Wow!

Isaiah 65:24 

 I will answer them before they even call to me. While they are still talking about their needs, I will go ahead and answer their prayers!

 

Doesn't it just give you goosebumps!

update

So I just finished reading John. I have thoroughly enjoyed every moment of it! Though it seems whenever I sit down to read that the kids will come up and whinge and whine at me to do something or other. That has been driving me crazy.

Next? Who knows. I am still praying, but I suspect it will be another gospel. I feel I need to learn more about the Holy Spirit since I grew up in a Bretheren church  (no, not those weird exclusives..) when practically no attention was given to the Holy Spirit for fear of turning into one of those frowned-upon charismatic types. So I will be heading to Acts soon, but I think I need to get more Gospel into me first. Surround myself with as much Jesus as I can.

Did I mention how much I am loving this??? I REALLY AM!

The post with no title

I figure it has been nearly a week since my last blog, so it must be time to write another. But I am all out of ideas for what to write. So this is going to be a little bit of this and that :-)

A few weeks ago while in the turbulent midst of my thyroid-caused-anxiety-stress-mess (I'm hoping to be at the tail end of it now...) I discovered (with the help of my wonderful counsellor) that I am at a crossroads. I know that seems pretty obvious - you don't have mid life crisis' or bouts of nervousness when things are peachy.. Anyway, part of this *crossroad* is related to my christian beliefs (should that be a capital C???) and how seriously I take it.

Sure - I love God. I try to be a good christian and do the right things. But oh my how I fail. Not that I do anything about it other then hide those discrepancies away and pretend they don't exist.

Yeh, I am sure you can see where this is going...

Eventually my brain said enough. I am back on the antiD's and seeing a lovely lady who also loves God!

Aforementioned lady has helped me see some pretty big flaws in my methods and is challenging me to change. One of them being my wanting to be a godly woman and yet I only seem to cling to Him during the really difficult times (those I'd-rather-forget-they-happened bouts of depression) and when things are fine and dandy, well - there's church on Sunday... that's surely enough?!

From this I am hoping to learn my lesson.. (I REALLY don't want to have to cover this ground again) I prayed for inspiration for where to open my Bible and woke in the middle of that night with a need to read the Gospel of John. That was a couple of weeks ago now and I've been very slowly plodding my way through it. I don't want to miss anything.

and

I've really been enjoying it! I'm already excited to see where I am supposed to read next. Initially I was expecting some lightening bolt moment of epiphany to come from reading the Bible (and then I'd be healed) but the more I read, the more I am realising that just the act of reading my Bible and being open to the Holy Spirit is enough.

I wont say that I'm out of the woods completely in regards to my anxiety, but I am a whole lot closer than I was. And I really don't want to go back to being that person anyway - I am learning to love change and the exciting journey God is taking me on!

Skinny me...

In response to Swift Jan's blog about being skinny (by the way, I think you are beautiful just the way you are!) I wanted to add my own spin.

I am skinny.

I have always been skinny.

Rebecca is skinny.

Except I am starting to put on weight.

Who am I if I am not skinny anymore? That is always who I've been.. I am finding it incredibly difficult to reconcile *who I am* outside that mould.

Yes, I know that beauty is from the inside. I agree with all of that. Still, I don't know how to translate that back to me.

I guess it is just a huge dose of vanity...


I'd just like to add that I think it is sad that we can see others are beautiful, but we just don't believe it ourselves. It is easier to discredit our husbands and God's opinion of us, because the world says otherwise.

I think it is a daily and sometimes hourly CHOICE to believe we are beautiful.

Still, that doesn't help when I'm trying to squeeze into my jeans.

I just love this song right now

If you are like me and watch more sbs then other channels, you'd have heard this song advertising Mad Men (a series which I am yet to watch but I REALLY want to).

Anywho, I just like this song.

Confessions from the heart

I often wonder how people really are when you ask them and they reply *fine* or *not too bad* or *good thanks*.

I often wonder how they really are. But I guess it isn't politically correct - or perhaps a bit awkward to answer *a little bit crappy actually* or *to be honest I'm feeling sad / angry / frustrated / etc*.

Sure, I appreciate that the checkout chick isn't interested in deep confessions from your soul, but why do we hide it from our friends and family?

I for one am a big culprit of this.

Is it being heroic? Making yourself the matyr? Are we afraid that we'll scare people off with our real self?

But is this pretense a good thing?


I think not. I wish people would ask me *how are you REALLY doing?* and expect and honest and raw answer. Sometimes it may be that I'm doing ok. Othertimes I may burst in to tears. But you know what? It's not that I want someone to fix the way I feel, but rather to feel safe and cared for enough to get these feelings and emotions out. Just to listen. Give a hug. Tell me it's going to be okay. That is all.

Handmade Living Book

Earlier this year I was presented with the opportunity to advertise Scurrette in something called Handmade Living.  I had no idea what it was, but the thought of being printed in an actual book was pretty exciting! So I took the plunge so to speak, and paid the dollars and sent one of my items off to play the star.

It's just about time for the book to be released and I am quite excited to get my hands on my very own copy!

You know it's been a while...

... when you come back to your blog and discover all the images have been deleted by the hosts server! Oh no dear!!

Methinks I've fixed it though.


So what's new with you?? I was planning on writing a big update blog, but little miss has just wandered up to me and she is stinky! So I might just fix that up and plop her in the bath.

x♥o

The Handmade Market turns 2!

Oh Happy Birthday dear Market!

In celebration

will be having a little sale.

By little, I mean BIG!

Just mention the 2nd birthday to receive the special

*buy 1 get another at 1/2 price (of equal or lesser value)*

Enjoy!

Curly temple..

For my sisters wedding in a few short weeks, the Mealie Bug is going to have curls! We had a trial on Saturday (I thought for being 15 months old she did remarkibly well!) and I can't get over how different she looks, and how CUTE she is!

See for yourself :-)

Still, she's about the cutest thing I've ever seen..

Oh, and those wedding dresses are coming along very well! Nearly done :-)

Something recent..

Have you ever seen anything as cute as this??

Well, just in case you haven't, how's this for a rival...

Yeh, I know which I'd pick too!

So I can't believe that 30 years ago I was born. Crazy

Isn't this beautiful?

Size 5 Blush Slip Skirt. $25 Made with genuine vintage fabric and doiley. Just so terribly girly! Other sizes available - just ask me!

The love abounds!

So I was sitting on the loo.

You know - nothing is sacred once you have kids. In comes Aphid #2 whining *I neeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeed a hug!*

Who was I to refuse?

A big squish ensued. Lots of love and snuggles.

His reply?

*I LOVE MY DADDY!*

harumf.

Feeling ambitious!

A long, long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away.... lovely church there was:

Starwars! (A Wedding!) 

Aside from the fact that it is very nearly our 8th wedding anniversary, I went on a witch hunt to find my dress because I was hoping that some of that lovely tartan fabric was hiding in there too.

You see, my Darling Husband has significant Scottish ancestry. He tells me that The Black Douglas is a long lost relative and I'm inclined to believe him.

(See! They even wore the same clothes ;) )

Anyway. I opened the giant suitcase full of my wedding dress and remembered that I still hadn't had it cleaned. Far from being the perfect bride, I'd just taken it off and packed it away. 

So when I opened the suitcase all those memories flooded back. 

So naturally, I stuffed it into my washing machine, threw in a little nappysan and hoped for the best.

(It survived!)

Now I'm just waiting for it to dry completely, so I can try it on again. I do it each year on our anniversary. This year it will be a week early because I couldn't be bothered getting it down again after I put it away!

♥ Happy (early) Anniversary Darling Husband of almost 8 Years! ♥

Brrrrr

I'm cold!

But I LOVE IT!

Drumroll please....

And the winner of my GORGEOUS SHABBY WREATH is...

Emma Lentz! 

Congrats Em! I'll be in touch shortly. 

To everyone else who entered, stay tuned because methinks another giveaway is in the near future.

Giveaway Time!

Hi everyone!

I thought that while I am slightly busy with sewing for my sisters up-coming wedding I would run a giveaway (or two... who knows how generous I may end up being!)

Up for grabs...

A beautiful Shabby wreath!

Now, the fine print. For one entry (each)

• Be a follower of this blog
• Be a *liker* of Scurrette on Facebook
• Invite all your friends to be a *liker* of Scurrette on Facebook
• Be a follower of Gossip of Women

Please leave a comment stating all that you've done!

The wreath will be drawn randomly on Sunday June 6th, 2010, so be sure to get in the draw!

Faryngitis addendum (is that the word?)

The *faryngitis* came back... a week later. This time it hit the husband.

Hooray for man flu!

The great Faryngitis disaster of 2010

I have never in my entire long legged life experienced a week quite like this one just passed.

It all started a week ago, Thursday. I took Aphid #1 to the doctor because he was quite hoarse and complaining of a sore throat. The verdict was faryngitis, (I apologise if I have spelt that wrong. I can't be stuffed looking up the dictionary) and the course of action, nothing.

The next morning (well somewhere between getting up at midnight and 4am to feed the Bug) I discovered he had moved his sleeping position of choice from his top bunk bed to the lounge. I was miffed because that is usually where *I* finish my nighttime agenda with the Bug snuggled in close. Miffed... Until he told me he'd been sick in his bed. Then I blessed his little cotton socks that he'd been big and brave enough to deal with it all himself and not bother mummy! There was a new set of clothes on and blankets found and all sorts. In fact, he was more proactive in his time of need then in his everyday life!

He spent the next day (Friday) randomly returning foods to me. What a love. But not a word of complaint. He delt with his shift in normal bodily functions amazingly and I was terribly proud.

But it was just the Faryngitis. He couldn't swallow, so nothing went down.

Yep. That's exactly what it was.

Tuesday, late afternoon. The Bug and I came home from Woolies and I plopped her on the lounge while I went to the loo. I came back and *blerrrrk*. Twice. She too grinned and delt with it like a common occurence.

Odd. She had no signs of Faryngitis.

Friday, family day. We just jumped in the car to come home from the shops. Aphid #2 starts groaning and *blerrrrk*. Huh? This is getting odd. He purged every half hour for a good few hours. He too soldiered on. No sadness, tears, fears, nothing. He'd fill his bucket, pass it to me, I'd clean it and return it to him for the next go...

That night, the *Faryngitis* struck me too. Mild. Thank goodness.

Perhaps though, my diagnosis may be off??!

My first sad school mummy moment

I don't think bullying is the right word, but this morning I had my very first taste of *you WILL be nice to my child or I will rip your ferral little rats tail from the base of your hairline and will force feed it to you through a drip!*

For once, we got to school before the bell. There were boys running around playing tag and naturally Aphid #1 jumped in to play. He was met with the response to *Go away!*

I was furious! Certainly, he may give me the irrits. I may even sometimes tell him to leave me alone. And not that I have any affinity for anyone who considers mullets and rats tails to be the epitome of style. BUT HOW DARE THEY think themselves on a level where they can tell my particularly handsome son to just GO AWAY.

Furious.

Sad.

I gave him and extra big hug. Told him I loved him more then pizza and sent him on his way. 

Incidently, he was oblivious to it all.

Words of Wisdom

I'd really like to thank everyone who commented about last weeks dilemma. I must say things have definitely improved since then - more then likely because I am in a better frame of mind. I don't feel so isolated in my frustration and anger irritation anymore. Plus, just the effort to get it off my chest helped immensley. 

So I have:

• Written a list of things they need to accomplish both before and after school. I thought this was a great idea, and since there is a whopping great big white board (a story completely its own) in their room, I decided to make use of it. So clever! (or not, since it IS a white board... the ones that boys purposefully accidentally wipe clean after mummy spending yonks perfecting the stick figures to go with the words. (It IS a boy in the shower - not a THING in a BOAT getting RAINED ON. harumf! *stamps foot*)
• Started breathing deeply. And trying to calm down before speaking to the boys. Incidentally, they don't seem to understand sarcasm... Odd.
• Started drinking.
• Increased my daily chocolate dosage.
• Realised that their behaviour is less a reflection of my parenting skills and more their age.
• Not been able to find an orphanage.
• Increased the amount of hugs and loves and smooches and stories and snuggles and fun. I like this one the best.

I hope this love-in lasts forever!

I am really stuck in a hard place right now. Just for something different, it's the kids that are causing my mind quite a bit of grief.

If you were my neighbours, you'd think I was psychotic. I seem to always be yelling at the kids - it doesn't matter what time of day it is, you're sure to hear the frustrating and anger emitting from my vocal chords. Not to mention the steam rising out my ears.

I only wish I were trying to be funny, but in this case it is literal.

You see I am stuck trying to figure out if my expectations are too much... a little outdated... I don't know. There has to be some reason that the Aphids blatently ignore me over and again until I get to the point where I am about to have a stroke! Am I asking incorrectly? Should I even expect them to get dressed when asked? Is it wrong that I want my furniture left where I placed it? And heaven forbid I should try for them to eat what food is served up!

I always certainly try to make a point of asking them to do things clearly and in a nice manner. Generally I am ignored and more playing is done. I'm not talking *stop playing and clean this house!*, rather, *please brush your teeth! go and get your school uniform on! put your lunchbox on the bench! take your shoes and socks off!* Is that really too much expectation placed on a 5 year old? or *please go to the toilet before you have an accident! lets get some nice clothes on! etc* for my 3 year old..

It is wearing me out and making me very stressed and angry. Not the sort of mummy anyone wants around. It's no wonder they cling to daddy for dear life.

I guess I really need to learn the art of relaxing and not taking their disobedience personally. No easy feat if you ask me. Alas, this is my only option though because it seems they have the upper hand in all this.

So what do *you* do when your little ones push all your buttons and test your limits?? Because I need some new strategies...

♥ Sisterhood and the bestest of friends ♥

A little while ago, we had a Tea Party to take some promotion photos for our ladies ministry at church. It was a wonderful afternoon of celebrating sisterhood and the friendships that have evolved between young and old. (Shelley, your lack of presence was lamented by all).

To my most pleasant surprise, I was gifted a few of these shots on Sunday as I arrived for the morning service.

Don't they look FANTASTIC!!? I wish I had the pleasure of owning all of them!

A special shout out to 2 Little Bunnies for the photography. Highly recommended folks! In fact, I am hoping to use this talented lady for some of our own family shots in the future.

Vintage Beauties

It's Handmade Time Again!

I must confess that I absolutely adore being involved in The Handmade Expo.  Aside from having a day to sit childless (for the most part) with my besties chattering away, we get to see all the amazing creativity of others earlier then everyone else! See, while The Expo is open from 8 - 2 (THIS SATURDAY), WE get to arrive a little earlier to set up. And since we are just so efficient, we then spend the remaining time wandering around perusing what everyone else does. 

I love it!

Anywho, make sure you are at the Bundamba Racecourse this Saturday. You wont want to miss it!

You like??

Holidays and the new 'do!

Last week the husband and I managed to escape for a few days sans the Aphids. We took the Bug and went to Worldmark Golden Beach on the sunny, Sunshine Coast. It's very close to Caloundra for those not in the know. Absolutely beautiful!

(we took the Bug because I am still feeding her... I can't wait till Hobart next year when we can go completely child free!)

As a disclaimer, I'd like to say that apparently the husband sucks, isn't as talented as your average, could do with some practise with taking photos of moi. Sorry 'bout that.

So in those pics you can sort of see my new hair cut. Much shorter again! I really like it, although for practicality methinks I will let it grow out a smidge longer. Also, you can't actually tell that I am not in focus - so all my declarations of untalented husbands look like me being overly pernickity. Humf!

And speaking of a new 'do'...

  

CUTE!!