If this isn't a "What the fuck are you looking at?" look, I don't know what is.
April 30, 2009
Pic of the Day
I think I have rambled on this week about our guinea fowl ENOUGH ALREADY. But just let me give you this:-
If this isn't a "What the fuck are you looking at?" look, I don't know what is.
If this isn't a "What the fuck are you looking at?" look, I don't know what is.
Guineas again
We have had two days of good behaviour from the guinea fowl. All 9 are safe and accounted for. No wandering off too far EXCEPT on their daily walk. They are the most comical, infuriating little things I have ever come across.
They go for a walk and cackle their way up around the tennis court, and back along the side of the faceless house, laughing and chatting like a bunch of old ladies going to golf.
They scratch and pick at the ground then retire to the cage for a lunchtime siesta. Then away they go again, cackling and scratching and chasing each other, until I call out at 5pm "MILLET, COME AND GET SOME MILLET" (this is how we have trained them, and they fall for it!). They practically fall over each other to get back to the cage to get their millet. It's like a drug, they sound like little typewriters peck peck peck.
Then this happens:-
Ah yes, the ringleader. The trouble maker. The anarchist of the flock. I think this is Antonio. I'm not sure as they all look the same BUT this is the leader. He comes out after dinner when they are supposed to be roosting and tries to get the others to misbehave also.YOU better watch it mister, I have my eye on you!
They go for a walk and cackle their way up around the tennis court, and back along the side of the faceless house, laughing and chatting like a bunch of old ladies going to golf.
They scratch and pick at the ground then retire to the cage for a lunchtime siesta. Then away they go again, cackling and scratching and chasing each other, until I call out at 5pm "MILLET, COME AND GET SOME MILLET" (this is how we have trained them, and they fall for it!). They practically fall over each other to get back to the cage to get their millet. It's like a drug, they sound like little typewriters peck peck peck.
Then this happens:-
Ah yes, the ringleader. The trouble maker. The anarchist of the flock. I think this is Antonio. I'm not sure as they all look the same BUT this is the leader. He comes out after dinner when they are supposed to be roosting and tries to get the others to misbehave also.YOU better watch it mister, I have my eye on you!
Is this my Mid Life Crisis?
I wrote this passage in a very melancholy mood one night, 6 months before I turned 40.
One day
I will no longer search for you
in the endless sea of faces
One day
I will face the day
without pain
One day
I will discard my shroud
of self-pity and regret
One day
my dreams will be free of you
One day
you will become
just a man I used to know
One day
not yet
but
one day.
By Kate O'Halloran
I found this poem when I was 14 yrs old, I tore it out of a magazine, I remember doing it very clearly. And nearly to this day I have carried it with me, for some reason - it has always been in my wallet, so now it is very tattered and fragile so I have put it away.
I have kept it for all these years because it reminds me of my youth, of the teenage angst of my first love, of wanting to be accepted and of never wanting to grow up. The first kiss, the butterflies that come with the touch of the hand, and of the tears that came when problems seemed so unfixable.
Where has the time gone, wasn't I just 14 years old, waking up to the new things I was about to discover? I am slowly ! approaching the big 40, and maybe I am having my mid life crisis . I am taking stock of my life, of the wonderful gifts I have been given, my husband, my beautiful children, my health and happiness, some dreams that I have fulfilled already.
Is it normal to feel that life is slowly slipping by, and I cannot turn back the clock to the years gone by. I am scared of growing older, I will admit that I would love to be 20 again, but then ..... I wouldn't have my family - it's a double edged sword.
So what I need to do is be thankful for the things in my life, enjoy every day and every moment because life is short and precious, and appreciate that life goes through stages and I am just about to enter another one. That's what I will think ...one day, not yet but one day..........
One day
I will no longer search for you
in the endless sea of faces
One day
I will face the day
without pain
One day
I will discard my shroud
of self-pity and regret
One day
my dreams will be free of you
One day
you will become
just a man I used to know
One day
not yet
but
one day.
By Kate O'Halloran
I found this poem when I was 14 yrs old, I tore it out of a magazine, I remember doing it very clearly. And nearly to this day I have carried it with me, for some reason - it has always been in my wallet, so now it is very tattered and fragile so I have put it away.
I have kept it for all these years because it reminds me of my youth, of the teenage angst of my first love, of wanting to be accepted and of never wanting to grow up. The first kiss, the butterflies that come with the touch of the hand, and of the tears that came when problems seemed so unfixable.
Where has the time gone, wasn't I just 14 years old, waking up to the new things I was about to discover? I am slowly ! approaching the big 40, and maybe I am having my mid life crisis . I am taking stock of my life, of the wonderful gifts I have been given, my husband, my beautiful children, my health and happiness, some dreams that I have fulfilled already.
Is it normal to feel that life is slowly slipping by, and I cannot turn back the clock to the years gone by. I am scared of growing older, I will admit that I would love to be 20 again, but then ..... I wouldn't have my family - it's a double edged sword.
So what I need to do is be thankful for the things in my life, enjoy every day and every moment because life is short and precious, and appreciate that life goes through stages and I am just about to enter another one. That's what I will think ...one day, not yet but one day..........
April 29, 2009
I am a magazine junkie
I am a magazine junkie. Yes. I am addicted to magazines. I love buying them and then piling them high until I buy the next one. The problem is, because I have time issues, I will buy one and then start reading and think "hmm, this sounds familiar".
Yes, I already bought that one LAST MONTH. I do this all the time. You would think I'd learn. These are the mags that I buy - sometimes twice:-
- Scrapbooking Memories
- Australian Country Style
- Australian Country Collections
- Country Home Ideas
My likes and dislikes and life stages have changed over the years and this is reflected in the style of magazines that I USED to buy. Which were:-
- Cleo
- Cosmopolitan
- Pregnancy and Birth ( I stopped buying this one when I realised that baby number 4 just wasn't meant to be *sigh*)
- Mother and Baby
- Practical Parenting (after 3 kids, if I don't know what I'm doing now, then I never will!)
I sometimes buy TV Soap, to find out what's hot on The Bold and the Beautiful, then I post it to mum. She likes that.
I suppose if I spent less time at the computer and more time elsewhere, I would have them all read.
Yes, I already bought that one LAST MONTH. I do this all the time. You would think I'd learn. These are the mags that I buy - sometimes twice:-
- Scrapbooking Memories
- Australian Country Style
- Australian Country Collections
- Country Home Ideas
My likes and dislikes and life stages have changed over the years and this is reflected in the style of magazines that I USED to buy. Which were:-
- Cleo
- Cosmopolitan
- Pregnancy and Birth ( I stopped buying this one when I realised that baby number 4 just wasn't meant to be *sigh*)
- Mother and Baby
- Practical Parenting (after 3 kids, if I don't know what I'm doing now, then I never will!)
I sometimes buy TV Soap, to find out what's hot on The Bold and the Beautiful, then I post it to mum. She likes that.
I suppose if I spent less time at the computer and more time elsewhere, I would have them all read.
Oh did I tell you I was addicted to computers????
Guinea Fowl Wrangling
Have I gone back to babyville? Should you call me a new mumma again?? I write, of course about our 9 guinea fowl, I feel like a mother of 8 newborn babies, actually I feel like Nadya Suleman except I have an extra one! The reason I am feeling this way is because the Hubbster and I just walked through shoulder height long grass, in virgin territory looking for our 9 lost, innocent and stupid guinea fowl. We found them, down a hill in the most impossible of places, and then had to herd them up the hill, not unlike mustering sheep.
They have been gone all day. The wandered off into the long grass on the second day that we have let them roam free. Guinea fowl are supposed to hang around the farm, because WE HAVE TRAINED THEM TO DO SO, but the little buggers don't seem to be doing what they are supposed to be doing.
We feel like we are new parents because last night, instead of roosting in their safe, predator free enclosure, they decided to sleep in the middle of the opened grass area. We then had to shoo them back in to their cage, where they would be safe.
I am very worried now that they will wander off again, tommorrow probably and I am not happy about walking in the long grass again, because we have snakes around and to be honest, I couldn't see a thing as the grass is wild, and needs burning off and if they get lost again WTF do I do? Fuck!
I don't want them to be eaten by foxes and that will happen if we don't retrieve them, cmon guineas GIVE ME A BREAK. Just stay home and stop causing me stress and anxiety! We have raised you from one month old, don't piss me off now. God, gimme a wine. (my alcohol hiatis lasted 7 days).
They have been gone all day. The wandered off into the long grass on the second day that we have let them roam free. Guinea fowl are supposed to hang around the farm, because WE HAVE TRAINED THEM TO DO SO, but the little buggers don't seem to be doing what they are supposed to be doing.
We feel like we are new parents because last night, instead of roosting in their safe, predator free enclosure, they decided to sleep in the middle of the opened grass area. We then had to shoo them back in to their cage, where they would be safe.
I am very worried now that they will wander off again, tommorrow probably and I am not happy about walking in the long grass again, because we have snakes around and to be honest, I couldn't see a thing as the grass is wild, and needs burning off and if they get lost again WTF do I do? Fuck!
I don't want them to be eaten by foxes and that will happen if we don't retrieve them, cmon guineas GIVE ME A BREAK. Just stay home and stop causing me stress and anxiety! We have raised you from one month old, don't piss me off now. God, gimme a wine. (my alcohol hiatis lasted 7 days).
April 28, 2009
What was I thinking??
For your enjoyment, and mild amusement, here are some pics of my ongoing fight to have great hair. (remembering they are from the 80's so explains the bigness of said hair).
In the first one, I am channelling Nicole Kidman, red curly, crazy hair, and I payed way too much money to look like that (WTF was I thinking?). I actually thought I looked quite good in my LBD on the way to a formal dinner.
The next one has me looking like a poodle (did I really spend mega amounts of money and time to look like a stuck up dog??)
Oh here I am, and I actually think I look damn hot in this pic. I like this one. God I wish I looked like that now.
And the final photo proves that you don't have to be a girl to have big hair. That's me in the middle, ladies look up!
In the first one, I am channelling Nicole Kidman, red curly, crazy hair, and I payed way too much money to look like that (WTF was I thinking?). I actually thought I looked quite good in my LBD on the way to a formal dinner.
The next one has me looking like a poodle (did I really spend mega amounts of money and time to look like a stuck up dog??)
Oh here I am, and I actually think I look damn hot in this pic. I like this one. God I wish I looked like that now.
And the final photo proves that you don't have to be a girl to have big hair. That's me in the middle, ladies look up!
April 27, 2009
Out of the Mouth of Babes 2
Miss T (aged 4) loves to correct anyone who swears, and I'm not talking about me personally. Really. Today she says "Mummy said the S T word" (WTF that means I don't know, maybe it means stupid?).
But the best part is if the Hubbster or myself let the "F" word slip, she will pipe up from the backseat of the car, or from across the paddock and say "Mummy (yes it's always me, fuck it, opps), just said "Suckin Hell" because SHE CAN'T PRONOUNCE THE "F" SOUND. That's really helpful in doctors surgeries or crowded places for sure.
But the best part is if the Hubbster or myself let the "F" word slip, she will pipe up from the backseat of the car, or from across the paddock and say "Mummy (yes it's always me, fuck it, opps), just said "Suckin Hell" because SHE CAN'T PRONOUNCE THE "F" SOUND. That's really helpful in doctors surgeries or crowded places for sure.
We love Visitors
We had so much excitement in the shed today. We were expecting visitors. Just some people to look at the Hubbsters bike for sale, but you would have thought we were expecting the Queen, or Antonio Banderas (mummy dribbles) or even the yellow Wiggle, the way the kids were carrying on.
I wonder is it because we have been living out of town for (6 months tommorrow - yay I made it this far!) and the kids are maybe having withdrawl symptoms from society. Wait a minute, they go to school and kindy, so crap that idea. I think it's just that my poppets are very excitable, friendly and outgoing kids, and actually I love that about them. But try having a conversation with the visitors and this happens:-
Miss T takes Mr C's expensive train station to the tennis court and starts throwing it around, up and down, smash and smash.
Mr C shows the visitors all of his football shorts, his kicking style and his numerous missing teeth.
Miss D makes the visitors lots of pretty notes and fans to take home with them.
All kids attack the fridge and pour themselves, milk, orange juice and custard, because they know I am busy and I won't stop them. Little Devils.
They get so excited when we have guests, even if it is the builder, who by the way came out Friday, and man, do I like him! I love that he sits and has a cuppa tea, and that he reminds me of our old friend from way back (we haven't got his quote yet, so we'll see how I feel then!).
He really knows his stuff, and the more people we talk to, the more little snippets we find out about him, and they are all good. This week, we have to contact our man doing the plans and put a hurry up on him as the builder is waiting for the finalised plans so he can do our quote. So get the plans done, get the quote done, have a stiff drink when we see how much it will cost us to build to lock up. Take the Hubbster to the doctor to be stress evaluated and away we go!
Hopefully by Sept/Oct we will have a house built to look like a house but be unfinished inside. Then we can oh potter around and finish it in our own time. I may have hmmm, a bedroom and a verandah by Christmas and oh a kitchen would be nice but I'm not pushing my luck.
BTW a bit over two weeks ago, I stopped feeding Miss T (aged 4 but having tantrums the size of a 2 year old) biscuits, pretzels, in fact any thing with preservatives in them, to see if that calmed her down a bit. I have been making and baking (call me Martha Stewart, god I love her hair) muffins and cakes for the kids lunchboxes and I can honestly say, Miss T's behaviour has dramatically improved. We haven't had any midnight tantrums, except for the hair band incident at 11.30pm last week, and she has been almost a pleasure to have around. In fact, she is a pleasure because she is a great packer uppa, she is always is the first to help and is generally easier to get along with.
So our visitors have gone and now the kids are in their trashed room, packing away the toys and chaos that happened at 8am this morning. They are under duress of course, because really THEY DIDN'T DO IT. Sorry kids, that defence was used up years ago. Get to it.
One last thing before I go, and crap this is a long post, I have given up wine and am on day 7. Whatever.
I wonder is it because we have been living out of town for (6 months tommorrow - yay I made it this far!) and the kids are maybe having withdrawl symptoms from society. Wait a minute, they go to school and kindy, so crap that idea. I think it's just that my poppets are very excitable, friendly and outgoing kids, and actually I love that about them. But try having a conversation with the visitors and this happens:-
Miss T takes Mr C's expensive train station to the tennis court and starts throwing it around, up and down, smash and smash.
Mr C shows the visitors all of his football shorts, his kicking style and his numerous missing teeth.
Miss D makes the visitors lots of pretty notes and fans to take home with them.
All kids attack the fridge and pour themselves, milk, orange juice and custard, because they know I am busy and I won't stop them. Little Devils.
They get so excited when we have guests, even if it is the builder, who by the way came out Friday, and man, do I like him! I love that he sits and has a cuppa tea, and that he reminds me of our old friend from way back (we haven't got his quote yet, so we'll see how I feel then!).
He really knows his stuff, and the more people we talk to, the more little snippets we find out about him, and they are all good. This week, we have to contact our man doing the plans and put a hurry up on him as the builder is waiting for the finalised plans so he can do our quote. So get the plans done, get the quote done, have a stiff drink when we see how much it will cost us to build to lock up. Take the Hubbster to the doctor to be stress evaluated and away we go!
Hopefully by Sept/Oct we will have a house built to look like a house but be unfinished inside. Then we can oh potter around and finish it in our own time. I may have hmmm, a bedroom and a verandah by Christmas and oh a kitchen would be nice but I'm not pushing my luck.
BTW a bit over two weeks ago, I stopped feeding Miss T (aged 4 but having tantrums the size of a 2 year old) biscuits, pretzels, in fact any thing with preservatives in them, to see if that calmed her down a bit. I have been making and baking (call me Martha Stewart, god I love her hair) muffins and cakes for the kids lunchboxes and I can honestly say, Miss T's behaviour has dramatically improved. We haven't had any midnight tantrums, except for the hair band incident at 11.30pm last week, and she has been almost a pleasure to have around. In fact, she is a pleasure because she is a great packer uppa, she is always is the first to help and is generally easier to get along with.
So our visitors have gone and now the kids are in their trashed room, packing away the toys and chaos that happened at 8am this morning. They are under duress of course, because really THEY DIDN'T DO IT. Sorry kids, that defence was used up years ago. Get to it.
One last thing before I go, and crap this is a long post, I have given up wine and am on day 7. Whatever.
April 26, 2009
To Do List
My "To Do" list includes the following:-
1. Write that vampire novel that I have always wanted to do (it hasn't been done before, has it??).
2. Get through the day without saying - fuck, for fuck's sake or fucking hell (or as Miss T says - suckin hell).
3. Remember to take my thyroid meds, berocca, vitamin C tablets, chaste tree pills, iron tablets, elevit with folate (just in case!) and a couple of panadol for that headache that I will get around 4.30pm (from my lack of wine time as I've given up).
4. Go on a roadtrip on the original Route 66, in a corvette or a chevy impala (black of course like the car from Supernatural - season commencing 4 May, don't phone me, I won't answer).
5. Remove all toys from the bedroom to prevent room being trashed again by devil children, and actually do this because they think I am just full of hot air.
6. Bake something a little more exciting than choc chip banana muffins, and try not to cook pasta four nights a week.
7. Try not to log on to facebook more than 6 times a day to check status updates, oh and actually google my name to see who I am.
8. Remember that the Hubbster is a man, and for that reason alone, be sympathetic when he is complaining of a cold as the world is obviously just about to end.
9. Remind myself that just because I have facebook, 2 myspace pages, a blog, msn and yahoo that I am not a net nerd.
10. Remember to kiss the grubby, dusty faces of my offspring, even when they don't listen, answer back, toss the hair in defiance (Miss D) and cause chaos and stress in the supermarket.
1. Write that vampire novel that I have always wanted to do (it hasn't been done before, has it??).
2. Get through the day without saying - fuck, for fuck's sake or fucking hell (or as Miss T says - suckin hell).
3. Remember to take my thyroid meds, berocca, vitamin C tablets, chaste tree pills, iron tablets, elevit with folate (just in case!) and a couple of panadol for that headache that I will get around 4.30pm (from my lack of wine time as I've given up).
4. Go on a roadtrip on the original Route 66, in a corvette or a chevy impala (black of course like the car from Supernatural - season commencing 4 May, don't phone me, I won't answer).
5. Remove all toys from the bedroom to prevent room being trashed again by devil children, and actually do this because they think I am just full of hot air.
6. Bake something a little more exciting than choc chip banana muffins, and try not to cook pasta four nights a week.
7. Try not to log on to facebook more than 6 times a day to check status updates, oh and actually google my name to see who I am.
8. Remember that the Hubbster is a man, and for that reason alone, be sympathetic when he is complaining of a cold as the world is obviously just about to end.
9. Remind myself that just because I have facebook, 2 myspace pages, a blog, msn and yahoo that I am not a net nerd.
10. Remember to kiss the grubby, dusty faces of my offspring, even when they don't listen, answer back, toss the hair in defiance (Miss D) and cause chaos and stress in the supermarket.
No Ridge for me today, sigh ..
Last Friday afternoon I was looking forward to my 4.30pm wine and The Bold and The Beautiful meltdown, and it was especially going to be good because the Hubbster had arrived home from work early and was able to take Mr C to football training (thank god he did because who else was going to take him?).
So I am waiting patiently for the two blokes to leave for training, and suddenly I hear wails and screams from down yonder in the shed. Miss T was on the floor in a heap, her ankle dripping blood all over my clean concrete! floor. It was nasty. She had walked out of the loungeroom and scraped her ankle from bottom to top along the sharp edge.
We carried her, screaming like a banshee (she screamed, I swallowed hard) sat her on the washing machine and stole a look. It needed attention, so from my calm, wine induced, Ridge pervefest that I was going to have, we trucked it to the medical centre, after depositing the Hubbster and son at training.
We calmed her down enough to see that she had done a mighty fine job and sliced her ankle enough to need a stitch. But there was no way I was torturing her further by allowing someone to stick a needle in the hole now in her foot, and sew her up like a cushion.
The doctor and the nurse agreed it could be taped and bandaged up so we went with that. Which brings me to the whole point of this post - the maybe hot, latin americanish doctor.
The Hubbster (with a football injury) saw this doc recently and he told me the doctor looked like he should be playing soccer for Brazil or some other faraway exotic place.
So back to the story - I was looking at him, assessing my daughters injury, and the strangest thought crossed my mind. There is no effing way I would see this doc to have my yearly pap test done, how could I since he looked like someone you would meet on a drunken, girls weekend away - overseas.
And without a lie, this week whilst meeting my friends for our usual Thursday cuppa and catch up, a friend told us that HER friend saw this particular doctor to have her pap test done, and couldn't go through with it because he was such a hot potato. So she walked out of the surgery with .... weight loss tablets instead!
So I am waiting patiently for the two blokes to leave for training, and suddenly I hear wails and screams from down yonder in the shed. Miss T was on the floor in a heap, her ankle dripping blood all over my clean concrete! floor. It was nasty. She had walked out of the loungeroom and scraped her ankle from bottom to top along the sharp edge.
We carried her, screaming like a banshee (she screamed, I swallowed hard) sat her on the washing machine and stole a look. It needed attention, so from my calm, wine induced, Ridge pervefest that I was going to have, we trucked it to the medical centre, after depositing the Hubbster and son at training.
We calmed her down enough to see that she had done a mighty fine job and sliced her ankle enough to need a stitch. But there was no way I was torturing her further by allowing someone to stick a needle in the hole now in her foot, and sew her up like a cushion.
The doctor and the nurse agreed it could be taped and bandaged up so we went with that. Which brings me to the whole point of this post - the maybe hot, latin americanish doctor.
The Hubbster (with a football injury) saw this doc recently and he told me the doctor looked like he should be playing soccer for Brazil or some other faraway exotic place.
So back to the story - I was looking at him, assessing my daughters injury, and the strangest thought crossed my mind. There is no effing way I would see this doc to have my yearly pap test done, how could I since he looked like someone you would meet on a drunken, girls weekend away - overseas.
And without a lie, this week whilst meeting my friends for our usual Thursday cuppa and catch up, a friend told us that HER friend saw this particular doctor to have her pap test done, and couldn't go through with it because he was such a hot potato. So she walked out of the surgery with .... weight loss tablets instead!
April 24, 2009
Out of the mouth of babes 1
A conversation between Mr C (aged 6) and me:-
Him: Mummy, can I tell you something
Me: Of course, Mr (that's his nickname)
Him: I know what sexy means
Me: (my ears pricking up just a bit further than normal) Oh yes, what does it mean?
Him: It means nuts.
Me: (me thinking WTF does that actually mean?) Who told you that?
Him: my friend ***** at school.
Me: Well honey, you shouldn't listen to what everyone says at school. (Sorry mate, I can't do any better than that).
Me: (runs off to get a glass of wine to calm the nerves of a mother of a 6 year old asking all the important questions).
Him: Mummy, can I tell you something
Me: Of course, Mr (that's his nickname)
Him: I know what sexy means
Me: (my ears pricking up just a bit further than normal) Oh yes, what does it mean?
Him: It means nuts.
Me: (me thinking WTF does that actually mean?) Who told you that?
Him: my friend ***** at school.
Me: Well honey, you shouldn't listen to what everyone says at school. (Sorry mate, I can't do any better than that).
Me: (runs off to get a glass of wine to calm the nerves of a mother of a 6 year old asking all the important questions).
G is for ...
I got this from http://www.saviabella.com/, she has assigned me the letter "G" and I am to write down my 10 favourite things beginning with this letter. Great stuff!
1. Girlie
My beautiful beagle Girlie, who left us on the 2nd April 2009. She was loyal and good and smart and I miss her so much.
2. Guitar
Yes I have one and yes it's covered in dust! My fabulous inlaws bought me a Martinez cutaway acoustic/electric left handed guitar, for my birthday last year. Which happened to be the month after my awesome concert with Brandi Carlile. So she sowed the seed of music in my brain, I got the guitar, and since moving to the farm, it has sat idle and lonely. I have to start playing and learning again, but I am so busy with my life that I don't seem to have the time. Dammit, it's coming out this week!
3. Green
My favourite colour. The colour that relaxes and inspires me. And it will be the colour of my new house and my bedroom. Not bright green that makes you gag, but just the right shade to suit.
I love peridot and malachite in jewellery, and also aventurine which I wore constantly during my holiday in America because it promotes safety and good adventures whilst travelling.
4. Good Sleep
This, I don't get enough of and it's my own fault. I am a night owl. Once the kids are settled and snuggled in bed, I should go too and get my good sleep but instead I watch tv, surf the net, write on my new blog! chat to friends online, watch dvds the list goes on. But I need to relax after busy days with the kids, hubbster and farmlife and this is what relaxes me.
Until the next morning when I wake up feeling groggy and cranky and unorganised. If, however I do have an early night which would be going to bed at 9.00pm, I feel better the next day. Tonight I think I will curl up with my new book Marley and Me and see if that makes a difference.
5. Garden
I love flowers and gardens, but I have this ability to kill off anything I plant. Doesn't matter if it's a flower in a pot or a palm tree in the ground, their lifespan is limited. Now I think my problem is time, again, I am so busy that the garden is the least of my concerns, because once the plants are in, I water them, but I don't ATTEND to them. You know, mulching, fertilising, pruning etc.
Now my mother is a true green thumb. Even under the tightest water restrictions in her town, her garden was the most beautiful in the street. So many flowers and bushes all different colours. She loves to "potter in the garden" and dammit, I want to potter in my own garden, and actually I want to grow some vegetables too, just easy ones to begin with.
It's very difficult right now because we don't even have a house, so we can't really put a garden in. But I really should make the time to replant some flowers in my terracota pots, and maybe even some herbs. Whoa I'm getting way ahead of my self. One step at a time, I should just make sure I keep watering Girlies poinciana tree, which in fact I HAVE been doing!
6. God I can dance
I did ballroom and latin dancing for several years when I was younger, and I always regret not taking it further. My partner at the time gave dancing away, and I lost interest, instead focusing more on being a teenager and chasing boys.
I represented my state in latin dancing and up until last year I loved my Tuesday night latin dance class, when some friends and I would salsa and cha cha our way to fitness. I am hoping the class restarts soon, as I find it so relaxing and invigorating.
7. Guilt (motherguilt)
I have this in spades. I always wanted to be a mother, the perfect mother actually. I would never yell, or smack, my child would sleep through the night and be super well behaved. I would stay at home all day baking delicious snacks whilst my cherub babe ga ga'ed on the playmat.
I actually can remember the exact time I decided that all I ever wanted to be was be a wife and mother. It was in grade 7 in high school, so I was perhaps 13 or 14 yrs old. I was outside in the sunshine, and I thought to myself "I can't wait to be a mum and a stay at home one at that". The memory is very clear to me.
So when it happened, it actually wasn't all roses at all. Sleepless nights, a baby with reflux who was very unsettled in the beginning, and feelings that I wasn't the perfect mother crept in. It was damn hard work, such a big responsibility. Why wasn't it all like my daydreams?
My mother guilt came from comparing myself to other mums, are they doing a better job than I am. Are their children better dressed or better behaved than mine are. What the fuck am I doing wrong, and what the hell am I comparing myself to other mothers for??
I am learning to accept that parenting is hard work and that actually I am doing a mighty fine job. My kids are sometimes well behaved, we can all go out to dinner without being in the news the next day, they are usually dressed appropriately (except Miss T who doesn't like to wear knickers) and they are healthy and happy. And funny and smart. I am really really blessed.
8. Grey Hairs
I found my first grey hair when pregnant with my first child. Now you'd think I would get one per child, which means I should have 3 grey hairs, but nooooooo, they are coming at a rate that sends me to the hairdresser every 6 to 8 weeks. I am sure it's from stress, I just blame the children! I remember when I had beautiful, long brown silky hair, nowadays I have to work on getting my hair looking neat. I'm sure age has something to do with it. I'll stop right there.
9. Ghoulish things
I love vampires, zombies and werewolves all in book or movie form. I love a scary movie, if I have my hands over my eyes I know it is a good one. I'm not into the slasher genre,where the cheerleader goes running through the forest, falls over then blah blah blah, but more clever horror such as 28 days later, 28 weeks later, 30 Days of Night, Shaun of the Dead (comedy plus!) but my favourite movie has to be From Dusk Til Dawn. Just a riot really.
10. I am Grateful for:
* my wonderful, patient long suffering hubbster
* my 3 blue eyed, beautiful, smart, energetic, frustrating children
* being part of a family
* having the chance to love two little beagles
* being a stay at home mum for now
* the chance to build our dream home
* having friends who care about me
* living on this farm and the warm sunshine on my face
* being healthy
* the rainy weekend mornings when I can snuggle in my bed and sleep in
1. Girlie
My beautiful beagle Girlie, who left us on the 2nd April 2009. She was loyal and good and smart and I miss her so much.
2. Guitar
Yes I have one and yes it's covered in dust! My fabulous inlaws bought me a Martinez cutaway acoustic/electric left handed guitar, for my birthday last year. Which happened to be the month after my awesome concert with Brandi Carlile. So she sowed the seed of music in my brain, I got the guitar, and since moving to the farm, it has sat idle and lonely. I have to start playing and learning again, but I am so busy with my life that I don't seem to have the time. Dammit, it's coming out this week!
3. Green
My favourite colour. The colour that relaxes and inspires me. And it will be the colour of my new house and my bedroom. Not bright green that makes you gag, but just the right shade to suit.
I love peridot and malachite in jewellery, and also aventurine which I wore constantly during my holiday in America because it promotes safety and good adventures whilst travelling.
4. Good Sleep
This, I don't get enough of and it's my own fault. I am a night owl. Once the kids are settled and snuggled in bed, I should go too and get my good sleep but instead I watch tv, surf the net, write on my new blog! chat to friends online, watch dvds the list goes on. But I need to relax after busy days with the kids, hubbster and farmlife and this is what relaxes me.
Until the next morning when I wake up feeling groggy and cranky and unorganised. If, however I do have an early night which would be going to bed at 9.00pm, I feel better the next day. Tonight I think I will curl up with my new book Marley and Me and see if that makes a difference.
5. Garden
I love flowers and gardens, but I have this ability to kill off anything I plant. Doesn't matter if it's a flower in a pot or a palm tree in the ground, their lifespan is limited. Now I think my problem is time, again, I am so busy that the garden is the least of my concerns, because once the plants are in, I water them, but I don't ATTEND to them. You know, mulching, fertilising, pruning etc.
Now my mother is a true green thumb. Even under the tightest water restrictions in her town, her garden was the most beautiful in the street. So many flowers and bushes all different colours. She loves to "potter in the garden" and dammit, I want to potter in my own garden, and actually I want to grow some vegetables too, just easy ones to begin with.
It's very difficult right now because we don't even have a house, so we can't really put a garden in. But I really should make the time to replant some flowers in my terracota pots, and maybe even some herbs. Whoa I'm getting way ahead of my self. One step at a time, I should just make sure I keep watering Girlies poinciana tree, which in fact I HAVE been doing!
6. God I can dance
I did ballroom and latin dancing for several years when I was younger, and I always regret not taking it further. My partner at the time gave dancing away, and I lost interest, instead focusing more on being a teenager and chasing boys.
I represented my state in latin dancing and up until last year I loved my Tuesday night latin dance class, when some friends and I would salsa and cha cha our way to fitness. I am hoping the class restarts soon, as I find it so relaxing and invigorating.
7. Guilt (motherguilt)
I have this in spades. I always wanted to be a mother, the perfect mother actually. I would never yell, or smack, my child would sleep through the night and be super well behaved. I would stay at home all day baking delicious snacks whilst my cherub babe ga ga'ed on the playmat.
I actually can remember the exact time I decided that all I ever wanted to be was be a wife and mother. It was in grade 7 in high school, so I was perhaps 13 or 14 yrs old. I was outside in the sunshine, and I thought to myself "I can't wait to be a mum and a stay at home one at that". The memory is very clear to me.
So when it happened, it actually wasn't all roses at all. Sleepless nights, a baby with reflux who was very unsettled in the beginning, and feelings that I wasn't the perfect mother crept in. It was damn hard work, such a big responsibility. Why wasn't it all like my daydreams?
My mother guilt came from comparing myself to other mums, are they doing a better job than I am. Are their children better dressed or better behaved than mine are. What the fuck am I doing wrong, and what the hell am I comparing myself to other mothers for??
I am learning to accept that parenting is hard work and that actually I am doing a mighty fine job. My kids are sometimes well behaved, we can all go out to dinner without being in the news the next day, they are usually dressed appropriately (except Miss T who doesn't like to wear knickers) and they are healthy and happy. And funny and smart. I am really really blessed.
8. Grey Hairs
I found my first grey hair when pregnant with my first child. Now you'd think I would get one per child, which means I should have 3 grey hairs, but nooooooo, they are coming at a rate that sends me to the hairdresser every 6 to 8 weeks. I am sure it's from stress, I just blame the children! I remember when I had beautiful, long brown silky hair, nowadays I have to work on getting my hair looking neat. I'm sure age has something to do with it. I'll stop right there.
9. Ghoulish things
I love vampires, zombies and werewolves all in book or movie form. I love a scary movie, if I have my hands over my eyes I know it is a good one. I'm not into the slasher genre,where the cheerleader goes running through the forest, falls over then blah blah blah, but more clever horror such as 28 days later, 28 weeks later, 30 Days of Night, Shaun of the Dead (comedy plus!) but my favourite movie has to be From Dusk Til Dawn. Just a riot really.
10. I am Grateful for:
* my wonderful, patient long suffering hubbster
* my 3 blue eyed, beautiful, smart, energetic, frustrating children
* being part of a family
* having the chance to love two little beagles
* being a stay at home mum for now
* the chance to build our dream home
* having friends who care about me
* living on this farm and the warm sunshine on my face
* being healthy
* the rainy weekend mornings when I can snuggle in my bed and sleep in
April 23, 2009
April 22, 2009
She didn't get this attitude from me .......
I just had a fight with Miss D. 8 years old going on 15 I think. What an attitude, I have NO idea where she got that from (michelle rolls her eyes).
We actually get on really well, but when we fight, it's usually because she is being cheeky with the demanding, toss the hair thing going on, and I put up with it til I can put up no longer. Then I usually yell at her and she storms off in a huff, until I calm the waves by hugging or tickling her and all is well again.
She is a born organiser, and a leader which are great attributes to have, and I am so proud of her for being strong. But she likes to rule the other kids too and this I don't like. It's all dramatic and loud, and somedays it drives me crazy. But as a mother, it's my job to stay calm, to address her attitude with a motherly demeanor and not yell. I am working on this, some days I do it well, other days I completely fuck it up.
I am to blame somewhat because as the eldest child, I expect alot from her, and I sometimes forget that she is only 8. She is so helpful, smart and wonderful, and I rely on her to help me with the two younger kids occasionally and I think this crosses over to her wanting to be the boss. And this makes me sad, that the fine line between the two is easily confused.
I had waited to have a child for so long, and I had dreamed about the baby I would have. When I first saw her, after 25 hours of labour, I remember staring at her lips, the cupids bow so beautiful and her eyes which were exactly like her daddy's. I was in shock that she was so gorgeous and that I had made her and that she was mine. Forget the next 3 months of hell!! with reflux and not sleeping, that moment I will never forget.
So to my darling big girl, I love you, and I am sorry that we fight sometimes, but you will always be my first special baby. You made me a mother.
We actually get on really well, but when we fight, it's usually because she is being cheeky with the demanding, toss the hair thing going on, and I put up with it til I can put up no longer. Then I usually yell at her and she storms off in a huff, until I calm the waves by hugging or tickling her and all is well again.
She is a born organiser, and a leader which are great attributes to have, and I am so proud of her for being strong. But she likes to rule the other kids too and this I don't like. It's all dramatic and loud, and somedays it drives me crazy. But as a mother, it's my job to stay calm, to address her attitude with a motherly demeanor and not yell. I am working on this, some days I do it well, other days I completely fuck it up.
I am to blame somewhat because as the eldest child, I expect alot from her, and I sometimes forget that she is only 8. She is so helpful, smart and wonderful, and I rely on her to help me with the two younger kids occasionally and I think this crosses over to her wanting to be the boss. And this makes me sad, that the fine line between the two is easily confused.
I had waited to have a child for so long, and I had dreamed about the baby I would have. When I first saw her, after 25 hours of labour, I remember staring at her lips, the cupids bow so beautiful and her eyes which were exactly like her daddy's. I was in shock that she was so gorgeous and that I had made her and that she was mine. Forget the next 3 months of hell!! with reflux and not sleeping, that moment I will never forget.
So to my darling big girl, I love you, and I am sorry that we fight sometimes, but you will always be my first special baby. You made me a mother.
April 20, 2009
Fun on the Steam Train .. and the kids liked it too!
The end of the school holidays took us to the train station, and a fun ride on the Q150 Steam Train. Now I'm not a trainspotter, or even a train buff, but I tell you I was so excited that I felt like a kid again! Just a snippet :-
The University of Queensland-sponsored Q150 Steam Train departs Ipswich (Tuesday, April 14), embarking on a journey that will span five months and visit more than 30 Queensland communities. The heritage-listed steam train's trip is part of a year-long celebration of Queensland's 150th anniversary of becoming a state.
We had bought the tickets nearly 6 weeks in advance and for those 6 weeks told the kids we were going on a treat but they had to guess what it was. We got everything from the horse races, to the movies, to a ride in an aeroplane. They never guessed! My son loves trains and has a huge collection of die cast Thomas the Tank Engine trains and bits and pieces so I was sure to dress him in his best train related clothing!
The carriage we were in was a 1st class sleeper from 1924, it was so beautiful (completely not appreciated by three kids, I must say!) but the woodwork and the fittings took me back to years gone by.
I sat and wondered how many people had travelled in this carriage, and how different life would have been back then. Easier, I would imagine. We had a train ride, the kids had a photo opportunity in the steam train itself (and they still shovel the coal into the fire, which amazed the kids). We then had free breakfast and facepainting, so for $5.00 each, it was a great day.
The University of Queensland-sponsored Q150 Steam Train departs Ipswich (Tuesday, April 14), embarking on a journey that will span five months and visit more than 30 Queensland communities. The heritage-listed steam train's trip is part of a year-long celebration of Queensland's 150th anniversary of becoming a state.
We had bought the tickets nearly 6 weeks in advance and for those 6 weeks told the kids we were going on a treat but they had to guess what it was. We got everything from the horse races, to the movies, to a ride in an aeroplane. They never guessed! My son loves trains and has a huge collection of die cast Thomas the Tank Engine trains and bits and pieces so I was sure to dress him in his best train related clothing!The carriage we were in was a 1st class sleeper from 1924, it was so beautiful (completely not appreciated by three kids, I must say!) but the woodwork and the fittings took me back to years gone by.
I sat and wondered how many people had travelled in this carriage, and how different life would have been back then. Easier, I would imagine. We had a train ride, the kids had a photo opportunity in the steam train itself (and they still shovel the coal into the fire, which amazed the kids). We then had free breakfast and facepainting, so for $5.00 each, it was a great day.
April 17, 2009
Why I Love Facebook
My Status Update: School Holidays and rainy weather - how odd...
Friend 1: love the mild sarcasm there
Friend 2: oh does that mean kiddies are indoors all day? Oy.
Me: Yes that's why I am pulling my hair out strand by strand.
Me: Apart from yesterday when they stripped naked and rolled around literally in the mud. And I let them!
Friend 2: Oh boy...and did you have to hose them off in the driveway before they could re-enter the house? LOL!
Me: Well thank god we still live in a shed and speaking of hoses ....
Friend 3 (Miss T's kindy teacher) omg our kids spent the whole day almost in the mud when they were little and then hosed themselves off with the dam water B4 coming inside (that was a rule LOL) ... Michelle ..cover the dining room table with a huge sheet they can pretend its a cubby ...(ours did this that often when it rained that i actually made a cover for it with windows and a door ...(ill just be quiet now LOLOL)
Me: umm what time did you say you'd be here???
Friend 3: bahahaha......
Friend 1: love the mild sarcasm there
Friend 2: oh does that mean kiddies are indoors all day? Oy.
Me: Yes that's why I am pulling my hair out strand by strand.
Me: Apart from yesterday when they stripped naked and rolled around literally in the mud. And I let them!
Friend 2: Oh boy...and did you have to hose them off in the driveway before they could re-enter the house? LOL!
Me: Well thank god we still live in a shed and speaking of hoses ....
Friend 3 (Miss T's kindy teacher) omg our kids spent the whole day almost in the mud when they were little and then hosed themselves off with the dam water B4 coming inside (that was a rule LOL) ... Michelle ..cover the dining room table with a huge sheet they can pretend its a cubby ...(ours did this that often when it rained that i actually made a cover for it with windows and a door ...(ill just be quiet now LOLOL)
Me: umm what time did you say you'd be here???
Friend 3: bahahaha......
Gimme the wine for my PMS
Hi, I'm Michelle. And I have PMS. Yes it's taken me all these years to figure out why I turn into a raving banshee before that time of the month. I think I already knew but now I have accepted it.
I am an emotional mush at the best of times, but the week before my period, watch out. All the little things that are like "whatever" (in a I couldn't care less kinda way) take on a more sinister appearance during this week, and I become very hard to deal with.
I can see it myself, I am usually calm and patient (well almost) but I get stressed, irritable, sad and just plain cranky. I yell at the kids, get shirty with the hubbster, feel like a crap parent, wish I could do better with the kids, and then as quick as a magicians hands, it all disapears and I am back to some kind of normal.
After a particularly trying couple of days last month, the hubbster said "for gods sake, just tell me when this week is here, so I can help out with the kids, and help you". Bless him, he is great with them already, but now he knows not to piss me off and help with discipling the little devils, especially at bedtime which can sometimes resemble a nuthouse. Now, I'm just off to get that wine...
I am an emotional mush at the best of times, but the week before my period, watch out. All the little things that are like "whatever" (in a I couldn't care less kinda way) take on a more sinister appearance during this week, and I become very hard to deal with.
I can see it myself, I am usually calm and patient (well almost) but I get stressed, irritable, sad and just plain cranky. I yell at the kids, get shirty with the hubbster, feel like a crap parent, wish I could do better with the kids, and then as quick as a magicians hands, it all disapears and I am back to some kind of normal.
After a particularly trying couple of days last month, the hubbster said "for gods sake, just tell me when this week is here, so I can help out with the kids, and help you". Bless him, he is great with them already, but now he knows not to piss me off and help with discipling the little devils, especially at bedtime which can sometimes resemble a nuthouse. Now, I'm just off to get that wine...
April 16, 2009
Pic of the Day
This pic is of me and my idol Brandi Carlile. You can check her out at http://www.brandicarlile.com/. I first heard her songs on Greys Anatomy and thought she was so talented. She inspired me to learn guitar (which reminds me I must practice!). I met her last year during her tour with Maroon 5. When I found out she was the support act, I begged the hubbster to let me go(!) so he paid for my airfare and off I went to Brisbane, shopped, and had one night in a motel.
The concert was AWESOME! I was by myself and I was quite happy about being on my own. So it came time for the concert to start. My seat was 20 rows from the front, so that was good in itself, but most of the crowd hadn't arrived for the support act so when Brandi came on I went to the front and found a seat 3 rows back. There she was, with her band and it was almost a surreal moment. This musician who I had adored for only 12 months was there, singing and playing guitar and I was in a magical place.
When her show all of half an hour (!) was over, I raced to the foyer and was lucky enough to meet her. She was so down to earth and friendly and in the pic I look like a nervous schoolgirl! I was so bloody nervous! I raced back to my row 20 seat and danced and sang along to Maroon 5 and One Republic, alone but with thousands of others. It will be a highlight of my life.
The concert was AWESOME! I was by myself and I was quite happy about being on my own. So it came time for the concert to start. My seat was 20 rows from the front, so that was good in itself, but most of the crowd hadn't arrived for the support act so when Brandi came on I went to the front and found a seat 3 rows back. There she was, with her band and it was almost a surreal moment. This musician who I had adored for only 12 months was there, singing and playing guitar and I was in a magical place.
When her show all of half an hour (!) was over, I raced to the foyer and was lucky enough to meet her. She was so down to earth and friendly and in the pic I look like a nervous schoolgirl! I was so bloody nervous! I raced back to my row 20 seat and danced and sang along to Maroon 5 and One Republic, alone but with thousands of others. It will be a highlight of my life.
Clean your room and we can go.
Madonna doesn't do it. So I'm not either. I swore I never would, but I do it nearly every week. What is it you ask?
Taking the kids to Mcdonalds. When my first child was born, it was all the way healthy, no crappy stuff. The second child softened me a little and now by the third one, we as aforementioned, visit the golden arches nearly every week. Or every other week to be exact.
Which goes against my conscience, but I bloody do it every time. The benefits I have found are:-
The kids are in a confined space in the play area for at least 15 minutes, which allows me to eat my french fries one by one, whilst reading the paper - and I don't have to share.
It's a good excuse to eat a double beef and bacon burger.
I can people watch, which I love to do.
It's a fabulous bribing tool.
We can get lunch and a play over at the same time.
It's very social. Theres always someone there I know .
We ordered our lunch last week, and the kids happy meals came out in the usual little boxes onto the tray at the counter. I walked the tray over to our seats, deposited the food in front of the starving masses and tossed the rubbish away. What a waste! From the counter to the table, what does the box actually do? It seems very silly to me so next week I am going to ask for the burgers and nuggets and french fries to be put on the tray sans boxes.
And while I am at it they can keep their crappy plastic toys that I pay extra for in a "Happy Meal" as they usually find their resting place on the floor of our car. At least they have company there!
Taking the kids to Mcdonalds. When my first child was born, it was all the way healthy, no crappy stuff. The second child softened me a little and now by the third one, we as aforementioned, visit the golden arches nearly every week. Or every other week to be exact.
Which goes against my conscience, but I bloody do it every time. The benefits I have found are:-
The kids are in a confined space in the play area for at least 15 minutes, which allows me to eat my french fries one by one, whilst reading the paper - and I don't have to share.
It's a good excuse to eat a double beef and bacon burger.
I can people watch, which I love to do.
It's a fabulous bribing tool.
We can get lunch and a play over at the same time.
It's very social. Theres always someone there I know .
We ordered our lunch last week, and the kids happy meals came out in the usual little boxes onto the tray at the counter. I walked the tray over to our seats, deposited the food in front of the starving masses and tossed the rubbish away. What a waste! From the counter to the table, what does the box actually do? It seems very silly to me so next week I am going to ask for the burgers and nuggets and french fries to be put on the tray sans boxes.
And while I am at it they can keep their crappy plastic toys that I pay extra for in a "Happy Meal" as they usually find their resting place on the floor of our car. At least they have company there!
April 15, 2009
Times Like These
Ah my spirited, mischievous little children. Well the youngest two at least. I know I will look back on these times of mischief and mayhem someday, but in real time, it can be a tad stressful. For mummy. How do I keep the balance between laughing at their boldness to tearing my hair out strand by strand.
They get up to all sorts of devilish things, usually when big sister (who tries her best to keep them in line) is busy or at nannas. Just today for instance, I couldn't figure out why the hidden chocolate stash was diminishing, until they tore past me all secretive and sticky.
I do supervise them of course, but in the blink of an eye, or a phone call things like this can happen:-
They drink 4 bottles of coke zero and hide the evidence under their beds. Then they won't go to bed til all hours of the night whilst on a caffiene high.
They strip naked and cover themselves in fresh mud from the recent lovely rain.
They tell me they are eating cheesey men, but are in fact devouring chocolate fredo frogs, and hiding the wrappers under the loungechair.
They pump hair conditioner from a very handy pump action bottle all over the shower floor, and toilet seat, which I discover when sitting for a slippery wee.
Oh yes, I want to remember these times of chaos, because they are only little once, and they grow up too fast, and at least they are being creative and using their brains blah blah blah. I just love them all to BITS XX
They get up to all sorts of devilish things, usually when big sister (who tries her best to keep them in line) is busy or at nannas. Just today for instance, I couldn't figure out why the hidden chocolate stash was diminishing, until they tore past me all secretive and sticky.
I do supervise them of course, but in the blink of an eye, or a phone call things like this can happen:-
They drink 4 bottles of coke zero and hide the evidence under their beds. Then they won't go to bed til all hours of the night whilst on a caffiene high.
They strip naked and cover themselves in fresh mud from the recent lovely rain.
They tell me they are eating cheesey men, but are in fact devouring chocolate fredo frogs, and hiding the wrappers under the loungechair.
They pump hair conditioner from a very handy pump action bottle all over the shower floor, and toilet seat, which I discover when sitting for a slippery wee.
Oh yes, I want to remember these times of chaos, because they are only little once, and they grow up too fast, and at least they are being creative and using their brains blah blah blah. I just love them all to BITS XX
April 14, 2009
Chance Meeting
We met with our man this morning. We took the kids. They were feral. There was nothing to bribe them with (last week it was the circus and bad behaviour = staying home) but it was nada today. So they got bored, and noisy. Our work got done, in between threats and stern silent looks.
We have officially finished the floor plan. Today we changed the opening to the theatre room to fit bi fold doors, and changed the roof pitch. Our man printed out the plan for us to dream about over the next few days. The plan looks wonderful. I love it. I love my kid free craft room. I love how our parents retreat is over to one side. I love how the living areas are in the middle of the house and the bedrooms, bathrooms and office are on the other side. It's a great plan. I am DREAMING of the house being built to this plan.
Our man is to contact our original engineer this week and set up a meeting. He will, I suppose want to see the build site, and finalise all the extras so we can submit to council. Then the fun begins. Which brings me to something amazing that happened last week.
I took Miss D to ballet and planned on taking the other two to the mall for icecream. By their behaviour during the 5 minute ballet stop, I thought there was no way in hell we were going anywhere near a crowd. I took them to a park instead, one we haven't been to before. There was a lady there with some kids, and we chatted while swing pushing. In the amount of time it takes to scratch ones bum, I found out this:
* She was building a new house, to start after Easter.
* Her builder was fabulous.
* Her builder has nothing on after her build.
* Her builder was reasonably priced, and was the only one to get back to her.
* Her builder has a house recently finished 5 minutes from our farm with his sign still there.
"OMG" I said. This was interesting information since I was actually looking for a builder. I rang him when I got home and he is phoning me after Easter.
Later that day, I drove past the house, which looked great. A few days later, the hubbster and the kids waited in the truck, while I tried to gain the owners attention (big dog in yard, so I yelled from the fence). The lovely owner came out, and after I explained why I was there, she most profusely took me in and showed me her beautiful home.
It was amazing. So many similarities to what we are wanting to build. She couldn't speak highly enough about the builder. Of course we will get three quotes but from a chance meeting in a park to getting a good lead, I feel this is a great start.
We have officially finished the floor plan. Today we changed the opening to the theatre room to fit bi fold doors, and changed the roof pitch. Our man printed out the plan for us to dream about over the next few days. The plan looks wonderful. I love it. I love my kid free craft room. I love how our parents retreat is over to one side. I love how the living areas are in the middle of the house and the bedrooms, bathrooms and office are on the other side. It's a great plan. I am DREAMING of the house being built to this plan.
Our man is to contact our original engineer this week and set up a meeting. He will, I suppose want to see the build site, and finalise all the extras so we can submit to council. Then the fun begins. Which brings me to something amazing that happened last week.
I took Miss D to ballet and planned on taking the other two to the mall for icecream. By their behaviour during the 5 minute ballet stop, I thought there was no way in hell we were going anywhere near a crowd. I took them to a park instead, one we haven't been to before. There was a lady there with some kids, and we chatted while swing pushing. In the amount of time it takes to scratch ones bum, I found out this:
* She was building a new house, to start after Easter.
* Her builder was fabulous.
* Her builder has nothing on after her build.
* Her builder was reasonably priced, and was the only one to get back to her.
* Her builder has a house recently finished 5 minutes from our farm with his sign still there.
"OMG" I said. This was interesting information since I was actually looking for a builder. I rang him when I got home and he is phoning me after Easter.
Later that day, I drove past the house, which looked great. A few days later, the hubbster and the kids waited in the truck, while I tried to gain the owners attention (big dog in yard, so I yelled from the fence). The lovely owner came out, and after I explained why I was there, she most profusely took me in and showed me her beautiful home.
It was amazing. So many similarities to what we are wanting to build. She couldn't speak highly enough about the builder. Of course we will get three quotes but from a chance meeting in a park to getting a good lead, I feel this is a great start.
Kid talk
My son and I were playing a competitive game of handball today, and as the girls were busy at the computer (http://www.barbie.com/) I thought it a good time to have a chat. As he is sports crazy, and a health nut already, it went a bit like this:-
me: Why do you like sports so much?
him: Because I do
me: But why?
him: Because I just do (this went on for a few more rounds until)
him: Sports makes you healthy, and not fat and makes you run really fast
me: Okay right ... (that got me thinking)
me: Do you think mummy is healthy? (already knowing that I need to lose 5 kilos)
him: Well, yes you are healthy ... except when you drink coke zero or hawaiian (meaning wine)
me: (remembering last week when he was punching my belly saying how bouncy it was!) Honey you can have things like that sometimes, remember when you have chocolate or icecream, just sometimes?
him: Aw yeah right (grin on his face)
I'm happy with that. I didn't have any hawaiian tonight.
me: Why do you like sports so much?
him: Because I do
me: But why?
him: Because I just do (this went on for a few more rounds until)
him: Sports makes you healthy, and not fat and makes you run really fast
me: Okay right ... (that got me thinking)
me: Do you think mummy is healthy? (already knowing that I need to lose 5 kilos)
him: Well, yes you are healthy ... except when you drink coke zero or hawaiian (meaning wine)
me: (remembering last week when he was punching my belly saying how bouncy it was!) Honey you can have things like that sometimes, remember when you have chocolate or icecream, just sometimes?
him: Aw yeah right (grin on his face)
I'm happy with that. I didn't have any hawaiian tonight.
April 11, 2009
Good, Good Friday
As today was Good Friday, we had to reluctantly drag along the kids to the meeting with our man. What were we going to do with them for 2 hours? As it turned out, they were on their best behaviour (blackmailed beyond belief with the threat of cancelling the circus later that day).
They happily watched ABC Kids and were totally entertained as we have totally cut back their tv time (see previous post re kids acting like robots). So we spent a good 2.5 hours discussing our house plans.
Today we did the layouts for the kitchen, the bathrooms and the laundry. All subject to change. We usually print out the plan, take it home for a few days, make any changes and take it back. It's so exciting to see our house taking shape, and it's much easier for me to understand what the finished product will be, as sometimes I just can't seem to get inside the hubbsters head. I mean, HE knows what's going on, but without it planned on paper I can't see "the vision".
They happily watched ABC Kids and were totally entertained as we have totally cut back their tv time (see previous post re kids acting like robots). So we spent a good 2.5 hours discussing our house plans.
Today we did the layouts for the kitchen, the bathrooms and the laundry. All subject to change. We usually print out the plan, take it home for a few days, make any changes and take it back. It's so exciting to see our house taking shape, and it's much easier for me to understand what the finished product will be, as sometimes I just can't seem to get inside the hubbsters head. I mean, HE knows what's going on, but without it planned on paper I can't see "the vision".
10 years ago today
10 years ago today I was:-
Being pampered at the hairdressers in my home clothes, only to run to the car in a veil and headpiece, with people ohhing and ahhing as I passed.
Having my makeup done so meticulously that one must call me Miss Glamorous.
Posing in my underwear for private photos.
Drinking numerous glasses of bubbly to "calm the nerves".
Wondering if the prank phone calls from the yet to be hubbster were true, or just ha ha attempts to piss me off.
Hoping the weather would clear and the fine mist of rain would stop (which it did for the ceremony).
Feeling like a princess in my gown with the train so long it needed to be folded up twice.
Drinking copious amounts of double malibu and coke to get drunk on my wedding day, but alas it was going nowhere.
Trying to sit on the toilet with the biggest wedding gown ever invented.
Dancing and drinking cocktails with my new husband at a nightclub after our wedding.
Making out with the hubbster in the back of the maxicab, whilst our drunken happy group politely tried not to notice.
Delirously happy to finally be married after so many years.
Happy 10th Wedding Anniversary to my wonderful, patient, kind hearted, longsuffering husband. You know who you are ...
Being pampered at the hairdressers in my home clothes, only to run to the car in a veil and headpiece, with people ohhing and ahhing as I passed.
Having my makeup done so meticulously that one must call me Miss Glamorous.
Posing in my underwear for private photos.
Drinking numerous glasses of bubbly to "calm the nerves".
Wondering if the prank phone calls from the yet to be hubbster were true, or just ha ha attempts to piss me off.
Hoping the weather would clear and the fine mist of rain would stop (which it did for the ceremony).
Feeling like a princess in my gown with the train so long it needed to be folded up twice.
Drinking copious amounts of double malibu and coke to get drunk on my wedding day, but alas it was going nowhere.
Trying to sit on the toilet with the biggest wedding gown ever invented.
Dancing and drinking cocktails with my new husband at a nightclub after our wedding.
Making out with the hubbster in the back of the maxicab, whilst our drunken happy group politely tried not to notice.
Delirously happy to finally be married after so many years.
Happy 10th Wedding Anniversary to my wonderful, patient, kind hearted, longsuffering husband. You know who you are ...
April 9, 2009
April 7, 2009
French doors and windows are plotted!
So the hubbster met with our man today to plot the french doors and windows on the plan (or at least on the computer). It's such a step by step process, more involved than I initially thought. So things are really starting to take shape. The walls will be added to the plan next, and on Friday we meet again to discuss the kitchen. And bathroom. All three of them.
April 5, 2009
Life goes on.
So it's been a few days since our little beagle left us. I have moments of clarity when I know it's for the best, and I actually feel okay. Then it's like "fuck it, I miss her, why can't she be here, happy, healthy and chewing on things like she used to. I feed the chooks everyday and water Girlies tree, and chat to her. It's all a bit sad, really.
But life goes on. Our other beagle Toto was awake the other night crying, panting and acting in an agitated state. I just wonder does she realise her sister is gone. Not that they really were together in the end. Old age and general crankiness had set in between them so we kept them apart mostly. They did, however lay together in the sun most days.
Right, the house. Or the faceless house. We are really moving forward and getting oh so excited. We have decided on the floor plan, our guy will be plotting the windows and french doors this week, then the walls will go in. All on computer of course. With a push of a button amazing things happen. A wall is removed, the shape of a room is changed, computers have made things so much easier. Our guy still works on a drafting board, which I kinda like. Old school if you will.
I really like him. He knows what he is doing and I am confident we are headed in the right direction. The hubbster brings home the printed plan and studies it for hours. I need to find a builder. We want the frame up by the end of winter. Time is ticking away.
But life goes on. Our other beagle Toto was awake the other night crying, panting and acting in an agitated state. I just wonder does she realise her sister is gone. Not that they really were together in the end. Old age and general crankiness had set in between them so we kept them apart mostly. They did, however lay together in the sun most days.
Right, the house. Or the faceless house. We are really moving forward and getting oh so excited. We have decided on the floor plan, our guy will be plotting the windows and french doors this week, then the walls will go in. All on computer of course. With a push of a button amazing things happen. A wall is removed, the shape of a room is changed, computers have made things so much easier. Our guy still works on a drafting board, which I kinda like. Old school if you will.
I really like him. He knows what he is doing and I am confident we are headed in the right direction. The hubbster brings home the printed plan and studies it for hours. I need to find a builder. We want the frame up by the end of winter. Time is ticking away.
April 3, 2009
The Life and Times of Girlie
I can hardly see the screen through my tears. I have an overwhelming ache in my belly that is making me feel sick. I am just so sad.
Today we had to put our little beagle dog to sleep. Girlie. She and her sister Toto are 14.5 years old. A good innings, some would say. It doesn't really make it any easier today. It was time. Girlie was losing her balance and falling over and hurting her little nose and mouth. Her spirit had gone. She wasn't making a sound, no barking, or crying. She never complained but she was in pain.
I can't imagine not having her around. Each time I see something that reminds me of her, like her lead attached to the fence where she layed in the sun yesterday, I feel this ache again. Some say she is only a dog, but she was my baby before my children were born. We bought her home when she was 5 weeks old, the cutest puppy with the long beagle ears.
Girlie and Toto had their share of mischief over the years. Things that come to mind and make me smile - just a bit are:-
1 The day before our wedding, these two bad beagles ate the hubbsters late grandmothers wedding and engagement rings. We had to wait, then to "find them".
2 The day after our wedding, they both came in and helped themselves to the wedding cake. The bottom tier had paw scratch marks all over it.
3 As puppies, we came home from work one day to find all my potplants completely destroyed and the plant racks, and stucco from the walls - chewed.
4 All my work high heeled shoes were chewed beyond recognition, frequently.
5 We went on a beagle hunt one day on a farm with numerous pure bred beagles chasing rabbits and foxes. As ours were of the "cheaper" variety, they led the chase all the way and left the other purebreds in their wake.
6We took them both to puppy pre school and were told that they were "neurotic"
We just buried her and planted a poinciana tree ontop of her. She had one where we lived before moving to the farm. The kids did goodbye notes and pictures and we put those in with her.
These two bold beagles had their share of good times. Camping, fishing in the boat, exploring islands, farms and beaches. Chasing rabbits and foxes in the paddocks years ago. Swimming across the river to explore the rocks. Laying in the sunshine on our farm. Being totally and utterly spoilt rotten. They have even been in an airplane. Their life has been good. I wonder does Toto understand what has happened? She is not in the best of health, but she seems still happy and "with it". I suppose her day will come too, and we will go through this again.
People always identified the hubbster and I as "oh you have those two beagles". It almost seems like the end of an era. I feel lost and part of me is missing now.
Enough of morbid. I celebrate her life, Girlie 28/11/94 - 2/4/09.
Today we had to put our little beagle dog to sleep. Girlie. She and her sister Toto are 14.5 years old. A good innings, some would say. It doesn't really make it any easier today. It was time. Girlie was losing her balance and falling over and hurting her little nose and mouth. Her spirit had gone. She wasn't making a sound, no barking, or crying. She never complained but she was in pain.
I can't imagine not having her around. Each time I see something that reminds me of her, like her lead attached to the fence where she layed in the sun yesterday, I feel this ache again. Some say she is only a dog, but she was my baby before my children were born. We bought her home when she was 5 weeks old, the cutest puppy with the long beagle ears.
Girlie and Toto had their share of mischief over the years. Things that come to mind and make me smile - just a bit are:-
1 The day before our wedding, these two bad beagles ate the hubbsters late grandmothers wedding and engagement rings. We had to wait, then to "find them".
2 The day after our wedding, they both came in and helped themselves to the wedding cake. The bottom tier had paw scratch marks all over it.
3 As puppies, we came home from work one day to find all my potplants completely destroyed and the plant racks, and stucco from the walls - chewed.
4 All my work high heeled shoes were chewed beyond recognition, frequently.
5 We went on a beagle hunt one day on a farm with numerous pure bred beagles chasing rabbits and foxes. As ours were of the "cheaper" variety, they led the chase all the way and left the other purebreds in their wake.
6We took them both to puppy pre school and were told that they were "neurotic"
We just buried her and planted a poinciana tree ontop of her. She had one where we lived before moving to the farm. The kids did goodbye notes and pictures and we put those in with her.
These two bold beagles had their share of good times. Camping, fishing in the boat, exploring islands, farms and beaches. Chasing rabbits and foxes in the paddocks years ago. Swimming across the river to explore the rocks. Laying in the sunshine on our farm. Being totally and utterly spoilt rotten. They have even been in an airplane. Their life has been good. I wonder does Toto understand what has happened? She is not in the best of health, but she seems still happy and "with it". I suppose her day will come too, and we will go through this again.
People always identified the hubbster and I as "oh you have those two beagles". It almost seems like the end of an era. I feel lost and part of me is missing now.
Enough of morbid. I celebrate her life, Girlie 28/11/94 - 2/4/09.
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