Two weeks

We've been in old gaols, we've been on horse carousels, we've been to the beach, to the footy, to the woods and back. We've been laughing - and crying (the kids) - and losing our patience (the parents). We've had two weeks of family time over the school holidays and have gotten away when we could. In between, we have been dealing with arthritis in the neck (me), loving Bowen Therapy (me), hoping for a full recovery (Justin) and learning more about our whippet and why he sings (all of us). And then there have been fish and chips on lazy nights, cookies (Justin), some of Australia's best vanilla slices (me) and much playing with Smurfs (the kids). So there has been Smurf buying (the parents - only vintage will do - and that includes the cottages), lots of Lego play (all), reading the third Millennium trilogy (me), looking into laser discs (Justin) and paving the front path.

And throughout these times we've kept the business going and have been wrapping like mad people, thanks for the many orders days-in and day-out. Have I have five minutes to upload new fabrics? No, more is the pity - but it all changes on Monday...hurrah!

xNess

New lovelies...and the week

My goodness - it's been a week? Where on earth did that week go? Oh yes - how could I forget. In doggie stitches, school holidays, basketball practice, arthritic days, lots of playing at playgrounds with the younger as the older 'doesn't play at playgrounds anymore', driving to nice places to sit and ponder, finishing The Bride Stripped Bare and starting the Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood.

And in-between there has been much fabric preparation - like these two photos, my current favourites - and fabric packaging and fabric posting and lots of email and Facebook chatter with lovely new and old (not figuratively) customers.

Spring has really sprung here - the mornings and evenings are warm and the air smells so sweet. I love this time of year...

Have a great day!

xNess

Slow changes for the better

I have realised I don't put enough time and effort into myself - not my spirit or soul, but my actual body. I feed my brain with lots of interesting information, feed my soul with my way of living and feed my spirit with my hopes and dreams for the future and Buddhist ways. But my body - nah, forget about it. There's always something better to do.

But having a healthy body is what keeps everything else ticking. So it has to be a priority. Having recently found out about my arthritis of the lower spine I have changed my eating habits, thinking that would be enough. But I need to move more, there's no doubt about it. I have to be even healthier.

I need to start making promises to myself - I think I have forgotten how to do this, too. Over the years I have just got so accustomed to doing what I wanted with my body that I have forgotten how to really love it. It's just a body - when it should be 'it's THE BODY'. Without health I am nothing. And I don't impress myself with the way I (mis)treat it, either...I am disappointed in myself.

So, changes have to be made and promises have to be set. For this week that means a walk for 20 minutes every day, no bread or bread products and no alcohol. These seem like small changes, but to me they are profound ones. I would prefer not to walk and I love a scotch or two through the week. And removing bread from my diet is just my way of slowly altering what I put in my mouth and digest.

I am also being inspired by Vic from Punky and Me and Jodie at Jealousy is a Purse. I find their paths of improving their world - and the world around us - so very admirable.

Wish me luck!

Warming our hearts

Slowly, but ever so surely, time marches on. Before we know it we will have Spring warming our days and balmy twilight evenings once again. After the recent arthritis diagnosis I have now returned to my usual self, delighting in small things throughout the day and enjoying life as much as I ever did. But I fear it's all going to quickly, so I am trying to stop and enjoy as much as possible. But with a business and a family and a normal in-and-out-of-home life, it is very hard to truly stop and truly enjoy. For just one minute tonight I did it. I looked out of my kitchen window and saw the sun setting over my magnolia and I fell in love with the colours. So after fetching my camera and taking some shots I allowed myself some quiet time to soak up those wonderful, beautiful hues. I hope they warm your heart, too...

xNess

PS. Happy weekend, all!

Fly

There is nothing you can do but move forward. That is what I have realised since going on an amazing up and down journey since finding out about the arthritis. Now I am in the search for how to make life a little easier on myself. Sure, I could sit and feel sorry for myself 24/7 (and I am doing that a little, still) and life would be bleak, but I have to choose to want to fly and enjoy life in ways that I can. I am on a learning curve that life has dealt out of the blue - I am learning something every day. Like the fact I felt I could move tonnes of rocks in the garden without my back hurting. Nope - today it is much worse. So I can strike moving rocks off my 'can do' list and pop it on the 'Justin can do it' list. There is always an alternative, I am realising. And the alternative to feeling a little blue about the situation is to enjoy life the way it is.

I am sure once the shock of it all settles I'll come back to posting about vintage fabric goodness. I am still working as much as ever and the days are largely as they always have been. So I am sure I will return to normal programming shortly!

xNess

PS. Did you see all of the florals and botanicals I have popped on the site over the weekend? It's an 80s floral fest!

You know what - there's nothing to complain about!

I've snapped back to my old self and have left the self-pity at the front door. I have nothing to be sad about - arthritis is not a death sentence and there will be ways and means I can maintain it so that it doesn't get worse in the short term. We have famines in Africa, debt crisis worldwide, people killed and maimed every day going about their business...and I got arthritis. I say suck it up, Ness. Get on with it. Life is too wonderful to let something like this ruin your day.

Have a great weekend, peeps!

xNess

The kicker

So, I was on a high. Life was good - I thought my back was getting in order and I was looking forward to it being fixed by some magical finger-massaging-coaxing-back-to-life osteopath. Our plans for the business and our life are chugging forward and each day brings something to be thankful for - what more could I ask for?

Well - great health would be a start, I suppose.

I came down with a thud on Tuesday when scan results of my back came back for judgement day. Seems my lower back has osteoarthritis. Yep - I'm 38 and I have arthritis in my spine. For the rest of my life.

Well - what a kicker. It side-swiped me. I was one of those nongs who thought you had to be older to have arthritis. Ahem - nope, it can happen to anyone.

So, I have to learn how to live with this. First stop is to slowly take off weight to remove extra pressure on my spine and back muscles. Looks like no more visits to Brunetti's in Melbs for a while...drats, I say. Double drats.

Or, as my son says, dang it. Dang it badly!