Tennis

 This month is all about the tennis here down under. The United Cup is in Sydney and Perth, many countries have a team and it is countries against countries. One men's and one women's singles then a mixed doubles.

Brisbane International tennis started on Sunday and we got night tickets then Warren decided to buy a ground pass as well so we could go anything during today plus have our ticketed seats for Pat Rafter arena.

We watched two sets on an out side court, first in best dressed for seats, then we went over to the other show court and watched two young Aussies play there. One was ranked 76 and the other 111, Rinky was 111 and won the match fairly convincingly, it was good to watch. He is a bit of a doubles specialist. 

 Rinky Hijikata, with a name like that, it's surprising that he is an Aussie but he was born in Sydney.

This one was inside and Grigor can't remember how to spell his surname, he's Bulgarian and has won the tournament a couple of years ago. Probably slowing down a bit but still great to watch and hear the ball being knocked around.

We caught the bus and train back after his match. Great day out, long journey of ninety minutes each way, thank goodness it's only once a year. We will watch the rest of the matches on TV.

New pattern

 I ironed my donation sewing this morning ready for delivery in a few days. I had used the same pattern for several dresses, even though they were all different. Different fabric, different pockets, different buttons, I try to make them individual. 

I had made several pairs of shorts as well plus bucket hats.

 Time for a new/different patterns. Patterns are some expensive now, last ons I bought for myself was $20 and whilst it looked simple, it wasn't and after two goes to make it, it went in the bin, and expensive exercise.  Pattern was half price with purchase of overlocker and 6 metres of fabric was bought at an op shop.

Many kids patterns I buy at opp shop, always a concern that some pieces may be missing but that has not been the case so far.

Not a very good photo, it's a cross over top, plain ambulance uniform in bottle green, looked too plain so applied two groups of the owls on the front. Somewhere in my sewing room I discovered a card with 3 metres of pink bobbles. I decided that I may as well make use of them. I do not remember buying them at all and I dont usually sew in pink, anyway hopefully some kid will enjoy it.

I will use the pattern again probably next time without the ruffle sleeves, they take a fair bit of material and are time consuming to do.

Crabs on the beach

 Earlier in the week, we visited the coast. Lucy loves the beach and when she spends time with the dog sitters, they go out most days to the dog off leash area.

The off leash area is down south of the houses and then there is a swampy spot where mangroves are, although now it's off limits.

Anyhow, I dont know why but there is always a lot of crabs there, small ones and they scurry along the edge of the water.

The tide was out when we were there, water was only ankle deep for a long way.

The dark patch by the water are the crabs, thousands of them. Very hard to take a photo as they move fast.

New years day lunch.

 Son, Rob put up a board the other day with his lunch. I can't spell it but decided to make something similar.

Boiled eggs, avo, tomato and cucumber, kiwi fruit, brie, salami sticks and pickled spring onions. This was not just for me.

Our Christmas corner for 2025

 I didn't put up a Christmas tree and decorations,  haven't for a few years as it's a lot of time and effort.

I did however put our Christmas cards and stuff on small table which used to hold our second TV. That has gone out into the caravan. Nice idea to have a kitchen TV to watch while preparing a meal but it was rarely used.

 I made the Christmas tree several years ago, couple of twigs fused together with tinsel and a start on top, much easier to pack and it doesn't take up much room.

Boxing Day sales

 Can't remember the last boxing day sales I went to, if ever.  However, I was thinking of venturing out to buy a new sewing machine.

My trusty machine that I have had for about eight or nine years, suddenly started breaking needles. One broke and I put a new one in as these things happen, five minutes of sewing and the second one broke. Very unusual. I investigated and it appeared that the needle was coming down on the metal plate instead of going through the gap. 

I have several pieces of material belonging to Uniforms for Kids that I want to sew before returning after the holidays as well as another 20 hats cut out. I can't afford to be without my sewing machine.

About two years ago, I bought a second basic machine slo I swopped them over and kept sewing. Pondering of the problem, I figured that I would need to take first machine, the Singer, took a specialist, probably costing a couple of hundred dollars and I know the best person, used by other members of U4Ks is booked up until February. 

Warren offered to look at the machine, this was a few days before Christmas.

Thought process was buy another basic machine. Boxing day sales were advertising $50 off for the same model Singer that I had. 

Boxing day came and I am discussing with Warren what to do. It was cheaper to replace the Singer but did I really need a second machine. Second machine is a Brother with a drop in bobbin and it does not have a free arm. Free arm sewing is much easier when sewing small items like kids clothes.

Warren reminded that he said he would look at it. I know he did but hadn't held out much hope as it was to do with the insides of the machine.

He got it out and took the side panel off and discovered that a holding nut had come loose and shifted the needle across. He was able to adjust and tighten and once he put a needle back in and check it, it is sewing like a dream, completely missing the metal plate.

He can now add Sewing machine mechanic to his resume and I saved $135 and a machine going to land fill.

Gladdies in the garden

 Warren bought some bulbs several years ago and plonked them in the front garden bed.

We don't do anything with them but some come up each year.

They are a very dark red, I think most nurseries would class them as black.

They flower for about a week, depending on wind rain and or heat.