My daughters and I had a morning out. It was lovely. My eldest organised a pedicure and manicure for us all. We sat side by side with our feet and hands soaking. Then we went to look at furniture. I crocheted a table mat tonight just winging it. Quite pleased with the result

makerealbany - 2013-11-19 22:59:00

That's different, well done. We are making Christmas Tree Table Centrepieces at the Women's Group this morning. I feel bit better prepared for today than our last craft activity. Things are absolutely manic at work at present - trying to keep my current job up to date to hand over in 2 weeks, learning the jobs I haven't had too much to do with in the Manager's role, trying to start the end of year clean up and employ new staff. Phew!

grizzly4 - 2013-11-20 07:57:00

Omg you are flat out grizzly. I had another lazy day today only did drop offs and pick ups lol. I wrenched my neck somehow on Sunday. Maybe sawing the tree branches so taking it easy. Mind you I am dealing with a complaint we put in to the Rotorua Taxis about two of their drivers grrr. Code of Conduct for drivers there has flown out the window.

makerealbany - 2013-11-20 16:29:00

17 turned up to Group this morning! You should have heard the hysterical laughter as they tried to make their centre piece, they were so enjoying themselves. Maybe you should come back to see us sometime, suzy59nz., and shame you are so far away, makerealbany. LOL. We just had another nasty shake, I was surprised it was only a 3.7, everything was rattling and rolling here. That's the second in 2 days! Just as I got to sleep the other night we had a 4.6. Yuck, yuck, yuck.

grizzly4 - 2013-11-20 19:15:00

That's great that the group had such fun. That's what we need in the world more fun a d laughter. I will get down there for a holiday one day grizzly maybe next year. Then we will go out to lunch and have a good old gassing time lol. Bloody shakes. It is so easy for us all to forget about them until you remind us. Will they ever stop? Jolly hope so

makerealbany - 2013-11-20 19:50:00

They are nothing to compare with some of the awful things overseas, weatherwise. It seems never-ending. And the worst countries hit are nowhere near well resourced as we are. It makes me very nervous, though, knowing I can't hide away from anything that happens now, it's my responsibility to look after our buildings, the children in our care at the time and our staff. That was the bit that scared me off taking the job in the past because of how the earthquakes affected me before. As much as everyone says they will be there for me it doesn't work out like that at the time because of the sheer impracticality of being able to be there. Sigh. The shakes over the last 2 days have just brought those fears back about having to really step up in those times.

grizzly4 - 2013-11-21 08:11:00

You will do it grizzly. You are a strong formidable woman and don't you forget it. I loved the Shadow Theatre. Absolutely fabulous. K4 is sick and his mummy is going back to work tomorrow. She has a special job she does on Fridays that no one else can do so she said she cannot stay at home. She will be in her office not in the wards so at lest she can sit down.i have K with me so I won't be going to the Bowling club tomorrow. I'll take him up to the beach in the morning and stay there the day with him. Then I have to dash home as E1 and J 10 are coming for the night. Spent up at Spotlight today and used my $40 voucher. I dropped M4 at school this morning, went to the gym, delivered a cot mattress to J then delivered 2 bags of wool to L, then Spotlight, home for lunch then dashed off for a 15 min drive to pick up K from preschool. He fell asleep in the car on the way home then woke up with a sore throat. By 7 he was coughing like crazy. He fell asleep at 8 and he hasn't coughed since.

makerealbany - 2013-11-21 23:11:00

What a day you had, bet you slept well, too. LOL. Mine ended in disaster with a young guy rear ending my car on the way home from work. My poor wee Vitz looks as if it's terminal and I have no car to get to work and it's such a bad time for this to happen! Not that there's a good time. My shoulder and hip hurt like hell because the driver's seat was twisted and the seat belt tried to hold me against the movement of the seat. Can you believe it?!!!!! You know that ad on tv that shows everything flying around the car in an accident? Looked exactly like the inside of mine - I remember all the CDs flying around LOL. My bracelet has a magnetic catch and it ended up with money coins attached to it, for goodness sake. I didn't even know there were any loose coins in the car. One way of finding spare change I guess. I am laughing hysterically at this point. And now crying. LOL.

grizzly4 - 2013-11-22 09:07:00

I am so frustrated not being able to do what I need to do. Pain is no longer a problem, don't know whether it's due to Voltaren I took this morning or I'm actually ok now. Beautiful flowers were delivered from my daughter, first time I've had flowers for years. I'm trying to knit but so fidgety not getting much done. Just waiting for insurance assessor to actually check my car and make a final decision. My car is a 1999 model but was in really good nick but realised a wee while ago that if I only get market value due to it's age I won't get the same quality car at all. I'm going to have to finance the difference so now I'm really, really angry that this has happened. The brat that did it is so,so,so sorry (he has texted 3 times) but he is at work today, driving his car and he is only going to have to pay the excess on his insurance not finance a new car. So much for my new pay increase. And it wasn't my fault. Grrr.......

grizzly4 - 2013-11-22 15:18:00

Heavens grizzly. You poor thing. How awful. First of all remember that it may be a day or so more before other things start aching. Did you get checked out at the Dr. Did you fill in an ACC report? My god I could visualise that accident from your description. You must have been really shaken up. Darn seat belts. Bloody terrible that it will cost you financially as well as all the stress, pain and worry. I'd be angry too. We seem to take a step forward and then two steps back darn it all. Not fair.

makerealbany - 2013-11-22 22:33:00

LOL, no I didn't go to the doctor and no acc report either. LOL. I'm fine , felt back to normal by tea time yesterday, thank goodness, Sorry I can't say the same for my car. I did go to our usual car sales to see what they did after hours so I wouldn't get hassled. LOL. Choice between a Honda Fit or a VW Beetle at this stage. But it depends how long the decision takes to come through and my first choice is to have mine fixed.

grizzly4 - 2013-11-23 09:38:00

I'm glad you are feeling better. I had someone smash up a ute I owned and I didn't want it written off but they did. Maybe they will fix yours. Fingers crossed. Just back an hour ago from netball. Little E is asleep and I am sitting crocheting and watching TV. Some idiot dumped a couch in front of our property yesterday the swines. My cheeky neighbours emailed me to say they thought It was a funny place for me to put my couch lol

makerealbany - 2013-11-23 13:09:00

Omg went to the local school Gala at Orewa. Was there 3 hours and finally had to drag K4 home. He spent ages buying cars which is his most favourite thing to do. Then he spent ages buying little J3 superheroes, after that it was 5 mins to get M5 a doll as well as E1 a doll. Priorities aye ha ha. I was only allowed 15 mins to buy plants. He told me to forget the books Nana this room smells and has bugs lol. It was so hot I was nearly melting.

makerealbany - 2013-11-24 15:03:00

LOL, very cute. Went looking at cars yesterday so I know what my options are just in case. I have 2 favourites at this stage maybe the VW Beetle but bending towards a Nissan Cube!!!! Stop laughing. Once I showed it to my son he stopped laughing. It's not like the others. Chocolate brown, tinted windows, black mags. It looks the Addams family hearse!!! LOL Get it? My Vitz wasn't the usual sort of Vitz so why should I get an ordinary car?

grizzly4 - 2013-11-24 15:48:00

First day of hell week. At least I can start with a morning in the shop. I've had to borrow I's car for the day. I hope we hear from the insurance assessor today.

grizzly4 - 2013-11-25 07:34:00

You'll have to post a pic when you get your car. I am pottering around in the garden after going out to the gym and the library this morning. I am so behind with Xmas stuff but that can wait for another day. Mum is driving my youngest sister and I crazy!!!!! She is off to Aussie on Sun. I had to get her a new Birth Certificate. She lost her passport so had to get another. She is determined to travel on Sunday and I have to sort out who can mind K4 for the night for me because I have to drive to Rotorua to pick her up, bring her here for the night and go to the Airport on Sunday. My niece is supposed to be meeting her but Mum is not sure where. I have had to Facebook my niece and tell her to send me her phone number so I can ring and make sure everything is ok. Mum is so darn I dependant but she is starting to get confused. It is very stressful. My sister is a wreck. Darn niece put the idea into Mums head to go there for Xmas. She should not be traveling alone. Wouldn't wait for someone to go with her. We all have responsibilities and cannot just up and go grrrr.

Edited by makerealbany at 2:44 pm, Mon 25 Nov

makerealbany - 2013-11-25 14:42:00

Ah well my sister who lives in Hamilton is going to get Mum and take her to the Airport so I am now having a well deserved( even if I do say so myself) cup of tea. My sister just rang and as she has a new car wants to take it on a trip. Whoopee

makerealbany - 2013-11-25 17:28:00

Good timing. LOL. I have a big day today: groceries first, banking, a few other errands, back on to clearing out filing cabinets once I'm in the office, early evening meeting then the farewell for my 2 co-workers. The insurance has upped the payout by $1500! How great is that> I'm getting $6500 for a car I paid $10000 for over 6 years ago and I've doubled the mileage since living on the other side of town from work. AND the car sale have lent me a car until everything is sorted. WOW. Everyone is being so kind.

grizzly4 - 2013-11-26 07:49:00

That's fantastic. I gardened late into the evening getting rid of stress ho ho. It rained last night which was badly needed. Everything looks fresh and clean. I baked cupcakes last night and was icing them at 11.my right leg was throbbing and I was awake until 3 so wrapped pressies ha ha. Up at the each minding k4 who has a virus aggggain. Preschool has a lot to answer for.

makerealbany - 2013-11-26 09:11:00

By the by I would stay with that Insurance co Grizzly yes indeedy

makerealbany - 2013-11-26 09:13:00

Agreed. Paper work all done for new car with personalised plates. LOL. Just waiting for the insurance money to come through now.

grizzly4 - 2013-11-27 08:16:00

Personalised plates aye whoopee . Lol. I have been flat out organising baby stuff for a young woman I am working with in the community. My local group is absolutely fantastic so I have heaps to pick up and deliver to her. Bubs is due anyday now. She doesn't have family or friends for support as she only moved to this area two months ago. Her partner of 3 years went overseas to visit his family and never returned. Not a word from him the swine. She is very strong and just getting on with life. I have a little quilt I am working on for Bubs tonight. J3 s quilt is put to the side. It is really heavy and it is too darn hot to quilt it. Besides he won't need it until next winter. I am going to cut out and make him a cot sized one to keep him off my back ha ha. Won't take me long to do that..

makerealbany - 2013-11-27 16:18:00

That young woman is lucky to have you close by. How kind you are to help out when you have so much going on in your own family.
I picked up my new glasses yesterday and finding it a bit hard to adjust to them and now I'm not sure I like the new frames. LOL. Maybe it's just everything else that's happening. I'll have to get used to them soon as I have to renew my license by the end of next week. My co-workers last day today. Going to be a difficult day.

grizzly4 - 2013-11-28 08:39:00

Chin up grizzly you'll get through the day. Tomorrow will be a much better day lol neighbours have starting dropping things for J. I feel for her. She is delighted with anything for bubs. I am just finishing the little quilt. Care Bears . So much faster doing cot quilts ha ha. Garden is looking great with all the rain. M5 had her sustainable fashion parade yesterday. She looked awesome in her Wonder Woman outfit she made. Got great cheers from the junior school. Walked down that catwalk like a model tee hee. Already working out what she is going to make for next year.

makerealbany - 2013-11-28 11:03:00

With your help. LOL. Haven't said the ultimate dreaded goodbye yet. She is coming back tomorrow to hand over the keys and the children at one of our programmes have done some baking they want to give her. The other programme invited her for afternoon tea today which put her leaving plans a bit behind. I. is coming to work with me tomorrow to help move filing cabinets between offices and do a dump run for me. Have to drop the loaner car back in the morning as it has been sold and apparently my insurance money should show in my account tomorrow so I might get to pick up my new one, too. Gradually got used to my glasses during the day with the help of neurofen for the headache that went with it. I feel quite human this evening. Off to enjoy some knitting, how normal is that? LOL

grizzly4 - 2013-11-28 19:37:00

That's great grizzly. I had a good day yesterday. Won 60 dollars and the chicken raffle at the Bowling Club. Then I went to the little ones Preschool Xmas Party and we all had a ball. Today I am keeping J3 home with me while his mummy takes His sister to netball. Daddy has gone to have a V to make sure J doesn't have any more brothers and sisters. Good on him. I don't see why women have to have invasive surgery when guys can have it instead. I'm proud of him lol. I finished E's quilt and have started another. On a roll ha ha. Hope Friday went ok.

makerealbany - 2013-11-30 10:54:00

I agree, good on him. I hope he's feeling ok. I picked up my car yesterday and B8 and L6 were dying to be the first for a ride so we went to the playground and McD's for an ice cream. LOL. Hopefully all the dramas of the last week are over and I can get a handle on my new job.

grizzly4 - 2013-12-01 10:02:00

Omg big dramas here. I went up to Orewa got my grandson raced to the airport to see my Mum off to Aussie. My sisters were late getting to the airport we were there at 11. They got there at 12.20. Mums plane left at.1. 5 mum missed it. Hours later we had her booked on the same flight tomorrow. My sisters went home exhausted. I drove Mum to my place. She slept all the way, she was so worn out. My daughter cooked her a roast Pork dinner. I had to go to the beach to bath,feed K4 and put him to bed. I got home at 9. Mum was happily watching a western lol. Ah well tomorrow we will be there early.

makerealbany - 2013-12-01 23:29:00

LOL, that's like watching one of those airline reality shows on tv. I bet your sisters weren't popular. Good luck for today.
I am hoping this is the start of a more 'normal' week for me, at least it starts in the shop this morning, although I have the end of the month book work to sort out. Tried to get all the stationery shopping for work done yesterday but when I took everything up to the counter and pay by work cheque like I always do (for the last 10 years plus) they said they don't accept cheques anymore at Warehouse Stationery. They wanted me to prove I was with the organisation so I brought out our work Countdown card and the work taxicard which has both my name and the organisation's name on them but then I also needed to be with the second signatory person as well. What a waste of time, like we need to waste the time of 2 people to run errands, now! I left the trolley load of stuff by the counter and left. Talk about frustrating, in future I will have to cash a cheque first which isn't the most convenient.

grizzly4 - 2013-12-02 07:41:00

We were at the Airport two hours before flight. They took her through customs 30 mins later. Very good service. I waited until the plane left. Went home and dropped on my bed. Had a 15 min nap and was feeling much better lol. Rang my niece and Mum enjoyed her flight. Drove up to Orewa at 5 to stay the night as daughter is on a night shift. We have had tea, walked the dog, played in the park, showered and I am about to put K to bed. Thank goodness. That is most certainly a waste of time grizzly. No cheques indeed. Pity you cannot buy it all online. I reverted to that at my last job to avoid wasting time. It was great. Have they got any competition?

makerealbany - 2013-12-02 19:40:00

No competition. I went into the regular branch I go to close to work yesterday and all the staff have changed so something's going on. I grabbed a business account application to see if that might help. Boy, yesterday was full on, it's going to take a while to be able to think proactively in this new job instead of just reacting to what needs to be done immediately. I don't think I can get any more information into my brain at present LOL. The part-time administrator starts today which should help but the training is going to take up my time as well. Oh well, there's always tomorrow....but my diary is booked for the rest of the week. LOL.

grizzly4 - 2013-12-03 07:33:00

Off to the hospital in an hour to see J and her new baby. Poor little guy still having blood tests. I picked up more stuff for her this morning after the school drop and the gym. My community is really great. My kids off to Wellington tomorrow so another trip to the airport. Cost me $ 40 for last two days parking at International. Tomorrow I just drop them and run ha ha. Hospital will cost me about $10 unless I am lucky to get a free park on the street. No one I'm poor lol

makerealbany - 2013-12-03 16:23:00

Those parking people must be millionaires!!!! It's such a rip off. Yesterday was a long day, I was knackered by the time I got home. I'm really enjoying doing the baby blanket. I've never done a knitted one before, luckily this one is in 4ply on 4.5 needles as it is very lacy. 5 patterns done, 15 to go. LOL. The Women's group is making Christmas stars this morning. A 3D variety using the glittery card LIncraft have brought out with the music paper I ordered in from somewhere else. I even got a sample made yesterday.

grizzly4 - 2013-12-04 07:42:00

It rained last night and still is so another $10 for parking. I held little N for two hours. Ha ha naughty I know but he had a sore tummy. Mummy is feeding him well and he is a little guzzler. So cute mass of black hair. I was the only visitor she had. Felt sad nurses beamed when I asked for her asked me if I was M . I might be taking them home after my airport run. Bubs was jaundice but just a bit yellow still. Gives his olive skin a fairy beam ha ha. I have so much to do while kids are away. The week will be over before I know it. J loved the Care Bear Quilt I made for Noah. I had to add to extra books to M5s skirt last night. When we carefully washed it by hand two of the books ran. I had prewashed all the material so I was miffed. M said " you can fix it Nana" so I did lol it is her favourite and best skirt. Well house is clean time for a shower. Have a great day

makerealbany - 2013-12-04 08:32:00

Interviews today, here's hoping we get someone really good. Well actually 2, is what I need. Not many applications through considering how many hits the ad got on TM. Coming home in the evenings is such a relief to be able to just pick up the blanket to do. 8 patterns done 12 to go.LOL. I have my first and only Christmas morning tea to go to today as well and then tonight we're off to New World's Christmas Specials Night to spend our Christmas Club to fill the freezer for the holidays. I put away $460 this ever, much better idea than getting Chrisco. For us anyway.

grizzly4 - 2013-12-05 07:46:00

Good on you doing New World Xmas Club. I did Pak nSave mine is on the 11th. What is the date? Ha ha . Delivery again today. Put up my Xmas decorations. Went to Farmers for shopping and it was packed. Even with the rain. Car park was full. I went in the driveway and parked which was the very end of the car park. A bit of a walk in the rain but I was drenched and in my gym gear with my parka on so It didn't worry me. Actually I felt sorry for everyone who was dressed up and soaking lol. K4 is asleep so I want to make some more paper balls. Made some last night to unwind after the hectic day, really enjoyed it.

makerealbany - 2013-12-05 19:33:00

Paper balls? Tell me more. We had so much fun at New World, shopping till we dropped and entering all the lucky draws, including a bigger lotto ticket than we normally would. LOL. Our freezers are now full and so are the pantry cupboards. I. added it up on the calculator as we went but we forgot the bonus points that get added at the end and we have enough left on he card to stock up on softdrinks for the holidays. He gets to do that this morning while I a taking shop stock into a rest home for an hour. It's all I can spare at present unfortunately but I am also doing a country market tomorrow as well. Sunday will be spent getting the cheques out to members and doing the books for MOnday nights meeting. Hopefully I will also get time to dead head some roses.

grizzly4 - 2013-12-06 07:45:00

Busy, busy ha ha. I googled the paper balls. Pin interest had some cool ones. After dropping K at preschool I did some gardening then went up to the Bowling club . Won $60 so I was happy. Came home mowed half the lawns and cleaned down the front of the shed. All green and yuk. Had a dinner from the freezer and now I have the washing on. Going to make up another cot quilt tonight. Xmas is coming and I am way behind with my sorting pressies. Have to soak fruit for a Xmas cake. Cuppa first. I am laughing at your fun at the supermarket. I avoid going ho ho but Xmas is special

makerealbany - 2013-12-06 20:56:00

And the fun's not over! We won $100 grocery voucher from one of the lucky drawers!!!!! Yippee! Can you believe It?
I was so tired by the end of yesterday I had a wee weep on the way home. Lucky my new car doesn't tell tales. LOL. Had got to the point I couldn't think straight and the thought of going back to all again next week was all a bit much. I guess I'll get the hang of it though. I guess I will have to. I've offered the 3 vacancies now I'm waiting for them to accept or not. If not I'll have to start all over again. The other Patch person on the stall today is sick so I. is having to help now.

grizzly4 - 2013-12-07 07:30:00

Congrats on your win girl. Fantastic!!!!!!! Gotta rest more. I woke up and put my materials in the machine. Try and do that when M5 is away otherwise she will be choosing again lol. Supposed to go to the gym to stretch out. Think I will too. Stiff after mowing. Got two shrubs to plant first. A drop into J after with baby things then home to sew. That is unless I call into my sons first ha ha. Have a good day hope you sell heaps.

makerealbany - 2013-12-07 07:43:00

Nope we didn't! Apparently the market wasn't advertised as planned. I was dead on my feet by the time we got home to find my daughter and B5 here for tea. Ended up having subway thank goodness.
Visitors coming this afternoon so will have to get housework done plus bookwork for the shop and work done before then. Sigh. Needless to say I'm barely getting a pattern a day done on the blanket. I so want to see how my first one turns out. 12 patterns down 8 to go.

grizzly4 - 2013-12-08 09:18:00

Oh bugger. Spent today sewing. Very quite here. Peaceful ho ho.

makerealbany - 2013-12-08 21:17:00

5.30 start this morning. I. is trialling a new job today to see if his knee can cope. ACC stops the end of this month with no mention of the referral to the pain specialist!!!!!

grizzly4 - 2013-12-09 06:55:00

Wow yesterday was long but almost felt normal. Actually got tasks completed at work yesterday and filed away. This is the last week for our programmes and then a couple of days clean up. 4 patterns to go on blanket but also have an order for bootees and beanie for shop as well. My aim is to have all done ready for Monday. Fingers crossed.

grizzly4 - 2013-12-10 08:05:00

My eye is really black, swollen and sore now. Might have to get it checked again tomorrow. My ear is sore now and darn eye infections can travel to the brain. Spent the day Xmas shopping with my daughter wearing sunglasses lol. Visited J and baby N this afternoon to take them some donations. He is so darn cute. Came home spent two hours wrapping presents while talking to my sis by text. Now I'm off to bed as tomorrow morning I have to drive to the darn airport to pick up the kids. It takes about an hour if traffic is okay.

makerealbany - 2013-12-10 22:56:00

My goodness your eye sounds nasty. How long has this been going on, and you are still doing all that driving?! You should be resting and what's the doctor doing for you? LOL I sound like a right Nana, don't I? But seriously, someone needs to be taking care of you.
Took 67 children and staff to the movies yesterday, same half dozen or so try to ruin it for everyone as usual. I think "Cloudy with a chance of Meatballs 2" was a bit tame for them considering what they are usually allowed to watch at home. It was a popular movie for kids when the first one came out a few years back. How things change, eh?
The Women's Group has their end of year lunch today, one more programme done and dusted for the year. The 2 kid's programmes finish tomorrow as the schools close then, too. One of the schools isn't going back till 5 Feb, I feel very sorry for the parents coping that long.

grizzly4 - 2013-12-11 06:46:00

I hope you are ok, makerealbany?

grizzly4 - 2013-12-12 08:06:00

Yes I am fine. My eye is improving. Bonus is that it is my bad eye. Very limited vision since birth. All that means is I can only detect light . Physically ok just never worked. I hurt it last Friday night bamboo branch hit me in the eye when I was getting stakes. It got badly infected. Had a hell day today. Car in for a warrant and all sorts need doing. My seatbelt wasn't releasing so I got that replaced. Needed two new front tyres. Suspension and 2 ball joints. Plus I told S my mechanic that it may need a wheel alignment. He says my two new rear tyres I had put on 6 months ago were two different sizes!!!!!! No wonder I thought I needed a wheel alignment . Anyway I don't get my car back until tomorrow so my daughter had to bring me home after picking K up but by then she was running late for her research project in the city so we had to go with her. K and I walked around and it was awful. Hate the city. Two hours later we were cranky lol. We stopped for tea on the way home. Oh yes when we had dropped my car off we were following a van. The driver jumps out at the lights grabbed an aerosol can that was spraying ( must have burst in the heat) runs back around, jumps back in the drivers seat, lights change off he goes holding the can out the window, which then sprays in a drift over my daughters 2 year old car. I got the number plate and phone no off the van, rang got through to the manager, he then contacted the driver, got back to me, yep it was a solvent. Holy cow paint stripping, paint eating. Anyway we went home and two guys from the company were there within an hour wiping it all off. Said it was so lucky my girl had just had her car valeted. This afternoon we noticed front windows are smeared so tomorrow will be another day sigh.

makerealbany - 2013-12-12 21:30:00

Omg cannot believe you took all those children to the movies. Two is my limit ha ha

makerealbany - 2013-12-12 21:32:00

I just wrote a big long message about computer stuff at work and then deleted it instead of posting the message. Leads me to believe it may not be the computer LOL.
Blanket is finished.

grizzly4 - 2013-12-13 06:46:00