I am improving!!! Smartgirl how are you? Have not heard from you for awhile. Had another rainy day here. Water,water everywhere. Everything is just sodden outside. J has another tooth and is as happy as a lark. He is such a good boy just grizzles a bit when it is bedtime. M is just loving preschool and so do I lol. Just knitting another pretty scarf for myself as my grand daughters keep taking mine. I am laying dibs on this one though. I was halfway thru another jersey for J and I just felt like doing myself something. Ever done that? I bet you are flat out grizzly.

makerealbany - 2011-07-07 23:37:00

Another wet and cold day here. Spent the day inside knitting and keeping warm. Lol. My 3 year old grand daughter helped by picking up my knitting and pulling the needles out!!!!! Took me awhile to get that lot sorted. Still headachey and coughing but feeling better. Have some mending to do tomorrow and the ironing of course. The pile has risen a lot. Ha ha. Hope everything is going alright for you grizzly.

makerealbany - 2011-07-08 23:25:00

Smartgirl. How are you and the girls. I will be down that way soon. Will ring you to catch up. Maybe the week after next.

makerealbany - 2011-07-08 23:27:00

hey Grizzly, how did it all go, see told you all quiet on the western front lol. No rocking and rolling.
Hope you had a wonderful day and everything went off ok, you had a lovely day for it anyway.

suzy59nz - 2011-07-09 17:58:00

I am exhausted! Everyone has just gone home.
Yesterday was wonderful. The girls were beautiful and the guys were wonderful and the kids were brilliant. Everything went without a hitch and the bride stayed happy all day. Only a couple of hiccups within her family which she quickly had sorted because of course it was her day and not theirs after all. She had a lovely surprise with a limo organised last minute by her grandmother. There were beautiful speeches, gorgeous photos of which of only seen 6 so far and I was so, so proud of my son who is so completely in love with his bride and of my daughter who as bridesmaid looked after them both so well. There were some hilarious moments like when the 'infamous garter' slid to the floor and my daughter as bridesmaid dived under the beautiful gown to slide it back up, much to the embarrassement of the celebrant! Haha, he is such a hard core guy (tatooist by trade) usually it was really funny seeing him not knowing where to look . Great memories to recount for ages. We felt a few wee shakes but thank goodness nothing marred their day.

grizzly4 - 2011-07-09 19:45:00

How wonderful grizzly. So nice to hear everything went well. Yippee!!!!!! I am sure you will see heaps of photos. It was dreadful here last night. Thunder and lightning. I got hardly any sleep with all the coughing. I turned the TV and computer off, etc because of the storm so read a book and dozed on my lazyboy all night. Nicer today. Still hear a bit of thunder around but thats ok. One of my grandsons was over today to get wood in for us and wash the truck. These grandchildren of mine are pretty helpful really. Lol. My grandson in Christchurch told me the weather was nice and the shakes weren't to annoying so I knew everything was okay. Lol.

makerealbany - 2011-07-10 15:32:00

Still very tired today but I had to do book work for shop meeting tomorrow.
Had family over yesterday afternoon to finish the wedding cake which was a chocolate mousse cake (actually it was the last of 4 made for the day) and watch the presents being opened. Went out for a coffee this afternoon and bought a new mouse for the computer to see if that sorts out some of the problems and ink for the printer.
Our clothes dryer blew up yesterday afternoon, clothes in their reeked of a burnt smell so had to rewash everything today. We were very lucky there wasn't actually a fire as it is in the garage with I's precious motor bike and aeroplane! Hopefully it's just the element that can be replaced rather than having to buy a new one. Anyone know anything about clothes dryers?

grizzly4 - 2011-07-10 19:40:00

Back to normal this morning as you can see by the time of this message.Haha. I've been watching the news about the dreadful weather in the North Island, is it bad for you where you are, makerealbany and smartgirl?

grizzly4 - 2011-07-11 06:07:00

Hi grizzly. Lousy weather here. If your drier caught fire it may be covered by insurance. Mine did years ago and I got an electrian to check that the safety thinge in the drier worked. It was faulty so the insurance co replaced the drier. There is a device that should switch the drier off if it overheats. My fridge went this morning so I had to go and buy a new one. The motor was running but it was not cold. Awful mess had a frezzer at the top. Took me ages to clean out and drag the darn thing outside.

makerealbany - 2011-07-11 21:57:00

TRying to get anything paid out by insurance down here would take till next winter probably. haha. I'll see how much repairs will cost but it might just be worth while buying a new one. They are only $380 at Harvey Normans this week. Shame about your fridge, makerealbany. Had the same thing happen about 4 years ago but had the thingey replaced rather than the whole fridge. Excuse my ignorance of fridge mechanics! I have a WEstinghouse and paid big money for it quite a few years ago and will never have another. It's noisy and the auto defost has a frozen waterfall on the back of the inside of the fridge all the time. Damn thing froze mushrooms in the vege bin this week. I should have replaced it but was trying to save money at the time.

grizzly4 - 2011-07-12 06:53:00

Hi girls I will be off line until Friday night. My only brother's youngest son died and I am away to Rotorua for the Tangi. He was only 12.

makerealbany - 2011-07-13 00:12:00

I am so sorry to hear your news, makerealbany. I know you won't get this till you get back but I will be thinking of you and your family during the next few days and hope you gain some comfort from each other.

grizzly4 - 2011-07-13 06:07:00

omg Makerealbany, that is so sad, my thoughts are with you .

suzy59nz - 2011-07-13 20:02:00

Hope everything is ok with you, smartgirl?

grizzly4 - 2011-07-14 06:16:00

jUst realised i won't get a lie in this weekend! I. has to be at work even earlier tomorrow - leaving here at 4.30am!!!! And if it's fine on Sunday he will be off to fly his plane and helicopter. Sigh. I finished a hoody jacket and a crochr baby blanket this week. What's everyone else working on?

grizzly4 - 2011-07-15 06:14:00

Hi grizzly, I sent a text to makereal regarding her nephew. How sad for the family, I have a grandson about the same age, I have asthma again so am not too flash. I slept in till 10 yesterday morning after having a terrible night so I did not go to bed till 2 this morning and I still have not been able to sleep. I have just been catching up on all the posts. So glad the wedding went off without any dramas. Sounds like you had a great time.

smartgirl - 2011-07-15 07:50:00

Sorry to hear you aren't well, smartgirl. Can they improve your inhalers or something? You don't want to carry on with little sleep for long.
Makerealbany, I hope you are home, safe and sound.

grizzly4 - 2011-07-16 08:09:00

My step father passed away at 6am this morning, not sure whats happening yet, if my mom wants me to go home i will go, supposed to start my new job on Tuesday too, why is life never easy..........................-
.

suzy59nz - 2011-07-16 20:13:00

Hi suzy sorry to hear about your stepdad. What a good daughter you are to support your Mum.

makerealbany - 2011-07-16 21:59:00

Thanks for your message smartgirl. I have a new modern phone and I am still trying to work out how to use this modern piece of art. It was a very sad and draining occasion for us all. We are all wrung out. All of my family I have 4 sisters and one brother pulled together with all of our children to get thru the Tangi. There were a few hundred people to feed and look after. My Whanau all worked really hard but they did it. We had fantastic support from our Hapu and Iwi as well. My poor Mum was so tired so one of us took her home whenever she wanted to rest. She lives 1 min away just down the path. We are lucky we were given our main Wharenui to say goodbye to my little nephew. It is a very large building. Even then people had to sleep elsewhere. My family stayed at the Novatel which was a 5 mins walk away. I had my own room because I am still coughing a bit although I am feeling so much better. Mum could not stay in the Wharenui at night either as she suffers from insomnia and it would have been too much for her. It was nice to see all the family together. We had family arriving all hours of the day and night. I arrived home late last night but I am back there tomorrow as I have some work to do and will be back late Tuesday night. Hope the rain holds off. It was freezing there so we left all our babies at home. A and S stayed as well of course. Little K stayed with his Dad, his Pate and Tata. He did not even miss his Mum which was great but he is 2 now. I have just finished packing my bag again. I am taking the hint from my youngest son and only taking what I actually need. He could not believe the bags we had to carry into the hotel. Told us we were nuts. He could be right. Lol.

makerealbany - 2011-07-16 22:18:00

It was good to hear from you, makerealbany, and that your family time went well, although it must be really hard for all as well.
Suzy, sorry to hear about your step-day! It's going to be really hard on your Mum for awhile, she's lucky she is just as comfortable with your family here in NZ when she needs a break. When will you know if you have to make the trip? Dreadful timing for you as well.

grizzly4 - 2011-07-17 15:32:00

Boy it's a hard week for everyone it seems this week. I can't seem to get it together at all, certainly my co-worker and I can't seem to please our boss no matter what we do. My son and DIL are going away till FRiday so B6 and L4 are coming to stay here. Quite looking forward to it, hopefully they won't be too rowdy in the evenings when I. gets home.

grizzly4 - 2011-07-19 06:09:00

Back home again girls. Had lots to do and bought some stuff home but very positive visit. It was freezing down there. Brrrr. My toe is healing and my cough is nearly gone. Whoopee!!!! I have to look after bubs tomorrow. A has to work and he is still not his happy self. I rang and his Mum said his little face lit up and he was trying to grab the phone lol. My other SIL has gone again so I will be minding little K on Sunday. We are really good Nanas aren't we girls. I drove home thru the back way tonight smartgirl but we will catch up soon.

makerealbany - 2011-07-19 22:16:00

Nice to have you back and on the mend, makerealbany. I have a long day ahead today as I have to work on the holiday programme and we are going to an indoor swimming pool which is out of the city. I'm pleased to be going as it's going to be a bit longer than their usual trips and I wasn't looking forward to being at work on my own all day. Big brave girl that I am. Took me an hour and a half to get home yesterday, so much for my early finish. I had to pick up L4 from preschool, then go to my sons house to feed the cat and the turtle, then there were 2 detours on the way home because of closed roads and a quick supermarket trip to get lunch things for B6 and my trip today.Phew. Then there was tea to cook, boys to bath, dishes to do etc etc etc. I'm way too old for this! You should see my pile of washing this morning! Haha.

grizzly4 - 2011-07-20 06:22:00

Evening number 2, these two have to go to bed soon or I will be asleep on the couch before them! It's been a good day but absolutely exhausting.

grizzly4 - 2011-07-20 18:49:00

what is it they say? grandchildren keep you young :-)

finished my second day at my new job, i have been with another person for the past two days and i must admit i quite liked it. nice residents and staff. I do my first solo shift on Friday, 4 days on then 4 days off. think i'm gonna be ok lol.
I have had a head cold for 4 days, i have a wicked cough and lost my voice, the laughed at me at work and asked if my throat was sore, but it isn't at all. Think its just all the stress and everything, got a bit run down.

suzy59nz - 2011-07-20 19:01:00

What busy lives we lead. I had mountains of washing to do today as well grizzly. I did all that and minded Little J. My SIL took M to the Holiday programme. Thank heavens I was had it tonight. We all had a lovely tea together and I crawled back to my cottage. Lol. The old gray mare ain't what she used to be. Ha ha. I do not envy you with 2 littlies tonight.

makerealbany - 2011-07-20 22:04:00

That is nice that you had a great day at the new job suzy. Pity about the darn head cold though. It es likely that you are run down. I have been on the vitamins myself. Need all the help I can get lol.

makerealbany - 2011-07-20 22:06:00

And the mornings! I had forgotten how much slower young children get when you need them to speed up. I'll be getting them up at 6.15 today after 6.30 was down to the wire yesterday. Haha. Poor wee things, sounds dreadful doesn't it, getting them up at that time but we have to be out of here by 7.30.

grizzly4 - 2011-07-21 06:06:00

You will be exhausted by the time they go home grizzly. I had a busy day and J is teething so was very miserable. Poor wee fellow. I have once again packed all the stuff for the op shop into the car to deliver tomorrow. Did it all last week but had to take it all out again. Never mind I am delivering it tomorrow no matter what lol. No knitting done or any other craft for that matter but tomorrow night is mine. At long last.

makerealbany - 2011-07-21 20:57:00

Just waved goodbye to the boys! A relief but sad all the same. Mind you they will all be back tomorrow as usual. Haha. Just looking at the time and wondering if I. is going to make it home in time for our dinner reservation!!
Also heard from suzy today that the old shop has been demolished today and they never contacted us first or tried to get the counters out for us. Even the simple things are too hard for some men!

grizzly4 - 2011-07-22 17:33:00

And now I have a cold! AND it's going to snow tomorrow. I think I will make a therapeutic chocolate cake. Haha.

grizzly4 - 2011-07-23 10:16:00

well first week at work seemes to have gone ok, so many new names to remember but everyone is nice. routine a lot different but seem to be getting the hang of it, have different lists for things in my pocket lol. We also have to carry a pager so we can see who's bell is ringing at all times, i just press all the buttons till it stops ringing.
Supposed to snow here tomorrow, great (not) R is in Waimate visiting her bf, i hope the snow hangs off till she gets home.
My mother just rang, my step dads funeral went well and she seems ok, plenty of support at the moment.

shell-89 - 2011-07-23 20:29:00

oops was logged in under my daughters TM account above lol

suzy59nz - 2011-07-24 16:13:00

Oh my gosh it is sooooo cold!!!! Snow is only wee flurries mixing with the rain but that wind is bitter. I am dreading the drive to work so early in the morning if it's icy.

grizzly4 - 2011-07-24 19:04:00

Well we have had a rotten weekend. Poor little M has had an awful time. Little J had a vomiting bug. Then he got better and M got it. She started vomiting on Friday morning and just stopped tonight. I hope she gets thru the night okay. Poor A and S had to cope by themselves as I was up at the beach minding little K. Thank heavens she stopped or she was off to hospital to get rehydrated. Now my daughter is not so good. I have never seen our girl so quiet before and she was a little trooper. No crying or carrying on. Just held a bowl in her little hands and called out when she felt like getting sick. She lost a kilo a day. Isn't it heartwrenching? You feel so darn useless. Hopefully she will be feeling better tomorrow or is it today. You must all be freezing down there because it is darn cold up here.

makerealbany - 2011-07-25 00:16:00

Lights outside wooke me up during the night and I thought it was the neighbours and got up to check. It was actually the street lights relecting off the snow on the ground!!!! I. cleared the cars and managed to get out the drive 45 minutes ago but my car is covered again as our the tracks he made for me to get out the drive.It si still snowing thick and fast. I feel for those families with drafty houses from the shakes. There was a place giving away free electric heaters last week but as much as it was a nice idea there will be the increased power bill to cope with using more heaters.
It is our 31st wedding anniversary today and I. is taking credit for organising something special - the snow!! Shame he didn't organise time off work as well! then we could watch it rather than go out in it. hehe.

grizzly4 - 2011-07-25 06:22:00

I drove to work at 0630 this morning, the roads were just white with snow, even the express way was covered and really thick. Took me a lot longer to get to work. Both my girls got rang to say don't go to work, lucky things, even hubby was home by 0930. i had to work till 1pm then just took it slowly and got home ok, haven't seen this much snow in years.
Happy anniversary Grizzly. trust a man to take credit for something he didn't do lol. Hope he had another something special up his sleeve.

suzy59nz - 2011-07-25 14:26:00

I. had to stay at work till nearly lunch time before his boss gave up and sent them home - but of course they have to take leave! They sat round for 6 hours in the cold making snowmen, for goodness sake! It was nice having the afternoon together, mind you I have been too cold to knit or even read so slept a lot on the couch with a thick blanket.

grizzly4 - 2011-07-25 19:22:00

Happy anniversary grizzly. Those were awesome photos you sent. It is cold here but not as pretty as down there. M was in starship hospital today after a lousy night but tests are clear so she is improving. J and I stayed home all day. Not that we had snow but he is teething and we did not want him out in the cold. I have a mountain of work to do for our group and I missed the deadline for a survey. Boring stuff and of no use to us whatsoever so I do not feel guilty. Well not much anyway. lol. I only got the info on Saturday.

makerealbany - 2011-07-25 20:09:00

Poor M is certainly having a rough time of it, I am so sorry to hear she is in hospital now. Too bad about the survey if you only got the stuff on Saturday, for goodness sake.Hasn't taken to long to back into their bad habits, has it?
I. had to dig my car out of snow and ice this morning and move it round to where the sun will reach it. Such a good man. He didn't have to start till 8 today not that anything had thawed by then. My start has been delayed till I get there. My co-workers haven't been so lucky and are really struggling to get cars out of the ice on the east side of the city. Wonder if Suzy had an early start today? How are you Smartgirl?

grizzly4 - 2011-07-26 08:20:00

i am on my 4 days off now, how's that for timing lol, i work 4 days on 4 off Monday was my last day, dont go back untill saturday now, and the inservice scheduled for this afternoon is cancelled, so good book and fire are all mine for the day. I did get up and dressed and took Rochelle to work this morning, not fun trying to drive on ice, i think the roads are worse today then they were yesterday. I hope it clears for our 2pm meeting on Wednesday, if you are free Grizzly .

suzy59nz - 2011-07-26 10:36:00

Sorry about the meeting, suzy. It's chaotic at work this week with activities having to be changed because of the weather. I have heard from the insurance guy as well so maybe we should make another time to sort out both.
It was scary as driving to work yesterday and I had to go a different way to pick someone up as well! Only travelled very slowly but still slid sideways stopping at traffic lights a couple of times.

grizzly4 - 2011-07-27 06:39:00

What else can you girls get to make life more difficult. I do feel for you. You must be rewarded in the after life. ha ha. I am so amazed at your resiliance. Makereal, I h ope wee M is ok now. What a dreadful bug. Its not so cold here today as it was yesterday. It was 14 degrees inside yesterday which is very low, today it is 16. I cant believe what a difference it makes. Have a great day girls and take care on the ice.

smartgirl - 2011-07-27 06:49:00

My grandson loved the snow. Said it was surreal but then he was not driving in it!!!!! I can remember driving in icy conditions and I was terrified. Miss M has Asthma now. She is okay during the day but terrible at night . Hopefully the measures we now have in place will make things easier for her. I finished my scarf for myself. Lol. I have just started another cardi for J . He is growing so fast. I will have to knit a shawl for my 12th grandchild who is on the way. He or she already has heaps of clothes that the other babies have had. They are only in them for a short time. So nice to hear from you smartgirl.

makerealbany - 2011-07-27 23:56:00

Great hearing from you, smartgirl. What have you been up to? How are you feeling these days?
Makerealbany, I 'll bet your grandson down here in ChCh is far more appreciative of all the warm clothes you organised for him. On Monday I had on 4 layers of tops and jerseys and a big blanket. Haha.
Are you guys having problems when you try to open the Message Board to get to leave our messages? I am having to scroll down a long way as it doesn't show till underneath the advertising on the left. Or is it just another fault on this computer?

grizzly4 - 2011-07-28 06:19:00

seems ok here, but if it was a glitch they may have fixed it by now , nice to see the sun again its been lovely blue sky and sunny since it snowed, lets hope it stays that way. Bloody chilly though lol.

suzy59nz - 2011-07-28 10:56:00

Looks like it's my computer again!!!!! I have a great one in Harvey normans for $2400. It's a touch screen, only has big monitor and keyboard - no tower. Cool eh?

grizzly4 - 2011-07-28 17:14:00

I meant to say I have seen one, don't go jumping to conclusions that I have bought one! I'm the one with the husband who like expensive motorbikes and helicopters, remember?

grizzly4 - 2011-07-28 17:16:00

Oh go and buy it grizzly. Treat yourself you deserve it. I was going to get a new one but I had to buy the new fridge instead. It is next on the list. I have no probelms with mine at the moment. Touch wood. I am off to the dentist again tomorrow and am feeling nervous. I don't want another infection. Oh hell she just rang me and told me to eat well before I go because I will be numb for hours. Yuk. I am even more nervous now. Maybe I will have the glass of wine my SIL offered me after all. lol.

makerealbany - 2011-07-28 18:52:00