Not sure it's going to really get to all the milk in the bottom of that cup but it was a good try.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Gumboot Girl Helps Out in the Kitchen ...
Monday morning after her usual 400th drink of milk, Gumboot Girl decided she would organise the dish washer for me.
Monday, March 28, 2011
Botanical Sunday ...
CJ had been wanting to take us somewhere as a family for the past few weekends but, as always seems to be the way, things came up and so each weekend it got pushed out to "another time."
Sunday just happened to be that "another time" for us so after being granted a sleep in - so needed considered the crappy sleep I'm getting at present thanks to a certain *ahem* phone being lost and me being true to msyelf and not being able to just let it go - and trying to convince the girls that roller shoes were quite possibly not the best footwear for our latest adventure, we set off to our surprise destination.
Apparently, Miss Tween isn't a fan of surprises and quizzed CJ the. Whole. Time as to where we were going, why we were headed up the mountain and just how far was this place anyway?
And then we arrived ...
It was such a lovely morning at the Botanical Gardens. Granted Autumn isn't much of a showoff when it comes to flowers in full bloom but the cooler day was perfect for exploring a place we had never been before.
I wish I were bold enough to request photo ops becuase then you would see the lovely elderly couple who were enjoying a morning cup of tea there or the families that were meeting for brunch or the parents that were enjoying a morning outside with their toddler*. I always love seeing dads with their kids and this was no exception. It really was picture perfect.
I did manage to snap some of my own clan though.
We then crossed back to a local little shop where we ran into one of Miss Tween's new friends from school. We met her sister and parents (lovely family) and had some hot chips and milkshakes before heading home.
It was a beautiful morning and we have vowed to take a picnic lunch back up in Spring to enjoy the new life that will no doubt be blossoming by then.
*I actually think the family I was admiring may have just been the lovely Christina from A Little Bird Told Me ... freaky coincidence that we both headed to the same spot on Sunday. Wish I had known though as I would have loved to have met her.
Sunday just happened to be that "another time" for us so after being granted a sleep in - so needed considered the crappy sleep I'm getting at present thanks to a certain *ahem* phone being lost and me being true to msyelf and not being able to just let it go - and trying to convince the girls that roller shoes were quite possibly not the best footwear for our latest adventure, we set off to our surprise destination.
Apparently, Miss Tween isn't a fan of surprises and quizzed CJ the. Whole. Time as to where we were going, why we were headed up the mountain and just how far was this place anyway?
And then we arrived ...
It was such a lovely morning at the Botanical Gardens. Granted Autumn isn't much of a showoff when it comes to flowers in full bloom but the cooler day was perfect for exploring a place we had never been before.
I wish I were bold enough to request photo ops becuase then you would see the lovely elderly couple who were enjoying a morning cup of tea there or the families that were meeting for brunch or the parents that were enjoying a morning outside with their toddler*. I always love seeing dads with their kids and this was no exception. It really was picture perfect.
I did manage to snap some of my own clan though.
We then crossed back to a local little shop where we ran into one of Miss Tween's new friends from school. We met her sister and parents (lovely family) and had some hot chips and milkshakes before heading home.
It was a beautiful morning and we have vowed to take a picnic lunch back up in Spring to enjoy the new life that will no doubt be blossoming by then.
*I actually think the family I was admiring may have just been the lovely Christina from A Little Bird Told Me ... freaky coincidence that we both headed to the same spot on Sunday. Wish I had known though as I would have loved to have met her.
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Things Are Looking Up ...
I didn't end up taking on any extra work Friday night after that craptastic ending.
But I was still left with a little bit of typing that needed to be finished. CJ had to work which left me in charge of the gymnastics trek first up and then the lunch routine and then the party run - although CJ did get home in time to help out enough to put Gumboot Girl down for sleep which I love him for - and then back home to try and finish off the typing that I hadn't completed while Gumboot Girl was asleep because I was getting my Twitter/Facebook fix (hey! No iPhone. Remember?).
In any case, it felt like it took forever to complete the small amount of typing I had to do. My fault, I know.
But I did finish it. Eventually. And then I made this ...
Check out the classy
Ikea bowls
And then I did this ...
Just the one this weekend
And then, just before bedtime, I received this ...
Miss Tween made it
So it seems, phone or no phone, I'm doing just fine and my weekend has officially started!
The Friday That Turned Sour ...
So after writing this post you could have been excused for thinking my Friday ended on a high.
Chokito says, "No. No. No." (Sorry had to put that in).
It was all going well until the groceries didn't arrive until 12:25 which then caused me to cancel my mountain coffee catch up. But I was still okay with that. A bit bummed but okay.
So I did a little bit of typing, got organised and off went Gumboot Girl and I to pick up all the kids (we had extra travellers today). Still all going okay. A little stressed at the noise level in the car but okay.
I dashed home, got the kids an icy pole and waited for one mum to come and collect her two girls. All good. Until I started to worry that I was going to be late to get to my friend's house to babysit her kids for an hour or so - she was at the hospital with her six year old recovering from appendicitis.
It was a silly thing to do really but I couldn't help feeling like the pressure I had put myself under that afternoon may have been too much and I had spread myself a little thin.
Still the girls' mother arrived and I fought with Gumboot Girl to get her strapped in the car. Clearly I was showing signs of stress as the mother suggested I go and see her for crystal therapy. And here I was thinking I was hiding it so well. Bah!
Anyway, got all the kids in the car and off we went. Only problem being when I got to said friend's house I noticed my iPhone was missing. My brand new iPhone. The one I've had for only 2 months. Yep. That'd be the one.
I drove back home retracing my steps and then it dawned on me. I had placed the phone on the roof of the car when I was strapping Gumboot Girl into her seat. Poor CJ, knowing how upset this had made me, proceeded to walk from our house to our friend's house and back almost twice. Two and a half hours of walking and ringing the phone while I was babysitting.
He didn't find it.
And so, I am now without phone. I know it's not the end of the world. And I haven't really lost anything - well except maybe my ranking in Angry Birds - except a handful of contacts that have been entered since owning the new phone.
But I am still bummed.
Yesterday I really felt like all I had done all day were good deeds and my repayment from the universe was that. To lose my phone.
I sulked. I did a bit of woe is me on Facebook and Twitter and then I went to bed.
I woke up still bummed. And yet, I keep trying to tell myself it was just a phone. Why does the loss of a material thing upset us so? I mean, it's just. A. Phone.
I'll be okay. I think being the weekend and the fact there is nothing I can do until Monday leaves it a little unresolved and I feel a bit lost without it. I can go and get another sim card and use an old phone which I might do tomorrow but it also won't kill me to be without a phone for the weekend.
Thankfully I am led to believe that the insurance on the phone covers stupidity. For a cost.
So an excess of around $200 or $300 should be just the right amount of salt in the wound when it comes time for a replacement.
Moral of the story. Don't leave things on the roof of the car. Or better still. Don't put them there in the first place!
Chokito says, "No. No. No." (Sorry had to put that in).
It was all going well until the groceries didn't arrive until 12:25 which then caused me to cancel my mountain coffee catch up. But I was still okay with that. A bit bummed but okay.
So I did a little bit of typing, got organised and off went Gumboot Girl and I to pick up all the kids (we had extra travellers today). Still all going okay. A little stressed at the noise level in the car but okay.
I dashed home, got the kids an icy pole and waited for one mum to come and collect her two girls. All good. Until I started to worry that I was going to be late to get to my friend's house to babysit her kids for an hour or so - she was at the hospital with her six year old recovering from appendicitis.
It was a silly thing to do really but I couldn't help feeling like the pressure I had put myself under that afternoon may have been too much and I had spread myself a little thin.
Still the girls' mother arrived and I fought with Gumboot Girl to get her strapped in the car. Clearly I was showing signs of stress as the mother suggested I go and see her for crystal therapy. And here I was thinking I was hiding it so well. Bah!
Anyway, got all the kids in the car and off we went. Only problem being when I got to said friend's house I noticed my iPhone was missing. My brand new iPhone. The one I've had for only 2 months. Yep. That'd be the one.
I drove back home retracing my steps and then it dawned on me. I had placed the phone on the roof of the car when I was strapping Gumboot Girl into her seat. Poor CJ, knowing how upset this had made me, proceeded to walk from our house to our friend's house and back almost twice. Two and a half hours of walking and ringing the phone while I was babysitting.
He didn't find it.
And so, I am now without phone. I know it's not the end of the world. And I haven't really lost anything - well except maybe my ranking in Angry Birds - except a handful of contacts that have been entered since owning the new phone.
But I am still bummed.
Yesterday I really felt like all I had done all day were good deeds and my repayment from the universe was that. To lose my phone.
I sulked. I did a bit of woe is me on Facebook and Twitter and then I went to bed.
I woke up still bummed. And yet, I keep trying to tell myself it was just a phone. Why does the loss of a material thing upset us so? I mean, it's just. A. Phone.
I'll be okay. I think being the weekend and the fact there is nothing I can do until Monday leaves it a little unresolved and I feel a bit lost without it. I can go and get another sim card and use an old phone which I might do tomorrow but it also won't kill me to be without a phone for the weekend.
Thankfully I am led to believe that the insurance on the phone covers stupidity. For a cost.
So an excess of around $200 or $300 should be just the right amount of salt in the wound when it comes time for a replacement.
Moral of the story. Don't leave things on the roof of the car. Or better still. Don't put them there in the first place!
Friday, March 25, 2011
I Really Did ...
... get to the shops yesterday afternoon as mentioned.
But today, in stark contrast to yesterday, has seen me so far complete Week 3 Day 3 of my C25K challenge, albeit it with a lot of puffing and "Oh craps." thrown in for good measure.
I have cleaned some of the house and was motivated to do more except the vacuum cleaner seems to have grown something since last used and the canister is now hosed out and sitting in the sun waiting to dry. I really am bummed because I was on such a roll.
I have hung two. TWO loads of washing on the line. I know. Hold the awards. And I'm about to put another load on - that will leave two more to go - as soon as I get out of my run/cleaning the house gear.
I have prepared morning tea for Gumboot Girl and I'm on track to get all typing up to date so I can take on a little more tonight while my husband gets to finally go to the shed and do some boy stuff.
He has been so good this week, coming home and looking after the girls while I hide away in the office, typing until midnight most nights all the while secretly wishing he could get some stuff done down at the shed. And I have been aware of my absence from the house even if it is only that I'm here, in the office doing work.
So yesterday, although I got very little done and last night when I gave myself an early mark from work (which could all be done today anyway) to chill out on the couch with the husband and watch Grey's Anatomy, I reminded myself that this is what finding balance is all about.
And now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to wait for my groceries to be delivered so I can unpack them and head up the mountain for a coffee catchup before school pickup.
Oh and I might just be wearing my new ring. ;p
But today, in stark contrast to yesterday, has seen me so far complete Week 3 Day 3 of my C25K challenge, albeit it with a lot of puffing and "Oh craps." thrown in for good measure.
I have cleaned some of the house and was motivated to do more except the vacuum cleaner seems to have grown something since last used and the canister is now hosed out and sitting in the sun waiting to dry. I really am bummed because I was on such a roll.
I have hung two. TWO loads of washing on the line. I know. Hold the awards. And I'm about to put another load on - that will leave two more to go - as soon as I get out of my run/cleaning the house gear.
I have prepared morning tea for Gumboot Girl and I'm on track to get all typing up to date so I can take on a little more tonight while my husband gets to finally go to the shed and do some boy stuff.
He has been so good this week, coming home and looking after the girls while I hide away in the office, typing until midnight most nights all the while secretly wishing he could get some stuff done down at the shed. And I have been aware of my absence from the house even if it is only that I'm here, in the office doing work.
So yesterday, although I got very little done and last night when I gave myself an early mark from work (which could all be done today anyway) to chill out on the couch with the husband and watch Grey's Anatomy, I reminded myself that this is what finding balance is all about.
And now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to wait for my groceries to be delivered so I can unpack them and head up the mountain for a coffee catchup before school pickup.
Oh and I might just be wearing my new ring. ;p
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Really I Was ...
... going to do some work today.
We had some last minute changes to the school run today. That being that I was doing it. Doh!
I had all my work up to date - working until midnight and then having to get up to do school run is not entirely the perfect scenario but I'm surviving - and thought it was time to tackle some bookwork.
I made a coffee. Oh yes I did! I sat down at my desk and opened up my bookkeeping program. And then I hit my first gliche.
I am still waiting for the accountant to email me back. So I emailed one of the companies I subcontract to in reply to their "Are you available to work?" email. I said I could fit in a few hours work.
I am still waiting to hear back from them.
I made the fatal but clearly only other choice available and got on Facebook and decided now was as good a time as any to sort out my blog page and figure out how on earth to get it all linked up and fancy so I'm not wasting time updating it each time I post here - see? Wasting time to save from wasting time in the future - and then, of course, 'like' a few pages and read a few blogs. That is what you do, isn't it?
No I didn't think the washing in the washing machine was going to hang itself out. I actually just plain forgot it was in there.
And no, I didn't think it would be a good day to do housework. Today is supposed to be my office day.
And, thanks for asking, but no I didn't even manage to make it the shop to grab the few little things we need to survive the next 36 hours until our groceries are delivered.
Come to think of it, I could have just gone out and done the groceries and that would have been all the excuse I needed to get stuff all done today.
Eh! You win some and then you just stand completely still for an entire day.
And now it's almost time to do the school run again.
And I just might still make it the shops after that.
We had some last minute changes to the school run today. That being that I was doing it. Doh!
I had all my work up to date - working until midnight and then having to get up to do school run is not entirely the perfect scenario but I'm surviving - and thought it was time to tackle some bookwork.
I made a coffee. Oh yes I did! I sat down at my desk and opened up my bookkeeping program. And then I hit my first gliche.
I am still waiting for the accountant to email me back. So I emailed one of the companies I subcontract to in reply to their "Are you available to work?" email. I said I could fit in a few hours work.
I am still waiting to hear back from them.
I made the fatal but clearly only other choice available and got on Facebook and decided now was as good a time as any to sort out my blog page and figure out how on earth to get it all linked up and fancy so I'm not wasting time updating it each time I post here - see? Wasting time to save from wasting time in the future - and then, of course, 'like' a few pages and read a few blogs. That is what you do, isn't it?
No I didn't think the washing in the washing machine was going to hang itself out. I actually just plain forgot it was in there.
And no, I didn't think it would be a good day to do housework. Today is supposed to be my office day.
And, thanks for asking, but no I didn't even manage to make it the shop to grab the few little things we need to survive the next 36 hours until our groceries are delivered.
Come to think of it, I could have just gone out and done the groceries and that would have been all the excuse I needed to get stuff all done today.
Eh! You win some and then you just stand completely still for an entire day.
And now it's almost time to do the school run again.
And I just might still make it the shops after that.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
A Gift ...
For me and for her.
I stumbled across a new blog the other day over here.
And then I just happened to see some of the beautiful items this talented woman creates which, of course, led me to her shop.
And then I saw this ...
... and thought how much I would love it for myself. And then I saw this ...
... and knew it was the one for me.
And then. On her blog, I found this cleverly designed ring.
And I knew I had found the right gift idea for my friend. So I emailed the lovely Christina and asked her if she could make something for my friend.
As fate would have it, she was in the midst of creating just such a piece (of course I'm not going to show it to you. The birthday girl hasn't seen it yet. Soon my pretties!).
Christina was so accommodating - even feeling as poorly as she has - sending me through photos, discussing options, postage, payment. Such a helpful soul.
And friendly. It really has been a pleasure dealing with you, Christina.
I can't wait to receive my purchases and I'm certain my friend will love her gift!
So excited!
PS. Hope you're feeling better soon, Christina. :D
I stumbled across a new blog the other day over here.
And then I just happened to see some of the beautiful items this talented woman creates which, of course, led me to her shop.
And then I saw this ...
... and thought how much I would love it for myself. And then I saw this ...
(shown from blog, not shop
because it's *ahem* sold)
because it's *ahem* sold)
And then. On her blog, I found this cleverly designed ring.
I know, right?
Click above to see
Click above to see
more images of this ring.
It is worth it!
And I knew I had found the right gift idea for my friend. So I emailed the lovely Christina and asked her if she could make something for my friend.
As fate would have it, she was in the midst of creating just such a piece (of course I'm not going to show it to you. The birthday girl hasn't seen it yet. Soon my pretties!).
Christina was so accommodating - even feeling as poorly as she has - sending me through photos, discussing options, postage, payment. Such a helpful soul.
And friendly. It really has been a pleasure dealing with you, Christina.
I can't wait to receive my purchases and I'm certain my friend will love her gift!
So excited!
PS. Hope you're feeling better soon, Christina. :D
When You're Not Watching ...
Or possibly recovering from a big night.
When two of your three children are no longer heard or seen, it is usally a sign that one should investigate.
Being that I wasn't on top of my game though, it took me a while to register that they had disappeared so they had quite a bit of time to get into trouble.
And that they did.
Just as I walked out the door to go and find them and see what they were up to, I was greeted by a distraught Punk Chic covered in mud literally from head to toe. It looked like she had falllen face first into a mud pit.
And then I saw Miss Tween and, apart from her face, she wasn't looking any cleaner. They were filthy dirty and, although Punk Chic was sad because she had copped mud in the face, they were so very happy with themselves and the game they had discovered.
And Digit was right in there with them. If only I hadn't been so slow in my thoughts to take a photo. Der!
Clearly big nights do not go hand in hand with good blog posts.
In any case, CJ then proceeded to hose them down because he wouldn't let them in the house the way they were. They washed the dog and played nude for the rest of the afternoon.
Nothing like being at one with nature!
When two of your three children are no longer heard or seen, it is usally a sign that one should investigate.
Being that I wasn't on top of my game though, it took me a while to register that they had disappeared so they had quite a bit of time to get into trouble.
And that they did.
Just as I walked out the door to go and find them and see what they were up to, I was greeted by a distraught Punk Chic covered in mud literally from head to toe. It looked like she had falllen face first into a mud pit.
And then I saw Miss Tween and, apart from her face, she wasn't looking any cleaner. They were filthy dirty and, although Punk Chic was sad because she had copped mud in the face, they were so very happy with themselves and the game they had discovered.
And Digit was right in there with them. If only I hadn't been so slow in my thoughts to take a photo. Der!
Clearly big nights do not go hand in hand with good blog posts.
In any case, CJ then proceeded to hose them down because he wouldn't let them in the house the way they were. They washed the dog and played nude for the rest of the afternoon.
Nothing like being at one with nature!
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Cafe Central ...
We're all set up and ready to go.
I decided to go and make an educated purchase of coffee beans. The lovely lady at Zarraffas gave me all the information necessary and the bonus (or so I thought) was that they sell 250g bags so if it wasn't the best blend for me, it wouldn't be long before I could try something new.
It cost me $11.95. Only half a bag fits in the machine which is why I say I thought it was a bonus. If I didn't like this particular blend it was going to take me a lot longer than I initially thought to get through it. Luckily, the lady picked well for me. It is exactly the strength of coffee I like.
So, for the price of about three coffees, I have enough coffee beans to last me quie some time. I will be back to give a more definite timeframe once I have used it up but I'm guessing I'll get at least 10 to 15 coffees out of half a bag. For under $6 and the cost of a bit of milk.
And, of course, I get to perfect my milk frothing skills!
I also even tried a Max Brenner's chocolate powder that I received as a gift and just frothed the milk.
Totally worth it!
I decided to go and make an educated purchase of coffee beans. The lovely lady at Zarraffas gave me all the information necessary and the bonus (or so I thought) was that they sell 250g bags so if it wasn't the best blend for me, it wouldn't be long before I could try something new.
It cost me $11.95. Only half a bag fits in the machine which is why I say I thought it was a bonus. If I didn't like this particular blend it was going to take me a lot longer than I initially thought to get through it. Luckily, the lady picked well for me. It is exactly the strength of coffee I like.
So, for the price of about three coffees, I have enough coffee beans to last me quie some time. I will be back to give a more definite timeframe once I have used it up but I'm guessing I'll get at least 10 to 15 coffees out of half a bag. For under $6 and the cost of a bit of milk.
And, of course, I get to perfect my milk frothing skills!
I also even tried a Max Brenner's chocolate powder that I received as a gift and just frothed the milk.
Totally worth it!
Monday, March 21, 2011
It's Your Birthday ...
My best friend is celebrating her birthday today. I think this might be the first time in a few years I have heard her so happy. You could hear the smile in her voice when I called to wish her an awesome day.
We have been friends since we there 13. Me an "eager to please, want you to like me" kind of friend, I think I annoyed her to the point that she figured it was eaiser to be my friend than not. And her, a misunderstood, arty, out there teenager who liked being different but I'm guessing didn't like the attention it brought her. But she didn't conform.
I remember clearly when I saw her for the first time with her canvas backpack adorned with a bajillion flowers. Talk about standing out from a crowd.
We were quite opposite I guess although there was an element of outcast in both of us. We were never ones to be part of a cool group. There ended up being a bunch of about five or six of us that were friends all through high school but I believe we are the only two who have remained close friends.
There have been a few ups and downs of course throughout the years. Friends fight. When we were younger they were, no doubt, over silly stuff that probably made her dad roll his eyes and chuckle inwardly and as we got older they became a little more serious but still nothing big enough to close the door on our friendship. Stop talking for a while, yes but ending the friendship, I don't recall a time it has ever crossed my mind and I would expect the same could be said for her.
She would send me the BEST care packages when I took off overseas to dance. She was the person who would take me in when I would get back with nowhere to stay. She was there for the birth of two out of three of my girls - Gumboot Girl being a planned caesarian meant she couldn't be there - and has lisltened on the other end of the phone as I've questioned my parenting ability.
She has a wisdom clearly inherited from her dad and while we both miss him I guess I get the better deal because I hear his words through her often. Her dad's passing left a big hole in our lives, one that will never be filled no matter how many years go by, or how much we are loved and love others.
So today, when I heard the smile in her voice and heard about how great her weekend had been. I smiled for my friend. She deserves a life full of laughter and love and art and beauty.
So happy birthday to my friend. May your world be as bright and light and full of love and laughter as it is today and if there are darker days, I hope that love and laughter carries you through.
We have been friends since we there 13. Me an "eager to please, want you to like me" kind of friend, I think I annoyed her to the point that she figured it was eaiser to be my friend than not. And her, a misunderstood, arty, out there teenager who liked being different but I'm guessing didn't like the attention it brought her. But she didn't conform.
I remember clearly when I saw her for the first time with her canvas backpack adorned with a bajillion flowers. Talk about standing out from a crowd.
We were quite opposite I guess although there was an element of outcast in both of us. We were never ones to be part of a cool group. There ended up being a bunch of about five or six of us that were friends all through high school but I believe we are the only two who have remained close friends.
There have been a few ups and downs of course throughout the years. Friends fight. When we were younger they were, no doubt, over silly stuff that probably made her dad roll his eyes and chuckle inwardly and as we got older they became a little more serious but still nothing big enough to close the door on our friendship. Stop talking for a while, yes but ending the friendship, I don't recall a time it has ever crossed my mind and I would expect the same could be said for her.
She would send me the BEST care packages when I took off overseas to dance. She was the person who would take me in when I would get back with nowhere to stay. She was there for the birth of two out of three of my girls - Gumboot Girl being a planned caesarian meant she couldn't be there - and has lisltened on the other end of the phone as I've questioned my parenting ability.
She has a wisdom clearly inherited from her dad and while we both miss him I guess I get the better deal because I hear his words through her often. Her dad's passing left a big hole in our lives, one that will never be filled no matter how many years go by, or how much we are loved and love others.
So today, when I heard the smile in her voice and heard about how great her weekend had been. I smiled for my friend. She deserves a life full of laughter and love and art and beauty.
So happy birthday to my friend. May your world be as bright and light and full of love and laughter as it is today and if there are darker days, I hope that love and laughter carries you through.
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Sunday Session - Girls Night
Phoning it in a bit late for Sunday Sessions.
I am a little battle weary from last night.
Ladies night. In honour of our girls' night out last night.
And then I woke up this morning ...
Hope you all had a great weekend. :D
I am a little battle weary from last night.
Ladies night. In honour of our girls' night out last night.
And then I woke up this morning ...
Hope you all had a great weekend. :D
Party ...
I went out last night. It was one of those last minute decisions. The rain and the baby shower in the afternoon had made me a little weary and wondering whether I really could be bothered going out at all.
But I decided that I should. It isn't often that we can coordinate such a night so I grabbed a drink and got ready. And then I was quite looking forward to it and I grabbed another drink.
Seems the theme of the night was just that. Drinks. Lots of drinks. Possibly too many drinks.
And dancing. And singing. And laughing.
And getting home at three in the morning knowing I was absolutely smashed and pondering the fact that those last oh, three or four or possibly five drinks were extremely unnecessary. I drank a lot of water in the hope of compensating.
CJ was awesome and let me sleep in until ELEVEN!!!! I'm not sure if it had something to do with the fact that I was about as quiet getting home and getting ready for bed as an elephant in a dolls house or whether the conversation - "How was your night?", "I'm smashed. Really, really drunk. It's not good." - was enough to give him the heads up that this morning was not going to be pretty but he took the girls out and bought me some Berocca - as an aside I keep forgetting to take it before I go out. We have decided we need to experiment with the Berocca program. CJ seems to think it would be more effective if you took before a big night. Feel free to discuss - and then offered to stay in the house all day even though I had promised him it would be his turn to go and work on his car this afternoon.
In any case, he is down there. I am on the couch with Gumboot Girl. I haven't moved from here except to try a few different bites of food and drink in the hope of making it go away. It won't. I'm seedy. Not bad, bad. I think the water did something. I haven't had the Berocca yet.
But I'm not feeling the love, not like I did last night with those sweet, too easy to drink beverages.
So I'm going to stay on the couch and eat some dim sims - last ditched attempt. Well second attempt after I boiled the saucepan dry just now which resulted in a burn mark on the bread board as well. Clearly should not be in charge of cooking today. - and watch Dora with Gumboot Girl - who knew she could be anymore annoying. Dora not Gumboot Girl. - and hope that bedtime comes around quickly.
I have to say though. It was fun. Not something I could do every weekend or four nights a week like I used to - for one the $$$ involved would just about bankrupt us - but it's good to go out and let loose every now and then don't you think?
And that's about as good as it gets today from me.
But I decided that I should. It isn't often that we can coordinate such a night so I grabbed a drink and got ready. And then I was quite looking forward to it and I grabbed another drink.
Seems the theme of the night was just that. Drinks. Lots of drinks. Possibly too many drinks.
And dancing. And singing. And laughing.
And getting home at three in the morning knowing I was absolutely smashed and pondering the fact that those last oh, three or four or possibly five drinks were extremely unnecessary. I drank a lot of water in the hope of compensating.
CJ was awesome and let me sleep in until ELEVEN!!!! I'm not sure if it had something to do with the fact that I was about as quiet getting home and getting ready for bed as an elephant in a dolls house or whether the conversation - "How was your night?", "I'm smashed. Really, really drunk. It's not good." - was enough to give him the heads up that this morning was not going to be pretty but he took the girls out and bought me some Berocca - as an aside I keep forgetting to take it before I go out. We have decided we need to experiment with the Berocca program. CJ seems to think it would be more effective if you took before a big night. Feel free to discuss - and then offered to stay in the house all day even though I had promised him it would be his turn to go and work on his car this afternoon.
In any case, he is down there. I am on the couch with Gumboot Girl. I haven't moved from here except to try a few different bites of food and drink in the hope of making it go away. It won't. I'm seedy. Not bad, bad. I think the water did something. I haven't had the Berocca yet.
But I'm not feeling the love, not like I did last night with those sweet, too easy to drink beverages.
So I'm going to stay on the couch and eat some dim sims - last ditched attempt. Well second attempt after I boiled the saucepan dry just now which resulted in a burn mark on the bread board as well. Clearly should not be in charge of cooking today. - and watch Dora with Gumboot Girl - who knew she could be anymore annoying. Dora not Gumboot Girl. - and hope that bedtime comes around quickly.
I have to say though. It was fun. Not something I could do every weekend or four nights a week like I used to - for one the $$$ involved would just about bankrupt us - but it's good to go out and let loose every now and then don't you think?
And that's about as good as it gets today from me.
Friday, March 18, 2011
Out With the Old ...
Today I decided to clear out some old kitchen stuff to make for the new stuff I purchased yesterday. It was FUN. Okay, well maybe not quite as much fun as if I were flying to Sydney this weekend for the Aussie Bloggers Conference but with that decision out of the way ...
I haven't bought much for our kitchen in quite some time as we really do have everything.
But with the huge sale Target was having I couldn't resist buying a new slow cooker in a much larger capacity for our much bigger family. Our first slow cooker (a mere 3L) was gifted to us a wedding present ten years ago and has served us well. Just recently though it was decided that we needed to upgrade, firstly because it was just too small to make a decent size meal with a little extra for leftovers for our family of five and secondly, I was a bit suss on it the last time I used it and was worried it was nearing the end of it's very loyal life to us.
And then there were some wine glasses. No explanation needed. No babies, no breastfeeding, no getting up all hours of the night - well not that often these days - means it's always wine o'clock here now. Again, we were given a lovely set of wine glasses for a wedding present but I must admit they are bowl like in shape and my guests tend to get a little overwhelmed at the mere thought of the amount of alcohol that can be consumed from them. So a smaller version was necessary. You know, just to make my guests feel comfortable. After all, I am nothing if not a crowd pleaser.
A few tea towels, a new serving set featuring dip bowls, platter and some bowls and I came away from the sale proud for spending under $100 but feeling like I'd been on the most successful shopping spree ever. Even if I did leave without a pair of jeans, which was the 2nd reason for me going there.
Seems ten years is the trigger for getting rid of some of the old and allowing a splurge on some new.
And now I'm going through drawers and cupboards and finding more things that need to go. It's been a great purging effort on my part. I am definitely getting better at throwing things out. My husband will be pleased.
Although I probably did get a little too excited last Monday when I bought a new handbag and wallet and said to my friend "I'm just going to throw the old stuff out. Right now. In your bin." She did ask if I was sure and I was so sure and proud of myself for doing it.
That was until I realised a few days later that I'd forgot to check one part of the wallet which had the layby docket for the girls' new bikes in it for Easter. *forehead slap*
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Now With Photos ...
So I finally remembered to buy ink so that my printer/scanner would actually scan. Who thought that was a great idea? I didn't want to print, I just wanted to scan it into the computer but survey says "Must have ink in order to perform any task at all." Dumb.
Anyway, if you were waiting for photos, they're finally up.
Over here.
Still think our wedding photos are the bomb. The photographer had little to do except point and shoot. The scenery pretty much did the rest. Not to say she wasn't a good photographer but just to say she had a pretty good working canvas to start with.
To all those photographers who told me I needed to spend thousands of dollars for good wedding photos ... poo poo to you! Did not! ;p
Anyway, if you were waiting for photos, they're finally up.
Over here.
Still think our wedding photos are the bomb. The photographer had little to do except point and shoot. The scenery pretty much did the rest. Not to say she wasn't a good photographer but just to say she had a pretty good working canvas to start with.
To all those photographers who told me I needed to spend thousands of dollars for good wedding photos ... poo poo to you! Did not! ;p
You Gotta Give the Man Credit ...
I should preface this and say it has been sitting in my drafts folder since the 9th and I am not just putting this up here because I know he is reading (although the timing is pretty good, don't ya think?)
My husband is nothing if not persistent.
He is trying. I mean really trying with Gumboot Girl to get her to accept him as an equal parent in this house. And his motivation is me. He wants to give me time. To get my work done. To cook dinner. To have a shower for goodness sake. To actually get a night's sleep. Without Gumboot Girl demanding everything from me.
Seriously, there are days when she won't even let him pour her a drink of milk. Ridiculous much? And, as I've said, I know it's a phase. I think all of my girls have gone through it around the same age. So I'm not worried.
And looking back now through the hazy fog that is supposedly my memory, I think he has handled it pretty much the same each time although this time, I do believe it is coming from a very different place for him.
So after this little debacle and the subsequent calming, it was the bedtime routine. Gumboot Girl is normally okay with this as long as I'm involved to some degree. But that night I had some work to do. And she was coping well with just having her drink of milk on the couch with CJ - another new rule we are trying to enforce is a drink before bedtime to try and disassociate milk with sleep but that's another story. One that I don't overly care about for that particular factor but more for the wetting the bed factor after two or three drinks of milk and no toily stop - until I needed to duck out of the office and help Miss Tween with something before she too went off the deep end as I could hear the outburst that was all but upon us.
That's when it all went downhill - more fool me for stepping in with Miss Tween? Quite possibly but I could hear both CJ and Miss Tween getting agitated and thought it best to at least put one fire out - but CJ, determined to settle Gumboot Girl, removed her from our presence and 20 plus minutes later returned minus one tired little girl who was finally asleep. And I wanted to to step in for the best part of the first ten minutes but I knew I couldn't. This was his thing. Their thing. They need to sort this out because it is important to him that he can share the parenting duties with her as well as the older two.
He made a wise decision to move her out to the dancing room for the latter part of their showdown - I'm guessing because she shares a room with Punk Chic which makes these kinds of issues hard to juggle. On the one hand, we want her to know she can't just cry and have her own way, while on the other hand we have to be mindful of how this impacts our Punk Chic both with the noise factor and depriving her of sleep while it's all going on. Both of these things impact heavily on Punk Chic who loves calm and sleep - which I am very thankful for because those first ten minutes had me feeling on edge and guilty and fiercely protective and fighting the urge to go and get her and concede defeat.
Had it been me in his place, there would have been some fist pumping the air, a little bit of "Huzzah" (obviously in hushed tones) and maybe even a victory run with my shirt over my head.
But CJ. I just think he was glad to have won at least one battle that day.
*Since writing this, she has been a lot better too. So I think it needed to be done.
My husband is nothing if not persistent.
He is trying. I mean really trying with Gumboot Girl to get her to accept him as an equal parent in this house. And his motivation is me. He wants to give me time. To get my work done. To cook dinner. To have a shower for goodness sake. To actually get a night's sleep. Without Gumboot Girl demanding everything from me.
Seriously, there are days when she won't even let him pour her a drink of milk. Ridiculous much? And, as I've said, I know it's a phase. I think all of my girls have gone through it around the same age. So I'm not worried.
And looking back now through the hazy fog that is supposedly my memory, I think he has handled it pretty much the same each time although this time, I do believe it is coming from a very different place for him.
So after this little debacle and the subsequent calming, it was the bedtime routine. Gumboot Girl is normally okay with this as long as I'm involved to some degree. But that night I had some work to do. And she was coping well with just having her drink of milk on the couch with CJ - another new rule we are trying to enforce is a drink before bedtime to try and disassociate milk with sleep but that's another story. One that I don't overly care about for that particular factor but more for the wetting the bed factor after two or three drinks of milk and no toily stop - until I needed to duck out of the office and help Miss Tween with something before she too went off the deep end as I could hear the outburst that was all but upon us.
That's when it all went downhill - more fool me for stepping in with Miss Tween? Quite possibly but I could hear both CJ and Miss Tween getting agitated and thought it best to at least put one fire out - but CJ, determined to settle Gumboot Girl, removed her from our presence and 20 plus minutes later returned minus one tired little girl who was finally asleep. And I wanted to to step in for the best part of the first ten minutes but I knew I couldn't. This was his thing. Their thing. They need to sort this out because it is important to him that he can share the parenting duties with her as well as the older two.
He made a wise decision to move her out to the dancing room for the latter part of their showdown - I'm guessing because she shares a room with Punk Chic which makes these kinds of issues hard to juggle. On the one hand, we want her to know she can't just cry and have her own way, while on the other hand we have to be mindful of how this impacts our Punk Chic both with the noise factor and depriving her of sleep while it's all going on. Both of these things impact heavily on Punk Chic who loves calm and sleep - which I am very thankful for because those first ten minutes had me feeling on edge and guilty and fiercely protective and fighting the urge to go and get her and concede defeat.
Had it been me in his place, there would have been some fist pumping the air, a little bit of "Huzzah" (obviously in hushed tones) and maybe even a victory run with my shirt over my head.
But CJ. I just think he was glad to have won at least one battle that day.
*Since writing this, she has been a lot better too. So I think it needed to be done.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Wicked ...
We went to see it the other day.
And it really was, Wicked! We had the most wonderful day. It was the day before our 10th wedding anniversary and was my gift to us. We also shared our day with some very good friends who were celebrating their wedding anniversary a couple of days later.
So we indulged.
We made a day of it. We had a beautiful lunch with CJ scoring the BEST lemon, lime and bitters EVER!
We went and enjoyed the show - even though we were kind of in the cheap seats. You know the ones where you can't make out any faces. Nup. Not even Bert Newton's. Will be speaking to my brother about that - and then, after a little confusion, we stopped on the way home and shared coffee and dessert with our friends before farewelling them and heading home to our kids.
It couldn't have been done without one of our other awesome friends who took on the role of babysitter of all three of our girls for the best part of the day.
And it would seem they had just as much fun, if not more, than us.
They baked a cake, watched movies, ate popcorn and made these ...
I do believe they want Ms B-Net to be their new mummy!
And it really was, Wicked! We had the most wonderful day. It was the day before our 10th wedding anniversary and was my gift to us. We also shared our day with some very good friends who were celebrating their wedding anniversary a couple of days later.
So we indulged.
We made a day of it. We had a beautiful lunch with CJ scoring the BEST lemon, lime and bitters EVER!
We went and enjoyed the show - even though we were kind of in the cheap seats. You know the ones where you can't make out any faces. Nup. Not even Bert Newton's. Will be speaking to my brother about that - and then, after a little confusion, we stopped on the way home and shared coffee and dessert with our friends before farewelling them and heading home to our kids.
It couldn't have been done without one of our other awesome friends who took on the role of babysitter of all three of our girls for the best part of the day.
And it would seem they had just as much fun, if not more, than us.
They baked a cake, watched movies, ate popcorn and made these ...
I do believe they want Ms B-Net to be their new mummy!
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Eeeeek. He's Reading It ...
Someone asked me at the Nuffnang QLD Bloggers Meet what my husband thought of me blogging.
I replied with "I don't think he has an opinion either way. He just thinks it's something I do." Because he does. Just as he likes to build cars, in his view, I liked to blog (because I'm a nerd).
There were varying responses with some husbands really loving it and encouraging it and others not really having any interest in whatsoever and all the things in between.
Today, my husband asked me what my blog was about and whether he could read it. I, of course, said yes, while scanning my brain for any recent posts that might need to be deleted before he read it. I knew there wouldn't be as I tend to make sure I write about stuff that I am comfortable with putting "out there" but for some reason my reaction to the question was one of panic. What would he think? Would he think it was a huge over share of our lives? Would he think it was stupid and another time waster right up there with facebook?
So, although I said he could read it, I was not forthcoming with helping him find it. He was on his own.
It took him all of 30 seconds to find it - apparently he's becoming more techno savvy than I give him credit for - and he was quiet. He read a few things. He read yesterday's post about our 10 year wedding anniversary.
He loved it.
And now, rather than buying any new books for a while, he's going to scour this blog and relive some of the memories I have written about here. About our life, our girls, the good, the not so good and stuff he quite possibly totally missed.
I am still a little nervous that he has taken an interest. I have a couple of other friends that read here but each time I find out it is someone close, I get nervous. There's something about the people you know, really know, like in real life know, reading your blog. I'm not sure why I feel more comfortable when a stranger happens upon my blog. Although I did a little nervous giggle the other day when I realised I now have 44 followers. That's a lot of people. Most of who I don't really know, well in real life anyway. But most of who, like me, share quite a bit and I do tend to know, maybe even a little more than their IRL friends who don't read their blogs.
As I've said before, I'm sure there are no deep dark secrets here that my IRL friends would uncover. I doubt they would be shocked by any of it. But the feeling behind it might make more sense in the written word. Might be that little bit deeper perhaps?
Writing always is. Deeper than the spoken word. It is usually written with time and precision to make it "sound" right. Speaking is what comes out not quite right, and sometimes just totally wrong, usually with good intention behind it.
So he's reading. I'm still writing. And he thinks it will be a good thing because he just may understand a little more about the way I tick. But for me, while I will still write, I won't be able to help it and I'll wonder whether he liked the latest post or found it boring. Because it's not like me to over analyse or over think anything. No, seriously.
But I am fairly confident that at least he'll find me funny.
I replied with "I don't think he has an opinion either way. He just thinks it's something I do." Because he does. Just as he likes to build cars, in his view, I liked to blog (because I'm a nerd).
There were varying responses with some husbands really loving it and encouraging it and others not really having any interest in whatsoever and all the things in between.
Today, my husband asked me what my blog was about and whether he could read it. I, of course, said yes, while scanning my brain for any recent posts that might need to be deleted before he read it. I knew there wouldn't be as I tend to make sure I write about stuff that I am comfortable with putting "out there" but for some reason my reaction to the question was one of panic. What would he think? Would he think it was a huge over share of our lives? Would he think it was stupid and another time waster right up there with facebook?
So, although I said he could read it, I was not forthcoming with helping him find it. He was on his own.
It took him all of 30 seconds to find it - apparently he's becoming more techno savvy than I give him credit for - and he was quiet. He read a few things. He read yesterday's post about our 10 year wedding anniversary.
He loved it.
And now, rather than buying any new books for a while, he's going to scour this blog and relive some of the memories I have written about here. About our life, our girls, the good, the not so good and stuff he quite possibly totally missed.
I am still a little nervous that he has taken an interest. I have a couple of other friends that read here but each time I find out it is someone close, I get nervous. There's something about the people you know, really know, like in real life know, reading your blog. I'm not sure why I feel more comfortable when a stranger happens upon my blog. Although I did a little nervous giggle the other day when I realised I now have 44 followers. That's a lot of people. Most of who I don't really know, well in real life anyway. But most of who, like me, share quite a bit and I do tend to know, maybe even a little more than their IRL friends who don't read their blogs.
As I've said before, I'm sure there are no deep dark secrets here that my IRL friends would uncover. I doubt they would be shocked by any of it. But the feeling behind it might make more sense in the written word. Might be that little bit deeper perhaps?
Writing always is. Deeper than the spoken word. It is usually written with time and precision to make it "sound" right. Speaking is what comes out not quite right, and sometimes just totally wrong, usually with good intention behind it.
So he's reading. I'm still writing. And he thinks it will be a good thing because he just may understand a little more about the way I tick. But for me, while I will still write, I won't be able to help it and I'll wonder whether he liked the latest post or found it boring. Because it's not like me to over analyse or over think anything. No, seriously.
But I am fairly confident that at least he'll find me funny.
Monday, March 14, 2011
Ten Years Ago Today ...
I married my soul mate.
Most of those things have been wonderful experiences with the odd low scattered in amongst but always we had been side by side weathering each storm and riding the highs.
Last year saw a different kind of low. One that had us standing apart, wondering where life would take us next. Wondering whether our paths would remain together or separate. Whether we had "run our course" so to speak.
And it hasn't been easy getting back here. Of course there was always love. That love that came from sharing a life for, at that stage, 11 years. That love that came from creating a decade of memories. That love that came from creating a family. But there was no more "in love" moments and it lead me to wonder if this was it. For the rest of our lives. To death do us part.
And I have been waiting. For what, I can't say. And I'm not sure when it started to happen but I know that these past few months saw me reassessing my feelings towards myself as a mother, a wife, a person. It made me take some responsibility in regaining some of "me". Not just letting everybody else have what they needed with no regards to my own well being or need for time or space. It saw me speak up and ask for what I needed when I needed it. Time to exercise, time to relax, time to have fun, time out.
I have also seen big changes in him. His motivation coming from a very different place. His love for his family more evident than ever before. His actions finally aligning with all of those promises and the words he speaks.
And these last few weeks have seen a definite shift. I could feel the change coming and there were times when I felt I wasn't ready and I was angry and I didn't want to let it all go and move forward. But that time has come.
Ten years ago today. I married my soul mate. The man I wanted to share the rest of my life with. The man I wanted to raise a family with. The man who made me feel secure and loved.
And today, ten years later, I can now say I am still "in love" with that man and I have resolved to let him know more often just how in love I am. With this life. With my family. With him.
I was so innocent and naive. I had no idea what life had in store for me. For us.
Most of those things have been wonderful experiences with the odd low scattered in amongst but always we had been side by side weathering each storm and riding the highs.
Last year saw a different kind of low. One that had us standing apart, wondering where life would take us next. Wondering whether our paths would remain together or separate. Whether we had "run our course" so to speak.
And it hasn't been easy getting back here. Of course there was always love. That love that came from sharing a life for, at that stage, 11 years. That love that came from creating a decade of memories. That love that came from creating a family. But there was no more "in love" moments and it lead me to wonder if this was it. For the rest of our lives. To death do us part.
And I have been waiting. For what, I can't say. And I'm not sure when it started to happen but I know that these past few months saw me reassessing my feelings towards myself as a mother, a wife, a person. It made me take some responsibility in regaining some of "me". Not just letting everybody else have what they needed with no regards to my own well being or need for time or space. It saw me speak up and ask for what I needed when I needed it. Time to exercise, time to relax, time to have fun, time out.
I have also seen big changes in him. His motivation coming from a very different place. His love for his family more evident than ever before. His actions finally aligning with all of those promises and the words he speaks.
And these last few weeks have seen a definite shift. I could feel the change coming and there were times when I felt I wasn't ready and I was angry and I didn't want to let it all go and move forward. But that time has come.
Ten years ago today. I married my soul mate. The man I wanted to share the rest of my life with. The man I wanted to raise a family with. The man who made me feel secure and loved.
And today, ten years later, I can now say I am still "in love" with that man and I have resolved to let him know more often just how in love I am. With this life. With my family. With him.
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Sunday Sessions - My Weekend ...
Well, I had already planned on using these songs on Friday as I was driving home. You see, I knew we had a busy weekend coming up so I needed to be on top of my game when it came to blogging. And knowing I wanted to join in over here again, I had my thinking cap on and nutted out the hard stuff. Well to be truthful, it wasn't that hard. I just knew I wanted to use these ones. Now I just need to write.
I was going to write this yesterday morning but decided to wait and I am glad I did. You see, it turns out the songs I have picked are kind of linked to my Saturday meet up at the Nuffnang QLD Bloggers Meet - which was fun by the way and thanks for asking. :D
A little background to the songs (according to Kasey Chambers*) is that the old one - I know it's not old as in the 60s or 70s but it's been around a few years now so I'm phoning it in - and the new one are written about the same thing but just through the differing perspective of age. They are both written about being accepted for who you are, not who anyone expects you to be.
This lesson is one I hope to convey strongly to my daughters. Don't ever change to be liked or to fit in and never expect that from your friends. True friends would never request or expect this. Be yourself, stay true to yourself and you will be liked and you will fit in. Not necessarily in the places you had hoped but always by people who will truly love and admire you for you.
Not Pretty Enough
Little Bird
*Although one of my songs from last week was from her as well I swear I'm not an obsessive fan ... but I do really like her. ;p
Friday, March 11, 2011
For Real ...
I am attending my first Bloggers' meet tomorrow.
I had considered going to the big one in Sydney but balked at the idea just a little due to a few factors. None really worthy of the excuse not to go in the first place and I kind of wish I hadn't listened to that little voice inside me that cried "But what if nobody likes me or I'm not cool enough." Because, let's face it, with blogging and twittering and facebooking, it can feel like that sometimes. So, had I put my big girl panties on, I quite possibly would be looking forward to a weekend away by myself which would also have led to catching up with friends while I was there and meeting a new little bubba who I have anxiously awaited news on for some months now.
But, no point in dwelling. I didn't book, I'm not going. So when the opportunity arose to go to a catchup tomorrow only an hour away, I decided to not go down the previous path and just say, "YES. I'd love to come along." Which is what I wanted to say but still even managed to be sooky-la-la and give myself an out by stating "At this stage, I can come along." Piker!!!
And so it is. I am actually less nervous than when I first accepted the invite and more excited now that it is tomorrow. I also am quite excited to be meeting some of the other bloggers I follow. There is Naomi from Seven Cherubs. And Melissa from Sugar Coat It who made the meet happen and even organised for someone to sponsor us to eat pizza.
And, of course, the lovely Madmother from Meandering Madmother who has graciously offered to pick me up on the way. Maybe she just wants to be sure that I attend and that waking up tomorrow in an absolute flap and hiding under the bed is not an option. ;p
So yes, even though, in real life, people still think I'm a little bit ... well, strange, I guess, for blogging in the first place let alone meeting up with other bloggers, I am excited to be going tomorrow.
I think it's fun to meet new people. You never know what kind of friendships will be formed or what the universe has in store but I figure putting myself in it rather than just hearing about it - you know? There is always going to be that human nature element that thinks you'll be missing out if you don't go and sometimes I believe this can be a huge motivator for attending things you may not have otherwise - or watching from the sidelines can only bring about great things!
Must remember my camera!
I had considered going to the big one in Sydney but balked at the idea just a little due to a few factors. None really worthy of the excuse not to go in the first place and I kind of wish I hadn't listened to that little voice inside me that cried "But what if nobody likes me or I'm not cool enough." Because, let's face it, with blogging and twittering and facebooking, it can feel like that sometimes. So, had I put my big girl panties on, I quite possibly would be looking forward to a weekend away by myself which would also have led to catching up with friends while I was there and meeting a new little bubba who I have anxiously awaited news on for some months now.
But, no point in dwelling. I didn't book, I'm not going. So when the opportunity arose to go to a catchup tomorrow only an hour away, I decided to not go down the previous path and just say, "YES. I'd love to come along." Which is what I wanted to say but still even managed to be sooky-la-la and give myself an out by stating "At this stage, I can come along." Piker!!!
And so it is. I am actually less nervous than when I first accepted the invite and more excited now that it is tomorrow. I also am quite excited to be meeting some of the other bloggers I follow. There is Naomi from Seven Cherubs. And Melissa from Sugar Coat It who made the meet happen and even organised for someone to sponsor us to eat pizza.
And, of course, the lovely Madmother from Meandering Madmother who has graciously offered to pick me up on the way. Maybe she just wants to be sure that I attend and that waking up tomorrow in an absolute flap and hiding under the bed is not an option. ;p
So yes, even though, in real life, people still think I'm a little bit ... well, strange, I guess, for blogging in the first place let alone meeting up with other bloggers, I am excited to be going tomorrow.
I think it's fun to meet new people. You never know what kind of friendships will be formed or what the universe has in store but I figure putting myself in it rather than just hearing about it - you know? There is always going to be that human nature element that thinks you'll be missing out if you don't go and sometimes I believe this can be a huge motivator for attending things you may not have otherwise - or watching from the sidelines can only bring about great things!
Must remember my camera!
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Princess Ploppy Pants ...
I went for a facial today. My bestie gave me a gift voucher for my birthday (that'd be last year) and today was the day it would have expired had I not managed to finally book in to receive my hour of pampering.
You see, I called it in a few weeks ago but, as often happens when a mother finally gets a chance to do something by herself, the bug hit our house. Remember that? Well, no wonder I was so desperate to get out of the house especially knowing that, whilst fulfilling all motherly duties on the sympathy and caring factors front, I knew that I was missing out on my time out.
It was divine. Well worth the wait. I'm glad I rescheduled. There is no way it would have been that good had I kept the appointment from the previous week even though a lovely friend did offer to look after my sick baby while I went along anyway. No. I'm glad I waited.
Today was just the day for it. I had a crap night's sleep yet again thanks to a little person entering my bed around 2.30 and wiggling and squirming for pretty much the rest of said morning. She then dragged my sorry arse out of bed at around 6.15. I really wanted to sleep but there was no way she was going to allow it. Slave driver.
Anyway, I survived the two hours that was getting the girls breakfast, making the lunches, packing the bags, warding off any tension that threatened to destroy the relatively peaceful morning. I said goodbye to the two older girls and loaded Gumboot Girl in the car. I tried hard not to just throw her at the first childcare assistant I saw. Refrained from boot scooting it out of there with nary more than a peck on the cheek. I did my best motherly, caring - again. See I'm getting good at it. Fake it till you make it - cuddles and kisses and goodbye routine although I was a little tougher on her today because I have done the experiment and whether I stay for 5 minutes or half an hour she still cries at this stage. Another phase but not one I can really help with. And with a spring in my step I was off and running.
I arrived early enough that I could partake in some trying on of jeans - it's official. I'm a jeans addict. You can never have enough. I'll be going back to buy at least one of the pairs I tried on today. Who knew Target was going to get the motherload of styles in this season? - and just some quiet browsing in general. It was lovely. I didn't hear other people's children, I was in a a world of my own. A beautiful, relaxed world.
And then it was time for my appointment. And while I lay there having my shoulders and neck and head and arms massaged and my face cleansed and exfoliated and moisturised, I realised I may very well have been a princess in a previous life albeit a cranky one. Or someone with quite a few servants.
You see. My husband is very forthcoming with massages. And I always gratefully receive them. The problem lies in the roles never being reversed. I'm no good at giving them, get bored half way through and with a slap on the back say "There ya go. That's as good as it gets."
It is an extremely selfish trait I admit it. I don't know why I'm this way. Heck, I didn't even like massages until my husband worked his magic. And now lying on the table and getting pampered made me realise, I think I'd just about let anyone give me a massage these days. Especially a head massage.
It did put me in a nicer mood at least and I've decided that from now on people can adorn me with as many gift vouchers for pedicures and facials as they like for my birthday. I'm hoping they'll last me all year round.
And you know why? Because you have no choice but to book in when you have nothing that requires attention for an hour and you have no excuse but to just relax.
Princess or not. I'm loving it!
You see, I called it in a few weeks ago but, as often happens when a mother finally gets a chance to do something by herself, the bug hit our house. Remember that? Well, no wonder I was so desperate to get out of the house especially knowing that, whilst fulfilling all motherly duties on the sympathy and caring factors front, I knew that I was missing out on my time out.
It was divine. Well worth the wait. I'm glad I rescheduled. There is no way it would have been that good had I kept the appointment from the previous week even though a lovely friend did offer to look after my sick baby while I went along anyway. No. I'm glad I waited.
Today was just the day for it. I had a crap night's sleep yet again thanks to a little person entering my bed around 2.30 and wiggling and squirming for pretty much the rest of said morning. She then dragged my sorry arse out of bed at around 6.15. I really wanted to sleep but there was no way she was going to allow it. Slave driver.
Anyway, I survived the two hours that was getting the girls breakfast, making the lunches, packing the bags, warding off any tension that threatened to destroy the relatively peaceful morning. I said goodbye to the two older girls and loaded Gumboot Girl in the car. I tried hard not to just throw her at the first childcare assistant I saw. Refrained from boot scooting it out of there with nary more than a peck on the cheek. I did my best motherly, caring - again. See I'm getting good at it. Fake it till you make it - cuddles and kisses and goodbye routine although I was a little tougher on her today because I have done the experiment and whether I stay for 5 minutes or half an hour she still cries at this stage. Another phase but not one I can really help with. And with a spring in my step I was off and running.
I arrived early enough that I could partake in some trying on of jeans - it's official. I'm a jeans addict. You can never have enough. I'll be going back to buy at least one of the pairs I tried on today. Who knew Target was going to get the motherload of styles in this season? - and just some quiet browsing in general. It was lovely. I didn't hear other people's children, I was in a a world of my own. A beautiful, relaxed world.
And then it was time for my appointment. And while I lay there having my shoulders and neck and head and arms massaged and my face cleansed and exfoliated and moisturised, I realised I may very well have been a princess in a previous life albeit a cranky one. Or someone with quite a few servants.
You see. My husband is very forthcoming with massages. And I always gratefully receive them. The problem lies in the roles never being reversed. I'm no good at giving them, get bored half way through and with a slap on the back say "There ya go. That's as good as it gets."
It is an extremely selfish trait I admit it. I don't know why I'm this way. Heck, I didn't even like massages until my husband worked his magic. And now lying on the table and getting pampered made me realise, I think I'd just about let anyone give me a massage these days. Especially a head massage.
It did put me in a nicer mood at least and I've decided that from now on people can adorn me with as many gift vouchers for pedicures and facials as they like for my birthday. I'm hoping they'll last me all year round.
And you know why? Because you have no choice but to book in when you have nothing that requires attention for an hour and you have no excuse but to just relax.
Princess or not. I'm loving it!
Wednesday, March 09, 2011
Remedy from the Gods ...
So after writing this little piece of meltdown I believe Gumboot Girl woke about 15 seconds later. Cranky. Just for something different. It took her, hmmmm, I'd say a good 20 minutes to calm down.
And then her sisters arrived home as predicted and everyone was happy. For a split second until Gumboot Girl couldn't have something and threw herself on the floor again.
So I whipped out the Glitterbug Massage Bar from Lush (apparently the target of hackers recently so no point in linking their page here). It has clary sage in it. I seriously thought the assistant at the shop was one hell of a salesman when he started putting it on the girls' arms and telling them how they may just grow fairy wings and then turned to us and said "They won't be able to be in a bad mood even if they want to be." Convinced? No way! But it was glittery and sparkly and the girls were so excited at the prospect of growing wings. How could we not buy it?
See? Great salesmanship right? I didn't think much else of it and the girls have put it on every so often when the mood takes them to be glittery, sparkly fairies.
And then, the other night at bedtime, Punk Chic was in meltdown mode and I thought why not give it a go? What did I have to lose?
Whether it was the act of massaging her arms or the clary sage in the bar or both I don't know - but I'm pretty sure my friend over here would have some answers for me - but lo and behold she was calmed down and fast asleep within less than 5 minutes. It was amazing to watch her transform so quickly.
Back to this afternoon and Gumboot Girl on the floor having another tantrum and I remembered the bar and thought again. Why not? And I started applying it to her arms. She instantly stopped crying and within maybe a minute was running around with Miss Tween giggling and squealing. It lasted long enough for CJ to get home and things were quite pleasant for the rest of the afternoon.
So it is. Clary sage. I am your slave. I am going out to buy a truck load of you tomorrow (probably not with the glitter thrown in because it is. Ever-y-where in my house. I'm kinda done with the glitter thanks!).
Just keep doing your thing!
Hmmm, may even need to use it on myself. ;p
And then her sisters arrived home as predicted and everyone was happy. For a split second until Gumboot Girl couldn't have something and threw herself on the floor again.
So I whipped out the Glitterbug Massage Bar from Lush (apparently the target of hackers recently so no point in linking their page here). It has clary sage in it. I seriously thought the assistant at the shop was one hell of a salesman when he started putting it on the girls' arms and telling them how they may just grow fairy wings and then turned to us and said "They won't be able to be in a bad mood even if they want to be." Convinced? No way! But it was glittery and sparkly and the girls were so excited at the prospect of growing wings. How could we not buy it?
See? Great salesmanship right? I didn't think much else of it and the girls have put it on every so often when the mood takes them to be glittery, sparkly fairies.
And then, the other night at bedtime, Punk Chic was in meltdown mode and I thought why not give it a go? What did I have to lose?
Whether it was the act of massaging her arms or the clary sage in the bar or both I don't know - but I'm pretty sure my friend over here would have some answers for me - but lo and behold she was calmed down and fast asleep within less than 5 minutes. It was amazing to watch her transform so quickly.
Back to this afternoon and Gumboot Girl on the floor having another tantrum and I remembered the bar and thought again. Why not? And I started applying it to her arms. She instantly stopped crying and within maybe a minute was running around with Miss Tween giggling and squealing. It lasted long enough for CJ to get home and things were quite pleasant for the rest of the afternoon.
So it is. Clary sage. I am your slave. I am going out to buy a truck load of you tomorrow (probably not with the glitter thrown in because it is. Ever-y-where in my house. I'm kinda done with the glitter thanks!).
Just keep doing your thing!
Hmmm, may even need to use it on myself. ;p
Snappy ...
It would seem I have a bad case of the irates. I can't explain why. For there is no reason why I should. I am exercising. I am feeling good. I am socialising. I am making time for me. I have nothing. Nothing to complain about.
But there are two people in this family that instantly put me in a bad mood. And I mean instantly. Let's look at the subjects shall we?
We start with Subject Number One.
Gumboot Girl. I know why she is driving me completely batty. Externally, at least, that's easy. She is rarely happy at the moment. From the moment she opens her eyes until her next sleep.
And it's draining. She is not sleeping well. She only wants me. My poor husband is rejected time and again - why he keeps going back for more is beyond me although I daresay it's more about being able to help out rather than a definite need to be liked by her - which means it's all me. All. The. Time. I cannot move quick enough to stamp out all the little bush fires that are created with her. The slightest thing can turn her into a tantruming toddler.
And I know. I know this is a phase. My instinct tells me this her wanting to grow up but still swaying between wanting to be a baby and a big girl. I understand it's her frustrations playing out and I know I am not alone. Most of my friends with children around the same age (well girls around the same age) are saying the same. So it's not particularly out of character at this stage I'm guessing but I am exhausted. My patience non existent.
I fought for her to be here. She was meant to be here. And yet, I feel guilty on a daily basis because I can't be patient with her. Is she playing me? Somebody suggested it yesterday. That perhaps she is trying to teach me that there are boundaries I need to enforce. I'm not so sure. My instinct tells me that she is just two. I feel like she needs this closeness to me and I know this too shall pass. But the tantrums upon tantrums are just too much.
And then, Subject Number Two. He doesn't even know he's doing it. I don't know what it is but even when he calls and his voice says hello down the line of the telephone, I immediately get defensive and sullen and moody and irritable. What is with that?
He is being the perfect husband, father, friend. I couldn't ask for him to do anything more but I seem to be finding things within our conversations to be upset by. It's ridiculous. I know it's not him. It's me. Being a bitch.
Maybe it's because Gumboot Girl is causing broken sleep? Maybe it's because I am a bitch? Maybe it's because I want to find something to be cranky about? Maybe it's because I want to be cranky at someone other than my two year old?
And look at them. What on earth am I doing complaining about these two? They are kindred so maybe, just maybe it is the energy between Gumboot Girl and I that is overflowing onto my poor unaware husband who is constantly left scratching his head as to what he could have possibly done or said that has pissed me off again.
Poor bastard. He's got four of us to contend with and, going by recent observations, I'm guessing none of us are going to let him off lightly.
Makes me wonder what kind of karmic lesson he so desperately needed that he was inflicted with three little girls all with the will of their mother.
I'll say it again because nothing says it better. Poor bastard!
So I have managed to get Gumboot Girl to have a nap and I am enjoying a quiet cup of tea and trying to regroup before her sisters come rumbling through the door with stories of school time.
I went to a spiritual healing group session yesterday that ended with a fabulous meditation and yet, it seems to have had the opposite effect on me and I've been crankier today than I have been all week. Something she said keeps playing in my head though. When you are trying to fight change you will be cranky. Outwardly so. When really you are cranky with yourself.
Time to look inward perhaps?
But there are two people in this family that instantly put me in a bad mood. And I mean instantly. Let's look at the subjects shall we?
We start with Subject Number One.
Gumboot Girl. I know why she is driving me completely batty. Externally, at least, that's easy. She is rarely happy at the moment. From the moment she opens her eyes until her next sleep.
And it's draining. She is not sleeping well. She only wants me. My poor husband is rejected time and again - why he keeps going back for more is beyond me although I daresay it's more about being able to help out rather than a definite need to be liked by her - which means it's all me. All. The. Time. I cannot move quick enough to stamp out all the little bush fires that are created with her. The slightest thing can turn her into a tantruming toddler.
And I know. I know this is a phase. My instinct tells me this her wanting to grow up but still swaying between wanting to be a baby and a big girl. I understand it's her frustrations playing out and I know I am not alone. Most of my friends with children around the same age (well girls around the same age) are saying the same. So it's not particularly out of character at this stage I'm guessing but I am exhausted. My patience non existent.
I fought for her to be here. She was meant to be here. And yet, I feel guilty on a daily basis because I can't be patient with her. Is she playing me? Somebody suggested it yesterday. That perhaps she is trying to teach me that there are boundaries I need to enforce. I'm not so sure. My instinct tells me that she is just two. I feel like she needs this closeness to me and I know this too shall pass. But the tantrums upon tantrums are just too much.
And then, Subject Number Two. He doesn't even know he's doing it. I don't know what it is but even when he calls and his voice says hello down the line of the telephone, I immediately get defensive and sullen and moody and irritable. What is with that?
He is being the perfect husband, father, friend. I couldn't ask for him to do anything more but I seem to be finding things within our conversations to be upset by. It's ridiculous. I know it's not him. It's me. Being a bitch.
Maybe it's because Gumboot Girl is causing broken sleep? Maybe it's because I am a bitch? Maybe it's because I want to find something to be cranky about? Maybe it's because I want to be cranky at someone other than my two year old?
Clearly butter wouldn't melt.
This is Gumboot Girl when she is
supposed to be asleep.
And look at them. What on earth am I doing complaining about these two? They are kindred so maybe, just maybe it is the energy between Gumboot Girl and I that is overflowing onto my poor unaware husband who is constantly left scratching his head as to what he could have possibly done or said that has pissed me off again.
Poor bastard. He's got four of us to contend with and, going by recent observations, I'm guessing none of us are going to let him off lightly.
Makes me wonder what kind of karmic lesson he so desperately needed that he was inflicted with three little girls all with the will of their mother.
I'll say it again because nothing says it better. Poor bastard!
So I have managed to get Gumboot Girl to have a nap and I am enjoying a quiet cup of tea and trying to regroup before her sisters come rumbling through the door with stories of school time.
I went to a spiritual healing group session yesterday that ended with a fabulous meditation and yet, it seems to have had the opposite effect on me and I've been crankier today than I have been all week. Something she said keeps playing in my head though. When you are trying to fight change you will be cranky. Outwardly so. When really you are cranky with yourself.
Time to look inward perhaps?
Sunday, March 06, 2011
Sunday Session - Exercise and Flashbacks
Okay, so I'm a little late to partake over here today. Actually "late" has been the theme for me today.
BUT, I come bearing great songs if that's any consolation (although neither of them have anything to do with being late). *shuffles feet*
So I have no reason for wanting to put this one here except that I do love Kasey Chambers. And I love her new album. I actually listen to a few of her songs while running which I wasn't sure was possible but believe me, it is. I could pick a song I like by closing my eyes and clicking on any one with this album but the one I wanted to choose today was this (it also has Missy Higgins singing backup vocals so it was always going to be a win/win) ...
Beautiful Mess
And for my oldie. Well, once again, I need to tell the story. After being late for my mum's 60th birthday lunch and then having to go out to my dad's to sort out computer issewes we decided on an impromptu drop in. The lucky recipients of our company this afternoon are people we love hanging out with. The time spent is always easy and relaxed. Today was "let's check out your music stash" day because said friend had made me an exercise playlist (more on that another day).
This is what I found. It took me back to the days of my late teens/early 20s when I absolutely loved this song. They actually had a few more like it but this one really did it for me today.
Lime Spiders - Slave Girl
Another great weekend.
Happy Sunday!!!
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