SECOND MORRINSVILLE MARKET

 

Here we are again, up at an ungodly hour of the day.  About ready to leave for the Morrinsville Market.

The weather is looking iffy... cloudy but not raining.  Hopefully we get no rain.

This will be our second Morrinsville Market, and it will be interesting to see how many people/stall holders come today.

Last month there was an annual event on in Morrinsville, so there were predictably less people around.  Today is a 'normal' day, so I'm hoping attendance is higher than last time.

This market runs from 8.30 am to 12 noon, so we should be home in good time.  We have some people coming later on this afternoon to look at the dining suite.  Gosh I hope it goes today!  I'm kinda over it now.

...

ABOVE: Today for the very first time... we have a  'walk through' stall.  It took a bit of re-jigging our set up... but it's worked out fine.

Now... bring on the shoppers. 

8.30. We just had a shitty burst of rain and had to pull everything in. But it only lasted about 20 minutes... all fine again now.

COUNTDOWN

 

Right, I'm now doing weekly countdowns.

Seven weeks sounds so much better than 49 days.

I'm going to start packing a few more things we hopefully won't need over the next 7 weeks.

All the baking products, except maybe flour, baking power and the absolute basics.  Also a lot of the stuff that's in the pantry that we don't need/use on the daily, though I have been trying to run the pantry contents down.  

Believe it or not, I'm REALLY looking forward to doing a massive grocery shop once we have moved!  I will be able to fill my pantry, fridge and freezer up again.

This morning I am going to pull out the clothes dryer and clean behind it.  Anything I can move and clean behind NOW is one less thing to do on moving day.

ABOVE:  Marley got groomed yesterday afternoon.... the groomers always put bows and stickers on her (and Coco).  They last about 1 minute, then they are off.  Marley was a bit stressed out after her groom, as you can probably tell.

Alright, time to get a move on... I have a few things I really want to get done today.

Oh and we have a market in Morrinsville tomorrow, so I shall get all the market stuff ready for loading into the car later on as well. 

ABOVE:   😖 I have my latest jigsaw all over our dining table ... and I've got someone coming to look at the dining suite tomorrow afternoon.   Far out, I now have to move it all off the damn table.  I better get a trestle out... 

I've managed to accomplish quite a bit this morning (so far).

ABOVE:  The table is clear again, and the jigsaw is now on a big trestle in the family room (looks out of place, but who cares?).  I went over to our storage unit with a few more things, and managed to retrieve one of the extra dining suite chairs.  So now the table has 7 chairs!  lol

I even managed to clear a bit more room for more boxes at the storage unit, but that will have to wait for another day.

It is raining today, New Zealand has an 'Atmospheric River' descending right now, so lots of rain predicted for the rest of today.

I can do heaps inside today, not a problem.

ABOVE:  Another big tick on today's list of jobs.

And it didn't even take long.

It's now lunchtime, so I shall stop for a while.

I will try to get back before bedtime! lol

My leg (thanks for asking Christine) is feeling much better.  Still a bit tender, but I can walk normally again. 

Lunch is over, I had some fish cakes, which I really love.  Probably no nutritional value in them, but meh, I don't care.

On to the next job, which is the pantry and baking cupboards.

ABOVE: Chaos in my kitchen this afternoon.  But I got it done.

ABOVE:  My pantry only has the bare essentials in it now.  There's 4 big boxes over by the telly full of everything else, and all is out of the baking cupboard too.

I'm thrilled how much I got done today.  So many ticks  ✔ ☑ 👏.

Stew arrived home  and we have just finished loading the car in readiness for tomorrow.

We got all hot and sticky... ikkk.   It may have rained and drizzled all day, but it ain't cold.

So if we are lucky, it won't be cold tomorrow, but I'm taking me thermals, just in case it is.

Time to sign off for the day, I'm a bit knackered.

Catch ya tomorrow.

FIFTY DAYS TO GO!

 

OR... Seven weeks and one day.  Perhaps I'll switch my countdown to weeks?  It might make the time go faster??? (fat chance, but oh well)

Today I'm going down to a tattoo shop, provided my leg feels up to it.  

Stew and I have seen a cute little tattoo ...

ABOVE:  It reminds us of Coco so much.  I was keen on getting it on my forearm, as is Stew.

  

But upon reflection, I don't want any more tattoos.  Two is enough for me.

  

Stew can get it, and also my initials, (LOGO), on his chest.

He's been wanting that for ages, but I've been hesitant about it.

But he wants it, so we will probably do that at the same time. 

While out, IF I go out ... depending on me leg, I will also suss out those security camera options.

10.20 am:  I got up this morning and was still in a lot of pain from the calf strain.

But after two hours of fluffing around in the house, it's starting to feel a bit better.  Awesome.

I can't believe how much I can find to do some days.  I've spent most of today in the garage, just rearranging stuff that's packed ready to go.  

And emptying bins, washing bins, deciding which one has to go, cos we have too many rubbish bins.

Sorted that out.

Now on to the next thing.

Vacuum up all the little bits of dog biscuits that Coco misses when she's munching on them around and under the dining table.

Most annoying stepping on them I can tell ya.

Talking of Coco, she seems to be back to her 'old' self.  Bouncing around the house like a two year old again.  Thank goodness I took her to the Vet.

I went out and accomplished nothing!

I couldn't find the waterproof sealer I need for mosaics.

I couldn't make up my mind what camera to get.

And I thought there was a Tattooist just up the road from us... wrong.

*sigh*.

So I came home feeling frustrated.  But oh well, shit happens.

On to the next thing.

Which is having some lunch and then ???

ABOVE: Well I had a quiet afternoon, pottering around the house, doing little jobs here and there. 

Stew arrived home and I took him to the pub, then spent a couple of hours with Steve, Bex and the kids.  

We are home now, and about to blob out in front of the telly until bedtime.  

Catch ya tomorrow.

CAMERAS

 

I've had this blog on my mind for the past few days.

Trying to decide in what direction I take it now.

Things change.  People change.  Attitudes change.

There will be NO MORE FAMILY involved in the blog unless they specifically want to be.  

So that probably means you will see :  Lacy.  Steve, Bex and their family.  Mike and Joyce. And us.

And as for our upcoming move?  I'm not sure how much I will share about our new home.  A little or a lot?  I have not settled on that yet.

The village is deemed PRIVATE PROPERTY, and anyone coming on the property has to have a valid reason, otherwise they can and will be TRESPASSED.

I have decided to get security cameras installed, that way I will have peace of mind.  When working in the garage, I will not be able to see if anyone comes to my front door.  So the cameras will be like eyes in the back of my head.  lol 

I might just get the cameras and set them up here, so I know how they work.  That will be another DUCK getting in the row.  😊🦆🦆

Perhaps Lacy can help me with that, she had some at her home.

I would like ones that connect to my phone, and record as well, so I can keep any eye on our property even when we are not home.

There is bound to be countless choices.  I don't like having so much choice!  It is confusing.  

So today I might go out and start looking.

BUT FIRST... I am joining the FBG's for a walk around the Hamilton Gardens.  That should be nice.

1.07 pm and I am just in from my walk with the FBG's.

It was a really lovely walk along the riverbank, and around the rose gardens etc here in Hamilton.

ABOVE: The company was lovely and the weather was perfect.  Very overcast and not too hot.

On our way back I could feel my left calf muscle tweaking a bit and then 'PING'  it went.  Very sore, no idea what caused it or how long it's going to be sore.  I had to hobble for the last part of the walk.  And I even had to walk backwards up the last hill!  

Most annoying.

It meant I have not gone looking at cameras, as I thought it prudent to come home and rest my stupid leg.  I will let my fingers do the walking for now, and do some research as well.

5.39 pm, and I've rested my leg all afternoon, and it's still bloody sore.  I rubbed Voltarin Emulgel onto my calf as well... no difference.  Clearly it's going to take longer than an afternoon to come right.

ABOVE:  I got asked to 'doctor' one of the walk photos from this morning.  I doubt they will expect THAT.  lol

What fun.

Todays walk was about 6 km, I stuffed up my walking app so didn't get the accurate distance.  I walked 10,829 steps though. 

9.45 pm:  Well it's been an awesome day, apart from the calf being a pain.  I hope like hell its a lot better tomorrow.

Watching Coronation Street now... then off to bed I go.

CAMBRIDGE TODAY?

 

GOOD MORNING

I'm off to do an FBG Walk in Cambridge this morning.  It's not till 7.30, so I don't have to get up TOO early.

I really need to do something positive for me today. Yesterday I literally wallowed.

In an utter foul mood.

Time to snap out of it, and not let people upset me anymore.

After my walk, I am going to attend the Tuesday morning Mosaic group meeting.   I might even get my first ever sizable mosaic finished.   

I always thought I'd try and do two things on the same day when going over to Cambridge, so a walk followed by mosaics is a good start.

Today is April the 1st, so NOW I can actually say "Next month we move"!  lol  It is still 53 days to go, but who's counting right?  lol

10.31 am. 

I've had my FBG Walk, which was nice. Got to watch the sun rise.

ABOVE: Best thing, it was not hot. 

After the walk I went to the coffee shop for a yak. Then on to Mosaics.

ABOVE: Today I put the grout on my project.  Scary moment! 

ABOVE: But some vigorous rubbing sorted that out. Now it has to dry for a few days.

ABOVE:  I don't know if I've shown you the finished paver or not.  So here it is.  I had planned on putting a little letterbox or flower to the left of the house, but got impatient to finish it, so didn't.  edit:  I just realised I put the wrong photo up.  That one is without the grout on.   Derrr.

I think it's come out OK for my 2nd go at mosaics.   My next paver is going to have a bumble bee on it.  I bought a 'kit' with a bumble bee already cut out.  So it shouldn't be too hard to do.

I've had a lazy afternoon, just trolling through my blog looking at various things.  Reminding myself why I do this thing called blogging.

Every now and then I find myself in a funk, and consider deleting the blog, but I simply cannot.  It's such a neat way to record MY LIFE.  Like a diary, with pictures.

I do it for ME.  For Stew.  And those who still enjoy reading about our days/lives.  I think complete strangers/blog readers enjoy it more than most of my so called family!!!

I think that shows me who cares, and who does not. 

Sad to know who does not.

UPDATE on Coco:  She is doing so much better now!  No more breathing difficulties. This is such a relief to us.  It was horrible seeing her so distressed.

ABOVE: Today's walk photo... it's been a long time since I posted one of them!  

Right, time to sign off for the day, we are not doing anything much this evening, as per usual.

Catch ya tomorrow.

LAST DAY OF THE MONTH

 

It's the last day of March.  And I for one am damn happy to see the end of one of the hottest months of the year.

Hot and dry.  I don't mind the dry of course, even though it's bad for the farmers.

I'm praying we don't have a really wet winter this year.  Last year was too damn wet, like almost every single market over winter was a wet day for us.

It totally did my head in.  

Our second Morrinsville market is this coming Saturday, fingers crossed it is a fine day. 

Right, what shall I do today?  I really have no idea to be honest.  I don't feel like sewing.  Or walking.  Or anything much in fact.

So, I suppose I will report back here later on with whatever I do get up to.  😐

11.50 am.  

I got up late.

Made the bed, put a load of washing on and did a few other odd jobs around the house.

Then I went to the supermarket for a few things to tide us over for the next few days.

I then watched a documentary on YouTube, before thinking about lunch.  Which will be some left over nacho mince in a Pita Pocket.

Not much else to report on ... 

ABOVE: That pretty much sums up my day so far.

I've just not been in the mood to ANYTHING.

I've tidied up all the thousands of photos stored in my computer editing programme, but that's about all.

It did take me a couple of hours to be fair.  But really, it was easy because I just sat on me bum to do it.

I am feeling rather blah today.

ABOVE: I feel like I've been blindsided by quite a few people lately.  It hurt for a while, but now?

TOTALLY OVER THEM, over the utter disrespect. The outright bullshit.  The gaslighting.  The blaming. The lies.  The one sided attitudes.  Never mind how it makes ME feel, right?

Moving on, less will be shared.  Less will be invited.  Just LESS all round.   There is only so much I am going to take now days.  Actually, I'm not taking anything anymore. 

Signing off for the day.  I've go nothing nice to say, so shall just go.

QUIET DAY AHEAD

 OK, it's going to be a very simple day today.

There's absolutely NO jobs needing doing around here.

So, we have decided to go out to The Trade Depot and look at Vanities and Showers.  We are going to re-do the bathroom in our new home, so we might as well do our 'homework' on what we want now, while we have nothing else to do.

I wouldn't mind looking at lights too, I want a really nice light for hanging over the dining table.  

So, window shopping it is.

This afternoon we are going to a little gathering at our new village, so a chance to meet a few of our new neighbours.  It's bloody neat how they are already including us in the village activities.

I think I forgot to mention we have already been to a function there?  A couple of weeks ago, we went to an evening event.  It was quite nice.

*CONTENT EDITED OUT *

Back to today, we won't be spending very long at the village this afternoon, as we have Steve, Bex and the kids coming over for dinner.   

I better find a big stick to beat the hussies off with before we go eh?  lol

Time to go... catch ya later.

Small change of plans for this afternoon.  We won't be going to the village get together.  Stew thinks we should just do one or the other, so we choose our family dinner.  There will be plenty of time to get to know our new neighbors later on.

Contrary to popular belief, we did not buy anything today.  It really was just window shopping.

We have sussed out the shower and vanity we will get.   

We have checked out racks for the garage (for storage purposes), grabbed some groceries for this evening's dinner, and come home.

ABOVE: When we arrived home from our window shopping, Coco did this.  She's never done that before (the excessive sneezing).  We thought it was possibly a reaction to one of the medications?   I was going to take her back to the Vet tomorrow.

BUT JUST NOW... Stew went to give her a love, and he noticed a green bit of grass jutting out of her nose!  He pulled it, and out came this really LOOOOOOOONG piece of grass!

OMG that is why she was sneezing, not because of new medication.  

We both just laughed and laughed.  

And I bet Coco is feeling 100% better already.

Why didn't we think to check her nose?  Derrr.

Brylee and Dom called in for a visit this afternoon, before they took off on a hike up some mountain.  Crazy buggers.

Then Steve, Bex and their kids arrived for dinner.

I cooked nacho mince and we all had it with Pita Pockets and nacho chips, sour cream and grated cheese.  Followed by Ice Creams.

A lovely dinner.   

It's now late and I'm off to bed, just a bit earlier than my 'norm'.

Coco has had no 'episodes' since we sorted out the sneezing problem!  Thank goodness.

Catch ya tomorrow.

SECOND TRY

 

Kinda relieved, kinda not.

It is getting cooler in the mornings.  Fogs.  Damp and cool.

Great for walking.

Not so great for doing markets in.

Soon I'll be bitching about being cold, instead of too hot!  At least I'm consistent.

So, the dining suite.  I have been inundated with enquiries and cheeky offers over the past couple of weeks, all WAY LOWER than my asking price. (which was a reduction on the original price anyway)

So I withdrew the listing, then put it back up again at my original asking price.  I'm hoping that someone offers me less than the (new) asking price, without knowing I am actually prepared to drop the price a bit?   It's worth trying anyway.

ABOVE:  This is the Round Table Topper I got finished late yesterday afternoon.  I took a gamble on putting the floral fabric in the middle, I think it paid off.  

Our new dining suite has arrived into Hamilton, so we shall go out a bit later on and pick it up.  It will be staying in the box until we move into our new home.  No point assembling the table for now right?

Coco had her first dose of her medications last night.  It is going to take at least two weeks before we see any improvement (if any).  I really hope for Coco's sake it works.

10 am: So far this morning Coco has not had an 'episode'.  I know it's way too early for the medications to kick in, so just lucky I guess.

Stew is out getting the weekend groceries (mainly Diet Coke of course).

Then we will go out and pick up the new dining suite.

2.14 pm and we have the new dining suite (in 4 boxes) stacked in the garage.  Very handy being in boxes I must say.

Lunch was a kebab at Chartwell Square, and now we are just hanging out at home.  Stew is going to do some lawns/weeding soon. 

I have started another new jig saw, but it's slow going as I'm not really feeling it today.

7 pm and it's been an incredibly quiet day.  We didn't do much this afternoon at all.

So... I'm gunna bugger off.

This evening is going to be spent in front of the telly.  That is all.

Catch ya tomorrow.