You are currently browsing the monthly archive for July, 2007.
It’s been a busy week. For the first three days I was completely engulfed by a computer course. I need to learn how to use MYOB (a book-keeping programme) so that I can be of a little more use to Peter in his new business than just a coffee maker/receptionist/kisser in the kitchen. It was all very interesting. I had to keep reminding myself that book-keeping is not Quantum Mechanics. Unfortunately, the course assumed large amounts of prior knowledge - they were there to teach me the PROGRAMME, not BOOK-KEEPING - so I had to keep my wits about me and pay attention. It’s been a while since I did anything that demanded that level of concentration! But it was fine and, while I’m pretty sure I failed the exam (!!), I do have a fair idea of what the programme is about.
On Friday I collected the new car. It was rather hilarious. I dropped Peter at the airport at 5:00 a.m. (in my clapped out trade-in) and, as I was driving home, I turned on the fan to demist the windscreen. Roh-Ro, Rooby-Roo!! Instantly a new grinding noise started. I limped it home, took Ali to school a few hours later and let it have Nanna-rests for the whole day. After school we drove to the car dealership, willing the sad little car to last the distance. How embarrassing would it have been for the engine to seize on the way to trading it in??? The new car is lovely! It starts first time, doesn’t clunk or grind and smells of leather. Oooooh!!!
As so often seems to happen, the leafy quilt has fallen by the wayside. I have been distracted by flowers and ribbon and lace and other fripperies. This afternoon has been productive, though. I made a new bag (cos you know I don’t have enough of those!)…
SO, all in all, a good week. New stuff and an aching brain.
ps: I should sign off with the new name my brother has given me:
Dual Citrus Foliage.
Today is A Red Letter Day. Three good things happened today. We are getting a new car (yay). My offer on commercial premises for my husband Peter’s new business was accepted (bigger yay) (and I’ll tell you more about it later)….
…BUT, the BEST NEWS EVER E. V. E. R. is…
… that Myer is coming to Townsville! Non-Australians, let me explain. Myer is a department store. Myer is where I have disposed of 85 % of my husband’s earnings over the last 24 years (OK that’s a little exaggeration. Give me a break, I’m in ecstasy here!). Myer is as close as Heaven on Earth as it is possible to get.
When we moved here, I never thought to ask if there was a Myer. I just assumed that A CITY OF MORE THAN 100 000 PEOPLE WOULD HAVE ONE!!!! I was crushed to discover that Townsville was Myer-less. I had to go to Brisbane or Sydney for a fix!
Then I found out that Cairns has one. CAIRNS??? What has Cairns got that Townsville hasn’t? MYER, that’s what. Until now…
I am so happy 
Peter is in shock.
Cutting out heaps of leaves with very sharp scissors, I attempted to self-amputate my finger. Blood everywhere, pain, gaping wound, contemplating stitches but that requires a thirty minute drive to the hospital. Hmm, what to do? Go next door to neighbour! Excellent idea - bandaids, sympathy, pain-reducing white wine, loud funny stories about boyfriends. Feeling much better, thank you.
Time for a new project. When I left home, my mother went to university, got straight A’s and a degree - I’ll settle for a new quilt!
See this teeny tiny baby boy? He left home two days ago. And moved to New Zealand.
Where does it say in The Rules that babies are allowed to leave before their mothers are finished with them??
This is a boy who has an immense capacity for love, intellectual ability that he is only just beginning to understand, a social conscience and powerful sense of justice, a tenderness that makes me fear for him, a somewhat black and white morality, the promise of making a significant contribution to the world.
This boy never leaves my head, never leaves my heart.
This is probably the closest I can get to looking intimidating. If I’m watching anything it’s likely to be TV.
YOOHOO!!! ALL WANNABE CRAFTY PAY IT FORWARDERS!! If you have missed out joining in this cool swap thing, drop by Prickly Pear Bloom and sign up with Tracy. She’s a graphics boffin so she’ll be guaranteed to come up with something arty and awesome for you!
School holidays around here mean endless games of Scrabble. And, for the record, I WON!! nah nah nah nah nah *cough* not that I’m competitive…
There’s a cool Pay It Forward Craft exchange happening. It’s been at Leanne’s blog and Leisa’s and I joined up at Nicolette’s.
Here’s the deal. I send a crafted gift to the first three people who comment on this post saying that they want to play. Each of them then posts the message below on their blogs and invites another three. Yay! Presents for everyone!
OK. Who wants to play?
I will send a handmade gift to the first 3 people who leave a comment on my blog requesting to join this PIF exchange. I don’t know what that gift will be yet and you may not receive it tomorrow or next week… LOL… but you will receive it within 365 days, that is my promise! The only thing you have to do in return is pay it forward by making the same promise on your blog.
When your feet are as colossal as mine, comfy shoes are a blessing. God bless whoever made Vans.
This photo is small because you DO NOT want to see it big, trust me. And just pretend for a minute that it’s still Sunday, because I forgot to post this yesterday (heck for some of you it IS Sunday anyway. The world is so confusing like that).
To calm you after that shock, here’s a pretty flower.This is one of a kazillion photos I took of waterlilies in New Zealand last January.
It’s time for 7 Days again! Sarah started this flickr group last March. We all had such a great time taking self portraits (7 days/7 photos) that she’s organized us for another round.
Day 1 : kissing Peter
Beautiful parcels from friends I’ve never met…
from Erin at house on hill road
(how did she know that ribbon would make my heart skip?)
Coming home from work, tired and stressed, to find my precious daughter making sushi for dinner…
Those of you with toddlers - there IS hope!
Thanks so much for all the Etsy love and encouragement! It’s really nice to have a cheer squad saying “You can do this!”
So far, I’m happy. So far, this is fun! I sold the two Goth babies, so today I’m making more
I had a little draw for my Doggie pincushion giveaway and…
… Christiane and Margie won! Send me your snail mail addresses, and they’ll be in the post before you an say, “Not ANOTHER trip to the Post Office!!”
Ahem, you may have noticed the new Tragique Look my blog has taken on 
I changed templates at 1:30 this morning (NEVER a good time to do anything mentally challenging!) and stuffed up my sidebar. I have sought help from the Great Gods of WordPress, so hopefully this is a temporary state.
You may ALSO have noticed what I was doing at 2:00 a.m. I had my first attempt at making my own buttons! That funny looking brown bird at the top of my side bar is a link to my website. And the blurry looking thing underneath it is a link to my Etsy shop. Sadly, the Princess of Photoshop (my 15 yr old daughter) was asleep when I needed her most and I had to fly without a wingman. So these feeble attempts are IT.
I have also transferred all my links to you guys, my mates, my peeps, on to a separate page. Can you have a look at your own link and just make sure it’s working AOK please? I had to do it all manually and working manually in the wee hours of the morning is a dangerous thing.
Happy day, darlings!
Thanks to your poking and prodding, I have opened an Etsy shop! How hilarious!! I really need you guys stabbing me with a sharp stick sometimes. As Sarah said, “Oh, just do it.” I could almost imagine her rolling her eyes ;). And as for you, Sarah 2, what’s this having an Etsy shop and “nothing to sell in it. I just liked the idea that maybe one day inspiration - and skill - would strike and away I’d go …” You truly are priceless!
I’ve only got two things in it so far (!) and I wouldn’t even have those if it weren’t for the help of my sweet Ali, Princess of Photoshop. I tell you, how people without teenage kids cope with technology, I. will. never. know.
She also made my banner
(which looks a bit like this)
when, after at least 12354985789172 attempts at it, I STILL had a banner that looked like a streak of snot on the screen.
As soon as I finish this post, I’ll be editing photos of the Goth Babies to add to the shop. (Yes, Anina, they are my design *cough* OUR design - Ali drew me a picture of what she wanted and I drafted a pattern).
I know I’ve been really really slack about replying to your comments this week. Sorry about that Thank you, thank you, thank you for the encouragement and kind comments. You guys are The Best and I’m glad I know you *mwah*
To put my money where my mouth is, I’m going to have a Prize Giving Ceremony. Leave a comment on this post and I’ll send two of you a pin cushion as featured in my Etsy shop. (did I MENTION THAT I”VE OPENED AN ETSY SHOP???? WITH HARDLY ANYTHING IN IT????)
