i'm grateful for . . . 'a liberating & genuinely hearty week of imperfection'

Greetings all,

I'm just so thrilled you came along on my week of imperfections with the right attitude, laughing with me at my mistakes, mishaps & silly choices . . . thank you, i needed it!!
I've had a particularly challenging headspace, with more Australian soldiers shot in Afghanistan . . . i've been distracting myself with Christmas shopping, friends & my website (open next week).  Then the very sobering experience that is Remembrance Day yesterday.  I went to 3 ceremonies in a row - the War Memorial; primary school (my girls were hosting); then my eldest daughter's college, with a catered lunch where i was the only uncoupled adult, so the gorgeous principal sat with me.  My husband would have been so proud to watch our children yesterday.  He loves my imperfections, i'm the opposite of his strict world of dogmatic routine & military precision, my inability to be perfect is what he loves about me the most!!??  It's amazing what a laugh can fix!! 
The ceremony at the War Memorial had hiccups . . . an ambulance took one of the gentlemen from the Australian Men's Rugby Choir away; a sailor passed out (i heard the crack of his body on the parade ground 50m away); & a sweet mum in the VIP area had her toddler run off onto the parade ground.  FYI no one walks on the parade ground in a proper military ceremony!!

 Our extremely impressive Governor General Quentan Bryce, laying a wreath, exquisite as always in speech, ensemble & occasion.

 The Prime Minister, being none of those things.

 The Federation Guard is a full time ceremonial unit made up of Navy, Army & Air Force. 

 I was trying to find a soldier with my husband's rank to show you what he looks like on parade.

 The Air Force have such an advantage with their uniform, nice colours to work with.

 The Royal Military College Band - check out the leopard skin drum (i think he's a Drum Major) but honestly, i really don't have a clue. 

Once they leave the parade ground, the officer who marches them off, hands over to the non commissioned officer in charge, who (between shouting commands) thanks everyone for their efforts.  I haven't seen my husband on parade for years, but he'd be the one out the front with the pacestick, yelling.So there you have it, imperfection focus over & back to my little successes in life. 
For more weekly Gratefuls, check out Maxabella Loves, love Posie  

my creative space 'handmade Christmas fixings'

Greetings all,

After the excitment of Christmas decoration shopping, i have also been storing up the fixings for handmade Christmas decorations too.  Some for the children to make for our tree, some for my market stall tomorrow night (SIDS&kids Christmas Extravaganza).

 I'm starting off with obvious traditional red & green coloured ornaments, then i'll branch into pretty blues, stay tuned.  Let's just say my Sizzix machine die cuts felt like a dream so i'm making some super cute garlands too in fabric, felt & card stock!!

Governor General Quentin Bryce, looking stunning as always.

 Craft aside, it's Rememberance Day (or the 92nd Armistice Day) so we tripped to the War Memorial.  Handsome soldier's medals got us some VIP seats & we sat with Veterans from many different wars.  We were behind the mates of some of the soldiers we've lost this year, THAT was incredibly emotional, to see these young men with so many medals already, their arms around each other, sobbing when the new names of the fallen soldiers were called out by Quentin Bryce.  Makes me squeeze handsome soldier even harder!!

 You'd think these medals show my husband has seen enough action but he's decided he has one more deployment in him, so he's not discharging just yet!!

The Federation Guard doing what they do best!!

So for actual crafty & clever Creative Spaces, head over to Kootoyoo, love Posie