Another day and another broken nights sleep. Heard our roof twisting in the one this morning and things fell over again. 4.6 is a bit rough I have to say when it's close.

grizzly4 - 2010-09-24 07:50:00

half felt it in my sleep, never know now if it was real or just a dream, nothing fell over here thank goodness.

suzy59nz - 2010-09-24 19:14:00

As long as you girls keep posting we will know you are alright. My grandson never says a thing about the aftershocks or anything much else either come to think of it. It is like pulling teeth trying to get info out of him. Have a weekend cleaning plan in my cottage. Honestly it is the pitts. I have hardly been home and I rush in shower and sleep. I have christmas shopping for the little ones done. The older kids are getting cash. I am so over shopping for things for them. It is too hard. It was a reasonable day here today. Washing got dry on the line. Things are not great at the Office and I have not got the time to deal with it. If I was run over by a bus they would have to deal with it themselves anyway. Lol.

makerealbany - 2010-09-24 23:37:00

Please don't say things like that, not this year!

grizzly4 - 2010-09-25 09:08:00

I take it back grizzly. Lol. I am now checking my phone to see who is calling before I answer it. Ha ha. I am not taking any work calls. Well I had a massive clean up and so far have only done half of the cottage. I have another couple of bags of clothing for my sister. Plus 3 boxes of all sorts for the op shop. I also have Mossie nets and cushions to offload. I swear things are multiplying in this cottage. Seriously though I did have a huge house before and I never will have a huge house again so it is time to downsize again. My granddaughter came over this morning and helped me to clean out my jewellery boxes. She had a ball. Found a box of xmas pressies I had not covered properly and so Mr Potato Head was discovered. She loves it. Went back to the house with her Mummy for lunch and her nap. Later this arvo I got a phone call. " Nana I want to come back and help you". Ha that time she made 2 cards for her Mummy and scored a little purse I was tossing out. It was a freebie with some makeup. She answers the phone for her Mum now with a very clear "Hello". After tea she told me she will be over in the morning to help " clean up your mess". She is changing every day. No longer a baby. Told her mother that Johnnie( who we are waiting for) cannot go and visit Nana in the cottage because he is a baby and she is a big girl now. Don't you just love your grandchildren?

makerealbany - 2010-09-26 00:28:00

Absolutely! However yesterday was exhausting and only 2 of the 3 were here for the day. Neither have a nap during the day and L3 and B2 are a bit too close in age to get on perfectly, I think, plus they are quite different personalities. B2 just like my daughter was (his mum) and L3 just like his Dad (my son). B2 does not settle into playing at all, he spent all day running around the section and he's truly not safe to not be watching constantly. Even figured out how to open the big front gate!!!! It's like Fort Knox here now when he visits. I am waiting for my cellphone to arrive back as he put it in his MUm's groceries when they left last night. We lined up all the cars in the backyard yesterday and washed them all with the boys help.Haha. Great way to spend a hot afternoon. That's what I mean by being lulled into a false sense of security, 'cos less than 20 mins after they left we got those 4 shakes and they weren't pleasant. Geonet says they are 5kms from Christchurch but they should say from the city centre. When you check the longitude/latitude they give you on Geonet and do a search through Google maps it gives you the address of those co-ordinates. The 3rd one was round the corner from my sons house and the last one round the corner from work. Poor fish will have had a wild ride again.
My mum rang yesterday inviting I. and I up to Blenheim for a stay to relieve our nerves and then I had to tell her about his job as well. Can't go anywhere right now and it doesn't feel right to escape when others in far worse shape can't.

grizzly4 - 2010-09-26 11:14:00

I had to laugh about Fort Knox. Got your cell phone back yet. Miss M keeps hiding the main phone in all sorts of devious places. Ha ha. I could say I would be off to Blenheim as fast as I could but then I would worry about my family and just like you I would end up staying home. Those darn aftershocks!!!!!! I have not looked at the Geonet yet. Just finished a report and emailed it down for the meeting. I cannot go anywhere until SIL is home.

makerealbany - 2010-09-27 00:19:00

Is that a blessing not having to go down to the meeting?! How is your daughter, makeralbany and when is SIL due back? I slept through last night even though one of the after shocks was centred just down the road. Just as well as our holiday programme starts today and I have early starts for the next 2 weeks. Then a week off!

grizzly4 - 2010-09-27 07:13:00

He arrives home at midnight tonight grizzly. Yay. I have that Mediation meeting in Hamilton next Thursday so I will be glad when that is over. The staff member has a PG that has been upheld by our Committee plus another lodged to be dealt with on the day as well as non compliance of the required diciplinary action for the first PG. It will take all day so I expect it to be very draining. There were fireworks at the meeting so I am glad I missed that. Ha ha. I had a great day today with my 2 grand daughters at the Library, park and the Mall. Came home exhausted and we all had a nap. Do you know if there are any boarding houses in Christchurh near Riccarton for a 21( this month) young man. My grandson will not be returning to Uni next year as he cannot get another student loan. He has to move out of the place he is in as it is $170 per week. He cannot afford it as he has not got a job and is not registered for unemployment. So

makerealbany - 2010-09-28 21:55:00

Had to stop for a phone call. I am concerned about him although he has an Aunt there on his Mum's side. He is rather shy and reserved until he gets to know people. He is booked into a seminar at Work and Income on the 30th. Given the huge unemployment in Christchurch I really think he should move back to Auckland but he likes it there. I ring him often because he cannot even use his laptap at the moment. His landlady has an internet probelm and even though he pays for the net in his rent she is not rushing to fix the probelm. This of course isolates him even more. A lot of friends he made in that 5 bedroomed house have left and moved far away. He has tried to get another flatting situation but none of the students have left yet so there will be vacancies in November. Maybe he can come back until then. Ah well just another probelm to solve aye?

makerealbany - 2010-09-28 22:40:00

320046263 296663940 319747151 316724591 313318079 312133121 306950404

all listing numbers quite a few on here, all the ones i listed here are under 150 a week, one or two under 100. some in Ilem and Riccarton

suzy59nz - 2010-09-29 15:49:00

You are on the ball,suzy59nz! I hope things sort themselves out for him, makerealbany. At least if he had a job he would be able to make more friends etc. Shame he couldn't finish his studies, though.
Looks like I. may have the choice of both jobs he interviewed for yesterday, thank goodness. We are just waiting for dates etc and to find out whether his current boss will let him go as early as the end of this week. She's been that keen to be shot of him I hope she doesn't suddenly make things hard at this point. It don't think he can be very pleasant for him going into that office each day.

grizzly4 - 2010-09-29 17:13:00

Thanks heaps suzy. I emailed him the contacts tonight. He missed out on another one today. He is off to the WINZ seminar tomorrow. I just put money in his account and he said they would regard it as income. I said you tell them it is family support and you don't pay tax on it therefore it is not income. I cannot let him starve for heavens sake. He is feeling bad enough without that kind of crap.

makerealbany - 2010-09-29 21:01:00

Best of luck to I for the new employment grizzly. My SIL is home and he bought me a bottle of Estee Lauder White Linen. My favourite perfume. I am so pleased as I was on my last drops. Lol. Daughter has been having contractions 5 mins apart for the last 2 hours. We are hoping it continues but SIL is shattered. He and A only had 5 hours sleep last night. Did not get home until after 2-30. SIL says he cannot come tonight. lol.

makerealbany - 2010-09-29 21:06:00

Babies do not arrive at the convenience of their parents, hehe? Is he here?

grizzly4 - 2010-09-30 07:11:00

grizzly4 wrote:

Looks like I. may have the choice of both jobs he interviewed for yesterday, thank goodness. quote]

Fantastic news, he will be so much happier with the old familier routine that he used to do, i knew he wouldn't have much trouble as he is a good worker. Good luck to him.

suzy59nz - 2010-09-30 16:46:00

Dont know what i did there to make my writing small lol.
My 14 residents went back to the village side of the resthome today, it is realy good to get back in to some sort of routine there, seems funny though having a big wooden wall put up across where the rest home starts ready for demolition.

suzy59nz - 2010-09-30 16:49:00

I reckon it will be very strange, and very noisy once they start work as well.
When the 4.5 hit this morning parents were ringing from all over the place to check on their kids but we hadn't felt a thing. Haha. Really sturdy old building, thank goodness.

grizzly4 - 2010-09-30 19:51:00

Yes there will be noise alright grizzly. I remember about 30 years ago, I was managing a Children's Wear chain shop and they knocked the old bank down next to us. The Jackhammers were so loud we had to shout at each other and the customers. When the dust started blowing through I had had enough. The owners would not close the shop so I rang the old Health Department and we were closed down within 30 minutes. Lol. The bosses went mad but they had to pay the staff and we all had a week off. Mind you my ears rang for a couple of days. Anyway they had insurance. Glad you are in a sturdy building grizzly.

makerealbany - 2010-09-30 23:19:00

That little boy is not here yet grizzly. A had contractions for 3 hours again today. She is looking so tired. I have never experienced anything like this before. They are painful contractions too.

makerealbany - 2010-10-01 21:24:00

Hi smartgirl. How are things going?

makerealbany - 2010-10-01 21:25:00

I arrived home last night, I had such a great break I ended up staying a few extra days. I must admit mr 18 was pleased to see me, he even told his mum he missed me. Healthwise I am feeling so much better finally, I was still quite unwell when I first went away. How are you girls all going. I see no baby yet. A is doing exactly what I did with my last daughter, I laboured for weeks off and on, usually started when I went to bed. When she was finally born she came very quickly so that made up for it. I had had 2 awful labours and was dreading this one especially since I had laboured for weeks before she arrived. Grizzly how are you and I going. How are the aftershocks etc.

smartgirl - 2010-10-02 12:30:00

Yet another drama down here. I received an Email on FRiday morning that was infected with an really nasty virus! It kept telling us that we had 14 trojan horses and dozens of worms infecting all our files trying to access our credit card details. In actual fact this thing called 'Security Tool' was the virus and kept asking us to pay by credit card so it would clear our system. Luckily we knew better and called in an expert friend who was here till 10 last night clearing it all and installing 3 different anti-virus systems to keep us safe. We are very lucky to have it all fixed within a couple of days, thank goodness.
I am also very grateful that I am not feeling the after shocks so much and have been able to settle into a normal routine again. I worked on the programme on FRiday which meant a trip to the beach and a movie called 'Despicable Me'. Brilliant movie, highly recommend it! Ended up with a shocking headache Friday night and went to bed early and then tweaked my hip on Saturday morning so been limping around since then, Hasn't slowed me down that much though, too much life to catch to catch up on in this lovely weather. The seeds I planted in containers in the glass house are all up and will transplant them once the vege garden is finished being dug. Life is definitely moving on, thank goodness, it's been a month!

grizzly4 - 2010-10-03 11:57:00

I went from having no ideas at all for the boys Xmas presents on Saturday to having bought all 3 main pressies yesterday afternoon. Very pleased with myself! Have I.'s mostly done as well and my sisters and quite a few stocking fillers collected up.

grizzly4 - 2010-10-04 07:09:00

Well goodness me! It was Trademe that infected my computer!!!! Interesting that they are warning not to download dodgy links like their ad for Lonely Planet. I didn't! All it took was not being able to update my anti virus system last time and being told their was no difference between the two and I had other back up systems. Ha! obviously not! Beware everybody!

grizzly4 - 2010-10-04 17:48:00

And then there was a 5!!!!! on top of everything else. However I. definitely has his trucking job. Yay!!!

grizzly4 - 2010-10-05 07:39:00

was a good after shock wasn't it, everything was swaying,... Good for I, was that the one he did all the tests for?.

suzy59nz - 2010-10-05 10:12:00

Yes it is. He spent this morning doing an induction and has to do another tomorrow morning before putting his other hat on as property Manager. His farewell dinner is tomorrow night and neither of us are looking forward to that at all. He finishes on FRiday and starts the new one on Saturday - working right through the weekend!! Oh boy (sigh).

grizzly4 - 2010-10-05 16:12:00

Well girls I am off line. My daughter's phone was out for 2 days. They fixed that and in doing so cut me off. Grrrrr. Anyway 2 days later and I am still waiting for reconection. In the meantime daughter is labouring at the hospital. She was 3 mins apart when she left home 30 mins ago. I am in the house minding little Miss M. I feel strange not being there with my girl. First time but I am needed more at home. She has had a hell of a time so I hope this baby comes quick.

makerealbany - 2010-10-05 23:32:00

Congrats on Hubby's new job grizzly. I am wary of Viruses too. I just delete everything I don't know. Ha ha.

makerealbany - 2010-10-05 23:33:00

Hi smartgirl. I am out of the loop. Where have you been? Did you go to Aussi? It is good that you are feeling better girl. I went for my warrant. Had to buy a new tyre so I got a pair. I still need to put my car in the garage tomorrow to get a joint replaced. So all up it will have cost $550. Never mind as long as the car is safe to carry our babies I don't mind.

makerealbany - 2010-10-05 23:37:00

All my best wishes for your daughter. Hopefully it's over by now and your new grandson is safe and well.
Very foggy here this morning but supposed to another beautiful day. It will be a bit quieter in the office as the programme is going to QE2 pool for a swim. I've been finishing at 3 each day which has been very pleasant although just having to do my chores at a different end of the day. Haha.

grizzly4 - 2010-10-06 07:15:00

Makereal I was in Papamoa, is that wee boy here yet. Must be soon now, Give A my love when you see her. I have been thinking about her heaps.

smartgirl - 2010-10-06 11:05:00

Well finally my grandson arrived at 1-45 this morning weighing in at 8lb 7ozs. He is early but a really good size. I am as relieved as everyone else. Daughter had him naturally and after the horrible time she had with his big sister we are really happy for her. My eldest girl caught her nephew and she was texting me thru out the birth. My daughter's midwife was fabulous and worked really well with my girls. Now I can relax and go off to that nasty mediation tomorrow. Car needed even more work so out comes the wallet again. Once they start pulling apart things!!!!!!! I am going to now have a Nana nap. S and M are asleep in the house Lol.

makerealbany - 2010-10-06 14:18:00

Congratulations!!!!!! A very healthy boy for coming early. Shame you have dreadful meetings to go to now instead of being able to stay with family or rest! Look after yoursel, makeralbany.

grizzly4 - 2010-10-06 17:57:00

Congratulations Nana, how wonderful. He certainly is a big fella, just as well he came early. I can only imagine how big he would have been. It makes my eyes water just thinking about it. haha. What are they calling him. Have a safe trip today.

smartgirl - 2010-10-07 07:37:00

Yay!! Last day of work. Next week on holiday, aiming to do lots of knitting and reading and gardening. Really hope the weather holds up. Going to the beach and "Cats & Dogs 2" movie with the programme today. I will be knackered by the time I get home.

grizzly4 - 2010-10-08 07:30:00

Have a nice wekend!

grizzly4 - 2010-10-09 09:24:00

Hi girls. Well baby is really a big boy. Size wise he will not fit those first little singlets for long so guess what I am doing, frantically sewing up the bigger ones. Everyone is tired but settling down again. Miss M could not sleep the first night baby was home. Every little cry had to running into her Parent's room to see what the matter was with baby. Dad slept on the other single bed in her room last night and she slept much better. It is rather a shock for a little princess who has ruled the universe. All of a sudden she is not the baby anymore. She was very fragile at first.

makerealbany - 2010-10-09 13:01:00

Grizzly. We had the mediation and everything was resolved with a resignation. I was shattered after a day of Mediation. I am the youngest on the committee and one of the other 2 who is in her eighties dozed off. Ha ha. I felt so sorry for them as it was quite challenging at times throughout the day.Now I have the AGM and the Staff Annual Appraisals on Mon and Tues. Plus we will have to juggle staff etc. Hope you have a great holiday girl.

makerealbany - 2010-10-09 13:05:00

Smartgirl It took me from 7 until 9-50 to get to Hamilton and the meeting was at 10. Just made it by the skin of my teeth. Got back home at 10 that night. If you ever come up this way let me know. It is ludicrous that we are so close yet so far.

makerealbany - 2010-10-09 13:08:00

Makerealbany - shame the resignation wasn't yours and get you a break! I can't imagine still being on a committe at 80!!!! I applaud their commitment but enough's enough. I hope I have found better things to do by then. Heehee.

grizzly4 - 2010-10-09 19:57:00

Yucky, yucky weather yesterday and today so I spent the day shopping for Christmas. Most of it is done now so I am very, very proud of myself. Hopefully will organise the last during my week off. I also filled my freezer with all the stuff I would usually get through Chrisco. Would you believe cost me $265 instead of the $400 plus I usually pay!!! Lesson learned there. It included a lovely roast pork which was $30 on it's own.
Today is the first day for I. to get back into a truck and it's pouring with rain, poor b%*#!. He suddenly remembered why he didn't want to do it anymore 2 and a half years ago (apart from the knee, I mean).

grizzly4 - 2010-10-11 07:49:00

Busy day yesterday, in the shop in the morning had a hugely flat tyre when I came out to my car (so much so it was off the rim!!) but found a lovely young man at a nearby SuperCheap to change it for me in the pouring rain. He wouldn't accept anything for helping either so will write a letter to his boss. B5 and L3 were over for tea as parents had a dinner to go to. Really didn't have the energy to keep up with them last night and was probably a growly Nana.
Weather fined up enough in the afternoon for me to transfer my baby bean plants from the glasshouse to my garden.

grizzly4 - 2010-10-12 08:49:00

Thank goodness the rain stopped and we had a lovely day today, never seen so much rain as yesterday. Got all my washing dry...
My 23 year old daughter is getting a puppy, chihuahua /Daschund cross they call them Chipolatiz lol, it is 6 weeks old, we are going to see it tomorrow , i have told her not to take it without the first vaccination being given so she is taking me for support when she askes about it lol, I bet i know who will be looking after it when she is on lates.........................-
......

suzy59nz - 2010-10-12 20:37:00

That cross-breed were for sale in the pet shop at Northlands during the weekend. They were very cute as puppies, who knows what they will look like grown up!!
Very busy day yesterday - picked up my tyre and had it refitted back on my car, sent a letter thanking the guy that changed it in the rain the day before, went and bought more wool and some summer tops, planted some new fuschia plants, made some lollycake for I.'s lunches and a fish filo parcel for tea. I was so tired I was in bed by 9.30!! Haha.

grizzly4 - 2010-10-13 09:40:00

MORE wool lol................... I have Rebeccas engagement party on Saturday, should realy find something to wear for it but just can't be fagged going to the mall. Might do some sewing instead.

suzy59nz - 2010-10-13 10:30:00

Another good shake today, i was in my daughters car at the lights, wondered why the car was bouncing up and down,another 5.0. Just when we thought things were slowing down and getting back to normal.

suzy59nz - 2010-10-13 22:00:00

Yeah, I know. I was knitting in my lounge and everything was swinging again. Went on for ages. I held my breath while it lasted but felt ok afterwards, so hopefully getting a better control of the nerves especially as I was home alone. A little nervous going to bed last night especially as I. is gone by 5.30 but all is well and I slept till 8.15 this morning.
I haven't bought wool for so long that I have to stock up now. I hate wanting to start a pattern and then not having the wool.
Went to Spotlight yesterday as I was picking up a pattern book from that side of town that I won off TM. It was hopeless trying to find prices and when there was a sign there was nothing of that brand in the pile underneath it! They never change. I bought a dark green tablecloth for my Christmas dinner and same thing there. All the price stickers had been ripped off (probably for GST) but nothing had been replaced. Lovely tablecloth, though.

grizzly4 - 2010-10-14 10:11:00

I hope you are relaxing and enjoying you break grizzly, I know it is hard with the quakes still happening. Its a shame you could not get up here to stable land. I am sure makereal and I would have love having you. I know what you mean about not being able to match the pattern to the wool when you want to. have a good last days. A week sure goes faster when you are on break.

smartgirl - 2010-10-14 10:41:00