melvania

{mosimage}So it was a couple months ago when I started up my bread machine to make some pizza dough and it just...stopped. Right in the middle of the program. But then I'd had it for nearly five years, and it wasn't new when I bought it either. So it was bound to happen eventually.

Then a few weeks ago, I was in the Salvation Army shop in Salisbury and I saw two bread makers, each $35. I didn't buy one that day, but I filed it away for future reference. And then the other day I decided enough was enough, I wanted to make pizza again. So I went back, and these bread machines were now only $25. Even better. So I bought one. It didn't have a manual with it, but it was a more well known brand than the other one, so that's why I picked it.

And then I got it home, and was about to pull out the pan to wash it before I used it, and there's a very essential bit missing - the kneading blade. So no, I wasn't exactly happy.

Went to the Sunbeam website & asked them if I could get a replacement. They emailed back & said to check with my nearest service agent, so I looked back on the website to find the nearest one. Pooraka - only about 10 minutes away. So I emailed them, got a response back in a couple hours, and they had the part in stock, and it was only $16.50. So we had pizza for tea last night. Mmmmmm.

My old machine had five programs, all for bread or dough. The new one has eleven, including all the standard ones you'd expect, plus one for jam, pasta, cake, and even butter. I'm gonna have fun working it all out.

Despite how easy it is to get overheated, and get swollen ankles & feet...at least last time I didn't have to try to put on socks if I didn't want to.

So Darrin's mostly finished up at SEHS. He's done two Saturdays there and may do a little more as needed. He's liking the new job - the only downside is leaving the house at 7:45 every morning and not getting home till just after 6 most nights. But it's working out well for the most part.

I have a zillion sewing projects I want to get finished before this baby arrives, including some maternity clothes. Really should get those going, shouldn't I? And my chiropractor has ordered five nappies from me, and she's due 4 days before me. But two are already finished, so I really only need to do three more. I got some fabric to make Caleb another pair of pajamas, and I'm also doing a set of curtains/drapes for a friend (as soon as I have the measurements).

Caleb...just gets better every day. He just put one of his bears on the potty to do a poo. And he's very talkative. He'll try any word except his name. It's amazing how much he picks up without us even trying (i.e. he's saying 'no thanks' and 'thank you' now of his own accord, even though we've never prompted him to do so - he's just picked it up from us saying it to him).

Baby's still in there. I was getting a little worried at one point that I hadn't felt any movement for a while, but Lisa came over & checked with her doppler and worked out that baby just decided to hide behind the placenta for a bit. He/she has shifted again in the last week and I'm feeling a lot more kicks, hiccups, etc. again. Oh, and I'm at the point where I wouldn't mind my very own live-in chiropractor and/or massage therapist. I've been visiting the chiro every two weeks, but I'm thinking I might have to increase it to every week soon. Now that my regular one has gone on maternity leave, I'm seeing one of her colleagues - who incidentally sounds like an American. Haven't yet asked her where she's from (I've only seen her once so far and it didn't really seem like the right time).

Garden stuff now. I've got cauliflower, broccoli, cabbage, lettuce, and celery in the veggie patch. I also had two pea plants, but I didn't water them when I transplanted them, so they died. This week (assuming my body cooperates, and the nursery gets them in) I'm planning to plant some seed potatoes. And last week, I bought a peach sapling and two small blueberry bushes and planted them. So I'm working on the orchard now as well. I have so many plans (including a chicken shed), but I don't think most of them are going to happen till a few months after this baby comes. I was really hoping to get a lot of it done before, but it wasn't to be.

And I actually turned the heater on this morning for the first time this year. It was a whopping 16C (62F) in the lounge when we woke up.

And now...away to the post office!