New book purchase

I came upon this fantastic book at Borders, Knitting Lingerie Style by Joan McGowan-Michael. Wow, it's beautiful. I just had to have it. Luckily, there was a 25% off sale that very day!

If ever you thought you'd like to knit yourself something beautiful and sexy, this is the book for it! I really love the Bed Jacket, it's just stunning. There are many lovely camisole patterns as well. I can't wait to get started. Visit Joan's blog at White Lies Knits

Did I ever show you this?

This is a camera that the bubster made over winter. I find it hilarious, especially when he does the shutter noise to accompany his photo taking experience. Shhhhhhhhhhhheck! Too funny!!

He's holding it rather well!

Adoption stuff

I don't talk about it much, but the Hubster and I are in the process of adopting internationally. It's a long process. Hence, the lack of things to say about it from me.  I just really don't know what to say and feel hesitant to go into it much, in case we just don't make it in the end. I guess it's a self-preservation mechanism.

But to share a little background, we'd started this process well over two years ago in NSW. We'd prepared our application for the NSW adoptions unit but since we were moving to the ACT, we were advised to wait to hand it in there. We mistakenly thought our file would easily transfer over. It didn't. When I called the ACT unit after our move I was politely informed that we'd need to prepare a new application after a waiting period of 6 months to establish residence. So what could we do, we waited. Then the new application had entirely different requirements so it really was like starting all over again. We got that in just after Christmas last year. We finally completed all the required home visits and at the end of this July, we were approved by the ACT Adoptions Unit. That feels like a huge accomplishment in itself!

About a month later we were finally given our package to prepare our dossier for the Philippines. We'd hoped to have it all in before embarking on our trip to the states in October, but in that available month's time I got a bronchial infection, Kieron had a job interview (got the job by the way) and then we had to prepare for the trip. It didn't get done. It feels like the tortoise and the hare here! We just keep plodding along!

So, we've been back exactly 2 weeks. Time to get the ball rolling again I think. This week, I've been periodically working on my Self-report questionnaire, one of the documents required to complete the dossier. Questions range from asking about my childhood/family experiences to what dreams I had the night before. The last question is:

If you suddenly have a two week paid vacation, what is the first thing you will do?

I don't know why, but this stumps me a bit. Hmmmmm. I'm probably thinking about it too hard.

What would you do on your two week paid vacation? 

The Bubster loves this!

I'm just so pleased that my little son loves old classic films. Maybe I am a good influence after all? He thinks this scene from the Marx Brothers film Duck Soup is just hilarious. He's been watching it over and over this week.

I've heard parents say, "Oh my child won't watch old B/W films. We just don't bother." I guess I look at it differently. When we watch an old film, it's an opportunity to step into history and get a feel for the time period in which something is made. Sometimes we have very deep discussions about social change or what might have been going on historically to influence the storyline, like in the case of the Marx Brothers with their origins in Vaudeville. It's possible, even with an almost 5 year old!

And it's fun to break out the popcorn and have a few belly laughs while we are at it. I'm looking forward to the day when we attempt to recreate this mirror gag ourselves.

Love these!

the whole gang, originally uploaded by Fig & Me.

I just love these dolls made by Fig and Me. Just gorgeous colours aren't they? Wow, and then more wow!

Ok, I'm back

We are back on home territory and I'm attempting to squeeze back into my blogging boots. What a trip. Long story short, during the final 10 days of our time at my mom's, we moved my mother into assisted living. Unbeknown to us, that is what her aged care social worker had expected us to achieve during our time home, although of course, she didn't assume the responsibility of letting us know this ahead of time so we could prepare. I'd been under the impression that it was Mom's decision to make, not mine. Instead  the social worker chose to go the 'threatening' phone call route.

I just happened to casually mention to the visiting nurse that Mom wasn't wanting to move into aged care yet. 10 minutes later we get 'the call'. The conversation  opened with this,

"We can no longer provide any of our services to your mother. I will be ceasing them all as of today. Your mother will no longer receive a weekly nurse, a senior companion or the lifeline facility. I just wanted to let you know that because your mother will not be moving into assisted living, we can no longer help her as we feel she is unsafe in her home. We've already extending our services longer than we'd planned because we knew you were coming. But since you've failed in making this change for your mother we can no longer provide these services."

"I'm sorry, what?"

Telepathy doesn't work very well for me. I'm just not tuned into that channel apparently. Suppose I hadn't made that comment?

There is more to that conversation. Indeed. In the end, I had the social worker come over to the house. She can't get off easy by just relaying this crap over the phone. Face to face please. Thank you.

As one can imagine, it was a challenge and a half. Put together one rambunctious almost 5 year old who needed much more outdoor time than was possible to give, with one memory impaired octogenarian and you've got yourself an enormous pocketful of challenges, a managerial minefield.

"Grandma didn't remember telling you that story, Bub." Shoulder pat.

"Yes, I know you've heard it before, me too, but Grandma doesn't recall that, plus she likes telling it. It brings her happiness. It's kind of fun to hear it again too, isn't it?" Hopeful look.

"Yes, I understand you don't like to be told things over and over again but try to relax about this. We are here to help Grandma. Let's make sure that Grandma is happy." Another hopeful look.

"Well, I'm sorry if I sound bossy. I'm just trying to explain things from Grandma's point of view." Sigh.......

"Look, I know you don't like bossy but I need your help. I need your cooperation and it would be great if we could all just try to remain cheerful." Grumble grumble........

Etc.

And those were the more promising exchanges. There were some truly awful scenes of intense behaviour that I'm not sure I can even put to words. Sometimes my chest would hurt from the stress of it all.

But in the end, Grandma now lives in lovely accommodation which I think she will like in time. I sensed a bit of 'post performance let down' - what us former dancers might feel after a final performance that you worked 9 months on to then perform only 5 times - but I am hopeful that the staff will help her become involved. When I called yesterday, she'd had a busy day of going to a memorial service at the battleship memorial and then to the church bazaar so it sounds like she's getting out and about and had a great day. That is my greatest fear - that she will just sit in her little apartment and feel abandoned.

I worked hard to do her apartment up cute. It's something I enjoy - especially with downsizing. It was fun to try to figure out what to bring. She has most of her carnival glass there (I brought home to OZ 1 candy dish....), and other lovely treasures. I figured she'd want her treasures. I would. It might be a little over stuffed with treasures but not too bad. She mentioned that she wanted her sewing machine so I will have to send an email to my uncle to see if he can get her to the house to get it.

I managed to bring home a good portion of vintage scraps, half the wool fabric, some large skeins of knitting wool (she used to machine knit) and a couple of unfinished quilts. I brought few breakables home as I just didn't feel confident about their safety. I guess that will be for another trip. I'll probably go back in about 6 months time to help clear the house. Final decisions and all.

Sans the 5 year old though. I know I'll miss him, and so will Grandma, rascally fellow as he is, but my attention will need to be focused in a different direction for a change.

Hi from abroad

We are halfway through our trip to Grandma's and it's going well. It snowed. In October? What? The bubster got to pull out my old sled and go down the hill. My old sled is something that would be banned now. It's wooden with steel runners - the real deal. He loved it.

Shopping at the grocery store is always a culture shock for me. That and commercials on TV. Yesterday at the grocery one of the items on special was a 4 pack of cinnamon rolls. Buy 1, get one free. The lady behind the display says, "Buy 1, get one free! Ya can't loose with that!" I said, "Yes, in more ways than one!" I don't think she registered my point. Keeping one's weight down will not be easy around here! Mom of course, got the rolls. I of course, had one this morning.

Then yesterday, I found the mother load of wool and vintage fabric scraps. This is a difficult find for the overseas crafter. Yes, I want them. But I live in Australia. Yes, I could pack them all into my second bag on my two bag baggage allowance. But volumetrically speaking, it's really more like a three bag affair. (or more....)

So, I've got an excess of cinnamon buns in one room and an excess of vintage fabric in another. And lets not even think about the knitting wool in the secret stash room..........

Did I mention the exquisite carnival glass dish set too? The possibilities amongst the crockery are a whole other consideration.

Crustaceans

We needed a little protein in our felt food. Mmmmmm, mmm!

It's a whinge

I just need to say it. I feel so sad that this last month has been spent being unwell! This is the last month I had before saying goodbye to my afternoons with the Bubster. Next term, he will be going to school for the full day. We didn't get to do any of the things I had hoped we'd be able to do with our final afternoons. And now it's finished. We don't get this time back and I don't get to savour it with another child because there isn't a second or third one coming through. Today, I have an appointment to see the doctor instead of having a final lunch with the other half-day mum's. It would have been the last opportunity to see them for lunch. It's all going to change now.

Can you tell that change is something I find painful? Perhaps it's one of those left over fragments of being a bereaved parent and having things change irreversibly before my eyes, with no way out, just no way out, wondering where to go with that change. I think before that experience of catastrophic change, before I'd ever thought about bereavement, back when I felt invincible, back when I could count on my body, my buoyancy, my strengths, change wasn't as impactful although I've never done it effortlessly.

Risk taking on the other hand, I seem to manage. Moving to NYC with one suitcase and a dream, no where to live, no job but plenty of enthusiasm, worked out great. Getting married to my guy after just 3 months of knowing him and then hopping on the midnight flight out of L.A. to Sydney to join him; yeah sure, no problem. Giving pregnancy one last chance by saying yes to the placement of a trans-abdominal cervical cerlcage in hopes that this final effort would pay out, yes, a risk worth taking.  But watching my little miracle boy grow up and become his beautiful independent self, much more difficult that I'd anticipated. Of course, it's my most ardent wish, that he grow up and live a long life. But who'd have thought it would be so hard on the heart at the same time? That these two feelings would co-exist side by side, like matching sofas?

I guess I should try to think of change as being like risk-taking, it's hard to know what lies on the other side of it, but to get there you have to open that door. And this change, this change in my day because the Bubster is growing up, well, we can live with it, can't we. This stab to the heart is survivable, no matter how painful because he's here to do these things. And I feel deeply honoured.

I feel better now.

Knights of the round table unite!

I am going to have to work really hard to get a good photo of this costume. The Bubster just refuses to let me take some still shots and our camera is too slow to capture a 4 1/2 year old running around in the early evening, swinging a sword.

But at any rate, a few costumes for the spring fair. Only three, sad to say. But if they sell well, there will be more next year!

Must be the mists of Avalon causing that blur, not my camera. Right??

P.S. Still sick. Eerrrrgh!

Hungry?

 

For some felt lunch? Well, come on by!

In case you were wondering

I've been sick. Damn!
This just really blows, man! Dang kid germs anyway!

P.S. Can one get the same cold/flu over again right away? Seems like it to me!

Olga and Ida

Olga and Ida, originally uploaded by karinandmagnus.

Finally, a few photos of what I've been making lately.
Spring Fair 09, here we come!

Lardee and Ickle

Don't know if anyone here follows the goings on of the Milk Toof's but the latest two stories are so charming and funny. This woman's work really tugs at my heart strings.

Been dancing again

I've been dancing again. Not modern dance - although I'd like to get myself moving in that direction too - but historical dance. I was invited to attend a second weekly class and have been enjoying myself immensely. I've discovered that I've missed partnering work. I've never done this kind of partnering, in a formal social dance setting, but it still reminds me of when I was in the dance company and how we would have to work things out together. It's a different experience when someone is specifically relying on you. I'm about 100 years older than many of the dancers but hopefully I'm moving too fast for anyone to notice. :-)

Last week we watched this utube video of a group in the US at Stanford performing the Mazurka Quadrille. I enjoyed it so much that I've been watching it daily ever since. I love watching the fabrics flow and the weaving movement.

Our group has been working on the Mazurka and I tell you what, I'm totally puffed afterwards. I really need to do some stamina work if I'm going to do this historic dance stuff! Onto the Nordic Track it is!