Phenomenal Woman.

Bella...

2012-02-25T15:17:00.001+11:00

Angus & Julia Stone are an Australian brother-sister duo from Sydney. This is my favourite song of theirs, "Bella". Their music is folky, melodic and sweet.

Here you can find out more about them. I love their site, beautiful.

Calling all Kevin Rudd supporters.

2012-02-24T18:16:00.001+11:00

I am not at all interested in engaging in political debates. I think it is a good thing for all Australians to show their support for their members.

I am an avid Kevin Rudd supporter and I urge those of you who also support Kevin Rudd for PM, to email or call your local Labor member of Parliament to show your support of them and Kevin Rudd, in the hope of securing their vote for Rudd.

A lovely lady on EB shared this template and I believe it is the perfect way to express your support.

I’m writing to thank you as a senator for my state for your support for Kevin Rudd in the leadership ballot on Monday 27, 2012. I believe he is the party’s only real chance at keeping Labor in power at the next election. I could not stand to see everything Labor has worked for over the last 5/6 years be undone by the Liberals and Tony Abbott.

Thank you again and I hope your support will stand you in good stead in the future, it certainly will with my vote.

It is important that our voice be heard and that we do not stand by and allow the caucus to dictate how our country is run and who by. We voted Kevin Rudd as PM and the majority vote was never with Julia Gillard to begin with. Show your support and let your voice be heard.

I will close with Kevin Rudd's latest press conference today at Brisbane airport.

Crissy.

Friday Flair.

2012-02-24T10:37:00.000+11:00

Yay it's Friday! I may actually get to rest a little this weekend although I am DREADING the 35 degree forecast. I am not a fan of the heat which is one of the reasons i chose to live in Tasmania! How on earth we are ending up with 35 degrees when it's almost autumn, is beyond me.

Anyway, it's Flair time again and this week I found some gorgeous photos by Photographer Peter Lippman.

PARADISE PARKING by Peter Lippman.

I loved these.

You can see these and more at Peter Lippman's site.

Feel free to share your flair and link up.

Crissy.

Mid-week madness.

2012-02-22T14:04:00.002+11:00

I have had a list as long as my arm, of things I wanted to get stuck into this week. I have so many things that need cleaning out, rearranging, organising and planning and there is no better time to get a move on, than now. Except tonsilitis has struck again,( i seem to be coming down with it about once a month)and it really knocks me about. So Monday and Tuesday, I felt awful and really could not find my mojo at all.

Today, once the kids were at school, despite feeling bleh, I really couldn't ignore the washing piling up so in the very least, that had to be done.

Once I get going, it's all good. it's just getting started that is the problem. Coffee doesn't even seem to work these days.

So anyway, I paid a visit to my mentor and favourite Super Woman, (despite her claims to not be one) believe me when I say, she is no less than super.

I am of course referring to The Modern Day Drover's Wife and her blog http://noexcuses-easyorganising.blogspot.com.au/.

Her blog and the way she runs her household/family and days, are nothing short of amazing.

So this is where I go when I need inspiration. And I am always sure to find it. Seeing another large family so organised, neat and tidy, schedules and routines gives me the push I need because it clearly works.

So today I have been nitty gritty cleaning my kitchen, rearranging cupboard space and setting it up for ease of use and function as opposed to rumble, tumble of things thrown wherever they fit at the time.

I have 40 minutes until I need to pick up the boys from school so i am about to go and clean the downstairs bathroom as it seems to have slipped away from me in the last few days.

This of course, has less to do with my laziness and more to do with me not coming down harder on the boys to help out. I leave everything to me which of course means that nowhere near as much gets done, as it should. I lose focus and momentum and become easily discouraged with 7 children in a 6 bedroom, 2 bathroom, 2 living areas house. It is very much, more than I can do on my own.

Tonight I will be printing up the routine and chore charts I made up with help from these great examples and I will continue this week with the aim of finishing up my list over the weekend for easier days ahead.

It's far too easy to become snowed under and to feel like you'll never get on top of it. I feel this way regularly and something my favourite Drover's wife said to me, resonated and stuck. She said that you can either become overwhelmed and stay that way, forever complaining about it or you can pull your head in and get on with it and do what needs to be done to sort yourself out. That piece of advice has stuck with me and is so very true. I have decided that I really don't want to be the former. I guess the hardest part is accepting how much hard work it is.

I never envisaged that I would have 7 children and be a sole parent. I have seen now, that others can and do, do it and do it well. That there is a way to make it easier on myself and this is what I aspire to this year.

I know it wont happen overnight but if I don't start now, my life is not going to get any easier any time soon.

Do take a look at The Modern Day Drover's Wife's blog. It really is saving my sanity, one lesson at a time.

And yes, you ARE indeed a Super Woman. :)

Crissy

Yawn.

2012-02-20T16:17:00.001+11:00

Why is it that I always feel hungover on Monday mornings despite not being a drinker and not even having "big" nights unless they consist of Miss moo waking up at 11.30pm, full of beans, playing until I could find an acceptable episode of Dora on iTunes and watching Dora until 2am.

Mondays are awful. I have a post-weekend house and washing pile and it is the one day I feel like doing housework the least. So, today, i had a much needed nap with Moo, given I had 4 hours sleep.

As a result, it is now 4pm, I have picked my boys up from school and I feel like a complete sloth. So early night tonight and stuck into it tomorrow.

I have been reading a thread on EB about "lazy dinner nights". It has been amusing and entertaining as people debate whether corn on the cob is an acceptable meal or not. Meanwhile, I am faced with a laze meal night it seems and it will no doubt be a pasta dish of some description. Usually bolognese or carbonara are lazy night pasta dishes here. Quick, easy, filling and relatively nutritious.

What are your lazy night meals? We used to have toasties but now that my boys are getting older, it nowhere near fills them so it needs to be accompanied with something else in which case, I may as well cook.

Meanwhile, thank the Gods it is 4pm because I am tired and cranky and the kids are driving me crazy. (ok well they aren't doing anything unusually bad, I'm just cranky).

Is it bedtime yet?

Yawn. ZZZZzzzzz

Happy Hunk Day!

2012-02-15T12:39:00.000+11:00

We have another hunk to drool over, courtesy of Muddled Up Mumma's facebook page.

You can find her blog here Muddled Up Mumma.

Thank you for yet another Hunk!

Not bad, eh?

Crissy

Letting go.

2012-02-14T22:46:00.001+11:00

I don't see it now, but it's ok to cry because tonight, I cry for the right reason. I've come a long way and I stood my ground and I did the right thing for me, by me and my children and I will be better for it.

I don't feel it now, but it will be ok. I will be ok. We all have to let go some time. Sometimes it takes longer than it should and for me, it has taken far longer than it should have but then, the cuts were far deeper than anyone should ever have to endure.

Tonight it hurts, godamnit it hurts. Tonight that's all there is.

Tomorrow will come and I will be ok.

Tonight I just want to cry, for what I should have had, cry for all the hurt and unfairness of it all and bury it all in the chest of hate and resentment I have and lock it away. Lock it away and move on.

Tomorrow i will be ok.

Tonight is the end and tomorrow is the beginning.

Sometimes there are no reasons for all the why's in the world. Sometimes it just is.

And sometimes, love really isn't enough. You just cannot love enough for someone else.

But tonight, even though I cry, i cry knowing it's not a reflection on me.

I gave my all. Always. It is not I that wasn't enough.

Tonight i cry for you for the last time.

Crissy

Friday Flair.

2012-02-10T12:00:00.000+11:00

Hooray for Friday and today, while looking through my weekly internet finds, which I usually share on Facebook, I thought I would compile some of my favourites for the week and share so that you to may like to share. I thought it would be fun for others to join in and link up with their finds throughout the week, whether funny, interesting, pretty, sad or whacky.

So I am starting off with a very cool clip that anyone with a hint of geeky will like. LEGO..inside the factory. I loved this and the stats are amazing.

The next is kinda scary but still fascinating to watch.A Russian Power Plant exploding.

And then, my secret love affair with the Blue Angels and of course, Van Halen, what else is there?

Fairly spectacular stuff and if you like that, then be sure to visit the Blue Angels web site and take a look at their 3 camera view in the plane, on ground and of the pilots, during a flight demo.

Awesome stuff. (for some).

So there's my Friday Flair. Feel free to link up with your Flair.

Crissy

First time Roast Pork belly.

2012-02-07T19:08:00.001+11:00

I have seen pork belly made so many times on the cooking shows of late and everyone raves about it so I thought I would give it a go.

I found a recipe I liked and off I went.

So I have a pork belly.

Scored on the top. I then boiled the kettle and while pork is on the rack, skin side up, poured a cup of boiling water over the skin. (To help with the crackling).

In a dish, I then added salt, pepper, fennel seeds, rosemary, sliced garlic and a good extra virgin olive oil.

I mixed these together. A good way would be to use a mortar and pestle.

I added a touch more oil and then smeared this over both the skin and flesh of the roast.

I baked this in a 210 degree oven for 30 minutes then added a cup of dry white wine, carrots, potatoes, onions and cooked in a 170 degree oven until crispy crackling and clear juices.

Finished product,

Roasted the vegetables and crackling a little longer on their own so as not to dry out the meat, and there you have it.

I must say, I am quite chuffed at my first attempt. The fennel and rosemary along with the garlic aroma, wafting through the house was so yummy. This roast is so incredibly tender which is what is usually lacking from the other cuts of pork I usually roast. This will be a regular meal in my household and was loved by all. Flavours were amazing.

Throw in some fresh vegetables of your choice and a hearty meal indeed.

Crissy xx

Free your mind.

2012-02-07T06:59:00.000+11:00

Today i am sharing a post by the wonderful Sonya over at Tee-iabo designs. I found this post about her mother so incredibly inspiring and the message Sonya shares is one we could all do with reminding about every so often.

When I let go of what I am, is a must read.

Thank you so much Sonya xx

Crissy

I really loathe being sick.

2012-02-06T19:01:00.001+11:00

Damn tonsilitis is back and it seems now, that everytime I get it, it is worse. I am waiting to have them removed but right now, it hurts. Lots. My right ear feels like it's going to explode and my throat is swollen so tight that I had half a tablet stuck in it and took a good 30seconds of thinking I was going to die, before I threw it up.

So anyway, yeah, I've been feeling revolting for a week now and the antibiotics are starting to kick in a little.

I haven't been able to do much of anything which is frustrating as the kids go back to school next week and, well, things need to be done.

I'm tired, I'm sick, I'm cranky and I really think it's time my 12 yr old goes back to school already. After being grounded for most of the holidays since finding his "hidden" facebook account, after deleting his last one, let's just say, I'm not sure who the punishment was a bigger challenge for.

I also took his phone off him, which he received for Christmas so there was no "social" contact at all, bar who he saw when we were down at the beach. (which was almost everyday and most of his friends were there).

So yes, bring on next week. Bleh.

That's about all that my mushy brain can muster for my poor blog today.

I am still reading everyone else's though.

Crissy x

Organising organisation.

2012-02-01T10:43:00.000+11:00

It is still 2 weeks until my boys start school. 3 terms = late start in Hobart. And this year, I have 1 at college and 5 at school which will be fairly full on for me in one respect and fairly strange in another.

I expect mornings to be crazy and chaotic, afternoons gto be busy and evenings to be crazy and chaotic once more. Days on the other hand, with just my moo girl at home, are going to be incredibly blissful.

One thing I wasn't very good at last year, was being organised..with much of anything. I think I've still been in "toddler mode" and not quite adapted to having my little ones who are not so little anymore, at school.

This year, I have one in prep, one in grade 1, 2 in grade 3 and one in first year high. My eldest will be in college (year 11).

So this year, I plan to be on top of things and need to make up some charts. Another thing I've noticed is, my boys are all old enough to help out with chores, which is something else I haven't been overly good at delegating.

So a chore chart is in order, as is a routine chart to help keep things on track and running smoothly.

Doing everything myself is hard work! It really is neverending. I'm fairly sure the boys are old enough to make their own beds and put their washing into baskets rather than sprawled all over their room.

Then a routine chart is needed to organise myself and the boys in the mornings and at bedtimes.

Otherwise, we are just going to be running on chaos and quite frankly, i'd rather not.

Just on a totally random note, my kitten, (age 3months) just jumped into the bath. It had water in it..and it just decided to ..jump in. I am amused.

Wet kitty is..wet.

I have completely lost my train of thought now, thanks kitty.

I shall be back later today, charts in tow. First though, domesticity calls and things need to be done.

Crissy xx

Happy Hunk Day!

2012-02-01T09:47:00.000+11:00

Happy Hunk day Ladies, courtesy of Muddled Up Mumma !

Enjoy!

So, dating sites..

2012-01-31T17:10:00.001+11:00

Wow, crazy.

I have pretty much all the negatives on my mind right now, due to a lovely person I had the misfortune of encountering on my travels through the world of datorama.

One grand positive though, is that in the scheme of things, the sites save you time, energy and hassle because everything is compacted into a much smaller time frame when you spend a few days getting to know each other via text.

You don't have to find babysitters, clothes, do you hair and makeup, bother going out and doing this time and time again .before finding out that it's a no go.

So all in all, I should be grateful I guess. Doesn't change the fact that It frustrates me to no end (and that's putting it nicely), that you are at the mercy of other people's issues and mishandling of those issues, which results in a negative experience all round. So yeah, I have removed my profile but, not before meeting Mr Suave, who is rather lovely and probably a bit pissed at me right now after speaking to me while I was being verbally attacked by Mr Unstable.

Maybe in your world it's ok to call someone over and over at all hours and send repeated messages and then to go asking about me, over and over, taking issue with who i speak to and when they call me or even to be on a dating site after splitting from your wife and very young family 6months ago to begin with but for me, these are not issues i need. ESPECIALLY given we hadn't even met in person??? Ludicrous.

Yes, this is unstable behaviour, yes this indicates there are issues to work through, that there maybe some emotional turmoil there, this much was aready disclosed to me so I then repeat this and add that I am moving in a different direction and we aren't suited so I am then being verbally attacked about my family choices, my children, their fathers etc?

Hah, I think not, thanks all the same but your attempt to belittle me and have a go, failed dismally. I do however, find it really poor form that you tried. Not cool at all. You did, in all your infinite wisdom though, lose a friend that I daresay, you needed.

Meanwhile, really looking forward to catching up with Mr Suave asap. ;)

Crissy xx

Chipmunks, Cherubs and Hair.

2012-01-28T22:20:00.000+11:00

Today was such a fun day. I took 6 of my rugrats to the movies, *hears the collective gasps of horror*.

Do you know, it was such a fantastic day. I was sitting in the cinema watching Chipmunks 3 with a 2, 5, 6,8, 9 and 12 year old and they were super! They were all seated, munching away on their choc tops and popcorn and, wait for it, watching the movie!!

Now, I expected them to be fine or I wouldn't have taken them but Miss 2 had never been to a movie in a cinema before and she was such an angel. I am so, so proud of my cherubs. Even Mr 5 who can usually be expected to be on some scale, a terror, was a champion!

So it was a happy and fun day. We had lunch together and headed home because the city is not really a fun place for children to hang out. We got home at about 2pm and I lazed on the front verandah enjoying the breeze while the boys cheerily rode their bikes.

Oooh and I have a new haircut! It is a lot shorter than I am used to but I like it! It's kinda cool and trendy and makes me feel younger so GOT to love that! A nice warm red through it and I feel great! And guess what!? Shock horror! I even have a photo! *gasp!*, *chuckle*.

Huzzah! Mamma bear has a new do! ehehe

So anyway, tomorrow is going to be a warm day here in Hobart. I am so sleepy after a lovely day and my moo waking me at unreasonable o'clock, that I think it may be time to crash.

I am going to enjoy the rest of this weekend though because as of Monday, it is going to be busy, busy, getting kids ready for back to school, making up chore charts, schedules, and organising myself more than anything.

On another very sad note, Fellow blogger Lisa from The Kings lost her Husband Aaron to a heart attack which is sad enough in itself but she also lost her beautiful son Noah 4 months ago too. Our hearts go out to Lisa and her family and Naomi, from Seven Cherubs has set up a donation fund for them. Naomi's blog post is here and if you would like to donate, the details are there.

Night for now

Crissy xx

So, the time has come.

2012-01-27T17:20:00.002+11:00

It is time for me to take myself and my lovely family and move into another home. This of course will be wonderful once it's all done but between now and then, so, so much to be done and of course, the dreaded house hunting and applying for rental properties with 7 children in the mix, which, is never fun i can assure you.

It has to be done sooner or later and it seems that time is well and truly here. I really cannot imagine being able to happy while in this house and all the associations that come with it, any longer.

I have been saying "That is it, I am done", for about 12 months now and yet, have continued doing what i do without any real change.

You know what, I am done.

I guess it has been clearer to me lately but you know, you hang on in the hope that maybe, something will change, something will miraculously make everything as it should be and that I will finally have what everyone else seems to have.

And then i saw this and it made me smile.

"We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them" - Albert Einstein.

There is a reason that man was a genius. So it's on! Househunting! And somewhere, somehow, i will find a way to make this a positive experience (although I am sure many a curse session will be ahead).

It's ok, people move houses all the time, it's a pain in the butt for everyone and everyone dreads moving. There is NO reason why i can't do this.

This house is a beautiful house. It was not while we were here. For a few reasons. The depression i suffered in it, the reasons for the depression, the effects that depression then had on my ability to keep this house and garden beautiful and the cost. Not just financial. I will be happy and relieved to leave this house. The hopes and dreams for this family, with this house, vanished quite some time ago and so, i will be very happy to move into a smaller, less aesthetically beautiful house, even if it means leaving this lovely beachside suburb, because I know that is not what it takes to make a home.

I am rather excited to be honest, at the prospect of starting fresh somewhere else.

Bring it on, i say!

Early night ahead for me as I have had a thumping headache since I woke up this morning. It has eased somewhat but to avoid waking up with it again, I think I may need to crash early. I have after all, promised my cherubs a trip to the movies to see Chipmunks 3 tomorrow morning. Then I am pumped for a BBQ! Haven't even had one yet this summer! How crazy is that!?

I am off now to cook dinner for my babies. I just realised I haven't eaten today and I am hungry!

Bubye for now

Crissy xx

Dating sites and all that jazz.

2012-01-26T15:30:00.000+11:00

It has indeed been a while since I have posted. That is mainly attributed to my laptop being repaired and waiting for its return and partly my refusal to post via mobile phone.

I'm loving school holidays. The kids have been great and I am loving slow and easy mornings. These holidays I have truly embraced the definition of the word "holiday" and taken advantage of it.

This schoo year is going to be crazy with 6 at school. I envisage school mornings being madness unless I am ultra orgnised so, with that in mind, that is the plan.

Meanwhile, I have done a lot of soul searching lately and a few timely and unsavoury interactions with Him, have enabled a shift, in my emotional state.

It has stunned me to be honest. Interactions that would once have been the day to day norm for us, albeit dysfunctional and unhealthy for most others, now send me reeling in a state of fear and cause me to feel somewhat traumatised.

Despite that, I realise that all in all, it is a positive shift for me, even if it does leave me feeling a little sad and grieving for what should have been.

I have spent a great deal of time over the last 6months, analysing where i have been, where i am at and where I would like to be. I have felt for some time now that it is time to move on and to make the most of the wonderful blessings I have in my life. There are so many things I have missed out on and feel I have the emotional maturity to explore now. My children are growing up and are not seeing their mum living a happy, fullfilled and satisfying life.

If the time is not now, then when? I will miss the best years of my life waiting for the perfect time, which simply, does not come.

All this in mind, I decided to tackle the great insnae world of online dating. I mean, I am raising 7 children, how hard can it be? I can do this! I am a Phenomena Woman, hear me roar!

Firstly, describing oneself is an effort. I mean, you're advertising yourself in the hope that someone reads and thinks, "wow, I MUST meet this lady" but then, you don't want to do too great a job, what if you set them up with these incredible expectations and then meet you and are disappointed??

I simply, found that an obstacle in itself.

Then, browsing. Not so bad, there are some attractive guys who seem lovely and then the ones that don't appeal. So far so good, send few "Hi there!" messages and then the messages start to roll in.

Now, I'm a fussy kinda girl, probably overly critical and grammar and a sense of articulate, witty, charming conversation is fairly high on my list of priorities, so "hay babe, wanna hook up, ur hot", doesn't really rate all that high.

I'm fairly ageist too, I might add. Someone under 35, let alone under 30, is going to need to do some convncing. A 27 year old lad messaged me and was rather keen and insistent, so I thought, ok, cut him some slack, give him a chance. Conversation wasn't too bad. Wasn't overly good, but hey, maybe he's nervous?

Come to day 2 of talking messaging back and forth, turns out he is bi. Ok, not a big deal, then turns out that seeing as I am such a non judgemental, accepting person, he also likes to dress as a woman from time to time. Ok, we all have our quirks.

Day 3. Me: Hey how are you?

Him: Horny, watching shemale porn. we should hook up, be gf/bf and watch it together.

Me: .......

And let's just say, it went downhill fairly swiftly from there.

So you know, initial instincts are generally good to go.

Then, there's the timid, 40 something, non offensive, mature, attractive lovely guy with 5 children who speaks respectfully, politely, and messages you daily to see how you are and how your day is going, that I am always likely to ignore because with me, I can be smacked in the face with the same lesson over and over and the Gods just have to pray that SOMETIME, it may just hurt enough for me to snap out of it and give that guy a go.

So that's what i'm going to do.

I am hoping that I don't bail out. This is not my first venture into online dating. Previous attempts had me withdraw my profile within a week or two. I think I'm good to go this time. Stay tuned for an update!

I am hoping my laptop arrives this week. New shiny thing, yay!

In the meantime, i am still reading everyone's posts from my phone and keeping up with it all.

I'm looking forward to getting back into the blogging world swing of things.

Bye for now

Crissy xx

Out with the old and in with the new!

2012-01-01T16:05:00.000+11:00

Happy New Year! I am so happy to put last year behind me. It has been one in a few terrible years and I am hopeful for a fresh new year of great things ahead.

I'm not sure what it is but I feel..bright, content, at peace. I am looking at making a few changes this year, both personally and within the family.

My little ones aren't so little anymore and things seem to be moving ahead while I have been sitting back with the mindset of one with littlies.

I am so focussed on good health that I can't help but feel positive. I lost 9 kilos while my Mum was here and am hopeful for that to continue. It is so lovely how good I feel for a change that I am quite determined to keep it up.

I am blessed enough to have the beach just minutes away and I have been wasting time sitting here when I can be walking along the beach each day. So each night, once my kidlets go to sleep,I will be talking a relaxing walk for "me time". The beach is my favourite place to be and while it is summer, I may as well take advantage of daylight savings and go for it.

It's funny how the "new year" can give you this psychological hit. New, better, hopeful. It works well for me.

I'm going to be spending some time researching healthy alternatives to some bad habits. That and just general wellbeing tips.

I'll be sharing any interesting facts I come across, there may be something useful for you or your family too.

Meanwhile,I wanted to share an amazing product that has been a godsend for my family.

I amnot affiliated in any way or being paid to review the product, it is just something that may be able to help you.

MooGoo is a proudly Australian made product which for me, has become more important of late.

Their products are all natural and contain no petroleum or chemicals.

"The link between poorly refined mineral oil (Paraffin Oil) and health problems such as eczema is well documented in various peer reviewed studies. For more info click here for a study done by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences.

A cream routinely given to children with eczema may actually cause them more harm than good. A survey of 100 British children treated with aqueous cream (Paraffin Oil and Water) has found it irritated over half of them. Their symptoms ranged from redness and itchiness to burning and stinging, which risk making their condition worse. Writing in The Pharmaceutical Journal, the researchers urged patients and clinicians to be aware of the problem. Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/3244814.stm

MooGoo does not use Mineral Oil in any of its products. We suggest checking your skin care products to see how many use Paraffin Oil. You may be surprised. Paraffin Oil is also used to make Sorbolene, Baby Oil, Bath Oil (some brands), Washing Creams. many Eczema Creams, Bio-Oil and sunscreens etc."

There is so much great information on their website. I have learned a lot and better than that, their products have made a big difference in our family, from dry, itchy, flaky scalps to dermatitis and excema.

Seeing as so many people I have known and come across, either suffer themselves or have children who suffer with skin problems, I stromgly recommend these products. They may seem a little pricey for some but are so worth it when you see the results.

I'm including this in today's blog post after reordering more for my family and remembering my recent conversation with the family doctor. She hadn't heard of the product but was very impressed with the results after showing her what we used instead of the routine cortisone. We use the Shampoo for my 2yr old and the excema cream for 2 of my boys.

I'm off for now. I bought myself a Bryce Courtney book (one of my favourite authors of all time), Tandia and am keen to start reading it while everyone is quietly watching a movie.

Catching up..

2011-12-22T10:10:00.000+11:00

Well it has been a very busy time. My mum finally arrived from Italy. It was a beautiful reunion and was ecerything I had hoped for. That being said, it has been a very..interesting time.

At the age of 36 and having had and raising 7 chldren of my own, being "mothered",is somewhat difficult. While that has some lovely sides to it, there are also the notso lovely. I have received what seems to me like much criticism of how I do things, falling short of her expectations and disappointment for her but that is also the independent, stubborn and strong willed side of me reading the situation.

I have had to stand back and take some words of advice and encouragement from friends, to allow myself to take a deep breath and remind myself that she was robbed of her right to mother me in the past and while making up for it now, only wants the best for me and my children.

Adding to that, which is probably the most difficult hurdle, is that in Italy, everything is do very different. Perfectionism is born and bred, the "right" way to do things is so much more difficult than how we laid back Aussies do things and it has certainly beena learning curve.

For example, Pasta is eaten every day for lunch, much like we eat sandwiches. Sandwiches are not an acceptable meal. Especially for the children. Slack, not nutritional and a lazy approach. Pasta, is their sandwich.

My children are like, " Pasta?? AGAIN??"

Sigh.

So you know, that's..different.

But, you know, after getting through my "WTF GO HOME" state of mind and a few tears from me at harsh criticisms (kept to myself), I am now adapting and we are both giving a little to make it work.

They are accepting that things are different here and easing up a little and I am lifting my game to meet their expectations.

All that aside, it is a wonderful time. Many laughs are being had and a lifetime of memories are now being formed.

Reunion at airport.

A couple of days after they arrived, my moo fell down the stairs at our house. 16wooden steps, and broke her arm. It was horrible and Im sure I cried more than she did. So a night at the hospital was had.

At the hospital.

Poor bubba had a shocking night with having to move her arm for x rays and doctors to check it out.

However, it amazes me how resilient little ones are. She was up and running and in fine form after a day or so of licking her wounds.

After that hiccup it was onto my eldest 2 boys' leaver's dinners and assemblies. They both looked gorgeous and my 12 yr old received the citizenship award which was wonderful! I'm so, so proud of him.

Thomas in the middle.

My eldest.

So all in all, a very busy week or 2. Now Christmas so I hardly have a moment to scratch myself, especially now with all the boys home from school.

So I am now off to burn some energy with the boys so they don't start with cabin fever.

Bye for now.

Random musings.

2011-11-24T18:48:00.002+11:00

I was asked today, If I write and have I considered writing a book.

Do I write? Hmm no, not really other than this blog. I should write a book given the life I have had, but, I wouldn't know where to start and I doubt anyone would be interested.

It would just generate pity and sadness for what I have gone through and I don't want that. I want to make people smile and realise that there is always someone worse off. I have been blessed with 7 gorgeous, healthy children, I have no right to complain. I acknowledge the difficulties I have faced and spent many years feeling sorrow for myself and feeling entitled to the world of goodness just because. I now acknowledge that I have had it rough but choose to focus on the blessings I have been afforded and am determined to make the best of what I have.
I am a positive person, Never say never, you can do anything, reach for the stars type person. I set my hopes high and i go for it and I don't often fail. My ex, he was the ultimate pessimist and me, having a highly maternal nature and my need to "fix", was sure I could change him, make it better, make him feel better. Stupid, stupid but you know, eventually, if one wants to, they learn, they will. It took me until I am 36, but the last 2 years have been the greatest learning curve for me.
I have learned that I am not owed anything by anyone but myself. I owe it to myself to go after, achieve, acquire and experience all that I want, for myself, by myself and no man could ever have done that for me. (except maybe my father but hey, he failed so I can either sit in misery or pick up and move on) I chose the latter.

I am finding that lately, my perspective is so far removed from what it was even 2 years ago, it's almost frightening. To realise that your decisions today, may not be the ones you would choose tomorrow. I've never really given that too much thought because I have not really seen much movement in direction, from my 20's to my 30's.

Now, in my mid 30's, heading closer to 40, I seem to be mellowing somewhat and while I have less time for the fickle, I have a lot more time for the important and what I consider to be important, has also shifted.

I still have a way to go, I can sense change coming, but it is a good feeling and I am looking forward to the end of this year and the beginning of the next.

One thing I have learned, particularly in the face of my recent diagnosis, is that today is the most important day you can plan for. You just don't know what tomorrow will bring and as cliched as that sounds, it really is true.

Next month, next year, they may come, but you know, they may not. Will you care about how much money you have in your pocket when your last day comes? I wont. So long as my babies are by my side, they know I love them more than anything else there is, that's all I need.

When you are staring your own "worst case scenario", in the face, your perspective does a backflip.

The aspects of your life that you neglected when you shouldn't have, take on a new priority. The relationships you put off mending, take on a new urgency and the ones you should have let go, take care of themselves. Because you just don't have room for falseties or niceties anymore.

Meanwhile, on a completely unrelated note, my mother will be here in exactly 14 days and I have so much to do. I have my 17yr old's leaver's stuff and my 12 yr old's leaver's stuff and the end of the school year stuff and christmas coming and money stuff and car is a disaster stuff and and and aaaaargh!

Tonight I am going to make a list. A day to day list. I am determined to get stuck into my life, turn it upside down and put it back the right way up, minus the all consuming unecessaries.

For now, I best check my roasting chicken and get my children fed.

Share the blog love.

2011-11-23T15:15:00.006+11:00

Circle of Moms is showcasing the finest Australian Mum blogs so be sure to head on over and vote for your favourite Mum blogger. You can vote once a day to help your favourite blogger out, until the 8th December.

If you'd like to vote for my blog, you can do that too!

Vote for me HERE!

Christmas Shortbread.

2011-11-23T13:39:00.000+11:00

And why is it "Christmas" shortbread, you may ask? Well, because I traditionally Only make it at Christmas. The main reason being that it is a tradition in our household and also because when I do make them, they are devoured to the last crumb and let's face it, no one needs that much butter on a regular basis! (especially me)

So, I have been making shortbread. This batch was the traditional shortbread. I also make almond shortbread substituting a portion of the flour with almond meal. You can use almond essence instead but I find that the almond meal gives the biscuit a lovely texture and also that the essence tends to give the biscuit a marzipan flavour which is not how i personally like my shortbread.

I also find that with shortbread, there are many techniques. Each technique gives a different texture. Whether you like your shortbread to be melt-in-your-mouth and crumbly, buttery and smooth, or thick and firm, there are slight differences in technique and ingredients to obtain each result.

Ingredients for a crisp, crumbly shortbread:

250g Plain (all purpose) flour

125g rice flour

250g butter (i use salted but you can use unsalted and then add a pinch of salt)

115g sugar

Most recipes as that you cream the butter. I did not. I sifted the dry ingredients twice, mixed them together and
then rubbed the butter through the mixture with the tips of my fingers, until the mix looked like this :

I then kneaded the mix until it had a smooth consistency, like this :

Once the mixture is smooth, I placed it in the fridge for 30minutes to cool.
I then patted the mixture down and used a basic cutter to cut my biscuits out, about 1cm in thickness and then placed it on a biscuit tray, lined with baking paper in a 160C oven for 10-12 minutes. If you like your biscuits crisp, cook them for 15minutes or alternatively, make your biscuits a little thinner.

Once baked, leave to cool for a few minutes and then sprinkle with sugar if you like.

Voila! My Christmas shortbread. Not fancy but absolutely delicious.

This afternoon I will be onto tradition number 2 which is Gingerbread men with the kids.

Always fun and messy.

Give your own shortbread a try, it's surprisngly simple and very satisfying!

My sweet young man.

2011-11-09T08:49:00.001+11:00

My boy is home!!! My 17yr old, light of my life, gorgeous son has moved back home. He mov ed out for 6mths, emjoyed the first 3, then the harsh realities of bills, groceries, rent, travel expenses, medical expenses and the weight of responsibility kicked in.

He has been struggling for the last few months. I have helped out by bying his groceries and topping him up for his rent when bills came in but even then, it was too much.

He had a meltdown and the realisation that maybe, just maybe, Mum is where is at, hit home with him.

He stayed for a week and I think that he saw that I too, had moved passed my meltdown and things at home were not as bad as he had previously thought.

It is SO lovely to have him home. I missed his random outbursts of song. I missed his sense of humour that has me in fits. I missed his smell. Hot diggity that boy smells good. He has the best taste in male toiletries. You know, even his voice. I just missed him.

I adapt well. I change with my environment and I I move with the day, so while I missed him, I went with it. I became used to it, as i do. It is now in having him back, that it really dawns on me just how much I missed my boy.

Our relationship has grown so much stronger over the last 6months as he saw that Mum was there to support him emotionally, practically and was not going to stop being Mum.

It feels incredible having him not only home, but happy. Singing, enjoying mum's cooking, playing with his brothers, adoring his baby sister, chatting, laughing. That's the boy I know and love. My boy. My boy who in a little over 6months, turns 18.

Ijust need to look at him and I beam with pride. He is so like me, just a better version.

So today, I go about my day with that deep sense of satsifaction and contentment. Next month my Mum comes down, My boy is home, my babies are all beautiful,smart, healthy and happy, all is right with the world.

The house is coming together. The garden has been put on hold for a bit as I got distracted with doing inside things but that's ok because the inside had to be done too. 2 spare rooms have been sorted, I have bought a bed for my Mum and slowly but surely, it's all going to plan.

I have had many hiccups along the way. But it wouldn't be my life if I didn't. My car has BIG issues and just lots of little annoyances but, we soldier through them and look forward, do we not?

So today to organise towing of my car and clean out more cupboards. Yesterday was pantry and corridor cupboard.

I hope everyone's week is going well.

Signing off with a smile,

Welcome to the jungle.

2011-11-04T11:32:00.002+11:00

So, preparing for my mother's arrival and general home improvements are progressing. Slowly,due to, well, having 7 children and , well, life, but progressing nonetheless.
This weekend is garden time. And oh Lord, is it garden time.

My backyard *should* look like this. However, it looks like..this..:

Welcome to my jungle.

Asyou can see, with thanks to my kids' generosity in leaving toys out should I wish to use them and the dog's superior skills in underground travel to Zimbabwe and my utter I cbf'd-itis, I now have quite a project on my hands.
So, the skip is on it's way, The green waste bin (empty at that), is ready to go and motivation is aplenty.
It is going to be a busy weekend methinks. You kinda can't back out and be slack when you have just paid for a skip bin and it is due to arrive and be parked in your driveway at any second so whether my motivation holds up or not, it's going to happen and that thing called discipline may just have to rear its very rarely seen, head.
So you can see what I have in store for my weekend. What about you? What's on for you and your family this weekend?
Whatever it may be, be safe and enjoy!

Mmm It's Friday, Friday, woo!

2011-10-28T09:39:00.003+11:00

*dances* Well, firstly, it's Friday! Yeeeeeeeeeeeeehaaaaaaaaaaw! I LOVE Friday. Don't we all? Why do I love Friday? Because it's one day before Saturday and I LOVE Saturday!!!

I Love not having to rush in the mornings.

I Love being able to snuggle with my babies in my bed until 10am

. I love my babies stumbling in, half asleep, getting into my bed and dozing off, even when there are 6 of them! Yes, even my 12yr old son still does this.

I love putting Mickey Mouse or Dora orPeppa Pig on the laptop for the restless ones so they lay in bed an watch while I doze.

I love endless cuddlesand tickle fights as we all wake up.

I love our Saturday breakfasts/brunch that usually consists of pancakes, croissants or home made egg and bacon muffins depending on the vote.

I love lazing around until we decide it's time to go to the market for our weekly fruit and veg.

I love my family. I am so darn lucky and I wouldn't change a thing!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

THIS weekend, is particularly special as I am celebrating. I am celebrating a date for my mother's arrival from Italy!! I cannot believe it. I have waited my whole life to be reunited with my mother and it's finally time. 6th December! I am so excited I could almost pee myself!! This could not have come at a better time.

You know what I find of particular interest? I do not feel panicked at all. About anything. Which for me, is weird. I am usually all "OMG THE HOUSE, OMG LOOK AT ME I'M A MESS, OMG I NEED TO DIET, OMG I NEED TO CLEAN". I feel..ok. Good. Relaxed.At ease. Which really, given I've not been around her, is strange. but in our phone calls over the last 2 years, we have come to know each other very well and to be honest, we just clicked from the very first phone call. It has been surprisingly easy and natural,which I LOVE. I love how very alike we are, we have the same sense of humour, same mannerisms. I feel a sense of belonging and completion that I now know, I could only have found with her.

I look around and calmly make a list in my head of the things I want to do around the house before she arrives, I want it to be perfect but for her comfort. I do not feel one iota of fear of judgement. I havenever known this feeling. I have never known anyone to give me a feeling of peace with who I am. To know that as I am, is just fine. I cannot express the peace and serenity that this has brought to my life.

So I know that the next month will breeze by and a happy little camper I amand then, then I will be with my Mum and I just know it will be all I have waited for and then some.

Now I best be off to watch Playschool with my moo
and then i have a stack of folding and ironing as tall as I am to get through while she naps.

Have a great weekend everyone.