Friends

                                                        (Tumbler image)

Hello folks I'm here again. Since my last post I have tried hard to rise above the darkness which has overtaken my life. I've reached out to my loyal band of supporters and they have responded to me with their usual optimistic outlook. How lucky am I to have such a great bunch of friends?

I must add that when I say friends I also include those dear people I have never even met, yet 'speak' daily too in some circumstances. 

When I found myself predominantly housebound in June 2008, I became heavily involved in an online forum as a way of staying connected to the outside world. At this time I also became more active on facebook, where I maintained long term friendships as well as joining groups that interested me and where I could be considered part of the family. Yes, it truly feels like they are part of my extended family. We share a common goal which is to learn new things, to help each other out with advice, offer support when someone needs it and most importantly have a laugh. And I do love to laugh. Haven't done too much of that lately though. 

And of course since writing this blog I have got to know people who comment regularly and who will also email me privately to offer support or comment on a post.

I want to say a big thank you to all these people. You have made my life better than I imagined. I never imagined I would be conversing with women from all over the globe. Smart, witty, clever women who I admire greatly.

And still on the subject of friends I am sad to report that one of my long term friends Sue and her family are leaving town to take up residence on the coast in W.A

I don't cope well with farewells. We had a lunch this week with another friend and when the time came for her to leave we both avoided those final words. We left it with the idea that there might be time for one more quick catch up. Hmm I guess it means I need to consider travelling 12 hours to see her from time to time.

Okay I'll finish it here I am in need of my first coffee for the day. Thanks Kate for that.

Take care,

One step forward two steps backward

I wrote a post on Saturday but I wasn't able to post it and well...time for a new one I think. Not much happening here for me. I am in a bit of a dark patch at the moment. Well I have been there for a while to be truthful. I lack the motivation and inspiration to colour my days. I feel like my mind is closing up little by little. I have no answers. No solutions. Nor do I expect others to have them. I recently put up a Facebook status looking for some positive, supportive words, some connection with my friends and acquaintances. I was pleasantly overwhelmed at the response. People from all walks of life from countries all over the world responded to my plea. I was so very humbled.
Such wisdom I would never have known had it not been for the medium that is the internet.
On the home front things have been in high flux of late. High levels of stress are no good for you and we are all doing it tougher than normal. Most of it is of course my health. Or lack of good health.


Yep, I have had a major setback. Don't know what else to call it.
I have been highly anxious and feeling out of control. Well to be honest I have not felt in control for a long time. It's an odd feeling. Being an adult with five grown children, married for some twenty eight years (this November) and yet feeling like a child waiting for instructions to go about my day.
It may surprise some who read this blog that some days when the bloke gets home from work and asks me what I did today I answer nothing. Yep nothing! I went to the loo, I ate, yeah I ate, went on the computer nearly all day. But nothing productive.

Sure I have the occasional day when I momentarily get some get up and go and manage to sew a few blocks or even cut and piece a small quilt. That is why I am enjoying sewing at the moment now my daughter is expecting her first baby. The quilts and blankets are small and can be finished quickly. The following two pictures show the small quilts I have done. There is plenty more in the pipework. Add to that the decorations for the wedding which will take place not quite two months after the birth and it adds up to some high energy times ahead.

This purple pom pom is our first effort to produce the decorations for the wedding. As some long term readers might remember we are creating this lovely wedding on a budget. One place where we can save some money is the decorations. I have seen similar tissue paper pom poms sell for $20 a pop. I found a YouTube tutorial and of we went. My daughter made this one and it was easy peasy. We are going to buy more tissue paper, in a range of colours and make them in different sizes.  

So there we have it. A brief account of what I am up to.

I am still alive, still struggling and hoping for some inner strength. I know it's there, but I need heaps of it and sooner than later.

Take care,

But wait there's more

Finally got my hands on some more photos taken on out recent trip to the big smoke, also known as Perth. These ones are of the bloke, the youngest daughter and the great cottage we stayed in at the foot hills of Kalamunda.

This photo was taken along the road we took on the way to Perth. We take this road instead of the Great Eastern Highway, and it feels like it gets us there quicker but really it is much of a muchness. In wetter times the fields are canvas of green and yellow-they grow canola crops along here.

This is the view when we reach York. It is a quaint little town that is becoming more popular with city people who want to escape to the country on the weekends.
I love the beautiful old houses and buildings.

This is the front of the cottage. Not such a good picture though.

These last few photos are included because I like them. The Bloke is always keen to practice his photography and I think this last pic is a beauty. What do you reckon?

The last photo was taken at Kings Park, Perth where we went for lunch on the Sunday. This is my middle daughter and her boyfriend enjoying the food. This daughter will soon graduate as an nurse. She will make a great one. The young fella's not to bad either. :)
Well I think that's enough for one post, hope to be back again soon.

Take care,

Fresh fruit, chandaliers and dogs

This is the site that greeted us on our entry into the cottage we rented on my return trip to Perth for a follow up appointment. The couple who own this beautiful 1930's cottage had thought of everything to make someone feel welcomed, relaxed and at home. Cupboards stocked with essentials, fridge with bacon, eggs, juice and on it went. The lounge had the most exquisite chandelier. Add to the mix two of the largest, but friendly dogs who visited daily and sat on our doorstep looking in and you have the makings of a great little break. This place on a few acres has orchard and bush. The birds singing in the morning made me feel so fortunate that I had found it. In fact this is just the type of property I would like. Set back far enough so that when you come home it feels like you can shut the outside world out. Move about without feeling like your under scrutiny. That's what I feel living in suburbia. Oh well who knows what the future holds for us.


The following pics show that window and that gorgeous chandalier, and the reflection in the window of the chandalier

Can you see what's in the bag? If you guessed baby clothes you would be correct. I know, I am getting in early. As we were in Perth we hired a wheelchair so that the bloke could take me into the shopping centres; a rare treat for me. As we wondered through the shop I was drawn to the baby products department. I was taken by all the little sets of short and t-shirts and overalls and all in one suits. So I bought a few things. Oh dear me. Imagine if I was not so in control. There would have been a trolley full of stuff. Trouble was in my excitement I chose the sizes by the cute factor. So there are some size 00's, 000's. Yeah I am out of touch and need to talk to my nieces who have babies to see what sizes to buy. How soon we forget eh?
My daughter is doing well and is busy getting organised for the baby and her wedding. This is one of those times when I want to be healthier and be able to do the running around for her.


On another happy note the fabric I ordered from the Fabric Shack in the USA arrived today and it looks lovely. I can't remember what I had in mind when I ordered it but when I can clear the decks in my sewing space it might come back to me, and if not then I am sure there are other projects I can use.
Health wise it would seem that I am doing well. According to the specialist I saw. He wants me to go back in eight weeks for another check-up and that is okay. I feel looked after and that is important when undergoing a major lifestyle change.
I'm not sure if I mentioned it before but to date I have shed 20 kg's. Of course there is a long way to go until I am out of danger and I will be most pleased if I can manage it.

The Bloke had to return to work today, wish he had more days off to recoup after looking after me away from home. He is off again on Friday to drive the 1000 km's to Geraldton to pick up the stuff my daughter left behind when she relocated back home last year. Luckily it was stored at her aunties house.

That's the lot for now, I must get off here and do something to my sewing table so that I can use it for its intended purpose.
I hope you are all well and thanks for reading my ramblings. I would love to hear from you some time.

Take care,