Saturday, October 30, 2010

Day 7 of a 30 Day Meme

A photo that makes me happy.

This is my 88 year old Grandma whom I take out every Tuesday.

Never too old to enjoy ice cream!


I was taking photos of Missy Megan sitting in the back eating hers & I snuck in a photo of Grandma without her even realising!



Grandma had Vanilla, Missy Megan had Strawberry & I had Violet Crumble flavour (even though my all time favourite is Chocolate).

What's your favourite ice cream flavour?

Cuteness

Missy Megan was sitting on Trixie like you would ride a horse.

We are lucky Trixie is SO well tempered as Missy Megan was pulling her ears to "steer" her even though they weren't actually moving.





That last one is after I told her to hop off!

Too cute.

Zac turns 15

Our firstborn, Zac, turned 15 on 26 Oct. We had the family over a couple of days early since the 26th was a Tuesday, which is our busiest evening of the week.

I had to share the cake pictures. After all, I did it for the other two here and here.





The cake at the top is the one my mother-in-law brought over. That is her "thing" for all the birthdays (including mine!).

The guitar cake is one I bought & embellished with guitars. I did not have the time to risk any failures this time round!

The final pic is the four 15 year old deep voiced "men" whose stomachs we had the honour of filling. They all look keen for some cake here.

Zac is in the checked shirt. The two younger kids in the snap are also ours. Golly it was hard to keep those 4 big boys still long enough to take a photo!

A Nightfiller's Perspective.......

Dear Customer Who Pays My Wages & Without Whom I Would Have No Job,

I have just a few issues I would like to raise for your consideration:

1: When I am pushing around my red stock trolley loaded with boxes, please be aware that my load sometimes weighs over 160kg. I am a truck. You are a pedestrian. If we collide, I am going to come out better off than you. So please do not stop in front of me.

2: If I am unloading my trolley & I have  a heavy box in my arms, please do not stop right next to me so I have nowhere to go. You know I am there because I just said "Hello" to you. And you answered me. I have to work quickly. I get in trouble if I take too long so I don't have time to wait for you.

3: Please do not shop in bare feet. Sometimes my boxes fall off my trolley. Especially when you stop in front of me. My trolley is so squeaky & noisy I can be heard from the other end of the store. So don't pretend you haven't heard me coming up behind you. I am sure you would sue us should a 16kg box of coca cola or dog food landed on your toes, so take a bit of responsibility for yourself & wear some damn shoes!

4: Please change out of you pyjamas to come shopping. They are to wear at home. All day if you want to. I don't care. But they are not to wear to shopping.

5: Please change out of your g-string leotard & leggings before coming shopping. You have a better figure than I do & I don't want to look at yours. This also applies to other sporty people whom I am obviously jealous of - at least take your shin pads off if you have been at soccer or hockey - you don't need armour to do the groceries. Unless I am mowing you down with my red trolley. Oh, and swimmers are for swimming. Not shopping. Collisions can happen if young male nightfillers are rubber necking rather than watching where they are going.

6: Be aware of where your children are & what they are doing. Our refrigerated bays are not fences for them to climb up & walk along. If they fell down & hurt themselves we would have SO much paperwork to complete. If they break our equipment you get away with it.

7: Your children if they are under 10 should at least be in the same aisle as you. Then you will actually see that they know how to open packets and bowl balls along the floor.

8: Grocery shopping is a very social experience. If I want to catch up with my neighbours or friends, I just go to Woollies. because it's easier to catch them there then it is to catch them at home. By all means, stop and chat. Take as long as you like. But do me a favour & don't block the aisle. I understand some people view nightfillers as "lower than pond scum" but if I can't get through it means that customers can't get through either. And I need them to get through. So they can pay my wages do their shopping.

9: It is my job to work around you & get out of your way. Not the other way around. Do not apologise for being in my way. If you are not there, I do not have a job. And I kind of need my job. And I kind of like it too. But I can't get out of your way if you hog the aisle insist on walking side by side - your 10 kids included - there is simply no where for me to move to.

10: Yes I know we pile up boxes everywhere & make a big mess. But don't worry, we clean it up when you have all gone home. We like you remember your visit to our store - we like to make it unforgettable. The obstacle course of boxes is part of the free entertainment we provide for you.

11: OOPS, nearly forgot this one! Just like I am a truck & you are a pedestrian or bicycle or mini or whaterver it is you want to be, one simple road rule should always be observed. Keep Left Unless Overtaking. Unless where you live they drive on the opposite side of the road to us. If you & I keep left, we won't have to do the "dance" when meeting in the aisle. We will know where the other is going.

So when you next see me driving my red truck / ferrari/ stock trolley around the place, please smile and say hello, just like I do to you, and then GET THE HELL OUT OF MY WAY!!!!!

Disclaimer: I am a nightfiller for Woollies & this is entirely my own composition & does not represent the opinion of Woolworths Ltd or any other staff member!

Yours in service,

A Lowly Nightfiller.

What annoys you about grocery shopping? Are we nightfillers a major pain in the bum?

Saturday, October 16, 2010

Go Team Toilet!

I have been trying Missy Megan into the idea of wearing undies & using the toilet for quite a while now. After all, she did turn 3 in August.

She has been flatly refusing for months but over the last few days has warmed just a touch to the concept. Yesterday she even said she would wear undies "tomorrow". Anyone who has ever had a 3 year old will realise that everything happens "tomorrow" with them.

So this morning, I bit the bullet. I reminded her of what she had said & that "tomorrow" is here. Undies went on with a certain degree of resistance.

After 20 minutes of tears in her bedroom (by her, not me!) & much yelling of "I don't wanna wear undies. I don't wanna go to the toilet" (again - by her, not me) & me ignoring her words, here is a snapshot of where we were by mid afternoon.


YEP! She took to it like a duck to water! I think the novelty is definitely the stars. She gets to choose the colour & put them on the chart herself & I get to write the time (I was taking her every half hour to begin with). I have attached it to the bathroom door as a reminder of what's behind it!

By the time it got to nappy time this evening she had achieved 12 stars on her chart. Sometimes with an hour in between! She even went all by herself a couple of times & called out to me when she had done a wee. The day wasn't without a couple of puddles (I was expecting many more ) - 1 on the tiles, 1 on the carpet & 1 outside on the cement when she was being my peg assistant.

Let's hope she keeps it up tomorrow.

Go Team Toilet!!

Do you have any tips to share on toilet training?

Friday, October 15, 2010

Major Swimming Breakthrough!

Flashback to February




Yes, this was Missy Megan a few weeks in to swimming lessons, with the amazingly patient Louise.

Here she is today......




It's only the past few weeks that she hasn't had any tears during her lesson. And today, she was actually laughing and smiling almost the entire lesson!

Persistance pays off. On my part, and on Louise's part.

Boy, we've come a long way baby!


What were your kids like when they were learning to swim?







Day 6 (overdue) of a 30 Day Meme

Well, what does Day 6 bring for you all?

20 of my favourite things / things I love.

Here we go, in the order they come to mind.......

1. My family
2. My life
3. My friends
4. My job (seriously)
5. My house (when it's clean)
6. CHRISTMAS!!!
7. Cute things the kids do
8. Colourful flowers, especially roses (and there are some beautiful roses in our church grounds)
9. Chocolate
10. Sweet white wine



11. Chips (crisps)
12. Hot chips
13. Having friends over for a meal
14. Facebook
15. Reading blogs!
16. Green tea
17. Wearing jeans
18. Pretty dresses (need to drop more weight by summer for this one!)
19. Smiling faces
20. Sunny days

Yes, I live a simple life. No holidays or fancy cars in there. But it's my life and I love it! As the old saying goes, "The Simple Things in Life are Often The Best".

Care to share some of your favourite things with me?

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Day 5 of a 30 Day Meme

Running a bit late - well I did warn you that it might take me more than 30 days to complete this meme!

Day 5 - favourite quote.

"Suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem."

Spoken apparently by Wayne Bennet, NRL Coach of  2010 Premiership Winning St George/Illawarra Dragons Rugby League Team.

Words I believe should be displayed in every high school and drummed into our youth. Teach them young & they can carry that philosophy throughout their adult life.

Let's stamp out suicide.

What's your favourite quote?

Sunday, October 10, 2010

Did you HAVE to?!

Dear God,

Did you have to make it rain this morning???!!!

Do you think we have not had enough washing to do & use of the clothes dryer with 2 spewy kids in the past 5 days?

Do you think we spent all day yesterday washing & hanging clothes on the line just for the fun of it?

Did you have to make it rain this morning, when my work clothes I need for tonight are on the line?



Did you have to make it rain this morning, when I had to take 2 kids, who are still not 100% well, to Woollies (otherwise there would be no lunch or dinner today)?

Did you have to make it POUR as soon as we pulled into our driveway after the shopping?

Did you have to make it stop once I had gotten soaked getting the kids & the shopping inside?

I will be going outside in about an hour to bring in the clothes that need to be used tonight & tomorrow.

Can you PLEASE not make it rain then?

Thank you.

Karen.

P.S. Please don't strike me down with lightning for my mini rant.

Saturday, October 9, 2010

Day 4 of a 30 Day Meme

Day 4 : My Favourite Book

DESTINY, by Sally Beauman.

Sally Beauman has had great critical and commercial success with all her novels: DESTINY, DARK ANGEL, the series LOVERS AND LIARS, DANGER ZONES and SEXTET, and REBECCA'S TALE have been translated into over twenty languages and have been bestsellers worldwide.

book cover of 
Destiny 
by
Sally Beauman

One Evening in Paris, Edouard de Chavigny becomes a man obsessed. A wealthy, notorious womanizer, he is captivated by a mysterious young Englishwoman, Helene Craig, and knows that she is the woman he has been searching for all his life. But Helene is not what she seems. While Edouard offers her wealth, freedom and passion, she must weigh these attractions against the demands of her own secret life and her determination to exact revenge for the destruction of her childhood world. What neither Helene nor Edouard knows is that their lives are already linked, and that ahead of them lie years of public glamour and private pain.

Sadly, I no longer have my copy of this novel - I think it got packed in the box of books that was donated to the Lifeline Book Fair last year. So I hope someone else is getting as much enjoyment out of it as I did.


Here's what's still to come:

Day 5 – your favorite quote




Day 6 – 20 of my favorite things



Day 7 – a photo that makes you happy



Day 8 – a photo that makes you angry/sad



Day 9 – a photo you took



Day 10 – a photo taken over 10 years ago of you



Day 11 – a photo of you recently



Day 12 – something you are OCD about



Day 13 – a fictional book



Day 14 – a non-fictional book



Day 15 – your dream house



Day 16 – a song that makes you cry (or nearly)



Day 17 – an art piece (drawing, sculpture, painting, etc)



Day 18 – your wedding/future wedding/past wedding



Day 19 – a talent of yours



Day 20 – a hobby of yours



Day 21 – a recipe



Day 22 – a website



Day 23 – a youtube video



Day 24 – where I live



Day 25 – your day, in great detail



Day 26 – your week, in great detail



Day 27 – my worst habit



Day 28 – what’s in my handbag/purse



Day 29 – hopes,dreams, plans for the next 365 days



Day 30 – a dream for the future beyond the next year

Do you have a favourite book?

Thursday, October 7, 2010

Day 3 of a 30 Day Meme

What is my favourite television show?

Until recently, it was "Packed to the Rafters", which is on Tuesday nights. Now that I work every Tuesday night I don't get to watch it.

Yes folks, I am reduced to late night tv shows due to my work schedule. So I would have to say that my favourite show at the moment is "The Ellen DeGeneres Show". It's the show I use to unwind when I get home from work after finishing at midnight.

Still to come in this meme:


Day 4 – your favorite book


Day 5 – your favorite quote

Day 6 – 20 of my favorite things

Day 7 – a photo that makes you happy

Day 8 – a photo that makes you angry/sad

Day 9 – a photo you took

Day 10 – a photo taken over 10 years ago of you

Day 11 – a photo of you recently

Day 12 – something you are OCD about

Day 13 – a fictional book

Day 14 – a non-fictional book

Day 15 – your dream house

Day 16 – a song that makes you cry (or nearly)

Day 17 – an art piece (drawing, sculpture, painting, etc)

Day 18 – your wedding/future wedding/past wedding

Day 19 – a talent of yours

Day 20 – a hobby of yours

Day 21 – a recipe

Day 22 – a website

Day 23 – a youtube video

Day 24 – where I live

Day 25 – your day, in great detail

Day 26 – your week, in great detail

Day 27 – my worst habit

Day 28 – what’s in my handbag/purse

Day 29 – hopes,dreams, plans for the next 365 days

Day 30 – a dream for the future beyond the next year


Do you have a favourite tv show?

Before & After

ZAC BEFORE:








ZAC AFTER:





Zac will be 15 this month. He starts in the Australian Army Cadets on October 14. Hence the army style haircut. They are very strict on their dress rules. I hope to have permission to post photos of him in his uniform next week.

He has been nurturing those curls for about 2 years now. He loved them, we loved them, the girls at school loved them. But he loves the idea of being a cadet more.

I am so proud of our boy!

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Day 2 of a 30 Day Meme


Today I need to tell you my favourite movie.......


PRETTY WOMAN
starring Julia Roberts & Richard Gere




It's quite difficult to think of just one movie, when there are so many "favourites" out there.


I am also a big fan of Happy Gilmore (Adam Sandler), The Princess Bride, the Toy Story and Shrek series and, of course, The Sound of Music (Yodel----aaaaayyyy----heeeee!!!!).



What is YOUR favourite movie?



Day 1 of 30 Day Meme

Here we go at my first attempt at a 30 day meme.

1. My favourite song - this changes regularly but is currently "Waterloo" by ABBA (on oldie, I know, but so am I!)

Still to come:

Day 2 – your favorite movie




Day 3 – your favorite television program



Day 4 – your favorite book



Day 5 – your favorite quote



Day 6 – 20 of my favorite things



Day 7 – a photo that makes you happy



Day 8 – a photo that makes you angry/sad



Day 9 – a photo you took



Day 10 – a photo taken over 10 years ago of you



Day 11 – a photo of you recently



Day 12 – something you are OCD about



Day 13 – a fictional book



Day 14 – a non-fictional book



Day 15 – your dream house



Day 16 – a song that makes you cry (or nearly)



Day 17 – an art piece (drawing, sculpture, painting, etc)



Day 18 – your wedding/future wedding/past wedding



Day 19 – a talent of yours



Day 20 – a hobby of yours



Day 21 – a recipe



Day 22 – a website



Day 23 – a youtube video



Day 24 – where I live



Day 25 – your day, in great detail



Day 26 – your week, in great detail



Day 27 – my worst habit



Day 28 – what’s in my handbag/purse



Day 29 – hopes,dreams, plans for the next 365 days



Day 30 – a dream for the future beyond the next year

What's  your favourite song at the moment?

Monday, October 4, 2010

The next 30 days

I have copied this 30 day meme from Tina Gray.

Like Tina, I will probably take more than 30 days to complete it due to my slack arse busy life.

This is what we would like to learn about you:

Day 1 – your favorite song


Day 2 – your favorite movie

Day 3 – your favorite television program

Day 4 – your favorite book

Day 5 – your favorite quote

Day 6 – 20 of my favorite things

Day 7 – a photo that makes you happy

Day 8 – a photo that makes you angry/sad

Day 9 – a photo you took

Day 10 – a photo taken over 10 years ago of you

Day 11 – a photo of you recently

Day 12 – something you are OCD about

Day 13 – a fictional book

Day 14 – a non-fictional book

Day 15 – your dream house

Day 16 – a song that makes you cry (or nearly)

Day 17 – an art piece (drawing, sculpture, painting, etc)

Day 18 – your wedding/future wedding/past wedding

Day 19 – a talent of yours

Day 20 – a hobby of yours

Day 21 – a recipe

Day 22 – a website

Day 23 – a youtube video

Day 24 – where I live

Day 25 – your day, in great detail

Day 26 – your week, in great detail

Day 27 – my worst habit

Day 28 – what’s in my handbag/purse

Day 29 – hopes,dreams, plans for the next 365 days

Day 30 – a dream for the future beyond the next year
 
Feel free to join in - make sure you link us up if you do so we can follow you too!

Sunday, October 3, 2010

It's called a WHAT?!












I married into a family where almost all the women are nurses. So there are shitloads of  quite a few medical terms that go over my head.

So, here is a picture of my ecchymosis, bruise.

How's your medical terminology?