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Is it too early to hate 2017?

I am already over 2017.

I thought it started well... we went to Maroochydore for a week on 7th January. When we got there, unpacked and went out for dinner. That's when I realised I left my wallet at home. I had taken $50 of my son's Christmas money in case he wanted to buy anything and so we used that. We also found my son had left his togs and swimming bag at home. We bit the bullet and went downstairs to the private, secure car park to drive the 2 hours back home to get my wallet... only to find the two boogie boards we left out next to our car (so it wouldn't mess up the lift and unit) STOLEN.  We drove down and back (four hours driving) to get my wallet and tried to forget. I tried to buy some new boogie boards but everywhere (of reasonable price) had sold out and tried buying some 2nd hand ones... eventually finding 2 for $10... but one died by the end of the week but it served it's purpose by then.

We went for a swim the next day and the surf tore out one of my favourite hoop earrings.. silver with cubic zirconia  all around... a gift from a friend's mother when I hosted them when they were here from the Netherlands about 6 years ago. I am really shattered at losing one (a couple of years ago  I lost one gold hoop a of a pair I bought when I was living in Cyprus in 1984.. annoying). Then a warning light went on in the car... the same one that a part was replaced a month before.  I rang the mechanic who said to get it tested to see if I could drive home safely.. cost me more money :( but it was safe to drive home.

We went to see Matilda the musical at the end of the holidays... I park nearby at a bus station (Gabba for those living here) which is 2 stops from where the theatre is. Of course, our bus passes were at home in my wallet... so had to drive home to get the wallet... we made it but only by 5 minutes. (show was magnificent) Then my son thought he lost his phone which he got for Christmas; luckily we found it. Then my shoe broke so I had to carry my shoe around while trying to look fancy.

Next, I went to a Brisbane Spoolettes event seeing Ladies in Black (also magnificent). I made a skirt (no photos yet) on the day, put on some shoes... the heel cracked... ok other shoes... the soles split while I was running to catch the ferry... drive home get shoes that don't go... but get there and have a great night.

Then my hot water system broke... of course they don't make it anymore and I was without hot water for a week while the plumber, bless him, found a salvaged part so I didn't have to fork out $1400 minimum for a new system. I was having cold showers anyway as it was still 28-30 degrees celsius at midnight... it was the hottest summer ever here with 35 days straight of over 30 degrees ... autumn now and it's still in the 30's!

Then my Dad died.... he was 83 1/2 and had dementia. He had been in a nursing home for nearly two years and I would take him out every Sunday for a family lunch (along with other days of course). Although it is very sad for us, we are happy that he had a peaceful passing and the most important thing is that he remembered us all (for the most part) and on the last Sunday he told his grand boys he loved them and thank you for taking him out every week. We are glad he did not have to get to the stage that he would suffer through forgetting how to eat or drink.  There is some sewing that is part of it but I won't post now about that yet.

Today I get an infringement notice for $243 for leaving ("littering") items at a charity bin!!!! I put stuff IN a charity bin but did not leave anything outside.... I am flabbergasted .... I am disputing it of course. I know the laws and made sure it was inside the bin. (it is illegal to leave things outside a charity bin here).  I don't know ... do you feel for some reason the universe is against you.. I am just over it ... I consider myself very lucky and I always feel I have "enough".  I need a win.

So onto sewing... I did make a pair of New Look 6459. This is in a cotton for testing. They are a nice fit and it's a lovely pattern. I have a pair half made in a polka dot rayon that I also made a dress with... the remnant leftover.  Sorry for the bad phone photo inside at night with bad light. I can't help see these as pyjama pants but they are nice and comfy. Worn with the white cowl top that needs an FBA!


I went to the fabric sale again recently and when I've got more mental energy I'll post my new purchases. Thanks for listening to my rant... let me know if the universe has fought you lately.

Comments

Claire said…
You really have had bad luck this year. You have the right to hate 2017, but I hope it changes your mind soon with some better luck. I'm so sorry about your father. Best wishes for happier days soon.
Patricia said…
Oh dear, what a string of misfortune you have had already and it is only 1st March! 2016 was a bit like that for us, lots of bad things happened including my father dying at age 95, with advanced dementia. I know the end is to be expected at that age but the final few weeks as his body gradually closed down was pretty awful. Then one of our adult children got cancer, and other dramas followed. Great to see your blog again, I seem to have missed the last couple of posts. I joined the Spoolettes on Facebook a couple of years ago after seeing it on your blog, but never get to anything as always something else happening. However, I did go to the fabric sale last Friday, got a heap of lovely material, and spoke to a few ladies. Noone I approached had heard of the Spoolettes! I was kind of looking for your face having seen the blog. My blog is a general lifestyle blog, and I am thinking of starting another one just for sewing, to try to connect with more sewists. Sometimes it feels like I am the only person who still makes their own clothes, so I did enjoy the fabric sale even if they were not Spoolettes. Hopefully, this year will be my Year of Sewing. I do hope life for you becomes much more pleasant as the Autumn approaches, and settles on to an even keel. And Happy Sewing to you.
Summer Flies said…
Thank you Claire. I hope it picks up!
Summer Flies said…
Hi Patricia, I'm so glad you made it to the fabric sale. Due to all the happenings I didn't get it onto the blog but I'm glad you saw it on the FB page. That is the only thing I do on FB otherwise I don't do it at all and I only did it for the Spoolettes info. I'm sorry to hear about your father and that it was so terrible at the end... we are grateful for small mercies and are well aware of the struggles. The older I get the more I realise that you are the same person (save for dementia) and that it's only the vessel that is old and worn out.I'm sorry about your child getting cancer.. I hope that pans out to be a good result. Life is just a struggle sometimes and you just have to keep moving no matter how painful. When I worked in travel eons ago and spoke to many, many people, I realised that most people have 'something' that happens in their family... it's different for everyone but we all have something. I hope 2017 gets better for us both! Thanks for your thoughts... oh and I quite like your blog so I don't know you need another one unless you really want to keep it separate. I hope you get to the High Tea on 1 April.
Anonymous said…
Hi Patricia, condolences on your father's passing, my parents are entering their 80's this year and keeping my fingers crossed. 2017 seems to be a year that one wants to re-start & re-do but sending you good wishes & hope for better luck in the future.
Anonymous said…
Oh you poor thing. Sorry to hear of your father passing. Glad to hear you went to a fabric sale. May that be the start of things looking up!
McVal said…
I'm so sorry about your dad! My mom is 86 and in a nursing home for about 2 years now. She had to after Dad broke his back and couldn't watch out for her anymore. She's adjusted really well to the home and can still recognize my voice when I call her.
Vanessa said…
Oh my word! I am so sorry your year has started out this way! My condolences on your father's passing as well.
I do think your pants look great, and nothing like pyjamas. Nice job. I hope all will begin to pick up soon. I am glad to see you are sewing!
Sarah Liz said…
What a bad start to the year - hopefully, you have had your run by now. As for the charity bin,how awful. And how on earth did they work out who to send a bill to? I would not leave anything for charity in this sort of situation, too risky. Let's just hope the rest of the year calms down. I like your new cotton pants - I find these sorts of pants great for relaxing in during the evening. Not quite pj's so you still feel dressed.
Kyle said…
I'm so sorry to read about your Dad's passing, as well as the other things...wishing you smooth sailing ahead!
Patricia said…
Thank you for taking the time to reply to me, and remind me of the High Tea. Eventually found it on Facebook and have booked myself in. Hope to see you there!
Evelyn C said…
Sorry to hear about the loss of your Dad and all the other things going wrong. Hopefully things will improve, I guess all that's hard when your working too. Your pants look great, good to have something comfy to lounge around in. All the best, take care.
katherine h said…
Oh dear, sending you hugs OoOoOo and hoping things look up for the rest of the year. Looks like you have a nice new haircut??
Janine said…
So sorry to hear about your father and his preceding dementia. It is very hard to see our parents who always seemed strong and our protectors to become frail. And yes you really have had your share of bad luck - unbelievable about the fine . Really hope you can have some good luck and turn this year around.
colesworth said…
No good, hope it all goes better from here (I can't believe you got that charity bin fine, that's ridiculous!)
Summer Flies said…
Thank you for your kind thoughts everyone .....
Summer Flies said…
I know right?? I've taken it up with the council as I have actually reported people for stealing and dumping at these same bins. I normally never take stuff to the bin... I go into the shopping centre and drop it straight in because of the theft.
Therese said…
Even though I have only just now come across your blog I send you heaps of good vibes and I am sure things will turn around! Big hug!
Therese said…
Even though I have only just now come across your blog I send you heaps of good vibes and I am sure things will turn around! Big hug!
Summer Flies said…
Therese... welcome and thanks for your good vibes! I think it's coming better now.

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