Fiona's Blog » About Fiona and bits and bobs

“Look Mum no hands….”

fiona — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 08:51:47 +0000

As kids growing up in the wop wops we had to entertain ourselves and we were forever begging Mum to come outside and take a look at our latest dare-devil antics. She would have a look of pained anguish on her face as we showed off our latest heroic endeavours which often ended in tears and wounded prides, but, it didn’t stop us for one minute! Oh no, never! We had some ancient old bikes that we would hurtle ourselves down the gravel country roads on defying anyone gay enough to use handle bars yelling “look Mum no hands” or galloping along at a hair-raising pace on the beloved pony holding on for dear life with nothing more than squeezed in legs…we thought it was all such good fun all this no hands business but it wasn’t such fun last week when I REALLY didn’t have any hands to use….albeit for only 3 days. Put this independent, busy, easily bored gal into this situation and it’s fun and games! Total dependence on others is humbling, frustrating, hilarious and darn right difficult. I didn’t give it much thought really – A quick snip to relieve the Carpal Tunnels and bob’s your uncle….done and dusted! But then a couple of lovely friends mentioned things like, “Fiona, you won’t be able to pull your knickers up, you’ll have to get the hippie kaftan’s out” (thanks Sue) and, “it’s very painful, my husband took 2 weeks off work to look after me when I had a Bilateral” Blimey, I haven’t organized anything and I’m looking after Rosie’s shop Password Please in 6 days while she shoots off to purchase some stock!! Balderdash, they are scaremongering, I’ll be just fine I convincingly tell myself….Day one and I arrive home in good spirits but soon learn I’m in for a bad bad night…..“drugs, I need some drugs” I wail to anyone who will listen, can’t get the jolly things out of their sealed up little cubby-holes – I’m starting to think this could have been a bit foolhardy and a bad idea to get both done at once….”I’m cold, please cover me up, please move the pillow, please help me to the bathroom….” please, please, please…oh shit, this is not good, I’m not liking it at all! Morning dawns to a grumpy, tired hubby who makes me a cup of tea, feeds me some toast and scuttles off to work as fast as he can without it looking too indecent! Rosie takes over, dresses me, lights and stokes the fire hoping it lasts until the next shift arrives, (quickly realize I actually can’t do a bloody thing so some troops have been called in to the rescue) places glasses of various drinks with straws in front of me and turns the TV on. “I’ve put it on E Mum, I’m addicted to it, you will love it!” “Oh, no I’m not” I soon realize with her long gone – “it’s garbage”…I can’t change the channel, turn the volume down or even turn the bloody thing off – I can’t even put a pillow over my head to drown out the noise…no doubt about it day one is not a walk in the park, but as day two dawns and while I can’t twist, pull and lift, I discover I can gently press a remote or keypad….woo-hoo, things are not so bad after all! I think I will post a sympathy pic on FB and see if anyone buys into it…..:-) From then on things start to improve and it’s wonderful to realize I no longer have the terrible Carpal Tunnel pain…and I’m thinking all those woose’s who have one done at a time are just that – woose’s…but you know what….give me two working hands any day – they are magic!

It’s party time…

fiona — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 04:28:39 +0000

It’s time to throw a party….just what we need in the midst of a cold, wet and bleak winter….BUT, the party girl doesn’t want a bar of it. Oh no, howls of protest for weeks now, ‘Please, if you must, just a very few family”. “Sure thing Mum, just one or two”. Huh, not likely, she’s in for a surprise as all her children, all their partners, all their kids, all their current loves as well and all her old friends who are still alive and kicking are coming to celebrate her 80th….we’re looking at a few here, oh yes, it’s party time and she doesn’t know it yet – we are a noisy bunch at the best of times so she’s either going to be chuffed or tick me off! Quick call to her this morning, “do you need a lift up here on Sunday Mum?” “Why?” “Because remember we are having a little shindig for your 80^th” “Oh, I’d forgotten”. Blimey, a party with no birthday girl, now that could be a problem! But, this 80th birthday party is tinged with sadness as in all honesty my Mother just doesn’t want to be here on this planet anymore – you see, life for her has been a struggle since my Dad died in 2000. Their 50 years together was a true-love story – a partnership made in heaven – oh, if only it was that easy for the rest of us but it isn’t! (Well, I ain’t seen it much) – but this was a love story in every sense, utterly devoted to each other. Sigh! She is a walker, miles each day (probably why she has reached 80 as she still drinks and smokes far more than is good for her) and drops by Dads grave daily and often tells me “you know what Fiona, I ask Dad how he is everyday day but he never answers me”…..its enough to make you cry! “I’ve had a great innings and there is simply no reason for me to be here anymore”. Thanks Mum! I have a feeling though that if Dad was still with us she would still be as happy as Larry chugging along on top of the ground rather than under it! And despite the howls of protest I have a feeling she is going to enjoy her party – she usually does! – she will whip outside for a smoke every 30 minutes, have a few too many wines, say embarrassing things and then be delivered home the worse for wear but having had a ball. Happy 80^th Birthday Mum! x

Always Gotta Hope there’s Light at the End of the Tunnel!

fiona — Mon, 31 May 2010 06:48:44 +0000

How many times have we asked ourselves that very question? Me, plenty! Shit, I know only too well that life was never going to be a bed of roses but sometimes it just seems too damn hard to see that light at the end of the tunnel.…Friday was the day that I hoped I was going to be given the answer to a problem that has on many occasions had me despairing and that I hoped I would be told maybe there actually was going to be some light at the end of the tunnel – to someone else I know though, Friday meant for them there was no hope at the end of the tunnel…..they turned the lights off. So, last Friday was one of those days – firstly, excitement as I was finally given the news that yes, Mrs B you have Bilateral Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Sounds simple! Yep, it is and easy to fix too but I have had a myriad of tests over 18 months – all the while struggling with the damn pain and probably being a damn pain as well and unable to do well most of the things I’m passionate about as my hands had literally given up the ghost ….6 months ago I was told there was nothing more they could do for me other than manage the pain and my best bet was an appointment with the Pain Management Clinic. I felt like I was in my Dads sheep drafting race and I was going into the no-good pen (culls we call them) and we all know where they end up! My god, I’m young, (well, sort of) there’s so many things I want to do …. I’m starting to have some real fun here… cushions, motorbikes, travel…this can’t be true!! I hate drugs….I’m going to be prescribed pain killers….I went into that appointment with a heavy heart…BUT again luck was on my side! A wonderful, delightful, newly arrived motorbike lover from London who had been on NZ soil for just 6 weeks was sitting there listening to me wail that I won’t be able to ride my motorbike anymore….for some reason that seemed the biggest loss to me at the time. We got talking bikes….his was still on the boat coming over and he was missing it like hell! His wife had already made 2 trips over the hill to the ‘rapa on hers – he quietly took hold of my hands putting pressure on them while we continued to chatter about bikes and the fab NZ roads. They went numb. That was the turning point…..”I think they may have been looking for your problems in the wrong area”…and continued “I think you have Carpal Tunnel”. OK, but can that be fixed? Easy, was the reply! I could have jumped up and kissed the guy….There really was going to be light at the end of the tunnel after all. It was a huge relief as this problem is a giant pain in the ass!! So, another 3 months down the track I had had the electrical tests to see if indeed the bike loving Dr J was correct – he was! Just like that….I’m not going into that no-good pen just yet! Whew!! So, what I’m saying is you ‘always gotta hope there is light at the end of the tunnel’…..even when you are told otherwise and if you are feeling that there isn’t then tell a friend as they will more than likely have been down the same road you are going down at this minute and you will see that there truly is light at the end of the tunnel…..it may only be a flicker of light that will bring a flicker of hope that will become brighter as we move through that tunnel to the other end of light, hope and life…..

Divine Intervention Or Just Plain Ole Good Luck!

fiona — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 01:25:01 +0000

Yesterday started off no differently from any other really until I tootled off into town as I usually do to pick up the mail and have a coffee with my mates at Cahoots. For some reason I chose the car over the motorbike as my means of transport but I seriously considered taking the bike for a spin as the weather was supposed to pack in. All pretty normal stuff! Yep, that’s until 1km down the road the rural delivery man (he’s a well known nutcase on the road) turned onto the highway from a rural lane right into my path. I’m moseying along at 100kms an hour – I slammed the anchors on as hard as I could, locked everything up and managed to come to a stop meters from his car – bags, cushions, CD’s and water bottles flew from all directions to the front ….….with my heart pounding as it was that close a shave, I waved my fists wildly at him while yelling obscenities….well, he deserved it didn’t he? He looked at me, laughed and waved back! What an idiot!!

Now, this is where things get interesting…..having arrived home still wiping away the tears and still reeling at my near miss as I knew all too well that had I chosen to ride the bike I would almost certainly have met my maker! I marched inside and got on the phone to report him yet again – (he’s been sacked) – good job! And, as I looked down at my wrist I thought ‘oh my god!’ Five days before, I had been getting ready to go out and was looking through my Jewellery Box and again, for some reason I picked up a bracelet that I hadn’t worn for 15 years and no kidding, without a word of a lie, a voice was saying “put this on – it will bring you good luck.” I never gave it a second thought as who am I to question that, so I asked my daughter to help put it on as it was a bit tight (good reason for that) and there it stayed for five days – over those days I looked at it many times as it was a little annoying but I never considered taking it off – a simple little bracelet that has no value in monetary terms but huge value in sentimentality….my Father gave it to me when I was 8 years old for Christmas….I have always treasured the little bracelet with it’s green 3 leafed clovers linked along it that he lovingly chose for me - but in all honesty, I have never worn it much. Heck, why was I so drawn to it that night, where did those voices come from and why did I doggedly keep it on until last night when I calmly took it off and popped it back where it’s been for 15 years. Simple, to me it had done it’s job a thousand fold. I was still here! Was that really Dad looking out for me from somewhere beyond? I absolutely think so! And maybe, just maybe, there was a bit of luck tossed in as well!!

What Is It That Drives The Knockers Out There?

fiona — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 08:49:02 +0000

Oh yes, I have a few theories regarding that but right now I’m a tad ropeable and unusually for me I’ve got the bit between my teeth as I’m so damn tired of the knockers out there!! If you are a misery-guts then by all means be a misery-guts but please don’t make other folks lives miserable by knocking them down for whatever reason you see fit! I grew up surrounded by people who often repeated little gems of sayings and they have always stuck with me. My Mothers Father would often repeat to her that “if you marry for money then you earn it.” Mums little saying was “a fool and his money is soon parted.” Dad would often say to us kids that “the greatest gift you can give a child is an education” and one of my favorites that I gathered along the way is “don’t let the clouds of life block your view of the sun” but probably my all time favorite was from one of the people I loved and respected the most during my formative years– my Grandfather – and he was absolutely true to this saying – “if you have got nothing good to say then say nothing” and that’s my gripe, why oh why are there so many knockers out there? Does it really make them feel good? I doubt it very much! I find it jolly hard to fathom out. You hear people spouting “oh, you are so lucky” – bollocks to that too! What nonsense! We have more than likely been working our guts out for the last 30 years, raising decent kids, knee-deep in mortgages, going without most luxuries, taking the odd risk and along the way dealing with some pretty severe knocks ourselves and we are lucky? Huh! I don’t think so! We just knuckled down and got on with it. So, you knockers out there, that’s precisely what I’m on about. We have got this far – probably bruised and battered but finally the kids have flown the coop and we can now start to indulge in a few of the nicer things in life. Maybe a car that actually gets a warrant first pop – a nice meal out with friends – a little travel – a toy or two – a few more holidays – maybe a beach house if you are so lucky – that’s really not too much to ask for is it?

Martinborough Fairs 2010

fiona — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 03:17:27 +0000

Now that we are well and truly past the silly season, it is time to get into some serious business!

For the first time, the Bassant girls will be selling their beautiful silk and pashmina scarves at the two Martinborough Fairs http://www.martinboroughfair.org.nz/. The first of which is this coming Saturday the 6^th February and will be a fabulous day out.

There is food, drinks and an awesome array of product to be purchased. However, your main reason to be there is to check out our gorgeous range of handpicked scarves straight from Vietnam! There is something for everyone, with a range of colours, shapes and sizes. Also available for sale will be a good selection of my cushions, and if I haven’t got what you want I am happy to take orders. http://www.fionabassant.co.nz.

Our stall is located on the edge of the Martinborough Square, opposite the BNZ building, on the corner of Cambridge Road. So come on down, bring the family and dearly beloved (and his wallet!) and get amongst it. Mention this blog and you will get a special deal!

See you on Saturday….

Comfort Zone versus Feeling Fear. That’s My Dilemma!

fiona — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 06:29:13 +0000

Oh dear, I’m really not so sure about this blogging! My web guy has talked me into it – ‘gotta get off your chuff and start cushion blogging Fiona’ he says and he is right of course but hey, this man’s business is all about words & images…it’s even called that. He’s a whiz with them but I’m not – it takes me right out of my comfort zone.

You see, I’m a Scorpio – it’s the one sign in the Horoscope that everyone seems to have an opinion on – just mention you are Scorpio and the eyebrows go up followed by ‘Oooh are you now’ and a smile that suggests ‘hmmm better watch out here!’ God damn-it – what is it about us? A lot evidently. Firstly, we are passionate folk and that surely puts me right up there with the best of them. – I’ve been passionate about design for as long as I can remember – so I guess it’s not surprising that my revamped designer cushions website often repeats the words passion and design…this brand new site is all about bringing you gorgeous designer cushions. But it doesn’t stop there – oh no, I’m passionate about a few other things as well and I’m sure those passions are going to creep into my blogs if I can get my head around this blogging!

Number one is my family and that’s why I have a rather large photo of them all on my site. They are a great bunch and all talented creative individuals themselves.

Second has to be travel – A late starter but I love nothing better than packing my bags and heading off somewhere when I can convince the dearly beloved why I just have to hightail off again. It was my recent trip to Vietnam with Rosie and Phoebe (daughters) to buy Silk and Pashmina scarves that I purchased the stunning silk for my latest Vietnam Cushion Collection.

I was also lucky enough in 09 to be invited by Matthew (son) to join him for a months traveling around South America – absolutely fabulous fun and worth a blog one day maybe….

I love music as well – not an expert but I know what I like and listen to a lot and regularly head down to Wellington for a damn good night of fun and music!

Then there’s motorcycles – this biker from way back overcame some fears and got herself back on one in 09 – a Ducati Monster 696 – now that is FUN! Peter (husband) is nuts about motorcycles so on fine Sundays we are usually ‘riding the ‘Rapa circuit’ - Lake Ferry for their famous Fish and Chips, Martinborough for coffee and The Gladdy for a pint. The perfect Sunday!

Finally, if we can snatch a weekend away from it all we will head out to the Bach by the sea if one of you isn’t there enjoying it already. It’s the perfect spot to escape to and you are all welcome. It’s at Tora, east of Martinborough, Wairarapa on that wild rugged coastline that from childhood camping got under my skin and just stayed there.

So now, the second thing that I’ll admit to about Scorpios is that we are secretive. Get it? A blog, oh no! But wait, last year I read the book ‘Feel the fear and do it anyway’- I didn’t realize that fear will always be there as long as I keep pushing myself out of that comfort zone. I really thought it was all about being comfortable – apparently it’s not! So, this blog is just part of continuing down the road to just get out there and do it – fear and all! So please take a look around my exciting revamped cushion site and I hope you love the cushions as much as I do and you get in touch very soon – I’d love to hear from you - but go easy on me with this blogging… and I promise I will never use that Scorpion sting…:-)

Welcome to Fiona’s Blog

fiona — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 13:33:14 +0000

If you haven’t already, please check out my new and improved cushions website – includes a brand new limited edition range of Vietnamese silk cushion covers.

You can also now shop online for my cushions!