An eventful week...

 Well, some weeks surprise you, don't they?

Having decided to take my husband's advice and make time last week for genuine rest stops between my activities around the home and garden, plus a few hours of watching Cully May and Charlie while Bloss took Rafaella to the dentist, things unfolded a little differently.

Hubby had a day off work on Wednesday and we decided to drive out to a little outback country town where we lived from 2009-2011. It's a beautiful place and we have long held hopes of moving back there when he retires, but it's really just a dream, so these slow days when we visit are very special as the atnosphere is so calm and peaceful - something we love. 

It was a lovely day, but a bit wearying, so we had an early night and woke next morning to RAIN. Oh thank the Lord, we finally got RAIN! Since March we have only had one day of very light rain (in June), but this ended up being three days of gentle showers and a few heavier ones - the garden was ecstatic! On that Thursday I gathered my sewing and sat quietly with my needle listening to the raindrops and enjoying the cooler temperature. 

But of course, over at Blossom's the children wanted to go outside and play in the rain...as most children do! Naturally she sent them out with her blessing, but within a few minutes, Cully May had slipped and was crying out in distress. Fast forward an hour, and Blossom dropped off Rafaella and Charlie to me, and headed off to the hospital with Cully May, where Ross would meet them. 

I kept the two children occupied with a variety of crafts (and plenty of nibbles) while we waited for news on Cully May...

...and once that news came, it wasn't good. Our sweet 8yo has broken four of the toes in her left foot. As everything was still swelling, the orthopaedic surgeon has put her in a boot for 8-9 days, and will then do another MRI before making the decision about putting pins in before switching her to a cast. She has a lot of pain right now, but the painkillers help her to also have some good hours each day and in the night. She had crutches until today, but they are difficult for children and the hospital thought it best she get a paediatric wheelchair, which they picked up this morning. She face-timed me to show how well she uses it around the house - wonderful news. :-)

Yesterday (Sunday) we decided to bring Rafaella and Cully May to our house for the day, and do some new homeschooling lessons, plus give the girls some fun activities with Poppy as he doesn't get to see them as often as me. 

Cully May is very bright and has long wanted to build a robot, so Poppy bought this kit to do with her...

...and they spent five hours building Tobbie together. Hubby's previous occupation as a technology teacher certainly has advantages for our grandchildren, and he was simply amazing teaching and assisting her. As you can see, she was a very happy young lady working on her robot with Poppy...

Meanwhile, Rafaella and I baked some bread rolls from a favourite recipe, to use at lunchtime for making mini hamburgers (the girls LOVE hamburgers!), and then we baked a gluten free pineapple upside down cake for dessert (I am gluten free) - but we forgot to take photos. Too much fun!

Then Rafaella had her first sewing lesson. You see, the day before I had bought a second hand Janome off FB Marketplace for $75 and it was in almost new condition. My plan for a while has been to teach the girls to sew on a machine, and this one was listed at just the right time.

I set it up in my sewing room, on the little table from their cubby house. First I had Rafaella practice sewing lines that I had drawn on paper. She did three pages of lines until she could see they were practically all straight - and then we began with the fabric. 

She wanted to make a yellow pincushion, so that's exactly what she did. I instructed her along the way, and helped with things like turning the pincushion right side out, and afterwards stitching the opening shut by hand...but she sewed all the seams, stuffed it nice and firm, and then together we sewed two buttons either side. 

So excited was she, that she went on to make another two little cushions for her dolly beds at home! I will get photos when I visit them tomorrow, as I forgot yesterday amid all that was happening during the day. 

Rafaella is Level 2 Autistic and is mostly non-verbal. She has sensory issues and is non-social, and as per her assessment (by a beautiful Christian psychologist whom we have known for more than 20 years) will lead a very different life even in adulthood. Homeschooling helps her to feel secure, as she does not have to leave the home or deal with others. That's the simplest explanation that I'll share with you, for as in all cases with precious children like her there are a lot more issues as well, but we keep them within the family. 

After the robot was built, Cully May wanted to learn how to sew on the machine as well, but we needed to get her settled on my old comfy chair so she could use my own sewing machine - there was no way with her foot that she could get down low and use the small machine Rafaella had used. 

While Cully May was learning how to sew, Poppy took Rafaella out to the pool for a swim and to help her practice her backstroke. We took the girls home in time for their tea and stories and bedtime. It was a wonderful day!

Here's Cully May's pincushion all finished...

We went to bed early again last night, as Nana and Poppy were plumb tuckered out...but what a happy and productive day we'd all had together. 

This morning my beloved once again instructed me to take things slow, as I waved him off to work. So I went out back and spent two hours cleaning the undercover area next to the carport, and that led to lots of bits and pieces of washing and rearranging, and repotting a few plants...until at 10am, I felt myself being so emptied of energy that I came inside and switched on the air conditioner, brewed a decaf coffee and covered it with leftover whipped cream from the upside down cake the day before. A couple of gluten free muffins I baked the other day filled a plate, and I was ready to put my feet up and truly rest. 

Rest is such a needed thing for us all after busy days, stressful trials, recovering from illness, or having to deal with unforseen concerns. No matter what you are facing today, sweet ones, rest in Jesus. Make time, even if you only have fifteeen minutues, to sit down, put your feet up if you can, and lean on Him. He has restored my soul today, for I was feeling every bit of my 65 years, and more, when I woke this morning, but I pushed myself further than I should and by 10am, my body gave out. Surrendering to rest isn't laziness, my dear sisters...it's humbling, it's showing kindness to our body/mind/spirit, and it draws us into the arms of Jesus. 

I had another blog post I wanted to share last week, but life stepped in, so I'll get back to it for you in a few days. It's all about working with woven wool felt...my new pleasure. 

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Till next time...