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My Bubby, she gets more and more beautiful with each passing year. She taught me how to be a mother, how to be a woman. I am so proud of this girl. She fills my life with sweet memory.
She fills my life with hope.

Looking very like a young Mum, but holding on to her cousin Evie and her little brother.

Ps only six weeks at her new job and she was given a promotion on Friday. Congratulations Tamika!!!

There are a few, Portrait a Week options out there. A lot involve taking a portrait of your children each week. Jodi over at Che and Fidel has inspired me to pick up my camera and turn the focus inward. Since I already take 100s of photos of my children each week, so I thought I would twist the idea a little. What I never seem to get is group shots, images of the family together, whether it is my two children, Tamika and Jarvis, or me with the kids, or shots of Justin and I. So I am going to challenge myself to get one image of "my family" per week.

CARAMEL KOALA BEAR

I dug through my fabric stash and found a gorgeous piece of caramel cord, only 60cm long, not a lot of fabric, but just enough to make Jarvis a pair of sarouels. Now we have a cute boy posing as a Caramel Koala Bear in his caramel cords and bear beanie. 

I cut them out following the pattern I have already drafted for these pants, allowing a little extra because of the no stretch factor. It was an easy sew on the overlocker and sewing machine, which I love. To add a bit of extra detail I added a triangular pocket and edged it in brown cotton.

Once on Jarvis, I realised they are a touch to big for his skinny frame, but I don’t mind. I think the extra ‘puff’ looks cute on him. Being elastic waist they are easy for him to wear and super comfy and warm. All bonuses.

Jarvis had had so many remarks and compliments on all of his sarouels, when he is out and about, I should learn to say thank you I made them and give them a business card.

Trying  to do a photoshoot and we kept getting photobombed by Tira!

The cardigan is another beautiful hand knitted creation from my Aunty from last year. It is now a little short, but I love it so much. 

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ON THE BUSES: A COUPLE OF COUPLES

I have a secret love, of looking at couples and wondering if they “match”.  Do they look as if they are similar? Or, so different that I wonder what attracted them, and does it work.

Often I find that many old couples look alike. You've probably seen it before -- two elderly people walking hand in hand down the street or sitting at a café, resembling each other so strongly that they could be siblings. Do these couples actually look alike, and if so, what's caused them to develop this way?

So I am wondering, do you think you look and or act similar to your partner? Have you had a type when it comes to your partners? Or are you the kind of person who goes for an opposite to balance you? I love know how people got together and what keeps them together. Would love for everyone to share their story! 

1. How did you meet?

2. How long have you been together?

3. Are you alike in either looks or personality?

TEN THINGS TO ACHIEVE BEFORE MY 45TH BIRTHDAY: STOP FIGHTING THE TICK TOCK

Aging was never something that concerned me. I always thought I had plenty of time to achieve everything I wanted in life. Numbers? Who cares what number you are. For a whole year I thought I was older than I was.

Frida Kahlo (Mexican, 1907-1954). Henry Ford Hospital, 1932. Also known as Flying Bed.

In my twenties I always thought I would have a dozen children, live on a property and grow vegetables and have chooks. However, I became a single mother at 24, so my goals moved. They were to educate myself and to travel. Plus, I always want prioritise my relationship with Tamika.

I turned thirty, and was happy I had achieved all that I had. I adored Tamika, we were broke as, but she never wanted much. I thought the only thing I wish I could give her was a sibling. Her father gave her three, but that is another story.

I met Justin, and all clichés aside it was pretty much love at first sight. I fought it for ages because of the age difference. But as soon as I got over being fourteen years older, I allowed myself to be happy and in love. For me there was only one other thing needed. Okay, well more than one, I wanted babies with Justin.  

Fast track this story, passing years of trying, surgeries, fertility issues, fertility treatments, miscarriages, and a whole lot of heart ache. 

Charcoal, pencil and tea on paper

I fell pregnant, and into our world came Jarvis. I did not think it was possible to love another child as much as I love Tamika, oh but I do.

Photo taken by Justin

So you think I would be happy. One girl, one boy, two amazingly beautiful children. But why is it I cry my heart out each month when my period comes? My head tells me not to be greedy, to appreciate what I have, but my heart cries for another baby. I know time has run out. To fall pregnant when I was younger was hard enough, but now I am almost 45, I know it will not happen.

One of my ten things to do before my 45^th birthday was to stop crying each month when my period comes. But as of yet I have not achieved it, if anything, each month closer to my birthday my heartache gets worse. Depression and tears slap me about. 

Crayons on paper

TOURIST TUESDAY: SYDNEY PART THREE

Sydney, Sydney, I was never a fan, but you are won me over with your sunny days and your good looks. After the rain the night before, we woke to a beautiful, if not chilly day. 

We walked up to Crown Street and found a cute café, Fifi Foveaux's, Surry Hills. As soon as I saw the gnome stools I knew this was where I wanted to eat breakfast. Then I spotted the ruby wallpaper, perspex chandelier and groovy textured light fittings, and to top it off, Fifi is cheap, nothing over 10 bucks.

It was a good thing we all had a big breakfast, as the rest of the consisted of a LOT of walking. First destination was another component of the Head on Photo Festival at the Ultimo TAFE at the Muse Gallery.

How pretty is the TAFE?

Next, we walked to Darling Harbour. One of Sydney's largest dining, shopping and entertainment precincts, set on the waterside.

After Jarvis had a play in the gardens, we walked into the city centre. While I gave Jarvis a feed, Justin went and tried on some suits. This is when our sling got stolen. Justin put it on top of the stroller, turned to me to give me some water and when he turned back the sling was gone. (Very not happy).

From the city we walked to The Rocks’ cobbled laneways. It is the strip of land where European settlers chose to step ashore in 1788, The Rocks is essentially the birthplace of modern Sydney. Over the last 200-odd years, it’s morphed from a settlement of convicts, soldiers, sailors and street gangs to a thriving, modern precinct boasting a range of accommodation, attractions and funky bars and restaurants.

A yummy pizza was had for lunch, but I cannot remember the name of the restaurant, nor did we take photos as we were too busy eating.

With full bellies, we went to one of the major tourist attractions of Sydney. Sydney Opera House. According to Sydney Australia website, “experience Sydney Opera House - one of the world's most creative and busiest performing arts centres and greatest triumphs of modern architecture.”

Yes, I know he has a pole coming out of his head, but how cute does Jarvis look?

After so much walking all day, it was another long exhausted walk back to the B&B for a very much needed afternoon nap.

 So much walking!

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When ever I sit down Jarvis wants to sit on me. When ever I lay down, Jarvis wants to lay on me. Not beside me, but on me. Often with his fingers in my mouth. Justin and I joke he has a heavy head made of concrete and laying down involves lots of head butts (accidentally, as he fidgets). I got Justin to take a photo, that way we can have a record of this nightly occurrence.

There are a few, Portrait a Week options out there. A lot involve taking a portrait of your children each week. Jodi over at Che and Fidel has inspired me to pick up my camera and turn the focus inward. Since I already take 100s of photos of my children each week, so I thought I would twist the idea a little. What I never seem to get is group shots, images of the family together, whether it is my two children, Tamika and Jarvis, or me with the kids, or shots of Justin and I. So I am going to challenge myself to get one image of "my family" per week.

CHOCOLATE HEARTS

I finished my skirt from last weeks post. Now named, Chocolate Hearts.

As you know the fabric I have had for several winters. With my normal no pattern style of sewing I simply cut the fabric into three equal pieces and a section left over for the waist band. I attached the three pieces together, using French seams. With no brown zipper on hand I used a hot pink one.

I made a simple waist band and lined it with chocolate cotton, I would have preferred to use something other, but trying to stick to my personal goal of not buying anything new.

As usual I avoided button holes, by using a zip and hook and eyes for the skirt closure. 

The skirt got its first outing in the Valley for Yum Cha last Sunday. It fits really well, and it is nice and warm. The only fault I noticed was when I got out in the sun, (doggy eyes did not pick up on it inside) I have sewn one panel of fabric upside down. Opps, only just noticeable, but now I know it; it is bothering the OCD in me.

The shots were taken in the back yard, picking lemons for a yummy lemon cheesecake Justin made us. 

 Give Me A Chocolate Heart

Everyone loves a delicacy
And most of all miss dainty me
Who's not so dainty now, I say
There's so many wrappers to throw away

Chocolate has a place in my heart
It's a springboard for my life's jumpstart
Whenever I am feeling low
It's to the chocolate box I go

I think if I eat enough sweets
My heart will turn to yummy treats
And how could that be bad?
In the company of chocolate no one's sad

They'll love my dark chocolate soul
You can't resist what makes you whole
Oh, make me chocolate filled
If everyone loves me, I'll be thrilled

Phoenix Rory :


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ON THE BUSES: AFTERNOON NAP

Some times I think I like catching the bus just so I can people watch. The bus pulled into the stop, and Jarvis and I were level with this gentleman. As I watched his eyes grew weary and his head nodded. The warmth of the winter sun lulling him to sleep, as the he waited for his bus. As we pulled out of the station I wondered if he would wake in time to catch his bus.

HOW DO YOU SAY THANK YOU?

How do you find words to express gratitude? When a simple ‘thank you’ does adequately cover how you feel?

It is not that the words are a difficult thing to say. I have no problem admitting I am in another person’s debt. I am not at all powerful; I need the help of others to survive. The reality is that the human race is interdependent. I cannot live life alone. I can admit I am constantly relying on other for all kinds of resources, both physical and emotional. When I say thank you I am acknowledging that I have received something from another human being. But is this enough?  Do the words count any more?

Jarvis loves going to the letterbox. It is a daily joy of his, to hear the Postie’s bike, and to run out and check if we have mail. Today, not only did we get mail, but we got a parcel. A parcel for Jarvis.

My Aunt sent Jarvis a beautiful hand knitted jumper. This is not the first. Last winter between my Aunt and my Mother; the Grannies knitted an amazing stash for him. I happened to mention not so long ago that he had outgrown all of these, without expecting anything. 

What a gorgeous surprise when we received this beautiful hand knitted gift today. 

Not that my Aunt reads this blog, but I just wanted to say thank you. Thank you for your thoughtful gift that is so filled with love.

TOURIST TUESDAY: SYDNEY PART TWO

I have had a week off from blogging due to sever Gastro, but now I am back and want to finish my Tourist Tuesday series on our visit to Sydney.

After the Botanical Gardens we went to the State Library of New South Wales, where for the first time, Head On Portrait Prize was exhibited along with several other shows. The Head On Photo Festival was on in Sydney from 17 May - 23 June 2013. 

Sydney's internationally acclaimed, Head On Photo Festival, is Australia's largest photo festival and the world's second largest festival. In 2013 the Festival significantly expanded its reach with over 200 events at 100 venues cementing itself in Sydney life as the premiere festival celebrating photography. It covered wide range of photography across all genres from photojournalism and reportage through commercial to fine art.

Justin entered the Head on Portrait Prize competition, and while he did not win, it was still very exciting to see his portrait on show in the State Library. Plus the State Librabry is any book lovers heaven. Wow!

After viewing Justin’s image at the State Library, and the others on show, we walked down to the Harbour and had lunch with one of the most spectacular views anywhere in the world. We also, took the opportunity to take photos of ourselves taking photos.

Weariness set in after lunch in the sun, so we trained it back to our B&B for a much needed afternoon nap.

Justin and Jarvis both enjoyed a nap, and boy! Both of them can snore! We woke up and walked up to Crown Street. Crown Street, Surry Hills is filled with restaurants and shops, and a convenient playground for the kids. Jarvis had a play in the park. When it got too dark to see, we crossed the road and had a delicious dinner at In the Mood for Thai.

The original plan was to head back to the harbour, after dinner, to see the Light Festival; however, Jarvis had another exploding bowel movement that ended up all over the both of us. Hmm, so no lights and no desert. Back to the B&B for showers and a spot of major hand washing. 

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Jarvis it is like some times you know when someone needs extra love. Your Aunty Susie, or Sisss as you like to call her, got some bad news, so you went and sat on her foot, patiently waiting for her to finish her phone call, then you gave her a kiss and ran off and played... 

She is my little sister, but she is the glue of this family. Susie is constantly giving to everyone. Lets hope the universe can give a positive outcome.

There are a few, Portrait a Week options out there. A lot involve taking a portrait of your children each week. Jodi over at Che and Fidel has inspired me to pick up my camera and turn the focus inward. Since I already take 100s of photos of my children each week, so I thought I would twist the idea a little. What I never seem to get is group shots, images of the family together, whether it is my two children, Tamika and Jarvis, or me with the kids, or shots of Justin and I. So I am going to challenge myself to get one image of "my family" per week.