They were late today

The plan

is to make a skirt.

A visit to Tessuti was part of my plan while in Melbourne and I wasn't disappointed because not only did I get to say hi to Nikki, I found this beautiful fabric.

The other stand-out moments were pleasant surprises, like
Regina camping the night and meeting us at the Rose Street Artists Market, then spending the day with us wandering up and down Brunswick St, Fitzroy.
It was at the market I discovered, fell in love with and bought these 3 darlings from Lino Girl along with one of her delicious porcelain brooches.
(I've yet to frame them - white ones from Ikea I think)
Brunswick Street ended up being a favourite haunt over the 8days, for a variety of reasons.
I've always wanted to find a perfume that has a specific 'smell' and at Kleins after narrowing it down to 3 I chose one and after 3wks I still love it!

Stella got the book for Christmas so it was a thrill to see how excited she was to step inside the shop!
(wearing the bag she made from the book)

Another highlight for me was wandering around Melbourne Gaol
After recently reading Peter Careys 'True History of the Kelly Gang', and being intrigued by Neds mum, Ellen Kelly, it was a thrill to come face to face with her.
I notice Tattoos and generally I don't like them.
Everyone seems to have the same ones in the same places, so it was a delight to see so many nice ones in Melbourne.
I thought this one very cute - it really suited the lady who owned it. I don't know that it was my favourite - it was the only one I was brave enough to photograph .
It doesn't matter where you are, 5mins from home or on the other side of the country, Dan makes an amazing Tour Guide.
We literally didn't stop for the 3days he & Stella shared with Eliza & I - he kept saying "I'm not here to sleep", which was a good thing because the accommodation was crap and we didn't get any sleep!

Watching Dan step outside his comfort zone was priceless!
(sidewalk toilet at busy intersection in heart of Melbourne)
(up the front - Luna Park Roller Coaster)

Kids

...they make you laugh, they make you cry - evident these days by wrinkles and a wicked sense of humour due to the practice I've had at doing both over the years.
It's going to be the ability to see the lighter side that will assist in getting through this stage in my parenting journey...
and little messages like this that turn up out of the blue just at the right time help.

WORRY

Is there a magic cut-off period when
offspring become accountable for their own
actions? Is there a wonderful moment when
parents can become detached spectators in
the lives of their children and shrug,
"It's their life," and feel nothing?

When I was in my twenties, I stood in a hospital
corridor waiting for doctors to put a few
stitches in my daughter's head. I asked, "When do
you stop worrying?" The nurse said,
"when they get out of the accident stage."
My Dad just smiled faintly and said nothing.

When I was in my thirties, I sat on a little
chair in a classroom and heard how one of my
children talked incessantly, disrupted the class,
and was headed for a career making
license plates. As if to read my mind, a teacher
said, "Don't worry, they all go through
this stage and then you can sit back, relax and
enjoy them."
My Dad just smiled faintly and said nothing.

When I was in my forties , I spent a lifetime
waiting for the phone to ring, the cars to come
home, the front door to open. A friend said,
"they're trying to find themselves. Don't worry,
in a few years, you can stop worrying. They'll be
adults."
My Dad just smiled faintly and said nothing.

By the time I was fifty, I was sick & tired of being
vulnerable. I was still worrying over my
children but there was a new wrinkle.
There was nothing I could do about it.
My Dad just smiled faintly and said nothing.

I continued to anguish over their failures, be
tormented by their frustrations and absorbed in
their disappointments.

My friends said that when my kids got married I
could stop worrying and lead my own
life. I wanted to believe that but I was
haunted by my Dad's warm smile and his
occasional, "You look pale. Are you all right?
Call me the minute you get home. Are
you depressed about something?"

Can it be that parents are sentenced to a
lifetime of worry? Is concern for one another
handed down like a torch to blaze the trail of
human frailties and the fears of the
unknown? Is concern a curse or is it a virtue
that elevates us to the highest form of life?

One of my children became quite irritable
recently saying to me, "Where were you? I've been
calling for three days and no one answered I was worried."

I smiled a warm smile -
The torch has been passed.

My Valentine...

made me

wings

so I could be a Mosquito

and attend an 'M' themed fancy dress birthday party

along with Magic Girl and Mambo the Monkey Trainer

The few children that were there were also in costume

along with some very innovative & imaginative adults

(Mummy)

(Midas, Mole - as in gangsters, Murdered Mother - birthday girl and Maid Marion)(Mystic & Marilyn, with Mr Potato Head in the b'ground)

(Money, Miss Money Bags & Macaroni)
but the winner was Mr Mankini!

Huh - not surprised!

I heard on the radio this morning that Melbourne has been rated the 3rd best city in the WORLD in which to live.
After a bit of sleuthing I think this is where it was quoted from.

I notice signs.
I find them a direct reflection of the individual or body that erected them.
On occasion I've found a sign an abuse of my personal space as I'm not empowered or enlightened by the message but rather embittered & uncomfortable as I feel the anger in which it was written.
An example is an Op Shop not far from home. The setup sits on 1/4 acre block in a fairly affluent suburb & comprises an old house converted into the shop, a storage/sorting shed, surrounded by a rough un-sealed area for parking approx. 12 cars and I've counted 15 signs telling me the various things I CAN NOT DO and that's before I've parked the car!
That's why I'm not surprised by the revelation today that Melbourne is a great city to live in as I noticed a depth in which she portrayed herself with her signs and was compelled to photograph some of them.
They indicate a city that respects its past, present & future generations and is comfortable & confident enough not to take itself too seriously on occassion

but will attempt to have you stop and take notice when necessary

and then make you smile - just because it seemed like a good idea at the time!

True Colours

Hosier Lane,
Melbourne

Elizas Melbourne

Eliza did come on the same holiday as us only she remained permanently connected to those she'd left behind....

however in-between texts she did manage to fit in some
touristy stuff

(Melbourne Museum)

... lots of eating
(Queen Victoria Markets)

... a bit of flirting
(Mr Bucket - St Kilda Esplanade Markets)

and some serious shopping...
ha,ha,ha :}

while finding moments to share with us.
Melbourne was remarkable for a ridiculous amount of reasons.
I'll share more once I've gotten over the jet-lag.