MIGHT KNUCKLE DOWN TODAY

First up for today, a few photos from the girls in Australia:

ABOVE:  Kelly's getting a tan...

ABOVE: Lacy already had a tan, but now she's just HOT as hell.

ABOVE:  Here we have a stick instect... sure looks different from our stick insects!  Chunkier and woody looking!

ABOVE:  Confusing?  LOL... it's me before Brylee did my hair yesterday.  

ABOVE:  And here's one for all those Mums out there with school age kids.  HANG. IN. THERE.!

Today I AM GOING TO KNUCKLE DOWN, and make some placemats in time for my market on Monday.  Yep.  *sigh*  I am.

ONWARD...

1.10 pm:  It was raining this morning, so I felt just fine going into the sewing room and getting started on placemats. 
Then the sun came out, and it's perfect swimming/sunbathing weather.

BUT... I promised myself I would sew, so that's what I'm doing.

Brylee and I took an hour off and went into town to drop off a couple more CV's, and got a few groceries.

Home now, having lunch and then... back to the sewing.

The girls sent me a couple of fairly BORING photos this morning:

 ABOVE:  Some birds stealing the dog's food.  

ABOVE:  Kelly's hair reacting to the humidity... looks JUST LIKE MINE.

Come on girls... need more photos... of INTEREST.  I'm stuck in the bloody sewing room.. you fullas are in AUSTRALIA!

Well.. I did it!

ABOVE:  It's 5 pm and I have just finished making 12 new placemats.  I'm feeling good about it too.
I shall probably get a few more ready for stitching later on, and do them tomorrow.

The girls are having a good day in Australia:

ABOVE:  They went to the Lagoon (local pools) this morning for a swim, then it looks like they did some clothing shopping.
They are going into Brisbane city now I think.  I look forward to more photos girls!

Right, I better go.  Dinner won't prepare itself.  Worst luck.  Far out, don't ya get SICK TO DEATH of having to cook?

Right, I'm done for the day.

  

NITE NITE

ANOTHER LOVELY DAY AHEAD

So... my dilemma today is...
swimming and sunbathing OR...
Sewing and Housework.

Hmmmm... it's gunna be a hard one !  lol

Here's a few photos the girls have sent me from Aussy:

 ABOVE:  Taken at some mall in Brisbane... very pretty fountain.

ABOVE:  Looking pretty happy, out and about in Brisbane.  I need them to send me more photos of the scenery!  Places they go... birds, animals, critters!  lol

I did get a spider photo, but it didn't look like much of a spider.  Now if it had been on their hand and you could see how BIG it was, that would have been better! ha ha ha.

Now, back to today.  Yeah.
I'll let ya know what I do... later.

ONWARD...

Well... neither option appealed so Brylee  and I came into Hamilton.  Her new job is not working  out  at all, the boss is a sexist pig. So we are doing the rounds, handing out her CV anywhere we can. 

It isn't  a nice experience  for her. Her boss is favouring a really PRETTY GIRL and criticizing everything Brylee  does! So she will be handing in her notice today. No one should have to put up with that sort of treatment. 

Right, the girls finally sent me some photos of their day today, they are visiting a Koala Sanctuary:

 ABOVE:  Gotta love the look on Lacy's face while she's patting that Kangaroo!

And the picture that I loved the most:

ABOVE:  THAT'S where I would be hanging out the most!!!  Probably downloading photos and posting them!  Too funny.

Looks like they are having a neat day. 

 ABOVE: Forgot this one... my sister wrote this for the girls this morning.  

Now... I've had a swim, it was delicious.  I've lain in the sun for a little while.  I've done bugger all else!  About to get my hair brushed, dried and straightened by Brylee.  Yaaa... that should be blissful.

It's the end of the day, it's been a good day.  Brylee got her CV out to quite a few places in Hamilton today, and she handed in her notice at her current work place.  She finishes that job on Sunday... it can't come soon enough for her.

ON THE GO

I'm out bright and early today... I'm off on an FBG Social Walk.
7 am start, so yeah *sigh*, that means me getting outta bed by 6.30!  But I have to do it... I need the exercise, and I will enjoy seeing me friends again.

After I get home I will be going into Hamilton to pick up that desk for Griffin's room.
The seller took a while to get back to me, but at least she did eventually.  Griffin isn't working today, so  he can come with me to help load it in the car for me. 
I have Stew's larger car today, the desk will fit in his car better than mine.

ABOVE: Yet more 'water' photos! This time Brylee and her cousin Danielle in the pool yesterday.  They were the only ones in it cos there was a really cold wind.

 ABOVE:  Yesterday these three kids went to two different playgrounds, and played outside at home ALL DAY.

ABOVE:  Happily playing in the park...they go home later on today.
It's been lovely having them visit, but phew! They are tiring.  And always eating!  Or playing.  And talking, talking, talking! 
Love having them here *smiles*.

And now... I better get dressed, get me sneakers on and go walkies.

ONWARD...

Well I suck.  I slept in and didn't go on the walk.  I was awake in time, plenty of time... but I lay there thinking "Just a couple more minutes..."... and fell asleep again.
Grrrrrrr..... I am never even going to think about going on an early walk again.  Seriously, I am just NOT an early riser.

So instead, I got three small kids jumping into bed with me.  At least they waited till 7.30.

I got a couple of things on 'Pay it Forward' yesterday...

ABOVE:  I got this really lovely basket...

ABOVE:  It's a really good size.  I've not got any idea how to use it YET... but isn't it lovely!

The lady who gave me the basket was having a huge de-clutter, and urged me to take this as well:

ABOVE:  It's a very funky little coffee table.  I really don't need it, so Bex has said she will take it.  Yaa, less clutter in my house.

We still have a very cool wind, it's a bit weird for summer.  The kids want a swim, I bet they don't stay in for long... they get really cold fast.

I decided to see what would happen if I put a plum (whole) in the freezer.
So I put one in the freezer two days ago.
I took it out this morning.

Dante asked if he could have a plum, so yeah...

ABOVE:  I put the frozen plum in front of him.  He was highly amused.

As for how it thawed out?   Turned to MUSH.  Leaked juice all over the plate.  Probably not such a good idea.

I just finished making lunch for everyone.
Bex and the kids will be leaving in the next hour or so.

Griffin and I picked up the desk, I will show it to you later.  It's still in the car right now.

5 pm:  and all is quiet here!
Bex and the kids have gone home.
Griffin and Brylee are at work, as is Stew.
So I'm finally HOME ALONE again.

I've had a swim this afternoon, the water is rather cold!  We still have a really cool wind, which is obviously cooling down the pool.
But it's nice once you are in, really!

Stew is in Rotorua today, so it will be a late dinner... if I can even be bothered cooking!  
I think I've got a couple of girlfriends coming over later for a dip in the pool and a catch up.  That will be lovely.

9.40 pm:  And I've had a  really lovely evening with two of my girlfriends, we had a swim and then yakked for almost 3 hours!  It was so nice.
And Griffin sat and yakked with us too... even nicer!

Anyway, they have now left and I'm freezing cold! The pool was cold and I think I got a bit chilled.  Sitting here with a blanket on and it's the middle of summer! Outrageous! lol

Time to sign off for the day and just relax in me blankie till the next hot flush. *smiles*

MAKING A START

Like many people at this time of the year, we are inundated with freakin' plums!
Stew picked heaps off the trees yesterday afternoon.

ABOVE:  That's about half of them!  I don't know what the hell to do with them... can't make jam cos we are not allowed to eat it.
Any suggestions?

ABOVE: I won this power cord/light off a local auction site yesterday for $2.  It's the start of my 'NEXT SUMMER CAMPING' supplies!
Yep, next summer I have every intention of going camping with JUST STEW.

Now... here's a smorgasbord of photos:

 ABOVE: Having fun in the pool late yesterday.

 ABOVE: I had a lovely video chat with my niece Rowena last night.  Our girls are staying with her in Brisbane right now.  Those two littlies are Charlie and Joyce, Rowena and Dave's babes.
Cute little buggers.

 ABOVE:  Sadly, I have never met Joyce.  Maybe this year it will happen.

ABOVE: Lacy, Kelly and Rowena comparing their 'tans'.  Rowena is the Australian... with pure white skin!  OK, ok... she IS a red head with super fair skin!  *smiles*

Next (published with his permission) is a progress photo of Griffin's acne:

ABOVE:  The difference is AMAZING!
Just can't believe how much it has cleared up in 4 months!  He says the best thing is that his face no longer HURTS. There is NO ACTIVE acne on his face now, which is wonderful.

Here's his back too:

 ABOVE:  A lot of what you can actually see on his face and back now is mild scarring, that should fade over time.  He's young... and the skin is amazing at healing over time.

Oh ... almost forgot these two photos!....

ABOVE:  He needs a haircut!

Now... today?
I have a Dr's appointment this morning.
Bex is going to Te Awamutu.
Brylee is hanging out with her cousin Danielle.
Griffin and Stew are at work.
I will hang out with the dogs.  LOL... how lucky am I?

We are supposed to get rain showers today... so maybe no swimming... but time will tell.

And that is it for now!  Catch ya later.

ONWARD...

Cloudy day... it's wonderful!  So nice not getting up and immediately roasting.  Wonder how the girls are finding the temperatures in Australia?  It's a damn sight hotter there.  *smiles*

I've gotta get me face on and get to the Dr's soon... 

The sun came out.  It's hot again.  But a coolish wind blowing, so tolerable.

I had a good visit with my Dr.  She's taking me off the Gliclizide (sp?), so hopefully I no longer get the horrible blood sugar lows.
AND she told me NOT to have a blood test this month, to give me time to get back on track with the diet.  It's been pretty bad lately.  Stress does that to me, emotional eating and all that.

My Dr is a really lovely chick!  Very understanding and caring.

So now I'm home and watching 'Moana' with the little kids.  I've never watched it end to end, so maybe I will get to do that today.

ABOVE: This is the 'Lagoon' where the girls and family went today.  Looks lovely.

ABOVE:   Fun obviously... just like us in our pool. *smiles*

Re the plums:  there's people advertising FREE PLUMS all over the place right now!  There's a glut of them already out there.
I might try freezing some for smoothies as someone suggested, AND offering them for free over Facebook too.

Time to sign off for the day.  Catch ya tomorrow.

BON VOYAGE

A few firsts for our daughter Lacy today.

She is going on holiday with her sister Kelly and niece Rena... to Australia.

Lacy has never been out of the country.  So that's a First.

Lacy has never flown before.  Another First.

LACY:  we hope you have a fantastic time, and enjoy all the new experiences.

ABOVE:  All packed and ready to go... she waited till late yesterday to pack her bags!

I would have been packed up days in advance.

So what's on our agenda today?

Well... if it's a lovely sunny day I'm gunna lie in the sun and swim in the pool!

And bugger all else.

Brylee's got her 3rd cousin Danielle coming this afternoon for a visit, so that should be lovely.

Danielle is the daughter of one of my 1st cousins.  I've got a lot of cousins on my mother's side of the family!

From memory there's about 27 first cousins then at least 40 second cousins!

That's what happens when your Mum is the eldest of 10 kids.

So anyway, it's really lovely that Brylee and Danielle met at my Mum's 80th Birthday and got on so well.

They are both lovely girls.

Griffin needs a new desk for his room.  So I looked on Trademe last night and found one that looked a possibility.
Griffin saw it and said 'Yeah, that one is great!', so I bought it.
Just waiting for the seller to get in touch now, and hopefully we can pick it up today.

ABOVE:  How awesome does that look!  Talk about versatile.  He will probably use it in the top right configuration... so the right hand 'flap' can sit over the end of his bed.

I'm thrilled with it, I've never seen a portable, multi-use, multi-function desk like it before.

ONWARD...

ANON:  So, not only do you think you know it all when it comes to pool fencing laws, but you think you can ask totally 'NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS' questions too?  Obviously there is no way in hell I am going to answer your fucking rude question.
People like you only read blogs to have a go at other people... get a life of your own and stop trying to rip other's down.

On a happier note... the girls are in the air!  Lacy said it wasn't what she expected... no 'Broom broom, thrown back in the seat on takeoff'!  lol
It sounds like she's enjoying the flight:

ABOVE: Lacy sent me this photo.  Of course, to anyone who's flown before.... it's what ya expect to see.  But for her it must be magical.  I'm so happy she got this opportunity.

AND the latest photo from Lacy:

ABOVE:  Just been told "We can see Aussy!"  She's like a kid in a candy store for the first time, seriously. lol

ANON:  Faaaark..... OUR TAXES ARE NOT PAYING FOR HER TRIP, not that it was any of your business, as I have already said.  And that is the end of it.

ABOVE:  her reaction to being told it's only 9 am in Australia.  When she left here 3 hours ago, it  was 9 am.  lol

ABOVE:  They are about to land... here's hoping that I get more photos later on in the day!

ABOVE:  And the silly buggers LET HER IN!  lol
She's on Aussy soil, and looks pretty happy with herself.


Nice afternoon here... spent some time in the pool.  Lay in the sun a while.  Danielle arrived and the girls are hanging out happily.

Then Bex and the kids arrived too!  She is visiting her brother and his little family in Te Awamutu tomorrow ... so staying here tonight.  Means some juggling around with beds, but we can fit everyone in.
Lucky we had plenty of left overs from last night's dinner too.  And coleslaw, let's not forget the bloody coleslaw!

OMG I made a HUGE bowl of it a few days ago and we are still eating it!  Luckily it's not something that goes off fast.

ABOVE:  It's the girls... enjoying a hot afternoon in Australia.  Have fun girls.  Bet ya sleep well tonight!

And on that score, I'm off for the night too. Catch ya tomorrow.