Chores Again?

Two years I decided it was about time we had a kids chore chart in the house!  My word for 2014 was Organise, and as hubby and I were both working, and the kids had lots of activities on, I really needed to come up with a plan so that the weekly chaos wouldn't take over our lives.

I also wanted the kids to know that we all, as a family, are responsible for the running of the household, and despite their childish thoughts on the matter, I was indeed no ones maid!

A couple of things finally pushed me over the edge, enough to see me running down to KMart to buy a huge whiteboard for the wall, and various coloured markers.

Scenarios like this for instance:-

We would have a relaxing dinner, I'd leave hubby and the kids chatting at the table while I quickly turned the washing machine on.  Moments later I'd return and the place would be deserted think scenes from a movie where the chairs are knocked over in the haste of getting away.  Although MY chairs were not in disarray, the kids had hotfooted it in the hope of getting out of clearing the table and doing the dishes!

The Husband would be gone as well.

Many times they would ninja away, and protest when I found them, as if they had not even sat at the table spilling sauce on my tablecloth only moments before!

Or this:-

I'd give each child one job to do, just one. I'd get down to their level, speak slowly and clearly and happily inform them that they are on broom duty, or they are doing the dishes, or folding the washing. I'd always be calm at that stage because I wasn't asking them to wash the car or work out in the hot sun, so they were quite capable of doing these jobs.

Well, if one kid thought the other was getting a better deal, it was on! They would argue for the time it took to actually do the chores, and I'd be frazzled and not calm because the shit wasn't getting done and someone was crying and someone else said they didn't know how to use a broom the same kid who swore she didn't like corn, after eating it nearly every day for five years.....

Yep, fun times.

So something had to be done. Obviously verbal communication wasn't working so I started to write things down.  If I was working on the weekend, I'd leave them a cute little note with instructions on what they had to do, by 5pm that day. Happy notes, always with hearts that I'm sure made a difference when they were running around getting everything done at 4.45pm. This worked for a while but I think they thought I wasn't serious...too many hearts.

My notes became firmer, with no hearts but clear instructions on what was expected.  I really like this note, obviously written with clenched teeth not calm.

But again, there would be arguments about who was doing what, or who had the best job, and so on. The whiteboard idea came to me in a flash of brilliance one night, while I was wide awake at 2am wondering how to bring peace and order to our house without letting them win!

And it worked!  I hung the whiteboard in the mudroom with the kids names and the days written down, and EXACTLY what each child was responsible for that day.  I rotated the jobs so it was very fair so those who were scared of the broom had to toughen up and learn how to use it, because it was their turn next week! They did the same chores for the entire week, then they would change and do something else, so it was fair and organised.

I think the key was that they needed to see what they were responsible for, and also how much I appreciated their help.  I started three little jars for pocket money but that didn't really work so I made sure they had occasional monetary rewards for school tuckshop or itunes cards.

I also make sure I praise them, and tell them how grateful I am when I come home and their school bags are unpacked and their shoes are put away. It doesn't take much for everyone to help and to be responsible for their own belongings.

I haven't been using the chore chart this term, and the cracks are starting to show.  The whiteboard now has graffiti and I'm tripping over a pile of shoes right in the doorway.  It's time to get tough again!

Do your kids do jobs? Do they get pocket money? Can they use a broom?

Tell me!

Farmers Wifey xo

Camp Time Again

I have a little confession to make.

Sometimes when I go shopping, I stop in the baby aisle and smell the Johnsons's Baby Shampoo because it reminds me of when my children were newborns.

Ah, the sweet memories.

Fast forward to today.

My little guy went on school camp this morning.  A week in the big city, doing fun kid things, visiting fun kid places and doing all sorts of cool activities. When I went on my school trip, I was in Grade 10 and we went camping in the bush, doing exciting things said no one ever like orienteering and bush tucker cooking.

These kids today are in Grade 6, not even in high school and they are spending a week in the city, staying at amazing places and eating at restaurants!

It was a year ago that my eldest daughter went on camp, and I can remember my tummy butterflies as I waved her off on the bus!  My friends and I stalked facebook for the week, waiting for photos of our kids to see what they were doing.  She hadn't been away from me for so long, and I was anxious, but I didn't need to be, as she came back with wonderful stories of what they did and saw.

She seemed to have grown up so much in the space of a week.  I cried when the bus left last year, and yes, this emotional mush cried again this morning.

Happy tears.

I know that my son will have a great time, but I miss him already! 

I hope he doesn't spend all of his money on xbox games, and I hope the lid on his drink bottle is done up tight.

I hope he wears a good shirt out to dinner tonight, and he doesn't fall off the top bed bunk in the cabin. 

He has the coolest new backpack, it's from a tv show called Adventure Time. It's about a dog called Jake, and my three kids were so excited to find this backpack with a doggy hood. I pleaded with my son to choose another backpack because I thought this one looked stupid.

 
The kids looked at me like I was stupid.

"Don't you know that's JAKE THE DOG......MUM?????"

We bought the backpack.

Now excuse me, I must go. I've got shopping to do and it includes a visit to the baby aisle!

Farmer's Wifey xo

Free Time

 

I am really enjoying these school holidays.  Because I'm not working as much, I have time....free time to enjoy with the kids in the sunshine.

So what have we been doing?

Hanging out in the Library once a week! Yes, we are library snobs, in the nicest possible way. I book the computers for the kids, I enjoy a cup of tea from the tea and coffee cart Wednesdays and Fridays from 9.30 am.

We take out books, dvds and magazines and replace them the next week.  We are now regulars.  I like that!

So what else?

Fishing and crabbing in the boat :: Cinemas :: Picnics in the park :: Kids over for sleepovers :: Shopping :: Lunching :: Trampoling ::  Bushwalks :: Visits to Nanny and Poppy :: Eisteddfod gazing :: Rodeo :: Chess :: Horse Riding :: Lego :: Sleep ins :: Lazy mornings and even lazier afternoons :: Afternoon siestas :: Dvd nights curled up on the couch :: Quad and motor bike riding :: Xbox :: Cooking :: Cuddles :: Family time ::

We've even spring cleaned the kids bedrooms, cleaned and uncluttered and dusted and organised!

No stress.  No deadlines.  Just free time.

My heart is happy.

Get Outside, Kids!

 

 

I've had a very productive day today. I cleaned the kitchen.

It's fun and games here people! I've gone into a crazy, spring cleaning frenzy and decided to start with the kitchen, doing a deep clean which was needed.

You know, getting into those hidden spots that don't get alot of attention! My kitchen is now sparkling, and if anyone explodes anything in the microwave oven, they will be in trouble.

Today is the first day of school holidays.  Two weeks of fun and frivolity.

I've already confiscated the kids Ipods, Xbox, dvd players and anything else technology related. Yes the first day has been a hoot!

The kids have been, as we like to call it, acting ugly.  A bit of whining here, a raised voice there.  I take an ipod away, the kid plugs in a music usb stick.  I take that away, the same kid plays loud cds. I take the cds away and pass her a broom, see, fun and games!

I wonder could I do a technology free holiday, I don't think so, I'd probably go mad! I think the trick is to limit their xbox time and get their little personalities outside!  Which is what they did this afternoon. They packed drinks and snacks and headed off down the paddock to the fruit trees, where they picked the remaining mandarins and oranges.

As I like to keep an eye on them when they are walking around the farm, I used the biniculars to find them down at the flying fox over the dam, sitting on the cement wall eating Nutrigrain!

This photo is from 2011, they love this space!  As do I!  It's very peaceful and beautiful, with a little creek running through the trees.

It's a great place to explore.

May The Force Fight The Dust

I bought myself a present the other day.  I had wanted one for so long and wondered how I ever did without it!

Do you own a feather duster?  You know, the one with the long retractable handle if your'e lucky to reach up to the high spots and the soft, fluffy part on the end?

Mum had one when I was a kid, but I don't think hers had the retractable handle. I've been fluttering around this week with my new feather duster, cleaning here and there and removing dust, which in the country there's plenty of!

Here's the thing.  My kids have the ability to turn any household item into something in reference to Star Wars.  Or Minecraft. Or some medieval style story. 

Buy a new broom?  Kids break it in half (accidently) and use as swords. 

Buy a fitball?  Son tapes Lego over it and uses it as the Death Star.

Buy a feather duster?  Guess what happens..........

The kids decide to chase around the house tickling each other with the soft fluffy end.  After several warnings to stop or you'll break it and why don't you actually dust something I hear a big snap and then silence.

"Mum, the feather duster is broken".

Another one bites the dust. Pun intended.

Ten minutes later, the feather duster magically reappears taped together with a note explaining that this is the perfect double bladed lightsaber.

Who am I to argue.  They're almost identical.

Family Survival Kit

Our family survival kit consists of:-

String - to tie things together in case everything falls apart.

Puzzle Piece - to remind you that you are an important piece in the journey of your child.

Cotton Ball - for times when you can't hear yourself think.

Rubber Band - to stretch yourself beyond your limits.

Candle - to always light a positive path for your child to travel.

Marbles - to replace any you might lose.

Eraser - so you can always start each day with a clean slate.

Band Aid - to fix hurt feelings.

Teabag - to remind you to take the time to relax at the end of a long, hard day.

Velcro - for when you need to get a grip (this one is for the teenage years)

Mintie - to remind you that your job as parents is worth a mint.

That's all we really need.........

Love my Family ♥

What does this photo tell you?


A) There are no school notes, dancing notes, book lists, football game draws, tuck shop price lists, excursion slips, birthday party invitations so the year is nearly over and we can relax? Or

B) This weeks instructions for the family while I worked full time?

If you chose A) and B) you are right!

I was so glad to remove all of the school and sports paperwork from our noticeboard because during the last school term, it was overflowing.

I have such a sense of relief now it is clear.

And I've worked long hours all week and The Hubbster has been entertaining the kids.

I came home today and was thrilled to see that 4/4 of the jobs have been done!

100 percent completed!

I really appreciate my family looking after me by helping me with things while I am working.

Fish and Chips for tea everyone!!!

Davy May - 12 years.

David Joseph May

31/5/1938 - 16/10/1999

Miss you like crazy, Dad...

Mama Kat's Writer's Workshop

3) On a piece of paper write down something that makes you happy...take a photo of your paper and wa la...there's your post.

The statement above makes me so happy. It's our family motto....

And it's so true.

Our life is blessed. If we are eating a delicious lunch in the park..in the sunshine, someone will say this.....

If the kids are riding their bikes without a care in the world...it will be said.

It's the simple things......

For Clara

The service for my Nanna was held in our beautiful Cathedral.

This is where my parents were married, where I was christened and confirmed, and where my fathers funeral was held.

It was also where I sat one rainy afternoon, a couple of days after my dad had died, looking for some kind of comfort at the most distressing time.

It's beautiful inside. And cold.

The church was full for Nannas' service. I moved to the microphone to support my cousin who was reading the eulogy.

We walked outside into the grey skies and the rain. I watched as my mother mourned for her mother.

That invisible cord that bound them together was no more.

My job for the day was supporting her.

I hugged my cousins and my aunts and uncles. The priest said to me "there is alot of you, isn't there".

I secretly smiled because that statement had so much power.

We have a big family. We have gone our separate ways. But we come together in times like this for each other.

It rained at the cemetery and it was so sad. I looked down at Nannas coffin, lowered in the ground and hoped she wasn't too cold.

She layed next to her husband in peace.

I held it together most of the day. I cried when I said my final goodbye as I dropped a red rose into the ground.

And when her Elvis was played, I came undone.

Travelling Again

I'm back at Sydney Airport. The third time in 10 weeks.

You'd think I would now be a seasoned traveller. But alas I'm just a country hick.

I've forgotten my toothbrush, my deodorant, my long black socks, the headphones for my Ipod and my blingy headband I wanted to wear tommorrow.

I'm obviously going shopping in the morning.

Unfortunately this trip is not a happy blogging experience. My sweet, gentle Nanna has passed away at the age of 92. I'm heading home for her funeral and a reunion that will be epic.

You see, I have a very big family. Mum has 2 sisters and 3 brothers. And I have so many cousins, possibly millions. And they have partners and kids ecetera.

I can't remember the last time we were all together. I mean all of us. Possibly when Pop died and that was over 20 years ago.

It's such a bittersweet reason for all of us to be together. I wish it was a more of a happy time...

But I kind of think how happy Nanna would be knowing HER family are all together.

I'm really missing my kids today. I've felt a bit teary all day, seeing little ones with their parents at the airport and at the train station.

I suppose it has to do with the reason for this trip.

It's nice to get away, but I can't wait to get home to them ♥

My good Good Friday

I found my Nirvana today (any place of complete bliss and delight and peace.)

You may remember from my recent posts how stressed and busy and rushed I have been feeling.

This week has been a little different.

No lunchboxes to prepare. No after school activities to rush to. I did work two 9 hour days at work but even so, I've felt...different.

We had the most amazing day today.

The Hubbster took the kids and I to the shooting range where he sighted his rifles in for the shoot on Sunday, whilst the kids and I sat in the shade of a big gum tree and took turns riding the quad bike through the good old Australian bush.

We ate mini muffins for morning tea and the weather was oh.so.perfect.

For lunch we drove into town and had fish and chips.

I dare not eat meat today (not only out of respect for Our Lord but because my mother who lives two days drive away would know as soon as I placed a morsel of steak in my mouth!)

We came home and watched an awesome kids dvd in the air conditioning.

My son and I then enjoyed a rollicking game of basketball and I think I may have beaten him but I can't be sure because he likes to make up his own rules as we play....

And it gets better!

I enjoyed a glass of wine while watching The Bold and the Beautiful.

I can't remember the last time I did this - I think it was at the beginning of Term 4 last year, which shows that my life has been crazy even since then.

4.30 pm was MY TIME. The kids knew to go and play for that 1/2 hour while I enjoyed one of my favourite shows......

I really miss this.

And I want it again.

We all played tennis while the sun went down, the girls against the boys, we lost a few balls over the fence and I think I may have been Man of the Match.

And the most special blissful moment in my good Good Friday, was cuddling Miss T(aged 6) to sleep after singing lullabies with the scent of her freshly washed hair invading my senses.....





I didn't get my walks this week. We spent three days in Bundaberg for the Eisteddfod and I worked two very full days....

But I did play basketball with my son and tennis with my family.

And I felt relaxed and .....different....

And hopeful and positive.

I weigh exactly the same as I did last week..so I have neither gained nor lost.

How was your week?

Dad - 11 years today

This morning I took the kids to The Coffee Club where they enjoyed pancakes with icecream and maple syrup and I really enjoyed chilli chocolate cake and a cup of English Breakfast Tea.

Quite the contrast to this day 11 years ago when I sat on the back steps of our house, cuddling my two beagles, after receiving the phone call about the death of my Dad.

The world turned, and people went about their day, oblivious to the inner chaos that I felt. I always wonder about that, how one can be in such pain and everyone around them just doesn't feel it.......

But life goes on, doesn't it....

Take a breath Farmers Wifey

Could my life get much busier? I could always get a full time job and then I'd be completely screwed.

I thought I'd bring you my "two weeks of hell on a stick that I should be enjoying" or "stuff that makes me drink too much wine" just to prove how busy I am.

I'll post in point form and remember people - some on this list I have done, some I have yet to do, and some I have done three times.

I'll date it from last Wed to next Wed which should be two weeks, which sounds like it's only one week but it's really two if you read the fine print...

football training

blogging

play practice for Miss D's musical

dress rehearsal for Miss D's musical

3 kids dental appointment

last game of football for Mr C

football presentation

apply, remove and apply nail polish to both daughters nails

embarass Miss D (aged 9) on numerous occasions by actually doing nothing

drink wine on the deck of The Money Pit with The Hubbster watching the sunset

threaten Miss D if she doesn't put her hat on at the football presentation, I will stand next to her at the jumping castle (see above re embarrass)

have sex with The Hubbster

chase dressmaker re Miss D's new dance costume

run around at the last minute to buy a present for a kids birthday party

break up numerous fights between the kids involving blocks, barbies and basketball

second visit back to the dentist for one kid to have 2 small fillings (oh the horror)

attend Miss D's school musical

refuse to pay $50.00 for a flimsy, fluffy hair and makeup box for the Eisteddfod, and instead buy a $20.00 fishing tackle box that is perfect, and pat myself on the back for thinking outside the square

go to a kids birthday party

treatment on Miss D's bum length hair so I can actually get a comb through it

take Mr C to Auskick

realise he's obsessed with football

kid wrangle 3 kids while sorting out dance costumes at the dance shop

have sex with The Hubbster as we forgot before

attend one kids' school Environmental Display

carry a dead chicken up the back of the property and throw it onto an ant hill

have a mammogram

walk the boundary of the property with The Hubbster in the middle of the day (for exercise (torture)) and sweat my arse off

sew straps on two dance leotards

play Barbies on the floor with the girls and sulk when I have to be the maid (reflection of daily life perhaps?)

sew snowflakes on organza

get my period

remove lightening bolts from lycra leggings *sigh*

go to work

threaten the chooks with the axe if they don't start laying

find one egg the next day

finally return overdue dvds and paid the big fine of $2.60

realise that's a better amount than my last overdue fine of $154 (clerical error)

coordinate 10 different dance costumes

coordinate 10 different lots of accessories including hair stuff, shoes, stockings, makeup, arm bands and hair ribbons

coordinate 3 noisy kids while coordinating the above

try not to stress at the Eisteddfod during the 10 performances Miss D will be dancing in..........

hug, kiss and tell my kids how much I love them every day.....

Happy Birthday Dad.

Happy Birthday to my dear old Dad. I miss you.

31/05/1938 - 16/10/1999

Sir Cliff Richard and The Shadows

I just had the most amazing experience. On Thursday, my mum in law and I travelled to Brisbane to see this show... You may remember I wrote about it here.Sir Cliff Richard and The Shadows were truly amazing. I remember listening to The Shadows when I was little, as they were my dads favourite band. I can still remember Hank Marvins glasses and the fact that they didn't sing. Much.

Thursday nights concert was overwhelmingly good. They did play Wonderful Land and Atlantis, the two songs that we played at dads funeral and I can tell you, the lump in my throat and the tears in my eyes took me back to when I was a child listening to these songs with dad.

The funny thing is, I didn't really know alot about Sir Cliff Richard, only that he was a singer of ballads and I didn't really equate him with The Shadows. BUT now I realise what a rocker he was. He was wonderful. He came on first in a pink jacket, and four more costume changes led him to a gorgeous white suit. He really surprised me.

The Entertainment Centre was sold out, and The Hubbster made several jokes that I would be the youngest person there....he wasn't far off the mark. Remember, these guys are in their late 60's...

The thing I loved about the concert was that they enjoyed themselves, and it showed. After each song, Hank Marvin would throw his head back and laugh, and they smiled and smiled and had a blast. They talked to the audience, joked about their age and their hair colour and interacted with the crowd which made us love them even more.

They have nothing to prove. They are here for a good time. They have done the hard yards, and now they reap the awards. They are here to entertain. And they have taken me back to my childhood and to my father and to the memories that are etched in my heart.

Back to Reality

Mum went home today. I hate it when we have to say goodbye. We always get teary and it's awful, and depressing afterwards.

But we appreciate that she can visit, even though it's only for a week at a time. She's such a hard worker, she doesn't stop. She was supposed to be here relaxing and taking a break, but we woke on her last morning to this:-


She had finished all of my washing, that had been literally overflowing from these baskets for weeks as I struggled with a family who go through more costume changes than an awards ceromony presenter. In fact my 7 year old son is the worst, he would change his clothes at least 3 times a day, and matey that's gonna stop in 2010! Just warning you now if you read this. Which he won't, sorry I digress and ramble.....

Anyway, she did all of my washing, we shopped, did lunch with the kids, drove around the property, and settled on the couch every night with our tv, our chocolate and our magazines.

School goes back in two weeks time. So after the big Christmas rush it's now time for the big Back To School Rush, commonly known as the Let's Give The Retailers Some More Of The Money We Don't Have Rush. It's very expensive to send kids to school these days. I have three so its three times everything, mostly. New school bags, lunchboxes, textbooks and stationery, as well as uniforms for Miss T who will be starting Prep this year.

Once the kids are back at school and settled, I will be officially starting my part time job, and we can really get stuck into the house and get things moving on that front. The order of jobs to be done is:-

Oil the deck

Paint the house exterior

Line the verandah soffits

Then either start on the electrical and plumbing rough in OR

Build the exterior stairs and verandah railings.

Then we will be about 3/8 closer to moving in. So you see, we still have SO much to do before even considering living there, and I am getting antsy and impatient but I just have to wait. It's hard living in a crappy shed with our house right next door.

The guinea babies are doing well, except for the stiff one on the bottom of the cage this morning. She's obviously having a bad day!!

I don't really know what happened to this one, she was acting sick and lethargic yesterday and was gone this morning. So we have 14 babies, that I am trying to sell, I'll keep half and sell the rest.

I still haven't had any alcohol so I'm sticking to my game plan. Instead, I'm consuming disgusting amounts of cadburys chocolate, with the odd Tim Tam thrown in. Which defeats the purpose of getting fit and healthy and losing those stubborn 5 kilos. Like all things, I'll just wait til the kids go back to school and then I'll really start. That's what I'm telling myself anyway!

Yay for some help!

QUICK! Gotta clean. Mothers coming.......


Of course, this is what I look like every time I do shedwork.....

Dad - 10 years

Today it has been 10 years since I lost my crazy, wickedly funny, infuriating at times but loved beyond words....Dad. I will never forget how I felt - like I had lost a part of what had made me, never to be revisited.

Today I had feelings in my belly like when you are on a rollercoaster....I thought of him and I would feel a whoosh of air heading up to my face and I had to blink away tears. I thought of how funny he was, how his sense of humour was legendary, and of how at his funeral, members of various bikies gangs came wearing their colours...then disappeared without a sound.

He didn't meet my children, or see our farm, but I was so blessed to have someone as loving and compassionate and understanding as he was, for as long as I did. He was not often serious, but when I needed him, he was there.

I had a bad car accident in my 20's and when I rang him from the hospital, I remember how calm he was, telling me he was coming to get me. I didn't, however, understand how emotionally frightening it would have been for him, as I can appreciate now as I am a parent.

When I am stressed, I dream about him. I have a cassette tape (how eighties!) of him singing as he had a beautiful voice. It was one night with a friend who played guitar, and they decided to sing and tape themselves. He is talking and laughing and I don't listen to it often. I can't. It's too confronting.

Wherever you are, Dad, I hope you are not causing too much trouble, as you are a bit of a rogue, but remember how much we love you, and miss you everyday.

Show day... Great day

It was the show holiday today. The Hubbster was sleeping for night shift so instead of going to the show, and walking around in the dirt and dust for 4 hours, spending copious amounts of money on dirty rides, eating crappy greasy food, argueing with Miss D over why I won't give her $10.00 for a trampoline ride, controlling major tantrums that start after I refuse to buy showbags (my tantrum),...... we decided to go out to the Lake instead.

We go to the show every year. A couple of months ago we went to the Mt Larcom show which is a rural show and it was fantastic. Lots of animals to pat, cows to see, and old fashioned displays. And a handful of rides to keep the kids happy. A hamburger and icecream for lunch, and we were done. And the kids got showbags, the contents of which are no longer with us. So we don't need another show.

The Lake was wonderful. We took Nanny and Poppy out for a family day and had a picnic in the sunshine. The kids played in the park, I forgot my camera of course, we layed around on the grass and it was bliss. The kids got dirty and tired and we went home to a dvd to end the day.