START OF A NEW WEEK

I have a few photos from yesterday:

 ABOVE:  I bought some cheap wool/acrylic from Spotlight.

Bex also gave me a huge pile of wool as well!

ABOVE: This is all my wool and acrylic!
That's what I already had, what my neighbour's gave me, what Bex gave me and what I bought yesterday.  Now I just need to find boxes or such like to store it all in!

And find somewhere to keep it all for now.  

 ABOVE:  Our Griffin, it was so lovely to see him yesterday, and see for ourselves that he was OK.

 ABOVE:  Griffin and his girlfriend 'K'.

 ABOVE:  The parents and kid.
*smiles*

Today?  I'm going to get the housework done, and maybe pop out for boxes for me wool.

If it's raining I don't plan on opening the Shop... if it's fine, I might later on this morning.

I will be continuing to work on my FBG friend's banner later on too.  I'm still tracing out the letters on paper, before making the fabric letters.  There's heaps to be done on that project.

ONWARD...

11 am: Got up to a slow, steady drizzle today.  And it's keeping up, so hopefully it's like this in Auckland too... they need the rain desperately.

I went to The Warehouse this morning.   No queue to speak of, certainly NOTHING like how it was over the weekend.

I got these:

ABOVE: Two plastic drawer units for me wool.  
I could kick myself now, I'd planned on looking at the wool section at The Warehouse too, but completely forgot.  Oh well... I probably have enough for now anyway.

It's very quiet in the house, Brylee is in her room fluffing around and Lacy is still in bed.

I might just go and have a look in the wool shop in town.  I don't actually WANT to be home today.

ABOVE: Finally, I understand this. Moving on, and just working on the inner most circle. Even the second circle is useless most of the time. Keep smiling, there is no other choice.

Today Lacy moved out.  She will be in and out over the next week or two getting all her stuff.

This means I can do the bedroom move around soon.
We are going to end up with two spare bedrooms and an office, which will also be a place to store all my wool and overflow of craft stuff, how awesome.  lol

I have not opened the shop today, I'm just not in the mood, and there is plenty to do around here right now.

*** might have a nap ***, so tired!  Didn't sleep well last night.

I'm in a bit of a funny mood today.
I had to cull some readers from my private blog.  My personal stuff is not going to be read by people who never communicate or keep in touch in any way.  It is what it is.  Like friendships... they are two way streets.

I have far too much on my mind and too much time to dwell on shit.  I shall move on and get started on putting all Lacy's stuff in the garage, ready for her to take away I think.


3.10 pm:  Brylee and I just did a little grocery shop.  No queues, not busy in the supermarket at all.  Such a relief, things are getting back to 'normal'.
Now I'm going to relax for a little while, then I'm going out to have a visit with my friend Hilary.  She only lives 5 minutes away.

Just heard from Bex ... Archer had a good first day at school.  He was taken to have morning tea with his brother, which is just lovely.  They are looking after the little ones at their school obviously.

It's almost 6 pm.  I have spent almost 2 hours yakking with Hilary... so good to reconnect with her and get back into our yakking groove!  It was good for me soul too I might add.  Nothing like yakking with a really dear friend, getting stuff out and airing it, then being able to breath easier again.

Now?   Shit.  I have to sort out dinner.  I'M. SICK.  TO.  DEATH.  OF.  COOKING.   We have left over chicken drumsticks... might de-bone them and add them to a pasta dish.  

I'm shagged.  So damn tired I might just have to go to bed soon.
With any luck I will get a good sleep tonight, I really need it.

BOYS BACK TO AUCKLAND

Seems we have to take the boys back home...

ABOVE: they sent me this photo last night!
I hope they did enjoy the little break from the boys, and got to do a few things for just the two of them.  

edit:   THIS PHOTO IS A JOKE.  They had a wonderful time doing just 'couple things'.  They went out for dinner, they went out for lunch, they did some shopping, they slept in, and generally enjoyed time out after having the boys home 24/7 for over 2.5 months.

I know the boys were perfectly happy here with us, which is comforting to know.

Stew and I will be taking the kids back up to Auckland this morning, having lunch with them, then probably doing a little shopping up there.

ABOVE:  I got these triangles knitted last night... I've worked out that I need approximately 8 per metre, so I'm almost half way through the order for bunting that I got yesterday.

I'm taking my needles and wool with me today, I might get a chance to sit and knit ... maybe in the car?  We will see.  *smiles*

Right, I better get a move on... we have to pack up the boys stuff, feed them, then get on the road. 

ONWARD...

11.28 am: well we are safely in Auckland.  It's a freezing cold day.
I managed to get some knitting done until this happened...

ABOVE: OMG... a huge knot! I tried to untangle it but all I did was get a damn hot flush from frustration. 

Bex has been working on it for over 10 minutes already.

ABOVE...  it's raining.  Awesome!


SHOPPING in Auckland equals QUEUES....CROWDS.... UTTER FRUSTRATION... HOT FLUSHES... RAGE.

GET ME OUT OF HERE.

We left Sylvia Park and headed over to Manukau Mall ... to meet up with Griffin and K.
We had a lovely visit with them, it was so good to see our kid and make sure he was OK.  He seemed to be just fine.

After that we drove home.  It now only takes us 1 hr and 10 minutes to get home from Auckland with the new Expressway open.

I am going to sign off for the day now.

*** Looking forward to bed ***

SHOPPING...

Lying in bed... hoping the boys don't wake up too early.  It's bloody cold and I don't wanna get out of bed and get their breakfast!

Might have to nudge Stewie.  lol

I will be opening my little shop from 10 am till 2 pm today.  
While I'm there, Stew will take the boys shopping.
Archer had his 5th Birthday during lock down, so we need to get him a birthday present.

After 2 pm I will get to spend some time with the kids and Stew.

ABOVE:  My neighbour's little tree is coming along nicely.  It will probably get another flower or two tomorrow.

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

ONWARD...

12.30 pm:  And what  a neat morning I've had!
While Stew and the boys went shopping I opened my little shop and did some sewing.

Then I had to close for an hour while I had visitors... an Aunt and Uncle from Tauranga called in.  That was really nice.  Stew got to say hi before they left, which was good.

Then I re-opened the shop and pretty soon after that had two ladies popped in and ... I made another GOOD sale!  AND they ordered some knitted bunting: "Like what's on the tree!", is how they put it!

So I guess I'm knitting bunting tonight while watching TV!  lol

I am on the 'home straight' with the little cot quilt... should be finished in an hour.  Yaaa!  I have so much to do in the next few weeks, it's going to be go ... go ... go!  Nothing like being happily busy.

ABOVE: And that one is done.  On to the next project...

But not today.   I just went to The Base to post the quilt and another little parcel off.  WORST MISTAKE ever.

There were so many people there.  It took me 28 minutes to get a carpark... I stupidly went left and up towards the carpark by Farmers.  GRIDLOCK.  Utter chaos.  It took me as I said, 28 minutes to move 15 meters and into a carpark.

On my way out again, they had got points people on, to help direct the traffic and get it flowing easier.  If only I'd parked over by Mitre 10!!!

So now I'm home and that's me done for the day really.  I'm going to knit some banner triangles now I suppose.

And we are having fish n chips for dinner.  I'd gotten out chicken drumsticks and have had them on the bench all day, but they are still frozen!  So.  Takeaways.  Drumsticks tomorrow night.

10 pm:  well... dinner was nice.  I spent the evening knitting triangles for some more bunting... I should have that order done by tomorrow or Monday at the latest.

Heading off to bed early again... once we get a new mattress I hope we get a better night's sleep.  That will probably happen in the next few weeks.

FAMILY VISITING...

We have been looking forward to today all week long!
Steve, Bex and the kids are coming down for the entire day.  I'm curious to see how Steve looks.  It's been two months since we saw him last (in person).  And lots has been going on with his health, he's been up and down like a yo-yo.

I was so happy with my free motion quilting yesterday!  OMG it makes quilting so much easier!  No more twisting and turning the work around and around!!!

The cot quilt is about 75 % done.  If I can get to it this morning, before the kids arrive, I might even get the bulk of it done.

ABOVE:  I am just so chuffed with how this little quilt is coming along.  But then, I kinda love all of them once I've finished them!  lol

ABOVE: Late yesterday I also started drawing the letters for an FBG girlfriend's 'Finish Line' banner.  I'm not sure if I told you about that?
'S' is due to finish having Chemotherapy in June and she wants a 'Chemo Finish Line' banner, to literally run through when she finishes her last treatment.
So that's my next project, just as soon as I finish that little cot quilt. 

After that I have several more projects lined up.  Another cot quilt on order.  Some Wonky House runners (I have NONE left!), and some small things for my little shop.

I will be busy for months I reckon.  I love that. 

So that's me for now... catch ya later.

ONWARD...

2.25 pm:  Well as you can imagine, we have been spending our day with the family.
They arrived around 10.30.
We went to Chartwell Square for lunch and a little browse around the shops.

 ABOVE:  First McDonalds since before Lock down level 4.  He looks rather happy!

 ABOVE:  There was a Sweet kiosk that we obviously struggled to walk past...  yummo.

ABOVE:  Happily playing.  Steve looks good!  He's back to his 'pre' illness weight, thanks to steroids I'm sure.

We are now having a relaxing afternoon.

Bex and I did some crocheting for both trees this afternoon.  She made something for OUR tree, and I made a new addition for the neighbour's tree.

 ABOVE: Bex just finishing the rainbow for our tree...

 ABOVE:  Dante posing for Great Grandma.

 ABOVE:  Steve hanging the rainbow on our tree tonight.

ABOVE:  There ya go... today's addition, and I didn't have to make it.

Dinner tonight is corned beef with veges.  

Stew and Steve have gone to the local pub to meet up with Stew's mate Richard W.  They will have their dinner a bit later.

7.50 pm:  Steve and Bex have left for home (Auckland) and we have two little boys ready for bed soon.

Then... we will relax for a few hours before heading off to bed ourselves.
A lovely day has been had.

WHAT DO YA RECKON?

When I was in Harvey Norman's yesterday, I saw this:

ABOVE:  Does anyone know much about it?  It's a pressure cooker/air fryer/crisper all in one.
I was going to get a new deep fryer, but there's bugger all on the market, and obviously they are not that 'healthy'.

It may just be an appliance I simply don't need?  Like, how many ways can you/do you want to cook food?  Dunno.

Gimme your opinions, so I don't necessarily waste several hundred dollars!

Now, what did I buy yesterday?

ABOVE:  I got more of the dinnerware that I absolutely adore!  There is never much of it around, so to find it on sale?  Gotta get it!

Well... it's just another normal day here for me.  I will get some housework done, then head into my studio.  I'm still working on a cot quilt that I started a good week or two ago!  Just not in a hurry now. 

The next project will have to be done in a hurry if I'm not careful though!  I think it has to be completed in about 2 weeks time.  So I better get a move on I suppose.

I will be opening the shop again today.  But probably not tomorrow when Steve, Bex and the boys are here.

ONWARD...

Well so far, I get the impression I shouldn't spend hundreds of dollars on the above appliance... lol.  Maybe just a simple air fryer then?  

ABOVE:  (DREADFUL PHOTO STEVE!).... but never mind.  We get the drift.  These two boys packed their bags and are all ready to go to Grandma and Granddad's house!  Just a full day too early.  *sniff*

 ABOVE:  This is a BIGGIE!  I am FREE MOTION QUILTING!  Not something I'm very good at, but I told myself this morning ... "You won't get any better at it unless you ACTUALLY DO IT".  

So, I'm a doing it.

No swearing happening... YET.

ABOVE:  My neighbour's little tree grew a flower today.

12.32 pm:  *SQUEALS*

I just had my first 'little shop' sale!   And it was a good one!  One of my neighbours wanted something for a new baby... so she got a soft toy and a lovely runner.

Internet banking worked just fine for us too.  *smiles*

I'm really happy.

Another lovely elderly lady called in earlier too... and is coming back 'later' to get some placemats.  She was just out walking so didn't have her purse on her.  She was rather cute.  We had a lovely natter.

So hey!  There's a gazillion Air Fryers out there.... WHAT ONE do you recommend???

I got a phone order for a little coin purse today too!  I will have to post that off tomorrow.

Dinner tonight is a yummy mince stew and veges. 

Dinner is done.  I'm damn tired and will be having a reasonably early night tonight.  By 'early' I mean probably 11 pm instead of 12 - 1 am!  
I usually stay up damn late so I MIGHT actually get some sleep!  But today I'm already very tired, so I might sleep tonight.

TWO TREES

Well... today I am putting additions on TWO trees.  
This is not something I thought I'd be doing!

But at least the neighbour's tree is really small.

I put a pom pom on it late last night, and this morning I have a couple of little things to hang off it too.

And then there is MY tree as well.  I have a fairly standard addition for it too.

 ABOVE:  I have my beady eyes on our little tangelo tree.  There's two fruit almost ready to pick.  It's exciting!  
Yeah I know, I'm a bit sad.

ABOVE: And this lot!  Every single cutting I shoved into a pot has grown heaps!  I'm really proud, I have made this corner so nice.

So today is going to be the first 'normal' day for me in a long time.
Stew is at work, so is Brylee, and Lacy is away for a few days.  
So it really is going to be just me at home!

I am going to be in the studio working on a cot quilt for the morning, so I will put out my OPEN sign.  Let's see if I get anyone popping in today?

ONWARD...


ABOVE:   Now I am really set up to be in the Studio half the day... happily.
I do so much on my compter, it really needed to be in here with me while the shop is open.

Also, if someone wants to pay via internet banking, they can do it here on my computer.

AND YES STEVE:  I will turn the computer off and give it at least 10 minutes to wind down completely before I move it back to the family room in the evening.  No more frozen computer!

Who else is like me and needs their spaces (home/work etc) to be JUST RIGHT before they can be happy?   I do my head in all the time having to get things in the right place.
The garage is still NOT sorted out properly, but there's not much I can do about it until Brylee and Lacy's stuff is OUT of here.

Once Lacy leaves, we are going to be doing a big shuffle in the bedrooms too.
But that's for another day, another blog post.

It's almost 2 pm, time to close the shop and go out.  I want to look at a few things in Harvey Norman's.  

 ABOVE:  I was prepared today!  I made myself a cheese and onion sandwich and kept it in the garage till lunchtime.  Let's call the garage the 'lunch room'  ha ha ha!

I had only one lady pop in today, she was very quiet.  So I didn't try to engage her in conversation... I dislike pushy sales people, so just let her browse.

ABOVE:  I put a couple of things out the front so people could get an idea of what I am selling.  I'll sort something better eventually, that will do for now.

Right, I'm off for a while.

5.25 pm: And I've been home a good hour or so.
Shopping/window shopping... meh.  Didn't really see anything I wanted at Harvey Norman's (for now anyway).  I'm kinda mattress shopping still.

I did manage to take advantage of a good sale at a shop I rather like:

ABOVE:  I got some stuff.  The deal was 'Spend $40, get 40% off'... so I did!  lol.
I will show you what I got tomorrow.  Right now I need to get working on dinner. 

Crumbed chicken with rice and veges is for dinner tonight.

Dinner was OK, could have been tastier.  
Stew and Brylee seem to have enjoyed it, they are both having it for lunch tomorrow as well.

Coronation Street is interesting... but I'm so OVER the story line between Geoff and Yasmeen.  I wish they would wind it up and get it over with!    But no, I'm sure it will drag on forever.

Well... that's the end of today.  I'll be back.... tomorrow.

FOR MY NEIGHBOUR...

Last night I did something for my immediate neighbour.

A while ago she asked me if I would put 'something' on her little tree?

I didn't think I would, as my tree is pretty big, so would probably keep me busy.

But, it was getting harder and harder to reach the higher branches of my tree, so I did this:

ABOVE:  I put some yarn bombing on her tree.

I hope when they get up this morning, they see it and smile.

While Lacy and I were out there stitching it on her tree, a man drove past in his ute and tooted his horn at us... then he turned around and came back and tooted again!  It was rather funny and made us laugh.  All the while we were trying to be quiet so our neighbour didn't know we were there.

Now, some excellent news on Steve's health.
His latest blood tests have shown a really good lowering of his inflammation levels, so his team of doctors have said he CAN GO BACK TO WORK.... next week.
AND the boys can go back to school next week too.

Today, Bex is taking Archer for his 1st school visit before he starts next Monday.

ABOVE:  Trying on their uniforms yesterday.  How tiny does our Archer look?  So cute.
And Dante... what a darling smile.

OH!  Something else I can smile about... they are coming down for a day trip on Friday.  It has been over 2 months since we have seen them.  Stew is taking the day off work so he can spend the day with them too.

A little later on this morning I will go outside and take a photo of my shop sign in place ... then, at around 10 am I will be putting my OPEN sign out on the grass verge.  I'm a little nervous about it.
I plan on being 'OPEN' till about 3 pm.
During that time I will be in my studio working.

I wonder if anyone will pop in?

ONWARD...

ABOVE: He was so ready for school... he's even joining in!
So proud of him. 

12.25 pm: and I've been open for a couple of hours.  Two ladies in having a browse... and a natter. *smiles*

Then the lady who owned our home before us called in! So I showed her around the yard... she was very impressed and said we had made it beautiful. 

That was lovely.  

I'm now having my lunch in the studio. I made two more bowl cosy's this morning  too.

Well... I've closed the shop for today so I can do a few things around the house.  

***  It took a while, but there's my sign out the front of our home ***

*** I HAVE A SPLITTING HEADACHE, AND AM GOING TO LIE DOWN FOR A WHILE ***

Today New Zealand recorded zero new Covid 19 cases again ... but we had to add 4 'historical' cases of New Zealanders who caught it in Uruguay.  So our total is now 1,503, with 21 deaths.  We  have not had any new deaths in quite a while, which is so fantastic.  We only have a recorded 40 'active' cases now.

That's not to say we don't have more of course, as so many people are asymptomatic or have not been tested.  But we are seemingly doing pretty good.

I have some chicken out for dinner, but I'm not sure what I'm doing with it yet.  My motivation is ZERO right now to do anything with it!

Well... at the end of the day, Stew and I went out and had a burger and chips... and had a good chat, just the two of us.
Then home, and I did a bit of crochet for tomorrow's tree addition.

Off to bed soon, we are both tired.