Luna

A short new year visit up Sydney way to visit Uncle Gareth and Aunty Karen was cancelled due to illness in our household. And not just me - the kids too. I tried to cheer things up a bit by stitching some easy projects from the Felties book I recieved as a Christmas present from Aunty Lynette. The book suggests each project only takes two hours but I don't think that takes into account flus and chest colds. As a result I had to disappoint Archie when the Chihauhau wasn't done before he went to bed. Not to worry - it was ready for when he woke up. As for all the other projects sitting by my sewing machine I thought this might be their time of year, sadly not. Only one bag to go in the Getting To know My Sewing Machine mission and then I'm free. So many other things I'm desperate to try out...

As you all know I have a serious magazine addiction. If not for my awesome powers of self control (I know, I'm a legend) my family would be financially adrift, undernourished and threadbare (albiet in a sea of fabulous publications, not wanting at all for lush visual inspiration and on trend creative direction). I feel like we all came perilously close to such a nightmare/dream scenario earlier this week when in Borders I discovered the first edition of Free Style Magazine. After all what is there to expect when you cross that line for the first time and decide it's alright to spend $37 on a magazine? Imagine though: A magazine shaped like a circle, the cover styled in retro fifties fashions with custom collage esque machine stitching and all inside a flouro designer frisbee. Be still my heart. I had to have it.

Archie and I found a goldmine of little dead sticks in the backyard that are perfect for christmas crafts: witness antlers for the polymer reindeer he made and a trendy Christmas tree for the doll house! MERRY CHRISTMAS!

While Ruby faced up to the year 5/6 disco with a case of bronchitis last Thursday and hasn't been back to school since, Archie seems to be suffering more from little boyitis. Attending his Preschool concert last week I noticed all the little girls march into the opening number waving their colourful chiffon scarves energetically while the boys trudged in like robots. And none more so than Archie whose rainbow coloured chiffon scarf hung motionlessly at his side. Waving encouragingly at him and mouthing the words to the song didn't help either. As I continued to tape the 'event' I wondered at the point of a video if it looked as though a tranquiliser had been rubbed through his vegemite sandwich at lunchtime. I was busy recalling Ruby at her Preschool concert six years ago, taking centre stage and performing as though everyone had come to see her, when I noticed Archie and friend Nicki had crossed into each other's 'dancing' territory and a up had ensued. Th...

Can't believe I've finnished two bags now from the 'make friends with the sewing machine' project instigated about 6 months ago. Completing projects has never been my great love mainly because disappointment always sets in somewhere between inspiration and the first stitch. Perseverence paid off with this one and I learnt a lot along the way - such as no need to put all your favourite colours and embellishments in to the one project (yes, believe it or not this is my example of restraint). Also notable exception: stripes. They are welcome anywhere as far as I can see especially as linings.

Todays afternoon fun took the form of: A tent made of lounge cushions for Archie. Extraction of a loose tooth with rusty barbeque tongs by Ruby.

Australian's have spent a long time resisting the Hallowe'en thing on the grounds it is too American but, we've finally been worn down, and embraced the traditions. First making these Witchy cup cakes for the kids to decorate and second taking Archie and his friend Nicki from accross the road around our small cul de sac trick or treating (we reversed the trick or treat however by providing the treat ourselves - the witchy cupcakes).

Having to make an annoying unscheduled visit to the bank in civic last Friday (to fix up mistake THEY made) was sweetened by the discovery of a new cup cake cafe opened up a couple of door down from the bank. It's called the Jazz Apple Cafe and quite simply the cup cakes are INCREDIBLE. The kids chose Jaffa but I know somehow we will find a way to try them all - particularly keen to try the Jersey caramel and Lemon merangue. So rich Archie couldn't finnish his so I had to step in and do the job for him even though I knew the chocolate would give me a headache.

Finally finished the first of four embroidered bags that have been harassing me. Started these as my 'learn to sew/make friends with the sewing machine' project a few months ago. Feel liberated and inspired to keep going now. This is of a babushka doll with her smallest daughter. For reasons known only to themselves they have a small pink cat. The main part of the bag is linen, the back is in red velvet and the lining (my favourite) is in a white and navy stripe.

Had a great time last weekend at lifeline Book Fair with Ruby. Among other fabulous finds was the movie Pretty in Pink for $1 (in VHS video form it's true but doesn't that make it all the more nostalgic?? Okay, no - cross with self for not getting there earlier before all the good DVDs were gone ...). The weather was abysmal - sleeting rain, dark skies and the coldest temperature ever recorded for a spring day in Canberra - perfect for cuddling up in front of the TV with a feel good movie though Col was in a gruelling bike competition. I had forgotten how good "Pretty in Pink", was. The acting is genuinely good and Andrew McCarthy's cuteness really does transcend that awful hair do (or is that just me getting old?). No doubt the best part though were the clothes and the settings. Annie Potts apartment was to die for (in Memphis style) and possibly even responsible for the obsession I've had with leopard print half my life now. As for Molly Ringwald her ...

Glory be to Ruby who has broken the Canberra drought this week by painting the outdoor table in "Poppy".

It can't be easy being five years old and trying to get your message accross. Frustrated recently by his inablity to get out the exact right words, Archie has taken to more visual means of communication. Aided by the universal symbol for DON"T (A circle with a slash through it) he has signalled to his family what is acceptable and what is not. I wonder if this would pass muster in all relationships? Someone has a problem with something you've done? Do as Ruby does with Archie now and just tell them to "Put it in writing". Sisters should not share your allocated time on the computer. Sisters should not slam doors -if you do I wont love you. (See love heart on right hand side with a cross through it). When returning home from a party sisters should share out the lolly bag by half. Please don't put honey on my crumpet.

On our break to Dubbo we: - enjoyed two days of amazing animals at Dubbo zoo.... - went down a cave in Wellington and saw millions of years old stalegtite formations (I had people sing happy 40th birthday to me in a cave!).... - took photos of ourselves outside The Dish in Parkes... - ate our combined weight in hot chips.... Did You Know...Dubbo was once the ocean line? In the walls of an underground cave inWellington are fossilised sea shells - their spiral and fan like shapes as striking as if they were the shells themselves. Also should mention Ruby and I had to leave the zoo early, on account of possible swine flu. We were very sick but it didn't last long, thankfully!)

We are off to Dubbo zoo for a few days. See you when we get back!

Thanks must go to Archie for his help yesterday in explaining to the plumber what the problem was before I had the chance. "WE PUT THINGS IN OUR TOILET" he explained before the plumber could even set foot inside the house. "Things you PUT in a toilet" he elaborated delicately, hinting at the whole raison d'etre someone might invite a plumber over. He then followed the plumber around the backyard to see if he might be of any help. I hope he is not thinking of becoming a plumber because as Ruby said plumbing is the "fifth worst job" she can think of. I do think though Archie has some kind of bent for how things work (and I use the word 'things' here in a more general way). For example yesterday while I was hiding in the bathroom he unpicked the lock from the outside with a paddle pop stick. In other household matters, crunch time has arrived. I have asked Ruby to decide whether the thick navy tracksuit pants are pajamas or school uniform. They ...

Only two more sleeps until Col gets his new bike - such a flashy upgrade for someone who has been riding the same old racer for twenty years. It will set us back $850 but I like to pretend it's more like $1300 as a way of coping with the recent discovery our server has been charging us around $200 a month for all our internet downloads. Otherwise I just feel ill at the waste. Am sure someone has been hacking into our computer and using up our bytes. No more buddy, party is OVER.

Sometimes on a weekend when the kids ask what we will be doing that day I say, "Sadly, nothing" in order to prepare them for the brutality of a day that will be spent around the house doing odds and ends and chores. Normally Archie will throw himself down crying "Why nothing? Why? Why?" in amongst his tears but today a new maturity showed itself as he wondered about repeating "Sadly . Nothing " in various intonations to get as much humour out of it at my expense as he could. Wish I had it on video.

Flu worse than ever - hate to think then what would be involved with swine flu! Had both kids home with it all last week too. Luckily Col (still in cast and collar bone not yet healed) was able to do all the cooking and walking to the shop. As I am the only one able to drive I got us all up the shops on Saturday to Beyond Q - the local second hand book shop which also has a cafe with great coffee. I exchanged some unwanted books for $35 worth of credit and we were all able to choose something then have coffee and cake. I got an old copy of Mia Freedman's The New Black which is the perfect book to read when you are sick - short little article sized chapters on light topics. Ruby got the first in the Lemony Snickett series for $8 too.

Monday night while bathing kids and getting dinner a stranger rang to tell me Col had had an accident while riding home and needed me to come pick him up. I knew immediately it must be baddish because Col has had accidents before and still managed to drag himself and bike home. "Is it bad?" I asked. "Uh, yes" said stranger in clipped tones (a mental image of Alain De Botton, only in cycling gear, made itself available to me). Slipping effortlessly into the role of Panicky Wife I took down some confused coordinates for a bike path in Aranda, thanked the man and went to get the kids rugged up so we could go and find daddy all bruised and broken somewhere on a bikepath in the dark. Fortunately Col managed to collect himself and call me on his mobile before I had left the house and I convinced him to call an ambulance. Then worried he would fall unconscious again before calling I decided to call them myself. Yes, they assured me without any patronising or making me feel...

I couldn't believe it the other day when I found Archie in the studio drawing his new friend Chickie. He never draws! And chickie was sitting there in a quiet composure until the drawing was completed! Madness! Have wondered lately if Archie's reluctance to draw has anything to do with all the coddling from Perthes ' disease he gets. The inactivity, the lack of opportunity to build hand strength out on the monkey bars like other kids. With the latest x ray results we've relaxed that a bit so is he feeling freer to try out other stuff too? More confident with his motor skills? Or is it just the inspiration gained from our trip last week to Canberra's new National Portrait Gallery?

Celebrating today! Archies's latest x rays show excellent bone growth over the last six months. The little femoral head has nearly re- ossified (grown back) and done so in a pretty good shape. What this means is no more worries about major hip operations and that in a years time the disease process will be nearing its end. The Growth plate continues to look a bit dodgy but even that wont have huge ramifications. A happy, lucky and grateful day.

Ruby and I just had a weekend in Sydney with my Angela and Clara. It was great to spend some time with them and get to know baby Clara better as she has grown so much since we saw her six weeks ago. Vowed not to go another six weeks without seeing her. Her current obsession is "puppies" the same obsession shared by Archie who is five. She would outdo him though I'm sure. Archie draws the line at softly chanting "puppies, puppies" to himself every night before he drops off.

Was concerned to see this outside Ruby's bedroom yesterday, trying to sell off her rubbish (empty cans of impulse and unwanted badge) to passers by. Am wondering if my habit of selling anything not nailed down on ebay is morally damaging my children. Archie will come accross some old broken bit of uselessess from his toy box and ask "Can you sell this on ebay mum?". Have cheered myself somewhat by the honesty system Ruby is spruiking her wares with - trusting that if the goods are gone $2 will be left in their place. So far no takers.