Becoming a Housewife

I have done it, I bit the bullet and quit my job.

Having hated it for quite some time, I finally got up the courage and resigned. I finish this week and then I am free.

It is quite scary after 15 years of always working full time to have no plans ahead of me. This is a good thing of course, but is also scary as hell. We have worked out the budget and fingers crossed, this appears to be doable. I figure if worst comes to worst, I will fins another job.

In the meantime however, I will enjoy every second I can at home, and hopefully will finally be able to stress less and even maybe fall pregnant again at last!

I took Riley to preschool one day this week, this is the only time I have been there since the first day, and while we all waited outside, I noticed that he is the only child that arrived with a library bag and pillow that were home made. Every other child had a "Character" bag and cushion.

My little precious doesnt seem to mind that his things are different, but I wonder how long this will last, and if he is in fact missing out on something by not having the same stuff as the other kids?

We are not total control freaks about licenced stuff, in fact he does love Thomas the Tank and we have shirts and stuff with those characters on them. I just dont know if my making items for him will lead to him feeling left out as he gets older and more immersed in this outside world of the public education system.

What is the answer? If anyone has any ideas, I would be grateful to hear them.

Even Preschoolers need accessories

Riley needed a pillow and a library bag for his first day of preschool. Inspiration and a curtain were found at the local op shop for the princely sum of $2.80. The back of the pillow is yellow fleece, and Rileys name has been added to the library bag with yellow felt.

Grant thinks that they are too babyish for a mature 4 year old, but thankfully my creations passed the all important "Riley Test"

I am still here!

This is just a note to say that I am still around.

I have been in quite the funk lately and life has totally overwhelmed me. Things have been really busy with work and home and "Stuff" but I am back now!

Riley started pre-school yesterday which is quite the milestone for us. He has never been in the care of anyone other than ourselves and Grants parents, who care for him every day while we work. He has now gone from no outside care to 3 days a week.

The preschool is egg and nut free so now I am scouring the net for muesli bars and stuff that I can make that dont include these ingredients.

I will be back tonight or tomorrow with pics of the mama made library bag and pillow that my baby has taken to pre-school so stay tuned!

Fantastic Four

On Tuesday, my Riley turned 4. For his birthday, we gave him a new bike, and some toys for the pool, and as an extra gift, Mummy broke her ankle doing a last minute dash to the shops before the party!

I have been stuck on the couch ever since, and only today have I returned to work as I couldnt have any more time off - boss was not happy about the unplanned absence. Remind me to schedule in my broken bone for next year!!

I still managed to have Riley's birthday party, and had considered going the healthy approach with fruit and stuff, but old school Sarah intervened, and there were cupcakes, fairy bread and chocolate crackles everywhere! Oh, I did make some fruit kebabs, but only the mums were munching on those...

I have no pics of my darlings party, hoping that the Mother-In-Law will have some to share when she comes to visit next. It was lovely to be able to have endless snuggles with my boy this last week, and his Daddy was wonderful and helpful, but it turns out, just as I have always suspected that he is completely incapable of washing dishes. I smelled a rat when dinner on Friday night was presented (takeaway of course) on plastic plates left over from the party. Eventually Grant confessed that there were no clean dishes left in the house, and it was either use the plastic, or go and buy another dinner set!

I am sure glad to be back on my somewhat hobbly feet today, although the time was not wasted, I have been armed with my Eden Seeds catalogue planning and dreaming about what I will add to my litte garden next. The tomatoes are continuing to grow beautifully, and we are eating lettuce and parsley that I grew. The newest addition has been some Spring Onions that I planted from the bottoms of ones from the supermarket and they are starting to take off.

At least my focus for this month to work on the garden is still happening. Now what can I chose as the focus of next month?

A brand new year!

I have taken a bit of a break from the internet, not even reading blogs, and it has been quite peaceful to immerse myself in the family life for the last couple of weeks. I have timed my return to the world of blog with my return to the work world too.

This year, I have decided to make resolutions every month, not just at the beginning of the year, this way I have a whole month to focus on a particular theme, then once this has been incorporated into my life, it will be time to work on an exciting new project.

This month I have decided that I will NOT use a shop bought cleaning cloth, no more chux wipes, no more steel wool to clean the dishes, I have made myself a stash of cotton dishcloths and I am using only those to do the dishes, and I have a small pile of old towels and other cloths to take care of the spills and dusting cloths.

I am also going to focus on the garden, working towards this having more of a role in the family home and actively working on porducing from the garden, measuring what it yields and taking note of what I do in the garden, what works and what doesnt.

What are you going to do differently this year?

One gift down, only 19 to go!

So, I had a day off today as I have been unwell. Riley went to spend the day with the Grandies and I had the house to myself! I took advantage of being alone and made one of the bunch of things I have on my wishlist. The pattern is a free one that you can find here. It was really easy and I highly recommend it. The blue one was my first attempt, and is a bit overstuffed, and a little bit crooked. The pink one is for our niece who is almost one for Christmas. Hope she likes it.

The first attempt passed the Riley test, thankfully and is suitably cuddly which is a big relief.

Next on the to do list is to make cookies as a test which will be the gift given to the adults in the family this year.

Long Time No See....

Well, it has been a while since I posted here, and I thought about not mentioning the reason for my absence, but have decided that it is right to have a record for myself what has happened recently. If you have read this blog, you might be aware that my partner and I had discussed the possbility of having another child before I get "Too Old". Well, we had decided that this was something that we wanted to do, and began trying. As luck would have it, I was fortunate enough to fall pregant almost immediately. We were so very excited and immediately began planning all the changes that this news would mean.
Then it happened.
I miscarried at 8 weeks pregnant. It almost felt like it was over before it had begun. I was devastated, even though I had done my best not to get my hopes up so early, and Grant was at a loss about how to help me, while dealing with it himelf at the same time.
Its been a few weeks, and I have attempted to write this post countless times, but stopped. Today I have decided to get it out there, and move on. If we are meant to only have Riley, then we are still so very lucky and extremely grateful for this funny, stubborn, clever little boy we have in our lives. The decision about the number of members are to be in our family has been left to fate for the moment. We will live in the moment, and take whatever life throws our way.
Thanks for letting me vent....
On another note, I have been crafting lately, amazingly. Working weekends all alone in the office waitng for the phone to ring does have its advantages. Even if it does et a little boring at times.
Its beginning to look a lot like Christmas around here, and I am finally getting into the swing of making red and green treasure to decorate the house and to give as gifts, if I get up the courage to give made by me instead of store bought!

This is the fabric that I am going to use for little stockings for us to hang out on Christmas Eve (if I get around to making them in time of course) and mybe a wall hanging or table runner to go with the bunting and other decos that I made last year and have stored away! The plan is to add to our handmade decorations each year rather than buying standard decorations.

I have been experimenting with stitchery as you will see below. I so far seem to have mastered a rather wonky backstitch, but I am pretty proud of what I have come up with so far. My first stitcheries in about 10 years, and I designed them to, taking inspiration from all over the web.

Here are the beginnings of the name portion of our stockings so that we know which belongs to who. My high tech transfering system was to write the names on in lead pencil, I dont have the fancy water soluble pen thingies so I improvised and used what I had on hand!

Here is a parcel label for Riley's Great-Grandparents. Grants Nan really saves cards and wrapping, so I thought it would be fun to sew the tag for her to keep. Not sure that this is exactly right yet, it is a work in progress.

And finally, if you are still with me...thankyou for hanging in there with me! This is a Christmas Tree - obviously! It was a colouring in page that was a free download somewhere, I searched for the site again, but couldnt find it. I think this will become part of the wall hanging/ table tunner that is currently taking shape in my head. Originally this was to be a cushion for the loungeroom, but as I was sewing it, I got a bit carried away with what it could become, and a cushing is just too easy, I cant do anything easy it would seem.

Well, thats me back in the zone. Thanks for letting me go on for so long, I feel so much better having sent my tale of woe out into the blogisphere.

P.S There is still a place available for my pay it forward, dont be shy. Join in and share the love!

Pay if Forward

From HERE
I will make a handmade gift for the first 3 interested people who comment on this post. I have 365 days to do it in…What it will be and when it will arrive is a total surprise!
The catch is that you must participate as well: you must have a blog and before you leave your comment here, write up a pay it forward post on your blog to keep the fun going. Just cut and paste this one if you like, which I did.
Also, let me know if you would prefer a knitted something, or a sewn something :) I will try to do either as requested!

Please read this

I just want to ask that anyone who comes across my blog takes a couple of minutes to read this post by Sheye. It almost broke my heart, but the message is too important not to pass along!

Book Heaven

I am in love right now with this little book. If you dont have a copy I would highly recommend that you get one, it is calming and sensible and celebrates family which is awesome to me.

I have been away from the blog world for a little while, trying desperately to get my scarf done before the mother in laws birthday. Its a disaster! I am probably two thirds of the way through and have just noticed that at some point I have missed a row of the pattern and now the purl side is the knit side and vice versa, so.....halfway through the pattern is one way, then for no good reason it swaps over!

I will not be showing a pic of the train wreck as I still have some pride left. I have to work every day up until her birthday which is Saturday so I cant see any way that this can be finished, I will have to pull apart more than half of my hard work, it almost breaks my heart!

Thats the end of todays update, I will be off now to sit in the corner and have a little teary moment and see if this mess can be salvaged.

I want a container deposit scheme

I found this awesome link on Gavin's blog today. If you are not familiar with his blog, please go and have a read. This is one of my favourite blogs, Gavin is a normal bloke who has changed his life in the most remarkable ways, moving one step at a time toward a more sustainable life with his family.

I have sent my email to Mr Garrett about the deposit scheme and if you have a second, it would be great if you could too.

Pink Ribbon Day

In case you are not aware, today is Pink Ribbon Day. My mother-in-law battled breast cancer 5 years ago and has had a double mastectomy. Obviously this is a cause that is very close to my heart and that of my family.

http://lushyarn.com/ have a special sale today of a multitude of pink yarns and each is named for a woman who has fought this terrible disease. I suggested my mother in laws name to beconsidered as one of these, and I am happy to introduce Suzanne.

Isnt she lovely? You cant buy her though, there was only one skein and she is all mine I am happy to announce.

Sue's birthday is coming up next month and when I saw that a yarn was named for her, I thought a perfect birthday present would be to make her a scarf in this lovely yarn that is just for her. If I can bear to part with it that is! The pattern I have chosen is here I just hope that it is relatively easy, I am not an expert knitter by any means. I will have to knit fast, I hope it arrives pretty soon. The quicker I can get started on this the better!

The simplest things are often the best

Yesterday was my day off for the week, and while I usually spend it washing and cleaning, the weather was far too nice to waste. We switched the TV off, and ventured outdoors.

This is my darling, with water and a paintbrush "painting" EVERYTHING! I got to weed the bed that will become our veggie garden, and Riley spent the day painting. Fun, dirt and laughter. What more could I ask for.

This is my new plan, more time allowed for living in the moment, and less time anticipating what comes next. I think it will work out just fine.

Bliss in the midst of Chaos

This is where I had lunch today. It is only a ten minute walk from my work, and the weather was too perfect to waste.

I work 6 days a week, having only Thursdays off for shopping, this is entirely opposite my desire, which is to be a stay at home mother. Sometimes fitting it all in can be overwhelming, this week has been really tough, and I have not been as focused or as organised as I would like to be, the washing is piled to the roof, and 3 days in a row I have completely forgotten to take meat out of the freezer. There are only so many times you can declare toasted sandwiches for dinner.

Today I spent lunch at the lake. In the pic you will see my sandwich in its little Tupperware container, my book, and my drink and my bag which was a tablecloth in its former life. 45 minutes of bliss, and I feel like my batteries have been recharged. I can pick myself up, dust myself off and get in control of things again....I hope!

Garden Week

Firstly, a massive thankyou to those who responded to my plea about how old is too old. I am much more confident that we still have time to add to our little family, and armed with the opinions of other women who are on my side, I have presented the "research" to my partner, and he is willing to talk about it a little more. (fingers crossed)

On another note, I have totally pilfered an idea from the lovely Tammy's blog and have declared this Garden Week. I dont really have a garden to speak of, I do however have the best of intentions and need the focus to get moving. Hopefully this will be the nudge that I need.

I am awesome at cultivating many varieties of weeds, and those plants that I do want to grow on purpose either wither from neglect, or suffocate by being loved too much. I need to be a little more consistent. Thats the plan, prepare garden beds this week, and plant out seeds in seed tray. Wish me luck, I think I am going to need it!

How old is too old to have a baby?

We had the golden child just before I turned 30, and vowed never to have a child after that as it was too old - I didnt want to be mistaken for the Granny.

Now that I am 33 and a bit, I have decided that it is not so old afterall, and that I want another. I am a bit well.....my darling calls it lardy, or chunky, I like to think of my shape more as rubenesque - like the classic paintings! and I would need to get in shape before having another child. I guess I am asking the question, how long do I have before it is too late?

If anyone has any advice, I would really appreciate it. My partner is willing to have another child, however thinks that I need to be healthy first to carry it to term and while I agree in theory with his idea, this means even more time and I am worried that I will run out. Holp, please!!!

Ravelry is evil

I have recently discovered Ravelry. It is so easy to lose hours at a time on that site and still not scratch the surface of what is there.

In my travels, I discovered the Ewe Beaut Fibre Sampler. A great chance to sample the beautiful yarn anf fibre created by Aussies, and Kiwis. Getting one can be a challenge, and involves stalking Etsy at the allotted time. I was fortunate enough to buy my very own yesterday. I was so excited, and was leaping around the office. I will post a pic as soon as it arrives, in the mean time, youc an look at the blog and see all the awesome stuff that will soon be on its way to my house.

Blogtoberfest Rocks

There are giveaways everywhere.

I just entered this one. I have my fingers crossed, these would be perfect for Christmas Day!

This Giveaway is extra special, from the lovely Kate, its a chance to win a book that was written by her mother!

Here is another one, they just keep coming. Check out the clever Interchangeable Needle Case that Jo has designed.

There are more around of course, but thats enough sharing for now!

Enjoy the rest of your Sunday.

Edited to add: Oh okay, just one more awesome giveaway. Check it out for yourself here. No more I promise.

Fun at the Circus

On Friday night we went here. Having worked all day, this was really the last thing that I wanted to do, and it was cold and miserable but Grant had planted the idea in Riley's head, and that was the end of all discussion about the matter - MEN- anyway, I digress. The moral here is that the circus was great fun. I hadn't been since I was a kid and was ready for it to be lame and a little bit daggy, so hopeful about the evening was I that I smuggled my crochet stuff into my bag (just in case).

Boy was I surprised, it was fun, and energetic and totally modern. There were elements of old school with dog tricks and the cutest little ponies, but it was action packed and kids and parents alike were mesmerised. If you are in Sydney and have a chance, go along, they are at this particular location until 18/10 according to the website. Oh, and if you do go get the ringside seats, you are so close you can see the sweat on the brow of the trapeze artists!

Sorry for waffling, just wanted to share the fun, oh and Riley brought a clown nose home and has been entertaining us with his clown act ever since. Money well spent I think.

Edited to add: DELiciousDesignz is having an amazing giveaway, go on over here for your chance to win, I did!! Those rings are amazing, and it is so very hard to chose a favourite.

The Culinary Needs of the Preschool Set

I have a question for all the mothers out there...

Can anyone tell me why, when I have so many cookbooks and am always trying to broaden our horizons with the meals that I feed my boys, with a little help from some "friends" (you know, Jamie, Donna, Stephanie, the whole gang)








If my precious son was to decide the menu plan, every single dinner would look a little something like this....
In case you cant see in the pic, he is eating canned spaghetti and in the corner of the shot, is just the straw from a popper of juice.

The fashionistas among you will note the beaded necklace being sported here, dinner is a dressy occasion in our house!

Like all wild animals, this one does not appreciate being disturbed while eating, hence the moody scowl. With looks like those, teenagehood makes me a little anxious.