One Month ...

I decided to take some photos of the car once it was cleaned to determine just how long it takes for all that hard work to come undone. And with three kids who constantly sneak things into the car with them - I have a rule that there are no toys in the car because they never take them back out again. Clearly my observation skills are lacking on certain days but let's not focus on my, obviously, inconsistent rant - I have to admit to being surprised when it took longer than a week!

This is the life of our car in a month. One month. And yet when I turn around and see the mess, it honestly feels like it's been about two days.

So a little note to self: If you clean your car weekly, heck even fortnightly, it might not get to this stage in the future. M'kay?

It's Today ...

Today our friends will get married. They will pledge their love and commitment in front of family and friends. And she will feel like a princess and he will feel like the luckiest guy on the face of the earth!

And they will be able to breathe again. No more planning for their big day, no more wishing it was here. I still remember the night he proposed. It was such a beautiful night. I think out of nine people her and I were the only two people who didn't have a clue. And he pulled it off perfectly.

And now, two years later, we are here. I hope the day doesn't go by too quickly that they feel like they missed it. I hope they can enjoy and savour all the good bits and there are no bad bits to edit - although, my speech may need to be forgotten if my previous attempts at public speaking are anything to go by - and I hope it is everything they dreamed of for their big day!

Two soul mates beginning their journey as husband and wife. I wish them a world of happiness today and always! <3

Real Life ...

I've never been one to really follow stats but when I see my followers list getting smaller I realise just how much I'm not present here in the social media world.

And there's not much I can do about it. I'm busy. We have friends getting married, two little girls at school (now on school holidays), gymnastics, swimming and trying to fit work in around all of that as well.

So it's no wonder I'm not present here. I don't know how to balance my time here and out there so I choose out there. And that's okay. I'm loving being out amongst the real world for a change. I love spending time with friends and family. 

But I miss being here. And as I type this, I'm listening to my husband speaking to the girls on the phone - they're at Grandma's so we can hang out with our friends and get ready for their big day on Saturday - and repeating himself over and over because they are obviously preoccupied and not really listening.

And I know that while they are up there, we get time. As a couple but also for our friends without little people needing and wanting things mid wedding task. I miss them. A lot. But I'm glad for this time. To be present for us and for our friends. 100%.

So I won't be around much. Well at least not until I can find a time slot for writing again.

I'm sure it will come. It always does. Eventually.

But until then I'll be out there. Doing stuff! :D

Dogs ...

I spent time with one of my very good friends today. I wish I could say it was just to hang out and catch up but it was not that kind of morning. Far from it.

The family's beloved dog had been diagnosed with cancer a few weeks back and, literally, over night she took a turn for the worse.

There was nothing more they could do for her and when I arrived I knew we had to make that fateful trip to the vet. And worse still, we couldn't wait for Mr M to arrive home. It just wouldn't have been the right or fair thing to do for her.

And it just sucks. Even knowing that you are doing the right thing. Even knowing she will no longer be in any pain. None of it makes you feel any better about having to make the call. And I watched my friend's heart break at knowing it was time.

Dogs - or any pet for that matter - are one of the family. So ingrained into our daily lives. In everything we do. Every holiday that is taken. Every vet appointment written on the calendar with the other family events. They belong and are loved. Dearly.

Even more so when you see your children interacting with them and bonding with them. And especially when a dog is so patient and loyal and loving with a toddler wanting to crawl all over them and use them as a walking aid. Or a tween who wants to teach them tricks and makes them practice over and over again.

And it reminded me of all the beautiful animals we have farewelled in the past few years.

So to my friends, I need to say.

I am so truly sorry that today turned out this way for you. It was so unexpected that things would happen this quickly. She was such a beautiful dog and I'm sure you have so many treasured memories of her time with you.

May she forever run and play on the beach now, free of pain and forever young.

Rest in Peace, Stoli!

Love you guys.
xxx

Bringing Back the 80s ...

So I am waaaay behind. I know it. I have so many things to write about that I'm almost at the point of just picking up from here and leaving the past back there. In the past.

BUT then you would miss out on some awesome stuff. Really awesome.

Like why I'm bringing back the 'nigger band'. Did I just say that? Very un-PC of me so we'll just call them the little black elastic bracelet. Or as a young'un told me a couple of weeks ago we could use the term "F@ck me band". Apparently if you break one of those suckers ... well I probably don't have to spell it out for you. Not sure what happens if you break one on your own arm though. Hmmmm ...

So for this moment when I have all of approximately .015 seconds before I have to go (that may or may not be a slight exaggeration) I'm going to show you the beginning of what was our funfilled Hen's Weekend. So. Much. Fun.

A little up and down in places - that could possibly be a whole post in itself. I think Mrs M would agree - but the fun outweighed all the other little annoyances. ;)

After hearing of a certain radio station giving away tickets to an 80s night on the Friday night that was the start of our Hen's Weekend, I tried and tried to win us some tickets ...

And when that failed, I emailed the radio station, tweeted them and emailed them again until we received a reply that, yes they would love to donate four tickets to help kickstart our weekend. ***

The hen arrived at my place around lunch time and was promptly catered for ...

I held my breath as we got to the hotel in the hope that we had been allocated the best room with the biggest living area - extremely important for the actual Hen's night - and sighed and then jumped around like mad because we scored. Big time ...

We checked out our TWO storey apartment, jumped around some more, had a bite to eat and then we all got dressed and headed out to enjoy our evening ...

*** This is where I left it and started again. Told you I might not have much time. ;p
This has only taken me 2.5 hours to post! Enjoy and I promise I will try to get back and update more often. Pinky promise.