Tuesday 31 August 2010

August 2010 - NaBloPoMo over

Okay, you may have noticed a few cheating posts lately.  I did lose motivation but I managed to make it all the way through to the end.  Of course I only posted once on the Month’s theme (it was green).  Ah well. 

I’m not planning on falling off the blogging wagon however, I am going to enjoy going to bed without thinking I have to blog before I go to bed otherwise I will have failed the NaBloPoMo.

So let’s have some celebratory things because I made it!

dreamstimefree_203265 fireworks

 dreamstimefree_7013735 Cupcakes

 

dreamstimefree_50844 red and white wine 

Thanks for hanging out with me!

Monday 30 August 2010

5,000 question survey questions 351 to 400

351. Have you ever lost something and never found it? Yes

352. Do you listen to any talk radio shows? No

353. Who do you trust more, your friends or your parents?
My friends.

354. Would you ever date someone outside of your race or religion?
Sure... but my husband would be mad at me. LOL.

355. Which of the 7 deadly sins in the worst (gluttony, greed, pride, lust, envy, wrath, sloth)? Greed

356. Which one are you most guilty of? Sloth

357. Are you afraid to be alone with yourself? No
Do you try to avoid thinking? No

358. Would you venture to tell someone you loved him or her if they didn't say it first? Maybe.

359. What are you the most sensitive about?
Abuse – of people, animals and power.

360. What can you talk about for hours?
Nothing really. I’m not that big of a talker.

361. Do you talk about yourself, other people, or ideas the most?
Not sure to be honest. I hope it would be ideas.

362. Do you believe that spell casting can work?
It may. I don’t know.

363. Are you a fan of The Legend of Zelda games?
Funnily I am part way through playing one. The Phantom Hourglass. So far it’s fun but Boy Child finished it really quickly and I feel a bit like an idiot that it’s quite hard for me.

364. What old movie would you go see if it were re-released in the movie theaters?
Umm...I really don’t know.

365. Is there a celebrity that you would be too starstruck to talk to if you met them?
A lot I’m sure. Hugh Jackman and George Clooney for example

366. Have you ever left a mean unsigned note?
No.

367. Do you think it's cheesy to paste things you didn't write into your diary?
I don’t have a diary. But I don’t think it’s cheesy. I guess if you were claiming someone else’s poetry or love letters maybe otherwise, no.

368. What are three things that you try not to think about?
Death, pain, suffering.

369. Is casual sex acceptable for you?
Not while I’m married.

370. What form of sexual protection do you use?
Two children!

371. What is expected of you that you feel is unnatural or not right? Housework.

372. Do you sometimes place your own expectations on other people?
Yes. I expect that people would be polite or at least keep their judgmental thoughts to themselves.

373. Do you sometimes act overeager to make friends when you are around strangers?
No. More the opposite.

374. Do you take everything that is said literally?
Sometimes I do. But not as much as Boy Child.

375. Do you take most things others say seriously?
Yes.

376. Do you have a quick wit?
Depends on the day.

377. Do you believe in the need for political correctness?
To a certain extent. But Baa Baa Rainbow sheep went too far.

378. Do you have strong opinions and beliefs?
Yes. But I’m not going to shove them down your throat.

379. If yes, can you still hang out with and be friends with people who disagree with you?
Sure. Why wouldn’t I? Opinions are everywhere, and everyone has the right to have them.

380. Are you uptight?
Sometimes.

381. Do you sometimes do risky things?
Not anymore.

382. Could just about anyone hold your interest in a conversation for at least ten minutes?
No.

383. Are you self-conscious?
Very much so.

384. What would be your ideal destination for a Saturday afternoon?
Bed for a nap.

385. Does anyone have a video tape of you doing something embarrassing?
Not that I am aware of (thankfully).

386. What is Kevin Smith’s(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kevin_Smith) best movie?
I don’t really like his movies. The swearing does my head in. Maybe Dogma. Alannis Morrisett was funny.

387. Where do you like to go on Friday or Saturday nights?
I’d love to go out to dinner. But mostly I just to bed.

388. Do you like your friends to act the same way all the time or do you accept their moods and changes?
I accept their changes, and I would hope they would accept mine.

389. Do you often feel like other people are judging you?
Sometimes.

390. What do you think other people judge you to be like?
Depends who the person is. I’ve often felt that people like I’ve got no skills or work experience because I wear jeans and joggers and don’t seem to have a job.

391. Are you quick to judge others?
I try not to be. But I can be.

392. When you have a fight with someone do you want to talk about it right away or calm down first and then talk?
Calm down first. Really, truly need to calm down first.

393. Some say love is a river (according to the old song). What do you say love is?
Intense, wonderful and heartbreaking.

394. What is the worst fault a person can have?
As far as I am concerned, the inability to empathise or accept difference.

395. Do you have it?
No.

396. Which do you think has more impact on a person’s character, genetics or environment?
Ah the old nature vs. nurture debate. I really don’t know. Maybe it’s 50/50?

397. Who was your first best friend?
The first one I remember was a girl named Jacqueline in Year 4 and 5 at school.

398. If you are not best friends anymore, what came between you?
I changed schools.

399. Who have you read a biography about?
I can’t remember the last biography I read. Is that bad?

400. What would your own autobiography be called?

When I was younger, I was going to call it: The Only E. I don’t think I have actually done enough in my life to have an autobiography.Maybe I should work on that as well as a new title.

Sunday 29 August 2010

5,000 question Survey 301 to 350

301. List 5 things you have not experienced that you would like to experience before you die.
A
Travelling Overseas with my family
B Going in a hot air balloon
C Getting old
D Seeing my children to adulthood
E Celebrating our 20 year wedding anniversary and then more

302. Will you try to accomplish any of these things within the next year? Travelling yes.  But that’s it.

303. What do you feel controlled by?Fear

304. If Jesus appeared to you and told you that the moon was made of green cheese would you believe him? Probably not.

305. What is one thing you are sure of? I love my family very much.

306. At what part of the day do you feel the most alert? After I have a cup of coffee.

307. Have you ever played in a band? In my High School Band. I played very badly.

308. Have you ever stared into the ocean thinking 'early creatures crawled outta that'? No. But I might next time I see it!

309. If not, what do you think of when you are staring into the ocean?How pretty  it is and Is it warm or cold?

310. Do you like the mental challenge of chess or other games? Not really. I’m not very good at that sort of thing.

311. Do you ever think of where your atoms were before they were in you? Nope.

312. Do you ever think about where your atoms will go after they have been in you?
Nope.

313. If you didn't know that people couldn't fly do you think that you could? No.

314. Are you someone that others call when they're having a problem and want to talk about it? Depends on the person. For some yes, other no.

315. When it comes to literature, do you see beyond the writing and into the meaning intended by the author? Depends on my mood. I can and do but not always. But then some things don’t necessarily have a deep meaning.

316. Is there anything you can take apart completely, and then put back together, and have no left over parts? An original Donkey Kong game. I used to do it all the time as a child. And a rubix cube because I could never solve it!

317. What are your feelings about the death penalty?Ambivalent.

318. If there was a god and you could ask him/her one question what would it be? Why is there so much suffering in the world?

319. Do you believe that life will be found on other planets Yes. Intelligent life? Maybe not.

320. What is something worth suffering for? My children.

321. If you could put an extra eye on your body anywhere you wanted, where would you put it? Back of my head would be useful.

322. Are you in touch with the earth and nature? I’d like to think I am but in reality, not so much.

323. Would you rather live simply or extravagantly? Simply. But I think everyone’s idea of simple and extravagant are extremely different.

324. Have you ever been camping? Yes

325. Is your heart open when you meet someone new? I think I have an open mind but I protect my heart.

326. Are you able to have conversations with and become friends with people who are not like you and are interested in different things than you are? Yes.

327. Are strangers more beautiful or frightening to you? Its depends on my mood, what the people are like, whether it’s a dodgy place or at night. Lots of variables.

328. What stops you from doing everything you want to do? Lack of time, talent, family responsiblities etc.

329. Can you think of three adjectives that do not apply to you at all? Currently? Pretty, slim, confident....

330. How do you feel about Jeremy Jaynes, who got a nine year prison sentence for spamming people with junk email (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeremy_Jaynes)?
I really don’t like spam so I’m glad he was prosecuted. But I’m not sure whether the sentence was appropriate.

331. Do you know who the current premier of China is? Actually, no I don’t. Quite embarrassing really.

332. Are you very active?
No. But I’m working on it.

333. Is there a city that reminds you of the landscape of your brain? Nope. My brain is unique!

334. Have you ever loved someone who has loved you back?
Yes.
335. Is it really being 'in love with' someone if the other person doesn't love you? Yes. Love is often one sided.

336. Do you believe that there is someone perfect for everyone or that people just fall in love with whoever they are with at the time? I think people tend to fall for people they are with or in close proximity to.

337. Do you know secret things? Yes. I’m a vault.

338. Have you ever fallen in love with someone you shouldn't have? Yes.

339. How do you overcome your fears? With great difficulty

340. What can you do better than anyone you know? Nothing I can think of.  No wait.  Be Me!

341. Would you benefit from a wilder existence? Yes.

342. Does it seem to you like the range of socially acceptable behaviour is getting smaller or larger? Both. In times last century people were judged by gender or skin colour etc. Women, aboriginals, African Americans etc were not allowed to vote. Thankfully, that has changed. Previously, people were allowed to hit children with items to discipline them. In general that is no longer acceptable. Society is evolving and things that were acceptable are no longer. New things become acceptable.

343. Have you ever fired a gun? No.

344. Are people becoming more afraid of each other? I don’t know. More cautious maybe.

345. If you had to choose the percentage of freedom vs. safety what ratio would you decide on (ex: 100% free 0% safe)? As Julia Roberts’ character said in Pretty Women “I’m a safety girl.” So for me tonight the answer is 30% free, 70% safe.

346. Does safety stifle you? Not usually.

347. Who or what needs to be stopped? Lots of things. Famine, cruelty, abuse, etc.

348. Are human beings becoming more domesticated? Than what?

349. Do you follow the lives of the British Royal Family? Not really. I just hear or read what is in the news. I don’t go looking for Royal information or TV and magazine specials.

350. How did the death of Pope John Paul II (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pope_John_Paul_II) affect you?  I was saddened. He seemed like a nice man.

Saturday 28 August 2010

How is everyone’s weekend going?

Today it was sunny and that was nice.  Maybe winter is on the way out.  Which is good because the grass is in dire need of mowing but it keeps raining and then the grass is too wet to mow.  Hopefully we will be able to do it tomorrow or early next week.

We have nothing much planned for the weekend.  I did the grocery shopping today but really we are just planning on hanging around at home.  Which is not that different to most weekends. I was explaining to someone recently that we are mostly homebodies. The social whirl I had recently was an aberration.

Now with September in 5 days perhaps I should be using my time to plan and then spring clean the house.  Because it is really, really needed!  Anyone got any great ideas?  All advice accepted!

I hope you are all having a great weekend.

Friday 27 August 2010

Yes, they dressed up

So book week dress ups went well.  Girl Child went as Princess Charlotte from The Tiara Club.  the only issue was she couldn't find a tiara (and she has a few of ones she has made) so she made one before school.  Pity she decided to use glitter glue and there were still wet patches at 10 am.  But she had fun.  There were two Hannah Montana’s in her class, which I thought was interesting but lots of TV shows have books now.  There were no Ben 10 in Girl Child’s class Psych Babbler.  Just an assortment of pirates, cowboys, Star Wars and Transformers characters.

Apparently the majority of Boy Child's class dressed up as well.  And Boy was impressed when someone knew exactly what his character’s vest meant.  So both children had a good time, which is lovely.  Next year there won’t be dressing up for book week for Boy.  Well at least I don’t remember it being done at my  High School.

Mr E. is home now so I better go and chat to him before bed. Once again, Good night all.

Thursday 26 August 2010

Book week dress up day

Girl Child and I discussed and worked out a costume earlier in the week.  Which was of course, a Fairy.  I didn't even mention it to Boy child as I thought that maybe he was too old this year.  I can’t remember him dressing up last year.  Boy was I wrong.

So tonight has involved Girl child changing her mind about a fairy and apparently now she wants to go as  a girl from the Tiara Club.  and Boy Child wants to go as a character from Naruto. Thankfully he used his birthday money last year to buy a jacket that many Naruto characters wear so that part was easy but it feels like we have spent about an hour working out exactly which character he will be.

Let’s hope they don’t change their minds again in the morning.  I will not be impressed!

Wednesday 25 August 2010

So… nothing to say here

I must admit I’ll be glad when August is over.  Not because I don’t like August (Girl Child was born in it) but because I don’t feel that I have done NaBloPoMo justice.  So far I have blogged every day but tonight my heart isn’t in it.

Actually at the moment it seems a lot of people I read haven’t get the heart or mind or time to blog at the moment.  To those people,  I hope things pick up for you soon.

With that, I’m signing off and going to bed.

Monday 23 August 2010

Mr E. is going interstate

So it will just be the children, the animals (the furry ones – I’m not counting Boy and Girl twice) and I. What we can get up to?  Any ideas?

Actually we will be quite busy.  A birthday afternoon tea straight after school tomorrow, a school excursion for Girl Child and I on Wednesday, and Thursday is dance day.  On Friday, I’m having a meeting with a psychologist for Boy Child.

Boy is still upset with us about the psychologist which is sad.  He is also modifying his routines to prove that he doesn't need to talk to anyone.  I’m not sure how long he will be able to keep that up for or what thing he will start instead. Has anyone else had ASD children against talking to a psychologist?  If so, how did you deal with it?

I’m fairly sure Mr E will be too busy learning stuff, networking and letting his hair down to miss us but I think we will miss him.

Have fun, babe!

Sunday 22 August 2010

Sweet Sunday Blog Hop #3

As always, the Sweet Sunday Blog hop is brought to you by Jaded Vixen.

  1. The last amazing book you read from cover to cover was? I haven't read anything amazing lately.  I have read stuff I have enjoyed but nothing absolutely mind blowing.
  2. What is the best thing you know how to cook from scratch...share the recipe please! I am so not a good cook.  However, I have recently started making pseudo carbonara sauce for pasta.  Mr E. and Girl Child both really like it. 
  3. The brand and shade of the make up product you can't live without. I don’t really wear make up.  However, I really like Nutrimetics Intensive Lip Treatment SPF 18.
  4. If you could only shop for clothes in one store for the rest of your life you would choose...well as I’m currently wearing jeans from Rockmans and an IT Branded T-shirt (which was free), it shows that I have no allegiance to any store.  I guess if I could only choose one I’d choose somewhere like Myer or David Jones just as there is generally a range of clothing from casual to formal.  However, mostly I wear Rockmans or Kmart. Scary really.
  5. Can you speak multiple languages? No.  Although I did study a language in Year 11 and 12 and for a while at Uni.  Can’t remember much and can’t speak it.
  6. What makes you feel sexy? Getting dressed up, going out to dinner… I think.  It’s been so long I can’t remember!

Confessions Of A Jaded Gym Junkie

Saturday 21 August 2010

Election Day 2010

Today I did what many people around Australia did.  I helped out our schools Election Day Sausage Sizzle and Cake stall.

I wasn’t there for a massive amount of time but I probably helped cook about 400 of the 600 sausages we sold today.

The sausages I cooked today may or may not have resembled these ones i found on Dreamstime.

grilled sausage

What did your polling place put on for you today?

Oh yes, I voted too. I just hope that nobody runs around after this election saying “The Australian Public gave us the Mandate to….” .

At this point it appears the Australia Public really hasn't given anyone a mandate, just a hung Parliament.

How was your Election Day?

Friday 20 August 2010

Happy Birthday Baby Girl!

 

In the last 7 years you have grown so much!

Here are some pictures of your first few days.

Catherine 004

Catherine 009

Catherine 039

Catherine 054

Catherine 058

I hope that you know how much we love you.  Happy 7th Birthday, beautiful girl.

Thursday 19 August 2010

51 Followers! WOOT!

Thanks everyone who read and responded to my last post about followers.  I will eventually catch up on all your comments.  I’m still a little tired from the Interstate journey.   My grandmother looked much better than I thought she would, for which I am very grateful. I left home at 6.30 am and arrived home at 11pm. And survived on caffeine and junk food (as I expected).  My family gave me dinner before I left to drive home so that was nice.

Today I couldn't even face caffeine.  The thought of coffee or cola based drinks made me feel ill until about 8pm.  Note to self: Caffeine overload is bad!

Anyway as I now have 51 followers (thanks to new followers!) let us celebrate.

 

dreamstimefree_3341882 -party word

 

dreamstimefree_203265 fireworks

 

dreamstimefree_7013735 Cupcakes 

 

Balloons

All Images from Dreamstime.

I hope you enjoyed my little celebration!   I know I did.

Wednesday 18 August 2010

Followers

For some bloggers followers are really important.  For others it appears not so much.  My followers are just under 50 at this point in time and I’m happy with that.  Sure I’d  like there to be more but I’m not planning on doing anything to increase the numbers except for be myself. Of course being so close to 50 could mean that I throw a celebration once I actually get there.  Don’t hold me to it.

While I was blog hopping recently I noticed a few people with 800 plus followers.  Now, I generally just follow blogs I’m interested in and figure there is no way I will ever have 800 plus followers.  But I had this weird thought.  How does the amount of followers a blog already has effect you? Do you follow people with a lot of followers or do you think well you have  have a lot of followers then you don’t need me to follow you as well?

I’m not sure. I do think the that little people need to be supported more than the big blogs.  But then maybe it’s just me feeling inferior around popular people.

So does the number of followers someone have change whether you follow them or not?

Tuesday 17 August 2010

Post It Note Tuesday #8

  

superstickies23d

superstickies23e

 

 

 

 

 

superstickies23bsuperstickies23c

 

 

 

 

 

 superstickies23  superstickies23a

 

 

 

 

 

 superstickies23f

 

This was brought to you by:

Post it Note Tuesday

It only took about 5 attempts to get them to line up. Yay!

Monday 16 August 2010

More busyness (the social whirl continues)

After the weekend’s adventures you would think I would be having some downtime. But no, not me. Today, I had Girl Child home from school again (this makes about 2 for her so far this term and Boy has missed 5.5 days as well) so I will be  glad when winter is over.

Tomorrow I have a fair bit of work to do. I have to catch up on today’s as well as ensure everything is done because I am going to see my grandmother on Wednesday.

Yes, you read it right. I am going. Thanks to Deep Fried Fruit’s post here and her offer on my blog to send her Mum, Husband and cleaner over to my place so I could go see my grandmother, I figured I really needed to get my butt down there.

So I am going on Wednesday. I will probably leaving home about 6.30 am. I’ll arrive at her house and probably have to have a cup of tea (my grandmother is very big on tea) before driving her to a specialist appointment. After that I need to return my grandmother to my aunt’s house on the other side of the city and stay there until about 6.30 pm  before leaving to come home otherwise I will get stuck in traffic. It will be a big day and I’m pretty sure I will be absolutely stuffed and probably running on caffeine and junk food.

While it’s not a healthy thing to do, I need to go and see her and it helps my aunt and uncle etc if I can do some of the running around for them. So I will probably be setting up a post to be published while I am away but I might set it up for late enough so that if I my mind is racing when I get home I can do a different one instead.  Of course I could always work out how to blog on my phone. But that would take effort.

Thursday is hopefully going to be a fairly normal day but then it will be Girl Child’s birthday and her party will be held on Saturday afternoon. Before that though is the election day sausage sizzle at school. I haven’t been asked to help out as yet but I’m sure I will be in the next few days. They have me labelled as a sucker.

I’m looking forward to Sunday. Hopefully I’ll get a big sleep in and a lazy day at home.

No, I won’t really be having Deep Fried Fruits people here to clean my place.  But if they do have some time on their hands I’d be very happy to accept.

Sunday 15 August 2010

Sweet Sunday Blog Hop #2

Here again courtesy of Jaded Vixen is the Sweet Sunday Blog Hop.

Confessions Of A Jaded Gym Junkie

I know Sunday is almost over but hey I still have time to play along.

Today’s questions are:

  1. Have you ever had a ghostly encounter? No.
  2. Share a quote that speaks to you...Today the quote that  comes to mind is Eleanor Roosevelt’s: No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.
  3. Have you ever met someone famous? Yes.  But not really famous and not really met in the formal sense either.  I explain this in the comment on this post.
  4. The best gift I ever received was... I’m going to go all soppy here, because it is late and I’m a little tired.  You ready for it?  Love.
  5. Tell us about your first kiss... It was in one of the first years at school so I was probably between 5 and 7.  His name was Peter.  He was dark skinned and I think he was from Africa somewhere.  I think he must have been in my class, he was definitely my age. All I can remember was he was my first kiss and he was a nice boy. We kissed at school on playground.
  6. What inspires you? People who are selfless, people who overcome adversity.  On a less deep note: coffee and chocolate!

There you have it.

Saturday 14 August 2010

Social Saturday update

Today all I had planned was attending tonight’s Chocoholics Anomymous party. It was to be a Pyjama Party.  Not a problem, I have some cute PJs.  Girl Child Wanted me to wear my Eeyore (from Winnie the Pooh) ones but they weren’t quite dry.  Instead I went with Snoopy, with a longer sleeved T-shirt underneath in case I got cold.Layering is still in isn't it?

Here I am in all my pyjama-ed glory.  A sight many people have never seen and some may never want to see again. Enjoy!

Choc Party

Unfortunately for us all, I didn't post the pic where I’m sucking my tummy in as I wanted to show you the snoopy on the side.  Because he is cute.  And the other photo I took cut him out.

But let’s rewind shall we?

Today, we had nothing planned until I received a test from the owner / manager of our favourite restaurant. Seriously, if we are eating out we are there.  Or maybe at McDonalds. But we aren't talking about that now.

Why would I get a text you may ask? Well as both she and I have Coeliac Disease so they often make some yummy gluten free thing (generally dessert) when that happens I want to know about  it.  As well we have had our work Christmas party there for 3 of the last 4 years (last year we didn't have one).  Mr E and I  have also been eating there since at least 1995.  15 years at the some place.

So when I get a text with “what are you guys up to today” I reply with “What are you offering?”  There was pavlova available so off we went to eat a late lunch. 

It turns out that our restaurant soon, won’t be there anymore.  It’s being taken over by other people and turned into something so not our style.  So tonight I bid adieu to the end of an era (in no particular order):

  • the beautiful  chicken Caesar salad,
  • the gluten free double chocolate mud cake,
  • the super rich but super yummy chocolate mouse,
  • the yummy risotto,
  • the great omelettes,
  • the place we went with my extended family after my mother’s funeral,
  • the place we have celebrated many birthdays and wedding anniversaries over the last 15 years,
  • the place where Boy Child worked out the chicken schnitzel was just a big nugget and he liked it, and
  • the place where if you ordered something Boy Friendly it meant  just exactly what was ordered and nothing else, no salad, no decoration, nothing.

So much of our family's history is wrapped up in that place.  It’s no wonder that Girl Child cried when we told her it was closing.

But to not end on a down note, there will be a different restaurant opening up in hopefully 18 months or less that will do lots of gluten free food, including pizza.  In the meantime, we get to try other places (if Boy doesn’t freak out) and maybe find a new favourite place.

Friday 13 August 2010

Entering the social whirl

Me, that is! I have a very busy (for us) weekend laid on before me. You see, someone I know has started up doing Chocoholics Anonymous Parties. So this evening I have attended my first ever Chocoholics Anonymous party. Now they have Gluten Free printed on a few items on the catalogue so I bought myself one of those, something for Mr E and something for the kids as well. Tomorrow evening I am also going out! To drum roll please.... A Chocoholics Anonymous party. Yes, two in two days run by the same person. Now I was actually invited to Party number 2 first but I also thought I should go to Party number 1 just to be fair and not choose favourites. So far I have been good and not booked a party for me (I tend to feel guilty if the host doesn’t have enough sales / bookings to get free stuff) and I really hope I don’t tomorrow either.

Then on Sunday we are meeting some friends at the pool in the morning and I have a lunch to go to. Boy Child and friend are quite peeved that they can’t stay all day. But seriously Girl Child needs me to be in the water with her and I don’t think I will be able to stand anymore than about 90 minutes. Girl is slowly getting more confident but if she can’t stand up then she won’t even try to swim. She has made great progress from the child who held on to you for dear life about 18 months ago. Thankyou intensive school holiday swimming lessons. She can kick and float and do the strokes but only if she knows she can stand. I find it very strange as Boy was (and still is) a complete water baby.

Anyway these are the plans for the weekend. And this may change at any given moment. My grandmother who ended up in hospital due to her 5% renal function was discharged earlier in the week after a week’s admittance but only managed to stay out of hospital for about 48 hours and has been admitted again. I want to see her but there is nothing I can do at this point apart from just visit which is making me feel quite useless. I’m thinking about driving the 3.5 or so hours to see her for a while partway through next week. Then there is the whole should I take the kids with me or not? It is worth a 7 or so hour round trip to hang out in a hospital room for a few hours? At this point the answer to question 2 is yes. But I’m pretty sure my grandmother would tell me I’m too busy and that I shouldn’t be wasting my time visiting her. ARGH!

Of course, it really is my decision not hers. If things deteriorate during the weekend I will be bolting down there ASAP, regardless of what she thinks is best for me. Maybe seeing her will help me to feel less worried about her. It may not, but we will see.  I don’t want to have any regrets later because I put off (or was talked out of) going.

So my standard stay at home life is definitely out the window this weekend even without factoring in any possible trips. What are you all up to this weekend?

Thursday 12 August 2010

I had a haircut!

Now, how is this worthy of a blog post? Well as a jeans, t-shirt and joggers girl, I actually don't do that much in the beautification stakes. In fact the last time I had my hair cut it was February.  For some people that could be considered sacrilege but not me. I consider it self preservation. You see, I don't like small talk in general, let alone with someone I don't know very well if at all. I have never had a relationship with a hairdresser where I would follow them around town  either but maybe that's because I don't really care. Scary thought really and probably explains the jeans and t-shirts.

Today a haircut just not actually on my agenda.  I just had some time between appointments and so following Nike’s advice:

nike-just-do-it[1]

Image from http://www.qualitylogoproducts.com

I just did it.

Note to self: when you search images for Nike Just Do It, there are some interesting things out on the interwebs!

So anyway, I had a haircut.  I think it looks pretty good.  Let’s hope I can actually get it to look good tomorrow and every day after that.  It’s pretty much a brush and go style so I hope I can manage it myself.  Although I was given instruction on how to scrunch it as well.

The good thing about having my hair cut today is that a number of people have noticed and commented positively.  So that’s a nice little ego boast.  An ego boast that has been very much needed this week.

What things in your life have given you a little ego boast recently?

Wednesday 11 August 2010

What would you say?

Because it’s obvious my responses aren’t cutting it.

“Mum, if you don’t want to change me, why do you want to send me to a psychologist?” Boy Child (almost 12) wise beyond his years.


And yes, I am very sorry for another angst filled post.

Tuesday 10 August 2010

Post It Note Tuesday #7 (yes, really this time)

Post it Note Tuesday Yes it is that time again.  So after a break of a few weeks I thought I would play.  Come on join in. You know you want to.

 

superstickies22 superstickies22csuperstickies22b  superstickies22d    superstickies22g superstickies22f

 

 

 

 

 

 

superstickies22h

Yes, I noticed that I say apparently a lot.

Monday 9 August 2010

Has anyone seen the new Target We love kids ad?

Tonight was the first time I have seen it and Boy and Girl both think it looks like so much fun.  It does.  But mostly it reminded me of this blog I found recently called Mila’s Daydreams.

Adele writes:

This is my maternity leave hobby. While my baby is taking her nap, I try to imagine her dream and capture it.

Check her out her blog. Also if you click on this link, there is a movie of some the of the photos Adele has taken.  They are so cool.  I wish I was creative.

Sunday 8 August 2010

50 questions that will free your mind

This is post number 150.  So to celebrate this momentous occasion I thought I should answer the 50 questions that will free your mind from Marc And Angel Hack Life.

Now before I do this I think I should celebrate.  So here is some cake, balloons and your choice of red or white wine.

Images from Dreamstime.

 Balloons

 

 

dreamstimefree_7013735 Cupcakes 

 

dreamstimefree_50844 red and white wine

 

Thanks to you who have hung around with me for the last 150 posts.  Your support and comments have been greatly appreciated.

Now onto the questions.

  1. How old would you be if you didn’t know how old you are?  I’d like to be 23. Just married, life ahead of me, exciting times. But I’m probably more like 40!
  2. Which is worse, failing or never trying? Not trying at all.
  3. If life is so short, why do we do so many things we don’t like and like so many things we don’t do? Because humans are very strange creatures.
  4. When it’s all said and done, will you have said more than you’ve done? Probably.  Actions do speak louder than words but there always seems to be way more talking than doing in life.
  5. What is the one thing you’d most like to change about the world? Wow, it’s hard to pick only one.  I think I would have to choose injustice. If we could rid the world of injustice, then hopefully the flow on effect would be zero wars, enough food for everyone and everyone would be treated equally (regardless of race, religion, physical appearance or ability).
  6. If happiness was the national currency, what kind of work would make you rich? Something that makes a difference to people.
  7. Are you doing what you believe in, or are you settling for what you are doing? Currently settling and trying to work out how do to what I believe in.  That sounds very sad.
  8. If the average human life span was 40 years, how would you live your life differently? Learn to worry less? My kids won’t be grown by the time I die so I would focus on making the time we had together fun and prepare them for life.
  9. To what degree have you actually controlled the course your life has taken? Someday sit feels that I haven’t at all.  I’m trying to change that.
  10. Are you more worried about doing things right, or doing the right things? I’m not sure one outweighs the other. 
  11. You’re having lunch with three people you respect and admire.  They all start criticizing a close friend of yours, not knowing she is your friend.  The criticism is distasteful and unjustified.  What do you do? Try to change the subject.  Depending on what the role the people have in my life I may possibly defend my friend.  I would really hope that if I respected and admired these people they may respect me, listen to me  and stop the criticism.
  12. If you could offer a newborn child only one piece of advice, what would it be? Trust your intuition.
  13. Would you break the law to save a loved one? I don’t know.
  14. Have you ever seen insanity where you later saw creativity? No.
  15. What’s something you know you do differently than most people? Trust people.  I find it very difficult to do.
  16. How come the things that make you happy don’t make everyone happy? Because everyone is different, with their own unique thoughts, history and dreams.
  17. What one thing have you not done that you really want to do? Tried to write for a living. What’s holding you back? Fear of inadequacy, fear of rejection, really just fear in general.
  18. Are you holding onto something you need to let go of? Yes. Fear.
  19. If you had to move to a state or country besides the one you currently live in, where would you move and why? Probably a different city in Australia because I’ve never really felt the need to travel overseas.  Plus I think we have a good life in Australia.
  20. Do you push the elevator button more than once?  Do you really believe it makes the elevator faster? Yes, not all the time but sometimes.  And No I don’t think it makes the elevator come faster but it helps to fill in time while I’m waiting.
  21. Would you rather be a worried genius or a joyful simpleton? Definitely joyful.
  22. Why are you, you? Genetics, history, all sorts of things.
  23. Have you been the kind of friend you want as a friend?  Maybe less sociable but otherwise yes.
  24. Which is worse, when a good friend moves away, or losing touch with a good friend who lives right near you? Losing touch.  Because there are always phone calls, emails, face book etc to keep in touch when people move away.
  25. What are you most grateful for? Living.
  26. Would you rather lose all of your old memories, or never be able to make new ones? Probably lose the old ones.  There are some that aren't that great.
  27. Is is possible to know the truth without challenging it first? I don't know.
  28. Has your greatest fear ever come true? Not my current greatest fear.
  29. Do you remember that time 5 years ago when you were extremely upset?  Does it really matter now? I don’t remember so it really didn't matter.
  30. What is your happiest childhood memory?  What makes it so special? I’m not sure I could pinpoint it.  But I bet it was special because I felt loved.
  31. At what time in your recent past have you felt most passionate and alive? I seriously don’t remember.  Wow another very sad answer.
  32. If not now, then when? As above, I don’t know.
  33. If you haven’t achieved it yet, what do you have to lose? Nothing, really.
  34. Have you ever been with someone, said nothing, and walked away feeling like you just had the best conversation ever? Oh yes.  I love that feeling.
  35. Why do religions that support love cause so many wars? Because they think their are the only ones that are right and can’t accept people / religions can believe different things
  36. Is it possible to know, without a doubt, what is good and what is evil? Not without a doubt in most cases.
  37. If you just won a million dollars, would you quit your job? No.  Scale it back maybe but not quit.
  38. Would you rather have less work to do, or more work you actually enjoy doing? More work I enjoy doing as long as it replaced the stuff I didn’t enjoy not just supplemented it.
  39. Do you feel like you’ve lived this day a hundred times before? Not today but some days, definitely feel like groundhog day.
  40. When was the last time you marched into the dark with only the soft glow of an idea you strongly believed in? I’m not sure I ever have.
  41. If you knew that everyone you know was going to die tomorrow, who would you visit today? The person or people that meant the most to me.
  42. Would you be willing to reduce your life expectancy by 10 years to become extremely attractive or famous? No.
  43. What is the difference between being alive and truly living? A lot.  Passion, thought, acceptance, all sorts of things.
  44. When is it time to stop calculating risk and rewards, and just go ahead and do what you know is right? When you can feel it. Or when you are prepared to wear the consequences.
  45. If we learn from our mistakes, why are we always so afraid to make a mistake? Because people don’t want to be considered foolish or stupid.  Making a mistake could mean other people think we are failures and we could lose the respect of those we care about.
  46. What would you do differently if you knew nobody would judge you? Be braver, take more chances, have less regret and perhaps dye my hair an unnatural colour.
  47. When was the last time you noticed the sound of your own breathing? Last night in bed.
  48. What do you love?  Have any of your recent actions openly expressed this love? My family.  Yes, I believe so
  49. In 5 years from now, will you remember what you did yesterday?  What about the day before that?  Or the day before that? No, actually I don’t.  Not unless something important or major (either positive or negative) has happened.
  50. Decisions are being made right now.  The question is:  Are you making them for yourself, or are you letting others make them for you? A bit of both.  Mostly letting others make them and then feeling resentful about that. I think I will start to change that tomorrow.

So, are you going to answer these questions?  Or have you done it already? Let me know.

Saturday 7 August 2010

Day Zero Update 2

Hello people.  How has your Saturday been?

Today I watched an entire Monty Python movie.  It was The Meaning of Life and quite frankly I thought it was very silly. However watching it which means I have completed another thing on my Day Zero list.

I have also marked some things off my list and added some new ones.  I currently have 92 things on my list.  Suggestions to get to 101 are gratefully accepted, may not be used but definitely taken on board.

Here is the current list:

1

Finish this list of 101 things 92/101

2

Do more exercise at least 3 times a week for 3 months (12 weeks).

3

Drink more water 5 glasses to get up to at least 1.5 litres daily for 30 days Completed

4

Lose 2 kgs

5

Lose 5 kgs

6

Lose 8 kgs

7

Lose 10 kgs

8

Lose 12 kgs

9

Keep weight off for at least 6 months.

10

Have a Family holiday to New Zealand

11

Go to the Art Gallery and / or Museum with or without the family 5 times

12

Go to the Theatre twice.

13

Donate Blood regularly (at least 5 times in 1001 days)

14

Attempt to read the 50 of 71 Greatest Novels of All item that I haven't read as yet

15

Learn card making and make them instead of buying them In progress

16

Put in the forms for a school hours job

17

Blog everyday for 2 months a year (February doesn't count) In Progress

18

Plant a vegetable patch possibly with fruit trees.

19

Take the children on a bush walk / hike

20

Organise my workspace and then tidy it once a month

21

Try Zumba at least 5 times

22

Write and post (snail mail) 10 letters to people

23

Have a Chocolate free week 6 times In Progress

24

Cut back on caffeine. Try to get down to 3 or less a day (any caffeinated beverage) for a month Completed but In Progress again

25

Participate in National Novel Writing Month (November)

26

Go Camping for at least 2 nights Completed

27

Learn to cook an Indian meal from scratch (no jars allowed)

28

Restart our worm farm

29

Finish my course at Tafe

30

Try to be houseproud and actually make the house visitor friendly

31

Have a BBQ at home

32

Have a dinner party

33

Have someone / people over for coffee 5 times In Progress 1/5

34

Menu plan at least a week worth of dinners and stick to it

35

Change readers at school once a week for a term Completed

36

Call my family interstate at least once a month In Progress

37

Have a games afternoon / night with the family every few months

38

Go out with my husband on a date 5 times

39

Volunteer somewhere once a month for 6 months (not necessarily consecutive)

40

Clean out my clothes and get rid of things I will never wear again

41

Start the Couch to 5 km run thing.

42

Complete the Couch to 5 km run thing.

43

Watch a Monty Python film in its entirety. Completed

44

Have a LOTR fest and watch all three movies in a weekend.

45

Donate 100,000 grains of rice on freerice.com 4021/100,000

46

Re-learn to touch type

47

Organise my books

48

Complete the 5000 Question Survey 300/5,000

49

Write down my answers to the all "50 Questions That Will Free Your Mind"

50

Read David Allen "Getting Things Done"

51

Clean out the pantry

52

Tidy the Linen cupboard

53

Learn how to use / apply make up

54

Use the face scrub / exfoliate at least 5 times

55

Use the body scrub / exfoliate at least 5 times

56

Use moisturiser for 30 days

57

Go on the Million Paws Walk with Dogs

58

Update my resume

59

Get to school before the first bell for 10 weeks

60

Organise and have time with each child separately and do something they want to 5 times each

61

Go on a picnic

62

Write and send Christmas cards before 10 December

63

Go to bed before 10.30 for a week straight 5 times Completed but In Progress again

64

Take vitamins for 1 month

65

Answer the 20 questions you should ask yourself every Sunday once a month for a year

66

Find out what is involved to get tested and go on the bone marrow register

67

Be able to fit my wedding ring by our 15th anniversary. Sep 2010.

68

Write to someone who has inspired me

69

Don't log on to Facebook for 1 week straight Completed

70

See the sun rise and set on the same day

71

Take the kids swimming in the river

72

Sucessfully grow a plant (but preferably more) from seed

73

Watch An Inconvenient Truth

74

Learn how to make (and actually make) Gluten Free pasta

75

Cook a roast chicken dinner Completed

76

Go rock climbing

77

Fly in a hot air balloon

78

Bake an apple pie

79

Write a short story

80

Write all my bad memories on paper, burn this paper afterwards

81

Learn to locate all 50 US states on a map

82

Send flowers anonymously to a friend in need

83

Write a letter to myself to open in 10 years

84

Expand my vocabulary by 100 words

85

Make a list of 100 things that make me smile or laugh

86

Learn how to make a paper crane

87

Write on 20 creative writing prompts. http://creativewritingprompts.com/

88

Improve my posture

89

Do the 200 sit-ups challenge (www.twohundredsitups.com)

90

Read The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People

91

Compile a List of 101 Inspirational Quotes

92

Sort photos and make an album

So if you are doing this, how are you going with your list?  Or would you like to join in?  Let me know and then I can add convince someone to do a Day Zero list and I will have 93 things on my list.

Friday 6 August 2010

Emotional Highs (and Lows)

This week I had a great meeting with Boy child’s teacher.  It’s funny after all this time to have a teacher who truly gets it.  She thought about his regression and offered ideas for what might be causing some of the behaviours. 

The bad part was that I cried.  Now I explained it away due to being tired because I am.  Girl Child isn't sleeping through the night anymore and she is 7 soon. If she had death breath and was snoring I’d think her adenoids had grown back.

Part of it is / was that I am really worried about Boy Child and most of the time I feel as though no one really gives a damn.  But his teacher does and that is great.  She is happy to share thoughts with me even though he doesn't exhibit the regressions and hardly any behaviours at school.

Most of it is because my grandmother is sick.  She was fine when we stayed with her in the school holidays and now her renal function is at 10%.  I live in a different state.  There is nothing I can do from here but at this point I’m not needed there either.  When I first wrote this post (about 8 hours ago) I hadn’t told the kids that she was ill,  since then I have been told that she is now in hospital and so I have told the kids she is sick.

I’m having some very weird thoughts.  Because Mum and Dad are already dead and my grandmothers husband in the 18 months after Mum, I kind of feel as though if my grandmother dies I will be the next person to fall off the perch so to speak.  See I told you it was weird!

Pity Party over. Can someone please pass the chocolate? And maybe slap some sense into me while you are at it?

Thanks!

Thursday 5 August 2010

Today I’m feeling green…Envy

Just some things I am coveting today:

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 Image from stock.xchng

A warm place to relax.  Me time, oh yeah.

1134443_rose[1]

 Image from stock.xchng

A pretty flower… Or better yet a bouquet of flowers.

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Image from dreamstime

Chocolate. Enough said.

What things are on your list?

Wednesday 4 August 2010

The ABCs of Me

Um…. I have nothing really this evening so I thought this would work.  I borrowed it from Tina Gray{dot} Me.

Enjoy!

A – ACCENT: Australian

B – BREAST SIZE: Bigger than I want.

C – CHORE YOU HATE: All of them.

D – DAD’S NAME: Is that a trick question?  I called him….. Dad. :)

E – ESSENTIAL MAKE-UP ITEM: I use Lip gloss sometimes, does that count?

F – FAVOURITE PERFUME: I’m so not a perfume person,

G – GOLD OR SILVER: Gold

H – HOME TOWN: I was Born in Sydney but now live in a different capital city.

I – INSOMNIA: Oh yes.

J – JOB TITLE: Business Manager

K – KIDS: 2 human, no goats.

L – LIVING ARRANGEMENTS: Home with Mr E., Boy Child, Girl Child and the pets.

M – MUM’S BIRTHPLACE: Sydney

N – NUMBER OF APPLES YOU’VE EATEN: In my life? Wow, I have no idea.

O – OVERNIGHT HOSPITAL STAYS: A few.

P – PHOBIA: Not phobic but don’t enjoy being too close to big (more than a 20 piece) spiders, snakes and don’t plan to ever get too close to a shark.

Q – QUEST: To get out of life alive?  I guess that’s not doable.  Maybe to live well and be happy.

R – RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION: Christian.

S – SIBLINGS: It’s complicated.

T – TIME YOU WAKE UP: As late as possible.

U – UNNATURAL HAIR COLOURS YOU’VE WORN: Spray on red, purple, green, and  blue.

V – VEGETABLE YOU REFUSE TO EAT: None that I remember.

W – WORST HABIT: Chocolate, I mean stress, no wait caffeine, umm can I get back to you?

X – X-RAYS YOU’VE HAD: Arm, ankle and foot (1 once and both once), chest.  I think that’s it.

Y – YUMMY FOODS YOU MAKE: Cakes and biscuits.  At Christmas time shortbread. 

Z – ZANY QUIRK: I’m not sure I’m zany or quirky.  Now if you had asked about annoying then I’m your girl.

Tuesday 3 August 2010

School Issues: Some Positives and Negatives

A few posts ago, I was having annoyed with our school about aide time and other things.  As I mentioned somewhere here Boy Child has been accepted into the High School we wanted for him.  I have returned our acceptance of the placement and now am hit with the logistics of this.  The High School is about 20 minutes drive from our place.  Or Boy could take a bus which is a 30 to 40 minute adventure depending on which bus, etc.

Boy is very uncomfortable in public.  He has lost his ability to ask for help and apparently hates buses. The issue with driving is that Girl currently goes to our local Primary school but starting only slightly later.  So I am wondering how this is going to work logistically.  Part of the reason we selected the High school we did was it is only one bus away.    Now when I was really frustrated with the current school I thought Hey there’s a primary school not far from the High school.  I’ve heard good things about that school why don't we just move Girl child to that school.  So I dropped in there yesterday and today we had a tour.

They can take Girl child next year.  Yay.  But they start 30 minutes later than the high school. Boo. And to do this, I would be driving a minimum of 80 minutes a day and have to hang around with Girl for at least 20 minutes in the morning, every morning.  So that is 100 minutes out of my day (in reality not that long, I know).  On the plus side she wouldn't be late.  Also instead of going home I could always park myself at a Gloria Jeans or somewhere else with free Wi-Fi and work there remotely.  Or we could send both kids on the bus, at least one way but would still have the issues with Boy and while he is quite responsible I’m loathe to make him responsible for her or her responsible for him depending on what is going on.

Despite having issues with our current school I have managed to get some resolution.  I have discussed the issues of aides either being removed or reallocated and am okay with the answers.  And the child who depended on their aide too much?  Apparently they still have aide time at the moment and their parent is okay with that. 

I also had a good response from higher ups at our school about transition to High School which is a bonus.  I have a meeting scheduled with Boy’s teacher later to discuss what is happening with him (but she is great and I expected no less!).

Of course Boy is still very anti going to the High School. He and a friend (I use that term somewhat loosely) have decided that Boy needs to either do really badly or get expelled so then we have to enrol him in the local High School.  It’s funny the way 11 year old boys’ minds work.  What’s even funnier is that Boy Child told me their great plan.

So what would you do? If school had sucked as much today and yesterday as it did a few weeks ago I would have no hesitation to move schools for Girl.  But they came through on a few issues. And I know that first appearances aren’t always accurate when you are trying to sell something.  And long term… 100 minutes a day adds up to a lot of time.

 

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