Let it go...

Thankful Thurday...no more funerals and a new change of direction...

2012-03-01T21:58:00.001+11:00

linkin up today

Hi Gang

Its late for me to be gettin online for the first time today but its been a little crazy.

I had to go to a funeral today for the Dad of one of my dearest High school friends....not easy, I have had two friends Dads die this week....a little scary cause it usually goes in 3s and when you have a Dad around the same age.... I thankfully have only been to a handful of funerals....and not overly keen to go to anymore for quite awhile after this week.

Todays service was actually very light and everyone had a good laugh...this man was funny, practical joker and the slideshow and the eulogy(of which he wrote partly) that my friend and her sister put together was great. So I'm thankful that it wasn't too sad and there were lots of people there to support my friend.

Anywhoo....change of track...my other thankful today is that from Monday I'm starting a 4 week retail course...just for something totally different from Nursing and I may get some casual work in retail whilst Im growing my own business. so it's exciting I love learning new stuff and after 7mths home freestylin it probably time for a tiny bit of stucture...but hey not too much.. :)

Winds of change image here

Have a fab Friday everyone

XX Jen

A bit of this and that makes me smile on my digital photo frame Wordless Wednesday....

2012-02-29T14:42:00.001+11:00

My little Sis like to dress up when she picks up my middle Sis at the airport!

Chilled cat

Love sunsets

I want to go back to the Barrier Reef

GC at night...fun

My tasty herb pots

Hooking up with http://mylittledrummerboys.blogspot.com.au/2012/02/wordless-wednesday-apple-fun-park.html today for some Wordless Wednesday

XX Jen

Courage....hear me ROAR!!!

2012-02-25T21:08:00.001+11:00

Hello Grateful followers

My all time favourite book as a young tweenager was The Wizard of Oz...I read it about 13 times....then watch the movie so many times I lost count...but use to get lost in the book...the pages came to life and my favourite character.....Cowardly Lion!

I had very little self confidence as a kid and teenager so I think I related to that big softy Lion...I was afraid of my own shadow...doubted myself constantly...but often put on a brave face only yo be trembling inside. I was overweight, wore glasses and hated attention....I didn't roar...I squeaked shyly in the background

One of my favourite passages/quote from the book

Cowardly Lion: Courage! What makes a king out of a slave? Courage! What makes the flag on the mast to wave? Courage! What makes the elephant charge his tusk in the misty mist, or the dusky dusk? What makes the muskrat guard his musk? Courage! What makes the sphinx the seventh wonder? Courage! What makes the dawn come up like thunder? Courage! What makes the Hottentot so hot? What puts the "ape" in apricot? What have they got that I ain't got?
Dorothy, Scarecrow, Tin Woodsman: Courage!
Cowardly Lion: You can say that again! Huh?

As I grew I found my courage...small amounts at first then when I realised that I was a good person and worthy of attention...my squeak got louder....I was a highly skilled Nurse and my squeak turn into a confident louder meow...and when I had my kids that is when the Lioness came out....threaten my cubs and I will ROAR and scratch and bite.

Lion and I are linking up today with

Have a Roaring weekend everyone

XX Jen

Sorry sorry sorry...for being ME...not anymore...Giddy Up Horses!!

2012-02-24T22:47:00.000+11:00

Oh yeah...playin along with Ms Eden in the Apologies MeMe....sure we all have lots we are sorry for...in the past for me it been....

Sorry I'm not the perfect Daughter, Lover, Wife

Sorry I'm so fat and repulsive to look at, talk too or love

Sorry I also have oily hair and pimples

Sorry I don't act as cool as you

Sorry I don't have as much money as all of you

Sorry I don't want to party as hard as you

Sorry your boyfriends is better lookin than mine

Sorry your house is nicer than mine, your car is newer, kids are smarter.....

BLAH BLAH BLAH

That was then....the past...no more sorry for me being me....this is me...I like me now....'all I know is all we are' and I like 'brown paper packages tied up in string' (bonus points for me) that's me folk....hahahaha I love laughing at myself

Great way to finish a Friday!!
Thanks Eden

XX Jen

Pass the MeMe tag....

2012-02-24T18:30:00.000+11:00

Karen from MomAgain@40 tagged me.

So I am happily playing/tagging along as thr rules are flexible and i wont be upset if you dont play.

The (bendable) rules:
"You must post these rules.
Answer the questions the “tagger” listed for you in her post, and create 11 new questions for the people you tag to answer.I only did 5! You must choose 11 people to tag and link to them in the post. I only tagged 5!!
Go to each blogger’s page and mention that you have tagged him/her."

Questions: My answers for Karen

Name a pet peeve? Dishonest people.

What would you do over? Have my children.

Are you happy now? Yes...very...life is good :)

Why/why not? Im being a full time Mumma for the first time in 10yrs and my children and I are closer than ever...I also left my job that was slowly doing my head in!

What book are you reading now? Extraordinary YOU by Vanessa Talbot & Co

How do you take a breather? Im a big fan of the Nanna Nap to recharge in the afternoon

What is your job title? Mum and Organisational Consultant (my new business)

When is your next holiday? Later this year...hopefully NZ with my Bestie

Which do you prefer: Beach or bush holiday? Beach definately...love the bush but the ocean and I are one

How much sleep do you get each night? (Vs. How much sleep does your body need?) 5 or 6hrs...need at least 8 to be totally firing on all cylinders!

Do you listen to Talk Radio or Music Radio? Depends on my mood...mostly music...I like to sing and dance whilst I drive...much to my Teenagers digust....hehe

Wow that wasnt too painful...now it your turn peeps...again only play if you feel the need and have the time...it is a fun way to find out more about each other!

My tagged 5 are.....

Bec from eatatdixiebelles

Lucy from gooseychew

Simone from forheavensabove

Leanne from knowingwheretostand

Wendy from livingsimplyinbauple

Their questions are...again I only did 5 due to time available.

What is your middle name?

Tv or a book?

Favourite meal of all time...what and where?

If you where a flower what type would you be and why?

Sunrise or sunset?

Have a great weekend all
xx Jen

I know its Thursday but I had gremblins...so really its wordless Wednesday for me...Random pics from my week...

2012-02-23T11:37:00.000+11:00

Linking up with Trish @ for wordless Wednesday on Thursday as I could not do a post as my cache needed emptying...thank you to Sonia for her help late last night...its lovely to know there are people willing to help you late at night when your having a mini melt down over not being able to post!!

Shiny day everyone

XX Jen

My weekend looked a little like this....food and food and....

2012-02-20T07:38:00.000+11:00

Yay, sunshine here all weekend...no storms or wind or rain...lovely!!

After my little upsetish release post my friend and I had a quiet dinner and a couple of drinks together and a laugh on Friday night.

Teenage Boy was left to fend for himself and decided "pauper " nachos was what he would have for dinner...he took a pic for me to post...looks yummo..he found bacon, baked beans, salsa, corn chips and cheese and wella!!

These little koftaish chicken delights provided us with a tasty dinner when cooked in the oven, lots of garlic, fresh herbs and lime added...

Served up with some salad and homemade tzatiki, went down a treat with the kids...

Lovin limes at the mo...just had to take a photo...such a fresh fruit...

Now the finishing touches to a foodie weekend..Twin Boy also made this...just because he can...he was inspired after I showed him what Sonia here had created...

You could say our weekend was somewhat food orientated, but we did do some gardening, reading, haircutting,walking, visit with Nan & Pop...we did have lunch out with them...more food, the Teenagers did assignments and I washed uniforms...all about the balance really

How was your weekend peoples??

Cheers to a better week for all

XX Jen

Linking up with Sonia and her

Meme..your blogging tribe, peeps and posse.....

2012-02-18T16:52:00.000+11:00

Hi there, it's a stunning sunny day up here on the coast, but I'm out of the heat...looking after my skin and cruising the blogworld, seeing who is up to what at the mo...since joining this 'club' and I feel like blogging is a club, where we can come together and share some of our lives, the good the bad and the down right ugly and we are not alone in our journeys.

So this week Eden has asked the question about blogging the who what where...
"Who are your favourites .... your tribe, your people, the ones who talk your language? Who resonates with you? Your homies, your peers, your posse?"

I have 3 blogs who I love to read for different reasons...

A Baby called Max....Cherie is a beautiful soul who after a tough start in life has turned into a wonderful woman, wife and Mumma to Max, her blog makes me smile and cry, its refreshing and humble check it out you wont be disappointed.

Eat at Dixiebelles...this blog was my first and Bec was the person who inspired me to get a bloggin...at Dixiebelles you can learn about urban homesteading, crafty ideas, yummy food and her beautiful family...inspiration to leave a little less of a carbon footprint on this earth.

The Kings.....WOW is all I can say about this woman Lisa..the pain she has been through recently and is living with at the moment.....I found her blog via Naomi...who with a little help has raised over $40,000 for Lisa and her boys.....please go have a look at....wonderful human kindness at it best!!

OK so that's four but there are many more I enjoy in my spare time during my week.

Enjoy the weekend everyone

xx Jen

Grateful for nature all around us near our home...Naturehood....

2012-02-18T08:29:00.000+11:00

Hello nature lovers

I have always like to live in town but close to nature, a practical close like to the school bus stop but not with neighbours right on my hammer. The following are some photos of our current naturehood, we live near the beach on a good size block, we have neighbours close by but we dont live in each others pockets...

We have the Pacific Highway out the front and these lovelies just around the corner out the back of the house....

All these pics where taken by Teenage Twin Girl as part of her an art assignment.

Have a lovely weekend everyone and thanks for you kind reassuring words after my post yesterday, I took my friend out for dinner and a few laughs last night...just what we needed!!

XX Jen

Linking up with Maxabella's nature themed

Frustration at being unable to help a friend...

2012-02-17T17:55:00.000+11:00

Hi Everyone

Just need to vent....you know sometimes when a friend is going through a hard time and you just want to make it right and better for them and then another truck load of shit is dumped on them and the frustration at not being able to fix it just builds till you want to explode and scream at the world...ENOUGH!!

Deep breath...

I know that just 'being there' when my friend needs an ear to listen or someone to have a coffee with, or cook a meal and drop it into her house as a surprise is good and its easy to do those things for my friend... but I really just want to do more...but some things you just cant change!!

Deep breath and sigh...

I find being so close to her and the situation makes me want to scream at times but I don't....she doesn't scream, even though I know she wants to desperately. She wants to run and hide and live a life that is easier and fun and peaceful, so different from her everyday now, where there is no privacy or peace or fun in her home.

Deep breathe, sign and wipe my tears....

Thanks for listening...sorry for being somewhat cryptic...but I just needed to let it out on the keyboard...my heart is heavy for my friend and I feel somewhat useless :(

XX Jen

Five fun/funny things about meee....???

2012-02-15T07:26:00.000+11:00

Hello Bloggers and Readers

The delightful Julie from Mama of Two Boys awarded me a Liebster Award...thank you Julie.

With this award I have to share 5 fun things about me and nominate five other bloggers to share the love as well.

So...

1. I never short of things to say...but when I'm angry I can go eerily silent...be afraid....

2. I'm a reality TV freak and a Twihard (Twilight fan...team Edward all the way)

3. I love putting the Top 10 on the TV really loud and singing and dancing around the kitchen on the weekend...much to the disgust of my Teenagers and probably my neighbours

4. I love to swim and love the water, lakes, creek, ocean...but don't put me in a canoe...big boats fine...little boats make me a little 'freaky'...I don't do confined spaces

5. I have a bag and wallet fetish...that's my shopping weakness

Now I would like to award the Liebster Award to....(drum roll)...

Sannah @ Inside the Snuggery

Dave @ A day in the life....

Lib @ KATCapers

Mrs Sabbatical @ Mrs Sabbatical

OurGang of 7

So looking forward to learning alittle more about some of the other bloggers I enjoy following

Bye for now
xx Jen

I am alone...not lonely....this is not a Valentines post :)

2012-02-13T22:29:00.000+11:00

Hi Everyone

I read this somewhere and it has stayed in my mind, so I have been writing this post for a few weeks...stay with me I hope it makes sense....

" I am alone, I am not lonely"

Being single now for a couple of years, I have been asked by some well meaning folks.....
"when are you going to date again?"
"isn't it time you found a fella?"
"don't you miss the company?"
"don't you miss the sex?"

Nup, no, um not really, mind your own business, these are a few of my kinder responses!

You see I enjoy my own company now as I have gotten older, I have learnt to be happy with me as I am, how I am in my space at my own pace!
I also have my three kidlets so seriously how much "alone" time do I really have......I'm never lonely.

As a teenager I craved company, I needed to be out with others and be involved in what was going on...anything so I wasn't by myself, back then I didn't like myself let alone enjoy being with myself. After an outing with friends and I got home, I would feel extremely sad and alone, and be making plans for the next outing or on the phone.... no facebook or sms back then to keep you company.

I look back and realise having an undiagnosed depressive/anxiety illness as a teenager, for me to keep functioning I had to stay busy and have people around me to feel lifted...otherwise I may have ended up the recluse or the teenager that felt life was no longer worth living and suicides.

Now though, I crave my alone time...don't get me wrong, I love my kids to bits and I really enjoy going out with friends....but I can be quite content at home alone on a Friday or Saturday night...just me..in my own time and space...pottering around the house or watching a movie or reading others fabulous blogs....I'm not lonely...I am alone..

I don't miss sex...I had plenty of that for a number of years and the need for sex has disappeared being on antidepressants...it's a chemical thing that happens...you get the happy chemicals balanced but the sex chemicals go AWOL...all I know is that I would rather feel happy and get out of bed everyday than be miserable and have sex in bed some days.

Just wanted to express those thoughts, thanks for reading, would love to hear you thoughts on the subject...feel free to email me if you don't want to write in the comments.

XX Jen

Garlic and Little Bits that cook dinner, gotta be grateful & love that

2012-02-11T08:57:00.000+11:00

Well, I do like simple things...pretty things and food...

Having coffee on Thursday before perusing the Growers market out of the corner of my eye...beauty in the form of this....

A rope of Russian garlic......

hanging at a stall calling too me....

you know you want me Jen....

How could I resist...

It was only fair....

last week at the market a whole bucket of Roses...for $20

this week garlic glorious garlic...for $18

Now my kids frequently think I'm losing the plot..

Little Bit got home from school...

looked at the garlic and said....

"Mum are we having trouble with the Vampires again" ??...

love her humour...she gets it from me....

Linking up today with Maxabella here on the theme of grateful and food for the soul.

So when Little Bit announced (after being home today with funky tonsils) she would make us dinner tonight because she loves me and add in some of my garlic.... we had the yummiest omelette ever...made with lots of LOVE

Bye for now

XX Jen

Fresh Horses - Music for your funeral? Too many choices!!

2012-02-10T20:50:00.000+11:00

So now a question that we don't ask everyday....what music would you like at your funeral, Eden over at Edenland has chosen this as this week topic for.....

Some may find the topic upsetting to discuss their pending funerals, but yeah it will happen one day and really for me my funeral wont be for me it will be about those I leave behind.

Already in my will I have stated that I want a no fuss celebration of my life and my ashes scattered across the ocean on a sunny day.

Music...what would I like played?.... what would have meaning from my life..oh the possibilities..

Only one thing to do MY Funeral Top 10!! ( in no particular order)

1. One more night by Phil Collins...may have been my virginity loss song

2. Africa by Toto...first album I won in a competition

3. Blister in the sun by Violent Femes...many a Friday night partying song

4. Still haven't found what I'm looking by U2....always looking for me

5. Beat It by Michael Jackson...was a nickname I had a one time and MJ rocks!

6. Down Under by Men at Work....well I am an Aussie

7. 1999 by Prince...theme song in high school

8. Landslide by Fleetwood Mac....just a lovely love song

9. End of the Road by Boyz ll Men....well

10. Beautiful Day by U2...happy one to finish

I have always had an eclectic love of music....so many more songs and tomorrow may list will probably change?

Have a great weekend all

XX Jen

Little Bits...blue yummy cupcakes...

2012-02-08T17:00:00.000+11:00

Linking up today for some Wordless Weds action...

Bake these

Add this and...

You get sweet blue yums made with love by Little Bit

Happy humpday

XX Jen

Cats sleep anywhere!!

2012-02-07T07:48:00.000+11:00

Hello there, this is one of my favourite childhood poems, it has always stayed in my head and when my cats have been found in unusual places it comes to mind and makes me smile.

Cats sleep anywhere -
Eleanor Farjeon (1881 - 1965)

Cats sleep anywhere, any table, any chair.
Top of piano, window-ledge, in the middle, on the edge.
Open draw, empty shoe, anybody's lap will do.
Fitted in a cardboard box, in the cupboard with your frocks.
Anywhere! They don't care! Cats sleep anywhere.

This is our boy Mr Tinks, we adopted him from my Sister 3 years ago when she moved to Singapore. I don't think the poet had this spot in mind when she wrote the poem, Cassie didn't really enjoy him padding her butt with his claws...lol

Have a fun day everyone

XX Jen

My weekend...we had sunshine, no rain and it felt GOOD...

2012-02-06T07:54:00.000+11:00

Hello World

I mentioned the other day I was feelin a bit mouldy...we have had a lot of rain over the last few weeks.

I'm sending special wishes to those of you who have had flooding in your homes, schools and towns...may the rain stop soon and you have a chance to dry out.

Here in Coffs Harbour we have had 3 yes 3 days in a row of sunshine...it is marvellous and shiny and I don't feel mouldy anymore.

Just thought I would share some pics of sunshine to express how much better I feel when the sun is out :)

Hoping you all have a shiny week...unless you need rain?

XX Jen








                                                                                                                All images from google

Joining in with the Sunny Sonia @ LLH today

The things Mummas say....

2012-02-05T18:30:00.000+11:00

My mother has said nearly all these things to me. What wonderful memories. I have been known to say a few to my kids too...funny when I read them in this context. This list was emailed to me from my friend Sim...enjoy

XX Jen

WHAT I OWE MY MOTHER: 1. My mother taught me TO APPRECIATE A JOB WELL DONE.
'If you're going to kill each other, do it outside. I just finished cleaning.'

2. My mother taught me RELIGION .
'You better pray that this will come out of the carpet.'

3. My mother taught me about TIME TRAVEL
'If you don't straighten up, I'm going to knock you into the middle of next week!'

4. My mother taught me LOGIC .
' Because I said so, that's why.'

5. My mother taught me MORE LOGIC .
'If you fall out of that swing and break your neck, you're not going shopping with me.'

6. My mother taught me FORESIGHT.
'Make sure you wear clean underwear, in case you're in an accident.'

7. My mother taught me IRONY.
'Keep crying, and I'll give you something to cry about.'

8. My mother taught me about the science of OSMOSIS.
'Shut your mouth and eat your dinner.'

9. My mother taught me about CONTORTIONISM .
'Will you look at that dirt on the back of your neck!'

10. My mother taught me about STAMINA
'You'll sit there until all that SOUP is gone.'

11. My mother taught me about WEATHER ..
'This room of yours looks as if a tornado went through it.'

12. My mother taught me about HYPOCRISY
'If I told you once, I've told you a million times. Don't exaggerate!'

13. My mother taught me the CIRCLE OF LIFE .
'I brought you into this world, and I can take you out.'

14. My mother taught me about BEHAVIOUR MODIFICATION.
'Stop acting like your father!'

15. My mother taught me about ENVY.
'There are millions of less fortunate children in this world who don't have wonderful parents like you do..'

16. My mother taught me about ANTICIPATION.
'Just wait until we get home.'

17. My mother taught me about RECEIVING .
'You are going to get it when you get home!'

18. My mother taught me MEDICAL SCIENCE.
'If you don't stop crossing your eyes, they are going to get stuck that way.'

19. My mother taught me ESP .
'Put your sweater on; don't you think I know when you are cold?'

20. My mother taught me HUMOUR .
'When that lawn mower cuts off your toes, don't come running to me..'

21. My mother taught me HOW TO BECOME AN ADULT .
'If you don't eat your vegetables, you'll never grow up.'

22. My mother taught me GENETICS.
'You're just like your father.'

23. My mother taught me about my ROOTS.
'Shut that door behind you. Do you think you were born in a tent?'

24. My mother taught me WISDOM.
'When you get to be my age, you'll understand.'

25. And my favourite:
My mother taught me about JUSTICE'One day you'll have kids, and I hope they turn out just like you '

Handwriting.....

2012-02-04T18:06:00.001+11:00

Linking up with for something different to do on a Saturday...check it out a bit of fun...we all need fun :)

Simple things that make me smile...ROSES...at a bargain price!!

2012-02-03T23:19:00.000+11:00

Hello Everyone,
This week I'm grateful for the simple things...linking up with Maxabella Loves
and Kidspot for their

Sorry I have been a bit quiet this week but we and I really mean the kids...used up all the data for the month on the net...soooo my computer has been at painfully slow dial up speed...gotta love the holidays :)

The week included...

Monday - Little Bit went back to school, all happy and shiny and I got to cover books the first night back

Tuesday - Teenage Twins also returned to school and I manage to take photos which I uploaded very early Wednesday am here I manage to post it. I didn't think the Teenagers would let me take their pic but I think they are humouring Mumma. I then had 6 whole hours to meself....hehe

Wednesday - I had to attend my fortnightly check in at the employment agency....it is a different experience and one that probably deserves its own post?

Thursday - I was up and out of the house to attend my first Business Womens Network meeting at 7am...that made me happy and shiny...things are progressing for my business.
I was so excited I went to the growers market and bought myself a WHOLE bucket of ROSES

For the BARGAIN price of $20 I had a whole bucket of slightly rain* damaged beauties , every room in the house now has colour and scent and rosey loveliness...even teenage boys room got a vase.

Friday - today I got to catch for coffee and carrot cake up with my Bestie, her Sis and her Mum, she is my second Mum, I call her Mum and she has been wonderful to me over the years. My Bestie and her family are my family too and I love em to bits!

So again simple things have made me grateful and happy and shiny...alittle sunshine today also helped...too much rain doesn't go well with depression, I get very mood affected by the weather...so the ROSES and the good company of friends cheered me up..

Have a great weekend all

XX Jen

* We have had soooooo much rain...everything is musty and mouldy....even me....but we don't flood so I'm also extremely grateful for that.

Wordless Wednesday...They are back...At School....

2012-02-01T14:33:00.000+11:00

Well we all survived the long wet school hols, cant blog much at the moment as our internet has been shaped due to children watching too many u tube clips...lol

XX Jen

The Grateful journal...part 2

2012-01-27T22:10:00.000+11:00

Hello grateful bloggers, hope your week was a fun and eventful in a good way.

A couple of weeks ago I did my grateful blog about my new bedside journal  over here and how every evening I would make a couple of notes from the day that was and also write down what I had been grateful for that day. It is working really well, I find as I get into bed at night I recall the day and pick out my grateful moment, sometimes there is more than one....bonus!! Doing this little thing for myself at the end of the day actually puts a wee smile on my face which is a wonderful way to head off to dream land.

The simple things still remain the most grateful to me, although maybe if I had won lotto on Saturday it may have been the top of my list. Some of my gratefuls have recently included

- having a massage
- seeing a beautiful pink hibicus flower
- chatting on the phone to a distant friend
- ceiling fans on a hot day
- the look on Little bits face when she plays with her budgie
- a new purple t shirt for $9.95
- marinated goats feta
- last week of school hols

Another bonus of journalling before bed is it clears my head, quiets the mind, something I tend to struggle with at times, I even blogged a poem last week here about the challenge to get decent sleep.

All in all Im happy with my choice to jot down my gratefuls each day, would love to say my journal looked like this all arty and creative

but alas it is more like this one...below

                                     images from google.

Linking up today with Maxabella Loves and Kidspot

XX Jen

Indoor Oz Day

2012-01-26T21:08:00.000+11:00

Very wet day here on the North Coast of NSW, flooding just north and south of us :( A friend has had the lower level of the house under knee deep water for the second time in 7mths!!

So our Oz day plans were to stay inside out of the rain and off the roads. Twin Girl had a friend stay over last night and another joined them today as their beach bbq plans turned into using the gas camp cooker in the garage. They had fun and even included Little Bit in the fun at times.

Me I clean up, used the clothes dryer watched Dr Phil and some tennis, then supervised Little Bit make an Aussie Day damper...

Nikki got his Ozzie day on and was happily carried around in the bucket hat!!

Hope you all had a good day, where ever you were and whatever you did and whom ever you spent it with

Cheers Jen xx

Wordless Wednesday...

2012-01-25T12:20:00.000+11:00

Yep....its wet!!

Linking up with Wordless Wednesday over at

XX Jen

Taxi..!!

2012-01-22T23:18:00.000+11:00

Oh yes when I became a full time Mumma 7mths ago I knew things would be different. Cooking, baking, less stress, less money, being home with the kids more all good except I forgot about having the ability to become even more of a taxi service to my darlings than before. I was very use to the sports runs, I get to watch them play and do my best to behave as a well controlled sideline parent :)

You see I did tell the Teenage Twins to get jobs before the nearly over
Xmas hols....and they did...but do you think they could co ordinate their shifts (OK so they do work at different places). No Mumma likes playing TAXI, especially when my boy starts at 8am Sat and 9am Sun wtf...hello weekend...sleep in...tea and paper in bed!! (last weekend was a pure fluke of nature perhaps like here)

images from here

So today Twin boy started at 9am, Twin Girl at 10am...was lovely actually we dropped TB (twin Boy) off and had breakfast at a cafe before she started...I'm much happier after a latte.TG (twin girl) finished at 2pm and TB not until 3.30...but wait..." Mum can you NOT pick me up then I want to go to the movies with a 'friend' " No problem what time does the movie finish..."oh 8.45pm ish !!! He and his "friend" 'hung out' till 6pm movie time.

I think a meter installed into the commodore maybe a way to start earning an income for me...after all they are both earning good money...but then I am saving money as they are paying for things...like movie tickets themselves.

Just sorta glad that the school bus will be back on track next week and my meter will be ticking over abit less...it would be alot less painful if petrol wasn't sooo expensive atm.

That was pretty much my weekend, not sure it counts as wonderful but

linking up with Sonia anyways and I did manage to watch a bit of tennis and do alittle gardening...borrowed my Dads hedger...that was fun...hehe

Enjoy you week

XX Jen

Im grateful I didnt have to bury my husband today....

2012-01-20T23:45:00.000+11:00

This is not a happy post...

My neighbour over the back fence had to bury her husband today, and it has haunted me all week.

I have not met them but have smiled and waved when hanging out my washing, my laundry is higher than their yard , steps down to my line gave me a view of their drive and front door.

They moved in about 6 mths ago and the husband had these cute little Morris cars, 3 or 4 and they sometimes did weddings, I would see him polishing the cars and attaching the white ribbon and the mini Bride and Groom to the bonnet. He and his wife would drive the cars dressed in suits..really sweet.

They have some little yap yap dogs that lived inside and I could tell when someone came to the door as the barking would start, until a firm "be quiet" was issued.

Last Thursday afternoon Little Bit and I had been having some quiet "reading" time, aka a nanna nap so it was about 5.30 when I went to the bathroom, as you do. I thought I heard a women yell out " help me someone I cant..." I rushed outside the front door nothing there, to my neighbours right and left...all looked fine, out to my laundry to look over the back, no noise or movement all seemed OK.

I though I must have been hearing things or maybe next door was watching a movie?

Not so, five minutes later I could hear the sirens...which is not uncommon unfortunately living so close to the Pacific Highway. They got closer and I felt sick, something was wrong close by but I didn't know what or where?
The nurse in me (which I will never lose) wanted to help...but I couldn't.

2 ambulances and 2 police cars raced up the drive behind my house but it was too late, my neighbour was dead. The ambos could do nothing, his wife had been doing CPR (I heard the police say), she had got home from work and found him , they were in the garage, hence why I couldn't see them. I asked an officer if my neighbour needed me to come sit with her until family arrive, but the police said they would stay with her.

I feel he may have taken his own life, they put up police tape and the forensics were there until 10pm that night, then finally the undertakers arrived to take my neighbour to the morgue. His brother was there as well, they have a grown up daughter and he was 56yrs old according to the funeral notice.

I have felt strange and uneasy about it all week, sad for his wife and daughter.

I'm grateful I didn't have to bury the father of my children or family member today.

Sorry to write such a sad post but I really need to get out my feelings of sadness and share my gratefulness.

XX Jen
Linking up with at http://maxabellaloves.blogspot.com/2012/01/52-weeks-of-grateful-inspiration.html

"What ARE You Doing" Autism Awareness Film

2012-01-19T13:58:00.000+11:00

Hi Everyone

I just wanted to share this link with you today to increase awareness on Autism.

Well worth reading, I'm sure most of us know someone who has a child with some form of Autism, there is such a wide variety of symptoms across the spectrum.

Lets spread the word to get more funding for research and education happening and increase awareness to others about the condition, especially our children so they can help these kids at school to feel welcomed and included.

Happy Thursday

XX Jen

Meaninless Meandering from a Madmother: "What ARE You Doing" Autism Awareness Film

Question & Answer session - very random!

2012-01-18T15:39:00.000+11:00

1. Grab the nearest book to you and turn to page 23 and read line 17.

"She is sensitive and kind, She is thoughtful and wise" from The Princess and the pea

2. What does your last text message say from someone?

Aunty left one of your cards on my dresser is she trying to tell me something....

3. Ever had a poem or song written about you?

Yes, but not a flattering one I care to share.

4. Ever stuck a random object up your nose?

A tampon when it was bleeding!!

5. Do you prefer to be behind the camera or in front of it?

Definitely a behind the scenes girl.

6. Do you believe in karma?

Sure do, what goes around comes back around!

7. Who is your celebrity crush?

Miranda Kerr...could change teams for her!!

8. Have you ever gone skinny dipping?

Oh yes one NYE into the Hawkesbury River, with 9 friends we were staying on a houseboat for 3 nights...good times...BC (before children)

9. How do you vent your anger?

Yell, scream, swear, eat.

10. Do you have a collection of anything?

My children's baby teeth.

11. What is a sound you hate, sound you love?

I hate any sound first thing in the morning.

The sound I love is quietness in the mornings :)

I found this from Simone over at http://honeynfizz.blogspot.com/

Just sharing alittle of myself with you my followers

XX Jen

Try to sleep

2012-01-17T09:44:00.000+11:00

How do you turn it off
The constant noise
The churning of ideas
The doubt, the negative

Clear my thoughts
Try to sleep

Even then its working
Thinking, planning,
What next, what if,

Deep breathe, relax
Turn it off, quiet the noise
Jot down the ideas, banish the doubt, talk up the positive

Clear my thoughts
Try to sleep

XX Jen

Weekend wrap....

2012-01-16T07:06:00.000+11:00

Linking up with Sonia today

My wonderful weekend was quiet and simple, just the way I like it.
I'm still in holiday mode too as the kids don't go back to school for another two weeks we are making the most of slow starts and chill time.

Saturday morning was tea and the paper in bed.

Later Susie Homemaker popped in and started some placemat sewing using the leftover material from her chair renovations. Don't look too closely....don't think she was wearing her glasses!!

Sunday started slowly too, but was the highlight of the weekend as I had a lovely seafood and vino lunch with two of my favourite girlfriends...no pics too much taking and laughing for that!!

Have a wonderful week all
XX Jen

A little reminder.....

2012-01-12T16:04:00.001+11:00

I found this written on my sticky notes apple, Little Bit strikes again!

So grateful for this reminder, especially with 3 weeks of school hols to go :)

xx Jen
Linking up withand Maxabella Loves now over at Kidspot on Thursdays

We have a new family member....

2012-01-11T22:09:00.000+11:00

Little Bit my 9yr old daughter wishes to announce the arrival of Nikki to our family! He or she(cant tell yet) landed in our home on Sunday a belated Xmas present from moi.

Just like a baby Nikki likes to nap, eat, poop and play! Little Bit is being very gentle and a good Mumma, even having Nikki sleeping in her room (for the time being).

We just have to keep Mr Tinks away, because as he is an ageing meow...about 16yrs old he is still agile and doesn't miss a thing.

Hope everyones week is rockin along

XX Jen

Jotting down my Gratefuls..

2012-01-07T07:47:00.000+11:00

Grateful is the catch word of the moment...and I love it, it makes me think about the small everyday little things that are simple, don't cost much and make me smile.

This year due to some Xmas gifting from my Twin Boy and a friend I now have 3 diaries, so one is staying by the bedside as a journal/notebook/daily grateful book, so I thought I would post my week of gratefuls. As I said they are the simple things that make me happy and remind me that life is good.

Sunday - quiet time with just myself

Mondays - sunshine

Tuesday - first swim in the ocean this season

Wednesday - spent 2hrs with my Bestie just catchin up

Thursday - Allana had a friend over to play

Friday - got to see my Sis before she goes back to Singapore

Saturday - the 5 teenagers here for a sleepover last night behaved themselves

I'm also really grateful for these little beauties in the garden are they not the most amazing looking ginger flowers!!

XX Jen linking up Maxabella Loves

You know its Summer school holidays when.....

2012-01-06T19:35:00.000+11:00

OK we plough on through the holidays, sleeping in, eating lots, beaching, reading, watching TV/DVDs/U Tube, nanna naps, pjs all day and after a few weeks of R & R things start to become obvious, that indeed everyone has adapted to the non stressed, slower pace of January (unless you had to go back to work...sorry bout that!)

But I have a little list just to check off that indeed the summer school hols are here....

# the fridge and pantry are constantly empty and second daily trips for groceries are a given

# there is enough sand in the car to make a castle

# children living in your house that are not yours

# the veranda railings are decorated in towels and swimmers

# you don't see your teenagers till lunch time (they have to emerge for food from their beds at some stage)

# the carpet is crunchy under your feet

# the cat is spending extending time outside 'hiding' in the garden

# the 'Im Bored' song plays on a loop every couple of hours

# the laundry basket is always full but so is the clothes line

# the Internet speed has been 'shaped' to dial up speed 13 days into the month

# a little more of the household budget has been spent on alcohol

# facebook friends are 'online' during the day to chat

# the sandwich press 'lives' permanently out on the kitchen bench

# unmade beds, unshowered children...general untidiness all round

# the 'what are we doing tomorrow' poem is read before bed each night

# you cant remember what day it is....I just keep saying 'its Sunday'

Have you got a few more to add ?

Have a great summer holiday weekend everyone

XX Jen

Meatless Wednesday...posted on Thursday

2012-01-05T06:47:00.000+11:00

Some of you may remember last year (so fun saying that) I started Meatless Mondays here at home after Twin Girl and her friends at school were discussing it at school, the idea came from here http://meatlessmondays-australia.com/.

We will continue this year but will mix up the day each week, this week its Wednesday and we are having a quiche/frittata/eggy tuna pie bakey thingy with fresh herbs and spinach from the garden and some cream added today as it was in the fridge, left over cooked rice, and a tin of tuna.

Very pleased with the end product, used up some left overs, got to add in fresh spinach & herbs from my little garden the kids to eat tuna without noticing and complaining....even though Twin Boy still covered his in tomato sauce!! You could top with cheese but I didn't as my kids seem to be devouring cheese like rats during the holidays!!

Thanks everyone for the positive feedback on my chair covering, will look at the table for awhile yet to decide whether to leave or paint, but the dining is cheery and bright now and I give myself alittle pat on the back each day for my handy work :)

Cheers for now

XX Jen

She's back and she is busy...

2012-01-03T06:17:00.000+11:00

Well after her little summer/Xmas vacation she is back....Susie Homemaker my alter ego...and she has been very busy around the house doing all those New Year things. Susie often appears at my house on Mondays, that's her time to do house work, bake, pay bills, weekend washing, plan the meals and cook a couple of things for the week.

For the new year already she has cleaned out and scrubbed the fridge and the other white goods, culled and packed up the Xmas decos, gone through Little Bits bedroom and "tidied" whilst she was at her Dads.
Susie has moved a few things around in the house, lit a new candle and bought new tea towels and undies....essential for a fresh start to the year.

Susie also whipped up a very tasty 2012 pie for dinner last night using leftover spag bol mince and the last sheet of pastry from the freezer

BUT now she has added furniture restoration to her repertoire, she is so multi talented it really surprises me what she can do at times. So I decided a few weeks ago that I was over my large square 10 seat dining table....it just didn't work for me in the new place (nearly been here a year now!) I wanted to go back to a simple round table with 4 seats....just right for the kids & me, so we could sit closer and share more at dinner time than just a meal...it is so hard getting any info out of Teenagers about their day!!

My new Bestie.....

A staple gun

It helped my turn this tired old Op shop table and chairs into a fresh bright new set for our home

Susie has done me proud with this and the kids and I sat and ate our 'made from scratch' Butter Chicken...thanks Twin Girl for cooking and it felt good, connected and more family than the old table.

I have not done this type of thing before but figured...hey I have watched so many home deco/reno shows...I will give it a go...they are not perfect...but I have 'let go' of perfect these days and it feels great.

And the cost?

Table and chairs - not a set - (were 6) delivered = $ 155
Staple gun and extra staples - $ 42
Material = $ 80 (there are left overs for cushion covers and placemats to come) Spotlight may become my new 'hang out'...hehe

Not bad for $ 277 !!

Now Susie is thinking the table will need a spruce up too...any ideas out there?? Leave natural or paint??

Have a great first week of 2012

XX Jen

Well thats so 2011....

2012-01-01T08:52:00.000+11:00

Hello 2012

Time to start afresh, make some plans, some goals, strive to accomplish great things OR 2012 can be a continuum from 2011!!

2011 was a huge year for me I QUIT MY JOB and it has been fabulous, not one moment of self doubt or regret, it is a really big accomplishment to just say "I'm out of here, there is more to my life than this job" I was fortunate to have the money in savings (forgo the overseas holiday) to take the time out to re evaluate, re define and prioritise my life. TO FEEL HAPPY AGAIN :)

My children and I have had a much more simple, peaceful and stress less 6 months, so my plans for this year are:

* Continue with the HAPPY
* Continue to SMILE
* Continue with the SIMPLE
* Continue to be GRATEFUL
* Continue COOKING from scratch for the majority of our meals
* Get my business up and running and earning an income to support myself and my kids

That is enough, plenty to keep me going, 2011 introduced me to this wonderful world of blogging and its been a blessing, reading and communicating with so many of you has given me such perspective and many a laugh and tear along the way...THANK YOU

XX Jen

Cape Tribulation July 2011

1 sleep...

2011-12-24T08:27:00.000+11:00

Last word...Merry Christmas..

May
Everyone
Really
   Relax
    Yourselves

Cherish
Hugs
Insist on
   Smooches &
    Tickle
     Moments
       Altogether
        Sweetly

Oh the excitement and build up of the last few weeks.....tomorrow all will be revealed in our Xmas day lives, I really hope you all have the most wonderful time whatever you choose to do and whomever you choose to be with...make it light, fun, joyous and share the love of this special time..

Be safe
Be happy
Be yourself

Thanks for taking the time to visit my world
Lots of Big virtual hugs
XX Jen

2 sleeps....

2011-12-23T07:15:00.000+11:00

Getting closer now....2 sleeps....are we ready for PRESENTS ??

                                                       Playing
                                                         Resting
                                                           Elfs
                                                             Swimming
                                                               Enjoying
                                                                 Nuts
                                                                    Turkey
                                                                      Snuggles
XX Jen

3 sleeps...

2011-12-22T11:18:00.000+11:00

Hello there those who have not signed off for Christmas, Noise was the feedback word yesterday....so true, good noise, bad noise, I'm very noise intolerant!!

More words for Christmas....Tree

                                    Traditions
                                      Reality
                                        Enjoyment
                                          Eating

XX Jen

4 sleeps....

2011-12-21T07:27:00.000+11:00

Todays word......XMAS

                                     Xciting
                                Memories
                                 Alcohol
                                  Singing

Thanks for the words sent my way yesterday....Indulgence came up a few times...it can be a good thing :0

Happy days everyone

XX Jen

5 sleeps...

2011-12-20T06:42:00.000+11:00

                    5 sleeps to go till I get to spend Xmas day with my family...........a few word games till then....

Some of my words to describe some of the fun of Xmas day....SANTA....

                                                                   Surprise

                                                                    Anticipation

                                                                    Noel

                                                                    Talkfest

                                                                    Attitude

What would be your words...leave them in the comments and I will post tomz

XX Jen

My baby turned 9 today

2011-12-18T21:06:00.000+11:00

I know we often say 'where did the time go' but today I'm really feelin it, my Little Bit- Allana turned 9 today a tween now no longer my little baby or little girl but she will always be my Little Bit, my Chick pea my last born.

Allana was my bonus baby, I never had a goal of how many children I wanted, I was happy to go with the flow and be grateful for what the universe gave me. When I found out I was pregnant with the twins at the 18wk ultrasound, life as I knew it changed, in a scary, very challenging but great way.

After the twins turned 1 and I was medicated for depression life seemed to settle and we found our groove, then I split with their Dad and it was them and me and that was fine too....don't get me wrong...two 18mth olds very hard...but they and I survived!! I went back to work and made a life for us together, bought a house and planned a day at a time.

Then I re-met Allanas Dad, we had gone out as teenagers off and on for a couple of years...we always had a very deep connection, but somehow the timing never worked for us then. So when he moved in with the twins and I we planned to add to our family, I had an extremely strong desire for another child and to take time to enjoy having a baby because with the twins the 1st year really was just going through the motions.

So on the 18th December 2002 she entered the world wide awake and totally switched on.... and thankfully that is how she remains!!

Yes the cake turned out!

Allana had seen all the lovely rainbow cakes but she only wanted 2 layers green & blue, much easier for first time birthday cake maker!!

We added some Mooshi monsters on top and she was wrapped.

Have a great week everyone, enjoy the festive and take time to take all the wonder in.

XX Jen

Little Bits giant cookies and Santa

2011-12-16T20:23:00.000+11:00

Little Bit turns 9 on Sunday and all of a sudden this week she is gettin her chef on!! Together we did Ginger bread on Monday which needs some refining and we forgot the bicarb...so maybe next year we will attempt the Ginger bread house...not ready for that yet.

But yesterday she off and made the worlds biggest white choc chip cookies!!
In the name of promoting Independence (OK, so I was trying to do some paper work) I told her she had to do it herself and clean up afterwards....1st time I sat back and let her loose in the kitchen all by herself...

Little bit is vertically challenged (she has two shortish parents) and could not get the recipe books down so on the net she went and found the recipe below...not sure from where but these are yummy, crispy on the outside and chewy in the centre...she did an awesome job!

So in the name of caring and sharing yum food, here is the recipe, she used
white choc chips but I'm thinkin the next batch will be dark choc chips!!

Giant Cookies

2 cups plain flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup of melted unsalted butter
1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/2 cup whit sugar
1 tablespoon of vanilla extract
1 egg
1 egg yolk
2 cups choc chips ( we only had about a cup in the pantry...was enough!)

Preheat oven 165 C, line trays with baking paper
Sift together flour salt & baking soda - set aside
Cream melted butter and sugars until well blended
Beat in vanilla, egg & extra egg yolk until light and creamy
Mix in sifted ingredients until just blended, then add choc chips with a spoon
Drop cookie dough 1/4 cup at a time 5cm apart on baking tray
Bake for 15 - 17 minutes, or until the edges are lightly browned
Cool on a rack (or not) and ENJOY!!

Today was also Santa photo day...last year I think, Little Bit was very excited and wore her Christmas dress that Super Nan (my Mum) gave her last year...just still fits...gotta love gettin two Xmas's out of one dress :)

Santa and her had a good old chuckle about something!!

Have a fantastic festive weekend, be kind to yourselves and take some time out to just be..and my next post will be the birthday pics and the cake I'm making..OMG...yes making...first time ever for one of my kids??!!! Wish me luck :)

xx Jen

The sun was out!!

2011-12-14T19:23:00.000+11:00

            The sun was out
             I shaved my legs
              I don a dress

ok that was yesterday, its currently raining here again

XX Jen

Happy 50th Blog to me....

2011-12-13T09:05:00.000+11:00

Wow 50 blog posts already, I remember when I started back in July this year thinking I will give this blog thingy a go, I like to write, and I have time on my hands now that I'm semi retired. I didn't expect to have a whole new world open up to me. There are so many wonderful bloggers out there and I know I only have made a tiny scratch in the surface of blog land.

Two lovely ladies who encouraged and inspired me to give blogging a go are Bec at http://eatatdixiebelles.blogspot.com/ and Kellie at http://1000homesofhappiness.blogspot.com/
Thanks you for your help in getting started and reading/commenting of my posts.

Thank you to everyone else who has popped over and read my blog and left kind messages it means alot to me, also I have a band of followers on Facebook and I thank them too for taking the time to read and give me feedback.

I don't have any grand plans or goals for this blog, I will just write about whatever floats my boat at the time, so stay tuned for ????

Little Bit took this 'arty' shot of me as I was blogging..., I was concentrating and didn't even notice!

Bye for now
XX Jen

Teenage piercings?

2011-12-12T10:22:00.000+11:00

So I may just be getting older...OK..I am....not that old though, but I have noticed a vast increase in the number of people sporting tattoos and piercings, not just subtle small discrete but I'm talkin serious ink goin on and huge bolts, bars, spacers and rings in all manner of facial parts and beyond!!

Twin daughter has been asking for the last two years to get her nose pierced, why I asked 'cause its individual, its me' wrong answer lov, there is no way your putting something through your nose until you are old enough to really know what you want....sorry but I don't find nose, lip, tongue, eyebrow, nipple etc piercings attractive at all....but hey that's just me.

Ears on the other hand, go for it, love earrings, I have double and half ear holes but only use one set now, have had them since I was 10 and love them. Twin daughter got her first ear piercings when she was 8yrs old and Little Bit had hers at 6yrs, all good no dramas, have told Twin Boy he can get his done but he wanted the spacer type...no way not in this tribe son.

Today Twin daughter got her left ear anti-tragus pierced with a subtle silver bar, I told her when she had a job and could pay for it go for it, I signed the forms and left her to it with her friend (she didn't want me there, cause I said I wanted to take pics)

And the result....

I think it looks fine, delicate and subtle and she is really happy with it.
And yep that's the anti-tragus, I had no idea where it was...lols apparently not a common piercing according to the man wielding the needle.

So I have to ask the questions.

Are you into tats and piercing and is it a case of the bigger the better or does putting metal into organs or orifices works for you?

Why do you get them?

At the end of the day its each to their own and whatever makes you happy with your body image.

Bye for now

XX Jen

OK this is it, decorating is done....promise : 0

2011-12-11T09:26:00.000+11:00

Yes just a few more pictures as I promised Little Bit I would show off her handy, crafty work.
We both worked on the paper chain, as a child we always made these I thought out of newspaper but Mum assures me it was crepe paper!
We decked the hall.....

Allana's own reindeer....Hippy the green nose reindeer to be precise, hand painted by herself!! Lovin the purple feet.

So that's it no more, feelin a bit Griswold's now, the new solar lights are lovely, we look out the lounge room window to the front garden outside....except its been overcast and rainy again....no sun....no twinkle lights..oh well maybe tonight??

Ooops!! nearly forgot my kick arse Xmas nails painted by the Lovely Lisa from Hand & Body Concepts at the plaza....

Thanks for taking the time to have a look at our Xmassy home, I have enjoyed popping over and looking at your places too....just a another way to share the spirit in Blogland, hope everyone has a restful Sunday ready for another crazy pre Xmas week. I'm taking Girl Twin to get some part of her ear pierced??? she has been at me for 2 yrs to get her nose done but NO...we have settled on the top of her ear...def will post some pics just to annoy her, one of my favourite games at the moment...stir up the Teenagers....cause boy do they get me stirred up on a daily basis... : 0

Bye now
XX Jen

Im Grateful for....

2011-12-09T21:27:00.000+11:00

Hello Lovelies

Linking up today with http://maxabellaloves.blogspot.com/2011/12/this-week-im-grateful-for-your-basic.html I should do a grateful post on the joy of Xmas but this week has been dominated by heavy women issues!!

So I am grateful that I'm nearing the end of my reproductive life instead of starting it....I'm over having periods!! I know some may be cringing now or clicked off my post but really after 31yrs I'm done, had it, sick of the back pain, mad hormonal moments, mood swings, the expense and the anaemia!!

This week has exhausted me, wont go into the gory details but needless to say I was wearing more padding than a Gridiron player in the super bowl!!

Thankfully this is only my third period for the year as I take the pill continuously as it works well in combination with the antidepressant. Sort of keeps me on a straight line instead of bouncing up and down.

So on that note, is anyone else over the girly stuff??

Have a joyous weekend all

XX Jen

Gettin our festive on....I think we are done now? Part 1

2011-12-09T14:00:00.000+11:00

Ho Ho Ho, we have worked our way around the house with our decos, after I got the sneaky head start on Monday Little Bit has kept the festive craft and decoration going, but enough now!!

Dining table lights

Little Bit and the boy next door dressed the tree, just some minor balancing touches by moi

Spotlight had there decos 1/2 price yesterday...just had to get s few new ones!!

Even the fish get some festive bling with this homemade tree I found at the Op shop a couple of years ago, I love to get a few old/new things every year

New red bow for the front door my old wreath was retired after last year it had served me well for over a decade..

Love the mat too

This lovely lady I bought a couple of years ago in the post Xmas sales she is tin and so sweet

This angel was another Op shop handmade find, she is a bit vintage, next to her some other handmade pieces picked up over the years..

A few more pics to come (Part 2) as Little bit has painted her own reindeer but its drying at the moment and she wants me to post a pic also she has made a really long coloured paper chain that we have to hand yet..

Have a lovely weekend everyone

XX Jen

Gettin a sneaky head start....

2011-12-05T11:43:00.000+11:00

So today is the day our Christmas decos, lights and tree goes up and on....when the kids are home from school....but so I get a go at doing something creative (which I'm sooo not) I jumped in this morning and just did a couple of things....I'm sure the ~~ferals~~ kids wont mind!

Hehe, they hate them but I love the Santa pictures over the years, since 2009 it has only been Little Bit, the Twins break my heart and refuse to visit Santa :( anymore.

Love the look on Santa's face it was his first baby twins!! We lived in Grafton at the time and the kids were 3mths old, they had no idea...lol

As you can see Little bit still loves to get her Santa on,,,,and she still has the magic!!

OK this is my creative bit....I did a tree shaped collage sort of collaboration of Xmas past...., yep did say I'm not very creative or crafty.....

Now, don't tell the Twins but this pic is my favourite....my little reindeer at preschool circa 2005 age 3 sooo cute....melting heart.....

Have a great week getting your festive spirit on....

XX Jen

All is revealed!!

2011-12-03T19:56:00.000+11:00

OK, so this is the what I have been up to for the last few weeks, I'm starting my own business as an Organisational consultant.

My business name is Now...Let It Go... my aim is to help people free themselves from their clutter and "stuff " that is holding them back from being organised and living their best life. We all have "stuff " but lots of us don't know how to sort it out so its contained, accessible and have purpose in our life, not just taking up space.
I went to Melbourne to have an intensive one day course with Lissanne Oliver one of Australia's Organising Gurus http://blog.sorted.net.au/author/lissanne/ Wow I'm so inspired to get going. Above is my business card and post cards that my darling kids will help me deliver to the lucky residents of Coffs Harbour in the early new year.
I had thought of doing this type of work when I first left nursing but was so mentally burnt out could not get my head around it, of having a go at being my own Boss I was a bit overwhelmed but now let me at them, I have a passion back and a paid employment purpose!! It only taken 6 months but now I'm ready to enter this new phase with renewed enthusiasm for life.
I have always been an organised person, everything has a place and I'm a minimalists, no clutter on my horizontal surfaces. The kids are excited for me too and they all agreed 'Mum, this is what you do'. Working in the Operating Theatres also played well with my OCD tendencies, I was forever cleaning up something at work that could have been more tidy and efficient.
Its good to be able to put my skills to use. At the moment I'm proudly on the 'dole' or Newstart as it is now known for the first time in my life, I'm hoping to be eligible for their business support program, abit more study!! I do like learning new things, I have always said you should learn something new everyday.

Just have to write up my business plan now..bring it on 2012, I'm up for the challenge...

Cheers Jen

Grateful for little a mystery and some giving...

2011-12-02T21:44:00.000+11:00

Hello hello, I know I have been MIA for the last week or so....just all happening with end of year school stuff and my trip to Melbourne....what a beautiful place, the people were so friendly and OMG the coffee was as good as they say!!

But more about that later, my grateful post this week is about mystery, I found this beauty hiding in my garden this week, under the agapanthas!! I have no idea what it is but it is stunning, the purple and yellow so beautiful....

OK my gardening friends I would be Grateful to know what this plant/flower is?
I do love me alittle mystery....don't you??

This evening Little Bit and I went to St John Anglican church for a combined Christian "Giving Bowl" service. Allana's class had the honour of making the bowl this year and her and 3 of the boys from her class and her teacher presented it to the church tonight to collect funds for the work for those in war torn countries, Burma, Philippines, Sudan, Afghanistan and South Africa, where the money is used for clearing mines, supplying water, teaching conservative farming practises and for prostheses clinics for land mine victims.

We had carols, hymes and instrumentals with two choirs and the Salvation Army band!!

I'm feeling quite blessed and Christmassy now and grateful for how lucky and rich we are. Its lovely to contribute to those less fortunate, if we all gave alittle alot would have some!!

Linking up with Maxabella Loves http://maxabellaloves.blogspot.com/search/label/Grateful

Have a fantastic weekend everyone

xx Jen

This week Im Grateful for hair dye!!

2011-11-19T07:48:00.000+11:00

Its Grateful time, linking up with the lovely Maxabellaloves http://maxabellaloves.blogspot.com

Very very deep and serious post this Saturday....no really it means alot to me that yesterday I spent an hour or so and $50 later all those bloody grey hairs are gone (OK just the ones on my head) good money so well spent, I don't have a huge amount of greys but the ones I do I can see even with my bad eyes!! I don't care what others see but me those sneaky little ones on the temples smirk at me every morning in the bathroom mirror.....NOT today!!

It all started 15 yrs ago when I had the twins (funny that) 29yrs old was when I discovered the 1st grey puppy....so not impressed...too young...not even 30 yet!! So in those days money was tight home semi colours did the trick, but as the years have gone on and I have alittle money to spend on me (cause I deserve it) I have been going to the hairdressers to cover up those ferals.

Yesterday I was feeling game and said "just use the base colour over the whole lot"... let there be more violet I said......and there was....hehehe....not a grey to be seen for a couple of weeks anyways...

Have a fantastic grey free weekend everyone
xx Jen xx

Re-evaluate......

2011-11-16T13:14:00.000+11:00

It has been 5 months this week since I stopped work, resigned from my job, dropped out and took time to Re-evaluate my life to find myself and my happy place and devote more time to my growing children.
Its been great to not do the morning rush, the hurried thrown together dinners, the running from A to B to C and not taking anything in completely or enjoying life....THAT is why we are here to live our best life now, today in the here and now being mindful of this beautiful world around us and the people in our lives who enrich us and make us a whole person. Taking joy from the simple things, the sun, flowers, birds, smiling children...simple things are what in the end make us tick and help us function and live...simple things are not expensive...simple things don't have expectations or require pay backs....simple things just are....for us to take in our own way and enjoy!!

Today I released my second "little home of happiness" aptly named Re-evaluate.

One of the simple things I enjoy is a latte. Over the last few months I have had time to go drink lots of uninterrupted lattes whilst re-evaluating my life and generally people watching or reading the paper.

So today at one of my favourite cafes in town I released this little home with the hope someone will find it and contact Kellie over at http://1000homesofhappiness.blogspot.com and keep this wonderful thing she and her girls are doing going, if you have not had a look yet pop on over and have a read and get yourself a little home with your own special word to release to the world...this is a simple thing that shares some love and happiness around.

I'm off to Melbourne next week to attend a course for my new business venture, my new phase in life...I'm super excited and will be launching in the new year....happy days

Love and care everyone

XX Jen

Meatless Monday...catch up!!

2011-11-14T20:34:00.000+11:00

Ok well I have been alittle Meatless Monday slack blog wise but we have been following the path except we did change it to Tuna pattie Tuesday, as I had bought chicken breasts on special and the kids were hangin for Butter Chook. so we just swapped the days....all good

Little Bit gettin her Butter chicken on...

So tuna has been on special too so we just mixed it up we had Tuna Balls one week, then the next week they went back to patties and ended up on burgers with tartre sauce, lettuce cucumber and grated carrot!!

Did I say tuna balls, they look alittle deformed but hey that's home cookin :)

Now tonight we had a great treat fresh salmon fillets and homegrown lettuce and tomatoes that Little Bit and her Dad grew in their garden at his place

Simple salmon, olive oil, salt n pepper in pan....

Now also in the last week I made these muffins thanks to a recipe "borrowed" from the lovely sharing Mumma over here http://cookingforthegang.blogspot.com/ Now as I only have a gang of 4 not 7 I halved the recipe and just made lunchbox size muffins without the icing and they were moist and tasty and 16 muffins were gone in 3 days!!!
I'm thinkin I will try her Anzac cake next.
So pop over say Hi and try these Carrot and Pineapple muffins/cakes

Time to go now and put Little Bit to bed, think I have shared my cold with her...but it has not slowed her down!!

Have a great week everyone

XX Jen

Grateful for Teenagers with Part time jobs!!

2011-11-12T12:19:00.000+11:00

Hello another Saturday has found its way around, the weeks are flying by way too quickly!!

Linking up today with http://maxabellaloves.blogspot.com/ for Grateful Saturday

So Im a very proud Mumma this week as now both my Teenagers have part time jobs. Harry started at Donut King back in July and has been a different boy....actually he has matured so much I hate to say it but the Man is coming out in my baby!! And the best part is he is funding his own hobbies and activities...YAY lovin that and so is my bank balance.

When I finished work back in July I told the kids they had to have a part time job by Xmas, Harry had a lead on a job and sure enough the next week he was wearing his bright pink shirt and bringing donuts home!!

Cassie has found it alittle harder but this week she landed a job at Red Rooster, she is very excited now as she can see how much fun her brother and friends have with their own money, and she loves to shop.

So I'm really very Grateful this week that not only will the financial pressure be eased a bit for me but the growth that working will give the kids. They will mature, learn to deal with many different types of people, manage their time between school, homework and play and their job.

I think its important for our young people to work when they are old enough, I have always had a strong work ethic (except for the last 5 mths) I was working in my parents shop at 13yrs then I had two part time jobs at a takeaway shop and Sundays at a food stall at the markets, I also babysat made banana cakes to sell in the shop....looking back I was a busy teenager which is also a good thing for our kids....keep them busy and keep them out of trouble!!!

Hope everyone has had a lovely week and a great weekend

XX Jen

Just for fun - one word....

2011-11-09T14:20:00.000+11:00

http://www.thetruthaboutmummy.com/2011/11/just-for-fun-one-word/

Hi Everyone, having a bit of word fun today thanks to Caz (link above)

one word to describe you.

trustworthy

one word to describe your life.
relaxed

one word to describe your love.
unconditional

one word to describe your body.
average

one word to describe your cooking.
yummo

one word to describe your career.
new

one word to describe your hobby.
social

one word to describe your style.
comfy

one word to describe your blog.
honest

one word to describe your home
chilled

This much harder than it looks. Give it a try and see for yourself in your own blog post or share in the comments below

Hope your all having a lovely week, thanks for the well wishes, nose stopped running but the cough a bit annoying now :)

Cheers
Jen xx

Simply Grateful for tissues!!

2011-11-05T15:32:00.000+11:00

So for the last week I have had a cold....nothing to die from but my nose ran like a tap for 3 days/nights straight....so this week I'm grateful for tissues!!

Sometimes the simple, basic things are all we need to get through.

Have a great weekend everyone, make some time to enjoy yourself and your family :)

xx Jen xx

I'm linking up with Maxabella Loves Grateful Saturdays.....

I gave in!!! A Halloween poem.....

2011-10-31T21:08:00.000+11:00

A Halloween Poem.....

Little Bit was far too excited, what could I do
Had to say yes to avoid a boohoo
"We don't do Halloween " I've been saying for weeks
"But Mum we get candy and lots of other treats"
So off she went with some of the neighbourhood kids
Dressed as a creepy farm girl, check shirt and rolled jeans
Face covered in dirt, hair all over the place!!
Knock knock 'trick or treat' they came to my door
Here are some lollies, don't come back for more
An hour later Little Bit returns with her spoils
OMG she got so much for her toil
Half a pillow case full of goodies, candy, chips, cake and money
Fantastic I said, better share with your Mummy

XX Jen

Whats the go with Halloween??!!

2011-10-25T09:24:00.000+11:00

OK a little rant time for me, I'm over it, the ever increasing commercialism of other countries cultural holidays in Australia!! Halloween...for the last 10yrs it has grown here in this country and WHY?? For weeks now we have been bombarded with advertising of this day that has zip, nothing, zero that I can see with our Aussie way of life.
I love that countries have their own cultural differences, hey that's what makes us unique, but really enough already. It all comes down to the money makers and the lollies for this one or the CANDY as my Little Bit calls it OMG enough already!!
For the last 3 weeks she has been on my case about going trick or treating!! Even my Teenage girl has had enough and told her little sister she would give her some money to go buy her CANDY!!
Deep breath, I feel better now now venting that. :)
Am I overreacting, please tell me what you think??

XX Jen

Im grateful for my life with a Lap Band and my Drs!!

2011-10-22T12:36:00.000+11:00

I was heading to 40 and something had to change. I had 3 beautiful children a great family and beautiful friends but I was miserable ALL the time. For 2 years I thought about a Lap Band, researching it, but all the time still thinking I could do it myself...but I couldn't....I had been trying to lose weight since I was 13!!

So I bit the bullet and made an appointment with my Surgeon. Although I worked with this Dr I was treated like a non medical person, everything was explained and a commitment made by myself and my Dr that this was a life time deal with both of us. My mind was set and 2 weeks after my 40th birthday September 29th 2007 was my "butterfly day". Turning 40 I wanted to change, be happy, confident and healthy and be around to see my kids grow up.

Yep this was the old me 148kg, hated having my pic taken....I looked really sad!!

It wasn't easy but it wasn't hard either, its a whole new way of life. I was determined to get down to a healthy size around the 80kg mark. When you weigh 148kg on the day of your operation....its seems along way to go!!

I'm a work in progress, 4 yrs on and I have gained my health and my life back. I have had a few hurdles along the way...I got stuck into exercise I even had a personal trainer and went to the gym 4 or 5 times a week and the weight fell off me in the first 18mths. I was boxing, me Jen, boxing and really enjoying it and then Ooops I broke a bone in my wrist ...so my boxing career was short lived and loved. 6 weeks of a lovely bright red plaster fixed that.

My back had been giving me problems with pain down my right leg since I was pregnant with the twins....sciatic pain that just didn't go away, I put up with it, I was a busy working Mum, I tried- physio, osteo, chiro, acupuncture, massage, yoga etc but it was getting worse to the point where I couldn't sleep at night from the pain. It was horrible my right leg would just ache a deep unrelenting pain, I couldn't take painkillers because as single working Mum I needed to be able to function and care for the kids and you cant really do that when you are doped out on Endone!!

My weight loss had all but stopped, I couldn't exercise, everything was painful, so I bit another bullet and had a spinal fusion...6 hrs on the operating table to free up my poor nerves that were squashed...hence the pain. I now have $40,000 worth of shiny titanium in my spine, holding everything back in place and my nerves are happy ...no more leg pain. I NEVER want to go through that again, the first few days post operation the pain was mad, I have never begged for drugs in my life before, but OMG did I need them!! 12mths on now and my back is still healing and growing new bone but I'm soooo much better now, its a slow rehab process, gently walking and core strength exercises and alot of resting for the first 3 mths.

Yeah I put weight back on and really quickly, I'm convinced I don't actually have a metabolism!! In those 3 mths I put on 23kg, I went form 97kgs to 120kgs in the blink of an eye, I felt out of control again but had to realise it was only temporary, as I moved more and got back to exercise and work the weight would move again....its been a really slow 12 mths and the weight is finally starting to go again.

The key to having a success with a Lap Band is having follow up visits and adjustments with your Dr. Over the last 4 yrs the band has been adjusted to stop me feeling hungry and to eat small portions of food and feel satisfied. I don't get hungry now, I eat when I start to get a bit 'fuzzy'. For someone who ALWAYS felt hungry and had to eat and think about food 24/7 this is an amazing feeling. I still enjoy food and love going out for lunch or dinner but I'm the queen of entrees, I'm a very cheap date!!

Another little set back in my journey this year was I tore all my ligaments in my left knee in a slip at work, so another little operation in April and a lack of movement and exercise has slowed me down again but not stopped me!! I really think exercise is a necessary evil , there is no other way now for me to lose weight but to move (or not eat at all) and that gets a little tricky with a full thickness tear in the ACL in my left knee... so I bought a recumbent exercise bike, so I can safely sit and pedal, good for the knees ( turns out I have osteoarthritis in both of them, probably caused by being overweight most of my life!!) and good for my back , no strain on that.

I don't like exercise, its not fun for me but I have to do it!!

So now this week my weight is around the 114kg mark, as I said a work in progress, I am a butterfly still changing, evolving and trying to be the best ME I can BE, a Mumma, a friend and a good person. I have no regrets, if I had not had my Lap Band, who knows what my weight would be now or if I would even be here.

So for that I'm truly grateful!!

With my beautiful niece Jordan

With my Little Sis at her 40th recently

Now I love having my pic taken and I can see the happiness in my own eyes!!

Have a great weekend everyone
XX Jen
Today Im linking up with http://maxabellaloves.blogspot.com/2011/10/this-week-im-grateful-for-perspective.html

Busy Bees in the garden and my head!!

2011-10-20T12:08:00.000+11:00

Well Hello spring in my garden and welcome to the Bees outside working away and in my heading, buzzing with excitement and possibilities!!

Now I'm renting the garden is a surprise package waiting to see what will spring up to colour the yard

You can see the bees at work if you look closely....

Looking like little pink powder puffs...

This is one of mine in a pot that I brought over from the old house, it has settled into its new home on the veranda and started to flower!!

Not sure what this one is a random in the garden, tall tree like with these crimson flowers

The second bloom for this little beauty

So the bees in my head are sooo busy helping me write my business plan, designing advertising, booking flights to Melbourne for the end of November to attend some training, and just generally really excited about this new phase in my life....

Hope you are all having a buzzy week too

XX Jen

Simple Meatless Monday...

2011-10-17T19:13:00.000+11:00

Well after the epic fail last week with the tofu noodle stir fry I decided to keep it simple and go with the fish bites, packet satay rice and frozen peas n beans....no cooking from scratch tonight...lol. Also I had a massage/torture session today and I have gone to mush...so simple was good for me...and they ate it all...gotta lov that :)

Meatless Monday lives on!

Have a great week everyone!!

XX Jen

Grateful for Opportunity

2011-10-15T03:13:00.000+11:00

This week I'm grateful for opportunity. I was brave and 3mths ago resigned from my job to re find myself and my passion for life. I have enjoyed being a SAHM (stay at home Mum) but now need to start some paid work to fund this lifestyle that my children require..a roof over their heads, food and clothes...lol.

The opportunity to take this sabbatical was due to having worked hard for the last 23yrs as a Nurse in the public health sector and accumulating a bit of long service leave, so for that I'm grateful.

I'm also grateful that this time off has given me the opportunity to reconnect with and spend some quality time with my kids, without the stressed Mummy frown that I found myself wearing way to often.

This opportunity has also lead me here to the world of blogging and I'm grateful for all the lovely people I have met here thus far, who make me smile and lol and sometimes cry at their stories. Starting my blog has given me the opportunity to express myself in a new way, whilst embracing my little journey.

Earlier this year I had the opportunity to go on holidays to Port Douglas with my Bestie and put a big line through a item on my bucket list....fly in a helicopter over the Great Barrier Reef, so grateful to have the chance to do this, so please take this opportunity to enjoy a few of my pics from that ride.

So over and out till next time, this post was part of
hosted by the lovely Maxabella Loves http://maxabellaloves.blogspot.com/2011/10/this-week-im-grateful-for-more.html

Cheers Jen xx

Wide awake @ 3am and all is great in my world!!

2011-10-12T17:08:00.000+11:00

OK, so being wide awake in the wee hours of the morning is not something I like to do but has been part of my life, insomnia is part of depressive/anxiety mental illness, it is also my clarity time, all my big decisions are made between 2 & 4 am!!

When I decided to leave work and resign from nursing I made that decision at 3.34am, no ifs, no buts, it was the totally right decision and I have not had a moment of regret or doubt in the last 3 months.

So today at approximately 2.40 am I decided I am going to start my own little business, I have been thinking about it off and on for some time, I want to still be available for the kids before and after school but start to need earning some $ before I spend all my savings on my SAHM (stay at home Mum) lifestyle...lol

I don't want to be rich, I'm not money driven at all, we just need to have enough to pay the rent, food and other bills, and with the changes to a more frugal lifestyle its amazing how much we don't need to be happy.

So I will keep you posted as I set my little plan in motion....I'm sooooo excited...and I just cant hide it...Im about to lose control and I think I like it.....

Cant help but post another shot of my flowers they smell wonderful
xx Jen

Blondies the new Brownies!!

2011-10-11T09:03:00.000+11:00

So Blondies are the new Brownies I discovered this from here on the weekend http://frugalfeeding.wordpress.com/2011/10/06/chocolate-chunk-blondies/#more-1217 this great site has budget friendly yummy family meals and Blondies, which seem to be an English taste treat like the Brownie but different.
So imagine my surprise last night when on Junior Masterchef one of the kids made a Blondie!!

Before the oven

After the oven and ready to consume....

Chocolate Chunk Blondies

Makes 12-15

Ingredients:

• 100g melted butter
• 200g light muscovado sugar (I used brown sugar)
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 210g plain flour ( I used plain wholemeal flour)
• 70g plain chocolate, chunked
• A pinch of salt

Method:
1. Heat the oven to 170C and grease a slice tray. Melt the butter in a heavy based saucepan, stir in the sugar and melt down, remove from the heat before cracking in the egg and adding the vanilla extract – beat until smooth.

2. Add the flour and salt, fold until there are no discernable lumps, then add whatever extra flavourings you like – in this case chocolate (can use coffee)

3. Pour this mixture into the baking tray and bake for 20-22 minutes. Remember, an undercooked Blondie is better than one that has been overcooked. Leave to cool before cutting and serving

Too easy, too yummy!!

Enjoy, we have xx

Meatless Monday, back to school and more colour...

2011-10-10T20:07:00.000+11:00

Hello, soooo happy to see the school bus pull up and drive away this am. Time to blog again, read, catch up with friends and keep the house somewhat in order....
I never have been a very good "school holiday Mum" usually preferring to work and have even been known to work overtime!! Not any more as I'm now a SAHM (stay at home Mum) I was suppose to embrace the holidays....I tried, really I did but with Little Bit v Teenage twins it gets noisy, busy and sometimes alittle violent really quickly around here..... I like order and planning and knowing where and when the kids and I will be, but in the hols its every kid and Mum for themselves...go go go. don't get me wrong I can do spontaneous, but when I plan it!!

Anyway we all survived, had lots of coffee, play dates, coffee, sleepovers, movies, coffee, dentists visits, coffee, shopping, coffee, it would have been alot easier if the sun had been alittle more forthcoming and we could have headed to the beach a bit more. Anywho only 8 weeks til Xmas hols....cant wait....8 weeks of having my Darlings home with me.....might have to get a job by then??

So Meatless Mondays are still happening here, didn't post last week as it was crumb fish and salad...not very inventive, and trying to blog in the holidays was too hard!! So today I thought I would mix it up for the kids and do a tofu noodle stir fry...um not so popular here the tofu...have only tried with them once before...epic fail, but you know I'm not a huge fan either but like to try something different now and again, so gave tofu another run.

Lovely fresh pak choy and shallots from our little garden, Poppy (my Dad) contributed radish from his garden and the carrots, celery, onions, garlic and the crunchiest sugar snap peas all came from yesterdays growers market. The tofu I marinated in ketup manis, honey and Chinese 5 spice mix, it was yum, but the kids really didn't go for it at all...oh well something different next Monday.

I think it tasted great and looked and smelt pretty good too.

To finished another couple of pictures of my stunning coloured flowers I shared with you fom Saturdays Grateful post.

Bye now xx

I'm grateful for colour and medication that works!!

2011-10-08T17:19:00.000+11:00

This week I'm grateful for colour, colour that I can see everywhere. The reason I see colour is the other reason I'm grateful, antidepressant medication that's working for me!! I was diagnosed with postnatal depression nearly 15 yrs ago when my twins were 5 months old. One morning I was eating cereal, the twins were happily sitting in there rockers gooing and gaaing and I was crying big salty tears rolling down my cheeks into my breakfast, I had been feeling awful for weeks but just thought it was being a new Mum with twins, moving house to a town with no friends or relatives there, having no support nearby didn't help and my then husband trying hard but working full time.

Once I was diagnosed and went through my history with the Dr I had been depressed since I was 13yrs old, but always put on a brave face and got on with life, and thought I was just a moody person, and as a teenager was labelled "difficult" and alter during Uni was told by another Dr that I was "adjusting" to life away from home, that crying was normal!! Well now I know the difference between normal and depression....my world had no colour for many years.... it was black and white and sometimes a little grey. Medication is my friend now and has brought back the colour in my life and for that I'm grateful!!

Some colourful flowers, a surprise delivery as a thank you for having a friend of my daughters stay over last weekend.

P.S. I'm also very grateful for school to be back this week, the house is a bomb site, the fridge and cupboards are bare and I'm exhausted!!

Have a colourful and fun weekend everyone xx Jen xx

This weeks

was hosted by http://maxabellaloves.blogspot.com/2011/10/this-week-im-grateful-for-make-believe.html

How could I not be Grateful...

2011-10-02T07:16:00.000+11:00

Even though they kill me sometimes, how could I not be grateful for my beautiful kids!!
I have linked up in the I'm Grateful for...post today hosted by http://lemonrhodes.blogspot.com/

Hope everyone is having a great weekend

Today is Tuesday, not Meatless Monday or leftover Sunday

2011-09-27T17:53:00.000+10:00

So school holidays are here, this is a good thing in lots of ways, slow mornings, trips to the pool/beach, no rushing to after school activities, movies to watch, Uno to play etc.
There are also a few little things not so good, cant keep enough food in the fridge/pantry, teenager v tweenager fighting, noise,,,oh I have trouble with lots of noise all day!!
And not so much time for me to blog or read blogs.

Took some pics as I cooked this week, trying a few new things as I go, because I have time too.

This week so far we had leftover Sunday....

Fridays leftover lamb roast and veges became yummo patties for dinner on Sunday night

Thanks to a borrowed recipe from here we have some lovely honey choc bickies to enjoy...mine don't look as lovely though as my piping bag split! http://cityhippyfarmgirl.com/2011/09/22/illumination-disgrace-and-some-chocolate-honey-biscuits/

Meatless Monday saw me whip up some broccoli and green lentil soup, added curry powder to the stock for a bit of a kick, you can smell the healthiness in this one

Little Bit also decided that a salad with grapes, boiled eggs and tuna was a good combination....and it was...

Also I finally got to make some homemade yogurt for the first time, Aunty unpacked this maker a couple of months ago but I only found it yesterday when wiping out one of the deep cupboards...so Greek yogurt we now have. I use Greek yog this for general yog eating with fruit or a teaspoon of apricot jam added, yummy for breaky, it is also my sour cream substitute too and went really well in the above soup.

So today was Tuesday and that's all she wrote!!

Sunday Loves...a quiet house..alittle rain..

2011-09-25T09:16:00.000+10:00

Totally lovin this morning sick, quiet house, the kids are at their Dads, Aunty sleeping in and I'm propped up in bed with a cup of tea, my laptop, window open and some light rain falling and I'm smellin those stunning roses I bought myself.....good simple times....

Friday Favs....Pics of the week from my world!!

2011-09-23T09:59:00.000+10:00

A few pics from my week that made me smile!!

Little Bit as a rat for the school performance of the Aussie

Pied Piper

The twins birthday cake, still cant believe they are 15 now

My treat to me, beautiful roses from the local Growers Market

Picking a few greens from my little garden, lettuce and pak choy

So lovin my simple life right now

Have as lovely weekend with lots to smile about :)

xx Jen

Sunsational Day...

2011-09-22T13:13:00.000+10:00

Hi Everyone, its another fabulous Sunsational day up here on the North Coast of NSW. We have had beautiful weather, a little smokey but no complaints from this chick. I love this time of year, 23 or so degrees is my ideal...not a CLOUD IN THE SKY, happy days!!

The kids are gearing up for holidays, all are a bit tired and irritable, its hard getting the teenagers out of bed at the best of times but this week even tougher. Little Bit however has been awake with the birds at 6am and I'm so blessed she finally gets that Mummy "doesn't do mornings" she has amused herself reading and finger knitting. This morning she came in for a snuggle in bed at 7am...very respectable hour for a week day, can totally cope with that, my alarm is set for 6.50 but she doesn't know that!!

The book Little Bit was reading she found in her sisters room Girl Stuff by Kaz Cooke, it is a really practical and funny book on all things teenage,so I got a lesson on skin care and was asked "How can I not get my periods until I'm at least 14, it will be so inconvenient at the moment, I'm too busy being a kid" Lols, love the openness, its a great thing to have with your kids. Little Bit is 8 going on 38, she is my old soul, the kid that has been on this earth a few times before for sure!!

So being up and about and such a great day, a trip downtown was in order.....
Look at what I picked up at the Growers market today

There is a big pot of vege soup on the stove, a piece of fruit slice was had with a cuppa , the organic olive loaf will go really yummingly well with the soup and the roses are by my bed :)

They smell fantastic, are grown locally and go perfectly with the book I'm reading at the mo!!

Cheers Jen xx

Meatless Monday - What about my lunch Mum??

2011-09-19T20:12:00.000+10:00

So keeping with our Meatless Monday theme I was super organised for tonight and had tuna patties in mind, using up the left over rice from
Saturday night instead of adding potato. All good fresh lemon, dill growing on the veranda, some shallots, yep all sorted.

Made the lunches, kids getting ready to leave when Cassie (creator of Meatless Monday) noticed I put ham on her roll for lunch!!

"Mum its meatless Monday" she says
"Yeah, tuna patties and salad for dinner" I say
"Mum you put HAM on my lunch!!" she says
"Umm, oh, I didn't know you meant the whole day??" I say
"Yes Mum, that's why we call it meatless Monday" she replies

Deep breath, "You know Cassie now your 15 you can actually make your own lunch?" let out breath

" No that's OK, it will be fine Mum"

Commitment?

Anyway all have been eaten up quick sticks

Bye for now

Jen

Sunday Loves....My Babies Birthday

2011-09-18T20:59:00.004+10:00

playing along with And then there were four - http://pilesofwashing.blogspot.com/2011/12/weekend-rewind-little-burst-of-spring.html

My darling babies turned 15 today!!

35 weeks

38 weeks and home

5th birthday

15th birthday

Such a proud Mumma of my Cassie & Harry

Flog the Blog its Friday!!

2011-09-16T17:35:00.000+10:00

OK where the bloody hell did this week go??

So much going on, had intentions of blogging everyday, then whoosh the days were gone, just like that. I was blogcrastinating a bit, doing other things, but hey that's the fun of my life at the mo, can just fill my days with things I feel like, oh and being a Mum, so not total freedom!!

The weather has been stunning here, clear, sunny and mid 20s, so I did get outside and raise my vitamin D levels, sunsational was my word for the weather this week!

And I did spend more time reading others blogs, so many of you out there telling your stories, sharing recipes, lovin life and sharing the hard times, I'm really starting to enjoy this community via the net.

So I will do a quick recap of the week.

Meatless Monday - was a hit here for dinner again this week thanks to Ruth over here at http://comesmelltheroses.blogspot.com/2011/09/mexican-beef-and-bean-casserole.html so sorry forgot to take a pic it smelt so good we all started eating but I did the kidney bean version and served it with couscous.

Tuesday - I was taken for an early birthday breaky with my Bestie (she works Wednesdays) and as couple of other special friends, we had a lovely time down by the creek eating bacon, eggs and drinking lattes, and feeding the multitude of fish, so beautiful down there.

Then as a reward I got to help her put 4 flat pack bar stools together for her kitchen as she "doesn't do flat packs" We had the music on, laughing, carrying on and I did get to play with power tools...something I do miss from work..lols good times, the simple times together are the best.

My Bestie bought me this beautiful candle for my Bday, she know two of my big loves butterflies and candles

Wednesday - I turned 40 + GST yes 44 and fabulous!! Little Bit came in with a cuppa and a flower whilst I was still in bed, such a cute girl and so thoughtful, the twins were at the Dads but txt me Hap Bday as teenagers do!
I took myself down to the shops as BeME was having a sale and well I wanted to buy myself something for my Bday so for $42 I got a skirt, 3 T shirts, a ring, some bangles and a necklace for my Bestie as her birthday is next week. Love a sale....NEVER pay full retail !!

Whipped up some corn and feta fritters for my lunch

Thursday - Susie Homemaker (my alter ego) was in full swing, washing, cleaning, cooking, baking and of cause a lunch date with Dr's Phil & Oz. Also had a Bday call from an old friend, we have kept missing each others calls for the past few months but we caught up yesterday for a good 45mins, just like old times.

I may have eaten a choc or two that my beautiful kids bought me for my Bday,,,win win,,,because I always share!

And here we are today, hair cut and colour, some grocery shopping and a bonus coffee and lunch again with my Bestie as we happen to be at the shops at the same time....gotta love that!!! Off to watch Cassie play basketball and an early night as I have been invited to a 'do' tomorrow night, looking forward to frocking up and having a boogie.

Have a wonderful weekend everyone xx Jen

A cheeky birthday card from my little Sis!! and the flowers from my 2nd Mum

Sunday Loves....Great weather.. good food....

2011-09-11T20:53:00.000+10:00

Hi Everyone

Gave the growers market a miss today as we have the World Rally here in Coffs Harbour and the jetty area has been rally central.
I was taken to breaky (thanks Aunty) at Sawtell the next town south from here (10min drive). Gotta love a latte and eggs bene to kick off the day. Had a wander along the main street and poked around the antique shops, sun shiny fun!! Only bought some lovely new lemon/lime candles for the lounge room, love my candles at night time soooo relaxing!!

Then home with the papers to drink some tea, sit in the sun and read....

Time to reflect on some of the meals we had this week and plan what we will have for the week ahead

I experimented with filo pastry this week, not something I have cooked with much before, used some of the super fresh spinach to make some little pies with bacon and feta

Then there was the super vege soup using up all the bits and pieces from the vege crisper, lettuce, cucumber it all went in the pot.

OK so Sunday may becoming foodie day for me!!

I finally used up those leftover Cheerios in the base of a yummo caramel

More playing with the filo for dinner tonight and wrapped up some chicken breast, avocado and brie and baked in the oven,,,,notice the sesame seeds on top,,,,very fancy here!!

The finished product served with fresh beans, carrots and seeded

mustard aioli, very delish if I do say so myself

And on the stove for tomorrow night dinner is thanks to Ruth at http://comesmelltheroses.blogspot.com/2011/09/mexican-beef-and-bean-casserole.html for sharing this recipe it smells great I'm doing the bean version for Meatless Monday! Will show pics next blog!

I think I'm full now, those that know me know I love food but don't eat too much these days as I had Lap band surgery nearly four years ago, hey but that's a blog for another time :)

Hope you all had a great weekend too.

Cheers Jen

Sick kids....a little poem

2011-09-08T20:23:00.000+10:00

For the last few days here, we have not been well
Headaches, sniffles and necks that did swell
Sick kids at home to keep me company
Being a good Mum and give sympathy
Lots of water, panadol and big Mumma hugs
Windows wide open to get rid of the bugs
Come on Summer bring us warmth with sunshine
To clear the air and make us all fine!!

Kids will be back at school tomorrow and I will have a rest day...lol

xx Jen xx

love food...hate waste

2011-09-06T09:11:00.000+10:00

This is a topic I have always been passionate about, the wicked waste of food in households, food outlets and restaurants. I can only control what happens in my house and over the years have made some changes in shopping habits and cooking to reduce our food waste.
In NSW every household on average wastes $1000 worth of food per year....who the hell can afford that!! Check out this link, that discusses this topic and has some ideas and recipes http://www.lovefoodhatewaste.nsw.gov.au/. I saw an add today on TV promoting this and thought cool, I'm sure there are more things I can do to make some more savings and reduce waste.
I have been doing this already, one for the cost factor, I like to buy and cook with good quality food but cant afford to throw it away, especially now I'm not working. There is also an element of respect I feel for the farmers, they work hard in such harsh weather in this country, so to be throwing away something that someone has put their blood, sweat and tears into producing seems wrong.

How many of us buy cereal for the kids who love the first half of the box but then 'dont like it' anymore. I have started adding cereal to cookies, goodbye uneaten Cherios, hello yummy bickies and some

Rockcakes

Some of the things I do to reduce food waste and costs.

Make a shopping list, I have scrap paper on the bench and write down pantry items needed as the run out and the kids even write down items now if they use the last of something or notice things getting low (often I will find items on the list I wont buy them, like Nutella or Coco Pops!!)
Have a rough meal plan for the week, take into account what is in the freezer and pantry and leave room for the specials you might find!
Check out the specials before I go shopping - as a teenager my family had a General store in Coffs Harbour and Dad shopped every week for stock at a warehouse but also at the supermarkets for the specials. Dad taught me to check the catalogues, mark the specials and work out the mark up for the shop. So this is something I have always done and will shop at Aldi, Woolies or Coles for the specials
Whilst at the stores, check out the spot specials and the reduced price stock fridge section. My local Woolies has a designated section in the cold food for reduced stock, I often pick up yogurts, dips, fresh pasta and garlic bread etc that will be eaten at home in a couple of days or put in the freezer for later whilst still in date
I love going to the local growers markets for cheaper in season fresh veges, I'm lucky here in Coffs Harbour as we have markets on a Thursday and Sundays.
I only buy whats in season and just enough for a couple of days, this ensures we have lovely fresh food and hardly any waste.
Adding beans, chickpeas and lentils to old favourite meals uses less meat, so cheaper to make and adds good protein and fibre to the meal.

Sunday nights Butter chicken had a small chicken breast and a tin of chickpeas as well as spinach and beans added, kids loved it, didn't even comment on the chickpeas!! I feed the 4 of us at a budget price.

Using leftovers and creating a new meal also helps reduce the waste. Friday nights leftover chicken burger patties became Saturdays lunch cold with salsa and salad. I always cook extra rice for the teenage Boy(Harry) as he will often eat it for breakfast! but if I'm quick I can use it in tuna patties instead of potato it gives the patties a lovely crunchy texture when cooked.

So that's just a few things that I found have helped me with the budget and waste less food.
Love to hear from anyone with more tips.

Bye now xx

Meatless Monday, teenagers inspiration!!

2011-09-05T13:26:00.000+10:00

So this morning in the midst of the getting breaky and making lunches teenage daughter (Cassie) says um 'Mum can I just have the tabouli today for lunch its "Meatless Monday" my friends and I have started this at school for fun to see what we can come up with for lunch and to eat less meat!'
Sure no prob considering she made beautiful fresh tabouli yesterday with our homegrown parsley.

I usually cook 1 or 2 meatless meals anyway a week for variety and budget requirements, but now "meatless Monday" will be the day. I had planned to have tuna pasta bake tonight so perfect choice.
Love it when the kids give me inspiration to try something sorta new!
Also loved the tabouli for my lunch as well, always great when someone else makes it, thanks Cassie xx