Summer, oh how I love you!!

We have been blessed with the most amazing Summer so far, long hot beautiful days!!!  In fact if we get a days rain I won't mind as the weather has been perfect for so long.  Most people are back at work now, holiday all done and dusted.  Of course me, well I'm still kicking back, but I have applied for a couple of jobs so  I am being ever so grown up.

It is so hot I have piling my hair up on top of my head, now that it is long enough to do so.  I prefer long hair to short, it is the best of both worlds really.  On Wednesday I donated clothes at Habitat, and dropped of more at Remains To Be Scene to be sold.  They have moved shop, as in across the road and it is so amazing.  I think I will ask Nina if I can take photos and blog the shop for you all, if you have never been there and you can, you so should.

 

While I was at Habitat I went in for a look around.  I found this bed side cabinet for $30, which I think will look awesome sanded and painted.  I had intended this to be for Jak as he is going flatting and wants a bedside cabinet.  But he didn't want to part company with his money so I am now keeping it.  No problem because his room is going to be a guest room so this will be perfect.

Guest room means if 'YOU' are in my neck of the woods and need a bed, I will have one for you!!!

 

 

I called into Hospice in town to see what goodies they had on offer where I found a frock.  I never try stuff on as it is only $2.50 per item in there, so if it fits, cool, if not I can pass it on.

Well it fitted!!  Hard to photograph being black but it has this ruffle thing happening on one side.  Going to be an all year round frock for sure, another great layering piece for the wardrobe!!

Yesterday, Thursday was another Frock day.  The frock, the shrug, and the shoes are all second hand.  As the day progressed on the hair went up again!! 

I finally SQUEEZED those Oranges!!!  But still no baking!!  Far too hot to bake, and that is my excuse and I am sticking to it.

And I retreated to the garden swing.  Once you start swinging in the breeze and shade of the trees it is very easy to nod off.  Nana napping outdoors is perfect, and Oscar agrees.

 

Of course I was joined, and sitting became lying down.  Such a hard life I live at the moment.  May as well enjoy it while I can.

 Tex really is a big cat.

Mrs Wickham has decided to dig over the Beetroot garden for me, getting all ready for me to plant another crop.  Thanks love!!

 Thursday evening and it was still  warm.

Oh the joy (not), there was a one day cricket game in Hamilton, a day nighter, and it was televised!!!

So now we get to today, Friday!!  I have gone with SPOTS!!! Must get rid of that farkin weed behind me at my posing wall, it is not working for me.  Sound like a trip to a man shop like Bunnings is on the cards.  Best I go hang out some washing and make me some lunch before the day is over.  

 

Hope life is wonderful for you all out there in Blog Land!

Unemployed but keeping busy

Thanks to you all for wishing me luck in finding a new job.  I am not worried in the slightest because I know something will turn up.  I figure at my age and stage of life I am actually quite marketable.  I'm not going to go and get pregnant and leave, I don't need time off to look after my kids, and I have a variety of experience on my side.  

So again my lovelies

Yesterday I toddled on out to Raglan to catch up with my good friend Diane and have a spot of lunch.  It is still busy with loads of holidaying people enjoying this gorgeous seaside town.  I read a memory box article in our local paper a few weeks back and it was to do with a relative of mine.  Well she was married to my grandfathers cousin, so that sort of relative!!

Aunty Joan got to unveil this memorial when she was 12, she is 92 this year and still living out at Raglan as far as I know.  I am not kept in the loop on such family matters, long story that isn't worth telling.  Anyway I love a bit of family history so this was quite a buzz.

I am pretty sure this dear little cottage which is next to the memorial would have been their home.  Cannot be 100% sure, but it is super cute.  Oh and the view isn't half bad either. This is down by Cliff Street, my favourite street.  There is a Wallis Road opposite the cottage.

We had a wander about town, poked our heads into a few of the shops and had a delightful lunch outside.  I bought this solar powered Hula Girl, she is pretty gorgeous and might just end up in my car yet.  Speaking of cars, we got a $12 parking ticket!!  Didn't even know Raglan had a parking warden!

On my drive home I stopped here.  One because I was in a long line of slow traveling traffic and two because I love Hydrangeas.  I faffed about for a little while then carried on my way, at the normal speed limit.

I stopped again on top of what is call The Deviation, just look at those hills.  The grass is getting pretty dry on the farms, and in need of some good rain.  Our temperatures have been high, lovely, but some rain at night would be welcome all round I suspect.

CRIKEY, I wonder how those got into my car??!!  I have since cut them, dipped them in rooting powder and put them in a pot.  Seemed the right thing to do, help them survive!!

At the lunch bar where we had lunch I bought this Apple Strudel for TOF.  Of course I had to give it the taste test to make sure the quality was up to his high standard in such things.

The scavengers arrived!!

 TOF harvested the garlic.

It can dry off a bit before I plait it to hang.

 I gathered the eggs and found four Raspberries.

Not enough to make Jam but very tasty

and heaps more are about to ripen.

 Yeah, more Peas!!

Today I spent the entire day at home sorting things out like my Summer clothes.  I have a bag of stuff to go to Habitat, a bag of stuff to get sold in the shop I used to work in, and a basket full of stuff to go on Trade Me.  Because I buy mainly second hand, I can have a bloody good cull every season.  I can donate some and make some $s for myself which will help tie me over until working again.

Tomorrow I will whiz around the aisles of the Supermarket after I have dropped off the clothes and shoes to their destinations.  TOF has suggested I bake and juice a pile of Oranges.  Not sure if I will have time you know, I have to slip in a nap in the afternoon as well.

The best weekends can be filled up with nothing...

...nothing but kicking back on the garden swing

enjoying the lovely weather.

This is the view when lying down on the swing seat

under the big old Idesia tree. 

I had some pretty good company.

TOF got back from being away on Saturday and we spent the entire weekend goofing off at home.  I think we only left the property to go get food supplies.  Sometimes it is nice just to do nothing, and the weather was glorious both days, oh and of course there has been Tennis and Cricket on the TV to watch.

This is a borrowed picture of a Native Kaka Beak Tree.  I bought two of them off Trade Me and they were couriered to me on Saturday.  The Red Flowers look like a beak hence the name.  After a solid hosing of the garden late this afternoon I dug some holes and planted my two new trees.

Mine are only about a metre tall, but grow to 3-4 metres eventually.  Mine are babies, spindly and need to be staked.  Hopefully they survive being knocked occasionally by Sheba s ball, maybe the direction of play should be altered.

My garden at night when everything has gone to bed, I love the colour of the sky.  The lawn takes a beating over summer and dries out something bad.  We will be on water restrictions soon I guess, but as long as I can water my plants I will be happy.

I picked up all the dog deposits and TOF mowed the lawn so the garden is looking lovely and tidy.  Well my kind of tidy, which is mish mash and oh so not orderly.  I call it the lived and and loved look!!

Flowers look amazing at night.

So while I lay on the swing seat in the garden I ponder the thought that everyone in this house is returning to week tomorrow except me.  Normally that would be fun, but I have had three weeks pottering about and tickey touring here and there.  I am ready to go back to work, just have to find me a job.  I have applied for two so far and have decided I will do anything except, work late nights or weekends, take my clothes off or dance.  Shouldn't be too hard to find something that doesn't require those things should it??

I am ready.

Most people will probably be like this.

And want to be like this!

Some alone time is always good to have

This morning I went and picked up and paid for some plants from a lady I have got to know through trade me.  She grows such lovely things and is very reasonably priced, which makes me a good customer.

When I got home I potted them up in a huge pot that I was given by my friend Robyn - THANKS SWEETIE!!!  Actually she gave me quite a few big pots, which means I need to get more plants!

While I was out I stopped in at a shopping mall to get my watch strap fixed at the jeweler that I originally purchased it from.  I had time to kill while it was being fixed so I had a look in a few of the shops.  I found this frock on 50% off and it was even marked down so only $7.50.  Nice soft cotton with a bit of colourful embroidery at the neck.  My watch was fixed for free, all he wanted was a SMILE, which was pretty easy to give to him.

 I spent pretty much all afternoon mucking about in the back yard.

I had plenty of company - some were just visiting.

 Others were residents.

 I made sure the bird bath and all water bowls were topped up.

They are all appreciated.

And a must when it is so hot.

I shortened a pair of Harem pants today making them into long shorts and gave them a Vix make over.  I added pom pom trim to the hem.  I think I will be doing this to another pair tomorrow!!

 I spent a good hour late this afternoon watering all my pots...

...and all the garden out the back.

Now it is RAINING outside!

Which is great because we could certainly do with it.

This is called a Chameleon Dress made by an NZ designer.  These sell for quite a few hundred dollars new.  I have lusted after these for a couple of years but baulked at the price tag.  Patience pays off if you wait long enough and use trade me.  I managed to pick this up for $70 and pretty dam pleased I tell you.  Completely reversible wrap around frock.  I can wear it anytime of the year, you just wait and see!!

TOF is away with work for a few days so I have been having non grown up dinners.  Last night was Potato Chips or Crisps for you English folk, with beer, followed with ice cream.  Tonight was Hot Cross Bun Bread toasted with home made blueberry jam, with beer, followed with ice cream.  Then there is the best ever dip on the left, divine on plain crackers, with beer, but not followed with ice cream.  Every night is like a party night here, so THANKS for the Beerzies TOF, I will leave you a couple of cold ones in the fridge.

The call from the Op Shops was strong today

FINALLY things are getting back to normal.  

TOF went back to work today, Jak  headed out, which meant I got the house back all to myself!!  I love being home alone through the day.  I accomplish a hell of a lot more when no one is here.  No distractions.

Today was another glorious Summer day and I have decided that the giant Sunflowers represent Summer perfectly, hence the pic.

I was up early this morning, 6am, because it is time to get back into the good habits of a routine.  I picked Strawberries, Peas, Lemons, found three more of my tiny Tomatoes, and three eggs were waiting for me in the NESTING box.  Hopefully the hide and seek egg game is over.

Mind you Joan is still enjoying her stalking game when I am in the garden.  As I look for eggs she follows me, and I know she is cackling inside.

I do like the sight of my peas in a bag ready to be frozen.  I only planted one row, so look out next year, there will be ROWS of them.

The Op Shops have been open since Monday so today the call to go check them all out was strong.  At this time of the year they get an awful lot of unwanted Christmas presents donated, so the pickings can be quite good.  I had a peek at about eight of them this morning, and I have a new strategy for my shopping.  CHEAP!!  It has to be cheap, or something I have really really wanted at an acceptable price.

 This row cost $1, $1, $2.50 and $1.

The patchwork patterns will get used by someone and when I saw the beaded doll like another one I have I had to get it, dolls need company you know. The Top is sort of floaty, but it might night float on me, I haven't tried it on as yet.

This was similar, $1 each, 50c, $1 each, and $2.

The little vinyl bag is going to have my handbag camera live inside it, and the Christmas Nativity tat had to be bought.  Who can say NO to a 50cent Dr Seuss poster?  Plastic coated cane bracelets, why yes I will have all three!!  And the tea towel was just to yum to leave behind.

Call the Police

I spent an entire $13!!!

Lock Me Up!

Now this absolutely fabulously gorgeous cake stand I bought off Trade Me, and for photographic purposes I added my spotty plates and some nibbles.  Now I need to have a tea party, hang on, I think a  SuesDay High Tea might be in order!!!

The same lady was selling these very cool toys at a very good price.  I know I have no Grandchildren as yet so they can live in my toy box until such time arrives. There is no harm in being prepared is there.  Mind you, Jak and I did have a little play with them this afternoon.  The buses both make noises!!

Tomorrow I have some plants to pot up and a garden to water unless we get some welcome over night rain.  I have lots of other bits and bobs to fill in my day, all at a leisurely pace of course.

 I sure do!