Beam me up, Kitty

rug by door + sunbeam = sleepy kitty

Stress relief comes in balls of yarn

Last night I went to my daughter's school's P&C meeting. After resigning as the Fundraising and Functions Co-ordinator last year I had resolved not to go to these meetings, at least for a while, so that the new co-ordinator could do her thing without me seeming to peer over her shoulder. Last night, however, I broke this resolution to go along and support a change to the school council constitution.

Mistake. Big Mistake.

What a shamozzle.

What was a simple change that made sense to me on face value turned out to be mightily controversial for no good reason and resulted in factional infighting not seen in a Labor caucus. And I hadn't realised there were factions. Silly me thought we were all there with the common goal of ensuring our children had access to the best facilities we could muster.

All I could do was sit there, for two hours, while the shambles unravelled. One of the new Kindy parents walked out. Don't blame him. I only stayed because I wanted to hear the Principal's report and what was happening in the subcommittees.

So, when I got home I was in need of some stress relief. Luckily I had decided to pick up the knitting and crochet implements a week ago and had some projects to still my mind.

Here is a scarf I knitted with the Noro Geisha ribbon yarn I was given as a New Year gift. I used a simple open knit I found in my 400 Knitting Stitches book (recommended by Stacey last year). I'm really pleased with the way it's turned out. Being a ribbon it is a trans-seasonal decorative scarf rather than one for warmth.

And above is my practice run for Mum's birthday present. Mum's birthday was on Tuesday and, not knowing what to get her, I asked her what she might like me to make. Mum said she'd like a knee rug and as a crocheted ripple blanket was on my list of 'to do' things this year that is what she will get. I've ordered yarn in lovely soft colours (exact details a secret) from Bendigo Woollen Mills but while waiting for the package to arrive I decided to do a test run using up left over balls of yarn in my stash.

I'm not sure what will happen with this practise run. It might be a small blanket for the kids, or perhaps a giveaway. I'll let you know.

It's Saturday, It's raining and it's time for a little nitpicking

You know, I like to give the local greengrocer and butcher a little slack when it comes to errant apostrophes because sometimes it all gets a little confusing. The occasional "apple's" or "sausage's" is not going to kill me.

However, I do think the professionals should be held to account.

I found this lovely example in a well-known national renovation magazine. I just couldn't bring myself to engage this firm to build my laundry. If they confuse their plurals perhaps they'll confuse my request for lino instead of vinyl flooring.

And this little beauty came home from Blossom's school. It's the front cover of her homework book. I'd say whoever printed this didn't do enough homework themselves.

In other news...

• I am exhausted from the new school routine. Blossom has to be at school by 8am four days per week due to her before school commitments (pilates, dance, band) and PL is at school soon after that. Leaving the house by 7.45am each morning with kids dressed, lunches packed and multiple activities catered for is all too much for this little bear. zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
  
• PL gets homework. Now you KNOW how I hate homework. This combined with his school support-related exercises each night is causing me apoplexy at the other end of the day. zzzzzzzzzzzzz
  
• I think I need a midday Nana nap.
  
• I would have a midday Nana nap if I wasn't trying my damnedest to get a part-time job.
  
• I am certifiably crazy. Nothing surer.
  
• I know how early and late many of you work. How on earth do you do it? Pass on your secrets, please.
  

Oh, and I've been told I need to get a slow cooker. Is that the secret to easier night-time meals?

I think I just need a cook.

Sick to my gut

Click here to donate to the bushfire appeal.

I can't read or listen to the news anymore. I don't want to read anymore survival stories. I can't bear to read about the children. It's just too hard.

I spoke with a former work colleague this morning. She is the HR manager of a large firm in Sydney who have employees at sites all over Victoria. Four of their employees have lost everything in the bushfires and those employees have lost parents, friends, neighbours.

Since Sunday she and her team have been organising temporary accommodation, groceries, clothes, money and counselling. They have told people not to come to work but they want to because they have nothing to go home to.

One employee took his family for a swim that morning and left behind his wallet, his keys, everything. He has no form of printed identification anymore.

We talked about those people who had small businesses in the bushfire affected areas. The strawberry growers, the farmers, the cafe owners the local fruit shop. They have not only lost their homes but also their livelihoods. They don't have a big company to provide them with accommodation or emergency money. They have no means of support after all this has died down. Devastating at any time and totally tragic during a global financial crisis.

They rely on us giving to the agencies that can help them the best.

We have given to the Red Cross. Give to the agency that you feel will best provide assistance in this disaster. And pray for rain and cooler temperatures.

Tonight we celebrated...

A week in which

1. Padawan Learner made some new friends at his new school. It is hard to join a class with long-established friendships. He agreed at the beginning of this week that he would face his fears about finding new people to play with, and he did.

2. Blossom auditioned for, and got a place in, the school Concert band. We are proud of her - not because she got into the Concert band, even though that is great news, but because she was so determined to get in that she practised her Clarinet all through the holidays without once being asked.

The Name Game and a question about Four Wheel Drives.

So, it's the sixth day PL has been at his new school and yesterday the class lists came home. In his year there are

Five boys called Max

Four boys called James

Three Bens

Three Daniels

But NO Jacks (how did that happen?)

No other boys with PL's name, but I'm venturing that there are no other boys in.the.school with his name. Oh yeah.

But even more interestingly than the super-popular names is that there are a couple of golden-0ldies. There is one boy called Tony, one called John (with an 'h') and one called Graham.

I have been wondering for a while when some of these names from the 50s - 70s will start re-appearing. Has anyone got a Steven, Jason or Brian in the primary school?

On an unrelated, but still school, matter Blossom exclaimed at morning drop-off:

Look, every single mum is blonde, wears large sunglasses and drives a big four wheel drive. What is with that?

Um, well honey, that's just the look around here. Be rest assured your mum will still turn up in the unwashed station-wagon with just-washed and still-wet hair. I'm just too old and tired to care.

Queenscliff and Manly, 11am

We cycled to Manly again today.

The beach looked so inviting, I wish we'd worn bathers/swimmers (or whatever you call them in your part of the world).

We arrived as Nippers was finishing up for the morning,

... as people were thronging to the beach,

... and just as the Cole Classic started at Manly beach.

The south end of Manly was closed due to dangerous conditions this morning so the Cole Classic had to start and finish from Shelly beach a short walk away. All other beach goers seemed to simply ignore the 'beach closed' signs.