I am very jealous suzy have been cold all day. Think I am getting a bug. Oh joy just before christmas, lol

makerealbany - 2011-11-25 17:04:00

Makerealbany, you have to explain what a water garden in a pot is - my mind has gone blank. And a taniko headband? You are being crafty by the sounds of it. As for suzy, she needs to be a little more committed to this Santa, I reckon, doesn't she know CHRISTMAS IS COMING!!!!! Heehee. Imagine all the free time you'll have once he is finished, Sue.

grizzly4 - 2011-11-26 09:50:00

I googled the headband- what was I thinking that I didn't know. JUst where my head is right now. Whi is going to benefit from this beautiful work, makerealbany?

grizzly4 - 2011-11-26 09:53:00

Herb garden created and a paved path done that goes to that new piece of garden and along the front of the glass house. Only job left for the vege patch is to weedmat the rest of the pathway and lay the stones. But today it's goodbye hebes!

grizzly4 - 2011-11-27 10:25:00

You are so onto it in the garden grizzly. Taniko is for my granddaughter. lWater garden is just a big clay pot or could be anything that will hold water planted up with aquatic plants. Really easy. They practically look after themselves. You can get some really pretty plants that flower well. I have to keep topping mine up with water because the dogs and cats love to drink the water. Because of the minerals I guess. Weird aye. Fresh water is right there but they like to lap up the watergarden.

makerealbany - 2011-11-27 15:51:00

Now that idea sounds lovely. Do you have to add the minerals to the water? Would be a great feature for the new garden I am developing but am really allergic to mosquitos so can't have water just sitting, like a pond.
The hebes are out and the roses are in. Have a corner in the front garden tHat needs something so going looking for a red rhododendron next weekend. Boy I have an epidemic of snails this year, they are prolific! But I also have twice has been blooms on all the roses this year. I keep standing outside just to soak them all up visually. I taught B4 how to smell the roses without causing damage to them or him on Saturday. He was very cute going round testing them all for the one he liked best.

grizzly4 - 2011-11-28 06:50:00

Looks like Suzy found us a shop!!! Way to go Suzy, here's hoping all the whelling and dealing works out and we can start on the preparation to move in.

grizzly4 - 2011-11-29 06:48:00

Congrats on the shop girls. Yay!!!11 No you do not have to put minerals in the water grizzly. You can put some goldfish in a larger container with the plants. They will eat any mosses. This needs to be a deep container so the fish can escape the cats. I do not get mosses in mine because the animals get rid of them. When you think about it animals and birds have been existing on water in all sorts of places. We have lots of birds here as well. Lots of snails too. I throw some of them down the paddock for the birds. The ones that die from the baits I toss in the bin. Still doing cotton tops. Just knitting a dropped stitch one for M to wear over her togs. That child is clothes crazy. Gets it from her Mother. Lol.

makerealbany - 2011-11-29 23:13:00

Miss M also loves to pick all the flowers. Thank heavens she cannot reach the taller roses. I found her outside with her Dad the other day and she was telling him to" cut that big yellow rose. Iwant it for Mummy for when she gets home from work. Nana wont mind she loves me" The little Minx. She even had what we call our roses cutters, Lol. SIL left this morning for 3 weeks so the kids will miss him. Little J had really bonded with his Dad now and guess who has to take him to the swings and tramp now? Lol. He just points at the door which means out.

makerealbany - 2011-11-29 23:20:00

Gosh all our wee ones are growing up fast, aren't they? When does M go to school, makerealbany. L4 starts in May next year and he will be at our after school programme with his brother B6 who is there already. B3, their cousin, has another year after that to go but his Mum, my daughter, is already saying she wants him in our holiday programmes although he will be at school on the other side of town. Guess who will be taking him? Haha.

grizzly4 - 2011-11-30 06:40:00

M s is only 3 nearly 4 so she will not start school until 2013, She will be going to Preschool for 4 days a week next year though. K is only 2 but he now goes to Preschool; 2 days a week. They have their Christmas play on Friday so we are all going to watch the two of them. Lol. Little J has turned into a dynamo. He is the first grandchild I have had to move things for. He walks around the furniture pulling on everything, No is not working!!!! I had to rescue potplants, crystal bowls, pot pouri. the telephone, cats bowls, etc, etc. He is full of mischief at 1 heaven help me in the future. Lol. I have tried to keep him amused with toys but he gets bored and wants to explore outside. They are fencing off the back deck for him next week than I can pen him lol. He loves the animals and the cats zoom off as soon as they see him. The dogs love him of course and sit near the swing watching him waiting for their pats. Even when he is on the tramp they sit there watching him. It is hilarious really. Got a neat Lego back pack bag from Fly Buys today for Master 8 who is Lego mad. He will be able to bring some here in it.s own bag. Another present solved Yah!!!!! Had to undo about 3 inches of knitting tonight. Had this side with 2 less stitches than the other. What a dope. Don't know how I did that.

makerealbany - 2011-11-30 22:50:00

Sounds like you will be busier than ever for your future holiday programmes grizzly. Ha ha. Nanas rock.

makerealbany - 2011-11-30 22:51:00

Boy, it's a busy week. To be expected I guess with the time of the year, I suppose. Good thing is I'm sleeping really well at night even through the quake yesterday morning although I felt the one at 7 last night. Quite gentle over this way though, thank goodness. Really feel for those with unrepaired houses when we we get a hefty joly after a couple of days of nothing. Seems worse somehow.

grizzly4 - 2011-12-01 07:13:00

Yes it has been a hell of a week. We have had tradesmen in and out all week. Still bringing J to .the cottage for the day as it is too noisy in the house. The renovations are coming along nicely. I went shopping at 7tonight and now my feet are killing me. It was not too busy which was great as it was so darn hot in Farmers. All those lights going, I forget about the aftershocks until you remind me grizzly. How you cope I don't know. It must be horrid. You sound so positive about everything and it is easy for us that are not affected to just forget it is still happening over and over.

makerealbany - 2011-12-02 00:05:00

Hi smartgirl. How are you? Give you a ring over the weekend.

makerealbany - 2011-12-02 00:06:00

Had a great day and won a meat raffle. I also won a meat raffle last week now if I could only win the Lotto. Lol. Miss greedy!!!!!11 Had all the young ones here last night. I must have lost a few kilos with all the running around. My daughter wants some mosaic items for her new deck. Cannot make any thing until SIL is back but will be just able to squeeze in something for their Wedding aniversary after Christmas. I have 3 cotton tops to sew up but want to finish the one I am doing first. I like to sew up several things at once. It seems more rewarding somehow. Wonder what Freud would say about that? Ha ha.

makerealbany - 2011-12-02 23:47:00

Look at the times on your last messages, makerealbany. The last one was earlier than the first two! How weird is that? Haha.
I am so pleased this week is at an end. We did well with our stall at the retirement home yesterday morning but the running around to do it was hard and still be at work when I'm supposed to be. Mind you Monday is going to be the same with a lunch time shop meeting and hopefully we will find out about our new shop by then. Fingers crossed. Suzy and I are so geared up to get it!

grizzly4 - 2011-12-03 07:23:00

got a call yesterday from the estate agent, my heart was in my mouth and all it was was just to keep me updated as to the landlord had both agreements and would let us know Monday, i will be a bag of nerves by Monday. I have such a busy week too, was out all day today, santa parade in Brighton this morning, then the bus trip around the CBD red zone and now i am ready to go to my work christmas dinner. Christmas is sucha busy time of year.

suzy59nz - 2011-12-03 17:20:00

Goodness me - I guess there wasn't a lot of knitting done today then lol! Went to the Spotlight sale today and got Shepherd white merino 4ply for $4.50 per ball. Such a good deal - that's cheaper than when we put our bulk orders in through shop! I am fully stocked with pink, white and blue now.

grizzly4 - 2011-12-03 19:41:00

Great shopping grizzly. Went to my DIL.s babty shower. Had a lovely afternoon. Both of my daughters were at home with the kids, M had a high temp all day and is a bit under the weather. I have her with me tonight to give her Mum a break. Little J was kicking up about his big sis getting all the attention. Lol Planted some more veges before dark. Everything is really growing.

makerealbany - 2011-12-03 23:16:00

We had a rocky start yesterday with I. falling badly after slipping in wet jandals. We were so worried about his knee because that was where it hurt the most at the time but it seems that the muscle up the back of his thigh is the ongoing problem at this stage. Good man he continued on as planned and created my new fern garden for me, pulled up the rest of the old weed mat and helped me put up the christmas decorations. We were both exhausted by the end of the day again and it has been so hot as well. Had to check on my parents in Blenheim and sister in Wellington when I heard about the 5.7 'quake on Saturday night. I never heard about it till yesterday morning when I checked in online so it was old news for them by then, thank goodness. Thank goodness it was very deep.

grizzly4 - 2011-12-05 06:25:00

still waiting to hear about the shop, i guess we haven't got it, otherwise i am sure we would have heard by now. What a bummer.............. feel depressed.

suzy59nz - 2011-12-05 15:16:00

Oh that is a pity suzy. Maybe they are a bit slow getting back to you. Fingers crossed.

makerealbany - 2011-12-05 20:22:00

I did not know about the earthquake until last night grizzly when I finally read the paper. Your garden sounds so creative girl. I am slowly working on ours. It is so hard to find the time with the kids. M still has high temps.Took them both the GP on Sunday but we just have to sweat it out!!!!

makerealbany - 2011-12-05 20:27:00

Hopefully you all get the email I sent with the photo suzy has taken of the wonderful santa she has knitted for me! I am so excited, big kid that I am. Heehee.
Yesterday was a bit of a rush, just going from one meeting to another and fitting in the daily stuff at work as well. I tried to knit las night but fell asleep mid-stitch. haha. Gave up and went to bed. Thank goodness it rained over night - these water restrictions are a pain when nurturing young plants. Having to last from Sunday to Wednesday is terrible for them. I understand why we have to but it brasses me off that the sports fields have sprinklers going for hours daily. Surely they are not a priority with our water infrastructure the way it is!

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

Actually Grizzly the council is suposed to be following the same protocol as we have to regarding water, so if you see it report it.
Will bring Santa to lunch tomorrow lol

suzy59nz - 2011-12-06 15:11:00

I Have sent his photo to everyone already! heehee. I am so excited, better than Christmas day!.
Gosh, it was so cold today. I found that working with a 27 year old male has his draw backs as he doesn't feel the cold at all. Had the doors all open and the air conditioner on. I had to turn the heater on right beside me in the end.
A bit upset with a watcher who requested a piece of my knitting be offered to her when the auction closed. Then she didn't accept it. Grrrr.....

grizzly4 - 2011-12-06 19:53:00

And another wet day. Great for the garden of course but doesn't inspire me to wear pretty summer clothes to go out to lunch today. That reminds me we are doing the toy run on the bike this Saturday and I threw my very worn out boots out at the end of winter. You should have seen the look on I.'s face when I said I'd just wear my everyday shoes as I wasn't going if it was cold anyway. Obviously wasn't going to fit the image he wanted. Haha. Looks like I have to get to No 1 shoes before the weekend.

grizzly4 - 2011-12-07 07:19:00

MMMM....... What was I doing yesterday morning that I didn't check in here? Haha. I cut out the apron I am making as part of my daughter's cupcake theme Christmas present. The fabric is cupcakes and it's retro style pattern with scalloped edge. Off this morning (yes to buy boots for tomorrow) and also bias binding and broderie anglais edging. Hoping to finish my Christmas shopping tonight all going well. I dragged everything out the other morning and bagged each persons presents up so I could work out what I still needed to buy and I now have my list for tonight.

grizzly4 - 2011-12-09 06:48:00

have given my girls my credit card, they are going shopping tonight, never done it before, i hope i can trust them to stick to budget lol.

suzy59nz - 2011-12-09 14:10:00

Wow! Thats good of you. My main present is going to be a IOU for a statue for my garden when it's finished.
We have the toy run on the bike today and wouldn't you know it - it's raining!

grizzly4 - 2011-12-10 09:57:00

the girls did well last night, one spent $150 in 15 mins and the other spent $30 lol. Just finished work, the mall is getting busy now so lots more hours going, so thats good. Nice to see so many people out and about christmas shopping.

suzy59nz - 2011-12-10 18:33:00

Hi girls. Had a hell of a week. M had a high temp for 5 days. So My 16 year old granddaughter J came down to help mind all 3 kids while their Mums were at work. By Friday I was shattered. How I got thru I'll never know Lol. Thank heavens J is so energetic. The builder was in the house all week as well banging away. The locksmith came to fit the locks in the new front door and my girl got him to fit deadbolts on my two ranchsliders so I can leave the doors open for more air flow and little houdini cannot get out. He was so annoyed to find he could not open the doors any further. We had to endure a lot of yelling and pulling of the doors. Lol.The cats love it because they can run out to escape his little clutching fingers. I had to get up at 5 this morning to drive to Rotorua for our AGM. Spent the afternoon with Mum and got home about 10. Now I am off to bed. Nitey nite.

makerealbany - 2011-12-11 00:17:00

Boy, you really have had a bad week, makerealbany. I hope this one goes better.
The rain stopped just before our ride yesterday and I thoroughly enjoyed being part of it yesterday.

grizzly4 - 2011-12-11 10:08:00

Here comes another week...... I have the day off work today so I can work on the Patch stall at Barrington Mall. We are lucky enough to have another one booked on Friday as well. I feel quite sick that we didn't get the shop we offered for, really thought it was for us this time. Like Suzy, I feel quite defeated now 'cos there are so few shops around that fall within our price range and when they do come up the owners have a choice of tenants who apply.

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

I. finished creating the gardens in the new area yesterday despite the dreadful nor'easterly. All the plants I've bought so far are in and I need to look for more now. Project for next weekend is to start moving the stones to create the pathways. Handling the stones is very hard on my hands. Can't believe we've got this far.

grizzly4 - 2011-12-12 06:10:00

You are doing amazing things in your garden grizzly. I still have half a retaining wall up and have to wait for SIL to come home to finish it. I am writting cards today and wrapping presents. My son came over this morning with the kids to say hurrah before his 6 months away. The weather is lousy here so it is inside all day for us.

makerealbany - 2011-12-12 13:29:00

Stall yesterday went really well again. Barrington Mall has been so supportive of us and hoefully will continue to be next year while the search for a shop goes on. We have another one on Friday and that will be it till January. But it's back to work for me today.... and struggling to decide what to wear. Haha. Changed twice already and about to go back to the wardrobe again. It's going to be one of those days.

grizzly4 - 2011-12-13 06:48:00

Can you believe it? We sold our old camera on tm 2 months ago and he posted positive feedback and has now just come back and said it's not working! He says it was a Christmas present and he had just tried it out. We offered to deliver it to him when we travelled to see Mum and Dad at Labour Weekend but he never got back to us in time so had to be sent. I can't help thinking that who knows what has happened to it in the mean time, either. It was working when it left here, b*#% it. How long do you think a refund policy should be in place for? I have emailed TM for their advice.

grizzly4 - 2011-12-14 07:18:00

not two months. he could have dropped it or anything, if i were you i would say no sorry, two months is way to long, he cant change feedback now either.

suzy59nz - 2011-12-14 13:50:00

I agree with Suzy. Two months indeed!!!!!11 We are nearly to the end of the working year. Hurrah just one more day for A. although T is working right through. My grandson arrived today from Christchurch for Xmas and is snoring on my divan bed. Lol. Took M and little J to Mainly music for the last Xmas party. Little J enjoyed himself but stared at all the other kids. He has not seen so many all at once. He is allowed to interact with other children now so it was a very special day. M then went with J to the movies which she loved. They grow up so quick don't they? I shopped while J slept all through until the movie finished. We came home and made M's Xmas cookies. Tomorrow after preschool we have to ice, decorate and wrap them so she can give them to her teachers at preschool on Friday. I am off to bed early. Running on empty lately. Lol.

makerealbany - 2011-12-14 22:56:00

Yes he can change his feedback and is threatening to do so once he has taken the camera into a shop to be checked out. I. is really worried about red faces on our feedback. We only have one after all these trades and that from a woman that bought an eeyore watch from me. She said the strap broke while her daughter was wearing it. It was not a cheap kids watch and I had worn it at times with no problems but I still refunded the money and still got a redface. I'm over it this time and ready to add my comments if he does. Leaves a bad taste though after having so much fun on TM selling all that wool for the shop. I asked TM for their advice and they came back very quickly saying we were under no obligation to refund.
Speaking of the shop, the one that was offered to someone else fell through so they have now accepted ours!!!!!! Clever Suzy is off to sign the agreement today - so exciting but boy we are going to be busy after Christmas geting it all sorted.

grizzly4 - 2011-12-15 07:13:00

i thought after 48 days you couldnt change feedback, must be mistaken, bummer. I would wear it and just put your bit on the red, he's a prick , sorry but true.

Looks like we have a shop, the landlord has signed off on the lease he is letting his solicitor look at it, he has 3 days to get back with any changers. Anyone got any contacts for cheap indoor/outdoor white paint?????????????

suzy59nz - 2011-12-15 17:15:00

Yahoo!

grizzly4 - 2011-12-15 20:32:00

Oh my godness it sure is raining today! Of course no where like poor Nelson and further north have had. There is always some diaster before CHristmas isn't there?They have a dreadful job ahead cleaning up.
We have another day at Barrington Mall today although I can only be there till morning. Getting the stuff from car to mall will be a mission in this weather! All our programmes at work have finished for the year after taking 50 to the movies yesterday to see 'Puss in Boots'. Very cool movie.
Yes, I actually went into a movie theatre but it wasn't one of the theatres in a mall. Couldn't do that. However it was based in Sumner, which has ben very badly affected by the Earthquakes. The roads round there are still barriered off by containers because of the massive rock falls. There are even more houses hanging off the cliffs above than there were the last time I was over there. Absolutely mind-blowing. The school in Sumner is still relocated because of the state of thecliffs behind them.
My main task this afternoon is to defost the freezer at work and clean the fridge. For some reason the staff never do it during the year - like the stove never gets wiped when it's used ether - grrr. The stove is my job on Monday and I have a young volunteer coming in to wipe out the kitchen cupboards for me at the same time. My office only needs the desks and computer station to be wiped down as I do my housekeeping regularly, heehee.

grizzly4 - 2011-12-16 06:59:00

Another great stall yesterday and it was great elling our customers about the new shop! They are as excited as we are, except the ones who don't drive these days were worried we will stop going over to Barrington. It was easy to reassure them that we would be back.
NOt sure how much gardening will get done this weekend as the weather's not great and the family choose not to help when they are here on Saturdays!!!!!

grizzly4 - 2011-12-17 09:31:00

i have a hobbie of doll collecting, i put them in my museum in owaka with my other collections.i make there clothes, or go to the second hand shops, always looking for spare arms eyes etc dont have alot of money to spend just enjoy making some look brand new. i also make jewerllery and mobiles .any body shares my interest email me at dollyworld@windowslive.com

teddybear946 - 2011-12-17 17:27:00

Hi teddybear946. Funny you should m,ake yourself known. I have had some porcelain dolls donated to our shop to resell but they are not in perfect condition so was going to donate on to op-shop. I will contact you on your email address.

grizzly4 - 2011-12-17 19:49:00

Wow girls you finally have a shop again. That is great. Yes bugger that buyer grizzly. People can read between the lines and there has always got to be a couple of rotten sods in the sugarbag. Lol. Well it has poured here for days as well and the darn bank has started to collapse where my SIL took down the retaining wall. I have been watching it hoping it will hold up until SIL comes home on Monday. He has a lot more digging to do now though!!!!!! We had a Christmas Lunch and farewell to my son today. He kept getting delay after delay but the Air Force finally got his tickets confirmed for tomorrow. We all had a great day but A and I are shattered. So today I managed to get rid of 4 Christmas presents. Ha ha. In return I got a batch of skincare products and expensive smellies which was very nice. I gave out 6 pressies on Friday to my old pals at the Bowling Club. They just love cards and pressies. Some of them do not even have contact with their kids let alone grandchildren. Very sad and not their choice.

makerealbany - 2011-12-17 22:59:00

Hi there teddybear 946 that sounds an interesting hobby. I may have some odd arms and legs,etc. Will have a browse.

makerealbany - 2011-12-17 23:04:00