Lazy Saturday...

after an early start to the day with the boy's league games, I slowed it right down with a late morning nana nap. :)

Both boys played at the same time at different parks, I went to Mr 12's game and hubby went to mr 7's game. mr 7 got Player Of the Day - he's a natural...impressive every week :)

Mr 12 also had a great game :) Both teams won.

I picked up my swim suit I bought off TM on the way home, it's a little lower at the back which is annoying, as I DID ask on the auction if the back was 'low' or high and I was assured it was high...well high my ass...it's LOW...but not super low, so when I tried it on (thank god it fit - it's a sz 16) the front looks gorgeous, but the back - well...it's low enough to get a peep of my rolls *sigh* Anyway...that'll have to do.

I'm working tonight, I am on day 2 of my period, as usual it's super heavy :( I am so NOT in the mood to work - but too late to pull out now :( I'll cope I suppose :( Just think of the extra spending money to get me through?

I want to do a little bit of sewing this afternoon...my whole mood is a bit ickky to be honest - I hate having my period, it gets me down, I feel super tired, I get cramps...my weight, which I haven't talked about, is getting me down sometimes...I'm around 103kgs...I was down to 96 last dec...what happened?? I can tell you what happened, I SNACK all bloody day on the WRONG foods!! I don't have any structure to my days meal wise...just nibble this and nibble that - all bad for me, all the wrong things to eat...MY FAULT completely - just like pre-surgery - except I can't pig out like I used to which is why I got to 150kg+! And of course the inactivity is another MAJOR factor!

It's getting me down a little - I won't let it get me all the way down, denial helps lol. But I'm just thinking, well...when I get back I'm going to join the gym with Miss 15 - so until then, shut up and stop complaining, and stop the snack foods while ya at it lol.

OK so I'm off to do some sewing...not sure what to make, I'll just stand at my cutting table and wait to be inspired :)

Gorgeous day...

and I'm in a fantastic mood :) Hubby and I picked up my new Juki industrial flat bed machine this morning (well it's secondhand - but I'm it's new owner lol).

Paid $145 for it - absolute BARGAIN!! VERY happy...will get it serviced when I get back from Samoa in a couple of weeks. I'll have to make room for it too...*deep breath* it's already tight for space cos of the cutting table! Reason for the new/extra flat bed sewing machine, is so that I can have one set up for the binding. When you put the binding attachment on, you have to change the whole set up - not just a foot...so, lots of hassle, in my books anyway, much easier to have a whole nother machine set up for the binding, which is something that I will be using lots of as I love to work with Knit fabrics.

Hubby has gone to the banks to sort out the financial things...I couldn't be bothered going.

Am off to the fabric shop when hubby gets back with the car. Have to by some elastic and black thread.

9:30pm - well folks, I'm on a roll!! I have made another 2 tops so far this evening, I just LVOE the fit on the latests tops I am making, so I'm making a fwe of them up as they'll be perfect for Samoa...really flattering, sleeve length is at elbow length, so covers my bat wings perfectly without being too long! And of course as I mentioned it's a super comfy cut...one of the ones I made is a cowel neck - turned out PERFECTLY - will have pics tomorrow :)

Both my boys are playing at the same time tomorrow and at different parks - I hate that :( I'm going with Mr 12 and hubby will watch Mr 7. Both kick off at 9:45am, a bit of an early start, will have to be at the park by 8:15am to factor in travel time to the away game.

Also, I'm working tomorrow night. I'm not keen, but hubby wants me to work...it's good money, 4 hours work, clear $104...4 hours of just bagging a Sunday paper lol...so no brain work involved lol. But very easy money so can't compain - just can't stand certain people at work...anyway, more money for Duty Free? lol.

A few things I have made...

So first up... this is a 'boob tube' dress...



















Next up, another boob tube dress, with a black bolero/shrug I made, was playing around with it...so it's my 'sample' it's a little too short in the back, would make it again a bit longer. I actually love the pink ruffle trim - it's cute.





















Excuse the bra peeping out in this pic...





















This is a really neat dress that I copied from a dress I already had (but is a little bit faded due to me wearing it all the time lol)




















Again without the Pagani bolero.



















This is a dress...well it was supposed to be a dress but in my rush to get home, I cut it a little short, so it will end up being a TOP lol. I don't be wearing this in Samoa - I don't think it's me... EDIT: LOL I'm looking at this top and the wife from 'Married with Children' keeps poping in my mind LOL. Maybe I shoudl make it shorter and keep it in the bedroom? lol




















This didn't turn out as I imagine it would...*sigh* Mr 12 says I look like a clown :(





















Now, I got home, had a rest and grabbed a top out of my wardrobe and 'whipped' this up...and guess what - I LOVE it!! Not the best pics - I am not wearing my 'support' underwear LMAO...but these two tops are a definite for my holiday wardrobe!! Oh and this first 'circular' one is not finished, needs to have binding on the neck done and to be hemmed up - which I'll do on Monday in class.





















This one is gorgeous (also needs to be hemmed up and sleeves cuffs done) but I love the print!! Miss 15 says it's am ugly print but great style top. Cant' win lol. Mind you - I am not 15. lol. I was trying to make a cowl neck, but cut it too low, so played around with it, ended up pleating the neckline to pull it in...it actually looks GREAT LOL...

So yeah - that's what I made in the past two days...I'm going to play around with the pattern from the last two tops...I love the way they feel and fit - really flattering (especially when I wear my support lol) Really want to make me a cowl neck top to take over...

9 more sleeps??

OMG it's creeping up on me - this holiday next!! I'm excited about it again - and no, it's not the prospect that we might actually get the loan top-up to pay the land off...which was the main reason for the trip in the first place LOL. Cos regardless of whether the loan is approved or not, hubby and I are going to have a great time. If I think I have been hard done by, by having to work at my mum's shop everything I go there, then hubby has been totally RIPPED off cos he's been a few times but he's NEVER done any of the tourist things/attractions! I have...but never with hubby and not ALL of them...so this is going to be an awesome trip...

I have classes today - so much in my head to design and sew...it's a lil scary lol. I just feel the pressure to get it all done by next Thursday...and I want to sew my MIL an outfit for Mother's Day, I still need to sew my lil sis and nephew (who are bothin Samoa) raincoats, poncho/cape style...I want to whip my mum up a couple of 'mu'u mu'u' style dresses for her...so much to do...

5pm - Hi Janine :) Will be in contact with you when I get back! :)

Well - good news people - our valuation came through and we can now do what we had planned to do - pay off the land in Samoa *woo hoo!!* Mum also has another piece that she is having problems paying, she has offered that to me and hubby - she just wants us to pay the balance and we'll put it in me and hubby's name...can't say no to that!! So we'll come back with two pieces of land '1/4 acre' each, in our names...free hold *yay*

There will be a bit left over from out top-up which we have not decided what to do with yet - haven't even given it much though, but we do NEED to repair/update the kitchen and bathroom - it's not enough to do anything flash, but enough for me and fabulous 'budget' ideas to play with and make something amazing happen, if I had the chance. We certainly won't be spending it on a family holiday - which would be awesome/lovely/perfect...but no. Not gonna happen. Much better to put it into something we can 'see' and that will last - a family holiday is something I'd rather save up for...and use 'real' money on, not loan it then come back to a headache of paying it off.

Well...talking about headaches...I have one now. I woke up this morning and went to school with a million and one ideas in my head about what to sew and for once I didn't bother to write anything down and of course when I got to school my mind went BLANK!! I finished off two dresses. made one up from scratch...made a wee bolero/shrug thingy - and that was it - all burnt out - didn't know what to do next - decided that was enough and came home just before 2pm.

Will take pics when miss 15 gets home from school...

10:30pm - *ahhhh* had a SUPER HOT bath bout an hour ago...I can't remember the last time I treated myself to a bath!! Been meaning to for ages, bath bombs on hand, but just never been bothered, settled with super HOT showers, but tonight I took the time, when the little ones were in bed fast asleep...and oooohhhh....was sooo nice!! I stayed in for at least 30mins...if there was a tv in there I'd have stayed in longer lol...Ooooh....maybe we'll blow the left over money on a spa pool!! LOL - nope - that's not gonna happen.

After my bath I thought I'd snuggle into bed and relax, watch a little telly - but nope - that didn't happen. Turned on the tv and stood at my sewing table...I've made another top - well...have cut it out at least...I'm looking for some black thread now...which is how I ended up back on the computer lol...just can't go past without logging on!! Talk about addicted!! lol.

Ok, well...nighty night people :) 9 MORE SLEEPS!!!

Butterflies in my tummy!!

lol - yep - that's how I feel...and all cos of this valuer coming over at 12pm today!

The house is all tidy - just have to vacuum and mop the floors, something I thought I'd do this morning once the kids have gone to school - otherwise I know I'd be doing them twice!

I even had a dream about the valuer coming over...but I was holding a baby - WTF was that about?? I am not planning any more kids!

I'm having the day off classes today so I can be home when this guy comes over. I couldn't even sleep last night so spent a couple of hours making up two boob tube dresses - the sample one needs adjusting, but the second one turned out nice.

10pm - well...the valuer has come and gone - I told him that our loan had been approved as long the value came in at $*** and at the end of it he said it will be close $*** (the figure I mentioned) - so not very promising if you ask me...I'm quite prepared for this to not go through - I was prepared after last weeks phone call saying we weren't approved, so this week when they called again and said we were approved depending on the valuation - well it's just given me a little glimmer of hope lol - am not gonna be upset if it doesn't come through...disappointed but not upset. So I'm thinking of maybe giving up the design/pattern making course and taking up Property Valuation...this dude got $450 for his 15 mins he spent here!! Ok ok so he goes back and prepares the report - which takes what? All of another 15mins?? LMAO *sigh* But the house is clean so that can only be good :)

The guy was gone by 12:15pm, hubby and I had a coffee and a smoke - yes I had ONE smoke - lord knows I needed it...I was soo nervous and when he left saying "It'll be 'close' " well that just left me in limbo...*sigh* But we followed our smoke and coffee up with some great afternoon sex LMAO. WooP WooP hehehe. Followed by a lovely nap...till 3 when the kids came home.

Oh and do you want a little laugh...our banking consultant is on annual leave so we had to call the bank and find out who was covering h
er...well wait for it...HIS name is MANMEET - I think that's hilarious!! I said to hubby that maybe he's a part time Indian Porn Star?

Anywhoo...it provided the giggle I needed to calm down soon after the guy had left.

Mr 12 went to Laser Strike this evening with a group of kids who regularly attend a 'youthgroup' run by a local Church nextdoor to the school, a couple of the leaders there are also teachers at the kids school, (one was Mr 12's teacher last year - he thrived in her class!!) So each wednesday they have a youthgroup for any kids over the age of 12. If they have activities like they did today, the kids pay for themselves, cost $10 today and mr 12 had an awesome time! Twice a week on other days they have an afterschool program for any age...they have games and help with homework. It's really neat, the boys love to go...miss 9 isn't interested, she's always doing school work on her own at home anyway (little geek lol) and there isn't any pressure for the kids to actually attend the church services on sunday...

Anyway, this evening I have made a REALLY gorgeous dress that I just need to add the banding to along the hemline - will def take a pic :)

Well..it's been a 'high & low' day thanks to this valuer who came over...tomorrow will be a nervous waiting game...nothing that is in my hands anyway, so no need to stress...we'll find out all in good time :)

Did you order a taxi?

just before 6:30am a taxi comes up the driveway (share my driveway with nextdoor who had ordered a taxi and are clearly marked as 2/20) and beeps their horn once. I wake up. 2 mins later they beep it 3 times. So I got up, went out there and the taxi driver jumps out and asks me if I odered a taxi. I said 'No, and it's 6:30am, there's no need to be beeping your horn and waking people up'

What does the driver do?? No he doesn't apologise, he beeps his horn again!!

SO I did call and the guy who answered wasn't much help, didn't apologise at all. I just found the driver really rude - and am completely disappointed that the guy who answered the phone was just as rude by not apologising.

Am I the only one who thinks it is NOT ok to park outside someones house at 6:30am and beep their horn several times? If it was during the afternoon or later in the morning, at least be daylight I wouldn't have minded so much.

Anywhoo...vent over, that's my bitch for the day lol

So anyway, it's finally raining I say *yay* don't know if anyone else is happy lol. But I love the rain...for now anyway. It's the end of a pretty dry summer, but I'm sure by the end of winter I'll be well and truely over it. For now, it's great for the plants :) Just wish the cold wind would bugger off!!

I'm going to have another productive day in class today I am sure :) Will be back with pics to share :)

So here it is...the top I made today :) Was going to easticate around under the bust, but decided it looked and felt super just like that...have also made another with mainly black but a black/silver fabric for the ruffle and raglan sleeves...have left it at school by mistake so can't take a pick...will post a pic of it on thursday as I won't be going to school tomorrow...we have the guy coming over at lunch time tomorrow to value our home *wish us luck!!* So I'm staying home to tidy up and have a nice word to him lol

YAY

we came back home from the inlaws at 4pm - don't know how we managed to do that but we did :)

We were all pretty tired once we were home though, I had a wee nana nap. Woke up feeling really refreshed.

All the kids came into our room and watched a movie on Sky TV with us, while I was sewing miss 9 and mr 7's trackpants for their school uniforms. I could only get 2 pairs out of the 2mt of fabric I bought, with lots of scrap left over - not enough to make anything out of really, but enough for me to hoard and prolly give to miss 9 who will LOVE it - gosh, she LOVES collecting the scrap fabric and she hand sews little dresses...lol. So cute. She really is a mini me I guess.

I made some date scones too...cos poor FIL who picks miss 15 up for school at 7:15am every morning and usually brings her home too, bless him, has been requesting them since forever, and I either keep forgetting to buy the dates or have been too busy, but they are sooo incredibly easy to make. So late night at 11pm, I made a double batch. He'll really appreciate them I am sure :)

I also cleaned up my sewing area of my room. Organised a few of my fabrics, twas getting incredibly messy on the floor with all the scraps and threads!

Well this week and next week, I am going to focus on making me dresses and tops for my holiday to Samoa. Not half-assed-jobs, but good quality garments, well constructed, well designed :) I've got a couple of styles in mind for a gorgeous dress in mind with some lovely lace type fabric I bought on Saturday, will fully line it in a satin fabric...this will be for when hubby and I have diner or lunch somewhere flash :)

So I have organised to take a couple of different fabrics today so I can whip up the pattern and hopefully complete a couple of dresses...fingers crossed :)

My auctions that close this week will not be relisted, I can't be bothered with TM for the moment, just want to focus and power through making me some garments.

Oh and I was up early again this morning, before 6am - don't know why - maybe excited about a new week? Excited about sewing me some gorgeous clothes - I dunno - but it feels good to feel good lol.
ONE WEEK COMPLETELY AND HONESTLY SMOKE FREE - passed two huge tests over the weekend...firstly the boys league games, where everyone knows the more excited I get, the more I smoke - wasn't even interested! Then again at sunday lunch at the inlaws...where everyone except FIL smoke...it's a social thing and I can proudly say that I sat with them outside while they all smoked and I didn't even want for one...let alone a puff so YAY for me :)

10pm - I had a GREAT DAY!!
Made three dresses in class today, have photo's of two of them...first one is completed...




















This next one needs to be 'roll hemmed' on hemline and sleeves. I'm going to rouche the sleeves to shorten them right up, but to keep the length underneath to hide my bat wings.

They are both super comfy to wear. The fabrics are gorgeous, hard to see in the pic, but the second top has flecks of gold all over - it's quite dressy ;)


















So yep - this is what I have been upto today :) Oh and fantastic news on the financial front!! We have a guy coming over on Wednesday to do a valuation on our house - wish us LUCK!!! Will be such a relief if it all comes through!!

I'm going to finish off a couple of dresses tomorrow - and I'm going to work on a cowl neck style top - with maybe short sleeves...we'll see. I love cowl necks - LOW ones lol...

Right now I'm off to bed, maybe watch a bit of tell until I doze off :)

Nighty night :)