Dear Lizzy,

Well congrats to us!

The launch was amazing and Catriona was just brilliant with the kids – I had to laugh though at her look of terror on finding that the winner of the “recycle recital” had enough green stuff coming out of his nose to warrant state funding! Anyway, that aside I was over the moon with the response.

The trash to treasure highlight for me had to be the “menopause dragon” made from chili packets and “ladies” things boxes! Glad to see a 14 year old with a sense of humor (not sure her mum saw it that way though). Oh, and did you catch up with our winner Julie Bright – her media tree made from old magazines and newspaper clippings was excellent. I’ve organized a photo shoot with her our studio as we are going to feature it in our piece on the dangers of dumming down the media. It would be great if you could get us a slot on “the week review” next Friday, could you try please?

Anyway, we have already secured a readership of 10,000 thanks to the great work that you did before the launch and the media coverage during. I feel exhausted but my job has only just begun – moan…..
Did I tell you that Ella hid all of the nappies from the nanny on Friday? I came home to find poor old Saffy wearing a tea towel lined with toilet paper and Ella looking quietly pleased with herself. Nanny Fran was pretty much at the end of her tether when I arrived and had to have a stiff drink while I gave Ella a talking too! After much persuasion, Ella took me down to the rabbit cage where I found one of the nappies (on poor old bunny) and the rest squished behind the cage. She had been to the city farm with school last week and had been told that occasionally they hand rear the baby animals when their mummies don’t want them and when they are indoors the house needs “protecting”. So cute, yet so damaging!

In other family news, I am also debating the merits of “green” cleaning products. The magazine is featuring a story on how to spring clean your place for less than $5. Sounded like a good plan to me but 2 tubs of bicarb, a litre of vinegar and a vial of tea tree oil later my house smelt like a chip shop, my hands were as rough as old boots and my hair had “gone bush” due to the profuse sweat that I’d built up over a few hours of scrubbing. I’m thinking that the key must be to clean little and often – some of the coffee stains on the bathroom door had been plaguing me for months. And what are “chemical free” cleaners anyway – I looked up “bicarb” on Wikipedia, looks pretty chemical to me. It’s all a bit beyond me at this time of night.

I do hope that you get a chance to rest “between clients”. I have some more work for you but will contact you about it after next week – this week I am mostly going to be sewing feathers onto t-shirts in aid of the school drama production. Gotta love that!

Take Care

Cathy.