Lucky break

A couple of weeks ago on a really hot day I got home and found a big branch from my neighour's (AKA Dad) tree had fallen into our yard, barely missing our house. The branch it had fallen from had a big chunk out of it. Dad's been trying to get the tree cut down for years but the council wouldn't budge because they didn't think it was dangerous.

Due to the heat the tree was under stress and Gum Trees tend to shed their branches when stressed. Dad was unable to work on it due the same heat, but when the cool change came through a few days later it brought a wind storm with it. It broke the other branch which got caught up in another branch, making both a hazard.

Dad got up the ladder to try to move the branch but was unable to so opted to cut the second branch. He was sliding the branch out, with his head turned to the side watching it's progress. He turned his head to the front just as both branches fell on to his face, holding him in scissor grip. He tried lifting them off with one hand while gripping onto another branch with the other but was unable, my husband had to climb the ladder behind him to lift them off. Dad ended up with a split lip, minor bruising and a sore jaw, it could have been much worse. Especially if he had been doing the work on his own, which he often does - I think we may have to ban unsupervised ladder climbing, the same way he banned my Grandmother from moving furniture alone after she put her arm through a glass cabinent.

Did some time traveling today.

I LOVE THE WAYBACK MACHINE!!!!!!!!!!

A while back I was trying to back up some files and botched a file transfer, losing a whole file of downloaded crochet patterns. Was so disappointed because I loved the patterns and was saving them for a rainy day. At the time I tried the Wayback Machine but was unable to access the files. The other day we came across some printouts of a few of the patterns and I decided that I put out a call on here to see if anyone who might read this had some of the patterns. First I tried the machine again and was able to access most of the files. WHOO HOO! If you know the address of a defunct website the machine should be able to access archived pages.

I just spent an hour of ups and downs - downs when a file failed, there were 23 of those but there were 34 ups. Nice.

The website was called Originals by Gidge which offered beautiful crocheted dolls clothes sized for dolls such as Barbie. I'm very happy to again have a file full of these patterns but disappointed that so many were unavailable.

Purple shirts and Terracotta Men

Had a day out on my own today. Had it all planned with a visit to the Art Gallery to see The First Emperor exhibition, then a quick visit to a friend's art gallery and then onto Elizabeth Bay House.



I read on the train, Archangels 101 by Doreen Virtue, finishing the chapter on Archangel Michael just before I got to Redfern. I realised then that I couldn't remember picking up my train ticket at the station, I looked in my purse and bag, finding the change from buying the ticket but not the ticket. Was worried about being fined at the station so decided to get off at Central with the hope of explaining my plight, I asked Archangel Michael for help as I got up from my seat. Was in the aisle when I looked back and noticed the ticket sitting on the seat, I had been sitting on it. I still don't remember picking it up and do not understand why it would be under me and not in my purse with the change.

I was going to catch a bus but felt guided to walk. Walked to Hyde Park, letting myself be guided, I took one path but felt I should be on another, I noticed a dragonfly and following it, it led me to the other path before flying away. Sat for a few minutes listening to a busker, he was pretty good and before I left I dropped some money in his guitar case and we had a little chat. Each time I wasn't sure which way to go I noticed that people dressed in purple would turn up so I simply followed them (Purple is Archangel Michael's colour) and ended up at the right place.

Visited the Art Gallery and saw the Terracotta Warriors, it was pretty crowded, I can't imagine what it would be like on the weekend. Wandered around the galleries afterwards, the paintings I was most interested in were those that showed details in dress and costume.

Afterwards had a quick visit with my friend and then a chicken, mushroom pie and peas at Harry's - yum. Struggled up the stairs, had to stop and rest about 2 thirds up, eventually finding Elizabeth Bay House, where I wandered through the house taking in the history. On my way out I noticed a few ladies were in the dining room doing some craft projects, got to chatting with them and they told me they were making soft furnishings to replace old pieces in the house, everything had to be done by hand. When I mentioned my love of handmaking items, they extended the invitation to consider joining them. It's something to think about especially seeing as they meet every second Friday.

Afterwards I walked to a nearby station and headed to Town Hall, taking advantage of exploring a bookstore. I found their craft section and immediately was in heaven, I have never seen so many craft books, many of which were Japanese. I bought a dressmaking book that came with printable patterns, bag making and a Tilda book. Have to show Mum what I spent the money she gave me for my birthday. But first I need to recover from all the walking I did, my feet are aching in protest.

I have a problem..

It's called kids helping around the house, AKA making more work for Mum.

My kids aren't small, they are 18 and 15, it's often hard to get them to do things around the house, the 18 year old especially. My 15 year old son can be a great help and often is.

My problem lies when they decide that something needs doing such as tidying the linen cupboard, cleaning out the pantry or some other big job. They start, they pull out things and then get bored or distracted. Last week it was the linen cupboard, I just finally got around to putting the sheets back in it. This week it has been the tupperware/storage container cupboard, there is a laundry basket of containers to be put away sitting on the kitchen floor waiting for me to put it away. A while back my daughter decided to start on my sewing room, which meant I couldn't find anything when I finally was able to get in there after scaling a mountian of things left in the doorway.

On the other hand they neglect what they are supposed to do - empty the bins, load and empty dishwasher and pick up after themselves.

There's been a lot of complaining around here lately, things along the line of "It's too hot", as well as "it's too hot" and not to forget "it's too hot".

Did I mention it was hot?

The air is thick with heat and humidity. Neither is great alone or together.

The other day I was told that there was a surprise for me in the loungeroom, I muttered that it better be an air conditioner or a pool as I came into the house. Yep a lovely split system air conditioner, nice. BUT it was and still is in it's carton, hubby hasn't arranged installation yet, he won't be seeing the Air Con guy from his work until Monday. Weather channel said that it's going to cool down on Monday and until then the temps will be high 30's and low 40's. I'll just melt until then.

I even caved and bought some boxer shorts to wear around the house, better for the family over stripping down to my undies. And yes I did do that, kept a wrap skirt handy to cover up when I heard anyone coming.

Also had most of my hair cut off today, I had been growing it but got sick of it and now it's short. Should have seen the amount of hair that was swept up, it looked like someone had dropped a wig in the corner. My niece is a hair dresser, she works from home now that she has 3 children, 4 years and under. She also plucked my eyebrows after 2 different types of wax didn't work, instead of a couple of ouches, it was lots but my bushy brows are now tamed.