WE had a nice peaceful evening last night for a change. Everyone has finished working on the house and it looks great. The painter doing the extra work on the window in the bathroom is doing a deal for extra work during his normal work time so I'm having to leave a key out but he hasn't been yet. Don't like doing that. Will have to put my foot down soon. Sold a pair of bootees on TM to someone who lives in Australia. No payment, contact stopped so notified TM after 2 weeks. Now she has come back saying she has paid and has been away! Still no money showing though and I don't know how the process works transferring payments through from Australia.

grizzly4 - 2012-02-01 07:07:00

I don't know how it works either grizzly. I also do not like leaving a key out for anyone. Boy that was a massive protest down there about the Christchurch City Council and their decision making. Good on you all. Over half a million in salary to ex ham guy M Sure made me want to protest as well and I have never been in a protest March or Meet.

makerealbany - 2012-02-01 22:52:00

No neither have I, not on that level anyway. People sure are angry but I'm not sure I understand the issues calling for a new election other than the salary increase. I do have concerns about spending all that money on a new election andf whether that will cause bigger delays in fixing stuff for people. Suzy can tell you how their street is being neglected because the others around her have been redzoned!

grizzly4 - 2012-02-02 07:00:00

I agree in that it would be a waste of money to have another election. That would cause even more delay. It just seems some areas are moving a hell of a lot faster than others. We see all sorts of mixed messages on the news. I do not understand how some houses or streets are just left. Why not rezone streets instead of the houses. It is dreadful. The so called experts are costing a packet right throughout the whole process, GRRRRRR

makerealbany - 2012-02-03 00:03:00

Areas are red zoned - it could be whole streets or parts of. Houses are red stickered if they are affected but not the land under them. But now there are sorts of other colours involved indicationg insurance risk etc. I find it hard to follow now. And owners have different choices they can make. I thought if you are red zoned you choose either the government valuation payout or a better offer from the insurance company if you are lucky but a friend was able to take the GV for her land only and the insurance company has agreed to rebuild a new house on a new section of her choice. It must be very stressful trying to make those deals.

grizzly4 - 2012-02-03 06:42:00

Grizzley if you have a house that the insurence deem a rebuild you can take the insurence for the house and GV for the land, thats the best way as you get full replacement for the house, this usually is for red stickered houses or orange that are badly damaged. If its just the land and the house is ok or fixable then you have to take GV as the insurence will only pay the amount to fix it, all a bit of a have when people have paid insurence for 40 years pluss. Thank goodnes my house is green zoned with no structual damage to talk of. or is it grey T3 now , goodness knows why they changed all the colours. Very confusing

suzy59nz - 2012-02-03 16:13:00

It is so complicated!

grizzly4 - 2012-02-03 19:46:00

See why I am confused. You are right too suzy we do pay insurance forever from the moment we purchase to when we go lay in the lily fields. Mum said to me the other day" Bugger paying insurance for me now daughter" Because of her age she is getting very blazay about things like insurance. She said she has paid all sorts of insurance for 65 years and now the insurance companies can go to hell. Ha ha. She has had 2 car insurance claims(years back when she was driving) and a small house insurance claim. I would hate to add up what it has cost her over the years. Yep I reckon it would be really stressful dealing with all that stuff down there. My daughters have gone away for the weekend so little J is spending the first night away from Mama. At 16 months he should be ok with Nana but the night has only just begun. Lol

makerealbany - 2012-02-04 22:34:00

I had my first evening on my own since September 2010! I. took our son and L4 to speedway and he didn't get back till after midnight. I wasn't anxious as such but was aware of the time constantly. Weird eh? For some reason my feelings of safety lessen once the service station across the road closes for the night. I'm nuts, I know. Never used to be like this, always enjioyed the evenings to myself - I still got lots of knitting done.

grizzly4 - 2012-02-05 11:01:00

No it is not weird grizzly. It is very understandable given what you guys go through. Could not get little J to sleep before 9 last night but he slept all nite until M woke us up at 7. My internal clock was on the blink. Lol. The kids had a good day and he was cheery until tonight and then I had to struggle along until he dropped off to sleep at 9 once again. Tomorrow my daughter will be home so I hope he slips back into his normal sleep pattern. He was not upset just talked and clung to me like a little limppet. Knitting what is that? Lol.

makerealbany - 2012-02-05 23:19:00

OMG, everything hurts! We have been out in the garden most of the weekend a I feel everyone of my joints complaining. Lol. We even washed our cars for the first time in 4 months! I know, I know, we shouldn't be using water on Mondays but I never used any yesterday and I used a puddle compared to the high pressure hoses St Bedes College was using last Monday on their hockey field!!!!! It is the first time I have deviated from our allocated days. We have just found out our rent is to go up $10 a week from the the end of March. Not a lot I know but I'm a bit peeved considering the money we have saved the landlord in replacing all the rotton weedmat and bark when we changed the gardens round. We have also trimmed all the trees as well when we should be making him do them. $20 worth of green fees at the dump this weekend alone. Sigh, I guess the best we can hope for as 2 years at this new amount. Fingers crossed.

grizzly4 - 2012-02-06 18:46:00

I have bought a number of lovely patterns on Tm lately so trying to build up stock for the shop with all the wool I have stored. MInd you to do that I should stop listing them on TM especially as the weather is so dodgy and people are starting to consider their winter woollies again.

grizzly4 - 2012-02-07 06:32:00

What a mean landlord. You are the best tenants out. He should be paying for all the gardening and cleaning up of the section. That is unbelievable. I wondered why you were slogging your guts out to clean up the section when a landlord will benefit. We always paid for the lawns to be mowed and all the gardens to be cleaned and stuff removed for our tenants. Was thinking of selling some of my stash but what with all the prices going up changed my mind. Lol. Thats my excuse anyway. Have just mowed half the lawns and sprayed half the lot so having a break now as it is too hot out there.

makerealbany - 2012-02-07 14:39:00

I think it's more the pressure Harcourts has put on them to put the rent up. I. was told they wanted to put it up higher and landlord stuck it out for only $10. He has already said we can stay here as long as we want which is why we put the work in, I guess neither of us thought about the money side of things and the third party involved. I. and I keep wandering around outside enjoying what we've done so work was definitely worth it. The final bit behind the garage is just rebarking with new weedmat so we might get them to pay for the bark now. I have just sold 3 of my jackets on Tm - I am so excited - it seems ages since I sold my knitting. AND the builder who is going to fix the floor at the new shop has got free paint and is done there stripping and painting as we speak. Says we don't need steam cleaning or the PD boys. I am so excited about that too and very, very grateful.

grizzly4 - 2012-02-07 19:45:00

went down to see the guys painting the shop, one was painting and one was plastering, they seemed so keen to get things done and done right too, i took them a drink and some biscuits to keep them going untill they went home for tea. Free paint for inside and outside cool. See there are still some good people in the world.

suzy59nz - 2012-02-07 22:22:00

Here was me trying to think what we could do for them when they finished, much better thinking about what they need while working. Good on you, sue!! I'm feeling a bit frustrated that I can't make it there tonight to help, bad timing but at least I can cancel the cleaners this morning.

grizzly4 - 2012-02-08 06:47:00

Women's Group started up again yesterday and we had a lovely devonshire tea at Sweethearts Cafe. Very pleasant time catching up with everyone. Very full on once I was back in the office though, paperwork seems never ending right now. There were a few nasty shakes last night to keep us on our toes again. Sigh.

grizzly4 - 2012-02-09 06:43:00

Mmmm... everyone busy yesterday. I finished a lovely baby cable coat and hat in deep purple last night. One of the nicest patterns I've done, I have to say. Might list it on TM first before the shop opens. Friday again - I don't know about you ladies but the weeks just seem to be rolling by - it's a bit scary really. I. is still wandering around the garden in the evenings, amazed at what we have achieved this summer. He commented on how come we haven't had 'projects' before? I told him it worked because of the extra time we had not going to malls!!!! Seriously he loves them and it was always his first choice to 'run errands' first and 3 hours later couldn't be bothered doing anything. I'm sure malls kill off brain cells! He sees my point though as we have only ever gone to Northlands on a Friday night occasionally since last February and not since the quakes on 23 December. Imagine what our young people could achieve without their sometimes daily mall fix!

grizzly4 - 2012-02-10 06:49:00

Right on the button there grizzly. Retail therapy gets overused fartoo often. I have had a hellish week. Miss M has been vomiting since Monday nite. She settled last night. Visit to the GP was a waste of time and money. They dont give anything to settle the stomach for children. We just had to wait it out. No temp. So we have been playing musical kids. I had Maggie Mon and last night and Jon had his first sleepover in the cottage on Tuesday nite. Bowls and towels have been flying around. Washing piled up but on top of it now. My back is killing me because when the kids are sick you are doing a lot of lifting. Lol. Even taking J for his walks in the pram has not straightened me out. Begger it. I have to get this right before the 27th. I envy you your tea at the Cafe. Oops gotta go M wants to have a nap. She is pretty cranky but at lest she has stopping throwing up.

makerealbany - 2012-02-10 08:16:00

looking forward to seeing the shop again, worked both late nights at the mall, got Rs graduation tomorrow then out for tea, working all day sunday and monday, so have to go up on Tuesday and see whats going on. so exciting.

suzy59nz - 2012-02-10 22:59:00

You are a busy girl suzy. Yes it will be nice for you all to have a dhop again.

makerealbany - 2012-02-10 23:36:00

Hi smartgirl, How are things in your corner of the world my friend? Having my first childfree night for 7 days. Yippee!!!!!1

makerealbany - 2012-02-10 23:38:00

I. and I are going to shop this morning to scrape and sand apparently. Lovely. I thought we could have avoided all this by steam cleaning! The walls are hessian though so couldn't have used that method anyway so it's back to blood sweat and tears.I'm really sorry to hear the kids have been sick, makerealbany! It took a long week to run it's course, don't you think, for a bug? I hope you have a quieter weekend. Hi smartgirl!.

grizzly4 - 2012-02-11 08:25:00

That doesn't sound much fun grizzly. Sanding and scraping. Yuk. Had a lovely day went to see little E. My she is growing fast. Made some more Cucumber and Pineapple Relish tonight in the cottage. I bought one of those single elements. Worked a treat. I love preserving so I do not need to cart everything into the house now. Whoopee. Yes unfortunately when M gets a stomach bug she just cannot stop vomiting even when her tummy is empty. She has a sip of water and off she goes. She has had this probelm before. Made up for it today though. She was eating everything she could get her little hands on Lol.

makerealbany - 2012-02-11 23:13:00

Thats good sounds like she is on the mend. I am knackered after doing 3 hours in the shop again today, this time cleaning and painting. Then loaded up the car with 2nd bricks for the garden from a friend who lost 2 chimneys in September '10 quake. Really want to knit but I think I will be sleeping when I get off here. I made blackcurrant jam on Friday morning before going to work. Very, very yummy.

grizzly4 - 2012-02-12 15:00:00

You must be knackered grizzly. Black currant Jam sounds yummy. I have had a good crop of raspberries but everytime I get a bowl the kids grab them so no jam sigh. Managed to start sewing up a cardi for little E. Had to leave it to do all the ironing and now I will finish it before bed.

makerealbany - 2012-02-12 21:48:00

I hope I am in the right thread - I make soaps and bath fizzys and lip balms as my craft :) Waiting on some yummy scented oils from the states :) When I have spare money I am going to make massage bars too :)

Hope everyone has a wonderful evening

vampiriousmist - 2012-02-12 23:21:00

Sounds lovely vampiriousmist! Do you sell your craft? How long have you being doing this for?
I am currently working on a hooded jacket with cables and chevron edges. Onto the hood section now. I am really enjoying trying out the different patterns I have collected up from TM over the last few months.
Has anyone tried growing fuschia from a small cutting? I've been told this can be done but not sure of method used.

grizzly4 - 2012-02-13 06:27:00

I am selling a few on trademe atm , Im happy people are actually buying them ! I can ask my mum if you like grizzly - she works for yates :P I will be talking to her this arvo. I alsoi have a facebook page where I have all my pictures if you wanna see what I do :) I have been doing it for about 2 years on and off - depends on how much money I have at the time and if I sell any :)

https://www.facebook.com/SoapstaSoap

vampiriousmist - 2012-02-13 12:15:00

Hi grizzly. I have grown Fushia from cuttings. Just dipped the bottom in root hormone and away they went. Not sure what to knit now. Have a nephew and his partner expecting their first daughter in May but I want to crochet a little skirt for M's and there is another nice cardi pattern which would be good for little E. Choices,choices, lol.

makerealbany - 2012-02-13 22:41:00

Hello there vampiriousmist. I just love smellies. What fun you must have making them. I used to make pot pouri and scented oils years ago. Just for the family. I enjoyed it very much.

makerealbany - 2012-02-13 22:45:00

I just had to go and have a peep didn,t I vampiriousmist at your facebook page then I bid on two of your auctions. Lol. I am saving for my trip on the 27th and am not supposed to be spending money but I could not resist. Ha ha. I just love those Lego soaps and so will my 4 year old granddaughter and grandson.

makerealbany - 2012-02-13 23:00:00

Hahahahaha Makerealbany ! Sorry !! I will put some extras in there just for you !!! :P

vampiriousmist - 2012-02-13 23:21:00

Definitely worth your while joining in on our thread, vampiriousmist Haha! You have some great ideas- love the cupcakes.
I finished the jacket I was doing and hope to sew it up before I go to work this morning and load the new items on to TM.
I've never used root hormone, do I just get that from a garden shop? Will it work on most plant cuttings?

grizzly4 - 2012-02-14 07:09:00

got called in to work again!!!!!!!!!!!!! worked thur, fri, sat son, mon, and was supposed to be off Tue , wed, but manager is on leave and ass manages child is sick, so in i went, only till two though then the other girl came in to close as i am going to a friends bridal shower tonight. Grizzley i told them not to ring me tomorrow!!!!!!!!!!! stone carving at womans group day. Got my daughters hen's party on Saturday, that should be fun, but wont be staying late as have to open the shop on Sunday. We have a new girl started she is getting a lot more training than i got, i have done 2 closes with her already and another 2 before she does it alone, i got showed once and then i was on my own. Have done no crafts for ages, been reading, have to get my a in to g and get cracking lol. So many ufos hanging about.

suzy59nz - 2012-02-14 15:11:00

Hiya Suzy. You are flat out by the looks of things. Maybe you are just a lot brighter than the new girl. Lol. That is annoying though when you were were thrown in at the deep end and someone else gets a lot more training.

makerealbany - 2012-02-14 23:22:00

Grizzly. Just get it from the warehouse. You can grow anything with it. Magic stuff lol. I cut back some agapanthas tonight. Grow like weeds here. Hard to dig out too espiecially in this clay. Grrrrrrrr. You are a knitting whizz just like smartgirl.

makerealbany - 2012-02-14 23:25:00

Hope you are ok smartgirl. Got your text but didnot notice until 10 mins ago. Threw my cellphone in the bottom of the pram when I took J for a walk this morning and forgot about it all day. Thought it was quiet today. Ha ha. Did not miss the darn thing ringing either. Tee hee.

makerealbany - 2012-02-14 23:28:00

Banking by internet now vampiriousmist

makerealbany - 2012-02-14 23:29:00

Bother the weather! It's Stonecarving at the Women's Group this morning and much easier if it's outside! Oh, that's right, life isn't meant to be easy is it? Haha. I'll be coughing all day once I help clean up all the dust.
I'm going to have to back off buying knitting patterns. Went looking for a specific one in my cupboard and found one at the bottom of the pile in the cupboard that I had just bought again this week. Grrrrrrr.

grizzly4 - 2012-02-15 06:56:00

Weather held off yesterday and the tutor had huge gazebo he put up outside. Worked well. Hopefully weather starts picking up soon. That water spout shown on the News last night was pretty scary up your way, makerealbany.

grizzly4 - 2012-02-16 06:59:00

Youll have to put a pic of what you made me thinks Grizzly ! Makerealbany, package sent this morning :)

vampiriousmist - 2012-02-16 10:10:00

Hi ya girls. Had a lousy day at the docs. Cannot shake a headache I have had for 4 days. Had a thorough check up and an intravenous injection but it still persists so put off going to the hospital tonight and will most likely have to go tomorrow. Bugger it. North Shore Hos is the worst in the country. No kidding. If I had the money I would go private. So I will most likely sit there for 6 to 8 hours before I am seen if I am lucky. Wish me luck.

makerealbany - 2012-02-16 23:21:00

Thats dreadful, makerealbany. I so hope you are feeling better today. You poor thing suffering for that long.
I have the tv on in the background in the mornings and today they are making me so mad talking about the 'celebrations' being planned for Feb 22! Commemoration yes but celebration!!!!! Are they so disconnected from what is happening down here?

grizzly4 - 2012-02-17 06:56:00

I had a migraine for 4 days once - my aunt got me Mersyndol - it is the highest pain relief you can get over the counter without a script, works well but can make you drowsy

vampiriousmist - 2012-02-17 10:24:00

I had migraines from the age of 12 to menopause. Once i was adult they lasted 3 days every time and I was having them at least every week. I ended up only taking the edge offf them with Neurofen and going to work anyway. Nothing worked and I was always being given something new to try with horrible side effects. I've had only one in the last 10 years to my enormous relief! I hope you are home by now, makerealbany, with a solution.

grizzly4 - 2012-02-17 16:45:00

And just in case you are thinking I am older than you thought. Menapause was very early for me and that was a great relief as well. LOL.

grizzly4 - 2012-02-17 16:47:00

Hello people and any dogs who can read. I'm new to this computer stuff but I have recently stumbled onto you guys, very interesting. Unemployed bum at the moment so heaps of time to be nosey. I'm a teacher aid, specializing in autism, the child I worked with last year found mainstreaming too challenging so he has moved on to a special needs school. I use craft to keep my hyperactive personality under control, instead of using rhitalin, I can't manage to sit still and do nothing, never. Always knitting, at least hands are productive as they moved. Recently started spinning again. Please tell me more about this Purple Patch, how does it work? I was a member of Folk Arts & Craft in Cashel St but of course this is gone. I have tried selling my craft on Trade Me, some success. Have a look under knitted Barbie clothes and you will find me, would one of you lovely people please check out my stuff selling and tell me if any of it is suitable for the Purple Patch. How much % do they take. Last year I knitted while I watched my boy at lunch, so many children showed interest that I started teaching them, got a man to make French Knitting spools and taught them that too, does anyone want any spools I have some left, my passion is to pass the love of craft on to the children and show them it's not nerdy. A few years ago I knitted 28 children in my class a fairisle hat, so cute, Started a craze at Northcote school last year, even the parents got involved, we made an ugly blanket for the S.P.C.A, the children who made the most squares got to deliver the blanket with me, they were so proud. My fingers itch to feel fibre in them, I think I'm such a nutbar. Bye for now all you new friends, ps, what's bumping and What is wrong with Zoe, where does she live, can I help her any way. See ya, xxoo

armin59 - 2012-02-18 18:38:00

Hi Armin59, welcome to our cheery thread. Your knitting listed on TM is lovely. The Purple Patch isn't open yet but won't be long so just keep watching here for updates or you could check out our listing in the white pages of the phone book. We will need you to supply samples of what you want to sell in the shop for the committee approval. Membership is $20 per year and we take 30% commission of sales so you need to incorporate that into your prices. Commission can be reduced by volunteering to work in the shop (half day shifts).
I finished a wee 4ply fairisle jersey last night and measured up grandson B3 for his winter woollies. Boy, he's got tall!

grizzly4 - 2012-02-19 09:29:00

Hi, grizzly, thanks for your information, I just had a nosey at your craft for sale, very cool stuff, I particularly love the purple cable jacket, how do you figure out what price to seeel for? I priced my 4ply cardigan and leggings at $40.00, so much work and wool but I don't think anyone wants to pay that much. Non- knitters don't understand the expense in time and money invested in making a lovely garment. Do you think it will sell? Your Barbie dress is cute, I bet you didn't have a pattern. I enjoyed designing Barbie clothes and having some experiments however not selling well. Have recently made Becky the spaniel a very nice hat, snood thing complete with earholes not that she appreciates it. Sounds like you own the Purple Patch, it's run same as Folk Arts WAS. I will look into it. I made eight dog coats and gave them to k9 rescue for a raffle and dog watch. Been spinning a bit lately to fill in the boring unemployed days, I finished a vest, it's listed om T/m for sale, I think it is o/k, has some texture but that is the farm look, ha-ha. I don't have any grandchildren, not that old yet, no offense intended. Wish I did, probably why I keep knitting for dogs. Might start a fashion in dog hats, wonder how booty/shoes would go? Bye for know, Rob.

armin59 - 2012-02-19 18:49:00