To be successful I need to eat frogs.

Last night I bought a Kindle book called 'Eat that Frog' by Brian Tracy. Apparently it's a list maker's book, Alaine recommended it to me. It based on the premise that in order to be successful in life you need to eat the frogs first. This was based on something that Mark Twain said. If you eat a frog first thing in the morning the day can only get better. For us the frog I'd doing the task we dislike the most but will give us the best sense of achievement.

I started reading it this afternoon and am enjoying it. It works in really well with my one little word project for this year. This book is part of my journey for me to focus my energies not only to become more productive but to be better at what I currently do.

The bizarre thing is that while I find I can easily pinpoint my goals from a personal standpoint I am unable to figure out what I want to do work wise. In a nutshell I don't want to go out to work anymore. U enjoy working from home And organizing my life around what I do. On the other hand if I had something that was two days a week work, good money and I had school holidays. These jobs are rare. Oh that's right I have a job like that. I'm a teacher. But as with all jobs there are positives and negatives. The positives are, great money, I get to work with good people, I learn new skills. The negatives are I get rung up on e day I'm needed, and I may not be rung for weeks at a time, and yet I could lay money on the fact that the one day I've planned to go out or have a friend for lunch or a doctor's appointment is the day I get a call. Without fail!!!!! I also feel like I'm running on a facade of confidence as it's that which gets me through. I'm not experienced enough and certainly not experienced in special ed the area where I last worked and yet while I'm trusted I think it's more my age and attitude that makes the other staff members believe I'm quite capable. Basically I feel like I'm a fraud. I could study some more, but I don't have it in me anymore to do anymore uni study.

I enjoy variety in work, and I like being in charge of what and how I do things. That was great with teaching as there was no one over my shoulder telling me how to work. I've considered doing a course in Dreamweaver to build a new site for Daisys.

I love being a mother and a wife. That is my job and the only one I've had for this long. I enjoy making a home and taking care of my boys. And I know they appreciate what I do. I have job satisfaction galore. But the pay is crappy. I want mo money,but it's obviously not a strong enough motivator to get me into a 'proper job '.

I don't miss teaching at all. I was born in the wrong era for teaching. The entire system would need an overhaul before I considered teaching again. I can't cope with feral kids and the disrespect they bring. I don't want anything to do with that echelon of society. A terribly unchristian attitude from me I know but I'm interested in helping people who want help. Not someone who is going to fight me every step of the way.

My expectations are probably too high although it's a sad reflection on society if common courtesy, respect of your fellow man and manners are having too high an expectation. Tragic indeed. What needs to happen before things will change. How long before we acknowledge that the free reign approach to raising kids simply isn't working. Possibly something I'll never see.

It's hard to decide what to do when I haven't the faintest idea. How can I map out a plan when I know not my destination?






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Ali Edward's One Little Word

I'm so glad I started this class. It's going to be a great journey. Thanks to Amy on the OLW Forum at www.bigpicturescrapbooking.com who posted a link to a template that I could use. It made it so much easier.

I decided to do this project digitally. I have so many beautiful digital elements, it's unnecessary to buy anything to complete it. I'm really pleased I have a couple of friends doing this class too.

A good day

It's been a busy day today but one I've thoroughly enjoyed. The kids began a three day golf clinic today and I thoroughly enjoyed my three and a half hours of relative peace.

While I waited for my groceries to arrive I tagged some photos on iPhoto. I've caught up now. After I put the groceries away I headed into town as I needed a few things. Because the shopping centre carpark was flooded in on Monday the part that is already clean wasn't enough for the number of people who ventured out today. I had to park away from the centre but enjoyed walking with the sunlight on my face and the warm breeze in my hair. It was a lovely day today. So awesome to see the sun and yet it made it even more difficult to comprehend what is going on an hour down the road.

I needed new tea towels and hand towels so I got those. Mickey needs a new belt for his golf shorts. Because Rusty guzzled my water every night I've been taking a water bottle to bed with me. I've been using the kid' water bottles and I prefer my own. Watching kids drink and seeing the backwash makes me cringe every time I drink out of one of their bottles lol. I bought a Brita bottle with a filter. My Mum and Dad bought me a large Brita tank to keep in the fridge and I love the water so bought the same principle in a bottle.

In no time it was time to pick up the kids and I've pretty much been in the kitchen ever since. Sammy asked yesterday if I'd make blueberry muffins so today I bought fresh blueberries. The muffins are yummy but I will continue to look for a recipe that makes them in the same texture as those you find in the stores. That fine but quite gooey texture is just divine in a muffin. I didn't manage to replicate what I wanted but they're yummy.

As we started the Kikki K chore chart last week one of the tasks is that the kids have to cook their own dinner every Thursday night. They cooked. (wait for it) Spaghetti Bolognaise. Their favourite meal and they ate copious amounts. They cooked half the pasta that I normllally cook but the same amount of meat and they devoured the lot.

My goal is that I want them to have this important skill. One day they'll have dates and wives too and I want them to be complete with all the skills any woman wants of her man. Plus, they'll be able to look after themselves too. It will also give them an application for what is involved. Eve today Billy-Joe said, "no wonder you sweat so much when you cook, this is hot work". he and Sammy cooked dinner using the Thermomix. Billy-Joe already told me that he needs a Thermomix before he needs a car!!!!!! Even Sammy is impressed with how much it can do.

I've made a Lamb Pide for us. I minced my own lamb and ground and made up my own Turkish Spice Mix. Hope it's yummy.












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Queensland Floods

I've been thinking about this post for the last few days, and honestly I don't know what to say, but I can't let this go without mention either.

Before Christmas and just after, we were concerned about Ricky and Dee and their critters. They left the coast on Christmas Day as they were aware the rivers were rising, and that if they dallied, they may well have been unable to get home. Thankfully they made it home safely, but were on high alert until last week when they were given the okay, as the river nearby was going down. Sadly, though, many others didn't fare so well. Rockhampton, and then this week, Maryborough and Gympie have copped it. So many people have lost their belongings and homes.

But that wasn't the worst of it. When I watched the footage on the TV last night, it was like seeing the Tsunami footage from Phuket a few years ago. Water running through the main street of Toowoomba. The water picking up cars, as though they're just flotsam and jetsam. Unbelievable. I watched some more footage on YouTube today.

Our country is certainly one of extremes, if it's not burning or bone dry, it's copping water. I've lived here for 21 years and haven't seen rain like this before. Our town has copped 20 inches of rain already this year. Wonder if they'll continue building the pipe with which they plan to send our water to Brisbane in???

Brisbane is currently a disaster zone. People are being evacuated and are unable to leave to come home if they live here on the coast. The show grounds are an evac zone.

I take my hat off too the Qld Police, SES and Road workers, who are risking their lives to help others in trouble. It does shit me no end, however, the number of idiots that attempt to cross flooded roads, even after they've been advised not to.

I won't post pictures, you'd have to be living under a rock not to know what's been going on.

We are relatively safe. Peter came home early from work, while he could still get over the soon to be flooded bridge. We've had water in downstairs, but honestly, it's not even worth worrying about when you know what others are going through. We'll throw out some stuff............that's all.

I pray for comfort for those who have lost loved ones. I pray for comfort and shelter for those who have lost their belongings and or their homes. I pray that people will find their missing family members.

Slack reviewer

I don't review all my books, and, for the most part, I'm a slack reviewer who struggles to put my thoughts into a coherent review. I decided they should go onto my blog though. Here's the latest book I finished by a new release from one of my favourite authors.

The Reversal by Michael Connelly
My rating: 3 of 5 stars





View all my reviews

We're going to Melbourne

I'm so glad my blog is called what it's called as my style of recording my thoughts and happenings has never changed. It also means my blog is often not even chronological. Sometimes it's because I've maybe already posted something and sometimes it's because I don't get around to doing it, or other thoughts and ideas come to me. My blog is a reflection of me, always thinking, but with no order..........

I've been wanting to go back down south for a few years no. Hard to believe it's almost six years since I went down the one and only time since I've lived in Qld, and I've always wanted to go back and to stay longer. Laureen has asked me many times to visit and I've never gotten around to it. Now I've just bitten the bullet. When I saw that the Tutankhamen Exhibition in Melbourne was announced, it didn't take me long to decide that I wanted to go and take Sammy. I can combine that with going to visit Laureen and my Aunt and Uncle and spend time in Victoria, where I've left a piece of my heart. I'm quite excited about it. Going in the winter time doesn't bother me, I have boots, jackets, warm clothing, which never get much wear here, I'll need to buy Sammy a jacket as he feels the cold terribly. I'm hoping that Laureen's house will be warm, I'll be okay going out and about, it's inside I'm worried about. I'll have to make sure I take my woolly slippers and warm trackie daks!!! Sammy wants to go to Sovereign Hill again, I'll think about it. I may even hire a car and drive to Geelong, I'd love to be able to drive around on my own, take photos and just soak up the atmosphere. The photo above is Sammy when he received his card in which I wrote that he was going to the exhibition and that we were going together! He is very excited too.

The New Year, is a time to reflect and then refocus on the possibilities ahead.

There are many things I want to focus on, mostly the same as last year, although I have more clarity this year. I am still not sure where my work efforts will take me. Even doing this course, I've learned much, but perhaps, even more I've learned there's much I still don't know. Doing an e course has been good, but I've really missed the interaction with others doing the same course. Often I have questions or ideas and then no one to bounce them off. As I don't have control over the business, I can't make decisions (and rightfully so of course) and I will mention things to Barbi, which then become lost in the past, never actioned, or even discussed fully. My memory being akin to a sieve, I don't even have the recall to consider those items at a later date, as the idea or thought is gone......for good. As far as the Daisy's site is concerned we are going to have a planning meeting and structure things into a better format. I need structure, and routine, that way things are done too, and not just talked about. I need support and feedback from the store, so I can do my part of the job properly. The downside to not being at the 'coalface' is that many things happen or arrive and I am never informed of them, therefore the site or Facebook isn't updated as often or as promptly as it could be. If there was a procedure in place, whereby I was contacted, then these things would make it onto the web, much more quickly. I am considering doing a short course in Dreamweaver, so I can build a new site for us. I have thought long and hard, and as I don't consider myself a designer, I don't want to work for others building a site. I believe my skills lie in the area of analysis, and that's where I need to broaden my knowledge too. For us though, having knowledge in Dreamweaver, gives me the ability to make changes and for our site to be controlled the way we want it. I don't want to be locked into templates and so forth. I have much to learn on the analysis side of things too, and am not sure how I'm going to further develop that knowledge. Basically the course has given me great insight into the possibilities, as opposed to teaching me how to do them. Does that make sense?

I do need to earn more money though, I can't survive on the little income I have at the moment. I've got less money now than I've had years ago. Thank goodness I'm not paying off a loan or anything, as I couldn't furnish it. I stopped my audiobook membership as it was a luxury I can live without. I work for my card making items. If I buy something I have to have the money for it. Credit cards are of no use to me at the moment, as I don't have the funds to pay it back. It's a shame I'm so fussy with what I want to do. It's still a huge priority for me to be here for my kids. No more paying After School Care etc. That's not worth it, unless I'm earning really really good money, like when I was teaching. Do I miss teaching? No! Would I like to teach something? I love teaching. I will always love passing on my knowledge. I love teaching my Camera Class, and I love teaching my Copic Class. The key is to teach to willing students for me. Teaching at the Special School was great, and I enjoyed it very much. I just can't do the unpredictability anymore. It's a shame, but it doesn't suit my personality type. I still love working from home. This is an area I will keep working on and thinking and praying about. I know many women don't have the luxury of doing something they like, and having it suit everyone, and earning good money. Perhaps I am wishing for too much. I'm honest, I am not prepared to work nights or weekends! I've done that, when I was younger, not going there now. I want to earn okay money, it doesn't need to be what I earned at teaching, I know that was a rarity, but it wasn't predictable either, I couldn't depend on it.

On a creative side of my life, I'm still content not scrapbooking layouts anymore and I'm happy to continue to improve my use of colouring, I don't want that to be come onerous though. I think as a method of recording my life, my blog is integral and I will make photo books, and include digital layouts in those as well as journalling and photographs. I'm not going to beat myself up about it anymore. It's been 12 months since my last layout, and I can honestly say I've not missed doing them. Plus I can't afford to do it anymore anyway. My cards are practical and I can add slowly to my Copic collection plus the items I buy for my cards are not expensive. I'm saving space at home and am enjoying what I do. My scrapbooking has always been about my photos and my stories, and that will remain so.

On the mental, emotional and spiritual side of my life, I have goals too. I reaffirmed my faith in 2000. I attended church for a few years and loved it. When the Church basically fell apart and deeply hurt my best friend, I left too!! Once again the reasons for my earlier reluctance for attending church had proven themselves to be very real and valid. I didn't want to belong with a group of people who purported to be Christians and whose behaviour was anything but Christian!!! It had become my experience that there were more hypocrites inside a church than inside it. That's not the kind of faith I wanted to grow with. I was hurt and confused, as the place which had taught me new things and brought me closer to God, had showed its true colours. Barbi stayed away for quite a few years, and attended another church, one I could never grow an attachment toward, even though I went a couple of times. I'd always felt such a sense of 'homecoming' with the other church and that feeling couldn't be replicated just anywhere.

In the intervening years, I've kept my faith, but have had no growth in that area. I still maintain a high level of scepticism in many areas of faith and I honestly don't know if that will ever change, but I am willing to take that path again. This year for my birthday Barbi, bought me a beautiful Devotional Book. I love it. A few years ago, I'd worked through the devotional readings in my Bible, and loved them, but didn't really work through it in the way I've started with this new one. I've started a journal and I will document my journey. I won't publish it here, not in its entirety, sometimes maybe just snippets, I'm not sure yet. Barbi bought me a few years ago a beautiful Bible, 'The Message' as she knows I struggle dreadfully with reading the Bible. Quite frankly I find most of it gobbeldybook and the rest of it beautiful........I want to understand more.

Last Sunday, I went back to the Church. There's a new pastor and it's a little different, some of the things I loved have gone, but times change and I won't dwell on that. Now is all that matters. I enjoyed the service. Billy-Joe came with me which was very special and I think he will come with me more often.

I've still got much to think about, but life is good and I feel good and we're all happy.

1.1.11

Happy New Year Blog! What does the new year mean for you? Would be nice if I posted more frequently and added more photos and more of the things I create. I'm often so excited just to actually create, and then I forget to photograph it and place it onto my blog. I should do that, because sometimes I actually inspire myself and I'm happy with my cards or efforts. I get so much inspiration from others' work when I read blogs, and yet often I feel quite overwhelmed with the quality of what's out there, that it intimidates me to the point of inadequacy, which is really ridiculous, because I've never ever created for kudos or praise. I've always made things, ever since I was a kid, and I've never been concerned that my items weren't as good as someone elses, simply because the mere act of creating brought me joy. There's nothing like the relaxed and therapeutic feelings one derives simply from making something. I can receive that joy from crocheting, knitting, card making, using my Copics, teaching someone, taking photographs, editing pictures, digi scrapbooking, writing and even cooking. I like the feeling of making something from supplies or ingredients and I enjoy the completed task, whether I keep it myself, or give it away. My Mum has always appreciated my efforts, so I enjoy giving her something I've made.

Last night, for New Year's Eve, I went to Daisy's. I spent the night with Barbi and Lisa Hayes showed up unexpectedly as well as Lisa W and a friend of hers. Lisa Hayes' friends and family couldn't make their arranged festivities, so she brought her food with her and we all enjoyed a lovely dinner of roast chicken potato salad and scrumptious dips. I also ate some of her fruit cake which was very nice too. I coloured in some images, and had a ball. I only did three images, but just loved how I felt while I was doing it. That's what I'll focus on - just how it makes me feel. The end product isn't really that important, it's the pleasure that it brings me, and then again the pleasure when I am able to give someone something I've made. The birthday card I gave Sammy the other day, was one of my early copic attempts and he just said straight away, 'I love the cards you make'.....Sammy isn't quick with compliments or praise, so this really meant a lot.

I sit here and I am happy. Just peacefully and completely happy. How does one put a value on that? I have no money in my wallet, I have no savings, but I am happy. Happy with my life, my children and a wonderful husband who has helped create this environment we live in. We've had a couple of really nice mornings together, holidays are such wonderful times to reconnect as a couple. I loved the look on his face as I entered his room at 5.30am yesterday morning. Just precious. And again this morning, when I rang him and asked him to come into mine..........sweet mornings of love, talking and just enjoying being us without the pressures of children or work or deadlines or work, or work.......!! Just blissful.

This morning, ahem I should say after midday, after I'd showered and had breakfast on the back verandah, we cleaned and tidied up. The Christmas tree is put away, as well as most of the other decorations. I've left the Adventkranz up and have also left the 'stick' up with the baubles over the dining table as it's quite pretty and doesn't take up any useful space.

Early Gifts

I've got some gorgeous gifts from my girlfriends for this Christmas. Barbi gave me a gorgeous diary I can use for web/work stuff, it's got a gorgeous lime green cover with lots of info and recipes inside. Karen, gave me a beautiful glass ornament which is hanging where I often hang the mistletoe. It's beautiful, and very special. She also gave me a set of measuring spoons to match my Matryoscka measuring cups she gave me last year. Just gorgeous. For my birthday she gave me a sweet zippered case, which I could put makeup in, and an apple stamp from Kikki K. I will take a photo of my apple collection which Karen started for me. Does three things, count as a collection lol????

I dropped in to Daisy's today, as Suzy is finishing today and going away to Mackay for Christmas with her family. She gave me a beautiful red diary, which is so classy, the cover looks like embossed red leather, it's stunning. She also gave me a Womens' Weekly Christmas cookbook. It's a hardback book and I can't wait to sit down after dinner and peruse this book. The diary, is beautiful, I've never seen one like it before.

I'm feeling very spoiled and it's not even Christmas yet!!

I will have to take photos.....just wanted to write down my thoughts. I'm a very lucky girl with lovely and thoughtful best friends. It's so cool when you get bought stuff that you know has been chosen for you by people who know you very well.....

I am indeed blessed.

Update

All's good in our home at the moment. Christmas Eve is looming, only 4 more sleeps!!

My health has been good, I've had no more funny heart flutter things, the doctor is pretty sure they're not panic attacks, so, for that I'm grateful, I had an ECG last week and it showed that all is normal.

The weekend was a full and fun one. Friday night was great fun @ Daisy's, with only a handful of us, it was a special evening. I managed, on Friday afternoon to dash into the Plaza and get almost all of what I need, including some new shorts and a top for me. At least now I have two pairs I can wear in public lol..... Friday night was a late one, it poured nearly all night. We'd had about 5 inches of rain for the entire weekend, so so wet. The dryer has been working overtime.

On Saturday I pottered around at home, trying to catch up on washing and chores. In the afternoon we headed off down the road, to have Christmas drinks with some of our neighbours. We had a fun evening, with good conversation and wine. It teemed rain the entire afternoon, but the kids made the most of their fantastic pool. It wasn't cold, just very wet. The kids and I came home around 8pm and Bunny came home around 10pm. We were all fast asleep when he ventured home, the kids exhausted from their huge afternoon in the pool and me because of the very late night before.

Yesterday morning, was a late start.....it was still raining. Bunny and I had a lie in together and enjoyed a very late breakfast. I cleaned up the kitchen and then did the shelving in the kitchen, and the glassware I have on display. By the time I'd finished it was almost time to get dressed to head down to the Church of Christ for carols. It was a very nice afternoon, I loved it. Billy-Joe came with me and Barbi was lead in the group that sang and she did a beautiful presentation of the Christmas story, very heartfelt as only Barbi can worship - Just beautiful. I saw some folk that were still attending from when I went there years ago, it was nice to be remembered. I'm thinking about returning. Just not sure.......

When I arrived home, I changed and Peter and I headed across the road to Hanni's place for more Christmas Cheer. We had drinks and nibblies and then stayed for dinner. The kids came over and joined us, and my parents were there too. She's a very generous lady and I'm so glad she's our neighbour. We have become friends and I enjoy helping her out. She is so kind to my kids too, something you don't often get from people other than relatives. Her family are all grown up and they and her grandkids all live in Melbourne. I think we're her surrogate family, and I'm pleased she's adopted us.

Today was a busy day. I was up early and we headed out to Erbachers, as I wanted to stock up on some of their yummy Turkish bread, and I also bought some cherries. We went into BigW and I bought Mickey some play clothes. He's grown so much of late, his pants are all tight. The other day I realized why.....many are a size 4 lol..... My boys are huge boys and get years out of their shorts, but as he's nine and a half I certainly can't complain!!

We came home, picked up Rusty and took him to the vet's for his second round of vaccinations. The kids were all keen to come with me, as the surgery cat, 'Jasper' is a huge kitty and I knew they'd enjoy seeing him. We asked the vet if Billy-Joe can do his work experience there, and it's all systems go! I'm rapt that we've got all that sorted. Billy-Joe is excited, and I think he will enjoy working there. Sammy and Mickey couldn't even cope seeing Rusty getting a thermometer in his behind, so they left the room!!! Billy-Joe was great and stayed there, and helped out with holding Rusty, I think he'll do fine there, it may be just what he needs to do in order to knuckle down and work hard toward a good OP score.

We came home and I baked our Vanilla Kipferln. I made about 60 of the divine, annual biscuits. The kitchen just smelled heavenly. Sammy said the smell always reminded him of Christmas.......

The kids decorated gingerbread men. I bought the kit, and it came complete with two huge biscuits and the icing. The one on the left is Sammy's and it's fully clothed, and the surreal looking one is Mickey's.

It was extremely hot last week, even Rusty thought so.

Trying to find a cool spot, and yes, it's on my kitchen countertop but no food is prepped there.

Rusty looking pretty.

My current desktop, it's a quick page, I'm so glad this isn't a blog followed for it's scrapbooking, because I always forget whose stuff I use and can't post credit, I didn't design this, just added the photo in Photoshop Elements.

Bah Humbug

I'm feeling a tad flat today. Not really sure why. I'm not feeling stressed although I've still got all my baking to do and my Christmas cards won't go to the Post Office on their own. I will make a start baking tomorrow. The kids are a bit cranky at times, and then they're well behaved and happy for hours at a time. The sad thing is though, that I've got no patience for the times when they are cranky or cheeky. I just blow up. I've had enough of the back chat and the 'Why do I have to?' crap that they go on with. Mind you, on the whole, they never end up disobeying me, the control I have wins out, and they always do as they're asked, it's just tiresome and wears on me.

I'm trying hard to feel Christmassy. Very hard. I've been putting my last needed ingredients in my Coles shopping cart and am thinking about what nibbles I'll make. I still have to go into the Plaza one more time to pick up some more gifts. Thankfully I still have a little money saved up for that.

I worked on the site this morning, and after last night's webinar, I realize how little I know. Even with doing this E Business Course, I've learned so much, but still have loads more to learn. I feel like I'm grappling in the dark, although the area is larger now than before. A Dreamweaver book I ordered from the Book Depository arrived today, so I'll have a play at making Daisy's a new site. I want something 'slick and more scrapbookingish' if that makes any sense.

I waiver with what I want to do workwise. I want to earn money, and spend money, but I don't really know what I want to do. I'm finding that with working on the site, I actually have less free time than I had when I was teaching, and far far less money. And yet I don't want to teach. I do like the idea of working with just myself. I know I'm talking in circles, but putting this down in print helps me put things in perspective.

I'm just truly blessed that my boss is also my best friend. In many ways Daisy's is as much mine as it is Barbi's. Not in the responsibility stakes, nor the financial side of it, but it was our Brainchild. Not hers and not mine, it's something that we share. It's almost like having a child with someone. There's a bond there beyond just a simple friendship. And I feel fortunate to be a part of it still.

Perhaps I'm not really Bah Humbug, perhaps I'm just in a reflective and contemplative mood, and there's nothing wrong with that I guess.

Operation Flea

Thought for the day
"Wonder what the neighbour thinks when he's standing in his garden and sees me venture to the wheelie bin, outfitted in my pink socks (because my feet get cold), my blue birkenstocks, and my shortie pjs with an apron on which is yellow with black dots and pink spots. Bewwidifullll!!!! lol......

Living in a sub tropical climate is awesome. Much cheaper than living where I grew up. Heating costs and clothing costs are much lower, although we do have a/c costs, but they're not as high as heating for 9 months of the year would be. Having said that, the heat does have its disadvantages, and one of those are creepy crawlies!!! In all my life in Geelong, I'd never seen a cockroach or a flea.....I did have bites sometimes from my cat, but never SAW a flea, and this was always fixed by putting a flea collar on kitty.......

Of course such a thing as a flea collar doesn't do anything up here!! With two cats, and Izzy who's allowed outside, we've had the two cats with fleas. Sammy is so vigilant and regularly checks both cats, several times a day and kills many a flea. So it was only a matter of time before the house became infested too!!! Izzy is treated systemically but Rusty is too young for us to do so yet, but because Izzy is allowed outside she brings live ones inside which promptly hop onto Rusty. We have treated Rusty topically but Izzy licks it off!!!!

So, today, I flea bombed the house, bathed both kitties in flea shampoo. This is a major task as we can't stay home whilst the house is being bombed.

I took the kids to Maccy D's and we availed ourselves of the free wi fi and had far too much junk food, but we had a lovely time. Thank God we rarely go there, as I spent over $40 on food and ice creams (and frappe for me), but it was an easy way to spend a couple of hours. Between us we had two Nintendo DSs an iPhone and an iPad, so we were rockin' with technology.

We came home, I vacuumed the house and opened up all the windows, and brought the kitties back from downstairs where we'd housed them whilst the war against fleas was raging. They are now exhausted, and still sleeping, bathing them makes them so tired lol......

I will wait and see, but I pray we have conquered these dreadful insects. The kids and I had a relaxing day though, which was lovely. They've been so good and as we spend so much time at home on the holidays it was nice to go out with them.

Reverb 10 Day 3

Moment. Pick one moment during which you felt most alive this year. Describe it in vivid detail (texture, smells, voices, noises, colors). (Author: Ali Edwards)

The moment I'm choosing to write about, wasn't during some wonderful event. Instead, it was during the early hours of the morning, many mornings in a row, around 3 or 4 am. I'd been on my new anti depressants for a few months and had started my arthritis meds and not sleeping well during the initial period. Normally this level of wakefulness would have driven me to high levels of frustration and anger at myself. Instead, I'd sit up for an hour each early morning and just enjoyed the peace, quiet and the fact that this time would soon pass. This moment was important, because of my new lease of life, and the fact I was so much happier within myself. Being an insomniac meant I could do a digi layout, surf the web, and enjoy the utter stillness of the night, without an ounce of bad feeling.

This time lasted for a few weeks. And while I often needed to have a nap in the afternoon to catch up, I coped quite well during this time. It showed me that my lighter mood, wasn't shortlived. Even now if I awake unexpectedly and can't get back to sleep, rather than tossing and turning, I listen to my audiobook, or I get my iPad and surf the web. It never takes long for the fatigue to overtake me again, and I can get back to sleep.

I can't even write about this in such a way to convey how great I feel.

Day 2 Reverb

What stops you from writing and can you eliminate it?

There's nothing that stops me from writing, as such. I just don't think of it every day. My days are so full, that I can't remember everything that I want to do, let alone physically get to it. Then, on other days I just want to do nothing, and, at other times, I just don't have the energy. Basically all those things come down to one thing ME!! Can I eliminate it? Well hardly lol,

How can this reflection manifest itself into action for 2011? I'm aware I'm the one stopping myself, consciously or unconsciously. I just have to keep this in the forefront of my mind, so that I keep at it regularly.

Reverb 10

I know how dreadful I am with projects of this nature. Project 365, was Project 2 when I did it, and I can't remember the last time I finished an entire digi scrapping class.........Anyway, seeing as this was only for a month, and I didn't need to do anything other than write, I thought I might just be able to manage this.

This project is based on the ideas from here.

Day 1. (I know I'm behind already, give me a break and I will attempt to catch up)
I need One Word that encapsulates 2010, and I have to explain why I've chosen it.

My word which encapsulates 2010 is NEW. Now I can't even remember what word I chose last year to be my word for this year, but on reflection that word captures everything for me. NEW.
NEW me
NEW body
NEW optimism
NEW me

When I look at the word, I wish, very much that I could have written, "NEW but really just the old come back"........but I can't write that.

I have felt new in so many different ways this year. Earlier this year I finally went to a new GP and poured my heart out, on the advice of my physiotherapist. I went for the holistic approach, rather than just going to the GP and addressing the worst ailment as is my general MO, I told her everything that was wrong with me........Lord only knows why I hadn't done that earlier.

The upshot was, that I went to the specialist too which has addressed my pain issues, and the new meds my GP put me on, has turned me into a new woman. A much happier woman. A woman who is now good to live with, and who has more tolerance. I like being with myself much more nowadays.

My only regret is that I hadn't been put on these meds earlier..........hence saying that I can't even say the 'new me is like the old me was' because I've never been that good before.

Busy Busy Busy

This time of the year is always so very busy. I'm not buying huge amounts of gifts this year, but still there's lots to do. One thing I'm really pleased with though, is that I've not had a panic attack yet. Thank the Lord. I was actually supposed to go and see the counsellor prior to this season beginning, but I just didn't get there. The last few years, it's started by the time Suzy's Christmas Album is on. This year, was a test as I had to be in two places at once on that same morning, so if it was going to start, that was a perfectly stressful morning to start. Instead, I had a lovely day. I thoroughly enjoyed the class. It's lovely to be playing with all those beautiful products and me not having to think too much about it. Suzy puts in so much prep time, so even though they're quite complex pages, the instructions and planning she puts into it, makes it a joy to work through. Plus I worked with Karen, who took me under her wing, seeing as I had to step out for an hour, and she helped me so that at the end of the session we were basically up to the same page.....anyway, again I digress, but no panic attacks.

Today, however, has been a little full on and I can feel I'm borderline, but still okay. I have had a huge week, actually a few big weeks and today has been incredibly busy with a few curve balls thrown in. Dear Bunny was booked in for his three yearly colonoscopy today, an appointment I'd scheduled over a month ago for 11 am. When they rang yesterday to confirm the booking they said it was for 4pm. Peter had already started the fasting and drinking the solution, and he'd stayed home from work all afternoon to do this. Neither of us were very happy about this as they wouldn't put us back to the original time and Peter rightfully so, didn't want to postpone it to another day.He's already spent the last few days on a restrictive diet and just wants to get it over and done with. It means, however, that I'm not free to go out when I want to tonight, as I will have to go and pick him up. He would have been home well and truly by the time the procedure is now going to happen, and there's no way we would have accepted such a late time slot. To add insult to injury the procedure has a $440 out of pocket expense, which is an added inconvenience.

Anyway, because Peter is home, I've put him to work to help me today. He did a fastidious vacuum of the house today, as both Rusty and Izzy have fleas. They are both being treated, Rusty topically and Izzy with Proban, (systemically). Thankfully there were no fleas in any of the filters, after the house was done, so I'm still unsure where it's coming from. Then, Rusty has the runniest poos!! I think because he's a guts and has been eating Izzy's food. Change of diet isn't good for their little tummies, so I went out today and spent a king's ransom on good quality kitten food and more topical flea treatment. Hopefully we can eradicate them.

I also cannot find clear cellophane in this town anywhere!!!! I want to wrap some small gifts and really wanted clear cellophane. I had to buy coloured stuff in the end. Ah well, it's only going to end up in the bin anyway. I made some gift cards, just simply for what I want to use tonight and I'll make some more with a little extra on them that I can use later. Again it's going to end up in the bin, so no point stressing there.

Seeing as Peter's home today and our toilet has been leaking I asked him to fix it. So, he went out and bought new washers, which were too tight. Then when he tried to flush it the first time, the pressure was too great, and the water exploded out EVERYWHERE!!!! All over the walls and the ceiling!! So glad I wasn't in there when that happened! Now, however, because of the black stuff in the tank, it's stained the outside of the tank, so, no, my toilet looks even more revolting than it did before! I want one of those completely ceramic toilets. One that I can keep scrupulously clean and that will never discolour with age. I said to Peter, to buy me one for Christmas.......I really wouldn't mind.

Because today was the last day of school, I left it up to the kids whether or not they wanted to go for the half day. They were playing games and there was a liturgy for the Year 7s that were leaving. Mickey said he wanted to go, so I said they can both go. However, I'd not put my alarm on, and, had another crappy night's sleep so was fast asleep when Mickey came in to tell me it was 7am!! I got up about 40 minutes later and just pottered around, happy that I didn't have to rush anywhere. Then, Mickey tells me about 20 mins before school starts that his desk is still full of his stuff!!! Why oh why couldn't he have told me that last night, or earlier in the morning. I was rather peeved.

I took him out later to pick up his stuff.

So now we're all home, we've still got this appointment to get through this afternoon. Hope it all goes well for my dear Bunny. They quite often take off polyps which is good, and of course the reason he has this done regularly.

I'm looking forward to tonight, as Alaine and Sheree are coming from Brisbane to spend the evening with us @ Daisy's. It was Barbi's birthday yesterday, so another reason for tonight being a good night.

I need a wine though!!

I'm teaching tomorrow, which I'm not real impressed about, and next Saturday. I'll be happy when they're both out of the way.

A good day

I'm weary, so happy to be sitting down. I went shopping today with my Mum and Dad. We did much of our Christmas shopping. It was an easy shop, as this year's Christmas is very small. Seeing as we bought a gorgeous pedigree Burmese kitten, we have sacrificed a lot of our Christmas savings. I'm okay with that, as the joy and love we'll get from Rusty, will be so much more than a heap of toys which for the most part aren't played with enough. Although with screen time being delayed, I'm so happy to see the Legos being played with again. Today I bought Mickey some books, and Billy-Joe a watch, I think I'll add a Lego set for Sammy and Mickey and that's it. I bought my Dad a book and my parents in laws a novel each too. I bought Peter a nice shirt for golf and a cool pair of shorts, black and white check, just perfect for golf.

Mum and Dad took me to Sizzler for lunch, and it was very nice. I tend to have the same things though, the Taco beef on corn chips with the guacamole and jalapenos. And the dessert too of course. The apple pie, custard, and the trifle were delicious. We were gone all day. I came home long enough to say hello to the kitties and decide what I'm cooking for dinner and then I had to head out and pick up the tiddlywinks from school.

Once home, I've done my jobs. The dinner is very simple as dear Bunny is having a colonoscopy on Friday and therefore can't eat anything with fibre in it. So sausages and mashed potatoes (in the thermo) for the kids and the mash with a pork chop for Bunny. I'll have fruit I think. I'm not hungry and need nothing with any substance after a lunch out.

Now I'm sitting down, my feet are weary, but I'm content.........

Another lovely weekend, too short though.

My gorgeous new kitten Rusty having a kip.

It's been a fun weekend. With a new kitten in the house, there's been lots to do and watch and enjoy. We kept Rusty confined to Billy-Joe's room, but today we've let the two cats come together. The growling and hissing has stopped, now they are playfighting, although I do split them up because it gets a bit rough at times. But on the whole, I'm very very happy with how well they're getting along. They are going to be best buddies.

Snuggling with Sammy.

Today I cooked some fudge in my Thermomix. Absolutely delicious and so simple, it barely qualifies as cooking.

I had plans of doing digital layouts today as I want to complete last year's Christmas album. I worked all day. I did washing, I dusted the house, Billy-Joe organized the pussycats' areas, I tidied in the littlie's rooms and cleaned the toilet. I took Sammy and Billy-Joe to Crazy Clarks and was rapt to get a leather Office Chair for Billy-Joe's room. It was $80, down to $49 and I had a 20% off voucher, so the chair was only $40. Bargain!!

I finally got to sit down, checked Facebook, and put the photos on the computer, which I edited for this blog. I became so snoozy I had a lie down, it was just bliss. The best part was that Rusty came and laid one me and went to sleep too.

Fast becoming friends.

I'm excited

A few people I know are going to Melbourne to see the Tutankahmen Exhibition. It set me thinking. Sammy has had a thing about Egypt for a few years now. Seeing how passionate he is about something so fascinated, has always pleased me. The best I've ever been able to do, is to buy him books on the subject. He reads about this topic 90% of the time. The other 10% he reads about Roman or Greek Civilizations.

As many of you know, I grew up in Geelong, and loved it there. I left because there was nothing left for me when my second marriage dissolved. I was 27, twice married, and dispirited. Like I've said before I'd never go back to live there, but I love it, and always will. It's my home town. Where I went to school.

Anyway, once again I digress...... I'm going to take Sammy to the Exhibition with me. I'm going to spend time with my girlfriend and my relatives in Geelong. I can't wait. I'm taking one of my darling boys to something which will be akin to paradise for him. Can't wait to see his face on the 29th December when he opens his card with this message.

I started that post quite a few days ago, as usual life has gotten in the way of me whiling away my time writing.....

Today is Saturday, it's now evening. I've had an awesome day. The weeks have been so incredibly busy. I left home this morning and spent the time shopping with Suzy, wishing I had loads of money. The sales were awesome, the clothes selection even better. And thank the Lord I wasn't let loose in the crockery department, as all the Christmas dining ware was out and just looked stunning. Suzy and I went to a Thermomix demo today, it was the Christmas one. Once again the food was fabulous and I bought two cookbooks. The Meat one and the Festive Season one. I made the Garlic and Herb butter pull apart to eat with dinner tonight and it was my first success with making a dough in the Thermomix. It made a huge loaf, and everyone loved it. I'm looking forward to making some Christmas fare from this book.

We picked up Rusty yesterday. He's just gorgeous. I've got no photos to post as yet, I'm hoping to get some tomorrow. So far he and Izzy aren't getting along too badly, so I think they will actually become friends.......

I promise more photos soon.

Update

Julia is third from the left, my eldest niece's graduation.

I have so many things to write about, I so wish I wrote just after things happened, rather than waiting a week.......I'll dot point my entries, to make it easier for me and for you the reader.
* Life has been extremely busy of late. But it's all good. I am looking forward to a couple of quieter weeks, although with Christmas looming, this may not be the case. We're all looking forward to the Christmas break so very much. The kids finish school next week. I'm looking forward to a quieter holiday break too as I won't be working on setting up the site like I was this time 12 months ago. We've made some decisions regarding the store, and making the store smaller will be much easier to manage. I'm excited about changing it. I've also got my name down to do a short course next year in Dreamweaver. I'd like to build another site for Daisy's as my job lot for the course I'll be doing. Using a CMS is great, but very limiting as I've been advised by a good friend of mine. I want the flexibility which I don't have using Joomla. Mind you it's been great, but sometimes you don't know what you need until you start with something, then your goals become clearer.

* I had an arthrogram and an MRI last week. It was a huge day, I was at the hospital from 10.30 in the morning and didn't return home until 3.30pm. I was exhausted. I had an ultrasound as well, and then a couple of hours to kill while I waited for the next step. Thankfully Barbi came and we had coffee together in the cafe across the road. It was a lovely way to spend a few hours. I had taken my book and my iPad, but chatting with her was much better of course. We've not been able to catch up for our weekly coffees, so this was much needed for both of us.
* I came home from the hospital, weary and a bit sore and off feeling. The arthrogram needed about 5 needles before the fluid for the contrast was injected. I got home, and had to shower and get dressed up as I was taking photos of my niece's graduation, of her and her friends. I was also going to the pre formal evening. By the time I sat down at 8.30pm, I was well and truly weary. I had enjoyed doing the portrait shoot, but was very pleased that the day was over.
It was also our wedding anniversary, but we celebrated it on Saturday.
* The portrait shoot went well, but the time was too short. Actually the shoot didn't go as well as I would have liked, but with my editing I was actually able to achieve the look I'd set out for. Initially we'd decided, well Julia, decided to have a beach shoot, but with time limitations and the high probability of a windy afternoon, we changed the venue. I set Julia on a mission to find a grungy wall covered with graffiti. I told her of my idea to have something a bit different, and she liked the idea. Unfortunately these photos were the ones that turned out a bit overexposed, but I was able to create the look I wanted without too much post processing. My focus was out though, but that's probably more noticed by me, (and people who know what they're looking at) than Julia and her friends. That night I didn't sleep well, I fell asleep quickly, but then awoke and couldn't go back to sleep as I was worried about the pictures. I got up at 2am and edited a few, saw that I could fix them and went back to bed. Needless to say I was quite weary the next day, but relieved. I had a sleep during the day, as Ricky was coming for dinner that night and I didn't want to be tired for that.



* I enjoyed a bottle of champagne with Barbi on Friday night. It was a great reward after a big week. It was a good night of chatting and just being together. Barbi's daughter graduated that week too with Julia, and was heading off to Japan on the Sunday. A huge step for a young woman, who only a few years ago, still wanted her Mum to walk her into the school grounds every morning. In the last few months, even, she's matured and grown up so much. What an experience for her to be in Japan for 8 weeks. There she'll experience Japanese life and culture first hand, and is also lucky to be going to a school while she's there.
* Saturday I decided to finish editing Julia's photos. I'd done most of them, but was stuck on the few I wanted to make 'special'. Billy-Joe had organized to go and spend time at a friend's house so I had to drop him off there. I asked for Suzy's help and we spent a lovely afternoon together chatting, and running out of time as usual. But the main thing was she'd refreshed my memory on a few processes, so that I could finish the photos. Julia left for schoolies on Sunday morning, so I've still got a few photos to finish.
* Saturday night was lots of fun. Peter and I finally got around to celebrating our wedding anniversary.I was spoilt as he bought me a gorgeous gold ring with a peridot and amethyst in it. He also bought me some silver ear rings. They were from my brother who owns MiBling.
* Sunday we decided to go down the coast and have a look at a few things for Billy-Joe's room. We ordered his bed and will go back in the New Year to get some cupboard organizers and a desk. It was great just spending time together. We'd considered buying a new PC for the kids as theirs had pooped itself!! We didn't buy one as a gaming computer of course isn't a cheap entity. Now I'm even thinking that I might update my iMac and let the kids have my iMac. We'll wait though, and I think when enough time has elapsed the kids will be so used to using my iMac they won't need a PC anymore. That's my theory anyway.....I've also spoken to them about the fact that they don't play enough and I've changed 'ScreenTime', they now can't go onto a screen of any form until 5pm. Needless to say they're not real thrilled with that idea, but guess what??? They're playing more, so I won't change it any time soon. Billy-Joe was the one most disappointed actually, as he says he doesn't play with toys, but he's on the computer for many more hours as he stays up longer, so I've enforced it with him too. There has to be a balance.
* We get Rusty on Friday. I can't wait. I'll get him in the morning, so I can have him to myself for the WHOLE DAY as I won't get a look in once the kids come home from school.
* The kids had Crazy Hair Day as a fundraiser for Diabetes.

• Sammy with Rusty and his sister Holly

Rusty

Crazy Hair Day

Focus is focussing

I can't believe there are only 40 days until Christmas Eve. The time is just racing by. November has been busy so far, and intends to stay so. Last week I had an evening about Billy-Joe's year 10 work experience program. He is interested in working with animals, so I'll go and see Kim Evans about the possibility. While in my heart I don't believe Billy-Joe has what it takes to do Veterinary Science, as far as academics go, but we'd like him to experience working with animals. I'm thinking this will either make him realize, working with animals isn't for him, or, that he loves it so much, he'll pull his finger out and really apply himself to his school work, and aim high for an OP 1 which he needs for Vet Science. While I don't think he has what it takes to achieve this, it's not because I don't think he's bright enough, it's because he's so much like me........he gets by with doing the minimum and doing well. He's never extended himself to strive to do well. He does such a small amount of homework and still does well. Far out, I know someone else like that. Once I was in High School, I realized that I could still do well without trying too hard. The downside to this, was, that even when I wanted to work harder on subjects I finally found difficult, I honestly didn't know how. I'd never had to work hard, and doing physics and Chemistry was too much for me. I was good at school, and learned easily, but I'd never been overtly taught how to study. I think this overt teaching of such an important skill, is still sadly lacking in our schools today. Once rote learning, and merely reading information isn't enough, strategies need to be employed and this isn't taught. I didn't become a good 'studier' until I did my university degree as a mature aged student, when I taught myself how to study. Anyway, once again I digress......

Billy-Joe is now aware that Year 10 will bring with it new challenges and that he has to amp up the workload if he wants to do well. I've also explained to him, that getting into a degree as a mature aged student is also an avenue. I'd not been interested in Sixth Form (Year 12), and was more than happy to work when I left school at the end of Fifth Form (Year 11). I still got my degree, and I didn't even need my HSC. It gets to a point where life experience and work experience counts for a lot. I think it's a huge ask, expecting kids to know what they want to do when they 'grow up'. Heck, I'm still growing up and exploring options.

The weekend was just lovely. No obligations and no plans. Just perfect after a busy week. As usual I went scrapping on Friday night, and had a lovely night. I did sweet FA though.....need to pull my finger out and make some Christmas cards. Thankfully I never have to make many, as I don't post many, as I only make cards for those friends, I don't see.

I sewed in all my spare time this weekend. I went to Brians Fabrics the other day and had a ball fossicking through all he had to offer. I'll attach photos, my bag isn't perfect, but not a bad first attempt. I've decided that woven interfacing will make the difference. It's a pain, because it's so expensive. I'm trying to source it cheaper, $30/metre seems rather prohibitive for something you don't even see. Actually my fabrics were only $7.50/metre, so I'm not paying $30 per/metre for interfacing!!!! I can't wait to go back and buy some more fabrics. I'd bought enough fabric for about three bags, but I'd mis read the back of the pattern, and hadn't bought enough fabric. Shucks, now I need to go back and get some more.

On Wednesday, my niece Julia graduates! I can still feel the weight of her as I held her as a newborn. She's asked me to take photos of her and her friends at the beach beforehand.That will be fun. I've got some ideas. Ricky is picking me up, as I am not supposed to drive, as I'm having an MRI earlier that day. My Mum and Dad, and I are invited to the pre formal drinks, so I'll go to that after I've taken some photos. I can't wait to see her. She'll just look beautiful. I'm looking forward to see my baby brother too. He's coming for dinner on Thursday night, so that will be fun too.

My handbag I made on the weekend

The dinner I cooked last night. Pork loin chops with a sweet and sour cherry star anise sauce, served on bok choy.