Happy Australia Day

Australians all let us ring Joyce ~ She got her membership free....

HAPPY AUSTRALIA DAY!

It's been a rather busy day so far. How totally un-Australian! The one day designed for bludging... Oh well, maybe on Monday's public holiday ~ seems more appropriate really.

For some reason DS17 & I both woke at 7.30 this morning ~ early mornings are usually two filthy words in this house!! Rather than driving up to the super for milk, paper & cereal ~ DS walked up and back (took an hour). While he was gone, I enjoyed a morning cuppa (as there was no milk, this was a lemon & ginger tea) and wrote up the 2008 Chores/pocket money list.

Boy ~ when you write it down we do a heck of a lot each week.

As he returned, DS8 woke (now that's a bit more reasonable in my books!!). We all sat and had brekkie together and I let the boys know what we were planning in the way of chores this year, and the after school routine (homework, diary, things away). After the initial looks that were along the lines of “are you serious…?”, both agreed it seems ok and the pay was good too!! Naively, they provided some additional suggestions that will be incorporated, some as ‘bonus’ jobs. Mind you ~ while the no screens until after 5pm on weekdays was accepted without fuss ~ the 5 hour limit for the whole weekend (up until 6.30pm) did not go down too well ~ until I said that’s one way the ‘bonus’ could be ‘paid’.

DH and DS8 are now off to the OpShop to find some leather or like gloves for DS8 to use on his motorbike; some baking tins and hopefully a working pie maker. Then off to the library to drop off books, pick up books that have come in for collection, and 2 DVDs. They have taken sandwiches, fruit and drinks - now a year ago that would have been an excuse for MickyDees. Last job on the run home is to pick up some curtains, a wide brim hat, veggie scraps and day old bread (free).

DS17 is cleaning (and I mean cleaning to gleaming) the laundry/cat area. OK, I have been in there helping and encouraging ~ it is looking quite lovely and almost there. He's just stopped for lunch and a quick dishwasher stack up. After the laundry is done he is going to de-thistle and weed the chook run (not a bit job - 10-15mins for DH or moi; probably 45 mins of doddling for him - but thats ok)

I've finished the pantry; fridge & freezer stock take (4.5kg of white sugar!! And about a handful of rice. Shhesh ~ no idea what happened there...) so shopping list is being made up ~ self promo ~ I LOVE My Shopping List!! You will be able to download it from here at the end of this long weekend AND it will have the 'DIY Christmas Hamper' page.

Had a midway break/distraction in some clothes folding and sorting - but that was only short lived. Its not that I didn't want to but my back and neck said NO!!!

Off to the Fireworks at the Lake tonight. Thought about taking a roast chook to eat; but forgot to take it out of the freezer last night to roast ~ so we'll have something at home and take dips, biscuits, fruit and cheeses to have there. We've got oodles of glowsticks and sparklers ~ LOVE fireworks ~ fingers crossed the thunder storms hold off.

A few years back the heavens opened just before the display started ~ and I am talking torrential, horrendously heavy rain, causing everyone to be absolutely, completely and utterly drenched. Those in white clothing unfortunately became ‘see-thru’ – and that included my good self (Not that hubby was too perturbed!). When we got to the car, we all had to strip down to underwear ~ yup, Hubby was happy with that!!

To make it all the more funny, the windows fogged up instantly, we had to wind all the windows down and our headlights blew – leaving us with only high beam. We did not know how to explain it to the policeman, in fact we didn’t even try – he just took one look in the window and waved us out of the traffic chaos saying – “Just go home, quickly!” Lordy that was sooo funny! I can see that tale being said at the station later…

One of the SSers posted so eliquently a list of what was best about this great continent and, using a 'little' creative license, I was inspired to agree with the sentiments and embellish: I think what I like best about this great nation of 'mine is so much more than just the trees, rainforests, mountains, coasts, bushlands and our unique animal and native life, it’s also:

The people who have collaborated together to make it one

Our blue skies ~ purple rain clouds ~ red heat

Our laid back way of life

So many cultures in the one country, inspiring the food, the smells and the sounds we have

The beautiful landscapes, seascapes and night skies

We have choices: political, health, lifestyle

We have the right to OUR FREEDOM !!!!!
We can buy what we want, when we want,

We can save what we need, use it when we want,

We can dress how we want, 'tho sometimes others cringe

We can vote, fish, ride and shoot if we choose,

We can love who we want, we can marry or not,
We can be individuals! We can be heros!!

Where ever you are ~ have a great Australia day!

February 2008: NO SPEND CHALLENGE

A quick digression while I think of it....

See that little Simple Savings banner above the post here ~ this is a site I have actually paid a membership for each year for the last 4-5 years (although I have a feeling I won a free year with a hint/tip I submitted). with the forum, the hints and the challenges, we paid for our wedding, built a veggie garden; purchased a 4br house on 1/2 ac; got chooks and saved lots! Seriously.

So this is the new challenge for Feb and if you click on the banner you can have a cruise around for free and see what Simple Savings is about. If you do decide to take out a membership, you will change the way you shop, spend and save.

Anyways...We are planning to do the Febraury no spend challenge ~ DH, me, DS17 & DS8.

We've started a stocktake of what is in the pantry, fridge, freezer and what we will have in the garden. We do not plan a 'stock up' prior ~ still hope to stay on or well under our food budget prior.

Effectively - we only have $200 for this fortnight's shop. We didn't use the $50-$80 last week (big shop/little shop ~ or as I say rich week/poor week!!). Animal feed is purchased at the end of each month - we hope to stretch this by being more pro-active with food scraps. Currently our goal is to ensure all amenities are paid (electricity and mobiles fall due); mortgage payments, credit card and the rates which fall in the middle of the month.

Ideally we are going to have an average of $50 per week for nominal groceries - hoping to spend about $200 for the month, with one $21 Challenge week ~ but will have $50 stand-by for specials and bulk purchases (eg. rice, cat food, flour, butter) but hope to impliment some of the 'starving woolworths' strategies. This is something we have not done in the past.

The children have been fore-warned there will be no icypoles, icecreams, extra lollies, tuckshop. After the initial tears, howls and protests ~ we explained that there were desserts such as fruit and custard, puddings, frozen bananas and whatever else we could create. As DH works over 100kms from home, communiting daily ~ we are including train fares and petrol as required (also to get to school as walking is not feasible ~ 20+km and no buses accessible that way).

DH will be staying with MIL to reduce that cost - this is a trade off as he has already expressed his distain for having to forego his morning Gloria Jeans coffee. "only 1 per day..." Trying to coherse this to one each Friday??? Trying... No clothes, shoes, frivolity purchases. Swimming lessons will require payment during this time - more a safety and skill requirment for a very unconfident 8yo 'swimmer'.

No prepackaged food (ok - realitively easy - but no Friday take away pizza!) Doctors, meds will still be required. OOohh - yes a novel. We are following a KISS format - keep it simple stoopid - just to ensure it is basic but good. Kids have been looking a no cost outings, activities. We are also going to include a no-screen clause on weekends. This will include the computers. THAT will be difficult for me. So everyone, adults and children will have their own little personal challenge/sacifice.

With the long weekend we plan to have our 'rules and aspirations' drawn up, menu plan and activity list complete. We will barter, freecycle, trade where we can ~ we do this anyway, but we will document it. We were planning to do this to some degree for a month or two anyway ~ DH has gone from weekly pay with OT to flat monthly pay with TOIL. Due to my injuries and woes,

I am not working. We know I will have a $180 specialist appointment, travelling to Melbourne ~ I will be staying overnight. There are a few more ideas to banter around ~ looking for other things that will enable no spending, reduction of outgoings and achieving more 'active' family time (that does not revolve around TV, xbox, DVDs). We plan to incorporate 1-2 no electricity days (aside from fridge & freezer) - everything will be off stand-by. DH and I really want to see how that impacts on usage and bills - we had the electricity reading today. Good timing!

I think many will think we are doing it 'extreme' ~ others may think there is more we could cover. For one - my parents will think we are crazy!! But I am hoping that this will get us back ahead on CeeCee and add a bit extra to Morty. Also hopefully, get us on track to purchase another watertank - one that is about 3000L or more.

SO: This month we are going to:
Not spend anything, reduce our energy consumption
Our memory trigger will be: . . . not sure yet - needs to work for the whole family
Our reward weekly will be: Picnic at a place locally we have not been before
Our reward for the month will be: No outstanding bills, a new water tank ($825)
Potential savings weekly: $250
Potential savings for the month: $1000

Hopefully we will be ready and finalised by 30 January ~ the day school goes back.

Where did January go....

Time just goes so fast!

Well, the Centrelink dramas are over ~ and before you think I am trying to 'screw' the system, it is not about the dollars it provides - more the PCC to reduce my medical outgoings. Yeah: What I thought would help is to start a bit of a diary in arrears ~ this way you will know a little of the background that is moi!

Last year, well Dec 2006 - Jan 2007, we had our first full family holiday – away to sunny QLD for a month, scrimped & saved for a year (changed a lot of habits, invented new ones) and decided this was the year for change. Go 2007!!

Gotta love new year’s resolutions made in the sun of another state, don’t you. Well, I only meant we were going to throw out the crap, rubbish and clutter and find everything a place of it’s own in our home – our home, the other thing we scrimped & saved for, only brought all the crap with us in the rush to vacate!!

Then came February. First I was unsuccessful with an internal promotion, become redundant through a company restructure and Nan died. That was the Monday. Yes, all on one day. At least there was nothing extra to be waiting for (you know, things coming in threes ) On the bright side, the redundancy package was attractive and it was several months until D-day (in my case). I had 6 weeks sick leave up my sleeve, pull one or three here and there. Or I could be good because there were several opportunities under the restructure, ones where I could use other skills in difference divisions, some only available internally. I got one of those. How pleasing to know I ‘fit’ the company structure. New work collegues, new duties. My own responsibilities. Holiday leave, superannuation, security, all the other lurks & perks on offer.

Then I got sick. Five weeks. What was that about sick leave?? An asthma attack and a repertory infection. Never had that before – blue lips, no air – scary in hind sight. Just wanted to sleep at the time (not a good thing with reduced oxygen). The resp infection was just the icing so for three weeks it was bed rest then working only in the mornings was a fun thing when I did finally get back to work. Lucky I am the honourable, reliable employee - for the most part. At least I had that amount of sick leave!!

For the first time, my littlest had friends over after school – and no childcare fees were a pleasant change. The house was tidier (hey, I was sick you know – that’s what I harped at the kids to get the kitchen mopped!!), and can I bring up the reduction in stress levels. I was actully a nice person, able to have dinner ready at 6pm, readers done, kitchen cleaned up. It was wonderful. OK, when I was first struck down I could not do anything I was so crook. Darling Hubby re-jigged work and took time off to look after our world for the first week.

Then No1 son pick up the slack (as well as 16yo boys do, and as argumentatively too, LOL) so things did stay nice. In week 3 with a bit of energy back I did attack No2 son’s room and de-Happy Meal toy the room. So, I went back to work and asked if my new job could be dropped by a measly 5.5 hours a week to accommodate more family friendly hours? It would mean leaving 1.5hrs earlier and no ADO (and I did so love my ADOs, they were all about me too). But no, that could not be managed, they needed my support there at all times. And I really did want to stay, so at least I tried. Plus I was taking the school holidays off, two weeks of bliss, sleep-ins, tidy up – you know the type. ROTFL – hind sight, you’ll get it soon.

I planned to take those school holidays off and have a few adjustments, massages, chardonnays as my littlie is taking these holidays overseas with Nanny (thank you Nanny) so I was planning some clean up and me time!! With the help and absence of my 16yo (in that order, too, hopefully). And then my back went.

Twelve years ago I was in a head on. Long story short, body’s getting old, brain’s not so body gets ignored, lots then - ouch. Was it trying to tell me something, hold on – hold on, got to organize No2’s passport. I’ll hobble up the corridor and organize the mini skip on my mobile for during the holidays, oh and the passport. Race passport app to the post office, get the engraving done, certificate and discs for the farewells, ooh that was my shoulder. Is there a moral to this drivel, I mean tale? Yup – it was time to stop.

I enjoyed being at home for the first time with my kids. It hurt to work. Literally. Never had a really break from full time work in 20 odd years. DH took paternity leave as we live regionally and I work close to home, he in Melbourne. I had got to do canteen duty in June, and loved it.

So I exercised my female prerogative, changed my mind with absolutely no regret nor embarrassment and declined the new position, spent my last two weeks hobbling around, having physio in business hours, turning up late in the morning and leaving early, took the package, and am now a lady of enforced leisure. Albeit in a lot of pain. What’s more – DH says it can be all about me for the next month, entirely!! Can’t walk too much. It makes my back ache after a while but, before all the advice comes, I exercising it, using balls appropriately (don’t be rude), apply heat and ice as required and advised and seeing my back dude 2-3 a week – that’s the killer part. yes, yes - all about me.

So best is horizontal and intermittent vertical (for heat packs, chocolate and lolly-gobble runs), fish oils, anti-inflams, the odd tipple and pain killer. Lots of orders for my men but the house is looking good. I would happily let anyone in the front door – must drag someone walking past in and get a sworn statement they could see the carpet, and it was vacc’d and looked loverly!! So it is all about me. Me me me me. I rock (my hips to ease the pain). I am woman hear me roar ‘Get those cobwebs from the skylights’, ‘Chops out of tea and veggies ready please’, ‘hang out/bring in that washing’, ‘Vac it again, yes I am a slave driver and you are my slave’ (ask my neighbours about the set of lungs on me!!) LOL

And, as I say to my dear, intolerant, frustratingly ‘bored’ 16yo, this is exactly how it has to be at this point in time!! And for at least another 10 days, or more if I can push it!! Call me selfish, you have no idea of the pain & difficulty. Call me bossy, for the first time in 16 years he is actually doing as asked and told (so that is a success – chart it up!!). Call me lazy – I just blame the medication and roll over again!! Just call me – there is no one here to talk to…. *sob* (tee hee)

Spent three months on my back after the initial car accident in 95, but it was when we were in Melb & I had to leave the door unlocked and carry a phone as I often got caught on the ground or couch and could not get up. Bloody funny at times - my Dad was a regular legend. Could have done with wireless internety stuff then!! And, may I add (and I will coz I can) this is only the stuff from the start of last year - and not all of it!! I always say NO ONE would believe it has happened to one person. I can laugh because I reckon I'd be a crying mess if I didn't!! **grins**

So that is a quick snap shot of life until about March/April 2007. Honestly - you could write a soap opera for at least 3 families' charaters and plots - but wait there is more....

I'll pop more in later - time for meds, exercises and an egg check... See you soon

Happy New Year ~ 2008

Toots and whistles and all that she-bang...

Hope your new years eve festivities were good ones, and happy to say all of us made it in to see the new year. Those Sydney fireworks were utterly awesome (although in the back of my mind I kept thinking of the services it could have provided and, more self centredly, what I would have done with the monies that display cost ~ hell, even half of it / a quarter...) but watched those in awe on the TeeVee ~ kids were impressed!

We are eating heaps from the garden, learning a lot more about self seeding, when to collect, fleas, ticks and how the heat effects chickens, garden ~ and how different plants are responding differently!

Hubby is keen to get more pics so I will pop on some of the sunflowers - also showing the different stages - we are about 1-3 weeks off taking the seeds from one, maybe two of the sunflowers. No5 has just opened...

We have been looking into when is the best time to get the seeds and the three tips we've taken on board are:

• ~ 1. the seed is ready when it is black - when you think the centre looks ready, all the outer seeds are guaranteed to be.


• ~ 2. when the whole flower is hanging upside, and the outer rings are black, they are read to be cut and hung.


• ~ 3. When the native birds are eating them ~ they're ready!! *LOL at that one*

If you are using seed from a packet, using the seed you grow is OK to eat, replanting is OK but there is no guarantee you get them as good as the first lot.

So he has a heap of shots and over the last few days of his holidays, I will get a bit of a history up here for the sake of getting into the blogging habit. Will update a little more tonight. I have some back issues (for those who don't already know or aren't sick of seeing that!!) and have had some pain meds, so the wonkies are coming and I am playing with back space a bit.


Will come back to share some of our Christmas joy!!

~ Mands! :o)