So much to say!

I haven't forgotten about this blog! I have so much to say. It has been Reanna's birthday. So I have to blog a post on her. I actually got halfway through this and then something went wrong. I don't know what, my computer skills are not that good. We have had some other fun stuff on too that I would like to share.

However a cold most of last week drained any spare energy and I have my exam next on Tuesday so I know doing a decent post is really just procrastinating and I am trying very, very hard not do to that. Only one exam this semester though! So, as of Tuesday evening I am on holidays from uni at least :)

Stay tuned for the promised posts. But here is a photo to keep you wondering .... (and to remind to what I was planning to write about).



Argh! My picture is sideways. I will fix this later when I work out how. For the minute it can stay as it is while I get back to the books.

PS Haha. I didn't look at the blog before I wrote this! I had forgotten I had done a whingy post about exams and being sick! Oops. I didn't mean to repeat myself! That said ... I am not going to change it ;)

*Whinge Alert*

I am sad and I am grumpy. I was all psyched up to post about something interesting. I hadn't exactly made up my mind about what that interesting thing was yet, but I am sure it was going to be great. However, now I have a cold. It is definitely not the flu, but it is making me miserable. I am pretty sure it is a man-cold. Partly because I am feeling yucky and I am very whingy, but mostly because I am pretty sure I caught it from a man. And he was defintely more whingy then anything else! I am even sadder, because I am studying for my exam next week and fuzzyheadness is not good for this. On the upside, work is quietish (so I can plod along), my exam isn't until next Tuesday (and after feeling awful for three days I think I am definitely on the mend) and Reanna is away (and I am missing her lots but it does mean there is less running around).

The week that was.

I like Nova a lot less after this morning's topic! * Tired panda eyes. * I fixed the car! I might just be a little proud of myself!!! * I have four girls who are sounding way too excited over 'MasterChef'. Is it really mean that I don't want a running commentary? * Teaching the girls pig-latin. I am sure this is a bad idea. Although Erin is very impressed about how good I am at it! * I wonder if "fluent in pig-latin" is something that should be on my cv? :oP * "Keep smiling, because life is a beautiful thing and there's so much to smile about." — Marilyn Monroe * I ♥ rain, napping, "new" books, cuddles, boots, having purple toe nails, Chinese food, blogs, musicals, camping and evenings just doing nothing. * Inside, outside, upside down! * Hump day over. * Thinking happy thoughts :) * "Aerodynamically, the bumblebee shouldn't be able to fly, but the bumblebee doesn't know it so it goes on flying anyway." -- Mary Kay Ash * Muffin with white chocolate + cappuccino = one happy me who is now slightly awake * Massively excited! Croissant Express is doing soup again :) * Argh!!! Last class ........ * It never really occurred to me the Ombudsman was a person. * And that cuddle and the "I love you Mummy" and the "I missed you" and the excitement to tell me everything about the last five hours makes it all worthwhile. * I could easily snooze the day away in five minute intervals.
* After Autumn's delayed start, Winter seems to have arrived early (just in case you missed the memo). * Contemplating who to go as to a hen's night with a movie theme :) * Sleeping in would be easier if it wasn't a subject of family debate. The debate being held in my bed, while I was trying to sleep. * I should be studying. I want to be in bed. I am going ice-skating. (I have a cold and I am pretty sure it is a man-cold and I am snuffly and whingey. Consider yourself warned!!!) * Girls are all getting super good at ice-skating! Only one major stack .... but you expect that. And my head seems a lot clearer. Yay!! * Lesson of the day: Do not deal with boiling water when topless. * Dear Head, The whole point of driving is that you *don't* wake up feeling horrible in the morning. As you seem to have forgotten this, kindly rectify the situation immediately. Thanks heaps,Cath * Reanna is packing, Erin is off visiting, Aimee is jigsawing, Misty is doing rabbit stuff, Boris is making a lot of noise and admiring himself in the mirror and I am studying and procrastinating. All is pretty normal really. * I am beginning to get a collection of microwave plates.

And this week's 'Picture of the Week' is ....




Ok it isn't a photo of mine, but I do love the quote and it was the inspiration for at least one status update!

Things I have learned about myself from looking at my status updates this week: If in doubt of something interesting to say, throw in a quote! Having a cold makes me whingy. I still need to cut down on the exclamation marks even though I am pretty sure I talk in exclamation marks in real life.

Stolen!!!

This post is stolen from my new blog 'Confessions of a Bookaholic'. The name really says it all! You may consider this lazy. Possibly with good reason! But I am going to call it good time-management.

"This really says it all! I love to read. I am not actually convinced there has been a day in my life in the last 25ish years where I have not read at least one page of at least one book. Usually it is a more. I read on the train on the way to work, before I go to sleep. I sometimes slip in a few chapters before getting out of bed, in the ads if I am watching tv or if I am stuck waiting somewhere.

I read all sorts of books and I have been known to boast that I have at least one book from every genre. This might not actually be true. I guess it depends on what sort of genres you can come up with! This said, some genres I like more then others as I am sure will become apparent.

Just in case you don't believe me here are some of my bookshelves scattered around the house.





And yes I do mean some. These were just the ones that were easily accessible and didn't look too messy! Clearly I also like ornaments and photos.

So ... stay tuned for more posts and reviews of what I have just read (or in many cases re-read)."

I am still not clever enough to post a link so if you are interested you will have to go via my profile!

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.