WE HAVE A ....CRAZY BIRD

OK... here's a different start to the day:


ABOVE:  A little video to 'amuse' you... or not.
*smiles*

I got a text from my niece in Australia yesterday afternoon... she's been spending a few days visiting my Mum in Coffs Harbour (Australia).  They went out for 'High Tea':

ABOVE:  Doesn't it look lovely!  Drooling looking at the lovely cakes and sandwiches.  I am sure they really enjoyed it.

Now today?  I have an FBG walk at 9.30, then I'm off into Hamilton again.  I won't be long in Hamilton, then I am coming home to work on some table runners and placemats.  

So.... catch ya later!

ONWARD...

Right, it's now 12.35 pm and I've been on the go all morning.

Went walkies:

ABOVE: Third time doing this particular section!  I wish they would hurry up and post the last few sections, I'm sick of doing the same walks over and over again.

I was given two porcelain birds on my birthday, from my sister in law, Khady.  I found the perfect place for them:

 ABOVE: This is the 3 dimensional picture I made years ago, it hangs above our bed.  I decided the birds would look good added to it...

ABOVE:  I just have to move the little hearts around some more, they ain't quite 'right' where they are.  *sigh*

Just had lunch, and now... relaxing for a little while before I move on to the next project/job.

4.45 pm:  and I'm stinkin' hot and bothered.  TRYING to make better fitting covers for my trestle tables (for markets).... what a fucking shit job.

Just fiddly.  And Marley got my pin cushion (with about 80 pins in it) and took off with it without me noticing.

When Brylee found it in the hallway, in the little bugger's mouth, there were NO PINS in it!

OMG!  I freaked out, thinking she has swallowed all of them!   But, thankfully, I found them all in her pen.  Maybe she ate a few?  Won't know unless she starts crying when going toilet I suppose!
*sigh*

Then the neighbour started mowing his lawn, and for some reason, Coco goes mental and has a breakdown when he does his lawns!  She literally has a panic attack, so I have to tie her up so she doesn't hurt herself.

I've now got a friggin headache and still have to cook dinner.  NOT what I feel like doing.  What can't they just starve? Like, really.

Stew got  home and cooked dinner!  I had marinated pork steaks out, so he did some veges and gravy to go with them.
And that's me done for the day.

It may only be 8 pm, but I'm going to bed!
Just can't seem to catch up on sleep lately.  So, so tired.

MISH MASH

Right, I've had a chance to post a few more photos from my birthday... not many, but a few:

 ABOVE:  The photographer extraordinaire!  Idiot son.

 ABOVE: Sandra and Chris came up from Palmerston North!  Just for a few hours.  
NOTE:  The idiot photo bombing the shot!

 ABOVE:  Little kids (and big ones) happily playing in the back yard.
For HOURS.... they slept like logs that night.

 ABOVE:  Me and two of my FBG girlfriends (both named Sue).  It was a bit windy.

 ABOVE:  Miss Muppet.  aka Keera.  *smiles*
I didn't get many photos of the kids this day as I was trying to actually enjoy the day, not take a gazillion photos.  
I left that up to Kelly and Steve. They did pretty well.

ABOVE:  Lots and lots of cards!  

And that's a wrap.

Today?  Staying in bed for a while, then as Stew is home today, we are going to do the grocery shopping.
Ikkk.  But, we can have a nice day together, lunch out, bla bla bla.

The kids are at school ... so just the two of us.  These days are getting a bit more frequent, and I love it.

ONWARD...

2.15 pm:  And what a busy day so far!
Stew and I went into Hamilton, I got some fabric and cotton thread to make more Tree Table Runners, then we went and looked at splash pools.

Saw something that was a bit more expensive than I'd planned on spending, but oh well... we ordered it!  

ABOVE:  It's not going to be in the country till mid November, but that's OK.  We want it for the 'Family' Christmas present after all.  *smiles*

And there went all my market profit!  But it's going to be so worth it.  Last summer was BLISTERINGLY HOT... and everyone roasted.  So now, we can cool off in our little pool.

After 'just looking' at pools, we did the grocery shopping, came home and put it all away.  Then we had lunch together in town and got home JUST IN TIME, as we had electricians arriving to fix a faulty light fitting.

It was crackling and the lights wouldn't turn off!  So, it ended up being an easy fix, so thankfully we won't be getting a big bill.

I'm now gunna pop outside and take a photo to show you where the pool is going to sit.  Gimme 5 minutes...

Well that took longer than 5 mintues. Got sidetracked, as ya do.

But anyway, here's where the pool is going:

ABOVE:  It's the perfect site.  Already in a rounded area, and we can SEE it from the living/dining/kitchen room, so can watch kids in it at all times.

Very happy with our purchase, and the fun summers we will have in it.

9.35 pm:  time to sign off for the day.  Still damn tired as!   Probably be going to bed super early tonight. With any luck I will feel more refreshed tomorrow.

BRING ON 3 PM!

Well... today I have the St Andrew's Church Market.
It's been a crazy, busy weekend!

So, we will be heading down to the church at around 7 am, setting up then Bex and her friend  will be joining me to sell their stuff too.

All going well, we will all have a profitable day.

The market ends at 2 pm, so by 3 pm I should be home, and relaxing!

RELAXING...that will be amazing.

By the end of the market today I sure will need to relax.  

Last night I stayed up till almost 1 am getting a Tree Table Runner finished!  I'm so, so tired!

So.. BRING. ON. 3 PM!

ONWARD...

3 pm:  And we are home from Market.
AND.... OMG I made even MORE money than Saturday!
It was AN AMAZING MARKET!  
I am so thankful I made two more Tree Table Runners on Saturday and Sunday night... cos they both sold!
Plus sales from across my range.

I am just so happy.  I can now afford Christmas!  

I plan on getting a large splash pool for here, so everyone can use it when they visit, and I can finally stop cooling off in a baby's paddle pool!

Of course, it won't be a super expensive pool, but, it will be better than none!  

I have to admit, I am extremely tired now.  I have a backache from hell... and I feel like me head is full of cotton wool... I just need a good sleep tonight and I will be fine again though.

I had a BLAST at market today too... lots of laughs, talking with people, just having FUN.
Saw so many people I have made friends with here in Cambridge ... through Weight Watchers, Aqua Fit, Patchwork and The Fat Bottomed Girls walking group.  I. LOVE. CAMBRIDGE!

It was so good having Bex and Ren next door to me too... cos they watched my site when I had to go to the bathroom.  They even sold a Table Runner while I was away too!

Steve is busy changing my wardrobe around... I'm going to have DOUBLE the hanging space on my side now.  Excellent!

3.30 pm:  AND...

 ABOVE: And BOOM!  Just like that, instead of one rail half way down with drawers on the side taking up space... I have two rails.

ABOVE:  And he's putting the two drawers in this space... so it can be utilised better.
Such a handy, dandy son.

ABOVE:  Whoop!  I have two more drawers in a better place, and plenty of hanging space for my clothes.  NOT that I have many clothes, but gimme time and another 15 kilos down! 
I will get more eventually.

We are vegging out now, and will be having takeaways for dinner.  NO one has the energy to cook.  

Dinner done.  Steve, Bex and kids left for home.  Winding down... ready for bed.

60 TODAY!

WELL.... it's finally happened.
I'm kinda old.

NOT that I feel it!  I can't believe I'm that old, but yeah, I am.

I've held off opening any cards or presents till now.  But today, while I'm still in bed, I will be opening the cards that have arrived, and a few presents.

I did get one present yesterday, Steve and Bex gave me these:

ABOVE:  Four AMAZING trays!!!  And the perfect size for my party platters!
I'm so thrilled with them.  I joined up some paper to line the bottoms, so that the food is kept hygenic.

These trays are very 'rustic', just what I wanted and couldn't find in the shops.

 ABOVE:  I made 'sign's for the bathrooms, out of paper and then pinned them onto these stands.  
No confusion on which bathroom to use now.

ABOVE: My family room last night.  We couldn't find the balloon pump, so Steve and Bex blew them all up!

Jen asked me what I sold the most of at yesterday's market, and the answer was : 'Table Runners'.  I was left with only one Tree Runner, so last night I made this one:

ABOVE:  I just love these runners.  
I am hoping that I can get one more made tonight, after my birthday party!  We will see though, I might be too tired!

It's going to be a busy morning, I have to pick up the Birthday Cake at 9 am, and buy the last of the food.  

Then get home and prepare everything, get the platters arranged and so on.

PHEW... turning 60 is freakin' tiring!!!

Let's have an awesome day...

ONWARD...

OMG... today!  I'm having an AMAZING DAY! 
Far too much going on to blog more right now. I hope to do a proper update much later tonight.

Right, I have a bit of time... before heading back into the sewing room to finish off a table runner in time for tomorrow's market!

MY BIRTHDAY CAKE.

It was a Red Velvet cake, and it was

delicious!

 ABOVE: I was very spoilt and got masses of cards and presents.  Opened some in bed with the little grandkids first  thing this morning.

 ABOVE: Stew gave me this AMAZING crab!!!!  You can lift up it's 'shell' and put ice in the body, then some bottles to keep them cool.

I'd seen it in a shop ages ago, and he remembered and got it for me.

 ABOVE:  The platters came out AMAZING.  Just how I wanted them to.  It was so good... people just 'grazed' all day long.  

 ABOVE:  The fourth one ended up on the dining table.  Which worked well cos the little kids could reach the food easier from the table.

ABOVE:  Crabby got used outside during the day, but he's come inside now.  Isn't he amazing?

Thank You to everyone who sent me cards/presents, I appreciate each and every one of them.  

It has been just the most lovely, awesome, special day, spent with lots of friends and family.

I am signing off now... I have heaps to do before tomorrow.

ALMOST... BUT NOT QUITE

Yesterday, while standing in front of a mirror doing me hair... I swear, just for a moment, I thought I could see my collar bones!

But...  I was wrong.

Cos, while they may be there SOMEWHERE, I still can't see them.  *sigh*

That is a big goal of mine.  To SEE THEM BONES again.  One day, probably next year, it will happen.

Till then.. I will stop looking.  I go cross eyed looking. lol

It's the Tamahere Market today.  Stew is leaving before me and starting the set up.  I have to drop Griffin off at work before I head off to Tamahere.

It's going to be a lovely day (weather wise), so we don't have to worry about rain.  That's a relief, as it usually rains on Labor Weekend!
Very lucky ... it's looking good all weekend in fact.

ABOVE:  My site today.  There's usually quite a few food stalls in this area, so maybe it will be good there, I just don't know.  *shrugging shoulders*

And now... I better get moving!  Probably going to overdress today... but it IS still cool in the morning!  And I can take layers off eh?

ONWARD...

It's going WELL!

FINALLY!  A market day where I didn't FREEZE!!!  AND I made a decent amount of money too!

So ... very happy with today.  It was just lovely sitting in the sun... chatting with people, getting many, many compliments about my work.  *smiles*   Made the early rise worth it.

ABOVE:  Our set up today.  We had plenty of room, and although I wasn't sure about our position, it was just fine.

Now home, and about to have some lunch (2 pm already!)... Brylee is at work and Stew and Griffin have gone into Hamilton to do some shopping/get a haircut.

So, I'm home alone.  I can relax for a little while before tackling the next job.  Perishables shopping for my Birthday party tomorrow!

LOTS of Birthday Cards in the mail today... THANK YOU EVERYONE who sent me a card.

My Mum sent me some flowers too, Thanks Mum.

Well.. I didn't do the shopping.  It will have to wait till tomorrow morning.
Steve and Bex and the kids arrived.  
So some socialising, catching up.

Then I went into the sewing room and sewed for a while... I need to make a couple more things before Monday's market!

It's been a  long, but good day.
Happy to wind down now.
Catch ya tomorrow... when I turn OLD-ish!  *smiles*

STEWIE IS HOME TODAY

Something nice today.  Me man is home.
He's taken today and next Tuesday off work... so he has a 5 day break, as Monday is a public holiday. 

He is going to do some yard work today, so the place is looking it's best for Sunday.

I'm going to potter around the house, get a few odd jobs done.

I had hoped to go on an FBG walk at 9.30 am, but I'm scared of getting blisters on top of blisters on my right foot (the ball of my foot already has blisters!) ... so I am taking the next few days off walking.

We have a cross trainer, so I can get on that and get some exercise, and not damage my foot any more.

Frustratingly, I've not heard back from the Tamahere Market organiser on what site I have been allocated yet.  She was supposed to get back to me last night, but didn't.  So I hope she does today... or I'm going to be left up in the air, with no idea if/where I have a site for tomorrow!

ABOVE: This was from last night's walk... the roundabout down by our 'low bridge' was finally getting re-sealed.  It had some horrible pot holes and corrugations, it was really rough going around it! 
We walked right past them when they had just started the repair.  
I am looking forward to driving around it next ... when it's nice and smooth again.

And that's about all I can yabber on about right now!  Let's see what the day brings.

ONWARD...

2.30 pm:  Been a busy day so far.
I spent about 2 hours getting myself ready for the day today!
I dyed my hair.  Then I put purple shampoo on it.  Then I did a deep conditioning treatment.  Far out that took over an hour, and half of that time was spent in the shower washing shit off!

But:

ABOVE:  It's come out quite good for a $5 dye job I must say!  Still a bit 'yellow/orange on the top, but I know that will fade pretty quick.

After that, Stew and I went to lunch at The Podium, which is out at Lake Karapiro.

We both had a chicken burger and chips:

ABOVE: Nothing to write about really, the chips were LOVELY though!  We both didn't even bother to eat the top half of the bun.  And who makes BLACK buns?  Weird.  
I'm sure they are 'trendy'... but I didn't think so.

I'm now taping paper together to fit on the trays for Sunday.  

Stew FINALLY went and bought a new garden edger... so he can trim all the edges.  He's only been looking at them for MONTHS!  *sigh*

Clearly he's not an impulse buyer like me.

8.20 pm:  FINALLY got confirmation that I DO have a site at the market tomorrow!  It's in a maybe 'shit' position, but let's wait and see how it goes?
Might be OK.  And if it's not... well I can always give it up!  BUT in saying that, I have promised myself to stick it out till after the January markets.

And now... the car is packed ready to go.  I'm watching The X Factor UK... entertaining but NOT that good.  It's a tired programme now.

Off to bed fairly early tonight, market tomorrow.

PREP, TICKING EVERYTHING OFF THE LIST

I haven't heard from the organiser of the Tamahere Market yet, to confirm my site for this coming Saturday's market. Frustrating.

I will email her soon to see what's going on.

I hope I can get a permanent site there soon, cos this uncertainty is not fun.


I'm going out shortly, gunna climb those steps again... maybe even do them twice, cos I found them fairly easy yesterday.

Then I am coming home to work on a couple of jobs around the house. I want to cut paper to fit the bottom of the trays for Sunday. Make some 'BOYS' and 'GIRLS' signs for the two bathrooms, again for Sunday's party.

I have quite a list of things to prep' for, but so many of them are 'last minute/hour' things. Doesn't make life very easy!


I also have to double check I've got everything ready for both markets this long weekend. At least I don't have to worry about having enough stock!


Oh I forgot last night's walk photo didn't I?


Can't have that:

ABOVE: LOL... first time I'd climbed up a slide's ladder and sat at the top in.... FOREVER (probably 30 years)! AND I slid down the freakin' thing too! My bum actually fitted!

It's little moments like this that I am really enjoying... all these 'firsts' again, and how they make me feel. I've felt really down the past few days, had a few tears ... so when I have a positive moment, I'm trying to make the most of it.

Now... off to climb some steps!

Well... OK ... OK... I do kinda need to get outta bed, get dressed, bla bla bla! lol

ONWARD...


SO.... I got up outta bed, and went into my wardrobe for clothes for the day... and thought "Oh, this is one of my bigger jobs for today"... so yeah.


Got started on that. And TWO. HOURS. LATER.... it's done.


Of course, it meant reorganising THREE wardrobes ... but now I have three tidy wardrobes, and mine is ready for it's change around/alteration.


And climbing up on the step ladder enabled me to see the top shelf better, and yaaa! The alteration is not going to be such a big job after all.


Steve will be pleased *smiles*


Poor man, he comes home to visit Mum and Dad, and half the time gets a job!

So now I'm a bit hot and bothered, so am going to cool down, THEN go do some steps.

OK!  I couldn't wait to report my latest HbA1c RESULT!

To refresh your memory:

ABOVE:  This is the standard chart.  Most people are in the green.

ABOVE:  at the beginning of April I was reading 90.  After doing a NO SUGAR/NO CARB diet for three months ... I got a reading of:  

43!

I was over the moon. This meant I did not have to go on twice daily insulin injections.  I HATE/FEAR/LOATHE injections.  I avoid them like the plague!

So... in the last three months from July till now I have halved my medication, AND added a FEW carbs into my diet.  NOT a lot, but a few here and there.  Not every day mind you, but some days.

When I took my blood test on Monday, I was shitting bricks, sure my HbA1c number would go UP... due to me having some carbs.  Right?

My doctor just text me (isn't she a love?), and this is my latest result:

 42!

FORTY TWO!!!

I WENT DOWN AGAIN

I am shocked.  But so very relieved.  Clearly I CAN eat some carbs, but NO SUGAR, and keep my blood sugar level stable.  I am rather happy with myself.

As Stew said ... the exercise is helping too... of course it must be.  *smiles*

Let's keep doing what we are doing eh?  

♪♪♫ DOING A HAPPY DANCE ♪♪♫

8.30 pm:  home from today's FBG walk.  My right foot is getting blisters on top of blisters. Time to go and get something to help, maybe some insoles?  Wearing two pair of socks hasn't helped.

It was a 5.4 km walk tonight, and it was quite warm tonight.   Glad to be home ... can chill out for while.  It's been a busy day.

Before I forget:  tonight's walk photo... with the setting sun in our faces.