Groundhog Day

Have you ever longed for that movie to be true in your life? My golly me I surely do right now.

If I could go back about 18 hours I would have stayed out of the subtly disguised minefield. Had I done that I would not have stepped on the inevitable mine....one I was naively so sure I had avoided! Time and lack of combat has dulled my instincts.

Note to Self: Stay out of the minefield. Permanently.

Sunny Monday Menu Planning

You realise how unimaginative you are when you get to 2pm and still haven't finalised the week's meals. I'm feeling very ho-hum and seem to have come to a bit of a road block. I've gotten through Monday-Sunday but I shop from Wednesday-Wednesday. Ugh. Despite what I've got written in squares, things will get swapped about a bit this week...the roast will happen before Friday!

Monday: Roast Chicken, vegies
Tuesday: Pork & Feta Patties, wedges, salad
Wednesday: Baked Gnocchi with roasted tomato sauce
Thursday: Singapore Noodles
Friday: Wraps (l/o chicken), salad
Saturday: Crumbed Chicken with cranberry sauce, vegies
Sunday: Quiche, wedges, salad

Deep breath.....I'm off to remove some tasks from my to-do list!

Deep Satisfying Breath

It seems that the last few days have been somewhat of a blur when I realise I've not posted! My parents have been here, pulling my attention away from all the normal things I might otherwise be doing. Not because they are demanding, but because time spent with them is precious and far too infrequent. We've had a couple of occasions requiring babysitting, so they graciously acquiesced while finding a way for Mum not to miss her craft group in the middle of it all.

My dress remains on the still nameless model....must find that baby name book! My Courthouse Steps are at a standstill, my handsewing is untouched. However, I did manage to send in a book review just barely on time and I am relieved to have been able to honour that commitment. I've also managed to get some walking in, so I'll be relieved to report to my health care providers that I've succeeded in that commitment too!

Here's hoping some more dressmaking makes its way into my life this week!

Gob Smacked

I had a whole post relating completely to Frances and not keeping up with lots of things. However, something far more exciting has come up!

We had our school association EGM dinner last night. Right at the end the Chairman of the Board presented five certificates of appreciation for a few of the people who have 'gone above and beyond in their sacrifice of time to the school'. The Head of Secondary and Community Relations Officer both got one, the head of the catering team and the parent who spearheaded our Trivia Night both got one....and me! My completely selfish desire to be involved in my kid's education has earned appreciation from the board chairman and the Principal. I feel a bit like people who say they feel guilty for getting paid to do something that doesn't feel like work to them!

It seems I'm quite the topic of conversation amongst the school leadership. That's what happens when you work in the classroom of the Head of Primary, and did I know this was happening, she asks? No I didn't!!!! Time will tell the result of all those conversations!

Meet the Newest Family Member

No, I'm not pregnant and we haven't got any pets. Just felt I should point that out right up front!!!!!! No....this new member of our family is purely for my benefit alone. She is already hard at work sporting a partially made dress and surprising the kids continually....no, it's not a real person standing in the corner! She does, however, need a name.


This beautiful lady has come to me thanks to a seemingly insignificant remark during church lunch event a few weeks back. The former owner muttered about having two and wanting to get rid of them. Meanwhile, I had been drooling over new models in Spotlight, deterred by the price. Yesterday I picked her up, paid the meager asking price and took her home. Within an hour she was clothed and I was able to adjust the skirt pleats to suit with the greatest of ease.

So, at tonights school association meeting, I believe the tradies I need to honour would be the seamstresses and tailors of this world, without whom we would have no clothing. My basket of stitching and a tape measure around my shoulders should do the trick quite nicely.

Christmas Musings

Christmas decorations have been in the shops here for a few weeks already. I keep scoffing at them as I wander past....or rather run past, in denial. Is it just me, or does Christmas become far less exciting the older you get? While my kids are dreaming and scheming about all the wonderful things they will receive and the fantastic time with family they will have, I'm feeling a bit 'bah humbug' about the whole thing at this present moment in time. The whole idea exhausts me.

I have begun the hunt for items that will delight. Fortunately all the recipients we need to care for are little. Very little. Mr Men and Little Miss's will keep all of them quite happy with a few other bits and pieces thrown in. As for my own children? Each year I fear they will be terribly disappointed. Somehow, beyond the upcoming Prep year which is now a distant memory in our home, new school bags and lunch boxes may not cut it the same way they once did. That, and they no longer play with toys. Well, Mr Busy does within strict self imposed limits, but not the girls. What does one get 11 and 12 year old girls who don't have love-it-to-death hobbies when the mother has issues with kids their age in make up?

Don't get me wrong, there are things I love about the Christmas season. Each year our church has four candles. One is lit each Sunday throughout Advent. Somehow this quiet, simple, unassuming ceremony communicates more 'Christmas Spirit' to me than all the commercial hype beyond our church doors ever could. I love that our school always finishes up about two weeks before Christmas, allowing us time to wind down before Christmas arrives. This year, I'd like to do the 'Road to Bethlehem'. Something I've been wanting to do it every year since I heard about it. Usually we love to spend as much time as we can with Dh's brother & his family during their annual Christmas trip home from the US. Alas, this year it is not to be.

I suppose one must get through the adult responsibilities that come with Christmas preparations in order to enjoy the season to its fullest. I think I'm going to look ahead to the things I love, rather than focus on the things I don't.

'Dogwood' by Chris Fabry

I am discovering many pleasures, delights and benefits from reviewing books for Relz Reviewz. Of course it's always a pleasure to be reading and Rel delights me with an armload of good books with surprising frequency! She always has, in fact, it's just that now my armload also contains purpose. One of the very many benefits (beyond reading and reviewing, which would be enough in itself) is that I get an easy peasy post on a busy day!!!!


So...my review for 'Dogwood' by Chris Fabry has been posted. A fabulous read from an remarkable man. He'll have you hooked until the very last full stop. This is Chris's debut into adult fiction following a substantial reputation in children's literature. I hope he stays with us grown-up's for a while!