We can't get everything right

Yay! I finished a set of curtains today. (A set equals 14 curtains.) This is a project that should have been finished months ago but that Stupid Shop with no Service misinformed me, mucked up my order and then, last week, realised that the fabric had been discontinued. I was furious but settled down to take positive action: a quick trip to Brisbane visiting four of their stores yielded sufficient fabric to complete the project. (That was after they had tried to source it from their other stores!!!!)

I have decided to send the electric spinning machine that I inherited down to my sister-in-law in Canberra. I had great plans to resurrect my interest in spinning but it's become obvious that time is not on my side. She will put it to better use and I still have my traditional wheel which I would rather use anyway. (If and when I find time.)

They still haven't been able to find out what's wrong with our 4WD which spent most of last week at the dealers under observation. We collected it again on Saturday and then at 6am on Sunday it died again - only 300m from home. A mechanic friend called in this morning and it started straight away! The mechanic from the dealer is making a house call tomorrow morning and we're hoping the car won't start. (Did I say that? Why do we nearly always have intermittent problems with our things?)

Pop!

There's always someone or something to burst your bubble! Today it was a white faced heron that visited my fish pond, which is all of 70cm wide, for a feed of goldfish. I was very upset because, in the interest of trying to simplify our lives, my fish are my only domestic pets. (I do have wildlife "pets".)

Yesterday I was so happy with the way I had tidied up our outside area - and that rotten bird spoilt it for me.


Anyway, my dipladenias still look beautiful. They must like their location because apart from an annual cutback they are pretty well neglected and I've had them for 13 or 14 years.

I had a good day. As usual the ladies at TQ were really helpful and I'm keen to start work on a table runner now that I have completed fixing and mending my daughters' clothes that I brought home last trip.

Magic Monday

I spent a couple of hours working outside this morning which is always good for the soul. I felt so lucky to be able to enjoy such a beautiful stress-free Monday morning. I also think it is very important to be able to experience and express gratitude - and I am very grateful for this morning. It's a lovely time of year - pleasant days and cool nights.

Friday's trip to Brisbane was successful although I came home exhausted. I vaguely recall that I used to regard shopping as a recreational activity! Anyway, I'm always happy to see our daughters and they were helpful and encouraging; it's hard to believe that they've both been in Brisbane for over four years now.

More good news! I finished my bag on Sunday and I'm so pleased with it. It has lots of inside pockets which hopefully will assist with management of the inevitable clutter.

I'm keen to start another "well-defined" project. (I think that means there will be instructions and a short-term outcome.)

Yoga classes start again tonight. It seems like ages since I've been to a class - what with school holidays and our trip away during March.

Not sure when our next trip will be: the 4WD is still under observation at the workshop in town! (A not so magical part of today.)

More car drama

Today was weird: the 4WD was again towed into town because it wouldn't go - after a "thorough" checkout on Monday! Nothing went to plan - or list - again! HE was pretty grumpy. I retreated to the room I have recently called my sewing room and worked on my Miranda bag. (Thanks to Caity who provided the promotional and inspirational motivation.) I'm actually quite pleased with my progress; although I am slow because this has to be a positive experience and outcome - so I am following the directions meticulously.

We had drinks on the verandah this evening so that put paid to any project work tonight. We all know that even after only one glass of wine it is not wise to work any projects! It was a lovely evening and the sunset was beautiful.

I'm going to Brisbane tomorrow and will spend the night with my daughters after what will hopefully be a successful shopping trip. Both of our daughters are creative and draw beautifully (not traits from my side of the gene pool.) I think it was meant as a compliment when No 1 daughter recently said: "Mum is really clever: she's good at maths and spelling and organising things but she's really not creative."

I think I just worked out how to set the display time!

Failed Trip

On Friday we planned to go away for a few days this coming week but yesterday, when we started to prepare for the trip, the 4WD wouldn't start. The RACQ couldn't get it going either so it's to be towed to the workshop on Monday. The consensus view is that the computer is sending an error message to the motor. We were very philosophical about it all; eg lucky it didn't happen while we were away because we do like to camp in remote places.
I took this photo when we were away last month because I loved the colours of the lake - and no other people!

So, the 'to do' lists had to be rewritten. (We are great list writers!) I was a bit too grumpy to be creative so didn't start work on my new bag. (The pattern arrived on Friday.) However I did sort through some "stuff" (thanks for the motivation Di) and will soon have another box ready to take to Lifeline. We have so many things that we don't use - and are unlikely to - and it makes me feel good to clear the clutter every so often. (I can't claim to be motivated by philanthropy.)

It's a dull, damp day making me glad that I have spent so much time outside in recent days. Yesterday I went to Toowoomba Quilters and came home all inspired - again! I can't really call myself a "quilter" although, under Di's guidance I did make a "Strip Quilt" last year. I've sewn hundreds (not quite thousands) of hexagons and embroidered several panels for a future Crazy Quilt plus I do have a finished quilt top from the classes that I attended when I first retired. Haven't taken the plunge and quilted it yet! I have done some practice quilting on scraps.

Inspired by the ladies at Tuesday's group, I have ordered a book from the USA and a Miranda bag pattern - plus started this blog. My unsuccessful shopping trip earlier this week also involved a search for a pattern and fabric with a view to making myself something to wear to this upcoming wedding. I used to make a lot of clothes - it seems a common cry!

Our broadband connection is working so we can now download a number of software updates.