A treat in the mail

Some of you may remember that a little while ago Spectra of Spectrum Woman proposed a Great American Snowman Contest to be run over the American winter

I bitched and moaned about her geographica and climatical prejudices.  She gave in and extended the contest to anyone who wanted to play, using whatever materials were available.

So I cheated and entered the snow woman I had made at while I was at school.

In all her glory, here she is.

The Great Australian Snow Slut.

And she won a prize!
 Which arrived today.  Earrings to add to my (very large) collection.  And I am sure that the snow slut approves.

Thank you Spectra.  From both of us.

Cat Condominium

Still hurting, still stiff, but what the hey.

Our cats have long made it clear that they consider themselves to be underprivileged.  They lie, but that is another story.  So yesterday we went to the markets and bought them a condo to replace the much smaller one that they have shredded. 

And it was such a success that Jazz climbed aboard as we were carrying it across the kitchen.  And they play chasings on and around it, leaping to the ground to run through their tunnel (seen in some of these shots).  Jewel has carefully placed her acorn on it.  And batts the acorn to the ground and carries it back again.  I am not certain who gets more fun out of it, the cats or us.

Towards the end of the day the sky started to glow.  So I wobbled/waddled outside with my camera.  And was rewarded with this.

Shortly before we went out yesterday I stepped on an earring. And broke it.   One my father had made me.  He has been dead for a little over twenty years and it has enormous sentimental value.  I wept.  And today I headed off to try and find a jeweller who could work magic.  And was almost unbelievably lucky.  The jeweller I approached told me that he didn't work with silver anymore.  And looked at my face and said 'it obviously means a lot to you.  Take a seat.  I will fix it now'.  And did.  So I wept again.

I am still a bit anxious about the commitment I have made for tomorrow.  Not only will I be knackered long before the end, but critiquing other people's style is difficult and delicate work.  And I well remember how much an off the cuff comment can hurt.  Still, my philosophy is that I can do anything if I have to.  And having made the commitment I guess I have to.  Cross your fingers for me please.