Month: January 2009

I’m much cooler than I thought I was…

Nearly three years ago, I knit a cot blanket for little Lara, the first born child of my ex-flattie, and lovely friend, Anna.

It was made from Cleckheaton Country, in the most garish colours I could find, a basic feather and fan stitch pattern.

I loved it, Anna seemed to love it, and now it’s serving her second daughter, Ursula.

And today, I have seen it copied*.

Scroll down to the last picture, notice the blankie draped over the green cot in the background.

More pictures here.

*Of course they copied me! How impertinent to suggest that someone independently had the same idea at the same time 😉

A ride on toy?

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This picture was taken at Kerry’s birthday party in December. Ella had just started to walk, and found Inigo a most amusing plaything. She continually tried to climb on and ride him like a horse, which was fine with Inigo, but she got most upset when he collapsed under her (very slight) weight!

2,000 comments!

Sometime in the next, um, week or two, we’ll hit 2000 actual (not spam) comments!

To celebrate, the 2000th commenter will get a little something from me.

And in previous competitions, I am pleased to announce the winner from my last foray.

And the winner is…

Absolute bias and not a random number generator was used to pick…

Andrea!

Who has just entered the Sydney property market. Pop on over and wish her luck!

Andrea, drop me a line and let me know what you’d prefer – some gorgeous silky black alpaca fibre, ready to spin, or some lace-weight from the stash.

Books!

The books that I gave Kerry for the Timorese pre-school have been translated and delivered.  Here are some picture that Kerry sent of the kids.

I feel very lucky to have been given the opportunity to make a small difference in the lives of these kids.  It’s not saving lives, or world peace, but it’s worth doing.

I’m still collecting books, crayons, pens, exercise books, and money for the next round.  Money will be taken to Timor and spent locally, to benefit the local economy as well as the school, and any goods that I get above about 5kg in weight will have to be posted, as there is a strict baggage allowance on flights to Timor.

Thanks to Sarah, Emma, Lynne, Sally, Kate and mum, who have all made donations or promised help.

And if you have an urge to contribute, drop me a line, or leave a comment here 🙂  Donations need to be finalised within a day or so, I think Adam is leaving Sydney on the 30th.

Boys + Books

Girl+ Upsidedown Book

Kassian + Drum

Kids + Books3

Kids Singing

Kids Singing2

Kids

Mana Kassian + Girls With Tais For Presentation

Music Boys

Music Boys2

Music Boys3

Procession

Procession2

Scene

Scene2

Moocher

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Since dad’s been helping out every week, we’ve often been going to the Taj vegetarian Indian in Harris Park for lunch. One of the lovely waitresses there has taken quite a shine to the youngster, and once took him out of his high chair and out the back to the kitchen. Where I know there is a back door.

Dad quipped “at least they are vegetarian”. Charming.

He’s quite the adventurous eater, and will give anything a go, especially if he sees me eating it. Even curries and samosas that I think are quite hot (and I have a high tolerance for chilli), and he is becoming a bit of a tourist attraction by the water cooler.

Anyway, our waitress friend has noted that Inigo likes Mango Lassi, I have been buying one to share with him, but lately he’s been drinking more and more. He managed to use a straw without issue!

So on Thursday, our waitress friend brought one extra lassi – a freebee for her special friend, all to himself.

Was he happy?

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You bet he was!

healthdirect

healthdirect Australia is a 24-hour telephone health advice line staffed by Registered Nurses to provide expert health advice. It is currently available to residents of the Australian Capital Territory, Northern Territory, South Australia and Western Australia. healthdirect will be made progressively available to residents of New South Wales and Tasmania. healthdirect is scheduled to be a fully national service by 2011.

1800 022 222

Inigo had his 6 month vaccinations today. The paediatrician said that it was a good idea to give it to him as well as the antibiotics, to help his immunity – just in case he has got the bug.

He got the shot at about midday, and at 7pm his temperature was 37.7. By 8pm, it was 39.3.

I rang Westmead Hospital, who put me through to healthdirect. I spoke to a registered nurse who took our details, and then gave me clear, detailed advice about what to do, when to do it, and when to start tearing my hair out and run around the room screaming.

What is incredible about this service, is that I have never heard of it. Even the website says that it isn’t yet available in NSW.

So, I’ll still miss Emily terribly when she leaves next week, but I still have a medical professional on call 😉

Books for Timor – Update

I got a pile of books to Kerry just before she flew back to Timor. They are in the process of being translated into Tetun, and hopefully the first lot will be delivered to the pre-school this week.

Not sure if we’ll get pics or not, but it’s a great feeling to know that these kids will soon have books.

Kerry’s partner Adam is meeting her in Darwin in a little under two weeks, and I am hoping to be able to send some more stuff with him. After I do the weekly budget, I am hoping we’ll have a little left over for exercise books, pens, pencils and crayons.

If you’re interested in helping out, please drop me a line 🙂

The Inauguration

I must be the only person in the world who didn’t get up at 3am to watch the palaver, nor did I catch any TV, radio or newspaper reports.

I think that Barack Obama has a lot of promise, and I am truly inspired that Americans have looked beyond the colour of a man’s skin and seen the content of his character – and then voted for him. And I am thrilled that the Bush years are over (please tell me there isn’t a cousin waiting in the wings somewhere!).

But to call him the hope of the world is a tiny bit rich.

What I am really excited about, is Sasha Obama’s outfit.

Call me shallow 😉