Enjoying instagram

I finally patched up and found a home for this knitting bag/stand... Its now placed next to the kiddo bookshelf in the lounge and houses the library books. I love it.

I was playing with instagram today:

 

trying to use all the filters and see what ones I like the best.

Ive ordered my first lot of prints from instagram photos so waiting to see what the quality of the photos is like when printed. 

I am inagining lots of pinteret inspired display with ingtagram photos.

_________________________________________________________

Right now...

I am reading The Slap

I am watching Revenge, 2 broke girls and Big bang theory

I am listening to Destinys child, Flo Rida and Bruno Mars

I am loving the sun, long may it last

I am trying to figure out a new schedule that includes study

Weekending

Snakes and ladders fun

Puzzle fun

drawing mission

old school paper folding fun

wiggly waggly tail timmy

timmy reading a book with a sheep in it... the Zeke though it was funny

New beginnings

Its all official.. The special box arrived on my doorstep today.

 I.. am... a... STUDENT.


I year and a half ago I finally figured out what I wanted to study, what I wanted to do with my life.
I started the application but then my health go too bad and I just couldn't.
But I am now able to study so got back to the application process.

I am studying towards a diploma in Information and library studies.
I am scared, excited and full of hope.
I want to be a librarian.

My day to day life is going to change alot. I need to put aside good time each week to study.
I need to be more organized.
I need to give this my all.
I am doing it long distance as I need to be here for my kiddos, I am a single mumma so its all me day to day, I also don't drive so right now getting 2 kiddos to school, 1 to preschool, then after school care, then home each etc while going to and from polytech would be too hard. This means I can study what I want while not compromising my kiddos care. By the time I am qualified all the kiddo will be at school, it will be a little easier.

It feels a little like a new beginning.
I love it.

Little things making me smile

I love her bed corner. I love the cushions (one missing for cleaning), the bunting, the st sign photos on the wall, I LOVE her duvet cover.

I love making their spaces a little special, a little them, comfy and fun.

Today I made her an organizer for all her hair bits and bobs. I am a total McGyver sewer and its totally imperfect.. but I like it, she loves it... That my friends = a WIN.

Whipped up two new headbands today for her too.

How my coffee table looks right now.

Alot of drawing happens here so I figured just make it where the jars of pens/crayons belong (well this is only half the pens etc but the rest are not in cute jars.. lol)

My latest fav.. Person on the left... Dinosaur on the right... that dinosaur just kills me.

Starbucks dates with my boy.

22nd February - Remembering

This was my facebook status yesterday afternoon:

1 year ago today I was sitting in the ED department, I had been to the optometrist and discovered I had swelling/pressure in my brain/head and pretty much it was causing me to lose my vision.

I had had a scan and was waiting to hear if I had a tumour in my brain or not....

there was a man who went a bit mental and the ED had to be evacuated while police came to sort him out...

All the while I was hearing about the devastation in Christchurch... Feeling scared for myself.. but also so horrified, scared and concerned for those in CHCH...

Its hard to believe a year has passed... and ChCh are still dealing with the horror of that day and will for a long time to come. Its one of those days you will never forget, you will never forget the moment you heard about the earthquake... I was told by a taxi driver just after hearing my own bad news.... A day I will never forget... Kia Kaha CHCH

Yesterday was a big day for NZ, for Christchurch, and for me personally.
It is one of those day you know you will never forget, I can remember how I felt, I can remember the worry in the hospital staff as you could hear them speaking of it all. I didn't have a phone that could get news or anything so all I knew was what my first quick stuff.co.nz search had shown me before I rushed off to hospital. I heard my updates from hospital staff as they updated each other and patients.

I remember laughing and joking with my friends who waited with me while inside I was freaking out about what my scan might show. I remember fear. For me, and for the people of Christchurch.

Luckily for me I didn't have a tumour, over the coming few months I had two stays in hospital, lots of tests, lumbar punctures and visits and in the end a minor neuro surgery (although to be fair a hole in your hear never feels minor). I still have side effects but I am grateful I am no longer going blind, I am grateful most days I don't have a migraine type headache. I am grateful I didn't have a tumour.

Of course Christchurch has had a harder year, many lost their lives, their city was so very badly and it will take them years to rebuild and get things back to a new normal. They have had over 1000 aftershocks and they have stayed strong and united and its been amazing to watch on the news as the community spirit came out all around. 

It make me sad that they have had to go through all this struggle.
But they should all be so proud of how a city of people pulled together and became a team.

Kia Kaha Christchurch.

What a year its been. 

How we speak to our kiddos.. How grocery shopping made me think

Picture not at all related but I do love finding nicely arranged toys.

Yesterday i was doing the grocery shopping.

There was a lady and her child a little in front of me around the shop.
The boy was 8-10 I would say. He was pushing the trolley.
Now I am sure the mother was more than likely having one of those days, and I know for a fact I have them too.

But the way she was talking to him around the shop was eye opening, I listened. I learned.

I know that sometimes I get a bit like this, no patience, no kindness in my voice, bossy, mean, short tempered. I could kinda get where she was at, she wanted this job done and out of there, she wanted her son to be able to read her mind and do what she wanted him to do. I could get it. But hearing it... It made me really think about how we speak to our kiddos is so important. Its OK to be growly sometimes, its OK to not always be at our best, its OK to be human, but these little people we are raising are human too and words hurt, tone of voice can hurt.

From what I could tell this kid was behaving pretty well, I didn't hear him talk back or be rude, he seemed to me to be doing pretty good for a job that's boring as heck to kids.

I of course do not know the whole story and I am not judging but just saying that what I heard while strolling the aisles made me do some thinking about how I speak sometimes, about how I can do better and just to make more of an effort.

Im going to try and be less impatient.
Try to plan better so we dont have to rush things and I dont get gross when thing take to long.
I am going to take a deep breath before reacting with words.

How pinteresting - Heat marks off wooden furniture

I adore pinterest. Its amazing what I come across on there.

But yesterday I found a tip that made me excited.
A few years ago when I was moving I sat a bucket with warm water in it on top of a cabinet (with a couple of towels under it) while I was cleaning and when I removed the bucket.. alas.. big white heat mark..

I have been hiding it ever since.

Until yesterday

Before......

After........
















And weirdly what takes away the heat mark? More heat....
Set your iron on a reasonably hot setting with lots of steam. Put a few layers of fabric between iron and wood (I folded up a pillowcase) and iron away moving the iron around for about 15 second. If its not gone try a little more.

Now of course there might be exceptions to this trick.. maybe not on certain finishes? But I also tried it on a battered oak table with similar marks and it worked.

So pleased I do not have to have something placed over that mark at all times now.

Thanks Pinterest.

Review: Be natural

(So sorry I actually wrote most of this post a few month ago and forgot to post it I apologise)

We were lucky enough to be sent some Be Natural cereals and muesli bars recently to try and review.

I was excited by this company as they are made with good natural ingredients and the packaging is made with mostly recycled material and is fully recyclable.

First there were two boxes of muesli bars...

Sadly I found this to be quite bland and not that great. I probably wouldn't buy them again. They were not terrible but the kids and I didn't love them.

The cereals however are a different story...

We got 3 different flavours to try...

5 Whole grain flakes cereal : This is a plain cereal but was actually really nice and I also poured it into a bowl and ate it dry while watching TV a few times. I really enjoyed it which surprised me as I usually like a bit more flavour.

Pink Lady Apple and Flame raising cereal : I am not a raisin fan.. but I did enjoy this cereal. It had lovely flavour and I love the clusters in it. My daughter also quite like this one.

Cashew, Almond, Hazelnut and Coconut cereal : OMG heaven in a cereal. I LOVED this one. It is right up my alley.. Have purchased since and is my current FAV. I didn't give the kiddos a chance to try this.. I hid it for myself.

Thank you Be natural for letting us try your products.

Cutest cushion

Two of my aunts have just come back from London... and my local aunt dropped off some goodies for the kiddos. AND ME. I love my new adorable union jack pillow. Isn't it the best?

I love random surprises.
I love pretty things for my home.
I am lucky.

Stalking and hearts

My status update from earlier today...

Stalking is such a harsh word... I prefer Valentine... 

A HEARTy lunch for the big kiddos

Oh my his drawings of people just kill me

The making of Valentine for his teachers

Happy Valentines day all... I hope you all found a little love in your day.

"Always we head the cry from teenagers" As read on facebook

Pics not at all related to post. But I felt we needed a photos.

School family picnic.

I recently read this on Facebook:


Northland College (NZ) principal John Tapene has offered the following words from a judge who regularly deals with youth....."Always we hear the cry from teenagers 'What can we do, where can we go?'...... My answer is, "Go home, mow the lawn, wash the windows, learn to cook, build a raft, get a job, visit the sick, study your lessons, and after you've finished, read a book. Your town does not owe you recreational facilities and your parents do not owe you fun. The world does not owe you a living, you owe the world something. You owe it your time, energy and talent so that no one will be at war, in poverty or sick and lonely again." In other words, grow up, stop being a cry baby, get out of your dream world and develop a backbone, not a wishbone. Start behaving like a responsible person. You are important and you are needed. It's too late to sit around and wait for somebody to do something someday. Someday is now and that somebody is you..."


And boy oh boy did it ring true in my ears (I have read it out loud to several visitors, and my kiddos, AND I am thinking i might print it off and frame it).

We see it in the newspapers every day, we see it in the youth walking around town every day, we see it in the damage they do to public places when they are hanging out, we see it when children, tweens, teens talk back to shop keepers, swear at strangers, just have no respect for anything. 
We see their lack of responsibility and respect all over town.


I read that speech and have since been thinking about how to teach my children those lessons. 

I think I am taking steps in the right direction.


But I would love to know how you teach this in your family?


How can we make the next generation more respectful, more caring, less entitled?

Breast vs Bottle

Recently here in NZ the breast vs bottle debate came up AGAIN.

NZ All blacks player Piri Wipu filmed an anti smoking ad for TV... but it seems in the ad there was footage of him feeding his baby a bottle. WELL what a hoopla. That footage was cut. People were up in arms.

My opinion:

WHO THE HECK CARES....

As parents most of us (with the exception of people who beat and abuse their children) do the best we can with what we have available to us and what we are capable of doing.

I personally have bottle fed one child from just over a week old. Then I followed up with breast feeding the next two for 6months before putting them fully on bottles (they did have the odd formula feed from around 4-5months).

My oldest child .. Mr formula is a healthy (actually my most healthy) child. He was loved, cared for, doted on, and fed well. He was snuggled and fed bottles, he had the same love and attention the others had (probably more being the first and all).

I don't get the hoopla.
I truly do not care if you formula feed or breast feed. All I care about is that you actually feed your child suitable food.
I do not think any of us should judge a mother for how she chooses to feed her child.

Yes in an ideal world breast feeding would be easy, and everyone would be able to do it, and the world would be covered in rainbows and unicorns.

Yes breast milk is costarred the perfect food for babies.

BUT at what expense?

For some woman there are other issues at play here, some cant feed, some have other obstacles that make it difficult or just not appealing (depression, anxiety, health issues, sexual abuse or rape), some just plain don't want to.  Who are to judge when we do not know their past, their story and the reasons of their choice. But then again why does it matter? They are feeding their baby, yes?? Their child is loved, yes?? Then congratulate them on a lovely baby, for the good job they are doing and walk away.

We all have different priorities, goals, views on parenting and all that comes with this amazing job. For some breastfeeding is almost a lifestyle choice for others its just not the biggest priority. Lets all focus on our own families, lets encourage friends in their choices but let them actually make their own choices. If you are pro breastfeeding then wave that flag high, but don't judge others, don't make people who cant or don't feel like a bad parent, show the world breastfeeding is beautiful and amazing but leave the judgement and hate at the door.

I am always so amazed this debate gets so heated. I can see both sides to the story.
I do not see why we cant just leave each other alone to make their own choices.
Having a baby being fed formula on the TV is not going to make people stop breastfeeding,  but it might just make a mother somewhere who is struggling with her choice to bottle feed feel a little less alone, judged and like a failure.

Current FAV dink

I discovered this instant peach flavoured iced tea... and LOVE it.
I usually make it up in my drink bottle and top it up with ice. So good.
I think I need to find a way to make my own peach iced tea though as its a little expensive when you want to drink it all day long.

Any tips on making my own please share.

Loving my snowman ice cubes? me too.

I am always going through new food/drink phases... I like to try new things and keep it interesting.
Whats your current food/drink fav?

PS.. Today I went to Starbucks and tried a coconut mocha..... so good. Love coconut anything.

My thrifty finds

I love a little thrift shopping.
Earlier this week I had the urge so grabbed a few bags of things i had to donate and wandered to my nearest thrifty shop St Vincent de Paul.  Its a little shop that I don't go to often but just wanted a little dig.

I got a few bits of kiddo clothing, a cute tray, a scarf for myself and two aprons to add to my small but growing collection.

No amber glass this time (sad face), I am currently also on the search for enamel coated pie plates and trays for cooking in (just love them), more funky retro thermos flasks, the so far elusive vintage Pyrex (why oh why do others find it so easily on thrifting adventures), preserving jars, cool coloured little glass bottles, and just cute vintage kitchen goodies and linens.

But really its just the fun of the hunt I enjoy.

Wordless (almost) wednesday

Hiding at the end of his bed putting on socks.  I think the huge smile on my face while watching him made him nervous so he hid... He is C.U.T.E.

Keys

The week of key drama.

On Tuesday we pick up the Zeke at 5pm.
We walk home.
Gabe asked for the keys so he could walk ahead of us and unlock the house.
I get there moments later and the keys are.....
ON THE ROOF...
I always meant to get a spare key cut to hide somewhere or give to someone in case of emergency.
But I never did.
We tried to get them down.
We couldn't.
After several phone calls (yah cellphones).
I got hold of my mums partner... told him the story.
He arrived with a ladder and saved the night.

On Friday I did errands in town and called into my mums for a cuppa.
I got home at lunchtime.
I had lost my key somewhere while I was out.
I wasn't sure what to do.
I tried all the windows.
There was a small up high window open.
I figured maybe I could squish a kiddos through after school.
I didn't want to break a window if I could help it.
I called into a friends house and waited.
I got home, decided to something under the window for us to climb on.
Then wondered if I could reach through the top window and possible unlatch the bottom window.
I could.
I popped the Zeke through the window and got him to unlock the back door.

I now know i need to get a key cut... asap.
No more key dramas please.

A moment of clarity

Sometimes I feel like I have no idea what I am doing, where I am going, or what I want to be doing.
I feel like I am kinda just fluking it.

Then other times something comes along that shakes me up and makes me really see things clearer.

I was directed to THIS quiz kinda post.... and it opened my eyes.
I didn't have any answers to the first question.... because I find it hard to see my "talents" but the rest were easily answered and gave me a real idea of just where my destination it and what direction my first steps need to be.

It was a cool post and I am so glad I came across it.

I have not been taking any photos the last week. Its not like me. I have no pics to share :(

Miss Charlie pulled out her tooth tonight.
I have two kiddos stationery on my kitchen table that I need to cover over the next few days.
the Zeke and i had an accidental date with my dad today, we went to McCafe for coffee and he was there too, it was fun.
Then we had takeaways with Aunty & cousins for tea (ooops two takeaways for the Zeke in one day)
Gabe had a friend over today, that makes me happy.
I have no eftpos card right now and that feels odd.
my lawnmower wont start and its getting jungle like in my yard.
my kids are awesome.
The end.