It's been a while.
For months now I have thought about loads of fantastic post titles and subjects. I just havent been able to put them to "paper".
I received a few emails and messages from concerned fellow bloggers regarding where I have been and when I am coming back, sorry ladies sometimes "stuff" gets in the way.

Life gets insane , and I have been as busy as a mad hatter. I still keep up to date with all the blogs I follow through Facebook and sneaky reading directly on your pages though!

The past three months have been full of excitement, achievements and the mundane.

The Daddy Man has been made 2ic in his department at work. Which means more hours he isnt at home and loads more moolah.
Jman has lost his first tooth and was diagnosed with an eye syndrome that will need future treatment.
Tman is exceeding in school and received 3 1st places and a 3rd at his recent sports day.
 Hboys head has healed nicely and although he still has a scar it will fade over time! Recieving 56 stitches last christmas really hasn't slowed him down though.
Cgirl has come into her own and is becoming a little lady I am so very proud of. She is strong, kind and very clever.

I have been reading like crazy which tends to help keep my sanity in our little cherry house. Product testing has been keeping me busy with some wonderful little treats and will be having a giveaway in the next fortnight!

I've missed my blog, it saw me through hard and great times. The Daddy man has been nagging me for weeks about writing again, so..it's time!

I hope you are all well in blogland and would love to hear how your year is going and what you have all been up to.

xx Debb

When tummy's are grumbling feed them -

I am regularly asked as I do my weekly shopping how many children I have. Sometimes people also ask if I am "stocking up".
My weekly shop usually makes the trolley groan as I whiz in and out of aisles. Sometimes I think I need two trolleys, but with only two hands that isn't very practical.


Not only do we buy an assortment of crap toilet paper,soap,washing powder etc, there is always loads of food.
I buy alot of fresh produce. Fruit doesn't last long around these parts so I must buy loads!
I only buy milk in 3 litre lots or we run out quick smart. And bread is always in bulk.


I limit my children snacks to healthy foods or healthy alternatives.
The after school rush is very busy. We arrive home after a hectic nice leisurely walk and the first question out of the kids mouth is "whats for afternoon tea??".

Two weeks ago I was sent a large box by a company you all know as Sirena. 
After arguing with Cgirl that the present that came to the door was marked for me and not her, we opened it up and inside found packs of yummy goodness.

Their new snack packs are called Tonno E Riso.
These scrumptious little containers were delicious.
Basically it is a mix of tuna, veggies and rice...which come in 4 different flavours.
Rustic Bean
Italian salad
Puttenesca and
Spicy tomato

Now most of my kids aren't fans of seafood. Usually Tman and I split whatever tuna is about while the other kids turn their nose up.
But this taste testing went very differently.

Cgirls remarks were - Please can I have some more mummy, It's so yummy and I promise to eat my dinner.
Hboy's remarks were - mmmm Hyummy Mummy
Jboy's remarks were - Tuna? ewwww and then after trying them - Yummy mum are you sure its tuna?
Tmans remarks were - *slurppp* *smile*

So overall we had a winner. I thought they were pretty tasty and even hid a few for later snack-age.

I found the packs great for the kids to take for lunch.

They don't have any nasty artificial additives or preservatives.

They are also gluten free!

You can serve them cold or hot and they are quick and easy.

They taste delicious.

They are very well priced.

They can be used in a salad,sushi,with pasta, on sandwiches and in wraps.

Some facts on Sirena - 

Did you know that Sirena means mermaid in Italian?

Sirena have been supplying Australians with quality canned tuna for over 55 years. The creator Carlos Valmorbida immigrated from his homeland in 1946 and decided to introduce a new type of tuna with an Italian twist.

Final consensus in the O household says - Yum yum. these tasty little morsels will definitely become a regular snack in our house.

My what big teeth you have!!

A few years ago my wisdom teeth came in, nothing too painful, I didn't know what everyone whinged about.


Within 2 years my right hand bottom wisdom tooth has disintegrated and had to be removed.
I noticed a shift in my teeth alignment, previous to this I was always complimented on my straight teeth.


Last year I received a filling in the tooth next to my eye tooth (not sure what its called), it had a small crack and was fixed up quickly. Afterwards an abscess grew and after visiting the shoddy cheap dentist again, was given antibiotics and went on my merry way.
Within 3 months I had another abscess above the same tooth. I went back to the dentist (by this stage slowly going broke) and was given more antibiotics..and off I went.


I ate painkillers like they were tic tacs over a 4 day period. I likened the pain to squeezing my watermelons out.
It FUCKING hurt!!


Well guess what?? I am pretty sure as I type this I have another abscess, after speaking with my doctor today, I have to go and see my local hospital dental clinic in the morning to get it fixed.


I have had some panadol but the inflammation is comparative to a gobstopper sitting inside my cheek.
I also feel slightly light headed.


So tomorrow I will hopefully be getting this fixed.


I have never had an overly big fear of dentists. I think the most scariest part for me is to be told to clean my teeth more often. shame shame.


I do have fears about tomorrow.
I don't want to lose my tooth, I don't want to pay a fortune to fix my tooth.


As it's public health the process goes by a random number system. You are handed a number upon arrival at 6am and hope it is one of twenty that they will see that day. Shit!!!


Does anyone have some tips on pain relief for teeth?


I'm off to curl up with my doona, wait for The Daddy Man to get home from work and try not to sob.

Oh Nanny, dont be bossy!!

There has been alot of talk over the past few years regarding the Australian government turning our states/country into Nanny states.

Smoking is being vilified.
Calls have been made to make smacking children illegal.
Pets are under scrutiny.
Money is under scrutiny.
In general our lives are being shaped before our eyes by people who do not live them!

I have my own beliefs on things that the government seem fit to tax/take away/make illegal
But beyond that all when do we say enough is enough??

Last week I saw on the news that businesses have started turning away people with visible tattoo's.
We have known for years that many employers turn their nose up at alternative body modifications.
Childrens food advertising is being looked down upon.
And just today I saw a news article about a little girl being called obese because a computer says so.
Gay and Lesbians cannot get married...still..

Now while there may be great reasons for all of above to be shunned, why do people other than ourselves get to make those decisions?

So while KRudd and Princess Julia are battling it out to see who will win the million dollar ticket, I have a few of my own rants to state!

I don't care if you smoke, I will move away.
I don't agree with making smacking illegal.
Pets...keep your pets in your yard!
Money - I want more of...but who doesn't?

While I do not personally have any visible tattoos, my partner does and if he can work in a high end department store, that sells items that cost more than my weekly shopping bill. Then why can't people walk into a bogan pub with a bit of art on their arms?

Employers turning people away for jobs on the basis of a bit of body mod shits me. Seriously? Unless there is risk of contamination, how will a body piercing affect someone's ability to be a great employee? I know, I know, there's the whole "but its offensive" crap. Once again as I always state, look away!! I don't avoid a store or business because I find someones nose to be too huge, or that their eyebrows resemble agro.

Children's food advertising. While I don't like that these companies advertise their fat ladden menu's in my children's viewing times, I know where the off switch is. I know how to say no and encourage my kids to eat healthy tummy filling foods. I also know what moderation is!

Why do we use a body mass index to determine whether we are healthy or not? We all know it does not measure muscle. I have been dealing with a son, that I am terrified of slipping into an eating disorder the past few weeks. He isn't even chubby, but school and the like have been filling his brain with all sorts of ideas on what is and isn't healthy. Their has been no mention of moderation, just what is and isn't bad. How do you expect a 7 year old to understand that? Telling a 7 year old child not to eat ANYTHING rather than getting fat scares the hell out of me.

And the good old Gay marriage issue. It's well known that I am Pro gay marriage. But aside from that why do we allow religion (for non religious types) to dictate peoples lives?
Like The Daddy Man says - Everyone has a right to be miserable.

Can't we as a nation...be different to the rest of the world and be accepting?
Accept people for who they are. If you arent hurting anyone/anything. Can we not just play nice?

I know...world peace and all that crap.

Maybe life is just high school without classes everyday!!

Beware this post may contain germs!

The day before yesterday I started taking some women's multivitamins.

Let me just state that shit is GOLD..I haven't had so much energy in years.

As you all know I have been on a weight loss journey and although I am proud to say I have just hit the 24kg loss mark, I'd be lying if I said my energy levels wernt affected.

I'm tired and grumpy and anxious...ALL the time.

So yes the cenovis women's multi are rocking my socks.

For the past 2 day's I have been feeling fantastic.

And then I woke up this morning....I made lunches and dressed kids, yelled a bit and then promptly went back to bed. I never go back to bed!

I slept for another 2 hours and woke up to The Daddy Man asking if I was okay.

Thankfully today was one of his days off this week.

 I feel so crap because I now have a chest infection.

My lungs are tight, I can't stop sneezing and coughing and I just want to sleep.

Standing isn't easy because I am dizzy as hell, all the time.

I find being sick highly frustrating. While I know it will pass in a matter of days, I am not used to the side affects.

Messy floors, kids without clothes on, kids with each others clothes on, a kitchen full of dirty dishes and a line full of dry, but now soaked because it rained, clothing.

The Daddy Man relies on me to keep order. He knows where things are by asking. He knows when to hang washing because he's told.

Me being sick has made him feel a tad lost.

I cannot stress how thankful I am to him for showering and dressing and feeding the kidlets. And of course for doing paracetamol and water runs to me in bed. He's also let me sleep most of the day....Love Love Love him!!

I rarely get sick, I'm the boss. A simple sniffle can't take me down!!

I am not one to post hideous photos of myself, but tonight I want to show you what being really sick does to this mummy

Wiggle,cough,Wiggle...YEAH

 I'm sexy and I know it;)

Pet Collectors

Our family is completed by three beautiful girls named Gemma, Coco and Jessie. They are naughty, mischievous and sometimes highly frustrating. They are 2 dogs and 1 cat.

Over the years I have stood in my fair share of poop. Cat poop, dog poop and children poop.

Over the years some of my belongings have been destroyed. By our dogs, cat and children.

Over the years food has been stolen, shoes lost, toys ruined. By our dogs, cat and children.

Over the years I have gotten angry at members of our family for being too loud. 

You guessed it, the dogs, cat and children 

Last December we lost a beloved member of our family, our youngest cat Skiddy ran outside the house onto the road and was promptly hit by a van. I was hysterical as she ran off after being hit and we didn't find her for 2 weeks.

I imagined her slowly dying, alone, without me. I sobbed my frikken heart out.

Although my pets aren't my children -  nothing compares to my children, I do find myself loving them in a similar way. They look up to us, rely on us, give us unconditional love and sometimes make us down right cranky.

We love our pets, they are apart of our home and our hearts.

Our oldest pet is Gemma, she is a Pekingese x shitzu that we paid an astronomical price for 6 years ago. She is cranky and nervous. She is our guard dog even though she stands less than 1 foot tall. She looks like an ewok and has been known to find any space under a fence and run like the wind. She hates walks in the park but happily sits in the bottom of the pram.

Our second oldest pet is Coco. We found her wandering the streets skinny as a stick meowing with her brother. I took them in without hesitation. Although her brother ended up leaving us we kept Coco without a second thought She is cranky and quite anti social unless she smells chicken or needs a feed. But sometimes we get lovely little snuggles.  We estimate she was around 14 weeks when we found her which makes her about 5 years old.

Our youngest pet is Jessie. Jess is a Staffy X Daschund (yes you read that right). She is a bit of an odd looking dog. She is orange and long but with staffy legs and head. She is very sooky and loves The Daddy Man to pieces. She is loyal and friendly. We received Jessie after an acquaintance needed to find her a home. Little did we know it was because she was a runner.

These 3 girls bring at least one smile to my face every day. If I am ever sad or alone I know they have my back!

 

What saddens me is a trend I have noticed becoming more and more popular.

People giving away pets because they are naughty or destructive. People surrendering animals to shelters because they can't cope or just can no longer be bothered....that's not what gets my gripe so much. I understand that sometimes circumstances change or you can no longer look after the pet.

However...and this is what really shits me. Pet collecting...or going through pets more often than they are bloody knickers.

A year ago a lady my cousin knows well got rid of her dog, she was digging and chewing and being a right naughty pup. But instead of training and seeking some sort of guidance the dog was surrendered to the RSPCA.

 Within a month this lady bought 2 gorgeous purebred puppies. Obviously they grew up and started chewing and digging and jumping fences. A month ago they were both surrendered to the RSPCA!!!

 But wait theres more...today she posted a photo on face book. Her new puppy. The same breed as the last, fresh out of the puppy mill. I will be counting down the days till this little pumpkin receives the same fate.

Another woman I know through my sister. Has 8 cats and 4 dogs. Anytime a kitten or puppy is advertised she jumps on it with glee. None of her animals are desexed so they breed often. As soon as one of the dogs or cats get out of hand off they go to the RSPCA. After which she collects a new animal to add to her menagerie.

How is this acceptable?? To me a pet is for life. As I said before I understand circumstances change, people can no longer cope or realise a pet doesn't suit their lifestyle. But why bother getting another one?

Why encourage the animal to love you, feed it daily, bathe it, snuggle it. Only to then pass it on to an organisation that barely float.

The RSPCA have enough trouble re homing animals. Alot are euthanized because they can't cope with the sheer volume of abandoned pets.

Before buying/receiving an animal, I believe you should understand the gravity of what you are taking on.

Would you dump your child because it misbehaved??

I guess when I started this little blog of mine I needed a ME area. Somewhere to vent and get everything off my mind. I love tips and tricks so I figured I could incorporate a bit of that too.

Some days I feel like my head is one swirling brightly coloured tornado. I have so much to spill and love that this little place is where I can do that. Expressing myself in a healthy way has always been quite the feat for me. If I have a problem it just comes out, If i'm feeling blue that also escapes my mouth quickly. If things are going well I am quiet...I don't shout to the world how great I am feeling.

Thats kind of sad really, I express my shittyness so fast but hold back on my happiness.

So what does one do when her blog is working? What do I do when my therapy is actually making me feel pretty damn great?

I lose momentum. Blog posts havent been coming easy over the last fortnight. I have hit a bit of a writers brick wall and sort of stopped trying. Sure I have typed out post's but rarely hit publish.

I'd hate for my little therapy blog to sit here with no attention. It's helped me sooo much and I really do adore it.

So I am making this month my mission to blog about the enjoyable parts of my life.

Back in early january I compiled a list of all the things I wanted to achieve this year.

Have you ever had the amazing feeling that comes when life is falling into place??

It is fantastic and you feel on top of the world. Confidence rises, anxiety drops and your sense of self worth is something you are proud of.

My first goal was to lose weight I am currently 18kgs lighter than I was in november - WIN

I joined the 1millionkilochallenge and the first week in have lost a kilo.

Second up was to be more organised. 

Although it is a learning process I am doing pretty well. The boys havent been late for school, homework hasnt been forgotten and decluttering has been ongoing.

One of my goals was to take more photos - I have failed miserably so far but there are still 10 months of the year left.

Our budget was high on the list. Bills are paid, kids are fed and money stress isnt a constant.

More family days out have been a little hard. It rained for 3 weeks straight with flooding and all the nasties. Yesterday arvo we did have a family picnic at the park after school.

Study...oh study! Yesterday I was accepted into my chosen course. I begin in about 2 weeks. I have a few years before realising my dream of becoming a primary teacher but I'm optimistic!

Managing my mental health is going okay. Some days are harder than others but realising my dreams is taking alot of the sting out of life.

I really feel happy. Within myself I am finally content.

But onwards and upwards I still have alot of progress to do. My licence isnt going to produce itself.

How are your goals for 2012 going? Do you feel elation when your dreams come true?

School days

Now that my big boys are back at school I am feeling at ease with our complete routines. I love routine and with so many kids it is needed to maintain some sense of order within our home.

I am feeling really proud and gooey right now. You see last year my boys hated school. Mornings were a constant battle to raise them from their graves, getting them dressed, and fed and at school ON TIME.
They whinged and complained and just hated it.

They must have had a little turn around over the holidays. We are into week 2 and they haven't complained once. They rise and put on their uniforms, assist with lunches and off they go 15 minutes early!

Homework used to be a huge battle. If they even remembered to bring it home or not feed it to the dog (literally) then they would whinge and carry on like pork chops about doing it. They despised reading their sight words and books. It made me quite down, I believe education is our future. I want my children to strive and be the best they can be.

This year in week 2 I am so shocked at the amazing change. They get home with limited arguing. After school punch ups are a thing of the past and homework is their first priority.
Tman is a left handed boy and has had a bit of trouble with his handwriting. As he hasn't received homework just yet I have been doing my own in order for him to practice correcting his flaws. Spacing and neatness have been an issue but we are working on it and I really am optimistic. He has a new found enthusiasm when it comes to learning. I am a proud mummy.

The boys haven't ruined one lunch box, school bag or pair of shoes so far and I am hoping that continues. They haven't forgotten their drink bottles at all either!!

Around the dinner table this week we discussed what the boys get up to in their lunch hours. They told us they play together at the library. I had flashbacks to my primary school days - Kids with no friends hung out in the library. After a slight panic attack I asked them why they didn't get out and play. Jman loves his Lego which I found out the library is filled with. Tman was worried about him and decided to "look after" him for a few days as he was limited to what he could do in prep. Tman introduced Jman to all his buddies and for the past 2 days Jman and a few of his year one mates have been joining Tman and his year 2 mates in games of "secret spies".

"Secret spies" when explained to me is about a group of year 2 boys spying on year 2 girls to make sure the girls aren't getting any romantic ideas about the boys. Cute right?

I feel much more relieved knowing Jman has settled into year one with guidance from his big brother. As much as they are like chalk and cheese sometimes they always look out for one another.

As the boys have the same teachers as last year I am also relieved to be able to trust the teachers curriculum. To know my boys are getting the very best when it comes to their grade keeps me smiling.

I am so glad they have finally settled in well and am really looking forward to what this school year brings.

How have your kids settled in back to school? Does anyone have any tips on help with left handed children when it comes to handwriting?

How to - Shopping with Hubby

How to go shopping with your Hubby, without going to jail.

Step 1. Make sure you give him hourly notice leading up to leaving time.

Step 2. Plan your journey and ignore his comments of "winging it"

Step 3. Take plenty of water and nibbles so he doesn't spend a fortune on food.

Step 4. Ignore the "outfit" he chooses to wear or better yet lay his clothing out for him

Step 5. If driving pray to the gods that you will find a park quickly to avoid road rage embarrassment. If walking/public transport make sure you have your mp3 to drone him out.

Step 6. Steer clear of donut shops and bakeries.

Step 7. DO NOT assume he will help wrangle the children, he is like a bigger child, you will need to wrangle him.

Step 8. Do not give in to sooking,begging, pleading and tantrums. Hold your ground on buying new PlayStation games, he has enough.

Step 9. Avoid getting into arguments. Hold your ground but smile and nod at outrageous statements regarding your budget.

Step 10. Do not allow him to push the trolley, shoppers are vicious and he will be eaten alive.

Step 11. Make sure seats are around, men like to sit down.

Step 12. Try and avoid serious bra and undie buying, you will get a headache from all his jokes.

Step 13. Expect to be in and out of change rooms especially for the easily indesicive hubbies.
Step 14. Avoid the lolly,chip,soft drink,ice cream and beauty sections.

Step 15. Do not expect him to know where the parents room is. Remind him that tiny toilets are for tiny bums.

Step 16. Lower expectations when it comes to an enjoyable shopping spree.

If all else fails - Leave him at home!

We decided on a trip to one of the bigger shopping centres in our area today. I came home sun burnt, far more stressed than when taking all 5 kids and my head is throbbing.

Wine and panadol will be my diet for the evening

How does your partner/hubby go with shopping? Is he great or does he cope poorly?

Perving: Bum vs Boobs

Warning: this post contains bums and boobs. Please click off if you will be offended.

The Daddy Man loves curves on a woman.
I know that if we are out together not to evil eye all the skinny chicks, find the chunky one of the group and watch her like a hawk...cos he will be!!


Women today want to be thinner,smaller,skinnier. I am guilty of this. I was to be able to fit into a size 12 and look like a bombshell. I want toned arms and legs.


The Daddy Man has made it clear that I can not lose my "booty".
I personally do not like what I call my "fat arse", but he loves it and who am I to complain?
When we met my butt was big, my butt is now bigger and he adores it. I hate it.

I was also blessed with giant boobies, well they didnt really get giant until Hboy,number 5. The Daddy Man isn't one to perve on boobs, sure he likes them but he doesn't really have a preference on big or small.


The Daddy Man thinks a woman is sexiest when she has a booty. This creates much debate between us. I mean who even gets to see someone's bum? If I'm in a bar my backs to the wall, If im in a restaurant my behind is planted on a seat. But according to him this makes it all the better. Bums are a mystery. A mystery of sexy.

Right.....


I think a woman looks the sexiest with curvy hips and nice shapely boobs, I don't care if she has one bum cheek, I cannot see it!! 


What does your hubby or you prefer to perve on, bums or boobs?? Do either of you perve?

Ma, the rains are here.

Life seems a bit like deja vu at the moment. 

I am the new owner of a swimming pool, It was once known as my backyard but since the rain has arrived it looks like a giant sludge filled water park. I am hoping our trampoline won;t start floating past my bedroom window.

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Not my Backyard, but it's not far off!!

The rain makes life feel glum, everything is dark, dreary and drizzly. The kids can't play outside, heck the kids can't even go to school! what a great first week back.

January last year, Queensland saw the worst floods in a long time. Lives were lost, people were injured, homes were destroyed and it left so many people with much heart ache.

Queensland has been fighting over the year, homes have been rebuilt and confidence has grown. Sadly It seems we are in for another kicker.

Our family didn't suffer too badly, our laundry did flood and alot of clothing was ruined but nothing too serious.

 I have been keeping my eyes on the Queensland Education Department's face book page. Alot of parents have been worried about school and road closures. Although South Brisbane isn't affected too much at present, I have kept my kids home from school for the past two days. Not only is there a risk of creeks and rivers overflowing there is also the risk of sick kids. Kids trudging along with soaking sneakers and uniforms (umbrellas and coats only do so much).

 Jman has periodic asthma, the cold air brings it on quite strongly and then he develops bronchitis and pneumonia. It's scary when you hear the bark like cough from a child with bronchitis. I would really prefer these guys didn't get sick so soon into the school year. 

Floods are scary, My mum lived through the '74 flood's and has always had a great fear of large amounts of  water. Although she was only young she and her parents camped in their roof for a week awaiting rescue.

 

It dumbfounds me how people still take risks when the floods are around. Driving through high waters and then crying when their cars stall or fill with water. People being rescued from storm water drains and river banks. Water is serious business! It can drown you, fools!!! If it doesn't drown you it can create injury and disease.

Is that worth risking your life driving over a creek to pop to the shop?

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Fellow Queenslanders please be safe, be cautious. Listen to your gut and stay safe!!

NSW - We know your pain, keep tough!!

I won I won...so did some of you!!

Ive been on a little blogging holiday for the past couple of days. PMS has struck which tends to make me quite anti social.
However this week I did receive a lovely award from MRS BC, Thankyou gorgeous lady you really made my week!!

I wonder if being a Liebster means I get free entry to Oktoberfest?
"please sir, let me in free, I'm a Liebster award recipient!!"
I might even push my luck and ask for some free beer and sausage...wait, I have that at home.

Liebster is German and translates to "dearest,"favourite" and "beloved.
 By giving this award to a blogger you are telling them they write a beloved and favourite blog.

Sweet right? I feel a little bit special!
Here are the rules for being Liebsterific;)

1.Say thanks to the amazing blogger who awarded your liebster and link back to their blog
2. Choose 5 fantastic blogs and leave a comment on their blog letting them know.
 (They must have under 200 followers)
3. Post the award on your blog. (Right click on the award image and save it to your hard-drive and then upload it to your blog).
4. Enjoy your Liebster award
5. And best of all – have fun and spread the leib!

My choices for the Liebster Blog Award are

1. Sonia @ Lovelifeandhiccups
2. Rachel @ Redcliffe Style
3.Jessica @ Mytwopinklines
4. Frugal Down Under
5. Mummasphere

Thankyou for some fantastic reading lovely ladies. I look forward to reading more in time.

xx Debb

Why I am likening contact with childbirth.

School is upon us at an exciting speed. Most of  Australia's children will be heading back to school on Monday, 23rd, January. Excitement PLUS!!


 I designated my weekend to contacting and naming all of my older boys school books, bags, lunchboxes and folders.


HA!!


I have had a day I'd rather forget.

Here is why I am likening contact to childbirth


Contact is sticky and messy.
Contacting school stuff seems endless.
Contacting is exhausting, it requires hours of concentration.
You will get frustrated with contact and scream I CANNOT DO THIS.
Cutting yourself with scissors while contacting really frikken hurts!
Contacting requires assistance 
No matter how hard you attempt to contact perfectly, it rarely ends up how you imagined.
Contact brings tales from other parents about how easy they did it.
Someone will always have a better contacting experience than you.
Contacting will leave you breathless and frazzled.
Contacting is worth seeing your child....smiling when they see the halfassed amazing end result.

I do not ever want to contact another book again...unfortunately I have 23 books left that look very bare.


By book 3 I was swearing, who thought rolling sheets of contact up would be a great storage choice!! It doesn't unravel properly and leaves me and the kids with a migraine.


I was reminded today about the plastic sleeves you can use for books. I used those as a kid but for some strange reason figured stores no longer sell them.
I could of saved myself hours and tantrums, picking up a heap.
It probably would of been more expensive though.


*Thank you to my little ones Cgirl and Hboy for all their assistance.

Menu Planning VS Me

2012 is my year of organisation.

 I am so very proud of myself for keeping on top of life the past few weeks.

I have formed some fantastic cleaning patterns, finances are staying in check and my exercise increases daily.

I have started taking a shopping list when I go out and am ignoring temptations. I have been leaving myself reminders around the house, finished tidying up before I relax at night and making sure the bathroom floor doesn't get soaked.

All in all my happiness levels have risen by far. I feel good...maybe even great. I am becoming the mummy I want to be.

Over the past few months I have been reading some super, amazing, ladies blogs. Many of which have meal plans they post on specific days.

Meal plans seem to be fantastic for keeping on track and taking confusion out of the picture.

This all got me thinking. I'd love a meal plan! Something I can look at and say "terakyi chook for tea tonight".

So I have been mulling over ideas, ways I can incorporate this in our lives.

I have noticed some differences though, it seems most create their list before they go grocery shopping so they know what to get.

I cannot do that.

I only buy what meat is on special. If it doesn't have a price reduction I walk away.

So how do I know what to plan every week if I have no idea what will be on special?

I have decided some investigation needs to happen. I can check the woollies and coles sites before I go...hoping the items are in stock is a bit of a concern, but nothing I can't improvise on.

So this afternoon I will be compiling a list of meals that we eat regularly. Spaghetti bolagnaise, Terakyi chicken, Chili con carne, chicken and salad, ham and salad, Lamb cutlets with vegies and so on.

I figure if i have a good starting base, I can look for meat and veggies that will suit and improvise here and there.

It won't be as planned as I like, but I figure structure at a minimum is better than none at all.

How do you decide which meals to serve weekly?

 Do you have a Menu Plan?..how does it fit into your life?

Do you have any tips?

Spoilt like mad

Lisa it's your birthday...Happy Birthday Lisaaa.

The Simpsons.

I always replaced Lisa with Debbie, but I hum it every birthday.

I turned 26 yesterday, The Daddy Man said i am still in my mid twenties. I don't know whether to believe him, when does mid become late??

That's kind of scary as it looms ahead. You know I still feel 18, young and fresh, waiting for where the world determines I fit.

I do feel less naive though, I have learnt much these past 12 years. I cannot drink a bottle of vodka anymore without vomiting!

It's interesting, I am a woman now, not even on that cusp of girldom and womanhood. Just a straight up woman! Age is my future, youth my past. But I still don't have any wrinkles....for now.

I was looking up stuff that happened the day I was born around the world.

Nothing exciting seemed to happen, no caught serial killers or miss universe debacles.

But I share my day with a few coolio people

One of my fave comedians and i share our birthday!

Benjamin Franklin

She is pretty swell, and we share the same name! (my middle name)

My day consisted of - 

11:45am: I was woken up after a glorious sleep in, to bacon and eggs.

12:30pm: After finishing the breakfast of all breakkie's, the kids jumped in bed and proceeded to massage my feet and shoulders. I checked my facebook and discovered over 100 Birthday messages.

12:45pm-3pm: I played Just dance kids on wii with my boys, ate a scrumptious lunch and spoke to my dad on the phone.

3pm: The Daddy Man disappeared for a few hours and left me home with the kidlets, the kids tidied the lounge room without being asked and put the dishes away

4pm: The kids had still barely been naughty and sat quietly watching a movie.

5:30pm: The Daddy Man came home bearing gifts! A foot beauty set, a large bottle of electric pink vodka, a zombie wii game (which rocks mind you) and wii guns!

6:30pm: My surprise favourite meal arrived...CHINESE. 

For 17 weeks I haven't had one dose of Chinese because of my eating plans, this was a wonderful surprise.

7:00pm: The Daddy Man brought out a gorgeous surprise mud cake that we all devoured.

7:30pm: The kids went to bed and The Daddy Man and I cracked open my new bottle of vodka, enjoyed drinks and watched a movie.

It was a lovely birthday and I am so happy I have a wonderful family to share it with.

Through the course of the whole day I didn't lift a finger. No housework, no cleaning, no cooking. AMAZING!!

I woke up this morning in a food coma with the post birthday blues. I had dishes and washing to do. But the kids have carried their great behaviour over and I feel on top of the world!

xx Spoilt Mummy

She's hitting the fan.

Drama seems to cling to me like glue.
A year ago I met a woman I thought would be great friend material.
I didn't listen to the warnings - She is super jealous, of everything. She has anger problems. She lies. She has knock down drag out fights with her husband every time they throw a shindig (fortnightly), her husband is a sleazebag.
Nope I didn't listen, I went in blinded by her pretty hair and bright smile.
Silly me.

We met at our local hang out, for the first few months she was funny, charming, helpful and friendly.
We shared life stories and hopes, we spent weekends together and our kids formed bonds. We went away for a weekend with our hubby's and had a ball.
And then I began noticing what was lurking beneath the surface.
Constant gossip and judgement, lies after lies, having to pick up the bill whenever we went out, her drama breakdowns, the way she abused any woman who came near The Daddy Man, yes MY Daddy Man, her wine on a beer budget, her cruelness, the way she ignored and spoke to her kids.
The list is endless and exhausting.

I began having doubts about our friendship. I don't handle needy very well. I call a spade a spade. I will go to the ends of the earth for my dearest, but expect the same. I take people at face value and expect to be able to trust.

One evening her and i went out to our local hang out, shit went down and i decided i was done.
With the whole situation.
She took offence and started screaming at me in front of everyone.
I was horrified, I'm not used to hostile situations.
I made a hasty exit and stayed away from our local hangout, for a few weeks.
By the following day my phone was full of abusive text messages and phone call attempts.
I didn't want a bar of it, I wasn't going to forgive.

Days turned into weeks and I woke up at 3am one morning to hearing who i assumed were my neighbours fighting. It was her, standing out the front of my house hurling abuse. I made formal complaints and my stress levels grew.
I decided i needed to do some soul searching and became quite a recluse. I didn't go socialising so much.
I felt down and sad. How did something good turn into something so shit??
The rumours started, and i heard snippets. I became the biggest subject in her life. I kept it as my business, I didn't fuel rumours, but people did contact me saying she was notorious for this behaviour. She had done it before and will do it again.
People I thought were friends, faded away. Slowly I learnt who was to be treasured and who not.
I was sad.

One day I decided I was over it, Who the hell was she to stop me from doing the things i enjoyed. Her psychotic power was over ruling my life and I hated it. I picked myself up, dusted myself off and thought fuck you!
I began socialising again, ignored the lies and focused on my happiness.
Saturday night The Daddy Man and I went to our local hangout to celebrate my birthday (its tomorrow peeps :P). To me the crap was over, I assumed we had both moved on. My philosophy is: if you don;t like someone, don't talk to them.

And then I heard the kicker.
 People started asking me how I was going?. It was in a way that they slanted their heads and looked at my stomach. I felt odd. Have I grown some large tumour and haven't noticed? Are people seeing something I cannot? And then it came out.

Nosey Acquaintance: So when are you due?
Me: Due what?? uni??
Nosey Acquaintance: No the baby, you would be about 6 months now, wouldn't you?
Me: *Shock face* What the hell are you talking about?
Nosey Acquaintance: Aren't you pregnant?
Me: No who the crap told you that??
Nosey Acquaintance: Oh *bitch face* did, she said you are pregnant to her husband.

My world was feeling rocky, I walked off startled and asked a few other people if that was what they had heard. All the while sculling my beers like a mad lady.
Apparently they wondered why I was drinking...while being up the stick.

I think Round Two has began, I will be her favourite subject for a long time to come.
Although I am furious and flabbergasted, I have decided to laugh. Are people really this delusional? I wont react (aside from this blog post, I needed to vent a little). I will continue on my day like I have since this started.
After all I have a baby to prepare for....right?

FlogYoBlog Fat Style

I want to look like this.

Instead I look like this...but worse.

I don't have all the firm bits.

I have to lose 50 kilograms to get to what I want to look like. To be healthy, full of life and spunky.

50 is a big number when it comes to kilograms of fat. It's huge and scary. It makes me cry with frustration. I just want it gone.

In 12 weeks I have lost 16.3kg's. 

I used to look like this

Our bums looked the same.

I haven't excersised as much as I usually do over these holidays. I havent had as much chance...especially now I am a blogging addict.

Is there a bloggers anonymous I can join??

My first every FlogYoBlog - I am linking up with Where's My Glow

Frugal + Thrift

Being frugal requires effort. It doesn't mean you have to live poorly or do without. It means you are being wise with your income. It requires looking into your finances and changing the way you spend. In our little cherry house we have 3 set criteria when making purchases.

Need
Want 
Save.
Do we need the item?
Do we want the item?
Would the money spent be better off as savings.

Trimming down on excess is a big key in saving you money.
Do you need to watch 60 reruns of your favourite TV show on fox tel? $100 a month
$100 a month x 12 is $1200, sounds like an end of year holiday to me!
Do you need that extra Internet bandwidth that you never use? $20 a month
$20 a month x 12 is $240, a smart weekend aways worth.
Do you need new clothing every month? $400 a month
$400!! That x 12 is $4800. Maybe an overseas holiday?

Being thrifty requires investing.
Buy the larger pack of toilet paper.
Buy yourself a sewing machine.
Buy the bigger packs of meat.
Learn to cut your pets hair yourself.
Buy bigger packs of washing powder on special.

Being frugal and thrifty requires thought
How can you get around receiving a massive electricity bill every quarter?

It's simple. Find your last bill, Divide it by 12 (weeks), round it off to the nearest 10 and have centrepay or bpay extract the amount weekly. Not only will your bills always be paid come due date, you will be in credit!

Make your own cleaning products

1. I cup of vinegar
2. 1 cup of water
3. 5 drops of washing liquid.

I used to think wow that wouldn't clean a thing. But it is possibly the best multipurpose cleaner i have found.


Make your own washing powder.


My kids are allergic to some brands of washing powder and the ones they were okay with were costing a fortune.
So i make my own. Not only does it stretch alot further but smells divine and is soft and gentle.


1. 1/2 bar of soap (preferably unscented or sunlight)
2. One cup of bicarb soda
3. One cup of washing soda (find this in the laundry section at the supermarket)


Grate the soap into granules, Add the bicarb and washing soda's. Just double or triple mixtures for however much you would like. And because it doesn't foam it is perfect for front loaders too.


Being frugal requires planning

I set my Sundays as my baking and cooking day. I make large batches of biscuits and muffins. Half of these get frozen to pull out and cook through the week. The other half i make up for the following few days.

I make meals and freeze them in chinese containers for nights we cant be bothered cooking. Using off cuts and bones you can creates soups and stews, stretching your money further.

Where is your money going?
If you use eftpos alot or incur alot of bank fee's it might be best to change to a bank that has a no monthly fee or a flat rate.

Are you paying monthly late fees? by direct debitting the smaller amount weekly you could be saving over $100 a year.

Being thrifty and frugal is beneficial for family life, especially whilst living on one income. It does take effort but the rewards absolutely pay off.

Going Back to school.

             

15 tips on how to get the kids back to school cheap and efficiently.

Cheap easy to make name stickers

1. Print a spread sheet full of your child's name and class

cut out the names and place them on pencils, glue and books, cover with contact.

Recycle

2. Look through your child's last years books and bags/lunch boxes, if in good repair, give them a wash and any other minor fixes and resend them. (contact books in a funky colour)

Make your own smock

3. Smocks can be as expensive at $40 a pop. Why not find an old t shirt of an older sibling. Let your child decorate it and send it along as an art smock.Sewing your own would also be thrifty!

Shop around

4.Books and pencils and accessories can add up shopping at big brand stores. Checking your local thrift shops, cheap stores and woollies can save you big amounts. Often the products are better value.

Practice routine

5.If you begin your morning and bedtime back to school routines 2 weeks before first day. Your children will be on the ball when D day comes.

Socks

6.Buy socks in bulk packs that are easy to match at washing time. I buy all my children the same sized and coloured socks. That way if any get lost there is always a pair

Uniforms

7. Ask around your school and see if they sell second hand uniforms. Also checking with other mums and on websites. You may pay 1/3 of the price as brand new.

Numbers

8. Compile an updated list of emergency contacts that can be put in your child's file, first day back

Travelling

9. Is your child preparing to walk or ride to school on their own? Practice trips to school can help prepare them. Make sure they follow road rules and know the best ways to get there. Enforce stranger danger and practice problems arising.Make sure helmets and hats also bikes are up to scratch and well maintained.

Lists

10. Develop lists of all the items you need with a set budget. Allowing your child to choose 1 item gives them a sense of responsibility.

Lunches 

11.Prepare your child with nutritious non perishable lunches. If it needs to be refrigerated it will probably go funky before their meal break.Which means they wont eat it thus wasting $$

Keeping track

12.Organise a calendar used solely for school activities. List interviews and parent meetings, Special events and play dates. Make sure you never forget whats coming up.

Slip,slop,slap

13.Buy a giant bottle of sunscreen and fill roll on bottles for your child to keep in their back pack. Always send your kids with a wide brimmed hat and apply sun cream before school.

Homework zone

14.Create a homework area with a desk and study needs. Make sure it is quiet and somewhere your child can concentrate.

Connecting

15. Find out all your child's classmates names and keep them listed. This is invaluable for birthday parties and card lists.

These steps do work! Are you excited or a little sad with your kids going back?

I don't think I could whoop enough!!