Wednesday, August 31, 2016

Making the Bed - Final Lesson

 Today is the last night of helping you help your peeps to make the bed.  Tonights lesson is:
 Your peeps toes might get cold so they might need to put a quilt on the end of the bed to keep their tootsies warm lesson.
                            Don't get stuck underneath!!!   You need to get some oxygen!!
                                                That's better - head on one quilt and body on the other!!
             Now I just need to get some zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzs!!!
                                                           Nite nite!!!  Sweet dreams!!!

Tuesday, August 30, 2016

Making the Bed - Lesson Two


 Lesson Two on making the Bed is an important one.  Make Sure Your Peeps Have Enough Pillow on the Bed!!!   Two is not enough and Ten is too many.   Any number in between is fine!!!
 Mum likes her pillows piled up and has a cushion now so that when she reads in bed she is a bit propped up.  I don't like to sleep on her pillows, but I love me a visitor pillow.  Oh yeah!!
We are just about done - Tomorrow we will finish off with Lesson Three!!  Stay tuned!!

Monday, August 29, 2016

Making the Bed - Lesson One


Once the sheets are on - assist with smoothing the quilt.  With your body.  Peeps like that.  Leave little holes from your claws - they love that even more.

See tomorrow for lesson 2.

Sunday, August 28, 2016

Spring Like Sunday

This is the tree full of blossoms outside our place, and after yesterday when it was cloudy and raining throughout the day, today blossomed with sunny skies and warm breezes.  So mum did not want to laze around in bed too long, she got up and popped some washing out on the line.  Towels and sheets always are better having warm fresh air to dry them. 

Mum then headed off for a Sunday walk in town.  She is excellent skills at procrastinating and so had to go and use up a voucher that had only 2 days before it expired.  Her work friends had given it as a gift after her father died, so she did not want to waste it and got herself something pretty that she will enjoy.  

A small visit to a cafe for a bite as she had some hanger pangs as she walked around.  She finds it challenging sometimes to eat out alone, but luckily there are lots of cafes around and plenty of other people by themselves that she doesn't feel too out of place.  A quick visit to the library and then time to head home and relax for the afternoon.

Mum made herself a nice dinner - some roasted sweet potatoes, broccoli and carrots and some roasted lamb followed by grapes got her enough servings of fruit and vegetables for the day.  Good on you mum.

So now as the evening draws to a close we are snuggling on the couch thinking about the nice weekend we got to share together and hope we get a good week ahead. We hope you have enjoyed your weekend too.

Saturday, August 27, 2016

Caturday Catch Up

Well Caturday is almost over in the house of Q.  Mum is helping me post, then she will wipe off her makeup and brush her teeth and head to bed.  I have already tottered off to my spot on her bed so i hope she doesn't disturb me.

Mum got herself up early and went out for a walk and then caught up with two of her besties.  They had lunch at a cafe and did a wander round some shops including a South African shop specializing in all kinds of imported food and cheese, amazing what you can find.  Mum popped into the candle shop where a nice lady sells all kind of candles which are mostly made in NZ which is good, as mum does like to support local businesses when she can.

The afternoon was spent relaxing at home.  Only a couple of jobs got done, and then mum felt the need to read her book  /nap and so us girls had a snooze.  Then it was time for her to get up as I felt the need for feast, so I meowed at her every minute until she got up and got me my dinner.

It was a big day in the city today as our team the All Blacks were playing Australia at rugby, and even though the All Blacks have won the last 41 matches they have played in NZ, we still never underestimate Australia - they are a formidable foe.  So mum and another couple of besties met up for dinner and drinks at a pub in town and watched the game on the big screen.  Luckily NZ won, and the girls quickly left town once the game was over so that all the youngsters could take over.  Time for all the oldies to head home.

So mum went via the supermarket to buy some stuff for dinner tomorrow night and supplies for the rest of the week.  She also felt like a little bit of supper, so bought some crumpets to have with butter and golden syrup and I even licked up a little bit.

So that was our busy Caturday with lots of fun - how about you - are you doing anything fun for your weekend?

Friday, August 26, 2016

Fridaying

The mumster tripped off to work today - she worked, she talked, she laughed and then she left.  She then went for  a walk to the library and post office in the rain and then went and bought herself an easy dinner.  I had an easy dinner too - I had my feast.

Friday night was candles lit, washing done and some little chores were done.  Mums butt dug a big hole in the couch and I sat on the arm of the couch watching her.   Now is time to pack up and get us girls ready for bed after our big night in.

Thursday, August 25, 2016

Try Something New Thursday - VitaGummies

So you know that the other night the mumster went to the supermarket and forgot her wallet, but didn't realize til she was at the counter.  How embarrassing.  One of the things she put back was some of these multi vitamins.  So when she found her wallet today, she went and bought them.

They advertise that they are lemon, raspberry and strawberry flavor, but mmmmm mum is not so sure.  They sure smelled strange, and when she ate one she didn't really like the flavor.She also wondered if she could smell something strange all day, and this was the only thing she did that was different in her routine.  Still she might stick with them for a few more days before she gives up.  She has had a tough few weeks and is feeling a bit run down, so is trying to do some things to make herself feel a bit better, and her diet hasn't been the best.  She is trying to eat more fruit and veg, and as the weather gets better and warmer she knows she will buy more and more.

Have you tried them?  What did you think?

Wednesday, August 24, 2016

Study Day

Today was the mumsters day off but she couldn't relax no way.  She has to do some study to stay registered in her job, so she had to get some work done as she has her work being audited and it has to be in by the end of the months.  So this afternoon she knuckled down and went in and got it done.  Five straight hours got it finished and ready to get sent in.  So tomorrow we can relax and take it easy.  Just the way I like it.

Tuesday, August 23, 2016

Sunbeams

The sunbeams have definately moved over now, and it sure feels like spring.   We now get sun streaming through the living room doors which makes the little house feel lighter and brighter.  We are lucky as our weather is mild and winter has really only lasted about 3 months, although some years it is still cold and chilly throughout September and October.  So as we reach the end of August it was a warm 15 deg here today and now at close to midnight it is 9 deg.

Mum worked the late shift, so I got a late dinner.  She got embarrassed at the supermarket on the way home as she grabbed a load of groceries, put it through the self service till and then found that she didn't have her wallet.  Luckily she was able to put a couple of things back and scraped up enough notes and coins from her pockets and bottom of her bag and was able to  pay.  Pheww !!!

Monday, August 22, 2016

Day

Mumster

Get up
Go to work
Work
Library
Supermarket
Home
Feed Pops
Cook Tea (stir fry pork + veg + rice)
Eat Tea
Light Candles
Internet
Watch Adele on the Tele sing Live New York
Rinse dishes
Wash Face
Read Book
Sleep

Me

Sleep
Breakfast
Bathroom Visit Outside
Sleep
Snack
Bathroom
Sleep
Dinner
Sleep
Bathroom
Sleep
Supper
Bathroom
Sleep




Perfect

Sunday, August 21, 2016

Draped in Ribbons

Mum let me play with this ribbon this morning - I look thrilled don't I?  We had a lovely day, another little sleep in and a few chores done.  So mum got to have an easy brunch on the couch.  Although the skies were blue, it was still a tad chilly and although she pulled out a summer t shirt to wear, a merino jumper was needed on top to keep out the cold.  I rolled around in the sun in the morning, but by the early afternoon, the sun was back behind the hill and the doors and windows were once again closed, and the heater put on.  Time for mum to put her feet up and watch Call the Midwife before she has to head off to work.

Saturday, August 20, 2016

Chilling Caturday

Mum worked til Midnight last night keeping herself busy.  So I stayed at home and guarded the bed, made sure the sheets were smooth and ready for sleeping.  Us girls had a good sleep and mum didn't get up til after 8am.  She then got some relaxing done before heading into town to meet a bestie for lunch.  They had lots to talk about, which was good as service was super slow.  Then mum went off for a walk in the sunshine as it was warm, 15 degrees with the sun shining, it sure felt like spring.

So the evening was taking up by more relaxing, so it really felt like a lovely day off for us girls.  Hope you all got plenty of relaxing done too.

Friday, August 19, 2016

Restful

The visitors headed home on Wednesday, so I have been busy getting my snooze on.  Mum changed the sheets and I have been glued to he quilt ever since.  I chowed down on my dinner last night and was super hungry this morning so I got a feast for my breakfast as well.  How lucky am I?

So after a lazy Friday together mum now has to pop the uniform on and head to work for an afternoon shift.  We hope that you get to spend the evening together, as I won't see my mum til midnight.  Better get snoozing then!!

Thursday, August 18, 2016

Try Something New Thursday - Meatballs with Yoghurt Dressing by Chelsea Winter

So mum thought that this Thursday she would try something new - by using this Meatball with Yoghurt Dressing Recipe by New Zealand chef Chelsea Winter.  If you click on the link it will take you to the recipe.    This is her photo, mums did not look quite as pretty and she didn't make any flatbreads or salad, just meatballs with yoghurt dressing and some rice.  It is made with Middle Eastern flavours, and she would not usually use mint/ginger/allspice or ginger, but it all added to the flavours.    She must admit it was pretty yummy

She  did end up speaking on the phone for a while and not starting dinner til 8.30pm and it took her about 30 minutes to chop and mix and then the meatballs had to be in the fridge for a half hour, so she would recommend it as a weekend meal.  Mix up the meatballs on a Saturday afternoon, put them in the fridge overnight and cook up on the Sunday.  If you make it she would recommend that you have a small chopper/food processor.  She has one that is part hand held stick blender and it made chopping up the fresh breadcrumbs, the onion, and the chopped herbs much quicker and more professional than hand chopping.  Otherwise no other gadgets are necessary.

She was glad to try a new recipe and will certainly make it again..  A worthy 8/10.

Tuesday, August 16, 2016

Daze

After a wintery week last week, the past couple of days have felt more spring like with blue skies and sunshine, spring blossoms and happy birds.  I have also ventured outside to soak in a few of the rays.

Hope you have some sunshine where you live too.

Monday, August 15, 2016

The Best


Visitors pillows are THE BEST.  Especially when they leave them unguarded.  You just have to climb aboard and make yourself at home.

Sunday, August 14, 2016

Sunset Sunday


Tonights sunset sent some wacky clouds outside our house - like a pair of pink lips in the sky.  I had a nice night napping, and mum spent the day walking through the city with her family.  Everyone will sleep well tonight

Saturday, August 13, 2016

Curious Caturday

Today I have been very brave.  It rained in the morning heavily, and once the visitors awoke I was scared and ran outside.  They then went out for the day, but got home by early afternoon.  I then sneaked in a couple of times and figured out if I ran to the bedroom I could hide in there.  So I have been sleeping with a new person in mums bed.  I sleep down the end and even rested my head on their feet.  Aren't I brave?

Mum figures out I was just curious and cold that made me much more braver than usual.  Hope you had a nice Caturday and got to do something fun.

Friday, August 12, 2016

Camping



Family are staying, so mum has given our bed up.  So us girls are camping in the lounge, sharing the couch.  I kind of like it.

Thursday, August 11, 2016

More Visitors

We have more visitors in the house tonight.  Our family has arrived and mum says I have been very brave and popped in and out a couple of times.  I have even run down to the bedroom and curled up, which I don't usually do when I have people round, so mum is very impressed.  It is chilly out though, so she is glad I am inside.

Wednesday, August 10, 2016

Tuesday, August 9, 2016

Afternoon Shifts

Mum tries to look at the bonuses of working some afternoon shifts - being able to sleep in, the day has warmed up by the time she gets up, reading in bed all snuggled in while everyone else heads off to work, a leisurely lunch on the couch, watching the Olympics at midday, getting to see some of the sunshine and not using as much electricity in the evening because it is warm at work.

Monday, August 8, 2016

Back to Normal

No Mumster Monday this week - after 4 weeks of having Mondays off, mum had to go to work.  The good thing was that it was a shift, so she got to sleep in and hang out with me and keep the heaters on as it was still awfully cold.  Lots of areas round the country have roads cut off and power out for days, but luckily not in our city.

We are quite enjoying the Olympics - mum has watched a bit of the rowing and might watch a bit of the swimming and the gymnastics.  Are you watching any?

Sunday, August 7, 2016

Still Cool

It was still a cold one today.  Mum didn't get too much sleep, she has things on her mind, so was up early.  She had wanted to go out and see some best friends at their seaside home, and it was nice to get out and about.  The rain and most of the clouds had passed over, but boy was it chilly.  So she wrapped up warm and got herself out and about.

When she arrived she went with her friends for a walk in the cold sun, and then they had a lovely lunch together.  Mum made sure she was home in time to close up the curtains and put the heaters on to warm up the house.  Thank goodness for the heat pump which blasts the hot air round.  Mum cooked some chicken and rice for her dinner and got me my usual feast.

Luckily mum can have a sleep in tomorrow as she has a couple of shifts coming up.

Saturday, August 6, 2016

Caturday on the Couch -The Winter Edition

Hey kitties - today me and the mumster spent Caturday hibernating inside and mum moved from the bed to the couch and back to the bed again, just via a few visits to the bathroom and the kitchen.  It has been the chilliest day of the winter so far, so mum kept on her pyjama pants, her slippers and a nice cashmere/wool jumper.  

I had my biscuits for snacks and a feast for my dinner.  Mum finished the leftover pasta for brunch and had more carbs with a supermarket pizza for dinner.  So tomorrow she needs to put her big girls pants on and get outside and go for a walk for some exercise.  Me - well I got the couch for a little while when she did some washing and other chores, but have retreated to the bedroom for most of the day.

Our winter has been exceptionally mild so far this year, so it was a bit of  shock when the temperatures dropped.  Still it won't last long, and we know that many of our Northern Hemisphere friends will laugh at us shivering in 4 deg C.  Still it won't last long.  There are buds on the trees outside and we have had sightings of new spring lambs and daffodils in the region.

Hope you all got to relax on Caturday too!!

Friday, August 5, 2016

Winter Chill

The winter chill is upon us with a sneaky southerly tracking up the length of NZ.  Luckily mum was prepared with winter cushions!!!  Actually the heat pump is pumping out the heats and mum put the electric blanket on her bed real early so that I could curl up.  She has also bough two quilts into the bedroom to pile up on the bed so we can be snuggly tonight.

So after a dinner for her of leftovers and a dinner of feast for me, we have done nothing but watch bad television and rest our bones.  Hope you all get to rest up tonight too.

Thursday, August 4, 2016

Try Something New Thursday - David Jones Department Store

This weeks Try Something New adventure was a day trip to the newly opened David Jones Store in Wellington.  You see once upon a time we had a small department store called Kirkaldies in our city.  It was filled with lots of grey haired grannies shopping and was deemed an older ladies store, with the young twenty something girls only on the first floor stocking up on MAC and other over priced cosmetics.  So as times got tough it was doomed to fail.  So they sold up, and David Jones a posh Australian department store bought the store and has spent the past couple of months updating the shop.

Because it has been open for a week the shop was super busy with people going for a look.  The downstairs seemed full with expensive cosmetics and overpriced handbags.  The crowds were deep so I didn't get to check any prices, but we looked online and saw the the Valentino bags go for between $1000-4000 (US), so not in my budget price range.  The middle floor was still the fashion floor, with a variety of high end designers and upstairs had mens fashions, the cafe and the home range.

We looked forward to seeing the home section, but were terribly disappointed as it had a couple of bed linen ranges and some home wares like electric blankets, toasters and mixers.  All things that are one off buys, but no design products or artwork which we like to look at.

I do think that the company has misunderstood the NZ market.  For we on the whole are a society that cares little about fancy labels and high prices.  We like flat shoes and puffer jackets, and think that $50 is pricey for a t-shirt, so think that you might have trouble moving your $300 shirts.   The youngsters that love the labels may come to browse, but would be more likely to buy online.  The people with rich wallets, are more likely to be on planes buying their fancy clothes and outfits in Sydney, London, Paris and New York.

I do wish you well though - I hope that people not only browse but buy from your store, for you have lots of lovely locals working for you, and your bring some variety and quality to our retail environment.  Unfortunately this middle aged lady is unlikely to spend a lot of time shopping with you, as times are tough in our household and I have a bit of a budget to stick to.

Tuesday, August 2, 2016

All Clear

We have the all clear at home.  The visitors have gone and I can assume my position back onto the couch.  Mum and I have been sleeping on the couch while family had mums bed.  We don't mind giving up our beds, cos we can sleep anywhere, so are not short of snoozes.

The house seems awfully quiet though now the visitors have gone.

Monday, August 1, 2016

Bravery

Look at me sitting this close to the vacuum  cleaner - although it is not turned on.  Mum did a good old tidy up at the weekend, and I helped.  Helped by snoopervising.