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

Where is She?

Do you enjoy children visiting? I do. Even though my home is not a totally "child-proof" one! (Visitors beware!)

Recently, a delightful little one came by with her parents. She was cheerfully bubbly as usual despite being a little tired.

Watching her stirred up the little child in me. (Or was it the former Sunday School teacher? Whatever.)

I started tossing cushions at her. Amazingly, she sat there without fuss. (Or was she in shock?)

More and more the cushions flew towards her.

I started to chant with each toss, "Where is Tina?"

"Where is Tina?" and another pillow landed.

Till she was no longer visible and I had run out of cushions.
Then, giggling and kicking away, she shrugged off the entire pile!

And asked for more!

Needless to say, she wasn't keen to go home even though we went through umpteen rounds of this.

The last I heard, on the next trip into the car to go out, she insisted her parents take her to our place again...!

Did I mention I like children visiting?

I Like .... Not!

It was supposed to be a treat.

Arrow #3 spotted it.

Seemed perfect for a humid hot day.

And after grocery shopping
Mango. Iced? Or so we thought.

But disappointing it was indeed. It didnt even satisfy our thirst.

Appearances can be so deceiving....

Dance!

There's something liberating with dance. The wide swing of the arms, the graceful arcing of one's lower limbs, the tilt of the head, the angle of one's body, synchronized with others.... Visual delight but such freedom by the dancer.

Which is why when Arrow #3 wanted to dance in this event, we were all for it.
The 10th Anniversary of the church.

Where?

Where did time go?

Is it half the year already?

What have I done?

What have I not done?

Suddenly, it is stock-take time.

And I fear to be found wanting.

Lord, where can I run?

Where can I hide?

If I were to go to the highest place, you are there.

The deepest gulley cannot shield me.

I fear to be found wanting.

Sense of Humour

Some might find this event unsettling. Others might find it discouraging. Yet others, would be like me - find it amusing!

By the way, I dont dye my hair for camouflage or any reason! So I guess that's part of the reason.... Read on.... Haha!

Lady with a Special Touch

My Mom.

She knits. She does patchwork. She can crochet. She's done macramé. Everyone in the family has a blanket made by her.

As a septuagenarian, you'd think she gives up on such things. But no, not her. In fact, she ventures into even more finite work.

Have a look. I kid you not.
Are these not the most exquisite handiwork? It's called tatting. Loops and knots and more loops and more knots. Add in a twist here and a tug there and voila!

Well, I might make it seem simple, but I am actually doing the craft a grave injustice. It's an amazing thing that she does - she makes them and gives them to me - so I can give them away. She makes more than one so I can give more than one away. It's a joy and a blessing.

Amazing woman, that she is.

What Every Parent Should Know

So your child is signed up on a social networking site. You think it's ok to do so. After all, it's fun, and it's harmless. Why, even you yourself have an account.

So we think.

Watch this video...

Time Flies

It's amazing how time flies. In a twinkling of an eye, Christmas is over. The New Year is fast approaching.
The entire year has gone by super fast.

I don't even have time to do a short writeup of thanksgiving Haha!

But am so glad that the whole family is back together. Here's a rare shot of us all.... together with my parents. It's been an incredibly full year. With much to thank God for......