Your poor Dil. The idiots. Yes the darn government always look after themselves. The buggers ought to try living on normal wages or even benefits. Ugh. That darn Paula Bennett has a very confused memory. It is getting closer to the festivities. I have done all my shopping. Hurrah. Town is crazy. I had internet probs yesterday as well.

makerealbany - 2012-12-21 22:10:00

We lost Ps. He had been missing for a few days and because he was such a big cat and was always tapping on the door with his paws if he couldn't get in for more food I was really worried. My SIL found him under the deck where P our little dog has his kennel. Funny thing P has been strangely quite the last two days. It's as if he knew. S said he was just laying there with his head on his paws as if he was asleep. He was my grandson's cat. H e is flying up tomorrow so he will really be upset. M cried her eyes out this morning when we buried him but she helped plant the plants over him. I am missing him already only have old J now and he is fretting and not eating much at the moment. Don't know what happened to P but he was a healthy cat although very timid. There are too many stray cats here and one of the neighbours has 10 would you believe?

makerealbany - 2012-12-22 17:47:00

Merry Cristmas girls. Hope the weather is good and you have a lovely time with your families. Lots of love and blessings to you all.

makerealbany - 2012-12-23 13:55:00

grizzly4 wrote:

Just heard it was 1.9%! I am spewing.

Me too ablolutly disgusting, they get a huge pay and now a raise. Just wrong.

suzy59nz - 2012-12-24 23:52:00

Merry Christmas to one and all, hope you all have a good day.

suzy59nz - 2012-12-24 23:54:00

Wow, I have really slipped up! It's been days since I talked with you all but it has just flown by with family together most of the time. I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas! and can relax now into a break. Very windy down here but I hear it's worse up north. Such a shame over the holidays.

grizzly4 - 2012-12-26 09:15:00

Had a great Xmas. Got spoilt rotten with heaps of gifts. Everyone has a good time and the weather wasn't too bad. My grandson from Christchurch has had the air conditioner going as he hates the humidity up here. Not too bad today though. Loved the boxing day sales lol. I even had my grandson to carry the goods.

makerealbany - 2012-12-26 18:36:00

Very sad about your cat, makerealbany. How is your other cat J coping without him? My girls turned 13 this Christmas and all I can say is "It's gone too fast"!

grizzly4 - 2012-12-27 10:14:00

J is still fretting and P the foxy is still quiet plus he is has got an allergy to the new dog shampoo. The animals are not happy at all. Last year we had two dogs and two cats and now they are by themselves. I am not getting any more pets. Guess I am getting old and fed up with losing people and pets. Ignore me got the grumps today. Sitting knitting although there are a ton of jobs to do cannot motivate myself. Sigh.

makerealbany - 2012-12-27 14:05:00

I can understand how you feel. You have had a hell of a year in that regard.
I'll bet you achieved heaps with a days knitting. Yesterday we went for a drive as I had to pick up shop's cheque book from bank across town, had a coffee out, did some of the bookwork for shop then my sister came over for a visit before catching her flight back to Wellington. Pretty laid back day. Today I'm going out to Rangiora to have a look at Farmers store out there. Haven't been in Farmers for nearly 2 years as they are all in big malls.

grizzly4 - 2012-12-28 10:13:00

Would you believe we went all the way to Rangiora to find the Farmers building all fenced off!!!!! Spoke to a lay passing by and it doesn't sound like they will re-opening another store there either. That means all the Farmers stores are in malls now. Luckily I am going to Blenheim to see my parents on Sunday for a few days so will have a look in the one there. Got some great specials in the Warehouse in Rangiora though.

grizzly4 - 2012-12-28 16:46:00

I went to Farmers the other day had not been for a year. Got some really good bargains and remembered why I had not been for so long. Darn havoc for mothers with prams. Aisles too narrow and all cluttered. Lucky I was on my own lol. By the by my granddaughter bought me a text mug as one of my pressies. Guess what it has on it. Ha ha

makerealbany - 2012-12-29 23:36:00

Just back from Rotorua had a great New Years Eve with Mum and my sisters. We watched the fireworks display as the new year began. Awesome. My great niece loved the baby clothes for her new baby. Saw one of my great nieces for the first time in 11 years. She was visiting her aunt. Time is flying. My sister had finished her Kakahu and it really is beautiful but no photos until it is blessed. So many hours work. Phew she did well. Mum is still weaving hers and I haven't even started mine. I did finish another shawl for one of my nieces. We have a huge Whanau now ha ha. Apart from Mum I am the only one who knits and crotchets.

makerealbany - 2013-01-01 22:22:00

Lawn Mowing today. Lawns are so long with all the rain. Plus side veges doing well. I was hoping to sew some dresses today but have to leave it until tomorrow. Outside needs attention lol. Been up to Orewa this morn at 6 back home now with K. Grass still wet what will I do. Have a cuppa. Already did my daughter's washing while I was up there and my cottage is pristine. The one advantage to leaving everything done when you go away ha ha. P seems much better as he is bouncing around and eating well. Thank goodness. Even the cat has perked up now. Great weather here.

makerealbany - 2013-01-02 08:54:00

Happy New Year! Back from Blenheim yesterday to piles of washing, so hot here at home in between rain showers. Blenheim was mostly overcast and windy but still hot. Didn't matter much as Mum and Dad can't get out much except to potter around their wee gardens. It's a real struggle to feel so pleased to be back at home but I need to be close to them as well. They both have quite rare conditions and are happy to talk about how they are on their good days but I'm never told when they are struggling.

grizzly4 - 2013-01-03 10:15:00

Poor dears. Mum always says she is surviving but she rarely talks about her struggles. They are very proud and independent. I just ignored the washing today and raced off for a haircut and to buy some luggage. I have a good set but when I was in Europe I noticed those super light ones on 4 wheels. I got a small one to take in the plane plus one to hold 30kgs. 80 percent off so paid 200 dollars. The small one was normally 420 and the larger one 620 came home very happy. My sister bought her small one for 200 at a sale and when I rang her she told me to send her the store details for an Internet purchase. Lol. Going to have a lazy day now. Whoopee

makerealbany - 2013-01-03 15:09:00

Played in the garden yesterday. Lovely. And had a late DVD night last night or should I say this morning. LOL.

grizzly4 - 2013-01-04 10:42:00

I did a bit in the garden. Had to plant the sunflower plants I had grown from seed. Pulled out all the radishes and put them in the fridge. Planted the chillies and some more cucumbers. Must do some weedeating tomorrow though. Weed spraying is still on the list. Too windy today. I am now going to make a no bake square. Just feel like it ho ho

makerealbany - 2013-01-04 22:45:00

Not sure what's wrong with my garden this year e.g. pulled ouyt my radishes and put them in the BIN!!!! No radish on the end. I used a compost mix from Mitre 10 this year and my gardens are choked with grass! Apparently there have been a number of complaints. Having to clear it daily almost to see if I can save the carrots now. Already lost the spring onions and beetroot. Saved the beans thank goodness and it least they are flowering now but later than usual. I am going to put carrots and spring onions in the glass house this time to see what happens.

grizzly4 - 2013-01-05 10:38:00

That happens sometimes. One year I got some of that cheap compost from the warehouse and I had weeds galore. My tomatoes are not that good this year. Did not do any weedspraying. Had K until 2 . He was supposed to be picked up at 12. I was so mad his Dads family are always late but 2 bloody hours is beyond a joke. He kept asking me where they were. No contact and their cell has changed. His Mum was at work. She was so disappointed in them yet again. Sigh. I am taking him to the park next time and they can contact me and meet me on my terms. Bugger them. The others had all gone to the beach and we could have gone. Had tea with the family and now am going to crochet.

makerealbany - 2013-01-05 19:59:00

Hey, what's going on? Where's the Crafts and Hobby bits?

smitlen - 2013-01-05 20:12:00

? Smitlen?

DIL has the same problem with B7's Dad. Constantly mucking her around and her child support is never on time or the right amount. He jhas got worse since he has had a new baby to a new partner. The partner doesn't want B7 around anymore as she says he is always giving the baby the 'flu! B. hasn't been sick all winter!

grizzly4 - 2013-01-06 10:10:00

I. is back to work today, I can't believe he's had 2 weeks off already? The shop reopens today as well for me and then I have a funeral this afternoon to go to.

grizzly4 - 2013-01-07 07:00:00

Poor B7. It is hard for some families. J my youngest son's eldest child just adores his little sis and comes up here every fortnight. We always make sure it's his weekend up here for parties and dinners etc. Some people are so darn selfish. Did my back in again so spent yesterday and today taking it easy? Laughed at your response to smitlien. Ho ho darn cheek.

makerealbany - 2013-01-07 23:02:00

It makes you wonder how many (apart from smartgirl and suzy) are reading our newsy bits, doesn't it?
I'll have them know I finished a dolls matinee set, a sleeveless hoody jacket and 3 pairs of sox for the shop plus another 3 pairs of sox for a TM order over christmas/New Year. I am now working on a dolls jacket. Would love to do some cross stitch but my glasses aren't working as well as they should and can't afford new ones at present. And I still have the jacket I was sewing before the holidays to finish. JUst as well I'm still on holiday as there is still gardening to do and books to read and sudoku puzzles to work out as well. LOL.

grizzly4 - 2013-01-08 07:37:00

Ha ha that's telling them grizzly. I have made more Lemon Curd to use the eggs my neighbour gave me. I also have Plum Jelly dripping overnight as well as Plums seeping in sugar overnight for Plum Jam. I planted out more chillies today. Cannot do much in garden until my back settles. Darn it. I have sewing galore to get through but cannot lift the sewing machine so that can wait. I did stitch a few running stitches into all my new tea towels so I can identify them. Ha ha I take plates here and there and I am sick of saying I think that's mine. I used bright green silk. Should have done it years ago. Going to watch a movie and knit.

makerealbany - 2013-01-08 20:09:00

PLum jelly sounds divine! I went to LIncraft sale yesterday as they had 50% off fabrics. Bought a lovely piece with a border around the hem for a skirt, with the discount voucher as well I've got a skirt for $13. Score!! I've also ordered wool from the knitworld sale, would have got it even cheaper if I was brave enough to go to their shop and not have to pay the postage. Oh, well, still half the normal price of baby 4ply. The aim is tidy up the glass house this morning and plant spring onions and carrots before it gets too hot to be in the garden Expecting 27 degrees again today. I've decided to rewatch the Twilight movies again before the last one comes out on DVD so watched the first yesterday, number 2 will be my reward if the glass house gets done. LOL. Gets a couple of hours knitting done as well. (Multi tasking).

grizzly4 - 2013-01-09 07:23:00

Thank goodness I had the glass house done by 9am as it was already warming up big time by then. It was really windy over night and lots of leaves etc lying around from trees on the street which always come up our drive! I will have to wait till tomorrow to gather them up as our green bin is emptied tonight. Besides it's drizzling at the moment anyway. Todays agenda: Financial report for shop meeting on Monday, finish sewing the jacket I started last year so that I can start my skirt soon, shorten a top of MUm's for her and replace those stupid little shell buttons on a top I bought from the Warehouse. Love the top but the buttons always snap in the wash. Then if I'm good will watch Twilight number 3 and knit.

grizzly4 - 2013-01-10 07:29:00

Mmm, dare I mention I might get some sewing done today? Didn't quite happen yesterday although I did find time to break a tooth and scald my hand. Just one of those days I guess. I have started another hoody sleeveless vest, this one in girly colours. I also found 2 large begonias that I have been looking for and would you believe they were only $3 each. Does anyone know where I can buy the cardboard mats to go around photos in frames?

grizzly4 - 2013-01-11 07:25:00

How did you scald your hand and break your tooth grizzly? Yes that is cheap for begonias. I got some of that cardboard from Spotlight but that was ages ago. Tired of making jam and jellies so I am just putting the plums thru the blender and freezing the pulp in plastic bags for when I run out of jam. My other veges will be going crazy soon and then it will be chutney and pickle time. Not sure what I am going to start knitting tonight hmmmmm

makerealbany - 2013-01-11 16:26:00

So hot down here! Would you believe I had a bottle of chocolate magic sitting in a jug of boiling water so I could pour it over ice-cream. I picked the bottle up and the water went over my hand, wasn't too bad in the end thank goodness - imagine not being able to knit! And the tooth was being naughty again while watching a movie I had a pineapple lump. Definitely a sign, don't you think?

grizzly4 - 2013-01-13 09:13:00

lol yes i do come om here and read what you laides are up too, even if i don't post. Cant believe how hot it is this summer, another 30% day. we are doing really well, so nice to be warm, although i have missed a lot of the days working in the mall all day. Going to Wellington on Wednesday morning just for a couple of days, taking mom and doing the touristy things

suzy59nz - 2013-01-13 18:57:00

Just got back home from the hospital. We had to take little K there in an ambulance. He came home from a week with his Dad's sister and head a runny nose. By early afternoon he was vomiting, coughing and had a fast pulse and high temp. He spent the rest of the day vomiting and temps up and down. By 10 he was settling than got stressed because he wanted to go home. At 3 he has an aversion to hospitals. Anyway he got so upset couldn't breathe properly. After Ventolin and something to stop the vomiting pediatrician said that because my daughter was a Midwife and because he was stressing himself it might be best to take the meds and take him home. We did and he was a lot calmer once he saw us packing up. The little monkey has a virus but when he got stressed his chest tightened and it affected his breathing and his pulse. He was happy to be home but his temp was up again. My daughter told me to come home and I gratefully did lol. It seems to me that he always gets sick when he spends time away from us. He has a routine at home and I follow that here but when he is away they have him up later and he eats different foods and they spoil him rotten . He is always exhausted when he gets home. There is no easy answer .

makerealbany - 2013-01-14 00:15:00

Poor K and poor you guys having to go through the awful hospital stuff again. He certainly knew how to get what he wanted, didn't he? LOL. I hope he is feeling better today.
I hope you have a great trip this week suzy! I think you said you have the week off so I hope you have other exciting things planned. I missed not seeing you on Saturday.
We worked in the garden early yesterday morning but it was so hot we then went for a long bike ride to cool off. Had visitors arive at 3 and got a bit of a shock to find it was 7pm when they left! By the time we organised tea and watered the garden it was bedtime.

grizzly4 - 2013-01-14 07:08:00

K is still up and down but much perkier thank heavens. A' s Nanny was sick today so I had Miss 5 for the morning and picked J from preschool at 12. I have just been down and picked two buckets of plums. Looks as if it might rain. Maybe Plum chutney next. Only probelm is I have run out of jars. Have to beg borrow or steal lol. Maybe there're some in the old shed. I will go have a look soon. Knitting myself another summer top. Found some more cotton in the stash ha ha. Strawberry place on the way to preschool were selling them 5 dollars for 3 chips. Was wondering what to do with them but a chip has disappeared already lol. Will get some more tomorrow. It cost 9 dollars for the parking at the hospital and that is cheap compared to Auckland hospital which cost us 32. No wonder people are so darn stressed, bad enough worrying about your loved one without the added financial burden . I saw a Mum leaving the hospital with her babe in arms and struggling with all the stuff. Helped her to her Mother' s car. Mum by the way was sitting in the car talking on her cell . Never even glanced at her daughter or acknowledged the introduction. Ok the girl looked about 20 but what's done is done and some people have a hell of a time accepting that . Baby had been ill, was 6 months old and Mum lived alone but didn't have a car . I do not understand some people . Both Mum and baby were clean and clothes neat and tidy. Bubs was hugging her mummy and smiling so that young woman is doing something right. I hope things get better for her . She lives not far from my son so I told her about a church group for mums in her area. She told me an awful lot in that walk to the car so I took the chance that she wouldn't think I was an old busy body lol

makerealbany - 2013-01-14 14:45:00

Good on you, you take the opportunities as they present themselves, I think. I had a customer on Saturday and one browser this morning that when they left I felt I had done my listening time for the next week. LOL. It's a shame they obviously don't have someone to talk to, isn't it? You must have made that young women's day!

grizzly4 - 2013-01-14 16:29:00

I defrosted my freezer while I was at the shop yesterday. Yes, intentionally! It was great coming home and it was all done and I only had to wipe it and the fridge out. It's even cooler today and wet so I have sprayed the oven to do the hard work while I have breakfast. LOL. I harvested my rhubarb on Sunday and have some cut ready for jam and some cooked for pies but might leave that till tomorrow. Only 3 more days on holiday, back to work Friday. I have completed a pair of childs legwarmers and a pr of gumboot sox.

grizzly4 - 2013-01-15 08:00:00

Wow I can't believe your holiday is nearly over. So is my daughter's and the kids will miss her when she is back working. I have just done a pile of ironing for my daughter and all the mending. Holiday time and everyone is tearing something or other ha ha. Picked two more buckets of plums to take up and make jam at my other daughter's. She is working tomorrow so I am off up there at 5.30. K is feeling better but still not up to much. My daughter had good news today. J passed all her exams so this is her last year at high school. Considering the rough year they have had her older brothers were so proud of her. Positive vibes all around yah. We had a power cut from 3 until 7 today. So I had a power nap lol. My rhubarb is growing well also grizzly. Do not know what the devil is wrong with the tomatoes. I have different varieties and they are all just stunted. I know what you mean about the buttons ugh. I still haven't finished a dress for M,however I am glad because she is growing so tall so I need to leave a good hem on it.

makerealbany - 2013-01-15 22:09:00

It was cold this morning when I drove up had to put the heater on. In trackies, socks and shoes. Got my sandals and shorts in case it warms up lol. Got my first speeding ticket ever in the mail yesterday 30 I was at 105 darn cannot believe it have to watch the speedo in this car. It does not have a warning bell or whatever. I was on the motorway.

makerealbany - 2013-01-16 06:39:00

Oh no! I'm assuming thats 5 over the speed limit. It's so easy to do when the speedo's all read differently anyway. We have the GPS on when we travel out of town as aparently it's more accurate. Who knows but there is a 4 kph difference between the GPS and the speedo in the car. The motorway I use to go to work is an kph limit but so often I am stuck behind cars barely doing 60. So annoying.

grizzly4 - 2013-01-16 07:17:00

Yes it was 5 over the speed limit. My grandchildren will give me stick for a few days. I made Roti this morning. I always buy it but my grandson wanted some so I thought I would try it, got the recipe of TM lol. My daughter makes a great Indian chutney to go with it. K told me where it was stashed in the pantry ha ha. I have my knitting with me to have a break while he watches Cars 2.

makerealbany - 2013-01-16 10:18:00

Well it was raining this morning when I drove up and still is lol Great for the garden. When I let Jed out this morning a hedgehog was sitting on the back path. J just strolled past him. I thought I heard something in the garden last night. I got home about 9 and watered the garden. Made Oriental Meat Balls for the kids tea last night which were a hit as were the Chocolate Fudge cake and the Pavlova. Thank heavens teenagers are so darn fussy these days about what they eat, what they wear, brands they buy, shops they enter, etc, etc. Drives me to distraction at times lol. K has just woken up and I was tip toeing around tish, tish. Got a pattern of here yesterday for my grand daughters, looks good.

makerealbany - 2013-01-17 06:41:00

You are doing lots of cooking! Yesterday still not as hot as it has been so cleaned out the cutlery and utensil drawers, made rhubarb and ginger jam, a rhubarb pie and chocolate fudge cake. Great minds think alike! Made a pair of bootees for a TM order and a couple of prs of baby sox for the shop. Vacuuming and dusting on the list for today but it's raining again here, too, so won't be spending last day off in the garden.

grizzly4 - 2013-01-17 07:22:00

Sun came out and it was windy so got my girl's washing done and dry by lunch ho ho Cleaned her bathrooms and polished and dusted. Had to bring my vacuum cleaner up this morning because hers blew up yesterday. Heaps of black smoke and a loud bang. The builders had been using it to clean up their mess. Knew it would happen just had that vibe. I managed to get an hours knitting done while K played with his cars. Day off tomorrow yah I love Fridays. Only cooked for K tonight as the teenagers were all out to dinner thank goodness. Two teenagers mean about 6 of them coming and going.

makerealbany - 2013-01-17 18:34:00

I remember those days! I don't miss the sleepovers at all.LOL. Well I'm up and dressed in work clothes. Sigh. My month off goes so fast. I guess I feel rested, we'll see how long it lasts once the holiday programme gets going next week. Working steadily through some part balls of 4ply, making baby size sox and legwarmers. Yesterday I found a great deal in photo frames at the Warehouse so I can practice some more scrapbooking. Made a nice one for a photo I know we have of I. in his Air Force dress uniform years ago. But do you think we can find the photo now I've done the fram?! When they sent his service medal last year it came with a miniature as well that I suggested we put in the frame as well. Not sure if he's keen or not but mute point till we find the photo anyway.

grizzly4 - 2013-01-18 07:18:00

It is always the case grizzly. One minute you have something and you put it away somewhere safe and then you cannot find it. It will turn up ha ha. Won the meat raffle this afternoon so that was a bonus. Going home to knit now ha ha.

makerealbany - 2013-01-18 17:11:00

Yippee no more early rises until Wednesday. K is much better today. I started my cotton top but didn't like it so I have to undo it. Pattern looked ok but more suitable for a younger person. Dash it. Sometimes that happens to me ho ho. Last night neighbours down the road had a hell of a party. The noise was awful. I hope everyone back home start mowing their lawns and using their chainsaws really early which is how they get their own back ha ha.

makerealbany - 2013-01-19 06:53:00

It's the thumping of the bass that winds me up when they have parties. Or in cars that stop close to me at the lights with their stereos thumping. Sometimes the vibration sounds as if it's shaking their car to bits, if only they knew uncool that is when they spend heaps of their money to look cool. LOL.

grizzly4 - 2013-01-19 20:13:00

Such a fright with the earthquake that hit last night! It's been so long since I've felt more than a bit of a wobble. Went to bed like the old days making sure my clothes were ready to grab, phone was handy by the pillow etc. LOL, what am I saying - I've never stopped doing all that! But there was that feeling hanging over us about what's next again. Hate that and I'm going to freshen my stash of water bottles today.

grizzly4 - 2013-01-20 10:01:00

It's been a stressful weekend unfortunately on lots of levels and now I have 8am starts all week. A late meeting tonight means I won't be home for nearly 12 hours. Sigh.

grizzly4 - 2013-01-21 06:33:00