I was beyond elated to get a place in one of only two Jesh workshops being held in Australia next month..Really, I didn’t sleep very well the night before registrations opened, I was that excited.

Aneeeeeway, as life can be somewhat unexpected at times, it seems I cannot attend.  I’ve turned myself inside out trying to make it work and it just won’t.   So,  with much reluctance and pouting,  my spot is for sale.

The workshop is at Bondi Beach, Sydney on the 9th, 10th and 11th of December (pre workshop dinner also held on the 8th if you can attend).  There are only 12 participants and it really is an amazing opportunity to hang out with one of the best in the business.    There were 150 people waitlisted for this!

Here’s the workshop info – I have a lot more available if you’re genuinely interested.  Please email me asap :)

S xxx

The last three months have included an awful lot of time on my computer each day, and well into many nights. I think this is the reason that today I’m so inspired by all things tactile. I was sent a link today to Heather Baileys site and I swear came over all shaky seeing so much gorgeousness at once.

I don’t want to use Heathers products, I just want to be Heather. I cannot sew. I don’t scrap. Craft and I do not meet once a week. I’m just useless with anything that requires patience and being meticulous. I won’t focus on that though, I’m now yearning to spend time creating prettyness in a non digital format and if anyone will inspire me to do it, Heather is my girl.

Here’s just a little of what had me gasping today.  Isn’t it purty?

And something else that inspired me today – this incredible slideshow from photographer, Phillip Toledano, that one of my workshop participants shared.  So touching, so worth watching.

S x

I’m Amazed.  Really and truly, I am.  There have not been a few people offering to send decorations for Ava..nor a couple of dozen.  No.  There have been dozens of dozens of beautiful people who have asked to send all manner of things -sparkly, pink, hand-made, shop-found, princess-worthy.  To say I am touched is so nothing.  To actually feel like I’m looking forward to Christmas and feel like so many are remembering her.  To know she is just. plain. missed.   How can I explain what that means?  I can’t.  I’m amazed.

From the bottom of my humbled, happy heart, thankyou.

And speaking of amazing, you know I have to post a photo so here’s Mr Mason taken the other week in Townsville.  He’s such a beautiful boy, you can’t imagine how affectionate and loving this child is.  Apart from that one moment earlier tonight when he called Ivy  a “grossling”.  I suppose that’s not so loving.

Dramatic, demanding, loud.   He’s those things too but most of all, he’s a whole lot of amazing.

S xx

Last year, we were getting ready to move at this time. And I was terrified. The idea of leaving Ava’s House was unbearable yet we knew we couldn’t stay. It was one of the hardest things we’ve had to do but it has been the right thing. We have come far in a year.

Because of the timing of our move, right before Xmas last year, it was hard to prepare very well. I pretty much just wanted it over with. This year is different. My heart is not so heavy imagining buying gifts for her brothers and sister.

I’ve started to think of ways to include Ava and read of a beautiful idea today that I’d love to see here in our home but I need help with it. While it doesn’t come easy to ask for things, I’m going out on a limb because the Superprincess deserves it :) I’m going to ask for contributions of a Xmas decoration just for Ava. Anything at all. Pink. Pretty. Sparkly. Home-made. Kid-made. Anything. I could go out and just buy a whole lot of pink things but it’s not the same. I want the decorations to mean something special. To be given, and received, in her honor.

I imagine these on a tree but I will ask the kids a little closer to the time if that feels right for them too..whatever it is we do with them, I love to think of us bringing them out each Xmas and feel so glad that she’ll be a part of the lead up and the day, every year.

I feel like we’ve been given so much by way of beautiful gestures already but it’s something I would love to see. Not just for me but for her Daddy and brothers and sister too. For anyone who wants to post us an Ava decoration, I’d be ever so grateful. Please email me for our address.

With love and thanks
Sheye xx

Before I even made the tea I sleepily pushed school uniforms in the dryer. And briefly wondered if the sun wakes the children or maybe the children wake the sun?

And then a $88 parking ticket rudely reminded me I was supposed to display the voucher. Made for one expensive eyebrow wax.

Too many wrong turns and cellphone-calls-while-driving and insignificant conversations about induction cook-tops and remembering that other parking ticket i never did pay.

Then Ivy’s impromptu asking as to when Ava would be coming to her place.

Finally, teary demands for pancakes with proper maple syrup and more rice crackers and to be allowed to go to school an hour early each day because it’s all about the soccer.

If you put it all together, apparently you end up with a small, or not, headache.

If I squint a little and think a lot though, I do vaguely recall some better bits of today:

The bit where the first thing in my waking thoughts was that no matter what your political view, this surely counts as a very good week for mankind.
The bit where I heard Krysta, across the miles.
The bit where Ivy shouted right in my face I love you.
The bit where I accidentally bought too many new clothes for her.  Three times over.
The bit where my sweet husband dealt with the cooktop man for me.
The bit where the codeine kicked in.

Here’s a little of what followed me home from the store:

Fred Bare

Oobi Baby

Because you can never have too many Havianas.

And because I’m pretty sure she doesn’t have enough dresses, we need to go back for this:

Love and other catastrophes.

S x