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!!