ANOTHER BIRTHDAY, AND I LOVE MY MONDAYS

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

LACY

All is quiet.

Stew is off to work soon, and I will have the house to myself.

I've got a few jobs to attend to today.

Mostly via the computer, emails and so on.

I have to pop down to the medical centre we just joined, and provide 'proof' of being New Zealanders.  Crazy, as on the enrollment form I had to provide a photo of our Passports and Drivers Licenses.  You'd think that would be enough eh?

But no, seems we have to show our friggin Birth Certificates too!  Overkill.

ANYWAY... once we are verified as members of that practice, I am going to see a Dr for some issues I'm having.

Nothing serious, I just need some new medication.  And a follow up Hba1c blood test, something our prior medical centre has not bothered with.

While I'm out and about, I've got a couple of other little jobs to do then I can come home and get the housework done, which is mostly just a load of washing.

THEN, I might just do some tree decorating.  I've not added anything to the tree in weeks, so it's overdue for some attention.

I've just not been in the mood to do it really.

I got the cutest little critter to put on the tree from Bex:

ABOVE:  I'm sure Marley would LOVE to play with it, and de-stuff it!  But no.  Better not let her.  

Bex nearly had a fit when she saw I'd put it on the floor for Marley to sniff!  Seems that Kiwi took a lot of work to make... apparently the claws were a right shit to do.  😅😂😆

I think working on the tree might take me a while, I want to cut off some of the last little bits I left on it after the last yarn bombing.

After I'm happy with the tree I will be doing some sewing.

10.53 pm:

And the day is going fairly slowly.  I've not managed to get done anywhere near as much as I wanted.

But... at least the washing is out and...

ABOVE:  I've added some stuff to my 'Happy Tree'.

And yes, it certainly does make me happy.

I had three cars stop and have their occupants talk to me.

One guy said "Wow, I've finally CAUGHT YOU"!

What he meant was he's never seen me adding to the tree before of course.  

It certainly lifted my spirits knowing my silly tree decorating is still enjoyed by people.

Another couple walked by, stopped and had a nice long chat with me.

I feel like I should just camp out by my tree ... I'd never be lonely again.

Some days I actually like being me.

I didn't put the little KIWI on the tree today.  He's going to be added in a couple of days.

Right, time to get off me butt and do the next thing on the list.

Visit the Doctor's.  Keeping busy.

ABOVE:  I'm back working.

How about you?

It's freakin quiet on here people.

I rang the Doctor's.  I don't need to take in our Birth Certificates after all.  I didn't read all the info properly.  Doh!

The Passports are enough.  Did think it was weird them needing the Birth Certificates when we had provided the Passports.

Serve me right for not reading properly.  I tend to skim read sometimes.  It saves time.  But not when ya miss important shit obviously.

Right... back to work.

8.15 pm:  Stew and I had a pre-packaged meal for dinner tonight.  It was a pasta dish : Spaghetti  Bolognaise.  I added extra cheese, which made it passable.  But not amazing.

So far, we have only found one that is really yum, which was Chicken Parmigiana with Basil.

Time to wind down for the day.  Catch ya tomorrow.

WELL... HIT REPEAT?

 Another stinking hot day lies ahead.

Another day where I start out just as tired as the night before.

But... it could be worse!

I feel so sorry for my friends in the Northern Hemisphere, who are snowed under and some without power.

My mind boggles at what would happen if the power went out for days.  Everything in your fridge and freezer might melt?  Or do ya just go and bury it in the snow?  

Hmmmm... then I think of wild (and domesticated) animals having a field day eating it all!

Dunno what I would do.  Anyone able to answer this? 😊

If today is anything like yesterday, I might just get in me togs and head straight for the pool.

I had a terrible headache all day yesterday, purely down to the heat I think.

No pills seemed to help.  And I had a fan like, 8 inches from my face and that didn't help either.

OK, now I'm just bitching!

Stew has to go into work again this morning for the 'clean up' guys.  With any luck their offices are dry by tomorrow.

I'm going to be ringing Bex soon to check on little Archer.  He was taken to the Doctor yesterday afternoon. Poor little man has tonsillitis and an ear infection.

If it doesn't get too hot in my sewing room, I will make a start on the next Gnome Runner.  PINK HATS I do believe. 😏😄

ABOVE:  Another grandchild hits double digits!  HAPPY 10th BIRTHDAY EMILY.  We hope you have a wonderful day.

8

10.30 am:  And so far, it's not too damn hot.

Stew went to work.

And I went down to Tui Medical Centre to enrol.  Got told I had to do it online, so cool.

We are changing doctors.  We are just not happy with where we are at the moment. 

I also went to the supermarket and bought some mouse traps.  Let's see if we catch any?  Stew is going to put bait under the deck too.

3.20 pm:  Well... it's another lazy, quiet day here.

Stew has done the weeding and mowed the lawn.

ABOVE:  I got a lesson on how to get the mower to work, so that sometimes (if I feel like it of course), I can mow the lawn for him during the week.

ABOVE:  I have been working on my puzzle.  There is a piece missing.  Stew looked for it too.  NO luck.  Damn annoying.

I've looked everywhere it might be, to no avail.  I will 'finish' it then throw it out, no one wants to do a puzzle if all the pieces are not there.

8.28 pm:  Well we had visitors this evening.  Steve, Bex, the boys and Brylee came over for a swim. 

Brylee stayed for dinner.  S 'n' B had already had theirs.

I had a swim with Stew and Brylee before S 'n' B arrived.  It was wonderful, and certainly helped my headache.  I'm sure the headaches are from the heat, and probably a bit of dehydration as suggested.

I have watered the gardens this evening, they were looking a bit parched.

Time to sign off ... and enjoy a couple of hours just relaxing.

GROCERIES... BUT WITH HELP

 Did I tell you that I didn't do the darn grocery shopping yesterday?

Well I didn't.

I decided to wait until today and have Stew help me with it.

So that's on the agenda today.

Then Stew wants to get some stuff called 'Hit Man', which is an organic weed killer.  He wants to try it down the 'dogs' side of the house.  He always worries about the  girls eating weeds that have weed killer on them, so he hasn't been using any.

But OMG the weeds!  They have gone crazy.  So... he's gunna get this stuff and give it a try.

After that, he has to go into work to open up for a bloke to check his equipment (don't go there!).  There was a flood in their offices, so there's big fans blowing trying to dry everything out.  

The kids are coming over for lunch today, we shall be having pork sandwiches.  Then we shall all hang out by the pool and enjoy ourselves.

I've not been in the pool for a few days... I've been enjoying my sewing too much!

SANDRA:  Do you want me to post pictures of the Wonky House Runners that are available?  I will if you confirm.

Time to get up and start our day.  It's supposed to be a cracker day.

11 am:  And our jobs outside the house are done.

The groceries are put away, thanks for helping Darling.

We are now waiting for midday, so Stew can spray the weeds with the new weed killer.

It says it works in only 2 hours.  We shall see.

I am probably not going to do any sewing today.  I'm not in the mood.

Perhaps my current jigsaw will be attended to? 😊

1.50 pm:  Well... lunch is over.  The pork sandwiches were very nice.

Bex and I went out to Gordonton, to look for grey/silver fabric for me new runners.

Found a small smattering:

ABOVE:  I now wish I'd gotten more from the Whitianga shop!

But... never mind.  In a few more months the shops will start stocking Christmas fabric again.

When Bex and I arrived home, it was to find Archer crying.  He's had a cold for a couple of days, and now it looks like he has an ear infection.

So they have gone home to dose him up on paracetamol, and keep an eye on him.

Stew is at work, so it's just me again.  And I might have a nap, cos OMG it's stinking, stinking hot today, and I have one hooah of a headache.

FOR SANDRA:

ABOVE: the three Wonky House Runners I have right now.

10.06 pm:  it's the end of the day.  We have spent the evening watching tv, you tube etc.  Nice and quiet.

I've also been watching a little mouse come in and out of the sun room, into the family room.  Hmmmm.... think we need to lay down more rodent bait.

And on that note, I'll say...

OFF WALKING

 This morning I'm leaving the house quite early... so I can go on a FBG walk in Cambridge!

Yep, a friggin walk.  It's not part of the 'Urban Challenge', just a social walk.  The girls have been doing them over summer.

This will be the first one I've partaken in.

After the walk, I'm sure we will have morning tea, before heading home again.  I'm quite looking forward to it.  I've not seen heaps of the girls in months and months.

ABOVE:  This is the Table Runner I finished last night. And it's already SOLD.  Thanks Kate for snapping it up literally minutes after I finished it!

After the grocery shopping I am going to be sewing another one!

Probably the same colours.

And that is me for now.  I'll catch ya later.  

I have just finished the walk. We were told it was a 5.3 km walk. It was actually  5.7 km!

Now having morning tea before heading to the supermarket. 

ABOVE:  My walking companions today.  This is called the Blue Bridge to Nowhere, as it leads onto a path that meanders around behind one of the latest subdivisions in Cambridge.

It was a lovely walk, just a bit too hot for me.

I might have to try and do evening walks instead of morning ones.   I can't see me getting out of bed for REALLY early morning walks!

ABOVE:  I drove past our old Cambridge home.  It is stripped of ALL character!  It looks forlorn and just ... unloved really.

We left at the right time, the farmland over the back fence is now all being developed for housing, a shopping block and a new school.

The blue arrow shows where our old home is.

ALL that land will be covered in houses in the next 5 years!

Kate:  I have posted your runner.  You will get it early next week. 

 

I have bought a bit more grey fabric for a few more of those cute runners.

Impossible to find more Christmas fabric right now in the shops, so I might go online.

I'm really enjoying the Gnome runners.

But for now, I'm knackered and am gunna take a break from all 'jobs' and just chillax.

5.50 pm:  And OMG I've been the laziest tart ever since I got home from my walk!

I have literally sat here and kept my feet up, watched a movie on Netflix and listened to music!

I also worked on an email... might be ready to hit 'SEND' tonight.

Been feeling really down today as well.  Just musing over all that is going on in our life right now... so much of it is quite negative.

I am hoping we have a good weekend, the kids may come around for a swim tomorrow.  That will be nice, have not seen them this week at all.

Well... Steve did call in late last night, just to reassure us they were OK.

Steve's health is a bit 'jittery' right now, so he's been laying low.

I KNEW something was 'up'.  I hate being proved right.  But not going to push any panic buttons, it's early stages and might not eventuate into a full blown flare up for him.

Stew just got home, early for him!  I've cooked him Pork Belly and veges, he will love that.

Annnnnddddd.... scrap that.

He has gone to the pub, and dinner has gone on hold.  We will be having pork belly sandwiches for lunch tomorrow!

I'm at Steve and Bex's until Stew wants to go home from the pub.  It's just up the road from Steve 'n' Bex's.

10.58 pm:  Home again .... and we both had a sandwich for 'dinner'.  lol

Time to head off to bed.

THIS ONE IS BLOODY CUTE

 ABOVE:  I'm still bloody tired!  Don't ya just hate it when you have so much stuff going around in your head, ya just can't sleep.

I literally don't want to get out of bed today.  

But... I must.

I have another runner to sew, and my shop to open at midday.

As with everything I sew, I know it's not going to be to everyone's taste.

And that's OK.

So, in saying that... here is my latest runner, it's a Christmas one, I'm getting a head start on them. 😄😊

ABOVE:  I think it's cute, and not only because I chose blue hats for the gnomes.

In that photo some of the fabrics look like they have a yellow hue, they don't.  It's just from the flash of me camera.

Today I am going to make another one, only this time the hats are going to be greens I think.

I've got plenty of green fabric to choose from.

COVID:  I'm so relieved the country has not got a full blown Covid outbreak again!  It was looking a little worrisome a couple of days ago.

I still don't think we are out of the woods in relation to the Auckland 'cluster', but hopefully it doesn't spread any more.

Back to today, my plans are to sew.  I know, it's getting rather boring on here eh?  Sorry, not sorry.

It's just my life, and what I'm doing.

We will be having another weekend away next month... I promise there will be photos, and more interesting shit to read about.  Well... I hope so!

It is now 10 o'clock and ALL I have managed to do so far is the housework, and sit down and compose an email!

The email is going to be put on hold for now... it's one that Stew has to look over for me.  I'm a far too reactive sort of person!  I tend to fire off all cylinders and hit 'SEND' before stopping to think some more.  Anyone else do that?

Time to head into the sewing room I think... my happy place.  Thank god I have that.

I'm sick of having a headache.  Please make it stop!

ABOVE:  A solid 6 hours sewing so far today, and I'm up to NOSES!

I'm hoping to finish this one sometime tonight.

It's very quiet around here, no one in the shop.

The only visitor has been Lacy.  I had no left overs for her either.

Stew is in Rotorua today, so he won't be home till around 7 pm.  I've got out some beef sausages for dinner, think we will have some rice with them.  I'm outta potatoes.

Which means grocery shopping tomorrow.

7.27 pm:  Stew arrived home safely.  We have just had our dinner, which was lovely.

I finished the next Christmas Table runner... will show you tomorrow.

Right now, I'm done.

8 hours sewing today.

Time to put my swollen feet UP!  Sitting sewing all day is not good for me legs, that's for sure.

9.13 pm and I simply cannot keep my eyes open!  Off to bed, catch ya tomorrow.

AND WE HAVE ANOTHER ONE

 Last night, just before I left for Card Night in Cambridge, I finished my Owl Table Runner.

I am quite happy with it.

ABOVE:  They are quite cute.  

Now that it's done, I am going to move on to the Grey fabrics I got in Whitianga.

ABOVE:  I love that there's so many sites (Google, Pinterest, Instagram) where you can go for ideas.

So... that's my plans for the day. A grey Table Runner.

What's yours?  

Anything really interesting? 

I'm a firm believer in 'things' going in Three's.  Yesterday Stew's Aunt Dorothy passed away at the grand age of 94.  He was quite upset about it, even though we had not seen her in many, many years.  She lived in America all her adult life.  She was his Mum's sister.

So, I'm hoping like hell that's our 3 family deaths in a row!  I don't think I could handle any more for a while.

2.37 pm: And it's another day where time is just flying by.

I've been in my sewing room since about 10 am.

Lacy has called in for a visit.

I've had me lunch.

And here's a sneak peek at my latest runner:

ABOVE:  Lol, I know.... I'm really not giving much away am I?

If I get it 90% done tonight, I will show you all of it.

5.45 pm:  I've been sewing most of the day and my back is KILLING ME.  So I am gunna have to stop... and so near the finish line too.

But, it will give me something to show you tomorrow.  I promise, it's bloody cute!

Stew is in for a big surprise tonight.... I'm giving him STEAK for dinner!

I loathe steak, so hardly ever cook it.  But, we had some in the freezer so I thought I'd make his day.  Well... I hope I do.

GOSH I am so tired!  The heat.  The stuff going around and around in my head right now.... so TIRING!

8.55 pm:  And YES, Stew loved his steak!

I made potato wedges and Haloumi cheese to go with it.  

I had baked beans.  lol

Time to sign off... it's going to be another horrible night where my mind's going around and around in circles.

I HAVE GIVEN UP!

 All my adult life, I've tried to tame my hair down.  Keep it tidy.  And when worn up, I've clipped the wayward, curly whirly bits up.   And plastered my hair with wax's and gels.  

But this last weekend, at the beach?

I actually decided it looks just fine being allowed to do it's own thang....

ABOVE:  What do YOU think?  Too untidy?  Or who gives a shit?  I feel so much FREE'ER, not worrying about stray bits flying around.  I'm gunna just let it all fly around! 

Today I will be opening my shop at lunchtime.

Before that I'll get the housework done, then get back to my sewing.

I have another little sneak peek of what I'm working on right now:

ABOVE:  See?  I told you there was more to come eh?

I might even get this one finished today.

Then I can move on to these fabrics:

ABOVE: I'm excited about this fabric!  I know, it looks very plain and uninteresting, but my plans  will transform it. (I hope!)

11.12 am: For some reason, my tummy is playing up today.  I'm running to the bathroom every half an hour.  I can't think why.

I'm sewing owls.  Such fun.

1.22 pm:  And owls are all getting eyelids.  Today is going really fast!  

Being BUSY, feels so good.  I'm watching movies on Netflix while sewing too... just watched 50 First Dates.  So sweet.  I cried at the end.

Its card night... so I'm in Cambridge now.

Catch ya later.

Well it's 9.58 pm and I'm home from Card Night.  It was a most enjoyable evening.  Last time I was the Loser, tonight?  WINNER.

I had some really good hands I must say.  

And now... winding down before bed.  

LAST PHOTOS FROM OUR TRIP AWAY

 Right, here's the last batch of photos from our trip away:

ABOVE:  Whangamata Beach, looking right.

There were HEAPS more people on the beach compared to Whitianga!

You could only see 3-4 on Buffalo Beach (Whitianga).  Here there were dozens.

ABOVE: Whangamata looking left.  There was a  surfing competition happening while we were there, so lots of people on the grass watching.

Kinda hard to see in the photos.

ABOVE: The Whangamata wharf and jetty. Again, lots of people jumping off swimming, playing on the beach etc.  A  happening place.

ABOVE:  Whangamata, if it wasn't such a shit of a drive to get there, I'd go there often.

ABOVE:  We were both surprised to find Waihi Beach had shops!   Not a lot, but certainly more than NONE!  😂😅😆

We did look in a couple that were open, but nothing took our fancy.  Or rather, MY fancy.  

ABOVE: This little old, falling down bach has to be PRIME real estate in Waihi Beach (well the land it's sitting on)! 

It's directly opposite the main beach and surf lifesaving club.

I look at places like this and just wonder, who owns it?  Does some 99 year old, little old lady or man still live there?  What tales it could tell eh?

And what will be there in it's place in another 20 years?

So just to recap our little jaunt away, we had a FANTASTIC time.  It was so good to see the changes in Whitianga, and also what hadn't changed.

The beaches are still perfect.

The roads were the same... twisty and hilly.

Stew said as we left, "Well, we don't need to come back for at least another 5 years now!"

He's right.   I doubt much more will change in that time, except a few more homes will be built.

It is back to 'normality' now.

Stew goes back to work, and I do the housework.

Then some sewing.

I will continue working on the runner I started on Thursday afternoon.

Catch ya later.

...  2 PM:  And so far today, I've done nothing I indended to do!  I ended up going to town on business.

Now that I'm home though, I shall get on with my sewing ... just have to do a bit more on the computer first.

ABOVE:  Gosh my head is pounding!  I might have to take a pill and lie down till it feels better.

I had a headache all day yesterday too. Travelling in hot weather always does that to me.  Oh, and the heat rash from sitting too long.

NOT FUN.

ABOVE:  I'm not a cat person, but how cute is that?  I'm happy now, pills will work soon.

8 pm:  Well  😂😆😅... my afternoon was like my morning.  Non-productive.  I literally spent hours on my computer, drafting a few emails, updating and documenting things and listening to some music to keep myself calm.

It's been quite a day to be honest.

I had to do stuff that I've put off for a while... head in sand type of stuff.  But, it's done now, so hopefully I can relax.   I hate it when my mind is going around and around in circles!