random thoughts from a non-warped mind

I found myself on the 6th floor overlooking the city building and one of the entrances to Centre Place Mall. Interesting skyline

I had hoped for a great sunset, but too cloudy.

The turquoise covered building, interesting from this view. Turned out to be a huge building, taking up a whole block under renovation

TSB is a bank…

On the 1st floor of the hotel was a long covered balcony with both dining and general seating. Some open wall space but mainly enclosed in signature and clear glass.

If the trees hadn’t been so monstrous, one could see the river. But you could see the river trail, the one that I use further east.

Let’s see what my photo gallery has to offer!

The access to the trail there is a steep path or some stairs. Actually, I didn’t go check that at all.

Semi bad snippet

Health threw a wobbly, ended on my full day there in nothing mode. But then again,  all the sorting up and packing of my life may have added to it all.

I had not one but two major head sweats. One before I left here, the other in a very public space (at the Mall). I dawdled back to the 6th floor and collapsed.

Home carpet was all replaced, which was Saturday (this is Tuesday morning)...

To be continued… breakfast is needed..

Cheers Catherine from New Zealand

Well it’s finally Thursday and all that boxing up is complete. And I’m 95% got them stacked with other receptacles in my accessible bathroom.

I still need to use said bathroom, but I hope to be on my way by 3ish..

My big ticket helpers will come by this evening and put said said other out in the corridor. I won’t be here, but they will see where I want things for the putting back day.

I’ll be back Saturday arvo and hope new carpet done and those big ticket stuff back in place. The rest I can do at my leisure…

After lunch, I need to pack my holiday bag, shove the rest of the stuff in wherever  but not on the floor. Other than some awkward stuff under the bed.

I’ve had the fan on since 6.30am…the predicted rain hasn’t shown up, but it’s a bit muggy. I do a few things then sling my hook onto bed and take a break.

Cheers Catherine

I’m staying at Ibis Hamilton Tainui. Yes it’s a hotel, but it’s for the best, 2 nights Central Cityy location, a short cab ride away.

Yes those are solar powered mushrooms!

Plus I added another older art piece next to the “captain ice patroller engine”.

This meant rearranging.

Cheers Catherine from New Zealand 🇳🇿

OK, I’m a bit behind on that seasonal greeting, but at least I’m still in the right month!

And Hazel and I have been housebound. Just about every day, a downpour at some point. I, on the other hand, have occasionally managed twice a short walk.  Not far, nor long. But at least seeing another viewpoint. Keeping off any wet grass, as I don’t want to slide and fall.

I’m going to create today in an art book. Because as I pack up, I find suitable things to use.

I’m not happy about the carpet replacement…the trust chair seems to think, “I’m excited.” I’m not. A massive packing up undertaking. Especially as my forthcoming helpers are young men and their dad, none of whom I know. So anything that VIP, like sewing machine and printer organized before. They are both out of arms reach, now!

However, hopefully, in mid-February, I can officially say happy new year… and I will be better able to manage health and life.

In the meantime, I shall just plod on. There’s no rush as far as I can see. Other than the deadline for carpet layer…

Cheers Catherine from New Zealand 🇳🇿

In no particular order

The rest of my time “sorting and packing” as my room carpet us to be replaced mid January…so my room space is a real jumble or is that a jungle!

Not found much, that I don’t want…

Found some new ideas to keep me occupied here

Like just in the last hour, I thought I should buy an xyz book, when suddenly struck me “no need”, I’ve got something that will b just fine!

However, health slows me down many breaks. Although mid-January is still a few weeks away 

The seasonal days have been low-key, which is okay with me.  weather flipping around, but it’s not been cold… but it looks cold when no sun

Cheers Catherine from New Zealand

History of why

Over the last 24 hours, things had happened here, and I really needed to get away. Nothing to do with the inedible Christmas star cookies.

Today i needed to go out

I never imagined how it would pan out. Both,  not so good through to wonderful.

It can be summed by the above blog title.

I called for a cab and he duly arrived. My destination, Chartwell Mall at the Woolworths entrance. It’s a fairly large place on at least 2 floors, including all kinds of retailers, banks, mobile phone places. Eateries of course, food hall, and a supermarket.

I said I’d probably be 2 hours as I’d probably get over it! My needs were my bank, lunch, supermarket…and just maybe something else.

(Hopefully, I’ll get the adventure in order)

I couldn’t find my bank, so I had to go in the lift upstairs to the customer service. Back downstairs to the far end. I’ve a problem with my EFTPOS card. It was soon sorted when I explained the issues. I await a new card that will be easier to manage. Plus she set me up with the phone app!

Next, I realised I needed to eat. Couldn’t decide what, too many queues at places ladies of my vintage eat. So opted for the Golden Arches. A young one said I should try the screens to order but I knew in my heart, today was not the day!

I got my food and then bingo i couldn’t work out how to insert straw. Another young one got up and came over…

It was OK, it filled a gap. I thought I’d just walk around a bit, but too many people. I chair hopped, people watching. Then I had to deal with supermarket

I nearly gave up, when I couldn’t find where trollies were!

I went in through the turnstiles…nothing to see here.

Asked a few people and one pointed down the other end. But I’d been down there, so didn’t think that was right. I found some supermarket people dressed as Christmas fairies and the said down the other way…

I couldn’t see what they were referencing, but a lovely shopper helped.

So I’ve a trolly

But then the whole layout overwhelmed me that I didn’t buy much…

One of things we shoppers need to have is bags for our shopping. I did have them but I was on verge of complete meltdown. So I said to the checkout person, a shocking word phase.

“I have got no bags”

The look on her face was incredulous. But she sold me a bag 😀

I left, I passed the lovely shopper, still people watching. She enquired if I was okay, I said yes and headed for the exit doors.

I got organized on a bench outside and text for a cab. He duly said OK, be there 20minutes. I people and car watched as this entrance also into.a carpark.

He arrived on the other side, parked around in a lane, came back, got my shopping and then took my hand to guide over the road, with cars stopping. Lovely thought

On the way home, as we semi chatted, he offered me a small Indian sweet. Said it was both spicy and sour. It was unusual and interesting. Its flavor was like a sausage with layers.

And then I was back here

Cheers Catherine from New Zealand

My last finished project for 2025…

Cheers Catherine from New Zealand

First the gifts!

2 visitors arrived at my door and I did recognize them (just). But I was surprised because I’d seen them a few days ago. I kind of knew it was food due to the box.

2 sweet little cup cakes. I ate them the next day for breakfast.

My room was still looking like a tip, as I’m still sorting up things for the forthcoming carpet replacement. But they didn’t seem to mind. I took them outdoors to look at my latest ceramic objects. Then they were gone.

This morning, M left on her trip to Queenstown, and after lunch, I received a brown paper bag. There is a present in it, I shall open 25th…

Happenings!

This sorting up hasn’t revealed anything that needs to be garbage or recycled through an opshop!

But because some young men and their dad will be shifting them to the hallway in mid-January, I need things both easy to move, coralled, and not get mixed up… boxed or similar.

Suddenly, I saw an opportunity.

And an artist project.

The bag on the right is splitting. So I couldn’t add any yarn or thread to it.

Out I’m our house garage, there are always carrier bags. I’ve got a variety already, but I put the threads in these 3 chemist warehouse bags. Put them on the top shelf!

And suddenly, I’m seeing an art installation!

Not just this particular bag, but other suitable bags. Some are not particularly nice or useful.

So this will be my summer art project.

Mostly o will buy colorful bags…and then I will probably have to think which item!

Because color is my name. You already know that, when she creates a bright lime green 💚 snake and a red and orange caterpillar

Every cloud has a silver lining as my niece has suggested.

I will not be unhappy that I’m getting a new carpet, even though it’s a boring charcoal grey colour, if my space will be colored

Cheers Catherine from New Zealand

Photo taken around 6.15pm…a bit cooler out here!

One pot vacant, soon I will fill…

Cheers Catherine in New Zealand

Bottom: WIP. Probably not get them until mid January. But they were part of mini “let me show how from Start to finish” with one of the tutors.

Middle: No title but the sample with all the pitfalls, complete.  About 9cm squate-ish by approx 5cm tall-ish. I look forward to making another. Not quite as planned but OK.

Top: the very last of the mini workshop. The tutor added the gold Lustre for me and re-fired it all.

That’s that for this year. I might be able to pick the stars and one other up next week…

Cheers Catherine from New Zealand