And...

Yesterday was such a good day... Since my last post I have been ill with some dreaded virus type thing... I am not sure whether it was in my system before my cancelled op or not - but it certainly made me feel very low and dis-spirited...

But...

In the midst of it all I had an email from L from Chloe's Place to say that she would be out this way yesterday... I was determined I would be well enough to have her at least visit for a while if nothing else... I contacted G from Patra's Place to see if she wanted to come 'play' too... After re arranging her schedule she came too...

Both of them have given accounts of our escapades on their blogs so I won't repeat them just to say I hate to think what we would be like if we had a couple of whole days with no time restrictions and loaded wallets - nothing would be safe... Thanks girls it was just what I needed... I was tired last night but a 'good' tired...

L arrived about mid morning and she was kind enough to bring some of her CQ with her. Here it was in my lounge room 'in the flesh' so to speak - all that beautiful work I had seen only via the internet was draped over my chairs... Plus slung over L's shoulder was her bags of fun challenge - the bag that started a 'world wide epidemic'...

What more can I say??? That I was in total awe would probably come somewhere close to describing it... I looked and looked and looked some more... L had also bought her new completed, soon to be gone 'All That Jazz' -Katrina Quilt Fundraiser Block... More vibrant colours, more dazzle and wonderful stitching... If I sound like a bit of fan - I am... I don't often have the opportunity to sit and pick someone's brains as I did yesterday... L also was kind enough to share her 'work' journal and with the little time I had to flick through it it offered me some fresh perspectives... LOL with that on its own I could have spent the entire day just reading... L - reading your journal did stimulate some interesting ideas which sort of tie in with something else I started quite awhile ago... G joined us and after a quick re cap we 'hit the road' and went to Mooroolbark...

Mooroolbark has some bitter/sweet memories as I spent 20 years there. When I was there is was just on the threshold of its transformation as it is today... I am not sure what I thought of the 'new Mooroolbark' I glimpsed yesterday... We walked through a small park behind the shops - the rose bushes were out in profusion... I last remember them as tiny and reasonably newly planted as I walked my then small daughter to kinder... Some of the shops after 12 years have remained the same - others of course have changed... I have got a feeling that the quilt shop we visited was once the video shop... I would like to go back and spend some more time browsing - espescially at the quilt shop!!!!!

Enough from me... Enjoy your day everyone - hopefully enjoying what you do best...

Today...

I feel loads better... The body aches are nearly gone just a few lingering niggles around the shoulders and I have lost that 'foggy' feeling... LOL and I felt like that with no procedure - I can't imagine how I would feel having had one...

I am not sure what the next step is other than to wait for the 'next time round'. I keep getting the feeling that I am 'missing something' with this nasal condition. The best way I can describe it is like when you are trying to think of a word and it eludes you - I just can't seem to 'catch it' if that makes any sense. A friend once said to me when I had a similar problem - "Don't chase it - sit very still in silence and allow it to come to you" And to his credit I have found it works in most cases. Perhaps if I sat still long enough this might work!!!!

I feel restless and I am wanting to do something but not sure what...

Now my comp is playing up... So once again I am on E's - her monitor was returned a week ago so everyone has their original bits - I think my comp is just so old it simply has given up the ghost... It is ok with little things but give it something too large and it just refuses... Even posting photos it carries on lately... E is going to teach me how to use her scanner so I can post from her comp...

Yesterday was not entirely lost as I finished another book... A few weeks ago this woman and her grand daughters came into the store enquiring after an author Robert Corbet - she told me that he was her son and the girls with her were his daughters... Unfortunately we had none of his work on the shelves - but it sparked my interest to borrow two of his books from the library 'The Passenger Seat' and 'Fifteen Love'. Robert writes for young adults (14- 19 age group approx.) I quite enjoyed both of the titles but I would think that the first 'The Passenger Seat' was directed at the older end of the market. This one particularly got me in as it was set in Melbourne. I am now after his third book called 'Shelf Life'... I enjoy children's' literature - I think it is in some cases better than adults - although in saying that it can't really be compared. I think writing for children is a very exacting process - not as some people tend to think - that it is a way of 'practicing' until you write an adult novel. One of the hardest to write are children's picture books - to write a balance of words which then allows an illustrator to complete with pictures - is an art form which very few writers find hard to achieve...

From what I have seen in my short time as a book seller kids are very 'aware' consumers and know with certainty what they like and dislike... These days when parents bring their children in to buy a book I speak directly to the child not to the parent who is telling me what he/she likes while the child vigorously shakes their head... Yes of course one has to be mindful of what their child reads or watches and I agree that sometimes the content can be sensitive... However these kids are living life, going to school, listening/watching the media, accessing the internet, interacting with their mates and so much of what they want to read is not going to shock them. In most cases the book in question has already been discussed in every detail beforehand... I think it can be an injustice to disregard a children's book simply because you, the adult, doesn't like the look of it... We in Australia have very strict guidelines when writing for children which have to be followed to the letter if one hopes to get their manuscript within even a bull's roar of the 'reading pile' at the publishers...

Angus & Robertson have recently introduced a series of recommend reading age pamphlets which can help when choosing a book for a child - while these suggestions aren't 'set in stone' they can certainly be a starting off point for discussion or browsing... Just ask at the counter if they aren't displayed in the children's section... Lol - I sound like an ad... Nah!!!! - I don't like reading or bookshops... Could I be fibbing?????

Well, enough of my ramblings... Take care all and have a great weekend... :-))

The day after...

This morning I am feeling a little sorry for myself... I know it is the 'come down' after yesterday's fiasco... It was unfortunate but I guess everything happens for a reason...

What happened??? The long and short of it without boring everyone silly is that they couldn't get the intubation(breathing) tube down my throat into my lungs... So obviously without that happening - nothing else could...

Apparently they tried three times but then decided that because - 1. My condition was not life threatening and 2. To proceed would have been unwise without specialized equipment and it would be better to reschedule for a later date. As I 'came round' from the the pre-op anesthetic I was told that the procedure had been cancelled... Everyone who was involved came to speak to me and reassure me that this decision had been the 'right call' under the circumstances...

To be told that it happens about once in every 10,000 didn't make me feel any better. So here am just about back to square one... I have felt these last few months 'that I am up against it' - no matter what I attempt - things just seem to go 'pear shaped'. Hmmm... I feel at times I am missing some 'vital clue' regarding my life, but for the love of me I can't figure it out...

Enough of my woes - it is promising to be a lovely day here in Melbourne so I shall make the most of it... P has excelled himself with our little garden bed and it is looking lovely... He has also mulched it and put in a manual watering system. It is nice to see the bees enjoying our flower patch... Considering it had been a weedy, dry piece of dirt it has come a long way... The promise of things to come... There is a lot more to be done but this piece of garden gives me such joy and peace...

Because I thought I was going to be fairly housebound for a few days I added another three books to my stash (any excuse, you say) - LOL you are probably right there...

Eragon by Christpher Paolini

I fell in love with this book on first sight. it... I have had it on my 'to read' list for ages - but I have never got around to reading it - sort of wanting to 'keep it for best'. My op was going to be a good chance to 'indulge'... Now that I have Eragon - Eldest - the sequel - is on my Christmas wish list.

The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova

Another title that took my fancy but again like Eragon haven't got around to reading it... E and I went to our favorite second hand bookshop and there it was - much cheaper than even I could get it with my staff discount... And because it was in brand new condition I snapped it up... Well, actually E snapped it up for me as my 'going to hospital present'...

The Ultimate Weight Solution by Dr Phil McGraw

I have a love/hate relationship with this guy... Rarely watch him on the telly but I have heard some good things about this book... I thought it was worth a look - I am usually not a follower of diet 'how to do it' books but on just the initial browse at it sparked my interest... We will see...

Well, that is about all - I am still feeling a little tender after yesterday as I think they must have rolled me around trying to get the tube positioned... I am aching all over so perhaps a bath may be in order... Steep my body in it for a while and lets the aches and worries float away...

Cheers all and thank you to those who left me messages they were much appreciated... And annes your phone call was 'just what the dr ordered' - it cheered me up no end...

Anti-climax...

Unfortunately due to a 'slight' hitch my op did not go ahead... It is now rescheduled for Jan 2006... I am disappointed - but it was better to be safe than sorry...

The nose knows...

Well, the day has arrived... In less than a couple of hours I am off to the hospital for my op... I have my book and my needlework 'at the ready' - so, I am an optimist... Take care all - and I will 'see' you in a couple of days... Here I go - wish me luck... :-))

And another one...

You are an Iris:

You are logical, analytical, dignified, and wise.
You are studious by nature and may prefer books
to people. You tend to be a serious person but
are capable of making others laugh with your
dry sense of humor. Friends always benefit from
your advice.

Symbolism: Over the centuries the iris has come to
symbolize faith, wisdom, hope, and promise in
love.


Which Flower are You?
brought to you by Quizilla

I couldn't resist another one... LOL - I do seem to have a thing about running around in 'next to nothing'...

A little bit of fun & magic...

The Fairy Princess

You are youthful, cheery, and exuberant with a
sunny disposition and a mischievous sense of
humor. You are very lively and are always up
for a good bit of fun. You have a deep love of
nature and animals.

Role Model: Titania

You are most likely to: Convert a pumpkin into a
useful mode of transportation.


What Kind of Princess are You? - Beautiful Artwork (Original Music is BACK!!!)
brought to you by Quizilla

A day at the Zoo...

Yesterday we went to the Melbourne Zoo... M had wanted to do this in lieu of her birthday which was last weekend. She and D both had exams last week and were both madly studying so they didn't really have a lot of time for celebrating... We had a 'quick' family dinner on Monday night as that was her actual birthday - so we did the cake and pressies thing then...

Yesterday was just lovely - we all went - E - my youngest daughter, K - my ex-husband, P and I and of course M and D. We spent the first couple of hours cruising the animals - watching the lions been fed, searching for the tiger which was sitting up near the bamboo looking very bored at the passing parade, marvelled at the platypus in its twilight world, laughed at the meerkats as they lolled about on each other in the sun. K, P and I had an experience with one of the gibbon monkeys - their enclosure is on a elevated board walk and the 'human animals' can view the gibbons antics through a glass window... One of the gibbons swung up to the glass where we were standing and for some minutes eyed us off with intent - I wondered what was going through that little brain of hers... Those beautiful brown eyes seem to have an inner wisdom in them as they searched our faces - just for a moment I felt this connection with this little creature - a fragility, a tenderness and definitely a sense of oneness... I was almost inclined to put my hand to the glass to see if she would put hers up too - only I was afraid that the movement might frighten her... Other people who were watching also noticed this little interaction we were having with her... She was interrupted on her side when one of the other gibbons joined her - the spell was broken and she swung off... Its moments like that which are a gift and make life special... I believe we sadly underestimate these 'wild' creatures and by doing so miss out on a lot... Prior to this we had stood watching a large male gorilla who (and I am using 'who' deliberately here!!) had the most p***ed expression on his face - like "I am having a very, very bad day - and no, I don't want to talk to ANYONE!!!!" - we all did laugh... If we were to know - these primates must get weary of the 'paying public' - like "Do I have to do it ALL again today"... I wonder if they all sigh with relief when the gate swing close for the night... After lunch on the lawn we resumed the 'amble' and visited the elephant walk, the butterfly house, pymgy hippo and giraffes... By then we were weary and 'all zooed out'...

It was a lovely family day and one we must do again in some form... I am very fortunate in as much as P, my partner and K - my ex husband get on extremely well - it makes family do's so much easier and tension free... It is a credit to both of them and I appreciate both of them for the 'hurdles' it took to accomplish this relationship... I count my blessings that I have a good friend in my ex husband and a loving and caring man who is my partner... Thank you to you both - you make my life special...

Lots of photos were taken and if there are some reasonable ones I will post here... We have an 'old fashioned' camera so will have to wait until the film is finished...

I have tried to catch up with the comments which you have left over the last couple of days... I hope I haven't missed anyone out - it was not intentional if I have... I would like you to know how much I appreciate the comments which you take the time to leave... So to all of you - thank you...

Possible Assisi work...

I am full of inspiration today - or is it just nerves about next week... But whatever it is I am firing on all jets!!!! I was sent this image and I thought that it would be a great model for Assisi work. He would make a great 'companion' to my Indian silhouette (see Indian - Completed Works sidebar). I could use the same colour thread which I stitched my Indian to stitch this image but in reverse.

C's sampler...

Here is the picture that I promised you. This is the design which I am stitching for my friend C. Remember I said that I had decided to stitch it on 18 ct pale pink aida instead of the 22 ct black linen which the model is stitched on. The photo doesn't really do the design justice as there is some wonderful curly backstitching at the bottom and again at the top where there looks to be empty spaces...

This is what I have stitched so far. Compare it to the top photo and you will see what I have done. Again, that pink blob in the middle is the vertical stroke of the 'L'. So far it has been an easy and enjoyable stitch and very much a 'palette cleanser' while I have been battling with M's mermaid. Hopefully I will get some more done when I am at home after my little hospital bout next week. I was concerned that some of the stitching would 'fade' into the pale pink aida but after seeing the photo model and comparing it to the actual pattern I think that the 'fade' ratio will be much the same. I had wanted a softer look for the design and I think the colour change will offer that - it has been interesting to 'stitch blind' so to speak as when I started I didn't have the colour photo as a comparison so I just had to go with the black and white chart which I had had for some time. I was glad to find the book again at the library and now I have some idea where I am going with it. LOL - I wasn't even sure what the book looked like so I was pleased to find it on the shelf.

The design comes from 'A to Z' cross-stitch SAMPLERS - The Vanessa-Ann Collection... The book was published in 1989 and is American. It has some good designs obviously alphabet inspired. Another book I am trying to track down to add to my collection...

The list maker...

I am reading with interest those of you who are thinking of making a 2006 list re: stitching... Do you think that making a list helps? For me I am not sure that it would... I tend to get a little obsessive with those sorts of things and I end up getting nothing achieved as the deadline draws nearer... Sure I can make a list - but whether I would actually stay with it is quite another thing... Yes - I know that I have said that I am making a list of books that I want to read but that is different in as much that it is sort of a 'reminder' list rather than a 'must complete' list... Perhaps I would rather use a list as what I would LIKE to achieve - rather than what I HAVE to achieve... A subtle difference there...

I think that is why I was/am not very good at diary writing... I immediately feel guilty if I don't fill in all the pages... I am far better off using a blank page and calling it journaling(or blogging) rather than have a state of the art lined and dated diary.... Although in saying that I have promised myself a moleskin journal when I become a little more financial... Whether I would ever actually do anything in it would be another thing - however my heart desires one of these beautifully bound journals... Just having one of these would fill me full of inspiration - I jest!!!!!

Well... you may ask. What are your stitching goals for next year? I am not sure... I would like to stitch 'Blueberry Homecoming' at some stage. I saw this stitched some years ago and it was also my introduction into e-bay... LOL - many, many 'wins' later... But getting back to topic - it would be 'up there' as one of the ones I would like to accomplish... I am reluctantly coming to terms with the fact that I won't stitch all that I have bought - which by some standards - compared to some stashes - very meager indeed... But it seems the ones that I truly want to stitch are some which I original purchased very early on... I think also one's taste changes and I find that some of the things I had 'earmarked' now have me wondering why... Now while this last sentence contradicts the bit before it I know what I mean... Some of the things were 'I would like to stitch you - one day', while the things I want to stitch 'speak' to me and I still have the same responses to them I had all those years ago when I first saw them... Does that make it any clearer? Probably not... For instance I cannot see myself ever stitching 'Portrait of Wisdom' - but I possibly will never part with him as he represented a part of my life - he is like a 'snapshot' of that time... While this peacock design has been a favorite of mine for years and I have had it 'stashed away' ready for me to start...

Why do I like it? I think it is to do with the 'mirror image' and the colours - and of course, it 'spoke' to me... I can see this design would 'lend' itself in other applications of stitching as well... While trying to find this to show you I found another box of stitching magazines -'must keeps' in the wardrobe... I am hopeless!!!!

I also have bought two new books - A&R had their travelling sale tables... I spied with my little eye - 2001+ cross stitch designs - the essential reference book and Cross Stitch Silhouettes.

The first book I have been after for ages... And the second book, well, it just took my fancy... With my staff discount I managed to purchased them both for $13.00... A bargain I believe... Even if it wasn't - another two great books for the collection...

I keep saying "and this will be my last needlework book..." Why doesn't anyone believe me???? P, you believe me don't you????? I can see you smiling!!!!! No, it's out and out belly laughter!!!!!!!! Well, you could at least pretend to believe me...

And of course this thread really told you about my 2006 list making... Now that I have found another box it has just added another few...

Ok all I am off for my pre admission appointment... Catch you later...

M's birthday...

I am still here - 'lurking and watching'... Life as always, is running like the wind - sometimes I feel like I am chasing it - most of the time I feel like I am being pushed by it...

P and I went to G and K's for tea on Saturday night - we had a delightful time eating and chatting and eating and drinking and eating - well, you get the general drift... We met another couple and they seemed very nice... It was just one of those evenings when everybody 'clicked'...

Today is my M's birthday - no, her mermaid isn't finished, but not too far away... I ran into some problems with the lettering - my own fault - after spending sometime trying to figure out how to fix it - it was easier just unpick and redo... I have a small present for her but I have said that her other present is still 'coming'... I might even put it away until after my op as I am getting quite nervous and not concertrating at all well...

That is about it... Enjoy the day all...

Shadows from the past...

Your Element is Water

Your power colors: blue and aqua Your energy: deep Your season: winter Like the ocean, you evoke deep feelings and passion.You have an emotional, sensitive, and spiritual soul.A bit mysterious, you tend to be quiet when you are working out a problem.You need your alone time, so that you can think and dream.

What Element Are You?

Perhaps this is how I am feeling today... I can't really motivate myself into doing anything productive...

Perhaps partly it is to do with a conversation I had with a long time friend last night - I won't repeat it - however, once again it has illustrated to me how fragile we all are. I don't see this friend often as she comes from 'my past life in this lifetime'. She and I were a part of a group of women who all lived reasonably close to each other and had kids of the same age. We spent quite a bit of time together as we shared school lunch duties, mothers clubs, school council, fete committees, etc. It was in the days of largely 'stay at home mums' who participated in all these type of school activities. We have shared the 'ups and downs' of life - especially as our kids got older.

My involvement became less when I moved away - but still I have kept in contact with this one person who 'catches' me up on all the 'doings'. Our children are now mostly in their late twenties and early thirties so we have now evolved into the grandparent stage... Because she still lives in the same community she frequently runs into people from our vintage - last night she had a couple of stories about people we knew... I know for everything there is a season - but it makes me sad and if I am truthful - makes me think of my own mortality - when I hear some of these people have died or their children have struck major problems. I also heard that a couple of people who my youngest daughter went to school with have died tragically. It is when I hear about these stories I want to 'wave a magic wand and make it all better'... Especially for the kids - I think back to when they were running around the school yard with only a thought of who their best friend was for the day or the latest 'latest' thing...

As I have got older and looked back 'down the winding road' - some of the familiar faces have 'disappeared' - I know it is the way of life - not all are fortunate to stay for the 'long haul'... I can't help but wonder however, what the rest of 'the journey' holds...

As I write this and think back it is hard to believe the amount of time which has elasped. It seems such a very short time since those 'sunlit' days - but the 'shadows' that they cast are full of potent memories...

A late addition...

My op date has been set 16th Nov. (a fortnight today)!!! Now I am feeling very nervous... I know it isn't heart surgery - and I will be ok... But...

Horses, books and no stitching...

Well, all the speculation about all things important - horses, jockeys, racing, fashions, and the weather are now just on a day behind us... Yes, as a nation we all did stop for that important race and this year we saw history in the making... Please don't get me wrong - one, I am not a racing fan - I think it is to do with my fear of horses. And two, I really don't care about all the above mentioned... But yesterday is was difficult to ignore all the excitement about 'that horse'... We watched the race on the telly so I can't begin to even imagine what it would have been like track side - but it looked like a monumental event... I am glad to hear though she is 'being retired' - a well deserved rest for a beautiful lady - 'Makybe Diva'

Now to the really important stuff... My stitching came to a halt with the heat yesterday... A very, very hot day here in Melbourne - but I did get to read more of my book which I have slowly been making progress with... 'Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell' by Susanna Clarke is quite a different book - but one that once I got into I couldn't not finish... There is something that has drawn me into the plot and I perhaps could suggest it has the makings for one of those obscure novels that has a following in its own right... Its pages tally at nearly 800 so apart from its sheer size both literally and laterally it is a big book. Its plot and cast of characters are also huge. The writing style is at times difficult going - I am not sure whether it is the precision or the slow ambling pace it takes... But what ever it is I feel like I have had some magic cast over me and I won't be done with it until I have turned the last page.What is it about? It is a book about magic - but definitely not Harry Potter style... Rather about the re-introduction of 'respectable' magic into Britain in the nineteeth century... It has been described as 'compelling' and I would agree with that. It was also suggested that there isn't anything else like that and I would (even with my limited reading) agree with that as well... What made me read it? There was just something about it that intrigued me from the moment I heard about it... Would I buy it? Probably, this is one of those books I would like to have on my shelf - but the hardcover version - not the soft cover... It would be something I would put on my re read list - only because like a 'huge' movie I am sure that on the 're-run' it would yield more which I may have missed from its first reading... It was also a nominee for the Booker Prize this year... I am starting to compile a list of books I want to read - a bit like my stitching I will have to live a thousand life times to get it all read- because of course I am always adding to it :-)).

Another book which has 'tweaked' my interest again and is on the 're read soon' list is 'The Artist's Way' - Julia Cameron... An oldie but a goodie... I remember when I first read it some years ago how much it excited me. Interestingly enough I 'stumbled' over a group of quilters who are reading it... Hmmm... A 'when the student is ready the teacher appears' moment me thinks...

Ok, enough of my ramblings for today... Enjoy All...