I've been sewing

Well stitching actually.

My Gardeners' Journal

need to keep my mind occupied at night

As of this morning I have 2 blocks left to stitch

the ladybird and the orchard......

I guess today I should go through my stash and find another night time project, I am thinking one with needleturn instead of stitcheries as I enjoy needleturn much more than stitching.

and a 'personal life' update

he has decided that I am apparently the most important thing in his life, that without me he is nothing......my general response (because I can't type what I really said) was that maybe he should have thought about that  a bit more over the last 17 years, that I couldn't/wouldn't live in a loveless marriage, and when he was only here for the kids wasn't really showing me that. He has agreed to give me space, told me that he wasn't going to wait forever I told him that it was a risk I was prepared to take.  He will come for Christmas and hopefully we can discuss our issues without it turning into a free for all.

My biggest baby Mr J, offered to move home to be with the girlies and I, I told him that it was very sweet of him but I couldn't ask him to give up his life in Queensland cause I was having a hard time, so instead he has promised me he will come and visit for a week next month :) isn't he a sweetie.

I have done the centrelink thing, that was hard work, I have an appointment with them this week and an appointment with an employment agency next week........so its all happening here.

Ok off to find a new project, trace out the orchard and ladybird and start stitching. Its a wet day here s perfect for stitching.

Have a great day :)

I did it, I confessed

to my mum what was going on....

she gave me a big hug and then I burst into the heaving ugly cry, lol

she also told me that no matter what happens she and dad are here to help with the girlies, babysitting for the odd night out and that they were just there for whatever I may need

and then I sobbed some more.

I actually spoke to him tonight, we fought, no suprise there, but he has promised me that nothing will change here, that he just wants his dog, clothes and tools. Fingers crossed he sticks to his promise.

I haven't told the girlies, I want him to be here when they are told, then I will notify their school of what is happening in case there are some issues.

I fee like a HUGE weight has been lifted off my shoulders and I am feeling more and more happy with my decision each day.

Mwah again to you all, thank you just doesn't seem enough.

xxx

Thank You, Thank You, Thank You

for all your words of support, your virtual hugs and the encouragement I am getting.

I have to say today is a better day than yesterday was, I have only been teary once.....

go me.

I'll be telling my mum tomorrow what is going on, I know that she will support me with whatever happens but I also know that I will get a big old lecture about it too.

So I need to find a job.....bit scary when I have never had to work, I have no real skills as I have only raised kids for the past 22 years.

But I am also going to fulfil a long held wish which is to go to Uni, no idea what I will actually study, but its a step in the right direction and will be made easier knowing that I am in total control of my life however out of control it is right now

My life is my hands

what will be will be.

Mwah to you all

xxx

What was i supposed to say

when he admited that he is only here because of the kids

my reply was where do you want your things sent.

I apparently ruined his career to, because I wouldn't stay in WA....... amongst other things

Currently having a large glass of alcohol to settle myself down.

I need a hug.

What a weekend

the weather has been divine so what better time to get stuck into the garden.

the girlies and I have weeded and weeded and weeded and planted out so many plants that I had beed
stockpiling for what seems like forever there were so many

then today I trimmed the hedge thats in the backyard then I decided to thin out the trees along the back fence and as I am not allowed to use the chainsaw, because apparently chainsaws are not girl friendy I had to use the tree saw.

and wow what a difference it has made.

sadly I now need a rubbish man to come and take my tree waste away

and I need a man willing to trim a few more branches so I can sit on the deck and watch the cricket without the trees blocking my view.

I would ask my husband, but it seems he has decided that I have no right to expect him to do anything in or out of the house while he is home on leave.

Between you and me our days are very numbered. There I have said it, finally, but its true my marriage is crumbling into nothing and to be honest I don't really care anymore. I am very over everything, and would prefer to raise my girlies alone that have to deal with the crap that comes my way on a daily basis when he is in the house.

Having said that if you know me IRL please don't tell my mother, I just don't need her thoughts/opinions or to get the lecture on it at the moment, I will tell her when we have worked out what is happening, good or bad.

So its a big YAY on the garden cause its looking mighty fine, but a big *sigh* on the marital issues.

oh well life goes on

Progress

the final sneak peek of my secret squirrel project, it just needs

quilting and the binding sewn on :) thats this weekends job

Octobers Gardeners' Journal block all sewn together and joined to

its partner

Septembers Gardeners' Journal block all sewn together and it to is joined to its

partner.

4 blocks left to stitch, the pressure is on, I booked it in for quilting today

so it will be finished before the end of the year.

I have to have it all done in 4 weeks :)

No pressure at all lol

On my Design Wall

there is a variety of projects

my Stitching Round the Block, block

a secret squirrel project

Octobers Gardeners' Journal stitcheries

Septembers Gardeners' Journal stitcheries

plus compass points for hubs mariners compass quilt/wallhanging

plus the extra large compass centre I made in error lol

plus a few other half finished projects

whats on your design wall today???

Temptation......

got the better of me today.

While I was dropping my quilt off to be quilted I saw a new book, that I knew

I HAD TO HAVE.

but I didn't buy it then I resisted.........for at least 2 hours lol

then the need got the better of me

oh there are some very yummy projects inside

and I started my 'stitching round the block'

I am hoping it won't take me too long to get it all

stitched as its cutting into my Gardeners Journal stitching.

Of which I have 3 more blocks to stitch, and 1 complete block waiting to be

pieced.

Pennsylvania Dutch & a Family Treasure

Is the name of the BOM I did through The Fat Quarter Shop.

and

ta da

Its ready to be quilted by the lovely Leanne

and one of it in all its glory

all I can say is

thank goodness its finished

and whats my treasure???

Well when my Grandma passed away 25 years ago, my

aunt inherited Grandma's crystal cabinet, well about 4 years ago she

asked my mum if anyone wanted it, mum said NO, and I wasn't happy because

I wanted it

yesterday guess what arrived at my house

Grandma's crystal cabinet, minus the glass shelves lol

so I have a little bit of Grandma in my house forever and that

makes me smile :)

I will share a photo as soon as I get some shelves and hubs

buys me some crystal for it lol

I have no idea how old it is, I am very close to the the big 4 number.....

and I always remember it being next to the front door

my guess is its between 50-60 years old.

I'll have to ask Gumdrops how old it is.

it was as exciting as when Dad passed his much loved rocking chair

on to me when we moved home this year, the rocking chair is 80 years old

not suitable for sitting on, but looks great with a quilt hanging on it.

Remember

my list of missions for the week

* remove bedroom door (again) and breathe deeply before I speak to offending child, and she  has it back


* finish Septembers block for A Gardeners Journal, started Oct's and have Nov's ready to go

* catch up on the Fat Quarter Shop BOM that is nearly finished  sashings and borders on and its done

* start a new quilt.......but which one done  Plan C, Schibble

* make some more points for the Mariners Compass thingie

* start my handmade part of Chookyblue's xmas swap and Maree's xmas swap gifts done

* housework, groceries, more housework done done done. always doing

* garden, its over run with weeks, and I even mowed

* try to shake my flu/cold/chest infection still trying, not having much luck, think its time for a visit with the doctor

* remember to breathe,

* post some very overdue goodies.......

well what is in red is what I managed to get through

go me, there isn't too much on this week and I am really enjoying time at the machine, so I am hoping to get  few projects out of the way :)

Finished.....

the Paln C Schnibble is finished, I sewed the binding down yesterday at Dear Jane..

yippee

Love the final result

and my dodgy quilting lol, I just stitched in the ditch around each block

then I did every 2nd, row in the scrappy border.

Its now waiting for its turn in the washing machine and dryer.

Hope you get some sewing done this weekend.

Its days like today

that I wish I had a man around 24/7

our backyard grass was knee high, on me, so I decided I really needed to get it mowed TODAY

sadly our mower was very un co-operative and refused to start

plan A was born, I messaged a great man friend, who's words of wisdom were, new spark plug here is where to go lol

so

plan B came into effect I borrowed my gorgeous friends mower, an antique Victa

sadly I couldn't get that to start either as I couldn't pull the zip cord fast enough

plan C came into effect I rang my daddy who came to my rescue and got the antique to start lol

but I really should have bought the catcher home as I am going to have some serious mowing brusies tomrrow from things flying out the back of it lol lol lol

as for returning it, well when my gorgeous friends husband gets home tomorrow night he can come and get it, cause it only just fitted into the aspro lol lol lol

now I just need to finish the weeding and the garden will be back to looking gorgeous.

oh and I drowned every aphid I could find in Rose spray and I also de snailed the roses too

Plan C

Plan C,

is what I have been working on

and today I managed to get it finished

Schnibble number 1

and a close up of the blocks

I wonder which Schnibble will be next

Fabric used is Collections for a Cause ~ Hope

 

Stitching Round the Block

Who else is taking part in Helen's Stitching Round the Block.

The lovely Lillian asked me yesterday if I would join her, Leanne and Rebecca

in Stitching around the block, of course I said yes.

I just hope I do it justice lol

Will share my fabric choice on the weekend after I have bought it lol

How exciting :)

Recovered

From my flying geese tanty that I had late last night.

It wasn't the goose's fault

it was mine

apparently the pattern says 4 1/4 " square

not the

4 1/2" squares that I cut

So I have now cut the right sized squares

made my flying geese

and

I am happily finishing sewing my lil Schnibble together

lordy was I frustrated.

Flying Geese

I hate you

I loathe you

I detest you

2 charm packs in the bin......

back to the drawing board and to Esmes for more charm packs and some flying geese assistance!

On a Mission

My to-do list for this week

* remove bedroom door (again) and breathe deeply before I speak to offending child   done

* finish Septembers block for A Gardeners Journal

* catch up on the Fat Quarter Shop BOM that is nearly finished

* start a new quilt.......but which one   done

* make some more points for the Mariners Compass thingie

* start my handmade part of Chookyblue's xmas swap and Maree's xmas swap gifts   done

* housework, groceries, more housework   done,

* garden, its over run with weeks

*try to shake my flu/cold/chest infection   still trying

* remember to breathe

* post some very overdue goodies.......

I think that is it for this week

oh one more

* keep everything crossed for my SIL, who at 42 has just been diagnosed with breast cancer, we are waiting to hear on lumpectomy results and treatment plan


Age is no barrier

Happy Happy Birthday Miss I

my baby is officaly 7 years old....

sniff sniff

Here are some party shots

Miss I the birthday girl

Miss E and Miss I

Miss I and Miss B

Australias next top models our Miss E

Miss G and Miss S

Miss P, Miss M and Miss E

Heels anyone

Miss E (back), Miss B, Miss I and Miss E

our Miss E

Miss S and her bestie Miss G

the girls had a fantastic time, was worth the money, no effort needed on

our part except for the cake.

We came home, friends came over, we had a late dinner of Pizza

then bed time (10pm oops)

this morning she waited very patiently until I woke up then opened her

presents, and was thrilled with them all (phew) has had a call from her daddy

we are off for a birthday lunch at Macca's, then Grandma and Grandpa 

are coming for Lasagne, garlic bread and salad

with a yummy chocolate mud cake for dessert.

HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY MISS I

mummy loves you very very much xx

Nigella Lawson eat your heart out

Cause I am in town lol

I really should pay more attention when The Cake Boss is on cable

here is Miss I's lopsided Fairy toadstool birthday cake, in all its pre eaten glory.

As I said to hubs this morning my days of creating a cake masterpiece are offically over, this is the LAST ONE.

I just hope it tastes ok and its all good as Miss I ADORES it lol, she told me it was the bestest cake ever, she is so good for your ego, I do love that girl.

Just 1.5 hrs until her party, she is so excited.

and bless her she asked if she could have all her presents today, I had to tell her that if she got some presents at her party she could open those otherwise she had to wait until the morning.

Lasagne for dinner tomorrow night at her request with Grandma and Grandpa, friends are calling in through the day tomorrow and then we have the traditional cupcake making fest on to take to school Monday for her classmates, they are easy all she wanted was iced cupcakes with a lollypop in the top.

Wish me luck as I spend my afternoon with 10 very excited little girls and grandma.

I'll post some party photos tonight and her offical birthday photos tomorrow sometime.

1st finish for October

 Ta Da my 1st and probably the only finish for October

and a close up of the quilting.

now I just need to decide where to hang it.

Feeling Very Blah

I am sick with the flu

and yes its definately the flu

I ache
my nose is like a dripping tap
my chest hurts from coughing
I am either freezing cold or boiling hot
I have a permanent headache that just won't go away
I am either asleep on the couch or wishing I was
I have no appetite and everything tastes like cardboard

and I need shares in Kleenex (4 boxes of tissues and counting)

its frustrating as I have NO IDEA who passed it onto me

I woke up Tuesday morning with an itchy sore throat then by Wednesday morning it was all downhill

Mum and dad had the girlies yesterday afternoon and then when they bought them home they also bought home some dinner YAY

so we are hanging at home today doing not much its Miss I's party tomorrow so I need to be well for that and I have to go annd collect her cake bases soon and decorate them tonight, I might need a surgical mask to avoid spreading the germs lol.

BUT

I have finished the pinwheel wall hanging, I sewed the binding down yesterday while the girlies were out and I was watching movies, Under Hill 60 (loved it) and 'The Men who Stare at Goats too funny, but I still have a bit of it to watch.

I'll be back with a photo of the wall hanging soon

Break out the Champagne

I have been sewing on Wolfie

I sewed the binding onto the black and white pinwheel wall hanging I made a couple of months ago, thats been back from the quilter for oh quite a while

I have also sorted out some more blocks for my baby jane and I cleaned up the sewing room again

and it felt GREAT.

I have 3 kits here to do at some stage and I really should get back into the mariners compass quilt.....

can't rush these things I guess lol

Had lunch with girlfriends today

Tomorrow I need to clean the house

Thursday is a public holiday here for show day and Friday is a pupil free day,

Saturday is Miss I's birthday party

and

Sunday my baby turns 7.

Its a busy week

Checking in

I am still here

Still struggling with serious decisions to be made

my head is saying one thing my gut is saying another

Still have no idea what I am doing

BUT

I am in a good place

I am happy and I haven't been happy for quite a while

girlies are great

life is good-ish

go the Dragons for Sunday :)

thanks for al your kind words and words of wisdom

Miss Deb,  mwah, thank you so much

will be back soon

xx