So two weeks in, how am I doing?

So as I written my last post I'm on  holiday, in the past two weeks I have managed to achieve the below: 

Knitted half a cardigan for myself & 3/4's of a baby gift 
hemmed a skirt for TC 
went to Flemington Markets for the first time and flirted up a storm with the vendors, I'm a total goose for never going there before for real, its so much closer than I had in my head and it was so much fun 
cleaned & reorganised my fabric stash 
done the same for the bathroom cupboard
watched TC in an amazing school production with my family 
visited my Great Aunt out on the outskirts of Sydney 
given away my beautiful but totally wasted mint condition orange nana trolley. 
attended yoga a grand total of four times (and my body is sore!)
cooked up an absolute storm soups casseroles roasts and cake 
picked up 2 pay it forward bags 
slept in for a whole day 
been for wanders in chinatown, 
walked Blackwattle bay what a stunning place Sydney is right?! 
been to the White Rabbit gallery with a girlfriend and the cutest little guy in the world! (have you been? its a great little gallery in Chippendale that has dumplings!) 
had a 2 hour bath in the middle of the day 
started and am LOVING my new book The Signature of Everything 
I have also drunk many pots of tea, cuddled the cat, eaten toast and sat in the sunshine or watched the rain, done the floors and the washing and the floors again and more washing and then quite often yelled at the cat.

That sounds like heaps right? Not really, there are some days where I talk myself out of doing things.. does everyone do this? Distract myself for so long that I miss the timeframe to make the yoga class/catch the bus/see that movie or catch up with that mate who is down in Sydney for only a couple of days (albeit on the other side f the city). For example, I decided that today is the sewing day, I hemmed a skirt yesterday for TC but there are dresses to turn into skirts, others that need repairing and pants that need replacement zippers and re hemming - jeans especially as I bought them 3 years ago and still can't wear them! Not to mention the many fabrics that are now nicely organised but not actually being used! 

But I just can't get moving.... is it that I don't want to finish things as I don't like endings or fear that the results will be a bit shit and I'd rather fail by not completing than fail by not being any good? Is this the reason I have currently reading 6 books? Knitting/crocheting 6 different projects, most of which I have or will redo at least 3 times? Is this why I have 6 metres or pristine navy liquid silk that i got for my 21st birthday that I still have not decided on a pattern? That's almost 20 freaking years PT! 

So today the plan is - 
hem them jeans
fix my drinking dress
finish my cardigan!
make pumpkin bread & a lime syrup cake (I am STILL using up the lime juice from the beer a month ago!)  
finish my Kinky Friedman book so I can pass it on. 
*and as always the washing 
Oh! and tonight is the annual hooray for everyone AFL game, I really hope it stops raining 

Also to get lost in the hole that is the internet in the search for the perfect dress for that navy silk....because I finally joined pinterest yesterday and probably yell at the cat again xxpt 

A Stay-batical totally a thing I'm doing

At 3.30 on Friday I went on leave for a whole month! YUSSS! I’ve gots me a plan…. & I already started! I did a new thing & I’m going to get back to old things I loved and then stopped & meet up with friends I haven’t had time to catch up with in ages, proper catchups, Galleries and Gardens & I’m going to go through my cupboards to clear out the mess too.

It been a long time coming and I plan to have a wonderful holiday in the city I love and already live in. Thats right for nearly all of it Imma staying right here in Sydney. I realised that I have lived here for like 12 years and there are heaps of places that I have never even been to yet, like Parramatta or Cabramatta I've never been to any of the MATTA'S!! So I’m going and I’m also going to head up to the Central Coast for a day too & try to catch the train to the mountains for a day as well. I should say head to Manly but fuck that place I hate it. 

And I've signed up to a month of yoga at a studio in Newtown super close and after my first class yesterday my body feels so good. My body feels like its been used as it should be, my muscles remembered the patterns and I felt my breath move through my body. God seriously why did I ever stop classes? So for the next 30 days I aim to get to at least 3 classes a week with as many restorative classes as I can too. 

I’ve joined Stonesoup blog’s & Jules provides rad tasty whole food recipes that are simple and a huge part of her philosophy is being organised! Super rad to get on top of that stuff right? Roasting vegies and pre-cooking things like quinoa to add to soups and meals for later in the week. I spent the weekend getting ready for the next fortnight by cooking up a batch of lovely lentils and am currently eating a big bowl with bacon roast veg and a boiled egg. I could really get used to this type of eating and if I’m actually serious it takes bugger all time i just have to work out how to get the rest of the family onto it too they look at me dubiously… But for real check it out... 

So yesterday (official day 1 of holidays) ::

I had a lovely breakfast with the morning show on 702 that I never get to listen to at work

Cleaned out the Vitamin/medicine cabinet (some had expired 2 years ago!) 

Started The Signature of All Things by Elizabeth Gilbert (I think I’m going to love this book) with a coffee in the sun

Got a free ride on the bus to a new yoga studio & joined a class concentrating on back bends (my fave!) 

Had a lovely pho at Great Aunty 3’s and walked home in the misty rain 

Made plans with 3 separate friends for meet ups next week and had a big chat with my bestie in Auckland.

More cups of tea, dyed TC’s hair for the school musical 

made dinner and at the same time made chicken broth for lunch today! 

shower and the new episode of Game of Thrones 

The plan for today is :: 

Lie in (DONE!) 

Breakfast and blog post (whilst whacking on the washing) (obvs)

Clean out the big brown box… - Anyone want mint condition Chenille bedspreads? 

organise the tupperware 

clear out the bathroom drawer 

Make Rick Stein’s Ham hock and fresh pea soup

pick up a free bag and drop off a birthday present for a lovely 6 year old. 

er not quite as exciting I know but still I’m just as excited about today as I was about yesterday, clearing the space physically will help with clearing the internal space too. 

xxpt 

A few short letters of correspondence from the last month....

Dear.... 

...Brain Cancer
 Fuck you, how dare you grow in my friends head. How dare you regrow to a larger size after you were cut out and blasted with radiation. But you know what Brain cancer? She's on a new trial in Germany now and its going to wipe you out. She's going to come home with her man and have babies and live the life she had planned. 

...Secret admirer
  So the letter was lovely just keep working on your spelling, the follow up lolly pop though? Winner you really have been watching me! 

...Sydney Swans 
   It'd be real nice if you won some more games OK? Also if you have any sway with the weather less rain on game day would be nice too.

...child next door
  So I guess you've taken up the trumpet or some other brass instrument huh? t.o.p.s..... 

...Tree Clearing man 
   Mate you are a gem, I'm sorry your machine broke but I'm glad that you could come on Monday and clear out our back yard I can't go out there but at least it looks like my backyard again 

...pink salt tea light holders 
   please stop weeping!!! I will buy more tea lights tomorrow just give it a rest eh? puddles of salt water are not great for the furniture! 

...child next door 
  Seriously though have you heard about stamp collecting? Or reading? Or sitting very very still? It's totally just as fun as the trumpet I promise.

...month long holidays
  hurry up, please please please hurry up! I am so ready for you to get here and give me a break from the daily grind. 

...parents of child next door
  Watch out people my kid is getting a harmonica as a gift on a week or two. GameON

...Tasmania 
  Get ready Imma coming your way! WOO 



xxpt

Weather, we gots it

Howdy peeps just quickly I thought I'd write to say that the weather be crazy in these parts today. 

Our beautiful jacaranda tree is now only a 3rd of the size it was yesterday. Luckily it didn't hit the house nor any of the fences which was so lucky. I was talking to MrPt pointing out the small branch that fell, went to have a shower and when I came back this.. (forgive the dodgy iPhone pic) 

Note that the tree covers our whole backyard! side to side & back fence to almost the patio... It was also the branch that MrPt tied the hops to, hard times people. 

Also lucky is that we rent, to be honest I was relieved to just be able to call the real estate to let them know about the tree and to organise the removal after the weather calms down. 

I hope everyone is safe and hit me up if you need any firewood! 
xxpt 

Taking Stock - April

I've been reading Pip's blog for years, she seems so lovely doesn't she? I'm pretty sure that she is that nice in the outside world too. Anyway she has this great list that is at first look pretty daunting but here we go... 

Making : knitted baby cardigans mostly the Gidday from Ravelry all in one go and its super cute too  
Cooking : Pork Roasts I'm perfecting the art of crackling 
Drinking : G & T with gin I blended myself at Archie Rose Distillery - it is such a great place too great staff, sexy room and amazingly boozy drinks a most excellent date place 
Reading: Spanking Watson by Kinky Freidman - I found it on the footpath the other week, its a good bus book I love the way he has slang names for everything 
Wanting: the easter eggs to never run out, I am dangerously close to eating the last of mine and everyone else is finished theirs already.
Looking: forward to tomorrow 
Playing: with my new laptop :D hopefully this means that I may keep doing this blog thing
Deciding: what to do on my month off Can.Not.Wait 
Wishing: that my kid no longer had blue hair cos I would like it back quite frankly
Enjoying: the new series of Game of Thrones! 
Waiting: for more episodes of Game of Thrones 
Liking: the crisper mornings and cooler nights 
Wondering: where I can get all of my candle jars refilled, that must be a thing right? It seems silly to have them as a one time only thing
Loving: That football season is back 
Pondering: how some crimes are seen as horrific and others not so much
Considering: still... I'll come back to this 
Buying: a new Macbook Air! I need to do more research on how to actually use it but it's a bit sexy. And Cardigans! 
Watching: aside from Game of Thrones MrPt and I are loving Bloodline, such great performances and beautifully shot   
Hoping: That I wake up rested, I am tired all the time 
Marvelling: at the forms & photos my cousin found of my great grandparents when they first came to Australia 
Cringing: at the remarks made about Hilary Clinton announcing her run for POTUS Needing: to learn to use this Mac thing Questioning: so many things that are written Smelling: my workmates Marc Jacobs perfume it is so pretty on her 
Wearing: Currently? Star wars pj pants and a Kylie tour singlet. Overall though cardigans and pencil skirts with brogues - completely Audrey Horne 
Following: Roxanne Gay on twitter, not sure I agree with everything she says but some of it is interesting and she's funny too
Noticing: The change in the leaves inn the park on my way to work 
Knowing: That change is a-coming 
Thinking: That I need to start working full time hours and I'm not really looking forward to it 
Admiring: My brother, facing his challenges & forging a new life, knowing that he is lonely but trying hard to build a life and becoming stronger and clearer everyday  
Sorting: out my make up drawer (perhaps that's Should be Sorting as I have not yet technically started?)  
Getting: my first ever veggie co-op box I love it and the little group for the people is really sweet, hopefully there will be recipe swaps and tips to come. 
Bookmarking: cardigan patterns to knit I really want to make a big snuggly one for myself Coveting: skin with no pimples & large freezers 
Disliking: angst at work 
Opening: emails from friends who are coming to visit 
Giggling: at Mayim Blalik on the Big Bang Theory Amy Fairer Fowler is the greatest! Feeling: twingey in my back again, I think a trip to the Chiro is on the cards 
Snacking: on left over easter eggs 
Wishing: that the 31 women killed so far this year by their partners were still here Helping: Future Pete! Stocking up on soups and stews and extras in the freezer ready for some very busy weeks ahead. 
Hearing: My daughter talk non-stop about her Demi Lovato concert on the weekend. To say that she loved it is such an understatement.


hmm that wasn't so bad after all xxpt

So I really suck at this right?

Er so I guess that I really am not a great blog person at all.... 

I think that perhaps I'm not really even a writer as such. Many things have happened since I was writing 2 years ago.. 

My kid is now 16!! 
We moved house again
There were illnesses and a death in our family
My cat died 
We opened a new business born of passion
We got a new cat 
We went overseas for the first time is ages and fell in love with Asia 
Our new cat escaped and was hit by a car 
Within a week there was a new kitten and INDOOR kitten 
Work ramped up for both MrPt and I 
Kid had a super rough year and changed all of her peer group a couple of times 
Many babies were made and borned to people other than myself (WIN) 
Kid turned 15 got a nose ring
My brother got clean for the first time since he was 11
As a result I now have a relationship with him for the first time in many years
Kid got hot pink then orange hair 
People other than MrPt and I got engaged/married/divorced  
Kid got blue then aqua hair 
My kid is now 16!! 
Kid now has purple/aqua hair 
Current cat is still living 
Business is thriving both at the proper job and the passion project

There were also many dinners with friends a couple of weekends away, family Christmases that were at least tolerable. Kitchen and balcony dance parties new cocktails made and drunk, food and bars and gigs aplenty and I cannot wait for more of it. 

xxpt  

International Women’s Day and the Lady Fave

I have a friend, let’s call her Isabel (cos that’s her name), or you can call her Bez (cos that is what I call her) once you make friends with her too, and you will want to, she is very ace here’s why.  

Early last year we were having breakfast in Bez’s favourite café in her hood when her friend Katherine came and joined our table for a little bit. When she left I asked Bez who was still fairly new to Sydney how she met such an awesome woman, Bez said two words – Lady Fave. And I have been hooked ever since. 

To explain this is what she posted the other week on her faceberk page: 

“Ladies, if you ever think something nice about someone you really should voice it to that person. Even if it is a complete stranger, just do it. You may feel a little embarrassed at first and your kind comments may not always be appreciated but it doesn't matter. That one nice thought that you have about someone could make their whole week. It's called a Lady Fave and us ladies need to get amongst it and share the lady love. I frequently give Lady Faves, even if I am in the middle of a run and dripping in sweat, I will stop and tell someone I see if I think they look amazing or that their dress is real pretty. I have had a super crapola day today and I just had a colleague, that I don't even know, tell me that I looked amazing and it really made me feel better and put a smile on my face for the first time today.”

What followed underneath that status were 35 comments from other women offering Lady Faves to each other and to Bez, and then promising to share the Lady Faves.  It made my day to read and to share that one little status. 

We are so very quick to cut other women down, we critique their hair, weight, fashion, food, parenting and hell even their coffee choices! How often do you stop a stranger in the street to tell them their dress is gorgeous or the colour they’re wearing makes their eyes stand out or their hair look shinier, or that they’re shoes are just amazing? I’m guessing that it happens rarely, whether we’re too scared to talk to strangers or too busy to stop for a second or perhaps some days we’re so weighed down by the fact that no one says anything nice to us we forget that it can feel just as good to make another smile.

Like attracts like guys, so how about you go offer a Lady Fave to a random person? Heck, it doesn’t even HAVE to be a lady you offer it too, dudes like this stuff too! You may pick up! You make make a friend! Or you may just be the one good thing in that other person’s whole day, and who knows what sort of change that could make to someone! 

And then give one to Bez too cos she's amazing.   

Who knows maybe this will become a "thing"

xxpt