While Dorothy has been lucid, this week has been about birthdays. It’s so hard to believe that another year has slipped through my fingers and she is three on Sunday. On that note I leave you with me on this day 3 years ago.

The spotty pink dots have been in the stash awhile and I bought it with this lovely lady (ps I miss you heaps) almost a year ago. If I remember rightly I was going to make Dorothy something for her birthday using the dots.  Never mind if it was 10 months late, no? I found a coordinating print for the dots when I went to the beach. I decided that I wanted the breezy volume of a muumuu, a yoke and there was a request for big pockets. Seeing that Miss D is in and out of the pool it was also important to have a dress that was easy to pop on and off. I am very happy with our easy breezy muumuu and so is Dorothy. Please ignore the unhappy face. Dorothy was not amused that I was taking photos and not getting ready for Kindy.

As you can see, Dorothy still has curly hair but it’s now a stylish short bob. It was a combination of going to hair appointments with myself and Henry and the fact that it’s been one long hot humid Brisbane summer that prompted her to chop her locks. Now days, she likes to brush her own hair and has her own brush (yipee no more fights).

It’s no secret that Henry and I have been getting up with the birds, donned our bathers and doing water aerobics in the backyard pool. I’ve really enjoyed it and part of me wants to halt the coming cool change indefinitely. Over summer, Dorothy, has taken to the pool like a fish to water. She started swimming lessons at the beginning of the year. Initially she needed a swim vest, then kickboards (or any other flotation device) like the photo to the right and now she swims (below) though she still can’t lift her head out and take a breath with much success (usually it’s a huge gulp of water, grab the edge of the pool or grab an appendage of the nearest adult in reverse order). I’m so happy that she loves the water as much as I do.

Hopefully it won’t take me as long to make the next post. I’ve had a few connection issues (huge sigh) which has made all sorts of mischief for me (especially seeing the MASSIVE online component for my studies).

Oh I’d really like anyone’s 5 cents on Alain Ehrenberg, Michel Foucault, Louise Hay, Hosard Gardner, de Bono and/or the importance of learning through play. Many thanks for your thoughts in advance. Well I am about to go submerge myself in some more post modern philosophy to help me write my first paper. Tootle pip!

What a year, a changes in domestic arrangements, changes in living environments, change in employment status (4 times over peeps), changes in the CT, changes in mind-set, changes in career… Lots of changes…. But all good!!

Twenty-ten changes?? Let’s start with new Sew What aliases inspired by CT. Here at Sew What headquarters, we have all embraced our inner Wiggle (though with much protest from the adults in the household) and Dorothy the Dinosaur (aka CT) has given each of us a secret Wiggle idenity.  I am no longer, Mummy. The new moniker in these parts is Captain Feathersword (or the Captain for short). Donnie is now Henry the Octopus,  Happy is the Purple Wiggle and CT is Dorothy the Dinosaur. If you do a little wiggly research (yes, there is new secret lingo franca to learn too), you may learn why we have new super secret wiggly identities.

You are probably wondering why my hiatus has been so long and it has nothing to do with the following photo:

A few might be thinking big deal you have dyed your hair. This is a first for me. A major communication brain fart between me and my new hairdresser. I love it, even though it took me a whole month to get used to the new colour. No more deaf, dumb and blonde for me. No way Jose. Can’t afford to use that excuse in my life for at the next 2 years. Why?

Might I introduce exhibit b (stage right)? Might I also say that each time I look at exhibit b, I feel like hyperventilating? Firstly because I look like an absolute pyscho kitten in the photo. More importantly though, I am a Masters Student (coursework not research)! I didn’t think I could pull it off!! At the end of last year, I realised 2 things a) I would struggle to find another teaching position as a Japanese teacher (too many teachers for too few places) and b) I missed working with “little people”. I thought it was too late to apply for first semester this year at uni, until I went to a street party and talked with a neighbour, which got this whole ball rolling. I wasn’t officially enrolled until the 15th of February (orientation was on the 20th and 21st) and classes started on Monday. Ah I am so excited about the study and the change in direction. It isn’t that I dislike Japanese teaching but I have changed. Ironically my first course paper is more or less about I came to this point. 

So the hiatus was more than a summer fling, I was so scared I would jinx this course. Naturally there has been making going on behind the scenes and there will be plenty inspired by this change in career direction. Apologies for being so super secret squirrel about it all but I couldn’t trust myself to let the cat out of the bag only to be tripped up at the final hurdle. Well must run, now off to find a qualitative research paper on a subject close to my heart regarding EC (Early Childhood) Teaching. So it is a cheery tootle-loo from me to you.

So on Wednesday, CT and I found a new rhythm. The how mummy can sew while CT is awake. My cunning plan included a display book folder full of patterns, a pair of saftey scissors that cut nothing (it’s the thought that counts, no? Besides in CT’s world she was cutting out her pjs like a pro) and a pin cushion (because everyone needs a pin official, no?). The pattern is the same as this one but I didn’t have enough for a pair of pants, so the shirt is longer. I added pockets (it’s easier to see if you look at a larger size at Flickr) and used ribbing instead of elastic around the neck.  Gathering knit fabrics is not so easy but I like the overall effect and so does CT. Mental note to self, CT doesn’t pose for clothing photos anymore. The hair? Yes, she’s had a haircut last Saturday and it was all her idea. Sniff, I miss the pretty hair already.

OMG I just realised a month after I wrote the post, that I forgot to post it… EGADS alright!!

Promise to lurk (’cause there hasn’t been any of that over since the mental health day).

Cheers, Me

Having a spectacularly challenging week and have lost my camera. Should be back tomorrow as I took a mental health day today and it did me the world of good.

Other delights in the box were a printed tea towel  which was immediately press ganged into service; that really groovy monster light which Donnie, CT and I love (CT has started a whole the sun is going down so I must turn on the light routine going); a matching monster Halloween banner (useful on Saturday night, one also hopes those poor wags who came to the door got over the shock of a dripping wet and naked tot); matching monster straws (most useful for CT’s tall enamel ware cups); Dora Halloween stickers (the mystery object in CT’s hands); the fab Halloween picture book (just in front of CT and is a hit) and finally a mixed media magazine (so many wonderful ideas and Jen, you need to learn some BASIC sewing. Honestly there are so many collages that I can see you making). Quite a small package, no?? Honestly Jen, you spoil us too much. The only downside about this parcel is that we opened it not too long before Miss CT’s dinner (not exactly an Einstein inspired moment). Needless to say that candy corn, M&Ms and goldfish were not on the menu much to an outraged side kick….

Also a big thank you to all who participated, I’ve been enjoying checking out your blogs. Thanks for the congrats to. Just to clarify, December will see my 2 year crafty blog anniversary. I defected to wordpress in October this year. So I guess there will be a 2 year blog giveaway too…. (Just to confuse all in sundry like….)