Growing Up

Another stage in Arrow #3's life. She is learning to care for her parents more. She decided that since I wasn't feeling so well, she would cook!

These were her attempts. I am grateful!

But I guess I ought to increase her repertoire of dishes.....!

Voila!

First a layer of white. The original walls were purplish. This meant that it took a while to get a good even layer of white.

Then masking tape had to be placed. Accurately.

After that, the chosen colour, in this case, pink, is painted on.

Finally when that is dried, the extra touch is put in.

A moustache on the bathroom door (reminds her of Dad she says). More difficult to apply are some swirls above the door adjoining our room. I have to help her with these. Some Scripture verses and important thoughts near the foot of the bed completes the final touch.

All in all, it is a good few days' project. Interacting, imparting, sharing, struggling, learning, understanding, observing, working alongside each other for a mutual goal. More than one goal achieved in the end.

Put to Good Use

Finally got around to using the machine properly! It's been ages since we got this curtain-thingy that Arrow #3 wanted hung at her door. I think it has had to be months actually. One busy day led to another busy day. Even holidays and days off didn't see this as a priority.

Until one day. Arrow #3 and I decided to embark on a project. A fairly big one too. We decided to re-decorate her room.

We started with giving the walls a coat of white paint. The next day, whilst Arrow #3 put masking tape on the wall, I did this. Sewed some velcro to hang the curtain up with.

Part 2 coming up after next.

A New One

The old one finally gave up. I was taught from young to use the hand cranking powered one. Then the foot pedal powered one.

The bobbins used to be long. (Can anyone remember those days)

Then they went round and you fed the string counterclockwise.

Later they stayed round but now the string was fed clockwise.

Or was it the other way round.
Anyway this is my new toy.

Except that I accidentally pulled a part out which I ought not have done so and now it doesn't run so smoothly. Oops. I have to get it fixed. Simple I am sure.... but....

Changes

The other day, I was told by this fine young man that I didn't look my age. Haha! No, he was not flattering me, nor was he out to win me over. A happily married young man that he was, he was stating what he felt was fact. Nice eh?

Except that he didn't know the full story. Amazing what a good set of clothes well worn can do! It hides a lot! And I mean a lot!

I honestly replied him that I felt my age, even if he thought I didn't look it. In particular, I felt it when the hot flushes came. And what are hot flushes I hear you ask? Check it out here. Simple diagrams which help explain.

Anyway, thankfully the hot flushes and other symptoms have ceased since I started on a herb....

But that's another story!

In Quick Succession

It was all very short notice. First Arrow #1 came back from finishing his second year studies. Then he received an offer to complete his studies in the UK. Next thing you knew, he was at the airport and off!
Then Arrow #2 came back from being posted in Switzerland for his internship. He was home for 2 weeks. A good time indeed.
But the time flew by quick and he was off back to Singapore!
And now we are back to just one Arrow at home....

Memories....

There I was, standing in front of the mirror. I was preparing to go out for dinner. I had my entire outfit picked out, down to the accessories. Hubby of course was ready to go anytime!

Then problem arose - I could not find my clutch bags - the black one, which was with my white one, and which was together with my cream one.

That cream one. It's special. Because it’s from Mom.

As a little girl, I would watch her get ready for dinner and I would wait not-so-patiently for the moment when she brought this special bag out. How I loved this bag. It came along with wisps of perfume caressing the nostrils, with makeup and special softness which enhanced a glow on Mom's face for the evening. I would wait for that chance when she would pass me the bag to "take care for her". Then I would gently, almost revererently, finger the beads, caress the workmanship, and admire the entire craftsmanship. Those were special moments.

It was a truly special moment when on one visit home my Mom handed this symbol-of-many-delightful-memories to me and told me it was mine. It's faded. A number of beads are missing. The faded cloth is showing in parts. But it was mine. As was all the memories. I am so, so thankful, even to today.

Yes, I found my bags, all three of them.

But the other two will never be as special as this one….

Thanks Mom