what's coming up in August?

Guess what's coming up in August? Our Anniversary... on that date we will have been together for 18 years... considering we're now 32 and 34 years old I think that's not a bad effort! Still pondering what we could do to celebrate in our own way... a few ideas taking shape - small but special... something for 'just us' once the children are in bed. Share away if you have any thoughts :)

In this quest for Simplicity...

Many of us, or many people I spend time with, talk about simplifying their lives - in several ways. Of not getting caught up in the ever-escalating consumerism, of not becoming someone who has 'one of everything' or a million of something that they really don't need... of not always being so busy that there's never time to observe, reflect, and even just think - you know, feel the breeze on your face, the sun on your skin, the joy in watching things grow.

The thing is... many of us begin this quest already in the middle of a very un-simple life. Different it would be had we started off with this simple aim in mind, or began that way as children.

The way our towns and cities are set up - there's very little that's within walking or biking distance. Our main 'travel' every day is for school - yet that time is well worth it when I consider the schooling our children receive... for that schooling is nothing that mainstream schooling can offer. We really have to work hard to 'make' things come back within that walking or riding distance... it can be done of course, it's just a challenging beginning when you work out that most stuff you actually can't walk or ride to as you'd prefer (hence my wish for a Christiania bike - then all I'd need to drive for on a regular would be school).

The way our families are set up and spread out - there's a minimum travel distance to see any of them really. Which is not to say you want to live in each other's back pocket - certainly not - but the option of walking down the road to Nanna's would be nice... not just for us but for the kids.

The way our houses are set up - electricity/gas is required... having just put solar in, we're getting there and planning rainwater tanks soon - but there's still this endless list of 'bills' that come in that seemingly there's not much to do about them. We keep the internet because the library is a good drive, and not always convenient to our needs in terms of opening times (yet to find one that's open at 1.15am when I have a question about fruit trees)... we keep the internet in order to simplify our lives so we don't have to go to (drive to) the post office to queue up and pay the bills... we keep the internet to reduce spending on phones to speak with our loved ones who live a long way away... we keep the internet to send photos of events and happenings and really, to make connections with people who we otherwise wouldn't meet - because of how 'our' societies are so spread out - Eilleens consumption blog for example... I'd never have 'met' her nor anyone on Nappycino - who some are now in-real-life friends, and who I've learnt so much from and provide me with answers on living simply, or healthier, or making my own things... We keep the net to order products that simply aren't available locally due to ... well whatever - organic toys, bamboo fabrics and the like.

So I guess we just simplfy as much as we can... grow our f&v, support the local f&v when we can't grow our own, maybe chooks and definately solar and rainwater and keep an eye on our consumption and consumerism, be watchful in what our children are exposed to and 'pay the cost' of daily travel to ensure a whole education for them, not just an academic one... and ultimately aim for our dream of a services-self sufficient block, where the neighbours are a few minutes walk away and perhaps people we know who share similar aims... so that we can work smarter not harder to make it possible for each of our families. Ya think?

Arrived at our house...

Well yesterday the most amazing parcel arrived! I did a swap with a Lovely Lady and my part of the swap arrived... I said to the kids (we had an extra at our place at the time)... do we have afternoon tea first, or open the parcel first? Which was met with a chorus of 'open the parcel, open the parcel!' lol So first were the fabrics which were exactly the ones, thankyou and patterns, looking forward to getting sewing and thankyou for keeping aside the little bunnies and carrots fabric... so I have to share pics because the time and care that's gone into them is just too lovely...

And to the individual things for all the children, all hand made just for them... well Jake was just rapt and has been drawing in his book ever since, it's the first thing he found when he got up this morning and will be the first thing he does when he walks in the door this afternoon. The pic is to the right, it closes on itself like a book and does up with ribbon on the side and the print is awesome!

Brooke was also rapt with hers and thinks you're very clever - once she gets good at finding everything she said she'll set the timer and see how quick she can find it all - oh and she said you must know her well lol because she loves colours! It's a little 'Eye-Spy' bag with an attached list of things to 'find' in amongst the clear beads that you can see through the 'window' - very clever!

Zeke's - it took me until I read 'read me last' letter to figure out it was a take-anywhere roll up blackboard! he was stoked lol - again, it's something he's been right there with and everyone thinks it's very cool - will be great for travelling (all of them will be). Rolls up with a ribbon tie & the print is very cute - he loves snails and bugs and things. As you can see all children who were over yesterday were just busting to 'help' him have a turn ;)







Brenna's - well it's just beautiful - we'll find somewhere for the Angel to hang each year and the little hankie with the 'B', the flowers and the carrots... so much time and care in it especially the tiny tiny crotcheted edging and miniature stitching... so beautifully done... thankyou... xo

& for the new Bub - can I really put a bum in those!? ;) Two embroidered lush prefolds - they're beautifully done and I love the little duckling bobbing under the water ;) The bunnies are too cute and so many tiny little stitches... very much looking forward to putting these on the little bum towards the end of January...
You chose so perfectly for each child and it's more than I ever expected in what I thought would be a simple parcel for me of material and patterns... Thankyou again ... I know it must have taken a LOT of time and effort and I know you're flat out... I feel very lucky... we all do.
THANKYOU...

Oh the bliss!

Saturday 9th of August

Oh the just quiet JOY to feel this little Baby moving and doing what Little People inside do!
*grin* this is approximately where our baby is at today, 15 weeks today... a pic and description of what s/he is getting up to in there while growing strong... that's all from me for now, off to grin some more and get a few things done before bed. xo

PS and Happy Anniversary to us for yesterday - 16 years since the day we met! *wink*