Bosco .... What the !!!!!!!!

Bosco

This is my son Shane's dog Bosco. He is a lovely dog - well he's still actually a pup at 11 months old and maybe I should add he is lovely most of the time. He is a very muscular solid dog for his age and is a mix of breeds but mostly a Blue Healer/Staffy cross.  We are dog sitting him for Shane for the next four weeks, which is fine as he really is a nice people loving dog. BUT - the first morning that Bosco arrived we awoke to a back porch that looked as though we had had a cyclone. Bosco had obviously gotten bored during the night and found everything that wasn't metal and chewed it to pieces. Luckily nothing that he demolished was of any value. All we could do was laugh - and get Shane to clean up his dogs mess.  So every night since then we are going to bed prepared - there is nothing anywhere near him that he could possibly chew.

Bosco's Mess

Boxing Day 2010

For me Boxing Day would have to be the laziest day of the year and Boxing Day 2010 hasn't disappointed me. After my Christmas Day visitors had all left and the rest of the clan had headed off to do their socializing I decided to take full advantage of being in an empty house. I soaked in a hot bath, watched a movie, and pretty much just lounged around all day. Prior to going to Bali I had given myself lots of house projects to complete once I got home. But as with all well laid plans life can sometimes put up road blocks. So now that my life is almost back to normal - well as normal as my life gets - tomorrow I am going to start completing my to do list. Also I thought I would now share some of my Bali photos with you.

"My Bali Bedroom"

This stone business was "Davine Paradise" -

so many Buddhas and all to big and heavy to bring home.

Merry Christmas

Hi everyone - I would like to wish everyone out there a very Merry Christmas and/or Happy Holidays. I have found it difficult to get to my blog the past six weeks or so as my mind and time has pretty much been consumed with work and my cousin Susan.Susan is now on the road back to better health. She came out of hospital on Christmas Day and is heading back to her home tomorrow. She still has a way to go but slowly but surely she is getting there. My Christmas Day has been wonderful, although with it being my first without either of my parents I wasn't really looking forward to it. But as it has turned out I have spent it with the four most loved and important people in my life and has been one of my most happiest days. I am fully intending to get back into my posts now so please stay with me. Hopefully I have something interesting to say!!

Onward and Upward....

I would have to be one of happiest people on earth tonight. Sue was finally taken out of Intensive Care today and is now in the Neurological Ward at St Vincents Hospital. We went to visit her tonight and when we got there she was sound asleep, still with some drips attached to her tired frail body. The nurses asked us to step out for a while so they could reposition her in the bed. After about 10mins we went back into her room and to our sheer delight she was awake and very aware of who we were. Although she is not speaking as yet she smiled, nodded and made some small facial gestures as we spoke to her. Thank you for everyone out there and the universe for your prayers in getting my Suzie back. Even though it will probably be a long road at least we are heading in the right direction. Even though there have been a lot of tears this past week tonight's happy tears were the sweetest I have ever tasted.

I now feel I can share some of my photos from Bali - I just couldn't get my brain to think of anything else until now. While we 8 girls were in Bali 5 of us decided to get a tattoo.  When Sue and I turned 50 we decided to get ourselves a tattoo - she got a Chinese water symbol - she is a typical Aquarius and very attached to water. I got mine on my ankle, it is my initials and I designed it myself. As most of you would know I am a bit of a crazy person when it comes to Buddhas so I felt I had to get a Buddha tattoo - but what design. Finally I found a drawing of the "Lotus Buddha" and decided this was to be my gift to myself. The next decision was to the position. Considering that you should never get a tattoo of Buddha below your waistline I decided to get my tattoo behind my ear - yes you heard right - behind my ear. It didn't really hurt, just vibrated in my head a lot. I got Alice to hold my head when the tattooist first started because I didn't want to move. But all was OK and I love it and I don't feel I need any more.

Here we got - ready or not!!!

Now that wasn't to bad.

My new Tattoo - Lotus Buddha

Update on Suzie

Thanks everyone for your thoughts, prayers and best wishes for my darling Suzie. I feel like the past week has been one of the longest weeks I have ever had. But this morning we have had a bit of a positive move. The Drs. bought Sue out of her induced coma around 11.00am  and she is now off all sedatives. Her eyes are very alert looking straight into our eyes and watching the movement of others in the Intensive Care Unit. She is not responding to any commands as yet, but I figure having been away for the past week it may take time for her to start responding. I think we still have a very long way to go but oh it is so lovely to see her eyes. So if I may be so bold as to ask, could I still get you all to say a small pray that my Suzie comes back to us as she left us. This past week has been a sad way of me really seeing how fragile and unpredictable our lives can be. With this in mind I ask you all to do a favour not only for me but for you and your loved ones. Please make the most of every day, do things you love to do, take time out for yourself and please please tell those you love just how much you love them.

Suzie

Hi everyone - yes I am back from a wonderful time in Bali and I promise I will upload some photos at some stage. But firstly I have a favour to ask each and every one of you. Those of you out there that are regulars to my blog would know of my cousin Susan, as I have written about her and our closeness many times. Susan is much more than a cousin to me - our mothers were not only sisters but best friends and Susan and I were born only 6 weeks apart. We have been like sisters all our lives - sharing all the childhood, teenage and grown up experiences together. Somehow when one of us is feeling low the other one can sense it and will automatically make a call. Well last Saturday Susan took ill and between then and now she has been put into an induced coma, helicoptered from her town 2 hours from Melbourne to a hospital in Melbourne and endured many many test while in intensive care at St Vincents Hospital. She has been diagnosed with encephalitis and the Dr's are keeping her in the induced coma for a while and pumping her with some heavy duty drugs to fight the infection. In my heart I know she is not going to leave me or her wonderful family. My request from you all is if you don't mind could you say a small pray to whichever God you have to please return Suzie to us the way she was before this event. She is a wonderful woman, always caring for others and never asking for anything in return. My request is also very selfish because I want my Suzie back as she is my backbone.  

Suzie & my son Shane in Outback Australia

Fish Food

Davine, Alice & Melissa feeding the fish

Weird feeling.

At last I have been able to uoload some photos.

Ahhhhhhh Bali

At last I can get to my blog and at last I am back in beautiful Bali. Our flights here were great, no problems considering that the day before most flights had been rescheduled due to volcanic activity from Mount Merapi in Indonesia. But we got here after our 4 hour flight from Melbourne to Darwin and then after about an hour stopover we then headed on our 2 hour flight to Denpasar, Bali. As I mentioned last time this is my 4th visit here and I still love it as much, if not more from my first visit. I love the peacefulness, the hustle and bustle of people trying to sell you something, the weather (as long as you have a pool close by}, the smells (some are a little bit challenging), the sights, the bargains and of course the people, they all have a smile even when they are not trying to get money out of you.  Yesterday we just did our first little venture shopping in Seminyak - just have to get back into the swing of bargaining, which might I add I am not very good at, I keep forgetting what my last price was!! Alice, Melissa and myself also went and had our feet chewed - sucked on - cleaned (what ever you would like to call it) by some "Garupa Fish". It was a very weird sensation, sort of like puutting you legs in a big tank of bubbling soda water. The accommodation we are staying at is called "The Villas Hotel & Spa - Seminyak and has to be the most beautiful place I have ever stayed. The shot on the opening page is our villa. We have a 3 bedroom villa with our own pool and chef that comes and cooks our breakfast each morning. I will try and attach their link and some photos but no photos can do it justice. It is absolutely amazing. This morning we are of to have a massage and then I am going to check out some wholesales for my jewellery and maybe get some batik fabric. Oh I do love it here. So for now Salamat Jalan.

** Sorry I can't download my photos - connection way to slow - will try next time**

Bali

Only 4 sleeps and I will be in Bali. I just love Bali, this will be my 4th visit. The first time I went it was my ex-husbands and my first holiday out of Australia. We certainly were not very adventurous and really only did the tourist stuff. The next time we travelled to Bali we had two children who stayed with my Mum and Dad in Tassie while we had our adventurous Bali holiday. We travelled around the island by motorbike. Now you might say that doesn't sound very adventurous, but believe me being on a motorbike on Balinese roads can sometimes boarder on lunacy. My 3rd holiday in Bali was with my daughter Rachel and two of her friends, Jessica and Casey. That was a hole different experience but lots of fun. Now this trip is different again. I am holidaying with 7 other girls. One of the girls Alice is having a significant birthday and we sure will help her celebrate her milestone. Hopefully I will be able to update my blog a couple of times while we are there.

Bali 1977 - Oh I was so young!!

Bali 1984 - OK legs back then and I had two kids.

Bali 2004 - Jessica, Rachel & Casey. The spare seat is me!!

Hung Branch

This past weekend we had a huge amount of rain in Melbourne. My house is close to the usually shallow, slow running "Diamond Creek". But that all changes when we have a big downpour. It's amazing just how much this little creek changes into a very deep and quite furious river so quickly. After one such storm a few years ago this so called creek took out not only the foot bridge, but also the vehicle bridge as well. Well a brand new foot and vehicle bridge were built and have both survived quite a few downpours. That is until this past weekend!!! The vehicle bridge was fine but the foot bridge didn't fair quite as well. It's like some huge platypus or beavers have moved a forest to make a dam.  I just had to get down there and get some shots. The water has now subsided until next time.

Now you might be asking why I have a photo of a "Hung Branch". This was part of the aftermath of the storm I mentioned above that we had a few years ago. After the creek had subsided, somehow this branch was left hanging from the power lines (not that the water was this high). I drive past this branch a couple of times each day and it transports me back to the times I drove past it with my dear old Dad. Every time we drove past it my dad would say "It's still up there". Dad had very little eye sight but he could always see his branch.

Future Plans

Hi everyone - Happy Halloween for tonight and also tomorrow for my friends on the other side of the earth.

I have had a great weekend :) Friday night I went to the final Melbourne "Powderfinger" concert (for ever). It was a pretty good concert but I don't like the venue it was at. For my Melbourne readers it was at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl. For my non Melbourne it is an outdoor venue with some seats, but the majority of fans are on a grass hill. Trouble with concerts there no matter where you are situated you can never get a good view of the band. But still, I did enjoy the concert because they are a great band and I love their music.

Sidney Myer Music Bowl - Melbourne

Powderfinger - The Age website.

The rest of the weekend I have spent back in Daylesford. Daylesford hasn't always been, but is now a pretty trendy little country town which is well known for it's great restaurants and peaceful laid back feel. It is in the heart of what is called "Spa Country" as there are loads of mineral springs and places where you can have spa treatments in the area. The reason I have been going up there is because I have two wonderful friends - Tim & Brian - who own and run a beautiful B&B called "Old Chilli B&B. Now here's my exciting news - next year they are looking at travelling overseas for 12months and have asked me to manage the B&B for 12 months from May. Of course I have jumped at the chance and I am really excited about my adventure. So from May 2011, I will blogging about "My Year in Daylesford". It will be interesting to see how I go living in a country town as I am a city girl, but it sure does feel good when I am there - it is so nice and quiet - no traffic noise.

View from the deck - Old Chill B&B, Daylesford

Looking thru the Wisteria Arch at one of the Alpacas ( not sure if this is Bilbo or Groucho)

Daylesford

I am so tired tonight my brain just cannot think of anything to write. So I thought I would share a couple of photos I took last time we went to Daylesford.

Original Cottage at Lavender Farm

BOO!!!

Original Painting in Cottage

 Beautiful Church Windows

Emails!!!!!!

Emails - Love them or Hate them they are part of our lives now. If your anything like me you find a website and think "Oh that might a good site to get the newsletter from" - and before you know it you are getting newsletter emails on all sorts of subjects and you have way to many emails. Well that's where I sit at the moment. After not looking at my emails for a couple of days I decided this afternoon was time to sort thru them and have a bit of clean out. To my shock when I first logged on I had over 200 unread emails!!!  Well after a few hours I have whittled it down to 90 unread emails, but there are still those elusive ones that I have sort of read but I just haven't got around to deleting - why - cause I just might read again properly, or answer the sender - or some other crazy reason. I think sometimes I may suffer from "Information Overload"!!!

Emails - Love them or Hate them!!!

I must admit I do like being able to get information on anything at any time.

I love Quotes

It's nice to be important,

But it's more important to be nice.

If you love something set it free

If it comes back it is yours

If it doesn't it never was.

Focus on ME!!

Hello my lovelies - yes I am back and happy to be. As you may remember from the post at the beginning of October I decided that my October challenge was going to be to "Focus" on others in my life. Well I was successful up until October 11th and then I sort of fell in a bit of a heap. The last two weeks or so have not been lots of fun. Last Thursday it was the 3rd anniversary of my Mum passing away and the first year that I haven't had my attention focused on Dad. So I guess I had all the time in the world to just indulge myself in my grief. The best way that I could think of helping myself cope with my sad feelings was to indulge myself totally. I did have a very enlightening but draining night at "Women's Group" last Thursday. I let a lot of feelings flow and felt like I was able to release some of the pain I felt. So I guess I am now back, in full swing, until next time I fall in that hole.
This weekend I have been away at the annual "Rawson Scrapbooking Retreat". It is run by some
Creative Memories" consultants. From 4.00pm Friday night until 4.00pm Sunday night we spend wonderful time scrapbooking, eating, drinking and talking, not necessarily in that order. The location of the retreat is in the tiny (and I mean tiny) village of Rawson which is about 170kms from Melbourne in the beautiful Gippsland hinterlands. It is such a quiet, pretty place to spend a weekend with friends doing what you love.

'El Camino de Santiago'

Tonight I would really like to share a wonderful blog with you all. It is "My Way - My Path" from lovely Mark. I first started reading Marks blog when he was preparing to walk the "El Camino de Santiago" or "Santiago de Compostela Camino" pilgrimage in north-west Spain. The reason Marks blog grabbed me was because years ago I read Shirley MacLains book "The Camino: Journey of the Spirit". It was her story of when she did the pilgrimage and what a spiritual event in her life it turned out to be. I must say it was and is still one of my most favorite books. Thank you Mark for sharing the walk and your life with us. Just recently I have realized what attracts me most to a blog - it is people just being themselves and sharing their day to day life with us. That's exactly what Mark does - thanks again Mark.

Melbourne, Australia

Tonight I would like to congratulate "Blossom Flower Girl" of "Melbourne Daily Photo" on her blog. This was the first blog I came across that was written fom my home city - Melbourne, Australia. Blossom Flower Girl shares some wonderful photos of Melbourne and also some really interesting facts. It's funny but I thought I knew all about my home but with the help of "Melbourne Daily Photo" I am learning heaps more. Keep up the good writing and shots Blossom Flower Girl, you have a very interesting blog. For anyone out there that hasn't visited Melbourne Daily Photo please do and you can also learn some great facts about our wonderful home

As a final note I would also like to wish everyone out there a very happy and interesting 10/10/10!!!!

What if there isn't "Anymore"

A friend of mine (Lois) sent me this email today, and I just have to share it with all out there.

It fits right in with my theme for October.

One day a woman's husband died, and on that clear, cold morning, in the warmth of their bedroom, the wife was struck with the pain of learning that sometimes there isn't "anymore". No more hugs, no more special moments to celebrate together, no more phone calls just to chat, no more "just one minute." Sometimes, what we care about the most gets all used up and goes away, never to return before we can say good-bye,

 say"I love you."

So while we have it, it's best we love it, care for it, fix it when it's broken and heal it when it's sick. This is true for marriage.....And old cars... And children with bad report cards, and dogs with bad hips, and aging parents and grandparents. We keep them because they are worth it, because we are worth it.

Some things we keep -- like a best friend who moved away or a sister-in-law after divorce. There are just some things that make us happy, no matter what.

Life is important, like people we know who are special.. And so, we keep them close!

Suppose one morning you never wake up, do all your friends know you love them?

I was thinking...I could die today, tomorrow or next week, and I wondered if I had any wounds needing to be healed, friendships that needed rekindling or three words needing to be said..

Let every one of your friends know you love them. Even if you think they don't love you back, you would be amazed at what those three little words and a smile can do. And just in case I'm gone tomorrow.

I LOVE YA!!!

Live today because tomorrow is not promised.

Do you have Joy in your Life?

That is the question - do you have JOY in your LIFE? I must say I do have the JOY and another person that I am pretty sure has the JOY is Michelle from "Joy Express". I started following Michelles blog before I even really knew what blogs were. Michelle has a wonderful way with words and all of her interests keep her readers very interested. She shares some great photos of her cards that she creates and also her beautiful garden and recently her adventure of sailing the "Whitsundays". Of course her passion with "Past Lives" cannot be ignored. Michelle is not only my blog friend, but I am happy to say she is a face to face friend too. All in all her blog is very entertaining and informative. Keep up the good work Michelle.

Michelle at International Day

Do It Now!!

I think we all have extra special people in our lives who we either see or are in contact with a lot, but when did you last tell that person just how they enhance your life?  I also think we all have people that we wouldn't regard as our bestest friend but they are someone who have been important in a part of our lives at some stage. Maybe we don't see them anymore but occasionally they pop into our head and we remember the time when they helped you become the person you are now. The sad thing for me is that back when they were helping me develop me I didn't tell them just how important they were in my life. So I have decided I am not going to end up being an elderly Davine and feel sad that I didn't tell all those important people in my life just how they have been important in me becoming me.

So starting tonight I am going to mail some cards I have made to the important people in my life.

There are a lot so it may take me a while but it will be worth it.

When did you last tell someone in your life just important they are??

Lake Eildon

Yesterday Shane and I went for a drive to Lake Eildon. Australia has been in drought for quite a few years but thankfully we have had quite a bit of ran this Winter and Spring so far. Back when I was in my 20's I used to go to Lake Eildon quite often, one time eight of us had a week on a house boat on the lake. It was always a very popular place for all water sports especially water skiing and fishing. The drought really had a huge effect on the Eildon area as holiday makers had little reason to head up there as the lake was almost dry. Normally Lake Eildon, is six times the capacity of Sydney Harbour and has over 500 kilometers of shore. Most of the lake is surrounded by national park.  Back in 1998 Shane and I had a drive up there to see just how low the water was. We couldn't believe the shocking sight we saw, the water was replaced by dirt, trees and car tracks. So, seeing we have had some great rain recently we thought it was time to check it out again and oh what a beautiful sight greeted us. The lake is still a lot lower than it was when I was in my 20's but at least it is now a lake. What is it with water - why does water make us feel so good?

Lake Eildon 1998

Lake Eildon - October 2010

Darlene"s Life

Today I want to congratulate Darlene of "My Life For A Year" on her great blog. She was my first blog friend from overseas (out of Australia). I remember back then, I was so excited I had a follower I didn't know. I always enjoy reading her posts as she really gives everyone a feel for her life and also shares some beautiful Canadian shots. Darlene has come so far with her photography capabilities - her photos have always been interesting but they now have excellent composition and colour.  Isn't the world amazing these days when we can say that we regard someone as our friend when we have never met them. I think the main ingredient I love about "My Life For A Year" is that Darlene shares the words and photos of the everyday life, loves, problems and joy of a great Canadian.  Thanks Darlene for sharing your life with us.

Focus

Hi all out there. Would you believe this is the first time in four days I have turned my laptop on!! Between my social life and a bit of unwellness I just haven't had the time. Firstly seeing we are now in October I will share what my "Wellness Wheel" message is for the month, which is "FOCUS". Now that's where the question is - what to "FOCUS" on? I decided that my "FOCUS" this month was going to be on others in my life. So this month I am going to make a conscious effort to contact people I haven't seen or spoken to for a while and also tell those around me just how they make my life more enriched and fulfilled. I am also going to catch up on reading some blogs which I am embarrassed to say I haven't done much of lately and honour that person and there creativity.

S Theme - Day 19

Well today is my last day of my September / Spring "S" Theme. I have really enjoyed thinking of "S" things to write about. Even though I haven't written a post every day this month (due to IT problems and a social life) I have still thought of "S" things every day. So with that in mind my "S" word today just has to be "SUCCESS". I feel like I have had a very successful month.

As I mentioned back at the beginning of this month my Medicine Wheel message for September was "Transformation" and once again the message was spot on. I have and I am in the process of transforming various areas of my life at the moment.

S Theme - Day 18

Tonights "S" word is all about having a bit of "FUN". My "S" word today is "SNEEZE" and don't sneezes feel great? Theres not much better than finally having a big sneeze after it has been hanging around, pretending it is coming and then sneaking back into your head somewhere.

Then all of a sudden along it comes in full force - Archoooooooo!!!!

S Theme - Day 17

I have a really sore throat today so my post tonight is short and sweet. My "S" word is "SAYINGS". I love collecting different "Sayings" and Quotes. I found this one a while ago and I can't even remember where I found it, but it certainly is something that is so true.

"You Are Born An Original

Don't Die A Copy"

S Theme - Day 16

I once again have a couple of "S" words for you today. My first one is really for yesterday and my word is "STRESS". Now I don't get very stressed these days but yesterday my football team "St Kilda Saints" were playing in the Grand Final against "Collingwood Magpies". It was a very entertaining game but my body was tense the whole time. As it neared the final siren it was getting more and more exciting as the Saints were only 1 point down and then they scored another point and the scores were even. Then all of a sudden the siren went and it was a draw!!!! Now in "AFL" the rules are that no extra time is played, the game is actually replayed the next week. So we all have to go thru it again next Saturday - Nooooooo!!! Looks like I might be a bit stressed again next week, but the sad thing is I have to work and won't be able to actually watch it!!!!!

Now onto today's "S" word. It is something I am thinking about and planning to be enjoying in November. My word is "SUNSHINE" and the reason it is on my mind is because I am currently organising accommodation for 8 girls (me included) in "BALI" in November. I love Bali, this will be my fourth visit and it definitely won't be my last. The locals are so friendly and I just love their customs, history and relaxed attitude to everything. I'm looking forward to sharing my trip with everyone out there.

Bali 2004

S Theme - Day 15

I have a couple of "S" words today. Yesterday Shane and I had a wonderful day and night at the Royal Melbourne "Show". I love the show, up until a few years ago I had never missed a year. It is a very exhausting day but also heaps of fun. From the "Sideshows", rides, food, animals, fireworks and "Sampson" the Monster Truck.

Sideshows are a great sight.



Sampson the Monster Truck - start of jump.

Sampson the Monster Truck - end of jump. 

Fireworks - notice the full moon in the centre.

S Theme - Day 14

My "S" word for today is "Satisfied". When I first thought of making "Satisfied" my word for the day, I thought - OK I am satisfied with my life - what else? So I checked what the definition of "Satisfied" is?

Contented - Yes I am very contented in my own skin, I like spending time with me. 

Happy - Happines is something I strive for - nothing better than starting the day of with a laugh.  

Gratified - I feel grateful to my parents for giving me my life and the values I have today.

Fulfilled - My job, crafts and life keep me very fulfilled.

Yes, I am satisfied with my life.

S Theme - Day 13

Today's "S" word just has to be "St Kilda Saints" who are my Aussie Rules Football Team. I am sitting here watching them play the Bulldogs in the semi final. The winner of this game goes into the Grand Final next week. I love watching football but finals time is just to nerve wracking. I think I may have written these exact words this time last year. Sad thing is this time last year I was listening to it with my dear old dad. He supported the Saints all of his 91 years and I would just love to see them win for his memory. AFL (Australian Football League) is such a huge part to a lot of Australians lives, especially here in Melbourne. The game was originally only located here in Victoria, but is now a national game. Now I am going to continue watching the game - I will let you know what the result is later.

Yahoo !!!!! My team won by 24 points, they are now in the Grand Final next week.

S Theme - Day 12

My "S" word for today is "Seafood". I love all seafood : prawns, scallops, calamari, any fish, abalone, clams, mussels, whitebait, crayfish but my very favourite would have to be "Oysters". I have been known to have my meal and then finish off with oysters, so I can keep the yummy taste in my mouth. Of course they have to be natural - no toppings for this girl. Ask my good friend Alice and she will quickly tell you that you can almost guarantee that when we go out anywhere for dinner I will have some sort of seafood. Well last night we did go out for dinner and I thought I wouldn't be a creature of habit (not that I am) and have something different for my meal - guess what it was not very nice and I was disappointed. Today is Shane's birthday so we decided to go out for dinner and guess what I had - yes seafood. I had a yummy big bowl of "Spaghetti Marinara" and I loved it.

This is a crayfish meal I had on a yatch while visiting Flinders Island.

S Theme - Day 11

Tonight I have two "S" words, both can be beautiful, enlightening, relaxing, uplifting, help bring in a new day and say goodbye to one. Yes, my words today are "Sunrise" and "Sunset".

Sunset over the Maranoa River, Mitchell, Queensland

Sunrise over Lake Tyers, Victoria

S Theme - Day 10

Today's "S" word is something I have learned, experienced and loved for the majority of my life. My word today is "Sewing". I started sewing small things at secondary school and it was the only subject I excelled in. I then moved onto making most of my clothes, then when I had Shane and Rachel I made most of their clothes as well. By this stage I was not only sewing clothes but also home furnishings, such as curtains, bedding and cushions. When my marriage broke up I needed to get out there to support my kids so what did I turn to? Yes, my sewing - I started teaching patchwork/quilting at home and also working for a home furnishing store making all of there home furnishing speciality orders. I don't sew  to many clothes these days but I still love my sewing machine. I find when I am sitting sewing it is an extremely relaxing time for me. At the moment I am making a cot quilt for a friends beautiful little boy. I will share my creation when I finish it.
I tried to find a photo of something I have sewn and realized I don't have very many, so here is a shot of a couple of wall hangings I was making on a weekend away many years ago - what the hell is with my hair!!

S Theme - Day 9

Hi, yes I am back after having a few IT issues for the past two days.

Before I get onto today's "S" word I am going to go back a few days. You will remember I wanted to hear your ideas of what you would do with a ball of string. Well today I finally finished my "Ball of String" project. My idea came from the blog "Honestly....WTF" and I am extremely happy with how my ball of string turned out. It was pretty easy but took a good few hours to complete. For my embellishments I added wooden beads and metal washers.

Now onto my "S" word for today, which is "Spiritual".  Today I have had the best day, it has been Spiritual, Enlightening, Fun, Prosperous, a day where I have met new friends and enjoyed the company of old friends. I had the pleasure of having a stall with my jewellery at the "International Angel Day". This is the second time this annual event has been held and I can see this wonderful day becoming bigger every year.

 Me at International Angel Day

Groovy Goddess "Michelle" - Angel Readings

S Theme - Day 8

Another day of "S'ssss" bouncing around in my head. It has surprised me how so many things starting with the letter "S" jump in front of my eyes each day. I have had a couple of responses to my question yesterday "What would you make/do with a ball of string? I'd still love to hear your ideas, please leave me your comments. Unfortunately I still can't share my project with you cause I haven't finished it yet. So tonight I thought I would share my dinner with you. So with that in mind my "S" word for today is "Salad". Tonight I made myself a delicious Caesar Salad with Garlic Prawns. It was so so so yummy.

Please leave me your comments - I'd love to hear from you.

S Theme - Day 7

Tonight I have an "S" word for you and also a question. My "S" word for today is "STRING". My question for you is:  if you had a ball of string, any kind of string, new, old, thick, thin, smooth or fury take your pick, could you name one thing you could do with it? I have a couple of different types of string and hopefully tomorrow I will be able to show you what I did with my string.

S Theme - Day 6

I didn't get around to write a post yesterday as my cold has freshened up and is now in my head. But I did have an "S" word for the day and it was "Sniffles", because that is what I was doing a lot of.

Now for today's "S" word which is "Susan" or "Suzie" as my kids christened her. Suzie is my cousin and also my best friend. Our mothers were sisters and also best friends. There is only six weeks between us and we have been like sisters all our lives. We share a very special bond to a point that we can somehow feel when something is not quite right with the other one. We have shared may happy times, sad times and certainly hold many secrets but we both know that we are and will always be there for each other.