Darn craft!

So there’s been much chat about mushrooms recently... not the tasty fungi type, but the wooden, darning type. I’ve been darning for nearly two weeks now, and I’ve found it strangely cathartic. It started because my husband is a devoted Bulldogs fan and they were playing for a berth in the finals on Friday night. He wanted to wear his entire Bulldogs outfit - including the 20 year old socks that had long since become NFFPV (not fit for public viewing) due to the large holes in the sole.


Who am I kidding, there was a small amount of sole between the holes. I own quite a lovely mushroom, and like many of my crafting items, it has been gleaned/gifted/stolen from my Nana.


This was not an item I thought I'd be using anytime soon. Under normal circumstances I'd be chucking the socks, not darning them. But a boy with a love of his Bulldog socks melted my stone heart. I just went straight to You Tube to get a tute, got a great one. Darned.

This is another pair I did - the bulldogs pair is rarely off his feet.

And the boy got his socks. It's probably the nicest thing I've done for the old stick for a while - and he was happy. Didn't help the Bulldogs though.

Darning was a really practical crafting activity - and I think that's what I've needed to do for a while. I don’t know if any of you caught my maniacal morning ramblings the other week (i deleted it now) , but I’ve been a bit overcome with the whole being creative thing recently, primarily because I think it polarises my feelings of inadequacy/inaction. That is - I do a whole lotta dreamin' and very little doin'. From the post:

As much as I love the online world I think that the 20 posts daily from Craft and Whip Up et al appear to me to be from one, super-crafting individual and serve to make me feel less adequate/productive as a crafter. The posts from parent hacker and life hacker don't give me tips but make me feel like there are just so many things I could improve because I'm so hopeless.So I'm going to pare down the blogreader to the blogs from individuals - because most people only finish a couple of things a month. I can rationalise that.

I took some action and took a heap of craft sites and put them into a folder on my Google reader called 'Not this month'. Its been really, really good. It reduces the 'noise' of all those competing demands in my head. I've only been doing it for 10 days but I think I've not read about 300 posts. And I think its helped me focus on the things I want to do, and put a bit of time to researching them, and then sticking to them

So i'm starting a little embroidery sampler. Progress photos soon.

It wobbled.

"How do you know the jelly is ready Lily?"
"Well, Mum, it just kind of wobbled when I looked at it"
"You didn't stick your finger in it, did you?"
"No Mum."

[Just placed her whole freakin' hand on it...]

I'm going in to get my bottom wisdom teeth removed tomorrow. I'm trying not to think about it too much, but I've got lots of protein drinks and creamed rice and soup, and have got everything I need sorted so that if I'm out of action for a week then life will go on. The surgeon told me that women in their 30s have the slowest recovery time - but I'm hoping I'll be the exception to the rule and can then just use the two weeks sick leave for crafting. I've done a little embroidery and some knitting, but I'm a bit scatty about craft at the moment. Anyhoo, hoping I'll be back with you shortly.

Spring has sprung

Spring has sprung here... although I did take this photo in August. But there is definitely a little bit of warmth in the air and things are popping out all over the place. It is only 14 degrees during the day, but the days are clear and that makes all the difference.

My blogging this time around might be a little more random. I might include a section of 'stuff that I just want to put out there' or 'thoughts irrelevant to the rest of the post'. Primarily because last time I blogged I was so concerned about each post being a well-crafted story that it took ten times longer than it should have to get stuff out. And while I love going back and reading those posts (and half the reason why I'm blogging again is because I realised how much I valued having those posts to go back and read) I don't think that the occasional typo or bad segue will reduce their readability.

So I bring you:

Random Thoughts

• I drove to Sydney on Monday and it was so lovely to see the fog rising over the windmills around Lake George.
• I sat behind a girl on a train who was blowing bubbles - it was a lovely thing to see on a train full of surly city folk.
• Paddy has started talking and one of his favourite words is bubble.
• Paddy won't say Mummy. He calls me, Lily and Nath 'Daddy'. It bugs me a bit.
  
• Lily had her first orientation day at big school today. That freaks me out.

Anyway, thanks for the encouragement to come back and do this thing... I'll be back later with a few craft related endeavors.

Ok

So this is a trial get-back-together. I still have huge issues - and so do you. Let's give it a go.

Dear Blog

Dear Blog
I kind of miss you. I'm toying with the idea of us getting back together.
Love
Twitchy

I've hit 10,000!

Random Integer generator says number six is the winner! Sadie and Lance! I'll contact you poppet...




Thanks to you folk, I've been hit 10,000 times... which is incidentally how I feel this week. So to win a little present from me just leave me a joke or a link to a site or something that will make me laugh.

60 and 3 and 1 away...

I'm:

• 60 hits away from my 10,000 hit.


• 3 posts away from my 100th post (well, 2 now) and


• Just under a month away from my 3 year blogiversary.

100 posts in three years isn't very much I know, only around 30 posts a year, but I did seem to have a lot on during that time in retrospect. As a celebration of these amazing feats I will be having a little give-away. Three, in fact. One for each of these milestones. The prizes will be in consultation with the winner, but may include one of the many bits and bobs i've spent the last three years doing, such as: embroidery, sewing, felt toys/pictures or any of the things on my old flickr set... http://www.flickr.com/photos/nomes707/sets/72157594313903946/

Entry is by un-stalking, I mean, commenting, on a post that I'll do for each of those three events. I will announce a winner based on a number generator. So stay tuned!

P.S I'd post images, but blogger won't let me...

Meme

Via Kim

What’s your favorite color gummy bear?
Can't tell you the last time I had one... Who would buy them when there was chocolate covered licorice to be had?

What is the sexiest part of the opposite sex’s body?
The 'crease' between leg and torso

Have you ever made up/sang a song for someone you cared about?
Yes. Wrote and recorded a song for Nath. And I sing to the kids every night. Our hit list includes;

• You are my sunshine
• Morningtown ride
• Once upon a dream
• Beautiful world
• Over the rainbow
• Wonderful world
• Unforgettable
  
• Lullaby
• Lots of Carpenters, and Beatles and John Denver, and whatever I've heard on the radio.
  

Ever had a song sang about/for you?
Yes. My boyfriend in year 10 wrote me a song, and then came to a party and sang it to me. I was mortified. In retrospect I'm amazed he had the balls to do it.

Is there a baby in the room with you right now?
Nope. He's in another room.

Do you know how to dance?
Year ago I did tap and jazz, and was a ballet-class drop out. I'd love to do salsa or something now...

Where do you sing the most, in the car, the shower or other?
I'll sing anywhere. But mostly in the kids bedroom I guess.

What is your favorite thing that is green?
Feijoas. Yum. Yum.

What did your last text message say?
Love you. Pretty sure it was from my husband... ;-)

Boxers, briefs or boxer briefs?
Care factor - 0 If he's comfy I'm happy.

What is your middle name? Tineke. It's Dutch.

What is the way to your heart?
Through my stomach. But its taken now.

What do you smell like?
Joy perfume, children, and Benson and Hedges.

What’s in your pocket?
nothing - i'm in my pjs

Anything in your mouth?
only teeth and my tongue

Ever hurt yourself playing Wii?
Nope. Only been and observer.

Do you have freckles?
Lots - although i'd have had lots more if my mother hadn't been a sun-conscious red-head. Thanks Mum.

How many languages can you say “Hello” in?
A couple. Most of which i've picked up from children's television.

What’s the last movie you saw in the theater?
Angelina Ballerina goes to sea. Seriously. I was a DVD just being played in the theatre. And Lil hates AB. So do I. I did get some knitting done though.

Ever jumped/fallen/been pushed in a pool with your clothes on?
No.

Are you wearing any clothes that you wore yesterday?
Yep. My jammies.

Are you in love with someone right now?
Yep.

What’s the last thing you watched on TV?
Watching Law and Order right now.

Who is your daddy and what does he do?
Sep. He's retired.

Can you do the alphabet in sign language?
No. We use a couple of signs for eat, drink and more with Paddy. We'd been using two signs that we thought were thank you and eat - until my sister found out that they were 'f*ck you' and 'prostitute'. Not that he would have known the difference. But it could have been embarrassing for him later in life when thanking a deaf colleague for lunch....

Do you wear glasses?
Only once a month when I give my eyes a rest from the day/night contacts.

What can you hear right now?
Thunder.

Did you feel better or worse or the same yesterday?
Worse. I think I'm getting the flu...

Ever been overseas?
Yes. Not since before Lil was born though.

What are your plans for today?
Finish this, and go to bed.

Do you bite your nails?
No. Only to trim them if they're too long.

Do you like your feet?
No. They're ugly and weird-looking. Most people agree. And they hurt most of the time.

Do you sleep well at night?
No. I have children. And until recently I had a bad bed. Now I've got a new, comfy bed - but I'm not often in it. I've actually begun to dread going to bed because I know its going to be shitty.

Conservation

Conservation through having smaller families - by Nola Stewart. This is a great brochure aimed at children which explains the world economy and how it effects the environment. First time that I've understood economics... Worth a look!

Coraline...

Coraline.

Man, I so want this movie to come out in Australia. But we're talking August until its here. Now I've not read the book, but I love the concept of the movie and I want it here now. French and Saunders, people!!! Six months is way too long to wait I say. There have been lots of promo type activities happening in the States and I want to be part of it [stamping foot, loudly]. As blog-land is my witness, I will not rest until I consume all things Coraline.

My little moochi did a mini box swap - wondering if any Aussies would be interested in doing the same?

Look Ma!

I'm posting from the laptop! In the kitchen... sooooo exciting!!!

"Unfortunately Naomi"

A meme via thornberry.

All you do is google “unfortunately, yourname” and see what comes up! Some of my favourites:

Unfortunately, Naomi has never participated in a legitimate anger management class. (True...)

Unfortunately, Naomi's hair is reminiscent of a Haitian hillside after 3 days of rain. (That's just unkind.)

Unfortunately, Naomi is only able to visit that pool for therapy twice a week. (Pool therapy hey? Sounds better than anger management classes!)

She is much easier to read than to listen to, unfortunately. Naomi, slow down, speak more smoothly, make people listen. (Sage advice.)

Unfortunately Naomi’s outfit did not impress us at all. (Fair cop - my 'style' is not often classified as impressive.)

and finally,

Unfortunately, Naomi had put all of her faith in her family and material things, and simply did not have much hope for the future. (From the book of Ruth.)

I love Knitty.

Especially because the patterns they churn out are always the 'wrong' season - which means we've got six months to knit the patterns and have them ready to go at the appropriate time. Instead of starting in spring, and finishing in Autumn.

I'm loving Topaz - might be my first foray into fair isle...


And decimal (although I'll never knit it)


Pioneer - I might have a go. Got some swanky possum/merino from when my mum went to NZ in scarlet. Although it may be a little unattractive on my 'curvy' frame.

Perhaps Hanne (which is strange and interesting all at once) would be better?

Flit and float might be the answer to the malabrigo lace-weight conundrum.
Steggie is cute and might be put away for when Paddles is a bit older.
Aeolian is stunning.

whatdoyareckon?

I try to take one day at a time...

but sometimes several days attack me at once.
This has been consistently the case lately, and although I still spend my days thinking 'I so have to blog this' I just don't seem to find the time. However, today we just got a new laptop, so maybe now I can blog without being stuck in the study and hence neglecting my children/husband/dinner/important television viewing or other maternal obligations. So. Maybe I'll see you around here again soon. I've got lots to tell. Nothing exciting really, but, you know, stuff.
Toodles.

Canberra Donations for Victorian Fire Appeal

This announcement is going around at the moment...
______________________________________________________________________
ALLIED PICKFORDS is arranging to transport any Canberra donations of clothing, toys, tinned food, furniture due to the tragedy with the bushfires in Victoria. Many of us lived through this 6 years ago, and can imagine not having any possessions except the clothes on your back.

The community support for Canberra from around Australia was incredible at the time - and we should now help Victoria.

If you have a spare ANYTHING - get it to Queanbeyan. The Allied Pickfords Depot is at 184 Gilmore Road, Queanbeyan - just go along Canberra Avenue past DFO and Gilmore Road is only a few kilometres away. The transportation is happening regularly - so there is not a cut off time.

If you can pack things into boxes, it will help. PLEASE HELP DISTRIBUTE THIS EMAIL TO ANY OF YOUR CANBERRA NETWORK.

If you are not able to help with these sort of donations, Salvation Army and Red Cross have an appeal going:
http://www.redcross.org.au/default.asp
https://www.salvationarmy.com.au/partners/donate.asp?oneoff=yes

When did you last laugh so hard...

that you cried? This image catches one of those moments. This is me and my bestie Lilly. She has an extremely talented photographer friend Hing Ang (http://www.flickr.com/photos/toadtheory/) who took some photos of us on Australia Day this year.

We've been friends for 20 years, since she was my billet for a music camp. We were little girls, then big girls, then young women, then women, and now wives and mothers. We have one thousand personal jokes and stories about things like camels in pants and partying till you die and the 'thilver thoverin'. We've traveled together, worked together, lived together for brief periods of time but we've never lived in the same city. She's a talented, funny, vibrant and loving person and she makes me laugh. I love her like I love my children - totally and unconditionally.

Gifties and stuff

I've kind of lost my blogging mojo so you get a picture post...

I made this seafoam scarf from the hacho I bought a while ago. I want to finish it off with some buttons - its more a cowl-length.

This was a beautiful surprise gift from Happy Spider for Lily, to go with the gorgeous hat she knitted for her a while ago. Lil's has insisted on wearing during the last couple of 38 degree days. Really.

And this was a stole that I started to knit with my cursed malabrigo lace weight. I've frogged it because even though it looks great, it was a bugger of a pattern to remember and it just wasn't flowing. I believe this skein is cursed because of cast on about eight projects with it, and none have pushed my buttons. I've now put it aside for a while.

Food for thought...

I'm a smoker. I don't like it. It never used to really bother me, but with the sense of mortality which comes from having dependents, I would love to quit. Anyway, yesterday as I was browsing the beautiful Malabrigo at yarnandkisses.com I realised that I could justify buying 3 balls of Malabrigo A WEEK if I quit smoking.

Photo credit: yarnandkisses.com

Yes, each packet of dirty, carcinogenic, smelly cigarettes costs about as much as a skein of Malabrigo.

That means, people, that I could buy 156 skeins a year.

So if we assume that I am talking about laceweight Malabrigo that is 430m per skein x 3 per week - 1290m per week or 67080m per year.

That is 151 times the yarn that Bells used for her Adamas Shawl. Or 167 times the yarn the Happy Spider used for her Nightsong Shawl.

So who agrees that this could be a good motivation for quitting????

Happy Birthday

In the midst of the end of year postings all around (one of which I'm dying to post) I would like to put a 'Happy Birthday' out into the ether for my beautiful little man Paterson, who turned 1 today.


I was frightened at having a boy. I didn't want to find out the sex because if it were male I didn't want my first reaction to my second child to be disappointment. I wanted a sister for Lil so she would have the relationship that I have with my sister. I didn't know what to do with a boy. Please don't bother pointing out all the logic flaws with this - I'm well aware of them. I was only a little sad when he was born, but only because Nathan hadn't decided against calling our son 'Paterson' as I had hoped he would (love you bub!).

But let me tell you, I could not love Paddy any more if I tried. He is a constant source of delight. His beautiful blue eyes light up when he smiles. He giggles uncontrollably at Lily's attempts at slapstick. He squeals when the 'kissing monster' gets him. He loves tackling and rough-housing - although his penchant for biting isn't making him a popular playmate at present. He eats like a child possessed. No one is safe while eating near him. He loves to bury his head in pillows. He loves to stand on all fours and look between his legs while resting on his head on the ground. He talks and goos and points at everything. He loves opening draws and closing doors. He loves de-furring Rosie the cat. He loves to push things - cars, vacuum cleaners, doorstops... Now he has teeth he loves making noise with his tongue against his teeth. And blowing raspberries. And of course biting. I love how he now deliberately puts his arm up around me neck; not just to hold on to me, but for a hug. And I kind of like that he still prefers to come to me when he's sad. Makes me feel needed, you know?

Anyhoo, I wrote this more for myself than anything. You say you'll remember this amazing spectacular moment in their lives - but then the next amazing spectacular moment comes along to replace it*.

So, Happy Birthday little man.

And Happy New Year to the rest of you; I'm a new year's eve grinch (which is why the universe made me have a child on NYE) so I'll think of you at 9.10 when I'm snuggled up in bed.

Naomi

*(except that I will always remember Lil saying 'Mum, when you die and I get older, can I wear your marrying dress?' a couple of days ago...)

Single? Literate?

Huge props for the National Library for seeing a market for singles who don't dig the drunken/disco scene. I would soooo have gone for this in my single days. I hope this is a huge sucess for them!

Literary Lovers: Speed Dating for Book Lovers

Join us for a celebration of reading and romance. Bring along a book you love to act as an ice-breaker. Find romance, or simply broaden your reading while enjoying a glass of wine in the idyllic setting of ex Libris at the National Library.

Presented by: National Library of Australia
Start: 6:30pm
Event location: National Library of Australia, Parkes Place, Parkes
Cost: Adult: $30 Concession: $25
Organised by: National Library of AustraliaMore information: Info: 02 6262 1271
Booking: 02 6262 1271 20 February 2009
Official Site: http://www.nla.gov.au/

Blue is 'done'
Red is 'never will'
Black is 'not done'

Over half... not bad considering there are some things I wouldn't want to do (like bounce a cheque)

1. Started your own blog.
2. Slept under the stars.
3. Played in a band.
4. Visited The Great Barrier Reef.
5. Stood under the stars in the outback, the real outback – think Uluru.
6. Given more than you can afford to charity (But I have given - for over 10 years now).
7. Been to the Gold Coast’s theme parks – anyone, you take your pick.
8. Climbed a mountain - does Kosciusko count?.
9. Held a praying mantis.
10. Sung a solo.
11. Bungee jumped, jumped out of plane, been paragliding or hang-gliding, hot air ballooning – you get the idea, you’ve been hundreds of metres about earth in a seemingly flimsy contraption.
12. Visited Melbourne.
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea.
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch.
15. Had a child. Raised a child. Worked with children.
16. Had food poisoning.
17. Been to the Snowy Mountains.
18. Grown your own vegetables.
19. Visited the Brett Whitely studio in Surry Hills, Sydney.
20. Slept on an overnight train or bus.
21. Had a pillow fight.
22. Been backpacking.
23. Taken a mental health day.
24. Been buried in sand with just your head and toes sticking out.
25. Held a possum, kangaroo or koala – or any other native Australian animal. (Why, only last week I held a stripped legless lizard!)
26. Gone skinny dipping.
27. Been in a fun run. (I just walked)
28. Been on the Blue Mountain cableway.
29. Seen a total eclipse.
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset.
31. Played, or watched, summer cricket. (I've been forced to listen - does that count?)
32. Sailed, kayaked or canoed our beautiful waterways.
33. Seen the Daintree.
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors.
35. Visited an Aboriginal settlement or mission.
36. Learned a new language.
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied. (I don't think I realised it at the time...)
38. Toured the Sydney Opera House.
39. Tried rock climbing (indoor or outdoor), abseiling or just simple bush walking.
40. Visit Queensland’s Gallery of Modern Art.
41. Been to the Tamworth Country Music Festival.
42. Sunbaked at Bondi.
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant.
44. Visited Broome.
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight.
46. Been transported in an ambulance.
47. Had your portrait painted.
48. Gone fishing.
49. Seen Tasmania’s old growth forests.
50. Been to the top of Q1, on the Gold Coast.
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkelling.
52. Kissed in the rain.
53. Played in the mud.
54. Gone to a drive-in theatre.
55. Been in a movie.
56. Driven the Great Ocean Road.
57. Started a business.
58. Taken a martial arts class.
59. Visited Norfolk Island.
60. Served at a soup kitchen.
61. Sold Girl Guide biscuits.
62. Gone whale watching.
63. Got flowers for no reason.
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma. (But not anymore, mad cow took care of that)
65. Gone jet boating.
66. Visited Port Arthur.
67. Bounced a cheque.
68. Flown in a helicopter.
69. Saved a favourite childhood toy.
70. Visited the Australian War Memorial.
71. Eaten Caviar.
72. Pieced a quilt.
73. Stood in Federation Square.
74. Been on the Murray River.
75. Been fired from a job.
76. Travelled, or climbed, over the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
77. Broken a bone.
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle.
79. Seen the Three Sisters at Echo Point, Katoomba.
80. Published a book.
81. Visited St Mary’s Cathedral, in Sydney.
82. Bought a brand new car.
83. Been to Hermannsburg.
84. Had your picture in the newspaper.
85. Read the entire Bible.
86. Visited Parliament House. (Worked there too...)
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating.
88. Had chickenpox.
89. Saved someone’s life.
90. Sat on a jury.
91. Met someone famous.
92. Joined a book club.
93. Lost a loved one.
94. Saved a pet.
95. Been to the site of the Eureka Stockade.
96. Swum in The Whitsundays.
97. Been involved in a lawsuit.
98. Owned a mobile phone.
99. Been stung by a bee.
100. Read an entire book in one day.

Lovely stuff

* Edited to fix *&^@%^ photos*

Its been so long since I posted, and time is getting away from me, so here is a brief rundown of what I've been up to. Once this is posted I can get back to some kind of regular posting. That's the theory anyway.

I posted a while back about a Chegal picture used in the movie Notting Hill, and moments later a beautiful package arrived on my doorstep from Miss Dot at Planet Lime! Isn't it stunning!

And nearly a month ago now we (Mother, Sister, Husband, Daughter and Son) went down to Melbourne for my birthday, and my sister bought me this great necklace. Its from Elk - and TSS, they have a necklace with a black pear on it!!!

Also finished a little swap package for Backtack and posted it off to the lovely Kim in Canada - but can't show you that because she's not received it yet...

We stirred the pudding.

Went to my 'little' sister's 30th party

Wrote meaningless stuff in the magnetic words on the fridge.

Watched my kids play together. Really play together.

So. There we are. Back to normal transmissions shortly.

My Daughter the photographer

I find it interesting to look at her photos. To look at what she finds interesting enough to photograph...

I did leave the picture of her poo out though...

Where you wheely bin?

Well. Many moons have passed since my last post (When I write that kind of thing it always feels like a confession - forgive me father, it has been 27 days since I last blogged). I have traveled hither, thither and yon. I have worked like a demon on my backtack swap package. Recieved beautiful unexpected presents from lovely folk. I have dealt with sick chillun'. And I'm way past trying to do a catch up post. But I will gradually. I'm back. I've got some FO's and I'll try and get back into the swing of things and post them soon. Here's a photo to keep you happy~

This is... a favourite recipe I would like to share

We're heading off to Sydney* tomorrow so i'm running a bit low on time...I'm going to be lazy and cut and paste this recipe straight from Jamie Oliver's website. I remembered it when reading about the garlic in QuiltingMick's recipe. This sounds strange but is delicious, and includes huge knobs of roast garlic.... yum.

Chicken in Milk

Ingredients

• 1 (3 pound/ 1.5 kilogram) organic chicken
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 4 ounces (115 grams) or 1 stick butter
• 1/2 cinnamon stick
• 1 good handful fresh sage, leaves picked
• 2 lemons, zested
• 6 garlic cloves, skin left on
• 1 pint (565 milliliters) milk

Directions

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C/gas 5), and find a snug-fitting pot for the chicken. Season it generously all over with salt and pepper, and fry it in the butter, turning the chicken to get an even color all over, until golden. Remove from the heat, put the chicken on a plate, and throw away the butter left in the pot. This will leave you with tasty sticky goodness at the bottom of the pan, which will give you a lovely caramel flavor later on.

Put your chicken back in the pot with the rest of the ingredients, and cook in the preheated oven for 1 1/2 hours. Baste with the cooking juice when you remember. The lemon zest will sort of split the milk, making a sauce, which is absolutely fantastic.

To serve, pull the meat off the bones and divide it on to your plates. Spoon over plenty of juice and the little curds. Serve with wilted spinach or greens and some mashed potato.

* Got a meeting to discuss declining frogs - at Taronga Zoo. How's that for a meeting location?

Strangeness is...

Strangeness is... walking into the foyer at work while listening to Midnight Oil, and seeing a picture of the lead singer, Peter Garrett, on the wall in front of you. Are you seeing things? Are you so into the music that visions of the band are materialising in front of you. Then the realisation hits you - that's a picture of your Department's Minister. He's your Minister now. Freaky.

(I imagine folks who have to work for Arnold Schwarzenegger feel similarly..)

Images that make me smile

Not sad versus Sad

While cleaning up my iTunes this thought came to me

Glenn Mediros 1987 hit 'Nothing's Going to Change My Love for You' is not sad versus any easy listening cover version which is sad.

But how the f*ck did the cover version pollute my iTunes?

This is... something I'm surprised I like

My husband. Sounds strange I know. But I never expected to end up with someone like him. I met him through his brother - a high flying, well-paid, well-dressed economist. I'd always gone for those types. When his brother told me about him - a 27 year old school teacher who only shaved every three days or so and who still lived at home - well, I wasn't exactly chomping at the bit to meet him. But I did. And his brother hadn't told me that he was funny, sensitive, compassionate, fiercely loyal, insightful, supportive and generally wonderful. And now I know that he's also a fantastic father, and perfect husband (barring the occasional toilet-seat-left-up type offense). Kisses bubby.

Saving Up

In the car today* Lil's said "Mummy, I'm saving-up to be good."

I only hope that this doesn't mean she's going to be really good, then 'spend' all the goodwill generated by such goodness by being appalling. We live in hope.



(*coming back from the second doctors appointment this week to treat Lily's obscenely large puss-filled tonsil - ewww - that will now require her to have them out)

This is... my favourite film

Well, I'm going to get back on the This is bandwagon, after quite a hiatus...

My favourite film. Mmmm. Well I can't really narrow it down so I'll do a few.


Notting Hill
I love the last scene where they're in the private park, and he's reading and she's laying on his lap, pregnant, with her birkenstocks on. I also love the bit where they're talking about his Chagall print...


Anna Scott: I can't believe you have that picture on your wall.
William: You like Chagall?
Anna Scott: I do. It feels like how being in love should be. Floating through a dark blue sky.
William: With a goat playing the violin.
Anna Scott: Yes - happiness isn't happiness without a violin-playing goat.


Gone with the Wind
I've always had a crush on Clark Gable. Mmmm. But the rich, indulgent, loving-but-dominant character of Rhett Butler - ooooo!

The King and I
"Shall we dance..." Again with the strong man. Yul Brynner started my love of bald men... It has always been the one thing that disappoints me about my choice in husband; he has a full head of hair, and judging by his genes he won't be losing it any time soon.


I could probably go on. Some of Adam Sandler's stuff is definately up there. And I love a good romantic comedy ala Love Actually. But that will do.

Youth, talent, a killer sense of humour and perhaps a knitter?

That's what I found when I stumbled upon this Miss at Kitten and Snake. She was mentioned by a commenter on the RiotACT thread and I've devoured her comic offerings. I predict big things.

That's how I roll

That'd be me if I were a graffiti artist...

38 seconds??

I could survive for 38 seconds chained to a bunk bed with a velociraptor

Created by Bunk Beds Pedia

My favourite question was 'what would you do if the velociraptor lunged at you'....

More nicey niceness

Looky here! The wonderfully generous and prolific knitter and spinner extraordinaire Happy Spider sent Miss Lily a hat. And its the softest, smooshiest most snuggly thing I've ever touched. Thank you!!

Wonderful idea....

http://inchmark.squarespace.com/inchmark/2008/9/9/magical-thinking.html
Keeping track of things kids say by scribbling them on a piece of paper and sticking them in a jar...

George and I would have had a few last friday when we met up at the National Museum with the kiddlie-winks... The kids did some painting which was part of an indigenous art display, then we went outside with [lukewarm] coffee to bellow at the kids like fishwives watch the kids playing. At one stage George asked Pirate Jim to put down a stick, at which point Lil started singing 'put down the stick when I ask you too' with all the passion of an opera virtuoso...

Last night would have yielded a couple of memories too as Lily shouted 'You're a meanie' at the arsehole who owns The Front in Lyneham and threatened to call Astroboy to come and 'teach him a lesson' . After last time this man/establishment is should be named the 'knitters nemisis' after a second 'shunning of knitters'. No one else has written this up yet I note, but in summary:

*Bells has taken matters to the next level and posted at The Riot Act *

our regular Monday at Tilley's wasn't to be as there was a concert on. QuiltingMick acted quickly to find an alternative and rang The Front, asked if they were 1. open and 2 amenable to a group of 10-15 of us coming in. No problem, she was told. But when we turned up last night there was a problem. A private function. I suspect this function wasn't put on at the last minute just to ensure that our renegade group of knitters could not congregate, but I wouldn't put it past that mob. Anyhoo, we decided to adjourn to All Bar Nun and asked if we could put a note up. Sure. But by the time we drove past the establishment, the note had disappeared. So Bells popped back in to put it back up. Up went the note again, and this time we watched as the bastard took it down. If they didn't want us there then they should have just said so. If he doesn't want financially secure (you'd have to be with a yarn habit), artistically minded, vocal women frequenting his venue then fuck him. I won't lose any sleep. I will however probably design a badge so that the world can know what a poor example of customer service that establishment provides.

Apologies for the swearing.

A hunting I will go.

This weekend while visiting the old folk in Nowra, I wandered in the footsteps of the great yarn hunters, to Sew'n'Tell in Berry, NSW. I, unlike others, didn't come out empty handed. I had a couple of pattern ideas in mind, and I came out with some Mirasol Hacho (303) and some Freedom Spirit (505).

by withahookby n0nnahs (pardon the copied Ravelry images. I'm lazy and its dark and gloomy, so no good for photos.)

The Twilley's is nice (I've used it for felting before), but the Hacho makes me swoon. I could barely wait to get home to get stuck into it. However, the washing and general fall out from a weekend away will have to come first. Then, my pretty, then we shall yarn cake you and create a suitable form for your beauty.

Of course, no visit to Nana's would be complete without coming away with a bag of things she claims "I'll never use, Naomi"! She'll then accuse me of filching said items at a later date. This haul included three small flower design patchwork fabrics, a little thingo for attaching press studs, the press stud bits, a bias binding maker, a yarn needle, some rainbow overlocker thread, one million little shell buttons and god only knows what else. Nath fears my forced forays into Nan's sewing room - it usually means more piles for my sewing room.

In other news, I signed up for Backtack. I've not done a swap for sometime, but I decided to get in on this one and devote my all too it. The theme is Gold Frankincense and Myrrh. Mmmm. I love a challenge!

Toodle pip. Best away and do that cleaning thing.