Seems to be the story of our lives having grandchildren to stay. J's Nanny has been sick so I have struggled to help A as My SIL has been taking classes and studying for his exam tomorrow. I had K Sat night and he went home today. Poor little chap got bitten by a mossie on his eyelid and it was swollen badly this morning. His mum took him to the docs and he had an abcess forming so antihistamines and antibiotics for him. My torn muscle in the shoulder is healing at last and the nerve is not pinching as badly. My arm is not throbbing so I am on the mend. as far as that is concerned. Touch wood. Ha ha. At lest I have been able to crochet but knitting was out of the question. I have enjoyed crocheting a blanket for a change though.

makerealbany - 2012-08-20 17:16:00

Change is as good as a rest, makerealbany! I tested my sister's counselling skills over the weekend. LOL. She emailed to say she is having to shorten her paid work hours due to lack of funding which got me started on funding issues for NGO's in general and then she asked how I feel about the redevelopment plans for CHCH. I'm sure she was sorry she contacted me at all by the time I had finished. Everything comes so easy to her, I'm sure she will have a private practice in no time and won't need to worry about funding at all!
I had a great weekend again, loved having the boys but also enjoyed a quite day on Sunday. Shame about this awful weather which is stopping me from treating my car to a bath and pottering in my garden. It's wonderful seeing all the work we did last summer come together naturally as spring approaches. Won't need to buy too many new plants by the look of it, so will be able concentrate on the veges. Roll on summer!

grizzly4 - 2012-08-20 19:29:00

Sun is really trying this morning but still still drizzling as well. Sigh....

grizzly4 - 2012-08-21 08:02:00

LIne dancing today at the Women's Group. Hehe. Not sure what I'm letting myself in for. My groceries are consistently $30 more than I have budgeted. I usually get the same sort of things and have had the same amount budgeted for a few years now with no hiccups, often not reaching the limit I have set. Not any more. I'm dreading the weeks that I need those occasional one-offs like I.'s razor blades which are nearly $30 on their own! A 10% increase certainly thumbs it's nose at the cost of living increase that is usually less than 2%. I wonder what has decreased to bring it down, certainly not petrol, power or rents down here! Actually I think even the cost of our basic phone line has increased by $2 a month recently........

grizzly4 - 2012-08-22 07:29:00

Line Dancing was a real hoot!!!LOL.Only 9 of us there but would have been chaos if the others had been there. Lots of fun and laughter. Suzy proved to be our expert! I think I might get the bellydancing tutor back next term. Thats fun as well.

grizzly4 - 2012-08-23 07:06:00

Belly dancing?????????????????????? might be sick that day lol

suzy59nz - 2012-08-23 15:04:00

Belly dancing sounds like fun lol. Know what you mean about the razor blades. My grandson in Christchurch has a new job and told me he could finally afford decent razor blades that did not cut him to shreds. It continues to rain here or the sun is out for a couple of hours but drying weather is rare. Just back up at my daughters in Orewa she should be back from work soon. K is asleep. He has been a bundle of laughs today. So was little J who has learn't to say No Nana, Sigh. Day free for me tomorrow Yippee. I had another clean up and the car is full for the op shop tomorrow. I think my stuff breeds in the night lol.

makerealbany - 2012-08-23 19:44:00

Off to Barrington Mall today for another stall. Could only get the morning off work this time which is a shame. Really hope it does well.
Suzy, the way you got that hip movement in LIne dancing you will be a shoe in for belly dancing. LLLLLLOOOOOOLLLLLL!

grizzly4 - 2012-08-24 07:10:00

Well I have to bite my tongue. It is a beautiful day up here at the beach. Hope it is as nice at home. My daughter finally got herself a new rotary washing line and the clothes are flapping merrily in a slight breeze. Now we will have to make a new path to the line. I am sitting on her lovely deck working out what needs trimming and where we can put new gardens. She has a huge lawn. Feels like summer. Yah. Went to the op shopdropped my goods, and there was a huge book sale next door but I was very strong and ignored it ha ha. Going to have lunch with my girl and then go off to see my pals at bingo. lol.have a happy day girls.

makerealbany - 2012-08-24 10:56:00

Another great day. Spending the night with two of my grandsons and my great grandson. Little ones are asleep and my eldest grandson and I are sitting at the dining room table talking and watching an auction programme about storage units as well as checking our emails on two laptops. ha ha. Havoc my grandson's dog is sitting on his bed watching us. Wonder what he is thinking?

makerealbany - 2012-08-25 21:34:00

I have had a great weeken. Beautiful, beautiful weather! Family tea last night but L5 was the only grandson here. I got to potter in the garden both days for awhile but I've ecome very unfit over winter. LOL. I even cleaned my car, yep thats how good the weather is!

grizzly4 - 2012-08-26 19:01:00

Wouldn't you believe it!? I have a summer top on and now they are saying it's going to rain!!!!!

grizzly4 - 2012-08-27 07:17:00

Well it didn't rain but I was home by 2.30 anyway! Some tummy bug got me, haven't had a great night either so staying home today. Lazy day planned - knitting and reading.

grizzly4 - 2012-08-28 07:15:00

Back to work today. Feels like it should be Friday. Sigh. The women's Group is going to Ferrymead Heritage Park today. I hope the morning warms up quick.

grizzly4 - 2012-08-29 07:06:00

Think I will move down there to join the women's group grizzly. What fun they have. Going for a much needed haircut today and will get a discount. Gold card teehee. Lovely day up here. Did I tell you my daughter won her court case against the builder who did her bathroom renovations. The new guy is finishing it up today. I am the supervisor because she is doing a training course to update her Midwifery practicing certificate. She only has 2 more full days at the end of Sept and it is completed once again. Thank heavens. lol My car is on the list ha ha.

makerealbany - 2012-08-29 09:19:00

I am so close to chucking Westpac! Have been trying to reorganise our bank stuff and did it online last week through their site. Even got a screen come up acknowledging a 48 hour process afterward. But no they never got it! I rang this week to find out whats going on and she was so disinterested! Redid the process over the phone with her but she then never returned our calls over the next 2 days and didn't do the basic things like contact I. as it's a joint account. I got so wild in the end I have made a formal complaint about her and their online process. I might check out Kiwibank today 'cos I don't think I'm a big enough customer for Westpac to care about what I think even if I am a sinatory on other accounts worth lots more!

grizzly4 - 2012-08-30 07:44:00

That is lousy grizzly. ASB have always been great for us. Nothing is a probelm. I have 3 more days to go of no medication and then 3 days tests and I can then relax for awhile. Ho ho. Feeling ok which is just as well lol.Going down to see Mum for the weekend so that will be fun. It is colder there than Auckland so Mum says to bring my winter clothes. I have not got out of them ha ha.I just look at all the spring fashions in the shops and walk on by.

makerealbany - 2012-08-30 17:24:00

Yay it's Friday! It's been a particularly revolting week thanks to not feeling well and Westpac's attitude. I have had a response to my complaint but not satisfied with how they are fixing things yet. Apparently they will contact me again this evening. There goes date night but I told them not to contact me at work in case they upset me again. LOL.
I am working in the shop tomorrow morning then dinner at my son's. It will be a longer weekend as I have Monday off to pick up my daughter and her family from the Airport. They are returning from the Gold Coast from their honeymoon.

grizzly4 - 2012-08-31 07:18:00

Ha! my complaint worked, they have pulled their heads in and are admitting other mistakes have been made as well!!!!!
Would you believe I.'s surgeon is wanting to do a follow up 4 years after surgery!? Don't know whether that's usual or delayed because of the E/Qs or they just missed him. But we get to do that on Monday as well.

grizzly4 - 2012-09-01 07:43:00

Had a lovely morning in Lincraft today with a co-worker. She shopped for her programme and I prepared for the Women's group on Wednesday. We are making terracotta Santas! They have rearranged everything since my last visit and it looks great AND everything is priced. Such a pleasure after only having Spotlight for so long.

grizzly4 - 2012-09-02 18:42:00

Thinking of doing some quilling with the group next term but can't anyone selling the tools? Any advice?

grizzly4 - 2012-09-02 18:49:00

Ashfords had all the quilling stuff when Rochelle used to do it .
Will miss you at the patch tomorrow Grizzly , but looking forward to Wednesdays womans group

suzy59nz - 2012-09-02 20:26:00

And still Westpac don't get it right! Cannot believe it.

grizzly4 - 2012-09-04 06:56:00

Had a great weekend with Mum and 3 of my sisters. The Christening went well and the girls looked lovely. It was so nice to be in our old church for a nice happy service instead of a funeral. I really miss going to that Church. Price one pays when you leave home. Mum has been motoring along on the korowai she is making and so is my sister. I have been rather slow in that area. You really need to concentrate and what with one thing and another it is hard to do. Had my first test today so have two more days and then I can eat normal food yippee and take painkillers. Better still ha ha. My back is cranking along though so thats a blessing.

makerealbany - 2012-09-04 15:07:00

I have nearly finished crocheting the cotton rug. My fingers are spliting on the joints due to the arthritis but a bit of plaster and we are away again. ha ha. It is windy and raining again but I am still going down the road. Feel the need to meander. Won some nice soap on TM. My grandchildren just love the soap. They have an Antiques road show at the club this weekend and I might go for a browse and take something to be appraised.

makerealbany - 2012-09-05 09:22:00

Good luck. You might get offered a fortune! A much quieter evening this evening without the golf ball size hail hammering on the roof!LOL. We were out in the car to start with and I have a couple of dents in the roof they were landing that hard.

grizzly4 - 2012-09-05 19:00:00

Such a great group of women come to the Women's Group! We made Santa's using terracotta pots. As usual they got really into it. Very cool.

grizzly4 - 2012-09-06 07:35:00

What's everyone got planned for the weekend?
I did the banking for work yesterday and there's a christmas tree display up advertising the availability of credit cards to prepare for christmas which is only 16 weeks away. How irresponsible is that?! B8#%8 Westpac again.

grizzly4 - 2012-09-07 07:09:00

Having said that I am picking up my Christmas layby today. Main presents for the boys and I. all done.

grizzly4 - 2012-09-07 07:10:00

Good heavens you are really on to it with your xmas shopping grizzly. Good for you. It is our Inorganic Collection next week so A and I will be lugging things up to the gate for pickup. That will keep us flat out ha ha. Off to watch the Voice now. Babysitting Miss 4 and Mr nearly 2 while Mum is at a work do.

makerealbany - 2012-09-07 20:38:00

Hi, Like Barbrose, I have been surfing the thread and love it. There are so many clever people out there. I have 2 small craft stalls that were started by people like me who wanted an outlet that we could afford so we could continue to craft. Otherwise space becomes a problem. I make Tote bags, cards including paper tole, soft toys and jams and relishes( I call these crafts). I do agree that work gets in the way but it also funds my crafts, I will never be a millionare but should die happy. This is such a friendly, crafty, supportive thread. My best wishes also to Zoe. Thai11.

thai11 - 2012-09-08 18:38:00

On further reading, I am off to the Daffodil Fair in Carterton tomorrow. Steam train for transport, friend for company and craft stalls to peruse for ideas. Just hope the weather lets up as we have gales at present. Thai11

thai11 - 2012-09-08 18:42:00

I've just seen the reports of the weather the lower North Island has been getting today. Sounds nasty. Sunny here but a bit of a nip in the air and we've had a couple of showers, one of which happened when there wasn't a cloud in the sky.Having very weird weather lately. Family here today and I was struggling with the noise, all excited to see each other after a break of a couple of weeks, I guess. Enjoying the peace now, I have to say.
I actually ventured into Northlands Mall last night. First time since December last year but am desperate for jeans and black pants for work. I was ok but couldn't stay for long. Luckily found exactly what I wanted in Millers for only $48 - both sets of pants and a new top. Excellent deal.

grizzly4 - 2012-09-08 19:44:00

I sewed this morning and now have 2 fleece dressing gowns to take into the shop tomorrow. Very proud of my self especially as it means the dining table is clear now ! LOL.

grizzly4 - 2012-09-09 16:16:00

You clever girl grizzly. Well I spent the weekend hauling stuff out for the Inorganic collection. What a job. Every thing aches. Lots of stuff was hauled away and the trucks have not even arrived yet. Cleaning out under the house I found the replacement swing seats which my SIL swears he never saw. Still in their delivery bag and sealed. Duh.This collection happens once a year. In 7 years my SIL has never been home for it. Talk about the luck of the Irish. My girl and I have had a great cleanup. Little Miss 4 really told her Mum off for throwing out her broken toys. " How dare you throw out my stuff" She was hopping mad for about 10 mins. lol.

makerealbany - 2012-09-10 16:10:00

Hi thai11. Yes we never seem to have enough time to make all the things we want to. Hope you emjoyed the daffodil fair. Mine were dreadful this year. Hardly any flowers. Terrible weather conditions and too wet.

makerealbany - 2012-09-10 16:12:00

Your inorganic collection sounds like a great idea, makerealbany! Is it organised by your local council? It's those items that cost so much to take to the dump when they are not good enough to recycle.
The house my son's family had to leave after the Feb 'quake is still mostly standing and the car he was stripping down for parts is still in the garage so he went back to grab something over the weekend. The broken fridge they left in the house is gone but there is now a blue couch in the house that they didn't leave there! Slowly the houses are being cleared in that area. It was just a pretty spot by the river, he says it's really hard seeing it now deserted and seemingly forgotten.

grizzly4 - 2012-09-11 07:25:00

Yes the Council operates it and so they should. The rates up here are phenominal. Auckland is a very expensive place to live. The same property in another area would be half the price. I have not been to a dump because living in the country we always had a big tractor. Lol. We were always filling up areas to be grassed later. Lol about the blue couch grizzly. Maybe squatters or someone just dumping. It would be hard to see it all.

makerealbany - 2012-09-11 16:32:00

Stupid weather! Had to cancel our trip to go punting on the Avon today. The group is going out for coffee instead which will be fun but still disappointing.

grizzly4 - 2012-09-12 07:18:00

Freezing here today even with the sun out. Went down to the shops and kept my coat on the whole time. Mind you it is never warm enough in Pak and Save or the Warehouse. Came home and had a nap. Lol. Young J had his vacinations on Monday and has not been too good ever since. He still has high temps so we are constantly monitoring him. He had too have the vacines late because of the Kawasakis but because of what is in the vacinations he can have a relapse of the Kawasakis. Poor little fellow. Thank heavens he is a sturdy little boy now as he can't keep a thing down except water. He is nearly 2 would you believe? Shame about the punting on the Avon grizzly.

makerealbany - 2012-09-12 17:42:00

Stilly very chilly but at least the sun is shining. I have started a cardy in orange, bright green and purple panels of different patterns! Won't be losing the child who wears this. LOL.

grizzly4 - 2012-09-13 07:18:00

Good colours grizzly lol. It was a great day here today. I mowed all the lawns which had not been mowed for a month. Hard work but looks so much better and they have picked up all the rubbish. I have 2 grandchildren for a sleepover tonight so that will be entertaining. ha ha. Just dyed my hair and I stupidly got some in my eye. Mama mia was it painful? I finally managed to see well enought to find the eyedrops. What a relief. Still tingling though. Was going to sort out tiles for a mosaic project but cannot leave them around with the children so I will have to knit. Don't know what yet. Lol.

makerealbany - 2012-09-13 16:25:00

My washing machine has just stopped!!!! In mid cycle with I.'s muddy work clothes in it! Can't make it go at all. There's always something isn't there?

grizzly4 - 2012-09-14 07:24:00

Did you try kicking it???????????????? might not work but makes you feel better lol

suzy59nz - 2012-09-14 15:42:00

MMMMM..... Instead I got Saxons out within 2 hours and $80 later all fixed. $66 call out fee and the rest for the 5 minutes to show me how to trick the pump into working when the computer is telling it not too when there is too much mud on Ian's uniform LOL. Oh well, could have been worse I guess.

grizzly4 - 2012-09-14 19:10:00

K broke glass door on my wall unit, $175 to have it replaced and even though he broke it i had to do the ringing around to get it fixed. Think ill change is name to Gonna, as he is always gonna do things, I'll also get him a round tooit for christmas, as he seems to like saying "i was going to get around to it" everytime i fix something before him.

suzy59nz - 2012-09-15 12:27:00

Well grizzly now you know what to do if it happens again. That is the probelm with technology. Years ago We fixed most things ourselves but now!!!! Yes there is always something to drives us a bit crazy lol. I hate my daughters latest washing machine. Front loaders just do not seem to wring the clothes out enough. I always put the spin cycle which is only 10 mins on again after the load has finished. It is okay when the weather is fine but if you have to dry things in the drier it helps.

makerealbany - 2012-09-15 12:30:00

LOl, Suzy! K doesn't have to do it just like I, they have good women that will do a better job in a shorter space of time without breaking something else while fixing the first.! LLLLLLLOOOOOOOOLLLLLLL.

grizzly4 - 2012-09-15 19:30:00

It is raining again
I now have my new ipad and am trying to work out how to use it right. Just got back from my son's and bubs threw up everywhere. A is worn out with it all. Today the Doc says she thinks he has caught Whooping cough from the vacines. No wonder people are relunctant to immunize their children. Well both kids are fast asleep and I am in my little pad wondering if I can be bothered cooking myself some tea. I am not even hungry but I need to eat so I had better cook something.

makerealbany - 2012-09-16 19:59:00

grizzly4 wrote:

LOl, Suzy! K doesn't have to do it just like I, they have good women that will do a better job in a shorter space of time without breaking something else while fixing the first.! LLLLLLLOOOOOOOOLLLLLLL.

lol grizzly you got that in a nut shell, couldnt have put it better mysellf

suzy59nz - 2012-09-16 22:47:00