You can never have enough...

[Oh_hunnihunni]

I bought myself some sashiko needles from The Ribbon Rose, and though they took a fortnight to get here I am delighted with them. They just float through the denim and their larger golden eyes are an easy thread, which helps a lot. They might even help me develop more even stitches, certainly can't hurt!

[kiwimade64]

morning ladies Showers and more rain this afternoon. The rain is very welcome.

Lovely photos, popeye. I wouldn't worry about the shirt, it's whose inside it that matters.

Having the right tools for the job makes all the difference, eh, OHH. Whether it's gardening tools or our crafting tools. Same principle applies. What secateurs did you get Lilith? I've given up looking for mine and suspect I have accidently swept them up with garden waste and thrown them out. Isn't the first time and won't be the last. They need to be fluro coloured I think. MrK has a Dremel and sharpens our knives, secateurs, loppers and so on. His sisters bring him their knives and secateurs to be sharpened too. I just won't let him touch my heavy sewing scissors or embroidery scissors. There's a knife shop in a mall in Tauranga that sharpens them for me when needed.

I had to laugh at your comment mica, about giving birth to the falcon. It sure feels that way at times lol.

oohh the sun's coming out I might just be able to get outside to weed for a bit after all. There's not many weeds but if I can keep on top of it, there's less in the spring and summer.

Happy crafting

[Mica]

Morning all
Overczst and muggy here expecting rain later today

The k9s are determined to get us up at 6.15 every morning. Ha when I say us I give DH a poke and he feeds them and brings me tea and toast in bed then I read for a bit

Yesterday collecting package for DD took better part of the morning I was quite tired in the afternoon my trainer at the gym worked me harder than usual so my batteries were a bit run down.

A sewing friend had a visitor staying and she popped over to see the Janome 3000P coverstitch as she is thinking of buying one she will have a wait as I don't think there are any in the country at the mo. Always nice to talk things sewing with a like minded sewist.

Volunteer day today might get a cardi made for me this afternoon we will see.

Love seeing photos that are being posted

Have a good day

[popeye333]

Morning everyone

Oops slept in a bit this morning... I had the fan on again yesterday lol.. And its certainly not cold at the mo.

Its overcast here but I hope it stays fine. Bobbie is out for her eye appointment today and I hope she enjoys her big day out She has been excited for a couple of weeks.

Mind you in saying that Im looking forward to going out next week. I haven't been any further than Pukekohe for a nearly a year. Time for the mammogram and see the cardiologist. Then all the health jobs will be done lol I might leave a bit earlier and just take my time and notice the changes.

Im going to get some more stuff out to list today I think, I put cookbooks up late yesterday just to help clear stuff. They get a few days and if they dont go ill take them to the oppie.

Have a fab day everyone

[Lilith7]

Very cheap secateurs are what I got this time, Kiwimade - the last ones were more expensive & haven't really lasted well so we'll see how el cheapo goes instead.

Strange day here - forecast was for heavy rain all day but hung out washing & mowed dreaded back lawn & still not a drop - but its definitely going to sooner or later, hopefully after our walk, although given my stunning luck it'll probably wait till we just get down the street before it starts. I sometimes wonder if there isn't some bugger up there, going 'oh look, she's off for a walk - quick turn on the tap!'

[Roma]

Good morning all.

Lovely warm day here  ... maybe some rain later.

Keeping busy with the family coming and going. Managed a trip over the range to visit the 'olds' the other day noting how dry it is in the Waikato, our old stamping ground.

The jacket looks great OHH and that was a lovely happy photo in the garden Popeye.

I too have lost several secateurs to the garden or garden debris KM, very frustrating when they just don't want to be found after a thorough search   My current ones are these ... I find very good ...  https://store.pggwrightson.co.nz/lwe-1-a...teur-00492
I've tried el cheapo and more expensive! Good to have 'someone' to keep them sharpened 

Better get moving before the family appear after lunch.

Enjoy the day.

[kiwimade64]

Those secateurs look great, roma. I had forgotten all about PG Wrightsons, we have one in town too. Haha Lilith, where were you when we had that long dry spell lol... could have used your 'luck'! We're supposed to have heavy rain this afternoon but we have wind and sunshine instead.

[kiwimade64]

morning ladies Another wet day today but it's really calm. Not a breath of wind this morning.

The bridge which caused a road closure for three months has been repaired and the road reopened so our road doesn't have quite so many trucks going by. We still have a lot though. I suspect the roundabout they whipped up overnight when the road closure happened (to control the extra traffic) will be permanent and I also suspect the school where a lot of truckies were taking a shortcut will be breathing a sigh of relief after the holidays. Now all they have to do is start the round about at the other end of our road. I think they are still going through the land buyout process.

Yesterday I stitched for an hour or so and to look at the falcon, you wouldn't think I had done anything. But the back of his head is done and I'm working under the eye and back up towards the beak. His beak is interesting as there are at least four colour changes and it's the colour changes that give the beak it's dimensional look.

Housework as usual for me today, it will be challenge to get any washing dry but tomorrows another day.

Happy crafting

[popeye333]

Morning everyone

Very calm here too but the sun is out , so far.

Amazing what a slight change in roading can do. When we came here we didn't have any round abouts, now we have 2 permanent and one that was meant to be temporary but I somehow think they might leave it there.. On the trip to Papakura is a massive one, that I haven't seen for a year. MrP says its pretty much finished but they need to do the lights and planting. Ill see it next week. It was a nasty busy bend .

Had a miserable sore day yesterday, I just didn't want to be zoned out too much so the pain meds stayed in the jar. Im my own worst enemy sometimes but I wasn't doing anything so I chose not to take them lol.

Have to iron MrPs shirt this morning, do my bloods, get gas before it goes back up at midday and go see the trouble makers lol

Sounds like your stitching is coming along nicely Kiwimade.

Have a fab day everyone

[Mica]

Morning all
Rain overnight bright overcastvthis morning and not cold.

Got my cardi cut out so will whizz that up today.
 Got builder coming today to do a few maintaince jobs like replacing a weather board  etc .

DD dog obviously felt unwell and decided to barf on our bed this morning so have white quilted duvet cover to wash - it was washed on Monday! And all over a quilt and on floor  Quilt is in machine as I type I am just hoping the white fabric of thr quilt isn't permanently stained gave it a scrub with sard soap. The duvet covet should be fine the affect bit is soaking in napisan.

Knitted another sock last night with contrast rib, heel and toe fiddly but looks good. Just got the 2nd one to knit now never as exciting and knitting the first.

Have a good day

[Oh_hunnihunni]

I had success using a Vanish solution sponged onto the cat upchuck stain on my beautiful winter weight quilt mica. It is a king size on my double bed and having just washed it, got it dry and had it on the bed for a few hours I was very loathe to repeat the process on a day that was already damp and showery. Fortunately the beast did the crime in daylight and I was able to get to her and the results in time to minimise the problem, but I was delighted to discover that product actually worked wonders. It being a regular event around here.

Last night she went berserk at 5am, bouncing off walls and scrabbling the wooden floor, sounded like a herd of elephants at one stage, and all for nought
on the health front, so I put her outside and went back to sleep, cats are such weird creatures at times. It might have been the humidity getting to her, it certainly is getting to me and I don't wear a fur coat year round. Whatever it was that cool night air was a lovely calming thing for us both, I was tempted to put myself out there with her...

[Lilith7]

This morning i went on a mission to buy a new bra - only to find that the 'padded plague' is with us again. Although of course they don't call it that - oh no, its called 'contoured.'
Last seen in the around the 90's they're once again everywhere, & the only ones I could find not padded were either the wrong size or, an exorbitant price which my ancestry rebelled at; the day I pay $60 for a bra has yet to dawn!

Its a good thing I had a mask on because the discovery caused an outbreak of swearing like a trooper, albeit quietly. Came home very annoyed & slightly grumpy but then it occurred to me that TM might be worth a look, & indeed it was - success at last, I hope.

[kiwimade64]

morning ladies Once the fog clears it's going to be a beautiful day.

Lilith, the Warehouse sell bras too and have (or used to) the Hickory brand which are slightly padded and very pretty. $60 for a bra is ridiculous! And I also find masks quite useful for muttering under my breath lol. I dread the day when we won't need them and I'm caught out lol.

Yesterday I decided seeing as I was changing the bed sheets, I would turn the mattress around and while there, vacum the dead spiders and flies where I normally can't reach unless the mattress has been moved. I wish I could post the video I took of the Furry One 'helping'. I posted it on FB but I don't want to link my FB page to here. He grabbed the hose and shook and shook it as if it was a rabbit he had caught. Then dropped it and walked away as if to say, my work here is done. The mattress change led to pulling out all the furniture and dusting and vacuming behind it all. So that's one room 'done'.

Our four legged furry critter was in the ceiling again last night but he was near the bait. I know bait isn't the most humane way but we have tried traps and he (or she) is pretty cunning.

I'm hoping to get some stitching done at some stage today. Am still working on the beak. In my head I have an idea of how to stitch it, now to put that idea into action. It's been unpicked twice

The Furry One is up which means MrK is up and about There's no point in either of them getting up in the cold and they wait until the heat pump has kicked in. And there's the bottom of my coffee cup. That comes round quick!

Stay safe on the roads this long weekend if you are out and about.

Happy crafting

[Mica]

Morning all
 Not a cloud in the sky and very nippy outdoors snug as a bug inside tho. Going to be a lovely sunny day.

Terriers are so funny when they 'kill' things like the vacuum and their toys.

The builder turned up yesterday and started the repair of the boards that needed replacing and a couple of other wee jobs. We jumped his queue because we had the materials to do the job. Now DH will have a small painting job to do.

Got cardi sewn and looked through my patterns for overalls for DGD, found a dress pattern that I might try out for me. Spent a bit of time cruising the fabric store websites looking at fabric

Had DGS late afternoon while his dad played squash and DD, DSIL & DGD turned up 4.30 so we had a house full cheese and crackers and dip out for a lovely impromptu get together poor DIL stuck at work.

Not sure what I will do today after chores and getting dinner into the slow cooker.

Have a good day

[popeye333]

Morning everyone,

Terriers are soo cute lol... Hearts of a lion in a tiny body lol..

Sunny here too and a tad chilly...

Housework for me too. Well clothes to put away, dishwasher to fill and the recycles to get out.. Have had pain meds, so thats possibly as much as I will get done. But Ill be pleased to have that sorted.

I spoilt myself yesterday. After putting gas in the car and doing my bloods I still had 45 minutes to kill before seeing MrP. So I went to the oppy as they had a half price sale.

Came home with 5 matching, like new cushions in red with white and grey stripes. Perfect for my bedroom as red and white is my colour theme and the carpet is grey. So Ill have to decide if I want to fluff around moving cushions night and morning or if Ill put them on the red couch in there... I suspect the couch will win cos I can see them there in my mind. Got them half price even tho the furniture department wasn't in the sale. So the grand sum of $10 for 5 cushions.

I got told off for talking to a lady who had called out hello to me yesterday.... yeah petty but It would have been cos she was one of the ladies who complained.. Then while there a lady fell in the dining room.. I looked out of MrPs room to see her laying on the floor trying to hold her head up while 2 carers were standing there doing Nothing... I went into the linen cupboard across from MrPs room and grabbed a blanket. I rolled it as I walked up to the lady. And there not much further than 2 meters away from her was a pillow on a chair. And the two carers stood there doing nothing. I said get that pillow and get it under her head now... !!!!.

Other staff arrived and what they did next appalled me... they didn't check her over or anything, just grabbed her and rolled her onto her back. Her cry was horrendous. I had to leave. But when I got home I rang the Ministry or health and told them what they had done.

Older people have brittle bones, she could have broken her hip or shoulder or anything.. Did they get the ambulance... MrP dosent think so.

I also heard back from our local MP.. useless. He spoke to the rest home, they told him they would improve things and he was done with it.
So Over the weekend I will do a very long email and send it to the Minister for elder people and see if I can get help there.

As much as I know I couldn't look after MrP or Bobbie cos I couldn't leave her there. I Sooo want to get them out of there.
Im worried someone will die from mistreatment before anything can happen. The MOH did tell me along with their 3 yearly Audit they do do an unannounced inspection so I can live in hope.

I never saw the manager at all. She gets others to do her dirty work.

Ive asked MrP to get Bobbie to introduce him to Colleen who is the one that has been complaining for 4 years, so that we can pass notes... Its going to be the only way to not get caught. And they cant stop me from saying hello to the ladies that gather in the dining room at least.

Sorry for the rant, its just soo bloody shocking...

Have a fab day everyone and please be careful on the roads.

[Lilith7]

Kiwimade - its SO good to know I'm not the only one muttering & swearing behind the mask!
I'll be looking more carefully at older women in masks from now on!

You've no need to apologise Popeye; that place sounds appalling. Disgraceful that those employed did nothing until you got involved in helping the woman who'd fallen. I hope you can manage to get them to change for the better, & if the MOH does a surprise visit at the right moment that may well happen.

[Oh_hunnihunni]

Be good if you could get in touch with the other activists, and join forces. The local paper might get interested then and it is harder to bully a group into silence than it is to shut down individuals. United we stand, divided we fall and all that stuff.

Plus you need to have some support - it must be hell trying to pull this lot into some kind of professionalism on your own.

So keep venting. We can't help much, but we do care.

[Lilith7]

Be good if you could get in touch with the other activists, and join forces. The local paper might get interested then and it is harder to bully a group into silence than it is to shut down individuals. United we stand, divided we fall and all that stuff.

Plus you need to have some support - it must be hell trying to pull this lot into some kind of professionalism on your own.

So keep venting. We can't help much, but we do care.

I wonder what might happen if say, an undercover reporter happened to get a job there, could prove interesting...

[popeye333]

I admit it has been hard especially if Im not feeling well.. But Im getting there.

Spoke to MrP before. They really are sucking up. They took MrP and Bobbie out for a walk and let them put the crosses and Poppies out in the garden.

He also reported that the lady who fell was in the dining room today playing skittles and was in good spirits. They gave her a good check up. Im still concerned tho, if she has simply cracked a bone they're not going to know.

Bobbie is going to introduce MrP to Colleen so we can pass notes.

MrPs previous carer is going to Visit. She actually used to work there years ago, before the manager who is there now started. She will make notes too. She is high up in the carer company that she works for.

They had pork potatoes and carrots for lunch today and he had poached eggs for tea again. Tomorrow is usually roast day.

[kiwimade64]

morning ladies Another fine start to the day but rain this afternoon I think. It's getting chillier and we had the heat pump on last evening.

That poor woman, popeye. I bet she's bruised and sore today. You don't move someone whose fallen. Anyone, regardless of age. If they can get up, you let them as it's often safer and easier for them to get up by themselves and ask for your help if needed. But to stand around and do nothing is disgusting. At least call an ambulance and sit with her until they arrive. I agree with OHH, time to bring in the media big guns.

I've embroidered the beak Not perfect but I'm over unpicking lol. Today I'll work back from the beak towards the eye and the head will be 'done'. Will be nice to use different yellows instead of greys and browns. Then I can start defining the feathers on the chest and work my way down.

There is no local ANZAC service tomorrow so we will commemorate our soldiers in other ways. I have a great uncle from my birth family who fought at Gallipoli and I suspect mum's uncle fought too as I remember seeing his name on the memorial wall at the Auckland museum before we were married. I need to talk to family about that before it's too late to ask.

Lest we forget.