Addictions.

Way (waaay... waaaaaaaay) back I got myself tagged by Claerwen. 

The gist of it was to talk about five of my addictions. I just knew I would get to it. Eventually.

Addiction one. Coffee.

The only thing I am truly addicted to is coffee. I drink lattes. Usually two a day. I rarely go a day without coffee. Every now and then I have a decaf if I've reached my quota.

Coffee is wonderful. It's comforting, It's ritualistic. It's social. I worship thee Coffee Gods!

Addiction two. Lee Jeans.

I'm a pear-shaped girl, a girl with booty and these jeans just fit. At the moment I have a pair of indigo denim boot-cuts, a pair of black skinnies and a pair of faded blue skinnies. I do wear other jeans but they just don't cut it in the way that my Lees do.

Addiction three. British Vogue.

I've read it religiously since 1993. I now get it via airmail and when each new one comes I take time to savour it. After that I cut it to bits and file items of interest away to scrapbook or inspire me later. I have a Diploma in Clothing Production and always kicked ass at pattern making. I love to look at amazing garments and deconstruct them into their parts. It's like a gigantic 3D puzzle for me!

Addiction four. Simplification.

I am addicted to the Idea of 'Simplification'. Putting it into practice is another thing all together. My love of second-hand crap creates a war-like situation of dire proportions. Clutter is the only winner here.

Addiction five. Going on-line. 

Blogging. email. Facebook. Google. I am ashamed of myself. Enough said.

Let It Go.

The scan I had did not show anything untoward. My gall bladder and liver are nice and healthy. Good to know. So why am I wringing my hands, growling at the kids and chewing the f@#k out of the inside of my mouth?

I found a two inch long white and wiry hair standing to attention on top of my head on Thursday. I yoinked it. The Hippy Schmippy Book says grey hairs equal stress, a belief in pressure and strain. The thing is I need to stop believing this malarky. Now please.

An ex-employee with some hard core issues keyed our car last week and has been ringing at night and disturbing our sleep. When you have two small children and run a cafe trust me, sleep is vital.

The suicide of one of our customers also brought up past shite.

It's time to start looking for the gift in every negative situation, just because those who came or went before me believed in pressure and strain doesn't mean i have to. Ease please!

Two beautiful men died. I will create something worthwhile, something other than hot air and negativity. I'm going to sew all my fabrics collected on travels into a bed spread. Starting today.

Watching The Labyrinth, dancing to The Police with two little Leos and playing with Lego ain't no strain! This the best morning I've had in awhile. We're off to a local fete now. I hope you all have a special, beautiful weekend.

Thank F@#k.

thanks amsterdamize

My faith restored.

The Libran scales balance.

Huzzah! Month of October we loved you.

October heralded a new routine that nurtures the family. More balance in the work rest and play ratios. It just feels right.

There were warm days and (thankfully) still enough rain to relieve the drought a little.

These are some things we did that I didn't get around to writing about.

Chilling in the Ceres play-ground...

 and stopping to smell the flowers.



After work drinks in a local bar.



Kite flying and sunsets in the local park.

Me. As a flower.

Oh yeah, Life's good.

This morning I noticed that I was nominated for a blog award by Claire at 'ethel loves fred'. Nice. Then when I saw I was chosen in the same fine company as Esther from 'the ruth spoon' it was even more nicer!

These two ladies have a lot of smarts, sparkle and wit. Truly! They seem like two great gals and the craft! BLIMEY! I also like oggling the pictures of their daughters because I have two sons and I'm done with the baby making.

 Not long after my friend Adrian popped over for a surprise visit. He has been living in Hanoi for a few years. 

We are both lousy at keeping in contact and we hadn't spoken for erm... *cough* 2 years but we always seem to pick up exactly where we left off. Don't ya love mates like that??

I didn't know he had come home or that he had TA-DA! A new wife! I got to blow his socks off with the news of my own marriage which he is partly responsible for as I wouldn't have met mat if he hadn't let his spare room to him. The boys also made a cafe and pretend feast for him which was a giggle.

Now we are off to a first Birthday party. Another little girl to moon over and special hugs for the Mama and Papa whose meeting and blossoming relationship I was luckily enough to witness on a so called 'Girl's Holiday' in Byron Bay. (No shit! They were married 3 months later!) 

I haven't seen these guy's for erm... *cough* 4 years. 
Hey, I'm a great friend in spirit okay!

Have you ever had the feeling that you're a big giant peony rose unfurling? No? Well, that's how I feel today. 

Is it spring energy or just me getting the arse out of my shell? Not quite sure either way and I know it's a bit cheesy but how could you pick fault with me when i'm this lush, exquisite and lovely.

Saving my sanity

Three visits to the doctor. 
Three grumpy people. 
Short tempers and lots of grrrrr...

Time to get out with friends and what better place than Ceres to wind it back a notch?







Mud, cubbies, sausage rolls, porridge with maple syrup and a bloody good whinge. 

Phew! Feeling more normal. Feeling earthy. Feeling sane.

Thank-you trees, gardens, chickens, a very cool mum and her beautiful babes. See you all very soon.

Tagged by Skeleton Woman.

Six things I liked today...

My morning coffee.
Every morning, tick-tock at 8 o'clock a latte finds it's way into my sleepy hands. Today I got to drink it before it was cold.

My wedding ring.
Even though I keep forgetting to wear it, I love this ring. I first saw it made in sterling silver at Ditto Day in Fitzroy. It was meant to be, each stamp signifies something personal and special to mat and I. The bull: Mat is a Taurean. The hand: The first initial in each of our names spell out the word P.A.L.M. and the horse shoe is for Luck in Love. I adore it's gently undulating edges. We had our rings made in white gold by the talented jeweller Ali Alexander, wonderful Melbourne designer.

Succulents.
Such hardy beauty.

Listening to the B.B.C.online.
I like listening to radio 4. So much better than Australian radio. (Far, far too many ads.) There are so many fantastic programs, today I listened to a radio-play of an Agatha Christie's 'Poirot'.

I got organised.Today I put some photos that were floating around in ice-cream containers into albums. I like looking back and feeling nostalgic. These ones were pics of the early days of our relationship up until the birth of the boys.

Kids doing kid stuff.It's never boring in this house as we've built up quite a stash of dress-ups. Who needs telly?

I tag 'The Ruth Spoon'. I would read anything this gal wrote, including her shopping list.

First Flashback Fever.

First Bubbacinos.

First train ride with Aunty Sian.

First mango.

First chocolate eggs at Easter.

First big boy Lego.

First big boy bike.

First Splices.

So many 'firsts' and many more to come.