Your weather must have improved up there as well. It's great to be able to get those outside things done at last. I washed blankets and jerseys as well and got them all dry in one day. Brilliant. I am crocheting a blanket to finish up more leftover bits of wool.

grizzly4 - 2017-10-16 06:32:00

Just came in from the garden but I have to go back out and put snail bait out, Darn snails are prolific. I have been pottering all day. Do one job and then there another. I thought I would post early tonight. After my shower I intend to knit, I have about 2 hours knitting left on the last shawl whoop whoop. Don't think Ill do it tonight. I have sewing to do and a dozen other projects sigh. Don't even mention Christmas ugh ha ha

makerealbany - 2017-10-16 19:51:00

I had to redo the snail bait last night too. Worked on my blanket last night but the rounds are getting too big for the balls of wool I have left over. It might just have to be the size it is after this last colour plus a black row to finish off. LOL.

grizzly4 - 2017-10-17 08:07:00

Blanket sounds cool. I dropped off the kids and went to get back into the car and wham my back went out Yikes, An awful drive home. Any way I rubbed deep heat in and took some Naproxen and Panadol and tried to keep mobile. I had to go and pick them up this afternoon so it was another yikey drive. Had to use Mum's walking stick to get in and out of the car. M and J were all concerned but I told them I was just practicing using the stick for when I get really old. ha ha. They get really upset if I'm not well so its grin and bear it time lol. Last night I realized that I had not cast off on the last two patterns on the shawl so guess what. ??? Yes I had to undo about 6 inches and re knit it .

makerealbany - 2017-10-17 20:33:00

Oh no! about the back and another Oh No! about taking back the knitting. Long day at work yesterday as one of the programme Supervisors is over in Vietnam for 2 weeks so having to fill in as needed. Trying to be creative to fill the gaps in funding but running out of ideas really. Women's Group starts back today for the term but a an easy morning (Hopefully) with a visit to a new cafe in a garden centre. Another meeting this afternoon and then a shop one at 5. Blanket is finished - just have to sew in ends. Can choose a new knitting project now. Yippee! My unfinished projects included fabric borders on a set of towels I'm donating as a raffle prize and a unicorn applique motif on another polar fleece cuddly. I've lost the template I sorted out before getting sick so have to start again on that one.

grizzly4 - 2017-10-18 08:12:00

I am often misplacing things lol. I got up at 5 and had a very hot bath to get me going. Took kids to school. dashed home to let the dogs out and do the washing. Hoovered the house and went back to the school to do PE Helper with J's class and then came back home. Finished the housework and cleaned up the puppies beds and cage. Its a load of washing every day with their blankets lol. We have puppy pads and they are learning where to go. Clever babies. Then at 2.30 I was off back to school to pick up the kids. Cooked tea and fed them. A arrived and I came home to do my chores. No knitting tonight. Was wasting time trying to fix my printer grrr. 5 start in the morning so its bed for me.

makerealbany - 2017-10-18 23:24:00

And all with a sore back! My goodness, they are lucky to have you. My printer is not working either. It put itself through a cleaning process a couple of weeks ago and hasn't printed anything since. If you try it goes into cleaning mode again.The screen refers you to the troubleshooter page in the manual which doesn't mention anything about this problem. Sigh.

grizzly4 - 2017-10-19 07:39:00

After long days at work this week we are off to Blenheim tomorrow for the weekend. Here's hoping the traffic is not too bad as the trip is already long enough. I will be so glad when State Highway 1 is repaired, it was only 4 hours going that way. Have a lovely long weekend and I hope you get a break.

grizzly4 - 2017-10-20 07:30:00

Hope you had a lovely weekend in Blenheim. J was up from Queenstown for the weekend and we all had a great relaxing time. I finished that pink shawl hurrah. Not sure what to knit next though ha ha.

makerealbany - 2017-10-23 23:41:00

Had a good trip but Mum became unwell Sunday afternoon, still not great when we left yesterday. Such a worry and I feel so helpless. Pretty much how I feel about my own family right now and some stuff at work. LOL. I must be such a control freak! I have been working on a wee vest with a shawl collar but didn't do any while I was away.

grizzly4 - 2017-10-24 06:58:00

Oh your poor Mum. Hope she improves soon. Yes you would feel helpless.
I can feel your pain girl. You are not a control freak. You are like me . You have to be organized in order to accomplish all the things that you do. I had a hectic day with the normal stuff and writing to all the Land Trusts about Mum's land. Its so time consuming but have to get it all sorted. We have succeeded to all Mum's Land but because there are seven trustees in our Family Trust we can never all agree on the same thing grrr. We the three eldest are very clear but the three youngest are diabolical and trying to do their own thing. Money really does bring out the worst in some people. My naughty niece has come to her senses and is on board with us so that is a great relief. My only brother is living in Mum's House but he now thinks he owns it which of course is not true so he is a right pain in the butt. I got him to sign a Tenancy agreement lol which he now wants destroyed ha ha. I have already lodged that with the lawyer. He can live in there for the rest of his life as long as he pays the rates but on his demise or if he moves out the Trustees have to decide who goes in next. He is of the opinion he can leave it to his children regardless , The idiot.
Yes families can drive you nuts. I have so many things to do for Christmas, I have bought one grandchild's presents and that is it sigh, Couldn't decide what to knit so I wound wool up instead ha ha. Some hanks are dreadful to wind. I wont be buying wool from those companies again.

makerealbany - 2017-10-24 23:31:00

The Trust sounds like full time work. LOL. I've won an auction on TM that looks like it might go sour. It was for 4 pattern books with no mention of choosing 1 and you can guess what's happening now!

grizzly4 - 2017-10-25 07:35:00

Ugh My daughter is in Wellington working and she sold a pile of stuff so I had to take 15 parcels to the PO to get weighed and tracked lol.
I took the kids to school. Came home and fed Tess and her puppies. They are on a tspn each of very watered down puppy food. I hovered and hung out two loads of washing. Let the other dogs out for a run. Thank heavens they are little dogs. Then back to the school for an hour as parent help in PE for J7 and his class. Came back home. Puppys blankets to be washed and their bed changed. They use puppy liners in one section of the run. I'm taking photos on my phone and Ill email them to you. Left at 1,30 for the PO and Pakansav to get more puppy food and dog food. Arrived at kids school to pick them up and home we came. Both of them had to do Math Whizz on the laptop, cooked tea, showered them and I had just got them into bed asleep and my SIL rang grrrrr. So I'm about to do some paperwork and then its bed for me. No TV or knitting ha ha.

makerealbany - 2017-10-25 21:50:00

Your days are very full on at present. I have finished the wee waistcoat and have started a cardy. Still using up stashed wool. LOL.

grizzly4 - 2017-10-26 08:17:00

Woohoo my daughter is home so I am in my cottage. Dunhill is annoyed with me so he brought a field mouse in through the cat door and left me half on the bathroom floor grrr. Teddy and Paku are asleep in their respective crates. The puppies can get out of their big crate so its fun over there, ha ha, They learnt that trick today I was at the kitchen sink and something started licking my toes. They will be up to other mischief I'm sure. I locked their doors up when I went to pick up the kids.
I haven't watched TV or knitted sigh. Ah well at lest I'm not bored. ha ha

makerealbany - 2017-10-26 22:44:00

I liked the story about the escaping puppy. LOL. Sorted stuff out with TM seller but now she can't find one of the pattern books. Really??!!

grizzly4 - 2017-10-27 08:40:00

Boy, for a short week, it seemed incredibly long! LOL. I've been doing close to 40 hours over the past month instead of the 35 per week I should be doing. Partly that's because of school holidays and it was great making up some time owed from when I was on chemo. The last 2 weeks are because 1 team member has been away in Vietnam on holiday and another was away sick for a week. I will be so glad when things are back to normal. I've been working on a cardy and I'm almost finished the first sleeve, back and fronts done. I was hoping to have it finished for Monday but going to fireworks at Speedway tonight so maybe not. It was something I highlighted that I wanted to do this summer but it's come around so quick, tonight's the night.

grizzly4 - 2017-10-28 09:29:00

OMG You are so busy at work. Hope it settles soon. I have E5 for the night and she has spent the whole day with the puppies. A came home at 12,30 last night so I am feeling shattered ha ha. No knitting again or sewing. Ah well tomorrow is another day ha ha.

makerealbany - 2017-10-28 23:35:00

I actually managed to finish the second sleeve and the neckband yesterday, just the front bands to do now. Had a great night at Speedway last night. I took a spontaneous ticket in the 50/50 raffle and we won $2000!!!!!!!! Can you believe it? Nothing has ever happened to us like that before, it's still sinking in. I need to get some plants that are growing in my conservatory in the garden today but I just can't settle to do anything. Very weird feeling. LOL.

grizzly4 - 2017-10-29 10:34:00

Congrats girl. Yes I can believe it Great Karma. You had better work out what you would like to do with it before I spends it ha ha,
I feel really happy for you. How wonderful just before Xmas.
I took E back to her Mum and visited my son. A had three lots of visitors for the puppies. One couple is paying their puppy off and they are lovely people. He will be so spoilt as their parents will puppy sit during the day lol. My grandson C and his partner A are getting one and they visit him as well. A is training to be a vet nurse so she can take him to work ha ha.
I have a full two weeks before I go away for the weekend and I'm way behind with sorting out my projects to take. A my 21 year old granddaughter has finished uni apart from assignments so she will pick up the kids for me from school so I have more time to get my things done ,

makerealbany - 2017-10-29 21:40:00

Where are you going for your weekend? Sounds good if you are taking projects! A few more plants went into the garden, the gladis that I put in a couple of weeks ago are about 4 inches above ground now. 9 of 10 have come up. I finished the cardy and I have started a matinee jacket.

grizzly4 - 2017-10-30 07:27:00

I'm going to Taupo with a large group of Knitters, dyers, and anything to do with yarn. We are having classes on all sorts, I'm going to finally learn from experts ha ha. I'm so looking forward to it. I hope I don't fall asleep in any classes ha ha. Lovely day today I washed from 6 this morning to 4. Those puppies are ploughing through blankets. Tomorrow I'm changing 4 beds so lets hope its another nice day.

makerealbany - 2017-10-30 22:18:00

Loving this weather! One of the shops in a local mall closed down yesterday and donated all their glass counters to the Purple Patch so we spent 3 hours last night moving them. What a mission that was! I came home after that to finish off the last row of a sleeve to find I had made a mistake way back at the beginning which meant I had far too many stitches. Ripped it all the way back before going to bed. Haven't had to do that for a while. Speaking of I. and money he's a bit off with me at present as he's been offered 'a really good deal' on a bigger bike to race. He rang me at a bad time yesterday and I couldn't get back to him and then wasn't happy when I said his existing bike would have to be sold first. Ah well, looks like I'm not destined to be popular with many of my family members these days. Sigh.

grizzly4 - 2017-10-31 07:36:00

Ended up staying home yesterday, my head was not in the right space. Felt better after pottering in my garden and reading for a while. Women's Group on a bus trip around the Christmas shops this morning so that should be fun. More funding to do after that.

grizzly4 - 2017-11-01 07:51:00

I took the children up to T's place last night for Halloween. She really decorates her home and the kids had so much fun. She always gets lots of children and parents visiting for trick or treats ha ha. She outdid herself last night with mechanical zombies and Vampires, etc. Children kept coming back to show friends and taking heaps of photos. She must have had 200 visitors at lest. After we came home they were still going up her driveway. She had three big cauldrons of goodies for the kids. Some of the families have been three years in a row. They take her goodies as well. Crawled out of bed at 5,15 and tomorrow will be the same. Roll on the end of November when A has a month or two off. Yes please ha ha.
Men and their toys ugh.

makerealbany - 2017-11-01 23:05:00

Wow, T put in a huge effort! Does she do Christmas all out as well? Our bus trip yesterday was lovely visiting the CHristmas shops. I bought fancy crackers to take up to Mum's, a new tree decoration (a crystal heart) and 2 christmas ornaments.

grizzly4 - 2017-11-02 07:55:00

Late night at work coming up today with an event at the local park to celebrate Neighbourhood Week. Going to be a long day.

grizzly4 - 2017-11-03 07:43:00

Yep its been a long week hasn't it? M had her Gymnastic Tournament yesterday so another early start for us. She did well. A dropped them at school today so I'm cleaning. What else is new you say ha ha. I'm off to Rotorua at 5 tomorrow morning for two Hui. Looking forward to catching up with Friends. Gosh there are so many new Christmas Decorations out, I buy two each year after Christmas in the sales ha ha.
A sold some trousers on TM . The girl only paid yesterday after a week and emailed to find out where they were duh. Some people are incredible on here ha ha.

makerealbany - 2017-11-03 08:53:00

It took over a week to sort out knitting pattern action as well. Up early like you this morning. I have to get a warrant for my car before going to shop to organise the Christmas raffle prizes. I. is at work already and then has a reunion for a company he used to work for so I'm on my own to garden and knit once I'm back home. I hope your trip goes well and you finish all your projects!

grizzly4 - 2017-11-04 06:34:00

The trip went well and the first Hui was very good. The second was not so good ha ha, I drove back to Hamilton, dropped my sister off and came home. I was in bed early. This morning A left to go to work away until Thursday night. So Friday cant get here too soon ha ha. Poor J7 and another little boy collided on Friday and he has badly bruised his tailbone. He is very sore and I have him on Panadol every 4 hours. He's a tough little boy and wanted to go off to school tomorrow but he's not allowed to do anything sporty for 7 days and I'm keeping him home until he no longer needs pain relief.
The fireworks are so loud. I had to put Paku and Teddy away in the cottage and I am in the house with the kids. Tess and her troublesome' noisy pups who do not like the racket either. Too be honest the sooner they ban all sales the better off we will be.
I need to start a pattern for Taupo but I cant concentrate so Ill get a couple of hours sleep instead ha ha,

makerealbany - 2017-11-05 21:10:00

So how did your projects go that you took away with you? It was an ok weekend but frustrating withthe shop asking me to do so much at present that I haven't even started the end of month cheques and I'm feeling real;ly tired again so not much gardening was done either. Sigh.

grizzly4 - 2017-11-06 06:57:00

The matinee jacket I'm working on didn't get finished in time for the shop yesterday but nearly done now. Just one more band up the front to finish and some buttons. I'll bet you are tired after your busy weekend!

grizzly4 - 2017-11-07 07:37:00

No its not the busy weekend I had its this busy week. My Sil always rings when I am feeding the children which then makes getting them to bed later and the puppies need feeding straight after tea so they are howling for their food their mother is distraught and my grandkids are all wound up because their father has been telling them how much he misses them' etc. At lest my daughter texts me first to see if its ok, Then shes so positive with them they settle down and its off to bed for them. I have just got the puppies settled . I have not packed a thing for Taupo yet ha ha. Ill be up all Thursday night getting organized because my daughter will arrive home late and my Sil arrives at 2 in the morning on Friday. My first class is Friday night. I have needles and wool plus patterns to sort out etc as well as clothing for warm weather or cold weather. I froze in Rotorua and Taupo can get really cold . I will never agree to this again. No more puppies that's for sure, For the first time in my life I feel rather resentful which is silly but I do . I have planned this weekend for a long time and I let them know the dates well in advance so I'm annoyed lol.
I will be taking more time out for myself in the future, My daughter is paying my older granddaughter to pick the kids up from school and help them do their homework but as J7 is at home with me awwww It is a help because I don't have to drop everything and rush to the school in peaktime traffic. M9 has been catching the school bus which is marvellous, She loves it as I take her to the stop and wait until she is picked up. The bus is only for her school and neighbouring children travel with her. Yhe children have been so good and even M has been saying 'This is too much work Nana you look exhausted' Bless her. My grandson has been here two days in a row weedeating and mowing lawns, as well as other jobs for me. J has been trailing around the yard watching his older cousin work. We have managed to fit in reading and maths for J to his disgust ha ha. I'm off to bed because those puppies could wake up at any time of the night.

makerealbany - 2017-11-07 21:33:00

OH my gosh, I am exhausted just reading your message! I obviously have your 2 trips mixed up. LOL. I hope this weekend is everytjhing you hope to enjoy, you certainly need the break. How much longer before the puppies go to their new homes?

grizzly4 - 2017-11-08 08:02:00

Another 6 weeks. I wont last that long ha ha. Darn monkeys woke me at 3 this morning. They have just had their last feed and I'm off to bed. Too tired to even think straight lol.

makerealbany - 2017-11-08 23:28:00

I know how that feels so don't you go getting sick again!!! My hips are giving me jip at present Grrr. Like you there is to much to do and not enough time or energy to do it.

grizzly4 - 2017-11-09 08:19:00

Staying home today,sore hips and yet another cold sore plus made nachos for tea last night and obviously not a meal I will be repeating for me. Reflux big time. LOL REpeating LOL - I am very witty this morning.........not. I haven't made any plans this weekend to celebrate my birthday because of the family rubbish that's ongoing. I. and S are racing on Sunday so was hoping to go and watch and maybe take a birthday picnic maybe. L10 would be very happy with that LOL. But now the weather looks really dodgy so not sure what to plan for.

grizzly4 - 2017-11-10 07:56:00

you must be off completing those projects! You will be exhausted by the time you get home after such a huge week in between 2 weekends away. I hope you are having lots of fun though. I can't make up my mind what to knit!

grizzly4 - 2017-11-11 09:55:00

A very belated Happy Birthday I hope you had a good weekend. I had a great time in Taupo with a lovely group of fabulously talented woman. It took me awhile but I started my first adult socks and learnt the Turkish cast on with circular needles. I'm very pleased. We had women showing us all sorts. I learnt how to dye wool and needle felting. I just took so much in . I guess I was really tired so I didn't do much knitting or crocheting there but back home in the quiet I was able to put into practice what I had learnt. I spent Sunday in Rotorua and then my sisters and I had 7 offices to visit on Monday and trillions of forms to fill out . etc but we got so much work done. I came back late last night and I'm shattered ha ha.
Just finished downloading more forms but Ill fill those in tomorrow. I am the Secretary for the Whanau Trust and its tough in the beginning but will get easier. I'm going to work on my sock for 30 mins and then go to bed ha ha

makerealbany - 2017-11-14 21:57:00

Well done you. Sounds wonderful to spend a weekend just leaerning new craft. I don't think there is anything like that down here.

grizzly4 - 2017-11-15 07:08:00

Had a lovely morning yesterday with the Women's Group at the A&P Show. Looking forward to our 3 day weekend. Going to the sidecar races at Moore Park tomorrow and more gardening planned, although not much to do now.

grizzly4 - 2017-11-16 07:37:00

I have heaps to do in my gardens but ignoring it until I have the time during the day. Sil is home again on Saturday for 2 weeks. M broke her arm during gymnastics so she has been a royal pain still trying to do things she normally does. It must run in the family ha ha Poor little girl. She doesn't complain either. She is a very strong minded soul.
I am to the heel in my sock after a few errors lol. I changed from circulars to 4 needles which has helped.
I also cleaned up my wool stash again. I'm on a wool diet now. I have so much to knit and crochet, ha ha

makerealbany - 2017-11-16 21:55:00

Poor M! I am trying towork on my wool store as well. I've decided to just do diolls clothes for the next couple of weeks to use some of the acrylic up. Hopefully they will do well in the shop leading up to Christmas. I bought 2 baby dolls on special last night so will dress them up as well for the shop.

grizzly4 - 2017-11-17 09:37:00

M is over dolls sigh but E5 is still keen ha ha. I'm still working on the heel of my sock. Lots of undoing ha ha

makerealbany - 2017-11-17 21:52:00

Lots of patience, sounds like. I'm not keen on using 4 needles or a circular one so more points to you! Spent 6 hours watching sidecar racing yesterday. It was bitterly cold but still a good day. I have found another craft shop locally that I'm going to explore today plus visit my favourite wool shop. LOL! So much for what I said yesterday.

grizzly4 - 2017-11-18 10:32:00

Ha ha I avoided Spotlight when I went Christmas shoppng with A and M today. There were so many people around ugh. Got some pressies for the little ones and a dress for myself. A and S bought me a Black Leather Wallet and a lovely Black Leather Handbag to thank me for all my help. That was really thoughtful as I actually wanted both of them .. S outdid himself with the pressies as he wont be here for Christmas. M had a lovely Backpack that we all love ha ha and a pr of Addidas shoes that aren't available in NZ yet. J got the same shoes and an xbox game that is not out in NZ. S shopped in Dubai and A got a Michael Kors Wallet. That boy is improving ha ha.
I was so tired after our day out I dozed in my chair.

Edited by makerealbany at 11:55 pm, Sat 18 Nov

makerealbany - 2017-11-18 23:53:00

What a great weekend! Shame it's back to work today. Went to the local fair yesterday and it was amazing. We kept sampling the different ethnic food while watching the national dances. My first sunburn in 2 years! After a wee nap (LOL) we went to a local restaurant for the nicest salad I've had in ages and it was only $20. Great way to finish the weekend off.

grizzly4 - 2017-11-20 06:29:00

So glad you had a nice weekend. Wasn't much fun here today. Perhaps I'm being cynical but I have a gut feeling my daughter is sick and tired of the constant battle with her other half every time he comes home. I spent the day at T's place doing all our washing. the washing machine is now fixed but it was a good excuse to flee the camp as it were ha ha. I now have two great nieces that are expecting so one is having a girl so I can knit pink yah. The other one doesn't know yet. I'm still struggling with the sock heel but didn't knit tonight anyway. I sorted baby patterns instead ha ha,

makerealbany - 2017-11-21 00:05:00

Supporting relationship difficulties is so hard, I think. I have started another dolls set but now have orders for 3 more sets LOL. 4ply sets for 16 inch and 20 inch dolls. That will keep me busy for a while. Two are in pink and one will be in an apricot colour. I've got to go and buy the wool now.

grizzly4 - 2017-11-21 07:55:00

Dinner out last night for last Management Team meeting for the year. The 'last ofs' have started....LOL.

grizzly4 - 2017-11-22 07:15:00