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I really wish I could get to update this blog more often. It just never seems to happen, despite good intentions. Since starting my part-time job (which I am loving by the way) it has been hard to find time for everything I want to do. Hanging out with the kids, sewing, housework, cooking, watching TV, reading (blogs and magazines are really stacking up) and of course, blogging.

I know, it’s boring and you’ve probably heard it all before. So what’s been happening lately in my world?

Here is Sam with his novelty half-beard on the morning of his birthday. He turned 16 last week and he was really happy with the jacket and hat we got him. I know he doesn’t look happy in the photo, but he’s a teenager so that’s just how it goes really.

And here is Jack (7) wearing big brother’s new jacket and hat. And crooked sunnies.

I recently picked up a big tin of interesting old buttons for $3.00. There are some really lovely buttons in this lot. I had a lot of fun sorting and looking through them all the other day. I want to make some more button jewellery soon.

I have been busy getting a big order together for a lady who is opening a shop up in Darwin. I only have a couple more things to complete and then I can send it out.

She wanted eight of the patch cushions and I only had four on hand so I made another four.

Look - another cushion!

Paul and I recently had a really great weekend away in Sydney - just us, no kids! We went up for the wedding of my dearest friends Yvette and Dan and it was such a great wedding. The reception was held in a five star hotel in Double Bay and there was no expense spared. I wish I had taken a photo of the huge and beautiful chandeliers that dotted the ceiling in the reception hall.

Such a lovely family and I have to say it - so glorious to be near so much old money. They are honeymooning in Paris for a month! Who does that? Seriously, the reception reminded us so much of My Big Fat Greek Wedding - not that they are Greek, but many of the invited guests were and there was much dancing. Yvette’s family is Asian and there were so many cousins and family friends and so much tradition and ceremony, and then there was Dan and his tiny little quiet New Zealand family. Gorgeous!

I better check with Yvette and Dan before I post their wedding photos online but here is Paul and me. Would you believe Paul is wearing my dad’s old dinner suit? They both wear it so rarely that they have decided to share it. Paul bought a new bowtie and lovely new cuff links though.

Isn’t it fun to dress up? There just isn’t the occasion for it these days. So if you’ve got it, flaunt it, I say! I love this dress so much. First of all, it’s red. Next it draws all the attention to my bust (and hopefully nobody will notice my round tummy) and finally - it was the first and only dress I tried on and I loved it. Superfast shopping. So quick and easy. Oh, and before you ask - I really didn’t have time to make a dress.

I did cover up a little for the church service though, thanks to a little bolero top.

I had wardrobe issues on the day though. I bought some of those stay up stockings that stay up with the use of elastic and lace and I spent the whole wedding ceremony hoping that my left stocking wasn’t about to end up around my ankle. I was glad my dress wasn’t too short as I could feel the stocking lolling about on my knee. Can you imagine how hard it is to fix this problem when you are in the middle of a church?

Back at the hotel room before the reception, I went to change into my emergency backup pantihose and when I opened the packet, I found that one of the legs had been sewn into the crotch seam and they were totally unusable. In the end, I just went with bare legs and by the end of the night, I was in excrutiating pain from my beautiful new shoes. We had a wonderful time though!

It’s the first of May!  I had to send a text message to my very best friend ever, Yvie to tell her:   “OMG!  You are getting married THIS month!”  I can’t wait to see her and Dan get married in Sydney in a few short weeks.  I’m sure it will be a lovely wedding and a great party afterwards.  Paul and I are having the kids minded and we’re going to stay at a posh hotel in Double Bay for the night.  Can’t wait!

Also happening in May - the lovely girls at the Sew, Mama, Sew! blog are doing a Women’s Clothing Month all through May.  I am very excited to say that I am keeping company with some inspiring women as I will be providing an article for them!   Mind you, I still have to write the article.   I have been percolating ideas in my head though so when I sit down to write it (maybe this weekend?) I will know where the article will be going.

It’s been three weeks now and I’m still really enjoying my new job and getting a lot out of it.  I have even done a crazy thing in the name of bonding -  I’ve signed up along with two of my workmates for one of those crack-of-dawn boot camp things!  Starting next week I will be getting up bright and early (or at least early) and being hounded and pounded for an hour from 6.15am, twice a week.  Am I crazy?  I think so.  I would still like to lose 10 kilos so this is a good way to keep motivated and do something a bit different.  Sharing it with two women from work will make it fun and we can all complain together.

It turns out that my boss is the star attraction at her gym - even appearing in their posters and giving motivational talks. She went from 150 kg (330 lbs) to 85 kg (187 lbs) in 12 months.  She is tall and so 85 kilos makes her very slim and trim.  A huge transformation and it should keep me on track with my weight loss goals - she even has one of the gym posters up at work with all the before, during and after shots.  I am always shocked at how much people’s faces change with all that extra weight.  I have been finding it hard to get to the gym since starting work so the boot camp is a good way to keep things going.  It’s just a pity I hate early mornings!

I’ve just watched Sam win on Biggest Loser and didn’t they all look AMAZING!  I was really hoping Allison would win and of course Kirsten too.  I like Kirsten but Allison was the won I wanted to win - since losing the weight and gaining confidence Allison had this wonderful child-like joy just shining out of her eyes.  By the way, I’m not saying I particularly agree with their idea of losing huge amounts of weight in just 3 months but it does make for a good show.  It’s the first year I have watched it and it was good to see the real results and of course,  The Journey.   

My first day at work today went really well. The people are really great and the workplace has a nice feel to it. Today was mostly about learning about how they do things, getting my head around all the processes and getting to know the systems they use.  I had a good day and it looks like it will be a good job for me.  My job title is Print Manager and I am responsible for tracking print jobs, liaising with clients about their requirements, basic design layouts and print-ready artwork and digital print production.  Yay!

For my lovely friend Jess, who asked what I wore to work today:

That’s the shirt I made last week along with a red knitwear vest that I picked up from the op shop recently.   In perfect condition and a great colour.  I also wore black stretch trousers and ankle boots with a heel.  I was comfy and happy with how I looked.

I don’t know about you, but I’m getting a bit tired of seeing my fake-smiling face staring out at me from this blog. I sure have sewn a lot lately though - and it did need modelling!

Yesterday was an eventful day! I had my last session ever of my Tuesday group before starting back at work (it’s been 8 years!) next week. It was a fun session and I received cake and cards and lovely hugs and good wishes. Then I had a phone call which sent me into a mild panic and meant that I had to rush out of there in a big hurry. My niece Rachel rang to say that she had just had a little car accident and could I please come and help her! She is fine (and so are the people in the other car) but unfortunately the car is a writeoff. Of course, this is the car that my sister was planning to sell to Rachel in a few months so not only does Rachel have to spend all the money she just earnt working through her uni break on the excess ($1750!) but now she doesn’t get the car either! We are all glad it wasn’t a lot worse though. A car is just a car.

The same day - I cut my finger open and it poured blood for about an hour before finally stopping (lots of pressure needed) and my mum locked herself out of the house. SO I think we were all distracted. Of course, regular readers might know why… my sister (Rachel’s mum) was having a baby that day too! All went well and baby Matilda and my sister Carolyn are doing well. Sorry, no photos of the gorgeous baby as they don’t want her photo up on the internet.

I’m still madly trying to get things done before I start my new job on Monday and today I finished sewing this shirt.  The pattern is New Look 6407.   Tick!  Another thing done.  I’m off to the hospital to visit the baby (and my sister) again now!