26 March 2015
19 March 2015
Autumn
Well Autumn has arrived! It's much cooler. The washing takes a bit longer to dry. I'm reaching for a jumper ... but still it warms up and I can take it off later in the day.
I love Autumn. I love Spring too. The in-between seasons that are comfy and kind of let you enjoy the best of two seasons. It's nice to have the summer crowds gone. I miss the beach. Samuel still insists we go... but he is reluctant to go in. Even though we have recently bought a wetsuit. He wears that thing day in day out. I suppose remembering that he loves a swim.
We are doing lots of medical appointments for Samuel this week. I have to drive to Mornington today. OMG! It's ok.... breathe!
I'm closer to having the whole house shuffled, reorganised and running like a well oiled machine (excuse the cliche). But when is the sewing and making going to happen? Always so much to do with the house and the kids. Still.... I'm cooking two meals at a time to try and get OUT of the kitchen every other day. The washing is up to day well isn't that amazing? The garden doesn't look too bad.
I'm kind of still thinking I can sew to make a living (modest one). I'm kind of keeping my ears open about jobs going. I'm still nervous and if a job came up... something like... 4 mornings a week... Id probably turn traitor, jump ship and get employed!!
I do take courage from my friend who has started an occasional care center. She got approved yesterday. She had an idea, a talent, and went for it. It has taken her a lot of time, energy, a few nice people including me :) to jump on her happy train and help. But at the end of the day it was her determination and perseverance. I have some of that.... so I'll keep moving in the general direction.
I finally found an op shop where I could buy t-shirts for next to nothing. Hool-a-hoop mats here we come! Hopefully Saturday will see 4 or 5 ladies willing to give it a go. Must look up how wide to cut the strips.... should be fun although how many t-shirts exactly do you need to make one? Does anyone really know?
I'm grateful today for my son who has taken the initiative and has completed an entire weeks work without me! I'm grateful for the friendshp of my daughter. I'm grateful that Samuel is high end functioning and not much much worse... for his sake and mine too.
I'm hopeful for great outcomes from these appointments. It is very tiring trying to keep a partner happy while a child is bouncing off walls. And if I'm the only one trying to understand and support Samuel it sounds like I'm letting him get away with stuff. It sounds like I'm pandering to him. I hope these appointments will help Samuel and me understand routine and discipline so we can tighten that up a bit. He is a very good boy most of the time. I'm very grateful for the "most of the time".
I love Autumn. I love Spring too. The in-between seasons that are comfy and kind of let you enjoy the best of two seasons. It's nice to have the summer crowds gone. I miss the beach. Samuel still insists we go... but he is reluctant to go in. Even though we have recently bought a wetsuit. He wears that thing day in day out. I suppose remembering that he loves a swim.
We are doing lots of medical appointments for Samuel this week. I have to drive to Mornington today. OMG! It's ok.... breathe!
I'm closer to having the whole house shuffled, reorganised and running like a well oiled machine (excuse the cliche). But when is the sewing and making going to happen? Always so much to do with the house and the kids. Still.... I'm cooking two meals at a time to try and get OUT of the kitchen every other day. The washing is up to day well isn't that amazing? The garden doesn't look too bad.
I'm kind of still thinking I can sew to make a living (modest one). I'm kind of keeping my ears open about jobs going. I'm still nervous and if a job came up... something like... 4 mornings a week... Id probably turn traitor, jump ship and get employed!!
I do take courage from my friend who has started an occasional care center. She got approved yesterday. She had an idea, a talent, and went for it. It has taken her a lot of time, energy, a few nice people including me :) to jump on her happy train and help. But at the end of the day it was her determination and perseverance. I have some of that.... so I'll keep moving in the general direction.
I finally found an op shop where I could buy t-shirts for next to nothing. Hool-a-hoop mats here we come! Hopefully Saturday will see 4 or 5 ladies willing to give it a go. Must look up how wide to cut the strips.... should be fun although how many t-shirts exactly do you need to make one? Does anyone really know?
I'm grateful today for my son who has taken the initiative and has completed an entire weeks work without me! I'm grateful for the friendshp of my daughter. I'm grateful that Samuel is high end functioning and not much much worse... for his sake and mine too.
I'm hopeful for great outcomes from these appointments. It is very tiring trying to keep a partner happy while a child is bouncing off walls. And if I'm the only one trying to understand and support Samuel it sounds like I'm letting him get away with stuff. It sounds like I'm pandering to him. I hope these appointments will help Samuel and me understand routine and discipline so we can tighten that up a bit. He is a very good boy most of the time. I'm very grateful for the "most of the time".
28 February 2015
My beautiful son.
After a whim took us to a very wind swept ocean beach we took these photos. I look awful! But I clipped some lovely photos of Thomas. They are beautiful to me. They capture his handsome face.
Im so proud of him. He is struggling a little bit to get in the zone.... but he is trying to get back into study and I mean really trying. He is going to be such a wonderful man in this world. He will contribute great things.
Im so proud of him. He is struggling a little bit to get in the zone.... but he is trying to get back into study and I mean really trying. He is going to be such a wonderful man in this world. He will contribute great things.
24 February 2015
We are so lucky!
Samuel has been diagnosed high functioning autistic. I am very grateful that mostly this seems to involve communication in all its forms, fine motor skills and anxiety when routines change, expectations change, loud noises (like school carnivals) occur.
Im very grateful that he can appear to be a very normal 9 year old. Im very grateful that with some further investigation and then some learning and counselling.... he should have an ok life.
Today I found a turtle. (No not a sea turtle... but arent the babies cute?)
So Samuel is getting lots of help. And Samuel has a turtle. His asthma is improving. Last night he slept some hours quietly. A big change.
I will have some money soon.... there are iron tablets waiting. Appointments with speech and OT people. Im feeling like everything will be alright.
And like I said. Im very grateful that he can run, read, laugh, enjoy Ninja turtles!!!
17 February 2015
Sewing Lessons for free
OMG still torn between teaching isolated people, young people, to sew, for free OR *SLAP* charging a modest amount .... my skills are worth something right?
If you can stand the whole debate on how much community service should be free.... Ive written my thoughts HERE
16 February 2015
TODAY'S "RETURNABLE" BLOG ENTRY
If you would like to read my latest entry on REturnable consumerism..... well the link is HERE
You will also find the link on how to make this groovy apron out of a used man's shirt.
You will also find the link on how to make this groovy apron out of a used man's shirt.
15 February 2015
I cant imagine a world without books, hand written letters and beautiful stamps.
It was interesting but not unexpected that "studies show" that holding a real book, looking at ink on paper and turning real pages are all good for our health and if you are night time reader.... beneficial to a good night's sleep.
This is all very good news for people who love books. The real thing books. Dust jackets or just dust.... and all. It is great news for libraries. It is good news for book shops.
I reckon an extension of books are letters. Our person to person hand written letters with a stamp and all. It is my mission this year to promote hand written letters.
I dont think we need to participate in a study to find a quick list of the benefits of hand writing a letter. But to do it properly, to do it so that as many people as possible benefit, I think there needs to be a couple of rules.
1. Always use a real stamp. Who are we helping? Why stamp collectors of course.
2. Write the letter in your own hand writing or at the very least sign the letter by hand.
3. Include a lovely addressed envelope.
4. Freely include pressed flowers and the like. Locks of hair or glittery plastic stickers and stars.... no they dont really go with the purity of ink on paper.
So who is going to benefit from a proudly presented and neatly written, heart felt letter? Well initially the person writing it. Then the person receiving it. Then.... well down the track who knows. We do know that many letters have been kept and then surprisingly found... revealing much about the people and the time when they were written. SO much love and passion along with historical facts have been revealed because people wrote and kept letters. Our books and museums would be the poorer if people had not taken the time to write, read and keep the letters that kept them connected.
Today I came across a blog.... this lady makes books out of collections of letters. The link is here. The image that follows is hers..... go take a look. How are we ever going to glean all the important stuff from letters if they arent written? How are we going to make beautiful keepsakes that reflect a person's life if we dont write, read and keep real, ink on paper, letters.
Pick up your pen and write a letter to someone today.
This is all very good news for people who love books. The real thing books. Dust jackets or just dust.... and all. It is great news for libraries. It is good news for book shops.
I reckon an extension of books are letters. Our person to person hand written letters with a stamp and all. It is my mission this year to promote hand written letters.
I dont think we need to participate in a study to find a quick list of the benefits of hand writing a letter. But to do it properly, to do it so that as many people as possible benefit, I think there needs to be a couple of rules.
1. Always use a real stamp. Who are we helping? Why stamp collectors of course.
3. Include a lovely addressed envelope.
4. Freely include pressed flowers and the like. Locks of hair or glittery plastic stickers and stars.... no they dont really go with the purity of ink on paper.
So who is going to benefit from a proudly presented and neatly written, heart felt letter? Well initially the person writing it. Then the person receiving it. Then.... well down the track who knows. We do know that many letters have been kept and then surprisingly found... revealing much about the people and the time when they were written. SO much love and passion along with historical facts have been revealed because people wrote and kept letters. Our books and museums would be the poorer if people had not taken the time to write, read and keep the letters that kept them connected.
Today I came across a blog.... this lady makes books out of collections of letters. The link is here. The image that follows is hers..... go take a look. How are we ever going to glean all the important stuff from letters if they arent written? How are we going to make beautiful keepsakes that reflect a person's life if we dont write, read and keep real, ink on paper, letters.
Pick up your pen and write a letter to someone today.
06 February 2015
Reviving old fashioned ways because we are avoiding preservatives
Wow it's a bit time consuming... you have to be organised.... but successfully (I hope) bottled pumpkin & apple chutney.
It's my first time boiling up the jars & lids..... bottling anything really. It wont be my last. It was great fun and really rewarding to put the labels on the bottles.
One month curing time... and then we can try the first bottle!!
It's my first time boiling up the jars & lids..... bottling anything really. It wont be my last. It was great fun and really rewarding to put the labels on the bottles.
One month curing time... and then we can try the first bottle!!
26 January 2015
Celebrating living in Australia January 2015 at Sorrento back beach
Drove to Sorrento back beach, grabbed a boogie board and faced my fears. I'll be going back often. Love love love this place.
21 January 2015
Thomas turns 18
He wont let me take photos these days. But he is taller than me. He is very handsome. He has bucket loads of love and compassion for people..... except his little brother. He doesnt know what he wants to be... but he has time for that. He has some good friends but like all of us I suppose is lonely from time to time. He carries a great sadness missing his dad. It is a physical pain that wells up into tears quite often. Ive feared for his life while he has fought his way through puberty. But I think he will be ok. He is doing year 11 this year. A year late. But we do things differently around here. He loves me. Im glad he is here.
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Lots of cement to fall on to. But nothing holds Samuel back from skating for hours and hours. It is so bad Im praying for rain today. Im not sure why he has become so obsessed with roller blades but he has been hooked for a week and we are basically packing the car and living at the skate park.
That's why Im sewing at 6 a.m.
Not great photos... they were taken with my phone. But a little note just in case I forget the hours and hours spent at this place : getting sunburnt and going a little mad!
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