So yesterday I did end up making cup cakes and we did end up going for a family bike ride. I also managed to get the kids uniforms sorted and I sat back while lovely husband cooked a pork roast (sorry little piggy). The massage completed a fabulous Sunday.
That bike ride may end up being rather expensive though.
As we rode around the lake taking in the beautiful surrounds I thought how lovely it would be to own a home in the vicinity. I got all mindful and in the now. I took in my surroundings one blade of grass at a time. I smelt the air. I looked at the sky. I marveled at the trees.
What if we could have a home here? It was probably too late. Homes by the lake are well sought after. And they would be expensive. But imagine if there was one? It would have to be just the right home though. It would have to be at least comparable to ours in comfort and warmth, and it would have to have unbeatable views. It would have to be an upgrade. And we'd have to be able to afford it.
Anyway, we were riding along and I was looking at an area that had this big reserve and loads of grass and gorgeous gum trees leading down to the lake. I sat and waited for the kids and Derek and Max the hip-gyrating-Lab to catch up. That's when I saw it. A for sale sign.
When the others caught up I pointed it out. "Look, that house is for sale. Imagine having this as your backyard!" Everyone agreed, this would be a good back yard.
So the bulldog in me took off with her metaphorical bone and headed home to look up that house and find out the specs. I couldn't let it go. Due to the power of synchronicity, or perhaps by chance, there was an open house ... right now ... about to start in 15 minutes. I bundled the kids into the car to go and have a squizz. Derek wasn't interested. The house was in a great area but it didn't look like our home so in his eyes that made it a bit ugly.
We walked through the front door. We were the only guests. The real estate lady was lovely. I walked up a few stairs and found not just a study, but an entire work-from-home office perfect for a business, complete with it's own bathroom and kitchenette. I looked out the window of that office and found that I was looking into the gum trees of the reserve, and out over the entire lake and suburbs in the distance. Wow!
Then we walked out of the office and down to the master suite. The walk in wardrobe was double the size of ours. The bedroom was the same size as ours with an en suite and spa. The view from the spa bath again was over the reserve and across the lake. Holy shit! The views from bed were also of the lake.
We walked back the way we came and then down the stairs to the entry foyer, then down a few more stairs to the next (split) level. To one side was a rumpus room that was not only big enough for the kids and their games, but would also fit the table top soccer (fooseball) and the pool table Derek has always wanted (but we've never had the space for). PLUS it had an alcove with yet another study which would be perfect for Derek and his EBay business. But wait, there's more ... this room opened out onto a private courtyard so that when Husband had boys nights full of cards and pool and soccer, they could go out there to smoke their nasty cigars.
We walked out of there and across the way to the two kids bedrooms. Each bedroom was the size of their current rooms but with more cupboard space. Each room had a little nook. Tahlia's bedroom (notice how we have already placed ownership) had a built in nook into the wall for her TV. Darby's bedroom had a built in cubby nook into the wall perfect for a little fella to store all his toy cars, his lego and his wrestling men. Hell, he could even set up a train track in there and it would be out of the way. There was another bathroom again with spa bath between the two rooms.
We walked out and went down another stair or two to find the guest quarters. A bedroom (bigger than our guest room now) with it's own bathroom. Hells bells this place is awesome.
We then walked down some more stairs to find a rounded end of the house where there was the formal dining room and formal lounge (both overlooking the lake) slightly to the right, and then the kitchen and family room to the left. The family room had doors out one side to another private courtyard where there was an entertaining area perfect for BBQ, and on the other side of the family room the doors opened out to a big deck overlooking the back garden, the reserve and the lake.
We stepped out onto the deck and marveled in the beauty. Then we took a few steps down into the garden. And a few more steps down onto a gorgeous patch of long rectangular lawn. There was a fence with a gate that opened out to the reserve and a paddock of grass that any little boy with a football would die for.
I rang Derek. "You've got to come and look at this house."
"Does it have a pool? Not buying a new house unless it has a pool."
"No, it doesn't. But there is a patch of yard here perfect for a lap pool with a deck that overlooks it perfect for sunbaking. This house was built for us. Come over."
So Derek turned up and we walked through the whole house again.
As we left, we made an offer.
Yep .... this could well be one bloody expensive bike ride ...
Monday, October 31, 2011
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Day 754
Tis Sunday. My favourite day. Today I have woken up with another huge tick on my 2011 check list with the calisthenics concert now safely (and successfully) behind me. Relief.
Today I wanna be free to be in the moment. Whatever that moment may be. I may practice a little mindfulness to try and overcome some of my little irritants. And some of my not-so-little irritants.
I might start writing book three of my new series. Or I might not.
I might get the kids school uniforms ready for tomorrow. Or I might not.
I might go for a family bike ride. Or I might not.
I might cook cup cakes. Or I might not.
I might go for a massage. Or ..... No .... I will definitely go for a massage.
I might let my husband cook dinner tonight. Yes ... I will definitely do that too.
What have you got planned for your Sunday?
Perhaps no plans at all?
What might you do?
Today I wanna be free to be in the moment. Whatever that moment may be. I may practice a little mindfulness to try and overcome some of my little irritants. And some of my not-so-little irritants.
I might start writing book three of my new series. Or I might not.
I might get the kids school uniforms ready for tomorrow. Or I might not.
I might go for a family bike ride. Or I might not.
I might cook cup cakes. Or I might not.
I might go for a massage. Or ..... No .... I will definitely go for a massage.
I might let my husband cook dinner tonight. Yes ... I will definitely do that too.
What have you got planned for your Sunday?
Perhaps no plans at all?
What might you do?
Saturday, October 29, 2011
Day 753
Today I say thank you for sleep.
I slept for almost 11 hours last night.
I'm well and truly cooked. Overcooked in fact. All droopy and limp and mushy.
I am finding it hard to type.
My eyes are at half mast.
My breath tastes like dirty socks.
My hair looks like someone has shagged me rotten.
The sleep was fantastic.
It's the waking up I am struggling with.
Yesterday a friend and I drove 4 hours to go on a lovely lunch date with another friend who has just moved to a new town. We arrived, we hugged, we chatted, we ate, and then we drove the 4 hours home again. It was lovely. I say thank you for those 4 hours ... because up until 3 months ago she used to live 9 hours away. 4 hours was easy.
Today we have Tahlia's end of year calisthenics concert. It is a cabaret style event so we eat while we watch the little people in our lives perform their 2011 routines for the last time. I was asked to coordinate this year's concert which is fine. At first the thought of adding another "layer" to my life completely did my head in. But after the hyperventilating ceased I found it easy as I followed the same project management approach I'd set up last year. So today is the day and I say thank you to all those people who have willingly come on board to help me. Last year it was a bit touch-and-go because it was unknown territory. This year it has been almost easy.
So yeah, today I say thanks for sleep, for an 8 hour round trip and for parent volunteers.
Happy (sleepy) Saturday.
I'd better wake up soon!
I'm not sure I'd make a very good Concert Manager in my current state ...
Perhaps this is when it would be beneficial to be a coffee drinker ...
If you'd like to share the thanks then head on over to Maxabella for her weekly gratitudes.
I slept for almost 11 hours last night.
I'm well and truly cooked. Overcooked in fact. All droopy and limp and mushy.
I am finding it hard to type.
My eyes are at half mast.
My breath tastes like dirty socks.
My hair looks like someone has shagged me rotten.
The sleep was fantastic.
It's the waking up I am struggling with.
Yesterday a friend and I drove 4 hours to go on a lovely lunch date with another friend who has just moved to a new town. We arrived, we hugged, we chatted, we ate, and then we drove the 4 hours home again. It was lovely. I say thank you for those 4 hours ... because up until 3 months ago she used to live 9 hours away. 4 hours was easy.
Today we have Tahlia's end of year calisthenics concert. It is a cabaret style event so we eat while we watch the little people in our lives perform their 2011 routines for the last time. I was asked to coordinate this year's concert which is fine. At first the thought of adding another "layer" to my life completely did my head in. But after the hyperventilating ceased I found it easy as I followed the same project management approach I'd set up last year. So today is the day and I say thank you to all those people who have willingly come on board to help me. Last year it was a bit touch-and-go because it was unknown territory. This year it has been almost easy.
So yeah, today I say thanks for sleep, for an 8 hour round trip and for parent volunteers.
Happy (sleepy) Saturday.
I'd better wake up soon!
I'm not sure I'd make a very good Concert Manager in my current state ...
Perhaps this is when it would be beneficial to be a coffee drinker ...
If you'd like to share the thanks then head on over to Maxabella for her weekly gratitudes.
Friday, October 28, 2011
Day 752
Fact: Water is wet.
Swimming is wet.
Going to the pool is wet.
Getting in the water is wet.
I fully acknowledge the benefits of swimming, and as such I have been pushing myself to go to the pool once a week with Derek and the kids to do a hand full of laps and stretch out my achy ol' neck and shoulder muscles. It's good ... it's been helping keep my pain and migraines to a minimum.
But it's just so wet!
I don't actually like getting wet.
The water has to be around body temperature for me to step in, or the day has to be excruciatingly hot and the water fabulously refreshing for me to take the plunge.
Going to the pool for lap swimming is just a bit too cold ... and so wet!
The floors are wet.
The toilet seats are usually wet.
The dressing room is wet.
My hair gets wet.
I leave the place wet.
I just wish it wasn't so freakin wet!
Do you like to get wet?
Swimming is wet.
Going to the pool is wet.
Getting in the water is wet.
I fully acknowledge the benefits of swimming, and as such I have been pushing myself to go to the pool once a week with Derek and the kids to do a hand full of laps and stretch out my achy ol' neck and shoulder muscles. It's good ... it's been helping keep my pain and migraines to a minimum.
But it's just so wet!
I don't actually like getting wet.
The water has to be around body temperature for me to step in, or the day has to be excruciatingly hot and the water fabulously refreshing for me to take the plunge.
Going to the pool for lap swimming is just a bit too cold ... and so wet!
The floors are wet.
The toilet seats are usually wet.
The dressing room is wet.
My hair gets wet.
I leave the place wet.
I just wish it wasn't so freakin wet!
Do you like to get wet?
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Day 751
Yesterday I went to meet with a cheer colleague and when I arrived she had my book sitting on her coffee table!! I was beside myself with excitement because unlike some of you, I hadn't even seen it yet!! Isn't that shocking?
So yesterday I got to see my book, read my book, feel my book and smell my book for the very first time.
And best of all, I got to sign my book.
Yep, my very first book signing.
Now that's something to be bloody happy about.
So yesterday I got to see my book, read my book, feel my book and smell my book for the very first time.
And best of all, I got to sign my book.
Yep, my very first book signing.
Now that's something to be bloody happy about.
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Day 750
Look, I've got to be honest ... Halloween is bothering me.
Don't get me wrong, I love a good dress up party just like anyone else, and the origins of Halloween (whatever they may be) don't concern me, nor does it bother me that another American tradition is creeping into Australia and we are becoming very star spangled banner as a result (I personally love America and Americans and know that we'll never lose our Aussie-isms) ... but what concerns me about Halloween is that I make it a point NOT to get to know my neighbours.
You're shocked I know.
Don't get me wrong ... I wave and smile and I could quite easily make small talk in the street if I literally slammed into one of them ... but I choose not to get to know them too well because ... well ... my home is my castle and when I am home I just don't want to have the worry of someone "popping over" .... or feeling obliged to have a cuppa ... or getting Tupperware invites ... or having to attend a party and not being able to fake being away because they can see as plain as day that I am actually home.
That's why.
So that makes it a bit awkward when the kids are soooooo wanting to do Halloween this year, but I don't actually know anyone in my street well enough to ask if they participate and whether or not my kids might be able to knock on their door!
My pledge not to be neighbourly may be an example of "cutting off my big ol' witches nose to spite my craggy face ..."
Now I don't know whether I should be dropping notes in letterboxes to warn them we'll be knocking and they'd better have some loot, or whether we just walk around the street hoping someone will have a "I participate in Halloween" sign on their door, or whether I discourage my kids from Halloween altogether. Or whether we just knock and hope for the best ...
Or do I just throw them in the fun bus and we drive to the houses of forewarned friends and do our trick or treating that way?
What's your take on Halloween?
Do you participate?
Can I drive past and drop off my little monsters for a treat?
Don't get me wrong, I love a good dress up party just like anyone else, and the origins of Halloween (whatever they may be) don't concern me, nor does it bother me that another American tradition is creeping into Australia and we are becoming very star spangled banner as a result (I personally love America and Americans and know that we'll never lose our Aussie-isms) ... but what concerns me about Halloween is that I make it a point NOT to get to know my neighbours.
You're shocked I know.
Don't get me wrong ... I wave and smile and I could quite easily make small talk in the street if I literally slammed into one of them ... but I choose not to get to know them too well because ... well ... my home is my castle and when I am home I just don't want to have the worry of someone "popping over" .... or feeling obliged to have a cuppa ... or getting Tupperware invites ... or having to attend a party and not being able to fake being away because they can see as plain as day that I am actually home.
That's why.
So that makes it a bit awkward when the kids are soooooo wanting to do Halloween this year, but I don't actually know anyone in my street well enough to ask if they participate and whether or not my kids might be able to knock on their door!
My pledge not to be neighbourly may be an example of "cutting off my big ol' witches nose to spite my craggy face ..."
Now I don't know whether I should be dropping notes in letterboxes to warn them we'll be knocking and they'd better have some loot, or whether we just walk around the street hoping someone will have a "I participate in Halloween" sign on their door, or whether I discourage my kids from Halloween altogether. Or whether we just knock and hope for the best ...
Or do I just throw them in the fun bus and we drive to the houses of forewarned friends and do our trick or treating that way?
What's your take on Halloween?
Do you participate?
Can I drive past and drop off my little monsters for a treat?
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Day 749
The things kids say for which I have a standard response:
"Mum, how is rain formed?"
Well, that's not a simple answer, it's quite scientific.
"Hey Mum, how come sharks can only go in salt water."
Well, that's not a simple answer, it's quite scientific.
"Mummy, what happens when people die and they are buried? Do their clothes stay nice or do they wrinkle? Do their undies get all smelly and need to be changed because of bottom juices?"
Well, that's not a simple answer, it's quite scientific.
"Hey Mum, what makes snot go from clear to green?"
Well, that's not a simple answer, it's quite scientific.
"How does the Dad's baby seeds get inside the mum to make a baby?"
Well, that's not a simple answer, it's quite scientific.
And then the question last night from Miss 12 (who, by the way, has big dreams of being a world class supermodel and who studies books like "The Idiot's Guide to Becoming a Model" and all things Miranda Kerr including an information pack from her agency Chic Management) which went something like this:
"Mum what do you think the chances are of me becoming a model?"
Ummm. You already are darling ... if you believe you will achieve!! (haha .... that'll keep her pleased for a few more months).
"No, I mean, what are the chances in like percentage form out of 100. What is the chance of me really being a model?"
Shit. Umm. Ok. It depends how badly you want it and your level of commitment.
"I know all that. But what do you think my chances are ... as a number ... out of 100."
What I should have said was: Well, that's not a simple answer, it's quite scientific. But instead I did a quick think of encouragement versus reality and optimism versus pessimism, and my motherly belief of her absolute beauty versus an agent's view of society based measures of beauty, and I said 75%.
"Ok, so 75/100 that I will be a model versus 25/100 that I won't?"
I guess.
"Thanks!" and with that she walked off to do whatever it was she was doing.
I've gotta tell ya - optimistic parenting with appropriate levels of resilience training (and preparation) is not a simple answer. It's quite scientific.
PS Afterwards I found a piece of paper on her desk with the percentages and it seems she asked Daddy and baby brother the same question. Daddy's response was 30% yes and 70% no, and Darby's was a clear 50:50 (he's such a good bet hedger). Interesting ... and clearly scientific.
"Mum, how is rain formed?"
Well, that's not a simple answer, it's quite scientific.
"Hey Mum, how come sharks can only go in salt water."
Well, that's not a simple answer, it's quite scientific.
"Mummy, what happens when people die and they are buried? Do their clothes stay nice or do they wrinkle? Do their undies get all smelly and need to be changed because of bottom juices?"
Well, that's not a simple answer, it's quite scientific.
"Hey Mum, what makes snot go from clear to green?"
Well, that's not a simple answer, it's quite scientific.
"How does the Dad's baby seeds get inside the mum to make a baby?"
Well, that's not a simple answer, it's quite scientific.
And then the question last night from Miss 12 (who, by the way, has big dreams of being a world class supermodel and who studies books like "The Idiot's Guide to Becoming a Model" and all things Miranda Kerr including an information pack from her agency Chic Management) which went something like this:
"Mum what do you think the chances are of me becoming a model?"
Ummm. You already are darling ... if you believe you will achieve!! (haha .... that'll keep her pleased for a few more months).
"No, I mean, what are the chances in like percentage form out of 100. What is the chance of me really being a model?"
Shit. Umm. Ok. It depends how badly you want it and your level of commitment.
"I know all that. But what do you think my chances are ... as a number ... out of 100."
What I should have said was: Well, that's not a simple answer, it's quite scientific. But instead I did a quick think of encouragement versus reality and optimism versus pessimism, and my motherly belief of her absolute beauty versus an agent's view of society based measures of beauty, and I said 75%.
"Ok, so 75/100 that I will be a model versus 25/100 that I won't?"
I guess.
"Thanks!" and with that she walked off to do whatever it was she was doing.
I've gotta tell ya - optimistic parenting with appropriate levels of resilience training (and preparation) is not a simple answer. It's quite scientific.
PS Afterwards I found a piece of paper on her desk with the percentages and it seems she asked Daddy and baby brother the same question. Daddy's response was 30% yes and 70% no, and Darby's was a clear 50:50 (he's such a good bet hedger). Interesting ... and clearly scientific.
Monday, October 24, 2011
Day 748
I am Cat Woman hear me roar!!!
And my big man is Clark Kent ...
And my little man is Batman ...
And my lovely girl is Bat girl ....
My sister-in-law and brother-in-law own a comic shop and they somehow managed to keep said brother-in-law in the dark so we could all surprise him at said comic shop for his 50th birthday on Saturday night. So given it was all comic shoppy we did what any good comic shop geek would do and went in costume.
Don't you just love a good dress up party? It must be my inner actress (or perhaps my inner feline) but I just love a bit of role play and Cat Woman really fit the bill.
No, no, no ... it didn't extend to the bedroom. Geez ... what movie have you been watching? And whose side are you on anyway? Of course husband made some not-very-Clark-Kent advances but my claws were out. I mean seriously ... Clark Kent? Superman maybe ...
And my big man is Clark Kent ...
And my little man is Batman ...
And my lovely girl is Bat girl ....
My sister-in-law and brother-in-law own a comic shop and they somehow managed to keep said brother-in-law in the dark so we could all surprise him at said comic shop for his 50th birthday on Saturday night. So given it was all comic shoppy we did what any good comic shop geek would do and went in costume.
Don't you just love a good dress up party? It must be my inner actress (or perhaps my inner feline) but I just love a bit of role play and Cat Woman really fit the bill.
No, no, no ... it didn't extend to the bedroom. Geez ... what movie have you been watching? And whose side are you on anyway? Of course husband made some not-very-Clark-Kent advances but my claws were out. I mean seriously ... Clark Kent? Superman maybe ...
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Day 747
So I have people walking into their bookstores asking if they could get in my book for them, and the book store says "nah" coz they don't deal with my publisher's choice of distributor.
Why?
Because they're too freakin' big!
Well that sucks.
Hmmmm.
Behind every challenge is an opportunity ...
An opportunity for taking over the world on-line instead?
Why?
Because they're too freakin' big!
Well that sucks.
Hmmmm.
Behind every challenge is an opportunity ...
An opportunity for taking over the world on-line instead?
Saturday, October 22, 2011
Day 746
Kerri Sackville is my new best friend. She doesn't know me, but thanks to "When My Husband Does the Dishes" I know her like she was my sister. In fact, I think we may actually be identical twins separated at birth. Her book is shockingly familiar. Absolutely everything she has written is stolen right out of my mind. We are living identical lives in parallel universes.
So I am thinking that she might like to come and have dinner at my house so my kids can meet their long-lost auntie, and I'll invite my folks over so that she can meet her actual birth parents. Our husbands are also cast from the same sexual mold so they'll have plenty to
I'm not sure what we're going to do about Simon Baker though because he is actually the love of my life (yes, I wavered for a nano-second with Ryan Gosling but we all know that Simon is my one true love). It seems Simon is also Kerri's one true love which could cause a bit of a problem, but I assume that is what happens with sisters?
Anyway, I just wanted to alert you all to my HUGE news and warn Kerri that I am not actually a stalker but that we share the same blood ... so don't be too shocked when my family and I turn up for Christmas.
Oh, and go buy her book. She may actually end up being your sister too ...
Friday, October 21, 2011
Day 745
Thank you!
So the tears have gone (both he and I) and the frustration abated and life is back to sunshine and sprinkles. There was no magic wand, but the moment of defeat has passed and we're feeling like making some forward movement again. We've got an action plan.
After I left you yesterday I tee'd up a luncheon date with E from Whining at the World to share some of our despair and give each other a shoulder and some encouragement. She had emailed me to commiserate so we thought 'why not commiserate in person!'. We had that date today and I don't know about E, but I have come home feeling less burdened and more understood. She definitely helped me move forward ... not sure I helped her though. But it was nice to chat about it all ...
Husband has also come on board with some tactics of his own, plus just this minute I have talked to the school and have some tutoring options worked out. And I will accept more help ... from those that offer it. I am lucky ... there is help out there for Darby and me.
Plus I have been reminded to take a step back and get some perspective from my good friend Boomerang Jane, and my wonderful cousin Stell. They have reminded me to take note of the wisdom's I would normally pass on to others. Thank you. Funny enough, when you are so close to it you get overwhelmed, and you forget the basics, so standing back and observing at arms length can definitely help.
Thanks E for a wonderful get together. And thanks for loaning me "When My Husband Does the Dishes" by Kerri Sackville. It has absolutely nothing to do with dyslexia but everything to do with being a wife and mother and tearing one's hair out as a result. I have only flicked through it but have already been in stitches. It is laugh out loud funny and I can't wait to get started on it properly tonight. I think a bath and a bottle of drinkable bubbles might be in order ...
Laughter and sharing the load ... two great remedies.
Thank you!
So the tears have gone (both he and I) and the frustration abated and life is back to sunshine and sprinkles. There was no magic wand, but the moment of defeat has passed and we're feeling like making some forward movement again. We've got an action plan.
After I left you yesterday I tee'd up a luncheon date with E from Whining at the World to share some of our despair and give each other a shoulder and some encouragement. She had emailed me to commiserate so we thought 'why not commiserate in person!'. We had that date today and I don't know about E, but I have come home feeling less burdened and more understood. She definitely helped me move forward ... not sure I helped her though. But it was nice to chat about it all ...
Husband has also come on board with some tactics of his own, plus just this minute I have talked to the school and have some tutoring options worked out. And I will accept more help ... from those that offer it. I am lucky ... there is help out there for Darby and me.
Plus I have been reminded to take a step back and get some perspective from my good friend Boomerang Jane, and my wonderful cousin Stell. They have reminded me to take note of the wisdom's I would normally pass on to others. Thank you. Funny enough, when you are so close to it you get overwhelmed, and you forget the basics, so standing back and observing at arms length can definitely help.
Thanks E for a wonderful get together. And thanks for loaning me "When My Husband Does the Dishes" by Kerri Sackville. It has absolutely nothing to do with dyslexia but everything to do with being a wife and mother and tearing one's hair out as a result. I have only flicked through it but have already been in stitches. It is laugh out loud funny and I can't wait to get started on it properly tonight. I think a bath and a bottle of drinkable bubbles might be in order ...
Laughter and sharing the load ... two great remedies.
Thank you!
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Day 744
E from Whining at the World started her post with a quote yesterday:
“Making the decision to have a child is momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body.” Elizabeth Stone
I read her post within minutes of having my own bout of frustrated tears over my boy child. After our home learning session I went and shut myself in my bedroom for a few minutes just to "recover" from the brutality of learning to read. I needed to cry. I needed to cleanse. I needed to take my mind off it all.
It shouldn't be this hard! It's always a battle - some days more so than others. I am drained. He is drained. We are both so bloody sick of having to fight.
As you know he struggles with his reading. He was diagnosed a year ago with a form of dyslexia (not that we use that word out loud in front of him) and we had some intensive therapy as a result. Apparently his vision is now perfect and we should be able to move forward smoothly.
But it is not smooth and there has been minimal forward movement. It's been a year and nothing magic has happened to suddenly get him up to speed. We work bloody hard (he and I) and while there is progress it is so darn slow it feels like we are standing still.
It would be ok if he was ok within himself. It would be ok if he felt good about his progress and kept plugging along willingly. It would be ok if reading wasn't so bloody important. But he feels bad and he fights me every step of the way and we live in a book based society. He can't move forward with any of his studies until he can read! He's a whiz at maths while ever it is written in numerical format or read out loud ... but once it turns into wordy problems that he has to read, he can't move forward. He has great comprehension skills, and he can predict outcomes, and create characters and recount storylines and scenes ... but to prove all that in this book based world he has to be able to read it himself first! It is so bloody draining. We are tired. We are frustrated. We both want a magic wand ....
I have made another appointment with the eye specialist and I am making queries about a tutor. While normally I quite like a good challenge, I really must find the path of least resistance for this one. Our relationship and our mental health depends on it ...
Any tips?
“Making the decision to have a child is momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body.” Elizabeth Stone
I read her post within minutes of having my own bout of frustrated tears over my boy child. After our home learning session I went and shut myself in my bedroom for a few minutes just to "recover" from the brutality of learning to read. I needed to cry. I needed to cleanse. I needed to take my mind off it all.
It shouldn't be this hard! It's always a battle - some days more so than others. I am drained. He is drained. We are both so bloody sick of having to fight.
As you know he struggles with his reading. He was diagnosed a year ago with a form of dyslexia (not that we use that word out loud in front of him) and we had some intensive therapy as a result. Apparently his vision is now perfect and we should be able to move forward smoothly.
But it is not smooth and there has been minimal forward movement. It's been a year and nothing magic has happened to suddenly get him up to speed. We work bloody hard (he and I) and while there is progress it is so darn slow it feels like we are standing still.
It would be ok if he was ok within himself. It would be ok if he felt good about his progress and kept plugging along willingly. It would be ok if reading wasn't so bloody important. But he feels bad and he fights me every step of the way and we live in a book based society. He can't move forward with any of his studies until he can read! He's a whiz at maths while ever it is written in numerical format or read out loud ... but once it turns into wordy problems that he has to read, he can't move forward. He has great comprehension skills, and he can predict outcomes, and create characters and recount storylines and scenes ... but to prove all that in this book based world he has to be able to read it himself first! It is so bloody draining. We are tired. We are frustrated. We both want a magic wand ....
I have made another appointment with the eye specialist and I am making queries about a tutor. While normally I quite like a good challenge, I really must find the path of least resistance for this one. Our relationship and our mental health depends on it ...
Any tips?
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Day 743
Just got back from my annual trip to the gyno. There is nothing pleasant about it. I don't like it at all.
From a medical perspective everything looks ok from initial viewing, just need to await results. I've gotta say it's a bit off-putting being able to see your internals - I could see it all on his bloody big screen thanks to gyno-cam. Reality TV at its finest.
I hate that visit. I find it all quite traumatic. Not sure why. It's just the vibe of the thing.
I need time to recover. I'm off to watch Ellen and eat a bucket of lollies and drink copious amounts of chai ...
Have a great day.
From a medical perspective everything looks ok from initial viewing, just need to await results. I've gotta say it's a bit off-putting being able to see your internals - I could see it all on his bloody big screen thanks to gyno-cam. Reality TV at its finest.
I hate that visit. I find it all quite traumatic. Not sure why. It's just the vibe of the thing.
I need time to recover. I'm off to watch Ellen and eat a bucket of lollies and drink copious amounts of chai ...
Have a great day.
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Day 742
There is something in my life that I am not proud of. Something I make excuses for. Something I know I could do to improve my health and longevity but which I avoid. It's something I do in spits and spurts. I'll do it and be all "holier than thou" in the process spreading the gospel and all that and telling people they should get involved and then within a nano second I've done an about-face and am slacking off and avoiding it like the plague. One minute it is God like and the next it is the devil.
This Nemesis of which I speak is the gym.
Something I've come to realise is - just because the gym takes money from you every fortnight doesn't mean you're a fully fledged member. That doesn't make you fit. You've got to actually put your foot in the front door, get your card swiped occasionally and form some sweat on your brow to qualify for full membership status. Oh sure .... in theory you're a full on gym junkie and it looks great on your resume ... but in practice you're just full of shit. If you have a gym membership you've got to use the bloody thing. Apparently.
I have not stepped foot inside my gym for about 6 months. My bank account is methodically dumping money into the upkeep of the place and I am nowhere to be seen. I wonder if I can include it in my tax return as a donation? Surely contributing to the health and fitness of others is charitable? Oh I can't wait for my contract to expire ...
I hate that I have let my membership turn into another episode of the "flushing money down the toilet" show. I hate it. But do I hate it enough to do something about it?
To be honest I'd prefer to be outside with the birds, dogs and trees when I exercise. Walking or riding in the fresh air. Not the sweaty smelly armpit air of weight pushing steroid munchers. I want to suck in the pure stuff. What if I just power-walked around the outside of the gym a few times. Would that count?
No?
Bugger.
This Nemesis of which I speak is the gym.
Something I've come to realise is - just because the gym takes money from you every fortnight doesn't mean you're a fully fledged member. That doesn't make you fit. You've got to actually put your foot in the front door, get your card swiped occasionally and form some sweat on your brow to qualify for full membership status. Oh sure .... in theory you're a full on gym junkie and it looks great on your resume ... but in practice you're just full of shit. If you have a gym membership you've got to use the bloody thing. Apparently.
I have not stepped foot inside my gym for about 6 months. My bank account is methodically dumping money into the upkeep of the place and I am nowhere to be seen. I wonder if I can include it in my tax return as a donation? Surely contributing to the health and fitness of others is charitable? Oh I can't wait for my contract to expire ...
I hate that I have let my membership turn into another episode of the "flushing money down the toilet" show. I hate it. But do I hate it enough to do something about it?
To be honest I'd prefer to be outside with the birds, dogs and trees when I exercise. Walking or riding in the fresh air. Not the sweaty smelly armpit air of weight pushing steroid munchers. I want to suck in the pure stuff. What if I just power-walked around the outside of the gym a few times. Would that count?
No?
Bugger.
Monday, October 17, 2011
Day 741
Sorry. No prizes. I just felt like going Woot Woot.
It's WOOT WOOT Monday.
I love a bit of woot woot to get my week off to start. Monday is my (second) favourite day ... after Sunday.
Celebrating the week that was and focusing on the week ahead really helps with my perspective.
Of course I have lots to celebrate.
- Chelsea was married on the weekend and the wedding was exceptionally beautiful.
- We had our cheerleading Nationals Team meet on Friday for an all day workshop and the children in the squad have so much focus and so much commitment that our life as coaches is made very easy as a result. Not to mention the other two coaches have taken the lead for Nationals this year so I am able to hang around the fringes assisting with minimal stress.
- The kids went back to school this morning after a lovely two week break where they had plenty of activities including time on the farm, time at the coast, time in Sydney, a trip to the zoo and their sister's wedding.
- I bedded down a new strategic business alliance over the last two weeks and will start working on a new career coaching program with them very soon.
- Derek had a few networking wins over the last week and is heading into the is week with a whole lot of vision and positivity.
- The sun is shining and the skies are blue ... and you all know that given I have trouble with the winter blues that this is a very good thing.
I also have lots to look forward to this week. I will be focussing on two new business alliances, continuing the marketing for my book and looking at my publishing journey in general to ensure continued forward movement. I will also be spending extra time with the cheerleaders in our quest for Nationals and I'll be trying to do a bit of spring cleaning around the home. Filing is foremost on my mind right now ....
There's a lot to go woot woot about today, and a lot to look forward to.
I hope you have a great woot woot Monday.
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Day 740
The wedding was divine. Absolutely gorgeous. I can't say enough good things about it. The weather was perfect, the gardens were beautiful, the bride was so pretty, Tahlia was so grown up and Darby was awesome. Derek did a great speech and we all had a ball. My shoes almost disabled me for life but I got through (taking them off occasionally for a breather). I honestly think this wedding couldn't have been any better.
For privacy reasons there are no photos of family or the bride and groom on this blog.
Saturday, October 15, 2011
Day 739
It's here ... it's the wedding day!!
Before I dive into everything bridal let me just say that I got on the scales just now and I have lost .....
in only 5 days .....
wait for it ...
drum roll please ....
absolutely nothing!!!
Kidding. I have lost 2 kgs. That is good news. Unrealistically I was hoping for 5. But I'll take 2 ...
Let's talk about the bride!
*********
Chelsea is not the least bit extravagant. She's never been a full on girly girl and only in her late teens did she start to wear dresses. I remember trying to dress her up in floral frocks as a child which would be met with a big scowly face and she'd change into big baggy basketball shorts or trackies at the earliest opportunity. She does have her hair professionally done though, and she'll occasionally get her nails done, plus she wears make-up. So there's a good whack of femininity there. She's very tall so doesn't need high heels, however she would probably like to wear them more often than she does if it wasn't for a motorbike accident in her teens which left her with a very serious lisfranc fracture in her foot. The bones in her foot basically fell apart which led to a number of operations to fuse it all back together. She still experiences pain.
Anyway, she's not extravagant so it's with no surprise that there is not an ounce of bridezilla in her. The lead up to this wedding has been very relaxed and very simple. She and Pat have done most of it themselves and have been quite firm on the "no bells and whistles" clause. The only stress has been caused by others wanting bells and whistles and Chelsea having to deflect it.
Chelsea will be wearing a Vera Wang inspired gown today. White with black ribbon. She does not intend to wear any jewelry other than her ring. Given the dress is so long and you won't see her shoes, and given she prefers not to wear heels, she will either be wearing ballet flats or could even show up in thongs (flip flops). The ceremony is taking place in a garden and she will not be walked down the aisle by her Dad (her choice). She is not being given away. The ceremony is to be quick and simple with minimal music and no readings other than a poem. The reception is a cocktail party which will be held at a restaurant on the lake with windows overlooking a deck and the water and the Canberra bridges. There will be absolutely no decorations. There will be minimal chairs. She is not having a traditional wedding cake, but cupcakes instead. She does not want speeches however Pat's Mum and Derek have both requested to say a word. There will be music with the option to dance as the night goes on.
There is nothing extravagant about this wedding. It will be beautiful in its simplicity.
Just like Chelsea.
Before I dive into everything bridal let me just say that I got on the scales just now and I have lost .....
in only 5 days .....
wait for it ...
drum roll please ....
absolutely nothing!!!
Kidding. I have lost 2 kgs. That is good news. Unrealistically I was hoping for 5. But I'll take 2 ...
Let's talk about the bride!
*********
Chelsea is not the least bit extravagant. She's never been a full on girly girl and only in her late teens did she start to wear dresses. I remember trying to dress her up in floral frocks as a child which would be met with a big scowly face and she'd change into big baggy basketball shorts or trackies at the earliest opportunity. She does have her hair professionally done though, and she'll occasionally get her nails done, plus she wears make-up. So there's a good whack of femininity there. She's very tall so doesn't need high heels, however she would probably like to wear them more often than she does if it wasn't for a motorbike accident in her teens which left her with a very serious lisfranc fracture in her foot. The bones in her foot basically fell apart which led to a number of operations to fuse it all back together. She still experiences pain.
Anyway, she's not extravagant so it's with no surprise that there is not an ounce of bridezilla in her. The lead up to this wedding has been very relaxed and very simple. She and Pat have done most of it themselves and have been quite firm on the "no bells and whistles" clause. The only stress has been caused by others wanting bells and whistles and Chelsea having to deflect it.
Chelsea will be wearing a Vera Wang inspired gown today. White with black ribbon. She does not intend to wear any jewelry other than her ring. Given the dress is so long and you won't see her shoes, and given she prefers not to wear heels, she will either be wearing ballet flats or could even show up in thongs (flip flops). The ceremony is taking place in a garden and she will not be walked down the aisle by her Dad (her choice). She is not being given away. The ceremony is to be quick and simple with minimal music and no readings other than a poem. The reception is a cocktail party which will be held at a restaurant on the lake with windows overlooking a deck and the water and the Canberra bridges. There will be absolutely no decorations. There will be minimal chairs. She is not having a traditional wedding cake, but cupcakes instead. She does not want speeches however Pat's Mum and Derek have both requested to say a word. There will be music with the option to dance as the night goes on.
There is nothing extravagant about this wedding. It will be beautiful in its simplicity.
Just like Chelsea.
Friday, October 14, 2011
Day 738
I did not make a wise or boring choice at dinner last night - I had an enormous steak covered in a creamy garlic and seafood sauce. YUM! But my insides were in turmoil afterwards. The food devil was sent to punish me. The pain! I swear I must have gall stones. Nor did I do arm curls or dips yesterday. I just plain forgot! Sigh. Today I am eating cereal for breakfast, fruit for morning tea, a packed salad lunch (we are running a Cheer Day Camp today in preparation for our Australian Nationals quest so Tahlia and I will be eating on the run) and stir-fry with noodles for dinner. The wedding is now one day away.
********
Today I was going to talk about the bride, but we'll leave that to the actual wedding day. Today I will chat about her father.
When I met Derek Chelsea was 6 years old. I knew absolutely nothing about kids having been an only child myself with no siblings to nurture, and as I grew never associating with people who had young families. I mean, I had younger cousins but it didn't bring out my maternal side. I never did the whole baby sitting gig as a teenager, nor did I ever dress a child, change nappies or wipe any bums. It was all foreign. I accepted that Derek had a daughter right from the get-go and I welcomed her in and loved her company, I just didn't know how to parent nor did I attempt to. But I did marvel at Derek's natural abilities as a father and was in awe of how kids of all ages were drawn to him. It's like he had a "father" banner flashing on his forehead as kids (even ones he didn't know) would hurl themselves into his arms if ever we were in the company of families.
I remember when Chelsea was only 7 years old and her Mum and Step-Dad moved her to the other side of the country for a 3 year Government posting. Derek was devastated. He cried. Having his daughter so far away literally tore the heart out of his chest.
Derek is very relaxed considering his first born is about to be wed. I had wondered if her getting married would also rip the heart out of his chest. But no. Pat's a good bloke and I guess he is relieved that Chelsea has found someone who treats her with respect, love, appreciation and treats her like a princess.
Derek has had very little to do with the preparation (in fact, neither of us have) and the only part he got pushy about was making sure the food and alcohol side of things was bedded down and he had some idea of numbers and costs. Other than that he is just going with the flow. He has done nothing special to get ready for it. His father-of-the-bride preparation consists of the following:
********
Today I was going to talk about the bride, but we'll leave that to the actual wedding day. Today I will chat about her father.
When I met Derek Chelsea was 6 years old. I knew absolutely nothing about kids having been an only child myself with no siblings to nurture, and as I grew never associating with people who had young families. I mean, I had younger cousins but it didn't bring out my maternal side. I never did the whole baby sitting gig as a teenager, nor did I ever dress a child, change nappies or wipe any bums. It was all foreign. I accepted that Derek had a daughter right from the get-go and I welcomed her in and loved her company, I just didn't know how to parent nor did I attempt to. But I did marvel at Derek's natural abilities as a father and was in awe of how kids of all ages were drawn to him. It's like he had a "father" banner flashing on his forehead as kids (even ones he didn't know) would hurl themselves into his arms if ever we were in the company of families.
I remember when Chelsea was only 7 years old and her Mum and Step-Dad moved her to the other side of the country for a 3 year Government posting. Derek was devastated. He cried. Having his daughter so far away literally tore the heart out of his chest.
Derek is very relaxed considering his first born is about to be wed. I had wondered if her getting married would also rip the heart out of his chest. But no. Pat's a good bloke and I guess he is relieved that Chelsea has found someone who treats her with respect, love, appreciation and treats her like a princess.
Derek has had very little to do with the preparation (in fact, neither of us have) and the only part he got pushy about was making sure the food and alcohol side of things was bedded down and he had some idea of numbers and costs. Other than that he is just going with the flow. He has done nothing special to get ready for it. His father-of-the-bride preparation consists of the following:
- Getting his stock-standard business suit dry-cleaned
- Cleaning his shoes
- Pulling a tie out from the closet
- Ironing his own shirt (yes - I refused to go out with any guy who didn't do his own ironing)
- Getting a hair cut
- Putting a colour through his hair to tidy up those greys
- Writing a speech.
- Checking the weather every few hours to ensure his prediction of "beautiful sunshine" will come to fruition despite predictions of rain
That's it! That's all he's doing in preparation. I mean, he will have a job or two to do tomorrow - like picking up the cup cakes and taking them across to the venue ... did I say a a job or two? It's only that one job .... but other than that he is just cruising along as if it's any other wedding.
He's relaxed. He's cruisin. He's fine.
He's Derek ...
********
I need to get going. We are taking a new team of kids to Nationals - twenty kids from across three teams are merging to form a new squad for Brisbane. That means two new routines to be taught with only 5 sessions to do it in. Holy crap!!! So given it is school holidays we have decided to run a day camp today to try and teach most of the routines in one session. Nothing like a full day of cheer to take my mind off weddings. Because I really need to take my mind of it .... for some reason I'm feeling a bit on edge ...
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Day 737
Yesterday's diet was cereal and green tea for breakfast, Cruskits with salad and tuna for lunch, and pumpkin soup with crusty bread for dinner. Exercise was a 5km walk around the lake (in Shape Up shoes). Today I plan on yogurt and strawberries for breakfast, pumpkin soup and Cruskits for lunch, and we're going out for a casual "wedding rehearsal" dinner tonight where I will make a boring wise menu choice. Exercise today is stretching and .... um ... more stretching ... and ... oh ... and some dips and curls for my arms. Blah, blah, blah ...
**************
Now for the fun stuff. Wedding talk ...
After talking about myself yesterday, today I talk about Tahlia and Darby's involvement in their big sister's wedding.
Chelsea is only having two bridesmaids: her two sisters. Tahlia from our side of the family, and Sam from her Mum's side. Tahlia is 12 and Sam is 17 (or is that 18?) Darby will be in charge of the rings.
When Tahlia was born Chelsea was 11 years old. They didn't meet until Tahlia was a week old (Chels had been on holidays with her Mum) and I remember the day they did. I shed a few tears. Chelsea spent a lot of time with Tahlia when she was a toddler and pre-schooler, but then her focus changed as she herself explored her teenage years. Once Tahlia got to an age where she liked clothes and could have a good conversation, and when Chelsea had grown from teenager to adult, the focus was back and Chelsea became the big sister role model. Especially when it comes to clothes. So it was incredibly exciting for Miss Tahlia when Chelsea asked her to be a bridesmaid at the wedding. Everything Chelsea has suggested for the girls has come with a resounding YES from Tahlia. In Tahlia's eyes it's all incredibly perfect.
After scouting around bridal shops and being expected to fork out over $300 for an ugly bridesmaid's dress we decided to order on-line. Tahlia's dress is gorgeous and fits her almost perfectly (after a minor glitch with the first dress that arrived too small, we reordered and got a good result). It is a black knee length cocktail dress with fitted bodice, spaghetti straps, and full skirt. I say it 'almost' fits her perfectly because there is one slight problem - the dress arrived with boobs moulded in. Tahlia has just turned 12 and is as flat a board. It all looks a bit odd, but what can you do? We looked at trying to "take them out" but it is so well made that it would change the entire shape of the dress if we even tried. So our little girl will be sporting a fairly sizable A cup on Saturday. Much to her delight ...
Chelsea was 16 when Darby was born. She had always wanted a brother so Darby was the ants pants right from the start. She has doted on him ever since and so has Pat. Darbs loves it.
Darby wasn't included in the wedding right at the beginning which was just fine by him. Unlike Tahlia he runs a mile from the centre of attention. So when, just three weeks ago, Chelsea and Pat asked him if he would be in charge of the rings on the day, Darby said a flat out "NO". After Pat recovered from the shock they asked him again, explaining how it would work and again Darby said "NO". Then we suggested he wouldn't have to walk down the aisle, nor would he have to have people looking at him and he wouldn't have to be looking at lots of people. But again he said "NO". I understand that he has his right to choose but I can't let him miss out on this once in a lifetime event due to fear. So we agreed on an "I'll think about it" answer, knowing he would eventually come around. And he has. As long as he can sit/stand down the front of the congregation with me, just shuffle forward at the time they need the rings, hand them over and then walk backwards back to me without once having to see the 90+ people in the crowd who will be watching. Ok then. We have lift off ...
Darby will be wearing a black pin striped suit with white shirt and black long tie. He'll wear his school shoes (which reminds me, I must clean them today). We got the suit as a hand-me-down which is excellent. The pants were enormous but clever Nanny has managed to take them in and now he looks very smart in a 7 year old dude-like way.
Things the kids are doing in preparation for the big day:
**************
Now for the fun stuff. Wedding talk ...
After talking about myself yesterday, today I talk about Tahlia and Darby's involvement in their big sister's wedding.
Chelsea is only having two bridesmaids: her two sisters. Tahlia from our side of the family, and Sam from her Mum's side. Tahlia is 12 and Sam is 17 (or is that 18?) Darby will be in charge of the rings.
When Tahlia was born Chelsea was 11 years old. They didn't meet until Tahlia was a week old (Chels had been on holidays with her Mum) and I remember the day they did. I shed a few tears. Chelsea spent a lot of time with Tahlia when she was a toddler and pre-schooler, but then her focus changed as she herself explored her teenage years. Once Tahlia got to an age where she liked clothes and could have a good conversation, and when Chelsea had grown from teenager to adult, the focus was back and Chelsea became the big sister role model. Especially when it comes to clothes. So it was incredibly exciting for Miss Tahlia when Chelsea asked her to be a bridesmaid at the wedding. Everything Chelsea has suggested for the girls has come with a resounding YES from Tahlia. In Tahlia's eyes it's all incredibly perfect.
After scouting around bridal shops and being expected to fork out over $300 for an ugly bridesmaid's dress we decided to order on-line. Tahlia's dress is gorgeous and fits her almost perfectly (after a minor glitch with the first dress that arrived too small, we reordered and got a good result). It is a black knee length cocktail dress with fitted bodice, spaghetti straps, and full skirt. I say it 'almost' fits her perfectly because there is one slight problem - the dress arrived with boobs moulded in. Tahlia has just turned 12 and is as flat a board. It all looks a bit odd, but what can you do? We looked at trying to "take them out" but it is so well made that it would change the entire shape of the dress if we even tried. So our little girl will be sporting a fairly sizable A cup on Saturday. Much to her delight ...
Chelsea was 16 when Darby was born. She had always wanted a brother so Darby was the ants pants right from the start. She has doted on him ever since and so has Pat. Darbs loves it.
Darby wasn't included in the wedding right at the beginning which was just fine by him. Unlike Tahlia he runs a mile from the centre of attention. So when, just three weeks ago, Chelsea and Pat asked him if he would be in charge of the rings on the day, Darby said a flat out "NO". After Pat recovered from the shock they asked him again, explaining how it would work and again Darby said "NO". Then we suggested he wouldn't have to walk down the aisle, nor would he have to have people looking at him and he wouldn't have to be looking at lots of people. But again he said "NO". I understand that he has his right to choose but I can't let him miss out on this once in a lifetime event due to fear. So we agreed on an "I'll think about it" answer, knowing he would eventually come around. And he has. As long as he can sit/stand down the front of the congregation with me, just shuffle forward at the time they need the rings, hand them over and then walk backwards back to me without once having to see the 90+ people in the crowd who will be watching. Ok then. We have lift off ...
Darby will be wearing a black pin striped suit with white shirt and black long tie. He'll wear his school shoes (which reminds me, I must clean them today). We got the suit as a hand-me-down which is excellent. The pants were enormous but clever Nanny has managed to take them in and now he looks very smart in a 7 year old dude-like way.
Things the kids are doing in preparation for the big day:
- Tahlia has stopped biting her nails and will have a French manicure
- She is wearing little black Nine West heels that we got for $7.50 at an outlet in Hawaii
- She bought little silicone caps for her shoes to wear on the grass so she doesn't sink
- She is having her hair done alongside Chelsea and Sam
- She is getting her make up done alongside Chelsea and Sam
- She will be carrying white lilies
- She has no jacket nor shrug nor shawl so I may need to invest in that to ensure she is warm
- Darby has new hair product.
- He needs black socks
- No other preparation for Darby other than mental.
Tonight is the rehearsal. Only two days until the wedding. Yipeeeeee (followed by YIKES).
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Day 736
So the wedding is just three days away. Yippers. How exciting!
Today is a beautiful sunshiny day. That is our wish for Saturday (it's an outdoor wedding).
The Bureau of Meteorology is forecasting showers with late thunder storms. That's not the forecast we want. It's a late wedding. Hmmmm.
Let's choose another weather site that gives us a more pleasing prediction .... let's try the weather channel. Now that's better! They say just a few showers and no mention of thunderstorm. We'll take that one thanks ....
So we've talked enough about me in the lead up to this wedding - specifically the fact I've been trying to slim down in five days by starving myself. Well not quite starving myself, but I am hungry .... a lot. Other things about me at the wedding:
Today is a beautiful sunshiny day. That is our wish for Saturday (it's an outdoor wedding).
The Bureau of Meteorology is forecasting showers with late thunder storms. That's not the forecast we want. It's a late wedding. Hmmmm.
Let's choose another weather site that gives us a more pleasing prediction .... let's try the weather channel. Now that's better! They say just a few showers and no mention of thunderstorm. We'll take that one thanks ....
So we've talked enough about me in the lead up to this wedding - specifically the fact I've been trying to slim down in five days by starving myself. Well not quite starving myself, but I am hungry .... a lot. Other things about me at the wedding:
- I am the step-mother-of-the-bride so I am wanting to look good but not take her mothers glory
- I bought my frock in Hawaii
- My frock is a cocktail dress and very colorful
- My accessories will be cream
- I have had my hair coloured, am off for eyebrow tint and wax today and will have a spray tan tomorrow
- I have my suck-it-all-in-till-I-can't-breathe-scuba-suit-underwear all ready to go
- I have bought a new pair of shoes which are looking like those 8 inch heels that are currently in fashion and it is a stand up wedding and a stand up reception (what the hell was I thinking?)
- If it rains my hair will turn into a frizzy mess so I am thinking a slinked back up-do is in order
- I am wearing the pearl earrings I was given for my 40th but no other jewelry
- I am going to be using my Olga Berg clutch for the first time (as opposed to my Older Bird Crotch which is what my husband thought I first said all those years ago) which is another 40th birthday present
- I have just realised that at 42 it is sad my 40th birthday presents are seeing the light of day for the first time
- I have just realised I may need more jewelry and should probably go shopping
- I have just realised that this wedding is costing quite a lot of money and that we have no money for me to go shopping
- I have just remembered that the sun is shining RIGHT NOW and I have kids and a dog who could do with a walk so I'm going to haul on my big chunky "Shape Up" sneakers and take them all around the lake.
Tomorrow I will talk about Tahlia and Darby at the wedding, then on Friday (if you're lucky) I may just discuss the bride.
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Day 735
Today's diet? Well, it started with green tea and a couple of spoons of tuna for breakfast and will hopefully progress to some sort of salad and crackers for lunch with home made chicken and sweet corn soup and fried rice for dinner. Yes. I am starving! But it's all a short term thing. Must lose tummy for wedding. Exercise for today will include some swimming laps with Derek and the kids at the local indoor pool (which may iron out some of the kinks I have in my back and neck after a restless night sleep ..... ) and will also include 60 sit ups.
But enough of that boring crap. Now onto more interesting things.
This publishing gig continues to be a fascinating journey. Just when you think you are home and hosed because the book is now in print, you realise the journey is right back at a new beginning. The beginning of distribution, marketing and actually having people read the bloody thing. I knew that of course. I have my own marketing in train, but that is all based on book stores actually being able to get their hands on the book in the first place which is proving to be a bit interesting.
You see, my book is coming out of the USA via the worlds biggest book distribution company. You would think that is a good thing, right? Well, not necessarily. This distribution company is so big that book stores don't necessarily deal with them due to the sheer size of their book lists. Apparently they have around 4 million books in their catalogue, which means My Happy Gift is a bit of a "need in a haystack". Hmmm. Many book retailers just don't deal with them. Well that sucks!!
How do I know this? Well part of my personal marketing campaign (which I am running in parallel with my Publishers marketing campaign) is to make direct contact with some major retailers in Australia to promote myself. I had a lovely chat to the lady in charge of the Big W book supplies at their head office yesterday and she explained the process. They will not be stocking My Happy Gift because of the distributor issue. They get their books directly from the Australian publishing houses. They have cut out the "wholesaler" and get directly from point of manufacture (so to speak). Yes, I am learning a lot. Fascinating isn't it?!
There is a lot whizzing around my brain right now ... I know there is a solution to the challenges I face with this new author career ... I've just got to keep searching the inner recesses of my muddled mind until I find them.
The good news is that My Happy Gift is now available at Booktopia here in Australia, The Book Depository in the UK (with free international shipping) and Amazon in the USA. Yay!! And any day now it will be available from me directly.
Here's the Foreword of my book by Johanna Griggs (host Better Homes and Gardens, former Olympic Swimmer and Channel 7Television sports commentator) just so you can get a feel for the book.
Happy Tuesday!
But enough of that boring crap. Now onto more interesting things.
This publishing gig continues to be a fascinating journey. Just when you think you are home and hosed because the book is now in print, you realise the journey is right back at a new beginning. The beginning of distribution, marketing and actually having people read the bloody thing. I knew that of course. I have my own marketing in train, but that is all based on book stores actually being able to get their hands on the book in the first place which is proving to be a bit interesting.
You see, my book is coming out of the USA via the worlds biggest book distribution company. You would think that is a good thing, right? Well, not necessarily. This distribution company is so big that book stores don't necessarily deal with them due to the sheer size of their book lists. Apparently they have around 4 million books in their catalogue, which means My Happy Gift is a bit of a "need in a haystack". Hmmm. Many book retailers just don't deal with them. Well that sucks!!
How do I know this? Well part of my personal marketing campaign (which I am running in parallel with my Publishers marketing campaign) is to make direct contact with some major retailers in Australia to promote myself. I had a lovely chat to the lady in charge of the Big W book supplies at their head office yesterday and she explained the process. They will not be stocking My Happy Gift because of the distributor issue. They get their books directly from the Australian publishing houses. They have cut out the "wholesaler" and get directly from point of manufacture (so to speak). Yes, I am learning a lot. Fascinating isn't it?!
There is a lot whizzing around my brain right now ... I know there is a solution to the challenges I face with this new author career ... I've just got to keep searching the inner recesses of my muddled mind until I find them.
The good news is that My Happy Gift is now available at Booktopia here in Australia, The Book Depository in the UK (with free international shipping) and Amazon in the USA. Yay!! And any day now it will be available from me directly.
Here's the Foreword of my book by Johanna Griggs (host Better Homes and Gardens, former Olympic Swimmer and Channel 7Television sports commentator) just so you can get a feel for the book.
Happy Tuesday!
 |
| Click on image to enlarge |
Monday, October 10, 2011
Day 734
Day 1 of my lose weight very fast without passing out at wedding diet has begun. I ate cardboard disguised as cereal for breakfast and a left over piece of steak for lunch with a handful of lettuce, plus I had 3 cups of green tea. I don't feel any slimmer! (patience my dear). Tonight I am making a hot chicken salad with lettuce, broccoli, green beans, Spanish onion and avocado. Oh ... And I have ditched the champagne for mineral water with cranberry juice. Here's hoping my tummy disappears in 4 days and some lovely fairy sews some invisible wire to my arse and flies behind me lifting it up as I walk on Saturday.
Sunday, October 9, 2011
Day 733
It's only 6 days until Miss Chelsea's wedding and I may not fit into the frock I bought in Hawaii for the big event. Holy guacamole! (Yum ... tacos sound very good right now.)
It's school holidays and we're eating like we've just come out of hibernation! Pizza, nachos, custard, chocolate cake, more pizza. Holy shit. Where did this gut come from?!
But then again, my jeans seem really baggy around the butt. Surely big baggy jeans means nice skinny Leanne? Surely? Then I weighed myself. The scales are not kind. Where did that come from!!! I was walking around in a false sense of security, ignoring the scales because my jeans were telling me a different story. Then I realised why they were so baggy around the bum ... it's because my bum isn't where it's supposed to be ... it's bloody well dropped about 10 cms south and my arse is now divided in half and sitting quietly in each trouser leg! Holy snappin' duck shits. I have not only put on weight but my arse is hanging like a wet paper bag. Well doesn't that just rot your socks ....
One week. I've got one week to get ship shape as step-mother-of-the-bride. I need help!! Can somebody please help me?
The next 6 days is going to be the diary of a get-fit-fast and pay-lots-of-money-to-become-fakely- fabulous 40 (2) year old woman!!
While channeling my inner "Ab-Fab" persona (Patsy) I'm off to crack open the champas as I contemplate this conundrum and write my list of exercise and drab-to-fab to-dos!
Happy Sunday everyone. My wish for you is that your arse is exactly where it's supposed to be ...
It's school holidays and we're eating like we've just come out of hibernation! Pizza, nachos, custard, chocolate cake, more pizza. Holy shit. Where did this gut come from?!
But then again, my jeans seem really baggy around the butt. Surely big baggy jeans means nice skinny Leanne? Surely? Then I weighed myself. The scales are not kind. Where did that come from!!! I was walking around in a false sense of security, ignoring the scales because my jeans were telling me a different story. Then I realised why they were so baggy around the bum ... it's because my bum isn't where it's supposed to be ... it's bloody well dropped about 10 cms south and my arse is now divided in half and sitting quietly in each trouser leg! Holy snappin' duck shits. I have not only put on weight but my arse is hanging like a wet paper bag. Well doesn't that just rot your socks ....
One week. I've got one week to get ship shape as step-mother-of-the-bride. I need help!! Can somebody please help me?
The next 6 days is going to be the diary of a get-fit-fast and pay-lots-of-money-to-become-fakely- fabulous 40 (2) year old woman!!
While channeling my inner "Ab-Fab" persona (Patsy) I'm off to crack open the champas as I contemplate this conundrum and write my list of exercise and drab-to-fab to-dos!
Happy Sunday everyone. My wish for you is that your arse is exactly where it's supposed to be ...
Saturday, October 8, 2011
Day 732
Today I am grateful for new experiences, arriving safely and being able to say "geez, you don't see that everyday".
Sometimes you just come across things you wouldn't normally see. Take yesterday for example. We were driving down the mountain to the coast when we came across a line of about 8 cars pulled over to the cliff side of the road with people jumping out and running across the road to a car that had just missed a turn and rolled, now lying on its drivers side balanced against the mountain wall. As we turned the corner the young driver (a teenage-ish girl) was climbing up out of the passenger window as though she was coming out of a manhole in the ground. She was sobbing but appeared physically ok. There were plenty of people around and there was no space for us to stop so we kept driving. I couldn't stop thinking if there were others in the car, parents, kids, pets. I couldn't stop thinking about how she must be feeling. I couldn't stop thinking how lucky she was to physically be able to climb out of the car, and how lucky she was that she ran off the road on that side against the wall, rather than on the other side and down the mountain. I couldn't stop thinking about the gratitude that goes with a safe trip. And I couldn't stop thinking "geez, you don't see that everyday".
Then today we went fishing off a breaker wall. As we walked to our normal spot we came across a hand full of people surrounding something on a rock. It was a seal. We stopped to look and marvel at this fabulous creature. I immediately started thinking it was hurt or sick, but then as a group we all decided that perhaps he had just come up for a little sleep. Just minutes before he had apparently been swimming and playing in the water and then he had climbed up the wall and laid down, stretched, grunted and went to sleep. So there we were fishing for two hours with some marine life right beside us taking a kip! He would wake up occasionally, stretch and turn and then fall asleep again not at all concerned by our presence. He did bark at the kids at one point for getting too close, but all in all he seemed to be oblivious to our company. I thought of how wonderful it was that we had these opportunities. I thought how grateful I was that I lived in a world that was diverse and full of the wonders of nature. And I couldn't stop thinking "geez, you don't see that everyday!"
Yep, today I am grateful for new experiences, arriving safely and being able to say "geez, you don't see that everyday".
For more gratefuls head on over to Maxabella as she shares the joys of make believe with a whole bunch of other grateful bloggers. Happy Saturday!!!
Sometimes you just come across things you wouldn't normally see. Take yesterday for example. We were driving down the mountain to the coast when we came across a line of about 8 cars pulled over to the cliff side of the road with people jumping out and running across the road to a car that had just missed a turn and rolled, now lying on its drivers side balanced against the mountain wall. As we turned the corner the young driver (a teenage-ish girl) was climbing up out of the passenger window as though she was coming out of a manhole in the ground. She was sobbing but appeared physically ok. There were plenty of people around and there was no space for us to stop so we kept driving. I couldn't stop thinking if there were others in the car, parents, kids, pets. I couldn't stop thinking about how she must be feeling. I couldn't stop thinking how lucky she was to physically be able to climb out of the car, and how lucky she was that she ran off the road on that side against the wall, rather than on the other side and down the mountain. I couldn't stop thinking about the gratitude that goes with a safe trip. And I couldn't stop thinking "geez, you don't see that everyday".
Then today we went fishing off a breaker wall. As we walked to our normal spot we came across a hand full of people surrounding something on a rock. It was a seal. We stopped to look and marvel at this fabulous creature. I immediately started thinking it was hurt or sick, but then as a group we all decided that perhaps he had just come up for a little sleep. Just minutes before he had apparently been swimming and playing in the water and then he had climbed up the wall and laid down, stretched, grunted and went to sleep. So there we were fishing for two hours with some marine life right beside us taking a kip! He would wake up occasionally, stretch and turn and then fall asleep again not at all concerned by our presence. He did bark at the kids at one point for getting too close, but all in all he seemed to be oblivious to our company. I thought of how wonderful it was that we had these opportunities. I thought how grateful I was that I lived in a world that was diverse and full of the wonders of nature. And I couldn't stop thinking "geez, you don't see that everyday!"
Yep, today I am grateful for new experiences, arriving safely and being able to say "geez, you don't see that everyday".
For more gratefuls head on over to Maxabella as she shares the joys of make believe with a whole bunch of other grateful bloggers. Happy Saturday!!!
Friday, October 7, 2011
Day 731
For our birthdays Mum bought Tahlia and I tickets to see Mary Poppins in Sydney. I haven't seen a musical for years. Years and years. To be honest I can take them or leave them ... musicals I mean .... they're just not a financial priority. Don't get me wrong, I do love the outing, but they've got to be truly rockin' to fully capture my interest (and wallet). I think the last one I saw may have been Mama Mia, so to go to Mary Poppins with someone else paying was kind of exciting. Tahlia has never been to a musical so it was life changing for her.
We loved it!! We were sitting in the third row so we were up close and person which was a bonus. The props were amazing ... magical in fact. And every single person out there on that stage was outstanding. I couldn't believe how much energy they all had and that even after a matinee session that day, they still seemed to back it up that evening with 110% effort. The dancing and singing was so full on. Of course Mary Poppins was the crowd favourite but I have to say that I absolutely loved Bert. Matt Lee is one hell of an amazing dancer .... and with a voice to match .... wow!! And when he climbed the wall and then danced on the ceiling ... well ... he left Lionel Richie for dead.
Anyway, as I said, I don't get out much so I might not be the most informed of judges, but I reckon Mary Poppins is worth a visit. We definitely feel a little more magical for having seen it.
Thanks Mum!!
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Day 730
Had a bit of Mary Poppins magic and am now back home. Can't wait to tell you all about Mary and her awesome musical!
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Day 729
 |
| Deep Fried 42 |
Don't you just love Facebook for feeling loved on your birthday? I love that I get happy birthdays from people I know well, people I used to know, people I went to school with, people who know me but who I am very vague on, people I met at a party once .....
Yesterday was a beautiful day for a birthday. Absolutely gorgeous.
After getting up early to blog and check emails I snuck back into bed so that I could be "woken up" by the family. Husband and son were enthusiastic well-wishers, whereas daughter took some time to warm up after being woken up for the birthday celebrations. I "ordered" an egg and bacon roll for breakfast and was then showered with pressies and cards and cuddles. My birthday didn't change the fact that I needed to
Derek then headed to work while the kids and I went for my nails appointment. Once my toes and fingers were perfectly kitted out we met Husband in town for a lovely outdoor luncheon at an Italian eatery before the kids and I hit the shops. Gorgeous!! Given I stuffed myself with food it was time for me to have a little Nanna nap so we headed home and I went straight to bed awaking only to watch The Bold and the Beautiful on my BRAND NEW digital bedroom TV.
Yes, it was a lovely day for a birthday. Absolutely gorgeous. And the best news ... it's not over yet! Tahlia and I got Mary Poppins tickets for our birthdays (from Mum) so we're off to Sydney this morning for some supercalifragilisticexpialidocious ......
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Day 728
I've lost my little wagging puppy tail (1) and I've grown more of a fluffy possum one of the ring tail variety (2).
I am 40 years and 728 days old. I've gotta say, that doesn't quite add up.
I started this blog on my 40th birthday (well a few days after at which point I started it with the Title Day 4 ... but that's mere detail). So that number up there should read Day 730. Am I right? Or do I just suck at maths? 365 days in a year x 2. I am confused. There have been no leap years. Somewhere along the way I have lost 2 days. Two whole days of my life have just up and disappeared!!! How annoying! What should I do? Change the title? It doesn't balance and I need it to balance. The OCD in me has me rocking back and forth breathing into a paper bag right now. It just doesn't add up ...
Today I am supposed to be 40 and 730 days old. Or in layman's terms I am 42. But given I am not going to age past 40 (until I am 50) then we'll call it 40 with a ring tail possum appendage. Sound good?
Yep, today is my birthday and I have grown a nice fluffy tail to celebrate. Yipee for me!!!
Now ... what to do about that title ....
I am 40 years and 728 days old. I've gotta say, that doesn't quite add up.
I started this blog on my 40th birthday (well a few days after at which point I started it with the Title Day 4 ... but that's mere detail). So that number up there should read Day 730. Am I right? Or do I just suck at maths? 365 days in a year x 2. I am confused. There have been no leap years. Somewhere along the way I have lost 2 days. Two whole days of my life have just up and disappeared!!! How annoying! What should I do? Change the title? It doesn't balance and I need it to balance. The OCD in me has me rocking back and forth breathing into a paper bag right now. It just doesn't add up ...
Today I am supposed to be 40 and 730 days old. Or in layman's terms I am 42. But given I am not going to age past 40 (until I am 50) then we'll call it 40 with a ring tail possum appendage. Sound good?
Yep, today is my birthday and I have grown a nice fluffy tail to celebrate. Yipee for me!!!
Now ... what to do about that title ....
Monday, October 3, 2011
Day 727
Carpe diem
Oh happy, happy, joy, joy. Not only is it Monday, it is a long weekend! Two happies right there. AND, not only is it Monday and a long weekend, it is also the school holidays. Three happies all wrapped up in a bow. Not only is it Monday, a long weekend and school holidays ... but the rain and wind has ceased and there is sunshine and birdies and flowers.
So many happies for this fabulous Monday.
Forget seizing the day ... it's time to seize the week!
I actually wrote cease there instead of seize on my first draft ... hmmm .... cease the day .... Freudian slip? What is my sub conscious trying to tell me??
Oh happy, happy, joy, joy. Not only is it Monday, it is a long weekend! Two happies right there. AND, not only is it Monday and a long weekend, it is also the school holidays. Three happies all wrapped up in a bow. Not only is it Monday, a long weekend and school holidays ... but the rain and wind has ceased and there is sunshine and birdies and flowers.
So many happies for this fabulous Monday.
Forget seizing the day ... it's time to seize the week!
I actually wrote cease there instead of seize on my first draft ... hmmm .... cease the day .... Freudian slip? What is my sub conscious trying to tell me??
Sunday, October 2, 2011
Day 726
Back home safe and sound with all 8 kids in tow. No one fell off the quad bike, got kicked by a horse, fell in the dam or fell off the back of the ute. Everyone is safe and well (and happy).
Not everyone in the beautiful country of ours is going to be able to say the same thing. Did you know that 3500 kids per year are taken to emergency due to serious poisoning occurring in or around the home? Did you know that even baby oil can kill your child if they drank it? Check out this link to see what Baby Oil can do. And don't let me get started on chemical burns, scalding from boiling water and issues with fertilisers and car oils/petrol ... all found around the home.
When I was a kid the skull and crossbones were printed on dangerous things. I knew such bottles were not to be touched. Whatever happened to them? As parents we keep things up high and there are child safety lids, but what about when products are being used, or if someone accidentally leaves them within reach. What is on the products to communicate TO THE CHILD that this stuff is dangerous?
Well, lucky for us one very clever Mum is doing something about it. She is campaigning to get visual warnings back on dangerous household items in an attempt to keep our kids safer.
But she needs our help. She needs our votes over at the "Best Beginnings" competition so that she can officially launch her "Yuk to Kids" campaign. We'd love it if you could pop on over to the Best Beginnings website, take a look at her video and if you like her initiative, then vote for her.
Thanks everyone! And cheers again to a happy and SAFE Sunday.
Saturday, October 1, 2011
Day 725
As I prepare for my daughter's 12th birthday party at the farm, I am grateful for wide open spaces and the ability to leave suburbia behind for the peace and serenity of grass, trees and hills.
I am taking a KIA load of girls to Nanny and Pop's today where Tahlia has requested they do farm girl things like collect firewood, feed sheep, hang out with the horses, pamper the ponies, ride the quad bike, have a tug-o-war competition, sit in the hot tub under the stars, and camp overnight in the camper van. I take this stuff for granted but for Tahlia's friends, this is a brand new experience. I am grateful that I (well, Nanny and Pop) can give that to them.
I am also grateful that these kids are beautiful, easy going, well rounded girls and that my job as chaperone will be made easy because of the strength of their friendship(s) and the respect they have for each other. Seven girls could quite easily be explosive ... but not with these kids ... they're impressive in their acceptance, tolerance and like for each other.
I'll be even more grateful if this rain would stop and the icy wind would calm down so that the farm experience can be one truly spent outdoors.
Happy Saturday everyone ... what are you grateful for?
Head on over to Maxabella as she shares the joy of thanks with Lemon Rhodes this week
******
I am also grateful for increased child safety.
We need your vote!
Does anyone remember that child safety initiative I've been working on? I'm working with a very enthusiastic mother who has created a child safety logo to help parents teach their kids what should and shouldn't be touched around the home. Have you ever noticed that on bleach, dish detergent, toilet cleaner, and the like there is absolutely nothing on the label to communicate to kids that the product is dangerous? Have you noticed that? All we do is lock them out with lids and special cupboard locks (saying NO) without helping them to make the choices themselves and understand why. Well, Yuk to Kids is a child safety symbol in sticker form created for home use. It is quick for kids to understand and simple for parents to teach. Our ultimate mission is to have as many potentially dangerous products as possible display the Yuk to Kids logo. Everything is ready to go … we just need the funding for our first print run and Yuk to Kids is well on its way to becoming a much needed household name.
But to get there we need your vote in the Best Beginnings competition. If you are on Facebook we'd love for you to pop on over and vote for us. Just click here.
In fact - we'd be forever grateful.
 |
| View from the front yard |
I am taking a KIA load of girls to Nanny and Pop's today where Tahlia has requested they do farm girl things like collect firewood, feed sheep, hang out with the horses, pamper the ponies, ride the quad bike, have a tug-o-war competition, sit in the hot tub under the stars, and camp overnight in the camper van. I take this stuff for granted but for Tahlia's friends, this is a brand new experience. I am grateful that I (well, Nanny and Pop) can give that to them.
I am also grateful that these kids are beautiful, easy going, well rounded girls and that my job as chaperone will be made easy because of the strength of their friendship(s) and the respect they have for each other. Seven girls could quite easily be explosive ... but not with these kids ... they're impressive in their acceptance, tolerance and like for each other.
I'll be even more grateful if this rain would stop and the icy wind would calm down so that the farm experience can be one truly spent outdoors.
Happy Saturday everyone ... what are you grateful for?
Head on over to Maxabella as she shares the joy of thanks with Lemon Rhodes this week
******
I am also grateful for increased child safety.
We need your vote!
Does anyone remember that child safety initiative I've been working on? I'm working with a very enthusiastic mother who has created a child safety logo to help parents teach their kids what should and shouldn't be touched around the home. Have you ever noticed that on bleach, dish detergent, toilet cleaner, and the like there is absolutely nothing on the label to communicate to kids that the product is dangerous? Have you noticed that? All we do is lock them out with lids and special cupboard locks (saying NO) without helping them to make the choices themselves and understand why. Well, Yuk to Kids is a child safety symbol in sticker form created for home use. It is quick for kids to understand and simple for parents to teach. Our ultimate mission is to have as many potentially dangerous products as possible display the Yuk to Kids logo. Everything is ready to go … we just need the funding for our first print run and Yuk to Kids is well on its way to becoming a much needed household name.
But to get there we need your vote in the Best Beginnings competition. If you are on Facebook we'd love for you to pop on over and vote for us. Just click here.
In fact - we'd be forever grateful.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)