The joys of One Direction loving Philippa

Miss Pip has led me a merry dance this year.  Anyway after rough start she is doing much better.  This week has been a full on week for  her as she has to do a first aid certificate in addition to her usual three full days at college.  Then she is leaving for church camp at 6 pm on Friday afternoon.  Today she successfully completed the first aid certificate on her first go.  So it was reward time.

  Imagine  One Direction Photo

There millions of them and I cannot snaffle one.

Technological idiot indeed

Today was the official release date for the One Direction movie.  So I told her I would pick her up and whisked her off to see her beloved boys.  To say I was dreading the experience would be an understatement.  We managed to see the movie just before school finished.  Hence the cinemas was far from filled and the girls were so quiet.  There was not one scream or simple squeal.  The audience was perfect.  I have been to screenings for older peoples movies that have been rowdier.  So i thank these Directioners for their behaviour and have to admit I sang along too.  It is amazing how quickly I learn songs and I didn't see why I should miss out on the opportunity to have some fun!

After that success Pip and I went to buy her a sleeping bag for camp.  Fortunately we have a mild climate and she does not require any specialist heavy duty gear.  We trotted off quite happily to Big W and the girl chose herself a purple One Direction effort.  Philippa was quiet determined to have this despite being informed that she was making herself a target for those who like to tease.

The amount of merchandise in the stores is phenomenal.  The band starts to tour her very soon and the marketing has begun in earnest.  There are pyjamas, t shirts, towels, bedding, torches, pens, pencils etc and so much more.  The number of people making money from the boys is amazing.  Of course Simon Cowell must adore them.  He is earning millions.

However when I reflect I am happy that Pip has some focus.  She loves music and plays the flute and cello.  She sings and dances.  Early this year that side of her was in hiding.  At least she is staying away from some other things even though those lads are just young men working long hours etc and do let of steam.  Some of the lyrics, behaviour and tattoos concern the very vanilla me.  I loved the sound of boy bands in my youth and still like to listen to that sort of sound.  I cannot judge harshly.

The days slide on by....

Truthfully my week has been so humdrum.  I have had to watch the pennies so my little sealed pot has not had any donations.  There have been no real trips out.  Some funny jobs have been done.  I suppose the dearth of excitement will make my next treat seem marvellous.

Quilts from yesteryear- The Rajah Quilt

This is a photo of the Rajah Quilt.  This quilt was made on board the ship Rajah.  It is thought to have been made by group of convicts who were being transported from England to Tasmania.  There must have been made by a number of women as there are many different stitching styles and stitch sizes.  Not every convict was a proficient needle woman.  Some unknown person must have masterminded this work. The quilt was sent back to England as a thank you gift for Elizabeth Fry.  Elizabeth Fry and her ladies formed a group which organised for activities and other things for the convicts to do.  If you could sew you would have some employable skill in the new colonies.  It is not known if Elizabeth Fry ever saw this quilt as the quilt was lost for some years.  It is frail and small blood and perspiration stains show.  

If you want to know a little more here are some articles

1.  http://nga.gov.au/rajahquilt/

2.  http://www.theaustralian.com.au/arts/review/stitches-in-time/story-fn9n8gph-1226663120523

Ever since I heard of this quilt I have wanted to see it.  It has been on show as part of the "Quilts 1700 to 1945" at the Queensland Art Gallery.  Today I finally made it into town to see this treasure.  The fabric in the middle is of a better quality and has broderie perse to form the central medallion.  Then there are borders of various patches and finally another border with more appliqué.  At the bottom there is a cross stitch section which tells the story of the gift.

I felt like I witnessed one of our national treasures.  

The exhibition had other beautiful items which took my breath away.  Tiny seed beads worked into pin cushions.  The needles must have been so expensive and rare as they would have been so fine  A purse that was someone's sampler type work.  There were bed hangings and quilts.  Some of them had the closest quilting.  I was in awe of the stitching that was oh so small.  Some of the quilts were made of military materials which would have been quite a challenge.  So many quilts had stories to tell.  There were quilts made of ribbons and others that tell the age old story of recycling at its most useful. One quilt even had a map of England and each county was named. Even the backs of some quilt tops were shown.  Interesting bits of newspaper, account and copy books were there to be seen. It was an experience that was well worth my entry fee.

I certainly hope you have been able to follow my ramble about this incredible treat.

Sealed pot challenge

My pot has filled a little more this week and now weighs in a 2482g which is a 210g gain.  It sounds like I am talking about a baby.  In a way this is my Christmas or splurge baby.  It has had two days with no contribution.  Today because every last cent is now gone four days early because I booked into a course at church and on Wednesday because I donated all my change to the Legacy appeal.  I am beginning to wonder how much will be there at the end of the challenge.

Congratulations Will

My eldest, William, also had a big day today.  He is now one step closer to finishing his apprenticeship as a chef.  Well done my sweetheart.  You have worked harder than most people know to achieve this milestone.

Miss Bethany; another dream comes true today,

My middle child, Bethany, is studying dual degrees in French and Education.  This is the end of her third year and today she begins her first true practicum.  Best wishes sweetness.  I know that you will find many who will love your presence as you shine so brightly.

This a photo of Philippa and Bethany.  Pip is wearing the flowers.

Legacy

Today I gave some money to some soldiers who were collecting for the Legacy appeal.  War is terrible and those who are prepared to serve for us all deserve all our support.  If you see a collector please give, even a little can help.  Thank you.

I weighed my sealed money tin

It now weighs 2270 g.  I fed it a lot this week and I hope to have another few hundred by 

Christmas

Some fun stuff

Recently I decided that I am a collector rather than a user of my craft supplies.  So some were culled.  Then like the compulsive idiot I can be, I bought more.  It was almost like a Dr Who episode with a bad metallic voice repeating, "Resistance is useless."  This time I determined to start using the cute things.  Why do we hide things away thinking they are too good to use?  Pointless and a waste and I am going to fight the buying and not using habit.

I had taken my son to the local shopping centre.  He had lost his banking card and did not know what to do.  I shot him in the bank and introduced him to the help desk and disappeared to K Mart.  While I was there, these silly little things jumped into my hands.  They made me smile so I spent a few dollars.  Oh dear.  These cute  and totally useless items make me happy.

First  are some teeny tiny envelopes just like the blue aerogrammes I used to buy.  So very small and ideal for tiny little notes to the kidlets etc.  Next to them are some basic stickers that I intend to use on envelopes.  I am going to succumb to the decorated envelope craze.  I love it. Although I rather suspect the postal workers have other ideas.  

These are some bigger square envelopes and matching cards.  I may use these to start off my Christmas ideas.  However they are not standard sizing and bitter experience has taught me this means extra charges.  They seem to be very sturdy and would be ideal send a compact disc etc.

Now back to everyday realities.  My middle girl has secured a place to attend university in England in January.  She received her letter today and now it is time to go through logistics.  She has been to Switzerland and France. She knows how to deal with something other than our semi tropical climate.  Excited is now her middle name.

My youngest is doing well at her college.  She far prefers the environment to school and has stunned me by having assignments handed in prior to the due date.  Such a positive change.

My sealed tin currently weighs over two kilos.  I was thinking of using the money for a special holiday for me.  Every day I stuff in my change and about once a week I regret not having small coins for bus fares etc.

Enjoy your weekend every one.

A much busier week for me.

This week has been the "Ekka".  For those not in the know this is the Royal National Agricultural show in Brisbane.  I went for six whole uninterrupted hours.  Pip and I enjoyed some excerpts from the Nutcracker.  It was a great effort as the performers had no props or scenery and I was enthralled.  We also saw the usual animal displays, fruit and vegetable displays, avoided the rides but some how was snowballed by a very poor shot.  I never expected that in my home city.  I was able to look at the needle crafts.  I would have loved more time there as there was some knitting that must have been done on 1mm needles and it looked exquisite.  How I wish I had pictures to gloat over.

I have also had one meal cooked by more eldest daughter and it was yum.  Such a treat to not cook.

Dad has kept me busy.  Miss Bethany has written a blog post about her impressions of life with Alzheimer's.  You can read it here....http://bethanywarnesjones.wordpress.com

I keep filling my coin pot and hoping that it will be put to use for a trip to England in the new year.  With this thought in mind this subtropical person had better finish her socks!   Hand craft has taken a back seat to reading this week.  Kitten snuggling and adoration has filled my days too.

Take care and God bless you.

Filling the money box

Each day I am putting the left overs in my little tin.  It is now heavy with change and weighs well over a kilo.  I am too tired to bother with the scales tonight.

If this interests you visit Saving For Travel's blog and join in the fun.

Pip's computer is purchased.

It has kept her occupied all afternoon.  In other words she is one happy girl.  Since she is slight we thought a Macbook Air would be best for her to carry around.  The search began.  We checked many sources including refurbed macs and came across a special.  Hence the computer was bought a little soon than anticipated.

All this technology stuff tempts me so.  I would dearly love to have the most up to date phone etc.  However as long as the device does the job it is supposed to do I will use it until it dies.  My computer is 8 months old.  It was replaced after someone else introduced it to a cup of tea.  I do not suggest you try this ever.

Enjoy your weekend.

This is my Philippa and today she received a scholarship from the local Lions Club.  She has come a long way over the last few months and I am pleased for her.  Well done darling.

The last week has flown.

It has been a quietly busy week.  The days have slid by and every evening I have found some time to knit or crochet.  The last few nights I have reluctantly set down my hook and gone to bed wishing I had more stamina to stay awake to watch the cricket.  My larkspur blanket has kept me company and is slowly growing each day.

My money tin has had daily deposits and now weighs just over 800g.  Some nights dad puts the coins in.  It saddens me while giving him a great deal of pleasure and much to talk about.  When he was quite young he contracted polio.  He spent a lot of time in hospitals and on one extended visit a nun gave him a tin with some coins.  This started an almost life long collecting habit.  On his good days he will talk about some of the things he found over the years.

Both girls have settled into university and college for the last semester of the year.  It is great to see them engrossed in their chosen studies.

Basically that is how my weeks go by.  Domesticity, driving and family stuff.

Trying to get back on track

It is so difficult for me to be disciplined about things like finances and tidiness.  But after slacking off I am back to trying again.

I have a new money tin with kittens on it.  Tonight was the inaugural weigh in.  It hits the scales at 458g.  I would love to be ruthless and throw every piece of change in each night.  However experience is showing me I need to keep back a coin or two.

Tonight I finished a sock.  It has a turn over top.  I have used a variation of the old shale pattern for the top and swapped my pretty variegated  wool to cream for the rest of the sock.  Now I have to do the other one in reverse.  The camera is still otherwise occupied so I have tried to take a photo using this computer....forgive the quality.

No

One pair of socks done

No photos yet again because my camera is in New Zealand.  The socks should be with my cold footed friend tomorrow.

It is a while since I knitted socks.  It was an exercise in memory!  Now I might just knit a pair for me.

Another short break

We do have frequent little breaks.  For this carer they are not a rest but a lot of work.  I have to pack, drive, organise, carry etc.  I always find myself very tired at the end of it all. so last week I had a few short days in Sydney.  I am so thankful to Judie for sharing her home.

Judie took me to some amazing shops.  We spent some time at the Craft Depot and I fell in love With Morris and Son.  Best of all I bought some yarns I cannot get here.  My love sock knitting has been rekindled. I have a pair to finish.

Gladly the camera bits have been found and one camera is back in action.  My daughter has taken it skiing with her.  No photos of my trip again.

The blue blanket has a home

I had intended to give my blue blanket to my son.  But he indicated he did not want it.  So I gave to a young lady for her birthday and she was pleased.  The camera is still missing so now picture.

My cream, pink and purple effort is sailing along.  The pattern feels better to me and it is just flowing from my hook.  It is about 50 cm long.

The weather has been cool so it is peaceful to sit and crochet while I watch my hour or so of TV each day.

Another two weeks have flown

Right now I am feeling bored and beyond frustrated.  


For example my sixteen year old leads us a merry dance.  Recently she was given a diagnosis of oppositional defiant and I do not dispute this.  I want to photograph my finished blanket.  There begins the latest fun.  I can find a flat camera but no charger.  May2012, while we were on a three day cruise, my camera battery disappeared.  It seemed an impossibility considering we were living in a cabin at the time.  Eventually I bought a new camera.  So now I can find the old camera and not the new one.  A few days ago I found the old camera charger minus the electric cord in my daughter's rubbish.  Iam sure she has the other stuff and is lying about it.  But I cannot find it.

So my dears no photo of my finished blanket or my new work until I put everything together again or play funny games with this lap top.

Aside from the whine listed above life has been busy but uninteresting.  Miss 16 is no enrolled in a TAFE college for next semester.  Dad's dementia is increasing and I really have to go clean a lot of canola oil off the kitchen floor!

Take care everyone.

An unexpected break

Time can fly.  We were given the chance to take a break by our respite service.  I was give a short while to get ready and go.  So that is what we did.  More on that later.

The best news is that last night I put the final stitch in the blue blanket and now am sewing in the ends.  Hopefully it will be ready to be photographed soon.