Another festive day behind us.

Christmas Eve saw us at hubby's family home. Loads of food, drink and good company. It's always a big affair with siblings, nieces and nephews, cousins, uncles and aunts, great cousins, great neices and great nephews and the odd significant other halves. Santa even made an appearence much to the delight of MasterSmiley(DS4).
We took the kids to look at all the christmas lights around the town. Some people go to great lengths with their displays, it's quite amazing. We then visited a friend for festive drinks and ended up home well after midnight!

Chrsitmas day was an unusually quiet day for us. We'd partied too much on the 23rd and the 24th and could hardly keep our eyes open on the 25th lol. We spent the day at home with the kids enjoying their gifts they found under the Christmas tree and stockings overflowing with loads of goodies.
We had a huge fruit platter for breakfast and a simple lunch of cold meats and salads followed by a store brought christmas pudding with home made custard.
The afternoon saw us curled up on the lounge watching dvd's and snoozing but we were all together as a family and that's what counts :)

Boxing day my parents and siblings surprised us with a visit and gifts all round. I have to say the gifts the kids got from them were the best ever presents this christmas. My mum made them each a lap quilt :)

MissFloss

MissMogs

MasterSmiley


All in all we had a nice few days and now it's back to normality, well, what we might call normality for the moment lol. Hubby is home for a few more days before the call of the road beckons him back to trucking. We will be making the most of that time and may just fit in a short camping holiday.

I hope you all enjoyed the festive season how ever you may have celebrated it.

Until next time
-x-

To the beautiful, warm hearted soul who brought me into this ever changing world, my loving mum :) A milestone birthday at that, 50 years young today.

She was adament she didn't want a big party, infact no party at all, just the usual relaxing meal down on the beach. I was happy with that, my dad and siblings were just as happy. She's very, very lucky to have such festive friends who weren't going to let her birthday slip by uncelebrated lol

Her sweet friend C opened her house to mums close friends to help her celebrate. Most of them C knew, a few she didn't but welcomed them warmly. She put on a spread of cold meats and salads followed by yummy deserts and a mouth-watering red velvet birthday cake, mmmmmm.

I think i can safely say mum was happily surprised, she hates surprises lol The smile never left her face all night as she laughed and chatted with all.

Until next time
get those party shoes on and party hard
-x-

Last night saw us at the end of year school concert/graduation. As usual it was a great night, the students and teachers got into the whole theme, which last night happened to be ABBA. There were lil Benny and Bjorns running wild and gorgeous Agnetha and Frida's dancing around the hall along with others dressed in '70's get up, some quite colourful!.
Each grade sang an ABBA hit and a few times the audience got in the groove and sang along lol.

MissFloss


MissMogs and MissTeacher


For us it was a night tinged with sadness as it's our last end of year concert at this school. MissFloss (DD9) was very emotional, lack of sleep probably didn't help either! She has made some wonderful friends and really excelled at school, her report card was outstanding! Miss Mogs (DD8) has come along way in the last 12 months. She was lucky to have the same teacher in the past 2 years and this has really built up her confidence. She's not really into school, i think she goes more for the social aspect lol but her report was glowing.

Today the girls sleepily went to school to say their final goodbyes and took the camera's for extra happy snaps lol. Now we have 6 weeks of late mornings and loads of family fun!

Until next time
-x-

I received a phone call from DH yesterday morning as usual. He was letting me know he'd be home early afternoon for a few hours. Sounded good, i was happy :) He rang me later and said he wasn't coming, he thought it best if he went straight through to his destination so he didn't get held up in traffic and hopefully he'd be home earlier today (Friday). I promptly burst into tears but reassured him all was good, i understood. 45 minutes later he walked through the front door, again i burst into tears lol. I spent the next hour curled up in his arms not wanting to let go. It was a bizzarre feeling but certainly not the 1st time it's happened in the past 10 years.
I realized i had unintentionally manipulated DH to come home. I felt sooo bad and angry at myself but at the same time i was more than happy. As a bonus, the kids got to see him :)

Until next time
Keep your loved ones close
-x-

I'm not sure i achieved too much in the past week. I've had a few could be buyers come and inspect the house so i spent a good deal of the week cleaning and packing. I seem to be able to make more mess while cleaning, not sure if this is just a me thing or if others experience it too.

The christmas tree went up. Only one this year due to alot of things being packed away and put in storage. Normally i'd have 7 trees of all sizes throughout the house with a vast array of decorations on shelves. I've let the kids make decorations for the tree so we have paper angles, paper chains, paper wreaths, all very christmasy :)

The weekend saw us lighting bonfires again. We have 1 shed that is completly emptied of rubbishy timber and anything burnable. It's also cleared of unwanted items, so 1 shed down 4 to go! We visited the hardware store and brought a pile of items to finish odd jobs around the place. If we don't sell we will rent the house out so i need it to have fixtures like curtains, doors, door locks, sink plugs.

DH was bitten by a bull-ant and had another allergic reaction. I wonder if his recent bouts of cellulitis have played havoc with his immune system. He never used to have a problem with insect bites until this year, hmmm.

DD9 came down with tonsilitis. I've had it with illnesses this year, it's a continuous circle of late. DD8 had her earring ripped out by the dog. She was very lucky it didn't split the lobe completely. The dog won't jump on me or DH or DD9 but has a thing for DD8 and DS4. No matter how much we dicipline him he won't listen. He was banished to the kennel for the day.

And last of all we had a visit from DStepS and his girlfriend :)

It's now raining and i have groceries to put away.

Until next time
-x-

A quick posting to share with you some of the produce growing in my garden :)

Apples

Quince

Logan Berries

Grapes

Fig (not yet producing but i'm proud of the tree so i had to share hehe

Tomatoes

Strawberries


Until next time
What's growing in your garden?
-x-

It's got me wondering, if you don't immunise your child, will you or in this case your child, suffer in the long run?

My DS4 had his 1st years worth of immunization shots but none after that. It's not that i have anything against vaccinating my child, my 2 DD's had everything on offer. I think with my DS i was just not on the ball and the longer i left it the more i thought oh it's too late to have it done, i'll not worry about it. Makes me sound like a bad mum but really i'm not! I know of kids who haven't had any immunization and they are healthy and happy. My boy is healthy and happy too, no set back or side effects from not being immunized except for this past week when he caught the Measles!
I didn't know it was the measles until the rash appeared. He'd been feverish with runny nose and weepy eyes and not eating since the early hours of Saturday morning. We'd kept the fluids up with lots of panadol to ease the fever and closely monitered him and because he had a prearranged Dr's appiontment on Tuesday i felt we'd be ok till then to find out what was making him ill. The fever broke on Monday thankfully. We get to to Dr's, he takes one look at him and says "how long has he had the measles?" I'm like "What!?!?" Lift his tshirt and sure enough, he is covered in measles rash, poor kid, i just wanted to cry! Not that anything different could have been done, there is no particular treatment to speed up the recovery, we did all the right things. It makes me wonder though, if DS had the MMR vaccine would he have contracted the measles? My DD's don't seem to have any symptoms of it yet, i would have thought being in such close contact they would have picked it up. They all share the common cold quite well!
I'm now starting to wonder what else he might pick up :(

In other health related news from this household, DH came inside Saturday night after taking a short stroll around the property and said he thought he'd been bitten by a bull-ant as he'd picked up a couple of pieces of timber to put in the rubbish pile. He applied Stingose (stop itch ointment) to his hand where he belived the bite occured as it was reasonably itchy/stingy. After 10 minutes he was soaking both hands in iced water. Then his feet got itchy and he started feeling light-headed so i took him off to the hospital. It's a 35km drive and in that time he started getting hot and his skin was crawling with itchiness. By the time we got to the hospital he had smallish welts on his back and right side. The nurse gave him an antihistamine which settled everything within the hour and diagnosed a spider bite on the right buttocks! Ever heard of the story titled 'The Redback Spider on the Toilet Seat'? Well Dh had experienced it, wether it was a redback we will never know. Just before he came in he stopped at the bathroom and well you know the rest lol. It was easy to laugh after the event but during, it was a little on the scary side. We are now armed with a few hospital strength anithisamines in case something similar should happen but i know DH will be double checking the toilet seat first!!

Until next time
-x-

Ahhh it's been X amount of days since i last blogged - feels like i'm at a bloggers anonymous lol - So many things have been happening but at the same time nothing overly exciting has happened. I've been reading through many blogs and they always seem a lot more interesting then i could ever write. When i started my blog it was like a diary for me, to look back on and see how my family's life had panned out over the months. I do write in a diary as such that sit's beside my bed but it's a very short version of the days events and sometimes i forget to write. Anyways, reading these other blogs made mine feel inadequate. I know, we are all different, do things differently, see life through our own eyes not others, but i was seeing what i thought were my 'elegant tapestry', lol, of family happenings as just plain old daily activities with the odd thought thrown in. Maybe it's envy? Some people lead fascinating lives, rich and wholesome with a carefree attitude, always doing something exciting, wether it be something as simple as creating garden beds or going on an adventure with an inanimate object ( oh the things people do lol, but it's all in fun). Some of the blogs i've read aren't about family at all, it's about the writers creativeness, something that interests me to no end. I thought about turning my blog around to the creative side of me but failed miserably as i just don't have the time right now to be creative. I will in the future add creative musings here and start to add the odd photo i've taken that corresponds with what i have wrote about for a particular day, but for now i feel i will continue on the blogging path i started out on, a diary, just for me.

So, now i have got that off my chest and back into the groove of blogging, my next entry will be published soonish. I won't say hang around and look forward to it lol

Until next time
Blogging requires Passion
-x-

They went with songs to the battle, they were young.
Straight of limb, true of eyes, steady and aglow.
They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted,
They fell with their faces to the foe.
We will remember them.

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning,
We will remember them.

Lest we forget
We will remember them.

Please take a minute or two today to remember the brave men and woman who fought in the Wars.

-x-

Once again the weekend has come to a close. DH was home for both days this weekend. We lit the last of the bonfires and the paddocks are looking better now the fallen branches and leaves are gone. They are also looking lush and green! The week of sunshine we had has given them a boost and the cows will be delighted to munch it.

Took a trailer load of rubbish to the tip. Lucky for us the closest tip is still free for dumping, although we are cautious with what we dump, don't want to be adding to the landfill too much.

We got the chemical container out and started attacking the Salvation Jane (Pattersons Curse). This is the only time we use chemicals in the garden/paddocks. Apart from digging SJ up, bagging it then sweltering it for a few weeks, there is no other option but posioning it. In 9 years we have managed to clear half of what was growing, not a bad effort.

The kids made the most of the sunshine and played outdoors for the most of both days. DD9 has taken to riding my bike. Apparently hers isn't big enough for her, i can understand, she's only cm's off being as tall as me! They took the dog for a run and wore him out. Played in the sandpit, annoyed each other as siblings do and generally stayed out of trouble where they could.

Had an unexpected but lovely visit from the SIL. Well, we knew she was coming, we were asked to send out a search party if she hadn't arrived within 3 hours, it only takes an hour to get here lol. I say unexpected though as it's been a few years since she's visited, but that's another story and quite a boring one hehe. It was just nice to have her here and DH's smile said it all :)

Well, this post is not the best, it's all over the place and doesn't flow right so i'll leave it here.

Until next time
-x-

Well, in my mind i wasn't over-reacting, and even now, 2 hours after it's happened i can't say i would have done or said anything different.

I was driving down the track after picking the DD's up from the school bus. My neighbours property starts at the corner and in their paddock was a bonfire that had been going since this morning. It was smoking alot which is nothing unusal as i swear the neighbour doesn't know how to light bonfires properly lol. What caught my eye was flames on the outside of the fence line a fair distance away from the bonfire. There's alot of undergrowth around especially along the fences where the mowers/slashers can't get to and neighbour hasn't completley slashed his paddock so there is still alot of dry bracken/grass in places. I went to see if neighbour was home to let him know, nope, not home. Grabbed a couple of buckets of water and went back up track to put the flames out. They were about knee height and had crept out further. I doused them then went back for more water as the scrub on the inside of the fence had taken off too. I went back a 3rd time to get water and was about to drive into the paddock when neighbour came home. I told him what i was doing, DD9 backed me up with what i said as she had helped me douse the flames. His response may aswell as been Meh, whatever and he walked off to take the buckets back where they came from, didn't go and check the fire! Grrrr i was ropeable then and so was DD9, if looks could kill she certainly would have shot neighbour down lol. I spoke to Neighbour's wife and she just hung her head in shame and said thanks for what we did. I told her, for the millionth time, they shouldn't leave the property if they've got bonfires happening no matter how insignificant they may be. It's been dry here for the past 4 days, the wind had picked up late this afternoon.... i said alot more as the anger was rising but it was only falling on deaf ears so i left.

What really gets me is his attitude to the situation. They were the ones who pushed for the community to have regular fire safety meetings when they moved out to the bush and what he has done just proves he's taken no notice of those meetings. I don't care that they had visitors from America who they took sight-seeing, the fire should never have been lit if they knew they weren't going to be home to tend to it!

Grrrrrrrr, there is nothing more for me to say without wanting to throttle the guy! I still believe i wasn't over-reacting. There is enough dry scrub around to have caused a major fire, had it kept travelling down the fence line it would have met our property which hasn't been slashed yet and has 2 year old haybales scattered around the place!

I think i'm done :P

Until next time
it's better to over-react then do nothing
-x-

The past 2 days have been glorious! The sun has shone brightly and the sky has been a deep blue. It's been awhile since i've seen both. While i appreciate the rain Mother Nature has been freely giving my part of the country, i think it's time she moved on to a more rain needy part of Oz and let my back lawn and paddocks dry out a bit. There is only so much mud i can walk ankle deep in lol.

I gave in and did a majority of Fred's Work yesterday (refer to previous blog if you don't know who Fred is lol). I did a little more today too. It's a huge task but looks great when finished, until it needs to be done again.

I weeded around the roses bushes. They are looking extremely healthy and should be in bloom in the next couple of weeks. I started weeding around the Iris's. They too are ready to pop their buds. I only have 2 different colours, a purple and a maroon. Will have to organise myself to get more varieties.

Hold on, DS4 hears a plane, I'll be back ........................ lol, he has a thing with planes, we often see the crop dusters fly over as they spray the pine trees and one particular plane dips his wings and flashes his lights when passing over if the kids are outside. Just then though, it wasn't the plane, it was a crop dusting helicopter! Not seen one of them over this way before. How excited was DS4, waving like a crazy child lol. I managed to get a photo so we can prove to DH it did come over lol.

Okies, where was i? Ah yes, after the weeding i planted cherry tomato plants, lettuces, capsicums and an eggplant plant. Not in the formal veggie beds though. I have an area along a wall outside the front verandah that has a wallflower bush and lavenders. They have been there for about 3 years and although they haven't died the certainly aren't propspering. Could be not enough sunlight hits the garden bed or the soil is just poor. I tend to look after my veggie plants better then any other plant so hopefully the lavenders will pick up now as i'll be constantly out there willing the tomatoes to grow.

Until next time
how does your garden grow?
-x-

This random rant is about a person i shall name Fred.
I have over the past few weeks asked Fred to assist me in a job i shall call Work lol
Work will be of monetary benefit to Fred and it could become ongoing if Fred does Work properly.
Fred half heartedly agreed to my last request but has not followed through with it. I could hold off for a little longer but who knows if Fred is going to commit so i am about to do it myself.
I could have done Work weeks ago, well i did, but Work requires upkeep and Fred is experienced in this field, again, many of us have the knowledge and ability to do Work but i thought i'd give Fred the chance to earn some cash as Fred has mentioned not having money to spare lately.
Wouldn't you think, if Fred needs cash, and Work is what Fred does best and Fred has done Work for others recently, Fred would jump at the chance to do my Work?!?!
It makes me mad that Fred sometimes whines about not having spare cash but won't help Fred's self to earn it. I honestly didn't think Fred was like that!
Okies, rant over

Until next time
the only way to get something done is do it yourself ;)
-x-

The past few weeks have seen DH and i trawl through real-estate websites searching for a new place to call home. It's an exciting procedure but also very frustrating. We both have different thoughts on what we are looking for. DH want's alot of acerage, multiple sheds and a house that can be done up. I would like a modest amount of acerage with a house that doesn't need too much work done to it, the reason being, DH works away from home and the home we live in now hasn't had alot of tender loving care giving to it!

Over the weekend we traveled 4 hours to inspect a potential home. The photo's we'd seen from the realtor made us fall in love with the whole package. Disappointment set in fast though :( It wasn't quite a disaster zone, yes it could be saved if we worked hard and put alot more money into it but that was the least of our worries.

So now it's back to the hunting and it's more frustrating! It seems in one week the housing market has disappeared! Places that were of interest are under contract and 99% of the time that means sold. New places have too many negatives from our list of pros and cons. We are not that fussy, really lol.

While the hunting continues, the home we are in is still on the market. Fingers still crossed it sells quickly but from now i am taking one day at a time and not getting my hopes up :)

Until next time
-x-

Is there one word that makes you feel safe and secure?

If that word is held back does the world fall apart around you?

Do you feel lost and unable to regain your path until you hear that one special word?

Why is it, one small insignificant - when said on it's own - word can mean the end of so much happiness when not said in the usual context you know so well?

When finally the word is said, do you feel a great sense of relief?

Does the person, be it lover, parent, child, friend, who gave this word so much meaning, know the traumatic events you go through when the word is not given?

Are you the owner of a word that makes someone feel safe and secure?

Something to ponder if you wish.

Until next time
-x-

This morning i woke up with a new lease on life!

After attacking the usual household chores i made a start on freshly painting the girls room, or more so just painting. The gyprock has been up for awhile but no further progress lol. I went for off white as it's clean and any decor will go with it. We split the bunk beds and now each DD has her own space. All other furniture was put back in it's rightful place although we can't seem to find a spot for the book case and they have loads of books!

The pantry is coming along. I've filled another box of useless items (for me) for the op shop. Starting to see the bench in there and the food shelf is ready to be filled this week when i do my OAM grocery shop. I'm thinking of repainting the pantry walls, will see how much off white i have left over, or maybe a soft yellow if i can find some in the many paint pots we have stacked in the shed!

The verandah is nearly done too. Because it's an enclosed verandah it's got windows and a glass sliding door. If my memory is correct, i've washed those windows twice in 9 years! Well, now it's 3 times lol. Looks sooo fresh and clean with sparkling windows, i really should do it every 3 weeks. The carpet has been vaccumed and i am stacking boxes neatly so there is no clutter and spaces for slippery critters to roam about.

On the agenda tomorrow is DS room. He has half purple half blue walls at the moment lol. All blue would suit him better i thinks! Not alot of furniture in his room, he needs the floor space to drive his cars and trains around.

Off to bed now, the school week starts again.

Until next time
look at life through clean windows ;)
-x-

It's just not worth it! I can't turn back time, no matter how hard i close my eyes and wish away the day's happenings. The stress isn't worth it and i hope with all my heart it's not stressing my loved ones, these things happen and being in the wrong place at the wrong time, so to speak, happens at the most inconvienient times. Meh, it's a learning experience on my behalf and anyone else who want's to see it that way too.

Righto, finally today i was able to bake! I haven't had the use of an oven for what feels like an eternity. I have missed whipping up a batch of muffins to devour with the family over a mid morning cuppa. I've really missed baking my Mum's exceptionaly yummy chocolate cake. It is sooo moist, chocolatey and simple to bake. Once you fill it with jam and cream and ice it, what more could you ask for lol. Anyways, the spare part came through and DH fitted it within half an hour, easy peasy! I baked 2 batches of apple and sultana muffins, yummo! Tomorrow i will go on a baking frenzy, looks like the freezer is going to be bulging at the seams lol.

Well, it's past 10pm, i've had an exhausting day. My bed is calling and i know when i awake in the morning, the day will be new, fresh and everything will be behind me, i am moving forward.

Until next time
-x-

In the Southern Hemisphere.
The days are getting longer and warmer, the plants are awakening, blossoms are forming on the fruit trees, babies are being born, both human and animal. It's such a cheerful season to experience.
We planted a pear tree and a plum tree to mark the occassion. The plum already has blossoms!

The weather this past week has been a mix of blue skies, sunshine, rain and winds but it's all good. A few days of rain follwed by sun makes the garden look healthy and happy.

We are looking forwards to celebrating the Spring Equinox later in the month. Hopefully we can light a bonfire on the day and go about our doings in the sun. I find bonfires sooth the soul and clear the mind. Toasting of marshmallows is always good too hehe.

I should remove myself from the computer and enjoy the sun while it's out.

Until next time
-x-

I've been living on this property for 8 years. We have alot of wildlife around the area, Kangaroo's, Wombats, Lizards, Snakes, Deer, Brolgas, many spieces of birds, the list probably goes on, but not once, on the property, have i seen a Koala. Well, that's all changed! Down near the river while we were wandering around, a Koala scammpered across the ground and shot up the tree. Yes the tree was on our side of the fence line ... just ... hehe. The kids were super excited as was i! I attempted to take photos but not having my dream SLR camera (one day i will) i wasn't able to zoom in close enough. He chose the tallest of trees and was balancing on the thinnest of branches. It amazes me he didn't fall out!
So that's one more thing i can cross off the list for living here. I keep adding to the list so it will never end hehe.

Until next time
Keep your eyes wide open
-x-

Gosh! I've been slack at updating here :( My mind is all over the place of late. Thankfully i write snippets of what's been happening in a hard version daily diary. Nothing indepth though so i'd have to think extra long and hard of what exactly happened in the last few days. So here is Wednesday's, Thurday's and Friday's blog rolled into one.

It was book week on Wednesday. The theme was Safari. DD9 went along as a leopard and a cute one at that hehe. I attempted face painting and was proud of my efforts as was DD9. DD8 was a hunter. Fitted out in khaki clothing, a safari hat and magnifying glass she really looked the part when i did a photo shoot of the girls in the surrounding pine forests near home. Gotta love the backdrops nature has to offer when it comes to interesting photos :)

DH had a job interview on the 27th for a farm hand. Sounds dreamy hehe. Technical stuff aside, it comes with a home and room for chooks and a pony. A small town, much much smaller then where we are now. The school has around 100 students and that's from prep to 3rd year of high school! I studied up on the town and surrounding area lol. I possibly jinxed the whole interview! It would just be perfect and DH is truely interested in the position available. Well, unfortunately we weren't successful :( Looks like we are staying home for awhile longer. It's disappointing. I guess .... no .... i know, i had my heart invested in it way too much, it's a me thing and i will never learn *rolls eyes* Oh well, onwards to the next job, if we can find one lol

Firday saw the school choir competing in the local eistedford. DD9 has participated in the choir for the past 2 years and enjoys it. This year there were 4 choirs in the under 14's section. Each group sang 3 songs and i admit all groups presented their songs wonderfully although our group (CPS choir) was the most entertaining (biased much? hehe) We didn't win the top prize but came equal 2nd and the kids were over the moon with that :) considering they have only come together and been practising for the past 7 weeks! Much applause goes to their choir master who has worked hard with the group.

I think that's it.

Until next time
-x-

I've been lucky to experience snow falls, built snowmen, attempted cross country skiing, tobboganed, had snowball fights, spent a Christmas and New Year in the snowy Alps of Austria, but never has it snowed in any of my home towns.
Yes it does snow in Australia, in a few places. The state i live in has several mountain ranges where each winter, tourists and locals alike, spend many weeks revelling in what mother nature has to offer.

I always check the WeatherZone website in the mornings to see what the day may bring. Never in the 8 years of living in this area has the weather report said it will snow! Well, this morning, the forcast was for winds and snow! Unbelievebale! I had to print the page just so people would believe me lol. Of course it hasn't yet snowed and i certainly didn't get my hopes up. One day, just maybe, we will be lucky enough to experience the snow on our door step.

Until next time
keep dreaming
-x-

Woohoo, i had a visitor today! LOL, i don't get many people visiting out this way. I do get excited and try to keep them here as long as possible, not in a wierd kind of way, i just keep offering cups of tea and yummy homebaked goodies.

Anyways, today's visitor was a LandCare Co-ordinator. I know what/who landcare is but didn't realize the area i live in actually has a co-ordinator for the organisation. Was a very informative meet and greet and i will be attending follow up meetings when they happen.

Today's talk was about weeds, the river system and revegetation.

We have 2 main noxious weeds here at home, Salvation Jane (otherwise known as Pattersons Curse) and African Feather Grass. Both are pains in the backside to eradicate. Salvation Jane in my eyes is posinous to the stock so overgrazing is out of the question. For the past 10 years we have been attacking it with round-up or digging it out of the ground and letting the sun kill the root taps.
The feather grass we've found, really only dies if we put a match to it. There is a posion to be used but it either costs a fortune or we need a permit to use it. I'[d like to say we are getting ontop of both weeds but i don't think it's happening just yet!

When it comes to revegetating we are fairly clued in on what to do. It's not that hard. You plant trees and bushes to replace what has been cut down or fallen down. It also provides the local wildlife with food and shelter. Very rarely have we had to cut a tree down. Yes, the odd tree has been a danger to the house, sheds, fenceline or roads. If we need firewood we cut up what the winds have blown over or dead trees that have fallen on their own. For the past 7 years we have planted atleast 1000 Gum Trees around the property along with the odd native bush. A big plus next to our names on the LandCare list hehe

One thing the lovely co-ordinator informed me of is we can get a discount on any posions we use for the control of weeds, and a rebate on revegetation. I believe this is something you should be told when purchasing a rural property. DH has owned this piece of land for over 20 years and did not know anything about the above mentioned. More so, the landcare group has been in the area for many years and who knew?!?! Not us, nor the neighbours!

I am looking forward to getting together with others in a casual meeting and discussing alot more environmental issues.

Until next time
try being a greenie lol
-x-

I won't be boring you all with the daily ups and downs of my weight issues. I just need to get it out there that it is a part of me and i'm hoping by annoucing it very publicly i have kickstarted my way to a thinner me :) I will post a litle progress report this time each week though.

Hello

I am a 30 year old overwieght mum.

I have never been a fan of formal exercise and strict calorie counting. Over the last 10 years i have attempted to do both and on the odd occasions i have lost 5 - 10kgs but then it becomes tedious and i get the grumps, although i can feel the benefits of being 5 - 10kgs lighter.

The past 3 months i thought i could ignore my weight and just get on with life hopefully without more weight creeping on. Oh how wrong was i! It's not like i was binging on junky foods and sitting on my butt doing absoloutely nothing, but i certainly wasn't doing alot to help myself.

As of today i am twice the size i was 15 years ago. Ideally i would like to be back at that weight but for now my goal is halfway.

Writing this intro is the 1st of many steps for me to becoming a healthy young mum.

I don't want to do meal replacements, they just don't appeal to me. I also don't want to calorie count as strict as i was. I don't have an exact plan of attack to help shed the kgs yet. I will be using the treadmill every day and i have the wii fit and my fitness coach which i do enjoy using.

I'm a sahm so i really have no excuse to not use these forms of exercise.

Here's to a better me, for my children and hubby, but mostly because it's what i want :)

Until next time

smile brightly

-x-

Been and gone and not alot of productivity :( General farm maintenance occured while we had the chance but between wet and windy weather not alot happened and motivation wasn't high on the list. A slight attempt at gardening that proved futile. Although, the nectarine and quince trees are in blossom.

We went visiting on Saturday night for birthday celebrations for DNiece and DD who both have the same birth date. Was good to get out again and have a few laughs. I might not say alot when i'm in the company of the outlaws but i certainly take in a lot. I can listen to 3 conversations at the one time and gain insightful information hehe.

DH has left for work for the week. 2nd week of continuing work, here's hoping it will continue. We are still looking further afield for employment oppertunities with DH applying for 2 positions in the past week. My gypsying days are one step closer to reality lol.

Until next time

-x-

Great starter topic don't you think hehe.

Seriously though, it's what is on my my mind right now. The rain is pelting down, the wind is gusting along at 85kms, 15 seconds of hail every now and then and when all that is over the sun peeks around the storm clouds and reassures us it's going to be a nice day, then the cycle starts again moments later.

Why can't it rain during the night when we aren't wanting to get outside to play or garden? It's soothing listening to the rain on the tin roof. Windy nights are frightening though. You can't see what is blowing around or how hard it's blowing, you gauge it by the noise. During the day you can watch the trees bend down for their tops to meet their roots!

Living on top of a cliff doesn't help with the stormy weather lol. Many times it's rained and gusted up here, i venture down into the gully and it's mild and less wet.

I worry about the animals. How do they feel standing out in the storm soaked to the bone, nowhere to dry off, no patch of dry ground to sit down and rest. There's plenty of trees to shelter under but i doubt they completely save any animal from the wet. I can't quite see a herd of cows, half a dozen horses, goats and a dog sitting inside my home (the dog and 1 goat are hovering in the cubby house as i write hehe) near the fire lol so i'll have to be content in thinking they are alright out there.

Spring is a less then 2 weeks in coming. Already the pollen from the pine trees is drifting. Each morning a thick layer or yellow, lines the puddles and coats the car. I am one of the lucky ones that does not get hayfever!

Summer is roughly 65 days away. One weather pattern i don't want to think about in a hurry! Give me Autumn and Spring all year round and i could be quite content :)

Until next time

Enjoy what Mother Natures blows your way

-x-

8 years ago my 2nd DD made her entrance into this wonderful and sometimes worriesome world.

A beautiful ( i may be biased lol ) baby, i have watched over her in amazement as she has danced and sometimes wobbled her way forwards through life. You'd think being my 2nd child i wouldn't be as amazed with each tiny milestone. She is nothing like my 1st born and i wouldn't expect her to be. Each child has their own personality and will do and say things in their own way.

We had a small family gathering to help celebrate another year of her life. She wasn't overly spoilt with presents. Most gifts she got she will get years of learning and experience from. She only asked for one particular present and she recieved it with the hugest smile and hasn't stopped playing with it lol.

The birthday cake was a hit! Literally in one respect haha. I don't have the use of an oven at present so i had to come up with a non bake alternative for the special cake. I asked around and one suggestion was a chocolate crackle pinata. I went with this. Relatively easy to create, filled with sweet treats, decorated to look like a mountain with flowers growing all over it.

We sung 'Happy Birthday' in a rather non harmony style that made Miss 8 giggle and cover her ears until we were done lol. She then had to break into the 'cake' with a hammer! I didn't think it would be too hard so offered a lightweight toffee hammer. Didn't succeed! Out with the big guns then, a couple of tentative hits then an almighty whack and 'cake' was everywhere aswell as sweets. Lots of fun and laughter to be had by all.

Another year gone so quick, plenty of happy memories to look back on and many, many more to look forward to.

Until next time

-x-

Why is it, those who live a healthy, happy lifestyle get thrown one of the worst curve balls in life?!?!

Yep, a family member of mine has been diagnosed with a lifethreatening illness. Still in the the process of testing but will be starting treatment in a few days. Prognosis isn't sounding good but you never know!

I know i shouldn't dwell on it and just sit and hope for the best but basically it's immediate family. If it was a relative twice removed, it wouldn't affect me quite as much, but when it's hurting someone who is very dear to me and i love unconditionally then i can't help but ask how, why and if and rant and scream to nobody inparticular!

So now i am more determined to compile the family tree. I've got snippets of info and am somewhat in contact with someone who's own family tree is connected to mine. It's going to be a long but interesting journey. I wonder how many skeletons are in the closet so to speak hehe.

Until next time
make the most of life now
-x-

I don't like the minimalist look of a home. To me, a home should look like it's lived in, not a sterile doctors surgery! The home is the heart of the family. Somewhere to kick back and relax and enjoy what you have. If the kids want to drag half their bedroom out to the living room then so be it.

I have always lived in homely homes. The family home is full of nooks and crannies filled with items from long ago aswell as the present. You can stand in a particular spot and be transported to another era. Sometimes i think of it as a museum. It's great for the younger generation as there is lots to learn.

The home i share with DH and the children isn't quite like the family home although i am trying. At present it's full of clutter, more then there should be.

I've taken the 1st steps to decluttering my home. One room at a time and at the same time i am making a little extra cash. Online auction sites are my main focus for getting rid of the unwanted/not needed items. So far i have 14 items gone and a nice $ figure to show for it.

I am on the hunt for more unwanted items. I have the children clearing out their rooms and any profits will go straight to them. A good incentive to clean their rooms lol

Until next time
may your home feel lived in
-x-

The weekend brought with it the sun and blue skies. Was lovely to be out pottering around pulling weeds and planting seedings.

DH decided to get creative and made a garden feature out of left over building stones. Looks more like a water fountain hehe. It's 4 tiered with the east and west points a fitting memorial of concrete statues in the form of sleeping angels to DH's father and niece who have both passed on. I want to have something similar on the north and south points that hold special memories of both my grandfathers, not sure what yet but when the time is right something will jump out at me.
I am looking forward to planting the feature up with both edible and non edible plants with lots of colour! I'm trying to convince DH to build another feature hehe.

We also drenched cows and de-nutted some bully calves. A waste of a perfect morning in my opinion but something that needed to be done.
We only have a small heard but it's growing each week with 6 calves born in the past few weeks and more to come. The ratio of female to male is 3:3 at present. Males were dominating though.
I think it's cruel for the cows to be bringing calves into a cold, wet world. I know we as their owners are partly to blame. We should have calculated the birthing month better but this time around we had no control what with the bull jumping fences left, right and centre to have a bit of fun!

Now the weekend is coming to an end. Wondering what the week ahead could bring.

Until next time
smile brightly
-x-

I was let out of the house today lol. Being so far from town and the rising costs of fuel, i don't get out and about too often. I do 100kms a week just to and from the bus stop!

So today i travelled across the border into the next State. I don't head into town without a plan of attack. I have limited time as the clock goes back half an hour when i cross the border meaning i have to wait that half hour before any shops open and i need to be back home in time to get DD's from the school bus.

My plan for the day was to do a little grocery shopping and then chill with my folks, nothing major.

I missed seeing my younger sister as she left for school before i arrived at the family home. Normally i'd get to chat with her for 5 minutes but either she was early or i was late. I was a little disappointed, i don't see her often and i miss her like crazy but don't tell her that lol.

I briefly chatted with my younger brother before he was whisked off to school. I miss him too and wish i could be there for him alot more. He causes me grief lol but he's loveable!

My mum and i did the grocery shopping as early as possible then we headed back to the family home for coffee, chatting and laughter. My dad was home for the day so he amused my DS4 who was in his element having Poppy all to himself.

Although i didn't 'do' anything as such, just being in the family home with my folks made me feel at peace for the day. I always had this notion when you went visiting, no matter who it was, you would talk, talk, talk and drink loads of coffee or head out to a cafe or shopping and do the same thing. I've come to learn to appreciate to quiet times in life and spending that time with the family makes it more appealing.

I haven't always had such a perfect relationship with my mum. I moved out of home at 17 under regretful circumstances but it has made our mother/daughter bond stronger. I couldn't handle physically spending more then 2 days straight with my mum lol, we clash too much but i enjoy chatting to her every day if not twice a day. I can see my eldest daughter growing up to have the same relationship with me. She is so much like me and i would love to have the patience and loving warmth with her as she grows older as my mum has with me.

Until next time

Keep your family close to your heart

-x-

I'm a little more knowledgeable today!
I was reading through a forum thread earlier, talking about wee wipes. A stop to using toilet paper. Fair enough, not only does it save on the cost of loo paper, it helps the environment. A few less trees will be cut down if you use cloths! Yes that's right, cloth wipes. No different from what most mums use when changing baby's nappy - a 'face' washer - then throw it in with the normal washing, hang out to dry and start over again. Of course you'd have a nice stock pile, not just the one!

During the discussion i was enlightened as to what a Merkin was. No, not the designer brand of handbag! I must have been under a boulder the day these merkins became fashionable. I pride myself in knowing the unknown before it becomes a trend but these i'd never heard of before. Of course, i had to google it, google is this housewife's best friend! Oh i had to chuckle! What will they think of next! A toupee for the pubic region!

Laughter aside, there are some perfectly good reasons why a person of either gender would wear a merkin. They protect actors inadvertently performing full-frontal nudity. Combat pubic lice. Back in the old days male actors could wear them to hide they were male!
Now days you can get these in all sort of designs. Bejewelled, hot pink, full of flowers, pirate patched lol.

So, that was the exciting part of my day. The remainder consisted of general housework, toilet training the young Master of the home and surfing the net. Oh i did plant up some vegie seeds in seedraising mix. I'll keep them inside for a few weeks at night, letting them have their daily dose of Vitamin D during the day and hopefully they'll be up and ready to plant out in the beds by the time the last frosts have been at the begining of Spring.

Until next time
may the sun smile down on you
-x-

A muddled day today! Totally forgot it was Imbolc! We were celebrating Tree Day, planting out some blue gum trees DH had grown from seed when DD9 asked if we were celebrating anything on the Wiccan Calander this month. The penny then dropped lol

For those who don't know, Imbolc is midway between the winter solstice and the spring equinox. Kind of a lets prepare ourselves before Spring is upon us.

We washed down the garden tools and blessed each one for a plentiful season. We planted potatoes and scattered flower seeds around the garden. Hopefully we will start to see some growth in the next 4 weeks :)

We baked muffins and picniked amongst the vegie plots who are waiting patiently for the weather to get warmer so they can be planted up, while warming ourselves near the bonfire.

Apart from that, an uneventful weekend this one. Looking forward to what the week shall bring.

Until next time
-x-

I 'm in a rut! The past 6 months or so i've felt like uprooting the family and moving further north or interstate or just travelling around the country for 6 - 12 months. Dropping everything and starting afresh.

I've been checking the job boards for farm jobs for DH but nothing seems appropriate yet. Maybe it's part of my procrastinating lol.

I'm willing to homeschool the children if we can't find a permanent farm posistion. DD7 would be in her element travelling around the country side and learning hands on. DD9 is like me when i was younger, doesn't appeal to change and loves her school and friends too much to leave (but oh how that has changed with me!). DS4 loves being with his daddy and will follow wherever we go lol.

I was chatting with DH today and he feels somewhat the same. Problem is we are both hesitant to do it.

Would it be possible to up and leave everything and live a somewhat gypsy life? I put the question out there to 'friends' on a forum and they answered quite positively. Do it do it do it! Your kids will benefit and learn lots! You'll never never know... if you never never go! Don't let fear stop you, if you feel in your heart it is right, go and enjoy!

My problem is i want to do it now! I don't want to have to plan it, it supposed to be spontaneous. Unfortunately i have to have my head screwed on tight for this major unbalance i want to bring upon my family. So much to think about, tying up of loose ends and asking favours of people. Oh what i'd give to be footloose and fancy free.... on sencond thoughts, i wouldn't give up what i have for anything! If we are to take this adventure we will do it together!

Until next time
Smile brightly
-x-

Have you ever done something you shouldn't? Something you'd never have dreamed of doing? Or maybe in the past you'd done something that could be the trigger for you to do something now?

Be it something small and insignificant to many, or huge and could ruin all you have, would you follow your thoughts with actions?

If it's harmless to a point it shouldn't be a bad thing should it? If there is another level to take it to then you have to be prepared to suffer the consequences but what if it makes you happy and gives you a feeling of satisfaction?

Would you share your doings with anyone else? Would you really want to hear someone tell you how negative your doings are? Im sure if you were going to do something you would have glossed over the pros and cons beforehand right?

Is it bad to be just thinking about doing something you know isn't right? Thoughts can't possibly put you in a position where you'd be hurt or hurting someone or something, could they? Actions speak louder then thoughts don't they?

Too many questions huh?

Would love to hear your answers!

-x-

Arrrggghhh, some people are plain disgusting!! I ducked into the local supermarket today to fill my depleted fruit and veg basket. I place most produce into the bags provided. I only needed one parsnip so did not use a bag. I go through checkout and the woman behind the register is coughing and spluttering. She coughs into her hand then picks up my parsnip! Noooooooo! I kindly said i didn't want the parsnip now that it had been germed. She looked at me like i was a mad woman! 'You're going to peel the parsnip right? Who's to say someone else hadn't germed it beforehand?' She had a point there. No fruit or veg is safe from germs once it leaves the ground or tree it was growing in/on. But, the saying, 'what you don't know won't hurt you' is so true in this instance. Had i not seen what the woman did, i would have merrily taken the parsnip, prepared it as per normal for dinner and eaten it with gusto. The thought of germs lurking on it would never have crossed my mind!

So i left the parsnip behind. I didn't purchase another, it didn't feel safe lol. I don't know what happened to 'my' parsnip, wether it went into the scrap box or back on the shelf, i will never know.

When i returned home, i scrubbed all the fruit and veg i purchased, wether the skin was edible or not! Paraniod much?!?!

The past 10 years has seen me evolve into a person i mostly like. I have my faults as does everyone. I possibly have more then the norm lol. The past 12 months have been turbulent to say the least. I have decided to not dwell on the past. For once in my life i have pushed everything behind me and that's where it is staying! July 1st was aptly named Half Year Resolutions for me. I've made one resolution each day and so far so good. I don't promise i will stay that way but gawd, it's fun trying lol.

There is this great site http://www.simplesavings.com.au/ It's been a saviour for me the last few months. Not only is it about saving cash and doing things to better your finacial freedom but the forum is full of wonderful peole with wonderful advice on every day concerns. I doubt i would have succeded so well in pushing all the negativity behind me had it not been for that site.

Housework is done, my list of things to do today is semi complete, the day has a few more hours in it ;)

Until next time which could be sooner rather then later

smile brightly

-x-

I was chatting with DH's niece last night and a grand chat it was :)

Now i knew she was having a rough time in her life, but after last night i now see her life in a new light! To be honest, it was heartbreaking reading what she is going through. Being family you'd think i'd have the vaugest of ideas of what is happening within her family unit, but nope! Not even DH knows and i'm not going to be the one to tell him. His family is a close knit one and if they want him to know anything they will tell him, or so it used to be. It seems we are out of the loop of late. We live a fair distance from the rest of them but not as far as some families. Anyways, i digress.

Niece is a beautiful soul. For a young lass she is wise beyond her years and dealing with the happenings inside her home is going to age her quicker then she needs to. She has alot of potential in life but i feel she needs encouragment to move forwards. She's says she's not getting that from home and i don't want to step on any toes but will do anything to help her fulfill her dreams and i know Dh will too, just wish she'd open up a bit more! Yes i worry about her, more then any of the nieces and nephews in the fold. I click with her more then the others, it's not favourtism it's just a me thing lol. I hope she can overcome this hurdle without beating herself up to much.

Yawn, it's pay day today, 90% of my hard earned mummies cash is going towards bills. Thankfully Dh has work for the week - he's been out of work for the past 7 weeks - his pay will keep our heads above water for another fortnight.

Until next time
keep smiling
-x-

Righto, here i am, new to this side of blogging. The past year has seen me lurk through blogs of all descriptions. Some extremely interesting, others full of stuff that makes me roll my eyes. It's possible some of my writings will make people roll their eyes, so all around it evens things out lol.

Okies, a bit about myself to start the ball rolling. I have started the next decade of my life's journey this year. The big 30 jumped upon me in the middle of Winter. I can't say it feels any different but i have noticed subtle changes to the way i do things. Wether this is part of turning 30 i do not know, but they are changes for the better, well, so far they are!

I am a stay at home mum to 2 darling daughters and 1 sweet son, with 3 adult stepchildren thrown in the mix.

I live a resonably quiet hobby farming life with my husband of 10 years this year! He works away from home 5 days a week. It's tough but over the years i and the children have come to deal with his long absences and certainly make up for lost time when he is home.We run a modest herd of cattle on our farm, multiple breeds from the exquisit Scottish Highland Cows to the simple Herefords with a few others thrown in for good measure. We also have horses. Hubby and DD7 are avid horse riders. Chooks - my lil lassies - goats and a dog. Along with the native wildlife who like to grace us with their presence on the odd occasion.

We are trying to be fully self sufficient. Our vegetable gardens span over an acre at the moment. A wide variety of delicious vegies that normally grow in the right weather, pumpkins, zucchinis, squash, tomatoes, watermelon, corn, cucumber, cabbage and plenty more to feed an army. We also have a paddock the children have fondly named the soup paddock which would contain peas, beans, potaotes, carrots and more corn along with plenty more seeds to be sown after the wet weather has passed on.We have the beginings of an orchard too with a magnificant 6 year old fig tree and a struggling quince tree.

I have a few hobbies. Photography is this years passion. I carry the camera in my pocket at all times. I am snap happy and take anywhere from 1 photo to 100 photos a day. I thank the soul who invented the Digital Camera!

I shall stop my ramblings here, it has just gone 10.30am. I can hear the dreaded call of housework! Time to procrastinate me thinks hehe.

Until next time,
smile brightly
-x-