What a Great Day

I had a wonderful day.

Today was the Christmas Party of my Craft group. Five of us met here at my place and I drove us out to Barb's in my car arriving around 9.30am.

We had coffee, nibblies, talk and laughter until the rest of the goup turned up. We then had coffee, nibblies, talk and laughter until lunchtime with a little bit of hand sewing thrown in for good luck.

Lunch was supplied by all of us. We each bought something savoury and something sweet and we had oodles and oodles of food. After filling our tummies which really didn't need anymore after coffee and nibblies we then handed out the pressies. An executive decision was made (by all of us) to exchange fat ¼'s this year, which made the pressie buying very easy. Each small parcel was numbered and then each person was given a number. You got the pressie with your number. Would you believe no-one got their own!... and then we played some games. What a hoot!

First game:- we were given a length of knitting cotton - about a ½ metre and we had to cast on 6 stitches and knit as many rows as we could until we ran out of cotton, sounds easy - try doing it on toothpicks.

Second game:- made up two teams of equal numbers and each team had one orange which they had to pass from team member to member without using their hands or feet. They kept the orange under their chins. Talk about laugh! Nobody won that one - the oranges were dropped.

Third game:- Two bowls sitting on two chairs, one bowl was filled with cotton balls and beside it lay a dessert spoon. On the other chair was an empty bowl. One at a time each person was blindfolded and led over to the bowl containing the cotton balls and with one hand behind our backs we had to use the spoon to lift out the cotton balls and place them in the empty bowl. I nearly peed myself. The bowls were moved, the chairs were moved, the bowls were emptied. Laugh!!!

Cup of coffee time and yes some more nibblies and then we headed for home, arriving back at my place just before 5.30pm.

Sue brought two divine dishes - one was lemon and lime balls, same idea as rum balls but so refreshing, they all disappeared in double quick time, but she has promised the recipe, something like coconut milk, lemon and lime zest and a couple of other things - Yummy!!! The other dish was rich, rich, rich. Chocolate coated truffles. Melt in your mouth delish.

What a wonderful day!

6 Sleeps

My #2 grandaughter - Skyelah just told me that's all it is until Santa comes. Here I am trying to get everything ready for Xmas Day forgetting the most important thing in the children's eyes. Ian and I received a pressie from Skyelah in the mail today - a lollipop each!

But wait there's more ---

#2 daughter - Robyn has just told me some fantastic news ----- she's had an oooops, all the years they have been together and never had one before. Well they say there's always a first time. To think Scott was talking last week about having a vasectomy, bit too late. Yep you guessed it - another baby on the way. I'm so thrilled. Here I was thinking that my last grandchild would be born in 8weeks or less and now I have another on the way due sometime in August. YEAH!!!

Went and saw Dr. Debbie (the chiropractor) again today, each visit the pain is a little less and the pins and needles are less frequent. Now instead of slouching to get rid of them I have to sit up straight and shrug my shoulders. I don't care what I have to do to make the visit to the neurosurgeon go away. Dr Debbie did warn me that my neck is at the operable stage and she may not be able to do much. I don't want her to make it new again, just painless. So far, fingers crossed, whatever she is doing is working.

Catching Up

Lorraine just emailed and said I'm slack with my blogspot, so I thought I had better catch you up on my doings. Guilty as charged.

Got all the Chrissy cards made and posted those that had to be. For the last week I have been searching for my Xmas box, it has all my decorations, Sir Cedric, Santa and The Xmas Tree. Searched high and low, Ian even looked up in the shed because he thought he had taken the box and put it up there - Nope! Finally found it up on top of the wardrobe on the front sleepout. Now I won't tell you that over the past week I have been lifting this box up to retrieve packets of x-rays. Nope definitely won't tell you that!! What I will say is I now have my Xmas decorations up and Sir Cedric is sitting pride of place on the lounge and my Xmas Tree (all 18" of it) is decorated and looking beautiful on the fireplace.

On Thursday we had our Xmas party at art. We are still getting together next week but one of our ladies will be in Sydney, so we partied a week early. We all took a pressie to the value of $5 and it had to be art related. I bought two small shapes one was a heart and the other was an oval. The recipient (Aileen, the lady going to Sydney) will be able to paint a landscape, floral, or anything her little heart desires on the front of these. I received a rectangle to paint with a page of carbon and an art eraser, it erases carbon, so should be good for all my mistakes.

Finally got up enough courage to phone the Chiropractor to make an appointment, the only spot they had was 3.30 that afternoon. So into Bundy with a bag full of courage, have never been to one before and definitely wasn't going to let anyone crack my neck. Dr. Debbie Ball doesn't crack, she uses a gun and shoots you instead! Well it actually looks like a large metal needle without the needle, I think they call it an activator, well whatever they call it - it works! Doesn't hurt. The first session resulted in 5 minutes without pins and needles and my second session yesterday was even better. No pins and needles for 15minutes and now when I get them I just straighten my shoulders and they cease immediately. The pain down my left arm is just the same, hopefully the cessation of that will come next. Three more appointments next week and hopefully I'll be able to tell the surgeon to go fly a kite. One thing Dr. Debbie did tell us was that my neck is at the stage where they do the operation, so that was just thrilling to hear.

We have a storm on the way, it's thundering out on the southern side of the house, so will end for now and catch up tomorrow. Have lots more to tell.

Chrissy time a-comin'

Up late tonight, trying to get my Xmas cards made. Today was craft day, where I meet with like minded ladies and we merrily sew while talking and laughing. Some of us do handwork and a few bring their sewing machines along to finish articles. We usually get there around 9am and finish anywhere between 1 and 2 pm. Next week is our Christmas party and we will meet here at my home at 8.45am and travel out to Barbs' in 2 cars where we will frolic all day. I'm a designated driver so I will only be drinking 1 rum and coke.

This is a photo of my lounge room taken from the kitchen doorway, having just finished painting the picture rail. That area used to be in one of the guest bedrooms. Originally when the house was built back 85+yrs ago this room was part of the lounge/dining. We have just put it back. Now if I can get it to work right I'll put it in the middle of the page.

Nope this is where it wants to sit - and who am I to argue with that logic.

The vet called this afternoon, Molly has finished her 5 days of treatment, she is looking decidely better, still not 100% but good enough to come home for a week. We have to take her back on the 20/12 for another blood test to check her lead levels. She has been on sick little puppy. I checked up on pet insurance, they cover up to $500 on each claim, don't cover the annual needles, nothing that is existing and it will cost $50 per year per animal. I'm not sure what we will do yet, we have until the 30th to make up our minds.

This afternoon I put the second coat of paint on the windowsills on the verandah, I might have to put another coat on there yet. I'll check in the morning as to how it looks. If its ok I still have to mask up the rest of the picture rail in the lounge and hallway so that I can finish that area. I have to make up my mind as to what colour - if different- I will paint the door trims. So far all trims have been painted the same as the walls only in a gloss.

Scan

Yesterday I finished painting the front wall on the verandah and today I painted the windowsills. The walls are Dulux Regency White (they are cream, I don't know who names them but boy they are way out) and the windowsill is Headland (the old Tuscany Red) I'll take a photo tomorrow and post it here so you can all see.
We had showers off and on all morning so the 4 loads of washing went into the dryer.
This afternoon I went with Kate into Bundaberg to help look after Dylan while she had her 31 week scan, also to make sure that it's a little girl in there. Dylan was a livewire as usual, thank goodness he didn't get near the scanner and computer or we would have been in a hell of a pickle. Apparently is has happened in the past where little ones have become a little too adventerous and pulled the plug. Luckily Dylan wasn't one of those! We saw the baby and everthing is fine and now we know why Kate feels she is getting kicked in the fanny all the time. Baby's feet are down there and everytime she kicks out - well you get the idea. Baby is is the feet breech position at the moment. Would you believe that because of the baby's position the doctor couldn't actually 98% positively say that it's a girl. But he did say that nothing there made him think it is a boy. Helpful!!
We then had a short stop at their accountant where Dylan again ran amok. He didn't actually do anything wrong - just ran around in circles yelling at the top of his voice - like most active 17months olds.
Did a small spot of grocery shopping and started looking for my bangles - I would like to leave my grandaughters a bangle each when I pass over. So far there's 3 and hopefully no.4 on the way. That's ok I don't mind having 4 solid gold bangles.

Santa Fair

This is a photo of me holding Dylan, my youngest grandson. Last night Ian and I with Kate, Pete and Dylan went to the local showgrounds where the Apex club held a Santa Fair for the kids of the district. It was free entry, the rides were a once only cost of $7.50 per child or $20 for 3 kids. For that price they got an armband and with this they could ride any ride or all rides all night - no limit. Food and grog were available and the food wasn't expensive either. Santa arrived around 7pm and children under 7yrs received a free gift. Kate and Dylan lined up and were given a paper bag containing Dylan's gift - soft balls for inside the house. Ian and I headed for home just before the fireworks started which we were able to watch from a nearby hill after driving around and viewing the local homes and their Xmas lights displays. One looked absolutely fabulous, the winner will be announced at the carols by candlelight closer to Xmas.

Molly is still at the vet clinic. She has been diagnosed with lead poinsoning. The yardstick for a dog her size is .03 her blood test came back at 5.3. She is one sick little puppy and looks like being there for another week. They have to give her 4 injections each day to help the lead pass through her system. Ian spoke to the vet this morning and she is rallying nicely. They are also looking into her kidney function, it looks like one has failed, so we are waiting for results on that one.

Since I last posted I have had my bi-annual mammogram. I arrived at 8.30am to find my appointment wasn't until 9.30, they very kindly fitted me in when told that I had classes to got to. I didn't tell them it was my art class - it's important to me! Ian and I put the screws and wire onto my painted calendar holder and put it on the wall. I am very proud of it. To think I painted it!!

Today I put the last coat of paint of the front verandah wall, I now have to decide what colour I am painting the windowsills, either cottage green or headland (terracotta). Because I have both colours - green on the gutter and headland on the fascia board I can use either.

Friday morning we awoke to the the sound of the chooks being attacked. The staffy dog from up the back had ripped open the wire on my frizzle's cage, killed the rooster (Basil) and was attacking the nesting hen. Luckily she survived, the others in the pen escaped out of the hole. Basil wasn't so lucky. I went straight up the neighbours and she (Jo) was very upset to think her dog would do such a thing. Anyway the upshot is she is now finding it a new home, though she isn't sure as to who would want a chook killing rooster in a rural area. If she can't find it a new home she will have him put to sleep.

Shopping

Monday I was very busy ... craft shopping. We (Evelyn, Sue and me) first travelled to Maryborough to Patchwork on Pallas. Lovely store, very helpful staff. Then we went to Hervey Bay and The Craft Warehouse - they have all you would need for just about every craft imaginable. Last stop was Howard at Van Cooten's - an Alladin's Cave of anything and everything. I think the travelling salespeople love him because he would buy anything they have for sale.

My purchases for the day included the green homespun to make into the tablecloth under my Xmas centre. The co-ordinating fabrics I need for my "I love fat quarters" carry bag. A pattern for a stable bag and the material to make it. My Xmas presents for my craft group and my art group. A couple of punches I needed and a few other fat quarters who called to me.



Tuesday was craft club, Sue showed off her new bag and Rhonda said we would have to unpick the cat wall hanging we made as a club project. I feel sorry for Barbara who did the quilting, but the quilt wasn't pinned properly and therefore the quilting wasn't good. Headed for home just after lunch, the chairs at the hall aren't the best and my back and neck was playing up something shocking. Next week I'll take my own folding chair and footrest so I can at least put my feet up. Might as well be comfy.



Wednesday I pottered around the house all day, washing, cleaning, love those Enjo cloths, make light work of a horrible job. So easy to lightly rub and still end up with a spotless job.



Today, I cleaned the louvres in the dining area, again with my Enjo cloths, so simple. My demonstrator rang to see if I was happy with it all, I told her I was thrilled with it all bar the floor mop and she explained that maybe I had the mop too wet. Well try again and then if it doesn't work properly I will get her back out here to show me again.



We also took Molly back to the vets today. She is really sick and hasn't eaten since Saturday, she is still drinking but the vet said she is dehydrated, so that means back on the drip. He also suspects that she might have lead poisoning. Ian has been scraping the paint back to timber on the weatherboards and the vet thinks Molly has been ingesting it by licking her paws clean after walking through the scrapings. Anyway she is one sick puppy. Beccy hasn't done anything like that - thank goodness. One sick dog is enough.



Kate dropped in with Dylan this afternoon and he ran riot through the house as he usually does. Interestly enough he's not interested in touching the ornaments anymore, it's Ian's toothbrush that he seems to want now.

Enjo Arrives

A busy couple of days.
Since I last posted, I have visited Kay Hoc, he still calls me a woos. But I think with good reason. He hurts! He worked on my left shoulder for ages trying to clear the muscle spasms which he eventually did, but I still have pins and needles down my left arm. I'm not sure that Ka Huna massage will work for these pinched nerves.
My lower back is marvellous, though after weeding the vege patch this afternoon I couldn't even straighten up. Had to that very slowly.
I picked up the Enjo orders on my way home yesterday, washed my gear to get it ready for work. This morning I started cleaning my house with them and they work. Ian's recliner was filthy and I mean filthy, just the indoor glove and water and a little rubbing, couldn't believe how easy it was to get clean. So then I got started in the bathroom, toilet and laundry and now the rooms are clean - even the walls and ceilings and how easy it was to do it. Just wet the glove with water and away you go.
So now I will work my way through the house - kitchen next. Trouble with having an Enjo demo is that the demonstrator (Betty) only cleans half the item, like half the top of the fridge, so now I have to finish the job. Half the mirror cleaned looked good in the lounge room and I left it like that until I got the enjo, cause I couldn't see the logic in cleaning it when I knew it still wouldn't be properly clean. When I had the demonstration Mum cleaned off the kitchen cupboards before everyone arrived, and yet Betty wiped the cupboard over with the kitchen glove and you could see and feel the difference. I won't even mention the stove and the fridge top. I wouldn't even let her show me how well it worked in the oven either. I saved that just for me!! Now, I feel good about cleaning my house, I was pretty chemical careful before this, but now I don't need to use any at all and because the ladies at the demo thought like I did I also got a free floor mop, so tomorrow I will be washing the floor and Ian reckons he is going to double check it just to make sure it is clean. this is really going to be a test for Enjo, I have my fingers crossed.
Jill, my lovely next door neighbour brought me up a pressie this afternoon or rather she brought my dogs a pressie, she was given a box of bones from a friend so she shared them with this friend, and a very grateful one at that, we have run out of bones and our two dogs love them. Beccy our rescued bitzer would eat them all day every day and Molly our Silky just loves to try and bury them in the lounge.
We ended up having tea with Jill and Selwyn, I love the way we have meals together, we go down to the local 24 hour truckie stop, they have terrific meals, huge too and very reasonably priced. Saves preparation and especially washing up and with Selwyn up at all hours of the night with irrigating the cane its generally a early night - around 9-9.30.
My veges are growing well and I was so proud of my little crop until Leonie wrote me and told me what she has growing. LOL

Rush, rush

Rush, rush, rush this morning to get away on time. Art lessons start at 9.30 and I leave home right on 9.00. This gives me time to set myself up before the lesson actually starts. But I'm in a quandary today. I finished my calendar hanger last week, have varnished all my items and now I'm ready for the next project. But which one? Shall I paint the box we found, it has a sliding lid just like the old wooden pencil cases that I had at school - but it has to be sanded down, or my wooden salt box - I haven't decided what to paint on it yet and it also needs to be sanded. Finally decided to paint a couple of door knob hangers, seeing that we only have a couple more weeks to go and they would be nice and quick. I can pick them up at lesson.

Would you believe Mandy doesn't have any - her husband Scott makes the items we buy and he has been working hard lately and didn't have any time to fill the stock shelves back up, so I decided on a coat rack to put in the guest bedroom. Have sponged on the base coat in Oak Moss, it's the colour of the inside of an avocado - sort of but you know what I mean. Then I searched through the folk art books and found a floral something similar to what I would like to put on the rack and from there made my own design to suit. Quite pleased with it, but when I'm in town tomorrow I'll have to get some more colours. I also posted my Jo Sonja Pine Green back to Chroma this morning, I hope they don't take too long in getting a replacement back to me, the Pine Green went hard in the tube, apparently they have had this problem before, but they were very nice when I emailed them and it's no trouble to replace it - free postage too.

Denice followed me home from art, she is after a couple of fertilized eggs, one of her chooks won't go off the lay and they have tried a few things but none have worked, so finally they have given in and will set her on some eggs to hatch. Luckily I have Alice sitting on a dozen eggs and I gave Denice 2 of them, I don't think Alice will miss them.

I spent the afternoon working on my Xmas present for Mum. I have hand embroidered one of Sally Giblin's Rivendale Collection called "Kiss of the Sun" and now I'm busy putting the cushion together. I have also got a surprise pressie for them which is getting made by the husband of one of our craft ladies - a decoration to put in the garden, made out of steel. Once I finally get the darn thing I'll be able to take a photo and put it in here. I ordered the darn things in May and am still waiting.

Ian's day was better than yesterday, he is starting to feel a little better in the tummy, though we don't know what has been wrong with him other than he just didn't feel well.

He went horse riding with Selwyn (our next door neighbour) this afternoon, Selwyn has a young horse - just broken in and needs quiet company when out riding. Not that Ian likes horse riding, in fact he hates it, used to round the cows up with them when he was a kid and always seemed to have to walk home.

This morning the bloke from (somewhere?) came out to look at Pete's bobcat that won't go. Looks like it's going to be a trial and error job. Thought it might have been the computer - wrong. Now he says it could be one of six things so ....

Ian also did some more scraping and hole filling on the front verandah, he also put the catches back on the lounge room windows. Great now we can lock them, something that we don't worry much about around here. Still can't leave them open yet, Ian says he can't hold them open and screw the hold upper things on at the same time. Guess whose job that is tomorrow when I get back from Kay Hock (you know - my Malaysian masseuse with the nimble fingers - wonderful massage but boy he hurts - and he calls me a woos because I can't handle it.

Silly Little Ole Me

Now I now why I was the only successful one to access the blog. I gave aeveryone the wrong address. Thanks to a scquilter Helen P (Thank you) who realised what I had done.

Try Again

Here is what I wrote in the new blog
-------------------------
Well I've started again, those of you who missed the last few days posts, have to commiserate with me, because so have I. I don't know why the other blogspot didn't work, but everyone had trouble accessing it. I went to the ladies on scquilters who had blogs and they couldn't access it either. So off into cyberspace it has gone.

Today I went to the hairdresser for the chop and much cooler it is too, that took 1½hrs for a trim and half a dozen foils, much better than getting one of those horrible streaking caps forced on the head and then pecked at while they try to pull hairs through the darn cap. I used to find it very painful.I did get to do some sewing - at lunch time while I sat down and watched Oprah I did some sewing on my BOM - a design by Robyn Pandolph, all needle turn applique of course, I think I'll have to do the first block again, it's taking longer than I thought to get back into the groove of it and I'm not happy with my work.

This afternoon I went out to Kate's to do some bookwork, got back just before dark and had time to water my vege's before I couldn't see them. I'm growing corn, snake beans, capsicum, rhubarb, cucumber, lettuce and tomatoes. Got my fingers crossed for the corn seeds I planted this afternoon.It was really hot here today even the breeze was warm and very humid, but no clouds in sight.Ian scraped some more flaky paint off the weatherboards on the verandah, had a nap, made himself a sandwich, had a nap, went next door to Jill and Selwyn's and helped Jill pressure clean her new cement that has been stamped. Guess what he's doing now? No, he's watching the news LOL.
New website, first posting, here's hoping it can be accessed. If it works I'll post some photos of my applique and embroidery

My Whinge

It started out to be a lazy day - but it finished in a rush. I started cooking tea at 6.30pm because I was busy out in the garden watering my vege patch. I have lettuce, tomatoes, corn, snake beans, capsicum, rhubarb and so far two pineapple tops. I have staggered my corn planting and one lot is starting to flower, another about 10" high and new seedlings which I planted this afternoon, this lot I grew from seeds.

I had an appointment at the doctors this afternoon to find out the results of my ct scan which I had last Thurs. Not good. In fact I'm really annoyed. Apparently I have done myself an injury which according to the doctor can only be fixed by surgery. I have disc bulge pressing on the spinal cord and nerves pinched in c4-5, c5-6 and c6-7 in my neck. It all started when I was painting the lounge room, shifting trestles. Since then I have had pain and pins and needles down my left arm. Kay Hock my Malaysian wonder masseuse has relieved the pain but the pins and needles are a constant and a pain in the butt. I cannot hold my head up and look straight ahead or above because that makes the p&n worse. The only relief I get is looking at the floor or leaning my head to the left, which is difficult when driving the car. I haven't even finished painting the lounge room yet, it makes it rather difficult when you can't raise your head.

I now have to go back to the same neurosurgeon I saw at RBH in Brisbane for my lower back pain which turned out to be arthritis and nothing can be done for it, so goodness knows when I will be able to get an appointment. I forgot to ask my doctor if there was anyone I could see privately. There isn't anyone who comes to Bundaberg so I have to travel to them.

Kate rang in tears today. Pete went back to Brisbane yesterday afternoon so she must cope on her own again. Must be that time of the month for all of us. Luckily she was over it quickly.

Now that I've had my little whinge, I shall get on with life.
Thanks for listening.

A Lot to Learn

Boy!! do I have a lot to learn. I have just spent the last half hour trying to find my blogspot. finally succeeded but what a lot of frustration I gave myself. I have been busy with family since my last posting. Mum and Dad left on Thurs just before I took myself of to art lesson and I'm very happy with my art work, now I have to make the calendar hanger to attach to it so that I can be ready for the new year. I have also varnished my soap holder and it's in pride of place on the bathroom vanity basin.
Friday morning we had to ourselves and just before lunch DD3 arrives with hubby (Pete) and son (Dylan) in tow. Pete surprised her arriving home at 11.30 on Thurs night. He leaves this afternoon for Brisbane for the next weeks work.
Saturday morning my brother Trevor and his partner Karina arrived to stay with us for the night. We took them out to Kate and Pete's and then onto Mt. Perry for lunch where we were very disappointed in the meal. The pub has changed hands and the meals have gone downhill. On the way back we went through the Boolboonda Tunnel. It was dug in 1883-4, is 192metres long and is unsupported and unlined and it is absolutely awesome. Apparently one team started at one side of the hill and another team started at the other side and they met in the middle and they really did meet in the middle and all this without any mechanical or electrical instruments.
We then took Trevor and Karina to visit friends of ours for afternoon tea. Barb and Tiger have 100 or so acres and are pretty well self sufficient on their block. In that I mean they grow their own veges and they have their own cattle for meat and milk. Barb does not make her own butter or cheese. Afternoon tea consisted of home made lamingtons with a couple of fake ones thrown in, which Trev and I fell for. They were just like the rest covered with chocolate and coconut but instead of cake were pieces of foam, couldn't bite through the bloody things. But Barb might have to be careful, Karma you know. Tea was at Kate and Petes where we had a barbeque out on the back deck where they have now put their new spa which arrived on Wednesday. Trev and Karina left around 11 this morning and Ian and I have flaked ever since. Now we are off to Vivien's and Pauls, have made a tea cake to take with us.

I'm Lost

Well I don't know how I've done it, but I think I've lost my blogspot and here I was so proud of myself. Well they always say pride comes before a fall. Hopefully I can find myself. LOL

Firsts

Well this is a first. I have never done anything like this before. Fancy having my own blogspot on the web. I feel rather proud of myself. Now lets see if I can post it right.

Today, or rather yesterday, looking at the time, was a good day. For the first time I had an ENYO party, if you don't know what that is it is enviromental cleaning cloths, all you need to do is use with cold water and what a surprise how good they work and what a surprise how dirty my house is. Have now bought the gloves and got the floor cleaner for free.

My youngest daughter Kathryn and her son Dylan (16months) came over for a visit this afternoon, as usual Dylan was all over the place, that boy can move. Kathryn is 6months pregnant, scan shows a girl, but we're waiting for the second scan before we make everything pink.

I have had my mum and dad staying with us since Sunday, they leave for home today. I'm a bit worried about my dad, he had a prostate operation 9 weeks ago and still doesn't feel 100%. Both parents turned 76 this year.

The fly screens are in and we bought a retractable flyscreen door for the french doors and we love it, though they are almost invisible. DH Ian has already walked into it and is now working out ways for me to decorate it so he won't do it again. This is from the bloke who is always banging his head and losing skin on things he knows are there.

Well this is it, my first posting. I hope I have done everything right and it works. Well we'll soon find out.