This looks like fun

Recycling goodness.....

We are definitely lacking in storage in this house. The one thing we don't have a lack of is used newspapers. Besides, I'm not a fan of plastic. 'The Australian' and 'The Age' would be the perfect size for making these baskets methinkeths. I like the idea someone added about using spray lacquer to seal. You don't want newsprint on anything..... and I think I might just skip the bow - a little too flouncy for moi. Ooooo, and you could maybe make it using some cool wrapping paper - perhaps the cheap but cool stuff from our favorite conglomerate, IKEA.

Find the instructions here.

Fun and games

Moo makes 'a snate.' (That's snake to you and I)

I thought I would share our play dough recipe with you. Previously when I've made it there has been way too much (in volume) so here is a version that is just enough for one (plus mummy).


1 cup of plain flour (I buy cheap flour especially for this purpose)
1/4 cup of salt
1 tblsp cream of tartar
1/2 tsp oil
1 cup of hot water
For this lot we also used: green food dye (1 tsp), coconut essence (1 tsp) and green glitter. You can't see the sparkles in the photos but trust me, it's got sparkly goodness!

Mix the dry ingredients in one bowl.
Mix the wet ingredients in another, making sure the salt dissolves completely.
Pour the wet mix into the dry in a microwave safe bowl and give it a good stir until it is blended. Cook in the microwave on high for 30 secs.
Stir.
Cook for a further 30 secs. Stir.
(Repeat until the dough is cooked through.)
Please take care when removing the play dough because it will be hot!
Give it a bit of a knead and wait for it too cool down before giving to your little one to play with.

** update** The next time I used this recipe the dough was not 'cooked' enough after 1 min in the microwave. The mixture starts off very sloppy and thickens when it's cooked. Keep cooking the dough until it is translucent and thickened. If you take it out before it's done it is way too sticky and gooey.

Last time we used red food dye and strawberry essence which made a lovely 'bubble gum' play dough. : )
I'm wondering what 'flavours' we will do next. I have found recipes for chocolate and also edible play dough (providing your child isn't allergic to nuts!) Now I just have to wait for our 'suntan lotion' play dough to expire.

I spy..... if I could create anything.....

.... now that's a hard one!!!

Should I go for something like a peace maker, a famine solver or a rain maker? Hmmmm *thinking*
I'm gonna say that if I could invent anything it would be the cure for cancer.

I think we have all been touched by cancer at some time in our lives.
A friend. A parent. A loved one.
My Aunt lost her battle with a brain tumor last year and God knows I wish she was still here.
My MIL and another Aunt are currently fighting breast cancer.
The list could go on and on......
Seriously, there are people out there who have a lot more expertise than me on inventing the cure for cancer. You can donate money here at the Cancer Council Australia and it might just help a clever scientist do what I can't.

This weeks theme comes from Cindy via Amanda at L-plates.

As promised - hats!

I finally charged the batteries for my camera and took a photo of the hat I made for Moo on the knitting loom. I have also just completed a grey one for hubby (sorry about the blurry pic) which was done in a couple of hours in front of my evening TV fix of Masterchef.
I'm totally in love with how easy it is to 'knit' on the loom. I have a severe problem with tension when I try to knit with needles - in more ways than one.
The adult sized hat was made on a 36 peg loom and the child's hat on a 31 peg loom. Instructions for making the hats were found on Youtube as the instructions that came with the loom looked like they had been translated from English to Chinese and then back again..... *grrrrrr*

Unfortunately, I didn't knit the ladybird hat Moo is wearing in the photo below. It was found at Paynesville market by my Mum and was a birthday present. I just had to share it because it is soooooo cute. Moo's cardy was an oppy find (Bairnsdale) and was brand new. I paid a grand sum of $5 for this lovely Nanna knit! Woo hoo~

And just because I lurve ladybirds...... the stickers off our apples! : )

More karoke

After the post on my favorite Korean karaoke song I saw Bret from Flight of the Conchords singing a Korean song. Nearly wet my pants with laughter! (And, yes, he is actually singing in Korean and the translation, although a bit weird is literal and not made up!)



God I love those guys!

Just a little friendly advice......

Before you go running to the ER because your wee is red/pink you might want to think about what you ate in the hours prior......
Whole packet of beetroot chips?
That'll do it.
Medical emergency averted : ) D'oh!

NB - I have a family history of kidney disease so although it might seem a bit hypochondriac like, it isn't in the realm of impossibility.......

Crafty stuff

Awesome knitting by pes.de.pato and not me : (

Last Christmas my Mum gave me a set of round looms. I finally got them out last week and the instructions were, to put it frankly, quite shite. So, I turned to good ol' trusty Youtube and found some great instructional videos but they don't allow me to embed them. I knitted a cute little hat for Moo and it was soooooo easy - even for one who doesn't knit.
Yay! I actually 'knitted' something. Now it's time to 'knit' a hat for hubby! So proud of myself that I am considering trying some real knitting again...... but don't hold your breath! (Just what I need, another addiction to spend money on.)

(My camera battery is flat so I will add a photo of my first handmade hat a little later.)

Eye Spy...... a scar

Oooo, what an interesting theme by Fuzzy Dragons!

It's been a while since I've compared scars - we used to do it all the time as kids.... (weird?)

My favorite scar is one on my left knuckle in the shape of an upside down V - where I accidentally cut my hands with a pair of safety(!?) scissors in the 2nd grade. Then there's the 'haven't slept in more than a few hours in a few days and cleaned the hand blender without unplugging it' scar. I don't recommend making baby food when your baby hasn't let you sleep. Dangerous stuff! That was a particularly nasty one......
Several knives have left their mark (I love to cook) and I used to partake in a little stained glass action - glass is sharp too. Really sharp.....
There's the scar on my hip from falling off my bike as a teenager, there's the scar on my chin from having a mole removed and the vampire bite scar on my calf. (Actually it was a dog that bit me but it sooooo looks like I met vampire who confused my kneck for my knee.)
Oooo, and there was the incident of Cup Day 2005 that involved a very sharp box cutter and a phone call to my Dad inquiring about the point at which one might need stitches..... I'm starting to think this post is making me sound clumsy!
But, my most loved and most hated scar is where my daughter left my body. She marked me and I love that but it just ain't pretty. And, it reminds me of things that I'd rather forget. How she came into the world in a way that I didn't want. I have to be grateful for that scar though because without it she (and I) might not be here right now to whine about it.

Maybe you noticed a break in transmission? I've had the flu for the past few days so there was no venturing outside looking for something in bloom. (The alternative Eye spy topic for this week).

(PS, I don't have swine flu. Only the boring regular kind - the only pig around here is me! Mmmmm chocolate. The cure for all that ails ya!)

Thanks Cindy for hosting!

Eye spy...... a morning ritual.

This week's theme comes from 3 Red Buttons.

Well, there are no photos of our morning ritual..... rushing often abounds and really, you don't want to see my in my PJs with my bedhair and crusty features.......

Usually, we do the normal getting dressed, eating breakfast thing. But Thursdays do have their own special ritual. It's pancake day! Every Thursday I get up and make pancakes and we sit down as a family to eat breakfast. Instead of me running around, Moo runs around in circles screaming, 'PANCAKES~~~ PANCAKES~~~' Hubby works from home that day so it's a nice relaxed brekky. After breakfast it's time for running around - getting Moo ready for creche. I leave 30 mins before start time because Moo needs plenty of time to walk the 50m. We have to say hello to every dog, cat and neighbour, pick some flowers, collect some autumn leaves and perform other random toddler actions. Thursday is my favorite day - pancakes and sacred 'Mummy alone' time.......

photo by roosterruler

If you'd like to join in head on over and visit Cindy at bugandpop.

Well, I'd better run. Tonight the out-laws are coming over for dinner and I need to;

• fold some of the washing that is making an obstacle course of our dining room
• excavate the sofa
• scrape unidentified sticky goo off the floor
• cook something

More cheering!

I know I keep going on about it but I just had to share the news that Mike's art will be gracing the credits of this week's Sunday Arts program on the ABC. Obviously, it will be on this Sunday - 5pm on ABC1 or 7:30 on ABC2 if you missed it the first time. Go Mike! GO!~

Eye spy....... my Karoke song

In the true spirit of Karoke, here is a lovely Korean tune with the required high pitched singing....



In Korea there is a 'norae-bang' (lit. song room/Karoke) on every street corner. You get your own little room so it's not quite as embarrassing as singing in front of a bunch of complete strangers. Just you and your other drunk friends....... If you want to live for any time at all in Korea you will NEED to sing Karoke as it's a huge social activity. But be careful - you may get addicted!
Whenever my friend B and I used to feel stressed out/bored we would go down to our local and get down to the following......



and



Thanks to bugandpop for hosting and Tis Rhubarb for this weeks delightful theme.

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO~~~~~``

I heard the 80's are making a come back. Oh God no!

Wanna laugh? Head on over to AwkwardFamilyPhotos.com.

I WANT ONE!!!!!!!!!!

Totoro hat from Hello Yarn. Now I really do have to learn how to knit....

Finally! Actual craftiness.

I finally got around to making the monkey laundry bag from Amy Butler's Little Stitches for Little Ones.
As usual, the pattern was absolutely easy to follow with clear instructions. I didn't end up making the draw ties as per the pattern because I wanted it to hang down a fair way and I just wasn't in the mood for cutting and sewing fabric..... I just used some bias tape I had lying around. Maybe, one day, if I can be bothered (!) I will make the original ties.....
The fabric is a 70's sheet oppy find and the rest are scraps I got from Mum. The yellow lining is an oppy table cloth. Buttons off an old shirt. Totally recycled!

Above: close up
Below an 'In situ' shot

Our next creative venture was the bunting for Moo's birthday party a few weeks ago. On her birthday morning it was pouring with rain so together we painted A4 sheets of computer paper. (I highly recommend Crayola washable finger paint - it actually washes out. Revelation!) We sprinkled glitter on some of the paintings while they were wet so they were sparkly too.

After the paint was dry I cut the A4 sheets into triangles and sewed them together on the sewing machine. An idea which I think came from Maya-made's snowflake garland. Totally easy to make and very effective. All our party guests commented on how lovely they looked.

Can you guess which ones I painted and which ones Moo did?

And finally, Moo and Grandad got creative and put up some trellis on the deck - to stop small children falling great distances when they are being adventurous.....

Hooray for craftiness!
I sure hope I can fit some more in shortly......

More on 'bicycles'

The Dutch do it again~!

Check out this awesome product from Taga.

Is it a bike? Is it a stroller? A cargo bike? Twin stroller? TOTALLY AWESOME!



Can't get them in Australia (yet) and the current price is £1,695 if you want to go to the UK and buy one......... bummer. One can dream.....

A peaceful night's rest....

.... was not had by a certain toddler mamma last night. A particular 2 year old woke at 3 and 3.30 and 4.00 and 4.30 until her mother gave up and got into bed with her so that she could give her a strangle death grip cuddle around the neck. Which apparently is the best way to sleep. For some.......

Grrrrrrr *yawn* rrrrrrrrrr

Where's my damn coffee?

Look what we found!

Do you remember the post about the Bakfiets?

Cargo cycle, made in Australia - only $1295.

On the stove....

... pea and ham soup. Yummo!

Just need to pop some bread in the oven so I can eat crusty bread with it. Perfect for this cold, dreary day.

Carry on from previous post......

I'm beginning to see a theme here..... as I saved the previous post I remembered two of my other favorite illustrators - A A Milne and Karl Larsson. Can you notice a theme? A certain style?

On my want list......

... I just LOVE Belle and Boo. You can buy something for me from here. Yes, you can!

Pleeeeeeeese~~~~~~

Birds and Trees

Went to the opening of Mike's exhibition this evening. Totally wanted to buy an ink drawing but all my favorites had red dots already. So did many of the larger works - GO MIKE!!
I'm really in love with birds and trees, particularly silhouettes so this exhibition was right up my alley. If you'd like to check it out visit Metro 5 in Armadale.

A couple of people there asked me if the painting above was inspired by our daughter. I don't believe so and the child in the picture is older than Annie, but yes, it kind of reminds me of her........ She's the kind of kid who would run up a lane way for a lookee see!

On a side note, as we walked into the gallery my BIL was talking with a couple and he proceeded to introduce me to them. The guy looked really familiar and I thought I must have met him at one of the other gallery openings (these things have a lot of the same people at them) and I almost said, 'Have we met before? You look familiar...' Suddenly, I realised that although I 'knew' him he wouldn't know me because TVs don't work both ways. It was a famous game show host from a few years back (Tony Barber) and I'm SO glad I didn't embarrass myself by asking him if he knew me!

What do I have to say today?

Photo by orangeya

I made it past 10,000 steps! I've got one of those little pedometer doodads that hubby put in my Christmas stocking a few years back (because I asked him too, not because he was making any hints or anything!)
Supposedly, walking 10,000 steps a day indicates an 'active' lifestyle, but I tell you what, it's really hard to make it to 10,000 steps every day! To reach this goal I had to walk to the train station, and then to my friends house, then walk all the way back home (almost 2 stops on the train) and then use my Wii fit for 30 mins on the 'cardio' activities. I'm not sure if the pedometer is accurate or if I'm just a lazy sod...... but reaching 10,000 steps a day leaves me with sore feet at the end of the day. And who has time for all this? *blah*

But, today I made it! Yay!~~~

Latest deliciousness

Photo from Flickr by hardworkinghippy

Hot soup and cheesy toast is one of our winter staples. Lately, it's been chicken and veg soup. We make it like this:

Throw 3 organic chicken drumsticks in a pot. Add lots of vegies (today was leek, pumpkin, potato, celery, zucchini & carrot) and enough water to just cover. Season however you like. Try salt and pepper, garlic, ginger, Kelpamare, curry powder - not all at once!) Boil until meat falls off the bone. While the soup is cooking (I use a pressure cooker so the cooking time is very short) throw a couple of pieces of bread on a tray, cover in grated cheese and chuck it all in the oven at 180. Spoon cooked soup into a bowl. Dip in some toast. Eat. Lick your lips (and then the bowl!).

Usually, I take the chicken out, puree the vegies and then throw the boned and chopped chicken back in because Moo won't eat all vegetables in chunks but will eat anything if she can't see it. Yep, the old, 'hide the vegies from the kid' trick. Today I also added some ground brown rice which results in a thicker, heartier soup. B vitamins, magnesium and fibre are an added bonus!

It takes no effort at all to make but is incredibly delicious and I do love a healthy dish that results in Moo yelling, 'More Mummy! MORE!'

PS I hope I haven't offended anyone with my live chicken photo on a post about cooked chickens..... But, the chicken we eat was alive at one point..... That's one of the many reasons I prefer organic meat. Taste, texture, nutrition and knowing the animal led a natural and free life before it made the ultimate sacrifice. I think about that when I prepare it and when I eat it... Wouldn't you like to think that your dinner roamed about scratching in the sunshine rather than in artificial light, cramped in a crowded shed?
'Off on a tangent' rant over. : ) Yep, I have opinions and I'm not afraid to share them! : )

Menagerie cake

Space on top of the cake was at a premium!
The horse sank into the quagmire.
The dog fell over and got covered in 'grass' and had to have a bath.
But Moo loved it and that's what counts!

I really enjoyed the party. I did a lot of preparation way in advance so wasn't busy running around on the day. Once again, true to form, I over catered and sent a bunch of relatives rolling and groaning to their homes........ : )

Bento

Cleaning out the cupboard the other day I found my old lunchbox from when I lived in Korea. I have to pack a snack for Moo when she goes to creche so I thought I would put it back into service - with knicker elastic (new!) to hold it together because I lost the original strap........

Bentos are great for toddlers because you can put in lots of little snacks without using lots of different containers to keep them seperate. And it goes in the dishwasher!

Michael Peck 2009

My awesome and greatly talented brother-in-law's new exhibition opens on the 13th of May at Metro 5 Gallery in Armadale. Come on down and snap yourself up a beautiful painting! Read about it here. Oooooo, I can't wait for the opening! Yay!

Brrrrr

It's only 9 (48) degrees outside. That's pretty cold for us! And seeing as it has been a pretty warm summer we are freezing our butts off! Great start to the ski season.
This morning I went shopping for supplies for Moo's birthday party. Came home and made sausage rolls to put in the freezer. Space in our fridge and freezer is currently at a premium as we had our organic meat delivery yesterday too. Thank goodness for our giant fridge/freezer combo!
It's Moo's birthday on Tuesday and I just can't believe my little poppet is turning 2 already. Although I might complain about her 'spiritedness' every now and then I am so proud of her 'spunk.' She's not shy and loves to walk up to strangers in a cafe and tell them about her stuffed toy. She'll run off when I drop her at creche yelling, 'Bye bye Mummy!!~~~~' She's an enthusiastic (if somewhat sloppy) kisser and loves a good leg cuddle. She's full of energy and love for her friends and family. She not afraid to say what she thinks or ask for what she wants. I hope she can continue to do that through her life - but she might like to learn some tact along the way.....
I'm so thankful for our 'little' surprise. She really is one in a million billion squillion.

We're all set until 2020

We spent 2.5 hours this morning going on the Montessori Primary school tour, filling out reams of paperwork and relieving ourselves of some hard earned dough. I never ever in a million years thought that we would be enrolling Moo for school so early but once I found out what kind of competition there was for the limited number of places I HAD to do it now. But it's done and dusted now - until we face the horrors of choosing a secondary school! *sheesh*

They don't put this on the Huggies commercial

This afternoon I was afraid to go into Moo's room after her nap..... I smelt a 'smell' in the hall and heard her saying, 'Poooooooo.' My mother's intuition was right and I won't go in to the sight that greeted me. Let's just say that the washing machine is on, the windows are open and baths were had...... *sigh*

Moo's sleeping

Woo hoo!

Gotta love a sleeping toddler.
I've done the ironing (inspiring stuff) while watching the Lifestyle channel - Jon and Kate Plus 8. I love that show. That woman is my hero..... I find it challenging to look after one little girl. I can't imagine raising twins AND sextuplets. The kids are super cute too!
We are getting rid of our cable TV when the contract runs out and it is about the only show I'll miss. That and Grand Designs. We got it when Moo was born because we were sick of watching infomercials when feeding/pumping during the night. (As a side note, I'm still haunted by the sight of anything Medela. I might write about my year long relationship with the breast pump one of these days.)
Nothing exciting going on here. We went to Mum's Group this morning and the weather was nice enough that we could sit outside. An incident that sums up the day is one toddler stabbing another in the head with a plastic pitchfork (no harm done). Sharing is hard......

Mummy: Annie, did you do a poo?
Moo: Nooooo
Mummy: Then what's that smell?
Moo: Rabbit poos?

Pity we don't have any rabbits. Although, I did find a dead one in our front yard a few days ago. Ewww~

Missy Moo is turning two next week. Where did that time go?
After much deliberation I've decided on a farm yard cake because Thomas is a little too ambitious for me this year. I think it will be a chocolate cake with chocolate icing around the outside and a 'path' through the middle of the top of the cake. The top icing will be green and I have bought some new 'Schleich' farm animals for the top which she can play with later. It'll be fairy bread, sausages rolls and party pies in the way of food (home made). Punch (of the non-alcoholic kind!) and paper bunting because I haven't gotten around to making the fabric bunting that I wanted to and can't envision getting it done in the next week or so.
I can't wait to see her face.

You've got to laugh! Even when you smell like petrol......

I decided that I was in need of some retail therapy so I went with my MIL and Moo to Ikea.

On the way the following happened;
- I stopped at the service station to get some fuel
- pulled up to the pump, got out of the car and noticed it was out of service
- lined myself up with another pump on the other side (tricky as I am a learner driver)
- realised I had pulled up on the wrong side for the petrol cap! D'oh!
- re-maneuvered to another pump
- tried to fill the car but the pump wouldn't start
- the attendant wasn't paying attention and didn't turn on the pump.....
- I was waving and trying to get his attention when the pump suddenly turned on, the spout wasn't quite lined up so petrol came flying out of the car and covered me : (
- Went in to pay and the attendant was listening to his MP3 and so didn't see me
- I yelled but he didn't flinch so I ended up having to throw a pack of gum to get his attention
-(perhaps I should have had a go at highway robbery....?)
- I end up having to swipe my own credit card and all that because he can't be bothered
- He asks me to sign and I have ask him for a pen when he doesn't understand the blank look on my face and lack writing implement!

*sigh* I really felt then like I shouldn't have bothered getting out of bed! I stank like petrol and was a bit worried about naked flames!

But, I had such an awesome time walking around Ikea with MIL and Moo. Moo was VERY well behaved and enjoyed the showrooms. Apparnetly Ikea beds and furniture are great to jump on! I had meatballs with boiled potatoes followed by Daim cake for lunch - lingonberry cordial and all! MIL had a fish bake which reminded me way too much of school lunches in Sweden. : )

I bought a Billy bookcase with doors for inside our front door. It's now our 'runway' with space for bags and shoes on the inside, a mirror on top so I can check my face for chocolate smudges and my shoulders for boogas (Moo's not mine!) before leaving the house, an 'unkillable' house plant (we'll see about that), and a dish for keys and mobile phones.
I'm so pleased with myself. I've wanted to do this for ages and it feels so great to strike something off my 'to do' list. YAY~

Don't you just love the modern sculpture (aka dead house alarm)? You can also see that I haven't quite finished stripping the wallpaper. Eventually the walls will be white (?) and so will the door jams. I'd like to get a larger mirror and mount it on the wall but this one I already had will have to do for now.

On reading my favorite blogs this morning.....

... I noticed that so many of them apologised for not posting in a while. I particularly liked Hoppo Bumbo's reusable post. Tee hee.

I was chatting with hubby last night about my 'pit of despair' and he asked me if I had been blogging because I enjoy it so much. I told him I hadn't. I asked him, 'Who wants to hear; today I washed the dishes, washed the clothes, fought with a dead tired child who didn't want to nap, tidied the living room, made a sandwich?'

Yes, things have been mundane. But what he said was right. I need to start blogging again. It helps me to make time for myself. It inspires me to find the beauty and it lets me release some steam by whining out into the internets......

So, I am going to keep at it. I might not blog too much about craft but I can certainly share my adventures as a stay at home mum! And oh, the adventures that we have!

Hmmmm

I've been pondering how much I should share in this kind of forum. I'm a little wary of things being 'out there' and I know hubby doesn't like me writing about our personal life. Fair enough.
But this means that I haven't posted in a long time. No crafting news. No creativity documented.
I have, however, had things on my mind. I've written about Moo the 'spirited child.' She's great fun but she's also A LOT of work. And since she hasn't been sleeping during the day like she used to there's been limited time for me to do things I can't when she's awake. During school holidays it's worse - no creche! Anyhoo....
The main thing that's been plaguing me is that we have been on the TTC roller coaster for over 6 months. Our first pregnancy was a 'surprise' so we hadn't experienced deliberately trying to have a baby. Our second pregnancy was also a 'surprise,' in that we got pregnant first try and then soon lost it. That was last October and we have been trying since. If any of you have been through this before you can understand. This really hasn't been too long when I see how long some people try (some in vain : ( and I know that we 'are lucky because we already have a child' but that doesn't change the fact that we want a brother or sister for Moo. I'm a bit of a focused person sometimes so this has been (in this case) a bad thing. Obsessive POAS from 12 DPO - and if you can understand what I just wrote it is possible that you too may be a little obsessive and we should start a club called 'POAS anonymos.' ha ha ha
Last week I was feeling a little upset and hubby suggested I go out with one of my friends. Yes, I said, my two best friends are pregnant, both my SIL are pregnant and all my Mum's group friends are pregnant or just had babies. ALL OF THEM!
I'm banning myself from using the computer for anything other than blogging and emailing so that I can't wallow in my misery with others who are on the same rollercoaster.
And whatever you do, don't leave a comment saying, 'Don't worry, it will happen', or 'Just relax.' or I will have to hunt you down.....

PS - If you happen to be a 'best friend' or SIL please understand I am totally happy for you and want to hear all about your beautiful belly! Don't tip toe around me and pretend like you don't have a giant tummy poking out in front of you - there's a complete difference between my longing for a child and my happiness at having another bundle of joy around.... : ) I love you guys!

Free spiders

Usually my organic groceries come with free ladybirds and the odd caterpillar. Today it came with free spiders in the grapes. AARRRRGGGHHH!~~~~
Have I ever told you I'm an arachnophobe?
Scared the daylights out of me - lucky I didn't wake Moo who was having an afternoon nap for once (woo hoo~)

Comings and goings

It seems a lot has been going on here lately.
* Hubby's Grandad's home was flooded. He still is unable to live in his home and it's sent his blood pressure sky high.
* Moo's Nan and Pa have visited twice from the country and stayed the weekend
* BIL and SIL are expecting surprise baby #3 made just 3 months after #2 was born. SURPRISE~ They will have to buy a new car (3 car seats won't fit in their current car) and sell a buy a new house all before the baby is due on November 1st. (Thinking of you Y!)
* Dad's sister has been diagnosed with an aggressive breast cancer. (Praying for you, D)
* Moo has visited the preschool we wish her to attend. Can't believe that we are already having to book her in for Primary school....... *sheesh* She's not even 2.
* I've been trying to continue with decluttering, de-wallpapering and painting which seems like an exercise in futility. I guess it will end at some point and will be fantastic and I will wonder what I can do next. : ) Looking on the bright side.
* Hubby's had a big work project on the go and has been working every day including weekends. Thank goodness it's finished today and life can go back to 'normal' (whatever that is...)
* Although I quit my job I am going to have to work out some way of earning some income. Going in and out of the city was not going to be practicle but now we have school fees to think about......

OH NO~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Can you hear my cry?

I just heard that Genki is closing down. I'm so sad : (

Magical March: Day 27

Well, as you may have noticed there hasn't been too much magic going on around here. No crafting either.
A certain almost 2 year old (not mentioning any names....) has decided to cut out her daytime sleep but then gets so tired that tantrums abound. Enforced quiet time results in wall kicking, rolling about on the floor turning blue and screeching like an enraged banshee.

Moo is at creche right now. This is the first time I have been alone in about 2 weeks and it sure is magical.
It seems like such a luxury to sit and drink a cup of tea in complete silence.

*sigh*

Can you hear that? It's silence and it's beautiful.

Magical March: Day 17

Warning: the following content was written by a negative Nelly.

My Mum always said, 'If you haven't got anything nice to say, don't say anything at all.'

Today was one of 'those' days but I'm not going to go into it. Let's just say that I am going to go to bed and hopefully the gremlin that plagued me today will be gone (at Granny's house!) and I can wake up on the right side of the bed.

Magical stuff today: Nothing. Nada. Absolut ingenting.

Magical March: Day 16

Well, I think it's official. I'm magic-ed out.

I did resign from my job today so that's something off my mind. I've been on maternity leave since March 07 and have been struggling with the decision to go back ever since I left work. But, finally, I sent in an official resignation and it's a weight off my shoulders. Woo hoo~ My brother says that now I am an unemployed bum I should put a couple of chairs out on the deck and order a pizza. Oh, those were the days. Young and carefree, hanging out with my bro (and unemployed and poor....). I don't think a nearly 2 year old will be happy just hangin' on the deck, eating pizzas and drinking beer though..... and maybe child services might have something to say about it too. I think those days are long behind me!

I haven't been crafting lately. Moo has decided that afternoon sleeps are not for her (which doesn't stop me from trying....) and Granny is taking her every other Wednesday instead of weekly. My 'me' time has been reduced significantly. What time I do have has been spent keeping things in order. *bah* But keeping the house clean helps to keep my mind decluttered. I'm finding a messy house stressful at the moment so I tidy when I get the chance these days.(Ie, picking up all the toys that Moo has flung about. I sometimes wonder what I did before she came along.)

My creative genius has been simmering away though and I have plenty of ideas for things I want to do when I get the chance. Yay!
And, through reading blogs I can live vicariously through other people's crafting fun. It's better than nothing - that's for sure!

Magical March: Day 15

Family love is magical.

Yesterday we had a downpour. The large storm water drain across from Grandad's was blocked and his home was flooded. He was just sitting watching TV when the water starting lapping at his feet! In the garden you can see where the water got to - about my shoulder height and inside the front of the house it was just over ankle height.

All the grandkids got together today and helped to salvage what we could. I used my insurance savvy to deal with the insurance company. We all worked together, carting and packing, sorting and shaking. We sat down together for fish and chips and tried to consol Grandad. Unfortunately some precious things were lost but he's OK and that's what counts most.

Family love and togetherness is magical. It's the special magic that glues us together.

Magical March: Day 14

This afternoon I was thinking about what I would write today on the subject of magic. It was while Moo was having her afternoon nap and I starting thinking about what life used to be like not too many months ago. Then, after reading Ellieboo's post I decided that today's magic would definitely be a good nights sleep.
As far as newborns go Moo was a great sleeper. After just a few weeks she was letting me sleep from 11-5. But then things went pear shaped. Moo was lactose intolerant (not that we knew it then) and her sleep was being disturbed. She got into bad habits and this lead to terrible multiple night wakings. We went through a period of getting up hourly and I was a mess. We tried all kinds of things to get her to sleep except for controlled crying because that was totally unacceptable in my book. (Just my personal opinion. I'm not judging anyone). Finally, we weaned when she turned one, changed to lactose free formula and went through the learning to sleep again journey with the help of Elizabeth Pantley's book, 'The No Cry Sleep Solution.' Now she sleeps from 8-8 and naps from 2-4 and I'm the happiest Mum in the world. That's no exaggeration. I can now appreciate a good uninterrupted sleep.
I know what it's like to feel so sleep deprived that you feel like you should be admitted to a mental institution and I know that there are some of you out there have felt the same - you've told me. Sometimes I think it's the 'mum's secret shame' - especially when other mothers are going on about how their little darlings sleep like angels!

So, to cut a long story short, truly, getting a good nights sleep is magical.

To all the mums (and dads and carers) out there, I hope you get a good nights sleep tonight......

PS - I think I may still have cot/crib bar indentations on my forehead from all the hours I slept sitting up with my face smushed into the side of Moo's cot. : (

Lejonkungen - The Lion King

I got the Lion King in Swedish for Moo (perhaps for me???)
She's gonna love it!
I remember I went to see it at the movies when it first came out and there are still some songs in it that I know the Swedish words better than the English ones!

I'm always surprised when I see animated movies and they have 'the same' voices in Swedish as they do in English. How do they do that?

singing *snart är det jag som är kung* la lalla la la lalla la la~~

Magical March - Day 12

It's a day of celebration and magic.

Happy Birthday to Nicole and welcome to the world Georgia.

I have just been out for a nice lunch in the park with my friend, whose birthday just happens to be today. Happy Birthday Nikkinoo.

Got home and opened my email and saw a note from one of my Mum's group pals apologising for not attending this morning because her daughter - Georgia - had just been born. 10:30 this morning while all the other Mum's were chatting and sipping tea!

Congratulations to you both!

Magical March: Day 10

I went to a funeral today. Actually a better description would be a thanksgiving of life.
It was a lovely service and as happy as it could be.
Someone there mentioned the cycle of life. How at one point of your life it seems that lots of people are getting married. Then they all have babies and more babies. Then come the 18ths. The 21sts. Somehow along the way you end up at the funeral end of things.
It's a magical thing to live a long life. To make it to the end of the cycle having met all the milestones in between.
Today I'm thankful for all the magic I've seen so far.....

Want to read about more magic? Visit pottymouthmama and see who else is playing.

Fun 'unfortunately *insert your name here*' meme

Via bugandpop via Pip at Meet me at Mikes. Rules here.

Unfortunately, Amanda's wild ways are just too much for the Headmistress.
Unfortunately Amanda's life isn't as glamorous as it used to be. (Ain't that the truth!!)
Unfortunately Amanda has been working so well for us (i.e. it never breaks) that I haven't had the opportunity to learn how to troubleshoot it.
Unfortunately Amanda's campaign took a knock when she managed to walk into a bollard and almost fell over outside the hotel. (Sounds like me.....)
Unfortunately Amanda had missed the ’sitting in a ladylike manner’ class at finishing school. (hmmmmm)

ha ha ha ha

Magical March: Day 9

You know what? It's hard to think of something magical every day. I try to be a thankful person but sometimes it's hard when you are busy living life - especially with a headstrong "spirited" child.
I believe that being magical and being happy are closely related so here are some things that I have been thankful for today;

• going for a walk to the park with the whole family. Nan and Pa included.
• the lovely weather. Warm in the sun. Cool in the shade with a nice breeze.
• aromatic fresh coffee.
• left over beouf bourguigon toasted sandwiches for lunch - yum!
• Mum watching Annie while she's sleeping so hubby and I could go out together for a few hours.
• sitting on my bed typing this post, listening to the birds twittering outside.
• public holidays. Hubby is home today instead of at work. Yay!
• having a happy family, food on my table and a roof over my head.

Remember, things don't have to be amazing to be magical. : )

I think I'm going to lie down on my comfy bed in the sunshine and be thankful for a few minutes. I might even close my eyes so I can concentrate.... maybe take a quick nap? Magic.

Eye spy.... something that makes me laugh.

Monty Python's fish slapping dance.
Anything Monty Python will make me laugh.

Thanks Anja for this weeks them and to bugandpop for hosting.

Oh dear.

How to get a concussion - also known as MHI (mild head injury).

Bend down when you drop something on the floor.
Stand up quickly because you are in a hurry.
Smack your head with full force into the corner of the towel rail.
Think, 'Gee that smarts' and something else which you've forgotten.
Loose 15 mins because you don't remember what you did after that.
Some time later, brush your hair and wonder what is wrong with your hairbrush that it feels like it's scraping your head.
Continue your day thinking how you've got a terrible headache and must have slept funny and feel a bit sick.
At about 9pm that evening, while watching TV, feel something stuck in your hair.
Wonder what the hell your toddler has put in your hair.
Realise it hurts and seems to be a large cut...... suddenly remember you hit your head and freak out because you actually forgot it totally.

Oops!

I don't recommend doing this. Not at all.

Please mind the towel rail everyone. x x x

Magical March: Day 8

My husband woke up early this morning and went off to work (in the home office in his PJs). Now I'm awake too but Moo is still sleeping. I'm all alone and snug in bed. The house is quiet. The street is quiet. All I can hear is the beautiful song of the magpie.

Photo from here.

One of the things I missed the most when I lived overseas was the morning song of the magpie. (And roast lamb, the smell of gum leaves and meat pies....) We live near a park so we hear them all the time. It's really lovely. Magical even.

Enjoy your Sunday and if you are in Victoria - enjoy your long weekend!

Magical March: Day 7

Today we had lunch at the Cuckoo. There was bell ringing fun for all. Moo danced to the accordion man's music and Mummy had dessert twice.

Taiwanese tourists took photos of Moo who was dressed in a little Bavarian Miss outfit for the occasion which weirded me out a bit.... But she did look super cute!

A magical lunch in a magical little Bavarian cottage in the hills. Yay!

Magical March : Day 6

You can't get more magical than Totoro.

I've been a huge fan of Studio Ghibli for over 10 years now. Recently I've been able to buy English language versions but my original DVDs are in Japanese.

In particular, I just LOVE となりのトトロ Totori no totoro (My Neighbor Totoro). I bought the English language version for Moo and she is sitting now watching it, totally mesmerized. It makes me so happy that we can watch it together - I don't know who likes it more......

I can't wait to introduce her to the rest of my collection.

Ranting again

I called my insurance company tonight to make a claim for a lost item. It was lost at my in law's home (small jewelry item - probably down the sink but who knows?) and I was told that I need to make a police report. I was told by the insurance company that I could do this over the phone. So, I call the police station. Nope. If the item was stolen I can but not if it was lost. I have to go there and fill out a report that says I lost an item in the home of my husband's parents (because they are criminals and maybe they stole it.......?)
I don't drive. I have a toddler. I don't live near a police station.
They want proof of ownership - even thought it was a gift and I don't want the person to know the item was lost.
A police report (which is an official document) is not enough apparently. Or the fact that you are required under the insurance policy to only tell the truth - it says so in the PDS. No, you need to do three things that would stand up in court.....
The claim is for about $70. Not a huge sum. I know this having seen about 1 million insurance policies in my time.
This is a giant pain in the butt.
Grrrrrrrrr.


At least I called late at night so I didn't have to wait on hold for 30 mins x 2......... *blah*

Did I tell you I am an employee of this insurance company?
That I'm supposed to go back to work for said insurance company in exactly 12 days and counting. That it is part of my job to listen to ranting people that are annoyed with their insurance policy. HA!~ A big fat dose of irony, my friend.

OK - I promise that my next post will be about crafting, or baking or something sweet and nice and not just me getting stuff off my chest! I know you want the pretty stuff ; )

Magical March: Day 5

It's early to be blogging - I'm actually typing this from my cozy bed drinking a nice hot cuppa. Hubby made me a cup of tea this morning before he went to work and Moo is still sleeping. Happy Birthday to me!

However much it seems that Moo still sleeping is lovely - it's only because she was up between 4 and 6 this morning. Stumbling through the dark at 6, going back to bed I stubbed my toe on the vacuum cleaner that I had stupidly left at the foot of our bed. I couldn't help but hiss, 'Happy Birthday Mummy.'

But, I'm over it now. It was just that all I wanted to do was sleep and you know how much it hurts when you stub your toe!

I've decided to stay in bed with the 'interweb' until Moo wakes up and then we're off to Mum's Group. I'll have to find the rain cover for the pram - we haven't had to use it in.... say.... about 6 months or more....... My garden is getting a birthday present too.

Have a nice day everyone!

I'm just saying...

.... because I want to rant.....

Why is there such a long wait list for child care/kindergarten?

I finally, after much deliberation (mostly about the fees), decided on Montessori schooling for Moo. Well, that's all fine and dandy but now I have to find a place! She's two at the end of April (2 days before the cut off date for schools) and I have her on a wait list for 'early starters' with the hope that she may be able to start before she turns three..... What? 14 months on a wait list? Our local council run childcare has a 2 year wait list.... and I have been told that I need to enroll Moo for kinder AS SOON as she turns 2 to even have a chance of getting her into the kinder I want. Mind you, I have to pay an application fee (non refundable) and pay for her to attend from January because her birthday isn't until April. Or I can wait for the next year and she can be the oldest in her class instead of the youngest. She's very bright and waiting a year is not going to benefit anyone. (OK, all Mum's say this I guess, but she definitely doesn't need to wait a year.)

I didn't know when Moo was born what sort of child she would be. Whether I would go back to work or not (not). What our financial situation would be. How am I supposed to make those decisions before she's born so that we can get on a wait list and hopefully get a place in a few years time? Why can't we have a system like Sweden? Why don't I just move back there? 'Cause hubby would have to learn a new language and I'd miss fresh vegetables and Vegemite...... ha ha ha

It's all out now. Rant over. : )

I just have to say it....

It's too cold, dark and rainy.
I wish it were summer again...


NOT!

Magical March: Day 4

Well, it may not be magical to you but it's magical to me..... I have a clean house! (almost....)

Today Moo is at Granny's house and I have been busy. Thanks to my mostly kept to New Year's resolution I have been able to spend my free time doing things on my 'to do' list rather than just catching up with the cleaning! Yay! Truly magical!
This morning I dusted, sanded, dusted, masked (around 8 panes of glass), bottom coated, second coated the double doors (French?) between our entrance and dining room (50's house). I steamed off some more wallpaper from the hall (grrrr) and then did the housework. And, I even have a couple of hours to sit around and bludge before Moo gets home. Or maybe I'll find something do - I'm feeling a little hyper after all my crazy running around.....

How about a little to do list for the rest of March?

• get rid of the two cots that I have lying about (homes to go to, just need to organise. Long and boring story about why we have two - no twins here!)
• remove the rest of the wallpaper in the hall
• prep skirting boards and architraves in hall for painting
• go through Moo's wardrobe and work out what she needs for winter
• sew or buy the missing items from e-bay
• do the same for my own wardrobe!
• continue decluttering

It's raining outside. The wind is cold and it's only 15 degrees. All my dreams come true!

Hope you are having a Magical March!

Magical March: Day 3

Some things I like about March/Autumn:

• birthdays. Lots of friends and family have their birthdays in March.
  
• autumn leaves. Not sweeping them up - jumping in them!
  
• cool evenings
• getting out the quilt so I can sleep with a quilt and a feather doona/duvet.
• eating casseroles again. I'm so sick of salad by the end of summer.
• going for walks without getting too hot
• playing outside without burning your bum on the slide at the park. (On nooo, I don't ride the slide..... : )
• wearing jeans again. Woolly tights with long boots. Scarves. Hats. Anything knitted or felted. Flannelet pajamas.
• rain. New growth on my plants that survived the summer somehow.....

Finally, after a yucky day today we have had a cool change accompanied by rain. I'm sitting here listening to the rain and the breeze rustling the trees. The curtains in my room are breathing - in and out, in and out.

I'm taking a deep breath and letting the summer out.........

Welcome, Autumn!

Photo by Amanda (craftedfromtheheart@flickr)

Magical March

I celebrated the coming of March with a trip to the shops for a nice new pair of cool nights jammies. I couldn't find any nice flannelet in Spotlight or Lincraft and then saw these lovely green/brown ones that I HAD to have..... Target. $17. I don't think I could buy the fabric/notions/pattern for that.... So, store bought we have... And of course, I just needed to buy matching (kind of) cable knit socks/slippers ('cause I can't knit).

A magical wish for some cooler autumnal weather and a hooray for flannelet PJs and slippers!

*edit - it's going to be 32 degrees tomorrow. : (

My band meme

I was in the school band.
I played French Horn.
I didn't think it was a cool instrument.
I always wanted to play flute like the 'cool' kids.
Now I think the French Horn is way cooler than the flute.....

Anyhoo, here is the cover of my very first fictitious album!

Band name: Harold and Sylvia Greenberg Theatre
Album title: Never better than knowledge
Artwork via here.

Meme via Pottymouthmama - make a visit if you you'ld like to join in and release your first album (and to see the rules of the 'My Band' meme)!

I spy..... something(s) that make me happy

As usual, I couldn't think of just one thing. So, I went back through the archive and chose some of my happy pics......

Pretty things, nephews and uncles, drinking tea, crafting, my family, my Moo, Op shop finds, sunny days, traveling, fun and games, baking, holidays, sewing, nature, chocolate and comfy slippers.

Thanks Iris + Lily for this weeks happy theme. To join in pop on over to bugandpop.