I would walk 500 miles...

Then I would walk 500 more. If I could just convince my three year old what jolly good fun it is to hop on your bike, scooter or whichever super ride-on thingy has floated to the top of our jumbled shed pile. I can't sing the praises of walking highly enough. I'm not interested in organised, technical or game oriented exercise in any form. I was the kid at school who got winded by an incoming volleyball while daydreaming in the direction of some cute boys who had just wandered in to the gym. I was the kid who was always quietly happy when I had an injury of some kind because it meant I didn't have to make a scene running full pelt at hurdles only to knock them down, methodically one by one. I was bad enough at sport and PE in all it's guises to have felt I'd won gold when I came in 146th place in a primary school fun run. It took me a week to recover but I was so proud.
But the one thing I have always done is walk. It's a bit of an addictive compulsion. I need to get out and move. I need air in my lungs and sun on my face. My son disagrees. He would like nothing more than to park his lazy behind in front of the telly and settle in for a Thomas-athon, complete with popcorn thanks Mum.
But anyone who has had anything at all to do with boys of any age will understand when I liken my precious son to a working dog. A dog bred to run from dusk 'til dark. Like kelpies or border collies, boys are not made for sitting still. If I let my son sit for any length of time I can literally see the energy building up and fermenting in his system Then when the telly is turned off, out it comes with destructive force.  Block your ears and duck for cover because he can be like a tornado. He breaks things, shouts, squeals, hits his sister and sometimes me. He launches himself from couch to couch and runs incessantly from one end of our house to the other. He does it with no malice and no real intent to harm because underneath it all he really is sweet and gentle. He just loses all ability to control his impulses when he hasn't been for his 'walkies'.
So, since growing out of riding in the pusher and developing a need for some serious energy burning I've been working at instituting a regular morning walk (or scoot, or ride.) It's been a difficult battle and the first leg of every walk is a whinge fest. "My legs are tired, I can't ride up this big hill, it's too cold, I hate this way, I don't want to go there, I want to go home..." I think they're just the sounds of his engine warming up, because soon enough he becomes all chipper and chatty and I can't quiet the small talk. Not that I'd want to. So every day, after breakky we get on our legs and get moving. I push my little girl in the pusher while he goes like the wind on his wheely thing of choice. We natter to one another and suck up the sunshine then arrive home feeling a million dollars. So you can stick your bats and balls, the footpath will do me nicely.

As it has evolved, my blog has become a big part of buntyandsars. In fact it really does have a life of it's own and I look forward to prattling on about some drivel or other each week. It's very cathartic. But I want it to grow, so please let all your friends know where to find me and don't be afraid to leave comments and suggestions.If any one has any tips on blogging drop them on the bottom. I feel so loved when you give me your words, so thank you!
I did promise a few blogs ago to drop in some links to cool things. When I emptied out my collection of cards from all the lovely makers I've encountered I found I've accumulated quite a few. They are a collection in their own right, all so clever and pretty. So, over the coming weeks I'm going to check out a few of the sites lurking within my collection and recommend the great ones. I don't spend a lot of time on the net due to ongoing battles with this well worn old computer, but I want to. I argue it's because I need (too strong a word?) an I-pad. Oh, how I could become so internet savvy with such a cool piece of kit.
Sorry, enough about my Christmas wish list.... here's the first link, http://www.karnivalkids.etsy.com/ I came across this label at my beloved Queenscliff's monthly market. The clever maker comes from Torquay and she uses lots of pre-loved stretchy fabrics to make one-off, comfy and super cute kids clothes. My daughter scored on that particular shopping trip but she makes great stuff for boys, too if you have sons who always seem to miss out on the cool things.
Because I'm feeling generous, here's another one http://www.oktoberdee.com.au/  While wandering around Geelong in holiday mode I stumbled happily upon a tiny little shop in an out of the way arcade on the fringes of Geelong's CBD. Inside I found a treasure trove of special-ness. Inside, the maker, Lauren, creates beautiful, clever and quirky accessories. Have a look on the site because it is cool in itself and I'm sure you'll love the bags. Oh, and jot down the address for the shop, it's worth a peek.
Just before I finish off, an update on Paper Percy. I spent half of last Thursday in his company and I've decided he isn't the man I thought he was, so I've banished him from my workspace for a while. At this stage he just isn't working as product and I want to get on to developing some other, better ideas, of which I have many, so stay tuned...