makerealbany wrote:

bll banked yesterday. How are you?

Cheers, M. I will post today.
Had to buy an oven thermometer for the little convection oven I use for the clay - have had no end of trouble getting the temp right. Got it now. Spent last night polishing ur buttons up. Don't think hubby was too impressed: trying to watch tv while my rotary buffer is buzzing away behind him!

bll - 2009-10-19 13:48:00

I dont know how long my quilts take to make as I often have two or three on the go at the same time..... and then I could go for months without doing any of them. But last year I made three in two months as they were Christmas gifts.
I really must get on and finish two for Christmas this year.... they are both in the assembly stage and over the winter I just havent been interested in finishing them.

barbrose - 2009-10-19 14:17:00

Hi jan.w1 Welcome. Healing nicely I am. Arnica is great isn't it?

makerealbany - 2009-10-19 22:15:00

Hi smartgirl. How nice to have a friend over girl. Was a bit concerned about you. I am hoping my first great grandchild will be a girl. I only have 3 granddaughters but the boys are prolific in our family. ha ha. I do not mind what baby is as long as she or he is healthy. Little Miss and her even younger cousin will be an aunt and an uncle. We are all checking through things to see what we have for the new bubs. Not due till May but you have to be prepared right!!!! Lol.

makerealbany - 2009-10-19 22:22:00

Poor hubby bll. I never thought about how you would bake the clay. Dah. I used to do ceramics so I should have. I have a little Pronto Convection and Rotisserie in the cottage. Marvelous invention. I cook scones and muffins in it. DIL was over for the tea. Daughter dyed my hair after as I thought about that email smartgirl and grizzly sent me. Had a good laugh. I will send it to you bll.

makerealbany - 2009-10-19 22:29:00

What do you mean? back to work grizzly. All you have done is work. lol Any one who thinks child minding or babysitting is a breeze ought to sit in on our sessions I reckon. Ha ha. What do you say girls. It is the hardest job ever and you have to have eyes in the back of your head, be fast on your feet, used to multi tasking, be a good cook, tell stories well, able to sing away to all their songs, able to understand babytalk, be really good at playing and love lots of cuddles and sticky kisses.

makerealbany - 2009-10-19 22:36:00

How right you are makerealbany ..... I had five children in 8 years (in my 20s) and seemed to cope fine but find two hours looking after a 2 year old exhausting now. I have 14 grandchildren with another on the way (also due in May) and probably two more still to come in the future. I love them dearly - all of them except three live in Wanganui too so I get to see them often. For some reason, they love sleepovers at Gramma's house....

barbrose - 2009-10-20 07:56:00

Absolutely agree with you both regarding the work involved and it's not till later I appreciate the time I'm getting with them. My parents only had this sort of contact with my two children for a few years then chose to move out of town. The expectation has always been on us to go there to keep the contact going which isn't easy with 'family' routines around school, work etc. The result is a very limited relationship. Such a shame.

grizzly4 - 2009-10-20 08:23:00

Thanks for the email M. Is 35 too young to feel that way?? ;D

bll - 2009-10-20 13:53:00

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jan.w1 - 2009-10-20 14:40:00

Hi Girls, Just got home after a hectic day and a great evening. Took little miss to Playgroup but was slow getting a park and by that time she was asleep. Did not have the heart to wake her as she had a restless night with her molars so went fro a long drive. When she woke I took her to Chipmunks and we had a ball. Saw heaps of Mums there and some grandmas. We had lunch there. When we got home she was so tuckered out she had a nap. I raced around getting ready to go to Big Dinner with dozens of work colleagues. I drove her into the city at 4.30 handed her over to my daughter after her last meeting and then drove to the Venue. Need I say granddaughter managed to unscrew her water bottle whilst we were waiting for her Mum and got drenched. I had to fully change her before Mum arrived. Sigh!!! Had a great time with my pals. Paula Bennet came and spoke to us as Guest Speaker. I drove my pals back to their motel being the sober one. Lol. Got home 15 mins ago. Quite out there on the motorway. I am online while I drink my Milo. Ha ha.

makerealbany - 2009-10-21 00:38:00

No bll it is not too young. Ha ha. I thought you must post before you see my email. Never mind.

makerealbany - 2009-10-21 00:41:00

jan.w1 I have not been to Turangi for awhile either. Had my only brother there years ago but he is in Hastings now. The weather is was showering off and on. I managed to get washing out first thing this morning but had to finish it in the darn drier. Wonderful inventions. Never had them when my kids were young. !!!! I think stamping would be fun.

makerealbany - 2009-10-21 00:45:00

Supposed to be a lovely day here today. Had an early start with a Supervision client at 8am! Next job is to take the Women's group at work to do the Fudge Cottage tour this morning. Yummy! Can't wait.

grizzly4 - 2009-10-21 09:21:00

That sounds good grizzly. The fudge cottage tour I mean not the other. Ha ha. Went to Mainly Music today with miss. After the Tahitian and Rarotongan Music and dancing last night, the little ones banging on their drums gave my head a bit of a going over. Ha ha. Have a pile of work to do gor my Organisation but not in that head space this week. All I want is light fun stuff. If you know what I mean. What was the tour like and did you buy any fudge?

makerealbany - 2009-10-21 19:50:00

Sorry bll did not get to the bank today. I am going tomorrow and will bank then. I am finally giving in and setting up Internet Banking. It will be easier for me to pay things, espeicially TM. Ha ha. My daughter has been at me and at me about it. It is hard to teach an old girl who does not want to learn new technologies. I find it hard enough when the internet is not working.!!!!

makerealbany - 2009-10-21 19:56:00

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jan.w1 - 2009-10-21 21:08:00

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jan.w1 - 2009-10-21 21:11:00

OMG! Fudge Cottage is awesome. [Hello, my name is BLL and I am a chocoholic}].
Had a weekend in Chch when Bon Jovi came couple years ago, went to FC nearly every day.

bll - 2009-10-22 06:53:00

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newfys - 2009-10-22 08:05:00

Not sure how mobile you are newfy, or what craft outlets are close to where you live but The Warehouse craft section has some nice card for cards and great things to put on them for reasonable prices. You could try them to start with perhaps and then try the cardmakers outlets.
Fudge Cottage tour was excellent. Expensive at $160 for up to 25 people when only 8 show up, though. I bought myself Kahlua and Baileys Bombs as a treat for when hubby went out to a meeting last night. Really yummy!!! The cottage is based in the Art Centre along with some other great shops. Couldn't believe how physical the hand made fudge process is when you are working with 30 kgs at a time!!!

grizzly4 - 2009-10-22 09:04:00

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jan.w1 - 2009-10-22 15:02:00

Kia ora everyone. bll thanks parcel arrived today. I banked the other $3.50. Awesome buttons now I need some smaller ones. Might look at your doll buttons. I love the Pendant and Earrings set. Decided to keep that for myself. Really nice colours to go with a bright skirt I have. That swirl pendant is staying in my lot as well. Ha ha.

makerealbany - 2009-10-22 18:50:00

Kia ora everyone. bll thanks parcel arrived today. I banked the other $3.50. Awesome buttons now I need some smaller ones. Might look at your doll buttons. I love the Pendant and Earrings set. Decided to keep that for myself. Really nice colours to go with a bright skirt I have. That swirl pendant is staying in my lot as well. Ha ha.

makerealbany - 2009-10-22 18:50:00

My fingers slipped so just in case you think I am losing it I can assure you I am not!!!!!

makerealbany - 2009-10-22 18:52:00

jan.w1 roll out the fudge recipe girl. My mouth is watering already. I have a horsey friend and she is not interested in anything else either.

makerealbany - 2009-10-22 18:55:00

Grizzly When my friend moves down there the choc place is on the list for us to visit. We will come and get you. She is overseas at the moment. Her hubby was supposed to retire but has not yet. They have the plans done for the house. So progress is being made.

makerealbany - 2009-10-22 18:58:00

Hi newfys You poor thing. How darn frustrating being in a cast. I was in the Warehouse today and they had heaps of cardmaking stuff for a few dollars. I always stock up as my grandchildren get the bug when they are broke. Ha ha. They had some really nice packs on specialfor $2. Libraries are fab for getting books to start hobbies and craft projects and it is free. Maybe someone else can go to the Library for you.

makerealbany - 2009-10-22 19:04:00

The darn internet keeps dropping out on me. I have to use autobids now. Still missed on a couple of things though.

makerealbany - 2009-10-22 22:52:00

Evening all - just got home from a meeting and thought I would check in. I really ought to go to bed. Yay - my day off tomorrow but do have to go to one meeting in the morning. But it doesnt start till 10.30 so I can have a bit of a lie in :) and maybe have breakfast in bed.

barbrose - 2009-10-22 23:11:00

Ooh, lucky you, barbrose! DIL has asked me to make a skirt for her to wear tomorrow night!!! Only time I have is this morning before work. Don't know how much I will get done. One day I will say 'no', maybe.

grizzly4 - 2009-10-23 08:25:00

I envy you with your lie in Barbrose. I have to wait until next Thursday when my SIL gets home for a month. Yeh. I am off to Rotorua that night for a week to work so no sleepins then. Not enought days in the week for us?

makerealbany - 2009-10-23 10:34:00

Grizzly. Run away. I always say we as parents should have tempory separations every now and then. It is okay to say No.!!!! It is okay to say to yourself I will not put myself under stress because someone else is not better organized. At the end of the day if you do not do it the probelm is hers. Do not make it yours. We are such suckers at times. Says she who usually has Friday off and has to mind her granddaughter this arvo. They sprung a meeting on my daughter at the last minute.

makerealbany - 2009-10-23 10:38:00

I want to hear from the first one of us who says No to their kids. Come on we need a role model to follow. lol

makerealbany - 2009-10-23 10:40:00

You wont hear me or see me put my hand up. I think we are all guilty of that. I have today off as my dils court case ended yesterday instead of today. Great for her as well. Its just as well I dont like breakfast in bed as I would die waiting. haha. I have crumbs in the bed.

smartgirl - 2009-10-23 10:55:00

Well, I'll certainly put my hand up since my kids are 7 and 3. All I ever DO is say no! But the only time our parents say no to babysitting is if our darn siblings have already got in first. Had to put our OS holiday off for a term because we didn't get in fast enough.

bll - 2009-10-23 15:59:00

NEWFYS - just go nuts! 1. get some glue tape from the warehouse, comes in a little roller like correction tape. and some foam layering. 2. gather up all your nice old cards and cannabilise them. SIL does awesome HM cards so I just flick off all her embellishments and stick 'em on my own cards. *gotta be careful not to send them back to the same person!* cut out nice pics from bought greeting cards too. Also reuse ribbons and gems etc. 3. lots of great ideas on the internet. 4. you can emboss and stamp, use craft wire to make flowers and other shapes ...

Edited by bll at 4:08 pm, Fri 23 Oct

bll - 2009-10-23 16:06:00

You girls are determined to keep me busy, huh? Better get started on packaging soon. Had a hard day yesterday. A student (13YO boy) had a breakdown in front of me - screaming, swearing, then collapsed in a heap. I feel for him, hard at home. I'm trying really hard not to hold onto the blame for setting him off, since he WAS being naughty in class.

bll - 2009-10-23 16:15:00

Well, I kind of got my sleep in this morning but it wasnt as I intended .... I had a really restless night and was up and down frequently. I heard the birds wake and then must have fallen into a deep sleep. I woke at 9.30 but as I had a meeting at 10.30 I couldnt indulge myself by staying in bed. Instead I was rather rushed. Have managed to do a bit of sewing this afternoon but my heart isnt really in it - not happy with how the quilt is turning out and I keep unpicking and rearranging.
Bll it must be so hard when students have days such as you described, especially when you know things are not good for them at home.

barbrose - 2009-10-23 17:05:00

bll I feel for you. As a teacher or a parent or even a Nana you must set the boundaries for children. Sometimes this is a very hard thing to do. Later when you want to give the kids a hug and say everything will be alright you are restricted by the role you are in. As a parent or grandparent we can do this but as a teacher it is different. All you can do is refer the incident on so that hopefully the boy can get some help. If things are not good at home various agencies will already be aware of this.

makerealbany - 2009-10-23 21:56:00

On a nicer note those were great ideas you gave newfys. I will use some of those hints myself ha ha. I always have bags of wrapping papers and lovely cards and ribbons I have been given or I have rescued from my kids before they bin them!!!!! I really liked that rosebud baby that smartgirl bid on. Would you be making another?

makerealbany - 2009-10-23 22:01:00

Well barbrose I have had that darn unpicking bug as well. I started a pattern for a cardi and thought nah I am not happy with it and the unravelling started. Darn. I have been buying mosaic tiles again. Have some projects to start in a fortnight so gathering extra supplies for my stash. I am listening to Australian Idol while online. Multi tasking again as I am expecting a work call.

makerealbany - 2009-10-23 22:05:00

Hi there smartgirl. Good to hear from you. Yeah there aint no one here but me and Jed my cat doesn't do breakfast in bed either. I have not trained that cat very well at all. Ha ha. How is Holly?

makerealbany - 2009-10-23 22:08:00

She is really good, she asked me that as her mother was not going to have another baby maybe I could have one. That is all I would need. I love my little rosebud baby from bll, I was very please to win her. At least I wont have to get up to her in the night.

smartgirl - 2009-10-23 22:25:00

You hit it right on the head, M. My job is to teach and try to keep kids like him "doing the work.", following the rules. When what I really want to do is give him a big hug and let him talk everything out. Certainly there is the support network to watch out for him. Hopefully we will be able to do some restoration on Tues.

makerealbany wrote:

bll I feel for you. As a teacher or a parent or even a Nana you must set the boundaries for children. Sometimes this is a very hard thing to do. Later when you want to give the kids a hug and say everything will be alright you are restricted by the role you are in. As a parent or grandparent we can do this but as a teacher it is different. All you can do is refer the incident on so that hopefully the boy can get some help. If things are not good at home various agencies will already be aware of this.

bll - 2009-10-24 08:01:00

mwahahahhaha ... I could TRY, they are just like real babies - you just don't know how they're going to turn out!

makerealbany wrote:

On a nicer note those were great ideas you gave newfys. I will use some of those hints myself ha ha. I always have bags of wrapping papers and lovely cards and ribbons I have been given or I have rescued from my kids before they bin them!!!!! I really liked that rosebud baby that smartgirl bid on. Would you be making another?

bll - 2009-10-24 08:03:00

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jan.w1 - 2009-10-24 12:02:00

ggggghuhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhuuh .... mmmmmmmmmmmmmm ... fudgyyy ...

bll - 2009-10-24 16:19:00

MMmmmmmm sounds delicious! I love fudge. Have had a busy day today. Caught up with some old friends who were passing through, went out for lunch and some shopping with a girlfriend, got into the garden for about an hour and then finally finished piecing the quilt. Now am blobbing in front of tv watching Antique Roadshow (I should be knitting) and browings Trade Me. Need an early night as I have to be up at 5am tomorrow to catch a plane to Auckland. My daughter and I are off to see the Andre Rieu concert tomorrow night. So excited.

barbrose - 2009-10-24 20:30:00

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jan.w1 - 2009-10-25 11:06:00