You can never have enough...

[Lilith7]

Mist here first thing, didn't clear for ages but eventually hung out the exciting washing, couldn't do any weeding though as it tipped down last night. Good thing too as I didn't feel like digging again today.

[popeye333]

Was a lovely day until we were on our way home

It totally poured down. Had to have the wipers on full speed.

But we had fun. I tried on some Jeggings.. biggest and next size down ok on my legs but the tops just foled over and slipped down. Even smaller would have been too tight on the legs.

But got a skirt which could double as a dress over tights, another frock and a knitted top.

Had a lovely lunch. Am full but not so full I feel sick. I see no sense in eating so much that you feel sick.

Home and resting now. will help pack my friends car and then it wont matter if its raining tomorrow.

[kiwimade64]

morning ladies Sun's out again, please let it stay this time.

We got caught in the torrential downpour yesterday lol and were soaked through so a quick hot shower sorted that. Just as I finished showering our friend who mows lawns and does gardens called in with a huge trailer load of mulch wanting to know if I wanted it. It was too wet to take his ute and trailer in where he would normally dump it and besides, the mulch was just too good to dump. Yes please says me so he dumped it on the front berm then his truck got stuck anyway lol. We ended up towing him off the lawn and getting wet through again lol. So a fun late afternoon lol. Today there is three square meters of mulch to move so please, please, please, let the day stay dry as I can't get to it until this afternoon. I am soooo glad I weeded last week, must have known something so that is one thing I don't have to do as I mulch.

Shopping sounds fun, popeye. And lovely you could catch up with your friend.

Still no embroidery for me, life has taken over the last few days. Not worried as it will be there when I'm ready

Happy crafting

[Venetian1]

Not sure what the weather is planning here -itÔÇÖs a mixture of various coloured clouds and patches of blue.

Off to weekly childrenÔÇÖs group this am then heading to Hamilton for a couple of days to catch up with family. ┬áBe nice to get some decent weather while there but by comments on here IÔÇÖve packed for mixed weather.┬á

[Mica]

---

Morning all
Another dreary overcast day, heavy downpour overnight

DH has appts today so I will be whizzing him here and there

Got to complete online course this week to so will be in office for a few hours

Knitting group tonight 

Enjoy the sun if you have it

[popeye333]

Morning Everyone

Its sunny and cool here this morning.

Wow Kiwimade that would be like Christmas to you having a trailer full of mulch. Bit like Key Stone Cops for your afternoon lol.

My friend goes home today, so its going to be very quiet here again. But Ill be pleased of some earlier nights.

Ill go see Mr Grumpy once she has gone. He was not happy that we went to a restaurant for lunch without him. But it had stairs for a start and Im not dealing with his urgent toiletries.

This trip was about our happiness. My friend lives alone too. But she has a very busy social life.

I have to admit Im keeping a watch on myself. That's the first time I've been anywhere with so many people not wearing masks. But they did have people spaced out well. So Ill watch for any symptoms.

I have an inspection next week and am Hoping the ground will dry up enough to mow the lawn Finally lol

I need to try and motivate myself to do some craft again.

Have a fab day all

[Roma]

Good morning all. 

Lovely day looming,  so will be sure to enjoy it. 

Busy yesterday with grandie duties. GD had a cold last week so it's my turn this week ... not what I really want having not long got over Covid - roll on summer and fewer bugs around! Hope to get outside for another spot of weeding, pick up a library book that's been on hold and whatever else crops up.

Nice for you to have had a friend to entertain Popeye. Is always good to have your space back again as well 

That load of mulch will be well utilised KM. Our vege raised gardens are sinking and we'll have to get a load of 'something' to top up. Miss rural life for that reason ... topsoil/organic material was readily available. 

Enjoy the day.

[Oh_hunnihunni]

I had broccoli from the garden for dinner last night. The night time munchers are playing merry hell with the leaves but the flower heads were fine, so not a total waste of time. That and some spinach leaves went down rather well with my Manager's Special' lamb loin chops. I'm leaving the plants in for a bit longer to get any side shoots that might come on, but that bit of the garden is destined for three potted blueberry bushes, each of which is covered in flowers, so I might actually get homegrown blueberries this year. That'd be a first for this gardener! I bought the plants on TM from a local guy who had put in a row down his drive and run out of room for this last three, so not only were they going for a song but he delivered them as well. Perfect trade.

[kiwimade64]

Roma, next time you come over this way, bring a trailer and call into Daltons.  They will do one big tractor scoop (about a third of a meter I think)of garden mix for around $80.  Much cheaper than buying the 20 liter bags.

[Roma]

Thanks for that KM, we were regular customers of the Matamata branch in the past. That reminded me we have a Daltons outlet over here. I've just rung them and a trailer load of compost is $70, garden mix $80, so now we know how/where to top up 

OHH blueberries are the easiest shrubs to grow and SO prolific once established. Just remember to cover them with netting once the berries are green and growing .... the birds also LOVE them!

[Oh_hunnihunni]

I will put netting on next weeks shopping list - might keep the neighbours off them too with luck. We have a couple of freeloaders in the village, shameless scroungers they are, lol.

I just scored a little air compressor gun on TM to take care of my tyres, save me prevailing on the generosity of the lovely local bike guy. Only some ratbag tried to outbid me the sod, cost me an extra tenner, lol. Never mind - I have enough left over to buy my coffee tomorrow, it has been a great spend up week with a couple of wicked fritterings on seedlings and potted Christmas lilies to go in my deck pots when the spring bulbs fade. Who needs groceries when the garden starts to come back to life?

[Lilith7]

I will put netting on next weeks shopping list - might keep the neighbours off them too with luck. We have a couple of freeloaders in the village, shameless scroungers they are, lol.

I just scored a little air compressor gun on TM to take care of my tyres, save me prevailing on the generosity of the lovely local bike guy. Only some ratbag tried to outbid me the sod, cost me an extra tenner, lol. Never mind - I have enough left over to buy my coffee tomorrow, it has been a great spend up week with a couple of wicked fritterings on seedlings and potted Christmas lilies to go in my deck pots when the spring bulbs fade. Who needs groceries when the garden starts to come back to life?

That really annoys me - if I'm bidding on something that clearly means that I want it, so just beetle off!

I once had to go up to around $45 for a kids book; it was one eldest granddaughter remembered (now out of print) which she could remember me reading to her & she wanted it to read to her kids & my copy had already been bagsed by a cousin.


Got the dreaded shopping out of the way & then planted a few tomato seeds from last season in pots to sit inside on windowsill encased in plastic bags until they sprout - I hope. Tried a slightly different method of saving seed for some this time so it should be interesting to see how it goes.

For anyone who remembers Netherworld dancing toys or When the cat's away, Margaret Urlich died today at only 57.

[Oh_hunnihunni]

The first present I ever organised for my newborn grandson in Perth, was an Amazon purchase of a book I had read to his Mum at least once a week for years - I can still quote pages of it from memory. It is a delightful book...

https://www.publishersweekly.com/978-0-689-31392-9

[Lilith7]

The first present I ever organised for my newborn grandson in Perth, was an Amazon purchase of a book I had read to his Mum at least once a week for years - I can still quote pages of it from memory. It is a delightful book...

https://www.publishersweekly.com/978-0-689-31392-9

It looks gorgeous - imo, illustrations are so very important for kids as well as the story. Years ago while doing a graphics course I came across an American couple, Leo & Diane Dillon who met at art school, married & worked together on various things including book illustrations. I eventually managed to get one or two of their books secondhand - one from a Canadian library of all places.



https://www.illustrationhistory.org/arti...ane-dillon


https://www.penguinrandomhouse.ca/books/...0553507805

[kiwimade64]

morning ladies Another busy day here for us.

As an ex teacher I can tell you illustrations are so important for children when it comes to reading. It helps them to unpack the story. I would go through the pictures with them first asking them to tell me what they thought the story was about. This gives them clues to unknown words and helps them figure it out. Then after we have read the story, we reflect on their first interpretations of the pictures and see how accurate they were. The cover is also important. The picture on the cover is always in the story and leads into discussion of the author and illustrator. When it came to writing their own stories, I would always tell them they were authors and illustrators, even if it was only one sentence. I have a passion for teaching reading and those 'light bulb' moments were awesome. Especially when a child would click that they too, could write stories and it wasn't 'other people'.

Only a quarter of the mulch was moved yesterday. No time for it today so hopefully tomorrow. I need to get it off the grass before it builds up heat and kills the grass.

Happy crafting

[popeye333]

Morning everyone

Looks calm out there at the mo.

Last time I was a nanny I loved reading to the little lad and his baby sister. He couldn't get over the fact that I was happy to take 5 minutes to read and talk about the book before I took him to school. He loved it and it also meant he knew if he got ready faster we had more time to read.

MrP can't read and refuses to learn... And I found myself helping my friend the other night when she was writing up some stuff for her craft group.
She asked how to spell Jumpers and without even thinking I said Sound it out. Shocked myself and her but she got it. Another who thinks she can't so wont try.

I couldn't imagine a life without reading as much in every day stuff and books. I seldom sleep without reading at least an hour before I turn my light out at night.

Saw Mr Grumpy yesterday. He sat mumbling in his chair, talking to his feet. Told him unless he put his head up I couldn't hear and he knows it. Was happy to eat his cheesecake.

He was not happy that we had gone out to a restaurant without him. And then went to go to the toilet and he can barely walk. And missed so I pressed the call bell and let them clean him up. Its not my job now.

I pointed out that that is why I wont take him anywhere. He was sulking cos I had a good weekend without him.

And I dont feel guilty... I've decided to go to Thames tomorrow. I grew up there. And have the need to go to the cemetery and have a visit. Although I might not be able to go down to my sisters and nephews plot. I cant remember if it is just a path or has stairs.

Then Ill drive around and see how much is changed. Go to Goldfields mall for lunch and pop into Pak n save if I need anything.

This is totally not me. I normally would think its a waste of petrol, but I just need a trip. And Im not taking MrP cos then Id be sitting with his smelly nappy pants.

The ladies loved my new Jumper yesterday, its more coral colour than red. But its bat wing and has a band around the bottom. Which I would not normally wear in my past body. But I love it .

Might Cut my toy pattern out later...

Have a fab day everyone

[Mica]

morning all
scattered cloud blustery wind with a chill factor.

Cant beat having lots of books to read,  love reading books to the GKs. Now that I am retired I read books again didnt read for pleasure much in past few years due to reading all day at work. got to monitor myself - timers on etc as once I get my nose in a book not much else gets done 

no firm plans for today - DH planning on driving again which is good for me so will take him for a test drive in my car he sold his 3 years ago as he knew he wouldn't be able to drive for a year after brain surgery.

First lot of my fabric haul from last week in the washing machine , it will be good to get it all washed and rolled onto boards then I can play.
need to quilt is pulling at me  so might whip up a baby quilt this afternoon.

Have a good day

[Roma]

Good morning.

Another fine day ahead.

We got that trailer load of compost KM ... a bit dearer than Matamata price, but that's ok, job done! Lucky that DH offloaded into the vege boxes ... there was a time when the least busy person was me for that job!

Reading is such a great way to unwind and in children to calm down and settle as well. Our grandies all love books as did their parents ... always a good idea for gift buying! I also read every night before sleep ... always have.

How is your wee GD doing Mica? Our son and partner will be in countdown mode in no time!

Good on you doing as you please Popeye.

Grocery shopping shortly with no other plan in place other than shift the last of the compost into my big flower planters for a top-up.

Enjoy the day all.

[Oh_hunnihunni]

I love your burst of rebellion Popeye, you go for it! I made a life choice a few years back when the last of my family responsibilities faded away - from now on I will do as I please, and have the courage to say No when I need to. So far so good. It certainly lowers the stress levels - most of the time, though occasionally sticking to it is harder than caving in to someone else's wishes. It does come with consequences though, lol, but I think they are worth it.

My news of the day is discovering there is a pet carrier that actually fits onto a mobility scooter, so I have bought it and it will be delivered in a week or so. That will make the inevitable vet visits much easier to manage for herself and me. Not overpriced either which is a good thing.

And today is scooting day, so I better get organised...

[popeye333]

Thanks OHH

All my life I have done for others.

My parents first then MrP.. And its come the time if I dont do things I want to do. It simply wont happen.

The bonus of not eating is not having to buy much so Ill get a few little trips in now and then.

Now that I dont need any more clothes for a while, I can play as I like.

Oops I told MrP there were some Ukulele players going there this morning. Its tomorrow, so Ill ring him shortly.

And the bonus is I wont feel guilty about not ringing him tomorrow morning lol