Lost & Found

Anyone who knows me know that I am never on time, mainly because I always get lost. Seriously, always. Firstly I get my left and right mixed up and my navigational skills are even worse at night because I drive by landmarks - sadly usually shops, 7-11's and McDonalds. So, with these disabilities in mind it is a wonder I can get anywhere!

I had an incident driving to knitting the other week when I not only had a flat mobile (to ring anyone there who could direct me via landmarks and sides of the car) but also no melways (BJ had taken to carrying it around). Lost with no idea even which direction the city was or any idea what road I was on, in desparation I pulled into the 7-11. I didn't know but they have melways there for you to look at. I think he would be surprised to know I did actually get to my destination, especially after I had not only turned the book around but had to ask what road we were on.

This brief life history is leading somewhere - for my birthday mum got me a melways with this uber-handy cover. The book of Everywhere is what Alexander named our street directory, so a bit of family humour there. The book is covered in plastic and inside.... is complete with sticky notes, a notepad, pen and bookmark with a little torch tied to it.

I have studied it thoroughly and plotted the best path to some of my most common destinations - yes you girls are all there!!!!

On a different note - just had to show you something else cool that was another birthday gift. I lvoe babushka dolls and these are drinking glasses in the theme.

Arent they cute?

Spoilt

This is one of the beautiful thoughtful lovely pressies I was spoilt with. My dear friend Robyn, who is not by definition a sewer. A big and somewhat ballsey effort to make this fabulous bag for my birthday. I believe it to be Amy Butler fabric and pattern which I L O V E!

The bag is reversible, but not only that, when I got it it was filled with more goodies- a tea towel and a knitted dishcloth.

So, not only do I love it - and have had lovely comments when I have taken it places, it has also reignited my love of handcraft. I try to make things, but am never quite sure if they are enough, or will be appreciated by the recipient. Getting this, I really appreciated all the effort that went into it - from picking the fabric (without me knowing!) to choosing the button that just makes that brooch pop. The time and effort that is put into making a gift is so much more, because the recipient cant just take it back, and you really are putting yourself on the line. For all of those reasons I love it even more. It reaffirmed that the thought and effort that you put into something really is appreciated - because that is what I felt. Thank you so much Robyn (& Gill). Sorry I make secret squirrel projects so much more complicated!

Footy and Shopping

The final Auskick this morning and noone was happier than me!! No more standing out on the oval on cold winter mornings. I cant believe that we didn't have one wash out all season!Then as I has suffered through footy I needed some celebrating so I took Alexander and Spencer shopping. Benji stayed home with the Big Squirrel doing some work (we took our first step for a little one on one time for these guys. He had more luck than me).

I was excited as we were off to the new Gap which has opened at Chadstone. Most of Victoria was there, but only Spencer didn't want to go in. He was crying and performing, like Benji normally does. I got him in the shop but it was certainly on HIS terms.

I wanted to go upstairs and look at the kids clothes, but there would be none of that! We were on a Spencer led mission to buy something for Dad. A hat was his first demand. We were weaving through the shoppers until HE found a hat that HE was satisfied with. Fine I thought - we'll buy whatever just to get out of here. I can always return it. But no, that was not the end. A minor tantrum before I understood that we were also to buy pants.

Ok - Dad wears shorts (in any temperature) how about we look at those, I suggest. No, Pants. And it must be these ones demands Spencer. I look for the size. NO - THESE PANTS as he tugs at a very slim pair of chinos. OK OK I get it. I hide a pair of the same trousers in the correct size. Lets get them and get out of here. Its hot, I have had enough (yes shopping I know) anything to get out of here. I try to coerce HIM towards the register to buy now 2 items. Crying erupts again as apparently Dad also must have a top. Good grief, who is the parent here? Alexander and I are led around the shop like some mute, unhappy conga line until HIS NIBS finds the shirt that he wants. BTW we did inspect every t-shirt in the place.

So, this is the "outfit" that we bought. It is actually very Big Squirrel and all goes together. He showed quite good taste, it just wasn't very much fun!

Oh!

I had one of these - not an "0" one, but another year older....

But I got spoilt and got one of these! I have been having a bit of a play so hopefully the quality of my photos should improve. Dont expect any changes in the text or timing of the posts!

The fantastic rich cholocate mud cake was made by a friend who is doing a cake course. She is obviously getting a lot out of it - and we are lucky enough to get something too!

kiss it better......

i dont want to be a grown up any more

the responsibility which comes with freedom is too much

everything is hard

complicated

too much to worry about

impossible to control

if only we could return to the days where
any little hurt could be kissed better.

nothing major- just one little thing after another and when they all stack up on top of you it kinda gets you down. I know it is me, and I need to change my attitude to change how I feel - but I do that in my spare time. I found this little quote which is both scary and funny.

what if, at this very moment I am living up to my full potential? - Jane Wagner

Wacky Hair

This is how my eldest went off to school today - wacky hair day. It took every product I could find and a hair straightener to cook them all together to achieve this look - and it reverted back to flat (albeit sticky) at days end.

New Fabric

This is gorgeous fabric I got from my Father in Law for my birthday. He got it is Delhi. About 1 m of black silk dupion of a good weight. The other is a Japanese cotton with a digitalprint. It is a heavy weight voile with an embroidered daisy on it. Really interesting fabric - and there is about 6 meters so I have some options. I was thinking an interesting blouse and black skirt and then maybe a dress as well. What a great choice.