Happy Birthday Tash!

Wow my baby turns 11 today. How did that happen!?!

She has suddenly grown up too. Not only is she looking older but her behaviour and attitude is maturing as well. I love the person I can see that she is turning into. I'm not saying that life is all sweetness and happiness (she does act like she is already a teenager) but she is growing up into a lovely young lady.

We have had a great weekend - will update later - but I just wanted to say

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MISS TASH

A week in review

Well another week has disappeared! Seems like you blink and miss it. Have worked every day again this week. Next week doesn't look much better either. Oh well - the bank needs it. My brain needs some time off though!

so what has been happening over the last week? Well Tasha got new shoes! The picture doesn't really show quite how bright they are- she loves them!

Saturday we went to the Comber's to wish Royce a happy 21st birthday. It was a lovely day. The sun was shining. It was laid back and relaxed (well for us anyway - dont know Gail felt the same way). It was just a really nice day. Caught up with family. Had an amazing meal. I made the nicest potato bake in ages (yay me ~L~).

Got some gorgeous photos - have included a couple here - got heaps more of really nice ones. Some quite scary - my daughter looks so at ease with a baby on her hip - that worries me!

After the bbq lunch Jhorjie came back to our place for a sleepover with Tasha. They had a great time. I got very spoilt! Was coming out of my bedroom to be greeted by two girls yelling "get back to bed". Then te bought me bacon and eggs that Tasha had cooked!

It was a beautiful day on Sunday so I took the kids to the park for a picnic lunch. We had a lovely lunch - although after sitting watching the kids for an hour or so I was feeling a bit sniffly and wheezy and looked up and saw I was sitting under the one and only wattle tree in the park!! So we came home with me feeling yucky and sinus-y and I actually sat down and slept on the lounge for an hour or so.

Apart from that this week has been work, work, work. This weekend we have a free day Saturday - lots of housework to be done to catch up - the place looks shocking at the moment! Then Miss Jane is coming over on Sunday for coffee and then I hope to spend some time in my scrap room.

what ever you have planned for the weekend I hope its a good one. Oh and if I dont get around to it on Monday. Happy 30th Birthday Mone!!!

Last Weekend

Whhooops it's almost the end of the week and I am very slack. Haven't got around to updating from last weekend yet...and seeing I got a message from a special girl about checking and in seeing what's going with life I thought I had better get moving.

So lets so......last Saturday was a very social day. It started with a play date with this gorgeous girl (and her mummy and brother)
We met up at Playdays so the kids could go mad and play whilst Cass and I could sit and chat. And boy did we sit and chat......(ooops 4 1/2 hours later)......before I headed back to Nowra to do the grocery shopping....YUCK....

Then a quick shower and change before heading out for dinner. We had a lovely dinner - the food was great, company was wonderful!! Lots of laughs, chats and all in all a great night out.
Love this pic of Mone and Kase. And all the girls. this was such a fun group to be out with and definately something we need to do more often.

So that was last weekend. This weekend looks to be another busy one with Royce's 21st on Saturday. Will be a nice relaxing time to catch up with everyone.

THE TWO SIDES OF ME

Now before I go.....speaking of people checking up on me..... SJ remember this conversation in Melbourne when we were talking about my craft table/work table and I promised pics. Finally got around to taking a photo. Let me explain. For those who have scrapped with me you will totally understand I tend to spread! I like to have everything out in reach - i am definately not a tidy or neat scrapper. HOWEVER when it comes to work everything has a place and everything must be in its place. I am so pedantic about my work space being tidy etc. This has amused some when I created a workspace in my craft room as they didn't see how the two could mix. Easily - they don't mix as such. Hehe - can you tell which is my work place and which is my craft desk.

ME- Revealed!

Yes - its the new me! Finally gone jet black! The pics dont show the colour off that well but it's something I have wanted to do for a long time. I am a creature of habit so have never strayed from browns or reds before and been held back by others opinions but I have to say I love it. Have had mixed responses but as I am the one who has to look at it every day and I like it I say it stays!

What a day

A great day that is! Today has been full of celebrations and changes.

Firstly - big celebration - I got paid today! WOOO HOOOO. That sounds pretty simple but to those who I have whinged to, gotten angry with etc I am sure you will understand how good this is.....However after paying all bills etc we are back to under $100 in the bank (and need to go grocery shopping) oh well, we'll get there.

Celebration 2 - Kyles soccer game tonight! Yes they got beaten but they played a premier league team and they had a really good game. All pulled together as a team and Kyle had a blinder of a game - Well done mate. This leads me on to the first big change....

The soccer season has now ended - no more standing on a cold field 2 nights a week for soccer. I will now have my Mon and Wed nights back (for now). Still out Tues and Fridays but hey thats okay.

And the other big change......I have done it! Something I have wanted to do for years but have held back because I knew some would disapprove. I am sure now I will get at least 2 "Hmmmm I don't know's" and "I don't think I like it's" But to you I say TOUGH. I have always coloured my hair in many different shades but always a version of brown or red. Sometimes a lot redder, sometimes very brown. Today I took the plunge and have a very different look. I have wanted to do it for about 10 years. I love it. Will post pics tomorrow.

Melbourne trip

Finally got around to posting about my Melbourne trip. I had a great time - flew out of Hobart after one of those oscar winning performances by our little girl. You know those scenes with emotions running wild. My little girl clinging tight and not wanting to let me go through to checkin! Anyway - finally got through and was on my way to Melbourne

Met at the airport by my gorgeous friend and then we proceeded home for Matt's birthday party. (Ooops crashed another party - haven't done that for a while!) but check out the yummy foods! MMMMMMMMM
We had a nice quiet day at home on Sunday - although we did duck out at one stage to hit the scrapbook shop (SSShhhhh)

then Monday! what can I say about Monday except for laugh, laugh and more laugh!! We headed down to Geelong to the Kaiser factory. Do you remember growing up how your parents said "We are going to change the locks or move while you're out?" No - hhhmm maybe that was just me ~L~ anyway Kaiser did that to Sandra! Just after she left they moved! Was that a hint (just kidding sweetie). We headed down to Geelong with Sandra pretty sure she knew where we were going. We drove along the highway spotted the Kaiser factory tucked in beside a bridge - a tad too late so we drove across the bridge - nice long bridge - did a u-turn in the club parking lot and headed back. The problem - the road was a one way street - and not our way! We drove down a side street to try and get in and drove past a guy who stood there and watched up drive straight into the Pura milk factory! then he watched us turn around and drive back out!

By now we were in hysterics - we tried again and ended up going back across the bridge - followed the river on the WRONG SIDE for some time before trying again! We crossed the bridge - saw a truck heading to Kaiser so followed them and look! you go under the bridge
And then you end up here! I don't think we have ever been so excited to get to shop! WOOHOO. Yay for us!

So we walked and I got so overwhelmed by the amount of products whilst Sandra chatted with the shop workers and caught up on all the gossip and goings on of her previous workmates. (and I got to see her work on display)

Then monday night Matt had a play with my camera and insisted he could take a good photo with it - as the ones I take are very average. I'm not sure that he ended taking a great photo after all!

Then tuesday I had planned to catch the train into the city and then the bus out to avalon (quite a long trip all together) but instead Matt so generously offered to drive me to the airport. Had a bit of a wait at the airport whilst one flight was postponed. was getting worried as two others were cancelled but eventually made it to Sydney to be greeted by my family who had made the 5 hour round trip to come and get me to save me the bus trip home!!

Yay for Saturday!

Today has been my sit back and chill out day! Sooo needed, the last couple of days have been insane.

I finally got around to organising my Mothers Day pressie. The kids gave me a pamper session at Ella Bache. Started witha back and shoulder massage then I had a 1 1/2 hour facial followed by a foot treatment. It was wonderful. The package was called the extra yummy and it was! (sorry Haylee) And after my anti-stress massage I came home all relaxed - walked in the door to hear Tony yelling and Kyle gave me a hug and said I smelt funny from the facial!!! so much for anti-stress.......

But this afternoon made up for it. I got to sit and chat with my wonderful friend Miss Jane. This girl has seen me through so much and is a great support to me. It was lovely to see her and to catch up. We sat and had a cuppa and lovely bun and (of course) chocolate! All in all a lovely day.

Way to go!

Woo hoo . Just have to say to a special gal who I am very, very priviledged to call my friend. To SJ, you started this journey what seems like a long time ago. I know you were worried about going back to school to do your nursing but I knew you had nothing to worry about and look at what you have acheived. You have blitzed this course. I know it wasn't always easy (and sometimes ridiculously hard with your computer swallowing up your assignments) and those of us who love you were totally sure that you would have no problem and you have proven us right. Your work ethic and compassion for your patients is as high a standard as I knew it would be.

So congrats - you have now officially graduated and are a fully qualified dental nurse. Very proud of you sweetie!

Oh and one last thing. ......

You said to me "Don't you dare put that pic on your blog". Hehe You should have known better!

Love you Dad

It's a bit of a trip down memory lane today but I don't have any recent photos. Been thinking of Dad heaps today. It's been 6 years since he died and for some reason today has been a really tough one.

So I thought I would share some pics from long ago....BTW that cute little blonde kid is me!! Hhhmmm wonder what happened.

What a view!

Just thought I would share a little pic of the view from our window of Mt Wellington. Isn't that a lovely view - just amazing. Could it get any better?Well this morning we woke up to this! There's the rest of that snowfall that started yesterday when we were up there. How beautiful

Wednesday = snow and chocolate!!

This morning we headed up Mount Wellington and as promised it was 10 degrees colder up there (and it was only 13 degrees when we left Hobart). Tasha was very excited to see snow - not much but enough for her to play with. The wind chill factor was amazing up there and then just before we left............. it snowed! Yes the temperature dropped that bit more and the snow they had been promising arrived with perfect timing. The kids were so excited as neither of them had actually seen snow falling before. Had played in snow but never actually seen it fall.

Verdict: Its cold and its wet and it hurts (the wind was pretty strong so the snow wasnt really falling it was being blasted around). Would they like to see snow again: Definately!!
We got back in the car - gave a backpacker a lift back down the mountain. Poor girl had hiked up (she said it took about 3 hours) and was planning on hiking back down when the snow hit. We dropped her off in Hobart and went here.............................. In the words of a very wise woman - my glass is now neither half empty or half full but rather a glass and a half full!! We got to learn more about chocolate (did you know there is more to it than just the fact that it tastes good and makes me feel happy?) and do some taste tests. YUM YUM

Port Arthur

Today we had our big day. When we mentioned coming back to Hobart both kids (especially Kyle) wanted to go back to Port Arthur. With the weather being so iffy we ummed and ahhed and decided to go anyway. Well God was amazingly good to us and we had a lovely day - slightly overcast but not too cold - and the big bit! It didnt start raining until we literally got into the car to go home - we pulled out of the driveway as the drops started. How amazing!

Whilst at Port Arthur the kids had a question booklet they had to work their way through and it was intersting to hear some of the answers they came up with. We had a great time exploring and learning more about life in the convict era. Tasha decided that it wasn't for her! ~L~As I mentioned we went to Port Arthur on our last visit here 4 years ago and I took some pics of the kids in the same places as we had been then - so here is our then and now section - compare the differences! (and some not so differences ~L~)

Monday - Richmond

We had planned to go to Cadburys today but seeing it was such a lovely day we decided to head to the historic town of Richmond instead. We drove around looking at the old buildings and stopped for a bit of a wander near the old Richmond Bridge Then we went to Richmond Maze. This is a great way to exercise without getting bored. I wandered round and round and round the maze. found lots of dead ends, kept going round in circles and had lots of fun. We all split up and went our own ways - in the first maze Tony found the middle first followed by Tasha, Kyle and I evnetually got there. In the second, bigger maze Kyle found the dragon first but Tasha was first to the centre of the maze. Then we had to find our way back through both mazes to get out again. The kids both love mazes and this was heaps of fun.

Next stop was Old Hobart Town. This is a model village made as an exact replica of Hobart in the 1820's. This was a fascinating walk through history and the detail was wonderful. The kids had fun looking for certain miniatures that they were told were hidden in the village and only had to go around 1 1/2 times to find them all. There was lots of historical facts and it was very interesting to see the difference between Hobart then and now.

Still in Richmond we then moved to the Richmond Gaol. The solitary cells freaked out both kids but Tasha was very intrigued by how everything worked and explored every nook and cranny of the gaol.

We were thinking of going to a wildlife park but it started to rain then so we headed back to the motel and had an afternoon of Uno and card games.

We then went out for dinner to Fish Frenzy on Elizabeth st Pier. We went there last time we were in Hobart and the food was lovely and they didn't let us down this time either. Yum yum.

Sunday

Finally got around to uploading the pics (and found the time to sit and do it!). Here is the kids at the airport checking out which gate to go to - see previous post to find out that we shouldn't have read the board anyway.Tasha all rugged up for the very cold Tassie weather (our first night it dropped down to 1 degree!)This is the view from our motel - we climbed up to the tower and you can see in all four directions. Wonderful viewPlaying putt putt - this was the first 18 holes at a course called the Mountain. It was an amazing course full of bunkers, rough, sand traps and water holes. Very challenging and it brought out the competitiveness between our kids. The course was quite wet and had lots of stairs and split level holes. Kyle decided to run along one set of stairs and slipped down two stairs landing on a wooden bridge very heavily on his coccyx. He took the rest of the course very carefully - even getting his sister to get his ball at the end of each hole as he couldn't bend down. In the end Tony and Kyle tied for first place.Then we moved to the Mill - the indoor putt putt course which had an intricate array of pipes and rails for the balls to move from level to level. Another very interesting course and lots of fun. Tasha played an absolutely amazing round of golf and after netting a hole in one on one hole ending up winning by about 5 strokes!! Well done TashHad to include this pic - saw this window at the putt putt course and had to take this picture. I love it!

We Made it.

Had a long day yesterday with the drive to Sydney, finding the car parking place and checking in etc. We got there early so went and sat in the gate lounge and relaxed. waited for flight to be called, and waited, and waited. to find out our flight had been moved to another gate!!! So we grabbed our stuff and raced down there to find out our flight was delayed.

So we stood around for some time as by then there were no seats left in the lounge. Finally got on board and on our way. Both kids had ear troubles on landing. Tasha was really bad. She was chewing and yawning like mad but just couldn't get her ears to pop. Kyle had trouble mainly in one ear but was fine once we landed.

Found the motel, at 9 o'clock at night its not easy to find your way around. Don't think any of us got a great sleep last night. It got down to 1 degree last night and with just a sheet and thin doona on the beds it was cold! Have all got extra blankets now so tonight should be better.

Been planning our week and investigating the motel. We climbed the hotel tower - very cool view over Hobart (Our motel is called tower hotel!). Heading off to an adventure putt putt course now. Looks very exciting - check it out http://www.putters.com.au/ . Plan to go to Cadburys tomorrow - YUM

Friday!

Yay it's friday and this week has been an amazingly hectic one. In the middle of the week I got a very interesting email from a wonderful friend who emails me quite regularly with just a thought or a spot of encouragement. I love getting her emails and love the friendship that we have. Anyway she popped up this week with a thought -

We were discussing the glass half empty/half full situation. It was decided that in her case - there is a glass there, it has water in it! She is a practical type person! In my case my glass is tidal! Yes it ebbs and flows quite like the tide. Some days I am fully aware of the amazing blessings that God has given me and other days, quite honestly, I fell quite empty and strung out. It was commented also that (like the whole tidal thing is affected by the moon and lunar objects) my glass tides also seem to be influenced a lot by outside things.

So there is my philosophy for the day. This is, really, a long a way of asking "Are you a glass half full or a glass half empty type person?" would love to hear your thoughts


Also this week I received a lovely parcel in the mail. I joined the friendship swap on Scrap of Faith. Everyone gets one person to either buy or make a little something for and I was lucky enough to get a gift from the lovely Lou, who I don't get to see anywhere near often enough but she always brings a smile to my face! She pegged me so well and I love my gifts. Firstly my hand made card. Love it - and with layering and fussy cuttting - gorgeous. I got an OTP kit to make my own handbag!!!! Gee wonder why she thought of me and handbags in the same sentence *giggle*. I got a pack of buttons and a lovely book that has been packed to take away with us. Thank you so much Lou. I love it all.

My oasis

Wow what a mad week. I am working heaps this week so I can have next week off. Was working at NAP mon, wed, thurs and fri and had planned to work from home Tuesday.

However Tash had a friend her overnight monday night so instead I took some time out on Tuesday to have some fun. Embarassed my daughter (mum don't dance!). Did some cooking (fudge brownies with marshmallows and white chocolate) and then we went Ten Pin Bowling. I got totally thrashed by the kids but hey we had fun! Would show you pics but my little girl has suddenly decided she is camera shy!!!!

So now working every day and night to get work done in time to go away. Looking forward to chilling out in Hobart (literally - have you seen how cold it is down there). Hope to catch up on some sleep. Can't wait to spend some fun time with the family. More than anything I am looking forward to getting to Melbourne.

Today

In the words of Dr Seuss:

Today was good. Today was fun. Tomorrow is another one.

Girls Weekend

This weekend was a fun mother/daughter weekend. Firstly Tasha and I went up to Shellharbour to do exactly what a girl needs to do to de-stress. We went shopping! We got Tasha some new jeans (black skinny jeans for the detail oriented) and a knitted top and a jumper. The count down is on for Tasmania!

After shopping we had lunch and sat and chatted then bought donuts and headed to see the King's.

Cass and I sat and chatted whilst Tasha went and played with the kids. She loves being with the younger kids and is so good and patient with them (and she isn't averse to changing dirty nappies) It was lovely to just sit and chat - not necessarily about anything major or life changing but just to sit and share life! Oh and drink amazing coffees!
Tasha thought she was very priviledged - she got a hot choccacino! A new experience for her and one she really enjoyed. thank you Cass.

All in all a great day for mum and daughter. We both came home feeling much happier and much more relaxed. Not only having a chance to have some good chats with Tash but just spending time with Cass makes me feel more relaxed and at ease. Love you sweetie

And then today - more girly stuff. Tasha pulled out her lip gloss kit she got from the Allan's for christmas and we spent some time together making her very own special lip gloss.

And now the real countdown is on. This time in a week we will be in hobart! Wow only 6 days to go till we fly out. And then so very exciting is the fact that this time in 2 weeks I will be sitting with the Allan's. Wooo hooo 13 days to go gorgeous girl. ZOOOM ZOOOM

Holiday time

Normally I don't say this but YAY it is school holidays! The past week or so have been shockers with school and I am so glad that we have a break from school and all that comes with it.

Firstly, must say I got a letter from Kyle's teacher admitting what she had said was incorrect. It was a lovely letter and I was extremely grateful to receive it.

But having sorted Kyle out poor Tasha coped it. She has had trouble with a couple of girls at school (you know what girls can be like) and then yesterday we get a call from a parent saying Tash had left a nasty message on their answering machine. We have since proven that this wasn't Tasha but you know that old saying mud sticks. This has angered me for 2 reasons. The first being that someone is impersonating my daughter - ringing people up and saying "this is tasha and ..........." The fact that this girl has apparently rung up and apparently left messages saying "Tasha wanted me to tell you..." but now she has progressed to just saying she is Tasha!
The other thing that angers me about this is the fact that the girl she rang has gone around the school telling everyone Tasha did it and now the girls have been told by the school not to talk about it anymore and therefore Tasha has no way of clearing her name. The girl that was rung has been very manipulative and bullying to Tasha in the past and I have told Tash on a few occasions that she is not welcome at our house. She would have had great pleasure telling everyone how mean Tasha was to her. GGGRRRRRR Have actually been considering going to the police and putting a complaint in about fraud.

So after all this I am glad we have no contact with schools for a couple of weeks.