Ah, the possibilities!

Soaking

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah) — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 08:15:00 +0000

He held my hand as I walked with him to his classroom today. I grinned to myself like a clown because I know all too soon my hand will be dropped and these are fleeting moments to cherish.

To soak up.

I've been doing lots of soaking up lately.

Watching Mr Small try his snowsuit on for the millionth time despite the fact it's baking outside. I let him because he looks so stinking adorable and it reminds me of the adventures that lie ahead.

Putting out some Christmas decorations even though we leave soon. Because we know the people staying here while we're away can enjoy them and who doesn't love pretty things? (Mr Woog I hope you saw this photo and have organised Mrs Woog's Christmas present accordingly)

Lunch with friends. Online and offline.

Planning family picnics. Reconciling family dramas. Because life is too short, and after all, it is the season.

Realising every single day that life is filled with extraordinary surprises. This week there have been pregnancy announcements (NOT MINE I hasten to add) and two elopements (NOT MINE either)

And working out lots. Amazing how this has become such an innate part of my daily routine. At some point I will share a bit more of that journey with you and the impact it had had, well on everything.

I used scramble to meet deadlines and get it all done. Futile really, because when it is all ever really done? Instead I've done my best.
And know now that's enough.

Wishing you all a peaceful and happy weekend xxx

Stepping back up to the play

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah) — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 23:14:00 +0000

It's good to step back sometimes and just be reflective. To let the pitch just pass by and accept that you're simply not ready to take a swing at it, or catch it, or whatever it is that you're supposed to do at pitching time. I don't actually know what the rules are.

This week has been a peaceful one. It's a word that stands in stark contrast to the time of year. Everyone is dashing round getting ready for the imminent school holidays, the festive season, the end of the year. Everywhere I go people are telling me about their shopping lists, the 'to-do's' and 'what's next.'

And the thing is, I know I'm in a similar position to them. But these past few days I just haven't felt ready or able for it all. I've felt like someone on the sidelines just watching it all pass by in a bit of a blur. I knew why. I've allowed myself that time and space.

But yesterday afternoon I went out with a friend to play bingo. We sat in a huge hall and I didn't have a clue what to do. And the people sitting round us were so kind and helpful. Within minutes I morphed into some kind of bingo demon and joined in with the cheers and groans of the crowd as the games played out.

I had fun. I laughed and smiled again.

We went out for dinner as a family last night. This has been a recipe for disaster in the past. My shoulders have usually ended up surgically attached to my ears as I hiss: "Sit still!" or "STOP playing with the salt shaker!" But last night, the food was great, the kids were good and we laughed and loved and left the restaurant surrounded in that bubble of happiness. The one that a glass of wine and great company can give you.

So as a new week begins, I feel revived. Ready to start again.

Ready to play.

Hope you have a great week xxx

Sitting with the grief

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah) — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 06:04:00 +0000

One thing I have learned this weekend is how to spend a little time with grief. After our darling cat Sparkles was hit and killed by a car on Friday I spent the day alternating between floods of tears, to being completely matter of fact about the whole thing.

That’s the thing with grief, it takes you on a journey veering between the terror that you will never find a moment of joy and happiness again, through to rationalizing whatever has happened merely as a “terrible accident” or “how could they do that?” which we accept calmly. Until another wave hits us and we’re dragged under again.

In the past whenever sad or tragic things have happened within my family I have always tried to move past it as fast as possible. You know, until it came up and side slammed me in ways that meant I could no longer disregard the sadness I felt and I would have to confront it.

I hate grief.

I hate loss.

But this weekend I made a conscious decision to sit with it. I made a choice to accept that it was okay to be sad. That bursting into tears when I entered my son’s room knowing that I wasn’t going to find my darling grey cat curled up there ever again, was ok. Together my husband and I navigated digging her grave, burying her and having a little service with our children to honour her.

I’ve snuggled with our kids and we’ve laughed and cried together. I’ve been overwhelmed at the kindness and thoughtfulness of others. There were texts, phonecalls, emails and even a beautiful parcel from a friend which I was so grateful for.

Grief is a reminder not only of our current loss, but the ones we’ve endured previously. So I remembered my brother, my auntie, the many friends I’ve lost too soon. I’ve remembered the love and the pain that comes with saying good-bye. This is the gift grief gives us. The memories. Good, bad and otherwise.

In a world where I have been guilty of moving on from things too quickly this weekend has been strangely healing. It wasn’t self indulgent to just be sad. I won’t apologise for my mourning. I think sometimes we need to do less apologizing for our feelings and spend a little more time acknowledging them.

Grief and memories are not something we can ‘delete’ when they make us uncomfortable. This weekend has reminded me of the beautiful balance life and death create. And I am grateful for it.

Image credit

Did the fortune decree it?

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah) — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 21:42:00 +0000

This was the fortune cookie I got yesterday. (They seem to be a bit of an obsession at school and the offspring are allowed to take one each day as a special treat)

Lovely yes?

And the thing was, the day was full of surprises. Big and small and all pleasant. There was good news for friends and every phone call and interaction I had with others seemed to be a happy one. And throughout it all I kept coming back to the words from the fortune cookie.

Now rationally speaking, all the lovely surprises of the day had nothing to do with the fortune cookie. It is mass produced and I will probably come across a similar decree if I eat enough of them ;) But it did alter my mindset somewhat. I was open to positive and good things happening and when they did I was more aware of them.

And sometimes that is all we need isn't it? Just the promise of a good day, or a light at the end of a tunnel. When it's been a rough day with the kids, a phone call from a friend can change how we feel. Because we have the reminder that there is a world out there after all. That we haven't been completely forgotten or excluded.

Often on Facebook people will pop up inspiring slogans or phrases, that while they are annoying to some are actually really enjoyable for me to read. Because there is just so much negativity in the world and it is so easy to get sucked into it and focus on that instead. I'm just as guilty of it as the next person. Those posters are great visual reminders to rise above or learn to co-exist with it all.

So while I will continue to take my cookies with a rather large grain of salt, I will secretly admit I kind of like them.

What do you think of fortune cookies? Ridiculous rubbish or some yummy fun?

Make a dream come true

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah) — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 22:35:00 +0000

(I have been honoured to host many inspiring authors as they guest post here. Today I bring you Kristyn aka MummyK. Please make her welcome xx)

So I’ve produced a book. A little children’s book

It started out small – me just wanting to preserve a favourite family tale told to us by our mum when we were kids. We had no books growing up. They were expensive in the Philippines and we weren’t well off.

This one story, The Dragon and The Lizard, was one of our favourites. I never wanted to write a children’s book. But after having my daughter, I realised very quickly I wanted her to know the stories I enjoyed as a child. So I decided to write this little story to preserve it. I initially wanted to create something small -- a copy for my family to keep and for friends to enjoy. But then I saw that there are people out there self-publishing their own tales and I thought maybe I should bite the bullet.

I have no grand plans of selling millions of copies. It would be cool if I did though. I am just really glad and relieved that the book got printed. With the help of friends and the online community, I made this one little dream come true. And the thing is, I’ve never gotten a “not another children’s book” comment from anyone. Everyone is truly inspired that I did this and my heart just swells with the amount of support I’ve gotten. I think it’s because if I can do it, they know they can do it themselves too. I know of many mums with stories in their heads that they want to turn into a book, but the book idea seems too big, or too impossible, or too much work.

The reality is that with various self-publishing tools these days, it is not impossible. For my case, I saved money because my friends put in their time to edit and do the illustrations for my book. I was able to do the layout myself because I have designing skills. But various self-publishing tools online provide these services too – for a price.

Because of this one little dream coming true, a new possibility has emerged. My mother talked to my uncle about what I did and now they are remembering together the other original tales they were told as kids, which means I might have another one or two books I can do. I’ve also been brainstorming with some great people in the blogging world who gave me several tips on other books I could write about – all because I’ve opened up this avenue for myself.

So you see? For me, taking the risk of making one little dream come true is so much better than not taking any risks at all. And if you want to do the same, feel free to contact me. I would be more than happy to brainstorm with you and make your own project come alive.

Kristyn aka MummyK is a freelance journalist/photographer/editor and a first time children’s book author. She is mum to one little girl and two little dogs, and wife to her IT consultant/musician husband. She blogs at http://mummyk.com and tweets as @themummyk.

A Peachy Clean giveaway - CLOSED

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah) — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 22:09:00 +0000

Thank you for all your lovely entries. I hope I can do this again very soon! And the winner is Cookster for a really romantic entry ;) Please email me at possibilities75@gmail.com so I can organise to get you your prize!

HostedbyThreeLilPrincesses

WARNING: This post contains a giveaway of luxurious and organic skincare including Sodashi.

*******

"I didn't recognise you!" exclaimed my cousin today. I grinned. A chance encounter with a friend the other day had me begging to know where she had holidayed because she looked AWESOME. She let me in on her little secret and now I am thrilled to be able to share it with you. No I haven't undergone radical transformative plastic surgery. But this little note arrived with a parcel the other day that not only made me smile, it made me rip the packaging open:

I have gone from this:

to this:

Thanks to the gorgeous Hayley Thompson at Peachy Clean I was transformed using an organic eco tan. It didn't smell or stain anything, and having worked the gamut of fake tans before I can safely say it is the best one I have ever tried. Apart from the fact that one of its key ingredients is chocolate, *swoon* it dries pretty much straight away and didn't annoy me at all.

Hayley has just launched her gorgeous website Peachy Clean where she sources luxury organic skincare and she is the only site in Australia licenced to sell Sodashi skincare which I have shared my love for previously. Add to that she is a Perth girl and a total sweetheart you can see why I was excited to work with her.

To celebrate the launch of her new site (and just FYI you can find her on Facebook here) she has very generously provided me with a luxury goody bag including this magic eco tan to give one of my readers.

It contains: 1 x Eco Tan Fake Tan

1 x Eco Tan Exfoliating Glove

1 x Sodashi After Sun Recovery Body Lotion (it is Summer!)

1 x Butter London nailpolish in MacBeth (a beautiful watermelon colour!)

To enter: Just leave a comment and tell me what is your favourite thing about Summer.

Entries close Monday 21st November.

Open worldwide.

The girl on the couch

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah) — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 02:50:00 +0000

I read this post the other day and like so many of this particular writer's posts it stayed with me for a long time after I clicked away. One particular line stood out for me: " I read somewhere or someone told me that after age forty a woman has to exercise vigorously for an hour a day just to MAINTAIN her weight. This frustrates me and fuels my urge to just stop it all, to just give up and sit on the couch and slowly spread out until I become one of the people that cannot leave my house without a wall being knocked down. "

Because I get that. I have during dark days wondered if that might be me. If possibly I too would go there and succumb to the same thing.

Because the truth is I have struggled with my weight since I was put on my first diet aged 12.
It kickstarted a cycle of dieting, gaining, dieting and gaining that went on for years. Retrospectively I cannot believe how much of my life was spent thinking about food. Thinking about eating it, thinking about preparing it, thinking about not eating it. And of course, the guilt when I did eat it. I used and abused my body with food and suffered the consequences in a multitude of ways.

Therapy last year was a saviour for me. It helped me recognise my disordered approach to food and the destructive patterns I had created for myself. I broke many of the associations I had with it as being 'good' or 'bad.' I learned to let go of the guilt and shame I associated with it and my body as a result.

These days I know I cannot be the girl on the couch. Partly because I don't want to be. But also because I know I am better than that. By pushing myself to be physically active and challenging myself to try new things, my body is better for it. By choosing not to put crap in my mouth, I am in charge rather than letting the negative mindset that dominated me for so many years.

These days my focus is on strength. I am working on building a strong body for myself and a strong mind. Because the girl on the couch is one of my alternate realities. I absolutely know that. I also know with every fibre of my being that I don't want to become her. I cannot educate my children on the merits and virtues of healthy eating and regular exercise if I am not actively modelling them for my kids at the same time. It would make me the worst kind of hypocrite.

I won't ever be a model or rail thin. But I will continue to work towards having a healthy BMI. I will continue to make good choices as often as possible. Not because anyone else tells me that I should, or because I feel guilty if I don't. But because I can. That doesn't make it easy. I work hard at this. But I have never been afraid of hard work. And I suspect that it will only get harder. But the payoff? The knowledge that I am doing my best by my family, and more importantly by myself?

Totally worth it.

(The image at the top is one I have cut out and put on my inspiration board. Kind of sums it up)

White Christmas Recipe

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah) — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 04:34:00 +0000

I'm doing more than dreaming of a white Christmas this year ;) but as the Festivus season rolls round I thought I would share an oldie, but a goodie with you. My kids love making this because everyone gets a go at adding ingredients. Just part of the magic of the season yes?

These can also be wrapped in cellophane and decorated with a lovely ribbon and makes a nice gift for neighbours. Unless you prefer to eat it all yourself. But that's between you and your cardiologist ;)

Ingredients:

1 ½ cups puffed rice cereal
1 cup milk powder
1 cup icing sugar
1 cup desiccated coconut
1/3 cup chopped red glace cherries
1/3 chopped green cherries
1/3 cup sultanas
250g copha (white vegetable shortening)

Instructions:

Line a shallow tin with foil. (approx 30 x20)

Place rice cereal, milk powder, icing sugar, coconut, glace cherries and sultanas in a large bowl and stir

Make a well in the centre

Melt the shortening over a low heat and let it cool slightly.

Add to the well in the centre.

Stir with a wooden spoon until all the ingredients are moistened

Spoon into the tin and smooth down the surface.

Refrigerate for 30 minutes or until completely set.

Remove from the tin and carefully peel off the foil.

Cut into small triangles to serve.

Happy eating!
(and thanks to my brother for the photos)

(Recipe originally from Granny's cooking folder)

When blogging helps you make friends.

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah) — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 05:31:00 +0000

We met for coffee today at a little place that sold delicious cakes like this one. She went for the chocolate one and my trusty companion Mr Small opted for the red velvet cupcake. I virtuously stuck with coffee ~~and helped polish off the chocolate cake~~

And we laughed about how our online connection has translated into a real life, genuine friendship. We also wondered what the hell this centrepiece at our table was.

Belle's now one of the people I call up when I need to talk things through or to figure stuff out. She calls me when it's been a long day or as a sounding board.

And slowly but steadily we are trying every coffee venue in Perth. You know, in between juggling our jobs, small children and life in general.

We initially met online through me admiring her handbags. Then when we met up I couldn't get enough of her beautiful designs, and I also realised 'Hey, you're a really nice person too.' And I am kind of humbled by the fact that she liked me as well. There's always that weird thing when someone you meet online becomes a friend in real life. You wonder if the person you are interacting with will translate in the 'real world.' I've been lucky enough to discover that mostly it does. Belle dresses vintage and has fabulous shoes. (See evidence below) I wear flats because well, I just do. But we browse antiques together and sigh over the same things.

Now I get to cheer her on as she goes from strength to strength with her designs and her new site.

Today, instead of souping it up with champagne she sat with me in the back room of a coffee shop to chat. Because that's the kind of person she is. Making time for her friends. She launched her new range of bags today. Like her they are simply beautiful, classic and stylish. And like our friendship they're a really good fit. And instead of being out somewhere celebrating, she sat and listened to me as I planned for the new year ahead and where I hope my writing and new studies will take me.

But for the net we would likely never have met and become friends. And so I am very grateful for it today.

Wishing you every success my friend xxxxx

Have you had an online friendship translate into a real life one?

Well, hello before!

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah) — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 05:22:00 +0000

One of the things that happens when I switch on my trusty Mac, is that I-photo opens up to the photos that were taken 12 months ago. These were the photos taken twelve months ago today (bear with me, I am going somewhere with this)

I was of course, in that hell known as MAJOR RENOVATIONS. It didn't matter how much anyone told me about it being stressful or anxiety inducing, I was going to be different. I was going to sail through it all calmly and embrace the change. Yeah right. It wasn't my finest time. Retrospectively I was (and am) lucky to be married to someone who is pragmatic and deals with projects all the time. Because it wasn't easy for me to cope with the change and the daily hurdles and obstacles that go hand in glove with renovating.

My point is, we survived it.

And each day I offer up a silent thank you for my new kitchen. One where there is space for lots of us. One where the kids can do their homework while I cook and one where we can entertain a cast of thousands. That was all I hoped for when we started renovating. I got it in spades.

My kitchen (which for the record, NEVER looks as neat as this)

There's lots of stupid dancing that goes on here

Communal food preparation ( a child on the bench top, shocking!)

Insanely yummy food (when it is cooked by someone else that's even better)

And the realisation that sometimes I appreciate things lots more when a bit of blood, sweat and tears has gone into it. I suspect most people would agree. I wouldn't choose to do it again ~~ever~~ but seeing those photos from 12 months ago makes me realise I've come a long way baby. And so has my house.

Have you renovated? How did you cope?

Shhhh, I'm reading!

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah) — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 04:03:00 +0000

Lately I have found myself thoroughly and very happily pre-occupied with a pile of new books. It always seems to be a feast or a famine when it comes to reading. But I am happy to report that today, during a cleaning frenzy I finally got moved the latest pile of books by my bedside to tidy up ~~make room for more~~ and I thought it would be fun to share my thoughts on these.

"Parrot Carrot" was the only thing to raise a smile from my daughter and I during "The Great Gastro Debacle" last week. Written by Jol and Kate Temple and illustrated by Jon Foyle, this is a delightfully quirky little read that brings together things like a snake that looks like a rake and shows what the combination would end up as. They've even developed an app which I'm being nagged to buy so the kids can mash up other crazy ideas. I've put it on their Christmas stocking list.
It's an adorable book. Love!

A Family in Paris by Jane Paech was one my mum gave me to read. I'm not sure if I have mentioned my folks are moving to Paris for a while next year (I know, the poor things) and we are hoping to visit them there. Clearly my mother wanted to make sure I had the inside track on just how awful ~~sarcasm font~~ living there will be for them.

It's a terrific read. It's also got photos that really capture the essence and eccentricities of of this city and will leave you craving buttery croissants and hot chocolate. Though that might just be me. I also used it as an excuse to buy these boots so as to not let the side down when we're there. Apparently the French are fiercely fashionable and my velour sweats and furry slippers will not cut it over there.

Matilda is Missing by Caroline Overington was a poignant read. At present we have four friends undergoing marriage breakdowns and watching them navigate that has been hard. Though not as hard at it so obviously is for them. Reading this gave me a real insight into what it must be like not only for the couple involved and their children, but also their extended family and friends.

The key message for me though, is that so often as parents battle out custody for their children, the children themselves become completely absent from the battle itself. Read the book. It's brilliant. Everything from the narrative structure, characterisation to the setting itself, is compellingly constructed.

"Mary and Elizabeth" by Emily Purdy. As a Tudor fanatic and something of a purist I went into this book with my criticisms ready to go at any holes in the storyline. It was a pretty good read generally and I enjoyed it. There wasn't anything new to the story, but Purdy writes in an engaging manner and while she veered off to the sensational in some aspects, overall it passed the time nicely.

"Campaign Ruby" by Jessica Rudd. I know, I know! I must be the last person in the world not to have read this book. I actually picked it up at the airport on the way to Adelaide and read it during the flight. My thoughts?

Rudd is a bloody good writer, though most of you will have already known that. I just really liked her central character. She was the kind of person I would like to be friends with in real life if they existed. In addition being set within a political framework which I am obsessed with anyway, this book ticked all the right boxes for me.

And yes, I am buying her new one this week.

Central Europe by Lonely Planet. I picked this up for the bargain of $3.50 secondhand at our State Library and have been happily thumbing my way through it. What I love about these guides is that they KNOW you're on a shoestring budget and provide information accordingly.

I have already ear marked certain places to see and eat when we head off on our big adventure.

The Litigators by John Grisham. I truly don't know why I do this to myself. I read 'The Firm " years ago and thought it was one of the best books I'd read. Great plot, characterisation, narrative voice. You name it, the book had it. Since then, with the exception of possibly one of his other books, they've all been a let down.

It's essentially the same plot every time. Grisham has created a formula he knows works, but in the process I think he has become something of a lazy writer. He knows people will buy his books so he doesn't have to try.

Sadly that was my last Grisham. My advice, don't bother with this one.

P.S If you made it to the end of this post you deserve a bookmark ;)

So what have you been reading lately?

Rude health

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah) — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 03:24:00 +0000

It probably should have been a huge warning sign when I cancelled a planned shopping trip because "I really don't feel like it." Or when I could only eat a couple of mouthfuls of the delicious dinner Tom made for us that night. Possibly I should have been clued in when I woke up that night with a godawful stomach pain and hoped for the sweet release of death. But none of these signs made any sense at the time. I am a bit slow on the uptake.

I will spare you the details, but let's just say the onset of gastro at 1am on a Saturday morning is very unpleasant. Add in two other children who are struck down at the same time as you and it is HELL. I spent most of Sunday semi comatose and feeling as a fragile as a very cranky newborn. So did the kids.

All in all a weekend that will probably be funny to look back on, in say twenty years or so.

Thankfully we're all recovered now and back to our usual selves. But one thing it made me acutely conscious of, was what it must be like for those with chronic illness. I was ill for maybe 48 hours and I was miserable as all get out. Little tasks seemed like insurmountable obstacle and I wondered if I would ever feel 'well' again. For those afflicted by chronic or serious illness it can't help but affect their mindset I am sure.

I have friends afflicted with chronic conditions and I must admit I am guilty of not thinking much about what it must be like for them. Equally I thought about friends of mine who parent children with chronic conditions. (more on that another time) That's ok. I am pretty sure they don't expect me to. But that said, maybe being a little more conscious of the challenges they face on a daily and long term basis made me think about how much I take my own good health largely for granted.

I am locked in an eternal battle to maintain a healthy weight and some degree of fitness. Nothing like watching your dad in an ICU unit to be an incentive for a girl. But that isn't the same thing as being appreciative. So I am going to work on being a little more thoughtful to my friends who by the way, are nothing short of amazing with their positive attitudes towards the challenges they face. I was not at my finest on the weekend I have to say. But the difference is, I got to get better, they won't. Kind of made me think you know?

And also, I've rescheduled that shopping trip ;)

Image credit (I wish I looked like this when ill)

Pet rescue FAQ's

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah) — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 05:37:00 +0000

As many of you know, we became foster fur parents on Australia Day this year. I thought it might be nice to share a little of that journey with you, and if possible, hopefully persuade some of you to do it as well. Local animal shelters are often crying out for volunteers and while you may not wish to take pets into your home, there are many other ways you can help out. Truthfully we never intended to become foster parents to kittens, it certainly wasn't on my 'bucket list,' but strangely enough it has become an incredibly rewarding and enjoyable thing to do. Friends of mine who have known me for years think it is hilarious that I have become a foster carer as I haven't ever been considered an animal lover. Go figure.

Originally we'd found ourselves down at our local Cat Haven to find a new cat after our beloved cat Lily was hit by a car and killed just after Christmas. I had been standing in reception watching people come in and out the door with boxes filled with kittens they'd 'found' at the side of the road. In a tone of anger (which I am still ashamed about) I'd asked a lady who'd come in with a crate of kittens if she'd found them on the side of the road as well?

She was kind enough to say that no she hadn't, in fact she had been fostering them until they were big enough to be adopted out. I signed us up straight away. We got a call a few weeks later and you can read about our first crew of crazy kitties here. Since then, we've had a parade of kittens through our home. All in need of a safe and loving home. Mostly when they arrive they are terrified, or have had what I can only describe as a tough start. So they hide out behind the washing machine at first. After a couple of days they start to venture out and that's when they start to blossom.
Before:

Currently:

Of course we have had some sad cases where they have failed to thrive. One particularly heartbreaking event was when we had to have one of them euthanised despite our best efforts to save her from cat flu. But by and large it all goes well. We get them usually when they are about 5 or 6 weeks old and keep them for 4 to 5 weeks. They are then returned to the Cat Haven for adoption. Here are some answers to the frequently asked questions I get about fostering:

Does it cost you money?

No it doesn't. Our Cat Haven provides us with the food and toys and bedding.

Is it time consuming?

Not at all. Not with kittens anyway. They're pretty self sufficient. The kitty litter does need regular cleaning but that is more stinky than time consuming! In the evening you can usually find kittens draped all over my husband on the couch happily snoring away. (The kittens, not my husband)

How can you bear to give them back?

I have adored the kittens we have had come through, in fact we ended up adopting one of them. He is now the foster daddy to our baby kittens and can be seen cleaning them on a regular basis!

But having spent a fair bit of time down at the Haven I also know the kittens tend to go to loving homes like ours. Being with us during those formative weeks means they're usually really relaxed with small children and much more sociable as a result.
(Helping my daughter with Easter craft)

Updated with Deb's question: Do you continuously take on new kittens or can you set times when you are ok to take them and other times you don't??

We only take kittens when we are able to. So if we get a call and we are going away, or it is not a good time for us then we can say no. It is much better for the kittens to go to homes that are able to look after them. They will always call again!

If you're interested in fostering or helping out at your local Pet Shelter give them a call. Trust me, they'd love to hear from you. Local Dog Havens are always looking for "walkers" and for people to spend time with their dogs as well. If you're in Perth, the contact for the Cat Haven foster programme is Freedom and her email is freedom.bradbury@cathaven.com.au The breeding season is beginning again and I know they'd love more Foster Parent volunteers. You can often be part of a very happy story by doing this.

xxx

Missing the Queen

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah) — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 01:19:00 +0000

She has been excited about this morning for weeks. This morning she was planning on dressing up in her prettiest dress and we were going as a family 'to see the Queen.' The reality was somewhat more prosaic. We were going to catch the train into the city to what will hopefully be 'The world's largest sausage sizzle' and along with thousands of others, we would crane our necks in the hope we might see the motorcade containing the Queen as it passed by.

That was the plan.

She lies beside me now, finally asleep. We have spent most of the night together, her flushed with fever and I have been sponging her down and dosing her with panadol. She will not see the Queen today. The note she painstakingly wrote to the Queen inviting her to her own BBQ lies discarded somewhere.

I am hoping when she wakes she will not remember that today is the big day. If she does there will be tears. This is the part of parenting that is hard. Because plans do change, that becomes a constant as we reach adulthood. But when you are small, dreams are often a fixed reality which makes their disappearance shattering.

For anyone who would scoff at her disappointment, please remember what it was like to be small. Those days when castles and prince and princesses were part of the magical fabric of what it meant to be a child. We grow up and learn that royalty is not all it is cracked up to be. Though I have to say the Queen could teach our children a thing or two about developing an innate sense of responsibility to others. And given her family history, which includes a grandpa who was knighted by the Queen, it is any wonder today was a big day for her? At least in her mind.

So there will be lots of cuddles at my house today. Sometimes that is all I can do. And hope that it is enough.

Let's talk Facebook etiquette

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah) — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 08:10:00 +0000

Now this may just be me. I need to preface what I am about to write by saying this. So if you disagree, that's fine and I will amend my status on Facebook accordingly ;) But I have been thinking about this a great deal lately. Facebook is an amazing way to catch up, to communicate, to share with others. But as with everything there is a flip side to Facebook that has been bothering me as well. It isn't about Facebook itself or the myriad of changes it seems to undergo daily. It is more about how using it has in some way maybe affected us and our way of communicating with others.

Have we, as Jennifer Aniston famously remarked of her ex Brad Pitt "lost our sensitivity chip" because of Facebook?

With those thoughts in mind here are my Facebook etiquette suggestions:

1) When commenting on people's photos, sometimes you need to exercise sensitivity and tact. Seriously. I will never, ever forget when a friend shared the beautiful photos of her and her husband with their baby who passed away shortly after birth. They were amazing, heartbreakingly lovely photos. The comment from a 'friend'
"I hope hubby got to keep the hospital scrubs."
Unbelievable

2) When commenting on people's status updates, think before you type, especially if they're going through a difficult time. As a rule of thumb, avoid using exclamation marks or rainbow and kitten style responses. Telling them tomorrow will be a lovely day, when their family pet has been run over by a car is unhelpful.

3) Don't announce major changes in your own life without letting your immediate family know first. It is hurtful and unkind. I remember writing a piece about how I might feel if someone announced they were pregnant via a Facebook status, particularly if they were a close family member or friend. I said how upset I would probably feel. A phone call or email is always the best way to go with those nearest, even if they're not your dearest. Lo and behold something very similar happened a few weeks later. It left an icky taste in my mouth. Still does. Don't do it.

Here endeth my etiquette lesson on Facebook.
Do you have any other suggestions?

Image credit

Diamonds, Pasta and a night out.

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah) — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 04:47:00 +0000

I always feel a little overwhelmed when I get invited to things. Especially things where they offer to fly me to the event. It's just as well this is a rare occurrence, because I get wildly excited and do silly things like dance round my chair.

But I have just come back from a flying (sorry, had to mention it again) trip to Adelaide courtesy of the folks at San Remo. Clearly my years of devotion to their pasta have paid off, and I joined them, some lovely bloggers including Diminishing Lucy and Be a Fun Mum and the Australian Diamond Netball team for a delicious dinner cooked by Chef Adam Swanson (who was also looking pretty yummy as well, but was not offered on the menu)

I had the pleasure of sitting next to Natalie Von Bertouch, a delightful and articulate young woman. (That is Adam Swanson in the middle, hence my large grin)

I wanted her to know that I too had suffered injuries, and could therefore be considered an elite athlete tragically retired before my time. Our conversation went something like this:

Me: "Yeah I broke three of my fingers while I played netball."

*dramatic pause and flourishes finger*

Me: "See how badly my middle finger is bent?"

*photographic evidence below*

Natalie: These are my fingers."

*photographic evidence*

Me: " Oh."

(For the record, her little finger is permanently bent into that shape and does not work at all. So I am not such a hero after all)

Natalie is currently out injured with a stress fracture to her foot. She is itching to get back to play. As well as being a professional athlete, she works as a dietician. She was truly inspirational. She is a role model I would be happy for my daughter to aspire to.

So now I'm home again, and while on the flight I got to thinking about how oftentimes big brands do work in positive engaging ways with the community. The dinner that night was certainly an example of that. And while I certainly want to make sure I make friends with a good orthopaedic surgeon before my daughter takes up any contact sport, I also saw how these fit, intelligent and vibrant young women were living their lives to the full. They represent our country all over the world and they all work incredibly hard studying or supporting themselves as well. It's something I would like my daughter to aspire to. I feel privileged to have been part of it all.

So that was the start of my week. Somehow I think it is going to be hard for me to top!

How are you?

Smoothies, my new obsession

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah) — Sat, 22 Oct 2011 08:33:00 +0000

A few weeks ago if you had said to me that I would be obsessed with smoothies I would have laughed at you. Oh how things change. This is a modified version of the recipe from the 12WBT programme I am following and it is delicious and filling. BUT the warning at the bottom is my own. My husband says it looks like a drink the oompah loompahs would have had. If they did, they wouldn't be oompah loompahish for much longer (Tres healthy)

Ingredients:

1. 1 cup low fat milk

2. 2 handfuls frozen blueberries.

3. 25g untoasted museli

4. 1 handful crushed ice.

Instructions:

Place ingredients in blender and er, blend until smooth.

Serve in a long glass.

*After drinking PLEASE, PLEASE check your teeth in the mirror before leaving the house or smiling at people. Just trust me on this *

I find it very filling as a meal and it is great when I am in a tearing hurry, which let's face it, is most of the time.

Enjoy.

Is it ok to queue jump if you’re rich?

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah) — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 23:37:00 +0000

I recognized him immediately. It’s hard to be anonymous when you’re one of the wealthiest people in Australia. With his wife, children and what appeared to be an entourage in tow, it makes it even more complicated I guess.

So how did I end up shooting “death stares” at the wealthiest man in Australia?

Let me explain….

The other day we took the kids to a local event for charity. The deal was you paid an entry fee, then you queued with everyone else to go on the various rides inside. The queues were quite long, but everyone was waiting patiently enough. There were many medically fragile and disabled children present, partly because this event was a fundraiser for them. After a long wait my daughter and I were standing at the front of a queue for a ride on a mini ferris wheel, when a lady with a clipboard came waltzing up and spoke to the ride’s owner in hushed tones.

I couldn’t hear what she said, but his reply was loud enough for me to hear.

“They’ll have to queue like everyone else.”

The clipboard lady leaned in and spoke in even more hushed tone.

The ride’s owner sighed and motioned for whoever it was to come round the other side so they could get straight on the ride.

The family were immediately recognizable, and I seethed inside as their children got on the ride. It was kind of unfortunate that we ended up queuing, or in their case not queuing for the next ride together as well. So why was I so cranky? Partly because this event was for charity, so why shouldn’t they queue like everyone else? and partly because there were many ill children in the queues who even when offered to go to the front refused and waited in line with everyone else.

Did being wildly rich give them a free ride?

I was still seething about this a day or so later when I talked with my mother about it. For the record, my mother is a very wise and sensible woman.

“Think about it” she said “do you think they even wanted to be there?”

“Why does that matter?” I asked.

“Because they probably didn’t want to at all, but they had to. And this was the only way the charity organizers could show their appreciation for them supporting the cause” she said wisely.

And she’s right.

I’d place good money on the fact that his wife hadn’t wanted to be there. And a life where wherever you go you are surrounded by “people,” some of whom are armed with clipboards, or in some cases something more sinister in order to ensure your personal safety can’t be a whole heap of fun. The fact that people whisper and point at you and your children must feel pretty intrusive.

I still don’t feel that it was right they got to the front of the queue. These people lead incredibly privileged lives when it comes down to it. Standing in a queue wouldn't have killed them. But I do know they donated a whacking great amount to the charity which I certainly couldn’t have afforded to do. What I can do is remember what my mum said and try to be a bit more charitable about them.

Just a bit.

What do you think?

Image

Introducing Shop for Tots and a gorgeous giveaway

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah) — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 22:49:00 +0000

Giveaway closed: And the winner is Hope's Mama. Congrats Sally. Please email me to organise your prize!

One of the things I have loved this year is working with various Perth people and companies to showcase their fabulous things to the rest of the world. I was contacted recently by Kate Borg about her online store Shop for Tots which sells quality clothing, educational toys, decor and more for tots in the 0-4 year age range. I immediately popped over to her site and was delighted at the gorgeous and practical things she has in store.

Kate very generously answered some of my questions about what it is like setting up and running your own online store and has a great giveaway valued at $250 for one of my readers. My only regret is not having it online when my offspring were smaller!

So Kate, can you tell me what inspired you to start your own online business?

Like most people BK (before kids), I was out and about on a regular basis, with work, catching up with friends and window shopping. When I fell pregnant with twins, for some reason I didn’t think much would change and getting out of the house for a touch of shopping would be a regular occurrence. How wrong was I? About 5 weeks prior to their birth I was housebound and was pretty much housebound for about 6 months after that. I turned to online shopping, only to discover that there were many online baby stores, but few with a broad range of products with a 24hour turnaround. So the seed was planted.

How do you juggle the demands of your business with your family?

It has been challenging keeping a balance between moving the business forward and being a good mum. I often work at night so I can spend time with the kids during the day. The biggest thing I’ve learnt, is so much can be accomplished between the hours of 8pm and midnight.

How do you choose which products you'll buy and which companies you get them from?

Firstly I look for Australian Designed and if possible Australian Made. Or if I look abroad, then the companies I support have a strong environmental or ethical policy. They also must be products which make our lives more enjoyable.

What are your particular favourites in your store?

a. Pirate Party Range – I love this centerpiece

b. Oishi-m have unique Australian made pieces. These shorts for boys are cute - =

c. London Bus by Le Toy Van -

d. Babushka Baby is a new Australian clothing label which is made fair-trade. This pinafore dress is my favourite -

e. This baking set is definitely a winner, it’s so well made

f. The Celeste Dress by Oobi Baby, reminds me of a dress I wore when I was a child.

g. Superhero capes, for good old fashioned fun -

(It is also worth knowing if you subscribe to Shop for Tots here as you can go into the draw to win in their $200 monthly draw and you can like Shop for Tots on Facebook as well)

Dull but necessary bits:

Entries are open for a week from today.

I will draw a winner on 26th October and announce the winner on my Facebook page here and in an update on this post.

You have 48 hours to contact me via email possibilities75@gmail.com, otherwise I will draw another winner.

Australian residents only for this one, sorry!
Good luck and happy shopping!!!

(Disclaimer: I wasn't sponsored to write this post, but I am receiving some lovely items for Shop for Tots which may result in the delivery guy being hugged)http://www.shopfortots.com.au/

Dear Diary. Sort of.

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah) — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 01:31:00 +0000

I am and have always been obsessed with diaries. Part of this comes from teaching where a diary was my lifeblood. It kept records of my classes, lesson plans, test results. You name it, my diary recorded it. My teaching days may be over, but the love remains.

I am at heart an old fashioned girl, and while I could probably record lots of things in my phone, I love being able to use pen and paper and flick to things and see it mapped out neatly there. A phone diary just doesn't cut it for me. I have had many years of the constant search for the perfect diary, Kikki-k has filled the gap for some time but yesterday, my diary search ended.

I saw one originally on my kindred's blog and was intrigued. So I did my research and ordered one from Erin Condren as well. I emailed them when I nearly had heart failure over the shipping fee, and they gave me $25 off which was awesome.

And look, let me show you my new precious!

It has my name on the front. While I may never be a published author I have a book with my name on it ;) Also useful if I suffer a blow to the head and forget my name.

It is filled with inspiring quotes (I adore inspiring quotes)

Tabs for each month so I can flick to it easily.

Stickers for every conceivable occasion (though I don't think I will be using the 'Vegas' one any time soon. I have already used the dentist and hair appointment one. Such a thrilling life I lead.

Because this is my life. And it is a good one. So my search ended and I am very happy. I am busily filling it all in with menu plans, activities, and occasionally just admiring how damn pretty it is.
So what about you? Do you love a good diary?

What victory looks like

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah) — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 11:23:00 +0000

It's been on my bucket list for a long time. To be part of setting a Guinness world record. Just something I wanted to do. And today I got to be part of it. By doing zumba, which is not something I do particularly well, but what I lack in skill I make up for with wild un co-ordination.
It was part of fund raising for a children's charity, a cause all too close to my heart so I signed up happily. And today it was exciting to be part of something that made a difference in a small way. It doesn't happen very often that I am flush with victory.
Just so you know, this is what record breaking feels like.

Now I am off to tick this off my 'to do' list. You should see what I've got planned next ;)
How was your weekend?

How do you cope when they're lost?

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah) — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Yesterday we had to go and pick up a few things. So off I trotted to the shops with the three kids in tow. School goes back next week and I will say that having to take them to the shops is one thing I won't miss at all. So we picked up the birthday present needed for a friend's party, the socks for one of the children who was in tragic need of new ones and a puzzle. It was while I was at the counter I noticed that one of my three children who had been standing beside me just before, was missing.

And in an instant I was transported back a few years. At that time, I had a four week old baby, a three year old and a four year old and had gone to the shops to get some nappies. It had been my first outing with all three of them since I'd left hospital and I was feeling distinctly nervous. I had sternly told the older two to stay with me. I gingerly reached over to get the nappy boxes and as I placed them in the trolley I saw that my eldest child had disappeared.

I shot up and down the aisles looking for him, calling his name while tears streamed down my face. Apart from being sleep deprived and generally shattered, I couldn't believe he had left my side. The store was fantastic. Security immediately put a call out and they refused to let people leave the store. Within minutes he was found. He was clutching the hand of a lovely lady who'd found him in the toy section and heard the call out. He was telling her all about the 'cool things' he'd found there.

Seeing him, I had that moment where you're torn between wanting to hug them and kill them. I chose the former (luckily for him) And I could honestly tell he didn't understand the magnitude of what he'd done. He'd seen a toy he liked and wandered off for a closer examination. And I didn't shout or yell and scream, because I knew it would be of no help whatsoever.

All these years later it was the same child who'd wandered off. But even though he was older and we have a family plan in place for whenever one of them gets lost, I was worried. I raced out the store with the other two firmly clutching my hands and started calling his name. He was at the bottom of the escalator utterly petrified.

This time round he was the terrified and frantic one. And this time round I wasn't mad at all. He got a huge hug. And I realised that showing compassion even when I don't feel like it is important. Because feeling frightened and lost is one of the worst feelings in the world. Never-mind that he was in a shopping centre surrounded by people who were trying to help him, or that store security would have found him.

The first time he hadn't understood why what he'd done mattered. This time it was bought home to him in spades. But that's life isn't it? We can sometimes make the same mistakes and it takes a while to learn our lesson. Somehow I don't think this is one that will ever have to be repeated.

Have you ever lost a child in a store, or been lost as a child yourself? How did you cope?

Image courtesy

The long and short of it.

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah) — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 05:23:00 +0000

When I was a wee thing I used to do Irish dancing lessons. This was long before Riverdance and Lord of the Dance came along and made it a kind of cool thing to do. I should also mention that when it did become cool I had long since 'retired' from the sport, but it didn't stop me from once locking lips with Michael Flatley ~~this is not something I should be hugely proud of it seems, and is a whole other blog post for another day~~

Anyway.
One of the things that I had to do every time there was a dancing competition, was curl my hair. True Irish colleens have a head of naturally curly hair apparently. My mum would painstakingly roll my hair up into numerous rollers. I would spend a restless night tossing and turning, but the end result would be a head of magnificent curls the next day.

So since then I've always had a thing for curly hair. This may explain why so many of my friends are themselves curly headed, it may stem from my hair envy. Hard to know. I've had failed perms over the years and tried various tricks to get the look but no go.

Until now.

The lovely Chantelle who knows about my odd obsession sent me the link to this post recently and I was ENCHANTED.
Because my hair normally looks like this:

But then I did this (yes I know I look suitably nerdy, but I need to be able to see stuff!):

And ta da! I got this (if I had left it in overnight it would have been even more effective, this was after 2 hours):

It's not as curly as my Irish dancing days, but it is good enough for me. The lovely girl who wrote this post also has a video tutorial on her site if you're interested in it as well. Now please excuse me. I am off to dance a reel.

Object of desire

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah) — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 03:32:00 +0000

I found them years ago when we were in Prague. I am not sure if that was where they originally come from. All I knew at the time was that I HAD TO HAVE ONE.
One of these.

It turned out however, with the cost of the shipping back to Australia, which was where we were headed back to, after several years of living overseas, was exorbitant. I looked longingly at my husband but he wasn't budging. And I have to admit the fact that it was going to cost several hundred dollars to ship, without even looking at the purchase price meant it was off the agenda.

I've always said that I would eventually get one of those mother of pearl globes. I even had a space cleared for it in my hallway. It comes down to personal taste but somehow it just appeals to me in every way. It's pretty, practical and oh the shiny! It ticks all the right boxes.

But eight years on I still haven't bought one. I just can't justify it at all really. After all, the map itself would be outdated straight after I buy it. And the cost hasn't reduced even after all these years. It's eye watering.
I saw one in a little shop in Perth recently and I took some shots of it. Somehow I think that is as close as I am going to get. Instead I went and bought this to pop on my hall table. It's lovely. But you know, it isn't the mother of pearl globe.

What about you? Do you have an object of desire? Something that you really like but you know in your heart of hearts you will never buy?

Coles Sports for School Campaign and how I became a VIP.

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah) — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 00:12:00 +0000

You may remember I posted a while back I posted a picture of my youngest child Mr. Small cradling a rubber chicken. We were in fact, on our way to school to present a box of sporting equipment to my daughter’s school which was very happily received.

(my first time as a VIP thanks to the donation of the sports equipment Coles gave me. Awesome!)

The rubber chicken was one of several hundred that will be donated to schools this year as part of the Coles Sports for Schools initiative. This is in addition to things like footballs, cricket bats and basketball rings. How did I get involved in this? Let me backtrack a little.

As part of my “feel the terror and do it anyway” approach to life, I have taken on the role of Minkey co-ordinator at my kid’s school next year. In addition to having to put the little ones into groups and hoping the parents are happy with it, I have developed an almost obsessive fixation on collecting sporting equipment as a result. So it was serendipitous that I was approached by Coles to ask me if I was interested in talking a bit about their vouchers for schools programme they are running.

I couldn’t say ‘yes’ fast enough.

I am passionate about kids and sport. Much of our weekend is spent on sidelines cheering our kids, and I have huge admiration for PE teachers who run classes with dozens of kids in large areas, usually hauling equipment of one form or other. I don’t care if my children are world class sportsmen or don’t get one end of the bat from the other. I want them to know about what it means to work as a team, and I also want them to exercise regularly.

I knew our school was one of the 7,665 schools across Australia who participated in the program last year, and if I hadn’t, my kids made it loud and clear when they came home from school a few weeks ago.

So we’ve been shopping at Coles and whipping up dishes like this one

(Mr Small is the future family chef)

And all the while we’ve been stockpiling lots of vouchers to give to the school. Healthy kids are active ones, and I for one am happy be involved with and encourage others to support initiatives like this one. All I do is what I usually do which is shop and cook. But I collect reams of vouchers (I have three hungry children) and know that they will benefit from equipment they can then use at school.

In this case, it’s a win for everyone I think.

Please note: This is a sponsored post. Coles provided me with Sports equipment, a Coles Gift Voucher, and payment for this post. All opinions and ideas expressed in this post are my own.