Grateful for Battery operated Toys ...

Are you among women {like me} who assume they are incapable of  resolving a situation that needs something screwed to fix it ?

Keep your clothes on - I meant - like with a power drill ...

When DH offered to buy me this battery operated device for Mother's day -

(Makita DF330DWXP 10.8V)

I was secretly thrilled and grateful {he would even let me near one}


(yes totally sexist but somewhat true with me )

Once we become inspired to help ourselves , there is no limit to the inspiration we can give other  women.
 
My husband has quite an array of power tools and he can fix most things - should I abort fail my projects.

I am looking forward to my journey toward self-sufficiency , grateful at least , I will be equipped to try my hand at it.

If not he'll I'll laugh at my mistakes and let him fix them ...might be a way to get things completed quicker !!

Tell me your experiences with cordless hand tools ?

Do you have any tips regarding proper tools, tips, techniques to help inspire me to tackle basic projects on my own ?

I'm also grateful Pinterest has given me a few ideas. That is a post for another day.

Would just buy it because it is pink ?

Ps I'm not allowed to touch it yet and this is not a sponsored post but $10 from the sale goes to NBCF.I'm telling you in case you want one too.

What if tomorrow never comes ?

Every day you are alive is a special occasion. Every minute, every breath, is a gift from God.

Mary Manin Morrissey

I have felt very intense emotion this week.
A well respected special education support teacher from my sons' school passed away suddenly from a brain aneurysm (so I was told) .

I can't explain why I feel so sad.
I didn't know her at all.
Though , she was 48, only a few years older than I am and it feels close.
One son knew this teacher more than the other because he saw her for some learning support.

She was a much loved, well respected community member .
My sons witnessed their teachers being upset as they broke the news . Even my five year olds were acutely aware of their teacher crying and one passing tissues to her colleague,  "helping each other" and how sad everyone was.

The newsletter advised her passing , after we all knew . They explained that the children had been visited in their classrooms by the School Counsellor and Principal to talk about dealing with grief and sadness. They encouraged parents to talk to their children about her too.

Her funeral is later today and teachers from other schools in the area volunteered to supervise the children who remain at school so all the staff could attend.

The following is something I have received by email a few times, I just needed to be reminded of it.

Take Hold of Every Moment
by Author Unknown

A friend of mine opened his wife's underwear drawer and picked up a silk paper wrapped package:

"This, - he said - isn't any ordinary package." He unwrapped the box and stared at both the silk paper and the box.

"She got this the first time we went to New York, 8 or 9 years ago. She has never put it on. Was saving it for a special occasion.

Well, I guess this is it. He got near the bed and placed the gift box next to the other clothing he was taking to the funeral house, his wife had just died. He turned to me and said:

"Never save something for a special occasion. Every day in your life is a special occasion".

I still think those words changed my life. Now I read more and clean less. I sit on the porch without worrying about anything. I spend more time with my family, and less at work. I understood that life should be a source of experience to be lived up to, not survived through. I no longer keep anything. I use crystal glasses every day. I'll wear new clothes to go to the supermarket, if i feel like it. I don't save my special perfume for special occasions, I use it whenever I want to. The words "Someday..." and "One Day..." are fading away from my dictionary. If it's worth seeing, listening or doing, I want to see, listen or do it now.

I don't know what my friend's wife would have done if she knew she wouldn't be there the next morning, this nobody can tell. I think she might have called her relatives and closest friends.

She might call old friends to make peace over past quarrels. I'd like to think she would go out for Chinese, her favourite food. It's these small things that I would regret not doing, if I knew my time had come. I would regret it, because I would no longer see the friends I would meet, letters... letters that i wanted to write "One of this days". I would regret and feel sad, because I didn't say to my brothers and sons, not times enough at least, how much I love them.

Now, I try not to delay, postpone or keep anything that could bring laughter and joy into our lives. And, on each morning, I say to myself that this could be a special day. Each day, each hour, each minute, is special.

Our local radio, a very sombre voice, reads funeral notices each morning - I knew I would hear her's this morning, there were so many today.

The school noticeboard proudly displays a message of love for her today too.


Today,  I am grateful for today and the hope of tomorrows to take hold of every moment.

I think of the things I've been putting off doing and I am scheduling them in.

PS - Is it a coincidence that my oldest (yes and she is 1 day older than me) friend who I haven't spoken to in months or seen in years decided to message me today.

Finally -

Live every day as if it were your last and then some day you'll be right. 

 ~H.H. "Breaker" Morant

(I do love Garth Brooks version just as much)

♥

Grateful for newborn calves and choc chip banana loaf

Hubby woke up this morning and as he made me a cup of tea - thought he was seeing things through the window ...a tiny calf in the far paddock.

He went to check and so it was - so off we all went to for a closer look !

The umbilicus ? still attached.

Not that it was totally unexpected he did put Grandpa's Angus bull over the cows about 9 months ago. Then we left them to it.

According to the cattle gestation chart in his diary - the first calves weren't expected until February 14th. Though I read younger cows (like ours can calve 10 days earlier) so I am calf watch from now on.

We own 11 cows and we are not totally sure how many are in calf because the Bull preferred the other ladies instead and escaped at first chance a few weeks later into a large heavily tree'd paddock...like he did again today.

Sam & Joel also own a Cow & calf each , a gift from their Grandpa. Their cows & calves escaped too with another one of our 11. The rest of our little herd they got back after a little game of chasey with Hubby and his cousin (K was over Grandpa's working on fences).

Hubby unlocked the padlock on the gate to the lane way to fix it, the chain was across and he came back for lunch. Somehow it came open - we suspect the Bull pushed on it and the chain wasn't latched securely.

Today , I got my apron on and started baking. I wanted to bake some treats for the boys who start school on Monday *sob*. Chocolate coconut slice and Low fat choc-chip banana loaf that I am trying in the bread maker. The oven is small and not too good at getting and staying hot - so I made the slice in it.

Ingredients ~ Low fat choc-chip banana loaf

2 cups S/R flour

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon bicarb of soda

2/3 cup caster sugar 

1 cup choc chips ( I used dark)

2 eggs 

1 cup buttermilk ( I substituted 1/4 cup lowfat milk & with 1 teaspoon lemon juice & 3/4 cup natural yoghurt because I had no BM)
1 tablespoon olive oil

1 cup mashed bananas

Icing sugar to dust

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 180 ° (if using loaf pan - grease and line it)
2. Sift flour , bicarb of soda and cinnamon in a medium bowl, stir in sugar & choc bits (I used dark) and mix in well.
3. Whisk together in a jug - eggs , buttermilk (or my substitute) , olive oil and bananas until smooth
4. Stir mixture into flour mix , then spoon into prepared loaf tin - or toss it all in bread-maker like I did.
5. Bake at 180° for 45- 55 minutes until brown and knife or skewer comes out clean from center of loaf. If using a large or deeper loaf pan, increase time to 50-60 minutes. 
6. Leave to cool in loaf tin for 10 mins - turn out onto wire rack - Serve and dust with icing sugar if desired - consume responsibly !

{How low fat it is I know not - but it should serve 10 ?} 

The result was a very moist, not too sweet banana bread perfect with a cup of tea.

I noticed this one is a different texture to last time I made it in my previous oven - could it be the buttermilk substitute  or the bread maker and a short, deeper loaf tin ?

The choc coconut slice is overcooked very crunchy - it was too soft so I left it longer and longer ...covered with icing and coconut it is still very edible ! I also reduced the sugar, butter by a 1/4 - 1/5 and added rolled oats - so it makes a difference too maybe. I confess I am not an expert on tweaking recipes.

I 'd be grateful to know how to stop the choc chips from sinking ?

♥

Grateful for the Things I know

I know it's been a busy week in our household ; three birthdays over in flash. (I still don't understand why some people get so antsy when I want to stop the proceeding to take photos of my KIDS or my cakes - 'pfft' to them)

... I am overwhelmed by ALL the lovely messages sent to me for my birthday yesterday on FB & twitter.It gives a warm fuzzy feeling to know that people took the time to send me a greeting. Thank you  ! . I really appreciated it ,whether URL friends or IRL friends, I heart you. I can't wait to meet some URL's friends in Melbourne.

... no matter how many new toys my boys got they would still rather play with my stuff (iPod)  and rearrange all my apps & utilities; or make a billy cart for their soft toys out a cardboard old box and the laces from the jigsaw.

...we are still eating party food . I over catered because a few people couldn't make it last Saturday and we didn't know they weren't coming.Then other visitors cancelled through the week. It was all good though.

....my school friends and their hubs loved sharing the Freddo cake with me last night who would have though 40+ somethings would enjoy Freddo icecream cake so much LOL. They had a choice of chocolate cake too.

... Max Brenner could easily drain our meagre bank account .

...it was such decadent and lovely birthday treat. I know that it was worth every $ (next time I'll take my own marshmallows and extra strawberries because my little monsters ate most of mine).

... I have some dear  friends who want nothing more than a partner and children but LIFE didn't go to plan. One in particularly struggles with severe depression because of it. I wish I could take away her sadness. It was lovely to spend some time with her twice this week. My boys love her.



Today , I am so grateful for my life, my family and my friends. I am constantly reminded that despite all the things I could whinge about I have so much to be thankful for - so I won't. Just it makes it harder to blog :) .

I also attended an event in the city this week. The homeless & destitute people do make me sad and very grateful. I hope I can give to organisations that help them.

Life can change in an instant and people you love can leave you.

Have a great weekend and make everyday count. 
What do you know this week ?

What are you grateful for ?

 ♥ Never miss a post

That's Freedom ...

Today I am grateful for so many things, well I am every day ;).

Maxabella ~says it's nice to pause to appreciate the things in your life that are positive and affirming, whatever they may be.

Today a nearby little village was celebrating their Bicentenary;two-hundredth anniversary of the naming of the town.The whole town was out in force (so was the RAAF with their Freedom of Entry marching parade yesterday).There was huge fair at the school , the local churches and everywhere there was a festival atmosphere.

1. I'm grateful for the free kids activities the jumping castle,'Spiderman' (AKA Superman) face painting, plaster painting, balloons, pony rides and a baby animal petting zoo and free lollipops. My boys had a blast. The hay bale ride was a $2 donation; I didn't mind a bit.
2. My roses are in full bloom except for the few I transplanted ...hoping they survive the ravaging ...they are my very special "Charlotte's" roses and my "Mother's love" !
3. Smelling the best and the most fragrant of the red hybrid tea roses Mr Lincoln. They are beautiful, long stemmed roses; perfect for cut flowers and romantic red rose.Just finding time to stop and smell the roses calms my anxiety.
4. My gorgeous little boys who say hello cheerfully to everyone and bring smiles all round.They mostly always get a positive reaction.Watching them run nekkid in the backyard when we got home and diving into the blowup pool with bike helmets on.(no photos because both camera batteries were flat and it was a sneaky way to get the red Spiderman face paint off without tears ...hubby was worried it would stain the new carpet)
5. 
   
The caramel slice at the fair was yummy (choc topping was even ok after my 7 days without chocolate).I savouring some decent chocolate ...and grateful my 7 days is up.


6. Imagining the free settlers 200yrs ago treading the grounds as I did today(& yesterday) and trying to grasp what their lives would have been like without running water, electricity, houses (even a roof), toilets, showers ...so I'm grateful for all my modern conveniences.(I recently read the book The Secret River by Kate Grenville and it gave me some insight into the experience of early frontier & poineer life in NSW OMG scary stuff).I wonder what life will be like 200 yrs from now...
   

I'm joining in the Grateful Saturday blog hop please visit other bloggers...

I have photos to follow but 'whah" my batteries are still charging before I can upload them.
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Paraskavedekatriaphobia

No fear ?
My greatest fear is that someone might ask me to pronounce it.It is the fear of the number 13 or Friday 13th more precisely. (I won't bore with the Greek of it -you can google it or Triskaidekaphobia).

Fear always springs from ignorance

~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

It is feared by many cultures and many building worldwide don't have a floor numbered the #13th floor , but of course they still have a 13th floor.

Thank God it is Friday ! ...though really !!

Today has not been a good day but at the same time nothing bad happened. It was just so damn busy,stressful and I never got to eat lunch ...3 plain sweet biscuits till 5.15pm. I was that busy. Even a p stop was unattainable, I barely managed one busting till 5.13pm .

I thought a lot about all the things I did today and it being the 13th. I am seriously not that superstitious but it crosses my mind .I start to marinate in my worries and fear. I have also had a dull headache and felt a bit off ...starvation can do that I know ;0

The fear doesn't cripple me and make me want to hide under the covers all day. Though that wouldn't have been a bad idea. I didn't sleep well.

So I am not really superstitious but you know I think about it.

Is 13 really associated with bad luck ? I am just saying ...it only 55mins to go of today I should be safe ?

When I was almost 18 my parents bought a house number 13 ...I had fears about.Three years later I moved out to a #26 ;) (truth and I didn't chose it myself- it was a share house with a friend).

They lived at #13 for 24 years almost (Dad a few years less) with nothing too sinister ever happening. But I remember someone saying #13 's are hard to shift. My SIL's sister was the purchaser.

My Dh's sister and mother (my inlaw's) have birthdays on 13th. They obviously had no choice in it. Two nephews just missed out 12th & 14th...bet they were glad or maybe boys think it kind of cool.

I wonder how many c/sections are planned for 13th ...my original c/s was 14th July ...it would have been tough had they suggested 13th a possibility.

In our business we didn't have a straight #13...superstitious reasons yes ! One day we foudn out it was #4 that was worse for some cultures ...13 or any number that reduces to 4 ~ 1 +3 =4.

Do parents fear the 13th year ? (another mystery) or celebrate the bloom of adolescence with joyful anticipation.

When I do a Thursday 13 I usually have 14 items ... I know I don't get it.

I remember enjoying the first few Friday 13th movies ...I only just found out they made 12 ! 13th has to be a hit for sure !!!

Have you got any good Friday 13th stories ?

♥

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I ... thank you

I THANK YOU ... ALL ~ It's been a tough week and I thank everyone for their kind thoughts. Please know that even if I haven't had time this week to respond specifically to your comment - I treasure each comment made and consider it a thoughtful act of friendship.

I am... super busy. I am always trying to figure out how people fit everything into their busy lives.
I want... more time to read blogs and check my emails and google reader...no really more time with my children and husband. You just never know ...
I wish...my husband and I were going out tonight for our prize winning dinner (Mum is hopefully free to babysit next week).
I hate...snakes.
I miss…my cat and her new kittens.
I fear…what recession will do to do the country and worldwide.
I worry ... constantly.
I feel…helpless I couldn't save my cat.
I hear…the hum of the computer fan, my buzzing hearing aid, my fingers tapping keys and the teen watching the TV behind me.
I smell…the gardenia through my bedroom window (a short time ago).
I crave…chocolate.
I search…for matching socks.
I wonder…why my baby died...and my cat.
I regret…yelling at my children and fighting with my teen today.
I love…being a SAH Mum...and being able to work a bit from home.
I care…DEEPLY about my children, husband, family and friends.
I ache…when I get run down or not enough sleep.
I always...enjoy visiting friends and having dinner cooked for me.
I believe…that God has a plan for my life.
I dance…only when no one else is watching or just my toddlers looking.
I sing...in the car, at church, and anywhere when I 'm alone (see I dance) !
I cry…at least once a week or more especially when reading blogs or sad stories
I don’t always...act like I should.
I fight…with my teenage son.
I write…daily on this blog only during Nablopomo now.
I never…want to be alone.
I listen…to my toddlers and marvel at their new words and increasing language.
I need…to clean up my desk and the spare bedroom we are turning into a home office...really I need to go to bed !
I am happy...with where we live right now.
I pray...every day ! Almost
I am grateful...for the connections and friendships in my virtual world.

This definitely made me think.I saw this a while ago @ A Day in the Life of a Mom of Six by Laura and I just had to do it too... it is still and I have bloggers block.



Kittens Update ...
Pickles is feeding the seven kittens and they are doing well. I hope to go visit them over the weekend.I am very relieved. B said she is now eating two tins of food a day.

The Vet send my husband a sympathy card today ...very sweet.

Advice of the Day

1. Worry is like a rocking chair - it gives you something to do but gets you nowhere (*sigh* I need to ditch my rocking chair).
2. It is better to sleep on what you intend doing, than to stay awake over what has been done.
   
3. Good character like good soup is made at home.
   

♥

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Thankful Flickr Friday - extra news

There is no Flickr Friday today but I still did a small one because ...I saw Leigh at Crazy Meezer has started the Bloggest Loser Challenge.*see credits below

• The Challenge started on 7th July - I hope it isn't too late ...

Rules are easy, weigh in will be on Sundays, so the first week is a bit of a warm up, so you can jump in when you can. The challenge will run for 12 weeks, starting tomorrow, the 7th July.

To join in, just make a post about the challenge and leave a comment and I will link to you from the challenge page (work in progress) In your post let us know your goals for the challenge and how you hope to achieve them. You don’t have to reveal how much you weigh if you don’t want to…just how much you wish to lose and your loss each week

• I have enjoyed being able to eat a lot while breastfeeding my gorgeous little milk monsters (it will come to an end one day) . I have a wider bottom half than my top half so I am keen to tone up and lose a few kilos ... because my jeans are too tight the weight is slowly creeping on. I am joining in to be encouraged and give encouragement too.

• I want to reduce a few cms off my calves (?) and thighs too. Mainly, want to get fit.I plan to continue riding my exercise bike , reduce my chocolate/sweet white cr@p and chips intake and eat more vegetables.I will ride my exercise bike and walk a few times a week (pending the weather).

What do you have to lose ?

---

UPDATED

52 Blessings to be Grateful ... TWO A new birth S

• My friend T's little Kai, was born today safe and well . He is the cutest little guy born @37 weeks and weighing in at 3kgs or so . I saw him when he was barely two hours old. A VB with no drugs ...but the gas . I saw T in the midst of a contraction 5 mins before K was born and she almost ripped the mattress apart. I knew she was close.

• T's daughter ~Charlie~ was stillborn 3 years on 9th July ...so 2 days ago was the anniversary. T was in hospital ready - as in moments - to have c/section and they found there was no heartbeat. The c/s was canceled and C was born sleeping the next day a VB so as not to cause scarring for future pregnancies. They say it better that way emotionally too ... as if there is a no better way to give birth to a dead baby.

• T & I met later at a pregnancy loss support group.Today at our support group there were 5 of us (& social worker) ...4 of us having given birth to living children after our first babies died during pregnancy.There was a little girl 2 weeks old and a boy 6 months old present.

• We were all teary talking about what it meant to go through a subsequent pregnancy after the loss of a baby and our hospital experiences. 3 of us had our 2nd (3rd) babies earlier than planned by emergency c/s due to various complications .

• The 5th mum's little boy died 3.5 years ago and she is now 29.5 wks pregnant - hanging in there by a thread ( she has a stitch in her cervix) with a precious little girl. At her baby shower on Sunday she had us in tears saying how this baby girl is a long time coming and we all knew what she meant. A day she never thought she would see ...she is in our prayers.

• T also has a little boy 22 months old so we were pregnant together for a while in 2006 and our little guys attend playgroup together. I am just so glad Kai is here safe. We all are.

---

Sat morning Update :

• Another friend C, from my pregnancy loss support group delivered Hamish this morning after a quick labour -she is even in the same hospital as T. Thank God for another safe arrival.

Apologies if the formatting was lost when you read this something in Blogger in draft completely stuffed all formatting.It has taken me 1.5hrs to fix this and still didn't work till I used bullet points. I still have no idea why - I can't see or find the HTML code causing the error.

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*1. Tape Measure, 2. Diet, 3. scales don´t lie, 4. Lost: Weight(not my photos LOL my feet are ugly)

52 blessings grateful Fridays

I am so grateful for my THINGS but ashamed of the clutter excess.

In the last week I have been de cluttering and at same time helping a family in need or rather their children.

A young family with a 4yr, 18mon, 8 mon old and she is also 9-10 weeks pregnant...staying with people we know . They came 1000km by train and barely any possessions - carrying the children and clothes on their backs almost. They have some stored possessions but not much.

I know the Tool man and I have worked hard all our married lives, been money wise, saved and of course we are older but still I am embarrassed. Our kids have too many toys ... though many are 2nd hand and handed down from cousins/friends/ their brother and new gifts.They have lots of clothes too for same reason.

It didn't hurt me to give away our excess ...a spare high chair(we never paid for), outgrown clothes,shoes, socks, singlets, some larger sized hand me downs for 4yr old , a few toys I didn't want. Yet- they were very,very grateful. I still a fraud. I didn't give them our best things...saving some for my cousin.

It's hard to explain. We are not wealthy, we are just making ends meet on one wage but the gap between us and them is vast. A canyon in fact.

At the same time I recognise they choose to smoke (sadly even while pregnant) , spend their money on excess junk food in lieu of contraception essentials for their children. They fritter it away by not knowing the value of money. They live from day to day. The kids go without a few things.

I am not angry they prefer to spend $12.50 (or more each) on a packet of 25 cigarettes (per day) instead of socks or singlets for their babies (in winter) or even new clothes,even for themselves. I just feel sad for the children.

Life isn't fair. Though part of me wonders the injustice of families who are desperate for one child or more) to 'love' and another can have so many and yet not have the means to care for them adequately. I have no doubt they love them. I try not to judge by my own expectations but it is hard.

Anyway, it was perfect timing too for this ...

Boo Mama wants us to write a post telling everyone what your goals are ...

"Whatever suits your fancy ... A list-o-goals would be perfectly fine. Here are my goals, by the way:

I am not calling it a to do list anymore ... it is an undone list

1. organise my spare room -de clutter
   
2. organise the cupboards in the garage ... after the Tool man build our new shed (this is my disclaimer
3. sort my kitchen cupboards
   
4. design my blog header ... never had one
   
5. Sort my filing cabinet - chuck out junk
   
6. Do 2007 -2008 tax (well maybe not by 25th July but get started on it or else we have a huge tax bill to pay in advance on 11th August)

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52 blessings grateful Fridays

Today I am grateful that I live in peaceful country and that I have so many freedoms. Our troops are also coming home. I saw this song somewhere -



Reading the blog blast for peace posts was very insightful to how blessed many of us are.

Thanks to everyone who joined in the last post.I really enjoyed your answers.I learnt a few things. It is amazing how far the blogsosphere stretches.

Years ago we would never how known what life was like on other continents unless we read or traveled a lot.

Tonight we have a celebration - a family dinner tonight for my sister's birthday.It was fun and good food my Mum cooked.

My week ... It has been a busy week visiting new NCLM blogs.I have been visiting more than 5 per day - I am enjoying it. I even cleared my Google reader today.I spend a lot of time reading and commenting lately.

So far I have been sticking to my June goals ... with the best of intentions.

I have been riding my exercise bike every night started with 15mins , then 4 nights of 20 mins - plus I do 5 mins warm up and cool down. It has been so tough ...OMG I didn't realise how unfit I was. I am a very lazy housekeeper so I have to get off this seat more I think.

I have been turning the computer off by 12midnight'ish.

I have eaten less chocolate but that cake .... I couldn't waste it so I had a piece or three.Then the Tool man took the last 2 pieces to work I cursed applauded him !

The apples I have had a few ...

I got to the playgroup car park by 10.04am.

I got 3 days of posts up before 3-4pm.

Tomorrow I plan to plant some seedlings.

More to do's ...
spend more time playing with my precious little boys ... my days go by in the blink of an eye and I can't believe they are almost 2.
smile more ... worry less
laugh more ...whinge less
love more ... love more
love more ... link more ;;;

Eat more chocolate fruit ... but since we are fundraising I do have a good excuse now.

.. right I had better go to bed

Welcome NCLM visitors - please read my welcome post HERE

♥

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52 blessings Grateful Fridays,

Another week and it has been a good one ... lots of randomness tonight as I wrap up my week.

• Firstly The Blogosphere blitzed Alison's busiest day ever -thanks with over 8000 hits !
  
• I started
  

  NaComLeavMo
  

  on 25th May . National Comment Leaving Month has been a lot of fun so far and I found a lot of new blogs.
• It was my blogosverary too.
  
• Our dishwasher got attacked by roaches recently - we didn't know. It broke down of the horror of making the teen do the dishes. Exasperating beyond measure.
• Our microwave was finally fixed after 5-6 months. In Dec we called the appliance repair guy who came and looked it over- said it needed new turntable motor. He was going to order it - quote was about $200 .It was a convection microwave that I use as my main oven so we said - yes ! We wanted it back by Christmas ... never happened. We let it slide.
• I still used it -just got used to turning the food or burnt edges LOL. I waited for M to ring the slacker fix the 'problem '.
  
• Finally a few weeks ago Dh took the microwave to someone else. We got it back yesterday - $142 (yes less indeed than the slacker quoted... *bing* we saved $60 odd )
  

• I digress to add the slacker guy who fixed our dishwasher - was the only one we could get - we had no choice since we hoped the dishwasher was a warranty problem. He was the authorised repairer.He still kept us waiting over a week. Unfortunately it was not under warranty and it was expensive - overcharged this too probably and took him 2 hrs to figure out the problem!
  
• The hot water system that didn't heat up last night (apparently - we hope) so we have no hot water tonight. DH had stripped off himself not for me and the babies for a shower - he jumped in to warm it up ...at the same time I was quickly filling the sink to wash up (non dishwasher stuff) - NO hot water ... I go to tell him - he who is hastily drying off and two nekkid poopy buttered babies are suddenly running about the house. I boil the kettle to make hotwater for the laundry tub bath. The teen is screaming - hey someone wipe his b u m . I chase the babies - Dh is out checking the powerboard ? Who knows why - tomorrow we find out it heats up today overnight- if that makes sense. I stopped him from drilling through the case to push the button to make it start !
  

So what I am I grateful for my appliances ... I can't live without them though for thousands of years people have but these comforts certainly make life easier. Cockroaches I have no idea why they walk the earth. Vermin.

What appliances can't you live without ?

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I am also very grateful for my Virtual friends - new and old - some which are real life friends .

I am have touched by the many instances this week to the extent that though Internet friends can’t replace your community of real life friends this virtual world can add to it.

It is the supplementary support, that in good times and/or in bad times brings us to tears and cheers us on.
When our world is shattered - cyber friends can help us pick the 'virtual' pieces. When we are triumphant - they can celebrate with us.
When we use it earnestly and with compassion to reach out in friendship, we can receive it in return - that for some us is very real. I hope that we can give and take a little of this support.
I know there are are some bloggers who never get many comments - I was one of them. In my travels the last few days I have read some heartbreaking and inspiring stories.
I try not to comment for the sake of return comments but I know that it the way we start new friendships. We strike a cord and we build up a rapport... eventually... hopefully.

I found another new Aussie blog last week A goodsort - go read there latest post - Are yours heading south ?

and they shared this awesome prose from The Modern Goddess Blog -

Mountain Dreaming from the book

The Invitation ... by Oriah

It doesn’t interest me what you do for a living.
I want to know what you ache for
and if you dare to dream of meeting your heart’s longing.

It doesn’t interest me how old you are.
I want to know if you will risk looking like a fool
for love
for your dream
for the adventure of being alive.

It doesn’t interest me what planets are squaring your moon.
I want to know if you have touched the centre of your own sorrow
if you have been opened by life’s betrayals
or have become shrivelled and closed
from fear of further pain.

I want to know if you can sit with pain
mine or your own
without moving to hide it
or fade it
or fix it.

I want to know if you can be with joy
mine or your own
if you can dance with wildness
and let the ecstasy fill you to the tips of your fingers and toes
without cautioning us to
be careful
be realistic
remember the limitations of being human...

read the full poem here or Oriah

buy the book from Harper Collins

Welcome - if you are here from NCLM please read my welcome post HERE

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TGIF ?

Thank God it's Friday and 52 Blessings to be grateful ... humour and friends who send me stuff like this





A friend sent me the first video today by email - then it was easy to Google on You tube and I found another. I admit to having a few giggles at the conversations overheard in "rest" rooms and funny things kids say are priceless...and have you seen these funny toilet pictures ?

My twins are fascinated by the toilet ...flushing and unrolling toilet paper - though still quite comfortable in their cloth nappies. Our toothbrushes are up high !

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What's worse than your finding your kids eating meaty bites?

...drinking the dog's water ! They usually tip it over about 100 times a day (ok I'm exaggerating Mum ..) but today ... they got their watering cans out...

He did it

thank goodness he didn't make me tea on Mother's day.

By the way ... Jane @ Kidzarama also shared her story about a fondness for LUV biscuits (do you remember those - My twins would wolf them down if I could still buy them ... I am pretty sure my eldest tried them)

I have other friends who send me wickedly funny stuff but you probably get it too and some is x rated!
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52 blessings grateful Fridays - Mothers

Today, I give thanks for my dear little nephew and Godson -

Happy 6th Birthday 'Champion' (my brother calls him this) ...
and it is with sadness I remember my friend ~Christine~ ... I wrote this last May

Chris (37) passed away on Friday 11th May 2007 after losing her battle with life , following a brain haemorrhage 3 months ago not long after giving birth to her much awaited little boy, William. Chris joined an internet forum after her twin daughters stillborn @21weeks on 4th & 5th July 2005.Chris received much support from friends she made there. She also gave comfort to many people including myself. She had a great sense of humour and also compassion towards others.

On the 1st anniversary of losing her twin daughters Chris got a BFP - and was overjoyed to be pregnant again. She welcomed the support on her online friends during her pregnancy. We chatted often on MSN and a few times on the phone.

Chris gave birth to her son, William Earle, @35wks2days on 8th February, 2007. A very precious little fellow. It was a week or so after his birth she became ill. She has spent the last 3 months of her life in hospital.

Oh I think about her precious lil' man, -'Junior',her never getting to know him or nuture him and him not getting to know her.

Today, may we all find the time to hesitate and remember how blessed we are , may we take the time to laugh, love and cry with those we love and whom love us

Sadly this year the first anniversary will fall on Mother's day ...

I received this by email from another dear friend today ... and it was a timely reminder of giving thanks for all Mothers - Deb's own (life long foster)Mother passed away 8 years ago on Boxing day.

It is also the inspiration (mine) for my husband's Mother's day gift ... I am unaware of the author as it was circulated by email.

BEING A MOTHER

After 21 years of marriage, my wife wanted me to take another woman out to dinner and a movie. She said, 'I love you, but I know this other woman loves you and would love to spend some time with you.'

The other woman that my wife wanted me to visit was my MOTHER, who has been a widow for 19 years. The demands of my work and my two children had made it possible to visit her only occasionally.

That night I called to invite her to go out for dinner and a movie.

'What's wrong, are you well?' she asked.

My mother is the type of woman who suspects that a late night call or a surprise invitation is a sign of bad news.

'I thought that it would be pleasant to spend some time with you,' I responded. 'Just the two of us.'

She thought about it for a moment, and then said, 'I would like that very much.'

That Friday after work, as I drove over to pick her up I was a bit nervous. When I arrived at her house, I noticed that she, too, seemed to be nervous about our date.

She waited in the door with her coat on. She had curled her hair and was wearing the dress that she had worn to celebrate her last wedding anniversary.

She smiled from a face that was as radiant as an angel's. 'I told my friends that I was going to go out with my son, and they were impressed,' she said, as she got into the car. 'They can't wait to hear about our meeting.'

We went to a restaurant that, although not elegant, was very nice and cozy. My mother took my arm as if she were the First Lady.

After we sat down, I had to read the menu. Her eyes could only read large print. Half way through the entries, I lifted my eyes and saw Mom sitting there staring at me. A nostalgic smile was on her lips. 'It was I who used to have to read the menu when you were small,' she said.

'Then it's time that you relax and let me return the favour,' I responded.

During the dinner, we had an agreeable conversation, nothing extraordinary but catching up on recent events of each other's life. We talked so much that we missed the movie.

As we arrived at her house later, she said, 'I'll go out with you again, but only if you let me invite you.' I agreed.

'How was your dinner date?' asked my wife when I got home.
'Very nice. Much more so than I could have imagined,' I answered.

A few days later, my mother died of a massive heart attack. It happened so suddenly that I
didn't have a chance to do anything for her.

Some time later, I received an envelope with a copy of a restaurant receipt from the same place mother and I had dined.

An attached note said: 'I paid this bill in advance. I wasn't sure that I could be there; but nevertheless, I paid for two plates - one for you and the other for your wife. You will never know what that night meant for me. I love you, son.'

At that moment, I understood the importance of saying in time: 'I LOVE YOU' and to give our loved ones the time that they deserve. Nothing in life is more important than your family. Give them the time they deserve, because these things cannot be put off till 'some other time'.

Somebody said it takes about six weeks to get back to normal after you've had a baby ... somebody doesn't know that once you're a mother, 'normal' is history.

Somebody said you learn how to be a mother by instinct ... somebody never took a three-year-old shopping.

Somebody said being a mother is boring ... somebody never rode in a car driven by a teenager with a driver's permit.

Somebody said if you're a 'good' mother, your child will 'turn out good' ... somebody thinks a child comes with directions and a guarantee.

Somebody said 'good' mothers never raise their voices ... somebody never came out the back door just in time to see her child hit a golf ball through the neighbour's kitchen window.

Somebody said you don't need an education to be a mother ... somebody never helped a fourth grader with his math.

Somebody said you can't love the second child as much as you love the first ... somebody doesn't have two children.

Somebody said a mother can find all the answers to her child-rearing questions in the books ... somebody never had a child stuff beans up his nose or in his ears.

Somebody said the hardest part of being a mother is labour and delivery ... somebody never watched her 'baby' get on the bus for the first day of kindergarten or on a plane headed for military 'boot camp.'

Somebody said a mother can do her job with her eyes closed and one hand tied behind her back ... somebody never organized seven giggling Brownies to sell cookies.

Somebody said a mother can stop worrying after her child gets married ... somebody doesn't know that marriage adds a new son or daughter-in-law to a mother's heartstrings.

Somebody said a mother's job is done when her last child leaves home ... somebody never had grandchildren.

Somebody said your mother knows you love her, so you don't need to tell her ... somebody isn't a mother.

Pass this along to all the 'mothers' in your life, and to everyone who ever had a mother. This isn't just about being a mother, it's about appreciating the people in your life while you have them....no matter who they are.

My husband loves the idea and I know his mother will too ... bet the first question she asks him though is - was this your idea ?

Ps. I will update my Revive our heart Challenge tomorrow ... it's been a busy week and today was busier yet.
♥

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