Curly Sue

Newbies...

2009-10-05T02:09:00.000-07:00

Ive been in a bit of a creative funk lately but seem to be pulling out of it!

Im very attracted to simple clean lines at the moment..some new things from moi..

Opal pink glass and sterling silver earrings

Clear faceted glass and oxidised sterling silver necklace

Platinum kissed faceted glass and oxidised sterling silver earrings

Turquoise Heishe bead and Hill Tribe Silver necklace

Relief

2009-09-22T23:34:00.000-07:00

So I went in today.I had myself so worked up I had to stop at the chemist and buy myself some rescue remedy before i even went up the stairs.

She got me all stirruped up, spent ages poking around and having a look and then came and put her hand on my leg and said.."I have to tell you, your cervix....................."*heart stops, mouth goes dry, wee runs down leg (or up leg as it were)*....Looks absolutely perfect!!

Gotta love a gyno that likes to build a bit of suspense

Anyway, she didn't even bother wanting a biopsy as there was nothing to hack out. Apparantly cervical cells change all the time and this is normal and healthy but I have an unusually large patch of these cells and the PAP must have been done while they were on the change.

So.

I am so goddamn relieved, I had to have several cigs before I could drive and my hands were shaking for ages afterwards. I am such a geek.I have to make a dentist appointment soon so stay tuned for the next installment of "Australian Drama Queen"

Family Reunions...

2009-08-27T20:24:00.000-07:00

FSM bless the information superhighway!

I have recently been very fortunate to be reunited with my huge extended family overseas.

Thanks to the internet (more importantly facebook!) I was found by one of my cousins and am now in regular contact with a huge array of rellies that I haven't seen since I was 12 or so.

It amazes me how much I have in common with these guys, genetics aside, we have grown up on completely differant continents and had virtually no contact but I find myself giggling at their status updates, marvelling over their photos and suprising myself with the values and ideas I seem to share with many of them.

I guess this must be a little bit like what an adopted child feels when they meet their birth families for the first time. Most of my cousins have grown up knowing each other, spending holidays and family events together while my brother and I were on the other side of the world, just us on our lonesome! We knew we had this huge tribe of people in the USA and England but didn't know them at all.

Now I just have to start saving (really really hard), I so want to get over there and meet them all and say Kia Ora Cuzzie! :p

Restless..

2009-08-17T14:52:00.000-07:00

Last night I just couldn't sit still.

Nothing on tv was interesting, I didn't want to read, didn't want to be on the computer. I just didn't know what to do with myself.

I went to bed and lay in the dark for hours and hours.

I had my hand on my stomach and worried and wondered and questioned.

Could this cervix that had bore me two children with no problems, that WORKED properly, be about to make my world come crashing down? The words 'high grade squamous lesion' played over and over in my head like a stuck record.

Did you know squamous means scaley? Who knew? I thought it meant cancerous but no, it just means scaly. Like a lizard or a dragon or a snake.

I said to my husband last night that Im so glad its me. That I would take the worst case scenario as long as the universe keeps up its side of the bargain and my daughter never has another health problem until she is an old woman.

As I lay in bed I also started thinking bizarre thoughts like..I want to move house. Ever since we have been married and moved into this house our family has had health problems. Between my daughter, my husband and now me, its been a rollercoaster for the last few years.
Yep, if I move house it will change everything :p

I am refusing to talk to anyone about it. My Mum rings me with a false sing song cheer in her voice and it makes me want to bawl. Its 5 weeks until the colposcopy and then probably a couple of weeks until I get the results back.

I KNOW I'm being obsessive and ridiculous. I am sure everything will be fine.

But lying awake at night, not being able to switch of my mind, I cant help the thoughts that pop into my head.

Well crap...

2009-08-16T20:36:00.000-07:00

Possible high-grade squamous lesion

Exclude cin2 or 3

Hmm, they are not words you want your GP telling you when you go to get your results for your lady tests.

Ya know, google is not always a good thing. I have spent most of this morning ignoring my kids and FREAKING the fuck out about cervical cancer after searching for the above terms.

I am sure I am fine. I will go for the colposcopy and it will come back A-OK. But jesus tap dancing christ, I was shocked to hear my lovely doctor tell me those words. You just dont expect to hear them right?

So now I have to wait until the 22nd of sep to go have another dr staring up places that no person should be staring up. After two kids, you would think I would be over having people stare up my clacker but I still find it incredibly violating and cringe worthy.

In the meantime, I have a trip to the Gold Coast planned to take my mind of it. Keep your fingers and toes crossed for me will ya?

Karma is a bitch...and shes coming to bite you on the ass

2009-08-05T19:01:00.000-07:00

You know who you are.

You know who you've hurt.

I would like to think you will do the right thing but Im sure more lies will spew forth from your diseased mind.

You are completely delusional and unstable and I hope to hell you get the fuck out of our lives for good.

I hate you.

Goodbye and good riddance.

Feeling tense..

2009-07-12T23:56:00.001-07:00

I am such a panic merchant.

I cant help it but I am seriously worried about stupid old swine flu.

Having a child that has seizures at even a whiff of a fever is making me turn into an anxious, hand wringing old worry wart.

I yell at the kids if they touch the handrail on the escalators..."are you CRAZY?? Swine flu, swine flu!!". Sure, they might fall and crack open their skulls by not hanging on but at least they aint going to get it.

I have wipes, hand sanitizer, bleach and full body suits in my handbag..well, maybe not the bodysuits but only because they wont fit.

Fuck you swine flu, why did you have to give me grey hair and stomach ulcers?

New things...

2009-06-14T19:27:00.001-07:00

Some newbies from moi! Click on the links to be taken directly to my Etsy store to see all the deets.

Prehnite earrings with oxidised sterling silver wire wrap

I am loving Prehnite at the moment. It has the most beautiful milky green glow. Yum.

Red coral flower earrings with hand hammered oxidised sterling silver hoops

There is nothing better than gritty hammered sterling silver, especially when oxidised. It gives it such a nice grungy organic feel. Here I've paired it with striking blood red coral flowers.

Gothic fairytale necklace with real brass hand mirror, brass rose with red crystal and etched chain

I was THRILLED when I found this awesome brass hand mirror, its nice and heavy and the glass is the real deal. Kind of creepy but very stylish, I love how gothic and camp this necklace has become!

And the winner is....Obama!

2009-06-14T19:22:00.000-07:00

You might think Im a bit late with the announcement but I am in fact talking about the most searched for image on the net.

Barack Obama featured as the number one search followed by Miley Cyrus, the Jonas brothers, some other rap super star that I have never heard of. Veerrrryyy interesting.

And cool.

Because now I get to put a picture of the big fella on my blog.

And I quite like him :D

Things I love on Etsy

2009-05-27T19:47:00.001-07:00

SO, I've just been going through my faves on Etsy and thought I'd share them with you.

There is SUCH an awesome amount of talent on this little corner of the world wide web..

Blackboard ring

How cool is this?! Doesn't everyone need a blackboard ring?!

WryandGingers Cards

Seriously, the funniest seller on Etsy. I sometimes spend a good half hour just looking at all her listings and chortling to myself.

Star of the East

The most incredible jewellery made with luminous lovely treasures from the sea.

I have to list two photos as I cant decide which is more pretty..

The infinite sadness

2009-04-23T16:36:00.000-07:00

I've been feeling a bit down lately. I blame the recession, the weather, turning on the nightly news.

These awesome artists seem to have captured my mood perfectly.

Weeheyyyyy! Supplies are here..

2009-04-15T13:36:00.001-07:00

And you know what that means my lovelies? New prettys :)

Golden Bubbles

This sold straight away but I have another one to list today, just need to get out the liver of sulphur for a nice patina and she'll be good to go..

May the bluebird of happiness poop on your head - Oxidised Sterling Silver, coral, turquoise and Swarovski pearl wire wrapped necklace

Im on a bit of a streak, so more to come :)

Whoooo are you? who who,who who

2009-04-14T14:45:00.000-07:00

So my little lovelies, where are you all coming from?

According to my blog patrol stats you are pouring in from every which way at the moment. Hurrah! I love it :)

If any of you have a spare 2 seconds, I would really appreciate a quick comment to let me know how you found me, the increase in hits is astonishing and I cant tell where you are coming from and well, Im nosy :)

Newbies!

2009-04-13T13:52:00.000-07:00

I am waiting on a HUGE bunch of supplies that will hopefully arrive today! In the meantime, here are a couple of my newbies :)

Molly - Filigree locket necklace

I love these beautiful filigree lockets. They are so pretty and can be featured on lots of different styles.

I recently sold this one which I love and plan on making again. Using creamy swarovski pearls (my new guilty pleasure!) and a filigree lotus with a pearl centrepiece.

These have both sold too but I have some more of this gorgeous flashy moonstone and cant wait to make some more!

Oh good lord....Its a road trip!

2009-03-30T22:10:00.000-07:00

So one of my oldest girlfriends is getting hitched (old as in I've known her since I was 13, not as in SHES old) and Im heading back to Aotearoa for the wedding.

Another friend and I are turning it into a bit of a Thelma and Louise weekend (sans cliff diving and unfortunately, probably sans Brad Pitt) with a road trip, plenty of booze, catching up with all our old friends, dancing on tables and generally making a total disgrace of ourselves :D

These are the girls I have grown up with, my sisters and my comrades.

We have laughed together, cried together, torn strips off each other and punched other peoples lights out for each other!

We have drifted all over the world, seen each other through broken relationships, births of children and career crises's. We have gone through stages of not seeing or speaking to each other for years but put us all in the same room with a few bottles of cheap wine and its like we are 14 and headbanging to Guns N Roses together again!

So, Louise, Heres to your big day, I cant wait to see you on Saturday in your meringue!

Cola, Jasmine, Nicola and Pam, I love you guys with all my secret bogan heart xxx

The cult of Pandora

2009-03-20T13:51:00.000-07:00

I recently had the unfortunate experience of being in a jewellers that specialised in Pandora jewellery. Now, before you go thinking Im a crazed loon for not jumping on the Pandora bandwagon, I state for the record that I quite like the rings and my girlfriend recently showed me a simple leather necklace that wasn't bad but the bracelets...??

Lord give me strength...

If there was ever a mindless, boring, unimaginative suburban housewife craze, then this would be it. I watched these women pour over these beads, practically foaming at the mouth and working out ways they could sneakily add to their collection without their husbands finding out they had spent hundreds of dollars on a bead.

I. dont. understand.

It makes me sad in my jewellery place.

early midlife crisis?

2009-02-21T12:25:00.000-08:00

So yesterday, I was at the mall with Spawn #1 birthday present shopping for one of her little buddies when we passed the piercing shop and I suddenly had an overwhelming desire to have a possibly tattooed and hep c positive stranger, shove a sharp instrument through a sensitive part of my body.

The sign outside the shop advertised 'no anaesthetic, pain free piercing'

'Pain free?' thought I..'thats for a sook like me'

Upon approaching the counter I realised the 'piercer' was all of about 12 and peppered her sentances with OMG's and Like so many times I almost walked out but Spawn was looking up at me, big eyed, like I was the bravest lady in all the land so I handed over my credit card and tried not to pass out.

Junior Piercy mc piercer soon had me flat on my back out the back (It usually takes at least a glass of wine to get me in that state) and with a quick sharp screw of her needle, I had a nose stud and was good to go.

Apart from a moment of watery eyes, I couldn't believe how quick and easy it was and best of all spawn thought I was super cool.

Now I get to shop for some nose studs on Etsy, here are a couple of my faves so far!

Tiny Nose Screw by AutumnEquinox

Tiny Blossom Nose Screw - FREE SHIPPING by Gemma Factrix

Getting creative...

2009-01-30T03:53:00.000-08:00

Just a few newbies from moi..

Micheline Rose

Azure

Salam

Fashion Commentary Whizzes!

2009-01-30T03:50:00.000-08:00

I happened across this awesome blog through a twitter link!

Hilariously funny with fab links and comments on everything from Michelle Obama to removing your pubic hair!

PlushJunkie

Go check it out now...run!!

Craziness abounds...

2009-01-24T03:03:00.000-08:00

So things have been a bit stressful around here of late.

I blame the heat, the economy, the crazy notion that taking two kids away on holiday would be relaxing..Madness I tell you, madness!

What I would really like is just a couple of hours a day to myself when I can just veg, read a book, stare at the ceiling, contemplate my naval, you know, important stuff, without someone AT me about something.

I told my kids I am changing my name to supercalifragilisticexpialidocious and would only answer to that when accompanied by a series of high kicks and the running man.
Damn husband taught the little blighters how to do it didn't he and then had the gall to lay on the couch with a smug grin while the spawns followed me around the house screaming it at the top of their lungs while doing maniac boy band'esque dance moves.

I could do my 'nothing' while the spawns are having their afternoon nap and I admit I DO have a lie down now and then (well, every afternoon if Im being completely honest with you dear reader) but there is always that nagging voice in my head whispering 'dust, vacuum, clean the blinds, hang out the laundry etc etc'.
I can normally silence that bitch with a swift karate chop to the throat and a couple of scorched almonds but shes never completely gone and I can picture her looking at me accusingly while she limps back to the recesses of my brain.

My friend thinks all us 'modern young women' must be out of our minds with stress just trying to keep up with life. God love her, shes a child of the 60's and swears by transcendental meditation and a good spliff. Maybe shes right, I should just get some whale music and pot and call it good.

Either that or hire a nanny, chef, cleaner, chauffeur, personal assistant, Pool boy (Hellloooooooo Paulo!) and laundry maid.

Good idea.

Black Friday/Cyber Monday SALE SALE SALE!!

2008-11-27T11:31:00.000-08:00

OK so Thanksgiving isn't a holiday we celebrate down here but I can still get in the mood with a sale right??!

15% off entire store Friday 28th - Monday 01st!!

3 x etsy front pages! Woohoo!

2008-11-16T14:22:00.000-08:00

So all the talk of a recession and a depressed economy has been me feel quite low, especially in regards to my Etsy shop. Sales are sooooo slow BUT..

I was featured on the front page 3 times last week!

Firefly

Varley

And Maggie May was an alternative that got rotated to feature on this lovely one

So, Im keeping my fingers crossed that the sales start coming in, its almost christmas after all!

Dr's appointments, specialists, waiting, stressing, here we go again..

2008-10-08T22:23:00.000-07:00

So.

Millie has had two seizures in the last couple of months. The last one, last week, she fell off her chair face first onto the ground.
That was pretty scary, she bit a chunk out of her tongue poor mite.
Both were while she was sick but that brings the total up to around 11 seizures in about 3 years. Too many for them to just say febrile convulsions with a swish of their hands.

Sigh...

We have been referred back to Dr Antony (Top pediatric neurologist) who she saw for her ptosis, have to have another EEG done with another Dr in Lindfield, a metabolic urine screen to rule out any other weirdo nasty sydndromes and then hopefully, hopefully we will be done with Drs.

I am praying in a way that they say she has Epilepsy because if so, we have a diagnosis and its done.
Im still super worried and cant help imagining all sorts of scary scenarios. Her pupil sizes have been quite differant of late and Im sure some Dr at some stage said thats to do with her ptosis but I am still so paranoid its giving me stomach ulcers.

We are all almost over this dreaded bott that seems to have taken us all out for the count. Millie and I still have a pack a day cough each which is driving everyone crazy. Thanks very much pilgrims, please keep your religious fervour and consumption away from my family and I please?

Thankyou.

When life kicks you in the nuts....

2008-09-28T23:29:00.000-07:00

This is what gets me through..

We had our photos from Luisa back today. Just in time to remind me about all that is good in the world.

I feel for those that do not have a good relationship with their families, it is the most important thing in my life and I am very blessed to have great kids and husband, awesome parents and extended family.

Hug your kids tight and kiss them until they squeak, they wont be little for long.

I have nothing to live for....

2008-08-24T19:43:00.000-07:00

Well maybe thats a 'slight' exaggeration but oh my, I am a miserable shit at the moment.

A couple of months ago I kicked my dreadful nicotine habit and then got the bright idea that I should now get in shape also.

Bad idea, terrible, the worst in the world.

I joined the gym a couple of weeks ago and felt very superior as I drove there in my shiny new trainers and bouncy gym type hairstyle. I sneered at the fatties waiting at the bus stop and brilliantly ignored the ever expanding brioche that was threatening to overlap my seat belt.

20 minutes on the treadmill, hooray!
15 minutes on the bike, huzzah!
a few ladylike crunches down in the weights room, I was going to be trim, taut and terrific in no time.

I chirpily signed up for my 3 sessions with the personal trainer and was very excited last thursday when my assessment with Christiaaaaaaaannnnn took place.
So, I could only do 10 push ups, 14 sit ups and was puffing and sweating like a cheap knockhouse whore after 3 minutes of stepping up and down on one of those frightful little boxes but Im sure thats about normal for my age (all of 32) right??

WRONG WRONG WRONG!!

I went back today for my results and was shocked to my very wobbly core to find out I have a fitness age of 45 years old!!!
Some stats for your reading pleasure..
Body fat: 22% - 21 years old (must admit feel a little bit smirky about that)
Flexibility: 15cm - 18 years old (hee hee)
upper body and core strength: 56 years old (er, not so good)

but the very worst of it...

.....
.....
....
Cardio fitness...

....
..

78 year old.

Oh. My. Freakin. God.

Im going to hide in a corner with a creme filled donut if anyones looking for me.

Just keep your trap shut...

2008-08-06T20:59:00.001-07:00

A word to the wise..

Dont ever DARE to disagree (no matter how politely)on the Etsy forums or someone who may or may not ever have bought one of your items will stamp their foot, pout and tell you they are a big scary buyer so you shouldnt dare to voice a conflicting idea or they'll never ever buy from you....

I guess Im on someones DNB list.

Blow me.

Droooooollll!

2008-08-02T03:40:00.000-07:00

I.Love.Labradorite.

Not in a pervy way (although now that I think about it....)

Finding a piece with awesome blue flash is so exciting. Am I a geek? Yes, yes I am.

This particular pair of earrings is sold...

But I have some that are almost as flashy here and some more on its way to me.

I cant wait to get my greedy little mitts on them...

I have a new lover...

2008-07-31T16:17:00.000-07:00

Hes black, hes thin and oh so slick.

His name..

GHD IV hair straightening iron..

*Swoon*

Ive always envied those girls with their swishy shiny happy hair. My sad old mop has always been stuffed back into a ponytail and hidden away from the world and its prying, critical eyes.

But NO MORE! My hair is now swishy, my hair is now shiny, my hair is now FABULOUS! I can now hold my head high and do the hair flick thing that Ive always envied!

Before:

After:

Now, If I can just find somewhere nice to take my hair and an extra hour a day to actually DO it, life will be grand!

Etsy Front Page woohoo!

2008-07-30T16:45:00.000-07:00

Beautiful curation by ThePeachTree

Do ya see my Ella Bella bracelet, do ya? Huh huh huh??

Now if I can just sell the little $%#&*@!

Its seriously such a thrill to make the front page, I've had it happen only 3 times and its sooo exciting!

Thanks again Amy!

Family connections..

2008-07-30T16:39:00.000-07:00

While Im on family, there is a great shop on Etsy called Crafty Ladies

A mother and daughter combo with a wide range of talents.
They feature everything in their shop from key chains to jewelery to knitting.
They also have another Etsy shop called A Sentimental Affair which sells a gorgeous array of bombonierre and wedding favours.

I think this is particularly lovely

White Rose in a Terracotta Pot

Life

2008-07-30T16:37:00.001-07:00

You should never ever give up hope.

I refused to think that I would lose my Aunty, It just wasn't possible for that little pocket rocket to be gone.

My Stepmum rang last night with news from my Dad.

My Aunty opened her eyes, made contact with my Dad and gave him a huge smile. She also raised one of her arms.

We will not know more until later today but if just proves to me that hope is a powerful tool.

Death

2008-07-28T14:19:00.000-07:00

We have been to too many funerals lately, three this year already.
Now my Aunty has slipped into a diabetic coma and not expected to make it.

I cant believe I am about to lose my Aunty Kathy Schaf. My Dad is enroute to Portsmouth as I type. What a horrible reason to have to return home.

Keep your fingers crossed for her/us/everyone.

Etsy Front Page!!

2008-07-01T15:05:00.000-07:00

Yay!! Marsiemums twighlight zone treasury made Etsy Front Page today!

WHOOPEEEEE!

Bite me...

2008-06-28T20:40:00.000-07:00

Im so sick of underhanded snarkiness.

Suspicion and asshatt remarks diguised as tame little comments.

Passive aggressive is sooooo nineties.

If you have something to say, just say it.

That is all.

Serendipity Corner Photography website now live!

2008-06-19T16:54:00.000-07:00

A girlfriend of mine has just launched a new photography business and I am so excited for her!
Its so wonderful seeing people persue their artistic dreams and I wish her all the success in the world!
Click on the following link to see more of Luisa's gorgeous work..

Serendipity Corner Photography

Curly Sue Supplies Store opening soon - COMPETITION!

2008-06-14T20:38:00.000-07:00

So I really really really have to get rid of some of the bajillions of beads and findings I have lying around my work area and have decided to set up a destash/supply store on Etsy!

BUT, and herein lies the problem, I need a name for said store.

I want something that stands out and is easy to remember and relevant to what Im selling so that, dear reader, is where you come in!

Im holding a competition to come up with a name for my new store, name chosen will win this awesome pair of celestial crystal and stirling silver wire wrapped earrings!

Hurrah for free stuff!!

Post your ideas here or convo me on Etsy!!

Competition will be open until a name has been chosen, now put your thinkin' caps on!

Anxiety...

2008-05-13T20:36:00.000-07:00

So I have a trip planned back home to see the family with the kids in a couple of weeks (10 sleeps actually, Spawn #1 and I counted this morning).
Its just me and the kiddos....in an airport...on a plane, no husband to lug stuff and do silly dances to get kids to eat (I find myself in a trance as he contorts, cartwheels and struts to amuse them myself actually!)

Im thinking of ordering some go go gadget arms on alchemy so I can boing them out to the other end of the boarding lounge as one child tries to go duty free shopping and the other sets up camp under a Japanese tourist's chair whilst still keeping an eye on the bags, car seat and balancing a mountain of snacks on my head sherpa style.

Once we are on the plane Im tossing up between Hannibal Lector type restraints for the 4 year old or a good ol dose of phenergan to just knock her out. The people in front will be so glad, she has great seat kicking abilities that one.
Number 2 will be safely stowed in the over head locker...wait..I mean buckled into her car seat so apart from shrieking like a banshee she wont be able to actually get up and try to open the door or anything.

At the other end Ive asked for some assistance to disembark and collect my luggage. Last time I travelled with just #1 on my own this was great, we had our very own airport 'official' (Read pervy old grandfather volunteer type that had his eyes on my, at the time, pregnant bousairs the whole time) It was worth putting up with the lecherous old trout to cut the queue.

I must ring up and organise that again and note to self...wear booby top on plane..

2008-05-06T20:11:00.000-07:00

Made into Etsy gift guides woohoo!

2008-04-29T20:00:00.000-07:00

These earrings are getting quite the exposure at the moment!

Just noticed they made it into the Etsy Gift Guides..

Lest We Forget.

2008-04-25T05:45:00.001-07:00

I dont know what it is about ANZAC day that makes me so misty eyed but I cant watch footage of the diggers marching so proudly, displaying their well deserved medals without getting a lump in my throat.

I am especially proud of my Dad. An SAS Paratrooper in Vietnam and Borneo, he was a great soldier and is an amazing man.

My brother took my nephew to the dawn service this morning to see his Grandad march. How I wish I could have been there. It would have meant a lot to Dad to have them there.

On another note, I was talking to my Mum the other day and she mentioned she was transcribing an old letter on the computer as it was falling to bits.
She send me a copy and wow. Amazing. This was sent to my Great Great Grandfather by a man whose life he saved on the beach that day...

Port Chalmers
21st December 1917

Dear Sargt Major

I regret that I must have appeared very long winded in answering your welcome letter. I have for some time been moving round the country and your letter has been following me up.

I am exceedingly pleased to learn that you are alive and well and still more pleased to know that you are back in New Zealand.

From time to time I have made enquiries concerning you, but until now when your letter arrived, I have been unable to locate you. When you bound me up I must have misunderstood what you said for I looked for you in the Wellington Infantry, to which I thought that you said you belonged. I was very disappointed (illegible) and I thought I must have mistaken the name.

I find now that I have the most pleasant but difficult task of trying to thank you for the very prompt, careful and fearless way you tackled the dressing of my wound and saw to my despatch to the dressing station while under that heavy shrapnel fire on that memorable afternoon. Had it not have been for your ready and able assistance I think it very probable that I should have never seen New Zealand again.

I will relate to you the events as best I can remember them as they happened from the time you attended to me at the dressing station. They evidentally did not think much of my chances of living for I have since heard that they put me out as dead. Since the report you heard – I was then left lying somewhere down on the beach, where Indian mule trains kept passing. The Turks opened fire on these just as they came near me. Many of the shells burst quite near me but fortunately nothing touched me. For a time it was a perfect hell lying there but fortunately after a time nature came to the rescue and I lost consciousness. From then on I lost count of time. I seemed to be left on the beach a very long time. I remember my thirst and my being hoisted aboard a hospital ship where they afterwards found another hole in me. I was then taken to Egypt but of the trip I remember practically nothing. I could have been only a few days ‘trip’, but I remember very little about it except it seemed ages before I was shaken to life in a motor ambulance in Alexandria. I spent about a month in Alexandria during which time septic poisoning set in and a fever developed. They then hurried me aboard the hospital ship “Letitia’ (?) bound for England. Two days out they operated on me for the first time and I believe found quite a lot. I picked up slightly after that but it was only after many more months in the Endsleigh Palace Hospital in Euston, London, during which time I had three further operations, also developed pleurisy, that I at last became somewhat convalescent.

When I became sufficiently strong I made my way by easy stages to Inverness via Liverpool, Glasgow and Stirling. I came back to London via Aberdeen, Edinburgh and York. I eventually left Plymouth for New Zealand on the ‘Arawa’.. We had a splendid passage out and that trip did more for me than a hundred doctors could have done.

I then stayed at home for nearly a month after which I was packed off to Rotorua for about four and a half months, after which somehow I was appointed to a position on the Temporary Staff as Area Officer with headquarters at Port Chalmers. I had been an Area Officer for about three months when I was appointed District Attesting Officer and for months I travelled around with the Medical Board. I am now back to my area at Port Chalmers and as it is a country area I get quite a lot of moving around.

Although I can hardly hope to regain all my former strengths and good health I am very well satisfied with the progress I have made for my health is indeed very fair.

I regret very much that your name has not appeared in the lists of those who have had the luck to have their good work in the field recognised by being awarded a decoration or some distinction. It is relieving in a way to know that yours is not an isolated case of merit passing unnoticed but still is more or less annoying for yourself and for those who know of your good work.

However your coolness and good work will not be forgotten by those who were fortunate enough to be assisted by you. I for one shall always remember you with deep feelings of gratefulness and will ever be watchful for an opportunity to repay you in some slight degree for the services you so gallantly rendered me at the time when I was lying wounded on Gallipoli.

I will ask you to accept a small gift, a token which will remind you that at least someone appreciated your work on that fearful day. In choosing a present I am confronted with the difficulty of not knowing whether you are single or married. Would you please let me know as soon as possible which state of bliss you enjoy. The gift I have in view is suitable chiefly for a married man. When the reply is received I shall have great pleasure in forwarding to you a small gift which will serve as a token of my gratitude. On no account however must you think that the value of it is the value I set on the very great service you rendered to me.

I trust that you are enjoying good health. Also that I may hear from you very shortly.
My address is (Rank illegible) F L Hunt
Area Officer
Port Chalmers

Sincerely yours
Frank L Hunt

PS I am further in your debt for you bringing back my belongings. I had long since given them up for lost. You will understand how very pleased I shall be to get them when I explain that the revolver was the gift of a brother officer and a great friend, in Dunedin. The binoculars the present of an officer in the same company, while the Kodak was the present of my brother. My dad had given me the watch but its loss I do not mind one scrap – he can give me another if I get away again.

Of any expense that you have incurred on my behalf please let me have a note and I will square up. Send the above collect when sending.

FLH

Lest We Forget

I made Etsy Front Page!!

2008-04-20T20:01:00.000-07:00

Imagine my surprise yesterday when my views for the day (Yes I am that anal and keep Majaba going throughout the day!) shot up from 40 or so to over 300 in a matter of minutes.

I refreshed Majaba, that cant be right? *insert confused head scratching here*

It suddenly occured to me that Maybe, just maybe, I was on the front page of Etsy! a few hurried mouse clicks later I was staring at my very own Lily May earrings winking saucily at me from the FP! Hurrah!!

I had been an alternative in the treasury and yay of all yay's, something had sold so when it went to the FP, I got to be featured!

I clocked up over 900 views in the hour or so that it was featured, many hearts but no sales...harumph! Oh well, it was an awesome experience seeing one of my creations so prominently featured, maybe next time :D

Newbies!

2008-04-15T03:42:00.001-07:00

Have been a very very bad blogger of late but just so it knows I still love it, I am giving my blog a bit of an update with some pics of some new creations..

Winterberries

Azure

Clown of God..

Damn Easter Bunny...

2008-03-22T03:08:00.000-07:00

Do you know how many times Ive had to replace the kids easter eggs because SOMEONE (ie me) keeps getting stuck into them late at night while mindlessly surfing the net.

I am disgusted in myself (so is my arse)

Thank the goddess this time tomorrow easter will almost be over...and I'll have to just eat my way through the kids pile because...you know...chocolate's bad for kids

Putting things in perspective...

2008-03-09T19:03:00.000-07:00

I read a blog today that ripped my heart open

The thought of something happening to your child, your flesh and blood, the baby that grew in your womb and gave birth to, is so frightening it can make you physically ill.

As I read the story of this man and his fight to save his daughter, my chest felt as if it was in a vice, my hands started to shake and sobs came from deep inside. So deep I thought I had forgotten them.

It has been quite a while since we had the all clear on Millie.

I remember the Dr coming out to see me still in his gown after they had given her an MRI to check for tumours. I was sitting on a spare chair in the reception of the surgical ward while I waited to see her in recovery (she had had an general anaesthetic) and he casually told me they would have to wait for a complete study but it looked to be all clear. I think my gutteral moan scared him. It was a release of tension that had gripped me for so long. I felt as though I had taken my first breath in over a year.

Lumbur punctures, EEG's, ultrasounds, MRI's, catheters, canulas, beeping drips full of saline and antibiotics...These are the sights and sounds of a parent that lays awake in a fold out bed next to their softly snoring child, praying desperatly to a god they dont believe in for something, someone to make it all right.
The despair and helplessness is overwhelming. As a parent, it is your duty to protect your child. When they are ill, you should be able to administer a pill, a potion, an incantation and make it right. The anger when you cannot almost consumes you.

I am still angry. Angry that I lost time with my daughter, that she had to got though so much, her little body poked and prodded. Angry that I bore the stress and knowledge while my husbands way of coping was to bury his head in the sand. Angry that I was angry at HER for being ill.

We are so so so lucky, the suspected neuroblastoma turned out to be nothing more than a congenital ptosis and some (many) febrile convulsions.

I have a friend whose child has a life threatening condition and I dont know how she copes day in day out. She is a marvel and I look up to her and admire her more than anyone I know.

It has been almost a year since Millies last seizure, every month that goes past I am thankful and when we hit that milestone I will, for some reason, feel like we can finally put this nightmare behind us.

I dont pray, I dont believe, but I want to lay down on the warm earth with my arms spread and thank the universe for Millies continuing good health and send healing energy To Michael Laws and Lucy.

Please (insert preferred diety here) cure this wee sprite, this tiny scrap of all that is good in this world. Let her parents have the good news and do the gutteral moan and freak out her doctor.

Please?

New supplies, new creations woohoo!

2008-03-03T18:16:00.000-08:00

I had a whole bunch of supplies arrive yesterday and I have been a whirling dervish getting things made!!

I am LOVING some new oxidised brass wire and have been wrapping everything in sight lol!

I also made this sweet little necklace with a freebie brass leaf that was thrown in with my purchases, I love how it has turned out..

And I have been hanging to do something with this brass swallow..

Check out my etsy shop for more of my new bronzey/brassy bits and bobs!

Curly Sue chillin' with Thirsty Merc and Cleo Bachelors of the Year!

2008-02-19T22:13:00.000-08:00

Well my first piece was was worn on What you Want on Channel V today by VJ Maya!

They were interviewing Aussie rockers Thirsty Merc and some of the Cleo bachelors of the year so it was in fine company lol!

I have a copy of the show but unfortunately copyright laws wont allow me to upload it to youtube...boo!

I have another piece appearing tomorrow, a blackstone lotus suspended on dalmation jaspar, keep an eye out for it!

Oh and I received a big credit at the end of the show 'jewellery by Curly Sue'.

Awesomeness.

Curly Sue mentioned in I-craft article!

2008-02-05T18:30:00.000-08:00

Check here for a great article by Icraft contributo Lyra that mentions a couple of my pieces!

Woohoo!

I-craft should be officially launching in a couple of weeks, watch this space...

Long necklaces are hard to photograph!

2008-02-03T13:18:00.000-08:00

You can never get close enough to show the detail and the whole necklace at the same time!

I whipped this little number up yesterday but am finding it incredibly hard to get a decent photo..

I love Bath and Body!

2008-01-29T11:27:00.000-08:00

Seriously, it has become quite an addicion lately and the bath and body products I have ordered from Etsy so far have been heavenly.

I am currently eyeing up the soap range by Kreated by Karina

The fabulous thing about Karinas products is that they contain NO Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) or Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) which as Karina points out, are known to irritate the skin. I suffer from dry, irritable, itchy skin on my legs so this is super important to me.

Karinas shop has a great array of soaps, lip balms and gift sets. I love the sample sets, a great way to try a few differant soap scents but my favourite would have to be this Red currant and Thyme soap.

What an awesome combination!

Check out Karinas shop at http://www.kreatedbykarina.etsy.com/

Etsy front page! WOOT!

2008-01-25T02:32:00.000-08:00

So excited! My lil ol treasury made the front age of Etsy..

Another day, another treasury!

2008-01-23T15:55:00.000-08:00

Im becoming quite the treasury addict I must say!

You have GOT to be kidding..

Watching the rain..

2008-01-20T15:05:00.000-08:00

Just had to share this pic of my two from a couple of days ago.

I happened upon the two of them staring out the door into the rain...I guess its been a few days since they could get outside lol!

All things bronze and beautiful!

2008-01-15T21:05:00.000-08:00

I am having a real love affair with bronze at the moment. I love the vintage look of it and yet you can still have modern fresh styles.
Here are a few items I have listed in my Etsy shop over the last few days..

I dont have Johnny Depp...

2008-01-08T01:49:00.000-08:00

But I do have Chocolat...

My latest treasury on Etsy. I just Love the cuff by artisangraham , so gorgeous..
And the Asian brocade blanket by littlebunnyshop..doesn't that look like the most divine thing to snuggle up to??

I am featured on Talent Database woohoo!

2008-01-08T01:11:00.000-08:00

Damn Im tired...

2007-12-18T01:26:00.000-08:00

Why is it that the end of the year sees me rendered unconscious by 8.00 pm every night?
Really, as a stay at home mum or as I prefer to be called, domestic goddess, one day pretty much blends in to the next so it seems strange that I am so bloody buggared come Xmas.
I can hardly blame the festive carousing that used to happen pre spawns of Satan, the most exciting night out for me these days is a stroll around the block to look at the Xmas lights. Considering it doesn't get dark here until 8.30pm and I make the kids do an olympic style speed walk to make sure they stick to their schedules and are in bed by 7.30, it does seem kind of pointless. Nevertheless, routines are there for a reason right? ...right?

Spawn #1: But Mummy, I cant see any lights?
Me: well, its because its not dark silly billy
Spawn #1: So why are we going for a walk to look at the lights?
Me: Shut up and eat your no sugar, no fat, no taste soy icecream

Schedules, Routines, Timetables, must stick to them, musnt get kids out of whack, cant let them stay up and eat shit or they'll be a mess tomorrow, stress stress stress

No wonder Im bloody exhausted.

Curly Sue to appear on Channel V and Nickelodeon

2007-12-06T19:42:00.001-08:00

So I was minding my own business the other day when my mobile phone rang, thinking it was probably my husband ringing to remind me to do something mundane and domestic, I answered it with an uninterested "mmmph".

All I heard was Hi....blah blah blah....from foxtel wardrobe...blah blah blah..

It took a few beats before I realised what the person on the other end was talking about and then my knees started to knock and I went dry in the mouth!

To backtrack a bit...the husband of my best friend in all the world (x 10000000 now!) is the audio director at Foxtel and asked for my business card to pass onto the wardrobe girls at his work. I never really thought anything more of it until I get the phone call and ...

THEY WANT TO USE MY THINGS ON THEIR PRESENTERS....

ON TV.....

AND GIVE ME CREDITS AT THE END OF THE SHOW!

She asked me if I wanted to start now and do the last couple of shows for this year or wait until next year so I said HELL YES! Why wait??

I cant even begin to comprehend the exposure and the opportunity this is and I SO hope it all goes ahead although it is very very nerve wracking!

I gave her my Etsy addy and told her to have a look and get back to me so ...waiting...waiting...waiting!

Watch this space..

Im on a bracelet bender!

2007-12-04T03:05:00.000-08:00

Some new offerings to the Etsy Gods...

Wow, so very excited!

2007-11-27T19:13:00.001-08:00

The wonderful Ali sent me an image of the picture she did for me!

I cant wait for my Hubby to see it, I can just see my two girls all grown up and holding onto each other like this. I was a little misty eyed when I saw it actually, they are growing up so quick it really wont be long..

Wow, so very excited!

2007-11-27T19:13:00.000-08:00

The wonderful Ali sent me an image of the picture she did for me!

Sometimes a life sentance just isn't enough...

2007-11-15T20:40:00.000-08:00

Robert Farquharson was sentanced today for life with no chance of parole. This is a man who drove his 3 young boys into a lake on Fathers Day 2 years ago and left them to drown.

I cannot even begin to comprehend this tragic event nor understand how his ex-wife can continue to support him.

So so sad.

So does anyone have a spare penis???

2007-11-12T02:43:00.000-08:00

Because it seems that you need one to get served in an electronics store.

I went shopping today for a new camera and had to go into 3 stores as I was completely ignored in the first 2.

Im not joking, I hung around the camera display cases for about 15 minutes, notes in hand, glasses on, looking like what I thought was a serious customer while the shop assistants stood around scratching their balls or rushing to help the baboons in muscle shirts with their car stereo requirements.

They wouldn't even acknowledge my feeble attempts to wave them down as they ambled around straightening signs or changing the dvd's. I really should have rugby tackled one of them...

I dont know whether it was the fact I had breasts and a baby in tow or just didn't stand out in the sea of testosterone but I am FUMING right now..

At the suggestion of one wise lady, next time Im going to walk in a thwack a big rubber dildo on the counter to see if having a penis really is going to make a difference.

I cant wait...

2007-11-10T19:41:00.000-08:00

I just found THE most wonderful Etsy shop while chatting the other day

Aussie Patches!

I have commissioned Ali to do a picture of my two daughters as a surprise for my Hubby for Xmas.

The melancholy sweetness of her images just blew me away and I cant wait to see it!

Wow.

2007-11-07T20:11:00.000-08:00

So over a week ago I posted a quick note in the forums of Etsy to see if anyone else was feeling as though Etsy wasn't quite the right venue for them.

The thread is still going!

http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=5294285

Im stoked its managed to stay civil considering it has been around for so long!

Anyway, I have received SO many convos and so much encouragement Im going to try and hang in there. Everybody has said it takes at LEAST 6 months really to get going on Etsy and Im only just there now.

Meantime, Ive just got my mojo back after being in a bit of a slump and listed some newbies over the last couple of days..

Whaddya think?

I have a friend...

2007-10-27T03:32:00.000-07:00

yes, shocking I know!

I have a friend who is kind, smart, gorgeous and funny as all hell. Ive never met her but Im going to soon and I cant wait to squeeze her tight.

Mercury is in retrograde and boy do I know it...

2007-10-24T20:05:00.000-07:00

So yesterday someone on Etsy paid me a compliment that I totally took the wrong way and was very offended. What an idiot. I should know after many years on internet forums that its impossible to tell someones 'tone'.
Anyway, I chewed the poor girl out and when I realised it was ME and I had completely misunderstood her, I just wanted the ground to swallow me up. I apologised profusely but still feel so bad. On the bright side, I DID find a fantastic new shop ha ha! She makes gorgeous original plushies and I actually have my eye on one for a Xmas present.
Mercury in retrograde - Meh, I shouldn't even be TRYING to communicate with anyone right now...

I christen thee Spawn of Satan...

2007-10-16T13:34:00.000-07:00

I originally used this term in reference to my now 3 year old when she was a colicky 6 week old but the crown has been passed on to number 2.
How can an 8 month old be so grumpy and stubborn, she reminds me of my father in law, even has the same gummy smile.
On another note, the other half went out last night so I had an opportunity to sit down and actually make some things! Two necklaces and a crap load of wasted sterling jump pins later, I emerged sweaty, tired but triumphant!
Hopefully Spawns V1 and 2 will give me five minutes to list them today.

Fatigue...

2007-10-11T16:47:00.000-07:00

Ugh...I feel like I have been slammed in the face with a piece of 4 x 2.
My lovely sweet baby has decided over the last couple of days that it would be fun to pop a tooth out and see how little sleep Mama needs.
My Dad (A former SAS paratrooper) always reckons lack of sleep is the worst form or torture, I think he is a very wise man.
Needless to say creating hasn't been high on the agenda recently although I am waiting on my secret lover to come visit...

Ode to my secret crush..

I wait for you with mounting anxiety
Your huge package is so exciting,
I cant wait until it is in my hands
I have followed you with my breath held,
tracking your every move as you cross oceans to be by my side
Monday, oh Monday, will you ever get here quick enough
I will stand by my window and wait for your white van to pull up outside
Fed-ex man, with your box of supplies, oh how I wait your arrival.

;)

Style or fashion?

2007-10-09T17:08:00.000-07:00

Ive been thinking I need to extend myself and try and make some jewellery that is considered 'in fashion'. Problem is, its not my 'style'.
That led me to wondering the difference between style and fashion. Im not talking about whats considered stylish but rather your own personal style and what you feel comfortable with.
Tried doing delicate pretty necklaces and earrings but they turned out to be totally crap. I think if you try and create something for someone elses taste that is very differant to your own, your heart wont be in it and this will show in your work.
So heres to big and chunky, heres to creating what you love and heres to bugger the sales, if I dont love it, how can I expect anyone else to?

Organisation or lack thereof...

2007-10-08T21:16:00.000-07:00

So I am normally a pretty organised person.

I know where my keys are, I remember birthdays, I can always find the remote but today I did the dumbest thing and Im still kicking myself for it.

I had bought a spot on the storque showcase on Etsy for tomorrow. This morning I got up, made a bottle for my baby, sat down to feed her and check my emails and Etsy as is my normal morning ritual. I thought I'd click on the showcase just to see what was happening and lo and behold, I see one of my pieces winking at me!

ARGH!! I wanted to clean up my shop and list a new necklace before my showcase spot!
I'd stuffed up the whole timezone thing and my messy shop had been flaunting itself all over the showcase for hours while I snoozed blissfully unaware.

In full panic mode I propped kids in front of the telly, shoved something in front of them (it may of may not have been edible) and proceeded to quietly have a meltdown while I frantically fussed about and listed my necklace and changed the order of my featured items about 10 times.

After an hour or so my 3 year old tapped me on the shoulder "Mum, can we have something to eat now? Claudias getting sick of gumming the remote control"

Oops.

A lovely letter made my day!

2007-10-07T21:26:00.000-07:00

I just received a letter from the event organiser of a fundraiser show I recently did, thanking me for attending and raving about my work! Its always nice to feel appreciated and the fact that the funds raised were going to help a school was the icing on the cake.

Going into this particular show I really didn't think it would be a great success personally for me but boy was I wrong! The ladies were lovely, I received some great custom orders and sold a LOT of jewellery. Put 150 women in a hall and plying them with champagne seems to work wonders!

In all seriousness, a big thanks to Melanie who put it all together, she did a fabu job!

I will be working hard all week to create some new pieces, I have a market this weekend and really want to get a good stock in my Etsy store and get it cleaned up and full for Xmas.
On top of all that I am looking into some new styles and will be trying to come up with some higher end pieces using sterling silver and gorgeous shimmery briolettes.
I cant wait to see that little fed-ex van pull up with my new supplies!

I am also waiting on a supply of tribal style findings I ordered from CuriosityCabinet on Etsy. I CANT WAIT to get my greedy little hands on them and get beading!