Consistently, predictably, dependably, unwaveringly ERRATIC

Mum: *holding the new dustbuster* This is very effective but I think it's going to be tricky to clean.
Me: Did you read the instructions?
Mum: ... no?
Me: *reads the instructions, takes the dustbuster apart in three easy moves, cleans it, reassembles in three easy moves.*
Mum: Ah.

*
I have new shoes! Specifically, sandals for walking around. I have a very pretty pair of flat black sandals which still, after several years, give me blisters. I've finally given up on them (I hate shoe shopping, okay?) and found some nice, slightly higher-heeled black sandals (third row, Krsytal, but in black.) Not quite as pretty but incredibly comfortable. The brand is called Homy Ped (which ... does not sound attractive however you approach it) and I bought them in a pharmacy. Yes, really.

There were a few other styles that I liked but these were the ones the store had in my size (5 1/2! A brand that makes shoes in 5 and 5 1/2!) and a colour I liked. And they are comfortable! Not quite flat, unfortunately, but comfortable. Why is this so rare?

*
My head is still a little dodgy but overall, much improved. Good timing since we're off to the South Coast again tomorrow! Just for one night this time - we're going to pick up a lamp for Mum and a sculpture for me and we'll spend the night at a lovely B&B we discovered on the last night of our previous trip. And do a bit of Christmas shopping on the way!
 

BLOODY SUMMER. STUPID HOT WEATHER.

I have sunburn. For the first time in ages. We went out today and I was wearing a long, sleeveless dress with an long-sleeved, collared cotton overshirt. We weren't outside that much and when we were, it was mostly in shade. Yes, the sun was strong but that's why I dressed the way I did (and usually do.) But it seems that at some point, I let the overshirt slip from my shoulder a bit and this must have been while I was in the direct sunlight as I now have a large sore patch of red on the back of my shoulder. And my shoulders overall feel dry and sore.

Bah.

So I guess it's time to start wearing sunscreen every time I go out, no matter how slight the sun exposure is supposed to be.

*
The other party of the day were far more agreeable however. Mum, Dee and I went to several places on a local 'artist's trail', a weekend of combined studio exhibits. There was some fairly ordinary stuff but some was quite wonderful, especially the third place we went to, the studio of a metal sculptor. There was the most amazing pelican, huge with wings outstretched, a fish caught in its beak. It was splendid and if I could have afforded it (and had room for it) I would have bought it right then and there.

It was $7000. Yeah. No. Ah well.

There was also a wonderful sulphur-crested cockatoo coming into land, amazing grass trees, a lyrebird with a delightful tail, a very creepy octopus and some thylacines that I would not want anywhere near my home for fear that they would come alive and shred the flesh from my bones. (Check out the teeth!) Sadly, there are no pics on the website of the current pelican but I did love this nautilus sculpture as well.

That was the most dramatic exhibit and the third we visited. I had no intention of buying anything at the shows though I did vaguely think I might find another picture for my bedroom.

Well, that's not what I found. At the first studio (which was set in a glorious garden, so many trees and cool greenness. Walking along the path to the house felt like being in a secret) one of the exhibitors was a potter who makes saggar fired pottery. It was so lovely and interesting. There was one vase with pinks and browns and white that made me think of an alien landscape. The smaller ornamental vase I ended up buying is a warm white with shades of blues and browns. It makes me think of a stormy sky over a rocky coastline.

At the fourth place we went to, we sat on a long, cool, shaded verandah - the sort Australian houses should have! - and had Devonshire tea. Mmm. Then we looked at some gorgeous and unusual jewellery, some paintings and some more pottery of quite a different kind. But I found another piece I love. A matte-finish bowl in shades of soft green, swirling around the bowl. If the vase is stormy skies and rocky coast, this bowl is a rockpool. Not a still one but one where the water is swirling and moving.

I love what I bought. Can you tell?

*
I saw a few minutes of Coraline tonight and I think I want to read the book. With fewer creepy doll visuals.

*
I made a double batch of lemon curd last night. The next double batch can wait until tomorrow night. I need to rest before Yum Cha with the girls tomorrow!
 

Hauled myself out of bed this morning so we could get to the farmer's market in time. Beautiful morning and it was crowded! I'd meant to call my friend Pip last night, see if she wanted to meet up there but I forgot. But guess who we saw at this first stall! She'd almost finished but she wasn't in a rush and we wandered around together and caught up.

And now the best part of the market - the dogs! 

Mum and I went to the shops after that as I was hoping the newsagent might have Kerrang. They do stock it but they were sold out. Bugger. 

And then we had ice cream, came home and I collapsed in a heap and later took a nap.

 

Voted today, not that my vote makes a damn bit of difference in this electorate which is highly conservative (we're a little out of place here. It's a good idea not to bring up politics or religion unless you know the person really well.) As expected the Coalition is winning by a landslide and Labor is fucked. And no wonder. I think Keneally is a decent sort but NSW Labor has been an utter mess for so long and people are sick of it. I don't think the Coalition are likely to be any better (and I certainly wouldn't vote for them) but maybe this will give Labor the kick in the pants they need to sort themselves out. Here's hoping.

*

Before going to vote, we headed out to a lingerie store that specialises in bras for difficult-to-fit sizes. I'd been there once before, seeking a strapless bra for my bridesmaid gown and wound up with a 8F which made me cringe. I put on a little weight after that and was able to stick with my favourite Fayreform bras in 10E ... but they are now in need of replacing, I've lost some weight, and I am now tiny in the torso again. But large in the breasts. *sigh* There was a Fayreform sale and I was hoping ... but the 10E is now too large, even at it's tightest and the style doesn't go to an 8. I now have a Panache bra in 8FF(!!!) which cost over $100. Looking at prices online for the other couple of bras that fit (which I could not afford to get) this seems to be the price I can expect from now on.

The fitting specialist was very helpful, particularly since I hadn't worn a bra other than Fayreform for quite a while and she did try to find something in my size that was on sale but there was nothing that fit.

I do strongly recommend getting a proper fitting from someone who really knows what they're doing, particularly if you're an unusual size. I found chain stores and department stores well enough when I was a more standard size but now, I really needed the specialist fitting. As she said, I could wear the 10E style that I liked and it would provide some support but when I tried on the bra that I later bought, I recognised the huge difference in support between the two. You get used to what you're wearing and forget what the right fit feels like.

(At least when buying the bra, I knew I was achieving something.)