ANOTHER ONE

It just keeps on going...

BIRTHDAYS!

One after the other in this family.

Today, it's Miss Emily's Birthday.

HAPPY 7TH BIRTHDAY MISS EMILY

HAVE AN AWESOME DAY!

Cyclone Gita battered parts of New Zealand yesterday and overnight, lots of flooding and localised damage.  We were lucky and missed it pretty much.

Today I am going to just potter around my house, probably do a bit of sewing.

I finished this yesterday:

ABOVE:  This should have been finished ages ago, but I put it aside as something I could finish off at Patchwork Group... it only needed the binding stitched down.  I did it yesterday instead.

I've got 4 mug rugs to finish now... will do them today.

I am feeling excited to make a start on something new.   Something for my market stall.  Trying to decide if it will be a soft toy or a runner???

So, I will bugger off and make up my mind!

ONWARD...

DOGSTARS AND LYNISE:  thanks for the suggestion of shopping bags.  Here's why I won't be making any:

1.  The market is already fairly saturated with shopping bag options.
2. What is available is usually around the $3 mark.
3. All of my fabrics are around $28 - $30 a metre.  I could probably, at a pinch, get three bags out of 1 metre, making each bag cost around $10.  So if I sold them for what people EXPECT to pay for a reusable shopping bag, I would be making a LOSS of $6 a bag, just on the fabric cost.

I have seen people selling fabric shopping bags in markets for around $4- $5, so I am presuming they did not buy good quality fabric, or are using re-cycled fabric from op shops and the like.  

Therefore, I won't be making shopping bags.  *smiles*

Pottering.  Getting bugger all done so far.  I've got the kitchen floor lined up for a wash.  

There is a lovely coolish breeze this morning... so all the doors and windows are open.  I can almost smell autumn!  Another month maybe?  Hopefully?

Last August we moved a feijoa tree from the back yard to the front 'orchard' area.  I was positive it had died.  It dropped 80% of it's leaves over the next few months, and every time I looked at it, there was NO growth at all.

ABOVE:  I was 100% sure it was dead.
Every time I checked it... I never saw a change.

TILL TODAY!

ABOVE:  Everywhere I looked... new leaves!  Fruit buds!
I am so happy!  This tree has survived after all.

Yes!  What a good day.

I had a nap after lunch.  For 2 hours!!!
Man I must have needed that.

I feel WONDERFUL now ... and finally, FINALLY... my mouth feels NORMAL.  NO PAIN.
NO PAIN after months and months of constant nagging pain.

OMG I am so thankful I ended up having to go to the dentist!

I did a little sewing this afternoon:

 ABOVE:  I went through my 'stash' and found these delightful dogs. So, I'm making them into mug rugs/coasters.  I think.  More on that tomorrow.  I have a question for ya.

ABOVE:  I am 70% finished with these 4 mug Christmas mug rugs too.

So I didn't get as much done in the sewing room as I would have liked to, but having a sleep and totally recharging the batteries was probably a better option. *smiles*

Right, it's late.  I'm not actually tired but if I stay up too late... I will get tired tomorrow.  So, going... catch ya tomorrow.

COMPANION WALK

Today I, along with about 10 other Fat Bottomed Girls were making a start on our community walks.

What that entailed was going to Rest Homes and taking our senior citizens on little walks.  Either walking, assisted walking, or pushing wheelchairs.

But because of Cyclone Gita's imminent arrival, it has had to be postponed until next week.

Also, my Special Project will not be given to it's recipient today either... timing isn't good today.

So, as a consequence, I have decided to go over to Rotorua with Stew.

He works there in the company office every Tuesday.  So, for the first time ever, I am going to tag along.

It means I will be out all day.  So, the kids will have to get themselves to school, and house/puppy sit in the afternoon.
I'm quite sure they can do that.

Dinner will be something quick and easy when we get home from Rotorua.

ONWARD...

Toothache:  still there, but easing thank god.

It's Card Night tonight, at 'S's' house.  Not sure I will be going as we won't be home till 6.30 ish tonight, and cards is at 7.

Weather outside right now.... very heavy clouds.  Damp. Been raining overnight.  But not stormy ... yet.

Time to get the kids outta bed and working towards leaving for school in an hour.

Dogs are sorted, got food and water, so they should be OK for the day.

Shame I don't know anyone to visit in Rotorua today... it could be a long day on my own.  Let's see how it goes and if I will ever do it again!

Ok...so we got here at 9. I immediately went on the hunt for the fabric shop...

 ABOVE: Found it easily enough.  Very nice shop... spent ages having a good browse around.
Turned out one of the ladies who works there was in the exact same class as me 45 years ago at the Rotorua Polytech!  Didn't recognise her at all. She didn't remember me either... funny that. I think we've both changed 'a bit' !

ABOVE: I found a shop with the most Britto I've seen anywhere!  BUT...OMG so pricey!  Way over 'normal' prices.  Rotorua is a "tourist" town... and everywhere I went prices seemed to reflect that. Mostly gift shops were overpriced.

ABOVE: One thing I saw which was pretty cool... this bike rack/stand. 

Right... time to relax till lunchtime.
I could have visited 2 chicks over here... but I'm actually carless... so couldn't. Bummer.

6.40 pm: Finally home from Rotorua.  It was a nice day, but would have been nicer if I'd been able to get out and about a bit more.  The weather was a bit crappy and not having a car impacted what I could do.
Stupid company car isn't allowed to be driven by NON company people.  DUMB.  It's not like I crash OFTEN!

I didn't see any letterboxes or garage doors in town.  *sniff*

Next time I will organise it better, so my friend Gayle can come and get me, or Stew can drop me off at her place.  It would have been wonderful to see her and TEDDY!

Awww Teddy...we miss that little bugger.

I should be going to cards right now, but I'm just too tired.  Seriously, I'm getting about 5 hours of sleep a night nowdays, and this is broken by hot flushes too.  So, it compounds into a very, very tired me after a while.
Early night for me tonight for sure.

I got some hand stitching done on a UFO this afternoon and finished it.  It was that Xmas table runner with the holly leaves.  I will show you tomorrow.  I've got 3 or 4 coasters in the same vein to finish too.. might get them finished tomorrow too.

I'm gunna go now, I really can't think straight!

GITA.. DENTIST... IT'S DONE!

Well what can we expect this week?

How about some shitty weather?

Not nice COLD weather, oh no!

Tropical storm weather.  Let's just make it even wetter and hotter eh?

GITA is coming.  She is going to hit tonight/tomorrow, but luckily ???  not us directly.  She's expected to make landfall further south of us.

Poor buggers down south really don't need any more rain!

ABOVE:  It looks like we will get some rain, but not the bad stuff.  Unless Gita swings upwards.
Then we might get a bit more.

These tropical cyclones almost always weaken as they get to New Zealand, which is something to be thankful for.

Gita wrecked havoc in Tonga and the South Pacific  last week, killing two people and making hundreds homeless.

Today... DENTIST.  1st part of a root canal on my back left upper tooth.  That's happening at midday.  Until then, I shall be ... in the bathroom.
Or very near it.  Cos well... that's just how I roll.

The Special Project was finished last night. So thankful as it needs to get to it's recipient asap... probably Tuesday all going well.
Working on it has kept the fear and dread about today's dental visit at bay at least!  As much as is possible anyway.  *smiles*

ONWARD...

1 pm:  to kill some time this morning, I made a label for the special project, then went down to the local Patchwork meeting and stitched it on in company.
Then came home to await Stew.  He arrived and duly took me to the dentist.
I didn't feel the utter terror like last time, but was certainly still scared.

Firas was wonderful... and 45 minutes later it was done.  It felt like only 5 - 10 minutes for me!  IV Sedation is wonderful!

So now I'm home, sipping Diet Coke through a straw so it doesn't dribble everywhere!

I will wait a while before having something to eat... just to make sure I don't bite myself!

So weird having a numb face.  I think last time I slept off the numbness?  Maybe I will do that again.

5.15 pm:  and I had about an hour long nap, and upon waking found that my mouth is very sore still.
I'm hoping that it's just because of the injections and so on, and it will settle down in a day to two.

I have a pretty horrible headache too, so think I will be taking it easy for the rest of the day.

I'm just so relieved it is all over.  Till next month, when the temporary filling will be replaced by the permanent one.

So for now, I can relax.

This week from now on is fairly easy going.
Tomorrow I have a FBG walk, but it's not quite our 'normal' walk.  More on that tomorrow.

I'm also hoping to deliver the special project to it's recipient... haven't heard yet if I can or not.  But ... it will be sometime this week.

I've been working on a little 'something' for next week.  It's coming together!  I will tell you more further on in the week.  I'm excited!

Ahhh Sandra!  Of course you know!  lol

Time to wind down for the day.  My mouth is feeling slightly better, taking some pain killers helped.

SPECIAL PROJECT SNEAK PEEK

Today's the only thing on my agenda is to stitch down the binding on the Special Project.

That is going to take me a few hours, if not all day.  But it is going to be worth it.

Here's a sneak peek of the BACK of the Special Project:

ABOVE:  Donna Ward has done an amazingly beautiful job of the quilting!  I could NEVER have done it so quickly or so perfectly.

OMG I reckon it would have taken me 6 months to do that!   So I'm so happy it's done and will be totally finished by tomorrow.

Yesterday afternoon Stew and Griffin rearranged everything in the garage, to make room to play on the pool table.  It was already very cramped in there, but they did an amazing job:

In fact, the way they have condensed up the gym equipment and laundry area has actually given us MORE room that we had before, even with the pool table added into the mix!

The kids and Stew have been enjoying playing on the little pool table.  It's probably a wee bit small, but hell... it was only $50!  

I don't know what their plans are for the day... probably just mucking around the house playing pool.  Griffin has a friend coming over to play too.  

Yaaaa.  I finally found a way to get him out of his room!  It was worth $50.  *smiles*

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

ONWARD...

2 pm:  and I can hardly see straight!  I've been stitching for hours and my fingers are bloody sore.  So, I'm taking a break.

Sorry, but today has been a very boring blog fodder day!  Nothing is happening.

Well.. I did get a shit text from up north that just pissed me off.  But it's from someone who I NEVER EVER reply to.  He will eventually stop I hope.  I ain't buying into other people's wars.   Don't care who they are.  

OH I dyed my roots first thing this morning.  I've now got ginger roots.  lol  Might have to try and buy some toner online.



ABOVE: Little video from this afternoon.  Just filling space here!  lol
Told you it was a quiet day.

ABOVE:  Sunset tonight.  It's been like this every night for days now.
It only lasts for probably 5 minutes, then it's gone.

Quiet evening.  Stinking hot and sticky.  Probably be the same all night long, it's a wonder anyone can get any sleep!

IT'S READY!

Oh My GOSH!!! ... I got a text from Donna late yesterday!

Donna has gone and finished quilting my 'special project'... in virtually ONE DAY!

I am so thrilled.  That means I can pick it up today, bind it today and tomorrow, and take it to it's recipient on Tuesday.

Monday is out as I am going to the bloody dentist again.  Eeeeek!  

So, we are heading into Hamilton this morning to do that, probably closer to lunchtime.  And we shall probably do the grocery shopping too.  Kinda have to, we are getting low on essentials.

ABOVE:  Both Dante and Keera have received Certificates from their teachers now.  Well done kids!

 ABOVE:  Yesterday's effort in the sewing room.  I moved the sewing desk away from the window, it was just too hot there.    I'm going to try using the sewing machine  'table'?  extension thingee... I've had it all this time and never used it. 

ABOVE:  I didn't change this side of the room as it's perfect as it is... I love having all my cutters and scissors hanging above my cutting table.  So handy.

I bought 'something' on Cambridge Buy, Sell and Exchange last night.  I was scrolling through my Facebook feed while talking with Steve and saw it, and immediately contacted the seller... and as I was the first person to contact him, I GOT IT!

We are heading out first thing this morning to pick it up.  I will show you when we get it home!  We are really, really chuffed to get it! 

OK... time to go.  I need to get some washing on before anything else.

ONWARD...

So... what did I buy? ...

ABOVE:  A small pool table!  It needs a wipe down and tidy up, but on a whole it's fine!  We got it for $50, that was with two queue's and the balls and triangle!

After picking it up, we went into Hamilton and picked up the 'special project', then did the grocery shopping.

Home, had lunch and chilled out for a little while.

I've got a killer headache, so haven't done much else so far today.

I'm going to try having a nap, that might make the headache go away?  I hope so anyway.

Stew is cooked spuds for a potato salad tonight, to go with beef spareribs, cooked on the BBQ.

Well I didn't have a nap.  My headache was not gunna go anywhere ( cos of the toothache ), so I decided to sew the binding on the special project.

Now that's done and all I have to do now is hand stitch it down on the back side.  It's ONLY 340 inches, or 28.3 feet of teeny tiny stitches to do.  I can do that tonight and all day tomorrow.

Signing off for the day... another stinking hot night ahead.  Not getting much sleep, doubt anyone is!

MORNING TEA... THEN HOME AGAIN.

This morning I'm off out to morning tea with two of my FBG girlfriends.

Not long to go for 'J'... her baby is due in about a month.  We are quite looking forward to that...a new baby girl to cluck over.

So last night Brylee curled my hair... and then I tried to get a nice 'selfie'.... 

 ABOVE:  I'm sure everyone knows just how hard it is to get a decent 'selfie'!  So I gave up and just took heaps, sucking me cheeks in to try and look slimmer!  Didn't work... but I don't really care... I am ... as I am!  *smiles*
I even managed a smile... which crinkled up me eyes and made me cheeks all fat.  *sigh*
See... there is a good reason NOT to smile.  And fark... no makeup either!

Next time... I will make an effort.

I'm going now... I got stuff to do before going to morning tea.

ONWARD...

Morning tea was just lovely.

Then I came home... hung out some washing in the stinking heat, came inside and started tidying, rearranging my sewing room.
Then I  stubbed my fused toe and nearly hit the roof and it went down hill from there.

I got a shitty Private Message from someone which really pissed me off, then I fucking stubbed my toe AGAIN!  OMG CAN ANYTHING ELSE HAPPEN to fuck up my day?

I am so ANGRY right now... and I swear I've broken my bloody toe AGAIN.  

OK probably not, but it's sore as fuck.   I'm just so.... AARRRRRGGGGGHHHHHH.   

And there's this fly.... keeps landing on my leg... it's going to DIE...  I am going to kill it so bad.

That should feel GOOD.

UNFRIENDED !

WELL....

THAT WAS A DUMB MOVE  

FROM YOU!

Moving on... I am officially walking away from a dumb arse, idiotic person who simply cannot be helped, who throws good advice out the window and does the exact opposite of what is good for her.  

I will always 'be there' if necessary, but not to be used and abused and treated like a throw away 'friend'.  OVER IT.  

I've now got a thumping headache and think I need some lunch.  It's 1 pm.  My day really has gone to shit.

OF COURSE.

ABOVE:  Date scone anyone?   They be a bit HOT right now though.... 

30 minutes later:  YUM!  I almost burnt them... was yakking to Bex.  But luckily I saved them.   It's been a very long time since I made a date scone.  I did my cheese scone mix and added lots of dates.  So yum!

We've had an excellent evening so far!
I had a conversation with Steve for over an hour and a half... well he talked with Stew and Griffin too...  then I got to talk to Dante, Keera and Archer as well.

While on the phone, I managed to buy something on Cambridge Buy, Sell and Exchange too!
I will show you what tomorrow, once we have picked it up.  We are thrilled to bits with my find.

It's now time to chill out, and wait for Coronation Street to come on.
Catch ya tomorrow.

PULLED PORK PIE RECIPE

Right, I've been asked a few times now for my Pulled Pork Pie recipe.

It ain't even worth me taking credit for, it's that easy!

Get a nice big piece of roast pork:

 It doesn't really matter what cut it is.

Chuck it in one of these:

(ignore all the veges in the picture!)

Then pour two of these over the meat:

Then put the lid on and turn the slow cooker (crock pot) on high, and leave it to cook for at least 10 hours.

Then pull out the bones, shred the meat up with a couple of forks, then thicken it with some cornflour which has been mixed with water.

Line a baking dish with pastry, OR NOT, up to you, then put mashed potato on the top.  

***I find it is even tastier if you put the meat mixture in the fridge for a couple of days then make your pie.

Hope some of you give it a go, it is delicious.

Stew came home last night with fresh fruit, as he does 2-3 times a week.
Only, I was like, what the hell ?

Deformed nectarines and peaches?

ABOVE:  Apparently NOT!  They are called 'FLATTOS', and are grown in Central Otago deliberately like that.

I'm like... they look like REJECTS!  Funky.  I suppose they taste the same as 'normal' shaped ones!

Today?  I've got a couple of jobs to do in town, then I am visiting a friend after lunch.  She is interested in getting some of my mug rugs, (fabric coasters), so I'm taking some samples out to show her.

Then I will come home and deal to the windowsills.  *sigh*

ONWARD...

11.43 am:  and it's been a fairly quiet morning.  I've done some washing and cleaning.  Coco vomited in the hallway in FOUR places... so had to clean the carpet...waiting for it to dry.

I've made a pie for my ill girlfriend, taking that out to her later.

Stinkin' hot day again.

There's some dick in a very big truck backing down my road.... cos he can't turn around at the end.  It clearly states at the beginning of our road, ya can't turn around at the end if you are driving a big truck.  What a dick.  edit: OK OK, I'm being mean.  He can't exactly deliver the huge amount of shit he's got on his truck any other way I guess!  So, let's hope he's really good at backing up.

I've found some 2nd hand uniform we need for Brylee on Facebook... so will be picking those items up this afternoon/evening.  Saving about $60.  SCORE.

Uniform items bought... and I saved $70 at the end of the day.  Having spent almost $300 at the start of the year on (new):  1 shirt and skirt for Brylee, and 2 shirts and shorts for Griffin... I'm rather pleased I could get the other two items for more than half price!

Thank god this is the last year I EVER EVER EVER have to buy bloody school uniforms!  Can you believe I have had to buy uniforms for over 30 years now!   I hate to think how much we have spent on JUST uniforms.  *shudder*

9.50 pm:  And that's a wrap for the day.  Coronation Street is on.... gotta concentrate on that.  lol

WHOOPS! TOTALLY FORGOT

Bloody hell... I totally forgot it was Valentines day today.
Oh well... just as well Stew and I don't NEED a 'special day' to say we love each other!

We say it/show it to each other every day.

Valentines Day is just another commercial enterprise, designed by 'mostly' retailers out to get your dollar.  Not into it at all.

So... it doesn't matter that I forgot!

Do you 'celebrate' Valentines Day?   

Today I shall be working on the special project again.  And ringing around to find a quilter.  That's a biggie.

There will be some housework thrown into the mix too. 

FLIES:  we have automatic flyspray dispensers dotted around the house, they kill mozzies and flies.
So... there's lots of ikkky dead flies on windowsills.  They are doing my head in!  I hope to get around all the windowsills today and brush them all up.  Shitty job, but someone's got to do it.

I try to do one job a day that isn't a 'usual' job like washing, vacuming and so on.  Do you?

ABOVE:  Ha ha!  That's Hayley doing a dumb face at the Good George Pub last night.  It's a lovely pub, with really good service and ambience.  It was bloody hot up near the rafters though!  Hayley organised the FBG Quizz Night... and she's my neighbour too.  I shall be going to Quizz Night again in a fortnight.

And that's all I have for now... better get a move on... slowly... cos moving too fast just makes sweat pour out everywhere!  It's disgusting how humid it is.

ONWARD...

Feeling blessed with so many wonderful, kind friends.

I rang Donna Ward this morning, she's a professional quilter in Hamilton.  She also ran patchwork classes I attended last year.
I asked her if there was any chance she could do a rush job on my special project, and she said YES... bring it in right now!

So, she will be working on it over the next few days and it will be ready for pick up on Monday! Then I will take a day or two to bind it,  then it can go to it's recipient! 

AND she's doing it at cost, less a good discount too! I am blown away at her generosity.  This is A SPECIAL PROJECT though, and she appreciated that.

This project has had me in tears for days...  and today is no exception.  When other people get behind you and help you out... it really is wonderful and so appreciated.

So I've had a quick trip into Hamilton to drop off the project, and am now home again.  I am feeling really drained and ill right now... partly due to the rush/rush involved with the special project, and partly due to me damn toothache.  So, I'm going to chill out for a couple of hours before getting the housework done.

There's those bloody dead flies awaiting...

Pfffft... sit and relax for a couple of hours?  Yeah right.  I just washed the garage floor.  Next? ... go around and close the windows, cos it's bloody raining... let's just ramp up the humidity some more shall we?

I had a nap between 2 and 3.30... feel almost human again!
The flies, the flies!  Are still there.  Dammit.
Just don't feel motivated to move them... cos it means washing every windowsill too.
Might get a kid to sweep them up and I can wash them tomorrow?

Procrastination... is alive!

Pulled Pork Pie recipe will be on tomorrow's post.
Time to sign off for the day. Catch ya tomorrow.