Remote Treechanger

The week or two before Christmas

2017-12-17T16:46:00.002+11:00

Teaching the family how to make Christmas pudding. The recipe calls for dripping, currants and sultanas.

Who knew dripping was paleo?

Starting the trip to Canberra to see three of the children and two partners, with my daughter who still lives at home. Trying to show that my Mt. Koscioscko is really just a small peak amongst many as the picture states at the lookout.

Breakfast at Ikea. So happy to visit the restaurant where one of my sons works on the weekends. Looks nice and clean but he says he can't take the credit for it, as he had the weekend off dining with us.

The next instalment to the bedroom edit perhaps?

My daughter is looking beautiful even from a distance.

Simple Bedroom Edit

2017-01-09T16:45:00.000+11:00

Thirteen years after treechanging (I omitted the nearly, adverb apparently), I have been updating the master bedroom. As they say on Ezibuy, an edit, I am editing my bedroom.

I am also doing my fourth unit at uni during summer, so it is a little challenging, but biting off bits at a time, today is a bit cooler, or has turned out to be. The reading for uni today was about blogging. For all those who do it, don't let your skills wane, it might be valuable to you one day for work, that is what I am reading about. Juggling uni and blogging sounds challenging, but really uni people only want to hear so much from me lol.

I have chosen units that give marks for talking, that works for me. This time I just have to be quiet a little lol So maybe I should say things are are more personal on the web in my little worlds and combine the two.

Annnywayy as Ellen says...

The idea was to get away from sleeping under the window, reduce the amount of furniture and clutter in the room and have a coherent look without repainting. I needed a new doona cover last year but it was so bright and boho my daughter now owns it. I had enjoyed boho decorating on houzz. I realised after seeing my cedar look drawers in a Chrisco or similar furniture catalogue that it wasn't as dated as I thought. My husband has a real cedar chest as well. I didn't have the money for a new wardrobe this year, I am running out of space for clothes.

So I googled the colour of the furniture, and yellow walls and Shayna Blaze my favourite designer and came up with a page which I now know comes from a popular blog, The Interiors Addict. So I may have interpreted it work but I was pleased with the results so far in the picture above. Since then while cleaning out drawers and things I found two suitable artworks, and have bought some grey curtains on ebay and some poles from Spotlight. My curtains had a watermark. This is the second time this year I have bought custom curtains from ebay, my window is long and has sidelights, the curtains come from China and I am very happy with them. The previous ones were from England for a short window. I got a Hawkesbury set of poles and rings, I found the information on how many ring sets to buy from a curtain poles shop in the UK. I had to adapt as my track, my pins and the heavy tape with no strings and less rows of string meant small pins, but the result is good, and perhaps how it was intended to be used. The stiff tape holds the curtain in nice folds.

The blue cupboard is not ideal but still fits the theme loosely. I had seen Freedom Furniture's pinterest page when editing or updating my daughter's room a few months ago. There was a paint mixup and I needed to pull the room together. A quick trip to Freedom while in the regional centre fixed it, just one fur cushion and a look on their page and I had it sorted. I felt very blessed. They have advise from memory on their site about bedrooms, and they said focal point work well for the bed. That was the main reason I wanted to move the bed so it faced the door like a normal bedroom. I had used a plaited leaf for my daughter the inspiration coming from an artwork we had. That was also Freedom's idea. They seem to value older types of art with frames.

So I found some artwork in the colours of lemon and grey and charcoal to suit the cedar on ebay but I had to make up a frame for the canvas. My original idea was to look in an op-shop. I ended up in that op-shop anyway with my Mum. I overlooked a painting but thought it was big enough if I used it's frame for my canvas. I went back by myself with a tape measure and brought the painting home. It turns out to be from a famous artist as with another print I had found in a drawer.

The thing that got me started after putting everything off was I was reading an Ezibuy catalogue and happened to see a boho (according to them) doona cover in grey and white. Shayna had said that mustard pulls the look together. It had a splash of that, which is all I was supposed to have, a splash. I searched everywhere on the net for a mustard light fitting as mine was homemade from my last house and the fittings had recently been rewired, my house is old. So I got one from Bunnings, Akia pendant. Ezibuy had a vase in the picture with the doona, and it turned out it matched the theme of the painting which was a farm in 1900 and the vase to me looked like it had been formed on chicken wire lol.

Anyway a lot has happened and still finishing up in here.

These are various stages, so not staged as such.

I also got a body pillow from Manchester Madness that matches the grey in the curtain so I am pleased with that.

University and Reading

2016-05-14T15:08:00.000+10:00

Last year I thought I didn't read a single thing for the year, which is not usual I used to be a regular borrower from the library. This year after writing an essay for uni and having to read scholarly journals, I was happy I finally read a novel. I did my essay on Christian fiction, I won't say any more until I hand it in again in case I self plagiarise or something.

It was very interesting actually evangelical Christian fiction was a big thing in the past, more about that later. In the process I came across new Christian and gentle read novels, and really got into the first book in the Butternut Creek book series by Jane Myers Perrine. So I am waiting on book two of this gentle read series. Like Philip Gulley and Jan Karon it is based on a church community. But like many recent novels they seem to have new interesting twists.

I am going to try to do a Literature major with Griffith University through OUA, either that or English Literature with Macquarie. I think I have passed the first unit on the humanities pathway with Curtin, there are four I have to pass with a grade point average of four, which is pass, harder than you think. I chose literature because I was choosing literature courses the most in MOOCS which I did as a practise for university. Or MOOCS chose me as my first was one about Laura Ingalls Wilder, a popular course on Canvas.net that is now starting its third course on the subject.

This is my first uni textbook and I think some printouts.

The Village Preacher

2015-08-04T19:41:00.002+10:00

The Village Preacher

by Oliver Goldsmith

Beside the bed where parting life was laid,
And sorrow, guilt, and pain by turns dismayed,
The reverend champion stood. At his control
Despair and anguish fled the struggling soul;
Comfort came down the trembling wretch to raise,
And his last faltering accents whispered praise.
At church, with meek and unaffected grace,
His looks adorned the venerable place;
Truth from his lips prevailed with double sway,
And fools, who came to scoff, remained to pray.
The service past, around the pious man,
With steady zeal, each honest rustic ran;
Even children followed with endearing wile,
And plucked his gown to share the good man's smile.
His ready smile a parent's warmth expressed —
Their welfare pleased him, and their cares distressed.
To them his heart, his love, his griefs were given,
But all his serious thoughts had rest in heaven.
As some tall cliff that lifts its awful form,
Swells from the vale, and midway leaves the storm,
Though round its breast the rolling clouds are spread,
Eternal sunshine settles on its head. ~

My friend was saying some things about this poem that I really liked. clouds are an analogy for the emotions
he always in bliss no matter what the world is doing.....he has empathy though never lets becomes a slave to emotions hence keeps his bliss, happiness

"I hope you DANCE" by Lee Ann Womack

2013-05-13T14:47:00.001+10:00

Aussie Curves

2012-11-03T17:12:00.002+11:00

Near the top of my newsfeed on facebook at the moment is a post TS14+ likes a photo. How exciting for me that they did. I haven't done many posts on my blog lately, so I am dipping my toe in again with some photos I did for facebook, to show my hair actually, my first experiment with the dye bottle.

photo taken by Jeanie from Inspired Wish, http://www.inspiredwish.com/

I am really excited about TS14+. I was there yesterday I got a pair of jeans the last pair that goes with the tops I am going to show you. By now they are in the sale category lol. I have been adding to my wardrobe that has been sadly lacking. I had seen the shop before and didn't go in I don't think. It is in Albury. But I needed a longer top last winter to go under a jumper in case I had to unbutton it, and TS14+ has great length in tops. I am 5' 11".

During this week I was also lucky enough to see TS14+ in Myer in Belconnen, their display is amazing, definitely worth a look.

I ended up buying a necklace from TS14+ but found I like the necklace and bracelet set from Target which is about $10.

Someone said I think I was a more earthly person not a bling person. By now my other purchases, the rhubarb top and white skirt are on sale too, and mine is still on layby! I bought it for Christmas, to wear on Christmas Day. I wear a black singlet under the top pictured from Myer. Myer jeans that were a very dark colour, and Diana Ferrari boots. Since then I have had another style cut from Just Cuts. Getting there I suppose. I have not much in my wardrobe and I am trying to use things together for awhile until I get more things, like the black boots and singlet I also used with my winter outfit. I was lucky enough to get a jacket in the winter as well, on sale, same with the boots from Fieldswoman from Myer.

How the year is panning out

2012-08-26T14:19:00.001+10:00

I'm sorry to those with links to my blog, that have have been redirected. A hacker put some code in one of the layout boxes in the recent comments, all better now, thanks to a fellow blogger Joyce.

In April my kids moved house. This photo is of my eldest daughter on the day of a job interview from May. She was looking to quit uni at the time, and had a big think about what kind of work she wanted to do. She decided on Aged Care, and actually got the job that same day. Things are going well for her. It is challenging, but despite the cold weather and very early mornings where she lives she is doing well.

She has been home since, fairly recently. I got her off the bus, then we drove to the regional centre. Last night she had an hour on facebook video chat for the first time. She has fun with her brothers and is gradually changing her hobbies and things.

I haven't seen their new flat at all. I plan to go there at Halloween for a concert with my daughter. My eldest son invited me to dinner out, and at the same time my daughter thought of the same thing, so we are doing lunch.

The Oak Ridge Boys - Hallelujah Chorus

2012-06-11T19:51:00.001+10:00

Emeli Sande - Next To Me (Lyric Video)

2012-04-23T13:00:00.001+10:00

Moving Forward - Israel Houghton

2012-04-19T14:52:00.002+10:00

A lovely use of neo-classical ballet.

surely goodness and mercy lyrics, israel houghton

2012-04-19T14:23:00.002+10:00

Even If You Don't Believe - Larry Norman

2012-04-08T21:13:00.001+10:00

I wish we'd all been ready

2012-04-08T21:02:00.002+10:00

Elbow - One Day Like This

2012-04-02T18:05:00.002+10:00

My kids settling in for the year

2012-04-01T16:21:00.002+10:00

I am baching at the moment. I can't say I like it, but it is going OK. I am lucky I've been able to let the wood heater go out and it hasn't been too cold. These photos are from my eldest three kids new flat. You can see my eldest daughters catching up from being apart for 2 months. I think it is 2 months, I have lost count. A pretty good backyard for a girl who has lived here with a view for 8 years. And she has her own room now! Hopefully she will be able to settle now and catch up on some study.

My husband reading the newspaper

March Update

2012-03-22T14:09:00.000+11:00

A month since I posted how my daughter is going in Canberra. She posted this picture today from Civic, or the city. It is nice.

I was still struggling with the quiet of having only two children at home. Both my daughters don't watch a lot of TV these days, one works part time, so it has been very quiet. And yes, still quite cold inside. Aparently our neighbour had died, so it was quieter than usual, usually he drives in and out his driveway.

Things have got busy again. My son comes home for his mid semester break on Saturday. Then a week later my three older kids are moving. My husband and my older daughter are going to help them shift. Then my daughter will have her own room in the city. My Mum has been buying up things in the Target sale to make her room nice. And generally helping me make sure then have socks and things to keep them warm, it will be a very cold winter, as usual for them. Colder than here, which is saying something.

My daughter has a friend in her classes on facebook who tells her anything she misses etc. I think that is helpful. Same thing happened with a guy who passed her in uni, he mentioned things she needed for class as well.

She hasn't been any more to her caving club. She has friends from church on her facebook. She has started following the rugby. Apparently she and her brother and his girlfriend sit in their jerseys watching the match. They are all going, even my husband etc. to a match when they move.

Steel Magnolia

2012-03-20T15:40:00.002+11:00

This Train is Bound For Glory - Johnny Cash

2012-02-26T13:50:00.001+11:00

February Update

2012-02-23T20:13:00.001+11:00

My son's 21st birthday celebration

Pictured is my daughter who has been away from home a month already, and has nearly completed one week at uni. She has joined a club that goes away this weekend, has been to four church services and a girls day out and got a free haircut.

It is so quiet here, um it is unbelievable actually. It is a shame it is also colder than usual, and since our winters are so cold and long I'm not that pleased about that.

Robin Mark- When its all been said and done

2012-02-05T14:43:00.002+11:00

Robin Mark- When its all been said and done. One of my Christian friends on fb posted this today.

More January updating

2012-01-31T16:30:00.001+11:00

The Australian National University the day (last Friday) my daughter had a tour of the campus.

During the school holidays my eldest and youngest daughters went to stay with my Mum between Christmas and New Year. I am always in denial at Christmas, and now I find it is not only Christmas but the 31st January and school starts on Thursday, how did that happen? Next week my middle son starts another year at uni, and the week after that my daughter starts O week.

At the time my daughter had applied for a job in town to earn money to go away to uni. She had uni applications in three States. Mum bought her lots of things, like clothes for the job interview etc. I had taken her shopping before Christmas for clothes to go away to a Beach Mission she had organised all year, and had gone to a planning weekend for. She was lucky enough to find a girl from the regional centre 1 1/2 hours away en route who was starting for the first time and they split the petrol, all the way to Warrnambool. She has friends there, in particular a close one she writes to every day.

So this weekend was very important. I worried about it, but in the end she didn't get called for an interview for anything here in town, but got a fabulous offer to go to the city with her brothers, and they came up with ideas how she could come this year. Need prayer for that, but I really feel blessed. I was so worried that my purchase of the house we haven't yet sold would cause her to miss out. I think I spent a little of late last year a bit dispondent about that, I'm not sure. I feel my responsibities like that.

Anyway, my Mum and I met to drop the girl off in a town that I go op-shopping in. Mum helped me pick out 4 pairs of trousers for my husband that would fit, and she got me some jeans and long shorts I knew would fit as I have shrunk into a standard 18 at Target (keep in mind I am nearly 6') both top and bottom, usually one half of me was bigger than the other. My husband spent a couple of days taking up his trouser legs, of about 6 pants. But he had nothing to speak of, so it was a job well done. Especially since Mum heard what he needed and got some more things and posted them, though my youngest son has got off with a lot of the t-shirts.

My husband got some work done on the house, painting the front door, fixing the leak around the chimney which needed to do before some painting and some weeding with the help of our son who was home. I have had kids home since November maybe, I can't remember. But I had breaks here and there, mostly when my daughter went away and my other daughter stayed over with friends.

I had a lovely surprise. I have been hanging out for new underwear and my husband found some in the brand I had bought three of to start me off on a new style. He bought some lovely ones and I am happy. I can't buy them here in town. Even the basic ones are $15 each, Bonds.

With Australia Day being the day the packers would usually pack my fruit and vegetable order, I didn't get a delivery last week. I have been getting beer nuts and chocolate for myself with the order. With my husband away and the shock of having an offer of a good uni and my daughter leaving home only 8 days later, I wanted peanuts. Heaps of days later, my husband gave me some from an Asian shop in Canberra. They are so weird. They are tiny and the peanuts are like peas, the salt goes through the shell, and they don't taste like peanuts at all!

While he was away settling my daughter I read three novels. He chose them for me because I had no idea what I wanted to read. I told him what I didn't like and he chose, I liked them. They are not Christian, the reading was the same, except for the ghost parts. I still prefer Christian books though. Some small bits are more educational, but I prefer the Christian novels. They are:

Poppy Day by Annie Murray.
Firebird by Janice Hill
A midnight clear by Katherine Stone.
and the other one he chose was The long way home by Jessica Blair.

January Update

2012-01-23T19:31:00.000+11:00

This is a photo from November of my daughter's graduation from high school. Last Wednesday she got accepted into The Australian National University. I have two days of her left at home. She has cleaned up her room, discarded some clothes and made a time capsule of her treasures. It is four hours from home, and she won't be back until a break probably, or maybe a weekend in a month's time, we'll see how we go.

I made it to my father in law's 80th birthday celebration in early November. I saw some wildlife on the way including a frilled neck lizard, so I was happy about that.

Her younger sister is working again part time while going to high school. My eldest son is continuing on his graduate diploma and my other son, his science degree. I had a nice Christmas we opened our presents early with my eldest boys and eldest's girlfriend here with us.

I Have Never Loved Someone

2011-11-28T13:52:00.001+11:00

This song is the background song to a hug project that Tania found. I find myself wanting to copy her makeup etc.

The Nicest Place on the Internet

Every Little Thing Will Be Alright

2011-11-20T21:27:00.002+11:00

Bob Marley Three little birds HD (Original)

Ready for Halloween

2011-10-30T22:28:00.000+11:00

My eldest and his girlfriends efforts at their place. We have a tin full of lollies we bought at Coles. Not sure if there are any locally. Was sorry I couldn't get a Halloween witch cake here, they are at Woolworths. As a young mother I wanted nothing to do with witches etc. This is just something that has evolved for us. In the town we live in it is usually people who know each other going around together. Last year I wasn't prepared. My husband had been to the US in October in the late 90s. I have pumpkin lights on the mantlepiece. They need new globes, we have no idea which Christmas light globes would fit them yet.