Mum told me that I have to update, so here it is!

3 weeks post op now and I am feeling pretty good. The recovery was not as hard as I thought, and I got back to running last week and have set myself a few goals whilst in training for my Mothers Day Classic fun run on May 10th. I’m looking for sponsors to keep to motivated so click here if you want to donate to Breast Cancer research and support me on my quest for a PB time. Thanks!!

It is Charny Carnival time again and I am running the Cake Stall and Cake Decorating Competition. It is always a great day out and lots of fun to see what everyone brings and buys from my stall.

Holly and Meg had their ears pierced about 2 months ago and things have been going really well. However a few days ago, Holly’s ear got quite infected so we were using antiseptic every few hours. One morning she woke up and the front of the stud was gone. The ear had closed over the top of it and pushed it through her ear and out to the back. I thought that it must have broken off but as I was cleaning away all the muck I saw the stud coming though. Ouch – no wonder she was crying! So I got it out and it is much better now, but she is a bit lop-sided with only the one earring in. Meg’s are still shiney and bright!

Today in Justin’s Nana’s birthday and we are all sending her lots of love. She is in a Nursing home and not very well, so our thoughts are with her and our spirits are high in wishing her a wonderful day. xxx

Next week the next installment of renovation rescue will see the gutters being replaced and the fascia repainted. We have had a major mouse/rat problem over the past few weeks so I am hoping this might patch a few holes were they are creeping in.

Time to go again. The school day just isn’t long enough. Surely these kids could go till 5pm at least!!

It is the wee hours of the morning and I couldn’t sleep because I’m admitted in a short while to have the gall bladder surgery. I haven’t been worried about it at all, and am not now, but I can’t help thinking that it is a teeny bit scary. I have been overwhelmed by my friends and their offers of help and good wishes. Miss B made me a zucchini pie and then last night dropped over a lasagna. And she is taking Jess for the day on Sunday. Precious Precious friends! I love you all.

This week Jess was quite naughty at dancing class and pretty much asked not to come back! The thing with Jess is that she is only 4 in the body of a 7 yr old, so people expect great things of her and yet she really is just a sleepy, dopey 4yr old! And I mean that in the nicest way – she is tired in the afternoon and has not got the concentration or attention to focus for 1 hour in a dance class. So I pulled her out and we’ll see what happens next year. I’m sure she’d be better off doing basketball or something a bit more physical. 🙂

Might go back to bed now and try to get a bit more sleep before the gets crazy. Have a great weekend.

These updates are getting few and far between!

Recent things happening in our world are that the renovations inside are complete. I am just finishing up this weekend with the last coat of paint on the windows and doors and then can move to the outside to get that painting done. The carpet cleaner come today and the carpet is sparkling. After last week when Amy did a No 2 by accident in the loungeroom and Meg walked it all over the house, it was diabolically urgent that it got done!! Happy Days.

My afterschool care is going well and the girls are enjoying having the company and the extras are loving our pool. Win-Win situation there.

Saw the surgeon re my gallstones on Monday and am booked in for next Friday (20th Feb) to have the gallbladder removed via key hole surgery. It is just an overnight stay, so I should be feeling well in a short period of time. I am thrilled that this is happening as I can’t wait to feel better again. He said my stones were most “impressive” and that one was so large it had probably been there for a very long time.

Jess starts preschool tomorrow. She is head and shoulders above the other kids, but she is used to that. She also started dance classes yesterday afternoon in Meg’s group, so she is a bit chuffed with herself. Preschool has a uniform and they get homework! Bring it on, she really needs the challenge and stimulation.

Holly begins Piano lessons tomorrow. They say it is good for the brain and helps with Maths. Given that the lessons are $25 per half hour, we’ll be assessing her natural talent pretty carefully!! She is loving her yr 3/4 class and given that she is ion yr 3, she is picking up a lot of extra stuff and growing up extra fast before my eyes.

Meg is enjoying yr 1. She is a free spirit my Meg, so nothing really phases her too much. Just goes with the flow and only gets upset if something really is against her peaceful judgment.

We are waiting patiently for tomorrow when Sascha will be induced with baby 2. My bet is that it is boy. Hope it goes smoothly and quickly Sash.

Till next time…..

Only 2 more days of school holidays and then back to the routine. The holidays seem to have gone really fast, I suppose because it has been busy with lots of things to do. Justin fixed the solar heating and today the pool has been a delicious 32 degrees. Might go back in soon.

Building has resumed (since Monday) and the doors between the eating area and the playroom have been replaced with sliding french doors and they look great. Can’t wait till they are stained and finished.

I did my 2 day course in Family Day Care last week and at the end of it, I decided to go it alone and not through FDC. There were too many requirements and restrictions that I thought we over the top for home care (I’m not a day care centre for heavens sake!). So we’ll see where things take me over the next few weeks.

The gall bladder has been playing up over the past week or so, leaving me feeling a bit off, so I’ll be glad to see the Specialist in about 10 days time. I’m sure it will be coming out.

Meg had her pool party last weekend and it was a hoot. She had lots of school friends over and they were in the pool pretty much the entire 3 hours. They are a nice bunch of children so it was a pleasure to have them all here.

Amy is wearing undies!! She goes to the toilet all the time now and would rather not wear a nappy. We are still having some accidents, but that is part of the territory I guess!! She is very proud of herself and announces to everyone that she did ‘wee wees on toilet’. Clever girl. When I have a bit more time next week, I’ll put up some photos.

Time to make the dinner……….. 🙂

Halfway through the month already!

Christmas was wonderful. Utterly, blissfully, fantastically wonderful. Thanks to Adas and Lin, our WA holiday was restful and eventful – the perfect mix of relaxation and outings. Truly, going there for a holiday is a REAL holiday. I didn’t have to cook or clean or drive anywhere. I felt a bit guilty being so lazy, but it was wonderful and they are wonderful, and we had the best time. Thank you so much xxx

So now we are back. It is hot and we are spending much time in the pool and with the girls friends over (to make up for the lack of playdates they had during the year when I couldn’t be bothered!). Holly had a sleep over last night, I am yet to see her, but I bet when she walks in the door she will be tired and grumpy.

My back in improving since I hurt it the second last day in Perth. It is now sciatica of the worst degree and yesterday I had acupuncture on it to alleviate some of the pain. It didn’t really work, but I am hoping for improvement over the next few days. if not, I may need another go. The needles didn’t hurt, but the massage and prodding after the needles did. I’m sure I have bruises 🙂

I’ve had a few shifts back at the Newborn Hearing Screening at the hospital and I remember how much I love it. I really love it. I wish that I could do it as my main job, but in a few years I’ll be in a better position to do it regularly. I just have to bide my time and get these kids off the school first. Not too long to go.

I was just looking back at my aims for 2008 and I achieved all of what I said I wanted to do (ie, 10km fun run, new wardrobes etc). This year, I want to do 2 x10km fun runs, finish the inside renovations, get started on the front landscaping and have the verandas rebuilt (after they were demolished in the roof renovations). I also wish for personal self satisfaction, as I am way too hard on myself. Self Confidence needs a good hard look at!!

So Happy New Year to you. Hope it is a great one. Love each day and live it too the full. Don’t sweat the small stuff and remember that everyone just wants to be happy… so let them!!

Hip Hip Hooray!!!!!!!!!!!!

Jess Amy and I had a photo with Santa yesterday at Brand depot. I thought I would never prise Amy off me, but she did sit still long enough. I was the only one smiling though! With thoughts of going to WA in under a weeks time I haven’t really given much effort to the girls presents, so it will be very low-key this year. With renovations and a trip to Perth I think that is enough!!

Speaking of the reno’s, we are nearly finished the painting, and then that will be it for out there. After new year, we’ll get the doors done and the verandahs back on upstairs (they had to to taken down because of the roof restoration). After that I dearly want the front yard landscaped and a courtyard built as it currently looks like the moon surface – bare and uninhabitable. All in good time is guess.

The last few weeks have been busy with Christmas Parties where I have been meeting up with old friends and remembering what their friendships meant to me. On Sunday I am standing in as God Mother to a very dear old friend’s daughters Christening, as the real godmother can’t make it, so that is very special to me. James and Ro will also be visiting this weekend and this will be a tough time for them as they would have had their baby with them this Christmas. I am so glad that both these friends make an big effort to keep in touch and are willing to accept me into their busy lives even though we don’t see each other all the time. It really is a blessing.

Holly and Meg were in a Dancing Competition weekend before last, and I am proud to say that they both came first in their sections. They both got trophies and sashes and medals and certificates, so you can imagine how thrilled both they and I were. Holly also came away with the Teachers Award, which is for the girl who has manners and is happy and polite (you know the drill, a delight to teach…blah blah blah), and they added that she has so much potential she could go on to be a great champion. The day before this event Holly was going to give it up, but now she reckons she’ll give it another year!

Lots more happening, but I am getting interrupted by the kids. Have a great Christmas.

December already. Summer time. Yippee. Lots has been happening here it is again in point form!

* Had the heart monitor on for 24hrs. Looked like I was wired for electric shock therapy, but told everyone I was getting a boob job. Doubtful anything will show up in the results as I had an ‘event free’ stint.
* Had my abdominal ultrasound and Barium meal testing yesterday. Abdominal ultrasound showed up Gall Stones! After much Google searching found the causes of GS are poor functioning of the gall bladder, being near 40 yrs of age, being female and high levels of estrogen from pregnancy. Given that I have had a few pregnancies in my time, it might be due to that. GP must have the results as she just called and wants to see me! The Barium Meal testing was awful. I had to have a needle with stuff in it that slowed down the muscles in the gastrointestinal tract, then swallow 500ml of “something” that was the consistency of plaster of paris. Had to have a series of x-rays to see the stuff going down the tract. Don’t know the results of that yet, but it was trying to find a Hiatus Hernia.
* seeing the cardiologist tomorrow.
* Bought some Christmas lights to put up outside so as not to be totally outdone by friends up the road whose place looks like Disneyland.
* Chickens have found their laying mojo with as many as 5 eggs a day so far. They LOVE Justin – the food god. When he goes into the cage they squat down and fluff out their wings for him to pat them. He thinks that by tomorrow they will have erected an idol figurehead of him made of sticks and leaves.
* Holly was student of the week last week and got a certificate for great maths work.
* Jess has comes along on leaps and bounds at swimming lessons – we changed her class because of the teacher, and now she has a man who is terrific. She floats on her back on her own now – huge!
* Amy is discovering Christmas – trees, candy canes, presents, decorations. Every week at playgroup we have been making decorations for the tree and today made angels with hand print wings and Styrofoam cups for dresses. Can you imagine what out tree looks like – homemade heaven!!
* Jess had her Possums Christmas concert and party on the weekend. They sang a few songs and it was gorgeous. She was the tallest of all the kids and confidence to boot. I’m so proud of her. She is kind hearted and loving and social beyond my imagination. She is going to love family daycare next year. I’ve put in my application forms and am waiting for an interview.
* Also at playgroup today we had a hens party for one of the mums who is getting married next week. We made her wear a veil and we drank sparling apple cider in champagne flutes. The kids thought we were mad!
* Plastering has begun today. Hoping that only takes a week, then we can paint.
* Got a dinner this week with an old work crowd at the yacht club. 2 dinners next week with various friends and work.
* 20 sleeps till we head West. The kids can’t wait to get on the plane and wonder wistfully if Adas and Lin will remember them!

I’m sure there is more, but that is all I can think of right now.

xxx

It has been a busy few weeks and in a nutshell this is what’s been going on here….

* Moved Amy to her big bed after several Houdini escapes from the cot. She loves it.
* Renovations have finished up to a point. Waiting for the plasterer next week and then painting can start.
* Meg took off the training wheels and now speeds along. Her new lease on life has seen her out at 7am every morning practicing with Addy but they were having a bit too much fun and a neighbour complained!
* Jess and a friend were having some fun and I discovered they pulled out a very neat row of box hedges that another neighbour had painstakingly planted. Quickly replanted them and hoped for no drama.
* Overheard Meg telling above mentioned neighbour that Jess had pulled out box hedges. #%@!*&%
* Thought about moving house
* Have been super busy finalising enrolments for next years Playschool group as per my Enrolment Secretary job. I’ll be glad to hand that job over.
* Fainted at work and ended up at Emergency having an ECG and Blood tests. All normal – again.
* Am waiting for appointment with cardiologist and also chest x-rays, abdominal ultrasound and Holter monitor for 24hrs.
* Got 2 charms for my Pandora Bracelet – didn’t want to die with no charms!!
* Chickens are starting to lay, but Tweety likes to lay near the carport. She jumps the fence, lays her egg in a hole she dug, them jumps back into the pen. Weird or wonderful?
* Vegie patch is hooting along with lots of growth. Soon we’ll be having lettuce and tomatoes, with eggs and basil and coriander and other stuff too. Can’t wait.
* Decided to do family day care next year and take in 2 kids a few days a week. Pay is $3.70 per child, per hour, so while I am not going to make my fortune I am going to have company for Jess and Amy, rather than me fork out plenty of money for activities to keep them entertained. Quite looking forward to it. Have to do a first aid course (booked for January) and some training with Family Day Care. With collapsed day care centres all over the place, won’t be short of children wanting a spot!
* Looking forward to Perth Holiday in one month. So need a break with the smiling happy faces of Adas and Lin.

That is probably about it.

Have a great weekend!

It is funny how things just plod along for a while and then something happens to make you realise that the kids are growing up and the days are ticking away at an alarming speed.

Amy has given up her cot and is now in a big bed. It happened over a few days, when she came out after being put to bed and then not being in her cot yesterday when I went to get her up, but actually asleep in Holly’s bed. So I moved a few things, packed up the ever faithful cot and now she has a big girl bed in her room. Last night she was eager to get to bed, about 7pm and didn’t wake till after 7 this morning, so my fears of her walking around the house at midnight were unfounded! She just wants to be like her big sisters and has so much determination. She is a bright spark for sure.

And Meg….progressed to riding without training wheels on her bike. She is so proud of herself. It took her awhile to have enough confidence to take them off, but on the weekend the little boy up the road took his off, so Meg was spurned on (not to be outdone by a 5yr old) and now there is no stopping her. She was even out at 7.30am today getting in a few laps of the street.

Renovations are nearing completion, but the plaster needs to come and then the painter. Looking good though.

That is it for now.

A little holiday today in honour of a horse race. Don’t really care about the race, but happy to have a sunny day to chill out while chaos is still reigning here.

Renovations are making headway, but there is an inch of dust over everything, and the carpet is so dirty it is embarrassing. We can see the light at the end of the tunnel and I think that makes me even more frustrated at this point. I just want to clean up!

Great news this week with the arrival of Matt and Penny’s baby girl Adele Mary. Another little niece for us and number 10 grandchild for Mum and Dad. As soon as I heard it was a girl, I raced upstairs to the baby clothes store cupboard and put the clothes into a box. This child will never want for anything!

We went to Brisbane last weekend for Emily and Scott’s wedding and it was great fun. 3 days away while Kate bravely minded the girls. We loved every minute of it. The wedding was lovely, the reception lots of laughs and meeting up with cousins and extended family was a blast. Em was a beautiful bride.

I’ve been having some health issues over the last weeks, heart palpitations mainly. Had an ECG which found an irregularity related to the valves not closing properly. Made an appointment with the cardiologist and got in in February! I guess there are a lot of people in the same boat. Meanwhile, I have been taking a puffer, antibiotics and an indigestion tablet to cover all the bases of what else might be causing this problem. I can’t take the antihistamines anymore, so I am back to square one with irritated skin and big itchy welty bumps on my face. I am really not feeling or looking my best.

Hope you win some money on the race today!