Sunday 30 November 2008

Weekly Winners

G'day - so you are here for




November 23rd - 30th

What did we do this weekend ?
we planted some
here ...
Before


After
What are we waiting for
Daddy can fix itMr Do Bee

Reaching for the sky
Standing Tall

mmm The Hot Date dessert
Tea Time
We discovered the TV finally ... 5 mins to unpack the dishwasher is all Mummy needs
Where Daddies go when there is MORE - OR Less room in his bed
See you next week
You know what to do ... go see more Weekly winners at the host with the most ... Lotus's

Advice of the day
  1. Take a nap Sunday afternoons ... I should have.
  2. Don't worry that you can't give your kids the best of everything just give them your very best... especially your time
  3. Take time to smell the roses ... or plant a few potted colour annuals even a few in pot will brighten your day.
Have a great week everyone ...




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Saturday 29 November 2008

Smiley Saturday




So what made me smile ...our special date.

  • The Date update - It was great. Really !

The venue was at Loxley On Bellbird Hill and it was just the two of us in '1864' a private dining room overlooking the lights of the Hawkesbury. Only at the start all we saw was fog and mist. Then suddenly the clouds rolled away and the fog cleared to reveal the twinkling lights on or rather down the hill.

I took my camera but forgot to take photos of the food ...to eager to eat LOL.

For a quick starter we had a chicken on skewer with a chilli dipping sauce.
we had a choice of two meals for the three courses- we had ..

Entree ~ lamb loin with baby beetroot and two scallops
Main ~grilled Barramundi with potato gratin , brocolini and snowpeas
Dessert ~ DH chocolate fondant pudding and orange icecream (with choc and some liquer)
Me - Raspberry pannacotta, kiwi fruit with white choc sauce (a drizzle)

It was superb ...someone came out to apologise because the head chef didn't cook it but we would never have noticed.

We both had a single glass of wine (Dh Merlot) and I had Stony Peak chardonnay . We thought we had to pay for this and were quite happy to but at the end of the meal they said the wine was complimentary and so was the coffee. Hooray !

Gentle music played and there was the occasional roar of laughter from a wedding reception in a nearby building.They were having a lot of fun.

It was a very pleasant meal and so nice without the interruptions of our delightful children. The meals were fresh,tantalising and served in a timely fashion .The staff were attentive and gave us privacy too.

We gave Mum a bottle of wine for her services. She had the boys bluffed and they went straight to bed ... we want her here every night.

  • Also , my cousin K gave birth to her 2nd daughter, Emily Rose yesterday and it was a VBAC. Another reason to smile a precious baby arriving safely. I am so happy
  • The kittens are still doing well.
  • One more day and I survived
Advice of the Day
  1. Don't go shopping when you are hungry ...you'll buy too much (I went at 7am this morning before breakfast . hmmm)
  2. Send thank you notes to a business whose staff give good service (we will)
  3. Never underestimate the power of a kind word or deed no matter how trivial . Be generous in praising others it cost nothing.


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Friday 28 November 2008

Hot date

In 2 hrs time we get our first child free night out, for dinner, alone in over 2 years.

So no time to stop by and visit anyone today/tonight.

It's been a long time coming and it's a free romantic dinner for two in a private dining room.

We won it last Christmas valued at $150. It expires in 3 weeks... no time like tonight. It's one of my Dec goals and to continue in 2009 -a regular date night.

We have never spent this much money on a night out so I hope it is a great dinner. 

Nanny gets the joy of monster sitting.

Advice of the Day
  1. "Keep a Song in your Heart, a Dance at your Feet, and a Smile on your Face... because You make this world a better place. Remember God made You for this time and this place with purpose and love." Jeanette Mayhew's mum
  2. See this post by Marriage Hacks  Staying happily married while raising little kids 
  3. Praise children often. Let them know you love them just they way they are. If you say this often enough they might just remember it throughout adolescence...still hoping I praised my teen enough.
See you all tomorrow ...


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Thursday 27 November 2008

Tick it off the list ...

The past few months my personal goals have been very simple ... keeping my family together, eating healthier and keeping my own twin sanity intact amidst the chaos.I haven't written my goals down since July

I decided to beat the rush and get in early for December.

Health
  • eat a healthy and balanced diet, even though I’m seem to craving junk food !I am trying to limit takeaway food by eating healthier foods and more home cooked meals by serious menu planning. I also want to keep a better track of what is in pantry/fridge and freezer to save wastage and the last minute - "I can't be bothered cooking - order Pizza'
  • Get ready for a Christmas and do some baking ..mmm (sorry maybe that isn't so healthy but if it makes me feel good then that is good therapy for my mental health)
  • Try to exercise daily ~ by walking my 10,000 steps, complimented with my exercise bike riding (20 mins = 2000 steps). I aim for minimum of 6 days per week. I'm still enjoying it. I have met my 97% of my November virtual walking trek challenge (3 days to go). December I am going for a White Christmas virtual stroll through Europe
  • Re-energise myself every day - by taking some personal quiet time to read a book or rest away from the computer and my children or weed the garden or enjoying a bubble bath!

Photography -
  • still on my undone list but a long term plan is to do a short course next year to learn more - I have to wait for a new camera before I do anything. I want to record memorable moments this December (take 5 pictures a day).

Money
Okay ... I aim to continue spending less money !
  • exploring a few blogs about reducing grocery spending and start my own price book by Jan 2009
  • Track our spending more carefully - starting now !
  • Review what we have been spending the last few months - underway too
  • Stick to my Buy Nothing Challenge as much as possible
  • Check the guide of cost/hr of various electrical appliances …take the time to switch off a lot of appliances.
Planning and Productivity
  • Finish organising my home office !I keep putting it off
  • Finish (well keep working on it) 2008 tax because I think I am due a refund.
  • Review and rewrite my 43 things and draft my 101 in 1001 days. I want to start Jan 2009... It's been on my to do list forever. I must start listing 10 things for for 101 list tomorrow soon.
  • Complete a daily project - be it housework related ( as much as I hate cleaning), in my garden, baking or any of the above.Finding a simple easily achievable project with to complete every day will help me reduce my stress levels and give me a sense of accomplishment. I'll try to journal them so I can look back at what I achieved.
  • Growing our own vegetables - I have to pot up my tomato seedlings by the weekend and think of my next plantings.
  • Get things sorted for a Garage sale or to freecycle or give away. The De-cluttering will help our hip pocket too and give me more space.
  • I haven't forgotten this awesome site where you can print off a FREE six week Christmas planner
5 x 5 Random Goals (for which I can't think of category)
  • Build my own A.R.K. with 5 A.R.K.'s a day ...acts of random kindness (see HERE)
  • Writing a gratitude diary and finding 5 things to be thankful for every day ...like Pollyana.
  • Doing more things with my toddlers ... 5 things per day out of the book Toddler Play or inspiration from Playschool
  • 5 photos per day of anything that crosses my path
  • Pray for 5 people per day.
Family & Friends
  • I am trying to get to bed by 11PM OR earlier now my toddlers wake at 6am or earlier.
  • With Christmas approaching I hope there is time to catch up with family & friends and this is definitely a high priority on my list.
  • Spend time alone with my husband.My husband and I have rarely had time alone in 2.5 yrs. I want to try to arrange a monthly babysitter next year for a date night.
  • Go out once a month, by myself (with the 'Girls') ... maybe they need a break from me LOL
Blogging
I won't be blogging every day after NaBloPomo finishes.It is way too exhausting . I did BLOG 365 for over 7 months - never again.
  • My new goal is to have my posts up by 2pm and try to use Blogger scheduled posts (ahead of time) for days I am busy. As long as I don't stuff up the dates before I have finished like I did this week...(oops - did you notice).
  • Woo hoo I won a contest run by Le @ Third on the right and I'm getting a banner designed by Carleen @ Revised Images
(My header has been 'Un- done' since early this year) So maybe I need a bit of blog redesign too.

Phew ... I hope that covers it all.

Have you got any short goals or long term plans ?
What are your goals for December and have you thought about your New Year INTENTIONS ?

Assvice of the day
  1. Say Thank you & please a lot ...and your children will too hopefully !
  2. Be the first to say Hello or smile too !
  3. Use the good silver and dinner set ... why not ?


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Wednesday 26 November 2008

Not so ... Wordless Wednesday

I can explain ... make sure you read the story under the picture.


This actually really did happen. This cake was for someone who was moving from an Insurance Claims office.

Okay ... so this is how I imagine this conversation went:

Wool.worths Employee: 'Hello Wool.worths, how can I help you?'
Customer: ' I would like to order a cake for a going away party this week.'

Wool.worths Employee: 'What you want on the cake?'
Customer: 'Best Wishes Suzanne' and underneath that 'We will miss you'.
(I received this by email)
Don't stop laughing yet ...you can't fix 'stupid'
but you can thank them for a good laugh.

Assvice of the day
  1. Laughter really is good for you, it's more than just an enjoyable activity, it is very beneficial to the body and mind. It doesn't cost a cent and it is highly contagious.
    Laughter lowers blood pressure, activates the immune system, triggers the release of endorphins (the body’s natural painkillers), reduces stress hormones, helps reduce pain, allows muscles to relax and is helpful for breathing as frequent laughter empties the air of lungs.
  2. Read this - I think it's one of the funniest Thankgivings /Turkey joke ever.
  3. Do you remember my 2007 Wordless Wednesday Turkey recipe - wouldn't this be fun to serve.



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Tuesday 25 November 2008

A day in the life ...

you don't think I am going to bore you with my routine ... oh - I have one but it changes every day and I rarely follow it.LOL

  • Outside My Window ... the Brother's are playing , the sun is shining
***
  • I am thinking ... about what should I blog while avoiding the housework

***
  • I am thankful ... for the friendship of good friends.
***
  • From the kitchen ... I wanted Bacon, eggs & hashbrowns for breakfast, I had cereal ...I want someone to cook me dinner.
***
  • I am wearing ... comfortable pants, a t shirt & bare feet.
***
  • I am creating ... dreams for my boys.
***
  • I am reading ... lots of blogs and those real book things and finishing none of them. Should I scrap the whole pile and start fresh ?.
***
  • I am hoping ... my kids stay out of the dog's water and other mischief today are quiet today.
***
  • I am hearing ... my twins squealing and giggling in unison ..how sweet the sound
***
  • Around the house ... the glass sliding, fridge and cupboard doors desperately need my attention--and it's more than handprints that need cleaning off.
***
  • One of my favorite things ... walking with a crispness in the air and a soft breeze through my hair.
***
  • A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week: ... enjoying the company of friends, and jumping back into the joy of cleaning... you don't think I am serious do you
***
  • What my wee ones look like right now!
***
I hope you all have a wonderful week!

Advice of the Day



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Monday 24 November 2008

3 years ago ...

I extracted this entry from an online diary I kept on a forum ...it was 3 years ago.

It was prompted by this mornings Dr's appointment for my little boy - I drove right past our fertility clinic. I was vaguely aware of the date - the date that changed our lives forever.

Nov 14th 2005 ~ 5 embryos still growing on morning of day 6 but only two were deemed viable embryos .So we transferred both. We thought chances of twins were remote let alone a pregnancy. We didn't want any left over embryos (if we were successful) with our 1st cycle history a lone embryo might not survive thawing. Mind you as we walked out the hospital we saw twin boys in a pram and gave each other the LOOK !

In 2ww I had bad cramping only probably due to the progesterone gel Crinone but no real pregnancy symptoms.I had some spotting so pessimistically I thought AF was on her way.

Nov 22nd 2005 day 14 of 2ww ~ 8 days after transfer I thought I would do HPT it was actually the last one of three (the first two I used 5 minutes apart when I found out I was pregnant with Charlotte eighteen months before).The expiry date was close so I figured may as well use it because it would go to waste before got to do another cycle.

When I saw two pink lines I couldn't believe it. I thought it was a dodgy test as close to expiry so I didn't get my hopes up.

Nov 23rd ~Nervously, I waited awake half the night till 5.30am to use a cheap internet HPT . 2 pink lines quicker ! IT WAS POSITIVE. I then woke my DH and rang the clinic at 7.30am .I had to know if I was pregnant. It was Wednesday ,one of 3 days they did pregnancy BT, but my beta HCG test wasn't't supposed to be till the next Monday. Our clinic made your BT three weeks after your egg pickup. I wasn't going to wait. The nurse agreed I could come in.

After I had the BT another nurse said it was too early even if I was 15dpo.

That afternoon my HCG was 448 ~ normal was about 100 -200 and right away the forum IVF veterans said? Twins

I can hardly remember what feelings and thoughts ran through my head that day ...I do know reading the stories of ICLW participants reminds me how fragile a time it can be.

I was a lost soul , lost in a dark pit of self pity looking for the light of hope.

I started to reach out and I found solace and solidarity in the arms of virtual strangers. Strangers who were the first to know I was pregnant.Weeks before my family or real life friends.

It reminds me of the people that supported me on my journey. I haven't forgotten them though our busy lives make connecting a little more difficult.

Kinship . Friends who helped me through the maze.

And if you ever feel lost as though in a maze again - you're not. For during
the day all the wonders of mother nature will keep you company to buffer you
from pain and loneliness.
Advice of the Day
  1. Rejoice in the progress you have made each day ...each leg of the journey is important. Take it one day or step at a time.
  2. Connect with others on the same path as you.
  3. Keep a journal ... it is amazing to look back and remember how far you have come.
PS .. my sons really were that bald a year ago ...they didn't have their 1st haircut till after 2



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Sunday 23 November 2008

Weekly Winners


November 16th - 22nd
It was an event filled week but I didn't snap many photos

Speed 1
Speed 2The Original Little Drummer boy
Feet first
It's all about the water
Do these shoes make my ankles look fat?
In
Pickles - our heroine foster mumOnions - Foster Mum 2


You know what to do ... go see more Weekly winners at the host with the most ... Lotus's

Advice of the day
  1. Have you ever noticed a calm person with a loud voice
  2. Look for the good in all situations ...practice Pollyana and the glad game!
  3. Monday' itis - meh ! ... make Monday an A.R.K day and have a great week





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Saturday 22 November 2008

Smiley Saturday - Build an A.R.K.



It wasn't the best week for smiles but I still had plenty to smile about despite our cat dying after being bitten by brown snake and having to say goodbye temporarily to her seven @ 9 day old kittens.

The Acts of Random Kindness that led us to find another lactating mother cat for them touched me beyond measure. It reaffirmed for me that people care about animals and will go the extra mile to rescue them. So many good and kind people crossed my path.

Also, that mother nature and the animal world is just as amazing. Pickles , the cat I salute you too for adopting my seven tiny kittens.

I visited my special friends, Tiff , Ivy,Noah & the big kids for a short while .That was a day full of smiles.

I smiled when my two year old son, S upon watching me syringe feeding the kittens and telling him their mummy was gone , sat on the floor stroking them so gently as they meowed ..."alwight, alwight" over and over ...oh my stars that was so sweet and heart melting when I was feeling so overwhelmed and sad.

I smiled when my other two year old son , J , wrapped his arms around my neck and said 'I Luv you'...many times this week.

I smiled the day I was sick , after they both hadn't seen me for a few hours they greeted me so excitedly and jumped into bed to cuddle up to me as if I had been gone for days. Such precious moments I wish I could capture forever.

I started to finally catch up on a few of my favourite (100 +) reads and was moved my this guest post from Jeanette Mayhew on JLo's blog .

In light of the acts of random kindness I received. I loved what Jeanette wrote ..

The Simplest Acts of Random Kindness (A.R.K)

Build one! :)


Smile

Laugh

Say hello

Help for no reason

Embrace with a look

Hug with your words

Listen and actually hear

Make eye contact (but do not stare)

Don't argue even when you are right

Leave encouraging, anonymous notes

Wave at a total stranger just because

Laugh for no reason at all (it's contagious)

Turn the texting off and make an actual call

Pay for the coffee for the person behind you in line

Look at yourself in the mirror and say Thank you

Buy a bag of groceries and give it to a family in need

Hold on to your opinion and encourage another person's

Let a child teach you something (even if you alreay know)

Share your umbrella... even if it means you are left in the rain.

Tell your spouse at least one thing that makes you fall in love with them all over again

Say please and thank you as you tell the Deli person what you want on your sandwich
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I also found this awesome website The A.R.K Movement.

I feel even more motivated to keep the kindness moving ... what can you do ?

November IComLeavWe begins today! -International Comment leaving week is hosted by Mel at Stirrup Queens. Read my story HERE

Advice of the Day
  1. Remember there's no such thing as a small act of kindness. Every act creates a ripple with no logical end." ~ Scott Adams
  2. Make the world a better place by practicing acts of kindness - one A.R.K. at a time ...soon we will all be sailing.
  3. Loving will never empty your heart and giving A.R.K. will never empty your pockets.
  4. Don't forget to visit Lightening for more Smiley Saturday posts.


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