What I think about Pink.

I celebrate the diversity of life and that we make up our own minds when we make a purchase.

It's Pinktober again.

I've come to dislike the plethora of pink merchandise  - commercialism of pink ribbon and breast cancer for profit.

I'm just over two years out from my Breast cancer and two days into October I've seen some bizarre campaigns to promote awareness or in the name of donating to research.

Several breast cancer bloggers I follow are disgusted about one hotel chain's plan to raise money and awareness for breast cancer - by promoting a woman in a provocative pose with their  “Get into Bed for the Cause” campaign offering guests luxurious pink sheets, pink robes ...

I am just as appalled.

Each year an increasing number of pink products are being pumped out and pimped with a pretty pink ribbon.

Breastless and bald doesn't make an advertising campaign. The all things pink and pink ribbon has been hijacked by some  unscrupulous and well meaning companies whose purpose is to boost sales, push products on the public because they will donate 10 cents to cancer research or awareness.

Yes, while contributing only a fraction of the profits they proceed to lure people into buying for a good cause - yet are you really donating to charity or to the cure ?

Make a bigger difference by donating directly to your Cancer charity of choice.


We're aware. Please find a cure for my friends diagnosed with 'terminal' secondary (breast and other) cancers that will ultimately cut short their life and give them grief and suffering trying to outlive the treatment.

Many were diagnosed early and it made no difference. The cure is what we need.

This is what breast cancer really looks like, not a woman in bed, legs in the air - adorned in a pink robe.

 I'm a survivor of life,  and all its challenges so far . I don't know if I will survive my two different cancers. I say I had Breast cancer , if someone wants to know and I'm a warrior not quite a survivor. I will live in it's shadows always.

My battle scars from the storms and wars I've weathered remind me every day. There is no avoiding it I feel even when my clothes cover the scars. 




  ♥

How Eskimos keep Their Babies Warm and more than one way to parent a child

Book Review

I've been doing a lot more reading lately. I can't wait till the weather cools to snuggle up on the couch or under the doona with a book. There is nothing more satisfying.

I've always been an avid reader but since the Internet children I've read less and less. Reading a book (s) for my own enjoyment used to be a part of my daily activity, now I'm more dependent on technology and finding less time to read 'paper' books. I do read to my children most nights and listen to them read home readers 4-5 days a week

I was sent several books to review in the past month so I've been very busy.

How Eskimos keep Their Babies : Parenting wisdom from around the world , has been absolutely delightful.

I learn so many things through reading. Reading gives me insight into other peoples lives and cultures and this book was eye opening.

A charming insight into child-rearing practices across the globe

How Eskimos Keep Their Babies Warm is the perfect read for fans of bestselling parenting book French Children Don't Throw Food.

'A captivating book, filled with some genuinely useful (and jaw-dropping) child-rearing tips from all over the world' Amy Chua, author of Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother

For any parent weary of the so-called 'expert advice' peddled in books and on TV, How Eskimos Keep Their Babies Warm lifts the lid on how other cultures parent their children, with some interesting – and surprising – insights. Mei-Ling Hopgood explores how mums and dads in other countries approach such issues as bedtime, potty training, healthy eating and playtime squabbles and offers some fascinating new perspectives on how to do things.

This inspiring, engaging and fun read proves that there are many ways to be a good parent - and more than one way to raise a child.

I've been a parent for almost 19yrs and spent 10yrs nursing children in hospital. I'm still learning how to be a better parent.

How Eskimos Keep Their Babies Warm is captivating and entertaining while providing views from other parents and solid research from anthropologists and childcare experts, it's interspersed with the author's experience and observation, to explore and back up the different parenting methods observed.

The author, Mei-Ling Hopgood has a warm , 'honest' personality and she writes with humour and gentle wit. I've learned a whole lot of new ideas and had some of my own views challenged.

Mei-Ling doesn't agree with everything and even challenges what experts tell parents ...especially about potty training infants. It was interesting and easy to read.

I am an accidental 'attachment parent' who breastfed because I could, practiced baby 'wearing' for a short time (because twins do make it more challenging) and co-slept because it worked for us. I had no set ideas and I didn't have solid reasons one way or the other. I've never openly judged other parents and I tried never to offend people ...though breastfeeding my preschoolers was certainly offensive to some.

The message is clear there is no way to be a perfect parent and a million ways to be a good one!

There is just no need to attack other parents choices. I enjoyed this post by Emma too.

Disclaimer: No financial payment  was received . One copy of  How Eskimos Keep Their Babies Warm was sent to me by PAN MACMILLAN AUSTRALIA Books.All opinions are my own. Like them on Facebook

Linking up with    Jess  #IBOT
 ♥

Nablopomo ...

Thank you my loyal readers and commenters. I couldn't have done it without you cheering me on ...well if I got no comments I would have pulled the plug on daily posting.

Did you do it too ?

Let me know and I add you to my list ...in no particular order

Jenn

Veronica at her food blog

Guera

Karen 

M

Kerrie

Fe 

Chris

Sorry if I forgot you ...

Have you gained any new readers or found new blogs to stalk ?
*SIGH* I found out my comment form wasn't working one day... if you tried and couldn't comment I won't know ...does that nake any sense.

Assvice of the Day

1. It takes as much energy to wish as it does to plan. 
   
2. A great pleasure in life is doing what people say you cannot do ... I don't mean breaking the rules LOL - I mean proving someone wrong !
3. Never, never quit unless you really have to save compromising your health or integrity - keep digging deep ! Determination determines the outcome.
   

♥

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Weekly Winners

G'day - so you are here for

November 23rd - 30th

What did we do this weekend ?
we planted some
here ...
Before

After

What are we waiting for

Daddy can fix itMr Do Bee

Reaching for the sky

Standing Tall

mmm The Hot Date dessert

Tea Time

We discovered the TV finally ... 5 mins to unpack the dishwasher is all Mummy needs

Where Daddies go when there is MORE - OR Less room in his bed

See you next week

You know what to do ... go see more Weekly winners at the host with the most ... Lotus's

Advice of the day

1. Take a nap Sunday afternoons ... I should have.
2. Don't worry that you can't give your kids the best of everything just give them your very best... especially your time
   
3. Take time to smell the roses ... or plant a few potted colour annuals even a few in pot will brighten your day.

Have a great week everyone ...

♥

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Hot date

In 2 hrs time we get our first child free night out, for dinner, alone in over 2 years.

So no time to stop by and visit anyone today/tonight.

It's been a long time coming and it's a free romantic dinner for two in a private dining room.

We won it last Christmas valued at $150. It expires in 3 weeks... no time like tonight. It's one of my Dec goals and to continue in 2009 -a regular date night.

We have never spent this much money on a night out so I hope it is a great dinner. 

Nanny gets the joy of monster sitting.

Advice of the Day

1. "Keep a Song in your Heart, a Dance at your Feet, and a Smile on your Face... because You make this world a better place. Remember God made You for this time and this place with purpose and love." Jeanette Mayhew's mum
2. See this post by Marriage Hacks  Staying happily married while raising little kids 
3. Praise children often. Let them know you love them just they way they are. If you say this often enough they might just remember it throughout adolescence...still hoping I praised my teen enough.
   

See you all tomorrow ...

♥

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Tick it off the list ...

The past few months my personal goals have been very simple ... keeping my family together, eating healthier and keeping my own twin sanity intact amidst the chaos.I haven't written my goals down since July

I decided to beat the rush and get in early for December.

Health

• eat a healthy and balanced diet, even though I’m seem to craving junk food !I am trying to limit takeaway food by eating healthier foods and more home cooked meals by serious menu planning. I also want to keep a better track of what is in pantry/fridge and freezer to save wastage and the last minute - "I can't be bothered cooking - order Pizza'

• Get ready for a Christmas and do some baking ..mmm (sorry maybe that isn't so healthy but if it makes me feel good then that is good therapy for my mental health)
• Try to exercise daily ~ by walking my 10,000 steps, complimented with my exercise bike riding (20 mins = 2000 steps). I aim for minimum of 6 days per week. I'm still enjoying it. I have met my 97% of my November virtual walking trek challenge (3 days to go). December I am going for a White Christmas virtual stroll through Europe
  
• Re-energise myself every day - by taking some personal quiet time to read a book or rest away from the computer and my children or weed the garden or enjoying a bubble bath!
  

Photography -

• still on my undone list but a long term plan is to do a short course next year to learn more - I have to wait for a new camera before I do anything. I want to record memorable moments this December (take 5 pictures a day).
  

Money
Okay ... I aim to continue spending less money !

• exploring a few blogs about reducing grocery spending and start my own price book by Jan 2009
  
• Track our spending more carefully - starting now !
  
• Review what we have been spending the last few months - underway too
• Stick to my Buy Nothing Challenge as much as possible
• Check the guide of cost/hr of various electrical appliances …take the time to switch off a lot of appliances.
  

Planning and Productivity

• Finish organising my home office !I keep putting it off
• Finish (well keep working on it) 2008 tax because I think I am due a refund.
• Review and rewrite my 43 things and draft my 101 in 1001 days. I want to start Jan 2009... It's been on my to do list forever. I must start listing 10 things for for 101 list tomorrow soon.
• Complete a daily project - be it housework related ( as much as I hate cleaning), in my garden, baking or any of the above.Finding a simple easily achievable project with to complete every day will help me reduce my stress levels and give me a sense of accomplishment. I'll try to journal them so I can look back at what I achieved.
  
• Growing our own vegetables - I have to pot up my tomato seedlings by the weekend and think of my next plantings.
• Get things sorted for a Garage sale or to freecycle or give away. The De-cluttering will help our hip pocket too and give me more space.
• I haven't forgotten this awesome site where you can print off a FREE six week Christmas planner

5 x 5 Random Goals (for which I can't think of category)

• Build my own A.R.K. with 5 A.R.K.'s a day ...acts of random kindness (see HERE)
• Writing a gratitude diary and finding 5 things to be thankful for every day ...like Pollyana.
• Doing more things with my toddlers ... 5 things per day out of the book Toddler Play or inspiration from Playschool
  
• 5 photos per day of anything that crosses my path
• Pray for 5 people per day.
  

Family & Friends

• I am trying to get to bed by 11PM OR earlier now my toddlers wake at 6am or earlier.
  
• With Christmas approaching I hope there is time to catch up with family & friends and this is definitely a high priority on my list.
  
• Spend time alone with my husband.My husband and I have rarely had time alone in 2.5 yrs. I want to try to arrange a monthly babysitter next year for a date night.
• Go out once a month, by myself (with the 'Girls') ... maybe they need a break from me LOL
  

Blogging
I won't be blogging every day after NaBloPomo finishes.It is way too exhausting . I did BLOG 365 for over 7 months - never again.

• My new goal is to have my posts up by 2pm and try to use Blogger scheduled posts (ahead of time) for days I am busy. As long as I don't stuff up the dates before I have finished like I did this week...(oops - did you notice).
• Woo hoo I won a contest run by Le @ Third on the right and I'm getting a banner designed by Carleen @ Revised Images
  

(My header has been 'Un- done' since early this year) So maybe I need a bit of blog redesign too.

Phew ... I hope that covers it all.

Have you got any short goals or long term plans ?
What are your goals for December and have you thought about your New Year INTENTIONS ?

Assvice of the day

1. Say Thank you & please a lot ...and your children will too hopefully !
2. Be the first to say Hello or smile too !
   
3. Use the good silver and dinner set ... why not ?

♥

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Weekly Winners

November 16th - 22nd

It was an event filled week but I didn't snap many photos

Speed 1
Speed 2The Original Little Drummer boy

Feet first

It's all about the water

Do these shoes make my ankles look fat?

In

Pickles - our heroine foster mumOnions - Foster Mum 2

You know what to do ... go see more Weekly winners at the host with the most ... Lotus's

Advice of the day

1. Have you ever noticed a calm person with a loud voice
2. Look for the good in all situations ...practice Pollyana and the glad game!
   
3. Monday' itis - meh ! ... make Monday an A.R.K day and have a great week
   

♥

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Smiley Saturday - Build an A.R.K.

It wasn't the best week for smiles but I still had plenty to smile about despite our cat dying after being bitten by brown snake and having to say goodbye temporarily to her seven @ 9 day old kittens.

The Acts of Random Kindness that led us to find another lactating mother cat for them touched me beyond measure. It reaffirmed for me that people care about animals and will go the extra mile to rescue them. So many good and kind people crossed my path.

Also, that mother nature and the animal world is just as amazing. Pickles , the cat I salute you too for adopting my seven tiny kittens.

I visited my special friends, Tiff , Ivy,Noah & the big kids for a short while .That was a day full of smiles.

I smiled when my two year old son, S upon watching me syringe feeding the kittens and telling him their mummy was gone , sat on the floor stroking them so gently as they meowed ..."alwight, alwight" over and over ...oh my stars that was so sweet and heart melting when I was feeling so overwhelmed and sad.

I smiled when my other two year old son , J , wrapped his arms around my neck and said 'I Luv you'...many times this week.

I smiled the day I was sick , after they both hadn't seen me for a few hours they greeted me so excitedly and jumped into bed to cuddle up to me as if I had been gone for days. Such precious moments I wish I could capture forever.

I started to finally catch up on a few of my favourite (100 +) reads and was moved my this guest post from Jeanette Mayhew on JLo's blog .

In light of the acts of random kindness I received. I loved what Jeanette wrote ..

The Simplest Acts of Random Kindness (A.R.K)

Build one! :)

Smile

Laugh

Say hello

Help for no reason

Embrace with a look

Hug with your words

Listen and actually hear

Make eye contact (but do not stare)

Don't argue even when you are right

Leave encouraging, anonymous notes

Wave at a total stranger just because

Laugh for no reason at all (it's contagious)

Turn the texting off and make an actual call

Pay for the coffee for the person behind you in line

Look at yourself in the mirror and say Thank you

Buy a bag of groceries and give it to a family in need

Hold on to your opinion and encourage another person's

Let a child teach you something (even if you alreay know)

Share your umbrella... even if it means you are left in the rain.

Tell your spouse at least one thing that makes you fall in love with them all over again

Say please and thank you as you tell the Deli person what you want on your sandwich

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I also found this awesome website The A.R.K Movement.

I feel even more motivated to keep the kindness moving ... what can you do ?

November IComLeavWe begins today! -International Comment leaving week is hosted by Mel at Stirrup Queens. Read my story HERE

Advice of the Day

1. Remember there's no such thing as a small act of kindness. Every act creates a ripple with no logical end." ~ Scott Adams
2. Make the world a better place by practicing acts of kindness - one A.R.K. at a time ...soon we will all be sailing.
3. Loving will never empty your heart and giving A.R.K. will never empty your pockets.
4. Don't forget to visit Lightening for more Smiley Saturday posts.
   

♥

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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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