Losing weight

How interesting is that?

Nowhere in that long list of goals is losing weight. I was sweeping the floor when I realised that. With three children a shiny clean house doesn't last long.

However, even in a list of 'off the top of my head' goals, losing weight wasn't there and it's not that I couldn't stand to lose a kilo or two, I am 100% sure I could but, do I need to? Will that make me happy? Has my unconscious mind finally learnt that losing weight is not a goal but a result of achieving some of the other goals? Maybe it has.

Feeling so much better & goals

Yeah! I am feeling heaps better today, which is good as we have visitors arriving this afternoon. My neck is still causing me grief but it doesn't bother me as much today.

I haven't yet decided what to do about tonight's party. I have been considering for some time being the designated driver. That way I will still feel good tomorrow. But, I love a good party and I will be honest, I like having a drink at parties.

I've been thinking about what my goals are for the coming year. There are so many things I would like to achieve, such as

having a regular training program

eating a healthy diet

take my supplements

not bingeing

cooking healthy meals for my family every day and at every meal time

increasing my number of clients

taking on trainers to work with me

taking the kids on an overseas holiday

visiting my family in England

putting a pool in the backyard

mediating regularly

drinking more water

having a bit more 'me' time

becoming a more positive person

accepting me for who I am now

living my life now - not later

living in the moment

learning to trust myself

learning to trust others

keep my house tidy

keep my house clean

keep on top of household filing

I think I need to stop there.

There are so many goals and I haven't reviewed them yet but I am pretty sure that by achieving just a few of them, I will either achieve them all or many will become irrelevant.

I don't need to decide on my goals today in preparation for tomorrow - The New Year - I have 12 months to achieve them - but nor will I procrastinate. I will pick two or three and focus on them for a period of time, once they become a habit, I will add more goals.

One think I need to continue to work on is my all or nothing attitude, this has held me back on my goals for so many years. I am improving and I will continue to do so.

OK - I have decided that to start with I am going to take my supplements daily and I am going to drink (at least) one glass of water with every meal.

I really dislike the physical aspect of taking supplements so I will get a small container that I can keep with me and take them throughout the day. If I take more than 2 at a time I feel physically sick. In the past I have decided to spread them out through the day but usually forget. This way, I can have them with me and take them with that glass of water, wherever I am.

Feeling sorry for myself

OMG - here I was thinking that I am a positive person most of the time and was just dropping in to say how sorry I was feeling for myself and then I saw that yesterday was a complaint too.

I think I need to have a close look at myself.

Anyway, I feel yuck, I have been feeling yuck since the 27th, in fact I missed a party on the 27th because I felt yuck. On a positive note I could have gone, but didn't want to eat or drink or have to constantly explain myself so I chose not to go.

At first I thought I had a food and alcohol hangover even though I didn't think I had had that much, but now I don't think it can be. I have a nauseous feeling, sore throat, drippy nose and any inclination to do anything has definitely left the building. To make it worse I have woke up with a restriction in my neck, not too much and normally it wouldn't bother me too much - but today it does.

Whinge whinge whinge I am boring myself.

On a positive note, the cleaning fairies visited my house yesterday (they were v expensive, but worth it) my house is sparkling. One exception though, that I have to deal with, my stainless steel cooker and the ignition knobs are now a dirty gold/bronze colour. I hope it is not totally ruined but something the cleaners used did not agree with my cooker. And, the little markers that tell me which hob is which have been removed.

But the rest of my house is clean - and all at the same time.

Today I am drinking lots of water and trying to figure out what I need more, training or sleep.

Blogging

Quick complaint - blogger is driving me crazy. I really dislike (would say hate but don't like that word) the formatting.

As I spend so much time hanging around waiting for children to finish various activities, I decided to get an Eee pc and use that time constructively by working and writing.

I didn't think I needed to be online, I would draft documents in Word and then copy them into the appropriate format - but blogger doesn't like that.

I have looked at wordpress and different problems occur mostly related to me being new at it.

Which do you prefer and any quick and easy tips?

Basically - ME!

This is what happened when I entered my blog address in Wordle. Very interesting.

Love this Katie. Thank you.

I feel strange.......

I have a funny feeling in my tummy.

It's a Wednesday morning and the day didn't get off to a very good start. This morning was the first time I have ever missed a client session and it was because I slept in. I could say my alarm didn't go off but I take full responsibility for not setting it correctly. I woke up at 6am exactly which is the time I start my session 30 minutes from home. My clock said 6 PM and the alarm was set for 4.41 AM. Hence it didn't work.

I phoned my client and apologised profusely and told her the next session is on me. (Part of our contract)

Then, Jon has taken the day off work to take our youngest daughter out for a special 'Dad and Daughter' day before she starts school next year. She thinks she is going out for a milkshake but dad is taking her on the train and ferry to Taronga Zoo. She has been there before but she was too young to appreciate it. She will love it and I think he will too.

The funny feeling - I miss her, I know she is a preschool for 2 days every week but not on a Wednesday and I feel strange, I feel like something is missing. I am now thinking about how I will feel next year when I drop all 3 of them at school. The school will have the majority of my family.

So today, I have a Wednesday to fill, it is not my usual routine, I have heaps to do but it feels different!

Well done - positive reinforcement

I’ve been reading a few blogs recently and quite a people out there are trying to do the ‘Intuitive Eating’ thing.

I found this ‘idea’ a few years ago and have been trying to live by it. I say ‘trying’ as it is not easy to do. If it was easy, then all of us with eating issues would read a book or a blog and just do it. Oh I wish!

I am also a big believer in being kind to yourself, looking for the positive in everything you do or that happens to you, even if it is just the lesson learned. Again, this is not always easy; in fact it’s downright hard, especially when it is preceded by many years of not being kind to yourself.

I have just read the phrase ‘positive reinforcement’. I don’t even know what the context of this phrase was but that’s not the point here, the point here is that as a mother of 3 children aged 10, 6 and 4 and the owner of a pretty full on puppy, positive reinforcement has been a big feature in my life for the past 10 years.

So, it got me thinking. Every day I praise the good behaviour in my children, especially when there is very little good behaviour, because I believe they will learn to get the reaction from me that they want. They will continue with the good behaviour and try and refrain from the bad.

Yesterday, walking the dog, she was a nightmare, I mean, my arm hurt from her pulling, my hands were red raw from holding the lead so tightly and I seemed to be using my ‘firm’ voice a lot.

This morning reading the ‘positive reinforcement’ phrase made me think about a walk a few days ago where she behaved really well. I didn’t wait until some time later to acknowledge her good behaviour, I didn’t say good girl – just the once. The whole walk (well except where it was dangerous to) I maintained eye contact with her and repeated the whole walk, ‘good girl, good girl, good girl. She knew I was happy with her. She didn’t need a ‘treat’. She needed, I believe the positive reinforcement. Still the next walk was not good, but I will continue and she will learn.

The point – what difference would it make if every time, we did something good, we praised ourselves, every little thing and at the time, not later in a journal but at the time. I understand looking in a mirror and repeating good girl over and over may not always be practical but a little acknowledgement in your mind I think could be helpful.

This isn’t just about the food; it’s about the self esteem. For example, if you handled a situation well, or in some cases, even just handled it because you have been putting it off for so long because it was outside of your comfort zone, acknowledge that, give yourself praise, ignore the bad, the something you could have said or done better, as you would with a 4 year old. I wouldn’t focus with my daughter on the one little thing that she could have done better, I would focus on the 15 great things she did.

And now I have got to the end of writing this, I realize that this technique is something psychologists have been trying to teach us for years.

The stolen Christmas

I really feel this year like Christmas has been stolen from me by my children.

I no longer have a part in it. They put the tree up, they are getting big $ value gifts this year, so I haven't done lots of shopping for little gifts, presents for nieces and nephews in England were bought and posted mid year. I guess also not working for a big employer so no Christmas parties, and of course being away from the cold may be starting to have an effect, The first eight years of Christmas in the sun could have been a novelty. Or maybe it is just this year and next year will be different again.

I don't feel "bah humbug" far from it I love Christmas but I don't feel like it belongs to me anymore.

I'm sure I will feel better in the next couple of weeks when I see the Children's Christmas concerts.

Regardless, Merry Christmas everyone and I hope your preparation are well on the way.

Friends to visit

I did however take a break from work this weekend to spend it with Kristy.

Kristy arrived on Thursday and stayed with us until Sunday evening. She is a very beautiful person and is exactly as I imagined her to be. Despite never having met before and only speaking a couple of times on the telephone, we got on really well. It felt like I had known her for years. Well actually I have, but only online.

We did driving, shopping, walking in the Blue Mountains, dance classes (for my girls) coffees, a couple of wines, soccer supporting. Just normal family stuff. I hope it wasn't too boring for Kristy but it was great for me to have a girlfriend around.

I have to say thank you to Kristy's dad for spotting that bargain ticket! Thank you.

Exciting times

Things have been happening recently. I realised a few weeks ago that we were heading towards the middle of term 4 and that next year my Kindergarten child would be in year 1, my baby boy would be in year 5 and my last baby is starting school.

What would I do with myself?

Even though I have a PT business I still consider myself a stay at home mum and tell people I haven't worked since my second child was born 6 years ago. I have actually been working for two and a half years albeit before Jon left for work and after he got home, plus preschool days.

Anyhow I was never supposed to be a stay at home mum, I don't consider myself cut out for it or particularly good at it, some mums are and I totally respect that, but I was always destined to work. Perhaps that is why I did both. Childcare for 2 babies just wasn't an option, hence the working when Jon was home.

Now that my youngest is heading to school, I need to either get a 'proper' job or build a 'proper' business. So building a 'proper' business it is.

I am working hard at growing this business, not just stepping out of comfort zones, but leaping out of them at a great height. Much reading and research has been done and procrastination is not allowed anywhere near my personal space.

Part of this process was to finish up with some clients. They were not time efficient and actually were extremely draining which I felt (having been told by many people) was hindering and not helping progression. And actually since doing this new doors have opened already. No rest for the wicked!

Busy and exciting times are ahead.

Parenting

My son today got his Opportunity Class results and it has opened a whole new can of worms.

We never really intended for him to take up any offer but it would give us an indication of whether we should be considering a Selective High School for him.

He has been struggling for the last few weeks with anxiety. We seem to have pinpointed it to something at school. He is very open with me and I am 100% certain that if there was a problem that he was aware of he would have discussed it with me. He really doesn't know what is causing the symptoms.

The symptoms first appeared a couple of months ago on the morning of his OC test. He was shaking, crying, having palpitations, almost vomiting and could not even look at food. For me and my husband this was heartbreaking, he was 9 years old. No child should have to deal with that.

As a result Jon and I pretty much decided that bright or not, a Selective High School environment would not be for CJ. The competition would be too great and his stress levels would be permanently sky high.

His anxiety has continued (and we are talking to the school about it) so we really played down the OC results. He came home from school today though knowing that other kids had their results and wanted to know what he got.

I asked him first what he wanted the result to be? He said that he didn't want to go but it would be nice to know he could. When he found out his result he burst into tears, for some reason he just didn't think that he was that talented. It came as no surprise to Jon and I but CJ just doesn't get it.

We have a very intelligent boy, who is talented in all areas, he plays in the school band, they won another first place last week, he is teaching himself to play piano and guitar and has asked for a drum kit for Christmas (whole other story). He writes music and lyrics, he mixes and produces it on his computer. His dance group did very well this year, he is class captain etc etc.

And I know I am biased but the point of this is I guess that being a parent is so hard.

With a little pushing he could be an amazing academic - but it could also break him.

He could pursue his music - but should it stay a hobby?

Do we butt out and let him make his own decisions - at 10 is he old enough to do that? Would that make me a neglectful parent?

Babies are so much easier than growing children and I have two others following not so far behind him!

Why is it....

.....that camping for one night is really too much hassle and any more than 2 nights is way too long!

This trip was a huge improvement on the previous trips - there were no vomiting children and it didn't rain.

Actually apart from the not sleeping very much at all, it was good. We only travelled about 20 minutes down the road to Lane Cove National Park, but it felt like I was a million miles away from home.

We went for a short walk by the river on Sunday morning but the girls really struggled with it. Miss T usually walks (runs) for miles but she just wasn't up for it and when that happens we know it is time to turn back.

I think given that I have not vowed to never go again - it can be determined a success.

Off camping

"Off camping" could be interpreted 2 ways

1 We are off camping today with the kids and looking forward to a good time.

2 I am off camping after last time.

At this stage, I am not sure which camp - ha ha, I fall into. I am trying to be in camp number 1.

Went out for a run this morning, but do you know what, I just couldn't run more than about 200m at a time, so I did a slow version of interval training but my heart rate still got up there.

I'm not going to stress about why, some days it's just like that. I've been sick, not eating right, tired, humid. who cares - I did an hour and I was outside getting hot and sweaty. There's always next time.

Long time......

It's been a while, but today I want to say I am in a really good place.

I don't know why, I just am. The sun is shining, I got some work done, I took our puppy to the park and did I say the sun is shining.

I've not been in a bad or a low place but I have been in a nothing place.

Life has been good and I have heaps to be thankful for.

I think however there has been stress, sadness, worry, unhappiness in the lives of people around me and I think that may have made me a bit neutral.

Anyway, today is GOOD!!!

Where am I?

I know it's been a while, unfortunately I still don't have any inspiration to write. We are all well, busy and trying to work on moving forward in all aspects.

I am reading everyone's blogs but again inspiration to comment is not strong. Thinking about you all though.

Be kind to yourself. x

Birthdays and training

Didn't think I was going to fit my training in today. I was prepared to forfeit it in favour of being at home this morning when my son woke up to celebrate his 10th birthday.

But, I managed to squeeze it in after I got the kids on the school bus and before I took my little one to her swimming lesson.

I also managed a bit of a peek on face book and a couple of emails to Kristy, who is doing fantastically well at the moment.

CJ had a good morning, seemed very happy with his presents, unfortunately he has a UNSW English test this morning, (and and OC test tomorrow) but we are heading out for Mexican this evening, his choice, so that should end the day on a high for him.

10 today

Happy Birthday my beautiful 10 year old boy.

Love ya loads xx

Implants

Our God-daughter was today, at 7 months old, the youngest baby ever to have bi-lateral cochlear implants.

She is doing well, the doctors are pleased with the surgery. We are all very relieved it is over, especially her mum who has been amazing through this journey. She gets them switched on in 2 weeks and will then hear her very first sounds.

With 3 older brothers - will she regret it?

Nah - I don't think so!

Recover well, gorgeous girl. xx

Go the Warriors

Jon and I have a babysitter, free tickets to the Warriors so we are off out on our own to watch our team play the Panthers tonight.

I am now desperately trying to clean the house so it is respectable for the babysitter to see. If only I didn't have kids, I wouldn't have as much mess, I would have more time to clean and I wouldn't need a babysitter. But then my life would have no meaning. I love them really.

Fancy dress

We have declined the invitation to the fancy dress party. Partly because it was too hard but mostly because of the cost.

To hire 2 costumes and a babysitter, to pay for parking, tolls, drinks and a present, the whole evening would have ended up costing us upwards of $400. We had to decide if we wanted to go so badly that it was worth that cost. Unfortunately the answer was - no.

That money could buy us 2 or 3 evenings out closer to home, so the decision was made not to go.

Photographs

When we are on a weight loss/figure changing journey we are told to take photographs because they are a good indication of our changing shape, especially if the scale is not moving as we would like.

However, what happens when, the scale is moving in quite a steep downwards slope, your confidence is sky high, you even stop disliking what you see in the mirror? You are feeling fitter and stronger, your skin is clearer, your clothes are looser and you are getting compliments, but then you see a photograph of yourself and realize that you are nowhere near as far along in the journey as you would like to be or think that you are.

You ignore it and concentrate on the feelings. As with the scale it is only one tool in the box.

Force feeding

Thankfully my first early get up after a weeks holiday wasn’t too rude an awakening for me. I managed to get up and out on time with no problems, I even remembered to reload the car with equipment last night.

We had a visit to playgroup this morning, I don’t normally go on the first day back as CJ is well and truly over playgroup and schools don’t go back until tomorrow, but as Miss T has only been away from playgroup for 2 terms, I thought it would be nice for her to go back and see some of her old friends. The girls had a great time, and why…..because two of the children were celebrating birthdays this week so the lollies and cakes were more than plentiful.

I was aware of this so I had my little snack of a hard boiled egg before I went. I still find it extremely annoying when other mums try and force feed you sweet stuff (me not the kids) even though I have told them many times that I don’t want that food. I had to decline the stuff more than half a dozen times today. If I wasn’t feeling so motivated I would definitely have caved in. All that caved in this time was her head as I hit it with a blunt instrument – oh no that was all in my mind.

Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk

We had such a good day yesterday. Jon had the day off work, the intention was that just the two of us would have a day together, he hadn’t realized that it was the school holidays. Never mind, we had a nice family day out.

First Jon dropped his car at the garage for a service and then we packed a lunch and set off to Bondi. I wanted to do the Bondi to Coogee walk.

When we set off it was so cold, a beautiful day but oh so cold. We soon warmed up as we walked.

We wrote messages in the sand, we watched the surfers, some doing better than others, we ate lunch, watched the Iceberg swimmers, dodged the runners.

Miss C spectacularly fell over in the mud and ended up very cold and covered in mud – she looked so cute when we set off.

The kids rock climbed, I was a nervous mother watching, Miss C climbed very well and then freaked when she turned around and saw how high she was.

We kept on walking and got to the Waverley Cemetery. Some of the graves are amazing, great big massive things, it was sad to see some of them though cracked and broken. I chose to believe it was the sea elements that caused this but I think probably not.

By this stage of the walk the kids were starting to whinge about tired legs so we decided to turn around and walk back.

Jon decided he wanted to head to Bondi Junction to get a donut, obviously the kids loved this idea so off we went.

We couldn’t immediately find a donut shop so the kids had a Golden Arches ice cream instead.

Back in the car, stressful journey home, but made it to the shop to get CJ the new Harry Potter game for the PS2, picked up Jon’s car. Cost less than $500 – bonus and home for dinner.

I even abstained from the takeaway Indian (not that the scales reflected that with a 300g gain this morning, but never mind).

The evening ended perfectly with me falling asleep in front of a movie – not like me at all.

Work ethic

I overheard Miss T in the back of the car discussing possible careers with her brother this morning. (It's obviously weighing very heavily on her 5 year old mind at the moment.)

She concluded that being a firefighter would be a good job because you get lots of days off because you hardly ever see any fires.

I like her logic - not too sure about her work ethic.

Career

Miss T today informed me that she would like to be a police lady when she get older. I found this interesting and asked her why, and what she thought a police lady did. Obviously bored with the conversation at this stage said (one of her favourite lines at the moment) "I don't know!"

Her other favourite is, "so?" - I am desperately trying not to rise to this, she has 10 days to get over it before I start challenging her. I find if I ignore phrases or comments they tend to disappear, if I tell her not to speak to me like that, they stick around for a bit longer. Hmmm - strange that!

Movies

We've had a good day today. I had a long chat with a friend this morning and then I took the kids to the movies to see Ice Age 3. The girls enjoyed it a lot, especially the lollies that I very rarely buy them. CJ thought he was a bit too old (or cool) for it but I'm sure he enjoyed it really.

He didn't enjoy being teased my a school friend?? for carrying a pink bag. He really should have packed the drinks in one of his bags, but maybe he has learnt this lesson now!

Thankfully the queue at McDonald's afterwards was too long so we had to have sushi instead. The girls had a milkshake and a hot dog but didn't eat much of that at all (too many lollies).

I've done the laundry, folded and put it all away. Now I have to think about what to make for everyone for dinner.

Recently I started a food menu for the week for us all, it helped a lot but the last 2 weeks I have been trying to use up what we already have in the freezer or cupboards. We were getting overrun with food. So I have to go digging and make a meal that isn't too mismatched.

Hannah Montanna is on at the drive in $25 a car. I may take the kids to that later in the week.

Fancy dress

We have been invited to a fancy dress birthday party on 1 August. I am not keen on going into the city, Circular Quay, in fancy dress at all. I know it will be fun after I have consumed a few alcoholic beverages (please Jon don't make me be the safe driver, I know it is your friend really but.....) but it is the planning, the trying on, the hiring and returning of the costumes. Trying to find a costume with 3 kids attached to us will not be fun.

Okay so I'm a spoil sport, but I guess not being comfortable with your size and shape for so many years strikes fear into a girls heart, let alone her fairly conservative brain.

We have no idea what to go as - actually, I think Jon might, but he may have to think again.

Tell me your experiences. On second thoughts only tell me if they are good experiences. I am freaking about it enough as it is.

Catching up

Today has been a quiet day for us. The kids had a busy week last week and for this week of the school holidays, I have planned for it to be quiet, for me as much as for them.

I so need a break from running around to and from school, work various after school activities. Although this term has been less busy than the first term, due to me cancelling or moving kids activites, with 3 children it is still pretty busy. Not to mention getting up before 5am 6 days a week to train clients or myself.

Having said that, we are all going to the movies tomorrow to see Ice Age 3. My youngest is so looking forward to it. The girls have only been to the movies once before.

My back is feeling so much better. I actually took a backwards step with it over the weekend but it appears to be on the mend now.

Food is going well and the scales are moving downwards, always a plus. My mind is also in a very good spot right now.

I have spent most of the day at the computer catching up on emails to friends and even family that I have neglected for too long, there are still many I need to catch up with including my mam. I will call her soon, by that I mean in the next couple of hours when she gets up. It is early Monday morning for her right now.

My house is still a mess, much work to be done here, but that can wait. We have clean clothes to wear so all is good.

Enjoy your evening.

Walking

This morning was a rush, I had to get my kids to Holiday Club early this morning as I had a 9am appointment in the opposite direction to get all my moles checked. Thankfully all good. Next appointment in a couple of years.

Last night though was spent rather restlessly wincing in pain as I tried to turn over, forgetting that my back was sore and then listening to the girls coughing. My back is much better today though. I am still not game enough to bend down to tie shoe laces but my youngest and I did have a nice morning walking to the park to play on the playgrounds. I didn't do much playing, I have to admit.

We saw, cars, bikes, dogs, dogs in prams, birds, trees, trees with holes in, trees chopped down, people BBQing and people eating sandwich picnics. We saw kids on skateboards, kids doing tennis lessons, kids screaming, and kids laughing.

Now I need to start dinner and then take CJ to AFL training.

My back hurts

OMG - my back hurts so bad. I felt it 'go' this morning during training, thankfully I was doing my own training and not with a client. I managed to carry on with a slightly adapted workout and a full day of being a mum, Jon is away, just my luck. Now I am sat on the massage chair hoping for a miracle. Next move is an ice pack.

I like to think positive and focus on it being gone in the morning but in reality, I know it will be about a week of tentative movement and then about 5 days of it easing then, it should be good. Walking, maybe cycling, and slightly lighter upper body training is still on the agenda for the next couple of weeks.

Out though is running and AFL training with CJ, lifting kids and dancing on tables! At least for a little while. Thankfully I don't have too many clients for the next couple of weeks, and I will just have to make those cardio workouts so I don't have to lift and spot heavy weights.

Put our children first

We had some dramas yesterday with my youngest daughter (4 years old).

I dropped her at her preschool, yesterday was her last day as for the last few weeks I hadn't been happy with the way the preschool was running, they had made staff changes and when I raised my concerns, I was ignored. A place came up from next term at another preschool so she is going to start there.

When we got there yesterday there was a note on the sign in register to say that the usual staff were sick and instead, the owner had brought in her son!!!

I had an appointment and I didn’t know what to do, I left her there but was not comfortable with it. When I got back to the car, I burst into tears. I had left my little girl with 2 people that I had absolutely no confidence in. Why because I had an appointment? I felt like the worst mother.

I called Jon and talked to him, we agreed that I would go right back in and pull her out. So I did. I don't like confrontation so I was going to make up some story about a family emergency and needed to go. But no, firstly I didn't want to tempt fate, secondly, I was so furious that someone had such a lack of respect for our children and that she was more interested in money than safety and thirdly she had made me feel like a bad mother.

I have no idea if her son was a qualified child care worker (but I am pretty sure he wouldn’t be). Had he been cleared to work with children, probably not. How could I leave my precious daughter with those 2?

When I told the owner I was pulling my daughter out, she just said well it’s ok it’s her last day. – What does that mean?

The mayonnaise jar

The Mayonnaise Jar

When things in your life seem, almost too much to handle,
When 24 Hours in a day is not enough,
Remember the mayonnaise jar and 2 cups of coffee.

A professor stood before his philosophy class
And had some items in front of him.
When the class began, wordlessly,
He picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar
and proceeded to fill it with golf balls.

He then asked the students, if the jar was full.
They agreed that it was.

The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured
them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly.
The pebbles rolled into the open Areas between the golf balls.

He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was.

The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar.
Of course, the sand filled up everything else.
He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous 'yes.'

The professor then produced two cups of coffee from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar, effectively
filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed.

'Now,' said the professor, as the laughter subsided,
'I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life.
The golf balls are the important things - family,
children, health, Friends, and Favorite passions –
Things that if everything else was lost and only they remained, Your life would still be full.

The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, house, and car.

The sand is everything else --The small stuff.

'If you put the sand into the jar first,' He continued,
'there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls.
The same goes for life.

If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff,
You will never have room for the things that are important to you.

So...

Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness.
Play With your children.
Take time to get medical checkups.
Take your partner out to dinner.

There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal.

'Take care of the golf balls first --
The things that really matter.
Set your priorities. The rest is just sand.'

One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the coffee represented.

The professor smiled.
'I'm glad you asked'.

It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem,
there's always room for a couple of cups of coffee with a friend.'

Tired

I am so so tired. I normally don't have any trouble getting up in the mornings (even my 4.30am get ups) but this morning, I was really surprised to hear my alarm. I swear I had just gone to bed. Granted I probably have gone before 11pm with a 4.30am start but never mind. Can't be perfect all the time!!

My son has also been sick so I guess that has taken its toll a little bit. I haven't trained this weekend because I didn't want to leave him so I think my system needs a good shake up. Back into it in the morning. CJ is getting better now, his temperature is coming down. Hopefully he will need only one more day at home.

My shoulder has been playing up a little yesterday and today, I am hoping it is just cross because I upped the rehab last week. I'm sure it will be all good and behaving properly in the morning when I really need it to.

Walkers

I really wish people walking on the roads in the dark would wear more noticeable clothing. What is the point of being healthy if you get hit by my car?

Dairy free diet

Today is my first true dairy free day. It has taken me this long to find substitute products that don't make me want to throw up. Rice milk is disgusting.

I discussed the gluten free diet with many people including my GP. The general consensus was that unless you have been diagnosed via blood test with coeliac disease, then a gluten free diet was too hard, too restrictive and unnecessary.

With dairy free, it appears there are some reports that show improvement in asthma and sinus conditions and some that don't. Dairy free is much easier to achieve and therefore I am going to give it a go. My GP thinks that any positive result should be seen in 2-3 weeks.

In the meantime I am having some RAST tests for allergies and have an appointment booked with a specialist in February 2010! Never mind - 30 odd years a few more months won't hurt.

Responsibility

When I was at Pink last week, I had a little boy of about 5 or 6 sat next to me. Now whether he should have been at a Pink concert or not is another debate, but between the support act and the start of Pink, the carers (be it, parents, aunt or sister of this boy) said to me we are just going to leave him here. She said he is ok with this, he'll be ok.

I was shocked than anyone could leave a young child alone at a concert or anywhere really. I guess they did give him a phone so maybe they thought that was ok.

I commented to Jon that I was surprised they had left him. I felt that although they didn't ask me to watch him, it became my responsibility to look out for him. What if there had been an evacuation, or what if I had wanted to go out for a smoke or to the bar for a drink. There is no way I could have left him, how could his "carers?!"?

I couldn't even have left my nearly 10 year old in a situation like that. Now maybe I am being overly paranoid but I don't think so, or maybe he was just a very small 16 year old!

Another win!

Ah..ha - I just knew that as soon as I put my washing out, it would rain. So today, I put most of it in my non-economical and non-environmentally friendly but ever so handy, tumble dryer and the stuff that couldn't go in the dryer on a rack under the pergola.

Voila...it's raining, but no panic all is good. I planned for this, now I just need to do the same for dinner. Plan that is not put in the dryer!

Confused

I am so confused. Since mentioning I visited a Naturopath who recommended a dairy and gluten free diet, I have had so many people both here in "blogland" and in "real life" including professionals and those that just think they are and those that are just providing their experiences, pretty much disagreeing with the Naturopath.

There is no doubt that I have sinus problems and have had for so many years, and there is no doubt that food intolerance's may contribute to these problems. However, what to do about it is in doubt.

...........and I got up too early this morning to be thinking about this now, so I will stop trying to figure it out for another day. I am still popping the pills and drinking (bleugh) the potions (tonic) though!

Growing up

My little girl is growing up fast, to the point that when I catch her out of the corner of my eye, I mistake her for my older girl.

I don't know when she lost those pudgy toddler legs and grew longer leaner legs. I'm not sure exactly which day her hair got long. We have been waiting for it to grow for 4 years and all of a sudden there it is.

It really did take a moment for me to recognise her when I picked her up from pre-school the other day and then I felt like an awful mum - what mum doesn't instantly recognise her own daughter? It's just that she looked tall and her hair was blowing in the wind and of course she was and is beautiful.

She is growing up - she even complained of growing pains in her legs yesterday - at least I hope that's all it was!

Tonic

For the record, the tonic is foul!

Naturopath - the details

For many years now (25+) I have suffered with sinus problems. I have had several surgeries to remove nasal polyps and wash and drain the sinus but none have given any results beyond 6 weeks.

For just as long I have been taking anti-histamine daily, I have had various nasal sprays both prescription and non prescription in all the 3 countries that I have lived.

I haven't really had many allergy tests and those I had only raised house dust mite as an issue, however I know that I am allergic to so much more. Certain animals, red wine, dry ice are some of the things that have triggered a reaction in the last 4 weeks.

Further when I was about 18 I developed asthma and again, this has stayed with me though the UK, NZ and Australia.

My nose runs and is blocked almost constantly and lately as I am interacting with more and more clients and professionals I am finding it an embarrassment.

I went to the GP to discuss this again a couple of months ago and all they could suggest was further surgery, of the same I might add.

So I decided to try Iridology.

From our discussion and the iridoligy it appears that I have a sinus issue (well hello!) and a digestive issue. Apparently the two are often linked. She also mentioned a lung issue, but didn't go further into that at this stage, she said just to work on the sinus and the digestive issues first.

She has recommended Fish Oil, (that I already take) Horseradish and Garlic Complex, a tonic and Digestive Enzymes also to eliminate dairy and gluten, ham and pork from my diet.

Liz, it may sound harsh but people that make statements like that usually have good reason and I respect your opinion so am more than happy to hear it. This really is just another avenue for me to try. I did buy the supplements from her, not sure if I had to - just did (on this occasion).

Deb, as you say it is worth a try, I am hoping my health fund will cover most of the cost which is why I am trying it, as for the diet, I can only give it a go. I will go back and see her in just over 6 weeks, I will reserve my full judgement until after that session.

Again - comments are most welcome, I would love to hear your experiences and opinions.

The gum - I have not had any, sometimes I really want it, just to freshen up my mouth after eating usually. I have also noted that I am more thirsty, I think I was using it instead of drinking water.

Naturopath

I have just come from a visit to a Naturopath - the outcome, she has recommended a Dairy and Gluten free diet, along with many pills and potions.

I think I have a lot of research ahead of me. If anyone has any advice I would be very grateful.

Google will become a very close friend for the next few days.

Long weekends

I just had a lovely weekend, it started on Friday night, when my son danced with his school dance group in the Sydney West Dance Festival. The girls went off to a friends for the evening and Jon and I were very proud to watch our son dance on stage for the very first time. (We are also very aware that it may also be his last time.)  He was great and I know that I am biased but I thought that their dance was the best.

We were so proud that he didn't let peer pressure stop him, he ignored the negative comments and ticked another goal off his list. I should point out that he was the only boy in the group of 30. He has now sang on stage, danced on stage and played in a band on stage and he is still only 9. 

Saturday we set off to Nelson Bay to see friends. I am ashamed to say that it has been 18 months since we last visited them but the time gap didn't make any difference.

We ate in and we ate out, we went 10 pin bowling and we walked up Tomaree Heads and watched the whales through binoculars. We played with their dogs and our children on the beach. Some of us drank lots of alcohol and and some of us were more restrained but all of us managed to talk complete nonsense for most of the weekend.

We drove back yesterday (Tuesday) and were in desperate need of any early night. But.... not such luck, Jon and I headed off to the city to see Pink in concert.

She was fantastic. The show was the best, how she manages to still sing when upside down on a trapeze escapes me but I loved every minute of it and would definitely see her again if she comes back in a couple of years.

 

Day 4

I have managed 4 days without chewing gum. Day 3 was much easier and today, day 4 has been easier again. Today it was just the habit that caught me out. I didn't get stressed about not having any.

I now just need to remember not to cave in and have just one.

Giving up

I really didn't think that giving up chewing gum would be so hard. Is it the addiction or the habit, I don't know. Either way, I know that anything that has such a hold can't be good.

Jon's suggestion was have a cigarette, I prefer the cream cake option. Doh! Not good either, giving up the cream cakes and like was how I got onto the gum in the first place.

Almost 2 days down. Wish me luck!

I want some chewing gum!

I just do. That's all.

I know - it's been forever....

....and I have no excuses.

My mam has been and gone, we enjoyed (other than her just being here) a fantastic 2 night break in Melbourne. Just the two of us. I really missed my kids (and Jon) but it was so different to see a place, actually see a place. Not having to keep and eye on one, two or three children made such a difference. I was able to eat when and where I wanted to. I could walk or sit. Take a tram or not.

We went to see Billy Elliott and it was sooo good. I miss going to the Theatre with my mam (and I know she hasn't been since I left the UK nearly 8 years ago.

We walked and walked and shopped and shopped and boy did my back know it when I got home. I was in so much pain. It must have been the walking upright and not bending over holding onto a child's hand!

So pretty much since then training has been very low key for me (again!) but I am improving and whilst I want to train hard, I have learned to be patient and let my body heal properly.

Today I was going to a little afternoon tea party with some girlfriends but the weather spoiled that. The kids were going to sit on the side lines and watch Jon play soccer, but when it started to rain, the guilt got the better of me and I cancelled.

Also today, well yesterday but from today, I have decided to try and give up sugar free gum. I really didn't think it would be so hard. I am craving gum and if I can't have that I want Pepsi Max - not a good substitute I don't think. So far I am resisting both. Wish me luck.

Happy Happy Happy

No reason - well lots, but none in particular - just happy happy happy!

Feeling much better

We are all feeling much better now. We have all had two good nights sleep, except I had to get up at 4.30am yesterday to go and get my mam from the airport, but that really was not a problem.

Both girls are much better, still have coughs and sometimes a little difficulty breathing but nothing like the other day.

All the kids have taken to grandma straight away again (she was last here 2 years ago).

It is a grey and wet day here at the moment but we are still planning on going into Darling Harbour for the day and me sneaking into the expo for a look around.

Croup

We have had a rough night, we, being me and my kids are exhausted. Last night at 1.30am Miss T woke with a coughing fit brought on by croup (though I wasn't sure at the time that it was croup). She was really distressed and panicking because she couldn't breathe. Jon was away and despite my first aid training, I really didn't know what to do,  I was very close to calling an ambulance, instead I put a call in to Jon in Melbourne.

My kids have never had croup before and as Miss T has asthma as well I was really scared and not able to make a rational decision as to what to do.

I gave her panadol for her fever and ventolin in the hope that it would help her breathing. An hour later she still couldn't breathe properly so I got the other kids up and we headed to the emergency department. (I couldn't even call my mum because she was on a plane to come and see us.)

By the time we got to the hospital, she had calmed and her breathing was much easier. The hospital still wanted her to stay for 3 more hours for observation.

We got back home at 7am this morning and I called Jon to let him know. I hadn't called him to tell him we were at hospital because she was ok and we didn't all need to be sleep deprived.

My son managed to curl himself up into the tiniest ball on a chair and get 20 minutes of sleep before I had to wake him to go home.

We had some breakfast and all went back to bed. Miss T struggled a few times, waking me up with a terrified look on her face saying she couldn't breathe, but this time I felt more in control and calmed her and gave her more ventolin.

I feel for those who are single parents and have to deal with situations like these on their own all the time. I am so looking forward to Jon getting home tonight and my mum arriving in the morning. I'm not sure I'm looking forward to the 6am pickup though! I need some sleep.

Abdominal ultrasound

I have just been to the physio again, this time to look at a long term back issue. This issue started when I was 18 and had a car accident and dislocated my pelvis.

For 4 years now I have been having 2 monthly chiropractic appointments to keep my back functional but really these days it rarely causes me any problems.

The physio said she would rather I didn't see any other practitioners while I was seeing her (so that she and I could be certain what treatments and I guess which practitioner was helping).

Consequently I missed my regular chiro appointment. I decided to ask the physio for her opinion.

Apparently, my back is moving bizarrely.  I also objected rather loudly when she poked and prodded various places, in particular L4. Part of her assessment was to see how the core performs and then to see if simply teaching correct core activation will help strengthen by back.

It was strange having an ultrasound for a reason other than pregnancy, but I did get to see my abdominal muscles, my internal and external obliques and my transverse abdominus - not as exciting as seeing a new baby but still...

She took a still of my abs in their relaxed state and then split the screen and asked me to activate my core.

Result - perfect core activation. 

Now, she had no quick and easy explanation for my back problems. So I need x-rays to establish what treatment will fix it.

Cruel trick

Someone was playing a very cruel trick on me this evening.

Imagine - I was cycling towards the top of a very large hill on my trusty exercise bike when I heard that fantastic whirring noise of the bike ramping down, YES, I had reached the top and I had 3 minutes of a small hill to enjoy before I encountered another very large hill - BUT - NO......

........tonight we must be on the flight path and it was the whirring of an aeroplane coming in to land and I still had another 52 seconds still to go!!!

Junk mail

How much junk mail do we get? I don't mean the junk mail that advertises ways for us to spend our very hard earned money, but the junk that is actually addressed to us. The pointless information that is sent to us every day through the postal system.

Unless my kids are having a splurge on scribbling, I never need to find them fresh paper, they draw on the back of the scrap paper that gets delivered to our door, err not in England any more, to our mail boxes, every day.

Do you believe, all things happen for a reason?

Jon and I were both non committal on going camping this weekend. Weeks ago we were really excited about it but as the time got nearer, we were both so busy that neither of us managed to arrange anything.

We decided that on Saturday, we would get up and head to a campsite in Canberra. - None of us have been to Canberra before.

We got there and pitched the tent, why does it look smaller than I remembered?

The space saving bunk beds for the kids, yeah right, they were huge, I think my garage must have some growth hormone in there that worked on the bunk beds but not on the tent.

Never mind, all is ok, barely. Off we head to Questacon. Kids had a good time, Miss C was a little (well a lot) scared of the clowns but we got over that.

As we came out of Questacon it started to rain. - great!  

We struggled to find somewhere to eat. I wanted a nice family restaurant but all we could find were nice, posh, trendy looking places with wine glasses already on the table, nice but not where I wanted to take 3 tired children.

We found a little Chinese restaurant that would do.

Headed back to the tent and least said the better, tiny, cramped, wet and the ground was so hard. Didn't sleep all night, was very achy and extremely cranky and unless drastic improvements are made, I will not be going again.

We had planned to go to another campsite but instead at 5am packed up and came home. At least it had stopped raining by then.

What was the reason? By midday Miss C had a 39.7 temperature and was not feeling at all well. Last night she was up again, more panadol administered.

We were not supposed to be camping last night or having a very long drive home today. All things happen for a reason.

Shoulder news

My shoulder is improving heaps, I am still limited to upper body training of rotator cuff strengthening in neutral and lower body - body weight training only (due to not being able to hold any hand weights or use a barbell) - but I can live with that so long as it is a means to an end.

My triceps have retained strength for several consecutive weeks and the neural pain (ssshhh) has disappeared.

I don't doubt there is still a way to go, my right rotator cuff strength is so much weaker than my non dominant left side but I think this is the physio to get me there.

We won one.....

little Easter Egg raffle, Miss T's first Easter Hat Parade and assembly. She won a little hamper, she is so happy - and she wants to share with everyone, teachers, siblings, friends, parents, dance teachers.  I love her.

Growing up and determination

Well that's it. You know your kids are growing up when the last training wheels (stabilizers to all of us from England) come off the bikes.  My youngest learned to ride her bike last weekend. We do have legs that are black and blue from the experience but they will heal.

What I noticed most however, was her determination, she kept on going and going despite the blood and bruises. She decided that this was the day she was going to learn - and she did.

She didn't try to complete the Tour de France, she did little baby steps, she was just so happy to get 2 metres (well from the skipping rope to the skittle) without falling off or putting her feet down.

Kids can teach us so much!

So far so good

We have not yet won any of the Easter Raffles!!!

Missing you

From our front window we can see the bus stop for the school bus.

Miss T and Master C were getting on the bus and my little Miss 4 year old was singing, I will miss you Miss T, always miss you, every day and for ever. I love you Miss T, I will always love you and miss you. I miss you every day and I can't wait until you come home.

(Obviously she didn't actually say Miss T - but you get it.)

So cute - she will be with her at school next year and then it will be me all sad at the window watching my 3 babies go off to school - yeah right - or maybe, I'm not sure yet!

la la la

Jon is away for a couple of nights and there has been a spate of aggravated break and enters in our area in the last couple of weeks. I have been awake heaps through the night while Jon has been here, I am not too sure how I will go tonight.

I think it would be easier if it was just me, but I have my 3 little kids to worry about.

Enough of that - la la la happy thoughts.

I love my new heart rate monitor that Jon bought me for my birthday, it tells me all kinds of stuff and unfortunately I am a numbers geek so I love it.

19 sleeps until my mam gets here. I can't wait - we are all so excited, well maybe not Jon but his mum has visited twice in the last 12 months - it's my turn!

Panic over - for now!

Take myself off to clean teeth and put on a bit of lippy. Remembered there is some BBQ chicken in the fridge, I will make myself a chicken salad sandwich on yummy soy and linseed bread and all will be good with the world again.

See how the scale derails me. At least I didn't head for the food cupboard, I am determined not to binge over this.

Warning - disordered mind spill

Very recent journal extract:

0.4kg gain this week. I honestly do think I am doing everything right, training and eating, however, I am tempted to log food, but not count calories, but from an eating disorder point of view, I need to not make food my focus, I just need to eat healthy meals and not snack. I have to remember that while I want to lose weight, my number 1 priority right now is not to binge or overeat. My number 2 priority is to exercise regularly, so I guess weight loss is only 3rd, I need to remember this. That said, based on the science, to gain half a kg I needed to have consumed 3500 cals more than I needed. Given that I am burning c2000 cals a week more than in recent months, I must have consumed 5500 more cals than I needed - 785 extra a day. That is impossible. So what does this mean? - It's nearly lunch time, I am hungry, I walked to the kitchen and realised, I don't know what to eat and that I am quite scared to eat in case I gain more weight. I'm crying now, I don't know what to do. I feel really silly this shouldn't be a big deal.

Mothers Day

Happy Mothers Day Mam.... and to all the other Mum's who celebrate today.

Confession

I had Chinese takeaway for dinner last night and today I was invited to Yum Cha for lunch today - and I didn't decline.

Birthday parties

The weekends over and we are in to a new week. My early Monday client training session went well, the kids have been dropped at school, together with a Euphonium and a doll, because it is 'd' week in the Kindergarten class.

I am getting ready to take my youngest who is now 4 to playgroup.

We had her party at home yesterday, she enjoyed it but I am not sure we did, in fact I know we didn't. It was so stressful and I missed most of it cue to preparing food and organising.

It was hard because some of the kids, well their mum's brought siblings, which I understand however it did mess up the numbers for the games. I had planned 12 layers for pass the parcel but now I had more children and unfortunately, it was the birthday girl that missed out. 

I feel really selfish and know it is not about me or my enjoyment but.........never again. Please remind me if I consider this again. The cleaning before, the cleaning after, the tears, the fights (and that's just me and Jon - only joking).  Seriously now - never again!!

Cranky

My arm where I had my flu jab on Thursday is itching like crazy.

Busy Busy

Had a very busy day today, but lots achieved so I am happy with that.

First got kids to school, then off to the GP for a flu jab (ouch, I don't remember it hurting that much last year!).  Also asked if there were any new treatments for a blocked sinus, I have suffered for years and nothing much seems to work. Any suggestions will be happily received.

After that off to physio, picked up neck x-rays on the way. All good news there - nothing in my neck to worry about so we can now work on stretching the nerve. Little by little though, a 5 sec gentle stretch leaves me feeling very fatigued. (Although the physio said it's not fatigue but the nerve complaining).

Next a quick grab of some sushi, no luxury of sitting and enjoying, just eating quickly and into Target to pick up a lovely pink scooter and a few bits for Miss C's birthday party, she turns 4 on Sunday.

Then to the hairdressers for me. It was a bit bizarre, I had a young boy/man wash and shampoo my hair - totally new experience for me.  I think my hair is ok, I haven't even had time to look in a mirror since.

A quick drive to pick the kids up from school and home to prepare dinner. Miss T was supposed to be at dancing from 3.30 to 5pm, but she was a bit whingey and tired so I made an executive decision and said she had to stay home, relax and watch TV. My kids don't hear that too often so she was very happy. I don't think a rest will hurt her. Her poor little body has absorbed so much since starting school 7 weeks ago, she is exhausted.

Taxi service

Finally back home after picking my children up from school and after school activities. Life is definitely much busier this year with another child at school. Hopefully next year with all 3 at school, it should free up some time in the day for me to get things done.

I am now going to cook dinner for the kids, thankfully Jon prepared ours yesterday so I don't have to think too hard about that.

Then training. Nothing too strenuous, still working through things with my new physio. She wanted me to get a neck x-ray this week, more to rule out any problems than to confirm them, but after the previous weeks session, I was very uncomfortable for about 5 days. She is almost certain it was a neurological response to the stretching so we had to ease off a bit. I see her again on Thursday and she will review the x-rays then and hopefully come up with a plan of action.

Other news, my mum is coming to visit next month. I can't wait. The kids are looking forward to it too. They have been very spoilt with visitors this year.

George Foreman Grill

A quick question - the indicator light on my grill does not stay permanently on. Does anyone know if it is supposed to or is it thermostat based?

I don't think it is cooking properly when the light is not on. I can't quickly find my instruction book. How annoying!

On the up

Like many others around me and here online, I too have not been feeling the happiest little bunny. I am happy to say though, that this week things have improved heaps.

Given that so many people have been affected, a friend and I are convinced that there is something out there in the Universe.

Today I enjoyed? a trip to the physio. I say enjoyed because last week I saw a new physio (not feeling I was progressing as much as I would like in the shoulder region) and at this stage, I love her.

She feels it is not a shoulder issue, well not anymore, and that it is a nerve issue in my neck, but get this, she thinks she can fix it, not just maintain it, or give me about 80% function, she is going to fix it. She also said today that as I have been suffering with it for so long, she sees it as a challenge to get me better.

Hooray! Someone who wants to help me and not just their own pocket. Bit harsh I know, and my last physio helped me a lot, but I was not happy with 80%. I am too young to settle for that.

After physio I had lunch with a girlfriend and then a little shopping, nothing very nice just bits and pieces and I also faced the dreaded M3dicare. Only 20 minutes to wait and now my pocket has a little more cash.

Can anyone help - my mortgage has reduced but I don't have anymore money, where has it gone?

Collected kids from school, dropped one off at dancing, back home for a cup of tea and some blogging and then back to pick up from dancing.

Jon is away so I think a nice early night is called for. With Jon away, I had to cancel my early morning client tomorrow so I can lie in a bit beyond 4.30am.

Dance class

My baby had her first dance class today - Tiny Tots- and she was a little star. She looked so cute in her baby blue leotard and her little pink ballet shoes. She danced for an hour and whilst she did not always look the most elegant, she tried her little heart out and was one of the only cuties to concentrate for the full hour. Not bad for a 3 year old.

And.... she got promoted to the next level in swimming classes today.

I am very proud of her.

The Blender Incident

This has got to be one of the funniest moments of the holiday, I just don't know if I can do it justice here. It may be of of those "You had to be there moments", but I will try.

You may have gotten the idea now, that my dad is a, I was going to say joker, but 'clown' is a probably more appropriate word. The kind of person that if you didn't love would most likely drive you crazy, an ok in small doses, kind of person. But I love him dearly and so of course find him hilarious. I also have this sense of humour in relation to my dad, that if he gets hurt (mildly) or something goes wrong, I collapse in hysterics. This is a hysteric moment.

The day before June and I went shopping for Malibu, pineapple juice, ice and coconut cream so we could make pina coladas. They were beautiful and really complimented the bottle of wine we had already had. My blender is a throw back from years gone by when Jon and I were childless and had cocktail parties. It now gets used for soup - how times have changed!

Dad watched us for a while and asked why my blender lid had a hole in it. "I don't know, it just does." "Does the liquid not come out of the top?" - "No."

I don't know if you remember but June has a broken ankle and can only get around on crutches, or in a wheel chair for longer periods. So - today dad was making the pina colada.

In went the Malibu - a very generous amount I might add - the ice, coconut cream and the pineapple juice. On went the blender, and the expletives started. My kitchen and my dad were covered in pina colada. Lovely to drink, not so good to clean up. Dad thought he had put too much in the blender, so now that there was not so much, he tried again. Even more expletives. By this time, I was laughing so much I could barely walk, but I managed to make it to the kitchen - I was also thinking that maybe the liquid could come out of the hole in the lid.

Then I saw that the lid was not on - he had turned on the blender to level 4, with no lid on. Not once, but twice.

He was cursing and cleaning, complaining that the fish (who lives on the kitchen bench) was drunk. Complaining that all would be ok if my blender didn't have a reverse on it, because when he went to turn it off in a hurry, it didn't stop at 0, but went into reverse so he slid the button back up and off it went to level 4 again.

He later admitted that the little voice in his head was saying, "put the lid on, put the lid on" but his "rational?" mind was saying, it would be ok. And this was the first time. How he managed to do it twice, I have no idea.

There was not much pina colada that night.

Further, Jon who was working the next day and not partaking in any amounts of alcohol that night, was not impressed. The kitchen was so sticky for days. Dad cleaned and cleaned and cleaned.

It didn't put us off, once the supplies were replenished dad tried again, just to prove he could drive a blender.

Coffs Harbour

Firstly, my toe is much better, within a few days it was almost back to normal. Though I still stand by the initial pain levels, I was not putting it on!

Needless to say we didn't set off to Coffs Harbour at 5am the next morning. By the time we had got up and packed the car (which was supposed to have been done the night before) it was about 10am when we left. I think my dad was quite relieved, I appreciate a long drive after a mammoth flight was not the best course of action.

We took 2 cars, Dad and June followed in Jon's car and the kids and Jon's mam came with us.

It wasn't long before the kids started defecting to Pop's and June's car. Even though my son had not seen his pops since he was 2 and the girls had never met him, they soon became very firm friends. It was very pleasing to see and I think my dad loved every minute of it. In fact I am sure he did.

Coffs was a pretty lazy holiday, lots of beach swimming and body boarding.
Miss T loves body boarding, she looks like a proper surf chick now.

We of course visited the Big Banana, we did the toboggan and we all did a trike ride, even Jon's mam did it and enjoyed it.

It goes without saying there was lots of drinking and catching up and getting to know June and my dad all over again. Dad hasn't changed one bit.

We took the kids fishing but I really didn't enjoy that, I was too nervous about them falling off the jetty. Pretty soon after we headed to a local eatery for lunch.

Lunch was a disaster, first Jon broke my RayBan's, his track record for looking after sunglasses is not good so I am not sure why I let him borrow them (must be love). He was not happy at all. Then lunch took ages to arrive, my dad has diabetes so was getting a bit agitated that his food was taking so long.

The meal was ok, not great but ok. Then, the bill., it should have been less than $100, but the bill total was $270. The staff had given another table our bill and then tried to charge us for theirs. The other table did not correct the error, that was left to us. Phone calls needed to be made to managers, blah blah blah. In the end they gave us 10% off for the inconvenience.

Other than that, some nice meals were consumed and much wine- did I already mention the wine.

It was also very nice to have other adults knees for the kids to sit on during dinner.

Pick up from the airport

Dad and June's flight was an hour late so we didn't need to leave for the airport so early.

We have an MPV so have seven seats but with luggage and a wheelchair for June with her broken ankle there wasn't enough room to take the kids with us - they were staying here with Jon's mam.

At dinner time though, Jon's mam was not feeling so good and took herself off to her room. I went into panic mode, what were we going to do? We would have to take the kids with us, but to do that we would need to take two cars. Never mind - that's not what I was really thinking but for the purposes of this blog, that will do.

Applying a bit of lippy before we leave and I turn to walk out of the bathroom as Jon walks in - for some reason we were both quieter than stealth bombers and neither knew the other was there. A collision occurred and my right big toe nail just happened to be lifted off the nail bed, by Jon's massive trainers.

The pain was more than I could ever have imagined, I screamed and immediately had 6 little eyes peering at my now upright toenail. Miss T the middle child decided that now would be a good time for a very graphic description - I told her, very politely I might add, to go away.

My brain was already working overtime about how was I going to get to the airport - not going was not an option.

Some may think I was being a drama queen, some will be sharing the pain with me - but my pain threshold is very very low and it hurt - A LOT.

Jon was very brave and faced the music he did not run at all - he did however mention later that he moved a pair of scissors that were close by. I think he had visions of scissors in his eyes!

I just screamed for Panadol. 20 minutes later Jon's mam got up and asked what was going on, we had, well me really, had woken her. Through bitter clenched teeth, I apologised. I'm not sure if I was sincere, sarcastic or delirious but I said sorry. Far too British it think - must work on that.

40 minutes needed more Panadol - it hadn't touched the pain at all.

Needed to pick up Dad and June - I couldn't get on any shoes at all - nor could I walk. Jon's mam suggested I wait here - red rag to bull. I was going and I think she saw that in my eyes, so kept quiet after that.

I decided to go and just wait in the car. The thought of waiting in the car and Jon seeing my dad before me nearly killed me but it was the only option.

At this point, I should mention I hate speed bumps. It hurts a lot when you go over them.

Got to the airport - not liking Jon very much at this moment but also seeing the funny side now and again - maybe the pills were working, not on the pain but on my mind.

Jon headed off to get them and I settled down, as much as I could with pain like someone had ripped off my toe nail. oh they had!!!

5 minutes later Jon appears back at the car with a WHEELCHAIR. I couldn't do it - what would it look like, my new stepmum in a wheelchair with a broken ankle and me - in a wheelchair. Was I taking the pxxx? How to make a good impression.

Jon convinced me to do it. I did it. I met my dad and June - both of us in a wheelchair. We all saw the funny side - and then my pain killers wore off.

We were travelling up to Coffs Harbour for a beach and pool holiday the next morning at 5am - so I decided to go to the hospital to see if they could help me.

Long story - I got seen at 3am - they made me feel very guilty for wasting their time but they fixed it. It hurt a lot but was hugely improved the next day.

More later.....