tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46243124610625666472024-03-19T05:23:07.940-07:00The Ramblings of Another MotherAn honest review of the profession of working motherhood.Jazzyboohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15546291681831500547noreply@blogger.comBlogger52125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4624312461062566647.post-37213301957664102242012-03-23T18:04:00.002-07:002012-03-23T18:04:50.808-07:00Rockchicks Rockstar AttitudeWell. Yes.<br />
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This is what it has recently looked like most of the time between me and Rockchick.</div>
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I call it her rockstar attitude (quietly to myself) its her way, or the attitude way. She screams at us, throws hissy-fits, slams doors and sulks, basically she makes life hell for everyone around her.</div>
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Needless to say life was stressful for everyone. BUT we have started to deal with it. Its still THERE but its much better.<br />
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This is what we did.<br />
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The first thing that needs to happen is that you identify the difficult behaviour. As soon as you do that, GET THROUGH TO THE END OF THE DAY. This is a very important step, because if you dont get through to the end of the day, it means your kids have driven you to suicide. We don't want that.<br />
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Anyway. Get to the end of the day. Dont do anything that day, carry on. Note both the childs behaviour and your reactions. Identify whats actually going on.<br />
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For us it was, the child is fighting everything we say, she is sulking and bitching and being consistently difficult. And we are consistently getting angry and yelling until our voices are hoarse.<br />
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Now if you can do that, you can research. Type it into google, look at the childcare and parenting books gathering dust on your bookshelves. Sit back and process it. So I did. This is what I found:<br />
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<a href="http://www.empoweringparents.com/child-pouting-sulking-and-whining.php">An article on sulking and whining</a> which reminded me of<br />
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<a href="http://goldfishwisdom.org/component/lyftenbloggie/2010/08/06/4-how-to-stop-your-head-from-exploding">Nigel Latta's blog article about stopping your head exploding</a>, hes so hilarious!<br />
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and<br />
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<a href="http://goldfishwisdom.org/component/lyftenbloggie/2010/07/20/2-the-real-golden-rule">His article on "the golden rule of parenting"</a> Which is: Do not make their problems your problem. Its very easy to tell when you do that, because YOU are stressing out.<br />
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So I read the lot. And then shared my findings with my hubby. We sat and discussed and thought and finetuned and tweaked and recalled specfic incidents and then we made a plan.<br />
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Number one: Stop rising to the bait, stop feeding the tiger. Thats much easier said than done but I tell ya making the plan sure helps. Knowing what THEY do and planning HOW your going to react means that its much easier to fall onto that plan in that situation.<br />
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Number two: When the attitude appears calmly tell her we will not speak to her when she behaves that way. If it continues, warn her we will send her to her room if it continues. Again easier said than done. However, again, the plan helps.<br />
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Number three: If it continues send her to her room, if she refuses, calmly walk her to her room and shut the door, telling her she may come out when shes going to change her attitude.<br />
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Number four: If symptoms persist, take:<br />
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So we tried it, with some improvement. But basically old habits die hard. </div>
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Both her attitude habit, and our habit of letting it stress us out. </div>
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She still tested it, pushed it, checked to make sure we meant it, that we were going to stick to our plan, sometimes we failed miserably at that and sometimes we succeeded. However things began to shift, slowly. </div>
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Step in rule number two: you must try every new parenting idea for at least two weeks before you can gauge weather or not its working.</div>
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Now a few weeks on, we are seeing results. Slowly. We are finding it easier and easier not to rise to the bait, and she has good attitude days and bad attitude days. Shes getting more likely to respond if we remind her that we wont tolerate it. </div>
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I have found that actually punishing her for it seems to only feed the tiger, simple intolerance tends to work best. Refusal to rise to the bait. </div>
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And if all else fails, there is always Valium.</div>
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xx The ramblings of another mother.</div>
<br />Jazzyboohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15546291681831500547noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4624312461062566647.post-92058234675243901812012-02-13T18:45:00.000-08:002012-02-13T18:45:28.499-08:00Update... me!Well its been a bloody long time hasn't it? Few things in life recently:<br />
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1) We have moved house. We are now living in my parents house for a while. Finishing off the savings then fingers crossed we will be moving into our very own home. LANDLORDS EVERYWHERE KISS MY HAIRY ARSE!</div>
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2) Rockchick is now 8 years old, and has brought with her a brand spanking new attitude problem, complete with sulking drama fits and pre-teen traumatic problems. We are in the process of trying out a new tactic for this and if it works I will post about it.<br />
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3) My babies are nearly 3!! Out of cots and into beds (yes it was late, but dern their cages were fantastic... I miss their cages) we are working on teaching them the value of sleep and staying in bed at bedtime, the main value being mummy and daddy dont go completely mental and throw them off the deck. We are also starting on potty training... which is, interesting.<br />
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4) My 101 challanges crashed and burned. I am in the process of re-writing them, and while i know this is probably not the point I have since recognised that, as usual, I got overly ambitious on myself. I have pulled hte notebook back out and am busily studying them and thinking... (all owls think a lot) thank you to my dear friend and felklow blogger for reminding me both to blog and to look at these: <a href="http://tastytidbitsandrandomrambles.blogspot.co.nz/2012/02/its-been-one-of-those-days.html">Tasty Tidbits and Random Ramblings</a>.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Broom Flower</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Woody Nightshade.</td></tr>
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5) I am busily re-thinking my tattoo. I still want it either on my wrist or calf, and still want all my family represented (yes even my hubby) I am looking into their various star signs. Animal totems and so on. I am keen on continuing to represent myself with an ivy vine (my celtic tree sign), and am thinking that instead of flowers to represent my children, I would like animals. Working on what kind. Rockchicks celtic totem animal is the dragon, one of my fave animals but I dont want to represent one of my kids with it, as I would like to get a dragon tattooed on my lower back one day. Also the twins are represented by hares and that just does not feel right (I would also like to choose a different animal per child). My husband is fairly easy, his totem flower is the Broom flower. Which I think is rather pretty and can bloom of the ivy vine (this along with the woody nightshade, which is my totem flower. So yes thinking thinking... I have plenty of time to think since every spare penny we have is going into savings and therefore very few frivolities for quite some time.<br />
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Finally:<br />
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Business is BOOMING, the kids are GROWING, life is MOVING and its going to be one fantabulous year!<br />
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xx The Ramblings of Another Mother</div>Jazzyboohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15546291681831500547noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4624312461062566647.post-88040886617419378002012-02-13T17:02:00.001-08:002012-02-13T17:02:32.252-08:00Post from phone<div><p>So now i can post from my phone... Does it work? lets see....</p>
</div>Jazzyboohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15546291681831500547noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4624312461062566647.post-10239792024079095132011-11-16T18:32:00.001-08:002011-11-16T18:58:14.168-08:00Slacker!! with a blah day.I feel like such a slacker when I look at other peoples blogs... I am not really all that consistent at this. I also write novquarteels most of the time and I am sure thats not all that appealing to most people, but never mind. It interests me and hopefully the odd other person out there gets value from it.<br />
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I have had a blah day.<br />
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It started late... I woke up at about quarter to seven to twins yelling in their cots and I thought "2 minutes please girls" and next thing I know its 8... they must have gone quiet cos I don't sleep through them. At least I hope I don't. Its kinda funny when people say "I don't sleep through things" Cos how would they know? They would have been asleep at the time - surely?<br />
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Although I am pretty sure I never sleep through the kids.<br />
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Anyway's so I get up, change them, feed them blah blah, just feeling really despondent... just blah, not in the mood for anything.<br />
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Feel like having a long cry.<br />
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The girls were grouchy. I dont know if thats cos I was or if they would have been anyways.<br />
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We went to the local library for rhyme time which is usually a highlight of the week but today they were little tantruming things and made me feel very embarrassed and I was rather glad when it was over.<br />
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Then we had to go to an appointment, and while we were there a couple of young guys had a rather loud and frightening fistfight outside the doors. During which a young woman got caught in the crossfire and knocked down, spilling everything from her bag all over the pavement.<br />
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And then we had to leave. I felt very small and frightened. I am not used to seeing fighting on the street. That is just not something that happens in the neighbourhood we live in. I was standing there with a toddler on each side thinking, I dont want to walk to my car. We are only small. If anything happens theres only me with these children.<br />
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As it happened, the fighting people had cleared off so we got to the car without incident.<br />
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Today is a thankful for good friends day. I got home to one of my closest friends waiting in my driveway and felt very blessed.<br />
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After a nice long gossip the afternoon was over, and it was time to get Rockchick from school.<br />
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I'm very grateful to my friend for taking my mind off my mood. And I will be grateful when my husband gets home. My husband is one of the few people on the planet that really understands these moods I get in and accepts me. And loves me anyway.<br />
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Mostly I will be grateful at bedtime. Goodnight world.<br />
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xx The Ramblings of Another Mother.<br />
<br />Jazzyboohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15546291681831500547noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4624312461062566647.post-56015254199797196922011-11-14T17:52:00.001-08:002011-11-14T18:37:11.037-08:00Play Styles in Pre-school Children.Recently we had a child development team come to investigate Banky-Boos slow start to walking... while I was assured she was normal (which I already knew) in the letter I received about the visit it mentioned that BankyBoo and CheekyLala have completely different play styles, and therefore it would be unfair to compare.<br />
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That was it. No elaboration on that statement. I was left with a feeling of "What does that mean?" What are the different styles of play, does that mean that I need to support that in different ways? If so, HOW? This has gotten me into an observation mode, my analytical brain tick tick ticking.<br />
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Sure I already KNEW they had different styles of play, they are completely different children, with completely different interests. One of the ways I know this is actually THROUGH comparison.<br />
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Bankyboo is a thinker, she enjoys imaginative play more that any other type. She is less likely to need validation for this, and is more likely to remain contented in her corner. She loves movement style play like dancing and physical touch. She is more likely to relax into a cuddle. She enjoys baby dolls and playing near or with her sister. Shes quiet and rarely babbles, but is usually very clear when she does speak. While she has a sweet temperament and tantrums less often, but when she tantrums it can last a long time. She is quicker to anger than her sister. While she can solve problems she is more likely to get bored and move onto something else. She likes staying near her "people". She undresses herself.<br />
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Cheekylala is a doer, she wants to KNOW everything and she wants us to tell her so she can learn it. She is more dependant than her sister, not needing her own space as much and rarely straying far from me. She loves puzzles, problem solving type play like "posting" and building. She is a chatterbox and wanders about the house calling whoever is in her head at that moment. She is a babbler. She is more likely to tantrum when things don't go her way, but gets over it quickly. Shes a problem solver. But she does not undress herself. She is more likely to have "accidents", being physically adventurous.<br />
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They both misbehave to get attention, and they both love watching tv! They both like to "help" mummy or daddy.<br />
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Its kind of interesting setting it all out like that.... its almost like they (God, the powers that be, genetics, whatever you call it) took two people and separated the personality's and then kinda patch worked it back together into twins.<br />
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This morning we read a book about insects and Cheekylala was able to label almost all of them, and the two she didn't know, she wanted me to repeat the name several times then on a second read she was able to label them. Her sister, standing next to us reading the same book parroted the names and knew a few, but lost interest quickly and moved on.<br />
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Later this morning we played with the Duplo and spent a long time learning the colours. Bankyboo was immediately on my knee, while Cheekylala was content to sit near us to play. While Bankyboo would repeat the colours after I said them, she was not interested in engaging in a colour search with me, while Cheekylala happily piled all the red blocks together, then the blue etc. Bankyboo wanted to build. We had a great time making little buildings of blocks and then banging them down and it was really interesting for me to watch.<br />
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I have seen this in other areas too, while drawing together, Cheekylala wants me to draw objects and letters so she can study them, and gets very angry when I tell her to try, while Bankyboo will snatch the crayon off me to draw herself.<br />
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Bankyboo is more likely to use several colours during drawing and Cheeklylala rarely switches colours, making me think she is more interested in the shapes.<br />
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They are both keenly intelligent, Cheekylala is what I believe slightly more analytical and Bankyboo is a little more practical. Air vs. earth.<br />
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They are both definitely girls! We have shoes all over the house. They are very keen on having a say in what clothes they wear and quite decisive about it. Though they have yet to take on any particular style. Ending up with interesting mismatched outfits.<br />
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I struggle to find ways to play with Bankyboo as she is quite independent, and often not interested in engaging with me in play. But she will come and lean into me for cuddles. Her temperament is closer to her fathers and he understands her better. I feel like a dreadful mother admitting such a thing but it is true. I adore all my children equally, but differently. They are different children.<br />
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I am struggling to find any information for the everyday person about styles of play and what that means. A Google search took me to many psychology studies, most of which I need to belong to the website or pay for to read. I intend to have a good peruse through my old university textbooks later to see what I can find. Such a thing is impossible with two toddlers underfoot! I have trouble setting my mind to reading university textbooks in a quiet moment let alone with toddlers climbing all over me!!<br />
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In the meantime I do know that all my children feel loved and supported, and in no way do I try and make them into something they are not. But at the same time I wish to discover the different "Playstyles" and what that requires of me the parent.<br />
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xx The Rambling of Another MotherJazzyboohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15546291681831500547noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4624312461062566647.post-30877560341531026472011-10-22T10:03:00.000-07:002011-10-22T10:24:35.090-07:00Middle of the night darkness.<br />
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My day is starting at 5:30, thanks to my twins who decided they were both done with sleeping. Very unusual for them they almost always sleep in till seven at the earliest. Sometimes I'm still convincing them to get up at 7:30. (Yes I have odd toddlers).<br />
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I dont mind though, In fact I'm rather grateful, as I was already awake.<br />
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And thinking dark thoughts.<br />
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"You are useless, why cant you just do the housework as you go so you dont end up living in a pigsty?"<br />
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"Why can't you just keep on top of things."<br />
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"You're a lazy cow." (one of my favourite self-depreciating remarks)<br />
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"You aren't good enough. You have to work harder."<br />
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"Why can't you just give up the smoking? Do you want to be around for your kids or not?" And then the anxiety attacks start and I can barely keep them away. Beyond the darkness. Please stop thoughts, please stop brain! Just stop...<br />
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So yes, I am grateful to my girls for giving me a good excuse to get away from those thoughts. Breaking up fights and dealing with toddlers is a great distraction.<br />
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Its easier to shut it all up in the day.<br />
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xx The Ramblings of Another MotherJazzyboohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15546291681831500547noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4624312461062566647.post-44979985230444216282011-10-18T17:48:00.000-07:002011-10-18T17:48:51.126-07:00Crayon Disasters.Bring on holidays!! Been having fun doing some of the stuff I planned. In my usual over-ambitious way I have planned more than I can possibly fit into two weeks, especially when I continued to work for one of them.<br />
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Previously I have soldiered on through the holidays but this time I thought to my self "why did I start this job?" Sure my main reason was that it was available, but I could have gone out and gotten any old job like any other person, but I took this opportunity because I could work it around my family.<br />
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But have I? No, not really. Apart from the many (many) medical appointments I have not really "worked around my kids" no more often my kids have fitted around my work.<br />
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And for the most part thats how it should be, I am in this to run a business, to make money and improve my family's financial situation. To do that I must put in the hours.<br />
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But at the same time we were coming up to these holidays and I thought, you know what? No one is going to die if I take the second week off. So I have, and am spending some quality time with my babies.<br />
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I am also taking the opportunity to dedicate a day to myself. Mental health and well being and all that jazz.<br />
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In the words of one of my favourite authors: <a href="http://www.terrygoodkind.com/index.shtml">Terry Goodkind</a> If you are at all interested in the fantasy genre and have not read him, then do: <b>Life is for living, so rise up and live it.</b><br />
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Yesterday me and the kids spent the morning browsing round the local shops and while that may not have been everyone's favourite way to spend time with their kids it was fun to just wander with them, be involved in what they are interested in and get some ideas for xmas. Looming up fast the fat man in a red suit and all his dollar requirements.<br />
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Then home and lunch and twins down for a nap. And I thought time to see what I can do, so I sorted out the crayons, long ones short ones, stubbs. This was all in the thought of "I will make these" :<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVBDi-WrboG8bqd-HCRUPZN5-imvEb8Cis_KzNFIXNGdg-CD5zMtvGjtXWVKVfOdO0vOFjWcQKN2_jdkX7lBbHEyA38McmrMn5iHScDDmoBG_PsENkOrGGLZKdiFQpkdfBWNtvnbeEtyw/s1600/160046006_FLJ5uve6_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVBDi-WrboG8bqd-HCRUPZN5-imvEb8Cis_KzNFIXNGdg-CD5zMtvGjtXWVKVfOdO0vOFjWcQKN2_jdkX7lBbHEyA38McmrMn5iHScDDmoBG_PsENkOrGGLZKdiFQpkdfBWNtvnbeEtyw/s320/160046006_FLJ5uve6_c.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/160046006/">Another Pinterest inspiration...</a></div>
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AND another thing to cross off my list of <a href="http://theramblingsofanothermother.blogspot.com/p/101-challange.html">101 things</a>.</div>
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Mine did NOT work the same as these ones.... I am not entirely sure why... I have several theories including "baked too long" "baked too hot" "different brands" but really... they just didnt really work.</div>
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At thought at first I might have accidentally put one of the oil pastels in too, as there seemed to kind of pool at the top with some weird liquid that was just brown... and very intelligently I poured it down the sink.</div>
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Wasn't I clever? I mean, what an INTELLIGENT thing to do??!!</div>
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So I come back to the sink to find a pool of solidified wax there... Oh sh** I thought. I chipped it away, and then realised that the sink was bloody blocked. </div>
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I blocked the sink with crayons. I BLOCKED THE FRICKEN SINK??? </div>
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Try explaining that one to the landlords think I... "Hi there, well my brain fell out on the way to the hospital to have twins and it never did get fully recovered... I think a truck may have run over it and damaged vital parts of reason and common sense...."</div>
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TRY explaining that one to my husband (by the way, he still doesn't know this story.... I am not hiding it or anything.... no no no I am uhhhm well.... rather mortified at myself!).</div>
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Ok so think think... what to do... Boil kettle, and pour boiling water down the sink.... wait. wait. A few small ribbons of wax appeared and I scalded my hand pulling them out as quickly as possible, melted wax mind you, that kind of attached itself to my hand like a leech and discolour it....</div>
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MORE hot water.... the sink is rapidly filling with hot water and I am squeezing major amounts of dish liquid in as well for good measure.</div>
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More ribbons of wax... </div>
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And suddenly WHOOSH the whole thing empties. Well thank eff for that.... One more kettle of hot water down the sink and a copious squeeze of dish liquid for good measure.. and then I remember that the crayons are still in the oven.</div>
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Pull em out. Very brown and rather odd looking things but after they re-hardened and I popped them out I saw that the bottoms looked like this.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc3YfZBJAFVis4ZffANF9GrErdCpbOy9kJxdU9_gYSeaGt6Np-kMFkheDlG4iozK47aLlM94kK_YjVJDWoB3-GJN3jUvfx_WFh1GoIt3dwdT5APNbjiONdoKq6EDLlYJ3OKLObs9mpSuo/s1600/crayons.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc3YfZBJAFVis4ZffANF9GrErdCpbOy9kJxdU9_gYSeaGt6Np-kMFkheDlG4iozK47aLlM94kK_YjVJDWoB3-GJN3jUvfx_WFh1GoIt3dwdT5APNbjiONdoKq6EDLlYJ3OKLObs9mpSuo/s320/crayons.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Not too bad for a first effort. I intend to have a few more goes, perhaps melting the colours separately and then pouring them into the moulds... no not the sink. The moulds.</div>
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And yes, I can be incredibly ditzy at times....</div>
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xx The Ramblings of Another Mother</div>
<br />Jazzyboohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15546291681831500547noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4624312461062566647.post-34281980360153374002011-10-07T18:40:00.000-07:002011-10-07T18:40:33.824-07:00Dern it!So my lovely daughter cleaned her room up, and I told her she could vacuum it too if she wanted. So she proceeded to vacuum EVERY LITTLE THING up off her floor, and every big thing. Consequently it got blocked, but being young, and untrained in the ways of vacuums she continued to vacuum and after awhile the thing gave up and stopped working.<br />
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Oh crap. The things broken we said. Damn. We will have to buy a new vacuum we said.<br />
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Then I started looking at vacuums online. So many vacuums! So many choices!! I love this one:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxUNptxh3_iRCODuB-g-WLY_FtgvKKa5iMxxJROz56phSylZzN_dobXkyv37VxgKUF25q8KdL0oOJMjyVpuxuUANkiHZkKJ0uJJbZ04zL-D18rDQPBVZ0KhEP36sABaQER34Nv2GvTxG8/s1600/Vacuum.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxUNptxh3_iRCODuB-g-WLY_FtgvKKa5iMxxJROz56phSylZzN_dobXkyv37VxgKUF25q8KdL0oOJMjyVpuxuUANkiHZkKJ0uJJbZ04zL-D18rDQPBVZ0KhEP36sABaQER34Nv2GvTxG8/s320/Vacuum.JPG" width="315" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.godfreys.co.nz/vacuum_cleaner_information.php?cat=6&is_subcat=0&id=267&page=2&catname=Q2FycGV0IFNoYW1wb28=">Its a WERTHEIM SHAMPOO EXTRACTOR SE9000</a></div>
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Its ONLY a grands worth of fantastic machine.... OMG FANTASTIC MACHINE!!</div>
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Oh the cleanliness! Oh the beauty! Oh how I want it... Wet and dry greatness. Deep cleaning splendour. </div>
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Dear Hubby laughed his bum off though.... I don't blame him... I mean a thousand dollars on a vacuum cleaner?? </div>
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When I win lotto godfreys will be my first stop...</div>
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In the meantime we decided to settle for something a little more sensibly priced such as this:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKTJogssaTzGe1TIa0808oS_iDQIcffCwIDES7fkM20HG7SzEh_62CrLWhMFrBfS-Wsmgmnz6FYKIiRSEAA5lD9wq1HdrA-sGOVAt3fL5ANMOGoHJ9Ddu6_woFH-CjQGwwycVSdUKTz2I/s1600/power_max_236_MAIN.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKTJogssaTzGe1TIa0808oS_iDQIcffCwIDES7fkM20HG7SzEh_62CrLWhMFrBfS-Wsmgmnz6FYKIiRSEAA5lD9wq1HdrA-sGOVAt3fL5ANMOGoHJ9Ddu6_woFH-CjQGwwycVSdUKTz2I/s320/power_max_236_MAIN.JPG" width="315" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.godfreys.co.nz/vacuum_cleaner_information.php?cat=1&is_subcat=0&id=236&page=3&catname=QmFnbGVzcyBWYWN1dW0gQ2xlYW5lcg==">Much more sensible... though way less cool: POWERMAX 2400 WATT BAGLESS $149...</a></div>
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Then my husband walks past the dead vacuum and flicks the switch. And it whirs to life. </div>
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Crap! I was looking forward to my new vacuum cleaner.</div>
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xx The Ramblings of Another Mother</div>
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<br />Jazzyboohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15546291681831500547noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4624312461062566647.post-59800030069900843642011-10-05T18:01:00.000-07:002011-10-05T18:02:17.515-07:00Looking through my window...This is a second post in one day yes... but I had to share, vent, whatever, the reason why I almost always have a headache by this time of day when my kids are home.<br />
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Most mornings go like this:<br />
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7am: Drag myself out of warm bed, tell Rockchick to start getting ready. Go to the toilet, remind Rockchick shes supposed to be getting ready. Go into the twins rooms, attempt to remember which one I dressed first yesterday (no favouritism) Yell at Rockchick that shes not supposed to be standing in the hallway, but is meant to be getting dressed in uniform. Fail to remember which one I dressed first yesterday and grab the nearest twin, and start dressing her. The other twin will now start either yelling or laughing depending on her mood. Realise I have forgotten their shoes and go into the living room to find them, remind Rockchick on the way past that reading is not putting on her uniform, get back with the shoes retrieve the toddler from under the cot where she is searching for a dummy, fend off various limbs and close my ears to the objections and start to change and dress her. Ask Rockchick why she has come to stand in the hallway and is not getting dressed. Retrieve the toddler from across the room and get her clean nappy on, ask her which top she wants to wear and then remind her that she needs the tee-shirt before she can wear the sweater. Get the rest of her clothes on, then call out to Rockchick is she getting dressed as well as singing? Get the other twin: repeat.<br />
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7:20: Put the kettle on, ask Rockchick what she needs to do next to be ready on time for school. Make Rockchicks lunch, make the twins breakfast, make my coffee. Remind Rockchick that if she doesn't get ready on time she will be late for school. Ask her why she is wearing the dirty tights/t-shirt/skort she was wearing yesterday and send her back to change into clean ones and put the dirty ones in the laundry. Get fed up and make her breakfast (ask myself, is this possibly why she dawdles?) Decide I dont care and then brush and do everyones hair while they are eating at the table.<br />
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8 ish am: Sit down and drink my coffee and eat my toast, check in on facebook. Tell Rockchick that she is supposed to be eating not teaching the twins songs a syllable at a time. Get up and try and make the twins bring their plates to the bench. Sit back down. Remind Rockchick to EAT. Stand up and check the twins bag (which I always mean to do when I dress them but always forget). Go sit back down and remind Rockchick shes eating.<br />
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8:10: Almost time to go, head towards bedroom to get dressed, remind Rockchick on the way that we have to leave in fifteen minutes and she needs to be ready or she will be late. Get dressed, make bed, and remove dirty laundry from master bedroom to the laundry.<br />
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8:25: Go into toilet and take book off Rockchick, why on earth are you sitting on the toilet reading? Why is your bag not packed, your shoes and socks not on. Why did you pull your hair out, and why have you tried to plait it and created a dreadlock?<br />
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8:28: Yell at Rockchick to get off the toilet and get ready! Put the twins in the car, put their bag in the car, search house for sunglasses and wallet. Fail. Yell at Rockchick to get her socks and shoes on or she is going to be late.<br />
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8:30: Tell Rockchick we are going to go wait in the car, and that she is holding us up. Go wait in the car.<br />
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8:32: Toot the horn.<br />
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8:35: Toot again, Rockchick appears, cuddly toy in hand. Wind window down and remind her that she needs her bag for school.<br />
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8:37: Rockchick reappears with bag, call at her to shut the door. She comes and stands at the back door of the car and waves at the twins. I yell at her to get in the bloody car already.<br />
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8:40: Lecture Rockchick about getting ready in the mornings on time so shes not late. Stop at the school, redo her hair and kiss her goodbye, remind her to head straight to her classroom and ask where are we meeting after school today? (if I remember).<br />
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Now that is pretty much my typical morning every day, on my "work" days I then take the twins to kindy and then go home to work, but today it went like this:<br />
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8:42 arrive home, let twins out. Get another coffee and break up fight number one. Separate children. Get fed up and turn on tv for a little quiet. (at least kid noise quiet)<br />
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8:50 Sit down and answer my emails, drink coffee. Go break up fight number two.<br />
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9:20 sit on floor and play with twins. Remind them that mummys knee is big enough for two, read a story. read another story. Say no more stories and remove tantruming Cheeky Lala to her bedroom. Make another coffee.<br />
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9:40: Feel tired. Sit on chair for a minute.<br />
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9:42: attempt to tidy kitchen with two toddlers playing "run under the bridge" between my legs until I open the pantry to put something away, then listen to my daily rendition of "cookies? COOKIES!!!"<br />
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9:50: Give twins a cookie. Go put Dora on, finish kitchen.<br />
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10am Sit down, and feel tired. Go break up fight number three. Return stolen Blanket to Bankyboo, Tell Cheekylala that we do NOT take Bankyboos blanket, cos its her special blanky.<br />
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10:15: Turn off Dora and turn on Radio. Dance. Attempt to take turns picking up each twin, fail, try to get them to hold hands and dance all together, fail, break up fight number four.<br />
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10:30 Twins run off to bedroom. Feel grateful. Go put a load of laundry on. Listen to fight number five. Go into their room and yell that they do not pull all their clothes out of their dresser. Pull the sheets off their bed, put them in the laundry. Look at the pile of their clothes and decide not to put them back till later. Go write a blog post.<br />
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10:40: get climbed on by Bankyboo, Cheekylala comes in too and wants to join. Abandon Blog post and try to play on the floor with them, they run off. Go back to blog post.<br />
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11:00: Finish blog post, go to twins room and sigh at the larger pile of clothes on the floor. Yell at them that they do not do that. Feel tired. Go back to kitchen, unpack dishwasher. Hear twins fighting, ignore it. Fight number 6.<br />
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11:15 go into hallway, find twins have moved most of the pile of clothes to the hallway and have tucked themselves into bed on top. Feel tired.<br />
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11:18 Finish throwing last of pile back into their bedroom. Turn around and knock Bankyboo over. She screams, I feel guilty and sit down to cuddle her. Cheekylala snuggles in too and pats Bankyboo on the head. They start laughing and run off. I lean against the wall and feel tired.<br />
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11:20 Go break up fight number.... I have lost count.<br />
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11:35 Remember coffee I made at 9:20, start drinking it even though its cold. Start feeling headache come on with the next fight. Tell the twins that biting is definitely not ok and place them in time out. They then comfort each other. And run off to their bedroom. Feel tired.<br />
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11:40 Remember that attempting to tidy the living room is just stupid when the twins are up. Abandon the effort. Remember coffee. Go break up another fight.<br />
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11:55 Feel grateful that its almost lunch then naptime. Get a glass of water. Skull it. Hope that thats all the headache will turn out to be, skull another glass of water. Feel a bit sick. Go get Blanky back off Cheekylala and return it to Bankyboo. Remind Cheekylala that its not nice to take Bankyboos blanky.<br />
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12:00 attempt to make twins help clean up their mess. Feel tired. Give up and make their lunch. While they are eating I go make their beds for naptime. Make my lunch. Hide in my corner and check in on facebook while I eat. Get climbed on by various toddlers. Wish they would leave me to eat in peace. Return them to table to finish their lunch, attempt to return to mine. Break up another fight. Wolf down last part of my lunch then make bottles and put them into bed. Feel tired.<br />
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So thats typical life within my house. And I have a headache. I think this is more because I am tired today than anything else.<br />
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And now I am going to go tidy the living room, and hopefully vacuum.<br />
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xx The Ramblings of Another Mother.<br />
<br />Jazzyboohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15546291681831500547noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4624312461062566647.post-90291011996321762142011-10-05T15:21:00.000-07:002011-10-05T15:21:13.466-07:00I am the glue.You know every family has one, the glue, that makes things happen, keeps things gelling, holds everyone together.<br />
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I have read in studies that this person is often the middle child, also known as the "peacekeepers" but I am the youngest. And kind of the "only" as I grew up as the only child in my home from the age of 7.<br />
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And I am the glue. I am the glue in the extended family, and in my immediate family. I keep everything going, everything gelling.<br />
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Well the glue is TIRED today. After a long day of glueing yesterday.<br />
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For me yesterday that was getting up at 3:30 am and driving both my folks to the airport to drop off my father for a flight over to Australia to visit his mother and brother, then home on time for hubby to go to work and then get all the children sorted for school/kindy. Which was amusing as we got home by ten to 6, and there was so much time to get everything done! My poor mother wanted to help me but when you are so used to getting it all done there is a rhythm to it and she was at a bit of a loose end.<br />
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It was all done by 7. Thats unheard of in my house (since thats usually when I am dragging my butt out of bed...) SO Rockchick and I decided to do some knitting... knitting at 7 am felt very decadent.... Mum had a little silver fern patch which she sewed onto her cabin bag as she wanted to strongly represent her country in England!<br />
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So anyway, kids off to school/kindy, back home and it felt like a weird limbo... a waiting game for time to return to the airport with mum.<br />
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I feel hugely responsible for my mum, she has been my rock on so many occasions and I have been hers. We have this meshed network of relationship in which we are best friends, mother and daughter, daughter and mother, and each others confidants. And she has diabetes and arthritis. And I had to hand her care (hohum) over to my older brother for the next few weeks. I had to give her up for the next few weeks.<br />
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It was very hard to let go.<br />
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When you have that much confusion inside of you its hard to not feel exhausted, let alone getting up at 3:30 in the morning and driving to the airport, an hour and a bits drive away. Twice.<br />
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So at 10 am we were back on the road to take my mum to the airport.<br />
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We were hoping to have lunch and a chance to say our goodbyes before she left but the traffic was bad, and we got there on time to check her in and put her through customs. So it felt very rushed.<br />
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And then she was gone. I raced up to the viewing platform and saw her go through - she didn't see me. But then I had to leave the airport, when my mum was flying off with part of my heart clutched in her hand. I <i>am </i>fairly certain she left a part of hers with me, so it was a fair trade.<br />
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I got home on time to have a quick shower and felt a bit fresher, answered my emails and send out a quote. But then it was into my afternoon. Wednesdays are my hardest afternoon at the best of times.<br />
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Pick up children, tap dancing, home dinner, bed, BLAH.....<br />
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And I still couldn't get to sleep before 11:30. Silly over-tiredness.<br />
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I am now waiting to hear from my brother that she has arrived safely in England. She is arriving at 7pm yesterday our time, after 23 hours on a plane. I do love how buzzy time differences are!!!<br />
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And now back to life. House semi tidy, work prep for a site visit this afternoon, with the kids in tow, that should be fun. And I am fairly certain that the twins have pulled all the clothes out of their dresser while I have sat here typing this.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2vqBRDdcRHeaF5PD9xTwLaS4fKXLISDjmkFOyq-N87CEQqp1rA40ay6FBHXo7ODPuN4EAgFuq-DD55cUc5Wwp9nx83ysCenuo9ElvSQb77PyN3C18IcrwbZc2woSIKzOG4NRe63DxKHM/s1600/clothes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2vqBRDdcRHeaF5PD9xTwLaS4fKXLISDjmkFOyq-N87CEQqp1rA40ay6FBHXo7ODPuN4EAgFuq-DD55cUc5Wwp9nx83ysCenuo9ElvSQb77PyN3C18IcrwbZc2woSIKzOG4NRe63DxKHM/s320/clothes.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Oh the joys of being the glue!</div>
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xx The Ramblings of Another Mother.</div>
<br />Jazzyboohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15546291681831500547noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4624312461062566647.post-14140169290725827442011-09-29T22:25:00.000-07:002011-09-29T22:25:18.884-07:00Crafty bliss.So today I can cross off two items on my <a href="http://theramblingsofanothermother.blogspot.com/p/101-challange.html">101 Challange</a>, at least somewhat....<br />
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My craft stuff is all in one place and reasonably neat and ordered now... stayed up until midnight getting it all done on Tuesday so that my office was clear for work day on Wednesday.... WHEW!!!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUq0UVoHnSKDISwUmTqXqVh-Lt05vVQIW6faG3AWFIEaBVqw5zO_CVDjwiJ0LM8jVD7ANIRLOuGnm9DdSKK3wlhX-H757ow_t2LLNQKD7qxChyphenhyphenWPfRUe4cUT1grnSym2EJp476JCOOFJI/s1600/319248_10150306868191724_530121723_8175117_1794897255_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUq0UVoHnSKDISwUmTqXqVh-Lt05vVQIW6faG3AWFIEaBVqw5zO_CVDjwiJ0LM8jVD7ANIRLOuGnm9DdSKK3wlhX-H757ow_t2LLNQKD7qxChyphenhyphenWPfRUe4cUT1grnSym2EJp476JCOOFJI/s1600/319248_10150306868191724_530121723_8175117_1794897255_n.jpg" /></a></div>
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Now thats my craft stuff all piled up.... about a year or two ago I lost my crafty groove and got rid of about two thirds of it, but now that I have started up a craft circle with a group of friends I am starting to enjoy crafting again, and really enjoying teaching what I know to others, and opening my home to allow others to teach what they know and just generally feeling good about craft again. I posted this on facebook and a lot of people said WOW you have heaps of stuff, but to me, this is a small pile... I want to keep it that way though as for awhile there I had so much and so many projects on the go it was overwhelming. Now I am feeling I have it in a better perspective and a much more manageable load. I have also started "specialising" in just a few select crafts instead of trying to do everything. I dabble in this and that, but I mostly just stick to scrapbooking, knitting and embroidery and even knitting is really just a bit here and there...<br />
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Really looking forward to making these skirts for the girls for Christmas though :-)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzBwEDHUc2JOv02qT81dia1D1AY3UvTDppN_y4see8jnnzqzrd5294ymlM8Tnq3SRJ4Z93pmkF2vYwfEW7MszoHu0B7SvzBEcIFBf1S5Ujjl6Y_4R9Cu_Tv0c4fVyhBmYNrxdoeEiqOL4/s1600/189892913_3qnY3d8m_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzBwEDHUc2JOv02qT81dia1D1AY3UvTDppN_y4see8jnnzqzrd5294ymlM8Tnq3SRJ4Z93pmkF2vYwfEW7MszoHu0B7SvzBEcIFBf1S5Ujjl6Y_4R9Cu_Tv0c4fVyhBmYNrxdoeEiqOL4/s320/189892913_3qnY3d8m_c.jpg" width="251" /></a></div>
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If I can find some cool tops and short tights to go with they will all have a gorgeous Christmas outfit to wear for the day :-)<br />
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I mean HOW CUTE ARE THEY!!!! And sooo easy, take scraps of fabric in different colours and lengths, and a length of elastic, sew the elastic in a circle the right width and loop-tie the fabric pieces on! Viola!!<br />
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Loving it.<br />
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So anyway, back to the story...<br />
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After piling all my craft stuff on the floor I started thinking about what to do with it. We have a beautiful tv cabinet just shunted into a corner of the living room, behind my office nook, which has sat there for almost a year now, we have been listing it over and over on trade me and NO ONE WILL BUY IT which is odd because we think its one of the most beautiful pieces of furniture we have ever owned.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmrEThEJtDZgI7OTNBOhnHAut9lBhiQWPDOVMjVFjuaFrnTUgPH7iuZOqBbg6-wru7YrkyyBleXF43v6fUxcdo7X0SadKe7Hc7zwwnLMRELlVbo71Yh6cNWd_oYHHiHHB8seeiOzE_CwM/s1600/TM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="289" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmrEThEJtDZgI7OTNBOhnHAut9lBhiQWPDOVMjVFjuaFrnTUgPH7iuZOqBbg6-wru7YrkyyBleXF43v6fUxcdo7X0SadKe7Hc7zwwnLMRELlVbo71Yh6cNWd_oYHHiHHB8seeiOzE_CwM/s320/TM.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Isn't it???</div>
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And I thought, well its just sitting there, doing nothing... I may as well use it. And all my craft stuff being stuffed in boxes in various locations around the house is really starting to drive me (and my husband) insane, so out came my graph paper and pencil and i measured, and thought, and measured and planned. Then I went browsing, and took my tape measure, and measured and planned, and priced. And got rather depressed, because to make it EXACTLY what I wanted to make it was going to cost a little bit more money than could justifiably spent. So I thought some more.<br />
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Finally, I thought well, I cannot (CANNOT) keep trying to work with a pile of craft stuff in my office, its so crowded and distracting that NOTHING is getting done. And so I went searching throught the house, turns out that there are bits and bobs from previous attempts at organising my craft clutter about, so I brought them all in (washed most of them) and looked, and thought. And came up with a plan. And got to work.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyl74yyyDS7Cv-Sw4PYCJKq3Cyto4K3-SPuEf3_dB0EMrR-NklTK7runYCqkLab-wFsWlsAIUGRvm6lkKXPnf5om7lry7JhxeIpxk1FFXGCwu7D6m0o_YbHGNPa5zMGG5gW1imvPWiLq8/s1600/316535_10150308170071724_530121723_8182419_891379069_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyl74yyyDS7Cv-Sw4PYCJKq3Cyto4K3-SPuEf3_dB0EMrR-NklTK7runYCqkLab-wFsWlsAIUGRvm6lkKXPnf5om7lry7JhxeIpxk1FFXGCwu7D6m0o_YbHGNPa5zMGG5gW1imvPWiLq8/s320/316535_10150308170071724_530121723_8182419_891379069_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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THEN my dearest mummy took me birthday shopping on Tuesday and let me choose some baskets to use for storage, which I so desperately wanted. and so I came home very inspired. And the next day (after my midnight doings) it was done!<br />
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Final results:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Bq2AWywu715vuO2lWIVseAEX1lnUlcVk32rDfLlWMxWkUyDANnGD3EdVF585whz6PfEcFFUoynR02j3PANs8hdYcWio7PjqOXTXaRFpG-FOtgYCSkIb9Q2lGS_l_7JHjBw_CqvS1ODM/s1600/page.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Bq2AWywu715vuO2lWIVseAEX1lnUlcVk32rDfLlWMxWkUyDANnGD3EdVF585whz6PfEcFFUoynR02j3PANs8hdYcWio7PjqOXTXaRFpG-FOtgYCSkIb9Q2lGS_l_7JHjBw_CqvS1ODM/s320/page.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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So I am rather pleased to at least have it all in one place, It will be (as many things often are) an ongoing project as I slowly get the rest of the wicker baskets to match and make the unit really look awesome. A work of art, that doubles as my craft space, which is functional, inviting, and ORGANISED I love feeling organised.<br />
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The other thing I can semi cross off my list is my notebook with Rockchick:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrCR_KY4Lw6aDKMGUMSkQmqvctX9zNX__X4X63F-mg1YDFsNKe2Qg6OiDcwGEdrLNSlKHI0Ee9ZAmu1yU5_fINs0EJP_tFTEfpHSusxQWFADN_H5uS5d5QOyT5Gd9YarTPm4dVsyWL7w0/s1600/DSCF3172.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrCR_KY4Lw6aDKMGUMSkQmqvctX9zNX__X4X63F-mg1YDFsNKe2Qg6OiDcwGEdrLNSlKHI0Ee9ZAmu1yU5_fINs0EJP_tFTEfpHSusxQWFADN_H5uS5d5QOyT5Gd9YarTPm4dVsyWL7w0/s320/DSCF3172.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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Happened to find the same one as <a href="http://www.paisleyjade.com/2011/09/things-im-loving_23.html">Paisley Jade</a> and it was the ONLY one I could pick as it was so right for the job!!! Was only $2.99 from The Warehouse!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBQ8406-0LOhMWgogKKqzE82yfgzy9EJkVHgddIJLhclHTbjRX0WkbuZqIwJNOQkp2paaWC45sHT3j9GYsV4TtnNqBlhfKCBEBT9HLQCVfIXu8yllKeLBHxm5906byxbl_8335zYjEoa4/s1600/DSCF3173.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBQ8406-0LOhMWgogKKqzE82yfgzy9EJkVHgddIJLhclHTbjRX0WkbuZqIwJNOQkp2paaWC45sHT3j9GYsV4TtnNqBlhfKCBEBT9HLQCVfIXu8yllKeLBHxm5906byxbl_8335zYjEoa4/s320/DSCF3173.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Its meant to be secret but I couldn't help sharing her first letter: Dear Mum, How did the unicorns really die? So gorgeous!! And it gave me an idea for a childrens story I can write for number 26) Get a childrens book published. </div>
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Ohhhh yeah, got my creative groove on now!! See me pumping!!!</div>
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xx The Ramblings of Another Mother.</div>
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<br />Jazzyboohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15546291681831500547noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4624312461062566647.post-18436251413190551102011-09-26T01:39:00.000-07:002011-09-26T01:39:57.652-07:00101 ChallangeThanks to Paisley Jade, I have fallen in love with (yet another) project stolen from: <a href="http://catalinanz.blogspot.com/p/100-challenges.html">Catalina's 100 challange</a>. A fellow linker, and then I spent half of last night creating my "list". Its fantabulously amasing and I have included a lot of stuff I want/wanted to do anyways.<br />
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I am doing it from birthday to birthday, but its starting a little early. I turn 27 next Tuesday, and then by the time I am 28 I intend to have achieved the following 101 Tasks. (yes true to form, I have altered the WHOLE challange... I do this with almost everything. thats why I can't sew....I don't do patterns)<br />
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So here goes:<br />
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1. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls'; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"> <strike>Do this challenge first - Buy yourself a notebook. Use this as your journal to document your challenges. Take pictures of completed challenges where possible and add them to it. Use this notebook to collect all the things you need to write down. Use the notebook for all the lists you have to create during challenges.</strike> 26-09-2011</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px;">2. Buy a big canvas, and use some paint, with spoons, forks, in spritz bottles with the kids to create a masterpiece. Give them each a colour and myself. (and DH if he's home). Hang the masterpeice in a prominant location in the house. Sign and date it like "real" artists.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px;">3. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls'; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">Go out of your way to do something kind for a stranger.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px;">4. Do a body detox.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px;">5. Write in my journal on a regular basis.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px;">6. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls'; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">Have a picnic.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls'; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls'; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">7. Make Tutu Skirts for the girls.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls'; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">8. Buy our house.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls'; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">9. Get my craft stuff organised and in ONE place.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls'; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls'; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">10. Makeover the twins room.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls'; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">11. Go to an opshop and buy something "ugly" with potential. Make it beautiful and wear it proudly.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls'; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">12. Do the Dale Carnegie course.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls'; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">13. Help someone do something they thought they couldn't.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls'; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls'; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">14. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls'; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">Write down 7 separate places from my life that I hope to take your children to see.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls'; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">15. Don't log into facebook for a week.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls'; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls'; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">16. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls'; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">Listen to classical music while doing the housework.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls'; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls'; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">17. Wake the kids up at 10.00 pm one night, just to say "I love you".</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls'; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls'; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">18. </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls'; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">Look through my old recipe books, choose one book and try cooking every recipe in it!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls'; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls'; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">19. Make </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px;">exercise</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls'; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"> a part of my day.</span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls'; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls'; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">20. Plant a vege garden.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls'; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls'; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">21. Host a New Years Eve Dinner party.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls'; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls'; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">22. Scrapbook the wedding.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls'; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">23. Volunteer at Rockchicks school for a day.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls'; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">24. Go for a family walk on the beach at sunset.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls'; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls'; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px;">25. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls'; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">Create an eco-friendly home by making my own cleaners.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls'; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls'; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px;">26. Get a children's book published.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls'; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls'; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">27. Makeover Rockchicks room.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls'; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls'; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">28. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls'; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">Plant spring bulbs.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls'; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls'; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">29. Make homemade icecream.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls'; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls'; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">30. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls'; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px;">Make a loaf of bread from scratch.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls'; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls'; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">31. Stop taking my laptop to bed every night.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls'; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls'; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">32. Send a personal letter, every week. Buy a letter writing set to do this with.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls'; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls'; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">33. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls'; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">Create an occasion to wear my most impractical pair of shoes.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls'; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls'; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">34. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls'; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">Go to a Sunday market and look at all the colours, people, stalls, food, gifts and smell and listen.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls'; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls'; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">35. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls'; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">Go out of your way to do something kind for a stranger.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls'; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls'; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">36. Write a letter to myself to read in ten years time.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls'; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls'; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">37. Have a long, relaxing bath with bubble bath and bath oil. Read till my fingers wrinkle. Then go straight to bed. Do this as soon as the kids are down for the night.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls'; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls'; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">38. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls'; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">Send a surprise I-think-you’re-fabulous handwritten note to someone.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls'; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls'; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">39. Go fruit picking.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls'; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls'; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">40. Write letters to 5 people who have influenced my life for the better and post them.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls'; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls'; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">41. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls'; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px;">Make home-made jam or relish or preserve fruit and give the first one away.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px;">42. Make a list of my 52 favourite quotes and make a deck of cards book with them.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px;">43. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls'; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">Cut flowers, weeds, tree branches whatever is there and arrange them in a vase creatively. Thank the flowers etc as you cut them. Out loud.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px;">44. Create the kids Journey Books.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px;">45. Do the housework listening to classical music.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px;">46. Make an "I'm Bored" jar. Make some Activities bags.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px;">47. Answer the "50 questions that will free your mind".</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px;">48. Start a Notes Journal with Rockchick and keep it.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px;">49. Pay for the next cup of coffee.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px;">50. Don't complain about anything for a week.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px;">51. Get a tattoo.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px;">52. Write all my worst memories on paper. Burn it.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px;">53. Make Gingerbread Houses.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px;">54. Collect all my family and friends birthdays, put them into my calendar and send them all birthday cards by post.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px;">55. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls'; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">Buy someone a bottle of bubble bath and a rubber ducky – this has got to be given to an adult!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px;">56. Create my Dream House file.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px;">57. Make friendship bracelets.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px;">58. Blow up balloons for the kids birthdays and leave them on the floor for them to wake up to.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px;">59. Donate Blood.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px;">60. Lose 10 Kgs.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px;">61. Make over the master bedroom.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px;">62. Leave a card with a nice quote for someone under their window wiper.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px;">63. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls'; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">Be a good friend and take over a batch of homemade cookies or a cake.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px;">64. List 100 achievements I have managed in my life so far.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px;">65. Collect all the crystals in the house, take them to </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls'; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px;">a forest and roll them in the dirt, then to the beach and wash them in the sea. Bring them home and leave them in the moonlight. Replace them in the house the next day. Do this on a full moon.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px;">66. Find out a friends fave cake flavour and bake it for them.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px;">67. Jump in the bath with the kids.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px;">68. Create an inspiration board.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px;">69. Read 20 new books. And a few old and dear ones.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px;">70. Build a sundial with the kids.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px;">71. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls'; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">Put a love note in Rockchick's lunch box.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px;">72. Make a list of 25 things I like about myself and put it on my mirror.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px;">73. Create an Annual Scrapbook Template and use it!</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px;">74. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls'; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">If someone could describe you in 10 words what would you want those words to be? Write them down and read them every day this week. See if you really are living up to those words.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px;">75. Wear a skirt or dress for an entire week.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px;">76. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls'; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">Find a favourite piece of poetry – frame it, hang it.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px;">77. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls'; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">Go on an op-shopping adventure with a friend.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px;">78. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls'; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">Choose a photo of me and a friend. Write something on the back and send it to them telling them why I like the picture</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px;">79. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls'; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">Lay on a blanket with my kids and watch the clouds. Ask the kids what they see?</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px;">80. Finish my 365 days of photos challenge.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px;">81. Make a gift for a friend, just because.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px;">82. Make a reusable Advent Calendar.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px;">83. Create my Crafts Book.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px;">84. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls'; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">Go outside in the rain and get really wet. Take the kids. Look at the rain. Look at the colours.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px;">85. Do a Marketing Course.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px;">86. Create an "old magazine" creation.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px;">87. Make a time capsule.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px;">88. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls'; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">Create an area in your home that is just for my ‘creative space’ – maybe a corner with a chair in it or a whole room!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px;">89. "Kidnap" Rockchick from school one day and go roller skating.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px;">90. Buy a tabletop card holder and fill it with photos.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px;">91. Create a craft box for the kids and pull it out at least once a month.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px;">92. Have a romantic candle lit dinner for two.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px;">93. Reuse the broken crayons to make new ones, and a couple of colourful candles too.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px;">94. Write a letter to myself as if I was 70.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px;">95. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls'; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">Have a family meal by candlelight.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px;">96. Embroider a favourite quote. Hang it in my office.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px;">97. Make Gloop</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px;">98. Plant a tree.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px;">99. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls'; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">Let the kids decide the dinner menu one night, help them to make it, set the table and decorate it with whatever they want.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px;">100. Read over my notebook and feel fantastic about everything I have achieved.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Crafty Girls';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px;">101. Buy my next notebook, and start my next list.</span></span>Jazzyboohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15546291681831500547noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4624312461062566647.post-81100008790425109672011-09-24T23:29:00.000-07:002011-09-24T23:30:21.320-07:00Things I am LovingSeen this all over the blog network and here I go, my first try! Linking up with Paisley Jade <a href="http://www.paisleyjade.com/">HERE</a><br />
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Having never "linked" before I am not sure exactly how it works so i hope it comes off alright.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9a9Xa43oZXErfHG3QOCABo27ub8dPuuC9v2w6n274OTcvalpXK_kqLNQDtGRCLWyrGiqytRayTrfaokwqjBYRCj4yFdhWzbGkSYPv07s0bhOYNV5kl_fHBb2SkgWbnB7_21WYt7tPR4A/s1600/DSCF3164.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9a9Xa43oZXErfHG3QOCABo27ub8dPuuC9v2w6n274OTcvalpXK_kqLNQDtGRCLWyrGiqytRayTrfaokwqjBYRCj4yFdhWzbGkSYPv07s0bhOYNV5kl_fHBb2SkgWbnB7_21WYt7tPR4A/s320/DSCF3164.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
So onto: Things I am loving RIGHT NOW<br />
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My kids playing dress ups, hearing them laugh their brains out over the dolly parton wigs, and DH joining in, throwing on the wig and shoving a pillow up his top to sing "Jolene"<br />
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<a href="http://pinterest.com/jazzem/">http://pinterest.com/jazzem/</a> Yes yes I know, its OLD news, but for me its new and exciting and I am getting thousands of ideas of things to do and what I want to make.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeDfmMJMVd6533xXRPLFogUVRyIxfMyr3ZRpFKj1kyOfW3hM3VbUsuxh3HxLVJoDaSf8lV3sX7_tQ9TyWiTF6Um0zRPx-U79enh8Rj095ADuYZCsMgPGq6ek4mVaYr9erlvc8jGTDBOdQ/s1600/DSCF3135.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeDfmMJMVd6533xXRPLFogUVRyIxfMyr3ZRpFKj1kyOfW3hM3VbUsuxh3HxLVJoDaSf8lV3sX7_tQ9TyWiTF6Um0zRPx-U79enh8Rj095ADuYZCsMgPGq6ek4mVaYr9erlvc8jGTDBOdQ/s320/DSCF3135.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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That rockchick is turning out as creative as me with her lil scuptures. That she can come climb on my knee and have a nice cuddle, and do a little blutack sculpting at the same time.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_R8BgxA-KE7RN0Ae9YdeEyQHk39hXua7ihGbja8WDWCp2XJYy4HApfGljJX0R0muzAa1PPKvSl4-KEdg5ZSTuXB8vq5GWjb2G9iE2fN6PZ_tjTAzq42wVOdzYjKbdRafPLlWMmMDok1I/s1600/DSCF3136.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_R8BgxA-KE7RN0Ae9YdeEyQHk39hXua7ihGbja8WDWCp2XJYy4HApfGljJX0R0muzAa1PPKvSl4-KEdg5ZSTuXB8vq5GWjb2G9iE2fN6PZ_tjTAzq42wVOdzYjKbdRafPLlWMmMDok1I/s200/DSCF3136.JPG" width="150" /> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: black;">My new Smartphone!</span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnE0a2bkF8CjduUvtfjbHz_iuQO6UnXrtf0T2Patw-3hTqwbEv9TxXqpy9d_R04Wh5PEIrtCxQq_jyi58lX41yuEiptoEYEMgZ3g-GpZZWuaToYt-QXv-XGMZeWz6hsZcnX9CYZy4Rw3s/s1600/DSCF3163.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnE0a2bkF8CjduUvtfjbHz_iuQO6UnXrtf0T2Patw-3hTqwbEv9TxXqpy9d_R04Wh5PEIrtCxQq_jyi58lX41yuEiptoEYEMgZ3g-GpZZWuaToYt-QXv-XGMZeWz6hsZcnX9CYZy4Rw3s/s320/DSCF3163.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnE0a2bkF8CjduUvtfjbHz_iuQO6UnXrtf0T2Patw-3hTqwbEv9TxXqpy9d_R04Wh5PEIrtCxQq_jyi58lX41yuEiptoEYEMgZ3g-GpZZWuaToYt-QXv-XGMZeWz6hsZcnX9CYZy4Rw3s/s1600/DSCF3163.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: black;">Teaching my kids about compromise: I wanted Rockchick to wear White shoes to an upcoming family wedding, Rockchick wanted sparkly ones, so we painted some white shoes with clear glitter nail polish. I think the effect is quite cool!</span></a></div>
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Getting my creative groove on, Here we have a few of my latest projects. A wall hanging (there will be one each for the twins), a new grab-bag for me, and my ever growing heart quilt.</div>
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Again: Thanks Pinterest!!! This is the start of our family centre. There is an inbox for each family member, a meal planner and shopping list, and a monthly. I want to make a bigger monthly planner, and still have a few things to add, but its taking shape, and is already so useful!</div>
<br />Jazzyboohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15546291681831500547noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4624312461062566647.post-23773236742681860422011-09-24T00:07:00.000-07:002011-09-24T00:07:15.721-07:00OH EM GEESOOOO apparently I am good at what I do. I went to head office on Monday last week and they now want me to turn what I do into a manual and train every other agent in the country. They also want me to find the best online software solution to connect the country for referrals, quality control, and inter-company communication.<br />
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This is MUCH easier said that done...<br />
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I have extremely specific criteria I want in one of these, but finding one that provides it is not easy. And then add in the necessity of branches and its like -say what?<br />
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I get the email version of a funny look I think.<br />
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"No sorry our program is designed for SMALL business's and does not support branches."<br />
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I didn't really realise that small business's had to stay that way... Don't most companies start out small but hope to grow? I hope mine will grow. If I was using a program that met all my needs then suddenly I decided to franchise it, but had YEARS of data and found the program was no longer able to meet my companies needs I would be fairly ticked off.....<br />
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SO the list so far is:<br />
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<a href="http://www.workflowmax.com/">http://www.workflowmax.com/</a><br />
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This program is amazing, and cost effective. It did everything I wanted from a software program EXCEPT support branches! It also has an excellent set of videos that takes you through the entire program, how to use it and lots of extra little features. One of the things I loved about it was that you could place all your own branding onto the site, so it looks professional and clean.<br />
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<a href="http://www.zoho.com/">http://www.zoho.com/</a><br />
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Zoho is a great set of applications, and would do everything I wanted but the thing I did not like in the end was that you really had to double or even triple enter data to make it work. You may use the CRM (customer relations management) the project manager, the contact manager the calendar, and even others, but they dont really seem to communicate with each other. Correct me if I'm wrong! One thing I DO like is that there is a creator application, so you can basically create your own forms and things according to your companies needs, unfortunately to really try it out you have to pay. I am not prepared to spend money just to test something out.<br />
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<a href="http://www.worketc.com/">http://www.worketc.com/</a><br />
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This is meant to be a one stop shop for all your business needs, it covers contact management, project management, invoicing, customer relation management. It also incorporates a support desk application which can be used for inquiries and issues too. I like that you can connect email to it, and send emails from the application that the customers can answer and they will appear in your dashboard for viewing when they log in. I also like that you can place some branding within the system so people see your logo etc when they log in and that you can give customers the ability to log in to see their own jobs. It may not support branching as such but it does support company contacts and you can create your own tags. You can also sign contacts up to mailing lists which is great if you want to have a newsletter or similar to send.<br />
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A few I have heard of but not yet fully explored are:<br />
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<a href="https://www.salesforce.com/au/">https://www.salesforce.com/au/</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.netsuite.com/portal/products/netsuite/main.shtml">http://www.netsuite.com/portal/products/netsuite/main.shtml</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.greentree.com/">http://www.greentree.com/</a><br />
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There are literally thousands of these out there. Every one is basically the same in the end, but there are differing features for each that mean it works best for different types of companies.<br />
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I am really excited about the new responsibilities head office are wanting me to take on, but at the same time a little nervous. I don't want to take on more than I can handle, and I am seriously hoping to avoid FULL time until the twins are three. But at this point I may be wishful thinking. I am even more excited about making more money!!<br />
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xx The Ramblings of Another MotherJazzyboohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15546291681831500547noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4624312461062566647.post-66538204898617287722011-09-17T19:57:00.000-07:002011-09-17T19:57:57.593-07:00Brain pain and anniversarys.So fisherman and I celebrated our 3rd wedding annivarsary on Tuesday past, and had a lovely night out last night in honour of it. Went to our old beloved restaurant for dinner (where we had our 3rd date and our 1st wedding anniversary dinner, and probably every year from now on too, being that its a sentimental place for us) and went to a movie. My lovely hubby man bought me a pandora bracelet which he intends to slowly fill with charms over the years. He is also thinking of getting each charm engraved with that year so we can keep track. I love my fantabulous hubby!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1454029/">The Help</a> is a must see movie for everyone. It was touching, beautiful, funny, and very real. And it made me angrier than angry to think that it was set in the SIXTYS ...that racism lasted that long just makes my blood boil! That racism exists today makes my blood boil.<br />
<br />
On a lighter note, BankyBoo and CheekyLala have been funny and clever lately. I never used to believe the parents saying "oh they make me teach them the letters, etc" but now I must shamefacedly eat my words, CheekyLala comes and climbs on my knee on a regular basis, with a pen and paper in hand, points to the paper and says "square" "A" "haut" (heart) and so on. And me having a mother that was also a teacher of 5 year olds and a reading recovery program creator (or something like that) is also saying A, ah ah ah, and so on. So now she sits there and says a, ah ah.<br />
<br />
Little side note here, if your child is pushing these things at you, to help them when they reach school, teach them the lowercase letters first, and teach them the phonics (letter sounds) at the same time, "a is for apple" is great, but "a, ah ah, apple" is better. Also when teaching them letter sounds for letters with two sounds (G has a guh sound and a jeh sound) teach the hard sound. G gah gah gate, not G jeh jeh giraffe. Little bit of wisdom from my mother, to me, to you.<br />
<br />
I feel quite bad that CheekyLala is getting all this one on one teaching from me, and BankyBoo is not, but BankyBoo will stand there for a minute and watch, then grab the pen to do her own drawing. BUT the surprising thing, when she does stop and join in, is that she knows it all. I believe in twinsense. CheekyLala is doing the learning, and BankyBoo is absorbing it in her own way. I hope. I really don't want one labelled as "the stupid twin" at school (I would not allow it, but I can see THEM doing it....if I'm not careful)<br />
<br />
Of course, for some reason I woke up this morning with a headache, I am getting migranes back again, which is so annoying its not even funny. It starts out like this, slow dull aching and steadily worsens until I feel nauseas and my vision goes blurry, Theres no rhyme or reason for them, no pattern. Just ouchieness. Makes it hard to think and function, a sore brain is one of the few things I find hard to ignore.<br />
<br />
Anyway, thats my little ramble for today.<br />
<br />
xx The Ramblings of Another MotherJazzyboohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15546291681831500547noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4624312461062566647.post-82303654374148245312011-09-14T18:47:00.000-07:002011-09-14T18:47:44.825-07:00Sick... lovely.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px;">Sick sick sick... me, the twins and hubby too. Been sick sick sick.</span><div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px;">Poor Cheekylala is not feeling very cheeky just now, shes feeling like sleeping and laying on the couch watching Dora. Bankyboo is mostly over hers (I hope) but is pretty cranky and the yelling is not very nice for my poor head which is aching. I have a mild fever, a sore throat (like there must be some guy with a skillsaw in there, you know like on the strepsils add?) KNEEWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW ouch. And my head is kinda pulsing in this dull blah way. And everytime someone yells my heads does too. Which is very loud.</span></span></div>
<div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px;">The weird part is, that I still somehow scrubbed my kitchen floor which, yes, sorely needed it, in general the house is a tip. I have no idea why, but when I have had no sleep, or feel like utter crap, or having a depressed day, while the basic stuff is less likely to get done I tend to do these "extra" things that i dont do otherwise.... maybe its cos my body knws its getting a break from the day to day dramas...</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px;">Like clean out the pantry, or get down on my hands and knees and scrub the kitchen floor.</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px;">Then I get up, walk past piles of clothes and toys and dress ups, and ignore the dishes on the bench. And sit in front of my computer.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px;">xx The Ramblings of Another mother.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px;">PS: no I will not come scrub your kitchen floors </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px;">next time I feel like this</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px;"> :-P</span></div>
Jazzyboohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15546291681831500547noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4624312461062566647.post-7817001515293458812011-09-04T17:56:00.000-07:002011-09-04T17:56:08.376-07:00The Midnight HorrorsSo I managed to get a nice early night last night... A very nice one, I was asleep by ten.<br />
<br />
My mate murphy (s law) knocked on the door by midnight in the form of a yelling child... it took me a minute to figure out that thats what had woken me up as she was being very quiet about it and at first I thought it was the cat mewling somewhere. But it shortly grew insistent and loud and I knew it was a child.<br />
<br />
So I stumble through to their room, and see that one of them is standing up in her cot, she grins at me, and then I realise that its actually the other one moaning....<br />
<br />
So I go rub her back, and give her back her dummy (which is right in front of her face) and she goes quiet. Then the other one looks at me expectantly and holds up her arms "Duddle?"<br />
<br />
I don't bloody think so, its definitely on of those moments that is "Can I please get up and play?" HAHA you're really funny child not at midnight, or any time after 7 o clock thank you!!<br />
<br />
So I lay her down and tell her to go to sleep.<br />
<br />
Back in bed and all is quiet. Ahhh that worked, thats surprising. I JUST feel comfy and warm and sleepy again when there is an insistant howl from their bedroom....<br />
<br />
Sigh. Ignore it. It goes on, and gets louder. and louder. Shes gunna wake her bloody sister up! SO up and down the hall into their room.<br />
<br />
The same one is still upright and staring at me, and again, the other one is moaning!!! I give her another pat on the back, she does still have her dummy. I tuck her in a little tighter and snugger, and turn to the cheeky rascal.<br />
<br />
She grins, holds up her hands and says "Duddle?"<br />
<br />
Uh, no. I lay her down, and hand her her stuffed bunny, "goodnight darling, its sleepy time"<br />
<br />
Back to bed, nice and comfy, starting to drift off to sleep, and "Nummy!!! NUMMY!!!"<br />
<br />
Argh (enter rude word of choice).<br />
<br />
Back down the hall, the sleeper is still asleep, the cheeky rascal is staring at her dummy on the floor (barely visible in the half nightlight light) and calling it. As if that will make it come. Which it will, cos mummy will get up and get it wont she?<br />
<br />
Its almost time for the dummy fairy to take them away I think.<br />
<br />
Hand her back dummy, and I think she has the message clear now, because she lays herself down and starts trying to tuck herself in, I give her a hand and then go back to bed.<br />
<br />
That's the end of being called in by toddlers for the night, but do you think I can get back to sleep now?<br />
<br />
So today I am very tired. Oh well, that's really not unusual!<br />
<br />
xx The Ramblings of Another MotherJazzyboohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15546291681831500547noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4624312461062566647.post-247749315974661992011-08-15T21:23:00.000-07:002011-08-15T21:23:05.050-07:00Crash...... and burnI do this.... all too often. I go along and go along and go along and then I ... crash. I fall over and then I withdraw.<br />
<br />
Hence why there have been no new posts for a few weeks. I removed my blog schedule - way too much pressure, I will post when I have the time and when I have something to write about! There is seriously no reason I have to regularly post. I am reminding myself of this.<br />
<br />
I am feeling pretty constantly exhausted, just now, I have lost all motivation to exercise.... I lost most of my motivation to do much of anything. I do that sometimes. It will come back. Maybe after it stops snowing in odd places. Brrr.<br />
<br />
I'm hiding. I hide away from the world.<br />
<br />
Interestingly I have been thinking rather seriously about just how much time I spend in front of a screen. Computer mostly but then there is also the television. Usually that's for my daily Shortland Street and my weekly Greys Anatomy.<br />
<br />
I went on a deletion rampage on Facebook, IF I deleted you please don't take it personally, its my thing, and nothing to do with you! I almost deleted my facebook page completely, the ONLY thing that stopped me is that I have contact with certain family members, and one (in particular) friend that are overseas. Thats the only reason I kept it at all.<br />
<br />
I vaguely remember a time when I spent hardly any time on computers, less time on the internet and more time doing things like reading and studying. And I can't remember what else I did... I really don't know what I did with my time.<br />
<br />
There are more people in my life now that I have a connection to, than I had back then, funnily enough my two closest friends I met through the same "young mothers yahoo group" thing, which doesn't exist anymore.<br />
<br />
I used to spend a massive amount of my time devoted to others, I would go clean peoples houses, care for their children and drive them places, I would probably have done almost anything for anyone, with no return.<br />
<br />
And I got no return. Because everyone else was fighting their own battles, and they weren't thinking about me. Well why should they? Why on earth would they bother? So I had to withdraw. And that was hard. It was scary.<br />
<br />
People might not like me anymore if I didn't bend over backwards for them. And true, some people withdrew from me. But many others stayed and in fact a few realised that I was in need sometimes too, I was struggling. I was running a business, raising 3 girls and trying to manage everything, and STILL bending over backwards to help people.<br />
<br />
That was some months ago now. I have now got a better rhythm, and a better quality of life. A lot of my time is devoted to my 3 full time jobs, (Family, Business, House, in that order) and the rest of my time is divided fairly equally between myself and social time.<br />
<br />
I'm getting better at telling people its time to leave.<br />
<br />
I am also getting better at saying "no" when someone asks me for something, like care for their kids, a ride somewhere.<br />
<br />
Even harder for me, I am no longer offering my soul on a platter. Times gone by, as soon as someone mentioned they were moving house, their dishes needed doing, or they didn't know how what they were going to do about ....X? I would pipe up "I will do it!" and I always would, damned be the consequences to myself, and sometimes, my family.<br />
<br />
Now I am fairly careful what I offer and to whom, I will bend over backwards for my true friends, I will not bend over backwards for someone who will take advantage and not reciprocate. I hope that everyone has a few friends that they can call on in times of need, as I do, and as I am for a few. But no longer for everyone.<br />
<br />
I am worth more than that. My time is precious to me, my kids come first. I come first.<br />
<br />
xx The Ramblings of Another Mother.Jazzyboohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15546291681831500547noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4624312461062566647.post-8577984419625136762011-07-25T20:30:00.000-07:002011-07-25T20:30:13.184-07:00Techniques on Tuesday.Well my latest craft is Knitting... and I kinda suck at it. But hey its fun.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/">http://www.ravelry.com/</a><br />
<br />
is a great website for knitters and crocheters to meet and there are lots of free (and not free) patterns.<br />
<br />
I have made me a hat:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyrsZF-K4vBw0UQYdmRQz02tFsybILpr1aBXVWQIGGNyT3Ko_wl1g_tE7y2Bs-cVyTwiNk2OTKvtvDkYEPoBtpHIr4JqVQxvJrmPAE6mijdBw4RrQvLxsjLby8TjZkACS0W1CqVe9IKLU/s1600/DSCF2871.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyrsZF-K4vBw0UQYdmRQz02tFsybILpr1aBXVWQIGGNyT3Ko_wl1g_tE7y2Bs-cVyTwiNk2OTKvtvDkYEPoBtpHIr4JqVQxvJrmPAE6mijdBw4RrQvLxsjLby8TjZkACS0W1CqVe9IKLU/s320/DSCF2871.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Which started at 64 stitches cast on, and I somehow ended up with 108.... I also had to learn when doing "stocking stitch" (knit a row, purl a row) which side to knit on, and which side to purl on, so got some kind of funny looking stripes unintentionally. I then decreased too quickly and ended up with a "tail" which I have tucked back inside the hat. Overall I do like it, but as soon as I get a little better at knitting I will make me a new one.... IF I stick with it, so far I find it very relaxing.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCxtW5eEvX_k-PrJrn0sljLOE80Zy7P0QgSmTeLbbQ0KACQAvOl2HrXrU9w70H8__uNbwhvltHJ4ECb1-tnUksfyRgtbMCZBQbXBq7ZaL-94Ch6Ml_K8eY2eOzEHTeILnVBu_WlIKTGBY/s1600/DSCF2872.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCxtW5eEvX_k-PrJrn0sljLOE80Zy7P0QgSmTeLbbQ0KACQAvOl2HrXrU9w70H8__uNbwhvltHJ4ECb1-tnUksfyRgtbMCZBQbXBq7ZaL-94Ch6Ml_K8eY2eOzEHTeILnVBu_WlIKTGBY/s320/DSCF2872.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>My next project is a pair of "gauntlets" or fingerless gloves. I sort of am using a pattern but as I dont really understand "guage" yet I am making it up as I go along. First I cast on 70 stitches, and then after knitting about an inch realised that it was going to end up very loose on my hand so I decreased (fairly evenly, I hope) to 50 ish stitches and I guess it will have a cuff... sadly I have to attempt to turn this into a pair so must attempt to repeat my "made up" pattern for the other hand. I also somehow screwed up my stocking stitch again and have ended up with a funny line in the middle there... thats going to irritate me. But its all learning and we must start somewhere!<br />
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Hoping to next try my hand at a toy.... EEK!<br />
<br />
xx The Ramblings of Another MotherJazzyboohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15546291681831500547noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4624312461062566647.post-89099862606173380492011-07-24T18:34:00.000-07:002011-07-24T18:34:54.838-07:00Motivational MondayInterestingly, just sharing yesterday that I had lost my motivation seems to have scared it into coming back. Wish that worked everytime, but I know from experience it doesn't.<br />
<br />
Today I have managed to stay on top of my work, despite a cold (COLD) morning I managed to get my kids to kindy (almost) on time, and have done Zumba too.<br />
<br />
Now to not get smokes :-S<br />
<br />
I have slightly failed there lately, and we bought several packets recently, and I tell you what, its hard to maintain the "Quitting" vibe in those circumstances. If they are there, I will smoke them, and to start with if they weren't there I didn't miss them, but now I am. I must resist temptation. I can get back to not missing them again if I stick to it. I hope.<br />
<br />
Trouble is there were so many little things in my habit that felt good. Apart from the nicotine kick. It gave me several REAL breaks from my kids on a daily basis, I would not expose my children to the smoke, I went outside and shut the door. Pure silence. I read my book, or drew a house design (because I do that for fun)<br />
<br />
Not smoking has meant I am not actually reading anymore. I miss it. I really miss reading. I am not drawing houses as much. I dont miss that quite so much. I miss my kiddie breaks.<br />
<br />
I could (and really should) start reading at night before I go to sleep, but I usually take my computer to bed instead and play sims (AKA grown up barbie dolls) or watch something on demand etc. Believe me, sim's puts me to sleep like nothing else, and if I don't find some way to completely shut my brain off, I am up all night long. Sedatives don't help, they work for maybe two days, then I need two sedatives etc. <br />
<br />
For a long time I used to record my day in a journal, plan tomorrow, and then read and fall asleep over my book, but I no longer do that, I want to, but I have somehow blocked myself from it. My computer, however is telling me that the cooling system is broken and to send it in for a service, so perhaps this is a good time to break that habit, but then when do I get to play sims??? *cries* I do love sims.<br />
<br />
So this wasn't really very motivational, good processing for me, but I want to share something that motivates me on a Monday; so heres a website I use fairly often and is extremely helpful towards maintaining your house, I often do the mini-challanges on my lunch break and I love that they can send it all to your email, keeps you going. Miss a day here and there, and for about a year I ignored her completely but I am slowly getting back into her. Here she is:<br />
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<a href="http://www.flylady.net/">http://www.flylady.net/</a><br />
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Thats my piece of motivation to share for this week :-)<br />
<br />
xx The Ramblings of Another MotherJazzyboohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15546291681831500547noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4624312461062566647.post-46038382470557976272011-07-23T20:04:00.000-07:002011-07-23T20:04:59.220-07:00Working from home.Yup, I have that "best of both worlds" scenario, I work from home, in my office in the living room. But is it really best of both worlds? Is it really all its cracked up to be?<br />
<br />
One of the big BIG cons of working from home it there really is no such thing as a day off. There really isn't. You can't take sick days, there is no one to take over for you.<br />
<br />
I tried to take a day off last Thursday, just me and the twins, I wasn't feeling all that flash. Well actually I felt like crap warmed up for dinner. I thought screw it, for ONCE in my life I am going to do nothing, and go nowhere, I am not going to talk to anyone, I am not even going to get dressed.<br />
<br />
I don't remember the last time I did that.<br />
<br />
BUT by 9:30 it was all over, I had an invoice to prepare, received calls for help from various people and had organised 2 meetings for the following week. All this in my pajamas. I dealt with these things, then sat down on the floor with the twins to sing and watch some wiggles. The phone rings again, and it's another client wanting to know when the quote I had mentioned would be ready, I had the preliminary numbers but hadn't actually prepared the quote, so I sat down and did that. Then I cleaned the kitchen. Then I fed the babies as it was lunchtime.<br />
<br />
Nap time for babies. I cleaned the living room. Vacuumed. Then I got another call from head office wanting to know something about something else, back to the computer to find the answers to those questions. Ten minutes later I am sitting at my computer having just hung up the phone thinking "wasn't this meant to be a day off? I was gunna hang out with my kids for a bit." I WAS still in my pajamas.<br />
<br />
But then, with the major health issues we have had this year, I have been able to simply take that time and deal with those things and catch up on work in the evening. Or on weekends. I can go to my daughters school assemblies and watch her sing in the choir. Not that shes in the choir but hey - I could.<br />
<br />
I do at times envy people who go to work, come home, forget about it, then collect their paycheck. But then we can charge an awful lot to the business. By paying fringe benefit tax on our cars as both are at times used for the business, we can pay for EVERYTHING to do with them on the business. Then claim the GST. Thats helpful. Especially with the price of petrol these days.<br />
<br />
A portion of our rent, power and phone is covered by the business, as the office is run from the home.<br />
<br />
It all helps.<br />
<br />
But I don't get a salary.<br />
<br />
Another downfall of working from home is that you need horse blinkers. You cannot SEE the mess and go clean it up, you must zone out of "home" and into "work" You can't let yourself get sidetracked, as its very easy to then get no work done.<br />
<br />
One of the ways I have gotten around this is by having a fairly tight schedule during my work hours. I have my lunchtime allotted and I take it, that's when I can go clean the kitchen if I want to. Or the kids rooms, but come 1pm I am back at my desk. I have to be. There is always more to do there!<br />
<br />
I have also set myself time to plan my week, every Monday morning I spend ten minutes planning my work week, and writing various to-do lists. I have an upright magazine holder on my desk which has four files inside labeled MONDAY WEDNESDAY FRIDAY and NEXT WEEK. At that moment I take the next week file, supposedly (but not always) the others are empty, and anything else on my desk, and I go through it, trash what I don't need, assign the rest to either one of those days or next week. And away I go. It works well for me. As I go on if I think of something that needs doing I write it on a scrap of paper and put it into one of those files too.<br />
<br />
My other tried and true is my dairy. It's my bible. I write EVERYTHING in it, including my morning and evening routines, I usually write these on a daily basis. My morning and evening routines are the same every day, but I find them much much easier to stick to if I have written them into my dairy. I don't know why. Its also a good place to record moments, triumphs and other things. Like my weigh-ins, milestones the kids have reached, etc. Sometimes if I am in the mood I will write out my day.<br />
<br />
If its not in my diary it probably wont happen.<br />
<br />
Which brings me to the holidays, I love listening to my friends when the holidays are coming up, and they are all looking forward to cruisey mornings and days, not being rushed. I hate holiday times, its WORSE for me at holiday times, because I have an extra child to arrange care for, and my motivation goes plummeting into a very very deep hole and then the string I am barely clinging to it with breaks. And it takes me until about a week after school starts again to get it back.<br />
<br />
Life goes on and I go with it. There are real pros and cons to running your own business, its not all its cracked up to be, and basically for at least the first few years you end up slogging you guts out for very little return. But for us, it does work, it means I am exactly where I need to be, and available when my kids need me. The business I am running has the potential to turn into a big business, which may very well run itself with me watching over it in a few years.<br />
<br />
Hopefully.<br />
<br />
x The Ramblings of Another MotherJazzyboohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15546291681831500547noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4624312461062566647.post-20728218388631255332011-07-21T18:36:00.000-07:002011-07-21T18:36:01.742-07:00Friday Funday...Hmmm something that makes me laugh....<br />
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<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZqCiT1SNko8">This video always makes me laugh... Click here.</a><br />
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And this one:<br />
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<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YYukEAmoMCQ">The Mum </a><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YYukEAmoMCQ">Song... Click here.</a><br />
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I think every mother on the planet should watch this at least twice a year, WE ARE NOT THE ONLY ONES!!!!!<br />
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I also laugh at my kids fighting.... I'm sorry, maybe that makes me really mean, but my gosh, if you saw these two fighting you would laugh too!!!<br />
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It usually goes like this: (this is my interpretation of the ANGHHHH noises they are actually making)<br />
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CheekyLala: My book.... my book. NOOOO! MYYYYY BOOOOOOK!!!!<br />
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CheekyLala runs into wall attempting to get away from BankyBoo<br />
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BankyBoo: NOOOOOOOO I AM GOING TO TAKE THAT BOOK AWAY FROM YOU COS ITS MINE!<br />
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BankyBoo runs into CheekyLala, CheekyLala screams and throws the book across the room, they race to the finish, and being the same size get there at the same time.<br />
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At this point I rescue the book from certain doom.<br />
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BankyBoo: HEEYYYYYYY<br />
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CheekyLala: Oh well, Look heres a teddy bear!<br />
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BankyBoo: MYYYYY TEDDDDYYYY BEAR!!!!!!!<br />
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Repeat above...<br />
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and on it goes!<br />
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Thats life with twins!<br />
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xx The Ramblings of Another Mother.Jazzyboohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15546291681831500547noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4624312461062566647.post-40494584489054246482011-07-20T19:45:00.000-07:002011-07-20T19:45:15.010-07:00Blog Schedule...Been reading about blog schedules... ways to ensure you are regularly blogging.... I am a little nervous about my ability to keep to one but here goes:<br />
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4 posts per week as follows:<br />
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Motivational Monday: A quote or idea that motivates me, a website or something that starts my week with intention.<br />
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Tecniques on Tuesday: Basically I have started a Craft Circle, a group of women that get together and do various crafts together, teach each other what they know and so on, so I figure thats a good day for me to post about something crafty too.<br />
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Thoughts on Thursday: A day where I share an opinion I have, any tips I use etc etc... or just blurt out all my thoughts and feelings into the computer for all to see!!!<br />
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Friday Funday: I will try and make these posts amusing, or share something fun for the weekend.<br />
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What do you all think??? Sound interesting? I will also post at any other time I feel like it, but these posts will occur every week from now on.<br />
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So to start, Thoughts on Thursday.<br />
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This week I have been thinking about a local high school that is placing Ipads on their stationary list for next year. I think this is ridiculous. I feel sorry for anyone with more than one kid at that school. I feel sorry for anyone with ANY kids at that High School. And I feel glad that I had never intended on sending my kids to that high school.<br />
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I mean, and Ipad? Are you effing serious? "its just like all the kids need a calculator" WHAT??? ARE YOU SERIOUS??????????<br />
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A scientific calculator is about 30 bucks and I am sure several families struggle to even provide that for their kids, on top of the uniform, the other stationary let alone a bloody IPAD??????<br />
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Its approximately $700-$1300 dollars apparently.<br />
<br />
But cost aside, how many kids will now be secretly messaging each other through their Ipads during class? Much less detectable than note passing and even texting since they will already be "working" on their Ipads... are they going to somehow ban that? I would love to know how. And internet access, how many boys will be sitting in the back of the class watch porn or similar on their bloody Ipad.... christ cant you put music and movies on these things? Lets watch a movie instead of do any work. How much more disruptive to class will this really be?<br />
<br />
I get the whole idea that this will supposedly cut down on paper and books etc. But does it have to be compulsory? Why can't they release a book list and say "if you wish your student may have an Ipad instead" how many solo mums and lesser income families will be simply unable to afford this, and doesnt that open up lines for FURTHER bullying??? Do we want out kids to be teased cos their family cant afford the ipad? FAAAARRRRK this makes me seethe.<br />
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I wonder how many students this school will have next year. I wonder how many families will simply send their kids to a different school. I think I would be very very tempted.<br />
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I worry that this will in fact become the norm through high schools across New Zealand, and in 8 years, we will have 3 children attending high school, and will we be expected to provide them all with an Ipad. And kids, being kids, will probably not respect these extremely expensive items and we may have to replace them on a annual or bi-annual basis??? I have no idea how we are expected to pay for 3 ipads on a regular basis. I would actually like us to purchase a house soon.... mortgage payments are a wee bit more than rent, then add all the other costs of being the home owner and now I am adding massive extra schooling costs? I am not sure we will be able to afford that. And to be quite honest I really do not want to have to afford it, I can think of many other things I would rather spend that money on. Like a bloody university education for my kids!!!<br />
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What a ridiculous idea.<br />
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xx The Ramblings of Another MotherJazzyboohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15546291681831500547noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4624312461062566647.post-55699036479786752682011-07-15T16:55:00.000-07:002011-07-15T16:55:31.161-07:00Internet Trolling.Looking for cool ideas for the bedrooms, and a few for the house elsewhere too!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrdFRjcGt8edQER05a6dTWSH5xG_jg3DgP9Iudw6EjP1iZz1m0IM51P0vy3MVJOZMgVIXP6w6OAjILF7OMo6GnUHXOfyrmCQ2s9K5TvxJYYtITwGVtsKK6x4xgCF6rdvdtKfWNJ3O5Fd0/s1600/031209GeorgeSmith03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="173" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrdFRjcGt8edQER05a6dTWSH5xG_jg3DgP9Iudw6EjP1iZz1m0IM51P0vy3MVJOZMgVIXP6w6OAjILF7OMo6GnUHXOfyrmCQ2s9K5TvxJYYtITwGVtsKK6x4xgCF6rdvdtKfWNJ3O5Fd0/s320/031209GeorgeSmith03.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/la/look/look-childrens-graffiti-couch-part-2-079027">What a cool couch for a rumpus!!! </a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsAOCDTPoovvwyE7ppLMvfuHVsix5Cdm9qfS3Mur8g46EGy7QRYUoacfXXlosfYD43-RPZkSSwlQpCAmPQyM0O9WHz9g_gY5Gw59_DQHhWhW4nd4fj8YHNCwXZpWSsE4lD4ztVh4r6z_A/s1600/111109JennasDeskStaged1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsAOCDTPoovvwyE7ppLMvfuHVsix5Cdm9qfS3Mur8g46EGy7QRYUoacfXXlosfYD43-RPZkSSwlQpCAmPQyM0O9WHz9g_gY5Gw59_DQHhWhW4nd4fj8YHNCwXZpWSsE4lD4ztVh4r6z_A/s320/111109JennasDeskStaged1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; color: #0000ee;">Spruce up furniture with old bits of wallpaper.</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdA1Q2xgbhJjbldtO_weS1izuJz_ibnJQyaOUlQPfdvtzr-7nCSiMEO-wmMgQK_x_nfxpkARIh_79oIkvphjJaNSieIr078eUV9CpgVjo91eRBLKZvV3D_tX8bJ8wtwomr-Ck6O02ze9c/s1600/156310722.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdA1Q2xgbhJjbldtO_weS1izuJz_ibnJQyaOUlQPfdvtzr-7nCSiMEO-wmMgQK_x_nfxpkARIh_79oIkvphjJaNSieIr078eUV9CpgVjo91eRBLKZvV3D_tX8bJ8wtwomr-Ck6O02ze9c/s1600/156310722.jpg" /></a></div> I have found this as an embroidery pattern, soon to be created and put onto my wall.<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: black;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiutNiiS0ovBUU9zpSotUuAqzqXH6zP3d5Pg4Ueap_UQP-fz_BxCG2agf-EzYavRSFAGtRS7204FrOb6HTVeE0eAWDbj8JzBbzVhKqJ2-czCesS8Uh2loi3RAThl8l4vRng5myLdZvsyl0/s1600/BBFTwa17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiutNiiS0ovBUU9zpSotUuAqzqXH6zP3d5Pg4Ueap_UQP-fz_BxCG2agf-EzYavRSFAGtRS7204FrOb6HTVeE0eAWDbj8JzBbzVhKqJ2-czCesS8Uh2loi3RAThl8l4vRng5myLdZvsyl0/s320/BBFTwa17.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>How cute are these??? Not sure if I will do this one, but it IS really neat...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSP-uy0esuj8mt5t56sUASct365LFK7B2N8368roECfptUfNWy_ou4zXwW0Q1WQHvSS2nj0omXXQAb7n8cIz5huUDVfN4Hq3rnExqm37zoToIY308w4Yfpz3JMuMOCPgTa4hyphenhyphenalNdAdZs/s1600/beach-bedroom-design.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSP-uy0esuj8mt5t56sUASct365LFK7B2N8368roECfptUfNWy_ou4zXwW0Q1WQHvSS2nj0omXXQAb7n8cIz5huUDVfN4Hq3rnExqm37zoToIY308w4Yfpz3JMuMOCPgTa4hyphenhyphenalNdAdZs/s320/beach-bedroom-design.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Some knarley thoughts on the master bedroom, which will be my project once I am done with the kids rooms.... it will be a seaside/beach theme... just in case you didn't click.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwc2iw2mZ5-o5M76VidI4KaCxbvDT4gt1dsuZcSbtdtf_VmTskrj2WccvImqj1-sgvpj9dEPZNepCm6Ix8XXzdROQs5zRvWbl8nrktSGX8FhXB0nxKwXKQhyoxHmpzeQN4bjvvq3q0WqE/s1600/bedroom-interior-designs-f1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwc2iw2mZ5-o5M76VidI4KaCxbvDT4gt1dsuZcSbtdtf_VmTskrj2WccvImqj1-sgvpj9dEPZNepCm6Ix8XXzdROQs5zRvWbl8nrktSGX8FhXB0nxKwXKQhyoxHmpzeQN4bjvvq3q0WqE/s320/bedroom-interior-designs-f1.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUdx_T1n-RPrat115NXfOIYte00jDaM4FQt6-_XJlukLKENakCcrfCltHHKyWIXrvXrTAULJNsoWQA6W1HMAanRDhou0RS99aXXLOaapRA79WfRh4d22WQUBY-mkkj003WlUopjr_GUNc/s1600/DSC_0013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUdx_T1n-RPrat115NXfOIYte00jDaM4FQt6-_XJlukLKENakCcrfCltHHKyWIXrvXrTAULJNsoWQA6W1HMAanRDhou0RS99aXXLOaapRA79WfRh4d22WQUBY-mkkj003WlUopjr_GUNc/s320/DSC_0013.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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I LOVE LOVE LOVE!!!!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This idea of taking tons of standard sized print photos and making them into a heart shape on the wall. And so easy to update!!!! Brilliant.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin__iTCjqKcFctSbB931Hd2-8vQ3o4O8NeIHY8CAGSWzg_qYvq_1nEZuyr4dSW8sYRJ8WY6gCeOvU-agszm-3_pBuuhBqzwpV0LULvvZqgMvCKpTm47io5FCnMkLB5dtS5aVuKFMYEnSA/s1600/DSC06561.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQJ6X5O3V2BSJcc1lhae-6s0xUk8U6xa0xXvbHi_nwIjlwXaVkop1XFZzYPZBhN-6kVm38WSYkzB3Weho-GGyhxGbGzxP5qYwJBO97p5qKhCk5ZWuz58uzu3lHFPMUuvZ7HE0pH9CdaKo/s1600/butterflies1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQJ6X5O3V2BSJcc1lhae-6s0xUk8U6xa0xXvbHi_nwIjlwXaVkop1XFZzYPZBhN-6kVm38WSYkzB3Weho-GGyhxGbGzxP5qYwJBO97p5qKhCk5ZWuz58uzu3lHFPMUuvZ7HE0pH9CdaKo/s320/butterflies1.jpg" width="225" /></a><<< <a href="http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/boston/inspiration/diy-wood-veneer-butterflies-101655">This is going into the twins room</a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin__iTCjqKcFctSbB931Hd2-8vQ3o4O8NeIHY8CAGSWzg_qYvq_1nEZuyr4dSW8sYRJ8WY6gCeOvU-agszm-3_pBuuhBqzwpV0LULvvZqgMvCKpTm47io5FCnMkLB5dtS5aVuKFMYEnSA/s320/DSC06561.jpg" width="320" /></div>But more like this ^^^^<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2VLYB3I4APqNnfPGB57dX4z4nY55cI6johwPRURi9o8WFKBLgbKSMEWNWczfkIY2DSYJNlCrcbPUMqoiJx7mNtjEVC8hECTYfO0GKqiiZE7ZlnsmmRbSSb58jDFzIh_n4Lyi-i1dUL1o/s1600/fleece2.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2VLYB3I4APqNnfPGB57dX4z4nY55cI6johwPRURi9o8WFKBLgbKSMEWNWczfkIY2DSYJNlCrcbPUMqoiJx7mNtjEVC8hECTYfO0GKqiiZE7ZlnsmmRbSSb58jDFzIh_n4Lyi-i1dUL1o/s320/fleece2.gif" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/boston/inspiration/diy-fleece-blankets-102650">So easy, and really cool!</a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpLzGxQVlwrl6mQrga2yoO3iAk_RLKGLtB4JjfBvLq9SRCGpaW6BNwcuyDfBhfd3NxrqifXEbfV_i3UKyVzrhl-TLB-h0ezUvG1rhc2zqxT1kntFxi474gbEHTw0c9TGELEn_HWdM0e6M/s1600/garden-themed-bedroom.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpLzGxQVlwrl6mQrga2yoO3iAk_RLKGLtB4JjfBvLq9SRCGpaW6BNwcuyDfBhfd3NxrqifXEbfV_i3UKyVzrhl-TLB-h0ezUvG1rhc2zqxT1kntFxi474gbEHTw0c9TGELEn_HWdM0e6M/s1600/garden-themed-bedroom.gif" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I want to do SOMETHING along these lines for the twins room, a mural type thing, </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">as soon as I work out how to make it removable as this is still a rental home we live in.</div><br />
And lastly: <a href="http://destitutedesigner.blogspot.com/">http://destitutedesigner.blogspot.com/</a><br />
This blog has a lot of fabulous ideas for really easy storage and some cool decor things. Quite sad that the last post was in February. Hopefully she comes back soon because I have *YOINK* stolen several of her ideas. Particularly look at the post called "For Josh".Jazzyboohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15546291681831500547noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4624312461062566647.post-11954693831556044772011-07-14T21:41:00.000-07:002011-07-15T17:50:37.332-07:00A letter to my children<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px;">Dear Rockchick, Cheekylala and Bankyboo,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px;">I have to get up by 7 am at the latest every day, often after getting up to at least one of you sometime during the night. I tidy the house and neatly put away all the toys to have my efforts immediately wasted without a thank you, or even a second glance. I no longer go to the toilet in silence, as you walk in and have a look down there to see whats happening. I listen to inane nonsense all day, and screeching. I break up violent arguments and I often have a headache by bedtime. I deal with multiple smells, messes and sickness. And I love every minute of it. Even when I hate it.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px;">I love waking up in the morning to Morning mummy! And I love kissing you goodnight. I love listening to your storys, and your new words, and I love listening to your laughter. I love being your mother.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px;">Sometimes I think ahhh one day you will all move out... then I think, but then all my kids will have moved out.... which makes me sad.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px;">Sometimes I think FECK OFF!!! and then I think, please feel free to bring me anything, anytime, I am your mother, I want you to feel safe with me.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px;">Sometimes I think not now! Then I think yes now... always now. Just in 5 minutes?</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px;">Sometimes I think, DONT PLAY WITH THOSE!!! I just put them away!!! But I know that I have made it possible for you to re-discover those toys, I have given you a safe and clean environment to explore, and heck, PLAY WITH THE TOYS! That way you will not bug me!!! </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px;">But just now... I am</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px;"> extremely sick of opening the Mr and Mrs potato head butts and reconnecting their butt flaps.... if you do not stop bringing them to me every 25 seconds i am going to run the fricken things over with my car!!! </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px;">But then I love knowing that you are discovering something new, I may not know what, but something is being figured out and that is very special.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px;">Cheekylala: I love the game your playing coming to say goodbye to each of us in turn and kissing us. I love how you love to try and find the meaning or answer of things. </span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px;">Bankyboo: I love watching you walk a little more every day, I love the way you mummy everything in the house, and I love your laughter. I love the way you count, and I love the way you stand up for your corner. </span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px;">Rockchick: I love your inquisitiveness, and your conversation. I love your snuggles and I love how you encourage me, the way I encourage you. I love how you are naturally nice, and do not join in when someone is being laughed at.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px;">Love from mummy.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px;">xx The Ramblings of Another Mother</span>Jazzyboohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15546291681831500547noreply@blogger.com0