Hamilton wishes...

Yesterday when I posted I was in Hamilton, blogging friend Cam (aka Curly Pops) commented that this was the area where she grew up. She made a few local recommendations, and today I found the wishing well in the Botanic Gardens.

The plaque read '1 wish to remember former Hamiltonians'.

It seemed the natural thing then, to make my wish for Cam.
So Ms Curly Pops, this one's for you.
May 2012 be your year.
I have everything crossed for you. X

I can't lie, but maybe I can tweak the truth just a little...

I can't lie. There's just no point, because basically even if I try, it's written boldly across my face. So here it is. I am about to cheat. Yes CHEAT.

Fact is, I have failed in my New Years Resolution to post a blog every day.

And so, on this Sunday night, currently not having posted since Wednesday, I'm going to post them all now, tweak the dates and fill the gaps to reinstate my status as daily blogger, even though technically it isn't really true. And I could say I've been busy, and I could make all sorts of excuses, but what's the point.

Let me prove it to you instead...

January Roundup...

Do you believe it's the last day of January? Already? Me neither. The summer is two thirds of the way through and Christmas seems like it was weeks ago.

It can't be possible, surely? And yet, it has been busy...


As I said in the first days of January, I have big plans for 2012. Some of them have had a good start, a couple have already fallen by the wayside.

So far I have managed to blog every day. Though, I will admit, I did cheat a little bit over the weekend. It was Sunday morning when I remembered I hadn't posted the day before, so I quickly did a post and post dated it to Saturday. Hmmmm... not quite what I had in mind, but at least I managed to have a post uploaded for every day this month. That's a first. And I am determined to keep it up.

The daily diary was the first casualty. And I am disappointed with myself on that one. I started well, but I missed a couple of days and it wasn't long before the rot set in. It is something I really love but for me I wanted it to be an artistic outlet and I had all these grand ideas as to how it would be filled. Unfortunately, if I want to fulfill this plan every day, it's just not maintainable, and it takes too much time. It's a bit of a copout I guess but that is the reality. As I said earlier, it's going to be a big year, and I will be doing a lot of journalling but I have decided it will not be in the form of a daily diary as such. Journaling yes, Dear Diary, no.

Apart from that little glitch, January has still been a big month and a busy start to the year. Despite taking no additional time off work, I have been lucky enough to catch up with friends, enjoy some great weather, relaxed on the beach and had a few swims in the sea. I have been kayaking on the Yarra River and have done a 4 hour photography course in St Kilda. And last, but certainly NOT least, today I activated my RSVP profile in a return to internet dating. I know - crazy huh?

See, it's all go go go here.

How is the beginning of 2012 going for you?

Closed for business? No way!

I'm not closed for business... quite the opposite. I know it's been over a month since I last posted and there is lots to catch up on, so let me at least begin.

The new job is not so new any more. And whilst there's been a lot to learn and it's taken me a while to settle in, the feedback has been good. I'm doin ok. Mostly. Unfortunately (whilst I think I am doing a good job) I am not enjoying the work particularly. Try as I might, I cannot be inspired. At best it is tedious. At worst, mind numbing, frustrating, uninspiring. It is not my dream-job for sure. 

BUT. 

The great thing about my new job, is it's closer to home, and I am now working 7.30am - 3.30pm, which I love love love. The combination of the hours and the location, means that if I head straight home, I arrive home TWO hours earlier than I used to from my old job. Yes, TWO entire hours! 

And THAT is the clincher. THAT is the payoff. THAT is what keeps me getting up and going to work each day (at least for now). And in the absence of enthusiasm for my work, I have been using my 'bonus' hours to redress the work/life balance somewhat.

So with all this additional free time, why haven't I been blogging? Dropping by and leaving comments? Why have I been so silent?

Well... I have been trying to use this time constructively to do more (other stuff) that I want to do... more writing... more art... more creating... 

I have started writing my book. I have chatted with a few select people about it to get some constructive feedback. I have been journalling. I have been doing a bit of painting. And drawing. I even picked up, tuned and strummed my guitar last week. I have been out on my bike. I have been making the most of the gorgeous autumnal sunshine and sitting in the park with a favourite magazine. I have been watching TED video's and being inspired. Listening to podcasts and audio books while I 'work'. I have been to the movies. And I have done a bit of a clear out. I have walked on the beach.

And whilst I need to do more of the above (and certainly more blogging), at least I am doing SOMETHING.

So no, I am not closed for business... quite the opposite.

Happy Birthday One Little Acorn...

Hey!
It's my bloggy birthday today!

I am 4 years old!

Yes, FOUR!

Four years ago today I published my very first post! Since then I have published 442 more (this being my 444th).

It's a nice round number isn't it, 444? For 4 years!

For many bloggers, I'm guessing that's not much, but I'm ok with that. Sure, I would like to blog more, but life is busy. Besides, that's 111 posts each year of blogging, which is 2 posts a week on average. That's not bad. Not bad at all.

Happy Birthday OLA!

So many posts, so little time...

It's amazing the amount of blog posts I write in my head that I never publish. I have good intentions.

I intend to write them, and I intend to publish them, and... and... 

oh whatever, enough of the excuses. 

This week I am going to post EVERY day.

Being a tourist is exhausting... I think I need a holiday!

Well, the bags are all packed up and tomorrow we leave New York City and head home. Which is maybe a good thing, because after the last 10 frantic days in NYC, we both feel like we are in need of a holiday!

I dread the flight, and I hate to say goodbye to the USA and summer, but my glorious vacation is coming to a close. I had intended to post more, but I haven't done too badly, though I do have some catching up to do when I get home. It will be soooo much easier to post when I am back at at my (apple) computer and from the comforts of home...

So stay tuned there is more to come.

Such blog posts as...
Catching up with long lost friends in Canada...
and the USA...
The BEST french toast ever...
Saga of the journey to Detroit Airport...
Why to avoid greyhound bus trips...
I thought we were speaking the same language, what is it that you do not understand?
Tales of hanging out with a blogging friend in NYC...
Taste Test USA # 4...
Seeing the signs...
Advertising magic, USA style...

and even more of pics and stories about DC, NYC, Boston and other magical places, and maybe even travel tips, warnings and recommendations in case you are planning a trip...

Sew it Together... a lovely crafty gathering

Well, it's Monday night and I have promised myself a computer free night, but before the week disappears, I just want to tell you a bit about my weekend. A weekend where I got to hang out with over 60 amazing crafty lovely ladies, all connected by the world of craft, sewing and creativity and everyone of them bloggers.

First up. It was busy. It started straight after work on Friday when about 30 of us met at Nikki's studio to meet and greet and enjoy a few nibblies with one or two drinks... and really I didn't stop until I hit the sack on Sunday night. 

Today at work, when asked what I did on the weekend, I could happily say that I caught up with friends. Now, understand that I had not actually met most of the people I spent time with on the weekend, but   (being lovely bloggy readers) you will understand that having spent most of the weekend with creative bloggy people was heaps of fun. And that whilst I had never met the majority of these people before, I already counted them amongst my friends

Across Friday night and the Sew it Together day on Saturday, there was much squealing, smiling, hugging and laughter as people met one another (more often than not for the first time) and as people put faces to blogs and made connections with people they had met and got to know only through their blogs. Throw in lots of crafty inspiration, sewing, good food and sharing of tips and tricks, and it was always going to get noisy and be lots of fun.

What a treat to spend time with such lovely women and make connections that had begun on the internet! And make lots of new friends too.

Sheridan and Susie (and others) made the trip from QLD. Trash came along all the way from the UK (well she was here visiting family but what great timing... and it was so nice to meet her and sit next to her on Saturday while we all sewed and knitted up a storm together)!  

I was lucky to hang out for most of the day with these lovely ladies... Deborah, Rachelle, Jan, Lizzie, and Jodie travelled all the way from Ballarat! Imagine! Crazy hey!

I also got to spend time with Holly, and Cathie and Sandra and Nikki, and I met the lovely Karen and Juddie and Ellen.

There were lovely prizes, swaps and even the paparazzi were there!

If you were there and I haven't mentioned you (sorry - there were so many new faces and names to remember), please make sure you say hi and I will come and visit you!

Sheridan, you did an amazing job organising it all. Thanks for all your hard work, it was a fantastic couple of days.

And then, as if I hadn't had enough excitement for one day, I spent Saturday night making kiddie cocktails for one gorgeous 11 year old and her friend!

Happy Birthday Violet!

Stitches & Craft loveliness

Last Friday, I took the day off work and headed to the Stitches and Craft show. It's always a treat to take a Friday off work, but to be spending time doing crafty workshops and meeting lovely crafty people and bloggers is hard to beat.


And then, as if Friday wasn't enough, I also went on Saturday too to catch up with more crafty goodness.

I created a sock owl, in Claire's workshop. Go take a look at her blog and say hi at Craft Schmaft. She is gorgeous and the workshop was lots of fun, she was so patient and looked after us all (even when I took the LONGEST TIME EVER to decide what colour sock to choose. The owls were all so different and so so cute.

Then, how could I possibly go to the Stitches and Craft Show and not do a workshop with Sandra from Pepperberry. I actually met Sandra last year at the same show at Flemington, where we found ourselves in a few of the same classes. She is AMAZING and I love her creations! And she has done such incredible things in the last year. Truly, I don't know how she does it all.

She has such an incredible energy and is obviously loving what she is doing, it's impossible not to be inspired.

I also caught up with other faves Nikki, Michelle, Cathy, Jodie, Bec, and met lots of lovely new blogging friends too... Caitlin from pippijoe, Holly from two cheese please, Jacqueline from Zippyzippy in Horsham, Gillian from Silly Gilly fame, and Kim from Emiti Crafts (she is new to blogging, so make sure you drop by and say hello).

I know I met lots of other crafters and bloggers too, so I am sorry if I have forgotten to mention you here, but it was lovely to meet you all and thanks for dropping by and saying hello to me. Leave me a comment and I will come and visit.

And, as it is Friday already, I am excited to say I will be meeting lots of these lovely people again, and lots of other crafty bloggers too, as we all head to Sew it Together, tonight at Nikki's studio, and then all day tomorrow in the city. Hopefully I'll see you there.

Yay!

Remembering Renee

My friend Renee died today.

In 2008 when I was grieving the loss of my brother, I was contacted by Renee via my blog and she became a friend from the very beginning. She had stage 4 inflammatory breast cancer and her blog Circling My Head told her story. With almost daily posts, she spoke of her family, her loves, her despair, her joys and her laughter. She shared openly about her condition and her life as she dealt with it's daily challenges.

She offered me hope, understanding and insight, and she offered me her love with an open heart. Although we have never met 'in the flesh' she has been an incredible friend and I will miss her as part of my life. I share the heartbreak of her family and friends. Family and friends who adore her and fellow bloggers who she has also touched.

She reached out to so many people via her posts and replied to every comment that was left on her blog. And there were many many comments. In her battle she has changed many people's lives by welcoming them into hers. We shared long emails and exchanged cards in the post (as I know she did with many others). I don't know where she found the energy, but she was always full of surprises.

During the time I have known her, Renee has had more than her share of grief. She has lost friends from her support group, her father, her nephew died of cancer, and just over a month ago, her dear mother also died from cancer. One of her sisters is also facing a similar battle. Sadly Renee has now lost her battle too. Though she will not be forgotten.

I am so so sad she is gone, though I am relieved the pain she suffered in her final weeks is now over.
Thank you Renee for everything.
Thank you for your light and joy.
All my love to you.
Cinta
xxx

The following words are from Renee's blog, that she posted in January of 2009.

"I must comfort myself with what I have always comforted myself with ‘words.’ Thank you Francis Bacon for these:

Begin
doing what
you want to do now.
We are not living in eternity.
We have only this moment, sparkling
like a star in our hand –
and melting like a
snowflake.

I remind myself that partly cloudy is partly sunny and that here on this earth right now I have been given the opportunity to live with angels. This life here and now is good and the people I am able to share my life with are good. I have to believe that this time here will not be all there is because my soul will never be full of them. My soul will yearn for them always."
Renee
Jan 26th, 2009.

*The picture above is by the beautiful friend of Renee and artist Julie-Ann Bowden of Heavenleigh Art.

Abbotsford Convent Sunday Markets in the sun...

Under the sunny skies on Sunday, I met with Nikki and wandered the creative hub that is Abbotsford Convent. The skirt and shirt makers market, the gallery and a makers market were all sharing the space and we wandered quite happily, chatting along the way and enjoying the Sunday atmosphere.

We recruited a few more bloggers (we should be on a commission) and met some lovely crafters and artists. What a perfect way to spend a few hours immersed in all this creativity.

I even took photos to share and link to... And then (tonight) disaster. Whilst I did a clear out of my SD Card, I managed to corrupt my card and lose everything... BEFORE I downloaded the new pics! Not happy about that at all...

And so, in the absence of images, please go and have a look at the websites I link to below... there are some amazing and inspiring artists out there (think I might have to go back to take some more pics next time).

Thanks Nikki for your lovely company. Call me anytime you want to go again!

Nikki (my lovely wandering and blog recruiting companion)
Elise Hurst (I just love her illustrations)
Jan Bell (soft sculptor - hopefully she has a blog up and running soon!)
Shoko Mafune (I love her ceramics and especially her hug bell) and she does classes too!
Wendy June (Such magical drawings)

And because I don't have any images from Sunday at the convent, I have posted a pic I took a few years ago at Mt Macedon.

Happy Blogiversary One Little Acorn...

Today is my blogiversary.
3 years since I started as One Little Acorn.
Wow!

It's amazing to me that I have been doing this for 3 years. When I look back over that time a lot of water has passed under the bridge as they say.

I have created and studied and laughed and cried and celebrated and grieved. Made some mistakes, had some victories. And through it all, I have been lucky enough to share the trip with many amazing people. Fellow bloggers with crazy dreams, incredible stories and beautiful writing and art. Sadness and joy has been shared with people I will never meet in 'real life'. Hearts have broken, family and friends lost, babies born, doors have closed and others opened.

And so, I thank you for dropping by. For supporting and cheering me on along the way. Because, whilst a blog is 'only' an online diary and some would ask why bother, it is ultimately a voice out into the world. And sometimes people answer back. Connections are made, friendships grow. And the world seems a little smaller. And that is the biggest joy of all.

For Brandy... a little bit of magic...

Brandy has been a favourite blogger ever since I started blogging a few years ago. I love her wit and honesty and in particular the way she writes with passion (whatever the subject).

A few days ago I dropped by her blog and was sad to see that she was on an indefinite blogging break. This morning (through another fave) I found out why.

Today Brandy is sending out a plea and I am doing my little bit in the hope that it helps...

—————-

My name is brandy. And I have a blog.

And a plea.

I use my blog to showcase the crazy I meet everyday, share the stories of the kids I teach and document my love for tequila, dairy products and the abdominal muscles of Ryan Reynolds. Rarely do I talk about personal issues on my blog- as personal as the dude that I adore (who I actually met through my blog- single ladies, let that be a very good reason to blog, the possibility of meeting someone as wonderful as my man), but I need your help. And it involves my dude.

He’s a guy who made math comics for my class, so they would love learning about addition. He’s the kinda guy who sends my friends gift cards when they are having hard times, who remembers every story I ever told him, who was the first person I celebrated with when I got a teaching job. He’s the guy who sent flowers to me at school- dozens of my favourite pink roses just because he loves me. He’s a guy who has spent a year patiently explaining (and re-explaining) everything there is to know about football during the important games when silence is preferred. He’s made me word puzzles and comics and stayed up late playing Scrabble with me (even though I beat him almost every time). He’s listened to me cry about school and family and jobs. He is everything I never knew I needed and everything I always knew I wanted.

The holidays have hit us hard. He’s recently been told he may have something called multiple myeloma- an incurable cancer, that gives a person an average of five years of continued life. Though this news has came as a shock, he continues to be exactly who has always been- spending his time worrying about me, rather than worrying about himself. He’s the most selfless individual I know- (he stayed late on Christmas Eve to work, so his co-workers could leave early) and a post like this would never be something that he would promote or encourage but when I’m overwhelmed and feeling helpless, the blogging community has always given me tremendous support and comfort, two things I desperately need at this time.

As I write this, the future is uncertain and we aren’t sure what’s happening. He’ll need to see an oncologist soon, to verify what’s going on in his body. My hope is that everyone who reads this think positive thoughts and if you are a person who prays, could you add him to your list? (You can refer to him as ‘brandy’s hot awesome dude’). If you don’t pray, please keep him in your heart.This cancer is only a possibility and I believe that the prayers and positive thoughts of people can make sure it never becomes a reality.

I want to give a big thank you to the blog owner who scraped their original blog plans and graciously put this up. My goal is to get as many people as possible to see and read this post. If you are reading this and want to help, copy and paste my plea into your blog or send a link through twitter, so more people can keep him in their thoughts. I would be so very grateful (even more grateful than I am to my friend who first showed me the picture of Ryan Reynolds on the cover of Entertainment Weekly. If you haven’t seen it, google it. You. Are. Welcome).

I realize this all sounds dramatic, a Lifetime movie in the making- but this is life. Right now. And I’m throwing away any hint of ego and am humbly asking for you to pray or think kind thoughts. If you are able to pass this on, thank you and if you know anything regarding MM- please email me (my email is on my blog). This isn’t a call for sympathy or a plea for pity. It’s just one girl hoping you can think positive thoughts for the person she adores. If my current heartache provides you with anything, let it be with the reminder that life is short, love is unbending and no one knows what could happen next. Maybe it is silly, but I really do believe that positive thoughts can make a huge difference. Thank you for reading this and if you haven’t already? Please tell someone you love them today.

I did.

The Nautilus house...

As it turns out, the shell house is actually called The Nautilus House and was built in Mexico. It is not the home of Sachin Tandulkar at all, but a lucky family living in Mexico City.

The Nautilus Shell House was build for a couple by Senosiain Arquitectos and was is put together using a frame of steel-reinforced chicken wire with a concrete spread over it, resulting in an earthquake proof structure.

Thanks to blogging friend Lilliboo for the heads up and the link, and the team at Stylefrizz for their article. Go and visit if you want to go take a better look.

People we can’t live without but have to let go...

In the last few months I have been thinking a lot about my blogging friend Renee and her family. I met Renee last year when my brother had cancer and she has been an incredible friend ever since. She has stage 4 Inflammatory Breast Cancer (IBC) which she writes about openly and honestly on her blog.

She is incredible, as is her family who have been by her side every step of the way in her fight against her cancer. In more recent months, three other members of her family have been struck by illness and she has found herself as the carer also. Her sister Jacquie is currently in hospital being treated for cancer, her mother has been in hospital (thankfully now home).

But saddest of all (if one can measure levels of sadness, Renee would also agree) is Renee's nephew Sheldon. He was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive cancer a few months ago. I was sad to read on her blog that he died on Friday. He was only 25 years old. His family are understandably devestated.

She posted this quote on her blog a few days ago and it has been in my thoughts ever since. Lots of love to you and your family Renee. I am so so sorry for your loss.

"There are things that we don’t want to happen but have to accept, things we don’t want to know but have to learn, and people we can’t live without but have to let go."
Anon.

And the Awe-summm award goes to...

Me! Yes me!
I've been given and Awe-summm award from the lovely Lilli at Lilli Boo And what a lovely surprise, on a day that has (I'm sorry to say) been less than fabulous.

I have been asked to join in and list 7 things that make me Awe-Summm and then pass the award on to 7 bloggers I love. Saying what makes me awe-summm, is not something I feel especially comfortable with... but I have searched and thought and here is my list.

My list of Awe-Summm'ness:

1. I am a hard worker and live an honest life.
2. I defend people if I think they are being treated unfairly, and I try to treat everyone equally.
3. I love my family and I am happy to count them amongst my best friends.
4. I love to live creatively and try new things.
5. I was so terrified of spiders that I was letting my fear control my life, so I did an arachnophobia course. I held several huntsmen and a taranntula in my bare hands and now I find spiders fascinating as opposed to fearful.
6. I like to push myself out of the comfort zone and encourage others to challenge themselves too.
7. I remind myself every day how lucky I am to be surrounded by such incredible people and beauty in my life.

It was a tough decision to select just seven awesome blogs, but I know you will all spread the love even further. So, I now award the following for their awe-summmness.... I think they deserve it:

1. Hurrah!
2. Flossy-p
3. Pepperberry
4. Luhlahh
5. Circling my head
6. Adventures of Netgirl (I am missing her blogging and hope this gets her posting again!)
7. Everyday Calm


Below are the rules and guidelines to the Awe-summm award:

* List 7 things that make you Awe-Summm and then pass the award on to 7 bloggers you love.

* Make sure to tag your recipients and let them know they have won!

* And finally link back to the blogger that tagged you.

6/6... come tag along if you like...

I was recently tagged by the lovely Lilli Boo. It's a 6/6 game...Where you chose the 6th photo in your 6th folder and write about it!

The 6th image in my 6th folder is this curious cow in BellingenI took this picture is Belingen in January 2007. I had been attending Camp Creative doing a one week writing course, and was on my way out of town homeward bound.

I stopped at a local gallery on the outskirts of town and was watched as I got out of my car by this curious cow. I managed to capture the moment on my camera, and not a moment too soon as the cow soon decided there were more interesting things to observe other than me.

For the curious... Camp Creative is a yearly event that fills Bellingen to bursting point. Over 1000 participants descend on the small NSW town and it buzzes for the entire week. I stayed at the local YHA which was pretty basic, but welcoming and relaxed.

Courses run for one week and range from creative writing, painting, cooking and mosaic through to circus skills and learning to play a clarinet in a week! It caters for all ages - there are lots of kids and heaps of oldies... and many in between. I had a great time and if you are interested, it's definitely worth a look.

Bryce Courtenay, David Helfgott (Subject of the movie SHINE) & David's wife Gillian are Patrons. David performed on 2 occasions the year I was there. There is also entertainment throughout the town most nights and a pretty funky market on Saturday mornings. No wonder the subject of my pic looked so peaceful!

How twins are conceived...

I know I haven't been posting much recently. Though I am managing to share just a few funny pics that I thought you might enjoy.

I'm still here. I hope you are too.

Word Verification Interpretation...

Is it just me, or does anyone else have issues with word verification?

I have a ridiculous amount of trouble with word verification when posting comments on blogs. It is not unusual for me to have to try a few of times before I finally get it right. I have even lost comments when I screwed up too many times! (By the way, if my comment on your blog lacks wit, the first one was better!)

Maybe it is my eyesight. Maybe it is my typing (a high possibility). Maybe it is because some of the letters just seem to blend into one another. Whatever it is, I really don't know. I just know there are days when I struggle to get it right.

BUT. Something has changed.

Has anyone else noticed that lately they have become easier?

Some almost read like real words.

And mostly I have managed to get them first time. Ha!

Oh and some are just a little bit funny.
I just had to add this one... a giggle for all the 9 year old boys who drop by my blog!

And finally. Do you believe I have just created an entire post on this subject?
Good grief.

This is the winner...

Congratulations to Melbourne based jeweler Kate from The Monday Project who is the lucky winner of my first blog giveaway. I will be dropping by tonight to give her the good news. Drop by and say hi too. Kate and Sophie (Sydney based writer) set a new monthly project on the first Monday of every month and they invite everyone to take part. Hey guys - that's tomorrow! Go for it! I'll see you there!

It seems we all love the art of blogging.
Sharing of ideas, support, inspiration and a sense of community were all sentiments that were repeated in all of your comments. And I can't agree more. It is a creative outlet that continues to motivate and inspire me and colour my life. So thanks to you, for all your blogging goodness and for all your lovely comments too.