Remembering 9/11

We got a text message from one of Jason's work colleagues to say, "Turn on the television, CNN". It was just before 9pm. We were living in Kuching, a small city on the island of Borneo.

Before us unfolded something that looked other worldly. A smoking skyscraper, with oft-repeated footage of a plane flying into it, live on our screen. We sat, transfixed as we saw, to our horror, another plane fly into the next tower, live on our screens. Now, we realized, it couldn't have been an accident.

We lived in a large 19 floor hotel with apartments on the top ten floors. I remember thinking, "What if a plane flies into this building next?" Seems a bizarre thought now.

I'm pretty sure I spent the next three days glued to that television set. I wept when I saw the people jumping out of the towers, and when those same towers collapsed but when I saw the people holding up pictures of their lost loved ones, I wept the most, as they stood there bereft, amongst the smoke, dust and tiny pieces of paper.

RIP

The Birds

I was beetling about on the computer this arvo, listening half heartedly to the building going on in the units behind us. Heard a couple of funny noises, though I'd go for an inspection...

Cheeky bugger had flown into the house. I cowered, held my hands over my head hoping there would not be any Alfred Hitchcock moments..

Then, after a couple of fly overs, he flew out the sliding door. Hallelujah!

Thank God he didn't poo. I'll tell you what though...I nigh on shat myself! (substitute nigh on for nearly, just in case you were thinking otherwise!)

Fantastic Tan

No, not talkin' about some spray on thingummy. Talkin' 'bout "The Tan".

For those of you who are unfamiliar with Melbourne, "The Tan" is the quintessentially Aussie style nickname for The Botanical Gardens. It has a 5km walking/running/cycle track around it that is well used, to say the least.

Helpful that you're walking by beautiful gardens and the Yarra river. Plus there's a great cafe, a children's garden and a beautiful walk through to please the doutiest anti-gardener.

We went to a fabulous production by the Australian Shakespeare Company of Wind in the Willows by the lakeside there at the end of summer. Had a ball. We all ran around like banshees as part of the production and they even utilized the lake as part of it all. Sensational.

We oft go to the children's garden in the warmer holidays as they have a little trickily stream running through it and the kids wear their bathers and splash around for hours.

Went for a walk there yesterday with my three amigos. Much hilarity echoed thorough the foliage.

Rainbows and Poppies

Bought this little book 200 Crochet Blocks by Jan Eaton from Spotlight the other day because...(whispers)...I'm not really enjoying my Granny Squares crochet class. The ladies and the teacher are very nice but it's too much about how to hold the hook and not enough just get in there and do it) 

Just to let you know, When I did that link to the bookstore I discovered it was more than twice the price at Spotlight! Ripped off! Hate that.

I've made a few out of it already. Great, clear instructions. Lovin' the book.

Fruits of my labors. I'm into Poppy mode at the moment, hence the color scheme and the flower blocks. 

My husband can't seem to get his head around the fact that I'm crocheting blankets like his great grandmother used to do. Watch less sport then, buddy.

Here's the one I'm doing at the moment. Tres fiddly, but good for working on when not wanting to watch that bloody awful Underbelly Razor (too much blood and violence for me, oh yes, indeed!) as I can't take my eyes of the wool!

And here is my Freeform scarf so far. Looks like a bit of a dog's breakfast in attractive co-ordinating colours. It's a bit nicer in real life and I love working on it, so if I don't like it when it's finished, I'll just gift it to some artsy type I know that will appreciate it!

 (don't worry, Tori, it won't be you)

When Irish Eyes are Smiling.

Seven years ago today at Holles Street Maternity hospital in Dublin, Ireland, we became parents for the first time.

It was love at first sight. I lay beside him that first night, gazing at him through my mild morphine haze, not quite believing how beautiful and tiny he was, texting long poetic messages to Jas about him, that he kept on his phone for ages.

He's growing up to be a kind and beautiful, bubbly and animated boy with an enthusiasm for life and a ready smile. He loves science - he got a telescope, spy gear,vehicle building and crystal growing sets this morning, plus a Pooh bear soft toy from his little brother. He loves his soft toys, does Dom. He lost Pooh a few months back and now he has another. 

So Happy 7th birthday, my little Irish Kiwi (he insists on supporting the Irish over the All Blacks in rugby, much to his father's dismay!) You make us smile and laugh every day with your never-ending questions and scenarios. You love a good cuddle. You're a fantastic reader. You're kind and generous, and love being with people.

Lá breithe sona, mo prionsa beag.

The Old Red, White and Blue

If you have been taking any notice whatsoever of my little progress bars on the side, you will have seen that one of the quilts has recently seen some action!

For the last couple of days of my in-laws stay, I've been making new curtains for Charlie's room.
Yes, we live in a rental.
Yes, it may be a waste of money to make new curtains you may never use again.
But the old ones were;
a) the shittiest faded salmon pink color you can imagine
b) come summer they may as well be open as are virtually see thorough. I need something better to con him that it's night time!
c) they were on rods and the gap had been sewn too narrow and they wouldn't slide. Tiebacks do my head in.
d) until we leave these isles and return to The Homeland, I refuse to live with any more "other people's crap" than I have to. I have been doing this for 11 long years of rental properties in 8 countries. The pink Austrian blinds in the lounge are bad enough!

Anyhoo...I have had this project on the back burner for a while and thought it the perfect time to complete one of the infamous WIP's that I have vowed to wipe out by 2012.

I'd like to say I'll get it done tomorrow but I'm dreaming.

Biggie Smalls has a 7th birthday on Friday and I have to knock out 2 dozen iced and sprinkled cupcakes (school), and ice cream party cake and party food (family, little friends party, Friday Night), Beyblade cake (Sunday, Laserstrike party) .

Plus go to the gym and Costco tomorrow.
They all have to be home made according to his lordship, as "your things taste perfect, Mum"
How can I argue with such wanton bias?!

The joys of Grandparents.

My in-laws are staying with us at the moment. They've settled into the swing of our lives, like they always do, which makes them such a joy to have here.

The kids were uber-excited to be picked up from school and kinder. So lovely to see the beaming little faces when they saw their beloved Grandma and Grandad! They've joined in the school drop off and pick ups and all the ensuing activities in between, plus all the at home ones - stories, doing the reader, bath etc. It's sooooo nice to have an extra couple of pairs of hands around the place at dinner time, when there are dishes in the sink and washing to fold. And it's really nice to have someone to talk to when the kids aren't about too, for a change!

I feel very lucky to get on with my in-laws, I know many (or is it most?) people don't. I wonder why that is. Who knows? I'm off to sit by the fire (that I didn't have to light) and chat!!
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