"Adopting a Child won't change the world; but for that Child the world will change."

Thursday 30 August 2007

Pride and Joy


My pride and joy... my hubs and kids.

Hub's pride and joy... his recently purchased racing P0rsche

Don't go gettin too excited that we must be loaded coz he bought a P0rsche, it's a VERY ordinary car. It doesn't even have door trims, and there's just a checker-plate steel thing for the floor!!! There's no stereo, or cupholders. No air-con. But... it is RED and it does have a turbo!!! At least he's got his priorities in order?!!


Hubs just picked up his race suit, and dolled himself up so we could have a squiz, and feel special that we have a racing champion (to be) in our midst!!!
We love you, Honey - you go, Spunky Man!


Wednesday 29 August 2007

Fortunes & Cookies

**Beware, many dodgey "puns" contained in this post!**



On the way to school, I call into pick our mail up from our post box. I got a "parcel" card - oooo, how exciting! I thought my Secret Pal might've sent something? Wrong! It was from America! Ooooo, this really IS exciting?!!! The gorgeous CJ, sent our little girl some beeeeeeautiful surprises! This is Chester. I think Chester is a good name for a pig, don't you? I had a tough time deciding between Chester or Caffeine (check out those eyes!), but H had trouble pronouncing the later - so it's Chester the Pig!










And accompanying Chester, was one of the prettiest, soft dolls EVA! It's Awake Annie.... but wait....

























When she rolls over... she's Asleep Annie!!! Oh my goodness, the squishy loveyness of them is just too much for me to bear (or should I say to much to pig?!!!)
























Thank you, thank you , thank you CJ! You are such a sweetheart!



Something looks a little outta place?!! Ahhh - Chester has a ribbon!









Then the rest of my day consisted of processing wages ~ joy.


I picked the kidlets up, and said to M, maybe she could make some cookies for Girl Guides, to earn her Cooking Badge. She whipped up a batch like a champion! Pity they're all for the Guide troop - none for us!












While she was rolling the cookie dough into balls, I shot up the road to the Chinese Restaurant to pick up some take away. I don't normally buy Fortune Cookies, coz they cost a fortune, $3.50 for a pack of 6 ~ but I succumbed and bought a pack tonight. I cracked mine open, this is what it said:










Just in case you can't read it, it says "You will win success in whatever calling you adopt".... interesting choice of words?!!

Monday 27 August 2007

Middle names

Well, I got tagged, for another "passing the time" meme!!! I have no clue what the hell meme means, but all the other bloggers are saying, so I thought I'd be super-cool and say it too... isn't it a pity when the really "uncool" kids start trying to be cool?!!!

Here's the story:You have to post these rules before you give the facts.
1) Players, you must list one fact that is somehow relevant to your life for each letter of your middle name. If you don’t have a middle name, use the middle name you would have liked to have had.
2) When you are tagged you need to write your own blog post containing your own middle name game facts.
3) At the end of your blog post, you need to choose one person for each letter of your middle name to tag. Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them they’re tagged, and to read your blog.



Keeper - my hubs passed me up once, but he came back, so I figure I must be a keeper?!!
Amicable Australian - Couldn't decided which word I liked better, I thought Amicable was a clever word, "peaceful and friendly", and I am proud to be an Australian!!!
Young - sorry couldn't resist, and there aren't many words starting with Y!!! I guess I could've had Yobbo, but I try really hard NOT to be a Yobbo!!! (for my Non-Australian readers, a Yobbo is well, an idiot, I guess!)
Efficient - well I try to be, anyway!

Now I'm sposed to tag some people so I'm gonna tag my favourite Australian Bloggers
Chelley, Lisa & Emma
And Amy

Sunday 26 August 2007

Cakes and dress ups



This week, it has been "Book Week" in all the schools. In our school we have reading competitions and other games, but the highlight of the week, is Friday - Dress Up day. I love it! Every year, I'm amazed at the unique and creative costumes! This year, the school actually set a theme. You could dress up as: An explorer, Someone that discovered something, or something from Antartica. So... M went as Lucy (from Narnia, because she discovered Narnia) and H went as a Pirate, because they discover treasure! H, said he got a lollypop. I asked him why, he wasn't sure, but gave me the card that the lollypop was stuck to. It said "Congratualtions on being a Story Reading Finalist"!!! I was shocked! I'm not sure if I've mentioned on my blog before, but H REALLY struggles at school. It is only his first year, but all my teacher interviews, I'm told he's really lagging blah,blah, blah. BUT, I can see a vast improvement and his speech therapist reckons his is doing brilliantly! So I'm not too worried... but to be a finalist in a story competition?!! So on the way home, I asked him to read my the story that he read. And for a kid that can't read... he said the story, almost word for word!!! It is a book that we've read together quite often, but I didn't think he was paying very much attention!!! So, good on ya H - you're a champion!


On Saturday, it was my BIL's 40th birthday. And I was the sucker that put my hand up, to make the cake! My SIL wanted to do a "racing" theme, and said it would be great if we could do checked flag-style chocolate shards around the outside of the cake. Hmmm... I racked my brains and this is what I did...



I was so happy with the final result! We found a cake decorating place that can put a photo/image onto edible paper, and Steve LOVES MGs... so this one was an obvious choice. He was stoked! I'm kind of glad its over, I'm all weary and tired, been cooking and preparing (and worrying about the cake!) for days.... ahhh, it was nice to sleep in this morning!

Wednesday 22 August 2007

Gentleman Boxer



H is ever the gentleman, and let his 3 yr old cousin, TJ, beat the crap outta him!

TJ, has got "The Thing" hands on, and when you smack them together (or on someone!) they make a crashing sound!!! Please excuse "Barbie and the Nutcracker" movie in the background!

Family Resemblance

I was looking after my 3 yr old niece last night, and got some great movie of her with H, but stupid Vista won't let me see the movie. I took a photo of my 2 + my niece. Everyone says that my niece is a mini version of my daughter! So here's the comparison, what do you think?

Pic one: is my M, my niece and my H



Pic two: is my M at 2



Other than the fact that my niece has brown eyes and M has blue eyes, some of their facial expressions are soooo much the same!!

Ooooo.... and a Happy 18th to me (well, our file!) Look how much growing a kid can do in 18 months!!! M, at 18 months and H, at 18 months. M, was off to a party and H, had just been to his first Royal Show. Ahhh... one of these days, we'll be taking Mini's 18 month photos... not celebrating months gone... enjoying months gone by.

Sunday 19 August 2007

Not much doing

Ho-Hum. Not much going on, well, nothing exciting anyway! Saturday I baked cakes for our Sunday School bake sale. When I dropped them into Church, I was told I was the only one that had done anything!!! So back home I went, to bake some more!

Sunday, we went to Church, I bought some of my own cakes!!! But I was very happy to see that obviously there was some last minute baking done, and there were lots more cakes! We had lunch with T's sister and her five kidlets, then back home to do the ironing!

Yes... what an exciting weekend it was! I did watch Pride and Prejudice (again!) and now my daughter is hooked too!!! An old fashioned romantic like her Ma?!! Sorry in advance to her future dates!!!

Oh! And HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my Big Brother!

Wednesday 15 August 2007

Bada bLing!

Sorry, I was a bit of a slacker, mentioning new jewellery, and not posting a pic?!! Here's my charity necklace. I love it. It's just like me... a bit twisted, a bit tense, classy yet casual?!!!





I also received my Lana's Jewelry order in the mail this week! What a gem-a-licious week it's been!!!

So, stop reading my dribble, and get on over to Lana's Jewelry and order yourself some beautiful hand made jewellery, by the gorgeous effervescent Lana! You won't be disappointed! Lana even boxes your goodies up, in these cutsie little boxes, and wraps then in tissue paper with a little ribbon! Value for money, that's for sure!

Monday 13 August 2007

Ramblings

I'm starting to get a cold... its kind of there, but not there! Which is better than having full-blown "rudulph itice" I guess!

We didn't end up seeing Nancy Drew, it wasn't on... I think I'm confused, I think I only saw shorts to the movie, but it hasn't actually been released here yet!!! So we saw The Simpson Movie instead. Was ok, the kids were killing themselves laughing quite a bit, but I thought it was just like watching the tv episodes! Homer is right, in the first scene, he stands up and says we're all suckers for paying to go to the movies when we can watch it for free at home!!! Kids really like it though, so I guess that's all that counts!

I went to a fundraiser fashion parade yesterday. Didn't buy any clothes, but scored myself a very nice silver necklace. If I'd bought clothes only 10% of the sale price went to the fundraiser, but the necklace was donated, so 100% went to the cause. It was a good afternoon, and I went home happy with my necklace!

Happy Monday All!

Saturday 11 August 2007

Winter Beach




The sun was shining today, so I thought it'd be good to get the kids out of the house, and take Chewy out, (in the hopes that he doesn't try it himself again!) So we hit the beach. It was blowing a gale, and it was a bit chilly (must have been, coz the kids didn't even attempt to get into the water!) The kids brought home buckets of shells. All is good.
NB: the scratches on H's face! Typical. He had school photos this week, and the day before the photos, he tripped on the playground, and gouged his face!

I thought we might do some more family bonding tonight, and head out to the cinema and see "Nancy Drew" M has been hanging out to see it since the holidays! But right now, I've got a date with Dyson. He really sucks.

Thursday 9 August 2007

Could be worse?

Ever had one of those week's when, just when you think things couldn't get any worse... your world proves you wrong?!!!

Sorry bout the scary cat photo!!! Fitting my mood perfectly... right down to the glowing yellow eyes!!!

And no, Jeter's Momma... it's definitely NOT our cat!!! If wish I could catch the 2 cats that tease Chewy all night long, and have him barking like a mad thing... I'd definitely do this to them!!! (Sorry CJ! and any other cat lovers!!!) My dear SIL would be turning in her grave, God rest her sweet soul!!!

Speaking of Trish. Good lord, I've missed her this week. Even typing this, I'm crying again. I miss her common sense, her smile, her lighthearted view of life, her friendship, her solid support, her voice. I drove past the Showgrounds the other day, and was immediately reminded, that it was Trish that took my kids to the Show, while I was off in Sydney catching up with Team Salsa. Its the little things that catch me unawares, that get me upset the most. Sometimes, I think, when will it stop hurting, that she's gone? But then on the other hand, I think, if it hurts, it means that she is still alive in my memory, so then I don't want it to stop hurting. Good grief, I'm a nutcase!!!

Oh Tricia, how I wish you didn't have to go so soon.

Tuesday 7 August 2007

Feelin a bit...


All washed up?
Not Happy?
Bad hair day?
Or just down right SCARY!!!

Monday 6 August 2007

Chewy's travels





Does Chewy look a little sad to you? I think he does, and I'll tell you why!
We got home from Church on Sunday, and Chewy was gone. He wasn't anywhere to be found in our backyard - and our yard is not very big! I did notice that a sheet of iron had fallen off the fence behind our shed... and my guess was Chewy found it too. I felt sick, what if he'd been hit by a car... he's not very street smart. We went out and checked the streets near our house. No Chewy. He is registered, and wears and ID tag with our phone no. on it, so thought if anyone finds him they'll ring.
Late afternoon, we did get a call, from our local council, saying Chewy had been found, by a neighbouring council, and was taken to the pound. I could pick him up the next day. I didn't sleep very well, all I could think of was poor Chewy laying on the cold concrete at the pound. He'd be worried and scared, all those other dogs howling, all the smells of the other dogs.
I barracaded up the hole and also the side of the shed, coz I suspected he may have squeezed through there. I waited til 9am, and went out to the pound. Turns out, I was sposed to bring his papers. I was asked to "ID" Chewy, then go back to the Council Offices to pick up some forms, pay fees, then come back. (note: the pound is about 1/2 hour from my house, the council office is about 20 mins from the pound). But wait... there's more. I had a Drs appt at 11am. By the time I'd ID'd Chewy (which I felt absolutely rotten about, saying hello etc... then walking off and leaving him in that cage), and going to the Council Office (where they made me wait about 25 mins, for ONE bit of paper), I had to get to my Drs, and that was about a 1/2 drive from the Council Office. From the Drs, I drove back to the pound (about 40 mins from the Drs), and after another 20 mins, I was FINALLY able to go get my Chewy. He was so freaked out. He didn't even want to eat his treat. He just wanted to get outta there! It was almost like he didn't know who I was, until we pulled into our carport, he got so excited, his tail started wagging, he ran around the car and his kennel. He sniffed his food bowl and drank a tonne of water.
Its so good to have him home. I've put him in the laundry, just in case his taste of freedom was enticing him again.
Someone had found him and phoned the council. The council picked him up, about 15kms away. They're not sure if he actually ran that far himself, or whether the people that found him, found him closer to home, and drove to their house that far away? While I was driving all over the countryside today, I was thinking... they better not slug me a fortune for taking him to the pound, they could've rung, and I'd come get him straight away. What happens if you don't have the money to get our dog out? Do they keep him? That's blackmail!!! "We're holding your dog, til you pay. If you don't we'll give him to someone else"!!! Then I was thinking, what if he wasn't registered. They wouldn't be able to ring me. What do they do then? Put him up for adoption straight away? Maybe it's cheaper to go down there, and buy him, rather than pay all the council's damn blackmail fines? I think it's terrible that they use emotional blackmail to make people pay exorbident fines, to get your escapee dog back. Its just wrong. I would say MOST dog owners, love their dogs and are worried sick when they pups stray. Many times, beyond their own fault. Anyway, I succumbed to all their emotional blackmail, and will pay anything to get him back. I still think its wrong though!!!
Poor Chewy. He's very tired and forlorn. Hopefully the experience of the pound will stop him trying to escape! If anything, the kids have a renewed love for their dog, and vow they are going to play with all the time! We'll see how long that lasts, shall we?!!!

Friday 3 August 2007

Could it be?

Thanks for the laughs on the last post!!! I'm looking forward to reading novels by Chelsea Duval!!! I think it's funny that most of you named your pets "real" names! (excluding Smirnoff!)

Something weird happened yesterday. I had just dropped the kids at school, and was sitting at some traffic lights, I was deep in thought, when I felt a real "presence" around me (I say it's God, others may say it's intuition or a sense) anyway, I stopped thinking about whatever it was I was thinking about, and sat quietly, and just listened. I didn't hear any booming voices or even any quiet voices, but heard the song playing on the radio... "My Brown-eyed Girl"!!! I listened to the song and got goosebumps from head to toe! Weird, hey?

I've noted that one, in my diary... could it be... is Mini born? Is she seeing the same sun, I'm looking at? It was weird, but good weird?!!


** JUST RELEASED ** CC@@ have allocated children to families whose files were logged in before November 21 2005. Another 7 days. Congrat's to all families who are drooling over their new baby's photos!!! The 21 Nov, is significant for us - not only is it our wedding anniversary, but it was the day the South Aust. Govt decided we were "ok" to adopt a little girl from China! We passed the Govt. review panel. 92 more days til our LID. (22 Nov - 22 Feb). It doesn't sound like long... but believe me, the CC@@ ensure that it is long!!!
I've got everything crossed that they get through the rest of November this month! PPPLLLLEEEEEZZZZE!