Merry Christmas

Gift catalogue

I finally got the gift catalogue out that I have been working on the past six months. Last years was really successful. this years is going well but a bit slower than anticipated. The gifts are for community projects in Thailand, Indonesia and Philippines. It's great being able to help out people that we know and connect with. It's amazing the difference a bit of financial assistnace can make in changing the lives of a community. When they are able to start businesses, have regular meals, gain education which increases their employment opportunities and access resources that they need, it is life changing.

Goings on

What else has been going on? Here is a link to my little man's blog. This is how my days have been filled.

http://nathanisaiahgosbell.blogspot.com/

Unfortunately my sewing machine has broken, my neighbour reclaimed hers and so I have been folding and refolding cut out bits and pieces and trying to find somewhere and some way to store all my bits and pieces without them taking over the backroom.

I have been a bit slack on gettign the machine fixed. i took it to one place and they told me it needed a service but it was going to cost more than I expected so I need to get some other quotes. Task to get done before the new year.

Oh ho ho ho

I have been feeling Christmassy and had an urge to make eggnog and gluvine until I looked up a receipe for eggnog. Oh boy that wouldn't be good. So many eggs, so much sugar. I was obviously in a self controlled mood as i didn't print off the receipe or write it down and I haven't bought a box in the supermarket either. Last Christmas my hubby and I drank so much eggnog. This year I may make some Christmas eve. I'll have to burn off a bit before then so I don't feel so bad. But then again it's Christmas and enjoying many a special treat prevails.

As for the gluvine, I know it is easy to make but I haven't made it for years. I also saw some in ALdi but haven't seen it the past few weeks. May be another closer to Christmas treat.

My little man is enjoying the Christmas lights this year and taking interest in the tree. He was so unsure to begin with. I am looking forward to celebrating over the rest of this period.

I was disappointed when the carols we usually go to were cancelled this year due to bad weather. I was looking forward to staying for the candles and fireworks. The last few years e have had to leave early because my son was on oxygen. It was such a stress when kids started running around with lit candles. Oxygen and flame mix too well. We didn't really want the night to go off with a bang!! This year he isn't on oxygen during waking hours so we could have stayed. Oh well, next year or we could find elsewhere to go if we really want to.

As for lack of posting- Washing, dishes and nannanaps have prevailed! I felt my computer time was taking over general day to day necessities. But time for a bit of an update.

Bag giveaway

My SIL has made some grat bags using a pattern by Artsy crafty babe. One of the bags she has been making of late is a short and sassy bag. She has a give away on her blog of this bag. You can enter by visiting Threads of Friendship.
http://www.threadsoffriendship.blogspot.com/

Cup weekend

A long weekend away was much enjoyed. We headed down to the usual pitstop at the family beach house. Found that the weekend was filed with many unexpected treats.

Day 1. Complimentary glass of smooth red at Annies Providore, Barwon Heads. Instead of the arvo coffe the Red was much enjoyed with an antipasto platter.
Thai dinner and a nice walk down the pier. Stopped in at the Port Pier Spanish restaurant for Churrios but they had none. Owner said he'd get the missing ingredient and make some for us the next day.
Watched movie: Outsourced. Had wanted to see this for a while but hadn't been able to find it. Just missed showing at Nova. Have been looking in Indian grocery stores as well as local video shop. There it was down at Portarlington video network! Brilliant. Really enjoyed it so that was good.
Day 2.
Short Drive to Lighthouse Olive Grove. Had a great coffee here. Service is always perculiar but the food and view are worth it. They also have a shop beneath the restaurant with some yummies and little handmade bits and pieces e.g. nice chocolate, olive oils, olive oil products, ceramics for marinating or dishing up olives.
Back to Spanish restaurant in the evening for the spanish donuts with a great chocolate dipping sauce. They were scrumptious. Our little man enjoyed his babychino. It was such a lovely night. The lighting was lovely. It was great to wwatch the birds over the water and enjoy another stroll down the pier to watch people fishing.
Day 3.
Trip to Torquay. Enjoyed a delicious pide at soulfuel. The highlight though was stopping on the way back to watch some kite surfers. It was so windy but it was great. I felt so wind swept afterwards. Our little man snuggled up in the ergocarrier while we watched a few guys take off.
Made a chicken pie that turned out great. Not bad for making it up
CHICKEN PIE
saute leek and onion in olive oil and butter. Add peppercorns and bay leaves, salt and pepper. poach chicken in above, adding water to cover. Cover and poach until done. I think it would have been nice to add some white wine to the stock but I didn't have any.
Make a rue (or however you spell that) with butter and flour. Add stock from chicken mix. Make it as thick or thin as you want your pie sauce to be. Add chicken, cut it up first, and leek/onion mixture (I strained the stock).
Put puff pastry (I bought the pastry as I couldn't be bothered making it)in pie dish or casserole dish. Put in mixture and cover with another sheet of pastry and cook until pastry is cooked.
Day 4.
A beautiful day spent washing and fingerpainting.
Have done fingerpaiting a couple of times with my little boy. This time I put him in his high chair and let him paint straight on the tray. Then I squirted some paint on the tray and let him go for it. I then took prints from the tray.
Had a few lovely walks down the street and bumped into a friend I haven't seen for about 20 years. Was lovely to have a chat. Think it was a timely encounter but more on that another time.


All in all it was a relaxing and enjoyable time away and I felt like I had a holiday. Now I need to fold and put away the mountains of washing!!

Banned

We overdid our internetting this past month so a self imposed ban was the chosen course of action. Therefore I went cold turkey on the internet. Great to know I had no withdrawals to speak of, although hubby checked the emails at work so all was good.

Back in action now but must be more mindful of those litle megabytes adding up to gigabytes.

yummy sandwich

this was a really nice sandwich. just thought i'd share that highly insightful piece of info with you.

The twig and two berries

This morning I visited the twig and two berries. It's a nice little cafe/deli near Laburnum station. I went here this morning for a cuppa and a scrumptious baguette. This is my second visit. On my previous visit I had a great cup of tea and a lemon polenta cake. If you live in the eastern burbs it's worth a visit if you're after a small quiet place to enjoy a cuppa with a friend.

The strangest things

My hubby is a vet and therefore we have some very interesting pictures on our computer. I was looking through our pic's and thought, how strange to have such pictures on one's computer. I wonder if many other people have pictures like these. Enjoy the sample! It was really hard to choose between the macaw sinus infection, bird wing amputation, the hook worm and the flea eggs but I chose the below. Hope it doesn't scare you.

1. Bird x-ray

2. Cat Fleas

3. Hook worm (Anyone want this one for their next stencil??? Maybe not. Don't want to scare the kids)

The Emperor's new clothes (and a bit more)

After writing 'to top it off' I got my act into gear and got sewing some new threads for my little man. I found an old, but new, remnant of green cord that I bought to make a sensory quilt for my son. It never made it into the quilt and as of Sunday night it has been transformed into a pair of shorts for him. My old trackies have also come under the rotary cutter and are shorts in the waiting of a solution to the low waistline- maybe some thin elastic or additional fabric for the waistband.

Am now looking through the wardrobe and the recycle bags at my parents to see what other clothes I can find waiting to be transformed into a spring/summer collection for my boy.

this is....

This is my favourite kitchen tool:

It didn't take me to long to think of my favourite peeler. When I saw this peeler I fell in love, or maybe lust (absolutely nothing kinky), and I just had to have it. I hel it, I admired it and I bought it!!! Ka Ching!!!! It is just so good and chunky and ergonomically designed. It makes peeling a breeze.

My other favourite kitchen tool is on the favourite list as it makes me laugh whenever I look at it. My sister sent it over from the UK for a birthday present for me. I have since seen this item sold here. It is a 'crumpet'. She bought me the dog. It is like a mini dustbuster for sucking up crumbs. There is a bit of a personal 'you just had to be there' joke that goes hand in hand with this item which is why it makes me laugh. The funny thing is it has actually come in handy a few times to suck crumbs out of our balinese placemats and to suck up crumbs from a toddlers crushed biscuit on the carpet.

to top it off

With the sunny weather we've been having of late I was on the quick hunt for some shorts and tops for my little man, as he has grown since last summer (as kids do). I was amazed that so many clothes in the department store had skulls and cross bones or little teddy bears.
I feel we have passed the teddy bear phase (not that we ever really got into it anyway) but I am not really wanting to dress my little man in skulls and cross bones, it's just not my thing.
Why is there a need to over embellish with cutesiness or nastiness for toddler boys. Just give me the striped polo top.
I know there are other options so I will just have to either look around a bit more or make my own.

Down Syndrome Awareness Week October 08

Down Syndrome Awareness Week is coming up soon. Am thinking of things i can do to make people more aware of what DS is and about what it is like for families who have a child with DS and what life is like and can be like for a person with DS.


HMM Shall be pondering this for the next week or two

The hunt begins

We had a clean up in the kitchen a couple of weeks ago. Not long after things were away and spic and span there was a crash. A whole lot of things fell off a shelf. I said "it's ok as long as the tea pot didn't break'. The tea pot survived but the lid was beyond repair. It was an engagement pressie from my Auntie and Uncle. I do love it and so I am still using it. I am however on the hunt for a new teapot. I am in no hurry but am looking for one that will share in many special moments and memories with friends and family. You will be found.

time for a cup of tea

Bought some new tea the other day
Japanese morning dew and a jasmine tea
The morning dew tea is lovely. It was so nice yesterday to sit outside on the picnic rug and drink tea with MIL, SIL, baby niece and my little man (He had the plastic tea set)

Easy peasy lemon squeasy. stick on velcro

stick on velcro will not necessarily make life easier. I bought some thinking 'hey I can just stick it on and sew- no need for pins!' Great idea in theory. I had missed somewhere along the line that the glue on the back of the velcro sticks to teh sewing machine needle and gums up the cotton also.
Wisdom from MIL Eucalyptus oil bottle close by to get rid of glue from needle (mind you I haven't got onto this and it's been almost a week (oops) )

My words of wisdom to others who may have missed this one along the way. Buy the sew on velcro if using a sewing machine. It really is easier in the long run!!!!

this is....

This is how I spend my spare 10 minutes:

a cup of tea
read
sleep-nanna power nap of course
stare at the sky and trees
dream
ponder on things
a shower
lunch or snack
google
email
phone calls to friends
read junk mail
read local paper
download photos
stare at my calendar and wondering how life can be so crazy and remembering what i have on that day
wonder what i was doing and where i was going with that thing in my hand
take a deep breath
just doing nothing of anything much

pic's of little man

just got pic's of my little man in the mail. Photos were taken by Justin Ridler for Down Syndrome Victoria. There are a few in there that I love and may have to frame.

this is...... fav band

Always love to listen to a bit of bebel gilberto. She has such a fresh, breezy, cruisy, dreamy kind of sound. It puts a spring in my step with a pinch of mellow and cruise.

My mid to later teenage weekends were filled with stagediving, moshpits and ringing ears at local gigs at Croydon EV's mostly with local thrashy bands and some other visiting bands I also enjoyed a bit of Jazz (Melbourne pubs and jazz nightspots often situated down dark lanes) and U2 (remember concert at MCG where I was really quite close to the stage- crazy looking around at all the people). Haven't been to any gigs of late but I love listening to my friends bands and supporting them- accoustic, jazz and electro pop. I like variety depending on what mood I am in- whatever gets the batteries going.

this is .... my favourite children's book

My favourite books to read when I was young were the magic faraway tree books. I loved the adventures, the honey biscuits and the people they met along the way. I used to read these books at my grandparents place along with the Noddy books which I also loved.

At the moment I love to read to my son books by authors such as Pamela Allen and Dr Suess. He's at the age where he loves the rhyme and rythym.

33!!!

I was most impressed when watching the gymnastics at the Beijing olympic games. I was so impressed I even got a bit teary when I saw a thirty three year old female vaulter in the finals. Having spent a good ten years of my life doing gymnastics I am aware of all the training and what is required to throw yourself around like that. There is no way I could imagine myself doing that now.

Good on her I say. She scored a medal too.

this is ..... how I like to spend my weekend

This weekend included many of the ways that I like to spend my weekend. We were able to have a family getaway to the inlaws family holiday house in Portarlington. We love to drive down at night so that we can wake in the morning to the bay view, birds chirping and the fresh air.
A cooked breakfast at one of the many cafes is a great way to start a weekend away followed by a trip to the local newsagents to pick up the paper. A short wander down the street to collect a few groceries before spending the rest of the morning reading, drinking tea and playing with our little boy. An afternoon nanna nap is always a good thing followed by a walk down the street or to a nearby park. We went for a lovely late arvo walk down the long pier at Swan Bay which was very pretty. Was very cold though. Usually we love to spend some time on the beach but this time we decided on taking some drives and spending time in a few cafes in between the rainy periods.

When in Melbourne I like to visit the local Farmers market, catch up with family and generally try to relax and have enjoyable family and friends time.

this is ...a work in progress

I was cleaning out my bags of bits and pieces and I found a work in progress. It has been in progress the last 15 years at least if not a few more. I found dozens of cut out triangles that I think were intended to be made into a border for a quilt. I don't think they will ever find their way to their intended purpose but as I quite like many of the prints they may find themselves used in other various loved ways. Therefore they are still a work in progress.

I happened to also fins a shirt that I was making that only needs buttons attached. Not sure if I like it or not and if it fits thats a bonus

I like ironing and swearing

This was in the UK Down syndrome 2008 calendar. There were several other shots but this one made me smile. So often the sterotype of DS includes liking music (which my son does happen to like but so so many other kids) and being happy (ditto). I have never heard oh people with DS they love to iron!! This young lady happens to like ironing (I surely don't) and swearing.

131.9 cents per litre

A friend of mine made this movie. He does tha acting, singing, music, filming, directing- the works. It makes me smile. It won a movie making prize. I think the flake film festival or something like that. I think a new one may be in the making but not 100% sure on that. He and his wife are gifted by God with loads of creativity.

Toy for a special boy

During our most recent stay at the Royal Children's Hospital we met a lovely little boy named Luke. He had the same virus as Nathan and unfortunately is still in hospital. When I got home I was thinking about him and decided to make a little toy for him to squeeze and hold.

It is a little squishee toy made from black and white stripey bamboo stockings with the scarf and heart made from felt.

I gave it to my son for a test run. He loved playing with it. He was so focussed. He just sat rubbing the legs together for so long.

Wild and Woolly

The woolly headbands look great and must be nice and warm for these chilly winter days. Unfortunately my son doesn't like to keep them on his head. He's worn two so far for short periods of time. I think the weight and bulk of them means that he is more aware that he is wearing them. Will try the others out and see how they go before going back to the stocking type.

This is....

Didn't realise that the "this is" last week was a make your own. Have since discovered this. It was a lovely Sunday and i'm glad i could share it. I must be a bit behind. Not to worry.

This is My Sunday

An impromptu family birthday party. Complete with frankfurts, party pies, chips, m&m's and cake. Five people in my husbands family celebrate their birthdays in July. Soon we will need to add an additonal table to allow room for the expanding family.

A family portrait is a traditional part of these family gatherings. It is such a joy to see my son's excitement and the sparkle in his eye when he sees the newest additon to the family. My baby niece, Jasmine Hope.

hearing aides and headbands 2

Nathan has been so good with his hearing aides. He hardly pulls the headband off and seems to enjoy wearing it. I was so concerned it would be a battle to get him to wear it and thought it would be a long process of him getting used to it.

He now has a plethora of headbands for all seasons.

Hearing Aides and Headbands

We had the first meeting with Australian hearing. Back next Monday to get the hearing aides. Nathan will get bone conductive hearing aides. No idea how we will keep the headband on his head. I've been trying in short bursts. Today was the most successful. It was difficult to find a headband that wasn't too girly with ballerina written on it. We found a couple and Grandma found a couple also. She also made some. As it is winter I have asked her to knit a headband for Nathan.

I am not looking forward to people potentially calling him a girl because he is wearing a headband. I suppose it doesn't really matter in the big scheme of things and I can always tell them it is for his hearing aides if I'm in the mood to educate. Had some strange looks from people in the shops when I said I was looking for a headband for my son until I told them what it was for.

nathan's first year

Chilling out

The rocking chair is always a good palce to chill out.

Loud and Clear

Today we are off to the hearing centre to discuss hearing devices for nathan. Feels like it is yet another thing to contend with. It is too important though to delay getting this sorted. He needs to be hearing clearly so tht his speech can develop. He is delayed in his speech anyway and doesn't need any hinderances. He is hearing and understanding some things as his signing is improving. He knows and understands over 25 words/phrases. It should be much more for his age but I stil feel proud and pleased that he knows that many.

No idea how he will keep a hearing device in place but we can only give it a go. We may have to get grommits inserted down the track but until then we'll give this a go and continue with osteopathic treatment to see if we can get some fluid draining. Given his history grommits may not be a good long term solution at his age and also we are not keen on putting him under anaesthetic unless it is crucial due to his respiratory condition.

Taking the plunge

I haven't been sure where to start so I have held off from writing a blog. I decided it was time to take the plunge and just begin. I think I have been a bit unsure of what may come out as I write but I feel it is time to be brave and just see what happens. The last few years have been turmultuous (is that a word?) to say the least. Perhaps writing will be a means of making sense of what has been going on and help me to reclaim time and space to be creative.

In order to begin I have decided to start in the present. I am sure the memories of past days will interweave with the new and fresh.

My son has been quite ill for a few weeks which lead to me staying with him in hospital for 11 nights. Often after a hospital stay it can take me a little while to reconnect with the 'outside' world, as opposed to the insular world that can exist within the confines of the hospital walls. I find it helps to brave it and get involved in community activities. This morning I attended MOPS (a group for mum's of preschoolers). It took me a little while to feel connected but thanks to some caring friends I was able to relax and not feel so isolated. It is a strange feeling to feel isolated even though you are surrounded by people. I am thankful that this feeling is not a constant but is somewhat of a coming and going. The ebb and flow??