LAST CHANCE

 

After making three attempts at an oven mitt yesterday, with no happy ending, I'm giving it ONE LAST CHANCE today.

I'm not holding my breath either, because I'm just not convinced I can get one that I like, and one that will pass the 'Sewing Room Squad's' approval too.  

I still have to unload the sewing trolley after using it yesterday... yep, that's how lazy I was yesterday afternoon!

So, I'll get that done then I will do my 'hill walk'.

After that I am going to attend Coffee & Chat in the Community Centre.

And then I'll come home and get on with the dreaded Oven Mitt project.

Just to clarify something:  The Pot Mitts I made last week are only for pots on the stove, NOT dishes that are coming out of the oven.  Oven Mitts have heavy insulated batting, so you don't burn your hands on REALLY HOT dishes and oven racks.

ONWARD...

11.45 am.

And that's possibly the LAST TIME I got to Coffee & Chat!  We were happily yakking and the conversation veering onto Maori Language and other languages being taught in schools etc etc.

It wasn't a RACIST conversation, we all have our own opinions on subjects like this.

But one lady decided that ALL WE EVER TALK ABOUT at Coffee & Chat is racism, and she wasn't happy about it.  She made me feel so uncomfortable, and kinda angry. So I up and left half an hour early.

I mean, I am bloody 100% positive we have not discussed the Maori Language or culture EVER before.  And today's conversation was certainly NOT racist.

I'm going to talk privately with a few other people who were there this morning and get there opinions... have I missed days when racism was talked about?  Or was this lady just venting with a bee in her bonnet?

I am finding out slowly how fucking 'touchy' some people can be here!  It makes me want to retreat into our home and not venture out again.

I haven't come here to be involved in this sort of shit, that's for sure.

After leaving there, I went to the supermarket for just a couple of things.  Now that I'm home I'm cooking some lunch.

Then I'm joining one of my neighbours to be shown how to play.............   FUCKING BOWLS!

Yep.  There's a charity bowls tournament on next week, and I've been badgered into joining a team.

Save me now.

ABOVE: Well it finally happened!  I played bowls.  VERY BADLY.  Though I did 'win' three ends out of about eight. lol

Oz and I will have another practise before next week's tournament.  And I will wear a t-shirt, cos you get a bit warm playing that shit.

I can't see me continuing with bowls ... one off's here and there would be OK, but not as a regular thing.  

It is now 2.30 pm and I really don't feel like doing much else right now, so I will blob out for a while, and listen to a true crime doco while doing a jig saw.

MONDAY, AND STEW IS HOME

 

Stew took today off work.

So he's had a 4 day weekend.  Nice.

Today he has an appointment (secret squirrel stuff) at 3.15 pm.  So we basically have all day to do what we want.

We can't sleep in today though, as we are taking the boys to school for Steve 'n' Bex.

While we do that, Bex is taking Steve to hospital for an operation.  He's getting his appendix taken out. It has been recommended by his gastric team.  There is a chance by having it out his Pancolitis/Crohn's Disease might improve.  Might not too... but it's worth a try.  ANYTHING is worth a try!  

He's going to be in hospital for a couple of days, then straight back to work.  He's crazy.  I hope he takes it easy for a while!

I might go to Craft Group today, it depends how I feel later on in the morning.

And that's me for now, catch ya later.

ONWARD...

Right, that's done, boys are at school and Steve is at the hospital.  Not sure when he has his operation, but probably this morning sometime.

Stew's appointment this afternoon just got cancelled, so he's now having to re-schedule that.

We are off for a walk now...

ABOVE: And there's our little walk recorded.  I'm going to be using Samsung Health to record my walks from now on as Map My Run/Walk keeps glitching on me, and I'm over it.

Time to pack my trolley for craft group...

10.10 am:  And Steve got as far as the pre-op room... then 'they' decided he wasn't well enough for the surgery!  He's in the middle of a flare up, so surgery is now postponed.  What a pain in the arse, all the plans he's made to accommodate this surgery, for nothing today.

It will still happen, but who knows when now?  Grrrrr.

3 pm, and I've just spent 5 hours in the craft room.

I'm sure you have heard the saying 'Too many cooks in the kitchen" right?

Well I've got another one... "Too many sewers in the sewing room".

I made three pot holders today, and not one of them was "RIGHT".

So I've shelved the idea of pot mitts right now.  I'm done with that.   When I'm over today's effort, I MIGHT try the original pot mitt idea... a long one piece with half circles each end for your hand.

7.42 pm:  Well ... not done anything else today!  Lazed away the afternoon just sitting in the lounge watching TV and doing jig saws.  

Might just do more of that this evening! lol

Catch ya tomorrow.

CAMBRIDGE TRASH & TREASURE IN SEPTEMBER

 

5.32 am, and yep, it's cold.  But not FREEZING.

We are heading off to market (in Cambridge) in about 20 minutes or so, depends on how long Stew takes to get ready really.  I'm much faster than him.  😂😆

Bex will be there as well, so that will be nice having her right next to us again.  It works out well for her too, we can watch her stall if she needs to leave for food or a bathroom break.

I just remembered this photo I took yesterday:

ABOVE:  Have you EVER seen fruit THAT EXPENSIVE?   Not only that, but when you think about how much pulp is inside a passionfruit, you are basically paying over $100 a kilo,  just for the pulp!!!  Outrageous.  I would NEVER pay that much for fruit.   Would YOU?

Right guys, I better go.  We've got a market to get to.

ONWARD...

ABOVE: And up comes the sun. Nice to be setting up in daylight again I must say.

8.01 am and we are ready.

ABOVE:   The weather is iffy right now.

I went for a walk to check out the other stalls. There's heaps more here today.

When I got back to ours, this greeted me:

ABOVE: Yeah. Apparently Lily will love it. 🤣😅🤣

ABOVE: YEP...still cold enough for the hat and jacket. 

11.50 am, and  l think Stew is going to get his way. We will not be doing this market again. It's NOT our market ...  people come to this one to buy (mostly) second hand junk.   Our stuff is more suited to CRAFT markets.

Hanging out to go home.... 

ABOVE: She did it again! Now Lilys also getting a cow. 😅🤣😅

ABOVE: It would appear Lily thinks dinosaurs are to be sat on.  Cute.

We have had a quiet afternoon, I think I might have nodded off in my chair at one point too.

We are going out for dinner.  I might have something evil.  Or not.  I'm not exactly hungry, so maybe something small?

Dinner was ok, but not fantastic.  I had a burger, which I shared with Stew.  The chips were over cooked and REALLY over salted.  So safe to say we won't be going there again.  Back to The Outlook or The Foundation, which are both pretty good.

It's time to sign off for the day, we are both bloody tired.  Catch ya tomorrow.

SHOPPING, WASHING, VISITORS BLA BLA BLA

 

No sleep in for us today... well, possibly a little one.

Once we are up, Stew is going to do the weekend shop, and I will get the washing on.  All bog standard boring shit.

At 9 am we are expecting visitors from within the village.  

After that?  Dunno.  Stew has suggested we go for a walk, so perhaps we will.

We haven't seen the kids for a week, so maybe a visit to them will be on the cards sometime as well.

The Cambridge Trash N Treasure market is on tomorrow, so I will make sure everything is ready for that, and packed in the car before it gets dark.

ONWARD...

This morning has gone 100% to plan.  All tick tick tick.

Now.  I'm making our lunch, a chicken salad.  With roast potatoes.

We did the grocery shopping, and OMG it's cold out there today.  A really cold wind.  I sure hope it's not like that tomorrow.  I'm freezing.  And yes, I turned the heat pump on today.  At least it's warm inside.

7.20 pm. Well we've been a bit busy today.  Sorry for the late update.

Lunch turned out lovely, but as per usual now days, I put far too much on my plate.  Coco got lucky with my chicken left overs.

After lunch we visited Steve, Bex and the kids.

ABOVE:  And of course, we visited Marley too.  She loves her tennis balls so much... I am constantly amazed that she doesn't get lock jaw from holding it in her mouth for so long.

She's due for a groom... she's such a fluff bucket right now.  😂😊

ABOVE: A certain little miss just LOVES her Granddad so much!  

She was a box of birds and a right chatter box ... her speech is coming along very well now.

ABOVE:  Once we arrived home, we packed the car, then I decided to get another Bee Runner made.

Three and a half hours later, there it is.

Now I bet ya we don't sell one for months!  lol

That would be so typical.  But, at least I now have two for the stall.

Now that is done, and the car is packed, we are ready for tomorrow's market.  The weather is looking good, no rain predicted.  Might just be a bit cold.  

SUMMER IS COMING.... I can't wait.  And on that happy note, I'm outta here.

Catch ya tomorrow.

SPRING FLING

 

Well another Friday rolls around, which means I'm off to the craft room to sew with company.  Hopefully!  Cos ya never know who's going to be there, or not be there.  If no one is there, I shall turn around and come home.

Actually... instead of packing everything up and hauling it down there, I might go down myself and see if anyone is there first.  That way I don't end up packing everything up for nothing.

GOOD IDEA.

Tonight (7 PM) there's an evening on here, it's called the SPRING FLING.  There will be live music, and free drinks/nibbles.  These sort of events are well attended, no doubt because of the free grog and food.  Though, I think you only get a couple of drinks free, after that you have to pay.  Fair enough too... I am sure there would be some people who would take advantage if the drinks were free all night long!  

Thank goodness it's not a 'dress up' event ... or themed (even worse!).   I'm looking forward to Stew meeting more of the villagers, he doesn't attend many social events yet.

* This is a reminder to myself... put numbing patch on at 2 pm today, have jabby jab at 6 pm. 

ABOVE:  The two Scrappy Dolls I made yesterday.

Stew:  does not have a hangover, but yep, his leg is sore.  Serve him right, that shit kept me awake half the night with his snoring and Woolworths bladder!  Grrrr.  I lay in bed until almost 9 this morning... it was wonderful.

I've decided not to go down to the Craft Room today. I'm going out to buy some new casual sneakers.  My current pair, while perfectly fine, have lost a lot of their tread.  And the right one SQUEAKS, ALL.  THE.  TIME.  Except this morning.  When I went to show Stew, it didn't squeak!  Bloody typical.

ABOVE: So many to choose from. But once you narrow it down to colour, its not so hard. I ended up getting the same sneakers I had, but the latest version.   But... NOT the Wide Fit, my feet have slimmed down. Why the fuck can't weight GO from where I want???  I don't need it to go from my bloody feet! 🤣😅😂

After buying my new sneakers, we decided to have a nice lunch out.  My 'naughty' meal of the week.

We went to Foundation, and I decided to get something I've not had before.

ABOVE:  I got the spare ribs.  And they were amazing!  The coleslaw had some sort of tangy dressing on it, delicious!  The ribs?  Melt in your mouth, and the surrounding sauce was so nice.  Stew ended up getting a third of my ribs and 80% of my chips.  I had 6 chips... gosh once upon a time I would have eaten all of that and then be looking for something else!

ABOVE: Stew had steak, eggs and chips.  Seriously, his plate was packed with ... chips.

ABOVE:  He did wonder where his eggs were, till he cut into the little round crumbed things. Ahhh, there they are!

I asked the manager how they did them like that, so he told me.  I am going to try it at some point.

Par-cook the eggs, then coat them in beaten egg and breadcrumbs, then deep fry them.  I would put them in the air fryer obviously.

It is now 1.15 pm, and we are probably going to have a quiet afternoon.  I don't even feel like sewing today.

And like, where the hell is everyone?  It's been a bit quiet here for a couple of days now.  😟😣

ABOVE:  Ready for Spring Fling.  It is not a 'dress up' type evening, so I'm happy with my outfit.  I bought that top in Palmerston North years ago, but have never worn it before.  It was always a bit too snug... it still is a bit snug over the boobs, but not too bad.  

It's been a nice afternoon, I dyed my hair (the roots were showing) and had a shower bla bla bla.

Stew is just getting himself ready now... he's wearing jeans and a nice top.

I remembered my Jabby Jab, Stew just did it for me.

6 pm, and we shall wander down to the Community Centre in a little while.  

Hopefully it's a nice evening.  

9.15 pm.  After a slowish start, Stew and I got into the mood, and got up and danced!  I dragged a recent widower up to dance as well, which was lovely.  He seemed to enjoy dancing with me.  Though YMCA was kinda a shit song to dance to!  Most of the music was sung live by a lady who is engaged to come here every time.  She's not too bad.  The songs are from the 50's to about the 80's... sadly we knew a lot of them.  lol

We left a bit early as I was over it by 9.  

Stew walked home while I did my 'hill walk' on my own. 

We are now both in our pyjamas, nestled in front of the telly... which we haven't even turned on yet!  What a laugh. 

There's 5/8th of F all on telly anyway.

I'm off, catch ya tomorrow.

ANOTHER BEE RUNNER?

 

What's up today?

Coffee & Chat at 10.

Sewing another Bee Runner after that, mostly because I kinda like them.

Lacy is coming to do some housework and to bath Coco.

Stew has a school reunion this evening, so we are not going to the pub this evening, instead I'm dropping him off at another pub in town for the reunion.  

So there ya go... a fairly full day planned. 

ONWARD...

11 am, and I'm just home from C & C, which was really lovely today.  There were easily 12-15 of us there, so lots of chatter and varied conversations.  I've got one resident calling in this afternoon to buy a Scrappy Doll for his daughter.  Another resident has just bought a set of Pot Holders as well.  Nice to know my stuff is appreciated here as well.

2.20 pm.... And what have I been up to since then?

Lunch.  Today I went back to a favourite... Baked Beans and a baked potato.  So yum.  With onions.

Look out Stew tonight!

Then I went into Crabby Quarters and did some sewing, NOT another Bee Runner today.  Scrappy Dolls in fact, cos I have an order for a couple and I need to get them done.  Pronto.

One is almost done, and I'm going to start on the second one once my visitor has been and got his doll.  😊

11.45 pm.  I got the two Scrappy Dolls made this afternoon/evening.

I got another one sold to a fellow resident.  

Stew arrived home early from work, and I took him and our friend Richard to the pub for their school reunion.  Crazy traffic at that time of the evening.

Home for me, where I did those Scrappy dolls.

Then at around 10.20 pm I went and picked up two ever so slightly PISSED AS CHOOKS men.

Stew learnt a lesson tonight, DON'T get so drunk that you can't walk properly, cos you HURT YOUR FRIGGIN KNEE.  I hope he's not too sore tomorrow.

I'm now about to head off to bed... to breathe beer fumes all night.

He's not even going to notice if I let rip with some farts now!  What a shame.

Catch ya tomorrow.

NITE NITE..... blogger is having another glitch.  No photos appearing today.

BEE.....

 

Another day, another morning tea.  This time it's the Monthly Residents Morning Tea.  It is usually very well attended, probably due to the free food and drink! 

The only thing I find derrr is that almost all the men sit together at a big table, and then all the women at other tables.  There are a few men who mix it up and actually sit with their wives.  Once Stew starts going to these things, he better sit with ME.  😂😅

I don't really know why I'm going cos I'm not going to be having any of the food.  It's always bog standard pre-frozen savouries (not that nice), slices cut into TEENY TINY pieces and OMG Fucking EGG SANDWICHES.  Gross.

Who the hell likes egg sandwiches?  Not me.

The only reason I go is to show my face, be present and sociable.

It's only for an hour or so, so not too long out of my day.

ABOVE: There is the runner I made yesterday, I finished it last night.

I'm a bit annoyed because I should have put BEE, not BE.  But oh well, it's still cute.   I saw it on a t-shirt a while ago, and finally did it as a runner.

I'm going to make one more today, then see how they go at market. 

OH and Stew worked out it would take THIRTY SIX YEARS of using the clothes dryer twice a week to spend $6,600 ... so yeah, not getting that awning.  We will use the clothes dryer!  lol

ONWARD...

ABOVE: I was so happy to see how well this huge succulent has started recovering after the huge frost we had a few weeks ago.  The frost had killed a large percentage of the plant.  Now though, there's heaps of new growth, lots of little shoots coming off the branches around where bits simply fell off.  So happy, as this succulent must be years and years old.  It's special, and I love it.
10.20 am.  I decided not to go to the morning tea... just wasn't in the mood.

Those who love egg sandwiches... at least you know what NOT to give me if I ever come for morning tea!!!

Seems I have to let Stew sit with the men... Pfffffft.  Whatever.

I'm off to sew.  

Been out and bought more tiny buttons for bee eyes, and some more hot chocolate mixes.  I am really enjoying having one of them a day.

6.15 pm, and I know I've been quiet for most of the day.  I got a nasty, sick headache after lunch, so I took some panadol and lay in bed for a couple of hours. 

Woke up feeling much better thankfully.

So, I went into Crabby Quarters and made a second Bee Runner.

ABOVE: And as you can see, the runner I made yesterday is already sold.  So I'm probably only taking one Bee Runner to Market on Sunday, unless I pull finger and get another one made tomorrow.  *sigh*

No rest for the wicked it would seem.

NOT that I need more runners!  I've got plenty heading into the spring markets.

Stew just arrived home from work, and he's now doing some exercises in the front room.

I'm finally sitting in front of the TV, which is still OFF... so perhaps I'll turn it on?

AND OMG I can't get over how many people like egg sandwiches!  You fullas are welcome to them.

10.25 pm, just finished watching Coronation Street... lots going on in it.  Very interesting. 

But now, it's almost time to head off to bed, and I'm not expecting a good night's sleep after having a two hour 'nap' this afternoon.  It is what it is.

Catch ya tomorrow.

Did ya know I sleep with a fan on me EVERY SINGLE NIGHT of the year?  Thanks Menopause that has, so far, lasted 21 years.  Yep.  Thanks.  I'm coming back as a bloke, thank you very much.

YES OR NO?

 

First up for the day?

Coffee & Chat down in the Community Centre.

Hopefully it's a nice group, with good conversation.

Once that is done, I'll come home and do a bit of sewing... working on a new project.  Maybe I'll get it to a point where I can show you ... later on today.

After lunch I have a bloke coming to suss out us getting one of these:

ABOVE:  I'd like an awning out from our dining room/kitchen area.  To increase the covered area out there so I can A) put washing out there on racks without it getting wet, and B) provide shade in summer.

So that bloke is due around 1 pm today.  It would be neat if it can be done soonish.

ONWARD...

3.05 pm.  

Coffee & Chat was nice this morning.  Quite a few people there.

After that I came home to do some sewing.

Had some lunch.

The bloke from the Awning place arrived and measured up.

His quote has already come in.  I won't be getting an awning!  It was like, twice the price I expected!

And I really only want it to keep the washing dry... might as well throw it in the dryer.  I can certainly think of a better way to spend $6,600!

ABOVE: Another sneak peek at my next runner... I still have a bit more work to do on it.  I probably won't get it finished today.

I've got WW this evening... so will be stopping work at about 5.30 pm.

7.50 pm, and WW this evening was nice.  I enjoy going now that I don't actually weigh in!  I like the company now that I know most of them who attend regularly.

Stew went for his walk while I was out, it's good that he is getting his exercise, and his knee is coming along so well.  He is still limping a bit, but not too badly.  He still has some pain, and getting on his knees to do anything is still not possible.  Lucky he doesn't have to weed gardens any more eh?  😃😆😅

And... that's my day done and dusted, just watching the telly till bedtime.  Plotting my next runner... you get to see what I made today ........ tomorrow. 

NEW WEEK, NEW DESIGN

 

This morning I plan on staying home to sew, instead of going to the Craft Room.

I might head down there after lunch, and just hang out with the ladies for an hour or so.  It's supposed to piss down with rain today, and I am not going to take all my stuff down there in my trolley in the rain.

I used one of the pot mitt sets last night while cooking dinner.  They are perfect for taking lids off hot pots and lifting hot pots.  I will make just a few more, then stop to gauge interest.

I am thinking of taking Mc Dreamy back to be repaired again.  I really would like him down in the craft room, so I don't have to lug Mc 2ie down there twice a week.  It is annoying that Mc Dreamy needs repairing again.  If I do take him in for repair, it will DEFINITELY be for the last time.

ONWARD...

Oh hell... I have forgotten to update. Sorry.

I took Mc Dreamy into the repair shop.

Then I bought some fabric.

Then I ran into a very old friend from TOKOROA, and had a yak.

Then I came home and had lunch.

Then I came down to Craft Group, and I'm still here.

I've made two more pot mitt sets, and started on my next project.

ABOVE: The new projects colours...

Got home... went to the supermarket for cottage cheese.

ABOVE: But its pissing down, so here I sit. Worst part? I'm  busting for a piddle. 😖🥹

It is now 10.05 pm, and it's been a long day.

I finally got what I needed from the supermarket, dodging the rain.

Home and I cooked some apple things.... I mixed up some egg/cottage cheese/almond flour/baking powder and a cooked granny smith apple.  Chucked it in the air fryer and cooked it.  It was rather nice I must say.  That was my 'dinner', along with some grapes.

Not much else has happened for the rest of the afternoon/evening.  I DID go for a walk up the hill... I'm determined to do it for the entire month of September.  I'm hoping it stops being so hard, and making me puffed.

And that's me for the day, I'm off to bed soon.  Because I didn't sleep well at all last night, I'm hoping I get a decent sleep tonight.

Catch ya tomorrow.

SUNDAY LUNCH

 

Today is the Village Lunch that I thought was on last Sunday.  lol

I'm looking forward to it, not the lunch really, but socialising with more residents.  And of course, I'm really happy Stew is coming too.  He's the one who needs to meet more of our neighbours.

ABOVE:  These are the next batch of pot mitts I made yesterday.  I am very happy with them.  Gosh I hope they sell at market!  Otherwise I'm gunna have to gift them all away at some point.

That's all I have for now... so catch ya later.

ONWARD...

2.30 pm. Well the village lunch was lovely, we had two soups to choose from, pea and ham and a vege one. Both were very tasty. Lots of different breads and buns too, not that I  had any bread.

Once home, Steve, Bex and the kids visited us. Steve fixed the lounge door, which was sticking on the carpet, so he shaved it down so it now glides over the floor better. I was having to use both hands and force to open and close it! 

Now they have left, and I'm about to have a nana nap. Or at least a lie down, for some reason I'm tired 😴. 

ABOVE: Steve working on our door...

ABOVE: One troublesome door fixed.  Thanks so much Steve.

ABOVE: My 'Princess Maud' Azalea survived the move from our last address.  I'm so happy it did because I've not seen that one anywhere else.

4.55 pm, and it's so dreary outside.  Cold and overcast, totally miserable.  I'm going to do the friggin hill in a minute, then start dinner.  We will be having chicken pieces, potato pom poms and a little lettuce salad.

9.11 pm.  Well it's been a nice evening, watching TV, doing a jig saw and so on.   I'm off to bed in an hour or so... catch ya tomorrow.