Monday 30 November 2015

Taking Stock - November

Life has been hectic and I'm riding the waves of mixed emotions.

I hope my knee surgery for very damaged cartiliage last Thursday is successful so I can get back to doing all the things I love and unfortunately the cleaning.

The Orthopedic surgeon said I also have significant arthritis in my knee and since I'm a youngen' (love this guy) they'll try to stetch me out a few years before the replacement I'll eventually need.

November 30 ...how did this happen ?

Time to take stock

Making : My Bulbura Plant design - I'l show you tomorrow.
Cooking : the best Chocolate Brownies later
Drinking : Australian Afternoon tea in the morning - rule breaker to the end
Reading: Finishing Dune Road ... starting our Christmas Book Advent read tomorrow.
Wanting: Speedy healing after my knee surgery
Looking: All the Christmas decorations.
Playing: Christmas Carols already loving the Spirit of Christmas CD 

 
Proceeds raised from the sale of this CD will support The Salvation Armys family and domestic violence services

Deciding: What to buy my minions for Christmas
Wishing: I wasn't so stressed
Enjoying: sound of silence ...except for the dishwasher
Waiting: for the cleaning fairy
Liking: Hand stamped delights as a teacher's gift maybe
Wondering: why breast Cancer is the gift that keeps on giving (stupid early arthritis in
Loving: this Random Acts of Kindness Advent Calendar idea
Pondering: What if this is as good as it gets (my crappy knee in particular)
Considering: De-cluttering and cleaning the office
Buying: Christmas Books
Watching: my weight (Breast Cancer meds are packing it on quicker than I can exercise)
Hoping: I can get back to paddling soon.
Marvelling: Stools and furniture carved from fallen trees - could my hubby do this ...like with the chainsaw he gave me for my birthday a few years back.


Cringing: at the amount of yelling I do " Shut the door" "Be quiet" "Leave your brother alone"
Needing: a holiday , to get more sleep and bi focals.
Questioning: why I don't go to bed earlier. It's my fault.
Smelling: Mangoes
Wearing: Bonds shorts and pj top- very glam I am.
Noticing: Clutter and chaos
Following: a careful path around said clutter and chaos to protect my knee
Knowing: this too will pass
Thinking: to do lists for the man of the house
Admiring: All the cookies ...me want cookies.
Sorting: Business activity statement paperwork
Getting: Frustrated because I can't do much with my knee recovering
Bookmarking: All the Christmas recipes
Coveting: A new iPad
Disliking: Ants and Flies
Opening: the books I ordered
Giggling: time well wasted reading - Bloggeress "Awkwarding is what brings us all together "
Feeling: out of sorts with a mild bout of depression and why the f' me.
Snacking: Australian green grape$
Helping: Push for Palliative committee - the most daunting thing
Hearing: Voices in my head that will not shut-up.

I Must Confess
~ Random Confessions

You can make a list too, you know you want to!
Pip and I would love to read it!
Let us know if you do this too!

Wednesday 25 November 2015

Tuesday 24 November 2015

A few of my favourite things Myer Giftorium

What can I say - you have to see it for yourself Myer Giftorium is reminiscent of all the Christmas movies, childhood stories and everything magical about Christmas.

The launch was colourful, bustling and bursting with excitement.

I spy Sam - The Annoyed Thyroid.


Marvin's magic is back too...Sam was waiting for Marvin
Eyes were popping and for once my boys were momentarily speechless until the "MUM, look" "MUM can I have?"


This still works - best whispered !



 If you're  tryin’ to decide between getting someone a CD , a wine rack or a 20 piece dinner set or a GIANT jar of personalised Nutella - go the Nutella !

Though with 2.5 million gifts across the Myer range - you never run out of options.

A bargain at $12.95.

Myer is the only place to get your personalised jar in store or online.

Myer Giftoriums across Australia have the same basic kit (with a few exceptions with specialist Pop up brands like Build a bear, Benefit and Dilmah tea.) A sensational festive and fun - one stop shop.

Lot of Pop- up shops featuring


Peanuts , Mr Men/Little Miss Cartoon prints.

All the kid's from 0 -99 yrs favourites from Disney , Frozen, Toy Story, Mickey & Minnie, Avengers and Inside out.

shop 100,000 items of STARWARS merchandise (not just Lego) from this year's biggest film release.

the Mini Drones caught my lads attention - and their Christmas list. MR will like this too.

 
Do you hate gift shopping ? Myer takes away the pain - with 180 personalised specially trained Christmas “Gifticians.

Gifticians will suggest gifts from - Myer's seven Christmas gift giving themes  For Her, For Him, Tech Guru, Kid’s Cubby, Paw’s Corner, Stocking Fillers and the Food Fanatic.

Martini glasses for HER

  
 The Santa train ride has a height restriction , so my boys missed a ride . Book your Santa Cave visit and skip the queue with 120,000 children predicted to see the big guy.  

Personalised wallets, key and luggage tags - a unique gift for someone who has everything. Embossed on the spot or online - order before Dec15th


Santa Sacks and stockings embroidered so Dad and Dave don't get the wrong jocks n socks.

I got my Secret santa / Kris Kringle male gift nailed at Stocking Fillers ! I can't show you the rest. Shhh it's a secret.

This was a HOT item - Bazinga
Such gorgeous Trees with all the trimmings.


Fitness was my pick - spoilt for choice - now for the boys to point Dad in the right direction.


Have you got my present yet, Darling ?



I loved free gift wrapping service too.

My sons and I were invited guests thanks to Kids Business and Myer - we recieved a gift voucher to use on the day and an awesome swag bag with a 2015 Teddy bear. Dilmah tea, "Trish" Nutella and a few other goodies including the 2015



The proceeds raised from the sale of this CD will support The Salvation Armys family and domestic violence services.

We spent over 3hrs in the Myer Sydney Giftorium and I can't wait to visit our local Giftorium.

What's your favourite thing about Christmas ?

Wednesday 18 November 2015

Wordless Wednesday : One World - Unity and Peace


While the world was shell shocked - I was unaware and buying this Globe ! How Ironic.



Tuesday 17 November 2015

Happy Hens and dogs who don't eat them.

In Vanuatu Chickens roam free, freedom range over the village. They cross roads and wander through gardens or on the side of the road, spending the day foraging.

Our driver told us - as a chicken ran across the road - if you kill one you pay your neighbour for it.
It's an honesty system.

At night the chickens are trained to return home to sleep.

Pet pigs roam free too and dogs who don't seem to eat the chickens - that's another story.

Today the postie delivered ‪'Happy hens'‬ - it features the best of ABC ‪Organic Gardener‬ magazine . I am so eggcited.

Whatever size your backyard, you can keep hens and collect fresh eggs every day!
Featuring the best of ABC Organic Gardener magazine’s expert advice, Happy Hens is packed with everything you need to know about caring for your chooks, whether you are just starting out or already have a flock. You will discover:
  • What to look for when buying chickens so you start with healthy, happy layers.
  • A handy guide to the best backyard breeds available in Australia.
  • How to choose the right bird for your needs – whether you want top egg producers, live in a hot climate, or need to find the perfect chooks for a tiny plot.
  • Great tips on housing and caring for your hens, what to feed them and how to keep them safe from predators and pests. There are even instructions for a DIY henhouse.
  • Troubleshooting tips to solve the most common chook problems.If you’re feeling clucky, learn how to incubate and raise chicks.

I'm feeling clucky already . Given I should learn everything I need to know before we buy and set ‪up our own chook pen for free range eggs‬ - it's not happening till after the holidays for us. 
 
 With Happy Hens, it will also be easy to keep my backyard flock happy, healthy – and productive. 

This Christmas I decided we will be giving Christmas Smiles mostly from World Vision  ~ I think chickens and eggs would be perfect and some school supplies, seeds etc ...$5 - $10 gifts of love.


https://www.worldvision.com.au/gifts/?source=SEM_Gifts&gclid=CPLz3YHslMkCFQuavAodz1QB2g#!/product


ABCbooks‬ ‪and Harper Collins Australia‬ send me the book and I will keep you informed as our "Girls' eggplant" is constructed.

This is my dream Egg Plant - I am only limited by my imagination and the Toolman !! Plus we have to keep the dogs out - they are not having Chicken tonight.

sorry I don't know the original owner.
 



 ‪#‎happyhens
#‎abcbooks‬
‪#‎harpercollinsaustralia‬

Friday 13 November 2015

Today is World Kindness Day - 5 ways to celebrate

I don't need to go into details really I'm sure you all know

Found on psychologytoday.com


1. Donate some pet food items or unwanted towels/blankets etc to an animal charity (Coles accepts donations for RSPCA)
2. Ring a friend or relative you haven't spoken with for a long time.
3. Pick some flowers or bake for a friend or neighbour.
4. Be kind to yourself
5. It starts at home - be kind to your children and spouse.







This is magic and a bit of fun - just love it.

 

Wednesday 4 November 2015

Wordless Wednesday : Calm the farm Felix

I took this photo - my husband took one below - he said he thought Felix the cat was dead ...bitten by snake from the look of him snoozing.
No - he was just sleeping on the hay... Don't wake me I'm counting mice.