Tuesday 26 March 2013

Wordless Wednesday ~ Best of the Show

.

Master Six's idea to carry car-seats with backpack inside

Driving on two wheels ...can I do that - Dmax Isuzu utes ...Hubby has one !
Off to join the circus ...or battle Skylander Giants.

They got picked to try their hand at shearing and cooked pizza too.

Darcy - 8m high and hung off a huge crane

Long exhausting but satisfying day once they got show bags.

Woe is me - My pocket camera battery died 1hr into Royal Easter Show - so these are all via my iPad. It was a great day out - my favourite was Arts & Crafts which I didn't take pics of in case of copyright.
 

Message in Chocolate and Gran's Fudge ~ RedBalloon

 RedBalloon Experience review

I decided to indulge in two, of the dozens, of scrumptious gourmet gift experiences RedBalloon has to choose from. The arrival and timing was perfect because I've had a tough week or two.


 #1 - The Fudge house is renowned for its creamy-smooth fudges, specialty nut brittles (oh more), rocky road and other specialty chocolates, locally-made jams, butters and sauces. They use local butter and milk ingredients too.


I'm presently stuffing my face enjoying a selection of very delectable Fudge flavours , delivered in a beautiful hamper. It’s so simple – order (allow 7-10days – though mine took less than 5) , drool and stalk the pareel post person sit back and wait.

The 'hamper' of fudge was delivered in a huge cane basket measuring 48cm x 29cm x 8cm deep. It makes a lovely house-warming gift or care package for someone too.


Though who says you can’t keep and eat it yourself - it is perhaps better for your butt to invite some friends to share in the sensation. Kinder.

My hamper was filled with delightful gift boxes and a variety of Gran's fudge tasting experiences – chocolate, rocky road, caramel, vanilla, Irish cream, macadamia and coconut ice – (depending on the season and on freshest batch) and a jar of a specialty jam and butter.


If your mouth is watering at the very thought ... lucky you can’t hear me - I’m also enjoying the crunch of their divine peanut brittle.

The fudge is a Gluten free , creamy-smooth ...well mind the nut versions. I know a few people happy to gobble hear this (well if you live NSW, VIC & QLD). Yummo !


The Fudge experience unlike some other experiences on RedBalloon, is a direct order product ...sadly it will not arrive in time for Easter but remember Mother’s day is just around the corner.




#2 There might still be time to indulge a loved one or a friend and show how much you appreciate them with a message in chocolate ----> choc-o-gram.

Nothing speaks the language of love more than a warm melt in mouth  loving thought expressed in chocolate. Resounding in both their heart and mouth...and plenty to share !


Guys or girls ... say it with chocolate instead of flowers; no need to find a vase and no slimy water to change. Just select a 30 characters message to show love or care to a person (20 character messages too) ...I googled for ideas and played around with the words.

Chocolate gifts do not get any get better than this ; make someone's day by sending a 'warm' message of support, love, encouragement or whatever – in smooth Belgium chocolate. Surprise your spouse or tell Mum you love her ; thank a friend or show someone going through a tough time that you're thinking of them.Ensuring it is long remembered as a very memorable and appreciated gift.

This divine Belgium chocolate is also gluten free, available in milk, white and dark (coloured is not GF) and it is available for delivery anywhere in Australia . It's another Redballoon direct order – though if your order is placed before 3.00pm Monday-Friday - delivery is the next working day for most metropolitan areas (NSW – I checked). Other and remote country areas will take 2-3 working days for delivery.

These two experiences were sent directly for me [I sent the message in chocolate to hubby - he is my rock and everything to me ] to enjoy in the comfort of my own home. Thank you RedBalloon!

RedBalloon is the place to spoil yourself or find that perfect gift this Easter or Mother’s day or anytime – wild experience or indulgent gift -  what with 2500+experiences ...you can't decide or want to leave the fun of choosing to the recipient ?

So why not buy them a RedBalloon Gift Certificate , these can be used as currency towards anything on the website and valid for 12 months from the date of purchase.



There is also a special deal for My Little Drummer Boy readers!
  • Offer: Spend $129 or more on any RedBalloon experience, and receive $30 off.
  • To redeem:  Visit www.redballoon.com.au and enter the promotional code REDMUM12 at the checkout to receive your discount.
  • Terms and Conditions: Offer valid until 31/12/13. Promotional Code can only be used once per person. All purchases are subject to Red Balloon T&Cs, for full details see www.redballoon.com.au/help/terms-conditions

RB_blogger_badge_lowres

Disclosure: Thanks to the team at Digital Parents Collective for inviting me to be a part of the Red Balloon Experience Program. I will be sharing more awesome experiences with you over the coming months. Stay tuned!  As always, all opinions are my own however the experiences are complimentary.  

Me, I’ll be on my treadmill for the next hour walking off the fudge and peanut britttle I’ve just gobbled up and to make room for more later.

Linking up with Jess #IBOT
 

Wednesday 20 March 2013

Wordless Wednesday - Colour me happy and fast


'Walk in her shoes' started Monday  https://walkinhershoes2013.everydayhero.com/au/Trish_T 
please sponsor me for CARE Australia . Empower women and girls out of poverty by reducing the burden of walking for clean water, food and survival - so they can work or get an education
I am walking 10000 steps a day March 18 -24...even $5 will go a long way to helping.

'Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot,Nothing is going to get better. It's not.' Lorax .


New shoes with the best support - how could I not be happy walking and running in these  !.


Please visit other WW especially those linking in the same row of 5 - sorry if I can't visit everyone. I'm off on CountryLink adventure today - (Win an iPad Mini here)  and I'll have limited internet access for 3-4 days.

Tuesday 19 March 2013

Countrylink Royal Easter Show & amaysim mobile deals iPad mini {giveaway}

Countrylink Promotion and amaysim data & iPad mini Giveaway
Kids go a long way for a dollar.

Remember our Countrylink Dinosaurs in the Wild adventure well we are off again - RAWR ! ...no Moo-moo, Quack -Quack ...  with 14,000 animals on display. (That's a lot of .... !)

Thanks to Countrylink we are off to the Sydney Royal Easter show, which is celebrating 190yrs this year. WOW ! We leave tomorrow afternoon and the Show opens Thursday (21st March- April 3rd).




Countrylink has an exclusive offer - Buy 1 entry ticket to the Sydney Royal Easter Show and receive 1 ticket of the same type FREE when you purchase a return CountryLink train or coach ticket to Sydney. They have some great accommodation deals in Sydney to make it more affordable too.

The offers are only available for Sydney Royal Easter Show tickets purchased through a CountryLink sales outlet traveling to Sydney between 20 March and 4 April 2013.

The Sydney Royal Easter Show brings  the  smells of  country to the city every year to celebrate the best Australia has to offer, hours of family fun, carnival rides, free entertainment , carnival rides and showbags ! Something for everyone. Perfect to distract me from worrying about other things.

2012 -Milkshake making classes, Ashton's circus, Equine Entertainment and Circus school.

I am looking forward to the Arts and crafts, woodchop, fireworks and live entertainment. The boys love the animal nursery and showbags on display. Hubby is keen to check out the cows and rodeo !


CountryLink offers a great value kids' fare - what can you buy for one dollar ? up to four children from the one household can travel to any of more than 365 destinations on the CountryLink network for just one dollar each  (each way)! [Unfortunately under12's must be accompanied by adults :) so you can't just pack the kids off as tempting as it sounds]


The journey is half the fun and $1 kids' fare will help make your family holiday, short break or visit to friends or relatives that little bit more affordable. As well you can take time on the way to notice the countryside you are passing through, play endless games of snap, colour-in or read and EAT ...plenty of food available on board too. They have chocolate hot meals to order. You can book sleeping accommodation on some trips.

I recommend charging up all your idevices and electronic games too (no charging facilities on the train). My boys loved the excitement and freedom of the train.The time passed quickly and we had very few "ARE we there YET ?"

For more information and to book, call 13 28 29 or visit your nearest CountryLink Travel Centre.



I'm so glad I have my iPad2 when traveling. It kept the boys entertained while traveling and when we stayed in Sydney I still had access to internet. I cannot cope without my iPad and internet. Sad , but true. My iPad mobile broadband worked in a few locations luckily !

In a completely unrelated promotion I am so excited to be giving away an iPad Mini thanks to amaysim.

amaysim is Australia’s low cost mobile service provider with multiple award winning mobile deals.[Money magazine‘s best of the best awards 2012 and 2013].

- amaysim UNLIMITED mobile plan won gold, as did amaysim AS YOU GO. For everyone in-between, they have got amaysim FLEXI. So whether you‘re always on the phone, or just an occasional user like me, they have you covered.

- Say goodbye to lock-in contract forever with amaysim MOBILE BROADBAND data packs– perfect for those who need mobile broadband on the go ...anywhere you 97% of Australia is covered (Optus network)


- If you need mobile broadband for your i devices , tablet, smartphone, or SIM compatible laptop just add a great-value amaysim Data Pack ...from $9.90 for 1GB and up to $99.90 for 10GB’s. When I next re-charge - I'm switching to amaysim - I paid nearly twice that much for my current iPad mobile broadband data pack.

-You can forget paying sneaky costs like flagfall within Australia or payout fees and even unlocking costs. 

- amaysim have an Australian customer service centre too -lots of great reasons to switch!

 Visit: www.amaysim.com.au

This amazing giveaway they have offered for my readers ...

amaysim MOBILE BROADBAND 10GB data pack all in Oz, 365 expiry. r.r.p $99.90
Apple iPad Mini, 16GB with Wi-Fi and Cellular. r.r.p. $509.00

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Please use Rafflecopter to enter - then leave a comment below - In 50 words or less what is your best traveling tip or where you would travel with an iPad mini and why ? [at nearly half the size of the regular iPad it still packs a punch and you can take it anywhere . Perfect to keep the kids (or yourself) entertained these holidays and especially on a train trip!]

1. Only Australian Residents are eligible to enter.
2. Entries not answering the question will be deemed invalid. The winner will be chosen by originality and creative merit, not by chance. Judges decisions are final and no correspondence will be entered into.
3.There is one prize iPad mini Apple iPad Mini, 16GB with Wi-Fi and Cellular. r.r.p. $509.00 plus amaysim Mobile Broadband 10GB data pack all in Oz, 365 expiry. r.r.p $99.90
4. Entries - Open 19/3/2013 - Close 11.59pm  8/4/2013 AEST. The winner will be notified by email, and posted to mylittledrummerboys.blogspot.com.au - the winners have 7 days to respond or a new winner will be drawn.
5. Prizes are not transferable, changeable or redeemable for cash.
6. Prizes sent out by PR firm directly will not be replaced in the event that they are stolen, lost or damaged in transit.
7. Subscribe to my blog  to receive MLDB updates.
8. Follow via Facebook or Bloglovin on the sidebar >>>>




Disclaimer : Countrylink have offered me 3days3nights package with accommodation & breakfast only and Easter Show entry . No monetary compensation was provided nor offered. All opinions are my own.

The amaysim MOBILE BROADBAND 10GB data pack all in Oz, 365days expiry. r.r.p $99.90
Apple iPad Mini, 16GB with Wi-Fi and Cellular. r.r.p. $509.00 giveaway is not related in any way to the Countrylink promotion.
 
amaysim is not sponsored , it is purely a giveaway for my readers - no monetary compensation was provided nor offered and I did not receive a iPad mini .



PS - I totally recommend CountryLink's three-day, two-night packages starting from only $404 per person twin share to Taronga Western Plains Zoo. Packages include return rail and accommodation and entry.I wasn't asked to mention this but I love our local zoo.

 

Monday 18 March 2013

Of big scary needles, little and big lumps

Edited to add I'm linking up with I must confess ...if only I'd known then what I know now, my life direction might be immensely different .

It has been a tough month I've seen two much loved women I know through the internet and a friend, both diagnosed with cancer the same time as I was , pass away. I know of two other young and vibrant women, loved and taken by cancer.

It rocks me to the core and my heart breaks for them and the loved ones they leave behind.

I am okay, for the most part , I am getting through the treatment ( now finished 7 of 17 Herceptin infusions) . My husband and I are getting back into everyday activities and trying to live full and healthy lives. I live with  fear , every little odd thing, pain or lump ...we live one day to the next.

Tuesday
Tuesday night at 11pm I found a little lump where my right breast used to live , down from my port, it was 'movable', above the scar and between my ribs. The cancer was in my left boob.

I won't deny how scared I first was, I slept a little and I kept checking to see if  it was just a nightmare or dream.

Wednesday
I wasn't going to wait and see. I rang the GP at 9am. I couldn't get into the oncology clinic.
Thankfully I got a GP appointment at 9.45am , she was running late and the waiting was intense .If anyone saw me fondling my chest - I didn't give a stuff. It was still there and I was still waiting at 10.30am.
My GP was reassuring and said she thought it was likely a cyst.
"Nothing to worry about."
Then she said to get an ultrasound "to be sure" , to be sure I wouldn't have left there without one.
As it was I already had an ultrasound appointment I'd been waiting 2.5 weeks for , for a bigger lump in my left thigh - a neurofibroma. I've had it for years and it is starting to give me grief with pressure, numbness and odd feelings down my leg.She rang to ask them to fit in my little 'chest' lump.

Thursday
I had both ultrasounds with 'technician / radiographer' on Thursday morning and waited an hour in the u/s room afterwards for the Dr. He was busy doing another procedure...nail biting stuff.

The Dr had a quick look with u/s wand too and he said he thought it looked benign but he recommended a needle biopsy, because of my history .He said he would write it in the report and then he was gone in 2mins.

[The kindly receptionist started to ask for the co-payment then changed her mind and said "I'll bulk bill you". She knows me by sight and probably name after having almost a dozen procedures there in 9 months (4 heart scans, breast u/s, mammogram, punch biopsy, bone scan, knee x-ray, leg and breast-less u/s). I was very grateful because we have out of pocket costs in the thousands already.]

I picked up my scans minus the report ...they weren't ready and would be sent electronically to my GP (- are you one of those people who open your results immediately out the door breaking the sealed warning ....only to be opened by the DR.)

Another sleepless night ensued but with a little less anxiety realising that none of this is anything I have any control over and to trust my GP.

Friday
More assurance from GP and soft words 'benign' 'nothing to worry about, unlikely to be anything of concern' ...the C word unmentioned , but in agreement with DR's report she said to have a needle biopsy. Relief , I guess, because knowing for certain it is or isn't - is more reassuring.

I rang the scan place back for another appointment and it's today at 4pm.I'm grateful I don't have long to wait (sure they fitted me in because of my history), and that they offered to bulk bill it again. Not to say I am looking forward to it but having the biopsy is another step closer to restoring calm.

All weekend I censored it from my thoughts and I'm feeling calm. I'm not scared of the biopsy, not that I enjoy being prodded by a sharp needlestick.

I just wanted to tell you again , it is so important to keep checking your breasts, go to your GP immediately if you notice, feel or see any changes and don't delay because of fear of the unknown or what lies ahead.



 

Friday 15 March 2013

Cyber Safety in school 101 - How much do you know ?.

 Community Review

A few weeks ago I was fortunate to be in Sydney for appointments and I was invited to hear about the new Life Education Australia programme in partnership with McAfee targeting primary students.

It was a brief overview of information the national cyber education program , starting right now in 2013, covers. It was very interesting.The online world is getting trickier and as parents we need to be aware too.
 
The program will take the form of a new Life Education Social Skills and Cyber Safety module for middle primary students. Life Education will utilise McAfee's expertise and experience in the security industry in creating cyber safety content for upper primary students which will include strategies to deal with unsafe online situations.bCyberwise

 

The video was eye-opening and it is a little funny. How much do you know ?

I am all for for my sons (almost 7) being educated on how to stay safe online and develop positive online communication skills. As I mentioned I have a 19yr who has grown up with the Internet . A few years ago the behaviour of his peers {and sometimes him} online at times shocked me ... I admit to snooping when he left his facebook profile open on our desktop. The content he and his friends or friends of friends were posting horrified me.

There was language, bullying, shaming and filthy talk about girls or other boys. They weren't all his friends - I could see friends of friends - public profiles by clicking from one kid to another. I knew a lot of them (& some of their parents) from either Soccer, Little Athletics, Swimming, and primary school etc. It's a small world sometimes.

I had to edit information my younger teen was posting on Myspace and warn him about telling his friends when we were going away and our phone number.

every kid knows Harold. Launched by Julia Gillard in January

Life education reaches 620,000 children nationally with 100 plus mobile learning centres and qualified educators across the country. The optional module will support teachers and schools to specifically address the knowledge, skills and attitudes children need to ensure their online experiences are safe.  
The cyber security element of the program will align with the State, Territory and future National Curriculum covering communication, relationships, decision-making and safety. It is an extension of the current Life Education program, bCyberwise has been designed in partnership with McAfee using their expertise in security to create relevant content on the real risks students face today in the online world.
Life Education aims to empower children to make safe and healthy decisions including cyber safety content with the support of McAfee.
It will provide knowledge, skills and strategies to empower children to use technology safely, build positive relationships and contribute to the safety of others online.
The new bCyberwise module will be taught using engaging presentations, videos, discussion, problem solving and role play and will provide an opportunity for young students to learn and practice core life skills in three categories: cyber safety, cyber security and responsible online behaviour.

I knew my teen was accessing my computer if I left it without shutting down completely - especially when I got busy with my twin babies or when they were toddlers and I decided to take them for a walk. I put parental controls in place but he got around them sometimes. Mostly he was a good kid with a very tech savvy friend and both were curious about lots of things.

They were so digitally aware [I had to stay a step ahead and I knew how to check the history.] That was before twitter and instagram - my little boys know all about putting photos on instagram and Facebook ...my Bad !

I have also heard that some online games like Moshi Monsters, have a messaging feature. My boys haven't asked to play games online yet. I am very aware that I'll need to vigilant.

Are your primary school kids active on facebook , instagram or you tube ? 
How much do you know about cyber-safety ?
Have you heard about bcyberwise ?

PS - Martine has some great tips here for parents http://themodernparent.net/4-things-parents-shouldnt-do-with-their-kids-online/ 

Some of these acronyms were new to me too ...

Top 15 Terms To Watch For:
  1. AITR = Adult In The Room
  2. P911 = Parent Emergency
  3. PAW = Parents Are Watching
  4. PIR = Parent In Room
  5. POS = Parent Over Shoulder
  6. PLOS = Parents Looking Over shoulder
  7. PRW = Parents Are Watching
  8. MOS = Mom Over Shoulder
  9. MIRL = Meet In Real Life
  10. S2R = Send To Receive (pictures)
  11. LMIRL = (Lets) Meet In Real Life
  12. CD9 = Code 9 - (means parents are around)
  13. E or X = Ecstasy (the drug)
  14. ASL(R P) = Age Sex Location (Race / Picture)
  15. TDTM = Talk Dirty To Me
Disclaimer: This post is not sponsored I was invited to the bCyberwise event but no there was obligation to write a post.
 

Tuesday 12 March 2013

Wordless Wednesday ~ Meerkat Magic

Western Plains Taronga has new Meerkat pups ...so cute I cannot resist baby animals.



new Meerkat pups

I find them fascinating to watch ...did you watch Meerkat Manor ?
Please visit others linking up in the same row as you , so everybody gets a visit and comments 
.

How Eskimos keep Their Babies Warm and more than one way to parent a child

Book Review
I've been doing a lot more reading lately. I can't wait till the weather cools to snuggle up on the couch or under the doona with a book. There is nothing more satisfying.

I've always been an avid reader but since the Internet children I've read less and less. Reading a book (s) for my own enjoyment used to be a part of my daily activity, now I'm more dependent on technology and finding less time to read 'paper' books. I do read to my children most nights and listen to them read home readers 4-5 days a week

I was sent several books to review in the past month so I've been very busy.

How Eskimos keep Their Babies : Parenting wisdom from around the world , has been absolutely delightful.


I learn so many things through reading. Reading gives me insight into other peoples lives and cultures and this book was eye opening.



A charming insight into child-rearing practices across the globe


How Eskimos Keep Their Babies Warm is the perfect read for fans of bestselling parenting book French Children Don't Throw Food.

'A captivating book, filled with some genuinely useful (and jaw-dropping) child-rearing tips from all over the world' Amy Chua, author of Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother

For any parent weary of the so-called 'expert advice' peddled in books and on TV, How Eskimos Keep Their Babies Warm lifts the lid on how other cultures parent their children, with some interesting – and surprising – insights. Mei-Ling Hopgood explores how mums and dads in other countries approach such issues as bedtime, potty training, healthy eating and playtime squabbles and offers some fascinating new perspectives on how to do things.

This inspiring, engaging and fun read proves that there are many ways to be a good parent - and more than one way to raise a child.
I've been a parent for almost 19yrs and spent 10yrs nursing children in hospital. I'm still learning how to be a better parent.

How Eskimos Keep Their Babies Warm is captivating and entertaining while providing views from other parents and solid research from anthropologists and childcare experts, it's interspersed with the author's experience and observation, to explore and back up the different parenting methods observed.

The author, Mei-Ling Hopgood has a warm , 'honest' personality and she writes with humour and gentle wit. I've learned a whole lot of new ideas and had some of my own views challenged.

Mei-Ling doesn't agree with everything and even challenges what experts tell parents ...especially about potty training infants. It was interesting and easy to read.

I am an accidental 'attachment parent' who breastfed because I could, practiced baby 'wearing' for a short time (because twins do make it more challenging) and co-slept because it worked for us. I had no set ideas and I didn't have solid reasons one way or the other. I've never openly judged other parents and I tried never to offend people ...though breastfeeding my preschoolers was certainly offensive to some.

The message is clear there is no way to be a perfect parent and a million ways to be a good one!

There is just no need to attack other parents choices. I enjoyed this post by Emma too.

Disclaimer: No financial payment  was received . One copy of  How Eskimos Keep Their Babies Warm was sent to me by PAN MACMILLAN AUSTRALIA Books.All opinions are my own. Like them on Facebook

Linking up with    Jess  #IBOT
 

Monday 11 March 2013

Starting change with a single step

Walk In Her Shoes 2013 Starts in 6 days.

I walk 3m to turn the tap on and fresh clean water flows into my glass and I am so thankful for it. I am thankful also for the rain that filled our water tank recently.

When we had no water we had to drive 5km to the next farm (family) and pump out 1000L from their tank , till we could organise a water tanker to deliver 30,000L - easy done.


Millions of women and girls are walking right now to collect food and water for their families.I walk for exercise and to rid the excess calories I consume .


Millions of women and girls in developing countries are burdened by hours of walking each day to collect what their families need to survive: food, water and firewood. This burden prevents girls from going to school and women from earning an income - keeping them trapped in a devastating cycle of poverty.
I'm walking in the shoes of poor women and girls by taking part in CARE Australia’s Walk In Her Shoes Challenge.
From 18 to 24 March, I  will walk 10,000 steps a day to raise funds for CARE Australia, an organisation that helps communities in developing countries overcome poverty. www.walkinhershoes.org.au
Funds raised will go toward vital CARE projects that help reduce the distance women and girls have to walk and help them spend more time in school, earning an income and helping their community overcome poverty.
CARE Australia is an international humanitarian aid organisation with a special focus on working with women and girls to bring lasting change to their communities Last year CARE helped 122 million people across 84 countries. Find out more are www.care.org. au.
  My fundraising link is here https://walkinhershoes2013.everydayhero.com/au/Trish_T

I don't want to guilt anyone because I know everyone is cash strapped but it is so disappointing not to get sponsors for as little as $5. Even a small contribution will go a long way for these women and girls.

 

Saturday 9 March 2013

Your point is ...

Ok, so I don't really like tagging memes ...twopointfivekids tagged me and I thought why not ?

1. Where were you born?


2. Were you named after someone? No

3. If you have children, how many do you have? 4 - 3 sons living and a daughter stillborn in 2004

4. How many pets do you have? 3

5. What was your worst injury? Detached retina in my right eye aged 8yrs and concussion - resulted in partial blindness and a broken clavicle at 22yrs from being bounced off see-saw was pretty uncomfortable for 6 weeks.

6. Do you have a special talent?  


7. What's your favourite thing to bake? 


8. Favourite Fast Food? 
credit - Simon's food favourites OMG his blog makes me drool for all kinds of yummy food.
(Of course I want some right now )

9. Would you bungee jump? Never.EVER.

10. What's the first thing you notice about people?  if they smile and look kind

11. When was the last time you cried? Yesterday

12. Any current worries? 

Hundreds ...most fearful is will I live to see my boys grow up ?
Will I get sponsors to walk 10,000 steps for 7 days?


'I'm not going to let the fears & worries about tomorrow ruin my today'
Peter Harvey
Canberra
1944 - 2013
13. Name three drinks you drink regularly ? Water, Tea with milk no sugar, green tea. (no vino anymore due to #12)

14. What's your favourite Book? Too many - love Running Pink and currently reading Joy Dettman's Woody Creek series

15. Would you like to be a Pirate?
  I'd sail the seas only on a luxury cruiser liner {I can 'talk' like one on FB if that counts = that really makes me laugh}.

16. Favourite Smells? Roses and lavender - Roast lamb & hot chips

17. Why do you blog? ....get yourself a coffee

  • "I started blogging about the first part of my IVF cycle after I read an article about Tertia and Julie and their blogs in the June 2005 Reader's Digest Australia. I wanted what they had: the circle of friendship and support. Originally, I wanted to journal my grief and trying to conceive via IVF (my first natural pregnancy ended in 2004 when our daughter was stillborn at 26 weeks gestation). Six months later in 2005, we went down the IVF path."
  • "Over time I have steered away from infertility and loss because I felt so blessed and felt I needed to move on and let others fill that niche because my grief was less intense. It was too far off my radar to be honest and authentic. I still mention significant days and life experiences as the need arises."
  • "I feel very blessed with the people I have met - the friendship and the connections and the honesty of some bloggers in revealing their own adversity, adventures and truimphs. All over the world people want to be friendly to me."

18. What song do you want played at your funeral? Next question 

19. What is your least favourite thing about yourself? I hate photographs of me.

20. Favourite hobby? Eating and reading books,blogs anything including cereal packets. Being right !

21. What do you look for in a friend?


22. Name something that you have done that you never thought you would. Birthing a living child ( let alone twins).

23. Favourite fun thing to do. Cook , eat and laugh with friends.

24. Any pet peeves? Whinging is boring -next question ...I will say in my next house I'm putting in a urinal.

25. What's the last thing that made you laugh? My kids - every day.

Now I am supposed to tag other bloggers to participate in this - do it at your leisure !

 

Thursday 7 March 2013

Thankful ~ Out of the mouths of little boys


You need your tissues for the heart-warming , wet-eyed and snotty-nose inducing cuteness . It is a powerful message one little boy reaching to another .

You may like to read the story and transcript at iVillage- this blew me away and I had to share it  .



Lets get A million likes for a kidney for Matthew and raise awareness.

 

Wednesday 6 March 2013

International Women's day pulling people out of poverty to the power of 5

Blogging for Social Good #Not sponsored

Friday 8th March is International Women’s Day and Good Return means business.


Business opportunities for poor women in the Asia Pacific, that is. This March, help 300 women lift themselves, their family, and their community out of poverty.
 Good Return is calling on Australians to help women in the developing world start their own businesses and help end poverty.
Good Return has set a target of funding 300 micro-loans to women, which has the power to change 1,500 people’s lives.
I am already a supporter of Good Return and after my first loan was fully repaid last year I 're-invested' it into another micro-loan. It is a small amount of money to me but added together with other 'loans' it has the potential to change lives dramatically.


Guy Winship, Good Return CEO notes: “In these poor communities, children are growing up in poverty and with little education, yet in these same communities are smart women with business ideas but no resources to make them a reality. 
“When we pull one woman out of poverty, she takes four other people with her. We have the power to make a massive difference.”
As 200 million people globally do not have access to financial services, there is a real opportunity for Australians to play a role this International Women’s Day.
You could help change the life of a woman like Candy in the Philippines, whose dream is to send all of her children to college. Receiving a loan meant she could finally build a business and provide for her family.

“Before, my husband and I had no permanent work, no steady income,” she said. “When I got my first loan to start raising pigs, I was so happy, and proud!”

She told us that it was empowering to finally have someone believe in her – previously, she wasn’t even able to get a loan from money lenders.
Now, she also has a small business making peanut butter, and all of her children are in school – the oldest two have graduated college and one is a teacher.

I know it takes less than 5 mins to create a lifetime of change for a family .Making a loan at www.goodreturn.org is easy.

The longest bit is actually choosing which woman and the business venture you want to support. Loans start at just $25 (and $5 admin fee). It is a very direct and powerful way to make a difference to end poverty.

PS - To date 54 loans are funded

I’ve started change with a single step and registered for CARE’s Walk In Her Shoes challenge  to walk 10,000 steps a day from 18-24 March 2013. Sponsor me to help women and girls lift themselves out of poverty!