Hey everyone looks like you are keeping busy. Ive just come back from doing a few errands and about to have a cuppa. Its a cool day today which I love. Ive got a few things to do at home mainly things I like to do though. My daughter asked for new knitted hats for the wee boys so I've made the 1year olds one and my daughter-in-law wants some slipper booties for the wee chap so yes I'm very busy lol.
I hope you are all well and keeping away from germs as much as you can.
Take care ladies

10ofus - 2020-03-23 12:47:00

MrK has been in and had his flu jab and now we are back home in self isolation. Kindda feel I should be home too as if I pick anything up and bring it home, it defeats the purpose of MrK being home.

Time for a quick bite of lunch and then sort the laundry stuff out. Am planning a spring clean after I have done the garden so it will be a busy few weeks.

Happy crafting :)

kiwimade64 - 2020-03-23 12:53:00

Afternoon everyone well I have just been down and done the last posting for us and picked up our magazines decided to change to courier pickup so we can both stay home and stay safe.went to the supermarket just to get extra cat food milk and bread it is crazy even with limits on most things our daughter works there, and of course she told me off for being there.The grandies have text and said to txt them if we need any thing we are both having our flue jabs on Wednesday night our chemist is doing after hours for people in the age range or that have health issues our Dr's are emailing scripts through to the chemist we can no longer just walk in.
Stated doing the tassels for my wrap yesterday the first one looked a we bit munted but by the time I got to number six looking much better only ten more to go today and I can so them on
have a great day everyone and take care

lindyloue - 2020-03-23 13:37:00

Im thanking goodness that we can still keep in touch with people via phones and the internet.

I will post parcels and do my blood tomorrow,, and then shopping on thursday and that will be it apart from fresh stuff.

Kiwimade Im feeling the same... One of us has to go out for essentials, but I dont want to be the one who bring bugs back to MrP. Even tho I dont do alot of visiting.
I discussed with MrP, that if he was ok, I would go keep an eye on izzy and her siblings so their mum can do their shopping.. But I suspect her her dads job will probably close as its not essential.. but the offer is still there.

I have a friend in Tauranga who hasnt prepaired for anything... so she is now panicing.. She doesnt know how to bake, I think she knows how to make scones but says her family doesnt like them.. I know her hubby does cos he ate some I made years ago. But I have told her Im here,, just ask and I will giver detailed instructions. She has never baked cakes or anything.. doesnt know how to blanch and freeze, or make jams or preserve fruit etc.. Its going to be a rough ride for her.

I wonder how many knitted or crochet items will be done in the next month lol..

popeye333 - 2020-03-23 18:11:00

And now our medlab is shut.

So my test will wait till thursday.. It better be good cos I dont fancy having to travel over there every few days...

popeye333 - 2020-03-23 19:38:00

Good Morning everyone

Welcome to this strange world.. Rather odd that maybe a month ago we were all talking about the droughts etc, and the world changed rather dramatically.
It is raining here and quite windy. got warm through the night too.

As you can see above, our medlab shut yesterday.. So our closest is Pukekohe... So Im hoping my tests are back in normal range.. its been all over the place the last few weeks. Im already sporting an impressive bruise on my arm from whacking the edge of the shower door. So please cross you fingers for me.. and MrKiwimade too cos I know he does the same test.

The unfinished tea towel is still there lol.. I had to do my pill trays last night and wrap some sales from here to post today.. But it will get done.

The grandies school finished yesterday, I think their dad is possibly home today cos their mum arrived at Pak n Save at 7-30 lol.. she said there was a good queue by 8am when it opened.

It feels extremely quiet wihtout the cars etc taking kids to school..

Have a fab day everyone and stay well and safe

popeye333 - 2020-03-24 09:02:00

morning ladies :) It's very quiet here too, SH29 has a few trucks and that's about it. Yesterday after Jacinda's announcement, the road got extremely busy as people headed home. I had a mad dash into the car repair place as they said they could do the repairs we needed for the warrant and bring the car in NOW. They leant us a courtesy car thank goodness. And while I was about to drive home, the vet phoned me back and I was able to pick up the Furry One's epilepsy meds without a vet consult. So back later to pick our car up and then the only time I need to go out will be the supermarket next week. Thank goodness we had 48 hours to get things sorted.

I'm going to tackle the 'spring' clean, I do it this time every year and I have at least a weeks worth of pruning and what not to get the garden sorted for winter. So between that and crafting, I think the month will fly by. I do feel for those that have no hobbies though.

Take care and stay safe.

kiwimade64 - 2020-03-24 09:18:00

Yep NZ will be busy for the next two days thats for sure.

Ive got to post some parcels and go get some fishoil caps..

I think Id be nuts if I didnt have crafts to do lol

popeye333 - 2020-03-24 09:42:00

afternoon ladies...well i went to pac n save this morning to buy dog food and get some meat and there was a queue outside and they were letting in 10 at a time seem to work very well. People in the market weren't being crazy and when you went to the checkout you had to stand on the red tape that was on the ground until it was ur turn to unload your trolley then when you needed to pay you waited until you were called and the checkout operator stood back while I used the eftpos machine. It all worked smoothly.
I think some customers have been abusing the checkout people which is not nice at all its lucky we are still able to get groceries.
I had a ring from the doc yesterday and I've got to get a thing cut out of my arm on Thursday its some sort of lesion apparently so stitches for me but il still be able to knit lol. Last night I finished a pair of slippers for my wee 18month old grandson and I'm making another pair. I think I should be able to drive to their place and il pop them in the letterbox and wave and blow kisses through the window to my 3 grandkids in that family.
Ive just lit the fire its a bit chilly here today and I'm about to make a cuppa and have a cookie my daughter bought me earlier she is 19 and her work closed yesterday she works in coffee culture she asked me if we could go to whitcolls to buy a colouring book and felt pens lol. We have board games at home and the boys have a PlayStation so they will be fine I'm sure, one is still at work but finishing today and the other son has already finished and my hubby will be home shortly from his job.
Our garden should be immaculate by the end of 4 weeks lol and I should have a lot of knitting in stock.
well stay safe everyone and keep warm and busy.
Hugs to you all

Edited by 10ofus at 2:42 pm, Tue 24 Mar

10ofus - 2020-03-24 14:40:00

morning ladies :) Shopping is going to be very different for a while but I suspect some of the changes may stay, like the Perspex screens. Wouldn't be silly, especially in the winter. We just have to get used to the new norm and as you say 10ofus, at least we can still buy groceries. In the words of Tolkien, 'this too, shall pass' :P

I envisage a lot of sparkly clean homes and perfect gardens lol. Two bedrooms spring cleaned and I was going to tackle the bathroom, loo and laundry today but the suns out and I think I will get outside instead.

Crafting later on.

Stay safe and happy crafting :)

kiwimade64 - 2020-03-25 08:56:00

Morning everyone

Yes its all a new thing for us to learn. I just hope than when it is all over, we carry on making time for home and families... I imagine theres some workers who will really get to know their families much better over this tme.

Kiwimade, dont go too fast with your spring cleaning, you might run out of things to do by the end of the second week lol.. I saw on one of the groups im in that a yoga class is going to run classes online, I thought yeah you would enjoy that.

I counted up last night. I have done 3 hand towels, 6 tea towels and 6 dishcloths... and a flannel.. so Im pleased with that. Ill do photos when the washed one has dried lol.

Saw the grandies yesterday, I guess that will be the last time now for a while. Poor Izzy wanted to get lollies from the Lolly jar we keep for them, but Mum said no, so she asked me, nana had to say no too... we both expected a meltdown as she was already hyper on what they had had in town lol.. I felt really mean... But I abide by Mums rules first.

I will wind up some more cotton today..Ive got 2 tea towels out of less than 300 grams so far.

Have a awesome day everyone Stay Safe

popeye333 - 2020-03-25 09:30:00

Good morning - tough day yesterday had to say goodbye to Mum physically for a while - she was very stoic but tears started leaking - she is so up to date with what’s going on she was better prepared than we were -she is all set up with Skype so we can all still have a laugh together
What with Mum and Ash - not taking him out to the park - if an infected person pats him I could catch it so my kids have ordered me to stay put for a week or two as I am a serious asthmatic
I am going to find Mums unfinished knitting and finish them plus all the other unfinished projects while I am in jail
yesterday two rival gang members had a fight in my sons supermarket over a bag of chicken pieces - he thinks he has had to cope with everything now

gerry64 - 2020-03-25 10:26:00

afternoon everyone I've also got a list of things we are going to do the yard needs a good makeover. wow gerry64 fighting in the supermarket your son has probably seen it all lately I suspect. I just darted to the wool shop to get more supplies not that I really need it lol I actually have loads but like the heading says" you can never have enough wool". and yesterday my daughter rung me and said could I go get that merino wool to make Hudson a jacket with a hood and I also got the wooden toggles hopefully 4 weeks is enough time to make that, more slippers for 18month old and now my daughter wants slippers for her two wee munchkins lol and I've got
gardening, general tidying to do also, i might need a holiday after it all lol but looking forward to doing it all.
Lovely day here today. Hope you are all well
Take care

10ofus - 2020-03-25 12:53:00

I decided to teach Violet aged 7 to knit today she has trouble with coordination since she had a stroke at 4 so l was very proud she picked it up quickly and is doing a teddy scarf. She did the school triathon last week and wasn't last and was so proud it is lovely to see her doing far better than was expected.

huntlygirl - 2020-03-25 22:52:00

A very good morning everyone, its 5-30 am

I plan on being first in the door at the medlab and supermarket today, well Im trying to.
I dont know what is in the air but I had the worst sinus Ive had in ages last night, like at 10-30pm. And it feels like it may be going that way again.. Ive taken pills tho.

I started another tea towel yesterday, not bored with them at all. Mind you I do have to concentrate as Im using 3 strands at once. lol.

Huntlygirl well done for your Girl..perhaps the start of an addiction for your girl.

Right I will get myself organised... I wont allow tardyness today lol least of all from me lol

Have a fab day everyone

popeye333 - 2020-03-26 05:35:00

morning ladies :) Day 1 (or day 8 for us lol). So here we are, stuck at home, crafting, what a damed shame that is lol.

omgg gerry, that's awful. There is plenty of food for everyone. But thinking about it, it could be all down to money too and when people are paid. Lots live week to week which adds to the mix. And being gang rivals wouldn't help either. It must have been hard to say hooray to your mum, she really is a tough cookie though! And good on her for learning to skype, how cool is that.

Our daughter is going to teach our granddaughter to crochet, so I suspect, Huntlygirl, there will be a lot of kids learning new skills over the next four weeks. Your daughter sounds like a real battler, she will get the hang of it and hopefully give her a real sense of satisfaction.

Today I will be back out in the garden. MrK pointed out to me that the spring clean was done at Christmas time (we were having family for Christmas and I went a tad overboard there) and does it really need to be done again? I didn't need another reason to keep going lol. Although, I will clean the oven. So, the garden it is :P

MrK doesn't need to do his bloods every week, he does them once a month or so as his INR levels are really steady. Luckily, he had it all done last week so he will be fine for now. Our chemist was running out of medication as there was a run on scripts, but MrK has a good supply of all that too. So all good in that department.

Gosh, SH29 is sooo quiet, there is still the odd car and truck though. Around midnight, there were still cars on the road. Hopefully those people are home now.

Better get moving, happy crafting :)

Edited by kiwimade64 at 8:34 am, Thu 26 Mar

kiwimade64 - 2020-03-26 08:33:00

Its very odd,, the roads are very quiet..

I was second in for my bloods.. and I think they will be back to normal again, I can usually tel when I do my finger prick for diabetes lol.

1st in the door at pak n Save, I hooned around, no mucking about.

I nicked into New World once Id dropped MrP and the other groceries off.. And this stupid woman, stood about 3 inches from me.. I said excuse me but your meant to be 2 meters away from people... "whats that for" she asked.. I said to keep the bugs to yourself.
She went off and got something else and came straight back, thankfully the supervisor saw her, and I spoke with my eyes.. she came and told the lady to move away.. I said to the supervisor she must have been living under a rock and that she had done it twice. I will thank her again on fb shortly.

We are stocked up enough that hopefully I wont need to go out anywhere, apart from getting my insulin. I will ring them shortly.

I took one of my chrochet Tea towels to roll around the handle on the trolly.. Alot of people commented as they went past.

So now I can relax and crochet to my hearts content lol.. I might even do some diamond painting at some stage.

popeye333 - 2020-03-26 12:47:00

Forgot to say..

We got pulled over by a cop. Not once have I heard that theres only meant to be one person in the car.
I said I hadnt heard that and that MrP had not got oout of the car.

Had to show him my blood form to prove that I had a reason to be leaving home.

First time Ive ever had lights and siren lol

popeye333 - 2020-03-26 12:52:00

morning ladies :) Am loving the quiet road and I bet the truckies are too.

Yesterday I weeded and pruned and now have about a third of the garden semi-prepared for winter. The salvias and some lilies can't be cut back yet but I can start moving some plants around to fill in the gaps in the new garden. The dahlias I cut back, divided and replanted the other day are growing again lol. I will be missing out on my rose order this year as the owner of the garden centre was debating whether it was worth ordering them or not. Oh well, no biggie in the scheme of things really.

I haven't heard of one person per car either but supermarkets have asked for one person to shop so I suppose it makes sense.

It's raining again today, not complaining as we desperately need it. The paddocks around us are starting to green up but still no growth. It's going to take a while for that to happen.

Stay safe and happy crafting :)

kiwimade64 - 2020-03-27 08:22:00

I parked in my usual disability right by the door and told the guard l would be leaving Violet in the car l came back and he was playing the fool and telling her jokes from a distance. The only thing l can't get is flour whi h us hard we bake a lot. I drive 10 minutes into Kerikeri and saw several police cars stopping people, SH10 was busy with lots of boats and caravans. I was up late last night setting up a treasure hunt for Violet she is really into treasure and maps at the moment x is a bar of chocolate she woke me at yam to ask if she could start.

huntlygirl - 2020-03-27 09:44:00

Morning everyone

It is sooo quiet, well apart from Missy hooning around cos shes either been or about to go to the loo lol.

Its dark and wet here.. the ground is loving it.. I must check the cracks and see what they are like now.

What a cool Idea Huntlygirl,, is it a hunt with instructions? etc... Last week I got eggs for the grandies egg hunt, so pleased I did.

I was out like a light at 8-30 last night... I know thats at least 2 hours earlier than I turn my light out..
Was no sence trying to crochet and stay awake thats for sure... But 12 hours sleep are not good for bones so I will be crocheting soon.

Ive never been a food waster, but my head has become even better at doing it.. no left over bread going out to the birds.. But I will be making them a seed cake Later, I have been storing fat in the freezer for them. I hope they enjoy it.

Kiwimade had your sinus been playing up since the rain has brought the pollen down.. ? Im on day three of a nasty sinus headache, Ive doubled up on pills and my spray.
I managed to get some chocolate drops yesterday so I can make my choc chip peanut brownies, which I call our Easter biscuits.. theyre not cheap to make but they are sooo yummy. The recipe , which had 250 grams of butter is meant to make 18 superlarge cookies, but I usually get 45+ normal ones. You wouldnt eat a super large one in one sitting as they are rich and crunchy and soooo good lol

Huntlygirl how is Violets knitting going? She might like the Nancy Drew books when she is older, they have a bit of everything in with maps and treasure hunts too.

Have a fab day everyone.. Stay safe and happy crafting

Edited by popeye333 at 10:07 am, Fri 27 Mar

popeye333 - 2020-03-27 10:05:00

morning ladies :) Back out in the garden for me today, housework tomorrow. Just because we will have no visitors doesn't mean our home will become a mess. I braved the supermarket yesterday and omg it was easy. Soooo quiet and only a few minutes to wait for my turn. Was easy peasy and even the check out girl was saying how much they were enjoying having the workload evenly paced. Everyone was so friendly too. Even had a long distance chat to one of our local councilors! How often does that happen! No police on our roads, I guess we must be all behaving. But my niece who is a police officer has been deployed elsewhere so she isn't at home. Spare a thought for our officers on the front line trying to keep us safe and deal with all the 'invisible' issues that will crop up.

Unpicked my embroidery (put the hardanger down, getting annoyed with it) and will try again today. Wrong colour choice for the plant's stem.

Edited to add, yes, popeye, my hayfever is going nuts. It's like springtime.

Happy crafting :)

Edited by kiwimade64 at 8:19 am, Sat 28 Mar

kiwimade64 - 2020-03-28 08:19:00

Morning everyone,

Its is a new nice way to shop eh... Never thought id would be first in the door at Pak n Save either lol..
I have to go get my insulin this morning, but thats all Im doing.I think I have to wait for them to text or call.

Day three of a rotten face and headache lol... But Id rather have this than anything worse.

I did the pears yesterday and I boiled up the skins and cores so I will make some pear jelly Jam tomorrow.. Thinking it might need some lemon to help it set, and thankfully I have some in the freezer. And it should be a nice combo of flavours too.

I got two parcels from china and my one from TM yesterday, I washed the packets before I handled them, just to be safe. But they were on the plane before the virus hit.. I wasnt going to take any chances.
One lot was some spacer beads which wont be big enough sadly, but they are the right colours. For the Christmas tree for the front door. So I will get more elsewhere.

Hopefully seom crochet later.. although I might finally frame up some pictures Izzy made me..As I found some frames I had put away safley the other day lol..

Happy Crafting everyone

popeye333 - 2020-03-28 09:48:00

Morning everyone
A beautiful day out there.. got quite chilly overnight, Had to pull the sheet over my shoulders lol.

I did some diamond painting yesterday. Thoroughly enjoyed it.. to the point that I lost track of the time and hadnt made the rissoles for MrPs dinner oops.. I normally make them mid afternoon and let them Set in the fridge before I cook them.
So thats tonights dinner lol.
Today we will catch up on some recorded tv, so I will crochet.

Have fun in all you are doing everyone have a fab day

popeye333 - 2020-03-29 09:39:00

Afternoon ladies, well I am fed up with this flipping self isolating stuff right now.

Yesterday afternoon I discovered I had a water leak in the pipe leading to the outside tap - not just a straight forward leak (of course) because the pipe is buried in the garden behind a rock retaining wall and no way to isolate it. I phoned the council to advise them hoping they would have someone on call to deal with such things especially as we are on level 4 water restrictions because of the drought, and all the stupid girl could keep telling me was that we are on level 4 water restrictions and therefore I have to turn the water off at the meter and then every time I want to use water, I have to turn it on at the meter and turn it off again when I've finished using the water. She didn't seem to want to know when I said that would be fine if the water meter was at my front gate but it's not, it's on the back boundary of my section which is very steep and it's only accessible from the street above me, which is 300m uphill to reach it along the main road and the side street, and then 300m downhill to come home again. I said if you think that I, at 71 and high risk, am going to trudge 300m up to the water meter to turn it on and 300m back to home to use the water and then go back another 300m uphill to turn it off and another 300m back downhill to home again every time I need water, you can think again. I then emailed the council and related my conversation and said it's just plain stupid. I await their comments. I told her the leak will have to keep leaking until I can get a plumber.

There was an article recently about how so many homes in Kaikohe had leaks and dripping taps fixed by the council at no charge because of the water shortage - but hey, I'm in Paihia not Kaikohe so I'm presumed to be rich! If only.

So tomorrow I will try to find a plumber to come and fix it. Grrrrr! I'm over the waterworks in this house.

Craftwise, I've started a baby blanket and picked up a baby shawl that I put away two or three years ago. Spent over an hour trying to figure out which row to do and then realised I had the knitting the wrong way round and when I went to knit, it was arse about face. In other words, the working yarn was on the right needle, and should have been on the left, because I was holding it the wrong way. Duh! All good now.

Pulled the sideboard out yesterday and cleaned behind it and cleaned the window, but it was so heavy I had to empty it out before I could move it, so I've sorted through and chucked out a lot of stuff and got some to go to the op shop. I think the op shops will be inundated when this lockdown is over, everyone I talk to is sorting stuff out to go to the op shops.

Right I'm going to re-set one of the pavers I moved before I went away. Did one yesterday and one the day before. Thought I would be able to do 3 or 4 in one hit, but one is enough, 2 done. 9 more to go.

Keep safe everyone.

Edited by kuaka at 3:17 pm, Sun 29 Mar

kuaka - 2020-03-29 15:13:00

Good afternoon - like you Kuaka I am over it already as I can’t go out at all because of my asthma but we have a community shout out.everyday across the six units in my block and my Mum Skypes twenty times a day - my grandchildren are over it - they can run down to my fence we are close enough but they can’t come in for a snack
Just had a snooze in my chair and dreamed I was driving down the road in just the seat out of my car but had to keep stopping as I couldn’t see - went into a pedestrian mall and found a fish and chip shop but there was nowhere for me to park ! I really am starting to doubt my sanity
Watched Bridges of Madison County last night an oldie but a goodie
Hooks and needles are still redundant

gerry64 - 2020-03-29 17:29:00

morning ladies :) Damm kuaka, some people just don't think, do they. I hope you can find a plumber. We had an email this morning from our local plumber outlining what they can and can't do during the lockdown.

We have some frustration too as we have a family member who is in and out of hospital and we can't get to where he lives to help out. On the bright side, our granddaughter is being taught at home (like all kids) but our daughter reports she is now reading chapter books and is learning subtraction in maths. Our grandson who is only three, is sitting at the table with her as she practices her writing and watching her, trying to copy. Ohhh boy lol, can't wait to see him at school!

It's raining off and on today but I still need to get out and keep going with the garden. I have several piles of weeds and prunings as the wheelie bin is full and so is the compost bin (and that has only just been emptied lol). All the bits of concrete I was getting rid of slowly is now gone *does the happy dance*. It's a garden of two halves lol, one half all pruned back looking awesome and the other half, well, let's not go there lol.

After a few false starts, my embroidery is starting to take shape. I'm finding hard to sit still though to do it, weird, as before lockdown I could stitch for a couple of hours. You did make me laugh (sorry lol) kuaka about having your knitting arse about face, that's something I would do too.

Keep sane, keep crafting :)

kiwimade64 - 2020-03-30 08:56:00

Morning everyone.
Ohh Kuaka not what you needed at this time and yeah some people are thick arent they.

I spent hours untangling yesterday. And Ive gone back to hand winding the cotton. For some reason doing it on the wool wider makes a tangled mess. But I havent managed to get the main body done of another pink towel. Will do the boarder today.

I love seeing the levels of kids academic improvements... Have always been positive and encouraging kids and their school work. MrP was pulled from school to work on the farm so cant read, he recognises some words.. and knows his numbers.. Ask him the Numbers need in paints tho he will tell you off the top of his head.

A quiet day today, the tummy isnt good this morning..

Have a fab day everyone

popeye333 - 2020-03-30 10:28:00

Afternoon everyone...
I see you are all keeping busy I am too. Yesterday hubby and I cleaned the driveway up from bark from the gum trees and branches everywhere but its all good for the fire. Couldn't get outside today to finish though as its been pouring here all day hopefully a better day tomorrow weather-wise. Our dishwasher has broken down I think its the pump oh well I have 3 kids at home to do dishes lol. I get my stitches out on Thursday i had to get a thing cut out of my arm last week. Ive been getting on with my 2 year old grandsons jacket just had a break from knitting to vacuum and polish the furnature and get on message board.
Hope you are all doing ok Take care
chat later

10ofus - 2020-03-30 16:28:00

Morning everyone no rain here today in Christchurch we might be able to get outside again to do some more tidy up. I got lots of knitting done last night I am now onto the sleeves and with leftover wool I will knit the wee one a beanie. I have already knitted his brother a new beanie in blue shaded and i did a 2 and 2 rib I quite like that. Enjoying my cuppa tea and I might get a few rows of knitting done and watch the news for a bit before I head outside. Yesterday i made chocolate and caramel muffins and cheese puffs today i might make a banana cake.
Have a great day everyone and take care

10ofus - 2020-03-31 08:50:00

Morning everyone
Another beautiful day here.. Loving the temps now.

MrP is dead to the world so I have left him to sleep.. Which means I wont be vaccumming or running the dishwasher until he is up... Bother lol.

I finished the tea towel last night, well nearly I have a few ends to sew in, so that wont take long.

Yesterday Finally the meerkat Diamond painting arrived,, and the diamonds that I was missing from my sloth. So I painted in the afternoon. Finally able to finish his face. Yay.! Im taking my time and totally enjoying it again.

I have a hankering to bake.. sadly I dont have any room to put it in the freezer, so will put it off a week if I can stand it for that long. I did get the breadmaker out yesterday and I have to get the tin, out which for some reason I put in the cupboard, so I think it may have travelled to the back, so Ill get my trusty reaching stick MrP made me years ago to hook it out again.

Enjoy the good weather if you have it and stay safe and well everyone

popeye333 - 2020-03-31 09:21:00

Morning ladies, well I managed to get a plumber and when I phoned and the lady (different one to the one who usually answers the phone) asked for my name and address she informed me that she has the same surname (not a common one) and turns out her granddad and Mr K were brothers. Small world. Anyway he arrived, I explained the problem and we decided the easiest way was to put a tap/valve thingey in the pipe so the water to the garden tap can be turned off. Course nothing goes to plan round here. He didn't have the right size fitting, so he ended up taking out the T-fitting that my son put in a few weeks ago and replacing it with a straight joint, so now I have no water to either of the garden taps at the back. My son says he will sort it out when he's able to get up here when the lockdown finishes.

Then he replaced another fitting which is in the pipe that supplies the water to the house as that was hanging together by a thread. Course that wasn't straightforward as the pipes are all different sizes, so he had to replace a piece of pipe as well.

This morning I've just discovered a mistake in my knitting. 135 stitches, moss stitch and the mistake is about 7 rows back. I will have to unpick. I can't fix I stupidly left the knitting with a row half done, and I've picked it up and knitted the wrong way - Lord only knows how I managed to do that but I did. Grrrr! So now I have to decide whether to tink or frog???? Meantime the shawl with 433 stitches is progressing well - but I am being very careful with the pattern rows.

Think I might actually drive myself crazy before this lockdown is over.

Stay safe everyone.

kuaka - 2020-03-31 11:22:00

morning ladies :) omg kuaka, what a bl**dy drama just to fix a leak. I bet you were glad to have that over (for now).

All these people flouting the lockdown is a worry, why on earth do it? What makes you so damed special you think you can do what you like? Freedom comes with responsibilities and thinking of the greater good. Selfish and self centered. That's my rant for the morning lol.

Lawn to mow today, I have finished the first lot of pruning and weeding. There will be another lot in a couple of weeks when the salvias and other annuals have finished. Don't want to cut the salvias back yet as the bees are enjoying them. MrK has the vegie plots almost sorted too, the tomatoes are out and the cucumbers and beans will be next. I have some climbing roses to tie up and a couple of plants to move and pots to repot so still things to do outside. Ohh and the lawn edges all need trimming back too. Autum is my busiest time in the garden.

So not much crafting being done as I want to make the most of the fine days. But I am slowly working on my iris. The outline I drew isn't very clear so am trying to follow the photo... here's hoping it works out lol but at least I am learning along the way.

Stay sane, keep crafting :)

kiwimade64 - 2020-04-01 08:16:00

Morning everyone

Ohh Kuaka what a pain in the preverbial.. I hope its all sorted now, well at least till your son can sort to a more normal state.

Here we are a Week in and a new month... Normally I love "Quiet" but its tooo quiet and weird. Like the rest of the world has vanished..

Im hoping to tip out two tubs of blue bells in the next few days, I was going to go through the dirt and take them out, but Izzys mum has more dirt for us, at some stage, so Im just going to tip them out. and refill the tubs later.

If anyone wants any of the bulbs just let me know and Ill save them for you.

The rhubarb and chives are looking nice and healthy, and I cant wait till we can plant for the summer... Not that PnS has many seedlings etc.

And my friends Nursery is shut down of course.

I did the ends on the latest tea towel yesterday, I have made 3 out of 400 grams of cotton and I still have some left.. But I also have another packet so I will keep going and make a couple of matching dish cloths at the end.

I might sort the diamonds out for MrPs Meerkats later . But Im going to work slowly on it, cos I dont have any more coming.. I will order some later in the month.

Have a fab day everyone.. And as they say.. We can do this ..!!

Edited by popeye333 at 9:41 am, Wed 1 Apr

popeye333 - 2020-04-01 09:40:00

Morning everyone
Yep up early today.. I have a job on today that means I had to get up.

I didnt craft as such yesterday but did have a good put away session lol. My mothers and grandmothers words in my head, "Put away instead of putting Down" I had got a bit slack so I did that.
I glued together a wobbly frog that sticks on the fridge with a magnet, well normally, he fell off the other day and broke his foot lol... And I have one of those cup saucer and teapot all in one sets and the spout got broken off in transit.
Then I packed up the sloth diamonds and potted up the ones for the Meerkats while the canvas is pressing.

Time to check the news and see how much crazier our world is getting. Since people are now being delt with by police I think its the started of the stupid and its only going to get worse.

Have a fab day everyone

popeye333 - 2020-04-02 07:49:00

morning ladies :) Another stunning day on the way here so at least we can get outside. Normally by now our road would be humming with vehicles, but not a car in sight. We're still having trucks and the farming contractors though and I bet they are loving having the roads pretty much to themselves.

Slowly working my through all those autum jobs that need doing. I would be doing it now anyway. I have a few pots that need repotting so that's this morning's jobs. And the early cheer daffs are up, the dutch iris' are up and you can pretty much watch them grow, they are growing so fast! My little 'Star of Bethlehem' spring bulbs are also up and the autum crocus' are in flower. So life goes on regardless of what we do.

Crafting later this afternoon, I'm thinking I might take a day soon just for sewing and crafting. Most of the hard work outside is done now so no guilt.

Stay sane, stay crafting :)

kiwimade64 - 2020-04-02 08:02:00

Morning ladies, well my water woes continue. I decided yesterday evening to clean and refill the bird bath, but of course I no longer have an outside tap, so I will just fill a bucket in the laundry. Next thing I'm soaked, the water is gushing up and hitting the underside of the shelf above the tub, all down the wall and all over the floor. The freaking tap had fallen apart. So I shoved a towel over the tap and then I rushed downstairs and out into the garden to turn the water off - there's a tap that isolates the water to the house (but I had no way to isolate the pipe going to the garden tap - just in case you think I'm losing the plot!) I finally managed to get the tap back together but it wasn't easy, but the upside is I do now have a nice clean floor in the laundry!

I did some gardening yesterday and it was such a beautiful day I sat out on the deck for a while and did some knitting. I will try to do some more gardening today and then relax on the deck again and admire my view.

I need to go to the chemist for a refill of my blood pressure pills before Tuesday so I might go in today, as I also need bread and milk.

I'm also slowly decluttering. Yesterday I sorted out a shelf in my linen cupboard and found I have far too many towels and don't need them all so my son can have some, today or tomorrow I will tackle the shelf with the sheets/duvet covers. I know I have more of them than I need. If son doesn't want any what I don't need can go to the op shop. I have lots because when we lived in Russell I used to do B&B and needed a lot. I don't need it all now.

Anyway ladies, keep crafting, keep safe.

kuaka - 2020-04-02 10:05:00

morning ladies :) Omgg kuaka, you're not having much luck with the taps are you! What a mission to clean that up.

The garden pots are all 'done', except for one and I need to wait for the chrysanthemum to finish before I move it.

Today is flu-shot day. They are offering free flu jabs for the over 55's in town today. If I can't get it, that's fine, give it to an essential worker or someone who is vulnerable. MrK has had his so he's protected.

The traffic is slowing down to next to nothing and on Sunday, there was nothing. So this Sunday we are going to tackle the front garden on the main road. Might as well make the most of it as SH29 is so dangerous normally. Even working with high viz vests and cones never slowed the traffic.

Still stitching, but not achieving very much as there is still a bit to do outside.

Stay sane, keep crafting :)

kiwimade64 - 2020-04-03 08:20:00

Morning everyone

Ohh Kuaka what a pain in the neck... I hope your son can get it all sorted for you, It would be considered an essential service so I wonder if he could come and fix it for you?

I didnt get alot of much done yesterday, did do about 8-10 rows of a tea towel done...
Im sore today so once the pills kick in and Ill get MrP to rub some cream on, Im going to restock the tupperware containers, Ive just, well not quite thrown things into the pantry lol but I havent put things into their containers so Ill stand and do that.

Ive been thinking, My Two "summer uniforms" are getting thin ( sarongs) so I might make a couple of new ones for next summer.. But Im thinking of using 1 or 2 diferent styles of my nighties for my pattern. Nighties are far more comfortable than alot of dresses lol... Just need to decide which one.

Its funny, before the lockdown I could go to the Oppies when I wanted,, now that we cant I want to go lol.

If it stays fine and the meds work I might also tip out the two tubs... I might take them around the back of the house and tip them out.. nothing grows around there, so I could let the rain wash the dirt off, since I dont have to save it. Actually I will it will save alot of bending and then I can rake up the bulbs.

Have a fab day everyone.. and yes stay sane lol

popeye333 - 2020-04-03 09:21:00

morning ladies :) Well, I would say the drive through for the flu shots yesterday was a huge success. Took me two hours but I had my book and music so didn't worry me. And besides, it's not like I was rushing off anywhere. It was for over 55s and the immunocompromised.

Another stunning day in the Waikato, I must remember to look up for the balloons. They will be flying soon. Housework today and crafting. No traffic on SH29 so far this morning, still getting used to the quiet.

Stay sane, stay crafting :)

kiwimade64 - 2020-04-04 08:06:00

Morning everyone
Its beautiful here too Kiwimade.

Grandmasue from here said the other day that the Balloons werent happpening this year, cos of the mass gathering rules. Wonder if they have changed it.

I must ring our med centre re the flu shots, they said they would ring but its been a couple of weeks.

I emptied the two tubs of bluebells yesterday and threw the bulbs under the yukka trees.. I will get the lawn mowing peoople to throw some grass clippings on them next time they are here, after the lock down.

Am halfway on another pink teatowel.. Have another tangle to undo.. Never ever rewind cotton on a wool winder.. Its the pits lol

Doing MrPs eyebrows and beard today. Hes letting his hair get a little longer, since I did it really short last time

Was looking on Kings seeds last night. Lots of new and old heirloom seeds. I will order some next week. Have decided to line Missys old litter trays with blackplastic bags and raise seeds in those. I have a bath, two large timber planter boxes, 1 Superlarge plastic tub, , 2 smaller plastic pots and two pottery pots that I can grow in. So I should be able to grow plenty of goodies.. Might see if I can get a couple of bigger buckets for some potatoes too.

Right I better get a few things done on here than get MrP in the chair.

Have a fab day everyone..

Edited by popeye333 at 9:54 am, Sat 4 Apr

popeye333 - 2020-04-04 09:52:00

The member deleted this message.

sunflowers28 - 2020-04-04 12:30:00

morning ladies :) I read the mass gatherings for Balloons Over Waikato was cancelled but individuals have decided to take their balloons up all over the Waikato. So if you are chatting to grandmasue, popeye, tell her to look up soon!

Today we tackle the main road frontage. We haven't been able to clean that area up for a long time as the traffic is just too dangerous for us to be working there. Even with cones and high viz vests the traffic doesn't slow down. But last Sunday, not one car went by so we've decided to take advantage of the quiet and do it today. Chainsaws, the whole caboodle. It shouldn't take that long and I'll drag any tree cuttings and the weeds onto the road frontage ready for binning when the bins are emptied on Tuesday. MrK is going to help me (he won't let me use the chainsaw) but also keep an eye out for any traffic.

So that's today sorted lol.

Stay sane, stay crafting :)

Edited by kiwimade64 at 7:43 am, Sun 5 Apr

kiwimade64 - 2020-04-05 07:42:00

Morning everyone

Ohh I will tell GMS to keep an eye out, Thanks Kiwimade. Majestic things they are. I havent seen one for many years.

Have had a couple of nasty sore days, You would think I would be used to it now lol... So a quiet day here for me

Finally got all my tangles undone. So straight crochet now thank goodness lol.
Im going to go through my fabric tho, I need to sew.

MrP heard the neighbour talking on the phone this morning,, his toilet is close to the fence lol... She was telling someone this lockdown is cruel on kids and she was taking them out reguardless... This is the sort of person that ruins things and puts their health at risk.

I put bread on at 6-30 am this morning so it is smelling wonderful at the mo,, its just started the baking part lol.

Have a fab day everyone... Keep the brain active and stay well

popeye333 - 2020-04-05 09:39:00

morning ladies :) They can go out for a walk, popeye, just not too far and keep their social distancing. And it would be even more cruel if they caught the virus, some people just don't have a brain at times.

I've almost finished along the main road and will finish this morning. Have so much garden waste lol but it won't take long to get rid of it in the wheelie bin. Can't compost it thanks to the convolulous (sp). It's certainly looking a lot tidier already.

We think the Furry One had a seizure during the night, he's soo quiet and shaking this morning. Just not his perky self so will keep a closer eye on him today.

Time to hang out the washing and get moving. Wouldn't matter if we weren't in lockdown, the garden work would still need to be done.

Stay sane, stay crafting.

kiwimade64 - 2020-04-06 07:55:00

Morning everyone

Yep they an go out for a walk or bike ride etc, but he said she was sying that would go out for the day cos they were bored. I hope it was just to a local beach or something.. Might have just been venting too .

MrP is starting to get bored, which is odd cos hes not doing anything different other than not going out once a week, and the occassionaly trip to the recycle shop.. He emptied the recycling bin into the wheelie bin, which hes never done. So thats a positive lol.

I finished the tea towel last night, might go back to red and white for a change.

Ohh not good re the Furry one Kiwimade, I hope he improves.. Too much effort in "Killing" the vacc foot ?

I have to pop up to get some lemonade for MrP and I need some cinnamon... Im lucky cos I get to go out to do my bloods and shopping on Thursday.

It so nice watching the Rhubarb growing so well.

Have a fab day everyone

popeye333 - 2020-04-06 09:13:00

morning ladies :) The Furry One spent the day at the vets and is on antinflammatories (sp) for a pulled muscle in his neck. We have to keep him quiet and he is allowed to go outside 'for a sniff'... I don't think the vet has ever owned a Jack Russell lol. This morning he seems a bit stiff but once his meds kicked in he was a lot better. Was odd having a contactless vet visit but it worked.

I have been out and filled the newly emptied wheelie bin full with the weeds from out on the main road. We are going to need a trailer and a trip to the tip after lockdown for the rest. I have it all stacked out of the way of vehicles and cyclists. So it will be another two weeks before the general garden waste can be wheelie binned but more important for this other stuff to be off the side of the road.

It's so dry here, the hose is on the garden. Usually by now I've stopped watering. Thank goodness for a bore.

I love how Jacinda replied to a little girl's letter about the Easter Bunny, she nailed it.
https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/jacinda-ardern-s
ays-easter-bunny-essential-worker-but-warns-might-not-get-ev
erywhere-year

And last night on Seven Sharp I saw the flowers being given to the health workers, what a lovely idea. Broke my heart seeing all those flowers being thrown out.

Crafting later today.

Stay sane, keep crafting :)

kiwimade64 - 2020-04-07 09:14:00

Morning everyone
Another lovely day out there. I think I have to add Autumn as one of my fave seasons lol.
I hope everyone is safe and well.

Kiwimade how is the Furry one this morning.. The poor boy..

I did a couple more dish clothes yesterday.. The draw is getting full now.. I will take the final stack of fabric ones out now. I just use those for my hands when cooking.

Poor MrP asked for a steamed pudding yesterday.. Sadly I ran out of cinnamon and hadnt replaced it.. And its even more scarce than Flour and yeast now. Will beg or borrow from a couple of friends if I can tho..

Although I plan on baking tomorrow so that will hold him off for a while... Time to make our easter biscuits...
They ended up being easter biscuits cos many years ago we belonged to a country music group that held awards on easter weekend. We were living in our bus at the time, so we stayed at the hall, and I made use of having the ovens lol.. Our bus became the first port of call for many people at morning tea time lol, once the word got out lol

Im trying to decide what to crochet next. I do have some blues and greens in cotton that I could carry on doing tea towels in... although not my kitchen colours, but then neither are the pink.. And Im thinking that making them now before my fingers seize up would be a good idea.
But I also have 2 packs of white, and a few red so I could do more hand towels and flannels for my bathroom...

Ill have a fully glory box if I keep going lol.

Have a fab day everyone and Kiwimade I hope your legs are bad yet?? lol

popeye333 - 2020-04-07 09:21:00

Kiwimade Hopefully the Furry one will feel better on his drugs.

I had a weak moment last night when I saw the Queens message. She sounded so sincere.. two big fat tears rolled down my face.

First time its all got to me but I was fine shortly after lol

popeye333 - 2020-04-07 09:24:00

Thought I would let you all know Mum died on Saturday night - she had a fall and broke her hip and decided she didn’t want to go to hospital but then played up a treat - wanted to get out of bed to go to the loo - wasn’t going to wear incontinence pants etc etc so they had to sedate her and she slowly slipped away .It was very difficult because only my sister could go and be with her but we understood the real need for rest homes to be so very careful
Must tell you about the afternoon she fell - about 3pm she called Robie on Skype reminding him she needed food for her beloved birds - he took her on a virtual tour of the supermarket she wanted to see the people queuing and the empty shelves etc - they had a good laugh together and she complained about him not being allowed to bring the food to her - so very cheekily told him to give her a call when he was at the gate ,to bring her a gin and she would sneak out to meet him like she used to sneak out to meet Dad when they were courting - she fell just after
She had a wonderful life and in normal times she would have survived this but it was her decision not to go out to the hospital as she was well aware of what is going on - she had her gall bladder out at 99 and her leg pinned at 101 so no doubt she could have coped with a broken hip
But she had a great life - her love story with my Dad would make a wonderful book - she sang beautifully- I can still remember her on the stage at the Municipal Theatre belting out the Nuns Chorus - all 4foot six of her with a choir of 60 - never had a singing lesson in her life
Anyway starting to rave on -

gerry64 - 2020-04-07 11:32:00