2012 what a year!!

2012 was life changing in so many ways. 

The biggest change for us was going from this (although sadly) in May

to this

29/12/12

from knockdown to rebuild in 4 months. 

We went to Fiji.  It could not have been a more perfect holiday.

Birthday breakie of vegemite toast!!

This little angel turned 1.  Not the best photo I have others on my computer which isn't plugged in!!

This big one started preschool in February and turned 3 in March

We very sadly said goodbye to this gorgeous girl in July. 

2012 will be remembered by us as "year of the house".  We spent our weekends choosing brick, paint, tile colours.  Not as easy or as fun as it sounds!!  We really spent 12 months focused solely on our house.  We did not do much other than focus on the house and I am glad we did.  In fact many years were spent focusing on the house.  It was a long drawn out process.

2013 will be different.  The house is done and complete.  It is so low maintenance we won't need to spend full weekends on it like the old place.  Which leaves us with whole weekends free.  We have resolved to do more fun stuff with the kids like trips to the zoo etc.  Made easier by the fact the are older and able to do much more.  We have also decided to do more of what we like.  For me that will be reading more and for the HOTH it will be starting work on his car thats been sitting in the shed for 3 and a half years!! 

I can't say I am hanging for 2012 to be over.  It has not been a bad year and so much changed for us that 2013 will be a continuation not a whole new start. 

So all thats left to say is HAPPY NEW YEAR and thank you to anyone who has read this blog, commented, chatted with me on twitter and facebook.  Your interactions mean a lot to me.  So bring on 2013!!

I was tagged by Jacana to list my 12 things in 2012 and now have to tag 12 people however most people have already done this.  Trust me to leave it to the last minute!!  If you have not yet reflected on 2012 do it!! 

Linking up for the last open slather with One Mother Hen.

FFS Friday- Christmas 2012 the wrap up.

I have to confess its been fairly uneventful here.  We are in full holiday mode however I am still able to whip up a FFS Friday post!!!

Christmas eve was stinking hot here.  FFS

I am totally in awe of just how good I am for being all organised for Christmas.  All I had to do Christmas eve was do some groceries and wrap pressies.  Yes I am that good.  FFS

Christmas day I woke up at 5am, got up looked outside and thought the Mayans were right and the world had ended.  FFS

No power and fog.  It looked like the apocalypse.  FFS

Power came back on at 6am.  Making every appliance we own beep and carry on waking both boys up.  FFS

2 excited boys at 6am, 10 minutes later the fighting started.  FFS

All before I had a chance to put the kettle on.  FFS

I then had to referee until the HOTH woke up at 7.  FFS

We all got lovely presents and had a good morning playing with new things and a casual breakfast.  The HOTH was adamant we have a small breakfast as lunch was at 1pm.  FFS

Lunch turned out to be at 330pm.  FFS

After lunch and the washing up and presents it was time for dessert.  No sooner had I shovelled in the last mouthful of pav it was time for us to head off to our second stop of the day.  FFS

I walked in all excited as Granny's world famous Christmas pud was sitting on the table. Turns out this side of the family had not eaten dinner yet and I was forced to eat more food if I wanted a piece of pud.  FFS

I rolled out of there in some kind of food haze.  FFS

The only other thing about Christmas day was the weather.  Wettest Christmas day for 70 years.  FFS 

The day had it all, wind, rain, thunder and lightning.  FFS

A far cry from Christmas eve.  FFS

Plus it was cold meaning my outfit choice had to be changed.  FFS

It also meant the new bike from Santa sat in the lounge room for 2 days.  FFS

Other things that have made me say FFS this week include-

• breaking 3 plates getting the ham in and out of the fridge.  Lucky they are cheapies from kmart.
• a 3 year old who had an ear ache and temps on boxing day,
• a nearly (in a week) 2 year old who has decided to start the terrible twos including a few choice tantrums and the old I am not going to bed until 10pm.

Happy New Year guys and let us not speak of Christmas again until December next year.  FFS

Linking up with Dear Baby G for the last whinge of 2012!!

Wordless Wednesday- So that was Christmas 2012

We said goodbye to Ernie/Bernie the elf.  I am so glad I jumped on the elf on a shelf bandwagon!!  The kids loved him.  Before he left he took a couple of cheeky photos!!

By Christmas Eve I was over fixing up the tree!!

Santa delivered!!  Thank you Santa!!

Fireman dressups and a remote control fire engine!!

I hope Christmas 2012 was a good one for you all.  Next year I hope to remember the camera for more Christmas pictures!!

Linking up with My Little Drummer Boys for a boxing day Wordless Wednesday!!

T'was the night before Christmas....

Here we are again Christmas Eve!!  I swear the years fly by and it was only Christmas a few months ago. 

I just have all the wrapping to do plus the groceries as the shops are shut for 2 days and the world here would end if we do not have peanut butter or toilet paper!!  I am stoked to say that all the big one wants for Christmas is a blue bike and a new fire truck which is just what he is getting.  Except the bike is actually a Lightning McQueen one!!  I love getting the perfect gift for someone knowing they will love it!!  I know the baby will love his new tipper truck!!  I am also fairly sure the HOTH will love his presents even though we were not supposed to be buying each other presents!!

We have had some fun with Ernie/Bernie our Elf on a shelf although he has not been very creative about where he is each morning!!  There are limited places he can go out of temptation from little hands!!   The fridge has been loaded with "tinnies"ready to leave for Santa and a few carrots for the reindeer!!  Ernie/Bernie is all ready to head back with Santa tonight.

I am forever grateful to live in my small town.  The community spirit is alive and well here.  The local firies every year load up the fire truck with Santa and bags of lollies and cover the whole town so no child misses out on a quick wave from Santa and a little treat!!  Saturday just gone was the day this year and for a small child who loves firetrucks there is no bigger thrill!!

So the countdown is on!!  This time tomorrow I will have 2 very excited little boys and I cannot wait!!  For me thats what Christmas is all about!!

So Merry Christmas to all and to all a goodnight!!

Oh and I cannot resist sharing this song I heard last week!!  It is so funny and the film clip is just as good!!  Although slightly cheeky!!

Bloggers Boogey- More Christmas!!

Merry Christmas!!

FFS Friday-what the kids and dogs did now and Merry Christmas!!

The HOTH asked me what I was going to write about on Friday as this week had been good, he wasn't here for most of it.  FFS

Basically this week has been spent cleaning up after kids and dogs.  FFS

Over the weekend the baby found a new hobby of putting stuff in the toilet.  FFS

So far I have fished out a $1 coin, a fire truck and a brand new toothbrush.  FFS

Monday was particularly shocking with 1 bloody nose, a whole bottle of baby wash poured down the shower, a broken glass and 2 cups of spilt juice/water.  FFS

Monday also saw us come home from swimming to find the baby had left his beloved toy Ra ra outside and a dog had chewed one of his ears off.  FFS

I had been meaning for ages to call the toy company and find a spare one.  FFS

Calls and emails placed and no one in the company has seen the toy before.  Chances of getting a replacement are slim to none.  FFS  (hats off the the toy company they were more than helpful)

Tuesday saw me struck down with the flu.  FFS

Wednesday I had to suck it up and go and buy some food as the HOTH was coming home a day early and I am not sure he wants 2 minute noodles for dinner.  FFS

I am using sickness as an excuse for not shutting the back door, like I do religiously every time we leave the house.  We came home to scenes of mass destruction.  FFS

The dogs had taken a couple of presents from under the tree and spread their contents over the yard.  FFS

They had also taken rubbish out of the bin.  FFS

The baby, poor little thing also developed temps.  FFS

We have a history of illness at this time of year.  The week before Christmas last year saw me and the baby take a little trip t the hospital late one night.  I knew deep down he was ok but also knew if I didn't take him I would have been wrong.  FFS

The staff were great and we were in and out in 3 hours however the triage nurse said to me whatever you do don't get sick over Christmas as they were reducing staff numbers as part of cost cutting.  FFS

Thursday saw me remember to shut the backdoor but forget to shut the laundry door.  FFS

I love picking up chewed dirty nappies from the back yard when it is stinking hot.  FFS

The HOTH in an attempt to be nominated for father of the year brought home a toy truck and fire truck  for the boys yesterday afternoon.  Wow what a great guy you must be thinking.  FFS

Even he admitted about an hour later it was the worst mistake ever.  FFS

The fighting and whinging over who had what truck went on for about 4 hours and even continued when I put them to bed and restarted at 620am and has not let up.  FFS

Which explains why this FFS Friday has not been finished until now.  FFS

I am still doing battle with Telstra, turns out I need a new modem.  FFS

I got them to credit me back some money but I will be gunning for a whole lot more now.  FFS

Anyway Merry Christmas FFS Fridayers,  May your Christmas not give you too much to say FFS about!!

Linking up with the ever awesome Dear Baby G

Readers Choice- Liebster x3

Each person must post 11 facts about themselves 

Answer 11 questions the tagger has given you 
Choose 11 people and link them to your post (they must have 200 followers or less) 

Provide 11 questions for the people you tag 

Tell the people you have nominated

A long time ago  I was awarded a Liebster from the fabulous One Mother Hen and being the slack ass I am have left it until the end of December to do!!  Here are her 11 questions for me-

1. What nationalities are in your ancestry? British and french
2. Favourite Australian actor/actress? Hugh!!
3. Which magazine to you read the most? Who as it used to be good and I treated myself to a subscription now its just tripe!!
4. What was your first job and how old were you? Babysitting and I was 14
5. Electric blanket or hot water bottle? Hot water bottle.  I refuse to sleep on electricity!!
6. Favourite joke or party trick? I do a good chicken impression!!
7. Right now, what's on the top shelf of your fridge? Beer, eggs, yoghurt, cheese and a tomato
8. What colour is predominant in your wardrobe? Blue
9. First car you owned and what are you driving now? First car was a Mitsubishi Lancer station wagon and right now I am driving a good old white camry wagon. 
10. Where was the best holiday you've had? Castaway Island, Fiji
11. Who has been the biggest influence in your life? Hmmmmm I guess the HOTH and the kids.

Great questions!!  I really am too boring and do not have 11 facts about myself!!

Then I was awarded a Liebster by Four Little Piglets who is one crafty mumma and here are her questions for me!!

So what is a Liebster Award? The award is given to support and recognise up and coming bloggers who have less than 200 followers (on their blog) or likers (on their Facebook page). The word “Liebster” apparently has German origins and is reported to mean sweetest, kindest, nicest, dearest, beloved, lovely, kind, pleasant, valued, cute, endearing, and welcome. By following some basic rules (answer 11 questions set by your nominee, write 11 questions of your own and pass the award onto 11 other bloggers to answer) it enables readers to get to know new bloggers and connect with a wider audience.

1. Would you rather watch TV or play on the computer? Depends on the time of day and whats actually on tv worth watching!!
2. Are you a routine kind of person, or a what ever goes person? Whatever goes!!
3. Do you sleep with the window open or shut? Open in summer!!
4. PC or MAC? PC
5. What is the last movie you watched? Santa Paws
6. What book are you reading at the moment? Nothing just YET!! We have been reading The Aussie Night Before Christmas.
7. Are you a dog or a cat person? Both, can't pick there!!
8. Do you prefer to ring someone or send a TXT? Text!!
9. Approximately how many hours sleep a night do you get? Not enough!!
10. Camping or Hotels? Hotel-although I am prepared to take the kids camping when they get older as long as I get a powered en suite site!!
11. If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would it be? Castaway Island, Fiji

Then just yesterday Declutterbug versus Captain Stingypants who is just unreal awarded me for a third time.  I am one lucky girl!!  Here are her questions for me!!

1. How has blogging affected you?

I love it.  Blogging has opened me up to a whole new world!!  It has only been positive!!

2. What do you do when you get some 'me time'?

Jump on the computer, head out and do the groceries or do the housework!!

3. Do you share your blog with family and close friends?

Some of my friends have found me but I have not actually told anyone except the HOTH!!

4. How often do you check your blog stats?

I am so not techno minded that I only just figured out how to add google analytics!!  Stats don't bother me I am not a numbers person.  I need a calculator for simple maths!!

5. What inspires you to write?

Hmmmmmmm not sure!!  Most of the time I just sit and write!!

6. How do you relax in the evening?

A long shower, some crap tv and sometimes a little chocolate!!

7. Do you sleep with your smartphone?

No as I do not own a smart phone!!  I do have my phone next to me as an alarm!!

8. Name a person you admire

I admire so many people for so many things but right now the person I think is the smartest, best person is Kurt Sutter creator of Sons Of Anarchy.  The man is a genius no question!!

9. Coffee or tea?

Coffee in the morning, tea in the afternoon!!

10. Your dream holiday is...?

Castaway Island, Fiji

11. In five years time you hope to be....?

Working a couple of days a week in school hours and school terms or having won lotto and kicking back!!

Now my 11 questions-

1. Do you have any reoccurring dreams?  If yes care to share?
2. Turkey.  Yes or No.
3. What is your favourite type of music?
4. Any tips for insomnia?
5. We are out for dinner and drinks and you order.....?
6. Do you have a must watch tv show, old or new?
7. Sports.  Do you play?
8. Whats a quote or sayinng you use all the time?
9. Do you wear perfume?  If yes what is your favourite?
10. Favourite household appliance?
11. Should Budgie Smugglers be banned?

Now my eleven.  I am handballing this back to
One Mother Hen, Four Little Piglets and Declutterbug versus Captain Stingypants
and I am also passing it on to
Mumabulous
This Charming Mum
Three Quaters Full
You learn something new everyday
Mummy hearts Money
Danya Banya
Have a laugh on me

Now as a disclaimer I had this all ready to go and then bloody Musings of the Misguided went and awarded me with another one and stole most of my recipients!!  So I have changed my list and in the process found some new fab blogs to read!!  Also if you are good at counting you will see only 10 names on my list, that is because I want you to nominate one!! 

Linking this up with Tegan for the last Readers Choice Thursday of the year.  Thanks Tegan I will get onto your one for me next year!!

Oh and a shout out to Handmade Tears and Triumphs who also honoured me yesterday!!  I am go grateful to you guys.  You have really put a smile on my face!!