31 December 2009
At the Eve
Here I stand at the ending of a used up year, a year that can now be written in the history books. I stand as though looking out to sea, looking at a whole new world approaching...
How many things can I say I've learnt this year, how many things have been done!
2009 has seen me grow up, its kept me busy beyond anything I've known,it is through its days I have shared special moments with the most wonderful people in the world.
Its seen us been given the miracle of life, with the survival of our Bobby after a snake bite, its seen us get that much closer to the dream of opening up a pie shop/gallery. It brought about my 21st birthday. Within its days I've met a boy who makes my days happy.
These are the big events, but the truth of it is this... Everyday I have been blessed with small mercies, shown such beauty in the things around me, listened to tunes that brighten the soul, found colours where seemingly there should have only been gloom... Everyday I've seen the evidence of God's love for me, and that is what my heart sings the loudest for, because that's my strength from day to day...
So to all that I have shared this past year with, thank you for being a part of my life. God bless you.
To this new year a head, although (in reality) it is just waking up in a new day, I hope to share many more precious moments, find adventures, and walk in the brightness of the colourful world with you again.
Love,
Sarah~Mechelle
01 November 2009
1st November: NANO!!!!
I do how ever have my title...! I am excited about this. Even though by the end of Nano I may have changed it a thousand times. As it stands my 2009 November novel has the title: The Keeping of Together.
I have been feeling horrible about the lack of attention I have given this poor blog. Though I am determined to keep it updated during the month of November, even if my eyes start crossing with seeing too many words on a screen, and my fingers cramp up.
NaNo word count to date: 1745 words
Words left:48,255
Days left before the end of Nano: 29
27 October 2009
27th October: Life happens
What can you do but laugh, when being in such a vulnerable position, and through the door your sister hands you a giant roll of kitchen paper.
For the love of small mercies!
25 October 2009
25th October: Returning
Over the past few weeks I have had some hospitality temping shifts. This has taken me to a military base, Sport function centre, airport... Its been interesting to say the least. It has caused me to have to organise my life a little better then it has been for a long time. And although I am in no way 'sorted' out, I feel in my mind that things are starting to straighten out.
Along with many changes, I have come to a point where I can feel a great change of who I am into a new someone I'm becoming. My Grandma has always said that you change every 7 years. (As it turns out I have kept more on time with this then many things... as soon I will be celebrating my 21st birthday.)
Without really realising how quickly it all happened life has turned itself into something completely different then where I thought it would be at this time.
Mam keeps telling us all to remember to keep our eyes on the prize.
It is too easy to get caught up in the here and now. (Our prize has the name of THE DAILY PIE!, and what a prize it will be)
In other news, I will be taking part in NaNoWriMo again this year. Starting a week from today, along with many, many other people who take up this challenge, I will be trying to write a 50,000 word novel in 30 days.
01 October 2009
1st October: The hunt!
Often I have thought that one of us was born in the wrong generation... Either Mam too early, or me too late! For there is no one I would call a better friend then she...
I LOVE my Mam! kiss kiss!
29 September 2009
29th September: The Day
23 September 2009
23rd September: Where is my wand?!
This cage of mind started much like a rash, which so suddenly grew, taking inch after inch; changing everything I knew about the world, everything I knew about myself. It took time before I stopped noticing the itching, and accepted my bounding.
Looking back I am someone quite different then who I was before. Although this happens with time, it is not time alone that has caused this transition, but the experience itself.
There is no going back from where I have been, no one can alter that which is now past.
What happened to my wand? The one that changes things... The wand that brings smiles and happiness to the ones I love. I thought I had it once. I thought it was possible to fix everything.
But I cannot do this alone.
I have shed my blinkers, I can see the pain in the world around me. As much as I didn't want to search for it, I can no longer ignore it now either.
But I can try to throw out a life line...
Once I questioned why other people didn't seem to see the beauty in the world... I wondered if they truly could not see it. I have come to understand, that they too could see it, it just takes effort to see it. Which sounds strange, that you have to focus to see the good, but it is very much in the same way as we know, it takes less muscles to smile then to frown... Yet why are there so many sad faces.?!
Today I look for the rainbow, because the clouds are hiding the sun.
21 September 2009
21st September: To You
11 September 2009
there is a whole big, beautiful world here-
ready for us to live in-
not wishes for tomorrow
nor memories of yesterday-
but now-
a billion fleeting moments
merging together
to make a life time-
Love this moment
and it is forever-
I wish I could make you understand....
~Nan Witcomb~
07 September 2009
7th September: Flickr
I opened a flickr account a little while back, with great intentions of putting many photos I take up there. Sadly this didn't happen as I had the great plan for it.
YET...
I will slowly be adding photos up there if you would like to take a look-see.
Middlepaw on Flickr!
03 September 2009
3rd September: Reps!
Free samples from food reps!
The first of many to come: - meeting with suppliers. Although at some stage this may become a very tedious part of my life, for the time being I am enjoying getting to find out about this whole other side of buying, sourcing, and using this vast array of products that are on the market these days.
Before heading into the business of pies, I had no idea there were tens of different types of butter, each processed in a particular way. I would not have known to be able to mention the enormity of everything they have a product for.
Oh and the thrill of having found a product that may just be what you were looking for.
Time moves at a faster pace while the man is sitting there going through a pile of different papers with the products he supplies. As he tells you the story behind each different manufacturer of the goods.
You sit there listening, throwing in a question or two when you remember to. (Telling yourself the whole time that you will not be sucked in by his 'sales man talk', yet there you sit, getting more and more excited with each new product shown to you - or sample that is offered.) Oh yes, the perks!
27 August 2009
27th August: The Ceiling of Pandora
Along the process of fixing up our old servo, which will soon house the long awaited "The Daily Pie", there has been no end of things that need more work than we had thought from our first assessment of the job.
This rings true of the ceiling which will soon be the ceiling above the cafe/gallery area. What was going to be one day spent on step-ladders with mops and rags sugar soaping... Has turned into 5 days worth of up a ladder grinding off paint that was under prepped when applied 20 odd years ago.
The other thing about old buildings is lead paint; and the fact that having lead paint means a mask must be warn throughout the tedious job of removing it. (Lets face it, no body can breath properly with those darn things on.)
Each day I have been walking home for lunch looking much like the ghosts of stories passed. White (red) eyed and teeth, all that remain un-dusted.
What started out as a few flaky bits of paint, actually ended up being everyone of the gall strips holding up each ceiling panel. The more you look the more there is to be found. Its a scary place to be, in that... Yes it needs to be done right, though we also need to free up other jobs by finishing it.
It is here I will mention, there are other things you learn when doing up old places... The tricks of the trades. Here follows a new segment I will have to consider keeping as a regular feature on this blog.... "product 'shout-outs' that save hours worth of work."
The Josco Brumby Strip-it Disk! This humbly named disk beats any sanding tool of choice when it comes to removing layers of old paint from anything, wood, steel, aluminium, fiberglass, cement. You name it, and I'm sure it could do it. It can take a few tries to get it right and not 'dig' in, but if it is kept flat, and you avoid beveling the edges, it can remove a tremendous amount of unwanted pile-up.
(Please note, I have not been paid to mention the fabulous results that can be achieved by said disks. Truly they have been my sanity in paint-removal solutions.)
25 August 2009
25th August: Reading material!
It is exciting getting to start turning a few pages again, as I have been in a limbo state with my last book for a good month or so now.
I was thrilled to have picked up a full collection of fairy tales by the Brothers Grimm. Their simple structures and directness of story telling has made it a simple pleasure to read them.
Sadly I have also been stowing away copies of that wonderful paper my grandpa picks up for me. I have done a quick scout through each, but they wait now for me to find the twenty hours required to read, cut and paste within my book of inspiration.
What would the world be without the written word!
24 August 2009
24th August: All there is to do is Smile
So without farther ado, here are some things that made me smile:
# Early morning rush to finish music theory for-
# Early morning music lessons
# New shoes which make you want to go dancing
# Spending the day with a dear friend
# Coffee!
# Talking with said friend non-stop for hours
# A lunch of Italian proportions, focaccia and spaghetti
# Being greeted by complete strangers in the street
# Going through racks of gorgeous dresses
# Chocolate cupcakes with thick white icing
# NOT finding a parking ticket upon our late return to the car
# Borrowed books
# More importantly borrowed whole 4th season of Doctor Who! (thankyou thankyou!)
# Drives home with the windows down and music up
# Excited puppies upon arrival home
# Conversations with a special boy
# Hot baths and pajamas
# Watching the first episode of season 4 Dr Who!
Truly there is much to smile about.
07 August 2009
7th August: Life is good
Life is good... Extremely busy, and new... Far too exciting. I seriously have no doubt that if my heart wasn't caged in it would be flying in the Heavens by now.
All minds and hands have been on the enormous job of getting the shop ready to open. This includes any number of tasks from gardening, to plumbing, leveling cement floors, fitting new ceiling and wall panels, cleaning the mess created from these jobs... We could never claim that life has been boring, when each day you head out to face a task you may have never done before, but today you will find a way to figure it out.
Since taking on this building with the great plans to opening a Pieshop/metal gallery, I have learnt so much. Firstly that nothing is impossible. Though it has also taught me a lot about my family as well as myself.
As I'm sure many people find when taking on such a project, it brings out the very best and worst of us all. Tiredness, frustration, and sometimes genuine discouragement toward the whole job brings with it a gloomy mood, which spreads like wild-fire. Though as my Mam points out... So long as one of us is fresh, and in higher spirits, to make the fire when everyone is cold and tired from working... Or spend the time to make a hot meal.
More than any test of skill or work ethic, this project has brought with it the test of patience toward each other.
We have spent countless hours of working together, and overcoming obstacles together... We cannot wait to open it together!
14 July 2009
"Cherry, please!"
12 July 2009
12th July: Father, Daughter Time
We had to cut through the concrete floor of the 'Daily Pie' shop to relocate the positioning of the drains. The cutter that we hired for the job was much like a chainsaw, only with a circular blade. Along with filling the whole gallery area with fumes, more fascinatingly this blade makes the most enchanting sound. Under the thumping of the motor, and the grinding of blade to cement, it sounds like a haunting whistling. It was not just one pitch either, but an array of harmonising chimes, that could be heard as though far away; The music didn't belong there, able to be heard beneath the loudness, the echo, and the wonderful bright orange ear-muffs upon my head. But with head down, and eyes front on the job, I pictured a small village on a hill side, and for some reason some monks, with this tune playing over the whole valley.
There was also an amount of jack-hammering done, in conjunction with the cutter. One can not help but feel powerful with one of those in your hands.
As well as relocating where the drains needed to be, we had to also locate where exactly said drain came out. This brought with it the adventure of having to uncover the grease-trap. The lid upon which is made out of 10mm solid steal plate. Lifting it (I can only imagine) is much like opening up a coffin. Not the scary part of finding a body, but the smell is enough to empty your stomach of its contents, and take any appetite away for a good week. Nasty!
Mapping out were the water came out was time consuming to say the least. When you are working with pipes that haven't been used in the past 10 years there is a certain amount of 'who knows what' build up which needs to be flushed out.
We soon discovered what we feared, one particular drain point was blocked beyond a simple flushing. Out of said hole was pulled (without getting into too much detail) the better part of a ten litre bucket worth of solid fat and gunk. I now refere to a certain brick of the 'fat and gunk' that was removed as 'beef wellington'.
I have found that at such occasions one reacts in one of two ways... Either you remove yourself quickly from the scene, with hand over mouth and a tear of utter disgust in your eye OR you find yourself getting on with the job of cleaning/removing while making a ridicules amount of corny jokes.
As the picture might indicate, I went with option two. As I was the only one with arm long enough, and narrow enough to fit in said hole.
At this point I would just like to mention how thankful I am that my Dad isn't a plumber! That it wasn't the family business I grew up in. I don't think I could handle that everyday!
After spending my weekend in such a manner it brought to mind a question... What do other daughters do with their Dad's?
29 June 2009
29th June: Greek Wedding
There was a tremendous amount of food and wine consumed, many words of blessings to the happy couple offered, hours worth of dancing danced, harmonising charms of glasses being tapped all at one time, and {of coarse} the smashing of the plates.
What an experience!
18 June 2009
18th June: Who needs Jamie Oliver?
When feeling sorry for myself at the prospect of not being able to eat solid foods, (due entirely from wisdom removal), there was a friend who promised me blended food wasn't that bad...
And sent me this to try to prove his point.
Sorry, but I don't believe you!
15 June 2009
15th June: French Films
The order of the day has been french films. Starting with Amilie, which captured my imagination, and lifted what had been a gloomy day (tired of sitting idoly still with face-ache).
Amelie is a girl after my own heart. Wanting to find ways to brighten the days of those within the reach of her life. Although maybe not knowing how to approach certain situations, she does what she can to bring happiness, love.
One of my favourite scenes is where Amelie's father will not consider taking a trip anywhere after having been a widower for many years. To encourage a holiday Amelie takes his dearly loved garden gnome, and sends him on a world tour. Every week or so after the gnome's 'mysterious' disappearance, there is a letter received containing a photo of the gnome in different cities of the world.
I also loved this:
I promised myself I would try this first chance I get!
14 June 2009
14th June: Answers by Me
Pillar-box RED, (can I pick Rainbow?)
13 June 2009
13th June: Small Mercies
days spent groggily between bed and couch
bring with them a certain amount of frustration.
Swollen cheeks,
liquid foods,
tiredness,
dazy from the pain-killers...
My sanity today has been found in mash potato and gravy.
In finishing books that have laid un-open for weeks,
Adding many albums to my itunes library, (that I have had piled high for too long)
In having the puppies happily fall asleep on my lap
Having time to think, I mean the thinking that you often put off because you tell yourself that you cannot waste your time on such foolishness
In waking up from numerous naps
Being taken care of by caring family members,
Drinking cups of tea, made and delivered by Dad
In watching films all of my choosing
Snuggling under doonas,
Wearing thick knitted socks from Grandma
In listening to opera while it rains outside
And in reading inspiring words that made me look for the good things, when I wanted to be miserable.
11 June 2009
11th June: Uninspired
My mind is full of thinking of what tomorrow will bring,
Unlike most days, I have a little more of an idea for tomorrow.
As I have had an appointment set for the past three weeks, awaiting this particular day.
This day in which I will part with the one form of wisdom I can truly acclaim, (with unquestioned sureness) that I have possessed.
I am, of coarse, referring to wisdom in the form of four teeth.
In all honesty I have been waiting for this day with great anticipation; as I have been told that the removal of said teeth will take with it the discomfort that has been niggling at me through my days.
There is only one part of the whole ordeal that is concerning me. I fear not the cutting, and the pulling, the removal or the loss. It is the needle by which they wish to sedate me. No, not even so much the needle, but the very thought of being put to sleep. That terrifies me.
Despite being told how silly my fear is in the scheme of everything, I cannot remove it from my mind. And I am not shamed of it; for it is the idea which has chosen to haunt me. That does not mean I will forever be afraid. But for the moment, I may just remain a little on edge.
Bring on the jelly and custard!
01 June 2009
1st June: Winter Joys
Three layers of cloths...
Dark afternoons...
Scarves and jackets out of hiding...
Woodsmoke stained skies...
Woolen socks from Grandma...
Hopping back in bed fast in the morning...
Frost on the car windows...
Crunchy ground underfoot...
Biting northern winds...
Bare arms of trees reaching to the clouds...
Hot chocolate with marshmallows...
Seeing your breath in the air...
Numb fingers that refuse to bend...
Stolen moments warming in the sun...
Soup and toast...
Snuggling in dooners on the couch...
Boots with thick socks...
Drawing hearts on a foggy window...
Waking in the night, hearing raindrops on the tin roof...
"When all is safely gathered in"
29 May 2009
Week of Curiosities: Music
I am quite sure there is not a soul alive who could deny their love of music in one form or another. I love how it is the universal language. That it never needs to be explained. How you don't have to be a scholar or well learned to enjoy its moving nature.
Music is its own living entity. It breaths great breaths in the wind, it hums between the grass in an empty field. Made by the sparrow early in the morning, or howled to the moon by the wolf.
Music is the annoying tapping by my brother on the table, the cracking of the wood as it burns.
It is the chime of a child laughing, it is the beating of my heart.
28 May 2009
Week of Curiosities: Maps!
I have poured many hours in journeying from land to land, following the borders of country to country; Traveling miles on paths drawn with my finger. (The quickest, and safest way to travel)
Many of my favourites are of the lands in books, which not everyone has heard of before.
27th May: Poem to Share...
What could I have ever done Lord, to repay the debt I owe?
Now these tears that down my face are falling, they do stain like drops of blood.
How could I have known the pain you went through, just to save my weary soul.
Lost in darkness, I wondered alone. Hidden in my own desires.
The path of truth my feet did lose, the way of light for me grew dark.
A look around is all I wanted, until that second turned to years.
Before I knew how long I had looked away, I went missing within myself.
I thought I could walk these paths without you, though my feet began to slip.
Afraid, alone, all my doing; no one to know the last breath I took.
Who will come and be by me, as I go now to face my doom?
My head hangs low as I recall, the pitiful state I made for myself.
When life seemed to come to the closing, eternity now waiting for me,
A prayer within my heart, a longing: "if only to had offered praise."
So these tears began their flowing, from the soul that now could see;
A waisted life, lay out behind me, a path of footprints in the sand.
Through blurry eyes, I saw a hand offered. I was pulled up off the ground.
And a voice, I heard it saying: "I would never leave your side."
Dear Lord you came for this poor sinner, that wondered from your loving care.
Now to you my life I'm giving... Help me stand in truth and love.
Oh, these tears that from my eyes are flowing, they do mean the world to me.
For to think of what You went through, and my life is all I could give.
With faith and love I hope to praise you. With my every waking hour.
Help me to believe and remember, the cost of one lost weary soul.
I had wondered to and fro, across the unforgiving sands;
And to think that you came looking, for the lost sheep that I am.
Thankyou Lord above in Heaven, Thankyou Father, Holy Ghost...
For the Son that you sent for us, for the price you paid for me.
26 May 2009
Week of Curiosities: Inspirational Wall
25 May 2009
Week of Curiosities: Box of Secrets
Why I love to keep these precious goodies stored in a box together is that I might keep those special moments safe. That they do not get lost in the bookcase of my mind. Too easy it is to forget something we know; what suddenly makes us remember?