Wonderful Easter Holiday in Adelaide

The visit to Adelaide was really pleasant. I thought it is going to be very "hard" but apart from three hyper-active children... it was a wonderful holiday after all.

The highlight of the trip : Joan ... she is going to be 90 this year and I feel that she would go on to be a 100 and more [insyaallah we say] or God Willing.

We had a little family re-union on Sunday, Sandra [Hisham's sister] and her husband Ross joined us in a family outing around Glenelg. They had to come down from Murray Bridge which is more than an hour's journey (about 80 kms from Glenelg). To me that was the loveliest day of the whole trip, it made me appreciate the importance and the joy of being in a "family".

Joan on her trusted walker

Sandy and Ross (loved you guys - and thanks for a wonderful day)

Hisham and the girls.

Moseley Square has a beautiful 'holiday'/'tourist' atmosphere. Live musics everywhere [from pubs/restaurants and baskers] lots of eating venues... Lotsof ice cream and fish and chips shops. It was really lively and lovely.
That lady can really walk! I just checked on google map, we (Joan) must have walked about 3 kms. People with walker walks longer distance.. those ramps... up and down and up and down....

If I were half as fit as her at her age - I would be SUPER Happy.

Orion and Ross at 'Discovery Centre'
Kids were treated a "4-minute" jump on Bungee Trampoline.

Nice tutorial

Untuk Cik Liza...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aJoDt4DMkFU&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQM8wI95xeI&feature=related

I can't do better tutorial than this!

Top of wish list

A house that I can call "MINE" like 'hers' and 'his'. Hisham ALWAYS maintains that our house is mine too.... but I am not happy with many many things... (another long list) Did you ever watch the movie Frida? [about an artist - Frida Kahlo]? with Salma Hayek in it... Noticed that they have a house each and there's a bridge linking the two houses! I think that's a jolly good idea... I am happy and grateful with the house I have now [honestly] but I will be happier if I have another small 'cabin' even at the back of the house... and a tiny enclose courtyard in between. I am not clever to do the drawing..... but I know I want 'upstairs'. So a 1.5 storey would do me. First picture is charming little cottage on Cimitiere St. Launceston. The rest are pics from internet (without permission)

I think the second pic. I like best.... not too big - with fire place.. but I'd like it rendered... and paint it white with blue roof and window panel.. mediterranean dahling.... maybe some mediterranean plants in the court yard.... so it will be HOLIDAY at your own backyard!

Please please please Allah..... before I die.......

Supa hewoes

This blog supposed to be abt my kids.. now it's all about me, me, me So this entry is about my boyz.... Aladdin is having 'swimming carnival' weeks... At first I thought it was some sort of swimming competition... I was a bit anxious. You see Aladdin can't swim BUT he thinks he CAN.... I was like "tell his teacher that he can't swim" please... It was actually swimming lessons.... and not competition [phewwwww] Soon [maybe after Easter Break? I must send all my boys to learn swimming. They are ALL into videogames....... no more "hoorey, mummy time" when I come back from work..... it's all about games games games.... so I restricted them... one hour a day [loosely] My problem is Hisham: he never follow through the rules.... I knew it because.... " Mummy not here, so I can play video games" [At least twice I got this kind of sms] hmmmmmmmmmm My babies are growing up so fast... and Hisham..... (need I say more)---- MUAHHHHHHHSSSS

Spur of moment buying

On Saturday, I went to the city (ok... town..) to get some Easter shopping done - I don't really shop for Easter... HAHAHAHA But I want to get something Tasmanian and nice for Wan who's family is going back to Malaysia for good - I decided on 'tasmanian timber' chopping board [so she could use it all the time and think of us here] Also need some 'buah tangan' for 'ibumertua ku' which is quite tricky... (what do you get a 90 year old?) I parked my scooter in front of 'Your Habitat' [Your Habitat in my book is an expensive cookery shop -- this shop is a must see shop for my cousin when and if she ever get here!] I don't know what possess me to go in and look for a 'steamer'. When Mariam was here she wanted to make me a steamed cake [pudding?] but we don't have suitable steamer. The rice cooker steamers I have are way too small.... so let's blame Mariam - hahhahaha I saw this gorgeous thing..... n zapp! Not only that.... because the bottom of this steamer is quite shallow... zapp! I bought another pot [deeper] to go with it.. I must admit - I had second thought that night... I felt like taking it back... but now.... I decided to keep ALL of them This certainly NOT on my wish list! aiyyo!

Norman's 'pondok'

I totally love this 'pondok' cubby house.... although it is made from

cardboards.... I bet his kids has a WONDERFUL time playing 'house' etc.

Hisham, get your act together man!

Big quilt finished [sort of]

This quilt took me more than two years to finish... It is BOM [block of the month] - which I finished very quickly. Supposed to be $36 a month [ie a block a month] but I sometimes finished 3 blocks a month. Then it got shelves.... when my mum was here - I joined all the blocks together then I had problems with the corners [left it too long I lost them].

When Mariam was here I finally finished them.... and sent to Esme's for 'quilting' - then it sat till last weekend before I put the bind on.

It's a bit of anti-climax for me - but to date this is my biggest and most expemsive quilt.

Look I even prepare label for it.

This quilt is 'sort of' finish because I was supposed to to stitcheries on the centre block.. Not really good at stitches (yet) nor do I have time... - so I rather leave all embroidered..

I called this 'Hisham's quilt'.

River - still flooding

This was the remnants of March flood [worse in 50 years]

The 'platform' and the benches still under....

Water look so 'thick'.... and

many trees were uprooted.

Finally.... (phew)

Remember this quilt I bought through internet (from Queensland)? I finally put the binding! I forgot to put label again!.. I think the orange binding looks good with the green borders. I actually didn't have enough binding from the kit [because I've added borders to it].

Last night I found a bit of orange fabric in my 'shitery' piles.... so off I went to finish the binding whilst watching 'Mr. Holland Opus' [LOVED that movie!]

I also found this block in my 'shitery box' It was a leftover from Orion's zebra quilt that I made ages ago. I might just do a few blocks like this - using random colors from leftover fabrics... and see how it will turn out.

Quilt and Craft fair is coming to Launceston in 2 weeks time. I am already excited about going... all those 'arty farty' quilts that I would never do! I know those beautiful quilts won't inspire me much... would probably even make me depressed for not having time to do 'arty farty' quilt.

I hope I can find a scrap booking class for Aladdin at the fair.

I am also hoping to get cheap/good fabrics too (as if it's going to happen!). Maybe get some more tools to make my life easier..... Definitely will just have to drool on quilter sewing machines!!!

Halal menu

As I was walking down the corridor back from my lunch, the food manager stopped and a chat about halal menu with me. "We are doing everything we can" .. he was explaining about getting halal chicken from various supplier and the main issue he has is educating the kitchen staffs why the boxes shouldn't be mixed etc. He also mentioned there will be other halal meat (ie not just chicken) coming soon. I am glad that my initial email to him [several years ago] has some impact (not just for me...) I actually don't like to bring food from home. I think for me, it is healthier if I eat hospital food mainly because I can always choose fresh salad with the main course. If I take food from home; (1) Am too lazy to prepare so many containers if I want fresh salads - time is of the essence here... I do love to sleep in... zZZZZZ if I don't sleep in I'd like to sew a little or cut fabrics here and there... [this is a full time (and a half) working mum with four! high maintenance boys (high maintenance in terms of 'my time')]-who is going to 'remember' a dry towel in the bag on swimming days? or locate matching socks? .... although.... my kids (including me) don't always wear matching socks! [I digress] (2) I tend to eat more! if I take food from home. It is amazing what seemingly a 'small' container can contain. (3) By eating at the cafe - at least I am walking 200 steps to and from cafetaria. (yes I did count my steps) (4) Can get a nice chai latte or a fresh cappucino if I fancy a hot drink! (5) Can watch Dr. Phil or Ellen or whatver day-time-tv-trash on the big screen while I chew down my food....... (mmmmuaahhhhhh!) muahahahahahaahahaha - p.s Hisham hates those shows..... me? I don't mind (love) them trashy shows.... speaking of trashy shows.... who watch 'Man vs. Wild'????? ain't he an idiot? But adorably idiot! hahhahahahaha

GTT

On monday I did GTT. My doctor's exact word "it's on the card" refering to diabetes.

The result : normal ---- fasting sugar level = 5.8 [alhamdulillah]

I remember not too long time ago, my fasting level was 5.6 and I got into lots of trouble.

I hope my 10,000 steps a day would improve my wellbeing..... somehow....

My husband is 20 odd years OLDER than me BUT I am expiring FASTER than him!

He had to look after me MORE times than I, him. Thank you Hisham... muaaaacchhhhkssss

Wan and Norman [and Jasman's and Jasmina's] Farewell and Birthdays 'Partay'

Wan [aka chombie) - my mamak's chef [made good 'roti jala', nasik tomato, etc.]

And her base guitarist husband - Norman [I want to call him paparock - but that's Ramli Sarip's nickname - taken!]. He was Ramli Sarip's base guitarist for a while... Wan is finishing her PhD soon and the family is going home for good :-(

Will miss them - more importantly - will miss the yummy 'roti jala'

Their two children with their classmates. My kids? ----- antisocial!

hahahah they would rather play in the playground.. I actually forced Aladdin to take part in the games... but he was too shy... ??? One game, run to a pile of lollies and take as many as you can - guess how much Aladdin got? ---------------- nil! .. there's another games ---- he missed out on the presies as well... too shy to ask for it. hmmmmmm

Pins are your best friend

As a start, pins are your best friend.....

so 'right' side together - pin in place.... and sew! (with 1/4 inch foot)

4 cushion covers finished

Again... rush rush rush - so it puckered and wonky... but I like the colours.. at least that orange material is no longer stand in the corner collecting cobwebs

Scary Babuska Doll

Arrrghh.... so scary one! I forgot to put the hair - takpa, try again (I wonder if Rohan would want the scary babushka for bedmate!

I actually bought two 'faces'. One I made for Mariam - the doll also look hideous [it was Mariam's idea - she wanted something that she can hug that made by me]

Last night I thought of finishing this project... with another face. But couldn't find the face ---- I just applique this ugly thing... HAHAHAHA

Mamak Night (pictures)

Meriah!