Question Day

1) What oils do you use in your kitchen?

2)  What is your favourite berry?

3)  Who was the last person you talked to?

4)  How do you like your steak?

5)  Where were you born?

xox

Still Crook

I am still sick.  Last night I fell asleep sitting up on the couch at 6.30.  I hadn't even had dinner (in fact all I had eaten all day was a sandwich around lunch time).  Ross woke me up and put me to bed, where I stayed until 6.30 this morning.  The sad part is, I think I could have stayed in bed for a few more hours without a problem.  I NEVER sleep that long.

The upshot of all this is, Ross & I talked yesterday and have decided to postpone Heyson.  We will look at going in May next year.  I am devastated.  I have been looking forward to this for so long.  So has Ross.  We will probably go camping or something that week since we both have the time off work, but I am still heartbroken about not being able to go.

On Saturday I had the first meeting of my new writers group.  It was really good.  We just spent time getting to know each other and talking about different aspects of writing.  There was no real design or agenda to it, just casual conversation.  The next meeting will probably be more structured, but for the first one this was really nice.  It was great hearing abut how other people go about the writing process and what they write.  I am looking forward to next time.

Other than that I have not been doing much, just trying to get over this cold.  Sorry i haven't been reading and commenting on everyones blog, just really no energy right now.  I will try and catch up though.

xox

Wall Hanging Design

I just realised that I haven't shared this yet. :o)  I have finished the design for the wall hanging I want to do.

It will be quite big - about 1.5m x 1.2 m - but I want it to cover a large part of wall when we get our own place.  It will hang in our study.

The base will be done by machine and all the embellishments will be done by hand.  Each book will have a title on it, the vase in front will be padded, there will be real photos in the photo frames, and I have some other ideas to make it textured as well.

The colours will be different (I was limited by the colours in Word) but the overall effect will be the same.

Next step, start gathering the fabric!

xox

Still Struggling

I have officially entered panic mode.  Between my Achilles injury and now this blasted cold that is making breathing difficult, I am so concerned that I will not be able to do our Heyson hike which is in only 3 weeks.  In fact, I am almost positive it will be too hard.  :o(

I am so disappointed.  Ross and I are going to cram training in, but at the moment it is just too hard to breathe.  We are preparing for the fact that we may not be doing this until next season (the trail re-opens in May).  I am hoping and praying all will be well, but it is too risky to do it when under-prepared as we will have no phone contact while we are out there.  Everyone please cross your fingers that I wake up tomorrow completely healed and can do this hike.

Nothing else really going on here.  I have a meeting tomorrow of a new Writers group that I am looking forward to, although I have not done any writing for the last month or so.  Life, as usual, gets in the way...

I probably won't get online much over the weekend, so have a great weekend and i will catch you all next week.

xox

Question Day

1)  What is your favourite cold & flu home remedy?

2)  Do you like Broccoli?

3)  What is your favourite toast topping?

4)  If you were stranded on a deserted island, what 3 things would you want with you?

5)  Where would you visit if you had the chance?

xox

Sick, Funerals, and Sewing

I am still sick.  This horrible cold has taken hold and I am home from work.  I hate taking time off for colds, but I practically have no voice.  Makes my job hard.  I have been in bed since about 6 last night, and I think I may be shaking it.  Fingers crossed I am better tomorrow.

Yesterday was Grandad's funeral.  It was very small and intimate, but it was nice.  MIL & Ross got a lot from it and that is the main thing,

I have been sewing a lot lately.  And I have made the first 10 flowers for my Grandmothers Flower Garden quilt.

Of course, I have another 62 to go, then I have to add in the joining rows and the borders.  But I am please with the progress so far.  It has taken over from the knitting as something to do with my hands in front of the tele at night, and I am really enjoying it.

OK, I am going back to bed now.  Fingers crossed I am better tomorrow.

xox

I'm Sick

I have the sore throat from hell.  It feels like sandpaper.  :o(

Quiet weekend mostly.  Wasn't feeling overly well, but did some reading and quilting.  Went to my nieces 3rd birthday party.  Usual kinda stuff.

No exercise coz I feel like crap.

Tomorrow is Grandad's funeral so I'll be back on Wednesday, hopefully feeling a gazillion times better.

xox

Plans and Sewing

Since my bike is still in bike hospital I had to do a walk this morning.  My ankle felt pretty good.  A few twinges but overall not too bad.  I will keep taking the anti-inflammatories for a few days and hopefully we have reached the end of it.  YAY!

I have been planning my next craft project.  Actually my next 2, but the 2nd one is a bit of a way away yet.  Here is the basic pattern for my new quilt.  It is a version of the "Grandmothers Flower Garden" pattern.

I am doing the whole thing by hand (and there will be double the number of rows to the picture).  I have already made a start and I am actually really enjoying doing it by hand, much more than I thought I would.  It is nice to sit in front of the TV and just do some hand sewing.  I am sure by the end of it I will be completely over it, but for now it is really relaxing.

xox

Question Day

1)  Do you like bananas?? What is your favorite way to eat them?

2)  What is your middle name?

3)  What time did you get up this morning: 

4)  Are you a cat or dog person? 

5)  Are you a coffee drinker?

 

xox

A Couple of Days Rest

So I saw my chiropractor last night.  He is not 100% convinced the pain in my ankle is related to my back being out of whack.  I have had ankle and knee issues related directly to my back in the past - as a matter of fact, that is how my scoliosis was originally diagnosed - I kept twisting and spraining my right ankle, even without tripping or falling.

When they couldn't find a cause for the ankle problems Mum talked to her Chiropractor (a very 'out there' concept over 25 years ago) who suggested I come in for testing.  Turned out the reason my ankle was always swollen and sore was that my right hip was significantly lower than my left hip putting too much pressure on my ankle.  Turns out when I was hit by the car when I was 5, although no bones were broken, my hips were thrown so badly out of whack that scoliosis ended up forming.

Anyway, Mark adjusted and manipulated and as I always I felt 100 times better right away.  But he said there is some localised swelling around the Achilles that may not be a result of pressure from the back being out.  He has recommended a couple of days of anti-inflamatories and rest.  If it is still swollen and sore I may need to visit a Physio.

So days 2 & 3 of Heyson training have been abandoned.  And with no bike I can't even ride (although Ross is taking her back to the bike shop today to get looked at again).  Hopefully the ankle pain settles down enough in the next day or so that I can fully jump into Training.

Speaking of Training, Trace pointed out that I have not allowed for any rest days in this Training Plan.  So I will be revising it a bit and will post the new plan shortly.

xox

Bike Saga Continues...

So this morning I got on Bluebell for my first ride since her unexpected hospital trip last week.  It seems I did not give her a thorough enough examination...  The front wheel is also buckled.  Not as badly as the back as she is still rideable, but buckled nonetheless.  Which means I need to get her to a bike shop (again) to have the wheel straightened out.  The gears are also slipping a bit, but Ross can fix that himself.  Sigh...

The good news is that I got out there and rode, even though I really did not feel like it.  Tonight after riding home I also need to go for a 45 minute walk.  I have a chiropractor appointment (after my meeting with the funeral director) so I am hoping to get there early and walk first.  My adjustments are always easier if I have exercised first so I may as well do it then.

Nothing else going on since yesterdays post so I'll leave it there.

xox

Heyson Training Starts Tomorrow

Hexagons Hexagons, everywhere Hexagons

I spent most of yesterday cutting out fabric hexagons.  I am not exactly sure how many I have cut out, it would be somewhere in the vicinity of a 200 though.  At least.  :o)  I am going to make a Grandmas Flower Garden Quilt, which is basically lots and lots of hexagons sewn together and arranged to look like a flower garden.  This is a small example of what it will be like (not my work or photo).

Mine is going to have a pale green background though, and will be much much much bigger.  :o)  I am doing it by hand so I expect it to take several years to complete.

The lovely Em came over yesterday afternoon and between chatting and making home made pizza (the leftover of which I will be consuming tonight) we watched Food Inc.  It seriously had as much impact the second time around.  After Em left I picked up 'Fast Food Nation' and started reading.

It also occurred to me this weekend that we leave for Heyson in 5 weeks and I am no where near ready for it.  So I am looking around for a nearby gym that I can get a 1 month membership at so I can cram my training in - much like I used to do when studying for exams!  Luckily we have pretty much everything we need to go with.  I just need to get that fitness level right back up.  I'll keep you posted on the training.

xox

It's Finished!

YAY!  I finished the knitted blanket.  The last buttons went on this morning.

What do you think?  You can't actually see all the little details.  The dark red around the edge is a red flannel with a black swirl pattern.  That fabric covers the whole back.  Where each of the squares meet in the corners is a tiny button.  There are cats, butterflies, stars and hearts.

Ross loves it and has been snuggled under it on the couch already today.  :o)  I am so glad to finally finish it.  Now on to other projects. 

Today my Mum and I went to see the Bangarra Dance Theatre perform "Of Earth And Sky".  My favourite piece was a duet between these two guys.  It was amazing.

It was a birthday pressie for Mum (although her birthday was in April I bought the tickets ages ago).  It was a really interesting mix of contemporary and traditional dance.  We had a great afternoon.

xox

Thank you

Thank you so much to everyone for your amazing responses to yesterday's questions.  I loved reading them all and am glad everyone has their own unique ways to remember and honour their loved ones.

I don't have a lot to say today.  After work I got myself home and spent some time with Ross, going through what needs to be done.  My MIL is away.  She flew out to Queensland 6am Wednesday morning, so we are looking after all the details for Grandad.  Ross took care of the Nursing Home bits & pieces yesterday and I have a list of calls to make today.  Ross is going back to work today.  He wants to be around people which I think will be really good for him.

After everything was sorted and we had dinner, we decided to chill in front of the TV.  I was trying to finish the knitted blanket, but I didn't quite get there.  Only 10 more buttons though so I should finish tonight or tomorrow.  Finally!  This has taken a long time.  But the next project will probably take longer.  :o)

xox

Question Day

Hi All

As any of you who read this regularly know, Ross's Grandad's health started declining rapidly about 3 months ago.  He lived with us for about 6 weeks, and has been in a Nursing home for about 6-8 weeks.  Yesterday afternoon he passed away quickly and quietly.

In that vein, my questions are a bit different today.  I understand if you choose not to answer.

1)  Have you lost someone close to you?
2)  Do you think funerals are important?
3)  What are your thoughts on children attending funerals?
4)  How do you honour the memory of passed loved ones?

xox

Free The Bears at the Royal Show

Last night I did my first volunteer shift with Free the Bears at the Royal Adelaide Show.

Unfortunately numbers are way down at the years show, probably due to the weather, so it was a quiet night. A few very generous people made it worth our while though.  We chatted about the program, took donations, sold merchandise, and had a fun night.  It is a shame it was pretty quiet though.  Hopefully numbers pick up for them over the rest of the week.

I got in to the Show about an hour before my shift so had the chance to wander a bit.  I saw the photography exhibition, and the quilting exhibition.  Both amazing.  I also finally got myself a hat for hiking.  It is akubra style (although not the brand) and is water proof which is exactly what I need in case it rains.  They had pink ones there, but unfortunately only in XS and L, and I wear a medium.  So I got one that is a pale khaki with a brown & pink scarf around it.  It is very cool.

xox

Bluebell

So last night, I finish work at 5, get changed, put my helmet on, go outside and unlock Bluebell, turn her around to wheel her to the road, start pushing her, and she stops.  Hmmmm.....  This is weird.  Push again.  She won't move.  Have a look at the front wheel.  All good.  Have a look at the back wheel.  Seems to be stuck on the brake pad.  This is weird.  Jiggle with it a bit, but the back brakes are fixed on the frame. Lift the back of the bike and try to spin the wheel.  Eventually get it loose only to have it stop, one full rotation later.  WTF?!?!?!?!

So I have a closer look.  The back wheel is completely buckled in one spot.  It looks like someone has actually kicked it or rammed something heavy into it.  There is no way I can ride it.  I park her against a railing, off the footpath, and protected from traffic by a heavy fence.  There is no way this was hit by a car, and no way someone accidentally walked into it.

This was deliberate.

I am at a loss as to how people can be so brazen, but also so idiotic.  This is my mode of transport people.  I don't kick the wheels of your car to the point that you can't drive it.  I was furious.  Luckily Ross had the afternoon off so could come and pick us up.  He is going to take it to the bike shop today for me.  If it is just buckled it should only cost $15 or so to have straightened.  If it is cracked (and I didn't see any cracks thankfully) I could be looking at around $150 to replace it.  Like I have a spare $150 lying around to fix some morons anger management issues!

GRRRRRR...........

I am mega pissed off as you can tell.  And I needed to rant.  Thanks for listening.  I'll be off now...

xox

UPDATE:  Ross just called me with the verdict.  The rim is "Foobah" (Ross's word for F^&*ed).  $80 for a new one.  Not happy Jan...

After the Weekend

I had a good weekend.  I did not turn the computer on once.  It has been ages since I have done that and it was actually a really good feeling when I got to last night and realised that without even thinking about it, I had done it.

Friday night Ross & I were meant to go for a hike.  But the torrential rain we have been having, and were still having Friday night, put an end to those plans.  Instead we just spent a lovely evening in.  I was up until 2am reading.  I kept thinking - at the end of this chapter I'll turn out the light - but then I would get sucked in and before I knew it I was in the middle of the next chapter.  So I ended up finishing it. :o)

Saturday I spent at my Mum's.  I needed to use her big table to pin the knitted blanket to the backing fabric.  Since I was there I also ended up using her sewing machine to sew the binding.  Now all I need to do is tie the top to the bottom, which I am doing with cute little buttons.  I am about 1/5th of the way through that.  Hopefully I'll be finished the blanket within the next week or so.  Finally! LOL

Sunday started off beautifully.  Weather wise.  I went out to check on the veggie garden.  The snow peas and dwarf peas at about 2 inches high.  They look sensational.  The lettuces were coming up but one of the cats used it as a litter tray so they are pretty much gone.  I need to get a wire frame to put over to top of the pot before I put more in.  The rest are starting to sprout we think.  We have lost a lot of top soil due to the heavy rains we have had for the last couple of weeks, so I will probably have to put the rest in again.

Around 11.30 the rain kicked in and was settled for the whole day.  We went to the Nursing Home to visit Grandad.  It was hard.  He had no idea we were there.  He has shrunk and has aged about 20 years.  I don't think he has much time left.

Yesterday was especially hard for Ross.  It was his first Fathers Day without his Dad.  And then seeing his Grandad getting so frail before our eyes made it even harder.  But he tried to keep his spirits up.

This morning the last book I ordered from the Book Depository arrived.

Fast Food Nation.  It was one of the one recommended from Food Inc.  I am looking forward to reading it and will let you know what I think when I'm done.

xox

A bit of light reading

Two new books arrived in the mail today. Omnivore's Dilemma by Michael Pollan. And Food Inc. by Peter Pringle. I ordered them after watching Food Inc a few weeks ago. I can't wait to get stuck into them. I'll let you know what I think when I'm done.

xox

Question Day

A day late, but here they are!

What's your favorite nut?? (and no i don't mean a person :)
How many cups of water have you had so far today?

What is your favorite Flower?
What is your favorite ice cream flavour?
Do you like your job?

xox