Early morning blogging. As I do every single day. I get up before 6am most days.

Scramble to get all the uniforms organised, ironed and on their bodies. I hate this part of the day.

 The left over breakfast. My children have about 3 rounds… toast, cereal, cups of milk… And no one eats the same thing so it’s a feast at our house.

It’s that time of the year. Coughing children.

It’s always chaotic here in the morning so sometimes I get to make it before they go to school, other times I might get to it at lunchtime. I HATE getting in to an unmade bed though.

Fossicking through a clean washing basket to find some socks. I have piles of clean and piles of dirty clothes constantly. Did I mention I hate washing!?

Aren’t I lucky? There’s man-flu in the house. I’m shoving these down my husband’s throat. Oh the moaning and sniffling…

Had lunch with my bestie. I know I parked my car somewhere in here…

A quick trip to the hospital to visit my sister-in-law who had a little operation.

After school pick-up I got in to my pj’s, made pizza for dinner and did a bit of work on the computer.

Then I got back in to my clothes and dropped 10 year old at hip hop dance classes…

Boy, that was a big day.

Today I will repeat most of it! Happy Thursday. X

I’m going for the weatherboard look on my new house. I’m doing them light grey though.

The covenants on the subdivision doesn’t specifically say I can have weatherboards. It says I can have material made from ‘fibre cement sheeting’, so I’ve had to look for a weatherboard product that fits in to this category. So far, I’m looking at product found here. It has good insulation properties and looks like it’ll fit in to the category of fibre cement sheeting.

It looks pretty good to me! I’m also looking at a product we used on The Block too. Just depends on who gives me the best price I reckon!

Have a great Wednesday!

We’re real Aussies in the real world. We’re just like most other families running kids around on the weekend.

The brief was to show everyone what you do in a day (I went with 24hrs). This is it! I think we’re a pretty typical family.

There’s no sweet smelling breezes, gorgeous flowers and soft music where we come from. We’re all about livin’ the Aussie dream the only way we know how…

Footy, Ford’s and Family. This is how we roll.

This is what we did in 24 hours…

SATURDAY

SATURDAY NIGHT MOVIE

SUNDAY – MOTHER’S DAY

So our car took us many places. We’re always busy and always on the go. We yell, scream and fight through our day, but we wouldn’t have it any other way. It’s real life.

Is your weekend much like mine? I bet it is!

…

You know what I am going to ask you next… have you voted yet? Or AGAIN? Vote again. Vote from another email! I promise it’s all over soon. 2 more weeks. Why am I begging you to help me win? Not only is it about the car, but it’s about me heading to the biggest blogging conference in da world (BlogHer). The reason you NEED me to go is so I can learn more stuff and bring it all back to share with you. I need to learn more about this blogging game to give back to you. What works, what doesn’t, what’s hot and what’s not. There is a panel of judges who will consider me too. So fingers crossed the judging is based on my potential to bring home lotsa knowledge! Because after all, if I win, I’ll have you to thank and it’ll be the least I can do!

Plus – don’t forget that you could win $5,000 JUST for voting. Easy-as.

Thanks for putting up with me while I ride this wave

Today I’m just having a bit of fun with the observations I made whilst eating at a buffet style restaurant  recently. I’m talking about Food Fantasy at Jupiter’s Casino. It’s quite ‘famous’ for it’s food. Locals (who aren’t staying at the Casino) come to eat there too. You always have to book. It’s fits hundreds of people in it. The food is truly good. They have an omelette man for breakfast (which is my husband’s favourite thing ever). I’ve eaten there many times, but this time I decided to take note of the human behaviour that was going on inside this arena. It made me laugh and cringe…

Amie (+ her family) and I (+ my family) thought we’d sit back and do some people watching… I had my iphone ready and frantically typed some notes in to it. We had ourselves in stitches and also disbelief whilst observing the characters (I’m being polite here, because some are clearly animals).

Oh, and in our house we don’t call it a gourmet buffet – we say gor-met buff-et.

Here are our quotes:

1. It should say on a sign as you walk in “Welcome to the Feeding Frenzy – hope you haven’t eaten this week!”.

2. People are like Piranhas in a fish tank.

3. Are people stockpiling food? Are people grabbing extra just in case?

4. There are 24 desserts, why do we choose 8? Why can’t we be happy with 2?

5. Is someone wrapping stuff in a napkin over there?

6. Imagine the waste as people only grab it because it’s there. They can’t possibly eat it all.

7. Do you wonder what the staff say about you once they’ve cleared your table for the 5th time? They probably go back and say “table 32 are such pigs, look at all the food they grabbed and haven’t eaten half of it, they took 1 bite out of everything…”

8. The place is always so loud. You can’t have a conversation. People are swiftly moving through the place, clanging cutlery and glasses and pushing to get to the seafood and hot lamb.

9. The drink choices are totally unnecessary for children. Fancy putting in a soft drink machine where you can choose what you want. So we topped up the soft drink glasses 3 times with a different flavour. Kids are bouncing off the walls. Not to mention the dessert bar just for children!

10. People get a new plate every time they don’t like something. Filling it with yet another round of something they’ll only eat 3 mouthfuls of.

11. Husband said “this is like watching a couple of sardines being dropped in a tank of sharks…”

12. It’s like people may never eat again – do they know something we don’t know?

13. If this place is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, have they eaten here already today?

14. Do you wait for the staff to top stuff up before you pounce? Do you ask “is there more hot potato coming?” Oh yes, yes, people do ask. I’ve seen it.

15. I almost grabbed a handful of marshmallows on the way out because I thought I was entitled to it – I’d paid for it anyway.

Love or hate the buffet style dining, no matter what, it brought an evening of good laughter. It’s funnier inside that restaurant than any public place I’ve ever been.

I’ll go back, because when you’re hungry you can pig out as much as you want and no one is judging. We’re ALL there to eat until we split our pants…

Happy Mother’s Day to all the Mummy’s out there!

I’m up early. I’m not the sleep-in kinda girl. I get restless and angry if I am just laying there. So I’m up and I found this photo of my precious monkey’s taken 5 years ago. Little Chev in the middle was NOT happy haha!

So what are you up to today?

We’re heading to Albury on a road trip in the new Ford Territory. I’m going for coffee and cake with my Mum and Amie. It was my Dad’s birthday last week so the men will do a different kind of celebration – drink beer!

My Pop also went in to a nursing home for some respite care last week, so I’m also visiting him. Sucks to be old. It’ll be an emotional day.

Hope you have a lovely Sunday (and my thoughts are will those who have lost their Mum this year) xo.

PS. Thanks for all the social media love yesterday in regards to my crohn’s disease…

However, I’ve had this for almost 17 years, so I know how far I can go and how to manage it. I’ll stay close to home for the next few days and take it easy. If I get to the point where I can’t handle it, I always have some steroids on hand (which I hate and normally avoid like the plague!).

In the meantime, check me out on these posters! Yes, yes yes it’s leopard print – I know. I had these photos taken a few months ago and probably didn’t think it through enough with the animal-print idea! It’s all I wear Don’t worry, there will be a new phase of something coming through soon. It always does – I’m fickle.

The posters were printed by my husband’s business and they will be distributed throughout hospitals and Doctor’s waiting rooms. You may see them around! Poster girl! I’ve already had some messages saying people are seeing them around.

PLUS This month is known as Crohn’s and Colitis Awareness month. Click here to find out more.

I bought this folder from Kikki K earlier this year and have just become motivated enough to start filling it. My 10 year old and I sat together yesterday afternoon ripping out pictures from magazines (I am a magazine junkie!) and putting them all in their sleeves.

It’s getting really exciting around here. Met with my builder and draftsman on Wednesday and we all went up to my block to discuss. Husband came too. I’ve drawn my plans, but we’re making some changes and flipping the garage to the lower side. I wasn’t too precious about that part, but I really want the laundry and pantry to be right near the garage as you walk in with the internal access. The things I bring home EVERY day are school bags and groceries. So my laundry will be a bit of a mud-room too with storage and I also want to easily dump my groceries inside the door without having to walk through the entire house.

The other thing I’m particular about is where the western sun will be. I don’t want it anywhere near my living/outdoor area. So I’ve drawn the plan so the sun will hit the ‘dead’ side of the house when it’s setting.

I also really really want a double sided wood fireplace. It’s been drawn in, but I am yet to price this little exercise. You know, you have to start BIG and then scale back. Fingers crossed that stays. I’ve also got to look at it’s ongoing efficiency.

I’m not having a formal lounge room and not have a huge study. At this stage we’ve put a ‘study nook’ or area off the family room that you can close behind sliding doors.

I am not wasting one bit of space in this house. This is our 3rd new house build (plus I used to work for a building company), so I’ve see a lot of houses. I finally think I understand what will work for US best.

Below are some cool pictures I saw whilst flicking magazines yesterday (all taken on iphone so quality is average)….

Here is son and I flicking together. He picks out lots of good ideas. He has a real eye for it. He gets really exciting about anything interiors…

Animal print ottoman? Nah, just kidding! No, I won’t do that to my family… Speaking of leopard print – Tania (from The Block) text me about 8 photos yesterday of her friend’s house – she has a bigger obsession than me with the leopard print. She had shoes, rugs, sheets, pillows and the best one… house keys cut on leopard print!!! LOVED it and laughed and laughed. So cute.

Definitely putting this somewhere (chalkbaord calendar). Biggest son wants it in his bedroom…

Check out this magazine trolley idea. Very different. I would never have thought of that. My husband has a printery so these trolleys are everywhere. Maybe I could nick one!

What else can I tell you about the house?? Ummmm… did I tell you it’s weatherboard and cottagey? I’m not going ultra-modern. I’ll have some modern features inside, but I’m mostly doing classic.

Builder said “if you didn’t change things and we got a good run, you can be in the house in October.” I nearly choked with laughter! I only laughed because as if I’m NOT going to change things! Haha! Plus, we’re not on The Block now, so there is no 8 week race until the finish. We have a lease on this rental until January anyway, so let’s see if we can get this done before then.

In the last post I wrote about the house, I asked if any suppliers/contractors wanted to come on board. I’ve had some great interest. I have put together a brief outline about what’s in it for you if you come on board. Email me if you want to get involved. There is lots of advertising, promotional, general media and social media kick backs for you.

Happy Friday everyone! I’m working on The Media Maid stuff today. Busy busy!

2 weeks ago I was asked by Uberkate if I would like to host a giveaway on my blog for a personalised necklace for Mother’s Day. Of course I said yes.

I hadn’t thought much about what response I would receive. All you had to do to enter was leave a comment on that blog post. I didn’t have any requirements.

But I soon realised people told me WHY they wanted to win that necklace for Mother’s Day. Hundreds of comments came flying in. I was moved and touched. People’s stories gave me goosebumps.

Mothers wrote why they should win it for themselves. Husbands left comments about their wives. Teenagers wrote about their Mum’s. Mum’s wrote about their neighbours. Each person was deserving and each Mother should be celebrated. How could I possibly give just 1 necklace away? …

I think Mother’s Day should be celebrated with more enthusiasm and more passion. It doesn’t need to be about elaborate gifts. It could be chocolates, a card, a coffee or a simple phone call to say hello.

This time of the year can also stir up a lot of emotions for people who are not close to their mother, who have recently lost theirs, or for Mums yet-to-be. I am thinking of you at this time…

For MY Mother’s Day, I don’t want elaborate gifts. I just want everyone to be nice and calm in this house! I feel very blessed to have these little people here with me.

I’ll be telling my own Mum how much I appreciate her.

If you know of a great Mum make sure you let her know this Sunday.

Happy Mother’s Day! X

As a part of the 4 week challenge I have been given a nifty Ford Territory to ride around in. My boys are being really really ridiculous about it. They think I’ve won the Lotto. Seriously! But I’m already over their fighting about who is sitting where. This baby is a 7 seater so it’s musical chairs. If you were watching us at school pick-up yesterday I do apologise for their behaviour. I have NO idea how I am going to give this car back.

This car is brand spanking new! I’ve never had a brand brand brand new car before…

I grabbed a coffee as soon as I got it and headed straight to school. I was early so I sat in the carpark and fiddled with all the gadgets. I’ve never had a car with bluetooth so I kept ringing my husband from the car to annoy him!

It’s got leather, 7 seats and a freaking DVD player. Yep, they watched Open Season 2 with headphones on as we drove around…

Look at us – we’re kissing it and hugging it. You’ll be forced to peel us off it when the 4 weeks is up! We drove around for about 2 hours yesterday haha!

Anyway, my first challenge is to write about a Passenger – If you could have any passenger (famous, non-famous, dead or alive) sitting beside you for a road trip, who would you pick and why?

Hmmm…. so many people came to mind.

I was going to say Jessica Simpson so I could take her on a bumpy ride through the Wagga Wagga Wilderness and shake that baby out, but darn it, she FINALLY popped last week.

Then I thought I would take Britney Spears for a spin. I have always had a ‘thing’ for her. She’s a bit trashy, a bit of a bogan… a bit like me I guess

I asked my husband who he would take. He said “Lara Bingle” without 1 second of hesitation. He really has an unnatural obsession with her. *shaking my head*

BUT… I decided on Hamish & Andy…

I know, I know, that’s not a big surprise! I wasn’t taking someone with me that you’ve never even heard of! I wanted to make you all green with envy.

Now, why would I take them?

1. I wouldn’t need the radio on.

2. We could broadcast their show from my Ford Territory. Plenty of room for the production crew in the back (or on the roof racks).

3. We could get people to call the car phone instead of the station.

4. We could make the trip a bit like a GAP YEAR, but not a year (because I think my husband would divorce me).

5. Because they are recognised everywhere, I would be their ultimate wingman and everyone would want to be me.

6. We could mount a camera to the dash sing 90s pop songs for the entire trip (I know they love Vengaboys). Then we could have our own YouTube channel.

7. We could pick up a ‘guest’ along the way to spice it up.

8. I guess Zoe could come, but she’d have to sit in the back #jokes

Who would you take on a road trip anywhere and why?

Don’t forget you have to VOTE for me again! You’ll get a second entry in to the draw to win $5,000 cash for yourself. So hop on over… Pleeeease xo

I’m back!

I missed you guys. I hated not blogging actually.

Phew. What an exhausting but fun little break I had. I’ll tell you more about that when I can get myself (and my gazillion photos) together.

10 things about my week:

1. I ate prawns.

2. I got to see A-M and her gorgeous family (plus Penny dropped by!). A-M bought my kids nerf guns and all our 5 boys got along so well!

3. I saw the Jabbawockeez (my boys saw them TWICE!). If you’ve never heard of them do yourself a favour and YouTube them NOW! I was so impressed. My kids now want to be hip-hop dancers.

4. I stayed at my favourite place – Jupiters Casino.

5. I went on a waterslide – I called it the “colonic irrigation ride”. Enough said.

6. Kids are always little turds (actually I called them worse under my breath but this is a family blog!) on the long trip home.

7. And when these children are being turds in the car for the last stretch and make you scream and yell, you end up with a speeding ticket after Police jump out of the bushes and chase you down.

8. I played air hockey against my husband. Best out of 7 was the winner. It was 6-6. The pressure was on… he got the last point. Bummer. I’m going to practice now!

9. We spent $700 on maxi-taxis. Should have hired a bus for all of us.

10. Our luggage was 9kg over on the trip home. Amie and I carried our dirty undies, socks and stinky clothes in plastic see-through bags on the plane home to avoid an extra $130 charge. Everyone was staring at us. People wanted to talk to us about The Block. We stood there smiling with smelly clothes in our hands… We’re all class…

 Today I am up early and in to it. I think I’m picking up the Ford Territory I am lucky enough to drive for the next month thanks to you guys for voting me in to the Top 5 Bloggers via Kidspot.

I’m also finalising my NEW HOUSE plans. All the planets have finally aligned and I am ready to get this baby going. Reckon I can be in it before Christmas? Jode, what do you think? Haha! Ok, Jodi’s husband is my builder. Poor Quinny doesn’t know what he’s in for. Does he really want to deal with me??

This means my blog will have some changes too over the coming weeks (apologies if you haven’t been able to comment for a week – I’ve just found out!!!). I’m building a new house afterall, so I need to share all of that with you. It’ll be you guys who will make all my decisions!

I’m also throwing it out there to the Universe if you’re a supplier, tradie, or whatever who wants to contribute to my house, there will be some great promotional opportunities for you via my blog and other social media. I’m happy to share my readers with you. Email me now!

Have a great Monday! X