2 sleeps to go!!

I laughed so hard I snorted when I saw this yesterday!!








I am not here today!!  I could not resist stopping in and saying Merry Christmas.  I hope you all have a wonderful time.  Enjoy guys.

Linking up with One Mother Hen for a quick #openslather

Wordless Wednesday- Merry Christmas 2013

Ernie our elf

We have lights!!

Santa photos 2013

Tree done!!

The pretties!!

Merry Christmas Wordless Wednesdayers!!  

Linking up with My Little Drummer Boys for a very merry Wordless Wednesday.

Ps I have no idea why blogger won't display my pictures in some kind of order!!

I Heart Bon Jovi

Phil X you were a pretty cool replacement!!


Highlight of the night.


Found this someone videoed from an American show back in July.


Love Kid Rock!!


3 days after and I am still lost for words at just how amazingly awesome Bon Jovi were on Saturday night at ANZ stadium.  I knew it was going to be great but it was far beyond what I had imagined.  People keep asking me how it was and all I can say is awesome as I don't know what else to say!!

The whole night I sang and danced and fist pumped and did not sit down once!!  I got some photos and a little video but I was too busy soaking in everything!!  I found a few videos on the tube.  I did think there would be more as everyone had a phone and was filming stuff.

The whole band tore it up, even Phil X who is Richie's replacement.  Jon Bon did not disappoint!!  He is a god!!

Highlight if I have to pick just one was when the whole crowd sang Living on a Prayer.  A gazillion voices all singing and it sounded amazing.

Bring on the next tour!!

Linking up with Essentially Jess for ibot.  Merry Christmas ibotters!!

Christmas Funnies

Ok not Christmassy but funny!!

 Please excuse my dodgy #openslather post which is just funny pictures found from my facebook newsfeed!!  It appears I am sick AGAIN.  

For those playing along at home BON JOVI rocked.  I have no words worthy of just how awesome the concert was!!  Full report on that later in the week!!

Linking up for what must be nearly the last time in 2013 with One Mother Hen for #openslather.

FFS Friday/Things I Know- 1 MORE SLEEP UNTIL BON JOVI

THE BAD

There has been no time for anything this week.  I have no idea where the days have disappeared to.  I have not even managed anything productive.  I still have a tonne of housework plus all the Christmas stuff left from last week.  I have presents stashed everywhere which no doubt someone who shouldn't is going to stumble across!!

I have 2 dogs who are free to a good home.  Their food stealing tally this week includes 2 advent calenders (which I got for $1 each and then had to go out and buy expensive ones to replace them) a bag of Christmas presents from playgroup which included bags of lollies, a bunch of bananas, half a loaf of bread and 2 bread rolls which I was saving for my lunch.

The entire worlds postal system is loopy, the poor parcel delivery lady is at my house every day with parcels which were posted at the same time and are turning up all over the shop.  Still waiting on  couple of things which hopefully will turn up soon.

Still on the Christmas theme I need a few more things and have no time or motivation to go and get them!!

At least Chrisy day is sorted for us although world war 3 may be on again like last year when our plans/lack of are known by everyone.

Facebook is still giving me the shites.

4 month needles.  Enough said.

THE GOOD

Did I mention there is 1 MORE SLEEP UNTIL BON JOVI.

Although the logistics of getting the 5 of us out of the house for 1 night is a freaking nightmare!!

It will be lovely to have a night out tomorrow with the HOTH.  The first in nearly a year!!

I have been dared to chuck some undies at JBJ.  Could be funny!!

I had a lovely dinner out last night with some lovely mums from mums group.  It was nice to get frocked up for a night.  Although it turns out Speedy hammered the HOTH and never went to bed until after 10pm.  I may not be allowed out again!!  Also next time I go out it might be a good idea to remember to change my shoes and not wear my scabby thongs!!

I think thats about it for the week.time once again is not on my side.  I will be back next week with a full Bon Jovi report!!

Linking up with the delightful Rhianna as I am thankful for my 2 nights out in a week!!,  Dear Baby G for the weekly whine, The Miss Cinders for the fact I know there is 1 SLEEP UNTIL BON JOVI and for the last time this year as I have finally remembered and am linking up with the awesome ladies at The Lounge which is over at Robomum this week!!

I will catch up on all my blog reading over the weekend in between going to Bon Jovi!!

Rocky road

Normally at this time of year I would be busting out my you beaut chocolate truffles however this year I simply do no have time for anything like that unfortunately.  It is take a plate to preschool on Wednesday and I decided to make rocky road as it is so simple!!  So simple I cannot believe I have never made it before!!

I made a test batch yesterday and used 375g choc melts, about 8 arrowroot biscuits, about 15 marshmallows cut in half and a few raspberry lollies also cut in half.  While the chocolate was melting in a bowl over a pot of water I chopped the marshmallows and lollies and broke up the biscuits then mixed it together and spread it in a lined pan.  A couple of hours in the fridge and it was good to go.  I think it has made enough for a "plate".  I will chop it up into smallish pieces so it goes a little further.

Seriously tasty and easy!!  I made it nut free but the variations on this are endless, there isn't much you couldn't put in it.

Linking up for #openslather with One Mother Hen

FFS Friday/ Things I Know- Gastro

THE BAD

One word for the last week and a bit- GASTRO

This unfortunate episode started 2 Sunday mornings ago with the 4 year old who decided to vomit everywhere (poor thing) and ended with me being sick for pretty much a whole week.

I can now tick gastro from my bucket list and hope like hell i never get it again.

I am now behind in everything Christmas and housework related and will have to spend the weekend catching up.

In other annoying stuff I had to go to the bank a couple of towns over and have been putting it off.  I went yesterday and what a freaking nightmare.  Seriously.  No parking, people everywhere.  Get a grip people its Christmas not the end of the world.

I have decided to announce when I will be leaving the house so the roads and car parks and shops can be cleared for me to go about my business without having to deal with all the crap that goes along.

Also I posted some stuff overseas.  Lets just say it would have been cheaper to buy a ticket an fly over and deliver it myself.

Thats about it for the bad, I have been so sick and have not had the chance to have stuff annoy me.

THE GOOD

Bon Jovi in 8 days.  I am trying so hard to not get over excited!!

No one else in the house got sick.  Also if I had to be sick I am glad it was last week and not next week.

It beginning to look a lot like Christmas around here.  We/ the kids decorated the tree on Sunday.  I have had some cards in the mail.  Thanks Mums Take Five for the card and glitter!!

That really is about it this week.  If anyone needs me I will be up to my eyeballs in washing, cleaning products and stealth present wrapping.

Linking up this gastro edition of FFS Friday with Dear Baby G and Things I Know with Miss Cinders.

Wordless Wednesday- Trip to the zoo part 2

Lizards and crocs, yuck!!

The cutest morning tea friends!!

Patting a snake!!

The best way to see the zoo!!

Linking up with My Little Drummer Boys for Wordless Wednesday.

Wordless Wednesday- Trip to the zoo 26/11/13 part 1

Goats!!  They really will eat anything!!

Meerkats, the kids were walking around saying simples!!

Love these big cats.

Yesterday we went to the zoo with playgroup.  We had a great few hours!!  Highlight for me was seeing the tigers again.  

Linking up with My Little Drummer Boys for Wordless Wednesday

A very very random express ibot

Rhianna got Alanis stuck in my head from her post on Friday, I then heard Ironic while doing the groceries on Sunday.  Which led me to have to hear the secret song from the album.  Which made me try and find my Alanis cd, which I can't, which made me realise we still have a few boxes to unpack from moving back home over a year ago, which made me remember we might still have the baby walker which would save my sanity if we do.  Which then made me think while the HOTH is having a look to see if the baby walker is still there we should get the chrissy decorations down because holy crap christmas is 28 days away.  Which made me then think I should get all my cards done and posted which then made me remember I still need to get a few bits and pieces from the shops which I might do on Saturday with only the baby but then I remembered the HOTH is taking the big boys out and he will have my car.  Which made me swear as now I will have to do it the Saturday after.  Then I swore some more as I need to send stuff overseas and that really should be done this week.  I still have not found my cd, lucky there is the tube!!






There you have a dodgy random thoughts, express ibot brought to you by Alanis Morrisette!!  Linked up with Essentially Jess.  All done in exactly 14 minutes coz thats how its done when you have zero time with 3 kids all demanding something!!

Some facts and garlic

THINGS YOUR MOTHER SHOULD HAVE TOLD YOU 

1. Take your bananas apart when you get home from the store. If you leave them connected at the stem, they ripen faster.

2. Store your opened chunks of cheese in aluminum foil. It will stay fresh much longer and not mold!

3. Peppers with 3 bumps on the bottom are sweeter and better for eating. Peppers with 4 bumps on the bottom are firmer and better for cooking.

4. Add a teaspoon of water when frying ground beef. It will help pull the grease away from the meat while cooking.

5. To really make scrambled eggs or omelets rich add a couple of spoonfuls of sour cream, cream cheese, or heavy cream in and then beat them up.

6. For a cool brownie treat, make brownies as directed. Melt Andes mints in double broiler and pour over warm brownies. Let set for a wonderful minty frosting.

7. Add garlic immediately to a recipe if you want a light taste of garlic and at the end of the recipe if your want a stronger taste of garlic.

8. Leftover snickers bars from Halloween make a delicious dessert. Simply chop them up with the food chopper. Peel, core and slice a few apples. Place them in a baking dish and sprinkle the chopped candy bars over the apples. Bake at 350 for 15 minutes!!! Serve alone or with vanilla ice cream. Yummm!

9. Reheat Pizza
Heat up leftover pizza in a nonstick skillet on top of the stove, set heat to med-low and heat till warm. This keeps the crust crispy. No soggy micro pizza. I saw this on the cooking channel and it really works.

10. Easy Deviled Eggs
Put cooked egg yolks in a zip lock bag. Seal, mash till they are all broken up. Add remainder of ingredients, reseal, keep mashing it up mixing thoroughly, cut the tip of the baggy, squeeze mixture into egg. Just throw bag away when done easy clean up.

11. Expanding Frosting
When you buy a container of cake frosting from the store, whip it with your mixer for a few minutes. You can double it in size. You get to frost more cake/cupcakes with the same amount. You also eat less sugar and calories per serving.

12. Reheating refrigerated bread
To warm biscuits, pancakes, or muffins that were refrigerated, place them in a microwave with a cup of water. The increased moisture will keep the food moist and help it reheat faster.

13. Newspaper weeds away
Start putting in your plants, work the nutrients in your soil. Wet newspapers, put layers around the plants overlapping as you go. Cover with mulch and forget about weeds. Weeds will get through some gardening plastic they will not get through wet newspapers.

14. Broken Glass
Use a wet cotton ball or Q-tip to pick up the small shards of glass you can't see easily.

15. No More Mosquitoes
Place a dryer sheet in your pocket. It will keep the mosquitoes away.

16. Squirrel Away!
To keep squirrels from eating your plants, sprinkle your plants with cayenne pepper. The cayenne pepper doesn't hurt the plant and the squirrels won't come near it.

17. Flexible vacuum
To get something out of a heat register or under the fridge add an empty paper towel roll or empty gift wrap roll to your vacuum. It can be bent or flattened to get in narrow openings.

18. Reducing Static Cling
Pin a small safety pin to the seam of your slip and you will not have a clingy skirt or dress. Same thing works with slacks that cling when wearing panty hose. Place pin in seam of slacks and ... guess what! ... static is gone.

19. Measuring Cups
Before you pour sticky substances into a measuring cup, fill with hot water. Dump out the hot water, but don't dry cup. Next, add your ingredient, such as peanut butter, and watch how easily it comes right out. (Or spray the measuring cup or spoon with Pam before using)

20. Foggy Windshield?
Hate foggy windshields? Buy a chalkboard eraser and keep it in the glove box of your car When the windows fog, rub with the eraser! Works better than a cloth!

21. Re-opening envelopes
If you seal an envelope and then realize you forgot to include something inside, just place your sealed envelope in the freezer for an hour or two. Viola! It unseals easily.

22. Conditioner
Use your hair conditioner to shave your legs. It's cheaper than shaving cream and leaves your legs really smooth. It's also a great way to use up the conditioner you bought but didn't like when you tried it in your hair.

23. Goodbye Fruit Flies
To get rid of pesky fruit flies, take a small glass, fill it 1/2' with Apple Cider Vinegar and 2 drops of dish washing liquid; mix well. You will find those flies drawn to the cup and gone forever!

24. Get Rid of Ants
Put small piles of cornmeal where you see ants. They eat it, take it 'home,' can't digest it so it kills them. It may take a week or so, especially if it rains, but it works and you don't have the worry about pets or small children being harmed!

25. Dryer Filter
Even if you are very diligent about cleaning the lint filter in your dryer it still may be causing you a problem. If you use dryer sheets a waxy build up could be accumulating on the filter causing your dryer to over heat. The solution to this is to clean your filter with with a toothbrush and hot soapy water every 6 months.

This was doing the rounds on facebook and I found some of it really interesting!!  Also I loved this idea by the queen herself!!



Linking up for #openslather with One Mother Hen

FFS Friday/ Things I Know- Cicadas

Friday again.  The weeks are flying by at the moment.  Baby Speedy is 16 weeks young today.  Where that went I will never know.  Time for the weekly recap/round up of the bad and good that went down around here this week.

THE BAD

Nearly 2 hours on the computer and a 12 minute international phonecall to try and order something for family overseas.  Turns out the shop/company does not deliver to where I need it sent even thought there is a shop where they live.  One last ditched attempt tonight and I will have to rethink  my genius idea.

The stuff I ordered from the preschool toy catalogue arrived this week, missing a few key items which were out of stock  At least the stuff arrived in plain boxes not like others I have heard of from major stores where the items are clearly visible.  Plus I paid a little extra and got the stuff delivered to my house, there are some pretty excited preschool kids looking at the stuff sitting in the foyer.  Good luck to the parents trying to sneak it out without the kids seeing.

I was going to the big shops then I changed my mind as shopping with kids is a form of torture and now I really do have to go.

For the last few weeks all my kids have talked about is cicadas. It is bordering on obsession.  I am pretty much jack of it and have threatened death to the next person who mentions the word.

Although it was quite cute when the nearly 3 year old went out and shushed the cicadas as his brother was trying to sleep.

Operation GTFTB was an epic fail this week.  I have pretty much had jack of that as well.

Shiraz the cat went missing again thanks to being let out by the kids.  2 nights later she showed up.  Cue more yelling for shiraz.  I don't even drink red wine!!

Facebook is giving me the irrits too.  Are people really as stupid and rude as they come across (not on my page though, you guys rock!!).  Never before have I wanted to slap people as much as I have in the last week.

Lastly to the old lady who commented at the shops, "you have 3 boys oh well it doesn't matter" kiss my ass.  Unless she mixed me up with someone else who was hoping for a girl then seriously that was just rude.

THE GOOD

We took the kids to the movies on Sunday.  Booked our tickets online this time!!  Got a parking spot right out the front, ate a tonne of popcorn, choc tops, drank a bucket of coke.  Good times.

Right next to the movies was a place that made gozleme.  Knocked back one when we came out!!

The kids sat through the entire movie with only 1 seat change and just a little talking.

22 days until Bon Jovi.  Just a tad excited there!!

155 days until I hit the cocktail bar in the pool in Fiji.  Just thought I would start a new countdown!!

Linking up for the weekly whinge with Dear Baby G and for Things I Know with Miss Cinders.

Wordless Wednesday- A couple of funnies.

Just for you One Mother Hen

Linking up with My Little Drummer Boys for Wordless Wednesday.

Stuff from the tube

We saw this music video on the weekend and both the HOTH and I sat there stunned and then decided it was up there with the weirdest thing we have seen.


I hate Yo Gabba Gabba with a passion.  I saw this yesterday, Sawyer from Lost.  Totally made it bearable!!


I also love this episode with Jack Black.  Hilarious.  For some reason I can't share the real clips.


These talents were on Ellen the other week and they are awesome.  So clever.


Looking slightly older but still has that something, Jason Priestly from 90210!!


Song of the week.  Love it.  Makes me happy and dance around the house!!


Linking up this small selection of stuff from the tube with Essentially Jess for IBOT.

Gift Ideas part 2

Last week was gift ideas for little kids, this week 3-7 year olds.


One of the best presents my 4 year old got for his birthday this year was a wallet with a few dollars in it.  I got the 2 year old a wallet from Speedy when he was born as he really wanted his own one.  Both boys love earning money to go in it and it is such a great tool for teaching many lessons like responsibility, counting etc.  Did you know the old wives tale about it being bad luck to give a wallet, purse or bag without putting money inside it??

Books and dvds are great too.  Santa is bringing this (one of my absolute fave books and authors) and I cannot wait to read it to the boys.

On Sunday we took the boys to the movies for the first time and saw Planes.  It was such a fun experience for all of us.  Movie vouchers are great for all ages!!

Our local club has these money sucking machines and my kids love them.  I saw one similar to this at The Reject Shop last week for only $30.

  Independence has become big around here lately, the 4 year old especially loves having a shower by himself and having his very own shampoo etc and thankfully the gap in the market for boys toiletries is less now.

Linking up these few little ideas with One Mother Hen for Open Slather.

FFS Saturday/Things I Know- 28 days til BON JOVI

THE BAD

I was sick again this week with that weird aching virus thing.

Being sick sux.

Being sick and not being able to call in sick really sux.

I also pulled something in my neck meaning I couldn't turn my head for 3 days.

Operation GTFTB will be back in full swing next week.  10pm is not a suitable bedtime for a 4 year old.

Sunday was a rainy day and we thought we would take the kids to the movies.  We drive to the only cinema playing "Planes", line up, get to the front of the line to be told it had sold out.  We then drove past where the car show was and as it had stopped raining we thought we would get out and have a look.  It poured and we all got drenched!!  Will book online next time.

THE GOOD

Did I mention that in 28 days I will be seeing Bon Jovi!!

For those playing along at home the baby panadol turned up.  It was in the pantry.  Not even hiding just staring me in the face!!

With a spare few minutes I finished my Chrissy and birthday shopping bar a couple of things that will mean a trip to a shopping centre.  I will just suck it up and do it on Wednesday when I only have 2 little delights to wrangle.  I am thinking positively.

We have had heaps of rain this last week.  It has been awesome, exactly what we needed.

Speedy has slept through the night a few times now.  Loving this!!  He has even had a few day sleeps longer than a cat nap!!

We had the mums group Christmas party on Sunday.  That was fun, we had the club to ourselves, the kids ran riot, good times!!

I love having a pvr to record my shows!!  I am loving the last season of How I Met Your Mother and Homeland.

I love my dvd player, we are up to season 4 of Sons Of Anarchy.  Holy crap what an awesome show.

That about wraps it up for this week.  Linking up a very quick post while the HOTH is out boozing with his mates with Dear Baby G  for a late FFS Friday and The Miss Cinders for Things I Know.

Ps I have no problem with the boozing, I have done nothing productive since he left!!

Wordless Wednesday-Gardenia.

After 3 days of rain and cooler weather I opened up windows and doors this morning ans was met by one of my most favourite smells.  Our gardenias are finally flowering.  It smells divine.  I can't wait for them all to flower.

Linking up with My Little Drummer Boys for Wordless Wednesday.

Gift ideas part 1.

With the dreaded "c" word fast approaching and it now being an unavoidable reality I thought I would share some gift ideas with you.  I am one of those get in early and get it done types of people although you will still find me racing around like a blue ass fly on chrissy eve getting a last minute pressie and wrapping the stuff that has been sitting there for ages!!  Although this year I am way ahead and have pretty much got 80% of the stuff and just need 5 minutes to do a little online shopping!!

0-3 year olds 

foam shapes for the bath.  Yes it is annoying as hell packing them all up but they provide hours of fun and they are generally cheap as chips.  Santa is bringing some new ones for us as the ones we have have pretty much had it.  They have lasted a year and seen some serious bathtime action!!

this would have to be one of the most used and unbreakable things we have!!

 books, books, books.  We have a tonne of books already but you can bet I have read each one we have a million times or more!! A new book always goes down well!!

 dvds are great too.  So many options!!  I love introducing my kids to movies I loved as a kid.

 hours of fun for the kids and hours of packing away for the parent!!  It is one thing my kids will sit still and play quietly with!!

 old school toys are awesome too!!  Santa is bringing Speedy one of these!!

 When in doubt ASK!!  I don't have a lot in this age group to buy for but I do double check for birthdays and Christmas if there is anything the child needs or that the parent wants.  I have very strict limits on how much I spend and do not go over.

I hope this is helpful, I have seen people saying they have no idea what to get as presents.  These are just some little ideas that we have been given or I got that were awesome.  Tomorrow I have some more ideas for everyone else!!  Sometimes the simplest things are the best

Lastly, I am trying to pull together a little online party in December.  Stay tuned for details!!

Linking up with One Mother Hen for Open Slather.