Art for Heart's Sake

So Cute!!

Hi, here is a photo I just had to share today.  John did the grocery shopping yesterday (I was working) and when he'd taken the groceries out of the back of the car he came back to find this:

Chester was 'saying' ''where are we going Dad, huh are we going somewhere??'' and Monty was saying ''I just had to get in to see what Chester was doing''.. these two are so cute together and yes that really is Monty's tail!!  His tail is over a foot long when it is lying straight out on the floor (only when he eats) and it spends most of it's time curled over his body.  If he's really happy to see me it literally touches his head.  I love this cat so much!  He always knows when I'm feeling a bit fragile and gives me extra attention.    He now sleeps in exactly the same spot as Sabah always did - yet another sign that Sabah is talking to him (we've had lots of signs like this.. might sound odd but it's true). 

I had a better day at work yesterday, mainly because I had more sleep the night before and was feeling a lot more in control of things - until I had to try and get that blasted long metal piece into the ceiling again at the end of the day.  Yet again we needed help and luckily one of my neighbours, Sue (strong woman) came past and helped.  Crikey I think I'm going to have to have permanent help, maybe from mall maintenance or something.  I need to talk to Gareth about that.  It sounds a little pathetic but the last thing I want to do is hurt my shoulder.  It has been a bit better lately but this morning I did something daft and I can feel it again pretty badly!  Urgh..   Today I am working 2-8pm in the sale store, and def know I am working 9-5pm on Saturday and 12-4pm on Sunday in the main store plus all day Monday, 1/2 in 1/2 sale and main store.  I will be SHATTERED!  Also working every pm next week too.  Groan. 

I am cooking the remaining damson plums at the moment and yay I have another sprinkler so am watering the garden too.  I must go and move it!  Smiles...oops the sprinkler not the garden, giggle!

My Roster!

Hi there, it's Wednesday morning and I've been busy all morning getting tiny things done around here before I go to work.  I have at least managed to scout around and find some decent greens for the chooks and benjamin which is quite a feat in this weather. 

I got a lovely surprise when I went to get an old broccoli plant out of the kitchen garden this morning.  I found a gorgeous head of broccoli which shocked me rather because it's growing in an area that hasn't been well watered.  I just hope it won't be too bitter - we'll find out tonight.

I also picked my first couple of Reefton peaches from the trees out there.  They are loaded this year which is a bit of a worry considering I simply don't have time to do much with them.  I can see a lot of stewed peaches (without sugar because they don't need any) in my freezer in the near future!  I also picked a sturmer apple because the birds are starting to eat them so I thought I'd cut one and check how ripe they are.  Yes you guessed it, stewed apples in the freezer too for winter crumbles etc.

Yesterday I got my roster for next week and I have to say I almost freaked out on the spot (internally of course).  A staff member is away on holiday until the end of next week and one other is waiting for a ''the baby's coming'' phone call so at the moment I am working all day Monday (1/2 in half main shop and sales shop with a 1/2 hour break between) and every afternoon again plus the whole Saturday.  I'm also working all day this Saturday in the main shop and most likely Sunday too.  Needless to say I had to fight the tears back several times yesterday.  I DO know that eventually I will get my routine settled and things won't feel so fraught.  I got home to no sprinkler working which also reduced me to tears because the garden is so dry and I'm not here to be able to hand water it.  Crikey Philippa breathe dear, breathe!  

On a brighter note I did mention to my boss that ''things WILL settle down after these two weeks?''  He said ''possibly''.  Eeeek... I have made the decision that if my hours are still horrendous after the next three weeks I am going to have to say ''18-20 hours only''.  That honestly is all I can manage and keep things going around here.

The door closure yesterday was a total comedy!  I got Taylor who was working in the sale store to come and help me with the long metal aluminium thingy to try and get it into a slot in the high roof so I could bolt it down into a hole in the floor and then slide the two doors down.  Both of us together couldn't manage it so I asked a passing man for help.  He looked a bit perturbed at first but then realised we genuinely needed help and even he had trouble doing it.  Thank heavens he managed it.  I went over to the shop across from me and asked the Italian gelato man if he could help me in the future if I have trouble.  It's amazing what a smile will do!  He said he definitely would if he's there.  Oh I hope he is tonight!!! 

My watering is calling - it's cloudy this morning which is heavenly!!  Smiles..

Crikey!!

Hi, oh boy how my life has changed!!  It's a lovely cloudy day at the moment and I'd love to be spending it in the garden because there is TRUCKLOADS to do..  I'm spending the next hour or so (I'm having a cup of tea as my only break this a.m.) watering and then I'm off to work for 5.5 hours.  I'm a bit nervous because I have to close the doors on the main shop tonight and it's not an easy task for someone tall and strong, let alone me!  I can see myself grabbing a passing man in desperation (not literally of course, breathe John.. giggle)!  At least I can still giggle even if inside I am quavering with angst about the garden.  I am so desperate for it to rain it isn't funny!  This is becoming the driest summer on record, ever here in NZ!  Triple ugh and bother!

Chester has another upset tummy which always seems to happen when he gets home from the kennels.  I think they must give him ''treats'' and one thing we know everything except liver treats gives him a dicky tum!  Poor lad!  Poor us too because he woke us up at 1.30am barking to go to the toilet and I didn't get back to sleep for a couple of hours.  Just what I didn't need this week!

I'd better go and start watering.  Sorry my posts this week will be a bit short and I definitely don't mean to sound moany..  Big big big smiles....

Happy Monday Morning!

Hi there, here I am slightly more refreshed and alive than I was yesterday after a busy weekend in Christchurch.  It takes about a five hour drive and I drove part of the way down on Friday but yesterday I was just too tired, so John did the whole thing. 

The wedding was just lovely and David and Kirstin are so in love!!  I took quite a few photos during the ceremony - part of me wishes I could just have sat there and taken the ceremony in without the distraction of the camera but I have to say I got some gorgeous photos so it was worth it.  Here are a couple.. the first one was taken about half way through and the second one is just after the married ''kiss''.. I love this one, just look how happy they are.

rtt

This week is exceptionally busy for me.  I am working every afternoon.. hmmm what happened to 18 hours a week max I ask myself.  I'm slightly stressed about it because I have so much to do here.  My nursery is advertised as being open Monday and Thursday until 4pm so John, bless his heart, will man it in the afternoon for me if anyone comes up the drive.  I need to make sure I have all of my plants priced etc so it's easy for him and I just hope I get time to do some this morning.  Speaking of which I'd better walk the dog so I can get started.  Breakfast is over!  Smiles and more tomorrow..

Just a quick post, we are back from the wedding and it was wonderful! I'll post some pics and tell you more tomorrow. Big smiles...

David's Wedding Day

Hi, today is David and Kirstin's wedding day and we are so excited for them both.  David is 27 and I honestly couldn't ask for a more lovely stepson.  Both my stepson and stepdaughter love me and I love them loads right back.  There are lots of stepmothers out there who don't have a good relationship with their partner's/husbands children so I DO realise how lucky I am. 

I can't wait to post pics of their wedding as I'm sure it is going to be beautiful.  There are 108!! guests coming, crikey! 

More late tomorrow.  Hugs for your day/night wherever you are.. sorry this is so short!  Smiles..

Damson Haul!

Hi, we have such a busy weekend coming up, starting today that I thought I'd post a  photo for you.  Here is the haul of damson plums we picked just over a week ago.  I have started two large preserving jars of Damson Gin and one of Damson Vodka.  This time I've used a bit less sugar because my first batch last season was very sweet - beautiful though. 

I strained off the raspberry gin I put down in December and 1 large preserving jar made just over 1.5 small tonic water bottles full.  It is SO SO SO delicious, like raspberry sunshine with a kick!!  Definitely to be drunk in very small quantities as an aperitif with soda or as a liquer.  Very yummy! 

I managed to get a few things ticked off my to do list yesterday monring but there's heaps more to do now.  I must fly!!  Smiles..

Chasing my Tail Again!

Hi, it's Thursday around 8.40am and I'm about to finish my breakfast and take the dog for a fairly quick walk.  I have so much to do before I go to work at 2 (oooh that rhymes) that my head is spinning on my shoulders.  I sat down and made a list of all the things I need to do before we head to the wedding this weekend...  eeeeeeek it's about 1/2 a page long and I only have this morning and a couple of hours tomorrow morning to do it all.    I won't be home from work until 8.15pm or so tonight (it's a late night at the shopping mall) and I just know my brain won't be working by that time of night.

Yesterday pm I made a necklace and earrings to go with my dress.  That is the one really good thing that came out of our 2 years in Singapore.  I couldn't garden so I learned professional jeweller beading techniques and pearl knotting too.    I haven't made anything for ages and I had such fun playing with fine gold chain, vintage beads, raw aquamarine beads and 2 swarovski crystals.  I kept the necklace simple because the dress is very busy, but the colours match PERFECTLY!!  I will take a photo later if I get a chance, otherwise I promise there will be loads after the wedding.

Okay, I've finished my breakfast so must sign off now.  My posts over the next couple of days will be fairly short but hopefully things will get back to ''sort of normal'' apart from work from Monday onwards.  Phew..  Smiles.. with hugs oooooh and thank you Mary for your lovely comment - Love you!!!!

So far, So Good!!

Hi, it's 8.24am and so far, so good - the phone hasn't rung (touch wood) to ask me to work this morning.  I am hoping and praying it won't because I have so much to do here.  There is a trailer sitting on the front lawn between two gardens, waiting for me to empty the compost from it, the weeds in the kitchen garden are horrendous and I need to finish making my necklace for the wedding this weekend - gold chain with some gemstone beads dropping from the centre to match my dress - plus putting the final touches on D&K's wedding pressie.  Oh then there's the weeds in the main perennial garden too.  Yikes and D&K's gift tag. 

I've been meaning to make a ''to do'' list all week but so far I haven't managed to do it.  Giggle, I need a to put ''making a to do list'' on my to do list!!  Crikey!!

Having mentioned all this I think I'd better stop typing and start doing!  Big hugs and I promise to share some photos soon.  My life has changed fairly radically in the past week or so and it's going to take me a while to regain my equilibrium.  I hope my words aren't boring you??  Smiles..

EEEEEEEK I'm late!

Hi honeys, oh boy what a day it's been!! I went to work at 9am and while I was there was told that I might be working tomorrow morning (Wed) which is unexpected and that ''could I work every day for some hours next week''.  Oh my goodness and crikey.. not what I expected at all when I said yes to this job.  I did enjoy my time at the workshop today and got to move around a lot of bolts of beautiful fabric.  I had to giggle as some of them felt like corpses.. they were heavy and floppy... ahem not that I've handled corpses of course!! Giggle

I'm struggling a little bit, well panicing really because I am really scared the garden and my nursery are going to suffer big time!!  Breathe, honey, breathe...

More tomorrow morning (if I'm not working..) lovely friends... This job is turning into a monster and right now I'm tearful about it.  I will settle into it I know and I just need to know ''it's okay to say no''..  I'm wondering what has happened to the other person who was ''another me''.  I haven't seen her at all and tomorrow or Thursday (my rostered afternoon) I'm going to ask where she is?? and if she can do some hours for me.  Right I need to start working on my necklace for the wedding on Saturday.  It's late and I ought to go to bed instead!!  LOLOL.. Smiles...