Ag May ...

And a belated Merry Christmas and a belated Happy New Year!!  It's been a while, hasn't it?  Christmas and New Year was a busy time and I found that I did not miss the computer AT ALL!  I could probably do without one at home and live with the community provided one.  Actually, that's untrue.  Provided my husband was more than happy to do my research for me (on whatever topic that pops into my head - and that ranges from the weird to current events), I personally would be happy not sitting in front of this machine.  Laughable considering my job :) But this blog has been on my mind, and every day that passes without posting is another lost opportunity to record and reflect and, most importantly, to share. So... let me work backwards.   Happy Australia Day!  And how did we celebrate?  The good ole Aussie way - through food!  English-influenced scones with jam and cream for breakfast.  Swedish sausage (aka Ikea sausage) for lun...

For Little Miss M's cousin, all the way from across the world, to celebrate her birthday and Christmas and New Year and Baptism with us - what a whirlwind 4 weeks for one so young. To start the string of celebrations, here is Cousin M's birthday cake - a "some bits vanilla and some bits chocolate" teddy bear cake.  Let me tell you - I've made a wedding cake before and this was soooooo much more difficult. It went from this... To this... P.S That writing was done using melted chocolate, a toothpick and baking paper.  Happy Birthday Cousin M!!!  And congratulations to your momma and dad for making it through the first year with their sanity intact.  Love you J and V!

Christmas is just around the corner and, this year in particular, I am in full swing with Christmas cheer.  I don't mind Christmas; I'm not a scrooge.  I normally just accept that it's that time of the year rather than anticipating "that time of the year".  But this year, I'm anticipating it more than just accepting it.  Part of it would be because Little Miss M is grasping the Christmas concept and I enjoy watching her enjoy life (that was a mouthful).   Anyway, my Dear Husband has happily gone along with my swing of mood regarding Christmas and has been helping me with the Christmas preparations.  Here's his contribution so far... I'm so proud of his work.  I can only show part of it as it might form part of your present!!!!

And with a vengeance... After a hard haul for a couple of weeks, and some time to recover from that, we have our life back (mostly!).  Home is still a mess, but I can now see parts of the floor.  Fridge needs to be cleaned out and restocked.  Laundry needs to be washed and folded and put away (funny how that last bit seems to be the hardest for me).  But we're getting there. AND we had a restful and productive weekend!! A few weeks ago, my material arrived at my doorstep.  Little Miss M knew that I was planning to make her a dress and this is how the progress has morphed along over the weeks. I had to sew the ends to stop it fraying too much as Little Miss M refused to part with the material. And then she wanted to actually wear it out.  At this point, it's still a swath of square material.  Yes, we walked out of the house looking like this (with shoes and socks as well!!!) And finally, I had a chance to cut it out and (much later) sew it toge...

It's been a long time between posts.  To all of my work mates - great work.  I'm glad to be part of the team that pulls together like you all have in times of "crisis". On this side of my world, well it's been on halt.  Cooking, cleaning, crafting, mothering.  Dear Husband has been a single parent for a couple of weeks now.  Thanks, love, I owe you!!! However, you would think that after two weeks of intense parenting, Dear Husband would learn a lot about a toddler's expectations.  Don't mention a treat unless it's a bribe and can be given in less than two minutes.  Don't mention the playground unless you're planning to leave for it in less than two minutes.  And don't mention "puddles" unless you're willing to follow through with the splashing consequences. So, in the middle of a flash flood Summer thunderstorm, I call out Dear Husband to help us get from car to home as quickly as possible.  First thing Dear Husband says to...

Earlier in the month, I attended a Bag in a Day workshop .  Great fun; learnt heaps; built confidence.  I didn't quite finish it at the workshop, and I've only just now gotten around to finishing it off *roll eyes shake head*.  Admittedly, I have taken it out for a couple of quick trips before now. The bag was waiting for some embellishments.  The embellishments tell me which side of the bag to face out when I wear it, so that my beginners (read : dodgy) interfacing job on one side doesn't show.  It's all in the details, all in the details (so I'm sorry about the contrasting red t-shirt.  My dear husband was kind enough to model, so I wasn't going to push my luck by asking him to change t-shirts). The embellishments are courtesy of a lovely store, Kimono house , and made with the same fabric as the lining of the bag.  Of course, since I made a flower for my bag Little Miss M wanted one for herself as well.  She hasn't asked for the matching b...

It's not that I haven't admitted to it; it's just that I'm not enjoying my reaction so far to it. I suspected at 3 weeks; had a dating scan at 6 weeks and am now nearly 10 weeks pregnant.  Yeah! Now... If only I could stop the feelings of apprehension.  If only I could stop the dreams.  If only I could stop checking for bleeding every hour.  If only I could get past the fear and accept that this uncomfortable feeling in my stomach is just pregnancy nerves, bloating and constipation.  If only I could let myself enjoy this time of my life. Is it a matter of letting go of the past?  Or is it a matter of embracing what has been to fully appreciate what is now? *sigh* one day at a time.  Looking at old photos helps.  I'll make it to this again, I'm sure ...I think.   But either way I already have a greater appreciation of how truly blessed I am.  Fear or no fear - that has to be a good thing.