Christmas 2009

I may have already mentioned it, but this won't be the first time I have repeated myself. I really love Christmas. I always have - I remember when I was a child I would work my way through the month of December preparing for the big day. On Christmas morning I would wake up at 3.00am and try to convince Mum and Dad that it was time to get up. Being an only child it was usually a pretty quiet little family day. As our Christmas is in the middle of our Summer it is usually really really hot and the kitchen is literally like being in an oven. Isn't it funny how even though we live in a relatively warm climate we still have the roast meals and plum pudding for lunch. There are a lot of people that now go with the seafood lunch, which I think I would love, but I have spoilt my family with the traditional day and now I can't change - I would have a revolt on my hands. I also really love New Year, it's a new beginning. I feel on NY Eve we can contemplate all the events - good and bad - that took place in the past year and then at midnight we are cleansed and almost reborn for the coming new year. With these feelings in mind that I have in December I thought I would keep (try anyway) to keep a photo journal of my journey through my festive preparation, Christmas and then my rebirthing time at New Year. I would love to get your feelings of the festive season during the month as well.

Creatures of habit?

Why are some of us "Creatures Of Habit" and why are some of us not? I'm am definitely NOT a creature of habit - never have been. All my life I have gone out of my way to do something different from those all around me. When I was a teenager I would take great pains not to dress or act the same way as my peers. Not sure why I am like this but I am. Sometimes I wonder if it has to do with me growing up with an unusual - individual name. Maybe I have always wanted to be that unusual / individual person

Are you a creature or habit or not - I'd love to know.

Arias

I am having a lazy night in front of the TV tonight. I'm watching the "Arias", which for the non Aussies out there, that is the Australian equivalent of the Grammys I guess. I listen to quite a lot of music and up until tonight I thought I wasn't to far in the past - but oh boy am I wrong. I haven't heard of most of these bands and artists. I am really feeling ancient at this very point in time. Oh hang on "AC DC" just won 2 awards - I know them!!. Oh my goodness "Robbie Williams" just sang. I didn't really like his song, but call me crazy but I think there is something sexy about that man. The show was also started of with a song from Keith Urban - I must say he is pretty cute as well. OK I am now starting to sound like a dirty old woman and I still don't know most of these people singing, so I might just tape the rest of the show and climb into my bed. I must say I really am happy that I like the music that I like. Oh hang on Powderfinger have have just come on stage - I do really like them a lot. OK until tomorrow - I will say goodnight and wish all my American friends a happy Thanksgiving. Sorry to all my Canadian friends I didn't realize your Thanksgiving was a different date, so my apologies and hope you all had a great October 12th. Isn't it weird how the same special day can be held on different dates all over the world. But that is another post I guess.

Quotes

I just love quotes, every time I see one that hits a cord with me I write it in my little "Quote Book". I started my little book about 20 years ago, so I have quite a collection. I just thought I would share one with you.

"You can not prevent the birds of sorrow from flying over your head,

but you can prevent them from building a nest in your hair - Chinese Proverb"

My Little Adventures.

Once again I had a mental blank today about what to blog about. That was until I read today's post from "Blossom Flower Girl" at "Melbourne Daily Photo". One of the delights the city of Melbourne has is some amazing interesting little streets, laneways and arcades. It's not just the people, but also the shops, the graffiti and the overall feeling you get when exploring. It's been a while since I have headed off into the city and just explored all the little bits and pieces you can discover. In the late 1980's I lived in New York for just over 3 years. I lived about 40mins out of Manhattan in Larchmont (Westchester County) and every Tuesday was my adventure day. I would head into Manhattan and just walk up and down the streets. It was amazing all the sights, sounds and experiences I had the pleasure of welcoming into my world. That is a part of my past life I really miss - just getting out there and wandering around and soaking in everything I can. Maybe that is something for me to get back into - even at a small scale at the moment as I can't really head off for hours at a time.

Beautiful Rain

It's hard to believe that only last week Melbourne was having a heatwave run of mid 30c. Now we are having major rain and it's almost cold enough to turn the heating on. But as we are in a drought it is mighty nice having this rain.

Great Saturday

I have had such a great Saturday. Melissa came along to the Christmas Market with me and overall we both had a pretty successful day. The beginning of the day looked as though we could have a major storm, but mother nature decided to hold the rain off and by the end of the day we had quite a warm humid day. The market was at one of the local primary schools and the colour, bouncing castles, sausages in bread, scones with jam & cream, face painting, spray on tattoos, kids and some great stalls made the whole experience very enjoyable. I am home now sitting in my living room enjoying having Shane (partner) home. He has been in Tasmania the past two weeks visiting his family. Dad is OK, he has been asleep most of the day. At least he is warm, fed and comfortable.

Family

There's nothing more exhausting than an emotionally charged and busy couple of days. My dear old Dad is no better, I really believe he is getting to the end of his wonderful life. We have spent the last week talking (although very short talks) about some of the things we need to discuss, and he keeps telling me his time is almost up. It is very very sad, but I think he has had a very happy, satisfying 91 years. Last night after Dad was sound asleep I went out for a quick Mexican (my favorite) meal with my beautiful daughter. She has sort of taken on the roll of mothering me as I cope with other stuff. It was just what I needed to revitalise my mind and body. Then tonight I have had my gorgeous boy down from Cairns for one night only. He is a lot quieter than his sister. Where Rachel and I will spend hours non stop talking. Shane and I just sit and have words here and there, but just feeling comfortable to be in each others company. I have also been busy making items for the Christmas Market tomorrow. I am really looking forward this new experience, but still just a little bit nervous. Wishing you all the very best for this coming weekend, enjoy.

Inner Goddess

I had in my mind exactly what I was going to write tonight, until I received am email from "Goddess Playshops" and the words below were featured. After reading them I just knew I had to share them with my blog friends.

"Your presence is a present to the world.
You are unique and one of a kind.
Your life can be what you want it to be.
Take the days just one at a time.

Count your blessings, not your troubles.
You will make it through whatever comes along.
Within you are so many answers.
Understand, have courage, be strong.

Do not put limits on yourself.
So many dreams are waiting to be realized.
Decisions are too important to leave to chance.
Reach for your peak, your goal and your prize.

Nothing wastes more energy than worrying.
The longer one carries a problem the heavier it gets.
Do not take things too seriously.
Live a life of serenity, not a life of regrets.

Remember that a little love goes a long way.
Remember that a lot... goes forever.
Remember that friendship is a wise investment.
Life's treasure are people together.

Realize that it is never too late.
Do ordinary things in an extraordinary way.
Have hearth and hope and happiness.
Take the time to wish upon a start.

AND DO NOT EVER FORGET ,
FOR EVEN A DAY
HOW VERY SPECIAL YOU ARE !

YOU ARE GODDESS"

Cards

I am not sure if I have mentioned it but I am having a stall at a Christmas Market on Saturday, so I have been madly making lots of bracelets etc. to have displayed. Today I was all braceleted (I think I invented that word) out, so I actually did some paid work and some housework. The novelty for those two didn't last long so I sat myself down and made a couple of cards. They are made with all Stampin Up supplies and I am pleased how they turned out. I am pretty much house bound at the moment, my dear old Dad is really feeling his 91 years lately. He is just like a baby - he just eats and sleeps. I never dreamed caring for someone could be so draining. Oh well this is the place I am meant to be at this time of my life. It really is quite a privilege caring for him in the last stages of his life. Hopefully it goes on for quite a while yet.

Time Differences

A comment from a dear blog friend "Darlene" about the time difference we have between us has prompted this post. Thanks Darlene - I was having brain pause in what I was going to write and you inspired me. Isn't the web amazing how we can now be in constant contact with people - some we don't even know - with the tap of a few keys on the keypad. Back in the 80's I lived in Toronto for a couple of years and then in New York for about 3 years. Being my parents only child and taking their only two
grandchildren away from them was pretty difficult. The only contact I could have was a very expensive phone call or a letter that took about a week to even get to them. Ah how nice it would have been to have the "WWW's" or "Email" or even my favorite at the moment "Skype". I must say I do love being able to share peoples lives that I meet over the web. So I thought I would just see what the time difference is between me and the "friends" who follow my blog.

fitceter - not sure where in Canada so you would be somewhere between 16 & 18 hours.
My Haven - Shirley -11 hours
Joy Express - Michelle - Same time (Michelle is only about 2 minutes away by car)
Susan & Bec - Same time (About 2 hours away by car)
My Life for a year - Darlene - 18 hours
Teepee - Trish - 1 hour
tillnextyear - Trish - not sure where you live.
Erasing the bored - Suzen - 17 hours
Move with Me - If is in Morocco - 11 hours
Old Dame Penniwig - where in the world are you?
The Fifty factor - Joanna - 19
Nikon Sniper - Stephen - 17 hours
Laura - not sure where you are from.
LL - 17 hours
Really sorry if I have forgotten, but my brain is a wee bit frazzled after all of that. Darlene I think you may have created a monster!! Any visitors to my little blog I would love to know what the time difference from you is as well. May as well send me totally crazy!!
I am also very excited as today I reach 1000 visitors to my blog, yeah I have made a milestone.

53 Buddhas ??

When I first started writing this blog I was at a loss as what to name it. I was sitting in my living room and looked around the room at some of my many Buddhas. After counting them I had the name. I haven't counted them since but I would have at least 63 now. As you may have guessed I LOVE Buddhas. This photo is of a Buddha statue outside a Buddhist Temple in Vancouver. The statues inside the temple were beautiful but understandably I was not allowed to take photos inside. This guy was outside in the garden so he got my cameras attention.

Lists Lists Lists

I am a real list person, I think I always have been. I get great satisfaction of that final crossing of the things I have finished. After having a conversation with my son Shane, I have discovered that is one thing I have passed onto him. We had an in depth conversation on the joy of crossing the completed things of the list. Each weekend I like to write down the jobs I would like to get completed during the following week. But this week there has been only frustration. I made my list last weekend, nothing major just some things I would like to get completed. Then on Monday I pulled my calf muscle and I just couldn't walk around to do anything much. But tonight my calf was feeling a bit better and the weather wasn't 34c, so I headed out into the garden and did some cutting back of my "Star Jasmine", it was really out of control. After having a week of very hot weather some of the plants - new tomatoes in particular really needed some water. But as we are in a drought and on water restrictions I had to do a few watering can loads. Now I am sitting with ice back on my calf, maybe to much to soon. Oh well I am sure I will survive at least I got something done.

Gratitude

I consider myself a fairly positive and happy person, but isn't it funny how when a couple of negative things happen in your life it can sometimes make the positive thoughts get pushed to the back of the brain. That is sort of what has happened to me over the past few days. But I have decided I don't like feeling down so I am going to get myself back. How? How about good things in my life - yes - I will list some of the things I am grateful for in my life.

What am I grateful for :

: I am grateful I am breathing - I figure that is the most important.

: I am grateful I am able to care for my Dad.

: I am grateful I have two wonderful children and great family and friends.

: I am grateful I can laugh at myself.

: I am grateful I can reason with myself and work thru any problems

: I am grateful I love movies such as Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, Star Wars etc, they put me in a place where I can escape reality. I remember when I was young in the 1950's, the first movie I remember really loving was "Ali Baba and the 40 Thieves". It was a movie made in 1944 and just put me into my make believe world. I have actually just finished watching "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire". I really love movies like this.

Enforced Creativity

Well I did have the intention of making some jewellery designs this week, but I didn't know it would be enforced!! Tuesday morning is garbage day, so Monday night I was pulling one of the bins up our steep driveway and all of a sudden my calf felt like it was torn in half. It hurts so so much - I couldn't move for a few minutes - finally I was able to get to a chair and sit with ice on my leg. Luckily I already had a Drs. appointment on Tuesday and she said I have torn my calf muscle. So seeing I am unable to walk to far and have to sit with ice on my calf often I have taken the opportunity to get some stock made for the upcoming Christmas Stall I am participating in.

Enjoyable Sunday

What a wonderful Sunday I have had. Tomorrow is my dear old Dads 91st birthday, so I had a little gathering today for him. Three of Dads cousins came over - Barry, Rachel & Laurel - whom we hadn't seen in a long long time. Even though they are Dads cousins they are closer to my age. Dad was an only child and these three are the only relatives I have on Dads side. They grew up on a farm in western Victoria and Dad & I used to often go and stay with them when I was a little person. Being a city girl it was a wonderful experience heading off to the farm to help (not really help) milk the cows, watch the sheep get shawn and all the daily things that have to be done when running a farm. I have the fondest memories of my visits there and each one of them had some impact on who I am now. I even named my daughter "Rachel" after one of them. Other visitors to our gathering were a few of my friends and even my ex hubby and of course my beautiful daughter Rachel, her boyfriend Luke and my handsome son Shane. It's a pity my partner Shane and Stacey couldn't be here. So all in all I have had a very enjoyable Sunday with my family.

Beads, Beads and more Beads

As a jewellery designer/maker I would say "you can never have enough beads", but when I am sitting looking at all my beads surrounding me Wow! yes you certainly can have to many beads. At the moment I am really drawn to earthy looking and wooden beads. I made two of these bracelets and decided to keep one myself because I felt really attached to it. The 2nd one also went straight away as well - to guess who - my cousin Susan. It is amazing how two people who are very different are also very much alike.

Shanes Come & Go

I feel great today after a beautiful nights sleep last night. I spent the morning at the Bead Society of Victoria's "Bead Expo". I surprised myself by not getting to carried away and buying way to much. That's not to say I didn't still come home with lots of beads, chain and other stuff. I am going to dedicate next week to getting some jewellery designs made as I have a couple of bracelet orders and shops to visit in the lead up to Christmas. I also found some good contacts for wholesale supplies and classes I would like take. After lunch I went to pick up my son Shane from the airport - he is down from Cairns until Tuesday for his best friend Ben's wedding. Then my partner Shane headed of to the Spirit of Tasmania for his night sailing down to Tassie. He is going down for 2 weeks of fishing and catching up with family and friends. He is originally from Tasmania and just loves his fishing - so needless to say he was very excited to be heading down there. I would like to send a big thank you to all visitors to my little blog about me and I really appreciate it when you leave a comment. Hope you all have a great weekend.

Sleepless in Eltham

I am so so tired tonight, last night I was awake from 1.35am to 4.00am!! No reason - I just couldn't sleep. Doesn't it give you the sh....ts when you are just laying there in bed and no matter what you do you just can't sleep. You just seem to get more and more awake and your brain thinks of everything that has ever happened and could ever happen in your life. . I eventually got up and watched some telly. I thought that might make my eyes start to close but no such luck. So by about 3.30pm I thought I should really go back to bed and try - the last time I looked at the clock was 4.00am!!! So that is why I am really tired, so now I am going to say goodnight to all and climb into my beautiful and fall asleep within minutes. That is my positive thinking kicking in again. Goodnight all :)

Beautiful but Weird

At the Tasmanian Craft Fair there was some really amazing art. These masks are made out of a really thin delicate leather, not sure which leather - maybe Deer. They are quite amazing, really really delicate and quite beautiful, but I was a little freaked out by the face - or should I say no face. I know they aren't meant to have a face but the eye area really freaked me out a bit. The one on the left had hundreds of tiny stands of the leather woven all amongst itself and the workmanship was incredible. I really find great joy in seeing how creative and brilliant some people can be in what they can produce from their hands.

Serene River Banks

The river that flows through Deloraine is the "Meander River". Its banks are as picturesque as any river you would choose to visit. As Deloraine is an "Arty" community the beauty is enhanced by some amazing art. One example are these huge balls suspended in motion as they roll down the hill toward the water. There was also love in the air with these two ducks playing out their mating rituals. The beautiful mauve flowers under the trees were a beautiful sight to see. It truly is a relaxing place to wander along the "Meander River"

Creative Mediation

Hi all of my online friends - I am now back home after a wonderful weekend in beautiful Tasmania. Susan and I had the most wonderful time just "being ourselves". We arrived in Launceston around 6.00pm Friday and headed to "Me Wah Restaurant" for the best Chinese meal you could wish for. Last year this restaurant won the award for "Australia's Best Asian Restaurant". Our Saturday was filled with the exhilaration of the "Tasmania Craft Fair" in Deloraine. This fair is an annual event and attracts thousands and thousands of people to several locations over a 4 day period, selling all number of things. Saturday night came and it was time for another delicious meal at the "Lucas Hotel" in the small township of "Latrobe". We stayed overnight at "Sherwood B&B" which is situated on 40 acres of the most amazing peaceful countryside in Tassie. We awoke Sunday to another beautiful sunny day and headed over to the "Quiet Cone" for our "Gong Meditation Session". Our hour in the Quite Cone was - what is the right word to explain - amazing, enlightening, just great. After an afternoon of driving through the beautiful bright green Tassie landscape we were at the airport to board a plane to head back to Melbourne. That's when we struck our one little blimp - our flight was delayed 1 1/2 hours - oh well, we just decided to add it to our little adventure. After such a weekend I feel so relaxed, revitalised and just happy to have someone like my cousin Susan in my life. I took quite a few photos, so I will just have to share them with you over a few days.