stuff

Although I like the idea of the "Universe", spirits, fate, karma, horoscopes, god and kismet, I can't quite shake the belief that we are actually alone and that our life course is up to us to determine. This probably comes from having migraines as usually a couple of weeks before I get one, my brain starts to splinter a bit and I get constants feelings of deja-vu and the most explosive, full colour, premonition dreams.  A neurologist explained that my brain starts to act a little fried and my reactions are a little delayed which explains the sense of deja-vu. One of my besties since childhood is very au fait with horoscopes so she has always kept me up to date about what is in my chart - amazing how "right" is can seem tho'.

Anyhoo...  I do believe in continuing the efforts to try and educate myself in all aspects of life, including moral and ethical choices so Buddhism appeals to me. I've been going to meditation class one night a week for a while now. The class consists of a lecture and then a guided meditation. I find it very restful and intellectually stimulating at the same time plus I need to commit to a class otherwise I sit on the couch and would never do anything!

I got to thinking after one of the lectures and I decided I would try to consume less this holiday season. To spend a bit more time thinking about what would make my family happy. To really think about what to give rather than do that last minute buying up big to try and ensure I've got something for them that they'll like - which is what I've done most years:)  I purchased a number of items from Etsy and I was pleased that I was buying things that would last, that it was being purchased directly from a crafts person and I was confident that they were going to be very well loved by the receiver.  Despite my earlier decision to try and buy less, I still ended up buying a bit and ignoring my own adage (very typical of me).

I waited for the packages, and waited and waited. I got pissed off. Where was the bloody stuff? 


Stay with me, I'm getting there. We have a little piece of daily joy in our street, he is an 8 year old  boy and he does a bit of a round each day, visiting all the neighbours and keeping us all connected. He has Aspergers which means many of us take particular care in ensuring that we chat to him, connect with him, go out of our way to be available to him as our daily conversations are so transparently important to him. We treat him the way we should all treat each other really.  

This gorgeous 8 year old - B - has been collecting our mail with his dad as we have moved out a couple of times when we had some stuff done on the house. Unbeknownst to his dad however was that B kept doing this job. You know what is coming don't you? A stockpile (in his cubby house, unopened, he is a very sweet boy!) was found and returned to us. It was great to finally get all the posted items but the funny thing was that I had already gotten over the loss of these items and was past being annoyed with myself about buying. I was just over it, past it.

It was strange to open these packets and parcels that I had put so much energy into. All the buying, the anticipated waiting, trying to find where they were, feeling really annoyed about it all and then forgetting! It confirmed my resolve to consume less.

Plus my bestie got the chance to tell me again that the "Universe" was continuing to teach me a lesson.

xx

hand made goodness

Check out the beautiful work of Jodi at Tickle & Hide She is running a little competition on her blog at the moment to win one of her gorgeous play mats. I bought one a couple of weeks ago and they are such a clever idea. You can pop all bubby's toys in the middle and draw up the strap and it becomes a great little bag. Great for the park. The workmanship and the colours are really stunning. Sienna is fascinated by all the colours and has spent a bit of time stroking the seams.

In other news the advent calender kit (also ordered off Etsy) is a complete disappointment. Cheap and nasty but it has given me some good ideas. Must say, I love buying off Etsy but so disappointing when it obviously isn't hand made.

Jinxing and diy

It turns out that I did jinx myself on the sleeping front.  Just days after I last posted miss s got a little cold and her sleeping habits got all crazy.  We're back to normal programming now and bed time has become less of a battlefield.

With a little sleep, my head has become a little clearer and I am looking forward to experiencing my first Christmas with my girl. Of course I've gone a bit nuts and am planning all sorts of things which are completely beyond my abilities.

We are going to do a few things that blend both mr k's and mine traditional family history but I also want to start something new, something that is uniquely us.

So I'm making an Advent calendar.

I'm not religious, did not have one when I was growing up, I don't sew but it appeals to me.  In working with teenagers and children, one of the things I have noted time and time again is the importance of family rituals. 

I found this kit on Etsy.  The colours appeal to me and I love that it is a kit - any help is good.   I think miss s will love pulling things out of the little pockets. I'd love to have a few more little traditions....any suggestions?