The rewards of The Good Samaritan.

My front neighbour, Granny, came around today with a tech question about the new laptop she was considering buying. Obviously our collective knowledge meant that we took a relatively straightforward query and spent 3/4 of an hour searching for answers. Answers that CK took no more than 5 seconds to identify when we sent him the hyperlink (honestly it was no more than 5 seconds). I also rang the company on her behalf and placed the order.

Sounds simple yes? But no. It involved several phone calls, lots of being on hold, a three hour wait to ring back and a few repetitious explanations of the issue. However all was resolved and Granny can expect her new laptop tomorrow sometime between 0700 and 1900 hours. With the advertised extra money off paid back into her account within three working days.

It was rather lovely to feel like I was doing 'real' work. You know the kind that involves phone conversations and dealing with adults and having a task to complete in a set period?

This afternoon Granny came up the drive to collect her bank card (and get the update) and as a thank you brought with her a fabulous selection of fabric from her volunteer job at a charity shop in town.

Wanna see?

These are a mix of cottons, slubby acrylics, flannelette and what may well be silk (bottom L). I have no idea what I am going to do with them but oooo, aren't they luvverly????

Now to the sad part of the post. As part of the Donkey's Birthday Week Giveaway Bonanza Julie at Little Cotton Rabbits was the intended recipient of birthday cake.

Mmmmmmm... cake.....

But sadly when I finally got to putting it into the correct sized box I noticed this.

It is a little fuzzy and out of focus but there is a chip in the rim of the cake body:-(
Julie I am so sorry but there will be something cakey in the post to you soon.

DottyCookie, WMK and KerryAnne I promise there will be something birthday partyish to you as well. surely I get points and kudos for being a Good Samaritan, right? Right?

P.S. Assistant's stitches out today as a small infection has taken residence. Bleaurgh!

I knew I had seen that face before!

One of the things I love about blogging is the perception of those in Blogland. You people must really be eating your Weeties because you are all as smart as whips!




In the comments of the previous post Jan pointed out that Evil Genius Pattern Monkey is in fact a doppelganger

for an international politician of some many years standing.

What? You don't recognise him?



He was an international staesman for over (nearly?) 14 years.



Hmmmm....... still no bells?


Errrr..... he got the post through staying power and determination (makes Gordon Brown look like a beginner).

Really? You still can't put a name to the face? Surely some of you voted for him at each of the 712 elections he stood in.


Well, okay. To lessen the dramatic tension for all those hyped-up, non-Australians reading I'll tell you.

He is Little Johnny Arthur, former nemesis of Bob Hawke and Paul Keating. Most recently unelected Australian Prime Minister. And twin to the Evil Genius Pattern Monkey.


Bwahahahahaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Also Jan is a brand new blogger so go spread the bloggy love.

The Toy Society

Last week we spent a lot of time at home, off school, feeling quite pathetic and sad for ourselves.

In fact last Monday Princess Curly-Wurly slept until 10'o'clock! This from the girl who is always awake by 7 a.m. While she enjoyed her princess slumber Destructo-Boy and I made valuable use of our time - we blog-surfed :-)

He was very taken with the idea of The Toy Society and was a little perturbed that he couldn't go find one of the drops and take home a new friend. His face brightened a little when I suggested that we might actually get involved. So in his usual fashion he disappeared and began beavering away on 'plans'.

Can you tell what it is yet?



Of course. It's a monkey! A monkey with BIG googly eyes. And a white patch over its eye and one on its tummy. Let me just state (in case anyone else might make the same mistake as the office junior) NOT as its tummy, ON its tummy!



After a 'meeting' (seriously, my kids have meetings, complete with minutes and agendas and actions!) to discuss what form exactly the monkey would take we ended up with a polished first draft of the pattern.

Destructo-Boy was quick to point out that our draft pattern was looking a little evil. So we swiftly used the pattern then buried it in a garlic bedecked coffin, lined with lead and closed with silver bullets.


My senior ideas man sat beside me as I attached the white patches. It was touch and go for a few seconds whether they were in the correct spot but after further review it was agreed that they were in fact perfect. Phew!


This then is the prototype we made. And can I just say I am in love with the white patches. And the face.

I keep trying to imagine being happy making that raggedy-stylee of sewing public, even just a few years ago. That Poppy Treffry has a lot to answer for!!!




Oh no! What is that?!?!

Aaak! Rising from the depths it's, it's..........

The evil pattern monkey and his twisted shadow accomplice!

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaargh!