Author: Fee Writes

Mayhem And Madness – All In A Day’s Work

Mayhem And Madness – All In A Day’s Work

Okay, Yes, I do start work at 9 a.m. I know, Lucky Me!!! I get an extra 1/2 hour in bed. What it means is that I’m the last one to arrive at the office.

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How could you not love that face!

But enough about my little perks. It’s the Thursday before Easter and I arrived at work raincoat and beret on because it’s raining. Let me say here, that umbrellas and I do not go together.  Even if there is no wind the umbrella just seems to turn inside out, or won’t go up or, alternatively, come down. So my excellent Macintosh and beret is my rainwear. On really rainy days, I do have to take my glasses off and put them in the pocket which doesn’t bode well for me crossing roads!!!!

Back to today. So I get to the door and there to greet me is Floyd. Floyd is one of the designer’s best mate and it had been decided by him, (the designer, not Floyd), and his wife that it would be best for Floyd to come to work as there was a severe weather warning issued for the day and they didn’t want Floyd being on his own …. at this point, I encourage you to say “Awe!” You can do so under your breath if others are around, or out loud – your choice.

dogs 3Now Floyd is a Border Collie crossed with a Tramp going North and was on death row when he was rescued by the designer and his wife …. I should be hearing another “Awe!” – feel free to beef it up with a “bless them”.  Point is, Floyd is delightful. Smart too. He entertained us with shaking hands, begging, rolling over, turning around and his latest trick, crawling.

Of course, my camera came out and pictures were taken in between the patting and mussing of his coat…it’s sooooo soft. Naturally, I had to post his photo up onto Facebook – why shouldn’t he get a bit of viral coverage? As I was doing this I made the comment about which dog my “friends on Facebook” would think was the cutest – Floyd or Otto – both have now graced my page.

The challenge was taken up. It was decided that another designer would bring Otto (the Schnauzer), back from his home after lunch.
Hey, it’s Easter – it’s raining (hard) – a bit of levity in the office would work wonders for the soul.Dogs

dogs 02OMG – what havoc was reaped after lunch when Otto arrived at the office.  Now Floyd had been happily ensconced and kinda figured the office belonged to him.

Otto, of course, has visited the office a few times and strutted in as if he owned the place. Luckily the two dogs do know each other so the territorial stamping didn’t eventuate. But, oh boy, the playing was definitely all on! Their dads finally decided that the kids had played enough. Otto was taken to his side of the dividing half-wall and his lead was hooked up and Floyd was banned to his bed on the other side.
The look on their faces – priceless!

The rest of the afternoon carried on relatively quietly with the occasional lapse by Floyd who’d go round to see what Otto was doing, find him incapacitated but try and play until his dad, hearing the commotion, called him back.  Alternatively, Floyd would wander over to me ’cause he knew he’d get plenty of scratches.

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!@#@%^&#  BANNED!!!!!! NOT FAIR!!!

Get a gander at this I discovered on Floyd’s lead …. now that’s a classy way to carry poop bags! For a muttly dog – he’s one cool kid. Of course, Otto is a class act as well.

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Up To The 2nd House-Sit 2016

Up To The 2nd House-Sit 2016

This the first house-sit with the gorgeous Millie.

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Likes walking over computer.

It’s for 10 days and already I’m wishing it was for longer….I arrived yesterday afternoon (Saturday).
This is the most delightful home and Millie made herself all smoochy to me pretty much from the moment I stepped inside.

The position of this abode is fairly close to where I used to live at the Mount, so only a short walk to Bayfair – (not that a Mall is inspiring at all) – easy access to the causeway to get me to work on time and I’m back at the Mount where, I must be honest now, is where my heart is.

In saying all that – each home I’ve previously sat, and those that are coming up, all have a beautiful vibe to them. This has been ascertained as I have interviewed each one rigorously.

The first thing I did, after unpacking the car, was to go over the ‘instructions’ again, (I’d already gone through them when I’d picked up the key). All good – understood everything. And, the wonderful sense of humour shone through …. here I present a snippet:

Our courtyard pot plants are Alice, Graham, Neville, Dennise, Gordon, Margaret, please don’t move them as they will get disorientated and wander around all night looking for their spot. Kept us awake all night once. They appreciate water if it is very hot – same with the back crew.

There was also a bit on Ants:

We have the largest ants in the world living under our courtyard pavers. Sometimes you will see a paver move – don’t be alarmed just give them a squirt with that spray under the fire place – seriously tho they will bite, you will understand lying naked in our courtyard is not recommended … also, think of our neighbours.

So, with a chuckle I turned the page to get the wifi password. All good, password there – opened up the wifi on my phone, put in password … didn’t work. Mmmm. Decided to do it on the computer.

There were probably about four locked networks to choose from, none had an obvious name. So with my super power of deduction I went through the list. None connected ????? Hmmmmmmm. Next thought was to look at the router and grabbed the pRouterassword on the back. Aha, take camera and take photo.

Voila! Password worked first time. I had another look at the instructions. Cute typo – missing a zero. I’m not sure if that was deliberately to test of my ingenuity or a missed tap on the keyboard – either way, I was pretty proud of the fact that there was no bad language to be heard – besides, don’t know what Millie’s sensitive ears are used to, so best curb the naughty words.

Of course it’s rained since I got here which means that I haven’t been able to get out for a walk, nor make use of the delightful courtyard and play with the ants.

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Millie isn’t the only occupant of this home that’s been entrusted to me, there are several kids out in the courtyard. Oh yes, the livestock here is plentiful.
Feast your eyes on these little beauties!!!!!

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Not only do I have the company of awesome creatures, but there are herbs aplenty. The owners of this establishment are not only delightful in their humour and friendliness, but generous as well …. “help yourself to the herbs”. Oh my, already on the first day I’ve whizzed up a mint and tahini dressing – lord only knows what I will do with the fresh Rosemary and then there’s the basil … I feel a pesto coming on!!!!!

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Mr Basil

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Miss Rosemary

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Mmmm, sauce !

Yes, of course I brought my machine – as if I wouldn’t !!!!

 

 

 

 

 




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Water, Water Everywhere ???

Water, Water Everywhere ???

We have lots of water, right? – Why don’t we give it away?

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Read an article about the issue of freshwater, bottled here for free in N.Z. then shipped off overseas making money for the overseas-owned companies.
Now, according to Nick Smith, there is plenty of water and currently only a few companies involved. – so he’s not about to put a stop to it.

cd_56ecd1e1ad9cdAs an aside:  China sent back two shiploads of the stuff because it was dirty (contaminated) … yup, dirty – and that’s on China’s standards, so it must have been bad. Holy hell, what is our water coming to?

Talking of China – did you know that China has an area in drought at the moment and is actually going to release water from a dam which will not only help their drought-stricken province but also Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam which are suffering too.  For once I’m going to say – well done, China.
Source: Yahoo News

Perhaps I’m naive, but my thought is that we should clean up our water first so that we can drink it, swim in it and enjoy it … after that, we can consider sending it off around the world to places that really need to have it.

cd_56ecd2290a0cfAnd, because water is an absolute necessity for survival – here’s an “off the wall” thought – why don’t we give it away to those who are really in need?

So instead of sending aid money off, we could use that money to produce the bottled water and cut out the ‘middle man’ who only want to profit from the suffering of others.

There are two things we need that should be a basic right of every human – oxygen and water. It’s such a pity that we are doing our utmost to destroy both and/or make it so only those who can afford it will get it.

Too simplistic?

I know, but that’s my little rant for the day.

 

 

 

 

 




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I Have A New Toy.

I Have A New Toy.

Oooooo – doing the “happy dance” … because my new toy arrived this morning!!!!

cd_56dfbef82d07eActually, the courier arrived at 7.30 a.m. – I mean to say, my day off and the bloody doorbell rings – who does that??? Oh yes, couriers!!!

But, even though I fell (literally) out of my bed, grabbed my dressing gown, nearly tripping on the belt as I staggeredly rushed to get to the door before the courier thought no-one was home.  Alright, so, “staggeredly” isn’t a word – but it’s the best way I can describe it.

“Sign here” he said as he thrust the machine that was upside down at me. “Where?” I blindly asked as I hadn’t put on my glasses in the rush to get to the door. I mean a girl has to be decent and the dressing gown was all I could think to throw on. But sign I did ‘cause there in all it’s glory was ……. the parcel I’d been waiting for!!!! Well, more like a big box which I had to slide over the floor.
No time for celebration just yet, or opening it up – I had to get back to bed to see if I could finish off the damn good dream I was in the middle of.

When I finally got round to opening it up – it was heaven.
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Let me back the truck up here a bit. You see, dear reader, I have wanted to get a food processor that would, not only make my chickpea patties, but also blend my cashew nut cream to a smooth, creamy consistency.

Those who know me well, know that I have been asking everyone “what type of food processor have you got?” and, I must admit, there was a short-list happening.  Yeah-nah – (kiwi slang for those foreign readers – you know who you are), I was still hesitating.

Then – I was at the food fest the other day (Read about it here), and the wonderful lady who made my smoothie told me to come and look at the machine after I kindly asked what it was really like.
Wow … commercial grade – complete system … brand, etc later ….. and as they were using it constantly day in, day out, she said it was awesome.
Full on technology with smart stuff buttons, like it does the work for you, and yes, it could crush the bejesus out of ice with one blade and yet still kneed by pasta dough with another.
More due diligence was called for.

A day on the internet showed me the cheapest price, then off to the store to really check it all out.  Decision made – online purchase on Sunday afternoon brought the courier knocking at my door on Tuesday morning.

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Check out the blades on this thing!!!!!  Now that’s what I call heavy duty. You may not be able to see them, but there are three sections of blades going up the shaft.

Now I have everything in the one machine – Nutri-Ninja bullet (like Bobbi’s and Jo’s), Smoothie/Juice blitzer (like Caitlin and Amy) and Food processor (like …. mmmm – ME).

But wait, I can hear you whispering there – “soooooo, what has she made?”

I’ve used all three –

1.  My famous hummus with added caramelised onions in the processor

2.  Cashew nut and coconut curry sauce in the bullet

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and #3. Using the smoothie thingy this was the very first thing I made. Well, one has to get one’s priorities right Pina Colada! I was so anxious to sit and savour, forgot to take a photo until the end!!!  (Also see the feature image at the top)
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Here’s the plug for the department store Farmers where I bought my awesome Ninja System and I see that the price has gone up – well done, me!

Before I go – as a little aside. Was having coffee the other day and saw this stopped at the lights. Look carefully in the box – do I hear an “awwww” ???

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Awesome Afternoon

Awesome Afternoon

What an awesome afternoon spent at the food fest put on by Envirohub at the Historic Village (Tauranga).

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The weather could not have been more perfect.

My sweet friend, Marielle, who runs the Envirohub ship, asked if I’d lend a hand.  Not that I was that much help because I spent a great deal of time talking to lots of different peeps that I met. But I did sell a few raffle tickets, got some donations and even managed to encourage those fit enough to have a crack at the biking smoothie machine.

The day was about sustainable backyards with talks on growing, eating and composting food e.g. worm farming, edible weeds and clean eating (right up my alley). There was music too and the day ended with a great percussion group, (sorry, can’t remember the name of them but they were great fun).

I’ll let the rest of the photos do the talking for me ….

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A great family day out
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What have you got there?
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Yup, they’d nicked the sign … such fun!!!
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Making a Smoothie ….
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Via Pedal Power!!!
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There’s that sign again
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A great colour filled day!!!!

This is a great organization and one to support – check out their website:  Envirohub

 

 

 

 

 




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I’m On Bluesky

I’m On Bluesky

About Me

fee o'shea

Thanks for dropping by. My name is Fee O’Shea. I’m a mother and grandma, an author, and a Comedy Improver.
This blog is for my thoughts, my rants, raves, reviews and things that have grabbed my attention. From politics to social media to beauty, health and the environment. Fee’s World is written to bring you a smile or get you thinking. Enjoy.

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