Eight Answers

R's Eight Answers


Playing along with Kate of Fox's Lane and her 8 questions, 8 is my favourite number so I thought why not.

Favourite Meal to Eat: Anything made by M, who knows exactly what makes my tastebuds sing, love cheese, mushrooms and a good NZ white.

Do you have a quirky eccentricity?: There is too many to list!

My middle name is: Eliza I feel fortunate that I quite like my middle name. I know loads of people that are not so pleased with theirs.

I am passionate about:  All things vintage.

Thongs or Birkenstocks?: Thongs but certainly not in winter. I have pink Birks for gardening in and will live in my new Keds with cute cats on them or black boots that are so comfy.

Who was I before I had kids?:  I have evolved as a person and grown with my kids.  I had number 1 when I was 18, number 2 at 19 and number 3 at 20. I have been a mother for my whole adult life. So before I had kids I was a year 12 student, who had several part time jobs. I have blossomed into who I currently am with my children.

Have I ever been arrested?: No. My police check needs to be pristine in my line of work.

This weekend I will:  Take my girls to see a theatre to see a puppet show with dark themes, work at my second job (my mental health saviour).  Read more of Salmon fishing on the Yemen, a novel I am reading after joining a local book group. Eat good food with M. Watch my boy play footy and honk the horn at the appropriate time!

The End

More on the recent adventures of Miss R

Signs along the way..

Spotting little signs like this make my heart sing........Fa La laaaaaaa

2 super grey wool blankets, some beautiful but tarnished silver spoons, red knitting needles and a lovely grey coat.

Thank you volunteers for making this possible xxx

Miss R's roadtrip adventures continued

Hayven

Nat had told me all about this gorgeous homewares store in Hay NSW that I just had to visit. So once I got my head around parking backwards because some, I stress only some towns park tail to curb which is quite ok. It takes a bit to get used to traffic stopping dead in front of you and then reversing back. It really pays not to tailgate people. I went to Hayven and it is Devine!!! The gorgous lady who owns in the store Elle? I am not certain of her name was an angel. We chatted and she and I shared one of those rare moments, the ones which connect you because you shared a story. I informed her I have a friend Nat who told me about her store and had purchased sweet ceramic butterflies from her. I told her how sadly she lost them and all her other precious belongings in a devastating house fire last year.

This beautiful woman selected 3 replacement butterflies and wrapped them for me to give to Nat. 

Thank you Elle/Al for your generosity and display of empathy. 

Hay will forever be a special place because of you.

The recent adventures of Miss R

I have been too busy with life to keep up with writing my blog so here's an overview of recent goings on...  1800km road trip, no not a terribly enthusiastic op shopping adventure but an adventure none the less.

I had not seen my Father for a very long time, I succumbed to an overwhelming desire to go to him. So, Rosie the Rav and I set off on a chilly May morning. My adventure began with a quick visit to a great little community op shop that was filled with the chatting and giggling of islander ladies. I understood none of the dialouge but could not help chuckling along with them while I shopped.

It was a lovely beginning to what turned out to be a gorgeous trip.

  

This boy has made a comeback playing for his old team after 4 year break to play basket ball.

Footy is inclusive of but not limited to sore knees, hot pies, canteen duty, over zealous parents, takeaway coffees, lessons in horn honking etiquette and training twice a week. Oh and cheering and clapping for "STENCH"

This was a lovely Chiropractic clinic in the town of Orange I couldn't resist photographing for my friend Nat on my way back to Victoria. I almost wanted to feign a neck problem just to get a glimpse inside this beautiful building.  Fortunately for them they were not open that day! I aim to post more photos and ramblings of my journey of  discovery to NSW and a lesson in self reliance very soon.

Miss red legs, Rosie and the Roadie

This week number 3 and I went on a field trip to South Australia. The morning began with a pleasant car drive, unfortunately dotted with millions of locusts that are currently plaguing the region. Rosie the Rav looked very dirty and covered in locust guts! Sweet things came our way once we started our procuring expedition. The first of many op shops yielded some sweet fabrics and an adorable unfinished long forgotten long stitch of a frog. I was impressed with the 50c racks at a church run op shop (often my most favourite as they are non-corporate and offer the best prices) This one had a sizeable magazine collection also which proved good pickings. I am searching for articles to develop my garden to grow winter vegetables in no dig garden beds, so naturally a pile of home magazines came home with us. Lunch was at an alfresco bakery and we were on the road home shortly after. To break the monotony of the return trip we stopped on the roadside and took some photos, purely for the purpose of amusing ourselves. I managed to capture the most beautiful photo of number 3 and we had a gorgeous day together. Thank you Matilda Violet

The only way is up

This girl has been masquerading as my former self at present. Sadly, I haven't been myself  for quite a while. I have been avoiding the world, crippled by my low moods and fears. When I look at this photo I feel for my family and friends because I know that I have been totally unavailable to them. The sparkle in my eyes has been missing and numerous physical complaints have been plaguing me for sometime. I had no idea that how I felt was due to depression. Now that I have accepted treatment, I have a degree of insight and have been able to answer my friends honestly when they ask "How have you been?" One friend chastised me for not calling and letting her know I needed her, but it's difficult to reach out to others when you can't even look in the mirror. It's so important not to ignore the symptoms of depression which can be easily overlooked. Read about it here http://www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/

My new mantra is the only way is up and it helps when you have those who love you around for support especially cats who love you unconditionally.

Buried Treasure

During a recent hunt through my own possessions, I unearthed these little bunch of beauties. These were inside a sewing basket purchased some time ago which had a paper bag of random buttons inside. I sifted through the paper bag for possibilities and viola!

The largest buttons were stitched onto a round cushion that I had put in the linen press as it needed embellishing before it was deemed fit to be on display. The lovely little white cushion is now sitting pretty on my bed. Honestly I need to shop in my own stashes more often!

New Camera

Christmas day 2009 was one that I was a little reluctant about, to say the least. This was the first Christmas day that I would not have the kids around, which made me want to avoid the world for fear of falling to bits. I booked myself in to work Christmas eve with my shift finishing at 7am. I simply wanted to sleep through the majority of the day to make it easier.

I had not made any firm plans for lunch or dinner despite offers aplenty. Sorted!

Then disaster! My shift was cancelled last minute ruining my master plan.

M and I went to our Christmas drinks and then spent a relaxing evening at home... just the two of us. I was secretly wondering how the following day would pan out now. 

When we woke on Christmas morning we had a leisurely breakfast and slowly opened presents. I have to admit I love looking at un-opened presents, it apeals to my inner child so much so that I don't want to open them as the surprise will be gone. I savoured each parcel taking my time. When I opened this particular gift I was stunned.... a fantastic Nikon Digital SLR  that I had been coveting for an eternity. My sweetheart is a great present buyer but truly excelled this time, it was the exact camera I had been wishing for. So instead of looking pouty all morning I was stalking the cats, setting up the tripod and losing myself in my new toy. This is one of the shots I captured that morning, Pierre looking adorable. Merry Christmas indeed!      

Go Bogan!!!

Yesterday Holley turned 12 and to celebrate we enjoyed a 'Bogan Bash'. Our guests arrived wearing their finest bogan gear - there was quite a lot of trackie daks, singlets, beanies, mullets, slippers and socks being worn with thongs!
We had a Hong Kong shopper sack race, a thong throwing contest and played pin the mullet on the bogan.  The menu consisted of snags, burgers, noodle and potato salad and plenty of white bread - not a vegetable in sight!!!! We lit the outdoor fire which turned into a show as my father tried to get the fire going by utilising any available materials to assist, unfortunately he found a box of green wet weeds in the vegie patch and preceeded to smoke the whole party out!!! There was so much smoke the detectors inside the house went off! 

The whole day was a huge success and Holley was very pleased with everything. At the conclusion of the evening we had a game of sing star and M & I rocked it out to Queens Bohemian Rhapsody. We say goodbye to birthdays as this week begins, bring on the school holidays!!!! I need a cup of tea and a long lay down.......

Thirteen......

The scariest thing is about to happen, my beautiful baby boy is about to enter the teen existence. We celebrated with a "J"party where the birthday boy dressed as none other than "The Joker". We had in attendance Jimmy Bartel, a jelly bean, a juggler, Julia Stone, a Jamaican, a Jockey, Jeremy McGrath, a Jillaroo, a Jehovah's witness and the list goes on...... It was a lovely night for The Joker with his family and friends. At one point he was having a chat with a guest and I looked across at him and for the first time I saw a young man that will shortly become independant, make choices about the direction of his life, have his heart broken, legally drive a car.... It took my breath away to think of all the things that lay in store for my boy. Happy Birthday to The Joker love Julia Stone x x x

The Glorious Barossa

Earlier this year we went over to the Barossa to celebrate a Family birthday albeit belated as it was the only weekend everyone could be in the one place without having to rush away. One party drove across, one flew from Brisbane and the rest flew from Melbourne and hired a car to drive from Adelaide. It was a wonderful weekend. It began with trawling op shops on the way over. My girl is constantly amazed at how I can find them! Pink Tuscan china for $2, golden books and cute beach themed printed glasses.
On the Saturday morning we attended the Barossa Valley farmers market for yummy breakfast rolls and coffee. We stocked up on an assortment of treats such as the pastries from Careme, beautiful handmade chocolates from a very humourous Chocolatier and fresh fruit.
Visits to numerous wineries, secondhand shops, more op shops, a visit to a quilt shop and dining locally filled our lovely weekend which went by so fast.

I can Knit!!!!

All of my prior attempts at knitting have been well....not so great. Inspired by a free pattern from the net I found for the most delightful tiny red knitted baby shoes, I gave it my best shot. Over two nights tucked up under a nanna rug on the couch I persevered, stitch by stitch, tounge out at times and finally.....One gorgeous pair of tiny red baby shoes were born. I gifted them to a brand new little girl named Ruby, which is fitting.........Ruby Red Shoes!!!!

So......I can knit!