My Place and Yours:: Bedside

I was lucky enough to be Theme Queen for this week's My Place and Yours. I chose bedside. Probably not a wise move on my behalf because my bedside is a breeding ground for unread reading matter and a petri dish of sorts for dust. Dust! (Marjorie Dawes can come and eat at my bedside if she likes?)

It must be told that I am pedantic about my bedtime regime. I can not go to sleep without applying lip balm (and this comes in the form of my favourite non-lip balm product Lansinoh - perfect for cracked nipples AND lip balm) and my L'Occitane hand cream. Will not go to sleep without them. You might think I'm crazy, and quite frankly, I will have to agree with you.

Other bedside matter, Tiny's 'radio' or 'phone' (as the Doctor calls it) because I can NEVER hear her through the walls), some pretty books, a hair piece made by Nan and a Moleskin notebook and pen. Because all the best thoughts come in the darkness.

What you don't see is a pile of ever-changing magazines. My favourite of them all is Australian Country Style. Every single month, I snuggle into bed and nights on end, devour each and every page. Such a dreamy magazine.

Blogtoberfest Day 21: Bedside

Before anyone gets their knickers in a knot, I have no idea whose this photo is. If it's yours let me know and of course I will fully credit you! I stuck it in my inspiration folder, and er, I didn't tag it correctly. I love it. I'd like it to be my bed. Maybe we could share? I come with a husband and two smalls. It'd be squashy. But as long as you didn't get your mattress off the side of the road, we're tight.

Anyway, what am I banging on about today? I am the THEME QUEEN for Pip's new meme. Are you a signed up member? If not, click over here (but not before you read this). My theme for this week - BEDSIDE.

Are you fostering a range of dust bunnies next to your bed? Do you have a forest of used tissues tucked under the mattress? Is bedtime precarious because of your leaning tower of books? Or are you growing something in an old glass of water? We want to see it. Messy. Tidy. Styled. Whatevers. Just show! Ok you can go forth and click over to Pip now!

image via

It's Me: Day 7

Already I can conclude from this little project that I like a cardigan. Yes, yes, it's true. In each photo I am wearing a cardigan. Good? Bad? Ugly? Granny? I don't shy away from my inner-Nanna. In fact, I embrace it, as illustrated by this trait of mine. And one day I will be PottyMouthNanna, hopefully, so might as well get some main stays in my wardrobe early.

We spent another ridiculously glorious day with my sister and niece in the sunshine at the beach. We had the beach pretty well to ourselves - hello world, I'd like to build a little weatherboard shack on it and call it a day. Fair? Anyone got a problem see my lawyers. I don't have lawyers, but if I did, you could see them. Perhaps even wave.

See the sky writer? Writing something about Gorillas. Awfully wonky.

As an aside, I mentioned that I was selling stuff on eBay. I have and I have some PayPal money burning a hole in my virtual pocket. Well Pippy blogged about this yesterday, and I read it, I dug the whole idea and I did it. Perhaps if you have some money that you could spare you could help too? You can click through via Pip or see over yonder, I added a button. Thanks to Pip for the heads up.

ANZAC Day

Today is ANZAC Day. Have you ever been to see the diggers march through the city? I love it. Though we didn't do it today, maybe next year when the kidlets are a little bigger. But seeing those service men and women march is incredible. It has really helped me understand that these are real, live people that went off at an incredibly, heart breakingly young age to fight for our country. And many of them never returned. It made me realise just how many people went off to war.

My favourite spot to perch is right across from the non-marching servicemen and women and nurses. My goodness it is a good spot. They see someone they know and call out and a short dialogue ensues, just as the marcher is marching off. Left - right - left - right.

So I'm watching from home today, with the stray tear in my eye, listening to stories, watching with pride. I love the bagpipes. I love the drummers. It's incredibly moving. If you get the chance to go and watch next year, do it.

Still on the Aussie front, last night I started making my first project from the Mike's book.

Ta da! It's not finished, oh so close! This is Angela's (Three Buttons) pattern (check out her blog, it's delicious. It's capricious). It's the very handy 'Shopping bag keep-safe' that my kitchen needs! Oh yes, it needs it. I try not to have many plastic bags, but they do somehow muzzle their way into our kitchen and cause quite a riot. What a mess! This is a cure, and it just so happens - shazaaaam! It's an Australiana teatowel. How apt.

And now folks, it's on with the show. I'm going to whip up a batch of ANZAC biscuits to keep the memory alive. Smell some rosemary for rememberance. It's a small tribute.

Here's to honouring the sacrifices made for us. Lest we forget.

Cold Feet

french knot sheep

Every Winter is marked by my cold feet.

Matt's solution last year was ugg boots. I wear them. But I still put my cold feet on him when we are in bed.

Ugg boots are not to be worn out of the house a la Pammy Anderson. If I did this, I'd just look like some housewife loosing a war with bad fashion and lack of sleep.

Want more Cold Feet? Looky here.

PS - Pammy is a spokesperson for PETA, right? Well what's she doing wearing uggies? Uh oh.

Long Drives

I know this road by rote. I know where the road curves and highlights the perfect arc of mountain against the sky. I know where the cows take shelter when it's too hot. I know the perfect place to spot crows by the side of the road, feasting on roadkill. I know where the Highway Patrolmen take their naps while they monitor speeding cars. By heart, I know the train crossings, I know just how long it is 'til the next town. I know by each town, how long it is 'til our final destination.

We travelled this road countless times when we were growing up. To visit my grandparents. To visit family friends.

On a long drive, I can feel equal mixes of excitement, adventure, pure unadulterated giddiness and homesickness. I can feel like I am free as a bird. Possibly even freer. With a full tank of petrol, the road is our shining star, to follow it whichever way we will.

If you're travelling over Easter, travel safe.

More Long Drives over at Meet Me At Mikes.

Cosy

Cosy
***
Awake in the middle of the night
Sleep has snuck off,
My body fuelled by lethargy,
I can’t even seek it.
Instead
I listen to the rhythm of your breathing
1-2, 1-2
It’s a careful pendulum,
1-2, 1-2

(wonder if the birds are waking)
I keep count, and sleep slides in
Underneath the blanket, somewhere
Underneath the pillow
She wraps me up,
Takes me off to paisley-Moroccan-polka dot dreams.

* * * *

More COSY over here.

School Lunches

I ate Vegemite sandwiches almost every single day of my school life. From Kindergarten to Year 12. I loved them. My Mum tried to mix things up a bit by making celery and cheese sandwiches - which invariably got all hot and sweaty by lunch time, and became largely unedible. I don't like sweaty sandwiches. And I have to say, celery sandwiches are a little unorthodox in my book too.

When I was older I got a job to help pay my bills (read: so I could go to the canteen whenever I wanted), to bankroll my own dream lunches.

I never ordered. I was never that organised at high school. Truth be, I never wanted what was on order. I didn't dig on the potato pies. Or the meat pies. Or the fishburgers. Yikes! Instead I liked to see what fate threw at me that day. Usually, I ate an apple pie for lunch. A chelsea bun. I know both my sisters loved those buns too (and I'm not referring to the PE teacher if you know what I mean).

School lunches were where the social side of school played out. You know, who were you going to sit with, were you going to brave going down the back, did the rough kids throw food at you as you walked past (thanks for the apple that hit me in the head that time), handball for the Year Sevens, Year Eights were too cool to be seen doing anything, Year Nines were dodging Year 10s and so on. Sometimes lunches were spent watching the boys play football/basketball. Sometimes we made daisy chains. Sometimes we hung out in the library. I liked books. (I still go to the library.) And for some, lunchtime was canoodling time. Or rather, it was make up or break up time. But not for me. Nope. I liked chatting with my friends, hanging out in the darkroom, and surprise, surprise, eating lunch. And talking on a Walkie Talkie to friends in a different building. Mobile phones were not around, or they were, but heck - who can fault a Walkie Talkie?

Year 12 meant less and less school lunches, and more of a drive home and bunker in to study (or Oprah) for the afternoon. Or afternoons with our drama class rehearsing. Or working on our final art projects. Or just hanging out in the common room (I hated that room. It always smelt like sweaty boys and afternoons of studying history). And then the era of my school lunches ended.

Playing: Words & Pictures with Pip. Sign up here.

I'm A Late Bloomer...

But I'm twittering.

To be honest, I still don't think I understand it. But I'll try it.

Pip made me do it.

Will you Twitter along?

Family Tree

Pip at Meet Me At Mikes is playing a sort of game tonight. A wee family tree. I'm playing too:

My Mars (my grandmother): sewer, crocheter, knitter, embroiderer (crazy, crazy good), painter, baker, big hugger.
My Mum: sewer, embroiderer (crazy crazy good), quilter, baker, sculptor, ceramicist, big-time hugger.
Me: sometime writer, sometime poet, novice-sewer, novice-embroiderer, super-nova hugger.

Won't you play too?

Ways to Help

Edit: I've just found this really great link listing all the different agencies and ways you can help. Click through, there are some really great, and practical things we can do.

I'm feeling a little edgy because I'm trying to think of more ways to help those in need right now.

The best way to help at the moment is with money. The Salvation Army has now said they are at capacity with clothing donations (they've got too much at the moment), and they are requesting money contributions for now.

ALSO - please be aware of the fraudulent appeal scams. These people do exist (I've come across them before) and they prey on people in these sad times. If you give money, please ensure it's via a reputable collection agency such as The Red Cross or The Salvation Army or the wildlife funds listed below.

If you've got itchy fingers like me there are loads of ways you can help:

Cindy and Pip are madly updating Handmade Help all the time. Go over there. Every time I log on there's something new that's been posted - which means that there are loads of generous crafters hosting their own auctions, Etsy sales etc in aid of the bushfire relief appeal. This is a great thing!

Georgie Love is contributing is generously contributing 10% of all profits for the month of February to the Bushfire Relief Appeal. Go forth and shop!

Rach over at Grandy and Baa has added more applique designs, and is looking for crafters to join her to stitch/crochet/knit/chat/stuff whatever it is you're making as a group. She lives just north of Sydney.

As well, you'll see on the left a new button - when you hit it, you'll be instantly teleported to Handmade Help HQ. Silly Gilly is the genius behind this button.

And finally, but by no means should you forget the animals who have been injured in this devastation. By now, I'm sure you've read about Sam the koala who was found by CFA volunteer David Tree (now how apt is that surname?). If you'd like to give money to help look after these animals, please call WILDLIFE CONNECT - 13 11 11 or log onto Wildlife Victoria. Koalas cost approximately $50 per day to care for (Sam will be in care for approx. 5 months), so they need funds to keep things rolling. These animals have lost their homes and many are suffering burns and have been traumatised. Please help if you can.

If you visit Holly's store HOKEY, she's donating 50% of all sales to Wildlife Victoria. Check out that beautiful swallow necklace.

first image via

second image via

Help. Support. Love. Let's Spring Into Action!

I know you know what I'm talking about. It's headline news all around the world. I know our country is shattered and shocked.

Pip of Meet Me At Mikes fame is acting as a drop-off point and collecting handmade items such as toys, quilts, clothing and baby items. Meet Me At Mikes is at 63 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy, Victoria. Pip has also listed other ways you can help - because at the moment - money is what the charities are looking for - for everyday things - nappies, clothing, toiletries, food etc.

If you're in Sydney the very clever Rach at Grandy and Baa is collecting handmade clothes and toys. Rach has already started work, so if you've got a way with a sewing machine, sew up something special for someone small, they really have nothing, softies I am sure would be of particular comfort. And there are a number of children who have been left with no parents - heart-breaking. It's all so heart-breaking.

Pip of Broken Bits of A Something has compiled a comprehensive go-to list of what else you can do. This includes helping the animals, mobile phone chargers (we all have these lying around unused), land, blanketing, animal accommodation.

If you can't donate money, donate blood, if you can't donate blood, donate bedding, towels, clothes, anything. These people have nothing.

Progress Report: Not To Be Sneezed At

Dear Diary,

So I continued on with my wonky little project to hand.

Dear Diary, I had to intermittently take breaks because for some unknown reason, I felt a lot of pressure with this stitchery.. I'm worried she'll think it's too wonky.

But besides some little hearts I want to add - and I mean little as in teeny tiny, I think it's done. Cute? Quaint? Will my friend know how I love her so?

What do you think Diary?

I'm starting another, and I hope to be a little more lucid with this one. I'm thinking of letting go of the uptight me, the one that's worrying, and just go forth and create. I hope this works dear Diary, because otherwise I may have to take stress leave from my embroidery.

Pimp Stitch always has some awesome ideas. Inspirations. Colours. Ideas.. Ahh I can tap that.

In other reports, I have three things that I am sending to Pip. In exchange, she's sending me three things. I hope she likes the three things I have carefully selected for her. I'm doing well with my decluttering. I've already taken two big boxes to the op shop, with plans for more next week. Monday - Post Office.

Anyway diary, I'm feeling weary. Must go brush my hair one hundred times, repaint my fingernails, apply my fake tan with one hand and stare longingly at my Rick Astley posters. A busy day.

xxx