New Shoots

Sprouts, originally uploaded by Dr. Kluane Spake.

I just got word this afternoon that one of the seeds I planted last week has started to shoot. I'm very excited, but also rather nervous and overwhelmed. So much to do before then, but Melbourne, you'll be seeing this little duck down there in August!

Treechange Dreams

We had another free day. Again, we jumped at the chance to get out of the city, this time heading north. A bit more of a drive this time. As we passed a strawberry farm we vowed to go picking there next season. We passed pineapple plantations and vowed to take the little one to the Big Pineapple when she's bigger, and both recalled the delicious desserts they had there. We passed the Glass House Mountains, their beautiful forms have made my heart sing ever since I was a young child.

A little further along, a steep and windy road later and we were in the township of Maleny. The day's plan? A bit of a wander, to pop our heads in to some real estate agents as we want to move up there in the hopefully not-too-distant future and lunch.

The morning had me in tears, happy tears as I realised my little baby is not such a baby anymore. She sat quietly, happily, between The Man and myself on a sofa in a coffee shop munching on some of my toast and some of the fruit from his Bircher muesli. No bib. No mess. She people-watched and just looked so grown up all of a sudden.

A few hours later, after some second-hand bookshopping, with the little one asleep in the back, The Man grabbed some takeaway fish and chips which we ate in the car at a lookout, a glorious view of the Glasshouse Mountains ahead of us. We talked of the slower life we wanted, talked about the house we plan to buy in the area, talked about business plans, family plans. With The Man's treatment soon coming to a successful end, that future is nearly here. And what a bright one it will be.

March

It doesn't seem like that long ago that this month seemed so far off in the distance. It was too far off to get either excited, nervous, sad or all of the above about.

But now, March is here.

For me, this year, this month is a big one.

March means that I've now finished teaching. I still have a number of scattered days left at work over the next two weeks to mark exams and such, but Friday was my last day with the students. It was a lovely day and I got through it without too many tears. I was spoiled with letters and presents of thanks. I will really miss those kids.

March means that I have done my last shop at the kimono flea market for quite a while. I said my goodbyes to many of my usual suppliers and even a number of shoppers that I regularly run into there.

March means that I'm about to be another year older (tomorrow). It's a very happy and exciting birthday this year, unlike the last when I was horribly down about not being pregnant.

March means that when I talk about leaving Japan, I say "this month".

March means that I'm off on my last trip to Tokyo for a number of years (leaving in about half an hour actually). I'm so excited and can't wait to visit some of my craft shop haunts.

March means that I get to see Cirque Du Soleil. We're having dinner with one of the performers (DH's friend) tonight. DH is really looking forward to catching up with him, he hasn't seen him since we left Australia.

March means that I'll be getting to meet my gorgeous new niece for the first time. I'll get to catch up with my brother and his wife when we stop over in Cairns. I'll then see my parents in Brisbane as they come over from New Zealand to help us with the move.

March means that I'll be saying goodbye to many good friends and saying hello to many more back in Australia.

March means that we'll be moving into our new Brisbane townhouse. After living in Japan for three years, we'll feel so blessed with the extra space. I can start nesting and setting up the nursery. It also means that I get to eat many of the foods I've missed over these last few years and craved over the last few months.

March in Japan, also brings my favourite flower, ume plum blossoms, the harbringer of spring.

When the Stars Line Up

So, it was only the day before yesterday that I had my secret squirrel flash. I'm excited by the idea and hope I can keep that excitement going when the mundane side of getting it finished it kicks in. Mmm... note to self, I really am building this up, it probably won't be as exciting to other people... anyway... it's all about me, me, me, me!

As I was saying..., Since getting my secret squirrel flash, I've had two very different emails, requesting in two very different ways, the secret squirrel product. Looks like I'm on the right track!

Must dash, a day of secret squirreling ahead before I catch the train back home this afternoon.

I Think The Universe Is Trying To Tell Me Something...

My plan for today was to get a whole heap of eBay photography done. After a number of beatiful sunny days, I awoke to a dull, dreary, lightless day, so that plan was cancelled.

The second plan was stay in bed and feel sorry for myself while I continue to recover from a rather nasty stomach 'flu and a horrible detox headache from not eating rubbish due to that stomach bug. From the traditional Chinese medical perpsective (hubby is an acupuncturist), this was not a good idea as the stomach aches are caused by a "cold spleen" and I need movement and "warm foods" to get over it. I'm now sitting at the computer drinking my herbal tea of apple pieces, citrus peels (though I took the big bits of that out - I stop breathing if I eat or drink anything more than a tiny bit of citrus), cinnamon, ginger, pepper, cardamom, blackberry leaves, basic and green rooibos.

The third plan was to write a long overdue post about the fabulously talented Allison and show off photos of the amazing rings she sent me in a recent swap. Now, my photoshop seems to be acting up, so that post is going to have to wait a little longer. Sorry Allison!

I think the universe is trying to tell me that it's time for me to come out of hybernation and to actually make something..... My sewing machine is calling out after being ignored for way too long, new exciting patterns are jumping up and down waiting to be explored, fabrics are crying out to be played with... it's time for me to get off the computer! Will hopefully post next with some results!