Monday, June 28, 2010

Stuff on my mind = almost incoherent babbling

Such is my mood this week, I can't even be bothered thinking of an exciting title for this post. I haven't been in blog world too much of late, as work has been crazy busy and I don't do much beside Facebook on the puter in the evenings. Work is also trying to move my office into the CBD, and I fear the commuting will kill me (yes I know other people manage it, but I am not other people, and I've definitely been occupying a fragile mental space lately.) I thought I'd found a solution, and had a job interview last week, but alas, found out yesterday that I didn't get the job. Winter has definitely got me down, and the new place is proving to be most freezing and damp in this cold weather. I feel a bit directionless and uncertain. This is leading me to sleepless nights and general blahs. But Hubert and teh wee beasties have been keeping me sane and so I'm hanging in there.
[Miss Burton C Bell, gazing at Hubert.]

So that's the whingy crap. But there is good stuff too. Did I tell you that in true "have a crack" spirit, Hubert has proved to be most handy in the kitchen? Quite remarkable. He decides what he might be interested in making, looks up a recipe on the trusty interwebs, and off he goes. So far his efforts have been highly successful. Toad in the Hole was good, plus provided me with amusement. Sunday saw a super yummy Potato and Leek soup (no photos because I scoffed it all). One of the ways to my heart is indeed through my stomach.

This post made me laugh and laugh this morning. I can so relate, I've been there. Not any more though, again, I'm very lucky that the fella leaves me alone to do the house thing. However, I haven't made any progress on it so far. Last Monday I took all the pictures off the lounge room wall, moved them about for an hour (repeatedly) and then cracked the poos and put them back where I'd started. The house (which is supposed to be retro really) is getting a bit Nanna-fied. Although the big Queens of the Stone Age print would beg to differ. It seems that Ninja has finally grown out of his eat-the-palm-trees phase, so the house can again have pot plants.

[Portrait of the Ninja as a young hooligan.]

[Although these two are looking mighty suspicious.]

Last Thursday we went to Savers in the evening, and I bought NOTHING. Not a sausage. I left feeling rather unfulfilled. There was no vintage teatowels, pillowcases or reasonably priced china to be found. I hope this is not a trend. Not that I need more stuff really, I still have a whole heap of clothes, books, china and furniture at my old house to round up.

Speaking of furniture, this cupboard has been hiding in the shed since we moved in, and I feel it is nearly time to unearth it and install it in the casa. It needs a good clean and a coat of paint - most probably white. I think I'll leave the drawer liners as they are. But the writing really has to go. One drawer is marked "skivvies". I'm grateful I don't own any of those anymore.


Guess who gets the fun job of doing most of the work? No, not Ninja.

In crafty news, I've been stitching (embroidering) pillowcases (what a surprise!) and have decided to make a granny square cushion cover. Yesterday we* swapped my big 50s kitchen table for Hubert's small wood and white version, which fits the space much better. But I then decided that the kitchen chairs needs cushions/chair pads, preferably with granny square covers. This lovely tutorial gave me a new square design and off I went a-hookin'.

[camera hasn't picked up the true colours though. Damn this fluoro lighting.]

As usual, I'm having issues with the colours. Do I like the combo? How come I like the wool until I actually make the squares? ARGH! I really do think granny squares and I are not meant to be sometimes.

You know those blogs with the gorgeous, perfectly styled photos? This is not one of them. But I think you'd probably noticed this already. Thankfully, I now have a camera again (thanks to my mate Nat) so maybe the photos will improve. Can only hope.

I shall return ~ at some stage ~ with pfaffed up house photos and some completed craft. Yeah.


*the royal we of course. You know who does all the hard work around the Villa now.

Stuck in my head

Taking and giving - two birthdays

On Saturday, a couple of things struck me...well a couple of people illustrated to me the concepts of being a either giver or a taker in life.

Saturday arvo we attended a friend's 60th birthday. I was pleased to go because this man is a good person, always ready to drop everything and help a friend or relative out. (His wife is the same.) At speech time, what touched me was the real respect (and love) that all his friends and family had for him. He's worked long and hard to earn that respect. Today's his birthday, and I wish him many many more.

That same morning I received an email from a friend in response to one I'd sent earlier in the week, wishing him a happy birthday. I apologised for not getting the day exact due to my bad memory but wished him a great day all the same. The response was only "Yeh it's not until Monday." I was angry to the point of tears, as this person and I have had some ups and downs in the past, but I was trying to do the right thing and genuinely wish them well. I guess I'd like to think that he'd have the courtesy to say "Thank you" at least, but no. Today's his birthday, and all I can say is - rot in Hell arsehole.

I guess the point to all my babbling here, is that some people give themselves and their time, sincerely and reliably, while other people are just interested in themselves and what they can get from people. Probably not hard to guess which one I decided to end all further interaction with.

Thursday, June 17, 2010

Happy things

As it's Friday (which in itself is a happy thing), I'll list some happy things today:

~ new frock

~ some more yarn for the granny malarkey
(note - this granny square does not live anymore, I pulled it out)

~ catching up with friends on the weekend

~ two of my new fave blogs : this one and this one

~ going to see this girl tonight:


And I'd like to spend some time here:
Well that's Dottie Angel's couch, but I'll be spending some quality time with my own couch.

Enjoy your weekend!

Monday, June 14, 2010

Thursday, June 10, 2010

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Legs need warmers


I found this on a blog today. Or are they booties? But tables have legs, not feet. Hmm.

Sunday, June 6, 2010

The post with the crappy photos

My weekend was good ~ the usual fare: stitching, drinking, movies, hanging out, nom-ing. Rain. Wee bit o' shopping. Trip to Ballarat to watch a derby bout on Sunday.
I attempted to take some pics, but couldn't get Hubert's camera to co-operate with me. But here they are anyway:



Edit - added pic of Isis for Steph who commented.

I love all the Derby girls, they rock my socks.
And now, back to Monday...

Shameless Shorpy-ing


Another photo just because I like it. "The Brox Sisters, New York, circa 1924."
Source.

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

Teacups and birdies...

...are two of my favourite motifs. Judging by Etsy, they're also favourites of lots of other people. I stumbled across this print this morning and am currently coveting it:
Buy one here.

Speaking of faves, this is my new favourite eye-candy blog.

I have cake

Yesterday I arrived home to find that Hubert had baked me a cake. This overwhelms me with goodness. So I had cake for my play lunch this morning:


Fluffy cake with gooey icing. Nom nom.

You know, I'm really going to miss my desk when I move out of this office. It's such a lovely big solid 70s number. Sigh.

And it's Winter


, originally uploaded by DanielleT.

No surprise there. As I write this, I haven't left the office yet, and it's getting dark, dark. Those of us who live in a 9-5 world don't really thrill over Winter as it means getting out of bed in the cold and coming home in the dark. Right now I'm procrastinating over writing a job application (although I just checked and it doesn't close until the 7th June)... and thinking I should go home and play with wool and eat yummy food, and stay inside with loved ones by the heater, because that's what Winter should be about. Comfort.

Damn this work caper, sucking up all my free time. I've had an up and down day as I've been worrying about paying things on time and I know the money is coming, but I don't like mucking people around. (I'd make such a bad crook.) Worry is useless, non-productive, and hard to shake off. So I should go home, out into the cold and remind myself that I'm incredibly lucky to have a warm home and loved ones to go home to.

Goodnight.