Friday 26 December 2014

Things I Know #40- Boxing Day and Happy New Year!!

I know I love love love Boxing Day.

364 days until the madness of Christmas starts again!!

I hope you all had a great day.

It was fairly low key here.  Although staring around my lounge room it doesn't look like it!!

I am spending the morning attempting some kind of clean up and then I shall be resting!!

Catch all you #tik legends next year!!

If I don't get a chance to do so before next week-

Happy New Year!!

Bring on 2015!!






Monday 22 December 2014

Have yourselves a merry little Christmas 2014.












It is that time of the year again where all I can do is wish you all the merriest of Christmases and thank each and every one of you for making my blogging day.

I promise to stop by and wish as many as I can a Merry Christmas.  Probably on Boxing Day as it is nothing short of chaotic here until then!!  I will fill you all in on whats been happening here later, if you follow me on instagram you may get a sneak peek!!

So CHEERS big ears, Merry Christmas and thank you.  xx

Linking up my Christmas message (like the Queen I am!!) with Alicia for #openslather and Kirsty for I Must Confess.

Tuesday 16 December 2014

Distractions to make you smile

Love this pic my friend tagged me in!!










I have no words to what has happened over the last 24 hours.  I think it is one of those things that will be mentally processed over the next few days.  My thoughts are with all those affected.

I was so pleased to see #IBOT was going to go ahead today.  I needed a distraction from all that has happened, not just in Sydney but from things which happened closer to home too, so I have these little videos for you.  I think that there is something for everyone.  I hope they help put a smile on your face and distract from reality which is pretty damn grim sometimes.

Waffles the cat looks remarkably like our first cat who passed away a couple of years ago.  Funnily enough our cat could have been the star of her own video doing exactly the same as Waffles!!  The lullaby singer is amazing. Denver is so cute and those lights are so clever.

Linking up with Essentially Jess for #IBOT.  Peace xx

Friday 12 December 2014

Things I Know #38- Who broke the internet??

Alright fess up who broke the internet this week??

All bloody week I have had issues with pages not loading etc

Very annoying and frustrating!!

I ended up turning everything off and it now seems to be working. Hmmm technology at its finest.

Song of he week, loving it.



Crazy weather we still have. For something different to the mega storms we now have gale force wind and it is freezing cold!! Storms, rain and wind I can cope with. Freezing my butt off in December, sort this out asap Mother Nature!!

So that is really all I am knowing right at this minute. It is that time of the year where I am plodding along. You guys know what it is like, this year we have an extra amount added thanks to school!!

I am hoping to know lots next week and have working internet!!





Linking up with One Mother Hen for #openslather as my internet connection is still broken!!

Wednesday 10 December 2014

Wordless Wednesday- Out and about

I wish you could smell these, divine they are!!
This little garden is thriving, I can't wait for the frangipani flower to bloom.
Lizards and a spider, just an average walk to the bus stop!!


Linking up with My Little Drummer Boys for Wordless Wednesday.

Tuesday 9 December 2014

Our new reward system

Our new reward system

I am dead set banging my head against a brick wall at the moment with my oldest 2 little angels.  To put it nicely they are lazy little buggers.  Anyone would think I was some kind of hard taskmaster when it comes to getting them to do jobs around the house.  I am far from it.  All I ask of them is to make sure the floors are cleared, pick up and pt away toys etc, put their dirty clothes in the laundry, put their clean clothes away and do other little bits and pieces.  All up I think if they just did it instead of whining about it it would take about 10-15 minutes a day.

It is a real battle of the wills, one which I am losing.

So my foot has come down.  If they want to do all the fun stuff in the holidays like go to the pool or park or playdates with friends these lazy little beggers are going to help me out.  At 5 1/2 and nearly 4 they are more than capable of doing a few chores.  I am willing to help them for example I know the nearly 4 year old can't open his drawers properly to put his clothes away so I am happy to give him a hand with this but everything else they can do on their own.

I saw via my facebook feed one of my friends comment on a photo of their friends which showed a picture which I have replicated to suit us.

Simply the kids have to fill their buckets with the rocks.  Once the bucket is filled they can have whatever their little hearts desire (within reason) however bad behaviour or whinging sees rocks taken out.

This worked brilliantly for the first few days.  They both within half an hour or so got to put 3 rocks in.  Then the fighting and bickering started, which I normally ignore but they upset the baby, so their rocks were tipped out and they had to start again.  The next morning without being asked they both did things so more rocks were added and similar to the day before the bad behaviour and also whining about doing chores started and the rocks were gone again.

Then we/they lost interest and we haven't been doing this but I am certain this is a great solution for us/them and I am going to implement it again.  As I am not a complete monster if they do get more than a handful of rocks I won't make them tip them all out but I will take a few.  I am also thinking of a carrot I can dangle like fill the bucket and we will go to the zoo or aquarium.

Because the big two are close in age these are the jobs I am asking them to do.

  • Pick up and put away toys/books etc.
  • Unpack school bags- lunchboxes and drink bottles out, any notes given to me etc, bags away, school shoes put away.  This will carry over to next year, 5 days for kindy kid and 2 days for the nearly 4 year old.  Also next year will see the start of homework and not just home readers.
  • Clean clothes put away, any dirty clothes put in the laundry.
  • Water plants although with the mental weather we have had lately this is one job we haven't had to worry about this.
  • Sometimes vacuum and dust etc.  I say sometimes as I can vacuum the house in the entire time it takes them to do half a tile on the floor!!
  • Make sure the dogs have water.
  • They are both loving to make sandwiches for lunch and crackers for snacks so I think I can add make lunch to the list!!
  • They both want to do more cooking so I think two days a week I will get them to help me out, one one day and one the next.
  • Lastly the school is having a summer reading challenge in collaboration with our local library (basically the kids will get stickers every time they borrow books).  I was planning on at least 15 minutes of reading/writing everyday in the holidays so this will tie in nicely.  I will make a little sheet up for the preschooler so he can join in as well.
I don't think these are unreasonable things to be getting them to do.  I want them to fill their buckets and be rewarded!!  I shall keep you updated on our progress!!


Song of the day is a massive fave of mine, it makes me turn the volume up and car dance while singing at the top of my lungs!!

Sunday 7 December 2014

The Wind Down



The countdown is on.  Not the countdown to Christmas but the countdown to the best part of this time of year.  The blissful few weeks when there is NOTHING on.  Nowhere to go, nowhere to be.  No driving here there and everywhere.  Two and a half weeks of absolutely nothing.  This is without doubt the part of the whole festive season I look forward to the most.

There will be time to catch up with friends for longer than a quick chat.  There will be loads of family time with the 5 of us.  There will be days we go out and do things and there will be days we don't.  I say bring this on.

This is really the only time of year where everything we are involved in shuts down.  Every single thing!!

School holidays with no morning rush, no uniforms to have ready, no lunch boxes and fruit breaks to prepare, no clock watching, no pick ups, no drop offs,.  I think you get the picture!!  Although I have a feeling it is going to be a long 6 weeks and the end of January will not come quickly enough!!

Just 11 days to go and the fun begins!!  Just a little excited!!

Linking up this little excitement with Where the Wild Things Were for Sunshine Sunday.  Also linking up for #openslather with One Mother Hen




Friday 5 December 2014

Things I Know #37= Not Much







I do not know a lot this week.  I ave not been around online a lot.  To be honest the online world really gave me the irrits this week.  Some people should not have access to any form of technology

I actually finished reading Gone Girl and I am hanging for the movie to come out of dvd so I can watch and compare!!  I really enjoyed the book.  Once I hit the middle things got interesting and I finished it in a night!!

I am loving the new Taylor Swift song.

I am sort of loving the weather lately.  Hot days cooled down with a mega storm every night.  The storms have been mental to watch, the lightening has been spectacular.

That is all I am knowing this week.  The wind down to the end of the year is on!!  Apologies as I didn't pop over to read the #tik links last week.  I plan on rectifying that today!!




Tuesday 2 December 2014

What are you waiting for??



"What Are You Waiting For?"

What are you waiting for?
What are you waiting for?

Are you waiting on a lightening strike
Are you waiting for the perfect night
Are you waiting 'til the time is right?
What are you waiting for?
Don't you wanna learn to deal with fear?
Don't you wanna take the wheel and steer?
Don't you wait another minute here?
What are you waiting for?

What are you waiting for?

You gotta go and reach for the top
Believe in every dream that you got
You're only living once so tell me
What are you, what are you waiting for?
You know you gotta give it your all
And don't you be afraid if you fall
You're only living once so tell me
What are you, what are you waiting for?

Are you waiting for the right excuse?
Are you waiting for a sign to choose
While you're waiting it's the time you lose
What are you waiting for?
Don't you wanna spread your wings and fly?
Don't you really wanna live your life?
Don't you wanna love before you die?
What are you waiting for?

What are you waiting for?

You gotta go and reach for the top
Believe in every dream that you got
You're only living once so tell me
What are you, what are you waiting for?
You know you gotta give it your all
And don't you be afraid if you fall
You're only living once so tell me
What are you, what are you waiting for?

[2x]
Tell me what you're waiting for?
Show me what you're aiming for?
What you gonna save it for?
So what you really waiting for?

Everybody's gonna make mistakes
But everybody's got a choice to make
Everybody needs a leap of faith
When are you taking yours?

What are you waiting for?

You gotta go and reach for the top
Believe in every dream that you got
You're only living once so tell me
What are you, what are you waiting for?
You know you gotta give it your all
And don't you be afraid if you fall
You're only living once so tell me
What are you, what are you waiting for?

You gotta go and reach for the top
What are you, what are you waiting for?
Believe in every dream that you got
What are you, what are you waiting for?
You know you gotta give it your all
What are you, what are you waiting for?
You're only living once so tell me
What are you, what are you waiting for?

What are you, what are you?
What are you, what are you waiting for?
What are you, what are you?
What are you, what are you waiting for?

I am thanking the internet today for the lyrics to this song I shared last week.  I am sharing it again and asking the question "what are YOU waiting for?".



Yesterday the topic of wearing swimmers and going to the beach or pool came up.  An overwhelming number of people were saying how they did not have a cossie wearing body.  I say bull dust.  If you want to go to the beach or pool put your cossies on and go.  Who gives a flying f#$k what anyone thinks.  Not me that is for sure.  You won't see me in a bikini but you will see me in cossies with boardies and usually a rashie (so I don't burn).  Get out there.  Enjoy.  Life is too damn short to worry.  Perfection is not worth the wait sometimes.  

Water activities are a great form of exercise.  Swimming, water walking, aqua aerobics, stand up paddle boarding etc.

I pull on my cossies every week for swimming lessons and don't give a crap what anyone thinks.  Same as going to the pool or beach.  Sure I could be fitter or more in shape but I refuse to let that stop me.

Don't get me wrong I am waiting for things I shouldn't like a cleaning fairy to turn up so to practise what I preach I am going to bust my hump this week doing all the little jobs which have built up into one great list of stuff to do.  Because seriously what am I waiting for??  I am just going to get on and do it.

Linking up with Essentially Jess for #IBOT.

Monday 1 December 2014

Ladies who lunch and my cossies.

Ladies who lunch

<I cannot wait to be a lady who lunches.  I was quite devastated to learn that our preschool will no longer be accepting kids under 3 meaning Speedy will have to wait until his birthday to go which means in just under 2 years I will be a free woman rather than in 13 months (yes I was counting!!).  I don't mind really though!!  I don't really want time to go so quickly.

The topic of "I must confess" this week is swimwear so here is what you will find me in when I go swimming or to the beach or on holidays.

I grabbed a new cossie from Kmart last time I was there.  $15 tankini and $9 bottoms, bargain.  I got the rashie 2 years ago then found out I was pregnant so it sat in my cupboard and I kept wearing my old stretchy one!!  The boardies are a new purchase last week as my maternity ones have finally given up and have holes in them!!  The green kaftan was a pressie and I live in it when we go to the beach.

I always cover up as I burn very easily!!  Plus as Destiny's Child say my body is too bootylicious!!  The cossie bottoms are annoying as hell with the string but beggars cannot be choosers and the perfect cossie is so hard to come by.  At the moment the shops are big on one pieces which I am not.  I think I might even grab another cossie next time I am shopping as pretty soon the shops will stop selling summer stuff and move onto winter clothing while n is still hot.



Linking up with My Home Truths for I Must Confess,  Musings of the Misguided for Sunshine Sunday, One Mother Hen for #openslather and Mystery Case for the LBD challenge.
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Thursday 27 November 2014

Things I Know #35- Thanksgiving

What a shitty week it has been around the globe.  I try to avoid watching the news but this week it has been unavoidable.  So much sadness and violence.  All of it completely inexplicable.  I have been counting my blessings a little more this week thats for sure.

So here is some random bits that have made me smile this week because I know how important it is to take stock of what is around you.

I won this on Facebook by guessing how much the outfit was worth.  I guessed $17 and was the first to guess correctly!!  I requested they donate it to the nearest refuge because as much as I would have liked the bag and hat I don't need them and there is someone else who does.

The tree is 10 metres tall and took 1200 hours to build. The Lego Christmas Tree we missed out on seeing.

I ended up buying these little aloe vera plants on ebay after debating whether or not too.  After a dash up to the local nursery for potting mix and the little biodegradable pots they are "hopefully" going to thrive then I can put them into bigger pots.  Fyi it is fine to send plants around NSW (not sure about interstate) and these were express posted.


Ooh look what I saw an ad for.  I love the original and this looks like a great remake.

I cracked a wally about going to bloody presentation day today as it was going to be an extra long torture session and the Kindergarten class of 2014 were performing right at the end but I chanced it and went right when I thought it was ending.  I missed their performance by about 2 minutes and was a little broken hearted until it was announced that the kindy kids were staying on the stage so parents cold take photos while the rest of the school went back to their classes.  I got to see them perform the song twice which was a lovely thing for the school to do as no one would have been able to see properly as the hall was packed and the smile on my kindy kid's face when he saw me was worth being there.  We just won't tell him I missed the main thing!!

In other news it is Thanksgiving in the US this weekend (Happy Thanksgiving) and I am seriously considering having a Thanksgiving next year with friends.  What a great idea, gathering with your nearest and dearest, eating and drinking.  There are so many awesome Thanksgiving recipes although they might not be the best to have on a summers day!!  I like the idea that it isn't about gift giving which has overtaken what Christmas should be about.  Definitely something I will look into for next year!!

Linking up with Sarah from Creating Contentment for #thankfulthursday





Interview with myself

Where is your cell phone?.... charging
Your hair? .........needs a cut and colour
Your father? ..... likes a beer
Your favourite thing? .........sleeping kids
Your dream last night?.... can't recall.  
Your favourite drink? .......... coke in a glass bottle
Your dream/goal? ...........this week was to get Christmas sorted which it is bar a trip without kids to get a couple more bits!!
The room you are in? ......lounge room
Your fear? ........ my dishwasher breaking irreparably
Where do you want to be in 6 years?..... Vegas
Muffins? ............egg and bacon cooked on the bbq with cheese and sauce on a Sunday morning
One of your wish list items?.......... a new dining table
Where you grew up? ......... England and Australia
The last thing you did? ....... made a glass of cordial
What are you wearing?....... pjs
Your TV?........... small compared to the rest of the world's!!
Your pets? ..........family
Your computer? .....love it
Your life? .........pretty cool, I am very lucky.
Your mood? ......... calm
Missing someone? ....... always
Your car? ..... not a seven seater
Favourite store?.....our local salvos
Your summer? ..... hot if the last week or so has been anything to go by.
Your favourite colour? .......blue.. 
When is the last time you laughed? ...... watching The Big Bang Theory on tv earlier
Last time you cried? ....... I had tears in my eyes when I jammed my finger between a box and a shelf.  It freaking hurt!!
Three people who email me? ........, junk catalogues, people telling me I have won some mega amount of money and lately people offering to tell me what my comment on blogspot means.
Three of my favourite foods? ......... Mexican, chocolate anything and haloumi fried on the bbq
Three places I would rather be right now? .....Fiji, Fiji, Fiji

I saw this quick quiz on Facebook ages ago and figured it would be perfect for this weeks prompt from The Lounge which is "interview".  It is clearly American because of all the funny spelling and cell phone!!  I chose to interview myself as Jon Bon Jovi wasn't available, ffs!!

Linking up with Tegan from Musings of the Misguided

Wednesday 26 November 2014

Mall Art

'




This talented artist was in the middle of Pitt Street Mall when we were there last Saturday.  Amazing.
I took these photos on my phone as once again we left the house without the camera!!  The photos do not do these pieces justice.

Linking up with My Little Drummer Boys for Wordless Wednesday.

Tuesday 25 November 2014

English, music and plants


So proud of this effort!!  What a champ.


After popping the picture of the #myfirst (a cool competition Blah Blah Magazine is running at the moment to win some Lego!!) Christmas card that Kindy Kid has written this year it lead (there is another one!!)to a conversation about just how ridiculous the English language actually is.  Beat/beet, peek/peak, kinder, minute, through, rough, bough, tear, wonder, peek are examples of what was making me bang my head against a brick wall.  Also live which is a flash card I picked up off the floor that made my blood boil even more.  Gawd English language sort your shite out.  Even as I think about it again there are more for example bear/bare.

Special thanks to Blah Blah Magazine and Muddle Headed Mamma for annoying the bejesus out of me with some of these examples!!


I am loving this song.  I love this lyric video, all the handwriting is awesome!!  I love Nickelback and still don't know why the world hates them??


Loving the new Bush!!


I can see my Friday being spent going to a shopping centre with a record shop to buy the new accadacca cd.  I can see by Monday morning the cd will be thrown from a moving car under a garbage truck or it won't work anymore from being worn out!!  Should I be forced to go to the shops with 2 children I will be rewarding myself with a medal and wine!!


One of the funniest things I have seen in ages.  If you have a Lab or Retriever you will appreciate this!!

A question to round out this random #ibot- Have any of you purchased plants online for example on ebay??  I really want some Aloe plants but the only way I am able to get it is if I buy online.  I am a little sceptical.

Linking up this random collection of bits with Essentially Jess

Sunday 23 November 2014

Santa Photo 2014







Saturday we headed into the big smoke/Sydney for our annual Santa photo at the amazing Queen Victoria Building.  It has become our yearly tradition now to head in early, have breakfast at one of the cafes, wander around the shops, explore a little of the city before heading home.

Yesterday I was not really in the mood to traipse the city as I have a cold and it is making me grumpy however I am so glad we went.  Not only because yesterday was really the only free day we had but because the Christmas spirit made me feel a little better.  I do wish we could have gone in a little later like next weekend as apparently there will be a Lego Christmas tree in Pitt Street Mall.  But that's life and the way the cookie crumbles.

We arrived at the QVB at about 9:10am and went and put our name down.  Even getting there that early there was about a one and a half hour wait which was fine as we had a look at some shops, grabbed some breakie and before we knew it it was our turn.  Sadly I had to wake the baby.  The baby who never sleeps in the pram slept for over an hour!!  Hindsight being so fantastic I should have said that another family could have gone before us so he had a chance to wake up properly.

I do love getting a Santa photo even though it is a little pricey!!  The QVB really is such a special place to visit and the company who do the photos are faultless.  I love how you put your mobile number down and they text you when it is your turn.  We have done other places and it really is hard to beat.  I always get the most expensive pack as it saves me printing out copies!!  Total laziness but one less thing to worry about plus the bonus bookmarks etc it comes with are great for all the older relatives!!

We have been lucky enough to have the same Santa for the 3 years we have been going and he is lovely.  So patient and genuinely jolly.  He had all the answers to all the questions my two big boys threw at him.  Did you know he parks his reindeer in a special garden on the roof of the QVB!!  He also graciously accepted the card the boys had written him and made sure he knew what was on their lists.  All up I think we spent 10 minutes getting the photo and having a chat.

After the photo we made our way to Pitt Street Mall to see the Lego tree which wasn't there!!  We had a peek at the David Jones window display.  Loved it!!  It was so nice to see the kids faces as they saw each window.  I do have some pics to share another day!!
These cute reindeer are the stars of the window!!

We had a little bit of lunch at the cafe inside the dj's store, after we went up to their Christmas Cave (it was nice but totally mental with people everywhere!!).  The cafe was great.  The simple reason being they had an awesome kids menu.  $6.50 got you a sandwich, a little bottle of juice and a gingerbread man for dessert.  I wish more places catered for kids this way.  It is a perfect lunch for little ones.  We ordered two to split between the boys and everyone was happy!!

After lunch we went to a few more places then headed home.  It was a long day but I think we all enjoyed it.  We can't wait to do it all again next year!!

There we have it!!  The best of seven pictures, baby in mid scream so it looks like he is smiling!!  The three year old wearing his scabby hand me down shoes which have holes in them and are quite literally falling apart!!  He is also wearing his oldest daggiest shorts, lucky he is cute!!  Butter wouldn't melt in the oldest one!!  Love it!!

Linking up with Tegan for Sunshine SundayAlicia for #openslather and Kirsty for #imustconfess.

Friday 21 November 2014

Things I Know #33- Band Aid 30

Pretty much sums it up!!




This is the new version of Band Aid.  I like it!!  I like this film clip as the fairly graphic start is cut out.  It is a great version which I am sure will do extremely well..  I did think Bob could have got some more of the originals to participate again!!  I will be doing my bit and purchasing it.

Apologies now if I am not around much next week.  Next week is get all of the overseas xmas stuff sorted and sent.  I am determined to get this done and dusted by Friday.

Stay cool if you are in nsw, the next few days are supposed to be scorchers.  Pull yourself together Mother Nature there is no need for this extreme heat.

That is it for this weeks #tik.  I don't know too much obviously!!



Wednesday 19 November 2014

Wordless Wednesday- Captured Moment


Linkin up this captured (then played around with on my phone!!) moment with My Little Drummer Boys for Wordless Wednesday.

Tuesday 18 November 2014

$50 Style Challenge and Old School Nightclub

Old School Nightclub





Jimmy choo handbag
neimanmarcus.com



ALDO black jewelry
aldoshoes.com



$50 challenge #2


Boho maxi dress
amazon.com

Billabong floral sandals
billabong.com

H M shopping tote bag
$20 - hm.com

Merona hat
target.com





$50 Challenge #1
Kimono cardigan
fallfor.com


Flat sandals
$8.78 - beyondtherack.com

Girls' Harem Pants Black
$14 - target.com.au



$50 challenge #3


Vero Moda red tank top
$19 - veromoda.com

Jane Norman shirts top
$13 - janenorman.co.uk

Pieces aztec design shirt
$21 - pieces.com

Influence shirts top
$9.39 - thehut.com


Vero Moda floral shirt
$7.83 - thehut.com

H M maxi skirt
$6.26 - hm.com



First up the cute vintage style flapper dress.  I always wish I lived back in the "golden days"!!   I think it is safe to say my clubbing days are far behind me!!  I love sleep too much now!!

I flicked through polyvore and found a few things I would actually wear for the  Mystery Case $50 Style Challenge.   I had planned on going to our local Salvos shop and also a Kmart but time got away and I never got the opportunity to go without my delightful children!!  My boys have some inbuilt gene from their Father which as soon as they even walk past a shop they crack an absolute wally and scream like banshees when they are little and in a pram or as they get older carry on like complete tools!!  

I got a little carried away hence the three different looks!!

Song of the day is an oldie but one I love.  I heard it yesterday when we were at 730am swimming lessons.  So relaxing and calming!!  The film clip has goats and unicorns which makes me smile!!


Linking up my contribution to the LBD Challenge and $50 Challenge with Essentially Jess for #ibot.