I agree about my year but also think there is always some a lot worse off and I have been very lucky all things considered. There have been some highs along the way, too and I try to keep the others in perspective. (Until the next shake) Haha.

grizzly4 - 2010-11-21 10:49:00

Hi girls. Well we have survived another week. Lol. Things are starting to improve on the home front. Although I have not watched the news or TV for a week or so, maybe two. Cannot remember. I have not picked up my needles either. I am starting to have serious withdrawal symptoms. Ha ha. Did a bit in the garden tonight before it got dark. Thank heavens for daylight saving. Never thought I would say that.!!!!!! My Asiatic Lillies are starting to flower. I love those except when I get pollen on myself from the flowers. Really hard to scrub off. Did a snail hunt last night. There were dozens of the little beggars trying to scoff my new seedlings. Had a dash of rain and out they came. Got some sand for M's sandpit and it was $8 for 25 litres. I got 2 bags. It would have been cheaper to get a trailer load but I was in a hurry. I do have to cover it once she has finished playing in it though. Drat another job. The kids do like the sandpits though.

makerealbany - 2010-11-21 22:37:00

Spoke too soon. We had a hell of a day with Bubs today. Tonight my daughter was in tears again, baby was screaming with colic and I felt so useless. I take him and carry him around patting and rubbing his back to give my girl a rest so she can eat and drink. Tonight she said she was seeing stars when she stood up. They are both asleep so hopefully she may get a couple of hours. He has not slept for more than 1 hour today. OMG it really gives your back hell. He is so little but the continuous walking and rocking is getting to us both. I am taking painkillers every 4 hours and it is not even dulling the pain.This has got to stop at some time.!!!!!

makerealbany - 2010-11-22 23:29:00

makerealbany, Oh colic, what a bugger ((((hugs)))) to you and your daughter, brings back memories, I really hope that each day it will get better and better. Sweet dream to your both and baby.

skippie1 - 2010-11-22 23:55:00

That was a nice message for makerealbany to go to bed on last night, skippie1. Are you a crafty person, too?

grizzly4 - 2010-11-23 08:46:00

i remember it well all those times walking with bubs on my hip patting her back, then giving her to my mom to have her turn, i found having her on my hip with my arm across her tummy seemed to help, maybe the lite preasure on her tummy helped ease the pain a little

suzy59nz - 2010-11-23 16:34:00

usually stops at 3 months

suzy59nz - 2010-11-23 16:34:00

Thanks for that nice message skippie. Today was a bit better but he must be having a growth spurt because all he wants to do is feed. The little darling.

makerealbany - 2010-11-23 22:57:00

That means we have another 6 weeks to go suzy. Yikes.

makerealbany - 2010-11-23 22:58:00

Finally got to see some news grizzly. Those poor Miners and their families. I was so out of touch with the outside world. I must say I detest Media hype releases. As if the families are not going through enough without all the extremist media reports!!!!! On a nicer note one of my grandsons came down today and mowed nearly all our lawns then it rained so he is coming back tomorrow. They were so long it was getting to me but I cannot mow them anymore. My foot is back to square one. Drat the thing. Lol. I managed to get into the garden at 6.30 this morning so that got me started in a good space. Ha ha. It is so therapeutic to get your hands into the soil. Isn't it? Miss M keeps picking all the strawberries before they are ripe but she doesn't touch the raspberries!!!! I am going to net the strawberries and see if that deters her. The little rascal. She has been checking her swan plants and gets annoyed when her big fat caterpillars go off. She searches in the Lavender bushes which are near her swan plants muttering to herself. She is settling down now. Phew!!!! She told me I was getting a circle on my chart today because I got lost taking her to a new park for a Summer Fun Day. When I found the park she told me" Your behaviour is better now Nana. You can have a star on your chart now". Lol. She is learning.

makerealbany - 2010-11-23 23:13:00

Very cute!! I made the mistake of reading some online feedback to the miners crisis on the news page early on. When everyone should have been hoping for a positive resolution, especially when the families had access to these comments, they were full of doom and gloom. I think the CEO has done an amazing job of keeping it all together.

grizzly4 - 2010-11-24 07:50:00

A dreadful end to a stressful few days for those Gremouth families. Another situation to make one feel absolutely useless!

grizzly4 - 2010-11-24 18:36:00

Yes I agree grizzly. My daughter and I both watched the news tonight and both of us are so emotional at the moment we were crying buckets. How devastating for their families. I also think the CEO did an amazing job in such difficult times.

makerealbany - 2010-11-25 00:27:00

I have the day off today. I have a dentist appointment this morning to recheck a tooth from a couple of weeks ago. BUT get this! My boss said yesterday to take today off anyway as I am irritable and obviously tired!!!!! This after only seeing me for 5 minutes after I had been out all morning on a farm trip with the women's group where I'm quite sure I wasn't irritable at all. Sometimes all it takes is for me to express dissatisfaction about something at work (When everyone else is complaining about something anyway) and all of a sudden I'm too stressed to be at work! Tired yes, isn't everyone at this time of the year and I'm incredibly busy as well so sometimes I've just got my head down and working hard. One staff member said something particularly unpleasant to me on Tuesday which I didn't respond to ( and I'm probably still stewing over it) and that makes me a bit quieter but definitely not too stressed to be at work! However, as I don't know if they will take this damn tooth out today I am taking the day off and I will spend the afternoon sitting in the sun knitting! And who knows if I'll go in tomorrow,hehe)

grizzly4 - 2010-11-25 09:47:00

omg, you were in a lovely mood yesterday at the farm, not tired or stressed, it was a lovely morning, they must have got out of the wrong side of the bed. Don't let them get to you. How did the dentist go?

suzy59nz - 2010-11-25 14:50:00

Well yes everyone is tired at this time of the year grizzly. Just ignore those lousy comments. I am fed up with my group again. In a fortnights time I have to spend 3 days down the line and I have a strong feeling in my stomach that my resignation will follow. I have a co volunteer I really care about and she has been ill and very overworked as she lives there. If she leaves I will not take up the extra workload. I would likesome more me time and after years of voluntary work I darn deserve it. Ha ha. I have to go to the dentist as well as soon as I can.

makerealbany - 2010-11-25 22:39:00

Took baby to the specialist again and now he has more drops for a week on trial. If he has not improved he has to go on Losec. You can see the darn acid burning him by his little facial expressions. He is so cute. He is 7 weeks today and has started to smile when he hears our voices. He stops crying for awhile when I whistle to him. I cannot whistle for nuts but he likes the sound although my 15 year old granddaughter was in stitches watching us. His Daddy is home next Wednesday. YAH.

makerealbany - 2010-11-25 22:44:00

Poor wee baby, must be awful for him to not have any relief. I'm glad you are starting to put yourself first in regards to your voluntary work, makerealbany, although it's a hard step to take. JUst imagine the relief you will feel once you have done it.

I still have the tooth, suzy, and they have varnished the ones around it to prevent the sensitivity to hot and cold. Hah, haven't noticed the difference yet! I know this tooth is doomed but I'm not into losing it just yet. I'll nurse it along a bit longer.

grizzly4 - 2010-11-26 08:40:00

Supposed to be another lovely day, so wearing my dress again!! Haha. Apart from cooking tea for whoever is around at that point I plan to be lazy today....

grizzly4 - 2010-11-27 09:19:00

Yes we were lazy all day too grizzly and we really enjoyed it. Took the babies up to visit our family in Orewa and the kids played in the water and we just relaxed. A very awesome day and we even ignored the untidy house when we got home. Lol. I have M for the night to give us a break. Ha ha. She is so tired after her day at her Aunty's. Looks to me like she will be in bed in 15 mins. Yipee.

makerealbany - 2010-11-27 18:48:00

Hello there ... its me popping back into the thread hoping someone can help me. I am looking for a pattern to make those lovely cone shaped shoe fresheners. I kind of have an idea of how to make them but would much prefer a pattern if possible. Has anyone made them?

barbrose - 2010-11-27 19:31:00

Sorry I can't help at all, I'm not even sure I have seen any so would be interested in a photo if someone else helps.

grizzly4 - 2010-11-28 10:42:00

Hi there barbrose. Cannot help either sorry.

makerealbany - 2010-11-28 23:51:00

You would not believe it grizzly. My girl has food poisoning and was sick all last night and today. So has my grandson. They suspect a cooked chicken from the supermarket. I did not have any, nor did Miss M. Lucky for us we had eaten out. Poor daughter is looking as bad as her mother. Lol. Seriously though we are wrecks. I have M again tonight as her Mum is having enough probelms with little J. He is going on Losec tomorrow as his reflux probelms are not improving. Doc gave us the script when he tried him on the drops he is on. Said if they did not help in 4 days to get the Losec. He wants to feed all the time and of course with my girl being so sick her milk supply is dropping. She rang her hubbie and said she needed him home now. He is sure late on Wednesday night so I doubt that he will come earlier.

makerealbany - 2010-11-29 00:01:00

Sorry meant he is due home on Wednesday. Well I am so b--ggered I am off to bed for a few hours I hope.

makerealbany - 2010-11-29 00:03:00

I can really feel for you. One of my girls had 2 babies with terrible reflux. Her girl had it for 10 months then her son had it for 16 months. It is dreadful for the whole family. I dont know how they managed to stay together as they consumed all their time feeding. Miss P had to have a special bottle that they use for cleft palates. She refused to suck, she knew what caused the pain. She could really put up a fight not to drink. She had to be held in a lock to keep her still. Mr T was happy to suck but he brought it straight up. If he kept it down he threw up as soon as he went to bed. She had to change him before she fed him cause he could not lay flat. His bed was also raised up. They were the only 2 babies that I could not feed.

smartgirl - 2010-11-29 07:09:00

Hearing those stories, you really feel for the families going through it all. I dreaded getting sick when my kids were little. No such thing as hubby staying home to help us back then! Different way of thinking. Here's hoping the Losec helps, makerealbany!

grizzly4 - 2010-11-29 07:22:00

Hi smartgirl, so nice to hear from you. Yes bubs does want to feed all the time. He is so bonny and is fat and healthy otherwise. A's Midwife is a real treasure and told her to go to back the GP tomorrow and get him to give her blood tests to find out what bug she has in her system. Said she cannot be bothered with D s who don't get blood tests taken and just assume what is wrong. I agree with her. Thank heavens she is breastfeeding him because obviously the antibodies in her milk are working because baby has not got the bug. He isa real little character when he is not in pain. Grins away. Little devil. Lol. Yes a lot of mothers are telling us about their experiences with reflux. I never realized just how common it is. 16 months is just diabolical. Yes it is hard on the whole family.

makerealbany - 2010-11-29 22:13:00

Yes grizzly. I do so hope that the losec helps. I feel so sorry for M because her Mummy is so busy with J. On another note the weather has been nice and hot and the veges are growing like mad. Getting a bit dry though. I told one of our other Committee members that I am resigning from the committee and she told me that she was contemplating the same action. Lol. Said it takes up too much of her time. So they will have 1 member left on the committee. I do not care anymore. I have 20 job applications to go through and shortlist by the end of this week. Next week I will spend 3 days there, attend 4 meetings, do the interviews, sign the contracts, do one review of a workers position. check that a contract has been finalized and review the hours spent on it, write up my last report and that will be that. I cannot resign from the group however because I am an Honorary Life Member. I am relieved that I have finally decided to resign. I told my daughters that I am going to be selfish from now on. They laughed. Said I did not know how to be selfish. I will show them a thing or two. Ha ha. They are pleased because they said I am always stressed when I get back from my trips there.

makerealbany - 2010-11-29 22:30:00

Yay!!!! Well done for making that decision. A lot of work for you before you can finish, though.

grizzly4 - 2010-11-30 07:53:00

Yes you are right grizzly but I will go out with a bang. Ha ha. I was bidding on some auctions but missed out on a couple because my autobid was passed and I was too busy to check online. Never mind only 1 day to go and SIL is home. I am so excited about that anyone would think I had won lotto. Lol.

makerealbany - 2010-11-30 22:49:00

I know how you feel. DIL had the front of her car reversed into a couple of weeks ago and for the first week, until the insurance stuff was sorted, I was back to picking the boys and her up to go home each evening again. Not a problem and didn't take me out of my way at all but just one more thing I had to remember to do each day and meant I was half an hour later in the traffic to get home. The little things make such a difference when you are tired and busy at this time of the year. It was such a relief when she was given a courtesy car from the panel beaters. I did love having contact with the boys each day though. (Yeah I know I see B5 at work each day anyway). Heehee.

grizzly4 - 2010-12-01 07:41:00

Smartgirl and Grizzly my best mate who has been sick for a long time died in her sleep today. One of her daughters rang me this morning. I am going to Hamilton on Friday morning. I asked her daughter if she had seen her mother recently and she said "No"" She had not seen her for months. Which I knew of course. Well I cried all darn day and just thinking about her rattling around her Mum's House sorting out stuff makes me want to puke. But I will go and spend a night there with my buddy and shove my personal feelings about her rotten kids way down deep. Karma will get them. So all in all this has been a lousy month.

makerealbany - 2010-12-01 19:55:00

Sorry about that girls. I guess I am just so darn tired and worn out. I will really miss my mate. She was a wonderful friend to me. We accepted each others flaws as friends do. We had our ups and downs and could always talk to each other about probelms. My kids really liked her. We have been friends for over 30 years. I am glad she is finally at rest though. She was exhausted with it all. Another thing her daughter has invited people she stopped having anything to do with years ago because they used and hurt her. I cannot understand how stupid and selfish some people can be. Never mind my mate promised me she would haunt any b--ger who attended her funeral if she did not want them there. Lol.

makerealbany - 2010-12-01 20:03:00

I am so sorry about you losing your friend, makerealbany. It sounds like she's in a better place away from her family and her illness and maybe she has more power to put things to rights where she is now. Should be an interesting funeral if she puts her promise into action. I'll be thinking of you on Friday.

I am away, myself, until Sunday. I. finally got half a days leave from his work so we will travel to Blenheim on Friday afternoon. IT's been very stressful waiting for the final go ahead from his work, he asked for FRiday off over 2 weeks ago and I have dreaded 'phoning Mum & Dad to change our plans.

grizzly4 - 2010-12-02 08:56:00

Just got back home from the funeral. The family had her at home so I spent the last night with her in a room by myself, which was sad but soothing somehow. I was asked by her girls if I would get up and speak at her funeral. I did and that went well. I was her oldest friend and looking back and reflecting on some of the hilarious and naughty things she got up to over a 30 year period was rather fun. I had cried buckets before the funeral but held together during my tribulation. It was lovely to see old friends and we have all exchanged phone nos, etc. I am now rather tired having had only 2 hours sleep last night and 3 the night before. Sleep time for me. Hope you had a great weekend grizzly.

makerealbany - 2010-12-05 00:44:00

Makereal, I am so sorry to hear about your friend, what a tough time for you. I am glad you had a nice time and that all went well especially with her girls. Its amazing the memories that flow at times like these. Take care of your self and think that she will now be in peace and in a better place. Jo

smartgirl - 2010-12-05 19:26:00

I'm pleased to hear the funeral didn't seem as stressful as you thought it could be, makerealbany.
I had a great weekend with my parents so I'm looking forward now to getting into the Christmas season boots and all!

grizzly4 - 2010-12-06 07:13:00

It's that time of the year that I start ticking off the things that finish for the year. Both of my evening meetings are finished for the year which is a relief. It's the lat Women's group morning tomorrow but that should be lots of fun. We are going to to craft outlets and the Prenzels store as well as lunch out past Waikuku. I really have to put my tree up this week, too, just hasn't been time going away and finishing off these meetings.

grizzly4 - 2010-12-07 07:31:00

Looks like you are all busy! This morning is our Christmas outing, yippee. Really looking forward to noseying around different craft outlets. Not the nicest weather so hope it clears by the time we are on the bus.
My knitting is really suffering at present with being busy with other stuff. I have myself a list to keep track of what still has to be done before Xmas. I love ticking things off.

grizzly4 - 2010-12-08 07:38:00

I had such a good morning yesterday on our trip! It was great looking at all the Xmasy stuff in different places. I bought a felted Xmas centre mat for under hot dishes on the table and another lovely Father Xmas ornament. From Prenzels I bought some dip mixes to try over Xmas and the lunch at Pukeko Junction was wonderful. I had chicken and mushroom filo with a beautiful salad and a lemon dessert to finish. And then we were all nodding off on the bus trip back to town. Heehee. Very hard to get into work mode for the rest of the day. And I certainly didn't think about cooking when I got home. I. went for takeaways to tide him over then we put the tree up finally with most of the decoations as well. Still have the lights to do. And I finished a wee cardy last night as well. All in all a great day!

grizzly4 - 2010-12-09 08:37:00

I agree it was a lovely day yesterday, ate way too much( i was a good girl ate my vegies) bought another little Pukeko to go with its twin that got broken in the earthquake. Spent way too much at Prenzels, all in all a great time had by all

suzy59nz - 2010-12-09 16:05:00

Hi girls home at last. Well no more meetings for me although I have 2 last short reports to write. What a relief. Yippee. They are not too happy but who cares?. Not me. Had a great time shopping with Mum today. Sorted out all her meds and took her to lunch. Called in to my mates sister at Manurewa on the way home tonight as she had a pile of things for me that had belonged to my friend. That was so nice of her family. The kids insisted I should have some things. Strange isn't it? I like her sister. Now her ex husband is being a right swine. That is a surprize. My granddaughter has her Dad lined up to take her to get a Xmas tree in the morning( Cause Nana will be home and she is going to get all the decorations out). I got a few new ones today in Rotorua. They had this really neat craft shop. Ho Ho. Well off to bed for me.

makerealbany - 2010-12-10 00:07:00

I bought more decorations last night! Heehee. Nice big house to put them all in. Having B2 overnight tonight. It's the first time he has stayed away from his Mum & Dad so it'll be interesting.

grizzly4 - 2010-12-11 08:58:00

Just back from babysitting for daughter who was on the late shift. She has another tomorrow night. I managed to knit a xmas dishcloth tonight after Master K finally went to sleep. The darn club at the park behind my daughter's were letting off fireworks and woke him up at 9. Lousy b--ggers. How did your grandson go for the night Grizzly. Miss M has booked me for a sleepover on Monday night. Ho Ho. She asked me this morning then told her parents. Little monkey.

makerealbany - 2010-12-12 02:15:00

he was wonderful! Although the reason for him changed from his Mum & Dad going to a wedding to both of them catching a dreadful tummy bug from B2 who had it earlier in the week. I really hope that the cycle is over and I. and I are safe from it. I srayed everything I brought with him with dettol spray, even his car seat and my car. Absolutely paranoid now.

grizzly4 - 2010-12-12 09:14:00

So glad he was good. As for the bugs. I would be too grizzly!!!!! Just back home again. Glad that is over for a week. Lol. Went to my DILS Birthday today. It was lovely but miles away. Just got home and had 10 mins then I had to leave and go up to babysit. Knackered now. Put our trees up the other day. I have a nice small one which my SIL got for me when he bought their one. Lucky me. I had fun decorating it. Haven't wrapt one pressie yet. Very slack. Will have to do them this week. I have my breast check tomorrow. I hate being squeezed, etc. Ah well all for a good cause.

makerealbany - 2010-12-13 01:35:00

All good bug-wise so far! Had a lovely day yesterday. Dropped B2 home just after 10, his Dad was at work and MUm looked much better thank goodness. I. and I browsed The Palms Mall for a while. Haven't been in there for at least 6 months so we found a few things on special. Like you, makerealbany, I haven't wrapped much at all. Really need to sort it out so I know what I still need!

grizzly4 - 2010-12-13 07:14:00

Found I am allergic to the real Xmas tree at work! As soon as I arrived this morning I started sneezing etc. Can you believe it? At this time of the year! I'm hoping one of the families will take it home on Wednesday night 'cos I have another week of work to do yet.

grizzly4 - 2010-12-13 20:13:00

That is dreadful grizzly. Fancy being allergic to the Xmas tree. Hope someone does take it home for you. Went and did the Breast Exam. Hurt like hell. Every year I say never again and voila there I am back again 12 months later. Duh!!!! Glad the bugs kept away. I had a lazy day today and it was great. Even shopped for myself at EZI Buy. We have a shop in Albany. Well Mainly Music and Dancing are over for the year. M's Dad is taking her to Playgroup tomorrow and they finish on Thursday. I am enjoying quiet time tonight. lol.

makerealbany - 2010-12-13 22:50:00