Me on my bike vs. a car door...

So I have become a statistic.

Yesterday on my way to work, while riding my bike on my normal route through the city, someone opened their car door on me. It’s one of every cyclist’s worst nightmares. He threw his door open just at the right (or wrong) moment. I was in the bike path and while most people check their rear-view to see if there are any cyclists coming, he did not.

I couldn’t get out of the way in time and my handlebars caught the window frame. Granted I was only going about 20k/hr, but it was enough to throw me from my bike into the road. I’m so thankful that there wasn’t a car on the other side of me. So so so thankful…

I fell to my right side and all of my weight landed on my knee.

After that is kind of a blur. I know some people came to my side and helped me off the road. I remember Paul who sat with me the whole time and even waited for Jacob to get there… Thank you so much!!

The medics in the ambulance were awesome chicks and everyone at Royal Melbourne was fabulous. But I was so happy to see Jacob when he finally was able to get there.

Anyway. I’m on crutches pulling moves like Tucker.

I’m a picture of grace with my swollen knee, soft tissue damage and my fractured toe.

Thanks again!!
xoxox

Aquaponics - Part 2

After seeing the Aquaponics system that was installed for a family on Costa's Garden Odyssey, Jacob has been enormously inspired to build his own.

He found some instructions online on how to build one using some new and recycled materials. Every weekend for about a month or so, he has been working like a mad scientist in our shed.

The start of the system

It's been, as he puts it, a lesson in trial and error. But it's in the testing phase finally! Testing in essence is the point where we've been dumping in water and just seeing if there are any leaks. And of course, there are some minor ones. But nothing massive which is a plus!

Getting there! About half way done at this point.

After a few trips to the random hydroponics places and the largest aquarium shop I've ever seen – the progress looks good!

So, Jacob's mad scientist skills are totally paying off! Soon we will have yummy plants and eventually yummy home grown fish!

*posted in an etsy treasury!

Hey all!

My TTV photograph "Anchor" has been featured in a Treasury highlighting things of the sea...

There are some super adorable bits in this one... I'm all about anything sea-related as it is!!
xo

Etsy SALE!!

Hey kids!

All 4x4 inch prints via Etsy are now 50% off!!!

 Yeah, that's right - Stock up :)

xo

*it's been a long time coming ....

It's Official!

I will be exhibiting work at the Brunswick Street Gallery along with Aida Sabic this September!

I've been working on a bunch of portraits lately, mostly colour pencil work. They are based on the female protagonists in some of my favourite books. Catherine from Wuthering Heights, Mina Harker from Bram Stokers Dracula and on and on...

I will admit something though. I have not had any work on display since I was about 18 years old. My senior exhibit at NFA was my last one... back in 1994!!!!

So needless to say, I'm a little stressed out and a lot nervous!! I'm trying to cover all the bases of what I have to do, and thanks to Jacob and Aida, I think we'll be ok!

Anyway – more details coming up as it happens!!

Also, on a silly note – I am so excited for Saturday!! We have tickets to the All Blacks vs Wallabies game!! I will probably end up without a voice, but that's part of the fun!!

*more WIP

I'm really happy with how this is turning out... xo

*everything you've ever wanted to know... day 19

Day 01 — Your favourite song
Day 02 — Your favourite movie
Day 03 — Your favourite television programme
Day 04 — Your favorite book (of all time)
Day 05 — Your favorite quote
Day 06 — Whatever tickles your fancy
Day 07 — A photo that makes you happy
Day 08 — A photo that makes you angry/sad
Day 09 — A photo you took
Day 10 — A photo of you taken over ten years ago
Day 11 — A photo of you taken recently
Day 12 — Whatever tickles your fancy
Day 13 — A fictional book
Day 14 — A non-fictional book
Day 15 — A fanfic
Day 16 — A song that makes you cry (or nearly)
Day 17 — An art piece (painting, drawing, sculpture, etc.)Day 18 — Whatever tickles your fancy

Day 19 — A talent of yours

 I can draw.. :)

xo

 
Day 20 — A hobby of yours
Day 21 — A recipe
Day 22 — A website
Day 23 — A YouTube video
Day 24 — Whatever tickles your fancy
Day 25 — Your day, in great detail
Day 26 — Your week, in great detail
Day 27 — This month, in great detail
Day 28 — This year, in great detail
Day 29 — Hopes, dreams and plans for the next 365 days
Day 30 — Whatever tickles your fancy

*everything you've ever wanted to know... day 18

Day 01 — Your favourite song
Day 02 — Your favourite movie
Day 03 — Your favourite television programme
Day 04 — Your favorite book (of all time)
Day 05 — Your favorite quote
Day 06 — Whatever tickles your fancy
Day 07 — A photo that makes you happy
Day 08 — A photo that makes you angry/sad
Day 09 — A photo you took
Day 10 — A photo of you taken over ten years ago
Day 11 — A photo of you taken recently
Day 12 — Whatever tickles your fancy
Day 13 — A fictional book
Day 14 — A non-fictional book
Day 15 — A fanfic
Day 16 — A song that makes you cry (or nearly)
Day 17 — An art piece (painting, drawing, sculpture, etc.)

Day 18 — Whatever tickles your fancy

 I've seen this episode a few times now. And still love it. 

*this is me not crying, really*

*sob*

images found : just "the doctor"

Day 19 — A talent of yours
Day 20 — A hobby of yours
Day 21 — A recipe
Day 22 — A website
Day 23 — A YouTube video
Day 24 — Whatever tickles your fancy
Day 25 — Your day, in great detail
Day 26 — Your week, in great detail
Day 27 — This month, in great detail
Day 28 — This year, in great detail
Day 29 — Hopes, dreams and plans for the next 365 days
Day 30 — Whatever tickles your fancy

*work in progress

*septoplasty, here I come

It's all happening. It's now officially a countdown until I go in for surgery. Yuck!!!

I've had sinus and breathing problems for ages and ages. To the point where I can only breath out of one side of the nose. And poor J has to put up with the horrible sounds and gasping for breath in the middle of the night. Apparently, I snore like a banshee! ;)

My nose won't look much different, except for the massive amounts of swelling for a couple weeks, but I'm not concerned about the way I look. I've lived with a crooked nose for 30 plus years. I just can't wait to be able to take proper deep breaths!! Really excited actually!

From looking at my CAT scans I had done a few months back, I think my nose is even more crooked than the diagram. Fantastic.

Can't wait, but nervous as!

Also, I just want to say thank you who has kept my Grampa in their thoughts as well. He has had to undergo open heart surgery in the last week, but he is home! And doing fabulous!

It's so hard to be this far away from the family sometimes. Especially in these sort of situations. I'm just thankful my family was able to be close and on the texting and keep us up to date down here! Thanks Mom!!

Anyway, on a lighter note - more creative note...

I'm working on a couple new drawings. There is a rather interesting story behind them, of course... Think true loves lost, widows waiting for their beloved sailors out at sea, think of cold and light fingers touching the back of your neck ever so gently.... Yeah. Something like that!!!  Can't wait to share - but I must be patient!

That is all for now - but remember who you are!
xo