Tuesday, 25 December 2007

Catching up


Happy New Year. - All you bloggers have been blogging heaps over the holidays. I have been so slack. Actually this post started as a draft on Christmas Day, it just didn't get finished.


I have just got back from my first client training session of the year, I had 2 weeks off. The kids are still in bed so I thought I should catch up.


Christmas Day - Our day started briefly at 1.30am when our youngest got up sick. This was not unexpected as the other 2 had been sick the 2 previous days. Luckily some panadol got her back off to sleep until about 6.20am when she got up, closely followed by the other 2.


It was such a lovely day, the kids are all at an age to enjoy it fully. We started with opening presents while munching strawberries - no breakfast champagne this year. Then called our relatives in the UK. It was still Christmas Eve there and they still had Christmas Day to look forward to - Obviously!!


The kids got heaps, they were totally spoiled, but they are good kids (mostly) and they deserve it.


After Christmas we headed up to Port Stephens for a week and had a great time doing nothing except, sitting on a beach, cooling off in the water, eating (moderately) and drinking (not so moderately) and catching up with friends.


I am still trying to get on top of the laundry. I took too many clothes for me and the kids and for some reason, even though we didn't wear most, I still have to wash them all. Is anyone else like that. And don't get me started on ironing....


I hope you all have a fantastic 2008, keep working towards your goals it will be worth it.



Wednesday, 19 December 2007

Happy and sad news - both made me cry

I must admit that it doesn't actually take very much to make me cry.

Last week a close friend of ours went into hospital for a (fairly) routine operation. We obviously sent our best wishes and expected to see him back at home the following day. However the operation had complications and he is not too good at the moment. His brain is swollen and as you can imagine he is not himself. This is not good news for anyone at anytime but the week before Christmas and with 3 young children this has hit all of us, not least his family hard.

We wish him and his family well and hope for a speedy recovery.

The second news is much happier. A friend of ours has just had twin baby girls. These were/are very good friends of ours from England. Our keeping in touch has not been the best this year and we didn't even know they were expecting. I am so happy for them, they have a 2 year old boy and now 2 girls. I know the pregnancy was difficult so hope that the babies are kind to them now.

So the happy and sad elements of life.

Too many lollies

With almost certainty my son throws up from too many lollies and juice and excitement on Christmas Eve, he has done it every year since he was 2. It happens at various different times during the evening. The worst time being just after we have gone to bed and after Santa has been.

I try and tell him not to eat too much junk, even church has been guilty of providing such food.

This year it happened early. Last Friday night, again he got a lolly bag at Little Athletics, got very excited at having a bag of lollies all to himself and ate them all, then a few hours later, just as I was going to sleep, it happened.

He may have learned his lesson this time. He got a gift of 6 chocolate bars from a friend at school and out of kindness and fear of being sick, he shared all but one with other friends and the one he kept for himself he shared with his sisters.

You never know, I may get a Christmas Eve off from cleaning and I can't say I am looking forward to him experimenting with alcohol later.

Tuesday, 18 December 2007

Christmas Party

Last Saturday, we went to my husbands works Christmas Party. We were very dubious about it before we got there, but really could not have imagined the course the evening took.

The band was awful (I'm not going to say who it was because my intention is not to offend people) they were the wrong side of oh at least 65 and they dressed up as different acts, being , Elvis, Roy Orbison, Dusty Springfield. They were not my cup of tea at all. I was very relieved at the interval and was looking forward to catching up with some people I had not seen since the last party. But......... the fire alarm went off and we had to evacuate. I filled my wine glass up and off I went with many others to the car park.

An hour and 3 fire engines later, we still could not go back in. People were starting to get a little aggro (not necessarily from our party but generally, it was a big venue) because by now the drinks they had brought down with them had gone and the free drinks were inside, and we were in a car park. It also didn't look like we were going back inside anytime soon.

Jon and I don't go out together often and decided that spending anymore time (what took us so long) in a car park was not a wise use of our time and babysitter so off we went to another bar. We only had one drink and then went home. Never mind, if we are lucky there is always next year.

Deep voice

My youngest daughter aged 2, has and always has had a very deep and unusual voice. We just thought it was a quirk about her that we loved. However as she became more vocal, more and more people commented on it and asked us if she was sick or had a sore throat. After a while, these comments got me thinking and I took her to the doctor, really for her to say I was being silly and nothing to worry about. But she didn't, she took the safe road and said that it wouldn't hurt for a specialist to look at her.

That is where we went today. The specialist said that yes, she has a very deep and unusual voice but that there were no other problems to suggest that there was a problem. If I wished, I could have her vocal cords looked at to be 100% sure but that would mean she had a general anesthetic. No thank you - not unless I really need to.

She did suggest we see a speech therapist, just to monitor her voice and get her opinion over a period of time. So - all happy, she is just quirky.

Tuesday, 11 December 2007

Chocolate Advent Calenders

Do you remember when you were a kid and you got a chocolate filled advent calender. How long was it before you ate all the chocolates? Or did you wait and have only one a day? me I used to have today's and a bite of tomorrow's. Back then there was always 25 little windows so I figured I would get plenty on Christmas Day that I didn't need that 1/2 of one.

This year my daughters lasted to the 10th. Today we woke to scenes of devastation as the realisation hit that eating all the remaining chocolates yesterday might not have been a good idea.

Tonight I am off to bare foot lawn bowls with the girls from playgroup. I have been offered a lift so I can have a drink and I merrily accepted. I have just remembered though that I have a 6am client who lives 25minutes from here so an early start. Not sure about the lift now - don't want to have to stay late - but then again - it is Christmas.

Monday, 10 December 2007

Sad day for my veggie garden

Today is a sad day for my veggie garden.

On Saturday I picked and enjoyed my first home grown veggies - snow peas - really yummy and the kids loved them too.

Yesterday a huge hail storm swept through our garden and has totally trashed the veggie garden. All the tomatoes are squished as are the snow peas. The zucchini plants are no more. I'm not sure if anything at this stage can be salvaged.

Our brand new pergola even suffered minor damage.

Luckily both Jon and I were not home so our cars escaped the residual pockmarks.

Sunday, 9 December 2007

Lazy days

Did I just was a whole Saturday or did I spend valuable time relaxing, chilling and recharging?

Monday, 3 December 2007

Predictable

Whilst my children surprise me daily with their actions, activities and knowledge, they are also very predictable. We went out as a family yesterday to the first Children's Christmas Party of the year.

They had a fantastic time and loved everything. On the way home in the car, I asked each of them what their favourite part of the day was.

My youngest loved the jumping castles and slides the most, and given that at 6 months old we knew she had a destiny to be a base jumper, her answer was very predictable.

My eldest child is saving hard at the moment for a PS2, I know he will never buy one though because he can't bring himself to spend any of his pocket money, he just likes to see the $$$ grow. His answer was therefore very predictable - all the free stuff, slushies and rides. He didn't figure that we actually had to pay (albeit a small amount) for the tickets.

My middle child has a passion for nature, flowers, animals, insects, our veggie garden etc. I knew then that her favourite part would be the snakes and crocodiles, she held various species and her face was a picture.

I love my kids so much and we had a really lovely day with them. My son even looked out for his sisters instead of arguing and fighting with them. I was very proud of him.

Wednesday, 28 November 2007

Where has my baby gone?

This weekend my 2 1/2 year old grew up really quickly. She is my last baby so now I have none. I must say over the last couple of months it is lucky I can have no more children because on many an occasion I got very broody. It didn't last long, just frequently. Anyway, she had 2 acheivements. Firstly she decided she did not want to wear nappies anymore, not only that but she is very good at going to the toilet. Very few accidents to date. Secondly she surprised me by swimming 50 metres (doggy paddle) with no floaties. Before this she only did about 10 - 20 seconds. So - where has my baby gone?

Tuesday, 20 November 2007

Peanut butter on toast - or not

My son had peanut butter on toast this morning, he makes it himself. Miss T my 4 year old also decided to make her own peanut butter on toast. This is not unusual, she is very independent and makes it herself.

She was very happily spreading the peanut butter on, just checking in now and again that she hadn't put too much on. I noticed that she hadn't toasted it. Not wanting to bring on a very dramatic tantrum, I kept quiet and hoped she wouldn't notice herself.

A few minutes later she came outside with the peanut butter on bread and said, "Silly me, I forgot to put it in the toaster. I will just have to have a sandwich." - No tantrum. All is still well at 8.10am in this household.

Thursday, 15 November 2007

Flash back to NZ


I was driving home from dropping my daughters at their various pre-schools and kindes when I had the urge to drive like I did in NZ.


We lived in NZ for 3 years so I guess some habits/rules will stick, but it is 3 years since we lived there.


In NZ when you are turning left, you have to give way to any cars turning right into the same junction. This morning I almost did that, and it has happened before. There are 2 problems with doing that here, first is that the car behind me has no idea why I am waiting to turn left and almost drives into me and the second is that the person turning right looks at me like I am very weird as they have no clue why I am waving at them, (unless of course they are Kiwi) and that just confuses the situation more.

Flash back to NZ

Tuesday, 13 November 2007

What's been going on?

What's been going on?

Pergola is finished - it is so nice

We had dinner outside last night

Watched Die Hard 4 on the weekend - quite good for that kind of movie, and I stayed awake and as a result drank too much wine

Watched a really good (made for TV) movie The Man who Lost his Head - Fell asleep need to watch the end of it

Been for an early walk two mornings on the run - trying to regulate my "get up" times - the 4.30am then 7am starts are messing with my body and my mind

Kids good

Jon good

Found a business to deliver fresh veggies to the door - less trips to the supermarket Kerryn

Shoulder bit dodgy

Hip bit dodgy

Workouts good within limits

Food could improve but not stressing

Saturday, 10 November 2007

Pergola and Christmas


Well our pergola was supposed to be finished this week but due to the rain, that didn't happen, actually, if the company hadn't messed up and painted it on the wrong side, it would have been finished sooner. They did quite good a putting it right and there was never a suggestion that it was our error, it's just that the rain held it up further.


Christmas is looming rather quickly in our house. It also has something to do with most of our family being overseas and the postal system being so bad. You would think we live on the other side of the world or something. Ha... I thought the world was a smaller place these days but not it appears when it comes to sending gifts to loved ones overseas. The post office said that the gifts needed to be sent by beginning of September (by surface and airmail is so expensive, more expensive than the gift) to get there by Christmas. Now if you know children they will change their minds countless times before Christmas Day, so doubtless my nieces and nephews will have a present that is "sooo last season". What can I say but - TOUGH!


Oh I need to buy little thingies to put in my kids advent calender. Unfortunately they can't be any bigger than a small choccie. Any suggestions that are not overloaded with sugar?


Friday, 2 November 2007

Sick car


My car is in the garage again. It is going to be a very expensive experience. Cars and children are such a drain on the finances, but I couldn't be without either. Actually if I didn't have children I probably could manage without a car - too late now.


I have just called the gym and cancelled my daughters creche place and decided to spend a day at home with her. She seems really tired and in need of a home and mum day. I feel a little bad about missing my Pilates class but if she has a sleep today I will put a Pilates DVD on.


Tonight Jon and I are out for dinner without children. A well deserved and well needed time out together. Life is getting busy at the moment and is taking a little adjusting to.

Tuesday, 30 October 2007

Fight with son

I had a big fight with my son last night and my heart was breaking. It wasn't a fight as such but I told him a few truths and how disappointed I was with him and then sent him to bed early.

He was really distraught to the point that he wouldn't say goodnight to either me or his dad.

He is a really good kid and rarely gives us any trouble, we are very lucky, however just lately he has started to get a little lazy with his jobs, he only does the minimum he can get away with. We have let it go so far, showing him what we expect and giving many second chances but last night there were too many and he was told.

We left him in his bed crying. When we went up to bed, we always go in and kiss and tuck in our kids. He had left a note on his bedroom door saying he loved his dad lots. There was no note for me.

He did however come in this morning and apologise for shouting at me. We are all ok now and he knows I love him heaps.

Monday, 29 October 2007

Commitment

How's this for commitment? I have a client that I am very proud of at the moment. She has been training hard twice a week with me and has started to actually enjoy her workouts outside of our sessions and is seeing all the health benefits - not just the weight loss and shape. She is feeling the extra energy, the alertness, the confidence. We did a fitness test last week and she really went for it.

I got a phonecall from her today letting me know she has broke her toe and asking me to modify her next session so she can still train. (Erm, yes, she dropped a weight on it. Thankfully not during one of my sessions.) Anyway she didn't call to cancel - she called to make sure she still got the best workout she could under the circumstances.

Clocks changing

So the clocks went forward this weekend. How many were caught out? We had a Christening to go to on Sunday morning so had to get 3 kids and ourselves up and out and to a church a 30 min drive away by 9.30am. Which was actually 8.30am. With 3 kids we are early risers so that was not the issue - it does however take a major effort to get 5 of us out of the door.

All was well. In fact the Christening boy didn't arrive until 10 minutes into the service, just as we were about to leave thinking we had the wrong church.

A few years ago we did get caught out with the clocks. It was March and my last baby had just been born, we headed to the Easter show. For some reason, initially very few people were around, every act was running a little late but that was ok. We had tickets to see the NRL game at Telstra so headed off over there. Again kick off was 10 mins late then 20 mins late, we started getting bored and slightly agitated, someone nearby then pointed out that the clocks had gone back. The whole day we were an hour early for everything. At least we weren't late. I hate being late.

Friday, 26 October 2007

Another early start

Another new client and another early start today, but at least the weather is warming up. I still have very vivid memories of wet feet and frozen toes from training groups in the long(ish) grass in the park during winter. Spring is definitely much kinder to me. If only I could stop yawning.

Monday, 22 October 2007

Dried prunes......

that's what my children look like after spending most of the weekend in our spa. Glad it is being used though.

They did vacate the spa for a little while for our first real visit to the beach this year. At first they hated it. Miss T is so prissy, she hated having sand on her hands and my son kept wanting to wash his feet. I just wish he would voluntarily do the same at home!

All's well in the end though, they finished searching and collecting crabs - not my favourite past-time I must admit.

All crabs were returned to the safety of the water when we left, much to the disgust of my children, who had fallen hopelessly in love with them. It didn't take long for Miss T to move on from the ladybird she was so in love with last week.

Saturday, 20 October 2007

How much pain?

I seem to have fallen into the same groove as other bloggers. "I have not been posting often lately but am still reading everyone else's blogs."

So what has been happening? We had our spa delivered, it is very nice. I don't think it will become one of those items purchased and never used.

My shoulder is getting stronger almost daily. I am really pleased with the progress. Slight problem with my lower back at the moment but it has improved heaps over the last couple of weeks.

I have really increased the intensity of my workouts and drawn up at schedule to stick to. Life had started to get in the way a little bit.

Yesterday was one of the most stressful days I have had for a while. It started when the school but was early so my son missed it and I then had to drive him to school. Not a major drama but just disrupted my plans.

The rest of the day went quite smoothly, back to pilates (avoided it recently due to sore shoulder) abs feeling it today.

Then when I arrived to collect my daughter from preschool she was sat inside with ice on her now huge lip. She had fallen off the swing. We had already planned a visit to the doctor for her so off we went.

She had to wee in a jar. Freak our number 1. It did not happen. No way was she going to be able to we let alone in a jar.

Next she needed to have her blood sugar tested. Can you imagine, it took me and the doctor to hold her down, she was screaming and crying and pleading with me. We got it done I gave her lots of praise and cuddles, looked at my other children and they were both crying. My youngest daughter was worse. She really loves her big sister and it freaked her to see her big sister in pain and being bullied by her mother and a doctor. Two of the most trustworthy people in her life.

An icecream each made it all better. As an aside, I was very proud of my son who threw over half of his away because it was too sweet and didn't taste nice.

Ok, so home to get ready for Little Athletics. Miss T lets out a real blood curdling scream, she was lying on the patio floor and not moving much. I picked her up and it quickly became obvious that she had fallen and landed on her forehead. I have never seen such a huge bump and blood speckled bruise. My son gasped so loudly I thought he was going to pass out. I carried her inside and applied ice. How many more things can inflict pain on my little girl today? She was in no state to go to athletics so we all had a family spa.

Thankfully the day ended without further incident.

Friday, 12 October 2007

Busy week

We've had a really busy week.

We have had the concrete put down ready for the spa to be delivered on Saturday. We also had an extra area concreted with a colour and a pattern. I didn't know that this was an alternative option to paving until very recently and I have to say I love it.

A friend dropped in from Nelson Bay. It was so good to see her, even if it was just for a short time. I had Tupperware party a few weeks ago (really do need to tidy up my cupboards) and as a result of a very successful party, I am inundated with Tupperware.

The pergola people have been to do their final check measure so hopefully in a couple of weeks our backyard will be all done.

My son has been at Motiv8 Sports this week, he loves it and this time he won a raffle prize at the presentation.

I worked Tuesday, went out for dinner Wednesday with the playgroup mums. I actually had a good time. We went to a Greek restaurant. It was so full though and it took about 2 hours to get our meals - luckily the company was good.

Shoulder is progressing well, but somehow I have hurt my lower back. Don't know how but my physio is looking after me. At the moment it is taped up. Not looking forward to taking it off though. A short term positive is I don't feel guilty not rushing around tidying and cleaning up. However I hate mess. Suggestions on positives please!!!

At this stage I am still working out. Slightly lower intensity and weights but still getting to the gym so I am relatively happy.

Today Miss T is having friends over to play. I am off now, before they come to stock up on fruit for morning tea.

Tonight is Little Athletics for Miss T (and us of course).

Saturday, 6 October 2007

Families and shoulder

No major plans for this weekend. Just stay at home catch up with family and a few household chores.

I had to cancel my trip to the gym this morning and change it for a trip to the chiropractor. Nothing major just a bit of pain in my lower back. I'm sure a quick visit will sort it out.

On the plus side, my shoulder is coming along really well. I have almost full range of motion and pain free. I have increased the weights and my shoulder is holding up. I am doing heaps of rotator cuff work on the cables and actually feeling the fatigue before the pain is a great feeling.

My physio is keeping me grounded though, he keeps telling me to expect that one of the exercises will cause a slight relapse and we will have to taper it back for a week or two. I don't mind that, not long ago it appeared that my only option to be pain free was surgery.

With crossed fingers and more hard but careful work, I know I am going to be ok.

I haven't even finished this post, you know looking forward to spending time with my family, when the second bowl of cereal ends up all over the floor. Sore back and another episode of floor cleaning to undertake. Oh joy. I might just go missing after my chiro appt later.

Wednesday, 3 October 2007

Map reading

Now, I might be a bit of a girl when it comes to reading maps, but I am not that bad. I can read it and figure out where I am going to go, I can even do it without turning the map upside down. However, as soon as I set off in the car I can only remember the next left or right turn, beyond that I have totally forgotten. So I either have to stop every couple of minutes to read the map again or before I travel I write a note of Left on x st and then 2nd right on y ave then straight through roundabout. My passenger seat footwell is full of little notes, none with titles on so I don't even know what they refer to.

As a mobile personal trainer, I thought it better to save time and get a GPS - and I love it!! After I figured out how to use it properly. The only really annoying thing is that it doesn't know that some of the streets near my house are "NO RIGHT TURNS" so it is forever telling me that I am going the wrong way. It also constantly tells me I am going to fast in the school zones. I am yelling at it saying that it is school holidays and I am not.

Already I have driven through areas I would not normally because I would tend to stick to the major roads that have a minimal number of left or right turns.

Another annoying point is that my 3 kids like to repeat everything that the GPS says, but they will get over that, I hope.

Sunday, 30 September 2007

Friday, 28 September 2007

Birthday Party

Just a little about Miss T birthday.

She had a great day, got up really early telling us all that she is 4 now. We have a rule in this house that you can't go downstairs until we are all ready and then we go down together. I'm sure this rule will upset my son in a couple of years when he hits his teenage years and his sisters are still little and excitable but he will have to get over it.

She opened her presents and we all had breakfast and were getting ready to go out, when my dad phoned from the UK. It was really good to talk to him, he works away from home a lot and is not always available to have long chats with so how could I cut him off and say I need to get ready to go out now. I passed him on to Jon to talk to while I got ready. I haven't seen my dad since I left the UK 6 years ago. His wedding is next year and I would so love to go, but it is highly unlikely.

Anyway to Miss T. We headed to Hungry Jacks for her party, she was dressed in her brand new sparkly fairy outfit with her hair all pretty. It was very cute to see 15 little girls, all mostly dressed in fairy outfits and one boy. My girls fight over this one boy, they both want to marry him. Dangers of having girls close together.

Hungry Jacks was her venue of choice, because that is where she had it last year and I think she thinks that is where she has her parties. I am not too worried about this as

1 It is much cheaper than all other party venues
2 It is less hassle than having it at home

After the party we headed out to the local spring fair.

A very nice day.

Wednesday, 26 September 2007

Is it tomorrow, today?


This is a question Miss T asks all the time. I'm never really sure how to answer it. I know she asks because she is told something will happen "tomorrow" so to her it is logical to ask "Is it tomorrow, today?"

Child restraints - or not?

I had a really lovely couple of minutes with my youngest daughter today. Only a couple of minutes - and she was asleep. She is being really horrible at the moment. We had a huge fight at the petrol station and it all started because I made her hold my hand as we walked across the forecourt (because I wanted her to be safe or something).

She refused to get in her car seat, many threats and brute force later she still pulled her arms out as soon as I started the car. I ended up pulling into a carpark space and sitting there for 20 minutes with her screaming, me trying to ignore her and not look like a cruel mother. I even gave my other daughter juice to try and gain a bargaining (not bribery) tool with my youngest. My fear here is that Miss T would then need the toilet.

She eventually exhausted herself and we drove home. I gave her a drink, all that screaming and squirming must have made her thirsty, then carried her straight up to bed. When all was quiet, I crept in sat on her bed, watched her, kissed her and told her I loved her - all while she was asleep of course. Subliminally she knows I love her but consciously she will not have won our fight.

Sunday, 23 September 2007

Happy Birthday

It's my daughters 4th birthday today so now I can stop saying 'nearly 4 year old'. She is so excited. It was really cute watching her open her presents. She loved everything and was clearly so excited, the wow look on her face and the shaking of hands gave it away. I hope she never grows out of that.

More later I have a party to prepare for, not here thankfully. I can just walk away when it is over.

Monday, 17 September 2007

I am so hungry

I am desperately trying not to eat again for 30 mins to see if it goes away. What do you think? Will I need to eat or not? I am off to have a cup of tea and read my fitness mag. Hopefully by then the banana will have hit my stomach and I won't feel hungry anymore.

I have an awful feeling though that I am heading for a hungry evening.

Be positive, food is not the enemy. If I am hungry I should eat providing it is physical hunger and not emotional hunger.

Sunday, 16 September 2007

Spa




Bought the spa, arranged the concreter. My outside is going to look soooo good in a few weeks.




I just need to make the time to enjoy it between working to pay for it all.

Christmas cards


I try every year to make my own Christmas cards. It is getting more and more difficult each year to find the time to do it. I'm also finding that our list is getting longer and longer.

I also have to think about this really early cos a lot of mine go overseas so I send them in bulk to my mam who distributes them for me.

Anyway, this year I got my kids to colour a couple of Christmas pictures. I have scanned the pictures, shrunk them and made them into Christmas cards. Easy, the kids loved doing it and seeing their pictures on the front of the cards. My 2 year old did the one above. Easy.

Oh what to write?

I'm sat here thinking what to write. I'm thinking not too much exciting has happened lately. My car is fixed and going very well. We just signed a contract and parted with 10% of $12,000 to get a pergola on the back of our house. It is a lot of money but it will give us an extra room outdoors.

I am too afraid to let my kids eat lunch out there in the summer, so a pergola will give us the shade we need to enjoy the outside more.

Next on the shopping list is a spa.

My physio agreed last week that I could do a little upper body work. It has been almost a year to the day that I really hurt my shoulder so this has been a long process. I still have pain but my pain free range of motion has improved heaps the last couple of weeks. I really need to resist increasing the weights too quickly.

I have done 2 sessions so far, no overhead or lateral movements though. I am happy to say that even with the very light weights, I have a slight muscular ache in my back and biceps, not DOMS exactly but I know I have worked and it feels good.

I have to admit to having slightly more pain in my shoulder and my pain free ROM was less yesterday but I expected that. What is important now is that I rest it properly again before I work it again, and no increasing the weights.

So from a few weeks ago my physio telling me that surgery might be the only option, to lifting weights again. I can hardly believe it. Long way to go but I will get there.

Tuesday, 11 September 2007

Walking

The new ultra positive me has had a few challenges these last few days. My car got sick, about $500 worth of sick and trying to find a positive in that has been difficult. In addition to the unexpected cost, I had planned to go the the gym this morning, and take my girls to creche.

Instead of having the car collected or getting a lift from someone, I decided that we (me and the girls) would drive to the garage, walk to the gym, workout or play, walk home, rest and walk back to get the car later today. Another obstacle was that Miss T presented with a temperature last night - but no sign of it this morning so off we went. She did really well, it was quite a long walk for a 3 (nearly 4) year old. The 2 year old was in the pram, it would have taken a week to get there if I had let her walk as well. Everyone at the gym was very impressed that she had walked all the way and so was I.

The positives

1 we saw butterfly's
2 we saw pretty flowers
3 we saved on fuel
4 we got fresh air
5 we increased our incidental exercise
6 I may have got a little sun on my very white arms (no flashes of the legs yet though still too cold for me)

It may even encourage us to walk to the gym once in a while in the future.

Why all the positives? I was realised that half my conversations were with people complaining about something or other and then I felt the need to 'trump' them with the terrible time I was having. Well, no more - everyone has little challenges every day, but I want to live and focus on the positives, happy thoughts make for happy people and happy families. There are too many bad things in this world that we don't need to make disasters out of little challenges. So what, I am without a car for the day. I am thankful though that I have a car every other day of the year. I am thankful that I have the health to be able to walk this "one" day.

It's not really all that bad.

This does not mean I have become a happy, cheery, annoyingly "up" person, just that I will no longer be drawn into all things dreary.

Saturday, 8 September 2007

This n that

Having a pretty quiet long weekend. Jon is in the Gold Coast for the weekend pretending to be 20 again.

The kids and I watched the Goonies last night. It is so long since I have seen it, I kinda didn't realise it had a bit of language in it.

This morning we went to creche well the kids did I went to the gym. My son doesn't really like to go he is a bit old for it but with Jon away I needed him to come with me. I just did a quick cardio workout, but man, I had to hold on going down the steps, probably like Jon was doing last night, but for totally different reasons.

The gym called me back and want me to go in for a trial next week. That is good. It is very local and they are so cool about me having kids - so I will give it a go.

We are in the market for a spa at the moment. We have found what we think is a good one at a good price, but I know not to trust sales people. Any advice?

Got a bit of a niggle in my left shin. It will not be shin splints!!! I refuse. Started earlier this week so been giving running a wide birth last few days.

What movie to watch tonight? Not sure. Last few nights have been reading, psychology of weight loss books. Think I need a night off.

Think happy thoughts and smile!

Thursday, 6 September 2007

Personal Training jobs

Thank you for your comments.

I have applied for a few PT jobs over the last couple of months. I am still working hard on building up my own mobile business, I feel however that some experience in a gym will be very valuable to me.

I have found though that not one of these jobs was actually for a PT position. The positions vary from reception, sales, childcare to gym instruction and group classes, they just want a PT to do them.

I am very happy to get rounded experience and to help out with all of the above positions but I want to be a PT.

Today I am helping out at pre-school all day on kitchen duty. I've never done it before, I hope to get a bit of a fly-on-the-wall look at my daughter.

My glass is still half full.

Wednesday, 5 September 2007

Running in the rain

I've got a job interview this morning and I had to slot it in when I had booked to do my gym session. It's difficult with kids to arrange a time and the gym said I could bring them and put them in the creche - a gym that understands that 30 something women often have kids!!

So I cancelled my gym session and vowed to run this morning before Jon went to work. I knew there was a high chance of rain, but got up and went anyway. It was very wet and very cold, I didn't enjoy it much, my ears were really cold. However now I am back, have had my hot shower, I feel good that my workout is done for the day.

I didn't say that as I was on the homeward stretch, the rain stopped, the clouds broke and a rainbow appeared - shame I couldn't have had that extra hour sleep and then gone for my run.

Tuesday, 4 September 2007

Today

Just had a nice peaceful hour reading everyone's blogs and the news. I woke up early so it was nice to catch up in the quiet, no kids fighting or making demands. Dora was playing in the background but that was ok, my eldest daughter, Miss T was up but she is happy to chill for a bit as well.

Today after I have got my son off to school, we are heading to the gym (creche for my girls) and then we are off to the RSL for lunch and kids day. We are meeting friends there. The weather forecast is not too go for today though so may need to change to an indoor venue.

I am trying to make my workouts a priority again, life seemed to get in the way for a little while there and my workout time was suffering. I find routine is the best way for me, I am not very good at trying to fit in workouts, they need to be planned and probably started before 9.30am or are they are unlikely to happen.

It's also difficult because I need to book the creche a week in advance so if no planning, no childcare and no workout. Difficult but not impossible. A workout appointment is now kept, barring sickness but I think we have had more than our fair share of that lately.

Think positive. We all have problems, difficulties, barriers, but the best of us find a solution.

Saturday, 1 September 2007

Difficult questions

Being English my neighbour thought it would be good to buy my son something Aussie for his birthday, he got an Aussie Joke book.

So my 8 year old son asks what is a brothel?

We are quite open with our kids (in age appropriate ways) and he knows a fair bit about, where babies come from, drugs awareness etc. I don't think he knows though that "special cuddles" are not just for making babies so how could I bridge from special cuddles to a brothel (why do I keep typing brother?).

I couldn't think of a way on the spot so it is the first time I have told him he is too young to need to know that yet, and he accepted it, well I think he did, he will probably google it later today.

Oh maybe I should let you know what the joke was........

An Irishman goes into a brothel (brother again) and sees a sign that says BYO - so he went home and got his wife.

I got tagged ..........

a long time ago, sorry its taken so long


Jobs I’ve Held; Paper-round, Newsagency, Meat market stall, Clerk for a shipbuilding company, Housing officer for local government, Tax Officer for Inland Revenue in UK, Tax Accountant, Tax Investigator for Inland Revenue in New Zealand, Full time mum and Personal Trainer


Movies I Can Watch Over & Over; Grease, Rocky Horror Picture Show, 1969

Places I have lived (in order); Cumbria, Manchester and Warrington - all in the UK, Auckland, New Zealand and Sydney, Australia

Shows I enjoy; House, 24, Prison Break, Ghost Whisperer

Places I Have Been on Holiday; Scotland, Wales, Blackpool, France, Germany, Austria, Italy, Canary Islands, Barbados (got married there), Mexico, Jamaica, New York, Florida, Los Angeles and a road trip to various places including Las Vegas, Christchurch, Bay of Islands, NZ, Gold Coast, Melbourne, Sunshine Coast, Brisbane.

Favorite Foods; Ice cream, veggies

Websites I Visit Daily; Blogs and SMH

Body Parts I Have Injured; Shoulder, pelvis, neck

Awards I’ve Won; Several at school but that was a long time ago.

I am tagging anyone that has not already been tagged.

Thursday, 30 August 2007

Life

It's been a week since I blogged. I've been reading others just not updating my own.

Had a pretty stressful week. It started last Thursday when my physio suggested the 's' word again. That would be 'surgery' on my shoulder. Not happy and now working even harder to gain improvements without surgery. This week has been less painful (I hope it's not just wishful thinking) so no surgery this week.

Friday I went to see my doctor to discuss some blood test results. I still had (and have) a sore throat from the flu about 5 weeks ago so I went to see my doctor. She did the usual tests and swabs and they all came back normal - for the throat!! However my liver function test was very abnormal and cause for concern. First thing to do was repeat the test and guess what I am all ok. It was an error on the test.

Today had my first mammogram, sure it will all be ok, hoping for hormonal but needed to be sure.

The mammogram was not as bad as I thought, actually the physio is more painful, for me anyway, I know some people really suffer during mammograms.

On a much lighter note, I broke free from the gym today and went for a run in the park. It was a beautiful spring day, I was running with the dragonfly's and butterfly's, I saw kids playing on the playground (not mine so no responsibility) and lots of people out walking. It was very nice for a change.

Thursday, 23 August 2007

If Not Dieting Then What?

I have been reading this book "If Not Dieting Then What?" by Dr Rick Kausman.

It was recommended to me some time ago by a professional I trust a lot and more recently by a Personal Trainer of over 12 years, who also knows Dr Kausman professionally and has clients that she has referred to him. (I am learning that she has some very impressive contacts)

As I bought the book sometime ago (on Ebay I think) I thought it was time to read it.

It is very similar to I can make you thin by Paul McKenna, just a bit more in depth.

I can see myself in the book practically all the way through and I actually feel much better about myself when I understand that although, we make our own choices, there are other things going on that are so much harder to control and that it is not me being weak, or lazy, or lacking in willpower.

Now some people may not agree with this but I think it has to be worth a read for anyone who has issues with food that go beyond, lack of education. Most of us are very educated when it comes to food and diet but for some reason still are unable to make the choices on a daily basis that we want to.

The book in my opinion is very well written and seemed to answer every question that I had in the next page or 2 so I didn't put it down feeling like, "Yeah but what if ....."

I haven't finished the book yet, I am reading it very slowly, and over and over again, I'm not sure what it is doing to my weight, I am trusting it will all be ok, but I certainly feel a lot better with where I am at and who I am.

Kristy if you want to email me any specific questions I am on cherub@hotmail.com

Swimming pool






We had a company (well a guy from a company) come round yesterday to quote us for putting a swimming pool in our back garden. (This isn't my daughter, but it could be, if we had a pool!!)




And guess what - It was so depressingly expensive - not the pool - I think the pool is actually the cheapest bit, but all the other stuff, the fence, the cost to take the dirt away, the box to put the stuff in (notice how I am technical about this stuff). So today I have been trying to find a way to bring in heaps of income, to reduce our spending by about 95% and try and track down the cleaning fairy. It appears she forgot to do our place again!

I can do all of this today because my kids are in various different versions of school - I could pull the youngest 2 out of their schools and save some money but then when would I find the time to bring in heaps of income and tap away on the calculator and computer devising plans and budgets to reduce our expenditure?


Never mind, I could dig out the paddling pool again. I think my 8 year old will still fit in it if he tucks his knees under his chin.






Break away

The car journey was pretty uneventful, bit like the break really. No I'm not being really down and whingey, it's just that it rained - a lot. There is not an awful lot to do in a small hotel room with 3 children when it is raining and because when it is sunny you love this place so visit heaps and have done all the wet weather activities several times.

One afternoon was spent in Lollipops playland. Not the best place to visit when you are on a break away, there is a Lollipops here next door to my gym so we are not exactly strangers. However because our children are a little bit older now (our 2 year old is like a 9 year old) and can get lost in that place for hours, whilst I know no harm can come to them, I did see an opportunity to talk uninterrupted to my husband over a coffee for more than 30 secs. So it was good. Except when I lost my husband to the playstation. I reminded him I was sat all alone and he came back.

We did spend some time with some very good friends, who I wish we could see more often but can't, and had a fantastic home cooked dinner (not by me) those words "fantastic, home, cooked, dinner" and I do not go well together.

The rain stopped for a little while on our last day so we raced to the beach to play in the sand, not the water, still far too cold for that.

Saturday, 18 August 2007

Packing




Just a quickie cos I am supposed to be packing. I hate packing, I stress the whole day about doing it.




My kids are driving me mad, well that is unfair, it is only the girls. The youngest has decided not to sleep anymore during the day and the 4 year old (nearly) has never been keen on daytime sleeps. So now they are both overtired and winding each other (and me) up. It is now at the point where I can't bear to hear their voices, not even their nice voices, how am I going to spend 3 hours in a car with them? I know - maybe I should pack them in the suitcases and just throw the clothes in the car.


Anyway, once Jon is back from his soccer finals we are heading up the coast for a few days. Please don't let him get an injury.

Friday, 17 August 2007

Suggestions & links

Deb suggested I make a suggestion to the school to split the awards into 2 assemblies.

Great idea but after suggesting to them today, after the assembly that we should not be buying our son a new homework book, just because he filled his last one, when we paid for books at the start of the year, I might lie low for a little while.

............................

Woohoo I think I just managed to link.

Not sure if I want to know if it doesn't work. - Let me think I am as clever as my kids for a day or two and then let me down gently if you need to.

Schools out - when?

I didn't realise that having children meant that I would have to spend further years at school. As far as I was concerned, I left school in 1989, but oh no - after 60 minutes of sitting in full sun, watching countless children getting awards for almost everything, I realised I was going to be here for the next 9 years and that is only primary school. I also figured that if I didn't have bright, well behaved children I wouldn't need to sit through hours of assemblies. I do know that I would then be spending hours in the Principal's office but I choose to ignore that at the moment.

The assembly lasted 110 minutes. That is a long time for any adult to sit through let alone my 2 year old daughter. But at least I saw my son get his 30 seconds of glory when he walked up to receive his award.

Don't get me wrong I am very proud of him, but I left school at 16 for a reason - it bored me! Ok so I went back to school later and studied part time for 9 years, but that is not the point.

I discussed with my friend sitting next to me and we concluded that the only way to avoid such assemblies in the future would be to get a really inflexible job. Errmm I don't think so, perhaps you should reserve me that spot on the hill.

Wednesday, 15 August 2007

First Date

Got this sent to me on the email rounds. Especially for all you lucky people heading to the snow (I am very jealous, but remember this story)

Jay Leno went into the audience to find the most embarrassing first date that a woman ever had.The winner described her worst first date experience. There was absolutely no question as to why her tale took the prize!

She said it was midwinter...Snowing and quite cold...and the guy had taken her skiing in the mountains outside Salt Lake City , Utah ..It was a day trip (no overnight). They were strangers, after all, and truly had never met before. The outing was fun but relatively uneventful until they were headed home late that afternoon. They were driving back down the mountain, when she gradually began to realize that she should not have had that extra latte.

They were about an hour away from anywhere with a rest room and in the middle of nowhere! Her companion suggested she try to hold it, which she did for a while. Unfortunately, because of the heavy snow and slow going, there came a point where she told him that he had better stop and let her go beside the road, or it would be the front seat of his car. They stopped and she quickly crawled out beside the car, yanked her pants down and started.

In the deep snow she didn't have good footing, so she let her butt rest against the rear fender to steady herself. Her companion stood on the side of the car watching for traffic and indeed was a real gentleman and refrained from peeking. All she could think about was the relief she felt despite the rather embarrassing nature of the situation.

Upon finishing however, she soon became aware of another sensation. As she bent to pull up her pants, the young lady discovered her buttocks were firmly glued against the car's fender. Thoughts of tongues frozen to poles immediately came to mind as she attempted to disengage her flesh from the icy metal. It was quickly apparent that she had a brand new problem due to the extreme cold.

Horrified by her plight and yet aware of the humour of the moment, she answered her date's concerns about "what is taking so long" with a reply that indeed, she was "freezing her butt off" and in need of some assistance! He came around the car as she tried to cover herself with her sweater and then, as she looked imploringly into his eyes, he burst out laughing. She too, got the giggles and when they finally managed to compose themselves, they assessed her dilemma.

Obviously, as hysterical as the situation was, they also were faced with a real problem. Both agreed it would take something hot to free her chilly cheeks from the grip of the icy metal! Thinking about what had gotten her into the predicament in the first place, both quickly realized that there was only one way to get her free. So, as she looked the other way, her first-time date proceeded to unzip his pants and pee her butt off the fender.

And you thought your first date was embarrassing. Oh, and how did the first date turn out? He became her husband and was sitting next to her on the Leno show.

Monday, 13 August 2007

White coat syndrome


I met a new client today who when I asked if she suffered from high blood pressure, she said no but that she did have White Coat Syndrome. I had never heard of this before, but it is people who, when they have their blood pressure taken, usually by a doctor (hence, white coat syndrome) it is through the roof. However when they take it on their own at home it is quite normal.


Whilst the blood pressure is high, and in this circumstance could indicate that they are stressed by the situation, they often show no outward signs of stress and they do not feel particularly stressed.


I am not a doctor, and I wear no white coat but when I took this lady's blood pressure the first time it registered and error (I use an automatic blood pressure monitor) and after repeating a little later it was 191/89. This is the most bizarre reading I have ever had. I'm glad a curve ball like that was not thrown at me during my practicals at college.


Just goes to show, you learn something new every day.
As an aside, I put my girls down for a sleep at 12.15 today and now at turned 4.30pm I have just heard one of them upstairs. Oh to sleep for that long in the afternoon.


Weedend

Saturday was a gorgeous day. The weather and life was making me feel very positive. The Gala Day was fun. The boys played well and the siblings played well together off the pitch. Four hours is a long time for littlies but they had fun, made mud with the water from their drink bottles got very dirty, but played together well.

Jon's team also did well, winning their semi final. I am very pleased this is the first year Jon has played for a few years and the team has got to the finals. I have to admit to being in two minds about him winning because now our weekend away has been put back by many hours as the final now needs to be played first. Never mind.

Sunday I was hoping for a nice family day in the garden, playing games, reading books, just pottering around. This wasn't to be. We set off to Stratco to get a feel for what is required in building our own pergola. Stratco was not open on Sundays, so we headed to the shops for a spot of lunch and a few bits. Hours later with aching feet we headed home. Still though I hadn't managed to get my son school shoes. The shop I wanted was not in that particular shopping centre. So home for a cup of tea and then out with my son to another shopping centre. Got said shoes and home for dinner. That Jon had cooked. Mighty nice too.

All in all a nice weekend.

Saturday, 11 August 2007

Family night & Buckaroo


I love waking up to bright blue skies. Opening the windows and letting the fresh air into the house. It's not quite warm enough for me to eat breakfast outside, but I'm sure it's not far away.



It always surprises me how much better I feel when the weather warms up and the sky is bright.



Today we have a soccer gala day for our boys and this afternoon, Jon is playing his semi final game.



Last night was amusing from a sadistic parental point of view. Usually Friday night is our family night. That is where we all as a family, play games, watch a family movie or on a nice evening, go for a walk or bike ride. Anything really so long as the whole family can join in.



Last night we played a new game, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. This was ok. Our 3 year old (actually nearly 4 now, hers in the next birthday) won. The smile was heart warming.


Then we played and old favourite Buckaroo, and this is where the evil parents get their enjoyment. The kids can play this easily, rules are not too hard to grasp, but the shock on the 2 & 3 year old faces when the donkey?? bucks is very amusing to watch. So is the nerves, worry and stress as they watch each person place an item on the saddle.


It got to the stage that they were too scared to play the game anymore. Both girls curled up on our knees and said they were tired and could they go to bed now. I will have to remember this when they are being difficult to get to bed!

Wednesday, 8 August 2007

Improving for some of us

We are on the mend. Starting to get back to normal. We are all still very tired and have majorly irritating coughs that keep us awake at night but other than that, thankfully we are getting better.

I promise to love, honour and ...... til death us do part or until such a time as I decide I can't bear to look at you or be with you anymore, then I will be really nasty, hurtful and cruel.

I hate it when people separate. I hate it even more when they can't do it amicably and then their problems become your problems because you feel their pain. You feel the pain of both parties and that of their children. It seems that you, the outsider, are the only one that cares about the outcome of their lives.

I know that lots of things are said out of hurt rather than spite but that doesn't make it any easier for either party and least of all the children, who both parents say are coping well. Who are they trying to kid.

Please God don't allow that to happen to my family.

Wednesday, 1 August 2007

Home again

We are home again. We are all still sick but not as sick as yesterday. My youngests temperature has come down and so long as it doesn't go up again she can stay home. The staff at the hospital were fantastic.

This flu has been so bad and Jon and I had flu jabs. Hate to think what it would have been like if we hadn't.

Tuesday, 31 July 2007

Hospital

My youngest is really sick again, she is running a really high temperature and is very lethargic, she is in hospital having tests, Jon is with her. At the moment they can't find anything that would be giving her a temperature so they are doing chest x-rays and blood tests. I am at home trying to be normal with my other 2 kids. We are all still sick but not as sick as my baby.

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday to my husband Jon and my gran.

Sorry Jon your birthday is not going to be very special today, who would have thought we would still be so sick for this long. Jon is wrapped up in bed now trying to keep warm.

I feel bad, I didn't get chance to wrap his presents, the kids were making cards for him at last minute last night, coughing and crying over the paper - nice!!

I posted a present to my gran and then heard there is a UK postal strike so she may not get it in time.

My gran has got grandchildren and great grandchildren here in Australia, the UK and in Canada. Gran, god bless her, sent Jon some AU$$ and some Canadian dollars, I am assuming my cousin in Canada got the same.

She is starting to remind me of my Nanna who passed last year. She always managed to spell words wrong in our Christmas and Birthday Cards, it was cute and amusing we used to look out for it. She would spell my mam's (her daughter's) name wrong. She even spelt her own name wrong on occasion, and somtimes we were surprised how the cards arrived at all. Every error was different every time. I miss her.

Monday, 30 July 2007

Still sick

Kerryn, you jinxed me. My middle child got sick yesterday as did my husband, so that is 4 out of the 5 of us - and my middle child puked in my bed last night.

This sickness has come on so quickly. It was quite amusing in a way cos Jon is approx 2.5 hours behind me with the bug. Everything I feel, he gets 2.5 hours later. Youngest is a lot better but still not right. She is very clingy, I am struggling to keep up with who got what meds when. Baby is allergic to Panadol but can have Nurofen and Panadol suppositries - whole other story. I am allergic to Nurofen and can only have Panadol. Jon will take any drug he can get his hand on right now.

This bug is really nasty. I have just had to cancel creche, swimming and physio for tomorrow and will see tomorrow about Wednesdays appointments.

Sunday, 29 July 2007

Lurgy

As predicted Baby is asleep. Quite peaceful. I have the choice of sitting in the quiet and reading my book (by the way I caved and got another crime fiction book) or do some ironing.

Not much of a choice and especially as I feel really sick. My head is pounding, my throat hurts, my cough is not giving up and my chest is tight. I think I have caught the lurgy. I am not ready. I haven't totally gotten over my last cold. So panadol and the book I think it is. The ironing and everything else will have to wait until the cleaning fairy arrives.

Oh as I had my hands full (literally) all day yesterday with a 2 year old and my husband was out at soccer and then driving around all the local suburbs looking for a late night pharmacy, I tried to order a Pizza for dinner for the family. I got through it ok I thought for a first timer and then they said an hour and a half, can you believe it? Can you see me telling my other kids, I have ordered Pizza, it will be here by the morning!!! Yeah right. I should have known I could rely on Jon to bring home, panadol, nurofen and McDonalds.

Feeling better?

My sick daughter jumped out of bed this morning feeling so much better than she did when she went to bed. The problem now 5 hours later is that she is starting to crash, she is exhausted, and probably has a headache but she refuses to accept that she is still sick. Just because the vomiting has subsided, she thinks she is up to running around a playground or going on a trip to the supermarket (why anyone would want to go to the supermarket is beyond me but there you go).

I have tried to convince her that she needs to go to bed for a rest and maybe she will be well enough to go to a playground later for a few minutes. Needless to say she is in her bed crying, I feel evil, but I have no doubt she will cry herself to sleep and feel better afterwards. I just hope she is not feeling neglected and bears scars for life due to her mother dumping her in bed, even if it is for her own good. Oh the wills of 2 year olds. Tell me it gets better.............Please???

Controversy and integrity

My husband said the other day that my blog was a bit dull lately. I said I know but I don’t have the most exciting life at the moment. Not that I am complaining because I have come to terms with my not hugely exciting life. I am happy and content with just a little impatience for the future.

He said you need to write about something controversial.

The problem is, I have a problem being controversial. I would love to be controversial but I seem to care too much about hurting other people’s feelings. I worry about who might read my blog and be offended, especially people I know and like but do annoying things every so often, you know, things that could be interesting to write about. The problem with this is the guilt that I carry when I do something that I think might have upset someone, or the stress that builds with the fear I might do something to offend someone.

I am even teaching my children to be nice to other people, to be considerate of their feelings, to try and make sure that everyone is happy. What a huge burden that is (for me, never mind for a child). I am not saying that it is OK to be rude to people or to be totally selfish and inconsiderate but is it really my job/my kids job to make sure everyone else is happy? What is wrong with doing something that might slightly offend or upset someone else if it means that my/my kids’ life is so much better or happier?

And to take this a stage further, there don’t appear to be too many people around that go out of their way to avoid upsetting people all of the time. Again I am not saying that everyone is rude and selfish and that my family is the only virtuous family around but that pleasing others is not their main goal in life.

So, where has this come from today, what has happened to make me write about this today, and will I regret it tomorrow? Probably, but right now I don’t care. Is this progress? I don’t know.

Someone who I like, but due to their actions has made me not like them so much now, didn’t have a problem with saying and doing something that upsets another person. (See I am still very cryptic and vague – I will work on that for the future).

Even now, I am feeling bad for disliking someone even though their actions totally warrant it and more or maybe what I am angry about is that I am wasting time dealing with it. (I knew when I starting writing that this wouldn’t make much sense.)

My husband coaches a local soccer team, and he does it really well. However one of the parents decided yesterday, during the game, I might add, to question his integrity, coaching and managing skills by saying that he is not being fair with the amount of time the players are being substituted.

Now maybe these parents don’t know, but the amount of time and effort that my husband puts into coaching this team way exceeds the 1 hour of training and the 40 minutes of the game each week.

He has, in his own time, taken coaching courses, so that he could teach these kids to the best of his ability.

He spends time each week planning the training sessions so that the kids can learn the skills they need in a fun way.

He spends hours updating the website with photos and match reports so that the other parents can have a record of their child’s achievements.

He records exactly how much time each player has on the field, who scored, who assists (cos it’s not all about who scores), who saves, and much more (OK, sounds a bit overboard to me but he is very passionate about it).

He takes the kids to gala days.

He rings around other teams to arrange friendly matches and I am sure he does so much more.

In addition to this, he is a total stress ball before the matches and I am pretty certain that this is the cause of the grey hair and not me or our own kids.

To summarize, he is a great coach, I don’t think the team could ask for better and to question his integrity is just plain rude.

………………………

Just to clarify, as if I need to!!! Once analysed, all the stats show, that the disadvantaged??? player actually has had more playing time than any other player in the team.

Saturday, 28 July 2007

Had a nice weekend planned and then........

my youngest daughter got sick. It is Jon's birthday on Tuesday and because we never do much during the week, or ever, I decided to plan some things for the weekend. Last night, Friday, the kids had a pyjama party at the occasional care centre, so Jon and I took the opportunity to go out for a meal, on our own.

Before we left the youngest was a bit clingy, I was a bit naughty and dosed her up with Nurofen, and off we went. She was fine when we got to the centre and I figured, nothing would happen in the 2 hours that I was away from her. (and it didn't) I did however make the decision not to drink, not even a glass of wine, because I suspected I would be in for a rough night. Meal was very nice, company, nice to catch up with my husband again and that kids had a ball. Baby girl was fine.

Came home, put them to bed and baby vomited. Changed the bed, gave lots of cuddles and more Nurofen, but her back to bed and you guessed it, she puked again. Now struggling for bedding. Decided not to put her to bed yet, but keep her downstairs with us, near the easily cleanable tiled floor. She fell asleep, and settled. Did have a rough night, she had a very high temperature and was awake on and off through the night. I started to realise that my 8am creche and gym appointment would not be happening.

This morning, I also cancelled dinner for tonight. I had arranged for friends to come over, but didn't think it was right to pass her germs onto 2 other families (and 5 kids).

Just as well really cos our stars for today said that the evening would not be fun. I figured either it went ahead and she puked or we had to cancel. (oh my god this is the first time I have ever modified my life as a result of reading my stars)

As it is I have never seen her so sick. She has stopped puking but can barely walk, keeps whimpering and crying, won't eat and I can't do anything to help her. It really breaks my heart to see her like this. Glad I cancelled, even if the evening had been ok, I could not justify not cuddling her all day.

ps my washing machine is more tired than usual today.

Thursday, 26 July 2007

You learn something new every day

How many things must a 2 year old learn every day?

This chilly morning I was hanging out washing and my 2 year old was with me. She said, "I have smoke coming out of my mouth."

Something that is so normal for us is a huge experience for her.

The other day my 7 (almost 8) year old son had his head in the freezer looking for his breath.

Wednesday, 25 July 2007

Warm sunshine and shoulder


I sat outside and read a book in the warm sun today. It is the first time I have sat down and read a book during the day for ages. I can tick off - do something nice for me today. It was so nice to relax. Not that I have done too much today. The girls had a swimming lesson at 9am this morning. I have moved the lesson to this slot permanently. It seems much easier than rushing after the gym and physio on a Tuesday. After swimming a quick trip to a couple of shops and then home.


The girls have not slept this afternoon, but they did rest in their rooms for about an hour. You can't have it all can you!!


My shoulder has taken a (brief, I hope) turn for the worse. My physio thinks that due to the length of time I have had the problem, it could take a very long time to get better. He also said that it will be a lot of trial and error and some of the things we try will result in a bit of pain. He said the only other option was to lose functionality of the shoulder, he even mentioned 'frozen shoulder' Debstar, I remember your comments, that is not an option so I will have to persevere with the trial and error and occasional pain. This week due to the pain he has prescribed rest and minimal functional movements, just to keep the joint free and moving and pec stretches.


Just had a nice long chat to a friend on the phone, always good for the emotional state - but now in the absence of the cleaning fairy it is back to the kitchen for this Cinderella.

Tuesday, 24 July 2007

Cleaning fairy



You know the little cleaning fairy that comes when the kids have gone to bed.... I wish she would come when I am out and busy all day!!

Breakfast

The sound of kids arguing over breakfast. Something to look forward to every evening as I go to bed.

Friday, 20 July 2007

Power of the Internet

I think I am just beginning to realise the power of the Internet.

Last week I asked a question about the Whyte Corporation and since then I have been getting emails in response. The emails are not from the usual people so I asked how they came across my blog.

It appears that they searched on google for Whyte Corporation. So, I did the same. The results showed the company website first and my lowly little blog second. I was very surprised but started to think about the damage that could be done to various companies by blogging.

I guess it is a good thing I am honest.

I also wonder though what other company names can be posted here and then have my blog turn up in the search engines.

Thursday, 19 July 2007

The mind

I hadn't realised it was so long since I posted last.
Isn't it strange how your mind plays tricks on you (well mine does anyway).
Last week I was feeling trapped by my children and this week, despite being home on my own with them all week, I have not felt trapped once. In fact today, I dropped them of at their various schools/child care centres, went about my day, and so looked forward to being able to pick them up again.
...............................
I ventured into Target today, not because it was the first day of the sales but because I really did/still do need to buy a couple of presents.
I was not put off by the crowds, I'm a big girl now, I can hold my own. I got a trolley (obviously prepared to buy up big), and put a couple of things into it. I (finally) got to the check out, not brave enough yet to try the lay-by line, and must have looked a right tool, my mind was saying, you have the stuff, pay for it, then it said, Have you seen the line, no way, then it said, you're here now it won't take that long, and my mind said no way, during this time several people got very frustrated with me, you obviously are not allowed to stand still in Target for any length of time. I abandoned my trolley and left.
Ok so I am not yet ready for the Target sales, but I tried. I still need to buy some presents but I will do that another day. Don't really know when, it is another week before I have no children and by then it will be too late - deal with that later - I am just happy to say that the look on my face must have been enough for the security?? at the the shop front not to ask to look in my bag on my way out.

Saturday, 14 July 2007

Perspective


Enough of the negativity. I was in a low place last week, not very low and not for very long but long enough to have me a little worried. I needed a little perspective, but perspective is difficult to achieve when you are already low.

Even more, I was frustrated with myself because that is not who I am. I like most people come up against little problems/issues and negativity all the time, usually though I am able to work through it and either find a solution or turn it into a positive. This wasn't happening last week so I was disappointed with myself.

We have worked through it now (don't know what I would do without my husband). I have re-focused. One of the main things I needed to do was to stop planning - planning whilst good in most circumstances - can be a major issue for me. I need to learn to live in the moment and deal with issues only if they are an issue and not try to foresee every future circumstance. Live for now.

So for the time being, I am going to put my youngest daughter in occasional care for one day a week. My other children will stay in school and preschool. I will try and work mornings and evenings and if clients need me during the day, I will deal with that then.

The whole reason for me re-training was to do something I love, to help others and most of all to fit in with my family. I got swept up in all the excitement and wanted to go full on into a full time business and was feeling trapped by my children.

My family are more important than anything to me and whilst I love training and training other people, it's not much fun if the family is not happy.

If I complain again about being trapped, let me wallow for a day and then remind me that my family is everything to me and I am so very very lucky.

I am also gonna read some different books, thank you for the suggestions.

Friday, 13 July 2007

Books



Feeling a little bit low lately and am starting to think it could be to do with the books I am reading. I love crime fiction but right now I think I need some balance. Probably the last 10 books have been about murders and child molesters. I need to look for some nice light hearted reading.

Also probably need to avoid too much business and training material. I think I need a break.

Wednesday, 11 July 2007

Whyte Corporation?

What happened to the Do-Not Call Register? We are getting heaps of calls at the moment from banks, telcoms and financial institutions especially.

Has anyone heard of the Whyte Corporation? They want to come round to sit down and talk to us for 15 minutes promising to save $000's off our mortgage! My rule is if it sounds too good to be true - it probably is!

http://www.whytecorporation.com.au/index.aspx

We all have enough on our plate right now without difficult decisions regarding our finances!

As for the DNC Register - it seems that it only applies to NSW companies calling NSW. Is it OK for a firm in Queensland to call Sydney and vice versa?

Child Care?

Child care or not to child care, now or later?

I have far too many decisions to make. Occasional Care, Family Day Care or Long Day Care. What I really need is my mum, but she is not here so I have to choose. Not only what is the best for my children but also what is best for my family, business, finances, sanity. It is all too hard.

Do I keep my kids in preschool or just go with the day care, do I do both or none. And what about my son, before and after school care or neighbours and friends.

I think I come up with an answer and then I change my mind again. I really do need my mum, even if just to tell me what to do, but my mum is too good for that. She would say I have to do what is right for me - and I just don't know.

Monday, 9 July 2007

Trivia Question


A couple of questions from the Trivia Night.


What is a Runcible Spoon?

Alexander Graham Bell was deaf. True or False?

Small world

Oh my God. Just finished writing last post and went to SMH to read news. This is where we had dinner on Sunday evening.



http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/teen-pubgoer-in-headlock-before-death/2007/07/08/1183833344550.html





Good times

Had a good weekend.
Saturday evening was a trivia night for the soccer club. That was an experience, I am still a naive Brit when it comes to some of the Aussie ways. I get BYO drinks and nibblies. Didn't realise that I would need to take my own glasses to drink from and napkins. I learn something everyday. Great night, lots of laughs, drinks, dancing and cheating (well not really because there was no rules) and we still didn't win. Some people must cheat really big.
Saturday morning managed a long lie in (or a lion - rooooaar - as my kids call it????) anyway it was very nice. I even got a snooze in the afternoon and then out for dinner so no cooking. Home to watch the last episode of Heros and then Grays Anatomy.
Weekend couldn't be much better.

Friday, 6 July 2007

Shoppers




The Big W toy catalogue arrived the other day and my 3 children eagerly read it looking for inspiration for Birthday and Christmas presents. My son found the MP3 player he desperately wants and can't stop looking at the picture. I may need to laminate it for him so he can keep it forever (well it is a long time til Christmas). Oh and the Harry Potter books.


Other than that though there was absolutely nothing in it that any of my 3 children wanted or needed. Now either they are strange children and don't like what the rest of the population of children adore or they are........spoilt. Yes I confess my kids are spoilt, they have so many toys that they don't even play with. But what do I get them for Christmas and Birthdays?


I thought the books were a good idea and could be bought from one of the many relatives that sends money (and then I have to trawl the shops looking for inspiration) so off we went me and my 3 kids to Big W.


Couldn't find a shopping trolley, should have been a warning, but continued anyway. The Harry Potter books were at the entrance. It got busy, and then busier and then even busier and then unbelievable - there were hundreds of people (well tens) with 2 shopping trolleys filled with toys queuing up to put them on lay by. Now I don't like shopping at the best of times (if I was to analyse this, I probably don't like other people in the shops when I want to shop but anyway) but I found it hard to understand why people do it. They must queue for hours to put on lay by and I must admit I have only done it once but it was an awful experience. I queued for ages to lay by, I queued even longer to pick it up and then they couldn't find it and it got worse.......I would rather pay full price and get less for my money than do that again.
Maybe I am spoilt also.........

Wednesday, 4 July 2007

Old habits

I need to get over my old habits. I found myself this morning peeping out the curtains to see what the weather was like. What was I thinking? This was something I did every day in the UK and to some extent in NZ also.
The cold wet weather recently has got me reverting back to these old habits. I need to remind myself that weather like that is not the norm here and that most days in Sydney are actually bright blue skies with a bright yellow sunshine. Oh I love this country.

Tuesday, 3 July 2007

Dress ups



I am desperately trying to figure out why my 3 year old daughter feels I need her help in dressing in the morning.


I try every morning to get up at least 20 minutes before everyone else so that I can have a cup of tea and read the news/blogs in peace before the chaos that is my day starts. Sometimes though, the little devils manage to trump me and be in my bed before I manage to get out of it. On these days, I throw on a dressing gown and come downstairs with them.


This means that when I return up the stairs to shower, clean teeth and dress I usually have an audience. I have gotten used to the audience but now the audience has started to participate.

My daughter, gets clothes out of my drawers and puts them on my bed ready for me to wear, just as I do for her. Why does she think when she can't do it for herself, that she needs to do it for me. Not only that, she is a really girly girl so the clothes that she chooses and gets out are not usually appropriate for a morning at the gym, or a day cleaning, or even a shopping trip. However when I point this out to her she gets highly offended, then her whine gets higher in octave, which brings the other children running to gang up on me as though I am the wicked stepmother and not the mother that loves??? them dearly and would never dream of hurting them????

Then because we are usually late for something, the clothes stay on my bed until they fall into a crumpled heap on the floor and stay there until the dust has gathered and triggered my asthma, so I move them to the laundry to sit in a basket to be washed, don't start me on ironing, but then not longer after they finally return to my wardrobe or drawers they end up back on my bed via my daughter.

Does she think I don't have enough work and would love to spend more time ironing, washing in cleaning, is she trying to say I need to improve my dress sense, or is she just trying to be helpful and loving?

Dinner & friends


Thursday and Friday we had friends over for dinner. Thursday was friends from Nelson Bay that we don't get to see as often and we would like and Friday was neighbours we see all the time but not for more than a few minutes at a time so it was nice to have dinner.

I had a great weekend, (this weekend started Thursday evening) good company, nice food and wine and great conversation. What more can you ask for.

In addition to this my husband had a day off work so we were able to catch up with each other. We figured out that over the last 6-7 years we manage this about every 2.5 years. Not really good enough. Room for improvement I think. Although I am hoping it will improve when the kids are older- not that I am wishing their lives away.

School holidays

The first day of the school holidays was not quite a success. It started off OK. I went to the doctor to discuss the results of my MRI. The good news is that there is no major damage in there. I have tendinosis of the supraspinatus and various swellings and inflammations connected with that. So it is off again to the physio and any other practitioner that may be able to help. (Thank you for the suggestions)

I then took the kids to the playground for morning tea and a play, then back home for lunch and try and get the girls down for a sleep. Failed with one so we played soccer out the back.

Our back yard is tiered but down either side it is a full on slope and my eldest daughter decided to ride down this on her bike - with her training wheels, needless to say we are very lucky we didn't need to go to hospital. She did need her arm bandaging but only to fix the tears not the arm.

This is where I should have realised that things were going to take a turn for the worse, my youngest daughter slept for almost 4 hours this is so unlike her, but I just put it down to tiredness. How dumb am I?

When she got up she was so clingy and whiney and whingey etc etc. She refused dinner (nothing new there but that is another story) and a little later threw up and again, gave her panadol and she threw it up immediately. Then refused any more medicine and the harder I tried the more defiant she got.

To top all this I was on my own (Jon is in Melbourne, but don't worry he had a blow by blow account of the whole thing) trying to bathe 3 children one still vomiting, another trying to mother her to the point that I was yelling at her to leave her alone and thankfully my son being as helpful as he could. I do not know how single parents manage?

I was only up twice in the night, it could have been so much worse.

This morning I called the gym and cancelled the creche, I am not one of those mothers who can take their kids in all sick and snotty and expect someone else to deal with them, nor do I like the idea of passing the sickness to all the other children (although we probably got it from there in the first place). Nor do I think I could stop yawning enough to breathe properly and would probably end up with a stitch.

I am hoping for a vomit free day today.