Loving it! HP style ....

I am joining in the link up from Paisley Jade again. Remembering that no matter how bad things are there is always something in life to be thankful for. If you want to join in just click here or the button below!



This week I am loving ....

Harry Potter books, Harry Potter movies, my Harry Potter wand .... and just generally all things Harry Potter. Re-reading and re-watching in progress as we speak.

$1 coins well a few in particular. The Scouts turned 100 in 2008 and the Girl Guides in 2010. To celebrate the Australian government declared 2008 to be the Year of the Scout and 2010 to be the Year of the Girl Guide and released commemorative coins for each association in the respective years. (I hope I have the years right now!) I have been a Guide for 23 years and counting and have been involved with Scouts on and off for 16 years. Getting a Guide or Scout dollar (or a William and Catherine 20c coin) in my change always makes my day!

Mummy-Daughter Date Nights It doesn't happen very often I get a one-on-one night with just one of my gorgeous girls, but when I do they are awesome!

Rain I grew up in the middle of the desert, need I say more?! Plus with rain ... comes Rainbows

Dreaming and putting the steps in place to make my dreams a reality.

Family the ones I am related to blood, by marriage and the ones who are my family just by choice. "Friends are the family you chose for yourself". I love this quote.

Staycation I looooove this phrase! I read it on a blog recently and it is my new favourite! Most of my holidays are simply spending time at home, and they totally rock!

What are you loving this week?! Join in and tell the world!

Home Alone

It is a strange feeling! Not that I am not home alone ever, but usually it is because I have a day off work for some reason or for an hour when they are all at Guides or when I have come home after being out when they are sleeping somewhere else. I was 29 (or it might have been 30) before I'd ever slept in a house by myself. I was 21 (almost 22) before I'd ever slept in a house without another adult! I think being the oldest of seven may have had some impact on this. Empty houses still always feel strange to me!

Anyway, the entourage are having a sleepover at my sister's tonight because I am working tomorrow. So you may ask what I am doing tonight:

(a) I had crab sticks and chips with extra chicken salt. (So excited! I have randomly saw a fish and chip shops that does this in a pack like a meal. I LOVE crab sticks. Sometimes we get chips to go with dinner just so I can get them. I really need to stop this) AND I had it with salad so I am feeling very grown up, because the girls aren't even here to set a good example for;

(b) I have been in my pyjamas since 5:30pm;

(c) '27 Dresses' is on in the background; and

(d) now I am thinking about moving some furniture around. You know, as you do.

I could just curl up and get a super early night (except I want to watch a tv show later) or actually do some cleaning that needs doing or keep re-reading Harry Potter or catch up on some posts at Confessions of a Bookaholic, but I have a feeling moving furniture is going to be way to go. I am working on the theory, but when the urge hits you should go with it ... I will let you what (if anything!) I achieve later!

Oh and I should mention I will shower and change into a clean pair of pyjamas before bed! Just in case you were worried ;)

The day after Sunday

Click the button to join in with blogs tea & me for the very first 'The day after Sunday' linky. If you don't like Mondays what better way to start then by sharing the special moments from your weekend? And if you do like Mondays this can only make them better! I am excited about it anyway :)

Friday night: No Reanna, so takeaway and a couple of hours quiet reading for Mama, while the little two were at (Girl) Guides .... home and snuggles on the couch in front of a new dvd (Aimee got a new one at the Christmas in July they had at Guides that night) ... we slept all curled up on the couch. This is something I can't do when they are all home. Naps yes, all night sleeping no. They are just too big now!

Saturday morning: ... sleeping in ... stopped past Bunnings for a sausage sizzle (fundraiser for an awesome cause) on the way to the city ... I had to go into the office for a few hours (long story, doesn't happy very often). The girls were legends! Hot milo and Saturday morning cartoons for them. Zipping around the office like a maniac photocopying for me. Picture this: kitchen one corner (where the children were located), my desk opposite corner, two photocopiers in the remaining two corners. Now picture me running around madly between all four! Yes we were the only people there!! I am also pretty sure this classifies as exercise. We were there for almost two hours! Aimee dressed in "work" clothes (pictures to come) and very kindly tested all the stamps in sight. You will be pleased to know they all worked. And, this morning, I found a lovely note on my computer screen from Erin. She'd left it there on the weekend to give me a perfect start to the week!

Saturday night: Drive in. Bit spur of the moment, which is always exciting, and definitely inspired by how good the girls had been in the morning. Clinker game (are we the only people who play this?!) and then hangman while we waited for the movie to start. Plus the ever favourite "I am thinking of an animal". Picnic dinner in the car. TWO movies plus I got to catch up with a friend who came with us! Awesome night out and sooooo cheap! Especially compared to going to the cinemas.

Sunday: I got my Reanna home:) We had every intention of going to church until we found out there was no Sunday school and no pastor. Instead we had the perfect morning catching up with my co-Two Mummy Duck-er including getting some amazing snuggles from my (very tired) 5-year-old God-daughter. We had all seven kids there and they were all so good! Must have been the weekend for well behaved children. Maybe because it was so cold and their blood all slowed down. Like lizards ... or something ....

Sunday night: "Camping". Toasted marshmellows. Potatoes in jackets cooked in the fire. Chocolate bananas. S'mores. A shared beer (clearly not with the children). Wood smoke .... mmmmm ....soooo many memories!

Written down it sounds busy! But in reality, it was lovely and relaxed. We started the weekend with literally no plans and this is what it ended up like. Full of cuddles and coffee catch ups and shared times and creating happy memories.

If it isn't on facebook it didn't happen ....

... allegedly! Although considering I am writing heaps less on facebook, perhaps this means I am doing less? Or perhaps I am just ceasing to exist? Or I am just not thinking I am as clever/funny/interesting as I do some weeks?! (Thinking option three is probably the most likely) ... but anyway ... here goes!

Today I am Thankful for rain picking the appropriate time to fall, the girls being excited to do stuff with me, spending time with my (extended) family, everything working out according to plan and for finding time to cross things off my to-do list however small the "thing" is! * That strange moment when you have to text your mother to warn her that one of her granddaughters wants to learn algebra. * Waiting for the icecream to soften so I can go to bed and defrost my feet. I realise this is ironic. * I am pretty sure the animal I feel the most affinity with today is a penguin. * Lemon and lime tart! Yay for birthdays and cake days! Good pick Lisa! * Today I am Thankful for my mum, heaters and chocolate. * I love dinners that (with minor alterations) the entire household loves! I think mashed potato is the secret. * I am constantly amazed by daughters' dedication to sport! Go Reanna and Erin and the rest of the school teams!!! * I am soooooooooo looking forward to holidays :) * I still do not get why teeny-tiny chocolates are called 'fun-size'. * Today I am Thankful for a short wait at the train station, that it was just light enough to read and for a seat on the train. * Not only hump day but National Hump Day. So much cause for celebration :D * All this neon is hurting my eyes! * I am disproportionally proud of myself for *not* having caramel slice for breakfast. * Aimee walls and my walls are both colour splotched now. I don't know who is more excited! * ‎(a) Sent my rainbow fluro babies off to school. They should come with a warning for people who are sensitive to light and/or people with hang-overs! (b) I am also super proud of them for wanting to do their bit to support their school's commitment to the program they are fundraising for in Cambodia. (c) I now have green fingers. I need to learn how to use coloured hair-spray better. * Borders last day today. It looks like a ghost shop :( * All three girls got icecream vouchers for their rainbow costumes :) * Being the first person awake feels like an awful waste. * Today I am Thankful for (a) amazing girls who are transportable; (b) work places with two photocopiers, milo and coloured paper; (c) exercise from running to all four corners of the office for 1.5 hours*; (d) Erin not telling me off for the state of my desk; (e) Aimee being super good** and testing all my stamps; and (f) wonderful people who volunteer for all sorts of organisations. * Aimee quote of the day (while driving past units in the CBD): "Those people should hang their washing inside. Or at least their knickers. No-one wants to see big Grandma undies". Her response when I asked her where she heard that term: "The school photographer and SpongeBob". Hmmm. * Pretty sure I have worked way too hard for a Saturday .... but definitely sure I deserve this night out!!! * Spent so much of the day feeling like a naughty school girl!

And that is it! I am still have camera dramas on three counts! Part of it is real dramas, part of it is me being technologically challenged! I have some good ones for you though so stay tuned. I am determined to get them up in the next week. Or next week at the latest.

Keep smiling and have a fabulous week :)

I am turning into my mother

And not in a bad way. I just had one of those moments when I ate my lunch (at my desk!) yesterday, when part of my lunch was cold mashed potato.

Not that my mum has a fondness for cold mashed potatoes but, let me tell you a story ..... I was about 15 (I think) when I went in the kitchen and saw the toast had popped. When I called out to mum to tell her, her reply was she new but she was waiting for it to get cold before she buttered it and ate it. I was (I still think understandably) confused. Waiting for the toast to get cold??? This does not sound like something people plan to do! Mum shrugged and just said she got used to it when we were little and now she just likes it like that.**

Fast forward about 7 years and me studying full time with two babies, nannying for two of my little sisters, volunteering etc. I "got" it. And worked out why she enjoyed cold toast! It might be an acquired taste but if it is your best chance of getting to eat you might as well acquire it. It's not bad :)

Fast forward another nineish year and you get me today! Really getting it! I looove leftovers and I very often just eat them cold. But hey, you do what you need to do to survive and you might as well enjoy it while you are there!

But anyway ... I now get it Mum! I really do!!!

[**Family background: four of us in five years. Lived on remotish sheep station so she was our home tutor from when I was 5 until when I was 9. I am the oldest. Then she went back to full time study, while still having us at home with a governess and cooking for anywhere between 6 and 12 people, etc, etc}

F is for facebook

Today I am Thankful for super supportive and helpful people, for an afternoon at home and for things working out :) * Baking cupcakes twice in three days?! I am not sure what is wrong with me :oP * I am pretty sure that I need to refine my cupcake making skills. I am also pretty sure the *only* way to do this is by making more cupcakes. * If the "red sky in the morning, shepherds' warning" thing is true, today is going to be a massive storm!!! It is glowing red outside. (Oh and I do realise storms are predicted!). * I ♥ birthdays, cupcakes, new books, finding bargains, rain, lazy nights on the couch, winter snuggles, hot chocolate, afternoons at home, surprise presents, family dinners, having someone else cook, crossing things off my to-do list, positive people and hour long phone conversations. I don't ♥ the girls being sick, crickets, driving during storms or text messages not working. * While we are on the topic of cupcakes, apparently Aimee's class declared my cupcakes some of the best ones ever!! Go the 85c homebrand packet mix. I do think I make great icing though so maybe that was it. Either that or they just say it about all cupcakes. * Aimee quote of the day: "Mummy you are pretty enough to be a waitress". Apparently only pretty people are waitresses. * Soup + hot crusty rolls + real butter = perfect winter dinner * My aim for the day, since Reanna was home sick, was to clean out and re-organise the kitchen cupboards. I didn't set foot in the kitchen all day. I haven't even done the dishes yet. I did however get halfway through organising the study. Does this mean I am rebelling against myself? * What?! Only Wednesday?! * So, just like that, apparently I am out of retirement. And, for anyone who had any doubts, Erin is going to be a fabulous leader one day! A scary one perhaps but definitely fabulous! * Wicked! Wicked! Wicked! Wicked! Wicked!!!!! * Lesson of the day: do not volunteer to cover reception on the busiest day of the year. But I would just like to say again, that I hold receptionists in the highest esteem. Their job is *really* hard. * Yay! And that is the girls sorted for the holidays :) * I ♥ choc mint stuff, V, green traffic lights, chicken twisties, the smell of newly cut grass, freshly washed leaves and musicals (anyone noticing the green theme?). * A green Reanna is *not* on my list of green things that I love. (I love Reanna just not the fact she is green). Thanks ladies for a lovely evening and to the wonderful Elisca for babysitting! Wicked was great and now I have two green flashing martini glasses :) * Reanna is still green :( .... and we spent the night on the couch with "Tinkerbell" on. Coincidental, but thematically appropriate. * And second year complete! Eight units to go!!!! * Quiet non-pizza Friday night with Gabby and David to start the weekend! * Now "we" are counting down the hours .... * Colouring in. Service and therapy all at the same time :) * The house is amazingly calm considering there are four girls between the ages of 8 and 12 of varying levels of (over) excitement getting ready! * And we are off .... layered .... glittered ... and Hannah Montana'd to the eyeballs!!!! * Think we can declare our first concert experience a success!!! A fabulous time was had by all. Only a few minor mishaps :)* Aimee made me a thank you card. Erin declared it the best night ever. Reanna danced the night away :) * I know baked beans are good for the vegetarian baby and luckily she loves them. However, I think they are super gross. Surely buying them earns me points in the good mother stakes? * I am contemplating kicking the washing machine, but in the spirit of being calm and serene I am refraining from actually doing it (plus I am sort of scared I will either break my toe or the washing machine).

And that is it. Another glimpse into our lives during the week that was. My camera is doing strange things so no picture this time. And I am too tired to waffle anymore .... so this is it for now!

Loving .... green stuff

Hello peoples. This is another link up from Paisley Jade. If you want to join in just click here or the button below!



I just couldn't help with the theme today! I saw "Wicked" last night and I am currently having a massive loving green things moment.

So ... today I am loving:

1. Musicals! Especially when going to them involves a great girls' night out with two of my good friends, one of my baby sisters, all you can eat scrummy buffet, to-die-for chocolate desserts, flashing green cocktail glasses and green slushy drinks! Yes that is all one thing ;)

2. Peppermint chocolate. My all time favourite.

3. Chicken twisties. I love them! During semester they are my once a week uni treat :)You need this!

4. Four leaf clovers. Or ones that might be a four leaf clover with one of the leaves missing (this kept Aimee amused for ages last week! She is absolutely convinced about this one). I am loving the idea of them, the optimism that one day I will find one and the lovely time Aimee had looking.

5. Green traffic lights. Have I mentioned I am impatient?

6. Freshly washed leaves. It all looks so fresh and clean after the rain!

7. V energy drinks. I know they are awful for me and I am really trying to give up ... but it has been a very busy week ....and I do love them (addiction counts right?) Although I am not sure about the fact they use cockroaches as part of their advertising.

8. The fabulous Miss Reanna. She gets a special mention because green is her favourite colour ... and she always gets the green stuff when she has an option!

What are you loving today?

PS I did have pictures all taken to go with this post! But now my camera does not seem to be working. So... my post about green things is minus colour. Ironic really!