You can never have enough...

[Oh_hunnihunni]

There is sun out there! A tad watery, but still sun, so looks like a scoot might be on the cards. Just as well, I need fruit and vegies, and a bag of vegie mix wouldn't be a bad idea, so I can start off some summer veg plants. One of the lovely things about sun is it reflects off my collection of disco balls and throws dancing dots of light across my walls and ceiling. Silly, I know, but they do make me smile...

[GJW]

Hi Popeye

For me it was every day at Auckland hospital, no other options. Getting there is easy straight down the motorway and take the ports off ramp, then try to get parking was a major, it is free, they give you a voucher. My second day I came out to a puncture, changing tyres is not an issue, but in that car park there is no room, I called AA, they could block the traffic, they were great.
Also the staff were wonderful, it is so busy, but they were all helpful and friendly, good luck

[Lilith7]

The furry one is clearly not silly - never let a chance go by!

Had to go out, found two lovely little coaster thingys for putting a cup of hot whatever on so they'll go with the cat coffee mugsIi bought for the DIL's birthdays next November & while there decided to get more tea since its on special this week.
A bit more digging out the back, almost have all the gardens done out there & getting them ready for planting.

[popeye333]

Another interesting day.

Cabbie on the way up was a tail gaiter, and some fool did a funny swerve on the motorway so ours only just stopped in time.. if it was my car the beepers would be going off. I have sensors on each corner .

The appointment wasn't long. She will have 3 time 5 days stints. thankfully with the taxies it saves any of us driving.

But it doesn't start until in the new year. It has to be a certain amount of time after the chemo finishes.

I always thought it was a to help get rid of the cancer, but its actually more of a preventer

The good thing being that Di will be well enough to enjoy her Birthday 65 this year.

Have a bit of a headache but I think its just cos of the wind and pollen.

[Oh_hunnihunni]

Sort of clean bill of health at the gp so that's good. She's an excellent doc, lets me vent and then explains things in plain English. Picked up a white freckles plant in the bargain bin so need a nice glass vase I can turn into a terrarium to keep it safe along with its friend the pink version I have had for a year or so now. Nice easy houseplants so long as they have the shelter and humidity a terrarium can provide. And our last empty flat has a new tenant, who seems a very nice gentleman, so that's another good thing. And a neighbour has just dropped off a couple of punnets of vegie seedlings, so need a rerun to the village to organise vegie mix to be delivered. Next sunny day... which might be a while...

[Zoe jacks]

Afternoon everyone
Have enjoyed reading everyone's daily adventures.
Popeye, awesome about the op and sorry to hear your friends health troubles
KM, man the 4 legged one gives me giggles..I can imagine the 4 little leg hightailing it outside with his prize.
Lilith, great the garden is nearly done will look along with the new additions in it
Mica, your granddaughter will love her new dress. Your so talented with all you sew for them

My girl has had a rough start to the holidays getting a tummy bug Sunday.
We went to the netball last night, what an amazing experience. We don't get games her often so it's the first time for both of us and wowwowwow how awesome ot was. She even got her netball signed afterwards
Finished work at lunchtime today so groceries already done and put away, dogs walked and washing hung out
New machine arrives tomorrow as mine is almost dead, not agitating or spinning properly. Motor issue, so a new front loader is on its way
Two things I can't live without is my washing machine and vaccume cleaner. Both used daily lol
Can't believe another week is almost over and daylight savings is upon us again
Love the extra time in the evenings

Had a great score the other day off Facebook marketplace a rubbish bag full of super chunky skeinz wool -free
And then a bag of 8ply wool balls as well
Can't wait to make a couple of blankets, just need to make sure I have the right size crochet hook, I think the largest I have is a 12mm so will have to do a test run I think

[popeye333]

Forgot to say Dianne gave me a pure wool blanket that her Aunt crochet for Mum. So precious and knowing that Mum loved it as well means a lot to me.

Head is clearing thank goodness.

OH Dianne has these cool baseball cap type wigs. The one she wore today looks SOOO natural, is the same colour that she dyes her hair.. And if you didn't know you wouldn't know it wasn't real. The one she got from the wig place is good but I think too long and it drags her down. I might suggest maybe it needs to be shortened..

She is soo strong, and she deserves to live after working soo hard for her mother while the other siblings i never met any but one.

Zoe I've heard that front loaders use way more water and take longer is that True? My Heir is still going strong.. Touch Wood.

Here's a question for everyone. When you cross your fingers as in middle and index fingers, which one do you put over the top. I do Middle finger over Index, Dianne does Index over Middle. I dont recall ever seeing anyone who did it that way.. So Thats my Poll for the group lol

[kazza]

Forgot to say Dianne gave me a pure wool blanket that her Aunt crochet for Mum. So precious and knowing that Mum loved it as well means a lot to me.

Head is clearing thank goodness.

OH Dianne has these cool baseball cap type wigs. The one she wore today looks SOOO natural, is the same colour that she dyes her hair.. And if you didn't know you wouldn't know it wasn't real. The one she got from the wig place is good but I think too long and it drags her down.  I might suggest maybe it needs to be shortened..

She is soo strong, and she deserves to live after working soo hard for her mother while the other siblings i never met any but one.

Zoe I've heard that front loaders use way more water and take longer is that True?  My Heir is still going strong.. Touch Wood.

Here's a question for everyone. When you cross your fingers as in middle and index fingers, which one do you put over the top.  I do Middle finger over Index, Dianne does Index over Middle. I dont recall ever seeing anyone who did it that way.. So Thats my Poll for the group lol

Middle over index here. Can't do it the other way, yes I had to try to see

[Oh_hunnihunni]

Oooops!

I accidentally bought a fish tank.

I kept tropical fish in planted aquaria for most of my adult life, but eventually decided I was getting too old for that pastime, and I sold all my tanks and stuff and put the typewriters where the tanks used to be. And I have really missed the fish, and the science and just watching and working with them. And then today a friend was telling me about her fairy house project and while that doesn't appeal to me, it made me think about terrariums. In particular, the way a good terrarium can be a miniature world...

But why not use a bigger container, than one of those dinky glass balls, or a vase - I have those with plants in them already... And then I found a second hand aquarium, with lid, box only, in good nick, local seller, and they would deliver. Cheap. 45 litres... Sold.

Ooops indeed.

[popeye333]

I think its a good oops.

If we dont treat ourselves no one will.

[kiwimade64]

morning ladies 

  My heart has been breaking into pieces over the last two weeks.  MrK and I were called in to see our doctor 12 days ago, the receptionist said it has to be 'today'.  We already had an idea of what was going on anyway but our doctor very kindly, and gently, told us MrK's melanoma is back, and it is across his chest with a tumor in each lung.  With our son overseas, we couldn't bear the idea he would hear this news while away so waited for him to return to Perth before we made the news public.  We did tell our daughter and MrK's sisters but swore them to secrecy with NO online posting until our son was told.  There is a 6 - 8 week wait for a biopsy so our doctor (OMG she is sooo good!) made a few calls and was able to remove a melanoma that had appeared on MrK's arm and send it off for testing two days ago.  Once the results come back, we will know if keytruda and/or chemo is an option or if there is nothing that can be done.  Our family is devastated, especially our son and daughter.  Our daughter (I am so proud of her) has stepped up and has taken over 'what we are going to do now mum & dad'.  Melanoma is aggressive and you can see daily changes already.  The biopsy results will take a week and already it feels like a year.  The hardest part was not being able to hug our son as he was in tears over the phone.  You don't realise how far 5000km is until something like this happens.  I'm crying at the drop of a hat, but MrK is being so brave accepting whatever happens.  I'm glad I'm finally able to tell you, the last 12 days has been awful for both of us having to bottle it up.  If anything, the last 12 days has taught us we cannot do this on our own and we need our whanau and friends.  Today I will be contacting friends who are not on social media to tell them the news.  Oh, and this means no hip surgery for MrK which reallllly pi**es him off!

Not the happiest of posts to start the day, I'm sorry about that.

[popeye333]

Morning everyone

Big hugs to you all KM.. If it helps I think you did the right thing in waiting to tell your son. He will appreciate that, once over the shock. One day at a time for you all, and we are all here if you want to rant, which is natural, and will cry with you.
And yes it sucks MrK wont get his hip opp, cos that affects you all too

My eye check has been cancelled, the screener is sick. Im pleased really cos I dont want to be catching anything before my surgery either. And certainly dont want to pass anything on to Dianne either.

So Ill go do my shopping anyway. And will be home earlier which I prefer too.

Take care everyone. We need LONNGGG arms for a group Hug.

[Olive]

Very sorry to learn this KM, a very troubling time. At least our medical centre is well organised and staffed with kindly professionals.

I'll be thinking of you and your whanau.

[Mica]

Morning all 
Overcast expecting rain soon

Oh KM devastating  news cyber hugs and all    to you both.

OHH like the idea of your terrarium  
Popeye  I believe front loader washing machines use less water than top loaders

Still terminally tired so not planning much for today

Keep dry

[popeye333]

Morning all 
Overcast expecting rain soon

Oh KM devastating  news cyber hugs and all    to you both.

OHH like the idea of your terrarium  
Popeye  I believe front loader washing machines use less water than top loaders

Still terminally tired so not planning much for today

Keep dry

Thanks for that Mica, I always thought they used more cos they take longer to wash. 

When mine gives up I will hopefully get a front loader. Makes it much easier to fit into spaces, and Id be able to sit my dryer on top. 
I love that the air from the new drier comes out the front not to the wall behind.

[Oh_hunnihunni]

I have been thinking about grief KM, and the way it has many aspects, not all of which are negative. Little silver linings perhaps. One of them is the way we sometimes have time to process the hardest knowledge and put that to good use. As my friend Ali said when she got that awful news, 'I'm not dying today, so...' And she put that time to such good use, we had a lot of fun in those days, and a lot of really good conversations. Good memories are such wonderful things to take with us and to keep.

So that is what I wish for you and Mr KM, and all those you love, as much time as possible and the memories that can be made with it.

---

About front loaders - raise them up. Filling, emptying and cleaning is a pain if they are on the floor, get them put on a solid raised plinth to save your back. And make sure they are fixed to it, they vibrate and walk if loaded badly. I had to fight our landlords for that little extra, but boy it makes using the beasts so much easier for all of us, frail and able bodied.

[kiwimade64]

Thanks everyone And yes, you are so right, OHH. Time is so precious, especially when it is short. We're hoping for the best outcome but planning for the worst. Even if it is the best, sooner or later the worst will be here anyway. We've always talked about what each of us will do when the time comes, I think that is part of having a decent age gap between us. This morning, we have talked about coffins. And he wants a flatpack one like his sister had and wants us to build it together. We built his sister's coffin together And I will ask his niece's wife if she can do her fabulous art work on it. OMG you have to see her paintings, you would swear they were photos. Hopefully we are jumping the gun but as I said, sooner or later he will need it. If he doesn't this time round, it can stay in the garage until he does.

[Oh_hunnihunni]

We didn't get any time, it just came in the middle of an ordinary happy day. But even that had its blessings in strange ways. But I had to get through it to be able to look back and see it. That is the hard bit, but you two will do that together, and that is a gift too.

[kazza]

Sending you and MrKM the biggest cyberhug Kiwimade. My heart goes out to you and your family. Don't be afraid to vent on here, we are all here for you. I'm sure precious memories will be made amongst the tears and laughs with your family. The coffin idea is such a good one.

[Zoe jacks]

KM I'm so so sorry to hear for mr kms Terrible news
Wishing you positive vibes for the best outcome possible and sending huge hugs
I think you have given me the push I need to go and get my skin checked. I'm covered in all sorts of weird looking spots, freckles and moles and seem to grow lumps quite well

Hoping for a better day for you after being able to talk about this. Xx