointment this afternoon at The Sample Room to discuss what I want done with me hair.  And hopefully, to discuss pricing.  Though I fully expect to pay the 'normal' price.

2.07 pm:  Well I just had my hair consultation at The Sample Room.  To get my hair cut and coloured will be:  $275.00!!!  

HOLY SHIT BALLS.
I've looked at other salons here in Cambridge and they all seem to be charging the same prices.  

So I bit the very hard bullet, and booked an appointment next week.  Shit it better be worth it!

I've asked that they start putting some darker coloured foils in, so the re-growth isn't so obvious.  So no more blonde/blonde, hard to keep looking good hair.

It's quite a cold day outside, so grateful this is such a warm house.  We have double glazing, it sure makes a difference.
Yes, I can get cold inside, but not cry-baby freezing.  

The neighbour's little dog has been barking and howling ALL BLOODY DAY.  It's really annoying.
Tallulah finds it annoying too...she can't bark back though, thanks to the bark collar.

Best invention ever those things. 

So, Stew's sister arrived about 3 hours ago... and we have been yakking ever since.  It's been awesome.  *smiles*

I had to lock our dogs in the garage, as Khady brought her poodle with her.  Tallulah met him thorough the fence... and tried to snap his nose off!
So best to keep them apart. 

Right now Khady had taken her boy (Max) for a little walk, and I've let our girls back inside.  Talk about sniff, sniff... where is he?

Now I better do something about dinner!  Totally forgot that I have to feed the family.

11.13 pm:  had a lovely evening catching up with Khady.  Juggling the dogs so they didn't meet up... cos Tallulah wanted to rip Max's nose off.
We managed it though.  
Time for bed.

DOCTOR/WOF/HAIR APPOINTMENT

Well today I've got a few things I need to attend to.

- Make a Dr's appointment, I'm outta meds for blood pressure/cholesterol and hot flushes.

-  Take my car in for it's Warrant of Fitness, I've found a VTNZ here in Cambridge, so that's good.

- And I want to make an hair appointment at a salon here.  One of our neighbours told me of a good one here, so I shall give them a try.

- Oh yeah, I should make a Bank Appointment for Brylee too.  She needs an EFTPOS card.

AND I want to sew the binding on a couple of small mug rugs, so I can do the hand sewing tonight at the Patchwork get together.  It's being held at my immediate neighbour's home, so I have no excuse not to go!

I've also got WW tonight.  I expect a big gain after all the crap I've been eating.  

Nothing I can't turn around though.

ONDWARD...

Yaaa. My car has a new WOF and Rego for another year.
And I've been to the Dr's and picked up my prescriptions.
I also made an appointment for Stew, so he doesn't run out of pills like I did.

AND I have made an appointment for Brylee to see the bank at the end of the week.

Now all I want to do is get an hair appointment, but of course most salons are closed on a Monday eh?

Tomorrow... I will do that tomorrow.

For now... I'm looking forward to a quiet afternoon.

8.50 pm:  Weight Watchers tonight... I recorded a gain of 1.4 kilos.  Not quite as horrific as I thought it would be.
Then after that I came home and walked next door for the patchwork meeting.  That was lovely, I did some hand sewing while chatting to the other ladies.

I am so happy with how my efforts to 'fit in' to our new home town are going.  I had a really awesome yak with one of the WW's ladies tonight... I feel like we will become firm friends. 

AND there's at least 3-4 others in the group that are really lovely and talkative too.  I like people who actually TALK to you, instead of just nodding hello and that's it.

Same with the patchwork ladies.  So many of them are so nice.  

I may have only been here 5 weeks, but it already feels like home.

And on that note... I'm off to watch some TV with Stewy.

FORWARD POST

So, while it's Sunday morning... I'm actually writing this on Saturday night.   We got home from the Mid Winter Christmas Party at midnight, and I thought I better do a small post then... cos I'm bound to be in bed nursing a hangover right now!

Yep.  We had a blast at the party last night. I took a bottle of wine, not expecting to even drink half of it.  I DRANK THE WHOLE BOTTLE!!!

Got home pissed as a chook... but really happy.

We met lots of our neighbours... and really enjoyed the evening.

Totally didn't expect to.

Griffin has invited one of the neighbour's kids over today to play some game on the XBox.  

Brylee got the phone number of one of the teenage boys right next door... oh heck!  Fun and games to follow I'm sure.

Did I say we had a great time?  We really did.  We have a lot of neighbours who are just delightful.  *smiles*

I reckon we should have those sort of neighbourhood get togethers more often than yearly!

And I said so.

But back to today... as I said, I'm probably in bed feeling ill.  A WHOLE BOTTLE OF WINE!!!  I can't believe I skulled a whole bottle of wine!

When I get up, I hope I don't throw up.

That's what happened the last time I drank that much.. which was oh... about 18 years ago, when my younger brother was still alive.  That's a long time ago.  Bloody hell.  Time flies eh?

So, until I arise and find out how bad I feel... I will continue sleeping! 

Catch ya later.

ONWARD...

11.32 am:  And I'm up!  Stew brought me breakfast in bed... baked beans and eggs on toast.  It was lovely!  Thanks for making me hungry Anne.  *smiles*

Now I'm up and there's a few jobs to do around the house, and a few outside that Stew is going to tackle.

I think we have a kid visiting this afternoon to play XBox with Griffin... if his Mum remembers.

I don't have a hangover as such... but I do have a bad case of the "gotta run to the bathroom" shits!
Not pleasant, not at all.  But if that's all I get from downing a whole bottle of wine, I think I got off lightly!

Let's backtrack.... Stew and I went to Mitre 10 for a few little items... and I felt bloody awful!
I just wanted to come home and curl up in a ball. 
But I had jobs to do.  So... jobs are now done and I'm seriously considering crawling into bed again!

Stew is outside in the threatening rain... trying to finish off the dogs area.  
I might yet go and watch him.. you know... act like I'm helping, but really just watching.  *smiles*  I do that a lot when it comes to outside jobs.

4.37 pm:  And Yaaa... I'm back to normal!  I've been fluffing around in the house and checking out how Stew's going in the yard most of the afternoon.

 ABOVE:  He's done really well... taken down the old flip out clothesline and put the chicken wire down both sides of the extended dog run.  The dogs came and checked it out and seemed happy sniffing the new area.
Stew got it finished just in time, as now it's pissing down again.  Such changeable weather these past few days!

Next weekend he will dig out those two posts and re-position them in the garden, so I can put up the pig weather vane, and the wind thingee.

 ABOVE:  I hung 'DINE' on the wall... 

ABOVE:  And put the big jar on the table.
I also moved the 2 spare dining chairs from the end of the room, it was looking cluttered.

9.05 pm:  Well it's been a fairly cruisy day here.  Everyone is tired though, so hopefully an early night.

LITTLE ROAD TRIP

Today, all going well, we are going on a little road trip to Tirau.

It's just a little town about half an hour south of Cambridge.  It's kinda a 'through' town... you have to drive through it to get north or south on the main state highway.

It's got a few funky shops, some outright 'tourist' souvenir shops and eateries.

Hopefully the weather plays nice and we can go.  

Other than that, it is going to be a fairly quiet weekend.  No big jobs to be done except the attic stairs, and that's been put off till next weekend at least.

I'm looking forward to just relaxing and enjoying the new house.  

So, that's my day sorted.  I hope you are all going to have a neat weekend too.

ONWARD...  4.14 pm:  and we are finally home from our little trip.
Tirau hasn't changed much since we were last there.  We had a lovely walk all along the main shopping street, then had lunch in a lovely Cafe/bar.

Apparently we were seen by a Chick who I know from Auckland... they were on their way to Rotorua for the weekend. "Hi Kate" ... lol.

ABOVE:  By far ... this is the shop we both love the most in Tirau!  There is another, more 'masculine' themed shop just up the road by Notting Hill as well.  It was very nice too.

 ABOVE:  We admired this recycled glass jar... did we?

AND... OMG!  We are in trouble now... cos that shop has...

 ABOVE:  Polish Pottery!!!  They have the biggest selection I have ever seen in New Zealand.

I couldn't resist...

ABOVE:  I bought two LITTLE pieces.  Cos, well... they are adorable.

 ABOVE:  in this shop up the road, these two girls were bored silly... but having fun.  They were really cute.

 ABOVE:  Lunch.  Far too much to eat.  Brylee and I left most of the chips, and I didn't eat even half my burger.  The meat pattie was mega peppery, and I can't stand pepper.  
Never mind... it was nice on the whole.

SO... did we?

ABOVE:  Yeah... we did.  *smiles*
Far too nice to leave in the shop.  edit: it might not stay there, but for now, it was the best place to put it.

After we left Tirau, we went into Hamilton and got some small door mats for the house, LOTTO, and some small cakes.

CAKES... cos we are going to the Street Mid Winter Christmas Party tonight!
It's an annual affair, where everyone on our street and the one side street off it, get together.  
We are really looking forward to it.  It's a chance to meet more of the neighbours.  And a night out where we can drink and just walk home again.  *smiles*

Stew is outside right now, cleaning my car.  He felt guilty cos his car got a clean this past week, so he thought he should do mine.  
Steve, that means the stuff you wrote on the back will be gone.  Such a shame everyone now can't read "We ♥ STEVE".   ha ha ha!

12.00 midnight:  We just got home from the street Mid Winter Christmas Party.  More on that tomorrow.