Gotta get back to crafting.

I am over my last vent. Right now I am on the last day of 3 days off, I am rostered on tomorrow and Wednesday then I don't go back until the following Tuesday. Last month I was lucky to get 2 days off in a row, I am enjoying the break.

I was looking over past posts and have noticed that I am neglecting my crafting and sewing. I really need to get back into it, definitely need to craft a lot of my gifts this year, less work means less to spend. Have to start on my list, I usually buy for the extended family members, the number is growing due to new births of great nieces and nephews.

The weather is overcast and cool today, there is so much difference from day to day - It's either too hot or cool, doesn't seem to be anything in between. Have to say I prefer cool but would like those in between days where you can venture out for a swim or a picnic without being burnt to a frazzle or wrapped in cardigans.

Before I go I want to share with you something I have on the back burner



I found this bag on a blog along with a link to the original website, but the links there were not current was so disappointed but a few days later came across it on Craftster with working links. I was so happy. I have one cut out and am thinking of making a few more for Christmas gifts. I've left it alone too long so intend on getting it done today.

Another vent

2 posts in a matter of hours, a record?

I've gotten over my moan about the heat, thought I'd vent a little more.

I am a supervisor at work, basically doing everything a manager does but not being paid for it. Our wages are the same as those we supervise. Needless to say I'm giving it up, when they get around to replacing me that is. I was told 2 weeks, over 3 weeks ago, then the powers that be transferred the store manager out and left 2 supervisors to run the store on their own. Can you say "overworked"? This week a new store manager is in place and everyone's hours have been cut dramatically, I've got 2 shifts this week. Actually I am looking forward to the break, I have a husband that supports me but those who don't have a partner are feeling the pinch. New staff members have been given more hours than experienced ones, not fair at all.

Another reason for giving up supervising is that I hate having to basically bully people to get their work done, a few weeks back I was told to threaten one girl with the sack - that is not my game at all. But then again what can you do? The new staff members that have started recently aren't there to work, they are just there for the money. I was working with one girl today who started a week ago, first day she turned up in jeans, yesterday it was a mini skirt and today black jeans. She's been spoken to each time about the dress code, ie no short skirts (we need to up ladders in public), no jeans etc. She ignores customers, I have to tell her to serve, took a trolley of fabric out to be put back, when I called her back after thinking she'd been away for a lot longer than needed, she came back with the trolley still full. I asked her to do things as quickly as possible as we had a lot to get through today, I got a dirty look back in exchange. Yesterday she was complaining about being bullied, today too made a comment on it. I let a few things slide so it didn't look like I was riding her. I did have to talk to her about rushing off at closing to go home, we don't leave while there are customers in the store.

We were working with another staff member who spoke to me about her attitude, when I got home I rang the other Supervisor who asked me to back her up in speaking to the store manager. I hate having to do this sort of thing but when she is earning more than me (and all the other staff members, casuals get paid more per hour) and we are doing most of the work and having to follow up behind her it's a bit of a joke. It's not just with her either, the past 4 new staff members have been the same, (one was given the choice of being fired or resigning). But our new store manager is inexperienced as well, it's a waiting game to see what she is like.

As it is all of the experienced staff is on the verge of resigning, I was talked out of it just over a week ago, another staff member talked out of it yesterday and the other supervisor made the threat the other day. I am giving it till after Christmas and they are giving it till they have another job.

HOTTER THAN ............

After suffering from the heat of the last couple of days (the pool did work but I emptied it last night) we decided to buy an evaporative cooler yesterday. Just to tide us over until we are able to get the AC repaired (not a priority so it can wait). It did make a difference - not a huge one seeing as our living areas are open plan. I moved it to the bedroom when I went to bed last night, my son came in later and said that room felt cool.

I had to work today, the centre is cooled but with the heat they were struggling, we needed a fan blowing on us. When I got home I walked into a stifling house, husband told me that "this thing doesn't make any difference, the fan works better". So I ask if they had added ice to it, umm no. I felt the water in the reservoir and it was room temp, so I added some ice directly to it as well as the ice reservoir. The air started feeling cooler but sitting on the lounge I noticed it wasn't making much difference at all. Was checking the instructions after adding more ice, when a gust of wind from outside blew the curtains in. Make that HOT wind, of course the cooler won't make much difference when all the windows are open on a plus 40C day. To help cool the rooms I put a fan in the kitchen, blowing onto a big block of ice.

Tomorrow I am draining the water and adding ice water to it, just half full so that later I add ice directly to the tank. Will put in the sewing room so I can get on with sewing Christmas gifts. Have the next 3 days off and I want to make as much as I can. Can't see me making Gingerbread Houses this year, not in this heat, as it is the oven isn't working (again not a priority). I know Mum will want one but she'll have to donate the use of her kitchen for the making - at least they have AC over there.

Gonna be a scorcher

The weather forecast for today is not looking good, it's supposed to get to 41. According to a local weather station 20 minutes ago we at 29.5, that was at 9.40am, hottest part of the day isn't on us yet.

I just spent time covering our north facing doors and windows with blankets and sheets in an attempt to keep the sun out. Each year I swear I am going to do something better but never remember until I am up that stepladder or perched on the arms of couches, pegs and blankets in hand. It's been hot work doing it but now it's done, my kitchen looks patriotic with an Aussie flag blanket across the window.

Each year I dream about having a pool but know it's out of the question right now, just a pipedream. As the heat comes around I think that even a paddling pool would do, well yesterday I did something about that. I bought a blow up paddling pool and am thinking about setting it up on the tiled floor in our family room, just to keep cool. We are on a slab so any weight or spillage won't matter, just as long as we don't have a splashing fight.

A basket case.

On Saturday there was a fete at the Church, of course I had to work so couldn't attend, I did buy raffle tickets off Mum with the strict instructions that I did not want the doll she had mentioned as one of the prizes. I was greeted by this when I got home on Saturday night.



One of my tickets was pulled out as second prize. First prize had been a hamper, it was a pick your own prize raffle, Mum picked this for me. The fruit had been fresh from the market that morning and looked so good, I was expecting there only to be a layer of fruit over the top with filling underneath, as so often happens these days. But as I started unloading the basket I realised it was completely full, there were a couple of melons and a coconut in the base. I haven't had fresh coconut for years, I think we tried one as a kid. We cracked that sucker today, used nails to pop in holes then sucked a little liquid out, had to teach Thomas how to suck a coconut. We both ended up with gritty lips so decided to pour the liquid out to drink later. Wrapped the coconut up in a clean towel and dropped a sledgehammer on it out in the garage. Almost everyone has tried a bit of the meat. Anyway the soft fruits are now in the fridge, I've been snacking on them, very yummy.


Mum and Dad came over for a shower yesterday, their hot water was out. Dad made a comment on the state of the bathroom ceiling, I keep putting it off, I had better things to do than stand on tippy toes on my step ladder cleaning the ceiling. There is no ventilation apart from the window, a window that would give the neighbours clear view into the bathroom if left open. We usually do leave it open a crack. Well I was shamed into it, so set forth with bleach (shudder) in hand. Everytime I clean it I am reminded that it really needs a paint job. One thing I've noticed is that nails used in the ceiling are rusting, who in their right mind uses nails that would rust in a bathroom? I am thinking of asking for paint for Christmas. Maybe I should ask for a plumber as well so we can get our second shower going again, have been waiting for someone to do it for YEARS!

I was just sitting here thinking that I was thirsty, when my daughter walked into the room asking what we were doing. I quickly replied "Waiting for you to come in so I could ask you for a drink". Hubby looked over at me and then at her saying "yeah me too". Told her she walked right into that one. Even added a "buhaha" as she left, David asked if I could do an evil laugh for him too.

The girls came back the next day, they were on the roof. We haven't seen them since but Mum said she saw them on the roof a day later, one of our neigbours shouted at them and scared them away. I liked them and wanted them to stick around.