a day trip and some general natter

WOW! Where did July go?! 

 

As much as I love winters here, this winter sure has messed around with my asthma, as well as me getting a dose of flu...twice! 

We started a 3 day lock-down on Saturday, July 31st at 4pm which was extended to Sunday, August 8th at 4pm. We had 9 Covid cases in that last 24 hours of lock-down so numbers had decreased. Our mask mandate will probably remain in place until December. Some other restrictions will remain in place for 2 weeks. I think social distancing will become a normality until enough are vaccinated where it reduces the spread of Covid dramatically. 

I think they should consider quarantining Aussies returning from overseas for at least 3 to 4 weeks, instead of just 2 weeks. One guy was in quarantine for 2 weeks and was negative on all his Covid tests and then, a week after leaving quarantine, he tested positive causing it to spread into the community. Luckily, our state government acted quickly with restrictions and two lock-downs. Sadly, New South Wales isn't fairing too well because their Premier was slower to act. They are averaging between 250 and 270 new cases a day at the moment. They had 357 new cases on the 9th. I hope they manage to get on top of it.

Bradley (son) had his first Pfizer jab on Friday with only mild side effects - headache and a bout of nausea. Sore arm too but that is to be expected with it being an intramuscular jab. I had my first Astra-Zeneca jab on the 10th (yesterday). I'm nervous because, a very tiny percentage of people had some very nasty side effects such as life-threatening blood clots with the Astra-Zeneca. Cross fingers I don't have that happen but it's a risk I am willing to take for the greater good. If I caught Covid with having asthma, my chances wouldn't be good anyway. The Delta variant spreads like wildfire and is deadly.

My doctor said to get checked if I develop any symptoms after the 4th day. The peak period is 6 to 14 days but blood clots can develop even a month after Astra-Zeneca vaccination. Wish me luck.

 

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Anyway, just prior to the lock-down, we managed to get away for a much needed family day trip to Andrew Drynan Park. It's so lovely and peaceful out that way. It"s our new favourite spot. Aaron recently bought a new Mitsubishi Outlander SUV and he had attached an awning to the roof racks. It worked beautifully! The grass greens took on a bright yellow tone because the sun was full-on with barely a cloud in the sky. Very reflective.

 

A couple of galahs dropped by

Aaron's dogs - Violet and Scarlett

a family selfie

 

I love the textures of trees

We all had a beautiful day! On the way home, we passed a Paraglider Pilot holding up a sign asking for a lift into town. He had the glider packed up in a huge bag. We were upset that we couldn't help him because the car was already chockers with our gear and no available seat. Aaron said that Beau would stop for him and, sure enough, Beau did pick him up and dropped him into Beaudesert where he was meeting up with other Paraglider Pilots. Beau said they had a nice chat about Paragliding.

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I haven't been doing a lot of sketching lately but I have been keeping my hands busy knitting bed socks. No easy feat when I deal with daily arthritic pain in my hands. I can't even straighten my ring fingers...the middle knuckles are so swollen and very painful pretty much all the time. I hate the shooting pains.

 

Anyway, years ago, I would knit bed socks for the boys and Aaron said he wanted a pair for this winter. The bed sock pattern is very basic. They aren't pretty-looking but hey, they are bed socks.

Aaron modelling the socks. 

Violet and Scarlett adore him.

Nice shot of my Maseurs too. hehe

So that's the goss for now. 

I've been also watching some art classes online 

when I get the chance.

I hope you are all keeping safe and well.

Love, Light and Peace

Hooking again

I have been busy hooking again....

I crocheted a little white baby jacket for my soon-to-be Granddaughter! 

I made one for Mikayla (now 4) using the same pattern

and Maddy (now 2) also had her time of wearing it.

Michelle asked if I could make a new one 

for baby number three being that the other one 

was so well worn. 

I'm pleased with how it turned out....

This one was bittersweet for me to make.

There was definitely a lot of love crocheted into it 

but I sadly realised it was the last time 

I would be able to crochet with fine 3ply baby wool. 

My arthritic hands and carpal tunnel syndrome
 made it an extremely difficult and painful task 

to the point of tears at times. 

At first I was unsure if I'd be able to do it at all.

I attempted to use telekinesis numerous times 

on my uncooperative fingers...
willing them to move and hold the wool.

It didn't work so I poo-pooed that idea.

I just persevered as best I could 

but it was a very frustrating, slow, and painful process.

I can't tell you enough how relieved I was to finally finish it!

I was feeling quite depressed by my limitations due to arthritis
but I guess I can still knit with the 3 ply baby wool
because the knitting needles hold the work in place,
unlike with crochet.

Sorry, dear readers, for not posting more frequently.

I want to get there!

I WILL get there!

I did manage to finish the painting for Aaron's room this past week.

Stay tuned for a post on that very soon.

I'm back with some exciting news!

It's been a while 

but I'm hoping to be back on a more regular basis. 

I do miss my blog.

Firstly, I want to say THANKS
 for all the beautiful and supportive comments
on my previous post about my Dad's passing in April.
Your caring words have been a real comfort to me
at a very sad and emotional time.

I miss Dad like crazy but
the reality is that life goes on,
albeit with that missing piece.  
I like to think that I now have a special Angel
watching over me and my family.

*************************

I do have some exciting news!

Granddaughter No.3 is on the way!

She due at the end of September 

and I can hardly wait!!

I have started to crochet a blanket throw 

as I did for Mikayla and Madelyn.
These blankets fit a single bed
so time is of the essence with lots to do.

Michelle also wants me to crochet another white jacket for baby

so I'll be a VERY busy bee for the next few months.
 I'll be sure to show some progress pics here.


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And even more news....

The Mater 'Sing for Health' Choir 
which Bradley and I belong to
are practising each week for
an upcoming performance in June.

Who knew I would love choir so much?!
It is so much fun
and there is a wonderful sense
of belonging.
LOVE IT!


*************************

I will leave you with a pic
of the adorable Cody
who I swear would be able to sleep
in any position at all.
I love this little guy SO much!

Stay tuned for some sketch posts soon....

Day 4 of AEDM - Hooking again

No painting today.

No sketching today. 

I did some hooking instead....

Yes, crochet does fit into the creativity guidelines for AEDM. YAY!

I have made four of these gorgeous ripple blankets over the past three years. 

One for each of my two granddaughters

one for Aaron (#4 son) 

and one for my lounge room.

This lovely will probably end up in my lounge room too 

as you can never have too many blankets to snuggle under 

while watching TV or movies in winter. 

I started this blanket earlier this year

and there's still quite a bit to go. 

I like to make them big! 

I'm not even at the halfway mark yet 

but there's no rush with winter 

being another eight months away.

To check out posts by other AEDM members for Day 4, click HERE.

I'm a lucky girl!

This is the beach bag that Michelle and Alex bought for me 

a few years ago but, being that I rarely get to the beach, 

I find it perfect for holding my crochet projects. 

I love it because it's nice and spacious!

Well, a few weeks ago, I received a lovely gift by mail

from Tracy at Pranalight. 

The colours are so ME!!

 Here it is rolled out. 

Isn't it lovely?!!

It's a crochet hook holder/roll 

and I LOVE IT! 

It's beautifully sewn and just perfect!!

It could be used for pens or brushes too I guess but 

I was in dire need of a crochet hook holder because, up until now, 

I'd been using a small plastic bag to hold my crochet hooks.

How on Earth did Tracy know this was just what I needed?

My crochet hooks are now dressed in style and LOVIN' it! 

Thanks so much for such a lovely and thoughtful gift, Tracy.
It made my day!

By the way, Tracy creates such beautiful things, and
you can check out her online store HERE.

I am also the proud owner of one of her necklaces too which
I bought a couple of years back.

I've been quite busy this past week but will fill you in more in the next post.

~ Love, light and peace ~

A bit of this and a bit of that...

I was treated to a beautiful rainbow early Friday morning 

when I took the wheelie bin out for pick-up.

Another stretch of sky was clear 

and full of fluffy white clouds. 

Hard to believe they were taken at the same time.

I've started yet another ripple blanket. 

This one will be for me. 

I love to snuggle up under these blankets in winter.
All cosy and warm while watching TV or a movie.

And so does Cody. 

My ever faithful companion.

When I work at the computer, Cody snuggles up in his basket while, 

Jack snuggles up in his.

SO cute!!!

Back in 2001, my eyes seized up on me after spending a lot of time at the computer. They froze at a set distance and my brain just couldn't refocus for any other distance whether it was closer or further away. My eyes were under a lot of strain and pressure. After seeing a Behavioural Optometrist for the first time, I had to do regular eye exercises until my vision returned to normal. I was also given my first prescription for reading glasses.

Well, I think my eyes have seized up again because I'm experiencing all the same symptoms as last time.  The change happened over the course of 1 - 2 weeks. I get no relief at all unless I'm sleeping.  The strain is constantly there even when I'm wearing my reading glasses which I pretty much have to wear all the time now, even for distance.  They also help a little when watching TV which is all pretty weird considering they are supposed to be for close distances. I am booked in for March 1st to see my Behavioural Optometrist. I can't get in before then because she is only working Fridays due to caring for her ailing grandfather at the moment. Wish me luck.

I did manage a sketch of the new water filter I bought yesterday. Michelle has had one for ages and swears by it. I like the fact that, when you use the filtered water in electric jugs/kettles, they stay clean and don't build up any sediment. 

 NOTE - You may notice the font and font colour change on my blog, on and off, as I try to find one that isn't so hard on my eyes. Please bear with me.

To end this post, 

I just had to share this funny animal video with human voice-over. 

 ~ Love, light and peace ~

Day 29 - Blogtoberfest - Zigzags and bootees

It's been a sea of bootees around here this past week

as I've been busy knitting more for Michelle's second baby.

My second granddaughter could make her appearance in this world
any day even tho the official due date is November 10th.

Mikayla, Michelle's first child/daughter, arrived two weeks early.

One thing is for sure,
we are all very excited to meet our next family member!

And yes, there will be a pink pair which I started knitting today, in fact.
Michelle requested a lot of white bootees as they go with every outfit.

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My sketch for today is a part of my Zigzag Plant.

#29 of 75 pen/ink sketches

Pencil-free sketch in Moleskine A6 pocket sketchbook using
ZIG Millennium and Micron pens.

By the way, an hour after I applied the Aloe Vera gel
 which I bought and sketched yesterday,
there was a noticeable difference to the scar area.
The redness was reduced to a very pale pink.
I was RAPT!

Wishing you all a wonderful start to the week
and also sending my sincere thoughts and prayers to the people,
their pets, strays, and wildlife,
living on the US East Coast as they batten down the hatches
in preparation for Hurricane Sandy.


~ Love, light and peace ~

Sunday Snippets and sketches

I'm puppy-sitting for Michelle and Alex this long weekend.

Abbey is SO cute, don't you think?!

And here is my sweet Cody astride the couch arm
peering out the window.

I'm making progress on the blanket.

I LOVE toast with marmalade for brekkie.
I don't have it regularly but I spoiled myself a couple of mornings this week.

Delicious bananas and pears!

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I haven't had a lot of time to sketch lately as I'm putting most of my spare time into finishing the blanket for my granddaughter.  I also have oodles of baby bootees to do too.  Michelle came two weeks early with Mikayla so I'm panicking as Grandbaby No. 2 is due early November. 

So much still to do and time is fast running out!  

Anywhoo, these are a couple of sketches I did earlier in the month.

Pencil-free, on location, using either ballpoint pen or Faber-Castell Artists PITT pens

and a little watercolour in my pocket Moleskine sketch journal.

I added the watercolour later at home.

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Okay, I'm considering whether or not to sign up for BlogtoberFest.
It would mean blogging every day starting from tomorrow
for the month of October.
Am I crazy for considering this challenge?
Most likely!!

However, my line of thinking is this -

I usually participate in the November
Creative Every Day Month challenge each year and
I do have a personal sketch challenge on the horizon that both
these challenges could well serve.

Hmmmmmm.....
I'll sign up and see how I go....
No harm in trying, right?

Anyone care to join me??

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I hope you're all enjoying a lovely weekend.

We've had a bit of rain here with more expected.

~ Love, light and peace ~