tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-103583452024-03-14T10:58:41.934+13:45Kismet FarmAn occasional story about what is happening down on the farmwinohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04006694018337225608noreply@blogger.comBlogger332125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10358345.post-45212091220905419112010-07-08T18:14:00.002+12:452010-07-08T18:23:56.202+12:45Sorry, but only found how to use this now.<br />''wino'' passed away on 2-7 at home peacefully from cancer<br />So no more bloggs from her but I'm happy to be able to share her last few years of bloggs - it gives me some comfort that she was able to write so well and have some people make her smile :-)<br />I miss her more than words will ever say ....... THANKS (winos husband)winohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04006694018337225608noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10358345.post-50646284535589197112010-05-07T17:49:00.003+12:452010-05-07T17:57:20.107+12:45Is this how you get a bargain?Husband was approached by someone he didn't know last week to see if he was interested in selling his 4WD - they had noted it was a particularly tidy example of the model and some of the features it has are a little hard to come by. After some contemplation (and a quick check of Trademe and with a dealer as to what it might be worth) he allowed them to check it over and test drive it. <br /><br />They made him an offer. Which was about half what it would be on a dealers yard for and at least a third less than the price we agreed we would contemplate selling it for. When the would be buyer was informed of this he shrugged and said he wasn't willing to pay any more. <br /><br />I guess if you approach enough strangers eventually you find one that isn't aware of the value of what they have... perhapswinohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04006694018337225608noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10358345.post-22209781256144404802010-05-03T14:45:00.003+12:452010-05-03T15:00:09.040+12:45The finished bathroom<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qIhRa8oDdao/S94vtKhlF_I/AAAAAAAAAPY/LESqjN6flcc/s1600/DSC03023.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qIhRa8oDdao/S94vtKhlF_I/AAAAAAAAAPY/LESqjN6flcc/s320/DSC03023.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466859450640177138" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qIhRa8oDdao/S94vsZ8rjmI/AAAAAAAAAPQ/hVNWccRj5Ko/s1600/DSC03019.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qIhRa8oDdao/S94vsZ8rjmI/AAAAAAAAAPQ/hVNWccRj5Ko/s320/DSC03019.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466859437600509538" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qIhRa8oDdao/S94vrhF3jsI/AAAAAAAAAPI/2K0zHr0Uw2Q/s1600/DSC03024.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qIhRa8oDdao/S94vrhF3jsI/AAAAAAAAAPI/2K0zHr0Uw2Q/s320/DSC03024.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466859422338223810" border="0" /></a><br />Actually it still doesn't have a mirror so it isn't quite finished...winohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04006694018337225608noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10358345.post-92064583222641888502010-04-20T14:08:00.004+12:452010-04-20T14:25:48.869+12:45Random Thoughts1 So a builder works on an hourly rate plus materials. Why does he think he can just put a number down for materials on the invoice without providing any proof? Second builder in a row has just done that - and second builder has just indicated he is offended at our lack of trust in asking for a materials account. We are talking some thousands of dollars here. If the vet can itemise some rubber gloves and a syringe why can't the builder itemise timber and nails?<br /><br />2 Why, if I order cat food online do they send puppy food?<br /><br />3 How come when a trader on trademe mismeasures an item it becomes my fault as the buyer when it doesn't fit?<br /><br />4 Why do some men - in particular tradesmen, and this week in particular those involved in selling and fitting flooring, think that women need things explained to them three times, slowly and in words of two syllables. Actually I fully understood the issue before you finished telling me the first time.<br />Husband reports in his job that some men will refuse to discuss things with the bosses wife, when actually she knows everything, preferring to talk it over with the 'boy' who doesn't know what he had for breakfast most days.<br /><br />5 Why does same tradesman as mentioned in 4 find it offensive when I suggest he stop treating me like an idiot? (maybe his wife doesn't answer him back, maybe she had half a brain and left him... )winohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04006694018337225608noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10358345.post-20997109100567448892010-04-18T13:57:00.005+12:452010-05-03T15:03:44.700+12:45Big Boys Toys and BabiesAnd no those two things are not related like THAT!<br /><br />Sometime after the autumn freezing/preserving/jam making urge sets in and passes again I usually get a winter evening creative urge. Once we start pulling the drapes at night and lighting the fire I seem to want to make something.<br /><br />A few weeks ago I found out about <a href="http://www.montys.co.nz/baby-beanies.php">Baby Beanies for Africa</a>. So I fished out the spare bits and pieces of knitting wool I could find and have been knitting teeny tiny beanies while I watch TV. Apparently the babies in the Mowbray Maternity Hospital in Cape Town often leave the hospital dressing in an adult size teeshirt or in the worst cases wrapped in newspaper. I like the idea of doing something useful with the wool that would otherwise be thrown out.<br /><br />Husband has been looking for something to have a mid life crisis over for some time I feel. A couple of months ago (or maybe a little longer) he found it. A motorbike. But not just any bike - a Harley Davidson. The very basic bottom end of the range model Harley Davidson but a Hog no less. Which yesterday we went to Hamilton to pick up. The average car dealer could learn a little from this bike dealership I think. It was an occasion - there were free tee-shirts and a bag, he was taken round to meet the parts department and the service department and generally made to feel welcome (come back any time and trade in on the next model up!). Anyway he's had a cheerful grin on his face for the last 24 hours which may last for quite some time and I suspect I won't be expected to collect small things from town (as long as the sun is shining) for many months.<br /><br />Which left me thinking yesterday afternoon as I was discussing motorbikes, South African babies and Ugandan orphanages with my mother:<br /><br /> There are worse fates than being a middle aged middle class New Zealander<br />winohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04006694018337225608noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10358345.post-54222074306412952312010-04-09T13:38:00.006+12:452010-04-09T19:56:13.013+12:45I'm still standing...Swaying a bit on my feet admittedly but it's all right (that's what they make walls for isn't it? Actually I've been involved in enough renovations to know that walls actually hold up the roof - as well as completely sober people who are out of energy and having trouble holding themselves upright - and the completely sober bit is sort of sad too...).<br /><br />Chemo brain has set in and I am now incapable 0f multi tasking. It will pass but it is boring while it lasts. But we potter on doing one thing at a time.<br /><br />There are a fair few things going on so it gets a bit more complicated when multitasking doesn't work.<br /><br />The main bathroom redo is nearing completion. Since it was started in January this hasn't been the fastest of renovations. Not really sure what the hold up was on it, it just didn't seem to progress fast. It has been a good reason not to have people to stay, but on the other hand people I would have enjoyed having round haven't been able to stay either, as I restrict the people I allow to walk through my bedroom to get to the bathroom in the middle of the night to very immediate family. I'm a bit sensitive like that. Anyhow it's now close to finished, waiting on the flooring and once that is down it will be all over in an hour (or however long it takes to fit a trendy freestanding bath, toilet and vanity unit when all the plumbing is in place and waiting).<br /><br />Then this week the builders arrived and are currently making short work of fitting new French doors, relining some walls and doing a few other things in the basement area. When we initially decided to do the work (again in January) we found the last builder we had used and liked (as opposed to the ones we didn't like which are all too easy to find unfortunately) had decided there wasn't enough work in Tauranga and gone off to Auckland. So we had to interview new builders (and let them think they were deciding if they wanted the job and quote on it). As usual there were the interesting ones - for instance the guy who turns up unannounced two days after he was supposed to and opens the conversation with a comment at the front door that old houses are terrible and he hates panelling and timber floors, then carries on to say he wants an hourly rate of $60 cash and has no idea how long it will take as it looks a bit complicated. We shrugged and crossed him off the list but he rang up three weeks later under the impression he had the job... which sort of reinforces that he isn't that bright either. Happily the guys we ended up choosing seem to work fast and know exactly what they are doing. They should be almost finished tonight with a few final bits and pieces to tidy up on Monday. And it is starting to look fabulous... well when it gets gibstopped and painted and carpeted and things it will be looking fabulous.<br /><br />Have two cats on the walking wounded list this week too. First my water sharing friend Zena had some teeth out and lay round feeling sorry for herself. She got up and demanded vegemite on toast this morning for breakfast so must be getting over it. And her yellow mate Herbie (the other burmese who rules our lives) got into an argument with something and ended up with an ulcer on his eye. Some trips to the vet later he's still not right and is due back on Monday morning if he doesn't decide to open his eye over the weekend. So far he isn't showing much inclination to do more than squint. He's got sort of resigned to having stuff in his eye four times a day and painkiller jammed down his throat every 24 hours, but I suspect he'll punish us later for that - he holds grudges and his claws are sharp.<br /><br />Apart from that we went to Horse of the Year which was great, and that really is about all that has happened. Though the sawdust and bits of giboard and loose wiring and piles of stuff all over the place is enough to go on with.winohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04006694018337225608noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10358345.post-80621973499423586282010-03-02T17:17:00.002+13:452010-03-02T17:26:36.718+13:45GrrrrrrI was meant to have chemotheraphy today but didn't as my blood counts are still low from last week's dose. The nurse was concerned I might be upset by that but that is fine by me - I would rather wait a week than get some bug and end up extremely ill because my immune system is compromised.<br /><br />So that isn't what is irritating me. The thing is we had to traipse into the hospital this morning after I had taken the mind numbing anti nausea drugs I have to take first to find out that the blood test that were available yesterday afternoon suggested that I didn't need to be there and definitely didn't need to take the mind numbing drugs. A phone call would have been helpful. <br /><br />It's 4.30pm and I am still not fully functioning from the pills I took at 8.30am - hope they wear off soon (at least I don't need to take the evening dose)<br /><br />And thanks Sue and Lou for the blog awards - I'll deal to them when my brain works properly again.winohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04006694018337225608noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10358345.post-63742614109187077172010-02-15T13:12:00.003+13:452010-02-15T13:34:49.007+13:45Vale - Dick FrancisBeing a horse fanatic and an inveterate reader I've been a fan of Dick Francis for about forever. I loved that he never wrote a book I couldn't somehow identify with, the detail of some of the subjects he included (flying, photography, glassblowing), the plot twists and clues that kept me amused and pondering throughout. Not heavy literature by any means but guaranteed entertaining.<br /><br />A bit over three years ago when we got to see horses training in the early morning mist in the Cotswolds husband and I said to each other "it's like something out of a Dick Francis". His words had described the scene so well that that was the first thing we both thought of. <br /><br />I was actually reading my way along the Dick Francis shelf in the bookcase this last week, noted over the weekend that I appear to be missing a book I wanted to reread and went online this morning to see if I could find a copy. There the news came up the Dick Francis died yesterday. <br /><br />RIPwinohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04006694018337225608noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10358345.post-90349597083939119232010-02-12T13:24:00.006+13:452010-02-12T14:19:02.424+13:45I didn't think I was finished yet - but maybe I am...It has been a very bad couple of weeks.<br /><br /><br />Weeks that involve hospitals are generally bad of course, though when they combine morphine with the hospital experience it gets marginally more bearable. Not much, but slightly.<br /><br /><br />As absolute low moments go the late evening when a surgeon stood at the end of my bed and suggested that there was a possibility that they had perforated my bowel and if so I would die in the very near future as he wasn't going to operate given I was terminal anyway was probably a once in a lifetime low. (But I guess if they had actually perforated my bowel it would have been worse - thankfully they hadn't) He then had the audacity to say he knew how I felt! I told him fairly sharply that he had no idea how I felt at all and couldn't possibly and he did have the grace to look slightly abashed.<br /><br />Anyhow he wasn't the only person who used the terminal word. And they combined it into sentences that were instructions, like "You need to accept you are terminal". <br /><br />Actually I don't have trouble accepting I am terminal when I stop to contemplate it. I have no problem understanding that this cancer will kill me. That has pretty much been a given for a long time since there has been a complete disinterest in actually doing anything to positively improve my chances of survival for the last five years. I have a great deal of difficulty getting my head round time frames (of which there are none but sooner seems to be used rather than later - though they've been wrong about that for about four years too) - and we are all dying after all. <br /><br />So in the spirit of being a good patient I wrote down some funeral instructions and a quick list of items I want to go to certain people. I guess that is admiting that sooner rather than later might be a possibility.<br /><br />Anyway I'm home now, should survive the weekend, no longer subjected to hospital jelly or carrot soup (who on earth invented clear carrot soup!) and life is on the improve.winohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04006694018337225608noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10358345.post-84562580933744135732010-01-22T18:40:00.005+13:452010-01-22T18:48:54.125+13:45InadequateApparently. Me that is.<br /><br />At least I went shopping for a new bra today. I didn't buy any. It seems that as a C cup I can now only buy boosting enhancing type bra with padded cups or a sports bra. I just wanted a standard underwired model, maybe with a bit of lace.<br /><br />Now peering down my front and standing sideways in the mirror I don't feel under-endowed. A reasonable boost northwards is always welcome but there is a bust that I ... umm.... thought.... was adequate for the purpose.... more or less....<br /><br />Not so according to the bra manufacturers.winohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04006694018337225608noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10358345.post-88643566444229951842010-01-21T13:52:00.004+13:452010-01-21T14:07:26.990+13:45Sob sell goes wrong.Just had a phone call from a charitable organisation seeking my money - you know $25, $50 or $100 whichever I would like to donate. (One of the things that always perplexes me when they do that is what happens if I look in my wallet and find I have $47 can I give that or can I only give one of the stipulated amounts?)<br /><br />Anyway this woman was telling me earnestly about how tough it is to be a child with a particular disease. She tells me these children need so many things and my money is needed to help them in the Bay of Plenty area.<br /><br />So I'm listening to this earnest sell and it occurs to me to ask "so how many children in the Bay of Plenty does this affect?" She's not sure. She starts to pull numbers out of thin air and thinks better of it, "Maybe fff... no I'm not sure" Hmm okay.<br /><br />So while I'm assimulating this I carry on through the thought processes "So what do these kids actually need?" I ask. I'm having a minor potential grand gesture moment, I have contacts in all sorts of places, if these kids need something specific that the current health system isn't providing I might even apply myself to getting some of that. The answer isn't that helpful "money to buy things" is the reply. "So what does the money buy?" I ask. "All the things they need" she says. "But what are these things?" After an umm and an ahh she admits she doesn't know.<br /><br />Really if you want my money you'll have to do better than that sorry.winohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04006694018337225608noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10358345.post-75249662053687874972010-01-16T19:56:00.003+13:452010-01-16T20:03:31.136+13:45Grumble of the dayHow long have ATM machines been round? I can't remember but longer than 20 years right? Seems like as long as I can remember anyway.<br /><br />So why is it that some people still don't understand how they work? I am not referring to the elderly or anyone impaired in any way, but apparently able bodied, middle aged and younger people seem to have such trouble getting the card in the right way, putting the correct PIN in and getting the money they want out.<br /><br />And why - when I park somewhere I shouldn't be parked as I figure grabbing some cash will take about 30 seconds - do I end up waiting behind one of these people who can't make the ATM work?winohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04006694018337225608noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10358345.post-26751445873215364782010-01-16T14:08:00.004+13:452010-01-16T14:20:53.525+13:45Getting too close to your pets<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_qIhRa8oDdao/S1EH5EEoOsI/AAAAAAAAAO8/dV16TXMIiaw/s1600-h/DSC02803.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_qIhRa8oDdao/S1EH5EEoOsI/AAAAAAAAAO8/dV16TXMIiaw/s320/DSC02803.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427127702885251778" border="0" /></a><br />This is Zena, seal Burmese and a bit of a lounge lizard though she does attempt to be a real Burmese sometimes such as when there is a car to ride in.<br /><br />She also does have the basic belief that she is a human occupying a feline body (as many burmese do). That means a feed of chilli washed down with a beer is her sort of meal, and onion dip on a potato crisp is good too.<br /><br />The sharing has gone a little far though<br /><br />I nearly always take a glass of water to bed with me so when I wake up at 2 am thirsty the water is within reach. Which worked for me... until Zena was discovered drinking from it. I do wonder how long that habit has been going on - did she always have a quick lap while I was in the bathroom I wonder...<br /><br />I'm now taking a sipper bottle to bed.winohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04006694018337225608noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10358345.post-80452601064936527442010-01-06T12:28:00.005+13:452010-01-06T13:45:35.514+13:45Just ponderingWe went to a funeral this week.<br /><br />Ngaire and Jim Prendergrast are local institutions. Jim has been in the area all his life and Ngaire all the almost sixty years of her married life as well as some of her childhood. Jim and Ngaire are who you ring when your dog goes missing, or you find some stock out on the road and aren't sure who they might belong to or you need someone with a front end loader to dig a hole in a hurry. <br /><br />Sadly just before New Year Ngaire slipped away, peacefully in her own home. She was 83 and had been fit and well until the last few years of her life (was climbing mountains well into her 70s!). If you have to die (and it is inevitable) this would be one of the better ways to go I think.<br /><br />As you can imagine it was a well attended service. Ngaire had touched many lives over the years and was loved and respected throughout the district. Someone said during the service that she loved her family. I knew that already, it was evident when you talked to Ngaire that she loved her children, her grandchildren and great grandchildren, and their partners, completely and unconditionally. The way she and Jim spoke of each other and to each other was indicative of a long and loving partnership which was heartwarming.<br /><br />As the coffin was carried out at the end of the service I thought for a moment how hard it is for her family to be without her. That the gap she leaves will be huge. <br /><br />Then I thought how incredibly lucky they had been to have her. How fortunate to have a mother, grandmother, sister or aunt like Ngaire. <br /><br />Few are so blessed.winohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04006694018337225608noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10358345.post-1441519721121518762009-12-23T19:43:00.003+13:452009-12-23T20:17:27.585+13:45Oh Christmas Tree<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qIhRa8oDdao/SzGysdgGYfI/AAAAAAAAAOs/fyaJidjl76I/s1600-h/xmas+tree.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qIhRa8oDdao/SzGysdgGYfI/AAAAAAAAAOs/fyaJidjl76I/s320/xmas+tree.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418308303606669810" border="0" /></a>Our Christmas tree in no way resembles the photo. For starters it is a real tree.<br /><br />And when you go out with the chainsaw and take out a tree that seems fairly small compared to the half grown pines you lose your sense of perspective and have to cut a metre off the tree so it fits under the 3.6 metre stud. It is definitely the largest tree ever, though not the most densely branched one. Those carefully grown Christmas trees they sell at exorbitant prices are definitely prettier than our tree.<br /><br />Too late and never mind - it is here now. I hope the angel on the top of the tree doesn't get vertigo. <br /><br />For the last couple of years I have also been left pondering why, when there is an endless choice of Christmas decorations now I can't find a set of tree lights that I like as much as the two sets we currently have (one of which is over 20 years old). I am further spurred on to replace them as electrician husband mutters that they aren't considered safe these days being plugged straight into 240 volts. I have visions of visiting toddlers reaching out and being fried on the 20 year old 240 volt lights. I tried again this year and found a set I did quite like, took them home and plugged them in to find only half the string worked. When I tried to replace them they didn't have any left so had to refund me. I guess the old ones are here for another year. Another case of too late that's the way it is now and I have made a mental note to unplug the lights if any toddlers are visiting.<br /><br />So here I sit - glass in hand, critiquing the Christmas Tree and contemplating the year that was. <br /><br />Merry Christmas to you.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><img src="file:///C:/Users/Kay/AppData/Local/Temp/moz-screenshot.png" alt="" />winohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04006694018337225608noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10358345.post-63076395241321173892009-12-13T17:45:00.002+13:452009-12-13T17:52:26.264+13:45Sunday afternoon snoozing<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qIhRa8oDdao/SyRnt7eD4PI/AAAAAAAAAOk/gC0kF8NYd-4/s1600-h/DSC02657.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qIhRa8oDdao/SyRnt7eD4PI/AAAAAAAAAOk/gC0kF8NYd-4/s320/DSC02657.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414566690761728242" border="0" /></a>I know, the fatty girls don't really need that much grass - but someone has to eat it.winohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04006694018337225608noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10358345.post-38428063895221383682009-12-11T17:19:00.007+13:452009-12-11T17:51:20.311+13:45Just for a change all went to plan<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qIhRa8oDdao/SyG_0EJBdjI/AAAAAAAAAOE/viSxQoRI44U/s1600-h/DSC02550.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qIhRa8oDdao/SyG_0EJBdjI/AAAAAAAAAOE/viSxQoRI44U/s320/DSC02550.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413819128261735986" border="0" /></a>The master bedroom used to look like this (fairly dire - don't think it had had skirting boards for years)<br /><br />Then it looked like this for a week or two until plumbing and wiring got sorted<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qIhRa8oDdao/SyG_1NB3xuI/AAAAAAAAAOU/FTIfYwcRgtQ/s1600-h/DSC02619.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qIhRa8oDdao/SyG_1NB3xuI/AAAAAAAAAOU/FTIfYwcRgtQ/s320/DSC02619.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413819147827529442" border="0" /></a><br />And this - bar the carpet which is going down on Tuesday next week - is what it looks like finished. Interestingly the gibstopper said he gibstopped this entire house in the late 1990s when he was an apprentice - I thought on the whole our walls were pretty good, that might be why.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qIhRa8oDdao/SyG_0kaIqoI/AAAAAAAAAOM/BHVp8taHFpk/s1600-h/DSC02646.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qIhRa8oDdao/SyG_0kaIqoI/AAAAAAAAAOM/BHVp8taHFpk/s320/DSC02646.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413819136923445890" border="0" /></a>As you can see the ensuite is too small to photograph properly.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_qIhRa8oDdao/SyG_1nSiymI/AAAAAAAAAOc/6K2mgBoDRig/s1600-h/DSC02638.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_qIhRa8oDdao/SyG_1nSiymI/AAAAAAAAAOc/6K2mgBoDRig/s320/DSC02638.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413819154876779106" border="0" /></a><br />I am impressed how well this came together. Tradesmen arrived when agreed and didn't have brainstorms about doing it differently or trouble measuring things, they came and went in a synchronised fashion so no one was waiting for anyone else.<br /><br />There are minor glitches like the place that can supply the door handles we want refusing to return calls, and the doors needing to be taken off, taken outside and painted, but nothing at all major.<br /><br />I don't think we even went over budget...<br /><br />My last bit of work for the year just came out the other side of the audit with a clean bill of health so now I just have to make the Christmas Cake, do some other assorted Christmas baking and finish two christmas presents.winohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04006694018337225608noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10358345.post-43992857620159633262009-12-10T08:39:00.006+13:452009-12-10T09:00:56.287+13:45WeightliftingI blame the school dental service for the state of my teeth. They drilled and filled and generally made a mess of them for years and now they are disintegrating, irreparable, past root canals and rebuilding thanks to bad fillings.<br /><br />Some more had to leave on Monday. You have to love the drugs these dentists have, I don't remember any of it past the time he said he was injecting the stuff into my arm, until he handed husband an envelope of instructions and said I needed to take it easy for a couple of days.<br /><br />48 hours passed so I figured the taking it easy bit was over and it was alright to go pick up hay last night. Not sure the dentist will approve but someone had to pick it up, it can't just sit there forever.<br /><br />What a mission! The contractor hadn't had the small baler out so far this year and he did note that some of the first bales were solid. Solid! I can hoist 25kg bag of horsefeed with a minor effort - some of the first 80 bales we picked up I could not move off the ground. They were perfectly dry, as the one that broke open showed, just incredibly densely packed. We sack barrowed them to the end of the hayshed, almost winched them onto the growing stack, swore, had an argument and contemplated shooting all hay eating animals and leaving the darn hay where it sat.<br /><br />Thankfully it was only the first paddock full, and we started with them so after that things improved.<br /><br />This morning my mouth is fine but my back is complaining a little and the hay scratches up my arms and legs are irritating.<br /><br />More to pick up tonight and if the weather holds more on Sunday.winohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04006694018337225608noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10358345.post-66814774106513127812009-11-23T10:38:00.009+13:452009-11-23T12:50:16.664+13:45SeachangeSomething happened over the weekend that has been waiting to happen for a fair while. One of those events that you hope never comes round but really it was inevitable that it would. It was a completely emotional event (no humans or animals were physically damaged :-))<br /><br />So from Saturday to Sunday things are completely different, priorities have suddenly shifted and the world has a whole new perspective.<br /><br />Given two and a half hours in a car driving back from Auckland airport late last night husband and I started brainstorming about where this epiphany will lead us and how long it will take to get there. We didn't reach any conclusions but we came up with a lot of ideas that need following up. We did agree quite early in the piece to stay married for the forseeable future - which was never an issue in the first place but it is always good to establish the ground rules on life changes early in the discussion don't you think...<br /><br />Somehow I think that we will be looking at some big changes in the next year or two. It feels a very positive outcome from the extremely negative event that precipated it.winohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04006694018337225608noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10358345.post-70259950790849342092009-11-10T17:23:00.006+13:452010-02-12T23:26:04.334+13:45Credit where credit is due please!A long time ago - about March last year - I decided to lose the chemo weight I've been carrying round for far too long.<br /><br />According to various people (mostly American hence the lack of metrics) taking a course of taxol is good for an 25 pound weight gain. I've never been an underachiever so I managed to put on 20 kilos. That made me just on clinically obese according to the height and weight charts. Clinically obese is not a pretty term... Also when I am clinically obese my knees hurt in the morning and I have difficulty getting on my horse (and I'm sure she wasn't that impressed with 20kg extra either).<br /><br />I didn't make a big fuss about it - I just made a conscious effort to eat better and a bit less. And my weight has very slowly drifted down to where I wanted it to be, which I hit about three weeks ago.<br /><br />I might add that that weight - while healthy - is still 10kg higher than my lightest adult weight and 6 kg higher than my pre-children average weight, so I hardly have bones sticking out here. Skinny wasn't something I was designed to be.<br /><br />It took 12 months for anyone except my husband to notice I'd lost weight. That's okay I didn't feel any real need to talk about it.<br /><br />Then my manager (who I don't see very often) rang "I hear you've got all skinny" she said. Apparently one of the other managers who I occasionally drop in for a chat with when time allows had noted my weight loss, and being aware I have cancer was a bit concerned that I was being overworked at a time when I wasn't well. Which was sweet of him but a trifle too PC... I reassured all involved that I'd worked darn hard at it.<br /><br />The other person I can't convince is my mother. She believes come hell or high water that<br />1) I am too thin<br />2) This is entirely due to the cancer which must be taking hold and getting the better of me.<br />She's felt the need to discuss it with husband on the quiet because she doesn't believe me. He has assured her that I haven't eaten a potato chip for over a year and that he can see how I lost the weight. He doesn't think she believes him either.<br /><br />*sigh*<br />So if I get fat it's my own fault<br />If I lose weight it's something else.winohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04006694018337225608noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10358345.post-22405101703839394622009-10-29T11:48:00.004+13:452009-10-29T12:12:00.586+13:45And I like cows because... ummmmThe vet came out this morning to blood test and vaccinate Jack the bull. The plan went slightly awry as the little begger had broken out during the night along with the red cow Aurora and while he wasn't an issue to round up again he was feeling less than cheerful about being told where to go and was standing in the yards growling at us. So the vet showed and sorted her stuff out and we put him in the crush. All was well and we thought he would behave (he's a placid lad usually) until she offended his dignity by grasping him firmly by the tail so he practiced his showjumping and left (great scope Jack - you really should have been a horse, you'd be Olympic level for sure). So we had to do what we should have done in the first place which was grab him by the nose ring. Once that was done he behaved and it was all over in less than a minute (maybe he listened to the pep talk I gave him - "It's like this Jack - have the test, get to meet more cows, on the other hand if you don't have the test, you'll be upside down on a hook")<br /><br />The rain held off until that was over.<br /><br />I have been keeping an eye on the neighbours heifers who I feel are closer to calving than the neighbours do (they reckoned they weren't in calf and put them back with the bull two months later). So this morning from my window I noticed one girl flat out in their paddock. An hour later she hadn't moved and was still completely prone. I decide to investigate so out I go in the rain, over a couple of fences (complete with hotwires so needing careful negotiation) towards the heifer who hadn't moved. She waited until I was within 5 metres before leaping up and running off. Definitely springing but not calving... At least I know now.winohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04006694018337225608noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10358345.post-42254535166204585102009-10-24T15:12:00.006+13:452009-10-24T22:16:03.665+13:45Time flies...This time of year is always flat out at work and this year has four deadlines spaced out over two months and all of them seem a couple of weeks too early. Still three have passed now and it is sort of downhill until Christmas (which seems to be getting rather close) after which the next round of what has to be done by when will be issued.<br /><br />I was still putting the finishing touches (and the long hours) into the third deadline when husband decided he would live no longer without an ensuite so he started moving furniture out of the master bedroom and demolished the wardrobe. Leaving me no choice really but to sort through the clothes that were previously contained within and find that I am unlikely to wear most of them again. This morning we have the builder in and they are building a wall (or two as there will be a walk in wardrobe to replace the departed model) which appears to be progressing very well. My clothing collection is now so sparse that a walk in wardrobe appears overkill. Must go shopping...<br /><br />We are banished to what I always considered the most unappealing room in the house - a cavernous space in the basement with ugly concrete block walls and a single set of french doors providing the only natural light. The room doesn't even have a door to close. However as it was doing nothing else at the time it seemed like the best room to move into. And now set up as a bedroom it is so cosy I may just stay there. Just goes to show furniture always helps.<br /><br />Topaz the January mini foal went to a lovely new home a few weeks ago too. They report that they are delighted with her which is great as really as homes go it doesn't come much better. However due to a change in circumstances we'll be getting her mother Gemma back soon so thinking we were actually a horse down was fairly shortlived.winohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04006694018337225608noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10358345.post-66787317347889074952009-09-27T10:47:00.001+13:452009-09-27T10:54:51.055+13:45short cow photo<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qIhRa8oDdao/Sr6B-roW-MI/AAAAAAAAAN0/4oUfngdsRLQ/s1600-h/DSC02480.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385885118245566658" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qIhRa8oDdao/Sr6B-roW-MI/AAAAAAAAAN0/4oUfngdsRLQ/s320/DSC02480.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div></div>winohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04006694018337225608noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10358345.post-61172954550968049332009-09-24T19:39:00.005+12:452009-09-24T20:09:22.841+12:45I suppose she couldn't help it....We have a line of cows who are definitely a little intellectually challenged. The type of cow who can't quite work out where the gate is so ends up running back down the fence line bellowing that her herd have not only left her but have found fresh grass.<br /><br />Bonny is the first of the line and three calves later she's still a bit aghast that she has managed to produce that small thing every time. Thankfully she does now feed them without pinning down and forcing her. Her bull calves have also been singularly thick and her daughter Amanda may be black but she's really a blond underneath.<br /><br />Which is why I am sure Amanda decided to calve today in the pouring rain. Two weeks early according to my calculations and without bothering to bag up much beforehand so a little unexpected. It was fairly new and still slimy (as well as saturated in the rain) at feed time. Amanda was dithering over her baby with an aghast sort of look on her face very reminiscent of her mother, an "OMG what is this and why the hell are my instincts telling me I like it" look. They were in the most exposed paddock we have so we moved her and baby down to the run where there is some more shelter. Being her mother's daughter Amanda of course got confused about how the gateway worked and whether she should follow the calf or run back to the herd but she got her priorities right when I waved the stock stick at her and growled. Left the pair under the pine trees hopefully sorting themselves out. Was too dark and dreary to see what sex we had but I groped round and couldn't find testicles so a heifer at a guess. Fingers crossed the smart bull genes have got through in this one - I won't be holding my breath though.winohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04006694018337225608noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10358345.post-73332156544324784242009-09-10T19:41:00.003+12:452009-09-10T19:51:42.582+12:45BizzareMy work digital camera was on its last legs and had developed a battery eating problem. <br /><br />So yesterday I strolled into an appliance shop, browsed the range of digital cameras and selected the one I wanted with a few accessories that I felt compelled to own while I was there and asked the shop assistant who was hovering for "that camera there" pointing to the model I required which was sitting in the cabinet. (not please note in one of those displays where the camera is attached to a wire but available for all to handle - this was securely ensconced behind a lock and glass)<br /><br />He declined to sell it to me. It was the last camera of that model that they had in stock and he would order one in and I could collect it tomorrow. He wouldn't sell me that one - for no reason, except he wouldn't.<br /><br />He was left holding the accessories.<br /><br />The opposition store not very far away were quite happy to price match.winohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04006694018337225608noreply@blogger.com2