What a Day!

Well what a day today was.  I am really wishing that I had had a glass of wine this afternoon to settle the nerves.

The day started out well, even though it was a little rushed.  After doing the kindy run I headed back to school to see the boys run in their cross country race.

They both did really really well.  S ran first in the year 1 boys race, and he came third.  I was so happy for him because he was so chuffed with his achievement.

J ran next in the year 3 boys race and came 15th, out of maybe 30 boys, so I was rapt for him.  He doesn't really enjoying running at all so I was really proud of the effort that he made.  He ran a good pace the whole race, and it was a long race and it was very hot.

Obviously it took a bit out of him, because about half an hour after I got home I got a call from the school to go and pick him up because he had a migraine.  He has suffered from headaches before, but I can't remember him having had a migraine.  I have always wondered if any of my boys would suffer from them because both my father and my younger brother suffered from them until their 20's.

I brought him home, gave him some nurofen and a cold face washer and managed to get him to go to sleep.  After a 3 hour sleep he woke up much better.

Prior to having to go and get him, I had an accident in the carpark at school.  I am so annoyed with myself.  Some silly twit had parked their car illegally behind me so it was difficult for me to get out, well I thought it was, who knows if it really was.  But in my attempts to get out I have swiped the nice Silver Mercedes parked beside me.  Thankfully the owner was quite nice about it.  He just sort of said that it was just one of those things that happens.  Even though we have insurance, even paying the excess at the moment is just an expense we didn't need.

So I will be glad when today is over and I can't start again tomorrow.

I have such a busy week this week, today is only Tuesday, and I am exhausted already.  The boys finish school this week and start Easter holidays next week.  I really needed to visit the dentist and get my haircut this week, but I just won't have time.

I am having trouble trying to work out when I can even get my groceries delivered!

Speaking of which I had better not sit at this computer any longer, and go and get a few things organised for tomorrow.

Harmony Day

Today our children recognised Harmony Day.  Orange is the chosen colour for Harmony Day and the kids could buy an orange ribbon.  Last year the children could dress up in orange if they wanted to for a gold coin donation.  The ribbon is a much better idea, because if you don't have anything orange in your wardrobe, you have to go and get something, well you don't have to, but the kids like to join in.

Unfortunately, I didn't get to listen all of the school assembly, because my youngest boy had found a couple of his friends and was pushing the boundaries as to how far he could go, so I kept having to go and tell him to come back and be quiet.  He was terribly behaved, just enough to break my concentration.  My daughter is the one that makes more noise when she squeals with delight.

We missed all of the prayer service and just got back in time for the "Amen".

So I didn't really get much information about what the children had been learning about.  There was some talk of the bush fire and flood victims.  

The children have organised for a garden of rememberance and all of the primary students had decorated their own wooden spoon and would be putting them in the garden.  Each class seemed to have some kind of wrapped gift, but unfortunately I didn't get to hear what that was about or who they were for, so I will have to ask the boys when they get home.

I feel like some days are really hard work for me and I get quite emotional sometimes, particularly the more hours that Geoff works, the more it seems to have an impact on myself, and the children too.

But then you just need to turn your mind to the men, women and  children of this world who are truly suffering.  Bush fires, floods, cancer, mental illness, poverty, disease...and the list could go on and on.

So really I should count my blessings and direct my energy towards people that need it more than I do.  It was pleasing to see Australians support the victims of the bushfires and floods, in a time when families really don't have any spare cash and need every penny they can get to pay their bills and put food on the table.

There really is always someone that is worse off.

Happy Harmony Day!

Another Day Goes By...

Well I don't really feel like posting anything today, one of those days where I certainly don't feel too excited by anything that occurred.  Am feeling a bit low, I think just because I am really tired.  The kids have been waking me a lot during the night for the last few weeks and I really would love a few good night's sleep.

Yesterday my eldest boy had the day at home because he wasn't feeling well, he had had some bad headaches, and I thought he needed a day at home to rest and get better.

We looked after my niece Shanti for a few hours and that was very exciting.  E was really happy to have Shanti around.  I will post a couple of photos of her.  She is so sweet and is certainly getting bigger.  It had been a few weeks since I had seen her and she is more awake these days.  I was really chuffed that they asked me to look after her, and I would love to be able to help them out if they needed it.

Last night I went to an information evening at Kindergarten.  The speaker didn't hold a lot of interest for me, I thought she had some interesting comments to make, but she wasn't the best speaker that I had heard on the topic of raising children.  It will be interesting to see what some of the other mothers thought of her, I will get their comments next week.  You sometimes come away from those sorts of things thinking that you are the worst mother in the world and your children are going to end up in a psych ward!

I had a bit of running around to do today and didn't get my house in order or the chance to put my feet up.

So I am now off to bed in the hope I wake tomorrow feeling more energised.

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Isn't she sweet.

Little Champions

I had a really hectic day today.  J and S had their swimming carnival today.  It started at lunch time.  

J swam one race, freestyle and came fourth.  I was really impressed at how straight his stroke was, I was really really happy with how he swam.  He wasn't feeling too well so to get fourth was quite the achievement.  After that he really wasn't well at all and didn't swim in any of his other races, in fact he ended up sleeping in sick bay for the remainder of the carnival.

S swam really really well too.  He came third in his freestyle race.  He complained after that, that he didn't want to swim in any other races, he thought he only had to swim in one.  I ignored that complaint and then he took himself off to his other races without comment.

Not sure where he came in his backstroke but he did well.  Once again I was impressed with his straight stroke.  His last race, the ball race, he came second so he was pretty happy with himself.  He really got into the spirit of cheering on his house mates.

I had lots of running around this afternoon because I had to still drop the other kids I take to golf off.  J didn't go.  It was around 5ish before I even got home, after I went and picked up my two littliest from their Nan's house.

Tomorrow is little E's last swimming lesson at Shaplands.  I am very sad to be discontinuing her lessons, but I need to do what suits our family (and me) best.  The less places I have to run to and from the better.  I think the thing I am saddest about is that she won't get to see the two little girls that she swims with, because she loves her swimming lesson and her friends.

Willow Tree

Here are some photos of my Willow Tree figurines.  I can't exactly pinpoint what it is about the Willow Tree collection, but I think they are beautiful.  The figurines themselves I think are beautiful, but also the message and story that comes along with them.  I have on occasion given them to a few friends as gifts, and I can always find one that I think is appropriate.

The man and woman embracing was the first one that I ever bought, and I actually gave it to Geoff one Christmas.  Seems strange I know, but it is called "Promise".  I think when he opened it he thought it was a little odd that I would give him a figurine.

This represents my family, mother, father and four children.  The mother holding the two children is called "Quietly", which my house is far from quiet.  The boy holding the gold heart is called "Heart of Gold" and I do think that my eldest son truly does have a heart of gold, because he is always thinking of his brothers and his sister and does think of others before he thinks of himself, a quality that I hope he keeps.

Cards

Here are some of the cards I made this Friday night

This paper range is just beautiful.  You can't really see from the photo but it is glittery, really sweet colours.  Its actually an Easter range from Imaginesce called "For Peeps Sake".  I wish I had a better photo.

This is a card I made for my son's 8th birthday, which was a week ago, but better late than never.  The paper is Basic Grey and the stamp set is just great value at only $6.  There were other stamps as well as the robot.

My Space

I have really enjoyed checking out other scrappers creative work spaces when floating around on various blogs.  Some of them are indeed very impressive.  It has taken me a year to get it under control but I think I have a pretty good space too.  I took a photo of it this morning because it is very tidy at the moment, it has taken me awhile to de-clutter, and it doesn't last long so I thought I had better take the opportunity for a photo whilst I could.

So here it is......

Nothing flash.  Geoff moved offices a couple of years ago now and I took the opportunity to grab the old receptionists desk.  It had been in storage for awhile but came up quite nicely after a clean up.  Geoff only just a week or two ago added the return you can see on.  We were unsure whether it would clog up the doorway too much, but it fits nicely.  And its good because it also comes with three extra drawers which my daughter loves to empty out.  My plan is to put my sewing machine on the return so that it is accessible for me to use for mending ... and for scrapping.  At present it is where I stack up all the kindy stuff I need to do.

You can see my two Chatterbox totes, which I just love.  A friend that came through my house recently commented on my luggage and how nice they looked.  I don't think she realised they were for my scrapping stuff, and that they were just my luggage.

The green drawers I got from crazy clarks and they hide a multitude of things, eg. receipts, scissors, pens, stamps I keep for Mum, some ink pads, buttons, photo cds the kids bring home from school ... all sorts of goodies.  It was always my intention to get some more to go the full length of the desk, but I need some space for other things too.

Now you will notice the West Tigers Premiership signed and framed jersey.  This does not belong to me.  It is one of my husband's prized possessions, I am sure one of the first things he would grab in a fire, and I have the pleasure of looking upon it.  Also there are framed photos of his grandfather's West Tigers club photo that he presented to Geoff a couple of years before he passed away.  Very treasured possessions.  I had them framed for Geoff one year for Valentine's Day.

These are some little teacups a friend gave me for Emma that I think are really cute.  She broke the teapot in the set so she didn't want it anymore.  Its pottery so I haven't given it to Emma to play with ... or the rest would get broken, but I think they are really sweet.  The red flower was one I bought to wear to the Daniel Morcombe ball so I had something red.  Also there the childrens' hand and foot prints that we did when they were each 4 weeks old.

Just a few more of my favourite things, my ipod puppy the kids bought for me a few Christmasses ago, the styrofoam Santa my son made in Prep last year, cross stitch my mother made for me.  Notice the blue and gold, two small glitters I bought from Daisys on Friday night.  I noticed them when I was leaving and I just love the colours.  As well as having a stamp addiction at the moment, I am quite partial to glitter.  Much to Geoff's disgust as it tends to end up in his new car on a Friday night.

Just to prove to you that generally my house is messy and disorganised, this is just a small corner of my bedroom, a rocking chair piled high with mending, stained washing that needs attention, outgrown clothes and all sorts of other things, that one day I will get to.

It is so nice to have this lovely organised area for me to be creative and scrap ... all I need now is the time to sit and scrap!!!

My Big Boy is 8!

My day today didn't go as I would have liked.

I had two boys keep me awake last night with illness.  The main problem seemed to be headaches.  Had to keep up the Nurofen and sips of water all night.  So no sleep for me last night.

I had lots of plans for my day today, none of which included having 3 kids in tow, so I had to make new plans.

My first born celebrated his 8th birthday today.  He was very excited when he woke up, and even more excited when he opened his presents and there were some Pokemon cards.  We gave him a nice watch which he said was great, so I was happy about that.  He also got some new clothes, some Ben 10 pyjamas and his Aunty Michelle sent him a Star Wars game and Light Saber for his Wii.

I packed him off to school with 3 tupperware containers of cupcakes, which I am a little nervous about because my containers didn't come home with him.  I didn't pick him up, a good friend kindly offered to take him to his swimming lesson and drop him home afterwards.  That was good timing because Thomas was having a sleep and I certainly was not going to take sick kids to sit by a pool in the rain.

I spent the day playing Nurse and dealing with 3 kids.  It had its many ups and downs.  I made two chocolate cakes, which when I was making them realised I had put in too much caster sugar, but didn't think it would make much of a difference.  But then they didn't come out of the cake tin in one piece.

My son had requested for his birthday cake a Pavlova in the shape of a ghost.  Quite a challenge.  Unfortunately I didn't have enough eggs to make meringue.  I only had two eggs which is why I made the cake.

Then my friend Heather said she would drop off some of those little meringue cases.  

I made some chicken rolls up for dinner.  I flattened some chicken breast and then put some ham, spinach and camembert on top and rolled them up.  I was pretty happy with them.  It all got eaten so everyone else must have been happy with them too.

The meringue shells didn't quite turn out the way I wanted them too.  I topped them with strawberries, a scoop of ice cream and then tried to mound some cream to make them look like little ghosts.  I used two smarties for eyes.  I had to work pretty quickly because the ice cream was melting.  I probably would have been better off without it.  But with what I had the time to work with they were ok.

Both my sick boys have gone to bed ok, so hopefully they get a good night's sleep.

If T is well enough to go to kindy, I am actually on roster.  I am not sure what I would prefer, him to be home sick, or to go to kindy but me to be on roster.   I really am just too tired.

I haven't had a decent night's sleep for 3 weeks.

Which is why I should finish off and take myself off to bed.

There are always so many other things to do.

These are the very ordinary looking meringue ghosts.

Remembering Daniel

I really am not comfortable posting photos of myself, as I am always very critical of myself.  Geoff took this photo of me before we left for the 5th Annual Daniel Morcombe dinner.  

My friend Donna had dropped this dress, and two others, off at the last minute on Friday night.  I am really glad she did, because I felt really comfortable wearing this dress, it is just beautiful.  I love the colour.  I was a little concerned about wearing green to the dinner as it has a red tie theme.  I couldn't remember from previous years what the etiquette was, but I thought the dress code was quite varied.

My stomach sank a little when I walked into the foyer and there was a sea of red and black.  Kept my chin up though and didn't worry about it.

This is the third ball that Geoff and I have been to.  We missed going in 2007 as E was only 2 weeks old and there was no way I felt like squeezing into a frock then and having a night out.  I think we may have missed the first one.

The highlight of the ball for me is The Band of Blue, they are just fantastic.  I suggested to Peter Boyce that they should put together a CD and have it available for sale on the night, I think they would make money out of that.  They are a band made up entirely of Police Officers and they are just brilliant.  Darrell Braithwaite was also part of the entertainment this year, but the Bank of Blue ran rings around him.

Jamie Dunn was the MC again and he is always a laugh.  Our friend Justin Veivers was the auctioneer and did a brilliant job.

Numbers were down this year and I would imagine the fundraising down as well.  With the economy the way it is people just don't have the dollars to give.  The auction items were fantastic.  There was a guitar signed by all members of Pink Floyd, also a violin signed by Andrew Rieu.

For the first time it was at the Caloundra RSL Function room rather than Twin Waters.  I think there was a better atmosphere at Caloundra.  I think the food was better at Twin Waters.

Geoff and I were one of the last to leave, around 1am.  Thank you to Justin and Jodie for giving us a lift home.

The Daniel Morcombe Foundation does amazing work, not only in their quest to find the answers to Daniel's disappearance, but the ongoing work they do to education children on safety, providing support for child victims, and so much more.  We watched a short dvd of the work that they are doing and where the money assists their cause.

We watched a short montage as a tribute to Daniel, and it was very  hard not to shed a tear.

Denise by the end of the night was in quite a state and had far too much to drink.  Thankfully for her she had plenty of support around her to guide her in the right direction.  I look at her and wonder how it is she doesn't get herself into that state every day.  I can't imagine the pain and hell she lives every day wondering where her son is and what happened to him.

I pray that one day she gets the closure she needs to start some kind of healing process. 

My children all had a wonderful weekend with their Nan.  They love her to bits.  Two of my boys are not well this evening though with high temps and one already woke to have a vomit.  Not sure what kind of night I am in for tonight, when I really would love to catch up on some sleep.

Our house was very quiet this morning when we woke and it was very nice and relaxing.  I was also really pleased to go to Mum's and hear about their weekend.  I appreciate them more when I have had a little time away, and I hope they feel the same way.

My first born celebrates his 8th birthday tomorrow, I can't believe it.  8 years has passed by in the blink of an eye.

He wants me to make him a pavlova shaped like a ghost.  I have no idea how I am going to pull that one off.  Particularly if I have sick children at home.  We will have to see what the morning brings.

A little bit of Peace

I spend a lot of time wishing for a little bit of time to myself and a little bit of peace and quiet.

I dropped my four children off to their grandmother's house this morning for a sleep over.  I could hear commotion at 4am this morning, drawers opening and closing and the thud of feet going from one room to another.  T was up and about, bag packed (well two bags actually), dressed and ready to go.  He has packed like he is going for a week.

The kids are really excited.  They don't often get sleep overs at Nanny's house. Its really interesting to see the things that they pack in their bags.

S has packed his clothes so neatly, better than I could pack myself, he has a book, his Pokemon cars, a tub of lego and a toy dinosaur.  I had to remind them to pack their toothbrushes.

T has packed his two Humphries, a blanket, about 7 pairs of undies, 4 shirts, 3 shorts, pj's, a dozen or more books, a scarf, his handball and who knows what else.  I wasn't going to make him unpack it. 

J packed very simply, pj's clothes for tomorrow, 1 pair of undies and his toothbrush, plus his Pokemon cards.

We packed E's bag.

Geoff and I have come home, had some lunch, he is mowing and I am tidying the house and folding the washing.  It feels strange to be able to do this without the constant interuptions.  

Lunch was quite surreal, I got to sit, eat and read the paper.  I even managed a hot cup of tea.  No getting up and down 10 times to re-fill cups or clean up spills.

I am enjoying every second of it, but there is still that little feeling of anxiousness at the separation.  I am always thinking of them and what they are doing, hoping that everything is alright.  As much as this is lovely, I am looking forward to seeing them again in the morning, hopefully after a sleep in and a peaceful breakfast.

Just a Little Verse

I saw this on Two Peas....and liked it.

Happy moments, praise God. 
Difficult moments, seek God. 
Quiet moments, worship God. 
Painful moments, trust God. 
Every moment, thank God

My Life

***20 YEARS AGO (1989)***
1) How old were you? almost 16.
2) Who were you dating? There was a short romance with a lovely fellow named Andrew.
3) Where did you work? Still at High School.  Part-time job in Tuckers Diner at Shell Panorama
4) Where did you live? Moved to Main Road, Maroochydore
5) Where did you hang out? Home, the beach

6) Did you wear contacts and/or glasses? No
7) Who were your best friends? Tamara, Renee
8) How many tattoos did you have? None
9) How many piercings did you have? 1 in each ear
10) What kind of car did you drive? None
11) Had you been to a real party? Just High School parties, which I now realise weren't real parties.
12) Had you had your heart broken? Yes
13) Were you Single/Dating/Taken/Married/Divorced? Pretty much single.
14) Any kids? No

***15 YEARS AGO (1994)***
1) How old were you? 21
2) Who were you dating? Geoff and I were moving from friendship to relationship somewhere in that year
3) Where did you work? Lawyers office in Nambour
4) Where did you live? A unit in Maroochydore
5) Where did you hang out? Fridays at Mooloolaba
6) Did you wear contacts and/or glasses? No
7) Who were your best friends? Renee, Emma, Michele, Geoff
8) How many tattoos did you have? None
9) How many piercings did you have? 1 in each ear.
10) What kind of car did you drive? Blue Ford Laser Hatch
11) Had you been to a real party? Yes
12) Had you had your heart broken? No
13) Were you Single/Taken/Married/Divorced? Single
14) Any kids? No

***10 YEARS AGO (1999)***
1) How old were you? 26
2) Who were you dating? Married to Geoff
3) Where did you work? Lawyers office in Nambour
4) Where did you live? Buderim
5) Where did you hang out? At home mostly
6) Did you wear contacts and/or glasses? No
7) Who were your best friends? Geoff, Tracey, Heather, Elizabeth
8) How many tattoos did you have? None
9) How many piercings did you have? 1 in each ear (still)
10) What kind of car did you drive? Toyota Corolla
11) Had you been to a real party? Yes
12) Had you had your heart broken? No
13) Were you Single/Taken/Married/Divor ced? married
14) Any kids? No.

***TODAY (2009)***
1) How old are you? 36
2) Who are you dating? Married to Geoff
3) Where do you work? at home
4) Where do you live? Buderim
5) Where do you hang out? Home, Daisy Chain Scrapbooks, Mum's house
6) Did you wear contacts and/or glasses? No
7) Who are your best friends? Jenny, Barbi, Stacey, Nicky, Nicole, Emma, Tracey and Heather
8) How many tattoos did you have? none
9) How many piercings did you have? 1 in each ear
10) What kind of car did you drive? Toyota Prado
11) Had you been to a real party? Do kid's birthday parties count?
12) Had you had your heart broken? Feels like it somedays
13) Were you Single/Taken/Married/Divorced? Married
14) Any kids? 3 sons and 1 daughter

Rollercoaster Ride ....

I was never really a big fan of the rollercoaster ride.  There were many visits to Dreamworld before I summoned up the courage to ride the Thunderbolt.  I was pretty pleased when the ride came to an end.

In 1997 my mother and I went on holiday to the UK.  It was an amazing trip, one I will never forget.  The reason for the holiday was so that my mother could see her family, as it had been nearly 30 years I think since she had last seen them.

On a trip to Blackpool with mum's brother Keith and his family, we went to a fun park.  There was, at the time, the World's largest rollercoaster ride "The Pepsi Max" (strange it is named after my favourite drink, because it certainly wasn't my favourite ride).  My cousin Katherine and her boyfriend pleaded with me to have a go.  I thought 'what the hell' after all I was on the other side of the world, shame to go all that way and not have a go.  Well when it came time to get on, there was room in one car for two, but not three so they ditched me and said they would get the next one.  So there I sat all on my own about to go to hell and back.

I kept my eyes open for the leisurely climb to the top and for a brief moment enjoyed the view of the water, from then on in things are a little vague as my eyes were pretty much shut the whole time and I screamed quite a few obscenities.

I was shaking like a leaf by the time I got off and was walking like I'd had a few.  They take a photo of you on it as you go around, but you have to go and look at it straight away otherwise you miss your chance, you have about 2 minutes I think.  Well it took me that long to get my brain back in gear and never did get to see what I looked like.

The reason I have started on this little tangent...is because I feel like my health is on some kind of rollercoaster.

I went to the Dr to get my blood test results today, and my thyroid levels are ok, my Dr was even considering lowering my dose of medication.  But some of the other levels were high, so now I need to go and see a Rheumatologist.

I have been going back and forth with GP's and Specialists for the last 18 years, and I really would just love to get off that ride.

Its frustrating, exhausting and at times a little bit depressing.

I am 35 years old and sometimes I feel like I'm 65 years old.  Then I think what on earth will I be like when I am 65 years old.

It just sucks sometimes.

I hope that my little girl doesn't inherit the hormone problems I have had to endure.

Enough whinging, you've just got to pick yourself up and keep going.