Thank goodness it wasn't too expensive. I went up to the beach and looked after K whilst T was at work. A was working from home and the kids were out with their Dad. Whizzed around up there and caught up on chores for my girl. All this running here and there for her allows her no time at all for doing what needs to be done at home. Spoke to sis tonight. She was having high temps. Something you would know about grizzly. Speaking of sleep ha ha.

makerealbany - 2019-10-10 23:59:00

Yep another late night for you I see. B11's behaviour wasn't wonderful yesterday at the holiday programme so we both came home early. I took myself out to the garden for an hour, weeding flower borders and discovering what plants have come up that were here before we moved in. I've found we have a peony rose along the fence line and in view of all the living areas. I've planted a pink and a red so it will be interesting to see what this one is. I've planted the roses that I have had in tubs for years and one in particular is doing really well, trouble is I can't remember if it's the white or the lemon one. LOL.

grizzly4 - 2019-10-11 07:10:00

Going to get the tomato patch organised this morning and tomorrow I am speaking at the Celebration of life for my friend.

grizzly4 - 2019-10-12 10:11:00

Very stressful and sad yesterday but good turn out from shop members. I'm back working in the shop this morning now that the school holidays are over. Only a dolls jersey to show for my efforts last week.

grizzly4 - 2019-10-14 07:26:00

Yes it is very sad when you speak about a friend's life. My best friend up here told me on Friday she has Cancer so we were both in tears. I really need to hear some good news for a change. This year has been filled with sadness. I have nearly finished that shawl for my sister. This is the second one. She wanted a woolly dark purple one. I have done it in 12 ply so will be very warm. It has poured here for two days and I was so cold I have been wearing winter woollies again. Silly weather. I have a pink Peony in a large pot and its flowering beautifully. I have kept it in a pot as I have no idea of what the future will bring and I don't want to lose it.
I often see the Shop come up on Facebook. You do get some lovely things in there.

makerealbany - 2019-10-15 21:49:00

I have been a bit slack with putting photos up on Facebook as I haven't been working in the shop. With the change of seasons I'm waiting for the members to start putting summer and Christmas ideas in. I'm sorry to hear about your friend, thats awful news with everything else you are going through.

grizzly4 - 2019-10-16 07:29:00

Our Board made decision not to renew one of our staff's employment agreement yesterday purely because of lack of funding. Dreadful situation and I hate that it has come to this. She is so angry with me and I can't not feel responsible as funding is my job.

grizzly4 - 2019-10-17 07:23:00

Grizzly4 don't forget not all funding applied for is granted.

judith98 - 2019-10-17 09:31:00

Grizzly, I think you work tirelessly and persistently on funding applications, and sacrifice a lot of your own time (when you could be crafting/gardening/relaxing etc) and invest so much of yourself emotionally in your work. I have to admit I can be slow on the uptake, so I'm not sure of the organisation you work for, but I am sure that they're lucky to have you and I'm sure they think so too. I do think that funding is a fickle thing - you can't predict for certain that any application will be successful and it's not always clear why. It's not in your nature to not feel responsible, but it really, really,really isn't your fault.
Makerealbany, I'm so sorry to hear about your friend's sad news. So much sadness for you in the last few months, so much to cope with and to help your loved ones with. I wish you strength and some sunshine and happiness and good news to start breaking through.
Hugs and thoughts to you both.

My computer has been so slow - like wading through treacle. Nothing was working, internet speed test result was 0.02 - I didn't know what that meant, but it didn't sound good. Lovely B spent ages fixing everything for me - now my internet speed test is 25.7.
I have been pottering with a little patchwork Christmas decoration (early, I know) - if it turns out I'll post a photo.

millefiori - 2019-10-17 12:29:00

Thank you for your kind thoughts..... I have been doing this for so long now I know how the funding climate is changing because there is just so much need out in communities. Admin costs are particularly difficult to cover because funders prefer to support front line roles. You make it work for as long as you can but sometimes thats harder on staff when it ends after being there so long. Sigh. Some businesses in our community are trying to rally more business support for not-for-profits but it is a very slow process to change a way of thinking.
Thank goodness you computer issues have been sorted, I am useless at knowing what to do in those situations.
My thoughts are also with you, makerealbany......

grizzly4 - 2019-10-18 07:28:00

I am over the back problem phew. It just crept up and zapped me lol.
Grizzly I agree with Judith 98. I have experienced what you are going through in my working days. Funders change their Focus Groups at times depending on who is on their Board and what their preferences are. You are not responsible for their decisions.
Thanks for your kind thoughts milliefiori I can feel the vibes,
Shawl no 2 is finished and now I have to finish those other slippers .
Yes Christmas is coming and I need to be more organized pressie wise. Today will be a good day for us all. Sending Happy thoughts.

makerealbany - 2019-10-18 07:51:00

I have a few presents sorted but like you, makerealbany, I feel like CHristmas is creeping up fast!
My Dad bought himself a tablet so he can send and receive emails.and hasn't been able master it over the past few months. I received an email yesterday saying he has a tutor helping him so I have sent him photos of the beautiful trees in our garden.

grizzly4 - 2019-10-19 10:19:00

And back to work we go.....Sigh.
WE had a great family day out yesterday. Over the 3 races they got a 2nd place, a first and a 4th between them. And no accidents, even better. LOL.

grizzly4 - 2019-10-21 07:23:00

They did do well. Good on your Dad. Never too old to learn. We have W's Final Retirement Dinner this Thursday at Whenuapai so everyone including my grandsons have to get dressed up lol. T is taking the boys to buy suits which they are not too keen on ha ha. I told them they would have them for years and they had to wear them to my funeral. That got them laughing. They are as thin as sticks those boys. I often discuss what I want to happen when I go to my final sleep with my family. My older grandsons feel at ease talking about it and my kids are used to it. I don't want their to be any doubts about what I want. After my parents funerals and all the arguments with some of my siblings ,I'm determined not to put my family through that nonsense.
I could not believe the changeable weather we are having. Its ridiculous. Don't know what its like down there.

makerealbany - 2019-10-21 23:39:00

Weather same as you, I think, one day hot and sunny, the next cold and wet.
I agree, good on Dad, but his Parkinsons isn't helping the learning process. LOL. And he's driving Mum nuts. He hasn't received any of the emails I sent so my weekend with them this week will be full of technology dramas, which you know I'm not great with. My friend and I talked about organising our own funerals when I had cancer, so when she was diagnosed the end of last year she was pretty much organised, her daughters just rang the people on her list who had parts to play, she even wrote her own eulogy, taking the time to tell great stories and thank people along the way. It was lovely. I'm at home today with another headache. I tried to resolve some of the conflict at work yesterday and it had improved I think but each day may be different, I guess, for the next 6 weeks. Then I had late meetings so today I'm paying for all of that. Oh well, I'll tidy up around here a bit then find a soppy movie and do some knitting.

grizzly4 - 2019-10-22 09:09:00

Hope you had a relaxing day grizzly. I'm waiting for quotes from the Butcher and I have to get other prices for the School Celebrations. Hope they don't have a meeting until next week ha ha. Had my hair cut and its really short so not sure how to gussy that up for Thursday night. Got the shawl blocking and nearly finished another pair of slippers for U. They keep losing them in the washing at the 24 hour care Rest Home. I would never recommend that place.

makerealbany - 2019-10-22 23:24:00

Thats terrible if you have to keep replacing personal property. You will have to wear your best bling on Thursday night.
It was a restful day yesterday although I had some errands to run for the craft activity at the Women's Group this morning.I really wanted to vacuum the floors but couldn't get round to the switch in the garage to turn the internal vacuum system on because of all the bikes etc. Grrr. I'm knitting a 6 month cardy in 4ply at present using up all the bits of different variegated wool in to a fairisle pattern. Pretty much making it up as I go. LOL.

grizzly4 - 2019-10-23 07:19:00

I am off to Blenheim tomorrow for a few days with my parents. Hopefully the weather stays nice for the trip and when I get back I can plant these dahlia tubers that are still sitting in their bag. Just not enough hours in the day.

grizzly4 - 2019-10-24 07:26:00

Had a lovely couple of days with my parents although Dad had a bad turn earlier on the Friday morning, giving Mum a nasty scare. Back home again now to find son S has washed my car and spread the compost on the rest of the vege gardens ready for new plants. How is everyone's long weekend?

grizzly4 - 2019-10-27 16:00:00

WE had such a good day in the garden yesterday. Still not quite finished but a free weekend coming up so hopefully the weather will be ok too. Still knitting the cardy using up bits and pieces of left over wool. Didn't pick it up at all while I was away. I hope you are all ok.

grizzly4 - 2019-10-29 07:14:00

My long weekend was very busy ha ha. We all had a great night on Thursday but getting home at 2 in the morning was a bit much ha ha. My computer was offline but hopefully its fixed now .U loved her slippers because they have lost another pair grrr. I'm knitting my sis some cotton hats now. Wool a bit warm on the hot days. I ordered some cotton from overseas so waiting ha ha. I have some here though. I have bags of clothes for giveaways as A spent the weekend sorting wardrobes in the mornings and gardening in the afternoons. I spent it visiting people and didn't do much else. Falls are scary. I was talking to my sis P and her husband fell over so she had to drop the phone and run. He is doing that a lot lately and she finds it really hard to help him back to the bed or couch. She hasn't any Children near her to help so its hard. She has problems herself. Getting old is so annoying at times.

makerealbany - 2019-10-29 22:22:00

I agree about getting old. The body is not what it used to be. LOL. Mum is struggling with holding Dad when he takes a turn sitting at the breakfast bar or at the dining table. So far she has caught him each time but Friday's he was out for nearly 10 minutes and luckily his carer arrived to help. Apparently it's low blood pressure and not a lot they can do except keep him from having a heavy fall. Mum's such wee thing these days I'm afraid she'll be hurt helping him. Not good being this far away.
L12 has a Halloween party tomorrow night so off to organise a costume after school today.

Edited by grizzly4 at 7:25 am, Wed 30 Oct

grizzly4 - 2019-10-30 07:24:00

No it is hard being far away from your Mum and Dad.
Yes we have Halloween at T's and the grandchildren were getting their costumes organised after the Market day after school today. I never want to dish up another bowl of Nachos ha ha. I couldn't even eat tea tonight. The school raised a lot of money today selling food. We ran out of everything which is great.

makerealbany - 2019-10-30 23:30:00

You have some great events at their school. Never hear of anything at L's.
Only a couple of rows to do on neckband of the cardy then I can photograph it to show you. Probably should have done bands in a lighter colour than black but oh well, too late now.

grizzly4 - 2019-10-31 07:36:00

Halloween used to be a big thing in our street, but not so much the last couple of years. Lots of leftover treats but they won’t last long around here lol.
I’m still trying to create a Christmas decoration - it’s evolving into something a bit different than it started out as - not too sure if it will work out.

millefiori - 2019-11-01 04:41:00

What are you using to make your Christmas decoration, millefiori? I'm curious now. We did stone carving out of Oamaru Stone at Women's Group on Wednesday. There are some great pictures on the facebook page. And I think the Craft Group are starting on the bead Christmas stars today to sell at the Twilight Craft Market we are holding the end of this month. We are also seeing if we can get a Gardening group up and running this term with some practical workshops and guest speakers. It all looks so normal on the surface and underneath I'm panicking big time about where the money is going to come from.

grizzly4 - 2019-11-01 07:09:00

Great night last night at T's. We had a rather strange Lady who hovered outside T's House for two hours. Saying thing like 'Enter if you Dare' to anyone who came along. K offered her a drink but she said she was ok and just wanted to see the kids in costumes. I was not feeling the best so I left them to it and lay down for a nap lol. I'm still feeling shattered so its bed for me.

makerealbany - 2019-11-01 20:51:00

Gosh that was early for you, makerealbany. I hope you are feeling better today. We are planning our first BBQ for the season tonight (if son S cleans the BBQ!)

grizzly4 - 2019-11-02 09:40:00

I slept all day . I just could not wake up. Ah well that's my sleepover for the season ha ha. I'm knitting and watching Tv. People are still letting off fireworks. Dunhill is on my bed sleeping next to his dog toy ha ha. He and I both miss Paku ,. I had a lady message me about Christmas Material I had on sale a year ago last August. I thought I had deleted it so there were some complaints . Sigh. Admin usually remind us to delete if sold. Slip ups all around . Any way I do have to destash stuff so I had better sort that out.

makerealbany - 2019-11-03 00:13:00

T took me to Lunch at her SIL's and BIL's farm. We had a fabulous day. The children all had rides on the tractor, fed the Goats and wandered the Orchard chewing on Sugar Cane, Guavas and Macadamia nuts. Did not need any tea tonight ha ha. It was so lovely to get out of Auckland. The traffic wasn't too bad today.

makerealbany - 2019-11-03 21:02:00

You must have really needed the sleep! The day on the farm sounds great. Our BBQ is up and running so have used it both nights over weekend as the weather has been amazing. Yesterday was 30 degrees so didn't do much gardening unfortunately. Can't get into my knitting, started a pair of bootees last night that look like they would fit a 2 year old!!! Will have to pull them back and start again.

grizzly4 - 2019-11-04 07:17:00

Another lovely day weatherwise yesterday. It was really nice going out after tea to plant a couple of hostas and my beans. So relaxing watering the gardens after a long day. I forgot put a photo on here of the cardy made of bits and pieces but it's on Facebook for the shop. LOL. There is also a photyo of cream knitwear of which 2 are mine - the aran jersey and the cardy in front with the bobbles.

grizzly4 - 2019-11-05 07:19:00

How is everyone? How much longer in your cast, millefiori? And how are you feeling after being so tired during the weekend, makerealbany?
I have found a pattern for a cardy I knitted as an order many,many,many years ago and have often thought about doing it for the shop but could never find the pattern. Well lo and behold it was where it should have been all along! LOL.

grizzly4 - 2019-11-06 07:07:00

I'm fine. Just so busy with everything including the School stuff, Trust stuff and normal child minding and housework ha ha. I forgot all about posting. In fact I had not even checked my emails. So many spam emails grrr. Lovely knitting for the shop grizzly. I'm finishing the last hat for my sister to take with her other things next Wednesday. I'm going down to spend the night . On Thursday Ill drive her to Hamilton for her Chemo and then take her back to Rotorua. Then I might drive back home Thursday night or Friday Morning depending on what A has on workwise.

makerealbany - 2019-11-06 22:46:00

I’m fine too ... just so busy with work and home stuff that I’ve been too tired to pop in here. Our internet was down for 2 days - so many things can’t be done without the internet, it’s a bit scary really. I’ve ditched the moonboot - probably a bit too soon as I have lots of swelling by the end of the day and It hurts to walk, but it’s getting better each day. I needed to be able to drive and to catch up with all the things I haven’t been able to do.

millefiori - 2019-11-07 00:43:00

I can understand that, millefiori. The only time I use a stick is when I'm walking for a while like on the concrete floors of a Mall. Just a nuisance otherwise.
I'm glad you are both felling ok and I guess being busy is just going to get worse till the end of the year. I have done every funding application I can, now it's the waiting to see what comes in. Very worried about how we'll manage over the holidays with wages still to pay but no income coming in. Might have to stop my pay again for a while worst case scenario. Sigh.

grizzly4 - 2019-11-07 07:16:00

I remember when my sister P got her moon boot off and had lots of pain and swelling. Bad news was they put it back on after a fortnight. Take it easy milliefiori. She spent nearly 6 months in that darn thing.
Gee grizzly what a worry. Hope something wonderful occurs. You need a miracle or two at this time. Ive got my fingers crossed for you. Sending hugs girls.

makerealbany - 2019-11-08 00:11:00

Thank you for the hugs. I had a bit of a weep on a City Council staff members shoulder yesterday I have to admit. I got a very strong message that we are such a key organisation in our community that no-one will let us fold financially but the figures in our bank account don't reflect that. We have so many great things forging ahead with more success than even I expected it is such a pain that it always comes down to dollars and cents.
I get to give my brain a rest for a while this morning as I'm helping the craft group make bead Christmas decorations for our Twilight Market at the end of the month. We have 25 stalls booked plus the Purple Patch is setting up in the hall for the evening. I am really looking forward to it but of course there is the niggle about weather and public turning up as with all events. This is the biggest one we have done in years so I really want it to work. The inside of our hall is being painted next week so more changes to routines etc and I have over 40 people booked for a bus trip to the A & P Show on Wednesday. Not to mention a gardening group gets off the ground the following week. (Excuse the pun.) LOL. Very busy time of the year!

Edited by grizzly4 at 7:21 am, Fri 8 Nov

grizzly4 - 2019-11-08 07:20:00

Lovely weather again this weekend till about an hour ago. Extended part of a flower bed around a tree and along the fence. It was the last big piece of work for the back garden. Too knackered to shop for plants afterward but at last our sun lounger chairs are out of storage so I napped out there for a while. LOL. Too much book work for the shop today so still haven't been to the nursery but it's something to look forward to soon. KInd of like starting a new craft project. LOL.

grizzly4 - 2019-11-10 16:31:00

Happy Birthday to me! LOL and no-one around this morning so I guess presents are tonight. L12 had to be at school at 5.30 this morning for a day trip to Wellington so S went to work early and staying late as L's flight doesn't arrive till 7pm. I. left for work at 5 as usual so it's just me enjoying a peaceful cup of tea. Tomorrow they all have the day off school and work to come with me to the A & P Show, even daughter S is coming too. Looking forward to it as long as my legs hold up.

grizzly4 - 2019-11-12 07:23:00

Happy Birthday,grizzly! I hope you’ve had a lovely day with lots of treats and pampering. I haven’t been to our Auckland A & P Show for a few years, but I remember there’s always so much to see - I hope your legs give you zero problems and you have a fabulous day.

millefiori - 2019-11-12 23:42:00

Gosh you were up late, millerfiori. Thank you for your message. Yes it was a good day and I was very spoilt. The only shadow has been cast by my husband not being able to come with us now to the show. GRRR! His work decided to cancel all leave this week to meet a deadline.

grizzly4 - 2019-11-13 07:03:00

OMG what a great trip to the Show yesterday. I so enjoyed the time with my family even if I was technically working. LOL. Painting of our hall is finished after only 2 days so moved the furniture and resources all back into place as well. Legs were so sore afterward. One more day at work and then a 3 day weekend as Canterbury Anniversary tomorrow. Yahoo. Hopefully going to a local church fair tomorrow. Any plans, ladies? You ok, makerealbany?

grizzly4 - 2019-11-14 07:24:00

Glad you had a great time at the Show, grizzly. Sounds like you’ve been really busy. Hope your legs have recovered. I’m finding it hard to judge my physical limits at the moment. There’s so much I want to do, so much to catch up on after all those weeks of limited activity, but if I push too hard I end up with both feet and legs swollen by mid-afternoon and hardly able to walk. I really, really don’t want to end up in a moonboot again!
If the weather’s fine this weekend there’s a lot to do in the garden. It’s looking very neglected and overgrown. I’ve bought some cosmos and marigold seedlings and I want to replant the hanging basket and pots by the front door, just not sure what I want in them.

millefiori - 2019-11-14 23:04:00

I finally found a Venus Fly Trap that our grandson has been wanting for awhile. And a Hibiscus which I've not had before. I'm putting it in a pot outdoors as I'm told it's too cold outside in the Winter. Do you know anything about them? Although Auckland is warmer I guess.

grizzly4 - 2019-11-15 09:35:00

The boys had Venus Fly Traps when they were younger and we always kept them indoors (the plants, not the boys). They never lasted overly long and in hindsight, I think I know why. It's very tempting to poke them and watch the jaws close up, but once they close they don't open for about 24 hours. The plant needs the nutrients from the insects to thrive, and by teasing them they're denied food and can't survive. Anyway, that's my theory!

millefiori - 2019-11-15 16:23:00

Oh, I just re-read your message and realise you may have been asking about the Hibiscus. Sorry, I can't help with that - they're beautiful but I've never had any success growing them.

millefiori - 2019-11-15 16:25:00

Makes sense what you are saying about the Fly Traps. My hibiscus didn't make it into pot yesterday but it has opened it's first flower. Absolutely beautiful.

grizzly4 - 2019-11-16 10:07:00

https://trademe.tmcdn.co.nz/photoserver/full/1202300663.jpg

https://trademe.tmcdn.co.nz/photoserver/full/1202300193.jpg

Photos of my new hibiscus and the cardy for shop I have just finished. The wee panda is stitched on after for a change.

grizzly4 - 2019-11-16 10:15:00

Back home again after my few days away back with my Sis. It was very enlightening . Lots pf changes over the years with Chemotherapy Treatments. Lots of patients as well. Its like a Train Station. One patient leaves and another sits in the chair. All at varying degrees of treatment. As you will know grizzly. I took my crochet. I only wanted to do mindless things ha ha. So I did face cloths and dish cloths. Lots of comments and I even showed a visitor how to make one. I had to give them Hobbi Craft website address as they are the cheapest for cotton suitable. It was very positive in that unit. Good vibes from very sick people. My sis and I had lots of laughs when we got home. I so enjoy spending time with her. Did not want to come home ha ha. I had to come back and go straight to my grand daughter's performance in Thebes at the Basement Theatre.It was a great performance by all. Today I need to catch up on things.

makerealbany - 2019-11-16 11:23:00