Well not one of my better days despite the glorious weather. Little puss hasn't eaten a thing today, and I went to Kerikeri to buy something that might tempt her, like some fresh minced beef - turned her nose up at it, fresh rump steak, turned her nose up at it, fresh salmon at $29kg - turned her nose up at it, and even fresh John Dory at $37kg - not in the least bit interested. It looks as though we are going to lose our little puss before too long, but we will be living in luxury for a few days (barring the mince of course).

Sat out on the deck in the sun and did some knitting, and enjoyed a glass of red, but I must admit I'm feeling very down, the tears aren't far from the surface. I can't bear to think of having to have her pts.

kuaka - 2014-10-12 17:03:00

same here kuaka mine is doing the same and she's still very off colour too

carolev - 2014-10-12 17:38:00

Oh I feel for both of you.. Bob was the same. Didn't eat anything I tried to temp him with. Even his Good Boy Bikkies.. (Tempation ones).
But just remember its the last kind thing you can do for them.

Missy seems to have put herself on once a day feeding of soft foods and bikkies the rest of the day.

Have had a quiet day. Done 8 squares, have to do the ends of one lot of four.
Will knit while Midwife etc is on.

Take care

popeye333 - 2014-10-12 18:56:00

Well she still hasn't eaten anything, even opened a can of jellimeat from the vet (lord knows the price - find out in the week when I go to settle up for Thursdays visit) but she is curled up on my lap, and I keep thinking that although I've said that I have a "no replacement" policy, I'm sure that his little furry thing won't be the last. I can't imagine life without a furry friend.

kuaka - 2014-10-12 19:29:00

Morning Kuaka.
We were the same, We are not replacing babies. But I am soo pleased I got Missy.
The last few months have been soo hard with the deaths and cancers. I know we wouldn't have mad it through if it hadn't been for Missy loving us to bit.
We have always said we have too much love for just the two of us, and need a baby to give it to.
Little Puss doesn't sound very good does she, its like Bob he stopped eating and wasn't interested in any spoils.
I think we always know in our hearts what we have to do. And try and ignore it but then there is one moment when you know what you have to do. And you have the strength to do it. The strength that you didn't have just the day before even.

Its warm here this morning. Im in a singlet top. Not a breath of wind. Ive done 137 squares, Man that sounds good lol. But still 59 to go lol. And am Half way on the Shrug.

Hope everyone has a good day.. Take care of those hearts

popeye333 - 2014-10-13 08:31:00

Well she seems reasonably perky this morning, despite only eating a morsel of mince, and a few bikkies (puss that is), and has been out several times, once when we couldn't see her anywhere we thought she'd gone away to die, but she came back eventually and was rewarded with some treats.

Mr K isn't feeling so good today. Honestly, if it's not one thing, it's another. I really am overdue for that holiday I almost had back in January.

I suppose I should do something useful, the car needs a shampoo, so does the old truck which I need to spruce up so we can try to sell it.

Better have a quick squizz on here and see how to cook salmon - never cooked it before. Don't know that I even like fresh salmon. I'll let you know tomorrow.

Happy knitting everyone.

kuaka - 2014-10-13 10:47:00

our pussys getting better, just finished the green out fit will take a photo later mr T still has the flu been 2 weeks now

carolev - 2014-10-13 11:43:00

Good to hear they are both a little better. Fingers crossed for Both.. They need to understand what they put us through.
The Humans too for that matter.

Hope both continue to improve.

popeye333 - 2014-10-13 12:25:00

mmmmm salmon... it's quite rich though so I can only eat small portions of it.

Blimmen cats lol, don't they put us through so much but then we also get so much from them too.

Carole, I've heard that flu bug takes about a month to get over (maybe more if it's manflu :P ).

I've trimmed all the edges by hand (have little plants hanging over the rockery edges and the weedwacker just nails them) and have mowed the lawns. Washing out, bed made, dishes done. MrK is still sorting through all the stuff I dragged out from around the water tank yesterday. I suspect he is in man-heaven with all the 'treasures' I found lol.

Time for lunch, then a sit down I think.

happy knitting :)

Edited by kiwimade64 at 12:50 pm, Mon 13 Oct

kiwimade64 - 2014-10-13 12:50:00

The vet phoned this morning and said the culture on the urine showed no infection, so it's just her kidneys, and she asked how puss is doing. I said she's eating very little and told her what I had tried to tempt her with (she's probably thinking to herself "that's one spoiled little cat", but she suggested I try her with an appetite stimulant - so I went and collected 3 tiny little pieces of pill to give her one piece every third day, and paid for the second part of the bill - $204 thank you very much. Round one of the pill taking went to puss with me giving up, but I got her on the second round. Took her by surprise while she was napping on the back of the settee, and managed to get the tiny little piece down her throat. Not long afterwards she ate some of the special diet jellimeat. I think she needs to eat more if she is to survive.

We sat out on the deck this afternoon and it was too hot, had to come indoors. I hope this is the start of a long hot summer!

kuaka - 2014-10-13 18:33:00

morning ladies :) Hope everyone and their furry ones are well or on the mend today. It's going to be a stunning day today so I'm off outside. We've been tidying up around the water tank and there is still stuff that needs sorting. I'll phone the scrap metal man today or tomorrow and arrange for him to come out and take a lot of it away.

I'm hoping I can get some knitting done this afternoon.

happy knitting :)

kiwimade64 - 2014-10-14 07:58:00

Morning everyone.

The clouds have come in. hope it fines up.

Off to diabetes nurse today, not that theres anything new she can tell me lol.

Just got an email that Ive won a $50 Briscoes gift card in a competition I entered a while back. Was a My dad My superhero one. I had forgotten Id entered it lol... So rather chuffed. Wrote about my stepfather who was the Best.
145 squares done now... getting closer lol

Hope the furry ones are improving. MrP is still coughing from the bug we had..

Have a good day everyone

popeye333 - 2014-10-14 08:33:00

morning all started a jumper last nigh but don't like it, colours all wrong, my pussy still not very well , hot nose,

carolev - 2014-10-14 09:58:00

wooohooooo lol, our clever Furry One has caught that damed freeloading mouse! Lots of cuddles for him tonight lol. And omg it was a fat little mouse.... not surprising really considering it has been munching on doggy kibble!

kiwimade64 - 2014-10-14 20:05:00

Congratulations popeye ,have fun thinking about what you can buy. Came to visit my sister today both her and her partner not well.we did go to your church shop,I spent a little bit?
Are those squares for your own blanket?
I am finishing off a few things for Plunket then I will do you some squares.
Are your next blankets for the baby cots,do they need to be pure wool?

jord37 - 2014-10-14 22:19:00

Morning everyone.
Yay for the Furry one getting the cheeky mouse.... hope he loved his cuddles.
Hi Jord, not good re your sister and partner being unwell.. Its a nice little oppy eh.. I usually go in on a Thursday if Im good with the grocery shopping lol.
yes Ive been working on a blanket for us. Its a 5ow plain granny square one with black edges. Black is not my fave colour to work in. but is easier with the crochet. I want it 14 by 14 squares so need 196. Ive done 145 so far. I plan to lay the rows out, bag them up and just work on each row. Then once summer is over Ill put the rows together, unless we have some cooler days lol

The plunket blankets we are doing are being done in both wool and acrylic. Ive got 6 here to take to plunket. I might take 3 down here local and perhaps take the other three to Papakura when we take our Missy cat up to be fixed.

A quiet day here, MrP is still in bed, been coughing a lot at night and it wears him out.

Have a good day everyone and I hope the furry ones are still improving

popeye333 - 2014-10-15 08:58:00

morning all. nice day so having sewing group.

carolev - 2014-10-15 09:26:00

Hi popeye,re blankets ,I was referring to a midwife Ina Palmerston hospital who was asking for blankets to use in their baby cots which Was on our facebook site and someone suggested that be the next challenge.but I know there has been no vote yet.Also rereading the message I see she only wants wool or a wool mix and not everyone can afford that.
Spent the day sewing up garments and adding buttons,nice little bundle finished.

jord37 - 2014-10-15 21:40:00

morning off to te awamutu see you all later

carolev - 2014-10-16 08:17:00

morning :) I have a few things to do today - have a verrryyy heavy piece of concrete to move into the garden so I can put a seat on it. Found it behind the water tank when I pulled everything out the other day. MrK said he has another piece like it I can use as well so today I get to flex my muscles! I used a sledgehammer the other day to smash a piece of timber MrK didn't want to smaller bits for the bin -omgg sooo satisfying lol. His stitches come out tomorrow so it won't be long and he will be back to doing the 'heavier' stuff.

Then this afternoon I can put my feet up without the guilt.

Happy knitting :)

kiwimade64 - 2014-10-16 08:29:00

Morning everyone. Foggy here at the mo.. so should be nice later.

I used to love doing big stuff like that Kiwimade.. Especially dismantling things.
Shopping here this morning..

I managed 12 squares yesterday cos I sat up and watched Tenko last night... It started right from the beginning... Watched it when I was a kid.. used to wait till mum had fallen asleep on the couch, I snuck out watched it and went back to bed. I don't know if she ever knew but she never said anything.

So I have 39 squares to go.. Its getting close to the end... I reckon no matter how warm it gets Ill make it up.. I might do groups of rows.. say 3-4 then join each group.. Then its not on my knee too long and too heavy.

Have a good day everyone

popeye333 - 2014-10-16 08:39:00

funny looking day here overcast and warm off out today to spend money.
don't like the jumper I am knitting but all else do

carolev - 2014-10-17 08:15:00

morning :) Just had the auto sparky out as once again I had a flat battery. By sheer fluke he opened the bonnet and heard a clicking sound. Turns out my central locking system is constantly 'on' and draining the battery. Thank goodness I had left the car unlocked last night as the car needs to be unlocked to open the bonnet... damed electronics!

I am going to stitch a piece of hardanger as a wedding present so did a search last night online for a pattern. I found patterns dating back to 1909! Just beautiful work! So I am going to print off some of the patterns and have a go.

MrK gets his stitches out this morning, the swelling has all gone and he hasn't complained of pain for days now.

Hope everyone gets to put their feet up today and knit.

Happy knitting :)

kiwimade64 - 2014-10-17 08:44:00

Morning everyone... Its a fair looking day today.
Wow Kiwimade finally you know whats happening with the battery.... Hopefully the battery will be fine from now on.. does something have to be done re the door lock?
Wow I love old stuff, cant wait to see what your doing.

Did some weeding etc yesterday and straight away my dermatitis has flared up.. I hate gloves. So Ill give it a break for a few days.

Only did four squares yesterday, think I have about 35 to go. Have to sew the ends in tho. That's how little I did yesterday lol.

Have a good day everyone

popeye333 - 2014-10-17 09:06:00

yeah I have to take the car back to the auto sparky this afternoon. Hopefully it's just a loose wire or connection and nothing major. They put a replacement battery in so I could get MrK in to the docs to have his stitches out and took mine away to charge. At least now we know what's going on and it can be fixed!

kiwimade64 - 2014-10-17 10:00:00

Had to laugh kiwimade, reminds me of the time we used to have terrible trouble starting a little outboard motor. Turned out that when we pressed the "stop" button to stop it running, the outside rubber of the button popped back out but the innards stayed in the "stop" position, so next time we tried to start it, it was in "off" mode. The mechanic soon found the problem when we took it in, and apparently it was quite common on that particular model. It's not much fun when you've yanked the thing 57 times and it's still no closer to starting than it was on the first pull !!

Little puss is no better, not eating, just getting thinner all the time. Mr K has spoken to the vet this morning, and basically there is nothing more they can do. She doesn't seem to be in any pain, so we're just loving her to bits and dreading taking her back to the vet.

kuaka - 2014-10-17 11:51:00

Thank good ness its not too hard to fix Kiwimade.

Wow Kuaka I bet the air was blue by the time you tried starting that motor... MrP would have thrown a wobbly and biffed it in the water by then.

Not good re Little Puss. You will know when its time... Poor thing.. And I guess without an autopsy you wont know what the problem is.

Counting the squares I did yesterday I have 165 done.. so 31 to go... I can see the dim light at the end of the tunnel. Today it feels like a chore lol... Hasn't felt like that before.. but it will soon be done.

popeye333 - 2014-10-17 12:18:00

Morning everyone..

Everyone must be busy at the mo.

Hope the cats are improving.

Nothing too exciting happening here. Plodding away on my squares.. 27 to go I think it is... so its not going to take long. Then the mammoth job of laying them out. Ill do it on the higher bed, will save bending lol.. And Ill shut Missy Moo out of the room.. Cos she can be a little too helpful lol.

Very overcast here and warm... We had a little light rain yesterday and over night but nothing like they predicted,,, as yet.

Have a good day everyone

popeye333 - 2014-10-18 09:02:00

morning all . I am mighty sick low blood sugar, sweating, blurred vision. so off back to bed

carolev - 2014-10-18 11:03:00

You need to raise your sugar Carole, before you sleep.. you might go even lower.
Have done 4 squares this morning,,, the end is Nigh.. 19 to go..

We have decided to edge it in black of course but Ill do one row of trebles then one of shells to finish it off...
Cant wait now lol,,, even tho theres still a lot of work to do lol

popeye333 - 2014-10-18 12:04:00

morning . started a jumper last night. spent yesterday in bed sugars kept going very high or very low . was hot sweating one minate and cold next so know it was a bug. ok today I think

carolev - 2014-10-19 06:49:00

lpl popeye, its good to see the end. Kuaka hope the cat is feeling brighter, I couldn't imagine not having at least one around. Good luck with the hardanger kiwimade. On a christmas present rush here, have decided to make shawlettes for about 5 people so need to get those done before work gets manic

raej2 - 2014-10-19 08:06:00

morning ladies :) I've been reading this hardanger pattern book dated 1909 and omg lol it is just so formal! Very different to what we have today. All written instructions and no charts but luckily some close up photos. The fabric used in some of the pieces is scrim! And the thread looks very different to what we use today, very fine. I'm still trying to decide which piece to do but will finish my own runner first (almost at the cutting stage).

Sorry, not about knitting today but thought you might be interested in some of this vintage stitching.

Have a few things to do before I can sit down this afternoon. It's raining and bleak outside, so perfect for crafting :)

Happy knitting :)

kiwimade64 - 2014-10-19 08:34:00

Morning everyone....
The hardanger instructions sound like fun Kiwimade... They were so formal back then lol... Scrim would be hard to work with.. Ive sewn on sacking but that was a softish one.
Raej2 you have set a big task with 5 shawls.
I did 12 squares yesterday, not a lot else tho I must admit lol... So I have 11 to go.. That wont happen today tho cos I have to duck up the road soon and have washing etc to handle.. I have this desire to lift the lot and throw in the air, but my organised mind wont let me. id have to sort them back into colours before I started laying them out lol.

Blue sky and grey clouds here, so not sure what it will do... MrP is still in bed so at least its nice and quiet lol

Have an awesome day everyone

popeye333 - 2014-10-19 08:51:00

Morning everyone... IVE FINISHED YAYAYAY... finished the last square at 7-30 last night.. Soo pleased... Will lay them out later and take some photos, bag up the rows and start the next phase later.

Hope everyone had a nice day yesterday...

Ive got 3cms to do on the shrug then do the wee cuff and that's done too..

Hopefully will have squares for plunket blankets this week too.

Heck glad we were up a bit earlier, the lawn boys have just arrived. trying to beat the rain.

Have a good day everyone

popeye333 - 2014-10-20 08:37:00

Layed out on the bed.. before bagging them up to join

http://images.trademe.co.nz/photoserver/full/339982357.jpg

popeye333 - 2014-10-20 12:15:00

looks great popeye! Well done!

Had to take the car in the auto sparky's today and they were wrong, it wasn't the central locking, it was my alternator. Damit!!! Luckily I can pay the bill off, at least $400 for the alternator, $100 for the regulator and then labour on top of that. Still, I need the car and it had to be done.

The Furry One is in doggy heaven catching mice today, so far his tally is three. And we trapped one. One escaped into the laundry and I think it has shot down the hole the pipes go through. Tomorrow when I get the car back I'll buy some steel wool to block the hole. So 4-1 to us lol. I knew we had another mouse as the Furry One was sniffing and 'telling' me there was more. What annoys me is I've just pulled all the furniture out to clean. Oh well... out comes the cleaners and vacuum again.

So no crafty work for me at the moment, I have meeces to clean up after.

happy knitting :)

kiwimade64 - 2014-10-20 13:46:00

The squares look fantastic Popeyes.

Good on the Furry one getting the mice Kiwimade but not so great about the car.

Having a day in the garden as has been rather neglected for weeks.
Otherwise am happily knitting socks out of wool I have dyed - getting ahead for next winter!

Happy knitting -or sewing up - everyone

jayemtoo - 2014-10-20 15:26:00

4-1 to you guys for the mice. But 5-0 for the car. Ouchies... we are lucky we can pay our mechanic off too, thank god.
Mice are a right nuisance eh.. but it goes hand in hand with living in the country.

Ive joined two rows, sewed the ends in on one.. Takes an hour to join and do ends per row. Im making note of my hours.. was 98 for doing the squares including sewing in ends... So will be another 14 for joining the rows. Took 1.5 hours to sort them out too, Cos Im methodical lol

Spring has sprung in our garden there are flowers on the passionfruit, greenery on the blackberries. We weeded where the beans and tomatoes grow, and if we don't see any sign of the beans regrowing in the next week or so we will get seeds when we buy tomato plants... So much for not having a garden lol.

Should finish the shrug tonight. Its much easier to do at night time than black lol

popeye333 - 2014-10-20 15:40:00

B****** car failed wof so now I have to spend out money I don't really have . started a traffic light jumper of D and need to go to the vet.

carolev - 2014-10-20 16:12:00

Well ladies, my news isn't good I'm afraid. We've had a very traumatic day, had to have our "little puss" put to sleep today - she was in such a bad way, which is such a shame as she wasn't even 6 years old yet, and you wouldn't expect a cat to get kidney failure for another 6 or 8 years at least. We are both heartbroken. I went out into the garden this morning and dug the hole, and Mr K started on the coffin-making, but sadly this wasn't completed in time for a decent burial, and part-way through the making process Mr K managed to let the drill slip and gouged a big lump out of his thumb, talk about blood and guts. Just as well I don't have a weak stomach. I wrapped it up and poured him a brandy and about that time a friend called in to see how I was coping - actually not very well. I'm just devastated about my gorgeous little puss. I know we did the right thing by her, but it doesn't feel like it right now. Seems like her kidneys were so bad, the vet thinks she must have been poisoned or had drank some anti-freeze at some stage - well certainly not while she was with us.

Last night she curled up on my lap - ever the cute cuddly friend she always was - but then twice she peed on me, just fast asleep and next thing I'm all hot and wet (not in a nice way either) and she was completely oblivious to it. Just slept on through it all.

Good news about the furry one and the mice, Kiwimade!

Edited by kuaka at 7:37 pm, Mon 20 Oct

kuaka - 2014-10-20 19:32:00

ohhh kuaka I am so sorry to hear this... the wet lap is exactly what happened when our old girl's kidneys failed... but she was 17. Poor wee thing, at least she was loved to pieces during her time with you.

kiwimade64 - 2014-10-20 19:47:00

yes, I know kiwimade, but we only had her for two years, she came to us mid-winter a couple of years ago, and I took her for her first check-up in August, then a yearly check up. She has always drunk lots and lots of water, so I think she must have had kidney problems even before she adopted us, sadly we just didn't know it.

I did say a while back that I have a no-replacement policy on pets and plants, but I'm having serious doubts about the validity of that statement.

kuaka - 2014-10-20 20:02:00

morning ladies :) Ohhh kuaka, never say never! Another puss will appear and need a home so make herself comfortable I bet!

Hopefully the scrap metal man will come today, he had truck problems and couldn't make it yesterday. I have to take the car back to the auto sparky as now the drivers side windows won't open. Am over it, they can dam well fix it. MrK said I shouldn't be charged for this as the windows were working fine until they put the alternator in.

We've had a 'nibble' on our paddock, fingers and toes crossed this time it sells.

Grocery shopping today and back to cleaning up after these mice. Poor MrK, they nested in a draw he hardly uses so everything needs washing or throwing out. The joy of living in the country! Still, the Furry One had a ball yesterday lol.

I should get to sit down later today to craft all going to plan!

Happy knitting :)

kiwimade64 - 2014-10-21 07:57:00

Morning everyone... Ohhh Kuaka I feel your pain... Poor Little Puss, I think she chose you for those couple of years cos she knew she would be looked after.
We had one of our kittens poisoned with antifreeze. Must have been a huge dose cos he died within days.
Like Kiwimade I reckon there will be a cat out there that Little Puss will send to you. Big hugs to you tho.

Ive fully joined 2 rows of the blanket really love it.. And I crochet some simple daisys last night..
Finished the shrug too.. It says to sew ribbons on the end of the collar, not seen that before. do you think they are needed?

Off to Pukekohe this morning..

Have a good day everyone

popeye333 - 2014-10-21 08:28:00

Sorry to hear that kuaka, hope Mrk's thumb is feeling a lot better and like the others think that another cat will just adopt you

raej2 - 2014-10-21 09:49:00

no news here, sorry about your pussy and Mr K thumb our puss is on the mend

carolev - 2014-10-21 13:57:00

Well our little puss is finally buried. We worked on a "coffin" for her yesterday but weren't able to complete it, so this morning we went first to the chandlery at the marina for brass screws to finish making it, and then having put it all together, we pulled it all apart so that it could be glued together which meant I had to make a two-pot glue mix. Then I painted the outside of the lid and once that had dried I lined the underside of the lid with some of her favourite curtain fabric (as in, the stuff that she ripped to shreds the day after I'd hung the curtain), and then once the glue had set, I lined the box with more curtain fabric and some batting to make it soft for her, and eventually I wrapped her in some lovely soft black velvet, we put the lid on and finally said goodbye. There were lots more tears and I'm thinking "we must be mad, or soft in the head". When my friend phoned me to say her husband had died, she was nowhere near this upset. Maybe she didn't love him as much as we loved our little cat.

I miss her so much, I can't decide if we should get another or wait for another to find us.

I could totally understand it if Mr K had no patience for our little puss or even if he resented her ('cos it was only because of her that he broke his neck) but no, he still loved her to bits and has been crying buckets today.

I plan to go to knit and natter tomorrow. Hope I can hold myself together - I'll be okay as long an nobody asks "how are you" 'cos I will probably just dissolve into a big blubbering mess.

kuaka - 2014-10-21 19:40:00

morning ladies :) Hope you and MrK have a better day today kuaka :(

Car goes back to the auto sparky today to have the windows fixed - they worked fine until the new alternator went in. And I have a RSVP for a wedding invite to return today as well.

I'm still working my way through washing my MrK's clothes from his tallboy thanks to 'that' mouse... omggg for a guy he has a heap of clothes lol.

Sometime today I will be able to start the cutting out for my hardanger - not the wedding piece but a piece for me. Might even pick up the knitting needles too.

Happy knitting :)

kiwimade64 - 2014-10-22 07:07:00

Morning everyone.. Thoughts are with you Kuaka and MrK.

Lol Kiwimade at clothes. I didn't think MrP had many till I sorted out his wardrobe... He has a lot lol

Ive joined 4 rows now.. its looking sooo good.. And have been crocheting little daisys in the meantime at night.

Need to put all the part balls away again today.. Now that Im finished with them.

Have a good day everyone

popeye333 - 2014-10-22 09:09:00