A little bit of everything

​yesterday we had a wonderfull morning catch up with most  of our swimming group. 

It was a much better catch up as we were in a home instead of the pub. 

We were actually able to have chats with each other and getting to everyone, instead of just those close to you on the table 

It went for four hours! And it really did fly by quickly 

We are all good at the chatting. We did a lot of that in the pool lol

When I left I headed over to Bunnings 

I needed to buy more vegetable seedlings 

The ones we planted must of been eaten or drowned by all the rain. Even the seeds I plant straight into the garden beds failed to sprout 

I also bought some dahlias for our front. I couldn’t help it. They wanted to come home with me 

You can just see them 

They should fill in those gaps nicely. 

Today I planted the vegetables 

Yellow sweet chillies. The large ones we ethnics love to grill or stuff and cook 

These are the cucumbers I planted earlier. I actually harvested one and ate it while planting. A nice snack 

I had to replace the corn   It all disappeared except for two 

You can’t see them. They’re out of camera shot on the left. They’re considerably taller 

A better view of the chillies 

I also planted in the small blue wicking containers. 

I didn’t get a shot of those. Pretty standard stuff. 

I planted these in the morning and had to go in as Ana was getting bored. 

She asked for a smoothie. 

Thanks Gabbys doll house 

I only had fresh nectarines and frozen plums and apricots 

I added a couple of spoonfuls of yogurt and milk. 

I thought it tasted nice but Ana didn’t 

I think it was the yogurt. You could really taste it. 

I normally would have frozen mixed berries to use, unfortunately I was out 

Ana made the executive decision and pronounced we needed to go shopping 

I really did so off we went 

Got home had lunch and totally forgot all about smoothies 

She asked if we could do some craft. I asked her if she wanted to do Christmas crafts. 

Oh yes! She was very excited 

We made some snow people. We, well me, made a couple of small wreaths to hand on the tree. But I forgot to take pictures 

Her daddy arrived and they went home. 

Grandma is now hardly able to walk. The gardening, getting Ana in and out of car seats and shopping trolleys and sitting on the floor has made my back spasm. Poor Annie was trying to help me up. I do always have a contingency plan when I get down. I am very close to something I can use to get back up!

I’m now outside listening to hubby mow  the back lawn and enjoying a lovely mild afternoon. No wind, for a change, and no bright sun. Perfect 

We are expecting storms with lots of rain 

You know. For a change I just hope it’s not too much. Just enough to water the plants in nicely 

I wonder what the weekend will bring 

Another change

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Today has been the total opposite to our lovely day yesterday 

It was grey, windy, and raining 

I did not want to go out. I needed to get some more pet food and I wasn’t looking forward to getting out 

Solution. Door dash. They will deliver your Aldi shopping

I ordered what I needed and it arrived here in an hour or so. 

Meanwhile I pottered about. Doing all those little jobs that no one notices but really needed doing 

A slow day, but a much needed one 

I wonder what the gods of weather will send tomorrow?

Sunshine

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We have had rain,  cold winds, and more rain. 

With very brief sunny moments every few days 

But, so far this week, we have managed to get two lovely days in a row 

I quickly got the washing done and hung out to dry in the sunshine. 

As you can see the rose garden has very long reeds growing again 

The battle continues and I won’t give up. 

I’ll attack them another day. When I have some energy again lol 

Yesterday I went to see my mum in her nursing home. 

When I got there they were going chair yoga. 

Then a musician was setting up to play and entertain them all 

I didn’t stay for the musical 

Just gave her the hankies she asked for. I don’t have name tags, and everything has to be named 

I remembered that it used to be posh to have monogram hankies 

I wrote her full name in heat disappearing inc, and stitched it in 

I have to say. It did work well. 

When I left I headed home stopping at the centre to get my nails done and pick up a few things 

I then headed off to get my meds. 

The pharmacy is in a little town about 10-15 minutes past my home. 

I picked up the meds. Them raced into the small supermarket to get some cottage cheese as I’d forgotten to get it earlier. 

Got home and made my cheese pies. I used up twenty eggs. 

Unfortunately ( well fortunately really )

Hubby collected another 7 or 8 eggs. 

The hens are doing a wonderful job keeping the supply up 

By the time I did all that I was exhausted 

Spent a few hours on the couch, listening to an audiobook, while working on my scrap hexi patchwork. 

Christmas preparations continue, with more lights now working. I had to buy batteries. 

Presents are under the trees with only a few more to get 

There the easy ones. Ugly Christmas socks and money for all four of my children. 

I’m so happy I purchased gifts throughout the year. Soon it will be much too crowded in the shopping centres. I’ll be avoiding them until the end of the festive season 

Oops

​this morning I received a text saying get here around 7.30

It was from my daughter. I had no idea what she was talking about 

We were supposed to be in the city that time in the morning to see the girls in their cheerleading competition 

I’m so sorry my babies. Grandma totally forgot. 

I still feel sick about it right now

But. I had to get on with my day 

Ana arrived and asked to watch Gabbys dollhouse. 

Done. While that was playing in the background, we continued to Chrismasing the home 

I tried to mix things up and change where I usually had them to somewhere else. 

Ana was very interested in how things worked 

By mid afternoon she wanted cuddles 

This usually means she’s tired and she would fall asleep in my arms 

She didn’t. Once she started to close her eyes she jumped back up and continued to run around .

We played memory, and even though she was watching the TV. She still beat me. By a lot!

We were just getting ready to go out and feed Dobby the Donkey 

When her daddy came over from the shed to take her home. 

She was determined to give Dobby his carrots 

They have now gone home, and the house is quiet. 

Although I love having all the girls , I still look forward to sitting and relaxing 

My week so far

​Monday morning I met the girls for coffee and a bit of window shopping 

After that I headed down to see my mother. 

She is doing well in the dementia section of the nursing home 

She has made friends and her caregivers all said that she’s settled nicely and participates in the activities 

After that I headed home stopping at Aldi to do a shop. 

By the time I got home I was sore and tired. I had to get wonderson to help me unload the car 

Yesterday, except for the bare minimum of house keeping, I rested on the couch and continued to sew 

It’s really starting to grow to a decent size 

This morning I get back into decorating 

At Aldi they had a hogwarts express train set. There were only two left and I happily grabbed one 

A few years ago I got a polar express train set. I have had it going round the free standing wood fire. But I really wanted to put it round the Christmas tree 

Well having two trees I was never able to 

Yes I know. I’m strange 

But this morning I found the other train set and each tree has one set around it 

They need batteries and then I can turn them on. I think the girls will like them 

I also brought the rest of the tubs from the tool shed out back 

I needed to find the Christmas table cloth and seat covers 

It’s mid afternoon now and I’ve decided that I’ve achieved enough for the day 

Time now to put on queen charlotte a bridgerton story 

I’ve been rewatching it all getting ready for the new season early next year 

I’ll continue to sew and think about what area I will attack tomorrow 

Getting started

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This year I’ve got two new trees. They’re bigger. Eight foot tall and an extra foot diameter. We have had to move one of the chair so that we could walk past. 

Ana has been waiting and waiting for Christmas tree come. 

She was a great little helper. She had no interest in adding the baubles but all the pretty flowers and others she dived in   

I was going to only do one today and finish the second tomorrow 

Both Ana and I were exhausted and we had a nana nap on the couch 

Once she woke up and had something to eat she was raring to go 

So grandma had to finish the second one as well

Because they’re bigger I need more pretty’s to add to them  

Santa, Diane, said she had some I could have. Which is lovely. I do like not spending money if I don’t have too 

Otherwise I’ll be getting a few bits and bobs during the after Christmas sales 

I’m now deciding what area I’ll tackle next 

What I’ve been up too

​I’m still coughing but the amount has decreased, which is great 

The first few days it was so bad I actually threw my back out. 

Last night we had an Aurora alert 

Not as good as the ones I took in may last year. But still exciting. I guess this is as close as I’m ever going to get to southern or northern lights 

Today I cleaned the front of the house. Not like I usually do. Where I pull everything away from the house and use a broom to scrub it all down 

Today the broom was only use on and around the windows, and the walls just got hosed down 

It actually looks much cleaner and I didn’t become crippled after I finished 

Clean windows make the inside cleaner too. 

I needed it done because I’m going to put the trees up 

The English paper piecing is growing. I still have lots of hexis that are ready to be added. 

Once I use them all up I’ll start again. 

Cutting up the squares and sewing the ready to add to the quilt top 

It’s very very relaxing. I’m so enjoying the slow meditative hand stretching 

So now you’re up to date. 

Not much else happening so a perfect time to start on the Christmas decorating. Ana will be pleased. She’s been asking every week. 

Grandma is it Christmas yet 

I love seeing all the girls faces this time of the year 

Confused

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I don’t know what’s happening in your part of our world. But here in Melbourne, Australia the weather gods are very confused 

We have had steady rain overnight and it’s still going now. 

Our winter wasn’t this bad 

I blame everyone who celebrated Halloween. 

It’s total thrown off what the gods normally do. 

Ana keeps asking if it’s Christmas yet. 

I’d love to start putting the trees up. 

But! 

While we need to keep this going 

I can’t put the trees up, as we need to keep that sliding door tree free so that we can access the firewood 

Meanwhile I’ve woken up having had a relapse. 

My sinuses are stuffy and my nose can’t get enough oxygen into my bloodstream 

The sinuses are causing me headaches 

There are a few chores I need to get done today. 

Washing and cleaning the floors. 

There are at least two loads to do, which will be hung up on clothes horses 

Even if I hang them under the back veranda they won’t dry. 

It will all get done slowly with frequent rests. To catch my breath. 

I’d love to just sit in the couch in my pjs drinking hot beverages   It’s the perfect day for that. But I can’t put these chores off. 

If your weather is like mine, and you can put off adulting. Sit on the couch and let yourself relax. 

License renewal

Today I headed off to Cranbourne so have coffee with the gang, we haven’t caught up in weeks!

we all caught up each other about things that have happened, talked about our illnesses aches and pains and doctors appointments

then we shared photos of grandchildren, where we ohhhh and ahhhh commenting on how quickly they have grown.

memories of swimming in the pool and waiting on news that one of our children had gone into labour and then announcing the birth of our precious grandchildren.

it really feels like it was only last year

after coffee and chats I said I needed to go to the post office to organise my license renewal

my anxiety was ramped up as it never goes smoothly or I get told that I had to do such and such online . which isn’t something I like doing at all

technology and I are not friends at all

Diane also needed to go to send off a dozen Christmas cards to family and friends in the UK

the three of us walked in like we were walking to our fire squad

Amazingly we were in and out in five minutes

the nice man asked if I had paid for it online I said that I hadn’t, sorry

he was like that’s fine we can do it now

I paid, he took my photo, then stapled the receipt to the paperwork and said the new license will be sent out to me

meanwhile Diane paid for all her stamps, we all helped put them on the envelopes, and she sent them off

seeing us walk out of there , walking tall and proud as if we had just parted the red sea!

a quick shop and came back home

I really needed to sit and rest after all that. This flu has definitely bowled me over. While sitting I decided to start sewing my hexagons together

It really doesn’t take long at all and is quite meditative

I’ll sow all of these before cutting up more three inch squares to continue

by doing it like this, I shouldn’t get bored and give it up

well that’s the idea anyway

Like riding a bicycle

I’ve survived our first sleepover

Georgia is such a good baby. She didn’t test grandma too much

pretty much feed, burb, chance nappy then back to sleep.

I even got smiles and some conversation.

while I was busy with the buns Ana was being entertained by grandpa

playing Quoits.

doing puzzles and occasionally plying hide and seek in the house

Georgia just taking it all in, while Trixie is on guard.

Ana wanted grandma to come and colour with her. So grandpa got to feed Georgia

he’s waiting for the bottle to arrive

around eight. Pjs were put on and cuddling grandma we watched K-Pop Demon Hunters

she didn’t get to the end before falling asleep

Georgia woke up and wanted a feed.

after the whole routine she fell asleep on grandma.

I was worried that I wouldn’t wake up if she started to cry.

I was in bed with Ana while grandpa was in the spare bed. Between sleeping with a toddler and having one eye open the whole night I didn’t miss the stirrings.

she had slept from 11.30-5.00

as she hadn’t fully woken and demanding her breakfast I was able to organise her bottle and get the house warm with stocking the fire as well as turning the heating on too

I’d forgotten just how precious those early mornings were. A baby that was very happy and the quiet that made it seem like you were the only ones awake in the world.

soon her sister woke up and the day began.

mum and dad arrived to pick up the girls and take them home.

I’m planning on not doing much for the rest of the day.

I’m pooped

Strange day

This had been an extra short work week. Three days. Which means of course I have no idea what day we are at.

Ana was dropped off this morning so I guess it’s Friday

we played games, did some colouring in, crafting and watching Gabbys doll’s house.

we had our nail salon day. After I painted Ana’s she wanted to do mine

maybe, in a few years from now, I’ll save lots of money because Ana will be able to do my nails for me

daddy arrived and they both went home. The only reason Ana didn’t make any waves about going was the promise that she will be back tomorrow for a sleepover. Her baby sister is also coming.

I admit I’m a tad worried about having Georgia overnight. It’s been four years since I had a very little baby here.

I hope I remember how to do it all.

Change of plan

When we left for our short break, we didn’t realise that it would be shorter than planned

Friday I had a sore throat. I don’t get sore throats. If I do it last half a day and it’s gone after a nights sleep.

but not this time.

by Friday dinner time it hurt to swallow and talking was hard. A blessing for my hubby I’m sure

I went to bed early fully confident that I’d be well by morning

nope. Didn’t happen. The throat was still painful and now my ears and the back of the head as well. Fearing migraine

I pretty much lived on juice and stay mostly just laying down quietly.

thankfully the migraine never eventuated I held a cold pack to the back of my head

by Sunday I was coughing so much I threw my back out!

I wasn’t the only one suffering. Hubby had been so bad he actually took a day off work If you know him that’s actually quite concerning.

Bronwyn had been sick during the week and she had taken three days off

we decided that we would leave Monday morning and get home to give ourselves time to recuperate.

since then I’ve pretty much spent my time napping in between doing loads of washing and sorting everything taken out of the van.

not much sewing had been accomplished while away. Most of this has been completed at home

I do feel better today and hope to be completely cured by Friday

Ive been searching for craft ideas to do with Ana. She has been asking about Christmas. She’s becoming a great little helper elf. Definitely on the nice list