A QUIET SATURDAY

 We are in for an iffy day weather wise.  Might rain a bit later on.  Oh yaaa.   I'm so over the friggin shitty weather.

Plans for today?  Meh.  Don't really have any.

Could just be a quiet day hanging around the house.

I could also work on another couple of runners.

ABOVE:  I saw this on Facebook last night... it's a sign of the times.  So glad I didn't have to face all that raising our kids.

ABOVE: Finally (for now anyway)... how cute is that!  I find it very amusing.

Catch ya later.

ONWARD...

Ikkk. Its cold and wet. Stayed in bed for ages just keeping warm.

Then we came here:

ABOVE: There's every man and his dog in there. Chaotic to say the least.

Hopefully we get out of here fast and back home for a lovely lunch of hot chicken in a bun.

Whoops, I've not updated much today have I?

Stew and I really have had a lazy day!

Though we did go down to Mitre 10 after lunch to get some shit to put on the pavers down the side of the house.  They get so manky over winter, it was time to try and move some of the green mould.

Hopefully what he put on them works.

While he did that, I had a Nana Nap!

Not that I fell asleep, but it was just lovely to lie there, under a blanket with me hot pods and just relax.

I finished a 'physical' book!  First time in forever, I made it last I must say.

Tomorrow I might go get a new one if the library is open.  I have come to realise that I prefer a physical book as opposed to an E-Book or Audio Book.

We are going to have chicken left overs for dinner.  Should be nice, I might add the chicken to a cheesy pasta dish.

It has felt weird all day, I kept thinking it was Sunday.  Only cos Stew took Friday off work, so he's already been home from work for two days.

So tomorrow is a 'bonus' weekend day OK?  lol

We ended up having chicken on a bun again.  Cooking just felt like too much work!  We are just being bloody lazy, but oh well.  We are allowed.

Time to sign off for the day, catch ya tomorrow.

STEW'S HOME

 

Today Stew is home.  He has so much leave accumulated it's crazy!

So, every now and then he takes a Friday or Monday off and has a long weekend.

Which is lovely, cos I do rather like spending time with him.

We don't plan on leaving town for the day, but a nice lunch out is definitely on the cards.

Lacy is coming over sometime as well, which will be neat. We will probably drag her along for lunch with us. 😋😊

I have a runner almost finished, so I might do that first thing this morning.  Then I can relax and spend the day with Stew and Lacy.

ABOVE: Darling Lily yesterday, all bundled up, about to go pick up Archer from school with Bex.  She's such a happy baby.

Catch ya later.

ONWARD...

10 am, and it's turned out to be a gorgeous winter's day.

We have had a lovely long lie in, then up, breakfast (for him), then we did a couple of odd jobs around the house and yard.

Lacy is due here shortly. 

I'm going to ask her to do my vacuuming and wash the floors.  My back ain't into doing that!

ABOVE:  I just got this runner finished... it's one of my favourites.

ABOVE:  I think the Kiwiana Bird fabric is just lovely.

Right, I'm starting to cool down just sitting here, so I might get up and see what I can get up to next.

I'm thinking after lunch Stew and I will go for a walk, seeing as it's such a fine day.

ABOVE: Lunch today was at The Foundation, at the Base.

We had Calamari and Loaded Fries.  So yum!

On our way home we stopped in at the supermarket and bought a piece of cake.  It wasn't that good.  Disappointed. 

Now?  We are having a relaxing afternoon.  Don't feel much like a walk right now, but might later, after lunch has gone down.

No walk today, instead we had Steve call in to fix our wi-fi connection.

The Wi-fi box was hanging off the wall and I asked Stew to fix it.  He did something amiss and next thing we had no internet.

So Steve called in on his way home, and he managed to fix it.  Something to do with the fibre wire not working if it's bent more than 60 degrees. 😒😖  Good to have it working again.

After he left, we went over to their place for a quick visit with the kids.  Lily was all smiles, so sweet.

We just had a very nice steak dinner... I seem to have learnt how to cook the damn stuff... only took 65 years!

Now... time to wind down and just enjoy a few hours before bedtime.

Catch ya tomorrow.

STARTING THE SPRING CLEANING

 

Today I've decided to do some 'Spring Cleaning'.

Windows.  I took all the net curtains down yesterday and washed them all.  They were certainly needing a wash.

But taking them down showed me just how DIRTY my freakin' windows are!

OMG net curtains sure hide that from you.

So, today I'm going to wash windows, probably only the insides for now.  Stew can do the outsides on the weekend.

Spring IS COMING!   The days are starting to get longer and the trees are SLOWLY getting new leaves and blossoms.  

I really can't wait for summer.

ABOVE:  I stole this off Facebook.  That happens so often on our roads!  Same with road cones all over the place for no apparent reason.

Once I've done the windows I will head back into the sewing room to get more Braid Runners finished.  Ha ha, I think I say that every day right?

But that's my life right now, getting my stock numbers up, and just pottering around the house.

ONWARD...

9.30 am:  the insides of our windows are DONE!

It wasn't that bad to be honest, cos I do them fairly regularly anyway.  The outsides of the widnows?

Disgusting.  And I'm about to get in my gumboots and go out there and scrub them with soapy water and a broom, then hose them down.

After that a lovely soak in the bath might just be on the cards.

ABOVE: Yaaaa... I got two runners finished this afternoon,  and another one is almost finished.

I'll finish it off tomorrow morning. 

Its now 5.25 pm and I'm at Steve and Bex's and Stew is at the pub. I will join him later for some hot chips, its becoming a 'thing for Thursday nights. 

8 pm and we are home from the pub and visiting family.

It was fair HUMMING at the pub tonight!  Sometimes it is very quiet, but not tonight.

It was nice and warm at the pub, and the hot chips were lovely.

We get a big bowl and just share them on our table.  Everyone does it.

Lovely little pub.

Now though, it's settle down for a couple of hours before bed.

Catch Ya Tomorrow.

NEW SNEAKS

My new sneakers are ready for wearing.

So, I'm off on a walk this morning, probably the same one I did on my own last time.

Out towards the Expressway on Resolution Drive.

ABOVE:    I think they are lovely, compared to the last ones, which were black.

It's a 5 km walk, so I should be out for about an hour.

When I get home, I have a few jobs to do around the house. Washing, clean bathrooms etc.

Just boring shit really.  After that I will head into the sewing room and finish another Braid Runner.

ONWARD...

Nuts I know, but I didn't want to get my new sneakers dirty, so I walked on the treadmill instead!

My feet feel fine after the walk, so I'm pretty happy about that.

I've done my jobs, though the washing is still 'washing', once it's done it will go on racks in the garage.

Until then, I'm now in my sewing room, about to work on another runner.

ABOVE: It's  now 1 pm and I have finished that one, and am 90% done on another one for today.

But I've had to stop. 

My back where I've pulled SOMETHING is hurting like mad. So I'm  lying on the couch with a hotpod..  maybe it will feel a bit better later on. 

I think I need to get some sort of ointment,  deep heat type for it. 

But for now.. rest and a painkiller.

I had some friends visit this afternoon, so I didn't get back to the sewing room.

One of my visitors this afternoon was super impressed with the bathroom, and what we have done to it.  He's going home to take a look at his bathroom now.  He loved the half blue walls and panelling.  

The long hot soak in the bath will be happening after dinner.  I'm so relieved we put it in, it is worth it's weight in gold.

Sorry, no photos of visitors, I was too busy yakking!  lol  Funny that. 

Once Stew gets home from work, we are going to our favourite Indian Restaurant for dinner.  I'm tired, have a headache and backache, and just don't feel like cooking.  I might even indulge in a little glass of BRUT.  

ABOVE: Far out!  I just looked online and found I can buy those little bottles in the supermarket (a 4 pack) for $20!   I think they charge double that at the restaurant!  Might not get a drink at the restaurant now.  

I think a quick stop at the supermarket on the way home is on the cards.  I quite enjoy a little glass of bubbles now and then.

8 pm:  Dinner was lovely as per usual.  I did not get any wine after all that, because I had taken some pretty strong pain killers.  Not a good idea to mix them with grog.

But, I will be getting some from the supermarket soon.  As Stew said, a little glass of wine every now and then will be nice for me.  He's got his beer and the odd rum and coke on the weekend.

And now, it's time to sign off for the day.  We are both really tired (not sleeping well), so are going to bed in the next hour or two.

Catch ya tomorrow.

YAWN

 Yeah.  Didn't sleep well thanks to my back being sore.

When I get up I'm going straight to the medicine cupboard and take some pain relief.

I want to get a few things done today, not have to sit still, trying not to breathe too deeply, thanks to backache.

I'm also going to turn on the heat pump, cos it's FREEZING.

ABOVE: I can't think what is 'wrong' with my Princess Maud Azalea!  It has started flowering, but it has virtually no leaves, it's all woody.  It's too late now to prune it back to see if it comes away better.  Anyone know much about Azaleas, and what I can do it perk it up?

ABOVE: While down the back on the weekend, I noticed a few spare pool fence panels, and thought, hmmmm.   I wonder if I can use them to hang my little braid runner strips on?

Well... seems I can.  Now I just have to work out how to fit 2-3 panels in the sewing room.  That one above is the smallest panel, the other 2-3 are much bigger.  I'll probably try to use the bigger ones.

ABOVE:  I moved this pot from the front bedroom to the sunroom a couple of months ago.  The big leafed plant (I think it's a Monstera?), kinda withered and packed a sad.

I cut off the worst leaves, then put some succulents in the pot.   Then it got put back in the front bedroom.

I really hope it comes away again, it was such a magnificent plant, till I pissed it off. 😂😊

My new sneakers should be ready for picking up today.... I can't wait to get them and see how they feel on a walk.

Back to today, once I'm outta bed I'm going into the sewing room to finish off a couple of Braid Runners.  So long as my back doesn't play up.

Catch ya later.

ONWARD...

12.25 pm:  And I've done bugger all this morning.  I took some painkillers and they didn't kick in till just a little while ago.

Lacy has been visiting me all morning, which has been lovely.  She did a bit of housework for me, stuff that I can't do, given the back strain.

Gosh I hope this back strain doesn't last for weeks, as has happened before.  Pain just sucks the life outta ya.

After lunch I am going to head into the sewing room and work.  At least I'll be sitting down.

OH... my new sneakers are ready, so I will be off for a walk (here in Hamilton) tomorrow.  I can't wait!

ABOVE:  I've managed to get two runners finished off today.  I particularly LOVE this one.  I have to say it, they never look as good in a photo!  This one really is gorgeous.

It's now 3.15 pm, and I'm ready to take a break.  My back is holding up really well with me sewing, such a relief.

Well... my back is feeling quite good right now.

I am sitting watching a movie on Netflix, feet up, and the sun is streaming in the windows.  It's so nice right now.

We are having left overs for dinner, so I don't even have to worry about that.  

8 pm:  Our dinner was just lovely.  Now, his nibs is doing the dishes and I'm waiting for my hot pods to warm up so I'm nice and cosy.

Coronation Street is on in 90 minutes, and after that I'm off to bed.  It's been a busy day.

Catch ya tomorrow.

NO WALKS

This week there's no walks over in Cambridge that I want to do, as I am totally up to date with the Urban Challenge.

There is a social walk I could attend, but it's got several ups 'n' downs in it, and I simply do not like hills! 

So, this week is going to be totally devoted to getting more of the Braid Runners finished.  There's like, 15 ? or so still to finish, so I won't be idle.

I will probably get on our treadmill, or take myself for a walk from home base.  I won't stop walking, that's for sure.  Maybe I can get Lacy to join me on a couple?  That would be nice.

And that's me for now.

Catch ya later.

ONWARD...

11.38 am:  I went to the supermarket, grabbed just a few things.  Looked at some books in The Warehouse.

Called in and visited Bex and Lily for a little while.

Got home and SOMEHOW or other I've managed to tweak my back.  It hurts to breathe!

So, I'm not going to be getting much done today.

Most annoying.

I now have to sit down with a heat pack on my back and try to ease the damn pain.

3 pm and I can finally breathe again without too much pain.  But it's still there.

So I really have done NOTHING today!  I've pottered around the house, straightening this, tweaking that, doing a load of washing, and so on.

It's getting REALLY DARK outside, so we are in for some really heavy rain shortly I'd say.  It's rained on and off all day.  The WIND has been incredibly strong and gusty... and cold a.f.

LOL as I speak, here comes the rain!  Right in time to get all those people picking kids up from school all wet.  Yuk.

I am so thankful that is not me EVER AGAIN.

I was just outside, and it started to rain.

OMG those raindrops felt like ICE!

Sooo so cold, freezing in fact.  It has got to be snowing in the central North Island/South Island.

Well, Stew arrived home from dinner.

I made our dinner, then we just sat and watched the telly till bedtime.

Which will be rather early tonight.

My back is till damn sore, so I finally relented and took some panadol.  I can't think why I didn't think to take any sooner!

Derrr.  Blonde moment I suppose.

And that's a rap on the day.  Very slow and boring.  

A 'DOING THIS 'N' THAT' DAY AHEAD

 

See his nibs above, using the weight bench?

Well... he better not think he's doing that again!

After his recent hernia operation, and the possibility of him getting another, THIRD hernia, I'm going to sell that weight bench from under him!

He's not averse to the idea either.

He knows it's not good for him anymore.

So, photos will be taken today, and I will list it on Marketplace.

Still decluttering!

I doubt there is much more I can get rid of though.  The house is looking and feeling so much less cluttered now.  I am LOVING IT.

It completely frees up your mind.  You just don't need that much STUFF!!!

I think I'm addicted to it now... I walk around the house going ... "Hmmm, do I need that?  When did I last use that?"

If I LOVE IT, I keep it.

If I like it, and use it, I keep it.

If I am ambivalent about it, and don't use it... I ain't gunna keep it. 

SUCH FUN.  😂😊😉

I think we are going to get more potting mix for our planters today.  I want to get them ready for summer veges.  Lettuces and tomatoes are top of the list.  AND I'm going to put cucumber plants in the garden out the back door again this spring, they grew so well there last summer.

Our rhubarb plant is finally growing quite well, but the new passionfruit vines are looking a bit sad.

I hope they come away in spring.  I love passionfruit, but have never had much success growing them.  Maybe this season they will grow and produce fruit for me?

I've got a BIG blue pot that is empty, so I'm going to try growing potatoes in it.  I wonder when seed potatoes will be available?  I'll ask at the garden centre today I suppose.

It's neat gearing up for spring, which is not far away.  I'm totally over winter.  It's been so cold, wet and FOGGY.  Totally ikkk.

After all that, I'm getting back in the sewing room to work on finishing a few more of those Braid Runners.

I sold a few yesterday, and I really need to keep my stock up for the coming summer markets.

ONWARD...

11.44 am, and the planters are sorted, ready for planting veges in ...  come October.

I wanted to get some cute flower plants for a little pot by the sun room door,  but forgot. I might go back after lunch.

Talking of lunch,  we are at Chartwell Square right now, about to enjoy a nice lunch.

After lunch... flower shopping. 

Our lunch was delicious as per usual, Robert Harris coffee shop never fails us.

ABOVE:  I got two nice flowers for this pot, I hope they don't die on me.

It's still too early for the vege plants... a couple more months yet.

We are now relaxing, watching some cops 'n' robbers programme on the telly.

6.04 pm:  We ended up watching a movie, and it  was utter rubbish!  Halle Berry and Mark Wahlberg did a stellar job of bad acting, with a dumb arse story line. I should have known better than sit through it all.

I could have finished a Braid Runner instead.  Derrr.

We are having a naughty dinner, rissoles and bought hot chips.  

Why not eh?   

After dinner we shall do bugger all, as per usual.  It's our norm to just relax in the evening.  Our days are usually busy enough after all.

Right.  Signing off for the day.

Catch ya tomorrow.

HERE WE GO AGAIN

 

Well... after last months shitty market, I don't have high hopes for today's one because the weather is looking very iffy.

But... we are going, we are keeping our spot, and we are hoping to see a good turnout.

At least it's not FREEZING!  Though I am going to be dressed like we are going to Antarctica!  lol

I can always take some layers off if it is warmer than expected.  WHAT AM I SAYING?   It's still gunna be cold! What a twat.

I might take my book with me in fact, just in case I need something to pass the time with.

And now... I'm off.  I have to get up, get dressed, put some face on bla bla bla.

Catch ya later.

ONWARD...

ABOVE: 7.44 am. All set up. No rain so far. And its not too cold either.

The new rubber mats have made a HUGE difference... NO MUD.  Such a fantastic feeling knowing we don't have to try and work in bloody mud. 

Twiddling our fingers now... waiting for people to arrive.

11.45 am.... and sales have been slow but steady. Much better than last month thank goodness.

Well, the weather forecast was bang on!  It started raining (not too heavy) by 12 o'clock.

All the stall holders started packing up at 12.30, as all the shoppers had left.

Home by 1.30, unpacked and feet up by 1.50 pm.

I've got a beef roast all ready to go in the oven for our dinner.  I can now relax.

OH yes, we did ok Re:  Sales today.  NOT spectacular, but worth going.  Two of my runners are off to Malaysia soon, I love it when my runners end up overseas.

ABOVE:  I got to hold one of the Malaysian ladies goldfish while she did the banking transaction.  I found it amusing.  That and trying to make friends with their chihuahua dog.  It wasn't keen on being my friend, can't think why?

ABOVE: Selfie of the day.  I didn't need my big puffer jacket today, it just wasn't that cold.  I'm very thankful for that, cos it makes the day bearable if I'm not freezing.

It got cold... so I'm now sitting with the heat pump on, a hot pod AND blankie on me lap, AND Coco!  

ABOVE: She's not silly, she's sitting slap bang on top of the hot pod!  Cute little bugger.

I can smell our roast beef cooking... I'm dreaming of a rich gravy with onions and mushrooms added.

*DROOL*

Well, we were not that impressed with the roast beef. Next time I will cook a roast in the crock pot, long and slow.

The gravy was AMAZING.  lol

Time to sign off for the day, we were up at 5.30 am,  so we are both tired.

Catch ya tomorrow.

FRIDAY FLURRY

 

I'm so thankful it's Friday!

This week has been really busy, one way or another.

I seem to have been busy every day.

So today, I'm going to slow down and just potter.

I'm going to go through me checklist, and make sure everything is ready for tomorrow.

The weather forecast SUCKS, so I am going to take half the runners out of the bags, and not even take them.  That way we have less stock to lug around and get damp.

We will be doing a 'minimal' set up again, with everything 'tucked in' and out of the rain hopefully.

Thank goodness we bought the rubber mats!  They are going to make a world of difference, to cover the muddy patches, and make the entrance to our stall more inviting.

I got the new shower curtain sewn up last night, so that's a good job done.  

PETA: Thanks for the info re: the pink staining on the bottom of our old shower curtain.  How ikkkk to learn it's actually a bacteria!  Sounds nasty.   I will soak it and get it clean again (if possible), then use it as a back up I suppose.

I forget often that my phone has a step counter through Samsung Health.  Last night I checked it.

ABOVE:  My step count yesterday.  Probably my most steps in a day for quite a while!  I was impressed with myself.

I bet I don't even get to 6,000 today.

Somehow or other I've managed to lose the power cord to me shaver, MOST annoying.  So I'm going to hunt for it today.  Serve me right for being such a de-clutterer!  I've 'tidied it up' and put it somewhere, now I can't remember where.  Grrrrr.  You'd think it would be in the bathroom right?  Yeah nah.

I even wonder if Marley has nicked it, she is always on the hunt for things she can nick and chew to death.  *sigh*

ONWARD...

11.37 am: after an extensive search, I found that power cord!  In the linen cupboard.  Derrr.  No idea why I put it in there.

Happy I found it though, cos it comes in handy to keep the leg hair under control! lol

ABOVE: I washed the kayaks this morning, and they are now listed on Marketplace.  Fingers crossed they go quickly, I'm sick of them just sitting in a corner of the yard laughing at me.  Remind me to NEVER buy us any more!

I just had an early lunch, all this work around the house makes ya hungry.

I'm taking 'time out' now, cos I'm tired.  I'll be back later.

90 minutes later:   Well... that didn't take long!   The kayaks are going to a lady in Cambridge.  She's picking them up on Sunday afternoon.  I'm thrilled to bits they didn't take long to sell at all. 

Now I can spend that money on.....?????  FABRIC! lol

6.42 pm:  Stew arrived home and we packed up the car in readiness for tomorrow's market.

All we have to do in the morning is get our drinks, clothes on and outta here.

Gosh I hope we do better than last month!

I'm now cooking Stew's dinner, then we can sit and relax for the remainder of the evening.

Catch ya tomorrow.

LAST ONE FOR THE MONTH

 

Today I'm off on an FBG walk again.  It is the last Urban Challenge walk, up for walking in August, that I want to tick off.

After today, if I go over to Cambridge for a walk (for the rest of August), it will only be a 'social walk'.

I am going to wear my 'new' sneakers today, to see if they aggravate my foot again.

The past two walks I've worn my old sneakers, and not suffered with a sore foot afterwards.

So, it's gunna be interesting to see if the problem WAS my new sneakers.

It's called a process of elimination.  

Once home, I'm going to do some sewing... I bought a new shower curtain the other day, as my current one was starting to look MANKY on the bottom.  Why do the white ones all end up going pinkish and yukky on the bottom???

Anyway, I digress.  The new shower curtain is too long, so I need to shorten it.

After that I've got a few other jobs on me list.

When Lacy arrives, I'm going to ask her to clean our 2 kayaks.  I am going to sell them.

It will be the THIRD time we have bought, hardly used, then sold kayaks.  I think we have learnt our lesson now!   DON'T BUY KAYAKS, cos while we enjoy kayaking, we just don't do it often enough to justify having friggin kayaks. 😣😫😖

I was feeling a bit down heartened yesterday after some plans changed, but upon thinking about it... things happen for a reason and we just have to go with the flow.

So, I'm feeling more chipper today.  Things will work out when they are supposed to eh. I strongly believe in fate, always have.  Do you?

ONWARD...

Alrighty.  It's now 2 pm!  I have finally arrived home and had a chance to sit down and do an update.

First off, the walk this morning was lovely.  Nice cool, cloudy day.  

Foot?  Hated the 'new' sneakers again. Very painful after the walk.

Then I had to walk around in town to buy a new pair of sneakers.  

Which I found:

ABOVE: The price was an eye watering $260!  I then took them to a Shoe Repair shop to have leather put under where my big toes lift.  They should be ready by next Tuesday.

In the meantime, IF I go for another walk, it will be in my old sneakers.

I caught up with Stew while in town. 

As I was walking along the  street... off to buy said sneakers, I hear this loud voice yell out "HI MUM".

I glance to me left... and there goes Steve, off on some job.  Cute. 

ABOVE:  I had to walk past it eh?  So, of course I went in and bought some Giant Jellybeans.

Stew got some to have with his lunch.  I simply had them for my lunch!  lol

ABOVE: My day's walk stats... we all walked a wee bit further today, to the St Kilda coffee shop.

Where we will not be going again.  They FAIL at service.  The waitress could not read English, much less speak it well, so muddled up who ordered what.  My hot chocolate was lovely though, I can't complain about that.

Apparently, the girls went there last week and got dreadful service as well.   So today was a make or break visit.  BROKE.

Now that I'm home, Lacy will be here shortly to do a few jobs for me.  I think she's gunna freeze cleaning the kayaks!  Do I feel sad for her?

NOPE ... rather her than me!

And... sadly, Lacy arrived and wasn't feeling the best.   So I sent her home.

ABOVE:  Stew and I can clean these on Sunday, and I will list them on Marketplace on Monday, all going well.

They were a right bitch to carry up from around the back, but I did it!  I felt rather proud of myself, cos they are damned awkward to carry.

Now, I've got my heart set on getting back into the sewing room.

So that's what I shall do.

ABOVE: Today's walk photo.  

6.50 pm and I'm sitting here freezing me buns off. Stew is at the pub and I would usually be at Steve 'n' Bex's.  But Dante is sick and throwing up, so I'm not going anywhere near them today!

I am going to join Stew at the pub in a little while, have some lovely hot chips, then come home to hunker down with me heat pod and blankie.

And there ends my day (on the blog), I'll catch ya tomorrow with more OMG riveting day to day shit.  lol