Morning all
Hope INR settles Popeye
Love the knitting Carolev
Unfortunately Kuaka dentists are a necessary part of life - the bill always seems to be the worse part of the ordeal!

Off to Wellington for a few days as soon as I get myself organized. Have packed wool and needles as hopefully will get a bit of knitting done. Will only do simple things like beanies as with toddlers around I need something which needs minimal concentration and can but put down easily.

jayemtoo - 2014-04-09 11:39:00

https://trademe.tmcdn.co.nz/photoserver/full/311994516.jpg
https://trademe.tmcdn.co.nz/photoserver/full/311934128.jpg

carolev - 2014-04-09 12:25:00

That's come up nice eh Carole. Is that your first dying attempt?

popeye333 - 2014-04-09 12:39:00

Morning everyone.

Hope all are ok, no messages from yesterday.

Warm here although it could be me.

I did one mitten for myself last night. Doing it in the same red that I did my cardy in. Incase we have a cold day and the 3/4 sleeves are a bit chilly.

Shopping this morning so have a good day Everyone

popeye333 - 2014-04-10 08:29:00

Taking Mr K to the doc today to get his 'flu jab and bp checked. Not sure what happens after that, check mail and then call round at a friends house as he has a smoked kahawai for us, so I guess that is tea sorted. I will take my knitting with me to the doc as they always make you wait to see if you're going to have a reaction to the 'flu jab. I planted some little spinach and lettuce plants yesterday afternoon and they look to be standing up nicely, so that's a bonus as I have been known to kill the poor little things, and the beans are coming along nicely. Also managed to find a good few purple beans when I put the plants in, enough for two feeds, and they were lovely and tender. Bonus.

Happy knitting everyone.

kuaka - 2014-04-10 08:49:00

Good weather for gardens now eh Kuaka.. Still warmish but nothing will dry out too much.
Hope all goes well at the drs, Is MrK a go in and say everything is fine man/ And you have to say well no its not? MrP is, so I always go with him.

Funny re the smoked fish. I got a can this morning for MrP. He hasn't had fish pie for a while.

popeye333 - 2014-04-10 12:59:00

Well I didn't go in with Mr K today, he was only seeing the nurse, and she could see he's not actually on top of the world. He came out and announced that he's past his use by date, and his bp is 190/80. She said the pain he is in will do that. Hospital for him on Monday to see the specialist so we will have to wait and see what he has to say.

Fabulous day here again. I have to go out again later, so will go to the farmer's market and check the mail then.

Forgot to drop the shade cloth over my little plants so they are looking a bit droopy but hopefully they will pick up again, otherwise they will be destined for the compost bin.

kuaka - 2014-04-10 13:14:00

Ouchies Kuaka that's not a good BP eh.. And yes pain and even his depression wont be helping that.
Fingers crossed the hospital will be able to help.. God these men, need to wrap them all in bubblewrap lol.

We have rain and thunder now...Still not a breath of wind tho. so have the fan on to help me breathe.

Just finished my red mittens, well one to sew up..

Lol picked up our prescriptions this morning. We've had 37 already since Feb 1st. lol.. so we have our subsidy card already.

Happy knitting

popeye333 - 2014-04-10 15:51:00

Surgery phoned this afternoon - just as I was dozing off in the armchair in the sun and frightened the bejesus out of me, and said they were doubling his meds so I guess we will have to keep an eye on him. While I was in the waiting room this morning and he was in with the nurse, a little girl about 5 or 6 was playing with a balloon, which of course she managed to pop and I jumped so far I banged into the woman sitting next to me. I said that if you're going to have a heart attack you might as well have it in the waiting room at the docs.

Have just watered my little plants, I think they will survive.

I've just started a bow knot scarf for me using the latest lot of wool that I dyed. I think I'm going to like it. I'll do a bit more then put up a pic.

Have a lovely evening everyone.

kuaka - 2014-04-10 17:19:00

good morning

carolev - 2014-04-11 07:04:00

morning! It's raining! And much cooler too :)

Housework for me today and some planning for next week then I am hoping I can sit and knit/crochet or stitch :) Haven't touched my cross stitch for two weeks and this wee cardy seems to be taking forever. Haven't crocheted either as now daughter has discovered crochet, my hook was being used! Didn't want to buy any more hooks as I thought my 'lost' hooks would turn up. And sure enough, the day everyone went home, son-in-law left my hooks on top of my laptop. Found them after school and was wrapped lol, like finding old friends again.

Happy knitting :)

kiwimade64 - 2014-04-11 07:13:00

Morning everyone.
Lol Kuaka I know what you mean abut it being the right place to have a heart attack. Wow you will have to watch MrK incase his BP goes too low.

Ohh great news re the crochet hooks Kiwimade. I bet the furry one is missing Maddy already.
Off to do bloods again this morning. take my mittens to show the girls.

Will be interested to see which way the roads go this morning. They are putting two roundabouts in on one patch of road and was meant to be changing the layout yesterday afternoon. Hopefully we wont have to go to the other side of town to get home on our side now lol.

Started a wee jumper last night. Doing the bands in a very dark airforce blue and the rest of it in a light blue. Its meant to have a train and clouds etc on it, but Im not doing that. It has plackettes and a collar, and drop shoulders so will look smart.

The sinus is easing a little but I still sound terrible when I speak lol.

Have a good day everyone.

popeye333 - 2014-04-11 08:36:00

Good morning to all of you and *carolev*

A rather damp day here and I have put a cardy on. Pasue has his window open. His blood pressure has risen to a more acceptable level, 105/65 with his change in meds. I might pick up my needles shortly but should be making an appointment with WINZ to get funding for our alarms. This means we will get a disability allowance. I hadn't bothered in the past as although we are told we are 'entitled' I didn't want too just because of entitlement, but now they are saying I should also claim for lawnmowing, meds , etc .

grandmasue1 - 2014-04-11 11:01:00

GMS you are perfectly entitiled to the disability allowance for the alarm and lawns gardening meds etc.
Here st Johns did the forms for us. Once we had the form filled by the dr to say we needed the alarm.
The med centre should have the disability form, and the dr can fill in for your Drs visits, meds, also stating that you need lawns and gardens. A phone account, which you need to have for the alarm to be attached to. You will need to supply a letter or account from the lawnmowing and gardens.
Its not just for beneficiaries but low income earners too.

popeye333 - 2014-04-11 12:15:00

yes, you should apply GMS. My Dad has all those allowances as he needs the alarm and is no longer capable of mowing his lawn. They make a real difference to us as well, knowing these things are paid for and dad hasn't stopped using the alarm because of cost (he won't let us pay).

kiwimade64 - 2014-04-11 12:35:00

We have always had the phone , we do not have it just for medical emergencies.
I already had the alarm forms and the disability ones from the St. Johns lady and we have been paying for the lawns to be mowed for about 20 years now. Our Doctor only charges us $20 per visit, but yes now that we need the alarm etc I will apply for the lot. I just have to download my lawnmowing payments for the last 12 months and make the appointment , I forgot today. However if I don't do it by Monday I will have someone on my back :)

Woa I just realised that I will be going through Utiku twice on Wednesday as am going to a funeral in Palmerston North .

grandmasue1 - 2014-04-11 20:17:00

gramdmasue - what is the chance you can call in at Utiku and come home without opening your purse. I'm sure I wouldn't be able to.

kuaka - 2014-04-11 20:38:00

good night

carolev - 2014-04-11 21:34:00

morning ladies :) hehehe I'd like to see GMS not buy anything too :P

I should get the wee cardy finished today, will do that after I have finished planning my week :)

My washing machine died, suspect it is the pump as there is an awful smell in the laundry as if something has burned out. So my washing is drip drying on the line. Looks like the money I was going to save from working will be spent on fixing it.

Happy knitting :)

Edited by kiwimade64 at 8:04 am, Sat 12 Apr

kiwimade64 - 2014-04-12 08:02:00

Morning everyone..
Yes GMS you might have always had the phone. But now You Have to have it. Might as well get what you are entitled too.
Good luck with the wool shopping lol.
Ouchies Kiwimade, isn't that the way, just get a little extra coming in and something breaks or dies.
My INR went worse, so Im thinking its the sinus infection Ive had. Will test again after easter and cross fingers its back to normal.

Finished the back of the wee jumper. Had a thought this morning, Ohhh heck do I have buttons to match, but Im think from memory I may have one that's near a perfect match. If not I might use silver ones or contrast and do the light blue.
Have to go back up the street today, grrr the bread didn't last long and I forgot onions. Cant very well make soup without them lol. Thought Id get a headstart and make a batch to throw in the freezer.

We have a lovely cool breeze Yay.

Have a good day everyone

popeye333 - 2014-04-12 08:38:00

I see a new store from Canada has joined Trademe, no description of yarn, just the colour and a SKU number. Very helpful.

daisygirl - 2014-04-12 08:44:00

what's an SKU number?

Beautiful morning here, no plans for today apart from going for a walk. Might call in to check the mail and see if my parcel of wool has arrived - not that I'm about to run out, I'd just like to actually have it seeing it was sent a few days ago and I'm hoping NZ Post haven't lost it for me.

Counting the hours almost till Mr K goes for his CT scan and check up on Monday, at least we'll know one way or the other and if the wretched collar has to stay on longer, we'll just have to get used to it and delay any thoughts of our long-awaited holiday. It would be so nice away on the boat these last couple of weeks, the weather has been glorious and apparently the fishing is good. I suppose by the time we can get away the weather will be rubbish and the fish will have moved north.

I will put up a pic later of the scarf I'm knitting with the last ball of wool I dyed. I'm quite pleased with it although it isn't exactly how I wanted it, I quite like the effect so I think this one will be for me.

Bugger about the washing machine kiwimade - it's not as though it's a luxury item that you can do without. I would hate to do all the washing by hand now. Be a trip to the laundrette in town until I could get it fixed or replaced I think. (Actually that is one thing I'm not so fussed on when we go away on the boat for more than a week - the washing has to be done by hand, and not only that, the water has to be pumped by hand!)

Happy knitting everyone.

kuaka - 2014-04-12 08:53:00

A Sku number is like a bar code.

daisygirl - 2014-04-12 09:03:00

When we lived in the Bus MrP made me a washing machine of sorts.
We had a big rubbish bin. He put a hole in the lid which locked on. Put a stroller wheel on the end of a broom handle. The handle went through the hole.
Could pump the heck out of the washing. It was the best cleaner Ive had. But yes hand wringing washing is not a lot of fun.
When we got abase to stay on we managed to find a spinner like the ones on the old twin tubs. but it was a stand alone unit. So that made the job heaps easier.
I reckon it was the best washing machine Id ever have. I still have it incase the machine dies. But don't have the spinner.
We have two laundrettes in town so id use that too if I had to

popeye333 - 2014-04-12 09:04:00

good night

carolev - 2014-04-12 19:25:00

daisygirl wrote:

I see a new store from Canada has joined Trademe, no description of yarn, just the colour and a SKU number. Very helpful.

Now I see they have all disappeared. No store there now.

daisygirl - 2014-04-12 22:05:00

morning ladies :) Well round one of hand washing done lol, I don't mind that, it's the spin cycle I miss. Hopefully the repair man will be able to fix it tomorrow. Otherwise it will be going into town to the launderette!

Maybe daisygirl, they have disappeared as you have to be a kiwi or aussie to trade here.

Nearly halfway around the band for the wee bolero cardy I am knitting - I hate plain knitting but it should look nice with the colourway.

A few things to catch up on still at home then some stitching or knitting or crochet - great to have choices :).

The Furry One is busy chasing a mouse so I am being ignored - it kept him 'entertained' for most of the evening. Better find the traps and peanut butter.

Happy knitting :)

kiwimade64 - 2014-04-13 08:27:00

Morning everyone.
I used to wash by hand when I first left home. Would hang it in the carport. Tied our new dog there once while I went up the street and when I got home all my lovely clean washing was off the lines and covered in dirt, as it was still a dirt floor.
My parents arrived a couple of days later with cement lol. It was their house I was living in till they moved down lol.

Thistle loved her Mittens and scarf I sent down to her and Im making a couple more pair for her, did one pair yesterday, will fit some more knitting in today. But I really need to get a bit more sewing done too. Its just hard to sit at the table and do it. so Ill alternate so the back doesn't complain too much lol.
Made a 5 litre pot of ham and vege soup yesterday so will pot that up for the freezer too. Thought Id get a headstart, and I don't like all the steam in the house in the winter.
Have a good day everyone, its lovely out there

popeye333 - 2014-04-13 08:45:00

*armin* has inspired me to get my blanket out today and knit some more rows on it :) Hers was magnificent but I can't see mine getting tat big. She says that there is 41/2 kilo's of wool in it , I figure that to be about $400+ of wool alone. A real heirloom.

grandmasue1 - 2014-04-13 20:49:00

sorry grandmasue, she says there's 15 balls of yarn, so it's 1.5 kg and it works out to about 4 1/2 kilometres of yarn, the yarn is just over 4.50 (pounds sterling) so probably a bit under 70 pounds sterling, which is around $140 - not sure what the exchange rate is at the moment, or whether she got a discount on it in the sale. But it is a fantastic effort, I wouldn't have the patience to do that amount of straight knitting.

kuaka - 2014-04-13 21:46:00

I'm knitting the band around a wee bolero cardy size 12 months, has nine stitches and garter stitch and it's driving me bonkers! I'm amazed armin stuck with her 10 stitch blanket! Looks just gorgeous :)

kiwimade64 - 2014-04-13 21:53:00

morning ladies :) Another week at school so little or no knitting for me.

Happy knitting (and do a few rows for me lol)

kiwimade64 - 2014-04-14 07:22:00

Morning everyone.

Armins blanket is inspiring isn't it. Knitting so a few stitches can get boring etc. The worst part I found is long needles, so I had MrP cut the ends off some needles for me, and I stuck beads on the end. They are only about 16cms long. Much easier for turning.

I have the ends of my blankets sewn, have the three inside rows to thread in and sew now. Pinning probably takes as long a the sewing lol... I do feel like I can see the end, maybe a fair way off but now its taking shape Im happier about getting it done.

Made two pairs of mittens for Thistle on the weekend. Will sew them up today and get them sent to her promptly so they don't get delayed with next weekend.

Have a great day at school Kiwimade.

Have a good day everyone, at what ever you are doing

popeye333 - 2014-04-14 08:44:00

Afternoon ladies, just home from the hospital. Not the news we wanted unfortunately. Mr Ks neck hasn't healed, and they now say that they don't really expect it to. He's been told he can take the collar off when he's just sitting around or in bed at night, but should keep it on if he's trying to do something or if we are driving etc. They want him to see the spinal surgeon so are going to make an appointment for that although it sounds like they don't really think an operation is such a good idea because of the risk of infection, the risk of nerve damage and the fact that it will restrict his movements by up to 50%.

I managed to knit a beanie while I was waiting.

Thick fog on the way down and quite a lot of rain on the way back, so feeling a bit weary after our early start. Feet up with a cup of tea now, might even have a nana nap.

Haven't forgotten that I was going to put up a pic of the scarf I did with the wool I dyed - later.

Happy knitting.

kuaka - 2014-04-14 14:40:00

Shame about Mr K's neck but I guess I would take the surgeons advice, surgery is not always what it is cracked up to be and he might find that he can live comfortably with things the way they now are.. I have a lot of nerve damage following surgery and have declined further surgery to try and improve it. Mind you it is not my neck.
I am doing 10 hrs travel on Wednesday to do a return trip for my uncles funeral, my son will do most of the driving so that is not too bad. Not sure if I can knit in the car but will take something with me as the radio and CD player don't work.
I have knitted a baby sleeve today and made 20 chocolate rabbits :)

grandmasue1 - 2014-04-14 15:02:00

Hi Kuaka.. ohh not great news, I agree with GMS sometimes its best to leave well alone eh. At least MrK will get a little reprieve from the brace eh. Muscles will also strengthen again if he has his brace off a bit. Im guessing MrK will take a while to process the information. And then possibly go through a I'm useless, you can do better than me stage. But also might eventually just be glad he's still walking etc.

Yep Id be taking my needles too GMS.. that's a long trip eh.

Happily sewing away on the blanket to discover I hadn't woven one bit through. so I undid that and have restitched it. Nearly three rows completed.
Pinning it is the hardest part cos I have to do two sides. But Im getting there.
Have just crumbed some chicken for nuggets tonight. Nice and simple and I fancy some chicken at the mo

Its very dull here now

popeye333 - 2014-04-14 15:45:00

I am sorry to hear about MrK's neck kuaka, I bet he is disappointed too.

Had an awesome day with the kids, lots of fun hands-on activities and an amazing poem written by the class as a whole. So very busy and lots of learning (even though some didn't realise they were learning lol). My MrK has made a shepherds pie for dinner using left over roast lamb so I don't even have to cook.

Am going to sit down and finish the band to this wee cardy - if armin can knit an 18 row 10 stitch blanket, I can knit a nine stitch garter band for a size 12 months bolero!

Happy knitting :)

Edited by kiwimade64 at 4:06 pm, Mon 14 Apr

kiwimade64 - 2014-04-14 16:06:00

Just got off the phone telling a friend about Mr Ks situation, and found Mr K in tears. We had a big hug and he's wiped his tears and is back into fighting mode. Let's hope he can work those neck muscles and get strong again. We both need to go fishing.

kuaka - 2014-04-14 16:11:00

kuaka wrote:

Just got off the phone telling a friend about Mr Ks situation, and found Mr K in tears. We had a big hug and he's wiped his tears and is back into fighting mode. Let's hope he can work those neck muscles and get strong again. We both need to go fishing.

Ohhh Kuaka. Bound to be more of those times. Nothing wrong with it either. Helps ease the tension. Probably have grumpy frustrated days too.

I always remind MrP there is always someone worse off.. it works to a certain extent.
Don't feel like you have to stay strong all the time either. You can have weak times too. It will help

popeye333 - 2014-04-14 16:29:00

I get the tears sometimes from my mister, his whole self esteem came from being able to do things for himself and now he no longer can. It could be something like not being able to put his socks on or it could be as diverse as no longer being able to paint the ceiling which he never did anyway. he never had any hobbies, I would have loved to go fishing but not him. he never joined anything, I was/am a 'joiner'.
I can never sit doing nothing.
Yes I have grumpy frustrating days too......you can tell eh?

grandmasue1 - 2014-04-14 18:56:00

morning ladies :) Ohhh kuaka I feel for you both, your man must have been feeling pretty low. I get frustrated with my MrK at times too and he with himself. Getting old can be a real buggar.

I have another week booked in for teaching next term so the work is slowly coming my way.

Don't have too far to go on the band and I should get the cardy finished tonight. Found it hard to knit with the Furry One wanting my attention - he misses me while I am out all day. There are times I wish I could take him with me lol.

happy knitting :)

kiwimade64 - 2014-04-15 07:18:00

Morning everyone.
We all have men who have the same frustrations. As yes GMS its easy enough to tell these days if its going to be a good or bad mood day. With MrP if he mentions his mother I know he is really down.

I tried on sunday night to sit without knitting. Epic fail lol I lasted 30 mins. Its my mental escape I think. HAve the neck up on one side of the front to do on the little jumper. So its coming along nicely. Nice simple pattern too.
Will get more blanket done today. I Need to get it finished lol.

The furry one would love to go to school Kiwimade Im sure.. All that attention lol, maybe if your teaching at calf club time he could go with you then.

Well ladies have a good day Happy Knitting

popeye333 - 2014-04-15 08:42:00

good morning, thanks for the owl cover Kuaka, Ella will love it. Mr T has been very very ill but his 2 pussies cuddled him

carolev - 2014-04-15 08:45:00

Not good Carole, hope he is feeling better soon. Cats know don't they.

popeye333 - 2014-04-15 12:17:00

Pleased that the owl hottie cover arrived safely, I'm sure Ella will love it as much as she did the previous one.

Wet start to the morning again, but not actually raining at the moment. Knit and natter this morning, then have to go for physio on my back this afternoon - have to admit I haven't done any exercises since I went on Friday, but with all that's been going on I haven't really given them a thought and my back only troubles me when I've been in bed a few hours.

Last week at knit and natter we all had a good laugh when one of the ladies held up the back of the jersey she is knitting for her adult son, proudly announcing that there were no mistakes. She was just about to do the neck shaping but I pointed out there was mistake in the two of the cables 3 inches from the ribbing at the bottom. We had a discussion about whether she could turn it into the front and put a couple of pockets on to hide the mistakes but in the end she unravelled it all, one of the other ladies sat and wound the wool into balls and I picked up the stitches for her. We had a good laugh while we were doing it and she emailed me when she got home and said her husband thought she was mad but she did appreciate me finding the mistake as it was better than finding it after the thing was complete and sewn up!

Not sure what I'll take with me today but it will need to be something "no think" for sure, as my head is all over the place.

Happy knitting everyone.

Edited by kuaka at 8:18 am, Wed 16 Apr

kuaka - 2014-04-16 08:16:00

Morning everyone.
Our internet went out without me last night. Lol.
Hope everyone is bright and chipper this morning. MrP was super grumpy yesterday afternoon... Grr. but appears so far to be ok.
Ive only got one row of blanket to so in, so Hopefully Ill get that done today.
And a sleeve and collar and plackets for the wee jumper.

Have a good day all

popeye333 - 2014-04-16 08:18:00

Oh Kuaka isn't that annoying.... Ive seen mum undo a jumper to fix a mistake on the back. One that she hadn't noticed till she saw the man that she made it for, wearing it. Yep she had to undo the sewing and knitting.

Have fun at Knit and Natter

popeye333 - 2014-04-16 08:20:00

This message was deleted.

tennis6 - 2014-04-16 08:21:00

tennis6 wrote:

They are still here: http://www.trademe.co.nz/Members/Listings.aspx?member=501358
9

Oh right, yes, I see the yarn I was looking at is no longer there, it even disappeared off my watch list. Think I will stick with the usual places I know. Had a lovely big box of wool arrive from Jimmy Beans and a package from Deramores so should be stored up for winter. and the next and the next!!! Just cant resist good wool sale.

daisygirl - 2014-04-16 08:34:00

I got an email from deramores yesterday, we Miss you and a code for a 15% off everything ...
Im hopping to use it as one can never have TOOo much wool

popeye333 - 2014-04-16 08:43:00