The Umbrella

Yesterday after a morning of painting and gardening, (his, not mine) Dylan and I went for a walk.

The weather was typical Melbourne, forecast 29 degrees with a change in afternoon.

But as we headed out it looked as if the change was on its way so we decided to take an umbrella. As Dylan was carrying his teddy (a latest necessity) and a helicopter I talked him out of taking his umbrella as well, as I knew I would end up carrying it. (How mean! I can hear you say!)

You can see the helicopter in his L hand.  The boots are Octonauts!

We were heading home when it started to spit. He was happy for me to hold it over him and me, but after a while (fortunately the drops had abated) he wanted to carry it.

A fine twirling while walking!

So he happily strolled along twirling it on its side then over to the other side, getting a fright when the breeze picked it up, then hidden under it completely.

The breeze got it here!

I was also brought up by the power of children's speech development and the grasp of concepts .
As we got to Mt Dandenong Road, (4 lanes, a plantation and 3 more) I held out my hand and he swapped Teddy to his other hand and took my hand.
After pressing the Lights' button he peered out at the traffic and turned and said "Busy Road!"
Then when we crossed to the middle plantation and ignored the concrete path and followed one worn in the grass, he said "Oh! short cut"

The Nest

In the last year Spencer has taken to sleeping on the couch when I am away. Never found any evidence of this until relatively recently.
He loves my slippers. (not interested  in any other shoe) and grabs it as soon as I take it off, (even to scratch my foot) and cosies it into whatever of his beds he is sitting on.
In the morning I have to hunt them out; One in the bedroom one in the kitchen.
I realised he was on the couch when I came home one day, and, being deaf he didn't hear me arrive, but I heard him jump to the floor as I came in.... Sprung!!
But now I can always find the slippers at the end of the day.
Sometimes they are tucked well back on the couch

I visualize him getting one slipper up, then returning for the 2nd!

Creative Challenge

After the demise of Creative memories in Australia (and the US I gather) Close to My heart has found a welcome opening in the market. Rather then cutters and stickers CTMH is mainly stamping .
After the messy efforts to use the stamping when we were at Rawson in July (where I fell on my face...literally) I was a little skeptical about the day Gerry planned to do Christmas cards. But I had seen the ones she did and they looked fabulous, but one can always learn by copying!
SO I went out to Blackburn on Sunday to spend some time in creativity.
I was impressed and pleased with my efforts!!

I did a lot of gift cards . Half the size of the cards.

Loved the stick on jewels!

I did several versions of this. The tree is cut out then the stamp fits it.

Our Seminar

The planned Seminar Anne and I were conducting started off with my driving to North Melbourne station to get the train to Flinders Street Station.
As is my wont, now Dynon road is navigable again I turned up Childers St to go through the old Tip Top Bakery site, now a small industry estate, that cuts out a lot of traffic!
I arrived at the open gates with no other car in sight and came across a women lying on the ground with her bike!! I was relieved, as I pulled up, when she rolled over and sat up but crying +++
She was not badly hurt but said a car had hit her, stopped, then drove off. After checking she could move she sat in my car while I rang the police.
 (a few cyclists stopped, I am sure thinking I had hit her! )  She was distraught and shocked, but gradually calmed down and initially said she didn't see the car, if just drove off.
She had really nasty bruises, lumps  and scratches on both shins and was rubbing her lower back so I asked for ambulance as well.
Then the 000 operator was asking questions  (took almost 5 minutes for her to get where we were) (I thought "she just said she didn't notice the car"!)
What sort of car?
A Ute ......with a trailer.
Did you notice the colour?
White
Did she see the driver ?
Yes 
Was he Caucasian?
Yes caucasian mid 30s blond hair!
Did he stop or speak?
yes He called out 'You're OK?' and you know I live just there ! (she pointed to a few houses nearby)
Wow (said the 000 operator!)
Yes she said I saw him pull out as I rode past then he swerved past me as I slowed for the road hump, and his trailer knocked my bike over!
The ambulance arrived in 5 minutes  and I left her with them.
Wow is he in big trouble!!!!

Our name is the 2nd entry

I then got my train OK and arrived at the Hotel in Flinders street in time to help set up. 
The day went off really well with great feedback for us and also about the food and venue.

Lovely windows

The Hotel The Rendevous built in 1913 (can't find its original name) , is meticulously restored in the elegant style of the early 1900s and is on the Historic register.
Our attendees said how lovely it was, and felt quite indulgent, and the food was great!!! Usually the one thing they complain about.

Outside our room the morning tea venue!

They were putting the tree up in the foyer when we arrived visible from our balcony!

The door and stairs

Light windows and ceiling above the lifts