I love my girls so much.......

......today. I love them everyday but every so often I am reminded just how much. I love my son too (just in case he reads this one day) but today is about my girls.

My eldest daughter was sick so had a day with me instead of going to preschool. My youngest still went to her preschool.

I have never had very much one on one time with my eldest daughter (middle child) because my third child came along very quickly (17 months) so it has always been the two of them together. I get one day a week with my youngest because her sister is in preschool 2 days a week.

So, whilst she was sick, she was ok to be out and about, I just had to make sure she didn't run and skip and jump and trigger a coughing fit and her asthma.

We went shoe shopping, she got 2 pairs, I got none, we had a trip to the post office - not very exciting but she chattered happily all day. We did some drawing, some writing and then we had a trip to the library. We still had time to spare before preschool pick up so we called in to the cafe, me for an earl grey and her for a pink icing cup cake and a chocolate milk shake. That came with 2 special freckles for a special girl. She was so happy and I realised how much I had missed this time with her. Should I point out that she felt very sick after all that lot and I don't blame her the milk shake was very sweet.

We picked up youngest child and I hadmissed herso much, I'm not used to having one without the other, but I should really try and do it more often, even if just for an hour.

Hills and bikes

My son went to a friends this afternoon, so Jon and I took the girls for a bike ride. The youngest went on the back of Jon's bike and my eldest daughter rode her own bike. She doesn't however 'do' hills - up or down, and when you live in 'The Hills" that is a bit of a problem.

She managed though with tired and bruised legs and tear stained cheeks.

On the way to the playground it was in her words "so much fun". When we got home she vowed never to go again. I know she loved it and will be out with us again soon, but I am on the hunt for a mostly flat ride.

Selling Photos

I read in the news today that Jennifer Lopez has given birth to twins and that she has already agreed to sell the first photos for c$6.5m. (If this can be believed)

I don't understand why celebrities need to do this. Surely they already have enough money. I find selling photos, almost like selling a child, I know this is extreme but it is my opinion. Surprisingly to some I am quite a private person and the thought of someone else using photos of my children disturbs me.

I kinda get it when minor celebrities do it, they may need the income to maintain the lifestyle they enjoy, but huge stars, who tend to complain about the media, I don't get it.

I also hear the argument that give them so the paparazzi don't chase for them, but give them, freely, or use the money to help other children. Maybe they do and I am being too judgemental, that is not what I mean. I just don't get it.

Michael Jackson - well that's another extreme.

What are you listening to right now?

Do you ever get those emails that ask you to fill in the answers and forward to everyone you know so that they might learn something more about you?

One question is what are you listening to?

Well right now, I can hear my son practicing the 3 notes he has learned so far on his Euphonium, and my middle child sniffing, her cold just will not clear. At least the asthma has settled down.

What are you listening to now?

CPR

I have just tried to book my refresher CPR course. When I took the original course, I was advised that one of the reasons to train with this particular company was that they contacted us prior to the certificate expiring so that we could keep upto date and only undertake the refresher course.

Well they didn't and it is only because I checked myself that I realised I had until 4 March to do it.

I talked to a nice lady yesterday who said she would be able to get me on a Sunday morning course prior to that date (great, no childcare issues). That nice lady was today replaced by a rude lady who did not help much, she first said I could not go on this course because it was not public.

I pushed she finally agreed to charge me, then call the business to see if I could attend. If all is ok I will receive a receipt in the post. Wow, what service.

I knew I should have left it there but something made me ask, "Do you not inform people anymore that there certificate is due to expire?" She said yes they did but not until 5 weeks before the expiration date. I'm puzzled, when is 5 weeks before 4 March? I explained that I had not heard anything. She said yes because we don't until 5 weeks before.- ??? And anyway it is a complimentary service. - So??? I call it marketing and is actually a way to get repeat business, but maybe that is just me.

I have no choice but to go with them this time as they had the only convenient date at such short notice. I have made a diary note and lesson to self - trust no-one. Only joking, trust very few people!!

Dreams and freaky stuff

I tried to catch an afternoon nap. My eldest daugter was sleeping, surprisingly my youngest wasn't. I was so exhausted so I invited her into my bed to at least lay beside me so I knew where she was and I could rest.

I drifted in and out of sleep, cos the wriggly one beside me could not keep still. As I was in one of those mini sleeps, I dreamt that my husband had come home from work early, he had picked up our son early also, had just come in the door and was downstairs. I could hear them talking, I could hear the rattle of the car keys - all in my dream. Then my awake daughter sat upright, woke me up and said, Daddy and ... are home.

How did she know what I was dreaming? Was it a dream? - They certainly weren't home. Did she really say it or did I dream that also? - I asked her later if she remembered saying it? She said yes, and in fact even corrected me because I got her exact wording wrong.

What just happened here?

Yesterday I loved my physio.........

........... today he is not my favourite person. Yesterday I was singing his praises and recommending him to friends. Why? My shoulder is so much better than it has been in years. I had managed to (two weeks ago) extend my visits to every two weeks and today was proud to tell him that I was feeling good. my right shoulder actually feels stronger than my left again. I am delighted to be experiencing doms again. Then I casually mentioned that maybe I am feeling so good in the shoulder department because the pains in my left shin and right knee are causing a distraction. (Word of advice - don't tell you physio anything)

I don't like him anymore, he hurt me, both my knee and my shin - he said it was all for the better good but I'm not sure I believe him. I now have to ice my shin 4 times a day and my knee only once a day. And... I have to go back to weekly appointments - I hope my health fund can manage this.

Despite this I feel good, generally. I can still train, am still adding exercises to my upper body, and even if I can't run this week, well there is always next week or the week after and I can still cycle, cross train etc. Just no high impact.

I am in control of my eating again, rather than it controlling me. Actually I have been for a while, it's just unfortunately it takes my mind longer to realise that my food is ok. It needs to let that couple of days go. And it was only a couple of days, not like 20 years or anything. So... move on.

The kids are back at school, and pre-school - always makes for a happy mum.

We have friends coming to visit in March and we are so looking forward to that.

My dad even said he may come over this year. I have not seen him (except for webcam) for 6 and a half years. Even just knowing that he was thinking of it made my week.

What else? We went to Opera in the Domain on Saturday. We had a break in the rain and we all went. Have to admit, it was a bit difficult with the kids, although my stash of glo sticks helped amuse them for a while and the pancakes and waffle stalls for the rest of the time. The bananas that I took didn't go down as well.

Neighbours woke us up in the early hours, they are so noisy and it is getting to be a bit too regular now. Maybe, I should wake them up when I head off to my first early morning client. I even thought of closing the gate at the bottom of their drive every night. It wouldn't hurt them but I figure they are too lazy to get out of the car to open it. I'm sure it is what they need with a hangover. Am I being childish, should I just yell at them to shut up next time?

We have new fighting fish and at the moment they are looking much healthier than the last ones we had, that went to fishy heaven.

I think that might be enough for now. Hope you are all happy and enjoying your life and training. Stay on track for your 2008 goals the best you can.

Don't think spell checker is working - apologies