It's that time again!

Christmas, that is. I can't wait to come back and share what has been going on in r lives. But for now - a photo!




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What I like about Spring.

I know. It's not quite spring yet, but this week of not dropping below the 20's (except for Saturday, when I have a party - thanks for that) means I can't help but think of all the things I love the most about the weather changing, and the warmer months being closer everyday.

Here's my list:

Seeing the sun shine through the cracks in the blinds. It's bright, orangey sun, not grey and cloud beaten sun.

Feeling the sun on your face, and craning your neck further back so that this sun touches every part of you.

Wearing thongs - enough said. You know it's a good day when you deem in warm enough to wear thongs.

And flowers. Of all colours, shapes and sizes. And the fact that your sister buys you a bunch for no reason. And that one cheeky flower too, the same as me, turns his little face towards the sun too.

How can it not make you happy?

I love spring!

The bits and pieces post.

Im back. I told you I would be, I just didn't say when. As it turns out - that was smart; I really didn't think it would take me over a week to get back here. It's kind of an indication of how unmotivated I have been when it comes to internet land. I really couldn't tell you why - it's possibly a combination of being really busy, and being really tired.

And probably due to the fact that the most interesting things that have happened in my life have happened in the hospital, and I can't talk about it. As much as I would LOVE to. Honestly, imagine how awesome blogs about ED departments would be, if you were allowed to talk about it.

Anyway.

Once I finished my placement there (only one more to go!) I decided to take the kids to Melbourne on a sort of impromtue visit to see my sister in law and her two, beautiful girls. It was her eldest daughters second birthday (yep, two under two - she's a hero!) and I thought it was a perfect opportunity to visit.

To say the kids were excited would be an understatement. They couldn't talk of anything else - I'm surprised Darcy still had friends at school. He didn't stop talking about going on a plane and telling them all how much they were going to miss him.

He's a humble child.

Don't be deceived by Tilly's face. She really was excited.

Most of the time was spent eating and drinking with the family, but one of the days I decided to take the kids into Melbourne. I had the BEST time with my sister and best friend Jenny when we went to Melbourne last year, that I wanted to recreate that with my children.

I'll give you some time to stop laughing before reading on.

Done? Good.

Melbourne with kids, is not the same. It's not bad! Just not the same. We first went to the Aquarium and I was pleasantly surprised at how completely awesome it was. I did not know there were penguins there, and while I was amazed by them, and was ooing and ahhing over their complete cuteness, I felt guilty too. And I blame Happy Feet.

After Aquarium things, we hiked up the road to Degraves for lunch. It wasn't the same. But I did have a red velvet cupcake from the cupcake shop. That was the same. Delicious.

After that I made an attempt to go to the new Zara store that had opened on Bourke street. Yep, not going to happen - not only was there a line up in front of the store - with security guards - but the thought of weaving my way through with two kids, actually find something within my budget to purchase, trying it on and paying for it, was just too much. A kind of torture that we mothers have all done once. And we learned. And never did it again.

Luckily Im going to Melbourne again in October for my sisters 30th birthday. Zara and I will hook up then.

So that was Melbourne. Alone, with the kids. It was successful, not stressful, and a good indication that I can do things like travel interstate by myself with more than just a suitcase or two in tow.

 Win for me.

A week or so later, when Adam was back from work, we went to Arkaroola. We bid on it in a travel auction on tv. You know the ones they tend to show later in the afternoon? The ones that entice you to strange, or far locations you wouldn't ordinarily think of going to?

Those ones.

Well, we bid. And we won it. A little back story: When I saw the advertisment for Arkaroola, I asked Adam how far away it was. He said it wasn't that much further than the farm - which is about a four hour drive from here. Cool - no worries.

Turns out - the farm is about half way. Yep, about 7-8 hours from here. Not cool. But doable.

And we did it.

A few things I'd like to say about Arkaroola:

- the scenery is breath taking. There is something magical about being nestled in amongst such vast ranges and beautiful, red earth.

- it is amazingly quiet. And it has no internet or phone. And is the perfect setting to relax, taking casual walks through the bush (or not so casual, depends what floats your boat) and reading books. All guilt free.

- Go on the Ridgetop tour. At all costs. It cost us coming back a day later due to the tour being cancelled due to inclement weather. Do it. It's worth every cent.

- You don't need a 4WD. You can drive the tracks to some beautiful lookout spots, creeks and waterfall areas in your 2WD. But your 2WD - it won't ever be the same again. And you will hear noises under your car that can only mean great gaping holes and oil and things spewing out.

(this didn't happen, but it sounded like it should have).

- We are getting a 4WD. Arkaroola was the last sign we needed to tell us that it was time.

- Be prepared to spend $7.50 for a standard block of Cadbury's chocolate. And $6.00 for an old loaf of deep frozen bread. In other words, take your own food.

Im not yet convinced I would recommend Arkaroola, but I wouldn't disuade anyone from going either. It's definitely an experience you won't forget and will most likely enjoy.

Thanks for having me back xxx

Testing. Testing.

1, 2, 3.

Just checking that I still know how to use this baby that is blogger. What happened to me?? I sort of died a bit there didn't I??

Well, there are no excuses except that I like sleep, I may have warned you that I'd be MIA for a bit whilst I worked in a hospital, for free, and that well - Im slack.

But I love you. So I have returned.

And I will return later to give you details on:

Our trip to Melbourne.

Our trip to Arkaroola.

And Christmas in July, which is happening to night at my place. I can't wait to listen to carols by the fire (whilst not roasting chestnuts, those bitches are hard to find in Adelaide!) eat big, hot roasts dripping with gravy, open presents from our secret santas, and do other festive things whilst its freezing and raining outside. Im sure it will give all Christmas songs a new meaning!

I hope I still have followers.

xx

Mothers Day!

How good is Mother's Day? I love the fact that we get an entire day to just be lazy, and greedy and appreciated at the same time. Love it.

This year, I tried hard not to feel sorry for myself, because I had no manlove home to help with the organisational side of the above mentioned loves of Mother's Day. So it was kind of left up to me to organise my own spoiling. Which I did, by giving Darcy money to buy a present at the school's annual Mothers Day Stall (which, if I'm honest, stocks a whole pile of stuff which usually ends up eaten by the kids, or stuffed in the back of my ccupboard).

I know that is mean. But the real gift here is seeing the pride in Darcy's face when he presents me with the gift. He could be giving me a cardboard box, and I would still cherish it (albeit whilst it's mashed at the bottom of said cupboard).

Matilda, well - what a gem that kid is. She asked my Dad to help her buy me some flowers. Could that be any cuter?

Check out this face. Proud much?

And by the end of the day, I totally didn't feel sorry for myself anymore. I had flowers from my inlaws, flowers from my sister and pj's and a magazine from my parents. And on top of that? Adam purchased something off ebay for me (I only know this because the receipt was sent to my email account... he he he) and well, Im am SO excited about that present!

And I even got yelled at by my brother in law, because I tried to clear plates for the table. It was mothers day after all and I was NOT doing a thing. How special is that? See, appreciation. Right there.

And I realised - that whilst Adam made me a mother, and supports me in my job as a mother - I don't need him right here by my side to be truly appreciated as a mother. I realised that I am SO blessed that I belong to a family that appreciates me in this role too. That they can see how hard it is and they think I do a good enough job to be spoiled to bits on this day.

And what's best??? Because Adam wasn't home, and he felt bad - he's booked a night away for us next weekend at a hotel in the city. A package including breakfast and a spa! (heaven). So really, Mothers Day was one big win!

Happy Mother's Day! I hope your's was one big win too.


xx

Read this!

I highly recommend this book - particularly if you like a good laugh, followed by a good cry. It gives an honest and heartbreaking look into a time when Australia was the place to be and the pain and excitement that an English family experiences when preparing to leave everything they know to start a new life here.

Have a read! I promise you'll love it :)

Heart Of The Black Country

A post of photos: because Im lazy like that.

I know, I know - I've run out of excuses. I've had writers block - I can't think of anything interesting or important to say and lets face it, I don't want to bore you with dribble. So here's some pics of recent events.

Firstly, my Dad? He turned 50. I think that's pretty young, so no old jokes here (plus, he probably couldn't hear them anyway..Har har har.)

The theme? Science fiction. The costumes? K9 from Dr Who, and me, Tina Turner from beyond thunderdome. I made this costume the night before the party. Can I just say this - I have never been SO unorganised and SO unstressed about it in all my life. And that piece of information? Completely stressed me out.

K9

Dad rockin' it out.

Im weird like that.

My nieces also got baptised. And I am (one of) their sponsors. Pretty big stuff!

My mum and dad with Sophia x

And yesterday Tilly had her art displayed at a kindy art show put on by our local member of parliament. It was a really cute event even if I like to describe it as someone's sick idea of a joke to torment parents. Think 8.2 million kids, obnoxious parents - families who have never eaten in their lives so made the 'light refreshments' their priority and a space a little too small to have this event in. 

But the kids loved it. And that's what counts.

Amanda Rishworth, our local member. 

Breathe out.

And now, it's school holidays and I am CHUFFED! Completely. I can't wait to get up to all sorts of fun things. And if this sunshine stick around? Who knows!

Bye x

On the uni train...

Why hello there,

Geez I would love to tell you stories about my placement. I get to see some of the most amazing things working in the ED department. But I can't, confidentiality and all that. Turns out, I can keep secrets. Who knew?

Just know, one of the events I witnessed last week ended in a little bit of fainting. Yep, turns out me and pus, we ain't friends. And I faint pretty well too - it's been said the colour of my face is quite unique!

It's the smell. There, I said it.

Now we can move on.

One thing I like about being a third year nursing student, is that Im starting to be treated like a nurse - like I actually know stuff and am capable of making assumptions and decisions about people and their care. It's great, because by being treated like I know stuff...I can actually admit - I KNOW STUFF. And it feels really good, like the last seven years has been totally worth it.

I even take good bloods, so I have been told. They don't call me Nurse Needle for nothing! 

The kids are still coping well, and the only complaint that I have had this week is that they don't get to go to OSCH, because dad is home. 

Dad ruins everything, apparently. Not for me - I love that bloke!

And I am hanging more with my peeps every week. My uni mates who I wouldn't have made it through without! 

We even get to do CPR together and boogie on down to 'Stayin' Alive'. Lameness aside, did you know that if you pump that chest to the beat of 'Stayin' Alive' by The Bee Gees, that is the perfect heart rate? How awesome is that!

And that's pretty much what I am doing today - just Stayin' Alive - after a completely full on week, followed by working on the hot chips stand at the School Fete, and then plugging away at my first assignment for the year Im pretty much dead. 

Ahh Hot Chips and me, we are friends. Possibly inappropriately. Put it this way - for every chip that went into a cup to be sold, one went inside my mouth. And I'll be paying for it on the scales.

Whoever approved my application to run the Hot Chips stand - not smart. 

See, Im eating a chicko roll - and you can't stop me!

The signs featuring the store conveners from last year!

I even had a little helper! But she was more of a hindrance really.

 This week we are building up to the big event. My Dad's 50th birthday. The present is done, and the arrangements made. He's having a science fiction themed party. Should be interesting! There's a little bit of argument about what this family will be dressing as. Im thinking Mad Max, Aunty and a couple of lost kids..Adam - he's not so keen. Can't wait to see what we come up with!

Have a great week xx And Stay Alive!!

The Absence and The Crisis.

So the wheels have come off the blog. But there is good reason and are in part related, and unrelated.


Firstly though, The Absence.

I've mentioned before that I am studying nursing at university. This is my final year (of seven, I know - I mention this ALOT but c'mon, seven years!) and with that comes seriousness. As in things that occur this year pretty much directly impact on the goings on of next year. For this reason, I've actually been doing the right thing and switching blogging and other fun things, for studying and other fun things. The other fun thing is my second to last clinical placement. Yep, that's right. Im a working girl. In a real hospital.

Just not getting paid for it. Which doesn't urk me at all!

This past two weeks has seen me working and trialling my skills in the hospital setting, and the kids being dropped off at out of school hours care at 6.30am.

Did you read that? 6.30. In the AM. 

Interestingly enough, I am flaming organised! Like super mum organised! Thanks to my awesome sister, in part, who gave me the best advice when trying to be a working mum. She should know - she's already done it and rocked that job! 

Working mums, I salute you! It ain't easy. But like all things - doable.

So the weekend sees me doing washing and turning it into little folded, neat piles. One for each day. Pants, tops, jocks, socks and bras - bits and pieces required for each member of the family in an easy, go-to pile which does two things:

a. cuts down the rude amount of washing I seem to accumulate

b. allows the kids to choose from the pre-approved pile what they will wear each day. And this, coupled with their overflowing excitement of attending OSHC in the dark, early morning, means they get dressed in record time. And we avoid the record on repeat that says 'Hurry up! Get dressed!'.

Love those kids.

This then leads me on to the next phase of the past two weeks.

The Crisis.

Me pregnant with Matilda.

Ready to board the honesty train???

While I prepared for leaving my kids for three days a week, and dropping them off at said, rude, dark and early times of day - something hit me. Next year this is me. This is my life. Working full-time, sending TWO kids off to school

I could eat them!

Yes, Tilly, MY Tilly starts school in Term 4

and being a working mum. Trading Stay At Home Mum who studies one day a week, to Working Mum, who works 5 days a week. 

How can she be starting school already!?

And I kinda freaked out. Like, couldn't breathe, world crashing in around me, freaking out. Like, how the hell can I leave my kids at the school gate to see themselves in to school. What if they are sad, what if they get hurt? What if they see the other mums waiting at the classroom and wonder where theirs is?? What if they are tired?? What if they think I don't care, that money is more important to me than being with them?? 

And I cried. A lot. Because for the first time in my life as a mum - I was having to let go. I'm not going to have babies in my house. Im not going to have toddlers or kindy kids. But big, school kids. And it's almost too much.

And I realised - I'm where every mum who's ever had to return to work when their babies are little, who have waved their last child off to school and they turn around lonely, and alone. And they are gone. Independent. We are hitting a milestone here. With that comes more grief, grief on top of that black hole in my stomach that remembers we can't have anymore children - and the unfairness of that. And the dwelling on the person that is missing from our family.

So - I did a grown up thing internets. I went to see a counsellor to just blurt this all out - to make sense of what was going on in my head so that I didn't explode (literally). And I came out with this:

Isn't it sad that we, as mothers, associate stay at home mum with good mum, and working mum with bad mum. 

Isn't it sad that there is a world of people out their who are designed to make mothers feel shitty about the choices we make, whether it be boob or bottle, co-sleeping or not, working or staying at home, childcare or no childcare. That maybe, deep down inside - I have unintentionally been that person by pitying the kids who had no mum standing at the door - and in turn I'm judging myself.

I came out with the fact that regardless of when it happens, we all have to let go, just a tiny bit, of our babies. Let them out into the big wide world and dismiss the feeling that we are leading a lamb to the slaughter - but remember we are raising tough, independent and confident kids. And that it's ok. We are good mums because we care. 

So just when the tide in my stomach was settling - and I was coming to terms with this change that is going on in our family, something happened that made me feel better. I went to pick the kids up from OSHC, I rounded the corner readily awaiting the rush of my two children who were so desperate to see me, who felt abandoned and sad - and wondered what all the other children were doing with their mums who came to pick them up. And instead - I saw two faces spot me. Those face became shocked, then horrified, then broke into a flood of tears and sobs.

How dare I pick them up. They wanted to stay! They were playing games and have a great time, and I ruined everything. And you know what I felt? RELIEF! They were ok. They'll be ok. 

And it's not about me. Shocking I know!!

And the wise words of my sister came to me. "Stop pretending they are thinking the way you do". And it's true, they could care less that I'm not there all the time. And you know what, I'm glad. Pressure off!

So yeah, big changes..but baby steps. It's normal to feel this way I know, but I never for the life of me thought I'd be sending my last baby to school when I'm 28 years old. It doesn't seem right. But it is what it is. And even if I had a thousand kids, I'd still feel this way when I waved that thousandth kid off to school. And it's ok we'll get there.

Here's to the next phase eh?

xx

Week 2

Well it's week 2 of semester one, and look who has come to visit already.

Aren't I a lucky girl?

If one thing is obvious, it's that whilst I'm good at actually washing and drying clothes (let's not mention that I have the aid of two machines for these steps in the process), I clearly have a problem with finishing the deal. Hence the gremlin that has silently grown it's way back in to the corner of my lounge room.

great.

The thing that sucks the most though is that for some reason, my measure of success is whether I can keep on top of the washing. I mean really - how ridiculous! I can attend uni, work in a hospital for two days a week, cook meals, mother my children and contribute to a meaningful marriage, and yet can go to bed of a night time and mark a giant FAIL next to my name because of a few (or more) baskets of clean clothes.

But am I alone in this? Do you too find you judge yourself by the meager things you can't achieve, all the while forgetting the amazing things you do?

I would love your stories.

The stupid thing is, it would take an hour to fold that washing. And the burden would be lifted.

But I can't like folding.

I need to get some perspective. Or a nudist colony.







- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Testing the technology.

So, will the ability to blog from anywhere in the world enhance my blogging experience? Maybe it will.

Or not

But we're going to try. A busy year means less blogging availability, so this blogger app for iphone here may be my solution.

We'll see

Have a great one xx


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

I'll paddle your boat.

This past weekend we trekked into the city for what used to be an annual event for our family. The Santos Symphony under the stars.

What's that?

Well, basically, as part of the (many) festivals that run parallel to each other in Adelaide at this time of the year, the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra, together with South Australian based company, Santos, put a free concert on in the park. We used to go every year as kids, and since then things such as the Big Day Out (think hangover), hot weather, torrential rain and other, unforeseen circumstances have stopped either the event occurring at all, or us attending. 

This year however, everything aligned and we were once again spread out on the lawns of Elder park a mere 8 hours before the concert was due to start. We were well equipped with rugs, low back chairs, eskys and of course, Saturday's paper. 

Adam, being trooper of the year, volunteered to bring all four children (kids + niece + nephew) later on the bus so that they wouldn't deliberately drown themselves in the river as a better option to the bordem that would no doubt encroach on the 8 hours of waiting. They got there 2 hours before the start of the show, and - well - that was enough really!

We talked to this swan, also known as "Swanny" for awhile. And then we decided to go on the Pop-Eye, a cute little boat that cruises up and down the river for a fairly reasonable price. Only after we had waited at the boat stop, and the Pop-Eye pulled up and docked itself, and the kids attempted to get on board. The driver said:

"Sorry, last ride for the day".

And Tilly cried, a lot. 

Isn't disappointment the worst feeling?

So, the only option was these little babies. Yep - paddle boats. Which I can safely say I had never been on as an adult.

One word.

YEOUCH!

I had to rope my dad onto riding on to one of them, as there were four kids to entertain. Somehow we ended up with all the girls on one, and all the boys on the other. And boys, being boys, decided that of course it was a big giant race from one bridge to the other.

Great.

Which sucked balls because, well, my girls let me down with their short legs..and I had to stare at this for half an hour, watching the lactic acid building up and promising me achy legs the next day.

Stupid acid.

The losers.

My poor calves.

The winners.

But despite the world of pain I entered as a result of paddling this shit for half an hour (yes I have fitness issues.) for which the Pop Eye and it's failing entertainment will pay for, it wasn't so bad when this was the view. We really do live in a pretty city.

Then it was time to head back to the camp and eat our picnic dinner. And it was at this point my brother entered a world of pain when I, awesomely, discovered his first grey hair.

And then Ash totally cracked the sads. And looked like this for the rest of the night. It was funny, for me - who has dyed and coloured my hair since I was fifteen and will NEVER see a grey hair, unless I want to.

So there.

Sad face.

 The music started, and Tilly had a great time dancing to music from Slum Dog Millionaire. She had those moves down!

And the paddle boat loser succumbed to the physical excursion that only the challenge of totally awesome chicks, and losing, can bring. They might have won if Darcy wasn't steering - he's a bit like a puppy really who just travels in the direction his head happens to turn. Lots of zigzagging in that boat!

Once the orchestra came out, we settled back and enjoyed the magnificence that is the ASO. We enjoyed it with all walks of town, the snobs from the east, the bogans from the north, and the mutts from the south. And we were all united by a love of music, no matter what kind of music it might be. It's one of my favourite parts of this event, you really can't judge a book by it's cover - or it's tattooed, leathered up, bearded faces.

And to top the night off, fireworks in the last part of the 1812 Overture. One word - Magic! And the perfect end to a perfect night.

If you haven't done it before, I highly recommend it. Even if you think classical music isn't your thing - branch out! You never know.

xx