Supermarket trolley whore....are you one???

I must confess....

I look into other peoples supermarket trolleys....

While they are in the checkout, I just glance or the odd side glance while walking though...

fess up... I am sure most of you do it!!

He he he .... evil.... aren't we.... or just nosey!!

Why do I do it??? One reason... I am always looking for new products!!!

I love a new cleaning product or tooth paste, and often, when I shop I have three little kids. No time just to slowly browse. I just get the items I normally do... so I find myself 'browsing' other people trolleys.. he he he.. evil isn't it...

But then... I look at fat people's (sorry... but no need to beat around the bush.. I was one of them) trolley and think to myself.. no fuckin' wonder... Why on earth do you need those chips, full-sugar soft drink and frozen chips... often not one item from the fruit and veg section...

That is another thing that I can't understand.. why does ANYONE drink soft drink that isn't diet?? Quite a few of my friends drink the full-sugar variety and it gets me beat why??? they tell me because of the taste, but I can't tell the difference!!

Anyway..... back to my trolleys...

Today... in the supermarket quickly.. had to be quick, three kids... at the checkout there was a 'feral' family in front of me going though the checkout and her 10 or 11 year old daughter walks up to the checkout and places about 12 different chocolate bars on the belt.. kit kats, mars bars, picnics.. you name it, it was there... and not those little 'fun' sized babies... full sized bars!!

The mother, while placing a 2 x 25 kg bags of black and gold dog food on the checkout tells the daughter "You don't fuckin' need all of those"

Daughter "Yeah i do.. back to school this week and I need 'em for lunch..:

Mother ponders the daughters response for a brief moment and replies.. " well you don't need all of 'em" .....and then began the debate of how many of these fat and sugar laden chocolates where needed...

The daughter won and I can't help but wonder if that will be ALL she will be taking to school for lunch.. along with a can of coke!!!

The schools in our town do have a 'good food' policy and you can't buy crap at the schools.. that is great, but if the parents just send them anymore, where is the lesson in that. That poor girl, while now is thin, WILL end up with a weight problem.... if that is the example her family lead with.

Sure, I give my kids treats.. but they are just that!! Treats.. not an 'everyday' food!! It isn't hard people....

Ozzie.. Ozzie... Ozzie

Happy Australian Day everyone...

What better way to start the day then with a nice long walk.... followed by cooked breakfast... lunch... then a nap...

I have to go into the Australia Day awards after tea, to take photos for the paper... a real warm fuzzy... Last time I went to take photos, the person receing the award was the CFA captain and there was a fire during the presentation... should have seen the hall empty!!

Had Weight Watchers last night and I lost 900 grams.... (Nearly all of that Christmas cheer gone..) I don't know if it is just me, and that I have been to too many meeting, But my meeting was BORING!!!!! No one excited, like sitting through a RE class at school... My Mother - in - law will be here next week and will come to my meeting wth me, perhaps that will liven things up a bit!!!

I am very pleased how I am controlling my eating etc at the moment... not setting stupid goals, everything I start can be continued... and achieved... feels right....

I am reading Craig Harper's Fattitude .... brilliant... but will say more when finished!!

Just a quick run down of some holiday photos...

This is Jack and the kids in the boat on the Murray near Renmark. All of the kids LOVE the boat.. they all started as babies...

Me holding a 3 day old piglet... Friends that we stayed with in Clare have a piggery. Amazing progress from breeding to when it hits the supermarket... Wish the kids where with us.!!!

A day on the Green at Annie Lane Winery near Clare... Awesome.... Paul Kelly rocks!!!! so do the Pretenders... got wet... but it was cool!!

This is Hugh... in the red car between the rows of my brother in laws olive plantation near Adelaide...

As mentioned in the previous post, I did also get two new tattoos... I wanted to post a photo of them, but anyone who has had a tattoo done would know how yuck they get!! They aren't pretty at the moment... so will post when they recover a little more!!!

Will post more soon.. trying so many new receipes ATM... like one a day!!!

OK.. better go can hear the baby up...

When is a cappuccino not a cappuccino????

When it is made with a cup of "International Roast - catering blend" instant coffee with a froth top.... THAT IS NOT A CUPPUCCINO.. OK - GOT IT!!!!

AND with FULL CREAM MILK!!! No other option!!!

I live in the country.... but even we have real coffee... get with it guys!!!

THAT is the only complaint of my holiday!!! Had a great time, beach, family, A day on the green, tour of a piggery, got tattooed (2 in fact!!)... but will post more later!

About to head off to my god daughters - she turned one while away and need to get her present to her (A funky little kids Roxy Backpack...)

Good to be home...... (even if the scales are revealing just hoe naughty I have been!!)

Home again, home again

This is me on the beach yesterday.... nice tan hey!!

WOW.. what a great weekend.. kids had a ball, Jack and I had a ball.. perfect. The compnay was great, had a look through all of those funky beach side shops and I didn't OVEREAT!! The weather at Robe could not have been better!!! I even exercised!!!

Got home at about 5pm and started the washing machine as we are heading to Adelaide first thing Tuesday morning!!!!!

Here are some photos..

Laura on the beach... "No Mummy.. I won't get wet..."

Emilie and Laura trying to dodge waves...

Hugh... Our surf dude...

In the summertime...

Gawd.. it is hot.. Damm Hot!!!

We are in the middle of packing for the 3 hour drive tomorrow to the Beach... Watch out robe.. here we come!!! Not that Robe will notice... yet another small town that goes wild over summer break. Jack grew up on a farm just out of Robe, it TOTALLY blows him away what Robe has become! Cafes, galleries, shops... it is a wonderful holiday destination now! A little "mini-break" for us before the "big-break' the week after!!

Jack and I painted yesterday.. in the heat.. getting a fine tan!

I am reading so many motivational blogs at the moment....... One particular post was from Kathryn... mind you most of Kathryn's posts are really motivational.. but the quote from Gandhi REALLY struck a cord with me. I am sure Gandhi wasn't talking about weight loss... but he is right on the nose!!! Thank you Kathryn...

My Uncle, who lives in the Adelaide hills was burnt out yesterday. Some dick light a fire that has destroyed everything on his property, APART from the house. When he built again (pulled down his old house) he built in a fire bunker... we have taken the piss out of him for doing it for years, but it worked!! He was home and could smell smoke, he put the dogs and his mother-in-law in the bunker and set to putting on the sprinklers around the house.. 20 minutes later the fire front hit and they had to make a dash for the bunker.. not knowing if the house would survive. They saw a helicopter overhead water bombing, and it dumped on the house then took off again.. it was saved, but sheds, tractors, fencing olive plantation everything else gone!!! But, they are ok... VERY lucky...

Ok.. weigh in tonight.. will see the real damage from a weekend of partying.

Take care all!

9pm update - Weighed in with a gain of 400 grams... Ok with that!!! Will be gone by next week!!

8 Crownies + mud Cake = 500 grams gain!!

Damage control here.... Just jumped on the scales at it shows 500 gram gain.. SO FAR!!!! Beer, wine... makes me put weight on VERY quickly... hence why I am not a everyday drinker... Back to tracking for me... well until we go to Robe at the weekend!

Jack with his 'porno' moe...

The house is almost back in order.. just another few loads of washing to get though this morning. The last visitor left yesterday at lunch time.. then I had some 'quite-time' when the kids went back to bed before a quick trip into the dentist! Little Laura copped a swing in the mouth on Saturday night... it was so gross!!! You could see the cartilage in her jaw (like while under the gum...) but the dentist thinks that it is only soft tissue damage. She has had trouble eating harder foods, but she is on the mend!

Laura getting cuddled by my Mum after the incident...

Jack Parents flew over on Saturday morning from Renmark.. (they have their own plane) and flew back yesterday morning. They where quite keen to get home. A cyclone hit the south side on Renmark on Saturday afternoon. Their properties where Ok, but my father-in-law is a local government councillor and he wanted to get home. Jack's sister also made the trip down from NSW, which was great! My brother and sister both came home from Melbourne, haven't seen my brother is almost a year!!!!

My Sister Sally, me and my brother Danny

We had the entire back yard decorated with streamers etc and at 6pm (30 min before the party started) and HUGE Storm hit and wet EVERYTHING!!!!! I stood inside watching Jack madly trying to empty one of out machinery sheds.. it just finished and the rain stopped!! A few towels to mop everything up and it was a beautiful night!

Adrienne and me... (my neighbour and fellow WW buddy)

Lighting 'firework' for the kids...(That is what Emilie calls them...)

The Mexican theme was great... some dressed up!! We ate nachos, quesadillas and had a Taco bar with Mexican rice.. and mud cake for dessert! LOTS of left overs so the freezer is full.

Presents.. lots and lots and lots.. Monica, a childhood friend, gave me perfume (hugo boss.. Devine!!) BUT the reason behind the perfume was even nicer... Monica is 11 months younger then me and we did literally grow up together.. she lived 5 houses down the road. We have never had a cross word to each other... and I think the reason why is we are so different! Anyway, back to the perfume.. as kids we did lots and lots of silly things... kids things.. and one of those things was to pinch every ones rose petals and mix them with water, put it into an old soft drink bottle and walk up and down the street and sell it! We did sell one bottle!!

Monica and Me

Had the BEST night... From Jack I am getting a tattoo... I have been searching the net trying to find a design that I am really happy with and have found several.. but now I want two... I want one on my foot of a little black butterfly and a scroll design on my lower back.... we are heading to Adelaide next week, so I better book in somewhere... any recommendations in Adelaide??? I have one on my hip and have always wanted another...


TODAY.. I am back to tracking... Not that I ate that badly, and everyone knows me well enough no to give me chocolates for a birthday present! But this is it.. I am going to be a fit and healthily 30 year old...


We are heading to Horsham later this morning. I had a little accident just prior to christmas with my car and need to get my car in to get it fixed, so it is getting fixed while Jack is on holidays and we have a second car here that will fit the kids and I am going to spend my birthday vouchers and money... exciting....

Jack starts holidays tomorrow and we are painting the barge boards on the house green.. they are still mission brown. Then on Friday we are heading to Robe, SA, for the weekend. Back Sunday night and heading to Adelaide on Tuesday, Paringa on Friday to drop of the kids and back to Clare on Saturday for a Day on the Green... Home on Monday... Busy times!!

Thank you all for your birthday wishes... I have truely had the best birthday!!!!!!

30 isn't THAT old...

I still feel like a 29 year old??? In fact.. I still feel like a 25 year old!!!!

I had the BEST birthday!!! Had a fantastic party, and all had a great time!! I got so many great presents and was very spoilt!! Very...

Just a couple of Photos.. Will update more later. My house is a mess and I have to take Laura to the dentist shortly.... (little incident with a swing on Saturday night...)

A friend and her Three year old daughter made my front gate more "Mexican" for me...

My little Mexican, Hugh with Jack. Jack had a 'porno' style Moe... will try and find photo with it!

The Family.. I had TWO costumes to wear and my Sister gave me this dress for my birthday.. I feel in love with it months ago.. It is a FCUK (French Connection) dress that I saw in a magazine!! LOVE IT.. sort of looks mexican...

My sister and her boyfriend catered for us and blew us away with the result!!

More later!!

Countdown....

Excited...
Clean House.. Check
Mow Lawns (well... what is left of the,).. Check
Birthday Cake ordered.. Check
Fridge is full of food that can't be eaten...Check
Costumes... Check

This is my last post as a 20's chick... Bring on 30!! I am ready to be thirty... no crisis here that is for sure. I feel that I should be turning 35 or 38 or something. I have crammed so much into those years, it is time my age caught up to me a little!

Can't believe how organised I am.. All that is left is to clean all of the windows today... then done!
My sister is coming home from Melbourne to day with the fruit and Veg (Melbourne Market) and all of the decorations. ...

My sister is the best cook... I steal all of her great recipe and pretend they are my own when I dish them up to others... She is the head chef for my Mexican Fiesta. Last count we had 65 people coming (including kids) Can't wait ... it is going to be cool!!

Will post with photos as soon as I can..

Other Weight related stuff.. weighed in last night and lost 100 grams... cool... But they have changed the program.. AGAIN!!! I love new book for WW... cookbooks or otherwise, so I think this is cool. But I think they will confuse a few people to start with!

The basic changes : (From Memory for those interested)

• Your 8 glasses of water a day can now include up to 4 glasses of Non or decaffeinated diet drinks (Including decaffeinated tea & Coffee)
• You don't count sugar points anymore.. you still count them in your daily total, but no separate count
• You have to try and include two teaspoons of runny oil (olive etc) into your diet. Apparently WW members have shown to have a deficiency in Vit E,,, and have been starving their little brains..
• No Count is now "Core Plan" and the Carb structure has changed.. If can only have one sort of carb once a day.. Example... if you have noodles for lunch, can't have them for tea (Including potatoes)
• With the Core plan you can now snack on Fruit, Veg, Diet Yogurt, soup and air popped pop corn
• Some Vegetable now have a points value...(haven't found which ones yet)

I think that is it... in a nutshell... cool hey. I brought a new points guide, the new "Turnaround" cookbook etc in that value package they have. Haven't had a chance to really have a look, but all looks cool!

OK... sun is out now, I can walk!

Photos from Christmas....

This is a photo of Jack trying to hit golf balls at the passing houseboats from the Front of his parents house... a bit of a tradition whenever we all get together... I don't think anyone is yet to hit one.. The Girls pushing the billy cart back up the drive... how cute!!

Little Hugh taking the easy way up the hill!!

Another cute one.. This is Emilie and Hugh walking at the River edge at Renmark.. they where feeding the possums...

How many kids can watch at 5 inch dvd screen??? Some of the cousins...

YAHOO... bring on 2007!!!!

Bring it on...

This is going to be a great year and started out with 66 points of rain over night!!!!!!!!!!!! couldn't have asked for a better start to the year!

I believe in living in the present... so I am not going to reflect on the year that was.. just excited about what this year will bring!!!

Our Christmas was massive... so many kids.. so many presents.. so much yummy food!!! But the scale god have been kind.. that and I did exercise most days. Love walking in Paringa.. so much to see.. Hills to get the heart rate up a little and PEOPLE!!! When I walk here I see NO ONE!!! Love being able to smile and say morning on a walk!!! Little thing that most take for granted...

With the new year new started.. I did the official weigh, pictures and measure. My focus for 2007 is to improve my fitness, tone my body more and eat healthily, well balanced meals.

I am happy with my weight, but my body needs toning in places. I know that I would benefit from increased fitness.. so that are my goals for the year!!! Hence the record to start the year from. I got Jack to take my photo with just my underwear on (sorry.. that I am not sharing..) and it REALLY shows the areas that need work!! The muffin top, upper legs and my tummy area! Motivation is high.. it is going to happen..

I turn 30 next Sunday (7th Jan) and having a Mexican Fiesta here on Saturday night... should see the decoration my sister got in Melbourne... Blow up catuis, pinatas... Very excited!! Feeding about 80 (including kids) so it will be a blast. Have been downloading Mexican music from Limewire.. very cool.. still working on my costume. I brought a Dress from ebay that is too small.. But it had a cute little Mexican man sleeping beside a catus.. will see what can be done with it.

I will post some photos from our Christmas shortly... just need more time to fiddle with flickr..

HAPPY NEW YEAR!~!!!!

I'm excited....

I don't know how the kids are.. but I am excited!!! Really that is too dull a word to explain how I feel!! I just tried to have a little nap on the couch.. but I couldn't sleep... thinking thinking...

We are heading North into the sunny Riverland tomorrow afternoon for a week. Jack has a BBQ lunch at work, the kids and I will meet him over there and we will take off from there.... exciting!

We are taking two cars.. we have so much stuff to get Paringa, it won't all fix in one ute. Jack is driving up his WB (1981 Holden V8) ute. The kids are already arguing how gets to ride with him!

I will be pleased when we get there.. I am always a little anxious travelling. Just want to get there and put my feet up for a couple of days before Santa comes!

Will try and update over the next week, by Ma and Pa only have dial up!

Thank you all for your support over the last twelve months and please travel safe!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!

Better not shout, you better not cry.....

Coz... My grandmorther is coming to town....

Yep.. How Lucky am I!!! My grandmother, who is in her 80's.. (high end.. I think..) is spending a week with my Mum in Horsham, and they are coming up for an early christmas tomorrow.. I am so excited!!

My Grandmother lived only 30 minutes from me until two years ago when I aunt moved from Hopetoun where Nanna lived. Nan didn't want to be left up there alone, so she moved into a Village Life complex in Ballarat. It was quite a bit of adjusting for her, but she seems to like it.

My grandmother is from the Mallee... dry and hot!! The climate at Ballarat has made her stiff and sore. Being the golden haired grandchild I am, I brought her five jars of her favorite arthritis cream this morning to take back with her.

My grandfather passed away in 1984, so she has been on her own for a long time. Always has to have a craft project on the go to keep her hands busy.. god love her!!

I know that I am lucky to have a great grandmother for my kids.. and they suck up to her. Little Hugh was giving her cuddles and kisses... doesn't take them long to work out the system..

Nan came to swimming lessons with us this morning and the kids are waving to her and getting out to give her cuddle.. my kids will be the talk of the dining room at Village life!

Tomorrow we will have a light tea, exchange presents with Nan and Mum and then head in for the Carols at Warracknabeal..

Hope everyone else is having a great weekend and a special thank you to Sarah's class in NZ, who prayed for rain for us.. how sweet is that!!!

Take care and enjoy this next week!!!

NEARLY... losing it....

I handle day to day stresses quite well.. even if I do say so myself. But.. I nearly lost it at 1 this morning.... let me give you the run down...

Monday - I had a meeting at school (on healthy eating for kids.. great info..) and come home at 10pm, find the house empty.. front door open, tea dishes still on the table - no Jack or kids.. Ummmm.. think worse cases. broken bones etc.. ring Jack's Mobile and can hear in ringing in the ute.. Pick up the phone and ring the neighbour (at 10pm at night!!!) and get no answer. It occurs to me to check the call log on the home phone.. My Dad rang and left a message, then a number I don't know... I ring it (Again at 10pm at night!!!) and get the owner of the land that one flock of our sheep are. Relief... as he wants to know how Jack went pulling lambs from the dam! So - I knew where they were!

We fenced off the dam months ago to avoid this. Those not aware, no Dams where filled this year due to the drought and the are all almost empty. As you can imagine, quite muddy and boggy and sheep get stuck if they aren't fenced off. We have been pumping the dregs of the water into a tanker with a trough so the sheep can get water. Jack pumped water on Sunday, BUT the water has gone off and was making the sheep sick. It didn't smell brackish or anything, but we lost two sheep and the ones that got suck in the dam where looking for fresher water... fuck the drought.. So Jack jumped in and pulled out the lambs that where stuck and moved the sheep back to our neighbours for fresh water. Jack apparently had thick mud up to his chest.. fully clothed. I took his car into town so he only had my car. In his wisdom, he jumped in clothed, so the mud would stick to the clothes and not him. He peeled them off and got home without mud on the inside of my car (good thinking Jacko)... anyway.. the kids where at the neighbours and didn't get to bed until nearly 11pm!! Jack trucked the sheep to the market on Tuesday .. Gone to be roast christmas lunch!!

So.. that was just the start of it.

Tuesday, I was collecting Emilie from Take-a-break (occasional care) and I have a canopy on the back of my ute. It has a HUGE blind spot. I know it is there, I have to check each time I reverse out of a park.. well this time I didn't and run into another car. A eldely lady who has recently lost her husband. How bad do you think I felt! She was quite shaken. The damage to my car was quite minimal but I got all four panels down one side of her car.. bugger..

Yesterday morning, I go to hop into the shower.. turn on the tap and not fucking water. Some of you might recall a couple of months ago we run out of water and had to get water tankered in. Well... a pipe fitting popped over night and emptied our tank... I was still quite calm at this stage (still am really.. ) Jack had a little bit of water in another tank, so pipe fittings replaced and hooked up to the other tank and we had water again..

BUT!!! Last night at 1am little Laura come into our room and jack just lifted her into bed but she was spewing.. everywhere.. so I go to run the shower to clean the vomit out of her hair etc.. NO WATER!!!!!!! This was nearly getting beyond a joke. My daughter was covered in vomit along with two beds and no water to clean it.... So I was cuddling her while Jack was hooking in the last tank in his jocks at 1.30 in the morning.. finally get her in the shower. Laura is all cleaned up and I went to deal with the sheets. Into the laundry I find Jack's clothes still soaking in wash trough from his previous mud swimming, sheep saving exercise two nights prior.. I had to deal with an inch of mud in the bottom of the trough before I could deal with spew sheets.. arhh..

Laura is better this morning. Jack stayed up with her until past 3am, Emilie not long ago spewed and I have her on the couch with a bucket and a tanker load of water will be arriving shortly...

.. no tim tams.. no chocolate.. just lots of cuddles for sick kids..

The Good news... Lambs and ewes made good money at the market

I had my hair cut and coloured at a new hair dressers in Horsham yestesday and it is the best colour I have had a years (Since my friend retired from hairdressing in fact)

Christmas shopping is finished, wrapped and packed...

I lost 500 grams at weigh in

and with all of this happening.. I can still smile and tell people I am having a great day:) Hope you all are as well....

"Beta" blogger my arse....

Finding this new "beta" a real pain in the arse.. perhaps I need to spend more time getting to know how it all works.. I don't know how many deep and meaningful comments (ok.. A few d & M's.. but comments all the same) I have written, just to be told that I couldn't log in to post them... So Guys.. I have been stalking you and not commenting.. sorry...

How is everyone's pre-christmas dinners, drink etc going??? Everyone eating well and making great choices... anyone??? anyone????

Me??

Nup! I leave with the best intentions, but eating WAY to much. Nothing stupid like cheesecake (mmmm cheesecake), but just too much! And it has been to fucking hot to do anything at all that even resembles exercise... But I think the christmas parties are almost on the end of the run, just christmas to deal with now!!

With Temp's in the 40's, it has even been too hot to take the kids to the pool!! It has cooled down heaps, back to the high 20's... much better!!

I have one more christmas layby to collect in Horsham on Wednesday, then that is it for our shopping and presents.. ALL DONE!! I have begun the wrapping, I hate wrapping! It isn't that I hate wrapping, it is that I don't have anywhere to store the presents once wrapped. They never it back into the cupboard as well wrapped. We are heading North to Paringa (near Renmark in SA) for christmas with Jack's family, so they all have to be packed in boxes anyway (note to self.. need some boxes) There will be a HEAP of kids up there. 11 kids, with the ages 8, 8, 5, 5, 4, 3, 3, 3, 2, 1 and 9 months and another one on the way... BIG christmas. CAN"T WAIT!!!!!! Kids make christmas... I got Jack a few little things as well as tickets to A day on the Green in Clare, in the Baroosa Valley on the 20th Jan. The Church, The pretenders and Paul Kelly are performing. Jack LOVES these bands.. so it will be great!

I am also going to the hairdressing in Horsham. I have issues with haridressers... they keep on moving. So trying yet another one in Horsham. Fingers crossed, as I am VERY fussy with my hair colour!!!

Hugh has started to shove things up his nose.. anyone else had trouble with this?? A trip to the Doctor to get some out, and I have become quite good and removing it myself. Why????? He is still cute through....

The kids are so into christmas this year.. the whole Santa thing etc. We where in Kmart on Saturday morning before swimming lessons and this old guy, with a white beard and a fat tummy came up to the kids in the trolley (Yes, I had ALL three kids standing in a trolley) and was chatting to them. I came over and he told the kids to be good etc. and Emilie then told me, wide eyed, that he was the real santa, shopping for all of the good kids for christmas. He wasn't dressed like santa, but I have to admit, he did look like a santa character... puts a little more meaning to the whole secret santa.

I came accross a very interesting blog the other day, totally different to ANY other blog that I read. Jail Byrde... A real story of a wife with her husband in jail, living in Melbourne with all of her family overseas. Makes me realise just how uncomplianted my life is... sure, I have shit days but they pale in comparison...

It almost rained last night. We had a terrific lighting and thunder show, but no rain to follow for us. There was some areas that got some, but our tanks are still looking for some. We had the Sheep Hills Christmas tree last night. The local christmas trees have been going on for years. Everyone brings food to share, games, santa etc.. great night. Last night the CWA ladies (Country Womens Assoscation) had donated to them a heap of tinned food, toiletties etc to be sent to the drought area. I am always touched when people who aren't particiuly affected by the drought directly, think about the country folk stuggling. It can be the smallest thing, but will mean so much more to someone else. They put the family names of everyone there in a draw and 6 families received a food and tolitiles bundle, the other (us) recevied a $25 voucher at Safeway etc. Jack and I talked about it on the way home and we will put our voucher into someones mail box who might need it more then we do. Pride has a lot to do with famrers refusing help. "I'm right mate.." attitude, which is to be commended, but even through $25 isn't much to most of us, it could be a roast for christmas lunch.. So a little surprise in a letter box, with no way of knowing who is from doesn't dent anyones pride.. Sure the drought has affected us, but we still have other income.. most don't!!

Ok. better go and vaccuum... I LOVE vaccuuming.. I have a Dyson and makes my daily vaccum so much more fun...

Random thoughts....

Way to many things going on in my head for just one title I am afraid!!! I guess that is a downfall of only posting occasionally..

Water
You know.. that such we drink... STILL no rain and buying bottled water to drink and cook with. Kids love having "neverfail" water where they can just help themselves. Jack's Mum came down last week for a couple of days and brought with her a 20 litre bottle... laugh as you might.. it was very welcome!! The Neverfail water has a tang... Jack said it reminds him of bore water.. i guess a spring is a bore. I never throught in my life I would become a water snob. Several years ago a friend was given a few thousand dollars for her 30th birthday. She went out and brought another rainwater tank for the house. I thought she was mad!! But she just loves the taste of rainwater! Now... never in a million years did I think I would have a similar opinion.. in fact.. i thought she was mad......

Lambs
Bit exciting this week.. we sold some lambs and they where in the first run at the sale. A few month ago I was asking Jack a heap of questions about the stock sales, how they work etc. He rang a stock agent (Jack works for Elders) and organised me to do a day at the sheep sale. So I knew that the first run was good. They put the better lambs up for sale first. We got a mention in the paper as a star lot!! We where very excited... some good things come out of the drought!!

Chirstmas
I have NEVER been as organised with chirstmas as I am this year! I have my little list of presents, with peoples names beside them. Getting excited and can't wait to put up the chistmas tree next weekend. I just need to get Hugh one more little gift and I think that it it!

Birthday
I am turning 30 on the 7th of Jan and need to come up with an idea for a party. Theme or something.. some help would be great. Will be holding it here with kids invited. Considerig that most of our friends have kids, it is just easier. Don't hold back.. need ideas!!!!!!

OK EDIT - Theme has been made "Mexican Fiesta"

Lawns
I just mowed them. usually a job that takes about an hour and requires me to re-start the lawn mower at least three or four times from me overloading it in long grass. Took me 30 minutes.. had to empty once.. Why?? LAWN DOESN'T GROW WITHOUT WATER!!!! Out of all of the things that have been pissing me off with the drought.. I can't believe how depressing it is to see our back lawn just slowly die! When we moved here (just over 3 years ago) we had to get a bobcat and a semi in to clean up about the house. They removed 7 semi loads of shit from around the house. So, we started with a house in a paddock... we have since put fencing up etc and planted a lawn, but man, is it going backwards! At times i think "fuck it" and just water it, but when we are carting water, it is too silly to even consider. Jack set up a grey water system to catch all of the water apart from the septic, but that is just keeping the dusk from blowing. I looked up the long range forecast and December is going to be dry...

Brother
My brother.. he doesn't get mentioned on here very often, lives in Melbourne with his partner and her two girls (18 and 14) and he rang earlier in the week to let us know that they are having a BABY!!! So excited... I was surprised how excited I was. Jack's side of the family has a baby nearly ever year since 1998.. and still coming, but on my side, my kids are it! Only early stages yet and my sister -in - law is nearly 40, fingers crossed everything is ok!!

Sister
Better mention her. She is on her way home for a week or so. She finished Uni this past month and has a few weeks off until her Grad year starts. She will say with mum, so will see a bit of her in the next week.

Back to work
I made a call a couple of weeks ago that I was prepared to go back to work next year! There is a few things on the cards and the extra money will put my mind at rest. I used to work in Real Estate in Horsham as a property manager, but I need to find a job in Warracknabeal. I have no other family in town, and if the kids are sick or a something, I don't want to have to run back from Horsham (40min) Ideally, 2 days a week - three a pinch. I have also been taking more photos then usual. I took a break fro mthis after Hugh was born. He was a total sook and made it hard. I take wedding, family, corporate and also work for the local paper with sport photos on the weekend.. The kids are easier to handle now, so I might do more of this.

Fitness
I really want to step this up.. REALLY want to. I have a delightful summer cold at the moment and hate it. I never get colds!! They suck! I read Women's health and fitness and find it so motivating, but don't know where to start. I guess moving my arse it a good start!!! I downloaded LMS link to the podcasts to c25k.. and that is far as I got!! My weight has been going back down. Only about 1kg above my lowest weight. My food has been really good. Eating all food group etc. I recently did that RealAge and very pleased to find that I am 3.3 years younger then my actual age. Just need to move more. Having this cold sucks... Our local pool opened yesterday and will be spending a lot of time there over summer, so apart from a tan I might actually exercise there. My mother has taken up aqua-walking and loves it. About 10 or so women meets at the new YMCA in Horsham and walk for 90 minutes.. very social! So, perhaps I will dream up a pre-christmas fitness plan. MANY christmas parties to deal with over the next month!!

So.. how right was my title?? Can't get much more random then all of those little tidbits... I got excited for a moment when I received an email from Beck saying she and Bradman where doing a road trip and would like to met, BUT it would have been an arwful long way out of their way to get to us!!! Thank you for thinking of us Beck!!!!

I guess I better go and catch the washing off the line. The wind can whip that line so quickly! Take care
Kirsty x

No Water????

I LOVE this photo... Have you seen it before??

It has done the rounds with those funny emails... maybe it is just a rural joke???

During the 2002 drought a farmer has worked his paddock and written "Fuck the drought" into the paddock.. classic!!! Wonder what he has done this year???

Well.. this morning.. a month before we thought it would happen, we ran out of water!! It is the bloddy start of november and I have no water to Wash clothes, cook, bath my kids or drink for that matter!! It is November!!! Droughts suck! I will have to organise a tanker of treated water to be delivered tomorrow.... shuttering to think how much it will cost, but I need water!!

Have had the busiest weekend!! Kids had swimming in Horsham yesterday, then I had to take photos for the paper.. kids came with.. then a quick trip home to wash the pool smell off us all and dress in warmer clothes for the Drags - Car racing drags that is. The WACK (Wimmera agaisnt cancer in kids) host a drag meeting at the Warracknabal Airport twice a year and it is great!! Kids loved it...

Then today, I went in my first Fun Run in Horsham.. only 5km, but loved it!! Beautiful day and worked on my tennis tan a little more!! Photo to follow.. (I had to cut out a few people from my photo..)

Jack kept the kids up and we all went to sleep this afternoon, that was so nice!! I don't often sleep in the arvo anymore. Before I lost my weight i would sleep EVERY afternoon, like the kids. I had to wean myself! Just waiting for Jack to come back.. he went ot kill a sheep, for the freezer (gross I know...) then a quite night in!

My weigh in at WW was bad!!!!!!!! I am getting so frustrated with myself. I know what I have to do, but always end up putting weight on. I need to lose 2kg!!!!!!! in 4 weeks.. Things have been good since the meeting.. on the right track now!

Anyway.. better go and stack the dishwashing in anticaption of water tomorrow!!! As my friend the farmer stated in that photo... "Fuck the drought !!!!!!!"

Gastric by-pass???????

Warning... very optionated post of follow

I am about to hop onto my soapbox for a moment, but it seems to be quite 'fashionable' to have a gastric bypass done atm... what is with that???

So many people seem to be going under the knife to become slim... the easy way... or so they seem to think!!

I know that I shouldn't judge people on their own choices, and I wouldn't know all of the reasons behind their decision to undergo major surgery to lose weigh, and each person is different, but I think it is a cop out.

Do they really think about it?? Have they REALLY given other 'healthy lifestyles" a chance before giving up?? Have they thought, and I mean really thought about the long term effects on their life?? Example... Christmas day!! Who counts points on Christmas day?? If you had this procedure done you wouldn't enjoy this days anywhere near as much. How many other occasions during the year do you celebrate with food??? If I watch what I eat before and after an event.. I let loose. You have to live life!!

Surely some must have some depression associated with a gastric bypass... Food would never be looked at again in the same eyes.. Never!! No days off... Never. People who undertake this procedure must love food, otherwise, like myself they wouldn't be in this situation. That would have to effect your life. Not being able to eat when, what and as much as you liked for the rest of your life. No choice!!

I know that I could wear some flack about this, but it is taking the easy way out. Almost like cheating.. Well thinking they are in for a quick fix without thinking of the long term.

Also... What sort of example does this set for their children.

If, at my largest, I was 2kg heavier, I would have qualified for the by-pass. I lost weight with changing the way I lived.. nothing ground breaking..no super diet or pill.. just living life they way we should. Sensible eating, movement and most of all controlling my emotions.

I can remember saying before I joined WW that I wasn't an emotional eater.. I just really liked food. Well... I do really like eating but I am a huge emotional eater, I just wasn't aware of it. I still eat occasionally because of stress, but at least I know that I am doing in and put in place plans to make me stop. How does an operation control this????????

So.. Sorry if you are reading and you disagree with what I am saying, but it amazes me how much more acceptable this procedure is. Surely, our heathcare systems funds could be better spent on education and support for these people to first adopt a healthy lifestyle before they go under the knife...

Yabbies anyone???

Hands up if you have never been yabbying???

That many ???

You really don't know what you are missing!!

Apart from the initial embarrassment of having to buy "Lambs Fry" at the supermarket, the fear that someone might just see it in your trolley and think that you eat it.. it is a great country thing to do!

Sunday, we spend the afternoon in the glorious sun, checking nets and bringing that captures home and into the laundry tub before cooking. We have half of our dam empty, due to no dam fill this year, and the other half will be dry before to long, so we took the opportunity to do a little yabbying before it too dried out. My best friend from Dimboola brought the family over for the afternoon for the experience. I am the godmother of both of her girls.. so that was very nice!

I really need to get motivated food and exercise wise.. I am starting to feel sluggish and blah. I know that if I exercised more I would have more energy.. but man.. that first step is the hardest!

I have all of my friends laughing at the moment.. they think I have something for pumpkin. Often, I will test a recipe, type it up and email it out.. my last five have all been pumpkin based!!! LOVE IT!!!!

I have also given up eating potatoes.. for a few reasons that just came to me like a light bulb last week. They are high GI... Basically no nutritional value what so ever.. so I figure I might as well eat sweet potato or pumpkin. They have also been quite expensive ($13 for 5kg) when I can get pumpkin for 80 cents a kilo.. why would I eat them???

Little Hugh turns two on Friday and I am so excited about it! Having a party for him and I am making a Sheep cake!!! Van't believe my baby is nearly two! I love it when people ask the age of my kids and I can roll off my tounge.. 2, 3 and 4... then to see the look of horror that usually followed witha comment like.. "You must have been busy" - Yeah I was, but anything since is a walk in the park! Light at the end of the tunnel! Love having all of my kids close.. they play together just so well, hardly ever have sharing problems ot jealous issues! Very lucky parents!

Ok.. little fragmented post.. but need to get some order back in to everything...

Will it ever rain again???

Firstly.. again.. I should apologize for not posting more.. but some days I feel like it and others I don't. You will have to take it as it comes...

Weeks just fly... they get busier and busier...My kids have to go to Horsham on Saturday's for swimming lessons... like you do.. so half of the weekend of over before it even begins! Then usually I have to take photos for the paper, sporting event etc.. but have this weekend off. Have a 40th tomorrow night and my god-daughters 4th in Dimboola on Sunday.. another weekend gone!

Jack is going to be digging this weekend. We have to install a grey water catchment to the house. Currently, like most farm houses, the grey water runs into the paddock. But with no water, we have to now reuse this water to keep the garden alive! Jack thinks that we will be carting water to drink by December... pray for bloody rain!!The effects are going to be huge, if no rain comes. The 2002 drought was bad, but we still had water. This is so much worse. Devastating, heart-breaking to see the effects the drought has enviromentally and emotionally to the country. One of our dams is bone dry and the other will be dry early next year. It's fucked! I guess we are lucky we have income off farm.. but most don't! The government will not let anyone go hungry.. they will provide enough to keep food on tables.. but no money will undo the heart-ache that is going on... Farms that have been in the same family for years, just slowly dying.
I will take some photos to share soon...

My 4 week challenge ended last night and I can fess up to a 700 gram gain over the 4 weeks.. how stuffed is that! But no counting this week and on the wagon again!
Enough fart-arsing around... didn't go through all of this hard work and 4 dress sizes just to become slack and put it all back again! Today's WW quote is "When you believe you can, you can" - Well I KNOW i can... so watch this space for more

Have a gret weekend all..

Girls night in....

Most of you would have heard about the "Girls night in" the Cancer Council Australia run.. to raise funds for 'girly' cancer research. Last year I held a morning tea and raised quite a bit.. the plans for this year is bigger and better!!!

About a month ago my neighbour popped in on a Friday night, quite happy, as it was her birthday and she had a few glasses of bubbly to celebrate.. well the night continued with me pulling out my wedding album, my mothers wedding album (I got that in mum & Dad's divorce settlement.. with her dress..) THEN.. out came my wedding dress, all of my bridesmaids dresses, a suitcase full of wedding stuff. I was having a blast trying them on. My sisters bridesmaid dress she wore at my wedding fitted (Could almost breath... but hey it was ON!) Anyway... that is the basis of my "girls night in" theme this year.

I am going to send out formal invites (like wedding invites) to attend a "girls night" and ask the guest to bring their wedding album, wedding video, dress or something to share from their own wedding or maybe a bridesmaid dress. I am going to set up the nibbles table like a wedding reception table.. complete with "Wedding Cake" - A hot pink little number just with girls on top of it... Have toasts and present awards... When does anyone have an opportunity to pull out their wedding dress again??? Or even share their wedding photos after the event?? Sound like a good idea???

For those of you that don't know the idea behind it, the guests are ask to make a donation, equal to how much they would normally spend on a night out, for the Cancer Council Australia and celebrate being a woman, escape for a night and just have a good time!

Open to further ideas to expand my idea... my only issues is a few friends that are divorced, but I might invite them personally. I am sure they could still share!!

Weigh in tonight - getting frustrated by my weight!!!!! Only 4 weeks ago I was at my all time low and was caught saying "I am officially happy with my weight" - then all hell breaks loose and I bloody nearly gain THREE fuckin kilos!! (sorry for the language.. by really.. what is with that!!!!) I know why I put the weight on... as soon as those little words left my mouth, I started making little bad choices.. lots of little bad choices equals 3 kilos..

I am going to start playing Wednesday morning tennis next week. A bit of hit and giggle, girly tennis, but about my standard. Looking forward to it!

Ok.. better go... baby yelling. Have a great weekend. Mine will entail the movies tomorrow night with my best friend (the Devil wears Prada) a market on Saturday morning, helping Jack mve an old septic tank and eating and exercising well!! Please drive carefully. TOO many accidents on the roads!!

Oh.. almost forgot. I got a refund for my mothers MP3 player.. mother will be happy... I another little victory for the squeaky wheel....

Squeaky wheel gets the oil....

At times, I live by that little saying.. ..

When I was working in real estate, one of my employers used this term often. It took me ages to actually understand the meaning of it.

It came to mind this morning. I have issues with our dishwasher and my mothers MP3 player we brought her for Christmas last year. Both aren't working.

The dishwasher is sorted. It is just over a year old and it has been back to be repaired three times - If it was a toaster or a kettle, that I could remove and carry myself it would be such a issue. But it is a major job getting the bloody thing in and out of the house!! I a very lucky that Jack is quite strong and we have a ute!! Anyway.. I had a calm discussion with the supplier in Horsham and they have agreed to replace it. That squeaky wheel got some oil and is now happy...

But.. my mothers MP3 player is an amazing saga!! Not sure what is going on. We brought it off a local electricial store and they aren't known for their good service, but we try to support the local businesses as much as possible. It stopped working, I took it back, they send it away (apparently.... but it still at the store - they might have sent it back??? Not sure about that either) I have been in there weekly for the past two months... "It has been sent away... waiting to hear... it is out of stock...waiting to hear from the Rep... waiting for the new model to be released" the list was endless. Last week, they gave me a 'new' one - the same model was the one I brought initially (thought it was out of stock!!!) Got it home, plugged it in to load some songs on it for mum and it wouldn't charge or turn on. But while I had it plugged in I noticed that there was a heap of songs already on there. So, i get on the phone and report that it wasn't working and asked if it was new??? The response was that "Yes, of course it was" - I then asked why there was songs on there?? "I got my daughter to load songs onto it and make sure it worked before we gave it to you" - Then (i was infront of my computer) click on one of the songs and looked up the properties to find the file was put on there in April, told him as such and was told to bring it back in next time I was in town.... Dropped it off this morning and he was waiting for a call back from the rep. Will call in there tomorrow. My next call will be to Comsumer Affiars with this one.... really is past a joke now!!!!

Up to day 5/28 of my latest challenge. Food was just OK over the weekend. Well and truly eaten all of my sugar points and my movements sucked a little over the past couple of days. Making up for it today! Where i need more motivation then ever at the moment is with my cooking. So over the same old dishes - time for summer BBQ's..... I love soup... and have it most days for lunch, but over it. Love stewy things.. but over them also. Time to pull out the olde cook books for some summer inspiration.

We have a cafe here in town and a few months ago, after having a couple of chats with other women in town, approached the owner of the cafe with a few menu suggestions. All of the food they cook is really not WW friendly... either covered in cheese, deep fried etc.. you could have a sandwich, but who really goes out for lunch Just to have a sandwich.. I don't even eat them at home!!! The kids and I popped in there for lunch today and I was impressed to see they had a "Light option" on the menu... and it was delish!!! It isn't just people on WW that watch what they eat. Many people, if they have a choice, will opt for something that is better for them... Hopefully people see it there and they continue with it! It really is the only place to eat in town, for lunch. I was getting to point that I was dreading going there. Food Nazi (that is what Jack calls me..)

Ok, better go and make the Thomas track a little bigger so all three kids can fit around it!

2 x 4 Challenge

I am not talking about a length of timber...

This is the title of my new challenge. Reading one of the many blogs that I tick past each week I read something about a 4 week challenge... I am sorry I can't recall who's blog it was (I have even tried looking for it!!!) 12 weeks seems to drag on and on... so I have planned a short, quick, wee 4 week one!

So.. in a nut shell - The aim is to lose 2kg in 4 weeks. I have a few people from our little Weight watchers meeting joining me on this.. With the change in the season, the timing is perfect to get things moving again.

Some of the rules for us is to Track everything we eat.. even if we go over points (i have been known in the past to stop counting once I got my my limit!!!)

Clock up at least 70,000 steps each week and ONLY have 14 sugar points for the week!!

The basics.... but that should get us to toe the line again and get rid of 2kg.

The reward - A Massage!!!!!

I have noticed that I eat total crap leading up to and during TTOM.. three weeks hard work gone! I haven't always been like that.. and grumpy.... I feel sorry for my family during this time also. Just to balance everything out, I have started taking 30-plus - Even though i MUST stress that I am only 29!!!! I never used to suffer this bad from PMS.... I am not sure if it is because I have lost weight, or perhaps it is a hormonal thing after having my tubes tied for the second time..... Some friends have suggested that perhaps I am running to lean, and need to put on some weight?? Not sure.. but that will be a last resort!!

My idea being if I don't suffer so much with PMT - I won't be on this continual cycle of getting to my lowest of 62 - then eating my way but up to 64. Have been eating a fair bit of crap recently... but that is stopping. It wouldn't be too bad if I had just one lollie... but I eat the bag. I have work too damm hard to lose this weight to just eat it all again.

Today has been a busy day! I worked for a few hours. The Minister for Local Government was in our area and they appointed me to follow her and take photographs of the events that she was in attendance at.. so a library opening in Warrackanbeal, meeting at a neighborhood house in Donald and a bridge opening also in Donald. It was SO windy... but got home in one piece! I was desperate to wear this new spunky dress that I brought at the end of last summer.. but alias it was too cold!!!

My sister is on her way home home Melbourne as I type this, so the weekend will be catching up with her and just general jobs... and LOTS of movements!!

I am in love with my exercise bike. I can ride up to 55km a day on it. It is great to be able to ride while the kids are in bed, or watching TV. It is so quite!

Thank you Bec for the 43 things web link.. very cool web site. Definitly got me thinking. Will update soon on a few dreams... have been thinking lots.

Ok... everyone have a safe weekend and will be back shortly with an update of how the weekend eating and exercise finished up!!!

Dreams.....

If someone asked you now "What is your dream?" - could you give them an answer???

Apart from the usual - "To win tattslotto..." I really couldn't give you clear cut answer...

Why don't I have dream that is crystal clear.. and dream that is achievable... Something that I can work towards...

Perhaps I am working towards dreams and it isn't just a conscious thing... We love living where we do... This really is a dream to live out of town on our little farm. Making this property our own is important to us... we are doing this... making that dream come true.

I have had bad skin from my teenage years and still now have the odd breakout. I used to dream about waking up and have skin of a model. I didn't just have the odd pimple. I had acne on my face, back, chest, tops of my arms & shoulders..

I was reading an old copy of a Madison magazine and I read about how models have to look after their skin.. if they have bad skin.. they don't have a job... those high school issues came rushing back again... For YEARS I would never leave the house without makeup... swim without a t-shirt.. not wear tank tops so not to show the tops of my arms.. I was so embarrassed by it.

Now.. that all seems so silly. I don't care. I live in singlet tops, leave the house without doing my hair.. let alone make-up and swim in a bikini. Sure.. my skin has cleared up since then, but I have scaring that is still promient. I guess.. in a way.. my attitude changed.. making this dream come true!

After having my children, I just to also dream about losing weight. To look great in a pair of jeans. All of this seems so superficial.. are these things really important??? But.. I guess that dream also became a reality!

What is my dream now??? I think it is a natural thing to dream for the best for your family.. but what is MY dream??? What is my next dream to work towards??

Why did I dream to be thin and have clear skin??? .. In hindsight, the picture is much clearer, but at the time when those dreams and wishes where made, it was only vanity.

I feel better about myself if I am happy on how I look. I have more confidence, I believe in myself, I believe that I am a successful person. It is so much more then just fitting into a size 10 pair of jeans....

Now... better start dreaming of a dream...

Hi there....

This is like ringing a long lost friend...

not sure where to start....

an awkward moment....

do I need to explain????

When I first started reading blogs, I would occasionally come across a blog where they have just vanished or a little post saying they where going to take a break from blogging...

My reaction to this was always.. Why???

Occasionally I would worry about the person...

'hope nothing has happened to them.... '

I didn't understand, just as I am sure there would be several people reading this saying the same.

Surely it isn't hard to keep us all posted??? Well, I understand now...

I was finding it difficult to post....

to stay positive...

I want to always be positive....

My head was in the wrong space....

So I had a break....

and now I am back!!!

Thanks also to everyone that emailed and posted comments... I am truly sorry for not just letting you know what I was up to.. I was just getting my head in the right space... And it is!!

My family are all just as beautiful as they where 6 odd weeks ago when I last posted... Jack is also great!

My fitness has been my main focus, finding this improving greatly. My weight dropped to 62.1 at one stage, but was up this morning to 64.1. I really struggle with ttom.. but more on that in another post.. promise!!

I have continued to read... i guess I went into stelth mode. So many exciting things out there happening...

Thank you once again for your concern and support... I am back baby...!!!!!!