My Kitchen Window

Inspired by the gorgeous Lynda from Lulus Bay In Cairo, this post WAS meant to be done some time ago but being super busy of course it has taken me twice as long as usual to do it.

I am in good company however as These Days Of A Busy Mum must have decided this was the week for photos as well!

This is our first kitchen window, doesn't look out onto much except trees and the fence I guess, and looking through the fly screen gives it a rather unusual effect.


Our other kitchen window looks out over the top of our clothes line which we never use due to our rather cute 2 year old Labrador.


So WHAT is outside your kitchen window?

On a lighter note.....

I really AM ok!
Sometimes I get into a bit of a funk and as much as I try to prevent my nearly 36 year old mind from digressing it, at times has a life all of its own, one in which I am the merely the puppet and the strings have a mind of their own.

But, at times, the digression and the release of writing about it, of seeing the raw truth on screen (whatever happened to paper)resolves my inner child and truly does provide me with peace.

The girls are going to church this morning, the three younger ones anyway, and that brings me back to a subject that was raised earlier this week - FAITH.

Do you have it or don't you?

As I explained, sometimes I truly do, sometimes I can see such a glimmer of goodness surrounding something, it's a little like looking through a Kaleidescope, that I do for a moment truly believe and feel immense inner peace that all is well.

At others, I will see or hear of such utter pain and suffering that I just can't have faith, how can I have faith and believe that the suffering and pain is for the better good of all?

What do you think?

DO you have faith or not?

Dear Dad

I looked your phone number up tonight.

Every now and again I check, just to make sure you are still alive.

Sad............but true.

You know you have five granddaughters and a great grand daughter who you have never seen don't you?

Sad............but true.

You know Dad, when you dropped me off at my Grandmas for the weekend I REALLY did think you where coming back on Sunday............Sunday came 7 years later.

Sad............but true.

Sometimes when Grandma's partner was making me do things that no six year old should imagine I would cry for you.

Sad............but true.

You know all I wanted was a 'REAL' family don't you Daddy?

Sad......... ..but true.

Sometimes when you I was sitting on the front fence waiting for the police to come when I was 13 and you where smacking the crap out of my step-mum I wondered why I loved you, but you know I ALWAYS did.

Sad............but true.

You know the first time I tried to kill myself was because of you don't you Daddy?

Sad............but true.

How silly was I really, to let you lack of love dictate my life for so long?

Sad............but true.

Someday I will have the courage to dial that phone number even though I KNOW you will let me down again.

Sad............but true.

And That Was That!

Our last day in Sydney was spent by having breakfast at Darling Harbour. Much to our amusement a bird kept walking in the restaurant to steal scraps from the diners. When a diner started chasing the poor little thing with his umbrella, Sarah and I where mortified however I have since discovered that the birds are a regular problem and they certainly don't benefit from their morning ventures.

Lunch was spent at the Bondi Grill. Bondi Beach is a gala event, truly an amazing experience not to be missed.

Somewhere along the way Sarah took this picture, it is 'Santa and Rudolph' undercover on their summer vacation!

I LOVE it.

As Billie says it is truly hippy Santa who needs a bit of a scrub up before donning the red suit.

More On THAT Sydney Trip

So of course the most important part of our trip was shopping. Day one we headed of to Birkinhead Point.

I actually found the public transport pretty easy to navigate and Sarah picked it up that quickly she was soon telling me which direction to head in.

Quickly grabbing some great t-shirts for Sam I spent quite a while in the Pumpkin Patch Clearance store, pretty sure that wasn't there last time I visited. Sarah bought loads of those popular teen logo t-shirts for $3 a piece she was one happy girl.

We walked and walked (and complained about it), eventually it was time to stop for lunch. Well we where going to have a Kebab but the where lured in by a Crepe wrap.

Now this is one thing you certainly don't get in little old Tassie. Sarah had Chicken and Pineapple while I went for a more mexican version complete with sour cream.

The shop owner was a lovely guy and thought our interest was quite refreshing although maybe a touch crazy! I am hooked - glad they DON'T have them here because I am sure they aren't that good for you buy boy they are tasty!

First the crepe is placed on the hot plate, see how half has Sarah's topping and half has mine.



Once cooked it is folded over ready to eat! YUM!



And the best crepe cooker in Sydney!



After all that excitement we grabbed a bus back to the city and headed over to the Queen Victoria Building which is a shopping wonderland all of its on. Can you imagine the shock on Sarah's face when she realised Supre spanned five floors!!!

I picked up a t-shirt in XXS from Supre for Em, and was a tad disgusted when I got home to realise it was nearly too small for my bony nine year old.

Now of course the whole trip was planned with Sarahs 15th birthday in mind, so on the way back to the hotel we needed to locate a small cake.

85 degrees on George street was the prefect place to visit!

Mouth watering decadence at every turn, we settled for coffee and strawberry.



And of course no cake is complete without candles.



After a late afternoon nap the girl and headed of to see Juno, which was a fantastic movie!

Along the way we saw a homeless man sitting outside a pizza slice shop.

That was a first for Miss 15 and a bit of a shock that it is real life issue and not something that is just a tv fantasy.

I slipped $10 into his hand, which seemed inadequate, and he says 'god bless you love' I nearly cried, for I don't need the blessing, I am truly blessed already, my family, my friends, a good job, a safe home, my health. So I simply said 'No God bless you and keep you safe' and walked away close to tears.

Before our movie we went into an arcade style place and took some pictures in a photo booth together, much to our amusement we couldn't work out how to use the machine as it was all in Chinese.

After the movie, a quick stop by KFC on George Street which Sarah says is the most happening KFC she has ever seen, three floors complete with wide screen movie screens belting out the latest dance mix and a security guard to ensure no one steals your chicken!

A late night Sauna and Swim at the hotel rounded of a great day!

That Sydney Trip

That I loved every second of has left me absolutely exhausted!

First there was the grand arrival - nice hotel:

Ummmm wrong state!


Yes our 8.40pm Jetstar flight from Launceston was canceled at 10pm. Never having had this happen before I was clueless but soon discovered that passengers 1-65 where guaranteed early morning direct flights to Sydney. Oops we where 70 and 71!!!

The rest of us got different offers, ours was transfers to the Mercure, overnight accommodation and then a Sydney flight the next afternoon via Melbourne.

Well an adventure is an adventure, what can I say? Miss 15 got to spend her birthday in THREE different states and we did eventually arrive in Sydney at about 6.30pm on the Friday night.

One small problem - the hotel we booked via Stand By Rateswas not actually booked! I kid you not! We had the confirmation number, deposit paid and they did not have our booking. Can you believe that?!?!?! AND they where booked out anyway - no room for us. Fortunately my great friend from work answered my SOS call and snappily arranged discounted accommodation for us at the Medina grand on Kent - whew!

Hungry and tired we headed of to George St for a bite to eat and thus began our Sydney adventure!

Stay tuned!

Hitting The Big Smoke

Well its Miss 14s big 15th birthday tommorow and this year for whatever crazy reason I agreed to take her to Sydney for the weekend.

We have the flight booked, hotel booked and an itinery that is fun but not too crushing to the non-existant after xmas budget!

There are things I wanted to do that I couldn't fit in or afford but from Birkinhead Point to Luna Park, from Taronga Zoo to the Opera House we are going to fit in a lot over the next three days!

I am so looking forward to spending the three days with my crazy big little girl!

Who could not love her!

Goodbye Again Super Princess

I was reading Sheye's Blog the other day and marvelling at how she can openly share her story with so many.

I'm not sure that even Sheye understands what a gift to the world it has been, and continues to be.

All around the world people have been touched, and they stop, stop to consider and appreciate what otherwise may rush by in a blur of day to day life.

Sheye wrote the other day, how she awoke terrified with the realisation she would never see Ava again.

I have felt that terror, when you awake suddenly sure that something terrifyingly awful has happened, then slowly your heart stops racing, your breath evens out and you realise its ok it was just a dream.

For Sheye it isn't ok, its not just a dream and at times I am sure that it hurts to breathe, and for that I cry and remember how lucky I am.

As I lay in bed last night surrounded by my little girls I felt extremely blessed that we are all healthy, safe and well.

That is something I had often taken for granted. I don't anymore.

Now I stop to listen to stories I may have previously brushed aside, to listen to a silly song I may have only half heard before, to give a real hug not just a half 'I'm in a hurry hug', but the real hug where for just one moment nothing else matters and the world and its worries disappear.

And each and every day I say I LOVE YOU SO MUCH.

Thank you Sheye, to you and your family for being able to share your incredible gift 'Ava - The Super Princess' with all of us, it means more than you may ever know.

Shine your love down on Mummy, Daddy and all of your family today sweet Ava for they miss you so very much.

Ava Rosemeyer

To spare a thought, shed a tear, and light a candle for someone we hold so dear.

Twelve months ago little Super Princess Ava Rosemeyer went into the family car whether to hide, or search for lollies, who knows what was racing through her innocent three year old thoughts.

Her mummy thought she was with her beloved grandpa and her grandpa thought she was safely with her mummy.

When they discovered her not 30 minutes later she was raced to the hospital where they frantically tried to stabalise her.

Two days later, Ava passed away, the 5th February 2007.

Please light a candle at Ava Rosemeyer

And send the family all your love this week.

Visit Sheye's Blog and leave a message.

And if you are able, on the 5th of February please release a pink balloon in Ava's Memory.

Hmmmm Clothes

Hi my name is Trudi and I am an addict.

I am addicted to gorgeous clothing for my daughters.

Yes thats me, can't wait for new seasons releases and pre-order before it hits the store.

I can spot a child in gorgeous clothing within a 1km radius and can usually state the designer to within 99% accuracy.

I feel ok about all of this because the habit developed when I gave up smoking six years or so ago.

Since then my husband has rolled his eyes daily as I have something new to buy or demand he look at my latest 'find'.

It certainly isn't cheaper than my smoking habit was it IS certainly better for my health.

Some of Emily's winter clothes for 2008 arrived today - Yes I DO know its January and hot but I don't want to miss out AND some of these items ARE already nearly sold out.

For gorgeous kids clothes have a look at Buckets And Spades, the gorgeous Zlata will be able to help you!

Lessons Lessons Lessons

The wonderful thing about life is you continue to learn. Some good things, some bad. Some lessons are easy and some are hard.

The lessons I learn are usually the hard way.

I usually blame this on being blonde (dyed or not it is an excuse you can trust).

Here is my latest venture.

Picture if you can, me in my little Mitsubishi Colt AKA The Canary.

No its not a grand car, hell I try NOT to look at it too closely on the days I use it, its just my A to B and C ride.

Driving to do my groceries on Monday I was a little (ok little means clutching the steering wheel and saying fuck an awful lot)concerned to see the oil light come on.

Now I DO NOT do cars. I drive them - that is the extent of my relationship.

Hmmmm Oil.......I ponder this on the scenic drive, well Sam had just left that morning so he was no help for another five days.

I could pull in at a servo I suppose. Oh shit I am so not going to pull into a servo and look like a total twit about putting Oil in the car for christ sakes.

How hard can it be, you get oil you pour it in, I know where it goes after all sheeshhh.

Feeling slightly smug and imagining how impressed Sam is going to be with my new found car independence I get on with the important task of shopping AKA avoiding spiteful grannies ramming trolleys into my ankles because I got the last box of washing powder on this weeks super special.

Get to the oil aisle and HOLY FUCK there is a lot of oil on the market oh well it only for the canary, cheap is good.

Finish the shopping, pop oil in the car and drive home feeling pretty bloody good.

You know you can nearly hear Helen Reddy roaring 'I am Woman!!!!!

Not too long after I get home Sam rings.

Quite excited I say that I have put oil in the car.

Oh babe he says, that's great I actually forgot to do it, sorry - how much oil did you need'

Im thinking der what a daft question.

Only one bottle - yeah like Id cough up for more than one bottle for the canary right?

Sam's voice is somewhat quieter when he asks............

Babe what size bottle did you buy?

Oh the 5lt because it worked out cheaper, and just as well I say as the poor canary was obviously right out of oil because the light was on and everything I had to use the WHOLE bottle.

There is dead silence on the other end of the phone and then he starts laughing.

Laughing I tell you.

What is so funny?

Babe your car only needs 3 litres max, it sounds like you have overfilled it, don't drive it till I get home.

WTF are you talking about I say, if the car only takes 3 litres why did it let me put 5 litres in it, that is so stupid, and what do you mean I cant drive it??????

Babe you are meant to check the level on the dipstick add a little bit of oil and check it again.

WTF the whole car is a dipstick this is a bloody joke, clearly a man invented it because woman aren't quite so fucking stupid. If something is meant to take 3 fucking litres then it would be 3 litres in size - right? RIGHT!

Apparently wrong!

So take pity on me as I am carless until Friday.

So how do you......

Manage to work full time and manage four children? How in the world do you manage to find time? These are questions I am often asked and generally I meet them with a bit of confusion as I don't think there is anything special about what I do.

So how DO you manage an evening meal when you work all day a friend at work asked me last week.

Well you keep it simple and you teach your kids to cook at a young age.

Each week we create a shopping list based on a set menu for the week, all of the meals are very easy to throw together in less than 30 minutes or they utilise the slow cooker.

This is just so important when I don't get home till 5.15pm and we have netball/dance/gym or swimming to attend.

As Sam is away with work this week it is a very kid friendly menu. If he was home it would no doubt be razzed up a bit, but he of course would be home to cook it!

This week its:

Monday - Roast Chicken, Chips and Salad
Tuesday - Curried Sausages, Creamy Mash and Steamed Vegies
Wednesday - Spaghetti Boloagnaise with a side salad & garlic bread
Thursday- Tuna Morney
Friday - Help Yourself Night
Saturday - Potato Bake and a side salad
Sunday - Taco's

We ALWAYS eat at the table during the week now, its an opportunity to catch up on the days events and spend some extra time together.

It also means food can be served in central plates/bowls for everyone to help themselves.

My girls are old enough to be sensible in their selections, although I do still need to urge Jessica to have a little more salad or veggies.

The twins at 10, are quite capable of preparing Tacos for dinner, or making the side salad. While Sarah at 14 will happily cook any of the meals on our menu this week.

Taco's or wrap nights are always a favourite!

Happy Australia Day!

Yes its another Australia Day!

Time to reflect on just how damn lucky we are to live in this country.

To be honest I have never given much consideration to Australia Day, however this week I spent some time with a lady that sponsor's six children through World Vision.

I should add that she has been sponsoring six children at any given time for the last 15 years or so.

In Australia, even the lowest of income families can afford to put food on the table, clothe their children and see a doctor, sadly when these basic needs aren't met in Australia it is usually due to another underlying issue such as drugs, alcohol or gambling.

The children she sponsors wouldn't have access to any of these basic needs without her contributions.

I often take for granted just how lucky we are to live in Australia.

There are many people who stood for their Australian citizenship today they may have come from countries where there are no freedoms and life is a struggle for survival each and every day.

I hope they find peace in their 'new' country.

Happy Australia Day.

New Year, New Ebay

Yes yes, holidays are over and I am back.

Slowly adding things to the store, and I say slowly with a big emphasis on the slow.

I am hoping to be able to add more this weekend but who knows what will happen in this crazy little house of mine.

I do have some super cute Fifi and The Flowertots Winter Pj's in store now, and I would grab them if your little one loves Fifi because they are not going to last long.

BlingBlingKidz

Sarah's Netball

There was major excitement here just before Xmas when Sarah received a letter from Netball Tasmania saying she had been selected for a Regional Academy Scholarship

Click the link to read all about it and see her name (and others) up in lights!

The selection day was very long and involved hours of drills and games.

As the selectors where from TIS and Netball Australia, they didn't know any of the girls, so each and every one of the girls know they have been selected based on the natural skills ability and potential they displayed.

Its going to be a VERY busy and exciting year I think.

Not only will she have her Regional Academy commitments she will be playing school netball on Saturdays, Club Netball Monday and Wedensday not too mention she is the Netball Co-ordinater for Leighlands Christian School next year for one possibly two teams which will involve one night training and coaching on Saturdays.

I am exhausted just thinking about it all, and think it sounds an awful lot for your average nearly 15 year old to take on.

But she loves netball, it is her passion and I am forever grateful she has found, at such a young age, something that she truly loves and is committed to.

Over summer she has followed a sensible healthy eating plan and trained to improve her overall cardio fitness all by herself.

I of course have been watching like your typical neurotic mother to make sure she hasn't gone overboard, and can happily say she certainly hasn't, she is just being extremely healthy

I can barely haul my fat butt to the gym three days a week and have more bad days with food than I do good.

I am a little bit surprised by all of this because it can mean only one thing.

Maybe she gets this from her father?????

Is it possible that I really only gave her beauty and brains?

Friggin Fuck It's PMT

I am not very good with PMT.

I am the first to admit it and my long suffering husband is usually the first to notice it (though the der shit he is he actually thinks it is funny to annoy me at this sensitive time in my life).

You would think that somehow I could control this inner demon, but seriously I just can't by the time I realise I have been completely unreasonable, argumentative and a true bitch for three days or so the worst is over and I, once again, have become the loving mother and wife (hehe sort of anyway).

Clearly this means I may have exposed my children to a complete lack of control over hormones, which is probably fine if you don't have LOTS of girls.

As they get older it is becoming more and more apparent that they suffer from the same lack of control over these strange hormones that I do.

Or is it that they have had a dismal example to follow and think moaning, bitching, crying and sooking for three days a month is normal behaviour.

Whatever the answer it scares me.

What if because of this I can't marry them off?

What are the chances of finding FIVE dumb guys who don't notice until its to late, and they are already sucked in for life like my DH?

WARNING WARNING WARNING

I am going slightly mad, crazy, mad.

Danielle is pregnant...........yes, baby number two, at the ripe old age of 20 to daddy number two.

I mean who does she think she is Fucking Britney Spears? (Sorry Brit I know it was just K Fed wasn't it, and I truly hope you do feel better soon.)

I think this eldest child of mine was delivered by a stork on freaking LSD clearly the stupid bird lost its way and gave me the wrong bundle.

Oh it was an a c c i d e n t mum, OMG PLEASE, just how many accidents do these young girls think we are going to believe?

Seeing as I went WITH HER and saw that 3 year implant go in the first time, and then there was no implant and Beth, leads me to believe my daughter believes I am seriously stoopid.

AND NOW we have baby number two on its way a year later?

Another a c c i d e n t ?????

I don't think so.

Mouth From The South

That is my Emily. You know after she was born I promised her I would look after her and make sure that as the youngest of five sisters that she didn't get overlooked.

Ha! I needn't of bothered, this girl came out with her arguments ready.

She has her hair tossing, door slamming indignant attitude finely tuned thank you very much.

Her super brat stare reduces her Dad to Jelly faster than me draining the savings account can.

Tonight they had an argument, I can't even really remember what started it, all I know is when miss nearly nine batted her baby blues and said:

' Well I DID say sorry Dad, and I think you REALLY must have heard me because I was right up close to your ear and everything'

I walked away with my smile firmly out of view lest I get into trouble.

I believe Emily has won another round because she is sitting up watching tv eating an ice block and poor Dad has gone to bed!

Disappointment in your child

Disappointment in your child is just a feeling of pain. It is a little like a catch of your breath a sinking sensation in your stomach and a head that seems to float around somewhere out of your reach.

You close your eyes and ears hoping that perhaps, just maybe, what they have told you isn't true.

When you realise it is true, I think the parenting part of your brain kicks into gear and you turn into this amazing (often not completely appreciated) tower of strength for them, you let them cry on your shoulder and wonder why you aren't the one crying.

You provide the most well balanced advice you can think of and do everything you can to love and support them through whatever difficulty has befallen them this time.

Quite often you may do this at the expense of your other children because you reason, quite certainly they will have their turn one day too and after all you would do just the same for them.

What happens when you have been through all of this not once, not twice, not even three times.

What if it just continues to happen?

What if its like a merry go round spinning crazily out of control. Its spinning so topsy turvy over and over and over again.

What do you do and say then?

When all the words you have, and some you didn't even realise you have, are spoken and your child just keeps jumping on that crazy giddy merry go round?

What do you do then?

Do you jump back on again with them, and try try some more?

Or do you stand back and watch them spin?

After parenting for nearly 21 years, I just don't know the answer.

I wish I did, truly I do.

Its So Quiet You Could

Hear a pin drop!

I kid you not. The three younger girls are away at camp, Sam is at work and Sarah is out with a friend. I can hear the water fill in the washing machine over in the laundry, I can hear the soft whir of the computer ticking over. It is soooooo strange!

The younger girls get home on Friday morning and boy that will be nice, I miss them terribly. It has been Emily's first trip to camp and I was so worried about her and then so very proud that she didn't ring home on the first night wanting to be picked up. Just because she has rung twice a day since then just means I am the most adorable mother in the universe - YEAH its my tiara to wear this week baby!

Back to the whole idea of school holiday camps. My girls love it, the twins seem to see it as a big time out from the hassles of family life (yeah to be 10 again huh), they don't have to face doing the dishes every third night or cleaning their room. Sadly for them this time they still have that one little annoying sister there but from what I understand they have adopted her out to potential new siblings.

Its a very cheap camp in my opinion $85/child for 5 nights, compare that to our usual daycare bill of $30-35/child PER DAY and you can soon see the savings ching ching chinging!