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~