What were you doing on 29/1/94???

Were you watching Steffi Graff win the Australian Open?

Were you watching the Australia Day Test in Adelaide or on TV?

I'll tell you what I did on this warm, balmy Saturday.

I gave birth to Emily on this day, and it was the day my life changed forever. She was perfect in every way and we were so happy that she came to us.

Learning golf secrets from her dad at 3mths.

On waking up from a long nap - 5mths.

Summer of 1999/2000

When she was 8 and had just become a big sister for the first time.

2007 in Melbourne.

I don't think I will ever forget this day.

Oh, and incidentally, I (and David and my obstetrician) watched the tennis and the cricket whilst I was in labour and I think it was when I was in transition that I was ready to throw a brick through the TV!

Happy 14th birthday Emily - may your life continue to be blessed with good health, happiness, love and friendship.

l
x

What's in the box?

I was lucky enough to win a prize at abby's blog for her 100th post.

Last week this turned up in the mail. The boys were very excited about the parcel until I told them who it was from - then they walked off dejectedly as it wasn't for them.

Imagine their surprise when they found that the lovely Abby had been nice enough to include everyone in the swap. Louis claimed the clock because he can tell the time. The only problem is that he keeps changing the time so it's always wrong!
Julian got to have the book which he read to Louis - he's very proud of the fact that he can read now.
And Emily and I were going to fight over the rest but then we decided we can probably share most of it (except some of the fabric - shhhh).

So thank you Abby - you made our day!

cheers
l
x

I've been tagged

Not once but three times, I'm rather embarrassed to admit. I've been meaning to do this post for about two months and now I have to. I don't know what's putting me off - maybe the thought that I can't find seven interesting facts about my life. Well, here goes!


I've been tagged by Monique, Emma and Gina (thank you - I actually feel quite honoured).
the rules:
link to the person that tagged you and post the rules on your blog,
share seven random and/or weird things about yourself,
tag seven random people at the end of your post and link to them,
let each person know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

1. I was born in Didam in Holland and came to Australia when I was 18 months old. We came out by ship and for the whole time I was on board the ship I had an extreme fear of water so mum couldn't go on deck with me and I even hated being bathed. However, when we docked in Perth I apparently headed for the first fountain I saw - thus ridding myself of my fear of water.

2. I failed the reproduction component in yr 12 biology even though I cheated on the test. Now, ask me how many of my children were planned???? All three children are very much loved and wanted, but none were actually planned. I planned to start having children at 30 but got pregnant at 23. David went to Uni after Emily was born and then we decided that we wouldn't have anymore children but pay off hecs, buy a car and perhaps buy a house. And then came Julian (much nicer than a house really). After Julian I decided that I had one of each and we were really blessed (besides the labour was really quick and a bit painful) so we decided to stop there. And then came Louis!

3. I can only drink tea made with rainwater - otherwise it tastes awful. So, as we don't have a rainwater tank (yet) I drink mainly coffee.

4. I love all things old - I have always wished that I had a grandmother that passed things down to me - like china, furniture, hankies or even her love of crafting, but I never really knew my Omas as we lived too far away. I think that's why I now like to collect china teacups and old sewing patterns and why I love vintage knitting needles and old fashioned jewellry.

5. I was married on my birthday. When we accidentally got pregnant with Emily, David and I had just moved in together. Getting pregnant gave us the impetus to move onto the next stage in our relationship (we went through the stages pretty quickly). My sister, who lives in Holland, and who is like a second mother to me, had to come. The only weekend that suited was that of my birthday. It's handy for David really - he can't really forget.

6. I am very flexible and can still do my old party trick of getting both legs behind my head - but only just!

7. I am a shop-a-holic. Unfortunately I don't have the finances to support my habit.

Right, now who can I tag? Unfortunately most of the bloggers I know have already been tagged so many times so rather than frustrate them with another tag I'm going to choose people who to the best of my knowledge haven't been tagged (lately).

Karen, Jodie, Becky-dee, Sarah, Corry, Christine and Mirre . Now if any of you don't want to participate, I will in no way be offended - but it will be interesting finding out a bit more about you!


Thanks to Gina for my award too!


Must go leave comments now!

Cheers
l
x

what's in the bag?

I finally got around to going to Hettie's Patch to look at quilting fabric and they just happened to have a sale on - how lucky was I?

I came away with fabric to make my first quilt and I have to say I am very excited now about getting started.

This is the design. Simple but beautiful (well, I hope it will be). I actually had decided, earlier in the week, to make a quilt for my bed. Fortunately for me the staff at Hettie's Patch suggested I try something a little less ambitious and so too did Lisa who has been giving me invaluable advice on quilting.

I love these fabrics - they are so warm. Buying fabric to make a quilt is so difficult. I've seen so many beautiful quilts on blogs in such wonderful colours and patterns - but I was drawn to these colours for their warmth and their suggestion of autumn which really is my favourite season.

On that note, I am going to include this rather terrible photo because the poor lighting actually gives it the warmer feel it deserves. Does this make sense?

Meet Jess.

Jess was made by Emily for her best friend Emily (cute huh - em and em or m & m). Jess is a character from the Gilmore Girls which is their favourite program at the moment. Emily took a basic pattern from this book and adapted it. She is still working on the face. (You should never rush and artist!)

And this is Mable Monkey - my first foray into toy making. She was quite easy to make (although mine is a little lop sided!) and she came from this book.

So, what else have we been up to? We've been trying to stay cool by going to the beach, and various pools and laying low inside our house. We have a little respite from the heat right now which is lovely - it makes getting out and about much easier.

cheers
l
x

Happy New Year!

It's hot. Very, very hot. I can't remember it ever being cool it's been hot for so long. We've been lucky enough to get to the beach the last three days but today we decided not to go as we thought they may be a few new years revellers still out as last night was a very hot night. When we got home late last night, or was it this morning? it was still 35C (95F).

This was the beach yesterday though.

Louis found it a little bright, but the water was cool and so inviting.
You know before I went to the beach I was hot, sweaty and just a little bit cranky, but as soon as I hit the water, I became much calmer, even happy! It's a miracle really.

Today we have to take it easy, everyone is tired and hot and we need to find cool things to do. I found some Christmas craft things that didn't get done before Christmas (too busy) so we are doing it now.
So far it has kept them amused for about 45 minutes and they are not finished yet.

Louis' glitter glue will take about three days to dry - even in this heat - there's so much of it! Julian seems to have gone for the minimalist look - but they do look good.

They put them out to dry, and then we wedged them together and put them up in the lounge room and Julian walked out of the lounge saying "I'm bored, what can I do......." ARRRRGH

cheers
l
x