so won't be showing you all, got a busy day today with chores making a sleep bed out of old pillows, and trying to get top of the page cats are all doing great,

carolev - 2014-03-22 07:05:00

morning ladies :) Housework today, the dust from the onion fields has settled onto everything, you can even feel the grit on the vinyl kitchen floor. Am over the wind!

Lawn needs mowing and the garden a quick weed, won't be long before I can move some of the plants. Garden waste needs burning too.

So hopefully this afternoon I can knit, or crochet or stitch... still haven't decided on my next project lol.

Happy knitting :)

kiwimade64 - 2014-03-22 07:58:00

morning everyone - slept like a log last night and still feel very tired. I had a very busy day yesterday, changed the bed linen, and did a couple of loads of washing, did some weeding, dug around four of the fruit trees and fertilised them, and watered it in, then mowed two of the lawns, went to town hoping some yarn I've ordered from skeinz had arrived (it hasn't - might check again today) and then made a chicken and mushroom pie for tea. So a pretty full on day.

Just wondering if anyone here has used the bamboo circular needles???? I've got bamboo dpns and they are nice to knit with, but I'm thinking of getting a set of bamboo circulars and wondering what the join is like - anyone???? A bit like the buttons and zips where you never have the right one, I have oodles of circulars but not the size I want.

Planning on an easier day today. Some "mild housework" then I might list some stuff here and elsewhere and then do some knitting.

Enjoy your day everyone.

kuaka - 2014-03-22 08:06:00

Morning everyone.

Why is it yucky Carole?

Yesterday was pretty much a right off. I sat and knitted and I also had a nana nap but that was so I could stretch my back out.

Then was going to cook chicken wings we got on Thursday for tea and they stunk to high heaven. So will take those back next week. So I nipped up and got take aways for tea.

I did the mittens and hat for Dolly. so have one dress to make and Id just turned off my light last night and wondered where the sock tops etc were in the book. Found them hidden within normal text of the instructions. Only a few rows to each but they make things look complete. So another couple of days, for the knitting then making her up.

Ive decided I need to get to my blanket after Dolly. So that will be a mission. Have decided to connect the verticals by the bottom and top horizontals and then I can ease the middle strips in.
If you hear someone screaming you will know its not going well lol.

Well Im off to pick blackberries soon. so have a good day everyone

popeye333 - 2014-03-22 09:17:00

Morning all from a very pleasant Tonga, it's still overcast so not over hot yet also I guess being in a cafe doing internet helps.
Have had a very busy couple of days getting the section tidy again - mainly cutting back bushes and removing rubbish leaves things grow so fast here. Also had to chase a very large pig out which was making a real mess of the grounds. We are getting a new fence put in which should keep pigs out better.
Have brought 4ply to knit in the evenings as lighter in luggage so nearly finished pair of socks and then will do some little vests or hats it might be the tropics but can't be without my knitting :)
Hope all your projects are progressing well can't wait to see the finished blanket Popeyes, and hope you Cardy turns out ok Carole

jayemtoo - 2014-03-22 10:20:00

'Malo e lelei' Jayemtoo.... Ok So I had to look it up lol... but wanted to be correct lol.
What a nice place to be.
We have a friend with a house in Raro, would love to be able to go see the islands.
Id have to take knitting with me too, no matter where I went. gotta have something to do at night eh

Ive picked beans and blackberries. Ughh another stick insect attacked me.. Well OK it didn't attack me but I hate the dam things and MrP saw it in my bucket. I put that down fast and stepped away. He killed it for me.
trimmed the grass around the raspberry and passionfruit vines too.
MrP poked a branch of the lemon tree in his leg so had to come and fix that up as well.

Have done three of the bands for Dolly. Wont take me long to get them done then Ill do the dress and put her together. Not bad considering I only started her late last Saturday night.

MrP is watching an fishing show, they are catching huge barramundi , is wondering what it tastes like. So Ill ask in the general thread to see if anyone knows what they are like.
They are getting huge ones a meter long.

Have a good day

popeye333 - 2014-03-22 12:22:00

did Mrs P get any mail today??

carolev - 2014-03-22 17:39:00

morning, I am cold and tired so going back to bed after breakfast, showed kuaka my yucky knitting, 1/2 way up the back of another jumper this is blue and gold, last night was nice Lucy and Annie played out side , I tried to go for a walk but they wanted to follow . made the pillow bed , what a mission

carolev - 2014-03-23 06:23:00

morning! It was raining when I woke up... for all of five minutes lol.

Not sure what I'm going to knit/crochet, might just do some more stitching as I really want to get it all finished. Have another cross stitch and a hardanger project in mind but not knitting or crochet... nothing seems to have grabbed my attention yet.

Happy knitting :)

kiwimade64 - 2014-03-23 08:08:00

Morning everyone.

Yes thank you Carole I did get mail yesterday. I will feel much safer using those ones on kids clothes.
Have to pop up the road this morning. Will come home and vac then knit.
Im 1/4 of the way on the skirt for the sun dress. Pretty crimson pink.
Ill do photos when shes done before I send her away.

Very quiet here this morning, like the rest of the world has fallen away. no one on the roads even lol

Talking to my twin briefly yesterday his back has been bad the last few days too. So either we are in sympathy or just timed our pain together lol.I need to make my bed less comfortable, but it really wont help cos I can sleep anywhere, always have been able to lol.

Have a wonderfull day at what ever you do today

popeye333 - 2014-03-23 08:47:00

Well Mr K had a terrible coughing fit last night and was very unwell - I wanted to phone for an ambulance but he said they will take him to hospital and he won't come home, he'll be needing a coffin instead, so he was awake most of the night too scared to sleep, and of course I was awake too, so this morning we both feel pretty rubbish. He said he was pleased to get a couple of hours sleep AND wake up this morning.

So an easy day today. I'm going to get a few groceries and then might just sit and knit. Didn't do any of that 'mild housework' yesterday and I doubt whether I'll do any today. Might even have a nana nap.

kiwimade - we were supposed to have heavy showers yesterday and we had no more than about five spits of rain.

Have a lovely day everyone.

kuaka - 2014-03-23 10:41:00

Ohh Kuaka not a great night for you. Hate it when the males think if they go to hospital they will die. And would rather stay home , not thinking about anyone else in the house.

Definatly a sleep for you to catch up. Phone off the hook, ear plugs in.

We haven't had any rain as yet. it is clouding over tho.

6 hours of Alaska the Last frontier is due to start in 30 mins. I will down tools, Pick up needles and knit.
Its our favourite show and doesn't matter how often we see it.

popeye333 - 2014-03-23 12:53:00

had a busy day, well today I put my foot down with my daughters. no see family or talk on phone, no money. well guess what have seen 2 of them and some of the grandkids, feel a lot happier now, got to meet new male friend, very nice chap, mine you I have stopped paying for every thing as of today, no more helping hands, I well up the back of the jumper this ones looking good, happy days pussies getting on better too. life great

carolev - 2014-03-23 20:05:00

carolev - I really don't understand why you feel you need to "pay" to see your family, because that is in effect what you are doing. If they can't come and see you without expecting money all the time, then I'd say you are better off not seeing them. I wouldn't want to be used that way. They are old enough to stand on their own two feet. Don't be so soft. Don't be a doormat.

Edited by kuaka at 11:23 pm, Sun 23 Mar

kuaka - 2014-03-23 23:22:00

morning all. bad night woke at 2, till after 4 did some knitting and the ironing and get so fabric ready for todays work .

carolev - 2014-03-24 07:28:00

morning ladies :) have a little bit to do around the garden, just general tidy up stuff. The wheelie bin is empty so will fill it with garden waste I was planning to burn but can't because of fire bans. Have a few things to do in town this morning first though.

No rain other than the five minutes we had at breakfast time yesterday and looks like buggar all rain for the week for us.

I've been stitching away and the dragon is looking good, it's quite painstaking at times. Will keep looking for something to create with yarn/wool!

Happy knitting :)

kiwimade64 - 2014-03-24 07:52:00

Morning everyone.

Carole tell them to come back when all they need is you. not your bank account. Hate users and they would have been told a long time ago.

I was up and down till 2-30 this morning. I Must Not Eat an Apple Two days in a Row... My poor botty lol..
So we are both a little weary on it this morning.

Have to take MrP for bloods this morning. the first of our three visits to the med centre this week lol. Cos I have to see the dr to get my meds tomorrow and then MrP has his annual diabetes check on Thursday.. Busy busy lol.

I have 3 rows left on the dress frill. Then I can start putting Dolly together. I must remember to put an H on the bib of the pinafore, the girls name is Hannah. And I put her brother and sisters initial on their toys.

Have a good day everyone.. Happy knitting etc

popeye333 - 2014-03-24 08:34:00

morning all. started front of jumper last night, looking good so far did the raglan sleave pattern this time, I went out yesterday afternoon, and my cell phone rang, it was our alarm so I rushed home just to find that chleo had jumped up the curtains and set it off, well at least I know it works.

carolev - 2014-03-25 06:42:00

morning ladies :) lol carole, yep, I'd call that a 'practice run' and good to know it works.

I found a crochet pattern for a throw - son has asked me to make him one for his flat. It's a 'manly' pattern and not girly so no lace. Simple circles turned into a square in the final two rows. Should look good sewn together. And it's something I can do quickly in the evenings. I'll sew the squares together this time as I don't want the ridge crocheting can make. Am concentrating mainly on the cross stitch dragon - am nearly a third of the way across this quarter.

Happy knitting :)

kiwimade64 - 2014-03-25 07:56:00

Morning everyone.

Had rain through the night.. yay

Good to have a practice run Carole, although I don't know that its wise to walk in the house alone, when it could have been a burglar.

Your getting through the work Kiwimade, you will be soo pleased to have it done. The crochet blanket sounds good. What colours will you be doing it in?
"Dolly" is stuffed now, Have her face, hair and socks and knicker frills to sew on her. Then its just making up the clothes.
Off to Pukekohe today to take the very smelly chicken wings back. Then will come home and sew till I go to the drs later. Hate late appointments but you gotta take what you can get. Im hoping MrP will stay home and keep the windows open etc, Then I can ask the dr for some help without MrP feeling guilty or getting angry.

HAve a good day everyone

popeye333 - 2014-03-25 08:43:00

Yep, I will be pleased to have it done popeye. I've divided the fabric into a 10 x 10 grid like the pattern and set myself a target. I find this keeps me on track and motivated to keep going. When finished, I will NOT be doing another Teresa Wentzler pattern for a very very very very long time!

I've got a nice soft fawn colour for son's throw, I wanted a 'denim blue' but couldn't find what I wanted. Never mind, I can always keep looking for the 'perfect blue' and keep what I have :P

I hope you can get some help popeye, MrP has no need to feel guilty or angry, it's just the way things are (but try explaining that to him... MEN!! lol).

I've booked in 8 days teaching towards the end of next month (yayyy!!) so am looking forward to that. Supermarket today and MrK wants to come with me.... better have another look at the budget lol as I can guarantee he will put extras in the trolley :P

happy knitting :)

kiwimade64 - 2014-03-25 08:54:00

Good Idea Kiwimade dividing it into a grid... I have a bamboo cross stitch that Id love to have done. My eyes just don't cope now.

Maybe you could put the fawn and denim together. both sound perfect tho.

I told MrP that I would be bringing it up. I didn't want to shock him with it... he was surprisingly ok. if Id mentioned it yesterday it would have been a very bad idea lol.

Yay re the work, will that be in and around easter? People wanting to make it a very long weekend.. Maybe oneday the temp days will turn into full time.

I make MrP come to the supermarket, mainly to make him walk. Hes not too bad at wanting extras, and often goes into self denial and doesn't want things... Im lucky eh lol.

Took the smelly chicken wings back. Got some polonies and another yummy lettuce. I don't know where they are grown but they are delicious. And half the price of new world here.

I feel flat today, just hormones I think...

Have a good day

popeye333 - 2014-03-25 12:21:00

I did not come into the house alone popeye phoned my baby daughter and she meet me here and walked around house first before unlocking the door
I came home once to find front door wide open so phoned the boys in blue and they stayed on the line wail I went inside, I got a letter from Uncle Brian today was strange as he died 3 months ago, English post can be slow some times , feeling really down right now and missing the grandies big time

carolev - 2014-03-25 15:03:00

That's good to hear Carole.

Well have been to drs. I have been given antihystamines on script yayay that will save money big time. Thanks for telling me Kiwimade.
He has given me more pain meds for my back etc. Said he would like to see me again to deal with all the pain, so he has time to go through my history (which goes a long way back) and can be completely informed. Which I thought was a very good idea.
He said we can certainly look into home help etc.

He was actually running on time today too which was good lol... have to do fasting bloods etc, so will do on Thursday since MrP has to see the diabetes nurse.

Have almost finished Dolly herself, just have to sew one plait down. Then its the clothes.. Im quite pleased with how she is turning out. Im glad I did her hair longer than the pattern said but it could have even been longer still.
Should be all but done by tomorrow hopefully.

Hope everyone has had a good day

popeye333 - 2014-03-25 18:19:00

popeye, I have to see the "vampire nurse" too for a fasting blood sample, saw doc yesterday - bp is high not surprisingly. Told her about Mr Ks injury (he goes to a different surgery) so she said she could understand why my bp is up and isn't changing my meds yet. Cost for yesterdays visit was $17.50 plus $5 for the meds. Today I took the cat to the vet as she is looking very scrawny and has bald patches on her. Apparently the flea treatment isn't working and our little puss is "sensitive" to the little buggers. The vet explained that as we don't have cold winters here the fleas are rife, (she referred to northland as the flea capital of the world - charming!) and recommended a different flea treatment. Cat has lost almost half a kilo, dropped from 3.6kg to 3.2kg. She's only a little cat so she can't afford to lose too much weight. Cost today $123 which was after a $5 discount on the consultation and an $8 discount on the flea treatment, and then after I'd paid that she remembered I needed a worm tablet which was another $4.40. Thank goodness the cat is normally healthy!

Edited by kuaka at 6:55 pm, Tue 25 Mar

kuaka - 2014-03-25 18:54:00

morning all.
think I got a cold feel rotten going back to bed catch you all later

carolev - 2014-03-26 07:03:00

morning ladies :) darnnn carole, not good :( Hope you feel better soon.

You're welcome about the antihistamines popeye, we're almost at our '20' limit now too.

A few things to do today then I'll get some more stitching done. The crochet is quick and am pleased with my results (in spite of the colour lol).

Happy knitting :)

kiwimade64 - 2014-03-26 08:04:00

Morning everyone
Ouchies Kuaka re the vet bill, Our Bob is twice the weight of your cat.. We always have big chunky cats.
Glad the dr didn't alter your meds, might have gone too low then. Mine was 130/70 yesterday. Normally very good.
Have a nice relaxing day Carole, you don't think it could be something to do with the air conditioning? might have a new smell that is affecting you.?

We have well over the 20 items for both our scripts but as things are tight at the mo Im only going to get a couple of things at a time as we need them, from chemist. but the antihystamines are first on the list, my gout pills and MrPs insulin . Have to fill our pill trays this morning. I always keep a store of things, by going a week ahead of time that the pills will run out.
Dolly herself is finished. Ive decided to only add a dome and button to the top of the jacket. Have to add the pockets and sew up the sun dress. Im quite pleased with her, will put pictures up at lunchtime hopefully.

Have to go pick blackberries this morning too. Hope theres no more stick insects..arghhhh Taking some to the Dr in the morning.
All my bloods tomorrow, thank goodness Im not scared of needles lol

Have a good day everyone

Edited by popeye333 at 8:48 am, Wed 26 Mar

popeye333 - 2014-03-26 08:48:00

This is Hannah... Well that's the grand daughters name so I put the H on for her.
Pinafore
http://images.trademe.co.nz/photoserver/full/310163022.jpg

Ready for Winter
http://images.trademe.co.nz/photoserver/full/310163157.jpg

Bring on summer
http://images.trademe.co.nz/photoserver/full/310163175.jpg

Im pleased with how she turned out. Its 21 inches tall.

popeye333 - 2014-03-26 12:29:00

very nice well done

carolev - 2014-03-26 16:41:00

Thanks Carole. I enjoyed making her

popeye333 - 2014-03-26 16:54:00

Oh dear..I realise I haven't been in for a wee while. Yes I am busy, I have been knitting in the gaps.

I understand about the distressed breathing etc *kuaka* . B has been struggling for a while and I have been delaying trundling him down to the doctors. With great effort he went down for a blood test (INR) so as we were next to the doctors decided to have our flu injections. His breathing was so bad in the waiting room that they whipped him away and put him on the nebuliser and Nurse wanted to call ambulance but we said no. The hospital really does not want him. 3 years ago they said they could do nothing else and sent him home for palliative care.
The prednisone etc has settled him down again. Our GP is very good ....he agrees that I do a good job and hospital is not the place for him.

grandmasue1 - 2014-03-26 21:53:00

morning girls. went to spotlight yesterday and they has a sale on get some lovely soft pale pink wool last 3 balls, don't know what I will knit yet . there was a doll's dress on here for $80 so my friend in ChCh said for me to make her a copy, feel really bad agreeing to it but think $80 for a doll's dress is tooooooo much. well shopping today Mr T gave me the money

carolev - 2014-03-27 07:27:00

morning :) Great to see you back GMS! Wow, $80 for a dolls dress?? I wouldn't pay that for a child's dress let alone a dolls dress!

I'm picking all my roses this morning for my friend as her son is getting married and she wants the petals to dry for the wedding. Need to do it before the wind batters the roses too badly.

Two more sleeps then I'm off to Whanganui, am looking forward to the trip :)

Still plodding away on my cross stitch and crocheting.

Happy knitting :)

kiwimade64 - 2014-03-27 08:19:00

Morning everyone.

We were meant to go to the superclinic today, was going to pop into spotlight for a magazine they have with 60ish patterns in. Guess Ill miss out now...
I have to go do fasting bloods this morning. 10-16 hours fasting Dr wanted. Im currently sitting at 12 hours. Im not hungry as such but thirsty. I have had a sip of water every hour to keep the veins hydrated. Its just that I always look forward to breakie now.
MrP has a diabetes check appointment at 10-15, so we will do my bloods first then to the drs, its all in the same building.

Glad Pasue is picking up GMS, also glad your dr agress. We know our men far better than anyone else does, I know MrP hates being in hospital and always stresses and ends up breathing worse. Hes a very shallow breather.
Heck Carole I agree $80 for a dolls dress is more than I would ever pay for a dress for myself. It must have been very flash.

Started a 2 needle sock last night. Its nice soft wool so hopefully MrP will be able to handle the seam on his bad foot where they have done surgery under the arch of his foot and has a build up of scar tissue. Only using acrylic for my first try.

I counted all the rows on my blanket strips and they are all ok... Im confused cos Im sure one was longer than the others. Ill start joining them later today, using the dining table.
Hence starting the sock I wont be able to sit there for long and do need to have something for my fingers.

MrP offered to not have breakie and join me on my fasting, which is the first time he has done that, and a lovely thought. but with him on insulin I told him he had to eat. Ive always fasted with him when he has to.

Have a good day everyone...

popeye333 - 2014-03-27 08:22:00

popeye when doing a farsting blood test you can drink water as much as you like keeps the blood flowing so they tell me. well feeling very down today, have done no knitting or sewing feel like I am not worthy of being here

carolev - 2014-03-27 16:47:00

Yeah Carole I kept having a few sips of water to stay hydrated. Bled like a stuck pig lol.. took a while for it to stop, thankfully we had plenty of time before MrPs appointment.
Ive been feeling blah today. Did a few rows of knitting while waiting at med centre. But that's all.

popeye333 - 2014-03-27 16:58:00

must be the weather I have felt down all day

carolev - 2014-03-27 19:08:00

Morning everyone, unusual that Im the first.

Im feeling quite good this morning. Have plans to get the kitchen sorted then make a start on my blanket. Washing is out already.

Didn't do much knitting yesterday, but that's ok theres no rush lol.

Hope everyone has a good day

Happy Knitting and stitching

popeye333 - 2014-03-28 08:33:00

morning :) Slept in this morning! Couldn't believe it lol. It's an outdoorsy day today, garden needs a good weeding. One more sleep and I'm off to Whanganui to see our wee grandy :)

Will crochet or stitch this afternoon.

happy knitting :)

kiwimade64 - 2014-03-28 08:37:00

good afternoon - I posted a message on general yesterday after seeing the photos of your knitted doll Hannah popeye333 asking if you could tell me which pattern you used (is it Jean Greenhowe) I would like to knit one as well. Your knitting is really beautiful I have seen other things you have posted photos of - baby knitting and other toys. If you could let me know which book it is in I would be very grateful.

ajtrees - 2014-03-28 13:10:00

Hi Ajtrees, sorry I didn't see your message yesterday.

Yes she is a Jean Greenhowe toy, I named her Hannah after the girl I knitted it for.
The pattern is the first in the following book.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/books/nonfiction/crafts/toy-making/
auction-710207939.htm

Her toy patterns are very easy to follow. I have many of her books.

Just holler if you need any help

popeye333 - 2014-03-28 15:59:00

Fabulous day here today. I finally persuaded Mr K to come down to the waterfront with me and sit on the bench there and watch the world go by rather than just sit indoors or out on our deck. It was beautiful there, he sat for quite a while quite happily watching the boats, swimmers, people walking by etc, it was lovely and warm and sunny with just a very gentle sea breeze, so having got some nice fresh air in our lungs we came home again. He is asleep in the chair now, but I'm sure the little outing did him no harm, and possibly some good. I took my knitting and did quite a few rows. The weather is so nice I've decided to do a barbecue for tea.

Hope everyone is having a super day.

Edited by kuaka at 4:35 pm, Fri 28 Mar

kuaka - 2014-03-28 16:35:00

So pleased its been a lovely day and successful trip Kuaka.
Its lovely here too, I haven't got my washing in yet since its still in the blazing sun out there.

Have sewn across the bottom of the blanket and two one level uprights. Taking my time, just doing like Buck Stitching. Its simple but will hold it together well.
Still plodding on the sock,. Have to measure it soon.

Hope all is well for everyone

popeye333 - 2014-03-28 17:23:00

I have just finished a matinee jacket . I think it is called lipstick pink. I will put some photo's up sooner or later :) I am rather involved at the moment in The Red Puppy Appeal. Today went well and I have good collectors on tomorrow.

My blood sugars are fairly stable. I seem to stick between 6 & 9 which in my humble opinion is o.k..
I am rather tired so am off to bed.

grandmasue1 - 2014-03-28 20:45:00

morning ladies :) Would love to see your matinee jacket GMS, the colour sounds lovely!

I'm off to Whanganui until Tuesday when I bring our daughter and grandy back with me for a week. It's a four hour drive so I'll be off shortly, just need to pack a few things. Definitely taking my stitching and crochet with me and my camera!

'See' you all next Wednesday, happy knitting :)

kiwimade64 - 2014-03-29 08:33:00

Don't forget to pick up your crochet hooks Kiwimade. travel safe.

Morning everyone... Lovely name for a pink wool.. Cant wait to see it GMS

Sitting sewing yesterday wasn't soo good for my back... Ive had pain meds and will just have to do 30 min sittings I think.

Have got the washing out, and don't intend on doing too much till my back sorts itself out lol.

Have a good day everyone

popeye333 - 2014-03-29 09:03:00

Have a safe trip kiwimade and have a lovely time while you're away. Bet you don't get much stitching or crochet done, but you'll take lots of pics.

Overcast here this morning, by the time I got up Mr K had been downstairs and down the driveway (it's steep) and picked up the Herald, so he must be feeling a bit better, as yesterday was the first time he'd been downstairs since he came home from hospital at the end of Jan, and now again. April 14th can't come quickly enough when we go to the hospital and find out if he's healed or not.

Not sure what I'll do today, might do a little gardening, if it turns out nice I'll try to persuade Mr K to repeat yesterday's visit to the waterfront, but I need to go and check the mail and should go to the supermarket for a few bits. Other than that, it might be a lazy day knitting.

Have a good day everyone.

kuaka - 2014-03-29 09:04:00

Overcast here too Kuaka.

Good to hear MrK has ventured downstairs again. MrP is being helpful at the mo which is nice.

Have a good day

popeye333 - 2014-03-29 09:28:00

Hundy

popeye333 - 2014-03-29 09:28:00