FLYlady &1950's woman.

Day 7.

Well So far so good!

I have been following the FLYlady's babysteps religiously for a week. My house looks great and I feel so proud of myself! I've added the extra 15 minutes declutter to my every day routine also and it's all combined to make our house more of a home. There's no more stressed out Mummy when hubby comes home from work and the kids are even getting more attention. 

I know that should someone just pop over my house that I would not be too embarrassed (ok so I do want to shampoo my carpet before any VIP turns up but my family doesn't care about that sort of stuff!) My sink is shiny (one or two dishes next to the sink is acceptable and much better that a full days worth like it used to be!), my kitchen bench is wiped down and the clutter is kept to a minimum by my "hot spot" cleaning everyday. My table has only our water bottles on it and a lovely bunch of daisy like flowers. My desk is not overflowing with "to do/read/put away" stuff and the lounge room is free of mess.

In the interest of complete disclosure tho, I have stopped wearing lace up shoes for the last 2 days. I am however wearing some slip on shoes and being vigilant in that I don't take them off till I knock off (after the kids go to bed and the only thing I have left to do is have a shower and shine my sink!). My feet just couldn't handle the heat. I mean is 40 degrees C today c'mon! I think that FLYlady is right about the theory behind lace up shoes, that it makes you do just that little bit more than usual - rather than kicking your shoes of and end up sitting down all arvo. However I think once the habit is made, shoes are shoes - as long as you pretend that you can't take them off easily it wont matter (as long as its not thongs- aka flip flops - I think thongs affect your psyche!

Not bad considering that I have a 5.5yr old and a 2.5yr old at home full time (school starts full time in a week for my 5.5yr old! WOOHOO), I've got pregnancy nausea bouts kicking me along with the first trimester fatigue (no- its more than tiredness - its fatigue - think about it - I'm growing a WHOLE NEW PERSON!) and I have a cold.

Also while decluttering this week I have managed to put together 15 shopping bags of clothes, shoes and assorted bits and pieces to donate to the local charity box. My old clothes will do someone a heck of alot better than cluttering up the bottom of my wardrobe! 

So in 7 days I have managed to change my life. I'm more positive than I've ever been, I feel proud of myself, I feel I've done some good to a deserving charity, my kids and hubby are happier & I feel virtuous & worthy of respect! Yey for me!

FLYlady

Today is day 2 of my attempting the FLYlady program.

Last night I took the first step with "SHINE YOUR SINK". It looks fabulous. I was very proud of myself. I was up late doing it - but I did it. My sink is so shiny I can see my blurry self looking back at me!

Today I followed step 2 "GET DRESSED TO YOUR SHOES". I have to admit having read the purpose behind it made alot of sense and gave me that old feeling "well duh - why didn't I think of that?" Tonight I will maintain my shiny sink.

You see I've been looking online for months on how to be a better "50's Housewife" and I've been doing better than ever before. But.....I've found that occasionally I let it slide. So I was looking online for inspiration and guidance to keep me on track.

One of the ways I've been doing better is by keeping and maintaining my http://organizedhome.com/  Household Notebook/folder. It's helped me keep ontop of all the outings I've had to make (in combination with my awesome IPHONE - more on that later), the chores for the day & the meal planning/grocery shopping. The daily planner I now use is here .

My IPHONE's calender has been great for reminding me (thank you alarm/reminder function) for checking and making appointments when I'm not at home and it even makes my computer beep at me when I have to get ready for something. This week tho, I will also be adding the Cozi Calender to my Iphone as recommended by FLYlady.  I love that its an individual & a family calender, holds shopping lists that you can check items on and holds as many To do lists that you want. The best part is that I can be anywhere and check &/or edit those things while hubby can  log on at work and do the same thing.....he can also see that I've made an appointment he needs to attend or the list of things I want him to pickup on his way home.

FLYlady so far has really impressed me with her logical approach to making this easier. Nuggets of wisdom abound the site such as:
Make it a habit - so you don't have to think about it (something I'll need when I'm sleep deprived with bubs #3).
Start slowly so you don't discourage yourself - learn only 3 things at once.
Don't be hard on yourself - your only human.
You'd be surprised at how much you can do in 15 minutes!!!
Being a perfectionist can be whats holding you back from a happy home - you'll honestly feel better if its done wrong than if it's not done at all (when it comes to cleaning).
CHAOS (Can't Have Anyone Over Syndrome) is something I want gone from my life and ....
Clutter makes it harder to keep it clean - time to declutter & how!

OK so by now your probably wondering "WTF is a FLYlady"? Well simply its the lady who created the systems nickname (she likes fly fishing and considers herself a lady) but it also describes some of the things you start to do as you develop more and more positive habits. You take "FLYing Lessons" (Finally Loving Yourself) as you achieve more habits you can feel more and more proud of yourself! Something most of us could use!

So this is my gauntlet. I've thrown it down for myself. I started yesterday with something very simple - I made my sink shine. Today I got dressed to my shoes (check out her website for why shoes) and will keep my sink shiny. Tomorrow I will do the same. I will make positive habits a part of my life!

What are you doing to make your life the way you want it to be?

Quick Update.

Not in order - here is a quick view at my last few months.
1.       Had a great Christmas. Was spoilt rotten and spoiled my kids rotten too. We refuse to apologise for being consumerists. Did spend time making sure we appreciated the holiday spirit and the meaning behind the tinsel tho.
2.      Was crazy busy! Finally calmed down recently but I've been too fatigued/nauseated to make use of the free time so haven't managed to keep my house to the way I like it. Very embarrassing.
3.      New Years was great! New years resolutions made. Small BBQ with my Dad and Sam's brothers was nice. Was not impressed finding the Nintendo Wii full of coins tho!
4.      Travis has been put on Dexamphetamines for ADHD and is responding wonderfully. If you don't believe in either - I don't want to hear about it! We've seen GP's, a social worker, a paediatrician, a clinical phsyc, an Occupational Therapist, tried soooo many other "programs" and well meant suggestions over the years. We will keep trying tho and hope that one day he'll out grow the condition or his need for meds. If not - we'll still love him and try to be the best parents we can be. In the meantime - at least he can sit still long enough to get a decent education!
5.       I'm currently 6 weeks pregnant according to the doc (I bet you guessed that when I said I was nauseated didn't you!). Scan to follow in a week or so. We are thrilled and don't mind what sex the baby is - we just want them/it/he/she/jelly bean healthy! I'm due around the 10th of September 2011. This will make 3 kids out of the 4 that we eventually want to have. I'm doing ok but can't wait till the 2nd trimester begins and the nausea, fatigue & dizzy waves pass and I start to look pregnant.
6.       My nephew was born on Christmas Eve........Fox is amazing and we all adore him. I have to beg and fight for cuddles. Imzadi is handling it quite well (in no small part to Jo's wonderful guidance/parenting).
7.      I love Kaz Cooke. What can I say? The girl just tickles my funny bone in a way that has me rushing for the bathroom. She brings funny to a subject that no one else dares to while being unbiased, informative and reliable!
8.      My daughter just put the kitten in her dolly's shirt ......hmmmm better go help him out....

Love you all!
xoxoxoxo

Too busy

It's nuts around here! I swear I've never been this flat out in my entire life (ok Maybe cashiering that  "000 sale" was slightly worse LOL). But I've never had it be this relentless. The worst part is - it's not going to get much better anytime soon - infact with school holidays rapidly approaching it's going to be worse for awhile!

So while my iphone has proven its worth a million times over with its awesome calender & alarms functions, I am going to have to use it some more - I'm going to have to BOOK IN "ME TIME"!

I simply have too many things going on at the moment (which includes people coming over regularly so I can't let even the dishes slide a bit!). What with my 2 adorable kiddies, 1 exhausted "hubby", 1 cat and a new kitten, a bunch of appointments every week for my son, his kindy (and all those special things that come with it like b'day parties, extra Xmas cards, meetings with teachers, assemblies etc), regular household chores, family commitments (I refuse to give them up.) & gearing up for Xmas all demanding my time (plus the occasional bout of insomnia making me zombie like for a week while I try to catch up on sleep) - I'm exhausted and using my addiction to facebook to steal "me time". 

Now I know I'm not alone here! How many times have I smiled at someone in the shopping centre, trying to bring just a little happiness to someone who is looking a little frazzled only to have them not notice because they're operating on auto pilot.....probably a million or more times. The funny thing is tho - did you ever notice how many more of us turn into zombies (just with big plastic grins) around Xmas?

So I'm going to do something about me - I'm not going to pretend to feel cheer - I want to actually feel it - I LOVE CHRISTMAS! I LOVE the spirit of it (not the presents but the family and friends, the extra helpings of tolerance, of goodwill and charity that we all make an effort to show)!

So since I can't do my usual pattern when I get a case of "The Shoulds" (see i-just-dont-feel-like-it blogpost), I'm going to try to stave it of for a little bit with some booked time out. 1 day a week where I don't clean (except the dishes and the kids),1 day a week where if I book an event for that day - it includes a glass of wine to unwind with, and 1/2 hour every morning during Emy's nap time that I facebook with a cup of hot coffee (no racing around after its made until you get half a sip of cold coffee - Travis can sit in his room and play or watch a DVD or draw it doesn't matter - aslong as it's quiet and calming)! 

It may not seem like much - but for me - those are the things I need to feel human, to feel alive, to feel like myself and not just my family's secretary. Hopefully this will hold of The Shoulds until after the Xmas rush - when I get a chance to have hubby home and so a bit of a holiday (lets face it - we all love it when Daddy takes the kids for a few hours no matter how much we love them :P )

How do you cope when it gets busy? What helps you get through the "silly season"?

Oh and BTW - Sam turned 30 last week! Please tell him he's not old - because it's my turn in March !! LOL!

Cooking with kids....

Travis is learning to cook. He is 5 years old and into cars and construction in a big way - but cooking is something I've had to encourage. And I do - that is I do encourage Travis to learn to do "domestic chores" - exactly the same as I encourage Emy (the only difference is the allowance for age).
Gender on the domestic front for us is a non issue. The fact is that I CHOOSE (and it's still my choice) to stay at home with the kids. Sam is learning to cook regular meals (he was darn good with a waffle iron and could make hot dogs but that's it when I met him) and he enjoys it now that he does it about 50% of the time (we alternate the cooking & the kids showers routine).
Anyway I digress as usual. Cooking with kids is a fun, messy and often wonky affair. Travis is good at it when he is in the mood for it - otherwise he's just trying to wait till he can sneak away.
The one thing I can always get him to cook is biscuits! He prefers fancy biscuits but he will happily cook plain biscuits if he gets to ice them. Shapes are a little funky but they still taste great :D

Travis' favourite plain biscuit recipe is from the good old CWA cookbook.

ICED BISCUITS (53rd ed, pg 241)

Cream 125gm butter & 1 cup of sugar together. Add 1 egg (beaten), a dash of your choice of flavoured essence (we like vanilla) and 2 cups of self raising flour. Mix until forms a stiff dough. Roll out onto a lightly floured surface till 5 mm thick. Cut with biscuit cutter into your preferred shape and and put in the oven on a non stick pan (moderate heat) till slightly golden - 10 mins approx. Biscuits will stiffen on cooling and are great with a glass of cold milk!

Enjoy!

Eating Out With Little Kids!

Let's face it - when we go out to a restaurant we're usually not thinking of the kids; we're thinking of a nice meal with hubby or catching up with friends and family. We're thinking the kids will wear that cute outfit and everyone will think they're adorable and charming.

We are all mad!!We're mad to try to wrangle children when they're all hyped up and excited into an environment that requires them to be quiet, still and require little to no attention - apart from praise. IT NEVER HAPPENS!

That is why I was so very proud of my kids last Tuesday night! Both of them behaved as well as I could have asked at while out to celebrate DH's new job.  They weren't perfect - but they did as well as I've ever seen a child do! Afterwards (and again the next morning) I was able to "descriptively praise" the kids' behaviour and I took great joy in announcing that because they had been so good we would be able to do it again - maybe next time with some more people!

They we're polite, not screamy, ate every bite they could fit - without a fuss, didn't make a mess, enthusiastically coloured in the papers they were given and were generally pleasant to be around. So by now if you know me and my kids - your probably saying "yeah right - bull***" or "OMG Wow!!".

But the thing is - it was because of me - that they were so good! (self congratulations count!!!)

You see, when Travis was little I did a lot of research on places to eat and how to take kids out without being the embarrassed Mum standing out front of the restaurant alternatively pleading or growling for the kids to behave - as I was sure I was going to end up!  It's taken time and quite a few moments of embarrasement - but finally we're happy with our "eating out manners".

The main thing all sites said was "practice". So we did. We eat out with the kids when we can and expect the same good manners at a HJ's as at a good restaurant (except there is a playground time instead of deserts at HJ's).

Another thing they said was to "pre-prepare the evening". So we do: naps are had early, the kids are told what will happen in advance and how we expect them to behave. We pack a mini bag of quiet entertainments in case of boredom or delayed meals.

Also to "know your limits". When the meal is over we don't push it - we head home (its usually past bedtime by then and the kids are getting tired). We book tables earlier so that we're not eating when they're trying to go to sleep. But if we want to hang around - we make sure that we have extra entertainments on hand and the kids know that at a certain point they have to sit and have quiet cuddles until its time to go.

I cobbled together a list of restaurant desirables to cater to our needs. The restaurants have to have:

1) kid friendly meals - well that's obvious right? There's no point in paying for a meal that they won't eat!

2) high chairs. Again a basic - if they cant see the plate......

3) family atmosphere. I refuse to be glared at when my children occasionally get too loud or I am heard to ask "Do you need to poo?" or "Did you poo or have you just farted?" (yes I say fart to my kids - but they don't say it back!).

4) background noise. A silent place makes us stick out like a sore thumb! We're pretty loud people and as a family there's no way we can all be whisper quiet!

5) kids meals delivered first. There's nothing worse than kids waiting for dinner but not being able to move. They're not very patient at all! Not to mention they take three times as long to eat half as much! If a child's meal is delivered 1/2 hour before mine I'm probably still going to finish before them!

6) patient & forgiving wait staff. My last waiter had to clean up 2 spills, fetch extra napkins and had to stop by twice as often at our table for extra lemonades and Mummy's cocktails :D (yes we did make a point of tipping the awesome fellow)!

7) children's entertainment. A playground is nice - but I'm not talking about going to Micky D's here so there are very few places that have this. All I'm talking about is something simple; a TV (music videos work on my kids), an environment that invites questions and conversations from young minds, a colouring page and crayons etc etc.

8) a fair price. Yes it seems obvious but family's will come out more often if they can afford it without having to save for months! 

So all in all we have been to a few places that are great with kids but our favourite (that also happens to be closest to us atm) is Hogs Breath cafe. They go as far as to treat the kids like people - not just an attachment to the people with money. It has everything we could ask for and even the gentlemen at the front counter makes a point of offering a balloon at the end of the evening and shaking my sons hand (makes him feel like such a big boy that hes simply bursting with pride on the way home).
We will be going back.........at the very least for one of their yummy cocktails :P

House Proud

Ok, so not long ago I posted about the 1950’s woman and my attempt to emulate her “house proud” lifestyle.  I promised to keep you updated and so here I am ...trying not to boast :D

 I haven’t been perfect and my house is not shiny by anyone’s standards but I’m doing better!  My house is now consistently “visitor clean” 3 out of 7 days a week. By that I mean that if a visitor knocked on my door without warning on one of those days – I wouldn’t be embarrassed about the state the house was in! On those days the dishes are done and the floor is vacuumed. On the other days the house is generally tidier than it would have been before but I’d still be wincing inside if someone saw it.

I’ve also done a lot better with “hubby”.  I complain about my day (usually about whatever stopped me from getting things done) a lot less and surprisingly it’s had an unexpected bonus.....when I do complain now – he listens more!  We still have trouble keeping the house quiet when he comes home – but he he’s absolutely loving the coming home greetings. The kids even love doing it!

I do better with my appearance and feel better for it. I still have days (especially when I’m PMS’ing or when I was flu-ey) when I just can’t work up the effort to do more than be “not shameful”.  I’m particularly proud of my makeup. I bought a kewl brush set and I’m learning how to use it – so there is a difference between my 3 makeup stages now (excluding none at all; Mascara, concealer & lippy aka basic day wear.  Day wear plus & VIP occasion.)  Hubby has noticed and he makes a point of saying how much he likes it and is proud of my efforts.

When the weather is nice the kids are getting some outside time but the exercise on other days is not happening as much as I’d like. But then again – exercise isn’t one of my favourite things either.  :P  Travis has been given a couple of chores and he’s doing ok with them. He seems pleased to have them and loves it when we say thank you for doing them –  but it’s very hit and miss as to whether it gets done.

 I’m working towards my goals every day and I’m slowly getting there.  Getting slowly better with every week that goes by is pretty good if you ask me.  I’m proud of the progress I’ve made.

In taking my “don’t sweat the small stuff” advice, I try to no longer focus on the things I haven’t accomplished during the day and focus on what I have done.  So the most important thing I think I’ve accomplished – is feeling better about myself and making those around me feel just a little bit happier for it too! 

I just dont feel like it!!!!!!!!!

Yep another day gone by and it's been too long since I've blogged. Well I have news for you - I just don't feel like it!

But the problem is that it's not just blogging that I don't feel like doing. It's everything!
You know the kinda day where you end up just pottering around the house going "I should do this" and "I should do that" but you don't. Or you do it ....sort of.

My father recently explained to me that he was suffering from a case of "The Shoulds". I mentally giggled like
a child, thinking that it sounded like a case of "The Runs" with the inflection he put upon it. A little bit further into the conversation & I menally patted myself on the back - yep a case of  "The Shoulds" is about as fun and appealing as facing a case of "The Runs".

Shoulds are all the things you know you have to do. You know - the things that stop you from having fun.
You should: wash the dishes, vacuum the carpet, mop the tiles, do some laundry, weed the back lawn, do your filing, pay that bill, drop of the dry cleaning, make something healthy and/or new for dinner etc etc.
When what you really want to do is say "Bugger this!! I'm going to...." go see a friend, have a glass of wine with hubby, go out to dinner, go swimming at the beach, play that video game, take the kids to a fun park, buy a new handbag etc etc.

Getting a case of "The Shoulds" means that all those Should things that are normally just unappealing, banal or indifferent tasks become absolutely repugnant and offensive.

I sat there in amazement staring at my father as he carefully explained (in slightly different words) another part of his lifes learning for the hundredth time - and I finally just got it! It clicked!
When you have a case of "The Shoulds" - give yourself permission to do something on the "want to list"!
Of course, I'm not saying that we do it all the time - just when it becomes a severe case (and that it wont leave you in financial difficulty). I mean it's simple: Every now and then - ignore your chores and do something for you - & don't feel guilty about it!

You'll feel better for it and you'll tackle those "Shoulds" alot better afterward!

So there I was: sitting at my Dad's place feeling guilty about not being at home cleaning with Sam for the rent inspection. I'd already made it half way - I was doing something on my "want to" list, but I hadn't quite finished it. I decided then and there to not feel guilty anymore. I was gonna enjoy my little holiday at Dad's and go back renewed.

It' worked! I went home a few days later and made Sam feel a hero for his efforts and attatcked my shoulds with vigor!

Today: I'm playing on the computer and letting the kids run around almost nude and watch videos (sometimes kids get it too!). Tomorrow: Busy work!

Camping Goddess

Not everyone loves camping & anyone who has met my fiance would believe that Sam is one of  "those hotel only snobs". However, you would be wrong! Sam has shown an interest in going camping lately that has got my flagging country girl spirit all in an uproar. The moment he mentioned going I put a big tent on layby (he's pretty tall after all and the last thing we need is to have him throw his back out from stooping to get in the tent) and started salivating over the many camping grounds and exciting places we could visit.
A week ago we finished paying the layby off. I am stoked!

The tent is HUGE! A 12 person tent should be but I have some very vivid memories of being squashed with my then 10 year old sister into a 4 person tent. So I completely expected it to be alot smaller than it is. It easily has enough room for tall Sam and sprawling sleeper me in one "room" and the kids in another "room" with our gear at our feets and the communal gear in the "family room".

I fully expected Sam to have lost interest in it by this time - but I was determined to get the kids a chance to enjoy the bush (or atleast a caravan park). Surprise surprise - Sam is still keen on it and since I've still got most of my old gear I only have a few things left to pick up.
That is - to get it to a level that I would call comfy.
Since we're talking about the man who beleived that when I said I grew up in a country town, that I meant I grew up in a shack - hillbilly style - and was surprised when I took him to a town with a shop and *gasp* brick houses! I'm determined not to shock him with our first camping experience so I've been slowly introducing him to the process of setting up camp (and warned that we will probably be tired and a mite grumpy from the long drive to our camp spot with kids who aren't used to it when we put the tent up) and now we're in the process of getting those extra things that make camping more enjoyable.
Nothing like the old days - you know when you used to sit on a log around the fire in the 3 layers of clothing you wore yesterday and the day before, frantically trying to think up another card game you can play so you don't have to go to bed and be in all that quiet darkness imagining all sorts of creepy crawlies heading your way with the axe murderers and baby eating dingoes. Eeeek!
So we're kinda going luxury camping. Chairs (no dirty logs for us :P ), tables, air mattresses, mini shower, blankets (sleeping bags were the only thing I hated about camping), lots of lights, this kewl little air conditioning vent(for the kids day time naps only!) lots of enclosed mesh & space for everything - including a kitchen sink. Yep a kitchen sink.

We still need a decent esky (you know the ones rated for days not hours), another single blowup mattress, another portable gas bottle (incase our campsite/weather is not fire friendly), a radio (incase of Sam panic attack about the quiet/isolation) and a few more rechargable lights. After that we're out of here!

I imagine sitting out under the stars, a glass of vino in one hand and a marshmallow stick in the other while telling stories about how I used to go camping with my parents - the kids exhausted from a day of fresh air and lots of swimming and hiking are almost asleep and sitting quietly listening to us and the sound of the crikets. Armed with my new camping recipies - I'm proclaiming myself a camping goddess :D

1950's woman

The 1950's woman had alot of problems to face and only half the technology to get things done with. However there's a certain something about them that alot of women are trying to bring back.

It's called being "HOUSE PROUD"!

For the last few months I've tried to emulate some of the ideals of the stereotypical 1950's housewife. 

Ideals such as: That a good home is a clean one, a proud husband will try to make you proud also, children love to help you do things and are happier for being involved (even if it takes twice as long) & take time on your appearance - even if its just for around the house!

After reading alot of blogs, articles and excerpts from old books, I determined what I wanted to do - and failed miserably! I have now come to the conclusion that I tried to make too many changes at once. I am now ready to try again with a smaller start. 

My goals are: Don't sit down until you have done the dishes, tidied up, finished a load of washing & spent some time with the children. Do one big job a day. Greet hubby when he comes home from work as if he's been away for a week (big smiles, a hug and a kiss & spend a few minutes asking about his day). Make sure the kids get some "outside time" (something that wears the excess energy down) every day. Each child has a chore they must help you with (even if they have other chores of their own). Spend some time playing a game of their choice.

Dress in something that makes you feel pretty every day. Take the time to tidy yourself up before hubby comes home. Wear makeup (even if its just lippy & mascara) when you leave the house. Spend time reminding yourself of what it is you want to accomplish but don't sweat the small stuff.  Oh - and make time for friends & family (whether you visit them, they visit you or you meet them somewhere)!

I'll let you know how I go. :D

Why is breakfast so horrible???

Today is just like any other day in the never ending cycle of weeks since I've had children. The daily battle of the breakfast begins.

My alarm goes of and I stumble groggily into the shower. I come out desperate for coffee and determined to make myself proud today. I am going to GET THINGS DONE, I am going to keep my temper, I am going to have a good day with good children, I am going to do it all with grace. Well I am going to get there one day.....In the mean time lets just try to do better than yesterday!

I wake the kids gently with a nursery rhyme I once heard had positive effects on waking up positive..."Good morning, good morning, good morning to you". Travis was already awake and playing in his room, but we keep to the routine. He looks up at me and smiles. My heart sings with love and hope for a better day. "Time for breakfast Travis, I'll go wake Emy". I head into Emy's room to wake her. She is asleep in the cot (having decided to take her nappy off and wee in the other beds yesterday - and the mattress' still drying last night from their resulting wash and disinfecting) - with her nappy off. I groan thinking about having to wash another set of sheets instead of getting things on my list done. To my surprise, the bed is dry - she has not wee'd. I am grinning as I sing "Good morning, good morning, good morning to you." Emy flicks her eyes open slowly and upon seeing me she groggily gets to her feet and starts laughing. "Ok Emy, time for breakfast". A quick nappy change and I plop her happily into her high chair at the breakfast bar.

And here is where it turns every morning. Travis is not at his seat. He has to be called 2ce to come to the bench and threatened with a toy removal. He eventually comes and I take a deep calming breathe and paste a smile on my face. "There you are Travis - it's nice to see you". He grunts in reply. Another deep breath "OK time for breakfast". I put the kettle on and get out our bowls, spoons & cups.

Emy happily babbles to Travis until Travis starts swinging on the chair. "Travis, stop that! You'll break the chair and fall over" I throw over my shoulder as I pull the weetbix out of the cupboard. Chaos erupts: "I don't want yucky weetbix" "Emy is hitting me" Emy screams. "Stop hitting Emy" " But you love weetbix""Emy! Stop it!" "Stop swinging on your chair" "Don't spit!".

Some where along there I get breakfast served and the kids start to eat and I make my coffee. Before my first sip tho the chaos stops me and I loose my patience. "Eat your breakfast" "Leave your sister alone" "Emy, cut it out" "Don't throw your food" "Put that in your mouth" "Get back in your seat and finish your breakfast"

Toy removal, being sent to their room, all sorts of different breakfast cereals, time out routines, "nigh nighs", smacks & distraction techniques haven't improved this time of day at all. By the time breakfast has been eaten its an hour later and both the kids are wearing some of their food (sometimes I am too!) - as is the floor and the kitchen bench - I estimate a 70% maybe made it into their tummies.

They get down and head into the playroom laughing. I am stressed and angry and frustrated and barely holding on.

The rest of the day can either go downhill or up from here. Which ever it may be - my coffee is cold and I sigh as I go make another one while chanting "OK that's done. There's still time to make myself proud today. I am still going to GET THINGS DONE, I am going to keep my temper, I can still have a good day with good children and I am going to do it all with grace." *Sigh* "OK. Coffee first, then get them dressed then.... mutter mutter mutter"....

So Grateful

For my gorgeous children who are the light of my life, for good health, for a wonderful fiance, for a sister who forgives, a mother who always manages to rescue me when I don't know what to do, a father to ground me as a country girl, a family that always welcomes me, in laws that I count as friends, a roof over our heads, high speed Internet, the warm heater at my side, a cat that loves to cuddle, an oven that always works & makes me seem a better cook than I actually am, potty training - that's getting better, cuddles on a cold morning, air conditioning on a hot day, being able to go to the Perth royal show, tasty very vanilla coffees, Christmas music, Kindergarten, a few hours off, my awesome family who babysits!, the drive in cinemas, Chocolate, only mild Bipolar swings, friends that care & make me laugh, pantry full of food, a freezer full too & the ability to provide for my family.

I am so grateful. I have alot to be thankful for.

Catchup 2010

OK I'm going to try doing this again :P

I'm 29 now - and cautiously watching my 30th tick closer every day (eeek).

I have 2 kids. My Travis is 5 years old and enjoying Kindy 2 days a week. Emilienne (Emy) is 2 years old and only just starting to show signs of the "terrible twos" - but she still manages to be so adorable you barely notice.

The number of pets in our house has dropped quite a bit. Onyx passed away first, then the fish and then finally Rusty (RIP my darling). Slatez is staying with my Uncle near the beach and apparently loving it. We had a budgie for a few weeks but it too passed away. All in all we've had a pretty heartbreaking run with pets lately but Duckie (so name because he squeaked like a rubber ducky as a kitten) is now 1.5yrs and seemingly content to be cuddled by anyone.

I did a bit of Uni but since I was heavily pregnant when I got in - it was very difficult (not to mention expensive with full time day care) but I got sick too and that was the end of that for a while. I tried online Uni but the course blew my mind and I freaked out and haven't gone back again. Now I'm just waiting for enrollment to begin for a TAFE makeup course which sounds like fun.

Most of my days is spent running after the kids and cleaning the house. It's a very frustrating experience at times and so spiritually fulfilling at others that I feel like a yo-yo. I'm looking forward to taking the next step in our lives - whether that's another child, buying a house, moving house, moving country, getting married, Travis starting full time schooling or my starting part time classes.

I've been experimenting lately with adopting a bit of the 1950's women's lifestyle. Now don't get me wrong, I'm not even gonna try for perfect nor do I believe I'm less anything than a man (OK maybe they're stronger for the most part) but I'm trying to get to a point where I'm "house proud". It's taken me a while to get this far - "not ashamed of the messy house" :P My routines have taken a while to settle into something workable but with my health no longer troubling me I'm getting alot more done and there are days when I'm downright proud of myself.

Anyway, I'm looking forward to catching up a bit more often :)

Update!

Well it's been a long while since my last post and lots has happened. We decided against Jo'burg and have stayed in Perth, WA. Sam is now working at a University in a HR Management/Co-ordinator role and I'm waiting on my STAT test results to see if I can get into the same Uni to do an Architecture course (7 years full time to be an architect!!). I'm pretty sure I passed but nerves make me doubt it occassionally.
Travis turned two recently and I can't beleive how much he talks now. He's very opinionated (which was bound to happen with us as parents) - he knows what he wants and when he wants it. Cars, Pooh Bear, Tractors and Weet-bix are his favourite things at the moment. Although he's had the flu for a couple of weeks, we've been very lucky and he's as healthy as a horse again now. Very energetic.
I have decided to loose weight and gain some fitness in the attempt to feel better about myself and for the eventuality of my falling pregnant (we're trying again now). So far I've lost 8 kgs - but I have about 30 more to go! Last week I lost 1.3kgs!! Yey for weight watchers!!!
We've had a wonderful little holiday visitting my Dad with my sister and her fiance. It was nice to relax for a while and lots of fun (I got to use a chain saw!!) . But then who doesn't love rainy days infront of a fireplace with yahtzee and good coffee??
Have Fun!

New Member Of The Family

A few days ago while cleaning the Doves cage - Romeo escaped.
Unfortunately a neighbouring cat got to him before I did and all that was left was some white feathers on the front lawn. Juliet seems mighty sad some days.
Today on returning from a trip to my mum's we picked up a new member of the family - not a dove - but a cat. A black and white cat infact. All it took was one look and I was in love and knew he would be a happy addition to our household. I used to have cat that looked like him but he died of old age when I was in my teens (his name was Minstrel). We called this 8 week old furball "Onyx" (which is a black and white gemlike stone).
Rusty my 4yr old orange tabby cat took to him right away. Travis is fascinated by the tiny meöws the kitty makes but insists its a "dog-gey". Isn't he adorable?

Maybe Johannesburg? Pt 2

Well we got word today - inconclusive!
I't seems the lady whom Sam was to replace has decided to hold onto her job till January. Good news tho is that they want Sam to make sure he renews his passport for January and since he is the only candidate they are interviewing they expect to see him in mid January. But they have to save to official word of yay or nay till then.
I prefer to remain optimistic and enjoy our Christmas in Perth with our families and expect to miss the school holiday crowded flights to Jo'burg!
Hmmmm maybe I'll swim with a Great White Shark in Cape Town one holiday?

Maybe Johannesburg?

Sam & I have decided that if Sam is offered a job in Johannesburg (locals call it Jo'burg) that we will accept.

We know it has a reputation for being a crime haven and dangerous but after doing alot of research, I have found that we should be fine. Apparently the last few years have produced alot of change on the South African city and that while we still need to be careful and continuously aware of our surrounds - the crime is generally among the "rattier suburbs".

While initially hesitant about the move - the more research the better I felt about the idea of living in Jo'burg. Accommodation is cheap but of good quality & most have great security - particularly the newer areas in the Northern Suburbs. There's plenty to see and do and then again its only a hop (no skip needed) to places like Egypt, Morocco, Mauritius, France and Italy. But I'd love to see the Kruger National Park and the Nelson Mandela Museum!

We find out today if the position is his.

First Post!!

Hi!
My name is Cassie and this is my first blog.
I've decided to keep a blog because editting my website so frequently has become a chore to time consuming to maintain. My website is becoming my backup of files I want to share with friends and family. This blog is to keep people updated with how things are going in my life and that of my beautiful if fledgling family.