tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5549418352543500692023-11-17T00:42:34.955+11:00Jac's Mum's BlogJac's Mumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15020308226298936717noreply@blogger.comBlogger46125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-554941835254350069.post-80547715474202732612014-03-11T19:19:00.002+11:002014-03-11T19:19:23.618+11:00Searching for QuentinPaul is looking for an old running friend (old friend, that is, not old person), named Quentin Morley. <br />
I'm putting this photo up here as a reference, should this info eventually make its way to Quentin. Apparently it's taken after the Dubbo Zoo Fun Run in about 1990. Paul is on the left of the shot, Quentin on the right.<br />
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Jac's Mumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15020308226298936717noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-554941835254350069.post-82833307415672721802013-06-22T19:02:00.000+10:002013-06-22T19:02:04.553+10:00Matcham Square, for Dave<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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2k loop.Jac's Mumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15020308226298936717noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-554941835254350069.post-54693313097658130962013-05-28T22:48:00.000+10:002013-05-28T22:48:08.545+10:00Not Mine, But I Love It All The Same<iframe frameborder="0" height="480" src="https://www.facebook.com/video/embed?video_id=128285217376149" width="854"></iframe>Jac's Mumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15020308226298936717noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-554941835254350069.post-58428491729725796252012-10-19T21:13:00.001+11:002013-12-26T23:24:44.333+11:00A snippet, aka Finding the meaning in pink hair.The Do is a week and a half old now, and three days into pink-ness. I have observed quite a few things since going short (and now pink):<br />
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- Some people do judge others by their appearance, and treat them accordingly. It would seem that it is a truth universally acknowledged, that a lady with very short hair (now bleached and pink) and black glasses, must be in want of a wife (Jane Austen, and my gay friends, forgive me. And in a way, I'm loving the raised eyebrows, in solidarity).<br />
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- However, the people who matter, don't judge by appearances. Even if they don't like or don't understand what they see. They find it within themselves to be accepting, kind, stalwart, empathising, encouraging - and it doesn't seem to require any extra effort on their parts. <br />
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That had me reflecting, on what a simple, but enormously generous gift someone gives you, when they treat you well, regardless of your situation in life. Acceptance, respect, gestures of kindness, can be so uplifting, they can remove the sting of much awfulness, the pain of much discouragement and difficulty. When I think back on the times when I have been the recipient of someone's thoughtfulness, empathy and recognition, it's the essence of those moments that stays with me. Even if it's only a well-timed smile, or the sharing of a story, it makes such a difference in the richness of life. I need to know more about kindness. I can feel a new reading project coming on...<br />
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In other trivial moments, No. 1 daughter and I were discussing what I should do next, with the Do. She suggested topiary.<br />
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<br />Jac's Mumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15020308226298936717noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-554941835254350069.post-34907557501262849562012-10-11T16:05:00.002+11:002012-10-19T20:33:45.120+11:00Why I Shaved My Head...Back again, after 8 or so months, most of it spent without a computer. You'll be glad to know I wrote many posts for my blog in that time - all in my head, while showering, hanging washing, commuting (esp. that last one - a 3.25 hr daily commute 2 days a week adds up to 26 hours a month on a train). To my 5 readers (no, I'm flattering myself!) - to my 3 readers, I apologise. But at this point, why bother covering the year-that-was, let's just jump to NOW -<br />
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<a href="http://dailyplateofcrazy.com/2010/01/04/why-i-wouldnt-shave-my-head/">BLW</a>, I'd like to say I don't know what I was thinking, but in fact I knew exactly what I was thinking. I was thinking lots of things. And did them. <br />
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I know there's lots of blogs out there, where people touch so many readers with their writing on people they love, people they've known, people they've read about, who are dealing with cancer and dealing with loss. It's such a good process, in helping the writer express their feelings and their grief, and helping readers, who hear their own inner voice reflected in what they're reading. <br />
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This is not one of those blog posts. Although if it was, I could write about my son's best-friend's dad, who passed away last month, who was a great dad to his boys, and to mine when they were all hanging out together, as they did. He taught the boys to cook, to BBQ, to drink in moderation, to love people, to dream, and to <i>do</i>. He was big into <i>doing</i> things. All sorts of projects went from dream to reality with this guy. He built a catamaran from scratch, in his garage (and out of the garage, under a tarp when it got too big). And while he was doing all this stuff, his boys (and mine) were alongside, maybe only doing their teenage stuff in parallel, but still they saw it all, and there was always an open invitation to have a go and join in. He loved his boys, he was proud of his boys, and he showed it. I only met him a few times - everything else I know about him came from my son, who spent a good bit of his growing up years as the 'extra child' in this man's home. <br />
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The kind of love and acceptance he gave these kids, was enabling, and awesome. Together as friends, they aren't frightened to have a go at something, even if it involves making many mistakes, and they aren't sure how it will all turn out. (I put their recent forays into car improvements into the latter category). He taught them all sorts of stuff, not formally, but by doing it, and just being who he was. He walked alongside his boys as long as he could, and when he left this life, he left his boys so much, with skill, love, 'how-to', 'get-on-with-it', and 'bugger-what-anyone-else-thinks'. They will, in their own way, be men in their dad's image, and that is something I can't be sad about.<br />
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And so.<br />
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To another lovely friend, whose stock-standard greeting to me, as her voice sails across the room, is "How are you, gorgeous girl?" - a tall lady, with bold strides, bold humour, and a manner about her that can lift a whole room into good spirits. She is in the middle of treatment, still greeting me the same way, and wearing the most awesome blonde wig, that never has a bad hair day. <br />
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To these special people in my life, I doff my cap. And my hair :-), gone to be 1/6 of a wig for someone with cancer.<br />
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<br />Jac's Mumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15020308226298936717noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-554941835254350069.post-46413998647389963502011-12-21T20:50:00.004+11:002011-12-21T21:18:47.467+11:00Eine Kleine NachtmusikI found some CDs at the Op-shop yesterday, while I had my 3 older kids out shopping for Christmas presents -> all done in one stop at the Salvos (Salvation Army thrift store, for my O/S readers :-). Back to the CDs. Only with my oldest, and next-to-youngest along, have I ever noticed the CD towers, over near the books. They are made from the same mold, those two kids - the kind of people who always stop to smell the roses, maybe take a picture, or render a quick sketch or watercolour of the roses. You know the type. And I have two of them.<br />So, I found the CDs. And bought... ... a synthesiser Bach compilation (because I like Bach so much, it will sound good to me, even on a synthesiser!); a Tchaikovsky ballet compilation, and an ABC (our version of your NBC, or CBC in Canada) disc compiled for dinner parties (Track 1 is Handel's "Arrival of the Queen of Sheba" - must be one of the most beautiful pieces ever written).<br /><br />Today I popped out to the stores to get the youngest two to have haircuts (before we lose Knox under his long blond hair), got some shortbread to give our neighbours on each side (yeah, yeah, I should bake, but then what if it tastes gosh-awful, and they'd never say? Plus I have a way of leaving out a key ingredient when I'm making things for special occasions). With that, I think I'm done with preparations for the holidays.<br /><br />Oh. Except wrapping gifts. I wonder if it's quicker to sew little baggies for the gifts? Maybe, maybe. Hmm, TBA.<br /><br />And so, I close today (if I can get blogger to co-operate) with some pictures of my very extravagant (3 strings of battery operated lights) light display at the front of my house.<br />xxx to you all, and I hope you are having a lovely time getting things ready for your special people.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQXcVmuD9wo2Z7RtjNULdkguj4JyteWDf-sxvw7Aqstn_oPVFOWWfbQGy2FEGo6eTVuYxTJ-BuAWjsx016J3ge22zrR8jgluVT-nX1FCDagNDljgrI0r4BUumqHCtivSAHAdZMQNfcU8LF/s1600/21122011060.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQXcVmuD9wo2Z7RtjNULdkguj4JyteWDf-sxvw7Aqstn_oPVFOWWfbQGy2FEGo6eTVuYxTJ-BuAWjsx016J3ge22zrR8jgluVT-nX1FCDagNDljgrI0r4BUumqHCtivSAHAdZMQNfcU8LF/s400/21122011060.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5688521803030787666" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH35BlSyHy9JAjvc5PUgy7Gqb0yedkOBSHdjLmBPTpsYcsQsJ5UoZ7uCAJRi04yb3kJId9JTBfopgIqiJxLQCjNqd9Gg60ewHc93oQ-EK4XHBmgp1xVKgxwaO4sRCww_NcTnLs2cYLGQXX/s1600/21122011058.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH35BlSyHy9JAjvc5PUgy7Gqb0yedkOBSHdjLmBPTpsYcsQsJ5UoZ7uCAJRi04yb3kJId9JTBfopgIqiJxLQCjNqd9Gg60ewHc93oQ-EK4XHBmgp1xVKgxwaO4sRCww_NcTnLs2cYLGQXX/s400/21122011058.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5688521790163958098" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9dpm6B_5ezh5OhHZDnxVN1dTmmdnZRK8m2Xigw0OHsyMgyNpmr2hksRZl-jsDp3TTLUChJKMGFyqlx-anG0XaGxJjVPKYJQzisMtK0hkYd2GBRrxd0N6wtZSd9KbMBtOvQzOTUIfZAhYk/s1600/21122011064.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9dpm6B_5ezh5OhHZDnxVN1dTmmdnZRK8m2Xigw0OHsyMgyNpmr2hksRZl-jsDp3TTLUChJKMGFyqlx-anG0XaGxJjVPKYJQzisMtK0hkYd2GBRrxd0N6wtZSd9KbMBtOvQzOTUIfZAhYk/s400/21122011064.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5688521805024374546" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">That's Jacinta putting dinner (that she cooked) on the table, after she'd whizzed off on her bike to the store to get an ingredient she thought we were out of. It was in the cupboard all along, but for once, she had a "guy" look, and didn't find it. Precious daughter.</span></span><br /></div>Jac's Mumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15020308226298936717noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-554941835254350069.post-33088805842743027062011-12-21T10:03:00.003+11:002011-12-21T10:27:44.348+11:00One Room Done<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5qEym5HlHcaXJlIImzwsmknDmm-Z5MIFO2YOW4CRra4MBzM9foKgKAbZmsB5KJuAEolGrUwt_YOAkr_1EOfcB8aJtSGL9NNxDBaEB6Y4sZ1IHM3Svm0NPYRkyKidxwTBZhjmD-gstUxtD/s1600/21122011055.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5qEym5HlHcaXJlIImzwsmknDmm-Z5MIFO2YOW4CRra4MBzM9foKgKAbZmsB5KJuAEolGrUwt_YOAkr_1EOfcB8aJtSGL9NNxDBaEB6Y4sZ1IHM3Svm0NPYRkyKidxwTBZhjmD-gstUxtD/s400/21122011055.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5688351270102363202" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">We cleaned, spirited toys away, and took a quick picture, before someone comes in with boots, another with a bike, shopping, newspapers...</span><br /><br /><br /></span></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:85%;">You get the idea. The other rooms are also (a bit) tidier, but not really photo-worthy. Wait until I tidy the roof space and the laundry</span> - <span style="font-size:85%;">I know you're just dying to see those, too :-). Just don't look too closely...</span><br /><br /></div></div>Jac's Mumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15020308226298936717noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-554941835254350069.post-6289091852109043712011-12-14T09:11:00.005+11:002011-12-14T10:15:17.274+11:00Because You Have To Start Somewhere.<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuhI72At1LSPrHNnND3to5ppmEFZFGxZpF68Is5C4sqaRVBLrd279TYRJNOGIi7ra555rqvw6cvj4IlgAocXJZ9PN_TqB4apocE9aN6oA-jhZk3N9yYAKsJDRUCES5q4WJGOXj1wd8a-4m/s1600/14122011734.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuhI72At1LSPrHNnND3to5ppmEFZFGxZpF68Is5C4sqaRVBLrd279TYRJNOGIi7ra555rqvw6cvj4IlgAocXJZ9PN_TqB4apocE9aN6oA-jhZk3N9yYAKsJDRUCES5q4WJGOXj1wd8a-4m/s400/14122011734.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5685748397272381794" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">A relatively normal backyard.</span></span><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-family: courier new; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuhI72At1LSPrHNnND3to5ppmEFZFGxZpF68Is5C4sqaRVBLrd279TYRJNOGIi7ra555rqvw6cvj4IlgAocXJZ9PN_TqB4apocE9aN6oA-jhZk3N9yYAKsJDRUCES5q4WJGOXj1wd8a-4m/s1600/14122011734.jpg">What a year it has been! Yep, it occasionally bothers me that I haven't posted a blog entry since February, but I wrote lots of posts in my head, just so you know. And I read lots and lots of other peoples', so in a way it's good. After all, blogging might help me clarify some things in my own mind, but it's still my own point of view, and a zillion times over, I'd rather be absorbing other peoples' thoughts, and assimilating those. I think a joke about being a thought whore probably belongs in here, but typing one-handed = it's too hard.<br /><br />I don't think I can possibly catch up on a whole year. Might as well just start with now. Whoa, the house is messy. So many people crammed in, and getting up to stuff. No, we are not one of those households that keeps everything neat, stored, and looking like nobody lives there. We are most definitely here.<br /><br />And so, to a photo essay (as much as I can figure out with Blogger), to explain why things look the way they do.</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWItgeh3vqhwcmY2yfwGLklhWDhQS1Zaqr-jzMBEHKs5w5CcQ1s3bBM1_iRczflYTYxiYmwZwA54hbaFt7kbvkz7-bU_QdvXy6M43lIWwQdDBRH_w3p3fCELAyYn8EPmxkTe11zns7Ty4W/s1600/14122011733.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWItgeh3vqhwcmY2yfwGLklhWDhQS1Zaqr-jzMBEHKs5w5CcQ1s3bBM1_iRczflYTYxiYmwZwA54hbaFt7kbvkz7-bU_QdvXy6M43lIWwQdDBRH_w3p3fCELAyYn8EPmxkTe11zns7Ty4W/s400/14122011733.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5685748383844820354" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">The herb patch, bolted to stems and seed with all the rain.</span></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKhrDstmdy-8ZBVyEM6ErnkRJEG4BYBMoW-VbQ8SoZUKAHdGi5bbJ8QQuwE4mcKy5iRf_rQ0cDC7oHcL_3yFVWN7D_xbHQryWZHlQnlttdBL9eVfrVPm5drd85rhJeHlfxkahyphenhyphen3vLFmGFl/s1600/14122011730.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKhrDstmdy-8ZBVyEM6ErnkRJEG4BYBMoW-VbQ8SoZUKAHdGi5bbJ8QQuwE4mcKy5iRf_rQ0cDC7oHcL_3yFVWN7D_xbHQryWZHlQnlttdBL9eVfrVPm5drd85rhJeHlfxkahyphenhyphen3vLFmGFl/s400/14122011730.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5685748372033432962" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Can you say "Bicycle Shed"??? As in need one, now!</span></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdtJsKo6Qa6fq64Pg3DodWTDlCbDnLOkXTyIaTHD_t6rQFBhG9Czy64CGrnvVf7kiFnesQhISZIl-fMjN0sd_BKbxDl0azxX_Hb7VmPROSqyIfum2deu1KX81Ceyr9zi6ZFUzbBbNQop64/s1600/14122011736.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdtJsKo6Qa6fq64Pg3DodWTDlCbDnLOkXTyIaTHD_t6rQFBhG9Czy64CGrnvVf7kiFnesQhISZIl-fMjN0sd_BKbxDl0azxX_Hb7VmPROSqyIfum2deu1KX81Ceyr9zi6ZFUzbBbNQop64/s400/14122011736.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5685748399780124530" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">I included this photo, to show that depending on the angle and composition, you can make even the trashiest house look almost good enough for your favourite Mormon Mommy blog</span></span>.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnSLgnPFgG2TmKhW7sJiiH1JDVaL5sDlWfwACO9DiBnJDVws-z1DbDcTgbIOtR3Jsibf_P4THj7Dw1YY3om-YqIye0E_qRPp7OJwIApNHQgodWzvGBegTEqMmBtxvyeMO_nsFMHvFy_fFJ/s1600/14122011724.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnSLgnPFgG2TmKhW7sJiiH1JDVaL5sDlWfwACO9DiBnJDVws-z1DbDcTgbIOtR3Jsibf_P4THj7Dw1YY3om-YqIye0E_qRPp7OJwIApNHQgodWzvGBegTEqMmBtxvyeMO_nsFMHvFy_fFJ/s400/14122011724.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5685747519059644642" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">You are now entering the serious mess zone. Maybe a half dozen sewing tasks piled up on the right, storage tubs to contain the raw materials, vacuum cleaner (left out by teenage son after cleaning his car)</span></span>,<span style="font-style: italic;"> <span style="font-size:85%;">shoes for the Op-shop and Planet Earth shoe recycling program that I forgot to take yesterday, and Grete's baby doll in her carrier. Oh, and two baskets of sorted laundry, and one to be hung outside</span></span> <span style="font-size:85%;">(<span style="font-style: italic;">when I've finished blogging)</span></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNoMZ69u4KgLxjp2ytRjJwymDoYHu1_1zpv_47IDSMPB7ZnYBHs2X1_PmCB_e8T_5xey9GVoXHT-O4dYezHI6i9_VMStvannvVF22h3RfIRX7XaYZvviPeVHefFF699Ubd23Hf6wGOBdke/s1600/14122011721.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNoMZ69u4KgLxjp2ytRjJwymDoYHu1_1zpv_47IDSMPB7ZnYBHs2X1_PmCB_e8T_5xey9GVoXHT-O4dYezHI6i9_VMStvannvVF22h3RfIRX7XaYZvviPeVHefFF699Ubd23Hf6wGOBdke/s400/14122011721.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5685747505318017890" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Kitchen, with handwash going on, and the bins needing doing (Knox, that's your job there sweetpea).</span></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-V80k6qhTk_HxNfPBMOdKKqht6r57k_UzpqHdB9CrKVrF06q0RvNgG-sTH8pjxw9-Ue3_Dmdo_Clyjj4SJthDXsV73wP0upvwkXg2lTJzy0ZOBVxFPm6RgYY7GkeebFebPsCh73JXfFD3/s1600/14122011720.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-V80k6qhTk_HxNfPBMOdKKqht6r57k_UzpqHdB9CrKVrF06q0RvNgG-sTH8pjxw9-Ue3_Dmdo_Clyjj4SJthDXsV73wP0upvwkXg2lTJzy0ZOBVxFPm6RgYY7GkeebFebPsCh73JXfFD3/s400/14122011720.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5685747484183093106" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Kitchen table, with another sewing task laid out by Knox - "Can you</span></span> <span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">widen these cut-offs for me, mum?"</span></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7-UHmfoeOoTov1lvzEsEW5L25g37B1JcKgGeBRsiZi2Qgm31g8BjfIjqH_q2LjIRi6hyphenhyphenCUe6HegJE6paH7ATKTkBBCWgVPgP1sCMVvT3axYpMSwwGbKoc6hVRI3bsNFR4Nxo6jYV55E5X/s1600/14122011719.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7-UHmfoeOoTov1lvzEsEW5L25g37B1JcKgGeBRsiZi2Qgm31g8BjfIjqH_q2LjIRi6hyphenhyphenCUe6HegJE6paH7ATKTkBBCWgVPgP1sCMVvT3axYpMSwwGbKoc6hVRI3bsNFR4Nxo6jYV55E5X/s400/14122011719.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5685747481310514466" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Two maids-a-sleeping. Yes, we sleep on the floor. As a preference. Very Japanese of us.</span></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0hXLSIYhXET3GjHkbEGTOLBPpUT2lAcnxnUJA66Acj9WMSuUM0ol6CsHrU36eLUuRkZzg4sGXemT8gD6MIjfCR5wqVwq67QELC8ZnCinh3VjhpYO6NrIvvP0D3Mi1qN8Dz4nuL3i6WS08/s1600/14122011725.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0hXLSIYhXET3GjHkbEGTOLBPpUT2lAcnxnUJA66Acj9WMSuUM0ol6CsHrU36eLUuRkZzg4sGXemT8gD6MIjfCR5wqVwq67QELC8ZnCinh3VjhpYO6NrIvvP0D3Mi1qN8Dz4nuL3i6WS08/s400/14122011725.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5685747531232608274" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Bissy's Lair - all of her stuff brought back from Uni last week, after 3 years as an undergrad. TBC...</span></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinfYNcsGfdpR00-Gf17CsiLtcA2jPJ1-YU2LORx5ov6ztechrgdpkElPFoqcZU-ED0i-5rvFF9xGR6cbqdao7jBMsLMrEnPQn3btKvtch-LmRc4vmhwAqAzbteZmzmfkQam8Jv3FLG6wQS/s1600/14122011716.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinfYNcsGfdpR00-Gf17CsiLtcA2jPJ1-YU2LORx5ov6ztechrgdpkElPFoqcZU-ED0i-5rvFF9xGR6cbqdao7jBMsLMrEnPQn3btKvtch-LmRc4vmhwAqAzbteZmzmfkQam8Jv3FLG6wQS/s400/14122011716.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5685744977208524674" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">And in no particular order, Grete's dollhouse shelf, the piano, the hopping ball that we have had since Jacinta was a toddler, tubs of toys waiting to be stored in the laundry again, and jumper and blanket from last night's run (literally) to the store with the Mountain Buggy. </span></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEqNTNryaPgkrsvtnapsVhAHjGTM0UexmZUfrUVN0-AcW94ehE-0UWC5AtWmp4QHfzNBh5F_3aiPZXHdV1Z2tCjyGwJm44zrpwa1z_ukIkadVmTQvnXv9OkdzQwXoFHjKetXUvS8N03mtn/s1600/14122011715.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEqNTNryaPgkrsvtnapsVhAHjGTM0UexmZUfrUVN0-AcW94ehE-0UWC5AtWmp4QHfzNBh5F_3aiPZXHdV1Z2tCjyGwJm44zrpwa1z_ukIkadVmTQvnXv9OkdzQwXoFHjKetXUvS8N03mtn/s400/14122011715.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5685744968684742178" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">The blackboard wall, waiting for some seasonal drawings to be added before Grete can add to her random spaceship works.</span></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH_wxoVnZN0u-SXZqMSlRBz4vTb_5zg3qZlO6du6eeAehSiGb8_gCoAuDid2VGk2C666MWzw0690a_4Edc-bE33mAyijYjGygiAppAa97Z9x6KaevPy3uARj6Nv2-XGwsGMDVArZVKg4nJ/s1600/14122011713.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH_wxoVnZN0u-SXZqMSlRBz4vTb_5zg3qZlO6du6eeAehSiGb8_gCoAuDid2VGk2C666MWzw0690a_4Edc-bE33mAyijYjGygiAppAa97Z9x6KaevPy3uARj6Nv2-XGwsGMDVArZVKg4nJ/s400/14122011713.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5685744963147882450" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Rocking horse from Op-shop, futon because Daddy P slept over and has gone to work, the Barbie collection and storage tub for Barbies, the imitation feather Christmas tree</span></span>,<span style="font-style: italic;"> <span style="font-size:85%;">lost in the flotsam and jetsam.</span></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUCFjseDOV4H4L3AVIQLitSsLUsSZyeAHjQXVRw0iOD3oN7RcjZTzaiIlvJ-b_BpVqVi-msHEvtt4Dy5lVQV0qaJlLpbz8ODLfMIuQam_-XTrtWvmq_hxzxZvBxJw2Jq5qPVLuTjuNifRp/s1600/14122011718.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUCFjseDOV4H4L3AVIQLitSsLUsSZyeAHjQXVRw0iOD3oN7RcjZTzaiIlvJ-b_BpVqVi-msHEvtt4Dy5lVQV0qaJlLpbz8ODLfMIuQam_-XTrtWvmq_hxzxZvBxJw2Jq5qPVLuTjuNifRp/s400/14122011718.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5685744986634023618" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">And the Hallyway. Potty Central, plus stuff waiting to be stored in the roofspace for the summer. No, that is not a Stormtrooper costume, it's Knox's fullface helmet, for his serious Kamikaze stage of mountain biking. Fan, because Australian summer is meant to be hot (even though it's still cold at the moment).<br /><br /></span></span></div>Jac's Mumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15020308226298936717noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-554941835254350069.post-71319232558576271062011-02-17T17:39:00.002+11:002011-02-17T17:45:41.556+11:00Mountain Buggy<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLZNsBG18LZWuGLHrfock4pGuwl8xwiVkOQeCZ6sQZfKFy7PGoJZmSWVp_O9AA7eqCmq6cTck9nOCCE-UQzeKVZQEAvu-2-99FUHJVyrnYmdh7fq3irHL3PkdNfVuEFF6IRlXAVOrKKQut/s1600/Grete+Ourimbah.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLZNsBG18LZWuGLHrfock4pGuwl8xwiVkOQeCZ6sQZfKFy7PGoJZmSWVp_O9AA7eqCmq6cTck9nOCCE-UQzeKVZQEAvu-2-99FUHJVyrnYmdh7fq3irHL3PkdNfVuEFF6IRlXAVOrKKQut/s400/Grete+Ourimbah.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574545393386799410" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1oKiQGr2ig-Vt_qXGkpoqE1MJ5pEi4q5DxehhKnU6-uTSfxCORys2OLX13QC19R2Z5_JgmU_wCHaZE1Vjkfk83RstIM-0HsKnpPCrFBEZ18WQqUHc5u02Pv9rDzHIanw2slCAMUJiJKYp/s1600/261120091161.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1oKiQGr2ig-Vt_qXGkpoqE1MJ5pEi4q5DxehhKnU6-uTSfxCORys2OLX13QC19R2Z5_JgmU_wCHaZE1Vjkfk83RstIM-0HsKnpPCrFBEZ18WQqUHc5u02Pv9rDzHIanw2slCAMUJiJKYp/s400/261120091161.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574545393166575634" border="0" /></a>For Mountain Buggy enthusiasts. If you can push it, it can go there. No handbrake, though; just a parking brake.Jac's Mumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15020308226298936717noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-554941835254350069.post-64823918213402579792011-02-14T13:01:00.004+11:002011-02-14T14:19:56.167+11:00Ode to St Valentine<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwp16fhYlM_RnTM0EBQeQJGBddw4DCh9WqZbsnsxIWiDDdZpFwPuGpBy4LgMt3gu3YiUUYIvfceZ_6ALfbvybhAX5VAlQYSqdHYL77QIrDQaS6FBP2oanLx8kGS6XcScEmJcsxs68yo4Oi/s1600/03.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwp16fhYlM_RnTM0EBQeQJGBddw4DCh9WqZbsnsxIWiDDdZpFwPuGpBy4LgMt3gu3YiUUYIvfceZ_6ALfbvybhAX5VAlQYSqdHYL77QIrDQaS6FBP2oanLx8kGS6XcScEmJcsxs68yo4Oi/s400/03.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573360277364995970" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLDGsBN6Hg3RbNXxhT8GXTeS1kJVtSnavdZlff9ZlPOXzv0R7hY4KQLUpy3pk227kQf3BM83nrDYt51ce_3yBH9R4t-rF6Eq3I4eZc2HApb6TYo06vmnudbwMACyNWVVAHSHVYKUX8cZXy/s1600/02.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLDGsBN6Hg3RbNXxhT8GXTeS1kJVtSnavdZlff9ZlPOXzv0R7hY4KQLUpy3pk227kQf3BM83nrDYt51ce_3yBH9R4t-rF6Eq3I4eZc2HApb6TYo06vmnudbwMACyNWVVAHSHVYKUX8cZXy/s400/02.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573360272694744178" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD_WRJZvJuzkZWmyN1I9pniI1RGD3rn1ayFAu3bR0srjJtUpbhCN_JvQJ3JNfrxgIGm3hHXaSwBNGfSg8jFv2WOo1nlZuw86hL-u5BLs7zvU3Q9eW3lIU_deQXUQYdlYQ6RpsDgL6slE9e/s1600/01.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD_WRJZvJuzkZWmyN1I9pniI1RGD3rn1ayFAu3bR0srjJtUpbhCN_JvQJ3JNfrxgIGm3hHXaSwBNGfSg8jFv2WOo1nlZuw86hL-u5BLs7zvU3Q9eW3lIU_deQXUQYdlYQ6RpsDgL6slE9e/s400/01.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573360268979126274" border="0" /></a><br />...aka Picnic at Hanging Rock (Joan Lindsay). Loved that <a href="http://www.penguin.com.au/products/9780143202721/picnic-hanging-rock-popular-penguins">novel</a>, <a href="http://books.google.com.au/books?id=ikKEdvjtukEC&pg=PA21&lpg=PA21&dq=ode+to+st+valentine+picnic&source=bl&ots=o7h7LJcz2X&sig=p9Suc1LiuLahpV94Ca-8r3MkPco&hl=en&ei=C5xYTdmGL4TmvQOL_YzXBA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=9&sqi=2&ved=0CFUQ6AEwCA#v=onepage&q&f=false">play</a>, and the <a href="http://www.peterweircave.com/articles/articleg.html">movie</a>. Classically Australian.<br /><br />The above photos are No. 1's gift to her housemates at Uni. Origami roses. Op shop vase. You've got style, Jac.Jac's Mumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15020308226298936717noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-554941835254350069.post-72608867493913617432011-01-06T13:00:00.005+11:002011-01-06T13:24:38.497+11:00The Front Yard this time.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcfRn7upUcywwJ8NsXq62KiqRRW_vWAQu_bFItEGPip9KPZ8h5rFjAvh6W-MvG4irdwgpjz6Jqcu6P7map5ibU2dpv1JOhTtXR8VXmo9vAlh7j-HcRGgxoq8bLMoXsZZqRMTLDFiCjQ6XI/s1600/050120112321.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcfRn7upUcywwJ8NsXq62KiqRRW_vWAQu_bFItEGPip9KPZ8h5rFjAvh6W-MvG4irdwgpjz6Jqcu6P7map5ibU2dpv1JOhTtXR8VXmo9vAlh7j-HcRGgxoq8bLMoXsZZqRMTLDFiCjQ6XI/s400/050120112321.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558887596484192562" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3-VRjUYrRWUXUZLhxQpj88NiNAU2T-8TGPnV9CGmsTCbREoHmn7pe1mtrM3_FLAL2cBT0GGuxPiEEbtfgwn9PuC3e8zOh_fr7zeY2_N198g5bE8KL0CGiLeW2Y6jlOuIReu4Wg3G7uHZ9/s1600/050120112326.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3-VRjUYrRWUXUZLhxQpj88NiNAU2T-8TGPnV9CGmsTCbREoHmn7pe1mtrM3_FLAL2cBT0GGuxPiEEbtfgwn9PuC3e8zOh_fr7zeY2_N198g5bE8KL0CGiLeW2Y6jlOuIReu4Wg3G7uHZ9/s400/050120112326.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558887595651517522" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi-T3F5EtVlzGiKHgz0bbmAPIPWWhSPIIM9ZhyphenhyphenAEaqDhoXgJd8GHW9nP9yBku8LrkHndv6Mzn976uHTva4hREyRRq6LNUBn7Y4XjWQFbcogvWKBQAnTCuqTLd01A94QcUjq5eLor9UgNUi/s1600/050120112319.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi-T3F5EtVlzGiKHgz0bbmAPIPWWhSPIIM9ZhyphenhyphenAEaqDhoXgJd8GHW9nP9yBku8LrkHndv6Mzn976uHTva4hREyRRq6LNUBn7Y4XjWQFbcogvWKBQAnTCuqTLd01A94QcUjq5eLor9UgNUi/s400/050120112319.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558887586396460338" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhagnTJitGj43RVayxsWruMdAc7olKC7Z4_4hf0ZPi2rxl9R0380WQPZhNV_7Jt4e_8s9c7FlCNKTFmszaJlt8v1lZXkVceFdru0f-eaJcC0265BpioPtvsMuHeYXeRLPksHp2U61ly7zXz/s1600/050120112320.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhagnTJitGj43RVayxsWruMdAc7olKC7Z4_4hf0ZPi2rxl9R0380WQPZhNV_7Jt4e_8s9c7FlCNKTFmszaJlt8v1lZXkVceFdru0f-eaJcC0265BpioPtvsMuHeYXeRLPksHp2U61ly7zXz/s400/050120112320.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558887582266976850" border="0" /></a>Aah, the Australian summer. Gum leaves, gum leaves, and more gum leaves. And not a koala in sight. Yeah, I should probably rake up those leaves sometime. Mm. Maybe later? <br /><br />Actually I've been streamlining the housework this summer; mostly by just <span style="font-style: italic;">not doing it</span>. The kitchen is clean but cluttered, the bathroom is acceptable, the rest of the house is dusty, but it isn't bothering me. I'd like to say I've been really creative during this spell, but I've mostly been resting, and idly dreaming of things I might do when I'm feeling like it. I suppose I know that my energy and sense of industry will return, and that the in-between times are just that, and not to be viewed with negativity. (I don't like the clumpy nature of that last bit of wording - suggestions, please?) BLW, loved your <a href="http://dailyplateofcrazy.com/2011/01/05/gender-roles-virile-verbs-apathetic-adverbs-nouns-in-the-nunnery/#more-23654">post this morning</a>, and now I have the answer to my third option in my <a href="http://www.makingthemomentscount.com/2011/01/03/virtual-hot-cocoa/#comment-4319">hot chocolate date with Amber</a> - I would like to have learned more grammar. Unlike my friend <a href="http://www.dailyplateofcrazy.com">BLW</a>, I just write it like I say it. So, her words are the topiary and parterre gardens to my unfenced bush paddock. *sigh* But until I find a nerdy adult learning class on grammar (do they have such things?), I'm stuck with colloquial and clumpy.Jac's Mumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15020308226298936717noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-554941835254350069.post-65464287589163591822011-01-04T13:48:00.009+11:002011-01-04T15:26:14.764+11:00On Gardens, Solitude and Photos<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjraMDenFFqplGT6_9YwBQuMB3DT0rr9nq1q-02iDKcXhg2PbIhChQ5ZqGrZ1jw_9mWsIb-FjQBq_NaDzcBYLjPrn3lTFPk_Vk5HSgby1bYMFdAMzRrD14srsG-bJmZ8UHLwdFvyyxwOFTf/s1600/010120112274.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjraMDenFFqplGT6_9YwBQuMB3DT0rr9nq1q-02iDKcXhg2PbIhChQ5ZqGrZ1jw_9mWsIb-FjQBq_NaDzcBYLjPrn3lTFPk_Vk5HSgby1bYMFdAMzRrD14srsG-bJmZ8UHLwdFvyyxwOFTf/s400/010120112274.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558173663947897298" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Baby waiting patiently for backyard picnic,<br />having carried the chairs out herself to get things started.</span><br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNxqanJT5hAf3EqCaQEdPFpXmcQg4_73w-IbGwAPegK6jF35qPL-Ic9b7ulkPmb4TtAaP5R6fJ8CSjJr8xEnZsJNIkJJk2SoWPyra98VXnUxhACrkHFjMZLNpy6XIpDA1RHGsk6kWEaSxS/s1600/040120112307.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNxqanJT5hAf3EqCaQEdPFpXmcQg4_73w-IbGwAPegK6jF35qPL-Ic9b7ulkPmb4TtAaP5R6fJ8CSjJr8xEnZsJNIkJJk2SoWPyra98VXnUxhACrkHFjMZLNpy6XIpDA1RHGsk6kWEaSxS/s400/040120112307.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558175130463514530" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Biss, trying to evade capture,<br />while doing her Uni subject selections for Semester 1 this year.</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7lgo7x-opC5IoiBbldOlgGm8J5WLcFUV-VCyQ0lco459afEk8t97C1oTR6aFZ1HpU5LkLpOKcGmIrPq0pgtoUkPMEZrILa3xm1RoDH1vJuVyXF1BzJqkJ6q285pUX6Bmop3CQI0qJPFCP/s1600/040120112300.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7lgo7x-opC5IoiBbldOlgGm8J5WLcFUV-VCyQ0lco459afEk8t97C1oTR6aFZ1HpU5LkLpOKcGmIrPq0pgtoUkPMEZrILa3xm1RoDH1vJuVyXF1BzJqkJ6q285pUX6Bmop3CQI0qJPFCP/s400/040120112300.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558175125754055266" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">The treehouse, having been restored to its correct place in the universe,<br />after being temporarily displaced by the Christmas tree.</span><br /></div><br /><br /><br />I've come to the conclusion that a picture really does say a thousand words. I watched <span style="font-style: italic;">such</span> a good documentary 6 months or so ago, on 4 photographers, speaking about their own work, how it evolved, what it meant to them. If I find the reference for the docu, I'll insert it here. But I've been musing this morning on how much I love blog posts with photos, from other people's homes, outings, kids, fashions - whatever it pleases them to post, I'm interested.<br />So, I thought I'd go on a photojournalism stint for a bit, and just capture some of what's going on around me.<br /><br />There is a bit of a problem with putting this new idea into practice, though. I only use my phone camera. Point, shoot, plug in USB, finished. I don't crop, chop, slice or dice. Or even focus... I used to love the old Ricoh camera, back in the days when cameras used film. I didn't know the name of the things I was manipulating, but I knew how to set it up to take the pictures I wanted. When things went digital, I got left behind. Of course, I can see the wonderful innovation that digital photography is - I could barely afford to develop and print my photos in the old days. And there <span style="font-style: italic;">was</span> that time when I thought there was a roll of film in the camera, but there wasn't...<br /><br />SO - I guess I'll have to get photography lessons from my kids, and then get on with it. TBC on that.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwQdVkq-tsmRrMy34yQ-N6bZ9pnoQ6NqW-DJ_vYfSsy2MvEtrcnOfM4A06P6zbIwHM1KRshfSfDXeXR_R50f0fvU_-DSL7Q48YlpPmcdxFVWsCjiISgKAqiVYu44az-VEXNj6sfyEFKkV0/s1600/040120112295.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwQdVkq-tsmRrMy34yQ-N6bZ9pnoQ6NqW-DJ_vYfSsy2MvEtrcnOfM4A06P6zbIwHM1KRshfSfDXeXR_R50f0fvU_-DSL7Q48YlpPmcdxFVWsCjiISgKAqiVYu44az-VEXNj6sfyEFKkV0/s400/040120112295.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558174112670571410" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-size:85%;">Christmas Packing Up.<br /></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQm3Zkwvjosz1rC01NyW129nHE021Q1xRbBSfU9j2tImNFTxWviX5RbgVMy6Ae_g9KNMFeNz68RfQ5qqnIXxQTUNL7oz-k_IGVkZIbePu6DDLx2tIu2qwhe4046r74lRpHO4cr1HKTnFZU/s1600/040120112297.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQm3Zkwvjosz1rC01NyW129nHE021Q1xRbBSfU9j2tImNFTxWviX5RbgVMy6Ae_g9KNMFeNz68RfQ5qqnIXxQTUNL7oz-k_IGVkZIbePu6DDLx2tIu2qwhe4046r74lRpHO4cr1HKTnFZU/s400/040120112297.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558174119807999314" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-size:85%;">Reindeer Roadkill<br /><span style="font-size:78%;">(note to Amber - see crumbs on floor;<br />perfection in housekeeping is only<br />for those people who don't have better things to do :-) )</span><br /></span></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIPIaMb2RPw4zJ60BS3lNYeuMDIm1xTTqU0fKUrl8SQeHJP-5T9uEzD2vgT6jMAj7B9yUMCP9VOdRPumaXTD82xoewY326n5GFEhTz58PPIMA9K6Q54Yxsba5pdyoHCw_HCkfnivBzgiOm/s1600/040120112299.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIPIaMb2RPw4zJ60BS3lNYeuMDIm1xTTqU0fKUrl8SQeHJP-5T9uEzD2vgT6jMAj7B9yUMCP9VOdRPumaXTD82xoewY326n5GFEhTz58PPIMA9K6Q54Yxsba5pdyoHCw_HCkfnivBzgiOm/s400/040120112299.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558174120641487058" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-size:85%;">Knox, making helpful commentary on my photo composition.<br /><br /></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size:85%;">Gardens. Sort of.<br /></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje0xlcDDZmJPTM8d8wpYaYAI2WHZg5IOZfmVxYmmkWwKDzFkIeGxC5vwO0WtwYGYhbgro81ywoUlgOILvzztJ0nUxSR-y5U0bcVthmcFjE521szT9XmksG56fWHh53HqFSF-o-a3Kmcbpz/s1600/020120112277.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje0xlcDDZmJPTM8d8wpYaYAI2WHZg5IOZfmVxYmmkWwKDzFkIeGxC5vwO0WtwYGYhbgro81ywoUlgOILvzztJ0nUxSR-y5U0bcVthmcFjE521szT9XmksG56fWHh53HqFSF-o-a3Kmcbpz/s400/020120112277.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558173672762582290" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size:85%;">Surveying the seedlings by flashlight after a storm; Biss and Somer.<br /></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH_AQoMrPP3A6bO0UrTojSxkImV7nsH6ba5gfwWorrM09HgbSluzXykAgEYCw8CBMq3__02txZtI4PF9flZzoItk7LJ_D4dzXZ1VQwyqEYCp5VKuf9cleUcHXD5dWI05FOfFQOBgciFjVF/s1600/020120112280.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH_AQoMrPP3A6bO0UrTojSxkImV7nsH6ba5gfwWorrM09HgbSluzXykAgEYCw8CBMq3__02txZtI4PF9flZzoItk7LJ_D4dzXZ1VQwyqEYCp5VKuf9cleUcHXD5dWI05FOfFQOBgciFjVF/s400/020120112280.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558173675036543058" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">And on solitude. From Youtube. Like the other commenters, I just <span style="font-style: italic;">love</span> this girl's Canadian accent.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><object width="640" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/k7X7sZzSXYs?fs=1&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/k7X7sZzSXYs?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object></div>Jac's Mumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15020308226298936717noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-554941835254350069.post-64727898067431649532011-01-02T12:54:00.007+11:002011-01-02T19:47:20.109+11:00Doings.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsbFSEOvDAbE7Hal3MsUqGiM6mgImc-IBGn14dLdPMBnNFe-Cy3sCDUCrU7k2NX_soQZ9XJ4axmbBGwoZXzFUHvys9hhwzLHZio1mDPB_Ncwe578mw__Nm9yr5MqMBsZ0Sx6JmnNL3ZENk/s1600/121220102182.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsbFSEOvDAbE7Hal3MsUqGiM6mgImc-IBGn14dLdPMBnNFe-Cy3sCDUCrU7k2NX_soQZ9XJ4axmbBGwoZXzFUHvys9hhwzLHZio1mDPB_Ncwe578mw__Nm9yr5MqMBsZ0Sx6JmnNL3ZENk/s400/121220102182.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557449869984512194" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-t19fdI8rRg3FjUdiWpX6uP8wIma0T5yLqZfrEA1_wxJ5UQ-6Q_9ChftQYcfgt8XEQbmSfBvvlVOlmyfc0V3dxIZaTOtKnTbzAtXgMzFRj_dk9ffpuCL-FnJ6jrqgVuKrz8ZrtnEWNWJu/s1600/121220102177.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-t19fdI8rRg3FjUdiWpX6uP8wIma0T5yLqZfrEA1_wxJ5UQ-6Q_9ChftQYcfgt8XEQbmSfBvvlVOlmyfc0V3dxIZaTOtKnTbzAtXgMzFRj_dk9ffpuCL-FnJ6jrqgVuKrz8ZrtnEWNWJu/s400/121220102177.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557449864083133218" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiG6sn9EUNWr9Emcdnkgyak4kATv-mmyAVWvDkAcKal3qmVbKvprIEwsyJk3qRT4GeeJyD2HPwRwc72vIvoYZYerKyKQRLVsCyCCHjj6LhToScLpeaibvgK9HEaslJhQXhfHhfvatL5F3G/s1600/291220102244.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiG6sn9EUNWr9Emcdnkgyak4kATv-mmyAVWvDkAcKal3qmVbKvprIEwsyJk3qRT4GeeJyD2HPwRwc72vIvoYZYerKyKQRLVsCyCCHjj6LhToScLpeaibvgK9HEaslJhQXhfHhfvatL5F3G/s400/291220102244.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557449319221166002" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7ww4iUeJ62WfNnHA79ZSdoiZqyieXhVB_BJIqpGHkuBL2L7it6Q8sKE828NETOisEka0d3a1ebIx5NpdevIWIYQwLajhP1SUJ2L65hk1qOFjg2Qty9MGNYStVGVYv44KD8uOgN-MrPak7/s1600/010120112273.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7ww4iUeJ62WfNnHA79ZSdoiZqyieXhVB_BJIqpGHkuBL2L7it6Q8sKE828NETOisEka0d3a1ebIx5NpdevIWIYQwLajhP1SUJ2L65hk1qOFjg2Qty9MGNYStVGVYv44KD8uOgN-MrPak7/s400/010120112273.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557449313124531042" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6wIU5jnixmb8D21mq0d38NXOp_sB3sN1zacWsypsjxedvQiE0G5pO-V6TV_laWuadxEsePAE1Im2JWJCSKwY95m_jiYYm1IjAI5eyS5Jwu7ggldf0xr52yQ8y8ozgUOQmwtaNYqAGEPsz/s1600/010120112255.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6wIU5jnixmb8D21mq0d38NXOp_sB3sN1zacWsypsjxedvQiE0G5pO-V6TV_laWuadxEsePAE1Im2JWJCSKwY95m_jiYYm1IjAI5eyS5Jwu7ggldf0xr52yQ8y8ozgUOQmwtaNYqAGEPsz/s400/010120112255.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557449307517968418" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6ZkrcAEsWdNJFYvGN7QadTyFocNfGDnZ5f3apPV0LxBByKF63a9zETn3OzPRVZdWczl2VUqaokKk4EBgNBYq25-3thw_s-GGbVaWS0lfqiVP9G5erGKL7bl8k0fbOmNtaNMq_1R6A1Zkk/s1600/251220102216.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6ZkrcAEsWdNJFYvGN7QadTyFocNfGDnZ5f3apPV0LxBByKF63a9zETn3OzPRVZdWczl2VUqaokKk4EBgNBYq25-3thw_s-GGbVaWS0lfqiVP9G5erGKL7bl8k0fbOmNtaNMq_1R6A1Zkk/s400/251220102216.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557448574499165490" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIUrpXFOEhhGr_McksAJV7_E4Ie5uM7akj0zUal7Azp2MKhetDx0AAML8lzOQFInuzGtOk_noasdQyIe-pJC2YBnk2tczPw6Y34c0hHEt4a59b0DREqoFtEc-eqeGimistBJJMLrn1b74R/s1600/251220102193.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIUrpXFOEhhGr_McksAJV7_E4Ie5uM7akj0zUal7Azp2MKhetDx0AAML8lzOQFInuzGtOk_noasdQyIe-pJC2YBnk2tczPw6Y34c0hHEt4a59b0DREqoFtEc-eqeGimistBJJMLrn1b74R/s400/251220102193.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557448566475411666" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2LuPhCa3aSabpTtLLrfNhiK3tJW5FLusLyIGA7wgW8Mtz2PS9cruxCziDRt4SECPWg1gmvq-IfySxSvwokytArCHNZ1SSxIC0NdLj_gyL_7njGu7XG45V7Peeyo-O6gjauzjB44qfROCj/s1600/251220102206.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2LuPhCa3aSabpTtLLrfNhiK3tJW5FLusLyIGA7wgW8Mtz2PS9cruxCziDRt4SECPWg1gmvq-IfySxSvwokytArCHNZ1SSxIC0NdLj_gyL_7njGu7XG45V7Peeyo-O6gjauzjB44qfROCj/s400/251220102206.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557448559911252050" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQv4CbwH9o6XeIvqm5S-LmXxIAeEEBB5B7Ne37y_umRKMLKlu3su422F_ktpWwhYAWdyPyqp_fWPoEs6fxJGwQofnlgJcyT6GK9K01_It7N1inGphJeTlFaTQMygX9Vml7c4hpH-HV-RkP/s1600/251220102220.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQv4CbwH9o6XeIvqm5S-LmXxIAeEEBB5B7Ne37y_umRKMLKlu3su422F_ktpWwhYAWdyPyqp_fWPoEs6fxJGwQofnlgJcyT6GK9K01_It7N1inGphJeTlFaTQMygX9Vml7c4hpH-HV-RkP/s400/251220102220.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557447852158572802" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheDH40zmirrwoLq5X-mWWJ3OO56ay0oPwBaq3bZC1U5XMaou7et2xmJTe8btXAHFXHvO8uDBCKhuIoFm8mUljvr9xXaB_jMLBCVE0I_FArUX5V4TU8757gp9GD9fLx0f20cyFtU5u-o0s-/s1600/251220102230.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheDH40zmirrwoLq5X-mWWJ3OO56ay0oPwBaq3bZC1U5XMaou7et2xmJTe8btXAHFXHvO8uDBCKhuIoFm8mUljvr9xXaB_jMLBCVE0I_FArUX5V4TU8757gp9GD9fLx0f20cyFtU5u-o0s-/s400/251220102230.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557447846225142946" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6tyy_43-Vp7WHgDY6qBAege6KG7-8oSisj-4Dxo25ZDzal_aVG-KfvJ3XBAxht0iCJe7kbgaK73dbWv_B4UFvQyOa2SoFwhrsZnSjPFoh7SuPBsCL3CxsR14KGPfcBq_4Gw3FQ3IyoiOS/s1600/Knox+Xmas.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6tyy_43-Vp7WHgDY6qBAege6KG7-8oSisj-4Dxo25ZDzal_aVG-KfvJ3XBAxht0iCJe7kbgaK73dbWv_B4UFvQyOa2SoFwhrsZnSjPFoh7SuPBsCL3CxsR14KGPfcBq_4Gw3FQ3IyoiOS/s400/Knox+Xmas.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557447845036055186" /></a><br /><br />A quick post of piccies of the last week or so. Especially for our northern hemisphere friends, as a reminder that somewhere in the world, it is summer.<br />We've been doing a mix of family stuff, beach, backyard picnics and running (of course). Staying close to home, as I haven't been well, and just can't get my head around the usual camping expeditions. Maybe in a week or so. We'll see. Hope you've all had some nice family times these holidays as well.Jac's Mumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15020308226298936717noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-554941835254350069.post-5924742396939344062010-11-29T22:24:00.003+11:002010-11-30T09:21:52.909+11:00For Amber, for fun.<span style="font-weight:bold;">LIVING<br />Where do you live:</span> Oz<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Favorite art:</span> The Heidelberg school (Frederick McCubbin, Tom Roberts, Arthur Streeton), my kids' photography, architecture, esp. early 1900s.<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Pets:</span> The kids are enough, I don't need anyone else to look after right now. Plus if I can afford to feed a pet, I could be helping to feed someone's starving child with the money.<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Favorite neighborhood restaurant:</span> Hah- Dominos pizza on Tuesday nights after athletics training.<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Favorite cocktail:</span> Don't drink either, or fizzy drinks (sodas to you). Homemade lemonade that I cheat and colour pink.<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Who inspires you:</span> Ooh, toughie. My daughter, for being young and strong in a time when it's difficult for young people to be true to themselves; my ex-husband, for his enormous patience with the children; my baby's dad, for having the courage to face each day even though it will be a struggle all the way; my blogging friends throughout the world, for their thoughts, their views, their experiences, that broaden mine.<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Necessary extravagance: </span>Hmm. One perfume, Miracle, that I ration to last 3+ years.<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Favorite place in the world:</span> Why do all these quiz questions have to be so absolute? Bangalow, because it's beautiful, and a nice dip into the cultural melting pot of country Australia.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">CLOTHES<br />Designer:</span> Sew myself from Japanese pattern books; op-shop finds; Country Road if it has to be new.<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Jeans:</span> Don't wear them.<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Underwear:</span> Undies. What else? This must be a guy quiz question.<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Sneakers:</span> Running shoes or Teva sandals.<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Watch:</span> Timex Ironman with 50 lap memory.<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">T-shirt:</span> Plain black, small fit, short sleeves.<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Day bag:</span> http://www.envirosax.com.au/<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Evening bag:</span> Made it myself. See previous post.<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Favorite city to shop:</span> Sydney. Kinokuniya, to be more specific.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">BEAUTY<br />Lipstick:</span> Bepanthen (baby cream).<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Mascara:</span> Eyelash tint every 3 months or so.<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Shampoo:</span> Oh, I dunno, um, Clairol Herbal Essences (went to bathroom and looked).<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Moisturizer:</span> Something French the ladies from work gave me for my birthday.<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Perfume:</span> Miracle (Lancome)<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Toothpaste:</span> Macleans Sensitive<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Soap:</span> Aldi orange fragrance (in an 8-pack)<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Nail-polish color:</span> Never, ever paint them.<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Who cuts your hair:</span> Good friend, in the salon where she works.<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Who colors your hair:</span> Same.<br /><br />Amber, I hope you enjoy reading and trying to picture the person behind the answers, as much as I did yours.<br /><br />Re- The Fog; early parenting is just hard. Harder for some than others - it was hard for me, and still is, with a 3yo, and 3 more in their teens and early 20s. I don't have any advice, except to keep writing, and doing the other things that you love, and that bring meaning to your life, whenever you can fit it in and around all your other roles. Just for fun. And thanks for the quiz.Jac's Mumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15020308226298936717noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-554941835254350069.post-91311536957486839102010-10-27T23:04:00.002+11:002010-10-27T23:18:13.249+11:00Been Busy.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrLxJ2a2fbPg4Hbsjihbh5WXRQvT2BrOL6rbNujAMwJY_A4mZIjtACFb3u4LUSlj76z2TevqgbbAjhQBm_MdzgpNXJLNtEM6gsnlelU7tWUxyco3HxGRmoXO2PcWrEQdwLfka-QJuxMabR/s1600/201020102040.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrLxJ2a2fbPg4Hbsjihbh5WXRQvT2BrOL6rbNujAMwJY_A4mZIjtACFb3u4LUSlj76z2TevqgbbAjhQBm_MdzgpNXJLNtEM6gsnlelU7tWUxyco3HxGRmoXO2PcWrEQdwLfka-QJuxMabR/s400/201020102040.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532698789417571106" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkBx2INE-Q_3_nymUf5QpVz3fTnDPW1Enyt8dZ58XQbB6EDr-qpEuxElSjPf2BMWPJH7O3p3ljg1-SSg2MZYFESjNikhl5TJnG-ovnwGegjvxsDtNwJ6ic-j-9gKnihlZEa16Dp5DLCFZ-/s1600/White+Japanese+Dress.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 287px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkBx2INE-Q_3_nymUf5QpVz3fTnDPW1Enyt8dZ58XQbB6EDr-qpEuxElSjPf2BMWPJH7O3p3ljg1-SSg2MZYFESjNikhl5TJnG-ovnwGegjvxsDtNwJ6ic-j-9gKnihlZEa16Dp5DLCFZ-/s400/White+Japanese+Dress.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532698775620174034" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMyvMvTSZzLQS42t7Far9mMwbxvaKhLnmmUfO40rQlblTl1nSef9ppW2hPZZy1smZJRwJQHKGw3gmeq8-eetciqhf26gX-mY_zLxPQc0q5dxFYpjrRt_Sg6pHY0wYToklJmIHh6DWPSnAy/s1600/Check+Dress_4.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMyvMvTSZzLQS42t7Far9mMwbxvaKhLnmmUfO40rQlblTl1nSef9ppW2hPZZy1smZJRwJQHKGw3gmeq8-eetciqhf26gX-mY_zLxPQc0q5dxFYpjrRt_Sg6pHY0wYToklJmIHh6DWPSnAy/s400/Check+Dress_4.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532698774796068674" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjNS9ysolNp91FRbK-mVbY3bW7yE9bOTm07F7Qw6vKfLzr-7MO00MrcpTuiQEwvtNHW5yUgZEdzVEJiwUzppx3qtJH79S5TTcAwOTpV3vFHwTng7I8mY57oZfUc0i-p6r3ni3P1uMjUdiw/s1600/Check+Dress_18.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjNS9ysolNp91FRbK-mVbY3bW7yE9bOTm07F7Qw6vKfLzr-7MO00MrcpTuiQEwvtNHW5yUgZEdzVEJiwUzppx3qtJH79S5TTcAwOTpV3vFHwTng7I8mY57oZfUc0i-p6r3ni3P1uMjUdiw/s400/Check+Dress_18.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532698766652830018" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuKF4lqY4ABdTwC_h-wL8-n-8H3JXzTIS6UzRDAzaDKlLz9Heoar_EfwhBya5lhaqT-lemIZa38bbnrWqhaFuAsgB_X7KLRyahLEjScISt9l5FG7rz5BsVJLnTpwaXoI7S4AC8L2Rzq4ME/s1600/Check+Dress_7.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuKF4lqY4ABdTwC_h-wL8-n-8H3JXzTIS6UzRDAzaDKlLz9Heoar_EfwhBya5lhaqT-lemIZa38bbnrWqhaFuAsgB_X7KLRyahLEjScISt9l5FG7rz5BsVJLnTpwaXoI7S4AC8L2Rzq4ME/s400/Check+Dress_7.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532698756737341106" /></a><br />Ooh, have been very bad at keeping up here and elsewhere online. <br /><br />Have been busy close to home, moving half the house into one-and-a-half rooms, so the floors could be done (and now they are); and dabbling a little bit in sewing - an irresistible Japanese pattern for babyG from an upcycled men's shirt, and helping the ex-husband make a crisp white linen blend wrap dress for his GF (oh! but she hasn't tried it on for him - don't know what's with that? I'd swoon if someone sewed something from scratch for me!)<br /><br />See piccies.<br /><br />And BLW, I'm following the fashion class again in its entirety, and making notes.Jac's Mumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15020308226298936717noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-554941835254350069.post-80215447769483561472010-09-23T10:39:00.009+10:002010-10-03T11:07:32.248+11:00Just for fun (aka Where Are My Shoes?)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyIBMbud3-SuguNk4FmQzL5BVJ5ZUvP9I909DG8H0lHTH_Lf7fW8tLKjiJ4sLw9vJHH8X-LPVEDZWzVd7wqvOPk5LOhqAA_6HtDLTgLNi7-7HCYjcOQst4eR8tNav0k9Ms6E2vsN6p5BWN/s1600/Sling+Bag_3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyIBMbud3-SuguNk4FmQzL5BVJ5ZUvP9I909DG8H0lHTH_Lf7fW8tLKjiJ4sLw9vJHH8X-LPVEDZWzVd7wqvOPk5LOhqAA_6HtDLTgLNi7-7HCYjcOQst4eR8tNav0k9Ms6E2vsN6p5BWN/s400/Sling+Bag_3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523604737580123442" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvyMfyys48lQ70obNjPn2HjZiiWJtfnFWvF88DEmYMEG64C3mK3fwhvwq_rYGUc5Tj5DKF9bVKhzNlh1st4OvOdk1gJ0AANR7fL8KLziuRJdZbgdPpnQjUV4Vs4VqlNYSmmF0vISUxwMqI/s1600/011020101941.jpg"><img style="display:block; 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margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirAqV71cyQCZ7fsVot_oe-zTqZYI3xaaphrgK888Yyc9xpR50QBJZYwJ_hHhz_wX1a6NONreg3OBedbymmWYm7uLO51oWb_8xfTFkagNyoLwNbH1_tmO-5GLar08JJ5JXtqZxK46ci7VjA/s400/Grey+Skirt_7.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522880509799961682" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhEdnOSrvL9uK8yRyRiz0pbAmcfA8CV_hAJhP3Ywn2cug-HqlOTNdkEK3a5Cvdx9rGCVWeC510FI16Pby1GdG2CP_N7cXw5up6Lq8PM5l560M7siIb5NRygacaQSO0CnMWqNg2e4Qq2Y8X/s1600/Shoes_2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhEdnOSrvL9uK8yRyRiz0pbAmcfA8CV_hAJhP3Ywn2cug-HqlOTNdkEK3a5Cvdx9rGCVWeC510FI16Pby1GdG2CP_N7cXw5up6Lq8PM5l560M7siIb5NRygacaQSO0CnMWqNg2e4Qq2Y8X/s400/Shoes_2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521037419815086370" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBaWzoSo8lkT_6TD5cPTdI1Wo0Q_JH7l6B5BqolSp1I_RIA9iTh2NVQ_vAC3FAtT91khS8HQB_WCL1ceI8sg76wOoozOzPfczZsbQ9P4HjhydR1-n8nsnWM5iHh_gFXpyKJ8LXFbWPoccJ/s1600/Brown+Skirt_3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBaWzoSo8lkT_6TD5cPTdI1Wo0Q_JH7l6B5BqolSp1I_RIA9iTh2NVQ_vAC3FAtT91khS8HQB_WCL1ceI8sg76wOoozOzPfczZsbQ9P4HjhydR1-n8nsnWM5iHh_gFXpyKJ8LXFbWPoccJ/s400/Brown+Skirt_3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521037415958179682" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmFRutPsvXSVD5JtxyDoeyfbgMhdJJN7p1jrGHPdOSwCThMkgDBgUULJDujOfOVEiWFfKDlBnKU5dn3yNXsle2OKT_7Ccb6G-oylgs_ek_4ErFNMxynmL5krd7sTFg3xoA-MOnT9hIaUY4/s1600/Navy+dress_19.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmFRutPsvXSVD5JtxyDoeyfbgMhdJJN7p1jrGHPdOSwCThMkgDBgUULJDujOfOVEiWFfKDlBnKU5dn3yNXsle2OKT_7Ccb6G-oylgs_ek_4ErFNMxynmL5krd7sTFg3xoA-MOnT9hIaUY4/s400/Navy+dress_19.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519907349517713074" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOc0JBvSrf8buNksIPQGjrdfr4Ob8eys23bB_n6HQ1lvpmT0xTSZ49hkRE2rAAIdApnVC8xNEjMabXpJuUSphljEhnhoRalsQPC7n0Df1Bu33m7FQooFA1sbFXX6bajvk-l50HS5IO2G0d/s1600/Navy+dress_12.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOc0JBvSrf8buNksIPQGjrdfr4Ob8eys23bB_n6HQ1lvpmT0xTSZ49hkRE2rAAIdApnVC8xNEjMabXpJuUSphljEhnhoRalsQPC7n0Df1Bu33m7FQooFA1sbFXX6bajvk-l50HS5IO2G0d/s400/Navy+dress_12.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519907355723980674" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiD4BNyJJHPGgWCO8tHylOTw40u9RuozarGXUFI-F4JRKQPKtjyvx7NGkEL0Hh6xrgHcUaLOKL-hLfgwZs9wRTNtCySEhYWky2d5yc8NtFDhCYCWYKddI75jyDfhfTNC48Zh0JwdhMSEua/s1600/Wedding+skirt_2.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiD4BNyJJHPGgWCO8tHylOTw40u9RuozarGXUFI-F4JRKQPKtjyvx7NGkEL0Hh6xrgHcUaLOKL-hLfgwZs9wRTNtCySEhYWky2d5yc8NtFDhCYCWYKddI75jyDfhfTNC48Zh0JwdhMSEua/s400/Wedding+skirt_2.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519907345235730738" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8sYat5sxepdlq-bUj7rI6CGAqnFKB5JCO2GjUDEXCvk-TAchP6m1VSuEIiXZLhHnnrUDUU_2vRoKhltt_x2iwPfgEZ5XeHiFZtFfiaz-DAYDTokn4e3f2_7T-DVwfXC1CG0inHr39qiwz/s1600/Wedding+Skirt_1.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8sYat5sxepdlq-bUj7rI6CGAqnFKB5JCO2GjUDEXCvk-TAchP6m1VSuEIiXZLhHnnrUDUU_2vRoKhltt_x2iwPfgEZ5XeHiFZtFfiaz-DAYDTokn4e3f2_7T-DVwfXC1CG0inHr39qiwz/s400/Wedding+Skirt_1.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519907339279859922" /></a><br />I have a wedding to attend :-). Of friends I have made through running. I wonder if any of us have seen each other <span style="font-style:italic;">not</span> red-faced, sweaty and dressed in shorts and singlets? And it's only through judicious op-shopping and sewing, combined with a bit of hit-and-miss eBaying, that I have anything much else to wear.<br /><br />So, what will I wear? I like a fashion blog by <a href="http://www.karencheng.com.au/">this</a> mummy. So following her style, I'll offer up my compositions so far. Actually, I've only come up with two outfits, but I have some other skirt options I can substitute for the rather short and wide cream one from eBay. One is a navy straight skirt that is part of my work suit - very plain but good tailoring. The other, a dark grey A-line with pintuck pleats. I still have to get the boys to crawl up into the roof space storage to get my two or three pairs of heels down for inspection (sorry BLW, such sacrilege, I know). Also shows about how often I go out in company, doesn't it...<br /><br />The navy dress is a bit of a sack, but it is very comfortable, and not as short as I thought it was going to be.Jac's Mumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15020308226298936717noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-554941835254350069.post-12556060742400415482010-09-06T13:01:00.004+10:002010-09-06T13:18:11.871+10:00Part 2...?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTCIq4iKBfnvP5qc0ZaOyvzYYqd2q7rJVN5eG5y-_spQupAaxQY2KvC4JYhzjQ2AQtK1Nvnu4HmJDmG8s66dmLQG5VcYO1QEkAdg64PMReLXSfiSMAQnscdqOkCBa8EPkrR5zQW1snxXfF/s1600/060920101764.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTCIq4iKBfnvP5qc0ZaOyvzYYqd2q7rJVN5eG5y-_spQupAaxQY2KvC4JYhzjQ2AQtK1Nvnu4HmJDmG8s66dmLQG5VcYO1QEkAdg64PMReLXSfiSMAQnscdqOkCBa8EPkrR5zQW1snxXfF/s400/060920101764.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513631259406283954" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI-n8K75KU64Lnm7tMpF39t_IlWxqVxJJgMq6BLEiQb8KqziVvaOq3M8IaXTMGe9M50AlU-tCtgO70fTc5G57c8bkkr2RprOCNFW6DUtl_VuUjbwE7XytHIz5PNqrslgB8Hj1nI5RK45cP/s1600/060920101773.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI-n8K75KU64Lnm7tMpF39t_IlWxqVxJJgMq6BLEiQb8KqziVvaOq3M8IaXTMGe9M50AlU-tCtgO70fTc5G57c8bkkr2RprOCNFW6DUtl_VuUjbwE7XytHIz5PNqrslgB8Hj1nI5RK45cP/s400/060920101773.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513630892779503138" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRbLGwHgZHLYpz8SBpUqk3P1G0oQQeRkBPctHWFDeZx1sabAJf0nNjfbliix6XfypHEk5IwBlylAgVtBNAtPoOrjH7SX4ATk5AllPYZI2Mn4NbtcCAWcSYGhfeo8hJH4w9Mi7hPn4Y1d-o/s1600/060920101772.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRbLGwHgZHLYpz8SBpUqk3P1G0oQQeRkBPctHWFDeZx1sabAJf0nNjfbliix6XfypHEk5IwBlylAgVtBNAtPoOrjH7SX4ATk5AllPYZI2Mn4NbtcCAWcSYGhfeo8hJH4w9Mi7hPn4Y1d-o/s400/060920101772.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513630887049488210" /></a><br /><br />Oh. Knowledge gap on uploading pictures to Blogger identified. Post now, fiddle later. <br /><br />So, piles of fabric, with two projects in mind. A-line top/dress for babyG; and bloomers for my nephew/niece, still under construction. The nephew/niece, I mean. As well as the bloomers. Inspired by <a href="http://thedillspiel.blogspot.com/2010/09/its-okay-to-be-biased.html">this</a>. <br /><br />And while I was looking at Katy's pages, visited her sister <a href="http://my-angle.blogspot.com/">Jordan's </a> blog. Read and photo-ed my way backwards through Jordan's summer with her family. And then posted her a comment through my tears for her beautiful family times, and my own sometimes fractured ones. But sadly, I used too many words for a "comment", and Blogger couldn't upload it. Funny, it wasn't that long. Anyway, maybe one day I'll find the words or their close cousins, and send her another message to tell her how much I enjoyed my visit with a family from another time zone and place, that is otherwise a bit like mine.Jac's Mumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15020308226298936717noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-554941835254350069.post-36788016768987543032010-09-06T12:56:00.004+10:002010-09-06T13:20:02.529+10:00Colour me Happy<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzQfICh01ib0eK5NXb3pfmtmSzQ0qmtrVdtmPXeQNgeBSsqi1nwYY0Cmry-D_SOyiaQO7sjt-3lnXT8IyWRJbJcjOHfCfDt4Up0s9nauCfveoewu6BB3Nl5SoSXlaHHUryxaYbIIGTB-T2/s1600/060920101766.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzQfICh01ib0eK5NXb3pfmtmSzQ0qmtrVdtmPXeQNgeBSsqi1nwYY0Cmry-D_SOyiaQO7sjt-3lnXT8IyWRJbJcjOHfCfDt4Up0s9nauCfveoewu6BB3Nl5SoSXlaHHUryxaYbIIGTB-T2/s400/060920101766.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513635046783779874" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCD2fCXQnq85s7rjGkufztD3pVsKORlv_U7IpiwAP0hZOvj_SJ5pKWAsoWMHrJvR7dqa_I9K6zpkHmGJUScqFRH8bFPjukOg6gG-q_yDScx4S9wyBDdK-nnXIRxM11vkJDsIIsepBHRKGJ/s1600/060920101771.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCD2fCXQnq85s7rjGkufztD3pVsKORlv_U7IpiwAP0hZOvj_SJ5pKWAsoWMHrJvR7dqa_I9K6zpkHmGJUScqFRH8bFPjukOg6gG-q_yDScx4S9wyBDdK-nnXIRxM11vkJDsIIsepBHRKGJ/s400/060920101771.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513629985019602962" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgePE17tXkpRuis-ja6iJzfDvA1HquQhXBfyznWisQ8J5DjlSji8A0ZKqBYip8rH1OaKkPu1gRRXcl6v59biLFPl6ojPqk1nJdWjP-rikrbXfDLcozNANmV0vuoVLk0jce_aIbfcnH4aS7d/s1600/060920101769.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgePE17tXkpRuis-ja6iJzfDvA1HquQhXBfyznWisQ8J5DjlSji8A0ZKqBYip8rH1OaKkPu1gRRXcl6v59biLFPl6ojPqk1nJdWjP-rikrbXfDLcozNANmV0vuoVLk0jce_aIbfcnH4aS7d/s400/060920101769.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513629983504360690" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAmlEZollGyABDvuNs2nmjnBhFaGmefpgrmPsxuYZDywOLxtx10JFb326nRdlDOipOjPWTQoGMe4zL3kjjklz5gk3GLnut3pMxX-HxchQcguM4Vu2IS1_ffJPf8Gkl0li6luohkrxRX2hJ/s1600/060920101768.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAmlEZollGyABDvuNs2nmjnBhFaGmefpgrmPsxuYZDywOLxtx10JFb326nRdlDOipOjPWTQoGMe4zL3kjjklz5gk3GLnut3pMxX-HxchQcguM4Vu2IS1_ffJPf8Gkl0li6luohkrxRX2hJ/s400/060920101768.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513629975143589394" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7JOeKNNrZ2UMjRS65D9Y5NkIKcSbws_iVCPkEztsGqHI2cqhgMuqpMhkR4MvnHfF-EcLvIByDPgZLCT2FOIGDPrHV5CYYoFlaJ6H_ZgEJ7vDDPDdURR0d-dzx5HwrmRaSzuHEnnq5-AgA/s1600/060920101767.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7JOeKNNrZ2UMjRS65D9Y5NkIKcSbws_iVCPkEztsGqHI2cqhgMuqpMhkR4MvnHfF-EcLvIByDPgZLCT2FOIGDPrHV5CYYoFlaJ6H_ZgEJ7vDDPDdURR0d-dzx5HwrmRaSzuHEnnq5-AgA/s400/060920101767.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513629964375487314" /></a>Jac's Mumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15020308226298936717noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-554941835254350069.post-88621685415668260862010-09-05T17:54:00.006+10:002010-09-05T21:59:14.941+10:00Blogging the Banal.I'm just back from "visiting" a friend in Blogland. She's a daily blogger, and that I admire, on its own. But she's much more than that. She's clever, thoughtful, philosophical, witty, stylish, wise. And she is getting on with living her not-so-easy, in fact it's probably more like her In-Your-Face-I-Won't-Give-Up, kind of difficult life, and sharing some of it right before our eyes.<br /><br />BLW at <a href="http://dailyplateofcrazy.com"> dailyplateofcrazy</a>, you've got guts. And I can't think of many places I can go in Blogland, to read the words of someone who's staring straight down the barrel, and writing it down, word for word.<br /><br />No fluffing it up, to look pretty. Maybe paring it down, but that's not the same thing.<br /><br /><a href="http://aebrain.blogspot.com">Zoe</a> also takes me places to think, as well. <br /><br />My blog is not serving the same function, for me or for anyone else. More like a note stuck to the fridge, to remind me of something. I touch on some of the darker issues that I face in daily life, but I only touch them lightly. I'm not blogging many of life's happy moments, and posting the beautiful pictures and sweet recollections of this life; mostly because I'm too busy doing the things to blog them. But there must be more to it than that. <br /><br />I hate banal blogging. Of course, there's nothing so wonderful and awe-inspiring about my own words, so I'm not claiming a distinction for myself amongst bloggers. But there's something dull about reading about someone's actions - the stuff they make, buy, do, that leads to a kind of vapid emptiness (is that tautology?) in what many people write.<br /><br />I spent my afternoon dealing with what is a pretty regular thing for me in my life, negotiating my way around living and parenting alongside a close friend with a mental illness. And I felt like venting, about the difficulty of communicating with someone who has ears but can't hear what you are telling them, above the noise in their mind. About what it's like to have nothing happen to any sort of plan, because you can't plan someone else's state of mind. And about what it's like to see other people pottering along with what I'm sure they think of as hard-hitting, life-confirming, self-defining blogging, and find myself not able to even react to what they are saying. <br /><br />I find myself most often feeling thankful, for my life. I feel blessed. Even in the tough times. And that's partly because I know, through my experiences, how much tougher, really just how extremely difficult, some people's journey through life is. I've worked in the children's wards, and in palliative care, and intensive care. I read of and absorb the struggle of women and children around the world, in all sorts of settings, and I know, at every level of my being, that they are people just like me. <br /><br />So BLW, in answer to your own <a href="http://dailyplateofcrazy.com/2010/09/02/news/#more-19605">search for meaning</a>, my offering to you, is that Sh*t Happens. And love, care, spirit and determination, mercy and selflessness, make it bearable.Jac's Mumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15020308226298936717noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-554941835254350069.post-77028146809515052752010-08-17T16:41:00.008+10:002010-08-17T17:55:07.583+10:00Too much of a good thing?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguZwkS7V7AINdBnQDOyWeRFBMZ4l7Z6oDDFTztgPbjbjR6RIczjsCueCQNlJqthagZx3i2TkG7YEJk1so64UC2W6whf-ndCoAwKVrzAvlh79huf1SFZ1RgCMP8eqonSttFEnl5nM9CUmXh/s1600/170820101722.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguZwkS7V7AINdBnQDOyWeRFBMZ4l7Z6oDDFTztgPbjbjR6RIczjsCueCQNlJqthagZx3i2TkG7YEJk1so64UC2W6whf-ndCoAwKVrzAvlh79huf1SFZ1RgCMP8eqonSttFEnl5nM9CUmXh/s400/170820101722.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506268664184819426" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2LBoLZkzcAYqta_KM_XA-V72EGgr7chqDhQB6G1_FJQH181X1Ccl5gtZ8zY4OaonB-ISp8f6u4mnTZbRnz1o57ll9FNIG-1Q9YBoLskmHaPB0GuS3PoTD2OoCctMb2rDQmMblOOlQ4b1Q/s1600/170820101723.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2LBoLZkzcAYqta_KM_XA-V72EGgr7chqDhQB6G1_FJQH181X1Ccl5gtZ8zY4OaonB-ISp8f6u4mnTZbRnz1o57ll9FNIG-1Q9YBoLskmHaPB0GuS3PoTD2OoCctMb2rDQmMblOOlQ4b1Q/s400/170820101723.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506268656002308994" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeZ6nmkFhYuwapVBOj7B7pquadtfzIM3_-inie8ZpYXJ_kv5KKc0bQ7i505D9oTwi4Kh9eQnQD-1AlXhx45sQWHc_drE0Xnznl4_bCy18fKd6Nkv9HR9Sp5gp5ZPs97AzXWdKc9nqx31jL/s1600/Angelina+is+on+TV.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeZ6nmkFhYuwapVBOj7B7pquadtfzIM3_-inie8ZpYXJ_kv5KKc0bQ7i505D9oTwi4Kh9eQnQD-1AlXhx45sQWHc_drE0Xnznl4_bCy18fKd6Nkv9HR9Sp5gp5ZPs97AzXWdKc9nqx31jL/s400/Angelina+is+on+TV.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506268648480243986" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />I have been having trouble getting my boys to take food to school. So in a salute to QA programmes everywhere, I gave them a survey to complete.<br /><br />LUNCHBOX CHECKLIST<br />Please put a tick beside those items you would like to have included in your lunchbox,<br />_ daily _weekly _never<br /><br />_ daily _weekly _never........... Fresh Bread roll (crusty, soft, seeds ?)<br />_ daily _weekly _never........... Fruit Salad<br />_ daily _weekly _never........... Pasta Salad<br />_ daily _weekly _never........... Potato Salad<br />_ daily _weekly _never........... Fried Rice<br />_ daily _weekly _never........... Bruschetta and Toasts<br />_ daily _weekly _never........... Greek Salad<br />_ daily _weekly _never........... Pikelets<br />_ daily _weekly _never........... Banana Bread<br />_ daily _weekly _never........... Carrot Cake<br />_ daily _weekly _never........... Wrap or Sandwich (your choice of filling)<br />_ daily _weekly _never........... Pasta with Pesto Sauce (basil etc blended up)<br />_ daily _weekly _never........... Pasta Carbonara<br />_ daily _weekly _never........... Hommous, Dip, or Cheese, and Crackers<br />_ daily _weekly _never........... Vegetable Strips and Dip<br />_ daily _weekly _never........... Zucchini Slice<br />_ daily _weekly _never........... Pizza on Lebanese Bread<br />_ daily _weekly _never........... Caesar Salad<br />_ daily _weekly _never........... Frozen Milk, Yoghurt or Smoothie<br />_ daily _weekly _never........... Apple Crumble and Custard<br />_ daily _weekly _never........... Chicken Pieces<br />_ daily _weekly _never........... Homemade Sausage Roll<br />_ daily _weekly _never........... Spinach Pie<br />_ daily _weekly _never........... Baked Vegetables<br /><br />Most of the answers came back as "never".<br />Hmm. I phoned their sister, who's at uni 4 hours away, and read her the list. She said she'd like to tick everything on the list, and just rotate through the offerings, thank you.<br /><br />So, what' s with the boys? Not esp. fussy eaters at home, although No. 3 doesn't do butter or cheese. No. 2 has a "social" Maccas habit, it seems, so going without lunch isn't bothering him, although that is bothering me. But No. 3 is just fasting all day, running in the door after school, making a drink or some instant noodles, and then rushing off on his bike until dark.<br /><br />Some funny priorities are at work here. I mean, I get it that they're not "foodies", and that doesn't bother me. When I've got stuff I want to do and the freedom to do it, I'm sure not thinking about food, except that I have to remember to feed the children. *sigh* Back to revision of the menu, I suppose. I don't give up easily.<br /><br />BTW, I realise this is not a very auspicious return to blogging after a >6 month absence. But, as the Tombliboos say, that's how it goes. Not that I haven't had many blog-worthy things to write about, but just don't have the free time to think and type it into Blogger.<br />So, sorry. To those who keep blogging, and I keep reading your daily mental workout, I applaud your efforts, like an appreciative crowd applauding as the elite athletes run past in a road race. I am inspired to go for a mental "jog" after visiting your sites. Keep well.Jac's Mumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15020308226298936717noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-554941835254350069.post-57709438147977809582010-01-10T10:20:00.008+11:002010-01-10T17:57:35.232+11:00Waiting.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdvrZ4L0R7NOmbAvTmIAoLaQoIIR9sk3EJ9PX0O-j_sCzSeSQZDiXiuMEYaffBGcMPgmrjzqkLJakdIW2RX7fXN2xNs5V0zrJ6Q-6BDxJC2J-jIK61NS4T5qh55XrCrknbDMtbiCw4ve4I/s1600-h/040120101317.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdvrZ4L0R7NOmbAvTmIAoLaQoIIR9sk3EJ9PX0O-j_sCzSeSQZDiXiuMEYaffBGcMPgmrjzqkLJakdIW2RX7fXN2xNs5V0zrJ6Q-6BDxJC2J-jIK61NS4T5qh55XrCrknbDMtbiCw4ve4I/s400/040120101317.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424888671474188130" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZK3F9MPE_zS1hnYy-O-0WgoEz5KLfIIYS5GUSstL_nmMiMBO5gUecjyMx4lN-osTBwowJ9qz7nlIwzoL3gidMyM0yw1gfkrr6Gh2GHxx5tFYcEezVuNt7TEtRcqj7xr62eQtX-LtBidp5/s1600-h/040120101308.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZK3F9MPE_zS1hnYy-O-0WgoEz5KLfIIYS5GUSstL_nmMiMBO5gUecjyMx4lN-osTBwowJ9qz7nlIwzoL3gidMyM0yw1gfkrr6Gh2GHxx5tFYcEezVuNt7TEtRcqj7xr62eQtX-LtBidp5/s400/040120101308.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424888000990720370" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC0DXrEnDv_R-uXQBnqWZ1nyPJlUU6Vld4YQmAv2KuXvU7YO86Zcgom7upg1P3Z-ju4ugR0xGDpbAlqTkroiRkg5pGyBaRzwbmviWKfb6JLqdfrackpJUDEVGoSgVTsYe2jPIS0rDiyYWQ/s1600-h/030120101303.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC0DXrEnDv_R-uXQBnqWZ1nyPJlUU6Vld4YQmAv2KuXvU7YO86Zcgom7upg1P3Z-ju4ugR0xGDpbAlqTkroiRkg5pGyBaRzwbmviWKfb6JLqdfrackpJUDEVGoSgVTsYe2jPIS0rDiyYWQ/s400/030120101303.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424887990426897890" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLy4tKgkDu5XbIMvJGt784pNi9iKpGFkDyzwllmuH4TvNlREj88GHISpyMOPfaWDYgsao64ArGX7SHVTTuees49cKDpgikeZy28XJMXFZ5j92mhtIyZorVQax3Mo0xxKxOvZKIFp3LW7GW/s1600-h/020120101283.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLy4tKgkDu5XbIMvJGt784pNi9iKpGFkDyzwllmuH4TvNlREj88GHISpyMOPfaWDYgsao64ArGX7SHVTTuees49cKDpgikeZy28XJMXFZ5j92mhtIyZorVQax3Mo0xxKxOvZKIFp3LW7GW/s400/020120101283.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424887983191433506" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPlvLZPHWbHw865IYvGkIMQAbYq6ic7zRX_djivdOyO2PKHJDUqZb9oqHpE_JW0TnfO_GjdruidE0xsW_lyqp7asonxsumwIIjOnBRg3NTK_43VJmtTAGohm-NgAttj_NVe-CEMz0OITp9/s1600-h/010120101273.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPlvLZPHWbHw865IYvGkIMQAbYq6ic7zRX_djivdOyO2PKHJDUqZb9oqHpE_JW0TnfO_GjdruidE0xsW_lyqp7asonxsumwIIjOnBRg3NTK_43VJmtTAGohm-NgAttj_NVe-CEMz0OITp9/s400/010120101273.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424887970940812786" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCjoEHTH2ecFL0wR9Qw6qT1tw8tOn-BYKPdZM72FZZC_kvXO1Mk3E38IOjP_VtdbPyUoZbAH7aPapPSnsQ_yNFoGlEYfzHBR0hAgIHc06CifDxq4_NY8QUvbMBn_2p68c_wR-5caORA5hs/s1600-h/010120101277.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCjoEHTH2ecFL0wR9Qw6qT1tw8tOn-BYKPdZM72FZZC_kvXO1Mk3E38IOjP_VtdbPyUoZbAH7aPapPSnsQ_yNFoGlEYfzHBR0hAgIHc06CifDxq4_NY8QUvbMBn_2p68c_wR-5caORA5hs/s400/010120101277.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424887967288511682" border="0" /></a><br />...for it to get cool enough outside to go for a run...<br />...for the kids to finish playing games on the TV...<br />...for baby to finish her nap, so I can vacuum and do other noisy chores...<br />...to recover the energy to tackle the jobs around the place I need to do because no-one else will...<br />...and watching as the kids go through the various stages of their "getting of wisdom"...<br />...for a storage shed that might never be built, so I can rid the dining room of its 6 bicycles...<br /><br />Enjoyed our camping holiday to see the Grans, and am enjoying being home again, without the enormous jumping ants to dodge, and the water carting. But how cohesive a little bunch we are when we are away - proud of the kids, for the respect they showed each other while we were travelling. Happy times.<br /><br />Reflected on the above post while I was scrubbing the bathroom floor (am I the only one who does naked house cleaning and contemplates life at the same time?).<br /><br />Could add to the waiting list...<br />...waiting for babyG's father to be well, to end the abuse. Some things are a mix of hope and disabused reality, and it becomes necessary to recognise and act on one, while the other lingers and finds its own path.Jac's Mumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15020308226298936717noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-554941835254350069.post-81066179648353096752009-12-21T22:36:00.002+11:002009-12-21T23:32:29.732+11:00Time to change.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieK68w026wL-iTlYpFrXFn8_d2JXnnI6l7l9dWm1T1ZcLSmQZTvzp6azae6iEGdZ-cIamTBb-q1PdiqHNQctMrW4EFFubinkjIi8esiUmbQZftP40vY2XM_EkKBPjglQs0K9yhyphenhyphen5oeFQV2/s1600-h/191220091241.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieK68w026wL-iTlYpFrXFn8_d2JXnnI6l7l9dWm1T1ZcLSmQZTvzp6azae6iEGdZ-cIamTBb-q1PdiqHNQctMrW4EFFubinkjIi8esiUmbQZftP40vY2XM_EkKBPjglQs0K9yhyphenhyphen5oeFQV2/s400/191220091241.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417666132701657138" border="0" /></a><br />The last blog post has been boring me for too long. Time to relegate it to the archives. I still have the stroller, and occasionally babyG requests "the blue stroller" for a run, so I oblige.<br /><br />I have been living a very low-key lifestyle for the last couple of months. All the chilluns are home, so that's nice. The most recent (L) achilles tear is very slowly recovering - this is also good. No. 1 has worked up to swimming 2k per session - a positive thing for her in the light of ongoing stretching and strengthening issues with her running.<br /><br />Part of the reason behind the "low-key" stuff mentioned above, is that I have really struggled to find my happy place in the last few months, perhaps longer, really. I have been frustrated by the roles I find myself in, and disappointed that this is how my life and partnerships have turned out. Now, a big part of my discontent is that common mummy thing, of missing what I consider the "luxury", of going out to work. Planning my day, and dealing with any unexpected developments with an adult perspective, doing different things, working independently - are all things I miss keenly when I'm at home with small children. Of course, the stay-at-home lobby group would howl in protest, that I'm fortunate to be at home during baby's early years, etc., and I know that - I'm here by choice, at least in part. In my own perfect world, though, I'd still like to be able to go places and do meaningful things, by myself sometimes.<br /><br />And this is where the disappointment comes in. I feel cheated that neither of my partners in life so far, have been able to co-parent with me in a way that allows me to explore my options. I've had to be mum and dad, for almost half my life, now. When I was able to work, for a few years between No. 1 and No. 2, it was to come home to an unkempt house with no food in store, until I took care of those chores, too, managed the bills, and nurtured the kids. It's a lot of responsibility, in your early 20s, to be a parent. I don't dispute that fact. But parenting, and indeed partnering someone through life, needs to be built on, or it won't grow enough to sustain the family. You cannot carry a partner as well as your children, through so many years, without sometimes staggering under the weight. You can reason with yourself that your partner can only work with you to the limit of their ability, and just make yourself keep going anyway, but still, in the back of your mind, is that nagging idea that you want someone by your side who can shoulder the burdens equally. To be disappointed twice, and be left living the consequences, while former partners can so easily opt in and out of the responsibility of real "I'm-giving-this-100%" parenting, is what I have to accept, and learn to be happy in spite of.<br /><br />So, my small positive epiphany last week on a rainy afternoon out in the car, was to make my little corner of the world as beautiful as I can, for me and the children, and let the enjoyment of that process sustain me. I find beauty in music, architecture, order and space, and a bit of green chaos in the garden (in the right proportion). TBC, huh?Jac's Mumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15020308226298936717noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-554941835254350069.post-52976749339585638202009-10-17T11:23:00.006+11:002009-12-22T00:08:35.061+11:00For the CoolRunners<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnMpSqgm5xSdP-KF9a1vXzqbpA1rXblmHZXKTGQ-g2kDx8J_hJzWaoteXn2HSp5TWRs9pYRn9g0S29XgWOTG5ZUDf6lJc3sDZT3Numaw6aBx10eebfqXwRK1nmTJBLM4uNhEDn8E6Vlhlo/s1600-h/171020091050.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnMpSqgm5xSdP-KF9a1vXzqbpA1rXblmHZXKTGQ-g2kDx8J_hJzWaoteXn2HSp5TWRs9pYRn9g0S29XgWOTG5ZUDf6lJc3sDZT3Numaw6aBx10eebfqXwRK1nmTJBLM4uNhEDn8E6Vlhlo/s400/171020091050.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393372469542798450" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCULKJAi2PD8keWKjaKT8kp7rq3OoWvCQ_oMt3v70Xvyjvj_vIHX9WS0qVRokqzG7o5-9RkF-H1dDRbfI9ELwhxX77nfPvAxZn9JqAx7yyCMBwqxs7nUowTAfy3Oo1fLm9zqsKfPxCYkJx/s1600-h/171020091048.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCULKJAi2PD8keWKjaKT8kp7rq3OoWvCQ_oMt3v70Xvyjvj_vIHX9WS0qVRokqzG7o5-9RkF-H1dDRbfI9ELwhxX77nfPvAxZn9JqAx7yyCMBwqxs7nUowTAfy3Oo1fLm9zqsKfPxCYkJx/s400/171020091048.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393372462496044258" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTZA2-gjiArKZM0zk_nQYho9uLKzLO-zKd3uM5wYxdQehgZV0J7OtILD4-9uEHZmj-8KMmdvustxTJxMCNmLGOZgT48rgWWP2t8J-5oI1mGlxtz-PTVfVb17ctdwR4ZZ0S97lTp3B91dpR/s1600-h/171020091047.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTZA2-gjiArKZM0zk_nQYho9uLKzLO-zKd3uM5wYxdQehgZV0J7OtILD4-9uEHZmj-8KMmdvustxTJxMCNmLGOZgT48rgWWP2t8J-5oI1mGlxtz-PTVfVb17ctdwR4ZZ0S97lTp3B91dpR/s400/171020091047.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393372447987711986" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQRn-FkTlpJZLvNWUC8i5PGg03fNSwm3_nsGwp8lZb2ThdhJkPDckYECOOeWpWIfH_4p7DbQSDH5yyMDeo6Wy7t5Lk7H9qIpzan-3e27yFRFxCm4j1aFMNPtT3FRJl4sMePLelRRCc0l7C/s1600-h/171020091045.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQRn-FkTlpJZLvNWUC8i5PGg03fNSwm3_nsGwp8lZb2ThdhJkPDckYECOOeWpWIfH_4p7DbQSDH5yyMDeo6Wy7t5Lk7H9qIpzan-3e27yFRFxCm4j1aFMNPtT3FRJl4sMePLelRRCc0l7C/s400/171020091045.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393372439482054354" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN2yb9JxpMD_sxX_IldJbUHcx03apqGmcL9PW1slCr-NYngJNC-xtX7Xkss241v8eS1tA1p38Z-67qHOyh2AhgbrJJTOhgg6qLSBOIoFFlPpCeSIiEsIui_3vp9pR1lvXZlDdeqKZxmALk/s1600-h/171020091043.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN2yb9JxpMD_sxX_IldJbUHcx03apqGmcL9PW1slCr-NYngJNC-xtX7Xkss241v8eS1tA1p38Z-67qHOyh2AhgbrJJTOhgg6qLSBOIoFFlPpCeSIiEsIui_3vp9pR1lvXZlDdeqKZxmALk/s400/171020091043.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393370539553125474" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlMBLQ_JKA99H-KyE5PK2HMbhutHwEMBxbI1zW58qtgkE-TxdJE9UcS4BEO6j6ezkeqpi0VQEnK-jMKr7i95G4ffYBC-zH2-oS_nqeeAEBsdZsEIXE2hHVtLzygW77RV4VF1w0kr0Cm9_O/s1600-h/171020091041.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlMBLQ_JKA99H-KyE5PK2HMbhutHwEMBxbI1zW58qtgkE-TxdJE9UcS4BEO6j6ezkeqpi0VQEnK-jMKr7i95G4ffYBC-zH2-oS_nqeeAEBsdZsEIXE2hHVtLzygW77RV4VF1w0kr0Cm9_O/s400/171020091041.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393370531260204082" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Free Running Stroller</span><br /><br />For anyone who wants to try running with a stroller, without spending the dollars. This is a Gerry Zoomer stroller from the USA - not sure when they were made, but the colours (jade green and purple) are very reminiscent of outdoor gear in Canada when we lived there in the mid-90s.<br /><br />I was given this stroller by a self-confessed stroller enthusiast, when I bought my Mountain Buggy from him second hand.<br /><br />It has 16" wheels on the back, a 12" wheel on the front. The tyres are only just OK - will need replacing sooner rather than later, but they are easy to source from your local bike store, or even BigW etc. The seat and sunshade are in good condition, the straps are good (5-point harness), it's light and folds in half to stow. It DOES NOT have a foot operated brake - all of this generation of strollers had a strap loop to clip through the spokes on the back wheel, so they can't roll away when you want to park to get the baby out etc. If you use this kind of stroller, you have to be diligent about not letting go, and keeping a tether strap on your wrist. The tether strap isn't on this stroller, but you can make one out of anything, and tie it to the axle or handle as you prefer. I think I have some webbing strap that you can have to make your tether strap.<br /><br />So, there it is. It is not a flash enough stroller to be worth spending too much getting it to yourself, as you can imagine. But it's a basic stroller, that, judging from the service a similar model gave me when my older kids were young, you could take out for 50km weeks for a long time without too much trouble from it.Jac's Mumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15020308226298936717noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-554941835254350069.post-69818378792019579562009-09-24T23:37:00.002+10:002009-09-24T23:44:03.747+10:00On being mum.http://www.womensenews.org/article.cfm/dyn/aid/456/context/archive<br /><br />My boys believe the house we live in is my ex's, and have told me so; their reasoning being that he had a job and earned money, while I was at home for so many years. 20 years of mothering, and it has no dollar value in most people's eyes. I am an educated woman in a wealthy country. What, then, of the women in poor countries with no education??Jac's Mumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15020308226298936717noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-554941835254350069.post-48993317800741625432009-09-17T23:00:00.002+10:002009-09-17T23:29:38.051+10:00Meandering Along<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg55mnBI_WRJiyjIK3Db_GBjuNXfTe3zKKeDML8X6jvd_uhz7eJly_8foFq_dz9XstsozyPqLFKyTb3a4UKZmWv-mBBKl8-NhuwbAoUSziw2INUPAuO2m4mGevT6KJTmPXSAbvGaw0fxdLt/s1600-h/15092009989.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg55mnBI_WRJiyjIK3Db_GBjuNXfTe3zKKeDML8X6jvd_uhz7eJly_8foFq_dz9XstsozyPqLFKyTb3a4UKZmWv-mBBKl8-NhuwbAoUSziw2INUPAuO2m4mGevT6KJTmPXSAbvGaw0fxdLt/s400/15092009989.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382427901035440562" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0qItYGEtW2alh5En9C2C6cMYTYMdDIKzwaM0xm4mltfRSPQL6vuOcIN1w7lCVUhl7UoqeWNI55TW8z9nhuAJI8y3-hnYN0FgySuBGgv2uUtyNz1Kfc5WXUEjlLOiu4X4j03FJrxPlIAcN/s1600-h/15092009987.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0qItYGEtW2alh5En9C2C6cMYTYMdDIKzwaM0xm4mltfRSPQL6vuOcIN1w7lCVUhl7UoqeWNI55TW8z9nhuAJI8y3-hnYN0FgySuBGgv2uUtyNz1Kfc5WXUEjlLOiu4X4j03FJrxPlIAcN/s400/15092009987.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382427891674768226" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfe2HAncsNiKhPs3KPXcwqMW31P0R8A9GAY8C46EQqUlRtV19ywb8urDVA7YGqM28jXZ89zFidACQBwdGBhHQM1kEsYdb2yhrD5giEEd8NlQjLPPG8VOwlTWD9_swGQgYy0oKYgmPZsSsl/s1600-h/15092009983.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfe2HAncsNiKhPs3KPXcwqMW31P0R8A9GAY8C46EQqUlRtV19ywb8urDVA7YGqM28jXZ89zFidACQBwdGBhHQM1kEsYdb2yhrD5giEEd8NlQjLPPG8VOwlTWD9_swGQgYy0oKYgmPZsSsl/s400/15092009983.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382427883919533938" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiukG8vTwzzo7_cAg5KDpMjvOTdi_s_gh2bMVati93P44jr37UFWtQNCOUEmz0wRf0gsHubc2AevodPF6_VuzaIwrgIpRDT-_86fJE7l4QvohAxSVau-2XjZeEwByGsavcaYXxl_s_CdJJ/s1600-h/15092009984.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiukG8vTwzzo7_cAg5KDpMjvOTdi_s_gh2bMVati93P44jr37UFWtQNCOUEmz0wRf0gsHubc2AevodPF6_VuzaIwrgIpRDT-_86fJE7l4QvohAxSVau-2XjZeEwByGsavcaYXxl_s_CdJJ/s400/15092009984.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382427871911846578" border="0" /></a><br />Second week of holidays from Uni for No.1. We've done some running, bit of op-shopping, hanging out at home doing our respective things. A good restorative time for us both.<br /><br />Had a rare but lovely session on the phone with my bro last night. I value his input - he always manages to refresh my outlook with his straightforward view of things.<br /><br />The sledging rubbish on CR goes on. Of course some of the posters are thoughtful, earnest people, who are just throwing around jokes like a lit firecracker, passing it from person to person, and laughing together over it all. Others have more intent, and a sense of deep conviction about what they write. Might be time for another holiday from reading it all, I think. I don't think I'm gaining much from my exposure. I did bother to answer one question just for my own satisfaction, that I will record here for posterity, as it is the answer to a swipe that always annoys me. BabyG's dad's best time for the C2S is 41.29, and would have won the event on 17 other occasions (in addition to the year he won). I think he came 5th the year he did his best time. Shows how the depth of running talent has changed since the 1980s and 90s.<br /><br />On with the games.Jac's Mumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15020308226298936717noreply@blogger.com0