A Little Bit Sad, A Little Bit Industrious!!

Hello, Hello! Sorry to be absent for a couple of weeks. A few things happening in the background here at the Meares' Madhouse that have just thrown me off my plans and timetables ... you know ... LIFE!! :0)

The first hiccup was something a little sad. My Beloved Geek Boy lost one of his lovely Aunts to cancer last week. She was a true Aussie battler ... this was the third time cancer had made a grab for her and sadly, it got a fatal hold this time. Her passing wasn't unexpected, as she has been unresponsive for some weeks, so in some ways last Thursday's news of her passing was a relief to her wonderful, caring family who had been looking after her at home on her beloved hillside property.

GB and I spent quite a bit of time with his Aunty Annette and Uncle Don over the last few years, as GB and Annette were the self-appointed family tree researchers. Their efforts and results were shared with lots of the extended family members two years ago when there was a family reunion gathering at Mackay ... something Annette had dreamed of and we're so pleased she was able to enjoy, having so many family members together to celebrate the family's history.

Here's a pic I took of GB and Aunty Annette deep in research mode. I did a LOT of stitching that holiday! Tee! Hee! Hee! Our budget didn't allow both of us to fly up for Annette's funeral, but GB travelled up with his sisters. He sent me a lovely photo of some quilts on display at the church for Annette's memorial service ... quilts she had made for her children and grandchildren. How very precious to have those keepsakes of a bright, happy, creative woman. We'll miss you Aunty Annette. (Also missing my GB and will be happy to have him home tomorrow!!)

Another thing that has kept me from my blogging duties was a burst of industriousness ... plus a few threats from Matron Marion! Tee! Hee! Hee! 

I've been writing pattern instructions for my "Ooh! La! La! Lingerie Bags" pattern. The samples have been finished for a while now, I just haven't been able to muster the motivation ... or uninterrupted instruction-writing time!! ... to do the deed. Well ... a bit more nagging from one of the Friday Night Sit N Stitch gals who has been waiting for the pattern ever since she saw me working on the stitcheries a little while, a fair while ... TWO YEARS!!! ... ago, a few threats and whip cracks from Matron Marion and a few friendly nudges from the Fabulous Fiona ... and the last of the instructions were finished today ... WOO! HOO!! There was the traditional "Happy Dance" performed ...

... and the instructions were sent off to a helpful and patient friend to proof read and test for me.

Add to that ... I've been doing some Secret Squirrel sample stitching for my blogging buddy and fellow-designer Toni Alexander ... all finished and returned this week. So you can see that even though I've been absent from the blog here, there's been quite a bit happening behind the scenes. Oh ... and autumn took a quick turn into winter this week, almost scaring me into an early hibernation!! EEK! Thankfully, the last couple of days have been a bit warmer again and I'm currently enjoying sitting in front of the open back French doors as I type, watching the King Parrots and (my favourite!!) the Eastern Rosellas munching away on the seed I scattered on the back path this morning. (did I mention I LOVE our new out-of-town living spot!!) Winter's coming, I know ... but I'm happy to delay it as long as possible with some more mild autumn weather!! :0)

So there you have my round up. I hope you're all well and enjoying some mild spring/autumn weather. A shout out to anyone in the south east here in Australia who has been hit with this week's nasty storms ... hope everyone has stayed safe and dry. But right now ... I hear the kettle singing it's siren's song, so I'm off to make a cuppa. I promise I'll try to get back a little sooner next time, but until then, I hope you all have a wonderful weekend. Til next time ...

BEAR HUGS!

CHEERS!
KRIS