in the post

A huge package arrive for the boybean yesterday courtesy of his Aunty and Grandma all the way from sunny Marin county in California. We knew it was coming, but did not quite expect the huge quantity of clothing that the box contained nor the quality of the items. Apparently Jen and Fifi had been having a great time at a 'yard sale' and couldnt quite help themselves and have lots more boxes to send over. It must have been a huge yard in a flash part of town. This piece is quite ridiculous but oh so sweet, Im not too sure exactly what its meant to be??? Chipmunk? Bear? I think the grandmas in the village will like this one.

Paris' alternative US energy strategy

A lazy post coz Im just worn out, i did but come across this funny on my morning news roundup. A nice response to the McCain camp i reckon.

See more funny videos at Funny or Die

teetering on the edge ...

What a week and its only Wednesday.
I was called in to work for a meeting on Monday. My PhD work is being nominated both for a Premiers Award and Prime Ministers Award for public sector management exellence. Now, its great news, but with a days notice ive had to get technical submissions together for submission this morning@!$# "but Im on LEAVE!"
There's nothing like being given a task at short notice by your single childless supervisor.

Meanwhile, in my spare time in between submissions, when not breastfeeding, i have facilitated B1's short notice transfer from one high school and her move to another (over 3 days!), sorted costumes for B2s school production which is tonight but i only became aware of the need for white leggings on Monday (try finding white leggings in the middle of winter), i really could choke her teacher, and several immovable appointments which i have had to express milk for and a boybean unsettled at night. Its been a doozy. Work, im soooo not ready.

on a roll, with a little help from my blog

in between lying on the couch with a screaming back ache, a 2 hour walk with the whole tribe; boy bean didnt make a peep the whole time (bless his cotton socks if he had any), cleaning the bathroom walls (yes with a pinched nerve in the back maybe not such a good idea...'wax on...wax off' was my approach, i thought it might help get me 'unstuck', i managed some of agenda #1 - i oiled the other chair!!!!!and gave one its extra coat. Those chairs represent the past and the fuure to me, so gettting this far feels great. 2 more coats and some new cushions and they should be ready by 2010. I knew if i launched my agenda out into the ether it would push me to get it done. Its kinda weird how blogging can act as a motivating factor; why doesn't just knowing Im doing it for myself and my family have the same effect?? Why does writing about it generate the extra oomph required?

Is it just me? Does anyone else use blogging as a motivational aide?

loose end #3

Now as a general rule, i dont do textiles very well. Cant really say i can knit, can't sew, but i do get overtaken with the emotional impetus to do both, generally as the seasons change. I shop, i cast on, i cut, i start, i hit a snag i cant seem to fix, I get disillusioned, i stop. I think being a perfectionist is very limiting. Not that what i do is perfect, but i am always wanting to do it better, so i quit.

Tah dah!. Its surprisingly difficult for me to post this picture (perfectionist issues) but i did it, i finished the damn hat! And it looks so cute on the boybean, he looks like the deer hunter.lol



Pattern is Debbie Bliss hat from her Baby Knits Book and yarn is Layette Bella Baby 80% bamboo/20% merino from Spotlight

tidying up loose ends and creating a few more

Heres my current list of to do's ( ...besides finishing the thesis!)Possibly called procrastination? During my honours year (!@# 18 years ago OMG!)i created an amazing permaculture food forest in my backgarden(having never gardened before) which was incredibly productive so Im no stranger to rather large scale procrastination techniques.

:: 2 danish teak chairs i have been carting around for over 7 years waiting for me to strip, sand, oil and re-upholster. Found them in an op-shop for $50.00 and couldnt say no and i think they will make great deck chairs for lounging outside. Both stripped and sanded, one oiled

:: wood fired pizza oven i promised my husband i would build while on maternity leave. Russells at Willunga is my inspiration; great vibe and great business to support as Russell has such a wonderful community spirit. Socialising around a pizza oven is my idea of a great party and i like the idea of firing it up in the morning and having a full day of cooking. I see that Monsieur Oliver is into it too. Site chosen, Russell's 'how to' book at hand... need to plan my attack

:: sew up seams on boybeans beanie i made from an interesting bamboo/merino blend which is incredibly soft.

:: check the limoncello for readyness for Stage 2

:: string bag I figure maybe crochet is easier than knitting and its designed to be full of holes...Im good at those

Haiku Friday

Crikey, its Friday AGAIN. I may have to give up on the Haiku Friday thing...too much like a time keeper.

woken by hailstones
drumming on the red tiled roof
cocooned warm in bed