Today was our annual Australia Day Barbeque with my husband's family,in spite of the weather we pretty much enjoyed ourselves. The rain didn't keep us away, though it did some of the family, It poured just before we left home but by the time we got to the reserve it had lessened. At least it wasn't a stinking hot day.
Usually we take so many different games to keep everyone entertained, this year we didn't, there was so much less work at the end of the day because usually everyone leaves, leaving us and one of my husband's brothers and his wife stuck with the clean up. This year the four of us were able to relax with a cup of tea after everyone had left. Relax that is until Brother in Law's phone rang, one of their sisters rang very upset, while they were at the BBQ, their house was robbed! Her words were that they took everything, even the car. How much everything is we don't know, if that includes furniture or not. How devastating, especially as they were broken into only a few weeks ago. I can't begin to fathom how bad they must feel.
What sort of lowlife does this sort of thing?
Friday, 27 January 2012
Tuesday, 24 January 2012
Sassy Skirts
I was looking in my wardrobe yesterday and realised that I now have more skirts and dresses than I ever had. Maybe I'm finally becoming a lady.
I really like the feel of a long swishy skirt, I remember when I was young Mum asked Nanna to make us dressy outfits and I told them I wanted a Maxi Skirt. My sister and I got matching outfits in different colours, floral print skirt and bolero, along with long sleeved lace blouse. Mum arranged a professional photographer to come to our house, I'll have to find the photos.
For a long time I barely had a skirt in my wardrobe, then they started filtering in beginning with black crushed velvet one and a blue cargo style, about 12 years ago they are still in my wardrobe, waiting to be dieted back into. It's only in the last couple of years that skirts have played a major part in my life. I like swishy ones, the longer the better.
I've been buying a lot of my skirts from Tree of Life, long, tiered and very comfortable to wear. And there is the hope that the company is doing good for third world countries. I know I could easily make my own but the fabric isn't so easy to find.
My latest purchase was a long purple skirt, I had bought the style before but getting home I remembered why I hadn't worn it often, it's very sheer. Great for hot day around the house but standing in front of any light source left nothing to the imagination. I wear long skirts to cover my legs not highlight them.
Found an almost perfect match in cotton voile at work to make a petticoat with, was going to just run up a straight slip and hope for the best. Then remembered had a book with skirt patterns, Sassy Skirts and found the perfect pattern, perfect size too. Traced off the pattern, using my lightbox (aka my back door - was asked why I taped the pattern to the glass) and stitched it while watching Time Team. It was almost perfect (my favourite word lately), I made it a little short for my liking. Hemming it would have made it too short so while I thought about what to do wore it and the skirt to the shops. The pattern is for a longer skirt but I wanted it shorter and cut off too much.
It only had to be 5 cms longer so I simply added a band of fabric later. Things I would do different for the next one is to rethink my elastic choice, the one I got didn't have a great rebound so it stayed a little too stretched. I'm thinking it's a little too old, it's not a great seller at work and had probably been sitting on the shelf for over 4 years.
There are several different styles, straight and tiered, fitted and elastic waisted, it's a great book with full sized patterns ready for tracing off the master pattern. The instructions are easy to follow. Have also made a tiered skirt which came together very well. I highly recommend this book
I really like the feel of a long swishy skirt, I remember when I was young Mum asked Nanna to make us dressy outfits and I told them I wanted a Maxi Skirt. My sister and I got matching outfits in different colours, floral print skirt and bolero, along with long sleeved lace blouse. Mum arranged a professional photographer to come to our house, I'll have to find the photos.
For a long time I barely had a skirt in my wardrobe, then they started filtering in beginning with black crushed velvet one and a blue cargo style, about 12 years ago they are still in my wardrobe, waiting to be dieted back into. It's only in the last couple of years that skirts have played a major part in my life. I like swishy ones, the longer the better.
I've been buying a lot of my skirts from Tree of Life, long, tiered and very comfortable to wear. And there is the hope that the company is doing good for third world countries. I know I could easily make my own but the fabric isn't so easy to find.
My latest purchase was a long purple skirt, I had bought the style before but getting home I remembered why I hadn't worn it often, it's very sheer. Great for hot day around the house but standing in front of any light source left nothing to the imagination. I wear long skirts to cover my legs not highlight them.
Found an almost perfect match in cotton voile at work to make a petticoat with, was going to just run up a straight slip and hope for the best. Then remembered had a book with skirt patterns, Sassy Skirts and found the perfect pattern, perfect size too. Traced off the pattern, using my lightbox (aka my back door - was asked why I taped the pattern to the glass) and stitched it while watching Time Team. It was almost perfect (my favourite word lately), I made it a little short for my liking. Hemming it would have made it too short so while I thought about what to do wore it and the skirt to the shops. The pattern is for a longer skirt but I wanted it shorter and cut off too much.
It only had to be 5 cms longer so I simply added a band of fabric later. Things I would do different for the next one is to rethink my elastic choice, the one I got didn't have a great rebound so it stayed a little too stretched. I'm thinking it's a little too old, it's not a great seller at work and had probably been sitting on the shelf for over 4 years.
There are several different styles, straight and tiered, fitted and elastic waisted, it's a great book with full sized patterns ready for tracing off the master pattern. The instructions are easy to follow. Have also made a tiered skirt which came together very well. I highly recommend this book
Saturday, 7 January 2012
My sister helped save a life
Today my sister told me of something that happened at her work last month. She was working night shift when one of her colleagues walked past, she noticed he didn't look well and asked if hse was ok. He said he had a pain in his chest and was going home, she turned towards another colleague, the first aid officer and told him to get after him as he was having a heart attack. When they got to the locker room the first man was vomiting. My sister sat with him while an ambulance was called and access for them made easy. He was apologising, saying it was only indigestion as he ate his dinner too fast and that he would just drive home and go to bed. Even refusing to let my sister bother his wife over something so trivial. My sister said he was panting for breath and refusing to believe it was worse than indigestion.
He apologised to the paramedics for the bother, they told him it was their job to look after him before heading to the hospital. Later on that night the man's son came in to thank the staff members as his father did have a heart attack.
Another staff member wanted to know how my sister knew he was having a heart attack, she told him that he was grey and vomiting. The other guy told her that vomiting was not a heart attack symptom.
The man is now out of hospital and has called my sister to thank her, he said he remembered nothing between being at work and waking up in hospital. He told the nurse his chest really hurt and was told that it was because he had died in the ambulance and had CPR performed on him. He asked about the vomiting and was told that vomiting was one of the final symptoms of a heart attack.
I'm proud of my sister if it wasn't for her he would have died, even the first aider didn't notice the signs and had asked the man if he wanted to go home or wait for the ambulance. One of the other staff members in no uncertain terms told him to call the *bleepen ambulance.
He apologised to the paramedics for the bother, they told him it was their job to look after him before heading to the hospital. Later on that night the man's son came in to thank the staff members as his father did have a heart attack.
Another staff member wanted to know how my sister knew he was having a heart attack, she told him that he was grey and vomiting. The other guy told her that vomiting was not a heart attack symptom.
The man is now out of hospital and has called my sister to thank her, he said he remembered nothing between being at work and waking up in hospital. He told the nurse his chest really hurt and was told that it was because he had died in the ambulance and had CPR performed on him. He asked about the vomiting and was told that vomiting was one of the final symptoms of a heart attack.
I'm proud of my sister if it wasn't for her he would have died, even the first aider didn't notice the signs and had asked the man if he wanted to go home or wait for the ambulance. One of the other staff members in no uncertain terms told him to call the *bleepen ambulance.
Monday, 2 January 2012
Christmas Gifts
Finally getting around to posting photos of the gifts I made this year.
The first item is an apron but not just any old apron, a peg apron for my Father-in-Law. The idea for this was due to a conversation I had with my Mother-In-Law. Her hands are weakening so FIL has taken over hanging the clothes on the line, he kept asking her to buy a peg apron for him as he has trouble bending. The apron started out as a BBQ apron, in the style of his favourite football team's jersey. I folded up the base of the apron, covering the white fabric with matching blue and a bias edging.
The next gift was for my 3 year old great Nephew, I decided on a Pirate theme for him, mostly inspired by a picture I saw of him last year dressing up with his sister and cousin. The girls were dressed in Princess dresses and the only thing he could find was another dress. He made a cute Princess, but I think pirate would suit him better. The blue thing is actually a pillowcase made with a pocket, he can put pirate booty into it. Made the striped tshirt and appliqued a ship to both, added a skull and crossbones belt along with a pirate sticker book.
F
For his little sister, I decided on an Owl theme, make the pillowcase with Owl fabric and an Owl toy inspired a few patterns on the net. A book completed her present, I couldn't find a toddler's book with owls in it.
For their elder sister who is 5, I made a similar pillowcase in a bright print, added a Barbie Doll and colouring book.
I'm actually not finished making gifts, seeing as some family members went away for Christmas I decided to take the stress off and leave theirs till afterwards. Still have a Great niece and nephew, they are getting pillowcases as well. Hers is identical to her 5 year old cousins and his is Elephant themed. I still need to make bags for a couple of older neices (teens) who return next week.
The first item is an apron but not just any old apron, a peg apron for my Father-in-Law. The idea for this was due to a conversation I had with my Mother-In-Law. Her hands are weakening so FIL has taken over hanging the clothes on the line, he kept asking her to buy a peg apron for him as he has trouble bending. The apron started out as a BBQ apron, in the style of his favourite football team's jersey. I folded up the base of the apron, covering the white fabric with matching blue and a bias edging.
The next gift was for my 3 year old great Nephew, I decided on a Pirate theme for him, mostly inspired by a picture I saw of him last year dressing up with his sister and cousin. The girls were dressed in Princess dresses and the only thing he could find was another dress. He made a cute Princess, but I think pirate would suit him better. The blue thing is actually a pillowcase made with a pocket, he can put pirate booty into it. Made the striped tshirt and appliqued a ship to both, added a skull and crossbones belt along with a pirate sticker book.
F
For his little sister, I decided on an Owl theme, make the pillowcase with Owl fabric and an Owl toy inspired a few patterns on the net. A book completed her present, I couldn't find a toddler's book with owls in it.
For their elder sister who is 5, I made a similar pillowcase in a bright print, added a Barbie Doll and colouring book.
I'm actually not finished making gifts, seeing as some family members went away for Christmas I decided to take the stress off and leave theirs till afterwards. Still have a Great niece and nephew, they are getting pillowcases as well. Hers is identical to her 5 year old cousins and his is Elephant themed. I still need to make bags for a couple of older neices (teens) who return next week.
Sunday, 1 January 2012
Happy New Year
Was miserable yesterday, we had no plans for New Year and I felt we were going to spend another boring one at home. My husband isn't party people so it doesn't seem to bother him.
I decided that I needed to get rid of the negativity I was surrounding myself with so took a salt bath. While in there I decided that a trip to Bunnings was in order and that I was going to buy a plant to put in the yard to honour the old year. I was just getting out when my husband called through the door telling me he was going to Bunnings and did I want to come. Now since Christmas he and I had not been on the same wavelength, I was upset and angry with him, but couldn't find a way to get over it.
Something was mentioned in the car on the way that filled me with excitement and lightened me considerably. Can't divulge it right now, it's a big secret for now.
At Bunnings I chose a Frangipani plant, they had 3 different colours available but I wanted one with 3 branches. There was only one there, just the basic white and yellow one. Almost as soon as I got home I had a spot chosen, dug over and it in the ground.
I was checking it this afternoon when I saw our new neighbour over the fence, wishing him a Happy New Year. There are oak trees in his backyard that really block the light from our yard in the afternoon, one extends over the fence. When we first moved in we had to remove a tree that had grown thin, tall and was leaning over to get light, making it dangerous. He mentioned that he was planning on putting vegetable gardens in and pointed to the tree saying "if it's alright with you we are thinking of removing this one". Am happy with that, though a little sad that a tree is being cut down, but it means that I will be able to plant in our barren backyard. Also will be able to see the sunsets that the tree blocks out.
I decided that I needed to get rid of the negativity I was surrounding myself with so took a salt bath. While in there I decided that a trip to Bunnings was in order and that I was going to buy a plant to put in the yard to honour the old year. I was just getting out when my husband called through the door telling me he was going to Bunnings and did I want to come. Now since Christmas he and I had not been on the same wavelength, I was upset and angry with him, but couldn't find a way to get over it.
Something was mentioned in the car on the way that filled me with excitement and lightened me considerably. Can't divulge it right now, it's a big secret for now.
At Bunnings I chose a Frangipani plant, they had 3 different colours available but I wanted one with 3 branches. There was only one there, just the basic white and yellow one. Almost as soon as I got home I had a spot chosen, dug over and it in the ground.
I was checking it this afternoon when I saw our new neighbour over the fence, wishing him a Happy New Year. There are oak trees in his backyard that really block the light from our yard in the afternoon, one extends over the fence. When we first moved in we had to remove a tree that had grown thin, tall and was leaning over to get light, making it dangerous. He mentioned that he was planning on putting vegetable gardens in and pointed to the tree saying "if it's alright with you we are thinking of removing this one". Am happy with that, though a little sad that a tree is being cut down, but it means that I will be able to plant in our barren backyard. Also will be able to see the sunsets that the tree blocks out.
Friday, 30 December 2011
Feeling better.
Feeling so much better today, not so blat. I don't know what it is about this time of year, usually between Christmas and New Year I feel this way, it didn't help that Hubby and I had a blowout on Christmas Eve that really left me stewing.
Nor the fact that my Niece's Husband has spent Christmas in hospital and won't be out til after the New Year. He is susceptable to collasped lungs, apparently due to his body shape, and they weren't able to keep it inflated so he had surgery on Wednesday. My Niece has 3 children, another on the way so is pretty much at wit's end and can do with all the prayers and healing she can get. Please if anyone actually reads this, we'd really appreciate prayers and healing sent to her. Her name is Melissa, her husband is Michael and their children are Chloe, Ethan and Emilia.
I helped look after the children on Wednesday after not seeing them for a few months, when I saw my niece I was surprised at the size of her bump, seeing as I had only heard the news not long before Christmas. I patted her stomach and she looked at me and told me that I knew before anyone else did. I asked how and she said that at her daughter's birthday I had given her a hug and patted her stomach. Vaguely remember doing it. For her previous pregancy she blamed me as well. We had a healing session over the phone in which I envisaged Archangel Michael pulling out a huge sword from her back, that had it's tip embedded in her womb and told her not to be surprised if she fell pregnant soon. She told me that they had taken precautions so not possible, yeah right - less than a week later Emilia was concieved.
Melissa always wanted 4 children but didn't think they would be so close together, had planned for a little more time between the last 3.
Plans don't always follow the path we have chosen, they take us into the unknown, sometimes through hardships, it's a real learning curve. My niece doesn't think she is very strong but her enduring what she has gone through is proving to me at least that she is strong - now I have to get her to believe that. With the help of the Angels I know we can.
Even my plans didn't go as planned - this post was supposed to be about the gifts I made for Christmas - ahh well maybe next time.
Peace and love.
I've actually finished this feeling much better and with a smile on my face. Actually want to share something, the last 2 days at work we had a 30% sale on and were pretty rushed. On Tuesday we made record sales, usually at these times you tend work like a robot, teeth gritted just trying to get through the day. A customer I had told me that I was the happiest, most smilingest salesperson she had seen that day. That made me smile even more, even now.
Nor the fact that my Niece's Husband has spent Christmas in hospital and won't be out til after the New Year. He is susceptable to collasped lungs, apparently due to his body shape, and they weren't able to keep it inflated so he had surgery on Wednesday. My Niece has 3 children, another on the way so is pretty much at wit's end and can do with all the prayers and healing she can get. Please if anyone actually reads this, we'd really appreciate prayers and healing sent to her. Her name is Melissa, her husband is Michael and their children are Chloe, Ethan and Emilia.
I helped look after the children on Wednesday after not seeing them for a few months, when I saw my niece I was surprised at the size of her bump, seeing as I had only heard the news not long before Christmas. I patted her stomach and she looked at me and told me that I knew before anyone else did. I asked how and she said that at her daughter's birthday I had given her a hug and patted her stomach. Vaguely remember doing it. For her previous pregancy she blamed me as well. We had a healing session over the phone in which I envisaged Archangel Michael pulling out a huge sword from her back, that had it's tip embedded in her womb and told her not to be surprised if she fell pregnant soon. She told me that they had taken precautions so not possible, yeah right - less than a week later Emilia was concieved.
Melissa always wanted 4 children but didn't think they would be so close together, had planned for a little more time between the last 3.
Plans don't always follow the path we have chosen, they take us into the unknown, sometimes through hardships, it's a real learning curve. My niece doesn't think she is very strong but her enduring what she has gone through is proving to me at least that she is strong - now I have to get her to believe that. With the help of the Angels I know we can.
Even my plans didn't go as planned - this post was supposed to be about the gifts I made for Christmas - ahh well maybe next time.
Peace and love.
I've actually finished this feeling much better and with a smile on my face. Actually want to share something, the last 2 days at work we had a 30% sale on and were pretty rushed. On Tuesday we made record sales, usually at these times you tend work like a robot, teeth gritted just trying to get through the day. A customer I had told me that I was the happiest, most smilingest salesperson she had seen that day. That made me smile even more, even now.
Monday, 26 December 2011
Christmas has come and gone, I always feel a little blat at Christmas.
We were up around 6, opening presents with my Brother in Law who always stays over on Christmas Eve. Made Bacon, Eggs and Muffins for breakfast, my parents came over at 7am.
I tend to not sleep well on Christmas Eve after rushing around all day attempting to finish up things and get the house tidy, so I usually have a nap after everyone leaves and before we are due to head out for lunch at Mum's. BIL usually goes home at 9, I usually nap til 11, yesterday he stayed till 11. I lay down for a quick power nap, as soon as my eyes closed the phone rang. It was my brother calling to say we had been invited over to meet our new neighbours and needed to be there now.
I liked meeting them, have been too shy to do so for the past couple of weeks but with the rush of having to be elsewhere, could not stay long. I then went to Mum's to help out with getting ready for lunch.
By the time I got back home I was exhausted and put on my new Ace of Cakes DVD and promptly slept through most of the episodes. Slept most of the evening away and woke up this morning, achey from oversleeping.
Getting motivated today has been hard, I did decide to get into a kitchen cupboard to clean and sort it out.
Each time I do this I get greeted with this scene when it's empty.
and this
Why on earth would anyone use an extension pipe that is around 4 (or more) metres long when the connections are around a metre apart? Ooh and why would they drill a hole half way up the side of the cupboard instead of at the base, water doesn't like running uphill. The white pipe is a firm plastic for the water intake.
I've been putting up with this for 10 years and am finally going to so something about it- starting with asking my husband to get a shorter extension and to drill a lower hole. I am hoping that it means the dishwasher drains the dirty water better without having to pump it uphill so much. Not much can be done about the other pipe without the expense of getting a plummer in. If we were going to do that I'd insist on having the dishwasher moved under the sink but that means we'd need a new sink.
We were up around 6, opening presents with my Brother in Law who always stays over on Christmas Eve. Made Bacon, Eggs and Muffins for breakfast, my parents came over at 7am.
I tend to not sleep well on Christmas Eve after rushing around all day attempting to finish up things and get the house tidy, so I usually have a nap after everyone leaves and before we are due to head out for lunch at Mum's. BIL usually goes home at 9, I usually nap til 11, yesterday he stayed till 11. I lay down for a quick power nap, as soon as my eyes closed the phone rang. It was my brother calling to say we had been invited over to meet our new neighbours and needed to be there now.
I liked meeting them, have been too shy to do so for the past couple of weeks but with the rush of having to be elsewhere, could not stay long. I then went to Mum's to help out with getting ready for lunch.
By the time I got back home I was exhausted and put on my new Ace of Cakes DVD and promptly slept through most of the episodes. Slept most of the evening away and woke up this morning, achey from oversleeping.
Getting motivated today has been hard, I did decide to get into a kitchen cupboard to clean and sort it out.
Each time I do this I get greeted with this scene when it's empty.
and this
Why on earth would anyone use an extension pipe that is around 4 (or more) metres long when the connections are around a metre apart? Ooh and why would they drill a hole half way up the side of the cupboard instead of at the base, water doesn't like running uphill. The white pipe is a firm plastic for the water intake.
I've been putting up with this for 10 years and am finally going to so something about it- starting with asking my husband to get a shorter extension and to drill a lower hole. I am hoping that it means the dishwasher drains the dirty water better without having to pump it uphill so much. Not much can be done about the other pipe without the expense of getting a plummer in. If we were going to do that I'd insist on having the dishwasher moved under the sink but that means we'd need a new sink.
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