[Tamara]

Finalists in the meaning of choosing out of three patterns to make for the show Fiona. The show is the Royal Perth held in October every year but we need the entry forms in by July and the goodies down there in September so even though there is a bit of time it will have to be used wisely.

I decided on the Swoon Quilt as shown here http://thimbleblossoms.bigcartel.com/product/swoon-pattern-142-pdf-pattern. It is traditional but done in a more time efficient less do-your-head-in kind of way. So I hope the judges think the same. It meets all criteria as to size – can’t be more than 2.5 metres in any direction. I am using my rather precious fat quarter bundle from the Scrumptious range and have already mucked up one fat quarter – DON’T ask! I am only two blocks in and the first was nearly a gonna also. It just takes very careful cutting and making sure you have everything so I am working slowly and precisely because I don’t want to use all forty fat quarters when I just need 18 and that will leave enough for another quilt top.

Not to mention I am being so very picky on this quilt. If it isn’t nested it is unpicked and done over! I am pretty much ok with slightly off but not this time – i am being so hard on myself just to push the limits a bit I think.

I need the health hazard sign above our shed Nicole! A mine shaft one would be good as you could literally lose yourself in there and possibly not return for days. My nephew’s girlfriend has offered to organise it for Murray which in a way would keep her busy for some weeks! I offered to do the same but once I saw it backed down and changed my mind!

Yes signs in some languages look as though they are literally shouting at you. German being one of them.

[Mama_Knowles]

Too funny Nicole!

I can’t wait to see your swoon quilt! I have always wanted to try tis pattern but have not yet. Tamara . The quilt show a the fair is one of my favorites. : ) Maybe I’ll just come there and visit yours. ; )

[Nicole]

Thank you Ladies!

My laundry was terrifying, I am so glad I have a 10 kg washer!

[Tamara]

I am glad for you Nicole! Any other size and you’d be washing underwear all day! I completely understand though the need to really get stuck into laundry. I personally like this task least (after bathrooms and toilets) and have since moving, made more of an effort to stay up to date. Its paid off but sometimes life gets in the way and it just has to be put aside for a bit.

We had to babysit the inlaw’s dog last night. It was by accident really as they had to go to the doctors this morning and forgot him. I had a phone call just as I was falling asleep asking if I could please go get him. Fortunately the phone cut out or I’d be listening to how sweet this dog is for another half hour more. He was fine and could have stayed down at the cottage but of course I didn’t do that. So as a consequence I had my dog wake up all on edge because this pooch was in his domain and he kept Imogen awake because I made the mistake of settling him in her room. He ended up settling down at 1am when Murray came in and fortunately didn’t wake the whole household either.

I am now waiting for the owners to return and am looking forward to airing the house of dog flatulence tomorrow!

We also have our very first footy training session tomorrow. Noah has suddenly decided that he wants to play but we have struck a deal with the coach where he can play with the nippers and train with both the nippers and the Auskickers (beginning kiddos) just to get some skill and confidence. I really don’t know how he will go training for two and a half hours but we will give it a shot and if he likes it great. I don’t think I’ll pay subs straight away though just in case though. I made that mistake when Imogen wanted to play netball and then bowed out. So we will be in town all afternoon playing footy so a cut lunch and water bag is a must I think!

[Tamara]

It has indeed been a draining week of emotions. I found out some fabulous news – a real blessing and something I have been hoping for for nearly seven years. I was planning to keep it quiet for a little while longer but a footy training the other night a friend of mine made her announcement so I just simply blurted mine out too! The kids don’t know yet. We will tell them when I start showing and it will help them to not wonder if we are complete liars or not.

So yes it is news to be elated over – that a number three much wanted babe is to become the youngest member of our family in about January (I think). It is so new I haven’t even made an appointment for the doctor yet!

Then on Friday evening we had fil and the new wife come to bring us some news. Fil has been very ill for the past week or so. Not keeping food in a solid state and stomach pains. Something became worrisome when he became very jaundiced so they rushed up to the doctors for an appointment and consequently an ultrasound – that was when they forgot the dog. Anyway, they received word on Friday night and made us sit down! Fil has been healthy, fit and strong all his life and now he is fighting pancreatic cancer.

This is vicious and the prognosis is not good. There is a very high mortality rate and an extremely low number of survivors. It is one that hides and it is not often found until into the later stages. So life expectancy is five years at the very very most.

Despite his faults we still love the old man and we are all pretty cut up about it. What’s more it is a very busy time of the year and he is insisting on working. We have told him we are fully prepared to put the crop in ourselves. We have been “told” by the new wife that we all have to “do our bit” to help and even though it had me so very annoyed to be told I had to “learn” to do the chooks (when I have been on the farm for thirteen years and know how to do chooks standing on my head), I know her concern is fil. So even though it will be extremely difficult at times, my tongue is going to have alot of teeth marks from being bitten.

He goes to Perth on Wednesday to have tests and start treatment. I wish he could have treatment closer to home and then he could be in his town house in his own bed and be comfortable. It is going to be rough for all of us. But I just about fainted to see how orange he was the other night. He looked as though he had a very bad fake tan!

Our beloved piano teacher has to have treatment for cancer also. She is stage two but has been assured that “she’ll be right”. So piano is off the cards for now. I wouldn’t be allowed near her after her treatment anyway because of the baby.

So whether the good news outweighs the bad or not I will leave that up to you to decide. The last time I was pregnant my sil was murdered. So I was desperately hoping for a happy stress free one this time around. But I pray that fill makes it to his 80th which is August next year. And he was pretty happy when we told him the news. It is something he can look forward to and hopefully stay around long enough for.

We will know more when they do the tests and then we will also know how much time is left.

[Nicole]

I am so sorry for your FIL Tamara.

Congratulations Tamara. I hope you keep well.

If you have told locals you may want to tell your children. You don’t want them finding out in the school yard.

[with love Heidi]

Congratulations Tamara! I was hoping the good news was a baby for you! I understand the hope and the very long wait that’s been. Prays everything goes well. Prayers also for FIL and how you all cope with this, especially with new wife!

[Mama_Knowles]

Oh Tamara, congrats on the new wee one! I pray everything goes very well for you this time around.

I am very sorry to hear of your father in law too. My aunt had the same cancer years ago, she past away within 6 months. Back then there was really no treatment for it though so that made it worse.

[Robin]

All these new babies are so exciting. Tamara, my mom was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer when Sophie was born. Take care of yourself. That’s a lot of emotion, good and bad to live with. Be kind to yourself.

[meleliza]

So sorry, Tamara! That sounds really difficult.

[Tamara]

Thanks ladies for your compassionate hearts! I told the kids last night – out of a pure need to motivate them for bed. Noah is excited but I didn’t catch Imogen’s reaction as she was in the bath (and heard every word).

He wanted to know if the baby would be born in June – I told him I need a really big belly and June will be too soon for that. He has very little experience of pregnancies.

And to know that some of you have gone through similar experiences, I’m tearing up.

Walks, good food, rest, forum chats and sewing time that will all help me get through. I can’t think past that right now.

[juliamom2009]

Tamara – congrats!!! That’s just wonderful news about the baby!

[jay_1965vw]

Congratulations and commiserations, Tamara – what a bittersweet time for you. I agree with Robin – be kind to yourself as much as you can.

[Tamara]

Thankyou ladies! Gosh I feel so lucky to have kind and understanding forum friends. You guys are just wonderful.

[katybellabug]

Oh Tamara! Hearty congratulations on the baby news. So happy for you.

Sorry it is balanced out with some sad news though.