Monday, March 2, 2009

It makes me smile

Twelve months ago I was supposed to be at Cobargo for the folk festival, but I was too ill to go away so I went to the Canberra Show instead. It was a quick, early morning visit and I think I went home and slept for the rest of the day. At that point I was moving into the second half of a year-long stint of chronic illness, endless blood tests and insurmountable anxiety levels.

I had no idea back in February last year that I would take a redundancy from my job only three months later and spend several months trying to make my life better. And it was so worth it, although it was also one of the hardest things I've ever done. But I got my health and life back, and I worked out that what I wanted to be when I grew up - HAPPY.

And I am! Life is good, and I feel blessed every day.

On Sunday I went to the show again - in great health, and very happy. I left my outer 39 year old at the front gate and allowed the inner eight year old to shake free. We had so much fun. Visions of vegetable growing glory were dreamt of, and scone recipes planned so we could enter next year. In the crochet section, where I had entered three items, I was lucky enough to get a first, a second and a highly commended.

First place - Chevron Lace cardigan Second place - baby blanket Highly commended - crocheted socks

(Yes, the blanket really was pinned to the board like that. And the cardigan has had it's neck pulled completely out of shape, and the yarn has also caught and pulled with the pinning. I don't know whether I can fix it. So while I am very, very happy I am also fairly livid at the way my possessions were treated.)

After allowing my inner eight year old to jump around and squeal like, well, an eight year old over all the prizes other people I knew had won as well, it was time to check out the cattle and the champion's parade!

Champion cattle at the Canberra Show

And play with the clowns, of course. No losers! Every child wins a prize!

Clowns at the Canberra Show

And in "other things that make me happy" news, last August I wrote an article for Mixtape zine. It got bumped to the next issue, and tonight I finally got to see the latest Mixtape for myself!

Blythe article

Ooh! There I am! Do you subscribe? You should! It's a fabulous zine and I'm not just saying that because I have an article in it. I've been a huge fan since the beginning! And the front cover this month is amazing. I would love to have this hanging on my wall at home.

Mixtape zine

And with that little brag, I'm off to bed with my zine. 'Night!

20 comments:

  1. Oh, so many wonderful accomplishments!! CONGRATULATIONS on the article! That's awesome. So happy for you. And well done on the show pieces, although I would be very tempted to complain, er, tactfully point out the mishandling of the items. Really, they should know better.

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  2. Yay you! My inner eight y.o is also leaping with joy b/c I know someone so famous.

    My outer 'ahemtie' year old is furious that your work has been treated in this way.

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  3. COngratulations! On happiness, health, and prize glory! and mmmm, I love show cattle.

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  4. Oh I'm so glad you had fun at the show! The prizes are fantastic.... except for the pinning of course.

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  5. I wish my inner eight year old had been there with you! Sounds like an awesome weekend all round :)

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  6. Well done cream bun - hope I can see your scones in next years Show.

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  7. Oh man, what were they thinking?

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  8. So pleased for your prizes! So not pleased at the pinning - oh dear - it was not good. Although at least they don't use the fishing line like they do at Sydney (I'm not sure if that's better or not, to be honest!). But still, squeee (again) on the prizes, and also the article - very cool!

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  9. You know, now you mention it, that was a really odd way to pin out your blanket although i have to say I liked being able to see the pattern so clearly!

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  10. Sounds like someone needs to write a VSL (very stern letter) to the Canberra Show society!! But huge props to you Mick - I always knew you rocked, but now you have the ribbons and the name in print to prove it!

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  11. Congratulations Michelle - official recognition of the marvellous crochet that you do (I adore that cardie, and the rug is superb, actually, it's all wonderful) and your article in Mixtape is terrific. Nice work all round from you Michelle! (and not so nice from whoever sets up the exhibit displays) - and I'll be seeing you soon at dinner!

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  12. I'm sorry to hear they pulled the neck out of shape and caught the yarn, that's poor form as they should know better.

    Fingers crossed it can be fixed.

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  13. -Big jump of joy for you - in amongst the niggly bits, there's some major accomplishments there. Health! Happy = good, and prizes are always lovely. You are very clever, and I'm pleased for you.

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  14. Congratulations, Michelle. Your work is gorgeous - despite wonky pinning!

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  15. Seriously... there should be a hotline we can ring for yarn abuse! OMG what were they thinking???? Some yarns just cannot be shrunk back to size after being stretched. Pft!
    Your work is amazing.. please give yourself a pat or three on the back for me. You are such a talented gal.. I am sooo green!
    The Canberra show is a great agricultural show... I saw photos on another friends blog the other day and I was astounded at all the animals and different variations.
    Lots of love to you and yours.
    xox

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  16. Well done! Thank you for my virtual show tour, and despite the horror of them mistreating your loverly pieces, the rug looked kind of like a spiderweb, and hence, interesting that way. I hope they didn't damage it, you're giving it away, right?

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  17. Congratulations!!! So very proud to see your work there, and winning prizes.

    Bugger about the damage, though :p

    So glad things are going well for you health and happiness wise :)

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  18. Woohoo! Well done : ) Of course, you do realise that you're now completely hooked and will continue to enter until you grow too arthritic to ply needles. So glad you entered the mad world of show entries.

    I'm also glad to hear that all you sacrifices professionally have been rewarded so fantastically with good health and happiness. Nothing like not feeling tired all the time!

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  19. Hi. I enjoyed your article in mixtape! I've seen those dolls on the web but couldn't quite fathom the attraction. I get it now. And congrats on the show!

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