Out of crap comes goodness

Some good news today, after the crap I had to put up with in doing the group assignment - we got a DISTINCTION- big huzzah on that.


On other news, saw the 'ferty' specialist last week and we are seeing him again this week for an update with results of blood test and 'swimmers' test. Hopefully, it will be straightforward and just the one drug to help ovulation again, if not another drug will come and play and then it will injections if those 2 are not successful.


Had some news from the group - H & K have resigned officer's posts and will not participating in the group due to personal reasons etc..I hope they have fun doing whatever they will be doing and we find some new officers so we can proceed with the becoming a Shire.

Funny day today, a quick trip to Dubs this morning to do a courier run for the little swimmers - I was hoping all the way up I wasn't pulled over by the cops or had a car accident - how would I explain what was in my pocket...bears not thinking about.

Oh well, you gotta do what you gotta do..

Sunday was a fantastic day with the clan du mareschal visiting Sydney for the unveiling of the Welcome wall at the Maritime museum http://www.anmm.gov.au/site/page.cfm
Gran B, Mum and Dad P, Unk J, Super K and Miss Wu and myself (Mr Grump needed time at home) saw the ceremony, had lunch at Darling Harbour, (Gran B and I had Ice Cream!) then came back and checked out the wall with the family names on it. I think we may also be on the website - we did get our piccies taken...and KAMAHL was there.

While we were walking around Gran B and I stood behind Kamahl - he is a beautifully dressed man with impeccable grooming and lovely basso voice..
Decided to get more immigrant members on the wall eventually when we are rich again. I have 3 on Dad J's side of the family, and on Mum's well - you can take it back to that convict who stole a shirt. On Mr Grump's side 3 members - 2 from Scotland, 1 from Austria.

Green, Green Grass and other news

After the 50+ mm of rain last week and a follow-up of 2.5 on Monday night, it has become a verdant,lush and fecund looking land again. All we need is frolicsome lambs with wiggly tails, calves at udder and piglets wallowing in mud. It has delighted my eyes for almost a week and has soothed a very frazzled, tired, emotionally spent mind.

I am now on Jolidays for 10 weeks and in that time I hope to start the 'ferty' treatment - Specialist visit tomorrow. I had my bloodtest yesterday and will find out results Monday. After 5 years of denial and hoping for the best naturally its time to try again with assistance - we are different people after 5 years and I don't think we will be repeating the same mistakes from that time...hopefully no she-devil from the pits of hormone hell.

It won't be easy but biology does'nt come into it anymore - it's not the biologically clock ticking, I've contemplated, I've bargained, I pleaded and now, I just have to do it, build a bridge, leave the pity party and be pro-active - I did it with going to Uni and I can do it now I have a support structure that is amazing, my family, Mr Grump and my SCA pals and othe friends and I am doing what my destiny is telling me to do - follow the path and finding my bliss -be a teacher, be a mother, be a supporter of living.

Rosella in the grass - a bit out of focus but still a delight to have in the front yard!

What this Bachelor of Education student does for fun!

Ok, I give up I am never going to post about our feast or demo - but just briefly - fun, was made a lady, everyone was awesome at the feast and demo, SCA people are generally great people, my family was there except Miss Wu and Miss K (sad about that). Wore my new caftan and my blue velveteen and bodice get-up - felt like a rool girl.

Onto other stuff - as part of English curriculum 2 in the 3rd of year of B.Ed(Primary) we are doing presentations of stories or poetry - I have decided to do The Ning Nang Nong by Spike Milligan - a true master of the ridiculous and devilishly clever and silly at the same time. For this presentation, one has the OPTION of using props, the following photo are what I have made. Also excellent for Kindergarten kids as it teaches them the sound 'ng' - which can be difficult for some children to actually sound out and hear when pronouncing words - to do with palate development and hearing development.

It sits on my head as I quote the poem to the class...

The little square near the lid is a tea-bag label.

What does'nt kill us only makes us crazy!

This is still not the post about how feast or demo from 2 weeks ago. Instead I am contemplating on events that have recently happened at home and at that other institute of bedlam.
Several things have happened recently that have made me doubt my ability and sort of hurt my usual bouncy self-confidence. One of these events has been recorded in the blog and the other has only come to light recently. That happening is the group project that we are doing for a subject at the Institut de Bedlam - what has arisen out of the experience is this:
1. Some people should have real-life experiences before being placed in a group situation.
2. Personalities that have had autonomous types of real life experiences should not work together
3. Approaching the lecturer is the last measure IE: you don't 'dob' in a group member until you have sorted the stupid situation out first.
4. It is a crap time of year for group work with 3 other major assignments due.
5. IT IS CRAP - I USUALLY LIKE WORKING IN GROUPS!

6. Email is a form of communication - use it and inform members of the group that you are having a meeting.

I have decided to be philosophical about the whole thing and get it over and done with. I feel however, for a friend that is in the group that he has been made the go-between and the only person that is truly communicating with me.

Onto other things...having lost Tasha this week has made me contemplate a few things - one of them being the length of time you have with a pet is ephemeral.

However, the time you have in a committed relationship is infinite in possiblities. It all depends on who you want to be in the relationship - a victim, a individual, a combined force, or a person committed in a relationship for the sake of a relationship.

I have found that what works for me is individuality and being a combined force. At times Mr Grump is the stronger one in the relationship and sometimes I am - that has come with practise and lot of patience - which I lack in boatloads...

Coping Strategies - Scotch and a good lie down

I wish it was that simple.
Mr Grump and I have made the decision
Tasha has a tumour which is causing too much pain and suffering
Tomorrow - don't ask how I will be..

Still feel like shite

Well, its been 2 days since my last entry and I still am wondering what the fuck is going on. After my entry on tuesday, I had another blow to the solar plexus after another - one quite major with one that is quite temporary and will sort itself out in the next couple of days.

The major one is that I will not be doing Practicum this semester - which means I will not be teaching or doing the research assignment that is required. Now, Practicum is the only thing that makes the whole Uni experience worth it and makes sense of the whole Uni theory bullshit that is going on the rest of the time.

So, what will I be doing?? hmm, let's see - 10 weeks of stuff of nothing..Because of the lecturer who shall remain nameless because to name them is to give power to them and to protect me from slander - ain't that stoopid. Last year's illness played havoc with Uni and assignments and the appeal to the powers that be were supposed to fix it but it did'nt work so I have to repeat a subject next semester whilst doing 2 core subjects, 2 electives plus this subject again and then hopefully do my Practicum from this semester next semester towards the end of the year - its enough to make one want to jump, alcoholic or join a nunnery for a simple life except I could'nt live without decent food or sex.

and the other matter is about an assignment that was'nt received in full by a lecturer before the holidays and we only just found out about it on Tuesday - but they are being understanding and allowing me to find the info and email it through.

And on other news, Tasha is in hospital for suspected virus-y/flu-y/infection of some sort of mysterious cat like qualities - just what we need more money going out the door...

I will post SCA stuff up soon once things have calmed down...I do want to upload a photo of the new caftan,under-caftan and shalwar that I will be making..

I am going to start on my new device very soon so that when I do renew my membership I'll register the device, my name and everything will be kosher for my A.o.A ...

I will also post my thoughts on our feast which happened on last Saturday.

Poaching Again - I'll get a reputation!

http://www.goldencompassmovie.com/?60193

is it true - let me know.


On other news, another shitty day at Uni with receiving a crappy mark for what I had thought was a reasonable effort at assignment that I had quite enjoyed with the use of modern Australian literature that was image based with no written words to guide the reader. However, my lecturer - my one-eyebrowed baby (simpsons reference) let me down again and I received a mark that clearly reflects her need to feel superior and obsessive about what she perceives to be right and correct her little lecture-y world.
Other students have received crap marks as well and questioned their want to teach and their need to feel validated - which I know you should not NEED seek validation but find in yourself - but after 3 and a bit years of doing this f'n course - we all need to feel supported somehow especially when the University espouses this we're here for you and we'll get through no matter what- so our stats look good.
Its enough b.s for me to start looking for something else to do - like earn money and live in the real world unlike the lecturer I have.
I even took ownership of the word C..T today and used it to release some tension - it felt good.
I shall use it randomly when the situation warrants it.

Thanks Mayela - I've been poaching again

Read my VisualDNA™ Get your own VisualDNA™

I did another one

I keep finding them through SCA blogs - its a addiction methinks.

What Be Your Nerd Type? Your Result: Artistic Nerd Whether it's painting, sewing, drawing, arts and crafts; or just splashing paint onto a canvas and calling it art; you mostly fit this description. Lots of people envy the artists, but be humble and keep working on it. There is a shortage of true artists today who actually contribute anything to society.
Literature Nerd
Drama Nerd
Social Nerd
Gamer/Computer Nerd
Science/Math Nerd
Musician
Anime Nerd
What Be Your Nerd Type? Quizzes for MySpace

I need to do a Poll

Please reply for the following question: I have 10 mts of burgundy velveteen what kind of dress should I make?:

A>http://www.marquise.de/en/1500/pics/158x_1.shtml
B>http://www.marquise.de/en/1500/pics/1580_2.shtml
C>http://www.marquise.de/en/1500/pics/1550_4.shtml

These are the choices I like as well Cranach (german style gown)

http://www.artchive.com/artchive/c/cranach/cranach_judith.jpg

Let me know by commenting in my comments!

Thanks

Tee Toonicks

I have decided to make Mr Grump a couple of T Tunics for the feast - I started the first one today and tried it on myself - oh o - the sleeves are too tight and the underarm gore-thingy is too big - its a simple t-tunic - what did I do wrong?- I USED INCHES INSTEAD OF CENTIMETRES -imperial measurements in a metric brain - it figures.

So I'll unpick it and put in a piece of fabric to broaden the sleeve and adjust the under-arm gore thingy and then I can proceed with putting the facing in and putting on the braid I 'made' from an old curtain remnant that I got for 2 dollars at a op-shop - should look good with the white broadcloth I have used to make the blessed tee toonick.

I am umm and arrring about making something for the feast (THE K&Q ARE COMING!!!) when i have already a few things I could wear..velveteen skirt etc and my flowery persian, I need to fix the cuffs on the undercaftan that I wear with the flowery persian.

I'll think about it..

ON OTHER NEWS.....

Mr Grump and I have decided to give fertility treatment a go so I have made a appointment to see the wonder-doc on Wednesday for a referral to a specialist. I'm a bit apprehensive about it all after what happened last time I went on the 'ferty' but that was when we were living in Sydney and very very stressed out. We are both in very different places now and it should be a little easier to cope with the hormones and the charting etc.

Will update as news comes to hand...

Festival 2007

Market day and boffer tourney

I glad to say that I survived the dust, wind and atrocious distance from anything that was our campsite. I came home earlier than expected due to feeling a bit blue/homesick, suffering from swollen ankles from walking over uneven,rocky, dusty roads. Despite the conditions I saw a lot of people I have met before at other events and they remembered me. Market day was enjoyable with lots of little things brought - earrings from Oonagh, hat, snoods, cute little bag and a bowl and beaker cup from Alex the potter. I ended up with 3 Salty Bint tavern cups having pretended to be 3 different people - more feastware!
The classes I attended were fantastic and now I have an urge to make period shoes and mittens and maybe learn the drop spindle. The food from Crispin's kitchen was exceptional and filling/hearty fare. I volunteered for the troll booth one afternoon which was a nice way to spend Saturday afternoon...quiet.

This is the view from the troll booth.











Radburne is in there somewhere oh!thats right over the hill and nowhere near anything..

HAHA off to festival

You Are 60% Boyish and 40% Girlish

You are pretty evenly split down the middle - a total eunuch.Okay, kidding about the eunuch part. But you do get along with both sexes.You reject traditional gender roles. However, you don't actively fight them.You're just you. You don't try to be what people expect you to be.

How Boyish or Girlish Are You?

Yeah, that's about right. See ya when I get back from festival!

It's my birthday!

As you can see by the title, yes, it's my birthday. I'm a year older and maybe a little wiser? 34 years old and I'm feeling a little meh! about it so far but it's still early in the day. I walked down to the letterbox and retrieved the mail today, there was 2 cards for me - this is one of the enjoyable parts of birthdays - is the cards sent in the mail. One was from the sister Miss Woo- the city-dwelling polictics/history studying baby sister - this is a photo of the front of it, of course its her humour all of it - front of card, middle of card, back of card in large writing..and the other card in the mail was from shell - an erstwhile friend of whom I have not talked to for a while now for various reasons, some good, some bad, some just miffed at stuff reasons.

One of my surprises came in the form of a sheep, I arrived home after a very long day at Uni to find a sheep bahhhhing away in the vegie patch paddock..She was a 'stray' found wandering the streets of Wello by the ranger - so of course Mr Grump brought her home. Ladies and gentleman presenting Princess Lambchop.

As well as accumulating a sheep, we have baby chickens living in our bathroom - THE BATHROOM YOU SAY? yes, the bathroom, as it has got cooler up here but still quite warm during the day - the temperature for raising baby chooks is a bit dodgy to regulate without relatively constant supervision, of which, Mr Grump and I cannot provide at the moment. WHY ARE'NT THEY WITH THEIR MOTHER? Because they were hatched in a incubator to increase chances of survival. So, therefore they live in our bathroom free from predators -feathered - yes, chooks can eat their own and others young, furry - feral cats, possums and scaly - goannas, lizards etc and they spend their babychickenhood in a box with a lightpot for warmth and comfort.

Its all very cute with fluffy feathery bundles of cheepiness - but it can be a bit of an uneasy feeling showering and drying oneself with this junior chooks looking at you - or am I just being paranoid?

Off to lunch today with Mr Grump, to our usual country cafe - bound to eat something wholesome, followed by lemon cheesecake (for which I am addicted at the moment) and my weekly coffee - which I love hot, strong and sweet - kinda like how I like my lovers.

Not that I have many lovers for the past 13 years of being with Mr Grump - one really, him.

I contemplate the field playing scenario occasionally and people of both genders kinda get me looking but not touching, just for the fact that I am loyally loved and appreciated by a man that surprises me with puppies, sheep and goodness knows what next...

Silly again

You Are Sunrise

You enjoy living a slow, fulfilling life. You enjoy living every moment, no matter how ordinary. You are a person of reflection and meditation. You start and end every day by looking inward. Caring and giving, you enjoy making people happy. You're often cooking for friends or buying them gifts. All in all, you know how to love life for what it is - not for how it should be.

What Time Of Day Are You?

New Hat!

My new tudor flat cap! I have changed the peacock feather to 3 black/green rooster feathers which look pretty cool. It completes the ensemble of the velveteen skirt, bodice from the US and now I just have to make a new chemise to go under it from some lovely cotton blend material in a creamy stripe that I got from Spotlight today.

My first manicure

I gave in to my vanity today and had my first manicure, what a delight and what a joy. As a person who utilises her hands for all things hand related. After a dreadful closing shift at work, I decided to spend some time having this joyous thing committed unto my beat-up old hands. Now they are a pretty pinky-flesh colour with twinkly chocolate brown nails.

On other news, its been a week since my ginger-boy left us and I feel terrible because I don't feel as horrible as other cat lovers I have talked to have, but on the other hand if I do contemplate for too long - I do start to tear up.

Tomorrow is our get-together in the park in Dubs - I will training again with Sir Oz (oh know the nails!) and I will eating gluten free choco brownies with Lady Francesca and Lady Katrijn, Oelken and Johanna and whoever else turns up..

Less than 2 weeks to my birthday! YAY! Even less until I get my new tattoo! woo to the hoo.

What the?

The day started off nice and early at 6.30am which is becoming the norm now. Being inspired by the rising sun I was outside taking photos with the digital camera. Dad turned up at 9ish after having power-walked out to our place, after telling the news about the gingerboy we had a cuppa, cake and a chat. Off to Coles for the weekly shop. Home again and finished a draft of a uni assignment(maths-ewww). After lunch, assignment etc it was off for my first training with Sir Oz and Oelken - super-fun for now but when they start to hit back - I don't knowww.

My arms are now sore and I feel the need for a good sleep....

Goodbye my Gingerboy

I lost my boy today. After suffering for a week with kidney failure and a suspected brain tumour, Mr Grump and I made the very hard decision to have Alex put to rest. The vets were so lovely and gentle and called him a beautiful cat (despite being contrary at times). Alex was my baby before I had Mr Grump, and all the other creatures in my life. He had the loudest purr I had heard from any cat and loved nose nuzzles.

Goodbye boyness

Nicked from Tyg's LJ.

Your Aura is Orange

You're a bit of a loner, but you're never lonely. You know how to entertain yourself. Whether you're trying an extreme sport or a new weird food, you always live on the edge. The purpose of your life: testing limits - both physical and mental... and then telling people about it. Famous oranges include: Timothy Leary, David Blaine, Tony Hawk, Carey Hart Careers for you to try: Snowboarder, Circus Performer, Undercover Agent

What Color Is Your Aura?

Ooooh, can I be a undercover agent?? Please??