I hope you are ok, makerealbany?
Yesterday I. and I caught up with another of his friends from high school. I was a bit stressed as they decided to meet in a cafe in the inner city. I don't like being in there at all any more but my fears were pooh-poohed and off we went and there was a magnitude 4 shake on the way into town!!!!! No bad things happened, of course, BUT! Maybe they won't take me so lightly in the future. Supposed to be going out on the bikes this afternoon after doing a dump run with all the cuttings from the trees along the drive.They are camellias and a maple and are now half the height the were. So much easier to manage now.

grizzly4 - 2016-06-05 10:54:00

I'm much better. I have been staying at A and S's to mind the children as they were away for a friends dress up Birthday Party. They got home at 12 and I raced over the drive home ha ha. Kids were brilliant, parents had a ball so everyone is happy. I couldn't get their internet to work Grrr. I'm going to finish my yellow Beanie today. No time for knitting over the last two days. I had K7 on Friday as he was sick.
Those rotten Devils. Fancy stealing the heat pumps. People will steal anything these days. It's getting worse.
I wouldn't go into the inner city either. Still getting aftershocks. I really don't think I could handle that at all.
I've just put a casserole on so I'm going to knit, not answer my phone and relax ha ha.

makerealbany - 2016-06-05 12:52:00

A Casserole is what I have planned for tonight. LOL. Great minds think alike! Mine will be chicken and mushroom. I've started another crossover cardy in Loyal variegated baby wool. We went out on the bikes quite late yesterday afternoon so was nearly dark by the time we got home. Good fun though but so much washing to do today with muddy clothes. I'm really glad you are feeling better.

grizzly4 - 2016-06-06 10:52:00

Another relaxing day whoop whoop. My son W came over and took Teddy home for a visit. He was so excited when he saw W. He ran around him in circles. Odd without him here tonight though lol W also took his Beanie , one for J and another for A. I have three to send to my sister tomorrow and now the cupboard is empty again. So guess what I'm knitting ha ha? I had knitted myself a gradient Blue one but A has that. I hid my red one and the yellow I finished. Beanies are in. Pure wool is in demand and the older kids love. the slouchy ones. I only have lux pure wool left now. Lovely wool but too nice for Beanies. I have heaps of acrylic in my stash though. Ah well. One of my granddaughters washed a pure wool Beanie in the machine and shrunk it ugh. She still wears but hopefully has learnt a lesson. I buy machine washable but some wools are hand wash only. Do not mention the words muddy clothing to me ha ha.

makerealbany - 2016-06-06 21:15:00

Sorry, the mention of mud was a bit tactless. LOL. Caught up on a few things round here yesterday and now not looking forward to going back to work today. It's a really busy week ahead doing stuff other than what I actually need to be doing. Hopefully I hear from the insurance company today so I can get the new heat pumps installed.

grizzly4 - 2016-06-07 06:55:00

Hope you got the heat pumps. I did my shopping, went to the PO and library. Was glad to get home ha ha. W brought Teddy back. He whined as W drove off. W is stationed back in Auckland now. Having said that he flys off to England on Fridayfor a few days, then Italy for a few days , then France. He has to check and visit his staff lol. I just realised once again my passport has expired. More costs Grrr. It's chilly again so my electric blanket is heating up ha ha. Nearly finished another Varigated grey beanie. My other sister rang tonight and she would like a blue one. Tried circulars again today. Just doesn't feel right. Weird I know . There's a new knitting group starting up at the Library so I might start going once I'm over this bug. Remember when you had to be quiet in the library. Well today ours was so noisy I had to grin remembering the scowls we got as kids. I like it lively.

makerealbany - 2016-06-07 22:43:00

I think I'm looking forward to retiring. I see some of the groups running during the day and would love to give them a go. LOL. I also love my lounge on a sunny day and I think how pleasant it would be to stay there for the day doing crafty things or reading a good book or potter in the garden at will. Sigh. But it appears that there is no rest for the wicked and off to work I go. Insurance agreed to the quote so waiting to hear from the electrician when he can install the new heat pumps. I've been cheeky (and desperate enough) to ask one of the fencing companies if they could fix and strengthen the fence as a donation. Fingers crossed. I have had to switch the activity for the Women's Group this morning as it's just too cold in the hall for them. We are off to the Art Gallery this morning and a coffee after.

grizzly4 - 2016-06-08 06:40:00

I hope they do fix the fence for you. Retirement is certainly nice at times ha ha. Not so nice at other times. People assume you have nothing to do all day. I can't find enough time to do everything I want to do. When I do have time I don't have the energy ha ha. Art Gallery sounds nice.

makerealbany - 2016-06-09 00:34:00

Art Gallery was lovely but so much walking for the group, didn't allow enough time before our cafe booking. Coffee is just as important to this group. LOL.
Heat pumps still not installed. Sigh. So many meetings to go to this week, I'm going to be completely peopled out by the end of the week. B7 will be here Saturday as the only plan for his birthday next week is a tea at daughter's place and I'd rather not. His Mum will be racing the 4WD so won't be here but the other boys will be so planning a party lunch and then all going to Willowbank Animal Reserve. I will take him shopping with his birthday money in the morning. If I want the time with him I have to pick him up by 7am!

grizzly4 - 2016-06-09 07:18:00

OMG that's early. My grandchildren love the Animal Parks. yes coffee is really important ha ha. I started another Beanie a blue gradient this time. My sister rang. She was delighted with her Beanies. Meetings espeicially work meetings is something I do not miss ha ha. I feel for you, Never mind tomorrow is Friday yah whoop whoop,

makerealbany - 2016-06-09 23:50:00

I am sleeping really well lately because it's cooler but still so tired when I get up. LOL. Yay, it's Friday but I think Saturday is going to be just as busy with these boys around, LOL. I have finished the second crossover cardy and sewn it up. Just buttons to go on now. I even have time to do a few small things before Monday.I think I'm going to have to turn off the heater this morning, it's 16 degrees already! Yesterday was a dreadful grey day and we were so cold at work without the heat pumps. Still haven't seen the electrician. So much for making us a priority!

grizzly4 - 2016-06-10 06:46:00

I had a look at your website. You have some lovely things in the shop. I know I have to do some more charity sewing soon but trying to get rid of all the Beanie requests first. had a great day today. Went up to the Bowling club and won $80. Came home feeling really good ha ha, It was so nice to catch up with my friends as I have not seen them for a month. Ive almost stopped coughing. Its just when the cold air hits me outside. So glad. I'm typing this on my Laptop as you can tell ha ha, I prefer my Ipad as it autocorrects. Our Electrician is the only tradesman who appears when he says he will. Tradesmen are so busy and can pick and choose grrrr Hope they get fixed soon.

makerealbany - 2016-06-11 00:31:00

Only worked till lunch time yesterday, just couldn't shift a wicked headache and then the pain relief I took made me feel worse. Sigh. Still not perfect today but picked up B early this morning so no time to rest today. LOL.

grizzly4 - 2016-06-11 08:10:00

I have J12 and K7 with me tonight. We baked and watched a movie. J brought me a tin of Chocolate Brownie Slices he made, I was thrilled as he had the tin carefully stored in his bag all the way from Hamilton. He is growing up so fast. was hoping to get E4 so he could see his little sister but her Mum is not answering calls or texts. Sigh. If I had agreed to accept less money it might be different mmm

makerealbany - 2016-06-12 00:28:00

You might be right. Spent a fortune yesterday taking B7 shopping with birthday money, a bit of a party lunch then out for the afternoon. The rest of the time he made up the lego he bought with his money and he was so proud of the amazing dragon he had made when we took him home. But Mum and partner just wanted to talk about the races they were in in the 4WD. Grrrrr. They told him it was bedtime as soon as we arrived Grrrrrrrr..... THank goodness the rest of us made such a fuss of him and he and L9 are closer than ever again.

grizzly4 - 2016-06-12 10:31:00

Heat pumps being installed this morning while I am at shop. I am so worried that the same thing will happen again as soon as they are set up. I've been trying to get a fencing company to make the fence a bit more secure but haven't heard back. So frustrating.

grizzly4 - 2016-06-13 06:37:00

Ha! If you believe installation happened, think again! Never turned up till 1pm and only put in one. Grrr.... apparently back at 8.30 this morning to do the other. He better be as I have a training workshop on Legislative Compliance at 10. Sounds like a great way to spend a morning? Another workshop for staff on Mindfulness tonight so a long day ahead. I wonder if the new power unit is still in place this morning as I haven't been able to get a fencing guy to do the repair work either.

grizzly4 - 2016-06-14 06:46:00

I certainly hope it is still there. I had a hell of a day. The Repair Cowboys or Construction Crew turned up today to get the Digger after two weeks. Now far too wet to do the Bottom paddock landscaping. Digger was stuck of course 4 hours to get it out . Lots of swearing lol. Had to put a truckload of hay bales down the slopes to bring it up. Then it had to come through two retainer walls without damaging them. We all held our breath. I went inside and then no power. They tripped the line so I had to check everything in two houses. All the automatic switches went off. Got that sorted, looked at the window and they are waterblasting the digger on the lousy sodden driveway. I nearly had a fit. they went through half a water tank before I realised so more yelling. The digger is sitting there waiting to be picked up in the morning, Sil arrived home and he yelled. Then he got on the clean digger and sorted the driveway so we could drive in, Tomorrow I'm leaving early so I will not be here to deal with them when they find their dirty digger sigh. No more work to be down down below until Summer but our drains go in next week..
Poor B7[ sometimes parents can be self centred and dumb. At lest he had a lovely time with you and his cousin.

makerealbany - 2016-06-14 22:32:00

What a dreadful day you had!!!! I can't believe how thoughtless people can be. Sounds like escaping today is definitely your best call ..... unless they decide wash the digger again before they leave?!
My day wasn't bad, just long. I got home exactly 12 hours from the time I left in the morning. It was very hard getting up this morning. A local walking group is visiting the Women's Group this morning so we are putting on morning tea for them and setting up a display table of our craft projects from the last year. Should be fun especially with heating installed again. Still waiting for quotes for the fence though.

grizzly4 - 2016-06-15 06:51:00

And then the tv fell off the wall!!!!!Luckily no one was hurt as staff and kids were present and I had just left for the day. I am so stressed with everything going on at present! If it's not one thing it's another and all I want to do is crawl under a rock and hope the world goes away. What I have to do is try and get through the next couple of weeks till our funding arrives. They can jolly well find a cheap tv this time though, I'm not putting another insurance claim through, I'm sure they can get a tv for less than the $500 excess.

grizzly4 - 2016-06-16 07:16:00

Heavens I'm sure they can as well. You are having a devil of a time.
Yep they washed the digger. I got home and they had put metal on the drive and compacted it down which is fabulous. They filled the water tank but splashed mud all over the front wall of the cottage so I cleaned that off.
Had another day at court yesterday. Fell into bed exhausted last night. Went up to help my daughter have a clean out today after I had tidied up for A who was at work. Sil was at work as well. I bet he doesn't drag the wheelie bin out tonight so I will have to run up there at 6. Honestly some men are more ornaments than anything else at times. Multi tasking is out of their league. It's a choice they make. They all multi tasking the jobs they get paid for. So how come when they leave work their brain goes to sleep ugh ha ha. I have finished a beige and brown beanie tonight. Two more to do sigh. Every time I wear one o wone wants it ha ha.

makerealbany - 2016-06-16 21:42:00

You could start a beanie business! LOL. I'd be sick of the same pattern by now.I'm knitting a pink lacy baby cardy at present. Nice change. I'm also working on a stall for the shop tomorrow at a Wool Fest. Quite looking forward to it as I haven't had time to do any stalls lately between family and work. It will be interesting to see what other stalls there are, too. I have my pocket money ready. LOL.

grizzly4 - 2016-06-17 06:43:00

Oh you lucky thing. Wool Fest lol I knit different patterns for the beanies otherwise I would get nuttier ha ha. I started crocheting tonight with reall thick rug wool. I think I'm making a rug but it could be a blanket lol. Let you know.

makerealbany - 2016-06-17 23:41:00

Should grow fast! I'll let you know what I find at the Wool Fest. I. is rolling his eyes. LOL.

grizzly4 - 2016-06-18 06:49:00

It was amazing! We were the only stall with finished product, everyone else were online suppliers of hand dyed yarn. In reality it was all pretty similar and you just had to check out the various prices before making your decision. But the colours and the beautiful knitwear, shawls and ornate scarves people chose to wear on the day, whether customer of stall holder, was incredible. I guess my focus is always on children's or babies knitwear so I forget about the 'fashion and design' concept of being able to knit. I was blown away by all of that and the amount of money people were prepared to spend. For myself I came home with 2 balls of sock wool and a pattern for a jacket for me. LOL.

grizzly4 - 2016-06-19 10:45:00

I looked on the Facebook threads and there were loads of photos showing $300 hoards bought at the Wool Fest lol I have so much wool I'm not at all jealous. Beautiful wool everywhere.

makerealbany - 2016-06-19 18:40:00

I bought a rug for son S and DIL's Christmas present yesterday and had to find a place to hide it once home. Logical choice was the cupboard in the spare room. Unfortunately that meant moving my stash around a bit, not sure I. knew what was in there till that point. LOL. Oh well, at least he laughed. That's that part of the family sorted now except for stocking fillers. I finished the wee lacy cardy yesterday and made a pair of baby socks in the new wool. They are pretty cool in rainbow self patterning colours.

grizzly4 - 2016-06-20 06:33:00

I like self patterning wool as well. M8 has a cough sigh. She stayed at home with me today. after spending the day cleaning their house and baking I came home at 5.30 exhausted ha ha. spent the night doing legal stuff again. I am so over all this, Its bedtime now. No crocheting tonight.

makerealbany - 2016-06-20 22:51:00

Legal stuff for you, funding stuff for me. If I win Lotto.......

grizzly4 - 2016-06-21 07:05:00

Just been on Ravelry as I liked a dolls pattern that came up as an email link this morning. Ended up buying 3 new patterns. LOL.

grizzly4 - 2016-06-21 07:06:00

I really have to sort out some of my patterns and destash them along with other stuff, Ive never got enough time sigh. Got my haircut today which was a miracle ha ha, Dashing here and there, looked in at Farmers as I still have my Mothers Day Voucher but nothing jumped out at me ha ha.

makerealbany - 2016-06-21 23:47:00

Definitely not enough hours in the day and working more hours than I should be at work. Just as I think I have a handle on it something else happens and I'm off and running again. The Women's Group are having a mid-winter Xmas lunch today with a game of bingo. Should be fun. LOL.

grizzly4 - 2016-06-22 06:45:00

I finished that crocheted rug. Now I'm making a bigger one. Will post photos when I finish it. I still have to block the smaller one. I'm Enjoying this but it is very heavy ha ha.

makerealbany - 2016-06-23 00:15:00

I haven't crocheted blankets for ages. I'm working on some of the dolls clothes patterns I bought the other morning. I had to come home early yesterday, I was exhausted after the morning group. Had a nap before tea and kept falling asleep after so only about 5 rows done. LOL. Finally gave up and had an early night. I hope all the heavy rain has not made your drive extra worse.

grizzly4 - 2016-06-23 06:33:00

Wishful thinking lol. Drains finished. Driveway to do but rest of it has to wait until summer sigh. A in Wellington, Sil gies tomorrow so Nanna is babysitting until Sunday. M8 still has a cough so no school again tomorrow. It's not worth it until she is a hundred percent. Half the class is away. Still working on my big rug . It's getting very heavy ha ha.

makerealbany - 2016-06-23 22:04:00

Speaking of rugs....Do you have Knitworld stores up your way? They sent an email this morning about a new lot of variegated 10ply wool they have in stock. They have crocheted squares for a blanket done it that look very cool but at over $11 per ball it would take a fair bit of financial investment. LOL. I am very pleased with the dolls top from my new patterns. I have to find some white 4ply acrylic in my stash to do a pair of pants to go with it then I'll post a photo.

grizzly4 - 2016-06-24 06:40:00

Phew what a week! Yay, for the weekend even if I do have the shop's AGM this afternoon. My plan for the rest of the time is to potter in the garden a bit weather permitting, knitting and reading. I've been trying to finish my book for weeks. I actually managed to get one half of the 3/4 leggings done to go with the dolls top last night. These patterns are for an 18" doll so I hope that's a popular size, I usually do 16". I love knitting the clothes but don't really know much about the doll brands themselves. 3 grandsons remember and no grand-daughter in sight. LOL.

grizzly4 - 2016-06-25 06:49:00

Botheration, it's raining here so stayed in bed a bit longer. LOL. I hope it eases enough later to at least tidy a bit of the garden. And of course I have to find buttons for the dolls top. LOL.

grizzly4 - 2016-06-26 11:38:00

Good Heavens I thought I posted on here last night. It appears to have disappeared. A and S arrived home at 12 today. Yah I'm relaxing. I've been on the go since Friday morning. M8 and J5 were really good for me but minding 2 kids, 3 dogs and 3 cats takes it out of you ha ha. I'm crocheting my big mat. Did hardly any crochet over the last three days. Too busy washing, cooking and cleaning. It's rained all weekend here too.

makerealbany - 2016-06-26 22:42:00

No we don't have a Knitworld up here. They have one in Hamilton. Mum used to go there with my sister. Yes it sure would be costly for that blanket. I'm really pleased with this rug wool. Costs me $20 including postage from the Destash Page on Facebook.

makerealbany - 2016-06-26 22:45:00

Good deal! I must check that page out, I'm not great on Facebook, though.
https://trademe.tmcdn.co.nz/photoserver/full/490804679.jpg
Do you like the dolls outfit? I love the wee top pattern. Really want to do more but forcing myself to do another baby crossover cardy set first. Going to a white set with a fairisle contrast border in the rainbow sock wool.

grizzly4 - 2016-06-27 07:11:00

That is gorgeous. The top is very cute. Clever you so patient with those tiny patterns. Nearly finished the rug. Had a me day today whoop whoop. Went to Farmers with my voucher from Mother's Day. I bought 3 lovely tops reduced from $130 to 30. I love Clarity Designs. I had my eye on a couple last week and they were reduced by $20 more today. Then I saw a matching Jacket for a pretty pink floral dress I had bought in the summer. It was a larger size but I can alter it a bit. Down from $170 to $30 so I grabbed it. I love that dress ha ha. I usually wear a black Linen Jacket with it. Then I went to the Warehouse . They had great deals as well ha ha. So I blew my budget and got two Merino long tops to go over my Jeans. Came home laden with my groceries and shopping. Enjoyed my day.

Edited by makerealbany at 10:12 pm, Mon 27 Jun

makerealbany - 2016-06-27 22:11:00

Yahoo, nothing like retail therapy! Good for you. LOL.
Daughter S is back for more surgery this morning. Haven't heard from her in a couple of weeks so thought the partner had everything sorted in terms oh her support. Should have known better.... got a phone call last night asking me to take her to hospital this morning and pick her up later. Grrrrrrr. Of course I don't mind helping her but they both just think I'll drop anything at a moments notice. Thank goodness I was planning a quite admin day in the office not that that will get done now. Sigh.

grizzly4 - 2016-06-28 06:18:00

S. doing ok but they took biopsys on 2 small tumours they found. So much for the tablet keeping them at bay. There was another twist in her bowel that needed repair etc, etc,etc..... And now we wait for results again. Apparently she has told her partner that one day the news is going to come back bad and she wants to know before that happens where he is going to stick around. He brushed her off saying it's not that bad. My answer was he won't get the choice I'll physically move her home at that point. I actually don't think she would want that whether he is around or not but it needed saying. I am on the second front of a crossover cardy, it's the only thing keeping me sane

grizzly4 - 2016-06-29 06:51:00

Heavens you are in the middle of it as well. Yes it's my knitting and crochet, etc that keeps me sane. If he can not take her to the hospital or pick her up there's no way he will stay around. Selfish Gitt. Our daughters can be so blind sigh.
I finished the big rug whoop whoop but I have to weave in the ends and block them . I started a red rug and went exploring for rug wool in my stash. I remembered I bought two Rubbish bags of rug wool a couple of years ago. I hadn't opened one because I had it stuffed in my walk in wardrobe at the back. The first one had 4 huge Hank's like the photo I have sent you but this one had skeins and skeins as well as another two huge Hank's. I'm in heaven. So pleased I finally dragged it out and cut it open. So I'm winding it into balls now.

makerealbany - 2016-06-29 18:46:00

Winding it all up will be a mission and a half on it's own! But looks like it will crochet up fast. Looks quite chunky, too so what size hook are you using?
My first full day at work for the week yesterday and I spent half of it at the movies with the Women's group. Ha ha. 20 of us went to see "Me Before You' and 20 of us cried bucket loads. A truly lovely movie. And we went to a new boutique cinema that has opened up close by which was beautiful and shows movies in the morning which is great not having to change the groups schedule. A craft activity for them next week and then another term is over. The year is flying by.

grizzly4 - 2016-06-30 06:46:00

I counted 54 Hank's last night . I crocheted my really thick rug on size 15 hook. This one is on size 10. Some of the Hank's are pretty thick ha ha. The huge Hank's will be on a size15 Or maybe 20. What fun going to the movies. I'm off to Rotorua early Sat morning. Was going to go tomorrow but T and K7 are coming. I'm pleased about that. I wasn't looking forward to the driving. Now I can sit and crochet lol.

makerealbany - 2016-06-30 21:22:00

That sounds like a much better idea and you have an extra day at home today to rest up beforehand. My hands ache just thinking of using a size 20 crochet hook. LOL. They must be really heavy to work on after a while, too. T will have to put you in the back seat of the car so you have room for your rug. LOL. I hope you have a safe trip and a good weekend with your family.

grizzly4 - 2016-07-01 06:44:00

Nearly went out on the truck with I. this morning as he is doing a couple of loads out of town but decided against going out in the cold. LOL. Have plenty to do here anyway organising tea for everyone. Made use of the Farmers sales last night to finally make a decision about Mum and Dad's birthday presents for when we see them next weekend. Phew it was a bit of a mission this year to come up with something different. Finally decided on nightwear and a book each with a box of their favourite chocolates to share. Not sure if you remember me trying to import a brand of chocolates for their 60th wedding anniversary a couple of years ago? They are called Black Magic and readily available in the Warehouse these days. LOL. Thought we would try a box ourselves last night and OMG they are wonderful! The cardy I have been working on is ready to sew up and I have started a pair of matching bootees.

grizzly4 - 2016-07-02 06:45:00

Cardy done and buttons on! LOL Bootees done, just a beanie to do today tio match ready for shop tomorrow.

grizzly4 - 2016-07-03 11:08:00