Monday, 19 November 2012
Busy busy, a lot of rambling
Hi, I know I have been quiet again lately, with the change of seasons, and a bit of an attitude adjustment, I have actually been super busy. Some recent highlights include:
- did a 'mini' triathalon - one of the Pink series and have another this coming Sunday. Went freeform/meditative dancing with Nina - something I have had in the back of mind to do for ages. I am also starting a rollerskating class tomorrow night, with some friends from work and have been going to the gym regularly including completing an 8 week program being a prac subject for Matt. Despite being active and eating reasonably well, my weight and heath has not improved. *too much information warning* Recently I also hurt my back, and my weight no doubt contributed to this as well as the lack of success to date in making a baby. Just today my GP has referred me to an endocrinologist and doing some other stuff too - hopefully some answers soon.
- had my first piano exam - preliminary grade, woot. I got a B which I am happy with as nerves got the better of me and I made lots of mistakes. The feedback was, yes, I made many mistakes but they were minor, I captured the gist of the songs. My teacher and I have developed an ambitious plan to help me achieve my goals. Next up is Muscianship over the summer holidays and Grade 1 piano in Feb.
- as a wedding anniversary gift I bought Matt couple guitar lessons - romantic? Within 3 sessions Matt has quite comfortably caught up to me. I have not done a formal singing lesson in yonks, not since Nat has been busy touring, but would really like to restart them too, if I can find some time.
- tackled a few crafty things lately: crochet beanies and socks, paper-making, making seed tape for the garden, a few gifts/surprises ;) and a few fails.
- the garden is growing. Will do a separate post soon(ish)
- work is going along steady - still loving my Tuesday Toddler Music Group. Waiting to hear if my application to write a paper about the group has been accepted. The DA for the renovations went through council this week and the 'house' is very nearly finished. Next year is going to be challenging . We will all be working off site, mostly from home, hmmm, need to move the craft off my desk. But 2014 will be awesome - essentially triple the size, both in office and therapy space, including a dedicated 'sensory' room and expanded preschool program.
- family are all good. We have been unofficially offered another 12 month lease on our awesome little big house. Mr Smokey is his usual sooky self. Liam and Liz have both moved on from flipping burgers and have 9-5 corporate jobs. Liam with Suncorp and Liz, iinet. Liam plays two games of soccer per week and often goes to the gym with Matt.
- Jake stayed with us last holidays, with Neets and Sam in the city at the same time - separate post to come also. Also visits from my sister, Nita and recently Ewen and Margaret.
- finally, if you haven't heard the news... Matt is now officially a former film editor. He finished up his final gig last month. This has been 'in discussion' for the past two years. He still loves storytelling and may go back but the lifestyle was just too punishing and other things have called. Over the past year, while working full time, he has earned his Cert 3 and 4 in fitness. Now waiting for his rego and ABN to come thru and applying for gym work. The main goal is Uni next year, science. Application in, offers in Jan.
What's your news?
- did a 'mini' triathalon - one of the Pink series and have another this coming Sunday. Went freeform/meditative dancing with Nina - something I have had in the back of mind to do for ages. I am also starting a rollerskating class tomorrow night, with some friends from work and have been going to the gym regularly including completing an 8 week program being a prac subject for Matt. Despite being active and eating reasonably well, my weight and heath has not improved. *too much information warning* Recently I also hurt my back, and my weight no doubt contributed to this as well as the lack of success to date in making a baby. Just today my GP has referred me to an endocrinologist and doing some other stuff too - hopefully some answers soon.
- had my first piano exam - preliminary grade, woot. I got a B which I am happy with as nerves got the better of me and I made lots of mistakes. The feedback was, yes, I made many mistakes but they were minor, I captured the gist of the songs. My teacher and I have developed an ambitious plan to help me achieve my goals. Next up is Muscianship over the summer holidays and Grade 1 piano in Feb.
- as a wedding anniversary gift I bought Matt couple guitar lessons - romantic? Within 3 sessions Matt has quite comfortably caught up to me. I have not done a formal singing lesson in yonks, not since Nat has been busy touring, but would really like to restart them too, if I can find some time.
- tackled a few crafty things lately: crochet beanies and socks, paper-making, making seed tape for the garden, a few gifts/surprises ;) and a few fails.
- the garden is growing. Will do a separate post soon(ish)
- work is going along steady - still loving my Tuesday Toddler Music Group. Waiting to hear if my application to write a paper about the group has been accepted. The DA for the renovations went through council this week and the 'house' is very nearly finished. Next year is going to be challenging . We will all be working off site, mostly from home, hmmm, need to move the craft off my desk. But 2014 will be awesome - essentially triple the size, both in office and therapy space, including a dedicated 'sensory' room and expanded preschool program.
- family are all good. We have been unofficially offered another 12 month lease on our awesome little big house. Mr Smokey is his usual sooky self. Liam and Liz have both moved on from flipping burgers and have 9-5 corporate jobs. Liam with Suncorp and Liz, iinet. Liam plays two games of soccer per week and often goes to the gym with Matt.
- Jake stayed with us last holidays, with Neets and Sam in the city at the same time - separate post to come also. Also visits from my sister, Nita and recently Ewen and Margaret.
- finally, if you haven't heard the news... Matt is now officially a former film editor. He finished up his final gig last month. This has been 'in discussion' for the past two years. He still loves storytelling and may go back but the lifestyle was just too punishing and other things have called. Over the past year, while working full time, he has earned his Cert 3 and 4 in fitness. Now waiting for his rego and ABN to come thru and applying for gym work. The main goal is Uni next year, science. Application in, offers in Jan.
What's your news?
Thursday, 27 September 2012
New toys
Not that new any more, but three 'toys' that have made a massive difference to our lives.
Pushies
We have been babysitting a pair of bikes for friends who are living in the UK currently. At the start of the year we decided to dust them off and do some riding. Angus and Cheryl are both very tall and when we had the bikes serviced and adjusted the guy in the shop recommended that I don't ride either or risk hurting myself badly. New bike for Sarah :)
I may had already suspected that, had a look around and even test ridden a couple and found my bike - the Electra Townie. Unfortunately the bike in stock was pink and white, I had a look at the other colour options on the website but decided that pink and white was cute anyway and available now.
Over summer 11/12 we went on a couple of bike outings. I was riding my bike to work whenever I didn't have off-site visits and for quite a few months Matt was consistently riding a bike to his work. Sadly just a month or so before Cheryl returned to Aus, her bike, that Matt had been using, was stolen from his workplace. We have given Cheryl back Angus' bike, so Matt doesn't have a bike at the moment. As the weather warms up we might get him his own, though after riding to work regularly including through winter, Matt's enthusiasm has waned somewhat.
Pushies
We have been babysitting a pair of bikes for friends who are living in the UK currently. At the start of the year we decided to dust them off and do some riding. Angus and Cheryl are both very tall and when we had the bikes serviced and adjusted the guy in the shop recommended that I don't ride either or risk hurting myself badly. New bike for Sarah :)
I may had already suspected that, had a look around and even test ridden a couple and found my bike - the Electra Townie. Unfortunately the bike in stock was pink and white, I had a look at the other colour options on the website but decided that pink and white was cute anyway and available now.
Over summer 11/12 we went on a couple of bike outings. I was riding my bike to work whenever I didn't have off-site visits and for quite a few months Matt was consistently riding a bike to his work. Sadly just a month or so before Cheryl returned to Aus, her bike, that Matt had been using, was stolen from his workplace. We have given Cheryl back Angus' bike, so Matt doesn't have a bike at the moment. As the weather warms up we might get him his own, though after riding to work regularly including through winter, Matt's enthusiasm has waned somewhat.
Rotary, two bin composter - add to one side while the other 'cooks'.
Even though I am gardening in pots I struggle to make enough dirt with just the worm farm. The worm farm also can't handle leaves from the neighbours trees and finished plants - it was frustratingly wasteful to be chucking them in the bin, even if it was a green bin. A while back I found exactly what I wanted on the Interwebs but it was horrendously expensive, so, around my birthday time I was explaining this to mum and using her awesome super sleuth skills she found exactly what I wanted from a local company at half the price. Thanks mum it is working brilliantly. I have harvested the first batch already, the 2nd is nearly cooked and the 3rd batch is filling fast.
Even though I am gardening in pots I struggle to make enough dirt with just the worm farm. The worm farm also can't handle leaves from the neighbours trees and finished plants - it was frustratingly wasteful to be chucking them in the bin, even if it was a green bin. A while back I found exactly what I wanted on the Interwebs but it was horrendously expensive, so, around my birthday time I was explaining this to mum and using her awesome super sleuth skills she found exactly what I wanted from a local company at half the price. Thanks mum it is working brilliantly. I have harvested the first batch already, the 2nd is nearly cooked and the 3rd batch is filling fast.
BTW it came flat packed and I built it nearly entirely myself, by choice. Only needed Matt's long arms to reach inside a couple of times.
The dishwasher
Mid winter our (clothes) washing machine packed it in. It was 2nd hand and a top loader so rather than potentially wasting our time and money on repairs we traded in for a new shiny front loader. As we were researching the options I came across something a had seen previously a while back but never really seriously considered - a half-size, bench top dishwasher, perfect for renters - us. Something inside me snapped. After 5 years of hand washing, having grown up with a dishwasher and now that we have the available bench space I chucked a little hissy fit and insisted that we get it, it was not too difficult to convince Matt :) To misquote Gareth "there is just something more civilised about having a dishwasher"
The dishwasher
Mid winter our (clothes) washing machine packed it in. It was 2nd hand and a top loader so rather than potentially wasting our time and money on repairs we traded in for a new shiny front loader. As we were researching the options I came across something a had seen previously a while back but never really seriously considered - a half-size, bench top dishwasher, perfect for renters - us. Something inside me snapped. After 5 years of hand washing, having grown up with a dishwasher and now that we have the available bench space I chucked a little hissy fit and insisted that we get it, it was not too difficult to convince Matt :) To misquote Gareth "there is just something more civilised about having a dishwasher"
Tuesday, 31 July 2012
Qld trip April 2012
End of term one NSW school holidays I headed north for a week. The focus of this trip was the friends catch ups that were sadly missed at Xmas due to illness. Unfortunately Wisowaty's were crook this time, so will have do with images and chat over the Interwebs for now.
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| The cheeky Miss Paige and I |
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| Happy and huge (tall!) Dante |
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| You're a strange one Sarah! |
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| Entire Matthews clan |
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| Joel and I sharing a bevvy on the verandah |
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| One of the reasons the garden bed in the front yard. Joel and Bree's 'puppy' Kiddo |
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| Watched Jake play a game of soccer |
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| and hung out on the sideline with Sammy. |
Monday, 30 July 2012
Sarah's craft 2012 so far
This winter has been COLD. I (we) love our house but a large old house after a modern one bedroom unit above a restaurant kitchen has been a huge adjustment that I especially haven't coped very well with. Most of winter I have spent sick and/or curled up on the couch under my electric throw rug crocheting, knitting and crafting my little heart out. Here are a few of my creations (with cute models):
I have not bought a single pattern and a lot what I have made uses repurposed materials. Most of my inspirations have come from Pinterest.com - an online and 'social-media' pinboard. If you like craft (or fashion / food / photography / other) it's great, but addictive - I have heaps more things 'pinned' ready to tackle as I can find the time.
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| Sammy's slippers and bunting |
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| Jambin's elf hat |
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| Darcy's monster hat |
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| Isaac's monster hat |
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| Jacob's comic book birthday card |
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| Some stuff for me/us! Reusing jars around the house - here in the bathroom for hand soap, moisturiser and plants. |
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| In the shower. We can buy in bulk then pour out as needed. The beautiful bottles were milk containers from a local food coop. |
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| Dishcloth from kitchen cotton. When its gets dirty - chuck it in the wash! I have made three different styles so far. Still deciding which is the favourite. |
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| Plarn (plastic bag yarn) work-in-progress basket. |
Saturday, 30 June 2012
Smokey update - snug as Smokey in a rug
Poor Smokey, usually he HATES being confined in anyway but lately it has been so cold we have found him like this on more than one occasion.
Friday, 29 June 2012
Long time, no bloggin'
Hi y'all! Long time no bloggin'... a quick explanation:
Short - not much massively interesting happening!
Long - Last Christmas, Matt bought me an Android tablet, an Asus Slider to be exact. I love this thing! It means I can sit on the coach, half watch television, crochet, browse and be social. Right now as I'm typing this... a bowl of half finished soup and Matt and Smokey sitting next me.
The only downside was that the standard browser didn't cope well with pop ups, so trying to use Blogger (and Pinterest) was near impossible. But... I have Chrome on my tablet now, yay! So excited! Stay tuned for a bunch of updates...
Short - not much massively interesting happening!
Long - Last Christmas, Matt bought me an Android tablet, an Asus Slider to be exact. I love this thing! It means I can sit on the coach, half watch television, crochet, browse and be social. Right now as I'm typing this... a bowl of half finished soup and Matt and Smokey sitting next me.
The only downside was that the standard browser didn't cope well with pop ups, so trying to use Blogger (and Pinterest) was near impossible. But... I have Chrome on my tablet now, yay! So excited! Stay tuned for a bunch of updates...
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