Chunk-No-Itis

Tiny has been welcomed into the exclusive and elite club where all members must have Conjunctivitis to join. I believe I'll be joining that club later tonight.

Yesterday her eye started mucusing up a storm, and we couldn't clean it quick enough. Disgusting, no?

She woke up in the middle of the night, her eye fused closed. Impressive Tiny. So in the darkness of night, we cleaned it again, and again. And again. And put her back into bed. When she woke it was a little better, and we've been dealing with the eye all day. It's so furiously red, I've never seen conjunctivitis so cranky. I think the other eye is going out in sympathy.

In the morning she asked why she had: "Chunk-No-Itis". She hasn't complained and just gone about her day. Delighted when she caught a ladybird, she made it a little home, created a slide for it, and told it it was going to join the circus.

Poor Tiny Pink Eye.

Universe, right about now, we'd really like to shake the shackles of Winter sickness. April - August? Enough is enough. We're officially: Sick of being sick.

Like I've Hit A Rut. A Big, Fat Rut. Not To Be Confused With A Rat.

image via caruba

Ever feel like you've hit a bit of a rut? Or you're so consumed with day to day life you don't have the chance to stick your head out of your little home and see what else there is that might interest you?

I feel like that at the moment. That day to day life is all-consuming, that beyond looking after my babes, and trying to fit in my work, and being a wife, sister and friend, that there's not a lot of room at the moment for me minutes, let alone looking ahead to what's next.

I feel like I've hit a big, fat, unattractive rut.

When I was little and I looked at people who were my current age, I thought how grown up they were, how life was all sorted out. And I see now that I am here, looking out - it's not. There's still so much potential that's ripe for the picking, but it's choosing which way to go or even whether to go go go. Are you hearing me?

My life is pretty darn great. I have a beautiful family. I am very grateful. I have great friends. I am a most fortunate sausage.

But what's next? I need to shake things up a little. Feel the adrenaline. I'm not happy unless I have something new on the boil, I know that. But what is that 'new' going to be. I don't mean it has to be something big. But just something to get my creative juices going again. Universe, you hear me, right? Talk to me.

Saturday Special

Today I got to slip off by myself to Material Obsession for a quick hurrah, before heading off to yet another house inspection. Yes. The Universe has been less than forthcoming with houses these days, and since our good news on Thursday - my little man got into the pre-school I was hoping and praying for - we're sticking to this area - so that narrows our search somewhat..

Anyway - back to my solo mission. I was going to pick up some fabric I had had put away, but of course I kind of got a little distracted and wound up with just a few slithers of new fabrics... But I was pretty well behaved. I showed Matt my new pieces - let me tell you, he has an art (beyond his painting) that's very opinionated without saying a word.

Spots - he likes. Yes, very nice.

Big fat yellow roses - no comment.

Kaffe Fassett - yes, nice.

Green floral (AMH again??) - no comment.

Ah to be married to an artist with an opinion. Apparently the latter green floral is 'too acidic'. HMPH! Well I like it. Reminds me of lime in vodka tonic. A lime caprioska. Green grass in summer. You get me don't you??

Anyway, on other fronts, I've been doing my inspiration board. You might be wondering what I'm getting inspired to do, and so am I. But it's starting to look pretty nonetheless (and look that bling bling doily is getting another workout). Something I've been meaning to do for ages, it's just been sitting there in all its white glory for yonks. Now it's got six whole pieces of 'stuff' stuck to it. Aren't you proud of me? Mmm. Of course you are.

PS - Italics AND bold in one post? Yes, just another Blogger special, courtesy of Blogger of course, and an involuntary part of today's post. GRRRR!

So Long Suckers!

You thought this was a post saying I was ending it here, didn't you? That I was going to say I was hanging up my mouse, logging off, never to be heard of again. You did, didn't you?

Well I fooled you all. Aren't I a trickster?

Today I found these great organic lollipops (hence the sucker title - get it, get it?)... And this post was going to be all about them. And then I thought, no I'll post about the tug o' war I have been stuck in this week, and I thought, I'll do some natty kind of segue into a grecian/rope style dress that I like.. But then I googled rope dress - and well, you'll never believe where I wound up - at a bondage website. I quickly skidaddled out of there, and decided that tug o' war was not what I was writing about today.

Instead, I am writing about 'memory making'. I've been thinking a lot about first memories, collecting memories, and memory making opportunities.

Some of my happiest memories from my childhood are playing at my grandparents property and building tee-pee style cubby houses out of large sticks and old branches, in my mind they were impressive. We laid rocks out as a sort of fireplace. We'd have two or three of these stick tee-pee constructions in this little valley near a tiny creek. My sisters I am sure could expand on this, but for me, it was magical. We'd check out what was in the creek, and just the building of the tee-pees was high on the fun stakes. Sometimes when we came back the next morning to check on them the horses had knocked them over. But rebuilding them was part of the charm too.

Another memory is driving around on my grandfather Gramps' knee through a paddock. I must have been about three or four, but I remember feeling such glee at being given the opportunity to 'drive'. I was the youngest, so all the older kids really did get to drive while Gramps sat next to them, but for me to just feel included was a beautiful thing, driving over bumps through the yellow grass - mmmm.

I have so many great memories of growing up. I've been thinking, what makes a memory? What makes your brain hang on to that memory, and every now and then why does your memory bring you back to those places?

This week we've been enjoying the leaf boat races down the creek. Our three and a bit year old has been taking us back to it time and time again (we've been every day since Sunday). I admit, I enjoy it too, and I can see the joy he gets from it too. It's so great to have those opportunities to tap into your inner child.

But what other memories is he going to take with him? Me on the computer trying to get work done double-smart so I can do something else? Me being cranky and tired telling him to stop asking me to play trains? I don't want to be remembered like that.

I'd like to think he'll remember our crazy music sessions, when we turn up the music loud, he drags his music box out and we grab any old instrument and make a great racket. Or baking biscuits and cakes together, while he constantly asks to eat a 'sample' (which turns into half the mix), and watches the Kitchenaid turn 'round and 'round.

Or our impromptu rumble sessions in the mornings on our unmade bed. Or even matching the socks for me while I fold the washing..

My mind keeps coming back to this quote that I found ages ago on someone's blog (I'd credit them if I could) - I can't remember it exactly but it went something like this: 'For those first early years, all your child wants/craves is your attention, but as they grow older the tables turn and we wind up desperate for their attention.' It's so true, and childhood is such a fleeting time, I'd like to make this time as memorable as possible.

So now I'm searching for memory making ideas. Anyone got any ideas to share? Tell me what a memory making moment is for you.

- As an aside - to follow up with Monday's post about buying a lottery ticket - well, it seems that the Universe didn't answer that request. Or at least, maybe me putting it out there only extends to second-hand and found objects, and not cold, hard cash. I didn't win a penny. Not a single one. Therends my idea that my luck was never-ending. Hmph! So our search for a non-mouldy rental house continues. Bah humbug.

PS - My formatting has gone again. Thanks Blogger.

An Amendment to My 'Secret' - And I Use That Term VERY Loosely

Recently I outed my 'secret' to the Universe. It was an attempt to find a house for us to move to.

Apparently my 'secret' needs to be more specific.

Apparently I need to give the Universe more guidelines. Apparently I was a little vague when I put it out there. So here I am. Here's my amended 'secret'.

-----

Dear Universe,

I know I said I wasn't too fussy with the house we moved into. Well I didn't mean it. I am fussy, but for good reason.

I know last time I did mention Kramer peeling vegetables in his shower, however, I didn't think you'd elaborate on that, and bring me to a house with a kitchen sink in the main bedroom. While I do enjoy cooking, I think cooking and sleep are two very separate activities. Just as drinking and driving are two separate activities. They should never be mixed. I'm not really a whipped cream and chocolate sauce kind of gal. So you know, that house wasn't entirely enticing for us.

I'd also like to say that I am not that into houses that are so randomly constructed that I might need a map to get around. The dark room in the house I refer to was great (not that we'd ever really use it), the compost was great, the space was cool, but the vegie patch was my favourite part - which doesn't really say much for the house, right?

So Universe, I know you probably thought you had creative reign when I was so vague - but now I am going to be a bit more upfront. A bit more brash. I'll tell you what I want - can you direct me to this place of my wildest dreams?

- floorboards are preferable, if we have to have carpet can it please be new?

- gas cooking is preferable

- a bathroom with a bathtub is preferable

- bedrooms larger than a shoebox are preferable

- no mould, no rising damp, no damp spots on the ceilings/walls etc

- a nice fenced flat backyard with a Hills Hoist in a SUNNY spot (I hate clothes lines in the shade - who does that??)

- storage is always looked upon favourably

- and as before a big tree to hang a swing in

- a shed for Matt to paint in

- lots of light

- quiet, safe area close to trains, parks and schools

This looks nice, but probably too large - I'm not such a big fan of cleaning.

Anyway Universe, I'll let you get to the nitty gritty of the details (hey, just to fine tune my request, no rodent/bug problems either, ok?) - thanks in advance.

Your friend,

PottyMouthMama