Don't Touch That!

How many times has every parent said this to their children? Especially when they are little, and especially when they are at other people's houses or shops with very breakable stuff.

Today the message is for me. I am in the process of setting up an additional blog and thought I while I was at it I should change the look of this one too. It seemed like a good idea at the time! I have never quite got this one right. I shouldn't have touched. I know I am technologically challenged! And this was a spur of the moment thing when I knew I didn't have much time. Luckily I managed to make fix the disaster I turned it into! I will live with the way it is now until I have time to work out how to change it properly. I would like to say "lesson learned", but I think this would be a lie.

My new blog (in addition to 'Two Mummy Ducks') is a book review one. The girls and I are all avid readers and they are excited about posting their own reviews too! Other then at attempt at layout there isn't anything else there yet. But there will be!

Another week, another bunch of status updates

I am adding waking up to a nice text message to the list-of-things-that-just-make-me-happy. * I think everyone should Google something today. The Google logo them is the "Mr Men" and "Little Miss" but there are lots of different pictures :) * Today appears to be "Put Catherines On Hold and Leave Them There Day" or alternatively "Don't Pick Up the Phone, Just Let It Ring Out Day". This is giving me *lots* of time to Google and check out all the Mr Men and Little Miss pictures. * "Smile. It makes people wonder what you are thinking about." * I ♥ baby cuddles, choc orange stuff, random text messages, happy facebook updates, double episodes of favourite shows, real life stories, my girls, bubble bath, red wine, crossing things off my to-do list and my bed. I do not ♥ picture messages not working or headaches. * Aimee is so excited we have *five* family members doing NAPLAN this year. Very funny. * Must ... stop .... craving .... bacon ........ mmmmmmm * Reanna is very excited. Erin is very excited. Aimee is heartbroken. So sad that I can't even make jokes about 'two out of three ain't bad' without feeling mean! * Today I am Thankful for Google and for being able to find out the things I should already know by my age.* Having someone tell you they don't exist is always a little disconcerting. * Sleeping v Everything I *have* to do this afternoon/evening. Sleeping is not going to win this time. * Today I have bought a pineapple with the top still on (the girls are *so* excited) and the 'Women's Weekly' Royal Wedding edition (I am excited, sad but true). I now also have a box of Guide biscuits I am selling (we are all excited and I am expecting some of you will be excited about this one too!). * I have a bruise on my leg. It is about the size of a 20c coin and I have no idea how I did it. * Happy Friday Eve everyone!!! (I was searching for inspiration and/or motivation ... and this is what I found!). * "Life is not a journey to the grave with intentions of arriving safely in a pretty well-preserved body, but rather to skid in at the end, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, champagne in one hand and strawberries in the other, yelling ... 'WOW! What a ride!'" * Chicken and grape sandwiches are surprisingly good! * I think I have just developed an allergic reaction to minutes. This is not going to work well. * I have a horrible feeling that by this time of the semester I should actually know something about the subject. * Left the house. Radio announces It is Friday the 13th - Beware!" I giggle about the superstition. Get stuck in traffic because of car accident. Finally get to train station and hear announcement there are delays. Drive to work. Three lots of roadworks. Moral of the story: Just because you don't agree with other people's beliefs (and I am still not thinking Friday the 13th is an unlucky day), don't laugh at them!!! * I think the fact it is Friday has gone to my head! Or it could be the caffeine? * Dear House Phone, I have enjoyed our relationship over the last 19 years. In lots of ways I don't know what I would have done without you. I look forward to seeing you again in the next 10-15 years. Love Cath PS Reanna is currently enamored by you. Just so you know. * I am giving Sneezey some serious competition here. * I ♥ new coloured post-it notes, high heels, sleeping children, baby cuddles, fun text messages, blogs, Fridays, long phone conversations, new books and making plans. I do not ♥ sneezing, picture messages not working or mosquitoes. * This morning's adventures were varied and full of good ideas. * After a morning being out-and-about, we had an "At Home" afternoon entertaining people dropping in. Awesome catching up time, but admit I am very glad for a quiet night at home tonight. * Lesson of the day: When you have been sneezing lots for three days (and you don't actually have a cold), don't decide to clean out dusty cupboards. It doesn't help. * "Every journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step". * Aimee has spent the morning trying to copy a picture of the 'Mona Lisa' and being frustrated by her attempts. No idea why. It is definitely an Aimee-thing! * My name is Catherine, and I am a bookaholic. * I think Reanna and Erin are a little pleased we didn't pick this match to have a derby party. * I ♥ "new" books, blogs, rain, weekends, winter pyjamas, cushions, random stuff, creating happy childhood memories, picture messages, hot chocolate and my bed.

And my picture of the week is ........... "Grumpy and Nonna Gnomes"



The girls call one of their grandfathers 'Grumps' and accordingly every time we buy him a present we seem to get him an item of clothing with Grumpy dwarf on it or Mr Grumpy or some sort of garden gnome. The initial one was actually Grumpy dwarf. The girls decided they absolutely had to get this one for his birthday because it could be Nonna on his back! Neither of them physically bear any resemblance to the garden gnomes.

A Right Royal Confession

It is the 21st century. I am 31 and I am Australian. These things really indicate I should be at least leaning towards republicanism, but I confess they do not. I wouldn't exactly say I was a "royal watcher". I almost never buy magazines, although I do read other people's and I do read any article on the web.

I managed to miss a lot of the pre-wedding hype for Prince William and Catherine, mostly I think because I was on holidays and not an the computer non-stop. However, to balance this out I hosted a princess party with one of my sisters, two of my girlfriends and a whole hoard of children. My sister and one friend very kindly feigned an interest. Lela and I dressed up and celebrated in style. This princess party was the final catalyst for another whole adventure of mine (and Lela's) that you can find on our other blog (Two Mummy Ducks - check out my profile to find it because I don't know how to add a link in yet!). We had party food, drank out of wine glasses, wore tiaras/facinators/hats as per individual taste and had a fabulous time. Have I mentioned yet how much the entourage and I love dress-up parties in general?

All this aside, I love the fairy-tale. I always have. I love that we witnessed history and I remember watching the wedding between Prince Andrew and Sarah when I was little. When I was about 10 I had a whole scrapbook filled with Royal clippings. I had read an article about a lady who had done it her entire life and I thought it was cool. Unfortunately someone found it and I was so embarrassed I put it in the bin. Realistically, I know the fairy-tale is an illusion but fantasy is fun.

My decision to support a Australia's remaining a constitutional is based a lot more then a romantic notion of the Royal family. It is based on a 'if it's not broken, don't mess with it' theory, the part of my that promised to not only serve my country, but also my Queen, my love of history and an honest admiration for how hard some members of the Royal family work. Clearly, times need to change in lots of ways, but I still think there should be a happy medium.



Above is some wedding memorabilia - the bouquet I carried as a bridesmaid for Lela's wedding, the tiara I wore at mine and the souvenir Royal Wedding edition of the Australian Women's Weekly (and the last time I bought a copy of this magazine I think was the souvenir year 2000 wedding!)

So until next time ... I am going to keep dreaming, keep believing in fairy-tales and, most importantly, I will be continuing to wish on stars.

My name is Catherine and I am a facebook addict

I admit it! I am a facebook addict. I update my status at least two or three times a day. Sometimes more. Even more scarily, I don't access the internet on my phone so all my updates are actually from a computer. I do have an office job though and I am studying at night at home so a lot of my time is legitimately spent sitting at a computer. The computer does sit on the table on in case I have sudden inspiration when I am at home though in what I like to call the "Mummy hours" (i.e. the time after I leave the office to pick the girls up from school to when they are in bed asleep. The time I spend driving them around, chatting about the day, watching dance classes, cooking dinner, helping with homework ... you know the sort of thing I mean).

But going back to facebook. I genuinely enjoy trying to think of status updates that are interesting, update and amusing yet still reflect me and my life. So I thought it would be fun to record and them on here as well in a weekly post .... so here goes ..... My week in status updates - 1 May 2011 to 8 May 2011 (this week has an 'extra day' the Saturday was 1 May so it seemed silly not to include it).

* Mayday! Mayday! Mayday! * Brunch with Rob and Tania (but no Chad!) .... now off to Brookton for the afternoon! * Baby lambs feeding are the cutest things ever! Their tails spin round in circles!!! And before anyone says anything I don't ever remember seeing a lamb feed when they still had a tail * Pot-luck dinner finished off a day which involved a lot of eating! * I can't believe there is only three days of school holidays left :( .... I could do with another week at least!! * Today was definitely a constructive day! So many little bits and pieces done! And finally sent the bags and bags of stuff off to the second-hand shop!! * *sings* Roller-skating, hide-and-seek, craft stuff and board games.These are a few of the girls' favourite things! (Well these have been the favourite activities when we have been at home these holidays anyway!) * I *love* lecturers who give good information about what to expect in exams!!!! * Today I am Thankful for flexible friends and for an increased sense of security thanks to the new lock on my fridge and being able to actually park my car in the carport! * Waking up in the middle of the night and being wide awake, but when the alarm goes off always still being super sleep. One of life's great mysteries. * Today I have lost one (at least for part of the day) .... but gained two .... baby-sitting my cousins :) Thanks to all my super understanding friends (and Reanna's)for changing our plans. Allegedly last minute baby-sitting duties earns me Platinum legend status and this can only be a good thing! * "I mourn the loss of thousands of precious lives, but I will not rejoice in the death of one, not even an enemy. Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that." --Martin Luther King, Jr.* After serious consideration on the matter, I have come to the conclusion 'A' names may be a jinx. Final reason for this conclusion? Little Miss Naughty A1 and Little Miss Naughty A2. * The girls might be giving Joel the 'Hair-Puller of the Day' award, but from me he is getting 'Cuddler of the Day'. * Off to training .... five kids in tow .... wish everyone luck!! :) * I never thought I would be so excited about a door!!! But I am :) * Last day of school holidays today :( .... back to reality tomorrow! * I would love a delayed send for text messages. For those times you think of something you just *have* to tell someone at a time when it is really not a good idea to text! * I am adding super cool stationary that aids procrastination to my list-of-things-that-just-makes-me-happy! * Lovely day to finish great holidays .... back to real life tomorrow!!! * I want minions!!! * Today I am Thankful for being able to spend school holidays at home with the girls, pain-killers* and friends who know me so well! * I just participated in an automated telephone survey that had the fastest talking voice imaginable! It made me sound like I speak slowly. * I ♥ Autumn, holidays, chick lit, sleeping children, surprises, purple toe-nails, fairy magic, crossing things off my to-do list, making pictures in the clouds and fun stationary * Back to real life and work .... and a wonderfully organised desk thanks to the lovely Tanya. And to my colleagues who are placing bets on how long this will last, the insder tip is Tuesday :oP * Dear Chaos,We meet again! Did you miss me? Apparently I missed you. Looking forward to a long and prosperous association. Let's treat each other nicely! Thanks heaps, Cath xxx * Today I am Thankful for the wonderful members of the school community who facilitate the Mothers' Day stall. The girls all came home super excited about the presents they had bought. Adding to the excitement is that they earned from Daddy so it makes it a Mummy-free process! Lots of smiles all round and I am anticipating lots more on Sunday!!!! * Parenting moment of the day: Trying to explain to Aimee why it is not a good idea for her to correct her teacher's punctuation (or spelling or grammar for that matter) on her assignment sheet. Even if the teacher was wrong. And even if she is right. The comments "no-one is perfect" and "everyone makes mistakes" earned me blank looks from the little one! * Having school, work and uni all start again on the same day feels a little mean! Or badly organised ......... Note to self: Think of this next semester! * Coffee machine is back! Hot chocolate is making me very happy :) * Today is Friday :) .... I feel this says it all! * The list of things to do this afternoon is getting longer by the second! I am determined not to forget anything this time. * I did not think the hairdressers would take so long! I have three very gorgeous (and much neater) girls now :) * I ♥ Autumn, rain, slushies, choc orange stuff, board games, champagne, surprises, wearing jeans to work, my beautiful babies, cushions, wishing on stars and crossing things off my to-do list * "If you think my hands are full then you should see my heart". * Find of the morning: "Land and Sea Tales for Scouts and Guides" by Rudyard Kipling, Commissioner, Boy Scouts. 1923 edition means Scouts were still using the (left-facing) swastika as a symbol. Massively excited about this (even if no-one else gets it) and the book makes the trip a success even if we didn't get what we actually wanted!!! * Enterprising daughters + Mothers' Day + craft stuff = surprises + (relatively) peaceful coffee catch-up time * When did Doritos get so yummy?! * I really want donkey-dragon baby pets! Dronkies? So cute! The minions could look after them. * Bacon and scrambled eggs by Chef Reanna, French toast by Chef Erin and beautiful serving by Miss Aimee. Showered in presents and set to bed to read for the morning. Perfect day so far! Happy Mothers' Day to all the mums out there. Hope you are having a lovely day! * I know it is really predictable but this doesn't stop it from being true so I am going to say it anyway! .... Today I am Thankful for my mother, my daughters, Terri-Anne, Jeanne and Nanna Jan. Also, for all my friends who are sharing the parenting journey with me! * The rest of Perth may be still in the grip of Beiber fever (well a certain demographic anyway), but this household* is concentrating on Miley Cyrus!


Wow! I didn't think that would be so long. I have also come to the conclusion I need to tone down on the exclamation marks.

Pretending

This is where I pretend that all the amazing posts I wrote in the last 10ish months have been deleted. Clearly this is a lie, although in my defence I have written some fabulous ones in my head. Stay tuned though for some amazing new developments in (my) blog-land!

Toothpick v Needle

It is 9:48 am according to my computer clock on a Saturday morning and I have nothing on until tonight except normal housework type stuff. However I have already had to explain to Aimee why she cannot sew a badge onto her Guide uniform. Simple version is I wanted to finish reading my book before I got up. She was ok with this. The complicated version is that I then had to explain why she could not use a toothpick instead of a needle. I don't know why she thought of it. Mummy needs more chocolate and yes I was in bed.

I'm ba-ack!!!

And this time I am pretty sure I am back for good. While I can hear the skeptics out there not believing me, this time I have a plan.

I have started a 100 words challenge at http://www.100words.com/about.php and so far it is up to day 12 and I have posted everyday. My theory is by the end of the day I will be used to writing every day I will want to keep it up! For this month, because it is my first month I have been treating it pretty much like a blog. Next month (can you hear the optimism?) I think I will use it for a specific purpose. As yet I am not sure what that purpose will be but I have at least another two weeks to decided!

Writing aside, it is the middle of the school holidays (and my holiays from work). We have been visiting people like crazy, cleaning/organising the house like crazy and it is raining LOTS!

I am also adding Quiz Nights (my table came third last night!) and Christmas-In-July* dinners to the list of things that just make me happy.

(*disclaimer: I love Christmas-in-July as a fun thing to do with family and friends or as a fundraiser. I do not like the shops decorating like it is Christmas).