Shaken and Devastated

22.02.2011: The day the earth shook and my hometown was changed forever, left in pieces on the ground - along with my heart and those of hundreds of thousands of fellow Cantabrians and New Zealanders.

I cannot get my head around what has happened in my beloved hometown of Christchurch. The devastation, the loss of life, the loss of the history of the beautiful city where I grew up - it's all too hard to comprehend. I am so incredibly grateful that all of my family and friends are safe and well, with only broken things to contend with, and not broken bodies.

I have been meaning to update here with posts of projects finished, of children's birthdays and of my impending 'big' birthday, but everything pales into insignificance when I watch television footage of the tragedy that has occurred in Christchurch. So many others who have lived through this horrendous ordeal have written heart wrenching stories of how they survived and the panic and fear that gripped this city following this violent earthquake that measured 6.3 on the Richter scale, and was only 5km deep and very close to the city, directly under Lyttleton - and written them in a way that has brought tears to my eyes time and again.

There are stories of survival and bravery as people and communities pull together to help each other in a way that warms the heart and restores ones faith in human nature and the indomitable spirit of Cantabrians.

I have not lived in Christchurch for a number of years (in fact I have lived in Wellington for more years than I lived in Christchurch), but it is still and always will be 'home' to me. To see the city I love brought to its knees in this way, to see the beautiful, historical buildings I identify as being the heart of Christchurch, reduced to rubble, to see the people of Christchurch suffering and in pain, with too many having lost their lives - it's almost too much to bear. I have spent the last few days in a state of shock, not quite knowing what to do.

The Christchurch I remember is gone forever and the city will take years to rebuild, but it will never be the same. But it will be rebuilt and the spirit of Cantabrians will survive.

Just right now I feel a bit broken too ...

Hope

I don't really know where to begin with this post. A lovely young family who live here in Wellington are currently grappling with what no family should ever have to face - their beautiful little daughter and sister, Hope, has an aggressive form of cancer.  After battling for two years and finally being in remission a very short 5 months ago, it has tragically returned. And this time they can no longer battle it - it has spread and now they face the loss of their precious daughter and sister and have been given such a terribly short amount of quality time left to cherish her. Hope turns 4 on the 19th of February.

I am blatantly copying from my friend Julia's blog (with her permission), with links to many auctions and raffles that have been set up by the many lovely people out there who want to help this family. We would love to be able to raise enough money so that this wonderful family can spend as much quality time together as possible, without worrying about finances. Please bid generously and help us do what we can for Hope and her family.

On Trade Me:

For people in and around the Wellington region - a fabulous photograph shoot with Rachael Brown Photography (who took the picture above of Hope and her family) and a disc of the images here.

A gift card for a custom made/sized Unido Sling in your choice of fabric. Great for anyone with a baby or as a lovely gift for a family here

Some wonderful donations of yummy yarn that are hard to get in NZ - all with $1 reserves.

2 x 4oz skeins of Mosaic Moon Licorice Twist - Colourway: Spice Chest. This is a gorgeous warm colourway, not often dyed on this base (and very hard to get), the base has lent itself wonderfully to take in such warm cherry and auburn tones. Donated by Belinda McKay in Australia and you'll find the auction here

2 x 4oz skeins of Shoestring Organic Merino (Gaia Worsted) - Colourway: Little colt (Ponies-Horsie Hybrid). This is an extremely hard to get yarn in NZ, and a very hard to get colourway, Very gender neutral and would make the most perfect newborn clothing or even a sweet little rainbow dress (Tikki - Georgie Hallam Pattern) for your gorgeous daughter. Donated by Belinda McKay in Australia and you'll find the auction here

A 150gm skein of Wollmeise Sockenwolle 80/20 Twin (a fabulous machine washable 4ply/fingering weight yarn) in the colourway Sabrina, donated by Lisa Scott here

A 4oz skein of Family Roots Kona Superwash DK/8ply in the colourway Yarnia, donated also by Lisa Scott here

An Elite Cruiser Frontpack donated by Nikki here

An Amazing Game Book with 50 activities and games here

A Peke Moe in blue, with a freebie one thrown in too - donated by Gina here

A handcrafted Bells Stuff bear - donated by Sheryl here


A beautful handcrafted Oamaru stone carving by a talented Wellingtonian carver Tim White here


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On individual blogs

Alison has a lovely skein of Old Maiden Aunt yarn here

The yarny giveaway running on Julia's blog, just $5 for an entry :)

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On The Nappy Network - anyone can join to have a look at the auctions! You'd be surprised at what bargains some of the auctions are at the moment! And there's something for everyone, all are brand new.

* Some cupcake stitch markers here


Of course you can donate directly to Hope's account - time is of the essence at the moment.

Hope Osborne
38-9009-0002097-00


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"I'd like to do something too"

Then do! There are a range of things you could do to help out.


* Start your own auction and sell something with the money going directly to Hope's family, or make a donation

* Talk to people at your work/church groups about perhaps supporting the Osborne family

* Wellington people - there is someone collecting meals/baking etc on behalf of the Osborne family, email me here for the contact details if you'd like to help with some meals for them. Dairy free meals and baking would be greatly appreciated

* Turn off the computer and go and spend some quality time with the people you love, not to sound soppy, but go and create some wonderful memories with your own kids, grandkids, parents, siblings, friends. Life is so precious.

Winner of the Flood Relief Auction

I have been very slack of late at updating my blog. I think it's beacuse there are quite a few things to update so it's become a bit daunting. I will get there!

But first things first, the winner of my Kaia Babydoll auction was Deborah and she has kindly sent me a picture of her gorgeous daughter wearing the Babydoll and has given me permission to use her photo. So here is the Kaia Babydoll being worn by its beautiful, happy wee recipient:

Thanks so much Deborah :).

Right, I will be back to update on all the things that have been happening here over the last wee while - I promise!  xxx