30 April, 2005

circus in central park


circus in central park
on our trip to Melbourne in 2004, B and I called into a couple of patchwork and quilting shops, which is how I have come to my next project. This quilt from Patchwork on Central Park is called 'Circus in Central Park'. It features reproduction 30's fabrics with a circus theme.

Progress on this quilt is going to be slow to start with, as today was the last class for a few weeks. Our teacher is going to New Zealand for a month. I have a good handle on the cutting out though so will be able to have this finished by the time she gets back. I am really stepping up the difficulty factor here - this time 2 different sized squares as opposed to my last quilt which was squares pieced together all of the same size.
Comment from L: This post is actually from me - I am having a go at using B's Flickr for posting of images

29 April, 2005

hello from the sick (not really sick, but you know) bed

Hello readers,
Just a VERY quick blog to say hi, and thanks for all the calls and messages from everyone wishing me well.
It has to be a quick post, as I can't stand long, and I can sit for less. Most of, if not all, of my time is in bed watching TV or (thanks to A) DVD's!!
See you all soon when I can get up for a longer period of time!

26 April, 2005

this blog isn't called burnt offerings for no reason

this is b's sore back. Even though it was keyhole surgery, it is still quite a sizeable scar (approx. 10cm).


b's sore back

This evening we had a visit from our friend Nurse M who came to watch Survivor and ensure B was ok. He was a bit irritable, his back was sore from the drive home from the hospital, having to negotiate the steps and something to do with the smoke alarm going off whilst I was burning/cooking dinner (and as the smoke alarm is hardwired to the house alarm it is a bit noisy). The alarm going off was made worse as we didn't know how to turn it off, as it has not happened before. I eventually worked it out and pointed out the positive side, that at least we now know it works. I was beginning to wonder...

rose gingham quilt finished

I am very proud. Whilst B was in hospital I finished my quilt.


rose gingham quilt finished

The last couple of nights whilst I sat by B's bed at the hospital watching TV, I tidied up the threads, and today I gave the quilt a wash to remove the fabric chalk and more importantly,the blood spilt the day I ran the sewing machine over my finger. A neat trick the quilting teacher told me was to spit on the blood stain, apparently your own spit will remove your blood from fabric. It has to be the spit of the owner of the blood though, and I can vouch that it in this case it worked liked magic. I still ran the quilt through the washing machine though and the picture is of it drying on the line.

he's home

Safely tucked up in bed, B is home. The news that he could come home gave him a real boost. When I arrived at the hospital to collect him, he rang A with the news, and sang " ....I'm on my way, from misery to happiness....."

Things are pretty close to perfect...B is home and I still have control of the computer (B cannot/is not allowed to sit for a while yet).

25 April, 2005

not coming home today

my boy is not coming home today, after his leg giving out in the bathroom yesterday causing him to land on his tush with a thud, he is now in a lot of pain. I am not sure when I can bring him home, although the specialist will have the final say, his physio says it won't be for a few days yet. I think in B's keenness (is that a word/how you spell it if it is? don't answer - I'm too tired to care) to come home he may have pushed himself too hard when it came to working with the physio that day and doing the stairs. He needed to prove he could manage stairs in order to come home, especially as our bedroom is up a flight of 16 stairs. I think in trying to get home as soon as possible has actually caused him this setback. When it came to making the short walk (less than half a dozen steps) to the bathroom, his leg gave way and down he went, leading to lots of pain, a visit by the Registrar, more pain relief prescribed, and a call to the specialist, although no call to me. I had gone home to get some shopping done and housework in preparation for B's return home. Of course, I was a lot surprised (and disappointed) at what had taken place since leaving the hospital at midday.

On a positive note the Littlest Sister and newest Brother In Law, along with A were at the hospital when I arrived back, which was much appreciated, B definitely needed the company and cheering up. I did a bit of a fashion parade for both A and B, before going home, of the items of clothing I had treated myself to whilst doing the shopping.

I also continued finishing the threads on my (gingham rose) quilt, pictures to come soon, whilst A, B and I watched My Restaurant Rules.

I am now off to do the lawns before heading back to the hospital.

22 April, 2005

exhausted

it does not look like B will be coming home tomorrow. He can not sit up for more than a few minutes and has not really mastered the stairs, so even if he were able to sit in the car for the trip home he would not be able to get upstairs to the bedroom. I think it is therefore likely to be Monday, which even though I would like him home now, the thought is a bit frightening. I don't think either of us thought it would take this much out of him.

I also didn't think it would take as much out of me.....I am exhausted. I am not the independent women I thought I was - I am not sleeping well (once I get to sleep, that is), the house is a bit of a mess, I've eaten junk all week, and have not managed to get any study done which puts me about a week and a half behind. I actually had great expectations for this week, I was going to do shorter hours at work, and take Tuesday off altogether, this would enable me to visit with B on my way to and from work and still have time to keep the house clean, give time to the pets, and study. So how did I go? I worked the shorter hours and took Tuesday off, but I didn't get in to see B every morning and had to leave early (before visiting hours ended at 8.pm) Wednesday evening because I could barely keep my eyes open, and I wasn't much better today.

I didn't feel too bad leaving early tonight though, B had a lot of visitors (my mum and dad, the other B, Alistair H, A and the girls, Natski, Twisty, and me) throughout the day/afternoon and was pretty worn out. This was on top of the early morning and painful ultrasound, 2 visits from the physio, nurses taking blood pressure and doing other stuff, and the endless stream of hospital staff bringing trays, cleaning the room and other general fussing.

Since I don't know where I am going with all of this, goodnight! and Again thank you to all who have visited, sent flowers, telephoned, emailed, sms'd, and said prayers. It has really helped. 'Nite.

19 April, 2005

so far so good

I have just got home from the hospital. It has been a long day. B was 3rd on the list and supposed to go to theatre at 11am but didn't go till 2ish. He was back on the ward about 7 pm. He is fine and all seemed to go well. The anaethetist and his surgeon came to seem him around 8.30ish - these guy's are worth every cent they get paid. they did the first operation before 8ish this morning and I understand they still had one to do after B.

I am pretty tired so am going to give some love and attention to the 'kidz' (Macc and Jas) and go to bed.

Thanx A (BMJ) for sitting with us today, and thanx to all for their messages. Goodnight!

18 April, 2005

hospital

B is in hospital tonight, tomorrow he will be having a 'laminectomy', which will hopefully bring some relief to the pain he has been suffering since having a workplace accident just over 4 years ago.

A (of BMJ fame) and I settled him at the hospital this afternoon (A actually got him to the hospital, thanx A) - and it's a nice hospital, he has his own room, tv, phone (2 calls from him already), and a fairly decent cafe and lounge area downstairs which of course we checked out.

He is a little anxious (understandably) so your thoughts and prayers for him tomorrow will be greatly appreciated.

17 April, 2005

infinity and beyond

Max is 3! His birthday was yesterday, a date he shares with B's mum. Today my side of the family got together at mum and dad's for a BBQ and cake for the man of the moment.

Cake Cutting Concentration
Max is 3 and very entertaining, apart from dazzling us with his ability to say the alphabet all by himself (slowing slightly at 'w') he dazzled us by reciting quotes from Buzz Lightyear, his favourite being "...infinity and beyond..." as he travelled past in his new outfit. The Littlest Sister had picked a winner in that gift.

Buzz lIghtyear
Max is very much into superheroes so the spiderman dressing gown from B and me was also a hit.

Spiderman

Buzz or Spiderman, what will I be??

16 April, 2005

re-wallpapered!!

like the new look?????

I had to do something before going to hospital next Tuesday!! And here it is, thanks to Kaffe Fassett!

Anyways, it was because of you Kaffe (if you happen to be reading this that is) that we got started in this blogging in the first place! You see, 'L' was 'surfing' the net to see where you were located in the UK, and just by chance stumbled across her old nickname 'Loobylu'! Then, L decided to read Loobylu's blogg, and well the rest is history!!!

Now, I am under very STRICT instructions to go to the store in London when I am there in July (after going to Wales), so London beware!!! At least 'L' will not be with me, thus the credit card will not go into cardiac arrest!!!!!

12 April, 2005

thanx Natski!

Well, as you would have read earlier, with interest I hope, we have just spent a week in Melbourne, alas away from the kidz (aka 'The Petz'). We had such a lovely time, with a conference to go to, the Melbourne Flower Show and study to do, just to make up the mix!

After the weekend of debate for Uni, which happened to be the same weekend for the littlest sister's wedding we left the house in the capable hands of Natski. Now whilst everything was FINE, there was a slight dilemma with poor old Jasmine! She had an injury of sorts, and whilst she was going to call us about it, it was decided by both Natski and BMJ that a trip to 'Uncle Allen's' for a 'Check up' was best. Saving us from being on the "First available flight back"! This would not have been the case, mind you, as we were at the Flower Show at the time, and still had a day of SHOPPING to do!!!

So Natski unfortunately had to pay for the pleasure of:
  1. Catching Jasmine.
  2. Carting her down to the Vet in the washing basket with the dish rack on top to stop her getting loose in her car.
  3. Jasmine, not being the best traveler, wet herself in the said clothes basket which overflowed onto her work top which was required that night or the following morning!! YUK!
  4. Giving her a quarter of a tablet morning and night (not an easy thing to do when you're by yourself...)

All whilst we were having such a lovely time!!!

To make matters worse, for poor Natski, when we got back and it was time to say goodbye (she had a party to go to), her car had a flat battery and was going NOWHERE!!! But that's another blogg that Natski will have to do....

The house was ok though, and we hope that this saga of sorts, has not put her off wanting to do it again!!

week in melbourne

We have had a week in Melbourne, me for a conference and B to go to the Flower Show and as a tag-a-long.

The conference was great, I attended with 2 workmates and it was very worthwhile. The weather was brilliant, better than Sydney, although I was not really prepared for this, and neither would it seem were the cabbies who don't seem to know what airconditioning is. My trip to the airport in the taxi before flying home was unbearable, and apparently my workmates had a similar experience a couple of days before.

This time in Melbourne I discovered the whole 'laneway' shopping experience thanx to one of the conference people. We were staying on Flinders St and just behind us in Flinders lane was a great little shopping and eating area. We ate dinner here nearly every night, and discovered some great shops including Alice Euphemia (I bought a gorgeous brooch here by Melbourne based designer Iggy and Lou Lou) and one that my dad would like 'Il Papiro', which had beautifully bound books and papers.



Il Papiro



We also managed shopping experiences on both Brunswick Street, and Bridge Rd, my favourite shop on Bridge Rd was Havana Blue (Banana Blue labelled clothing) discovered 5 minutes before we needed to catch a tram back to the hotel to check-out, although I still managed to buy a funky peachy pink cardigan.

On Brunswick St, I bought a pair of rose gold ethnic looking earrings from a store whose name may have been KoKo and a couple of hair accessories from the Alannah Hill factory outlet. Other shops I liked were Harem Melbourne (fashion and homewares, 248 Brunswick St), Mazi (Brunswick St, Bridge Rd and Melbourne Central, I visited all three and bought a fabulous little bird hair adornment at the Melbourne Central store, I mean you need to spread the spending around), A Jewellery Store Named Desire (Brunswick St), Douglas and Hope (Brunswick St and Melbourne Central). B also found Bridge Rd quite satisfying, adding to his wardrobe at PO Box. If only we had more time.

We also visited the Queen Victoria Markets, which are a bigger, cleaner version of Paddy's or Parklea markets but not somewhere I'd be going back to in a hurry, although if you lived in Melbourne the fresh produce and deli section looked pretty good.

We also managed a couple of open house/units (and the auction for one of them) on the last day. Both places were in Bible House on Flinders Lane, and we were sooooooooo tempted to make a bid. It was a great 3rd floor apartment, but only one bedroom and really no place for our little family, especially Macc the greyhound.

The littlest sister's wedding

was beautiful! I still had the remnants of my cold but the garlic, echinacea, zinc and magnesium combined with the cold and flu tablets seemed to help a lot.

It was a gorgeous day, sunny and hot. I read my reading without any stuff ups, and had a great time at the reception with a little help from just a few strawberry daiquiris.

Apart from the bride and groom, the stars of the show had to be the singing priest


The Singing Priest
the page boy (my nephew Max) and flower girl (my new brother-in-law's niece, Kassidy).


Now be good the pair of you!

Aren't the little devils cute?

Seceret kids business

Party Time

Drunk on CHOCOLATE

Stop the party, I wanna get off!!!
The food was delicious although, what do you make of the dessert!

Better than SEX!! And more than a few 'Raised Eyebrows' too!!
Congratulations l'il sister and Ian!

littlest sister's wedding

Hi!

Surprise! I have suprised myself. There is strong competition for the computer these days at our place - B is studying totally online and that pretty much gives him first dibs on the PC. When I get a go, I get distracted by ebay, other blogs and then have to force myself to visit my uni discussion board. Sooooooooo.... our blog is suffering, and I generally don't have the time to make an entry when I am at work. But not today. I have made time, whilst having my lunch.

I am also attempting to get more organised - last night I made myself a timetable for when I will study, watch tv, and for other commitments, such as quilting. I felt I needed to make it clear for myself, but also B, when I needed the computer, time out, etc. I also made a list of things to get done including to blog. It made me feel so much better, I was back in control of my time. Hooray for me!

The next few entries I will address the wedding of 10 days ago, our trip to Melbourne last week, and then if anything of interest has occured this week, you'll hear about it.