All Aboard...

The Thomas Express.

We took a drive out to the Ipswich The Workshops Rail Museum last weekend.  We saw the Thomas and Friends Exhibit

Lots of fun was had by all.  It was great to support an area that had been affected by the recent flooding.

There was something for everyone, with a few quiet things like a DVD of Thomas in the theatre and colouring in.  We hoped on the tilt train and Dad remembered of a time long gone when he used to ride on the Rocky Horror (what they used to call the train from Mackay to Rockhampton)

If we are here next year when Thomas comes into town we will be making another day of it.

Drum Roll!

Many thanks to all those that entered into my little raffle.  You helped to raise $70 for those affected by the recent floods.

I wrote out all of the names and got the kids to help me.

Congratulations....

Sorry it is a bit late at being drawn - we have had a H.U.G.E week here and all are a little tired. I left a little girl at school today in tears because she wanted to go home with me, going from 2 days of learning to 5 is a little exhausting.  Thanks for all of the lovely comments that have been streaming in during the week.  She is enjoying herself and came home excited that she did Music yesterday.

Have a great weekend everyone - we are planning a quiet one here with a swim thrown in. 

ThReE...

In the blink of an eye you have turned the big three.

My little man is growing up. 

He requested a Bob Cake for his birthday - being the easy going boy that he is, he was thrilled with his 'Scoop'

Cake details: Tick Tock Eyes, Wagon Wheel Tyres (Original and Mini).  All stuck together with lots of butter icing and royal icing and a scoop full of smarties. 

The first day...

of the next 13.

Our little girl started her first day of formal education yesterday.

She had a great time and has not stopped talking about it - she wants to learn MORE.

The comment today was "Why am I just doing the same as I did at Kindergarten?"  Give it time sweet heart, there are plenty of days for learning.

Good luck beautiful girl - I can't believe how quickly you are growing up.

Rainy Day Fun...

When it rains it pours at the moment.

With so much still closed and being cleaned up at the moment the kids are going a little crazy inside. 

The skies opened and the rain fell.  There are many people that are a little on edge at the moment with our weather after the past week - I have a friend in Toowoomba who said she was in town during a down pour this week and the street just went quiet, I'm not surprised, the poor things. 

So, what better activity then to pop your raincoats and gummies on  - after I checked the BOM site to make sure that we did not have a storm warning (very important to know - considering that the man of the house has had two very encounters with the bolts from the heavens)

The rain came down so fast that the kids even had boots full of water.

'Mum Stuck'

New Shoes...

The little Miss starts Prep next week.  She has been counting down every day this week, fingers crossed that the enthusiasm continues.

She has been wearing them around the house for a few hours each day to get used to wearing them (and to break them in a little) 

My next job is to work out what to feed her.  What do you pack in your children's lunch boxes.  Any help will be appreciated and I will compile a list in a week or two of recipes and ideas. Oh and the school has a rubbish free policy - looks like I am going to be busy in the kitchen.

Last week we gave Cathie's Back to Kinder Healthy Slice a go.  I was running out of both peanut butter and honey so it did not stick as well as it should have.  That did not seem to matter though - it was devoured in a minute (we had friends over and I think the Mum's ate just as much as the kids) 

Thanks Cathie for the use of the photo - I did not have time to get one:)



Kootoyoo is back playing My Creative Space today, I have been doing a bit here and there.  Here is a sneak at what I have been working on this week.

A walk in the park...

With many of the parks in the area still out of play due to the flooding, I heard that the Botenical Gardens at Mount Coot-tha yesterday was open and quickly packed lunch and ran out the door with the kids (we were in for a storm later in the day)

The kids enjoyed the run and exploring ths new area.    There is a Children's Hide 'n' Seek Trail where there is lots to look at and find for the kids.  You can pick up a pamplet at the bottom of the trail or at the information centre.

We will go back and explore again.  Next time with some helpers.  Trying to watch two children with so many water features and ponds was a little stressful for this Mumma.

Don't forget to pop over to my Premiers Flood Relief post and enter in the Raffle (you have until Midday Australia Day)  It will cost you $5 (feel free to donate more of course) and if a crochet sandwich is not your thing make sure you pop on over and see the Master List. Thanks Toni

Premiers Flood Relief Raffle - CLOSED

Doing my little bit.  It is not much, but every thing will help at the moment.
For my part I am running a Raffle/Giveaway.
One scrumptious Salad Sandwich with Cheese and Devon.  Low on cholesterol and made by me from washable yarn for easy care.

For your chance to be in the winners barrel this is what you need to do:

* Donate $5 to the Premier's Flood Appeal

* Come back here with your reciept number and leave a comment under this post with the number - if you    don't have a google account to comment please send me an email at mealybugcreations (at) hotmail (dot)

com

*Please be honest - this is for charity and there will be people keeping an eye out on reciept numbers for  us. One $5 donation doesn't give you entry into all the giveaways occuring.

* Good luck - I will pay the postage to you.  International entries welcome. Entry closes Wednesday 26th January 2011 at Midday.

Thankyou from the bottom of my heart.  I live in this once beautiful state and am proud to call myself a Queenslander.  With your help we can help people get there lives back together and move past this heart ache.

And if a crochet sandwich is not your thing, there are more auctions and raffles happening in blogland - make sure you keep an eye out on Toni's blog where she will compile a list over the weekend.

Clickty Click Clack

I have started up a photography Blog - I have no plans on doing the Photo a Day Challenge.
But I thought that I would pop photo's over in there so I can see at a glance what I have taken and where I could improve. 

Go and take a look Clickty Click Clack (the name derived from knitting and the camera's shutter), I thought it was clever. 

The creature I found yesterday when I went to hang the washing on the line - shame I had to reclaim the space - all that work!

A little piece of Sunshine

Off the needles and onto my girls shoulders for a quick photo shoot before being wrapped up for a dear friends little miss's gift.

Pattern: Blossom Bolero by StitchyMama Ravelry Link

Yarn:  Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece

Needles: 3.75 and 4mm circulars

There will be another one of these and have the yarn (in the same colour) for Amelia.  This one will be a little big for Miss B at the moment - but she is a growing little miss and better to grow into it then too small to start with.

Thought that after the week that we have all had that it was time to get creating - I have spent all day going from one thing to another - hoping to find some focus, but while I do the house is happy for a clean and the Tupperwear cupboard is on the list for tomorrow before my Mum arrives on the weekend.

Little O'l Me! What can I do to help?

I thought that I would put a list together of ways that you might be able to help.

Some are like me, at home looking after the little people in there lives.  I for one have only seen my husband for a total of 4 hours since Monday night - to say he is tired is an understatement.  And, unfortunalty - there is no end in sight - long hours will continue for the next few months. But I am greatful that we have each other (even if not face to face) and that we are all safe and dry.

As our community clean up I would also like to take a moment to think of others.  There are families in Emerald and Rockhampton who are only getting back to their homes now after 2 weeks - imagine (oh I dont think that I can)

Also for our neighbours down south.  We got news last night that Tim's parents had knee deep water through the farm house.  There are also many areas that are being hit with the floods for the second time in months - some of which have only just moved back home after repairs.  How heart breaking

---------------

Back on track, that list of ways that you can help.

Quilts for Queensland : Retromummy and her team of sewers are making quilt blocks.  12.5 inches.  You dont have to have any quilting knowledge - just be able to sew two pieces of fabric together.

Hope Softies : Steph is collecting little handmade dolls and toys (softies) for the almost 1000 children left withou a home to go to.  Lets show them that they are not forgotten.

Global Kids Oz -  Are collecting school and stationary supplies for schools.  96 schools have been affected by the floods and they are working at getting things together so the students can go back sooner rather than later.  The school term here in Queensland starts on Monday 24th so not long.  Why not pop an extra item or two onto your child's school shopping list and send it to

Global Kids Oz Headquarters

PO Box 1979

Cleveland QLD

4163

They are after anything from exercise books to textas, Let's make it happen.

C and K Kindergartens -  Many Kindergartens and Day Care centres are in the same situation.  They are asking for home corner, collage supplies and dress ups.  Please leave a message with your email and I can put you in contact with those in need.

Do you live close enough to drop off a batch of biscuits or a cake?  If so, check in at Digella she has spent the last week organising food drops around the flood affected areas.

Are you in Darwin.  They have a Shoe Box of Love Appeal on at the moment. (facebook link)

Volunteer, give a hug, make sure your friends are ok.  After the initial clean up dont forget these things either, it is going to be a long road to recovery and repair for many people. I have friends who personally will never look at the Brisbane River they way they used to :(

If there is something that I may have missed please let me know so I can add it.

I will leave you with a few pictures.

My husband recieved word the other day that a black hawk was required for a rescue - he asked what it was for (part of his job obviously) and was surprised to hear that it was for a cow on a roof - I guess it was a dry spot.  He was scared off by the noise before they could get to him.  What a story to tell his mates in the paddock (when they eventually find which one he belongs in.) News Link

 The last one is of a friend standing pointing at the water line on his residence.  It really hits home when you see someone you know in a photo of what has just happened.

Stay well, stay dry dear friends.

Blue Skies!

We woke this morning to shock and horror - The Brisbane River is mingled in between the city streets of our CBD. 

Praying and thinking of all those that are affected. 

The rain has stayed away and given a little relief that the river did not rise as much a what they were expecting a day or so ago.  4.5m though is still high and has caused a thick brown sludge to enter many properties and change people's lives. Sadly - the water is not going anywhere in a hurry.  We are bracing ourselves for another King Tide at 4pm.  Stay safe everyone.

20,000 homes and business are inundated by this water and 1000's are in evacuation centres with no idea of when they will be able to return home.

They are talking that it may take up to 2 years to rebuild.

and in true Queensland style - someone has found a way to bring a smile to others.

photo source 

I have been hooking up a few sandwiches - will announce them tomorrow - What do you think - should I  auction or raffle them?  I wonder what all the organisers of the Premiers Flood Relief are thinking with all the $5 donations. 

QLD Flood Appeal Auction

The talented http://tonicoward.blogspot.com/ of Make it Perfect. Is organising a crafty auction.

For more information please here to this blog post. 

I am getting a few things together, will let you know more when I hear - auctions will be run on crafty bloggers blogs or stores and all money raised will go to QLD Floods. 

Edit:  Is there anything else that you would like to see - I dont think that I have time to knit up anything big - but you could always bid and I make it latr to the size etc - more personal - let me know what you think.

{this moment}

Still in holiday mode - so lets pretend that it is Friday!

A Friday ritual (on a Sunday) A single photo. No words - caputuring a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment.  A moment I want to pause, savour and remember.

Joining in with Soulemama

Bubble Fun

During a break in the rain today we headed out to the park.

I grabbed the bubble wands on the way out the door.

The kids had fun.

One little boy got a taste of the bubbles and then gave the ducks a drink, opps.

Thanks Santa, a bottle of bubbles to refill them has been added to the shopping list. The wands are $1 from Big W, if you were interested, but I wouldn't know.

All photos were taken with my new 50mm lens.

2011...

What do you have planned for 2011.  2010 seemed to be the year to 'create'.

I don't really have any hard and fixed plans for 2011 - I got a little stressed towards the end of the year with things that I wanted to make and ran out of time for.  Lucky my Mum was understanding with the shawl that she recieved on the 25th of December still on the needles and with ball still hanging (thanks Mum)

Gifts - I would like to once again make most of my gifts this year - I am starting soon - really soon considering that the first of the birthdays occur in the family on the 24th of January and another following on the 25th. 
I am dusting off the machine and sewing gifts as well this year.  Sewing takes alot less time than needles going clickity clack click.

The Kids - With Amelia beginning Prep, I am dreaming of what I will get done during the days.  But am mindful that I have Baden here who really needs some one on one time with his Mumma.  I am in the search of a playgroup for him and will continue to take him to the local library for story time. 

Me - I would like to knit and sew more for me, then I might stop complaining about not being able to find clothes that fit me (thankyou Esprit, Colorado and Cue for changing your sizes and body shapes)

Garden - Spend time in the yard - it is small, but I am learning to look past that - the thing that I am enjoying at the moment is running out with the kids to see if the strawberries are right for the picking.  The herbs are also growing very well with very little care (lets not talk about the tomato plant)

Selling my Skills -  make and sell a few more things that I have made.  This includes looking into setting up a little store (maybe BigCartel or Madeit/Etsy) Input and knowledge appreciated. Top of the list is to make a few things out of the cottage licences that I have already paid good $ for.

Community - I am going to stop talking about inviting people over for morning tea, lunch or dinner and actually do it.  Steph, you are the first on the list so clear your diary :) 

Take part in the meal drive at our church (a drive where meals are provided and dropped around to members if they are sick etc)

Home - Be more organised (I can dream), try a new recipe each week.

The end of 2011 will see us once again pack our boxes and move our family to yet another area of Australia (destination unknown at the moment - will know more in July)  So, there is also a list of things and places that I would like to do and go to in the area before Brisbane is no longer 'home' (these will also be documented)