Sounds like you had a great time with the kids and I'm glad you are feeling better, too. What else have you got lined up for the school holidays?
Appointment went ok. Started next round last night and the injections will only be for 3 months not the 7 hospital told me. Hoorah for that! Liver results are a bit better so it looks like it was the IV chemo that was affecting it. We keep finding more and more reasons why it was a good idea to stop that treatment. Early starts every morning for 2 weeks, kids arrive at holiday programme from 8am!

grizzly4 - 2017-04-19 06:24:00

Oh that's great news. IV Chemo is something to avoid at all costs Id say.
Going to have a day at home tomorrow. I know the kids would love to go to the movies but well see. I have washing. etc to catch up on lol.
Still on this shawl. Ive had to frog it back umpteenth times. Cannot concentrate after a full day with the kids, It is quieter now that J13 has gone back. He didn't want to but he has to go on holiday camping ha ha. Told me he wanted to stay on Holiday with me. But his Mum has made plans so that's that. Thank goodness ha ha.
OMG School Holiday Programmes. No thank you ha ha.

makerealbany - 2017-04-19 22:23:00

Sounds like you are running your own school holiday programme!

grizzly4 - 2017-04-20 06:50:00

E5 goes home tomorrow. Roll on the weekend ha ha, Next week wont be much better except I'm out all day Monday.

makerealbany - 2017-04-20 23:09:00

Not sure how I will spend my weekend. I. is working Saturday morning and racing all day Sunday. I'm a bit wary of spending all day away from home not knowing how I'm going to feel and using an over used portable loo with my low immunity just seems a bit too dodgy at present. LOL. Someone has to be here to do housework and pick up groceries anyway. DIL's birthday dinner at Lone Star is SAturday night so I might be knackered any way. LOL.

grizzly4 - 2017-04-21 06:46:00

Ill be washing up a storm tomorrow ha ha. We need to take a gardening load to the tip as well but the kids can do that lol. I need to knit ha ha, Too much paperwork tonight so no knitting, I want to finish that shawl and block two of them. I want to start something different.
Id stay at home if I were you as well. I hate Port a loos. Went to a wedding at Government house years ago in Auckland and they had dozens of Port A loos. They were really well looked after. but they have spoiled me because I hate them at concerts and shows ugh.
I may go out to dinner myself tomorrow night. Still deciding ha ha.

makerealbany - 2017-04-21 23:26:00

I really shouldn't be up this early on a Saturday. My bed was so lovely and warm. Sigh. I need to write myself a list of everything that needs to be done so I can tick things off. So far this week I have finished a cardy, a beanie and a pair of socks for the shop on Monday. I have a second pair of socks nearly finished. I love my new knitting books and have bought more 4ply wool in colours other than baby pink, white and blue so I can try out some more of the patterns.

grizzly4 - 2017-04-22 07:02:00

And up early again this morning making lunches for I. and son S. for their day of racing. I had a great day yesterday, I got so much done inside and out and still managed 2 sleeps and going out to dinner. LOL. Another lovely day down here today so I might get a bit more done in the garden after I've done the groceries.I might need a nap in between though. LOL.

grizzly4 - 2017-04-23 07:15:00

I've just found this page and wanted to see what Zoe had after all the lovely comments about her work. I'm so sorry to see she's no longer on TradeMe and I'm wondering what happened. I hope she has just moved on (maybe to Etsy?) My sister (Carokat on Trademe) got me into crafts. I make necklace and earring sets in "vintage" style. I love the chance to work with beautiful things and jewellery was so expensive when I was young. I have a lovely 3-strand aurora borealis necklace and earring set from about 1963 (apart from the Du Barry 3-strad pearls my parents gave me for my 18th birthday it's the only jewellery I had) and I have a memory of it costing me over a week's wages.

lbarker - 2017-04-23 07:38:00

Hi Grizzly. Glad you had a good weekend. I finished that shawl but have not started anything else yet. I have been spending far to much time on researching patterns and looking at my stash ha ha.
Its time wasting admiring your wool and trying to work out what you are going to do ha ha. I want to knit E5 a couple of cardigans for when I have her. I note only shop bought items are sent with her so I will knit and keep them here. I'm up early tomorrow and off to spend the day with my eldest son.

makerealbany - 2017-04-23 22:03:00

Welcome iBarker. We have tried to find out about Zoe but have not been successful. I often think of her and wonder as well.
On another note I love Vintage Jewellery and have far too much sigh. I spent an hour today trying to fix a black Chrystal necklace. one of the chains had come of the large Pendant. Still not done ekk. I found an Amber necklace in the very bottom of the large drawer. Been looking for that for ages. The Baltic Amber is quite a rusty red. I have collected a few Chrystal necklaces and more than a few Brooches. I have a very old Chrystal necklace from my late MiL and a very old sting of pearls from Mum.
I prefer Vintage to modern. Maybe its because I am Vintage ha ha.

makerealbany - 2017-04-23 22:13:00

LOL, makerealbany, very funny! lbarker , maybe you could put some photos up of the jewellery you make?I started a new cardy pattern yesterday from one of the new books I bought. The pattern is a combination of reverse stocking stitch and rib panels and I'm using Tekapo 4ply in an air force blue for a change.

grizzly4 - 2017-04-24 06:44:00

What a day. Glad its over . I'm knackered ha ha. All I've done tonight is wind wool and try to sort patterns out. Cant make up my mind so downloaded some and kept winding wool. I think I have to do an Inventory. Started to load on Ravelry but seriously Id be here spending the rest of my days doing it, Gave that up ha ha. That Pattern sounds cool.

makerealbany - 2017-04-24 23:27:00

Didn't make it to work after the shop yesterday. I was feeling awful and it lasted till I went to bed at 10. Felt better when I woke after 10 hours sleep ! but not great again now since having the pills. Sigh. Never ending. Thank goodness there's no work today. I will sit and read my book which is set during WW1.

grizzly4 - 2017-04-25 09:44:00

A www big hugs girl. I was up at 4.30 and got a phone call from M10 to tell me she was coming to the Dawn Parade. She woke her Dad up and made him walk across with her. He warmed the car up for us and off we went. Only 5 mins down the road. Lovely setting overlooking the sea. Back home we are by the lake so it felt ok. She was very moved by it and talked to me about her great great Koro in the war. She also wanted to know where her Uncle W had served . Bright girl now she wants to talk to her uncle about it all. I'm not even sure where my son was as he goes to many different Anzac Services.
K7 arrived this afternoon for the rest of the week so we will be busy ha ha.
What was your book like?

makerealbany - 2017-04-25 23:13:00

Book's not bad. It's based on the story of a relationship between a French Catholc and a Jewish German woman. Very complicated back then and even more so as the story moves closer to WW2. Sometimes I don't think we realise how lucky we have it.

grizzly4 - 2017-04-26 06:32:00

Yes I'm sure you are right . Went to the Movies and my SIL and I complained to the Manager of the Theatre about the volume of the Movie, It was so loud even the kids were complaining.
Kids still enjoyed the movie. My head was throbbing afterwards.
Started a scarf for a niece. Its on big needles 6 so should motor through it ha ha.

makerealbany - 2017-04-26 23:00:00

Scarf not a shawl, sounds a lot faster. LOL. LOng day ahead today with an early start by 8 then a farewell dinner tonight for one of the staff. Pills aren't being very kind to me this round so keeping anti-nausea meds close by. The wee cardy I'm working on is a fast pattern too. Even with no knitting done at all on Tuesday the back and fronts are finished and I'm part way up a sleeve.

grizzly4 - 2017-04-27 06:39:00

It must be awful for you having to work and going through this. I don't know how you do it. There is nothing worse than feeling the side effects of drugs that are supposed to heal you.
K7 is 8 next week would you believe. He is still with me . Going home tomorrow night. Its a busy time and I'm glad School is back next week. Bet you are as well ha ha.

makerealbany - 2017-04-27 23:58:00

Yes, can't quite believe it's the last day of the holiday programme. I've become so focused ongetting through the day it's a bit of a shock when a goal is reached. Today will be hard as one of our senior staff is leaving after 3 years and it's not a choice either one of us would make in better financial circumstances. Decreasing funding sucks. She has been a major support to me this year and goes above and beyond within her role. But it was that role that has been hit the hardest funding wise and now we have to say goodbye. It's bad enough when they are moving on to better things etc but this is awful when she doesn't want to go. So tired after her farewell dinner and a 10 hour day at work beforehand no knitting done last night.

grizzly4 - 2017-04-28 06:35:00

That is sad and you are decreased funding sucks alright. K7 went home this afternoon and its really quiet here. No snoring ha ha. I went out this afternoon and came home and decided to sort my wool stash out. No more buying wool until I have knitted at lest three plastic containers. Couldn't even remember buying half of it lol.
Nearly finished the scarf and Ill do her a hat to match. Don't like the wool though. Awful to knit. I'm becoming a wool snob ha ha.
10 hours is too long for you. Heavens you need to take it easy not knock yourself out. don't know how you do it.

makerealbany - 2017-04-29 00:00:00

Yay it's Saturday and I have B8 here for the first time in ages. The other boys will be here by lunch time. Can't think what to do for lunch but tea is sorted. LOL. Cardy finished except for the bands. Lots of tears at work yesterday saying goodbye to a valued staff member.

grizzly4 - 2017-04-29 09:44:00

Had a lovely day at T's for an early Birthday Party for K . We had his late Dads Parents there and they enjoyed it. J flew up from Christchurch and she had two friends there as well. Even though it poured a good time was had by all .
I'm still knitting this very long scarf ha ha.

makerealbany - 2017-04-30 00:11:00

No knitting for me last night as not well from teat time onwards but had a good day with the boys before that. Played Family Feud board game. LOL.

grizzly4 - 2017-04-30 10:04:00

Managed some shopping and lunch out yesterday then came home to finish cardy and knit matching socks. Very cold and wet here so shop will be a bit miserable this morning but maybe I won't notice with end of month stuff to organise. LOL.

grizzly4 - 2017-05-01 06:55:00

Heavens fell asleep early last night in my lazy boy lol. Woke up freezing and crawled into bed. Cold here as well. I'm annoyed as an engine light came on in my car. They reset it last week but told me if it comes on again I have to go to the mechanic. guess what? yes it came on tonight driving back from the beach. Auto Electrician said its just a clitch. Right. Once the mechanic does his thing I have to take it back to the Auto Electrician to once again reset it grrrr.
No knitting tonight lol. Too tired to concentrate on pattern which is easy duh.
I've got my electric blanket on to heat the bed and I have my feather quilt to put on once I get in. I even put the heat pump on, its so cold.

makerealbany - 2017-05-01 23:03:00

I hope your car is still under warranty? You haven't had it that long, have you? Do you remember my friend Sue that was part of our message board for a while (can't remember the name she used)? Her Mum died on Sunday so have funeral to go to on Thursday sadly. Both S and her Mum were part of the Women's Group at work for ages and S and I worked together in the shop for years till she lost her job at the retirement home when it was destroyed by the earthquake and found full time work elsewhere. It was a reminder of how long it's been since I have seen either of them, we all get caught up in other stuff going on.

grizzly4 - 2017-05-02 06:48:00

Women's GRoup starts up again today. I had an activity planned to create a canvas art involving Air Plants. TM was the only place i could get the plants in large numbers for a reasonable price. They gave me a date they would send them so I arranged the other activities to suit. Guess what? Plants aren't here!!! Now I have to bring forward the next craft activity and hopefully the plants will last for a couple of weeks once they arrive. So frustrating. I am working on a wee jersey in garter stitch that is knitted in one piece from front hem through to back hem. I am including a couple of contrast colours other wise the boredom of the same stitch row after row would be putting me to sleep. I went to a meeting yesterday that was cancelled once I got there so not worth going back to work for an hour so went to Knitworld instead. Got enough for another 2 wee jerseys from these books I am loving at the moment.

grizzly4 - 2017-05-03 06:41:00

Yes my car is still under warranty. I managed to send you an email on my phone. My internet went down so they gave me extra data until it was fixed but I couldn't access the data grrrr.
The whole street lost connection. Phone was ok though.
I remember Sue. How sad to catch up under those circumstances.
Well that's a shocker about the air plants.
My neighbour moves tomorrow and A and I are going to Whangarei for the day so I won't be around . I did offer to help during the week but her sisters are helping and I wasn't needed lol.
I started knitting another shawl after I finished the scarf. I'm doing it in a gradient cream to brown but the wool is 100 percent Merino from a NZ Company. Looks lovely but is awful to knit. Feels hard. It had better soften up when I wash and block it as I won't be pleased. It was $25 for a 100 grms and I will not be buying anymore.

makerealbany - 2017-05-03 22:22:00

Wow that's expensive isn't it, I hope it softens up for as well. I'm up to the decreasing on sleeves on the back of the all in one jersey I'm doing. All garter stitch is a bit tedious and I'm worried the neckline will look a bit unfinished as it is.

grizzly4 - 2017-05-04 06:53:00

Yes it is expensive. I wanted it to match a brown soft leather Jacket I had bought myself. I spend so much on wool for everyone else I thought I would treat myself again ha ha, Had a long travelling day today 7 hours in the car sigh. Got home and Dunhill the naughty cat had jumped up on my desk last night and knocked over the scensey holder with the warm wax and it had set all over the carpet grrr, I heard the noise last night but just thought he'd tipped the paper bin over. He jumps in it and plays with the paper. Was in a rush getting up at 5.30 so did not notice it. I had the warmer on and turned it off when I went to bed.
I have heated the wax on the carpet with the Hair Drier just so I could scrape it off. Got more to do tomorrow as I'm tired now . Dunhill just sat on the bed glaring at me as if it was my fault lol.

Edited by makerealbany at 11:51 pm, Thu 4 May

makerealbany - 2017-05-04 23:50:00

Typical cat!!! Haven't been feeling too good last couple of days which is such a pain when it's my week off the pills. It seems there is still an effect anyway. Sigh. L9 is staying over tonight so will go to Mall for tea. DIL goes to Blenheim on placement in a couple of weks and she will be away for a month. It will be interesting to see how son S gets on organising the boys in the mornings. LOL. Looks like daughter S is almost at the point of leaving that awful man. She went to see a house last night for her and B8 and will let them know whether she is taking it today. She is keeping up with her counselling and has an appointment today as well so here's hoping. The main thing once she is out will be keeping her from needing to make the same choices again to stop feeling lonely. Fingers crossed.

grizzly4 - 2017-05-05 06:56:00

With L here last night I was able to finally sort out a theme for his birthday cake next week. Monster Jam it is!!! LOL. Had a lovely evening with him and not too early a morning either. We have a few errands to run this morning then we will make lasagne for tea. Jersey is finished, just need to sew it up.

grizzly4 - 2017-05-06 08:28:00

Darn internet didn't post. I just wrote another long message and boom it was gone. They had better fix it properly I'm sick of it.

makerealbany - 2017-05-06 22:24:00

Had my great grandson last night until 4 this afternoon. S was offered a days work so I helped him out. Poor C6 was sick and slept all day. Perked up when his Dad arrived this afternoon so that was good.
I hope S does take that house for her and B8.

makerealbany - 2017-05-06 22:29:00

S has taken the house and has it from Queen's Birthday weekend. Is busy organising furniture and delivery to our house in the meantime. She sold her stuff when she moved in with him. Sigh. I think we've decided she's going to tell him last minute and move home here for the week before so he's not trying to find out where she's moved to. But of course we all know plans change especially with S. L9 is back with me today as I. and son S are racing the quad bikes today and DIL has an assignment due (although she had all day yesterday without kids which she spent shopping with no money!). Meanwhile I have the groceries to do this morning and the end of month stuff for the shop. Tomorrow is going to be full on as well. Blood tests early before going to the shop, then a meeting at work before oncologist appopintment at 3pm. Then a trip to the pharmacy to pick up pills for next round, the 2nd months injections for the blood clots and my inhaler. LOL. Finished the wee all-in-one jersey and I'm quite pleased with it. Started a dolls coat last night for a change.

Edited by grizzly4 at 7:56 am, Sun 7 May

grizzly4 - 2017-05-07 07:55:00

That DIL of yours takes the mickey doesn't she?
I hope all goes ok with S . Didn't this happen last time?. Honestly sometimes you feel like wringing your kids necks ha ha. I know I do at times. I'm feeling jaded , got a darn cough and a Whanau Meeting next weekend in Rotorua. Sigh. My car goes in again this week. Teddy needs his shots, Paku may need to go to the vet as the old boy is very quiet. W'ell see how he is in the morning. M fell over and hurt her knee tonight so hope shes ok for school tomorrow.
I blocked two shawls today after cleaning and sorting out a lot of my son's stuff until 3 this afternoon. A cooked me a nice dinner so I was very happy with that. Did a bit on my shawl. Paid some bills and had to buy a present for a friend. Wool of course ha ha. I like shopping online for wool. Have to be careful though lol.
Hope all goes well tomorrow for you.

makerealbany - 2017-05-07 23:39:00

Thank you. DIL and daughter S haven't got on for months now and I'm sick of it, with one leaving if the other turns up etc, etc. S bought a pot plant for DIL on Saturday and sat waiting to give it to her and try and make peace. In the end DIL never showed up till right on tea time and S had to leave for a vet appointment before then. S sent her a nice txt explaining the plant but DIL responded very negatively 5 hours later! S is trying to practice what her counsekllor is teaching her in regards to saying how these things affect her straight away rather than bottling it up so she did that in a calm txt saying how much that upset her and once again hours later got rubbish back. I hope I don't have to see her too much this week before she leaves for a month's placement in Blenheim. I heard her say on SAturday how one of her faults at work is that she has too much empathy. Really?! How very misguided she is.

grizzly4 - 2017-05-08 06:44:00

Omg someone ought to burst DIL's bubble lol. Poor S trying to make peace and that's what she gets. Ive been there and its not nice. In the end I gave up. Have not spoken to my Sis P for 20 months and neither have three of our sisters. You can only try and then you realise your life is easier without their nonsense to put it mildly ha ha.
My cold is full on now. Went straight to my chest grrrr. I lost my eftpos card on Friday, realised yesterday so cancelled it and got a new one this morning. Went to post a parcel and then bought the groceries. Came home and just sat in my chair and dozed. They didn't have a car for me today so now I have to take my car in tomorrow. I wanted to get it sorted today. If I can avoid going out when I feel like this I do.
I think of you having to work and I don't know how you can do it. You are a ruddy marvel really.
I only did a few rows on my shawl tonight as I went to pick M10 up from her choir practice at 7. I told A that I would go its 6 mins down the road. She dropped her off and shes usually putting J6 into bed at 7.
After that I was sorting out patterns again ha ha

makerealbany - 2017-05-08 23:59:00

Sorry to hear about your cold! I've had a stuffy nose for 5 weeks but hasn't got any worse till yesterday when I woke up with 2 huge cold sores. I feel miserable now, they are so painful and I guess they are going to take ages to heal with me starting the chemo piulls again today for round 5. I hope you have found something worthwhile to help with the cold. Nothing worse when you have so much to do.

grizzly4 - 2017-05-09 08:35:00

I had a really good supervision session yesterday, no solutions of course regarding the funding crisis at work but I did realise how much I have been internally analysing how I'm dealing with the cancer stuff and the work stuff.And how differently I have started dealing with things as they come up. I love self reflection! LOL.
How are you feeling? Are you going to get your car back before you need to go to Rotorua?
I finished the dolls coat last night, just needs a button now.

grizzly4 - 2017-05-10 06:43:00

Just got back from my GP I got really sick very quickly. Fever and low Oxygen intake. I cant think straight. When I cough my head feels like its going to blow off my shoulders. Ill try to sleep for awhile.

makerealbany - 2017-05-10 13:26:00

THat's not good news at all ! Are you able to postpone your trip till you feel better? I hate to think of you still having so much to do when you are not well. So much for the 'flu jab, eh?
I'm letting the financial situation at work get on top of me at present. Couldn't stop thinking about it last night and woke up with a headache this morning. Sigh. Yesterday the Women's Group made concrete mushrooms for their gardens. Great fun and seriously looking at doing it for the Holiday Programme in July with the kids.
I hope you are feeling better today.

grizzly4 - 2017-05-11 06:48:00

Still feeling lousy sigh. I have to let my sis know tomorrow if I cant go. I'm hoping Ill feel better as I have to co sign the cheques and Mum's Unveiling is on the 2nd of July so a lot to get through. If I cant go Ill have to miss the Hui and go during the week as I have E5 on Saturday.
Concrete Mushrooms sound great. Did you make one? Its pouring here and Dunhill is growling around inside. He hates the rain ha ha.
I am certainly catching up on sleep as I keep dozing off during the day. Its the meds . Put my shawl away and its only half finished but too fine to knit like this. Started a pair of fingerless gloves in cream ha ha. 8ply but couldn't concentrate so they are just glaring at me lol.
Funding is tougher right now. Applications so long and criteria changing all the time. Do you have a Funding Committee?
Well I think Ill meander off to bed . Love sleeping with the rain pouring down. Somehow its soothing now that all the drains are in ha ha.

makerealbany - 2017-05-12 00:21:00

Gosh, that message was after midnight!!! No, no funding committee just me. Have you seen the new message board loaded up with a different site to look for patterns? That was kind of her to share, I thought. I'm not going in to work today, like you not feeling the greatest but I have some policy stuff I can work on here at home if I get the urge. LOL. L9's party is tomorrow and I'm doing a Monster Jam cake for him so I can start that today.All those Air PLants I ordered finally arrived - they are pretty cool.
I hope you are feeling better this morning.

grizzly4 - 2017-05-12 07:11:00

Not sure whether I should assume you have gone to Rotorua anyway? I hope that means you are feeling better.

grizzly4 - 2017-05-13 09:39:00

Hi no did not go anywhere lol. I coughed so much I fractured my rib again sigh. Asthma is darn annoying brought on by the virus. I've been knitting and dozing. Wake myself up when I can't breathe ugh. I am getting better . Well at lest that's what I'm telling myself ha ha.
I've often wanted an air plant. Where did you get them from?
You need help with Funding that's a part time job for someone.
K8 had an hour at Leap Party for all his cousins and friends yesterday . His late Birthday Activity. J6 told me all about it when he came home. He wanted his Mum's Mother's Day Present we had got her a while ago. He's so excited ha ha.
Happy Mother's Day my friend. Have an awesome day at L9s Party.
Haven't seen the Pattern Message yet. I'll look. I spent awhile on Ravelry this week though ha ha.

makerealbany - 2017-05-14 06:58:00

L's party was yesterday and went very well. He had a ball. I'm going to watch I. race today I'm feeling seedy all the time now so not much point in not going. I'm not going to feel any better sitting at home.
That's awful news about your rib and still coughing!!! Makes me cringe to think about it.

grizzly4 - 2017-05-14 08:58:00

trifkterrariums is the TM member I bought the airplants from. Maybe just search on TM for airplants,.

grizzly4 - 2017-05-14 09:00:00

How are you? Silly question I guess, It's going to take a while for the ribs to heal and the cough to settle. I'm thinking of you.
Daughter S. told B8 once he was back with his DAd for the week that they would have their own place together in a couple of weeks. He is so excited about living with us for a week before that happens. LOL. S also told her partner she was leaving him last night. At that point he was upset apparently but agreed it wasn't working and S will spend the week packing her stuff to move here for a couple of weeks before moving to her own place. I'm not convinced he's going to be that easy about it but he did get caught redhanded yesterday at a speedway meeting with a woman he had met up with on TInder last November! He was racing his car at the same meeting I. was racing his ATV so S and I (as in me LOL) were there too. He's a stupid man and S is going to be much better off without him.

grizzly4 - 2017-05-15 06:59:00