A long time between posts....

Life likes to throw curve balls.  Just when you think that things are flowing as they should events happen that totally change your focus and goals.  
I decided to go back to study and finally attain the piece of paper that tells other people what I have been able to do for many years.  Great goal - but then I fell doing major damage to my shoulder and bicep requiring more metal bits (in addition to the plate and screws that hold my leg together!), a couple of months off work and 8 months of rehab.  And totally not interested in studying anymore.
During the rehab phase I decided that as I was almost back to the weight I was 10 years ago that my shoulder was not the only part of me that was going to be rehabilited. With many reservations I joined the Million Kilo Challenge and I pledged 10 kilos to the cause knowing that I would probably give up like so many other times. This time, little by little, instead of worrying about my "diet" I started to make lifestyle changes and started to exercise.  I refused to go out of the house so used a wii exercise program (EA Sports Active) and our treadmill - the first 5 minutes on that nearly killed me! Gradually I built up a collection of handweights, weight bar, aerobic step and mat a dvd or two and I was on my way.  It works - and the pile of too large clothing kept growing.  The 10kg became a goal of 20kg and is about to be upgraded again.  In the process I discovered my new love...RUNNING.

Who would have thought that I would ever taking up running at my age - my original goal was to be able to run the 8km Mother's Day Classic in 2013.  4 races down I know I can do it.

What a backdrop!

I feel healthy, I feel fitter and I have become the Imelda Marcos of running shoes!  I have now joined a gym to help me achive my goals.

Life is good



Look what I found....

I was doing a bit of a blog hop this afternoon and found this great link from Jodi's blog. Scrappin Bridge is having a great give-away. I love these gorgeous flowers. Have a look at her blog and you might be a lucky winner.

Valentine's Day

John and I have never really fussed about the day. I made him a card (so he can share the chocolate) - and he gave me a tattslotto ticket which I must check today.

I was up at 6 to take Em to RSPCA for work placement. She is nearly half way through the course but this week will be stressful as there are several things for presentation on Saturday as she has difficulty talking in front of others. Today the kennel girls thought she was a hero for stepping in to assist when two dogs were attaching another and they were having problems separating them. Her supervisor was amazed and so pleased with her quick(and safe) reactions when she saw someone in trouble, The smile when I picked her up at the end of the day would have lit the MCG.

Bec is away on her "Independence Holiday" with Beth. The girls decided to avoid schoolies and go to the Gold Coast when everyone else has gone back to school. The week was fully organised, booked (and paid for) by the girls - including all their attraction tickets - so all they needed to take was spending money. They have been cooking their own dinners and have survived. Pity that Bec was unwell once she got there but a phone call to mum solved that! Now she has gigantic mozzie bites. Look forward to seeing the photos.

A stitch in time....

I have been searching for a bag of dress patterns - some of which I bought in the early 70's, there are a few girls dresses with matching cabbage patch doll clothes that I bought when Kate was about 5, and smocked baby dresses. I emptied out the big cane basket and found a skirt pattern that had been lengthened with pieces from the Green Guide (Nov 17, 1975 - announcing the first episode of a new current affairs show - 60 Minutes), many other odd patterns, recipes and knitting patterns cut from magazines and a number of unfinished embroidery projects.

I knitted and sold many of these cat jumpers - each cat I made had a different colour colour, mine naturally was a diamante one.

A collection of recipes and knitting patterns from magazines circa 1983

A DIY cabbage patch doll pattern - I made one for Kate but from a different pattern with a pre-made head from Cleggs

The patchwork quilt - started in 1978 after I broke up with Mark - wonder what ever happened to him? The colours are quite disgusting and I have no idea why I picked them at the time and I have no idea what I am going to do with it.
The Willow Pattern cloth is a long way from finished - this was started in about 1985. My mother in law worked for Semco and had rooms full of linen, threads and lace and I picked out many pieces along the way which I used to do on the train trip to and from work.

The basket was like a time capsule. I loved fine embroidery and have done many pieces over the years - even finishing a tablecloth my mother started before she got married in 1954. My hands can no longer hold a needle for any length of time so I can't see these being finished.

I didn't find that pattern bag.

Its been a big week.....

Emily has started her course and completed the first 4 full time study days. Its meant leaving at 7.15am, dropping her at the RSPCA in Burwood, going on to work in St Kilda then picking her up at 3.30pm to return home. It is a fabulous experience for her and the assignments and work placement days will continue during first term.

Bec is excited as she is now accepted for Deakin University. She will be doing Bachelor of Environmental Science (Enviromental Management).

Sarah has been accepted for Bachelor of Science at Monash.

It's been a big and exciting week for the girls!

Holidays are over.....

They seem to go much faster when I don't go away. I did manage to catch up with Wendy for coffee and didn't even touch the surface of what has gone on in our families since we last saw each other - we'd better not leave it so long until the next time.

Going back to work was fun - 40+C and I don't have airconditioning in my office and my old computer hates even warm days. Luckily as the place (1900's terrace house) had been closed up the heat didn't really hit straight away. Boss has airco in his office...

Yesterday I went and saw Avatar with John and the girls - I can't remember the last time John and I were at the movies together. Em was seeing it for the second time - and Bec the third!

I have also done about 50 pages for the albums given to the kids at Southern Cross Kids Camps. Seems a lot but when each album needs 20 pages heaps more are needed. If you can help, the details are in an ealier post.

Tomorrow will be an exciting, although very scarey day for Emily as she starts her course in Animal Welfare at the RSPCA. We are hoping it is a great experience for her.

Imagine...

When I was a consultant for TLC they produced a line of Wall Art and discontinued it due to lack on interest in the US (this was years before House of 3 or any of the others started making it). While sorting through my boxes I found my wall word "Imagine" so guess what my word for this year is. It is now on the wall above my scrapping table.

I also managed to finish a page for Arabella

I've made something, after last year's lack of creativity - who could have imagined that!