Friday 14 May 2021

This journey called "Life"

 Thankyou to those of you who have sent me emails to see if "all is well" with us......looks like I had better continue sharing "this journey called life" with you all....I am sorry it has been almost a month since I last posted! We are all okay but have had some sadness surrounding us for several weeks. Friends have lost parents, another succumbed to the enemy called cancer and our younger daughter continues the unenviable challenge of mental illness that affects us all. We've had a couple of funerals this week and that always reminds us that with life there is also death and one needs to make the most of every day.....that is such a cliche and for so many it is not that easy. We did have a little escape to the Riverland for a few days........





And next week we are escaping again to our favourite place Robe to celebrate 43 years of marriage. And what a "journey" that has been with our fair share of ups and downs. Last week I took a friend who had lost her Mum suddenly and unexpectedly for a drive through our lovely Adelaide Hills to see some of the Autumn colours. We were a bit late for the full colour at the Mt Lofty Botanical gardens but in nearby Stirling and Aldgate the colours still glowed.........




We have had Anzac Day and Mother's Day pass us by as well........

Since I last wrote I joined our eldest daughter Emily at the VIP launch of the Cancer Council's Australia's Biggest Morning Tea Launch. Emily has run the event at Flinders Private Hospital for many years and became a VIP because of the amount she has raised. Now it has become a little more personal to us so I am hoping this is her biggest year yet! I will be reaching out to friends asking for donations soon but meanwhile the planning is in place........

Emily has her package at the ready and we have already received a very generous donation from a friend......thankyou Susan Murphy xx
I've been covering my crazy chemo hair with a scarf but just this past week all has been revealed! It is so confronting to look at ones self in the mirror yearning for the "old me". I know one should be so very grateful at this second chance in life but no-one tells you what lies ahead! If one more person tells me how lucky I am I might wallop them!! None of us asked for this detour and if I had wanted a perm I would have done that like I used to do in the 70's and 80's when it was the in thing!!! You can see how crazy it has gone.......and I am sorry.......I HATE it! I did get some colour as the grey/ white frizz that appeared made me look like I was approaching 100!!.....
I found a great tutorial online for making headbands so I've made quite a few and I can kind of live with the frizz for now........

My hair has never been straight and I always had a bit of a wave but it is just currently crazy! I remember Beau having a head full of blonde curls when he was little and right now Maisie has the most gorgeous hair that must need lots of brushing.......
When she visits after school she often likes to play the piano and I have noticed that she turns her deaf ear away from the piano. Such a difference from a few years ago..........

Maisie and Beau have a new friend to care for at home. They are not sure of her breed as she was a rescue pup but believe there is English Mastiff in the mix so Brett went searching online for a name. He was searching for famous British women and of course Beatrix Potter came up.....so here is Beatrix fondly known as "Trixie" in their house. She has the most beautiful nature and has settled in instantly to her new home.........
Wade is growing so fast and I was thrilled to receive this photo of him trying on an outfit for a wedding......hard to believe he came into this world 12 weeks early weighing just 1000gms and it is also hard to believe he will be four at the end of October!.......
Once again we have had great joy watching "this journey called life" in the garden from caterpillar to butterfly.......the children (and Larry!), never tire of searching and counting..........




We also search for rainbows that come in all forms........
And recently I came across the most wonderful book full of rainbow prose that helps with the meaning of "this journey called life". The book "The Boy, the mole, the fox and the Horse" is one every household should have and is written by Charlie Mackesy........
I love every page and these are a few that hit close to my heart.........


I have also enjoyed seeing snippets of William Morris online including these gorgeous biscuits that the Canadian Morris Society shared. They are made by Ella Makes Cakes and nearly all her biscuits are inspired by Morris designs......just amazing and I know I would not be able to bite into them!......
Some time back Viv in New Zealand sent me photos of her stunning quilt based around some of my design work from the Thorngrove Manor quilt. I love it in just black and white and thankyou Viv for sharing x

So if you have come this far I say thankyou. Our fingers are tightly crossed as Emily waits on her BRCA2 results.......
 and I remind myself everyday of these words as we try to figure out "this journey called life". Love to you wherever you are........

21 comments:

  1. Thanks for another lovely story of what's happening in your life, your hair is amazing and all of us with straight hair are envious, Maisie's hair is beautiful too. I'm glad you're taking some time out to visit some lovely places and take in the scenery while you relax. I'm sorry to hear that Sophie is still unwell and hope that in time life might improve for her.
    The children are growing, Wade looks so grown up now and such a cute little man.
    Take care and it's good to see you looking much better as time goes on. Love and hugs 😍😍🌺🌺

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  2. So great to have hair again, isn't it? Hang in there with the curls - I had the same issue and the same response, but it eventually did relax again (as it gets longer using a straightener helps). Love your headbands and would appreciate a link to the pattern. Be well.

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    1. Hi Marie and thankyou and I am so sorry you had to endure this inconvenience too! This is the link for the headbands but I did make mine a little longer with the measurements as the seam for the original pattern was pressing in on the top of my ears. I cut the two rectangles 7" x 20", the band 3" x 10" and the half inch elastic about 5". Thankyou again x https://youtu.be/MjRtAz-gwH8

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  3. Such an amazing post, with lots of things to think about. Thank you for sharing it all.

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  4. well it is hair again right - as it gets a little longer maybe you will be able to straighten it a little bit if you wish? For a lot of people when hair gets a little longer it straightens out a little bit from the weight of the hair. The children look wonderful. It is good that your daughters are getting tested - well one of them that is. I hope your younger daughter can get her medication adjusted for the depression and all - my oldest daughter has the same thing going on and is in need of consistent medication adjustment it seems

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  5. You are a beautiful story teller Michele... connecting the dots and reminding us to enjoy every day. Mum died three weeks ago from secondary breast cancer at the ripe old age of 91. Even at that grand age, the cancer journey can be tough. My heart goes out to all breast cancer survivors. And the families too who walk the journey with you. It can be silently challenging too.
    Curly hair is just a stage Michele. Must beat wearing cancer hats all the time. No matter what state your hair is in, you always look bright, smiling and gorgeous.

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    1. Thanks Julie and I have been thinking of you at this sad time in your life xx

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  6. Beautiful words and beautiful photos!

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  7. I think you look amazing with the headbands! Glad to hear from you.

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  8. I can understand your feelings about your hair. After my chemotherapy my hair grew back completely white. I hadn't seen my natural colour for 40 years as I had started to go grey very early on. So,it had been coloured since my early 30's and it was a shock! I'm still coming to terms with it and wondering whether to go blonde. It's good to know that you're ok, and managing to get away for a much needed break or two. A beautiful picture of Wade, I found your blog just after he was born and cant believe he's now four.

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    1. Thankyou so much for your message and I am so sorry you have had to endure this journey too. It was a shock for me too to see grey/white after many years of colouring! I have gone back to having colour as the grey made me look a wee bit old!! Take care and thankyou x

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  9. Hello Michele. We have our large National quilt show on this weekend here in Rotorua. i volunteered yesterday and met a lady from Adelaide, of course I told her about the day we spent together (and Mal) about 6 years ago. She was nodding as I told her how you took us to the Art gallery and to Harndorf. Yes.....,that is so Michele she said. Wish I had written her name down as my memory has no space left these days. It was nice to share lovely memories. Alison

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  10. The photos show the "glow" just wonderful..... I would suggest you stop looking for the old self. She has moved on to the new self. My curls lasted about a year. Your William Morris headbands are grand..... and your grands are growing but a new baby in Trixie will grace the blog posts to come. Mastiff are big dogs but with just a part we will see which genes this one inherits.

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  11. Thank you for your lovely newsletter! Always so beautiful and inspiring! Cheers to you for your courage, fortitude and strength through your ordeal. Having travelled a similar path I know it is not easy.

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  12. Another special post Michele. I love hearing how you are going ....both the ups and downs. You always look on the bright side of things.

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  13. Love and hugs to you Michele. I have followed your journey probably since you began your blog as a fellow sister in quilting. Now I find myself constantly wondering how you are going and how you and your family have weathered this latest hurdle. your latest post touched my heart more than normal ( I am not a sook but have been known to shed a tear or tonne ) and I just wanted to encourage you and to let you know how much you impact those around you. Allowing us the privilage of getting to know your family and those you love so intimately is priceless, your appreciation of everything in and around us is delightful to say the least and the way your creativity has allowed many to bring the delight of 'handmade' into their homes is truly a blessing. I dont want to gush but just wanted to say thank you, for your commitment to others, your love of family, your honesty, bravery and courage to 'live the day', your creativity and many other attributes I have not named. Your quilts have always been inspirational to me but in addition by sharing your life on your blog and showing us the 'human' side of life I have been doubly blessed. I will leave you with this quote (not sure of its origins but I have it on a plaque...Some people look for a beautiful place others make a place beautiful. Much love Alison xx

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  14. Ditto to everything alison said above xxx loved our day yesterday

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  15. So many lovely photos, so many lovely thoughts to ponder.
    Blessings, Michele

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  16. Golly, somehow I missed this post? I woke up and thought about you, so here I am
    Your blog is always so full, so filled with your heart, every corner of your heart.
    Michele, I am happy that you are trying. You have endured a struggle and I wish you peaceful days and increased energy and health. You are loved so much.
    I enjoyed reading this today. Your grandbabies are growing, The gardens, I love that Mackesy guy too. I found his book a year ago when daddy and I were "loitering" in Barnes and Noble.
    My prayers continue. I am still taking care of my daddy (97) and trying to keep up with other things. It is busy, and I am accepting that, just trying to adjust my sails so to speak, go with the flow and try not to lose faith on hope and strength 🌹🌹🌹🌹

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Thankyou for dropping by and sharing in my journey. And thanks especially for your lovely comments….I may not always respond (especially if there is no email address) but please know you are appreciated x