Busy, busy , busy!

So it's been awhile, I know. Sorry! But what have I been doing?

Well there's family, scouts, work, caft shows (have done 2 since we've caught up) and catch up with friends etc etc etc.

Family-boys are growing up and getting involved in everything-footy, scouts, school, swimming,drama. Stu was one of the coaches at Auzkick this year and looks like he'll be head coach for u9's next season.

Scouts-well it's getting closer to AJ2010 and there are heaps of activities to plan and organize. In fact last weekend, we did a top ropes course and I did the Leap of Faith-a jump off a 10m pole-totally unreal!

Work-both jobs are busy-completed stocktake at Bunnings last week and we are doing a project at Fonterra

Craft-not getting a lot done but am still participating in GNI's and going to SERS.

Housework-as someone said-clean houses are overrated! so I'm sticking to that one, but am working on it. It didn't get messy overnight so it's not going to be cleaned up in a day.

Tonight we are having a family outing and going to the Footy so that will be fun.

Hope all are well.

Talk soon!

Where Have I Been?

Well, it has been awhile really hasn't it? What can I tell you about the last two months?
With scouts, work (I now have 2 jobs), boys, school and trying to be a housewife, things have been busy.
Over the Labour Day weekend in March, I completed Basic Training for Scouts at Gilwell Park in Gembrook. The bonus of doing it this way is that instead of being away for two weekends, I completed the course in one. It was a great weekend and made some really great friends(Long Live the Koala Patrol and Campfire!)

The following weekend it rained and rained and rained and where was I? Camping at Clifford Park canoeing. Stu was at the Bushfire Benefit Concert and the boys had been billeted out to our lovely friends (thanks Mary and Carol). Thenon the Sunday, we had our annual albeit late Christmas Celebration at my Mum's family in Sunbury.

From then on, I've worked at both Bunnings and Fonterra (milk and yoghurt!!) over the last two months and tried to play Mum and Wife.

Better go. Getting late. Talk soon with the update.

Christmas Traditions

I tried to show you early what we do at Christmas time but it didn't work, so I will try again.

At Christmas time we visit the cemetery at Arthur's Creek. Why? Well because most of my Mum's relatives are there and as most of them died in December, it seems to be the most appropriate time to visit. We usually make it a family trip and have been known to pull up on the side of the road and have a picnic. Last year, however, Mum and Dad went on their own and we didn't go. Doesn't matter, we don't have to go every year until DS7 Glen, asked when are we going to the graves with Grandma and Grandpa. I told him, we weren't going as GM and GP had already been. He was most disappointed and told me it was fun to visit the graves. I asked him was it fun because of the afternoon tea Grandma took. He said yes. So I said if i take the same afternoon tea, we should go. of course he said. So off we trotted.

There is more to this story now as Arthur's Creek is very close to Kinglake where the bush fires have been and still are. We will take the boys up to the cemetery at Easter time under the pretext of visiting the graves, but to show them the devastation of what the fires have done.

The cemetery sits on a hill and you can see all around. Mum and Dad have two plots up there and Dad reckons it's because of the view as to why he wants to go there.

I've Been Tagged

Thanks to Pauline, I've been tagged. What this means is I'm to look in my 6th picture file and find the 6th photo, well let's see what it is.

Ah, this is the name canvas I made for my sister-in-law for her birthday. Her name is Ionie and she can never find anything with her name on it spelt like this. One year, I gave her a brooch with her name on it. It was made of wire and her name was written in the wire. I purchased it at a market by a man who made name brooches.

So that's the 6th photo in the 6th file but it won't let me upload the photo so what I'll do is the next 6th folder and show you the 6th photo.

This folder is of the Commonwealth Games in 2006. I was a volunteer for the Games and worked with the out door events at the triathlon, marathon, road race and cross country BMX. It was a very long 10 days as we had to be up at 4-30am to be at events at around 6-30am. It was a great expo and I met lots of people. This is my spot in Port Melbourne at the marathon. It was near the beach and a pub so there was lots of people around. You never knew who was coming round the corner and you only saw them once.

Blood Giving?

So how did I go? I didn't or more importantly, I couldn't. Sat for an hour waiting only to have the nurse tell me I have to wait another two months as it's too close since my surgery. Oh well, they will still need blood in 3 months time and Jac will personally book me in. She did really well, took 10 minutes to drain her pint. There was a board with the tally on it. They need 475 pints a week. When we walked in on Tuesday, they had 390 already. Think they will get enough for this week

We have made 16 boxes with toiletries in them and they will be labelled and delivered to the YMCA as they are collecting donations. We made them for families, teenagers and the oldies and they look great.

My GNI friends are getting together to make some cards and either sell them or donate to the Red Cross. Should be a fun night!

Bush Fires-what can we do?

Isn't awful the countryside burns, lives and homes are lost and what can we do?

Well me and Jac have rung the Red Cross and are going to donate blood tomorrow. Big deal I hear you say. Yes, it is a big deal for me as it's hard to get blood out of me even for a blood test I have trouble and I forgot to tell Jac this when we booked. So today,tonight and tomorrow I will sound like a washing machine as I gulp the water down. Wish us both luck! As I will probably collapse and Jac will have to pick me up!

We have also decided to make toiletry boxes with toothpaste, brushes, flannels etc for family groups and will leave them at the Red Cross.

I have also encouraged the boys to talk to their SRC Reps to have a Free Dress Day and donate a Gold Coin to the Bush Fire Appeal.

I think that's the only thing I can do to support these families.

What else can you think of?

The Sigh

Did you hear the collective sigh in Melbourne yesterday?
Not only was the weather cooler and we could sleep at night with a cover, but the kids went back to school. YAY!

Being a member of the parents'association, we were asked to assist with a morning tea for the new prep parents, giving them time to chat and relieve themselves of their anxieties without upsetting their children. It does help. When DS7 started, I informed the parents' assoc I wouldn't help as I wanted to spend time as a parent instead.
The parents there yesterday were quite happy which was great!

I then stayed back at school and organized the Book Club to give out to the children, hence I didn't get home till after midday, I love days like that!

Today was a big day for me cause after long last, we have moved into our new premises at work and can now work in a proper sensory lab and even better, we won't have to worry about parking as there is heaps!

Enjoy your day

Christmas Visit

Something for the kids-big and little

Went to the city yesterday to see James and the Giant Peach. It was great. I didn't know the story before we went and was a bit dubious about it, but I have to say, I did enjoy it.

It's being performed until 23rd January at RMIT in the Kaleide Theatre and entertains both young and old. There was plenty of modern references including Sarah Palin, Kate Moss and Amy Winehouse as well as a music score and sound effects on stage.
Lots of pantomine pranks, men dressed in women's clothing and water pistols galore, a good afternoon's entertainment for all.

Next weekend we will go to the city, armed with a camera, a list of ideas and we are going to make a Noakes Tour of Melbourne for the coffee table. Now to work on the list of ideas.

Talk soon

How rude?

Well it has been awhile hasn't it? And I suppose you want to know what I've been doing. Well! Since my surgery, which did take the 6 weeks I was prescribed, I did also turn 40 and as I didn't have a 30th, I celebrated in style and had not just one party but 3!

As well as my birthday, the rest of the family have their birthdays too. DS6 turns 7 on 4th Dec, DH celebrates his birthday on the 10th and DS9 hit double figures on the 18th. Chuck in Christmas, the odd party or 3, present buying and my niece's birthday on the 27th, then you can see why I have neglected you.

The above shot was taken at the BIG party on the Saturday Night. It was a themed party-Royalty as you see it. I dressed as ELizabeth I ruffle and all, wig the works. You can't see it in the shot, but I was very pale in the face too. Thanks to Pauline for taking this shot.

Others came as King Gee dressed in his work clothes and helmet; princesses, vikings, Kings and Queens of Hearts, frog princes' and a couple of Chocolate Royals. It was a great night.

The boys are calling so I will fill you in on the other two parties later.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!