17 June, 2006

bloody cars (suzuki's anyway)!

What goes tap tap tap KNOCK?
Well, it is either the bearings on one of the quad cams, or one of the bearings on the crank shaft, right?
Well, that is what I believe has gone in my lil car. I mean, it has done 262,000klms, but hey, WHY NOW? You see, we had just lined up to get a security system, and I was on my way to do a 'Mystery Shop' when it started. As it was, on was on a call to 'L', and I heard this incredible noise, and I had to wait to call 'L' back...
After about 10 mins of self diagnossis, I called 'L' back to tell her my (suspected) bad news. Needless to say, I was over in Menai, and I had to limp the old girl back home... About 20 odd klms! By the time I got home, it sounded like a cross breed diesel/VW!
Anyways, after a couple of phone calls, I was now armed with 3 quotes, $2,200 for a motor that will be taken out of a wreck (2.5L instead of the current 2.0L, and out of a 2003-2005 Suzuki); Another motor out of another wreck for $3,000, or a rebuild for $8,995! Needless to say, I am going for the $2,200 model.
We will keep you posted as to how it all goes, but I am glad that I am currently going to hospital so I will not really need it anyway.

13 June, 2006

iris and hazel

I am lucky enough to have a job that enables me to have the occassional flexi day. I tend to take these on a Friday and spend the day with my mum. Flexi Friday this time saw us visit Eden Gardens, for their new Farmers Market, then cross the Harbour Bridge to Observatory Hill for the Encounters of Country: Landscapes of Ray Crooke exhibition and lunch, and then onto Paddington to take a look at Iris and Hazel as recommended by Douglas and Hope in Melbourne. Disappointingly they didn't carry much Douglas and Hope merchandise, however they did have some great things, all be it very expensive. Because they don't have a website, here are some photos to tempt.
iris and hazel, Paddington St. Paddington

window front

knitted giraffe

knitted toys

knitted toy

embroidered cushion

Douglas and Hope cushion (the round one)

Iris and Hazel tiles

Paddington St

05 June, 2006

any further bids

Not from me… but my dad on the other hand. What started out as a visit with mum and dad on Saturday ended with a trailer full of items on Sunday.

Saturday, B and I popped over to my parents place in the afternoon for a cup of tea and a chat, as well as to take a sticky at an open house across the road from my family home. However, a few delays and distractions on the way from our place to their place meant that we missed the actual open house. Not to worry, as Mum had Plan B, which was to view house contents to be auctioned the next day in Northbridge. This would also be a trip down memory lane of sorts, the house and its contents being in the same street that my dad grew up in and I remember spending many a happy hour with my ‘grandmother’ (she didn’t like to be called that) until she passed away in the late 80’s. So mum, dad, B and I took off, and what started out as hanging out together and mere curious exploration with a bit of window shopping thrown in, led to the purchase of a catalogue and arrangements for meeting the next day.

B and I had our budget, and a few items picked out - a victorian footstool (thought I might embroider a new top for it), 26 piece set of continental cherub cups, saucers, side plates and 2 cake serving plates, a pair of leadlight doors, and washstand. All items I could live without if I didn't get them, and technically I didn't, as I pulled out a couple when my limit was reached, however, Dad decided I was having the washstand and B (who really wanted the doors) was having the doors. Mum and Dad who didn't really want anything ended up with at least half a dozen other bits and pieces including a hinged cedar dining table, sterling silver frame, granite tabletop, and golfclubs.

It was a lot of fun.

04 June, 2006

Albury bound links and photos uploaded


cute-rugs
I draw your attention to the second post down. It has been something of a mamoth effort - loading photos and establishing links.

02 June, 2006

off to hospital... again

Well, dear readers, listeners and others!

After yet another night of NO SLEEP, I am again off to hospital with my dodgy back this morning. It is not that bad this time, I will be in at around 10, and out again around 2pm. I just hope that I can stay awake long enough for it!!!

L has had a bad cold all of this week, and for her not having to do a presentation at work on Wednesday night, she should have been off work this week. So all is well in this house, or at least Macc (asleep either on my side of the bed, or hopefully on his), and Jasmine (definitely on my side for I keep the electric blanket on overnight). But they are off this afternoon to the vet for the annual shots!

Cheers

B

24 May, 2006

albury bound

In the blink of an eye B, mum and I have been to Albury for a week. Whilst B was conferencing, mum and I made day trips taking in Beechworth, Uranquinty, Wagga Wagga, Walbundrie, as well as having a day in Melbourne.

Here is a link to the pictorial.

There were however so many other sites and things that I didn't get photos of so I have attempted to remember them all here starting with.

The best bakery is at Uranquinty.. so good in fact that mum and I had morning tea there (I have been before and felt that she needed to experience it for herself), we then returned for a very, very late lunch, and then felt compelled to buy a sample of their cakes and a loaf of bread to enjoy over the next couple of days.

The Wagga Iron Foundry, just fascinating, they are able to recreate any cast iron item. Verandah posts, chairs, tables, you just name it. I was a after a price for flat decorative verandah posts.

The Ardent Alpaca in Beechworth, I loved this store, I bought the softest baby alpaca yarn which I am knitting into a lace type pattern scarf. The pattern is from either this or last months Better Homes and Gardens. A picture will surely be uploaded when it is finished. I will be so proud of myself if I actually finish it.

Divine Linen, also in Beechworth.

Mad About You - I didn't actually view any of their stuff apart from a cute little catalogue I picked up in a coffee shop in Albury. But you never know when it might come in handy, and some of their things were adorable. I can't share it with you now though as they don't have a webpage. Very strange when they rely on direct sales. Oh well. For a catalogue Tel. +61 2 60565911 or email madaboutyou@hotkey.net.au

Zakkaya, Fitzroy, Victoria, "contemporary Japanese goods for your life". Just cute stuff, really really cute.

And finally, La Parisienne Pates, Lygon St Carlton, Victoria. Yummy, Yummy stuff here, we had the best pate for dinner that night, and rabbit and prune pies to die for. No web link but I will be going back for supplies next time I am in Vic.

15 May, 2006

my favourite shops

I have been braving the cold of Melbourne this week attending first a workshop and then a conference which has ment that I have had the briefest of moments to indulge in shopping. My most favourite shop is Douglas and Hope, they have a shop in Melbourne CBD and one on Brunswick St. I purchased a brass hook with a porcelain rose on it for the bathroom, and a tea towel which I am going to sew into a quilt. I just had to buy something from here.


douglas and hope
Other favourites are 'A jewellery store named Desire' again there is one of these stores on Brunswick St and one in Melbourne CBD in the Melbourne GPO building. I bought an Ayala Bar bangle from here. I spotted it on my first day and couldn't stop thinking about it so bought it before leaving for the airport home.

a jewellery store named desire
And of course Haigh's chocolates, I believe we now have one of these in Sydney, but I still associate this store with a trip to Melbourne.

haighs chocolates
And one of my favourite places for dinner is The Quarter, located in this laneway beside the hotel.

favourite eating

08 May, 2006

07 May, 2006

special day

happy birthday to the littlest sister, and happy christening Breanna.

christening-cake

05 May, 2006

Can't be

B and I have been working very hard; long hours, uni work, housework, family commitments, all sorts of stuff. I am telling you this because I am way overdue for a holiday, in fact if you add in long-service leave I could have the next 6 months off work on full pay (there's a thought...), I am very tired, and this means that I have the occasional blonde moment..... like this one, which has actually been more than a moment...

One of my favourite artists is Rebecca Cool, who is based in WA, I occasionally do a web search to see if there might be any exhibitions in Sydney, and about 12 months ago I discovered that Rebecca Cool was a feature artist of the Canterbury Art Exhibition. Since that time I have been checking to see if / when their next exhibition will be and if Rebecca Cool will be a feature artist. My constant checking was rewarded a few weeks back and so B and I decided that attending opening night complete with champagne and nibblies would be fun. That is, until B checked the details on the web, you know exact address, time, cost.... it was Canterbury VIC, not Canterbury NSW.