Saturday 31 May 2014

Sunday 27 April

Woke around 6.20am. Decided I may as well get up as lots to do. Working on a pattern for a dress for Amira. Made a coffee and took it upstairs, in my pyjama's and slippers. Heard Boar get up a bit later.
Worked for an hour or so. Boar roused Locket and Brains round 8.45am as they were going to church. I'd decided not to as I felt I needed all the time I had. Arranged for Smurfette to pick up Brains & Locket.
Had some of the lovely Rye toast. 
I'm really enjoying it. I get a loaf, put it in the freeezer and have some for breakfast with peanut butter. Yummy!

Brains & Locket went off. Boar and Pa went to Cambridge Terrace Congregational Church around 10am.
I read my Bible. May not have gone to service but still wanted my own time with God. I asked for help with draughting today.
I had a lovely, long shower. No-one at home to need the bathroom, turn on a tap, or anything else. Bliss!
I put on some towles to wash. Then went upstairs to continue working. Asked Smurfette to pick up some more brown paper. I find it good for draughting. Brains & Locket brought it home. 
   
Boar got home. He had dropped Pa at Johnsonvale as usual. Boar cooked some leftover veg for lunch.

I got on with the job after some food. I tried this and that, then decided to just use the basic pattern and take it from there. I finally cut out the calico for the toile or mock-up. I was planning on doing a fitting at 3pm, but I text to say I'd be later. Amira wasn't worried as she was home anyway.
Boar went to pick up Pa. He called me after about 15mins asking me to text Pa to say he was there!!!
I finished stitching the toile together and I was off. After figuring out we could have fried eggs and tomatoes on toast for tea.
Out to Titahi Bay. Amira asked if I'd cut out the fabric. I explaned I never do that till I know the toile is ok. “So, I could change the dress a little bit?” she asked. “Ah. . . .yes.” I said, after taking a mental deep breath!
I showed her the toile. She showed me the pic. THANK GOODNESS! Not too many changes and will actually be easier.
Fitting done, home again. With some eggs given me by Babs, to save me going to the supermarket. Kind thought, but I had to go anyway as I needed to get GF bread. 

I also got some chippies and a calculator for my sewing area. Handy for draughting and means I don't have to turn on my phone every time I want to do a calculation! I text Brains to tell him I was on the way and suggested Boar put the tomatoes on. Ate the chippies on the way home.

Boar cooked the eggs when I got home and dinner was ready.
Decided to do just a little work before I settled down. Had a eureka moment. Had been trying to roll with the tracing wheel

on my green mat similar to this one below.


Not too sucessful, and I thought a bit of Pinex would be just the thing as the spikes would sink in a bit more. Glanced around. . .and there was a piece! Excellent. It was even covered in hessian :) And the idea worked well too. I got the pattern traced off ready to adjust it where I need to in the morning.
I caught up on my blog. Locket came and chatted to me. These conversations are precious so I suspended my writing while we talked. Part of the conversation was around a young girl who Locket was close friends with when she was little. Locket was 4 months old and Emma 2 months old when they “met.” I'd set up a group for families with pre-school children who were planning on home-educating. Maria came with Jo and Emma to the very first meeting. We were in frequent close contact till the family moved away mid-2007. Late 2007 or early 2008 Maria was diagnosed with cancer. Though she fought hard and bravely Maria died on 8 July 2010. A precious daughter of God gone to be with her Lord.
Locket has seen Emma around Tawa, and saw her at Easter Camp. Emma came into the tent Locket was sleeping in a few times as one of her close friends, Dot, was the “tent leader.” Locket said she smiled and said “Hi,” but Emma just looked at her in a puzzled way, as though she was trying to figure out who Locket was and how they knew each other. It may come to her one day.
I picked up writing after Locket went off to bed. Now it's more than time I closed my eyes. I've just realised the time and need to be up reasonably early. . .there's a dress to sew!!
Amira, Vince & Vineet fly away to Fiji very early on Wednesday this week!

Friday 30 May 2014

Saturday 26 April

Woke just before 6am. . heard Lil Battler hicupping! Decided to get up so I could get some work done whilst it was quiet. Made coffee, got dressed and went upstairs.
Got an hour or so done then came down to eat. Googled to find info I needed re pockets.
Halfpint got up so Butcher got up too and fed him brekky. Lil Battler was still sleeping and Chuckles was resting.
Got organised to leave as Boar was taking me down to Spotlight to get zips etc. Then he was going on to get rubbish from Wadestown.
Got back and I checked if Butcher and Halfpint wanted to go for a ride with Boar. Yup, they did, so Butcher dressed Halfpint and off they went.
Pa queried about his email account. I asked if it ok if I sorted it this evening. He said that was fine.
Back upstairs to work. I got the pattern pretty much sorted. The info I found last night and today was all helpful.
Took a break when Moneypenny and A-M Prof arrived with the girls, to visit and see Lil Batter. TJ arrived as well. Chuckles other friend C was not able to come. Chuckles and Butcher decided to leave earlier than they'd planned. Brains arrived home.
Not long after they left Char called. . .could she have coffee here with me? Sure! She'll be off overseas soon to join her husband who is working there.
I got the pants cut out and started stitching! I had 30 mins or so.
Had coffee, Char left around 4pm. Upstairs to finish the pants. I got them done and checked the amount of fabric I'd been given.it was enough :)
Sorted what to have for dinner. Boar was happy to cook it. I went off to J's.The pants were a good fit. J was happy. A few adjustments were needed.
Home and dinner. Remembered about Pa's email account. I rang Telecom in the end. We set up a sub account under our account! He has his own account and gets his emails and we get ours. Sorted :)
I went upstairs to put away pants patterns etc. And to prepare for tomorrow. Too tired to draught tonight. I took the book downstairs to look through and mark the pages I needed.
My eyes were closing of themselves – time to sleep.

Thursday 29 May 2014

ANZAC Day, Friday, 25 April 2014

Woke usual time. Locket needed to be up and ready just after 8am. Smurfette was picking her up to go to the Anzac Day Parade in Johnsonville. Girls' Brigade go every year. Forgot about a white shirt! Found a sleeveless one of mine, all good as she will be wearing a jacket over the top.
Boar, Pa & Brains all went too. I stayed here, feeling rather tired this morning.
A few mins after they went. . .a text from Chuckles came through. Could they come over today & stay the night?
I think I'm more tired than I realised. Usually I don't hesitate but suddenly I felt quite overwhelmed! Had seen her fingers needed checking. I queried it. The check could be done anywhere. I said I needed to check with Boar but it should be ok. That I would text in an hr.
I think my bucket is full. . .shed a few tears but almost too tired to cry! Prayed for strength. Quite a lot to do today and tomorrow and feeling a bit stressed by it.
Got dressed and began sorting out the pattern I needed to draught. Boar, Pa & Brains arived home. Locket came a little later.
Talked to Boar. He said ok for them to come. I text to say ok, but arvo would be good as I had work to do today and tomorrow. And, yes, they'd need to bring the basinette.
I got busy draughting. Draughted off a leggings pattern. Checked the fabric more closely. . .woven with stretch. Began again, draughting off a close fitting pants pattern.
Chuckles text around 3pm to say they were on the way, going to P's before they came here. I got the fold out bed sorted.
Frosty had called to say she had some $$ for me and could I pick up the dog bix from their place please. Went down and did all that plus got mince etc. for Spag Bol. Picked up Pa on the way home. Got the Spaghetti Bolognese underway when we got home.
Chucles, Butcher & Co arrived. We had dinner. . .and then Brains went to Kris'
Halfpint had a bath, then Chuckles took Lil Battler in with her. Butcher dried Hlfpint. I dried & dressed Lil Battler. Bit wee for Butcher yet, he feels!
Smurfette arrived & also Jerry.
I had a conversation with Moneypenny via Facebook. She has started a new blog. There aren't any posts yet so I will wait to link it here.
Went upstairs to check out a few tings with the pattern. Not totally happy with the shape. Not too sure how to properly use the French Curve. I have insructions but can I find them? Googled and found a great video, and that the lady who was in the video had written an article in Threads Issue #82. . .which of course I have!! Looked it up and printed it off. Very helpful.
Sleep around midnight as my eyes were closing!

Thursday 24 April

Up about 7.30. . .still on holiday time! Woke Brains & Locket up by 8.15am. Locket got up and started getting ready. She was heading into Wellington City with Estelle and Nikki.
Brains was not up so quickly. Finally got out of bed apout 9.10am. Isaak, Nicholas and Pete arrived around 9.15am.  As Pete walked in I could see something white, looked as though it shouldn't be there. Then I realised. . .his pants had split!! He hadn't realised and the boys hadn't seen. I said I could do a quick repair job, so gave him a sheet to wrap around himself while I did it. He was most relieved I was able to stitch them up :)
Pete tried to help Pa with sorting out his email account.Vodafone disconnected it when they weren't supposed to and were saying they couldn't reinstate it!
We left at 9.35am for Brains' Pump practice for Chicago. 



Dropped him off then went to find a park at Oriental Parade  Saw the tugs piloting a ship out. I always find it fascinating to see the power of the two small tugs moving the large ship. Took a series of shots to record it.








Finally under it's own steam. 

Got some work done. The hour went past quickly. Back to pick up Brains. Home again.
Isaak and Nicholas each had 1 hr internet time. Then games, Risk, reading, as well as feeding themselves :)
I sorted my cutting table ready for work. Need a good sort up! 

Went to get Locket from Johnsonville Station just after 4pm. We then went to pick Pa up from Johnsonvale (Jvale). There were a couple of fire engines, sirens going, tearing out of the Fire Station. They went past Keith Spry Pool. I could see I wouldn't be able to get into Earp Street that way. Hoped it was nothing to do with Jvale. Went around to the top end of Earp Street. It was closed off! A Policeman standing in the road! Jvale in lockdown! Called Pa and it was some kind of spillage he thought. We went back home to wait till Pa sent a text to say he was free to leave.
Pete arrived to take boys home. D arrived with Pa's computer. Pa text around 6pm to say he was free to leave. Apparently someone filling containers had added something that they shouldn't have. The two substances reacted and were swelling and there was danger of an explosion! Thank goodness there was none!
We had dinner, then some time after I had a call from Chuckles, around 8.40pm . .she had accidentally poured boiling water on her hand. I agreed she needed to get it checked. Which meant a trip to Masterton Hospital.
Had a quick look for my pattern cutting book. Found it :) Checked emails and one of the books I need for Locket was on Harvest so requested it. North To Amaroqvik

Wednesday 28 May 2014

Wednesday 23 April 

Up by 7am to get organised. Brekky etc. Woke Locket round 8.15am as she wanted a shower before we left.
Got a text from Moneypenny to say Sunshine was a lot better, hadn't puked in 36 hrs so ok to go if we wanted to take her. Yes, we surely did :)
Locket got a text from Frosty. Could she look after Mr Magoo so Jester could work on the truck? I decided we'd take him too :)
Whipped down to the shops to get a few things. Back home. We were organised by just after 10am. Picked up Mr Magoo, then on to Wadestown to pick up Sunshine.
Both slept on the way over, as I had hoped the precious wee ones would :) 
All the cuzzies got on well together. 


 Mr Magoo, 11 months, investigating some toys.


 Sunshine, 2 years, at right; Mr Magoo, far left and slightly in front of, Halfpint, 2 years. I was struck by the similarity of Halfpint's and Mr Magoo's hair colour!


 Locket, holding Halfpint, and Brains, holding Mr Magoo

 Lil Battler has grown & is beginning to fill out. While the little ones played Brains and Locket watched them. I did dishes to get the kitchen a bit sorted. Chuckles is doing well, however I well remember the busyness and tiredness with a new baby! I can't do much as they're further away, but will do what I can when I'm there.
Locket and Brains made their lunch. After they'd eaten we took the little ones outside to play.
 

Mr Magoo checking out the surroundings.


The two 2 year olds on the swing set. It is fascinating watching these two grow up. Only 27 days apart in age.


 Love this shot, taken by Locket. Two wee ones peeping through to the other side :)
 Waited till Butcher got home from work at the saw mill. He starts around 6.30am and finishes around 2.30pm. He spent some time outside with the children too.


Butcher showing them all his compost. Looks to be doing well.


A cool action shot of two busy wee people.

Around 3.30pm we headed back over the hill. Sunshine and Mr Magoo slept again on the way home. As I thought they would after all the activity. Dropped off Sunshine first. Had a quick cuppa there. Realised I didn't eat any lunch!
Headed back to Jville. I dropped Mr Magoo off once Jester was home. Pa had walked home earlier.
Got home and had dinner. Brains and Locket were a great help today with looking after the 3 cousins :)

I was a bit tired so bed went to bed early.

Monday 26 May 2014

Tuesday, 22 April.

Woke up a bit late, been forgetting to take my iron the last week. Read for a bit. Checked bank balances. 
Got a text from Miss Lisa re RAD stuff. Checked the website, arranged to go pick up the items she needed later in the day.
Had brekky, began writing blog notes. Pa went to the city on the bus for his prayer meeting. 
I picked up Frosty to take her to Burger King where she is working now, learning the ropes as a manager.  I dropped her at the store in Porirua near the Mega Centre I went on to Titahi Bay to get some clothes that were being passed on to Lil Battler. Moneypenny was there with the girls.
Made my way home, then got some petrol and we were off to physio. Brains went on ahead as we were cutting it a bit fine. locket and I went to pick up the RAD stuff.  Physio session went well.
Then it was home for a little while before I picked up Pa. Then out to Tawa to drop off the RAD stuff to Miss Lisa.
Back home for dinner etc. Sent a text to Moneypenny to see if Sunshine was coming with us tomorrow. But she hasn't been that well, so, no.
Sleep, sweet sleep!
Monday, 21 April, 2014
Cruisy morning. Reading. Contacted C re Social studies Paces. She sent me a list, quite a few that I need she may have, but I need to check publication dates.
Got some fish out of the freezer for dinner.
Popped into Shampoo Plus with mail for Frosty Next week is her last week there. Handed over the mail and had a bit of a chat. Went to so some food shopping. Then went and picked up the Score Key from C's front door.
Lunch & chilled out with Perry for a while. Then I spent some time looking up PACEs on Christian Books. . .got a preview!
Made dinner. . .very simple one tonight. Mince, spuds, baked fish, carrots & peas. 
Brains and Locket arrived home!! Very happy to see them back. Camp had been good :) I was especially pleased to know that Locket had really enjoyed it.
Then it was time to take Perry to the bus. It was one of the big double decker ones like this one in the picture.

They come flying off the motorway off-ramp into Johnsonville. Quite something to see!
When I got back home I had some more chit chat with Brains and Locket. Climbed into bed and worked on the computer for a while. Then turned it off and read. . .but not for long, too tired!

Thursday 1 May 2014

Easter Sunday, 20 April, 2014

Today was Pancake Breakfast at church before the service. Pancakes with toppings. There were bacon, hot fruit compote, berries, bananas, lemon juice and sugar, and other ones as well. I opted for my favourite - sugar and lemon juice. I just had one as I'd already had some toast at home.
I had bought some GF Pancake mix last Tuesday when I did the shopping for Easter Camp. I haven't used it before as we usually make it ourselves. There are a few GF folk at church and so I got 2 bottles. As it was, only Smurfette was there. It hadn't been advertised though so probably no-one else knew. Smurfette had used the mix before so made her own pancakes. We only opened one bottle, though I think she put a bit much water in so put a little of the dry mix from the from the second bottle into the first.


Nice brekky, then the children had an Easter Egg hunt before the service. Intriguing. Well, I find it intriguing that although Easter Eggs have nothing to do with Christ's resurrection, to my limited knowledge, it was a part of the time at church! I may need to do some research on it I think. 
Neat worship today. There was communion and we went up for it. Sometimes we are served. As C, one of the older gents, was turning from the table he fell.  I saw him from the corner of my eye. It looked to me as though he overbalanced, though some said he slipped in water. A couple of people rushed over. I was trying to get there, to say "Just let him sit for a minute". They hauled him to his feet. . .by then I was there and got him to sit on the seat just behind him. You just never know with the elderly. E, his wife, had been told by then and was understandably upset. I got her to sit as well. Asked C a few questions and he seemed to be ok. Hadn't banged his head, thank goodness. Carried on and got communion. After service finished I checked on him again. I was concerned as they have steps to go down at their house. I also noticed he was rubbing his elbow. . .which he said was a bit sore. Apparently he has had quite a few falls, but won't see a doctor. In the end E said she would ring her daughter to meet them at their house. As they were leaving  I saw some of the people from their life group helping them to their car.
Smurfette drove me home. More chilling out time and I continued sorting ACE stuff.
In the late afternoon we went to A-M Prof and Moneypenny's with Perry & Pa. A-M Prof was working so not there. Moneypenny gave us a cuppa. Pa and Perry liked what had been done. In fact Perry was so relaxed he went to get a book from the bookshelf! The one that isn't there anymore!! It was pretty funny when I said that all the books are at our place and he realised what he was doing. 
Moneypenny said everyone is comfortable there. No-one wants to leave :) 

We got Domino's for dinner. YUM. Pa and I shared a pizza. BBQ Meatlovers.
 
Perry had the same, one for himself. Boar had his own too but a Vege and Feta one.

After we'd polished off our pizzas I did some more computer stuff. Finally sorted! Spreadsheet done so I can keep track of what we get and have. Hopefully not double up.

Roll Call updated - yet again!

In our family, as in any, there are changes. We've had a couple of additions since I did the original roll call. Time for an update. Then I will be able to link to this post in future ones.

There's the head of the household...my DH...who will be Boar. Then there is me..I'm Mama Bear...my lovelies call me that so I decided that would do :)

Our oldest son is to be Absent-Minded Professor, A-M Prof, for short. His lovely wife is Moneypenny, and their wee girl, who is just turned 2 years, is Sunshine. Their new baby is Poppet, and she is now 5 1/2 months old.

Our oldest daughter chose Smurfette, for herself.

Our 2nd son has chosen Butcher,  his girlfriend is Chuckles and their wee lad, who is 2 years old now, Halfpint. All these names are from a 2012 Snow White movie called Mirror Mirror. There is a list of the Seven Dwarfs names on Wikipedia, more than I expected, quite a number of different ones. Recently Butcher & Chuckles had a new baby boy, so for now I have named him Lil Battler.

Next in line is our second daughter Frosty, which is what her fiance calls her. He is to be Jester and their son is Mr Magoo, which is what Jester calls him. Mr Magoo is 11 months old now.

Then comes our third son who I've named Brains, yup, after the guy on Thunderbirds.

Last in the line up is our youngest daughter Locket, it's what I've called her for years.

Then there is our extended family. I've decided to put them in another post so as not to make this one too long.

Except for Ma & Pa, who may sometimes be called Mr P & Mrs P, depending on what I remember to put! They are my mum and dad. Boar's parent's both died some time ago, before either of our youngest two were born.


That's us so far!