WELL.... HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME

Yep, it's me Birthday.  Another year older, no wiser, just more Crabby!

I blame the crabbiness on the hot flushes.  It can't have ANYTHING to do with my PERSONALITY eh?  *smiles*

So... last night I finished a huge tidy up of me sewing area:

 ABOVE:  I pulled everything out and down and sorted it all out... it's the best feeling getting it all tidy... 

ABOVE: now I can start a new project without the mess and muddle driving me nuts.

 ABOVE:  here is Steve and Bex's baby Cot Quilt all finished.  They are very happy with it.

ABOVE:  this is the back of the quilt.  Simple, but pretty.

We are expecting a few family for lunch today... I am going to make a big batch of scones... better get Stew to go and get some cream for me to whip up.  And he can pick up Lacy and Keera too....

ONWARD...

I invited Amanda, Andrew, Kelly, Rena, Lacy and baby to lunch today.
I had hoped that everything would go well.
I even got some nice photos of everyone getting along well....

ABOVE: Lunchtime, scones ... made by Andrew and Kelly with my 'supervision'.

Everyone was just starting to eat lunch when the shit hit the fan.

My Birthday has been ruined.   

I don't know quite how many people ended up in tears... but I was one of them.

YEAH... HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME.

Right this minute, we are back to just the four of us.
Amanda and Andrew left mid-lunch... can't and won't comment on that here.
Kelly and Rena got picked up by Gordon, who drove up from Hamilton to get them.
Steve, Bex and Lacy have gone to Sylvia Park ... not sure why.

After today there will be NO MORE family gatherings like today.  It is just not worth it, as I always end up feeling hurt and upset.

I now know that this family is fractured and will probably never be the same again.  And by 'the same' I mean how we were a couple of years ago, before things got nasty.

I think the thing that has hurt so much today is that some people didn't care that it was MY BIRTHDAY they were ruining.  

A girlfriend in America just told me I should hire a BOUNCER for our parties!   NOT BAD!  Made me smile anyway.

LEE ANNE:  yes I am self taught... there is so much you can learn just by going on the 'net and reading, watching videos etc.  I did go to a Patchwork Class for a while, but it was really just an informal group who met once a week and had a yak session with the 'Tutor'.  I learnt most from the net, and using my own ideas too.

DEBBIE:  my scones:

4 cups white flour
6 teaspoons baking powder
2 big cups grated tasty cheese
1 cup grated butter
milk to mix

Put flour and baking powder in a bowl.  Add the cheese... stir in with a knife, then add the butter and stir it in with a knife too.  Then slowly add milk, stirring with said knife again.  Once you have it to a 'doughy' consistency tip it onto a floured bench and PAT AND SHAPE it into a tidy rectangle, not too thin!  

AND DON'T KNEED IT!!!

Then cut it into shapes, and place on a baking tray.
Chuck it into a hot oven (220 degrees Celcius) for about 15 minutes.
Done!

I add cheese to EVERY scone mix.... it just makes them so BLOODY YUM!  So, if I am making sultana scones or date scones I still add the CHEESE. 

I have taken a couple of photos of my gifts today:

 ABOVE:  this lot is from Steve and Bex... they went shopping for my present after lunch.... apparently it took AGES for them to find a Birthday card that didn't say "Have a Lovely Birthday" !  Bearing in mind how the day has panned out they didn't think it was appropriate!  

ABOVE: the large blue pail is from Steve and Bex too.   Amanda and Andrew got me a pamper session at a clinic... massage, exfoliation etc... it sounds divine! Kelly got me a lovely bamboo plant and some gift vouchers from Spotlight.  Lacy gave me a cute little pill container for my handbag.  Stew and the kids got me the funky little dinner plate... it's a small dinner plate, so I can limit my portions.  LOVE IT.

ABOVE:  I have already found a place for the cute little thermometer. 

We are having sausages and hot chips for dinner... my choice as I don't feel like cooking.

SERIOUSLY... I am weird!  Every time I have felt upset and sad about today, I scroll up to the photo of my nice tidy sewing 'area' and I feel better.  Is that sad or what? Don't quite understand why it makes me happy again!

End of Day:  I will be extremely happy to go to bed tonight and end this shit day.
nite nite