MID WEEK OF COVID

 We are half way through the isolation period of Covid.

I'm hanging out for Sunday, when we are all cleared to leave the house again.

Except Steve.  He has to stay isolating for another full week! 

You don't realise how often you 'just pop out' to the supermarket, or down the road for some reason or another... until you can't.

When the entire country was locked down, it was kinda like a novelty.  Now though, it's just a pain in the bum.

We need a few things from the supermarket, but can't go.  Lacy is back in town today (she's been out of Hamilton), so I shall ask her to get us a few things we have run out of.

Mostly just some fresh veges.

I've got some lovely photos of Mike and Joyce's little dog:

ABOVE: Beau is a beautiful boy... and I rather love Joyce's attire too!  Rather fetching.  I hope it stays in the confines of ya home Joyce!

But knowing Joyce, I bet she's gone to the shops in it!!!  😂😅😉😘

Once I've checked up on how everyone is doing... and made sure I don't have to worry, I shall head into me sewing room to finish off those Bowl Cosy's.

Then I'm not sure what I will do next.

12 noon:  And Lacy has been to the supermarket for us.  We now have some fresh produce.

I'm making hamburgers and wedges for our dinner tonight.  Can't wait.

As for what I've been up to:

ABOVE:  I now have 39 Bowl cosy's made!

It will probably take 3 years to sell them all.... but as I love making them, I've got another dozen cut out!  😂😜😏

Now, as for the sick peeps... everyone is feeling a bit better it would appear.

And the little boys, Griffin and I are still in the clear.

I did have a sore throat last night, but nothing came of it.  I think I've just got a light cold, nothing to worry about.  I keep testing negative.

I have lost count of what I've shown you!

ABOVE:   I don't think you have seen these ones.  The two purple ones take the tally up to 41 Bowl cosy's in me stash.

Steve and Bex came around to visit.  As we are all isolating with Covid and are in the same 'Bubble' it's allowed.  

I decided to take a break from Bowl Cosy's and  make some Kiwiana type runners.

But in my hunt through my fabrics I found a piece of fabric I don't remember buying... and OMG!

It's gorgeous, and I am going to make a runner.... FOR MYSELF WITH IT.

Bex is all for it, she said it was about time I made something for myself, and she's right.

I'm not going to show you the fabric until tomorrow.

Can you guess COLOUR OR THEME?  😁😂

Our dinner was just lovely!  My burgers went down very well.  I have a photo to show tomorrow.

I'm knackered ... and going to bed fairly early tonight.  I stayed up until after 1 am last night... far too late.

NICE ONE

 Yesterday afternoon Steve 'n' Bex got a knock on their door...

ABOVE:  And this box was there.  I am really impressed that they were given such a lot of groceries and medical supplies for free!

He's now waiting to hear from his doctor about when his anti viral medication is ready.  It will be delivered to their home as well.

ABOVE:  Talking of free stuff... these are all the RAT tests and face masks I was given a couple of days ago!  I can't believe people are still paying through the nose for them at chemists.

Bloody Covid! I keep forgetting I have to stay home.  I am not sick.

But ... at least I have plenty to keep me busy.  I've got a dozen more Bowl Cosy's ready for stitching... I anticipate getting about 6 done today.

ABOVE:  How gorgeous is Auckland Zoo's brand new baby giraffe?  So precious.

It's about time we visited the zoo again!  Well... just as soon as we are all well again.

11.10 am:  I think this is what ya call a production line:

ABOVE:  I'm having fun!  lol

ABOVE:  Our yummy fritters from last night.  I think there's a couple left, might dish them up for lunch, along with some sausage rolls.

It's a glorious mid winter day out there, sunshine and .... no roses.  😂😏

3 pm:  And I'm starting to see double.  Time to stop for a break.

ABOVE:  I've exceeded my goal of 6 today.  So rather happy with myself.

I'll do some more... tomorrow.

Dinner tonight was Chicken Teriyaki/Hoisin over rice dish.  It was just so-so.

Now... looking forward to a quiet evening.

Stew and Brylee are feeling a little better today.

No coughing going on though, which is good.

Steve and Bex:  Both of them are much the same, no improvement yet.

And that's us for the day.  Catch ya tomorrow.

ANYONE ELSE?

 We were sitting at 4 down with Covid yesterday.

I am fully expecting one or both of Steve 'n' Bex's boys to test positive today or tomorrow.

I don't see how they can't catch it!

Griffin is still feeling fine.

I'm feeling fine.

ABOVE:  I got two more Bowl Cosy's done last night, so I will get the other 4 finished this morning.

I'm enjoying doing them... and will probably do a few more.  Nothing wrong with having plenty in reserves.  

ABOVE:  With all that's been going on... we totally forgot that it was Marley's 5th Birthday on Saturday!    Happy Birthday Marley, I will give you a treat today.

And that's me for now.  I'll be back later with an update on how all the sick are doing.  And if we  have any more.

9.04 am:  And so far, so good!

The little boys have tested NEGATIVE, and so have I.

I have a cold, sneezing etc, but NEGATIVE.  That's awesome.

Stew and Brylee are doing good, not too sick.

Bex is feeling like shit.

Steve is no worse.

I am now in me sewing room, about to start sewing those Bowl Cosy's.  

11 am:  And I've just finished my 6 Bowl Cosy's.

ABOVE:  I'm really happy with them, and how quick they were to do.

I will be making more soon.

But right now it's back to the family room to look at all the sicko's.   Steve, Bex and the boys came over.

No point not visiting, both households have the same bugs.

Steve is waiting to hear from his doctor at the hospital.  He is going to be put on anti-viral medication.

And they just left ... to go home to bed.

I will now continue with me sewing.

JUST IN:  Steve heard from the Covid Team at the hospital.

Because he is Immuno-compromised (as in has no immunity), he has to isolate at home for 14 days, not the usual 7!

edit:  Bex and the boys only have to isolate for 7 days.

One nice thing... the hospital are sending them a food parcel.  It will be interesting to see what they send them.

ABOVE:  I'm on a roll.  These two are cute, if ya like orange. 😂😊

I spent the rest of the day cutting out Bowl Cosy's, so I will have plenty to do tomorrow.

We had Corn Fritters with bacon and onion for dinner.  Very nice they were too.

Though Stew and Brylee don't have appetites right now.

Stew said he's not feeling any worse, and his headache comes and goes.  Brylee seems to be much the same.

And that's me for the day.  I'm cold, tired and ready for bed and it's only 8.30 pm.

Will definitely be an early night for me.

I just have to make up my mind if I shall sleep in my bed (and be kept awake by Stew sniffing and snorting all night), or sleep in the spare bed in the kid's room!

Hmmm....

NO PLANS FOR TODAY

 Another shitty day ahead.

Wet and miserable.

So I shall probably get into the sewing room.

Stew has a few jobs around the house and yard to get done, but nothing riveting.

I will be ringing the kids in a couple of hours (give them time to wake up!), to check how they are all feeling.

Most concerned about Steve.  He looked really awful yesterday.

If anyone ends up in hospital, it will be him for sure.

I'm going to ring and order some more Covid tests this morning.

You can still get them for free from the Health Department.  I see no point in paying for them ($30 for 6 tests), when you can get them for free.

OK... time to roll over and catch a few more Zzz's for now.  Far too early to get up on a Sunday morning!

9.55 am:  And another one goes down with a positive test result.

STEVE.  

I'm about to go out and get more RAT tests.

Stew had a horrible night, snotty, sneezing and snoring.

He took himself off to the couch at 2 am! 

AND.... Stew is POSITIVE TOO.

We all had dinner here Wednesday night. So Griffin, Dante, Archer and I could still get it.  WONDERFUL. 

WE BOTH TOOK A TEST BEFORE WE WENT OUT TO DINNER LAST NIGHT!  Both NEGATIVE.  So I'm not feeling guilty about going out.

I went out and picked up RAT tests for us and Steve 'n' Bex's household.

At the moment I am negative, and Dante and Archer.  Not sure about Griffin.

I am now stuck at home with Stew till next Saturday.  

Just as well we are well stocked up with food and Diet Coke!

SPARKLING:  Bex, Brylee and Stew have moderate symptoms.  Steve is looking and feeling like death warmed up.  It is not surprising considering his general health is bad.

KJ:  Thanks for the idea... we now have Brylee here with us for the week.  She was being confined to her bedroom and toilet at her flat.  Not fun, she can hang out here with Stew and I.

ABOVE:  for a change, I made two more bowl cosys.  Might make a few more then switch back to runners.

I kept myself in the sewing room all afternoon.  Got 6 more bowl cosy's cut out and ready for stitching.

Dinner tonight was a mixed bag:  Sausages, crumbed fish, squid rings, prawns and salt and pepper squid.  With potato wedges.

I think I was the only one who was actually hungry.

Brylee's gone off to bed, Stew will probably be in bed soon too.  They both have no energy.

I'm still feeling just fine, thank goodness.

Catch ya tomorrow, when I hope the Covid count stays the same.

NO MARKET...

 As predicted, it's still wet.

Very pleased we made the call to not attend the market.

So now it's  a case of... what to do this weekend?

I could do some more sewing, but I also feel like I need a break from it.

First up though, the usual housework.  Mostly getting the washing done and on racks to dry.

I haven't hung washing outside in about 2 months!  Probably more.

This has been the wettest winter I can remember in a very long time.

ABOVE: There is heaps of flooding around the country, some areas are going to take YEARS to recover.

Poor buggers.

Right, time to start the day.

Later....

I could scream.  It's 10.18 and there's no rain now at all.  Cloudy.  That's all.  I reckon we could have done the bloody market after all.

So frustrating.  I really want to do some markets, but it's just not happening.

In other news:   Bex has tested POSITIVE for Covid.  They were here on Wednesday night for dinner.

Steve isn't feeling well either, but hasn't tested himself yet.

So now we wait to see if we caught it too.

So Steve is negative for Covid, but is sick as a dog with something else.  He SHOULD go to the dr, but is waiting to see if he gets worse first!

Stupid man.  

Meanwhile here, boring as fuck.  Might have to go and make a runner.  Thinking of doing more 'Kiwiana' type runners.

But we will see.  I'm just so crabby right now all I feel like doing is eating lollies.

I didn't eat any lollies.  I sat and watched YouTube.  Stew watched sport and a movie, and we both just had a totally relaxing afternoon.

Then we went to the supermarket and got some groceries for the sicko's...

ABOVE:  We did a 'drop and run' type of thing.

Bex didn't look too bad, but Steve?

Terrible.  I bet he tests positive in the next day or two.

If not, there is something else wrong with him and he needs to get himself to a doctor.

It's now nearly dinner time, and we are going to have an Indian meal.

BRYLEE just tested POSITIVE for Covid too.

I wonder if anyone else who was here on Wednesday night will get it?  Griffin was here as well.  Wonder if he will get it?  I wonder if Stew and I will get it (in my case again)?

ABOVE:  Dinner this evening was here, in Cambridge.  So yum.  And quick.  No hanging around for half an hour waiting for our dinner.  They get it to the table in about 10 minutes.

So, we are now home again and just chilling out till bedtime.  

LET'S START

 When we moved here in December 2019, I had this grand plan.

It was to walk every street in my 'area'.  

We all know what happened shortly after that.

COVID/Lockdowns.  Australian trip.  Grief.  Court case.  Stress stress stress. 

And I never did get to start that grand plan.

Yesterday I decided to kick start it again.  So I spent about 2 hours printing out maps of this area, so I can cross off all the streets I walk, as I go.

ABOVE:  The boundaries of my intended walking area are: Kay Road, River Road,  Wairere Drive,  Gordonton Road and The Hamilton Expressway.  

So it's almost ALL of what you can see on that map.

Even if it takes me YEARS to accomplish, I'm gunna do it.

It is going to be my very own 'Urban Challenge'.

I do not have a goal to do a set distance per day, just what feels doable on the day.  And I won't even do it every day.  No pressure.

Today I am going to drive to a new starting point, and walk some streets I've not already done.

It's raining too... but I don't mind walking in the rain, nor does Marley.  

Once I've had me walk,  I will come home and sort out my next sewing project.  I've decided there is no need to make more Christmas Runners.

So hmmm... what next?

10.15 am:  And another walk done and dusted.

Marley is loving them.  Today we walked in an area way over by River Road, very nice area.  A bit of rain, but nothing to worry about.

Now... home and about to take a warming shower, then do some work.

As the weather is shitty, we are not sure about attending the market tomorrow.  I'm going to semi pack up everything, just in case it looks like it might fine up a bit.

We will make the call late tonight.

DOGSTARS:  I don't 'do' LinkedIn.  

I have packed up everything, ready to put in the car... IF we decide to go.

It's still wet and horrible out there, so who knows what it will be like tomorrow?

This afternoon I also made sure everything had a price on it... and ran out of price tags.

ABOVE:  Not a problem.  I just made some more with me Cuttlebug.  It's such a handy little machine.

It will be time to sort dinner out soon.  We are having Pea 'n' Bacon soup.  Just pulled it out of the freezer.  

Stew loved his soup!  Nice for a change that's for sure.

We have made the decision not to do the market tomorrow.  We just don't want to end up with everything getting wet.

And how many people are going to go to market in the pouring rain?  

Not that many for sure.

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

WALKIES WITH MARLEY

 I'm starting something new today.

Marley and I are going for a walk together.

Coco can stay home and guard the fort.  She's a horror to take walking.  If she's not pulling on the lead and getting all tangled up with Marley's lead, she's pulling too hard and causing her airway to restrict, then she drops like a stone gasping for air!

Yesterday Marley showed definite signs of depression.  She didn't leave her bed all day.  Just sat there and looked at me.  

So I'm taking her out and about, it will do both of us good to get some exercise.

And even if it's raining, I will walk.

ABOVE:  Family at dinner last night.  

Did I tell you ???  Brylee is finally a working girl again!  She was off with her shoulder injury for 18 months, but did Business Administration training during that time.

And she is now gainfully employed again.  Such a relief, and a good accomplishment for her.

ABOVE:  It took A LOT of persuasion to get Griffin to allow me to take a photo of his hair!

His girlfriend braided it, and shaved the sides.  I think it looks cool. 

Back to today: After our walk, I shall get back into the sewing room and get the last Gnome runner finished.

Then I can do something else.

11.12 am:  And we did it.

Went walking in the rain.  It was HORRIBLE.

I hate walking.  Believe it or not, that's the truth.

But it's a necessary evil if I want to up my exercise and entertain Marley.

Coco will get a drive out in the car later, cos that's her favourite thing to do, whereas Marley hates being in the car,

Swings and balances.

ABOVE: Someone did an absolute butcher's job on this street!  All the edges have been sprayed with weed killer then just left.  It looks dreadful!

ABOVE:  We didn't see too many cherry trees.  But this one was gorgeous.

I walked down some streets I'd not been on before, saw some very nice homes, and some really sad homes.  Plaster homes that were rotting, or just neglected.  So sad.

This area was built in the era of plaster homes that were not built properly, hence so many are looking the worse for wear.

I'm so happy our home is brick and tile!  NEVER again will we buy a plaster home!

I got quite cold out walking, so am now trying to warm up the sewing room, heat pump on, and about to start sewing for the day.

ABOVE:  And there it is.  Number 6 Christmas Gnome Runner.  DONE.

And I don't want to do another one of those in a long time.

Well... a few weeks at least. 😃😄😅

Stew just got home from work, so I'm now going to head into the house and cook his dinner.

And that's a wrap on the day.  Been a very quiet day as per usual.

MID WEEK...

 And... it began.

Another downpour.

Most likely to be raining on Saturday.  Depending on how badly, we may still go to the market.  We'll just wait and see.

Meantime, I will continue making stuff for the other markets coming up closer to summer.

ABOVE:  I'm going to iron these shirts this morning.  It will be my good deed for the week. 😉😖

ABOVE:  And after that, I'll head back into the sewing room to finish the 6th Gnome runner.

I'm hanging out to move onto something else, I'm over friggin Gnome runners. 

11.30 am:  I went to the mall an hour or so ago.

I needed my glasses adjusting, they kept falling off me face.

So, I get in the queue to be attended to.

Amazingly, I get them fixed within 10 minutes.

Then on to the supermarket, where I get a basket full of stuff for dinner.

I go to the checkout where an employee scans your groceries.  I hate the self checkouts with a passion.  Various reasons.

There's three people in front of me when I line up.

By the time it's almost my turn, there's also 4 people behind me.  

One of them is an elderly lady with groceries on her walker seat.

Just as I'm about to FINALLY get to unload my groceries onto the counter, that old lady just pushes me aside (hard to imagine being my size)... but she does and barges up and starts unloading HER groceries!

I'm like WTF?  I'd been standing there waiting my turn for at least 20 minutes and she has the bloody cheek to push in!

I say quite loudly:  "Excuse me lady, but it's not your turn, I was in front of you".

She TOTALLY ignores me.

I look at the checkout operator who has obviously witnessed the whole incident, and what does she do?

NOTHING.  

So what did I do?

I left my groceries ON THE FLOOR and walked out.

And went to the supermarket down the road from home instead.

What would YOU HAVE DONE?

I'm now waiting for me lunch to warm up before heading into the sewing room for the afternoon.

5.10 pm:  And I did some sewing this afternoon, but stopped after about an hour cos I just wasn't into it.

Went into the house and did NOTHING till I had to start dinner prep.

Now I've got various things cooking, heating up etc, ready to feed family.

ABOVE: Dinner went down really well tonight.  I did a pasta dish, only people got to choose what they wanted to put on top of their pasta.

I had fresh pasta, meat balls, bacon, Italian herb tomatoes, onions, mushrooms in a butter sauce,  and cheese. 

The two small boys prefer their pasta very simple, so it worked out really well.

Everyone has left now, and we are looking forward to an hour or two of quiet time before bed.

HERE'S A QUESTION

 Here's a question for you all.

If all I have planned for my day is sewing, do you still want me to blog about it?

Do you want to continue to see the same runners (different colour combos) day in, day out?

Cos if I don't blog my sewing endeavours ... the blog is going to be/could be ...

BLANK.

Unless I have something to blither on about of course.

Let me know.   

Cos I can easily just put "Got nothing for ya today" on the blog.  😉😏

I've been tossing up getting me hair coloured again... it's such a fag though.  I hate having to spend up to (and sometimes over) 4 hours in the salon.  *sigh*  Suppose I will though.  Grrrr.  Vanity and all that eh?

9.50 am:  Already tired!

Fluffed around in the house for the past hour or so, just straightening shit up.

Decided this job was on me list:

ABOVE:  Giving the wet room a big clean.  Starting with soaking the shower curtain.  It was starting to look manky along the bottom.  NOT slimy, moldy!  Just discoloured a bit.

So after that's soaked for an hour or so I'm going to use the water in the bucket to wash down the walls, skirting and floor.

And that will be a good job done.

ABOVE: Dinner tonight is Mutton Chops and veges... slow cooked in Thick Mint Sauce.  It's gunna be DELICIOUS.

ABOVE:  My job right now... sort out what pens actually work, and chuck the rest.  And sort out the vivids, felts etc.  Then keep them all in the same place!  

This lot were all over the bloody house.

ABOVE:  Number 5 done and dusted.  One more of this lot then I move on.

To what I'm not sure of yet.

Might be more Christmas themed ones though.

Maybe presents in a row?

I found out an hour or so ago that we got another site at the Tamahere Market for this weekend.

I'm thrilled.  But also resigned to probably not attending as we are expecting a huge amount of rain over the next few days.

Bloody annoying.

But I simply cannot risk my runners etc getting wet.

I will just keep an sharp eye on the weather and pray it's fine on Saturday.

I have started the 6th Gnome runner, but am taking a break for lunch.

I'm going out for a couple of hours tonight.  Just a get together with (hopefully) new friends.

Stew told me I needed to join more groups etc to make friends here in Hamilton.

So that's what I'm doing.

I better get some face on, do me hair, bla bla bla.

Dinner is almost finished cooking, I just need to put some greens on for Stew.

And... that's a wrap on today.  I have had a nice evening.  Stew enjoyed his dinner.

Catch ya tomorrow.